Names were Duswall Griffith Huvall Jacob and Judethil or Inchil Malmesbury pag. 56. Huntington pag. 356. and Hoveden pag. 426. He Reigned 16 Years 13. Edward II. sirnamed The Martyr Son of Edgar was treacherously murthered by his Step-mother to make way for her Son Ethelred to succeed He Reigned 3 Years 14. Ethelred II. younger Son of Edgar was oppressed and broken by the Danes and to buy his own Peace was forc'd to pay them a yearly Sum of 10000 l. which at last was enhanced to 48000 l. This Tax was imposed on his Subjects and called Dane-geld but weary of this great Taxation he Plotted warily with his Subjects to kill all the Danes in their Beds which was put in Execution on the Eve of Saint Britius being the twelfth of November 1012 in the night-time But soon after Swane King of Denmark Landed Forces in England and forced Ethelred to flie out of England into Normandy He Reigned 38 years Ethelredus iste baptismum stercore foedavit 15. Edmund II. sirnamed Ironside Son of Ethelred having in vain attempted to recover the Kingdom at last divided it with Cnut or Canutus the Dane Son of Swane and not long after was this Edmund basely murthered 1017. This was the common Fame saith Malmesbury but Florentius and Hoveden tell us that he died at London about the Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle He Reigned nine Months By the Counsel of Edrick de Streon Cnut banished Edwin Brother to Edmund Ironside and also Edward and Edmund Sons of King Edmund Ironside Edward sirnamed The Outlaw Son of Edmund Ironside had issue Edgar Atheling the right Heir of the Crown and Margaret Married to the third Malcolme King of Scotland and Christian a Nun of Ramsey in Huntingtonshire 1086. Simeon Dunelmensis Kings of England of the Danish Blood 1. Canutus or Cnut King of Denmark and Norway after the death of Edmund Ironside was sole King of England He Married Emme the Widow of King Ethelred and Daughter of Richard Duke of Normandy He Reigned 20 years 2. Harold Bastard Son of Cnut sirnamed Harfuger He Reigned four years 3. Canutus II. commonly called Hardy-Cnut the lawful Son of Cnut He Reigned two years The Saxon Blood restored 16. Edward III. sirnamed The Confessor Son of Ethelred II. by Emme Daughter of Richard Duke of Normandy and half Brother to Edmund Ironside and to Hardy-Cnut the Dane was now advanced to the Throne of England and the Danes utterly expelled the Countrey having tytannized here above 200 years whereof they Reigned onely 26 years He Reigned 24 years He was the first of the Kings of England who cured the Disease call'd The Kings Evil a Prerogative continuing hereditary to the Kings of England and after his Death he was Canonized for a Saint Dr. Heylins Cosmography pag. 318. Anno Chr. 1066 17. Harold Son of Godwin Earl of Kent was chosen King of England in the Nonage of Edgar Atheling Grandchild to Edmund Ironside and true Heir of the Kingdom he was Crowned the sixth of January 1065. He Reigned nine Months and eight days But before I pass farther I would remember you of one thing mentioned by Dr. Heylin how in memory of the joyful clearing of the Countrey from the cruel Danes in the time of Edward the Confessor the English did institute the Merriment of the annual Sports of Hock-Tide and from their barbarous stabbing of the English at the time of their Drinking to avoid such villany the Party who was to Drink requested some of the next to him to be his Pledge or Surety whilst he was Drinking and hence came our Custom of Pledging one another a Phrase used in time of Drinking even to this day Harold was slain in Battel the fourteenth of October 1066 by William Duke of Normandy upon which Victory William was Crowned King of England and so ceased the Rule of the Saxons Thus have I briefly run over the Saxon Kings of England out of the most authentick Historians so that putting all together if we reckon the coming in of the Saxons with Cambden to be in Anno Domini 428 to the time of the Norman Conquest and including the small time of the Rule of the Danish Kings in the Account the whole time of the Saxons Rule in England was 638 years CHAP. VI. Of the time of the Danes in England 1. ANno Domini 800. the Danes first arriv'd in England to wit in the Isle of Portland which belongeth to Dorsetshire Brithric being then King of the West-Saxons Stowe's Annals but were after driven out of the Land These Danes did much infest England for a long space burning Towns and Temples and making woful destruction Osbert and Ella Kings of Northumberland were slain at York by the Danes Anno 867. Matth. of Westminster And in Anno 870. the Danes under the Command of Hinguar and Hubba slew Edmund King of the East-Angles and so possessed themselves of that Kingdom Florentius Wigorniensis and Stowe And in Anno 874. the Danes forced Beorhred King of Mercia to flie out of England and after his Expulsion they possessed all the Kingdom of the Mercians Florentius Infinite other Battels of them we meet with so that now they had the Kingdoms of the Mercians and of the East-Angles and a great part of Northumberland And in the time of Ethelred King of England Anno Domini 991. the Tribute call'd Danegeld was first Collected to appease the fury of the Danes and their Depopulations which continued a long time after See Spelman's Glossary on the word Danegeldum Anno Domini 1012. on the twelfth of November at Night Anno Regni Ethelredi 35. the English to free themselves from the great Oppression of the Tax called Danegeld did by a general Conspiracy strangle all the Danes in their Beds Heylin's Cosmography pag. 317. To revenge which Fact Swane King of Denmark came into England with a Fleet of 350 Ships Anno 1013. and ceased not to spoil many parts of the Kingdom and at last so far prevailed and subdued England that Cnut his Son was made King thereof after the death of Edmund Ironside to wit Anno 1017. and Cnut and his Sons enjoyed the Crown 26 years to the Year 1043. and then was the Saxon Blood restored to the Crown in Edward the Confessor but alass soon after Edward's Death were both the Danes and Saxons conquered by William Duke of Normandy to wit Anno 1066. So that we see the Justice of God how he set the Danes as a Scourge to the Saxons who had so perfidiously and cruelly used the poor Brettans and at last were driven out of their Lands by the Normans as they before had driven out the Brettans 2. The whole time that the Danes so miserably afflicted the Saxons in England was 266 years if we reckon to the Norman Conquest from the first coming of them into England Anno Domini 800. but if we reckon to the time of Edward the Confessor sub Anno 1043. then it containeth onely 242 years But Matth.
and one Month. 9. Edward I. Son of Henry III. subdued Wales and brought Scotland into subjection He died the seventh of July 1307. aged 68 Years He Reigned 34 Years 7 Months and 22 Days 10. Edward II. Son of Edward I. was Barbarously and Traiterously deposed through a strong Faction raised against him by his Queen and afterwards murthered in Barkley-Castle He was deposed the 25 of January 1326. and murthered September 21. 1327. He Reigned 19 Years 6 Months and 18 Days 11. Edward III. Son of Edward II. a Valorous Prince overthrew the French in two great Battels took Caliz and many other Places in that Kingdom and Quartered the Arms of France in his Coat which the succeeding Kings of England have ever since imitated and retained He died at Richmond the 21 day of June 1377. in the 56 Year of his Age. He Reigned 50 Years and almost 5 Months 12. Richard II. Son of Prince Edward called The Black Prince and Grandson of Edward III. was Traiterously deposed by his Cosin Henry Duke of Hereford and Lancaster the 29 of September 1399. and after murthered in Prison the 14 day of February following in Pomfret Castle He Reigned 22 Years 3 Months and 8 Days The Lancastrian Line 13. Henry IV. Duke of Lancaster Son of John of Gant fourth Son of King Edward the Third traiterously and villainously taking up Arms against his Prince caused Richard the Second to be deposed and made himself King He spent his whole Reign in suppressing of home-bred Rebellions He died the 20 of March 1412. in the 46 Year of his Age. He Reigned 13 Years and 6 Months wanting 10 Days 14. Henry V. Son of Henry IV. the Mirror of Magnificence and passing swift in running He was of New-College in Oxford under the Government of Henry de Beaufort his Uncle on the Fathers side then Chancellor of Oxford He Conquered France and died in the Castle of Boys de Vincennes not far from Paris the last day of August 1422. He Reigned 9 Years 5 Months and 10 Days 15. Henry VI. Son of Henry V. an Infant of 8 Months old a Pious but Unfortunate Prince He was Crowned King of France in Paris 7 Decembris 1431. which he held during the Life of his Uncle John Duke of Bedford Regent of France But afterwards he did not onely lose all France again but England also to the Duke of York's Faction who claimed the Crown of England in right of Anne Grandmother to Edward IV. and Daughter to Roger Mortimer Earl of March Son of Edmund Mortimer by Philippa Daughter and Heir of Lionel Duke of Clarence third Son of Edward III. and Elder Brother of John of Gant He Reigned 38 Years 6 Months and 4 Days Kings of the Duke of York's Line 16. Edward IV. Son of Richard Duke of York challenged the Crown as aforesaid and prevailing in several Battels against Henry VI. was Crowned King of England the fourth of March 1460. Yet Henry VI. was Crowned again 13 die Octobris 1470. But he enjoyed his Title of Redemption but a while for he died about six Months after to wit in Anno 1471. having lived 52 Years He Reigned 22 Years 1 Month and odd Days This Edward the Fourth died the ninth of April 1483. aged 41 Years He was the first of all the Norman Kings who married his own Subject Anno Chr. 1483. 17. Edward V. Son of Edward IV. was never Crowned but murthered by his Uncle Richard Duke of Glocester Protector in June 1483. in the thirteenth Year of his Age in the Tower of London He Reigned two Months 18. Richard III. youngest Brother of King Edward IV. being Protector to the late young King and dispatching him and his Brother out of the way usurpeth the Crown He was slain at Bosworth-field in Leycestershire the 22 day of August 1485. He Reigned 2 Years and 2 Months The Union of the Two Families Lancaster and York 19. Henry VII Earl of Richmond next Heir to the House of Lancaster as Son of Edmund a That Edmund was called Edmund of Haddam Son of Owen Tudor by Queen Katharine the Widow of Henry the Fifth Tudor by Margaret Daughter of John Duke of Somerset descended of John of Gant Duke of Lancaster after the Overthrow given by him unto Richard the Third at Bosworth married Elizabeth Daughter and Heir to King Edward the Fourth and so United the Families He died at Richmond the 22 day of April 1509. after he had Reigned 23 Years and 8 Months 20. Henry VIII Son of Henry VII Heir to both Families He shaked off the Pope's Supremacy in this Nation suppressed the Monasteries and began the Reformation of Religion in England A Prince of great Vices and of great Vertues He wrote a Book against Luther for which Pope Leo X. gave him by Charter the Title of Defender of the Faith dated 1521. Herbert's Hist of Hen. 8. pag. 95. Which Title hath ever since been used by his Successors He died at Westminster the 28. of January 1546. having Reigned 37 Years 9 Months and 6 Days Trussel's History pag. 263. saith There perished in the Civil Wars between the the Houses of Lancaster and York Two Kings One Prince Ten Dukes Two Marquesses Twenty one Earls Twenty seven Lords Two Viscounts One Lord Prior of St. Johns of Jerusalem One Judge 139 Knights 441 Esquires 84998 Common Persons Dr. Heylyn in his Cosmography pag. 320. accounts thus Seventeen Pitched Fields Eight Kings and Princes slain Forty Dukes Marquesses and Earls 200000 Common People Besides Barons and Gentlemen 21. Edward VI. Son of Henry VIII by Jane Seymour a Child He died at Greenwich 6 die Julii 1553. about 15 Years old In his time Priests were allowed to Marry See Stat. 2 3 Edw. 6. cap. 21. He Reigned 6 Years 5 Months and 8 days 22. Queen Mary Daughter of Henry VIII by Katherine of Spain his Brother Arthur's Widow lost Caliz to the French 1557. A Bloody Queen She married Philip King of Spain 25 die Julii 1554. And she died at St. Jameses House in London the 17 of November 1558. She set up Popery and Reigned 5 Years 4 Months and 11 Days 23. Queen Elizabeth Daughter of Henry VIII by the Lady Anne of Bullein his second Wife A most Gracious Heroick Princess She perfected and refined the Reformation of Religion begun by her Father furnished the Royal Navy with all Warlike Ammunitions succoured the Scots against the French and the French Protestants against the Papists defended the Netherlands against the Attempts of the Spaniards commanded the Whole Ocean entred League with the Muscovite and was most Famous in the Prudent Government of her Kingdom assisted by most Wise and Able Statesmen and Privy-Counsellors about her as any Prince in Christendom had and which is most rare were all Faithful and Loyal to her She died the 24 day of March 1602. which is the last Day of the Year according to the Computation of the Church of England at Richmond in Surrey aged 70 Years She
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
one half of Gropenhale should revert to the Heirs of Sir John and the other half to the Heirs of Joan. Lib. C. fol. 242. v. fol. 290. a. Sir John Daniell had Issue by Joan a Daughter and Heir called Nicolaa Mother of Margaret Wife of Alan de Rixton in Lancashire which Margaret dying without Issue 6 Rich. 2. Margaret the Wife of John Savage of Clifton Daughter and Heir of Sir Thomas Daniell of Bradley the younger elder Brother of the said Sir John Daniell had the Purpart of the said Lands as one of the Heirs of Margaret late Wife of Alan de Rixton 9 Rich. 2. And Thomas Boydell Son of William sir-named Boydell Son of Howell Son of Margaret Sister of Joan Mother of Nicolaa was the other Heir Lib. C. fol. 290. c. whose Land was after divided as anon shall appear Margaret Wife of John Savage afterwards married Piers Legh of Maxfield 1388. 12 Rich. 2. younger Son of Robert Legh of Adlington and she gave unto Peter Legh of Lyme her Son the Moiety of Gropenhale 4 Hen. 4. in her Widowhood which she had as Heir to Margaret late Wife of Alan de Rixton from whom the Leghs of Lime now Lord of the moiety of Gropenhale 1666. Lib. C. fol. 290. d. The Originals Penes Legh of Lime The other Moiety of Gropenhale descending to Thomas Boydell aforesaid Ex Chartulis Merbury de Merbury juxta Great Budworth came to the Part of Hugh Reddish of Caterich younger Son of Reddish of Reddish in Lancashire in Right of Margaret his Wife Daughter and Co-heir of Thomas Boydell by Partition made of all Thomas Boydell's Lands 5 Hen. 5. Lib. C. fol. 282. I. Isabell the other Daughter and Co-heir of Thomas Boydell married John Alburgham whose Son Gilbert had also two Daughters and Heirs Constance Wife of Henry Byrom of Byrom in Lancashire and Isabel Wife of James Holte 3 Hen. 7. The Part belonging to Reddish of Caterich came to William Merbury of Merbury Esq in Right of Maud his Wife Daughter and Heir of Thomas Reddish of Caterich in Gropenhale Anno 1556. Lib. C. fol. 284. P. whose Heirs have ever since enjoyed the same to this present 1666. In this Township hath been anciently and yet is a Parish-Church Dedicated to St. Wilfrid whose Feast of Dedication was usually Celebrated the twelfth day of October yearly and hath onely two Townships in its Parish to wit  The Mize  l. s. d. Gropenhale 00 14 00 Lachford 00 10 00  01 04 00 I find Gropenhale Church was a Rectory in the Reign of Henry the Third Lib. C. fol. 283. x. and had then the Boydells of Dodleston for its Patron who were Lords of Gropenhale and Lachford both But now Byrom of Byrom in Lancashire hath the Advowson hereof 1666. Sir William Boydell of Dodleston built a Chappel in this Church wherein William Boydell his Son and Heir swore to find an honest Chaplain to pray for the Souls of the said Sir William and Nicolaa his Wife for evermore 8 Edw. 3. 