[Illustration] The pedigree is proved for three descents before the
reign of Henry VIII., the original seat of the family being at
Willimoteswick in this county, of which place Nicholas de Rydle is
designated Esquire in 1481; here also was born the Martyr Bishop of
London, Nicholas Ridley, early in the sixteenth century.
The present family is a younger branch, seated at Blagdon and
inheriting the baronetcy on the death of Sir Mathew White in 1763.
See Hodgson's History of Northumberland, vol. ii. pt. ii. p. 322,
and vol. iii. pt. ii. p. 340.
ARMS.--_Gules, a chevron between three goshawks argent_. The more
ancient coat was, _Argent, an ox passant gules through reeds
proper_.
Present Representative, Sir Mathew White Ridley, 4th Baronet.