one half of Gropenhale should revert to the Heirs of Sir John and the other half to the Heirs of Joan. Lib. C. fol. 242. v. fol. 290. a. Sir John Daniell had Issue by Joan a Daughter and Heir called Nicolaa Mother of Margaret Wife of Alan de Rixton in Lancashire which Margaret dying without Issue 6 Rich. 2. Margaret the Wife of John Savage of Clifton Daughter and Heir of Sir Thomas Daniell of Bradley the younger elder Brother of the said Sir John Daniell had the Purpart of the said Lands as one of the Heirs of Margaret late Wife of Alan de Rixton 9 Rich. 2. And Thomas Boydell Son of William sir-named Boydell Son of Howell Son of Margaret Sister of Joan Mother of Nicolaa was the other Heir Lib. C. fol. 290. c. whose Land was after divided as anon shall appear Margaret Wife of John Savage afterwards married Piers Legh of Maxfield 1388. 12 Rich. 2. younger Son of Robert Legh of Adlington and she gave unto Peter Legh of Lyme her Son the Moiety of Gropenhale 4 Hen. 4. in her Widowhood which she had as Heir to Margaret late Wife of Alan de Rixton from whom the Leghs of Lime now Lord of the moiety of Gropenhale 1666. Lib. C. fol. 290. d. The Originals Penes Legh of Lime The other Moiety of Gropenhale descending to Thomas Boydell aforesaid Ex Chartulis Merbury de Merbury juxta Great Budworth came to the Part of Hugh Reddish of Caterich younger Son of Reddish of Reddish in Lancashire in Right of Margaret his Wife Daughter and Co-heir of Thomas Boydell by Partition made of all Thomas Boydell's Lands 5 Hen. 5. Lib. C. fol. 282. I. Isabell the other Daughter and Co-heir of Thomas Boydell married John Alburgham whose Son Gilbert had also two Daughters and Heirs Constance Wife of Henry Byrom of Byrom in Lancashire and Isabel Wife of James Holte 3 Hen. 7. The Part belonging to Reddish of Caterich came to William Merbury of Merbury Esq in Right of Maud his Wife Daughter and Heir of Thomas Reddish of Caterich in Gropenhale Anno 1556. Lib. C. fol. 284. P. whose Heirs have ever since enjoyed the same to this present 1666. In this Township hath been anciently and yet is a Parish-Church Dedicated to St. Wilfrid whose Feast of Dedication was usually Celebrated the twelfth day of October yearly and hath onely two Townships in its Parish to wit  The Mize  l. s. d. Gropenhale 00 14 00 Lachford 00 10 00  01 04 00 I find Gropenhale Church was a Rectory in the Reign of Henry the Third Lib. C. fol. 283. x. and had then the Boydells of Dodleston for its Patron who were Lords of Gropenhale and Lachford both But now Byrom of Byrom in Lancashire hath the Advowson hereof 1666. Sir William Boydell of Dodleston built a Chappel in this Church wherein William Boydell his Son and Heir swore to find an honest Chaplain to pray for the Souls of the said Sir William and Nicolaa his Wife for evermore 8 Edw. 3. 1334. She was Daughter of William de Doncaster Lib. C. fol. 285. d. e. Charterers now in Gropenhale 1666. 1. John Middlehurst 2. William Morris of Gropenhale 3. Richard Davys 4. Thomas Blackborne of Lachford now hath got half of Davys's Land Hale THis Township of Hale was held by Hamon Massy in the Conqueror's Time as appears by Doomsday-book So that it is anciently of the Fee of the Barons of Dunham-Massy In this Town were Seated the Massies of Hale anciently who were propagated Originally out of the Massies of Dunham-Massy which Family continued for many Ages but is now extinct 3 Hen. 4. there were fourteen Free-holders or Charterers in Hale At this day 1666. there are twenty three Free-holders The Lord Delamere is now Chief Lord of the one Moiety of Hale and John Crew of Crew Esquire is Chief Lord of the other Moiety Here is a Hamlet in Hale called Ringey wherein is situated a Chappel of Ease called Ringey-Chappel within the Parish of Bowdon of which I have little to say save that it was much frequented in the late War by Schismatical Ministers and as it were a Receptacle for Non-Conformists in which dissolute Times every Pragmatical Illiterate Person as the Humor served him stepp'd into the Pulpit without any Lawful Calling thereunto or Licence of Authority Halton THis Town in common Pronunciation is called Hauton and is as much as A Town upon a Hill for Hawe and Howe is an old English word for A Hill Howbeit in our Norman way of Writing it is usually written Halton in Doomsday-book it is written Heletune Here is yearly a Fair kept on the Feast of the Nativity of St. Mary which is the eighth day of September and hath been very anciently for I find it mentioned in an Old Deed made towards the latter end of the Reign of Henry the Third Lib. C. fol. 164. b. It is now a poor Town or Village and the Inhabitants that have any Lands of Inheritance there are all Copy-holders to the King as Baron of Halton save two small Cottages now 1666. in possession of John Jackson and Richard Jennings which are of the Fee of St. John of Hierusalem The Castle was built by the Barons of Halton presently after the Norman Conquest and by degrees Repaired and Enlarged who being Seated here flourished for a long time and were Constables of Cheshire in Fee that is to them and their Heirs by Descent as it were after the manner of Lord High Constables of England so were the Barons of Halton to the Earls of Chester and in their Ancient Charters did always stile themselves by the Title of Constabularius Cestriae Constables of Cheshire and were the Highest in Place and Dignity next to the Earl himself and above all the other Barons of Cheshire In the Reign of Henry the Third their Posterity became Earls of Lincoln And upon the Death of Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln 1310. all his Lands and Honors came to the Earl of Lancaster with Alice his Daughter and Heir in Marriage And at last Henry of Bolingbroke Son of John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster was so Great a Subject and so Popular that he drew unto his Part most of the Nobility of England and thereby most Traiterously and Rebelliously Deposed Richard the Second and made himself King of England by the Name of Henry the Fourth So was the Barony of Halton annexed to the Crown All which will better appear by the following History of these Eminent Barons of Halton till this Barony came to the Crown In this Town of Halton was formerly a Chappel of Ease within the Parish of Runcorne situated near to the Castle as I well remember the same 1625. But it is now totally in decay 1666. Barons of Halton This Nigell if we may believe Pecham in his Compleat Gentleman pag. 189. was the Son of Ivo Vice-Comes or Governor of Constantia in Normandy by Emme Sister to Adam Earl of Bretagne
of Westminster computeth onely from the beginning of King Ethelwolfe's Reign to the Norman Conquest which I wonder at since the same Author tells us that in Anno 800. the Danes spoiled Tinmouth Church and after they had Robbed thereabouts they returned with their Spoils and besides he tells us of several Battels in England between King Egbert and the Danes But his words are these pag. 302. Misit ergò eis Deus Omnipotens Gentes Paganas crudelissimas velut Apum Examina quae nè quidem Sexui muliebri aut Parvulorum parceret aetati Danos scilicet Norwegenses Gothos Swathedos Vandalos Frisios qui ab exordio Regis Ethelwolfi supradicti usque ad Normannorum Adventum per annos fermè 230 terram hanc peccatricem à mari usquè ad mare ab homine usquè ad Pecus deleverunt non eam possidere subjugare sed praedari ac perdere satagebant So that there was a long time of intermixture with various Nations and sorts of People Cambden saith That the Name of Danes was not known to the World before the time of Justinian the Emperor about the Year of Christ 570. Tunc enim Galliam vastare caeperunt Rerum Anglicarum Latinis Historicis Wiccingi dicti sunt Wiccinga Saxonicè Piratam denotat Cambden's Britannia pag. 101. And Dudo Sancti Quinti Decanus saith That out of Scanza that is Scandia the Danes Getes or Gothes Amarobii Tragoditae Alani Sarmatae came out like Swarms of Bees Lib. 1. sub initio Also Gemeticensis lib. 1. cap. 2. CHAP. VII Of the coming of the Normans into England and whence they are descended 1. THe Normans invaded England Anno Domini 1066. when William sirnamed The Bastard Duke of Normandy commonly called William the Conqueror Landed with a great Army at Pemsey near Hastings in Sussex and overcame Harold King of England in Battel which was fought the fourteenth day of October being Saturday Anno Domini 1066. about nine Miles from Hastings in Sussex upon which Victory the English submitted to him And in the Race of the Norman Blood hath the Kingdom of England since continued to this day 1670. by Maude the Empress Daughter and Heir to King Henry I. and Wife of Geffrey Planagenet Earl of Anjou in France Married to him Anno Domini 1127. Mother of King Henry the Second from whom the succeeding Kings are descended The English continued their native Language notwithstanding the great and long commixture with the Normans but much altered since Chaucer's time who lived under King Richard the Second especially since Henry the Eighth's time downward it is so intermingled with Latine besides some old words retained from the Norman-French anciently that it is now become a new Language and much of the ancient English Tongue quite lost and perish'd and daily in our Age creep in many Latine and French words to the utter decay of the English Tongue The Conqueror gave away the Lands of the English to his Friends and Soldiers who assisted him in the Conquest some few he suffered to enâ—oy their own Estates and but very few Most of the ancient Gentry now in England of great and ancient Estates are Descended from the Normans who came into England with the Conqueror yet doubtless are there many of the Saxon Blood now remaining and by reason of a long intermixture by intermarrying one with another have incorporated our Nation into a Hotchpot of several Nations for the Normans themselves were a People intermingled of Norwegians Swedes and Danes It is observed of the People of England that they are so naturally given to Faction and Rebellion that since the Norman Conquest we scarcely read of any of our Kings to this day who have not met with the disturbance of some rebellious and treasonable Practises of their own Subjects and that in open Arms too King James onely excepted and yet he wanted not a Gunpowder Treason miraculously discovered and prevented Anno 1605. nor a Gowries Conspiracy in Scotland 1600. and his Son King Charles the First most miserably murthered in our Days by his own Subjects through the Puritan Factions in England Anno 1648. the thirtieth day of January A short Table of the Norman Kings and when they began their Reigns Anno Chr. 1066. 1. William the Conqueror Bastard-Son of Robert Duke of Normandy by one Arlet a Skinner's Daughter of Faloys in Normandy He caused Domes-day Book to be made which was begun and finished between the fourteenth and twentieth Year of his Reign He died the ninth day of September aged 64 Years Anno Domini 1087. He Reigned 20 Years 10 Months and 26 Days 2. William sirnamed Rufus third Son of William the Conqueror succeeded in the Kingdom of England Robert the eldest Son was Duke of Normandy William Rufus died secundo die Augusti 1100. in the thirteenth Year of his Reign being slain with an Arrow which was shot by Sir Walter Tirrel a Frenchman at a Deer in New-Forrest in Hampshire and hitting a Bough of a Tree glanced aside and hit the King He Reigned 12 Years 11 Months ferè 3. Henry for his Learning sirnamed Beauclerk the fourth Son of the Conqueror but the third Son that lived to be a Man and younger Brother to William Rufus in the absence of Robert Duke of Normandy his eldest Brother then in the Holy Land succeeded King of England and afterwards took from his Brother Robert the Dukedom of Normandy also he died primo die Decembris 1135. He Reigned 35 Years and four Months 4. Stephen second Son of Stephen Earl of Blois by Adela Daughter of William the Conqueror usurped the Kingdom of England and was in continual War with Maude the Empress he died the twenty fifth day of October 1154. He Reigned 18 Years 10 Months and odd Days 5. Henry II. Son of Geffrey Plantagenet Earl of Anjou in France by Maude the Empress Daughter and sole Heir of Henry I. King of England he added to the English Empire Anjou Touraine and Main which were his Fathers and also the Dutchy of Aquitain and the Earldom of Poictu by Elianor his Wife and conquered Ireland he died the sixth day of July 1189. aged 61 Years He Reigned 34 Years and 9 Months wanting 18 Days 6. Richard I. Son of Henry II. sirnamed Ceur de Lyon Warred in the Holy Land and in his return was taken Prisoner in the Dominions of the Duke of Austria He was slain at the Siege of the Battel of Chaluz in the Province of Limoges in France and died of his Wound the sixth day of April 1199. He Reigned 9 Years and 9 Months Anno Chr. 1199. 7. John Brother to Richard I. lost Normandy Aquitaine and Angeau to the French 1204. He died the 19 of October 1216. at the age of 51 Years He Reigned 17 Years and 6 Months 8. Henry III. Son of King John was but nine Years old when he was Crowned He died the 16 of November 1272. aged 65 Years He reigned 56 Years