1334. She was Daughter of William de Doncaster Lib. C. fol. 285. d. e. Charterers now in Gropenhale 1666. 1. John Middlehurst 2. William Morris of Gropenhale 3. Richard Davys 4. Thomas Blackborne of Lachford now hath got half of Davys's Land Hale THis Township of Hale was held by Hamon Massy in the Conqueror's Time as appears by Doomsday-book So that it is anciently of the Fee of the Barons of Dunham-Massy In this Town were Seated the Massies of Hale anciently who were propagated Originally out of the Massies of Dunham-Massy which Family continued for many Ages but is now extinct 3 Hen. 4. there were fourteen Free-holders or Charterers in Hale At this day 1666. there are twenty three Free-holders The Lord Delamere is now Chief Lord of the one Moiety of Hale and John Crew of Crew Esquire is Chief Lord of the other Moiety Here is a Hamlet in Hale called Ringey wherein is situated a Chappel of Ease called Ringey-Chappel within the Parish of Bowdon of which I have little to say save that it was much frequented in the late War by Schismatical Ministers and as it were a Receptacle for Non-Conformists in which dissolute Times every Pragmatical Illiterate Person as the Humor served him stepp'd into the Pulpit without any Lawful Calling thereunto or Licence of Authority Halton THis Town in common Pronunciation is called Hauton and is as much as A Town upon a Hill for Hawe and Howe is an old English word for A Hill Howbeit in our Norman way of Writing it is usually written Halton in Doomsday-book it is written Heletune Here is yearly a Fair kept on the Feast of the Nativity of St. Mary which is the eighth day of September and hath been very anciently for I find it mentioned in an Old Deed made towards the latter end of the Reign of Henry the Third Lib. C. fol. 164. b. It is now a poor Town or Village and the Inhabitants that have any Lands of Inheritance there are all Copy-holders to the King as Baron of Halton save two small Cottages now 1666. in possession of John Jackson and Richard Jennings which are of the Fee of St. John of Hierusalem The Castle was built by the Barons of Halton presently after the Norman Conquest and by degrees Repaired and Enlarged who being Seated here flourished for a long time and were Constables of Cheshire in Fee that is to them and their Heirs by Descent as it were after the manner of Lord High Constables of England so were the Barons of Halton to the Earls of Chester and in their Ancient Charters did always stile themselves by the Title of Constabularius Cestriae Constables of Cheshire and were the Highest in Place and Dignity next to the Earl himself and above all the other Barons of Cheshire In the Reign of Henry the Third their Posterity became Earls of Lincoln And upon the Death of Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln 1310. all his Lands and Honors came to the Earl of Lancaster with Alice his Daughter and Heir in Marriage And at last Henry of Bolingbroke Son of John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster was so Great a Subject and so Popular that he drew unto his Part most of the Nobility of England and thereby most Traiterously and Rebelliously Deposed Richard the Second and made himself King of England by the Name of Henry the Fourth So was the Barony of Halton annexed to the Crown All which will better appear by the following History of these Eminent Barons of Halton till this Barony came to the Crown In this Town of Halton was formerly a Chappel of Ease within the Parish of Runcorne situated near to the Castle as I well remember the same 1625. But it is now totally in decay 1666. Barons of Halton This Nigell if we may believe Pecham in his Compleat Gentleman pag. 189. was the Son of Ivo Vice-Comes or Governor of Constantia in Normandy by Emme Sister to Adam Earl of Bretagne
dishonour of the King's Person which the Duke of Norfolk denied Whereupon they had a Combat granted by the King to have been fought at Coventry on the seventeenth day of September both of them entring the Lists courageously But the King took up the Matter causing it to be Proclaimed That the Duke of Hereford had honourably performed his Part and presently after Banished the Duke of Hereford for ten Years and the Duke of Norfolk for ever So Stow and Walsingham But this Duke of Hereford returning into England Deposed Richard the Second causing the King to read his own Resignation of the Crown to this Henry publickly in the Tower before the Nobles of England Walsingham's Hist pag. 359. Cursed Traytors And so by force of Arms made himself King by the Name of Henry the Fourth So was the Dutchy of Lancaster and the Barony of Halton united to the Crown of England John of Gaunt had also Issue by Blanch two Daughters Elizabeth married John Holland Duke of Exeter and after to Sir John Cornwall Knight of the Garter and Baron of Fanhope Philippa the other Daughter married John King of Portugal After the death of Blanch he married Constantia Daughter and Co-heir to Petro late King of Spain and Edmund Earl of Cambridge his Brother married Isabella the other Daughter Anno Domini 1372. 46 Edw. 3. Stow and Walsingham Lib. C. fol. 78. f. And from this time he writ himself King of Castile and Leons By this Constance he had Issue Katharine married to Henry Son of John King of Spain 1389. Upon the Marriage of Katharine a Peace was concluded between John of Gaunt and the King of Spain John of Gaunt was to have ten thousand Pounds yearly for his own Life and the Life of Constance his Wife Walsingham Who before in the Year 1367. had routed the Spaniards in a great Battel between him and Henry the Bastard who had ejected Peter King of Spain Constance died Anno Domini 1394. Walsingham John of Gaunt relinquishing his Title of King of Castile and Leons was Created Duke of Aquitain by Consent of Parliament 2 die Martii 13 Rich. 2. 1389. And then his Title Anno 1394. 18 Rich. 2. did run thus Johannes Filius Regis Angliae Dux Aquitaniae Lancastriae Comes-Leycestriae Lincolniae Derbiae Seneschallus Angliae Couchir-Book in the Dutchy-Office Tom. 2. Comitatus Southampton num 36. For he had Honorem de Tickhil 46 Ed. 3. while he was stiled King of Castile and Leons and Duke of Lancaster Castrum Leucatam de Pevenese inter alià in exchange for the Earldom of Richmond 46 Edw. 3. And by his Brother the Black Prince Earl of Chester he had 100 Marks yearly given him out of the Exchequer at Chester during his Life by the Name of John by the Grace of God King of Castile and Leons and Duke of Lancaster 47 Edw. 3. 1373. Lib. C. fol. 78. e. After the death of Constance his second Wife the Duke went into Aquitain scilicet Anno 1396. 19 Rich. 2. to have obtained the Good-will of the Inhabitants having the Title of Duke of Aquitain conferred upon him before by his Father but was suddenly called back into England by the King And as soon as he returned into England he married Katharine Swynford his old Concubine to the wonder of all Men which Katharine formerly waited on Blanch his first Wife Stow and Walsingham This Katharine was the Daughter of Payn Roet alias Guyen King at Arms and Widow of Sir Otes Swynford by whom John of Gaunt had Issue before he married her Sir John Beaufort the eldest was Earl of Somerset and Marquis Dorset which Marquis-ship was taken away by Parliament 1 Hen. 4. Henry de Beaufort was after Bishop of Winchester Cardinal of St. Eusby sive Euscbii and Chancellor of England Thomas Created Earl of Dorset 21 Rich. 2. Joan de Beaufort was second Wife of Raufe Nevill the first Earl of Westmorland after she married Robert Ferrers Lord of Owseley They were all sir-named de Beaufort because they were born at Beaufort in France All which were Legitimated by Parliament 1397. 20 Rich. 2. to all Purposes Honors State and Dignities exceptâ Dignitate Regale as you may see in the Record transcribed by the Lord Cook in his Jurisdiction of Courts pag. 37. Lib. C. fol. 82. P. Walsingham put out by Mr. Cambden calls Thomas Beaufort Comitem de Somerset all along pag. 354. 550. for Dorset unless the Title of Somerset and Dorset were promiscuous See Vincent on Brooke pag. 169. Katharine Synford died in May 4 Hen. 4. 1403. Stow. This John procured the County of Lancaster to be made a County Palatine to whom his Father King Edward the Third by his Charter granted Jura Regalia And when he hath reckoned up the Good Service which the said John of Gaunt his Son had done for his Countrey at home and abroad he addeth Concessimus pro nobis Haeredibus nostris praefato Filio nostro quod ipse ad totam vitam suam habeat infra Comitatum Lancastriae Cancellariam suam ac Brevia sua sub Sigillo suo pro Officio Cancellarii deputando consignanda Justiciarios suos tam ad Placita Coronae quam ad quaecunque alia Placita Communem legem tangentia tenenda Cognitiones eorundem quascunque Executiones per Brevia sua Ministros suos ibidem faciendas Et quascunque alias libertates Jura Regalia ad Comitatum Palatinum pertinentia adeo libere integre sicut Comes Cestriae infra eundem Comitatum Cestriae dignoscitur obtinere c. 28 die Februarii Anno Edw. 3. Angliae 51 Franciae 38. Couchir-Book of the Dutchy-Office Tom 1. fol. 430. num 16. Confirmed to him and his Heirs by Consent of Parliament 16 die Febrùarii 13 Rich. 2. Ibidem Tom. 1. fol. 52. Many are the Acts of this John of Gaunt Recorded in our Annals and Histories I will reckon up some of the most memorable Anno Domini 1373. 47 Edw. 3. John Duke of Lancaster went with a Puissant Army into France He passed by Paris to Burgundy and so through all France no Man daring to oppose him but at last leaving France he came into the Desart Mountains of Avernia where there was neither Meat for Horse nor Man and so lost most part of his Army through Famine and Pestilence whence he came to Burdeaux scarce with forty Horse whereas he entred France with thirty thousand Horse attending him Walsingham Anno 1377. he was threatned to be killed by the Londoners for some high Word spoken against their Bishop of London they had burned his House called The Savoy but that the Bishop interceded Whereupon the Duke fled to Kensington and hating the Londoners caused the Mayor and other Officers to be put out and new ones chosen Shortly after Richard the Second before his Magnificent Coronation at Westminster reconciled the Citizens and the Duke of Lancaster Anno 1376. the King sent again for
Magogaei which the Greeks afterwards named Scythians Madai gave name to the Madians whom the Greeks called Medes From Javan the Jonians and Greeks took their Original From Thubal the Theobelians took their Names afterwards called Iberians Meshech gave name to the Meschates since called Cappadocians And Tiras gave name to the Thirians whom the Greeks called Thracians So Ashkenaz gave name to the Ashkenarians after named Rhegii by the Greeks Riphath propagated the Riphataeans afterwards called Paphlagonians Togarmah propagated the Tygranians afterwards by the Greeks called Phrygians Elishah Son of Javan whom Josephus calleth Ebishah gave name to the Ebizaei over whom he ruled afterwards called Aetolians Tharshish propagated the Tharsi which was the ancient name of the Cilicians Chittim obtained the Island Kittim now called Cyprus Dodanim is omitted by Josephus who mentions but three Sons of Javan These Nations were inhabited by the Posterity of Japhet who began to make their aboad from the Mountains of Taurus and Amanus and entred Asia even to Tanais and Europe unto Gades not before inhabited Thus Josepus lib. 1. de Antiquitate Judaeorum cap. 7. Now because it is impossible to trace down exactly the Original of our Nation from these so ancient Beginnings in regard no ancient Histories which have been hitherto preserved have recorded any thing of these more ancient Ages next following and what Histories are now extant of the more ancient Times are all very Fabulous and full of Uncertainties except what is contained in Holy Scripture which principally toucheth the Affairs of the Jews I shall therefore begin from those Times wherein we find more certain Truths recorded by the most Authentick Historians and so trace them downwards to this day OF BRETTAINE CHAP. I. Of the Island and Name of Brettaine which Originally comprehended England Wales and Scotland I. THe Ancient Geographer writeth thus concerning Islands 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cambden's Britannia sub Titulo Hiberniae in ipso initio That is The Indian Taprobane exceeds all Islands in Greatness and Glory next after it Brettaine the third that other British Island Ireland And hence Ptolomy called Ireland Little-Bretaine Lipsius in his Book de Constantiâ lib. 2. cap. 22. who lived Anno Domini 1600. gives the Title of Insularum maxima unto Cuba in America where immediately before speaking of America I conceive he onely meaneth Cuba to be the greatest among the American Isles alitèr errat And the Oriental Navigators ascribe that Title unto Sumatra taken for Ptolomy's Taprobane or to Madagascar called also the Island of Saint Laurence both which are near to the Equinoctial Line So Speed on his Map of Great Brettaine and Ireland This Brettaine commonly called Great Brettaine hath on the East the German Ocean dividing it from Belgium Germany and Denmark On the West Saint Georges Channel dividing it from Ireland On the North the Deucalidonian Ocean And on the South the English Channel dividing it from France The Length from North to South is reckoned 620 Miles the greatest Breadth from East to West in a Right Line no more than 250 of the same Italian Miles but by the Crooks and Bendings of the Sea-coast it extendeth to 320 Miles It is the greatest Island in the World except Java Borneo Sumatra and Madagascar the three first are among the Oriental Islands Madagascar among the African It is situate under the eighth ninth tenth eleventh and twelfth Climates so that the longest day at the Lizard-Point in Cornwal which is the most Southern part of it containeth 16 Hours and a Quarter and at Barwick which is now the Border or Limit between England and Scotland the longest Day is 17 Hours and three Quarters long and one Hour more at Straith-by-head in the North of Scotland where some observe that there is scarce any Night at all in the Summer-Solstice but a dark Twilight Thus Dr. Heylyn in his Cosmography put out by him in Anno Domini 1660. pag. 293. Diodorus Siculus who was Contemporary with Julius Caesar saith Brettaine is the greatest Island in Europe lib. 5. pag. 300. which I think will not be denied And Henry Huntington calleth it Insularum nobilissima lib. 1. Histor sub initio There are also certain lesser Islands dispersed in several Parts of the British Sea adjacent and belonging to Great Brettaine which were called British Isles as 1. The Orcades or Isles of Orkney 2. Schetland 3. The Hebrides 4. The Isle of Man 5. The Isle of Anglesey 6. The Islands of the Severn-Sea 7. The Sorlings or Isles of Silley 8 The Isle of Wight 9. The Isle of Thanat 10. Sunderland 11. Holy-Island The Isles of Orkney Schetland and the Hebrides belonged to the Crown of Scotland the other to the Crown of England But were all united in King James who was the first Monarch of Great-Brettaine being King of Scotland by Descent and next Heir of Blood to the Crown of England after the death of Queen Elizabeth He was proclaimed King of England the twenty fourth day of March which was the last day of the Year 1602 according to the Computation of the Church of England whose Style Imperial ran Jacobus Dei Gratiâ Magnae Britanniae Franciae Hiberniae Rex II. Henry of Huntington saith it was first called Albion and afterwards Brettaine Haec autèm Insularum nobilissima cui quondam nomen Albion fuit posteà verò Britannia lib. 1. Hist sub initio He lived in the Reign of King Stephen Anno Christi 1148 So Pitseus p. 211. And Bede who died Anno Christi 734 according to Malmesbury begins his History of England thus Britannia Oceani Insula cui quondà m Albion nomen fuit Also Dr. Heylyn in his Cosmography p. 295. saith The whole Island of Brettaine was first called Albion and afterwards Brettaine Which name of Brettaine was first found in Athenaeus among the Greek Authors and in Lucretius and Julius Caesar among the Latins and was retained by Strabo Pliny and all other ancient Writers except Ptolomy onely by whom it is called Albion as at first And the name of Brettaine continued till the time of Egbert the first Saxon Monarch who called the Southern part of this Island by the name of England from the Angli who with the Juits and Saxons had conquered the same But contrarily Sir John Prise of the race of the Bretans in his Book de Defensione Historiae Britannicae Printed at London 1573. p. 55. saith Ego sanè Britanniam priùs dictam esse quam Albion facilè crediderim And the reason whereupon he grounds his Opinion is the Authority of Caesar who in his Commentaries always calleth it Britain but never Albion and that from this more Noble Island all the rest of the lesser Isles adjacent as appurtenant unto this were also called Insulae Britannicae which out of Pliny Ptolomy and other Authors is manifest And then began this Brettaine to be called Albion in distinction from the rest And he addeth the Authority of Pliny who lived about
