Edward Aston (died 1598)


Sir Edward Aston of Tixall, Staffordshire was Sheriff of Staffordshire.

Biography

Edward was the eldest son of Sir Walter Aston and his second wife Elizabeth, daughter of James Leveson of Lilleshall, Shorpshire.
Sir Edward was a wealthy man he had estates in the counties of Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire produced an annual income of £10,000. In the year 1587, Sir Edward Aston was at the head of the commission appointed by Queen Elizabeth I, to examine the letters and seal up the papers and effects of Mary Queen of Scots, who was then a prisoner at Chartley Castle. It was at this time that the Babington Plot for carrying off the Queen of Scots, was discovered. He had intended to surprise her guards and attendants, and to carry her off while she was taking the exercise of riding in the fields between Chartley and Stafford.
In 1590, Sir Edward Aston was appointed Sheriff of Staffordshire, an office of honour, and trust, which every one of his ancestors had discharged from the time of King Edward III.

Family

Sir Edward married twice. Firstly Mary, third daughter of Sir John Spencer of Althorp, who died childless, and secondly Anne only daughter of Sir Thomas Lucy, of Charlecote Warwickshire. They had five daughters and three sons: