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
reigned 44 Years 4 Months and 7 Days The Scotch Line Kings and Monarchs of all Great-Brettaine and Ireland 24. James VI. King of Scotland Son of Mary Queen of Scots Anno Chr. 1602. Daughter and Heir of James V. Son of James IV. and of the Lady Margaret eldest Daughter of Henry the Seventh King of England was Proclaimed King of England in London March 24. 1602. as the next undoubted Heir to the Crown of England A Learned and Religious Prince of whom the Lord Bacon saith in his Advancement of Learning pa. 2. It is no Amplification but a positive and measured Truth That there was not so Learned a Temporal Monarch since Christ 's time in all Literature Divine and Humane as this King James Of whom see more in Scotland He died at Theobalds the 27 of March 1625. aged 60 Years He was the first Monarch of all Great-Brettaine He Reigned 22 Years and 3 Days 25. Charles I. Son of James VI. of Scotland was overpowred by the Puritanical Faction in England confederate with the Covenanters of Scotland who began their Rebellion in England Anno 1642. which continued by the Assistance of the Rebellious Parliament of England until the Year 1660. miserably ruinating both our Church and State And these Rebels murthered this Good King the 30 day of January 1648. in the 49 Year of his Age and banished his Children He Reigned 23 Years 10 Months and 3 Days 26. Charles II. Son of Charles I. was kept out of his Kingdoms till after the death of Oliver Cromwel the Traytor stiled the Protector but was after Restored and Returned to his Kingdoms the 29 day of May Anno Domini 1660. chiefly next under God who disposeth and ordereth the Hearts of all Men by the Assistance of Colonel George Monk who then had the Command of all the Forces in Scotland and England Principally and was afterwards made Duke of Albemarle by this King as well he deserved Of the Dukes of Normandy before William the Conqueror II. THe Dukes of Normandy from whence our Norman Kings of England aforesaid are descended are the Progeny of Rollo the Dane who invaded the Province of Neustria in France with a great Army which because they consisted of Men brought out of the North part of the World they were called Normans and that Province of France was called Normannia in Latin For in the Saxon Language of our Ancestors Normans denotes as much as Populi Septentrionales in the Latine And were a People as Cambden saith commixt of Norwegians Swedes and Danes 1. This Rollo took Baieux in Normandy by Storm and slew Berengarius Earl thereof and after married Popa Daughter of the said Berengarius on whom he begot William afterwards Duke of Normandy sirnamed Longespée because of the long Sword he used to wear And Rollo much perplexed the French by his daily Rapines over-running almost all France to Burgundy At last for the Mediation of a Peace Charles the Simple King of France gave unto him all the Land of Normandy from the River Epta to the Sea to be held by Homage from the Kings of France with Gista his Daughter in Marriage Popa his former Wife being now either dead or divorced Whereupon Rollo was Baptised by Franco Archbishop of Roan Anno Chr. 917. Anno Domini 912. And he was the first Duke of Normandy and died Anno Christi nati 917. Ordericus Vitalis lib. 3. ad initium Will. Gemeticensis lib. 2. cap. 12 17. 2. William sirnamed Longespée Duke of Normandy was Son of Rollo Slain Anno Christi 942. 3. Richard I. Duke of Normandy Son of William was but 10 Years old when his Father was slain He was Duke 54 Years 4. Anno 996. Richard II. Son of Richard I. by Gunnor first his Concubine and after his Wife Gemeticensis lib. 8. cap. 36. succeeded Duke of Normandy and was Duke 30 Years He had two Sons who succeeded Dukes one after another Richard and Robert besides other Children 5. Anno 1026. Richard III. Son of Richard II. succeeded Duke of Normandy and was Duke scarce a Year and a half 6. Anno 1028. Robert Brother to Richard III. succeeded Duke and after he had been Duke seven Years and a half he died at the City of Nice in Bithynia Anno 1035. 7. William Bastard Son of Robert by Arlet or Herlue as some write her a Skinners Daughter of Faloys in Normandy Chronicon Joh. Bromton pag. 910. a Child of eight Years of Age succeeded Duke of Normandy and was Duke 53 Years Ordericus lib. 3. in initio In the 32 Year of his Dukedom to wit Anno 1066. he Conquered England and is commonly called William the Conqueror Robert Curthose eldest Son of the Conqueror was after his Father also Duke of Normandy See the rest above pag. 32. among the Norman Kings of England ⚜ Normandy was lost to the French in the Reign of King John Anno 1204. Mat. Paris pag. 212. Normandy won again from the French by Henry V. Anno 1416. Normandy lost again by Henry VI. Anno 1449. And so much of England OF VVALES CHAP. I. Of the Name of Wales and Description of the Countrey I. THe Name of Wales was imposed from our Saxon Ancestors For the Ancient Brettans being beaten out of England by the Saxons fled into the West Parts of Brettaine being naturally fortified with great Mountains and Overflowings of the Sea to wit into that Part now called Wales and into Cornwal But the Brettans of Cornwal though they stoutly endeavoured to defend their Country yet were they soon forced to leave it to the Saxons Cambden and Verstegan tell us That the Saxons termed all Aliens and Strangers Walsh And hence they called these Inhabitants because Strangers unto them by the name of Walsh-men and their Countrey Wales But more probable it is that forasmuch as they be descended from the ancient Gaules their Neighbors in Latin termed Galli by the French Galles which the Saxons pronounce Walles and from whence Walles-man and now corruptly Welsh-man it seems to me to be thence called Wales as one should say The Countrey of the Waules or Walles And in ancient Latin Authors it is many times stiled Guallia and the Inhabitants thereof Gualli and every Man knows how the Saxons in most Words do use W for G as War for Guerre Ward for Guard and the like And at this day the French stile the eldest Son of the King of England Le Prince de Galles The ancient Galli were called Cimbri or Kimbri undè Cambro-Britannia is used for Wales and Cambro-Britannus for a Welshman And ask these Cambro-Brittans or Welsh-Brittans how they call themselves they will presently tell you Kimeri or Kumeri which sounds as much as Kimbri or Kymbry now in Latin molded into Cambri Howsoever the Name came the Inhabitants of Wales at this day are the Remnant of the Ancient Brettans but not without great commixture of the English their Neighbors which must needs follow in so long a Tract
William Earl Warren and Surrey 1139. Margaret married to Conan Earl of Little-Brettain after to Bohuis She died 1201. Hoveden p. 822. 1 Malcolme IV. Obiit sine prole 1165. 2 William King of Scotland died 1214. Ermengard Daughter of Richard Viscount Beaumont 1186. 2 Henry Patrick de Galightly one of the Competitors 1 Alexander II. King of Scotland Obiit 1249. Joan Sister to H 3. King of England 1221. Alexander III. King of Scotland killed by a fall from his Horse A. 1285. Margaret Daughter of Hen. 3. King of England 1251. David Son of Alexander III. died before his Father without Issue Alexander married the Daughter of the Earl of Flanders but he died before his Father leaving no Issue Margaret Wife of the King of Norwey Margaret a Daughter died young without Issue about 1291. Ericus King of Norwey became a Competitor for the Crown of Scotland on behalf of Margaret his Daughter now deceased as Administrator to her Anno 1292. Walsingham's Hist pag. 58. Isabel Wife of Roger le Bigot Earl Marshal no Issue But she married Robert Lord Roos first Hus. William L. Roos another Competitor Margaret Wife of Hubert de Burgo Earl of Kent 1221. M. Paris Margaret Wife of Richard de Clare No Issue Margerita Wife unto Eustace de Vescy William de Vescy 1 John sine prole 2 William Vescy another Competitor 1291. Ada Wife of Patrick de Dunbarre Patrick Patric E. of Dunbar another Competitor 1291. Austrio or Aufrica Wife of William de Say of Vlster A quo Roger de Mandevil another Competitor 3 David Earl of Huntington 1184. Maud eldest Sister to Randle Blundevil Earl of Chester and a Coheir 1 Margaret eldest daughter of David Earl of Huntington was Second wife to Alan de Galloway Constable of Scotland Dervergoile married to John Baliol of Bernards Castle in the Bishoprick of Durham the Founder of Baliol-College in Oxford He died Anno 1269. aut paulo ante 1 Hugh Baliol Son and Heir Obiit sine prole Balio-fergus pag. 2. 2 Alan second Son Obiit sine prole 3 Alexander third Son Obiit sine prole 4 John Baliol another Competitor who was adjudged King of Scotland by the Award of King Edward the First Anno 1292. Thomas died without Issue Christian eldest Daughter died without Issue 2 Isabel married Robert de Bruse Ro. de Bruse Lord of Anandale another Competitor 1291. 3 Maud died without Issue 4 Ada married Henry Hastings Knighton pag. 2431. John Hastings Lord of Berguenny another Competitor 1291. 1 Henry died young 2 David died young 3 John Scot Earl of Chester married Hellen Daughter of Lhewellyn Prince of North-Wales John died without Issue Anno 1237. Helen his Widow after married Robert Quency third Son of Saher de Quency Earl of Winchester Ada Wife of Florence Earl of Holland She died 1208. Hist of the Netherlands p. 16. Florence William Florence a Competitor to the Crown of Scotland An Do. 1291. Pryn's Hist p. 513. 1 Claricia 2 Hodierna Ordericus pa. 702. 5 6 Edmund and Ethelred banisht by their Uncle Donwald 1 Edith after called Maude uxor H. 1. Regis Angliae 2 Mary wife of Eustace Comitis Boloniae Quare Whether Margaret Wife of Hubert de Burgo were not the Widow of Eustace Vescy for Eustace died 1216. Mat Paris ⚜ See the Claims of the Competitors to the Crown of Scotland Anno Domini 1291. from the Record it self set down in Pryn's History of King John Hen. 3. and Edw. 1. pag. 513 514 c. ⚜ See the Record in Pryn's History of K. John H. 3. Edw. 1. Pa. 515 516. 28. John Balioll Son of John Balioll of Bernards-Castell in the Bishoprick of Durham after the Interregnum of six Years and nine Months was by Edward the First adjudged right Heir to the Crown of Scotland and was thereupon Crowned King at Scone on St. Andrew's Day being the last of November in the Year of Christ 1292. and presently after he came to Newcastle upon Tyne and did Homage to the King of England there and acknowledged King Edward to be his Liege Lord of all the Kingdom of Scotland to be held hereditarily of the Kings of England Walsingham's Hypodigma Neustriae pag. 480. For Edward the First King of England being appointed Judge of the Right to the Crown of Scotland by consent of all the Competitors of whom onely the Question was moved between John Balioll and Robert Bruse for all the rest of the Competitors were excluded as inferior Titles gave Sentence for John Balioll by the common Assent who was Descended from the eldest Daughter of David Earl of Huntington Brother of William King of Scotland and Bruse from the younger Daughter where by the way I must note Walsingham's Book misprinted which calleth David here mentioned King of Scotland for Brother of the King of Scotland Anno 1295. this John Balioll desired to Marry Edward Balioll his Son unto Joan Daughter of Charles Brother to the King of France promising his Aid against the King of England And in Anno 1296. the Scots Besiege Carlisle King Edward subdues the Scots and makes them swear Fealty to him takes John Balioll King of Scotland Prisoner and leaves John Warren Earl of Surrey Protector of Scotland and Hugh Cressingham Treasurer and William de Ormesby Justice and so returns to London Walsingham 29. Robert Bruse was Crowned King of Scotland at Scone in April 1306. He was Son of Robert Bruse Lord of Annansdale Competitor with John Balioll in Right of Isabell his Mother the second Daughter though a Degree nearer than Balioll to the deceased King and Son of the second Daughter whereas Balioll was Descended of the eldest Sister but of a Daughter of that Sister which Robert Bruse the Father released his Title to this Robert Bruse his Son then Earl of Carrick but now King of Scotland Dated at Barwick die Veneris in Crastino Sancti Leonardi the seventh of November Anno Gratiae 1292. Vincent upon Brook pag. 255. but it being adjudged to Balioll he seeks to get it by force and was Crown'd 1306. confirmed therein by the great Defeat given to Edward the Second's Forces at Banocksburn not far from Sterling ⚜ One Hamilton flying from the English Court to this King Robert who gave him Lands juxta Glottam Fluvium his Postetity afterward came to be ranked among the Nobility of Scotland and the House and Land which the King gave him was called Hamilton This was the original of the Hamiltons in Scotland Buchanan lib. 8. pag. 271 272. Anno 1318. Edward Bruse Brother to this King Robert was taken Prisoner and Beheaded at Dundalk He had infested Ireland three Years and caused himself to be Crowned King thereof Walsingham pag. 111. This King Robert Married to his first Wife Isabel Daughter of Donald of whom he begot Marjory Mother of Robert Stewart afterwards King of Scotland Cambden's Britannia pag. 713. Robert Bruse died the ninth of July 1329. Anno Regni 24. Buchanan
Scythians Celto Scythae ut habet Strabo omnes olìm ad occasum Populi dicti waxed strong in Ireland Orosius writes That in the time of Honorius and Arcadius Emperors Ireland was inhabited by the Scots about Anno Christi 400. These Scots came out of Spain into Ireland and part of them going again out of Ireland into the North of Brettain sub Duce Reudâ à quo Dal-Reudini vocantur Bede de Hist Ang. lib. 1. cap. 1. Seated themselves there and added a third Nation in Brettaine to the Picts and Brettans and afterwards from those Scots the whole North of Brettain was called Scotland even to this day And from those Scots inhabitng Ireland that Kingdom was by Isidore and Bede called Scotia Haec propriè Patria Scottorum est saith Bede of Ireland l. 1. de Hist Ang. c. 1. Anno Christi 684. Egfrid King of Northumberland wasted Ireland Bede ib. l. 4. c. 26. Anno Christi 838. the Norwegians under the Command of Turgesius for 30 Years miserably wasted Ireland but he being slain by Treachery the Inhabitants slew all the Norwegians Giraldus Topogram Hiberniae Distinct 3. cap. 37. These Norwegians without doubt were those Normans who as Rhegino saith in the Times of Charles the Great setting upon Ireland the Island of the Scots were put to flight by the Scots Afterwards the Oustmanni that is The Eastern Men came from the Sea-coast of Germany into Ireland under pretence of Merchandize and soon after raised a great War About the same time almost Edgar King of England overcame a great part of Ireland and subjected it under his Dominion Cambden's Britannia pag. 731. But besides these there arose great Dissention among the Irish themselves which made way to the conquering of Ireland for the King of England Hen. II. taking notice of these Jars Treated seriously with his Nobles of England about the Year 1155. concerning the conquering of Ireland for the use of his Brother William of Angeau but by the Advice of his Mother Maude the Empress the Matter was at that time deferred Not many Years after Dermot Mac Morrog King of Leinster being driven out of his Kingdom by Rodoric King of Connaught and Monarch of Ireland implores the Aid of Hen. II. who condescending thereunto Dermot prevailed with Richard de Clare Earl of Pembroke sirnamed Strongbow Son of Gilbert de Clare Earl of Pembroke which Gilbert was a younger Son of Gilbert Earl of Clare in Suffolk to raise Forces for his Assistance Covenanting to make Strongbow his Successor in the Kingdom of