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
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.
of Westminster computeth onely from the beginning of King Ethelwolfe's Reign to the Norman Conquest which I wonder at since the same Author tells us that in Anno 800. the Danes spoiled Tinmouth Church and after they had Robbed thereabouts they returned with their Spoils and besides he tells us of several Battels in England between King Egbert and the Danes But his words are these pag. 302. Misit ergò eis Deus Omnipotens Gentes Paganas crudelissimas velut Apum Examina quae nè quidem Sexui muliebri aut Parvulorum parceret aetati Danos scilicet Norwegenses Gothos Swathedos Vandalos Frisios qui ab exordio Regis Ethelwolfi supradicti usque ad Normannorum Adventum per annos fermè 230 terram hanc peccatricem à mari usquè ad mare ab homine usquè ad Pecus deleverunt non eam possidere subjugare sed praedari ac perdere satagebant So that there was a long time of intermixture with various Nations and sorts of People Cambden saith That the Name of Danes was not known to the World before the time of Justinian the Emperor about the Year of Christ 570. Tunc enim Galliam vastare caeperunt Rerum Anglicarum Latinis Historicis Wiccingi dicti sunt Wiccinga Saxonicè Piratam denotat Cambden's Britannia pag. 101. And Dudo Sancti Quinti Decanus saith That out of Scanza that is Scandia the Danes Getes or Gothes Amarobii Tragoditae Alani Sarmatae came out like Swarms of Bees Lib. 1. sub initio Also Gemeticensis lib. 1. cap. 2. CHAP. VII Of the coming of the Normans into England and whence they are descended 1. THe Normans invaded England Anno Domini 1066. when William sirnamed The Bastard Duke of Normandy commonly called William the Conqueror Landed with a great Army at Pemsey near Hastings in Sussex and overcame Harold King of England in Battel which was fought the fourteenth day of October being Saturday Anno Domini 1066. about nine Miles from Hastings in Sussex upon which Victory the English submitted to him And in the Race of the Norman Blood hath the Kingdom of England since continued to this day 1670. by Maude the Empress Daughter and Heir to King Henry I. and Wife of Geffrey Planagenet Earl of Anjou in France Married to him Anno Domini 1127. Mother of King Henry the Second from whom the succeeding Kings are descended The English continued their native Language notwithstanding the great and long commixture with the Normans but much altered since Chaucer's time who lived under King Richard the Second especially since Henry the Eighth's time downward it is so intermingled with Latine besides some old words retained from the Norman-French anciently that it is now become a new Language and much of the ancient English Tongue quite lost and perish'd and daily in our Age creep in many Latine and French words to the utter decay of the English Tongue The Conqueror gave away the Lands of the English to his Friends and Soldiers who assisted him in the Conquest some few he suffered to enâ—oy their own Estates and but very few Most of the ancient Gentry now in England of great and ancient Estates are Descended from the Normans who came into England with the Conqueror yet doubtless are there many of the Saxon Blood now remaining and by reason of a long intermixture by intermarrying one with another have incorporated our Nation into a Hotchpot of several Nations for the Normans themselves were a People intermingled of Norwegians Swedes and Danes It is observed of the People of England that they are so naturally given to Faction and Rebellion that since the Norman Conquest we scarcely read of any of our Kings to this day who have not met with the disturbance of some rebellious and treasonable Practises of their own Subjects and that in open Arms too King James onely excepted and yet he wanted not a Gunpowder Treason miraculously discovered and prevented Anno 1605. nor a Gowries Conspiracy in Scotland 1600. and his Son King Charles the First most miserably murthered in our Days by his own Subjects through the Puritan Factions in England Anno 1648. the thirtieth day of January A short Table of the Norman Kings and when they began their Reigns Anno Chr. 1066. 1. William the Conqueror Bastard-Son of Robert Duke of Normandy by one Arlet a Skinner's Daughter of Faloys in Normandy He caused Domes-day Book to be made which was begun and finished between the fourteenth and twentieth Year of his Reign He died the ninth day of September aged 64 Years Anno Domini 1087. He Reigned 20 Years 10 Months and 26 Days 2. William sirnamed Rufus third Son of William the Conqueror succeeded in the Kingdom of England Robert the eldest Son was Duke of Normandy William Rufus died secundo die Augusti 1100. in the thirteenth Year of his Reign being slain with an Arrow which was shot by Sir Walter Tirrel a Frenchman at a Deer in New-Forrest in Hampshire and hitting a Bough of a Tree glanced aside and hit the King He Reigned 12 Years 11 Months ferè 3. Henry for his Learning sirnamed Beauclerk the fourth Son of the Conqueror but the third Son that lived to be a Man and younger Brother to William Rufus in the absence of Robert Duke of Normandy his eldest Brother then in the Holy Land succeeded King of England and afterwards took from his Brother Robert the Dukedom of Normandy also he died primo die Decembris 1135. He Reigned 35 Years and four Months 4. Stephen second Son of Stephen Earl of Blois by Adela Daughter of William the Conqueror usurped the Kingdom of England and was in continual War with Maude the Empress he died the twenty fifth day of October 1154. He Reigned 18 Years 10 Months and odd Days 5. Henry II. Son of Geffrey Plantagenet Earl of Anjou in France by Maude the Empress Daughter and sole Heir of Henry I. King of England he added to the English Empire Anjou Touraine and Main which were his Fathers and also the Dutchy of Aquitain and the Earldom of Poictu by Elianor his Wife and conquered Ireland he died the sixth day of July 1189. aged 61 Years He Reigned 34 Years and 9 Months wanting 18 Days 6. Richard I. Son of Henry II. sirnamed Ceur de Lyon Warred in the Holy Land and in his return was taken Prisoner in the Dominions of the Duke of Austria He was slain at the Siege of the Battel of Chaluz in the Province of Limoges in France and died of his Wound the sixth day of April 1199. He Reigned 9 Years and 9 Months Anno Chr. 1199. 7. John Brother to Richard I. lost Normandy Aquitaine and Angeau to the French 1204. He died the 19 of October 1216. at the age of 51 Years He Reigned 17 Years and 6 Months 8. Henry III. Son of King John was but nine Years old when he was Crowned He died the 16 of November 1272. aged 65 Years He reigned 56 Years
reigned 44 Years 4 Months and 7 Days The Scotch Line Kings and Monarchs of all Great-Brettaine and Ireland 24. James VI. King of Scotland Son of Mary Queen of Scots Anno Chr. 1602. Daughter and Heir of James V. Son of James IV. and of the Lady Margaret eldest Daughter of Henry the Seventh King of England was Proclaimed King of England in London March 24. 1602. as the next undoubted Heir to the Crown of England A Learned and Religious Prince of whom the Lord Bacon saith in his Advancement of Learning pa. 2. It is no Amplification but a positive and measured Truth That there was not so Learned a Temporal Monarch since Christ 's time in all Literature Divine and Humane as this King James Of whom see more in Scotland He died at Theobalds the 27 of March 1625. aged 60 Years He was the first Monarch of all Great-Brettaine He Reigned 22 Years and 3 Days 25. Charles I. Son of James VI. of Scotland was overpowred by the Puritanical Faction in England confederate with the Covenanters of Scotland who began their Rebellion in England Anno 1642. which continued by the Assistance of the Rebellious Parliament of England until the Year 1660. miserably ruinating both our Church and State And these Rebels murthered this Good King the 30 day of January 1648. in the 49 Year of his Age and banished his Children He Reigned 23 Years 10 Months and 3 Days 26. Charles II. Son of Charles I. was kept out of his Kingdoms till after the death of Oliver Cromwel the Traytor stiled the Protector but was after Restored and Returned to his Kingdoms the 29 day of May Anno Domini 1660. chiefly next under God who disposeth and ordereth the Hearts of all Men by the Assistance of Colonel George Monk who then had the Command of all the Forces in Scotland and England Principally and was afterwards made Duke of Albemarle by this King as well he deserved Of the Dukes of Normandy before William the Conqueror II. THe Dukes of Normandy from whence our Norman Kings of England aforesaid are descended are the Progeny of Rollo the Dane who invaded the Province of Neustria in France with a great Army which because they consisted of Men brought out of the North part of the World they were called Normans and that Province of France was called Normannia in Latin For in the Saxon Language of our Ancestors Normans denotes as much as Populi Septentrionales in the Latine And were a People as Cambden saith commixt of Norwegians Swedes and Danes 1. This Rollo took Baieux in Normandy by Storm and slew Berengarius Earl thereof and after married Popa Daughter of the said Berengarius on whom he begot William afterwards Duke of Normandy sirnamed Longespée because of the long Sword he used to wear And Rollo much perplexed the French by his daily Rapines over-running almost all France to Burgundy At last for the Mediation of a Peace Charles the Simple King of France gave unto him all the Land of Normandy from the River Epta to the Sea to be held by Homage from the Kings of France with Gista his Daughter in Marriage Popa his former Wife being now either dead or divorced Whereupon Rollo was Baptised by Franco Archbishop of Roan Anno Chr. 917. Anno Domini 912. And he was the first Duke of Normandy and died Anno Christi nati 917. Ordericus Vitalis lib. 3. ad initium Will. Gemeticensis lib. 2. cap. 12 17. 2. William sirnamed Longespée Duke of Normandy was Son of Rollo Slain Anno Christi 942. 3. Richard I. Duke of Normandy Son of William was but 10 Years old when his Father was slain He was Duke 54 Years 4. Anno 996. Richard II. Son of Richard I. by Gunnor first his Concubine and after his Wife Gemeticensis lib. 8. cap. 36. succeeded Duke of Normandy and was Duke 30 Years He had two Sons who succeeded Dukes one after another Richard and Robert besides other Children 5. Anno 1026. Richard III. Son of Richard II. succeeded Duke of Normandy and was Duke scarce a Year and a half 6. Anno 1028. Robert Brother to Richard III. succeeded Duke and after he had been Duke seven Years and a half he died at the City of Nice in Bithynia Anno 1035. 7. William Bastard Son of Robert by Arlet or Herlue as some write her a Skinners Daughter of Faloys in Normandy Chronicon Joh. Bromton pag. 910. a Child of eight Years of Age succeeded Duke of Normandy and was Duke 53 Years Ordericus lib. 3. in initio In the 32 Year of his Dukedom to wit Anno 1066. he Conquered England and is commonly called William the Conqueror Robert Curthose eldest Son of the Conqueror was after his Father also Duke of Normandy See the rest above pag. 32. among the Norman Kings of England ⚜ Normandy was lost to the French in the Reign of King John Anno 1204. Mat. Paris pag. 212. Normandy won again from the French by Henry V. Anno 1416. Normandy lost again by Henry VI. Anno 1449. And so much of England OF VVALES CHAP. I. Of the Name of Wales and Description of the Countrey I. THe Name of Wales was imposed from our Saxon Ancestors For the Ancient Brettans being beaten out of England by the Saxons fled into the West Parts of Brettaine being naturally fortified with great Mountains and Overflowings of the Sea to wit into that Part now called Wales and into Cornwal But the Brettans of Cornwal though they stoutly endeavoured to defend their Country yet were they soon forced to leave it to the Saxons Cambden and Verstegan tell us That the Saxons termed all Aliens and Strangers Walsh And hence they called these Inhabitants because Strangers unto them by the name of Walsh-men and their Countrey Wales But more probable it is that forasmuch as they be descended from the ancient Gaules their Neighbors in Latin termed Galli by the French Galles which the Saxons pronounce Walles and from whence Walles-man and now corruptly Welsh-man it seems to me to be thence called Wales as one should say The Countrey of the Waules or Walles And in ancient Latin Authors it is many times stiled Guallia and the Inhabitants thereof Gualli and every Man knows how the Saxons in most Words do use W for G as War for Guerre Ward for Guard and the like And at this day the French stile the eldest Son of the King of England Le Prince de Galles The ancient Galli were called Cimbri or Kimbri undè Cambro-Britannia is used for Wales and Cambro-Britannus for a Welshman And ask these Cambro-Brittans or Welsh-Brittans how they call themselves they will presently tell you Kimeri or Kumeri which sounds as much as Kimbri or Kymbry now in Latin molded into Cambri Howsoever the Name came the Inhabitants of Wales at this day are the Remnant of the Ancient Brettans but not without great commixture of the English their Neighbors which must needs follow in so long a Tract
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