10. Fingondulf 11. Frederwolf 12. Freolf 13. Fredwald 14. Woden 15. Bealdag 16. Brand. 17. Freodgar These three are omitted by Asser as it is Printed from Cambden's Copy 1603. also by Simon Dunelmensis pag. 119. 18. Frewin These three are omitted by Asser as it is Printed from Cambden's Copy 1603. also by Simon Dunelmensis pag. 119. 19. Wigg These three are omitted by Asser as it is Printed from Cambden's Copy 1603. also by Simon Dunelmensis pag. 119. 20. Gewis Iste fuit Caput Gentis suae à quo tota Gens illa nomen accepit à Britonibus Gewissorum Gens fuit Hantshire sive Regio Wintoniae Ordericus lib. 4. pag. 512. See also Bede de Hist Ang. lib. 4. cap. 15. Gewis is omitted in Mat. Paris Copy 21. Edda omitted by Asser and called Egla by Mat. Paris 22. Elesa 23. Ceordwic He lived Anno 520. 24. Creoda 25. Chenric or Kenrick 26. Cheulin 27. Cuthwin 28. Cutha Son of Cuthwin 29. Ceoldwald 30. Ceonred 31. Ingels cujus Frater fuit Ina Rex famosissimus Occidentalium Saxonum 32. Eoppa 33. Offa ceù Eafa 34. Alcmund 35. Egbert or Egbricht the first Saxon Monarch of all England Obiit Anno Christi 836. 36. Ethelwolf Obiit Anno 856. 37. Alfred He Reigned not till 872. because his Brothers Reigned before him Obiit 899. 38. Edward the Elder Obiit Anno Christi 924. 39. Edmund Obiit Anno Christi 946. 40. Edgar the Peaceable Obiit Anno Christi 975. 41. Ethelred He plotted to kill all the Danes in their Beds on the 12th of November at night An. 1012. Obiit Anno. Christi 1016. 42. Edmund Ironside He died Anno Christi 1017. 43. Edward the Outlaw He was never King though Right Heir Cnut the Dane dispossessed him 44. Margaret Wife of Malcolme the third King of Scotland Christian a Nun at Ramsey in Huntington-shire 1086. Si. Dunelmensis Edgar Atheling Right Heir to the Crown created Earl of Oxford 1065 Stowe and Cambden 45. Maud Wife of Henry the First King of England 46. Maud the Empress Daughter and Heir She was after married to Geffrey Plantagenet Earl of Anjou in France 1127. 47. Henry the Second King of England Son of Geffrey and Maud. c. ⚜ This Descent carrieth great uncertainty both for the defect of time wherein each lived and also for want of Authority vouched but chiefly for that Bedwig the first here named is made the Son of Sem Howbeit the later part of it is very true but the making of Bedwig Son of Sem is either foisted into the Copy by some ignorant Person or else is to be understood as descended from Sem originally not immediately as Christ is called the Son of David the Son of Abraham Matthew cap. 1. ver 1. For Sem the Son of Noah died Anno Mundi 2158. Anno post Diluvium 502. which was 1790 Years before Christ was born And no Learned Man versed in Antiquities can imagine the Descents here reckoned up to Bedwig from King Alfred to exceed 1000 Years So that reckoning from Alfred's death which was in Anno 899. it cannot be supposed that these Descents can reach much above the time of Christ's Birth if they reach so high admitting them to be exactly true so far as they reach which would yet fall short 1700 Years from the death of Sem. Besides we find no such Son of Sem as Bedwig mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures And if we well observe the third Chapter of S. Luke we shall find 66 Descents reckoned up between Sem and Christ containing the Revolution of 2000 Years and more if we account the Age wherein Sem lived And S. Matthew reckons up onely 52 Descents to that time by another Line besides three Kings omitted by him between Joram and Ozias for some Reasons best known to the Holy Spirit of God which will better appear by comparing S. Matth. 1. ver 8. with 1 Chron. cap. 3. ver 11 12. So as the whole Descents therein make up onely 55. And although some Mens Lives are longer and some shorter yet the Generations carry some proportion one with another as we may easily observe in others where the Descents are exactly put down But now between Sem and Alfred are onely 37 Descents here reckoned up which cannot comprehend above 1000 Years and between Sem and Alfred are effluxed 2690 Years accounting from both their deaths So that unless some Descents be here skipped over in many places it is impossible that any of these should reach the Age of Sem and then these cannot be exact and true Descents through Besides those more ancient Descents between Bedwig and Gewis not having been proved by some good Authority may yield them uncertain to relie upon So much for the Descent of the Saxons before-mentioned CHAP. V. Containing a Brief Catalogue of all the Saxon Kings in England from the first beginning of the Heptarchy and when they Reigned The Kings of Kent A.C. 455. 1. Hengist with Horsa his Brother 32 Years A.C. 488. 2. Esk Son of Hengist 24 Years A.C. 512. 3. Otta 20 Years A.C. 532. 4. Imirik 29 Years A.C. 561. 5. Ethelbert the first Christian King of Kent 56 Years A.C. 617. 6. Eadbald 24 Years A.C. 640. 7. Ercombert He first caused Lent to be kept in England Anno 640. Bede 24 Years A.C. 665. 8. Egbert 9 Years A.C. 674. 9. Lotharius 12 Years A.C. 686. 10. Edrik 7 Years A.C. 693. 11. Withtred 33 Years A.C. 726. 12. Egbert or Edbert 23 Years A.C. 749. 13. Ethelbert II. 11 Years A.C. 760. 14. Alric slain by Offa 34 Years A.C. 794. 15. Ethelbert III. 3 Years A.C. 797. 16. Cuthred 8 Years A.C. 805. 17. Baldred the last King of Kent He lost his Kingdom to Egbert King of the West-Saxons Anno Domini 824. 19 Years The Kings of the East-Angles A.C. 575. 1. Uffa the first King A.C. 582. 2. Titullus A.C. 593. 3. Redwald a Potent King A.C. 624. 4. Erpenwald A.C. 636. 5. St. Sigebert A.C. 638. 6. Egric A.C. 642. 7. Anna. A.C. 654. 8. Ethelbert I. A.C. 656. 9. Ethelwold A.C. 664. 10. Aldulf A.C. 683. 11. Elfwold A.C. 690. 12. Beorn A.C. 714. 13. St. Ethelred A.C. 749. 14. Ethelbert II. who being slain by Offa King of Mercia 793. this Kingdom was united to Mercia The Kings of the East-Saxons A.C. 527. 1. Erchwin the first King A.C. 587. 2. Sledda A.C. 596. 3. St. Sebert A.C. 617. 4. Sexred Seward and Sigibert Fratres A.C. 623. 5. Sigebert the Little A.C. 636. 6. Sigebert III. A.C. 638. 7. Egricus A.C. 642. 8. Anna. A.C. 654. 9. Ethelbert A.C. 656. 10. Ethelwald A.C. 661. 11. Swithelme A.C. 664. 12. Sighbert and Sebba A.C. 694. 13. Sigehard and Senfrid A.C. 701. 14. Offa. A.C. 709. 15. Selred A.C. 747. 16. Suthred The Kings of the South-Saxons A.C. 488. 1. Ella the first King 27 Yea. A.C. 515. 2. Cissa Son of Ella who lost his Kingdom to Cerdic King of the West-Saxons Yea. A.C. 687. 3. Edelwach or Ethehwolfe is the next
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
came Horsemen about the Grove and as he would have escaped one Adam Francton pursued him and ran him through but knew him not and when he came to see his Face in the Spoil he knew him well and struck off his Head sub Anno 1282. Yet Stow saith That whiles Lhewelyn was speaking disgraceful Words against the English at Buelht-Castle where he was taken Roger le Strange ran upon him and cut off his Head And in Anno 1283. King Edward the First subdued all Wales and annexed it to the Crown of England and David the Brother of Lhewelyn was taken with some of his Sons and Daughters And David was sent to the Castle of Chester and after convicted of Treason in the Parliament at Shrewsbury and put to death saith our Stowe Giraldus Cambrensis in his Description of VVales cap. 3. hath this Pedegree of the Ancient Princes of VVales which I thought good here to insert Roderik the Great King of All VVales who was slain Anno Christi 876. Princes of North-VVales 1. Mervin Prince of North-VVales 2. Anandhrec Son of Mervin 3. Meyric Son of Anandhrec 4. Edwal Son of Meyric 5. Jago Son of Edwal 6. Conan Son of Jago 7. Griffith Son of Conan 8. Owen Son of Griffith 9. Jorwerth Son of Owen 10. Lhewelyn Son of Jorwerth who died Anno 1240. Princes of Powys Anaraud Son of Roderik had no Issue undè Principes Powisiae suam habent per se Generationem So Giraldus But this agrees not with the Welsh History which makes Anaraud to be the Prince of North-VVales and Father of Edwal Vowel Princes of South-VVales Cadelh Prince of South-Wales Son of Roderik Howel Dha that is Howel the Good Son of Cadelh Owen Son of Howel Aeneas Son of Owen Theodor Son of Aeneas or Eneon Rees Son of Theodor 1077. Griffith Son of Rees Obiit 1137. Rees Son of Griffith To conclude We see how uncertain the VVelsh History in the later Times is not so much as vouching any Author or Record either to prove the Deaths or Marriages or Children punctually nor when and therefore full of Errors till of late since the Reign of VVilliam the Conqueror And how should we believe any thing of the long Pedegree of Brute in the more ancient and dark Ages And so much concerning Wales OF SCOTLAND CHAP. I. Of the Description of Scotland and the Ancient Inhabitants thereof I. SCOTLAND is the Northern Part of Great-Brettaine separated from England by the Rivers Tweed and Solway and the Cheviot-Hills extending from the one to the other It is of no great Breadth there being no Place distant from the Sea above 60 Miles and the Countrey ending like the sharp Point of a Wedge And the length measuring in a strait Line from North to South to wit from Solway-Frith to the Strait-by-Head amounteth but to 310 Italian Miles and from Barwick to Strait-by-Head is a great deal shorter Dr. Heylyn's Cosmography pag. 330. II. The whole North part of Brettaine anciently inhabited by the Picts was divided into two Nations the Dicalidonii and the Vecturiones But when the Scots came into those Parts and were seated there then did seven Princes divide it into seven Parts as it is in an Ancient Book concerning the Division of Scotland in these words following Cambden's Britannia pag. 682. Prima Pars continebat Enegas Maern Secunda Atheol Gouerin Tertia Stratheern cùm Meneted Quarta fuit Fortheuer Quinta Mar cùm Bughen Sexta Muref Ros. Septima Cathenesia quam Mound Mons medius dividit qui à Mari Occidentali ad Mare Orientale procurrit According to the respect of the People Scotland is divided into two Parts the High-land-men and the Low-land-men The Low-land-men are more civilized and use both the Tongue and Habit of the English The Highlanders more barbarous and cruel like the Wild Irish The Borderers I exclude out of this Division as to be reckoned among the British People According to respect of Places Scotland is divided into two Parts also South-Scotland on this side the River Tai and North-Scotland beyond the River Tai besides many circumjacent Islands South-Scotland hath these Countries Tiefidale Merch. Lauden Liddesdale Eskedale Annandale Niddesdale Galloway Carrick Kyle Cunningham Arran Cluydsdale Lennox Stirling Fife Stratherne Mentieth Arguyle Cantire Lorn North-Scotland hath these Countries Loquabria Braid Albin Perth Athol Angus Mern Marr. Buquhan Murray Ross Sutherland Cathanes Strathnavern And these are again divided for Civil Government into Sheriffdoms Stewarties and Bayleries Sheriffdoms or Counties Edenborough Lynthiquo Selkirk Roxburgh Peblis Berwick Lanark Kenfrew Dunfreis Wighton Aire Bute Argile Tarbet Dunbarton Perth Clackmannan Kinros Fife Kincardin Forfair Aberdene Bamf Elgyn Forres Narne Innerness Chromartie Orkney Shetland Stewarties Mentieth Strathern Kircudbricht Annandale Bayleries 1. Kile 2. Carrik 3. Cunningham Hadington A Constableship III. The Ancient Inhabitants of this Countrey dwelling within the Limits of the Roman Province about Anno Christi 100. according to Cambden de Scotiâ were The Gadeni Tevidale Twedale Merch. Lothaine Latine Lodeneium The Chief City whereof was Castrum Alatum now called Edenborough The Damnii Cluydsdale Lennox Sterling Mentieth Fife Whose Chief City was Randuara now called Renfraw in Cluydsdale The Selgovae Liddisdale Eusedale Eskdale Annandsdale Niddisdale Whose Chief Place was Carbantorigum now Caerlaverok in Niddisdale Lindum now Linlithquo The Novantes Galloway Carricht Kyle Cunningham Whose Principal Places were Leucopibia now White-Herne and Berigonium now Bargeny Without the Roman Province among the Picts or Barbarous Britons were Caledonii Stratherne Argile Cantire Albanie Lorn Perth Angus Fife These Regions the Picts held Anno 605. Cambden's Britannia pag. 707. Cantae Ross Sutherland Cornabii Strathnavern Epibii Cantirre Vernicones forsà n Vecturiones à Marcellino Mernis Marr. Taizali Buquhan Catini Catness The Principal Castle is Girnego Vacomagi Loqhaber Murray IV. As the Bishops of other Parts of the World had no certain Diocesses before Dionysius Bishop of Rome about Anno Christi 268. had distributed Diocesses to Bishops so the Bishops of Scotland executed their Office without distinction till about Anno 1070. in the time of Malcolme the Third Diocesses were circumscribed with theit Limits Cambden's Britannia pag. 683. Afterwards in tract of time Scotland had two Archbishops one of St. Andrews who was Primate of Scotland the other of Glasco To the Archbishop of St. Andrews are substituted these eight Bishopricks Dunkeld Aberdene Murray Brichen Dumblane Ross Cathness Orkeney Under the Archbishop of Glasco are onely three 1. Candida Casa or Galloway 2. Lismore or Argile 3. Of the Isles Of the Isles the Isle of Man was the first Cathedral Seat but by the Invasion of the Norwegians and the English the same was translated to Ilcomkill In Man Amphibalus was the first Bishop After the Translation of the Seat to Ilcomkill I find onely one Onacus mentioned about the Year 1289. with another called Mauritius whom Edward I. King of England sent Prisoner to London So far to the time of the
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
