littleton was one of the eight sons of sir john lyttelton. he was also the brother or cousin of another john littleton who had been a member of parliament and had died in gaol for his part in the essex rebellion. john had lost his estates at hagley, frankley, upper arley and halesowen. humphrey came from frankley. this john left a widow called muriel or meriel who lived at hagley park, her husband's estates having been restored to her by james i in 1603.