GENEALOGY 942.4501 SH84T 1894 REYNOLDS WJSTORICAT: GENEALOGY COLLECTION ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00855 1779 GENEALOGY 942.4501 SH84T 1894 Digitized by the Internet Arciiive in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center http://www.archive.org/details/transactionsofsh1894shro TRA.NSACTIONS OF THR SHROPSHIRE ARCH^OLOGICAL NATUKAL fHSTOIlY SOGIKTY. icsrAUMsiiioi) 1877. ALL l{ 1 O II r H H 15 H IC If V K 1) . 2nd S E R T li] S , ~ 'I . s . ^ VOL. VI., 1894. P II I N T E \) F () K T H K SOCIETY S II R K W S 15 U U Y : A I) N i 'I' 'I' A N I) N A IJ N 'i' () N , Til V, 8 «.) |J a I! K , ■\ 0 S W i'l S T Iv Y WOOD A I. L. M I NS II A L h \ N I) t! o . 1912423 WOODALL, MIN8IIALL, AND CO., PKINTBRS, ETC., OSWESTRY AND WREXHAM. 1 4 2 2 T 2 hfl , .1 J A a 0 0 w 'J !i v/ M ,-, .-- Y a T 5; S W 8 0 %. r SHROPSHIRE ARCH^OLOGICAL AND NATURA.L HISTORY SOCIETY. CONTENTS of 2nd Series, Vol. VI. Page. Oq some Shropshire Place-Names. By W. H. Duignan ... 1 Committee for the Sequestration of the Estates of Shropshire Delinquents. By R. Lloyd Kbnyon ... ... ... 19 The Ottley Papers relating to the Civil War. Edited by W. Phillips, F.L.S 27 Selattyn : A History of the Parish. Chapter VI. By the Hon. Mrs, Bulkblby-Owbn ... 79, 291 Extracts from a Fifteenth Ceutury Manuscript. Transcribed by E. Calvert, LL.D 99 The Story of Oswestry Castle. By J. Parry-Jonbs, Town Clerk of Oswestry ... ... ... ... ... 107 An Ancient Bronze Matrix found at Chirbury, By the Rev. John Burd, M.A 174 Some Account of the Manor of Chetton. By the Rev. Ralph C. PuRTON, B A 177 Some Account of the Manors of Eudon Burnell and Eudon George. By the Rev. Ralph C. Purton, B.A.... ... 196 The Churchwardens' Accounts of the Parish of High Eroall. By the Hon. and Rev, G. H. F. Vane, M.A 203 The Kynaston Family. By W. Burson 209 Wenlock Corporation Records. By H. F. J. Vaughan, B,A , S.C.L 223 Petition of the Cordwainers of the Town of Salop in A.D. 13234. Translated and Edited by the Rev. C. H. DuiNKWATKU, M.A. ... ... ... .,, ... 284 Shelvock. By R. Lloyd Kbnyon ... ... 327 .T ,'0 (jfi bfi.«ol i;w,'^M Bsao-iH ■m'I' . ,,. A M ttVAXlil Kit -. TTi ... _ . ,;. ... ■ .:J'.l aoij«loqv ... .A.l<; .M(»1TAWJ1-1U:< IV The Abbot of Shrewsbury versus the Burgesses thereof in the matter of the Mills. By the Rev. C. H. Drinkwater,M.A. Architectural History of S. Mary's Church, Shrewsbury. Being a Lecture by the Venerable Archdeacon Lloyd.M.A. Grant by Henry VIII. to Edward Higgyns of the Deanery of St. Mary's, Shrewsbuiy, 1513. Extracted and trans- . lated by the Rev. W. G. D. Fletcher, M.A., F.S.A. ... History of Shrewsbury Hundred or Liberties. By the late Rev, John Brickdale Blakeway, M.A., F.S.A. Edited by the Rev. W. G. D. Fletcher, M.A., F.S.A. Leaton Longner ... ILLUSTRATIONS. Map of Clun and its protecting fortresses Selattyn Church Facsimile Signature of Robert Staney Oswestry Castle SI ]) ••• Facsimile Signature of Philip, Earl of Arundel Facsimile Signature of Thomas Mytton ' Facsimile Signatures of Tho. Mytton, Sam. More, Ro, Clive, and Thomas Hunt Facsimile Signature of P. Wharton ... Oswestry Corporation Seal Ancienl Bronze Matrix found at Chirbury ... Facsimile Signature of Thomas Bromley St. Mary's Church, Shrewsbury. Ground Plan, showing successive extensions from the Norman period to the present time St. Mary's Church, Shrewsbury. Ground Plan. The Norman Period .1 1 hh- misC) .i^!C( ©jiai;aK)ji I SHROPSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. ANNUAL MEETING. The Annual General Meeting of this Society was held at the Shire- hall, Shrewsbury, on Saturday, February 10th, 1894. The Rev. T. Auden, M.A., F.S.A., Chairman of the Council, presided, and there were also present — The Bishop of Shrewsbury, Mr. Stanley Leighton, M.P., F.S.A., Sir Charles Rouse-Boughton, Bart., Mr. and Mrs. R. Taylor, Dr. Calvert, Mr. W. Phillips, the Misses Hawkins, the Hon. and Rev. G. H. F. Vane, Mr. G. Sandford Corser, Mr. H. W. Adnitt, Mr. T. E. Pickering, M.A., Mr. W. Burson, Mr. H. T. Weyman, Ludlow, Major H. R. H. Southam, Mr. Geo. Griffiths, Rev. W. G. D. Fletcher, F.S.A, Mr. W. Beacall, Mr. A. C. Phillips, Mr. P. F. Timmis and Mr, F. Goyne, Secretary. THE ANNUAL REPORT. The Chairman, in opening the meeting, said he was very glad to be able to address those present as ladies and gentlemen. He believed that was the first occasion on which ladies had honoured the Society with their presence, and they had set an example which he hoped would be followed in future years. (Hear, hear). He then called upon the Secretary to read the Annual Report of the Counci), which was as follows : — The chief work of the Society during the past year has been the issue of the usual Transactions, which, it is beheved, have fully maintained their interest, and added considerably to the knowledge of the antiquities of the county. A suggestion was made at the last Annual Meeting that the Tranaactions should contain in their pages a larger number of illustrations. The Editorial Committee would gladly carry out this suggestion, if only the county generally would give more adequate support to the Society, and so place more money at their disposal. The Council venture to make a very earnest appeal to all the present members to use tlieir utmost endeavours, by personal inlluonce with their friends, to secure additions to their number. The Council have had under their repeated consideration the issue of the Index to the hrst series of the Transactiont^y but they have been prevented from taking any definite step by want of funds. It is now proposed to publish it as a separate volunae by subscription, as soon as subscribers' names have been received in sullicient numbers to justify the ex[jenditure. The Council liave lately given their sanction to the issue under their patronage of a work which tliey boliovo will largely assist in spreading an accurate know- lodgo of uuo portion of tlio ancient buildings of the county, viz., " An Architectural Account of the Churches of Shropshire," by D. II. S. Cranage, Esq., B.A., Lecturer on Architecture under the Cambridge University VI Extension Scheme. Towards the close of the year a correspondence took place between the Council of your Society and that of the Royal Archasolo- gical Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, in reference to the next meeting of that body. Your Council have invited the Institute to repeat during the coming summer the visit to Shrewsbury which they last made in 1855, and that invitation has been cordially accepted The exact date of the meeting has yet to be fixed, but it is hoped that all who are justly proud of their county will unite in the effort to give a hearty welcome to the members of this important body, so that they may carry away with them pleasant recol- lections of Shropshire kindness, as well as interest in the many relics of antiquity which it is the good fortune of the county to possess. (Signed). Thomas Auden, M.A., F.S.A., 10 Feb., 1894. Chairman of the Council The Accounts for the year showed .a balance in hand of 6s., but on the General Statement there was a deficiency of £50 9s. Id. The Chairman moved that the Report and Statement of Accounts be printed and circulated among the members of the Society. He said that he should like to take the opportunity of saying that he occupied the position in which he was placed entirely at the wish of the Council of the Society, and not from any wish of his own. It was the unanimous wish of the Council, for reasons which he need not then enter into, that he should take the chair as Chairman of the Council, and he need not say that he was glad to do anything he could for a Society in which he took so much interest. (Hear, hear). In his address he should confine himself to two or three remarks in reference to matters which occurred in the report ; he did not intend to touch upon anything archaeological, because they had the promise of a paper from their friend Dr. Calvert, and they were expecting it to be an unusually interesting one. (Applause). In the Report the first matter he should like to give emphasis to, was the need the Society had for very much increased support. (Hear, hear). They had a most interesting county — no one could possibly deny that Shropshire stood very high in the objects of archaeology and antiquarian interest which it possessed — and yet the Archaiological Society was not supported as it ought to be. (Hear, hear) They had heard from the financial statement that, though the accounts for the year showed a slight balance in hand, there were certain liabilities in the matter of printing, which, of course, were always going on and being added to, and they were liabilities which really left them with a deficiency of something like £50. This was not as it should be, and if they could bring it homo to the minds of the people in the county generally ho thought it would not continue to be so. Ho could only hope that every member, whether present that afternoon or who might read an account of the proceedings, would take to heart what was said in the report, namely, that the Council ventured to make the request that all present members would use their utmost endeavours by personal influence with their friends to secure an addition to their numbers. (Hear, hear ) It was the experience of tliose who took part in the nuuuigemcnt of the Society, as it was the oxporience of other societies, that to send out circulars was very little use indeed, and he therefore ventured to emphasise the remark in the report, that they should try to secure some new members by personal influence among their own circle of friends. (Hear, hear.) He would now just allude to the work on the Churches of Shropshire, which Mr. Cranage was endeavouring to make a valuable antiquarian work, not merely a modern guide book. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Cranage was working very hard at it, and he hoped his efforts would be successful. (Hear, hear.) He knew that at present Mr. Cranage ran considerable danger of being at a loss by the work, but he hoped that the loss would not be unnecessarily severe to him. (Hear, hear.) Then he wanted specially to say a word about tl^at matter which formed the subject of the last paragraph of the report, namely, the visit of the Royal Archa3ological Institute during next summer. He was a member of the Institute, and at the meeting last summer he was sounded on the subject as to whether Shropshire people would be inclined to receive them. He brought the matter before the Council of their own Society, and they unanimously agreed to invite the members of the Institute to visit Shrewsbury. (Applause.) They were here last in 1855, and he believed that there were very few now taking part in the proceedings connected with their own Council, who took part then ; but he was glad to see present one gentleman whose name would be found in the list of those who took part on that occasion — he rcfcri-ed to Sir Charles Rouse- Boughton. (Applause.) He hoped that not only Sir Charles but all others would take a similar kindly interest in the matter when the Institute next visited the town. (Hear, hear.) He need not say a word about the Archasological Institute but might just remark that it was conducted on lines which stood very high indeed in its study of antiquities. It was a peripatetic society, holding meetings in difierent parts of the country year by year, and it had been generally found that the visit of the Institute to any particular neighbourhood had served to stir up interest in antiquarian matters locally as well as generally. He hoped that would be the result of the visit of the Institute this next summer. (Hear, hear.) The exact date was not yet fixed — that would be a matter for consultation between their own Council and the Council of the Institute sometime during the next few weeks ; but it would be either the last week in July or the second week in August. He would only add, in conclusion, that he hoped every member of the Society, and those who at present might not be members, would take an interest in the forthcoming visit, and that the whole county would join heartily in an endeavour to make the visit a success. (Hear, hear.) The Shropshire Society would like to show the Institute every kindness they could, and enable them to carry back pleasant recollections of their visit. The Mayor of Shrewsbury had already cx])roatie(l his willingness to take his part in connection with the visit, and he hoped that what his Worship had begun as head of the town, would be cordially taken up by others connected more especially with the county. (Applause.) VUl Mr. Stanley Leighton seconded the motion for the adoption of the report, and in doing so said he could echo, with very great pleasure, the words which the Chairman had used, that they should try to enlarge the basis of the Society — and should endeavour, as far as possible, to obtain a larger number of members. In times past, before there was any Society of that sort in Shropshire, the county had produced some very noted and eminent antiquaries, and they knew that association helped on a work of that kind by the co-opera- tion of as many men as they could prominently call to it ; therefore he felt that they ought in a business-like spirit to undertake the task, which need not be at all an unpleasant one, of endeavouring to suggest to their friends who were not members that it would be a good thing if they became members. (Hear, hear.) But in addition to introducing to their own Society as many Shropshire men as they could, it always struck him that a society of that sort, which covered the whole county and which was the oldest antiquarian Society in the county, might also endeavour to incorporate within itself all the other societies which in any way overlapped its area. For instance, there was the old Powysland Club. Powysland covered a large portion of Shropshire. Pengwern Powys, the ancient name of the town, was the capital of Powysland, therefore it appeared to him that they might enter into communication with their friends who were working in the same field and with the same object, to see whether they could not unite with them. (Hear, hear.) Then again there were other sub- sidiary societies of the same character in Shropshire, such as the Caradoc Club and the Severn Valley Club, organisations which he believed were making an effort to draw to themselves greater support, and it appeared to him that it would be well to see how far they could join them with the Shropshire Society, and thus create one good organisation. (Hear, hear.) He was well aware that it was possible, as in many other societies, to have two classes of members — one class who subscribed for the publications of the Society, and another con- sisting of ordinary members who did not take in the publications ; but at all events it appeared to him that the present was an appro- priate time for considering what the Chairman had so well suggested, as to how far they could increase their own membership, and the possibility of uniting or welding together the other kindred societies which covered the same area to a certain extent as their own. (Hear, hear.) Ho believed that the Council had done all they could do with their powers — their very limited powers — to carry on well and efficiently the work of the Society. (Hear, hear.) Ho suggested on another occasion that they should endeavour to have more illus- trations, because he did not think that an antiquarian volume could bo made interesting to the general public, nor indeed did he think it could be made so acceptable to antiquaries themselves, if descriptions were only given without illustrations. (Hear, hear.) Ho therefore thought that to be a most important part of their work The Council liad given a very good reason why they liad not been able to carry out these illustrations. He knew that they w^ere very expensive, and IX for this reason the Council had not been able to go in for so much of this particular kind of work. Then an Antiquarian Society like their own should always turn its attention to practical objects. He meant such work as this : The Society had turned its attention to the records of Shrewsbury, and was doing a most excellent work in overhauling the old manuscripts which for a great number of years had been in the possession of the Corporation of Shrewsbury. (Hear, hear.) The Society had also done an admirable woi'k at Wroxeter, and he wished to suggest another form of labour which he hoped in the course of time it would take up, and that was the publication of Parish Registers. (Hear, hear.) It was a most interesting, and, as he believed, a most important part of the duty of every Englishman not to let the ancient parochial records fade away from decay or be destroyed by the chances of tire — (hear, hear) — and the only way to preserve them was to have them printed and indexed. (Hear, hear.) Such were some of the great and important works whicli belonged to societies like theirs, and he hoped that the suggestions which he had made with regard to the co-operation of other societies, and the endeavour to get more members to join their Society, would be taken uj) in a practical form. (Applause.) The motion was then put, and carried. ELECTION OF VICE-PRESIDENT, The Bishop of Shrewsbury proposed that the Lord Bishop of Lichfield be elected a Vice-President of the Society. (Applause). He remarked that when they took into account how much archa)ological interest centred in the different churches, it coxdd not be out of place, but, on the other hand, most fitting, that the ecclesiastical head of the diocese should occupy an important and prominent posi- tion in connection with the Society. Such a recognition was due to the Bishop officially, and he was sure that, as far as time allowed, his lordship woidd take a very intelligent and personal interest in all that concerned the work of the Society. (Hear, hear.) As for him- self, he was sorry to say that his previous occupations had debai'red him from making himself acquainted with archaeology or natural history as pursued by their Society ; but when time allowed he hoped that he might learn something through his membership with it (Applause). He noticed in the Statement of Accounts that a certain mysterious crypt was alluded to as having consumed some of the funds of the Society, and, he believed, that that crypt, if it had been properly described, would have been mentioned in connection with Old St. Chad's. He had succeeded to the vicarage of the Cimrch, and, therefore, with the churchwardens had also succeeded to the guardianship of that most interesting relic, and he felt a very earnest desire tliat all that could be done for its preservation should be done. He was aware of the trouble and the pains which the Society luul oxponded upon excavating tlio ])laco and laying it bare ; but he was not at all satislicd with its present condition — it was too easy acces- sible for any rubbish that niight de thrown over the wall, and other- wise seemed to be in a somewhat unsatisfactory condition. Since he came to Shrewsbury something had been done to secure the pillars and otherwise keep them in order ; but he should be glad, and the churchwardens would also, for any suggestions from those competent to advise in order to keep the place in a proper and satisfactory condition. (Hear, bear). With regard to the chancel, that was a work he would like to see undertaken and properly restored, and he had taken the first step towards that end. He felt that a certain amount of responsibility rested upon the vicar and churchwardens of St. Chad's, who had the guardianship of the old relic, to see that it was preserved as much as possible. (Applause). Mr. G. S. CoRSER seconded the motion, which was unanimously carried. APPOINTMENT OP THE COUNCIL. Sir Charles ■ RousE-BouGHTON said he had great pleasure in moving " That the members of the Council, being eligible for re- election, be appointed the Council for the current year." To members of the Society the fitness of these gentlemen must be very apparent Avhether they looked to the literary work of the journal, which was under their supervision, or to the satisfactory way in which the income of the Society had been expended. The non-workers, who were necessarily in a large majority in every Society, felt in this case the utmost confidence in these gentlemen, and under very great obligation to them for their labours in the public interest. He thought, however, that this ought not to make the other members contented to be only drones in the hive, for he fully agreed with what the Chairman and other speakers had said as to the great benefit that any member might do by procuring new members, thereby increasing the income of the Society, and its consequent power of advancing archaeological knowledge. Sir Charles also spoke of the further good that might be done in every district by members exerting themselves to get old buildings preserved, or at least by procuring the cessation of things that tended to their destruction. What their Society, and all societies of a similar class want, was to educate people in subjects that schools have done little to help in. What, for instance, was the old British anarchy ? What the Roman soldier was, and did for this country 1 For how much or little we have to thank, or the reverse, the Saxons or Danes for the part tliey took in fonning our nation 1 And many similar questions, to which so-called educated people could often give but imperfect answers, and perhaps tell them that their business and the history of the day were more than enough to occupy their time. We were all, howevei', apt to talk vaguely about ancient history, medi aival history, and modern history, but if we thought of it all these lines were imaginary and aitificial. There was but one history, which had grown up from the earliest (imoa, grnduidly, from century to century, to tin.) [iresent day. NVo were llio pruduct of the past, and the future would be the product of oiu'solves and all that had gone before. ■ ill V J> 'I ,'. ' ■.' '.' om[.;' hoM .\. However different these days of railways, telegraphs, huge manufac- turing industries, and democratic institutions might be from the days of Cistercian abbeys and feudal tenures, they were still the outcome of the olden times, and we who had to do our work in their midst could not understand them aright^ or act wisely in them, unless we knew something of the events from Avhich they had sprung (Applause). The Chairman alluded, with a view to procuring it a welcome, to the forthcoming visit of the Archaeological Institute, and with somewhat cruel kindness pointed out that there was still in the land of the living an ancient survival from their former visit nearly forty years ago ; if it had only been in his power to have procured for that anti- quarian relic the services of the goddess Hebe there would have been every reason to rejoice at the distinction he had made, and the e?T)crience of age might then have been enjoyed without the drawback of its infirmities. (Laughter). Sir Charles then proceeded to explain the valuable course the Institute had taken in first drawing public attention to the Roman remains of Uriconium in 1855, and the good that was derived from the modest operations that were possible at the Congress of the Archaeological Association five years later, when that learned member of the latter body, the late Mr. Thomas Wright of Ludlow, by lectures and papers, did so much to interest the public in what had been discovered. (Hear, hear). After some further remarks upon the great value of archaeology as the science which enabled us to appreciate the changes that are so constantly, unremit- tingly, and almost daily taking place. Sir Charles urged strongly the even greater claims societies such as their own and the Cai'adoc Field Club had on the local public, because they dealt exclusively with the antiquities, the natural history, the botany, and the geology of the great county to which so many of those present had the happiness to belong. (Applause). He was afraid he had wandered a little from the subject of his resolution, to which he now hastened to return, by proposing the re-appointment of the Council. Mr. R. Taylor, in seconding the resolution, said it would be mere waste of words to attempt to make any addition to what Sir Charles Rouse-Boughton had so ably said. (Hear, hear). The motion was then put and carried ELECTION OF AUDITOR. Mr. W. Phillips moved " That the best thanks of the meeting be tendered to the auditor, Dr. Calvert, for his services during last year, and that he be appointed for the ensuing year." (Applause). Ho moved the resolution with great pleasure, because Dr. Calvert was one of their oldest and most active members. (Hear, hear). As a member of the Council he (Mr. PhiUips) regretted very much that the accounts were not more satisfactory. He thought the result might be accounted for very largely by the want of earnestness and activity «)u t.liu part of the membors to secure new ones to take the place of those who wore dying oil'. It soomed to him a very obvioua IbxtooO odi\o ■.'0 if>{i4iff;r>0" .ftU'Ritof^i ■'■•/%'t'f'^'' f'i fact that when they were young they studied history as a task, but that when they got something over 50 they studied it as a pleasure. (Hear, hear). It so happened that the bulk of their members were somewhat old men ; but they now had an addition of young ones, from whom they expected a good deal, and he hoped they would not be disappointed. (Applause). Before sitthig down he desired to say that there was a matter which did not appear in the Report, but which required immediate attention. The custodian at Wroxeter called upon him a short time before the meeting to say that during the recent gale the shed which he used at the ruins had been blown down and recpiircd re-building. This, of course, meant further expense, but the shed was most useful to the custodian, and he liopcd that steps would be taken to replace it, Mr. T. E. Pickering seconded the motion, which was heartily carried. The Chairman subsequently stated that to re-build the ehed would entail an expenditure of about £6, and it had been suggested by Sir Charles Rouse-Boughton that a -subscription be raised in the room, a suggestion with which he cordially agreed. THE HISTORY OF THE OLD SCHOOL (fREE LIBRARY) BUILDINGS. Dr. Calvert was then called upon to read a paper on this interest- ing subject. He said : — The subject on which I propose, with some diffidence, to offer a few remarks, is one of considerable interest and not free from difficulty. The editors of the History of Shrewsbury School, published in 1889, have collected important documentary evidence affecting the original site and buildings. This evidence I shall attempt to supplement from a source which they had not the advantage of consulting at first hand. I refer to the book containing the School Bailiff's accounts from the year 1579. It can hardly be doubted that Thos. Ashton at the first opening of the School (1562) was obliged to avail himself of such accommodation as could then be secured for school rooms and masters' houses. In his letter to the Bailiff of February 20, 1573, only ten years later, he speaks of the School as then "old and inclining to nun," and also of " the evil place the School doth stand in," owing to the close neigh- bourhood of the prisoners. Let lis try to form some idea of the site as it then existed. In order to do this I must refer to the two contemporary maps of which copies are available. They are both a kind of com- promise between a plot plan and a bird's eye view. The earlier is probably known to most of us, having been published in 18G0 as a fac-simile by the late Mr. John Davies, but I have been unable to ascertain where the original is to be found. The date of it lies prol)ably between 1570 and 1580. We are told that it was made for Lord Hurlcigh, who was made Baron liurlcigh in 1571, and that the words "Ye Welsh Bridge," were written by him. Mr. riiillips has most kindly furnished mo with a sketch, enlarged to scale, of that part which includes the School site. Speed's map, of which a copy S/w ^^^^ *'^ ^ t^*' '^^' ,c;a; ibob lew • ^liKii V. 1.0041.- .uj;t. i^.v-ibt. ui Ui,/ J-iJJii hangs in our Museum, can hardly be trusted. It was made in 1610, and represents buildings which were certainly not then erected, while it omits the Library, which was as certainly built in 1595-6. There is also at p. 79 of the History of Shreivdmry School " A Prospect of the Castle and Schools" by Francis Sand ford, printed for the Herald's College, and dated 1658. From a comparison of this plate with Burleigh's map it would appear that several buildings must have been removed in the interval of 70 oi', perhaps, 80 years. It seems also that 300 years ago the lie of the ground, so to speak, was more level than it is at present from the upper end of School Lane to the foot of the Dana steps. Consequently we are bound to conclude that the incline from that point to and through the double gateway now called Castle Gates was far steeper than it is now. In the south or Burgess Gatehouse was the prison of which Aston complains. This prison the boys would have to pass in order to reach a detached part of the school premises, rented till 1629 from the Corporation, by a passage which led by a turn to the left through the wall between the two gates. From this wall the inner town wall branched, as shown on the map, while the other, or Roushill wall, branched off in the direction of the river along the line of what is now Meadow-place, where on the north side a remnant of the wall is still to be seen in the stone steps at some of the doors. The inner wall, which had already been built upon at intervals, extended along the whole of the western face of Pride Hill, and is still traceable at many points. For defensive purposes the outer or Roushill wall must have taken its place. The Rotten Lane of the Corporation documents is, no doubt, the School Lane of our da^ , and the large building on the left at its lower end in Burleigh's map must, I think, be taken to represent roughly and conventionally the original school buildings, including what was then the head-master's house. Of this we know from the School Bailiff's account (1579) that a chamber and study built upon the town wall were repaired, and a chimney for the same built at a cost of £21 9s. lOd. Portions at least of this house, which after- wai'ds became the second master's, still remain, though successive alterations have entirely changed its exterior. A list of the rooms is preserved in an inventory dated 1599. These were: Porche, Great Studdy, Little Studdy, Hall (in which was a table nine yards long), Buttery, Grounde seller, Kitchin, Brewhouse ; then upstairs, the Kitchin Chamber, the Little Chamber over the Brewhouse, the Hall Chamber, the Studdy Chamber, the closet ; and higher still the cock- lofte. The history of the other masters' houses is, I fear, confined to the list of their rooms and fixtures contained in the same document. It was at the north end of the liead-master's house tliat the beginning of the block of buildings now standing was made. The Library and Gallery (always mentioned together in the building accounts) were begun in 1591, and items of expenditure are entered yearly till 1605, though the main structure seems to have boon oomjileted in 1596. The Gallery, which no longer exists, was i)art of an arrangement well- on J -»©co oiii I known in connexion with college architecture. At Canabridge in- stances are to be seen at St. John's and Queen's Colleges. It was a covered passage from the north-east of the head-master's house lead- ing into the J-ibrary, and the only trace of it now visible is a portion of an opening which has been stopped with brickwork built in between and behind the stone pillars of original balustrade. I remember another such bricked-up opening nearer the corner of the Library in a portion of wall which has been done away with since the Corporation took over the site. The foundations of the Library must have been very close to the west tower of the Burgess gate, of which I think some traces are still to be seen in the narrow open space under the north front. The building consisted of a ground cellar or basement, a ground floor, and two floors over. The ground floor was converted between 1608 and 1617 into the School Chapel. No mention of this conversion occurs, in fact the Chapel is only mentioned twice, the entries recording two payments of £10 each. Nor is any mention made of the tower, though from 1608 to 1620 several sums were spent upon a bell and a clock. Hitherto a payment had been regularly made to the clerk of St. Mary's for ringing one of the church bells daily at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Perhaps the tower was first thought of when the Chapel arrangement was decided on, as an outside staircase would then be required for the Library. Whether the Gallery remained open into the Chapel is uncertain. At the south-west end of the building traces remain on the outer and inner walls of a doorway from which a stair may have led down to the Gallery. Above the Library were chambers lighted by three windows on each side, and one at each end, the roof being arranged in eight gables. The Library was also lighted from the sides and ends; and the book-cases, no doubt, stood at right angles to the sides. When the upper chambers and roof were removed in 1815, and replaced by the parapet, the end windows were enlarged and re-arranged in a late Perpendicular style. The side windows were at a later date blocked up as the additional weight of the new parapet was thought to threaten danger to the walls. The account of 1595, in which year alone the details of cost are given, includes the following items : — 9,500 of slate at 13s. id. the 1,000. 40 oak trees at 4s. 6d. a tree. 4 choice trees for somers, ready Fquared after 5s. the tun and contained 8 tuns & odd Foundation stones 241 loads Grinsell stone 208 loads. To Jo. Richmond & Tho. Tunstall, masons, getting working and sotting 4,138 foote of Ashler at l|d. and ^ a farthing tho foot 148 lights of window work at 28. 