28. aetatis 35. Buchanan lib. 12. the last words pag. 440. 37. James IV. Son of James the Third Married Margaret Daughter of Henry the Seventh King of England Anno 1501. Buchanan pag. 454. But Stow saith she was Betrothed 1502. and Married at Edenborough the eighth of August Anno 1503. and had Issue James Arthur Alexander and a Daughter which last three died all young Speed's Hist pag. 763. James the Fourth was slain at the Battel of Floden-Field fought between the English and the Scotch on the ninth of September 1513. Anno Regni 25. aetatis 40. in the flower of his Youth Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey being then General of the English Forces Queen Margaret afterwards Married Archibald Duglas Earl of Angus Anno 1514. unto whom she bore Margaret a Daughter afterwards Married to Matthew Stewart Earl of Lennox In this King's Reign about Anno 1490. was born in Scotland a Man-child from the Navel downward and two Men upward he lived 28 Years and learned Musick and Languages he had two distinct Wills one part oftentimes falling out with the other Buchanan Hist Scot. lib. 13. pag. 444. 38. James V. Son of James the Fourth Married Mary Daughter of the Duke of Guise and Dutchess of Longevil then Widow to the Duke of Longevil Married at St. Andrews in July 1538. by whom he had Issue two Sons who died Infants and Mary a Daughter sole Heir to the Crown of Scotland He had a former Wife named Magdalene Daughter to the King of France but she had no Issue for she was Married on New-years-day 1536. and died the seventh of July 1537. James the Fifth died the thirteenth of December 1542. aged 33 Years and in the thirtieth of his Reign He had a base Son called James commonly styled Prior of St. Andrews who was first made Earl of Marre and after of Murray Cambden's Annals of Eliz. in Latine pag. 112. 39. Mary Queen of Scots Daughter and sole Heir of James the Fifth was but eight days old when her Father died James Hamilton Earl of Arran being made Protector She was desired in Marriage for Edward the Sixth King of England but the Faction of Lennox supported by the French King prevailed so that the Queen Mother sent her at six Years of Age to the French King and to the Duke of Guise for Breeding In the end she was Married to Francis the Dolphin of France whose Nuptials were celebrated at Paris with great Pomp the 28. of April Anno 1558. Godwin's Annals But the Dolphin died Anno 1560. not fully 18 Years old leaving no Issue by her Cambden's Annals Afterwards Queen Mary Married Henry Stewart Lord Darley Son of Matthew Stewart Earl of Lennox in Anno 1565. and by him had Issue her onely Son born in June 1566. called James But this Henry Lord Darley about a Month or two after the Christening of the young Prince of Scotland was Strangled in his Bed in the dead time of the Night and thrown out into an Orchard the House being blown up with Gunpowder Anno 1566. in the one and twentieth Year of his Age. The common Report was that this detestable Fact was caused by Morton and Murray So Cambden in his Annals Afterwards the Queen Married the Earl Bothwel now made Duke of Orkney Anno 1567. whereunto the Lords implored the Queen The Scots rebell Bothwel and the Queen were worsted Bothwel flies and the Queen is taken Prisoner Queen Mary is forced to resign her Crown to her young Son scarce 13 Months old Anno 1567. The Earl of Murray is made Regent the twentieth of August The Queen escapes out of Prison and flies into England and after 18 Years Imprisonment in England she is accused of High-Treason against Queen Elizabeth for conspiring her Death and inviting foreign Forces to Invade England of which she was Arraigned Convicted and Sentenced to die and afterwards Beheaded at Fotheringay Castle in Northamptonshire on Wednesday the eighth of February Anno 1586. aged 46 Years or rather in the 45. Year of her Age. Sanderson in the Life of Queen Mary Bothwel wandring up and down at last came to Naples where he lived and died very poor about the Year 1624. 40. James VI. Son of Henry Stewart Lord Darley and Queen Mary was Crowned King of Scotland quarto Calendas Augusti 1567. Buchanan pag. 669. and Cambden's Annals He Married Anne Daughter of Frederick the Second King of Denmark Anno 1589. by whom he had Issue Prince Henry born at Sterling in Scotland the nineteenth of February 1593. who died at St. Jame's House in London the sixth of November 1612. Charles the second Son born at Dunferne in Scotland the nineteenth of November Anno 1600. he was King of Great Britain after his Father The Lady Elizabeth born the sixteenth of August 1596. She Married Frederick Prince Elector Palatine of Germany in February 1612. afterwards King of Bohemia 1619. and also two other Daughters by Queen Anne born in England the Lady Mary and the Lady Sophia but these both died young This James the Sixth upon the death of Queen Elizabeth was Proclaimed the next undoubted Heir to the Crown of England in London March 24. being Thursday which was the last Day of the Year 1602. according to the Computation of the Church of England as lineally Descended from Margaret eldest Daughter of Henry the Seventh King of England so that in the thirty sixth Year of his Reign over Scotland and the thirty seventh of his Age he was now Proclaimed King of Great Britain and Ireland Thus were the Crowns of England and Scotland united in this King James whose continual Jars had spilt formerly an infinite deal of Blood both of the Scotch and English ⚜ He was the first Monarch of all Great Britain and first used the Title of King of Great Britain and Ireland in all Instruments of State and Writings which his Successors have ever since retained sometimes in Records mentioning them in particular thus King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. Two great Deliverances had this King by the assistance of the King of Kings One from the treasonable Conspiracy of Earl Gowry before he was King of England the principal Actors were John Ruthen Earl of Gowry in Scotland and Alexander Ruthen his Brother Andrew Henderson and John Cranston Plotted in revenge of the Death of William Ruthen Earl Gowry Father of the said John which William for his Rebellion at Dundee suffered deservedly at Sterling Anno 1584. The manner of the Conspiracy was thus John Earl Gowry sends Alexander his Brother from his House at St. Johnstons in Scotland August the fourth Anno 1600. to the King then at Falkland to entice the King thither as privately as might be he tells the King there was a Man taken with much Gold Coin and suspicious Letters now at his Brothers House at St. Johnstons desiring the King to come thither to Examine the Man with all speed and privacy The King promiseth
divers others of the better sort of the Irish rebelled against the King of England Hoveden pag. 567. Joh. Bromton pag. 1128. The Princes of Ireland who submitted to the Rule of the King of England Henry the Second Anno 1172. Chartis subsignatis Romam transmissis Cambd. Britan. pag. 731. ROtheric O-Conor-Dun Fuscus Hiberniae Monarcha Dermot Mac-Carty King of Cork Donald O-Bren King of Limrick O-Carel King of Uriel Mac-Shaglin Rex Ophaliae O-Roric King of Meath O-Nele King of Ulster and the chief Noblemen of them all Now followeth a Catalogue of all the Lord Deputies of Ireland CHAP. III. A Catalogue of the Chief Governors of Ireland under the Sovereignty of the Kings of England since the Conquest thereof by Henry the Second to the Year 1670. Stiled sometimes Lord Justices sometimes Lord Lieutenants sometimes Lord Deputies of Ireland Ann. Dom. 1171 HEnry the Second King of England landed at Croch in Ireland eight Miles from Waterford the 17 of October 1171. and staid there till Easter following In which space the Princes of Ireland submit and swore Fealty to him Roderik King of Connaught being as it were the Chief Head and Monarch of Ireland Hoveden and Giraldus The Conquest of Ireland was before prepared for him Anno 1168. by Richard Strongbow who then entred Ireland with his Forces and very victoriously winning one Place after another Hoveden The King of Connaught agreeth to hold all his Lands under the King of England Ut Rodericus sit Rex sub Henrico paratus ad Servitium suum and to pay him Tribute as the words of the Deed run which you may see at large in Hoveden's History or Annals bearing date in the Octaves of St. Michael 1175. made at the Parliament at Windsor in England 1. Hugh Lacy Lord Justice of Ireland 2. Richard Strongbow Lord Justice Obiit 1176. Hoveden 3. William Fitz-Aldelme Justice of Ireland Hoveden But Giraldus Hiber Expug lib. 2. cap. 15. saith Reymund was elected Governor of Ireland while Messengers were sent to the King of England to certifie him of Strongbow's death who forthwith sent William Fitz-Aldelme Procuratorem in Hiberniam joyning with him John Curcy Robert Fitz-Stephen and Milo de Coggan in Commission 4. Hugh Lacy again made Generalis Hiberniae Procurator Robert le Poer the King's Marshal being joyned as an Assistant to him which Robert was then Governor both of Waterford and Weshford Giraldus 5. John Lacy Constable of Cheshire and Baron of Halton with Richard Peche Bishop of Chester were sent into Ireland about the Calends of May 1181. and made Governors of Dublin for the King had sent for Hugh Lacy as jealous of his Strength and Power in Ireland having now married the Daughter of Roderik King of Connaught without the King of England's Licence first obtained Hoveden 6. Hugh Lacy again in the Winter following eodem Anno Robert of Shrewsbury a Clergy-man being joyned with him 7. Philip of Worcester vir Dapsilis Militaris Hib. Expug lib. 2. cap. 24. called by Hoveden Philip de Breos sent Governor into Ireland about the Calends of September 8. John the King's Son afterwards King John went into Ireland but soon returned after he had appointed Justices and settled the Garrisons there Hoveden But who those Justices were he mentions not Hoveden saith That Anno 1176. the King of England gave Ireland to his Son John and then after at a Parliament at Oxford Anno 1177. the King did constitute him Regem in Hiberniâ Concessione Confirmatione Alexandri summi Pontificis And Anno 1185. 31 Hen. 2. the King Knighted him at Windsor the last day of March and sends him forthwith into Ireland where he staid not long indè eum Regem constituit Certain it is That this John after he became King of England assumed the Title of Dominus Hiberniae to his other Titles which also the succeeding Kings of England ever since retained until the Year 1542. 33 Hen. 8. at which time by a Parliament in Ireland King Henry the Eighth was declared King of Ireland as a Title of greater Majesty which Title of Rex Hiberniae the Kings of England have used ever since Probably when the King gave unto his Son John Dominium Hiberniae 1176 it was as much as King of Ireland in effect whereby the Supreme Power was implied and from thence we see he assumed the Title of Dominus Hiberniae afterwards But it is not probable that the King did create him Regem Hiberniae by Charter though possibly he might sometimes be so called for then he would have assumed the Title of Rex Hiberniae and not of Dominus Hiberniae which afterwards we find he assumed but never Rex Hiberniae Ann. Dom. 1211 9. John Grey Bishop of Norwich Lord Justice Matt. Paris King John went then into Ireland 10. Henry Londers Archbishop of Dublin Lord Justice Annales Hiberniae Sub Henrico Tertio 1224. The same Archbishop of Dublin Fuller's Eccles Hist lib. 3. pag. 58. 1230. 11. Geffrey de Maurice Lord Justice Matt. Paris These following are Collected out of the Annals of Ireland apud Cambdenum in Britannia sua to the Year 1420. 1248. 12. Sir John Fitz-Geffrey Lord Justice 1255. 13. Alan de la Zouch Lord Justice 1259. 14. Stephen de Longspée Lord Justice See Vincent upon Brook pag. 447. 1259. 15. William Dene Lord Justice Obiit 1261. 1261. 16. Sir Richard de Capell Lord Justice 1267. 17. Sir David de Barry Lord Justice 1268. 18. Sir Robert de Ufford Lord Justice 1269. 19. Ricardus de Exoniis Lord Justice 1270. 20. Sir James Audley Lord Justice He was kill'd with a fall from his Horse in Toomond 1272. Sub Edwardo Primo 1272. 21. Maurice Fitz-Maurice Lord Justice 1273. 22. Sir Geffrey de Genevill Lord Justice 1276. 23. Sir Robert de Ufford Lord Justice But going to England Anno 1279. Robert de Fulborne Bishop of Waterford was put in his Place Ufford returns 1280. and is Lord Justice 1281. 24. Stephen de Fulborne Archiepiscopus Turonensis Lord Justice eodem Anno. Ufford goes into England and Fulborne dieth Anno 1287. 1287. 25. John Sampford Archbishop of Dublin Lord Justice ad Tempus 1291. 26. William Vescy Lord Justice 1294. 27. William D'oodyngzele Lord Justice Obiit 1298. 1295. 28. Sir Thomas Fitz-Maurice Lord Justice Obiit 1298. 1295. 29. John Wogan Lord Justice Sir Thomas Fitz-Maurice surrendring the Place to him Sub Edwardo Secundo Ann. Dom. 1312. 30. Sir Edmund le Butler is made Deputy to Sir John Wogan Both died 1321. 1314. 31. Sir Theobald de Verdon Lord Justice He came into Ireland the 20 of June 1314. 32. Sir Edmund le Butler Lord Justice He received his Commission on Friday after St. Matthew's day 1317. 33. Sir Roger de Mortimer Lord Justice but going into England to the King makes William Archiepiscopum Cassiliensem Custodem Hiberniae who was Lord Justice Chancellor and Archbishop all at a time 1318. And in Anno 1319. Sir Roger returns and is Lord Justice
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
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
molendinum de Fareslei Praetereà concedo eis in Duntona Manerio meo quatuor Virgatas terrae unam Virgatam ex dono Osberti Capellani mei cùm omnibus quae ad eas pertinent in eâdem Villâ unum Molendinum quod dicitur Le Corre Et volo concedo ut praedicti Monachi teneant haec omnia benè in pace liberè quietè ab omni Servitio Seculari ad me vel ad Haeredes meos pertinente Et habeant omnes consuetudines libertates suas in nemore plano pratis Pascuis ità quòd nullus eis nequè pro Pannagio nequè pro aliquâ occasione molestiam vel injuriam faciat Hanc quoquè Donationem feci concessione Haeredum meorum scilicèt Gaufridi Ridelli Radulfi Basset Hujus Concessionis sunt Testes Radulfus Decanus de Blabi Gaufridus Decanus de Butneswella Gubertus Canonicus de Legercestria c. This Deed was made about the Year 1120. or soon after And though she here writes her self Uxor Gaufridi Ridel yet truly was her Husband then lately drowned Ordericus pag. 870. with many others of the Nobility Neither could she have made a Deed legally without her Husband had he been alive And because of the Civility of those Ages she was stiled onely Daughter of Earl Hugh not Base Daughter whence some suppose her a Legitimate Daughter But if she had been Legitimate then must her Issue have inherited the Earldom of Chester and not Earl Randle for as much as a Sister is inheritable before an Aunt Besides Ordericus tells us in express Words That Earl Hugh had no other Child by Ermentrude but onely Richard nor doth it appear by any Record or Ancient Historian that he ever had any other Wife besides Ermentrude But Ordericus saith E Pellicibus plurimam sobolem utriusque Sexûs genuit quae diversis infortuniis absorpta penè tota periit pag. 522. But these before-named are so many of them as I haue hitherto collected or met withal As for the usual Custom in ancient Times of omitting that infamous Title of Bastard Robert Earl of Glocester Base Son of Henry the First is termed onely Brother of Maud the Empress by Hoveden pag. 553. Also in a Charter made by Maud the Empress her self he is stiled Brother not Bastard-Brother Selden Tit. Hon. pag. 649. Reginald Earl of Cornwal another Bastard of Hen. 1. is called Uncle to Henry the Second not Base Uncle by Hoveden pag. 536. Infinite other such Examples we meet with The Death of Hugh Lupus THis Hugh Earl of Chester died the 27 day of July Anno Christi 1101. Obiit 1101 in the first Year of the Reign of King Henry I. almost expired So Ordericus Vitalis p. 787. Anno 1101. Intereà Hugo Comes Cestriae in lectum decidit post diuturnum languorem Monachatum in Caenobio quod idem Cestrae construxerat suscepit atquè pòst triduum sexto Calendas Augusti obiit Polychronicon thus Anno 1102. Hugo Comes Cestrensis Nepos Regis Willielmi Conquestoris