(55) Aglionby of Nunnery and Drawdykes Castle

Aglionby of Nunnery

This ancient Cumberland family traces its origins to the 12th century, and were leading citizens of Carlisle and landed gentry from the early 16th century.  John Aglionby (1642-1717), recorder of Carlisle, remodelled Drawdykes Castle, Houghton (a 14th century pele tower on the site of a Hadrians Wall milecastle) in 1676 to designs of William Thackeray of Torpenhow.  He also bought Drumburgh Castle, which he exchanged with Sir John Lowther for the Nunnery estate at Armathwaite and Kirkoswald.  Nunnery became the principal family seat after it was rebuilt as a nine-bay house by Henry Aglionby MP (1684-1759) in the 1720s.  Henry’s grandson, Christopher Aglionby, laid out picturesque walks along the R. Eden on the estate, but died unmarried in 1785.  His estates were divided among his four sisters.  In due course Nunnery itself passed to his nephew Francis Yates (later Aglionby) (1777-1840), who was chairman of Quarter Sessions, 1818-40.  He in turn left only daughters, and the house passed first to his cousin, Henry Aglionby Bateman (later Aglionby) (1790-1854) and then to his nephew, Charles Yates (later Aglionby) (1807-91).  His son, Rev. Francis Keyes Aglionby (1848-1937), was rector of Christ Church, Westminster, and sold Nunnery in 1892 to his cousin Capt. Arthur Charles Aglionby (1872-1938), who retained it until 1919 when he sold it to the Denmans of Staffield Hall.  Capt. Aglionby was Governor of Winchester and Exeter Prisons and lived later at Belfield House, Poltimore (Devon), which he built in 1925.

Drawdykes Castle, Houghton, Cumberland

A 14th century tower house , built on the site of milecastle 64 of Hadrian’s Wall, which was refronted by the prominent local mason William Thackeray for John Aglionby, Recorder of Carlisle, in 1676 as a three bay, three storey house.  It now has a farmhouse of c.1764 attached to its short side.  The main block has alternating pediments over the windows of the ground and first floors, with Thackeray’s signature flat bit at the ends.  The windows are sashed now but probably had his characteristic flush cross-mullions originally.  On the parapet is a comical bust after the antique; two more are now mounted in the yard.  Roof flashing visible in the side wall indicates that the original hall range was taller than the present farmhouse.

Descent: Edward Aglionby (d. 1553); to son, John Aglionby (d. 1584); to son, Edward Aglionby (d. 1599); to son, Edward Aglionby (c.1586/7-1648); to son, John Aglionby (c.1610-65); to son, John Aglionby (d. 1718); to grandson, Henry Aglionby (1684-1759); to son, Henry Aglionby (c.1715-70); to son, Christopher Aglionby (c.1754-85); to sister, Mary (c.1750-1816), wife of John Orfeur Yates (d. 1818); to son, Francis Aglionby (née Yates) (1777-1840); to widow, Mary Aglionby (née Matthews); to daughter, Jane, wife of Charles Featherstonhaugh; to grandson, Arthur Clarke Aglionby (1872-1938) who sold 1919...

Drumburgh Castle, Bowness-on-Solway, Cumberland

Drumburgh Castle.  Image Rose & Trev Clough.  Licensed under a Creative Commons licence.

The original building was perhaps 13th century (Richard le Brun was granted licence to crenellate in 1307).  It is tall, perfectly rectangular, built of Roman stones of even size, and had services on the west, a solar on the east, and a broad round-arched door on the ground floor.  In 1518 Thomas, 2nd Lord Dacre, remodelled it into what is now called a Solway bastle: a house where the living accommodation is on the upper floors, entered by an external stair to a first-floor entrance placed immediately west of the earlier doorway.  Over the upper doorway is a damaged panel with the Dacre arms.  The tower appears to have had four floors, the middle two lit by narrow windows, and a watch turret on the western gable.  Its purpose was to protect the inhabitants and their goods if the Scots invaded ‘as when the sea ebbeth they may easily do’.  It was described in 1580 as ‘neyther castle nor tower, but a house of convenyent strength and defence’, though it seems to have been more of a barracks than a house.  

In 1680-81 Sir John Lowther remodelled the house again in a more domestic form, although interestingly defence was still not forgotten as all the windows were originally barred.  Sir John created two taller storeys in place of the earlier three upper floors and inserted large cross-mullioned windows, now sashes.  The ground floor remains low and dark, but was given fireplaces.  A narrow internal stair to the first floor was inserted crudely, as can be seen from the fact that it cuts through a joist.  The first floor is much taller and well lit, and a big room at the east end retains small-scale panelling with a reeded top section.  There is a good stair with fat bottle balusters up to the second floor, which again has generous headroom.  A proper stair up to the watch turret was lost when that end was rebuilt in 1977.  The roof trusses are kingposts, with raking queenposts.

Nunnery, Ainstable, Cumberland

There was a small Benedictine convent here in medieval times, dissolved in 1537.  The buildings were granted to William Grayme in 1552 and passed to the Aglionbys in 1694.  The rear of the house preserves work representative of all these periods: the walls are partly 13th century (large blocks of sandstone rubble) and partly 16th century (smaller sandstone rubble).  A datestone of 1694 which has now been moved to the stable block may have recorded alterations of which no trace is now discernible except perhaps for three cross-windows on the ground floor, but is perhaps more likely to have commemorated the date the estate was acquired by John Aglionby.

The present east front was built about 1727 by Henry Aglionby (the traditional date of 1715 seems too early for the design, and in 1727 he was behind in paying an allowance to his father partly because of the cost of building an expensive new house), and consists of a nine bay, two storey block, with the middle three bays set just a little forward; it is very like a rather grander version of Hutton Hall, Penrith.  

Nunnery, from an old postcard.

The house is built of deep red sandstone, and has windows with flat raised frames, a coved cornice and a balustrade.  The doorcase has Doric pilasters, a metope frieze, and a segmental pediment.  The plan of the building is a double pile, but this arises from the addition of the 18th century block to the existing house.  The interiors, badly cut about for hotel use, are mostly of the early 18th century.  The broad stair has three balusters per step and modestly carved tread ends.  

The Nunnery Walks, from an old postcard of 1916.

The ‘Nunnery Walks’, laid out by Christopher Aglionby (d. 1785), are a landscaped promenade a little way from the house which takes full advantage of the narrow valley of the River Croglin.  There are dramatically engineered paths, vertiginous steps and viewing platforms overlooking the river which forms a series of waterfalls and pools as it attempts to break through a band of harder rock before joining the broad and beautiful River Eden.  There are no embellishments or artificial aids to contemplation, except a small summerhouse.  The walks were described in 1794 as "wild and picturesque - romantic and unrivalled beauties attract the attention of all strangers, and the admiration of everyone who has taste to admire nature in those forms, where the grand, the sublime, the romantic and the beautiful are all united..."

Previous owners: Crown granted 1552 to William Grayme alias Graham; to son, Fergus Graham; to son, William Graham; to son, George Graham; to grandson, Richard Graham; to son, George Graham sold 1685/90 to Sir John Lowther; who exchanged 1694/96 with John Aglionby (1642-1718); given to grandson, Henry Aglionby (1684-1759); to son, Henry Aglionby (c.1715-70); to son, Christopher Aglionby (d. 1785); to sister, Elizabeth (d. 1822), wife of Richard Bamber (d. 1806); to nephew, Francis Yates (later Aglionby) (1777-1840); to cousin, Henry Aglionby Bateman (later Aglionby) (1790-1854); to cousin, Charles Yates (later Aglionby) (1807-91); to son, Rev. Francis Keyes Aglionby (1848-1937), who sold 1892 to cousin, Capt. Arthur Charles Aglionby (1872-1938), who sold 1919 to Denman family of Staffield Hall.

Skirwith Abbey, Cumberland

Aerial view of Skirwith Abbey

A classical house of seven by three bays and two storeys above a full basement, built by Thomas Addison, mason, in 1768-74 for John Orfeur Yates, who had made a fortune as a merchant in India, 1759-67.  The house has full-height canted bows to the side elevations.  A pair of lower wings are detached at a respectful distance on either side of the lawn.  The house has an interesting plan with eight rooms forming a circuit on the piano nobile, including a pair of octagonal rooms fitting the canted bays at the sides.  To either side of the hall and saloon are a pair of broad spiral cantilever staircases, set in octagonal top-lit wells.

Descent: John Orfeur Yates (d. 1818) who let the house from 1800-17; to son Francis Yates (later Aglionby) (1777-1840); who sold 1822 to William Parker (d. 1856); to kinsman Rev. Christopher Parker (1817-65); to son, Edward Wilson Parker (1853-c.1925); to son, Frederick Cyril Francis Parker (1888-1970); sold 1960s to Johnston family.

The Aglionbys of Nunnery

Aglionby, Edward (d. 1553), of Carlisle and Drawdykes Castle.  Son of Thomas Aglionby (d. c.1503) and his wife (fl. 1527); born about 1490.  A prominent citizen of Carlisle; appointed by King Henry VIII as a Captain on the Scottish borders, 1524, and he remained militarily active under successive Wardens of the Western March until 1543; he also saw service in Ireland in 1530 and 1534-35, and as a minor courtier accompanied the king on an embassy to France, 1532, and was appointed gentleman usher of the chamber by 1534. He served as MP for Carlisle, 1529, 1547; Escheator for Cumberland and Westmorland, 1531; Mayor of Carlisle, 1533, 1537, 1544; Constable of Penrith Castle, 1534; collector of customs at Newcastle, 1538; JP for Cumberland from 1538; High Sheriff of Cumberland, 1544.  He married Anne ?Middleton and had issue, with three other daughters whose names are not recorded:
(1) Thomas Aglionby (d. by 1536); may have died on military service in Ireland;
(2) John Aglionby (d. 1584) (q.v.);
(3) Edward Aglionby (c.1520-90/91) of Temple Balsall (Warks); educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge (MA 1544); in 1550 he published A notable and marvailous epistle...concerning the terrible judgement of god, upon hym that for feare of men, denyeth Christ and the knowen veritie, a translation of an account of the tragic death of Francesco Spiera, which came to be used as an object-lesson to evangelicals who felt inclined to conceal their conversion or recant it; MP for Carlisle, 1547, 1552, 1553 and perhaps 1559 and for Warwick, 1571; recorder of Warwick, 1572-87 and also of Stratford-on-Avon, c.1576-86 and Coventry, 1580-88; JP for Warwickshire; married 1st, by 1553, Katherine, daughter of Sir William Wigston of Temple Balsall, and 2nd, Mary Fielding (d. 1621), but died without issue; will proved 14 October 1591; 
(4) Richard Aglionby, married and had issue;
(5) Barnard Aglionby (d. 1579), a notary in Carlisle; m. Anne Hilton and had issue two sons as well as an illegitimate daughter; died 15 May 1579
(6) Leonard Aglionby (d. 1592/3), m. and had issue;
(7) Jane Aglionby;
(8) Eleanor Aglionby.
He lived in Carlisle and at Drawdykes Castle.
He died between March and July 1553 and was buried in St. Cuthbert, Carlisle.

