Dorothy Vernon

Sir George Vernon was a prosperous and hospitable landowner in Derbyshire, and his family seat was at Haddon Hall, which is England's best preserved medieval manor house and a major tourist attraction.

[5] According to historian Paul Dare's 1924 book, Ayleston Manor and Church, Dorothy and John were second cousins.

Shielded by the crowd during a ball given by Sir George, Dorothy slipped away and fled through the gardens, down stone steps and over a footbridge where Manners was waiting for her, and they rode away to be married.

[9] The marriage could have been held at Sir George's manor at Aylestone, Leicestershire, the Bakewell church or the chapel in Haddon Hall, although no written record survives.

[3][8] If indeed the elopement happened, the couple were soon reconciled with Sir George, as they inherited the estate on his death two years later.