Father died take the Authority of Ordericus lib. 10. pag. 787. Richardus autem pulcherrimus Puer amabilis omnibus Consulatum Cestriae scilicèt tenuit II. He Married Maude Daughter of Stephen Earl of Bloys in France by his Wife Adela Daughter of William the Conqueror and had no sooner tasted the Pleasures of his Marriage Bed but he with his young Countess were by the churlish Waves not onely prohibited their mutual Love Embraces and hopes of future Posterity to succeed them but were deprived of their Lives also as they were Sailing for England Anno Domini 1119. Ordericus pag. 787. So that he was about the Age of twenty five years when he was drowned Milles in his Catalogue of Honour hath clearly mistaken the Name of this Earl's Wife calling her Lucy in stead of Maude vouching no Authority a gross Absurdity in a Herald III. But because this lamentable Accident is memorable for the destructive influence it had upon many of the Nobility of England I will collect the whole Story out of Ordericus and as briefly as I may lib. 12. pag. 868 869 870. The Master of the Ship was Thomas the Son of Stephen who came to King Henry the First then in Normandy and ready to take Shipping for England and offered him a Mark of Gold in elder Ages valued at six Pound in Silver Rot. Mag. Pipae de Anno 1 Hen. 2. and as others say ten Marks of Silver 6 l. 13 s. 4 d. desiring that as Stephen his Father had Transported the Conqueror when he Fought against King Harold in England and was his constant Mariner in all his Passages between England and Normandy so that he himself likewise might now have the Transportation of King Henry with all his Attendance as it were in Fee for he had a very good Ship called Candida Navis or The White Ship well furnished for that purpose The King thanked him but withal told him he had already made choice of another Ship which he would not change yet he would commend him to his two Sons William and Richard with many others of his Nobility whereat the Mariners much rejoiced and desired the Prince to bestow some Wine upon them to drink He gave them Tres Modios Vini three Hogsheads of Wine wherewith they made themselves sufficiently Drunk There were almost three hundred in this unfortunate Ship for there were fifty skilful Oars or Galleymen had they not been intoxicated with Wine which belonged to the Ship besides the young Gallants which were to be Transported but now being neither able to govern themselves nor the Ship they suffered it to be split on a Rock and so all were drowned except one Beâ—olde a Butcher of Roan in Normandy who was took up the next Morning by three Fishermen into their Boat after a cold frosty Nights Shipwrack and with much ado recovered and lived twenty years after There were saith Hoveden in this Ship Militaris numeri 140. Nautarum 50. cùm tribus Gubernatoribus with many Noblemen and Women The Names of the more eminent Persons who then perished of whom Huntington thus Omnes velferè Omnes Sodomiticâ labe dicebantur irretiti I have here collected out of Ordericus viz. pag. 869. William and Richard two Sons of King Henry the First Rafe Rufus and Gilbert de Oximis pag. 870. Maude Daughter of Henry the First Wife of Rotron Earl of Morton Richard Earl of Chester juvenis multâ probitate benignitate laudabilis with Maude his Wife Sister to Tedbald Earl Palatine of Blois Othuerus also Brother to Richard Hugonis Cestriae Comitis filius Tutor Regiae Prolis Paedagogus ut fertur dùm repentina fieret ratis Subversio nobiliumque irreparabilis dimersio adolescentulum meaning Richard Earl of Chester illicò amplexatus est cùm ipso in profundum irremeabilitèr prolapsus est also Theodoricus Puer Henrici Nepos Imperatoris Almannorum also two brave Sons of Ivo de Grentemaisnill and William of Rothelent their Cosin who by the King's Command were coming to receive their Father's Inheritances in England William sirnamed Bigod with William de Prior the King's Steward Geffrey Ridell and Hugh de Molinis Robert Malconductus or Malduit and Nequam Gisulfus Semba Regis aliique plures multae ingenuitatis And in Page 649. he names two more Engenulfe and Goisfred Sons of Gilbert de Aquilâ And in Stowe we find named Walter de Curcy and Geffrey Archdeacon of Hereford in all 160 Persons Of which Shipwrack an excellent Rhimer of those Times composed these Verses Ordericus pag. 869. Accidit Hora gravis Thomaequè miserrima navis quà m malè rect aterit rupe Soluta perit Flebilis Eventus dùm nobilis illa Juventus est immersa mari Perditione pari Jactatur Pelago Regum Generosa Propago quosque Duces plorant monstra marina vorant O Dolor immensus nec Nobilitas nequè Census ad vitam revocat quos maris unda necat Purpura cùm bysso liquido putrescit abysso Rex quoquè quem genuit Piscibus Esca fuit Sic sibi fidentes ludit fortuna Potentes nunc dat nunc demit hinc levat indè premit Quid numerus Procerum quia Opes quid Gloria Rerum quid Guillelme tibi forma valebat ibi Marcuit ille Decor Regalis abstulit aequor quod factâ—s fueras quodque futurus eras Inter Aquas istis instat Damnatio tristis nî Pietas gratìs caelica parcat eis Corporibus mersis animae si dona Salutis nactae gauderent moesta procul fierent Certa salus animae verùm dat tripudiare his benè qui charos Commemorant Proprios Hinc Dolor est ingens humana quòd inscia fit mens An Requies sit eis quos capit uda Thetis The Place or Haven where they took Shipping is called Barbaflat that is Harefleet in Normandy the time 7 Calend. Decemb. 1119. So Ordericus But Hoveden Huntington Paris and Judicious Cambden do all place it in Anno 1120. Hoveden expresseth the very Day of the Week Anno 1120. in Scopulos dictos Chaterase fracta est Navis 6 Calendas Decembris feriâ quintâ noctis initio apud Barbefleet where he computes the Night to the Day following Ordericus to the Day past IV. I cannot but take notice here of the Printer's Error in Ordericus as it is set out by Andrew du Chesne with other Authors and Printed 1619. We read Page 787. Ricardus autem pulcherrimus Puer quem Solum ex Ermentrude filiâ Hugonis de Claromonte genuit Consulatum ejus ferè 12 annis Amabilis omnibus tenuit where the number 12 should have been 19. for if this place be conferred with Page 870. then Richard by exact computation out of Ordericus was Earl of Chester just eighteen Years and four Months But if you place the time of this Shipwrack in Anno 1120. as most Authors do then must he have held the Earldom nineteen Years and four Months I shall close all concerning this Earl with
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
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
all one Name by the Court of the King's Bench Cambden in his Remains on the Name Jane pag. 98. This Sir William Stanley of Holt was Lord Chamberlain to Hen. 7. and Brother to Thomas Stanley the first Earl of Darby of that Family which Sir William was Beheaded 1495. as supposed to encline to the Part of Perkin Warbeck See Crokes Reports 4 Car. 1. pag. 123 124. whose Lands and Goods were all Confiscated to the King He had in ready Money and Plate in his Castle of Holt forty thousand Marks besides Jewels Houshold-stuff and Stock of Cattel in his Grounds He had in Lands 3000 l. per Annum of an old Rent as my Lord Bacon saith in his History of Henry the Seventh He aspired to Petition the King for the Earldom of Chester which ended both in a denial and a distaste He had by Joyce his Wife Daughter of Edward Lord Powys and Widow of John Tiptoft William Stanley before-mentioned and Jane married to Sir John Warburton of Arley in Cheshire one of the Knights of the Body to Henry the Seventh William Stanley of Tatton died about 14 Hen. 7. 1498. Joan his Widow afterwards married Sir Edward Pickering 16 Hen. 7. 1500. And lastly she married Sir John Brereton to her third Husband living 24 Hen. 7. And Joan died 3 Hen. 8. 1511. XII Joan sole Daughter and Heir of William Stanley by Joan Massy his Wife had two Husbands First she married John Ashton Son and Heir of Sir Thomas Ashton of Ashton super Mersey in Cheshire 16 Hen. 7. She was then but eight Years old This John Ashton died young without any Issue by her 5 Hen. 8. 1513. Afterwards she married Sir Richard Brereton younger Son of Sir Randle Brereton of Malpas in Cheshire by whom she had Issue Richard Brereton eldest Son who married Dorothy Daughter of Thurstan de Tildesley in Lancashire Esquire 35 Hen. 8. 1543. But he died without Issue about 4 Edw. 6. Geffrey Brereton second Son succeeded Heir Anne Brereton a Daughter married John Booth of Barton in Lancashire Esq 32 Hen. 8. 1540. X. num 26. This Lady Jane Brereton died the sixth of April 12 Eliz. 1570. aged 77 Years Sir Richard Brereton her Husband died at Islington in Middlesex 3 4 Phil. Mar. 1557. Geffrey his Son and Heir being then of full Age. XIII Geffrey Brereton of Tatton Esquire Son and Heir of Sir Richard Brereton and Jane Stanley married Alice Daughter of Piers Leycester of Nether-Tabley Esq 5. Edw. 6. 1551. A. num 35. and had Issue Richard Brereton Son and Heir and Anne a Daughter living 8 Eliz. who died without Issue This Geffrey died in June 1565. 7 Eliz. about the age of thirty Years Alice his Widow afterwards married Robert Charnocke Gentleman and she died the second of April 1572. 14 Eliz. XIV Richard Brereton of Tatton Esquire Son and Heir of Geffrey and Alice married Dorothy Daughter of Sir Richard Egerton of Ridley in Cheshire 14 Eliz. 1572. but died without Issue December 18. 41 Eliz. 1598. Dorothy his Widow afterwards married Sir Peter Legh of Lime in Cheshire but had no Issue by him She was second Wife to Sir Peter and survived both her Husbands and she died the fourth of April 1639. This Richard Setled all his Estate on Sir Thomas Egerton Lord Chancellor of England from whom the Earls of Bridgewater are descended who are now Owners of these Lands 1667. Thelwall IN the Year of Christ 920. King Edward sirnamed The Elder built a Town here at Thelwall though now an obscure Village so called Teste Forilego from the Stakes and Stumps cut from the Trees wherewith they had environed it about as a Wall for the Saxons called such Stakes Thell and the word Wall is a word yet used for a high Fence that encompasseth any Place about with Stone or other thing or Building So Cambden's Britannia Cheshire Polychronicon lib. 6. cap. 5. ad finem and that King Edward made it a Garrison and placed Soldiers therein wherewith also agrees Florentius Wigorniensis But it seems to lie waste in the time of the Conqueror for I find no mention of it in Dooms-day Book Roger of Poictou Son of Rogerde Montgomery the first Earl of Shrewsbury was Lord of all the Land in Lancashire between the Rivers of Ribble and Mersey and gave half of the Fishing of Thelwall to the Abbot of Shrewsbury under Henry the First Monasticon vol. 1. pag. 383. This was the Fishing on the Lancashire side The Prior of Norton had the other half of the Fishing of Thelwall on the Cheshire side granted by William Constable of Cheshire the younger Baron of Halton about the Reign of King Stephen Monasticon vol. 2. pag. 186. In our Mize-book of Cheshire anciently the Abbot of Salop stood charged with three Shillings in the Mize for Fishing in Thelwall but this Mize is now totally lost no Man now living being able to inform us who ought to pay the same I conceive after the dissolution of Abbeys in England by Henry the Eighth that Fishing coming to the King's hands the Mize thereof ceased being not at all paid of late Times the Fishing being then but of little value This Township of Thelwall is of the Fee of the Honor of Halton one third part whereof William Constable of Cheshire gave to the Abbey of Salop cum pertinentiis in bosco in plano in aquâ Monasticon vol. 1. pag. 383. In the Reign of Henry the Third Edmund Lacy Baron of Halton and Constable of Cheshire gave Domino Galfrido de Dutton Ancestour to Warburton of Arley totam terram suam de Thelwall cum Wera Piscaria Stallagiis suis and also all the Land which he had of the Abbot and Convent of Evesham in Thelwall Reddendo inde annuatim unam Par Cheirothecarum Cervi Furratarum ad Festum Sancti Michaelis pro omni Servitio Lib. C. in ipso initio Ex Chartulis Roberti Pickering de Thelwall fol. 1. f. This could be but two third parts of Thelwall The Original of this Deed is now in possession of Mr. Pickering of Thelwall 1666. This Geffrey Dutton gave these Lands to Thomas his younger Son Ibidem g. Afterwards it was possessed by Clayton in the Reign of Edward the Third and continued in the possession of the Claytons till John Clayton of Thelwall sold it to Richard Brooks of Norton Esquire about 4 Eliz. 1561. whose Son Thomas Brooks of Norton Esquire sold the same to John Moores Doctor of Physick in London Anno Christi 1621. and John Moores of Kirtlington in Nottinghamshire Nephew of Doctor Moores aforesaid sold them to Robert Pickering Councellor at Law 1662. who is now possessed of the Mannor of Thelwall 1666. In this Township of Thelwall are now 1666. certain Freeholds of Inheritance possessed by these Persons following 1. Sir Peter Brookes of Mere hath four Tenements which were given him by his Father Thomas Brookes of Norton Esquire before he sold away the other