8d. the light 119 foot of water-table at 2^d. the foot 242 fo. 3 in. cornishe at 4d. tho foot 331 yds. 5 fo. 110 in. & odd of brickwork, at 19id. »k ^ a farthing tho yard. fnii "Rt-'-' jjiiiiln»j'{ « i A .tf Of v.o , The total for the year is £224 14s. 2 id. Other disbursements are mentioned in tlie accounts, but there are no more details, and the sums arc entered as paid out to the school bailiff for reparations or to the head-master for books and furniture. The first sermon in the Chapel was preached in 1617, and up to that time the old school building had been allowed to stand, though the charges for repairs seem to have been very heavy. In 1620 and the two following years the charges for build- ing all relate to the Country School House at Grinshill, but from January 30, 1625-6, to March 1, 1632-3, money was being continually paid out in separate sums of £10 for defraying the reparations of the School House, The total cannot be far short of £1,200. From occasional entries of money received for timber Bold, which in 1628 amounted to £27, it seems that the new work was carried out by degrees, and that the old houses and schoolrooms were taken down as soon as they could be spared. In 1633 the buildings were in use, and by the year 1634 the block of buildings as they now stand was, we may conclude, completed. Of the alteration of 1815 I have already spoken. Dr. Butler, no doubt, was the prime mover in this work, which was before long succeeded by the stoppage of the thoroughfare of School Lane by the removal of the gateway and the continuation of the school garden wall, the upper stones of which have now been transferred to the new site at Kingsland. The absence of particulars as to material, plan, and expenditure is to mo not a little disappointing. I have, however, found one entry, which should not be omitted, as it disposes of a theory I have heard advanced, that the south window of the upper School was removed to its present place from some ecclesiastical building. In 1629 there is entered, as received from Edwaid Jones, Esq. (who was at the time steward of the borough) 20s. " which he gave towards making the ende windowe in the highest school." It was well that these buildings had not been further delayed, for after the resignation of John Meighen, who had held the head- mastership for 53 years, disputes arose as to the nomination of his successor between the Bailiffs and St. John's College, which might have led to a suspension of the works, which, had the delay been prolonged, w^ould have had small chance of being carried out durin^^ the troubles which came to a head eight years later. That no such untoward result occurred is owing, I am convinced, to the energy and persevering activity of John Meighen, who had passed his eightieth year before he retired. We must, I think, regard him as indeed a second founder, and as having carried out Thomas Ashton's designs as few others could liave succeeded in doing. To anyone who has seen as nnicli of the Scliool accounts as I liavc this conclusion is inevitable, and it is not unreasonable to sup])ose that in iiis last four years ho would look with well-earned satisfaction upt)n the change which had come over the " evil place," of which Ashton spoke so despondently, and on the School buildings, no longer old and ruinous, 0;;i;..i-/-iii < unri;, Xi^- XIX . I would ask you to mark how from this point the valleys and low- lands are below out of sight, and only hill-top and sky are in view, as though those primitive men when engaged in worship desired to lose all mundane scones and to fix their minds upon the object of their adoration above. All along these hills, as far as to the Welsh border, judging from their remains, a dense population must have existed from the Early Neolithic to the Iron Age. I find no admixture of bronze amongst the relics, and I judge that the Roman invasion we shall discuss shortly put an end to the continued occupation of the Neolithic people. Yonder, upon Rock Hill, was the great centre of habitation. There, where they sat and worked, early manufacturers of flint and stone implements left behind chippings by the thousand, flint cores from which no more could be flaked, partially made or broken arrow- heads, ikc, though, gathered from all about, I have arrow-heads of various degrees of excellence of workmanship, thumb-flints, scrapes, spindle whorls, pottery, &c. From the number of spindle-whorls found I judge that flax was grown, and these hill-tops and slopes cultivated in very early times. Even to a height of 1,500 feet farmers tell me there is a great depth of the finest soil. Splendid crops of oats now grow at the highest levels, but wheat ripens badly. If you will glance at the small map I have prepared, you will see that this high ridge overlooking and projecting into the lower lands eastward, with its network of hill fortresses in front and flanks, and the still higher mountain land behind was a jDosition admirably adapted for military attack or defence, and would be desperately held to the last by so brave and resolute a people as the Silurian (or Neolithic) Britons. To this position I think there is little doubt, the Roman General, Ostorious, laid as desperate siege from Norton Camp behind Craven Arms. It was the success of this siege (or cam- paign), I hold, which led to the defeat of the Britons, who were ruled by Caractacus. Mr. Auden fixes the site of the final battle in that campaign at The Breidden, and I don't know that anything I am about to say need be taken as ditt'oring fi'om so good an authority on Salopian archceology, but I wish you to examine the ground we are about to pass over in the light of the facts I present, and you will be able to judge for yourselves whether any new light has been thrown on an interesting chapter in English history. We Clun people have hitherto taken the Gaer Ditches as the place described by Tacitus, though we never find a trace of a stone rampart such as would in itself present a formidable obstacle to the appi'oach of the Romans. In other particulars Cluipel Lawn answers to the descrip- tion. The river at the foot of the mountain that was "dangerous to be forded" is shrunk now to a narrow brook, but we are not without indi- uatioiis that 2,000 years ago much more water lay in all these valleys. As wo [lassod to-day from Solly to Trovorward, wo crossed the hoad of tho valley loading down to Chapel Lawn, and there wo saw a flat piece mUub-H ■^i otiT of meadow land, said to be the drained bed of an ancient lake. The brook I have mentioned, which once earned off the superfluous water from tliis lake, is now called Red Lake, and tradition says it once ran blood three days. In flood time it is still dangerous to man or beast. The river Clun I know in Paleolithic times ran (where Clun now is) 200 feet higher, and at least a mile wider than at present. I found the Upper Level Drift close here at the foot of Rock Hill. Li yonder beautiful dingle — The Tongues — where the Old Red Sandstone is faulted down against the Ludlow rock, is a pretty little waterfall, Mr. Haynes named Break-its-neck Water. There are really three falls. The third or lowest is twelve feet in depth, it has cut its way 40 feet back into the rock, and taken a slice out of the hill side 18 to 22 feet wide. A sudden change seems to have taken place in the drainage from above — I should judge in historical times. The width of the stream has suddenly shnink from 18 feet to a tiny driblet at this time of the year. Since the great change a little groove, not two inches in average depth, has been cut in the perpendicular face of the cliff. Or again, higher up the valley at Little Hall, Mr. Hulme, when putting down a drain, came across the upper stone of a British quern which he gave to me. This is not the only quern found at Clun. I have one from Mr. Law's farm we have just passed. I am not so posi- tive as to its antiquity, but have no reason to put it to a much later date, and I infer that wheat was cultivated here then as now. Mr. Auden tells us that before the Romans came south. Shropshire was all forest, but I know he will allow that tliis south-west corner of the county enjoyed an exceptional civilization from very early times. The Little Hall quern was buried several feet in clay, and at a point some distance from the present house, and considerably higher. Near to were other remains, as though the original homestead had stood at that more elevated spot. My opinion is that the homestead was destroyed, and the quern lost in the ruins, when the victorious Romans swept up the valley. I might give other instances pointing to the probability of much water lying at one time in these valleys. Tacitus tells us that when Caractacus had " resolved to put all to the hazard of a battle" with the Romans, " he chose a place against which it was difficult to advance, and from which it was as difficiilt to retreat, every way incommodious to our army, and every way favour- able to his own." You arc now passing over the ground which I think was the scene of the hottest contest, and I ask you to judge how the words of the historian apply to it. You will see the " ridges of hills" mentioned flanking all the valley approaches to Clun, spreading around and converging like the ribs of a fan iq)on Rock Hill, and each crowned with its own frowning earth- work. An invading army onco defeated and entangled in either of tlio deep marshy valleys must have boon dooniod to almost certain destruction. . Aoiifxi .^! ol ii to] oi f ^^- a es 'lad-t otoU m.'jt^ ,.;■ tmslH jUism ijiiu\3 &it- '.ii'i V'ffJV , o^ .;.^ .c^ . i n'usii'ivj ^aou'Aii o.; XXI From the vast Norton Camp, which I have no doubt was the base of the Roman operations, Ostorius had conunand of the whole Craven Arms Hud Knighton valleys, and we may well suppose would nuike feints of attacking the British jx)sition, sometimes at Stretton and sometimes at Knighton. Really he seems to have first taken Coxwall Knoll, und then in force stormed the Gaer Ditches. A pretty tradition exists with respect to the Lurkenhopc trenches above Knighton, which I don't vouch for. That is, that the Britons expected and hoped to entice their enemy up that way through the narrow Garn Gap where he would be exposed to attack from the heights on all sides, and there lurked in hope. The Romans having obtained possession of the Gaer Ditches and Hodre Hill opposite Avould be able to rush up here to Penywern, and then the whole of this long " ridge of mountains " would be in their possession. Bury Ditches turned, the Vron at Newcastle and any other camp overlooked, the way would lie open direct into Wales, and the small Roman camp at Caer Den Ring on Clun Forest would contain a garrison sufficient to hold the hill tribes in check while the settlement of the covmtry was eftected. I suggest then that in this way the Severn Valley was gained and The Breidden approached, and also that Tacitus, writing from hearsay, condensed into the short narrative of a single battle the events of a whole campaign, and that the last battle in that campaign Avas fought in the land of the Ordovices because Caractacus had little choice in the matter. Driven out of his stronghold and away from his own people in South Wales, when defeated at The Breidden he perforce fled to the North, and the situation was such that but few fugitives could have escaped. (Applause). The Rev. T. Audbn proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. LufF for his excellent paper. This was seconded by Mr. Green, of the Royal Archoeological Institute, who said they were accustomed in England to be rather insular in their archaeology, and talked of one part of England as if there was no other part. But he thought there was no part of England with such charming scenery as that to be found in the country they had visited that day. Clun was a most picturesque place, and he should like very much to know more of its history. He then thanked the members of the Society, on behalf of the Institute, for their kind invitation to accompany them to Chin. The Rev. T. Auden said it had been a sincere pleasure to the members of the Society to have the distinguished visitors with them. Votes of thanks were accorded to Mr. F. Goyne, the secretary, for the excellent arrangements made, and to the Rev. T. Auden. The excursionists then proceeded to the railway station, and arrived at Shrewsbury about ten o'clock. B-.tVJJlgif; I .iM O-t Rjif I«.-.r^o!o'< 1 i 0} ij..J>',-.. ..... i.l i ^nr^i' % .!•/■ • ' f^'J"^ k' ■yiiJi..( c,(l HiiV/ JjU >jj.;tj C»!3 '^: bif'i^'' cd juooi^ - u . T »H.t <)i XXll MR. LANGE'S LECTURE. On Tuesday, April 10th, 1894, a Lecture-Entertainrnent on Norway, the land of the midnight sun, illustrated by 120 limelight views, was given by Mr. Paul Lange, and the proceeds were devoted to the illustration of the Transactions. Through the kindness of Mr. S. C. Southam and his brother, who most generously arranged the lecture, the sum of £15 5s. was handed over to the Society for this purpose. VISIT OF THE KOYAL AUCHiEOLOGlCAL INSTITUTE TO SHREWSBURY. The Annual Meeting of the Royal Archseological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland was held at Shrewsltury from Tuesday, July 24th, to Wednesday, August 1st, 1894, under the presidency of Sir Henry H. Howorth, K.C.I.E., D.O.L., M.P., F.R.S., F.S.A. This was the second visit paid by the Institute to Shrewsbury, the former visit having taken place in 1855. Amongst the distinguished visitors who honoured Shrewsbury with their presence were the Right Hon. Viscount Dillon, V.P.S.A., President of the Institute, Mr. J. T. Micklethwaite, F.S.A. Vice-President, Mr. James Hilton, F.S.A., Hon. Treasurer, Mr. Emanuel Green, F.S.A., Hon. Director, Mr. 0. J, Ferguson, F.S.A.; Mr. G. E. Fox, F.S.A., Mr. W. H. St. John Hope, M.A., Sec. S.A., Members of the Committee, Mr. Mill Stephenson, B.A., F.S.A., Hon. Secretary, Mr. Chancellor Ferguson, F.S.A., Sir Stuart Knill, Mr. Baylis, Q.G., the Rev. Sir Talbot Baker, Professor E, C. Clarke, the Hon. Mr. Justice Pinhey, Very Rev. F. Hirst, Mr. W. T. Bensley, LL.D., Rev. Dr. Cox, F.S.A., Sir C. H. Rouse-Boughton, Bart., Mr. Stanley Leighton, M.P., F.S.A., Mr. A. Sparrow, F.S.A., Mr. A. Ridley Bax, F.S.A., Mr, Leland L. Duncan, F.S.A., Rev. Dr. Cresswell, Rev. W. F. Greeny, P.S.A., Mr. R. G. Rice, F.S.A., &c., &c. The following is an epitome of the proceedings on the several days. Tuesday, July 24th. — The Mayor (Mr. W. L. Browne) received the Institute at 12 o'clock, and Sir Henry Howorth delivered his presi- dential address. At 2 o'clock the town of Shrewsbury was visited under the guidance of the Ven. Archdeacon Lloyd, the places visited being St. Mary's Church, the Castle, the Old School, Butcher Row, St. Julian's Church, Old S. Chad's Crypt, the Square, the Town Walls and Tower, Grey Friars, the Abbey Church and Frater Pulpit, the White Hall, and the Wyle Cop. At 8 30 p.m. the Architectural Section met in the Music Hall, under the presidency of Mr. C. J. Ferguson, F.S.A, and papers were read by Mr. W. H. St. John Hope, M.A., Sec. S.A., on " Monastic Arrangements," and by Mr. J. T. Micklethwaite, F.S.A., on "Monastic Life." WiiUNiisuAY, July 25th. — Tho following places were visited under the guidance of the Rev. T. Audon, F.S.A. : — Pitchford Hall and .T .1 ■■' Church, Acton Burnell Church, Castle and Parliament House, Langley Chapel and Manor House, and Condover Church and Hall. At 8 30 p.m. the Antiquarian Section met in the Music Hall, under the presi- dency of Mr. Stanley Leighton, F.S.A., who delivered an able address on " Historic Shropshire," and Mr. Mill Stephenson, F.S.A., read a paper on "The Monumental Brasses of Shropshire," illustrated by rubbings of most of the brasses remaining in the county. Thursday, July 26th. — The places visited were Tong Church, which was described by Mr. George Griffiths, and Lilleshall Abbey, whose buildings were desctibed by Mr. W. H. St. John Hope, M.A., Secretary of tlie Society of Antiquaries. In the evening the Mayor gave a Conversazione in tho Music Hall to the members of the Institute and many local friends, and Mr. W. H. St. John Hope read a paper on " The Maces of Shrewsbury and other Shropshire Boroughs." The maces and insignia of the various boroughs of the county being exhibited in the room. Friday, July 27th. — The Historical Section met at 11 o'clock, under the presidency of the Rev. J. Charles Cox, LL.D., F.S.A., who read a paper on " The Mining Operations and Metallurgy of the Romans in England and Wales." The Rev. W. G. D. Fletcher, F.S.A., read a paper on " The Municipal Records of Shrewsbury," and exhi- bited several of the most important documents belonging to the Corporation. In the afternoon, the party visited High Ercall Church and Hall, which were described by the Hon. and Rev. G. H. F. Vane, M.A., and Haughmond Abbey, which was described by Mr. W, H. St. John Hope, M.A., Sec. S.A. Saturday, July 28th. — The Annual Business Meeting of the Insti- tute was held in the morning. In the afternoon the ruins of the Romano-British City of Uriconium (Wroxeter) were visited, and de- scribed by Mr. G. E. Fox, F.S.A., and Wroxeter Church, which was desciibcd by the Rev. R. Steavenson, M.A., and Mr. D. H. S. Cranage. Monday, July 30th. — Ludlow was visited, the Church being de- scribed by the Rev. Prebendary Clayton, M.A., and the Castle by Mr. W. C. Tyrrell; and Stokesay Castle and Church, which were described by the Rev. J. D. La Touche, M.A. In the evening, the concluding meeting of the Institute was held in the Music Hall. Tuesday, July 31st. — Buildwas Abbey and Wenlock Priory were visited, under the guidance of Mr. W. H. St. John Hope, M.A., Sec. S.A ; and Wenlock Church, which was described by the Rev. F. R. Ellis. On Wednesday, August 1st, several members of the Institute joined the Annual Excursion of tho Shropshire Archa;ological and Natural History Society to Clun and the neighbourhood. ,.A.M .sqoH iidoX .j8 .H A W{i'M stb ^{{iiuiive &flJ til Sii.i to Y:. :; bijoi .JuKJili*. ii>« '^Oj.liii XXIV LIST OF MEMBERS, 1894. Adnitt, Mr. H W., Shrewsbury Allen, Very Rev. Canon, Belmont, Shrewsbury Auden, Rev. T., M.A., F.S.A., Condover Vicarage^ Shrewsbury Bradford, Right Hon. Earl of, Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire (President) Brownlow, Right Hon. Earl, Belton, Grantham Barnard, Ri^ht Hon. Lord, Raby Castle, Durliam Babington, C. C, Esq., F.&.A., F.R.S , 5, Brookside, Cambridge Baldwyn-Chiide, Rev. Prebendary, M.A., J.P., Kyre Park, Tenbury Barnes, Tbos., Esq., The Quinta, Chirk Barnes, Col. J. R., J. P., Brookside, Chirk Barton, Rev. J., M.A., Hadiey Vicarage, Wellington, Salop Beacall, W., Esq., J.P., Sunfield, Shrewsbury Benthall, E., Esq.,Glantwrch, Ystalyfera, Swanaea Vale Beresford, Robert de la Poer, Esq., M.D., Oswestry Bidhike, G., Esq., Wellington, Salop Borough, J. C. Burton, Esq., B.A., D.L., J P., Chetwynd Park, Newport, Salop Bowdler, W., Esq., Penybont, Shrewsbury Brid^eman, The Hon. and Rev. Canon, M.A., J. P., The Hall, Wigan Bridgcman, The Hon. and Rev. J., M.A., J. P., Weston-under-Lizard, Shifnal Browne, W. Lyon, Esq., Ashley House, Shrewsbury Bulkeley-Owen, Rev. T. M., B.A., J.P., Tedsmore Hall, West Felton Burd, Rev. Prebendary, M.A., Chirbury Vicarage, Salop Burson, Mr. W., Whitehall Street, Shrewsbury Burton, Rev. R. Lingen, Little Aston Vicarage, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham Burton, E. R. Lingen, Esq., Whitton Hall, Westbury Calcott, John, Esq., Oakley Street, Shrewsbury Calvert, E., Esq., LL.D. , Kingsland, Shrewsbury Chance, A. F. Esq., M.A., The Schools, Shrewsbury Cholmondeley, Rev. R. H., M.A., Hodnet Rectory Churchill, Kev. C. J. S., M.A„ The Schools, Shrewsbury Clark, G. T., Esq., F.S.A., Talygarn, Llantrissant, Pontyclown, R.S.O. Clarke, Rev. J. H. Courtney, Tong Vicarage, Shifnal Clay, J. Cecil, Esq., Market Drayton Clayton, Rev. Prebendary, M.A., The Rectory, Ludlow Clowes, Roy. Alt)ert, M.A., Cleo S. Margaret, Bromlield, Salop (\n\.(!.^ ^■. ,>!-h;*J hiti^i^AO Jl T, ,.J.(I ,.A,fi ..^hA ,i : 5 .r.\ij:-!Vi':. > XXV Cock, Alfred, Esq., Q.C., 8, Kensington Park Gaidens, W. Cock, Jus., I'^si]., Kiiigsland, Shrewsbury Colvili, J. C, Esq., Shrewsbury Colville, II. K., Esq., Bellaport, Markeb Drayton Corbet, Sir W 0., Bart., Acton Reynald, Shrewsbury Corfield, Lieut. -Col. F. Channer, J.P., Ormoude Fields, Coduor, Derby Corser, O. Sandford, Esq., Shrewsbury Cortissos, C, Esq., Shrewsbury Cranage, D. H. S., Esq., M.A., Wellington, Salop Corbet t, John, E^q., j\I.P., Impney, Droitwich Davis, Rev. J., The College, Cleobury Mortimer Dovu^tou, Adolphus, Esq., Twyford, Siuinyside Road, Ealing, London, W. Dovuston, J , Est]., West Felton Drink water, Kev. C. II., M. A., St. George's Vicarage, Shrewsbury Diiii^nan, W. II., Esq., St. Ronaus, Walsall K^^irtun, Kl'v. Canon, M.A., IMiddle Rectory, Shrewsbury K^'t-rtrn, Kcv. W. H , M.A., The Rectory, Whitchurch, Salop Kyti.n, T. Slmiey, Es.i , D.L., J.P., Walford Hall, Baschurch Kcil.ic-ri, Itov. (). M., M.A., Frankton Rectory, Oswestry Flct.-hi.T, lis: W. C. Dinjock, M.A., F.S A., St. Michael's Vicarage, Shn w.-biiry Ki-lcv, V. II . K. i-, M A., F.S.A., Prostwood, Stourbridge, Worcester- bllllU K" rii}. Ch.k.'* , E-ij., I.udlow, Saloj) Ki«lar, Kl , Esq., K.S.A. Scot,, Abbotsbury, Newton Abbot (Jfurj,'e, A. Hrooke, Esq., Dodiugton, Whitchurch, Salop Ciill, Artliur, l'.fi[., Shrewsbury (Juugb, I'tLilc. H., Ei-q., Clulton Moor Vicarage, Fence House?, Durham (Jrttno, H. D., Es(|., Q.C., M.P., The Grove, Craven Arms (Irt'i^'ory, G, W., Esq., Wyie Cop, Shrewsbury Griiiiii. Harcourt, Esq., J. P., Pell Wall, Market Drayton (irilliihs, (korge, lCs(j., Weston, Sbifnal Giidtihall Library, Lontlon, E.G. — C, Welch, Esq. Griciibill, Frank, Esq., 4, Windsor Terrace, Douglas, Isle of Man II.Mti.Krii, Right Hon. Lord, Brogyntyn, Oswestry Hawki..-)u;uv, Right Hon. Lord, F.S.A., Cockglodc, OUerton, Newark llii I, Light Hon. Viscount, Hawkstone, Salop Hall, Kuv. G. T., The Schools, Shrewsbury Har.lnig, W. E, Esq., Shrewsbury ll;iiiling, Mr. .1. Millar.L,, J.P,, Shavington, Market Drayton Hignett, T. H., Esq., Oswestry Hodges, E., Esq., Edgmond, Newport, Salop How, T. M., Esq., Nearwcll, Shrewsbury Howells, T. Middleton, Esq., Highfield, Shrewsbury Hughes, W. H., Esq., 6, Telford Avenue, Streatham Hill, S.W. Humphreys-Owen, A. C, Esq., M.A., J.P. D.L.. Garthmyl, Mont- gomeryshire Jebb, Arthur Trevor, Esq., J. P., The Lyth, Ellesmere, Salop Joues, Miss Edith A., Shelton House, Shrewsbury Jones, H, Esq., 1, Church Court, Clement's Lane, London, E.G. Jones, J. Parry, Esq., Beechfield, Oswestry Juson, Mrs,, Mouklands, Shrewsbury Kenyon, Ptight Hon. Lord, Gredington, Whitchurch, Salop Kenyon, R. Lloyd, Esq., M.A., J.P., Piadoe, West Feltou, Osweitry King, llofF, Esq., Islington, Shrewsbury Kittermaster, Rev, F. W., M.A., Bayston Hill Vicarage, Shrewsbury Line, Cecil N., Esq., C.M.G., J.P., Whiston Hall, Albrighton, Wolver- hampton Langley, Alfred F., Esq., Golding, Peterston Super Ely, Cardiff Leighton, Stanley, Esq., M.A., M.P., F.S.A., Sweeney Hall, Oswestry Leslie, Henry, Esq., J. P., Bryntanat, Llansantffraid, R.S 0., Mont- gomeryshire Lewis, Mr Henry, Oswald Road, Oswestry Lichfield, Right Rev. The Lord Bishop of. The Palace, Lichfield Lloyd, Van. Archdeacon, M.A., Edgmond, Newport, Salop Mainwariug, S. Kynaaton, Esq,, D.L., J. P., Oteley, Ellesmere McMichael, J. W., Esq., Bridgnorth Minshall, Philip H., Esq., J. P., Bronwylfa, Oswestry More, R. Jasper, Esq., M.A., D.L., J.P., M.P., Linley Hall, Bishop's Castle, R.S.O. Morris, Mr. W. B., Shrewsbury Morris, S. M., Esq., Swan Hill Court, Shrewsbury Moss, Rev. Prebendary, M.A., The Schools, Shrewsbury Mj'ers, Rev. E., F.G.S., The Parsonage, Shrewsbury Naunton, Mr. W. W., Shrewsbury Newman, Mr. H. F., High Street, Shrewsbury Norton, Rev, F. C, Ditchling Vicarage, Sussex Oswell, A. E. LLoyd, Esq., Shrewsbury Powis, Right Hon. Earl of, Powis Castle, Welshpool Parry, Rev. W., D.C.L., Fitz, Salop qoitiS jQ-i ,0,a ,aoi)urJ bioiWoJvT .-iC'Blfi*! Sill' . xxvu Peele, E. C, Esq., Kingslaud, Shrewsbury Pelham, Rev. A. T., M. A., Cound Rectory, Shrewsbury Phillips, VV., Esq., F.L.S., J. P., Canonbury, Shrewsbury Pickering, T. E,, Esq., M.A., The Schools, Shrewsbury Puole, T. Frank, Esq., Kingsland, Shrewsbury Potts, E. B., Esq., Broseley Purton, Rev. Ralph C, B.A., Wetherham, St. Tudy, R.S.O., Cornwall Robinson, Brooke, Esq., M.P., Barford House, Warwick Rogers, Mr. Henry Exell, Shrewsbury Rowland, G. J., Esq., 14, Parkdale, Wolverhampton Rouse-Boughton, Sir C. H., Bart., D.L., J. P., Downton Hall, Ludlow Sutherland, His Grace the Duke of, Lilleshall Salt, G. M., Esq., Shrewsbury Salter, Mr. J. B., Oastle Street, Shrewsbury Salwey, T. J., Esq., The Cliff, Ludlow Sandford, Humphrey, Esq., M.A., J. P., The Isle, Shrewsbury Sandford, FoUiott, Esq., Shrewsbury Sec. Science and A.rt Department, London, S.W. Severn Valley Field Club Shrewsbury, Rt. Rev. The Lord Bishop of. Quarry House, Shrewsbury Sitwell, Willoughby Hurt, Esq., Ferney Hall, Craven Arms Smith, H. Percy, Esq., Tong Priory, near Shifnal Smith, Hubert, Esq., Belmont House, Bridgnorth Smith, F. Rawdon, Esq., Eastfield, Ironbridge Soatham, Hbt. R. H., Esq., Sutton Lane, St. Giles, Shrewsbury Southam, S. C , Esq., Elmhurst, Shrewsbury Southam, T., Esq,, J. P., The Hollies, Shrewsbury Soutliwoll, C. J., Escj., Hook Field House, Bridgnorth Sparrow, Arthur, Esq., F.S.A., D.L., J. P., Preen Manor, Shrewsbury S{)aull, W. If,, Esq., J. P., Oswestry Stuiier, F., Esq., J. P., Peplow Hall, Ma.rket Drayton Stokes, Rev. Iludlestone, MA , Stapleton Rectory, Salop Swainson, Rev. J. G., M.A., Wistanstow Rectory, Craven Arms Taylor, R. , Esq., J. P., Abbey House, Shrewsbury Thursfield, T. H., Esq., J. P., Barrow, Broseley Timinis, Percy Froomnn, Esq , 20, Castle Street, Shrewsbury Vaughan, H. F. J., Esq., B.A., 30, Edwardes Square, Kensington, London Vane, Hon. and Rev. Gilbert H. F., M.A., High Ercall Vicarage, Wellington Venablos, R. G., Esq., J.P., The Lodge, Ludlow Wakoman, Sir Ollloy, Hart., M.A., D.L., J. P., Yeaton-Poveroy Walker, a. C, Esq." J.|>., Lilleshall Old Hall, Salop Wateridgo, F. W., Esq., Belmont, Shrewsbury wolb/ij' ,lk-H . Jl, • ■: '■■■' ^i;d.'-wti'idB ,9i«l &xlT ,/: . ■-■.8 «j)JiiOrt XXVUl Watts, W. W., Esq., M.A., F.G.S., 28, Jermyn Street, Londoc, S.W. Watson, J., Esq., J. P., Berwick House, Shrewsbury Weyman, H. T., Esq, Ludlow, Salop Whitcombe, Robert H., Esq., Bewdley Williams-Freeman, Capt., Ivy House, Meole Brace, Shrewsbury Williams, Philip, Esq., J, P., Hinstock Hall, Market Drayton Williams, Pryce, Esq., West Shrubbery, Redland, Bristol Williams- Vaughan, E., Esq., Broom Hall, Oswestry Woods, Sir Albert W., C.B., F.S.A., Garter lung of Arras, Queen Victoria Street, London Woodall, Mr. E., Oswestry and Bonier Couniies Advertize?, Oswestry Wright, Philip, Esq., J.P., Mellington Hall, Churchstoke Whittingham, E., Esq., Newport, Salop HONORARY MEMBER. Randall, Mr J., F.G.S., Madeley Members are requested to notify any change of residence, or error of description, to the Secretary, Mr. F. Goyne, Dogpolo, Shrewsbury. ao fiiy .acivu. v:< j^c pJi SOCIETIES IN COMMUNICATION WITH THIS SOCIETY Archrcological Section of Birmingham and Midland Institute Cambrian ArcliKological Association. Cumberland and Westmoreland Archaeological and Antiquarian Society, Derbyshire Archaeological Society. East Ridiug Antiquarian Society. Essex Field Club. Folk-Lore Society. Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire. Kent Archsoological Society. Leicestershire Architectural and Archecological Society. Powys-Land Club, Montgomeryshire. Royal Archecological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. Society of Antiquaries of London. Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle-on-Tyne. Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Somerset Archscological Society. Surrey ArchDeological Society. Sussex Archrcological Society. Thoresby Society, Leeds. Worcester Diocesan Archaeological Society. William Salt ArchaBological Society, Stafford. Yorkshire Archaeological and Topographical Association. Bodleian Library. British Museum, Natural History Department of British Museum. Hi a.t. .bii«linl baa ai-sii-tcl .};5ar«> 'U) MuJil-.n' ;■•" H :.■■>>. \o ^.'jitji.' 'tyioo<^4 sh o H eo ^ s C. CC O O CO o as o o cc q^ 00 o CO o o •«# fO : c . 3 O ■ c 'o : %^ Oi OtOOSOtOC-lf-H Oi O rH CC to 05 CO >0 ,-1 0~j O O rfi O " .1^ rt S y 0 oj . t3 ti :5 'C c3 ci : 8 face o«2 „"g ^ -g <: p^ ^ rf U' PM S ^ S -^ '^ s JL O „ fn (D «S (H OJ COS: • += O (-1 3 to c3 ^ a> Q S O o O T3 ■o< .•ga ca ri c« c ri c_^ 03 '" ■2^.2 c 03 o ; C/5 tJO W Pm 5- 03 X 1—1 05 m ■* r-( rH CO 55 04 c as T3 CJ R (D tJ 1,^ o H ^i^CC w ^ t^ a- t-9 . O CV3 ON SOME SHROPSHIHE PLACE-NAMES. By W. H. DUIGNAN. The analysis of place-names has made great progress during the last twenty years. The publications of Anglo-Saxon and Early English Charters and of the Early English Text, Philological, and English Dialect Societies have opened to the student new fields of iDformation, and made local etymology a far more scientific enquiry than it formerly was. Professor Skeat says : — " Our earlier writers had no means of ascertaining principles that are now well established, and instead of proceeding by rule had to go blindly by guesswork." ... " Before attempting an etymology, ascertain the earliest form and use of the word ; . . . observe history and chronology ; observe phonetic laws." The greatest assistance is to be obtained from Anglo-Saxon charters ; next in value is Domesday, wonderfully accurate considering its mode of compilation, but not so reliable as a local twelfth or thirteenth century cliarter. Norman clerks writing fiom sound, or in a language they imperfectly under- stood, were very liable to error. The importance of the meaning of place-names cannot be questioned. It throws light upon local and national history, and social life, and gives interest to the locality. It is remarkable at what an early period, and how thoroughly, the Saxons appear to have occupied Shrop- shire. Except on the border, Welsh names have been almost exterminated ; the Itomans have left, in names, no trace of their occupation, and Norman etymons are rare. The county seems to have been possessed by a hardworking unimaginative race, who gave the simplest Vol. VI., I'lul S. \ 0; I I>fifioi)j.'ii Bnx; (uno)' ifocffi Jil^.H ewo-.Mli il Jvjnotiaaf/f) sc' v/o.!.' b;ii! ,hoi'ia!| •/J'ja.o i'lxi cfcifv/ li .nra'f ai :,afti\u"n iii.f'- ...... ..,.,;:iioll Oil '- - •3TJ3 HifOjyiYj'o iififnio!'^. r.MT*i ,noiJjij<;'. ,t ./. Mite ..17 2 ON SOME SHROPSHIRE PLACE-NAMES. names to their farms or villages. Poetic or romantic etymologies from Anglo-Saxon roots may always be distrusted. It is otherwise in Ireland and the High- lands, where poetry and history are important and interesting factors. The majority of place-names are derived from personal names, and, in construing them, we must remember that nick-names, pet-names, and short names were as common a thousand years ago as in the last century. Some of my derivations are, doubtless, open to criticism or correction, though I have submitted all of them to an accomplished friend, Mr. W. H. Stevenson, the translator and editor of the "iiecords of the Borough of Nottingham." Of some of the places dealt with I have no personal or historic knowledge, and local anti- quaries may be able to give better roots ; but as the way to victory sometimes lies through defeat, so the way to truth often lies through error. I am much indebted to Eyton for the ancient names. He only occasionally deals with etymology, and his opinions are always entitled to respect ; but I have not hesitated to disregard or challenge them where I have thought them wrong. He wrote forty years ago, and sources of knowledge are open to us which were closed to him. AbbreviatioisS. — A.S., Anglo-Saxon; O.E., Old English— (Synonyms) ; M. E., Middle English ; W., Welsh ; A.S.C., Anglo-Saxon Chronicle ; D., Domesday; Eyton, Ey ton's Antiquities of Shropshire. Acton. — The root of all Actons is Ache-tune, Ac-tune, or similar forms, from the 0. E. Ac-tune = Oa\s.-to\vn. Most of them now have sullixos from their early lords ; Acton Tigot, from the Picots or Pichots ; Acton Rcynald, from the licyners; Acton Scott, from the Scots or Escots ; Acton Burnell, from the Purnells. Albuigut-Lee, near Shrcwsbiuy, in D, is Ethretelie; in 1195, EdhvicLdec] ; in 1272, AdhrUdleyc ; probably from the O. E. personal name Eculhriht. The terminals lie,'l('g, leye, douhilcss, rc![)rescnt O. K. leah or lca,o\)m\ pasture or uulillcd land, giving ns " Kadbriht's pasture,'' ■fioo n.i •'Oiirao^ 1 XX ■ 3kii 1 -iJu.: . .-,,.. :o[v7<: n Bid hd'- ' J iL'yn HO ,.a:.0 ;/i '1 - , t / . . . ..■j-ii ON SOME SHROPSHIRE PLACE-NAMES. 3 Albrighton, — There arc several Albrightons in Salop, and all have tlieir roots in personal names — not always the same. Monks Albrighton, near Slirewsbury, is in D. Ethritone ; in the 12th century, Adhriclttone ; and in the 13th century, Adhricion, Edbricton, and Adbridon-Monachorum. These forms probably rejn-escnt an 0. E. personal name Ealdbricht or Eadbriht. "Monks" has been added (for distinction) because it belonged of old time to Shrewsbury Abbey. Albrighton or Albright Hussey is in D. Abretone and Et- hrctone ; in the 12th century it was AdbrlgJdon-IIiLseij and AdbrigJdon-Uiisseij ; in the 13th century Adbryyldon and Edbricldon. This is certainly from a personal name, such as uElfbviht. Miss Jackson {Shropshire Word Book, 515) says the name is locally pronounced " Aiberton," which is curiously like the D. " Abretone." The Hose, Huse, or Hussey family iield the manor from about 11G5 for four centuries. Albrighton, near Tong, in D. is Albricstone; in 1282, Albrihton. This certainly re[)resents an O. E. personal name Aldbriht, Albrikt, or yElbriht = Aldbrites-tone (town, &;c.) Brighton, in Sussex, was anciently Brihthehn-es-toiie. The es in place-names is usually the genitive, now omitted or shortened to s. Alveley, near Bridgnorth. — D. Alvidelege ; 12tli century, Alvlthleg, Alvinelegh ; 13th, Alvitheleye; Eyton thinks from A.S. personal name /EldytJce ; but I have not met with such a name. The root is certainly a personal name, possibly Eald- gi/th or jElf-gyth. The 12th century Alvinelegh would rather give us zElfwlne. The terminal is, of course. A, S. leah, leage; M. E., ley, meadow, pasture, untilled land. Arley (Upper), near Bridgnorth, but in Staffordshire, is Earnleie and Earnley in the cliartor ot" Wulfrun to the Monks of" llamtun " (Wolverhampton) An. 996. With such a good root it is unnecessary to look further. As earn in A. S. means an eagle, a romantic etymologist might offer us " the eagle's pasture," which, being nonsense, may be safely rejected. The root is, doubtless, A. 8. cern, em, eirn, a place, a house. " In A. S. the e would be pronounced like our a in laate, and the a hardly at all, the r well trilled. It is the influence of the r that has changed em into am. Familiar instances of this inihience are serjcant, clerk, Derby (Darby), &c. The n would gradually drop." (W. 11. Stevenson). The terminal leie is a form of A. S. leah, lea. meadow, pasture, &c. " U{)por" has beiMi added in later times, doubtless to distinguish it from "Arley Kings/' six miles down Severn. As coniiriiiatory of the view presented I may mention that Arley Kings was ,vinin'ao ii)SI ■ Iv .(T — Wirov/ .u' r.ui'J" .0J& iBliW ■ft'.'^lW/i. ''(vi'lA jiui; 4 ON SOME SEIKOPSIIIUE PLACK-NAMES. " Ernleie." The A. S. (12th century) poems of Layamon commence : — "There was a priest in the hind who was named Layamon ; he was the son of Lucais — may the Lord be gracious to him! — he dwelt at ' Ernleie,' at a noble church with the gooil knight, upon ' Scvarno ;' — pleasant it there seemed to him — near Radestone, where he books read." Aston. — Every Aston I have met with l^as, when traced to •ts root, been Estune, Eatone, ov £'6^71 = East- ton. Similarly all iSuttons are SiLth-ton = Sou[.\\-ton ; Westons West-tone or tune; Nortons N ovth- ton e ov tune. It is now often difficult to say of what place they were east, south, &c. The multipli- city of those names has, for the sake of distinction, led to many suffixes, such as Aston-Botterell, Aston- Tigot, &c., representing early lords of the manor. Atcham, or Attingiiam has, apparently, a very pretty origin. Its D. form is Atingeham ; in the 12th century we find it Ettingham and Ettingeltam ; subsequently Echingkani and Attingeham. Eyton says the meaning is " the home of the children of Eatta." The church is dedicated to St. Eata, who was Abbot of Melrose in G5L Assuming Eyton to be right, the original name would be Eatan-ing-ham. Ing is an A. S. patronymic, meaning " son or descendants ;" it was also used in the sense of " servants, devotees, or disciples ; ham is, of course, A. S. for home, village, &c. Belswardine in D. is Bclleurdine ; in the 12th century, Bodleswiirth ; in the 13th, BeddlesiuortJt, LellesiuurtJdn, Badels- wiirtliijn, Bedlesiuorthyn ; in the 14th, Be'ldelesiverdyn. Here the prefix clearly represents the O. E. personal name Bedel. Wardine is a well-known Shropshire termination, derived from 0. E. lueorthign, iveorthin, weortliing, u'orth, which D. scribes generally mangled or abbreviated. The A. S. th was very much like our d, and this, combined with the difficulty which the Normans had in pronouncing ^/i, perhaps led to "wardine." The meaning in 0, E. is " property," " a farm ;" hence, in this case, " Bedel's farm." Berwick Malvoisin (or Maviston) in D. is Bereivic, and in the 13th century Berewilce and Bercwyk. O. E. Bere-ivic, literally a barley or corn village. In D. it is generally under- stood as a hamlet pertaining to a manor; but I think it camo also to be a])plied to an outlying farm. The j\lalvoisins wero lords of the manor in the 12Lh and subsequent centuries. Bishop's Castle is in the manor of Lydbury North, which belonged to the Bishops of Hereford before the Conquest and down to the 2 Elizabeth. After Domesday, and bo to re 11 a -4, one of them built a castlo here, called in the 12th century Jj unii oi(i "io ■ ,.1ripjt •-•ij o.: ,3 .A iLe ei ijwi .^(> •)!tJ -•»a;.i;Mj ?> .ivVAS' "i^lijjiit>t» iijiit Oil J ijji iHt ON SOME SHHOI':j^V't- le rf^'. ^ i)S'n?Vl9i 9Df;Iq odJ ;?: ,ii.nongbhJ:t to fllu->8 89i liid^ WljfJ 0! • O'lora L . ■8J-'" -■ 6 ON SOME SHROPSHIRE PLACE-NAMES. Brocton. — There are many Broctons in the Midlands. Broc, in O.E., is a badger, and hroc. a brook. Fanciful etymologists frequently take the "badger" interpretation; but our fore- fathers thought more of brooks than badgers. In the case of " Brockhurst," hurst (0. E. hyrst) meaning a wood, it is not unlikely to mean " Badger's wood." It would not, however, be always safe to conclude that Brocton means Brook-town. Broc was a personal name (now represented by Brook or Brookes), and in A.S. charters " br5cces-broc " = Brook's brook, is a not uncommon boundary. Broseley. — 1). Bosh; 12th centur}^, Buriuardsley; 13th century, Burewardesley. Domesday is, doubtl(3PS, here at fault, and the later charters are preferable. These give us A. S. personal name Burhiueard = llnvhw card's ley, or pasture. The shortening of the name, though striJdng, is not uncommon. Bescot, a hamlet and railway station, near Walsall, was '• Beresmundes-cote." Caus. — D. Alretone, good A. S. for Alder-town ; 12th century 01 talis ; 13th, Cauheis, Gaus, Cauz ; 14th, Kaiues, Kaus, Oaws. Eyton supposes "that Roger fitz Corbet, the Domesday tenant, built a castle here, and called it Caux, he or his father coming from the ' Pays de Caux,' in Normandy." The name must spring from some member of the de Caux family who came from Caux or Cahours, Department of the Somme, The 13th century scribes (above quoted) appear to have been confused between Cahours and Caux. This is one of tlic very few place- names the Normans have bequeathed to us. CiiELMiCK, near Church Stretton. — D. Elmundewic ; 13th century, Chelmundewyk, Cheilmundewik. A. S. personal name " Ceolmund," and wio, a dwelling, village, &c. = Ceol- mund-es-wic. (Tho Co is pronounced ch). Cheney Longville. — 1). Languefelle ; 11th century, Longa- field ; 12th, Langajield ; 13th, Langefeld, Longcfeld. A. S. lang, and feM = long field. The ancient meaning of feld was an open space of land = a fell. The Cheneys were lords of the manor as early as 1315. Church Stretton. — D. Stratun; 13th century, Stratton, Stretton, Strettonedale, Strettondale, Strdton-in-Strettonesdcde, Gldrch Stretton. All Strettons, I know, lie on Roman ways, and Church Stretton is on, or near, the southern Watling Street from Wroxeter to Kenchcster. A. S. strc(it,a street, and ^07i = street town. "Church " is a medifcval addition to distinguish it from other Strettons. There was a cliurch licre before Domesday. Clavkiu>ey. — I). Clavctiogti, J 22 1, (Unvcdeg. (The g in the terminals is equivalent to y). Doubtless, A. S. cUvfre, M. E. if. y ( I J ..i . .ljBO«0, .il JVl ,;v\\j,V)to .c.i .A ^H^.•;oiJ^J^.H:'^l -<,\v oJ .1ii.-)ijiVlJi ON SOME SHROPSHIRE TLACE-NAMES. 7 claver = the "clover" ley, or pasture. Clover is still called " claver " in the north of England. The Clee Hills are not mentioned in D., but Glee Stanton, which lies below them, is there called " Clee." In the 12th century they are described in charters as Les Clies, Les Clives, La Clije, Cleyes, Chace of the Clyes, La Clee. All these forms are derivatives of A. S. clif, M. E. clif, clef, clevc, and their declensions, signifying a rock, headland, a steep place. "Hills" is a later addition, the meaning of Clee having been lost. The hills were formerly a Royal forest by the name of " the Haye of Ernestry and Les Clives.'' Lcland, who visited Shropshire about 1530, says : — "The hilles next to WenloR be cauUid the liroime Clc, and ther be Dcre." Cleobury Mortimer. — D, Claiherie; 13th century, Cleyhuri, Clebiivy Mortimer. Cleobury stands near the base of the Clee liills, and derives its prefix from them, Cleo being a plural form of A. S. clif (for which see Clee hills). For "bury," see Clunbury. It belonged to the Mortimers at the time of Domesday, and long afterwards. Cleobury means literally " the burh at the hills." There was a castle here, which is one of the meanings of hurh. Clun. — D.Clu7ie; 13th century, CZime, subsequently Cloune, Claivne, but generally Clun. I know of no place-names in England commencing with Clun, except in Salop. It is not an A. S. word, but clearly Celtic. It is lost in AVelsh and Manx, but preserved in Gaelic and Irish as CZuaiw (pronounced " Cloon")= meadow or pasture bordering on bog. In Ireland about 1800 place-names commence Clon and Cloone, such as Clonuiacnois = the meadow of the sons of Nos ; Clonbanc^ white meadow; Clonboy = yullow meadow; C]oonybrien = Ih'ian's meadow ; Clonmel = the meadow of the bees, ».^c. The Domesday and first loth century form, " Clune," would be pronounced " Cloon," as in Irish, and, I think, identity the word. " Clown," in Derbyshire, is Chine in Domesday, and lias probably the same etymon. Clungunford.— D. Clone ; 13th century, Clonne-Geneford, Clnne-GonncJ{ord), Clungunnert ; Uth century, Clonegoneford. "Clun "here would have the same origin as " Clun " (q. v.) Domesday tells us "Guuward held it" (in Saxon time), Guuward, Cunmer, Giiuwar, or Gunnert, as his name was variously spelt, ludd several manors in Salop in the time of Edwanl the Confessor (Eyton). Cluniu-rv.— D. Cliineberie, 1263, Clunbiry. For " Clun," sce"l'luii." The terminations herie, h iry, bury, nvc fovmii of A. S. 6a/7/, dative birig, ci dwelling, village, town, &c. Clun- bury would therefore mean the " burh " in the meadow, .iV^ «a iloiyc'. .Ui'. on i' .