Leinster and to give unto him Eva his Daughter in Marriage Hereupon Strongbow gathers an Army of select Soldiers in Wales and England accompanied with Fitz-Gerald Fitz-Stephen and other Gentlemen and in few Years obtained so great a part of Ireland that Hen. II. fearing his Power sends out his Proclamation in Anno 1171. That Strongbow and other his Associates should return back out of Ireland by Easter next or else be utterly Disinherited for ever Strongbow returns into England the King is pacified with him Conditionally that he surrender Dublin to the King with the Cantreds adjoyning and also all the Maritime Towns and Castles the residue of his Conquest he must acknowledge to hold from the King of England and his Heirs So Giraldus CHAP. II. Of the chief Persons in the Conquest of Ireland I. RIchard Strongbow Earl of Pembroke a Man much in Debt had large Possessions but had much lesned his Estate by his profuseness and therefore more easily drawn in to the getting of new Territories Chron. Joh. Brompton pag. 1069. Vir plus nominis hactenùs habens quam hominis plus senii quà m ingenii Giraldus Hib. Expug li. 1. cap. 12. Of a ruddy Complexion Freckled great Eyes a womanly Face a small Voice a short Neck Bountiful and of a mild Nature being fixed in Battel was a Standard for his Forces to resort unto not puffed up with a Victory nor dejected with a Defeat Giraldus Hib. Expug lib. 1. cap. 27. He was sirnamed Strongbow from the strong Bowe which he used to draw having Arms of an extraordinary length of whom it is reported that standing upright he could touch his own Knees with the Palms of his Hands Brooke in his Catalogue of Nobility Title Pembroke The King of England Hen. II. gave him what accrued unto him in Right of Eva his Wife and what he had got in War and gave him the Counties of Weshford Ossery Caterlogh and Kildare to hold of the Kings of England Cambd. Britan. pag. 731. Ireland He died An. Chr. 1176. and Dermot King of Leinster his Father-in-law died at Fernys about the Calends of May Anno 1171. full of Days Annales Hiberniae at the end of Camb. Britan. II. Hugh Lacy was also very instrumental in the Conquest of Ireland to whom Hen. II. gave all the Land of Meath in Ireland with the Apurtenances by Charter to hold of him and his Son John for the Service of 100 Knights Fees He gave him also in custody the City of Dublin with its Apurtenances and appointed these following to belong to the Service of Dublin all the Land of Offlan with its Apurtenances and Wilkechelon with its Apurtenances and the Service of Meath and the Service of four Knights Fees which Robert Poer ought to do for the Castle of Dunavet Hoveden pag. 528. 566. He was Descended of Walter Lacy a great Baron who Founded Lanthony-Abby in the Valley of Ewyas in the Borders of Monmouthshire to which Walter William Earl of Hereford gave great Possessions in those Parts Cambden in Monmouthshire This Hugh was of a black Complexion hollow Eyes the right side of his Face even to his Chin was disfigured by Burning which hapned in his Youth a short Neck a hairy Body strong Sinews of a little Stature and a deformed Shape firm to his Trust intent on his own Business and very vigilant in the Affairs of Government a good Soldier much trusted by his Prince who made him Lord Justice of Ireland 1172. Hoveden pag. 528. He Fortified Leinster and Meath with many Castles and had his Head chopt off with a Hatchet by an Irishman treacherously as he stooped down Anno 1186. at Dernath where he intended to have built a Castle Hoveden pag. 631. also Annales Hiberniae He left two Sons of great eminency in Ireland Walter de Lacy Lord of Meath and Hugh Lacy Earl of Ulster afterwards III. Robert Fitz-Stephen was the first of Strong-bow's Forces who entred Ireland with three Ships containing about 130 Soldiers of his Friends and Allies Landing at Banvan about May Anno 1167. besides 60 other Horse and 300 Foot Archers among whom Hervey de Mont-Morice The Day after Maurice de Prendergest followed with two Ships of Soldiers more raised out of Cardiganshire or thereabouts De Rosensi Walliae Demetiae Provinciâ These with 500 Soldiers more sent by Dermot out of his own Countrey under the Command of his Bastard Son Donwald Assaulted Weshford but were beaten
Names were Duswall Griffith Huvall Jacob and Judethil or Inchil Malmesbury pag. 56. Huntington pag. 356. and Hoveden pag. 426. He Reigned 16 Years 13. Edward II. sirnamed The Martyr Son of Edgar was treacherously murthered by his Step-mother to make way for her Son Ethelred to succeed He Reigned 3 Years 14. Ethelred II. younger Son of Edgar was oppressed and broken by the Danes and to buy his own Peace was forc'd to pay them a yearly Sum of 10000 l. which at last was enhanced to 48000 l. This Tax was imposed on his Subjects and called Dane-geld but weary of this great Taxation he Plotted warily with his Subjects to kill all the Danes in their Beds which was put in Execution on the Eve of Saint Britius being the twelfth of November 1012 in the night-time But soon after Swane King of Denmark Landed Forces in England and forced Ethelred to flie out of England into Normandy He Reigned 38 years Ethelredus iste baptismum stercore foedavit 15. Edmund II. sirnamed Ironside Son of Ethelred having in vain attempted to recover the Kingdom at last divided it with Cnut or Canutus the Dane Son of Swane and not long after was this Edmund basely murthered 1017. This was the common Fame saith Malmesbury but Florentius and Hoveden tell us that he died at London about the Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle He Reigned nine Months By the Counsel of Edrick de Streon Cnut banished Edwin Brother to Edmund Ironside and also Edward and Edmund Sons of King Edmund Ironside Edward sirnamed The Outlaw Son of Edmund Ironside had issue Edgar Atheling the right Heir of the Crown and Margaret Married to the third Malcolme King of Scotland and Christian a Nun of Ramsey in Huntingtonshire 1086. Simeon Dunelmensis Kings of England of the Danish Blood 1. Canutus or Cnut King of Denmark and Norway after the death of Edmund Ironside was sole King of England He Married Emme the Widow of King Ethelred and Daughter of Richard Duke of Normandy He Reigned 20 years 2. Harold Bastard Son of Cnut sirnamed Harfuger He Reigned four years 3. Canutus II. commonly called Hardy-Cnut the lawful Son of Cnut He Reigned two years The Saxon Blood restored 16. Edward III. sirnamed The Confessor Son of Ethelred II. by Emme Daughter of Richard Duke of Normandy and half Brother to Edmund Ironside and to Hardy-Cnut the Dane was now advanced to the Throne of England and the Danes utterly expelled the Countrey having tytannized here above 200 years whereof they Reigned onely 26 years He Reigned 24 years He was the first of the Kings of England who cured the Disease call'd The Kings Evil a Prerogative continuing hereditary to the Kings of England and after his Death he was Canonized for a Saint Dr. Heylins Cosmography pag. 318. Anno Chr. 1066 17. Harold Son of Godwin Earl of Kent was chosen King of England in the Nonage of Edgar Atheling Grandchild to Edmund Ironside and true Heir of the Kingdom he was Crowned the sixth of January 1065. He Reigned nine Months and eight days But before I pass farther I would remember you of one thing mentioned by Dr. Heylin how in memory of the joyful clearing of the Countrey from the cruel Danes in the time of Edward the Confessor the English did institute the Merriment of the annual Sports of Hock-Tide and from their barbarous stabbing of the English at the time of their Drinking to avoid such villany the Party who was to Drink requested some of the next to him to be his Pledge or Surety whilst he was Drinking and hence came our Custom of Pledging one another a Phrase used in time of Drinking even to this day Harold was slain in Battel the fourteenth of October 1066 by William Duke of Normandy upon which Victory William was Crowned King of England and so ceased the Rule of the Saxons Thus have I briefly run over the Saxon Kings of England out of the most authentick Historians so that putting all together if we reckon the coming in of the Saxons with Cambden to be in Anno Domini 428 to the time of the Norman Conquest and including the small time of the Rule of the Danish Kings in the Account the whole time of the Saxons Rule in England was 638 years CHAP. VI. Of the time of the Danes in England 1. ANno Domini 800. the Danes first arriv'd in England to wit in the Isle of Portland which belongeth to Dorsetshire Brithric being then King of the West-Saxons Stowe's Annals but were after driven out of the Land These Danes did much infest England for a long space burning Towns and Temples and making woful destruction Osbert and Ella Kings of Northumberland were slain at York by the Danes Anno 867. Matth. of Westminster And in Anno 870. the Danes under the Command of Hinguar and Hubba slew Edmund King of the East-Angles and so possessed themselves of that Kingdom Florentius Wigorniensis and Stowe And in Anno 874. the Danes forced Beorhred King of Mercia to flie out of England and after his Expulsion they possessed all the Kingdom of the Mercians Florentius Infinite other Battels of them we meet with so that now they had the Kingdoms of the Mercians and of the East-Angles and a great part of Northumberland And in the time of Ethelred King of England Anno Domini 991. the Tribute call'd Danegeld was first Collected to appease the fury of the Danes and their Depopulations which continued a long time after See Spelman's Glossary on the word Danegeldum Anno Domini 1012. on the twelfth of November at Night Anno Regni Ethelredi 35. the English to free themselves from the great Oppression of the Tax called Danegeld did by a general Conspiracy strangle all the Danes in their Beds Heylin's Cosmography pag. 317. To revenge which Fact Swane King of Denmark came into England with a Fleet of 350 Ships Anno 1013. and ceased not to spoil many parts of the Kingdom and at last so far prevailed and subdued England that Cnut his Son was made King thereof after the death of Edmund Ironside to wit Anno 1017. and Cnut and his Sons enjoyed the Crown 26 years to the Year 1043. and then was the Saxon Blood restored to the Crown in Edward the Confessor but alass soon after Edward's Death were both the Danes and Saxons conquered by William Duke of Normandy to wit Anno 1066. So that we see the Justice of God how he set the Danes as a Scourge to the Saxons who had so perfidiously and cruelly used the poor Brettans and at last were driven out of their Lands by the Normans as they before had driven out the Brettans 2. The whole time that the Danes so miserably afflicted the Saxons in England was 266 years if we reckon to the Norman Conquest from the first coming of them into England Anno Domini 800. but if we reckon to the time of Edward the Confessor sub Anno 1043. then it containeth onely 242 years But Matth.
Daughter of Waltheof Earl of Northumberland and Widow of Simon Seintliz Earl of Northampton and Huntington Vincent upon Brooke pag. 367. By which Marriage he had the Counties of Northumberland and Huntington in England and by her had Issue Henry a Son who married Ada Sister of William Warren Earl of Surrey in England and half Sister by the Mother to Walleran Earl of Mellent in France and to Robert sirnamed Bossue Earl of Leycester in England Simon Dunelmensis sub Anno 1139. pag. 265. Henry had Issue by Ada Malcolme William Earl of Northumberland David Earl of Carricht in Scotland and of Huntington in England also Maude a Daughter But this Prince Henry died before his Father Anno Domini 1152. and Maude his Daughter also Anno Domini 1153. nono Calendas Junii died David King of Scotland Hoveden pag. 490. 24. Malcolme IV. Son of Henry and Grandson to David a Child of the Age of twelve Years succeeded King He resigned Northumberland to King Henry the Second of England Cumberland and Huntington being left to Malcolme Buchanan He died without Issue nono die Decembris 1165. in the 25 Year of his Age and 12 Year of his Reign and a little more Buchanan Hoveden pag. 496. 25. William Brother to Malcolme fetched Northumberland back again He married Ermengard Daughter of Richard Viscount de Beaumont Cosin to Henry the Second King of England scilicet Anno 1186. Hoveden And in Anno 1174. this William was taken Prisoner at Alnwick by Robert Stutevile Sheriff of York William de Vescy Randle Glanvill Bernard Baliol and others Hoveden pag. 538 539. Henry King of England restored unto him the Earldom of Huntington 1184. upon the death of Simon de Seintliz then Earl thereof and King William immediately conferred it on David his younger Brother Hoveden pag. 622. William did Homage to John King of England for his Lands in England at Lincoln Anno 1200. Hoveden Buchanan Fecit homagium de omni Jure suo and after swore Fealty to him Matth. Paris pag. 204. King William died Anno 1214. aged 74 Years Annoque Regni 49. Buchanan He had a Son by Ermengard called Alexander born Anno 1199. and another Son kill'd in his Infancy with his Nurse by an Inundation Buchanan pag. 232. He had also two Daughters Margaret and Isabel promised to the two Sons of King John when they should be marriageable Hollinshed But one of these Daughters afterward married the Earl of Flanders 1210. Knighton pag. 2420. 26. Alexander II. Son of William married Joan Sister to Henry the Third King of England 1221. Matt. Paris pag. 313. He demands Northumberland which King John promised him in Marriage with Joan his Daughter Matt. Paris pag. 432. He denieth that he holdeth any part of the Kingdom of Scotland from the Kings of England or that he either would or ought so to hold it This was Anno 1244. Joan his Queen dying in England Anno 1236. was buried in London And soon after for yet he had no Children he married Mary Daughter of Ingelram de Cuscy a Frenchman Anno 1239. by whom he had Issue Alexander a Son who succeeded his Father Buchanan and Matt. Paris pag. 638. Anno 1244. he makes a League with the King of England his Brother-in-Law wherein he acknowledgeth the King of England his Leige-Lord See the Charter in Matt. Paris pag. 646. This Alexander the Second died Anno 1249. Anno aetatis 51. Annoque Regni 35. Buchanan and Matt. Paris pag. 771. 27. Alexander III. Son of Alexander II. Crowned at Scone a Child not above eight Years old He was Knighted at York by Henry the Third Anno 1251. on Christmas day and the day after he married Margaret Daughter of the said King Henry Mat. Paris pag. 829. also Buchanan He did Homage to the King of England at that time for the Lands which he had in England but refused to do Homage for Scotland when it was tendred him according to the Custom of his Predecessors by the Testimony of Ancient Chronicles Robert Abbot of Fermelinodunum Chancellor to the King of Scotland was accused for Legitimating the Wife of Alan Durovart Bastard-daughter of Alexander the Second that so if the King should now die without Issue she might succeed as Heir Buchanan Henry King of England created this Alexander Earl of Huntington by Charter Anno 1256. to hold as freely as any of his Predecessors ever held the same Matt. Paris pag. 931. This Alexander overcame Acho King of Norwey in Battel 1263. and took the Isle of Man and all the Western Isles Buchanan He promised his Daughter Margaret yet but four Years old to Hangonan Son of Magnus King of Norwey to be his Wife when she was marriageable which it seems was performed afterwards for she had Issue by him a Daughter called also Margaret who died young about Anno 1291. Alexander in few Years being deprived of his Wife and all his Children did after marry Iolet Daughter of the Earl of Dreux Comitis Druidum but I find not that he had any Children by her for soon after within a Year to wit 14 Calendas Aprilis Anno 1285. he was killed by a fall from his Horse not far from Kingorne aged 45 Years Annoque Regni 37. Buchanan ⚜ Now Walsingham tells us Hist Edw. 1. pag. 54. That Alexander the Son of this King Alexander the Third died in his Father's life time And Buchanan saith That the young Alexander married the Earl of Flanders's Daughter and that Alexander the Third had another Son called David and a Daughter called Margaret but all died before the King So that now great strife did arise who should succeed King of Scotland Onely give me leave to observe here how Walsingham saith That the Daughter of the Earl of Flanders was second Wife of King Alexander the Third Wherein I believe he is mistaken for according to Buchanan she was the Wife of young Alexander his Son who died before his Father Here was now an Interregnum of six Years and nine Months in which time there were twelve Competitors to the Crown of Scotland who lay down their Claims in the Competition-Roll in the Tower mentioned by Vincent upon Brooke Title Huntington pag. 253 c. Which for brevity I shall give you here in a short Pedegree of the Kings of Scotland Malcolme III. sirnamed Cammoir King of Scotland slain 1093. See Malcolme's Pedegree in Imag. Histor by Radulphus de Di ceto pag 627. Margà ret Sister to Edgar Atheling Ordericus pag. 701 702. 1 Edward eldest Son slain with his Father 1093. 2 Edgar King of Scotland died without Issue 1107. 3 Alexander also King 1107. Obiit sine prole 1124. Melcofus a bastard Ordericus pag. 702. 4 David also King 1124 Obiit 1153 Maud Daughter of Waltheof Earl of Northumberland Another Son the eldest kill'd by a Varlet in his Nurses arms Ordericus pag. 702. Henry Prince of Scotland died before his Father viz. Anno 1152. Ada Sister to the third
