Margaret and Emme M. num 16. and so this Land of Heild continued to their Heirs until the one Moiety thereof was purchased again by Thomas Leycester of Tabley Esquire Anno Domini 1500. M. num 19. and the other Moiety was purchased by Dorothy Leycester Widow from Richard Sutton of Sutton nigh Maxfield Esquire Son of Francis Sutton Anno Domini 1601. 43. Elizabethae M. num 60. So that the whole is now reverted again to Leycester There is also another Place in this Aston called The Mannor of Wethale which the aforesaid Geffrey Son of Geffrey Son of Adam de Dutton gave unto Margaret his Daughter aforesaid and to her Heirs with all Commons and Easements of the Town of Aston Et Sciedum est quòd ipsa Margareta Haeredes sui Homines eorum qui manebunt in Wethale habebunt Housebote Haybote sufficientèr ad ardendum ad aedificandum de Bosco de Aston sinè visu Forestariorum praedicti Galfridi haeredum suorum habebunt etià m omnes Porcos suos proprios ubicunquè fuerint nutriti in eodem Bosco sinè Pannagio as the very words of the Deed do run R. num 3. At which time also he gave her the Town of Nether-Tabley by another Deed and this about the latter end of the Reign of Henry the Third for in these Ages Gentlemen used to give a large proportion of Lands with their Daughters in Marriage rather than a small Sum of Money Land being then but of little value All which Lands descended to her Heirs by Sir Nicholas Leycester And Peter Dutton Son of the said Geffrey released all his Right in Nether-Tabley Wethale and Heild unto Roger Leycester Son of Sir Nicholas Anno Dom. 1296. 24 Edw. 1. I. num 6. and do now remain in possession of Sir Peter Leycester of Tabley Baronet and his Tenants at this day 1669. The Mannors of VVethale and Heild in Aston juxta Budworth do contain about a third part of the Town of Aston the Demaine Land of Arley being taken out and excepted All the rest of this Town hath been enjoyed by the Ancestors of the VVarburtons of Arley from the time of Adam de Dutton aforesaid even to this present save onely the Lands granted away by them unto the Predecessors of these Charterers following and now 1666. in possession of 1. The Widow Garstid of Chester called Litley Lands formerly belonging to Hayes of Litley and was possessed by Adam Son of William de Litley Anno Domini 1335. 2. Daniel of Tabley hath two small Tenements in Aston 3. Raufe Vernon of Aston called Wethale Farm 4. Gerard of Wimbles-Trafford late Picton's Land 5. Philip Antrobus of Over-Pever one small Tenement in Aston 6. Berry's Tenement in Aston which formerly was the Inheritance of Sneyd of Bradwell and sold by William Sneyd unto Gawen Legh of Northwood younger Son of Matthew Legh of Swineyard in High-Legh 35 Hen. 8. afterwards Richard Legh of Northwood sold it to Peter Leycester of Tabley Esquire 1633. and lastly Sir Peter Leycester of Tabley sold it to his Servant Thomas Jackson of Heild 1 Aprilis 1669. 21 Car. 2. In this Aston is situated the Hall of Arley now the chief Mansion-house of the Warburtons of Arley which House was built by Piers Warburton of Arley Esquire who died 10 Hen. 7. 1495. wherein of late a Ground-Room hath been converted into a Chappel But see more in Budworth of the ancient Places of Habitation of Warburton In the Feodary of Halton about the beginning of Edward the Third we read thus Galfridus Warburton Johannes Fitton tenet Villas de Budworth Aston juxtà Budworth tertiam partem de Tabley Superiori duas bovatas Terrae in Tabley Inferiori bovatam Terrae in quartâ parte de Comberbach unam bovatam Terrae in manu Prioris de Norton in Budworth totam Terram de Lythe ultrà Dee juxtà Cestriam pro uno Feodo Militis pro Relevio l. s. d. 05 00 00 Where Geffrey Warburton is put over the Head as then Tenant to the Baron of Halton for those Services when this Feodary was made the other possibly as it stood in former Rentalls Here should follow the Descent of Warburton of Arley but Sir George Warburton denied me the perusal of his Evidences so as it could not exactly be performed wherefore I have omitted the same Baggiley Or three Lozenges Azure The three first named I take to be Gilbert Venables Baron of Kinderton Ranulfus supposed to be the Ancestor of the Manwarings and Hamon Massy Baron of Dunham-Massy Sunderland is Locus cognitus within the Town of Dunham-Massy About the Reign of King John Hamon Massy then Lord of Dunham-Massy and Descended from the other Hamon before named gave unto Matthew de Bromhale Bromhale Duckenfield and two parts of Baggiley which the Father of the said Matthew held of the said Hamon as his Inheritance in Knights Service to him and his Heirs Faciendo praedicto Hamoni Haeredibus suis liberum Servitium Feodi unius Loricae Quitting all other Service de aratro hosterio * Houe Gallice an Instrument of Husbandry to break up the Earth Segibus secandis Feu †Feu Gallice Fire Fewel Colligendo Homagio faciendo de Averiis de Pannagio Salicher * Salicher puto pro Saligerio carrying of Salt from the Wich a Service in those Ages very usual de omnibus aliis consuetudinibus c. Lib. C. fol. 258. c. as I had it from Mr. Vernon's Notes Certain it is that this Town gave Name to the Family of the Baggileys who were Seated here Sir VVilliam Baggiley was Lord of Baggiley 13 Edw. 2. 1319. and John Baggiley his Son made a Feofment of the Mannor of Baggiley in Cheshire and of his Mannors of Hyde and Leveshulme in Lancashire unto Sir John Legh of Booths nigh Knotsford Covenanting that Sir John shall Settle them on the said John Baggiley and the Heirs Males of his Body and for default of such then to Settle the Mannor of Hyde on Sir John Hyde and his Heirs and to Settle the Mannors of Baggiley and Leveshulme upon William John and Geffrey Sons of the said Sir John Legh and to the Heirs Males of their Bodies in order one after another the remainder to Thomas Son of Richard Massy then to John Son of Robert Legh then to William Son of Piers Legh then to Robert Son of Robert Massy of Kelsall Lib. C. fol. 270 a. The Original in French now remaining with Edward Legh of Baggiley Esquire 1666. a fair Seal with Sir John Legh's Coat of Arms to wit a Bend over two Bars the other Seal is demolished to wit Baggiley's Coat three Lozenges with a Bear 's Head for the Crest There is no Date put to the Deed but Sir John Legh did Settle them accordingly with the Services of all the Freeholders in Baggiley to wit Richard Son of VVilliam Richard Hod Robert Son of VVilliam
Ashton tertiam partem Villae de Partington faciendo liberum Servitium pro duabus partibus Feodi Militis ut per Chartam Antecessoribus dicti Georgii per Hamonem Massy Militem factam reddendo per annum de Stothe alià s dictum Sheriffs-Tooth septem Denarios Et ipse faciet Sectam Curiae quae vocatur Judger de quindenâ in quindenam ità quòd pro quâlibet defaltâ dabit per viam amerciamenti duos solidos pro certo ipse quatuor Tenentium suorum de villatâ de Carington venient ad visum Franci-Plegii In the Notes collected by Will. Vernon I read Post mortem Willielmi Boydell 23 Edw. 3. intèr Feoda dicti Willielmi inter alia Robertus Ashton Ricardus Dikenson Johannes Deane tenent medietatem Maneriorum de Sale Ashton per Servitium unius Feodi Militis quilibet eorum tertio anno tres Denarios This Robert Ashton was Rector Ecclesiae de Ashton 23 Edw. 3. These were Feoffees in Trust so that one Moiety of Ashton seems to be of the Fee of Boydell of Dodleston and the other Moiety of the Fee of the Barons of Dunham Massy It is plain the Parish Church here was a Rectory in the beginning of Edward the Third's Reign which now hath Brereton of Honford for its Patron 1666. and was invested in Sir Vrian Brereton younger Son of Randle Brereton of Malpas in the Right of Margaret his Wife Daughter and Heir of William Honford of Honford Esquire and Widow of Sir John Stanley which Sir Vrian was living 1566. The Church here comprehendeth within its Parish  l. s. d. Sale 00 10 09 Ashton one half 00 07 00  00 17 09 The greatest part of Ashton super Mersey at this day 1666. belongs to Brereton of Honford The Lord Delamere of Dunham-Massy hath about an eighth part thereof Aston juxta Sutton THis Town of Aston gave Name to the Family of the Astons who have been Seated here for a long time In the Record of Dooms-day Book we find that Odard held this Town undâ—r William Fitz Nigell Baron of Halton sub Anno Christi 1086. where we find onely one Aston named for Aston juxtà Sutton and Aston-Grange as now they be severed and distinguished I conceive were then but one Town The same Odard held part of Dutton also from Hugh Lupus Earl of Chester as appears by the same Record which Odard was the undoubted Ancestor to the Duttons of Dutton as appears by several Deeds of great antiquity among the Evidences of Dutton of Dutton which I have seen About the Reign of Henry the Second I find one Gilbert de Aston certainly possessed of this Town of Aston juxta Sutton In which Line and Family it hath continued ever since to this day Sir Willoughby Aston of Aston Baronet being now Owner of the same who hath built a sumptuous House here a little distance from the old one Anno Christi 1668. Whether that Gilbert de Aston be Descended from Odard let the more curious make strict enquiry I am sure I never yet saw any thing to prove it âšœ In this Town is now onely one Charterer 1666. which small Freehold Richard Morris of Aston is now possessed of It belonged to one Higginson whose Daughter and Heir Married the said Rich. Morris and was formerly bought by one J. Higginson the Lessee of this Land from Thomas Paver of Lostock John Thomason of Harpesford and Richard Taylor joynt Tenants thereof 25 Hen. 8. This I conceive was part of that Oxgange of Land which Richard de Aston gave away to Raufe Son of Richard de Kingsley in the Reign of Henry the Third In this Aston lieth a certain parcel of Land called Middleton-Grange as the same stands Mized by it self in our common Mize-Book of Cheshire and now belongeth to Sir Willoughby Aston Lord of this Town I conceive it is the same with that called Mid-Eston in Doomesday-Book which then belonged to the Church of St. Werburge in Chester and was held by William Fit-Nigell Baron of Halton as Tenant to St. Werburge So called as it were Middle of Aston when the Town was yet undivided and lieth between Aston-Grange and Aston juxtà Sutton howbeit it is now wholly taken to lie in Aston juxtà Sutton This Middle-Eston was confirmed to the Priory of Norton by John Lacy Earl of Lincoln and Baron of Halton about the twentieth Year of Henry the Third Anno Domini 1236. as I find the Deed transcribed in a long I archment Roll among the Evidences of Dutton of Dutton at Dutton wherein sundry other Deeds belonging to the Priory of Norton are also transcribed by the name of Middel-Estonam cùm omnibus pertinentiis quam habent ex Dono Dominae Matildae quondà m Uxoris Domini Collini de Loches And also the Earl quits the same from Wardship and Relief for him and his Heirs which was due for that Land This Middleton-Grange called also sometimes Middle-Aston-Grange was purchased from the King after the Dissolution of Abbeys by Thomas Aston of Aston Esquire 37 Hen. 8. for the Sum of 270 l. 11 s. 5 d. paying the yearly Rent of 1 l. 1 s. 9 d. So I find in the Chartulary of Aston-Deeds pag. 66. num 537. Here was anciently a Chappel called Middleton-Chappel where the Prior and Convent of Norton were bound to find a Priest in former Ages to say Mass on Sundays Wednesdays and Fridays Weekly for ever Which Chappel being out of Repair and Service said there onely on Sundays for forty Years then last past it was complained of by Richard Aston Son of Sir Robert Aston at a Visitation 3 Hen. 6. 1425. and an Order was made by Richard Stanley then Arch-Deacon of Chester the twentieth of August 3 Hen. 6. That whereas the Prior and Convent of Norton long before the same was an Abbey did Covenant with the Abbot of Vale-Royal to find at their own proper Cost a fit Chaplain to Officiate here three days a week as aforesaid It was ordered That the said Agreement should be kept and observed But these Variances concerning Middleton-Chappel between Robert Abbot of the Monastery of St. Mary of Norton and Richard Aston of Aston Esquire were composed by the mediation of Thomas Dutton Esquire and Anne his Wife Dame Isabel late Wife of Sir John Carrington and Jenkin of Leycester Dated the tenth of November 32 Hen. 6. The same Chartulary pag. 23. num 501. pag. 21. num 503. pag. 216. num 504. But after that Middleton-Chappel fell into decay another Chappel was erected in later Ages somewhat nearer to the Hall of Aston called Aston-Chappel situate within the Parish of Runcorne and in lieu of finding a Priest to Officiate here by the Abbot of Norton the King after those Lands came into his Hands gave five Pounds yearly Rent to the Maintenance of a Minister here at Aston-Chappel issuing out of the Lands late belonging to Norton-Abby by a Decree in the Court of Augmentations at London
towards the end of Edward the First his Posterity under Edward the Second were stiled de Warburton and have ever since wholly retained the Sir-name of Warburton The Warburtons Chedills and Ashleys in Cheshire are all originally Duttons About the same time of Henry the Second branched out also Geffrey de Dutton another Son from whom the Duttons of Chedill in this County whose Posterity afterwards assumed the Sir-name of Chedill under Edward the First And out of this Family of Dutton of Chedill branched out Hamon Dutton a younger Son under Edward the First who assumed the Sir-name of Ashley from the Place of his Residence whose Posterity wholly retained the Sir-name of Ashley as you may see more fully in Ashley Besides the Duttons of Hatton nigh Warton in Cheshire more lately sprung hence and other Good Families The Mannor-house of Dutton is well seated and hath great store of Meadowing by the River side belonging to the Demain which is accounted the largest and best Demain within our County comprehending 1400 Statute Acres by Survey This House standeth upon a pleasant Prospect to the opposite Hills of the Forest and hath in it an ancient Chappel built first by Sir Thomas Dutton towards the end of Henry the Third's Reign unto whom Roger de Lincoln then Prior of Norton and the Convent there did grant liberam Cantariam in Capellis suis de Dutton Weston infrà Limites Parochiarum nostrarum de Budworth de Runcorne id est Free liberty of Reading Divine Service or Singing the same so as the Mother-Churches receive no detriment either in their greater or lesser Tythes Lib. C. fol. 155. s. That of Weston is long since vanished but this Chappel at Dutton yet remains and is now a Domestick Chappel within the Mannor-House of Dutton unto which Sir Piers Dutton of Hatton after he was adjudged next Heir Male to the Lands of Dutton by the Award of Henry the Eighth did annex his new Buildings at Dutton Anno Domini 1539. as appears by the Inscription round about the Hall of Dutton yet extant adâ—oyning those unto the Chappel and so making it as one continued Building before which time the old House stood a little distance from the Chappel aforesaid In the Demain of Dutton is also another Chappel of Ease called Poosey-Chappel within the Parish of Runcorne but is now ruinate and in decay It is seated between the River and the Park-Pool within the Demain of Dutton but not in the Township of Dutton for all the Town of Dutton is within Budworth Parish It was called Poos-eye from its Situation Ey in our old English-Saxon Tongue signifies A River or Brook and because it stood close by the River and the Pool also it was called Poos-ey-Chappel as it were The Chappel by the River and the Pool In our old Norman Writing and French way I find it it in Old Deeds written Puls-ey but in our common Language anciently as the Countrey People at this day did call a Pool a Poo and thence it was denominated Poo's-ey-Chappel It was built in the Reign of Henry the Third and the Prior and Convent of Norton granted to Hugh Son of Hugh de Dutton that they would find a Chaplain to Officiate at Poos-ey for ever and a Lamp burning at the time of Divine Service about 1236. 20 Hen. 3. Lib. C. fol. 155. r. which Chappel was constantly frequented by the Neighborhood until Robert Lord Kilmorey and Dame Elinour his Wife came to live at Dutton even in our days who beautified the Domestick Chappel at Dutton with handsom Pews and kept a Chaplain in his House constantly whereunto all the Neighborhood resorted every Sunday Then began Poosey Chappel to be neglected and is now totally in decay some part of the Structure yet remaining 1666. Now followeth the Pedegree of the Duttons of Dutton faithfully Collected from the Evidences of that Family and other good Records and Deeds Quarterly Argent Gules in the second and third Quarters a Fret Or. The ancient Roll of the Barons of Halton saith That with Hugh Earl of Chester came one Nigell a Nobleman and with Nigell came five Brethren to wit Hudard Edard Wolmere Horswyne and Wolfaith a Priest to whom Nigell gave the Church of Runcorne and unto Hudard the same Nigell gave Weston and Great Aston now divided into two Townships Aston Grange and Aston juxtà Sutton pro uno Feodo Militis And from this Hudard came all the Duttons Lib. C. fol. 84 85. Monasticon Anglicanum 2 Pars pag. 187. And in the Record of Doomsday Odard held Aston under William Fitz-Nigell Baron of Halton and also Odard and Brictric held Weston under the said William Anno Domini 1086. Whether those five Brethren afore-named were Brethren to Nigell is a doubt for then methinks he should have said Quinque Fratres sui whereas he says onely Cùm isto Nigello venerunt quinque Fratres and so names them This Hudard's or Odard's Sword is at this day 1665. in the Custody of the Lady Elinour Vicountess Kilmorey sole Daughter and Heir of Thomas Dutton late of Dutton Esquire deceased which Sword hath for many Ages past been preserved and passed over from Heir to Heir as an Heir-loom by the name of Hudard's Sword and so at this day it is by Tradition received and called Lib. C. fol. 163. dd II. Hugh Son of Hodard had those Lands which he held in Capite or immediately of the Earl of Chester confirmed unto him by Randle the Second sirnamed de Gernoniis Earl of Chester about the latter end of Henry the First Lib. C. fol. 154. b. These Lands I conceive were those which he held in Dutton III. Hugh de Dutton Son of Hugh Son of Hodard had the Lands which his Father Hugh held of the Baron of Halton confirmed unto him by William Son of Nigell Constable to Randle the Second and by William his Son on that day when the said William the Father and William the Son did visit Hugh the Son of Hodard on his Death-bed at Kekwick at which time Hugh the 8on of Hodard gave unto William the Father his Coat of Mail and his Charging-Horse and Hugh the Son of that Hugh gave unto William the Son a Palfrey and a Sparrow-hawk This was about the end of the Reign of King Henry the First Lib. C. fol. 154. a. The Lands here confirmed I conceive to be Weston and Kekwick and perhaps some others This Hugh de Dutton had Issue Hugh Dutton Son and Heir Adam de Dutton another Son from whom the Warburtons of Arley are descended Geffrey de Dutton another Son from whom the Duttons of Chedill in this County were propagated who assumed the Sir-name of Chedill and continued to the Reign of Edward the Third till Sir Roger de Chedill the last of that Family dying 1 Edw. 3. 1327. left his Inheritance to be shared by his two Daughters and Heirs Clemence and Agnes Lib. C. fol. 61. h. Lib. B. pag. 10. q.