ex parte Sororis obiit But for the most part the Year is very uncertainly put down in the Margent and many times omitted by him He was Earl of Chester one and thirty Years This Hugh had Whitby in Yorkshire given him by the Conqueror and he gave the same to William de Percy who Founded an Abbey there Monasticon vol. 1. pag. 172. Earl Hugh gave also to the Prior of Whitby the Church of St. Peters of Whitby and also the Church of Flemesburgh Monasticon vol. 1. pag. 73. This Earl also Founded the Abbey of St. Severus in the Bishoprick of Constance in Normandy Monasticon vol. 2. pag. 950. He gave also to the Abbey of Bek in Normandy the Mannor of Atherstone in England in Warwickshire Ibid. vol. 2. pag. 954. Robert de Beaumont Earl of Mellent in France and this Hugh Earl of Chester were the principal Supporters of Henry the First in advancing him to the Crown of England Ordericus pag. 783. CHAP. II. Of Richard Earl of Chester G. Crusilly Or a Wolfs Head erased Ar. He was but seven years old when his Father died saith the Monk of Chester in his Polychronicon lib. 7. cap. 13. with whom agrees Knighton the Monk of Leycester pag. 2376. And I find in an old Leiger Book of the Monastery of Abbington a Manuscript in Cotton's Library at Westminster in London noted Claudius c. 9. fol. 147. of the whole Book but lib. 2. fol. 45. of that particular part De Historiâ Ecclesiae Abbendonensis speaking of this Richard's Grant of Wudmundsley to the said Abbey and Church of Abbington Ipse Comes benefactum extulit suo descripto roboravit quod descriptum Sigillo quidem matris Signari constitit nondùm enim militari Baltheo cinctus materno Sigillo literae quaelibet ab eo directae includebantur hâc de re quod eò annotatur Comitissae potiùs quà m Comitis Sigillo Signatur Cujus Forma haec fuit Ricardus Cestrensis Comes Ermentrudis Comitissa mater ejus Nigello de Oilli Rogero filio Radulfi omnibus Baronibus de Oxenford Scirâ Salutem Amicitiam Sciatis quià pro amore Dei animâ Patris mei remissione nostrorum Peccatorum Concedimus hidam illam quam Droco de Andeleiâ dedit Ecclesiae Abbendonensi quae est in loco qui dicitur Wudemundeslai Nos eidem Ecclesiae Concedimus auctorizamus perpetuò habendam solidam quietam ab omni nostro servitio Et Rogerus filius Radulfi Successores ejus sint quieti in nostro servitio quantum ad illam hidam pertinet Et defendimus ùt nullo modo Rogerus vel alius per eum inquietet habitantes in terrâ illâ Hoc autèm fecimus testimonio nostrorum Baronum scilicèt Willielmi filii Nigelli Hugonis filii Normanni Ricardi Balaste Willielmi filii Auskitilli Ricardi filii Nigelli Domini Goisfridi Capellani aliorum Hoc actum est in sexto Anno Regni Henrici Regis in mense Maii 6 Hen. 1. 1106. in die Pentecostes This was in May Anno Christi 1106. Earl Richard being then about twelve years old By the words nondùm militari Baltheo cinctus I suppose the Monk meaneth that the Earl was a Child and under the Tuition of his Mother and for that reason used her Seal to this Charter and also to other his Letters Of which opinion likewise is Selden in his Titles of Honor pag. 786. The Law saith he being such that whosoever was Knighted though before the Age of one and twenty he was esteemed as of full Age in regard of any Wardship or other Tuition and the Use being that such Great Lords were often Knighted before they were of full Age. Now this Earl as yet not having received that Honour of Knighthood but being under Age used the Seal of his Guardian to make the Act more authentick and valid and that he was but a Child when his
confidence of your Valour and the King's Injustice I doubt not to dissipate his Forces and with my Sword to make way through the midst of my Enemies Methinks I see them run already Then Robert Earl of Glocester who Commanded in Chief encouraged his Soldiers and told the Bassians and others who were Disinherited That now they should have one Bout for the recovery of their Right and Inheritance King Stephen on the other part alights from his Horse and Fought on foot very stoutly both for his Life and Kingdom but having no audible Voice commanded Baldwin de Clare a Man of great Honour and Prowess to make known his mind to the Army Henry Huntington li. 8. who made an Oration to encourage the Soldiers Impeaching the Earl of Chester as a Man audacious but without Judgment heady to plot a Treason but still wavering in the pursuit of it ready to run into Battel but uncircumspect of any danger aiming beyond his reach and conceiting things meerly impossible and therefore hath but few with him that know him leading onely a Rout of vagrant and tumultuous Pesants So there is nothing in him to be feared for whatsoever he begins like a Man he ends like a Woman unfortunate in all his Undertakings In his Encounters he hath either been vanquished or if by chance he rarely a obtain Victory it is with greater loss on his part then the Conquered But as soon as he had ended his Oration the Fight began which was very fierce and terrible many slain on both parts In the Head of the King's Army were very stout Soldiers but his Enemies outvying him in number prevailed William de Ipro with the Flemmings and Alan with the Britons first turn their Backs * Huntington and Hoveden say they beat the Welsh but the Earl of Chester coming up with his Forces quite routed them which much discouraged the King's Friends but encouraged the Enemy The King was ill betrayed for some of his Nobles accompanied him in Person whiles they sent whole Troops to the other side Waleran Earl of Mellent and William de Warren his Brother Gilbert de Clare and other famous Knights both of England and Normandy ran away as soon as they saw their own side shrink But Baldwin de Clare and Richard Son of Ursi Engelram de Say and Ildebert Lacy stuck stoutly to the King and Fought it to the last Man Stephen himself like a noble Branch of an heroick Family Fought so gallantly that when his Sword was broken taking a Battel-Axe from a young Gentleman which stood near him he ceased not to Encounter with his over-powerful Enemies but at last was constrained to yield himself Prisoner to Robert Earl of Glocester his Cosin who sent him to Maude the Empress at Bristow where he was imprisoned Baldwine de Clare likewise and other excellent Champions on the King's part were taken Prisoners Thus by the voluble Wheel of Fortune was King Stephen taken Prisoner at the Battel of Lincoln on Candlemas-day Anno Domini 1141. according to Ordericus who lived in that very Age which was principally occasioned by the Valour and Assistance of Randle Earl of Chester III. Alan Earl of Brettaine a treacherous and cruel Man Gesta Steph. pag. 953. lying in Ambush for the Earl of Chester to revenge the Dishonor of taking his Lord and King Prisoner was himself taken and imprisoned till he did Homage to Randle Earl of Chester and had delivered up his Castles unto him Others say Alan Earl of Richmond and Little-Britain was sent for by Randle to speak with him and so was Apprehended by him Anno 1141. John Hagustaldensis pag. 269. Not long after this Robert Earl of Glocester was taken Prisoner in another Battel by some others of Stephen's Party and so immediately King Stephen and Earl Robert were exchanged each for other Anno 1143. Stephen being released out of Prison Besieged Lincoln and would have built a Fort over against the Castle which Randle Earl of Chester kept but the Earl killed almost eighty of his Workmen and so he was forced to give it off Mat. Paris and Hen. Huntington But Hoveden placeth this 1144. 9 Stephani Anno Domini 1145. King Stephen gathering a great Army built a strong Castle over against Wallingford whither Randle Earl of Chester accompanied him with great Forces and was restored unto his Favour But afterwards the Earl coming to the King's Court at Northampton was surprized little dreaming of any such matter and cast into Prison untill he restored the Castle of Lincoln which he had fraudulently taken and all other Castles which he injuriously had taken from the King Chronica Normanniae put out by Du Chesne with other Histories pag. 982. Also Polychronicon addeth That the Welshmen then wasted Cheshire but were intercepted at Nantwich ⚜ lib. 7. cap. 19. Monasticon vol. 1. pag. 890. But for the Reconcilement of Stephen and Randle it is more fully set down in Gesta Stephani pag 968. thus The Earl of Chester who had got almost a third part of the Kingdom by his Sword comes to the King and desires Pardon for his Rebellion at Lincoln and for the seizing of his Soveraign's Possessions and thereupon was received into Favour And in farther testimony of his Obedience he helped the King's Forces and gallantly Assaulted the Town of Bedford which had much weakned and shattered the King's Army and having taken it delivers it into Stephen's Hands After this he accompanied King Stephen to Wallingford attended with three hundred gallant Horse till the King had erected a stately Castle in prospect thereof to stop the Incursions of the Enemy which were wont to issue out of Wallingford and prey upon the Countrey But for all this Friendship Randle was suspected of Stephen because he surrendred not the Castles and Rents which he had violently taken from him and because of the Earls wavering and unstable Mind not having put in Pledges of his Fidelity so that neither the King nor his prime Councellors durst rely upon him unless he would surrender all the King's Possessions and if he refused this then the King ought to clap him up at his best opportunity Ibidem pag. 970 971. Randle Earl of Chester seeing he was thus suspected turns himself to his wonted course of Treason plotting how he might more easily without Infamy deliver the King into the Hands of his Enemies and coming to the Court with some Attendance whereby he might be the freer from suspicion he complained how he was beset with a barbarous multitude of Welsh who made great spoil and waste of his Lands so that he and all his Tenants bordering on the Confines of his County would be quite extirpated unless the King gave him speedy Assistance telling him that his Presence would do more by the very Name of a King than many thousands of Soldiers without him The King cheerfully promiseth his Assistance but the Councel about his Royal Person would not suffer it for they wished
Cambden's Britannia Printed 1607 pag. 693. Matthew Paris put out by Wats 1764. pag. 430. where also it appears that in Anno 1236. Alan had a Brother named Thomas and also a Bastard Son called Thomas who by the assistance of their great Allies sought by force to possess themselves of Galloway in Scotland which the King of Scotland had distributed to the three Daughters and Heirs of Alan but these Rebels were beaten and dispersed by the King of Scotland Anno 1236. But to return to our Earls of Chester The Line of the ancient Earls of Chester now failing this Earldom was by King Henry the Third taken into his own hands Anno Domini 1237. 21 Hen. 3. It remains that I now shew the Earls of Chester of the Royal Blood since this time which in the next Chapter I shall briefly reckon up And observe that the County of Flint appertaineth to the Dignity of the Sword of the Earls of Chester and that the County Palatine of Chester is still preserved in the Crown as a County Palatine if there be no Creation of the Prince into the Title of Earl of Chester If the King 's eldest Son be created Prince of Wales then usually is the Title of Earl of Chester also conferred with it but upon the death of every Prince so created these Titles are preserved in the Crown till a new Creation These Notes following I had from Mr. Dugdale HElen the Widow of John the Scot held these Lands following till a Dower was assigned out viz. Fotheringhay and Jarwell in Northamptonshire Keweston in Bedfordshire Totnam in Middlesex Bramton Conington and Limpays in Huntingtonshire Bado in Essex and Exton in Rutlandshire Claus 22 Hen. 3. memb 20. The Sisters of John Scot had these Lands following Devergoil Daughter of Margaret eldest Sister of John had the Mannors of Luddington and Torksey in Lincolnshire with the Farm of Yarmouth in Norfolk Tower of London Pat. 22 Hen. 3. memb 11. Isabel had Writtell and Hathfield in Essex Maude the third Sister died without issue Pat. 22 Hen. 3. mem 4. Ada the fourth Sister had Bromsgrove in Worcestershire Bolsover in Derbyshire the Mannor and Castle Oswaldesbeck in Nottinghamshire See Stat. 32 H 8. cap. 29. the Mannor and Sok of Maunsfield in Nottinghamshire and Oswardbeck Wapentake and Wurfield Stratton and Cundover in Shropshire Wigginton and Wolverhampton in Staffordshire Pat. 22 Hen. 3. memb 4. Claus 22 Hen. 3. mem 12. After this to wit 31 Hen. 3. the Earldom of Chester with the Castles of Gannok and Disart * * Disart Castle is in Denhighshire in the Borders of Wales were annexed to the Crown for ever Pat. 31 Hen. 3. mem 7. CHAP. VIII Of the Titles of Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester since they were invested in the Crown of England and who have been so created with the time of their Creation I. KIng Henry the Third brought Lhewellin Prince of North-Wales into Subjection and made Peace with Lhewellin Anno Domini 1228. 12 Hen. 3. upon Condition that Lhewellin and his Successors should be called Princes and do Homage to the Kings of England Whereupon King Henry received from him three thousand Marks Knighton pag. 2436. And then King Henry made a Charter to Lhewellin which was confirmed by the Pope Anno 25 Hen. 3. 1241. David the Son of Lhewellin obligeth himself to King Henry to hold all his Lands in Capite of the King and to free his elder Brother Griffith * Stowe saith Griffith was a Bastard Son of Lhewellin pag. 185. and Owen the eldest Son of Griffith out of Prison whom he had unjustly detained and that the Land of Englesmere should remain to King Henry and his Heirs Mat. Paris put out by Wats pag. 625 and yet did this David acknowledge to hold his Lands in Wales of the Pope endeavouring to shake off the Yoke of his Fealty to the Kings of England and Griffith promised by Sureties if he obtained his portion of the Lands due unto him to pay 300 Marks yearly to King Henry and to his Heirs for ever Now David rebelled and after much perplexity and destruction of his Lands in Wales by King Henry he died Anno 1246. King Henry the Third Anno Domini 1254. 38 Hen. 3. gave Wales to his eldest Son Prince Edward by the Name of unà cùm Conquestu nostro Walliae as also Gascony Ireland and some other Territories recited in the Charter This was upon the Marriage of Prince Edward with Elinour Sister to Alphonso King of Spain Yet saith Selden notwithstanding the Grant of Wales I find no warrant that therefore the special Title of Prince of Wales as it belongs to the Son and Heir Apparent began in this Prince Edward Selden's Tit. Hon. pag. 594. Matthew Westminster sub Anno 1254. Also Matthew Paris put out by Wats 1640. pag 890. Nor were the ancient Princes of Wales of the British Blood at this time quite extinct for Wales was not absolutely subdued till this Prince Edward was King of England Scilicèt 1283. 11 Edw. 1. So Stowe Neither did this Edward whiles he was Prince ever assume the Title of Prince of Wales as far forth as I can find And for the Earldom of Chester Cambden saith it was given by Henry the Third to this Prince Edward who being taken Prisoner by the Barons surrendred it up to Simon de Monifort Earl of Leycester that he the Prince might be redeemed Sed Simone statim interfecto ad Regiam Familiam citò rediit Cambden's Britannia Tit. Cheshire ad finem And indeed by the Charter of Maxfield Dated 45 Hen. 3. 1261. This Prince Edward seems to be possessed of the County of Chester Howbeit in this Charter and all others that I have seen he useth onely the Title of Edwardus illustris Regis Angliae Primogenitus and not at all the Title of Comes Cestriae The Charter made to Simon de Montfort of the Earldom of Chester bears Date 24 die Decembris 49 Hen. 3. 1264. at Woodstock Vincent upon Brook pag 108. whereunto the King was forced to make his Peace for both the King and Prince Edward his Son were then Prisoners to Simon taken at the Battel of Lewis in Sussex 12 die Maii 48 Hen. 3. 1264. See Stowe Yet Simon enjoyed it but a little space for he was slain at the Battel of Evesham the fourth day of August 49 Hen. 3. 1265. and then all Montfort's Estate was forfeited by his Rebellion and so the Earldom of Chester reverted back to Henry the Third And I have seen the Copy of the Deed whereby Prince Edward confirms to the Barons of Cheshire all the Liberties which Randle sometime Earl of Chester had formerly granted unto them by his Charter and in this he is onely stiled Edwardus illustris Regis Angliae Primogenitus Dated 27 die Augusti 49 Hen. 3. which is but 23 Days after the Battel of Evesham so that the Prince soon had the Earldom again but I find