-.rj, ,; 'Ki hiiuvff ,,_.,.. him t\Lllnn of a jiCrsonal name. The termination ho is common tn h.vou an. I IJneoln shires, and occasional only in the Ml ll.iikds k i-i A. S. Ao/), fio, hoo, the original meaning of wKi-h w.ii it poim of land formed like a heel or boot stretching tti\^ A I'l^lu. or the sia. Ultimately, 1 think it came to mean any k.ui.1 t>\ liill ; bul I have no authority for that opinion, cic.jtJ ol,,,tTv.ktion. Walsall, before the Conquest, was Walcs- f.«, yn\.\y]\, ligidlv intriiui'tcd, means" the hill of the >:r.in.,'cr.s ;" but " \Vules " nail come to be a personal name as lurlv us the ninth century, and the probability is that \Vuf.s,ill ii'u ans " Wahs' hill." It changed the terminal ho to /.,j/r', jii:d hi) bLCome Wales-hale, in the early part of the \'li)i itiitury. (lATAciif. — Always Gatacre since the Conquest. Probably A. S. ij'it, go.it, anil acci', a field =^ goat field. IlAt»NAi.i,, near Shrewsbury. — I), lladehclle ; 12th century, ll^ihn/i'ilt' (>e Viral charters). Tlie charters are [)referable to |)omt'sday, which hero is certainly at fault; they give us the L'fjiitive form of a ))ersonal name; I suggest " Ileadda " = the liall of lleadda. "J laden" is now a common personal name, und has, probably, the same root. llAiti.LscoT, near Shrewsbury. — Not in D. ; 12th century, IfLrluv>'.~ichot ; 13th contiivy, Ilarlauscote, Harlescote, Harlaws- (otc, llcfl , .... Oif.t 'to J;i/5ff Y,i'«'iS9 oiij ni ,■ ' .f« » ^X,'fUjaoo. fl;!5r| ; ,(! .a.i n 10 ON SOME SHROPSHIRE PLACE-NAMES. Haycrust, near Acton Scott, Without enquiry this would be as fine a field for guess as Cressage. It is not in D., but in 13th century charters it is Ilavcklturst, Ilaueklturst. A. S. hafoc, M. E. hccvec, a hawk, A.S., liyrst, M. E. hurst, a wood = Hawk-wood. " Hawk " was, however, a personal name, as now, audit is possible that the wood might be named after someone possessing or occupying it. In ancient language " wood '' did not imply a collection of trees, but " wild land," timbered or otherwise. HiNSTOCK, — D. Stoche ; 13th century, Hinestok, Hinstoke, Hynestok. Probably A. S. Ilhia-stoc, the hind's (labourer's) ])lace. But here again " Hine " is a personal name, and though I have not met with it, probably was so in remote times. " Ina " was an A. S. name. Hope Bowdler, near Ludlow. — This is a not uncommon instance of " change " of name. D. gives it " Fordritishope." Hope is a common prefix or suffix in Salop, and means a hollow, a valley ; A. S. hop ; M. E. hope. The Domesday name v/ould therefore be " Forthneds or Frddrteds valley ;" but in the 13th century we find it Hop, Hope, Hupe Biidlers. Eyton says : — " In the hands of the ' de Boilers ' it acquired the name of Hope Boilers or Buthlers, of which Bowdler is the modern form." HoPTON Wafre. — D Hoptone ; A. S. hop-tone, " the ton in the valley." Hop has several meanings, all connected witli a valley. In the ])oem of lieowulf it is used in the sense of a fen or swamp. The " le Wafres," or "de Wafrcs," were ancient lords. HuGHLEY, near Wenlock, — Not in Domesday ; 13th century, Le(ja, Lee; A. S., leak, leag, pasture. Hugh, from Hugh de Lee, an ancient lord of tlio manor. Huntington, near Ludlow. D. Hantenetune ; 13th century, Huntiton, Hwntindon; A. S. hunta, tune. The Domesday form is from the genitive plural huntena, and gives us " Hunter's town." But again " Hunta " was an A. S. personal name. Ingwardine. — This is one of the few Shropshire place- names of which we have record before Domesday. It is mentioned in the will of Wulfgoat of Donnington^ (early 11th century) as Tngeiuyrthe; D. has it Ingiirdine ; 12th century charters Ingiurdin and H'mgwordin; 13th century, Ing- ivordine. I have no doubt " Inge " represents the A. S. 1 Transactions, 2ud S., V. III., p. 3G. to ,'(f "^tnao fIjC r , a*»Av:i..^iuiiuA\ .11. .v/oIliuJ t .0-S .^1 ,.III . V ON SOME SHROPSHIRE PLAOE-NAMES. 11 l>ersonal name " Inga," and that the accurate original name was " Ingan-wyrthe/'^the farm (or property) of Inga. This is a good illustration of the gradual passage of the A. S. wyvthc, Lc, into luardine, as mentioned under Belswardine. isoMHUiDGE, near WeUington. — B.Aanehruge; 12th century, I'Unchrajg ; 13th, Eneshrugge, Esnehrugg, Esoinhrklge ; 14th, Eanchiugge. Esne in A. S. means a servant, retainer ; but hero it iy evidently used as a personal name. It was a common nuine, and despite its meaning, frequently borne by men of rank. Wo may safely construe it as Esne's bridge (A. S, brycg, M. Iv brig, hruggc). lviNNi:m,i;v, near Knockin. — D. Chenardlie ; 12th century, l\tii(ir((.-. (7<. being hartl, we may safely attribute this to the A. S. pcrsDiiid name "Cyncheard," giving us Cyneheard's lea (pasture). KvNAsrox, nuar Ivnockin. — D, Chlmerestun ; 12th century, Kill' vcidi stun. We may very well assign this to the personal n.iiiu' (%in>v\ai-d {'■Ji.^n. weardes) ton, town (or dwelling.) KiNNKiuiiN, uiur iJishop's Castle. — 13th ceniMxy, Kg newar- iL>n : l')'M, Kjanci'iloii. The roots are few, but the earher olio U pr jb.ibly Correct, and would give us the A. S. personal ii.kuu! ■• « "ynt wr.ird " 's iliLii (hill). The change from dun to A >n, uii I ii»'-u t') iux is not uncominon. It is well to say that aU jxifv-.n.il n.inu;.<» .suggrstcd ap[)car in A. S. charters, unless • il.. r«i>4j uittiliuncd. KtsNci.hi.KV. — 1). iViinurdi >('(i' tu, a stream. Tlie Ch in the D. form sliould be j'r«)ni)iini'Lil K. F.oNti.si.ow. — Tliis is a very curious example of corruption. In I>. it is W'aldiiceslau ; in the 12th century, WohiclLeslaiue, \\'l< )dt\^liiire, Wlunkcalaivc, Wlonkcsloive (frequently); 13th century, Ldugislaue, Loiigldow. The terminals lau and laiue rtipri.sent A. S. hhiw, Idnu; M. E. low, lawe, a funeral mound, lunudus. Tiie prefix is perplexing; it looks like A. S. ^ulonc, prouil, splendid (with the genitive e.s added). I have not met with it as a personal name, but a man might be named, or nii'knanied, " wlonc" just as we have records of Norse ''rrouds" in England, and the name " Koden," A. S. hrodcn, orna- mented, adornud. I think we may venture to read this as ]Vli)ac-es-}daii^ the mound (or burial place) of Wlonc. MkoI.K IIuace.— 1). Mclna ; I2th century, iMole, Moles; 13tli century, Aides, Madcs, Meolc, Mcolcs, J\lclcabraceg. The do ill,. V'- . . ,. 19. . 12 ON SOME SHROPSHIRE PLACE-NAMES. Bracey, Braci, or Brascey family held the manor in the 12th and 13th centuries. Meole is perhaps W. moel (my-oel) a hill, generally a bare hill ; often applied to hillocks or sand banks. Monk Meole.— l>.Mdam; 13th ccntmy, Mode, Aleola-Mo7ik{it belonged to the monks of Build was). For Meole see Meole Brace. Mytton, near Shrewsbury. — D. Mutone ; 13th century, Muton, Mutton. Mytton or Mitton is a common place-name. All Mittons I know are situate upon the confluence of streams, and when traced back are " Mutton." I think it clear the root is A. S. Tiiutha, gen. muthan, the mouth of a river ; 7}iyihe, gen. Qnythan, has the same meaning, and 1 find all places named, or commencing Myth, are at a confluence. This Mytton is, I believe, near the junction of a stream with Severn. The well-known Shropshire family name " Mytton " was formerly " Mutton." Neen. — I). Nena. All Shropshire Neens are on the river Rea, which Eyton says was formerly called the Neen. Neenton seems to have changed its name. In D. it is Wetventone = clearly New-ton ; in the 13th century it is Neuton, Neivton, Neynton, Neuton; 14th, Neinton. Neen Savage. — D. Nene; 1341, Nein Savage. A family of " le Savage," or " Sauvage," were its lords, Neen Sollars. D. Nene. " SoUars " is derived from a family of " de Solariis or Solers," who were its Norman lords. Neen must, I think, be derived from W. neint, pi. of nant, a brook, stream. There is a " Nene " in Northamptonshire, and a " Nent " in Cumberland. Newport was founded by Henry I. In the 12th century it is termed New borough (Novo Burgo) ; in the 13th Neiqwrt; 13th and 14th, Neuport and Newborough (sometimes in the same document). A. S. port, a town (when used inland). Many ancient roads are called " the Portway," and are conse- quently supposed to bo " Roman " ways leading to a seaport ; but they are usually the way to the market town of the locality, though sometimes they are parts of a great road. Oaken Gates. — 1535, Okynyate ; 153G, Wohyiiatt. The earlier form gives a little help. The ville is situate on a steep hill side of Watling Street. I think it is W. ochr or ockren, a hill .side, and ^l. E. gate and yatc, a road, street = the street on the hill side. Throughout the Midlands there arc many places named Ocker Hill, llockerill, and Hockley, all on hill sides. Bedwardine, near Brampton Bryan. — \). Pcdcwede ; 13th century, Pewarthyn, Pedeiuardyn, Pedwordln. Probably from the A. S. personal naTnc Pcada and worUiyn, a farm (see Bclswardine) = Peada's farm. a;. if/'/ix Qdi .gib'toi - £ mem hayivsh ai " aiiitlv^Ci .:iif;//L .U /> !>:;,,... ,.;^.."jiijU.v' .'» iil III .1 fliM m 'dv 8,iT . .... ,,. : (f$a.j« ii i:jo ox;i«jJ« ON SOME SIIROPSniRE PLACE-NAMES. 13 OxENBOLD, near Shrewsbury. — I). Oxibola ; 13th century, Oxiicboicd, Oxenbodc; 14lh century, Oxnebold; A. S., Oxna- hold, the cows-house, PoNTKsituuY, near Shrewsbury. — In the A. S. Chronicle, under. the year GGl, we read : — " In this 3'^ear Kenwealh fouglit lit Easter at Pustnteshurli." This must be Tontesbury, as the name is uuiiiue. In 1). we find it I'antc^herie ; in tlie 13th centiiiy, I'dntc-^hcri ro^tiit or l\ii}t certainly represents a juT.ioind name, of whieli cs is the genitive ; but 1 have not met with .siiih u name, or any like it ; for burJi see Clunbury. lu)i)i.N, KuDLNiiUKST, and Kodington, all situate on the river Kodon, near Wellington. We have here another A. S. r»)ui, Wulfgate of Donnington by his will (early part of lltli century) " grants his wife the land at Cylles-hall " (Kilsall, near Tong), " and at Eowinglade " (Evenlode in Worcester- shire), " and at I/rodene, the while her day be ;" &c. In D. wc hnd liodintone ; m the 13th century, liodene and Rodyn- harst. Uiver names being generally more ancient than A. S. personal names, and important factors in place-names,Ave might readily sui)[)0S0 that the stream gave its name to the three phiees upon it; but A. S. hrodene means laden, laden with ornaments, ornamented, adorned — terms unlikely to be applied to a river, but not unlikely to be bestowed on some gorgeous individual. The surname " Rodcn" is not uncommon in the Midlands, though, as a place-name, it is confined to Salop. RodcnJuLvst mean's Roden's wood. The ing in Rodington is certainly patronymic, meaning " descendants of," and we may therefore construe that name as " the toAvn of the descendants of Koden." Rivers rarely take their names from individuals, and often confer them, but I have met with local exceptions, verified by ancient charters. 1>uyton-of-']'jie-Eleven-To\vns. — D. Ruitone ; 13th century, Raton; 14th, Ruitone. Etymons embracing two languages should always have good evidence to support them ; but Welsh and Anglo-Saxon are certainly sometimes mingled in Salop, a'nd even in parts of Staffordshire. I tliink the prefix repre- ents W. rhiw, a slope or hill side, followed by the A. S. ton = the town on the hill side. There are two Rytons in Saloj), anciently Ruitone, and Rutone. " Of-the-Eleven-towns " is said to refer to eleven " tons," or liamlets, sup[)Osed to bo, or to liave been, members of Ruyton. In an article in the Transactions of tlie S. A. Society, ix. 24G, they are said to bo Cotton, Eardistun, Ruyton, Shelvock, Shotatton, Wikoy, llaughton, Rednal, Sutton, Tedsmoro, and West Eelton, but no authority is given for that statement. Eyton says the ,»-+-.-.->' .-f t-Oi « . -., to ,'fd 0.1 l)030(JfjffP .^.lylllJi, 14 ON SOME SHROPSHIRE PLACE-NAMES, existinsf townships are Ruyton itself, Cotton, Eardiston, Shel- vock, Shotatton, and Wykey ; he supposes the other five are " lost." I am told that Kuyton is situate on a hill side, sloping to the river Terry. Severn. — Roman, " Sahrina ;" Early W., Safren; A. S., Sccferne, Seferne ; Later W., Ilafren. Professor Rhys says the early Welsh never had an initial h ; but by the ninth century initial s had passed into h. He thinks the Romans and Saxons may have learned the name of the river from British Gauls, and not from the Welsh. As the Romans were in the habit of adopting native names so far as their language would allow, the etymology of Severn should probably be sought in some pre-Roman tongue. In Irish, Sahkraun (pronounced Savran) means a boundary, and was the ancient name of the river Lee, County Cork. The Severn was certainly in parts an ancient boundary, and possibly so in pre-Roman times. The conver- sion of " iSabhraun" into Sahrina by the Romans, and by the Anglo-Saxons into Sceferne, is not unlikely; but it is only a suggestion. In studying river names one is frequently landed and lost in the mist of some " unknown tongue." Sheriff Hales lias had a chequered career in the way of names. We find it in D. Halas ; in 1255, Halys \ in 1259, Hales Paunton ; in 12G5, Hales Trussell ; in 1281, Hales upon Lousyerd (Lizard) ; in 1327, Sheriff Hales. It Avas Hales Paunton because in the 12th and 13th centuries the Pantulfs, later known as Pantons and Pauntons, were its lords ; ILales Trussell because the Trussells succeeded them ; and Sheriff Hales because Rainold liailgiole. Sheriff of Shropshire, was its lord in the latter part of the 11th century ; Hales upon Lous- yerd because of its vicinity to Lizard hill. Hales being a common name, it was found necessary to give some distinctive addition to most places so called ; but why the titles of com- paratively modern lords should be abandoned, and that of an early Norman lord preferred, does not appear. In this case Domesday is entirely right, " halas " being the plural of A.S. heath, a word of somewhat doubtful meaning, but used in most charters in the sense of meadow, pasture, or enclosed land. Heales is the genitive singular of healh, and the passage from Halas to Heales, and thence to Hales, Avould be natural. There are some place-names terminating " in Hales " (such as Retton in Hales) = Retton in the meadows, &c. Shrawardine. — D. Saleindine; 12th century, Snewardin, Shraivardine, Schrawiirdl ; V3lh century, SJireiunrthln, Schyre- woiihdin, Schrcwardyn. Eyton says it is sometimes called " Castle Isabel," there having been a Royal border fortress ..'t Of Or '"*»v ON SOME STIIIOPSIITRE PLACE-NAMES. 15 hero. In 1272 tho then lord had a wife Isabel (de Mortimer)- Hliikeway {Ifl-^t. of >t:k AltU-y, An. 901, tested "in civitate Scrobbensis." I'tidiT the year 1000 we find in three versions of the A. S. Chroniolo >>crvibe.^i>/riccfi>(i't'. The terminal is clearly A. S. ccasicr, cesler (dat. ceastro), a fortress, generally : al .iruiaii'ji.'./.) oilT .'i'i'iv.ii.'j' 18 ON SOME SHllOrdlllRE PLACE-NAMES. applied by the Anglo-Saxons to tbo ruins of Roman cities. Wroekwardine in D. is Recordine ; 12th century, Wrucivrthn, Wurucheivitrthin ; 13th century, Wrocwuirdin, WrocJauitrdin, WrocwiirtJiln. The terminal is certuinly A.S. ■wcortJihjn (see Uelswardine), a farm. The Jled Jjook of llergest (Skene's Four Books, ii. 288), though relating to events of the sixth century, is evidently a mediieval composition. It contains a verse which refers to Wroxcter or the Wrekin : — Have I not gazed from Dinllc Wrecon on tlie patrimony of Ffrcucr, Witli grief for its social enjoyment. Dinlle means a fortified place, and as there is an old fort on the Wrekin, it is more likely that the bard " gazed " — with " eye in a fine frenzy rolling" — from a hill top than from low lying Wroxeter. In the original Welsh verso " Wrecon " is written " Urecon." I submit there is strong reason to believe that Wrekin has its root in a Welsh personal name, such as " Wrycon," passing into Roman " Yriconium," and A.S. " Wreocen," and that Wroxeter and WrockAvardine take their prefixes from it. The Roman form Vriconium, sometimes written Vriconion, supports this view, the suffix ium or ion meaning that the locality was the property or territory of " Vricon." jo viouTi:.:? -lo vjfaqo'jq osii nr-w viii.GOoi 19 COMMITTEE FOR THE SEQUESTRATION OF THE ESTATES OF SflROPSIIIRE DELINQUENTS. By R. LL. KENYON. The following letter is among the "Accounts and Papers relating to Sequestered Estates" in the British Museum, Add. MSS. 5,508, f. 113 :— Gent, We received y''^ of the 29'^ of August last whereby we understand that you are authorized by the llon^''= Houses of Parliament to put an ordinance of theirs of the 19^'' of June last in execution for the taking of accounts of all sequestered estates and receiving of such money which is in the hands of any intrusted or employed by the State in that business : and thought good to acquaint you that it pleased the hon^'"" houses of Parhament upon the undertaking of this Committee to reduce this County unto the obedience of the Parliament it being then wholly in the possession of the enemy to grant a special ordinance of Parliament unto them for the raising of money both out of delinquents estates and otlierwise for the pay of the forces raised or to be raised for the services of the TarHament in that County ; and accurdingly tiiis Committee have employed and converted and by virtue of the said ordinance do emjiloy the said money for the pay of such officers and soldiers in the County and tlie payment of many great sums of money charged upon this County for the pay of the arrears of officers and soklicrs that have formerly served the State therein and for and towards several other necessary uses for the defence of the County ; wherefore as we contend this committee is exempted out of the said ordinance by reason of the proviso therein contained ; thus at present we rest Your assured friends to serve you 11. iMACKW^OUTH Tir. Nicoi.LS Salop 7^*^ October 1G48. Sam. Moke. Vol. VI., lind S. O i 4.^.1 -^ r: ' i.0 '^ he 3 0,1 . .... .■ ■■ )iiu ih\j . , , . . ) a ^ofi-i^ 01 vmonsi yriJ "-^^ ■ ■: ^' ' ■■'■'■'■ oih •!■ •;•; ^: ! 0) 1 i). I Y 6 .if ,?oO ''^V 'J .c. iini: 20 COMMITTEE FOR THE SEQUESTRATION OF The letter is addressed — " To our honoured frierxds Sam^ Avery, William Hobson, and Eichard Hill, Esq" Commissioners for Sequestrations at Guildhall, London, these present." On the 1st April, 1G43, an Ordinance was made by the two Houses of Parliament for Sequestering Delin- quents' Estates into the hands of Committees for each County nominated in the Ordinance, or to be nominated afterwards by the two Houses. This is printed by Rushworth and Scobell, but the names of the members of the Committees are not given. On the 10th April, 1G43, the Shropshire Committee was appointed by another Ordinance. On the 13th June, 1644, an Ordinance was made "for raising of moneys for the maintenance of such forces as are and shall be raised in the County of Salop, for the service of the Parliament." It was, no doubt, this Ordinance upon wliich the Shropshire Committee of Sequestrations acted, and to which they refer in the above letter. On the 17th December, 1647, an Ordinance was made ** for appointing the Committee of Sequestrations in tlie several counties of England and Wales speedily to deliver in an account of all the sequestered lands and goods, and how they have been disposed of;" and it was followed by Ordinances on the same subject on the 9th August and 25th August, 1G48. None of these Ordinances of 1G44, lG47i and 1G4S are })rinted by Kushworth or Scobell, but the latter gives the titles of them. We see by the above letter that the Shropshire Committee strongly objected to being called upon to give an account of the money they had extracted from the estates of their Royalist neighbours. The signatures to the letter are those of well-known persons. The two former were among the Aldermen of Shrewsl)ury nominated in the King's Charter of June, IG38. They both, however, declared themselves against the King, and absented themselves i'rom Shrews- bury while the'King was there in 1G42, and when he OOi'ijrni:- ail') .f^•ji^ .«no-'yfe ^■^''•^ ■■ f ,. " i'.vr w .jiji> >{■,:. fiT THE ESTATES OF SHROPSHIRE DELINQUENTS. 23 of 4 June and 27 August, 1641, the House of Commons resolved that he ought to have reparation from the Council, that the information against him in the Star Chamber ought to be taken off the file, and the Lord Keeper Coventry (then dead), Archbishop. Laud, Lord Cottington, and others who had caused his imprison- ment, ought to be proceeded against. Sir John was named in the Ordinance of 10 April, 1643, as chief of the Shropshire Committee of Sequestrations, and on 22 Sept. of that year he took the Covenant in the House of Commons. He was named in August, 1648, as a member of " the Committee of Lords and Commons to adjudge and determine scandalous offences." He was first cousin to the Royalist Sir Richard Lee, and to the father of the Parliamentarian General Mytton. He married Anne, daughter of Sir George Mainwaring of Ightfield, and had 20 children, of whom 17 grew up. (See Rushworth i. 458, 473; ii. 10; iv. 7, 281, 381 ; Scobell's Acts; Phillips's Civil War in Wales, &c., p. 160). Thomas Mytton was of Halston, and^ became a Colonel in the Parliamentary Army. He was the most active and successful of the Parliamentary leaders in this county, and was the principal instrument in captur- ing Wem, Oswestry, and Shrewsbury from the Royalists. For the last of these exploits he received the thanks of the House of Commons on the 29th March, 1645. He was Parliamentary Sheriff of Shropshire in 1645, took Ruthin and Conway in 1646, became a Major-General, and was wounded in an attack on Anglesey in 16-18. He was M.P. for Shropshire in 1654, and died in 1656, and was buried in S. Chad's, Shrewsbury. His family was of importance in Shrewsbury as early as 1313, and had been settled at Halston since about 1560. Andrew Lloyd of Aston became a Colonel in the Par- liamentary army, and was elected by a meeting of free- holdcis c(^nvcncd at Oswestry by the Parliajn(>.ntary Sherilf, Thomas Mytton, to succeed Sir Richard Lee, a Royalist, as M.P. for Shropshire ; but Mytton suddenly eB" ft^t;>r 4 24 COMMITTEE FOR THE SEQUESTRATION OF adjourned the meetinoj to Alberbury, and there got a number of people who were not freeholders to elect a Mr. Edwards, a relation of his own. So at least says a petition to Parliament, a copy of which is at Aston; tlie date must have been 1G45, as it was in that year that Mytton was sheriff. Sir Richard Lee had been captured in Shrewsbury in February, 1G44-5, and after that event Mr. Lloyd had done his best to prevent Mytton from being appointed, as he wished, to be Governor of the town. It appears from some papers at Boreatton that Andrew Lloyd and his brother, and a number of other persons, went to hunt deer in Boreatton Park about 1GG6, and were there met by some keepers, who shot at them, and Mr. Lloyd was killed. A legal inquiry followed, but the result is not stated. Boreatton had by that time become the property of Mr. Lloyd's former colleague, Col. Hunt. Mr. Lloyd married a daughter of Thomas Powell of Park, and left several children ; but the present family of Aston are descended from him in the female line only. Robert Clive of Stiche is said to haV|e been a member of the Long Parliament, but was not an original member. lie must have been an active Roundhead, for the Royal- ists of Shrewsbury are said to have added the following clause to their Litany : — From Wem and from Wyclie And from Clive of the Stiche Good Lord deliver us. Wem and Nantwich were Parliamentary garrisons. Robert Clive, however, must have overcome his re- ])ublican tendencies, for ho was Sheritl of the County in 1G74. He was an ancestor of the present Earl of Powis. Robert Charleton was uncle of the owner of Apley, who was a minor, and whose mother had married one Thomas Ilaiuner, and held Aploy Castle lor the King. Thomas Hunt was son of Ricliard Hunt, who had been three times Bailiff of Shrewsbury, and who was the fourth of tho twenty-four Aldermen of Shrewsbury ^,f.. w ^.,A J,,. p. THE ESTATES OF SHROPSHIRE DELINQUENTS. 25 nominated by the King in June, 1638. It is curious tliat in that list his name is immediately preceded by that of Hugh Harris, fourth son of Sir Thomas Harris of Boreatton, the estate in which the Hunts were to supplant the Harrises. Thomas Hunt was a Captain of tliO Militia in 1G42, and had by that time become an Alderman of Shrewsbury, but, as mentioned above, he was expelled from that office. In 1643 he assisted ]\Iackworth and Mytton to establish at Wem the first garrison the Parliament had in this county. In 1645, after the capture of Slirewsbury by the Parliament, he was restored to his oflice of Alderman, and in November of that year was declared to be M.P. for Shrewsbury, in place of the duly elected member, Francis Newport, who was a Royalist. On the death of Humphrey Mackworth in December, 1654, Col. Hunt was made Governor of Shrewsbury. In the following March Sir ThoniLis Harris appointed a rendezvous at Boreatton of a party who were to surprise Shrewsbury and hold it for Charles 11. , but the plot was discovered, and Sir Thomas was seized. He had been previously captured by the Parliament in Shrewsbury in 1644, and he and his widowed mother (for his father, Sir Paul, had died that same year) had then had to compound for their estate by a fine of j£l,542. Probably this plot of 1655 ruined him, though he was not put to death for it, for shortly afterwards the Boreatton estate passed into the hands of Col, Hunt. The conveyance is dated 1663. Col. Hunt was Sheriff of Shropshire in 1656, and Mayor of Shrewsbury in 1657, and he died in that town in 1669. 'Hie Harris baronetcy became extinct in 1685. Boreatton is still owned by the descendants of Thomas Hunt, but Baschurch School still has an endowment given to it by the Harris family. Leighton Owen was son of Mr. Ptobert Owen of Wood house, by his third wife, Mary, daughter of Thomas Leighton of Wattlesborough, through whom he obtained the estate of Braginton, in the parish of Alberbury. He was a captain in the Parliamentary t •K>\ ^^i lot iiinQb Qi loq doft 8ev; f .:.;■ ■ { J i. o j_i — 26 COMMITTEE FOR THE SEQUESTRATION OF ESTATES. army, and became a Commissioner under the Act of February, 1G49-50, "for better Propagation and Preach- ing the Gospel in Wales, ejecting Scandalous Ministers and Schoolmasters, and Redress of some Grievances." He left only daughters, co-heiresses, one of whom married one Edward Griffiths of Old Marton, in the parish of Whittington, and their grandson Samuel Griffiths was Sherilf of Shropshire in 1759. The Committee of Sequestrations, then, or Committee of Parliament, as it was often called, for Shropshire, seems to have consisted of these persons ; — Sir John Corbet, Bart., of Stoke and Adderley, Thomas Mytton of Halston, Humphrey Mackworth of Betton Strange, Thomas Nicolls of Boycott, Samuel More of Linley, Andrew Lloyd of Aston, Bobert Clive of Stiche, Kobert Charlton of Apley, Thomas Hunt, afterwards of Boreatton, Leiofhton Owen of Braffinton. All of them were men of high standing, and nearly all were of good old county families. All except Mackworth and Nicolls are represented among tiie county families at the present day. Some of the facts stated in this paper about the Lloyds of Aston and Hunts of Boreatton are from private sources. The authorities for the rest of the paper, except the letter with which it begins, aie Owen and Blakeway's Shrewsbury, The Sheriffs of Shropshire , Burke's Peerage and Landed Gentry, Bushworth's Hist. Collections, Scobell's Acts of Parliament, and Mrs. Stackhouse Acton's Garrisons of SJiropshire. ^hm iiCi -T-l- A '. iW 1)1 3 J '.'0 oil! )ii a i*.jod^o*iirj .kjM 27 THE OTTLEY PAPERS RELATING TO THE CIVIL WAR. Edited by WILLIAM PHILLIPS. PREFACE. By the kindness of Colonel Cotes, of Pitchford, I have had the loan of a book, in MS., containing copies of a large number of original letters and papers addressed to Sir Francis Ottley, Knight, formerly Governor of Shrewsbury, and others, during and sub- sequent to the Civil War, preserved in tbe Pitchford muniments. The authors of the '' History of Shrews- bury," Owen and Blakeway, inform us that " these papers had been communicated to Carte, who quoted them at iv., 455, but made little use of them. They form a most interesting folio volume, for the use of which we are indebted to the Honourable Cecil Jenkin- son, M.P., of Pitchford." These local historians, however, being limited for space, and compelled to confine themselves chiefly to the history of the town, were unable to make more than a very limited use of them, and hence they have remained comparatively unknown to Salopians. In 1838 J. G. Nicholis printed a large number in his " Collectanea Topographica et Genealogica," from transcripts made by the late George Morris, of Shrewsbury, accompanied by brief but valu- able notes contributed by the transcriber. But, inas- much as this work is expensive, and possessed by few, it is thought desirable that a complete collection should be printed in these Transactions, Vol. VI., 2ua S. p -awf:.'- - w 28 THE OTTLEY PAPERS I would express my thanks to Colonel Cotes for his kind permission to print these interesting documents, and also to Mr. II. W. Adnitt, of Shrewsbury, for lending me George Morris's original transcripts and notes, which have saved me much additional trouble. Canonbury, Shrewsbury, July 30th, 1893. Mr. Morris's notes are denoted by his initials — G.M. Sir Francis Ottley, Knight. Francis Ottley, of Pitchford, Salop, Esq., was the eldest son of Thomas Ottley, of the same place, Esq., by Mary, daughter of Iloger Gifford, M.D.,co. Buckingham. He was born 1601, entered Shrewsbury School at the age of ten, and was admitted of LincDln College, Oxford, 1618. lie was fourth in descent from William Ottley, Esq., of Pitchford, Sheriff in 1 500, whose father, Thomas Ottley, was third son of Phillip Ottley, lord of the manor of Oteley, near Ellesmere. Thomas, being a younger son, embarked in business in Shrewsbury, in the clothing trade, became a merchant of the Staple of Calais, and being eminently successful, purchased Pitch- ford in 1473, and founded that branch of the flxmily of which Francis Ottley became so distinguished a member. In 1624 Mr. Francis Ottley married Lucy, daughter of Thomas Edwards, Esq., of the College, Shrewsbury, widow of Thomas Pope, she being eight years his senior, by whom he had three sons and a daughter. Charles I. ascended the throne the same year that Mr. Ottley married Mrs. Pope, and the King and he were within one year of being the same age. The state of jmblic feeling regarding the restrictions imposed upon the King by the Commons, and the resistance he offered to those restrictions, divided the nation into two hostile parties, Qin ij .M.0-~"8ifiiaiai 8fd ^d LoJoa^b eu) ec ©r: tX^ at oii. *io -I' io /It. Ic iiiiiiiv/ 6* I oil'" ' ■■■ iy.-: helatikg to the civil wars. 29 iind every man had to make his choice of King or Par- Hament. Mr. Ottley was an uncompromising royalist. In 1642 when the affairs of tlie King assumed so serious a turn, and it became necessary to secure his position in the provinces, he selected Mr, Ottley, as one in whom he could trust, to raise a regiment of two hundred foot. The commission is dated Sept. 10, 1642. Seven days later, another commission dated from Stafford com- manded Mr. Ottley to employ this force in securing Shrewsbury '' in these times of distraccion, against all assaults, surprise, or attempt, which may bee made afjainst the same." How lonoc after this the honour of knighthood was conferred upon him has never yet been determined, but it was certainly within this same month of September. The King having paid his memorable visit to Shrewsbury, where he received such a loyal wel- come,he conferred a further honour on Sir Francis Ottley, by appointing him Governor of the town, which post he held till 1644, when, having voluntarily relinquished it, he was appointed to the more honourable oflice of High Sheriff, for the year 1645. He continued to serve the royal cause with unswerving fidelity, was taken prisoner at the battle of Worcester, and had to com- pound for his estate by the payment of jC 1,200. He died in London, Sept. 1, 1649. THE OTTLEY PAPERS. R. BROWNE TO FRANCIS OTTLEY. 1641. Sir. Having often writt unto you of many matters in Question but nothing perfected ; I am now Ambitious to be tho first Messenger that shall inform you of that you have so long expected, and, withall, to give your Worsliip many thanks for your undeserved IJountie, and shall studio somo service that may bo acceptable in part of a Alerritt. iMuy it, thereforo, please you to understand that now it is concluded that tho 1j is/'l. 30 THE OTTLEY PAPEHS Lord deputie, (about whom there hath been so much time bestowed) shall dye tomorrow upon Tower Hill in the view of the whole world. The King, in regard of some promise that lie had made to him to save his life, was very unwilling to sett liis hand to the Warrant for his execution, yet, in regard he was so hard pressed thereto by the Parlam^ and seeing the Citizens to bo so cagar of it as that they would not be denied, and seeing many other dangers that have lately been dis- covered, he did condecend and sign it upon Monday Morning last, and then did also give the Parlam* free leave to sit for two whole Years, and to do what they pleased for the Governm*' of the State ; and if they did mislike any of his Officers or Serv'^ they should at their pleasure and discretion put in others, to chuse a new Lord Deputie for Ireland, and another man in the Lord Cottingtons place, being the Master of the Court of Wards, who is returned into the Country, and resigned his place ; or whatsoever else they please to do in that time he will not contradict ; upon Tuesday the last week there was stranj^'e Matters discovered to the Parlam*, how as yet is not Certamly known ; it's said by a Captain out of the North who sent them Word that the harte of our Armie was taken from them, and if they pleased to send for him he could discover more ; certain it is there was some damnable conspiracie intended ag^*' the State, in which there is already a great Company known to have been [concerned], it is said 50 at least, for which some are already fledd, as the Lord of Carnarvon ; Mr. Henry Percie, the Earl of Northumberland's Brother, and a great favourite of the King's; Mr. Henry Jennyn the Queen's groat favourite, a man looked upon by the whole Court, and every thing approved being done by him ; also S' John Suklingjone Cap'^ Davenant; Cap* Billingslcy, anil others. All these went away u[)on Wednesday last ; tis thought the Queen had an intent to have gotten into France, and to that purpose had sent away her things to Portsmouth, p'tending to have a desire to see that town, and to live there for a while, she having a House not far from thence ; she is now confined to Whitehall, and there hath been discovered a great deal of Plate and Jewels that she had conveyed to Portsmouth, where it is now stay'd : what this Plot shou'd be is not yet known, it is said an intent to bring in foreign Powers to Govern all parts of this Uealme, intending to reduce it to popery; but of tiiis you shall hear more hereafter ; We have lost a brave Peer, the Karl of Bedford, who dyed some 5 or G days since of the small Pox ; Secretary Windobank hath petitioned to the Parlm' that ho may have liberty to come over again, and doth promise to *mn- aii\'-: ,700 '■■''' :}ffgi50ilJ Wj ;:rKfil'(_'^ 'if .n..'.!i- b.ii*i ,u.'jiy4:! lyyu ci.fnt)9 oi y^J-ioijii ovca yarsi oi4 RELATING TO THE CIVIL WARS. 31 discover strange Plotts and Stratagems against this state ; tis said he is coining only stays for a Wind ; this day the Sheriff of London had a Writt sent him for the Execu'n of the deputie tomorrow, when tliere is expected some great discovery from him who, as it is thought, shoidd have bcun General of these Young Gallants that are gone : this being all at this time I liumblie take my leave but remain, Your Worpp' Servant London to command, 11th May, 1G41. Ro. liROWNE. This day the King sent a letter to the Parlaim' by the Prince for stay of Execu" of the deputie some certain da3^s ; divers of the Lords went to the King and told him how dangerous it might be to the State, and that ihey durst not assent unto it, and told him that he knew the Londoners, if Justice might take place, had Offered to give £80,000, and to lend within a month £-400,000, and the House of Commons would assent to grant 8 more subsidies ; the King told them that it troubled his conscience censure (sic.) whether he had committed Treason or not ; some say his Majestie wept &c. But tis certainlie conceived that he will be executed to- morrow.^ To the Wor" Francis Ottlcy, Esq., at theCollodgo in Shrews- bury, those del. II. THE SAME TO THE SAME. 1642. Sir, Ihave here inclosed sent you his Maj''^^ Answer to the Petition of the Parliament which I sent . . . weeks, now both the Petition and Answer are put .... books, also the passages that happened at Hull, the Parli' doth Justifie Sir John Hotham in all which he hath done and had £2,000 presently sent him to be disposed of amongst the Garrison as he should think iitt. S' . . . Dorrill is sent for for stopping some j\Iessengers between Hull and the Parlia*^ tis concluded we shall have a Synod and there arc Ministers p'sented 2 for every Countie by the Knights and Ijiu'gosses of the said Counties a list of their names is here inclosed, upon Friday iStamn-d was beheaded ou Tower Hill, Nhiy 12, IGll. His last words were : " I'uL not your trust in I'rinees." ;iMAe WR'v 01' a MAS auT .li j^ii ^iui >(_;■ .SJrOf ,V/}M BELATING TO THE CIVIL WAES. 83 ^ The above two letters are those referred to by the historians of Shrewsbury in the following words : Before the introduction of newspiipers, the only mode by which intelligence could be procured was by engaging the services of some person in London to write an occaslonar/e^/er ofneivs. One of these, from Mr, Ottley's correspondent, Las JDeen preserved, and contains so lively a picture of a most important crisis at the commencement of the pcv^d to which the present chapter refers, that wo should willingly havo introduced it in this place if our hmits had not forbidden its msertion. 