Militis Ut autèm haec nostra confirmatio futuris temporibus rata inconcussa permaneat eam Sigilli mei impressione corà m hiis Testibus confirmavi Ricardo de Vernon Matthaeo de Filio suo Gilberto de Bostock Willielmo Filio suo Hugone de Tiwâ Hamone Briton Matthaeo de Muneshull Ricardo Fratre suo Radulfo Filio Rogeri Dispensatoris Willielmo Fratre suo Willielmo Capellano de Shibbrok aliis multis A very fair Seal In a Rondlet a Lion Rampant written about thus SIGILL WARINI DE VERNUN The Original hereof remaining among the Evidences at Merbury 1666. From hence had this Family the Sir-name of Merbury and seems to be originally a Vernon Nothing more usual than in those Elder Ages to be stiled from the Places of their Habitation which After-ages retained as Sir-names This Family hath continued in this Seat ever since by the Name of the Merburies and Thomas Merbury of Merbury Esq is now Owner thereof 1666. Out of this Family branched Randle Merbury in the Reign of Edward the First whose Son Simon married Idonea Daughter and Heir of Thomas de Walton from whom the Marburies of Walton in this Hundred were propagated See more hereof in Walton Marston THis Township of Marston is not in Doomsday-book and seemeth to have its Name from the two Meres whereto it adjoineth to wit Budworth-Mere and Pickmere-Mere as it were Meres-Town or The Town abutting on the Meres It hath very anciently belonged to the Barons of Kinderton Andrew Prior of Norton and the Convent there granted unto Sir William Venables Charissimo Amico nostro to find him the Celebration of Divine Service in his Chappel at Marston during his Life-time when either he or his Wife shall be there and do also Lease to Robert his Son Clerk their Tythe of the Mill and of the Fishings there about the beginning of Henry the Third Lib. H. num 21. It seems Hugh Son of Alfred of Marston had some Parcel of Land here tempore Edw. 3. For Richard Venables releaseth to Hamon de Venables all his Right de Pueris Hugonis de Marston Ibidèm num 7. Peter Venables Esquire now Baron of Kinderton 1666. hath an old Mannor-House in Marston with ancient demain-Demain-Lands thereunto belonging and hath also all the rest of Marston Township in possession of his Tenants there except onely 1. Richard Symcock's Tenement in Marston now belonging to Sir Peter Leycester of Nether-Tabley which Tenement was sold by Sir Thomas Venables of Kinderton and Thomas his Son and Heir to Peter Leycester of Tabley Esquire 6 Elizabethae 1564. and adjoyneth to Nether-Tabley B. num 2. 2. Bromfield's Lands in Marston which anciently belonged to Bromfield of Witton but now Richard Wilcocson hath bought Part hereof and the other Part called Sim-fields Peter Kennardy of Aston juxtà Pickmere hath bought Marthall IN the Conqueror's Time in Doomsday-book I find no mention of Marthall But this Town anciently belonged to the Wynningtons of Wynnington nigh Northwich in whose Offices they are found to hold it of the Heirs of Manwaring of Warmincham in Soccage by the yearly Rent of one Penny Of which Family Richard Wynnington of Wynnington Esquire married Katharine the fifth Daughter and Co-heir to Robert Grosvenour of Houlme in Allostock Esquire by whom he had the Mannor of Pulford beyond Chester by Partition Anno 1465. and a fifth part of Allostock as Heir to her Sister Margery Grosvenour by Partition Anno 1474. and had Issue three Sons Richard Wynnington Peter and George and two Daughters Jane and Elizabeth all living 5 Hen. 7. Lib. C. fol. 125. F. 161. O. Richard Wynnington Son and Heir of Richard and Katharine married Joan Smith and had Issue two Daughters Katharine who died without Issue 23 Hen. 7. as appears by her Office taken 6 Hen. 8. and Elizabeth married Sir Piers Warburton of Arley 2 Hen. 8. being then sole Daughter and Heir For Richard Wynnington died 19 Hen. 7. Joan his Wife died 24 Hen. 7. and Sir Piers Warburton died 4 Edw. 6. and Elizabeth his Wife Daughter and Heir of Richard Wynnington of Wynnington Esquire died Anno sexto Mariae So that Warburton of Arley had by this Match all the Lands then belonging to Wynnington of Wynnington as well as the Part of Grosvenour's Lands before-mentioned which descended also whose Heir at this day 1666. is possessed of the Town of Marthall entirely there being no Free-holder or Charterer in this Township at all Mere. THis Town undoubtedly took its Name from the Mere therein and was held by Gilbert Venables Baron of Kinderton in the Time of William the Conqueror which one Ulviet held before Not many Ages after it became the Seat of the Family of the Meres who took their Sir-name from hence among whom Robert de Mere senior lived about the Reign of King John whether originally a Venables I cannot positively affirm Ex Bundello Escaetarum in Turri Londinensi 8 Rich. 2. Willielmus de Mere tenuit Villam de Mere cùm medietate Manerii de Bollinton de Hugone de Venables which Hugh was Lord of Kinderton Certain it is this Family of Mere of Mere continued in this Seat a long time together until in our days John Mere of Mere Esquire and William his Son sold this Mannor of Mere unto Peter Brooks younger Son of Thomas Brooks of Norton Esquire Anno Domini 1652. Which Peter also bought the Estate of Thomas Merbury of Walton and was after Sir Peter Brooks Knighted Anno Domini 1660. and Sheriff of Cheshire 1669. He hath Beautified and Built anew the Hall of Mere very handsomly and had three Wives The first was Alice Hulse Daughter and Heir of Richard Hulse of Killingworth in Warwickshire by whom he had Issue Thomas Brooks eldest Son who married Margaret Daughter and Heir of Henry Brereton of Eccleston in Cheshire Gentleman 1663. Richard Brooks second Son who married Margaret Daughter and Heir of Robert Charnock of Charnock in Lancashire 1666. The second Wife of Sir Peter Brooks was Frances the Widow of William Merbury of Merbury nigh Comberbach in Cheshire Esquire and Daughter of Sir Nicholas Trot of Quickshot in Hartfordshire but had no Issue by her The third Wife of Sir Peter Brooks of Mere was Mabill the Widow of Richard Clayton of Crooke in Lancashire Esquire and Daughter of William Farrington of Werden in Lancashire Esquire who with Sir Peter her Husband are now living 1669. but hath no Issue by her Charterers in Mere 1666. 1. Henry Legh de East-Hall in High-Legh Esquire pro Strethull-Farm not long since Purchased from Hugh Cocker of Pickmere 2. One Messuage in Possession of Robert Simmons given to the use of the Poor of the Parish whereof Massy of Mosse-house is a Feoffee 3. George Venables of Agden Esquire one small Tenement in Mere. 4. John Spinke of Howes-Heath in Mere. 5. William Pownall of Barnton for Granthams Lands 6. Peter Fernhead of Mere for Granthams Lands 7. John Bradburne of Mere.
which he gave to his Brother Patrick during his Life which Moiety was confirmed to John Son and Heir of Augustine by Sir Richard Aldford and also by Randle Earl of Chester sirnamed Blundevill about the Reign of King John as appears by the Enrollment aforesaid whose Posterity enjoyed the said Moyety until Sir Raufe Mobberley having no Lawful Issue of his Body Estated all his Lands by Chaplains entrusted according to the manner of those Times on John Leycester of Tabley his Nephew with the Advowson of the Church of Mobberley also 1359. 34 Edw. 3. For Sir Raufe had often protested That he would not have his Lands mangled among his Sisters but that his Nephew John Leycester should have them wholly as appears by the Certificate of Sir John Winkfield Dated at London the eleventh day of June 35 Edw. 3. 1361. Lib. A. fol. 129. ff gg hh Afterwards upon some Composition John Leycester releaseth all his Right in Mobberley's Lands and in the Advowson of the said Church unto John Dumbill of Mobberley and to Cicely his Wife 1 Rich. 2. 1378. yet so as John Dumbill and Cicely should settle 15 Messuages 316 Acres of Land 16 Acres of Wood 8 Acres of Moss the third part of a Watermill and the third part of all the Wastes in Mobberley unmeasured to be understood of Mobberley's Moiety after the death of John Dumbill and Cicely to descend to Raufe Leycester younger Brother of the said John Leycester and to his Heirs for ever which by Chaplains entrusted was settled accordingly 30 die Maii 2 Rich. 2. 1397. Lib. A. fol. 130. mm. which was either Conditioned in the Agreement of John Leycester or the Reversion thereof bought by the said Raufe Leycester from which Raufe are descended the Leycesters of Toft who do now enjoy these Lands Anno Domini 1666. about one third part of the Moiety of Mobberley The other two Parts of this Moiety of Mobberley which John Dumbill had descended to Sir Hugh Hulse in Marriage with Margery Daughter and Heir of the said John Dumbill and Cicely And afterwards Margery Daughter and Heir of Thomas Hulse married John Troutback Esquire which Margery died 35 Hen. 6. and had Issue William Troutback whose Son Sir William dying without Issue Adam Troutback Brother of Sir William had Issue Margaret Daughter and Heir married to John Talbot Lord of Albrighton in Shropshire from whom the Talbots of Grafton in Worcestershire whose Posterity afterwards came to be Earls of Shrewsbury The other Moiety of Mobberley Sir John Arderne of Aldford granted to John Legh of Booths with Wardships and Freedom from Appearance at his Court of Nether-Alderley Rendring eight Pounds yearly for his Life And after the death of John Legh then to remain to John Legh Son and Heir of the other John Legh aforesaid and to Maud Daughter of the said Sir John Arderne and to their Heirs for ever Rendring a Rose at Midsommer for all Service And if John Legh Son of John died before he married Maud then William Brother to John Legh Son of John was to marry her Witnesses of this Deed were Sir John Orreby and Sir Richard Massy Knights Robert de Pulford Philip de Egerton Richard de Fowleshurst Thomas de Legh William de Mobberley Roger de Leycester William de Mere Adam de Tabley William Danyers Master Roger of Alderley Hugh Clerke and others Lib. A. fol. 122. a. The Original remaining among the Evidences of Mr. Robinson of Mobberley 1664. This Deed was made about 1303. 31 Edw. 1. Richard Ratcliffe of Urdeshall in Lancashire married Maud Daughter and Heir of John Legh Son and Heir of Sir John Legh by Maud Arderne and had these Lands of her Grandmothers to wit the Moiety of Mobberley whose Heirs enjoyed the same till they sold out certain of their Tenements in Mobberley to their Tenants there And what remained together with the Services of such Tenants as were formerly sold out of this Moiety Sir John Ratcliffe of Urdeshall sold unto Mr. Robert Robinson of Mobberley about the beginning of King James's Reign over England Lib. A. fol. 122. b. c. Now followeth the Descent of Mobberley of Mobberley Argent two Cheverons Gules in a Canton of the second a Cross Croslet Fitchée Or. John Son and Heir of Augustine Lord of the Moiety of Mobberley lived in the Reign of King John Lib. A. fol. 124. a. Raufe Mobberley of Mobberley Lord of the Moiety of Mobberley lived in the Reign of Henry the Third but I cannot prove him Son of John William Mobberley of Mobberley Son of Raufe was Lord of the Moiety of Mobberley and Patron of Mobberley-Church He bought the Moiety of Nether-Pever from Richard Bonstable Anno Domini 1281. G. num 21. The Original in my possession This William had Issue William Mobberley John Mobberley to whom his Father gave all his Lands in Nether-Pever and Tatton 31 Edw. 1. 1303. G. num 65. But John dying without Issue those Lands reverted to William his Brother Richard Mobberley another Son made Parson of Mobberley by his Father 1306. slain by Richard Son of Richard de Mobberley 1320. 14 Edw. 2. Lib. A. fol. 124. w. 131. Alice a Daughter married William de Tabley Lord of Over-Tabley and Knotsford She was Widow 27 Edw. 1. 1300. This William died about the beginning of Edw. 2. William Mobberley of Mobberley Son and Heir of William married Maud Daughter and Heir of Robert Downes of Chorley juxtà Werford unto which Robert Edmund Fitton gave all his Lands in Chorley in Free Marriage with Margery his Sister Lib. A. fol. 127. t. v. This William was Sheriff of Cheshire 13 Edw. 2. 1319. and had Issue Raufe Mobberley Cicely married John Dumbill of Mobberley Son and Heir of John Dumbill of Oxton in Wirrall Elizabeth married Sir Hugh Venables of Kinderton Margery married Richard Bold of Bold in Lancashire Emme married Robert Grosvenour of Houlme in Allostock who purchased the Moiety of Nether-Pever from this William de Mobberley Mary another Daughter married Nicolas Leycester Son and Heir of Roger Leycester of Tabley Joan married William Athurton of Athurton in Lancashire Ellen married Richard Bromhale of Bromhale in Cheshire and Agnes never married Lib. A. fol. 127. w. x. y. z. a. fol. 128. cc. fol. 129. kk This William Sealed usually with his Coat of Arms to wit Two Cheverons and in a Canton a Cross-Croslet Fitchée Lib. A. fol. 124. y. z. as is before expressed in the beginning of this Descent He died 1 Edw. 3. 1327. Lib. C. fol. 103. num 9. Maud his Widow afterwards married John Dumbill senior Lib. A. fol. 128. ff Sir Raufe Mobberley of Mobberley Knight Son and Heir of William was Ward to Sir John Arderne of Aldford 3 Edw. 3. Lib. A. fol. 128. cc. who gave the Marriage of this Raufe unto John Pulford of Pulford Son of Sir Robert Pulford sinè disparagatione 1329. This Sir Raufe married Vincentia Daughter of John Pulford Lib. A. fol. 128. bb and
Emme de Merton Lib. C. fol. 228. a. Joan Sister and Heire to her two Brothers ⚜ Thomas de Lostock second son di'd without Issue Richard Son of Rich. Lostock died without Issue Lib. C. fo 228. b. c. gg fol. 229. v. Agnes Daughter of Richard Wilburham living 28 Edw. 1. 5 Edw. 1. She survived 1319. Argent a Cheveron between 3 Text Tees Sable After the death of William Toft Joan married Thomas Vernon about Anno Domini 1316. and had Issue by Thomas Richard Vernon from whom the Vernons of Haslington in Cheshire Lib. C. fol. 228. d. And after the death of Thomas Vernon she married William Hallum of Hallum in Newton juxtà Daresbery Anno Domini 1337. 11 Edw. 3. Lib. C. fol. 228. g. h. II. Roger de Holford Son and Heir of William Toft and Joan Lostock lived 1316. He assumed the Sir-name of Holford from the Place of his Residence as was the manner of those Ages which Sir-name his Posterity ever since retained He married Margery Daughter of Richard le Dispenser but died without Issue 5 Edw. 3. 1330. Lib. C. fol. 229. k. v. III. Henry Holford Brother and Heir to Roger married Margery Daughter of _____ and had Issue William eldest Son and Roger Holford younger Son to whom his Father gave Lands in Plumley 1344. Lib. C. fol. 228. hh William Holford Son and Heir of Henry had to Wife Isabel Daughter of _____ and had Issue John Holford Son ond Heir This William died in the Life-time of his Father Isabel his Widow was living 1347. 21 Edw. 3. IV. John Holford of Holford Son and Heir of William married Joan Daughter of Roger Bruyn of Stapleford 1347. 21 Edw. 3. Lib. C. fol. 229. m. and had Issue Thomas Holford This John recovered the Mannor of Holford against Richard Vernon of Lostock-Gralam 42 Edw. 3. and Sealed usually with his Coat of Arms to wit Holford's Coat is Argent a Cheveron between three Text Tees Sable A Cheveron between three Text Tees which Cheveron gives the distinction from Toft of Toft who bears that Coat without a Cheveron Lib. C. fol. 229. v. 230. a. This John Holford died 99 Hen. 4. 1408. Thomas Holford Son and Heir of John married Alice Daughter of William Buckley of Oateworth Lib. C. fol. 229. r. and died before his Father to wit 12 Rich. 2. leaving Issue William Holford V. William Holford of Holford Son and Heir of Thomas lived 1423. 2 Hen. 6. Lib. C. fol. 230. w. He married Margaret Daughter of Sir Richard Venables of Kinderton and had Issue Thomas Son and Heir John Hugh Jonet Wife of Randle Brereton of Malpas and Margery Lib. C. fol. 132. b. l. 231. s. t. 230. b. This William Holford died 38 Hen. 6. 1459. VI. Thomas Holford of Holford Esquire Son and Heir of William married Joan Daughter of Richard Legh de VVest-Hall in High-Legh and had Issue Thomas Holford This Thomas Holford died 4 Edw. 4. 1464. Lib. C. fol. 231. T. VII Thomas Holford of Holford the younger Esquire Son and Heir of Thomas the elder married Maud Daughter of VVilliam Buckley Deputy-Judge of Chester 1444. Lib. C. fol. 230. b. and had Issue George Holford Son and Heir Randle Holford second Son who had Issue Homphrey and Richard Robert Holford third Son of Thomas who had Issue John Philip Bartholomew Owen Matthew and Bryan This Thomas died about 13 Edw. 4. 