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
milites de Anglia VVardam suam facient ad opus de eis non fuerit Salvis mihi Servitiis suis quae facere debent Concedo etià m eis quòd in tempore Pacis tantùm duodecem Servientes itinerantes habeant in terrâ meâ cùm uno equo qui sit Magistri Servientis qui etià m Prebendam non habeat à Pascha usquè ad Festum Sancti Michaelis nisi per gratum Et ut ipsi Servientes Comedant Cibum qualem in Domibus Hominum invenerint sinè emptione alterius Cibi ad opus eorum nèc in aliquibus Dominicis Baronum Comedant Et tempore Guerrae pèr Consilium meum aut Justiciarii mei ipsorum Ponantur Servientes sufficientes ad terram meam Custodiendam prout opus fuerit Et sciendum est quòd praedicti Barones Petitiones Subscriptas quas à me requirebant omninò mihi haeredibus meis de se haeredibus suis remiserunt ità quòd nihil de eis de caetero clamare poterint nisi per Gratiam Misericordiam meam Scilicèt Seneschallus Petitionem de Wrec de Pisce in terram suam per mare dejecto de Bersare in Forestâ meâ ad tres Arcus de percursu Canium suorum Et alii Petitionem de Agistamento Porcorum in Forestâ meâ de Bershare ad tres Arcus in Forestâ meâ vel ad cursus Leporariorum suorum in Forestâ in eundo versùs Cestriam per Summonitionem vel in redeundo Petitionem de Misericordiâ Judicum de Wich triginta Bullionibus Salis sed erunt Misericordia Leges in Wich tales quales prius fuerint Concedo igitùr praesenti Chartâ meâ confirmo de me haeredibus meis Communibus Militibus omnibus liberè Tenentibus totius Cestershire eorum haeredibus omnes praedictas libertates habendas tenendas de Baronibus meis de caeteris Dominis suis quicunque sint sicut ipsi Barones Milites caeteri liberè Tenentes eas de me tenent Hiis Testibus Hugone Abbate Sanctae Werburgae Cestriae Philippo Orreby tùnc temporis Justiciario Cestriae Henrico de Aldithley Waltero Deyvell Hugone Dispensario Thoma Dispensario Willielmo Pincerna Waltero de Coventrey Ricardo Phitton Roberto de Cowdrey Ivone de Caletoft Roberto de Say Normanno le Painter Roberto Dispensario Roberto Deyvell Mattheo de Vernon Hamone de Venables Roberto de Massy Alano de Waley Hugone de Columbe Roberto de Pulford Petro Clerico Hugone de Pasey Joceralino de Hellesby Ricardo de Bresby Ricardo de Kingsley Philippo de Terven Liulfo de Twamlowe Ricardo de Perpoint toto Comitatu Cestriae This Charter I have here for the satifaction of some translated also into English as followeth with the exposition of the hardest words RANDLE Earl of Chester To his Constable Steward Judge Sheriff Barons Bailiffs and to all his Tenants and Friends present and to come that shall see or hear this Charter Sendeth Greeting Know ye that I being Signed with the Cross * * Those were said to be Signed with the Cross in these Ages who had undertaken a Voyage to Jerusalem in defence of the Holy Land and as a Badge of their Warfare they wore a Cross on their right Shoulder So Spelman for the love of God and at the Request of my Barons of Cheshire have granted to them and their Heirs from me and my Heirs all the Liberties in this present Charter underwritten to have and to hold for ever to wit That every one of them may have his own Court free from all Pleas and Plaints moved in my Court except such Pleas as belong to my Sword ††The Pleas of the Sword were the Pleas of the Dignity of the Earl of Chester who held that Earldom as freely to the Sword as the King held England to the Crown And if any of their Tenants shall be taken for any Offence within their Fee or Lordship he shall be Replevied without any Ransom so as his Lord bring him to three County Courts and then he may carry him back as acquit unless * * Sakerboth Sakber and Sacraber is as much as a Pledge to Sue one that puts in Surety to Prosecute another Spelman Sakerborh do follow him And if any Stranger who is faithful shall come upon their Land and desires to dwell there it shall be lawful for the Baron of that Fee to have and retain him saving to me the Advowries who shall come to me on their own accord and others who for any Trespass elsewhere shall come unto my Dignity and not to them And every one of my Barons when need requireth shall in time of War do the full Service of so many Knights Fees as he holdeth And their Knights and Freeholders shall have their Coats of Mayle and Haubergeons and may defend their own Land by their Bodies although they be not Knights And if any of them be such a one that he cannot defend his own Land by his Body he may put another sufficient Person in his Place Neither will I compell their Villanes to take Arms but I do hereby acquit their Villanes which by Randle of Davenham shall come to my Protection and other their Villanes whom they can reasonably shew to be their own And if my Sheriff or any Officer shall Implead any of their Tenants in my Court he may defend himself by Thirtnic * * Thiertnic or Thirdnicht is Trium Noctium hospes Hoveden pag. 606. Here it seemeth to signifie three Nights Charges for the Sheriffs-Tooth Sheriffs-Tooth was a common Tax Levied for the Sheriffs Diet. for the Sheriffs-Tooth which they do pay unless fresh Suit do follow him I do also grant unto them acquittance from the Corn and Oblations which my Serjeants and Bedells were wont to require and that if any Judger ††It is in the Deed Judex which is sometimes taken for a Judge sometimes for a Jury-man or Freeholder which Freeholders are by Law the Judges of a Court-Baron or Suitor of the Hundred or County-Court shall be Amerced in my Court the Judger shall be quit from his Amercement for Two shillings and the Suitor for Twelve pence I do also grant unto them liberty of Inclosing their Lands within the Boundaries of their Tillage in the Forrest And if there shall be a Land or parcel of Ground within the Boundary of their Township which hath been formerly Manured where no Wood groweth it shall be lawful to Till the same without Graizing And they may also take Housebote and Haybote in their VVoods of all manner of VVood without the view of my Forester and may give or sell their dead VVood to whom they please and their Tenants shall not be Impleaded for the same in the Forest Court unless they be found in the manner or very act And every one of my Barons may defend all his Mannors and Lordships in the County or Hundred
James Whitlok Winifrid Wife of Peter Derby near Leverpool in Lancashire Ellen Wife of George Manwaring of Ightfield in Shropshire Gentleman a younger Brother Ursula Wife of Geffrey Holcroft of Hurst in Lancashire also Richard a Bastard-son who lived at Rock-Savage and died at Halton 1616. This John exchanged certain Lands in Whitley with Richard Starky of Stretton Esq for Lands in Aston 1 Elizabethae He died 5 Augusti 15 Eliz. 1573. Margaret his Widow married Hugh Beeston of Torperley in Cheshire Esq 27 Eliz. XV. Sir Thomas Aston of Aston Son and Heir of John was Knighted 1603. and married Elizabeth Daughter of Sir Arthur Manwaring of Ightfield in Shropshire 11 Eliz. 1569. and had Issue John Son and Heir Sir Arthur Aston of Fulham in Middlesex second Son who had Issue Richard Aston and Sir Arthur Aston a Colonel in Germany and Governor of Oxford for the King 1644. but was barbarously killed after at Tredagh in Ireland having surrendred the Town to the Parliament-Rebels upon Conditions 1655. and had Issue Sir Thomas Aston third Son of this Sir Thomas married Elizabeth Daughter of John Shugborough of Burdenbury in Warwickshire Esquire and had Issue Frances eldest Daughter of Sir Thomas Aston of Aston married John Hocknell of Hocknell in Cheshire after to Richard Davys of Croughton and thirdly to Owen Longford of Burton in Denbighshire Grace second Daughter died without Issue Margaret third Daughter married Sir Thomas Ireland who bought Beusy nigh Warrington in Lancashire and was Vice-Chamberlain of Chester Elizabeth another Daughter married Richard Dod of Cloverley in Shropshire Mary Wife of Richard Brown of Upton nigh Chester Gentleman after to Jaques Arnodio a Frenchman Anne another Daughter married Richard Allen of Green-Hill in Nether-Whitley in Cheshire Gentleman Katharine another Daughter married Peter Legh of Ridge nigh Maxfield Gentleman Sir Thomas had a second Wife called Mary Daughter of William Unton of Draiton in Shropshire but had no Issue by her This Sir Thomas was Sheriff of Cheshire 1601. 43 Eliz. and died Anno Dom. 1613. Mary his Widow afterwards Married Edward Paler of York Esquire Sir Thomas bought Lands in Aston from John Witter of Torperley and Margaret his Wife 20 Eliz. 1578. XVI John Aston of Aston Esquire Son and Heir of Sir Thomas was Sewer to Queen Anne Wife of King James and Married Maude Daughter of Robert Nedham of Shenton in Shropshire Esquire Anno Domini 1611. and had Issue Thomas Son and Heir John Aston second Son died unmarried 1648. Robert third Son died young Maude Married Thomas Parsons of Cubbington in Warwickshire Esquire after to John Shugborough now of Upton in Wirrall 1666. a younger Son of the Shugboroughs in Warwickstire Anne another Daughter died young Elizabeth another Daughter died unmarried 1628. This John Aston of Aston died 13 Maii 16â—5 13 Jacobi XVII Sir Thomas Aston of Aston Baronet Son and Heir of John Married Magdalene Daughter of Sir John Poultney and Sister and Coheir to John Poultney of Misterton in Leycestershire Esquire 1627. by whom he had Issue Robert who died young 1634. and Thomas who died 1637. at the age of six years and two Daughters Jane and Elizabeth who died Infants as appears by the Monument in Aston Chappel Magdalene his first Wife dying * 2 die Junii 1635. he afterwards Married Anne Daughter and sole Heir of Sir Henry Willoughby of Risley in Derbyshire Baronet 1639. by whom he had Issue Sir Willoughby Aston now living 1666. who Married Mary Daughter of John Offley late of Madeley in Staffordshire Esquire and also two Daughters Magdalene and Mary both living 1666. This Sir Thomas was made Baronet in July 4 Car. 1. 1628. and was Sheriff of Cheshire Anno Domini 1635. He died in the time of the late War between the King and his rebellious Parliament He was Loyal to his Prince and was unfortunately beaten by Sir VVilliam Brereton of Honford's Party of Rebels near to Nantwich January 28. 1642. but Sir Thomas escaped and got away after he was taken at another Skirmish in Staffordshire and brought Prisoner to Stafford where endeavoring to make an Escape a Soldier espying him gave him a Blow on the Head with which and his other Wounds he fell into a Feaver whereon he died at Stafford not long after to wit 24 Martii 1645. and was buried at his own Chappel of Aston in Cheshire which Chappel he procured to be Consecrated by John Bridgeman Bishop of Chester Anno Domini 1637. with liberty of Baptism and Burial and repaired the Chancel thereof very handsomly though much defaced afterwards in the late War Aston-Grange IT seems to me that Roger Fitz-Alured was possessed of Aston-Grange in the Reign of Henry the Second See Monasticon Anglicanum Pars 2. pag. 186. which was held of the ancient Barons of Halton and was afterwards given to the Priory of Norton But after the dissolution of Monasteries in England by Hen. 8. Richard Brooke Esq purchased this Village from the King together with the Mannor of Norton and other Lands 37 Hen. 8. 1545. and hath since been enjoyed by his Posterity unto this present 1666. there being no Charterer at all within the same Aston juxta Great Budworth THis Town of Aston juxta Budworth was held of the Earl of Chester by William Fitz-Nigell Baron of Halton in the Reign of William the Conqueror and one Pagan then held it under the said William scilicèt sub Anno Domini 1086. This appears by the Record of Dooms-day Book and at this day it is within the Fee of Halton John Constable of Cheshire and Baron of Halton The Originals penes Leycester de Tabley gave the Mannor of Hield in this Aston unto Methroso Punterlinge in the Reign of Henry the Second rendring yearly a Welsh Lance on the Feast-day of St. Bartholomew M. num 1. Afterwards Geffrey Son of Adam de Dutton Ancestor to Warburton of Arley buyeth the same from one Hugh the Welsh Deacon Son of Hugh del Hield for twenty four Marks of Silver in the Reign of Henry the Third and gave it to Agnes de Dutton his Daughter M. num 2. num 5 6. But after towards the latter end of Henry the Third Robert de Denbigh and Margaret his Wife purchase it again from Geffrey Son of Geffrey Son of Adam de Dutton for three Marks of Silver and a Wich-house in Northwich I. num 91. which Margaret was Daughter of the said Geffrey Son of Geffrey but Robert Denbigh dying without Issue the said Margaret his Widow Married Nicholas de Leycester about 1276. afterwards Sir Nicholas Leycester Knight unto whose Issue it remained till John Leycester of Tabley sold it again unto William del Heild and Goditha his Wife and to the Heirs of the Body of the said William reserving the yearly Rent of forty Shillings Anno Domini 1355. 29 E. 3. M. num 14. num 13. And afterwards it became to be divided by the two Daughters and Coheirs of William del Heild