to be there the next day at Noon and to do it whiles his Noblemen and Train should be at Dinner Alexander sends Henderson to his Brother John Earl Gowry with all speed to advertise him of the King 's coming The next day being the fifth of August the King came and towards the end of his Dinner Alexander desires the King to dispatch the Business The King arising from the Table Alexander leads him through four or five Rooms locking each Door after him till he came into the round Chamber where Henderson stood Armed Alexander plucking out Henderson's Dagger points it to the King's Breast saying You must die for my Father's Blood calls for vengeance The King deals gently with his Fury and worked so upon him with words that Alexander left him and went to his Brother leaving Henderson with the King who trembled at the Reverence of his Soveraign The King asked Henderson whether he would kill him to whom Henderson replied Not for a World By and by Alexander comes again with a Garter in his Hand swearing that the King should die and then endeavoring to bind the King the King and Alexander strugling together the King dragged him to the Window holding him fast as he could not stir the King cried out Treason into a back Court they hasten up and John Ramsey formerly the King's Page forced the Door at a back Way and finding the King and Alexander panting for the King having closed with him never let loose his hold the King bid Ramsey strike low whereupon Ramsey wounds Alexander mortally in the Belly with his Faucheon then came others into the Room They cast the King's Coat upon the dead Body advising the King to withdraw into another Room Presently enters John Earl Gowry with a Case of Rapiers ready drawn with seven Servants then seeing the King's Coat on the dead Body supposed the King was slain and let fall the Points of his Weapons and suddenly Herres assails him with his rusty Sword and Ramsey stepping in strikes the Earl to the Heart Thus was the King delivered by the Providence of God August the fifth 1600 and Ramsey was Knighted for his Service and had an addition given him to his Coat of Arms to wit of a Hand holding forth a Dagger mounted proper and piercing a bloody Heart with this Motto Haec Dextra vindex Principis Patriae and after had other Honors conferred upon him The other miraculous Deliverance was from the most bloody Plot of the Papists commonly called The Gunpowder Treason which should have been executed the fifth day of November Anno 1605. in the third Year after he was King of England in memory of which Deliverance we have now a Form of Thanksgiving in our Common-Prayer-Book to be used yearly on the fifth of November and a Statute made 3 Jacobi cap. 1. for keeping that Day Holy-day to be set apart yearly for a Thanksgiving to God for this great Deliverance which ought never to be forgotten but to be Recorded to all Posterity and the manner was thus A little before the beginning of that Parliament at Westminster some Welwiller to William Parker Lord Monteagle sends him a Letter to advise him to shift off his Attendance this Parliament as he tendred his Life For though there be no appearance of any Stir yet they shall receive a terrible Blow this Parliament and yet shall not see who hurts them c. This Letter was given by an unknown Fellow to a Footman of the Lord Monteagles with a charge to give it to his Lord 's own Hands which having neither Date nor Subscription the Lord Monteagle not knowing what to make of it brings it to the Earl of Salisbury then Secretary of State But the King not being then in Town the Secretary shews it to the Earl of Suffolk and others and upon the King 's coming back on the Thursday following Salisbury shews it to the King who as it were by Divine Instinct conceived the Letter ought not to be contemned and judged the words of the Letter to be meant of Gunpowder But upon the meeting of the Council order was given for the searching of all Rooms about the Parliament-House by the Lord Chamberlain where a Vault was found under the Lords House stuffed with Wood and Coals which Room was hired by Mr. Thomas Percy a violent Papist Kinsman to the Earl of Northumberland But the care of a farther Search being committed to Sir Thomas Knevet a Justice of Peace for Westminster who the Night before the Parliament was to sit about twelve of the Clock in the Night with competent Assistance with him seized one Guido Faux calling himself John Johnson and Percy 's Man at the Door of the Lodgings ready Booted and Dressed so late and searching the Vault by removing some Billets they found 36 Barrels of Powder and in Faux's Pockets three Matches a dark Lantern and other Implements nay a Watch wherewith to tell the Minutes for Execution All which he confessed upon his Examination There were other Contrivers of the Plot Thomas Winter Robert Catesby Thomas Percy John Wright Christopher Wright and Robert Winter Concerning which Plot and the Confessions of the Parties in their Examinations before the Privy Council King James himself took pains to note it which you may find amongst his Works in Print Anno Chr. 1625. This King James as my Lord Bacon observes in his Advancement of Learning pag. 2. was the most Learned Temporal Monarch since Christ's time in all Literature Divine and Humane He died at Theobalds on Sunday Morning the 27. of March 1625. in the 59. Year of his Age and in the 58. of his Reign over Scotland and having Reigned 22 Years compleat over England whose Son Charles I. ascended his Father's Throne and was the second Monarch of all Great Britain and Ireland whose Subjects as well of England as Scotland are the most rebellious People in the World ever Factious and perfidious towards their Prince See the rest in England So much of Scotland the Revenues of which Kingdom Boterus estimateth at 100000 Crowns or 30000 l. Sterling Dr. Heylin's Cosmography pag. 338. A Table of the chief Battels between the English and the Scots since the Norman Conquest Ann. Dom. 1139. 4 Steph. AT Conton or Couton in Yorkshire about four Miles from Alverton August 22. 1139. where were slain above 10000 Scots by Thurstan Archbishop of York Stow. This is commonly called Standard-Field Mat. Paris puts it Anno 1138. and onely among the Horsemen of the English of any note the Brother of Gilbert Lacy was found slain 1174. 20 Hen. 2. At Alnwick in Northumberland July 7. 1174. where William King of Scotland was taken Prisoner by Robert de Stotevil Rafe Mandevil Bernard Baliol and William Vescy 1296. 24 Ed. 1. At Barwick the English slew 25000 Scots and did win Barwick and Dunbar and conquered Edenborough where Edward the first found the Regal Ensigns of Scotland In his Return he called a
Justices 1629. 142. Thomas Viscount Wentworth July 25. Lord Deputy 1633. 143. Sir Adam Lofties Lord Chancellor Christopher Wansford Master of the Rolls June 2. Lord Justices 1636. 144. Thomas Viscount VVentworth November 23. Lord Deputy 1636. 145. Robert Lord Dillon of Kilkenny-VVest Christopher VVansford Master of the Rolls September 12. Lord Justices 1639. 146. Thomas VVentworth Earl of Strafford Lord Lieutenant He was Beheaded May 12. 1641. very unjustly by the Parliament of England's Faction 1640. Christopher VVansford was Deputy to Strafford 147. Robert Lord Dillon Sir VVilliam Parsons Master of the Court of Wards Decem. 30. Lord Justices 1640. 148. Sir VVilliam Parsons Sir John Borlace Master of the Ordnance February 9. Lord Justices 1640. 149. Sir John Borlace Sir Henry Tichborn May 1. Lord Justices 1643. 150. James Butler Marquess of Ormond February 21. Lord Lieutenant of Ireland The Rebellion of the Parliament of England was now broken out by raising Arms and Forces against the King and great Troubles arose both in England and Ireland 1643. Anno 1649. Oliver Cromwel Voted General of all the Forces sent against Ireland by the Parliament of England March 30. On the 20 of June following Dublin was Besieged by the Marquess of Ormond and on August 2. he was defeated before Dublin by Colonel Jones and his Party who issued out of the Town and Ireland reduced by Cromwel soon after Sub Carolo Secundo 151. King Charles the Second being restored to his Kingdoms 1660. makes James Butler now Duke of Ormond Lord Liutenant of Ireland 1662. who landed in Ireland 28 die Julii eodem Anno. 1662. 152. The Duke of Ormond is desired by the King to surrender his Commission and the Lord Roberts Lord Privy Seal is made Lieutenant of Ireland in February 1668. 153. Roberts is recalled and John Lord Barkley came Lord Lieutenant 1670. Finis Totius Operis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 SOME ANTIQUITIES TOUCHING CHESHIRE Faithfully Collected out of Authentique Histories Old Deeds Records and Evidences BY Sir PETER LEYCESTER Baronet A Member of the same County Nescio qua Natale Solum dulcedine cunctos ducit immemores non sinit esse sui LONDON Printed Anno Domini M.DC.LXXII THE CONTENTS OF THIS BOOK THe first Part treateth of the Governors and Earls of Mercia from the time of King Alfred to the time of the Norman Conquest The second Part comprehendeth the History of the Earls of Chester from the Norman Conquest till that Earldom was Invested in the Crown of England under King Henry the Third with a short Catalogue of all such Princes of England as have been created Princes of Wales and Earls of Chester ever since to this day The third Part treateth of the ancient Barons to the Earls of Chester with several Catalogues of all the Bishops Deans Chamberlains Judges Sheriffs and Escheatours of Cheshire and also of the Recorders of the City of Chester The fourth and last Part comprehendeth the Antiquities of Bucklow Hundred in Cheshire SOME ANTIQUITIES TOUCHING CHESHIRE PART I. CHAP. I. I. OUr Island of Great Brettaine was altogether unknown both to the ancient Grecians and Romans until the Days of Caius Julius Caesar Bede de Historiâ Gentis Anglorum lib. 1. cap. 2. Learned Cambden in his Britannia Printed 1607. pag. 24 25. Also Sheringham de Gentis Anglorum Origine pag. 99. For the Name of Brettaine is not to be found in any Author Greek or Latine before that time as far forth as I have ever seen or heard of Diodorus Siculus being the first among the Greek Authors and Lucretius among the Latines who made mention thereof and both these lived about the same Age with Caesar or a little sooner Wherefore we have no certain History of this Island but from Caesar downwards The ancient Brettans were a barbarous People and left no Writing or History of their Countrey to Posterity Gildas called Sapiens is the first among the Brettans who hath left us any mention in Writing hereof and those very short and imperfect Now Gildas writ about the Year of Christ 540. and what he writ as he confesseth in his Prologue was by Relation from beyond Sea more than out of ancient Records and Writings of his own Countrey for those if any such were at all were either burned by the Enemy's rage or carried away by the banished Natives so that in his time there was no such extant II. Now Julius Caesar upon his second Expedition into Brettaine Anno antè Christum natum 54. or thereabout subdued part of Brettain and many Cities submitted and yielded up themselves to the Romans Caesar de Bello Gallico lib. 5. in ipso initio And the Rule of the Romans in Brettaine ceased upon the declination of the Roman Empire after that Alaric King of the Gothes had taken Rome which hapned in the Year of Christ 410. according to our vulgar Computation So Helvicus in his Chronology also Bede de Hist Ang. lib. 1. cap. 11. So that the Rule or Soveraignty of the Romans over Brettaine continued almost 470 Years as Bede computeth in the same Chapter But Cambden in his Britannia pag. 60. computing to Valentinian the Third saith 476 Years III. But now the poor Brettans upon the Romans withdrawing of their Forces out of Brettaine to defend themselves were miserably devoured by the Scots and Picts And therefore they called in and invited the Saxons to aid them who came first into Brettaine Anno Christi 449. saith Bede and Malmesbury But the Brettans to use Gildas's own words perceiving the Saxons Quasi pro patriâ pugnaturos sed eam certiùs impugnaturos defended themselves as well as they could But the Saxons after they had expelled the Scots and Picts did also by degrees root out the Brettans also and the Saxons at last solely possessed themselves of all the South part of Brettaine which we now call England but disagreeing among themselves and contending for Superiority each Party would set up themselves as it commonly falls out in such Cases and so had a Heptarchy or seven distinct Kingdoms in England till at last they were all swallowed up into one by that of the West-Saxons the poor Brettans being driven into Wales and Cornwall IV. Egbert King of the West-Saxons being now sole Monarch of all England for so Hoveden calls him pag. 414. and having routed Wilaf King of Mercia and made him Tributary which Kingdom of Mercia was the largest in compass of all the seven and the last of the six unsubdued ordained That this part of Brettaine whereof he had now the Soveraignty should be called England since which time it hath gained the Name of England Verstegan's Saxon Antiquities p. 123. And this Edict saith Trevisa in his Translation of Polychronicon was when Egbert was Crowned King of all England at Winchester after the Battel of Ellindon Fol. 275. Now the Battel of Ellindon is placed in Anno Christi 823. by Florentius Wigorniensis and Stowe This Egbert also is said to have new
