Judge in grave

F orsters continued to serve the Kings of England. Sir Richard Forster fought in the Hundred Years’War against France with King Edward III at Bordeaux and Crecy. Richard participated in the Battle ofPoictiers in 1356 and was knighted for his part in the battle.Sir Richard’s son, William, was born about 1355 and married Elizabeth De Orde about 1400 inBuckton, Northumberland, England. William was knighted for service to King Henry V and served asa General in the battle against France.Their son Thomas Forster married Joan De Elmerdon about 1430. Thomas and Joan’s son, alsonamed Thomas Forster, married Elizabeth Featherstone of Stanhope Hall, Durham, England. Theyhad Roger Forster, although records show that he spelled the name Foster rather than Forster.Roger Foster married Joan Hussey in 1540. 

A Genealogy of the Descendants of Roger Foster of Edreston, Northumberlandwas compiled by Alkman Henryson Foster-Barham and published in London in 1897. Roger was 17 when he fled from Northumberland, as explained in a letter from Sir John Forster of Bamburgh, dated 17 April 1590.  The letter below was written by Sir John to Roger Foster’s grandson, Thomas Foster of Hunsdon. 

” Dear Cousin,  After right hearty commendations unto you, ye shall understand I have received yourletter wherein you desire to know of your pedigree. Your grandfather, as ye havelearned, was descended out of the house of Etherstone – whether he was the elder,second, or third, or fourth brother – and fled the country of Northumberland. I assure you I can truly satisfy you therein. Your grandfather, called Roger Foster,was my great uncle. His father was called Thomas Forster and his mother’s namewas Featherstonehaugh. His eldest son was called Thomas Forster, my greatgrandfather. It happened that four of the said brethren had been at a-hunting and were ridinghomeward through a town called Newham. They and a company of Scottish Kerrs fellout and there began bloodshed and feuds which continued until there was but oneKerr living.  During this time my grandfather and yours and another brother of theirs calledNicholas Forster (mine being twenty years old, yours 17 years, and Nicholas, a childof 14) being a-hunting – were waited upon by one of the Kerrs and two of theiralliance called Too and King. They set upon the three brothers and were thought tohave slain them at a place near Branton where a cross still stands.Two were slain there and Kerr fled. After the slaughter my grandfather fled toRidsdale in the county because he was safe there and yours fled to southern parts.”  At my house near Alnwick, 17th April 1590,   your loving cousin,John Forster.”

  Roger Foster’s son was Thomas Foster (1515-1599) of Hunsdon, Hertfordshire, England, whomarried Margaret Browning (1520-1599). Thomas and Margaret had a son who was also named Thomas Foster (1548-1612), who married Susannah Forster(1555-1625).