pag. 280. But Walsingham pag. 129. saith Anno 1328 Hoc anno Robertus Bruis Rex Scotiae leprâ percussus obiit 7 Idus Junii not Julii The Scots then chose Thomas Randulf Earl of Murray Protector of David Bruse Son of Robert a Child about eight Years old Randulf died 1331 13 Calendas Augusti and Duncan Earl of Marre was then chosen Protector of Scotland 30. Edward Balioll Son of John Balioll King entred Scotland with an Army and was so prosperous that he was Crowned at Scone 8 Calendas Septembris 1332. Buchanan pag. 285. But Walsingham saith he was Crowned 5 Calendas Octobris that is the 27. of September 31. David Bruse Son of King Robert Bruse called David II. He was restored to his Father's Throne by the Power of the Scots He Married Jane Sister to King Edward the Third at Barwick 18 Julii 1329. She died in England 1357. and he died at Edenborough 7 Maii 1370. anno aetatis 47 annoque Regni propè 39 leaving no Issue Buchanan For he was Crowned 1330 23 Novembris So that this was a tumultuous Age in Scotland Ann. Dom. 1370. 32. Robert II. of the Family of the Stewarts King of Scotland by Descent from the eldest Sister of David Bruse He Married Euphemia Daughter of Hugh Earl of Rosse and by her had Issue Walter Earl of Athol and David Comes Ierniae which David had onely one Daughter Married to Patrick Gramus Buchanan pag. 353. also Euphemia a Daughter Married to James Duglas Euphemia the Queen died 1373. Buchanan pag. 307. Soon after he Married Elizabeth Moor Daughter of Sir Adam Moor his old Concubine of whom he had formerly begot three Sons and two Daughters and had placed her to be kept with with one Giffard a Nobleman of Lothaine whom he Married to make those Children legitimate John the eldest he made Earl of Carrict Robert he made Earl of Mentith and Fife and Alexander he made Earl of Buqhan who had a Bastard called also Alexander Earl of Marre Cambden's Britannia pag. 713. This Robert II. died Anno 1390. about the thirteenth of the Calends of May aged 74 Years and having Reigned 19 Years and 24 Days Buchanan lib. 9. pag. 323. Note Of the original of the Family of Stewart in Scotland there is a Fable mentioned by Dr. Heylin in his Cosmography pag. 336 which you may read there at large The sum of the truth if yet it be a Truth is this In the days of Malcolme Cammoir King of Scotland about Anno 1090 one Walter Son of Fleanch Son of Bancho was sent by the King against the Gallowidians in Scotland who slew their Commander and so quelled the Rebellion The King upon his Return for his good Service made him Stewart of Scotland an Office of Collecting all the King's Revenues In former Times such were called Thanes And the Thanes of Countreys in many Places are now called Stewarts the English Speech overspreading that Countrey Et qui illis erat ab Thanus nunc Stuartus Scotiae nominatur And from this Walter the Family of the Stewarts took their Name and Original who have for a long time flourished in Scotland Thus Buchanan Rerum Scoticarum lib. 7. pag. 212. But Powel on the Welsh History pag. 97. tells us That the said Fleanch a Nobleman of Scotland fled for safety to Griffith ap Lhewellyn Prince of Wales where he fell in Love with Griffith's Daughter whose Name I find to be Nest and got her with Child whereupon Griffith caused Fleanch to be killed At last she was Delivered of a Son called Walter who went into Scotland and at last became Stewart of Scotland as is above rehearsed 33. Robert III. Son of Robert II. whose right Name was John but changed into Robert after his coming to the Crown He was Crowned the Ides of August 1390. Buchanan lib. 10. pag. 324. sub initio He Married Annabill Daughter of Sir John Drommond of Stobhall Knight and had Issue two Sons David and James David died in Falkland famished saith Buchanan by his perfidious Uncle Robert Earl of Fife and Governor of Scotland Anno 1401. This David had before betrothed Elizabeth Daughter of George Earl of Narne Pag. 326. Robert III. was buried the first of April 1406. annoque Regni 16. Buchanan lib. 10. pag. 333. He died for grief that James his young Son was taken and kept Prisoner by the King of England At a Parliament at Perth Anno Dom. 1399. this King Robert created his Son David then aged 18 Years Duke of Rothsay and Robert Earl of Fife was made Duke of Albany These were the first Dukes of Scotland 34. James I. Son of Robert III. was taken upon the Seas going for France and brought to the King of England a little before his Father's death where he was kept Prisoner 18 Years and then set free in February 1423. and Crowned in Scotland the 21 of April following He Married Jane Daughter of John Beaufort Earl of Somerset in England 1423. Stow and had two Sons Twins Alezander and James Alexander died young and James succeeded King born the fourteenth of October 1430. Buchanan pag. 347. also six Daughters Margaret one Daughter Contracted to Lewis Son of Charles the Seventh King of France 1425. Buchanan pag. 342. James the First died in the beginning of the Year 1437. aged 44 Years and Reigned 13 Years Buchanan pag. 361. 35. James II. Son of James the First scarce seven Years old Crowned King at Edenborough in Caenobio Sanctae Crucis about the sixth of the Calends of April 1437. Buchanan pag. 362. Alexander Leviston made Protector and William Crihton Lord Chancellor He Married Mary Daughter of Arnold Duke of Gelderland Anno 1448. Hollinshed calleth her Margaret pag. 248. and had Issue by her three Sons and two Daughters James the eldest Alexander the second Son Duke of Albany Married the Earl of Orkney's Daughter and got on her Alexander Bishop of Murray and then parting with her went into France and Married the Countess of Boloigne by whom he had Sir John Steward Duke of Albany Governor of Scotland many Years in the Minority of James the Fifth The third Son was John Stewart Earl of Marre Mary the elder Daughter Married the Lord Boyd and after to James Lord Hamilton Buchanan pag. 420. So was the Blood Royal mingled with the Family of Hamilton The younger Daughter Married the Lord Crihton Hollinshed pag. 248. James the Second was slain at the Siege of Roxborough Castle 1460. Anno aetatis 29 Regni 23. Buchanan lib. 11. ad finem pag. 399. 36. James III. Son of James the Second Married Margaret Daughter of Christiern King of Denmark Anno 1470. Buchanan lib. 12. pag. 420. of whom he begat a Son called James born in March Anno 1473. Christern King of Denmark released unto this James all his Right to the Isles of Orcades in favour of his Daughter James the Third was slain by his own rebellious Subjects in Battel Anno Christi 1488. Regni
1320. 34. Thomas Fitz-John Earl of Kildare made Lord Justice This Year Dublin is made an University Alexander Bicknor then Archbishop of Dublin 1321. 35. John Bermingham Earl of Louth Lord Justice 1323. 36. John Darcy Lord Justice Sub Edwardo Tertio 1327. 37. Thomas Fitz-John Earl of Kildare again Lord Justice Obiit 1328. 1328. 38. Roger Outlaw Prior of Kilmaynan Lord Justice He was Prior of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in Ireland and Chancellor of Ireland Nicolas Fastoll and Elias Ashburne Justiciarrii de Banco 1329. 39. John Darcy second time Lord Justice Darcy going into England 1330. Roger Outlaw is deputed Justice 1331. 40. Sir Anthony Lucy comes Chief Justice 3 die Junii 1333. 41. Sir John Darcy third time Justice 1337. 42. Sir John Charleton Miles Baro came Lord Chief Justice in Festo Calixti Papae Thomas Charleton Bishop of Hereford Brother to Sir John Chancellor of Ireland and John Rees Treasurer 1338. 43. Thomas Charleton Bishop of Hereford Lord Justice and Governor Anno 1340. The Bishop of Hereford called into England by the King Roger Outlaw again was made Lord Justice who died Lord Justice and Chancellor of Ireland 13 die Februarii 1341. 44. Sir John Darcy the fourth time now made Lord Justice for his Life Sir John Morrice comes into Ireland mense Maii 1341. Deputy to John Darcy 1343. 45. 13 die Julii Sir Rafe Ufford with his Consort the Countess of Ulster came into Ireland Lord Chief Justice He died on Palm-Sunday the 9 of April 1346. 1346. 46. Sir Roger Darcy Lord Justice ad tempus de assensu Ordinatione Regalium aliorum in Hiberniâ And Sir John Morris comes Lord Chief Justice May 15. 1346. who being put out by the King Sir Walter Bermingham was instituted mense Junii he came into Ireland 1348. 47. John Archprior of Kilmaynan Deputy to Sir Walter in his absence but Sir Walter returns out of England Lord Justice as before to whom the King gave the Barony of Kenlys in Ossery which belonged to Eustace le Poer who was attainted and hanged Obiit Bermingham quondà m Optimus Justiciarius Hiberniae in Vigiliâ Margaretae Virginis 1350. in Angliâ 1349. 48. Dominus de Carew Miles Baro Lord Justice 1350. 49. Sir Thomas Rokesby Lord Justice 1355. 50. Sir Thomas went out of his Justice-ship July 26. and Maurice Fitz-Thomas Earl of Desmond is made Lord Justice He continued as long as he lived which was not long for he died in Dublin-Castle die Conversionis Sancti Pauli following 1356. 51. 31 Edw. 3. Sir Thomas Rokesby again Lord Justice Obiit eodem Anno. 1357. 52. Sir Almaric de Sancto Amando Lord Justice 1359. 53. James Butler Earl of Ormond Lord Chief Justice 1360. 54. 35 Edw. 3. the Earl of Ormond coming into England Maurice Fitz-Thomas Earl of Kildare is made Chief Justice ut sequitur OMnibus ad quos hae Literae pervenerint Salutem Sciatis quòd Commisimus dilecto fideli nostro Mauritio Comiti de Kildare Officium Justiciarii nostri Terrae nostrae Hiberniae Terram nostram Hiberniam cùm Castris omnibus pertinentiis suis Custodiendam Quamdiu nobis placuerit Recipiendo ad Scaccarium nostrum Dubliniae per Annum quamdiù in Officio illo sic steterit quingentas Libras Pro quibus Officium illud terram Custodiet erit vic◠simus de hominibus ad arma cùm tot equis Coopertis continuè durante Commissione nostrâ supradictâ In cujus rei Testimonium c. Datum per manus dilecti nostri in Christo Fratris Thomae de Burgey Prioris Hospitalis Sancti Johannis Hierusalem in Hibernia Cancellarii nostri Hiberniae apud Dubliniam 30 die Martii 35 Edw. 3. And after the Return of the Earl of Ormond into Ireland Ormond was Justice as before and the Earl of Kildare surceased 1361. 55. Lionel Duke of Clarence third Son of King Edward the Third and Earl of Ulster in Right of Elizabeth his Wife Daughter and Heir of William de Burgo Earl of Ulster venit in Hiberniam Locumtenens Domini Regis in Octavis Nativitatis Beatae Mariae Here was the first Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Anno 1364. April 22. Lionel went into England leaving Ormond his Deputy of Ireland Lionel returned the eighth of December He was sent for again into England 1365. and then leaves Sir Thomas Dale his Servant Governor and Justice of Ireland Lionel died at Languvil in Italy 1368. Cambden apud Albam in Piemont 1367. 56. Gerald Fitz-Maurice Earl of Desmond Lord Justice 1369. 57. Sir William de Windsore came into Ireland the 12 of July Lord Lieutenant 1372. 58. Sir Robert alii Richard de Ashton Lord Justice of Ireland 59. Edmund Mortimer Earl of March and Ulster Lord Lieutenant He died at Cork 1381. 5 Rich. 2. Sub Richardo Secundo 1387. 60. Robert Vere Earl of Oxford created Marquis of Dublin 9 Rich. 2. and after made Duke of Ireland 10 Rich. 2. And after that the King granted him the Kingdom and Sovereignty of Ireland by Letters Patents saith Brook the York-Herald and to bear for his Arms Azure three Crowns Gold in a Border Argent to be quartered before his own Coat Obiit in Lovaniâ 1392. 1397. 61. Roger Mortimer Earl of March Lord Lieutenant of Ireland He was slain by the Irishmen 1399. 22 Rich. 2. Stow. Rex Anglia contrà Juramentum quod praestiterat revocavit de Hiberniâ Justiciarios quos olìm de Consensu suo Proceres propter defectus eorum notabiles Constituêrunt exulare So Walsingham sub Anno 1397. 20 Rich. 2. pag. 353. Sub Henrico Quarto 1400. 62. Sir John Stanley Lord Lieutenant 1401. 63. In May Sir John went into England leaving Sir William Stanley in his Place And on St. Bartholomew's Eve eodem Anno Stephen Scroope entred Ireland Deputy to Thomas of Lancaster the King's Son Lord Lieutenant who came into Ireland in die Sancti Bricii November 13. eodem Anno. Anno 1403. about the eleventh of November Thomas the King's Son going into England left Stephen Scroope his Deputy and Scroope going into England the first day of Lent the Noblemen of Ireland chuse the Earl of Ormond Lord Justice Anno 1405. Scroope the Deputy of Thomas of Lancaster returns into Ireland but going again into England the Earl of Ormond is Justice Anno 1406. Scroope returning after Michaelmas into Ireland is Deputy as before Anno 1407. Scroope going this Year also into England James Butler Earl of Ormond is elected Lord Justice Anno 1408. Thomas of Lancaster Lord Lieutenant lands at Carlingford in Ireland the second of August In this Year died Stephen Scroope at Tristel-Dermot 16 die Januarii And the third of the Ides of March following Sir Thomas de Lancaster Lord Lieutenant going for England leaves the Prior of Kilmaynan his Deputy in Ireland Thomas of Lancaster was slain at the Battel of Bangy by the Duke of Alanson 22 Martii being Easter Eve Anno Domini 1421. 9 Hen.