Monastery of black Monks at St. Albans Anno 793. in the three and thirtieth Year of his Reign and Endowed it with Lands witnessed by himself Egfrid his Son nine Kings fifteen Bishops ten Dukes c. He translated the Arch-bishop's See from Canterbury to Lichfield and Founded the Abbey of Bathe He made a great Dike or Ditch between VVales and the Kingdom of Mercia which is called Offa's Dike and whereof part is yet to be seen Stow. pag. 71. He gave to the Pope a yearly Rent out of every House in his Kingdom stiled The Charter of Peter-Pence Polychron lib. 5. cap. 25. His Wifes Name was Quendrida whose Daughter she was I find not By whom he had Issue Egfrid a Son Ethelburge a Daughter Married Brictric King of the VVest-Saxons Anno 787. whom Florentius calleth Eadburge pag. 280. Elfled another Daughter was second Wife to Ethelred King of Northumberland Speed's Hist pa. 362. and Elfrid another Daughter betook her self to the Monastery of Croyland He died at Ofley saith Stow Quaere if not mistaken for Ocley the twenty ninth day of July and was buried at a Chappel without the Town of Bedford He began his Reign Anno 758. and Reigned thirty nine Years 13. Egfrid Son of Offa died young He Reigned but 141 Days saith Florentius pag. 281. and was buried at St. Albans He began to Reign Anno 796. 14. Kenulfe an heroick and noble Prince succeeded King of Mercia He was Son of Cuthbert and Trinepos VVibba that is The Sixth in Descent from VVibbae saith Matthew of VVestminster pag. 291. He took Eadbert or Egbert as others call him sirnamed Pren King of Kent whom he carried away Prisoner triumphantly An. 798. and not long after when he had built VVinchelcombe Church on the Day of the Dedication thereof he set his Prisoner free at the Altar of that Church and made Cuthred King of Kent in his stead So VVestminster and others He also Founded the Church of St. Ethelbert in Hereford the Bishop's See and by Elfride his Wife had Issue Kenelm a Son and two Daughters Quendrede and Burgenhild He died Anno Christi 819. saith Florentius Anno 821. saith Westminster and buried at Winchelcome Abbey He began his Reign Anno 796. and Reigned twenty four Years 15. Kenelm Son of Kenulfe a Boy of seven Years old was murthered within few Months after his Father's Death by one Ascebert his Governor who taking him into a Wood cut off his Head and buried him under a Thorn Tree This was done by the procurement of Quendrede his Sister whereby Kenelm obtained the Name of a Martyr His Body being found was buried at Winchelcombe He began to Reign Anno 819. 16. Ceolwulfe Brother of Kenulfe succeeded King He was deposed by Bernulfe and driven out of the Kingdom and had a Daughter called Cenedrith Spelman's Councels pag. 333. He began to Reign Anno 820. and Reigned one Year 17. Beornulfe elected King Anno 821. who in the third Year of his Reign was overcome in Battel at Ellandon by Egbert King of the West-Saxons Anno 823. but as Westminster puts it Anno 825. and was slain in Battel against the East-Angles Anno 824. He began his Reign Anno 821. and Reigned three Years 18. Ludecan Cosin to Bernulfe waging War with the East-Angles in revenge of Bernulfe was himself killed with five Captains of his Army 826. He began to Reign Anno 824. and Reigned two Years 19. Wilafe or Wiglafe succeeded King but was subdued by Egbert King of the West-Saxons Anno 827. under whom he enjoyed his Kingdom paying Tribute Wimund Son of Wilafe Married Elflede Daughter of Ceolwulfe King of Mercia and had a Son called Wilstan Ingulphus pag. 858. slain by Berfert This Wilafe began his Reign Anno 826. and Reigned thirteen Years 20. Berthulfe Brother to Wilafe was also Tributary to the King of the West-Saxons till at last he was chased beyond the Seas by the Sea-Rovers of Denmark He had a Son called Berfert who killed his Cosin Wilstan June 1. Vigiliâ Pentecostes Anno 850. Florentius pag. 295. He began his Reign Anno 839. and Reigned thirteen Years 21. Burdred or Burhred paying Tribute enjoyed it twenty Years and then being driven out of his Countrey fled to Rome The Danes deliver his Kingdom to Ceolwulfe sometime Servant to Burhred on Condition that he should resign it whensoever the Danes should demand it Anno 874. but not long after King Alfred got it This Burdred began his Reign Anno 852. and Reigned twenty Years So that King Alfred prevailing over the Danes united the Kingdom of Mercia unto that of the West-Saxons inseparably from this time and was absolute Monarch of all England and so the Kingdom of Mercia failed Anno Domini 875. which if we reckon from King Penda had stood about 250 Years but if we reckon from Crida about 290 Years CHAP. III. Of the Governors of Mercia Substituted by King Alfred and his Successors TO pass by those former Earls of Chester namely Edol or Edolfe who lived in the time of King Vortiger the Briton about the Year of Christ 471. stiled Earl of Caerlegion or Chester by Fabian in his Chronicle Part 5. cap. 89. and also Curfale or as by some he is written Sursalem Earl of Chester in the time of King Arthur Anno Domini 616. as Geffrey Monmouth affirms one of Arthur's Knights of the Round Table I shall now speak of those Earls who are more certainly recorded in our Histories of credit but not yet Earls of particular Places I find in Florentius sub Anno Domini 800. that Ethelmundus Dux Merciorum coming out of Mercia and passing Kimeresford with an Army was met with by Weolhstan Dax Wiltoniensium and had a cruel Battel Amboque Duces * Trâ—visa the Translator of Polychronicon calls them Dukes fol. 275. occisi but the Victory fell to the Wiltshiremen by which words I conceive the Author means no more than a General expressed by the word Dux The two Generals of the Armies met and Fought and were both slain I. I now proceed to the chief Governors of Mercia from the time of King Alfred The first I meet with who under Alfred Governed Mercia is stiled Ethered or Ethelred who Married Elflede Daughter to King Alfred His Title I find variously delivered by Higden the Monk of Chester he is stiled Ethelredus Dux Subregulus Merciorum So likewise by Matthew of Westminster Also by Hoveden and Huntington sometimes Dux sometimes Subregulus sometimes Dominus Merciorum Malmesbury De Gestis Regum lib. 2. cap. 4. calls him Comes Merciorum The most usual Title in all those ancient Authors is Dux which in those Times seems to be all one with an Earl or Comes By all it is apparent that he was then the chief Governor of Mercia under the King and he lived in the Reigns of King Alfred and Edward the Elder I desire I may have liberty to render these Titles by the Name of Earl The Acts of Earl Ethelred and
gave to the Abbey of Utica in Normandy where his Brothers Ernald and Roger were Monks and his Father and Mother aliique Parentes ejus were buried the Church of Tellioles and the Tythe of his Mills Lands and Beer in his Cellar And he gave in England two Carucates of Land and twenty Villanes and the Church of Cumbivel all the Town Tythe and Church of Kirkby in Wirrall within the County of Cheshire and the Church of the Island and the Church of St. Peters in Chester City In the Charter of Confirmation of all the Lands given unto the Abbey of Utica by many Noblemen in England made by William the Conqueror An. 1081. we read among other things thus Robertus verò de Rodelento Praefato Hugone Cestrensi Comite Domino suo concedente dedit Sancto Ebrulfo Cherchebiam cùm duabus Ecclesiis unam scilicèt quae in ipsâ villâ est aliam propè illum Manerium in insulâ maris Ecclesiam Sancti Petri Apostoli quicquid ad eam pertinebat in Cestrensi urbe in Merestonâ quae est in Northamptonshire Ecclesiam Sancti Laurentii quicquid ad eam pertinet in eâdem Provinciâ Ecclesiam de Bivellâ cùm duabus terrae Carucatis c. This Charter is set down at large in Ordericus pag. 602. So that Kirkby with the two Churches I conceive is Kirkby in Wirrall within Cheshire one Church then standing in the said Town and the other near thereunto in the Island of the Sea which I conceive is meant of the Island now called Ilbree Robert of Rothelent came very young into England with his Father and Served King Edward the Confessor both in his House and in his Wars till at last the King Knighted him afterwards having been trained up in Arms here he got leave of King Edward to go see his Friends in his own Countrey of Normandy and after the Battel of Senlace he came again into England with his Cosin Hugh Son of Richard de Auranches sirnamed Goz and was a very principal Man in all Military Employments And after many Conflicts the said Hugh was made Earl of Chester and Robert of Rothelent was the chief Commander of all the Forces under Earl Hugh and made Governor of all Cheshire And William the Conquerour caused Rothelent Castle and Town to be built and gave it to this Robert that he might make it a Defence to England by curbing the Excursions of the Welsh And this stout Champion Seating on their Borders had many Skirmishes with the Welsh and slew many of them and enlarged his Territories and on the Mount Dagaunoth close by the Sea he built a strong Castle and for fifteen years sore afflicted the Britons or Welshmen But at last Griffith King of Wales on the third day of July Anno Christi 1088. Obiit 1088 Landed with three Ships under the Hill called Hormaheva and when he had pillaged the Countrey returned back to his Ships But as soon as Robert had notice he calls his Soldiers together and with a few Soldiers coming to the top of the Hill he saw them Shipping the Men and Cattel which the Welsh had taken and being incensed thereat himself runs violently down the Steep Hill attended onely with one Soldier called Osberne de Orgiers towards the Enemy but they perceiving him so slenderly Guarded returned back upon him and with their Darts or Arrows mortally wounded him yet whilst he stood and had his Buckler none durst approach so near as to Encounter him with a Sword but as soon as he fell the Enemy rushed upon him and cut off his Head which they hanged upon the Mast of the Ship in triumph Aftewards with great lamentation both of the English and Normans his Soldiers brought his Body to Chester and it was Interred in the Monastery of St. Werburge in that City which Monastery Hugh Earl of Chester had built and had made Richard a Monk of Becke in Normandy the first Abbot thereof Thus Ordericus pag. 670 671. So much of Robert of Rothelent I shall now proceed to the the Earls of Chester IV. The Title of Earl of Chester since the coming in of the Normans is more properly and peculiarly applied than before for although in the time of the Saxons Leofric Algar and Edwine who was Earl when the Conqueror invaded England had all of them successively that Appellation or Title yet they were not onely Earls of Chester but were sometimes denominated from other Places also as Leofric and Algar both many times stiled Earls of Leicester And indeed they were not so much Earls of either of those two Counties as of all Mercia whereof those were but small Branches or Members But now more particularly the Conqueror gives to Hugh sirnamed Lupus the whole County and Earldom of Chester to hold of him Tâm liberè ad gladium sicùt ipse Rex tenebat Angliam ad Coronam as the very words of the Charter do run saith Cambden Which words some Expound to be the Tenure of being Sword-bearer of England at the Coronations of the Kings of England whence we read in Matthew Paris that when King Henry the Third Married Queen Elinour Anno Domini 1236. the Marriage was pompously solemnized and all the great Men of the Kingdom used those Offices and Places which had of ancient Right belonged to their Ancestors at the Coronation of the Kings The Earl of Chester then carried the Sword of St. Edward which is called Curtein before the King in token that he was an Earl Palatine and had Power by Right to restrain the King if he should do amiss his Constable of Cheshire attending on him and beating back the People with a Rod or Staff when they pressed disorderly upon him This Paris voucheth an Author who lived in that very Age pag. 421. But although this Office might have of ancient Right belonged to the Earls of Chester ever since the time of Hugh Lupus yet I believe there is something more magnificent couched in those words of the first Charter or Donation namely a Dignity inherent in the Sword as purchased by it and to be kept by it also For as in the Crown of England there is an inherent Right of Regality annexed so here is given an inherent Right of Dignity in the Sword This is to hold as freely by the Sword as the King holds by the Crown onely inferiour to his King Hence was it that whatsoever we say concerning the Pleas of the Crown or to be done against the King's Crown and Dignity the same is also said but in a more limited course concerning the Pleas of the Sword of Chester or to be done against the Sword and Dignity of the Earl of Chester as is most evident out of the Records and Endictments of those Times V. I come now to Hugh sirnamed Lupus howbeit in truth he was not the first Earl of Chester after the Norman Conquest for I have before shewed that Gherbod a Nobleman of Flanders had
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
not that he ever used the Title of Earl of Chester II. A Catalogue of all such Princes of England as have been created Princes of Wales and Earls of Chester and used these Titles 1. EDward of Caernarven fourth Son of King Edward the First born at Caernarven in Wales the twenly fifth of April 1284. was Summoned to the Parliament Anno 1303. 32 Edw. 1. being now the King 's eldest Son living by the Name of Edward Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester Our most dear Son Selden's Tit. Hon. pag. 594. and was afterwards King of England by the Name of King Edward the Second 2. Edward of Windsor eldest Son of King Edward the Second born at Windsor Castle 13 die Novembris 1312. 6 Edw. 2. had onely the Title of Earl of Chester and Flint in his Summons to the Parliament 1322. 15 Edw. 2. being then scarce ten years old Cambden's Britannia Edita 1607. pag. 118. He was also Duke of Aquitain and Earl of Pontive created 19 Edw. 2. 1325. Selden's Tit. Hon. pag. 599. and Stowe and was after he had deposed his Father King of England by the Name of King Edward the Third Crowned February 1. 1326. 3. Edward of Woodstock commonly called The Black Prince eldest Son of King Edward the Third born 15 Junii 1330. 4 Edw. 3. was made Earl of Chester 7 Edw. 3. I find him stiled Edwardus illustris Regis Angliae Filius Comes Cestriae in a Writ at Chester Dated 13 die Aprilis 9 Edw. 3. 1335. R. num 18. He was created Duke of Cornwall by Patent Dated 17 die Martii 11 Edw. 3. 1336. Habendum sibi haeredum suorum Regum Angliae Filiis Primogenitis Per ipsum Regem totum Consilium in Parliamento Selden's Tit. Hon. pag. 752. And he was the first Duke in England as that Title was now made a distinct Dignity and by this Creation not onely the first-born Son of the Kings of England but the eldest living are always Dukes of Cornwall neither needed any new Creation of this Title although sometimes we find it joyned with the Creation of the Title of Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester Selden's Tit. Hon. qag 754. He was also created Prince of Wales by Patent Dated 12 die Maii 17 Edw. 3. 1343. Habendum sibi haeredibus suis Regibus Angliae in perpetuùm Per ipsum Regem Selden's Tit. Hon. pag. 595. And since this time the Title of Earl of Chester hath been usually joyned with that of Prince of Wales in the Patent Selden ibidem pag. 598. So that now the Black Prince was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester In the 40. of Edward the Third his Stile was Princeps Aquitaniae Walliae Dux Cornubiae Comes Cestriae Lib. C. fol. 181. w. He died June 8. 1376. 50 Ed. 3. in the Life-time of his Father 4. Richard of Burdeaux Son and Heir to the Black Prince was created Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester by his Grandfather King Edward the Third in Festo Sancti Michaelis 1376. 