Aglionby, John (d. 1584), of Carlisle.  Second but eldest surviving son of Edward Aglionby (d. 1553) and his wife Anne ?Middleton, born about 1518.  Participated in a raid into Scotland under the Warden of the Western March, 1544.  MP for Carlisle, 1553, 1559; Mayor of Carlisle, 1557/8, 1581 and Coroner for the City of Carlisle, JP for Cumberland by 1555 and until 1569.  He married c.1539/40 Katherine, daughter of Thomas Salkeld and had issue:
(1) Thomas Aglionby (d. 1584);
(2) Edward Aglionby (d. 1599) (q.v.);
(3) George Aglionby;
(4) William Aglionby;
(5) Mabel Aglionby;
(6) Alice Aglionby.
He lived in Carlisle and at Drawdykes Castle.
He died after January 1584.

Aglionby, Edward (d. 1599) of Carlisle.  Second but eldest surviving son of John Aglionby (d. 1584) and his wife Katherine, daughter of Thomas Salkeld, born about 1555. Educated at Trinity College, Cambridge (matriculated 1576) and embarked on a career in trade in London (including a visit to Naples in 1581) before unexpectedly inheriting his father's property.  MP for Carlisle, 1584, 1593 and Mayor of Carlisle, 1593.  In the 1590s he was embroiled in a number of legal disputes with other leading citizens of Carlisle and made a lot of enemies.  He married c.1585 Elizabeth, daughter of Cuthbert Musgrave of Crookdike and had issue:
(1) Edward Aglionby (d. 1648) (q.v.).
He lived in Carlisle and at Drawdykes Castle, but owned the manors of Aglionby and Tarraby and other lands in Warwick, Cumwhinton, Cotehill in Hayton, High Crindledyke, Kingmoor, Milnhouse, Raughton, Bousted in Burgh-by-Sands and Bankend, as well as burgages in Carlisle and houses in the suburbs of the city.
He was attacked while riding from Corby to Carlisle one evening in December, 1599 and died from his injuries on 25 December 1599.  His widow married 2ndly, c.1602 George Hudson.

Aglionby, Edward (c.1586/7-1648) of Carlisle.  Only son of Edward Aglionby (d. 1599) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Cuthbert Musgrave, born about 1586/7.  Mayor of Carlisle in 1610, 1612, 1613, 1625, 1630 and 1644-47 (when he seems to have been a figurehead acceptable to both royalists and parliamentarians), and MP for Carlisle, 1625; elected one of the first aldermen under a new city charter in 1638.  He was a minor when this father died and his wardship was granted in 1605 to Henry Brougham (d. 1622) of Blackhall near Carlisle, whose daughter, Jane, he married in c.1608.  They had issue:
(1) John Aglionby (c.1610-65);
(2) Edward Aglionby (b. c.1613); educated at Queen's College, Oxford (matriculated, 1631; BA 1635; MA 1639; Fellow 1639-43)
(3) George Aglionby; soldier who served in garrison at Carlisle in 1640s;
(4) Thomas Aglionby; probably died young;
(5) Mary Aglionby; m. c.1622 John Sandford of Askham
(6) Dorothy Aglionby; m. Alan Blennerhasset of Carlisle.
He lived in Carlisle and at Drawdykes Castle, but became financially embarrassed through unsuccessful business ventures and was supported by his son.
He died in 1648, aged 61.

Aglionby, John (c.1610-65), of Drawdykes Castle.  Eldest son of Edward Aglionby (c.1586/7-1648) and his wife Jane, daughter of Henry Brougham of Blackhall, born about 1610.  Mayor of Carlisle, 1639, 1663-64.  Active in the Royalist cause; his lands were sequestered and his house at Drawdykes was commandeered by two Scottish generals during the Civil War siege of Carlisle; in 1652 he claimed to have been left destitute by the siege.  Compounded for his estates in 1648 for a fine of £153.  He married c.1641 Margery, daughter of Christopher Richmond of Highhead and had issue:
(1) John Aglionby (d. 1718) (q.v.);
(2) Rev. Henry Aglionby (d. 1697); educated at St John's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1667/8; BA 1670/1; MA 1684); vicar of Addingham (Cumbld), 1674-91; rector of Bowness, 1691-97;
(3) Christopher Aglionby; supervisor of excise for Cumberland, to 1705 and Westmorland, from 1705;
(4) Richard Aglionby (d. 1729), registrar of the diocese of Carlisle; m. Mary (d. 1727), daughter of Richard Patrickson of Ennerdale and had issue a daughter;
(5) George Aglionby;
(6) Jane Aglionby;
(7) Isabel Aglionby; m. 1677/8 William Nicholson of Carlisle, merchant and had issue three daughters;
(8) Mary Aglionby.
He lived at Drawdykes Castle and in the 1660s in Carlisle.
He died in 1665.

Aglionby, John (d. 1718), of Nunnery.  Eldest son of John Aglionby (c.1610-65) and his wife Margery, daughter of Christopher Richmond of Highhead, born about 1642.  Educated at Grays Inn (admitted 1656, called to the bar, 1668; KC 1690) and became steward of the Howard barony of Burgh-by-Sands before 1675.  Involved in a dispute between the Howards and the Musgraves which resulted in his being brought before the Privy Council in 1668, ordered to make a public apology and losing his position as a magistrate for seven years. Mayor of Carlisle, 1669; JP from 1675; Recorder of Carlisle 1679-1718.  A high Tory in politics, he was not ejected from the magistracy under King James II, but succeeded in retaining his offices under King William III.  He was an enthusiastic antiquarian, who decorated his houses at Drawdykes and Drumburgh with Roman antiquities found in the Carlisle area.  He married, 1660, Barbara (d. 1709), daughter of John Patrickson of Calder Abbey, and had issue:
(1) John Aglionby (1663-1729) (q.v.);
(2) Edward Aglionby (d. 1702/3); possibly a naval officer; died unmarried;
(3) Bridget Aglionby (c.1679-1715); m. George Watson of Goswich Castle (Co. Durham) and had issue five sons
(4) Barbara Aglionby (1683-1719); born 10 March 1683; m. 1718, William Nugent (who m.2, Ursula Aglionby, a cousin of his first wife);
(5) Mary Aglionby, m. Adam Craik of Arbigland (Dumfries) and had issue nine children.
He lived at Drawdykes Castle, which he employed William Thackeray of Torpenhow to remodel in 1676, and sold the family house in Botchergate, Carlisle.  He purchased Drumburgh Castle in 1678 but exchanged it with Sir John Lowther in 1694 for the Nunnery estate at Ainstable, which he put into repair and made his main seat by 1698.  Having disinherited his son, he made a settlement in 1712 on his grandson of Nunnery and much other property, and probably retired to Carlisle.
He died in March 1718, aged about 76, and was buried in the family vault in St. Cuthbert's church, Carlisle.

Aglionby, John (1663-1729) of Nunnery.  Elder son of John Aglionby (d. 1718) and his wife Barbara, daughter of John Patrickson of Calder Abbey, born 1663.  JP for Cumberland by 1688.    He was dedicated to hunting and racing and by 1696 was notorious for loose living, and in due course he was disinherited by his father in favour of his eldest son.  He then moved to the Isle of Man, where he became a merchant, at times in partnership with Edward Nash of Douglas; despite being involved in substantial transactions he remained permanently hard up and was supported partly by an allowance from his father, continued after 1718 by his son.  He married c.1683 Dinah (d. 1718), daughter and co-heir of John Stoddart of Little Braithwaite in Crosthwaite, and had issue:
(1) Henry Aglionby (1684-1759) (q.v.);
(2) John Aglionby (1685), baptised 28 September 1685 but died young.
He lived on the Isle of Man.
He died 4 December 1729 and was buried beside his wife in Kirk Braddan churchyard.

Aglionby, Henry (1684-1759) of Nunnery.  Elder and only surviving son of John Aglionby (1663-1729) and his wife Dinah, daughter of John Stoddart of Little Braithwaite. MP for Carlisle, 1721, 1722; High Sheriff of Cumberland, 1732-33; Mayor of Carlisle 1738-39. He married1712 Elizabeth Lawson (d. 1757), granddaughter of Sir William Lawson of Brayton, and had issue:
(1) Henry Aglionby (d. 1770) (q.v.);
(2) Sarah Grace Aglionby (d. 1713), died young;
(3) John Aglionby (d. 1717), died young;
(4) Elizabeth Aglionby (1721-38); born 16 May 1721; died unmarried in December 1738, aged 17;
(5) John Aglionby (1722-42); educated at Queen's College, Oxford (matriculated 1738; BA 1742); died at Oxford, probably of scarlet fever;
(6) Sarah Aglionby (d. 1798), m. Richard Lowthian (d. 1784).
He acquired the Nunnery estate and other property in Cumberland from his grandfather under his marriage settlement of 1712 and at his grandfather's death in 1718 and partially rebuilt the house in the 1720s.  In the late 1740s he moved out to a secondary house at Crossfield.
He died in late July 1759 and was buried 10 August in Ainstable church alongside his wife, who was buried there, 30 December 1757.

