The Works of Lord Byron: Complete in One Volume (Classic Reprint)

Tm: ancestry of the noble Poet, a complete edition of whose works is now hr the first time presented to the public, forms a very trifling element in tint character which he has left behind him; but as every thing relative to such a man has a certain degree of interest, it may not be amiss to take a line through the family-succession since the Conquest. At that time there were two powerful Barons of the name, - Ernest, who had extensive domains in the Counties of York and Lincoln, and Ralph, whose possessions lay in Nottingham and Derby, and who was the direct ancestor of the subject of the present memoir. The two successors of Ralph were both samed Ilugh; they were great benefactors of the Church, and the last of them retired from the world, and led a monastic life. Roger succeeded to the second Hugh, and was in his' turn succeeded by Robert, who enriched the family by marrying Cecilia, only daughter of Sir Richard Clayton, of Clayton in the County of Lancaster. This happened in the reign of Henry the Second; and from that period, till the time of Henry the Eighth, Clayton continued to be the family-residence of the Byrons. 'ihe fortunate Sir Robert was succeeded by a son of the same name, whose two sons again were eminently distinguished for bravery in the wars carried on by Edward the First. Sir John, the elder of these warriors, became governor of the castle of York; and his son, also Sir John. Distinguished himself in the wars in France under Edward the Third, by whom he was knighted at the siege of Calais. This Sir John dying without issue, was succeeded by Sir Richard, and he again by another Sir John, who fought under Henry the Fifth, and received the honour of knighthood as a reward for his valour. Ilia youngest son succeeded him, and was succeeded by another Sir John, who, dissatisfied at the conduct of Richard the Third, was among the first that joined Richmond. Upon his landing at Milford. He displayed great bravery at the decisive battle of Bosworth. His prowess was not unrewarded, for Henry bestowed upon him the emcee of Constable of the castle of Nottingham, and steward and warden of Sherwood Forest. Having no family, the lands descended to his brother Nicholas. It had been through barons or knights of the name of John, that the family had hitherto been chiefly enriched and ennobled; sad in the reign of Henry the Eighth, another Sir John was made steward of Manchester and Rochdale, and lieutenant of the Forest of Sherwood. This Sir John was a great favourite with Henry, supporting him warmly in all his measures, and entering fully into all his views, both in hisn.

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