modelled England into Shires the word Share we use at this day for a Part or Division Huntington lib. 1. Hist pag. 298. Postquà m Reges West-Sexe caeteris praevaluerunt Monarchiam obtinuerunt terras in 35 Provincias dividebant This might be Ethelwolfe Son of Egbert yet Egbert was the first Monarch Ingulphus saith Alfred the fourth Son of Ethelwolfe divided England into Counties Hundreds and Tythings pag. 870. But Selden supposeth Ingulphus is herein mistaken otherwise Malmesbury would have attributed the Division of Shires unto Alfred as well as Hundreds and Tythings which he omitteth altogether pag. 44. Therefore Shires were distinguished somewhat sooner to wit by Egbert Hundreds and Tythings by Alfred This Alfred also ordained Judges and Sheriffs making two Officers for the Governing of a Shire whereof before was but one Officer called Vice-Dominus This was but a new Model by Egbert and Alfred for without doubt the ancient Brettans had their Divisions of Counties Cities and Towns as Cook upon Littleton well observes Sect. 248. V. As to this new Division of Shires Huntington in the place cited reckons up 35. where he reckons Cornwall Northumberland and Cumberland to make up the Account But Malmesbury De Gestis Regum lib. 2. cap. 10. pag. 63. saith That under King Ethelred Anno Domini 1016. there were but 32 Shires in England and the Record of the two Dooms-day Books hath onely 33 Shires under William the Conqueror Anno Christi 1086. unless we take the East-Ryding North-Ryding and West-Ryding there mentioned for Shires See Splelman's Glossary on the word Dooms-day which three do now make up but one Shire called Yorkshire as it now stands divided Nor do we find in Dooms-day Book any mention at all of Northumberland Cumberland Westmorland Durham or Lancashire howbeit part of Lancashire as it now stands distinguished is put under the Title of Cestershire in that Book to wit all that part between the two Rivers of Ribbell and Mersey and the rest of it I conceive was put under Euruic-Scire So that Lancashire seems to have got and gained a distinct Name of a County or Shire since the Norman Conquest but of later time it was made a County Palatine by the King's Charter to his Son John of Gaunt Dated 28 die Februarii 51 Edw. 3. 1376. with all Priviledges sicùt Comes Cestriae infrâ Comitatum Cestriae dignoscitur habere Confirmed by Parliament 13 Rich. 2. 1389. Durham also hath not his Title in Dooms-day Book but may seem there to be comprehended under Euric-Scire or Yorkshire So likewise Northumberland Cumberland and Westmorland are either there omitted or comprehended under Yorkshire But soon after these were all accounted for distinct Counties or Shires which six as they now stand divided Northumberland Cumberland Westmorland Durham Yorkshire and Lancashire were by the Romans during their Rule in Brettaine stiled Brigantes that is Robbers In the first Age of the Saxons Rule in Brettaine these all made up the Kingdom of Deira as it was then called which afterwards the Saxons called The Kingdom of the Northumbrians so called because they possessed all the North of England from the River Humber in Yorkshire to Scotland So Cambden's Britannia in the Preface to Yorkshire Polychronicon lib. 1. cap. 49. saith thus That if Northumberland be counted for one Shire which reached sometime from the River Humber to the River Twede then are in England but 32 Shires over and above Cornwall But if it be parted into six Shires that is to say Evoric-shire or Yorkshire Durham-shire Northumberland Carlisle-shire or Cumberland Appleby-shire or Westmorland and Lancashire then are there 36 Shires besides Cornwall In the Conqueror's time who Described all the Provinces of England were found 36 Shires and half a Shire 52080 Towns 45002 Parish Churches 75000 Knights Fees whereof Houses of Religion had 28015. But now are more Towns and Villages inclosed and inhabited then were at that time and whereas before it was written that Cornwall was not set in the Shires of England it may stand among them well enough for it is not in Wales nor in Scotland but it is in England and so reckoning Cornwall be 37 Shires in England Thus the Monk of Chester in his Polychronicon who writ under Edward the Third But the Monk erreth in his Account for there are 33 Shires named in Dooms-day Book with Cornwall and if Yorkshire in Dooms-day Book have five other Shires taken out of it and be added to the rest then there must be in all 38 Shires and not 37. as the Monk counteth And if we add Rutlandshire which was formerly part of Northamptonshire but since Edward Plantagenet Son and Heir to Edmund of Langley Duke of York was made Earl of Rutland under King Richard the Second it hath been reckoned for a County and also Richmondshire which is part of Yorkshire being now also put into the number of our Counties then have we just 40 Counties in England at this present VI. Wales was newly divided into Shires and Hundreds Anno Domini 1283. 11 Edw. 3. saith Stow in his Annals in which Year Wales was totally subdued by Edward the First who then built two strong Castles there one at Conway the other at Caernarvan Cambden saith there were onely six Shires in Wales in the Reign of Edward the First constituted and the rest were ordained by Parliamentary Authority under Henry the Eighth in his Britannia Printed 1607. pag. 115. But the Statute of 34 35 Hen. 8. cap. 26. tells us That eight Shires were of ancient and long time to wit the Shires of Glamorgan Caermarthen Pembroke Cardigan Flint Caernarvan Anglesey and Merioneth but other four were made and appointed by the Statute of 27 Hen. 8. cap. 26. besides Monmouthshire to wit Radnor Brecknock Montgomery and Denbigh and divers Dominions and Lordships in the Marches of Wales were then also united and annexed to Shropshire Herefordshire and Gloucestershire so that there were five Shires newly made under Henry the Eighth and eight Shires under Edward the First but some now account Monmouth among the Shires of England as Cambden and Speed and so make 41 Counties in England because in that Statute of 27 Hen. 8. cap. 26. it is made subject to the Chancery of England and to the King's Judges of Westminster as all other the King's Subjects be within every Shire of the Realm of England By the same reason we may now account all the 13 Shires of Wales for Counties of England because by the same Statute of 27 Hen. 8. the Dominion of Wales is from thenceforth incorporated united and annexed to the Realm of England Yet it seems to me more proper that Monmouth be placed among the Shires of Wales in regard it was formerly part of Wales to preserve the memory thereof and so we have at this day 13 Shires in Wales CHAP. II. Of the Kingdom of Mercia I. FOr my better method and clearer passage to the Earls of Chester it will not be amiss briefly to
performed Earl Leofric granted the Townsmen a Freedom by Charter Polychronicon lib. 6. cap. 26. Westminster pag. 424. which Charter Mr. Dugdale in his Warwickshire pag. 86. conceives rather a Freedom from Servile Tenure than onely Toll This Illustrious Leofric died at his own Town of Bromley the last day of August Obiit 1057 Anno Domini 1057. So Florentius and Hoveden pag. 444. and also Matt. Westminster and was buried at Coventry in the Monastery which he had built there the richest Monastery then in England VI. Algar Son of Earl Leofric succeeded his Father in the Earldom of Mercia Anno Domini 1057. Hoveden pag. 444. and is stiled Earl of Chester by Huntington pag. 366. and also Earl of Leycester by Ingulphus pag. 898. Anno Domini 1053. the Earldom of the East-Saxons which before Harold Son of Earl Godwin held was given to this Algar And in the Year 1056. he was banished by Edward the Confessor but by the aid of Griffith King of Wales after the Slaughter of many he was reconciled to his Prince and received his Earldom In the Year 1058. being the Year after his Father's death he was again banished for Treason but by the help of King Griffith and the Norwey Navy he recovered his Earldom by force He had to Wife the Sister of William Mallet as Burton in his Antiquities of Leycestershire affirmeth pag. 168. and had two Sons Edwine Earl of Mercia and Morcar Earl of Northumberland and two Daughters Aldith first married to Griffith King of Wales and after to Harold King of England and Lucio who had three Husbands Ivo Talbois Earl of Angeau the first Husband of Lucy Roger de Romara Son of Gerold the Second Husband of Lucy by whom she had Issue William de Romara Earl of Lincoln Randle de Meschines Viscount Baieux in Normandy Lord of Cumberland in England and afterwards Earl of Chester was the third Husband of Lucy by whom she had also Issue But she survived all her Husbands Ingulphus pag. 898. Hoveden pag. 443 444. Ingul pag. 902 903. Ordericus vitalis pag. 511. 871. Cambden's Britannia in Leycestershire Obiit 1059 Anno Domini 1059. Algar died and was buried at Coventry Ingulphus pag. 898. VII Edwine Son of Algar succeeded Earl of Mercia Anno Domini 1059. He and his Brother Morcar stoutly opposed William the Conqueror Anno 1066. But the Conqueror prevailing he lost his Earldom He lived to the fourth Year of the Conqueror's Reign Anno 1070. Obiit 1070 When fearing to be imprisoned he conveyed himself secretly from the Court of William the Conqueror and rebelled against him and unable to withstand he intended to have gone to Malcolme then King of Scotland but being betrayed by his own Men was slain by the way Ordericus pag. 521. Florentius pag. 437 438. Some say Morcar was taken by the Conqueror and died in Prison Howbeit Ingulphus pag. 901. saith Comites Edwinus Morcarius ambo à suis per insidias trucidati I find no mention of any Issue either of Edwine or Morcar Finis Primae Partis Of the Earls of CHESTER Since the Norman Conquest PART II. CHAP. I. I. AFter that William Duke of Normandy had vanquished King Harold in Battel and obtained the Crown of England which hapned Anno Christi 1066. as all our Histories unanimously declare he by degrees conferred many great Patrimonies and large Possessions upon his more noble Barons as just Rewards for their Service by whose assistance he had got a new Kingdom So Ordericus Vitalis a Writer who lived near to those Times lib. 4. Eccles Hist pag. 521 522. as it is set out with other Histories by Andrew du Chesne and Printed at Paris Anno Domini 1619. tells us in these words Rex Guillielmus dejectis Merciorum maximis consulibus Edwino scilicèt interfecto Morcaro in vinculis constricto Adjutoribus suis inclytas Angliae Regiones distribuit ex infimit Normannorum Clientibus Tribunos Centuriones ditissimos erexit Amongst those of the meaner sort newly raised the principal were Geffrey de Clinton Rafe Basset with some others which Ordericus expresseth more at large pag. 805. II. But concerning the distribution of his Counties in England to his greater sort of Nobles and Barons who accompanied him in this Service see Ordericus pag. 522. Among others Anno 1070. the King gave to William Fitz-Ozberne Dapifero Normanniae that is High Steward of Normandy the Isle of Wight and the County of Hereford Which William with Walter Lacy and other tried Champions the King set as a Curb to the Welsh whose boldness first Invaded Brachavianos or Brecknockshire and slew Risen and Caducan and Mariadoth three Welsh Kings with many others Chester and the County thereof the King had but lately given to one Gherbod Gherbod first Earl of Chester after the Norman Conquest a Nobleman of Flanders who had gallantly behaved himself as well against the English as Welsh and afterwards being sent for by his Friends whom he had left in Flanders and to whom he had committed his hereditary Honour there he obtained liberty of King William the Conqueror to go thither and to return very quickly again but by misfortune he fell into the Hands of his Enemies when he came into Flanders and there endured a long and tedious Imprisonment In the mean time that is to say sub Anno Domini 1070. King William gave the Earldom of Chester to Hugh de Auranges Son of Richard sirnamed Goz. This Hugh with Robert of Rothelent and Robert of Malpas and other cruel Potentates spilt much of the Welshmens Blood And the Castle of Stutesbury now called Tutbury in Staffordshire which Hugh de Auranges held before was given to Henry Son of Walceline de Ferrars And divers other Lands were conferred on other Persons as you may see more at large in Ordericus III. But before I proceed to our Norman Earls of Chester it will not be amiss to note out of Ordericus who that Robert of Rothelent was whom I mentioned before with Earl Hugh for both he and the above mentioned Robert of Malpas were of the prime of the Noblemen and Barons belonging to Hugh Earl of Chester This Robert of Rothelent or Ruthelan is described by Ordericus pag. 669. thus He was a valiant and an active Soldier eloquent Facundus formidabilis but of a stern Countenance liberal and commendable for many Vertues Hic Edwardi Regis Armiger fuit He was one of those who attended the Person of King Edward the Confessor from whom he received the Honor of Knighthood Touching his Descent his Father was Umfrid de Telliolo Son of Amfrid of the Progeny of the Danes His Mothers Name was Adeliza Sister of Hugh de Grentemaisnill of the famous Family of the Geroians He was Commander in Chief at the Siege at Rochester 1 Willielmi Rufi At which time Griffith King of Wales Invaded the Coasts of England and had made a great Destruction about Rothelent For his Works of Piety he