Aglionby, Henry (c.1715-70) of Nunnery.  Eldest and only surviving son of Henry Aglionby (1684-1759) and his wife Elizabeth, granddaughter of Sir William Lawson of Brayton, born c.1715.  Mayor of Carlisle, 1741-45, although the duties were carried out by a deputy mayor, Thomas Pattinson, who failed to prevent the city falling into the hands of the Jacobite rebels.  High Sheriff of Cumberland, 1764.  He married in 1742, Anne (d. 1780), daughter of Sir Christopher Musgrave of Edenhall and had issue:
(1) Henry Aglionby (d. 1766); educated at Carlisle Grammar School and Oriel College, Oxford (matriculated 1762); died unmarried and was buried 10 October 1766;
(2) John Aglionby (d. 1763); established as a India merchant from 1759, but drowned at sea between India and China, 9 September 1763; died unmarried;
(3) Christopher Aglionby (d. 1785) (q.v.);
(4) Elizabeth Aglionby (d. 1822), m. Richard (d. 1806), son of Richard Brown Bamber (d. 1808) of Belmont (Down); died 5 January 1822;
(5) Anne Aglionby (d. 1830), m. Rev. Samuel Bateman (1751-1827), a hunting parson later of Newbiggin Hall (Cumberland) who died on the hunting field, and had issue a son, Henry Bateman (later Aglionby) (q.v.);
(6) Julia Aglionby (d. 1798) of Crossfield; will proved 30 August 1799 in PCC;
(7) Mary Aglionby (c.1750-1816) (q.v.).
He acquired the Nunnery estate and other property in Cumberland from his father under his marriage settlement in 1742 and his father's will.  In 1764 he added the farmhouse to the side of Drawdykes Castle.
He died at Nunnery, 15 December 1770 aged 55.  His widow died of smallpox in 1780.

Aglionby, Christopher (c.1754-85) of Nunnery.  Youngest but only surviving son of Henry Aglionby (c.1715-70) of Nunnery and his wife Anne, daughter of Sir Christopher Musgrave of Edenhall, born c.1754.   Probably originally intended for a career as a merchant and admitted as a burgess at Dumfries, 1769; after succeeding to the estates he attended Oriel College, Oxford (matriculated 1771).  High Sheriff of Cumberland, 1780-81.
He inherited the Nunnery estate from his father in 1770 and laid out the Nunnery Walks as a picturesque landscape c.1780.  Following his death, his property was divided by an order in Chancery among his sisters, Elizabeth receiving Nunnery; Mary, Drawdykes; Anne, Cumwhinton and Coathill, and Julia, Aglionby and the house at Crossfield.
He died unmarried and without issue, 6 October 1785 after a 'violent but short' illness, and was buried in Ainstable church.

Yates (née Aglionby), Mary (c.1750-1816), of Skirwith Abbey and Hutton Hall, Penrith.  Youngest daughter of Henry Aglionby (c.1715-70) of Nunnery and his wife Anne, daughter of Sir Christopher Musgrave of Edenhall, born c.1750.  She married 1768 John Orfeur Yates (d. 1818), who made a fortune as a merchant in India, 1759-67 and returned to England to marry and build Skirwith Abbey (Cumberland), living on the income from capital which remained invested in India.  Their marriage was increasingly unhappy and Yates could not bear to tell his family that his capital had been lost through a series of bankruptcies and frauds in India; he borrowed from his brother Charles and mortgaged Skirwith to him to cover his expenditure, until forced by his brother to reveal the truth in 1800, when his income was only £464 a year.  Mary responded by taking control of the family finances, leasing Skirwith - which she detested anyway - and moving to the more modest Hutton Hall in Penrith.  By instituting great domestic economies and applying her own small income she was eventually able to clear John Yates' debts; Charles Yates also generously remitted 60% of the mortgage on Skirwith when he died in 1809.  John and Mary Yates had issue:
(1) Mary Yates (1772-1843) of Hutton Hall; moved to Bath in 1835; died unmarried;
(2) Anne Yates (d. 1802); died 12 February 1802, perhaps from consumption;
(3) Francis Yates (later Aglionby) (1777-1840) (q.v.);
(4) John Yates (1779-1851), emigrated to America in 1792 (aged 13) to join his uncle, Charles Yates in Fredericksburg (Virginia); educated at Nassau Hall, Princeton (New Jersey) (admitted 1796) and William & Mary College, Williamsburg (admitted 1799), and m. 7 April 1803, Julia (d. 1866), daughter of William Lovell of Fox Neck, and had issue; inherited the Walnut Grove estate in the Shenandoah valley from his uncle in 1809; returned to England on a visit in 1851 and died at Nunnery, 6 July 1851; buried at Ainstable;
(5) Henry Yates (1784-1801); died of consumption, 18 May 1801.
She inherited the Drawdykes estate from her brother in 1785.
She died 8 September 1816 and was buried in Carlisle Cathedral. Her husband died in 1818; his will was proved 15 January 1819.

Aglionby (né Yates), Francis (1777-1840) of Skirwith Abbey and later Nunnery.  Eldest son of John Orfeur Yates (d. 1818) and his wife Mary, daughter of Henry Aglionby; born 1777.  Originally educated for a career at the bar but was unable to continue his studies after 1800 because of the family financial situation, and joined the Cumberland Militia (Captain, 1803; Major, 1805).  He was a tall man, and widely liked and respected; in 1829 the Carlisle Citizen paid tribute to his 'noble figure and countenance, and unassuming mien', describing him as 'that pattern of what a country gentleman ought to be'.  JP for Cumberland and Chairman of Quarter Sessions, 1818-40.  In 1822 he changed his name to Aglionby on inheriting the Nunnery estate.  A Whig in politics, he stood unsuccessfully for the West Cumberland parliamentary seat in 1833 and 1835 and was elected MP for East Cumberland in 1837.  He married c.1813 his cousin, Mary (d. 1855?), daughter of John Matthews of Wigton Hall by his wife Jane Yates, and had issue:
(1) Henry Aglionby (d. 1834); probably died of consumption;
(2) Mary Aglionby (b. c.1816), m. 1845, Rev. Beilby Porteus (c.1808-96), vicar of Edenhall (Cumberland) and had issue four daughters;
(3) Jane Aglionby (c.1820-74), m. 1847 Charles Featherstonhaugh (d. 1885) and had issue a daughter (Elizabeth Aglionby Fetherstonhaugh, whose son purchased the Nunnery estate in 1892); she died 21 May 1874; will proved at Carlisle, 17 March 1876.
He inherited Drawdykes Castle from his mother in 1816 and Skirwith Abbey from his father in 1818, having moved back into it the previous year, but in 1822 he inherited the property of his aunt, Elizabeth Bamber, comprising Nunnery, Aglionby and Crossfield, subject to his changing his name to Aglionby and living at Nunnery.  He sold Skirwith later the same year, improved the house at Nunnery, and later added to the estate by buying Staffield Hall nearby and the advowson of Ainstable.  At his death, the entailed Nunnery estate passed to his cousin, Henry Bateman (later Aglionby), but Staffield Hall and other unentailed property was left to his widow, Mary, who continued to live with her daughters at Nunnery as Henry's guests. Staffield was eventually given to Mary's daughter Jane Featherstonhaugh as a wedding gift, and rebuilt.
He died of a cerebral haemorrhage in Carlisle, 1 July 1840 and was buried in Ainstable church.  His widow died in ?1855.

Aglionby (né Bateman), Henry Aglionby (1790-1854), of Newbiggin Hall and Nunnery.  Son of Rev. Samuel Bateman (1751-1827) of Newbiggin Hall and his wife Anne, daughter of Henry Aglionby (c.1715-70) (q.v.), born 28 December 1790.  Educated at Sedbergh, St. John's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1808; BA 1813; MA 1816) and Lincoln's Inn (admitted, 1812; called to the bar, 1816).  Practised as a barrister on the northern circuit.  He was a radical Whig in politics, and stood unsuccessfully for Parliament in Carlisle in 1829 before being elected for Cockermouth in 1832; he was MP for the town until his death in 1854.  In 1840 he changed his name to Aglionby on inheriting the Nunnery estate.  He was described in youth as 'of diminutive stature' and 'a plain-looking young man...very grave and steady in his manners', but he developed a spendthrift tendency to exceed his income and tried to regain solvency through wild schemes which often cost him money and were sometimes doubtfully legal. In the 1840s he became a director of the New Zealand Company, set up to promote colonization, and used his parliamentary position to promote the scheme, unsuccessfully.  He married, 3 March 1852, Mary Anne, widow of James Sadd (d. 1850/51) of Caterham (Surrey), but had no issue.
He inherited Newbiggin Hall from his father in 1827, and the Nunnery estate in 1840 after the death of Francis Aglionby (1777-1840), but lived mainly in London, where he had chambers in the Middle Temple.  On his marriage in 1852 he acquired Manor Cottage in Caterham, which became his main residence.  At his death he left his personal property to his widow, and his real estate to trustees for his widow and then for Mary Aglionby and her daughters, while the entailed estates passed to Charles Yates, son of John Yates (1779-1851) and grandson of Mary Yates (née Aglionby) (c.1750-1816).
He died on 31 July 1854.  His will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 22 September 1854.

Aglionby (né Yates), Charles (1807-91), of Mount Pleasant (Virginia).  Son of John Yates (1779-1851) and his wife, Julia Lovell (d. 1866), born in Jefferson County, Virginia, 1807.  Educated at Princeton (BA 1826).  He married, 1844, Judith Frances (known as Fanny) (1821-1902), daughter of Col. James W. Walker of Virginia (USA) and had issue, with five other children who died young:
(1) Rev. Francis Keyes Aglionby (1848-1937) (q.v.);
(2) John Aglionby;
(3) William Aglionby (1854-70), died unmarried;
(3) Jeanette Aglionby;
(3) Horace Waller Aglionby (1860-82), died unmarried.
He was established after his marriage on Mount Pleasant farm on his father's estate in Jefferson County.  He inherited the Nunnery estate from Henry Aglionby Aglionby (1790-1854) under the terms of the entail, and also Newbiggin Hall (which he sold in 1855) and other property in Cumberland and Dumfriesshire.  The Dumfriesshire property was sold in 1877.  He visited England in 1855 on inheriting the property but it was subsequently managed through Bleaymires of Penrith, solicitors.
He died 31 January 1891.  His widow died 29 September 1902.