50 Edw. 3. Stowe But Walsingham names onely the Title of Earl of Chester in Parliament 1376. pag. 190. Others say he was after created Prince of Wales at Haveringe 20 Novembris 50 Edw. 3. Powel on the Welsh History pag. 385. He had a special Charter for Duke of Cornwall Anno 50 Edw. 3. Cooks Reports lib. 8. fol. 30. for he was not eldest Son of the King his Father dying before he enjoyed the Crown This Richard was afterwards King of England by the Name of King Richard the Second And in Anno 1397. he erected the Earldom of Chester into a Principality and ordained that no Grant should be made thereof to any Person but to the King 's eldest Son onely if it please the King to make him See Stat. 21 Rich. 2. cap. 9. But this Parliament was wholly Repealed 1 Hen. 4. cap. 3. which Henry deposed Richard the Second and made himself King 1399. 5. Henry eldest Son of Henry the Fourth born at Monmouth Anno 1388. was created Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester about October 1 Hen. 4. 1399. in Parliament and not long after was created Duke of Aquitain in the same Parliament Stowe and was afterwards King of England by the Name of King Henry the Fifth F. num 99. 6. Edward onely Child of King Henry the Sixth born at Westminster 13 Octobris 1452. 31 Hen. 6. Fabian pag. 456. He was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester in Parliament March 15. 31 Hen. 6. 1452. and was murthered at the Battel of Teuksbery May 4. 1471. 11 Edw. 4. See Vincent upon Brook pag. 143 He was also Duke of Cornwall by Descent King Henry the Sixth was never created Prince of Wales nor Earl of Chester he was King whiles he was but an Infant of eight Months old 7. Edward eldest Son of King Edward the Fourth born at Westminster November 4. 1470. 10 Edw. 4. was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester July 26. 1471. 11 Edw. 4. Vincent upon Brook pag. 115. and in Anno 19 Edw. 4. He was made Earl of Pembroke and March He was also Duke of Cornwall and so Entituled and was afterwards King Edward the Fifth but was most barbarously murthered in the Tower by the procurement of his Uncle Richard Duke of Glocester Anno 1483. who usurped the Crown to himself 8. Edward the onely Child of King Richard the Third created Earl of Salisbury 1477. 17 Edw. 4. was also created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester by his Father August 24. 1483. 1 Rich. 3. being then about ten years old and died about March 1484. in the Life-time of his Father 9. Arthur eldest Son of King Henry the Seventh created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester November 30. in 1489. 5 Hen. 7. and died without Issue at Ludlow in April 1502. 17 Hen. 7. about the Age of sixteen Years in the Life-time of his Father He was also Duke of Cornwall by Birth 10. Henry Duke of York second Son of King Henry the Seventh after the Death of his Brother Arthur was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester February 18. 1502. 18 Hen. 7. at the Age of eleven Years and was afterwards King of England by the Name of King Henry the Eighth 11. Henry Stewart eldest Son of James King of Great Britain was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester in Parliament June 4. 1610. 8 Jacobi and died November 6. 1612. 10 Jacobi without Issue in the Life-time of King James his Father He was also Duke of Cornwall by Birth 12. Charles Stewart second Son of King James born at Dunferling in Scotland Nov. 19 1600. was Duke of Albany in Scotland and was also created Duke of York in England by his Father at Whitehall in London January 6. 1604. and after the Death of his Brother Prince Henry he was Duke of Cornwall for the Case of the Dutchy of
Cornwall in Cook 's Reports lib. 8. was Printed by his Majesty's special Command 1613. 11 Jacobi where it is set forth That by the Advice of the Privy Council it was clearly and absolutely Resolved that Prince Charles now the King 's eldest Son was in Right and by virtue of the Statute of 11 Edw. 3. ought to be Duke of Cornwall and therefore his Majesty commanded that Prince Charles his Son should have and enjoy the Honor and Stile of Duke of Cornwall which he presently had and enjoyed accordingly Vincent upon Brook pag. 146 147. And on the third of November 1616. 14 Jacobi he was also created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester and was afterwards King of England by the Name of King Charles the First A summary Collection of the Earls of Chester contained in this second Part. 1. GHerbod a Nobleman of Flanders had the Earldom of Chester given him by the Conqueror about the Year of Christ 1068. but going into Flanders was there taken Prisoner And then did William the Conqueror give the Earldom of Chester to Hugh sirnamed Lupus Anno Domini 1070. 2. Hugh sirnamed Lupus Earl of Auranches in Normandy was made Earl of Chester Anno 1070. He died July 27. 1101. after he had held the Earldom of Chester 31 Years 3. Richard the onely Child of Hugh Lupus by his Wife was but seven Years old when his Father died He was drowned with many others as he was Sailing from Normandy towards England Anno 1120. after he had been Earl 18 Years but had no Issue 4. Randle de Mecinis or Meschines Son of Maud Sister to Hugh Lupus succeeded Earl of Chester as Cosin and next Heir to Richard And he died Anno 1128. having been Earl eight Years 5. Randle the Second sirnamed Gernouns Son of Randle de Meschines succeeded his Father He died Anno Domini 1153 having been Earl 25 Years 6. Hugh the Second sirnamed Cyveliok Son of Randle the Second succeeded his Father And he died Anno Domini 1181. having been Earl 28 Years 7. Randle the Third sirnamed Blundevill Son of Hugh the Second succeeded his Father in the Earldom of Chester He was also made Earl of Lincoln 1217. and died at Wallingford in the latter end of October Anno Domini 1232. without Issue and was Earl of Chester 51 Years 8. John sirnamed The Scot Earl of Huntingdon Son of Maud eldest Sister and Coheir to Randle the Third sirnamed Blundevill succeeded Earl of Chester and died at Dernhale Abbey without Issue June 7. 1237. having been Earl of Chester almost five Years from which time this Earldom was seized to the Crown of England Finis Partis Secundae The Third Part Treating of the ancient Barons to the Earls of Chester with several Catalogues of all the Bishops Deans Chamberlains Judges Sheriffs and Escheators of Cheshire and also of the Recorders of the City of Chester CHAP. I. Of the ancient Barons to the Earls of Chester I. COncerning the ancient Barons to the Earls of Chester of whom I promised before to speak in this third Part of my Book these things I have principally to Discuss and Illustrate the true notion of their Title the time of their Institution their Office Place and number II. For the true notion of their Title Selden tells us in his Titles of Honour pag. 688. that the noblest and greatest Tenants to the greater sort of Subjects had anciently the Appellation of Barons ascribed to them especially those to the Earls of Chester Spelman in his Glossary deriveth the word Baro from the old English-Saxon Per or Wer and of later Times written Par Francis Antiquis Ber signifying the same with the Latine word Vir Glossarium Latino-Gallicum Ber Bara Vir so that the Latine word Vir seems to be the original Fountain whence it springs And both these words Baro by some written Varo and Vir do agree in their several significations sometimes for a Man barely and absolutely sometimes for a Man of Worth Power or Prowess sometimes for a Husband For the notion of the word here it denotes as much as Magnates or Optimates where we may observe That Noblemen or Barons seem to be a necessary Supplement as essential to the Royalty of a Count Palatine for the Earl of Chester having Royal Authority within himself we may not unfitly stile him a petty King And that the Majesty of his Palace may be answerable to a King he must have Noblemen about him in imitation of the Barons of the Kingdom Hence also the Earls of Chester subtuted Offices making the Baron of Halton Constable in Cheshire in Fee in imitation of the Lord High-Constable of England and making the Baron of Montalt Steward of Cheshire in Fee after the example of the Lord High-Steward of England These Barons under the Earl Ruled and Governed the County and from their great Power and Sway had the Appellation of Barons III. As to the time of their first Institution I find the Great Men of Cheshire about the Earl stiled Barons in the time of Hugh Lupus In the Charter of his Foundation of the Monastery of St. Werburge in Chester Anno 1093. 6 Willielmi Rufi in the conclusion thereof it is said Ego Comes Hugo mei Barones confirmavimus ista omnia corà m Anselmo Archiepiscopo c. Neither must we fondly imagine or expect any formal Creation of them either by Patent for such are of later Times by much or any solemn Investure But as I conceive upon the conferring of the Earldom of Chester on Hugh Lupus by the Conqueror Anno Domini 1070. the principal Gentlemen and Commanders under Earl Hugh being called to advise and assist the said Earl either in any time of imminent danger or in regulating and ordering the more weighty Affairs of the County were of course so stiled and thus I conceive they retained the Name of Barons by little and little after the manner of the Great Nobles of the Realm IV. And hence may we guesse their Office Adesse Comiti in Concilio as Cambden hath it to assist the Earl in Council upon all grand Designs and Affairs V. Concerning their Place of Precedence and Dignity we must consider them either in relation to others or among themselves In relation to others out of the County I conceive them inferior to the rank of the Barons of our Realm for these are but titularly or analogically Barons as I may so speak to those of the Kingdom nay in Place beneath all Knights but they were the greatest Men in the County under the Earl for Power and Estate Their Priority or Dignity among themselves we shall trace as exactly as we can in so remote and obscure a Path. Some would have the Baron of Malpas to be the prime Baron forasmuch as Robert Fitz-Hugh who was Baron of Malpas under Hugh Lupus in the Conqueror's time hath for the most part the preeminence in the Subscription of old Charts of those ancient Times as also in the Record of
a Fryer of the Order of the Carmelites was the first Bishop of this new Foundation He was born in Coventrey and made Bishop of Bangor Anno 1539. thence translated to Chester 1541. 33 Hen. 8. He was preferred for some Sermons Preached before the King against the Pope's Supremacy Anno Christi 1537. He was deprived of his Bishoprick of Chester by Queen Mary Anno 1554. because he was Married and died at Chester Anno 1556. II. George Cotes one of the Prebends of Chester sometime of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford and afterwards Master of Baliol Colledge made Bishop of Chester 1 Mariae 1554. He survived his Consecration not two Years Some mistake this Bishop's Name calling him John for George It plainly appears by the Register Book of the Consistory Court at Chester that his Name was George Cotes III. Cutbert Scot Doctor of Divinity and Master of Christchurch Colledge in Cambridge made Bishop of Chester by Queen Mary 1556. He was after put out by Queen Elizabeth a froward Person who being put into the Prison of the Fleet in London made an escape and fled to Lovain where he died IV. VVilliam Downeham Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth before she came to the Crown Doctor of Divinity and sometime of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford was consecrated Bishop of Chester May 4. 1561. 3 Elizabethae He died in November 1577. and was buried in the Quire of the Cathedral Church at Chester having sat Bishop there sixteen years and a half He had two famous Sons George Bishop of London-Derry in Ireland and John Batchelour of Divinity a Learned and painful Writer V. William Chaderton Doctor of Divinity Fellow of Christs Colledge in Cambridge and after President of Queens Colledge in Cambridge and sometime the King's Professor of Divinity in that University was consecrated Bishop of Chester 9 Novembris 1579. thence translated to Lincoln 1595. He was Bishop of Chester sixteen years and had onely one Daughter and Heir called Jone the first Wife of Sir Richard Brooke of Norton in Cheshire but these after parted and lived asunder This Bishop was a Learned and witty Man and died in April 1608. VI. Hugh Bellot Doctor of Divinity and Bishop of Bangor brought up in St. John's Colledge in Cambridge was translated to Chester 1557. 37 Elizabethae He lived scarce one year after his Translation and died about Whitsuntide 1596. buried at Wrixham in Denbighshire His Funeral was solemnized at Chester 22 Junii VII Richard Vaughan Doctor of Divinity the Queens Chaplain and Bishop of Bangor brought up in St. John's Colledge in Cambridge succeeded Bellot both in the Bishoprick of Bangor and Chester He was translated to Chester in June 1597. Lee saith he was translated May 16. 1596. and Enstalled November 10. 1597. and continued there six years and more and was translated hence to London about the end of December 1604. and died March 30. 1607. He was a Man of a prompt and ready Utterance the beginning of whose Advancement was under the Lord-Keeper Puckering who designed him to Examine such as sued to him for Benefices in his Gift So Lee pag. 45. of the Vale-Royal of England VIII George Lloyd Doctor of Divinity Bishop of the Isle of Mann sometime Fellow of Magdalen Colledge in Cambridge was consecrated Bishop of Chester 14 die Januarii 1604. He died the first of August 1615. in the 55. year of his Age at his Parsonage of Thornton and was buried in the Quire of the Cathedral Church at Chester near to Bishop Downeham and was Bishop of Chester ten years IX Thomas Moreton Son of Richard Moreton of York City Mercer Doctor of Divinity brought up in St. John's Colledge in Cambridge and sometime Dean of Winchester was consecrated Bishop of Chester 7 die Julii 1616. translated hence to Lichfield and Coventrey 6 Martii 1618. and thence to Durham 1632. He died 22 die Septembris 1659. anno aetatis 95. after he had written many Learned Tractates and was never Maried See this Bishop's Life and Death in Daniel Lloyd's Memoires Printed 1668. X. John Bridgeman Son of Thomas Bridgeman of Greenway in Devonshire Doctor of Divinity brought up in Cambridge the King's Chaplain and Parson of Wiggan in Lancashire was consecrated Bishop of Chester 1619. He lived till the Parliament pulled down all Bishops in a Puritannical Frenzy of Rebellion and had Beheaded King Charles the First and after died at Morton not far from Oswaldestrey in Shropshire He Married Elizabeth Daughter of Doctor Helyar Canon of Excester and Arcdeacon of Barstable and had Issue Sir Orlando Bridgeman made Lord-Keeper 1667. Dove Henry now Dean of Chester Sir James Bridgeman and Richard XI Brian Walton born at Cleaveland in Yorkshire Doctor of Divinity brought up in Peterhouse in Cambridge was consecrated Bishop of Chester 2 die Decembris 1660. upon the Restoration of King Charles the Second He died November 29. in Vigiliis Sancti Andreae 1661. anno aetatis 62. buried in the Cathedral of St. Paul at London He had a principal Hand in setting out the Great Bible of many Languages and Married Jane Daughter of Doctor William Fuller Dean of Durham XII Henry Ferne Doctor of Divinity Master of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge was consecrated Bishop of Chester 9 die Februarii 1661. He died very soon after and never lived to come to Chester and was buried at Westminster He writ clear Resolutions of certain Cases of Conscience relating to the Differences between the late King and his rebellious Parliament XIII George Hall one of the Sons of Doctor Joseph Hall Bishop of Excester was sometime of Excester Colledge in Oxford and Doctor of Divinity and consecrated Bishop of Chester Anno Christi 1662. He was also Parson of Wiggan in Lancashire by the Gift of Sir Orlando Bridgeman then Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas This Bishop Married Gartred Sister to Sir Amos Meredith now of Ashley in Cheshire He died at Wiggan August 23. 1668. without any Issue of his Body and Gartrede his Lady also died at Wiggan in March following XIV John Wilkins Doctor of Divinity Son of Walter Wilkins a Goldsmith in the City of Oxford was first Student of Christchurch in Oxford and after made Warden of Wadham Colledge in the same University about the Year of our Lord 1651. He Married Robina Sister to Oliver Cromwel the late Lord Protector but hath no Issue as yet He was made Master of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge about the Year 1659. and after the Restoration of King Charles the Second he was made Dean of Rippon in Yorkshire and was consecrated Bishop of Chester Anno Domini 1668. He was also Parson of Wiggan by the Gift of Sir Orlando Bridgeman Baronet now Lord-Keeper of England CHAP. III. A Catalogue of the Deans of Chester I. THomas Clerke who before had been the last Abbot of St. Werburge in Chester was made the first Dean of Chester after the erection of the new Bishoprick here 1541. 33 Hen. 8. II. Henry Mann Doctor of Divinity afterwards Bishop of the
