on to the broken remains of Solomon’s Tower, but no attempt was made to build it up.
   Thus, I think, it is tolerably certain that Allington was in a bad way throughout the fifteenth century, and was going from bad to worse. According to Darell, quoted by Philipot, it passed into the possession of the Brent family in the beginning of the reign of Edward IV., having been purchased by Robert Brent. There is some doubt, however, of the truth of this statement. It is more probable that it passed either by purchase or marriage into the hands of the Moresbys, and the known facts are as follows. Joan, daughter and heiress of Reginald Moresby, already owned Allington when, in or before 1475, she married John Gainsford of Lincolnshire. This same John Gainsford was, in 1483, a traitor living at Allington. In 1484 he was attainted, and in 1485 pardoned with a number of others by act of parliament. Before 10 August 1486 he was dead, leaving a son Robert (born 1476). On that date Joan Moresby, widow, settled Allington in the hands of Nicholas Gainsford and William Covert as trustees. It is 

stated incidentally that the manor and advowson of Allington at that time were worth 100 shillings, exactly the same valuation as that recorded in Doomsday Book. Allington is still held as of the manor of Horton Kirkby by service of half a knight’s fee. Shortly after this settlement the widow Moresby married John Brent, and this is the first appearance I can find of the Brents in connection with Allington. She died 16 July 1492, John Brent having predeceased her. Robert Gainsford was the heir to Allington. He was aged 16. Allington was sold by his trustees to Sir Henry Wyatt in the same year, 1492. The Brents therefore never owned Allington at all. The sale of young Gainsford’s Kentish property was doubtless due to two considerations. First, the castle was certainly in very bad repair and needed much money spending on it. Secondly, young Gainsford was a Lincolnshire lad, and apparently had property in that county, where, I believe, his descendants still survive.
   Of Sir Henry Wyatt’s life and doings I need say nothing