Aglionby, Rev. Francis Keyes (known as Frank) (1848-1937) of Nunnery.  Elder son of Charles Aglionby (né Yates) (1807-91) of Mount Pleasant (Virginia) and his wife Fanny, daughter of Col. James W. Walker of Virginia (USA), born 1848.  Emigrated from America to England in 1867 and was educated at Queen's College, Oxford (BA 1871; BD 1873; MA 1875; DD); ordained deacon, 1873 and priest, 1874; curate of St Paul, Holloway, London, 1873-76 and Christ Church, Hampstead (Middx), 1876-78; vicar of Plungar (Notts), 1878-79, rector of Hampton Poyle (Oxon), 1879-82, vicar of Christ Church, Westminster, 1882-1917 and Newbold Pacey (Warks), 1917-27; honorary canon of Coventry Cathedral, 1921-27.  He married, 9 August 1876, Amy, daughter of Rt. Rev. Edward Henry Bickersteth, bishop of Exeter, and had issue:
(1) (Francis) Basil Aglionby (1878-1962); educated at Charterhouse and Corpus Christi College, Oxford (BA 1901; BCL 1902); served 1915-18 in WW1 in Royal Artillery (Major); , solicitor in private practice, 1918-57; married 30 September 1930 Marjorie (d. 1965), daughter of Rev. Alfred Russell, vicar of Chingford (Essex) and widow of Oliver Coales (d. 1926) and had issue a son (His Honour Judge Francis Aglionby (1932-2002)) and a daughter; died 4 January 1962; will proved 24 July 1962 (estate £38,462);
(2) Rose Frances Aglionby (1881-1961) MBE; honorary secretary of the Accra Diocesan Association, 1941-51; died unmarried, 4 June 1961;
(3) Commander Charles Edward Aglionby (1882-1966), served in Royal Navy, 1895-1919 and later as a fishery officer with the Ministry of Agriculture in north Wales; m. 1918 Christina Elizabeth Annabella, daughter of Alexander James Henry Campbell of Dunstaffnage, and had issue one son and two daughters; died 11 May 1966;
(4) Rt. Rev. John Orfeur Aglionby (1884-1963); educated at Westminster and Queen's College, Oxford (BA 1910; MA 1910); ordained deacon 1911 and priest 1912; curate of Holy Trinity, South Shields, 1911-15; served in WW1 in Royal Army Medical Corps and later as a chaplain to the forces; MC 1917; vicar of St Bede, Monkwearmouth, 1918-23; bishop of Accra (Ghana), 1923-51; died unmarried, 15 May 1963;
(5) Maj. Arthur Hugh Aglionby (1885-1918); educated at Westminster and Corpus Christi College, Oxford (BA 1908); schoolmaster, 1908-14; served in WW1 with Royal Artillery (Captain, 1917; Major, 1918; died of wounds, 7 November 1918; MC posthumously, 1919);
(6) Rev. Wilfrid Henry Aglionby (1890-1958), educated at Westminster and Corpus Christi College, Oxford (BA 1912); ordained deacon 1913 and priest 1914; curate of St Mary of Eton, Hackney Wick, 1914-16; chaplain to the forces, 1916-18 (MC 1918); curate of St Michael, Shoreditch, 1920-23; vicar of St Frideswide, Poplar, 1923-37 and St. Saviour (later St Saviour and Christ Church), Ealing, 1937-58; died unmarried, 29 July 1958;
(7) Alice Mary Aglionby (1892-1974), rather eccentric smallholder in Kent and Sussex who bred dogs, pigs, goats and peacocks; died unmarried, 17 June 1974;
(6) Alan Bernard Aglionby (1899-1901), died young.
He inherited the Nunnery estate from his father in 1891, but sold it the following year to his cousin, Arthur Charles Aglionby (q.v.).  On his retirement he bought Hilden Grange in Tonbridge (Kent), which his widow sold in the early 1940s.
He died 6 November 1937, aged 88; his will was proved in London, 20 December 1937 (estate £18,637).  His widow died 30 October 1943, aged 87.

Aglionby (né Cooper), Arthur Charles (1872-1938) of Nunnery.  Only son of Lt-Col. Arthur Sisson Cooper (later Aglionby) and his wife Elizabeth Aglionby (d. 1885), daughter of Charles Featherstonhaugh of Staffield Hall and his wife Jane (née Aglionby), born 15 July 1872. Educated at Harrow and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and later at the Inner Temple (called to the bar, 1905).  Served in the army in the 3rd bttn, Connaught Rangers, 1899-1901 (Captain), then in military intelligence in Persia, before becoming district superintendent of police in Nigeria, 1904-08; deputy governor of Manchester Prison, 1908 and later governor of Winchester Prison and Exeter Prison.  He married 8 July 1909 Joyce (1889-1960), daughter of Joseph Wynn Goodman of Park Hatch (Surrey) and had issue:
(1) Elizabeth Joyce Aglionby (b. 1911), born 15 February 1911; m. Charles Geoffrey Price;
(2) Barbara Aglionby (1915-79), born 18 July 1915; m. 1941, Richard P. Harding; died Jan-March 1979.
He inherited the Drawdykes estate from his grandmother and purchased the Nunnery estate from his cousin, Rev. Francis Keyes Aglionby (1848-1937) in 1892, but sold it again in 1919. He lived later at Gurney Court, West Harptree (Somerset) and Poltimore (Devon), where he built a new six-bedroomed house called Belfield House.
He died on 17 August 1938.

Sources

J.M. Robinson, A guide to the country houses of the North-West, 1991, pp. 104, 130; T. Longville, ‘Thrills and chills in the Cumbrian hills’, Country Life, 23 November 2000, pp. 60-63; H. Summerson, 'An ancient Squire's family': the history of the Aglionbys c.1130-2002, 2007; M. Hyde & Sir N. Pevsner, The buildings of England: Cumbria, 2010, pp. 115, 164-65, 413

Location of archives

Aglionby of Nunnery and Drawdykes Castle (Cumberland): deeds, manorial records and family papers, 12th-20th cents (Cumbria RO, Carlisle D/AY)

Revision and acknowledgements

This account was first published 14 July 2013 and was revised 21 July 2014, 22 February 2016, 10 December 2020, 12 July 2022 and 24 March 2026. I am grateful to Sarah Probert for additional information.

(54) Agard of Foston Hall

Agard of Foston

Agard of Sudbury

The Foston estate in south Derbyshire was granted soon after the Norman Conquest to the de Ferrers family and it seems probable that the Agards were installed here by the Ferrers not much later.  They were certainly here by 1270, and by 1400 they also owned property in nearby Sudbury (Derbys). Interestingly, the name seems to be cognate with Agar (see previous posts) and the coat of arms used by the Agards of Derbyshire and the Agars of Brockfield (Yorks) was very similar, but no specific connection between the two families has been traced.  In the early 15th century the estates were divided between two brothers, with the elder, John Agard (b. c.1401), receiving Sudbury and the younger, Thomas Agard (b. c.1403) receiving Foston.  Their descendants formed two distinct families through seven generations, although the close connections between them are emphasised by the way in which an (unidentified) estate at Newborough in Hanbury (Staffs) was held at different times by members of both branches of the family.  When the Foston line failed in the mid 17th century with the death unmarried of Sir Henry Agard (c.1581-1635) and his brother John Agard (c.1583-c.1655), their property was sold to the other branch of the family.  However this line did not last much longer as a gentry family: the purchaser, Charles Agard (c.1618-80) mismanaged the estate and by his will of 1678 placed his estates in the hands of trustees for the payment of his debts.  His will provided for properties that had not been liquidated for this purpose to descend to his son, John (b. c.1648), but the debts proving greater than expected, all the estates appear to have been sold, ending the family's connection with Foston after more than four hundred years.  Foston itself was sold to Richard Bate of London, merchant, in 1679.

Thomas Agard (c.1499-1549), a younger son of Ralph Agard (c.1461-c.1516) of Foston, became a Crown servant in Ireland under Henry VIII, holding offices including Treasurer of the Irish Mint and farmer of the customs of the Irish ports which offered significant opportunities for financial gain.  He held land in Derbyshire and Staffordshire that probably included an estate inherited through his mother at Kings Bromley (Staffs).  He also had a house in Hackney (Middx) where he probably lived when in England.  His son, Francis Agard (1529-77) was described as 'of Kings Bromley, Foston and Grange Gorman (Dublin)' and lived mainly at the latter seat, although he continued to purchase land around Kings Bromley and Yoxall.  He was a member of the Privy Council for Ireland, Receiver of Irish Revenues and Governor of Wexford.  Francis Agard left three daughters, one of whom married her cousin, William Agard (b. c.1538) of Foston.  Grange Gorman passed to his daughter Cecilia, wife of Sir Henry Harrington.

While the Agards of Foston appear to have developed Foston Hall as their main residence and to have lived there consistently across the generations, allowing it to develop as a country house, Sudbury was just a stepping stone for the other branch of the family.  John Agard (c.1470-c.1532) appears to have acquired what was later known as the Old Hall Farm estate at Dunstall in Tatenhill (Staffs), but nothing is known of this house in the Agards' time, as it was rebuilt in 1652, shortly after it was sold following the death of Henry Agard (fl. 1629).  The John Agard who bought Dunstall had two sons; the elder, Nicholas Agard (d. 1569) inherited Dunstall while the younger, Ralph Agard (b. c.1511) apparently held the Newborough estate mentioned above and was later described as 'of Tong' (Shropshire).   His descendants had a property at Osleston in Sutton-on-the-Hill (Derbys).  Although the Sudbury/Dunstall/Osleston branch of the family were armigerous and described as 'gentleman', none of their houses is known to have been grand enough for consideration as a country seat.

An amusing epitaph for one George Agard was composed by Thomas Bancroft (1600-58) and published in his First Book of Epigrammes, 1639.  Bancroft, who came from Swarkestone (Derbys) and mixed with local society in the east Staffordshire and south Derbyshire areas, would have known both branches of the Agard family, but he was probably writing about George Agard, the younger son of Henry Agard (c.1569-1623) of Dunstall:

An Epitaph on George Agard, Gent. 