set down the Kings of Mercia during the Heptarchy of the Saxons in England under which our County of Cheshire is comprised This Kingdom of Mercia began Anno Domini 626. under Penda sirnamed The Strong Son of Wibba Howbeit Huntington brings it somewhat higher even to begin under Crida who died Anno Domini 596. lib. 2. pag. 315. whose Descent he also sets down out of the ancient Saxons Chronicle to Woden pag. 316. and the Descent of Woden Malmesbury reckons up Also Matth. Paris de H. 2. and Asser Menevensis de Alfredo pa. 1. lib. 2. de Gestis Regum cap. 2. ad initium out of the English Chronicles to Noah Also Hoved. Annal. pars prior p. 414. brings it up to Adam Which Descent although we may conceive it true as far as is set down yet it carries great improbabilities along with it in respect of the long Tract of Time it contains for Woden is but the tenth Ancestor from Crida inclusively and Noah but the sixteenth from Woden according to Malmesbury So all the Generations from Noah to Crida are but 26. which in all probability cannot contain much above 600 Years and so Crida living after Christ 550 Years as Huntington clearly expresseth the Generation where Noah is placed cannot exceed 100 Years before Christ or thereabouts Now Noah lived above 2000 Years before Christ as is evident by the Scripture and the Generations from Noah to Christ are reckoned up 68 Luke cap. 3. and according to Matthew from Noah to Christ are reckoned up 52 Generations which far exceed the proportion and number here set down by Malmesbury Besides this that Bedwegius should be the Son of Sem as Hoveden hath it is much to be suspected or as Malmesbury sets it down that he should be the Son of Stresaeus and Stresaeus reported to be the Son of Noah seems likewise incredible forasmuch as no such Son is recorded in the Text Genesis cap. 10. either to Noah or Sem. But to return II. The Kingdom of Mercia was otherwise called Midel-Engle or Mediterranea Anglia Huntington lib. 2. Histor pag. 317. and was distinguished into the Northern and Southern Mercians The South-Mercians were 5000 Families and were severed by the River Trent from the North-Mercians who contained 7000 Families and this distinction was in the time of Peda Son of Penda Huntington lib. 3. pag. 332. It was called Mercia not from the River Mersey running from the corner of Wirral in Cheshire because that River was the utmost Limit thereof Westward but I rather believe that River took Denomination from this Kingdom which it Bounded on that side and was called Mercia because it abutted or bordered upon part of all or most of the other Kingdoms of the Heptarchy for Marche in the Saxon Tongue signifieth A Border or Limit Hence we call the parts of Wales next bordering upon England The Marches of Wales and at this day we call the utmost Border of a piece of Land A Land-March now pronounced Land-Mark which is as much as A Mere or Boundary III. I shall now briefly run over the Kings of Mercia since the Saxons first set up their Rule here with the Years of their several Reigns 1. Crida died about the Year of Christ 596. He began his Reign Anno Domini 586. and Reigned ten Years 2. VVibba Son of Crida He began his Reign Anno 596. and Reigned twenty Years 3. Ceorlus Son of VVibba He began his Reign Anno 616. and Reigned ten Years 4. Penda sirnamed The Strong Son of VVibba slew Edwin and Oswald Bede de Hist Angl. lib. 3. cap. 9. Kings of Northumberland in several Battels Oswald was slain the fifth day of August Anno Domini 642. Oswald was a holy Man and many Churches and Chappels were Consecrated and Founded in honour of him This Penda was slain by Oswy Brother of Oswald in the Year 656. in Battel He began his Reign Anno 626. and Reigned thirty Years 5. Peda or Weda Son of Penda Married Alflede Daughter of Oswy King of Northumberland and was the first King of Mercia that received the Christian Faith He received half of Mercia by the Gift of Oswy his Father-in-law to wit South-Mercia This Oswy Founded Lichfield Church and made Dwina a Scotchman Bishop thereof Anno Domini 656. He was the first Bishop of Mercia Stow. pag. 67. This Peda began his Reign Anno 656. and Reigned three Years 6. Wulfere Son of Penda after the Death of his Brother Peda succeeded King of Mercia for the Nobility of Mercia Jumin Eaba and Eadbert did rebell against Oswy and set up Wulfere who Married Ermenhild Daughter of Erconbert King of Kent and had Issue by her Kenred a Son and Werburge a Daughter that holy Virgin who died at Chester and there buried Will. de Malmesbury lib. 1. de Gestis Regum cap. 4. This Wulfere was the first of the English Kings who committed Simony and sold the Bishoprick of London to one VVina He killed two of his own Sons Ulfade and Rufin because they went to be instructed in the Christian Faith by St. Chad Bishop of Lichfield whose Bodies Ermenhild the Queen buried in a Sepulchre of Stone where after she Founded a Priory called The Priory of Stones in Staffordshire Stow. pag. 69. He began his Reign Anno 659. and Reigned seventeen Years 7. Ethelred Brother to VVulfere erected a Bishoprick at VVorcester He began his Reign Anno 675. and Reigned twenty nine Years 8. Kenred Son of VVulfere in the fifth Year of his Reign went to Rome and became a Monk in St. Peters Church in Rome where he continued all his Life He began his Reign Anno 704. and Reigned five Years 9. Ceolred Son of Ethelred Fought stoutly against Ina King of the VVest-Saxons Ceolred was buried at Lichfield He began his Reign Anno 708. and Reigned eight Years 10. Ethelbald the Proud whom Malmesbury stiles Pronepos Pendae ex Alwio fratre Reigned peaceably one and forty Years This Ethelbald and almost all the Nobility of Mercia were much addicted to Adultery rejecting their Wives as appears by the Letter of Boniface Archbishop of Mentz and German Legate to Ethelbald about Anno 747. He Founded the Abbey of Crowland and was slain by his own Subjects by the procurement of Berared at the Battel of Segiswold within three Miles of Tamworth as he was Fighting against Cuthred King of the VVest-Saxons Anno 757. Stow. and his Body was Interred at Ripedon or Ripon He was Son of Alwy Son of Eoppa Son of VVibba Matth. VVestminst pag. 264. He began his Reign Anno 716. and Reigned one and forty Years 11. Berared an Usurper was slain by Offa and had an end meet for a Traytor He began his Reign Anno 757. and Reigned one Year 12. Offa was Cosin to Ethelbald scilicet Son of Dingferth Son of Eanulf Son of Osmod Son of Eoppa Son of VVibba Florentius VVigorniensis pag. 274. He overcame in Battel Kinulf King of the VVest-Saxons He built the famous
of Elflede his Countess Ethelred and his Countess restored Caerleon that is Legecestria now called Chester Anno Chr. 908. after it was destroyed by the Danes and enclosed it with new Walls and made it nigh such two as it was before so that the Castle that was sometime by the Water without the Walls is now in the Town within the Walls So Trevisa in his Translation of Polychronicon lib. 6. cap. 4. whereunto agreeth Florentius and Matthew of Westminster But Hoveden placeth it in Anno 905. Which Town of Chester remained in possession of the Britons or Welshmen till it was taken by Egbert the Saxon Monarch of England about the Year 824. Trevisa lib. 5. cap. 28. Ann. Chr. 910. Also he and his Countess translated the Bones of St. Oswald King and Martyr from Bardeny to Glocester where they built an Abbey in honour of St. Peter Polychronicon The Danes breaking their Truce with King Edward and this Ethelred wasted Mercia and were beaten by the English at Totenhale in Staffordshire and afterwards at Wodenesfield within a Mile of Wolverhampton in Staffordshire was a great Battel Fought on the fifth day of August in the same Year wherein the Danes were routed and three of their Kings slain Healfdene Eywysle and Igwar Stow. Ethelwerd in Chronico suo lib. 4. cap. 4. and Trevisa fol. 287. Ethelred Eximiae vir Probitatis Dux Patricius Dominus Subregulus Merciorum decessit Anno 912. So Florentius whose Death is placed by Hoveden sub Anno 908. He had onely one Daughter called Elfwine or Algiva at whose Birth Elflede her Mother was so much astonished with the pain that ever after she refrained the Embraces of her Husband for almost 40 Years saith Matth. Westminst pag 359. protesting often That it was not fit for a King's Daughter to be given to a Pleasure that brought so much pain along with it and thereupon grew an heroick Virago like the ancient Amazons as if she had changed her Sex as well as her Mind Ingulphus pag. 871. Malmesbury pag. 46. This Lady Elflede is variously written by our ancient Historians as Edelfled Ethelfled Egelfled and Elflede and from the time of her Husbands Death she Governed all Mercia excellently except London and Oxford which King Edward her Brother retained to himself She built a Fort at Sceargete and another at Bridge upon Severn which I conceive is now called Bridgenorth She repaired Tamworth nigh Lichfield and built a Fort at Stafford She built the Town of Eadsbury in the Forrest of Cheshire whereof now nothing remains but that we now call The Chamber of the Forrest And the same Year she built Warwick She built also Ciricbyrig now called Monkes-Kirkby in Warwickshire saith Dugdale in his Warwickshire pag. 50. a. and another called Weadbirig and a third called Runcovan but now called Runcorne in Cheshire This was long since demolished Polychronicon Florentius She took Brecannemere or Brecknock and carried away the Queen of Wales and 33 of her Men Prisoners into Mercia She took the Town of Darby from the Danes and the whole Province thereof In Storming of which Town she lost four of her chiefest Officers antè Calendas Augusti Elfled died at Tamworth the twelfth day of June Anno 919. and was buried in St. Peter's Church at Glocester Florentius Westminster Polychronicon and Huntington But Hoveden placeth her Death sub Anno 915. And so Ethelwerd lib. 4. cap. 4. So much do Writers vary for the time In the same Year wherein she died King Edward built a Fort or Town at Thelwall in Cheshire and Garrison'd it and also made another Garrison at Manchester which was then in the outmost Border of the Kingdom of Northumberland this way and took Mercia from his Neece Elfwin into his own Hands Florentius Polychronicon I cannot here pass by Henry Huntington's contradiction of himself Lib. quinto Histor pag. 353. where he tells us That Edred Dux Merciae died Anno 8 Edwardi Regis Angliae which falls Anno Christi 908. And in the same Page a little after he says That Ethered Dux Merciae Father of Edelfled died in the eighteenth Year of King Edward's Reign which must needs be a mistake unless there were two Ethereds Governors of Mercia successively and two Elfledes Mother and Daughter of which I find no mention in other Authors The Countess Elflede was a prudent Woman and of a manly Spirit She much assisted King Edward her Brother as well by Councel as by her Actions She was beloved of her Friends and feared by her Enemies Of whom Huntington hath these Verses lib. 5. Hist pag. 354. O Elfleda Potens O terror Virgo Virorum Victrix Naturae nomine digna Viri Tu quo Splendidior fieres Natura Puellam Te probitas fecit nomen habere viri Te mutare decet sed solùm nomina Sexûs Tu Regina Potens Réxque Trophaea parans Jam nèc Caesarei tantum meruêre Triumphi Caesare Splendidior Virgo Virago Vale. II. Alfere is the next Governor of Mercia He is also stiled Dux Merciae He is Witness to a Charter of King Edgar's made to the Abbey of Croyland Anno 966. Ingulphus pag. 882. 888. Anno 975. he destroyed many Abbeys turning out the Abbots with their Monks and bringing in Clergy-men with their Wives Hoveden pag. 427. Florentius pag. 361. Anno 983. Alfere Dux Merciorum and Cosin to King Edgar died and Alfric his Son succeeded in that Government Florentius pag. 363. And if we may believe Malmesbury pag. 61. he was eaten to death with Lice Ann. Dom. 983. III. Alfric Son of Alfere succeeded his Father and was Dux Merciae by Succession Anno 983. Huntington calls him Consul Alfricus Earl Alfric lib. 5. Hist pag. 357. For Dux and Consul in these Ages were Synonima He was banished England Anno 986. Florentius and not long after was received again into favor contrary to the Rule of State-Policy for Quem semel gravitèr laeseris non facilè tibi fidelem credideris Never think that Man will be faithful to you whom you have before greatly injured and distasted Wherefore Anno 992. this Alfric being made Chief Governor of the Forces which King Ethelred had collected and preparing a great Navy against the Danes gave private Intelligence to the Enemy and the Night before the Navy was to Engage he privily conveyed himself to the Danish Fleet and fled away with the Enemy But the English Ships pursuing slew many of the Danes and took the Ship wherein Alfric was he himself by flight scarcely escaping Florentius pag. 365 366. Anno 993. King Ethelred commanded that the Eyes of Algar Son of Alfric should be put out which was effected Florentius Howbeit Huntington saith pag. 358. that Algar's Eyes were caused to be pluck'd out by one Edwyn which may stand with the other as employed by the King to see it done Anno 1003. this Traytor Alfric feigned himself sick when he should have fought with the Danes Anno 1016. Alfricus
