The son of Anna de Charlton and William de Knightley 'was heir of the Charltons of Apley Castle, and adopted that surname. Thomas Charlton (b. 30 Mar. 1394, d. 4 Jan. 1460) ...'
'In Staffordshire Historical Collections, 1894 and 1895, it is shown by entries from the Plea Rolls for 1401 that Sir Robert Fraunceys had custody of Thomas Charlton, alias Knightley, heir of Apley, Salop, during the minority of said Thomas. ... '