the King to consider least the Earl had a Design to ensnare him telling him That it was not safe for him to bring his Army into the midst of so barbarous a Countrey through mountainous and steepy places where he might be entraped on every side besides it were a very rash part to go into his Countrey who had taken from him the greatest part of his Kingdom for although he might seem to incline to the King yet there was no certainty of his Fidelity nor Pledges of Assurance And that if he would have the King's Assistance he should first deliver up what he had unjustly taken which if he refused then presently he should be seized on as the King's Enemy and be imprisoned till he made Restitution But Randle when he heard the Conditions which he was to perform before he could have the King's Aid answer'd That he came not to the Court for that purpose neither had he any notice of this beforehand whereby he might have advised thereon and uttering many high words he was laid hold on by the King's Officers and imprisoned The Nobles who took part with Earl Randle Petitioned the King for his Enlargement and offered Sureties or any Security the King should demand for the delivering up of those Castles which were of Right belonging to the King so that the Earl might be released And thereupon Randle Earl of Chester having given Pledges and taken a solemn Oath that he would never hereafter take up Arms against the King was restored to his Liberty But as soon as he was released he violated his Oath and raised an Army against the King prosecuting his wrathful indignation with revenge of Fire and Sword wheresoever he came and as my Author saith In omnem aetatem in omnem Sexum Herodianam Tyrannidem Neronianam truculentiam exercebat He came often with a Party of Soldiers in view of the Town of Lincoln where now the King had placed the Flower of his Soldiery and had many Skirmishes with them sometimes he was put to the worse sometimes by the smiling Success of Fortune he victoriously triumphed over the King's Party He likewise blockt up the Castle of Coventrey which also he had delivered up to the King till Stephen came to relieve it with Victuals whereof it was in some distress and that was done with great difficulty to the King by forcing his Passage through Randle's Army where by the Way he had many Conflicts In the first Skirmish the King having received some slight Wound was forced to retreat but as soon as he was recovered he fell upon the Earls Army took many wounded others and the Earl himself put to flight and almost slain The King then pulls down the Castle of Coventrey which had been delivered to him before and victoriously proceeds to other Castles in Randle's possession sometimes blocking them up sometimes burning and destroying all about them and ever after became a sore Enemy to Randle and his Adherents Thus much ex Gestis Stephani Anno Domini 1150. David King of Scotland Entertained Henry Son of Maude the Empress at Carlisle very magnificently about Whitsuntide and Knighted him there in the Presence of Henry Son of King David and Randle Earl of Chester which Randle was then appeased concerning his Claim of Carlisle and Cumberland as his Patrimony and did Homage to King David for there was some Speech amongst them that for Carlisle Randle should have the Honour of Lancaster and that Earl Randle's Son should Marry one of the Daughters of Henry Prince of Scotland And so King David and Henry Duke of Normandy and Earl Randle were agreed to unite their Forces against King Stephen And King David with his Son Henry came to Lancaster with their Forces where Earl Randle promised to meet them with his but Randle failing of his Promise they returned back Johannes Prior Hagustaldensis pag. 277 278. Anno 1151. Randle Earl of Chester having been imprisoned which Imprisonment Radulfus de Diceto Chronica Gervasii John Bromton Chronica Normanniae Mat. Paris and Mat. Westminster do all place in Anno 1145. but Hoveden in Anno 1146. and having given his Nephew Gilbert de Clare for his Hostage was released But falsifying his Word and endangering his Hostage he sendeth for Henry Duke of Normandy into England promising him all Assistance Whereupon Henry came into England to whom Robert Earl of Leycester and many of the wisest Noblemen of England then resorted Idem Johannes pag. 278. What a tumultuous Age this was and how the Great Men of the Kingdom divided the Spoils may appear by the Agreement made between this Randle Earl of Chester and Robert sirnamed Bossu Earl of Leycester about the Year 1151. the Original whereof remains in Cotton's Library in Westminstsr Haec est Conventio intèr Ranulfum Comitem Cestriae Robertum Comitem Legrecestriae finalis Pax Concordia quae fuit Concessa divisa ab eis corà m Secundo Roberto Episcopo Lincolniae hominibus eorum ex parte Comitis Cestriae Ricardo de Lovetot Willielmo filio Nigelli Ranulfo Vice-Comite Ex parte Comitis Legrecestriae Ernaldo de Bosco Gaufrido Abbate Reginaldo de Bordineio Scilicèt quòd Comes Ranulfus dedit Concessit Roberto Comiti Legrecestriae castrum de Mountsorell sibi haeredibus suis Tenendum de eo haeredibus suis haereditariè sicùt Charta ipsius Comitis Ranulfi testatur Et ità quòd Comes Leycestriae receptare debet ipsum Comitem Ranulfum familiam suam in Burgo Ballâ—s de Mountsorell ad guerrandum quemcunque voluerit ut de feodo suo Et ità quòd Comes Leycestriae non potest indè forisfacere Comiti Ranulfo pro aliquo Et si necesse sit Comiti Ranulfo corpus ipsius receptabitur in Dominico Castro de Mountsorell Et ità quòd Comes Leycestriae portabit ei fidem salvà fide Ligei Domini sui Et si oportuerit Comitem Leycestriae ire super Comitem Cestriae cùm Ligeo Domino suo non potest ducere secum plus quà m viginti milites Et si Comes Leycestriae vel isti viginti milites aliquid ceperint de rebus Comitis Cestriae totum reddetur Nec Ligius Dominus Comes Leycestriae nec aliquis alius potest forisfacere Comiti Cestriae nec suis de Castris ipsius Comitis Leycestriae nèc de terrâ suâ Et ità quòd Comes Leycestriae nec potest proptèr aliquam Causam vel proptèr aliquem Casum impedire Corpus Comitis Cestriae nisi eum desidaverit quindecem dies anteà Et Comes Lycestriae debet juvare Comitem Cestriae contrà omnes homines praetèr Ligium Dominum ipsius Comitis Leycestriae Comitem Simonem Comitem Simonem potest juvare hoc modo quod si Comes Ranulfus forisfecerit Comiti Simoni ipsâ— Comes Ranulfus noluerit Corrigere forisfactum proptèr Comitem Leycestriae tunc potest eum juvare Et si Comes Simon forisfecerit
not that he ever used the Title of Earl of Chester II. A Catalogue of all such Princes of England as have been created Princes of Wales and Earls of Chester and used these Titles 1. EDward of Caernarven fourth Son of King Edward the First born at Caernarven in Wales the twenly fifth of April 1284. was Summoned to the Parliament Anno 1303. 32 Edw. 1. being now the King 's eldest Son living by the Name of Edward Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester Our most dear Son Selden's Tit. Hon. pag. 594. and was afterwards King of England by the Name of King Edward the Second 2. Edward of Windsor eldest Son of King Edward the Second born at Windsor Castle 13 die Novembris 1312. 6 Edw. 2. had onely the Title of Earl of Chester and Flint in his Summons to the Parliament 1322. 15 Edw. 2. being then scarce ten years old Cambden's Britannia Edita 1607. pag. 118. He was also Duke of Aquitain and Earl of Pontive created 19 Edw. 2. 1325. Selden's Tit. Hon. pag. 599. and Stowe and was after he had deposed his Father King of England by the Name of King Edward the Third Crowned February 1. 1326. 3. Edward of Woodstock commonly called The Black Prince eldest Son of King Edward the Third born 15 Junii 1330. 4 Edw. 3. was made Earl of Chester 7 Edw. 3. I find him stiled Edwardus illustris Regis Angliae Filius Comes Cestriae in a Writ at Chester Dated 13 die Aprilis 9 Edw. 3. 1335. R. num 18. He was created Duke of Cornwall by Patent Dated 17 die Martii 11 Edw. 3. 1336. Habendum sibi haeredum suorum Regum Angliae Filiis Primogenitis Per ipsum Regem totum Consilium in Parliamento Selden's Tit. Hon. pag. 752. And he was the first Duke in England as that Title was now made a distinct Dignity and by this Creation not onely the first-born Son of the Kings of England but the eldest living are always Dukes of Cornwall neither needed any new Creation of this Title although sometimes we find it joyned with the Creation of the Title of Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester Selden's Tit. Hon. qag 754. He was also created Prince of Wales by Patent Dated 12 die Maii 17 Edw. 3. 1343. Habendum sibi haeredibus suis Regibus Angliae in perpetuùm Per ipsum Regem Selden's Tit. Hon. pag. 595. And since this time the Title of Earl of Chester hath been usually joyned with that of Prince of Wales in the Patent Selden ibidem pag. 598. So that now the Black Prince was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester In the 40. of Edward the Third his Stile was Princeps Aquitaniae Walliae Dux Cornubiae Comes Cestriae Lib. C. fol. 181. w. He died June 8. 1376. 50 Ed. 3. in the Life-time of his Father 4. Richard of Burdeaux Son and Heir to the Black Prince was created Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester by his Grandfather King Edward the Third in Festo Sancti Michaelis 1376. 50 Edw. 3. Stowe But Walsingham names onely the Title of Earl of Chester in Parliament 1376. pag. 190. Others say he was after created Prince of Wales at Haveringe 20 Novembris 50 Edw. 3. Powel on the Welsh History pag. 385. He had a special Charter for Duke of Cornwall Anno 50 Edw. 3. Cooks Reports lib. 8. fol. 30. for he was not eldest Son of the King his Father dying before he enjoyed the Crown This Richard was afterwards King of England by the Name of King Richard the Second And in Anno 1397. he erected the Earldom of Chester into a Principality and ordained that no Grant should be made thereof to any Person but to the King 's eldest Son onely if it please the King to make him See Stat. 21 Rich. 2. cap. 9. But this Parliament was wholly Repealed 1 Hen. 4. cap. 3. which Henry deposed Richard the Second and made himself King 1399. 5. Henry eldest Son of Henry the Fourth born at Monmouth Anno 1388. was created Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester about October 1 Hen. 4. 1399. in Parliament and not long after was created Duke of Aquitain in the same Parliament Stowe and was afterwards King of England by the Name of King Henry the Fifth F. num 99. 6. Edward onely Child of King Henry the Sixth born at Westminster 13 Octobris 1452. 31 Hen. 6. Fabian pag. 456. He was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester in Parliament March 15. 31 Hen. 6. 1452. and was murthered at the Battel of Teuksbery May 4. 1471. 11 Edw. 4. See Vincent upon Brook pag. 143 He was also Duke of Cornwall by Descent King Henry the Sixth was never created Prince of Wales nor Earl of Chester he was King whiles he was but an Infant of eight Months old 7. Edward eldest Son of King Edward the Fourth born at Westminster November 4. 1470. 10 Edw. 4. was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester July 26. 1471. 11 Edw. 4. Vincent upon Brook pag. 115. and in Anno 19 Edw. 4. He was made Earl of Pembroke and March He was also Duke of Cornwall and so Entituled and was afterwards King Edward the Fifth but was most barbarously murthered in the Tower by the procurement of his Uncle Richard Duke of Glocester Anno 1483. who usurped the Crown to himself 8. Edward the onely Child of King Richard the Third created Earl of Salisbury 1477. 17 Edw. 4. was also created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester by his Father August 24. 1483. 1 Rich. 3. being then about ten years old and died about March 1484. in the Life-time of his Father 9. Arthur eldest Son of King Henry the Seventh created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester November 30. in 1489. 5 Hen. 7. and died without Issue at Ludlow in April 1502. 17 Hen. 7. about the Age of sixteen Years in the Life-time of his Father He was also Duke of Cornwall by Birth 10. Henry Duke of York second Son of King Henry the Seventh after the Death of his Brother Arthur was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester February 18. 1502. 18 Hen. 7. at the Age of eleven Years and was afterwards King of England by the Name of King Henry the Eighth 11. Henry Stewart eldest Son of James King of Great Britain was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester in Parliament June 4. 1610. 8 Jacobi and died November 6. 1612. 10 Jacobi without Issue in the Life-time of King James his Father He was also Duke of Cornwall by Birth 12. Charles Stewart second Son of King James born at Dunferling in Scotland Nov. 19 1600. was Duke of Albany in Scotland and was also created Duke of York in England by his Father at Whitehall in London January 6. 1604. and after the Death of his Brother Prince Henry he was Duke of Cornwall for the Case of the Dutchy of
Cornwall in Cook 's Reports lib. 8. was Printed by his Majesty's special Command 1613. 11 Jacobi where it is set forth That by the Advice of the Privy Council it was clearly and absolutely Resolved that Prince Charles now the King 's eldest Son was in Right and by virtue of the Statute of 11 Edw. 3. ought to be Duke of Cornwall and therefore his Majesty commanded that Prince Charles his Son should have and enjoy the Honor and Stile of Duke of Cornwall which he presently had and enjoyed accordingly Vincent upon Brook pag. 146 147. And on the third of November 1616. 14 Jacobi he was also created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester and was afterwards King of England by the Name of King Charles the First A summary Collection of the Earls of Chester contained in this second Part. 1. GHerbod a Nobleman of Flanders had the Earldom of Chester given him by the Conqueror about the Year of Christ 1068. but going into Flanders was there taken Prisoner And then did William the Conqueror give the Earldom of Chester to Hugh sirnamed Lupus Anno Domini 1070. 2. Hugh sirnamed Lupus Earl of Auranches in Normandy was made Earl of Chester Anno 1070. He died July 27. 1101. after he had held the Earldom of Chester 31 Years 3. Richard the onely Child of Hugh Lupus by his Wife was but seven Years old when his Father died He was drowned with many others as he was Sailing from Normandy towards England Anno 1120. after he had been Earl 18 Years but had no Issue 4. Randle de Mecinis or Meschines Son of Maud Sister to Hugh Lupus succeeded Earl of Chester as Cosin and next Heir to Richard And he died Anno 1128. having been Earl eight Years 5. Randle the Second sirnamed Gernouns Son of Randle de Meschines succeeded his Father He died Anno Domini 1153 having been Earl 25 Years 6. Hugh the Second sirnamed Cyveliok Son of Randle the Second succeeded his Father And he died Anno Domini 1181. having been Earl 28 Years 7. Randle the Third sirnamed Blundevill Son of Hugh the Second succeeded his Father in the Earldom of Chester He was also made Earl of Lincoln 1217. and died at Wallingford in the latter end of October Anno Domini 1232. without Issue and was Earl of Chester 51 Years 8. John sirnamed The Scot Earl of Huntingdon Son of Maud eldest Sister and Coheir to Randle the Third sirnamed Blundevill succeeded Earl of Chester and died at Dernhale Abbey without Issue June 7. 