Baron c. And this as it were by a constant Course and Order So that by Duces somewhat more than by Comites seems to be understood Comes sine dubio de Provinciarum Comitibus dicitur qui Populum judiciariâ Potestate gubernabant armatâ manu tuebantur saith Spelman on the word Comes which properly and commonly was of old time used for A Governor and such Provinces as were under the Jurisdiction of such Comes were called Comitatus or Counties The Comes had also his Vice-Comes or Sheriff sometimes also called Vice-Dominus which was substituted under the Comes for the Rule of his County in those elder Ages Quâ autèm differebat munus Ducis Comitis quâ Territorium non habeo quod asseram saith Spelman in his Glossary on the word Dux pag. 233. a. For the opinion as there he addeth of those Men who conceive the Title Dux to be given to such as Governed many Shires or Counties and that of Comes to be attributed to such as Governed but one County is not clearly proved nor allowed of neither of those who make Dux to be meant only of such who were Chief Commanders over such Provinces in Military Affairs and Comes onely of the Chief Magistrate in the Civil and Judiciary Government according to the Laws within his County Certain it is these Titles were Officiary in those Ages and were sometimes Feudal and sometimes conferred at the Pleasure of the Prince Selden Tit. Hon. pag. 615. But the Title Dux or Duke became not a peculiar Title of Place and Dignity with us in England as it is now used before 11 Edw. 3. 1337. when the Black Prince was created Duke of Cornwal And now to return to Leofric Concerning the Descent of this Earl Leofric Cambden in his Britannia at the end of Leycestershire reckons it up in this Order Leofric Earl of Leycester in the time of Ethelbald King of Mercia Anno Salutis 716. to whom succeeded in a direct Line Algar the First Algar the Second Leofric the Second Leofstan or Leofwine Leofric the Third Earl of Mercia of whom I now speak Which Descent Cambden there professeth to have received from a great Antiquary Thomas Talbot who had collected the same out of the King's Records See this Descent also in Monasticon 1 Part pag. 304. and in Burton's Description of Leycestershire pag. 167. The same followed by Dugdale in his VVarwickshire pag. 87. So easily doth Error spread being once broached I will now shew where that Descent is defective Leucitus mis-writ for Leuricus or Leofric Comes Leycestriae Anno Domini 716. tempore Ethelbaldi Regis Merciorum This appears by the Charter of the said Ethelbald made to the Abbey of Croyland as you may find it at large in the History of Ingulphus pag. 852. But for this Leofric's Wife Issue or Successor no History or Record which I have hitherto met withal makes up the wide breach of Descents to the time of Algar the First above-mentioned containing the Revolution of 120 Years or thereabouts So that this Leofric cannot be the Father of Algar the First there mentioned Vide Ingulphum p. 857. Algar the First stiled Algarus Comes Leycestriae Senior sub Regno Wiglafi Regis Merciorum Ingulphus pag. 860. about the Year 836. He was a great Benefactor to the Abbey of Croyland Algar the Second stiled Algarus Comes Leycestriae Junior Filius Algari Comitis lived in the time of Beorred King of Mercia Anno Domini 860. Ingulphus pag. 863. He was slain by the Danes in Battel at Kesteven in Lincoln-shire Anno Domini 870. Ingulphus pag. 865 866. Nor doth Ingulphus call them Earls of Leycester though I suppose them so but onely Algarus Comes Senior and Junior Of what Family he mentions not Here likewise is another great Interruption from Anno 870. to Anno 1000. when Leofwine lived containing about 120 Years more which the Descent above fills up very improbably onely one Descent of Leofric the Second to fill up 120 Years ⚜ The Descents from Algar the Second to Leofwine here are much desired to be filled up and proved by good Authority Leofwine Earl of Leycester flourished under King Ethelred about the Year of Christ 1000. He was Son of _____ and Married _____ and had Issue Leofric Earl of Mercia and Normannus one of the Prime Nobles to Edric Streon Ducis Merciae which Norman became Protector of Croyland Abbey by Covenant during his Life for which he had the Mannor of Badby given him for 100 Years Anno 1017. Ingulphus pag. 891 898. Hoveden pag. 437 442. Also Edwine another Son slain by Griffith King of Wales Anno Domini 1039. Monasticon 1 Pars pag. 134. And Godwin another Son Monasticon 1 Pars pag. 130. Leofric Son of Earl Leofwin was the fifth Earl or Governor of Mercia He is sometimes stiled Earl of Leycester and sometimes Earl of Chester as I have before shewed He was Witness to a Charter made by King Cnut to the Abbey of Croyland Anno Domini 1032. when Cnut also gave to that Abbey a Golden Cup subscribed in these words ✚ Ego Leofricus Comes Concessi ✚ Ego Algarus Filius Leofrici Comitis astiti c. Ingulphus pag. 893. Hoveden tells us pa. 437. That in Anno Christi 1018. when the Traytor Edric Streon was put to death by King Cnut then also were put to death with him Dux Normannus Filius Leofwini Ducis Frater scilicet Leofrici Comitis Ethelwaudus Filius Agelmari Ducis Damnonia id est Cornwal and Devonshire Alfegus was Earl of Devonshire Cornwal Brictricus Filius Alfegi Damnoniensis Satrapae Leofricum pro Normanno Germano suo Rex Constituit Ducem cum post modum valde charum habuit I know not what he means here by Constituit Ducem unless he means General or Governor over all Mercia or else that he now had the Earldom of his Brother Norman added whom Ingulphus pag. 912. stiles Vice-Comes Edrice id est Substitute of Mercia This Leofric is said to have a Sister called Ermenhild Mother to Hugh Lupus Earl of Chester So the Record cited in Monasticon 1 Pars pag. 305. b. Sed quaere For that Record is most grosly mistaken in many Places of it This Leofric married Godiva Sister of Thorold de Bukenhale Sheriff of Lincolnshire Ingulphus pag. 913 914. Possibly he was descended from that Thorold whom Ingulphus stiles Vice-Dominus Lincolniensis sub Anno 851. pag. 861. He and his Countess Godiva built or enriched these Monasteries viz. Coventry Leon Wenloke Worcester Evesham and two Monasteries of St. John Baptist and St. Werburge in Chester and the Church of St. Mary-Stow which Eadnothus Bishop of Lincoln built Florentius pag. 419. Hoveden pag. 444. The same Godiva or as Florentius writes her Godgiva freed the Town of Coventry from all Toll except the Toll of Horses by riding naked through the Town without any thing to cover her but her Hair which Condition
his Charter of Confirmation to the Abbey of St. Werburge which remained among the Evidences of that Church Anno 1644. but were after removed thence in the late War 1648. ANno ab Incarnatione Domini Millesimo centesimo decimo nono Regnante Potentissimo Rege Henrico Ego Comes Ricardus meique homines Communi Concilio confirmavimus Sigillo meo omnes Donationes quae datae sunt à me vel à meis in meo tempore Ecclesiae Sanctae Werburgae Cestriae Ego itaque Comes Ricardus post obitum Patris mei dedi pro salute Animae meae suae terram quae fuit Wulfrici Praepositi foris Portam de North priùs per unam Spicam frumenti deindè per unum Cultellum supèr Altare Sanctae Werburgae Molendinum de Bache tres Mansuras quietas ab omni re liberas duas in Civitate unam extra Portam de North. Testibus Willielmo Constabulario Waltero de Vernon Radulfo Dapifero multis aliis Willielmus Constabularius dedit Neutonam simul cùm Servitio Hugonis Filii Udardi de quatuor Bovatis Servitium Wicelini de duabus Bovatis Hugo Filius Normanni dedit Gostrey Lawton Testibus Hugone de Lacy Radulfo Rogero Filiis Normanni multÃsque aliis Ricardus de Praers dedit Knoctirum Testibus Willielmo Ada Filiis ejus Corbinus dedit unam Carucam Terrae in Werewel Hamundus de Mascy concessu Haeredum suorum Rosa Uxor Pigoti concessu Rogeri Fratris ejus dederunt Norwordinam Ecclesiam cùm omnibus quae ad eam pertinent Concedentibus Testibus Filiis eorum Rogerus de Menilgarin dedit Plumleiam cùm Widone Filio suo quando factus est Monachus Teste Ranulfo Willielmo Filiis Ranulfus Venator dedit Bresseford unam Salinam in Northwich concessu Ricardi Comitis Hugonis de Vernon Domini sui Item Ricardus Comes dedit Decimum Salmonem de Ponte locum unius Molendini citrà Pontem Decimam illius Molendini ultrà Pontem Burel dedit Ecclesiam de Haliwella Decimam de Molendino suo de omnibus rebus suis Herebertus Wambarsarius dedit Terram quatuor Boum in Hole Ricardus Pincerna dedit Ecclesiam Sancti Olavi Terram juxtà Ecclesiam duas Mansuras in foro Rogerus de Sancto Martino dedit Terram duorum Boum in Bebington Willielmus de Punterling dedit Buttanari cùm omnibus Appendiciis suis id est Ecclesiam totum Manerium solutum quietum Silvam Lectone ad rogum faciendum ad communem usum Domestici Operis Consensu Testimonio Hereberti Filii sui Aluredi Domini sui Ricardi Comitis Hugo de Vernon concessu Ricardi Comitis dedit unam Mansuram in Civitate solutam quietam ab omni re consuetùdine His ità descriptis Ego Comes Ricardus meique Barones mei Homines Confirmavimus non solùm ista sed etià m illa omnia quae Comes Hugo Pater meus Barones sui confirmaverunt c. Ità liberè ut nihil libertatis possit eis addi ulteriùs nihil enìm retinemus praeter Orationes in rebus Sanctae Werburgae Concedimus etià m ut Beata Virgo Werburga habeat suam Curiam de cunctis placitis forisfactis sicut Comes habet suam Ità verò quòd Abbas illius loci non exeat nequè Placitet contrà aliquem de aliquo Placito vel de aliquâ re extrà Curiam suam Testibus Ranulfo de Meschines Willielmo Fratre suo Willielmo Constabulario Ricardo Fratre suo Hugone Malbanck Osberno de Meschines Hugone Filio Osberni Willielmo Fratre ejus multÃsque aliis Apud Graham CHAP. III. Of the First Randle Earl of Chester Or a Lion Rampant Gules He is also stiled Randle of Bricasard who stuck faithfully to King Henry the First in the midst of a tumultuous Rebellion in Normandy sub Anno 1119. with others of the Nobility scorning to be disgraced with the Name of a Traytor Ordericus lib. 12. pag. 851 879. In an ancient Roll of Knights Fees due to the Duke of Normandy I find Comes Cestriae Servitium X Militum de S. Severio de Bricasart ad suum servitium LI Milites dimidium quartam partem octavam unius Militis In the Appendix added by Andrew du Chesne to the Norman Writers at the end thereof pag. 1045. This Earl Randle was Lord of Cumberland and Carlisle by Descent from his Father For after the Normans had invaded England Cumberland fell to the share of Raufe de Meschines Cujus Filius natu maximus Ranulfus fuit Cumbriae Dominus materno jure PrincipÃsque gratiâ etià m Cestriae Comes saith Cambden in Cumberland II. But King Stephen willing to gain the Favour of the Scots gave Cumberland away to them again to be held of the Kings of England as by a Right of Protection For the eldest Sons of the Kings of Scotland before the Norman Conquest were Governors of Cumberland for a certain space But King Henry the Second brought back the Liberality of Stephen to himself and took from the Scots Northumberland Cumberland and Westmorland as Cambden in the same place addeth III. Raufe de Meschines had by Maude his Wife Sister of Hugh Lupus two Sons Randle the Eldest Earl of Chester and William de Meschines to whom King Henry the First gave the Castle of Egremont in Cumberland per Servitium unius Militis utque iret ad Praeceptum Regis in Exercitu Scotiae Walliae as Cambden my Author informs me * Geffrey a third Son to whom his brother Randle gave Gillesland in Cumberland and to William Coupland in Cumberland An old Parchment Roll in Custody of Henry Ferrars of Badsley in Warwick-shire See also Monasticon Vol. 1. pag. 400. This William gave the Church of Dissart to the Abbey of St. Werburge in the City of Chester as appears by an ancient Charter among the Evidences of that Church and confirmed by this Randle Earl of Chester which for better satisfaction I think fit here to insert UNiversis Matris Ecclesiae Filiis Ranulfus Comes Cestriae Salutem Notum sit vobis pariter me Concessisse Quandò feci transferri Corpus Hugonis Comitis mei Avunculi à Coemeterio in Capitulum ut in die mortis meae darem simul cum Corpore meo Ecclesiae Sanctae Werburgae Uptunam solutam quietam ab omni re ut Elemosynam liberam sicut ego ipse in illâ die haberem eam in Terris in Hominibus in Planis in Pascuis in Pratis in Placitis in omnibus pertinentiis suis pro Animâ ipsius Hugonis Comitis pro salute Animae meae Animarum omnium Parentum meorum Itèm quià Comes Hugo concesserat anteà Ecclesiae Sanctae Werburgae Theoloneum omnes reditus Nundinarum trium dierum id est à Nonâ Vigiliae Sanctae Werburgae usquè ad
the King to consider least the Earl had a Design to ensnare him telling him That it was not safe for him to bring his Army into the midst of so barbarous a Countrey through mountainous and steepy places where he might be entraped on every side besides it were a very rash part to go into his Countrey who had taken from him the greatest part of his Kingdom for although he might seem to incline to the King yet there was no certainty of his Fidelity nor Pledges of Assurance And that if he would have the King's Assistance he should first deliver up what he had unjustly taken which if he refused then presently he should be seized on as the King's Enemy and be imprisoned till he made Restitution But Randle when he heard the Conditions which he was to perform before he could have the King's Aid answer'd That he came not to the Court for that purpose neither had he any notice of this beforehand whereby he might have advised thereon and uttering many high words he was laid hold on by the King's Officers and imprisoned The Nobles who took part with Earl Randle Petitioned the King for his Enlargement and offered Sureties or any Security the King should demand for the delivering up of those Castles which were of Right belonging to the King so that the Earl might be released And thereupon Randle Earl of Chester having given Pledges and taken a solemn Oath that he would never hereafter take up Arms against the King was restored to his Liberty But as soon as he was released he violated his Oath and raised an Army against the King prosecuting his wrathful indignation with revenge of Fire and Sword wheresoever he came and as my Author saith In omnem aetatem in omnem Sexum Herodianam Tyrannidem Neronianam truculentiam exercebat He came often with a Party of Soldiers in view of the Town of Lincoln where now the King had placed the Flower of his Soldiery and had many Skirmishes with them sometimes he was put to the worse sometimes by the smiling Success of Fortune he victoriously triumphed over the King's Party He likewise blockt up the Castle of Coventrey which also he had delivered up to the King till Stephen came to relieve it with Victuals whereof it was in some distress and that was done with great difficulty to the King by forcing his Passage through Randle's Army where by the Way he had many Conflicts In the first Skirmish the King having received some slight Wound was forced to retreat but as soon as he was recovered he fell upon the Earls Army took many wounded others and the Earl himself put to flight and almost slain The King then pulls down the Castle of Coventrey which had been delivered to him before and victoriously proceeds to other Castles in Randle's possession sometimes blocking them up sometimes burning and destroying all about them and ever after became a sore Enemy to Randle and his Adherents Thus much ex Gestis Stephani Anno Domini 1150. David King of Scotland Entertained Henry