1473. VIII Sir George Holford of Holford Knight Son and Heir of Thomas married Isabel Widow to Lawrence VVarren of Pointon in Cheshire and Daughter of Robert Legh of Adlington Esquire 1475. 15 Edw. 4. Lib. C. fol. 231. l. and had Issue John Holford Son and Heir George Holford another Son 22 Hen. 7. Lib. C. fol. 231. n. p. Constance married VVilliam Son of Edward Bradshaw 2 Hen. 8. 1511. Lib. C. fol. 231. o. Sir George had four Bastard-sons Thomas Arthur from whom the Holfords of Davenham Raufe and Robert also Ellen a base Daughter all living 22 Hen. 7. Lib. C. fol. 231. p. Sir George was Sheriff of Cheshire 16 Hen. 8. 1524. He bore Lostock's Coat in his Seal Lostock 's Coat Argent a Greyhound Sable to wit A Greyhound over which corner-ways on the Dexter Angle of the Escocheon on a Helmet Wreath and Mantle a Greyhound's Head Couped written about the Seal S. GEORGII HOLFORD MILITIS IX Sir John Holford of Holford Knight Son and Heir of Sir George married Margery Sole Daughter and Heir of Raufe Brereton of Iscoit in Flintshire not far from Whitchurch in Shropshire 22 Hen. 7. 1507. and had Issue Thomas Holford Son and Heir Christopher Holford younger Son married Margaret Daughter of Thomas Danyell of Over-Tabley Esquire 1555. Lib. C. fol. 243. k. from whom the Holfords of London and Essex Alice a Daughter married Piers Leycester of Nether-Tabley Esquire 21 Hen. 8. 1529. O. num 6. I find he was Knight 21 Hen. 8. O num 6. He was Sheriff of Cheshire 33 Hen. 8. 1541. And he died about 1545. For Margery his Widow married Sir Henry Sacheverell of Morley in Darbyshire 1 Edw. 6. 1547. Lib. C. fol. 231. m. 230. h. X. Thomas Holford of Holford Esquire Son and Heir of Sir John married Margaret Daughter of Sir Thomas Butler of Bewsy in Lancashire nigh Warrington by whom he had Issue Christofer Son and Heir After the death of Margaret he married Jane the Widow of Hugh Dutton Son and Heir of Sir Piers Dutton of Dutton and Hatton both and Daughter of Sir William Booth of Dunham-Massy by whom he had Issue George Holford of Newborough in Dutton Gentleman Thomas and John also Ellen married to John Carrington of Carrington in Cheshire Esquire Dorothy married to John Bruyn of Stapleford in Cheshire Esquire and Elizabeth married to Charles Manwaring of Croxton in Cheshire Esquire 1560. This Thomas Holford died 24 Septembris 11 Eliz. 1569. XI Christofer Holford of Holford Esquire Son and Heir of Thomas had also two Wives The first was Anne Daughter of Hugh Dutton and Jane aforesaid by whom he had Issue Thomas Holford John died young and Anne died young The second Wife of Christopher was Elizabeth the Widow of Peter Shakerley of Houlme juxtâ Nether-Pever and Daughter and Co-heir of Sir Randle Manwaring of Over-Pever She married this Christopher the thirteenth of July 1561. and had Issue by him Mary Holford Baptised at Nether-Pever the twentieth of January 1562. who became sole Heir to her Father Thomas Holford Son and Heir of Christofer married Dorothy Daughter of Peter Shakerley of Houlme Esq and Elizabeth aforesaid the thirteenth of July 1561. But Thomas died without Issue and was buried at Nether-Pever the twenty fifth of February then next following and Dorothy his Widow afterwards married Adam Leycester of Tabley Esquire the ninth of January 1582. Christofer Holford Esquire died 27 Januarii 1581. 23 Eliz. Cook 's Reports lib. 2. fol. 50. b. Sir Hugh Cholmondley's Case Between this Lady Mary Cholmondley and George Holford of
which came by Margaret Grosvenour a very small Parcel and remote Piers Leycester Esquire died 8 die Aprilis 1577. 19 Eliz. and was buried at Great-Budworth the eleventh of April following in the appropriate Burial-place of his Family in our Ladies Chappel there in the seventieth Year of his Age and survived his Father 34 Years Wills num 10. and Register-book of Budworth O. num 7. Alice his Wife was buried also at Great-Budworth 1575. 17 Eliz. the thirtieth day of August So the Register Piers Leycester in his Will bequeaths his Body to be buried in his Chappel at Great-Budworth This Chappel anciently was stiled Our Lady Mary's Chappel but of late times Dutton-Tenants have stiled it Dutton-Chappel and Leycester's Tenants stiled it Leycester's-Chappel for both have Right of Burial here But now of late to wit Anno Domini 1670. Leycester's Part of the said Chappel is separated and Railed out from the rest and is now entire within it self as a distinct Chappel of it self ⚜ In this Lady Mary's Chappel aforesaid was anciently the Image of the Virgin Mary cut in Wood curiously trimmed and decked her Shoes gilded and Hair fastned on her Head set on a Frame of Wood about two Foot high But these Idolatrous Images were removed out of all the Churches of England upon Reformation of Religion which was first done by Command of Hen. 8. Anno Domini 1538. Tom. 3. of my Evidences fol. 116. b. Speed's Hist pag. 790. But this of Budworth was taken down hewed in pieces and burned in the Vicar's Oven about Anno Domini 1559. by Command from Queen Elizabeth who purged all the Churches from what remained of those Images XI Peter Leycester of Nether-Tabley Esquire Son and Heir of Piers and Alice married Elizabeth Daughter and Sole Heir of Edward Colwich of Colwich in Staffordshire Esquire near Owsley-Bridge 1 2 Phil. Mar. 1554. A. num 53. and had Issue Peter who died without Issue Alice married Sir George Leycester of Toft Elizabeth married George Legh of High-Legh de East-Hall Esquire 1581. And Katharine married John Son and Heir of George Ireland of Hutt in Lancashire Esquire 1583. E. num 26. Wills num 4. This Peter purchased Stanley of Hooton's fifth Part of Allostock 21 Eliz. V. num 8. He died 21 die Julii 1581. 23 Eliz. and was buried at Great-Budworth in his appropriate Burial-place in our Ladies Chappel there the 26 of the same Month in the fortieth Year of his Age and survived his Father four Years O. num 9. and Register of Budworth-Church Elizabeth his Widow married George Ireland of Hutt in Lancashire Esquire 1583. 26 Eliz. A. num 47. The three Daughters and Heirs carried away the Lands of their Mother But this Peter entailed all his ancient Lands on his Brother Adam Leycester 1581. E. num 26. N. num 1. XII Adam Leycester of Nether-Tabley Esquire Brother and Heir-male to Peter married Dorothy the Widow of Thomas Holford Son and Heir of Christopher Holford of Holford Esquire and Daughter of Peter Shakerley of Houlme nigh Nether-Pever Esq 9 die Januarii 1582. and had Issue John who died young buried at Great-Budworth 1586. Piers Leycester second Son died an Infant buried at Nether-Pever the 20 of January 1587. Peter born the tenth day of July and Baptized at Nether-Pever 14 die Julii 1588. O. num 12. survived Heir and Adam baptized at Nether-Pever 21 die Octobris 1590. was buried there the nineteenth day of November next following So the Register of Nether-Pever This Adam Leycester Esquire died 7 die Junii and was buried at Great-Budworth in the appropriate Burial-place of his Ancestors the seventeenth day of June 33 Eliz. 1591. and survived his Brother Peter ten Years O. num 12. and Register de Budworth Dorothy the Widow of Adam purchased the other Moiety of Hield Anno 1601. M. num 60. And so the whole is now reverted She also built the Gate-house at Nether-Tabley And she was buried at Nether-Pever 23 die Aprilis 1630. XIII Peter Leycester of Nether-Tabley Esquire Son and Heir of Adam and Dorothy married Elizabeth Daughter of Sir Randle Manwaring of Over-Pever the Elder 1611. 9 Jacobi He was but three Years old when his Father Adam died and was Ward to his Mother who had Compounded for his Wardship with Queen Elizabeth He had Issue Margaret born September 29. 1612. and buried at Great-Budworth 12 die Octobris 1612. Peter who Composed this Book born 3 die Martii 1613. Elizabeth born the first day of June 1615. and buried at Great-Budworth 15 die Julii following Philip born 1616. who dying soon after the next Son was also called Philip born 1618. Collector of Oxford 1641. made Fellow of Brazen-nose-College 1643. and died unmarried 1653. Thomas Leycester born 26 die Julii 1620. died also unmarried 27 die Augusti 1652. Adam Leycester youngest Son born 21 die Octobris 1625. now Captain of a Foot-Company in Ireland 1666. and living in Limrick This Adam married Mary Thaddius the Widow of one Lieutenant Pope in Ireland Anno Domini 1667. She was Daughter to one Thaddius late of Northdown in Kent of a Welch Extraction Elizabeth the Wife of this Peter Leycester the Father died at Nether-Tabley on Satturday the thirteenth day of November 1641. and was buried at Over-Pever as she had oft in her Life-time desired She was born the tenth day of May 1587. so that she lived 54 Years and 6 Months Peter her Husband died on Tuesday the seventh day of March 1647. aged 59 Years and 8 Months and was buried at Great-Budworth on the Satturday following in the appropriate Burial-place of his Ancestors in our Ladies Chappel there on the North-side of the said Church and survived his Father 56 Years XIV Sir Peter Leycester of Nether-Tabley Baronet Son and Heir of Peter and Elizabeth married Elizabeth the third and youngest Daughter of Gilbert late Lord Gerard of Gerards-Bromley in Staffordshire by Dame Elinour his Lady Daughter and sole Heir of Thomas Dutton late of Dutton in Cheshire Esquire This Peter and Elizabeth * This Elizabeth was Baptiz'd 23 Maii 1620 as by the Register of Ashley-Church in Staffordshire appeareth Lib. B. pag. 156. were married at Dutton the sixth day of November 1642. and had Issue Robert Leycester eldest Son born at Chester on Monday the eleventh day of September 1643. Byron Leycester second Son born also at Chester on Tuesday the twenty sixth day of November 1644. He died the seventeenth day of May next following and was buried at Trinity-Church in Chester where he was also Christned Thomas Leycester third Son born at Nether-Tabley on Thursday-Morning the eighth day of January 1651. He died the fifth day of March being Thursday 1667. at Nether-Tabley and was buried at Great-Budworth in the seventeenth Year of his Age Magnae spei Juvenis Elinour eldest Daughter born at Nether-Tabley on Palm-Sunday 22 die Martii 1645. married Raufe Leycester eldest Son of George Leycester of Toft Esquire 29 die Augusti 1665. and hath several Issue
and had Issue Rafe Leycester Son and Heir Philip another Son who married Elizabeth the Widow of James Grimsditch of Grimsditch in Nether-Whitley 27 Hen. 8. Lib. C. fol. 196. m. Geffrey Leycester another Son living 12 Hen. 1520. T. num 89. Jane a Daughter married Robert Langton of Lowe in Lancashire Esquire 14 Hen. 8. T. num 88. I find also mentioned in a Pedegree two other Sons Thomas and Richard but I cannot yet prove them so directly as the other This John Leycester died 2 Hen. 8. 1511. Elinour survived and was Widow 12 Hen. 8. 1520. T. num 89. and 14 Hen. 8. T. num 88. She was the ninth Daughter and Coheir and had Lands in Bricklesworth in Northamptonshire for Sir James had ten Daughters and Coheirs in all Lib. A. fol. 133. m.n. VI. Rafe Leycester of Toft Esquire Son and Heir of John married Ellen Daughter of Rafe Egerton of Ridley in Cheshire Esquire 4 Hen. 7. 1489. Lib. A. fol. 133. l. fol. 134. P. and had Issue Rafe Leycester Son and Heir This Rafe died 16 Hen. 8. 1525. aged 37 years Afterwards Ellen his Widow married Robert Honford of Chorley Lib. A. fol. 134. r. 135. T. Ellen survived both her Husbands and was living 20 Hen. 8. C. num 13. VII Sir Rafe Leycester of Toft Knight Son and Heir of Rafe was Knighted at Leith in Scotland the 11. day of May 36 Hen. 1. 1544. at which time the Earl of Hertford being then General Knighted some other Cheshire Gentlemen and several others also So Stow in his Annals of that Year Sir Rafe had two Wives the first was Ellen Daughter of Philip Legh of Boothes nigh Knotsford Esquire 13 Hen. 8. T. num 83. by whom he had Issue Rafe Leycester eldest Son who died young William Leycester second Son succeeded Heir F. num 4. Lawrence Leycester another Son married Jane Daughter of John Warburton of Bromfield and John who died without Issue Also Elizabeth married Sir Randle Manwaring of Over-Pever she was his second Wife but had no Issue by him afterwards she married Sir Edmond Trafford of Trafford nigh Manchester Anne another Daughter married Philip Manwaring Brother and after Heir to Sir Randle aforesaid Ellen died in her Infancy and Mary married Hugh Calveley of Lea nigh Eaton-boate in Cheshire Esq His second Wife was Jane the Widow of John Edwards of Chirk in Denbighshire Esquire and Daughter of Sir George Calveley of Lea but had no Issue by her William Davenport of Chorley Gent. granted to this Sir Rafe Leycester the Office of Seneschall or Stewardship of all his Lands in Chorley Werford and Fulshaw and the Conduction Governance and Service in time of War called The Mauraden as well of him the said William and his Heirs as of all his Tenants Dated 4. July 4 5 Phil. Ma C. num 25. Also the like Deed made to Sir Rafe by Henry Bradshaw of Bradshawbrooke in Allostock 1 2 Phil. Mar. Also another such Deed made to Sir Rafe by John Hiccock of Nether-Pever 1 2 Phil. Mar. H. num 25. H. num 28. the Originals are in Latin Hiccock's Land of Nether-Pever is now Powdrell's and others These I note for the rarity of the Deeds Sir Rafe also bought from William Bradshaw of Allostock two Messuages in Allostock Hulse and Bancroft by Fine Levied at Chester the 27. of May 1 2 Philip and Mary F. num 1. He was entrusted for receiving certain Sums of Money by way of Loan in Denbighshire and for delivering such Privy-Seals as were sent unto him as appears by the Queens Letter unto him Dated the 30. of December 5 Eliz. C. num 33. And I find that Gilbert Dethick alias Norroy Principal Herald and King of Arms of the North Parts of England from the River Trent Northward gave to this Sir Rafe Leycester the Arms and Crest in manner following to wit Sable on a Fess engrailed between three Falcons Silver volant becked and membred Gold a Lions Head Caboche Azure langued and eared between two Cups covered Gules upon his Helm On a Torse Silver and Sable a Roe-buck Party-Pale Gold and Gules Horned of the second holding in his Mouth an Acorn Branch stalked and leafed vert mantled Gules doubled Silver to hold for him and his Posterity to their Honors for evermore Dated the 15. of May Anno 2. Edw. 6. two fair Seals appendant in woodden Boxes the one being his own Arms and the other the Seal of his Office as Norroy T. num 55. at which I confess I wonder that he should seek for a Coat as being ignorant of one due to him and yet I have observed that among all the Deeds there is not any one to be found among the Deeds of Leycester of Toft hitherto which hath any Coat of Arms at all in an Escutcheon affixed to any of their Deeds or in any of their Seals appropriated to Leycester of Toft Howbeit the Heralds of Chester have Recorded for them Leycester of Tabley's Coat with a difference which indeed is most truly sutable This Sir Rafe Leycester sold away all his Purpart of the Manor of Brassingham in Norfolk and Advowson of the Church there to Francis Baldero and Edmund Wiseman Gentlemen Dated the first day of April 4 Eliz. A. num 1. Upon some Difference between Sir Rafe and Dame Jane Legh late Wife of Sir John Legh of Boothes deceased it was agreed between Sir William Sneyd Knight and the said Dame Jane Legh on the one part and Sir Rafe Leycster Knight on the other part by Deed dated the eighth of October Anno primo Elizabethae That Sir Rafe should not pursue any further Suit in the Court of Wards in consideration whereof the said Sir Rafe and Dame Ellen his Wife should peaceably enjoy those Lands Demised to them c. and Sir Rafe to kill one fat Buck in Summer and a Doe in Winter out of the Park at Boothes during the Minority of John Legh and to have the keeping of a Horse in the same yearly T. num 92. But Anno quinto Elizabethae Sir Rafe had a Grant from the Queen of certain parcels of Land late the Inheritance of Sir John Legh deceased and late the Joynture of the said Dame Jane during the Minority of the Ward C. num 32. Sir Rafe Leycester died 23. Februarii 14 Eliz. 1572. aged 53 years T. num 59. VIII William Leycester of Toft Esquire second Son and Heir of Sir Rafe married Katharine Daughter of John Edwards of Chirk in Denbighshire Esquire and by her had Issue Rafe Leycester eldest Son died without Issue George Leycester second Son succeeded Heir Jane a Daughter married Henry Davenport of Chorley Gent. 37 Eliz. C. num 28. Anne another Daughter Ellen another Daughter Parnell or Petronill another Daughter these three were never married and Mary another Daughter married Rowland Huntington after to David Middleton of Chester thirdly to George Calveley Bastard-Son to Sir George Calveley of Lea. C.