0. & 13., i., p. 430. It will bo seen that these authors were ignorant of a second letter. III. COMMISSIONS AND LETTERS FROM THE KING AND GENERALS TO FRANCIS OTTLEY AND OTUERS / / 1642. Instructions for our dearest sone Prince Charles And for our right Trusty and right wellbeloved Cozens and Councellors Thomas Earl of Arundell, John Earl of Bridgwater, our right trusty and well beloved Kobert Viscount Kilmurry, William Lord Craven, Edward Lord Herbert, and our trusty and well beloved the Sherifte and the other Comissioners in our Comission of Array for our County of Salop. Charles R, Whereas we havo named you Comissioners in our Comission of Array for the County of Salop, and thereby give you several powers for the Array inge Trayninge Armmgo leadinge and Conductinge of the Inhabitants of our said County, as by our said Comission, which we herewith send you,' Appeareth. Our will and pleasure is, and we charge and require you, that you, or three or more of you, doe forthwitli send out your warrant tothe Sherillb of our said County for Summoningo the Inhabitants of our said County according to the sa?d Comission, neverthelcsse, Xmuv^ unwilling in our Princly care of our people to bring any nicroasc of Charge upon tliem, wee hope for the present it wil be suflicient if only the Ancient Traynes and fruehould bands of the County be Summoned and Trayned, you taking speciall care that they be well Arrayed and tho number supplyud with sulliciont and ablo persons and under the Conduct of such Captaynes that are doidm ■ ft";. Hi. a^T "io i'Ui'd /-rrlvjl. ■/.;.- .si-ar ,qt)Uc-l to "l' ma .liui,} J:j!jitY£ifi'>i'v.) iloita 34 THE OTTLEY PAPERS persons of qualitie honor considerable Estates and Interest in the Countrey and not Straingers unless you find itshal be well pleasing to our people, and for the necessary defence of the Countrey, to make an augmentation of theire Armes. And you are to take notice that Recusants being disabled by law to bear Arms arc to be Asscsed to find Arras for other men. And if their Tenants that arc protestants bcare Armes you are to receive them. For the better knowledge of your particular duties herein you are all to take Coppies of these our instructions, and to take Transcripts of our said Comission, the original to remayne with one of those of the Quorum ; and your proceedings herein we expect speedy and plenary Accompt. Given at our Court at York the 22nd day of June in the Eighteenth year of our Raigne. IV. THOMAS FOWLER TO FRANCIS OTTLEY. 1642. S'—This Bearer d'd me yo' I're this night, being Fryday night, with the protestation, the subscriptions unto w*"'' Iwill promote what 1 can, & will return it by the time limited, though I must say therein we are something straighten'd ; I fear many of my Neighbours have taken infection lately ; Yet tliis Draught is so clcarc, that (mee thinks) few should scruple the under writing of it. I will do M'hat I can in it, and so I rest, Yo'^ S' to serve you, 'J'lIOMAS FOWLKR.^ Whitchurch, Aug. 10"' 1642. To my much honor'd Friend Francis Otcley, Esq' at the Collcdgc in Salop, p'sent these. The " protestation, the subscription unto ^vhich " Mr. Fowler ])roniises to ])roniote, was that diawn up ]»y the Crand Jury ;it tlie Sliiowsbniy Assizes, on tiie 8th of August, wliich expressed their 'Muiaidnioiis and thank- ful acknowledgements of the good laws, which through the King's goodness, had been enacted in this parlia- ^ or TLirn:i^'c r.ran<:!;o. lie nmrrietl a dau^litov (if T.nn] T,iv('r|H>ol, and l»v l"'i- \v;is f.-illu'r of Sir William [''owici-, cicalc-l I'.aroncL Nov. I, 170l.--(;.iM, ■ 4P>-fj'i':-. liiv/ 1 «*"vy oiau ;■ h'jiojK-' ' ■ ' liifjjrao'j y-j.>} avf ^•'■"■•■^' "• "- ' ' .■■..j " I >, • 4(1 f^' '■■»•» '• «^r!T *io asMJ ill i>OJ;);;M.'» iioau ijjui ^t RELATING TO THE CIVIL WARS. 35 ment ; their readiness to obey his Majesty in all lawful ways for putting the country in a posture of arms for his defence ; and their resolution to adventure their lives and fortunes in defence of his royal and sacred person." It was largely subscribed to at the time, and "abundance more subscribed afterwards." — Vide 0. & B.,i. p. 417. 11312423 V. WILLIAM PYGOTT TO THE SAME. 1642. S', I will, if God spare life, wait upon my Father Pygott to Salop upon Wednesday next, anl be ready at the Place and time Appointed to meet my Brother, with as many of my ■ neighbouring jMinisters^ as I can procure, and, in the mean while, as I have already, so I shall endeavour still to advance the remonstrance of this County with as many hands as I can : thus with my service presented I rest, Your very loving and respective Edgmond Aug«* 21, Friend, 1642. WlLLIA.2 To the Wor" my much respected Friend Mr. Francis Ottley, Salop, these present. VI. RIG. AWNSHAM TO THE SAME. 1642. Noble Friend, I have acquainted Sir Robert Howard^ my Honourable Patron with the Contents of your letter, who rejoyceth much 1 Tliis was a meeting of tlie clergy in Shrewsbury to form an Association, for wliich they were severely threatened by the two Houses of Parliament. '^ In the Parish Register of Clietwynd, under date, 1G45, is recorded the burial of AVilliam Pigott, son of Thomas Pigott of Chctwynd, whom I suppose to be the man who wrote this letter ; and his father, the Thomas Pfgott of Chetwin, gent., who compounded for his estate by piiying £4 10. 3 Sii- llohi'i-t Howard, of (Jluu Castle, co. Salop, Kniglit, 5th son of Thomas Howard, Mirl of Sullolk, from whom he had tliat portion of tlie Shro|ishire ])roperty given him. Ho adhered lirmly to his St)vereigii, was CaiIoiu'I of a lUgiment of Dragoons, and had to pay for his exertions in the Uoyal cause .i^l)l"J is. Od. — (J. M- Vol. Vl,2udS, E £«^l^c^i.iiX ti ,;iWA8 ;;n-)T ot mah8'»iv/a .0111 ,r/ .5: 'tot .a; •.jj-ii..ltij ijvJl ';. -JUJiX^iiHU^y •'•uif j.JAiW;!^ (i »t>. .M .1)-; 36 THE OTTLEY PA PEER to see you so cordiall in his Ma*'*^^ service, and his Ilono'" giveth you thanks for your care and payncs therein ; and according to your dcsyre he will advance the Cause as farr as in him lycth, and will, God willing, be at Salop on Wednesday, though he is not in very good ease to travel for the present, for he hath not been out of his Bed since Saturday was seven night; thus in hast I rest, S'', Yo' humble Servant, Hopesay : Aug. 22°. Ric. Awnsham.^ 104-2. To my honored Freind, Francis Ottlcy, Esq"^, These. VII. FRA. NEWPORT TO THE SAME. 1642. Sir, I desir'd D"^ Smith to wryte y" worde y* I did intende then to bee at Shrewsbury on Wednesday next, but I have met w'*^ occasions since, that make it doubtfull, &, therefore, understanding y' y" have a desire to speake \\^^ mce, 1 have now sent to y" to lett y" know y'' I will meet y" to-day cyther at Tom Eyton's,'^ or at a little blind Alehouse in the longe- wood^ (the mans name is Turslow), w'^'' y" find best for y"" con- venicncy, I shall bee at eyther place by 4 a Clock in the afternoon, pray send me an answeare whether y"l come or noe, & if y*^ doe, w*^'^ of tlie 2 places before named y" will come to, & y" shall there find. Sir, Y' Affectionate friend High Ercall, Aug. 28^^ & servant, 1G42, Tuesday Morning. Fra Newport.* ^ licv. Kicluird Awnsliain (or Anshaiu), was cli;ii)liiiii to a ricgimoiit of Dragoon.s under the command of Sir Itohcrt Howard, Kniglit. 2 Afterwards Sir Thomas Kyton, Kiit., of Eyton-upon-tlie-Wild- monrs, near Wellington, where the family have resided nearly from the Con(]uest. His aetivily and zeal in the eause of his Sovereign were eom})ounded for by (he payment of £1)70. Ife was buried at AVellin-ton, ^bireli lillh, l(158.-^(!. I\l. ^ Still called T.ongswood, and derives its name from an extensive wood then in cxislenee, situate in the parisli of hong, now generally called Lon<4don-\ipon-'JY'rn. — (i. 'M. ■^ Kraneis Newport, eluJ ai. J.' '..'.. ' ■ ' ■■■■ i .;■::, ■' ,o:i 'Xiioy fif''.' "^ i.,>wiji.; yw-j^i r../^.»i*j ii ': ' iv'* h/fuii oiiinoiio-jn A ^Y .ta"(i RELATING TO THE CIVIL WARS. 37 Sir, I make choise of y" places before mentioned as the most secret ones I know of. To my much esteemed kinsman Captaine Francis Oately, in Slirowsbury. these VIII. JOHN WELD TO THE SAME. 1G42. Noble captaine, I find by concurrent advertisments that it is full time for Shrewsbury, and other parts of this County, to be vigilent. S"^ I shall rely uppon your care for the safty of that place, if you suppose you want helpe you shall want none that 1 am able to afford you. 1 wish some of my neighbours here abouts were as well minded as you ; I resolve to try them. I have already given my best advise to Bridgnorth, and I think they will follow it,and so dcsireing to hear from you as often as you find occasion, with all our lovmg respects remembered unto you, I rest, Y"^ Servant, Willoy, 29 August, 1G42. John Weld.^ Parliament " which met November the 3rd the same year, being then only 21 years old. lie was ardently attached to the lloyal Cause, was one of tlic few membens who voted for the lU'iiuillal of Lord Strallbrd, soon after which he was exi)elled from the house as a malir/nant. Ho was taken prisoner at Oswestry on the capture of that town Jnne 22nd, 1G44, and was with his fatlicr severely punished for his loyalty ; his composition was .£5,281, and his father's £3,287 63. 8d. exclusive of £170 per annum settled. In 1691 he was advanced to the dignity of Earl of Bradford. In t!ie chancel of Wroxcter Church, where he was buried, is a handsome mural monu- ment to his memory, from which it ai)pears that in 1GG8 he was made Comptroller of the Kind's household; in 1G72 Treasurer of the same, from which he was displaced in 1G80, " because he refused to have the established laws clian<;cd ; so great was liis innate zeal for the Church of l<-ngland." In 1G88 he was again "Treasurer and CoiVerer to King William and (Jueen Mary," and was Trivy Counsellor to Charles'^II., James II., William and Mary, and Anne; Lord Lieutenant of tbe county of Salop, and Keeper of the llolls. He was born Feb. %h-d, 1G19, and died September the I'Jth, 1708, in the 89lh year of hisa-e.— C.M. 1 John Weld, of Willey, I'^.Sip, which ho purchased from Francis Lacon, of Kinlet. lie was Town Clerk of London, and at the period si -ii^d* aitas/nMfl-jQvhR iriovsno^tco vd bah I oldoUl ■J;V.OmO^ Jjtl5,i';.."'J V ,'j.-.' ; '.yi'i! ; !,).,» ^■|,j..ii»i. ■ i; rr iJHiioii ojIj Kiu'i'; ''!.!■ r ■•'; - -' '•••'■ lo !yuf,!i]..,j or!,t no v . i'- i! l'>i:,i; ,!oL',i'-'X Siv/r ill p. W;'.. ■ ■ ^ n)U/rji.(,! !:;■) . . 'Ju »'jii i , J , ; -^ 1 -.v 1 ii; ; ■■■,,:■. ^ it':: d ',i^;fi;:')'iif '' .(>'^' ];,\ , . ■ \ij ■u-j--ltU('.'6 oiU ui ,BO\i .,,.. ... . . ,. ■ ■■•'* h':my-.\:nv.<\ Oil i'' -' '' ■■■" 38 THE OTTLEV PAPERS -I pray peruse this enclosed coppy of a letter sent to S' s Kinarston, and shew it to S' Vincent Corbet, and Mr. Francis Eiton, I doubt not of their care, seing the dangers arc so apparent. I have sent coppycs to S"" Rich. Lee, Captaine Screven, and to Captaine Lloyd, and I shall this day speak with S' Tho. Woldridge. To my Honored freind, firancis Oatley, Esquire, present these. IX, THOMAS EYTON (?) TO THE SAME. 1642. COSEN FrANKE, Though you Failed me at ]\Iorton Corbett in my way, I hope better of you now I am returned from Nottingham. 1 hear you are going yourself to-morrow from whence I came, lett me by all means speak with you, for I have a dispatch to you from the King & must impart unto you what i have already done, and how you must A[)ply yourself at Court, if you cx[)ect any good Issue, For never had Prince more Traytors about his J^erson, and good Intentions ingured by misinterpretations ; I pray fail not to meet me at Atcham bridge, or Jack Dawes's House an Ale house over the way, by seven A clock tomorrow morning : tliis 4th I rest. S"^ Your Kinsman^ To my much honour'd Kinsman Francis Otley Esq"" at his house in Salop, present these. X. EDWARD UYDE TO THE SAME. 1642. SlR.2 I acquainted his Maj^^' with your very good letter and [have], ... a ,s[)eciall commando from him (besydes in (lucHtiun lli^li SlioriU'of co. Sulop ; \Yas aflorwaitls Kiiiylitod, and with his son Sir .lolin AW'Ul, junior, taken prisoner lit tho caj)turo of Shrewsbury, February 22n(.l, IG 15. lie and liis son had to pay heavy compensation for tlioir loyahy, liis being £1,121 18s. 4d., and his son's ii757 2s. Od. lie died November Gth, IGOG. The late Cardinal Weld was descended from Sir lliim|ihrey Weld, younf^ir brother of this Sir .Jolui Welil, who, in some of t lie letters is called Sir John Wilde. -(J. M. 1 This is probably Thomas l']yton, before noticed. - Part of Ihis lelter, but erroneously dated the 18th, a}>pcars in tiio Jlistori/ of S/mii'shiiri/, vol. i., p. 418, note 3. — G.M. .3'^''^AS'*f .' ■•■,')'( >. it.ll ,.. ».■ ,^ .■ , . ■•■ .•: irr^>,, .. .., Oiif jooxif o:^ Jon lijil yyi({ J ; ^,.>. ■..,.- .,,■.... .ii. .»18!>1 1 ilil aiilJ •. i^fjjfnom woiiomoJ >foob A /rovoa }j' ^('Ja•/ luo'f d'jtv/- 't'fi.iM aiif baJfjktrpo 01 • ' i 1'. RELATING TO THE CIVIL WARS. 39 writinge to Mr. Mayor) to ^ a particular addresse to you, as to a person his Maj'^ ownes the. . . . vinge much Service from, having been before informed of your greato . . . . &> Industry in his Service. I assure you he has a very greato sens and that ho may prevent any inconveniences which may prcjuchco t[he afIec]tiones of that place ho hath so much reguarde of he resolves to visit, sooner then he meant, that is, before he goes to Chester, and. . . . unexpected accident divert him, he intends to be with you on T. , . . next, otherwise you will bo sure to receive some ayde of horse and foot from him. Lut of this you shall receive seasonable and publique intimation ; I shall be very glad to have any opportunity to let you know how much I am, S"" Your very affectionate 'humble serv*^ Edw: Hyde.2 Uxiter this 10^'' of 7 ber. To My Worthy Friend S-" Ifrancis Ottley K^ ^ at his house in Shrewsbury those. XI. THE KING TO THE SAME. 1G42. Charles R. Charles by the grace of God King of Create Britaine ffranco and Ireland defender of the ilaith &c. To our trusty and wolbolovcd Ifrancis Ottloy, of our County of Salop, Esq^ greeting ; whereas there are now at and near our Citty of London great fforces leavying, and Moneys raising by way of contribution and otherwise, towards the Charge of raising and maintaining an Army or fForce by order of our two houses of Parliam*' not only without our consent, but contrary to severall expresse commands published by severall proclemations, 1 The omissiona arc caused by part of the letter being torn off and missing'. — G.M. - Afterwards Earl of Clarendon. 3 Althoii,ii,li Hyde addresses liiin us "Sir l'\-ai)eis," there is a royal k'ltcr of the same (hie us tliis (1 0th Sept.) fidiii N()tliii,i:;h;iiii, in whiili he is f;i11t:d "our trusty ;iii(l svclhehjViMl llraiicis OtLlcy." Still more struii^e, ; nolher royal letter ilatcd at Stallord seven days later (17 Sept.) in whieh lie is called " Franeis Otthy, Ks.|." ('an it be that the writer, knowiuy the Kuig's niiud, anticipated the ollioial creation i e J ;» .awAa at"" lo viiw vd vtUtsi. »/i.;*jkX:?MjrI cV 00 ttr. 1 V, .1 buti tto xnoa §JftyVi) o^ >i.': ) ; tUTJ" ».!U7 oijIU |{ty as my wishes and prayers can make you. Y-^ faithfull Montg' U. Herbert.2 IS'' 7ber 1C42. To my much honord kinsman Francis Otley Esq. at his house in Salop present these. XIV. THE KING TO THE SAME. 1642. ClIARLES R. Charles by the grace of God King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, defender of the llaith, &c. To our Trusty and welbeloved Francis Oateley, Esq"^, greeting. Wlicreas, out of our tender care of the ])eacc and wolfaarc of our good Subjects w'^''in our Towne of Shrewsbury, w"^'' wo shall endeavour to preserve, wee have thought good to commit to you y*^ charge of a Company of Voluntiers already raised, or to bo 1 Sir Richard Leo of L:\nglcy and of Acton Durncll, Knight and Baronet, SlierilF of the County of Salop 1G;}9, and Kniglit of tlie Shire IGIG. lie was among tin; prisoners taken at the capture of Shrewsbury, and expiated his loy.dLy hy the payment of £3,719 13s. 4d., with £1G9 9s. Od. ^;fr annum, settled, lie died about a nionlli hefore the restoration. — CJ. M. - 'IMiis was Uichard Iferhert, second Lord Jferhert of Cliirlmry. He was a Colonel in the King's service, raised a full ivgiment of foot, and a trou[) of horse, at his own expense, and coiupoundid f..r his pstafe by jiayment of ,£1000.— (J. M. Y oMtn 'mo M'iTaa^i.i.ti ..^ X;:0!U Jxi'jLj'ii.i 5 .^#()J .51 MLB :yJT OT £»Ii3 aHT .Vljr JI 83J51A1IO ,r-, ;.)'■"> '.,, 4.....!,,.,! !■,.,.-.■» (V ;)-A ..>- RELATING TO THE CIVIL WARS. 43 raised, w^'^in our said Towne, or elsewhere, for secureing y* same in these times of distraecion, against all Assaults, surpri^se, or Attempt w'^'^ may bee made against the same. Our Will and Command, therefore, is, and wee doe lievcby authorise you to take y'' said Company of Volunteers into your Charge, and them to Command, Traine, discipline, and exercise, as their Captaine and Leader : Willing and Commanding the said Soldiers to bee obedient, and ready to receive and accomplish y' direccions, Commandm'^ and Summons, of yo",their Captaine, and of the Officers you shall appoint under yo" in all thin^^s w<='' shall concorne, and bee for the preservacion of our said Towne, and our good Subjects inhabiting there. And for soe doing, this o'' Commission under o"^ sign Mannual and Signet, shall bee y' Sufficient Warrant : Given at o'' Court at Stafford tlie seventeenth day of September, in the Eighteenth year of our lleigne, lG-42. [Seal] XV. W. BLUNDEN TO SIR FRANCIS OTTLEY, KNIGHT. 1642. Worthy Cosen, On Saturday last I was served with a precept fr™ the Sherife to appear at the quarter Sessions, for my ]iart, if I had not been sworne bailife this day, and tomorrow I must take the service of other things belongin to the town, which things being to be performed I liope will be sufficient excuse, whomo for my part am and will bo read}' as any subject his ^laj^ hath to be imploy'd in what I may to my life. So with love you and my Lad}', I rest. Your Lo : Cosen for the hands of his truly W. Blunden.^ Affected Cosen Sir Francis Ottley, Knight this be dl'd. 1 Richard Bluudcu of Bisliop's Castle, E«q., married (if I mistake not) Jane Ottley, an aunt of Sir Francis Ottley ; and William Blunden was ])rol)al)]y their yon, lience a cousin to Sir Francis. We learn from an Onkr of the Corporation of tliat town that in conformity with a decision of the Association formed throughout the County of Salop for the prevention of " ]>lundering of late so much exercised," William IMunden, Esquire, is given power to nominate " four able and bullicient inhal)itants of tl>c town of r>isho[)'s (.!astle to provide four horses willi riders, i^'c, at the ufuoral chari,'e of tlie ttjwn."' December 21, 18 Car. 1. Ill' is ralK'tl (':i|(taiii William IMumlen in the AValcot papers at lliltcrlcy ('(uiil, was clrrlcd liailiHof T.ishop's Castle 10-12, and died in olliee, a rallier unusual event in the annals of that town. Voh Vi., 2nd S. ^' Item .1 rjTTO Bvivih.fi'^ iua or v.Aa/.UMi oj[i::i iHiMn 1 v/o- . L ,1'- i^'Mi' ir-i^^wi ri.i'xi ^oir iliitmO : '3(11 W')Y ■I-,.; ■:,<} ■ ,HY-:»! ■•J 0 .0 . 1 --- ^^l^v^l'^ 5 v\".V, lii^Hi: ^/J f / - ^" Ol./ / \ c c^y ,-• ■■^' V ,-A- ,♦*• 0'>, \ ■ • ■ / \ ;^>^-. I «» i V ■ ■ \ • 1 A. ** 44 THE OTTLEY PAPERS XVI. W. BLUNDEN TO THE SAME. 1G42. Sir, My desire is ever to Study to serve you : I had thought to have bine as this day in Sallop but by the return of some Soldiers of our towne of the trained bands, I found we needed not come tell further somons ; therefore their return made me think that you were more Safe then I hard, which if otherwise you shall find that my life shall not be valued to do my King and Country service, and will be found both in my self and others that I have any power [over] .... to speak of I shall not be knowing how things stand, and if at any time I shall hear of inferior to the least'ones for desiring you to favour me in the least com'and I will be ready : soe with my respects to the worthy lady I shall ever rest at Your Service To the Right Wor" his W. Blunden. truly respected Cosen Sir Francis Ottley Knight give this. XVII. R. CnOLMONDELEY. 1642. Gentlemen, — I have receyved yor letters and fynd your propossicons to the gen'rall discrete and like yo'selves, I have conveyed them accordingo to yo"^ desires : I shall be willing in all occasions to serve you in all freindlie offices ; I send these to acquainte you the occasion of our dispersing the trayned bands to theirc own houses ; it was partly in compassion to the people, it being now the hcate of their Come Harvest, princi- palUe the Assurance of the Army at Coventrie was removed upwards, but, if the News be certayne that I am Credibly Informed by a Gentleman that came post out of London friday morning, wee had need not only to gather them into a body but w">all to rayse the greatest strength evry County is able to doe, for he saith my Lo : of Essex upon Thursday came to Barnett w'^ a grcate armie, and diverse pieces of greate Ordinance, I also hear by a Gent : of my Lo : of Leasters, w'-^ came poast the same day from the Kinge, that his iMa"° is removed from Nottingham, and tis thought he topke this way towards Salop, he is some thousand stronge of horse upon the list, and is about tenn thousand strong in all, and hath Ordinance sufficientc for a great Armie, and wants nothing but RELATING TO THE CIVIL WARS. 45 foot w*^'' daylie repayre more and more to him ; fiefteene hundred of his horse are Dragouners, th.e rest pistoles and Carbynes. The Gent: hoped when the King came to Shrews- bury that my Lo : Marquis of Hartford^ would meet him w*** eight hundred horse more; I shall intreate you, if you shall thinke good, to imparte the contents of this I're to the Co- missioners of Mountgomry Shire, that soe wo may all endea- voure to make the King as strong as possible may be ; 2 of the Commissioners of Array shall not fayle to meete uppon friday next, and acquaynt you all those results we have upon Wensday : Gentlemen I pray you esteeme as of one ready to serve you. 11. Cholmondeley.2 [Sept. or Oct., 1642.— G. M.] XVIII. TUE KING TO SIR FRANCIS OTTLEY, KNT. 1642. Charles R. Whereas by reason of o'' sundrey and most important Occasions specially upon o'^ present drawing out of this o' Towne and County, together with the greatest part of o'" iforces there wilbe so much use of yo"^ person and carefulness for y* quietness and security of the same, as wee cannot think of sparing you out of this o*' County untill y*^ pr'ent gen'all Dis- traccons shalbe better settled. Our expresse Will and Pleasure therefore is that you absent not yo'^self, or desert yo'' residence in this o*' County, or fade of yo'' Uttermost endeavo" for ye 1 William Seymour, 1st Mari|uis of Hertford of the name, created Duke of Somcr.set Sept. 13, IGGO, in which year he died. — G. M. '•^ (jle(n-ge ]\r(in-is cousickTcd that tlie writer of this letter was tlie first Viscount Cholniondcley. If so, lie must have been Sir Robert Cholmondeley, created a Jiaronct 2'Jtli June IGll, and advanceil in 1628 to the peerage of Ireland, in tlie dignity of Viscount Cholmon- deley of Kells. His lordship was enrolled amongst the barons of England in 21st Charles L, as Lord Cholmondeley of Wiche Milbank, commonly called Namptwich ; and further advanced the next year to the Earldom of Leinster. He married Catharine, daughter of John Lord Stanhope of Harrington, but died s.p. 2nd Oct., 1G59, when his honours became extinct, l)ut his estates passed to his nephew. (Burke's Pcerwje). He was High Sherill" of Cheshire 1G20-21, zealous on the side of the King, and punished for his loyalty by the exaction of .£7,742 as the com}»ositi 1o m- i: ;. •;;? a:^ u' ■ ;n' P 7 \ i^toJ'jr- =.a \UHi;iTtii> Min jO'iJi;/-;'j«''iif<< -it'l 46 THE OTTLEY PAPERS peace and good of the same during o' Absence, upon any pretence, order. Warrant, or Ordinance be it from one or both Houses of Parliam^ or Other Whatsoever without first Obtain- ing o'^ expresse Licence so to doe, as yon tender o"" heavy Dis- pleasure. And to the end you bee not forcibly constrained to goe of from this o'' Uoyall Com'and, We hereby will and require the high Sheriire of this o-" County, all Maiors, Justices of Peace and other o'' Ministers and Officers of the same to be Ayding and assisting to you with requisite power for the defence and safeguard of y"" person family and Estate and every part thereof against all persons Whatsoever For w'^'Hhis shalbe yC and their sufficient Warrant, Given under o'' signe Manual at o' Court at Shrewsbury the 11"' day of October in the Eighteenth year of o"' Jieigne 1(J42. To o"" trusty and welbeloved S"" Francis Oteley Knt. XIX. EDW. HYDE TO THE SAME. 1G42. Sir, If your man had enquired for mo when lie passed through this Townc (where liis Ma'-^ left me) in liis journey to the Courte, he had sooner returned to you : concerning the managers of business at Shrewsbury, i can give you no particular direction, till I move the King in it. You liavo very ill luck if those yjarts are disquyett now his iMa"'^ enemies are dryvenso farr from you: I beseech you deliver this inclosed to the Mayor,^ and advise with him about some litt opportunity to convey such monycs as remain in his handes for his Ma^>' to this place, sure by tliis time you have received a particular of the fight at Edge Hill, whence the enemyes remove to London in so poor a manner sufficiently expressed how great their loss was. The King hath since visited them as far as Brayneford [Brentford] and there hath defeated 3 of their best regiments taken 13 pieces of their ordinance and GOO i)rysoners: and now to shew the City how farr he is from the intention of entering that place with force hehatli withdrawen his Army and is quartered at Redinge Hcnly, and himself means to winter about Oxforde, that if it be ])ossible we may recover our witts agayno : there he will expect his Welsh and Western supplyes : I beseech you remember mc very kindly to iM' ^ John Studlcy, Escj. He was a member of the Pj-aper.s' ComiJaiiy of Slirewsbiiry, and head of a fiimily long resident and iitill c\i.sting in Sliiopsliire. — i'>. M. Jiul volo.tO 81; Mi) I •vaW'j 01; j]) j.(0 J -rii-fV om 'ijd J' vrov 'i- '>1 aaw •iM'n t> j'tt>>d()*l .i:0!Ji fj')j,;infl J.ii ib "i .^ 50 THE OTTLEY PAPERS I beseech you to remember my humble Service to Sir Rich. Lea^ when y" see him, we want Trumpeters ex- treamely if y" can I pray help us w"' two and send them speedily to us. To my very Worthy tlViend Sir Francis Oatcley at his house in Shrewsbury. XXIV. W. SMITH P.M.G. TO THE SAME. 1642. Honoured S'' I am heartily glad of this Opertunity to express my Service and thanks to you for Yo'' many noble fav" I aiu desirous to serve you with the truest relations of News from these parts, it is said hero this morning that we are to expect 4 Lords 4 of y*^ Com'ons and 4 from tlie City to treat uppon Accom'odation ; in the interim his JMa^'^ is in good abillity with Gods blessing to deal with his Uebells according to their Merit: Sir 1 shall intreat you will speak to Mr. Alderman Rowley- as this inclosed letter will also do for £15 for winch he stands ia said to have first introduced full bottomed Wigs into Westminster Hall. He resided in Kensington, was ancestor in the sixth degree to the present Earl of Bradford [1837], compounded for his estate by payment of £865 5s. 9d., and was buried at Teddington, Co. Middlesex, 1G74.— G. M. He was a son of Br. John Bridgcman, rector of Wigan, and in 1G19 Ijisliop of Chester. ITc was rctuiiied in IGIO to the liong I'.arl lament, and knighted the same year ; 1G38, became Cliief Justice of Chester; 1G40, Solicitor to tlie Prince of AVales. On tlie deatli of Cliarles ho submitted to Cromwell ; IGGO, presided as Lord Chief Raron at the trial of the regicides ; died at Teddington 1G7 4. At the time of writing this and the following letters he was assisting his father, the Bishop, in defending Chester. ^ Before mentioned as Sir Richard Lee. — G. M. 2 Alderman William Rowley, son of Roger Rowley, gent., of an ancient line seated at a })lace from which they took their name, in tlic ])arisli of Worlield, a dra[)er, admitteil a l)urgess 151)1, liiiilt the lino liricU mansion in UiU'a J^ane, Shrewsbury, known as liowley's M;in«ion, was one of the twenty-four Aldermen appointed by the Charter of Charles I. in June, 1G38. The occasion of his being in the custody of the I'rovost Marshal was when the King (Oct., 1G42), after leaving tlie town to proceed to Bridgutx-th, issued a iiroelamation " for the better peace and cpuet of our comity of Salop," and accom])anied it by a letter in which he ])roscribed certain members of tlie Corporation of whom William Kowley was mie. fOA tu; ffjil .1,1/ r>f{.!' .HiViiVN !a ■KW09'( .iiJimyh '}?:. 'I ni xioihiiii loiir/i'.hpii t '.yii ('■'■ >r:i:)i'.nr>in mi.- RELATING TO THE CIVIL WARS. 51 engaged to mo ever since his being discharged from my Custody, I shall entreat your help in the returning it to me hither by any trusty hand, and shall take it for a favour, As also that you will present my Service to Mr. Gibbons^ Mr. Owen'^ and all the other Worthy Gentlemen with you, my humble Service to your Vertuous Lady and to your self Assurance that I am Sir Your humble Servant Oxford Castle W. Smith, P.M.G. Dec. 19, 1642. To my honoured Friend S' Francis Oately Knight p'sent this Avith my Service at Shrewsbury. XXV. EDW. NICHOLAS TO THOMAS BUSHELL.^ 1642. S' I have given direcc'ons to my freinds att Shrewsbury to desire y" to doe me the favo"" to give Charge to some of yo"" servants that y" imploye about bringing the mint hither to take care to bring from Shrewsberry 4 or 5 trunks of myne in some of w'^'' are papers, that much import his Ma''*-'^ Service ; this is a favour whereby y^ will very much oblige me. The King upon CoUonell Hastings I're was very well satisfyed w"' y^ stay at Shrewsberry till after this day, I pray doe me the kindnesse to advertise me whether y" have given order to bring hither truukes, Avhereby y" will much oblige. Sir Oxon 21 Dec, Y'' Ailectionate iVeind and servant 1G42. Edw. Nicholas.* ^ Richard Gibbons, of the Abbey Forgate, Shrewsbury, whose brother, Francis Gibbons, D.D., was appointed cliaplain to the King, was also one of the x\ldermen api)ointcd by the Charter of 1638. He married Anne, daughter of Hiua[)hrey Sandford, Esq., of the Isle, near Slu-ewsbury, wliich lady was cerLilied to the House of Commons as a popish recusant. He was talcon prisoner at the capture of Shiewsbiny. - Probably Tiion\a!s Owen, Town Clerk, who was also taken prisoner on tlic ca[)lure of the town. He was seated at DiuLliill, near Shrew.s- bury. 3 Charles I. appointed him Governor of the Isle of Lundy. — G. ]\L ■' Si'crclary Nicholas. This K'lter is in part [irinted in O. and 13. 's Hist, of Shrewsbury, vol. i., ]>. -126. Vol. VI , L>nd S. G .DM. 'J. iHTIM^:; . li '^..f.^SBaua gAMOB 'o^ ^o 911108 <..i fivi§ 0.;; ""ov/i't edi om or>b ol "v ^ffpeb i .1 .00(5 IS nozO ,v';.-)<.trfv, 52 THE OTTLEY PAPERS To my worthy Freind Thomas Busliell sq'' one of y*^ Wardens of his Ma'9 Mint at Shrewsbury. XXVI. RICH. LLOYD TO SIR FRANCIS OTTLEY, KNIGHT. 1642. S' My Occations are such that I cannot com by Shrews- bury therefore I must entreate you to stand my friend in this bussness of Raysing ray Regement I have left orders w*" Major Holland and Jack Caulveley^ for the resceiving of them, I pray you further it what you may and speake to the rest of my good frends to do the like for the sooner I have them ready the sooner I shall be able to doe the contry servis I will God willing be back w'hin this fortnight and till then and ever I will be You^ Servant Rich: Lloyd.^ for his honored frend S' francis Otteley Knight [No date. After Dec. 18, 1642]. present. XXVII. R. LLOYD TO THE SAME. 1G42. Honoured S' The Kings letters inclosed in y" I shall w*** all care and speed cause to be convayed for the manage of theire buisness in Cheshire, I can not excuse the ])assages, but inconsiderat acts of theires I hope will not occasion the Countio of Salop and Neighbouring Counties to neglect the Kings Service or theire own com'on safetie and p''servation. I am confident there is still a designe to surprise Chester, and if there be not some considerations for new Consultations and advise to strengthen 1 Jack Calvclcy — a younger branch of the Cnlveloys of Ciilvelcy Hall, Co. Chester.— a. M. He was Captain of Dragoons in Colonel Richard Lloyd's Regiment. 2 Colonel Richard Lloyd, of Llwynymaen, counnanded a regiment of Dragoons in the royal army. I To appears hi the list of those who coiiiponiided for their estates as lia\iiiL;; paid Xlf^O, the place of his rcijidenco being written Lloyd-Amaiii, V ■•8 ■;(•)).; n i Or "■'-•inl vd o^^'^iaifo mmd doufu OS .«iL .u • ,j >ii •■■ V •■■ .1 ■ i: y J 54 THE OTTLEY PAPERS XXIX. GEORGE PHILLIPS TO SIR FRANCIS OTTLEY, KNIGHT. 1642. Bristoll 26^^ Decemb"- 1G42. Noble Sir lie pleased to excuse my boldness in p'suming to p'sent you w'h these two lines w*^'* are to inform you that I liave in my custody some Spanish pikes. I shew'd them to one of Y"^ Soldiers viz : Young lleeve and bad him acquaint you of them ; if they may anything serve you &c. in his Ma''" service in your part as I am very willing to be a poor instrumouL therein, they will come at a very reasonable rate^ I would have sent up some 30 or 40, by s*^ Reeves at his last being here, but I durst not for fear of loosing them; the Parliaments forces being upon the River, I dare hardly write any news bee. [because] doe fear intercept- ing, yet will adventure two words you may therefore be pleased to understand — viz. that Collonell Essex was after much debating and stirr admitted into this Citty upon Fryday was fortnight with about 1500 Armed Soldiers — to the great joy of some whose Wives did petition the day before for his coming ; but to the great Greife of others (and those the most under- standing men) who did fear tbat the King's forces would p'sently draw this way and sett uppon the Citty, the Soldiers have hitherto behaved themselves very well and have done no wrong to any man, I wish they may continue so doing; we liad news out of Cornwall last week that S"" Kaph Hopton was slayno and his forces dispersed but 1 had advise two day since fro"" Exeter that that re))ort was false, and that s'^ S' Kaph is well and is almost 10000 strong ; and that he is now uppon the borders of Devonshire, we had another false report came here of the taking tlie Lord Grandeson w'*" 1500 Horse at Winchester, but y*^ number is exceeding diminshed, and s'^ Lord and many Other Gentlemen gotten cleer of them and are w*-^ his Ma''^ — the News out of the North, fro*" Hereford, and Worcester fee. you know better than wee in these p'*-^ ; I do therefore forbear more, and Desiring y"^ pardon for this p"^sum- tion, w*'' humble Servise p'"sented Take my Leave Y"^ \\^orships in all humble Servicse To the Right Wor" George Phillips. S"^ Francis Oately those p''sent in Sallop. RELATING TO THE CIVIL WARS. 55 XXX. EDW. HYDE TO THE SAME. 1642-3. Sir If you receave not so full satisfaction by yonr man as you expecte, you must not attribute it to any negligence of your frends, or any disesteem in his Ma^^ towards you. I assure you the King hath a very just sense of your meritt and lookes upon the service of that towne (where he received so great testimonyes of duty and Loyalty) as the effect of your Care and industry, and therefore you may beleive he will never be unwilling to grante you any addition of power, who imploy it so well to his advantage, but in this business of Govenour he makes some pawse upon this scruple, he hath had of late ill luck in making Govern" of Cities and Townes, and tho' he hath always chosen loved and popular men for those places, yet privaie differences have so farr grown, that he hath been in danger to loose the Corporation. Now he says you are Comaunder of the Armes of the Town, and already have all authority to that purpose,^ but he fears if he should send you an absolute Pattent of Governour, it may some day discontent the Corporation, however he resolves there shall be no other Governour but you, and if you and the Towne think it necessary that you should have an immediate Pattent lett us hear from you and it shall be dispatch'd, you shall hear more particularly to your satisfaction by j\P Babington, who shall inform you of many things which I dare not write I writt when your m ent last to J\P Mayor, concerning moneys, but I hear nothing er were many subscripcons which were not payd, and I hear much hath been receaved since. I beseech you to move him, that I may hear from .... what remaynes 1 The King quitted Shrewsbury on the 12th of Oetober, since which date Sir Francis Ottley had made such vigorous use of his military command that he had secured a complete ascendency over all the discontented element in the town. The following is the form of protestation imposed by him on many hundred inhabitants of the town on the 2nd of Januar}--, 1642-3, and such as refused were threatened to be killed : " I. A. B., do in the presence of Almiglity God protest and acknowledge without any mental reservation that I do deteat and abhor the notorious rebellion which goes under the name of the Parliament Anny, and will with my wliule force and means to the uttermost of my power withstand their in}pious rebellion against our most gracious Sovereign Lord King Charles, our Pro- testant religion, our laws of the land, our just privileges of Parlia- ment, and liberty of the subject. "State Papers, Domestic Series, vol ccocxcvii., 1). 137. Qin uo\ 'c->'f:'0 56 THE OTTLEY PAPERS in his handes and that he will send in a ... . resented to his Ma^y that he may see who keepe not .... his Ma^y hears that you are fallen upon .... Armes at Shrewsbury of which he is extremely gladd, and .... would pursue it and that his Ma'y if it be possible may have .... hence therefore I beseech you let me hear from you and speedily .... of Armes of all sorts you conceave it possible for his Ma^y to receave Irom thence, paying' the full pryces I have sent you severall Bookes which 'tis very titt should be reprinted at Shrewsbury, and spread abroade about the county, in which Ins Un'y desyres your Assistance upon all occasyons I doubt not you will every day hear his Ma**^« allayrcs are much advanced : which God grante. I am S"^ your very Affectionate servt. All Soules Colledge Edw : Hyde. this 5^^ of January. rr, at . I desyre you to send one booke of a sort to it' JNewporte from me. , -rr i • tt To My Worthy ffrinde S' Francis Ottley Knt. at his House in Shrewsbury these. XXXI. W. SMITH TO THE SAME. 1642-3. Noble S' I once more encrease my ill mann" to you which is to let you know that in all his IMajes^'^^ Garrisons I am allow'd a Deputy, Yo" being so I am bold to entreat you will allow of this my Deputy George Crosse, who being one born near you and as ho tells me known to you wilbe the more readily well allow'd by you, my fees are 20'' for a Gent : 13/4'' for a Citizen, 10^ for a Farmer or Yeoman, and 5^ for a Co'raon Man so much severally for every day, I pray you let him have your Countenance and Assistance in his service, w<='> I assure myself he will perform dilligently and Honestly so rests S"^ Yo' humble Servant Oxford Jany. 6, 1642. W. Smith. P. Marshall Generall. I hope this Letter with YC Comission and permission wilbo sufficient Authority for him, if not I will send him a deputation at large, but have done no more but this m other places, and am Obey'd. For S^ Francis Oately my most honoured Friend This and my Service at Shrewsbury. .SHA8 2HT OT HTIMa .W .IXXZ r;ov ■'! II: Ok il!-/ 0f ...IJIOO *a ajacVl : .-, ■1 ©efiatfoas 0/ " . , y 'Ad {[.