Son of Maude the Empress at Carlisle very magnificently about Whitsuntide and Knighted him there in the Presence of Henry Son of King David and Randle Earl of Chester which Randle was then appeased concerning his Claim of Carlisle and Cumberland as his Patrimony and did Homage to King David for there was some Speech amongst them that for Carlisle Randle should have the Honour of Lancaster and that Earl Randle's Son should Marry one of the Daughters of Henry Prince of Scotland And so King David and Henry Duke of Normandy and Earl Randle were agreed to unite their Forces against King Stephen And King David with his Son Henry came to Lancaster with their Forces where Earl Randle promised to meet them with his but Randle failing of his Promise they returned back Johannes Prior Hagustaldensis pag. 277 278. Anno 1151. Randle Earl of Chester having been imprisoned which Imprisonment Radulfus de Diceto Chronica Gervasii John Bromton Chronica Normanniae Mat. Paris and Mat. Westminster do all place in Anno 1145. but Hoveden in Anno 1146. and having given his Nephew Gilbert de Clare for his Hostage was released But falsifying his Word and endangering his Hostage he sendeth for Henry Duke of Normandy into England promising him all Assistance Whereupon Henry came into England to whom Robert Earl of Leycester and many of the wisest Noblemen of England then resorted Idem Johannes pag. 278. What a tumultuous Age this was and how the Great Men of the Kingdom divided the Spoils may appear by the Agreement made between this Randle Earl of Chester and Robert sirnamed Bossu Earl of Leycester about the Year 1151. the Original whereof remains in Cotton's Library in Westminstsr Haec est Conventio intèr Ranulfum Comitem Cestriae Robertum Comitem Legrecestriae finalis Pax Concordia quae fuit Concessa divisa ab eis corà m Secundo Roberto Episcopo Lincolniae hominibus eorum ex parte Comitis Cestriae Ricardo de Lovetot Willielmo filio Nigelli Ranulfo Vice-Comite Ex parte Comitis Legrecestriae Ernaldo de Bosco Gaufrido Abbate Reginaldo de Bordineio Scilicèt quòd Comes Ranulfus dedit Concessit Roberto Comiti Legrecestriae castrum de Mountsorell sibi haeredibus suis Tenendum de eo haeredibus suis haereditariè sicùt Charta ipsius Comitis Ranulfi testatur Et ità quòd Comes Leycestriae receptare debet ipsum Comitem Ranulfum familiam suam in Burgo Ballâ—s de Mountsorell ad guerrandum quemcunque voluerit ut de feodo suo Et ità quòd Comes Leycestriae non potest indè forisfacere Comiti Ranulfo pro aliquo Et si necesse sit Comiti Ranulfo corpus ipsius receptabitur in Dominico Castro de Mountsorell Et ità quòd Comes Leycestriae portabit ei fidem salvà fide Ligei Domini sui Et si oportuerit Comitem Leycestriae ire super Comitem Cestriae cùm Ligeo Domino suo non potest ducere secum plus quà m viginti milites Et si Comes Leycestriae vel isti viginti milites aliquid ceperint de rebus Comitis Cestriae totum reddetur Nec Ligius Dominus Comes Leycestriae nec aliquis alius potest forisfacere Comiti Cestriae nec suis de Castris ipsius Comitis Leycestriae nèc de terrâ suâ Et ità quòd Comes Leycestriae nec potest proptèr aliquam Causam vel proptèr aliquem Casum impedire Corpus Comitis Cestriae nisi eum desidaverit quindecem dies anteà Et Comes Lycestriae debet juvare Comitem Cestriae contrà omnes homines praetèr Ligium Dominum ipsius Comitis Leycestriae Comitem Simonem Comitem Simonem potest juvare hoc modo quod si Comes Ranulfus forisfecerit Comiti Simoni ipsâ— Comes Ranulfus noluerit Corrigere forisfactum proptèr Comitem Leycestriae tunc potest eum juvare Et si Comes Simon forisfecerit
Willielmo de Luriaco Adam de Portu Pagano Filio Johannis Gaufrido Filio Pagani Andrea de Baldement Roberto de Donestanvilla Apud Haveringas Ibidem Honor sive Soca de Bolingbroke Pag. 433. Num. 3. RANULPHUS Comes Cestriae Constabulario suo Dapifero cunctis Baronibus suis Hominibus Francis Anglis Amicis Vicinis tà m Clericis quà m Laicis Salutem Sciatis me dedisse concessisse Willielmo Comiti Lincolniae Fratri meo Watteleiam in Feudo Haereditate sibi Haeredibus suis c. indè reddendo Servitium duorum Militum in singulis Annis Haec autèm donatio facta est in Anno quo ipsemet Willielmus redivit de itinere Sancti Jacobi Apostoli in Crastinâ die post Festum Sanctae Crucis quod celebratur Mense Septembri Et indè sunt Testes ex meâ parte Willielmus de Colevill Robertus Grainssac Gaufridus Malab Ex parte vero Comitis Willielmi Hadewisa Comitissa Lincolniae Wido de Pouilla These following Deeds concern the Abbey of St. Werburge RANULFUS Comes Cestriae Constabulario Dapifero Baronibus Justiciariis Vicecomitibus Cestriae tà m praesentibus quà m futuris omnibus hominibus suis Francis Anglis Clericis Laicis Salutem Universitati vestrae notum facio me dedisse in Elemosyna in perpetuùm Deo Sanctae Mariae Ecclesiae Sanctae Werburgae Radulfo Abbati Conventui praedictae Ecclesiae pro salute Animae Hugonis Comitis Praefatae Ecclesiae Fundatoris à c pro salute Animae Ranulfi Comitis Patris mei Antecessorum meorum pro salute Animae meae Christianorum omnium omnem Decimam integralitèr plenariè omnium Reddituum meorum Civitatis Cestriae c. Si quis autèm vestrûm infoelix hanc Elemosynam à me manu supèr Altare Sanctae Werburgae oblatam fortè disturbare vel minuere praesumpserit Precor Episcopum Cestriae obnixè requiro Justiciarium meum Cestriae super amorem meum meorum Praecipio quòd illum justitiet donèc ad dignam satisfactionem venerit Teste Roberto Dapifero Normanno de Verdon Willielmo Capellano Ricardo Capellano Ricardo Pincerna Rogero Filio Ricardi de Aquila Spilend Camerario Hugone Filio Oliveri Dunun Filio Walmari multis aliis RANULFUS Comes Cestriae Constabulario Dapifero Justiciario Baronibus Vice-Comitibus Ministris Ballivis omnibus hominibus suis Francis Anglis Clericis Laicis tam praesentibus quà m futuris Salutem Sciatis me confirmasse Omnes Donationes Libertates quas Comites Antecessores mei scilicet Hugo Comes Ricardus Filius ejus Ranulfus Pater meus Barones mei in tempore illorum vel in meo dederunt c. Teste Roberto Dapifero Normanno de Verdon Ranulpho Vicecomite Hugone Hostr Ada de Praers Ricardo Pani Willielmo Gridell Apud Cestriam And by another Deed he gave to the Church of St. Werburge for the Satisfaction of all the Evils done by him to that Church Estham and Brunborough in Wirrall Teste Waltero Episcopo aliis Apud Gresel This was made about the Year 1152. The Wife and Issue of Randle the Second HE Married Maude Daughter of Robert Earl of Glocester Bastard Son of King Henry the First by whom he had Issue Hugh Earl of Chester and Richard Gemeticensis lib. 8. cap. 38. Ordericus pag. 921. Powell in his Notes on the Welsh History pag. 295. calls this Countess Alice for Maud and so doth Ferne in his Lacy's Nobility pag. 43. in his most absurd Pedegree of the Earls of Chester there Both these Authors are grosly mistaken herein See her Name proved by the Deed infra pag. 130 131. The Death of Randle the Second ANno Domini 1153. * The 16 day of December Monasticon Vol. 2. pa. 280. Ranulfus ille Nobilis Famosus Comes Cestriae Oblit 1153. 18 Stephani Regis vir admodùm Militaris Per quendam Willielmum Peverellum ut fama fuit veneno infectus post multos Agones Militaris Gloriae vir insuperabilis audaciae vix solâ morte territus devictus vitam finivit temporalem Chronica Gervasii Which John Prior of Hagustald placeth in Anno 1154. Chronica Normanniae say Anno 1152. Anno 1155. Willielmum Peverell causâ Veneficii quòd Ranulfo Comiti Cestriae fuerat propinatum Rex Anglorum Henricus exhaeredavit In cujus Pestis Consortio plures conscii extitisse dicuntur saith Matthew Paris He was Earl of Chester 25 Years and founded the Nunnery in Chester City Monasticon 1 Pars pag. 507. He died Excommunicated by Walter Durdant Bishop of Lichfield for whose Absolution Maud his Wife and Hugh his Son gave the Town of Styshall near Coventry to the Bishop and his Successors Ex vetusto Exemplari in Baggo de diversis Inquisitionibus penès Thesaurarium Camerarium Scaccarii Westmonasteriensis Londini Maud his Widow Founded the Priory of Holy Trinity at Ripendon in Derbyshire Anno Domini 1172. 18 Hen. 2. And she died the 29 day of July 1189. Monasticon Vol. 2. pag. 280. Randle the Second Founded the Priory of Trentham in Staffordshire Sciatis me dedisse centum Solidatas terrae meae Staffordiesire Deo Sanctae Mariae omnibus Sanctis ad restaurandam quandam Abbathiam Canonicorum in Ecclesiâ de Trentham eas assigno de Trenteham undè Rex Henricus habuit centum Solidos So run the Words of the Grant Monasticon Vol. 2. pag. 260. He gave also Cumbe to the Abby of Bordesly in Worcestershire which his Countess Maude and Hugh his Son did afterwards confirm Monasticon Vol. 1. pag. 805. And also to the Abby of Basingwerk in Flintshire Holes and half of Lecche and five Pound Rent in Chester Monasticon Vol. 1. pag. 720. Also he Founded the Priory of Mentings in Lincolnshire a Cell of the Abbey of St. Benedict super Leyre Monasticon Vol. 1. pag. 592. He gave also the Town of Canoc vulgò Kank to the Abbey of Stoneley in Warwickshire Monasticon Vol. 1. pag. 820. Also he gave liberty to the Monks of Coventry to have two Carts going to and fro twice every day except Holy-days unto his Woods there for Fewel and other Necessaries Char. 22 Edw. 3. per Inspeximus Num. 6. CHAP. V. Of Hugh the Second Sirnamed Cyveliok because he was born in the Commote or Province of Cyveliok situate in that part of Wales anciently called Powys Azure six Garbs Or 3 2 1. He performed many valiant Acts and by his Sword made Purchase of the Land called Bromfield from the Welsh his most harmful Neighbors Anno 1172. Hugh Earl of Chester with the King of Scotland and Robert Earl of Leycester rebelled against Henry the Second These took part with the King's Son against the King And in Anno 1173. 19 Hen. 2. Hugh Earl of Chester and Rafe de Filgiers in Normandy had almost possessed themselves of all the Province of Little-Britain in France
Johannis apud Westmonasterium die Lunae proximè post Quindenam Paschae Anno Regni ipsius Henrici vicesimo tertio recognovi concessi quietum clamavi de me Haeredibus meis dilecto Fratri meo Simoni de Monteforti Comiti Leycestriae totam partem Honoris Leycestriae cùm omnibus pertinentiis in Regno Angliae adeò plenè integrè sicut Comes Simon Pater noster vel Robertus Comes Leycestrensis illam unquà m meliùs pleniùs liberiùs tenuerunt Habendum tenendum eidem Simoni Fratri meo Haredibus suit de Corpore suo procreatis de praedicto Domino Henrico Rege Haeredibus suis in perpetuùm c. Actum apud Westmonasterium Anno Die praenominatis 1239. Which the King at that very instant confirmed unto him But this was after the death of Randle Earl of Chester and Lincoln Howbeit this Simon lost the same again by his Rebellion and was slain at the Battel of Evesham 4 Augusti 49 Hen. 3. 1265. Randle sirnamed Blundevill was Earl of Chester 51 Years These followidg Notes I received from Mr. Dugdale This Earl of Perch was slain at the Battel of Lincoln 1217. Mat. Paris pag. 296. of the Edition put out by Wats A. Dom. 1640. THis Earl Randle was but of low stature as we may observe by the Earl of Perch his words to him at Lincoln What said he have we staid all this while for such a Little Man such a Dwarfe To whom Earl Randle replied I vow to God and our Lady whose Church this is that before to Morrow Evening I will seem to thee to be higher than that Steeple So Walter de Wittlesey a Monk of Peterborough a Manuscript now in possession of the Dean and Chapter of Peterborough King John gave to this Randle Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire to hold by the Service of one Knights Fee Chart. 17 Johannis num 25. and also the Custody of all Simon Montfort's Lands with the Forests to the use of the said Simon Ibidem Membrane 19. Pat. 1 Hen. 3. mem 4 mem 7. Pat. 2 Hen. 3. mem 10. 1 Hen. 3. the King gave to this Randle the Custody of the Honour of Lancaster and the Castle of Montsorrel which Randle demolished 2 Hen. 3. the King gave him the Custody of the Honour of Brittany in the Counties of Cambridge Norfolk and Suffolk And he executed the Office of Sheriff by his Deputies in the Counties of Salop and Stafford 2 3 4 5 7 Hen. 3. and in the County of Lancaster 3 4 5 6 7 Hen. 3. as by the Pipe-Rolls of those Years appeareth Pat. 11. H. 3. mem 6. 11 Hen. 3. the King gave him all that part of the Honour of Richmond which he formerly had of the Grant of King John to hold for Randle's Life upon condition that he should make no Agreement with the Earl of Brittany to surrender the same up to him unless the Earl of Brittany could obtain those Lands in Normandy which the Earl of Chester had lost in the Service of King John CHAP. VII Of John sirnamed The Scot Earl of Chester Or three Piles Gules His Father David Brother of William King of Scotland was Knighted by King Henry the Second 1170. Hoveden pag. 518. and made Earl of Huntington 1184. Hoveden pag. 622. and David died about Anno 1219. So that John Scot was Earl of Chester and Huntington Take here the Charte remaining among the Evidences of St. Werburge Church in Chester as followeth OMnibus Christi fidelibus praesens scriptum visuris vel audituris Johannes de Scotia Comes Cestriae Huntindoniae salutem in Domino Sciatis me concessisse confirmasse Deo Domni Sanctae Werburgae de Cestria Abbati Monachis ibidem Deo servientibus in puram perpetuam Elemosynam pro salute meâ Comitissae meae pro Animâ Comitis Davidis Patris mei Comitissae Matildae Matris meae pro Animâ Ranulfi Comitis Avunculi mei pro Animabus omnium Antecessorum meorum omnes Donationes Dignitates Libertates quas Comites Antecessores mei Barones eis dederunt Insupèr ego ipse do concedo praesenti scripto confirmo praedictis Abbati Monachis quietantiam de tribus Panibus quos aliquando solebant dare diurnè ad Turrim Castelli mei de Cestria quietantiam de Putura servientium in Villis suis scilicèt Huntington Cheveley Idinchale Wyrvin tempore Pacis Prestbury Gostrey in perpetuùm c. Testibus Domino Ricardo Phiton tùnc Justiciario Cestriae Domino Warino de Vernon Willielmo de Venables Hamone de Massy Hamone de Phitton Willielmo de Malo-passu Willielmo de Boydell Ricardo de Sonbach Ricardo de Wibinberie tùnc Vice-Comite Cestershiriae aliis This was made about 18 Hen. 3. 