Co-heirs for then he would have had another Sir-name and have been subscribed before the other two Witnesses Wherefore it seems that he had a Sister illegitimate married to Estbury who was Mother to this Randle of Estbury and so was Nephew to Earl Randle or else a base Brother sirnamed de Estbury who was Father to this Randle of Estbury Nephew to the Earl of Chester And therefore Hugh Cyveliok Earl of Chester had either another Base Daughter omitted in the place aforesaid or else another Base Son Place these two Sheets after Fol. 392. being the End of the Fourth Part. Addenda in Mobberley Part IV. Concerning the Descent of Mobberley of Mobberley Pag. 320. I find William de Mobberley Witness to a Deed of Gervase Son of Hugh de Mobberley about 1230. Lib. C. fol. 296. T. num 1. which seems to me very probable that he was Father of Rafe Mobberley I mean that William I. Rafe Mobberley was Lord of the Moyety of Mobberley in the Reign of Henry the Third This is certain by good proof and had Issue William Mobberley and Henry de Mobberley who gave Lands in Mobberley to Mary Daughter of William Mobberley the younger about 1324. Lib. C. fol. 14. M. num 1. II. William Son of Rafe de Mobberley was Lord of the Moiety of Mobberley and purchased the Moiety of Nether-Pever from Richard Bonetable 1281. and had Issue as is mentioned before in the Book This William died about the beginning of Edward the Second He had a Wife called Maud who after the death of her Husband married John Boydell of Limme living 1359. Lib. C. fol. 17. M. num 32. III. William of Mobberley Son and Heir of William had a former Wife as I conceive by whom he had Issue Sir Rafe Mobberley and Cicely a Daughter who married John Domvill of Mobberley the younger as by and by will better appear both under Age 3 Edw. 3. 1329. Lib. A. fol. 128. cc. His other Wife was Maud Daughter and Heir of Robert Downes of Chorley by whom he had those other Daughters and Co-heirs to their Mothers Lands in Chorley as is mentioned in the Book before This William dying 1 Edw. 3. 1327. Maud his Widow afterwards married John Domvill the elder Father of John Domvill the younger who married Cicely And this Maud survived both her Husbands and lived 1 Rich. 2. 1378. Lib. A. fol. 130. kk IV. Sir Raufe Mobberley of Mobberley Knight Son and Heir of William had a Wife called Vincentia by whom he had a Daughterr called Margaret whom he held not to be his Daughter and therefore estated all his Lands on John Leycester his Nephew as appears by the Certificate of Sir John Wynkfield 35 Edw. 3. M. num 33. which hereafter followeth and is transcribed at large He had a Concubine called Alice Rode by whom it may seem that he had a Son called Jenkin of Mobberley Esquire who served under John Leycester of Tabley in the Wars of France 47 Edw. 3. 1373. as appears by John Leycester's Account in my possession dated at Southampton on the Eve of St. John 49 Edw. 3. 1375. But this Jenkin died without Issue Nor is he there stiled Son of Sir Rafe but I conjecture him to be so Margaret the Daughter of Sir Rafe married Thomas Toft both living 1357. Afterwards she married Hugh de Chaderton living 1361. And therefore Page 320. the last Line but one these words without any Lawful Issue of his Body are to be expunged and in the very next Line these words by Alice Rode his Concubine are also to be expunged The Deed wherein John Spendelow and William Geffeson two Chaplains entrusted do settle all Sir Rafe Mobberley's Lands on John Leycester of Nether-Tabley 1359. The Original remaining among the Evidences of Leycester of Toft 1672. M. num 32 SCiant praesentes futuri M. num 32. Quòd nos Johannes Spendelow Willielmus Geffeson de Modburlegh Capellani dedimus concessimus hâc praesenti Chartâ nostrâ confirmavimus Johanni de Leycester Haeredibus suis duas partes Manerii de Modburlegh Advocationem Ecclesiae ejusdem Manerii cum omnibus suis pertinentiis quas priùs habuimus de dono concessione Radulphi de Modburlegh militis in eodem Dedimus etià m concessimus praedicto Johanni de Leycester Haeredibus suis omnes terras tenementa nostra in Norshagh Fernilegh Holey cùm omnibus suis pertinentiis Concessimus etià m quod tertia pars praedicti Manerii de Modburlegh omnes terrae tenementa in Norshagh Fernilegh Holey cùm suis pertinentiis quae Johannes Domvill senior Matilda uxor ejus tenent in dotem ipsius Matildae de Haereditate nostrâ quae post mortem ejusdem Matildae ad nos Haeredes nostros reverti deberent integrè remaneant praefato Johanni de Leycester Haeredibus suis in perpetuùm Volumus insupèr concessimus quòd omnes terrae tenementa cùm suis pertinentiis quae Johannes Boydell de Limme Matilda Uxor ejus tenent in dotem ipsius Matildae in Holey de Haereditate nostrâ quae post mortem ejusdem Matildae nobis haeredibus nostris reverti deberent integrè remaneant praedicto Johanni de Leycester Haeredibus suis in perpetuùm Habendum tenendum duas partes Manerii praedicti Advocationem Ecclesiae praedictae omnes terras tenementa praedicta Reversiones Dotum praedictarum cùm acciderint praedicto Johanni de Leycester haeredibus suis suis Assignatis in Dominicis Wardis Releviis Escaetis Terris Pratis Boscis molendinis Aquis Stagnis Turbariis Redditibus Servitiis liberorum Tenentium nostrorum scilicèt Mariae de Leycester Thomae de Toft Margaretae Uxoris ejus extùnc de Plumlegh Johannis Laurensson de Modburlegh Willielmi Dawson cùm omnibus aliis libertatibus commoditatibus approviamentis proficuis communis aysiamentis praedictis Manerio Advocationi Ecclesiae praedictae Terris Tenementis Redditibus Servitiis ubiquè adjacentibus liberè quietè integro jure haereditario in perpetuùm De Capitalibus Dominis feodorum illorum per Servitia indè debita de jure consueta Et nos verò pradicti Johannes Spendelow Willielmus Geffeson Capellani haeredes nostri dictas duas partes Manerii praedicti Advocationem Ecclesiae praedictae omnes terras tenementa praedicta tà m de Dotibus quà m de aliis unâ cùm redditibus servitiis praedictis cùm omnibus suis pertinentiis praefato Johanni de Leycester haeredibus suis suis Assignatis contrà omnes homines Warrantizabimus defendemus in perpetuùm In cujus rei Testimonium huic praesenti Chartae nostrae Sigilla nostra apposuimus Hiis testibus Willielmo de Maynwaringe Thomâ de Davenport Hugone de Mascy de Tatton Hugone de Toft Adâ de Tablegh aliis Datum apud Modburlegh die Veneris proximè antè Festum Sancti Ceddae
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
ancient word for a Hill and that upon the Sea between Ireland and Scotland the Shore of Scotland seems to rise up into Mountains and so gained the Name of Albin Hist Scot. lib. 1. pag. 12 13. But when the Scots came unto the Picts in Brettaine though they ever and anon did make War and Excursions upon the Brettans yet did they not advance very soon but lived in that Angle where they first arrived They continually warred against the Kings of Northumberland for the space of 127 Years till Edan King of the Scots and his Army were totally routed by Ethelfrid King of Northumberland Anno Domini 603. Bede de Hist Ang. lib. 1. cap. 34. And when the Picts were almost rooted out and the Kingdom of the Northumbrians through Civil Discords and Incursions of the Danes About the Year 800. fell to decay then was all the North part of Brettaine called Scotland from Cluyd and Edenborough-Frith And on this side Cluyd and Edenborough-Frith was part of the Kingdom of Northumberland and possessed by the Saxons as every man knows But at this day Scotland is divided from England by the Rivers Tweed and Solway And hence it is that all those who possess the East part of Scotland and are called Lowland-men are descended of the English Saxons and speak the English Tongue and those that inhabit the Western Coast of Scotland called Highlanders be descended from the Scots and speak Irish and are maliciously bent towards the Lowland-men who speak English II. The People of the Scots have been noted of their best Writers for some barbarous Customs one whereof was If any two were displeased they expected no Law but banged it out bravely one and his Kindred against the other and his Kindred This Fighting they called their Feids These deadly Feids King James the Sixth in his Basilicon Doron adviseth his Son to redress with all care possible But it pleased God to give this King so long a Life as to see it remedied in his own days An Act indeed truly Royal and worthy himself Dr. Heylyn's Cosmography pag. 331. Another Custom they had of a strange nature never was the like heard of among the Heathens That the Kings of Scotland should have the Maidenhead or first Nights Lodging with every Woman who was to be married to a Husband that held Land immediately from the Crown and the Lords and Gentlemen should have the like of all those whose Husbands were their Tenants or Homagers And this was by a Law made by Eugenius a lascivious Prince of Scotland But this Custom in the time of Malcolme the Third sirnamed Cammoir was made redeemable for half a Mark of Silver about the Year 1070. which Pension the Scots at this day call The Marchet of the Women Buchanan lib. 7. pag. 214. The reason of the Name Skene in his Interpretation of Old Words thinks to come from March which in the Ancient Scotch Language signifies A Horse and so metaphorically denotes a Pension for the Leaping of a Woman ascendere Mulierem Spelman in his Glossary saith That Merch in the ancient Language of the Brettans signifies a Daughter or Woman-Sex and so denotes a Pension for a Woman's Marriage to the Lord or King CHAP. III. Of the Picts in Scotland THe Name of Pict was first introduced by the Romans saith Buchanan in his History of Scotland lib. 2. pag. 54. because these People painted their Bodies with the Pictures of all manner of Living Creatures It was not their ancient Native Name Herodian saith Neque vestis usum cognôrunt sed ventrem cervicem ferro cingunt Ornamentum id esse ac divitiarum argumentum existimârunt perindè ut aurum caeteri Barbari They put Iron Plates about their Bellies and Necks which they reputed an Ornament and an Argument of Riches as other Foreign Nations esteemed Gold and painted their Bodies with the Forms of all manner of Living Creatures Wherefore they put on no Clothes that they might not hide their Bodies so carved and painted Buchanan supposeth them to be originally Scythians or Getes pag. 55. Hergust their King dying about the time of Victorinus Lord Deputy of Brettaine under Honorius the Emperor who reduced the Picts to the Roman Province about the Year of Christ 412. forbad them to make any new King but what should be given them by the Romans and that it was prophesied of old That the Picts should be rooted out by the Scots Buchanan ibid. pag. 129. And at last Brudus King of the Picts not able to compose the Differences already begun between the Picts and the Scots died for grief and Drusken his Brother who was the last King of the Picts was overthrown in Battel Buchanan li. 5. p. â—65 166. about the Year of Christ 838. by Kenneth the Second King of the Scots and the Picts utterly subdued Since which time the Kings of the Scots have been Lords of all Scotland who before had onely a Part of Scotland It is said That the Nation of the Picts came first out of Scythia into Ireland and from thence into the North Parts of our Brettaine So Bede de Hist Ang. lib. 1. cap. 1. And this as many will have it about Anno Christi 78. Judicious Cambden thinks they were very Brettans who before the coming of the Romans were seated in the North part of our Island with such other Brettans who fled unto them as unwilling to submit to the Roman Servitude In his Britannia pag. 82. For my part I think the Brettans and the Picts do signifie the same thing one being a Greek Name and the other Latin This of Latin being given by the Romans in later Times in distinction from our Brettans of England who submitted to the Roman Government and were stiled as formerly and perhaps more civilized by the Romans Those other more rude and flying into Scotland and continually opposing the Romans were by them called Picti which Name continued afterwards I find not the Name of Picti in any Author mentioned till 300 Years after Christ and more And that as well the Brettans as the Picts were Peopled from the ancient Galles and those originally descended from the Scythians and Getes as Sheringham de Anglorum Gentis Origine doth probably demonstrate There were also two other sorts of People among the Picts in Scotland in the time of the Romans the Maiatae and the Attacotti as they were stiled by the Romans Of whom see Buchanan lib. 2. pag. 57. and also Cambden's Britannia pag. 655. pag. 91. These inhabited the Borders of Scotland CHAP. IV. Of the Kings of Scotland âšœ THe Kingdom of Scotland was never totally Conquered either by the Romans or Saxons for which they may thank their great Barren Mountains whether they fled from the Enemy as a Shelter It consisted as you have already heard of two sorts of People Picts and Scots It remains that I set down the Catalogue of their Kings as far as truth of History will bear For the
it first given to him by the Conqueror who enjoying it but a little while is commonly omitted without any notice at all But this Hugh was the first Earl of Chester of the Norman Race since the Conquest The Description of Earl Hugh out of Ordericus Lib. 4. Eccles Histor pag. 522. Hic non Dapsilis sed prodigus c. He was not abundantly liberall but profusely prodigal and carried not so much a Family as an Army still along with him He took no account either of his Receipts or Disbursements He daily wasted his Estate and delighted more in Falconers and Huntsmen than in the Tillers of his Land or Heavens Orators the Ministers He was given much to his Belly whereby in time he grew so fat that he could scarce crawle He had many Bastard Sons and Bastard Daughters but they were almost all swept away by sundry Misfortunes Again Ordericus Lib. 6. pag. 598. Ex his Hugo Abrincatensis Richardi cognomento Goz filius inter caeteros Magnates effulsit Cui Postquà m Gherbodus Flandrensis ad suos recessit Rex Comitatum Cestrensem consilio Prudentum concessit Hic nimirùm Amator Saeculi Saeculariumque Pomparum fuit quas maximam beatitudinum putabat esse portionem humanarum erat enìm in militiâ Promptus in dando nimìs prodigus gaudens ludis luxibus mimis equis canibus aliisque hujusmodi vanitatibus Huic maxima semper adhaerebat Familia in quibus nobilium ignobiliumque puerorum numerosa perstrepebat Copia Cùm eodem Consule commorabantur viri honorabiles Clerici milites quos tà m laborum quà m divitiarum gratulabatur esse suarum Participes In Capellâ ejus Serviebat Abrincatensis Clericus nomine Geroldus religione honestate peritiâque literarum praeditus Azure a Wolves Head erased Ar. He had Land in twenty Counties in England for in the Catalogue of the Counties wherein certain Great Men held Lands in the twentieth Year of William the Conqueror as it is put in the Appendix to the ancient Norman Writers set out by Andrew du Chesne and Printed at Paris Ann. Dom. 1619. we read thus Comes Hugo Hampshire Berkshire Dorset Somerset Devonshire Buckingham Oxford Glocester Huntington Northampton Warwick Shropshire Derbyshire Cheshire Nottingham Rutland Yorkshire Lincoln Norfolk and Suffolk Concerning certain Lands in Oxfordshire which he gave to the Monastery of Abbington I find in an old Lieger Book of that Monastery remaining in Cotton 's Library noted Claudius C. 9. fol. 137. of the whole Book but lib. 2. fol. 35. of that particular part of the History of the Church of Abbington as followeth Viculus est Burgo Abendonensi contiguus Scipena dictus hunc de Abbatiâ tempore Edwardi Regis quidam ipsius constabulus nomine Eadnotus tenebat Cujus viri terrarum metas posteà Hugo Cestrensis Comes adeptus cùm didicisset praedictum viculum hujus Abbatiae Juri pertinere commonitu Rainoldi Abbatis Baronum suorum consultu tertio Regni Willielmi Junioris Regis anno pridiè Calendarum Aprilium ipse Comes in Sanctuario Ecclesiae istius consistens toto conventu Fratrum ibi praesidente quicquid in illo loco posse videbatur habere Deo Genetrici ejus id obtulit manu cultellum Altari supponendo ut in perpetuùm ratum constet verbis illud prosequendo Affuere illo cùm Comite Engenulphus Willielmus uterque nepos ipsius Godardus etià m de Boiavillâ cùm Engerardo alii plures Charta de Scipena DE hâc ut dictum est re determinatâ cùm primo apud eundem Comitem oriretur Sermo literas Abbati indè direxit Quarum hujusmodi extitit Textus Hugo Cestrensis Comes Rainoldo Venerando Abbati charissimo Amico suo Salutem Mando tibi quòd de terrâ quam ergà me petiisti locutus sum cùm uxore meâ cum meis Baronibus inveni in meo Consilio quòd concedam eam Deo Sanctae Ecclesiae de quâ Pastoralis Cura super te imposita est Tali Pacto quòd dones mihi XXX libras denariorum de tuâ Pecuniâ ut frater vester sim uxor mea pater meus mater mea in orationibus vestris ità ut simus scripti omnes in Libro commemorationum ut sit factum tale obsequium pro nobis quale debet fieri pro uno fratre de Ecclesiâ ubicunque moriamur Quicquid itaque pro illâ terrâ exactum est nil fieri relictum nam pecunia data caetera quaesita omninò impensa What Lands this Earl Hugh held in Demaine in Cheshire appears in the Record of Dooms-day Book Title Cestre-Scire where in the beginning of the same after the Laws of Chester it is said The Bishop of Chester holds of the King the Lands in Cheshire which belong to his Bishoprick and those Lands are immediately reckoned up and set down All the rest of the Lands of the County Earl Hugh held of the King cùm suis hominibus where cùm suis hominibus I conceive is not there meant that the Earl and his Tenants held their Lands of the King but that the Earl held all Cheshire of the King with his Tenants also that is and the Tenure and Services of all his Tenants in Cheshire he holdeth of the King also for every Person in Cheshire except the Bishop held what Lands he was possessed of immediately from the Earl and the Earl held all from the King The Names of such Towns in Cheshire as Earl Hugh held in Demaine at that time Anno Christi 1086. WEverham Kennardsly Doneham on the Hill Elton Trafford Manly Hellesbye Frodshum Alreton Alderly Inferior Done Edesbery nigh the Chamber in the Forest Eaton in Broxton Hundred Lay in Broxton Hundred Cotinton Lay. Rushton Upton juxta Rushton Little Budworth Olton Over Estham Trafford Edlave Macclesfield Adlington Gowesworth Merton Chelford Hungerweniton Henbury Capesthorne Henshall Tingtweezle Hollinworth Wernith Ramiley Laiton Alsacher Sanbach Clive Sutton nigh Middlewich VVimboldsly Weever Occleston Upton in Wirrall Stanney Anterbus in Overwhitley In all forty eight The Descent of Earl Hugh Ansfrid or Amfrid a Dane Umfrid de Telliolo Governor of Hastings in England 1068. Ordericus pag. 512. Son of Amfred the Dane Ordericus pag. 669. Married Adeliza Sister of Hugh de Grentemaisnill Governor of Leicester and had Issue Robert of Tothelent Castle in Wales also Ernald and Roger both Monks of Utica in Normandy and William Abbas Sanctae Euphemiae Ordericus pag. 671. Robert of Rothelent Son of Umfrid whom Ordericus pag. 670. calls Consobrinum Hugonis Comitis Cestriae Cosin to Earl Hugh He was slain Anno 1088. Of whom see more suprà pag. 24. Turstine sirnamed Goz Son of Amfrid sometime Governor of Oxima kept the Castle of Faloys in Normandy against Duke William being yet a Child But Rodulfus Waceiensis who Commanded the Forces for the young Duke besieged him therein Turstine not able to hold out long