\ fff f fiov (l**? iieuoj *0I >ii l.>ili% 'fXuiiflJJil^iiC' jiriOi:i-ji.j iii* w4 =a . f , '. ; ■ "' ?.qoii I RELATING TO THE PlVIL WARS. 57 XXXII. THOMAS BUSH ELL TO THE SAME. 1642-3. This inclosed paper will give you an accompt of my ac'ons, and I hope yo' goodness will excuse mee at yo' Club of good fellowship for not writing particular letters to all those, whom I hono' in yo' parts in regard of my multiplicityo of busines. There are some persons w'='* seeke for the place of Governo' of the towne of Shrewsbury, but I have stopt the Currant, and if the Mayor and some principle gentlemen will recomend you, I know the King hath that confidence in yo' worth and Moritt that he will trust you before any who now stand for it, scale this I're when you and my noble frends Sir Vincent Corbett^ and S"^ John Wilde^ have read it, but be sure this letter of the Kinges be printed and dispersed at yo'' generall mustars : present my servise to those Vertuous Ladyes at S'' Jn** Wildes, whom I shall ever bono' and remayne the Servant of Yours and their Commands Januarie the 6th, 1G42. Thomas Bushell. The King will take it for an acceptable service, to procure amunition of guns, Clubbs, or bills, such as S"" Vincent Cor- bett gave mo notice, of w*^^ I acquainted his Ma*''® ; care will be had for the paym', as soon as they shall be made and provided Weeklye. for his honored frond S"^ Ffrancis Oatlcy Knight at S;dt;p.. llictie. XXXIII. W. SMITH TO THE SAME. 1642-3. Noble S"" I have lately sent two or three letters to you which were only motives to know your and your Vertuous Ladys 1 Sir Vincent Corbet of Morton Corbet, Co. Salop, Knight, and Baronet. This active and stauncli supporter of the King had in July, 1643, a commission to raise a regiment of 1000 Volunteers. He was admitted of Queen's College, Oxford, 1634; elected Knight of tlic Shire, 16 10; was one of the leading lo3'alists of tlie county, and married Sarah, daughter and co-heir of Itobcrt Monson, of Carlton, Co. Leicester; created Oct. 23, 1G70, Viscount Corbet of Linchladc for Ufe. His branch of this ancient family terminated in his grand- daughter Beatrice, who married .Tohn Kynaston of llordley, Ksq. Ih died Dec. 28 or 2!), 1G5G. -Li.U. 2 John Wild, of Willey, Esq. before noticed. — G.M. •'.io'' -iT-rrrrl ■'^6 ■-<-■ ' .'^MAa BJHT O';^ »a ajiaoK .;0(H In +- '•■- ^ •■">'f IK, ....... .'Li re isJe;, ' ' ''■ ■•.yfiUoM. ■/ ,M .'0 — , »)'j',»x Jor.1 tnoly t ;> ,Mli II iillUU 58 THE OTTLEY PAPERS welfare ; the Assurance whereof I now have by your Servant ; the continuance thereof I heartily desire ; and entreat by your pen to know how happily your forces encreasc ; I also presume to encrcase my former troubles to you by my rerpiest that you willbc pleased to call upon Alderman Rowley for £15 w*^'' ho owes mo, and promised long since to pay it to whom I should Appoint ; I have now written to him to pav it to yourself, and entreat you will be pleased to take the trouble upon you of receiving and returning it to me. This day, at 4 in the morning, we liave sent out some forces towards Ciceter ; I hope you will Immediately hear good news of them ; so S"" with my true Service to 3'ourself, your Vertuous Lady, and all my Worthy Friends in Your Town, I rest Yo"" humble Servant W. S:\riTH P. Marshall General!. Oxford Jan. 6 : 1642. To my most honoured frend Sir Francis Oateley Knight present this with speed and my Service at his house in Shrewsbury. XXXIV. PETER VENABLES TO THE SAME. 1642-3. Noble S"" I lately received a letter from my Sister Mackwortb, wherein she informs me, that having removed to Coventry, she sent for some Goods thither, which she left behind her at Shrewsbury ; which were taken by some Soldiers that said that thoy were under Your (command, my request to you is, that you wilbo pleased if it be within your })ower, to jielp her to them again : and I shall take the same as a favour from you, soe, resting Confident of your good Assistance herein, I remain Your Ailectionate frend and Servant Peteu Vdnables.^ Kinderton 7 Jan. 164L. ^ The son of Tliomas Vciuil>lcs, I'lsff., Baron of Kiutlcston, co. Chester; he was Sherill'of that county in 1G;U, and died Nov. 13tii, 1G()'.). lliniipiirey iMackworlh, tliird .son of Humphrey Ahiekworlh, Ks(]., of liettou Strange, Salo|), luarricil his sisler. -X- f 1 f ' ■^■r at .s.ii:*di !ii PM. RELATING TO THE CIVIL WARS. 59 XXXV. ORL. BRIDGEMAN TO THE SAME. 1642-8. Noble Sir This day since noone I have received Intelligence that S"^ William Brereton is at Hey wood and some of liis forces at Darlaston bridge and hee is raysing more, what his designe is is most uncertayne the report is he will come to nampvvich so to Manchester, I doe suspect Bromfeild and some part of Shropshire : tloubt not y'^ have a Watchfull Eye and wee shall give y*' the best assistance wee can. S'" 1 wrote to y" yesterday my Lord Capells desire concern- injx a KeGfiment of horse, hee is able and willing to disburse moneys and whosoever knows him must give him a Character of a Gallant, if you think any Service may be done him in y"" parts, I beseech y" write a letter (unless y'' please to direct it to him to whom I have made mention of y^ in my letter I send by this bearer) directed to myself which y*^ may leave open or give order to this bearer to shew to his self [? host] w^'' my letter, with my Affectionate respects and service to y" I remayne Y' very hearty Servant, Chester Jan : 12. 1642. Orl Bridgeman. To my Noble freind Sir Francis Oteley at Shrewsbury these. XXXVI. EDW. HYDE TO THE SAME. 1042-3. Sir I have acquainted his Ma*y with the contents of your letter (I mean that of the 11^" of this Month) for the other you mention is not yet come to my hands) concerning the Carbynes and Muskets with which his Ma'^ is very well pleased, and bad me tell you you could not do him a greater service then in helping him to store of such arms, and therefore, I have written by his Ma*'*^^ direction to the Mayor of Shrewsbury to pay all such summs of money as he hath in his hands, which his Ma'^ hopes is a considerable sum, to };ou to be employ'd in the buy- ing of Arms, and D"^ Babington is appointed to received more money in other places, to be employed to the same purpose too : so that I hope you will not wante money for that supply, if you doe let me hear from you, and you shall receive new directions, for the King inlinitely depends upon you. your Commission is dispatched and shall be sent either by this bearer or by another to morrow. Vol. \'l., L'nd S, H ijj yuiViv'* iJiiM ai8 60 THE OTTLEY PAPERS A.3 soon as you liave gotten any storo of Arms into your hands, let mo hoar from you, and you shall speedily receive his Ma"^^ commands for the conveyance of them hither, I am Yory heartily S'' Your most Aiiectionato Serv^ 19 1 Jan. [1G42-3]. Euw : Hyde. To my worthy fTriende Sir Francis Ottly Knt.^ his Ma'>« GoYernour of Shrewsbury. XXXVII. ORL. BRIDGMAN TO THE SAME. 104.2-3. Noble Sir I am much troubled at the reports I hear (w<=^ may also be Inferred out of y'' Letter) of unkindnesses taken by the Gentlemen of Shropshire ag*^ us. the reasons I hear are these, the one that wee made an agreem' without them to the breach of the Association, the other that none of ours came to wayt on them. Sir, I can assure y*^ when wee made the agreem*^, w'^'* was on Friday night, (although the appoyntment for y^ coming to Whitchurch was to have been 3 or 4 ilays before), wee neither heard nor knew of any forces at Whitchurch excepting some few of S"^ Vincent Cor bets, who, being written to on Wednes- day or Tuesday to have advanced to Torporly on Thursday (being our general Rendevous), returned answer hee had not a considerable strength, nor could stir till lie had order, as may appear by his letter to Collonell Jlastings : and 1 desire not to be beleived in an}' thing if to my knowledge 1 ever heard of any other forces at Whitchurch till Saturday night, when a letter came to my Lo : Chomley, from his Chaplayn, informing that after we were returned from Torporlcy on Saturday, (which was not till ten a Clock), there came some ^ Tliis letter in dated tlie 17tli in (Jeurge Morris'ci tranHcrij)t, but I have followed the Cotes' MS. 2 This is the first instance of Sir Francis being addressed as Covi'inor oi^ Sln'ew.sbury, .i ])os( lie had For some time anxiously coveted, and this letter enal)les us to li\ within a day tlic dile ol' his Oonnnission, which nnist have lieeu i.ilher ihe IGth or IZlIi Januai-y, lGi2-3. Tlie histoi'ians of Shrewshury hail e\i(lentlv not seen tliis, as well as some of the ])revious and many other Kitei's the late >h'. Otl h'y [)ossessed. — (i. ^^ . .if: nil 'jhr-iv ■ , • ■''' yiWfi'oJidV/ JO ■(/>[» 01 i JijJ '^i^<^'J' ^ RELATING TO THE CIVIL WARS. 61 Gentlemen from Whitchurch thither : and as soon as I heard of it, I was bold in my lord Cholmlye's name, and my owno, to send a letter (to Mr. Sheriii)^ 1 take it or y'' selfe inform- ing of the truth, and acknowledging w"' all thankfullnesse y' readincssc to assist us. and undertaking to doe the like upon all occasions for y*^ defence to tlic Uttermost of o"" power, w'-'' letter, though it was 7 of the clock at night ere 1 heard of those Gentlemens being there, we sent instantly by a mcssingor of purpose, a Gentleman of my Lo. Cholmleys, to Whitchurch. The next day being Chrestmas day, and Sunday, and a Connuunion day, my Lo. Chomley and myself did, indeed, not stir out. hearing also that you disbanded on Monday, I made bold to write a 2'^ letter to Mr. Sheriif, when I payd liim the hundred pounds w'^'' he had delivered to Colonell Hastings, making the same acknowledgements of our thanks — none of the Comissioners being in Chester but my Lo. Cholmley. And, as touching the Association if the agreement bee well weighed, it will appear there is nothing in it tending to the least breach, and in truth in respect thereof there is like to be a breach amongst us, for some, willing to take advantage of the Parliaments declaration ag' the agreement, and to get admittance for S"^ Wm. Brereton,'- and Sir Jo : Gell, to fall upcn Lancashire, or Shropshire, or both, and upon us also, have begun to quarrell, and would have us to explayne the Gth Article for giving of free passage, we mett at Northwich where we told them wee must resist S"^ William though he did no hostile Act here, and for the Article it leaves them at liberty not to be bound to joyne with us to resist any such forces as shall make this County a passage : but excludes not us from resisting, nor gives allowance for a passage, but only excepts that they are not bound to joyne to resist in such case, and the letter of the Article is playn accordingly. We are to meet agayn on tuesday about this business, but in respect of our Association wee resolve to Admitt no forces to passe to the hurt of our friends. And we hope you will stir up y"^ friends, and all being equally concerned, that all private un kindness may be layd aside, and wee doe our utmost endeaver ag' the Common Enemy. 1 John Weld of Willcy, }^h(\. l)eforc noticed.— (l.M. - Sir Williaiu Brereton of llundford, Co. Clie.ster, one of tlic most active of the i';irli;unent;iry (Jenends, ;uid])y the l';irli;iuient appointed chief foretjter of Mucclesiiekl and Slewiud of the hundred, lie died AprU 7tli, IGUL— (;. M. 3 '■fC'f.t h'o:^ ov 6 '-'ad -Oc'iis '^iT rioqn ban. . ii Ovi 6vlog3i tjow n 62 THE OTTLEY PAPERS For this purpose I can advise nothing, but if S"" William Brereton and Gell come down (as how soon they will I do not know) wee shall be too weak without y*^ supplye us, and 1 beseech y" Sir Seriously consider it and bee pleased to Communicate it with all speed to y'' Noble Countrymen, who, I hope, will joync w^'' y" w^'' all speed to bring forces to the confines of the County, for I am assured their Ayme is at this place, and to Shrewsbury, w^'' all the force and sjieed they can . . . , y" will excuse this tedious relation, occasioned by my desire that satisfaction my be given in this particular to all those Noble Gentlemen w''' y", And to them and to y"^ selfe, Sir, I shall ever remayno to my power Y'' most fuithfull Servant Chester Jany. 20. 16-fc2. Orl Bridgman. To my Noble Freind Sir ft'rancis Oteley at Shrewsbury these present. XXXVIII. THOMAS LEGII TO THE SAME. 1042-3. Sir, With my prime respects I salute you, &c. It was our ]\lisfortune here in Cheshire to enter into an Association, pacitication, or cessation of Arms, (I cannot well tell what to call it) but I p'ceivc no probabillity that itt will hold with the faith of the Adverse (who for their own advantage and gain of time, have somewhat deluded us) Truth is we are resolved to Advance speedily to defend our Country, and do crave yo"" Assistance acconling to Accord of both Counties) that you will please yourself, and to move, and Occasion yo'' Country to draw what convenient forces (you think fittj to our Borders to bo instantly ready to Joyii with us to Suppresse or defend the insolencies and incursions of Opponents ; I will hope my Lord of Derby wilbe moving on the other side of Manchester, and (thereby and by our Stirring here) I hopo wo shall quell their cunning thoughts (not otherwise paciticall). Ther's to be another meeting on Tuesday next, but I expect no peacefull, p'manent conclusion, and, therefore, we prepare for tho'ther way ; this I entreat you to make privately known to the (ientlemen, &c. near you Friends to his Maj'^ who, I hope, will be sccrctt and forward to further his Service, and to wliom (tho' too much unacquainted) I desire to Tender my respects, Writing my self S"" yo"^ Assured Friend and wellwisher Thomas LegiI. .M/ .ai. ■! mvxxz c,!' i;""^V:^r:'^ htm ;■''>' ■ ■ L ,OiSw .'^^jy?:^^ ?!■« W j^xrhiU (• oJ biijs Ml,riji'i' RELATING TO THE CIVIL WARS. 63 I desire yo"" Answer Chester 20th Jnnuary 1042. To my honcrd and cspeciallie esteemed Friend S"^ Francis Oteley, Governor ot Shrosbury This be p'senied. XXXIX. THOS. WOLRYCHE, WU. WHITMORE, EDWDARD CRESSETT, EDWARD ACTON TO SIR F15ANCIS OTTLEY, KNIGHT. 1642-3. Noble S"^ We are bold to inform you that AP John Byrch being here with us at o'' meeting about especiall business wherein he Avas concern'd was served with Yo"^ Warrant while he was in 0"^ Company. We know not what you will lay to his Charge, and therefore for that we refer him to yo'' wisdome but in respect of great Occasions which some of us have with him, and w*^^ ho hath with divers men for whom he dealeth, if you may please to bail him that he be bailable, we shalbe ready to Offer you good Bail for him, or if not if you can be pleased to give him leave to attend the p'sent Occasions from us and others until Thursday next you will do him a great pleasure, and we in his behalf shall be very thankfull unto you, And Assuredly remain Yo"" very loving freinds Bridgenorth Tiios. Wolryciie^ 20 January 1G42. Wm. Wihtmore^ Edwdard Cuessett^ To 0' noble friend S"" Frauncis Edward Acton.^ Otley Knight at Shrewsbury p'sent these. 1 Sir Thomas Wolrich, Knight and Baronet, of Dudmaston, co, Salop, M.P. for Wcuiock 1G20, 1G23, and 1G25, commander of the trained banda, and Governor of ]5iidgnorth, a fervent royalist. lie was twice sequestered from his estates, more than once cast into prison, and compounded for Ins estate in the sum of £730 14s. - Sir William Wliitmore, iKirt., of Apley House, Salo]), a son of Sir William ^Vllitnlore, Kni<,dit, who ])urcliased the A})ley estate in 1572. All liis personal goods and chattels uere se(iuestered for the sum of £583 3s. 2d., and he compounded for his estate by paying £5,U0U. ^ Edward Cressett, Esq., of Ui)ton Cressett, Salo[). * Sir Elward AcLon, Bart., of Aldenluim, Co. Salop, created a Baronet in IG 13. i 64 THE OTTLEY PAPERS XL. JOHN HARRINGTON TO THE SAME. 1G42-3. It were an uncivill part in me to Comend (in Yo' presence) your zeal and forwardness to preserve the Honour and Safety of this County ; but Sir you higlily deserve it and your praises and applauses extend farre and near into Other Countys altho' they are short of your deserts (if you will give me leave to say so much) but belecve me you have not done yet for I find that our County and Especially these parts are very slow to keep themselves secure and to satisfie the com'on expectation, the I)i veils have got possession of the Swyne and they are running into their own Ruin, I sec very well that the design of raising a Thousand Dragoons is in a manner quashed every Hundred is to find 10 and every Alottment according to their proportions, but suppose they delude you they will say much and do nothing (as it seems many have done in this expedition of Sir Vincent Corbett) what will you do then ? punish a Multitude ? this cannot well be done, because although many will be faulty yet some will not ; my Humble Motion therefore is : that an Assement be shortly made by some men of known worth and Loyalty ; what every man in particular shall shortly do and he that refuseth to perform let Ills Person be secured, if I have said too much you must conceal my Errors and even be confident in Yo'^ Kinsman and Servant John Harrington. Bishton 25 Jany. 1G42. [No direction,] XLI. ORL. BRIDGEMAN TO THE SAME. 1G42-3. Noble Sir I wrote to y» Yesterday, these are further to Certify y" that wee have already brought into this Towne almost 500 Armed men and 200 more will be this night and 200 tomorrow night and 2 Troo^JS of horse, Mr. Savage intended to liavo wayted on y'' but in respect of raysing of men 1 am afrayd it will not beo possible for Ids power is good . •_ • • I besoocli y" Sir return mo as ncero as y" can y" resolutions of .si.?j.a sin; ot >■ . ii ,.:{3o jjx RELATING TO TflE CIVIL WARS. 65 Mr. Sheriff and y"^ other freinds. In great hast the bearer staying on horseback. I reinayne ¥•■ most humble Servant Orl Bridgeman. Chester Wednesday 3 a Clock. Jany 25. [1G42-3. Ed.] It were well if forces lye at Wolverhampton that some now and then would meet witli the pacquett betwixt Lichfield and Stone. To my Noble freind Sir llrancis Oatley at Shrewsbury these. XLIL ORL. BRIDGEMAN TO THE SAME. 1G42-3. Noble Sir Sir Thomas AstonV diversion to Stafford hath occa- sioned S'' Wm. Brereton to be tliis morning at Namptwich, where S*" Thomas Aston resolved to have been this after- noon. I wrote to him what I thought, but I hope bee will redeeme the time and wee shall strengthen o'' selves here, who are ncere upon 1000 in all. and had some part gone out (for many cannot come being only trayncd bands of Wales) who were ) but wee wanted horse w*-'' w^'' hoe helps to supplye us. This Gentleman, Capt, Yarnara, deserves y'' favor, beinsx a most faithfuU sorvt of the Kin"'. I am Sir ¥•■ Affectionate Servant Chester 28 Jan. 3. o'clock [Ui42-3] I hope you will hasten y"" forces to Wliitchurch. Orl. Bridgeman. To my Noble ff'reind Sir ff'rancis Oatley at Shrewsbury these. XLTIL TIIO. ASTON TO THE SAME. lGi2-3. Sr ffrancis Wee have had a .sharpe day of it, being desireous to enter y^ Wych, wee found it [)'[)osscstt this morning by some 7 1 Sl'C N(jte to next letter. i:Vw' '•}:.:■! :iiiO ;i irov ,,: „, ...,•.,:>. ' vi e^hoiici /ill vi .... . , , .^ Jo&saoo .SKA?, mir OT iia^im :oi .vux , ,. ...7 ;i'.;dj K'ifioqq^j it :"'{£t.jl '^z •';:.. . ,. . ,, , ,Ul .} i .vW.'.tJj, •^iii'uyjli'^ II.' lit»->Mt.i iV,!4i«.i Siitf' ifii RELATING TO THE CIVIL WARS. Ql mado seasuro, or at least Stop, of them in Shrosbury as myself being one of tlio Malignant ]H that have taken ii[) Arms against the King which God forbid and I p'sumc you are mis- informed in that, now so it is that there being a free trade intended between Shrosbury and Bristoil the May' my good frend and the Collonell Essex do desire by no means the least Jarr or occasion of breach and thercforo by the same rule though they might have made stopag of the Goods and Trow of Shrowsbury yet neither they nor myself desire it, but they have engaged themselves to me to make good the 4 butts at 16£ a butt only it was thought good I should write unto you to know your pleasure and if you wou'd be pleased to lett my wines bo disposed oif according as I shall ord"^ and according to free Trade which they are confident off (and young Henry Reeves Afirms it) then that y"^ Hon' would be pleased the next Spring to answer this my letter and to declare if I shall give order for the dispose of the Wines aforesaid which will make it to Appear that Y' Hon' desires a free trade as we also desire and for myself shall be ready to do you any reasonable service and so rest desiring that this great breach and mis- understanding may be made up So prays Y' Lo : Frend ;; Though unknown Jo: Birch. I desire to send my Bro: to Shrewsbury to dispose of the Sac k there and some other Goods I shall send To the Hon'^^'^'" S' Francis up next Spring If y' Oatly Govern'" of the lown Hon' please to give of Sallop these present p' a way. Frend whom God preserve Bristoil: 28th Jan: 1642. XLV. V. CORBETT TO SIR FRANCIS OTTLEY, KNIGHT. Sir This in hast, is oncly to give you notice, of a skirmish we had, w^'' Brcartons and y*^ Nantwich forces, I cannot as yet certify of any p'ticular passage, oncly tlius far be satis lied for y" present; the relation of it is not very good neither is it very bad, tills much I wold ro(|uost you y' w*^'' all Speedo, you will Vol. Vr., 2n.l S. \ aomiQ j/ojciT : ■ •' . -ill 'y. j> ■ ^ svi'g ,TEom^ (YaEJX'fo aioKAJi.'* ijia ot n-ffliaaoo .v . /.vox 0 ei ,vjRj].d rti aidT I 68 THE OTTLEY PAPEKS send unto Whitchurch all y* Churgieons you can possible p'vide for wee are in gr^ want of them. So I rest Yours to serve you Drayton V. Corbett. Sunday Morning,^ at G a clock. To the Right Wor" Sir ffrancis Oately governer of Shrewsbury, XLVI. THE KING TO THE SAME. 1G4.2-3. Charles R. We are given to understand that some packs of wooll being the goods of William Jolley of Leeke in our county of Stafford, Gent, were staid in Shrewsbury, upon pretence or information that he had shewed himself disaffected to our Service, fforasmuch as we have rec*^ a Certificate under the hands of divers justices of y^ peace of that o'' County of Stafford to whom the said Jolley is well known testifying his conformity to y'' Lawes and Religion established his loyalty to us, and that he hath offered to make Oath that he never assisted towards the support of y° Army or any Iforces in Rebellion against us, we have therefore tliought fitt and doe by these presents require and authorise you forthwith after sight hereof to release and deliver back to the said Jolley or to such person as he shall depute, all ye said packs of wooll soe staid and detained as aforesaid. And for soe doing this shall bee yo' Warrant. Given at our Court at Oxford y« 2'J'^ Day of January 1G42. To our trusty and well beloved S"" Francis Otely Knight Governo' of our Towne of Shrewsbury. XLVII. JOHN HARRINGTON TO THE SA:\rE. 1G42-3. S' I made bold to express part of my mind to you in a letter w'^^ was sent by i\[essenger from Sir Vincent Corbett to his Lady on Fryday last, and having this Opportunity I do again adventure to let you know by this Bearer that it is 1 Juiuuu-y 29, 1GI2-3.— G. M. ...... ..... ,. .. ,.wo,) .boJai>.a/i ^hiim'H ■'8 if)-"-i'-- "-^w bnfi \.i....- .• .;/•■ ■. ; / i' . - '8 I -u 1 ." ii^-{ nELATING TO THE CIVIL WAllS. 6& conceived that this County will be in as much danger by Domestick as foraiqne Adversaries, if you and sucli as you are, })rcvcnt it not by your S[)cedy Care and Vigilance. I am conlidunt that the iJoaror's Honesty and Sufficiency is of so much worth as will highly deserve your good Esteem and Imployment, so long and no longer I couM wisli you to accept of ins endeavours ; but believe it you will find that some who privately desire the miscarriage of your designs will never want such acceptions [? exceptions] against him as Constant wise men (as things now stand) cannot Judge considerable, I was hartily sorry to see S'' V^inccnt C\)rbett so poorly furnished with raw Sokliers and Young Commanders, if 1 am over bold you must excuse mo Yett no longer than you find me Honest and Hasty and so I rest Your Assured Servant and Cousin John Haerington Bishton 30 Jany. 1642 To his honourable Cousin S'' Francis Otteley Knight and Governor of Salop these present. XLVIII. EDW : HYDE TO SAME. 1642-3, Sir I am desyred by my old Landlord Mr. Acherley^ to write to you in his behalfe, it seems he hath been threatened by some ill neighbours and so fears he may suffer by mis- information, he says he's very innocent and will always continue so, and indeed hath made so many protestations to me, that I believe him. I do therefore desyre you that you will not let him suffer by any general imputation without good proofe : The King rolycs much upon your diligence and interest in these unlucky tymes. I hope you will speedily receive such assistance, as will put new life into your parts. God send us peace I am S' your very affectionate sorvt. Oxford this Edw : Hyde. 31 day of January. To my worthy ffriend S'' Francis Ottley Govern' of Shrewsbury these. ^ Mr. Atchcrloy, the Hciul Master of Shrewsbury School, at Avhoso liouHo the writer atayed when the King was in Slirewsbury, Sept. '20, 1G12. 3''' further pleasure bee knowne concerning tliem. And because of the danger of these parts it is thought fittest to send them to Shrewsbury. Wee doe therefore desire you to take order that their persons be secured there until his Ma^^'^^ further pleasure be known concerning them, for w'^^ purpose some addresses are already made to court, thereof we doubt not of y"^ Especiall care, and rest. Your very assured friends to serve you Chester Feb. 9, 1642. Derby^ Kivers* 1 Sir Richard Wilbraham of Woodhay, Co. Chester, Knight, elevated to the Baronetcy May 5, 1G25. He died in confinement at Shrewsbury the beginning of April following, and among the letters, &c., dated the 7th of that month (not 9th, as mentioned in Owen & Blakeway's Hist, of Shrewsbury, vol. 1, p. -121, n. 7) appears " a true copy of an Authority from Arthur Lord Capell to Sir Francis Oateley Kn' Governo' of the Townc of Shrewsburie and to all Commanders Officers and Souldiers under my Command " stating that " S' Rich. Wilbraham of Woodhay in the Countie Palatine of Chester, Ku' and Baronet is lately deceased at the Towne of Shrewsburie," and had before his death requested to be buried with his Ancestors in the Church of Acton in that County, and that the said Lord Capell had " condescended that the body of the said S"' Rich. Wilbraham be by y" delivered out of yo' Porters or Guards," and commands all Commanders, Asc, under him to sutler tlie body and friends to the no. of 30 and their horses "to passe the Guards to Whytchurch and see in the direct way to Acton," without molestation. The altar tomb erected to his memory still remains in Acton Church, the inscription nearly obliterated. — G. M. 2 I apprehend the Christian name of this gentleman is incorrect.— G. M. 3 James Stanley, K.G., 7th Earl of Derby of the name, and sum- moned to Parliament, V.P. as Baron Strange. He was one of the King's most eminent and active supporters, and long maintained his independence in the Isle of Man. He assisted Charles IPs escape to Bc.scobel after the battle of Worcester, Sept. 3rd, 1G51, was shortly afterwards taken prisoner, and illegally executed by sentence of Court Martial.— G. M. 1 John Savage, Lord Rock Savage, 2nd Viscount Savage, grandson and heir of Thomas D'Arcy, 3rd Baron D'Arcy, created Marl Ibvers b 3>-^ WsiiliS ,h '.a-iin H^ifi'jiO X'*.^ii ,y .u«.* i^:\;.^WJ ,f)tirjH!.'uo-j lit iji C.J'i 9fi3 J. A! RELATING TO THE CIVIL WARS. 71 J{. ClIOLMONDELEY^ l^OJJERT KlLLMOKEY^ Tno. Aston Tho, Savage^ Geffery Shakehley^ Orl IIridgeman ThO. CflOLMOiNDIiJ.i.V •'. To our very Worthy Friend S*^ Francis Oiitley at Shrewsbury these L. THO. HANMER TO THE SAME. 1642-3. Sir, — Understanding that Sir Richard Wilbraham and Mr. Roger Wilbraham are recom'ended to your Custody and care by the Lords and others the Commissioners of Array of this County of Chester, and concerning that for the manner of their restraint, it will be much left to your discretion untill his ^jjjjties pleasure be further known, Upon their desires I am bold to entreat you to Afford them Such Accommodation of Lodging and other nccessaryes as may be fitt Gentlemen, and may not contradict the Trust reposed in you, and I shall rest Your Most Affectionate Friend and Servant Chester 9^*^ Feb. 1642. Tho : Hanmer. [directions torn.] LI, EDW. HYDE TO THE SAME. 1642-3. S' Your Comissyon was sent 8 days since by a Messenger Mr. BushcU undertook should deliver it safely, so I hope 1626, with Remainder to liis sou-in-law, Sir Thomas Savage, and his heirs male. Tliomas John Savage, Earl Rivers, compounded for his estate by payment of £1,110, and died 1654:. — G. M. ^ Robert Kilmorey — Robert Needham, 2nd Viscount Kiluiorey. — G. M. 2 R, Cholmondeley—Robert Lord Cholmondely before noticed. — G.M. 3 Thomas Savage of Beerton, Co. Chester, lie compounded for his estate by paying £557. — G. M. * Sir GeollVey Shakcrley of Holmo, Co. Chester. In Pennant's IFales, vi,, p. 182, llii edit., is an account of u gallant exploit ])er- formed by this staunch loyalist, who compounded for his estate by payment of £784.— G. M. ^ Thomas Cholmondcley of Vale Royal, Esq,, Sheriff of Co. Chester 1638. lie conipomulcHl for his eslalo hy payment of £150, and died January iJ, 1652-3.— G. M. 1. bIo Jii^/198 LvO^J - i: -_,'_'-^-'- 4ia.MfcAB. ;onT [,010^ aiioijooiilij .M .0 - S s 72 THE OTTLEY PAPERS though it hath travelled slowly tis by this tyme safely come to your hands. Sir J. Wild is safely arrived heare, but hath yet given me no account of your dcsyres, so that I know not what to say to them. I am very sorry you can make no certayne provision of Armes, I understood by Dr. Babington that you had gotten fellows there to make musketts, however pray make what shifte you can for I assure you it will be the greatest service you can do his Ma'^ if you could help him to 1000 Armes. Pray excuse me to Dr. Babington for not writing to him and tell him tliere shall be a letter sent by the next conveyance to theB'p'p to pay the tenths for the purpose he desyres, therefore desyro him to proceed in making provisyon, I wonder the Mayor of Shrewsbury hath reccyved no more Money consicler- ing that of the Subscribers there is so much behinde. Excuse this hast of S'' Your very Affectionate sev^ Oxford this £dw: Hyde. 9"* of Feb. This Gentleman S'' Ric. Byron is sent by his Ma'^ to com- mande the fforces for rcducinge Chcshyrc. He is a ri^dit wortliy Gentleman. To my Worthy ff'riond S' ff'rancis Ottlcy Knt. at his House in Shrewsbury these. Noble Sir LII. ORL. BRIDGEMAN TO THE SAME. 1G42-3 This boy is going to Court, if you will command him any service he will bee a safe Messinger. S"" Richard Wilbraham and M"^ Roger Wilbraham are seized on by order from hence and sent to Chirk Castle from thence to Shrewsbury, where they are to stay till his Ma*^«^ further pleasure bee k'nowne. Y" are written to about it by the Com"^^ and tomorrow they will bee at Shrewsbury in expectation of what o' good neio'hb°'"' of Shropshire will doe, wee stay here and rest Y*^ Assured servt Chester Feb^ 10 1642. Orl. Bridgeman. To my Noble freind S"^ lli-ancis Oatley at Shrewsbury. .do''; ^li--. ■. ^. .:/- --V'- •■■■-■ ■■-■ 9J»woH Bid U MfA '(oL^tO Bjonji' IMA8 SHT OT " " rau -iflo .nj JaoK iaoi bae c-)iari •y;ij>1- xim ev RELATING TO THE CIVIL WiSRS. 73 LIII. RI. LLOYD TO SIR FRANCIS OTTLEY, KNIGHT. 1G42-3. Sir This gentleman coming from Cumberland upon hh j^jj^ties special Service of importance comes rccom'ended from diverse of tlie Kings servants and freinds and particularly from Mr Bridgeman, His business recjuircs special specdo and therefore I beseech you to see to his accom'odation for horse, otherwise the hindrance may turne much to the p'judice of his J\Ia""^* Service. If the Gentlemen of Shropshire doe not speedily and affectionately resent the troubles of Cheshire we shall all be sacrificed.ftbr all the com'on people in Cheshire are poysoned, S' Jo : Cell and some forces from my L*^ Brooke are to Joyne ^th gr \v. Brereton's forces and all in a body to harrowe these northern parts. S"" I am y"^ most humble Servant Wrexham ivi : Lloyd. this 10^" of ffeb. 1G42. for my much honoured and noble freind S"" tlrancis Otteley at Shrewsbury these. LIV. TOM. EYTON TO THE SAME. 1G42-3. Frank Here we are ready for any work we shall be set on, for our own Countrymen will give us no Wages. Yesterday the Neighbouring People gave us an Alarm, Betwixte 40 and 50 Issued out of Nampw'^",did some harm by plundering and took away an honest sick Gent : and 2 of his Servants, and lighted on 2 or 3 of Ned Owens Men and returned. I know you have been told the discourse before this, I pray be a Means to send in unto me all my Soldiers of the Town, Dick Williams and the rest : well Adieu till I see [you] I rest in hast Whitch: Sunday 11"' Feb. Thy ToM: Eyton. 1642. , . , To S' Francis Ottliiy at Shrewsbury give these. LV. THO. WILBRAHAM TO THE SAME. Noble S'' The Miseroycs of these times mackcs us riglit Sensible of Fronds, T account my.solf mucli hapj)y in finding you (by .CIYOJJ rlH, i ,a:uA« SUIT OT HOTvy ,iiii>'r .yu i^iAa auT OT MAHiiJAjm .OUT' .tj ■. 74 THE OTTLEY PAPERS testemony of your letter). I esteem it a right act of your love, persist (noe Jclosey)to bo your Frends Frend still in your care and favour to my Fatlier; therein continue, and when I foyle to be ungrateful! (sic), let all men forbear to write mc man. For my man I solely appeal to you hoping my Inosensey may Acquit him, whereof be you Judge : my Duty bound me to enquire After my Father, (not knowing where he was) I assure you this was the only Cause I sent him, noe other beliefe I begge from you, but the truth, and that I will ever remain Vour Assured Frend to Com'and Chester this 17 of Tho : VVilbraham. February 1642. LVI. T. EYTON TO THE SAME. 1G42-3. Honest Francisco Having so fitt Opportunity I thought good to give you Account of what we do here, and such Occurencies as have happened in these parts, this Morning about 10 a clock, Coll Hastings Marched out of Town with about 700 Horse ; I speak with the least I am sure for they have 15 Colours, I suppose they walk toward where S"^ W'" Brereton was last ^ight, whether he will stay for them or not I know not ; which way ho wheeles his Long face is not yet known here; last night he sent out betwixt 2 and 300 Horse, it was conjectured here either to plunder S'' John persalls or M' Will'" Fitzherbert's House, but the more learned think he removed further of from ^I"^ Hastings, as not willing to endure the breath of the JMalignant : this Night wo expect some News, what happens at Any time worthy your Cognizance [I] shall Studyo to Acquaint you with, in the mean time I remain Thy T: Eyton. Stafford 18 Feb. 1642 To y^ Worthy Governor of Shrewsbury S"" Francis Ottluy these present. LVII. THO. CORBETT TO TUE SAME. 1G42-3. Noble Sir The Bayliffs of Bridgnorth in tlie behalf of the Town having ben importunate with mo to take upon mc the Exor- '•^h- .«av'-* /-i-' e-/ "'■•■ '•"" ■■'■'■'■' ' '■'■ "■' ■- - ■ ■.^. 11. '5.0(1 J ai IjOi- fi- ll .dft'? 81 I- RELATING TO THE CIVJL WARS. 75 cising the young men in this Town and others in the County near adjoining for the defence of the Town upon any needfull design, I have ben perswadcd by tlicm to take tlie same upon me, and they having shewn me a letter which they intend to present unto the high Sherifi for a warrant unto me in that behalf. I pray be pleased to consider thereof, and Imp' your advise unto me, and further JM"^ Sheriff's direction therein as you in your Wisdom shall think most convenient, and you shall Oblige unto you Your respective [sic] Kinsman Bridgnorth and freind who truly 55 Feb. lG-12. Honoureth you Tho: Corbett. To my noble Friend and kinsman Sir i^'rancis Ottley Knight at Shrewsbury present these. lviii. wa. jajies to the same. Sir, I would have gladly way ted uppon you, but false alarums call me to send out men for the discovery of Sir William Bruerton [who] is at Newcastle. Sir Thomas . . . sent unto mo to send out. I have 2 Horses I believe will scarce recover for my servise any more, they have been so infinitely rid forth for the defence of Commanders when they are here with us, and at other times when occasions serve justly, and [we] have reasonable number to resist which I hope we shall have now : The Governor of Stafford is gone from Stafford quite away; Collonell Hastings upon his march towards Tarn worth fell u[)on iiusshall House, M" Lees who is with Bruerton, upon tuesday last at 8 of the Clock in tlio morning, ami continued untill 4 in the afternoon and then they Yielded the House unto them.tooke 21 Prisoners [with] the young woman, and so he hath left a considerable ntimber of Men behind in that Howse; thus in hast I rest your Humble servant Wa : Jam : Sir I wou'd you would be pleased to send me an Answer by this bearer what you in your [Judgement] know me to [be entitled to] receive, for [that] I have been at a very ^reat charge, it is very well known, which if you send any by this Bearer he is very honest. To my much Honor'd Frond Sir Francis Ottley Governor of Shrewsbury My Service. Vol. VI., 2nd S. J li. I .TV3f.5ioO :ohT hiin baoli^ aid' .88©/!.? ,aiB '? 'J'l. -ii h Ijlhlf) U'j- .'A'ikS nl'i'Ji Ojnu Misiiuii : ]'//L : a'// .■...-.. ,o;Lr;j.iij .'i-oi^ Y'lov ji , . ii-i 'ijii^ijU. H!t[>t YM yiji:; i>uoa i/ov 'ii jioiiiv/ ,iiWL>ij/i •rv.xU'imid'S'iQ ■■ .\i, i.ci .« b«S .1? .