defective especially not exact in shewing the Times punctually and oft times a great space omitted in their Histories is skipped over Of the State of the Brettans after the Roman Yoke ceased I shall speak when I come to Wales CHAP. III. Of the Time when the Saxons came into Brettaine and how long their Power continued there 1. UPon the declination of the Roman Empire Brettaine was left naked of Men and Arms as I have shewed before whereby the poor Brettans became a Prey to the Picts and Scots two cruel Nations from beyond the Sea the Scots from the South and the Picts from the North. Gildas cap. 11. pag. 13. Transmarinas dicimus has Gentes non quòd extrà Bretanniam sunt Positae sed quià à parte Britonum erant remotae duobus finibus Mari interjacentibus quorum unus ab Orientali Mari alter ab Occidentali Britanniae terras longè latéque irrumpit quamvis ad se invicèm pertingere possint Orientalis habet in medio sui Urbem Guidi Occidentalis supra se hoc est ad dextram sui habet Urbem Alcluith quòd Linguâ eorum significat Petram Cluith Est enim juxtà Fluvium nominis illius So Bede de Hist Angl. lib. 1. cap. 12. Who these Scots were I shall speak of in Scotland and whence they came I shall note here onely that they inhabited the North part of Scotland Anno Domini circiter 400. The Pihts or Picts Cambden supposeth to be very Brettans who before the coming of the Romans inhabited the Northern part of this Island and also those other Brettans who fled to them from this other part of Brettaine which the Romans conquered as refusing to submit to the Servitude of the Romans Cambden's Britannia pag. 82. But Bede saith It is said that the Nation of the Picts came out of Scythia into Ireland and thence into the North of Brettaîne Lib. 1. de Hist Angl. cap. 1. But more of these hereafter in Scotland 2. The time of the Saxons coming into England upon the invitation of Vortiger then King of Brettaine is by Bede said to be in Anno Domini 449. Lib. 1. de Hist Ang. cap. 15. and had a Place appointed out by the Brettans for their Habitation conditionally that they would fight and defend them from the Picts and Scots and the Brettans also did promise them Pay But Cambden saith The first coming of the Saxons hither was Anno Domini 428. and thinks the Number 449 in Bede to be corrupted and misprinted in his Britannia pag. 95. see his Reasons But these Saxons having expelled the Picts and Scots did afterwards by degrees root out the Brettans also and possessed themselves of all the South part of Brettaine now called England But falling out among themselves each contending for Superiority one against another as it commonly happens in such Cases England became a Heptarchy and was divided into seven Kingdoms as I shall shew by and by They had the Eastern part of this Island to Land in appointed by Vortiger Those that came were of the most Valiant People of Germany that is to say Saxons Angli or English and Juites called by Bede Vitae Lib. 1. de Hist Ang. cap. 15. From these Juites the ancient Inhabitants of Juitland now belonging to the King of Denmark are planted the Kentish-men and the People of the Isle of Wight and Hantshire The English came out of Old England which lieth between Juitland and Holsatia and was anciently possessed by the Saxons who being expulsed thence by the Danes it hath ever since remained in the Danes possession Of these English were planted the East-Angles Middle-Angles Mercians and all the Nation of the Northumbrians that is all the North part from the River Humber in Yorkshire The Saxons came out of Saxony a Province and Dukedom in Germany formerly possessed by the Longobards who being overcome by the Saxons it became their Countrey and took their Name And from these Saxons were planted the East-Saxons South-Saxons and West-Saxons in England Bede lib. 1. de Hist Ang. cap. 15. Verstegan pag. 123. and Dr. Heylyn in his Cosmography pag. 489. But these being all generally called Saxons contending for Superiority among themselves fell to Discords and Wars one with another and set up seven Kingdoms in that part of Brettaine which they obtained at this day called England A short View whereof followeth in the ensuing Table A Scheme of the Seven Kingdoms in England 1. The Kingdom of Kent it began under Hengist An. Dom. 455. Comprehended the Counties of Kent  2. The Kingdom of the South Saxons it began under Ella Anno Dom. 488. Sussex Surrey 3. The Kingdom of the West-Saxons it began under Cerdic Anno 522. But Huntington saith Anno 519. lib. 2. Hist pag. 313. Cornwal Devonshire Dorsetshire Somersetshire Wiltshire Hantshire alias Southamptonshire Barkshire 4. The Kingdom of the East-Saxons it began under Erchenwin about Anno 527. Essex Middlesex Hartfordshire Part. 5. The Kingdom of the Northumbrians it began under Ida Anno Dom. 547. Lancashire Called sometimes the Kingdom of the Deiri Yorkshire Durham Cumberland Westmorland Northumberland and Part of Scotland from the River Tine to Edenborough-Frith called sometimes Bernicia  6. The Kingdom of the East-Angles it began under Uffa Anno Dom. 575. But Stowe saith 492. Norfolk  Suffolk Cambridgeshire Isle of Ely 7. The Kingdom of Mercia it began under Creodda An. Dom. 582. Glocestershire Herefordshire Worcestershire Warwickshire Leycestershire Rutlandshire Northamptonshire Lincolnshire Huntingdonshire Bedfordshire Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire Staffordshire Derbyshire Shropshire Nottinghamshire Cheshire Hartfordshire the other Part. But that of the West-Saxons at last prevailed over all the rest and Egbert King of the West-Saxons was the first Sole Monarch of all England among the Saxons He was Crowned King of all England at Winchester about Anno Domini 823. Polychronicon and soon after commanded That all that Part of Brettaine whereof he had now the Sovereignty should be called England and ever since it hath retained the name of England Polychronicon lib. 5. cap. 28. See also Verstegan pag. 148 149. He was the first also or his Son Ethelwolfe who divided England into Shires as at this day they stand divided the Names whereof you have in the Table preceding And King Alfred afterwards divided them into Hundreds and Tithings so Malmesbury Yet Ingulphus saith That Alfred divided both the Shires and the Hundreds but is mistaken else Malmesbury would not have left that out CHAP. IV. How the Saxons derive their Pedegree from Sem as I find it Registred by Asser Menevensis pag. 1. in the Pedegree of Alfred Also by Ailredus Abbas Rievallis in his Pedegree of King Henry the Second Also Florentius pag. 294. And also by Matthew Paris in the Edition put out by Dr. Wats Anno Christi 1640. pag. 94. as followeth 1. Beadwig Son of Sem. 2. Wala 3. Hathra 4. Itermod 5. Heremod 6. Celdwa 7. Beu 8. Garwa or Cetwa 9. Geta pro Deo habitus
modelled England into Shires the word Share we use at this day for a Part or Division Huntington lib. 1. Hist pag. 298. Postquà m Reges West-Sexe caeteris praevaluerunt Monarchiam obtinuerunt terras in 35 Provincias dividebant This might be Ethelwolfe Son of Egbert yet Egbert was the first Monarch Ingulphus saith Alfred the fourth Son of Ethelwolfe divided England into Counties Hundreds and Tythings pag. 870. But Selden supposeth Ingulphus is herein mistaken otherwise Malmesbury would have attributed the Division of Shires unto Alfred as well as Hundreds and Tythings which he omitteth altogether pag. 44. Therefore Shires were distinguished somewhat sooner to wit by Egbert Hundreds and Tythings by Alfred This Alfred also ordained Judges and Sheriffs making two Officers for the Governing of a Shire whereof before was but one Officer called Vice-Dominus This was but a new Model by Egbert and Alfred for without doubt the ancient Brettans had their Divisions of Counties Cities and Towns as Cook upon Littleton well observes Sect. 248. V. As to this new Division of Shires Huntington in the place cited reckons up 35. where he reckons Cornwall Northumberland and Cumberland to make up the Account But Malmesbury De Gestis Regum lib. 2. cap. 10. pag. 63. saith That under King Ethelred Anno Domini 1016. there were but 32 Shires in England and the Record of the two Dooms-day Books hath onely 33 Shires under William the Conqueror Anno Christi 1086. unless we take the East-Ryding North-Ryding and West-Ryding there mentioned for Shires See Splelman's Glossary on the word Dooms-day which three do now make up but one Shire called Yorkshire as it now stands divided Nor do we find in Dooms-day Book any mention at all of Northumberland Cumberland Westmorland Durham or Lancashire howbeit part of Lancashire as it now stands distinguished is put under the Title of Cestershire in that Book to wit all that part between the two Rivers of Ribbell and Mersey and the rest of it I conceive was put under Euruic-Scire So that Lancashire seems to have got and gained a distinct Name of a County or Shire since the Norman Conquest but of later time it was made a County Palatine by the King's Charter to his Son John of Gaunt Dated 28 die Februarii 51 Edw. 3. 1376. with all Priviledges sicùt Comes Cestriae infrâ Comitatum Cestriae dignoscitur habere Confirmed by Parliament 13 Rich. 2. 1389. Durham also hath not his Title in Dooms-day Book but may seem there to be comprehended under Euric-Scire or Yorkshire So likewise Northumberland Cumberland and Westmorland are either there omitted or comprehended under Yorkshire But soon after these were all accounted for distinct Counties or Shires which six as they now stand divided Northumberland Cumberland Westmorland Durham Yorkshire and Lancashire were by the Romans during their Rule in Brettaine stiled Brigantes that is Robbers In the first Age of the Saxons Rule in Brettaine these all made up the Kingdom of Deira as it was then called which afterwards the Saxons called The Kingdom of the Northumbrians so called because they possessed all the North of England from the River Humber in Yorkshire to Scotland So Cambden's Britannia in the Preface to Yorkshire Polychronicon lib. 1. cap. 49. saith thus That if Northumberland be counted for one Shire which reached sometime from the River Humber to the River Twede then are in England but 32 Shires over and above Cornwall But if it be parted into six Shires that is to say Evoric-shire or Yorkshire Durham-shire Northumberland Carlisle-shire or Cumberland Appleby-shire or Westmorland and Lancashire then are there 36 Shires besides Cornwall In the Conqueror's time who Described all the Provinces of England were found 36 Shires and half a Shire 52080 Towns 45002 Parish Churches 75000 Knights Fees whereof Houses of Religion had 28015. But now are more Towns and Villages inclosed and inhabited then were at that time and whereas before it was written that Cornwall was not set in the Shires of England it may stand among them well enough for it is not in Wales nor in Scotland but it is in England and so reckoning Cornwall be 37 Shires in England Thus the Monk of Chester in his Polychronicon who writ under Edward the Third But the Monk erreth in his Account for there are 33 Shires named in Dooms-day Book with Cornwall and if Yorkshire in Dooms-day Book have five other Shires taken out of it and be added to the rest then there must be in all 38 Shires and not 37. as the Monk counteth And if we add Rutlandshire which was formerly part of Northamptonshire but since Edward Plantagenet Son and Heir to Edmund of Langley Duke of York was made Earl of Rutland under King Richard the Second it hath been reckoned for a County and also Richmondshire which is part of Yorkshire being now also put into the number of our Counties then have we just 40 Counties in England at this present VI. Wales was newly divided into Shires and Hundreds Anno Domini 1283. 11 Edw. 3. saith Stow in his Annals in which Year Wales was totally subdued by Edward the First who then built two strong Castles there one at Conway the other at Caernarvan Cambden saith there were onely six Shires in Wales in the Reign of Edward the First constituted and the rest were ordained by Parliamentary Authority under Henry the Eighth in his Britannia Printed 1607. pag. 115. But the Statute of 34 35 Hen. 8. cap. 26. tells us That eight Shires were of ancient and long time to wit the Shires of Glamorgan Caermarthen Pembroke Cardigan Flint Caernarvan Anglesey and Merioneth but other four were made and appointed by the Statute of 27 Hen. 8. cap. 26. besides Monmouthshire to wit Radnor Brecknock Montgomery and Denbigh and divers Dominions and Lordships in the Marches of Wales were then also united and annexed to Shropshire Herefordshire and Gloucestershire so that there were five Shires newly made under Henry the Eighth and eight Shires under Edward the First but some now account Monmouth among the Shires of England as Cambden and Speed and so make 41 Counties in England because in that Statute of 27 Hen. 8. cap. 26. it is made subject to the Chancery of England and to the King's Judges of Westminster as all other the King's Subjects be within every Shire of the Realm of England By the same reason we may now account all the 13 Shires of Wales for Counties of England because by the same Statute of 27 Hen. 8. the Dominion of Wales is from thenceforth incorporated united and annexed to the Realm of England Yet it seems to me more proper that Monmouth be placed among the Shires of Wales in regard it was formerly part of Wales to preserve the memory thereof and so we have at this day 13 Shires in Wales CHAP. II. Of the Kingdom of Mercia I. FOr my better method and clearer passage to the Earls of Chester it will not be amiss briefly to