1237. having been Earl of Chester almost five Years from which time this Earldom was seized to the Crown of England Finis Partis Secundae The Third Part Treating of the ancient Barons to the Earls of Chester with several Catalogues of all the Bishops Deans Chamberlains Judges Sheriffs and Escheators of Cheshire and also of the Recorders of the City of Chester CHAP. I. Of the ancient Barons to the Earls of Chester I. COncerning the ancient Barons to the Earls of Chester of whom I promised before to speak in this third Part of my Book these things I have principally to Discuss and Illustrate the true notion of their Title the time of their Institution their Office Place and number II. For the true notion of their Title Selden tells us in his Titles of Honour pag. 688. that the noblest and greatest Tenants to the greater sort of Subjects had anciently the Appellation of Barons ascribed to them especially those to the Earls of Chester Spelman in his Glossary deriveth the word Baro from the old English-Saxon Per or Wer and of later Times written Par Francis Antiquis Ber signifying the same with the Latine word Vir Glossarium Latino-Gallicum Ber Bara Vir so that the Latine word Vir seems to be the original Fountain whence it springs And both these words Baro by some written Varo and Vir do agree in their several significations sometimes for a Man barely and absolutely sometimes for a Man of Worth Power or Prowess sometimes for a Husband For the notion of the word here it denotes as much as Magnates or Optimates where we may observe That Noblemen or Barons seem to be a necessary Supplement as essential to the Royalty of a Count Palatine for the Earl of Chester having Royal Authority within himself we may not unfitly stile him a petty King And that the Majesty of his Palace may be answerable to a King he must have Noblemen about him in imitation of the Barons of the Kingdom Hence also the Earls of Chester subtuted Offices making the Baron of Halton Constable in Cheshire in Fee in imitation of the Lord High-Constable of England and making the Baron of Montalt Steward of Cheshire in Fee after the example of the Lord High-Steward of England These Barons under the Earl Ruled and Governed the County and from their great Power and Sway had the Appellation of Barons III. As to the time of their first Institution I find the Great Men of Cheshire about the Earl stiled Barons in the time of Hugh Lupus In the Charter of his Foundation of the Monastery of St. Werburge in Chester Anno 1093. 6 Willielmi Rufi in the conclusion thereof it is said Ego Comes Hugo mei Barones confirmavimus ista omnia corà m Anselmo Archiepiscopo c. Neither must we fondly imagine or expect any formal Creation of them either by Patent for such are of later Times by much or any solemn Investure But as I conceive upon the conferring of the Earldom of Chester on Hugh Lupus by the Conqueror Anno Domini 1070. the principal Gentlemen and Commanders under Earl Hugh being called to advise and assist the said Earl either in any time of imminent danger or in regulating and ordering the more weighty Affairs of the County were of course so stiled and thus I conceive they retained the Name of Barons by little and little after the manner of the Great Nobles of the Realm IV. And hence may we guesse their Office Adesse Comiti in Concilio as Cambden hath it to assist the Earl in Council upon all grand Designs and Affairs V. Concerning their Place of Precedence and Dignity we must consider them either in relation to others or among themselves In relation to others out of the County I conceive them inferior to the rank of the Barons of our Realm for these are but titularly or analogically Barons as I may so speak to those of the Kingdom nay in Place beneath all Knights but they were the greatest Men in the County under the Earl for Power and Estate Their Priority or Dignity among themselves we shall trace as exactly as we can in so remote and obscure a Path. Some would have the Baron of Malpas to be the prime Baron forasmuch as Robert Fitz-Hugh who was Baron of Malpas under Hugh Lupus in the Conqueror's time hath for the most part the preeminence in the Subscription of old Charts of those ancient Times as also in the Record of
1403. He was made Lieutenant or Deputy in the Office of the Seneschalcy of the County of Chester by Elizabeth Countess of Salisbury while they both should live and to be of Council with her for which Service she gave him two Marks Annual Rent which he ought to pay her for his Lands of Little Legh held of her Castle of Harden during the Term aforesaid 1408. 10 Hen. 4. Lib. C. fol. 164. b. Great Contention fell between this Sir Peter Dutton and Sir William Athurton of Athurton in Lancashire insomuch that they made Inroads and Invasions one upon the other And the said Sir Piers Dutton and his Adherents to wit Sir Rafe Bostock of Bostock Richard Warburton of Budworth Thomas Warburton of Halton John Done of Utkinton junior John Manley of Manley Hugh Dutton of Hatton the elder William Leycester of Nether-Tabley Sir Peter Legh of Clifton Ancestor to Legh of Lyme and John Carington of Carington were all sued by Sir William Athurton for taking away forty of his Oxen and forty Cows out of his Closes at Athurton and for beating of his Servants But this Variance was composed between them by the Award of John Duke of Bedford Earl of Richmond and Kendall Constable of England and Regent of the Kingdom in the absence of Henry the Fifth Dated 9 Aprilis 7 Hen. 5. 1419. Restitution being awarded on both sides The Horses and Saddles taken by Sir William Athurton to be restored to Sir Piers Dutton and the Cattel taken by Sir Piers to be restored to the said Sir William Lib. C. fol. 146. n. Sir Peter de Dutton was made Parcarius de Northwood or Governor of Northwood Park in Over-Whitley during his Life with all the Fees thereof 1 Hen. 6. 1423. Vel 1 Hen. 5. Out of which he had Orders from William Harrington Chief Steward of Halton under Henry Archbishop of Canterbury and other Feoffees of King Henry the Fifth to deliver one Oak for the Repair of Witton Bridge then in decay and another for the Repair of Farnworth Chappel Dated 9 Hen. 6. Lib. C. fol. 147. w. Sir Peter died 12 Hen. 6. 1433. aged sixty six Years Obiit 1433 Lib. C. fol. 147. x. y. fol. 163. x. XIII John Dutton of Dutton Esquire Son and Heir of Sir Peter married Margaret Daughter of Sir John Savage of Clifton 6 Hen. 5. 1418. Lib. C. fol. 160. w. and had Issue Thomas Dutton Son and Heir Roger Dutton another Son afterwards Lord of Dutton John Dutton slain with his Brother Sir Thomas Dutton at Blore-Heath 1459. Stow. Robert Dutton another Son died without Issue Lib. C. fol. 180. k. Margaret married Hugh Son and Heir of Raufe Egerton 21 Hen. 6. 1443. Lib. C. fol. 147. b. Maud married Sir William Booth of Dunham-Massy 21 Hen. 6. 1443. Lib. C. fol. 164. g. Agnes married Richard Wynnington of Wynnington nigh Northwich Son and Heir of Robert Wynnington Son and Hir of Sir Richard Wynnington 25 Hen. 6. 1446. Lib. C. fol. 160. y. Ellen married Edward Son and Heir of Richard Longford of Lancashire Esq 28 Hen. 6. 1450. Lib. C. fol. 160. a. Elizabeth married John Merbury Son and Heir of James Merbury of Merbury nigh Comberbach Esquire 1458. The Original penès Thomam Merbury Armigerum 1666. Obiit 1445 This John Dutton of Dutton died 24 Hen. 6. 1445. aged forty two Years Lib. C. fol. 160. y. z. Margaret his Wife survived and was living 1450. XIV Sir Thomas Dutton of Dutton Knight Son and Heir of John and Margaret married Anne Daughter of James Lord Audley and had Issue Peter eldest Son slain with his Father at the Battel of Blore-Heath as Tradition hath it John Dutton second Son who succeeded Heir to his Father Anno married Sir Thomas Molineaux of Sefton in Lancashire Isabel married Sir Christopher Sotheworth of Sotheworth in Lancashire Lib. D. pag. 173. f. Elizabeth married Raufe Bostock of Bostock in Davenham Parish in Cheshire Esq by whom he had Issue Anne Daughter and Heir married to Sir John Savage of Clifton in Cheshire juxtà Halton which Elizabeth after the death of Raufe Bostock married Thomas Scriven of Frodsley in Shropshire and she died Anno Domini 1516. 5 die Februarii 8 Hen. 8. Lib. C. fol. 139. x. Margaret another Daughter of Sir Thomas Dutton married Thomas Aston of Aston juxtà Sutton Esquire 7 Edw. 4. 1467. Afterwards she married Raufe Vernon of Haslington in Cheshire Esquire And Elinour another Daughter married Richard Cholmondley of Cholmondley in Broxton Hundred Esq Lib. C. fol. 161. I. n. Obiit 1459 This Sir Thomas was slain at the Battel of Blore-Heath in Staffordshire September 23. 38 Hen. 6. 1459. Stow in his Annals and in the thirty eighth Year of his Age. Anne his Widow afterwards married Hugh Done of Olton in Cheshire and she died 19 Hen. 7. 1503. Lib. C. fol. 162. v. XV. John Dutton of Dutton Esquire Son and Heir of Sir Thomas and Anne was made Steward to the Prior of Norton for his Life of all the Lands and Tenements belonging to that Priory Robert Leftwich being then Abbot of Norton and for which the said John Dutton had three Pound yearly for his Fee Dated at Norton in September 38 Hen. 6. 1459. Lib. C. fol. 145. c. He married Margaret Daughter of Richard and Sister to Sir Thomas Molineaux of Sefton in Lancashire Obiit 1473 but died without Issue 13 Edw. 4. 1473. leaving Roger Dutton his Uncle to succeed in his Estate Lib. C. fol. 160. d. e. Margaret his Widow married William Buckley of Eaton junior 15 Edw. 4. Lib. C. fol. 160. b. XVI Roger Dutton of Dutton Esquire younger Brother to Sir Thomas and Heir to his Nephew John Dutton married Joan Daughter of Sir Richard Aston of Aston juxtà Sutton and had Issue Lawrence Dutton Son and Heir Obiit 1499 This Roger died 14 Hen. 7. 1499. Joan his Widow afterwards married Sir Richard Strangewaies Lib. C. fol. 162. v. fol. 164. e. XVII Lawrence Dutton of Dutton Esquire 14 Hen. 7. Son and Heir of Roger and Joan Obiit 1526 8 Hen. 8. married Joan Daughter of Robert Duckenfield of Duckenfield in Cheshire Esquire but died without any Lawful Issue Anno Domini 1526. aged fifty Years Lib. C. fol. 164. e. fol. 161. k. He had a Bastard-son called John Dutton to whom he gave the Messuage in Preston nigh Daresbery called The New Mannor for his Life 1526. Lib. C. fol. 162. s. He had also two Bastard-daughters Isabel and Joan. Upon the sailing of the Issue Male of this Line of Dutton there fell great Controversie and Suits of Law concerning this fair Inheritance of Dutton between Sir Piers Dutton of Hatton in Broxton Hundred as next Heir Male on the one part and the Daughters and Co-heirs of Sir Thomas Dutton of Dutton and their Heirs on the other part At last it was composed and ended by the Award of King Henry the Eighth Dated the sixteenth day of May 26 Hen. 8. 1534. and Confirmed by
and Apuly with a Ring sent from the Pope by the Bishop of Romania 1255. 39 Hen. 3. Mat. Paris But it was a meer delusion for he never had it He had the Castle of Kenilworth given him 16 Decembris 51 Hen. 3. Lib. C. fol. 71. f. And the Savoy-House in London by the Gift of Queen Elinor his Mother 24 die Februarii 12 Edw. 1. 1283. Lib. C. fol. 72. n. And the Castle of Chartley he had by the Grant of his Brother King Edward the First 26 die Julii 4 Edw. 1. 1276. Lib. C. fol. 72. k. Anno Domini 1271. 55 Hen. 3. in the Month of May Prince Edward Son of King Henry with Edmund his Brother and four Earls and so many Barons and many other Gentlemen took a Voyage into the Holy Land So Mat. Paris Edmund Earl of Lancaster married to his first Wife Aveline Daughter and Heir to William de Fortibus Earl of Albemarle and Holderness and Widow to Ingram de Percy Aveline and all her Issue died before her Parents but left no Issue by her Vincent upon Broke pag. 293. He married her the eighth day of April 1270. Mat. Paris pag. 1006. of the Edition by Wats sed cùm totâ prole illa mortem Parentum praevenit Walsingham in his Hypodigma Neustriae placeth her Marriage with Edmund Anno 1269. His second Wife was Blanch Queen of Navarre the Widow of Henry de Champaigne King of Navarre and Daughter of Robert Earl of Artois Brother of St. Lewis King of France in whose Right Edmund was Earl of Champaigne 7 Edw. 1. So as he was now Earl of Lancaster Leycester Derby and Champaigne and High Steward of England Vincent on Broke Tit. Lancaster pag. 293. By Blanch the King of Navarre had Issue Joan married to Philip the Fair King of France Vincent pag. 293. Blanch married Edmund Earl of Lancaster Anno Domini 1276. and by him had Issue three Sons Thomas Earl of Lancaster the eleventh Baron of Halton in Right of his Wife of whom I have spoken before who Rebelled against his Prince and died without Issue Henry de Lancaster Lord of Monmouth second Son afterwards Earl of Lancaster and Heir to his Brother Thomas And John third Son who lived with the Queen of France his Half-Sister and died there without Issue Hypodigma Neustriae pag. 473. Lib. C. pag. 73. a. b. Vincent pag. 293. will have the Queen of Navarr's Name here to be Elinour and not Blanch from a Record which he there voucheth Quaere if that Record be not mistaken for I find her called Blanch in sundry Deeds in the Register-Books of the Duke of Lancasters Evidences in the Dutchy-Office called The two Couchir-Books Anno Domini 1296. 24 Edw. 1. this Edmund the King's Brother and Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln went into Gascoyn with a strong Army where many Castles were delivered unto them but when they came within two Miles of Burdeaux the French Army coming out of Burdeaux as it were unawares upon them after a sore Conflict retreated to the City and the Earls burned a great part of the Suburbs And shortly after Edmund died Hypodigma Neustriae pag. 483. Ob. 1296 XII Henry of Lancaster Lord of Monmouth sir-named Grismond second Son of Edmund Crook-back and Brother and Heir to Thomas Plantagenet Earl of Lancaster was restored to all his Brothers Lands and Honors 1 Edw. 3. Anno Domini 1326. and then his Titles were thus Henricus Comes Lancastriae Leycestriae Seneschallus Angliae Lib. C. fol. 74. k. 13 Edw. 3. And he was the twelfth Baron of Halton He married Maud Daughter and sole Heir of Sir Patrick de Chaworth or de Gadurcis Lord of Kidwelly in Caermarthenshire and of Ogmore Castle in Glamorganshire Cambden's Britannia Printed 1607. pag. 619. sub Titulo Lancastriae Lib. C. fol. 73. d. This Maud was formerly given to Edmund Son of Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln by Edward the First Anno 1282. being then a Girl but five Years old which Edmund died very young before he came to Maturity without Issue as you may see above in Henry Lacy. Henry Earl of Lancaster had Issue by this Maud onely one Son Henry made Earl of Derby in his Fathers Life-time to wit 1336. 11 Edw. 3. Hypodigma Neustriae and Vincent pag. 297. And six Daughters Blanch married Thomas Lord Wake of Lidell Maud married William Lord Burgh Earl of Ulster in Ireland and after to Sir Rafe Ufford Joan married John Lord Mowbray of Axholme Isabel was Abbess of Ambersbury Elinour first married to John Son of Henry Lord Beaumont and Earl of Bughan in Scotland after to Richard Earl of Arundel And Mary sixth Daughter married Henry Lord Percy of Alnwick So Broke in his Catalogue of Nobility This Henry of Lancaster with others was sent by the Queen into Wales where the King then sculked to take King Edward the Second her Husband whom they took with Hugh Spenser the Son Robert de Baldock and Simon de Reading The King was committed to the Custody of this Henry of Lancaster This was in Anno 1326. Soon after this was the King deposed and Edward his young Son made King by the Name of Edward the Third Which young King was Knighted by this Henry Earl of Lancaster Walsingham Hist Ang. Edw. 2. pag. 125 126 127. But this Henry was in nothing more infamous than in betraying his Lawful Sovereign Obiit 1345 Anno Domini 1345. obiit Henricus Grismond Frater Thomae Comitis Lancastriae Jacet apud Leycestriam X Calendas Octobris which is the twenty second of our September 19 Edw. 3. A Manuscript in the University Library at Oxford among the Books given by Archbishop Laud of an ancient Character noted G. 9. fol. 125. And Walsingham's Hist Ang. Edw. 3. pag. 165. thus Anno 1345. 19 Edw. 3. obiit Henricus Comes Lancastriae Pater Henrici Comitis de Derby Sepultus est Leycestriae in Monasterio Canonicorum Praesentibus Rege Reginâ tà m antiquâ quà m novâ Archiepiscopis Episcopis Comitibus Baronibus quasi totius Regni Filius ejus eo tempore in Wasconiâ ut praefertur actus bellicosos strenuos exercebat quamobrèm interesse non potuit exequiis Patris sui XIII Henry of Monmouth sir-named Tort-Coll or Wry-neck onely Son of Henry Grismond succeeded his Father in all his Lands and Honors and was the thirteenth Baron of Halton He was Earl of Derby in his Fathers Life-time Created 16 Martii 11 Edw. 3. After his Fathers death his Title was thus 21 Edw. 3. 1346. Henricus Comes Lancastriae Derbiae Leycestriae Seneschallus Angeliae Lib. C. fol. 75. o. He was Created Earl of Lincoln 23 Edw. 3. and then his Stile was 1349. Henricus Comes Lancastriae Derbiae Leycestriae Lincolniae Seneschallus Angliae Lib. C. fol. 75. P. Lastly He was Created Duke of Lancaster 6 Martii 25 Edw. 3. 1350. Vincent pag. 297. Selden's Titles of Honour pag. 754. But Walsingham placeth his
