Note (return) — Replies.

Robert Ferrers son and heir of Robert, first Lord Ferrers of Wemme (second son of Robert, third Baron Ferrers of Chartley), and of Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of William Boteler of Wemme, was born circa 1372, being eight years old at his father's death in 1380 (Esc., 4 Ric. II., No. 25.). He married Joan Beaufort, only daughter of John Duke of Lancaster by Catharine Swynford, who became the duke's third wife, 13th January, 1396; their issue before marriage having been made legitimate by a patent read in parliament, and dated 9th February, 1397 (Pat., 20 Ric. II. p. 2. m. 6.). It might almost be inferred from the description given to Joan, Lady Ferrers, in the patent of legitimation, "dilectæ nobis nobili mulieri Johannæ Beauford, domicellæ," that her first husband was not then living. We find, however, that she had certainly become the wife of the Lord Neville before the 16th of February following, and that Lord Ferrers was then dead (Johanne qui fuist femme de Monsieur Robert Ferrers que Dieu assoile): Pat., 21 Ric. II. p. 2. m. 22.; Pat., 22 Ric. II. p. 3. m. 23. The Lord Ferrers left by her only two daughters, his coheirs, viz. Elizabeth, wife of John, sixth Baron Greystock, and Mary, wife of Ralph Neville, a younger son of Ralph, Lord Neville of Raby, by his first wife Margaret Stafford. The mistake in ascribing Lord Ferrers' death to the year 1410, has probably arisen from that being the year in which his mother died, thus recorded in the pedigrees: "Robert Ferrers, s. & h. obt vita matris," who (i.e. the mother) died 1410 (Esc., 12 Hen. IV., No. 21.). His widow remarried Ralph, Lord Neville of Raby, fourth baron, who was created Earl of Westmoreland, 29th September, 1397[1], and died 1425. The Countess of Westmoreland died 13th November, 1440.