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Draft:William Agard of Foston Hall

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William Agard of Foston Hall (1538 -1607) was the eldest son of Clement Agard (1515-1579) and his wife Eleanor, daughter of Thomas Middlemore of Edgbaston (Warks). He married Mabel (d.1621), daughter of Francis Agard (1529-1577) of Grange Gorman, Dublin (who later married John King).

He purchased an estate at Fauld in Hanbury (Staffs) from Lord Mountjoy (c. 1560) and subsequently purchased additional land there, forming Faul Manor estate. He also inherited the manor of Foston from his father in 1579.

His children by wife and cousin, Mabel Agard include: 

  • Mary Agard (1576)
  • Sir Henry Agard (1581-1635)
  • Jacquet Agard (d. 1680)
  • Francis Agard
  • John Agard (1583-1657)

William seems to have been on unfriendly terms with his close neighbor, Sir Henry Cavendish of Tutbury. William Agard and Sir Henry Cavendish received an official reprimand by order on 30 May 1592. They were instructed to desist from hostility in a private armed feud which ensued between them (reason for conflict unknown). Both were apparently engaged in pitched battle via their private armies until Sir Henry Cavendish's brother-in-law, Gilbert Talbot, 7th Earl of Shrewsbury intervened, asked the privy council that 'all matters of quarrell and pyke betwyxt them and theyrs' should be adjudicated by Robert Devereux Earl of Essex, and himself." Peace was soon after restored.

William's eldest son Henry, (who had married Felis Milward) inherited the patrilineal estate of Foston and also went on to become High Sheriff of Derbyshire. This occurred in the year their neighbor and enemy Sir Henry Cavendish (formerly Sheriff of Derbyshire) died (1616-17) and must have given William some satisfaction. William's son Henry was then also knighted the following year, in 1617, becoming the new local "Sir Henry". He would go on to became Surveyor of Woods for the Honour of Tutbury in 1633-1635. Sadly, however, considering William's dreams and aspirations for his son, he would die without issue.

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