dishonour of the King's Person which the Duke of Norfolk denied Whereupon they had a Combat granted by the King to have been fought at Coventry on the seventeenth day of September both of them entring the Lists courageously But the King took up the Matter causing it to be Proclaimed That the Duke of Hereford had honourably performed his Part and presently after Banished the Duke of Hereford for ten Years and the Duke of Norfolk for ever So Stow and Walsingham But this Duke of Hereford returning into England Deposed Richard the Second causing the King to read his own Resignation of the Crown to this Henry publickly in the Tower before the Nobles of England Walsingham's Hist pag. 359. Cursed Traytors And so by force of Arms made himself King by the Name of Henry the Fourth So was the Dutchy of Lancaster and the Barony of Halton united to the Crown of England John of Gaunt had also Issue by Blanch two Daughters Elizabeth married John Holland Duke of Exeter and after to Sir John Cornwall Knight of the Garter and Baron of Fanhope Philippa the other Daughter married John King of Portugal After the death of Blanch he married Constantia Daughter and Co-heir to Petro late King of Spain and Edmund Earl of Cambridge his Brother married Isabella the other Daughter Anno Domini 1372. 46 Edw. 3. Stow and Walsingham Lib. C. fol. 78. f. And from this time he writ himself King of Castile and Leons By this Constance he had Issue Katharine married to Henry Son of John King of Spain 1389. Upon the Marriage of Katharine a Peace was concluded between John of Gaunt and the King of Spain John of Gaunt was to have ten thousand Pounds yearly for his own Life and the Life of Constance his Wife Walsingham Who before in the Year 1367. had routed the Spaniards in a great Battel between him and Henry the Bastard who had ejected Peter King of Spain Constance died Anno Domini 1394. Walsingham John of Gaunt relinquishing his Title of King of Castile and Leons was Created Duke of Aquitain by Consent of Parliament 2 die Martii 13 Rich. 2. 1389. And then his Title Anno 1394. 18 Rich. 2. did run thus Johannes Filius Regis Angliae Dux Aquitaniae Lancastriae Comes-Leycestriae Lincolniae Derbiae Seneschallus Angliae Couchir-Book in the Dutchy-Office Tom. 2. Comitatus Southampton num 36. For he had Honorem de Tickhil 46 Ed. 3. while he was stiled King of Castile and Leons and Duke of Lancaster Castrum Leucatam de Pevenese inter alià in exchange for the Earldom of Richmond 46 Edw. 3. And by his Brother the Black Prince Earl of Chester he had 100 Marks yearly given him out of the Exchequer at Chester during his Life by the Name of John by the Grace of God King of Castile and Leons and Duke of Lancaster 47 Edw. 3. 1373. Lib. C. fol. 78. e. After the death of Constance his second Wife the Duke went into Aquitain scilicet Anno 1396. 19 Rich. 2. to have obtained the Good-will of the Inhabitants having the Title of Duke of Aquitain conferred upon him before by his Father but was suddenly called back into England by the King And as soon as he returned into England he married Katharine Swynford his old Concubine to the wonder of all Men which Katharine formerly waited on Blanch his first Wife Stow and Walsingham This Katharine was the Daughter of Payn Roet alias Guyen King at Arms and Widow of Sir Otes Swynford by whom John of Gaunt had Issue before he married her Sir John Beaufort the eldest was Earl of Somerset and Marquis Dorset which Marquis-ship was taken away by Parliament 1 Hen. 4. Henry de Beaufort was after Bishop of Winchester Cardinal of St. Eusby sive Euscbii and Chancellor of England Thomas Created Earl of Dorset 21 Rich. 2. Joan de Beaufort was second Wife of Raufe Nevill the first Earl of Westmorland after she married Robert Ferrers Lord of Owseley They were all sir-named de Beaufort because they were born at Beaufort in France All which were Legitimated by Parliament 1397. 20 Rich. 2. to all Purposes Honors State and Dignities exceptâ Dignitate Regale as you may see in the Record transcribed by the Lord Cook in his Jurisdiction of Courts pag. 37. Lib. C. fol. 82. P. Walsingham put out by Mr. Cambden calls Thomas Beaufort Comitem de Somerset all along pag. 354. 550. for Dorset unless the Title of Somerset and Dorset were promiscuous See Vincent on Brooke pag. 169. Katharine Synford died in May 4 Hen. 4. 1403. Stow. This John procured the County of Lancaster to be made a County Palatine to whom his Father King Edward the Third by his Charter granted Jura Regalia And when he hath reckoned up the Good Service which the said John of Gaunt his Son had done for his Countrey at home and abroad he addeth Concessimus pro nobis Haeredibus nostris praefato Filio nostro quod ipse ad totam vitam suam habeat infra Comitatum Lancastriae Cancellariam suam ac Brevia sua sub Sigillo suo pro Officio Cancellarii deputando consignanda Justiciarios suos tam ad Placita Coronae quam ad quaecunque alia Placita Communem legem tangentia tenenda Cognitiones eorundem quascunque Executiones per Brevia sua Ministros suos ibidem faciendas Et quascunque alias libertates Jura Regalia ad Comitatum Palatinum pertinentia adeo libere integre sicut Comes Cestriae infra eundem Comitatum Cestriae dignoscitur obtinere c. 28 die Februarii Anno Edw. 3. Angliae 51 Franciae 38. Couchir-Book of the Dutchy-Office Tom 1. fol. 430. num 16. Confirmed to him and his Heirs by Consent of Parliament 16 die Febrùarii 13 Rich. 2. Ibidem Tom. 1. fol. 52. Many are the Acts of this John of Gaunt Recorded in our Annals and Histories I will reckon up some of the most memorable Anno Domini 1373. 47 Edw. 3. John Duke of Lancaster went with a Puissant Army into France He passed by Paris to Burgundy and so through all France no Man daring to oppose him but at last leaving France he came into the Desart Mountains of Avernia where there was neither Meat for Horse nor Man and so lost most part of his Army through Famine and Pestilence whence he came to Burdeaux scarce with forty Horse whereas he entred France with thirty thousand Horse attending him Walsingham Anno 1377. he was threatned to be killed by the Londoners for some high Word spoken against their Bishop of London they had burned his House called The Savoy but that the Bishop interceded Whereupon the Duke fled to Kensington and hating the Londoners caused the Mayor and other Officers to be put out and new ones chosen Shortly after Richard the Second before his Magnificent Coronation at Westminster reconciled the Citizens and the Duke of Lancaster Anno 1376. the King sent again for
Names were Duswall Griffith Huvall Jacob and Judethil or Inchil Malmesbury pag. 56. Huntington pag. 356. and Hoveden pag. 426. He Reigned 16 Years 13. Edward II. sirnamed The Martyr Son of Edgar was treacherously murthered by his Step-mother to make way for her Son Ethelred to succeed He Reigned 3 Years 14. Ethelred II. younger Son of Edgar was oppressed and broken by the Danes and to buy his own Peace was forc'd to pay them a yearly Sum of 10000 l. which at last was enhanced to 48000 l. This Tax was imposed on his Subjects and called Dane-geld but weary of this great Taxation he Plotted warily with his Subjects to kill all the Danes in their Beds which was put in Execution on the Eve of Saint Britius being the twelfth of November 1012 in the night-time But soon after Swane King of Denmark Landed Forces in England and forced Ethelred to flie out of England into Normandy He Reigned 38 years Ethelredus iste baptismum stercore foedavit 15. Edmund II. sirnamed Ironside Son of Ethelred having in vain attempted to recover the Kingdom at last divided it with Cnut or Canutus the Dane Son of Swane and not long after was this Edmund basely murthered 1017. This was the common Fame saith Malmesbury but Florentius and Hoveden tell us that he died at London about the Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle He Reigned nine Months By the Counsel of Edrick de Streon Cnut banished Edwin Brother to Edmund Ironside and also Edward and Edmund Sons of King Edmund Ironside Edward sirnamed The Outlaw Son of Edmund Ironside had issue Edgar Atheling the right Heir of the Crown and Margaret Married to the third Malcolme King of Scotland and Christian a Nun of Ramsey in Huntingtonshire 1086. Simeon Dunelmensis Kings of England of the Danish Blood 1. Canutus or Cnut King of Denmark and Norway after the death of Edmund Ironside was sole King of England He Married Emme the Widow of King Ethelred and Daughter of Richard Duke of Normandy He Reigned 20 years 2. Harold Bastard Son of Cnut sirnamed Harfuger He Reigned four years 3. Canutus II. commonly called Hardy-Cnut the lawful Son of Cnut He Reigned two years The Saxon Blood restored 16. Edward III. sirnamed The Confessor Son of Ethelred II. by Emme Daughter of Richard Duke of Normandy and half Brother to Edmund Ironside and to Hardy-Cnut the Dane was now advanced to the Throne of England and the Danes utterly expelled the Countrey having tytannized here above 200 years whereof they Reigned onely 26 years He Reigned 24 years He was the first of the Kings of England who cured the Disease call'd The Kings Evil a Prerogative continuing hereditary to the Kings of England and after his Death he was Canonized for a Saint Dr. Heylins Cosmography pag. 318. Anno Chr. 1066 17. Harold Son of Godwin Earl of Kent was chosen King of England in the Nonage of Edgar Atheling Grandchild to Edmund Ironside and true Heir of the Kingdom he was Crowned the sixth of January 1065. He Reigned nine Months and eight days But before I pass farther I would remember you of one thing mentioned by Dr. Heylin how in memory of the joyful clearing of the Countrey from the cruel Danes in the time of Edward the Confessor the English did institute the Merriment of the annual Sports of Hock-Tide and from their barbarous stabbing of the English at the time of their Drinking to avoid such villany the Party who was to Drink requested some of the next to him to be his Pledge or Surety whilst he was Drinking and hence came our Custom of Pledging one another a Phrase used in time of Drinking even to this day Harold was slain in Battel the fourteenth of October 1066 by William Duke of Normandy upon which Victory William was Crowned King of England and so ceased the Rule of the Saxons Thus have I briefly run over the Saxon Kings of England out of the most authentick Historians so that putting all together if we reckon the coming in of the Saxons with Cambden to be in Anno Domini 428 to the time of the Norman Conquest and including the small time of the Rule of the Danish Kings in the Account the whole time of the Saxons Rule in England was 638 years CHAP. VI. Of the time of the Danes in England 1. ANno Domini 800. the Danes first arriv'd in England to wit in the Isle of Portland which belongeth to Dorsetshire Brithric being then King of the West-Saxons Stowe's Annals but were after driven out of the Land These Danes did much infest England for a long space burning Towns and Temples and making woful destruction Osbert and Ella Kings of Northumberland were slain at York by the Danes Anno 867. Matth. of Westminster And in Anno 870. the Danes under the Command of Hinguar and Hubba slew Edmund King of the East-Angles and so possessed themselves of that Kingdom Florentius Wigorniensis and Stowe And in Anno 874. the Danes forced Beorhred King of Mercia to flie out of England and after his Expulsion they possessed all the Kingdom of the Mercians Florentius Infinite other Battels of them we meet with so that now they had the Kingdoms of the Mercians and of the East-Angles and a great part of Northumberland And in the time of Ethelred King of England Anno Domini 991. the Tribute call'd Danegeld was first Collected to appease the fury of the Danes and their Depopulations which continued a long time after See Spelman's Glossary on the word Danegeldum Anno Domini 1012. on the twelfth of November at Night Anno Regni Ethelredi 35. the English to free themselves from the great Oppression of the Tax called Danegeld did by a general Conspiracy strangle all the Danes in their Beds Heylin's Cosmography pag. 317. To revenge which Fact Swane King of Denmark came into England with a Fleet of 350 Ships Anno 1013. and ceased not to spoil many parts of the Kingdom and at last so far prevailed and subdued England that Cnut his Son was made King thereof after the death of Edmund Ironside to wit Anno 1017. and Cnut and his Sons enjoyed the Crown 26 years to the Year 1043. and then was the Saxon Blood restored to the Crown in Edward the Confessor but alass soon after Edward's Death were both the Danes and Saxons conquered by William Duke of Normandy to wit Anno 1066. So that we see the Justice of God how he set the Danes as a Scourge to the Saxons who had so perfidiously and cruelly used the poor Brettans and at last were driven out of their Lands by the Normans as they before had driven out the Brettans 2. The whole time that the Danes so miserably afflicted the Saxons in England was 266 years if we reckon to the Norman Conquest from the first coming of them into England Anno Domini 800. but if we reckon to the time of Edward the Confessor sub Anno 1043. then it containeth onely 242 years But Matth.
