When Hugh de Audley died in 1347, Yalding became the property of his
only child, Margaret. Her husband, Ralph, Earl of Stafford, became
Yalding's new lord of the manor.
Ralph was a keen soldier
and between 1338 and 1340 fought with King Edward
III in Flanders. On 26th August, 1346, Ralph took part in the
sucessful victory over France at the Battle of Crecy. After the battle
Edward III gave Ralph the task of counting the dead.
The following year he played
a prominent role in the siege of Calais. After the French surrendered
Calais, Edward III granted Ralph some property in the town. As a reward
for his part in the victory over the French at Poitiers in 1356, Edward
granted Ralph land in Ireland.
Ralph died at Tonbridge
Castle on 31st August, 1372. His thirty-year old son, Hugh, inherited
his large estates. Hugh was married to Philippa, the daughter of Thomas,
Earl of Warwick. The couple had four sons and three daughters.
Like his father, Hugh,
Earl of Stafford, was an enthusiastic soldier. In the 1370s he was
with John of Gaunt on several of his campaigns in France.
Hugh also took a keen interest
in politics. In parliament he was a loyal supporter of the monarchy
and fully supported the introduction of the poll
tax. In May, 1381 he was a member of John of Gaunt's army that
marched north to deal with the Scots who were posing a threat to the
English border.
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