confidence of your Valour and the King's Injustice I doubt not to dissipate his Forces and with my Sword to make way through the midst of my Enemies Methinks I see them run already Then Robert Earl of Glocester who Commanded in Chief encouraged his Soldiers and told the Bassians and others who were Disinherited That now they should have one Bout for the recovery of their Right and Inheritance King Stephen on the other part alights from his Horse and Fought on foot very stoutly both for his Life and Kingdom but having no audible Voice commanded Baldwin de Clare a Man of great Honour and Prowess to make known his mind to the Army Henry Huntington li. 8. who made an Oration to encourage the Soldiers Impeaching the Earl of Chester as a Man audacious but without Judgment heady to plot a Treason but still wavering in the pursuit of it ready to run into Battel but uncircumspect of any danger aiming beyond his reach and conceiting things meerly impossible and therefore hath but few with him that know him leading onely a Rout of vagrant and tumultuous Pesants So there is nothing in him to be feared for whatsoever he begins like a Man he ends like a Woman unfortunate in all his Undertakings In his Encounters he hath either been vanquished or if by chance he rarely a obtain Victory it is with greater loss on his part then the Conquered But as soon as he had ended his Oration the Fight began which was very fierce and terrible many slain on both parts In the Head of the King's Army were very stout Soldiers but his Enemies outvying him in number prevailed William de Ipro with the Flemmings and Alan with the Britons first turn their Backs * Huntington and Hoveden say they beat the Welsh but the Earl of Chester coming up with his Forces quite routed them which much discouraged the King's Friends but encouraged the Enemy The King was ill betrayed for some of his Nobles accompanied him in Person whiles they sent whole Troops to the other side Waleran Earl of Mellent and William de Warren his Brother Gilbert de Clare and other famous Knights both of England and Normandy ran away as soon as they saw their own side shrink But Baldwin de Clare and Richard Son of Ursi Engelram de Say and Ildebert Lacy stuck stoutly to the King and Fought it to the last Man Stephen himself like a noble Branch of an heroick Family Fought so gallantly that when his Sword was broken taking a Battel-Axe from a young Gentleman which stood near him he ceased not to Encounter with his over-powerful Enemies but at last was constrained to yield himself Prisoner to Robert Earl of Glocester his Cosin who sent him to Maude the Empress at Bristow where he was imprisoned Baldwine de Clare likewise and other excellent Champions on the King's part were taken Prisoners Thus by the voluble Wheel of Fortune was King Stephen taken Prisoner at the Battel of Lincoln on Candlemas-day Anno Domini 1141. according to Ordericus who lived in that very Age which was principally occasioned by the Valour and Assistance of Randle Earl of Chester III. Alan Earl of Brettaine a treacherous and cruel Man Gesta Steph. pag. 953. lying in Ambush for the Earl of Chester to revenge the Dishonor of taking his Lord and King Prisoner was himself taken and imprisoned till he did Homage to Randle Earl of Chester and had delivered up his Castles unto him Others say Alan Earl of Richmond and Little-Britain was sent for by Randle to speak with him and so was Apprehended by him Anno 1141. John Hagustaldensis pag. 269. Not long after this Robert Earl of Glocester was taken Prisoner in another Battel by some others of Stephen's Party and so immediately King Stephen and Earl Robert were exchanged each for other Anno 1143. Stephen being released out of Prison Besieged Lincoln and would have built a Fort over against the Castle which Randle Earl of Chester kept but the Earl killed almost eighty of his Workmen and so he was forced to give it off Mat. Paris and Hen. Huntington But Hoveden placeth this 1144. 9 Stephani Anno Domini 1145. King Stephen gathering a great Army built a strong Castle over against Wallingford whither Randle Earl of Chester accompanied him with great Forces and was restored unto his Favour But afterwards the Earl coming to the King's Court at Northampton was surprized little dreaming of any such matter and cast into Prison untill he restored the Castle of Lincoln which he had fraudulently taken and all other Castles which he injuriously had taken from the King Chronica Normanniae put out by Du Chesne with other Histories pag. 982. Also Polychronicon addeth That the Welshmen then wasted Cheshire but were intercepted at Nantwich ⚜ lib. 7. cap. 19. Monasticon vol. 1. pag. 890. But for the Reconcilement of Stephen and Randle it is more fully set down in Gesta Stephani pag 968. thus The Earl of Chester who had got almost a third part of the Kingdom by his Sword comes to the King and desires Pardon for his Rebellion at Lincoln and for the seizing of his Soveraign's Possessions and thereupon was received into Favour And in farther testimony of his Obedience he helped the King's Forces and gallantly Assaulted the Town of Bedford which had much weakned and shattered the King's Army and having taken it delivers it into Stephen's Hands After this he accompanied King Stephen to Wallingford attended with three hundred gallant Horse till the King had erected a stately Castle in prospect thereof to stop the Incursions of the Enemy which were wont to issue out of Wallingford and prey upon the Countrey But for all this Friendship Randle was suspected of Stephen because he surrendred not the Castles and Rents which he had violently taken from him and because of the Earls wavering and unstable Mind not having put in Pledges of his Fidelity so that neither the King nor his prime Councellors durst rely upon him unless he would surrender all the King's Possessions and if he refused this then the King ought to clap him up at his best opportunity Ibidem pag. 970 971. Randle Earl of Chester seeing he was thus suspected turns himself to his wonted course of Treason plotting how he might more easily without Infamy deliver the King into the Hands of his Enemies and coming to the Court with some Attendance whereby he might be the freer from suspicion he complained how he was beset with a barbarous multitude of Welsh who made great spoil and waste of his Lands so that he and all his Tenants bordering on the Confines of his County would be quite extirpated unless the King gave him speedy Assistance telling him that his Presence would do more by the very Name of a King than many thousands of Soldiers without him The King cheerfully promiseth his Assistance but the Councel about his Royal Person would not suffer it for they wished
came in Person to Assault it Anno 1216. after the Death of King John on the Feast-day of Simon and Jude the Apostles the twenty eighth day of October Henry the Third being then but nine Years old eldest Son of King John was Crowned at Glocester principally by the Power of Walo the Pope's Legat Peter Bishop of Winchester Randle Earl of Chester and William Marshall Earl of Pembroke and some others Paris and Polychronicon Anno Domini 1217. after Easter Randle Earl of Chester with many others met about the besieging of the Castle of Mountsorell by the procurement of William Marshall Regent of England for the young King which they fiercely assaulted But Lewis King of France and the Barons of England sent Forces from London in the very beginning of May to raise the Siege Randle Earl of Chester hearing thereof with others came to Nottingham The Barons march on and Besiege Lincoln Castle In the interim William Marshall Guardian of the young King and Kingdom Commanded all the Forces out of his several Garrisons to meet at Newark on Tuesday in Whitsun-week for the raising of the Siege at Lincoln among whom Randle Earl of Chester was the Prime Commander and in the beginning of the Week following they routed the Barons at Lincoln Mat. Paris pag. 294 295. And the Monk of Chester in his Polychronicon saith That Randle Earl of Chester slew many of the French so that Lewis the French King seeing his Party much weakned for a Sum of Money surrenders up all his Garrisons and returns to France Anno 1158. the Abbey of Pulton in Cheshire was Founded Anno 1214. that Convent was removed to Deulacresse in Staffordshire 10 Calendas Maii by this Earl Randis Monasticon vol. 1. pag. 891. Anno 1218. 2 Hen. 3. Randle Earl of Chester after he was accorded with Lhewellin Prince of Northwales took a Voyage to Jerusalem In which Year Damieta was taken by the Christians Mat Paris pag. 303. Anno 1220. 4 Hen. 3. Randle returning out of the Holy Land built Beeston Castle in Cheshire and Chartley Castle in Staffordshire and the Abbey of Delacresse near Leeke in Staffordshire of the Order of white Monks * De ordine Cisterciensi To which Abbey he gave Leeke and Rudeyard in Staffordshire Monasticon Vol. 1. pag. 891 892. Bivelegh vulgo Byley near to Middlewich in Cheshire was a Grange belonging to the Monks of Delacresse Monasticon Vol. 2. pag. 919. Towards the Charge of the Castles he Levied a Tax through all his Lands and Tenants Polychronicon Also Knighton pag. 24. 30. Nor can I here pass by the Mistake of Bale de Scriptoribus Britanniae Cent. 3. num 93. where he writes thus Ranulfus de Glaunvyle Cestriae Comes vir nobilissimi Generis in utroque jure eruditus in Albo illustrium virorum à me meritò ponendus venit ità probè omnes adolescentiae suae annos Legibus tùm humanis tùm divinis consecravit ut non priùs in hominem per aetatem evaserit quà m nomen decusque ab insigni eruditione sibi comparaverit Cùm Profecti essent Francorum heroes Ptolemaidem inito cùm Johanne Brenno Hierosolymorum Rege concilio Damiatam Egypti urbem obsidendam constituebant Anno Salutis humanae 1218. misit illùc Henricus Rex ab Honorio tertio Romanorum Pontifice Rogatus cùm magnâ Armatorum manu Ranulfum ad rem Christianam juvandam Cujus virtus Polydoro teste in eo bello miris omnium laudibus celebrata fuit Quo confecto negotio Ranulfus in patriam reversus scripsit unum librum de Legibus Angliae Fertur praetereà alia quaedam scripsisse sed tempus Edax rerum ea nobis abstulit Anno 1230. claruit confectus Senio dum Henricus tertius sub Antichristi Tyrannide in Angliâ regnaret So Bale and from him Pitseus thus Ranulfus Glanvillus ex Splendissimâ familiâ Cestriae Comitum in Angliâ natus c. in his Book De illustribus Angliae Scriptoribus These are both mistaken in the Name confounding Randle Blundevill and Randle Glaunvill together Randle Glaunvill indeed was Chief Justice of England under Henry II. and writ a Book De Legibus Angliae yet extant amongst us He died at the Siege of Accon Anno Christi 1190. Hoveden pag. 685. But this Randle Blundevill Earl of Chester is of later time a little and died Anno Christi 1232. This Earl was at the Siege of Damiata but writ no Book De Legibus Glaunvill writ the Book but was neither Earl of Chester nor of the Race of the Earls of Chester So much of Bale See Spelman's Glossary pag. 338. b. Anno 1224. Randle Earl of Chester John Constable of Cheshire and others of the Nobility were much displeased with Hubert de Burgo Chief Justice of England alledging that he did exasperate the King against them and did not well Execute the Laws insomuch that the Earl of Chester with his Complices at Leycester in stead of surrendring up the Castles which the King demanded from him as belonging to the Crown had thought to have sent threatning Messages both against the King and his Chief Justice but upon more deliberate Advice surrendred them Paris pag. 318 319 320. Anno 1229. the King having gathered a great Army together at Portsmouth thought to Transport them beyond Sea to recover those Lands which his Father had lost but not finding sufficient Shipping for half his Army he imputed the fault to the Treachery of Hubert de Burgo that he should have been Bribed thereunto by the Queen of France and drawing his Sword to have killed Hubert Randle Earl of Chester interposed and saved him that he got out of the King's sight till his fury was past Paris pag. 363. And in the same Year Randle Earl of Chester refuseth to pay Tythes to the Pope Paris ibidem Anno 1230. Randle Earl of Chester marched through Anjou and took certain Castles and so returned into Little Britain where the King had made him Commander in Chief of his Forces together with William Marshall and William Albemarle Paris pag. 367. Anno 1232. in the Parliament assembled at London the King demanded Money for the Discharge of his Debts occasioned by the Wars The Earl of Chester answering for the Nobility of the Kingdom told him That the Earls Barons and Knights which hold of him in Capite were personally with him in the Service and had exhausted their own Money in that Service and therefore ought not to pay any thing and so nothing was Granted Paris pag. 372. In this Year Randle Earl of Chester did a second time save the Life of Hubert de Burgo when the King being exasperated with Hubert sent to the Mayor of London to send away all the Armed he could raise immediately to put him to Death who in one Nights space were encreased to 20000. willing of the occasion But the King by the perswasion of Randle Earl of Chester telling how dangerous it might be to raise