and one Month. 9. Edward I. Son of Henry III. subdued Wales and brought Scotland into subjection He died the seventh of July 1307. aged 68 Years He Reigned 34 Years 7 Months and 22 Days 10. Edward II. Son of Edward I. was Barbarously and Traiterously deposed through a strong Faction raised against him by his Queen and afterwards murthered in Barkley-Castle He was deposed the 25 of January 1326. and murthered September 21. 1327. He Reigned 19 Years 6 Months and 18 Days 11. Edward III. Son of Edward II. a Valorous Prince overthrew the French in two great Battels took Caliz and many other Places in that Kingdom and Quartered the Arms of France in his Coat which the succeeding Kings of England have ever since imitated and retained He died at Richmond the 21 day of June 1377. in the 56 Year of his Age. He Reigned 50 Years and almost 5 Months 12. Richard II. Son of Prince Edward called The Black Prince and Grandson of Edward III. was Traiterously deposed by his Cosin Henry Duke of Hereford and Lancaster the 29 of September 1399. and after murthered in Prison the 14 day of February following in Pomfret Castle He Reigned 22 Years 3 Months and 8 Days The Lancastrian Line 13. Henry IV. Duke of Lancaster Son of John of Gant fourth Son of King Edward the Third traiterously and villainously taking up Arms against his Prince caused Richard the Second to be deposed and made himself King He spent his whole Reign in suppressing of home-bred Rebellions He died the 20 of March 1412. in the 46 Year of his Age. He Reigned 13 Years and 6 Months wanting 10 Days 14. Henry V. Son of Henry IV. the Mirror of Magnificence and passing swift in running He was of New-College in Oxford under the Government of Henry de Beaufort his Uncle on the Fathers side then Chancellor of Oxford He Conquered France and died in the Castle of Boys de Vincennes not far from Paris the last day of August 1422. He Reigned 9 Years 5 Months and 10 Days 15. Henry VI. Son of Henry V. an Infant of 8 Months old a Pious but Unfortunate Prince He was Crowned King of France in Paris 7 Decembris 1431. which he held during the Life of his Uncle John Duke of Bedford Regent of France But afterwards he did not onely lose all France again but England also to the Duke of York's Faction who claimed the Crown of England in right of Anne Grandmother to Edward IV. and Daughter to Roger Mortimer Earl of March Son of Edmund Mortimer by Philippa Daughter and Heir of Lionel Duke of Clarence third Son of Edward III. and Elder Brother of John of Gant He Reigned 38 Years 6 Months and 4 Days Kings of the Duke of York's Line 16. Edward IV. Son of Richard Duke of York challenged the Crown as aforesaid and prevailing in several Battels against Henry VI. was Crowned King of England the fourth of March 1460. Yet Henry VI. was Crowned again 13 die Octobris 1470. But he enjoyed his Title of Redemption but a while for he died about six Months after to wit in Anno 1471. having lived 52 Years He Reigned 22 Years 1 Month and odd Days This Edward the Fourth died the ninth of April 1483. aged 41 Years He was the first of all the Norman Kings who married his own Subject Anno Chr. 1483. 17. Edward V. Son of Edward IV. was never Crowned but murthered by his Uncle Richard Duke of Glocester Protector in June 1483. in the thirteenth Year of his Age in the Tower of London He Reigned two Months 18. Richard III. youngest Brother of King Edward IV. being Protector to the late young King and dispatching him and his Brother out of the way usurpeth the Crown He was slain at Bosworth-field in Leycestershire the 22 day of August 1485. He Reigned 2 Years and 2 Months The Union of the Two Families Lancaster and York 19. Henry VII Earl of Richmond next Heir to the House of Lancaster as Son of Edmund a That Edmund was called Edmund of Haddam Son of Owen Tudor by Queen Katharine the Widow of Henry the Fifth Tudor by Margaret Daughter of John Duke of Somerset descended of John of Gant Duke of Lancaster after the Overthrow given by him unto Richard the Third at Bosworth married Elizabeth Daughter and Heir to King Edward the Fourth and so United the Families He died at Richmond the 22 day of April 1509. after he had Reigned 23 Years and 8 Months 20. Henry VIII Son of Henry VII Heir to both Families He shaked off the Pope's Supremacy in this Nation suppressed the Monasteries and began the Reformation of Religion in England A Prince of great Vices and of great Vertues He wrote a Book against Luther for which Pope Leo X. gave him by Charter the Title of Defender of the Faith dated 1521. Herbert's Hist of Hen. 8. pag. 95. Which Title hath ever since been used by his Successors He died at Westminster the 28. of January 1546. having Reigned 37 Years 9 Months and 6 Days Trussel's History pag. 263. saith There perished in the Civil Wars between the the Houses of Lancaster and York Two Kings One Prince Ten Dukes Two Marquesses Twenty one Earls Twenty seven Lords Two Viscounts One Lord Prior of St. Johns of Jerusalem One Judge 139 Knights 441 Esquires 84998 Common Persons Dr. Heylyn in his Cosmography pag. 320. accounts thus Seventeen Pitched Fields Eight Kings and Princes slain Forty Dukes Marquesses and Earls 200000 Common People Besides Barons and Gentlemen 21. Edward VI. Son of Henry VIII by Jane Seymour a Child He died at Greenwich 6 die Julii 1553. about 15 Years old In his time Priests were allowed to Marry See Stat. 2 3 Edw. 6. cap. 21. He Reigned 6 Years 5 Months and 8 days 22. Queen Mary Daughter of Henry VIII by Katherine of Spain his Brother Arthur's Widow lost Caliz to the French 1557. A Bloody Queen She married Philip King of Spain 25 die Julii 1554. And she died at St. Jameses House in London the 17 of November 1558. She set up Popery and Reigned 5 Years 4 Months and 11 Days 23. Queen Elizabeth Daughter of Henry VIII by the Lady Anne of Bullein his second Wife A most Gracious Heroick Princess She perfected and refined the Reformation of Religion begun by her Father furnished the Royal Navy with all Warlike Ammunitions succoured the Scots against the French and the French Protestants against the Papists defended the Netherlands against the Attempts of the Spaniards commanded the Whole Ocean entred League with the Muscovite and was most Famous in the Prudent Government of her Kingdom assisted by most Wise and Able Statesmen and Privy-Counsellors about her as any Prince in Christendom had and which is most rare were all Faithful and Loyal to her She died the 24 day of March 1602. which is the last Day of the Year according to the Computation of the Church of England at Richmond in Surrey aged 70 Years She
reigned 44 Years 4 Months and 7 Days The Scotch Line Kings and Monarchs of all Great-Brettaine and Ireland 24. James VI. King of Scotland Son of Mary Queen of Scots Anno Chr. 1602. Daughter and Heir of James V. Son of James IV. and of the Lady Margaret eldest Daughter of Henry the Seventh King of England was Proclaimed King of England in London March 24. 1602. as the next undoubted Heir to the Crown of England A Learned and Religious Prince of whom the Lord Bacon saith in his Advancement of Learning pa. 2. It is no Amplification but a positive and measured Truth That there was not so Learned a Temporal Monarch since Christ 's time in all Literature Divine and Humane as this King James Of whom see more in Scotland He died at Theobalds the 27 of March 1625. aged 60 Years He was the first Monarch of all Great-Brettaine He Reigned 22 Years and 3 Days 25. Charles I. Son of James VI. of Scotland was overpowred by the Puritanical Faction in England confederate with the Covenanters of Scotland who began their Rebellion in England Anno 1642. which continued by the Assistance of the Rebellious Parliament of England until the Year 1660. miserably ruinating both our Church and State And these Rebels murthered this Good King the 30 day of January 1648. in the 49 Year of his Age and banished his Children He Reigned 23 Years 10 Months and 3 Days 26. Charles II. Son of Charles I. was kept out of his Kingdoms till after the death of Oliver Cromwel the Traytor stiled the Protector but was after Restored and Returned to his Kingdoms the 29 day of May Anno Domini 1660. chiefly next under God who disposeth and ordereth the Hearts of all Men by the Assistance of Colonel George Monk who then had the Command of all the Forces in Scotland and England Principally and was afterwards made Duke of Albemarle by this King as well he deserved Of the Dukes of Normandy before William the Conqueror II. THe Dukes of Normandy from whence our Norman Kings of England aforesaid are descended are the Progeny of Rollo the Dane who invaded the Province of Neustria in France with a great Army which because they consisted of Men brought out of the North part of the World they were called Normans and that Province of France was called Normannia in Latin For in the Saxon Language of our Ancestors Normans denotes as much as Populi Septentrionales in the Latine And were a People as Cambden saith commixt of Norwegians Swedes and Danes 1. This Rollo took Baieux in Normandy by Storm and slew Berengarius Earl thereof and after married Popa Daughter of the said Berengarius on whom he begot William afterwards Duke of Normandy sirnamed Longespée because of the long Sword he used to wear And Rollo much perplexed the French by his daily Rapines over-running almost all France to Burgundy At last for the Mediation of a Peace Charles the Simple King of France gave unto him all the Land of Normandy from the River Epta to the Sea to be held by Homage from the Kings of France with Gista his Daughter in Marriage Popa his former Wife being now either dead or divorced Whereupon Rollo was Baptised by Franco Archbishop of Roan Anno Chr. 917. Anno Domini 912. And he was the first Duke of Normandy and died Anno Christi nati 917. Ordericus Vitalis lib. 3. ad initium Will. Gemeticensis lib. 2. cap. 12 17. 2. William sirnamed Longespée Duke of Normandy was Son of Rollo Slain Anno Christi 942. 3. Richard I. Duke of Normandy Son of William was but 10 Years old when his Father was slain He was Duke 54 Years 4. Anno 996. Richard II. Son of Richard I. by Gunnor first his Concubine and after his Wife Gemeticensis lib. 8. cap. 36. succeeded Duke of Normandy and was Duke 30 Years He had two Sons who succeeded Dukes one after another Richard and Robert besides other Children 5. Anno 1026. Richard III. Son of Richard II. succeeded Duke of Normandy and was Duke scarce a Year and a half 6. Anno 1028. Robert Brother to Richard III. succeeded Duke and after he had been Duke seven Years and a half he died at the City of Nice in Bithynia Anno 1035. 7. William Bastard Son of Robert by Arlet or Herlue as some write her a Skinners Daughter of Faloys in Normandy Chronicon Joh. Bromton pag. 910. a Child of eight Years of Age succeeded Duke of Normandy and was Duke 53 Years Ordericus lib. 3. in initio In the 32 Year of his Dukedom to wit Anno 1066. he Conquered England and is commonly called William the Conqueror Robert Curthose eldest Son of the Conqueror was after his Father also Duke of Normandy See the rest above pag. 32. among the Norman Kings of England ⚜ Normandy was lost to the French in the Reign of King John Anno 1204. Mat. Paris pag. 212. Normandy won again from the French by Henry V. Anno 1416. Normandy lost again by Henry VI. Anno 1449. And so much of England OF VVALES CHAP. I. Of the Name of Wales and Description of the Countrey I. THe Name of Wales was imposed from our Saxon Ancestors For the Ancient Brettans being beaten out of England by the Saxons fled into the West Parts of Brettaine being naturally fortified with great Mountains and Overflowings of the Sea to wit into that Part now called Wales and into Cornwal But the Brettans of Cornwal though they stoutly endeavoured to defend their Country yet were they soon forced to leave it to the Saxons Cambden and Verstegan tell us That the Saxons termed all Aliens and Strangers Walsh And hence they called these Inhabitants because Strangers unto them by the name of Walsh-men and their Countrey Wales But more probable it is that forasmuch as they be descended from the ancient Gaules their Neighbors in Latin termed Galli by the French Galles which the Saxons pronounce Walles and from whence Walles-man and now corruptly Welsh-man it seems to me to be thence called Wales as one should say The Countrey of the Waules or Walles And in ancient Latin Authors it is many times stiled Guallia and the Inhabitants thereof Gualli and every Man knows how the Saxons in most Words do use W for G as War for Guerre Ward for Guard and the like And at this day the French stile the eldest Son of the King of England Le Prince de Galles The ancient Galli were called Cimbri or Kimbri undè Cambro-Britannia is used for Wales and Cambro-Britannus for a Welshman And ask these Cambro-Brittans or Welsh-Brittans how they call themselves they will presently tell you Kimeri or Kumeri which sounds as much as Kimbri or Kymbry now in Latin molded into Cambri Howsoever the Name came the Inhabitants of Wales at this day are the Remnant of the Ancient Brettans but not without great commixture of the English their Neighbors which must needs follow in so long a Tract
Dux was slain in Battel against the Danes with many other Noblemen of England Florentius pag. 388. IV. Edric sirnamed Streon a most perfidious Man was made Duke or Governor of Mercia by King Ethelred Anno 1007. in which Year the King of England agreed to pay thirty six thousand Pounds Tribute-money to the Danes so as they would desist from their Rapines Florentius pag. 373. with whom also agrees Huntington Hoveden and Polychronicon Onely Westminster saith he was made Duke of Mercia Anno 1003. He was the Son of Egelricus of low Kindred and to whom nevertheless his eloquent Tongue and crafty Wit procured great Riches and Honor and for Envy Florentius pag. 373. Falshood Pride and Cruelty exceeded all Men at that time He had to his Brothers Brihtric Alfric Goda Agelwin Agelward and Agelmer See Hoveden pag. 450. Father of Wulnoth Father of Godwin Earl of the West-Saxons He married Edgitha Daughter of King Ethelred Hoveden pag. 430. Stow calls her Edina pag. 90. b. and had Issue Wulfege and Wegete two Sons His unworthy Acts Historians Record thus Anno 1006. he murthered Duke Alfhelme whom VVestminster calls Ethelstane by a Wile for having invited him to a Banquet at Shrewsbury about the third or fourth day of his Entertainment he took him along with him on Hunting and led him into a Wood where he had laid in ambush a Butcher of Shrewsbury called Godwin Porthund whom he had hired to kill Alfhelme This Godwin spying his opportunity when all the rest of the Company were busied in Hunting fell upon Alfhelme and murthered him And shortly after King Ethelred caused the Eyes of Edric's two Sons VVulfeage and VVegate to be put out at Cocham or Cosham where the King then lived Florentius pag. 372. Anno 1015. he guilefully got Sigeferth and Morcar Sons of Earngrime into his Chamber where he caused them to be killed secretly and also endeavored secretly to have slain Edmund Prince of England And not long after having gotten forty Ships well Manned with Danish Soldiers he revolted to Canutus King of the Danes Florentius pag. 382. Hoveden pag. 433. Sigeferth and Morcar are stiled Earls of Northumberland by VVestminster whose Lands the King seised as forfeited by their Treason To omit many other of his Treacheries Anno 1016. Edric most perfidiously caused King Edmund sirnamed Ironside to be murthered for he caused his Son to thrust a sharp Knife into the King's Fundament as he was at the House of Office exonerating himself And this was done when the King lodged at Oxford on the last day of November Matt. VVestminster pag. 401. But Malmesbury pag. 72. saith Edric corrupted two of the King's Bed-chamber to thrust an Iron Hook into his Fundament as he was exonerating himself so was the common Fame saith he Howbeit Florentius and Hoveden both tell us That King Edmund died at London about the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle At last this Edric had a just Reward for all his Villanies for Anno 1017. Cnut the Danish King caused him to be Beheaded after he had told him what he had done to King Edmund and set his Head upon the Tower of London for he said he would make him higher than all the Noblemen of England Others say That for fear of Tumult he was privately strangled and his Body thrown into Thames So VVestminster pag. 402. Vide Ingulphum pag. 892. By Edric's Counsel Cnut banished