(oV 76 'IllE OTTLKY PAPERS lix. wa. james to tub same. My Most Honnored I am fearful! of my neglect should procure a Jelosie from you but 1 hope M'' Betton hath acquainted you that the death of a father may Chaleng some privelidg, that I could not execute your Command; we have had this day a post from Oxford Gentlemen that are to CoUonell hastings then* designo it did me importune, because they were absolut affected to nis Majestic I have search cannot find that I would you may imagin .... were sent to a ... . Man in uur County ; the Letter was to no purpose ; we hear the Lord Brook is not removed out of Coventry; Walter howgrave came from Stafford this Instant, a nearo Servant unto Sir Thomas Eieton brought this news : more I cannot inform [you] Your Humble Servant Newport Feb. 26 to command To Sir Francis Ottley VVa : Ja : ^Governor of Sallop My Servis. LX. THOMAS LEGH TO THE SAME. 1642-3. This Gentleman the bearer hereof one of an Approved fidelity to the King is desirous with some others in his Company to tender their Service to his Ma*y and have requested me to trouble you with these lines which desire you so far to coun- tenance them therein that by Yo"" means they may attayne that favo'' as to kiss his ^Ma*^^' hand, the performance of which -curtesie will oblige me ever to remayne Y"^ Affectionate Servant Chester 27 Feb. Sweet Governor 1642 Thomas Legh. To my honored Friend S' Francis Ottley Knight Governo'' of Shrewsbury pre't These LXI. hughe MAURICE TO THE SAME. Worthy S'' My service remembered &c., being in Chester all the last week My Lady Wilbraham shewed me letters that she had : eaoqi ff r''>f'' '^'■'rnrj Al :AV/ .awAa .uBT ox nosj samoht ,xj .di:vid;«Y 'to 8;>{w^iur'iot'.!0(j aMAa SB.T OT .IXJ ,- If RELATING TO THE CIVIL WARS. 11 to her Husband S"^ Ricliard Wilbraham : I read them my selfe, and upon this 1 promised to convey them unto you, not doubt- ing but you will dehver them Accordingly ; for you may rcade them first : having not else at this p'"sent I take leave and rest Yours to com'and HuGUE Maurice. Feb. 274i 1642. If you will write unto me I pray let your letter be directed to Chester for I shall be there. To the right Wo" Sir Francis Ottley Knight at Shrewsburie these p''sent. I pray deliver the I're to M*" Edward Morris of the Swanne to be deliverd as above. LXII. WILLL RUSSELL TO THE SAME. 1642-3. Honored Sir, Three Barrells of powder comming without an owner or a pass I have stayed, and upon the receipt of your letter, I should have immediately despatched it up to you, but having entellegence of my Lord Brookes his forces neere this County and not knowing what use I may have of it, though I cannot complain of a great want, I shall desire as a Courtesie you will not impute it to an unwillingness of observing your Commands if I stay it some few days, assureing you that a farr greater ■Courtesie you shall freely Command from Sir Worcester feb. 28, ] 642. Your Servant WiLLL RUSSELL.I To his honored frend Sir ffrancis Ottley Governor of Shrewsbury these present. ^ Sir William Russell, of Strensliam, Co. Worcestei', 1st Baronet, ■one of the King's most zealous supporters. He was Governor of Worcester, compounded for his estate by payment of £1,800, with £50 jr7(7- annum settled, and died 1GG9. — G. M. .SW.AB mn OT .( ^:r--fr-L ,ia. i L T - ,- ,- ^4-01 ,8S jd^tDi^' 78 THE OTTLEY PAPERS RELATING TO THE CIVIL WARS. LXni. WALTER JAMKS TO THE SAME. Sir 1G42 3. I was Yesterday at Stafford, the report was then that the Lord IJrooko was com unto Colshill and so far Uttecter whicli coming that way is to gethcr up forces for he in himself is not the . . . man that is ro])ortcd, I liave Jj kinsmen tliat are by Colshill, and Brooke hath sent unto them for the 20^** part of their Estate whicli if they refuse to pay they shall bo plunder'd &c. how that Miserable condition of that country is, I hoj)e this day 1 shall hear, and then shall you have the rest of his removing, wliich I hope will be for hell, and then there will no need of intelligence, so in hast I commend my service unto you to bo commanded Walter James. Newport Feb. 29*'^ 1642. To Sir Francis Ottley Sir Francis Worsley is at Oxford, Governor of Sallop his Souldiers at Stafford, and the present these Town would gladly bo shutt of them if they could tell how. Lxiv. w. smith to the same. Noble Sir 1G42-3. I return you many thanks for yo' great favour earnestly desiring yo"^ Occasions here wou'd engage me to some acceptable service : S"" Edward Hyde now Chanlo'' of the Exchequer hath accepted of Yo"^ Appointment for the 15° and I may have it when I will call for it, I am informed my good paymasters are again become Prisoners, If I had more and you less of their company I suppose it would bo better for us both ; peradventure you may ero long hear more to that purpose; we expect not the Queen hero as yet this Month ; we have now one come for a Safe Conduct for the Earl of Northumberland and the L. Say; but it is suppose his Ma^^ will not treat with a proclaimed Tray tor. S'' I present Yo"^ Self and Yo' Yertuous Lady with my humble Service and rest Yo' Obliged freind and Servant Oxford March 2^^ 1642. W. Smith. I had notice of your Welfare this day by my Man George Cross. For the AVorthily honoured S"" Francis Oateley Kn' and Govcrno'' of Shrewsbury present this with my service att Shrewsbury. (1^0 be Continued). •yoi ■Wf '{fa fiiiw 7j)pJ. c^rio{fJ:;>Y 'oY I-' "■J' irT ,.r.or,-tq I l^ ^■■'' 'S rb'iitM LiolxO 0 enxioti biirf 1 ^litijioV/" oiU 'iol iii^'h'.^k^A 'k V "il f IS •ss 79 SELATTYN: A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. By the Hon. ]\Ias. BULKELEY-OWEN. (Contimied from 2)id Series, Vol. V., page 342J. CHAPTER VI. THE CHURCH. There must have been a Church at Selattyii from very early times, though not standing upon the present site. Duke, in his Antiquities of Slirops'hire, tells us that " the people say the first Church was at Pentre Clawdd." No traces of that Church have ever been discovered, though it is quite possible that a Chapel may have existed there for the use of the Pentref or Hamlet. The name of the field, "Bryn yr Hen Eglwys," facing the Rectory to the south, probalDly indicates the site of the original Parish Church. The following legend of its foundation is given us by Pennant, who quotes from the MSS. of Edward Lloyd of Drenewydd : — "A noble Briton, being engaged in the chase, found in a thicket on this spot a white hind, which determined him (after the example of Ethelred, King of the Mercians, in the instance of St. John's Church, Chester), to dedicate it to sacred uses. He accordingly translated to this place the ancient Church which tradition says stood before on a spot still called 'Bryn yr Hen Eglwys,' or the hill of the old Church. "^ I see no reason to doubt that a noble Briton was the founder of the Church, though it is highly improbable that he was moved to build it by the example of one of 1 Tour i)i Wales, vol. i., p. 3G0. Vol. VI., 2ua S, ^^ 3ih eoiixh: , . .. I : - ; i. yi \:i\ :"vr -m1 .Ot)€ „q ,.) .{,07 ,!;,;»\v:j'''ti :u u.,.;'^: ' 80 SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. the Saxon conquerors. The lives of the Welsh saints abound in legends of deer. We read in the Life of Saint Cadoc of two stags who set "aside their wildness" and drew wood for the rebuilding of the Monastery of Llancarvan [circa 447]. ^ S. Illtyd, founder of the famous College of Llanilltyd Fawr, or Llantwit Major | circa 520] protected a poor hunted stag that had tal^en refuge with him from its pursuers. It was afterwards tamed by S. Illtyd and became useful in drawing timber for buildino-.^ An angel foretold in a dream to Sandde, King of Ceredigion, the birth of his son, St. David, whom he compared to a stag, of which he gave Sandde the following beautiful definition, drawn partly from the symbolism of Psalm 42 :— " The stag," said the angel, " signifies power over the ancient Serpent ; for as tlie stag deprived of his pasture by serpents, and desiring a fountain of water, having received strength is renewed as in youth ; so he placed on high, as with the legs of stags, will deprive the ancient Serpent of mankind of his power of hurting against himself, and obtain the fountain of life by his constant shedding of tears ; and, daily renewed by the frugality of moderate food, will in the name of the Holy Trinity obtain a salutary know- ledge, and begin to have power to govern demons." ^ The Church of Llangar, or as it should be written, of Llan garw gwyn, near Corwen, has a legend that "a white stag was started in the thicket where the church now is, and tliat wherever he ran that became the boundary of the parish." ^ The red stag of Llandderfel existed as long as 1730, when an iconoclastic Hural Dean ordered it to be decapitated.^ 1 Lives of the Camhro-British Saints, lleos's cd. 1853, p. 329. Nantcarvun means the "Valley of Stays;." - Ibid, p. 473. 3 Ibid, p. 419, from tlic Cotton MSS. Brit. Mus. " Hist. S. Asaph, p. 711. 3 ibui, p. G7a. ■.i.ii. iaji^ii;? n.A 'io Oft: M ar-T 9fi i^Vi^iaav/ J^iiJ- i.uii:< ,ai ad oi oJ nCI lii (looi rm aadw /u7" i4) ■ vfo-V^ r; * SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF TUE PARISH. 8l The first historic mention of the Church of Selattyn is given us in the Taxatio of Pope Nichokis, 1291. It is there called " Eccl'ia de Hilatwon," with a various reading, " Sulatwn," and is valued at X'6 13s. 4d. ; dec. 13s. 4d. ^ The advowson of the living was in possession of Fulk Fitz Warin, Lord of the Manor of Whittington, on July 7th, 1331, as we have seen by an Inquisition taken at that date " before Sir John de Hynkeley and Thomas Eggefeld, clerk. It was valued then at X'5. ^ It is there called " Ecclesia de Celatton." An anonymous and undated MS. has from this tried to supply us with a solution of the meaning of the name Selattyn. It says, " Syllattin, Syllatyn, or Seilatyn, takes its name from Coelestine the Pope, when St. Martin was Bishop of Tours." We have but to look at the earliest known spelling, " Sulatton,'^ to contradict this myth. Various puns have been made upon the modern spelling of the name, such as " Selatti hi, i.e., shoot at her"; or that the village was so called from a local schoolmaster, who said, " I sell Latin," On the first page of the Ptegister we find, written in a modern hand by some would-be etymologist, " Differ- ent modes of writing the name of this };)lace. Saleur- dine^ written in Domesday book, 1.58G. Syllatin, Sillattyn, Slattyn, Selattyn, so written in 1800. Sillatin, see Pennant. Sillatton, see Chalice. Silatton, see 1587." Others have tried to connect the name with " Sul," a Saxon word signifying ploughland. The origin of the name still remains a mystery ; it has nothing to do with the patron saint, who is S. Mary.^ ^ Hist. S. Ascqih, p. 007. - Cliaptcr i., p. 15. ^ The Churclj of Whittington was valued at £10. Thomas Egge- feld may have been an early Hector of Srlattyn or of Wliittington. "* Saleurdinc was in iJabeliureh Hundred. '^ IJaeou's LiMr luji^ and IJrownc Willis. nth. ,0031 ';;•■' • ' ■'Udlif'. ■9a a ,fii>J^^i:!;i.:'i!V/ lo '»o wv ' ' '{^ ' 82 SELATTYN : A HISTOIIY OF THE PARISH. The Dedication Festival is 8th Sept., the Nativity of B.V.M. In the Inquisition of 1412-13, we find the advowson valued at " six marks." The Valor of 1534-35 gives it as in gross, " X'13 6s. 8d. ; clare, JG12 9s. Gd. ; dec, X'l 4s. ll^d. Selattyn was in the Deanery of Marchia until 27 Hemy VIII. , when an Act was passed, of which section xi. enacted, " that after the Feast of All Saints, the Lordships of Oswester, Whetington, Masbroke, and Knoking, with their members, should be taken, named, and known by the name of the hundred of Osv/ester, in the County of Salop." We have no information as to the building of the present Church, and there is nothing in the building to lead us to any definite conclusion. There is an interest- ing relic of the earlier Church in the moulded head of tlie south window of the chancel. It has been formed from a large incised grave cover or cofl^in lid. The stem of the cross and part of the Calvary at the base, as well as some of the circles that formed the geometrical head can be readily traced. This slab is of 12th century date. Several pieces of early English, 13th century stone- work, were found within the north wall when it was removed during the alterations in 1890. The old part of the existing Church is mainly per- pendicular, of about the middle of the 15th century, when the present fine oak roofs were put on, and the windows altered to their present style. It then consisted of a chancel 32 ft. by 18 ft. 6 in., containing a south door for the priest ; and a nave 48 ft. by 18 ft. 6 in., internally under a continuous roof, and with nothing externally to denote the division between the two, but which was then marked internally by the increased richness of the chancel roof, and later on by a screen and rood-loft. We learn from the Ilegister that "the present steeple began to be built in May A.D. 1703. John Jones, B.D., 13 ni BB ii 89 V BJi e>ilj' btx/. ,.ai 0 iMU ^nm ,1.001 ie>;>n t.iliI,v3£ioi ado'h .ton ,U SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. 83 Tiector, John Thomas of Pentre Clawdd, and John KyfEn of Trivallyre, Churchwardens." A stone near its base on the south side bears the date 1704. It took the place of a former steeple, as we know from the Inventory taken in 1553, signed by the Hector, Robert Staney. PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE EXCHEQUER. Q. R. CHURCH GOODS, SALOP, | M 8. SULATIN. Thys byll yndentyd made the [ ] day of May yn the sevynth }Ci'c of our mosto dread soverant lord Kynge Edward the vj'-'' bytwyxto Andrew Corbett,^ Rycliarde ]\laneuryn^ Knyglites, & Ryc'd Newport Esquier' of the on party & Robert Stance parson, Roberd Ap Gruff & John ap davyt clierche- wardesse, of the other partye. Wytnesyt that the sayd Roberd &L Roberd & John ar bonden k do confosse ourselves by these })resentes to be eharyyd & bonden to save, kyepe unstolne, un- solde, unbehieyd, ij bells, on Chalyce of selvcr w' the ])aten therto bclongyng now yn the paryche [Church] & Stepull ; as Ave wyll anser therforre. Yn wytnes whereof we have put to our hands the day & yere above sayd. This Commission throws no light upon any articles of value, such as jewels, crosses, vestments, etc., which the Church may have possessed before, it merely informs us what tlie (Joniuiissioners thought lit to leave in statu quo, they were empowered " to make seizure of all goods in Cathedral or parish Churches . . . and they were bound to leave no more than one Chalice for the Communion Service.""^ It is not, however, likely that 1 Sir Andrew Corbet of Morton Corbet, Co. tSalop, Sheriff 1551, mar. Jane, d. of Robt. Nedham of Shavington ; died 1578. {Her. Visit. Shrop., p. 13G). 2 Sir Richard Manwaring of Ightfeld, Co. Salop, mar. Dorothea, d. of Sir Robert Corbet of Morion Corbet, Sherill' Slirop. 1507, who died 5 lien. Ylll. ^ iiieliard Newport of lligli Krcall, Sherill' Slu-op. 155'J, mar. Margaret, only d. and heir of Sir Thomas iJroniley, Chief Justice. * Collier's Ch. Hist., Book IV., p. 505. I ^,.t.t<>ff^{:)i> v;; ^ i ->^ >\x::^ \ ^'i^\^cC ^ UvtOd! esflo'iijijj ifHn,e4j- lU; .ovtvi i:iiiu> , ifoj^fitv.sii,''. lo i«JiiU)wt4 .: .--^ .y ,. ;^ .iw^i-i ,.-,o,>-:.. '>r. .0 M 84 RELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PAllISH. they found anything in this little hillside Church of sufficient value to carry off for the King's treasury. There is a diversity of opinion as t(; the stru(;ture termed a " stepuU " in 1553. 0. IKnlgson Fowler, Esq., F.S.A., who restored the church in 1890, is of opinion that it was " probably a wooden bell turret rising out of the western bay of the nave, for during the recent works that bay was found to be of very common and comparatively modern work. It showed that some alteration had been made there, which would, of course, be the case, when the bell turret was removed and the present tower built in 1703. This tower is very roughly built, and exceedingly rude in design, evidently the work of a local mason, who endeavoured to reproduce, and with very fair success, the general features of mediceval towers that he had, no doubt, seen elsewhere. It certainly was not built from the design of any of the architects then living, who were all working in English renaissance." Dr. Cox, F.S. A. , takes a different view of the question. He writes : — " The Tower is a remarkable venture for the time of Queen Anne. It consists of three diminish- ing stages, and is embattled. The general effect is picturesque and bold ; no builder or architect of that period would have produced such work, unless they had to some extent copied a previous steeple. The belfry stage is lighted by four small windows of two lights, formed by a substantial central mulHon, capped by a single stone moulded into two semi-circular heads. This seems to be a shallow reproduction of Saxon work, and I conjecture that the old tower was of late Saxon or early Norman character. Another special feature of the tower is the far projecting diagonal buttresses at the west, which graduate oft in a series of steps. Altofjether the tower is a strikinf]^ feature of the Church, and not a little remarkable for the time in which it was built. Probal)ly the old tower had been buttressed up and altered in early Englisli times, as well as at a later date. The l)uttresscs on the cast that dio away into Biii .fioiiaairp arlJ lo wai/ iiT8/9ft'i/ j:; & >iiXi . J. 'ioi e'ni:ia':iy sMxrJxcmsi ^ at 'iswoT sn'T '' — : ssiriw aH '• ' riib as'itfj-'io aJ&i&fi-.^ '' " aeeuQ '\o emli odd ajiiivi !•: -lO usijiijia on ; di 7C5 iju; :dt 81 It 8r//7 Jt iioiiiv/ ni (> Asi cJon bxiis oiiii x.AiWji! oil) .-.i SELATl'YN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. 85 the nave, do not seem to have been interfered with in 1703-4." Some small repairs took place in 1751. On the 21st December we find " Received by Thomas Conway and William Jaret the sum of JC3 15s. in full for the repairs of the Church." Somewhere early in the 16th century the Church was enriched by a very remarkable rood-screen and loft, with, doubtless, a rood with attendant figures on it. This screen and loft remained until 1751 or 2, as " at a Vestry held" Dec. 22, 175 I, ^ "it was agreed that the Cancelli or partition between the Church and chancel should be taken away. Present Edd. Maurice [curate], J. Venables, Edd. Ilichardson, Jolin Arthur." This was accordingly done, l.-il fortunately all the heavier woodwork of it was used for making a gallery at tlie west end, where it was found during the recent work, though concealed by later additions. Enouf^h, however, remains to show that the screen had a central doorway, and three compartments on either side of it, and over it the loft extended 10 ft. into and over the chancel, forming thus a large room 18 ft Gin. long and 10 ft. wide. The alterations early in this century removed all traces of the means of access to the rood-loft ; probably it was by a wooden stair in the chancel. "In 1748 the chancel was reflagged and wainscoted by Hector Hanmer, with the helj) of some of the chief parishioners, in consideration of his allowing them seats there."- His work, though cut and altered in 1821, has recently been carefully restored, and still adorns the chancel. It was usual for the patron of the living and for other "persons of quality" to worship in the chancel 1 Wo learn from a book at S. Asapli Palace that most of the rood- lofts were removed in 1731, and that "some of the people objected." rosHil)ly Hector I laumer prevented this spoliation It was removed the year after the appointment of his sueeessoi'. 2 Bishop's Book, S. Asai)h. U: 'is' .... y^J gi3v/ di yWvf^do'fq : arnobii IlUa buz .ba'joiaai YJlub-iiio nesd "^liii- - .idOimdo ©fid- 86 SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. and have sitting accommodation there from the very earliest times. It was enacted in the year 1287, by a Synod held at Exeter that *'no one from henceforth may claim a seat in Cliurch as his own, noble persons and patrons of churches alone excepted. He who for the cause of prayer, shall first enter a Church, let him select a place of prayer according to his will."^ We have no record of appropriated seats at Selattyn earlier than the Chancel seats of 1748, though doubtless they existed, and we have fragments of the old Jacobean pews, which are now in the wall panelling. Seats w^ere allotted for money as far back as 1457-8 in the south of England.^ At the Parish Church of St. Christopher le Stocks, of which Robert Staney became Rector in 1536, he found that in 1524 twelve persons had been chosen as assessors " to sesse every piew severally at a certain summa." We may be permitted to hope, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, that he did not introduce this practice at Selattyn. The first mention of the traffic in pews in the nave is to be found in the Register under May 28, 17G6. I, Peter Tomkies, in the Co. of Salop, shoemaker, do hereby consent and a^reo witli the inhabitants of the Tarisli of Selattyn, that for the value of two shillings paid yearly to me by the churchwardens of the said Parish, a seat adjoining the Heading Desk bo hereafter let unto the Parishioners for the use of the clerk to sit in, provided that only one person may be admitted to sit with him in the same seat upon the Sabbatli Day. In witness wliereof I have set my iiand the day and year above mentioned. Peter Tomkies, Witness Wm. EnwARDS ") . ,1 , 1 UORERTlhKn.ESr^^"''^^^^^'''^^^^'-^"^- ^ Hist, of Seat Reservatioyi in Churches, written for Soc. of Aiiti- qxiavies, VV. J. Hurdy, F.S.A., 1892, 2 Ibid p. 5. At Yeovil. 79.t'. fi id {■ £iii'AMOy iiaiiJ'-I 4cra,4 to -tKjisI 'jol i.(^>i'*i SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. 87 By what right Peter Tomkies held this Pew and let it, history does not state; his right was evidently held to he hereditary, for the Rector, the He v. J. H. Lloyd, eventually bought it for the use of the clerk from Edward Tomkies in September, 1785, and made a present of it to the Parish. In 1772 a Brief was obtained for the rebuilding of the Church. George the III. by the Grace of God. . . . Whereas it hath been represented to us well upon the Petition of the Iiector, Churchwardens, and the niajor part of the principal inhabitants of the parish of Selattyn Co. Salop .... upon the 15'^ Janry. xi*^*" year of our reign that the Parish Church of Selattyn is a very ancient building , . . . and become ruinous .... and unsafe . . . . and too small for the number of Parishioners and by the oaths of experienced workmen who have viewed the Church and made an estimate of the charge of taking down and rebuilding the same upon a moderate charge, which computation will amount to £1,250 and upwards, exclusive of old materials, which the saide parishioners are unable to raise amongst themselves being mostly Tenants. . . . We grant unto them our most gracious letters patent to our loving subjects .... to ask and collect alms . . . . throughout England and our town of Berwick on Tweed, our counties of Flint, Denbigh and Radnor in Wales, and from house to house throughout our counties of Salop, Hereford, Stafford, Worcester and Chester to enable them to rebuild their said Church. . . . We constitute and appoint the Rt. Rev. the Lord Bishop of S', Asaph,! Sir Watkin Williams Wynn Bc.,^ Rich. Myddleton,^ John Mytton,* Robert Godolphin Owen,^ and John Owen,*' Esquires, William Wynne,^ William Worthington,^ D.D. Wra. Boyd, Wm. Roberts,'-* Thomas Trevor,i° Joseph Dixon, David 1 Jonathan Shipley, D.D. 2 Qf Wynnstay. s Of Chirk Castle. * Of Ualston, Wiiittington Parish. ^ Of I'orkiugtoii. ^ Of Penrhos. 7 Cunou of St. Asaph, Vicar of Llanfechain 1 735-1 77G. ^ Prebend of iMeifod. Then Peetor of Llanrhaiadr-yn-Mochnant. ^ liector of Whittington and Selattyn. 10 Vic-ar of O.swcstry. Vol. VI., L'nd S. L .^■STTrAJliP . . . . Kailn ^ \ r? ApIT ! / , '.. V 88 SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. Griffiths, Joshua Adams, Owen Ileynolds.i David Trice^ and John Jeffreys 3 Clerks, the Minister and Churchwardens, . . . to make and sign all necessary orders for the duo colloction of this Brief and advancement of the said charity. . . . 22 Janry. the 12^'' year of our reign. Signed Bathurst.* Fortunately the Church was only repaired and not rebuilt at the above date. The Parish Kegister informs us that it was " new Pewed in ye year 1772 and in ye year 1773 finished by Thomas Ellis and Edward Smallman Powers." What the last word of that entry may mean I do not know, unless that they exerted themselves in begging money to pay for the work. Thomas Ellis was the Parish Clerk. The next entry respecting the Pews refers to the Lord of the Manor, " Mr. Lloyd having caused the word Patron to be renew'd over the Eector's Pew in the Chancel," He writes the following letter of apology to the Rector : — Mr. Lloyd's compts. to I^Ir. Roberts and would have answered his note sooner had he seen his steward to know his reason for inserting the Patron's name on the Pew at Sellatin, but will give orders for the whole to be erased, and the Eector's only shall be put on it. For Mr. Lloyd would not deprive the Rector or Church of any emolument whatever. Aston, Saturday Even. July 3, 1773. Some slight alteration was made to the panelling in 1779, for we find " Paid to Charles Conway by order of Mr. Roberts for altering the wainscoating 4/4." He had been appointed Clerk on the death of Thomas Ellis in 1770. On Nov. T), 1788, the Vestry ''ordered that a door bo made in the end of the steeple, that the present 1 Master Oswestry Grammar School. 2 Vicar of Chirk. 2 Curate of Selattyn. * Brit. Mus. ilarl. MS. G,270, ?,. xii. 3. an ^«i vijm "^.Jns ^r- .,, ..,,-.. .'. '■ ,. ,f^ .N ™ ^i_ Qili oi ^0 •!( v-X GUJ. f r7ii:> oi obafii f. \/ Jj.f.yb .iiW >v/ .>^^ ^ TT .., ,f\ n rti .i: ,iu: .rr ,st£,() .81/. .* SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISTI. 89 door be built up and tlie space between Mr. Edwards^ and Robert Lloyd's^ seats be sold to the Wardens after they have properly pevv'd the same." Tliis new doorway appears to have been the principal one, until the recent alterations, when it was built up and the old south doorway re-opened and a new half timbered porch built by the Rev. T. Powell in memory of his brother-in-law, Rowland Jones Venables of Oakhurst, and of Harriet his wife.^ The south doorway was not built up until the follow- iug year. Nov. 5, 1789, the Vestry " Ordered that the old door be built up level with the wall in the inside and out.->ide of the Church, and made like the other part of the walls, also that the space within the Church be sold by the Churchwardens to the best bidder on the 21st day of December next at the Cross Keys in Sylattyn at the hour of 12 for the purpose of making a pew similar to the rest of the Pews in the Church." This Vestry seems to have reached the lowest depth of degradation in ordering a sale by auction in a public- house of a portion of God's house. The Old Porch was still left standing. Nov. 5, 1791. The Vestry •* agreed that the Old Porch be converted into a Vestry room and for that purpose the Churchwardens are directed to make a fireplace and window in the south end thereof and provide a table." A sketch in India ink of the Church as it then was, was taken by D. Park, a Schoolmaster in Shrewsbury between the years 1 806- 1826. It is preserved in the British Museum. Our frontispiece is taken from it.'* The Vestry " also agreed that the vacant ground within tlie Church near to the old Door be disposed of, leaving a passage of 2 feet 6 inches at the side of Mount Sion seat to lead to the new Vestry room 1 Of Oldpoi-t. - or Swauliill. ^ Sliu is sLill living. ■» Add. MSS. 21,012 riut. clxxv. If. , - . ; r, . ^ T ■■■■[' bn jjo •i^ c/jiGcvrr.' >r';'f irr-^-vi won o :oi/l .ni/lf(M//H "10 * ' ' - c .11' .'r/./A'j Jul' *■ 90 SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. through a Door at the end thereof above which a window is directed to be made to give hglit under the gallery." *' The vacant ground above mentioned was sold to Mrs. Edwards of Oldport for one pound one shilling the same day." The window then ordered to be made was probably the dormer window depicted in the sketch. No further alterations appear to have been made until 1821, except that on 28th Oct., 1805,— ^' The Vestry agreed to a lewn of 2d. per pound towards constructing a flue for Warming the Church. Estimate £23 13s. 3d." The North transept was built in 1821, and the South transept in 1828. The Old Porch survived as a Vestry until the later date, when a new Vestry was made in the south transept, the pewing rearranged to suit the transepts, and the fine oak roofs of nave and chancel were concealed by a continuous arched plaster ceiling, without any ornamentation, which gave the Church the effect of a tunnel. Such is briefly the history of the Church, and it re- mains only to describe more fully the ancient features and the alterations and improvements recently carried out. Although, as before stated, no part of the present fabric can certainly be ascribed to the 13th century, the bowl of the Font is undoubtedly of that date. It is circular in plan, and has round its upper part a band of running foliage. Tlie original shaft and base had been destroyed, and it is now fixed on a new one. All the ancient windows are square-headed, with the exception of the east one, only two of them retained their original mullions and cusped heads, and they contain no old stained glass. In 1892 the east window, which con- tains three lights, was filled with stained glass^ by his daughter, inmemory of Jolmllalph, 1st Baron Harlech. - 1 By C. E. Kompc, Esq., E.S.A. 2 A window representing tlic liesurrcction was placed to his memory in the soutli transept of Oswestry Parish Clnircli by his wife Sarah, Lady Harlecli. h 'SOT Ofil A'XUiVJ & or 1 b;..- .. . - liUMn lo ibd^ ^ M ''. :..-7i V:.,. „ .... \d.m Of [J lo ■ on ni id bs^idi/a biJi' eaoillu: -n.oo .: f fl .SPtnH be o fjiJ V,.. . ax;w ,fidfi;git sr ^ ^'.Ji:;,jhi5l:- Vj Y'iOmsni ill SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. 91 The central subject is the Crucifixion, with the Blessed Virgin and St. John on either side. Below are hung three heraldic shields, the central one containing the Coat of Gore and Orinsby with Tyrell on an escutcheon ot })retence, and the otliers those of Lacon of Porkington, Maurice of Clenenney, Gruffyd a}> Cynan ; and of Owen of Bodsilin, Wynn of Glyn, and Godolphin. The soutli doorway, of which such frequerit mention has been made, is exceedingly j)lain, having merely a single chamfered order. Close to it, in the south wall of the nave, is a mutilated stoup, cut away, no doubt, for the pews. But the glory of the Church, and altogether its most striking feature, is the very beautiful oak roofing. The nave roof is of five bays, divided by heavily timbered and moulded arched principals, with moulded purlins and ciisped windbraces and heavy rafters. The chancel roof is of four bays with similar principals, but with arched panelling between them, with ridge and purlins, beautifully carved with running patterns of foliage, and each bay further subdivided by richly moulded and carved ribs into fifty compartments, each originally having a traceried head. Most of these tracery panels had been destroyed when the roofs were ceiled, but enough remained to show how very rich the effect must have been when all the 200 compartments were thus ornamented. The recent works embraced a thorouG^h and careful restoration of these roofs, all the old timbers being care- fully repaired and made good and bolted together, the arched panelling entirely restored with all the old panels of tracery that had been left above the plaster ceiling, and a certain number of new ones added, so as to complete the Eastern bay of the Chancel roof, luid bring it back to its oriiiinal richness. In 1890 the Church was enlarged and thoroughly repaired, a North Aisle of six bays being added, ex- tending to the East wall of the modern North Tran- 8e})t, which is thus [)artially absorbed by the Aisle, its- noi-therii portion being ]cCl and used as a Vestry. 'ijnr djiw ;tiKi a 'i\(hh ^i. yilYfJOCVJ diyO '^bauO' luioixsy bnn d:af/o{o(lt Ji beonuhuf) ?; iiiiw 1 ioJitjajiO sfli' io ^ie,a!B. adr c •50.t ;VlJpi)V ,(, tu; Uoi. '92 SELATTVN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. The South Transept has been shortened, and with a •new South window and a panelled roof no longer looks a blot on the Church, while it serves both for an organ X3hamber and for additional sittinofs. The Chancel has been brought out to nearly its original length, and re-seated with choir seats in oak, with a new floor of stone, in which the old ledfer stones are relaid , The inscriptions upon them are as follow : — H. S. E. Robertus Owen de PorJcington Eques cauratus Ex antiquo Hwfffi ap Cyndclehv et Regis Oeni Gwyneth stemmate oriundus. Probitato et fortitiuline Claras, Nulli infestus rivu'iinis amicus Bonis omnibus cliarus dum vixit araatus Desideratus dum obiit 3° Kalendarum Aprilis MD.C.XC.VIII. Hie etiam in Sinu Patris Condormiunt Wilhelmus Owen qui 15° April 1G85 Francesca Owen qua; 11° December 1696 Edwardus Owen qui 10° Janu. 1697, obierunt. The inscription is surmounted by a Shield bearing — 1. Gules, a Chev. inter 3 lions ramp, or (Owen of 13odsiHn). 2. Vert. 3 Eagles displayed in fesse or (^laurice of Clenenney). 3. Gules. 3 lions passant in pale arg. (GruU'yd ap Cynan). 4. Per f esse indented, Errii. and azure (Lacon of Porkington). On an Escutcheon of pretence — IJrm. a saltire gu. ivith a crescent for diference (Wynn of Glyn). Here lietli Dame ^largaret Owen relict of Sir Robert Owen of Porkington Ivnt. and eklest daughter of Owen Wynn of Glynn in the 'County of Merioneth Esq who died April 10th 1727 aged 6-i, Ilcre also licth Her son Arthur Owen who died the 22nd day of July 1739 acred 46. '0'. I J.: .(ilYiU SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PAKISH. 93 Jricro lioth the body of Ellen Owen eldest daughter of William Owen of ]'<)rkiti<^4on in this Parish Ks(|, and (Jatherincliis wife, the only child of Lewis Anwill of Parke in tlio County of Alcrioneth Esq. Deceased the 20th of August 1702. Aged 51. Also William Owen of Porkington, Esq — son & heir of Sir Robert Owen. He departed this life 14th February 17G7, in the 79th year of his age, There is a lozenge-shaped shield at the top of the above inscription which is nearly obliterated. Here also lieth the body of Francis Owen son of William Owen, late of Porkington Esq, who departed this life Nov. the IGth 1774 in the 29th year of his ago. The above stones all lay on the south-east of the Chancel. The only one commemorating a Hanmer lay on the north side. " Underneath is deposited the body of the Rev.** Thomas Hanmer, M.A., late Rector of this Parish, who died the 27th Feb. 1749. Aged 71." also The remains of William Leigh who departed this life 20th of March, 1805. A small brass tablet lies on the floor to *' Harrietta One of the Dan'rs of the R'^ Wm. Roberts Rector of this Parish by Susanna his wife Died April 13th, 1753, aged 3," The following Monumental Tablets hang on the walls of the Church : — A wooden shield bearing the Hanmer Arras — Az. 2 lions passant (juardant, or., and the following inscription: ^' Here lyeth interr'd the body of Mr. Thomas Hanmer of Pentre David, sonne to William Hanmer Gent, late of Lee who dyed the 24th of July in the year of our Lord God IGGG." A small stone tablet bears the date 1G79, between three nails, and a heart ; but whom it commemorates is not known. arii 'io ;oa eil e&noJa evodu sfiT djtS: ytij i->^'f/j o.i;- .;::..: . : ,: ; .. .■.-,iy^;'' • ' ■' ^:.M ,'iyran«H oJ -soo^ '- ■'' ' leid^iA BS^i^ J.jaiiia i^ ailiiw edd no 'gnxjd a^^oWoT in: ..:,'j i;..;j :o BlMUf G'v 94 sp:lattyn : a history of the parish. " In memory of the late Rev. Thomas Edwards of Mount Sion in this parish Rector of Llanfcclian in the Count}' of Montgomery he died the 5th of January 1800 ai^cd 75 years. Also of Jane his wife dauglitcr of the Rev^ R. Maurice of Bryn y Gwalic. She died tlie 27th of December 1814, aged 80." "To the Memory of Mr. John Owen, Penrhos, In this jjarish Gentleman, Avho died May 9tli 1807 aged 49." " Sacred to the Memory of The Reverend George Newton Kynaston Lloyd. ^I.A. youngest son of the Reverend Jolm Robert Lloyd LL.B. of Aston in this County. He was thirty five years Rector of Selattyn, and faithfully preached Christ crucified, proclaimed the giad tidings of salvation and as a lowly follower of his Saviour adorned the doctrine of the Gospel, Born August 23rd 178G. Died January 17th, 1846. Aged 59." " Sacred to the memory of Owen Arthur Ormsby Gore, youngest son of Wilham Ormsby Gore, M.P., and Mary Jane Ormsby his wife. Who was killed in action in Kafhrland April vi. MD.c.c.c.Ln. aged xxxi. Extract from Lieut.-Gen. Sir Henry Smith's despatch, I deeply regret the loss of Capt. Gore of the 43rd Light Infantry. He was one of the most distinguished Captains under my command, as Intrepid as Judicious, beloved by Officers and men." " In Memory of Charlotte Husband, wife of the Rector of this parisli, daughter of Edwanl Jones, Esq., of We[)re Hall, in the County of Flint, who died 31 July, 1857, and of Mary Husband his sister, who died 23rd Jul}^ 18G0." " Sacred to the ]\remory of Thomas John Nicholas, M.A., late fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, who died 2nd of December, ISGO, aged 28 years." There is also a brass " In memory of William Ormsby Gore Esq' ^ born at Bath March 14th a.d. 1779, died at Porkmgton May 4th a.d. 18G0, ^ The window reprcsentiuii; the four Evuuyvli.sts in tlie Soutli ChapL'l of O.-iWcstry Parish Church was; phicud to their memory by iheu- eldest son, John Ivalpli Lord llarleeli. -". -no-a^V ^ot< lO wd 0 "io YiofiJS'H oiJ v.i .... .UUOJL .vitii." :.ri5:t.i Ij-.; . /v ' ' ... - ■ ' ■ ' "■; mod ' '" ' ■' ' ' ■'' • •■■'■"^ SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. 95 son of William Gore of Barrowmount and of his wife Frances Lady Morres, and of Mary Janc^ [see note page 94] his wife born Sept 17, a.d. 1781, died at J^orkington Sept 10th, a.d. 18G9. daughter of Owen Ormsby Esq of Wiliowbrook and of his wife Margaret Owen heiress of Porkington, Glyn, Clenennoy, Landyn and Wiliowbrook. He represented the County of Leitrim in Parliament 1806, the Carnarvon boroughs 1830 and North Shropshire from 1835 till 18o7, and was a great public benefactor to the County by promoting the formation of railways. They both lie in a vault underneath the south transept of this Church." The upper portion of this inscription is divided by an engraved Cross, below which is a shield. 1 and 4, Gore. 2 and 3, Ormshy, with a rose for difference. On an escutcheon of pretence. 1, Ormshi . 2, Chess- rooks {an augmentation granted to Ormshij). 3, Owen. 4, Maurice. Underneath the shield is the Gore motto " In hoc signo viiices.^^ The tower, which formerly had only a doorway into the Church, has been opened to the nave by an arch and the font placed in it, being lighted by a new window inserted over the built-up west doorway. The oak lectern was given as a memorial to Emily Lady Harlech by her five children. The old oak Altar table was enlarged, and a new Credence table and Litany desk were placed in the Church. The nave and aisle are seated with open oak benches, and the Church is heated with hot air. Externally, all the stonework has been carefully repaired, the blue slates of the roof replaced by red tiles, and the ground lowered all round the church, The tower contains three bells ; the largest has been roughly repaired in modern times, and bears this inscription : — The sceptro now Victoria aways Fair Quceu of Britaiu'a isle, May Heaven grant her length of days With [icace ami joy tlic while. 1851. ■y^Ci '^iJuij'OvJ- '.'■ f'.n "''l *'i')^''.''T^ I" oiiu y45W*ioob r c r ,Re .0 .«sOqo dtiw fooc^.e<98 d^fu eiaui bns, svii! bs'i Y/' -'^?.-x;IqG'5 'iom "^(b ua ©old adi , beii .''t^.