set down the Kings of Mercia during the Heptarchy of the Saxons in England under which our County of Cheshire is comprised This Kingdom of Mercia began Anno Domini 626. under Penda sirnamed The Strong Son of Wibba Howbeit Huntington brings it somewhat higher even to begin under Crida who died Anno Domini 596. lib. 2. pag. 315. whose Descent he also sets down out of the ancient Saxons Chronicle to Woden pag. 316. and the Descent of Woden Malmesbury reckons up Also Matth. Paris de H. 2. and Asser Menevensis de Alfredo pa. 1. lib. 2. de Gestis Regum cap. 2. ad initium out of the English Chronicles to Noah Also Hoved. Annal. pars prior p. 414. brings it up to Adam Which Descent although we may conceive it true as far as is set down yet it carries great improbabilities along with it in respect of the long Tract of Time it contains for Woden is but the tenth Ancestor from Crida inclusively and Noah but the sixteenth from Woden according to Malmesbury So all the Generations from Noah to Crida are but 26. which in all probability cannot contain much above 600 Years and so Crida living after Christ 550 Years as Huntington clearly expresseth the Generation where Noah is placed cannot exceed 100 Years before Christ or thereabouts Now Noah lived above 2000 Years before Christ as is evident by the Scripture and the Generations from Noah to Christ are reckoned up 68 Luke cap. 3. and according to Matthew from Noah to Christ are reckoned up 52 Generations which far exceed the proportion and number here set down by Malmesbury Besides this that Bedwegius should be the Son of Sem as Hoveden hath it is much to be suspected or as Malmesbury sets it down that he should be the Son of Stresaeus and Stresaeus reported to be the Son of Noah seems likewise incredible forasmuch as no such Son is recorded in the Text Genesis cap. 10. either to Noah or Sem. But to return II. The Kingdom of Mercia was otherwise called Midel-Engle or Mediterranea Anglia Huntington lib. 2. Histor pag. 317. and was distinguished into the Northern and Southern Mercians The South-Mercians were 5000 Families and were severed by the River Trent from the North-Mercians who contained 7000 Families and this distinction was in the time of Peda Son of Penda Huntington lib. 3. pag. 332. It was called Mercia not from the River Mersey running from the corner of Wirral in Cheshire because that River was the utmost Limit thereof Westward but I rather believe that River took Denomination from this Kingdom which it Bounded on that side and was called Mercia because it abutted or bordered upon part of all or most of the other Kingdoms of the Heptarchy for Marche in the Saxon Tongue signifieth A Border or Limit Hence we call the parts of Wales next bordering upon England The Marches of Wales and at this day we call the utmost Border of a piece of Land A Land-March now pronounced Land-Mark which is as much as A Mere or Boundary III. I shall now briefly run over the Kings of Mercia since the Saxons first set up their Rule here with the Years of their several Reigns 1. Crida died about the Year of Christ 596. He began his Reign Anno Domini 586. and Reigned ten Years 2. VVibba Son of Crida He began his Reign Anno 596. and Reigned twenty Years 3. Ceorlus Son of VVibba He began his Reign Anno 616. and Reigned ten Years 4. Penda sirnamed The Strong Son of VVibba slew Edwin and Oswald Bede de Hist Angl. lib. 3. cap. 9. Kings of Northumberland in several Battels Oswald was slain the fifth day of August Anno Domini 642. Oswald was a holy Man and many Churches and Chappels were Consecrated and Founded in honour of him This Penda was slain by Oswy Brother of Oswald in the Year 656. in Battel He began his Reign Anno 626. and Reigned thirty Years 5. Peda or Weda Son of Penda Married Alflede Daughter of Oswy King of Northumberland and was the first King of Mercia that received the Christian Faith He received half of Mercia by the Gift of Oswy his Father-in-law to wit South-Mercia This Oswy Founded Lichfield Church and made Dwina a Scotchman Bishop thereof Anno Domini 656. He was the first Bishop of Mercia Stow. pag. 67. This Peda began his Reign Anno 656. and Reigned three Years 6. Wulfere Son of Penda after the Death of his Brother Peda succeeded King of Mercia for the Nobility of Mercia Jumin Eaba and Eadbert did rebell against Oswy and set up Wulfere who Married Ermenhild Daughter of Erconbert King of Kent and had Issue by her Kenred a Son and Werburge a Daughter that holy Virgin who died at Chester and there buried Will. de Malmesbury lib. 1. de Gestis Regum cap. 4. This Wulfere was the first of the English Kings who committed Simony and sold the Bishoprick of London to one VVina He killed two of his own Sons Ulfade and Rufin because they went to be instructed in the Christian Faith by St. Chad Bishop of Lichfield whose Bodies Ermenhild the Queen buried in a Sepulchre of Stone where after she Founded a Priory called The Priory of Stones in Staffordshire Stow. pag. 69. He began his Reign Anno 659. and Reigned seventeen Years 7. Ethelred Brother to VVulfere erected a Bishoprick at VVorcester He began his Reign Anno 675. and Reigned twenty nine Years 8. Kenred Son of VVulfere in the fifth Year of his Reign went to Rome and became a Monk in St. Peters Church in Rome where he continued all his Life He began his Reign Anno 704. and Reigned five Years 9. Ceolred Son of Ethelred Fought stoutly against Ina King of the VVest-Saxons Ceolred was buried at Lichfield He began his Reign Anno 708. and Reigned eight Years 10. Ethelbald the Proud whom Malmesbury stiles Pronepos Pendae ex Alwio fratre Reigned peaceably one and forty Years This Ethelbald and almost all the Nobility of Mercia were much addicted to Adultery rejecting their Wives as appears by the Letter of Boniface Archbishop of Mentz and German Legate to Ethelbald about Anno 747. He Founded the Abbey of Crowland and was slain by his own Subjects by the procurement of Berared at the Battel of Segiswold within three Miles of Tamworth as he was Fighting against Cuthred King of the VVest-Saxons Anno 757. Stow. and his Body was Interred at Ripedon or Ripon He was Son of Alwy Son of Eoppa Son of VVibba Matth. VVestminst pag. 264. He began his Reign Anno 716. and Reigned one and forty Years 11. Berared an Usurper was slain by Offa and had an end meet for a Traytor He began his Reign Anno 757. and Reigned one Year 12. Offa was Cosin to Ethelbald scilicet Son of Dingferth Son of Eanulf Son of Osmod Son of Eoppa Son of VVibba Florentius VVigorniensis pag. 274. He overcame in Battel Kinulf King of the VVest-Saxons He built the famous
performed Earl Leofric granted the Townsmen a Freedom by Charter Polychronicon lib. 6. cap. 26. Westminster pag. 424. which Charter Mr. Dugdale in his Warwickshire pag. 86. conceives rather a Freedom from Servile Tenure than onely Toll This Illustrious Leofric died at his own Town of Bromley the last day of August Obiit 1057 Anno Domini 1057. So Florentius and Hoveden pag. 444. and also Matt. Westminster and was buried at Coventry in the Monastery which he had built there the richest Monastery then in England VI. Algar Son of Earl Leofric succeeded his Father in the Earldom of Mercia Anno Domini 1057. Hoveden pag. 444. and is stiled Earl of Chester by Huntington pag. 366. and also Earl of Leycester by Ingulphus pag. 898. Anno Domini 1053. the Earldom of the East-Saxons which before Harold Son of Earl Godwin held was given to this Algar And in the Year 1056. he was banished by Edward the Confessor but by the aid of Griffith King of Wales after the Slaughter of many he was reconciled to his Prince and received his Earldom In the Year 1058. being the Year after his Father's death he was again banished for Treason but by the help of King Griffith and the Norwey Navy he recovered his Earldom by force He had to Wife the Sister of William Mallet as Burton in his Antiquities of Leycestershire affirmeth pag. 168. and had two Sons Edwine Earl of Mercia and Morcar Earl of Northumberland and two Daughters Aldith first married to Griffith King of Wales and after to Harold King of England and Lucio who had three Husbands Ivo Talbois Earl of Angeau the first Husband of Lucy Roger de Romara Son of Gerold the Second Husband of Lucy by whom she had Issue William de Romara Earl of Lincoln Randle de Meschines Viscount Baieux in Normandy Lord of Cumberland in England and afterwards Earl of Chester was the third Husband of Lucy by whom she had also Issue But she survived all her Husbands Ingulphus pag. 898. Hoveden pag. 443 444. Ingul pag. 902 903. Ordericus vitalis pag. 511. 871. Cambden's Britannia in Leycestershire Obiit 1059 Anno Domini 1059. Algar died and was buried at Coventry Ingulphus pag. 898. VII Edwine Son of Algar succeeded Earl of Mercia Anno Domini 1059. He and his Brother Morcar stoutly opposed William the Conqueror Anno 1066. But the Conqueror prevailing he lost his Earldom He lived to the fourth Year of the Conqueror's Reign Anno 1070. Obiit 1070 When fearing to be imprisoned he conveyed himself secretly from the Court of William the Conqueror and rebelled against him and unable to withstand he intended to have gone to Malcolme then King of Scotland but being betrayed by his own Men was slain by the way Ordericus pag. 521. Florentius pag. 437 438. Some say Morcar was taken by the Conqueror and died in Prison Howbeit Ingulphus pag. 901. saith Comites Edwinus Morcarius ambo à suis per insidias trucidati I find no mention of any Issue either of Edwine or Morcar Finis Primae Partis Of the Earls of CHESTER Since the Norman Conquest PART II. CHAP. I. I. AFter that William Duke of Normandy had vanquished King Harold in Battel and obtained the Crown of England which hapned Anno Christi 1066. as all our Histories unanimously declare he by degrees conferred many great Patrimonies and large Possessions upon his more noble Barons as just Rewards for their Service by whose assistance he had got a new Kingdom So Ordericus Vitalis a Writer who lived near to those Times lib. 4. Eccles Hist pag. 521 522. as it is set out with other Histories by Andrew du Chesne and Printed at Paris Anno Domini 1619. tells us in these words Rex Guillielmus dejectis Merciorum maximis consulibus Edwino scilicèt interfecto Morcaro in vinculis constricto Adjutoribus suis inclytas Angliae Regiones distribuit ex infimit Normannorum Clientibus Tribunos Centuriones ditissimos erexit Amongst those of the meaner sort newly raised the principal were Geffrey de Clinton Rafe Basset with some others which Ordericus expresseth more at large pag. 805. II. But concerning the distribution of his Counties in England to his greater sort of Nobles and Barons who accompanied him in this Service see Ordericus pag. 522. Among others Anno 1070. the King gave to William Fitz-Ozberne Dapifero Normanniae that is High Steward of Normandy the Isle of Wight and the County of Hereford Which William with Walter Lacy and other tried Champions the King set as a Curb to the Welsh whose boldness first Invaded Brachavianos or Brecknockshire and slew Risen and Caducan and Mariadoth three Welsh Kings with many others Chester and the County thereof the King had but lately given to one Gherbod Gherbod first Earl of Chester after the Norman Conquest a Nobleman of Flanders who had gallantly behaved himself as well against the English as Welsh and afterwards being sent for by his Friends whom he had left in Flanders and to whom he had committed his hereditary Honour there he obtained liberty of King William the Conqueror to go thither and to return very quickly again but by misfortune he fell into the Hands of his Enemies when he came into Flanders and there endured a long and tedious Imprisonment In the mean time that is to say sub Anno Domini 1070. King William gave the Earldom of Chester to Hugh de Auranges Son of Richard sirnamed Goz. This Hugh with Robert of Rothelent and Robert of Malpas and other cruel Potentates spilt much of the Welshmens Blood And the Castle of Stutesbury now called Tutbury in Staffordshire which Hugh de Auranges held before was given to Henry Son of Walceline de Ferrars And divers other Lands were conferred on other Persons as you may see more at large in Ordericus III. But before I proceed to our Norman Earls of Chester it will not be amiss to note out of Ordericus who that Robert of Rothelent was whom I mentioned before with Earl Hugh for both he and the above mentioned Robert of Malpas were of the prime of the Noblemen and Barons belonging to Hugh Earl of Chester This Robert of Rothelent or Ruthelan is described by Ordericus pag. 669. thus He was a valiant and an active Soldier eloquent Facundus formidabilis but of a stern Countenance liberal and commendable for many Vertues Hic Edwardi Regis Armiger fuit He was one of those who attended the Person of King Edward the Confessor from whom he received the Honor of Knighthood Touching his Descent his Father was Umfrid de Telliolo Son of Amfrid of the Progeny of the Danes His Mothers Name was Adeliza Sister of Hugh de Grentemaisnill of the famous Family of the Geroians He was Commander in Chief at the Siege at Rochester 1 Willielmi Rufi At which time Griffith King of Wales Invaded the Coasts of England and had made a great Destruction about Rothelent For his Works of Piety he
the King to consider least the Earl had a Design to ensnare him telling him That it was not safe for him to bring his Army into the midst of so barbarous a Countrey through mountainous and steepy places where he might be entraped on every side besides it were a very rash part to go into his Countrey who had taken from him the greatest part of his Kingdom for although he might seem to incline to the King yet there was no certainty of his Fidelity nor Pledges of Assurance And that if he would have the King's Assistance he should first deliver up what he had unjustly taken which if he refused then presently he should be seized on as the King's Enemy and be imprisoned till he made Restitution But Randle when he heard the Conditions which he was to perform before he could have the King's Aid answer'd That he came not to the Court for that purpose neither had he any notice of this beforehand whereby he might have advised thereon and uttering many high words he was laid hold on by the King's Officers and imprisoned The Nobles who took part with Earl Randle Petitioned the King for his Enlargement and offered Sureties or any Security the King should demand for the delivering up of those Castles which were of Right belonging to the King so that the Earl might be released And thereupon Randle Earl of Chester having given Pledges and taken a solemn Oath that he would never hereafter take up Arms against the King was restored to his Liberty But as soon as he was released he violated his Oath and raised an Army against the King prosecuting his wrathful indignation with revenge of Fire and Sword wheresoever he came and as my Author saith In omnem aetatem in omnem Sexum Herodianam Tyrannidem Neronianam truculentiam exercebat He came often with a Party of Soldiers in view of the Town of Lincoln where now the King had placed the Flower of his Soldiery and had many Skirmishes with them sometimes he was put to the worse sometimes by the smiling Success of Fortune he victoriously triumphed over the King's Party He likewise blockt up the Castle of Coventrey which also he had delivered up to the King till Stephen came to relieve it with Victuals whereof it was in some distress and that was done with great difficulty to the King by forcing his Passage through Randle's Army where by the Way he had many Conflicts In the first Skirmish the King having received some slight Wound was forced to retreat but as soon as he was recovered he fell upon the Earls Army took many wounded others and the Earl himself put to flight and almost slain The King then pulls down the Castle of Coventrey which had been delivered to him before and victoriously proceeds to other Castles in Randle's possession sometimes blocking them up sometimes burning and destroying all about them and ever after became a sore Enemy to Randle and his Adherents Thus much ex Gestis Stephani Anno Domini 1150. David King of Scotland Entertained Henry Son of Maude the Empress at Carlisle very magnificently about Whitsuntide and Knighted him there in the Presence of Henry Son of King David and Randle Earl of Chester which Randle was then appeased concerning his Claim of Carlisle and Cumberland as his Patrimony and did Homage to King David for there was some Speech amongst them that for Carlisle Randle should have the Honour of Lancaster and that Earl Randle's Son should Marry one of the