1233. II. This John Earl of Chester and Huntington conceiving that an Earl might not lawfully be Summoned in any other County than that whereof he was Earl did except against the Summons in Northamptonshire upon a Writ De rationabili parte brought against him there by the other Co-heirs to Randle Blundevill but was ordered to answer The Record I have here transcribed as it is cited by Selden in his Titles of Honour pag. 643. ex Fragmentis tempore Hen. 3. quae in Archivis Arcis Londinensis servantur Orta est ista lis in 18 Hen. 3. quod satìs constat ex placitis 18 Hen. 3. Rot. 14. NOrthampton Johannes Comes Cestriae Huntingdoaiae summonitus fuit ad respondendum Hugoni de Albiniaco Willielmo Comiti de Ferrariis Agneti Uxori ejus Hawisiae Comitissae Lincolniae quarè deforciat eis rationabilem partem suam quae eos contingit de Haereditate Ranulfi quondà m Comitis Cestriae undè ipse obiit Seisitus in Comitatu Cestriae computâ cùm eisdem Hugone Willielmo Agnete Hawisia parte suâ rationabili de Terrâ quam nùnc tenet alibì de eâdem Haereditate Et Comes aliàs respondit quòd noluit respondere ad hoc Breve nisì Curia consideraverit consideratione Parium suorum per summonitionem factam in Comitatu Northamptoniae de Terris Tenementis in Comitatu Cestriae ubi Brevia Domini Regis non currunt Et quià usitatum est hùc usquè quòd Pares sui alii qui libertates habent consimiles sicùt Episcopus Dunelmensis Comes Mareschallus respondent de Terris Tenementis infrà libertates suas per summonitionem factam ad Terras Tenementa extrà libertates suas Ideò consideratum est quòd respondeat III. This John Scot Earl of Chester carried the Sword before King Henry the Third at the Marriage of Queen Elianour Anno Domini 1236. 20 Hen. 3. at which time all the Great Men of this Kingdom used those Offices and Places which had of ancient Right belonged to their Ancestors at the Coronation of the Kings and is mentioned by Matthew Paris in these words
same Office after the death of John Tatton to Randle Brereton per nomen Officii Clerici Scaccarii Cestriae vulgaritèr nuncupati Baronis Scaccarii Cestriae This Randle Brereton Baron of the Exchequer I take it was Bastard Brother to the Chamberlain 23 H. 8. 1331. William Brereton Esqire made Chamberlain 23 Hen. 8. He continued to 28 Hen. 8. about five Years He was of the King 's Privy Chamber and Beheaded May 17. 1536. 28 Hen. 8. for matters touching Queen Anne Stow. 28 H. 8. 1536. Rees Manxell 28 Hen. 8. He continued to 1 Eliz. about twenty three Years 1 Eliz. 1559. Edward Stanley Earl of Derby Chamberlain of Chester 1 Eliz. William Glazier Vice-Chamberlain eodem anno Earl Edward Chamberlain six Years 7 Eliz. 1565. Robert Dudley Earl of Leycester 7 Eliz. He continued to 30 Eliz. about twenty three Years William Glazier Vice-Chamberlain 17 22 Eliz. 30 Eliz. 1588. Henry Stanley Earl of Derby 30 Eliz. He continued Chamberlain to 35 Eliz. about five Years 35 Eliz. 1593. Sir Thomas Egerton after Lord-Keeper was Chamberlain 35 Eliz. He continued to the first Year of King James about ten Years 1 Jacobi 1603. William Stanley Earl of Derby made Chamberlain of Chester for his Life October 30. 1603. 1 Jacobi He makes Henry Townesend Esq his Vice-Chamberlain durante beneplacito as freely as ever Sir Peter Warburton one of the Judges of the Common-Pleas or any other Vice-Chamberlain held the same Office before Dated 13 Januarii 1 Jacobi After this there was another Patent joyning James Lord Strange with William his Father for both their Lives and to the Survivor To Townesend succeeded Sir Thomas Ireland of Beausy in Lancashire Vice-Chamberlain To Ireland Roger Downs of Wardley in Lancashire To Downs Orlando Bridgeman Son of John Lord Bishop of Chester Vice-Chamberlain 1640. William Earl of Derby died 1642. and James his Son continued Chamberlain till the Parliament put in their Speakers 23 C. 1. 1647. Edward Earl of Manchester Speaker of the House of Lords and William Lenthall Speaker of the House of Commons were made Chamberlains of Chester by the Parliament 23 Car. 1. 1647. Homfrey Macworth of Shropshire Vice-Chamberlan 1654. John Glinne made Chamberlain 1654 Philip Younge of Shropshire his Vice-Chamberlain This Glinne purchased Harden Castle from Charles Earl of Derby about 1654. 12 C. 2. 1660. Charles Earl of Derby made Chamberlain of Chester by the King for the Lives of himself and William his Son 12 Car. 2. 1660. Edward Rigby of Preston in Lancashire sat Vice-Chamberlain 1662. CHAP. V. A Catalogue of the Judges of Chester collected out of the old Deeds and Charters to the Reign of Edward the First and from thence downwards out of the Fines at Chester and out of the Recognizances in the Exchequer Johannes Adams Justiciarius Comitis Witness to a Deed of William Constable of Cheshire the younger made to the Abbey of St. Werburge in Chester of Raby in Wirrall about the beginning of King Stephen 's Reign Raufe Manwaring Judge of Chester towards the end of Henry the Second and Richard the First Philip Orreby Judge of Chester in the time of Roger Lacy Constable of Cheshire about the tenth Year of King John 's Reign Anno 1209 for Roger Lacy died 1211. 12 Johannis saith Matthew Paris He was Judge to 13 Hen. 3. 1228. above twenty Years 14 H. 3. 1230. William Vernon Judge of Chester 14 15 16 Hen. 3. 18 H. 3. 1234. Richard Phitton 17 18 19 20 21 Hen. 3. 22 H. 3. 1238. Richard Dracot 25 H. 3. 1241. John Lexington 28 H. 3. 1244. Johannes Extraneus id est John Strange 28 29 Hen. 3. 30 H. 3. 1246. John Grey 31 H. 3. 1247. Sir Roger de Monte-alto Steward of Cheshire 32 H. 3. 1248. Henry Torboc locum tenens Johannis Grey 33 H. 3. 1249. Richard Vernon locum tenens Johannis Grey 34 H. 3. 1250. Alan de Zouch 34 35 36 37 Hen. 3. Walkelinus de Arderne 42 H. 3. 1258. Roger de Monte-alto etià m 43 Hen. 3. 45 H. 3. 1261. Fulco de Orreby proved by the original Charter of Maxfield 46 H. 3. 1262. Thomas de Orreby Knight 49 H. 3. 1265. Lucas de Tanai made Judge by Simon de Montfort 50 H. 3. 1266. James de Audeley 50 51 52 Hen. 3. 53 H. 3. 1269. Thomas Bolton etià m 54 Hen. 3. 54 H. 3. 1270. Reginald Grey part of the 54 Hen. 3. as appears by the Charter of Dernhale 2 die Augusti 54 Hen. 3. Idem Reginaldus 55 56 Hen. 3. Robertus de Huxley ejus locum tenens Anno 1271. Sub Edwardo Primo 1 Ed. 1. 1273. Idem Reginaldus de Grey 1 2 Edw. 1. 3 Ed. 1. 1275. Guncelinus de Badelesmere to 10 Edw. 1. 10 E. 1. 1282. Reginald Grey to 28 Edw. 1. Radulphum Hegham sibi associavit 13 Edw. 1. Ricardus Massy locum tenens in absentiâ Reginaldi 20 Edw. 1. Idem Ricardus locum tenens pro Reginaldo 25 Edw. 1. 28 E. 1. 1300 Richard Massy Judge of Chester 29 E. 1. 1301. William Trussell to 35 Edw. 1. 35 E. 1. 1307. William Ormesby in ultimis Assisis 35 Edw. 1. Sub Edwardo Secundo Robertus de Holland to the 4. of Edward the Second 1 Ed. 2. 1308. Paganus Tibotot etià m 5 Edw. 2. 4 Ed. 2. 1311. Robert Holland part of 5. etià m 6 Edw. 2. 5 Ed. 2. 1312. Hugh de Audley to 12 Edw. 2. 7 Ed. 2. 1314. John Sapy 12 E. 2. 1319. Robert Holland etià m 14 Edw. 2. 13 E. 2. 1320. Oliver Ingham to 19 Edw. 2. John Hegham his Deputy-Judge 18 Edw. 2. 15 E. 2. 1322. Richard de Eumary to 2 Edw. 3. 19 E. 2. 1326. Sub Edwardo Tertio Oliver Ingham to 5 Edw. 3. 2 E. 3. 1328. William Clinton to 10 Edw. 3. 5 E. 3. 1331. Sir Hugh Frenes 10 E. 3. 1336. Henry Ferrers including part of the 10. to 15 Edw. 3. 11 E. 3. 1337. Raufe Stafford 15 E. 3. 1341. Oliver Ingham 16 E. 3. 1342. Henry Ferrars 17 E. 3. 1343. Oliver Ingham 18 E. 3. 1344. Thomas de Ferrars to 27 Edw. 3. 19 E. 3. 1345. Roger Hillary Judge ad Comitatum die Martis proximè post Festum Assumptionis Beatae Mariae 27 Edw. 3. Bartholomew Bughurst to 42 Edw. 3. Johannes Delves locum tenens Justiciarii Cestriae 33 Edw. 3. Johannes de la Pool locum tenens 40 Edw. 3. 27 E. 3. 1353. Thomas Felton 42 E. 3. 1368. Bartholomew Burghersth part of this Year 43 E. 3. 1369. Thomas Abbot of Vale-Royal part of 43. etià m 44 Edw. 3. 44 E. 3. 1370. Thomas Felton part of 44. to 50 Edw. 3. 45 E. 3. 1371. John de la Pool sub Fine 50 Edw. 3. etià m 51 Edw. 3. 50 E. 3. 1376. Sub Ricardo Secundo Thomas Felton Miles Johannes de la Pool etià m 2 Rich. 2. 1 Ric. 2. 1377. Thomas de Felton 3 Ric. 2. 1379. Thomas Felton John de la Pool 4 Ric. 2. 1380. John Holland made Judge of
that they could not conveniently frequent the same it was indulged to such that they might build a private Oratory in or near their Mansion-places reserving for the most part the Rite of Baptism and Sepulture to the Parish Church which in respect of these lesser Oratories was to be accounted the Baptismal or Mother-Church It was also provided that these Families notwithstanding their Grant from the Bishop for a private Oratory should upon more solemn Feast-days repair to their Parish Church as it seems by the Council held at Agatha These private Oratories were afterwards called Capellae Chappels and those that did Exercise in them the Ministerial Function were called Capellani Chaplains Thus Ridley Now the word Capella quasi Capsella is a Diminutive from Capsa which signifies a Chest or Coffer because the Relicks of Saints or holy Persons were kept in such a Chest and the place where such Chest was kept was so called also undè Nomen Capella Capellanus c. So Spelman in his Glossary upon that word Beatus Rhenanus with Durand do derive the word Capella from Capa or Cappa St. Martin's Hood being so called barbarously and carried about for good luck by Lewis the French King in all his Wars But others derive it à Pellibus Caprarum wherewith such portable Tents for God's Service as were to be removed in their warlike Expeditions were covered Dr. Prideaux in his Consecration Sermon of Excester Colledge Chappel in Oxford pag. 26. None might of right build Oratories without Licence from the Bishop at least none might Administer Divine Service there without the Bishop's special Licence Oratories erected in the Houses of Great Persons for the use of a private Family I call such Domestick Chappels When built by one or several Persons in some convenient place for the use of several Families or of a Township or Townships not having liberty of Baptism or Burial I call such Chappels of Ease When built by a more numerous multitude of the Neighborhood consisting of one or more Villages having got liberty for Baptism and Burial with Consecration thereof by the Bishop and sometimes an Allowance in Money or Tythes from the Mother-Church I call such Parochial Chappels for these have all the Rites and Ceremonies as the Mother-Church or Parish Church hath except the Tythes so that indeed they are as lesser Parishes created within the greater for the benefit of the Neighborhood As to the Consecration of Churches we find the Jews had their Encaenia or Feasts of Dedication of their Temple John 10. ver 22.1 Maccabaeorum cap. 4. ver 59. But there was no Dedication of our Christian Churches to Saints until Praying to Saints was in use and after Churches began to be Dedicated to Saints their Dedication Feasts were usually kept on that Day which was the Feast-day appointed in the Kalendar for commemoration of that Saint to whom such Church was particularly Dedicated This time was called with us The Wakes from Waking as the Latine word Vigiliae à vigilando because at such times the People Prayed most of the Night before such Feast-day in the Churches And though the Primitive Custom herein was sacred yet how it was abused in the Reign of King Edgar Anno Domini 967. aut circitèr appears by the Canons of the Church in his Reign Num. 28. Docemus ut in Ecclesiarum Encaeniis unusquisque se modestum exhibeat orationi incumbat diligentèr non poculis non luxui deditus Spelman's Councils Pars 1. pag. 451. And at last it turned to Feasting and Merriment of Neighbors Now Invocation of Saints for three hundred years after Christ cannot be found among any of the Fathers None did teach Invocation of Saints till by Rhetorical Expressions and Poetical Fancies like Invocating of the Muses Basil Nyssen and Nazianzen had led the way Dr. Prideaux Lecture 15. pag. 243. Amplissimo clarissimoque viro Domino Petro Leycester Baronetto Patriae Antiquitatis Instauratori faelicissimo Qua latus Hiberno Regina Britannia Ponto Obvertit Letos Cestria pandit agros Cestria Nobilium densa Stellata Corona Qualiter innumero flore superbit ager Emicat hos inter Proceres clarissimus Heros Leycester docta nobilitate nitens Quicquid miratur Musarum Graecia Sedes Et quicquid Romae Pagina docta probat Quic quid condiderit praeclaris Anglia fastis Leycester vasto pectoris or be tenet Instat edax Rerum tempus morsuque maligno Decerpens Patriae deterit omne decus Occurrit perdocta manus monumentaque fato Interitura olim vivere penna jubet Splendida Plebeios dedignatura labores Gaudent Patricia Stemmata ducta manu Robertus Hunter Knotsfordiensis Ecclesiae Pastor in Agro Cestrensi Postea vero Maxfeldensis The Fourth Part Comprehending the ANTIQUITIES OF Bucklow Hundred IN CHESHIRE Acton Grange H Find no mention of this Hamlet or Village in Dooms-day Book so that in the time of the Conqueror it seemeth to be waste and many other also in this Hundred be now inhabited which are not so much as named in that ancient Record All that I observe concerning this little Hamlet is That it anciently belonged to the Priory of Norton of the Foundation of which Priory I shall speak more fully when I come to Norton Soon after the dissolution of Abbeys and religious Houses by King Henry the Eighth it was purchased together with the Mannor of Norton and other Lands by Richard Brooke Esquire from the King the Charter under the Broad Seal bearing Date the tenth of December 37 Hen. 8. 1545. Since which time it hath continued entire not having any Charterer within the same unto his succeeding Posterity and is now Anno Domini 1669. in the possession of Sir Richard Brooke of Norton Baronet and his Tenants Agden THis small Town of Agden also is not found in Dooms-day Book it is in old Deeds written Aketon and sometimes Acton but now commonly called Agden It seems William Son of Simon de Lee was possessed of Agden in the Reign of Henry the Third who gave unto William Rag his Son-in-law one half thereof in these words SCiant praesentes Ego Willielmus Filius Simonis de Lee dedi Willielmo Rag genero meo haeredibus suis de Agnete Filiâ meâ procreatis pro Homagio Servitio suo totam dimidietatem Terrae meae de Acton quam tenui de Henrico de Trafford Scilicèt totam Terram illam quam idem Willielmus Rag priùs habuit Tenuit Tenendum cùm omnibus libertatibus aysiamentis praedictae dimidietati Villae de Acton ubiquè pertinentibus Reddendo indè annuatìm mihi haeredibus meis unum par albarum Cheirothecarum vel unum Denarium ad Festum Sancti Martini in hyeme pro omnibus Servitiis Salvo forinseco Domini Terrae Servitio Et ego Willielmus Haeredes mei totam praedictam dimidietatem in perpetuùm Warrantizabimus Et Sciendum est quòd acquietabimus praedictum Willielmum Rag Haeredes suos de