-i ' eili h 96 SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. Its shape is that of an early bell, and it is probably one of the two tliat swung in the "stepali," which was spnred in the days of Edward VI. The second bell is inscribed "A. B. Rudhall, Founder 1758." The tliird bell bears "A g Rudhall, Prosperity to this Parish, 1758." This last inscription savours somewhat of a toast at a public dinner. Abraham Rudhall was a well-known bellfounder of Gloucester. There is but one entry in the Vestry Book concerning the bell — "1779. Paid to the bell as appears in the Church Book, 13s. 4^d." Whether this is a paymentfor ringing or for the repair of one of the bells we cannot tell. Until a few years ago it was invariably the custom, as in so many Welsh parishes, to toll one bell for the funeral, and immediately afterwards to ring a peal. The writer of this history has often heard it rung. It has a beautiful signification — the joyful entry of the soul into Paradise. During the course of the late alterations in the Church considerable traces of wall painting were found on the south side of the nave, both on the wall spaces and on the jambs of the south and east windows. The rough surface of the 15th century walls had re- ceived a thin coating of whitewash, and on that large figure subjects had been painted in red and yellow ochre. Between two of the windows a yellow bench could be de- tected, on which were seated two figures in brown robes, but neither here nor elsewhere could sufficient be un- covered to arrive at any conclusion as to the subjects. The 15th century painting had apparently been rudely treated at the reformation in order to give hold to a further and thicker deposit of plaster. Upon this second layer were painted, probably temp. Elizabeth, letter texts with borders, portions of which came to light during the alterations.^ ^ I am iudubtcHl l\)i- Llio abovo doscriptiou of the Church ilcstoration to the arcliitoct, C. [rodgson l<'(nvU>r, P'si]., I<\S.A.. and f.if notes on tlic Church 'rowci- auil Wall-[»auitiiig to the llev. J. C. Cox, LL. I)., I'.tS.A 1o 'iabinwii . ,r|»('ii(Vj ^io . . SI b&f I iT iii r + •C'J GMiJia lioiiiw 'k> «aofJioq >. ■ 'liiw h-x.^^i 'laj.Joi n\.i If, ;'.;»to(f "lo'l }nt;i ,./\ SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISM. 07 The old Churchyard contains some fine yew trees, taking one's thoughts back to media3val times, when they were ordered to be planted in country Churchyards to provide bows and arrows. In 1728 "the Lime walks in the Churchyard were planted the 5th and 6th March," and the Register further tells us that the " Trees were given by the Hon^ William Owen, Esq., of Porkington." They have all disappeared, unmindftd of the law that forbids the parson to " cut down trees growing in the Churchyard, except for the necessary repairs of the Chancel, because they are planted and grow there for the ornament and shelter ot the Church. "^ The oldest gravestone in the Churchyard is that of "John Phillipes, who died Marc 19 Ano Dom. 1G20." There is a large altar tomb of the kind usual at the beginning of the present century, marked "Mount Sion." Two stone slabs with recumbent crosses mark the resting place of two Rectors and their wives. " George Nowton Kynaston Lloyd, M.A., Rector of this parisli, born August 2;ir(l, 178G; cUod January 17, 184G. Also in memory of Anno Lloyd, wife of tlio above, born January 1st, m.d.c.c.xcix. Died Nov. 22, 1886." " Beneath lie the remains of Charlotte Husband, the beloved wife of the Hector of this parish, who died 31st July, 1857, aged 67. Also of the Rev. John Husband, Hector of this parish, who died January 30th, 1SG9, age€tr ,.dyTj: mc- .'COt .«T 98 SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. Also of Sarah his wife, born Oct. 27th, 1803, died January Gth, 1888. In memory of Thomas John Nicholas, M.A., late fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, died 2nd Dec, 18GG, aged 28." A stone cross commemorates the grave of tlie first schoolmistress at Pantoflas and her husband. "Edward Rogers fell asleep April 20th, 1868, aged 74, also Susannah, wife of the above, who died June 27tli, 1874, aged 82." There are other gravestones too numerous to be recorded, some of which are much worn by the hands of time. Hundreds were buried there, who lie uncommemor- ated — • " The silent stars are overhead, The silent graves below : A dream between — liow quickly fled ! — Is all we know." The sundial gives us the name of its maker, "Wm. Jared fecit 1759." A lychgate was put up in 1892 by the parishioners and friends, in memory of Emily Lady Harlech, to whom also the new clock in the Church Tower is a memorial. A piece of ground was given for a new Churchyard by William Lord Harlech, in 1886. The date of the conveyance of the land from him to the Churchwardens, Messrs. Vaughan and Morgan, is June IGtli of that year. A large white marble recumbent Cross marks the grave of his wife ; it rests upon a marble coping which bears the following inscription : — *' Li memory of Emily Charlotte, wife of William Tlichard second Baron Harlech, daughter of Sir George F. Seymour, G.C.B , G.C.IL, born Aug. 19, 1824, died Jan. 10th, 1892." *' Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." This new Graveyard is divided from the old one by ji stone wall. ■J^ anw ,£i. ' '-; ' ' 'io !Ai; oil oiv .mW" 5'?6i.srrr aj'i 8x1.? lo eJijb ftflT ,888/ ni ,i ba'jxiT. viC'/iii^..-' iCi^ai ill **-^-: J ^(J 0/10 I>lo Oilj rao 99 EXTRACTS FBOM A FIFTEENTH CENTURY MS. Transcribed by E. CALVERT. The following transcripts have been made from a volume now in tli3 Shrewsbury School Library. It is a small quarto (8^ by G in.) strongly, if rudely, sewn into a limp cover of vellum, of which the top and side edcres have been turned over and stitched down at the corners of one flap, while of the other about half has been cleanly cut off. The cover has been part of an older MS. of church music written on a staff of four (red) lines, the words (from the Psalter) having been beauti- fully written in black letter with illuminated capitals. The contents are made up of eight fascicles. No. 1 appears to have consisted of 24 leaves, of which the first three are much worn and mutihited. It is a copy of a part of "the Prick of Conscience," "Stimulus Conscientia3," a poem written by Richard Rolle, the Hermit of Ham pole, born at Thornton in Yorkshire, about P290, died 1349. (See Prof Henry Morley's English Writers, vol. iv., pp. 263-269). The portion contained in this fascicle was probably somewhat less than the latter half of the poem, which runs to the length of 9,624 lines. The subject was divided by the poet into seven parts, of which we have here the 5th, **of Domesday," the 6th, "of the Pains of Hell," and a few of the opening lines of the 7th anc^ last, " of the Joys of Heaven." The whole poem was edited by Dr. R. Morris for the Philological Society in 1863. On a*leaf at the end of the poem are written some rough memoranda of arrears of tithe, e.g. Vol. vr., 2ik1 s, m lioad Bad *ii.diof :ili)ijkl ai tw "(u'J 'iaip.aoo f^viiii oi J3'ij;oqq.s ^<^oc) ^i hi ji .i*i inow rbfim ^^i^a fia-iiii drift 100 EXTRACTS FROM A FIFTEENTfl CENTURY MS. Charls Hill xij quarter oots xv^ to bo peyd at Marttelmas nex commyng. It. llaff Wyttworth y^ holder xiiij stryke of oots xiiij* to be payd at Mycliclinas ncx cornmyiif( a poke of wctt xij^ half a poke of ootmell xj'^ob. It. xiiij borddnes [burdens ? loades] of hay xiiij*^, xiiij thraft of stray xiiij'^. It, John Newton wyff a hep malt with other mor wet and malt. It. Robert TJott wyff half a peko mell and half a poke of salt. It. Jamys Newton xiiij''. Nos. 2 and 3 are of IG leaves each, and consist mainly of sermons, but include the creed and bidding prayer given below. On the last outside page appear instruc- tions as follows : — (1) a drynke a genso y^ Seknes of y® plage. take a handful! of sauge of vertue and a handfull of herbe grace an handfull of elder leves a handfull of brambyl leves and stampe yam [tJiem] in a brasyn morter and yen [then} Streyn yam thoro a far clene clothe with a quart of whyte wyne and yen [then] put yerto [tJiereto] a gud quantite of whyte gynger and yen drynke every day a sponfull ix days togcddr and after ye fyrst sponfull ye schall be suwer xxiiij howrs_and after ye ix days ye schall be suer for ye holl yer [year] be grace of god. (2) remedy for ye seknes if you have not dronkkyn ye drynke. If it forton if y*^ any be strckyn with ye sekness then take a handfull of water scabcos a sponfull of water of betyne a spon- full of fin triakyll [treacle] of gynne [Guinea] and gyft" it to ye pacient and that schall causse all the vennym to go out and if it fortune y' ye boghl [boil] com out yen take elder leves brambyl leves and musterd sede and stampe yam all togeddr and make a plaster of and lay it to ye boghl and it schall bryng out all ye venim and ye persone schall be holl by ye graco of god. Nos. 4, 5, 6 contain sermons on 12, 16, and 7 leaves. No. G, however, is of smaller sized page than the rest, being only 7 J in. by 5\. It dilVers also from tlie rest in the huudwritinpf and colour of the ink, and must hq 10 .»i'/i> VU Jivj . hiii; Lxs-^^h ^' pfnov/ eilJ vS. (IT Bfb 0-i '^(n\ru!io''i t;\1 6 102 EXtRACTS FROM A FIFTEENTH CENTURY MS. A very determined attempt has been made in the MS. to erase the Hne referring to the Pope and the Cardinals, but sufficient traces have been left to enable the original words to be restored with certainty. The allusions to St. Chad of Lichfield and St. Mary of Coventry would seem to limit the use of the prayer to this diocese. The spelling of the original is reproduced throughout, as well as the use of the character y for th. METRICAL CREED. Scriptura dicit Et qui bona egerunt ibunt in vitam eternam qui vero mala in ignem eternum. Item alia via secundum ap'los [cL'postolosl. Peter. Credo peter began to saye W made bothe clay I believe in god verayo / & nygt In deum that is god on hye U^^^ f^u of myght patrem omnipotentem toy^ we cryj •' ° Creatorem y"" formyst all thyng | ^^^ ,- -^ and was y seme w'oute any be- W , -^ ° gynnyng J ^^^ Cell et terre and all y'ing y-^g.^i^^ 3,^^, ^^^ wrougnt 11,,- (\ mone and steres heyven and erthe and all y mg of , ^. nogt J ^ ° AndreasM in Jhm Chr- sayde Andrewe j^iessyd mot y- be And m y^ lad' almygty J iiu ) •' ^ filium ejus unicum 'I y^ son and ye fad' toged' y'ay vand all in ye trinite wone J ye whyche y*'" dyst us brynge \owt of many diverse fro thens as we wer prasyng / cuntre dominum nostrum Lorde over alhln solempnyte y* unto y' mod' y°" dyst us call / syzt for to se Jacohus qui eonceptussayd James y^morl^^ prophetts byfor maior ye wyche was consay ved ot ih u V ^^^^ ^^ ^^ ■^ byfor J ^ est de spiritu lord full of myght |and take bothe the holy gost in mary lyght / fleysche and fell f>\siii cj iCi.8-gfjd loi&q objj'iO .'t^bS. • ' ■■■■■■■'■■ I'O'" n'l A'. <-^*' ..' T e ji/s'hi av /.?i l.b l)0f{| I Qiiiod oi«j ba/ff ;Jds^" .U:&i ij«ff txlap. veil i .., - .. - , ^S'ffcwK on Calvery in y^ felde EXTRACTS FROM A FIFTEENTH CENTURY MS. 103 ? Sancto natus y"^ sotbe to say ) thow hy[huy]us all ye holy byrthe on crystymas day/ fro hell ex maria virgfine It •,■, , , . r:, n • ■ ■ I In endles blys to By y*' virgme mary we wer made - i , ii fre J Joh'es Passus sub poncio seyd John y^l Evan- Evangelyst rStode and it beheld gelista. ye passyon of ih'u Cryst J Pylato crucifyxus ye erth can' qwako When ilm was crucyfyed by for Pyhat yo sonno y' mono luft y' syght "isuclic syzt^s men dcdomcn roso throghe liys myzt ^ se hot sold [but J seldom] Tercia die y® sothe to say It ■ 1 T t II Ryght evyn uppon y® thyrd day / ^ ' ^ Resiirrexit a mortuis ^, , ^ i- ir.ii Fro dctliG to lyve h}s body rose / ^ ' -^ Jacobus Ascendit ad celos seyde Jamys^ .Minor the lesse i , On holy Thrusday to heyven he styed yroghe hysj -^ •' grace J Sedet ad dexteram Lords full of myght and on his fad' ryght hand he sytts full ryght y*^ all wyrshep may (doubtful, much luorn aivay). Dei patris owr fad"" on hye |y"" set us in a y*- owr believe can magnify e / sekcr way Omnipotentis almyghty Kyngo \to be plesyng unto y" schope y'' worlde and all thyngj y'' paye Philip Inde ven turns seyd Phelyp y'^l in ^ • i. 1 1 "^ Ji J men schall se m IS to drcde V ^ . at domcsday his Wordcs indede J ^° Est judicare when y°^ shall deme\But y*^ mercy pass as we have sued y*^ to qucrae / y' Ryght vivos ct mortuos y'''' is no nay |When we shall see qwycke and ded may dred y*^ day/ it in sygliL then we schall ryse both flessclO t? «. i ^ . 1 1 -^ Jnit bryng us to y' and bono V 1 1 , u ] 4. and lord dem us never to payne j ^ ^° Vi,'' \ m •^to'/UD no] uiiiivqj oMoi j" _ 0xii iionW i' > T r J Y-K!'. 0.1 ' " >T oJnjj VM 1 i ji/^i^i ^" 'i^'Vw;; ^i;; luqIj 104 EXTRACTS FROM A FIFTEENTH CENTURY MS. schall turne my Sowll fro Gfreff Barth. then sayd bartylmew myldl t ^-u ti ^ n *. steyvyn ^ ^ I",\^^, "^^^ ^°^^ /-' -, 1 • o • -t 1 1 f t- A beleve Credo in Spiritum lord of heyvynj Sanctum sanctorum liolyest of all \ y " scliope both fad"" and sonne in specyall / Adame and Eve. Matheus Ecclesiam catholicam sayd Matt-' liewe And in teyching of Holy Cliyrche I trowc Sanctorum communioncm v'* is) , -. , , '^ I and men tro vayme my trest h ^ •' Amonge allgud saynts for to rest; Symon Remissionem peccatorum sayd' Symon And in remyssyon of synnes I beheve uppon Tadeus. Carnis resurrectionem said ^ Tadeus Hcheman in is degre Ovvre flesche shall ryse byfor Thus J Mathias. Et vitam eternam ISIathy can say) o a i i u u TTnt.n f hp Ivfp vt u«fp. L ^ Returned shall be savyd schall I be Unto the lyfe y^ lastes ay Unto that blys y°" us bryng jThre persons fad"" and heyven kyng i trinite (Last line nearly gone). m BIDDING PRAYER. Depreceraur deura patrem omnipotentem pro fide et stabili- tate sancte matris occlcsie : ye schall make yowr specyall prayers to almyghty god, and to our lady seynt mary, and to all the holy court of heyvyn, for ye state and welefar of al holy kyrke, fro ye hyest degre unto ye lowyst, and specyally for our holy fadyr ye pope of Rome with all hys trewe college of cardinalls. for ye patryarke of Jerusalem, for ye holy crosse y* Cryst sulfyrd Ids passyon uppon y* is in yo heythyn mens liandys, y*^ god for liys mercy bryng it owte of y"^ handys into Cristyn men's kepyng, ye tytter and yc bettyr, for our gud prayers at y'** tym. Ye shall pray also specyally lor all archyepyskopes and byschoppos, abbotys, ]n-yours, and all men and women of ^'^''yKY'*^^' y*^ n^'^ *'^ ^*y^ gudnoss kcpo yaymo long ycroin : Ye scliulf i)ray also s|>o«;yally lor yo Hrc.liebysclH)po of y'" diocysys. &m\si\ or'* ' ' '■; C t '.(Bl4 '• .'d fMl3 •-^v, iO0O«ti- j.iii: - . ^ ^ " Y-'-'^" OJ ,.■■„■,, ,y;i[-^.:,ii ; . i .;:r a ., <;, rvi-,:rj^ -.^vjsrf Y«£U >(*>'; 4.''- 106 EXTRACTS FROM A FIFTEENTH CENTURY MS. ye tyttor and bettyr, for our gud prayors at y'» tyrao. Ye schall pray also spucyally for all those y' ar scke or sory in y"* parysche, or in any othyr, and specyally for all women y' gose bound with chylde y* god in liis mercy delyver thaymo with gud and rcleyso theym of y-" paynos in tyme of traveling, and send the chylde crystyndoni and (some ivonls irrecovcmhle) purilicacon of h (the rest (jone). "{q shall pray also specyally for all those y^ ar of gud leffynge in y'^ parysche, or in any oy^ y^ God of is gudnes kepe 'thayme longe therein ; and those y' ar bound in det or in deydly synne, y' yay may hafe grace to amend thayme ye tyttor and bettyr, for "our gud prayers at y'^ tyme. Ye schall pray also for all yo bredyr and ye systorys and yo gud dowers of Sent Chade of lichliold, and Scynt Mary hows of Co'ntre and specyally for all ye bredyr and ye systores yt ar in any gyldes y*^ longys to y'^ parysche. Ye shall pray also specyally for all those good men and women y' gyftes or by(q)wytys any manner of guddys unto thys kyrke, as bokes, boUys, cloys, lawmppes, lyght, awtor clothe, or towell, or any maner of a nowr menttys \ornaments\ wherthroght ye servyce of Allmyghty God hase bene bettyr maynteynyd a for tyme, or is zut [yet] at thys day, y^ God for y^ gud dede Rewarde thaym in joy and blys of heyvyn. Ye schall pray also > specyally for y« gud man and ye gud women y' y'^ day sent breyd unto y'« awter, wherof holy breydo shall be made, and for yay y^ y« fyrst began and ye longyst holdys on. On ye thvrde party, ye schall pray specially for the prisoners 01 -^ Almyghty God, y' is for to say, yowr fadyr sowle, yowr inody ,^ sowle, yowr god fad"^ sowles, your godmodyr sowles, yow^ ^- brodyr sowles, yowr systor sowles, your oyne so'.^vlos. yowr awnt sowles, and for all yowr kynne sowles, and sjiecially for all ye sowles y* ye have had any maner of guddes of, wer throghe ye or any of yowrs hafe faryn bettyr for, or znt dose at y'^ day. Ye shall pray specyally for all y^" sowles f ar in yc byttyr payncs of ])urgatory, abydyng ye mercy of our lorde ; and specyally for those sowles yt most nede haffe, and fewyst frendys hafe her leffte uppon erthe, for to do oght f(^j. yame_ Ye sluill pray specyally for all those sowles whose bodys or bonys are beyryd in yis kyrke or yis kyrke yeyrde, or any odr holy place. Ye schall pray also specyally for all those sowles y'' whyche y^ I hallo had any maner of gudes oil", for to pray for thayme, and specyally for ye sowle of ILL. hi'i '10 i i(i 10.1V' .(>, ;i.,.' .;. :, .; ;^ '.■■:_ ■ : .^ :-;_.■ '.J-, i^jij^ ^au,iy;.*:ijij ;■: ■'' •'-■■■ - ■■^ ■"■"'It ' '\ ■■■■■' ?^Aivii il'"!' :■/'//' !//':' W mm ^;vi^^l||^.^^y-, -ik^^ kf\ ■\:,L m ■:::;. ■.',' 10110/1 ,r;i 11^:.;'" -v '« ) 107 THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. By J. PARRY-JONES, Town Cleiik of Oswestuy. We cannot boast in Oswestry of the romantic site of Conway, die fine architecture of Carnarvon, or tlie ]3oetic associations of Ludlow, but the few rough stones which remain to show where our Castle stood form part of a structure whose story is fraught with memories of a time when Oswestrians played no mean part in English history. Scenes from tlie earlier story of Oswestry and its neighbourhood ficrure in the dim and distant records of Kinof Arthur and his Court, centuries before our Castle was built ; the heathen King and the Saxon Saint were alike familiar with its site, and as to the Castle, the NOTE. — This paper was read by me at Oswestry, January, 1893, as one of the series of lectures given at the request of the Oswestry Science and Art Classes and Olia Field Club in connection with the Technical l']ducation Scheme of the Siiropshire Coimty Council, and it was then suggested to me that the information given should be retained in a permanent form as a paper to be published in the Shro[).shire Arclucological Trunsaclions. This will account for some of the local allusions and the po[)ular maimer in which it is written. J should add, as 1 did at the lecture, that it is dillicult to estimate tlie assistance 1 derived fn)iu Mr. Stanley Lcighton's admirable com- pilation of the Records of the Corporation of Oswestry, which appeared in Vols. II., III., IV. of the Shropshire Arclucological Transactions. I must also express my deep indebtedness to Bye-Gones, which has been invaluable in bringing to light and preserving so large a body of information with reference to Border history. Since delivery of the lecture I have been able to verify the quotations and to add consider- ably to the information given after inspection of original documents iu the British Museum and elsewhere. I must also thank the Hon. Mrs. Bulkeluy-Owcn, the Earl of Denbigh, Mr. Stanley Leighton, M.P., ^Ir. R.Lloyd Kenyon, Mr. Edward Woudall, Mr. Arthur Minshall, Mr. David Roberts, and others fur the loan of valuable books and documents. J. P. J. Vol. VT., 2ud S. N k-ff I i'i,tiw ^iiVonrni t- rifism en h&YJ^ia ?uii^i:.j eJ ^:^8'^W8(> V> v'l' U ....::." ' ■ ' '■ ^ :.v'ir;^,/.? i; 9-iow iiiif''i( noxfife': sili bar, ^-^n ^/.H ;il;: .iKAi.i.'j.'n.- «,. . L .8)^ ^8 .i ;i .1 ■ Mlii 108 THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. Norman Chivalry under Williuiri the Conqueror and the Puritan Ironsides under Oliver Cromwell all knew Oswestry Castle, and associations with its story gather roiind the dramas of Shakespeare and the Idylls of Tennyson. And fu'st as to its site. Leland, who visited Oswestry in the time of Henry VI II., says:^ — "There is a Castelle sette on a Mont be likelihod made by hand and diched by South AVest betwixt Beterice Gate and Williho Gate to the wich the Toun Waul cunnnith." Pennant, in his history of Oswestry, no doubt deriving the sug- gestion from Leland, speaks of the "artificial mount" upon which the Castle is built, and gives this as a proof that it dates earlier than the Norman period, and says " the Britons and the Saxons gave their fortresses this species of elevation, while the Normans built on the firm and natural soil or rock." The recent excavations, however, showed almost conclusively that (while it is probable the site has been covered with the rubbish of ages), notwithstanding the statement of Mr. G. T. Claik, hereafter referred to, the mound itself is natural and not artificial, and that the highest available ground in the Borderland was chosen immediately fronting Wales, up to which the fertile plain of Shropshire gradu- ally slopes. Mr. Clark, wntingin ^rt7i. Camh., 4th Ser., vol. ix., page 185, says: — "The Castle mound, though standing on high ground, is wholly artificial and rather oval at its summit, which is about 00 feet by 100 feet. It is about 30 feet high, and perhaps 200 feet diameter. On its table top are some fragments of masonry com- posed of large rolled boulders laid in a thick bed of mortar, very rude, but very strong woi-k. One frag- ment, which in places is about 8 feet thick, is 9 or 10 feet high, and near it are two other large masses, one of which at least is overthrown. The keep was of the shell type, and probably polygonal. There seems to be a further trace of masonry at the south-west side. The 1 S. A. Trans., Vul. IV., p. 112. fft f/l'lf • "'' ' ■ ^{107 dud ,9hrJi ^j^-f^' " •■-'■^f<-i I'HE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE, 109 entrance was probably on the south-west side. It is probable that the masonry remaining is the work of William Fitzalan in 1 155." The site has, no doubt, been much contracted as the town has increased, especially during the jjresent century, since the Horse Market and Pitcher Bank have been carved out of it, and the "Castle Fields" have been covered with houses, over the site of what in my boyish days we used to call the " Cripple Bank." From the summit of Cyrnybwch, two miles nearer Wales, one sees what must have been the strength of the position in days before gun]jowder was invented. On the one side rise in towering masses the hills of Wales, ending in the backbone of Wales, the Berw}'ns, penetrated by the Valleys of the Dee, the Ceiriog, and the Severn, while on the other side lies the fertile plain of Salop studded with villages, and u]3on the rising ground midway between stood the Castle of Oswestry. From it the incursions of the Welsh into Salop could be repelled, and shelter could be given under its walls while the villages of the plain were being ravaged by the spoilers ; and if Wales were to be invaded by the route of either the Dee, the Ceiriog, or the Severn, its fortress served as a rallying ground for the English forces. So late as the Commonwealth Oswestry Castle was described as the "Key of Wales," and its pos- session was coveted alike by Norman warrior and Welsh patriot. The Castle must have been of considerable size to have contained so large a garrison as is after- wards mentioned, but it has been so completely destroyed that it is difficult to trace its outline. We have no plan of the Castle left, but I have here an enlarged drawing, the origin of which I have only succeeded in tracing to a sepia sketch by W. Williams (an artist of tlie last century, who took views of many Shropshire buildings), which is now in the possession of Mr. Adnitt of Shrewsbury ; a copy of it is also preserved in the Bodleian Library, but no information can be gleaned there as to its origin. It will be seen that it represents a strong castellated structure of somewhat unimposing ,' ■■{ 8J3W orliaari ohm 'iosko 3(\^ xfo tjliiiw jn- ) V _ id oifii daioW ed:.t 'to -li sfld cti .. () .l.>4*bjsvni ad oJ" eiaw boIb %(:.ym :'■'■■■- ' ■ .igntw,Gii:* ' • r < • » "i»u jiidwamoa 'lo H'liii'^in^B ivoJjilioiJBiJa ^«o-fjf 110 THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. aspect, with an outer gate and drawbridge. This sketch also appears in Edwards's History of Oswestry^ and is there signed "J. Jones Dudleston Salop Sculpt Jan. 1819." "It had a tower called Madoc's Tower " (so Leland tells us), while the Bailey Head, as we now term it, formed the Ballium or Courtyard. The Barbi- can or outer gate, where the maimed and blind were relieved, would be situate on the site of the mound in Castle Street, cleared away about 30 years ago, and then called " The Cripple-Gate." It was probably approached by a bridge over the moat, which ran across the site of the New Municipal Ijuildings, as was found to our cost when the foundation was being laid last year, for it was damp with the moisture of by-gone ages and full of the bones of mediasval horses and the heel taps of Elizabethan shoes, and no explanation can be given of a smgular layer or stratum of leather chippings about 20 feet in length and G inches deep which was found many feet below the surface. The inventory of contents further on will give some idea of the number of room° the Castle contained. It also contained a Chapel dedicated to St. Nicholas, the endowment of which was derived from lands whose identity it is impossible to ascertain. " Castell Croft, a croft under Wynne WalHs, a croft called ' Chy ken- wall,' and the Held called Cadogan Eield."^ It is diflicult to give the exact date of the foundation of the Castle. There was no doubt a fortification at Old Oswestry, as it is now termed. Hen Dinas — the old fort — or anciently Caer Ogyrvan, from British times. To readers unacquainted with the locality I should add that Old Oswestry is a fine British encampment, now covered with wood, about three quarters of a mile from Oswestry, in full view of the Castle hill, and is the property of Lord Harlech. Here, legend tells us, Guinivere, King Artluu-'s uidiappy Queen, was born, the daughter of Gogyrfan Fawr " His one fair daughter 1 Eyton's Ant. Salop, vol. vii. bu.> ;>rf;)--f!,f;nitl «'3i:l Jjarxnai won si «:Ji Sfl ,Yi>i'BowaL>' THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. 1 1 1 and she was fairest of all flesh on earth. "^ It was not until the days of William the Conqueror, however, that its neighbouring fortress, the Castle of Oswestry, makes its appearance in history. Dngdale sxys: " There was a Castle at Oswaldestre at the time of the Conquest," but there is no record in Domesday Book of the exist- ence of any town upon tiie site of modern Oswestry. The legends as to the connection of " Oswald, Saint and King" with Oswestry belong to a period of four centuries earlier, and of these, interesting as they are, I cannot stay to speak now. They belong to the History of Oswestry as a town. There is no doubt that a church or a religious founda- tion of some kind had existed in the neio-hboinlio.vl o from the date of Oswald's death in G37, but in Domesday Book the district round Oswestry is comprised in the Manor of Meseberie and Hundred of Mersite, while Oswestry does not ap})ear by name. There is mention of a place called, " Castle L'uvre," and it is suggested by Eyton that this means " The Work," by which name the Normans styled a great military position, and it is probable that this was Oswestry Castle, but the first mention of Oswestry Castle by name, so far as I can gather, is contained in the Anglo-Norman Metrical romance. The History of Fulk Fitz-Warine, which was translated by Mr. Thomas Wright, and printed for the Warton Club. It tells the story of William the Conqueror's visit to the Welsh Border in 1068, two years after the Conquest. For two years the people had lain quiet, stunned under the feet of William, and it seemed as if the conquest was complete. But the quiet was treacherous. Suddenly all northern, western, and south western England rose as one man in rebellion. York was stormed, and the garrison of 3,000 Normans massacred. News reached William as he was travelling in the Forest of Dean. "In a wild outburst of wrath he swore by the splendour of God to ^ Tomiysou'H Idylls, Guiuivcrc. XQ bnd bnH amoa l^o aoii i': - h: n. bnsi oili 112 THE STORY OF OSWESTUY CASTLt. avenge himself." ^ The Norman garrison in Shrewsbury was besieged. William marched to its relief and swept the Welsh border. The French chronicler tells that when William was on his march near the Welsh border he came to a ruined city, of which Mr. Wright says, " I am inclined to think that it may be Old Oswestry," where he hears a marvellous story of the giant Geomagog, whose uneasy spirit still ruled the city, and how Payn Peverel, the " proud and courageous knight," cousin of the King, with his "shield sliining with gold, on which was a cross of azure indented," took fifteen knights with him in the midst of a tempest of thunder and lightning, and fought the fiend, who carried a great club, and was guarding a treasure of " oxen, cows, swans, peacocks, horses, and all other animals made of fine gold, and there was a golden bull which told the events which were to come." Whether the treasure still remains buried in Old Oswestry the chronicler fails to tell, but the Christian knight conquered and the chronicler proceeds : — Ly roy s'en vet de yleque e Vent en une contre' joygnant a' la BlancliG Lauiide qo jadys fust a' un Breterin ilercdus filz Belodyns ; e delees si est un chastelet q'est apelie^ Arbre Oswald mes' or est apelee Osewaklestre. Ly roy apela un chevalcr Aleyn fitz Fiaen e ly don^ lo chastelet on tut 1' onour qe apcnt ; e de cely Aleyn vindrent tous les grantz Seignors d' Engletere qe orint le sournorin de Fitz Aleyn. Pus cesti Aleyn fist enlager mout le chastel, which Mr. Wright thus translated : — The King went thence and came to a country joining the White Laund, which belonged formerly to a Briton, Meredus son of Beledius, and beside it is a little Castle which is called the Tree of Oswald ; but now it is called Oswaldestre. The King called a Knight Alan Fitz Flaen and gave him the little Castle with all the honor appertaining to it, and from this Alan came all the lords of England who have the surname of ^ Grceu'is Hisl. Enyiiih I'cupU-, vol. i., p. 17. ■ ^iki^X ^i. i)il-.S )i js It lo o'jjsirf efj.- iioiuw *iiiO nob if. - *' •-■•■'..rn/;'" " bii:. •J'.'^_i,i,i^ liJ-jiuCiniivJ ollji . sir eb^!'' baix^feoi-ii ■!: • 4'l<^iflV; .ti .4 ,J -bv (-■.'. THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. 113 Fitz Alan. Subsoquenily this Alan caused the Castlo to be much enlarged.^ This is the first mention of Oswestry Castle in history, if history it be, but Eyton shows that although Alan was actually Lord of Oswestry, it was not until many years after William's death. PTumphrey Llwyd, the Welsh Historian of Elizabeth's rei^ai, in quaint language tells us what is probably the real story. "The Normans having gotten into their hands all the lands and livings of the nobilitee of England began to spie into the com- modities of Wales, and seeing that Robert Fitzhaman and the other knights that went with him harl sped so well they made suite to the King to graunt them the lands of the Welshmen . Whereupon the King thinking that the best waie for him, as well as to encourage them to be the more willing to serve him, as also to provide for them, graunted to divers of his nobles, sundrie Counties in Wales to hold of him by knight's service as followeth : Ptoger Montgomery Earl of Arundel and Salop." Earl Roger in his turn conferred the Hundred of Mersete, comprising Oswestry, upon Warin as Sheriff of Salop. An English Sheriff", it has been said, " fills an office as thankless as it is unlaborious," as '* involuntary as it is irresponsible ;" but the Norman Sheriff or Vicomte was a provincial Minister nobly born, highly trusted and munificently rewarded. Earl Roger richly endowed his Sheriff Warin (surnamed the Bald), and gave him his niece in marriage. He is said to have been "little in body but great in soul." He died in 1085, and his widow married Rainald, another Norman noble, but she kept her first husband in mind, for she "gave for his soul a house in Shrewsbury and covenanted that she herself living in the said house as tenant to the Abbey, she would provide candles to light the Church every night for the whole year." This Rainald 1 Wri<,'liL's Trans. Fulk Fit?Aoarine, [). 14. Mr. Eytou'a Annotation in that work is — " Mcrcdus fitz licledyiis. Mercditli ap IMctliyn, tlio person alluded to, was a (■onteiuporary of William, and rr'iiiee of NorLh Wales. lie died in 1133." ijffjs . .to h^tl . *'); baiL ' "" " ■ -'~A 10 line (18 iicnr--''--^ orfcT ^:"i '''^ '- 81 J-J 8iS •yli'jh ';;j^oi[ hia:i. .!.>...:• 'ti ' ' UlS^i (jv.ni{ o) Iiiiia ei ell ,'j)4!:'rii.iii fit ^ n' ' " "' " ' " -^^^'^^ ^^^^ '"^ ]■ ■ • ' nt'18 ill saijcdii ■■ ' ' _ - f» 114 THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. is the Eainald mentioned in Domesday Book, and prob ably he added to the Castle then in existence. His successor was the Alan Fitz Flaad I have mentioned, whose connection with his predecessor is obscure. Probably Alan had fled from Scotland to England, and tradition traces him to the Court of Macbeth. He was therefore the first of the great Fitz- alan family, who for years were Lords of Oswestry.^ John Davies, Recorder of Oswestry, in his History, dated 1635, preserved in the British Museum (to which I shall several times have to allude)- explains clearly the rights and privileges of the Fitzalans on the Welsh Border, They were Lords Marchers, and to them in common with other Norman nobles was given jurisdic- tion in the Marches adjoining Wales, on condition tliat they kept the Welsh in order and prevented incursions into England. The Marches were a sort of no man's land, neither belonging to England nor Wales, and their unhappy inhabitants often shared the fate of the Pitcher in the fable. Davies says : — The Fitz-Alans hadd Jura Regalia and Royall Jurisdiction, Royall Seigniores under favor of service and Escheats as the King hadd. And in most parts Royal Jurisdec'on and the privelegis of Earles Palatine for they hadd their owne Officers and Courts of Justice where the Kings writtes and Officers liadd no authority, but in matters of treason onlly ; otlierwise all murders, felonies ac'ioiis reall and p'sonall and all other ac'ions whatsoever were heard and determined in their Courts. They hadd their private lawes they graanted p'dons even of murder, and of all kinds of felonies, they graunted priveleges, Infranchised and Incorporated their Towns. They hadd Constables of their Castles. They hadd their Exchequers, their Treasurers, Receavers and Auditors. They hadd Custodes portarum, keepers of their gates in their walled tonnes. They hadd sometimes noble men and att all other times eminent knights and Esquires of the best quality to be their Stewards. They signed and putt their names before and above their ch'res and grauntes. They hadd their grcatc Scales. Their 1 Kyton's Ant., vol. x., p. 320. 2 Rarl. MS. 1,981 ; BT/e-Goms Nov. 10, 188G ; roioijs Fadog vol. vi. -oil); ^«o{.Jr>th?J'fnV. If.cvo>l biffi fiiffi»>9,fl muX .1 Aii lu, . "ikdT .KoU^^H otiioiy iioiij i> »j£UJin;g iJii^j gDi'ii;. THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. 115 stiles ranne in the plural number. ^ " Nos. et de gr'a n'ra speciali.' Their seigniories were named and stiled honor's in w'ch they were great p'inces much like as if they hadd bine Kings. Solo Diademate Dispar." In fact, for all practical purposes, the Lords had exclusive jurisdiction within the lands granted to them. The estates of the Fitzalans were enormous and comprised a large portion of the County of Salop. There is no doubt that tlie rule by the "Lords Marchers" had its unfavourable side. Often mimic war was waged between themselves, and it has been said '' paramount in their Castles with hosts of armed retainers and backed by the influence of the Court of England they were in their dealings with the Welsh unscrupulous and domi- neering, illtreating the inhabitants, confiscating their property and ignoring their rights." *' As regarded its garrison in time of war Oswestry was far better provided than any other Castle in Shropshire, The fief of Fitz Alan, technically known as the Barony of Blancminster, was enormous, and nearly every tenant therein owed some quota of service to Oswestry Castle."^ Whitting- ton, for instance, was held subject to the service of one Esquire with a barbed horse at Oswestry for 40 days, and Berwick was held in 1255 by service of a horseman and ahaubeck, helmet and lance at Oswestry Castle for 40 days in time of war."^ William the Conqueror passed away, and his son William llufus also, and then rose the troublous wars between King Stephen and the Empress Maud, and from one end to the other England was deso- lated. One of the old annals tells us, "They filled the land with Castles, they greatly oppressed the 1 -'3 E, 4 Gray Lord Po^visScnc'l Mm 7 E, 4 The Lord ^laltravcrs 15 E, 4 Jolin Dudley AV. Arundel Mik^s Lord Maltnvvers 1 lien. VH. 7 S'r W. Stanley afterwards Lord Cliaiul)erlayn(', and 18 lieu. VIL S'r Gilbeil Talbott were Soueseall.s here a^i a[)[»'Lli \>y Llie Court ItolU b'ni." Tliis i,s Davies'.s marginal note. '^ S. A. Trans., Vol. X., ]k 2, « S. A. Tnuis., Vol. J. N. S., p. 198. Vol. VL, 2nd S, O clrar b&' bov/o fi]9'i'?aj ,£■^£1-! Ul' lot X ,i)ii.t]M fi^i-^'^Try/a^l Oil) bnu QiiJ ho«i.'.o'it:|(}0 i(l-iiJ0*i^3i yricU ,£'-^ C ( . , I . .{/>! V ',J T- '. T iiiSoSl .ii,Mi',) v:!.^ \mI M m\ IIG THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. wretched people by making them work at these castles, and when they were finished they filled them with devils and armed men, while many thousands of the common people starved with hunger." No less than thirty- four Castles were built or enlarged in Shropshire and on the Welsh border about this time, of which Oswestry was one.^ When civil war was raging there was no time to guard the Welsh frontier, and the border land was held by a very uncertain tenure, and Oswestry appears to have fallen into the hands of the Welsli princes, ever ready to take advantage of the troubles of their neighbours. Llwyd tells us, "Towards the end of the year 1 148, Madoc the son of Meredith ap Blethyn, did build the Castell of Oswestry." And John Da vies gays ; — "Maddock ap Meredith, Prince of Lower Powis, did build the Castle of Oswestrie called Twr Maddock An'o d'ni 1149, about the 4*^ yeere of the Ileyne of Kinge Stephen of England, Owen Gwyneth being the Prince of North Wales. "^ Madoc is well known as the "friend of the King of England." He died in IIGO, and left Brogyntyn, close to Oswestry, to his illegitimate son, Owen Brogyntyn, His tenure of the Castle must have been but slight, however, for William Fitzalan, son of Alan Fitz Elaad, without doubt, became Lord of Oswestry and Sheriif of Shropshire, and the Charter is still in existence by which he endowed the Abbey of Shrewsbury with the Church of St. Oswald and the Chapel of St Martins.