milites de Anglia VVardam suam facient ad opus de eis non fuerit Salvis mihi Servitiis suis quae facere debent Concedo etià m eis quòd in tempore Pacis tantùm duodecem Servientes itinerantes habeant in terrâ meâ cùm uno equo qui sit Magistri Servientis qui etià m Prebendam non habeat à Pascha usquè ad Festum Sancti Michaelis nisi per gratum Et ut ipsi Servientes Comedant Cibum qualem in Domibus Hominum invenerint sinè emptione alterius Cibi ad opus eorum nèc in aliquibus Dominicis Baronum Comedant Et tempore Guerrae pèr Consilium meum aut Justiciarii mei ipsorum Ponantur Servientes sufficientes ad terram meam Custodiendam prout opus fuerit Et sciendum est quòd praedicti Barones Petitiones Subscriptas quas à me requirebant omninò mihi haeredibus meis de se haeredibus suis remiserunt ità quòd nihil de eis de caetero clamare poterint nisi per Gratiam Misericordiam meam Scilicèt Seneschallus Petitionem de Wrec de Pisce in terram suam per mare dejecto de Bersare in Forestâ meâ ad tres Arcus de percursu Canium suorum Et alii Petitionem de Agistamento Porcorum in Forestâ meâ de Bershare ad tres Arcus in Forestâ meâ vel ad cursus Leporariorum suorum in Forestâ in eundo versùs Cestriam per Summonitionem vel in redeundo Petitionem de Misericordiâ Judicum de Wich triginta Bullionibus Salis sed erunt Misericordia Leges in Wich tales quales prius fuerint Concedo igitùr praesenti Chartâ meâ confirmo de me haeredibus meis Communibus Militibus omnibus liberè Tenentibus totius Cestershire eorum haeredibus omnes praedictas libertates habendas tenendas de Baronibus meis de caeteris Dominis suis quicunque sint sicut ipsi Barones Milites caeteri liberè Tenentes eas de me tenent Hiis Testibus Hugone Abbate Sanctae Werburgae Cestriae Philippo Orreby tùnc temporis Justiciario Cestriae Henrico de Aldithley Waltero Deyvell Hugone Dispensario Thoma Dispensario Willielmo Pincerna Waltero de Coventrey Ricardo Phitton Roberto de Cowdrey Ivone de Caletoft Roberto de Say Normanno le Painter Roberto Dispensario Roberto Deyvell Mattheo de Vernon Hamone de Venables Roberto de Massy Alano de Waley Hugone de Columbe Roberto de Pulford Petro Clerico Hugone de Pasey Joceralino de Hellesby Ricardo de Bresby Ricardo de Kingsley Philippo de Terven Liulfo de Twamlowe Ricardo de Perpoint toto Comitatu Cestriae This Charter I have here for the satifaction of some translated also into English as followeth with the exposition of the hardest words RANDLE Earl of Chester To his Constable Steward Judge Sheriff Barons Bailiffs and to all his Tenants and Friends present and to come that shall see or hear this Charter Sendeth Greeting Know ye that I being Signed with the Cross * * Those were said to be Signed with the Cross in these Ages who had undertaken a Voyage to Jerusalem in defence of the Holy Land and as a Badge of their Warfare they wore a Cross on their right Shoulder So Spelman for the love of God and at the Request of my Barons of Cheshire have granted to them and their Heirs from me and my Heirs all the Liberties in this present Charter underwritten to have and to hold for ever to wit That every one of them may have his own Court free from all Pleas and Plaints moved in my Court except such Pleas as belong to my Sword ††The Pleas of the Sword were the Pleas of the Dignity of the Earl of Chester who held that Earldom as freely to the Sword as the King held England to the Crown And if any of their Tenants shall be taken for any Offence within their Fee or Lordship he shall be Replevied without any Ransom so as his Lord bring him to three County Courts and then he may carry him back as acquit unless * * Sakerboth Sakber and Sacraber is as much as a Pledge to Sue one that puts in Surety to Prosecute another Spelman Sakerborh do follow him And if any Stranger who is faithful shall come upon their Land and desires to dwell there it shall be lawful for the Baron of that Fee to have and retain him saving to me the Advowries who shall come to me on their own accord and others who for any Trespass elsewhere shall come unto my Dignity and not to them And every one of my Barons when need requireth shall in time of War do the full Service of so many Knights Fees as he holdeth And their Knights and Freeholders shall have their Coats of Mayle and Haubergeons and may defend their own Land by their Bodies although they be not Knights And if any of them be such a one that he cannot defend his own Land by his Body he may put another sufficient Person in his Place Neither will I compell their Villanes to take Arms but I do hereby acquit their Villanes which by Randle of Davenham shall come to my Protection and other their Villanes whom they can reasonably shew to be their own And if my Sheriff or any Officer shall Implead any of their Tenants in my Court he may defend himself by Thirtnic * * Thiertnic or Thirdnicht is Trium Noctium hospes Hoveden pag. 606. Here it seemeth to signifie three Nights Charges for the Sheriffs-Tooth Sheriffs-Tooth was a common Tax Levied for the Sheriffs Diet. for the Sheriffs-Tooth which they do pay unless fresh Suit do follow him I do also grant unto them acquittance from the Corn and Oblations which my Serjeants and Bedells were wont to require and that if any Judger ††It is in the Deed Judex which is sometimes taken for a Judge sometimes for a Jury-man or Freeholder which Freeholders are by Law the Judges of a Court-Baron or Suitor of the Hundred or County-Court shall be Amerced in my Court the Judger shall be quit from his Amercement for Two shillings and the Suitor for Twelve pence I do also grant unto them liberty of Inclosing their Lands within the Boundaries of their Tillage in the Forrest And if there shall be a Land or parcel of Ground within the Boundary of their Township which hath been formerly Manured where no Wood groweth it shall be lawful to Till the same without Graizing And they may also take Housebote and Haybote in their VVoods of all manner of VVood without the view of my Forester and may give or sell their dead VVood to whom they please and their Tenants shall not be Impleaded for the same in the Forest Court unless they be found in the manner or very act And every one of my Barons may defend all his Mannors and Lordships in the County or Hundred
pacificè integrè cùm omnibus libertatibus praescriptis Et quòd singulus Burgensis Burgagium suum possit vendere invadiare dare vel in Testamento assignare cuicunquè vel quibuscunque voluerit exceptis Ministris Domini Regis Viris Religiosis sinè contradictione alicujus vel aliquorum salvâ mihi Haeredibus meis libertate Furni nostri in eodem Burgo Ego verò praedictus Haniundus Haeredes mei praedicta Burgagia cùm acris Terrae eis adjacentibus omnibus libertatibus suprascriptis praedictis Burgensibus meis Haeredibus suis assignatis contrà omnes Gentes in perpetuùm Warrantizabimus In hujus rei testimonium huic praesenti Chartae Sigillum meum apposui Hiis Testibus Dominis Reginaldo de Grey tùnc Justiciario Cestriae Humfrido de Bello campo Ricardo de Massy Militibus Gilberto de Aston Thomâ de Actone Hugone de Baggelegh Matthaeo de Hale Henrico de Doneham Johanne de Bowdon aliis Charta 18 Edw. 1. memb 3. Rex concessit Hamoni de Massy unum Mercatum per diem Martis apud Manerium suum de Altringham unam Feriam per tres dies duraturam videlicèt in Vigilia die crastino Festi Assumptionis beatae Mariae * * 15 Die Augusti Lib. C. fol. 260. q. The Tuesday Market continueth at this day but the Fair is kept now on the twenty fifth day of July and the later Fair-day on the eleventh day of November Although we usually stile the chief Officer here Mayor of Altrincham yet in truth he is no more than a principal Officer without any Magisterial Authority In a Rentall of Dunham-Massy dated 3 Hen. 4. 1402. I find there were about forty Freeholders or Charterers in Altrincham the rest of the Tenants of Altrincham then not above eighteen in number were Tenants at Will And it appears by that Rentall as well as by another of my own in Henry the Seventh's time that in those Ages till Hen. 8. the ancient Tenants in our County had generally no Leases for Lives as now they have and the Rents which at this day we call Old Rents were in those former Ages the utmost value of such Tenements on the Rack so much have these late Ages outstripped the former for value as well for Land as other Commodities At this day 1669. there are above twenty Charterers in this Town whereof Robert Parker 's of Oldfield-Hall in Altrincham Gentleman is of greatest value next to which is that belonging to William Leycester of Hale-Lowe Gentleman Most of all the rest are very small Parcels not worth the reckoning up the chief Lord being George Booth of Dunham-Massy Lord Delamere There are so very many small Cottages erected here by the permission of the Lords of Dunham-Massy that it is now become a Nest of Beggars Anderton The Township of Anderton is not in Dooms-day Book Inquisitio capta post mortem Vriani de Sancto Petro 23 Edw. 1. intèr alia praedictus Vrianus tenuit Manerium de Anderton in Dominico suo ut de Feodo de Domino Rege in Capite per Servitium unius Librae Piperis solvendi ad Scaccarium Cestriae c. as I find it in W. Vernon's Notes So that Vrian de Sampier held Anderton in the time of E. 1. but when first granted to the Family of Sampier or how long it continued in that Family or how and when it devolved to Sutton of Sutton nigh Maxfield in Cheshire is yet unknown to me Certain it is that Sir Peter Warburton one of the Judges of the Common-Pleas at Westminster purchased this Mannor from Richard Sutton Son of Francis Sutton of Sutton nigh Maxfield Esquire by Deed dated the twenty ninth of November 43 Eliz. 1600. from whom it descended unto Sir Thomas Stanley of Nether-Alderley Baronet now Owner thereof 1669. to wit Son of Sir Thomas Stanley Knight by Elizabeth his Wife Daughter and Heir of the said Sir Peter Warburton ⚜ It is now commonly said of this Village by the Neighborhood as it were proverbially That here is neither Gentleman nor Beggar Charterer Cottager nor Alehouse but a Common without end for that the Common is circular lying round about the Township and the Demaine hath been set to Derry-men and Tenants so as no Gentleman of long time hath lived there Appleton Hull THis Town of Appleton and Hull in William the Conqueror 's time belonged to Osbern Son of Tezzon the Ancestor to the Boydels of Dodleston as appears by the Record of Dooms-day Book Among the Evidences of Thomas Merbury of Merbury nigh Comberbach Esquire Anno Domini 1666. I found this following Deed copied out in a loose Paper the Original whereof is there underwritten to be in the possession of Thomas Stanley being so attested under his own Hand Lib. C. fol. 286. d. HUgo de Boydel omnibus tà m praesentibus quà m futuris ad quorum notitiam praesens Pagina pervenerit salutem Noverit universitas vestra me concessisse Roberto Lancelyn pro Homagio Servitio suo totam Terram Tenementum quod Ricardus Lancelyn Pater praefati Roberti tenuit de Antecessoribus meis videlicèt Pulton Bebington Appleton Hull cùm omnibus pertinentiis suis illi Haeredibus suis Faciendo mihi Haeredibus meis Servitium duorum Militum videlicèt cùm duobus Armatis apud Dodleston in Werrâ quadraginta diebus Scilicèt Servitium unius Hominis pro Pulton Bebington Servitium alterius Hominis pro Appleton Hull pro omni Servitio Salvo Servitio quatuor Hominum quolibet tertio Anno per sex dies ad meum Heimineum * To make his Hayment or Hedging faciendum apud Dodleston Pro hâc Donatione Confirmatione idem Robertus Lancelyn dedit mihi viginti marcas Argenti c. Hiis Testibus Radulpho de Manwaring Radulpho de Monte-alto Willielmo de Pall ' Thomâ Filio Willielmi Roberto de Fulford c. about the end of Henry the Second's Reign I find Geffrey Son of Adam de Dutton Ancestor to Warburton of Arley possessed of this Township in the beginning of Henry the Third's Reign and is at this present belonging to Warburton of Arley 1669. Placita Cestriae die Martis proximè post Festum Sancti Lucae 10 Edw. 3. GAlfridus de Warburton opponit se versùs Hugonem de Audley de Placito quòd justè sinè dilatione acquietet eum de Servitiis quae Willielmus de Boydel Senior ab eo exigit de libero Tenemento suo quod de praefato Hugone tenet in Hull Appleton undè idem Hugo qui medius est inter eos acquietare debet c. Vìcecomes returnavit quòd praedictus Hugo nihil habuit in Ballivâ suâ distringere c. Lib. C. fol. 287. k. The Original among the Evidences of Thomas Merbury of Merbury Esquire Anno Domini 1666. Charterers in Appleton Hull 1666. 1. Sir Peter Brooke of Mere which Lands he lately purchased from
Feodi Militis ut per Chartam Antecessoribus dicti Georgii per Hamonem Massy Militem factam reddendo per Annum de Stuthe aliàs dictum Sheriff-Tooth 7 den The Family of the Caringtons of Carington flourished here for a long space near 400 Years until Sir George Booth of Dunham-Massy married Jane sole Daughter and Heir of John Carington of Carington Esquire towards the end of Queen Elizabeths Reign but had no Issue by her yet enjoyed Carington's Lands which after her death he recovered by a tedious Suit Whose Grandson George Booth Lord Delamere is now possest of the whole Township of Carington entirely 1666. there being no Charterer at all therein Clifton THis Town or Place for here is onely a Mannor-House with the Demain-Lands thereof hath its name from the Cliffs or broken Rocks therein It is now at this day commonly called Rock-Savage since the structure of that sumptuous Building erected there by Sir John Savage Anno Domini 1565. 7 Elizabethae The old Hall stood a little distance thence the Remains whereof are now turned into a Granary Stable and other Houses of Office among the Out-houses and by the Servants at this day called by the name of The Old Hall John Constable of Cheshire and Baron of Halton gave unto Galfrid or Geffrey de Dutton scilicèt de Uxore desponsatâ pro Homagio Servitio suo totam Villam de Clifton Faciendo Servitium dimidii Feodi Militis ad Castellum meum de Halton nullam Wardam faciet ad Castrum Cestriae nisi supèr Sumptum meum Haeredum meorum Lib. C. fol. 150. c. This was in the Reign of Henry the Second This Geffrey Dutton was younger Son of Hugh Dutton of Dutton the Posterity of which Geffrey were also Lords of Chedle who for their Residence there were sir-named de Chedle as the manner of those Ages was At last the two Daughters and Co-heirs of Sir Roger de Chedle divided the whole Inheritance 1 Edw. 3. 1327. Clemence the elder Daughter married William Son of Raufe Baggiley she had Clifton and divers Lands in Chedle and Hulme Agnes the younger Daughter married Richard Son of Robert de Buckley she had the Capital Messuage of Chedill and the Advowson of the Church of Chedill and divers Homages Rents and Services Lib. C. fol. 150. l. Isabel the Daughter and Heir of Clemence married Thomas Daniell of Bradley in Appleton junior afterwards Sir Thomas Daniell Knight by whom he had onely one Daughter and Heir called Margaret married to John Savage about 49 Edw. 3. from whom the Savages of Clifton continuing at this day 1666. This Margaret carried away all her Mothers Lands but her Fathers Lands went to the next Heir Male of the Daniells in Old Deeds frequently written Danyers and from whom the Daniels of Over-Tabley See more of this in Over-Tabley Now followeth the Descent of the Savages of Clifton This Margaret Daniell as I have told you before had all her Mothers Lands but her Fathers Lands were setled on the Heirs Males of the Daniels She had three Husbands The first was John Ratcliffe 42 Edw. 3. who died without Issue by her not long after Lib. C. fol. 229. v. The second Husband of Margaret Daneil was this John Savage descended of the Savages of Steinesbie in Darbyshire * See Lib D. pag. 176. T. Omnibus Johannes le Savage de Sarcliffe Salutem Noveritis me dedisse Stephano le Eyr de Cesterfeld totum jus meum in Tenemento in Halywel gate Datum apud Cesterfield die Mercurii in Festo Nativitatis Sancti Johannis Baptistae 3 Edw. 2. 1310. Lib. D. pag. 180. n The Original among the Evidences at Rock-Savage Anno Domini 1669. So that this John Savage who writ himself of Sarcliffe in Darbyshire I conceive was Ancestor to the first John Savage of Clifton whom he married about 49 Edw. 3. and had Issue by her John Savage Son and Heir Elizabeth and Blanch all living 4 Hen. 4. Lib. C. fol. 290. d. But Margaret survived all her Husbands and in her Widowhood she gave the moiety of Gropenhall to her Son Piers Legh 4 Hen. 4. Lib. C. fol. 290. d. And to John Savage her Son and to his Heirs she gave Liberty of Bearing her Coat of Arms which descended to her after the death of her Father as I have seen the Copy of the Deed in French dated 3 Hen. 5. the Original whereof is now among the Evidences of Thomas Earl Rivers at Rock-Savage 1669. Vide Lib. D. pag. 175. q. And the Posterity of Savage bore Daniells Coat and Crest accordingly to wit Argent a Pale Fusile Sable the Crest A Unicorns Head Couped Argent until Sir John Savage of Clifton in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth took up Six Lions Sable for his own Proper Coat and the Lions Paw Sable erected for his Crest This Margaret Daniell died 6 Hen. 6. 1427. II. Sir John Savage of Clifton Knight 6 Hen. 5. Son and Heir of John married Maude Daughter and Heir of Sir Robert Swinnarton by whom he had the Mannor of Barrow and had Issue John Savage Son and Heir William Arnold George and Roger also Margaret married John Dutton second Son of Sir Piers Dutton of Dutton 6 Hen. 5. afterwards Heir to Sir Piers his Father Lib. C. fol. 160. w. x. Maude married Sir Thomas Booth of Barton in Lancashire He married Maude Swinnarton about the beginning of the Reign of Henry the Fourth For in Annn 1409. 10 Hen. 4. I find them married Lib. D. pag. 170. d. Whose Ancestor Sir Roger Swinnerton was made a Banneret by Edward the Third to whom the King in part of three hundred Pounds worth of Land for the supporting of the State of a Banneret for his Life had given all the Lands which belonged to Hugh le Dispenser Earl of Winchester in the Counties of Stafford and Chester ⚜ Anno 5 Hen. 6. Johannes le Vernay and other Feoffees dederunt Johanni Savage Militi Ellenae Vxori ejus Maneria de Picton Shibrok Advocationem Ecclesiae de Davenham c. quae Margareta quae fuit Vxor Radulfi Vernon Militis tenet in dotem Remanere post decessum Margaretae praefatis Johanni Savage Ellenae Haeredibus ipsius Johannis Savage in perpetuum Lib. D. pag. 174. I. So that Ellen the Daughter and Heir of Sir Raufe Vernon seems to be the second Wife of this Sir John Savage and after by his Charter dated at Nottingham 16 Julii 8 Edw. 3. 1334. Consideratione Praemissorum à c obtentu laudabilis obsequii quod idem Rogerus nobis indiès impendit Concedimus quòd ipse habeat retineat sibi Haeredibus suis Mannerium de Magnâ Barow in Comitatu Cestriae cùm pertinentiis ac omnes terras in Villis de Rushton Corneford Austanfield in Comitatu Staffordiae quae fuerunt praefati Hugonis le Dispenser He gave also Little Barrow to him and his Heirs by another Charter dated at Westminster 25 Septembris 8 Edw.