Here lyes in a dead sleep (unheard and unseene)

Not high George a horse--backe, nor stout Georg a Greene,

But joviall George Agard, made round as a Bowle,

From Taverne to Ale--house the better to rowle.

Who 'mongst witty Clerkes many pounds having spent,

Whipt Petties for pennies, and thus was content

In Schoole to do pennance by paynes--taking great,

That so with his owne rod himselfe he might beat.

Thus casting the flesh downe, his Spirit did even

Mount up at rebound, to drinke Nectar in Heaven.

Foston Hall, Derbyshire

Copy of an 1816 sketch of Foston Hall by Charles Sneyd Edgeworth, made in 1948 by Sir Howard Colvin.

The present house is the latest in a long succession of manor houses on the site.  The medieval hall is said to have been rebuilt c.1636, and this house was extensively repaired in 1686 after falling into decay during the neglectful tenure of Charles Agard.  An inventory of 1689 describes it as having a hall, great parlour and two further parlours downstairs, in addition to the service accommodation, and six chambers upstairs in addition to the attics and garrets, so it was a substantial house.  This 17th century house was replaced around 1810 by a seven by five bay block which could have been designed by the Derby-born architect George Moneypenny junior.  This ‘large and handsome’ house was recorded in a drawing of 1816, but was destroyed by fire in 1830 or 1836 and not replaced until the present loosely neo-Jacobean red brick house was built by T.C. Hine of Nottingham in 1863-68.  

Foston Hall, as rebuilt by T.C. Hine in 1863-66.

The south front is of six bays and two storeys, the end bays projeting forwards and having canted bow windows rising through both floors.  The entrance front is asymmetrical with a prominent chimneystack, a single-storey canted bay and a three-storey tower over the off-centre entrance.  Beyond, a late 18th century rusticated stone archway leading into the service court connects the house to a long lower single-storey range with dormers.  To the north-west stands a stable block of 1905 in late 17th century style designed by Sir Ernest George & Yeates.  The house is now a women’s prison.

Descent: John Agard (c.1430-1516); to grandson, John Agard (b. c.1491); to son, Clement Agard (1515-79); to son William Agard (b. c.1538); to son, Sir Henry Agard (d. 1635); to brother, John Agard (d. c.1657); who gave it in 1650 to his kinsman, Charles Agard (c.1610-75); to son, John Agard (b. c.1646) who sold 1679 to Richard Bate... Brownlow Bate sold 1784 to John Broadhurst, who let to Richard Bateman (1757-1821) and later to Col. Charles Thorold Wood (fl. 1830); to son, John Broadhurst MP (1778-1861); to widow (d. 1878); to nephew, Admiral Sir Arthur Cumming (1817-93); to son, H.J. Cumming, who shared the house with Hon. George Higginson Allsopp MP (1846-1907); sold before 1905 to Maj. Gerald Holbeck Hardy MFH (fl. early 20th cent.); sold 1953 to Home Office for use as a prison.

The Agards of Foston Hall

Agard, Thomas (b. c.1403) of Foston Hall.  Second son of Thomas Agard (b. c.1370); born about 1403.  Described in some documents as yeoman.  He married and had issue:
(1) Nicholas Agard (c.1428-99) of Newborough and Tatenhill (Staffs); escheator of Staffordshire, 1466-67; JP for Staffordshire and possibly one of the MPs for the county;
(2) John Agard of Foston (c.1430-1516) (q.v.).
He inherited the manor of Foston from his father.
His date of death is unknown.

Agard, John (c.1430-1516) of Foston Hall.  Second son of Thomas Agard (b. c.1403); born about 1430.  Described in some documents as yeoman.  Escheator of Staffordshire, 1483-84.  He married Jane, daughter of Thomas Wolseley (c.1394-1479) of Wolseley in Colwich (Staffs) and had issue:
(1) Ralph Agard (c.1461-c.1516) (q.v.);
(2) Margaret Agard (d. 1500), m. John Rolleston (d. 28 July 1485) of Rolleston (Staffs)
(3) Nicholas Agard (d. c.1508), JP for Staffs, 1496-1508 and MP for Staffordshire, c.1495-1504;
(4) Margery Agard, m. Thomas Kynnardsley of Loxley (d. 1537/8);
(5) Joan Agard, m. John Whittington (b. c.1475) of Newborough in Hanbury (Staffs).
He inherited the manor of Foston from his father.  At his death it passed to his grandson, John Agard (b. c.1491).  In 1515 he founded a chantry at Scropton church (Derbys).
He died in 1516.  His will was proved at Lichfield.

Agard, Ralph (c.1461-c.1516).  Elder son of John Agard (c.1430-1516) and his wife Jane, daughter of Thomas Wolseley of Wolseley in Colwich (Staffs), born about 1461.  JP for Staffordshire from 1508.  He married Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Henry Hussey of Kings Bromley (Staffs) and had issue:
(1) John Agard (b. c.1491) of Foston Hall (q.v.);
(2) Thomas Agard (c.1499-1549) of Hackney (q.v.).
He inherited an estate at Kings Bromley (Staffs) in right of his wife.
He died probably in 1516 but predeceased his father, who died later that year.

Agard, John (b. c.1491) of Foston Hall.  Elder son of Ralph Agard (c.1461-1516) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Henry Hussey of Kings Bromley (Staffs), born about 1491.  He married a Miss Underhill of Ettington (Warks), perhaps a daughter of the John Underhill who had a lease of Ettington from the Shirleys in 1509, and they had issue:
(1) Clement Agard (1515-79) (q.v.).
He inherited the manor of Foston from his grandfather in 1516.
His date of death is unknown.

Agard, Clement (1515-79) of Foston Hall.  Only recorded son of John Agard (b. c.1491) of Foston Hall and his wife (née Underhill), born 1515.  He married Eleanor, daughter of Thomas Middlemore of Edgbaston (Warks) and had issue:
(1) William Agard (b. c.1538) (q.v.);
(2) George (alias Geoffrey?) Agard (c.1539-c.1608) of Newborough in Hanbury (Staffs), m. Katherine (d. 1628), daughter of Nicholas Barber of Yoxall (Staffs) and had issue 6 sons and 5 daughters; died c.1608 and buried at Hanbury (Staffs); administration of goods granted at Lichfield, 1610;
(3) Arthur Agard (1540-1615), educated at Queens College, Cambridge (matriculated 1553); Deputy Chamberlain of the Exchequer, 1570-1615; archivist and antiquary; one of the founders of the original, Elizabethan Society of Antiquaries; married Margaret Butler (d. 1611) but died without issue; died about 23 August 1615 and was buried in Westminster Abbey; will proved in Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 28 August 1615;
(4) Isobel Agard, m. John Stonor of Stonor (Oxon)
(5) Catherine Agard, m. Robert Brooke (1546-97) of Haselor (Warks).
He inherited the manor of Foston from his father.
He died in 1579.

Agard, William (b. c.1538) of Foston Hall.  Eldest son of Clement Agard (1515-79) and his wife Eleanor, daughter of Thomas Middlemore of Edgbaston (Warks), born about 1538.  He married Mabel (d. 1621), daughter of Francis Agard (1529-77) (q.v.) of Grange Gorman, Dublin (who m.2, John King) and had issue:
(1) Mary Agard (b. c.1576), m. Thomas Sprott of Ashmore Brook in Lichfield; living in 1655;
(2) Sir Henry Agard (c. 1581-1635) (q.v.);
(3) Jacquet Agard, m. 1613 John Daniell of Daresbury (d. 1680);
(4) Francis Agard;
(5) John Agard (c.1583- c.1657) (q.v.).
He purchased an estate at Fauld in Hanbury (Staffs) from Lord Mountjoy c.1560 and subsequently purchased additional land there, forming the Fauld Manor estate; he also inherited the manor of Foston from his father in 1579.  
He died about 1607.

Agard, Sir Henry (c.1581-1635) of Foston Hall.  Eldest son of William Agard (b. c.1538) and his wife Mabel, daughter of Francis Agard of Grange Gorman (Dublin), born about 1581.  High Sheriff of Derbyshire, 1616-17; knighted, 1617; Surveyor of Woods for the Honour of Tutbury, 1633-35.  He married Felis/Phaelis ?Milward but died without issue.
He inherited the manor of Foston and the Fauld Manor estate from his father, but sold the Fauld Manor estate to Thomas Astle in 1607.
He died in 1635.  His will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 22 August 1635.

Agard, John (c.1583-c.1657) of Foston Hall.  Youngest son of William Agard (b. c.1538) and his wife Mabel, daughter of Francis Agard of Grange Gorman (Dublin), born about 1583.  He married Mary Adderley, probably the daughter of Richard Adderley  (c.1557-1641) of Coton Hall (Staffs) (although by some accounts of his brother, John Adderley), but died without issue.
He inherited the manor of Foston from his elder brother, Sir Henry Agard, in 1635, but made it over to his kinsman, Charles Agard (q.v.) in 1650.  He also owned the manor of Grange Gorman in Ireland and property in Kings Bromley, Armitage, Handsacre and Ridware (Staffs).  At his death, Grange Gorman was left to his nephew, Francis Pryce.
He died about the beginning of 1657.  His widow married 2ndly, 1659, Thomas Povey (1613/4-c.1705), the friend of Samuel Pepys and William Blathwayt. 

Agard, Thomas (c.1499-1549) of Hackney.  Younger son of Ralph Agard (c.1461-c.1516) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Henry Hussey of Kings Bromley (Staffs). He was among a group of royal officials sent to Ireland to re-establish order and good government following the murder of the Archbishop of Dublin in 1532, and held office as  Controller of the Treasury, Treasurer of the Irish Mint and farmer of the customs of the Irish ports: offices which allowed plenty of scope for lining his pocket.  His tenure of office coincided with the dissolution of the monasteries, and he appears to have invested some of the profits of office in buying or leasing Irish monastic lands.  He was described as 'a sour and honest puritan inclined to Protestantism'.  He married and had issue:
(1) Francis Agard (1529-77) (q.v.);
(2) Clare Agard (d. 1590), m.1, 1555, Sir Anthony Colclough (c.1518-84) of Tintern Abbey (Wexford) and m.2, Sir Thomas Williams kt. (d. c.1587).
He inherited his mother's estate at Kings Bromley (Staffs) and acquired a leasehold interest in Grange Gorman on the outskirts of Dublin from the newly constituted Dean and Chapter of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin c.1540.  He also briefly owned Bective Abbey (Meath).  He owned a mansion in Hackney which passed at his death to her daughter and her husband.
He died at his house in Hackney in August 1549.