Daughters of Henry Prince of Scotland And so King David and Henry Duke of Normandy and Earl Randle were agreed to unite their Forces against King Stephen And King David with his Son Henry came to Lancaster with their Forces where Earl Randle promised to meet them with his but Randle failing of his Promise they returned back Johannes Prior Hagustaldensis pag. 277 278. Anno 1151. Randle Earl of Chester having been imprisoned which Imprisonment Radulfus de Diceto Chronica Gervasii John Bromton Chronica Normanniae Mat. Paris and Mat. Westminster do all place in Anno 1145. but Hoveden in Anno 1146. and having given his Nephew Gilbert de Clare for his Hostage was released But falsifying his Word and endangering his Hostage he sendeth for Henry Duke of Normandy into England promising him all Assistance Whereupon Henry came into England to whom Robert Earl of Leycester and many of the wisest Noblemen of England then resorted Idem Johannes pag. 278. What a tumultuous Age this was and how the Great Men of the Kingdom divided the Spoils may appear by the Agreement made between this Randle Earl of Chester and Robert sirnamed Bossu Earl of Leycester about the Year 1151. the Original whereof remains in Cotton's Library in Westminstsr Haec est Conventio intèr Ranulfum Comitem Cestriae Robertum Comitem Legrecestriae finalis Pax Concordia quae fuit Concessa divisa ab eis corà m Secundo Roberto Episcopo Lincolniae hominibus eorum ex parte Comitis Cestriae Ricardo de Lovetot Willielmo filio Nigelli Ranulfo Vice-Comite Ex parte Comitis Legrecestriae Ernaldo de Bosco Gaufrido Abbate Reginaldo de Bordineio Scilicèt quòd Comes Ranulfus dedit Concessit Roberto Comiti Legrecestriae castrum de Mountsorell sibi haeredibus suis Tenendum de eo haeredibus suis haereditariè sicùt Charta ipsius Comitis Ranulfi testatur Et ità quòd Comes Leycestriae receptare debet ipsum Comitem Ranulfum familiam suam in Burgo Ballâ—s de Mountsorell ad guerrandum quemcunque voluerit ut de feodo suo Et ità quòd Comes Leycestriae non potest indè forisfacere Comiti Ranulfo pro aliquo Et si necesse sit Comiti Ranulfo corpus ipsius receptabitur in Dominico Castro de Mountsorell Et ità quòd Comes Leycestriae portabit ei fidem salvà fide Ligei Domini sui Et si oportuerit Comitem Leycestriae ire super Comitem Cestriae cùm Ligeo Domino suo non potest ducere secum plus quà m viginti milites Et si Comes Leycestriae vel isti viginti milites aliquid ceperint de rebus Comitis Cestriae totum reddetur Nec Ligius Dominus Comes Leycestriae nec aliquis alius potest forisfacere Comiti Cestriae nec suis de Castris ipsius Comitis Leycestriae nèc de terrâ suâ Et ità quòd Comes Leycestriae nec potest proptèr aliquam Causam vel proptèr aliquem Casum impedire Corpus Comitis Cestriae nisi eum desidaverit quindecem dies anteà Et Comes Lycestriae debet juvare Comitem Cestriae contrà omnes homines praetèr Ligium Dominum ipsius Comitis Leycestriae Comitem Simonem Comitem Simonem potest juvare hoc modo quod si Comes Ranulfus forisfecerit Comiti Simoni ipsâ— Comes Ranulfus noluerit Corrigere forisfactum proptèr Comitem Leycestriae tunc potest eum juvare Et si Comes Simon forisfecerit
1403. He was made Lieutenant or Deputy in the Office of the Seneschalcy of the County of Chester by Elizabeth Countess of Salisbury while they both should live and to be of Council with her for which Service she gave him two Marks Annual Rent which he ought to pay her for his Lands of Little Legh held of her Castle of Harden during the Term aforesaid 1408. 10 Hen. 4. Lib. C. fol. 164. b. Great Contention fell between this Sir Peter Dutton and Sir William Athurton of Athurton in Lancashire insomuch that they made Inroads and Invasions one upon the other And the said Sir Piers Dutton and his Adherents to wit Sir Rafe Bostock of Bostock Richard Warburton of Budworth Thomas Warburton of Halton John Done of Utkinton junior John Manley of Manley Hugh Dutton of Hatton the elder William Leycester of Nether-Tabley Sir Peter Legh of Clifton Ancestor to Legh of Lyme and John Carington of Carington were all sued by Sir William Athurton for taking away forty of his Oxen and forty Cows out of his Closes at Athurton and for beating of his Servants But this Variance was composed between them by the Award of John Duke of Bedford Earl of Richmond and Kendall Constable of England and Regent of the Kingdom in the absence of Henry the Fifth Dated 9 Aprilis 7 Hen. 5. 1419. Restitution being awarded on both sides The Horses and Saddles taken by Sir William Athurton to be restored to Sir Piers Dutton and the Cattel taken by Sir Piers to be restored to the said Sir William Lib. C. fol. 146. n. Sir Peter de Dutton was made Parcarius de Northwood or Governor of Northwood Park in Over-Whitley during his Life with all the Fees thereof 1 Hen. 6. 1423. Vel 1 Hen. 5. Out of which he had Orders from William Harrington Chief Steward of Halton under Henry Archbishop of Canterbury and other Feoffees of King Henry the Fifth to deliver one Oak for the Repair of Witton Bridge then in decay and another for the Repair of Farnworth Chappel Dated 9 Hen. 6. Lib. C. fol. 147. w. Sir Peter died 12 Hen. 6. 1433. aged sixty six Years Obiit 1433 Lib. C. fol. 147. x. y. fol. 163. x. XIII John Dutton of Dutton Esquire Son and Heir of Sir Peter married Margaret Daughter of Sir John Savage of Clifton 6 Hen. 5. 1418. Lib. C. fol. 160. w. and had Issue Thomas Dutton Son and Heir Roger Dutton another Son afterwards Lord of Dutton John Dutton slain with his Brother Sir Thomas Dutton at Blore-Heath 1459. Stow. Robert Dutton another Son died without Issue Lib. C. fol. 180. k. Margaret married Hugh Son and Heir of Raufe Egerton 21 Hen. 6. 1443. Lib. C. fol. 147. b. Maud married Sir William Booth of Dunham-Massy 21 Hen. 6. 1443. Lib. C. fol. 164. g. Agnes married Richard Wynnington of Wynnington nigh Northwich Son and Heir of Robert Wynnington Son and Hir of Sir Richard Wynnington 25 Hen. 6. 1446. Lib. C. fol. 160. y. Ellen married Edward Son and Heir of Richard Longford of Lancashire Esq 28 Hen. 6. 1450. Lib. C. fol. 160. a. Elizabeth married John Merbury Son and Heir of James Merbury of Merbury nigh Comberbach Esquire 1458. The Original penès Thomam Merbury Armigerum 1666. Obiit 1445 This John Dutton of Dutton died 24 Hen. 6. 1445. aged forty two Years Lib. C. fol. 160. y. z. Margaret his Wife survived and was living 1450. XIV Sir Thomas Dutton of Dutton Knight Son and Heir of John and Margaret married Anne Daughter of James Lord Audley and had Issue Peter eldest Son slain with his Father at the Battel of Blore-Heath as Tradition hath it John Dutton second Son who succeeded Heir to his Father Anno married Sir Thomas Molineaux of Sefton in Lancashire Isabel married Sir Christopher Sotheworth of Sotheworth in Lancashire Lib. D. pag. 173. f. Elizabeth married Raufe Bostock of Bostock in Davenham Parish in Cheshire Esq by whom he had Issue Anne Daughter and Heir married to Sir John Savage of Clifton in Cheshire juxtà Halton which Elizabeth after the death of Raufe Bostock married Thomas Scriven of Frodsley in Shropshire and she died Anno Domini 1516. 5 die Februarii 8 Hen. 8. Lib. C. fol. 139. x. Margaret another Daughter of Sir Thomas Dutton married Thomas Aston of Aston juxtà Sutton Esquire 7 Edw. 4. 1467. Afterwards she married Raufe Vernon of Haslington in Cheshire Esquire And Elinour another Daughter married Richard Cholmondley of Cholmondley in Broxton Hundred Esq Lib. C. fol. 161. I. n. Obiit 1459 This Sir Thomas was slain at the Battel of Blore-Heath in Staffordshire September 23. 38 Hen. 6. 1459. Stow in his Annals and in the thirty eighth Year of his Age. Anne his Widow afterwards married Hugh Done of Olton in Cheshire and she died 19 Hen. 7. 1503. Lib. C. fol. 162. v. XV. John Dutton of Dutton Esquire Son and Heir of Sir Thomas and Anne was made Steward to the Prior of Norton for his Life of all the Lands and Tenements belonging to that Priory Robert Leftwich being then Abbot of Norton and for which the said John Dutton had three Pound yearly for his Fee Dated at Norton in September 38 Hen. 6. 1459. Lib. C. fol. 145. c. He married Margaret Daughter of Richard and Sister to Sir Thomas Molineaux of Sefton in Lancashire Obiit 1473 but died without Issue 13 Edw. 4. 1473. leaving Roger Dutton his Uncle to succeed in his Estate Lib. C. fol. 160. d. e. Margaret his Widow married William Buckley of Eaton junior 15 Edw. 4. Lib. C. fol. 160. b. XVI Roger Dutton of Dutton Esquire younger Brother to Sir Thomas and Heir to his Nephew John Dutton married Joan Daughter of Sir Richard Aston of Aston juxtà Sutton and had Issue Lawrence Dutton Son and Heir Obiit 1499 This Roger died 14 Hen. 7. 1499. Joan his Widow afterwards married Sir Richard Strangewaies Lib. C. fol. 162. v. fol. 164. e. XVII Lawrence Dutton of Dutton Esquire 14 Hen. 7. Son and Heir of Roger and Joan Obiit 1526 8 Hen. 8. married Joan Daughter of Robert Duckenfield of Duckenfield in Cheshire Esquire but died without any Lawful Issue Anno Domini 1526. aged fifty Years Lib. C. fol. 164. e. fol. 161. k. He had a Bastard-son called John Dutton to whom he gave the Messuage in Preston nigh Daresbery called The New Mannor for his Life 1526. Lib. C. fol. 162. s. He had also two Bastard-daughters Isabel and Joan. Upon the sailing of the Issue Male of this Line of Dutton there fell great Controversie and Suits of Law concerning this fair Inheritance of Dutton between Sir Piers Dutton of Hatton in Broxton Hundred as next Heir Male on the one part and the Daughters and Co-heirs of Sir Thomas Dutton of Dutton and their Heirs on the other part At last it was composed and ended by the Award of King Henry the Eighth Dated the sixteenth day of May 26 Hen. 8. 1534. and Confirmed by
his Brother Rafe Leycester appeareth not to me as yet Again we may observe out of the Deeds above-mentioned That John Leycester and Rafe Leycester were Brothers both Sons of Nicolas Leycester of Tabley by Mary Daughter of William de Mobberley and Nephews to Sir Rafe Mobberley of Mobberley aforesaid clearly so proved John was Son and Heir of Nicolas and Rafe younger Brother to John This Rafe Leycester was also seised of Lands in Chorley 51 Edw. 3. 1377. Lib. C. fol. 21. C. num 19 20. which Lands I conceive came unto him by vertue of an Entail made by Emme Grosvenour Lib. C. fol. 20. C. num 5. For Emme purchased all her Sisters shares in the Lands of Chorley which descended to them after the death of their Mother Maude Lib. C. fol. 21. C. num 16 17 18. It is observable also That this Rafe Leycester had some Land in Mobberley before those given him by the Feoffees 1379. whereof the Homage and Service is mentioned in the Fine of 1 Rich. 2. And this was the Land given by Henry de Mobberley to Mary Daughter of William de Mobberley in the Reign of Edward the Second Lib. C. fol. 14. M. num 1. fol. 19. M. num 39. And Mary gave the same afterwards to this Rafe Leycester her younger Son Which Rafe married Joan Daughter of Robert Toft of Toft Esquire whose Issue afterwards inherited all the Lands of Toft This Rafe Leycester died 14 Rich. 2. 1391. Lib. C. fol. 22. C. num 23. And so much of Mobberley A TRANSCRIPT OF CHESHIRE AT LARGE Out of the Greater Doomsday-Book Remaining on Record in the TALLY-OFFICE at WESTMINSTER Belonging to the Custody of the TREASURER and the two CHAMBERLAINS OF THE EXCHEQVER at LONDON According as the same was Transcribed by Mr. SQUIRE from the RECORD it self Anno Domini 1649. The Original comprehends a Survey of all England as well as Cheshire some few Counties onely excepted And was made by VVilliam the Conqueror's Command after he had won this Kingdom by the Sword It was begun and finished between the Fourteenth and the Twentierh Year of his Reign over England LONDON Printed Anno Domini M.DC.LXXII A TRANSCRIPT OF CHESHIRE AT LARGE Out of the Greater Doomsday-Book CIvitas de Cestre Tempore Regis Edwardi * This was Edward called The Confessor Geldabat pro L Hidis Tres Hidae dimidium quae sunt extrà Civitatem hoc est una Hida dimidium ultra pontem duae Hidae in Neutone Redeclive in Burgo Episcopi hae geldabant cum Civitate Tempore Regis Edwardi erant in ipsa Civitate CCCC XXXI Domus geldantes praeter has habebat Episcopus LVI domus geldantes Tunc reddebat haec Civitas X Marcas Argenti dimidiam Duae partes erant Regis tertia Comitis Et hae Leges erant ibi Pax data manu Regis vel suo Brevi vel per suum Legatum si ab aliquo fuisset infracta inde Rex C solidos habebat quod si ipsa Pax Regis jussu ejus à Comite data fuisset infracta de C solidis qui pro hoc dabantur tertium denarium Comes habebat si vero à Praeposito Regis aut Ministro Comitis eadem pax data infringeretur per XL solidos emendabatur Comitis erat tertius denarius Si quis liber homo Regis Pacem datam infringens in domo hominem occidisset terra ejus pecunia tota Regis erat ipse Utlagh fiebat hoc idem habebat Comes de suo tantùm homine hanc forisfacturam faciente Cuilibet autem Utlagh nullus poterat reddere pacem nisi per Regem Qui sanguinem faciebat à manè secundae feriae usque ad nonam Sabbathi X solidis emendabat à nonâ verò Sabbati usquè ad manè secundae Feriae sanguinis effusus XX solidis emendabatur similiter XX solidos solvebat qui hoc faciebat in XII diebus Nativitatis in die Purificationis beatae Mariae primo die Paschae primo die Pentecostes die Ascensionis in Assumptione vel Nativitate Sanctae Mariae in die Festo Omnium Sanctorum Qui in istis sacris diebus hominem interficiebat IV libris emendabat in aliis autem diebus XL solidis similiter Heinfaram vel Forestel in his Festis diebus die Dominico qui faciebat IV libras exsolvebat in aliis diebus XL solidos Hangenuitham faciens in Civitate X solidos dabat Praepositus autèm Regis vel Comitis hanc forisfacturam faciens XX solidis emendabat Qui Revelach faciebat vel latrocinium vel violentiam foeminae in domo inferebat unumquodque horum XL solidis emendabatur Vidua si alicui se non legitimè commiscebat XX solidis emendabat Puella verò X solidis pro simili causâ Qui in Civitate terram alterius saisibat not poterat diratiocinare suam esse XL solidis emendabat similitèr ille qui clamorem indè faciebat suam esse debere non posset diratiocinare Qui terram suam vel propinqui sui relevare volebat X solidos dabat Qud si non poterat-uel nolebat terram ejus in manum Regis Praepositus accipiebat Qui ad terminum quod debebat gablum non reddebat X solidis emendabat Si ignis Civitatem Comburebat de cujus domo exibat emendabat per tres or as Denariorum suo Propinquiori vicino dabat duos solidos Omnium harum forisfacturarum duae partes erant Regis tertia Comitis Si sinè Licentiâ Regis ad portum Civitatis Naves venirent vel à portu recederent de unoquoque homine qui in Navibus esset XL solidos habebant Rex Comes Si contrà pacem Regis super ejus prohibitionem navis adveniret tà m ipsam quà m homines cùm omnibus quae ibi erant habebant Rex Comes Si verò cum pace licentiâ Regis venisset qui in ea erant quietè vendebant quae habebant sed cùm discederet quatuor denarios de unoquoque Lesth habebant Rex Comes Si habentibus Martrinas pelles juberet Praepositus Regis ut nulli venderent donèc sibi priùs ostensas compararet qui hoc non observabant XL solidis emendabant Vir sivè mulier falsam mensuram in Civitate faciens deprehensus IV solidis emendabat similiter malam cervisiam faciens aut in Cathedrâ ponebatur Stercoris aut quatuor solidos dabat Praepositis Hanc forisfacturam accipiebant ministri Regis Comitis in Civitate in cujuscunque terrâ fuisset sive Episcopi sivè alterius hominis similiter Theoloneum siquis illud detinebat ultrà tres noctes XL solidis emendabat Tempore Regis Edwardi erant in Civitate hâc Septem Monetarii qui dabant Septem libras Regi Comiti extrà firmam quandò moneta vertebatur Tunc erant XII Judices Civitatis Et hi erant