all the old Rents reserved to Radcliff amounting in the whole to 23 l. 00 s. 00 d. yearly or thereabout by Deed dated the 19 of April 4 Jacobi 1606. for which he paid 1530 l. Purchase-Money Randle Blackshaw This was bought from Sir John Radcliff of Ordsall by Deed dated the eighth day of August 1611. and is said to be the Ancient Demain-House of Mobberley which did belong to Radcliff Peter Legh of Booths Es Esq hath three Tenements in Radcliff's Part now in Tenure of George Leycester Cookson and the Fox-house John Gleave of High-Legh Owner of Holden-Cliff-House in Mobberley Roger Symcock lately Purchased from Mrs. Martha Hurleston formerly Oldfield's Lands Homfrey Cherry lately Purchased from Mrs. Martha Hurleston formerly Oldfield's Lands William Coppock lately Purchased from Mrs. Martha Hurleston formerly Oldfield's Lands Rafe Shaw lately Purchased from Mrs. Martha Hurleston formerly Oldfield's Lands Richard Parker for Mere-House sold away by Mr. Robinson Richard Yarwood for Bowers John Anson sold by Mr. Robinson Richard Seddall of Wood-end Richard Bruch formerly Duncalf's Thomas Hield of the Broad-Oak in Mobberley John Strethull late Bateson's House Roger Hewet of Pavement-Lane Henry Hasselhurst Richard Rowlinson of Roanes pro Fox-house VVilliam Hobson George Stubs John Symcock of the Dub'd-Hedge Daniel Yarwood formerly Oldrinshaw's Homfrey Lea. John Baggiley of the Mosse-side Widow Strethull of the Town-Lane John Holland of Dam-head hath certain Parcels of Land in Ratcliff's Part sold away by Mr. Robinson 1639. Urmeston's Lands in Mobberley bought for Pious Uses Thomas Whitchcot late John Radford's Peter Bradbury of Brook-bank a Cottage Robert Ridgeway a Cottage More THis Town of More is of the Fee of Halton Roger Lacy Constable of Cheshire and Baron of Halton had a Brother called Richard to whom he gave the Town of More and afterwards the said Richard became Leprous and was buried in the Chapter-house of the Canons of Norton Monasticon Vol. 1. pag. 860. This was about the Reign of King Richard the First The Name More signifieth a more barren Ground than Marshes be a Miry and Moorish Soil yet serveth not to get Turfs thereon Coke upon Littleton fol. 5. a. The Inhabitants of More and Runcorn were formerly Copy-holders to the Barons of Halton but have lately bought out their own Land to hold in Fee-farm in Free and Common Soccage of the Mannor of Enfield in the County of Middlesex the Kings Grant bearing date the ninth day of September 4 Car. 1. 1628. save onely these Persons following who now are and their Ancestors anciently before them were Free-holders in the Mannor of More and not Fee-farmers as followeth Free-holders or Charterers in More 1666. 1. Henry Porter of More This hath continued in the Name of Porter since Edward the Fourth This Free-hold before belonged to one Peter Arderne in the Reign of Edward the First as by the Deed now in Possession of this Henry Porter appeareth 2. Sir Richard Brooks of Norton Baronet hath now about twenty Cheshire Acres of Free-Land in More as late belonging to the Priory of Norton and also about six Acres more of Free-hold Land adjoyning lately bought from Crosby of Over-Whitley 3. These were all purchased from Brook of Norton and Brook bought them of Harper of Newton Robert Pickering of Thelwall Esquire Counsellor at Law hath one Janion's House Richard Rutter hath also other Free-hold Land Richard Dutton of Mosse-end other Free-hold Land 4. Widow Harper hath now also certain Free-hold Land in More Newton juxta Daresbury THis Town according to its Name is not of so great Antiquity For I find it granted by Parcels and Enclosures and Closes some in Henry the Third's Time some under Edward the First and some in the Reign of Edward the Second by the Ancestors of VVarburton of Arley before they had relinquished their proper Sir-name of Dutton who were Lords thereof from King John's Time unto this present 1666. The Charterers now in Newton 1666. Sable a Cross engrailed Ermine And in 11 Edw. 4. 1471. Thomas Chickford and Elizabeth his Wife Daughter and Heir of Robert de Hallum Son and Heir of William de Hallum sold the Mannor of Hallum to Sir John Nedham sometime Judge of Chester who setled the same upon Robert Nedham his younger Brother whose Line failing at last for want of Heirs Males it descended to Robert Nedham of Shenton Esquire 21 Eliz. from whom the Lord Kilmorie now Owner of Hallum 1666. I speak here out of the Lord Kilmorie's Evidences 2. Rafe Starky of Morthwait in Newton Lawyer whose Ancestor Thomas Starky married Agnes Sister and Heir of Thomas Harper and Daughter of Richard Harper of Newton 32 Hen. 6. Lib. C. fol. 205. g. 3. Grimsdich of Grimsdich in Nether-Whitley hath also Lands in Newton which Thomas Grimsdich then of Hallum by Lease bought of John Daniell of Daresbury 12 Hen. 8. Lib. C. fol. 194. num 44 46 47. And which Lands John Daniell Ancestor of the said John had in Marriage with Jonet Daughter and Heir of Thomas Hallum of Newton 1 Hen. 6. Lib. C. fol. 193. num 36 37. 4. Robert Venables of Anterbus in the Lordship of Over-Whitley hath Lands in Newton 5. John Starky of Newton Norton THis Township of Norton was given by William Constable of Cheshire the younger Son of William Fitz-Nigell unto the Canons of Runcorne in exchange for Lands in Runcorne and so he removed the Canons of Runcorne to Norton about the Reign of King Stephen Anno 1135. Monasterium de Norton in Comitatu Cestriae Fundatur à Willielmo Filio Nigelli Constabulario Cestriae Historia Aurea Johannis Tynemytensis lib. 19. cap. 41. A Manuscript in the Publick Library at Oxford inter Libros Juris v. 4. num 4. Wherewith also agreeth Polychronicon lib. 7. cap. 17. Monasticon Vol. 2. pag. 187. tells us William Fitz-Nigell Founded a Religious House of Canons Regular at Runcorne Anno Domini 1133. And afterwards William Constable of Cheshire the younger removed them from Runcorne to Norton Which agrees with the Deed Lib. B. pag. 199. num 1. After the Dissolution of Abbies in England by Henry the Eighth Richard Brooks Esquire Purchased from the King the Mannor of Norton with its Members and Appurtenances to wit Norton Stockham Acton-Grange and Aston-Grange in Cheshire and Cuerdly in Lancashire with other Lands The Charter is dated decimo die Decembris 37 Hen. 8. 1545. whose Heir now enjoyeth these Lands 1666. There is a certain Hamlet or Place called Endley now belonging to the Township of Norton and enjoyed as Part and Parcel of the same which William Fitz-Nigell Baron of Halton held as a distinct thing by it self in the Conqueror's Time as appears by Doomsday-book This afterwards came to Aston of Aston For Richard Aston of Aston Son of Gilbert gave to God and St. Mary and to Randle Prior of Norton all his Land of Hendeley with all its Appurtenances about King John's Reign Lib. B. pag. 200. num 8. Here was anciently a Church belonging to
first 39 Kings of Scotland which some Scotch Historians do reckon up are but vain and fabulous as Dr. Heylyn truly accounts them in his Cosmography pag. 335. Kings of Scotland before the Conquest of the Picts when the Scots had but one Part of Scotland and the Picts the other Part. Ann. Dom. 404 1. Fergus King of the Scots and Durstus King of the Picts slain in Battel against the Romans and Brettans Anno Christi 420. Buchanan 2. Eugenius or Euenus eldest Son of Fergus 3. Dongard Brother of Eugenius 4. Constantine Brother of Dongard and youngest Son of Fergus 5. Congall Son of Dongard 6. Goran Brother of Congall 7. Eugenius II. Son of Congall 8. Congall II. Brother to Eugenius 9. Kinnatel In his time Aidan Son of Gorran came into Scotland who two Years before came out of Ireland and was now by St. Columba brought to Kinnatel who left the Kingdom to Aidan having onely Reigned 14 Months 10. Aidan Son of Gorran had his Kingly Robes put on by Columba Deadly Feuds began between him and Brudeus * Brudeus was Son of Meilocon Ordericus l 8. p. 702. King of the Picts Aidan was routed by Ethelfrid King of Northumberland Anno 603. Bede lib. 1. cap. 34. So that he never came again into Scotland 11. Kenneth I. was elected King He Reigned but 4 Months or ut alii 12 Months 12. Eugenius III. Son of Aidan 13. Ferchard I. Son of Eugenius 14. Donaldus Brother of Ferchard 15. Ferchard II. Son of Ferchard He was wounded by a Wolf 16. Maldwine Son of Donwald He was strangled by his Wife upon suspicion he had lain with a Whore and she was burned for it 17. Eugenius IV. Son of Dongard 18. Eugenius V. Son of Ferchard 19. Amberkeleth Son of Findanus Son of Eugenius IV. 20. Eugenius VI. He married Spondana Daughter of Garnard and commanded the Acts of Kings to be Registred in Abbies 21. Mordac Son of Amberkeleth 22. Etfin Son of Eugenius VI. He forced Galloway to pay Tribute 23. Eugenius VII Son of Mordac was murthered by his Nobles 24. Fergus II. Son of Etfin was strangled by his Wife when he was asleep 25. Solvathius Son of Eugenius VII a good Prince 26. Achaius Son of Etfin first entred into a League with France Hungus King of the Picts obtains 10000 Scots of him 27. Congall III. Cosin to Achaius 28. Dongall II. Son of Solvathius 29. Alpin Son of Achaius slain in Battel by the Picts who challenged that Kingdom in right of his Mother Sister to Hungus King of the Picts and his Heir also 30. Kenneth II. Son of Alpin utterly subdued and destroyed the Picts and slew Drusken their last King extending thereby the Scottish Kingdom from one Sea to the other over all the Bounds of Modern Scotland Kings of Scotland after the Conquest of the Picts 1. Kenneth II. the first sole King of all Scotland conquered the Picts Anno 838. He promoted his Kingdom from the Isles of the Orcades to Adrian's Wall Buchanan 2. Donald II. Brother of Kenneth died at Scone Anno 858. 3. Constantine II. Son of Kenneth slain by the Danes 4. Ethus Brother of Constantine sirnamed Alipes à Pedum celeritate 5. Gregorius Son of Dongall a stout Prince He overcame the Danes Brettans and English subdued Cumberland and Westmorland entred Ireland with an Army in the time of Duncan or Donat or more truly Dunach King of Ireland a Child and overcame Brien and Cornelius General of the Irish Forces 6. Donald III. Son of Constantine II. 7. Constantine III. Son of Ethus 8. Malcolme I. stiled Milcolumbus in Latin Son of Donald III. had Cumberland and Westmorland by the Gift of Edmund King of England upon condition that every succeeding King of Scotland should swear Fealty to the King of England as the Supreme Sovereign 9. Indulf an Intruder 10. Duffe Son of Malcolme was murthered 11. Culen Son of Indulfe murthered by one Rohard a Thane or Nobleman 12. Kenneth III. Brother of Duffe 13. Constantine IV. Son of Culen sirnamed Calvus or The Bald a Usurper of the Crown 14. Grime Son of Duffe was slain in Battel by Malcolme Prince of Cumberland 15. Malcolme II. Son of Kinneth III. murthered by his Nobles in the Castle of Glammis in Angus 16. Duncan Son of Grime succeeded Malcolme II. Malcolme had no Issue Male but two Daughters Beatrix Married to one Crine a Nobleman Thane of the West-Islands and Ruler or President over the rest of the Thanes whom that Age called A-Thane Doaca the other Daughter married the Thane of Angus of whom he begat Macbeth So Buchanan And Duncan had by the Daughter of Siward the Great Earl of Northumberland two Sons Malcolme Cammoir and Donald sirnamed Ban that is White 17. Macbeth Grandson to Malcolme II. by Doaca his Daughter 18. Malcolme III. sirnamed Cammoir that is Great-Head Son of Duncan He enjoyed Cumberland and Westmorland with the Dominion of Scotland and married Margaret the Sister of Edgar Atheling Right Heir to the Crown of England but kept out by William the Conqueror by whom he had Issue six Sons Edward Edgar Alexander David Edmund and Ethelred These two last were driven into England by Donwald their Uncle and died in Banishment saith Buchanan Malcolme had also two Daughters Maud Wife to Henry the First King of England and Mary another Daughter of Malcolme married to Eustace Earl of Boloine Ordericus pag. 702. Buchanan pag. 215. This Malcolme with Edward his eldest Son was slain by Morell or Morkell an Officer under Robert de Moulbray Earl of Northumberland the 13 day of November 1093. near the River Alne in Northumberland Roger Hoveden pag. 463 464. as he was coming home peaceably towards Scotland Ordericus vitalis lib. 8. pag. 701 702. 19. Donald IV. sirnamed Ban Brother to Malcolme was beaten out of Scotland by Duncan II. after that he had Reigned six Months 20. Duncan II. base Son of Malcolme III. set up by the Scots and murthered by Macpendirus Earl of Merne Buchanan 21. Edgar Son of Malcolme III. by the help of William Rufus King of England recovered Scotland which Forces were procured by the Mediation of Edgar Atheling his Uncle Hoveden pag. 466. He built an Abbey at Coldingham consecrated to Ebba the Virgin * Anno 1102. afterward translated into the Name of Cutbert But Edgar died without Issue Anno 1107. 6 Idus Januarii Buchanan pag. 216. Matt. Paris pag. 63. Hoveden pag. 471. sub Anno 1108. 22. Alexander Brother of Edgar was sirnamed Acer or The Fierce He built the Temple of St. Michael at Scone and also a Temple in honour of Columbus in the Isle of Aemona He married Sibilla Daughter of William the Conqueror but left no Children by her So Buchanan But the Conqueror had no such Daughter that I can find either in Ordericus or Stowe who name all his Daughters She was base Daughter of Henry the First Ordericus pag. 702. Ann. Dom. 1124 23. David Brother of Alexander married Maude
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
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
surrenders it on Condition that he may depart quietly and so he was banished from his Countrey Willielmus Gemeticensis lib. 7. cap. 6. Richard sirnamed Goz Son of Turstine was Vice-Comes de Abrincis that is Auranches in Normandy He reconciled his Father to the Duke of Normandy by his good Carriage and got far more than his Father lost Gemeticensis ibid. lib. 7. cap. 6. This Richard had Issue Hugh Earl of Chester Ordericus pag. 522. also Judith a Daughter Married to Richard de Aquila Son of Engenulfe Ordericus lib. 8. pag. 703. 649. of whom he begot Gilbert de Aquilâ and Engenulfe and Maude and many other Sons and Daughters This Richard de Aquilâ was killed with an Arrow shot into his Eye by a Boy hid in a Bush 14. Calendas Decembris Anno Christi 1085. Ordericus pag. 649. Another Sister of Hugh Earl of Chester Married William Earl of Ewe in Normandy who being openly convicted of Treason had his Eyes put out and his Stones cut off by the command of William Rufus Anno 1093. This was done by the instigation of Hugh Earl of Chester whose Sister he had Married but had broken his Faith with her for he had three Bastards by a common Strumpet Ordericus pag. 704. Maude another Sister to Earl Hugh was Mother of Randle de Bricasard in Normandy afterwards Earl of Chester and Wife of Rafe de Micaenis or Meschines Ordericus pag. 871. Milles and Brooks two late Writers and Heralds have foisted in the Name of Margaret for this Maude vouching no Authority The Acts of Earl Hugh HE made Robert one of his Bastard Sons a Monk of Utica in Normandy An. 1081. Ordericus lib. 6. pag. 602. He Founded the Monastery of St. Werburge in Chester In urbe Cestriae scilicet fuit ex Antiquo Sanctimonialium Monasterium nunc per Hugonem Cestrensem Comitem Monachis repletum Will. Malmesbury lib. 4. de Gestis Pontificum pag. 288. And Learned Cambden thus Ecclesiam â—quam Leofricus Comes in honorem Werburgae Virginis posuerat Hugo primus è Normannico Genere Comes Cestriae restauravit Authore Anselmo Monachis Concessit in Britanniâ suâ Title Cheshire Anno Domini 1093. Anselm Abbot of Becci in Normandy came into England at the Entreaty of Hugh Earl of Chester then sick by whose help the Earl Founded a Monastery at Chester and wherein Anselm placed Richard his Chaplain the first Abbot and turned the Secular Canons into Regular Monk Trevisa in his Translation of Polychronicon lib. 7. cap. 7. fol. 335. b. And indeed this agrees in time with the Original Charter of the Foundation which I transcribed out about 1644. as followeth then remaining among the Evidences of that Church which were then kept in a certain Room within St. Werburge Church in Chester Omnibus Christi Fidelibus praesens Transcriptum visuris vel audituris Guncelmus de Badelesmere Justiciarus Cestriae Salutem in Domino Noveritis me die Sabbati proximè post Festum Assumptionis Beatae Mariae Anno Edwardi Primi octavo inspexisse vidisse propriis manibus tractâsse Chartas Abbatis Conventûs Sanctae Werburgae Cestriae supèr Fundatione Monasterii sui ac juribus libertatibus ipsius suo Monasterio à Comitibus Cestriae aliis Concessas in plenâ Curiâ Comitatus Cestriae exhibitas non Cancellatas non vitiatas non in aliquâ suâ parte abolitas aut deletas in haec verba Charta Domini Hugonis Comitis Fundatoris Monasterii Sanctae Werburgae Virginis SAnctorum priscâ Authoritate Patrum qui in Nomine Patris Filii Spiritus Sancti in Sanctâ Ecclesiâ Regiminis Gubernacula hactenùs tenuerunt quÃque suos Adjutores Sanctaeque Fundatores Ecclesiae suâ nobis industriâ suorúmque scriptorum longâ Traditione cognitos reddiderunt Admoneri videmur ut ea quae à temporaneis nostris in Sanctae Ecclesiae matris exaltatione facta sunt praesentibus per nos manifestentur PosterÃsque dinoscenda nobis scribentibus reserventur Nos igitur Majorum imitantes exempla jà m quaedam Pietatis Opera referamus quae in Anglica Terrâ gesta sunt à Hugone Cestrensi Comite Anno