Agard, Francis (1529-77) of Kings Bromley, Foston and Grange Gorman.  Only son of Thomas Agard (c.1499-1549) of Hackney, born 1529. Like his father, he was a Crown official in Ireland, serving as Receiver of Irish Revenues and Governor of Wexford.  He was a member of the Privy Council for Ireland.  He married and had issue:
(1) Mabel Agard (d. 1621), m.1 William Agard (b. c.1538) (q.v.) of Foston and had issue, and m.2 John King;
(2) Cecily Agard, m. Sir Henry Harrington;
(3) Mary Agard, m.1 Henry Moore of Mellefont (Louth) (who died without issue) and m.2 William Makewy (c.1550-1636) of Ballyneskeagh (Meath) and had issue.
He inherited his father's properties at Kings Bromley and Grange Gorman in 1549, and apparently lived mainly in Ireland.
He died in 1577 and is buried in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, where he is commemorated by a monument erected by Sir Henry Harrington.

The Agards of Sudbury and Dunstall

Agard, John (b. c.1401), of Sudbury.  Elder son of Thomas Agard (b. c.1370); born about 1401.  He married and had issue:
(1) John Agard (b. c.1435) (q.v.) of Sudbury.
He inherited an estate at Sudbury (Derbys) from his father.
His date of death is unknown.

Agard, John (b. c.1435), of Sudbury.  Only recorded son of John Agard (b. c.1401), born after 1435.  He married and had issue:
(1) John Agard (c.1470-c.1532) (q.v.) of Tatenhill;
(2) Edmund Agard (c.1475-c.1545) of Newborough in Hanbury (Staffs), m.1 Catherine [surname unknown] and m.2 Alice [surname unknown] and had issue, probably including a son, Thomas (d. 1557) who inherited Newborough; will proved at Lichfield, 26 May 1545.
He inherited an estate at Sudbury (Derbys) from his father.
His date of death is unknown.

Agard, John (c.1470-c.1532), of Tatenhill (Staffs).  Elder son of John Agard (b. c.1435), born about 1470.  He married Jane [surname unknown] and had issue:
(1) Nicholas Agard (d. 1569) (q.v.) of Dunstall (Staffs);
(2) Ralph Agard (b. c.1511) (q.v.) of Tong (Shropshire).
He inherited an estate at Sudbury (Derbys) from his father, and bought the Old Hall Farm, Dunstall estate in the early 16th century.
He died about 1532.

Agard, Nicholas (d. 1569) of Dunstall (Staffs).  Elder son of John Agard (c.1470-c.1532) and his wife Jane; born before 1511.  He married twice and by his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Ferrers of Walton had issue:
(1) William Agard (c.1533-85) of Dunstall (q.v.);
(2) Nicholas Agard;
(3) Margaret Agard;
(4) Mary Agard;
(5) Dorothy Agard; living in 1585;
(6) Isobel Agard; living in 1585;
(7) Catherine Agard, born after 1546.
He inherited an estate at Dunstall in Tatenhill (Staffs) and Sudbury (Derbys) from his father and acquired land at Newborough and Agardsley in Hanbury (Staffs).
He died in 1569, and his will was proved at Lichfield the same year.  His will directs that he be buried at Tatenhill (Staffs), alongside his second wife.

Agard, William (c.1533-85) of Dunstall (Staffs).  Elder son of Nicholas Agard (d. 1569) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Ferrers of Walton, born about 1533.  He married 1st [name unknown] and 2nd, Margerie Clarke of Alrewas, and had issue, with another legitimate son and daughter:
(1) illegitimate, Elizabeth Agard;
(2) Henry Agard (c.1569-1623) (q.v.).
He inherited an estate at Dunstall in Tatenhill (Staffs) and Sudbury (Derbys) from his father in 1569.
He died in 1585.  His will was proved at Lichfield, 6 September 1585 (inventory valued at £382).

Agard, Henry (c.1569-1623) of Dunstall (Staffs).  Elder son of William Agard (c.1533-85) and his second wife, Margerie Clarke of Alrewas, born about 1569.  He married Catherine (d. 1618), daughter of William Avery of Fillongley (Warks) and had issue:
(1) Henry Agard (fl. 1629) (q.v.);
(2) George Agard; probably the subject of the epitaph quoted above;
(3) Catherine Agard;
(4) Agnes Agard.
He inherited estates at Dunstall in Tatenhill (Staffs) and Sudbury (Derbys) from his father in 1585.
He died in 1623.  His will was proved 30 September 1623 in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.

Agard, Henry (fl. 1629-45) of Dunstall (Staffs).  Elder son of Henry Agard (c.1569-1623) and his wife Catherine, daughter of William Avery of Fillongley (Warks), born about 1600.  Clerk of the Staffordshire Parliamentary Committee during the Civil War.  He married 3 October 1629 at Tatenhill (Staffs), Elizabeth Chippingdale, but died without issue.
He inherited an estate at Dunstall in Tatenhill (Staffs) and Sudbury (Derbys) from his father in 1623.
His date of death is unknown, but he may have been the Henry Agard of Brereton near Rugeley (Staffs) whose will was proved at Lichfield in 1661.

Agard, Ralph (b. c.1511), of Tong (Shropshire).  Younger son of John Agard (c.1470-c.1532) of Tatenhill  and his wife Jane, born about 1511.  JP for Staffordshire and possibly also one of the MPs for the county.  He married Elizabeth (surname unknown) and had issue:
(1) Charles Agard (c.1543-after 1611) (q.v.);
(2) Richard Agard;
(3) Thomas Agard;
(4) Ann Agard, m. Mr. Allen.
He may have lived at Newborough in Hanbury, and was later 'of Tong'.
His date of death is unknown.

Agard, Charles (c.1543-c.1611) of Osleston in Sutton-on-the-Hill (Derbys).  Eldest son of Ralph Agard (b. c.1511) of Tong and his wife Elizabeth, born about 1543.  He married Dorothy Kinnersley of Brailsford (Derbys) and had issue:
(1) John Agard (b. c.1580) of Osleston (q.v.).
He acquired a small estate at Osleston.
He died after 1611.

Agard, John (b. c.1580) of Osleston in Sutton-on-the-Hill (Derbys).  Only recorded son of Charles Agard (c.1543-c.1611) and his wife Dorothy Kinnersley of Brailsford (Derbys), born about 1580. He married c.1605 Florence, daughter of Thomas Hull of Godalming and had issue:
(1) Charles Agard (c.1618-c.1680) of Foston Hall (q.v.);
(2) Dorothy Agard, m. Rev. John Haigh, rector of Croxall (Staffs), but died without issue;
(3) Francis Agard;
(4) Ralph Agard;
(5) George Agard;
(6) Andrew Agard;
(7) Thomas Agard;
(8) John Agard;
(9) Grace Agard, died without issue;
(10) Florence Agard, died without issue;
(11) Maria Agard, died without issue;
(12) Elizabeth Agard, died without issue;
(13) Sarah Agard, died without issue.
He inherited a small estate at Osleston from his father after 1611.
His date of death is unknown.

Agard, Charles (c.1618-79) of Foston Hall.  Eldest son of John Agard (b. c.1580) of Osleston in Sutton-on-the-Hill and his wife Florence, daughter of Thomas Hull of Godalming, born about 1618.  JP for Staffordshire from 1642; High Sheriff of Staffordshire, 1640-41 and 1661.  He married twice, secondly c.1656/7 to Lucy, daughter of Thomas Brudenell of Stanton Wyville (Leics) and had issue:
(1) John Agard (b. c.1648); educated at Lincoln College, Oxford (matriculated 1665) and the Inner Temple (admitted 1667); alive in 1680
(2) Dorothy Agard (b. c.1647), m. John Stanhope of Elvaston and had issue; living in 1680;
(3) Charles Agard (c.1649-74); educated at Lincoln College, Oxford (matriculated 1665) and the Inner Temple (admitted 1667); died in 1674; will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 9 March 1674;
(4) Francis Agard, died young;
(5) Thomas Agard, died young.
(6) Katherine Agard, living in 1680
(7) Vere Agard, living in 1680
He purchased the Kings Bromley estate and Foston Hall from his cousins in 1647, but by his will of 1678 settled them on Trustees for the payment of his debts.
He died in 1679.  His will proved in Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 22 May 1680.  

Sources

Rev. S. Shaw, History of Staffordshire, vol. 1, passim; M. Craven & M. Stanley, The Derbyshire country house, 2001, vol. 2, p. 274; M. Craven & M. Stanley, The lost houses of Derbyshire, 2002, p. 51; J.T. Shawcross, The arms of the family, 2004, pp. 51-54; VCH Staffordshire vol. 10, pp. 185, 264; H.J. Grainger, The architecture of Sir Ernest George, 2011, p. 430; http://www.stirnet.com/genie/data/british/zwrk/agard1.php; http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/206; http://genforum.genealogy.com/agard/messages/27.html.  I am most grateful to Barbara Foster for drawing the epitaph for George Agard to my attention.

Family papers

Agard family of Foston and Sudbury: deeds, estate and family papers, 1536-1675 (Derbyshire RO D940)
Agard, Francis, of Kings Bromley (Staffs) and Grange Gorman (Dublin): cartulary of estates in Armitage, Handsacre and Maevesyn Ridware (all Staffs), (1479)-1565 (Birmingham Archives & Heritage MS 3069/330728)

Revision
This account was first published 9 July 2013 and was revised 20 July 2014 and 7 January 2021.