Presbyter Ecclesia cui pertinet dimidia hida saith Doomsday-book So that it seems to surmount the time of the Norman Conquest Hamon de Massy Son and Heir of the fourth Hamon gives to God the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. James and to the Prior and Convent of Birkenhed in Wirral half an Acre in Dunham-Massy together with the Advowson of Bodon-Church Anno Domini 1278. For in that Year was Richard Massy Sheriff who is one of the Witnesses Monasticon Anglicanum 1 Pars pag. 484. After the Dissolution of Abbies Henry the Eighth erected a new Bishoprick at Chester 33 Hen. 8. 1541. whereunto among other things he gave the Church of Bodon and other Lands late belonging to the Priory of Birkenhed So that this Church of Bodon hath now the Bishop of Chester for its Patron and was Dedicated to St. Mary as appears by the Deed above-mentioned whose Wakes or Dedication-Feast was celebrated 8 Septembris being the Nativity of St. Mary and comprehendeth within its Parish these Villages  The Mize  l. s. d. Agden one half 00 02 00 Bolinton one half 00 03 00 Dunham-Massy 00 08 00 Bodon 00 10 00 Ashley 01 07 04 Hale 01 12 10 Altrincham 00 10 09 Timperley 00 10 09 Baggiley 00 16 00 Partington 00 06 08 Carington 00 10 09 Ashton supèr Mersey part to wit one half 00 07 00 Sum Total is 07 05 01 The Vicarage of Bodon is said to be worth 120 l. per Annum Our common Proverb is Every Man is not born to be Vicar of Bodon The true Reason of the Proverb I cannot affirm Charterers in Bodon 1666. Henry Vawdrey of Baggiley Thomas Upton of Prestbury about five or six Acres no House Widow Tipping a Cottage in possession of Margaret Birch Widow Budworth THis Town of Budworth hath its Name from the old Saxon words Bode which signifies a Dwelling and Wurth a Place by a Water as it were a Dwelling or Town by a Water And so is this Town situated on a Hill near two large Meres Picmere-Mere and Budworth-Mere It is called Great Budworth in distinction from another Budworth called Little Budworth in Edesbery Hundred and hath a good Prospect on the South but now a poor Village and hath yearly two Fairs one on Candlemas-day 2 Februarii the other on our Lady-day 25 Martii The Toll whereof belongeth to the King In the Reign of William the Conqueror William Fitz-Nigell Baron of Halton held this Town of Hugh Earl of Chester and one Pagan held it of the said William In the beginning of Henry the Third's Reign Geffrey Son of Adam de Dutton was possessed of this Town lineal Ancestor to Warburton of Arley whose Posterity under Edward the Second assumed the Sir-name of Warburton from the Place of their Residence at that time This Geffrey Son of Adam lived at this Town of Budworth For in the Deed of the Purchase of Claterwigge a Hamlet in Little Legh by Sir Thomas Dutton of Dutton one of the Witnesses subscribed was Sir Geffrey of Budworth Son of Adam de Dutton Lib. C. fol. 156. T. And I have seen him stiled Geffrey de Budworth in many other Deeds and so was Geffrey his Son often so stiled who lived there also But Peter Dutton Son of the later Geffrey removing his Habitation unto Warburton towards the end of Edward the First his Son Peter was stiled de Warburton according to the manner of those Ages under Edward the Second from which time downwards his Posterity hath wholly retained the Sir-name of Warburton even to this day But his succeding Heirs afterwards disliking the Seat at Warburton either for the inundation of the Water or for some other cause removed their Seat to Arley in Aston near to this Budworth about the beginning of Henry the Seventh's Reign which House of Arley was built by Peter Warburton Esquire who died Anno Domini 1495. where they have ever since continued to this day as their Chief Mansion-House But to return Geffrey Son of Adam de Dutton above-mentioned as I find in a Parchment Roll among the Evidences of Dutton gave away the third part of this Budworth unto the Priory of Norton in the Reign of Henry the Third to pray for his Soul for evermore But after the Dissolution of Abbies by Henry the Eighth King Henry sold all the Lands in Great Budworth and Comberbache which belonged to the late Priory of Norton unto John Grimsdich of London Gentleman The Charter under the Broad Seal is dated at Westminster 1 die Julii 36 Hen. 8. 1544. These Lands in Great Budworth thus bought by John Grimsdich to wit the third part of Budworth were part of them sold by John Grimsdich to John Eaton of Crowley and John Eaton sold them to Peter Leycester of Tabley Esquire 2 Edw. 6. 1548. whose Heirs enjoy the same at this present 1666. Another part thereof was bought by Malbon of Budworth sold lately to Oasley Another part of them was bought by Hall of Browneslow in Budworth whose Heirs enjoy the same at this day and have the Custody of the King 's Original Grant unto Grimsdich of all these Lands aforesaid Some small part thereof also one Potter had The other two parts of Budworth aforesaid do now belong to Warburton of Arley 1666. the succeeding Issue of Geffrey Son of Adam de Dutton aforesaid but he holdeth the same of the King as Baron of Halton Chief Lord of Great Budworth Here is a fair Parish-Church Dedicated to God and all Saints in Commemoration whereof our Wake is celebrated the first day of November being All-Saints-day I suppose there was a Church here before the Norman Conquest for I find in Doomsday-book Ibi Presbyter duo Villani c. and a Priest supposeth a Church though I confess it is in other places of that Book usually said of such Towns as had Churches Ibì Presbyter Ecclesia The first Structure hereof undoubtedly was more rude than now it is which after-Ages beautified with a more Sumptuous Building as all other Churches have been I find on the left hand of the Steeple-door on the out-side as we enter therein towards the bottom of the Fabrick of the Steeple these words engraven in the Stone in an ancient Character Argille Egarde Vidua and on the right hand of the said Steeple-door opposite to that writing Wymincham Whereby it may seem that the Widow Egard is commemorated as a special Benefactor in the Structure of that Steeple Just over the same Steeple-door under the great Window I find three Coats of Arms but are not of such Antiquity as the other engraved Words before-mentioned seem to be On the left Corner over the Door is Dutton of Dutton's Coat viz. Quarterly a Fret in the second and third Quarters On the right-hand Corner opposite thereunto A Pale Fusils which was the Coat of the Priory of Norton and is found frequently in the Windows of Norton And in the middle between these two Coats of Arms in a Flat is
Vernon of Hulme in Allostock At this day 1666. Cogshull is possessed by these Persons following which were all bought of the King in Fee-farm Rent 1612. being formerly Copy-holders to Halton Elinour Ashton Widow formerly Booth's of Cogshull âšœ and before that Massy's of Cogshull descended from Massy of Rixton Thomas Merbury of Merbury Esq hath Land here Edward Piggot of Cogshull Edmund Massy of Cogshull John Richardson of Cogshull Pownall of Barnton No House Green of Sanbach In possession of Richard Perceivall George Low of Hartford One Close Comberbach ROger Constable of Cheshire and Baron of Halton about the Reign of Richard the First granted Deo Beatae Mariae Fratribus servientibus beatis Pauperibus Sancti Hospitalis de Jerusalem totam medietatem de Comberbach illam scilicèt quam Willielmus de Comberbach de me tenuit unà cùm salina in Northwich quae pertinet ad Astonam juxtà Budworth in puram perpetuam Elemosynam Et si Ricardus Fitton vel Haeredes sui praedictum feodum super me vel supèr Haeredes suos recuperaverit Ego Haeredes mei praedictam donationem praedictis Hospitalariis Warrantizabimus Willielmo Comberbach Haeredibus suis Tenendum de praedictis Hospitalariis in Feodo Haereditate Reddendo eis annuatìm sex denarios pro omnibus quae ad Domum ad Fratres ejusdem Domus pertinent Hiis Testibus Henrico Priore de Norton Ricardo Capellano Ricardo Fratre Constabularii Hugone de Boydell Radulfo Filio Symonis Thomâ Dispensatore Hugone de Dutton Adâ de Dutton Radulfo Filio Rogeri Alexandro Filio Radulfi Liulfo Vice-Gomite Bertramo Camerario Johanne Burdon Hugone de Eccleston Ricardo Filio Henrici Roberto de Pulle Johanne Filio Aluredi Gilberto de Lymme Willielmo de Gamul Alano de Waley Willielmo Filio Matthaei Ricardo Filio Johannis Ricardo Filio Gilberti Aytropo Ricardo Starkey Ricardo de Whitley Willielmo de Tabley Waltero de Toft Johanne de Comberbach Henrico Fratre suo toto Hundredo de Haltonshire Lib. C. fol. 274. num 1. Out of the Book of Legh of Swineyard's Deeds num 1. now in his possession John Son of Henry de Comberbach gave to Adam Son of William de Litley in Aston juxtà Budworth all his Lands in Comberbach unà cùm reversione dotis Elenae Matris praedicti Johannis Piscariâ suâ in Lacu de Budworth c. Entailing these Lands first on the said Adam and the Heirs of his Body and in default of such then on Robert Brother of the said Adam Dated at Comberbach die Lunae Sancti Petri ad Vincula which is the first day of August Anno Domini 1335. 9 Edw. 3. Ibidèm num 28. The Moyety of Comberbach is now 1666. in possession of 1. Richard Legh of Swineyard hath two Tenements Their Tenants do at this day pay the Chief-Rent of Six-pence at Tatton-Vurt 2. Mrs. Ashton of Cogshull two small Cottages Their Tenants do at this day pay the Chief-Rent of Six-pence at Tatton-Vurt 3. Mr. Warburton of the Grange nigh Weverham three little Tenements 4. John Gleyve of High Legh one little Tenement which Thomas Gleyve of High Legh purchased from Thomas Sonkey of Little Sonkey in Lancashire 37 Hen. 8. 1545. Lib. C. fol. 269. num 2. 5. Robert Venables of Anterbus in Over-Whitley one Cottage about two Acres 6. Sir George Warburton of Arley five small Cottages not two Acres in all The other Moiety of Comberbach was granted to the Priory of Norton After the Dissolution of Abbies by Henry the Eighth the King sold all those Lands which belonged to the Priory of Norton unto John Grimsdich of London Gentleman 36 Hen. 8. 1544. then in possession of Robert Merbury George Hulme Randle Worral Agnes Walker Randle Low Lawrence Persivall Roger Grymshaw and George Eaton out of which 7 s. 7 d. ob Chief-Rent is reserved to the King And these were sold by Grimsdich to Robert Eaton and lastly bought by George Low of Hartford from John Eaton of Over-Whitley about fourteen or sixteen Years ago Other two Tenements then in possession of Homfrey Shakeshaft and Thomas Highfield out of which the yearly Rent of 2 s. 1 d. was reserved to the King were bought by Mr. Merbury of Merbury and are lately sold to Edward Piggot of Cogshull who is now Owner of the same 1666. Daresbury THis Town is of the Fee of the Ancient Barons of Halton I find that in the Reign of Henry the Third and before there was a Family of the Daresberies seated here whence they took their Sir-name but whence originally sprung I find not Rogerus de Hiberniâ that is Roger of Ireland grants unto Beatrix Daughter of William de Daresbery and to the Heirs which shall be begotten on her Body by Robert of Ireland Ex Chartulis Daniell de Daresbery 1649. Son of the said Roger all his Land of Leverpool in Lancashire Testibus Domino Roberto de Atherton Vice-Comite Lancastriae Domino Henrico de Thorbock Roberto le Sauvage tùnc Ballivo Comitis intèr Ribble Mersey Domino Willielmo Parsonâ de Waleton Willielmo de Waleton Serviente Domini Regis Willielmo de Molineaux c. Lib. C. fol. 184. a. Anno 1291. Henry le Norreys was Lord of Daresbery which Mannor he had in right of Margery Daresbery his Wife Ego Margeria Domina de Daresbery dedi Alano Filio meo Mabiliae Filiae Ranulphi de Merton quem idem Alanus ducet in Uxorem totum Manerium meum de Daresbery cùm suis pertinentiis unà cùm Dominio Villae de Over-Walton 7 Edw. 2. 1313. Lib. C. fol. 185. e. So in the Feodary of Halton under Edward the Second we read Alanus le Norreys tenet Villam de Daresbery Villam de Wolton superiori pro medietate unius Feodi Militis This Alan le Norreys had a Son called also Alan le Norreys and Clementia Daughter and Heir of Alan the Son married William Danyers Son and Heir of Sir John Danyers of Daresbery 1344. Lib. C. fol. 185. g. h. In which Family commonly now called Daniell it hath continued to this present John Daniell of Daresbery Esquire being now possessed thereof 1666. It seems that Daniell had Land in Daresbery before the Marriage of William Daniell with Clementia Norreys For Henry le Norreys Lord of Daresbery and Margery his Wife howbeit the Original Deed hereof calls her Margaret being miswrit for Margery for so she is called in all other Deeds granted to William Daniers the Elder one Messuage in Daresbery with all the Land which William More formerly held in the same Town and one Water-mill with a Croft called Wallmore and one Wood called The Common VVood also one Wood and Land called Daresbery-Cliff containing 60 Acres by estimation Dated on our Lady-day 1291. 19 Edw. 1. Reddendo unâ—am libram Piperis vel septem Denarios sex Porcos qui Pesonam fecerint per Annum Lib. C. fol. 184. d. Afterwards Sir John Danyers of Daresbury married
