In the 17th century, Thomas Harley of Brampton Castle obtained a grant from King James I, of the honour of Wigmore and Wigmore Castle. He married firstly, Margaret, daughter of Sir Andrew Corbet; and secondly, Anne, daughter of Walter Griffith of Burton Agnes. His only surviving son, from his first marriage, was Sir Robert Harley, who was Master of the Mint for King Charles I. Sir Robert married firstly Anne, daughter of Charles Barret, of Belhouse, Essex; secondly, to Mary, daughter of Sir Francis Newport, and had no surviving children with either wife. His third wife was Lady Brilliana, a celebrated letter-writer and daughter of The 1st Viscount Conway. Her mother, Dorothy, was the daughter of Sir John Tracy, and the sister of Mary, wife of General The 1st Baron Vere of Tilbury, through whom the Harley family became connected with the de Veres of the Earls of Oxford.
