Chapter I, Memoirs of the Archdales, by Henry Blackwood Archdale

The list of Bailiffs of Stafford, compiled by Thomas Worswick (Salt ms 369), contains the following entries :

1539

Wm. Horne } Baylives John Mills

This John Mills dyed in his Baylywicke, And then was
John Archdale chosen Bayliffe for to serve out the yere.

l546

John Archdale } Baylives William Horne

The following extracts from the Chamberlains' and Churchwardens' Accounts of St. Mary's, Stafford (Salt ms 366) may be of interest to those who are curious about prices and values in Tudor times:

[July 1539.] They Royd Wardens. A cownte mayd be Henr' Saweg & Jhon Arschdall A pon relyk sondey in y^e xxv yer' of y^e reyn of Kyng Henr' viij & y^e have delyverd to Mr. Bayles xxd.

[Easter Week, 1533-4]. They Royd Wardens. A Counte mad be Jhon Myllus & Jhon Kempe on Wensdey in y^e astur weyke in y^e xxvth yer of y^e Kyng Henr' viiith & al thyngs A lowd y^e have delyverd to Jhon Arshdayll to order makying a lauer for ye rod iijs. iiijd.

[May 1534]. Sent Bartelins Wardens. A Counte mad be Rychart Dyllorne And Rychart Dorynton on Mundey next aftur y^e invencion of the crosse in y^e xxvj yer of kyng Hen' viij th & al thynges a lowd y^e have delyverd to Thomas Boykley & Jhon Arschdayll vjs. viijd.

The Chamburlens Rent. A contyd by Mr. Beyle Terre and John Archedalle and alle thynges mett and John Archedall has xijd to be stow apon the payment and so met.

[May 28th 1536]. Sent Bertelims Wardens. Thaccont of Thomas Boykley & Jhon Arschdall Wardens of Sent Bertelin's churc have made yer acont y^e xxviijth day of May y^e xxviijth yer of Kyng Henr' viijth al thynges receud & A lowyd the seid wardens ow to y^e seid church xxxixs. iiijd. o y^e wych y^e have delyverd to Thomas russell & Robt Dorynton barbur.

[March 24th 1538-9] Churche Wardens. John Kempe & John Archedall have mad ther' Accomptes afore Ricard Homersley & Robert Dorynton Baleies of Staff. & other ther brethern xxiiij day of Marche Ano xxx Henr' viij by all thynges receved and A compted for and they have delyveryd up in to the Tresore lvjs. vjd.

[June 14th 1540] Church Wardens. Richard Dorynton & James Clemens have made ther accomptes Afore Willm. Horne & John Archedale Baylles of Staff. & other ther Brethern xiiijth day of June xxij Hen. viij all thynges Receved and accompted for and they have delyveryd up in to Tresory vjs. iiijd.

[Oct. 7th 1540]. Rode Wardyns. Thomas Gryme & Robert Doryngton have made ther accomptes Afore Willm. Horne & John Archedale Baylles of Staff & other ther Brethern the vijth day of occtober the xxxij yere of Kyng Henr' the viijth all thynges Recevede and payed.

[May 2nd 1541]. Chamberlens. James Clemens & John Archedale have made ther accomptes afore Thomas Stace & John Sale Baylles of the Towne & Berowe of Staff. and other ther Brethern secundo die Maii Anno xxxiij Henr' octavi. All thynges receved And Accompted for & have delyverd ixd. to the newe chamberleines Willm. Peyke & John Doryngton wt a Bok of Dettes the somme vijs. vd.

[Oct. llth 1544]. Rode Wardens. Johannes Archedalle & Richard Leec whiche made ther Accountes affore the foreseid beyllys & ther brethern the day & yere above wrytton sq. the yere of oure lord god a mlvcliiij & all thynges dischargett & quyett.

[Jan. 30th 1550-1]. Memorandum the same day Thomas Gryme John Archedale mayd ther Acownt and most paye unto Wyllm Bromley Edward Mylles Chyrche wardyns And the most pay xxxvjs. xjd. to be payde wt In thre wekkes after Candylmas so yt the most be d to the Chamberlayns xijs. vd. of the same.

From depositions taken in June 1542, it appears that John Archdale was in the King's Commission. He lived in the parish of St, Mary's, Stafford, until his death. Administration of his estate was granted on May 18th 1557¹ ; his widow, Anne, being executrix of his will, and an inventoty was to be exhibited before the following Michaelmas. He left a daughter Elizabeth, and five sons² :—

1. Richard Archdale was admitted to the Middle Temple at the instance of a Mr. John Pollard, on October 16th 1551, and signed “ Per me Richm. Arch [edalle].” He is

A copy of the entry in the Act Book at Lichfield is given in Appendix C. See also Lichfield Wills and Administrations, p. 7.
See the Archdale pedigree in the Herald's Visitation of London, 1633-4, given in full in Appendix C. This Pedigree omits Martin and Elizabeth ; but the family wills prove that Martin was a brother of the others, and the cresent in his Arms, on the Funeral Certificate (App. B) denotes he was a second son.