Francis Rodes

In 1577 Rodes purchased the manor of Hanley in the parish of Steveley from Edmund West.

On 29 June 1585 he was raised to the bench as Justice of the Common Pleas, and in October 1586 he took part in the trial of Mary, Queen of Scots, at Fotheringay Castle, though not as one of the main judges.

His 'Reports' were among the manuscript collections of Sir John Maynard (1602–1690) and are now in the library of Lincoln's Inn.

[9] A quote from an 1857 directory: Netherthorpe School.—Francis Rodes, by will, 29th of Elizabeth, left a yearly rent charge of £20 per annum, to be taken forth of his manor of Elmton; £8 thereof to the Grammar School, at Staveley Netherthorpe, £8 for two scholarships in St John's College, Cambridge, and £4 for the relief of soldiers who should be sent to the wars out of Staveley, Barlborough, and Elmton.

[6] Francis' gifts when combined with others from the Duke of Devonshire, Robert Sitwell and a local minister enabled the school to have an annual income of £29.