The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

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Willoughby Aston, 2nd Baronet Aston (5 Jul 1640 - 14 Dec 1702)

He succeeded to the title of 2nd Baronet Aston on 24 March 1645/6. He held the office of Sheriff of Cheshire 1680-1681 and 1690-1691. Relevant locations: Residence at Aston Hall, Aston-by-Sutton
References in Documents:
A Brief Narrative of a Strange and Wonderful Old Woman that hath a Pair of Horns (1676)

The third time grew two Horns, both which were beat off by a Fall backward; one of them an English Lord obtained, and (as is reported) presented it to the French King for the greatest Rarity in Nature, and received with no less Admiration: The other (which was the largest) was Nine Inches long, and two Inches about; it is much valued for the Novelty, a greater than any Iohn Tradeskin can set to view, or the greatest Traveller can with truth affirm to have seen. Sir Willoughby Aston hath also another Horne which dropt from this Womans Head, and reserves it as a Choice Rarity. At this present she hath a pair of Hornes upon her Head of Six Moneths Growth; And 'tis not without reason (7) believed, they will in a short time bee larger than any of the former; for still the latter have exceeded the former in bigness.