(53) Agar of Somerley, Earls of Normanton

Agar, Earls of Normanton

Charles Agar (1736-1809), the third son of Henry Agar (d. 1746) of Gowran Castle (see the previous post), was an ambitious and successful Church of Ireland clergyman who rose to be Archbishop of Cashel and later of Dublin.  He built a considerable personal fortune through judicious investment, and in reward for his consistent support of the Government was awarded a peerage as 1st Baron Somerton in 1795.  He was promoted to a viscountcy in 1801 and in 1806 created Earl of Normanton.  His son, Welbore Ellis Agar (1778-1868), the 2nd Earl, married a daughter of the Earl of Pembroke and purchased the Somerley estate in Hampshire in 1825, and this has descended in the male line down to the present day.  The 2nd Earl, who was a great collector of paintings, built a spacious picture gallery in 1850-51, perhaps to his own design.  The 3rd Earl, who inherited in 1868, immediately commissioned William Burn to add the top floor and remodel the house.  In 1883 the 3rd Earl owned a total of 42,961 acres, including estates in Kilkenny and Tipperary; 10,000 acres in Wiltshire (Idmiston etc.); 7,000 acres in Lincolnshire (Crowland, sold in 1886); 1,000 acres in Northamptonshire (Welford) as well as the Somerley estate in Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire.  The family also rented Ditchley Park (Oxfordshire) from the Viscounts Dillon from at least 1818-89.

Somerley House, Ellingham, Hampshire

The core of the house is a five bay building of yellow brick built by Samuel Wyatt in 1792-95 for Daniel Hobson, a London manufacturer.  The house has a very regular plan, a grid three rooms wide and two deep; along the south side is a colonnade of coupled Ionic columns.  In 1850-51 the 2nd Earl of Normanton added (possibly to his own designs) a spacious picture gallery to the east side of the house and a large drawing room north of it, which makes this side of the house very irregular.  Then in 1868-69 William Burn enlarged the house for the 3rd Earl: he added a second floor to the original house, extended the porch, refaced the additions of 1850-51 in a restrained Italinate manner, and added wings to either side of the main front which projected forward as far as the porch; these were removed in the 1960s.  

Somerley at its greatest extent, before the removal of the wings in the 1960s

Somerley in 2012.

Inside, the principal rooms are the shape which Wyatt gave them, although the internal fitting-out was not completed until after 1814 for Henry Baring.  The entrance hall has two dark green demi-columns at the end; beyond it lies the saloon, which rises through two storeys and has a balcony round, which must be an alteration of 1850-51 or 1868-69.  Left of the entrance hall is Wyatt’s staircase with an iron handrail of simple classical motifs and an oval skylight.  Right of the hall is the West Library, continued east by the East Library.  In the former are fine bookcases; in the latter a delicate plaster ceiling with circular motifs and an overmantel older than 1790.  North of the saloon is the dining room, white and blue, with a good chimneypiece of the 1790s.  In 1870 a new drawing room was built east of the East Library, which forms the link between the house and picture gallery; it is L-shaped, with the two parts divided by a wide opening and two fluted columns.  The chimneypiece in this room, with two white maidens, which is by F. Brown junior of Salisbury and dates from 1835, must have come from elsewhere in the house.  The picture gallery of 1850-51 has coffered coving and a coffered long centre strip flanked by strips of glazing in panels of different lengths.  The chimneypiece, known as the Rubens chimneypiece, may well be Flemish.  It has two pairs of twisted columns and in the lintel close foliage and putti.  Outside, the house stands on a fine terrace overlooking the River Avon.  The house has a very pretty former lodge in cottage ornée style on the Ashley drive.

Somerley: Ashley Lodge in 2013.  Image: Rightmove

A new red brick neo-Georgian dower house was built for Fiona, Countess of Normanton c.1970 by Kenneth Bemlow of Clutton’s, who had earlier built a new house at Bayham for her brother, 4th Marquess Camden.

Descent: Ambrose St. John sold 1782 to Daniel Hobson, a London manufacturer (d. 1805); to ?son, Edward Hobson, who sold 1814 to Henry Baring (1776-1848), who sold 1825/28 to Welborne Ellis Agar, 2nd Earl of Normanton (1778-1868); to son, James Charles Herbert Welbore Ellis Agar, 3rd Earl of Normanton (1818-96); to son, Sidney James Agar, 4th Earl of Normanton (1865-1933); to son, Edward John Sidney Christian Welbore Ellis Agar, 5th Earl of Normanton (1910-67); to son, Shaun James Christian Welbore Ellis Agar, 6th Earl of Normanton (1945-2019); to son, James Shaun Christian Welbore Ellis Agar, 7th Earl of Normanton (b. 1982).

The Agars of Somerley

Most Rev. Charles Agar
1st Earl of Normanton

Agar, Most Rev. Charles (1736-1809), Archbishop of Dublin, 1st Baron & 1st Viscount Somerton and 1st Earl of  Normanton.  Third son of Henry Agar (1707-46) [see previous post] and his wife Anne, daughter of Rt. Rev. Welbore Ellis, Bishop of Meath, born 22 December 1736.  Educated at Westminster and Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1755; BA 1759; MA 1762; DCL 1765); Chaplain to Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 1763; rector of Ballymagarvey and Skryne, 1763; rector of Annagh, 1765-66; Dean of Kilmore, 1765-68; Bishop of Cloyne, 1768-79; Archbishop of Cashel 1779-1801; Archbishop of Dublin, 1801-09.  He was the Church of Ireland's leading spokesman against attempts to resist the dismantling of the framework of restrictions on Irish Catholics, and a stout defender of the rights and privileges of his church.  He was politically able and a formidable speaker, but his views won him many enemies, and after his death he was unjustly portrayed as exceptionally venal, anti-Catholic and subservient to the English political establishment; views expressed with a virulence which has tainted his reputation.  Although undoubtedly acquisitive, he built his considerable fortune partly through judicious investment, and he spent considerable sums on building a new cathedral at Cashel and churches and schools in his dioceses.  From about 1770 onwards he was prominent in the cabinets of successive Lords Lieutenant of Ireland, and for his consistent support of the Government he was created Baron Somerton of Somerton (Kilkenny), 1795, Viscount Somerton, 1800, and Earl of Normanton, 1806: the advancement of any commoner to an earldom was unusual and for this to happen to a clergyman was perhaps unprecedented.  He married, 22 November 1776, Jane (1751-1826), elder daughter of William Benson of Downpatrick (Down) and had issue:  (1) Welbore Ellis Agar (1778-1868), 2nd Earl of Normanton (q.v.);  (2) Capt. Hon. George Charles Agar FRS (1780-1856), born 1 August 1780; educated at Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1800; BA 1804; MA 1807); served in 3rd Guards; died unmarried, 24 January 1856; will proved in P.C.C., 29 February 1856; (3) Hon. and Ven. James Agar (1781-1866) of Greenmount Manor, Antrim and 47 St Stephen's Green, Dublin, born 10 July 1781; educated at Westminster and Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1801, BA 1805; MA 1808); curate of St Nicholas Within, Dublin and prebendary of Timothan in St. Patrick's, Dublin, 1805-09; vicar of Carrigallen (Leitrim), 1809-66; rector and vicar of Holywood (Down), 1814-66; archdeacon of Kilmore (sinecure), 1816-66; married, 7 July 1829, Louisa (d. 1885), youngest daughter of Samuel Thompson of Greenmount (Antrim), but died without issue, 6 September 1866 and was buried in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin; administration of goods granted 22 November 1866 (estate under £50,000);

(4) Lady Frances Anne Agar (d. 1839), m. 14 December 1798, Thomas Ralph Maude, 2nd Viscount Hawarden (1767-1807), but died without issue, 23 May 1839.
He died 14 July 1809, aged 72, and was buried in Westminster Abbey, where his wife was also interred after her death, 25 October 1826.  They are commemorated by a monument designed in 1815 by John Bacon junior with 'an immodest but accurate' inscription.  His will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 3 August 1809 (estate estimated at £400,000).

Agar, Welbore Ellis (1778-1868), 2nd Earl of Normanton.  Eldest son of Most Rev. Charles Agar (1736-1809), 1st Earl of Normanton, and his wife Jane, elder daughter of William Benson of Downpatrick (Down), born 12 November 1778.  Educated at Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1798; BA 1802).  Described as 'short and thick-set in person, and always dressed in the plainest manner'.  He was a great connoisseur of works of art and built the picture gallery at Somerley to house his collection.  He married, 17 May 1816, Lady Diana Herbert (1790-1841), daughter of 11th Earl of Pembroke and 8th Earl of Montgomery, and had issue:
(1) James Charles Herbert Welbore Ellis Agar (1818-96), 3rd Earl of Normanton (q.v.); 
(2) Lady Mary Jane Diana Agar (1822-1904), m. 28 July 1845, Rt. Hon. Horatio Nelson, 3rd Earl Nelson (1823-1913) and had issue five sons and four daughters;
(3) Hon. Herbert Welbore Ellis Agar (1823-1901) of Stanton House, Highworth (Wilts); born 19 September 1823; educated at Harrow and Magdalene College, Cambridge (admitted 1844), m. 10 August 1871, Helen Millicent (d. 1932), daughter of James A. Gibson MLA Tasmania and had issue one son and two daughters; died 9 August 1901; will proved 2 January and 20 December 1902 (estate £54,035)
(4) Capt. Charles Welbore Herbert Agar, 44th Foot (1824-55), born 12 November 1824; killed at the Battle of Sebastopol, 18 June 1855; died unmarried and without issue; will proved 5 February 1869 (estate under £14,000);
He rented Ditchley Park (Oxon) from 1818, and acquired the Somerley estate in Hampshire in 1825, where he added the picture gallery to the house in 1850-51.
He died 26 August 1868 in London, aged 89, and was buried at Somerley.  His will was proved 2 November 1868 (estate under £700,000).