died in France 35 Edw. 3. 1361. without any Lawful Issue of his Body Sir Raufe had by Alice Rode his Concubine a Daughter called Margaret married to Thomas Toft younger Brother to Hugh Toft of Toft to whom Sir Raufe Mobberley gave his Mannor in Plumley 1357. Afterwards Margaret married Hugh Chaderton living 1360. Lib. C. fol. 226. v. Lib. A. fol. 129. hh These Lands in Plumley descended to the two Daughters and Co-heirs of Margaret by Thomas Toft to wit Ellen who married John Bodon of Plumley and Sybill who married Thomas Haslington of the Ermitage nigh Holmes-Chappel John Bodon Son of John Bodon aforesaid sold his Moiety of these Lands in Plumley to John Leycester of Tabley the elder Esquire 25 Hen. 6. 1446. whose Heirs enjoy the same at this day S. num 2 3 5 6 9. The other Moiety of those Lands in Plumley descended unto Cicely Daughter and Heir of Sybill aforesaid which Cicely married Hugh Winnington of Northwich 1444. and ever since continued to the VVinningtons of Ermitage until Mr. Bradshaw of Marple in Cheshire bought those Lands from VVinnington in the Reign of King CHARLES the First Thomas Buckley of Plumley being now Tenant thereof 1666. The Sisters of Sir Raufe Mobberley shared their Mothers Land in Chorley but Emme Grosvenour purchased most of the other Sisters Parts Lib. A. fol. 127. w. x. y. aa So ended the Line of Mobberley of Mobberley The Mannor-House of Mobberley of Mobberley and which at last came to the Talbots of Grafton in VVorcestershire stood close by Mobberly-Church where now 1672. the House of Mr. Mallory of Mobberley standeth But the ancient Fabrick which was more spacious and very ruinous was not long since taken down Which Old House with the Demain thereof together with the Advowson of Mobberley-Church and Mobberley-Mill was bought by Andrew Carrington of Mobberley Gentleman from George Talbot of Grafton Esquire about 14 Jacobi Part of which Demain was sold soon after by Carrington to Robert Robinson of Mobberley Gentleman The Advowson of the Church was sold by Andrew Carrington aforesaid and John his Son and Heir unto Thomas Mallory Dean of Chester by Deed dated the eleventh day oâ— October 17 Jacobi 1619. whose Heir Thomas Mallory now under Age is Patron of Mobberley-Church 1672. Son of Thomas Son of Richard Mallory Son and Heir of Dean Mallory aforesaid The Mannor-House aforesaid with what remained of the Demain unbought by Mr. Robinson was sold by Andrew Carrington aforesaid and John his Son and Heir unto Dean Mallory the eighth of May Anno primo Caroli Primi 1625. Dean Mallory also Purchased the Royalty of Talbot's Part of Mobberley from John Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury Dated the twentieth day of March 7 Car. 1. 1631. The Mill Carrington sold to Legh of Booths There is Engraven in the Stone under the Ledge or Border on the West-end of Mobberley-Steeple and on the South-west-corner as followeth ORATE PRO BONO STATU DOMINI JOHANNIS TALBOT MILITIS ET DOMINAE MARGARETAE UXORIS SUAE And then beginning again just over the said Border in the very Corner of the Steeple aforesaid PATRONAE ECCLESIAE And so passing along to the South-side of the Steeple ANNO DOMINI MILESIMO QUINGENTESIMO TRICESIMO TERTIO RICHARD PLAT MASTER-MASON Over which on the said South-side above near to the Little Window under the Bells is Ratcliff's Coat of Arms Quartered with another Coat engraven in a Stone So that Mobberley-Steeple seems to have been built with Free-stone and the Church repaired Anno 1533. 24 Hen. 8. The Names of all such Persons who now stand possessed of any Free-hold Lands of Inheritance in Mobberley Anno Domini 1672. 1. Raufe Leycester of Toft Esquire Lord of a third Part of one Moiety of Mobberley This came originally to his Ancestor as is before declared 2 Rich. 2. 1379. And he hath at this day a Demain-House there re-built this Year 1672. and also sixteen Tenenements and twelve Cottages in Lease to his Tenants 2. The other two third Parts of this Moiety together with the Advowson of Mobberley-Church lately belonged to the Talbots of Grafton in Worcestershire whose Posterity afterwards came to be Earls of Shrewsbury and were lately sold away by Talbot to his Tenants here in Mobberley in the Reign of King James Talbot's Lands as they now stand Possessed 1672. or more briefly the Freeholders of Mobberley in Talbot's Part since their several Purchases from Talbot as they now stand 1672. Edward Alcock Charles Bradbury of the Wood-end Randle Barlow Robert Barlow late Griffin's House Thomas Booth Hugh Brook late Wilkinson's John Hough William Barnes John Davenport for Mosse's House by the Mill A small Cottage Richard Strethull's Cottage formerly Hobson's House by the Mill. Hugh Strethull of Brown-Edge James Stewart of Brown-Edge Schoolmaster Raufe Wrenshaw of Brown-Edge Francis Newton of Knowl-Green late John Baggiley Hugh Strethull of Salterley in Mobberley Edward Davenport Roger Symcock late Stretche's House Hugh Strethull of Reyley-Wood Richard Wright part of Worseley's Tenement John Hawkinson late Bolton's Tenement John Hewet John Oakes Richard Parker late Edward Hewet's Roger Worthington of Hield-Mill in Mobberley and also for Hill-house John Burges of Wood-end Susan Grange Widow Henry Stewart formerly Berry's Tenement John Fletcher formerly Berry's Tenement John Holland of the Dam-head in Mobberley George Talbot of Grafton Esq sells the Tenement of John Strettle of the Dam-head to one Perine of Manchester 1 Junii 14 Jacobi Perine Mortgageth it to Francis West of London 16 Aug. 14 Jacobi West and Perine after joyn in the Sale of it to William Holland 1650. Peter Bredbury of Lea-House William Nuthall now Richard Yarwood Widow Tipping of Bowdon hath a Tenement in Mobberley now in possession of Richard Cragg of Baggiley-Green in Mobberley Peter Legh of Booths Esq hath Mobberley-Mill and three Tenements now in Possession of Loundes Barrow and Symcock and also Graisty's Cottage These were anciently Talbot's The Heir of Nathaniel Robinson Gentleman hath part of the Demain which belonged to the old Mobberley-House formerly belonging to Talbot Thomas Mallory of Mobberley Gentleman now under Age. This was the old Mobberley House And he hath also the Royalty of all Talbot's Part of Mobberley and the Advowson of the Church 3. The other Moiety of Mobberley lately belonging to the Radcliffs of Ordsall in Lancashire nigh Manchester was sold away by Sir John Radcliff about the beginning of King James's Reign over England to his Tenants there The Names of the Free-holders in Radcliff's Part since the several Purchases from Radcliffe as they now stand 1672. The Heir of Nathaniel Robinson late of Mobberley Gentleman hath now seven Messuages and eleven Cottages in Mobberley besides a Demain-House here built first by Robert Robinson about 1612. who Purchased these Lands by the Name of Robert Robinson of Manchester Clothier from Sir John Radcliff of Ordsall Knight together with the Royalty of all Radcliffs Lands in Mobberley formerly sold by Radcliff to his Tenants here and
this Priory dedicated to St. Mary But this Church of Norton was pulled down after the Dissolution of Abbies The Place of this Priory is now the Seat of Brook of Norton who enjoyeth the whole Town of Norton entirely by himself and his Lessees wherein is no Charterer at all Now followeth the Descent of Brook of Norton since the Purchase This Family is descended from the Brookes of Leighton in Nantwich-Hundred of which Family I find one Adam Dominus de Leighton sub Henrico Tertio whose Son was stiled William de la Brook de Leighton and his Son Richard stiled Ricardus de Doito in an old Deed 5 Edw. 1. that is Of the Brook for Do et in French is A Brook in English and under the said Manour-House in Leighton a Brook runneth from whence their Posterity assumed the Sir-name del Brook Thomas Brook of Leighton Gentleman the last of that Family in the Direct Line died about 1652. very aged having Issue four Daughters but he sold away the Reversion of his Lands to the Lady Mary Cholmondley 6 Jacobi 1608. which afterwards came to Francis Cholmondley third Son of Thomas Cholmondley of Vale-Royal Esquire who now enjoyeth the same 1666. He married Christian Daughter of John Carew of Haccomb in Devonshire and had Issue Thomas Brook Christian married Richard Grosvenour of Eaton-Boat in Cheshire Esquire and Martha married Hugh Starky of Moore younger Son of Starkey of Darley This Richard died 11 Eliz. 1569. Christian his Widow afterwards married Richard Done This Richard Brook was Sheriff 1563. 5 Eliz. II. Thomas Brook of Norton Esquire Son and Heir of Richard had three Wives The first was Anne Daughter of Henry Lord Audley by whom he had Issue Richard Brook Son and Heir George drowned in Warrington-Water Christian married Richard Starky of Stretton in Cheshire Esquire Elinour married John Brook of Blacklands in Staffordshire and Margaret married one Warburton His second Wife was Elizabeth Sister of Thomas Merbury of Merbury nigh Comberbach Esquire by whom he had Issue William Brook Thomas Brook and Valentine Brook also Townesend married Thomas Legh de East-Hall in High-Legh Esquire Elizabeth married George Spurstow of Spurstow in Cheshire Esquire Dorothy married William Barneston of Churton in Cheshire Frances married George Legh of Barton in Lancashire Esquire Anne married Richard Merbury of Walton in Cheshire and Clare Wife of Theophilus Legh of Grange in the File of Lancashire His third Wife was Elinour Gerard by whom he had Issue Andrew who died young and Peter Brook who Purchased the Mannor of Mere nigh Over-Tabley 1652. and was Knighted 1660. of whom see more in Mere Also Alice a Daughter married Thomas Birch of Birch in Lancashire Elinour married William Ashton Rector of Middleton in Lancashire and younger Son of Ashton of Middleton which William purchased the Lands of Booth of Cogshull in Cheshire juxtà Over-Whitley Elinour was Widow 1660. And Rachel Wife of Henry Slater of Light-Okes in Bedford in Lancashire afterwards Sir Henry Slater This Thomas Brook of Norton was twice Sheriff of Cheshire 1578. and 1592. and died Anno Domini 1622. III. Sir Richard Brook of Norton Knight Son and Heir of Thomas was Knighted in Ireland and married Jane Daughter and Heir of William Chaderton Bishop of Chester by whom he had a Daughter married to one Joseline of Cambridgeshire who had all her Mothers Lands But through some dislike after Marriage Sir Richard and Jane his Wife lived asunder Afterwards Sir Richard married to his second Wife Katharine Daughter of Sir Henry Nevill of Billingsbere in Berkshire by whom he had Issue Henry Brook Son and Heir Thomas Brook second Son who married Jane Daughter of one Weston of Sutton nigh Frodsham Tenant to Warburton of Arley by whom he had Issue Richard Brook and Catharine a Daughter both living 1666. Richard Brook third Son of Sir Richard Professor of Physick died at Boughton nigh Chester without Issue Anno Domini 1667. George fourth Son and John fifth Son Mary married Thomas Merebury Half-Brother and afterwards Heir to William Merebury of Merebury nigh Comberbach Esquire Anne married Edward Hyde of Norbury juxtà Pointon Esquire Dorothy married Lawrence Hyde younger Brother of the said Edward Sir Richard Brook died Anno Domini 1632. IV. Henry Brook of Norton Son and Heir of Sir Richard was Created Baronet 1662. He married Mary Daughter of Timothy Pusey of Nottinghamshire by whom he had Issue Richard Son and Heir Henry second Son married Mary Daughter and Heir of Philip Prichard of Bostock-Green in Davenham-Parish and Pusey Brook third Son all living 1666. This Henry Brook was Sheriff four Years together beginning 1644. appointed by the Parliament without the King in the time of the late Rebellion Richard Grosvenour of Eaton-Boat Esquire Son and Heir to Sir Richard Grosvenour of Eaton Baronet then also living being made Sheriff by the King in the same Year 1644. The other being extrajudicial against the Law and Prerogative of the King Sir Henry Brook Baronet died Anno Domini 1664. V. Sir Richard Brook of Norton Baronet Son and Heir of Sir Henry married Francisca-Posthuma so called because she was born after the death of her Father Sister to Richard Legh of Lyme in Cheshire Esquire and hath Issue This Sir Richard was Sheriff of Cheshire 1667. Owlarton IN the Reign of William the Conqueror Hamon Baron of Dunham-Massy held one Moiety of Owlarton and Ranulphus the supposed Ancestor of the Manwarings held the other Moiety This Township was afterwards scattered into several Parcels but Sir Richard Massy of Tatton by Purchase got into his Hands most part of this Township and was Lord of the Mannor of Owlarton in the Reign of Edward the First as may appear by these following Notes extracted out of the Earl of Bridgewater's Deeds 1667. by John Halsey of Lincolns-Inn Esquire Nicolas Lord Audley gave all his Lands in Owlarton and Tatton to Richard Massy and Isabell his Wife about 1286. Sir John Arderne of Aldford gave to Sir Richard Massy and Isabell his Wife omnes Terras suas Tenementa in Owlarton Habendum cùm Homagiis Servitiis Wardis Releviis Redditibus Escaetis c. Reddendo quatuordecem Denarios per Annum pro omni Servitio Sectâ Curiarum c. This was about 27 Edw. 1. Richard Dunne of Owlarton gave certain Lands in Owlarton and two Parts of a Mill with the Pool in exchange with Sir Richard Massy for other Lands in that Township Robert Massy of Sale gave to Robert Massy of Tatton Lands in Owlarton in exchange for Lands in Sale under Edward the Second Anno 1 Hen. 6. there was a Survey of the Mannors and Lands of Sir Geffrey Massy of Tatton by a Jury it was there found That Sir Geffrey was Lord of the Mannor of Owlarton and divers Free Tenants there among whom Ranulphus Manwaring qui reddit pro le Bronteles-Place 5 s. 0 d. Johannes Legh del Booths pro certis Terris vocatis Babrinchull reddendo per Annum 2
after the death of Sir Robert de Monte alto his Uncle except the Rents formerly given unto Queen Isabel Dated 24 Edw. 3. Lib. C. fol. 230. y. The Original of this Deed remained among the Evidences of the late Lord Cholmondley and the Copy of the Fine Levied hereon in the same Year is Enrolled in the Leiger-Book of the Abby of Vale-Royal fol. 30. b. which Book was in possession of Thomas Merbury of Merbury nigh Comberbach Esquire 1666. Vide Tom. 2. of my own Evidences in principio In the Year of Christ 1364. die Veneris in Festo Sanctae Luciae Virginis John Pool came before Thomas then Abbot of Vale-Royal in the said Abby and did Fealty to the said Abbot for this Moiety of the Mannor of Nether-Pever which he acknowledged to hold of the said Abbot by the yearly Rent of Twelve Pence to be paid at the Feast of St. Michael onely and by paying to the said Abbot two Shillings for Relief as appears by the same Book Lib. C. fol. 230. z. From Pool of Hartington this Moiety was granted to George Holford of Holford about the Time of Henry the Seventh In which Family of the Holfords of Holford it continued till Mary Daughter and Heir of Christopher Holford Esquire brought the Inheritance of all Holford-Lands unto Sir Hugh Cholmondley of Cholmondley the younger in Marriage in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth Concerning which Inheritance great Suits fell between the said Lady Mary Cholmondley and George Holford of Newborough in Dutton uncle to the said Mary and next Heir-male of the Holfords These Suits lasted above forty Years At last towards the end of King James's Reign the matter was compos'd by Friends The Lady Mary had Holford-Demain and George Holford had the Demain of Iscoit in Flintshire near to Whitchurch in Shropshire The Lands in Nether-Pever Plumley and Lostock-Gralam belonging to the Holfords were promiscuously allotted Part to the one and Part to the other as at this day they be enjoyed So that in the Year 1659. Robert Cholmondley Earl of Leimster in Ireland Son and Heir of the said Lady Mary and James Holford of Newborough Esquire Son of Peter Son of George Holford abovesaid did enjoy this other Moiety of Nether-Pever between them In which Year the said Lord Cholmondley died without any Lawful Issue of his Body Concerning the Chappel of Nether-Pever see above in Budworth Picmere This Township of Picmere is not in Doomsday-book whereby it seemeth to be Waste at that time It was anciently of two Fees in the Reign of King John One Moiety Raufe Manwaring sometime Judge of Chester gave unto Henry de Aldithley or Audley in Free-Marriage with Bertrey his Daughter together with the Towns of Smallwood and Snelston and a Mark of Annual Rent in the City of Chester of the Land which belonged to one Fagun Unto which Deed Philip Orreby then Judge of Chester was a Witness The Original is in Cotton's Library at Westminster Lib. B. pag. 1. a. Henry of Audley by the consent of Bertrey his Wife gave to Thomas Son of Randle de Longsdon libero homini suo half of his Land in Picmere and half of his Wood there Rendring yearly 3 s. 4 d. as I find the Deed extracted in Vernon's Notes This Moiety of Picmere is now enjoyed by these Persons following 1666. 