of England who were Witnesses of the King of Scotland s Homage and where the Chief of the Nobility are named by Hoveden Anno Domini 1201. King John sent before-hand William Marshall Earl of Strigvill cùm centum militibus Soldariis and Roger Lacy Constable of Cheshire cùm aliis centum militibus Soldariis into Normandy for the suppressing of his Enemies Hoveden p. 819. Milites Soldarii id est Stipendarii Stipendio retenti So Spelman Anno 1204. Roger Constable of Cheshire Vir magnificus bellicosus a most Heroique and Magnanimous Champion kept the Castle de Rupe Andeliaci in Normandy for King John against the French with such Gallantry that after all his Victuals were spent having been Besieged almost a Year and many Assaults of the Enemy made but still repulsed by him he mounts his Horse and issues out of the Castle with his Troop into the midst of his Enemies Forces chusing rather to die like a Soldier than to be starved to death He slew many of the Enemy but was at last with much difficulty taken Prisoner So he and his Soldiers were brought Prisoners to the King of France where by the Command of the King Roger Lacy was to be no strict Prisoner * Sub libera custodia detentus est saith Paris meaning as I conceive had liberty to go up and down at his Pleasure on his Paroll or Word for his great Honesty and Trust in keeping the Castle so gallantly Mat. Paris put out by Dr. Wats pag. 211. King John's Letter to Roger Lacy concerning the keeping of the said Castle you may see among the Norman Writers put out by Andrew du Chesne and Printed at Paris 1619. pag. 1059. One other notable Exploit of this Roger Lacy I find mentioned in the Ancient Roll of the Barons of Halton When Randle Earl of Chester sir-named Blundevill Monasticon ◠Pars p 188. was Besieged in Rothelent Castle in Flintshire by the Welsh this Roger gathers a tumultuous Rout of loose and dissolute Persons Players Minstrels Shoe-makers and the like and marched speedily towards the Enemy The Welsh seeing a great Multitude coming raised their Siege and fled The Earl thus delivered confers the Authority over all the loose idle Persons in Cheshire upon his Constable And John Constable of Cheshire Son of the said Roger confers the Authority and Rule over all the Letchers and Whores in Cheshire on Hugh Dutton of Dutton as freely as he held the same of the Earl saving the Right of the said John to him and his Heirs See the Deed it self Transcribed suprà Pars 2. pag. 142. Roger Lacy purchased from Robert Bushell the Barony of Penwortham in Lancashire to hold of John King of England and his Heirs in Capite for which he acquitted the said Robert Bushell of 310 Marks of Silver to King John Couchir-Book in the Dutchy-Office at Grays-Inn Tom. 1. fol. 79. b. Com. Lancastriae num 78. This Roger gave the Church of Rochdale in Lancashire which belonged to the Honor of Pomfret unto the Abby of Stanlaw Lib. C. fol. 61. h. and also the Town of Little Wolneton Lib. C. fol. 62. c. in Principio fol. 12. d. He gave also his Moiety of Nether Pever cùm Little Pever which belonged to the Fee of Halton unto Osbert de VVethale rendring to him and his Heirs the yearly Rent of 6 s. 8 d. and by doing Foreign Service as much as belongeth to the twentieth part of a Knights Fee The Original in my possession and which Rent of 6 s. 8 d. is at this day 1666. paid to Halton by Leycester of Tabley for the same moiety Roger Lacy married Maud de Clare Lib. C. fol. 70. a. The Original Penès Towneley of Carre in Lancashire June 24. 1657. and had Issue John Lacy Constable of Cheshire afterwards Earl of Lincoln Pecham in his Compleat Gentleman pag. 190. tells us of another Son of Roger called Robert Constable of Flamborough in Yorkshire whose Posterity assumed the Sir-name of Constable From which Robert in a direct Line are descended Sir VVilliam Constable of Flamborough Sir Philip Constable of Everingham Christopher Constable of Hatfield Esquire James Constable of Cliffe Esquire John Constable of Carthrop Esquire Marmaduke Constable of Kirby Esquire Constable of VVassam Esquire Sir John Constable of Dromandby with many others then living 1622. I find mention indeed of Robert Constable of Flamborough called also Robert Son of the Constable to the Earl of Chester Monasticon Anglicanum 2 Pars pag. 799. But whether Son of Roger is not manifest to me but must leave it to Pecham's Authority Nor can I here pass by the mistake of the ancient Roll of the Barons of Halton ⚜ Lib. C. fol. 84 85 Monasticon 2 Pars pag. 187. and several other old Manuscripts there be of the same In all which this Maud de Clare Wife of Roger Lacy is said to be Sister of the Treasurer of York Minster Now Bevoys de Clare Treasurer of York Minster had no Sister called Maud for all the Sisters are punctually reckoned up in the Book of Tewksbery as you may find them copied out by Vincent in his Corrections of Brook's Catalogue of Nobility pag. 221. whereby it appears plainly that those Sisters also were all born after the death of Roger Lacy. Possibly in the old Roll there may be an omission of a Word as where it is said Sororem Thesaurarii Eboracensis Ecclesiae for Sororem Patris Thesaurarii Eboracensis Ecclesiae or some other Word Quaere Anno Domini 1211. 13 Johannis Regis Obiit 1211 vir Nobilis Miles egregius Rogerus Cestriae Constabularius vitam finivit Mat. Paris put out by Wats pag. 230. Anno 1211. obiit Rogerus de Lacy in Festo Sancti Remigii which is the first day of October cui successit Johannes Filius ejus posteà Comes Lincolniae per Uxorem suam Manuscript in Oxford Library among the Books given by William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury noted G. 9. fol. 125. b. He was one of those Great Persons of England whom Pope Innocent the Third Excommunicated for Conspiring against King John Anno Dom. 1216. Mat. Paris pag. 277. See also pag. 262. Anno Domini 1218. there came to the Siege of Damiata a City in Egypt many Strangers out of divers Parts of the World Out of England came the Illustrious Randle Earl of Chester with Saher Earl of Winchester and William Earl of Arundel and the Barons Robert Fitz-Walter John Constable of Cheshire William de Harecourt with much Company Idem Paris pag. 303. This John had two Wifes The first was Alice Daughter to Gilbert de Aquila She was Buried at Norton Abby Afterwards he married Margaret Daughter and Heir or Co-heir at least to Robert de Quency eldest Son of Saher de Quency Earl of Winchester This Saher de Quency Earl of Winchester was Lord of Groby in Leycestershire and died Anno Domini 1220. as Mat. Paris saith He married Margaret younger Sister and
cause Thomas Haselford to grant the Marriage of Elizabeth his Daughter and Heir to the said Cicely And after on Tuesday post Clausum Paschae 21 Rich. 2. the said Mary Levied a Fine of eight Marks Rent in Knotsford of the fourth Part of the Mannor of Knotsford of the fourth Part of the Market Fair Toll and Stallage of Nether-Knotsford to John Brunstath Parson of Mobberley and to Thomas Swetenham of Mobberley who re-grant the same to Mary as before c. and to Sir Hugh Hulse c. as in the former Covenant And afterward Mary died in the same Year 21 Rich. 2. her Daughter Joan the Wife of Thomas Haselford being dead before her The said Cicely one of the Daughters of the last William de Mobberley and Sister and Co-heir of Sir Raufe Mobberley of Mobberley and Widow to John Dumbill of Mobberley makes Sir John Massy of Tatton her Attorney to receive all Toll and other Profits in Knotsford belonging to her jure Haereditatis post decessum Mariae de Tabley tùnc nupèr defunctae Which Cicely died 5 Hen. 4. and whose Daughter Margery married Sir Hugh Hulse She had also a Daughter called Ellen who as I conceive died without Issue This Sir Hugh Hulse having now got in all Titles to the five Parts in six to be divided of William de Tabley's Moyety and having the Marriage and Custody of Elizabeth Daughter and Heir of Thomas Hasselford granted unto him he married the said Elizabeth to David Hulse Son of John Hulse of Norbury in Cheshire To which David Sir Hugh Hulse gave all his Lands in Knotsford 3 Hen. 5. This Right continued in the Heirs of the said David Hulse until Hugh de Hulse sold the same unto Richard Brereton of Tatton Esquire 32 Elizabethae 1590. And so the whole Royalty of Nether-Knotsford was invested in the Lords of Tatton Which Richard setled all his Estate having no Issue on Sir Thomas Egerton Lord Chancellor of England from whom the Earls of Bridgewater Su far out of the Notes sent me by John Halsey Esquire ⚜ The Earl of Bridgewater then is now Lord of Nether-Knotsford 1667. wherein are above forty Charterers at this day I have seen the Copy of a Deed in a Book of Collections by John Booth of Twamlow in Cheshire noted Lib. H. pag. 137. f. taken out of an ancient Parchment Roll penès Davenport of Henbury wherein John Hall Mayor of Knotsford is Subscribed as Witness about the later end of Edward the First in these Words SCiant Quòd ego Robertus Filius Johannis Hurne dedi Yockin * Hukin de Duiton duo Burgagia quae habui ex dono Patris mei in Villâ de Knotsford Reddendo indè annuatìm Domino Capitali Villae de Knotsford qui pro tempore fuerit octodecem Denarios Testibus Domino Rogero de Venables Rectore Ecclesiae de Rosthorne Rogero de Toft Johanne de Bexton Johanne de Aulâ tùnc Majore Villae de Knotsford Thomâ Snowball Eliâ Rotario Johanne Coco c. I have also seen an Original Deed noted D. num 9. then in the possession of George Wilson of Nether-Knotsford June 2. 1650. wherein Adam Putill grants unto John Cooke totam illam medietatem illius Burgagii quòd habui juxtà Burgagium Johannis Gleyve de quo quidèm Burgagio ego dictus Adam feoffavi Reginaldum Pistorem in aliâ medietate illius Burgagii in Villâ de Knotsford Reddendo Aliciae Generosae Dominae annuatìm duodecem Denarios c. Et post obitum ejusdem Aliciae duodecem Denarios Domino Villae de Knotsford c. Hiis Testibus Johanne de Legh Rogero de Toft Johanne de Aulâ tùnc Majore de Knotsford Elyâ Rotario Thomâ Lilicock Thomâ Snowball Ricardo Kylting Rogero Filio Jordani aliis Lib. C. fol. 221. b.  The Mize  l. s. d. Nether-Knotsford 00 13 04 Over-Knotsford cùm Norbury-Booths 00 06 08 Bexton 00 02 09 Toft 00 08 00 Owlarton 00 08 00  01 18 09 On the West side of the Steeple is Legh of Booths Coat Quartered with another as is expressed in the Margin and a little above that under the Window where the Bells hang is written on the Stone ROBERT WEBSTER AND MAUD HIS WIFE WILLIAM HEFELD AND MARGERY HIS WIFE These probably were Benefactors to the Building of that Steeple with Stone which was in the Reign of Henry the Eighth There is also a Chappel of Ease situated within the Lower Town of Knotsford with a School-house adjoyning Sir John Legh of Booths purchased from the King certain Lands in Nether-Knotsford Sudlow and Over-Knotsford 3 Edw. 6. which in old time were given for the finding of a sufficient School-master at Nether-Knotsford and also for finding of a Priest to say Service in the said Chappel which Lands came to the King by the Statute of Dissolution of Chantries and Abbies Now the said Sir John Legh was bound in a Recognisance of 200 Marks to the King to pay out of those Lands 5 l. 6 s. 8 d. yearly to the Maintenance of a School-master and to suffer the said Chappel to stand for Administration of the Communion Dated 3 Edw. 6. And which Moneys are yearly paid by his Heirs at this day An ancient Copy of which Recognizance remains with me 1667. Over-Knotsford alias Knotsford-Booths OVer-Knotsford is belonging to the ancient Fee of the Barons of Halton In the Feodary of Halton under Edward the Second it is said Johannes de Legh tenet Knotsford-Booths pro sextâ parte unius Feodi Militis This Town of Knotsford-Booths with Norbury-Booths William de Tabley Leased to Sir John Orreby for the Life of Sir John 11 Edw. 1. Sir John Orrely selleth his Title herein to John Legh and Ellen his Wife and afterwards William de Tabley releaseth to John Legh and his Heirs all his Right in Knotsford-Booths and Norbury-Booths die Martis proximè ante Festum Sancti Bartholomaei Apostoli 28 Edw. 1. 1300. Lib. C. fol. 219. b. c. d. e. g. The Heirs of this John Legh have ever since enjoyed the same to this day 1667. Peter Legh of Booths Esquire being now Lord thereof and under Age. There are now about twelve small Charterers in Knotsford-Booths ⚜ This John Legh who Purchased Knotsford-Booths cùm Norbury-Booths from William de Tabley was younger Son of William Venables de Bradwell by Agnes his second Wife Daughter and Heir of Richard Legh of High-Legh de West-Hall Lord of the Moiety of High-Legh and Widow of Richard de Limme This John being brought up with his Mother in High-Legh was sir-named de Legh from the Place of his Residence as was the manner of those Ages which Sir-name his Posterity retained and bear the Coat of Arms of Venables with the distinction of a Bend Gules even to this day William Venables Father of this John de Legh was younger Brother to Sir Hugh Venables of Kinderton which William gave to John de Legh his Son Lands in Rosthorn which