AUDELEY

We apprehend that this name was an interpolation by the monks; for Dugdale asserts that it arose in the time of King John, and was then first assumed from territorial possessions, by a branch of that ancient and noble family of Verdon, whose chief seat was at Alton Castle, in the northern part of Staffordshire. In the immediately succeeding reigns few families held a more conspicuous place in history, but its most distinguished member was the renowned James de Audley, Lord Audley, the hero of Poictiers. With his son and successor, Nicholas, Lord Audley, summoned to parliament from 1387 to 1390, the male line of this illustrious house expired, but the barony devolved on the grandson of his lordship's sister, Joane Touchet, and is still enjoyed by her representative.

--(This name appears on the Battle Abbey roll)