George Vernon

Who is George Vernon?

George Vernon was and a prosperous and hospitable landowner and MP in Derbyshire, who came from a long line of wealthy landowners. His family seat was at Haddon Hall, England's best preserved medieval manor house and today a major tourist attraction. He was a Member (MP) of the Parliament of England for Derbyshire in 1542.

Vernon had two daughters, Margaret and Dorothy by a first wife. His second wife was Maude, whom he married in the 1550s. In 1558, Margaret married Sir Thomas Stanley, a son of the 3rd Earl of Derby. Dorothy fell in love with John Manners, the second son of Thomas Manners, 1st Earl of Rutland. Dorothy and John Manners were married in 1563; there is evidence that Manners's brother-in-law, George Talbot, encouraged the match. Nevertheless, a legend grew up in the 19th century concerning a supposed elopement between Dorothy and John, and this legend has become the source of many novels, dramatisations and other fictional works. If indeed the elopement happened, the couple were soon reconciled with Sir George Vernon, as they inherited Haddon Hall and half of the estate on his death two years later, and John was Sir George's executor.