Edwine Brother to Edmund Ironside and also Edward and Edmund Sons to King Edmund Ironside V. Leofric is the next Governor of Mercia I meet with He is the first that I find stiled Earl of Chester in express words Henry Huntington lib. 6. pag. 366. Leofricus Consul Nobilissimus Cestriae He is also stiled Earl of Leycester by Ingulphus pag. 891. Howbeit in truth he was now Earl of all Mercia whereof those Counties were Members or Branches and was one of the Primest Counsellors among all the Nobles of England and very gracious with his Prince He lived in the several Reigns of King Cnut Harald sirnamed Harefoot Hardy-Cnut and Edward sirnamed The Confessor But give me leave here by way of Digression to explain the Title of Earl which we give unto them for hitherto before this Leofric they have most usually by ancient Authors been stiled Duces Merciae But from Leofric downwards they are usually stiled Comites Merciae Wherefore it is to be observed That under the Saxons the subordinate Titles of Temporal Honour were those of Ethelinge Ealdorman and Thane or Theigne The Thanes were answerable to our Barons The Ealdormen usually stiled Aldermanni in the old Latin Translations of the Saxon Laws were such as had Provinces or Counties under their Government and signifies as much as Senior or Senator in Latin expressed sometimes by Subregulus Regulus Patricius Princeps Dux and in Saxon by Heretoga sometimes by Comes and Consul Selden's Tit. Hon. pag. 605. Ethelinge was a Title attributed to those of the Blood-Royal Sons and Brothers to the King and signifies as much as Nobly Born which in the times of the Saxons was in Latin expressed Clyto from the Greek Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies Famous Noble or Eminent About King Ethelstan's Reign the Word Earl was received in England as a Syncnima to Etheling and so denoted the Sons or Brothers of the King and not an Earl as at this day it is used for a Special Dignity Selden Tit. Hon. pag. 604. The word Earl coming into England with the Danes in whose Language Erlig at this day signifies as much as Noble or Honourable And after the Danish Power encreased in England under King Cnut the Name of Earl was fixed on those who before were by the Saxons called Ealdormen and the Saxon Title Ethelinge no more expressed by the word Earl The Title of Ealdorman continued until about the Year 1020. expressed by these words in Latin Duces Principes Comites c. Selden Tit. Hon. pag. 609. But from the Norman Conquest Earl and Comes most usually have translated each other And therefore because these Governors of Mercia first stiled Duces were also afterwards stiled Comites and Consules I give them the Title of Earls Howbeit in truth the Titles of Dux and Comes used by the ancient Historians of our Nation and also frequently found in old Latin Charters under our Saxon Kings about 800 Years after Christ did then signifie with us no other than Chief Governors of Provinces and Counties under the King and promiscuously used in that Age for the same Title So were also Consul and Subregulus But though Dux and Comes were promiscuously used by Florentius Huntington Hoveden and other old Authors yet I find in Latin Chartes of those Ages many stiled Duces and others Comites in the same Charters as we find in Ingulphus Nay you may observe in the Subscriptions of those Ages this Order First Bishops then Abbots then Duces then Comites then Minister which in those Chartes denotes a Thane or Lord
Baron c. And this as it were by a constant Course and Order So that by Duces somewhat more than by Comites seems to be understood Comes sine dubio de Provinciarum Comitibus dicitur qui Populum judiciariâ Potestate gubernabant armatâ manu tuebantur saith Spelman on the word Comes which properly and commonly was of old time used for A Governor and such Provinces as were under the Jurisdiction of such Comes were called Comitatus or Counties The Comes had also his Vice-Comes or Sheriff sometimes also called Vice-Dominus which was substituted under the Comes for the Rule of his County in those elder Ages Quâ autèm differebat munus Ducis Comitis quâ Territorium non habeo quod asseram saith Spelman in his Glossary on the word Dux pag. 233. a. For the opinion as there he addeth of those Men who conceive the Title Dux to be given to such as Governed many Shires or Counties and that of Comes to be attributed to such as Governed but one County is not clearly proved nor allowed of neither of those who make Dux to be meant only of such who were Chief Commanders over such Provinces in Military Affairs and Comes onely of the Chief Magistrate in the Civil and Judiciary Government according to the Laws within his County Certain it is these Titles were Officiary in those Ages and were sometimes Feudal and sometimes conferred at the Pleasure of the Prince Selden Tit. Hon. pag. 615. But the Title Dux or Duke became not a peculiar Title of Place and Dignity with us in England as it is now used before 11 Edw. 3. 1337. when the Black Prince was created Duke of Cornwal And now to return to Leofric Concerning the Descent of this Earl Leofric Cambden in his Britannia at the end of Leycestershire reckons it up in this Order Leofric Earl of Leycester in the time of Ethelbald King of Mercia Anno Salutis 716. to whom succeeded in a direct Line Algar the First Algar the Second Leofric the Second Leofstan or Leofwine Leofric the Third Earl of Mercia of whom I now speak Which Descent Cambden there professeth to have received from a great Antiquary Thomas Talbot who had collected the same out of the King's Records See this Descent also in Monasticon 1 Part pag. 304. and in Burton's Description of Leycestershire pag. 167. The same followed by Dugdale in his VVarwickshire pag. 87. So easily doth Error spread being once broached I will now shew where that Descent is defective Leucitus mis-writ for Leuricus or Leofric Comes Leycestriae Anno Domini 716. tempore Ethelbaldi Regis Merciorum This appears by the Charter of the said Ethelbald made to the Abbey of Croyland as you may find it at large in the History of Ingulphus pag. 852. But for this Leofric's Wife Issue or Successor no History or Record which I have hitherto met withal makes up the wide breach of Descents to the time of Algar the First above-mentioned containing the Revolution of 120 Years or thereabouts So that this Leofric cannot be the Father of Algar the First there mentioned Vide Ingulphum p. 857. Algar the First stiled Algarus Comes Leycestriae Senior sub Regno Wiglafi Regis Merciorum Ingulphus pag. 860. about the Year 836. He was a great Benefactor to the Abbey of Croyland Algar the Second stiled Algarus Comes Leycestriae Junior Filius Algari Comitis lived in the time of Beorred King of Mercia Anno Domini 860. Ingulphus pag. 863. He was slain by the Danes in Battel at Kesteven in Lincoln-shire Anno Domini 870. Ingulphus pag. 865 866. Nor doth Ingulphus call them Earls of Leycester though I suppose them so but onely Algarus Comes Senior and Junior Of what Family he mentions not Here likewise is another great Interruption from Anno 870. to Anno 1000. when Leofwine lived containing about 120 Years more which the Descent above fills up very improbably onely one Descent of Leofric the Second to fill up 120 Years ⚜ The Descents from Algar the Second to Leofwine here are much desired to be filled up and proved by good Authority Leofwine Earl of Leycester flourished under King Ethelred about the Year of Christ 1000. He was Son of _____ and Married _____ and had Issue Leofric Earl of Mercia and Normannus one of the Prime Nobles to Edric Streon Ducis Merciae which Norman became Protector of Croyland Abbey by Covenant during his Life for which he had the Mannor of Badby given him for 100 Years Anno 1017. Ingulphus pag. 891 898. Hoveden pag. 437 442. Also Edwine another Son slain by Griffith King of Wales Anno Domini 1039. Monasticon 1 Pars pag. 134. And Godwin another Son Monasticon 1 Pars pag. 130. Leofric Son of Earl Leofwin was the fifth Earl or Governor of Mercia He is sometimes stiled Earl of Leycester and sometimes Earl of Chester as I have before shewed He was Witness to a Charter made by King Cnut to the Abbey of Croyland Anno Domini 1032. when Cnut also gave to that Abbey a Golden Cup subscribed in these words ✚ Ego Leofricus Comes Concessi ✚ Ego Algarus Filius Leofrici Comitis astiti c. Ingulphus pag. 893. Hoveden tells us pa. 437. That in Anno Christi 1018. when the Traytor Edric Streon was put to death by King Cnut then also were put to death with him Dux Normannus Filius Leofwini Ducis Frater scilicet Leofrici Comitis Ethelwaudus Filius Agelmari Ducis Damnonia id est Cornwal and Devonshire Alfegus was Earl of Devonshire Cornwal Brictricus Filius Alfegi Damnoniensis Satrapae Leofricum pro Normanno Germano suo Rex Constituit Ducem cum post modum valde charum habuit I know not what he means here by Constituit Ducem unless he means General or Governor over all Mercia or else that he now had the Earldom of his Brother Norman added whom Ingulphus pag. 912. stiles Vice-Comes Edrice id est Substitute of Mercia This Leofric is said to have a Sister called Ermenhild Mother to Hugh Lupus Earl of Chester So the Record cited in Monasticon 1 Pars pag. 305. b. Sed quaere For that Record is most grosly mistaken in many Places of it This Leofric married Godiva Sister of Thorold de Bukenhale Sheriff of Lincolnshire Ingulphus pag. 913 914. Possibly he was descended from that Thorold whom Ingulphus stiles Vice-Dominus Lincolniensis sub Anno 851. pag. 861. He and his Countess Godiva built or enriched these Monasteries viz. Coventry Leon Wenloke Worcester Evesham and two Monasteries of St. John Baptist and St. Werburge in Chester and the Church of St. Mary-Stow which Eadnothus Bishop of Lincoln built Florentius pag. 419. Hoveden pag. 444. The same Godiva or as Florentius writes her Godgiva freed the Town of Coventry from all Toll except the Toll of Horses by riding naked through the Town without any thing to cover her but her Hair which Condition
Creation of Duke Anno 1353. pag. 520. above two Years too late This Henry Repaired the Savoy House in the Strand in London which cost him 52000 Marks which Money he got at the Town of Bryggerak Knighton pag. 2627. He was the first of all the Nobility of England of a Subject who was Invested with the Title of Duke since the Norman Conquest For the Black Prince who was made Duke of Cornwal fourteen Years before though in truth he be a Subject yet is he King Hereditarily if he survive and therefore I look upon the Prince as a Higher Pitch than the other Nobility So the Earldom of Lancaster became a Dutchy Anno Domini 1354. 28 Edw. 3. this Henry Duke of Lancaster went Beyond-sea in great State to have sought a Duel at Paris with the Duke of Brunswick who had taken and spoiled his Goods as he returned from the Court of Rome whither he was sent for the Confirmation of a Peace between the King of England and the King of France But by Mediation of Friends it was taken up Hypodigma Neustriae pag. 520. See also Stow's Annals Anno 1345. in which Year his Father died this Henry Sailed into Gascoyn with six hundred Armed Men and so many Archers who at the first Assault took the strong Town of Brigerak and won fifty Towns and Cities to the King of England He defeated the Army of the King of France which came against him took twenty three Persons of Quality besides a great number of Common Soldiers The rest either ran away or were killed His Munificence was such that when he took any Town he gave all the Booty to his Soldiers kept little or nothing to hiself Walsingham He married Isabel Daughter of Henry Lord Beaumont by whom he had Issue two Daughters and Co-heirs Maud married William Duke of Zeland and Earl of Henault eldest Son of Lewis Duke of Bavarre Anno Domini 1352. 26 Edw. 3. Blanch the other Daughter married John of Gaunt Earl of Richmond fourth Son to King Edward the Third 19 die Maii 1359. 33 Edw. 3. at Rading having a Dispensation of the Court because she was his Cosin Walsingham and Stow. How the Lands were divided between the two Sisters take here these two following Chartes enrolled in one of the Couchir-Books in the Dutchy-Office at Grays-Inn Tom. 2. Comitatus Norfolciae num 3. Honor sive Soca de Bolingbroke pag. 4. num 4. Lib. C. fol. 77. dd a. SCiant praesentes futuri Quòd nos Johannes Episcopus Lincolniae Robertus de la Mare Johannes de Bukland Johannes Charnells Walterus Poer Simon Simeon Johannes Neumarche Concessimus Willielmo Comiti de Henaud de Leycestriâ Matildae Uxori ejus Filiae Domini Henrici nupèr Ducis Lancastriae Maneria de Gymingham Thesford Mathe Wolde Tunstede Hundreda de Galhowe Brothercors cùm pertinentiis triginta novem Feoda quartam partem unius Feodi Militum cùm pertinentiis in Canefeld Eysten Attemount Horton Berewyk Creke Waterdene Snyterle Barsham Sidesterne Wyneton Salthus Gresham Aylemerton Clopton Fyncheam Northwald Feltewell Roukelound Middleton East-Rudham West-Rudham Sal Haydon Kerdeston Wodedalling Repam Bergh Hegheton Rongham Fransham Weting Toftes Croxton Gresynghale Lexam Elsyng Wesenham Tanerham Drayton Swynington Alderford Lyneford Grimeston Congham Bykeston in Goldestthorp Stanfeld Briselye Bilneye Titeleshale West-Lexam Skernynge Ho Advocationes Abbathiae Marham Prioratus Canonicorum de Thesford Hospitalium Domus Dei de Thesford Sanctae Mariae Magdalenae de Thesford Sancti Johannis de Thesford ac Ecclesiarum de Suthreppes Northreppes Trymingham Manesele Eykesthorpe Bradefelde Swathefeld Beston medietatis Ecclesiae de Aylmerton à c etià m duo Feoda Militum cùm pertinentiis in Westfeld Brantham Habenda tenenda praedictis Willielmo Comiti de Henaud de Leycestriâ Matildae Uxori ejus Haeredibus de Corpore ejusdem Matildae exeuntibus de Domino Rege Angliae aliis Capitalibus Dominis Feodi Et si contingat quòd praedicta Matilda obîerit sinè Haerede de Corpore suo exeunte quod absit ex tùnc omnia praedicta Maneria Hundreda Feoda Militum Advocationes cùm pertinentiis suis plenariè integrè remaneant rectis Haeredibus Domini Henrici nupèr Ducis Lancastriae in perpetuùm c. Datum apud Londoniam 22 die Octobris 35 Edw. 3. SCiant praesentes futuri Quòd nos Johannes Dei Gratiâ Episcopus Lincolniae Ricardus Comes Arundelliae Robertus de la Mare Johannes de Bukland Johannes Charnells Walterus Poer Simon Simeon Johannes Newmarche Concessimus nobili viro Johanni Comiti Lancastriae Richmondiae Blanchiae Uxori ejus Haeredibus suis de Corporibus eorum legitimè procreatis Castrum de Bolingbroke Parcum eidem Castro pertinentem eùm omnibus Advocationibus Ecclesiarum Abbathiarum Prioratuum Hospitalium aliarum Domorum Religiosarum Feodis Militum praedicto Castro Sokae de Bolingbroke pertinentibus quae habuimus ex dono redditione Nobilis Viri Henrici Ducis Lancastriae pèr Finem in Curiâ Domini Regis indè leuatum adeò plenè integrè sicùt Henricus de Lacy quondà m Comes Lincolniae ea tenuit habuit Retentis nobis Manerio Villâ Socâ de Bolingbroke ac Maneriis de Sutton Thoresby Wathe Ingoldsmeles cùm pertinentiis in Comitatu Lincolniae Concessimus etià m Castrum Villam Mannerium Honorem de Tutbury ac Villas de Strepton Merchington Chalangewood Uttexhater Adgarest Newburgh cùm pertinentiis in Comitatu Staffordiae Hundredum de Higham-Ferrers ac Maneria de Hegham-Ferrers Raundes Rissheden cùm pertinentiis in Comitatu Northamptoniae ità quòd si idem Comes Blanchia obierint sinè Haerede de Corporibus suis exeunte quòd tùnc post decessum ipsorum Comitis Blanchiae omnia praedicta Castra Maneria c. remaneant rectis Haeredibus ipsius Henrici Ducis Lancastriae Tenenda de Domino Rege Haeredibus suis per Servitia indè debita consueta in perpetuum In cujus rei testimonium huic praesenti Chartae Sigilla nostra apposuimus Hiis Testibus Edwardo Principe Walliae Illustris Regis Angliae Filio Primogenito Willielmo Episcopo Wintoniae Cancellario Angliae Simone Abbate Westmonasterii Angliae Thesaurario Johanne de Bukyngham Northamptoniae Archidiacono Henrico Greene Roberto de Thorpe Justiciariis Domini Regis Angliae aliis Datum Londini die Dominicâ proximè post Festum Sancti Martini 35 Edw. 3. So that William Earl of Henault had the Earldom of Leycester and John of Gaunt had the Earldom of Lancaster And after the death of Maud Countess of Leycester who died without Issue Anno Domini 1381. the Earldom of Leycester and all Maud's Part of the Lands belonging to Henry Duke of Lancaster her Father reverted unto John of Gaunt in Right of Blanch his Wife the other Sister Obiit 1360 Henry Duke of Lancaster died on