1. Thomas Merbury of Merbury Esquire hath one half of this Moiety which formerly belonged to the Cockers of Picmere ever since the Reign of Henry the Third until Hugh Cocker of Pickmere sold the Reversion hereof after his Life unto Thomas Merbury Father of Thomas aforesaid Anno Domini 1604. Probably this was that Part which Henry Audley gave to Thomas Longsdon 2. Thomas Daniell of Over-Tabley Esquire hath four Tenements here in Lease These were formerly held by William Wiche and called Wiche's Lands which upon the Attainder of Sir William Stanley of Holt-Castle Anno Domini 1495. Lord Chamberlain to Henry the Seventh Escheated to the King and were afterwards given to George Sutton one of the Grooms of the Chamber 14 H. 8. Sutton sold them to Richard Sneyd 7 Novembris 14 Hen. 8. and William Sneyd sold them to Thomas Daniell of Over-Tabley Esquire 36 Hen. 8. 3. Sir Peter Leycester of Nether-Tabley Baronet hath one Tenement here now in Possession of John Perceivall which was Part of Wiche's Lands and was sold by William Sneyd to Gawen Legh of Northwood in High-Legh 35 Hen. 8. 1543. before he sold the rest to Daniell And this Tenement afterwards Richard Legh of Northwood Gentleman sold among other Lands to Peter Leycester of Tabley Esquire 1633. whose Son now enjoyeth the same 4. John Swinton of Nether-Knotsford hath one good Tenement here But part of this lieth in Winsham formerly Crocket's Land of Nantwich 5. John Key of the Yate in Picmere Part of Crocket's Land formerly 6. Peter Deane of Over-Tabley hath Land in Picmere lately bought from Key of the Yate 7. Philip Anterbus of Over-Pever one Close belonging to his Free-hold Land in Aston juxtà Picmere 8. Sir George Warburton of Arley Baronet hath about one Acre and a half in Possession of Robert Deusbery and Thomas Starky of Feldy The other Moiety of Picmere together with the Mannor of Winsham William Venables gave to Maud his Sister in Free-Marriage to be held by the Service of half a Knights Fee whereunto Roger Lacy Constable of Cheshire is a Witness Which Roger died Anno Domini 1211. 13 Johannis Regis saith Matthew Paris in his History Lib. B. pag. 50. a. This Maud had two Husbands The first was Raufe Son of Roger the second was Hugh de Bixis or Brixis This Hugh and his Wife grant to Hugh Venables all the Land which William de Offley held of them in Picmere and the Wardship of the Children of Hugh Son of the said William de Offley till they come to such Age as to govern the said Land Lib. B. pag. 50. e. Ex Chartulis Glover de Picmere Hugh Venables grants to Hugh de Picmere and his Heirs the whole Moiety of the Village of Picmere for the same Service contained in the Deed of William Venables his Father the Donor of the same Lands This was tempore Henrici Tertii Lib. B. pag. 51. num 1. Afterwards William Son of Guy of Winsham grants to Henry Son of Hugh de Picmere all his Rent in the Township of Picmere to wit 3 s. 1 d. ob which he yearly received from Hugh de Picmere Rendring a Pair of White Gloves yearly Lib. B. pag. 54. num 19. And Pagan Son of Raufe de Wastneys Lord of Winsham releaseth to the said Henry all his Right in 3 s. 1 d. ob Rent which he received of the said Henry So that now he was onely to pay 3 s. 1 d. ob yearly from henceforward and a Pair of Gloves for all Services And this was in the Reign of Edward the First Lib. B. pag. 51. num 2. Hugh Picmere Son of Henry was
seised of this Moiety whose Son Hugh had three Daughters Isabel Alice and Margaret 1343. Lib. B. pag. 52. num 6. And in Anno 1356. he settles his Mannor of Picmere for want of Heirs-Males of his Body on Hugh Bruyn of Stapleford and Margaret his Wife Daughter of the said Hugh Picmere Lib. B. pag. 53. num 12. Margaret the Widow of Hugh Bruyn of Picmere grants to Hugh Hulse of Picmere all her Lands of Picmere 42 Edw. 3. Lib. B. pag. 52. num 10. This Hugh Hulse was Lieutenant-Justice of Chester 20 Rich. 2. to Thomas Earl of Nottingham and married Ellen Daughter and Heir of Hugh Bruyn and Margaret 36 Edw. 3. The Marriage and Wardship of Ellen was granted by Margaret her Mother to David Hulse Vicar of Great-Budworth to marry Hugh Son of Sybill Daughter of William Son of Hugh de Norbery 36 Edw. 3. Lib. B. pag. 52. num 11. pag. 54. num 21. This Sir Hugh Hulse dying 3 Hen. 5. or thereabout it was found by Inquisition That he died seised of seven Messuages in Picmere 200 Acres of Land and 20 Acres of Wood ibidem quae tenentur de Willielmo Leycester ut de Manerio suo de Wethale sed per quod Servitium ignoratur Inter Recognitiones Scaccarii Cestriae Bundle 3 Hen. 5. Afterwards John Troutback Esquire married Margery Daughter and Heir of Thomas Hulse in the Reign of Henry the Sixth Lib. B. pag. 53. num 17. And Margaret Daughter and Heir of Adam Troutback married John Talbot of Albrighton in Shropshire from whom the Talbots of Grafton in Worcestershire descended whose Posterity at last came to be Earls of Shrewsbury And George Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury sells all his Lands in Picmere to wit the Moiety of Picmere unto his Tenants there Anno 1620. every Tenant buying his own and so are become particular Free-holders at this day Thomas Starkey's Lands now in Picmere were Purchased from Raufe Bostock of Moulton by John Starkey his Father 14 Aprilis 7 Jacobi 1609. and was originally given by Henry de Picmere unto Richard his younger Son 1192. A Parcel thereof was given to the said Richard by Hugh Picmere his Elder Brother 1308. Lib. B. pag. 58. a. b. c. Plumley ROger Manwaring gave Plumley to the Abby of St. Werburge in Chester when he made his Son Wido a Monk there William and Randle his Sons being Witnesses Which Grant with many others Richard Earl of Chester confirmed 1119. 19 Hen. 1. In the Feodary of Halton about Edw. 2. we read Thomas de Vernon tenet Villam de Lostock cùm Parvâ-Lostock medietatem de Plumley pro medietate unius Feodi Militis This Thomas de Vernon was second Husband of Joan de Lostock in whose Right he held these Lands Her former Husband was William de Toft younger Son of Roger Toft of Toft The Posterity of which William assumed the Sir-name of Holford from the Place of their Residence at Holford according to the Custom of those Ages This Place or Hamlet called Holford lieth Part in Plumley and Part in Lostock-Gralam and hath its Name from the Ford which runneth under the Mannor-Hall which because it is situate in a Derne Hole was therefore called Holford as if you should say A Ford in a Hole Or else from the old Word Hale which we now call Hall and so denotes as much as A Ford under the Hall Or possibly from the old Word Holt A Wood quasi Holt-Ford for that the Ford anciently was environed with a Wood round about All the Tenants of Plumley at this day do Suit of Court to the Mannor of Barnshaw which formerly belonged to the Abby of St. Werburge in Chester but was bought by Manwaring of Carincham since the Dissolution of Abbies in England Agnes the Daughter of Walthef de Plumley by Henry her Son Attornatum positum ad lucrandum perdendum by Fine at Chester 2 Edw. 1. 1274. passeth the eighth Part of Plumley unto Thomas the Smith of Plumley and to William his Son This William in his Seal calls himself Willielmus Filius Ceciliae de Plumley And by another Fine 2 Edw. 1. the same Agnes passeth over one other eighth Part of Plumley unto Richard Sladehurst of Plumley and Lettice his-Wife which Lettice in her Seal calls her self the Daughter of William de Plumley Lib. A. fol. 157. h. k. The Originals Penès Manwaring of Carincham 1666. I find also that William Mobberley of Mobberley had certain Lands in Plumley about Edward the Second Lib. A. fol. 124. y. which were held of the Baron of Halton by the yearly Rent of a Pair of White Spurs or Six Pence See suprà in Halton And Sir Raufe Mobberley of Mobberley gave his Mannor in Plumley unto Thomas Toft and Margaret his Wife and their Heirs 1357. 32 Edw. 3. Lib. A. fol. 129. II. One half of these Lands now belong to Leycester of Tabley and the other half to Bradshaw of Marple as you may see more at large in Mobberley So that now Anno Domini 1666. the whole Township of Plumley is enjoyed by these Persons following âšœ Thomas Cholmondley of Holford Esquire and James Holford of Newborough in Dutton have one Moiety of Plumley between them The other Moiety is enjoyed by these Persons following 1. Sir Peter Leycester of Nether-Tabley Baronet hath five Tenements here now in Possession of Robert Massy Geffrey Wright William Ridgeway Thomas Wright and Thomas Hough 2. Mr. Bradshaw of Marple a good Farm in Possession of Thomas Buckley 3. The Land late Litler's of Wallers-cote nigh Northwich three Tenements in Possession of Hugh Yanes Homfrey Mere and Widow Bebington 4. George Leycester of Toft Esquire one Tenement in Possession of William Highfield 5. Robert Venables of Anterbus in Over-Whitley hath three Closes in Plumley in Possession of Raufe Henshaw 6. Reynolds of Middlewich late belonging to Bostock of Moulton one Tenement in Possession of Raufe Newhall at the end of Plumley-Moore 7. John Hall of Norley one Tenement in Plumley in Possession of John Kirkman 8. Manwaring of Pever's Land sold to Holford of Holford one Tenement at the side of Plumley-Moore in Possession of Richard Eaton 9. Earl of Bridgewater a small Parcel about four Cheshire Acres Now followeth the Descent of Holford of Holford Argent a Greyhound Passant Sable Hugh de Runchamp Lord of Lostock Lib. C. fol. 126. ll Ricardus de Runchamp Gralanus Filius Ricardi de Runchamp in memory of whom the Town was called Lostock-Gralam for distinction He gave the Town of Lees unto Lidulf of Twamlow about the Reign of King John Lib. C. fol. 227. z. This Gralam also sold Houlme juxtà Nether-Pever to Richard Son of Randle * Ranulfi con Radulfi Grosvenour 1234. Lib. C. fol. 120. a. Gralam de Lostock Letitia Uxor ejus Tempore Hen. 3. Galfridus de Lostock â—ui Frater dedit medietatem de Rode Gralam de Morton Robert de Lostock Lib. C. fol. 182. b. Richard Son of Gralam de Lostock married
Elizabeth second Daughter born at Nether-Tabley on Wednesday the sixteenth day of June 1647. married Samuel Birch younger Son of John Birch of Whitborn in Herefordshire 1666. She miscarried of a Female-Child in November 1667. and soon after died of the Small-Pox on Saturday the last of November at Whitborn aforesaid Anno Domini 1667. and was buried at Whitborn-Church Byron Leycester third Daughter born at Nether-Tabley on Saturday the sixth day of October 1655. and is yet living 1669. Sir Peter Leycester and Elizabeth his Lady are both yet living 1669. He was Created Baronet the tenth day of August 1660. 12 Car. 2. XV. Robert Leycester of Nether-Tabley Esquire eldest Son of Sir Peter and Elizabeth married Meriel Daughter and Heir of Francis Watson late of Church-Aston nigh Newport in Shropshire Esquire 6 die Junii 1667. and hath Issue Robert a Son born at Marcham in Berkshire on Friday the sixteenth day of April Anno Domini 1669. Over-Tabley THe Township of Over-Tabley was held by William Fitz-Nigell Baron of Halton in the Time of William the Conqueror We read in Doomsday-book thus Isdem Willielmus tenet Stabelei Lewinus tenuit liber Homo fuit ibi tertia pars unius Hidae Geldabilis Terra est una Caruca Wasta fuit est Silva ibi dimidia Leuva longa XL Perticis lata valuit X solidos Isdem Willielmus tenet in ipsa Villa unam Bovatam Terrae tertiam partem unius Hidae Geldabilem Segrid Ulsi tenuerunt pro duobus Maneriis liberi fuerunt Terra est una Caruca Wasta fuit est Tempore Regis Edwardi valebat septem solidos But not long after certain it is that this Township was of three distinct Fees One third Part of Over-Tabley Roger de Manwaring gave to the Monastery of Saint Werburge in Chester in the Reign of Henry the Second Lib. B. in principio This third Part came afterwards to William de Tabley * This William de Tabley writ himself Dominus de Tabley that is de Over-Tabley sometimes Dominus de Knotsford tempore Edw. 1. who gave the same to Sir John Grey Son of Sir Reginald Grey and Sir John granted it to Roger Leycester Lord of Nether-Tabley Anno Domini 1296. F. num 1. Which in all the Offices of Leycester of Tabley is found to be held of the Abby of St. Werburge And Leycester of Tabley is now possessed of this third Part at this day 1666. One other third Part was possessed by Adam de Tabley in the Reign of Edward the Third Sir William Boydell being Chief Lord thereof For William Son of John Boydell of Dodleston releaseth unto Adam de Tabley all Services due for his third Part of Over-Tabley for one Penny onely to be paid at the Nativity of St. John Baptist yearly for all Service Dated at Dodleston 17 Edw. 3. 1342. F. num 3. This Adam de Tabley I conceive was originally a Massy for he Sealed with Massy's Coat of Arms. This third Part came afterwards to Thomas Daniell younger Son of Thomas Daniell of Bradley in Appleton the Elder by Joan Norreys a second Wife in Marriage with Katharine Daughter and Heir of William Son of Adam de Tabley 27 Edw. 3. 1353. Lib. C. fol. 241. l. for which Marriage Thomas Daniell the Father gave to Adam de Tabley 46 l. 13 s. 4 d. By Katharine came also the Moiety of Bexton to Thomas Daniell the Son her Husband who was afterwards Sir Thomas Daniell of Over-Tabley 6 Rich. 2. 1382. whose Heirs are possessed of this third Part at this present 1666. One other third part remaining was possessed anciently by another Family of the Tableys called The Hall of the Wood in Over-Tabley until Matthew de Tabley was Attainted of Felony 22 Edw. 4. 1483. whose Lands by the Office taken 1 Hen. 7. were found to be held of the Honour of Halton and so were seized into the King's Hands And I find John Leycester of Nether-Tabley Esq excepting against that Office of 1 Hen. 7. and complaining to the Judges and Chamberlain of Chester and alledging That these Lands were held of him by Homage and Fealty and Twelve Pence * This 12 d. Rent is at this day paid to Leycester by Th Warburton of Tabley-Hill which Tenement is Parcel of the Hall of Wood lands yearly Rent and praying that he may be restored to these Lands as Chief Lord of the Fee C. num 31. But he had too Potent a Person to deal with And King Henry the Seventh granted these Lands to Sir William Stanley of Holt-Castle Lord Chamberlain But he being beheaded for Treason 1495. these Lands Escheated again to the King And Henry the Eighth Leased them to Randle Brereton for his Life 2 Hen. 8. And after Roger Brereton his Son had them for his Life Afterwards these Lands continuing in the King's Hands Robert Chornock and Roger Chornock of London purchased the same and sold them to Piers Leycester of Nether-Tabley Esquire for 240 l. whereof one Moiety was paid in Hand and the other he gave Bond for But Peter Daniell of Over-Tabley Esquire purchasing these Lands at 9 l. per Annum in the King's Books the Chornocks purchased them after the Rate of 18 d. in the King's Books and cheated the said Piers Leycester by a fraudulent Conveyance so that he could not enjoy these Lands It was Decreed in the Court of Requests 4 Maii 1 Eliz. 1559. That the Chornocks should restore the Money which they had received and deliver up the Bond Obligatory to be Cancelled And so Daniell had the Lands which his Posterity now enjoyeth 1666. C. num 13. Charterers in Over-Tabley 1666. 1. Edward Hewet of Mobberley hath one Tenement in Over-Tabley now in Possession of his Tenant John Kell which is within Mr. Daniell's Part. 2. There is also one other in Leycester's third Part to wit the Tenement in Possession late of Richard Duncalfe of Tabley-Hill whereunto formerly Coithurst-Meadows now part of Mr. Daniell's Demain did belong This payeth 12 d. of Chief-rent yearly to Leycester now paid by William Legh of Tabley-Hill This Free-hold was Purchased by George le Criour from Thomas Monkys 5 Ed. 4. Afterwards this Land was purchased by John Duncalfe of Mere 30 Hen. 8. After it came to Peter Hulse of Over-Tabley Hulse sells it to Whitmore of Sudlow 1604. Whitmore sold it to Peter Daniell Esquire 1611. In this Township there is an Ancient Chappel called Over-Tabley-Chappel or more generally known by the name of The Chappel in the Street for it is situate in the High-street An old pitiful Structure ill seated and now in decay This Chappel of Ease being within the Parish of Rosthorn was built about the Reign of Henry the Sixth by the Ancestors of Leycester of Nether-Tabley and Daniell of Over-Tabley for the Ease and Convenience of these two Families and of all their Tenants in Over-Tabley and Nether-Tabley Probably after the Match of Thomas Daniell and Maud Leycester which