3rd Earl of Normanton
by Camille Silvy, 1860

Agar, James Charles Herbert Welbore Ellis (1818-96), 3rd Earl of Normanton.  
Eldest son of Welbore Ellis Agar (1778-1868), 2nd Earl of Normanton, and his wife Lady Diana, daughter of George Augustus Herbert, 11th Earl of Pembroke & 8th Earl of Montgomery, born 17 September 1818.  Educated at Westminster and Trinity College, Cambridge (matriculated 1838; MA 1842); President of the Tory Pitt Club at Cambridge; MP for Wilton, 1841-52; DL Wilts and Hants.  In 1873 he was created Baron Somerton of Somerley in the UK peerage.  He married, 9 April 1856, Caroline Susan Augusta (1834-1915), daughter of William Keppel Barrington, 6th Viscount Barrington of Ardglass and had issue: 
(1) Lady Caroline Elizabeth Agar (1857-94), born 21 March 1857; m. 6 September 1876, Edward Hyde Villiers, 5th Earl of Clarendon (1846-1914) and had issue one son and one daughter; died 9 May 1894, aged 37; buried at Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford (Herts);
(2) Charles George Welbore Ellis Agar, Viscount Somerton (1858-94), born 27 April 1858; died of influenza, unmarried and in the lifetime of his father, 17 January 1894, aged 35; administration of goods granted 7 March 1894 (estate £1,608)
(3) Lady Mary Beatrice Agar (1859-1943), born 10 August 1859; died unmarried, 20 August 1943, aged 84; will proved 10 March 1944 (estate £8,518)
(4) Lady Margaret Elizabeth Diana Agar (1863-1941), born 10 December 1863; m. 23 July 1884 Hon. Ivan Campbell, younger son of John Alexander Gavin Campbell, 6th Earl of Breadalbane and Holland and had issue; died 21 March 1941, aged 77;
(5) Sidney James Agar (1865-1933), 4th Earl of Normanton (q.v.); 
(6) Lady Mary Adelaide Agar (1869-1921), born 18 August 1869; m. 14 July 1894, Henry St. George Foley, son of Gen. the Hon. Sir St. George Gerald Foley, and had issue one son and one daughter; died 7 June 1921, aged 51; will proved 17 December 1921 (estate £8,657)
(7) Hon. Henry Augustus Bernard Agar (1870-85), born 21 November 1870; died unmarried, 25 April 1885, aged 14; 
(8) Hon. Francis William Arthur Agar (1873-1936), born 19 October 1873; m. 26 October 1897, Laura Astley (d. 1960), daughter of Henry Steinmetz Kennard, and had issue one son and one daughter; died 18 August 1936; will proved 28 September 1936 (estate £9,445).
He inherited the Somerley estate and the lease of Ditchley Park from his father in 1868 and made further alterations to the house at Somerley in 1868-70.  In 1883 he owned 10,060 acres in Wiltshire, 9,468 acres in Hampshire, 7,020 acres in Lincolnshire (Postland in Crowland), 1,153 acres in Dorset, 1,065 acres in Northamptonshire, 7,625 acres in Tipperary, 5,567 acres in Kilkenny and 1,003 acres in Limerick; making a total of 42,961 acres worth £48,280 a year.
He died 19 December 1896, aged 78; buried at Ellingham (Hants), where his widow was also interred.  His will was proved 3 March 1897 and 10 August 1898 (estate totalling £52,665)

4th Earl of Normanton
by Elliott & Fry, 1881

Agar, Sidney James (1865-1933), 4th Earl of Normanton.  Second but eldest surviving son of James Charles Herbert Welbore Ellis Agar (1818-96), 3rd Earl of Normanton, and his wife Caroline Susan Augusta, daughter of William Keppel Barrington, 6th Viscount Barrington, born 9 April 1865.  Educated at Eton; a Liberal Unionist in politics; JP and DL Hants.  He married, 3 November 1894, Lady Amy Frederica Alice Byng (1865-1961), daughter of 4th Earl of Strafford and had issue: 
(1) Lady Georgina Mary Elizabeth Agar (1896-1967), born 1 May 1896; died unmarried, March 1967; 
(2) Lady Alexandra Henrietta Alice Agar (1897-1971), born 23 April 1897; m. 12 April 1917 (div. 1951) Peter Haig Thomas, son of John Howard Thomas of Yscyborwen (Glam) and had issue one son and three daughters; died 5 January 1971;
(3) Lady Caroline Amy Cora Agar (1899-1989); born 11 July 1899;  died unmarried, May 1989;
(4) Lady (Mary) Karen Agar (1901-75), born 14 November 1901; m. 9 December 1925 (div. 1945), Lt-Cdr Herbert Ernest Pretyman RN, younger son of Ernest George Pretyman and had issue one son and one daughter; 
(5) Lady Diana Julia Agar (1904-29), born 13 June 1904; died unmarried, 18 March 1929, aged 24; 
(6) Lady Amy Louise Agar (1905-83), born 4 October 1905; m. 21 October 1925, Michael William John Biddulph, 3rd Baron Biddulph and had issue two sons and two daughters; died following the fire at Underdown House, Ledbury (Herefs), 11 November 1983; her will was proved 15 January 1986 (estate £109,915) and was further administered, 28 July 2005;
(7) Lady Rosemary Beatrice Agar (1908-84), born 3 June 1908; m. 23 April 1931, Capt. Christopher John Darell Jeffreys, only son of 1st Baron Jeffreys and had issue two sons; died 13 August 1984;
(8) Edward John Sidney Christian Welbore Ellis Agar (1910-67), 5th Earl of Normanton (q.v.).
He inherited the Somerley estate from his father in 1896.
He died 25 November 1933, aged 68, and was buried at Ellingham (Hants).  His will was proved 20 February and 10 May 1934 (estate totalling £627,412)

Agar, Edward John Sidney Christian Welbore Ellis (1910-67), 5th Earl of Normanton.  Only son of Sidney James Agar (1865-1933), 4th Earl of Normanton, and his wife Lady Amy Frederica Alice, daughter of Henry William John Byng, 4th Earl of Strafford, born 29 March 1910.  Educated Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge (BA); Capt, Royal Horse Guards, WW2.  He married, 1st, 5 July 1937 (div. 1943), Hon. Barbara Mary, only daughter of Sir Frederick Frankland and Baroness Zouche and formerly wife of Brig. Otho Leslie Prior-Palmer DSO MP; and 2nd, 30 October 1944, Lady Fiona Pratt (1911-85), younger daughter of John Charles Pratt, 4th Marquess Camden and formerly wife of Maj. Sir (John) Gerard Henry Fleetwood Fuller, 2nd bt. and had issue:
(2.1) Shaun James Christian Welbore Ellis Agar (b. 1945), 6th Earl of Normanton (q.v.); 
(2.2) Hon. Mark Sidney Andrew Agar (b. 1948), of Bathealton Court (Somerset), born 2 September 1948; m.1st, 1973 (div. 1979), Rosemary, daughter of Maj. Philip Marnham; and 2nd, 8 February 1985, Arabella Clare, daughter of John Gilbert Gilbey and formerly wife of Thomas Charles Blackwell, and has issue two sons.
He inherited the Somerley estate from his father in 1933. His widow built a new dower house on the estate in 1970.
He died 28 January 1967, aged 57.

Agar, Shaun James Christian Welbore Ellis (1945-2019), 6th Earl of Normanton.  Elder son of Edward John Sidney Christian Welbore Ellis Agar (1910-67), 5th Earl of Normanton and his second wife, Lady Fiona, daughter of John Charles Pratt, 4th Marquess Camden, born 21 August 1945.  Educated at Eton; Capt., Blues & Royals.  In 1974 he succeeded his kinsman, the 8th Viscount Clifden, in his subsidiary title as 9th Baron Mendip.  He married 1st, 29 April 1970 (div. 2000), Victoria Susan (b. 1949), daughter of John H.C. Beard of Ringwood (Hants) and La Tourelle, St Peter Port, Guernsey (who m2, Timothy Chadwick of Fulham, Middx); 2nd, January 2009, Rosalind Nott (1955-2011) and 3rd, 2016, Diana Dawn (b. 1945), daughter of Col. R.C.S. Collison and widow of John R. Duppa de Uphaugh (1934-2012), and had issue:
(1.1) James Shaun Christian Welbore Ellis Agar (b. 1982), 7th Earl of Normanton (q.v.); 
(1.2) Lady Portia Caroline Agar (b. 1976), m. 2003, Harry Baker, son of Charles Baker of Chiddingfold (Surrey) and has issue one son and one daughter; 
(1.3) Lady Marisa Charlotte Agar (b. 1979).
He inherited the Somerley estate from his father in 1967.
He died 13 February 2019. His first wife is now living. His second wife was buried at Ellingham, 24 June 2011. His widow is now living.

Agar, James Shaun Christian Welbore Ellis (b. 1982), 7th Earl of Normanton. Only son of Shaun James Christian Welbore Ellis Agar, 6th Earl of Normanton, and his first wife, Victoria Susan, daughter of John H.C. Beard of Ringwood (Hants) and La Tourelle, St Peter Port (Guernsey), born 7 September 1982. He married, June 2012, Lady Lucy Caroline Alexander (b. 1984), younger daughter of 2nd Earl Alexander of Tunis and has issue:
(1) Lady Georgina Rose Agar (b. 2014), born 8 May 2014;
(2) Arthur Alexander Christian Welbore Ellis Agar (b. 2016), Viscount Somerton, born 14 February 2016;
(3) Hon Frederick Charles Edward Agar (b. 2018), born 26 February 2018.He inherited the Somerley estate from his father in 2019.
Now living. 

Sources

Burke's Peerage & Baronetage, successive editions; Sir N. Pevsner & D. Lloyd, The buildings of England: Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, 1967, pp. 508-09; J.M. Robinson, The latest country houses, 1984, p. 226; A.P.W. Malcolmson, Archbishop Charles Agar, 2002.

Where are their papers?

Agar family of Somerley, Earls of Normanton: deeds, manorial records, family and estate papers concerning Somerley estate and property in Wiltshire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Ireland, 15th-20th cents. (Hampshire Archives, 21M57); family correspondence, 19th cent. (Hampshire Archives, 34M69)
James Charles Herbert Welbore Ellis Agar, 3rd Earl of Normanton (1818-96): estate and family correspondence and papers, 1840-1908 (Georgetown Univ., Lauinger Lib.: Earl of Normanton papers)

Revision and acknowledgements

This account was first published 5 July 2013 and was updated 13 May 2014, 18 February and 29 February 2016, 13 March 2018, 16 February and 7 April 2019, 20 March 2020 and 28 October 2025.