‘The earliest existing record of this family concerns Sir John Stradling who died in 1292. In recognition of his valuable services, Edward I paid considerable debts which Sir John owed to the Italian bankers, the Riccardi of Lycca. Other records of that time show that the family fortunes were restored by the marriage of Sir Peter to a rich heiress (Joan, daughter of Thomas Hawey) through whom he inherited the castle of St Donats.’ 389