ab Incarnatione Domini 1093. Regnante Potentissimo Rege Willielmo atque in Archiepiscopatu Cantuariensi Pontificante Anselmo atque in Eboracensi Pontificante Thoma Volumus verò ut Religiosi atque fideles Christiani cognoscant quià idcircò nobis ista describere placuit ut qui ea relegerent vel audirent Deum supplicabiliori affectu pro Sanctae Ecclesiae Fundatoris salute implorent ùt praesentes ad Regna Coelestia tendentes etià m inter aetatis hujus Primates qui sequantur inveniant Igitur ad Honorem Gloriam Sanctae Individuae Trinitatis atque Incomprehensibilis Divinitatis jà m proferemus quae nos dicere Spospondimus Hugo Comes Cestrensis atque Ermentrude Comitissa Devotioni Religiosae piâ mente subditi piilsimâque Dei visitatione inspirati in quâdam Ecclesiâ quae Constructa est in Honorem Sanctae Werburgae Virginis in Civitate Cestriae monachos religiosè viventes posuerunt Concedente Rege Willielmo qui Dominum assiduè exorarent tà m pro utilitate animae Regis Willielmi Willielmi Patris ejus nobilissimi Regis Matris ejus Matildis Reginae Fratrúmque Sororum ejus atque Regis Edwardi quà m pro animarum suarum salute pro animabus Patrum Matrum Antecessorum Haeredúmque Parentum Baronum suorum omniúmque Christianorum tam vivorum quà m defunctorum Huic verò Ecclesiae Sanctae Werburgae Hugo supradictus Comes Ermentrude Comitissa Possessiones Priores liberas in perpetuùm quietas concesserunt de suis augmentaverunt Habitationémque Monachorum habilem reddiderunt Eámque Abbatiam nulli omninò Abbatiae subditam fecerunt Posteà in eâ Monachos Abbatem Deo Donante supradicto Rege Willielmo concedente constituerunt Hanc etià m quicquid ad eam pertinet Abbati Monachis dederunt videlicet Ince Salhtonam Suttonam Cheveleiam Huntintonam Boghtonam Wervenam Croghtonam Trofford Cliftonam Estonam Wisdeleth Hodesleiam Wepram dimidium Rabie tertiam partem de Neston tertiam partem de Salghale tertiam partem de Stanney dimidiam pariem de Leech unam Carucam Terrae ad Pulford tertiam partem de Berdwardsley Edenchale Shotowicam Insupèr etià m dederunt huic Ecclesiae in ipsâ Civitate de suo Dominico Vicum à Portâ de North usquè ad Ecclesiam locum unius Molendini ad Pontem Civitatis duo Maneria in Anglesey unum autèm in Ros unum in Wirhalle Erbeiam in Lindesei terram decem boum post obitum Cómitis vel Comitissae Westonam cùm appenditiis in Derbyshira ad praesens Decimam ipsius Manerii Ecclesiam de Estona terram duarum Carucarum rectam decimam non solùm de Annonâ verùm etià m de Pullis Vitulis de
3. Lib. D. pag. 169. b. And these were confirmed to Robert de Swynerton Consanguineo Haeredi praedicti Rogeri 13 Decembris 2 Rich. 2. 1378. Which Sir Robert Swynerton Banneret died 12 Edw. 3. after whose death Robert Swynerton Clerk possessed the same as Son and Heir which Robert died Mense Junii 23 Edw. 3. after whose death Sir Thomas Swynerton Knight as Brother and Heir of Robert possessed the same Lands which Sir Thomas died Mense Decembris 35 Edw. 3. after whose death Sir Robert Swynerton his Son and Heir enjoyed them and left them to this Maude his Daughter and Heir Lib. D. pag. 178. d. ⚜ This Sir John Savage I find stiled Knight Obiit 1450 4 Hen. 5. and he died primo die Augusti 28 Hen. 6. 1450. Lib. D. pag. 169. c. Probably he was Knighted at the Battel of Agincourt in France 3 Hen. 5. III. John Savage of Clifton Esquire Son and Heir of Sir John married _____ and had Issue John Savage Son and Heir also Margery a Daughter married Edmund Legh of Baggiley in Cheshire Esquire 1442. 21 Hen. 6. which Edmund dying about 15 Edw. 4. she afterwards married Thomas Leycester of Nether-Tabley Esquire 17 Edw. 4. 1477. Lib. C. fol. 271. d. e. to wit the second Wife of Thomas Margaret another Daughter married John Maxfeld afterwards she married Randle Manwaring of Carincham third Son of Randle Manwaring of Over-Pever Esquire Obiit iste Johannes Savage 29 die Junii Obiit 1463 3 Edw. 4. 1463. Aetate 53 annorum Lib. D. pag. 169. c. IV. Sir John Savage of Clifton senior Knight Vnus militum pro Corpore Henrici Septimi 1494. 9 Hen. 7. Lib. C. fol. 186. ◠17 Edw. 4. 1477. Lib. C. fol. 271. d. He married Catharine Daughter of Sir Thomas Stanley after Lord Stanley and Sister to Thomas Stanley Earl of Derby by whom he had Issue Iohn Savage Son and Heir Thomas Savage Bishop of Rochester 1492. thence translated to London 1497. thence to the Archbishoprick of York 1501. and died 1508. his Body being buried at York and his Heart at Maxfield in Cheshire See Stow's Annals sub Anno 23 H. 7. where he built a Chappel at the side of Maxfield Church and intended to have made a College there Sir Homfrey Savage another Son Lawrence Savage another Son James Savage another Son Sir Edmund Savage another Son Knighted at Leith in Scotland 36 Hen. 8. 1544. 11 die Maii by the Earl of Hertford then General so Stow Which Edmund married Mary the Widow of Roger Legh del Ridge nigh Maxfield and Daughter and Heir of William Sparke of Surrey 30 Hen. 8. 1538. Christopher Savage another Son William Savage another Son George another Son and Richard another Son Also Ellen Savage a Daughter married Peter Legh of Lyme in Cheshire Anno Domini 1467. as appears by the Licence of Philip Sancti Laurentii in Lucina Presbyter Cardinalis for their Marriage datum Romae 2 Idus Januarii Anno quarto Papae Pauli Secundi Lib. D. pag. 172. c. The Original now among the Evidences at Rock-Savage 1669. Katharine another Daughter married Thomas Legh of Adlington in Cheshire Esq Anno Dom. 1479. as appears by the Licence of John Giglis utriúsque Juris Doctor Collector of the Popes Rents in England dated at London 4 die Novembris 1479. in the ninth Year of Pope Sixtus the Fourth Lib. D. pag. 177. x. The Original among the Evidences at Rock-Savage also Anno Domini 1669. Margaret married Edmund Trafford of Trafford in Lancashire Alice married Roger de Pilkington of Lancashire and Elizabeth married John Son of William Leeke of Langford in Darbyshire Obiit 1495 Aetat 73. This Sir John Savage died 22 Novembris 11 Hen. 7. 1495. quòd Johannes Savage Armiger Filius Haeres Johannis Savage junioris Militis est Consanguineus ejus Haeres propinquior Lib. D. pag. 179. k. Sir John Savage of Clifton junior Knight Son and Heir of Sir John Savage senior had the Charge of the Left Wing at the Battel of Bosworth-field in Lecestershire 3 Rich. 3. 22 die Augusti 1485. in which Battel Richard the Third was slain So Stow and other Historians inform us He was very instrumental together with Thomas Lord Stanley his Uncle afterwards made Earl of Darby in the promoting of Henry the Seventh to the Crown and in obtaining the Victory of Bosworth-field for which Service Henry the Seventh per Literas suas Patentes datas 7 die Martii 1 Hen. 7. 1485. Memoriâ reducens diutina laudabilia Servitia nec non probitatem actúsque strenuos intimi dilecti Militis nostri Johannis Savage junioris quem tà m in Armis quà m in Moribus Consilio florere dinoscebatur qualitérque idem Johannes cùm multitudine Copiosâ suorum Fratrum Consanguineorum Servientium Amicorum benevolorum ad sua Grandia Costus Onera Personaeque suae pericula Multimoda in Servitio nostro in Conflictu praelio contrà magnum Adversarium nostrum Ricardum tertium tùnc nupèr Regem Angliae praetensum caeterósque suos Complices Fautores qà m contrà alios Rebelles Proditores nostros contrà nos hostilitèr Guerram levantes c. Concessimus eidem Johanni Castrum Manerium de Gresley Kimbley in Comitatu Nottinghamiae Ekleston in Comitatu Derbiae ac Mineram Carbonum c. quae fuerunt Johannis Domini Zouche Ac etià m Maneria Elineton-Holmesfield in Comitatu Derbiae Maneria de Granby Sutton in Comitatu Nottinghamiae Manerium de Shepeshed in Comitatu Leycestriae ac Maneria de Sutton-Hubybunderell alias dictum Hobbadler Watton alias Wotton Croston Eudeburne in Comitatu Salopiae quae fuerunt Francisci Lovell Militis nuper Vice-Comitis Lovell Habenda praedicto Johanni Savage Haeredibus Masculis de Corpore Lib. D. pag. 171. v. The Original among the Evidences at Rock-Savage Anno Domini 1669. 2 Ricardi 3. 1484. this Sir John Savage junior and eight of his Brethren were made Freemen of Chester Sir John Savage the Elder being then Mayor Vale-Royal of England pag. 188. The Brethren are there ranked in this order 1. Sir John Savage junior 2. James Savage 3. Lawrence Savage 4. Edward for Edmund 5. Christopher 6. George 7. William 8. Richard 9. Homfrey Sir John Savage junior married _____ and had Issue John Savage Son and Heir Alice married Sir William Brereton of Brereton in Cheshire Felicia married Robert Milward of Eaton in Derbyshire Esquire Ellen married John Hawarden Maude married Sir Robert Nedham of Shenton in Shropshire This Sir John Savage was slain at the Siege of Boloigne in France Obiit 1492 8 Hen. 7. 1492. in the Life-time of his Father See Stow in eadem Anno. He was a Valiant Man and an expert Soldier and made Knight of the Garter by Henry the Seventh He had a Bastard-son called George Savage Parson of Davenham in Cheshire This George had several Bastards to wit George Savage Priest Chancellor of Chester John Wimslow
Charterers following 1. Moldesworth of Winsham These Lands were purchased by Edmund Moldesworth of Winsham Gent. from Raufe Egerton of Ridley in Cheshire Esq 3 Jac. 1605. Lib B. pag. 56. a. 2. Robert Venables of Anterbus in Over-Whitley hath two Messuages in Winsham one now in possession of Raufe Pownall the other of Richard Eyton 3. Thomas Marbury of Marbury Esq hath one Messuage in Winsham the greatest part whereof he hath now laid to his Demain of Merbury the other part and the House is now in possession of Widow Maddock 1666. 4. John Swinton of Nether-Knotsford hath a parcel of Land in Winsham adjoyning to his Land in Picmere This was purchased from Mr. William Merbury elder Brother of the said Thomas 5. William Peacock of Winsham This Messuage was sold by Mr. William Merbury aforesaid unto Raufe Billinge and Raufe Billinge sold it to William Peacock Father of the said William 6. Hugh Lowton of Winsham This Cottage he purchased from Mr. William Merbury aforesaid the 13. of April 14 Car. 1. 1638. Richard Leftwich of Leftwich Esquire Obiit 2 Hen. 8. Margery Daughter of Laurence Marbury of Marbury Esquire Richard Leftwich of Leftwich senior died 30 Hen. 8. Katharine Daughter of Henry Manwaring of Carincham Esquire 1. Richard Leftwich junior Son Heir died without Issue-male 34 Hen. 8. Margaret Daughter and Heir of Robert Buckley of Eyton nigh Davenham Lord of the Moiety of Winsham Margaret Daughter and Heir of Richard Leftwich She died 1588. 30 Eliz. Thomas Woodrofe first Husband He died 1 Eliz. William Harcourt third Son of John Harcourt of Ranton in Staffordshire Esquire second Husband Thomas sine prole Elizabeth Wife of Robert Edowe Brigit 2. Raufe Heir-male to his Brother Richard Ob. 37. H. 8. Elizabeth daughter of Foulk Dutton of Chester John Legh del Ridge second Husband Raufe a Child died 6 Edw. 6. 3. George Leftwich third Son of whom the Leftwiches of Leftwich ⚜ Thomas Buckley of Eyton died 6 Hen. 7. and had Issue Thomas Buckley of Eyton living 15 Hen. 8. who died without Issue and Robert Buckley of Eyton Brother and Heir to Thomas This Robert Buckley had Issue Margaret Wife of Richard Leftwich and Anne Wife of John Brereton 7 Hen. 8. younger Son of Sir William Brereton and Katharine third Daughter But Anne and Katharine had no Issue The Family of the Harcourts of Ranton in Staffordshire are a Noble and Ancient Family whose Ancestor Richard Harcourt Son of William Harcourt of Stanton-Harcourt in Oxfordshire married Orabella Daughter of Saher de Quency Earl of Winchester and of Margaret his Wife Sister and Co-heir to Robert Fitz-Parnell Earl of Leycester unto whom her Father Saher gave Bosworth in Leycestershire in Marriage to wit Market-Bosworth about the end of King John's Reign to be held by the Service of a whole Knights Fee So saith Burton in his Description of Leycestershire p. 47. where he addeth That this Family came originally out of France and that Jean le Feron a Frenchman who wrote under our Edward the Sixth blazeth the Coat-Armor of John de Harcourt Marshal of France under Philip le Beau 1286. thus Gules two Fesses Or which is the same Coat born by the Harcourts in England And further saith That the Family of Harcourt had continued more than 800 Years to his time But of this enough And by Parnell a second Wife William Harcourt had Issue Mary Wife of Robert Pownall of Witton she was born 1599. And Jane married Richard Broom of Lostock-Gralam Margaret the first Wife of William who had her Mothers Lands to wit the Moiety of Winsham died 30 Eliz. 1588. William Harcourt her Husband died 43 Eliz. 1600. II. Richard Harcourt of Winsham Gentleman Son and Heir of William was Lord of the one Moiety of Winsham by Descent in Right of his Mother The other Moiety he Purchased 1606. He married one Elizabeth Widnester of London and had Issue William Harcourt eldest Son born 1605. Raufe born 1614. he died without Issue 1647. Thomas another Son died without Issue Elizabeth married Randle Birchenhead of Northwich whose Father was Usher of the Free-School of Northwich Mary married John Capper of Brindley she was born 1619. Margaret and Jane both died Infants This Richard Harcourt died 1628. III. William Harcourt of Winsham Gentleman Son and Heir of Richard married Mary Daughter of George Holford of Newborough in Dutton Gentleman Anno Domini 1629. This George Holford was younger Son of Thomas Holford of Holford nigh Nether-Tabley Esquire This William Harcourt and Mary are both yet living 1669. and had Issue Frances a Daughter who died young 1651. and George Harcourt a Son born 1632. yet living 1669. who hath sold the Reversion of all Winsham-Lands after the death of his Father and Mother and also what he had in possession unto Robert Venables of Anterbus in Over-Whitley Gentleman Anno Domini 1668. to whom he had Mortgaged the same before THus have I by God's Assistance run through BUCKLOW-HUNDRED according to such Evidences and Records as I had carefully collected concerning the same If I had not met with some Obstructions by some Gentlemen who either out of Waywardness or Jealousie did refuse to let me have the Perusal of their Evidences some things might possibly have been further discovered and illustrated In the mean time I wish this may incite some more able Hand to undertake the like for the reviving of those decayed Monuments of Antiquity in the other Hundreds of this our County which yet lie buried and covered in the Rubbish of Devouring Time FINIS 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Addenda in Part II. Page 134. It seems that Hugh Cyveliok Earl of Chester had either another Base Son or Daughter not there mentioned as appears by this following Deed the Original whereof is now in possession of Somerford Oldfield of Somerford in Cheshire Esquire 1672. SCiant omnes tà m praesentes quà m futuri Quòd ego Nicolaus de Verdon concessi hac praesenti Chartâ meâ confirmavi Siwardo filio Siwardi totam illam terram in Bidulf quam de Johanne de Lindele tenet cùm Bosco cùm omnibus aliis aisiamentis libertatibus eidem terrae pertinentibus sicut Charta praedicti Johannis testatur Sed praedictus Siwardus non dabit praedictam terram nec Hospitalariis nec Templariis nisi licentiâ praedicti Nicolai vel Haeredum suorum Pro hâc autèm Concessione praefatus Siwardus dedit praedicto Nicolao unam Marcam Argenti homagium suum annuatìm octo Sagittas barbatas ad Natale Domini Hiis Testibus Davide de Malo passu Willielmo filio ejus Randulpho de Estbury Nepote Comitis Cestriae multis aliis Where we find plainly That Randle of Estbury was Nephew to the Earl of Chester and this was Randle the Third sirnamed Blundevill who was then Earl of Chester And it is not probable that this Randle de Estbury was Nephew to the Earl by any of his four Sisters and