Sir Thomas married, in the year 1343, the youngest daughter of Sir Hamon
Massey of Dunham Massey, in the adjoining county of Chester. Twelve
years had since that period elapsed at the time when our story begins;
and though earnestly desiring male issue, that his name and race might
be perpetuated, yet was the sole fruit of their union hitherto a
daughter, named Isabel, then just entering on her tenth year. Her
winning and surpassing comeliness proved no solace to his
disappointment. He grew moodish and melancholy in the midst of his vast
wealth; apprehending the utter extinction of his name, and the intrusion
of a stranger on his birthright. Hopeless of other issue by his own
lady, he had recourse to unlawful means for this purpose, which procured
for him a sore chastisement in the end, as our narrative will show.
In that neighbourhood dwelt a comely maiden, the only daughter of a
substantial yeoman, of the name of Oskatell. This damsel, pleasing the
amorous fancy of Sir Thomas, fell an easy prey to his arts and
persuasions. Though concealed from her friends, their too frequent
intercourse at length became visible in the birth of a son, greatly to
the joy of the father, who meditated nothing less than to adopt this
illegitimate babe for the perpetuation of his name.
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