^' William Eitz Alan's brotiier Walter left Oswestry during the reverses of the Empress Maud, and took refuge in Scotland at the Court of her relative David L, King of Scotland. The original connection of his father with Scotland made it natural that lie should do so^ 1 ]<'yL()n's Ant,., voly. vii. and x. 2 J/is(. ofOs., llarl. MS. l,l>81. :> I'lylon'a Ant., vol. x., 3liO-322. ■» Mr. Kytoii's AiuiotaLioii in Falk FUzxvarine is — " Maelor, son of Mcrcdilli a|) IMctliyn, kolmus to Iiavo hvvw pos.sosficd of Oswestry durin'' the exilu of William litz Alan in Stephen's time," ]). 1«8. vfi ± ai f I jj 8.r bus:, r WO- r ,.1 •K> .Co ;}is"i THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. 117 There he found favour and became Steward or Senes- chal to the Kuig, and was known as " Walter the Steward." Sir Walter Scott in The Monastery tells us that Walter's father " obtained from William the Conqueror the Castle of Oswestry in Shropshire," and points out that " Walter the Steward " became the ancestor of the Royal House of " Stewart," called from his name, and through them of our own Eoyal Family. It is singular to note that when the Castle Bank was being planted about 40 years ago a silver coin was found of the reign of David I., the protector of Walter Fitzalan, in whose hands one may conjecture it might have been. Oswestry Castle therefore has an associa- tion of which no other in England can boast, for here our Queen derives her ancestry. On William Fitzalan's death and during the minority of his son, Guy le Strange, the then Sheriff of Shropshire, was appointed custodian of his estate,^ and the Kecord Office contains elaborate accounts of the income and expenditure, from which we get a fair idea of the importance of the Castle. Its garrison, we are told in 1165, consisted of 200 soldiers, who cost £5 3s. 9d., while one knight, two porters, and two watchmen constantly resident cost £18 5s. per annum for their maintenance, or Is. per day between them — a somewhat small allowance one imagines, which would not provide many luxuries. A well sunk under the Castle cost £5 8s, the Castle Palisades 40s., and stores of war £G. We are told that in consequence of the war with Wales the expenses at Oswestry "were enormous, far exceeding the proportion paid at Castles within the border." In 1165 a determined attempt was made by Henry II. to conquer Wales, and he made Oswestry his head- quarters. Llwyd tells us that " he gathered an armie through all his domains in P]ngland, Normandie, Aniow, Gascoiue, and Guienne, sending for succours from Flanders and Brytaine utterlie to destroie all that had ^ Eytou'a Ant., vol. iii., p. 122. .baJitionqo ROW ^9'iuiaqo'ijd8 lo TinoiiS i-- ,9^iij[i'fvif3 aaij.J '.) .b*.(ooa'l 'ddi baa ',eij5iBe biu 1o iiJiiBfxiBXJo OY/vi ,^ ^ ' ' '■•• "^' ^ • "'^ '"* iaoo oilw (inaibloa d'aoS' • '■Jv^i fjfix; .B'isiioq l!!)*! .8) '10 ,y'>iiiiii'd::iiima imAj -jox :3'| .efi 8 1 3* A ai ehivo'/q joxr Ljjjow xb* oimu i-- '-' - '' ^- ■■■ ■' - ' ' ■■' -" -^■■■-■'VV 'i :>.i mo'ii: m^jooDua 118 THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. life in the land and coming to Croes Oswalt called Oswaldestre iucaraped there." One can imagine the motley host headed by the King "with his square stout form, fiery face, prominent piercing eyes — a rough pas- sionate busy man/'^ surveying the Welsh hills from the Castle walls, while crowded round were the tents of the chivalry of France and the Netherlands. It is curious to note that in the construction of the Liverpool Filter Beds at Llanforda, close to the town and within what was probably the Castle Park, a silver penny of the time of Henry II. was found, which may easily have been lost by some soldier at the Camp. That must have been a brilliant scene in Oswestry seven centuries ago on the morning when Henry marched from the town up the road leading past Oakhurst towards Glyn Ceiriog, and there in the narrow Ceiriog Valley, crossed by Offa's Dyke, encountered the Welsh mountaineers, who were ready for the fray. Tilwyd graphically de- scribes the battle and the defeat of Henry's army by the Welsh. Tradition says that the English soldiers who were left on the battle field were buried in the entrenchments near Olfa's Dyke, in a place still called " The Place of Graves." Ten years afterwards WilHam's heir, William Fitzalan 11, , came of age, and succeeded his father at Oswestry. Great events were stirring in the workl outside, the crusades had ended in disaster, Saladin had reconquered the Holy City, and passionate appeals were being made throughout all Christendom to Christian soldiers to join another crusade to expel the Moslems from Palestine and win Jerusalem to the Cross once more, and Henry II. determined that an English contingent should join in the crusade ;"] the " Saladin Tithe," a tax levied on all goods and chattels, and memorable as the first instance of taxation in England on personal property, was granted to the King in aid of the crusade. ISir W^dter Scott beirins his novel of "The Betrothed" by describing how "there 1 (jrceu'b His. Eng. Peoplt, p. IGl. Si' n ad-:!' ■"; eh^Eii i-j Oitl^J ai d* .fa dfra^niinoo i{3J[^nlLC 1. ..'.j[ ,-.iK^.y~ -V-^*- '*"'^'- '-■'•-»-■' THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. 119 was a truce between the Welsh and the Lords Marchers who inhabited the frontier Welsh Castles. This was the time when Baldwin, Archbishop of Canterbury, accompanied by tlie learned Monk Giraldus du Barri, preached the Crusade from Castle to Castle, from town to town, awakened the inmost valleys of his native Cambria with the call to arms for recovery of the Holy Sepulchre, and while he deprecated the feuds and wars of Christian men, held out to the martial spirit of the age a general object of ambition and a scene of adven- ture where the favour of Heaven as well as courtly renown was to reward tlie successful champions." The novel describes a Castle named " Le Garde Dolorouse," on the Marches of Wales, and its inner life, and if not Oswestry Castle, it is certainly somewhere close at hand, with its Norman garrison and Welsh assailants under their Prince — the "torch of Pengwern " — so named because he had so frequently burnt the villages up to the Walls of Shrewsbury, the ancient Pengwern. Giraldus in his most interesting itinerary through Wales, dated about 1187, gives a vivid description of the dangers of the journey through the Welsh valleys, and describes how the Archbishop, ascending a hill, sat panting with toil on the trunk of a tree, and asked an attendant to whistle a tune, whereupon someone re- marked that the Nightingale never came to Wales. " Wise bird the Nightingale," said the Archbishop. Giraldus proceeds to tell, "We directed our way from Cliester to the White Monastery, and from thence to- wards Oswaldstre, where on the very borders of Powys we were met by Grufiydd son of Madoc and Elissa, princes of that country and many others." One can imagine the scene ; the Archbishop in his robes with the crosier and the cross in front, and Giraldus, the courteous Archdeacon, who are met by William Fitz- alan, the Norman Governor of the Castle, with his garrison, and the Welsh Prince clad in a simple tunic of white linen cloth with a chain of twisted gold links, and a tliread of gold in his curling hair, with his attend- aiii u.ix;lj.i.» f : ! fjii.j •'jo.AV. :i t)iS,t> '1 (j'iio.l.tii BUS iljiw ,/iotl ^.i|Hii-i ^ ioljijsoiii:; 120 THE STORY OF OSWUSTRY CASTLE. ants carrying broad sharp short two-edged swords and light goat skin bucklers, Giraldus tells us the Welsh Prince was "a man not adorned by art but nature, bearing in his presence an inborn not an acquired dignity of manners." He says — " Some few of them having been persuaded to take the Cross (for several of the multitude had been previously signed by Reiner, the bishop of that place), we slept at Oswaldestre, or the tree of St. Oswald, and were sumptuously entertained after the English manner by William Fitzalan, a noble and liberal young man." John Davies, in his history, comments that this was '*a neate comendacon of this young noble- man." One is glad to see that Oswestry hospitality was renowned even seven centuries ago. It appears that one Welsh Prince, " Owen de Civilioc " (who had been one of the leaders of the Welsh army against Henry II.) refused to accept the invitation to come to Oswestry, and therefore Giraldus says, " We ex- communicated him because he alone amongst the Welsh princes did not come to meet the Archbishop." Giraldus had considerable opinion of his powers as a preacher, for he goes on to say, " Many people were induced to take the Cross through the gracious sermons of the Archbishop and Archdeacon" (the latter being himself) One wonders what became of the Oswestrians who followed the Crusading Army which, under Henry II. 's son and successor, Richard Coeur de Lion, besieged Jerusalem, and conjectures the stories they must have had to tell when they reached home once more. One of the Crusaders who accompanied John Fitzalan was Maurice or Meurig Lloyd or Llwyd,of Llanforda,^ and of him it is recorded, " The above-named Meurig Llwyd, finding himself and his tenants much oppressed by the English laws, did kill one of the judges, and hang divers officers in oak trees in Uwch Dwlas; whereupon he withdrew for his safety to the Sanctuary of Halston, and there put himself under the protection of John * Powys Fadog, vol. vii., pago 353. ff jiii 'k ,fj. 1 •'>r(ior{ ! ' buri fioa a .ii :t3 *0J Vi/O- -,.^S ^'^sH THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. 121 Fitzalan, Lord of Oswestry and Clun. Meurig was made captain over a number of soldiers gathered in the marches of Wales. With these he went to the Continent, and for certain services rendered in the war was rewarded by the Emperor with a new coat of arms, viz., argent, an eagle displayed with two necks sable." He was the ancestor of the Llwyds of Llwynymaen and Llanforda. These arms are still to be seen on Llwyd's Oswestry town housO; now called Llwyd Mansion, the property of Mr. Stanley Leighton, and now occupied by Messrs. Dutton. William Fitzalan granted the first charter to Oswestry about 1190, which is not to be found in any of the Borough Records, although John Davies gives a copy of it.^ The title of " Siarter Cwtta " is disputed with the charter granted by Richard XL As this Charter is not published in the '' Records of the Corporation of Oswestry," which appeared in Shropshire Archtelogical Transactions, Yols. II., III., and IV., I append the extract given by Davies. Charter gutta or Charta hrevis Will'mi d'ni fUtzalan. Sciant tam p'sentes qua' futuri qd ego Willim' filius Willi'mi filii Alani recepi in manu et ptec'one mea Burgenses meos do Blanc'mocter nominatim illos qui in ballio' meo raossuagia receperunt ad emendac'one merchati mei, et ego eos contra omnes manutenebo quatenus do jure potero ; Quare id'm volo ct firmiter p'cipio quatenus profati burgenses teneant raessuagia sua lieito ct in jiace ct honorilico libero ct quiete in bosco in piano ct in alibi locis. Conccssi ctia (s/c)eiusdern Burgensibus qd ])'dic burgagia teneant do me s'cdu' leges et consuetudines et libertates quas Burgenses Salopia burgo sue habent. Cartam ratara in posteru' esse volui. Sigilli mei appositione et istoru* testui' subscripc'one confirmavi, Joh'n Extranea Ham' fratris sui, Hello de fes, Philippi fil' Will'mi, Reg' do he, Will do Verdun, Reg. eli orm do Hesse et multis aliis. A free translation would run thus : — Sliort Charter of William Lord Fitzalan. Let these present as well as future generations know that I William son of William son of Alan liavc received under my 1 Hurl. M.S., 1981, page 25. ' i iV) im'illiV/ gmiti 'milliW o^b ha ha^nvi nju/. 'W'i .fuJq . . ■'■J" 122 THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE, hand and protection my burgesses of Blanc Minster by name those who have received messuages in my borough ( ?) for the sale of my merchandise, and I will defend them against all (persons) as far as T lawfully shall be able. Wherefore I my- self wish and firmly give command as long as the aforesaid burgesses hold their messuages lawfully and in peace and honourably that they live freely and quietly in field in plain and in places elsewhere. I have also granted to the same bur- gesses that they hold the aforesaid messuages from me accord- ing to the laws and customs and liberties which the burgesses of Salop hold in their borough. I have expressed it as my wish that the Charter be ratified for the future. And have confirmed (it) by the placing of my seal and by the subscription of the witnesses— John stranger in blood, 11 am' his brother, Helie de fes, Philip son of William, Reginald de he, William de Verden^ Reginald . . . . de Hesse, and many others. On William Fitzalan's death Kinc^ John was reio-nino- (and in the usual fashion of feudal days, when allland^ were held from the King), seized his estates, and held them during the minority of his son, the third William Fitzalan. Those were again troublous times in England. Wales was again up in arms, taking ad- vantage of the English troubles, and under Llewelyn, its Prince, broke out in rebellion. King John marched direct from the eastern counties with a large army to Os- westry, and made it hishead quarters, and stored in the Castle immense munitions for the war. He was success- ful in repelling the Welsh invasion, and drove Llewelyn into his mountain fastnesses ; but was soon recalled to England by the invasion of King Philip of France, whom the Barons had summoned to their aid. Imme- 1 Davies, referring to thia Charter, says— "The second Willia' ffitz- alan being Lord of Oswestry in the right of his wief I^Iaiid Verdcn graunted a ch'rc (w'ch is tlie anticnticst Cli'ro nowo extant) to the IJurgcsses of Oswestry. Will do Veiden (inter alios), happily sonic kinsman of his wief, is witnessc to it. This Chre beareth no date and is called Charter (Jutta, id est Charta hruvis, p'te of the I/iIk'H is to it but the scale taken from it. S'r AVillia' Neve liatli a Coppie of this Ch're I have translated it as I reddc and nndcrstood it ; happily T may be somewherg mistaken as unactiuainlcd w'lh tiiat ould hand and cliaracter." ;CiU.: 1.1-., odvj li! bo'ioJa hflB ;;-.i>!'(cii{' Jf 9i>JGj! ol hoil/jodi iiooci rjvt/ dud : ?m^.ihiiBKl (unhtuom ar ,'iy>mvv^ '■■■''■ r ■ OjU r. 1 \iiii!.r."j (Vrui J'!,iU if)','/ f/t»,iiiir.in>'J"'iiJ «« THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. 123 diately the King disappeared the canny Oswestrians seized upon the Castle stores, and, no doubt, feasted merrily ; but King John was not to be served in that way, and so by a writ, dated 6th July, 1212, he com- manded the custodian of Oswestry Castle "to sell no more corn, wine, or other stores of the King," and to replace the corn he had already disposed of, and also to provide ** 100 fat kine and also 3,000 head of geese and poultry for transmission whithersoever the King miirht order,'' and in the next month Ilobert de Vipont, the then custodian of the Castle, was ordered to give up 12 casks of wine, stored in the cellars of the Castle, to Thomas de Eardinton for the King's service. The Fitzalan heir by this time had come of age, and John fined him 10,000 marks for the privilege of doing so. Unable to pay, his lands were handed over to Thomas de Eardinton, who had taken possession of the wine. William died without paying the fine, and his son, John Fitzalan, not so meek as his father, at once seized the Castle by main force. He immediately united himself with the Barons in opposition to John, and was one of the memorable group who at Kunny- mede forced the unworthy King to sign Magna Charta.^ Having obtained the sanction of the Pope, John set out to revenge himself upon the Barons, and marched towards Wales, and as Llwyd tells us, " came along to Oswestree, which towne being in the possession of John Fitzalan, he burned to the earthe " in the month of August, 1216. He was succeeded by Henry III., whose idea it was to make himself master of Normandy once more and to recover the al)solute authority in England which had slipped from his fiither's hands ; but he soon found himself face to face with the Welsh difliculty. Wales had long been prosperous under its Prince Llewelyn ap lorwerth, who reigned for 46 years. After many struggles he had succeeded in consolidating 1 Thchie stiitcinciita arc mainly suiuiuarized from ICy ton's Ant, where the rofcrciicos aro ^^'ivcn. Vol. VI., 'Jnd «, V ■■ ion ,' ikaom ^lij III " arfaijis Sili :/' 'jsr- . , . .^T» ,,111 Y'Tf^aH ^J f,)oL:r>aoij.- I .OM i/A ■lo 'i ll:.r.aiiii I:>i!/jcrj r?. .UOVtJ.', 0-1/ 124 THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. hig authority, and aimed steadily at securing the means of shaking off tlie English yoke. John had in vain tried to suhdue him. His is one of the most chivalrous figures in Welsh history,^ In him all the glories of ancient Welsh story had centered. Poet after poet sang of " The Devastator of England," the " Eagle of men that loves not to lie nor sleep." His figure " was majestic, towering above the rest of men," with " his long red lance, his red helmet of battle, crested with a fierce wolf" Mysterious prophecies came to nerve Wales in her last struggle. " Think you," said Henry IH. to a Welsh chieftain, " that your people of rebels can withstand my army?" "My people," replied the Chieftain, " may be weakened by your might, and even in great part destroyed, but unless the wrath of God be on the side of its foe, it will not perish utterly. Nor deem I that other race or other tongue will answer for this corner of the world before the Judge of all at the last day, save this people and tongue of Wales," On Saturday, 25th October, 1226, Prince Llewelyn visited Oswestry Castle, on the King's invitation, to confer with John Fitzalan, the Bishops of Hereford and Worcester, and other Barons, to en- deavour to arrange a border dispute. "After which," we are told by the Chronicler, ^* every party returned home." But Llewelyn's next visit was not so friendly. The little town had just been rebuilt after the devas- tation of the English Monarch, when in 1233 Llewelyn rushed over the border, as one of the bards sang, " The sound of his coming is like the roar of the wave as it rushes to the shore." Llewelyn reduced Shrews- bury, annexed Powysland, and as Llwyd tells us, " destroyed all the townes and castles in the countrie, burned the towne of Clunn, overthrew the Peddecastell in Powys, burned the towne of Oswestree, and so came home." 2 One pictures the scene, the flight of the ^ (Ji-cch'h His. EiK/. People, vol. i., page Il'M. - Mwyd'a Ili&t. Camb., \). L'8S. '1 a;/ Of: I- ■IT " .el-o^ii^yi^ii -^sr t . t&fliO .TO QOBt 'it.- at " b. . _ . lo -. , . . , -xifj f>t /ano'tht:! -red.;fo 1)0^ ,i; b' ., , . ... v^ f,r.,' - Hr . Jil. ilaiigti?! odi ' «}j io oiro *?.£ ,T9imid sdi ^fsv 0Va;,v mii J.V i^Oa ^MJi 9:^H ar ;ginnTO'. ''ffwoj-s d;,i i. '*• -g!V':;r^ii8 hwnb^T nTb-^'-'^U ''.aio/lc . can- '!••■ m : -■ ,6n:kinoo edi fir aolJHBo i>o.B aonv/oi erli Ik lladai;^ ^' '^ ■■-^'': ■■■ M^hgtu ,rroijR>']:o9iiwo:i . • - -^ .. THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. 125 scared villagers from the Severn Valley and the Slirop- shire Plain, pursued by the active Welsh, whose shrill war cries spread dismay and death ; the startled townsmen watching from the heights the smoke from the burning homesteads and taking refuge in the Castle while their houses, clustering under its walls, are destroyed, and, as the Chronicler tells, the Welsh " returning homeward with a great bootie." Life in Oswestry must have been too sensational to be pleasant in those days. Th^ Ptecords of that year tell us that Hubert Hose with nine other knights were placed on garrison in Oswestry Castle for 20 days from September 28th to October 17th, at a cost of 2s. per day for each knight. In 12G2 John Fitzalan granted to Oswestry a Charter, a copy of which is the earliest dated document among our Borough Records — " By tl^e special grace and favour we bear and have towards our Burgesses and the increase and wealth of our Burgesses," &c. In 1272 the third John Fitzalan died, and again the Crown took possession of the Castle and its lands, and a full inven- tory is given of the estates.^ I extract some of the items which are curious. The tenants of the Welsh part of Oswestry, near Treflach, had to provide 40 marks per annum to supply the drink (" poturam ") of certain Serjeants of the Peace ; the yjroceeds of St. Oswald's fair came to ^4 Gs. 2d., and the tolls of the Borough to J^27 Us. 1 Ud., while the sale of the produce of the Castle garden came to 2s. Gd., and the profits of the Borough Gaol 9s. 4d., and the "rents of the Welsh- men " £4 19s. Gd. The wao^es of the Watchman, the Mower, and the forester at Id. per day each came to £7 8s. 3d. per annum. A new King now appeared, Edward I., a stern soldier, of very dillerent metal from his predecessor, Henry III., determined to subdue Wales, " a born soldier, tall, deep chested, long of limb, cajmble alike of 1 Ch. hn\. Post MoiLci.i 5G II. III., No. ,'5G. ijiv^ j Aj u J i 0 'o J n Oi/ ' yri " • -■»!2f',<.»'>f<^.'lf C>f ! i ;j K; ajniifi;3:r erii .eironoo .)! .id 'to .:'■ , Qdvt isoosM y/i^ JO yo y - ■ ^ 'i ail) i^iiii ,.L^ti ,8ir oj wj/t.Ga -o oi 6 . Y''^^ 'i^^'? •■^>i ^^ ^vroM .cJ?: oVI,.]!! 4t^^xi£ ■ --I m :.>di v>'l "; „:.„.! U-.U ...ii t^^ -, ■ •■.. •■••• ^ - --.•■^- ' « ; fdj^jlsJi/aO. .oO jufifeUfoy lo imui'i Dili ; j • .. - . - . -i i>IW4 TSE STOkY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. l27 to be driven to the Castell : neither would he restore the beastes nor monie to them. Further the said Constable and his men tooke awaio the cattel of the said Lhowelyn from his ovvne grounde and did their will with them. John de Oxindin had the cuctody of Blancminster in 1 Ed. I., and in 3 Ed. I. Bogo de Knovil was Custodian of the Castle of Blancminster.^ In 1282 Edward marched with overpowering strength into the heart of Wales ; the war lasted two years, but at last after stubborn resistance Llewelyn was defeated, his head carried to Edward, who " received it with great joy, and caused it to be set upon one of the highest turrets of the Tower of London." In the same year Edward expedited a Patent permitting the Bailiffs and Burgesses of Oswestry to levy tolls for twenty years in aid of the completion and repair of the town walls. The tolls are given most elaborately from Id. for every measure of corn exposed for sale and every cloth of silk, brocaded and draped with gold, to one farthing for every 2,000 onions, and one halfpenny for every 1,000 herrings. ^ The walls, it is said, ** were about a mile in compass, and had a deep foss on the outside capable of being filled with water from the neighbouring ditches." On IGth January in the same year Edward himself visited Oswestry, no doubt to ascertain how the fortifications were being carried out. The last flicker of Welsh patriotism had not died out however, for in a few years afterwards when Edward was busy with his Scotch wars, Llewelyn's son, MadoC; once more raised the Welsh standard, and we are told "came to Oswestree, where the people yielded unto him." Edward had to postpone his expedi- tion to France for quite six months in order to put down the insurrection, and he visited Oswestry Castle again on 24th June, 1295, and the rebellion was finally crushed out in August, 1295. And from thence, as the ^ Old MS. at Oswestry Grammar School. 2 Powys Fadog, vol. vi., p. 372. ■ ;. . ; ■ f ■/ :. . -li I. .ir , , , ,■,■•5. . -, f •. .•,^-;-i ■".■/( '■ 1. .-, lo'i slfct I G;'"'^ i £■.- i I 'io STUs/iei v J)r i\ •'O-id ,ii'.. •'■ '^"S \ \; Tr;fQTcr<> 'ffV 0 ,i>Los 81 ji ,BiiJSw aril >Tt it 0jij rfj Y'Ji^'^'-?^«l. iuOt (»0 aj'UJOfi t j^' ' ' ■■" ■■ '" ■ ■■' ';-' :".j;a I .\n oi bsib doa if^;fi m- ^0 xr '- - ■ . '• h i.fiii . 3 t' .l:Vi. 1} ,.iv .tov ,\ 128 THE StORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. Chronicler tells, " the Welsh began to attend to the cultivation of the soil and the profits of commerce, so that at length the possession of property of their own made them less indifferent to its patriotism." The following is an extract fr^m an old M.S. at Oswestry Grammar School : — " In 8 Ed. I., Isabel, mother of Ilichard, Earl of Arundel, had the custody of the Castle of Blancminster and of the Hundred of Oswaldster during her son's minority,but two years after Edmund de JMortimer, her brother, supplanted her in the grant. In 18 Ed. I., Adam de Montgomery died Governor of the Castle. In 27 Ed. I., Peter Meuvesne de Bere- wicke justa Akinton died in the same ofEce." In 1302 Richard Fitzalan, the then Lord, died, and an Inquisi- tion was made of his properties.^ It was certified that Oswestry Castle was " of no nett value because of the great expences more than JOlO per annum attendant on its maintenance." *' De quib ten' p'd'c'm' Castrum nichil valet p'p't magnas reprisas eo q'd nonsustent abit'r p' ann p' x libr'." Two years later Edward had given the custody of Oswestry Castle into the hands of his cousin Prince Amadeus of Savoy, and the Burgesses complained that he had altered the law so that "Where- as a Burgess of Oswestry if he wounded or maimed his fellow citizen was according to Oswestry law only amenable to a fine of 5s.," the Earl's Seneschal was in the habit of fining quarrelsome Burgesses i'5 or JlIO for a simple olfence, and committed " other enormities," whereupon the king ordered a commission of men from Cause, Ellesmere, and Whittington, " honest men, favourable to neither party," to sit upon the question, but the result is not recorded and we are left in ignor- ance whether " 5s. and costs" was sufHcient penalty for the loss of a leg or arm. Oswestry quarrels were evidently frequent, and fines cheap in those days.- 1 Ch. TiKjuid, Poat Mortem 30 VA. I., No. 130. - I'ly Ion's Jn^ vol. x. -h. 0(. -Quod'H '* ii,(].i oii wiji sflj baiaiic bad ed dad: m- aoquQ' -7* )'i iod ei jluaei ©iii iad ,x ,lov .iwU Mi. THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. 129 " Happy is the land which has no history." The Welsh wars were over, Edward had completely sub- dued Wales, and Oswestry had rest for a long period. In 1318 Earl Edmund Fitzalan was ordered to raise 200 foot soldiers from Clun ard the neighbourhood of Oswestry for the Scotch war.^ In 1324, nearly at the close of the reign of that weak and indolent Monarch, Edward IL, Edmund Eitzalan, granted two shops " to our burgesses of Osvvaldstree, situated in the row which is called Legge Street, betwixt the shops of the sons of llichard the Stranger and the tenement of William son of Wilham the Baker." In 1326 the rebellion, which closed Edward's unhappy reign by his deposition, broke out. Earl Edmund, who adhered to the King, " assembled a multitude of his tenants at Oswestry for the King," but was taken prisoner near Shrewsbury, and executed at Hereford on l7th November, 1326. After his execution and through the favour of Isabella, Edward IL's Queen, Koger Mortimer, Lord of Wigmore, the well-known head of the Lancastrian Party, obtained a grant of the Castle of Oswestry. He was created Lord of the Marches of Wales in 1328, but on his fall from power and his execution in 1330, the estates reverted to Edmund's son, llichard, the then Earl of Arundel. In 1346 a writ directed Earl Richard to raise 200 men from Clun and Oswestry to attend the King in the French wars. The army sailed from Portsmouth on 10 July, and on 26 August fought the battle of Crecy, at which Arundel was present.^ With the end of the fourteenth century and the reign of llichard IL, Oswestry again figures in English history. One cannot do better than quote Davies's history : — Richard Earl of Arundell (a noble patriott of an heroicke spirit of greate power and comaunde beinge of the Royall 1 S.A. Trans., vol. iii., N.S., p. 2i3. ? S. A. Trans, vol. iii., N. S., p. 245, L-^, V . '.l.n&il // ,fefei t-' : -w ell 1..;,*^ iO/, G' to iiid -. . , ,•..,., , ...joasbliX oi ^' '^-rJi I:ut3 exijf fi^iV/ ^.in9a9"iq ajiw lalMioiAj:!; .^'rvin ,.n biiiduiji lo :^r^^yi. edd htm v-ujineo di - ;; 'j;70J:..„, ■ . ■■ .. 3{!oiip i.^., . Mv '-,•-- r CB lo 3]oh,|;aq eld ti ft jq) IhhmnA \o haS BtinloIH -,Pi4i .fj[ ,.^i >.H ,4|i .fov fW^i 130 THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE, blood) ioyninge with the Duke of Glocester the King's unckle and others for the Kings lio'ble vveale and publiq good of the Kingdome was nev'thelesso through subornation of some up- start favorites of the Kinge and his flatterers (p'ft^ssed enemies to the men of antient nobility), by the Kings p'curement con- demned to death in the p'lian.ent held the xxibt yeere of that Kings raigne where the Prelattes depted the liouse because they would not be pr'sent att the judgment of blood. And there it was ordained by Stat. 27 Ric. II. that the County of Chester should be a principalitie see the King for his affec'on thereunto would have it. And for the encrease of the lionor and state of princes w'ch should be there and for the ease and tranquility of the people of the said principalitie and of the counties of fliint and Shropshire and of the Seignouries w'ch be joyninge to the same The castle of Lyons (nowc c>Jled Hoult) w'th the Seigniories of Brom field and Yale to the said Castle belonginge, The Castle of Osvvaldstree w'th the Town , well walled w'th stone and the hundred and the Eleven Townes to the said Castle belonginge, The Castle of Isabell w'th the Seigniories of the same belonginge, the Castle of Dallilay w'th the app'tenances in the County of Shropshire and the rever'con of the Seignourie of the Cleve w'th all their tearmft of app'tenances w'ch Edward Earle of Rutland houldeth for tearme of his life shall be from henceforth anixed united and incorporat to the said principality of Chester and shall whoely abide and Remaine to tlie said principality as p'cell and member of the same for ever. Soe that the said resiant Land • tenants and all the inhabitants of the said Castles Seigniories and Townes shall have use and enioy all their antient Lawes Rights and Customes there of ould time reasonablie hadd and used. Richard Fitzalan was impeached, attainted, and be- headed all in a single day. At the beginning of the present century there was an assize trial in which the burgesses of Oswestry tried to prove that the then Earl of Powis was not entitled as Lord of the Manor to take toll upon produce entering into Oswestry, and among other documents produced was the following curious Record, preserved in the Tower Rolls, containing an inventory of the contents of Oswestry Castle, the property of the unfor- tunate Earl of Arundel. It was translated from the original Latin as follows : — ao., Ofl! f^iW 'v.r aot-t inii-i sujiji} <:ni'JhiiyK!,u-j i i^jjjio j;.ujrrjj tbriiiiixiltAT ,i).s pirj?- (■ iii -:.JyiMi3fl oj,K5 iimni ijaji]isfl.u'ij ©jby/ THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. 131 2V Richard II., 1398. Taken at Oswaldestre in the Marches of Wales, by command of the King, the 9tli Nov. on the attainder of Richard, Karl of Arundel and otliers ; before John Spaigne, Jolin Pygot tlic eklcr, clerk, Richard Kays, Serjeant-at-Arms of the k>rd the iving; in tlie county and marches aforesaid, by virtue uf a Uoyal Commission to the said John Spaigne and others directed. By the oath of William ]\Iorgan, Richard Salter, John Lloyd, Eigin ap Richard, Thomas Englys, William Hasten, Thomas ap David, Eigin Cornesor, Jonathan Straungo, Thomas Robynson, Roger JJirlond, David Lloyd, Eigin ap Richard, Robert ap GrulVutli, David ap Icvan Vauglian, Madoc ap David Gethin, Grilhth ap Menr, levan ap Howell ap Eigin, William Lloyd, Eynos ap Lletbyn, lorweth a]) levan, Grulfuth ap David Vagan, John Salter, Grulfuth ap Ith, and John ap Richard, wlio say upon oath, that Richard, Earl of Arundel, was seized in his demesne as of fee, on the day on which he forfeited, and afterwards of the Castle, vill, and Lordship of Oswaldestre, with its customs and appurtenances, besides the fees of all the officers there, and besides all reprises made there one year with another £252 IGs. 2d. Also that the said Earl was seized as of fee of one messuage in the vill of Oswaldestre by his deed enfeoffed one John ap Willy m, to have to him and his heirs for ever, worth yearly beyond reprises 6s. 8d. Also that the said Earl was seized as of fee of the reversion of another messuage then held by Alan Thorp, clerk, of the said Earl's grant, but its worth nothing yearly beyond reprises. Also that the said Earl was seii^ed as of fee of the advowson of the free chapel of St. Nicholas witliin the Castle of Oswaldestre, worth 4Gs. 8d. Also that the said Earl of Arundel liad within the Castle of Oswaldestre, on the 18th day of July last i)ast and afterwards, the following goods and chattels, that is to say, In the Wardrobe there 5 yew bows, 4 elm bows, 20 sheaves of arrows, 6 cross bows, 5 lances with G heads, 1 gun, 1 barrel of gunpowder, 200 quirrels, 3 pole axes, 2 sparthes, 3 broken jacks, 3 pair of gauntlets, 3 pallets, 1 baudcrick for a cross bow, 1 table, 1 pair of stakes, 3 pair of fetters, G pair iron handcuffs with iron bolts, 1 cofer with 2 iron shamylls, 1 file, 1 hammer. In the great CIta}iiher 1 cupboard, 2 tables, 4 forms. In the Middle U/iainb-jr, 3 chests, 2 forms, 1 table. In 1 C!li. lii.i. Post. I\h)rt., L'l U. II, No.s. I -11 (i;{!)S), r.mulle of Forh'ituivs. VqI. VI., 2naS. (i i o ; lutJj'iA 'io i j^fi ^M^f,ii i .ciiviQi t ,fiyfii}ik):i:* .i-'n^mi'-i^S'-.) U'Mnnui .,(^-n ,,1) ji ly „ji .8 L. 132 THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. the high Chamber, 1 hand mill, parcel of a certain trepeget. In the Constables Hall, 3 tables, 4 tressels, 3 forms, 1 bason with a laver, 1 small chest. In the butter ij, 1 chest broken at the top, 1 bucket with an iron chain, 1 barrel for weapons, 31 keys for ditferent locks. In the Cha-pel, 1 vessel for the holy water, 1 missall, 1 gilt chalice, 2 linen towels with a frontal, 2 surplices, 2 chasubles, with apparels, 1 hand mill for grinding corn. In the Kitchen, 1 stone mortar, with a pile of wood. In the larder, 2 broken hogsheads with G bushels ot salt, Which said artillery, arms, goods, and chattels, are put into the custody of Madoc Lloyd, the deputy of Robert Leigh, Chevalier, constable of the castle aforesaid, for the defence of the same. Also they say there are in the parks of Uromhurst and Oawaldestro, GO curt louds of hay by estimation at the price of forty pence per load (XIO) left there for the use of the lord the King. Also they say the said Earl lunl there likewise on the l>Sth July aforesaid and afterwards, the arms and artillery as underwritten, 3 jacks, 3 pallets, 3 i)air of gauntlets, 2 pole axes, 5 yew bows, 9 sheaves and a half of arrows, 1 lanee, G lance heads, 2 chests for bows and arrows to be put, 3 cross bovvs, 100 quirrels, 4 leaden vessels, 2 brass pots, 1 iron s[)it, 1 iron bound bushel, 8 pair of fetters, 1 fetter rack, 1 ladder ; but the jury are ignorant of what value, or in whose hands the said arms now are, but they say one Roger Glas, late con- stable of the said castle, and John de Role late constable there and one William Ijonastre late warden of the said castle, are themselves answerable to the said lord the king, for the said arms. And they say the said Earl of Arundell had likewise on the said 18th duy of July in the castle aforesaid, 1 salting trough of the price of 3s. 4d., G chests, price 17s. 8d., 5 small cads (broken), 3 small pieces of broken cads, price 20s. 8d., 4 tubs 23d,, 1 bolting pipe and 1 trough 12d., ])arcel of old tind)er, Gs., 1 brass pot, 1 pan, 1 gobard, 1 broken gridiron, in the whole 3s. 4d.,4 broken worsted landres of the arms of Arundel, 4d., 1 stall 13s. 4d. And in the park of Oswaldestre inferior 11 colts, whereof 3 are horses, and 8 mares 1 year old, price each i)s. 8d. ; And in a certain house in the vill of Oswaldestre GOl fleeces of wool, weighing 2 sacks and -Jth of a sack at per sack lOOs., 50 gallons of honey, at 7d. a gallon. Also the said Earl had in the saitl Castle, 1 white stallion, price £10, 1 race horse called Young Sorrell, price £13 Gs. 8il, And in the park of Oswahlestre superior, IG horse colts, 13 of which are 3 years, and 3 of them 2 years old, ])rice in the whole £GG 13s. 4d. And they say that one Walter IJ.shere, late niastt-r of the horse of the said l^arl hail gj] v'iyililTft ... . i :u S: ,:^^ •. . n:.; ■.•:' 4 .,Jm-:' s, 001 ,yv/od : ■ ■ J .ij:. J.;- v;ui. Oil) .-tijd !-'■ ' ■ ■ - oi!i vj;a v- ■ ■....• ..■ ' '■ ''■'' ■■■■ -ij nr :.),i'ii ;' r , . . .... - -- /! U'ii;i!fa oi.i;-; ■ ' > ' .m« ,•■■ ■ ■ ■ THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. 133 by connivance made between Jolm Whethales, late Steward of the said Earl in the Lordsliip aforesaid, and one Adam de Peshall, knight, sold the stallions and colts aforsaid, without receiving any money, to one John Coltman by fraud and collusion, to the use' and profit of the said John Whethales and Adam, by which the saic. John Whethales and Adam are answerable to the lord the King for tlie aforesaid £6G los. 4J., the price of the said stallions, courser, and colts aforesaid. Also they say that Thomas llichardson, of Oswaldestre, took and carried away after the said 18th of July out of the Castle GO fleeces of wool, Aveighing {^^ of a sack, price 25s., whereof he is answerable to the lord the King. Also they say the said Earl had after the said KSth July, iu the Castle aforesaid, X720 in money, and that one Thomas Harlying, late receiver-general ot the said Earl, took and carried away the same, whereof he is answerable to tlie lord the King. Also they say that Alan de Thorp, clerk, late receiver there, delivered out of the Earl's money in his hands, 100 marks to Robert de Hilton, Esq., whereof the said Alan and liobert are themselves answerable to the lord the King. Also they say the arrears of the farms and rents of the castle, vill, lordship, and manor aforesaid unto the last vigil of St. :Michael, which extend to £.333, are in the hands of divers tenants, bailiffs, reeves, and other ministers there, who are accountable for the same. And they say that the rents and farms of the terra of St. Michael last past do extend to £06 13s. 4d., and are in the hands of the tenants there, whereof the receiver is to be accountable. In testimony whereof to this Inquisition the persons aforesaid have set their seals, tlated the place aforesaid. It is clear that the Castles of Nobles were not furnished with any kixuries in those d-iys. Richard II. shortly afterwards held a Parliament (known to historians as the Great Parliament) in Shrewsbury (probably in order to inspect the estates he had seized), which he adjourned to Oswestry, where one of the most memorable and dramatic scenes in the pages of Shakespeare took place. " Pichard II. with the com- mittee of Parliament in this town determined that the great dispute between the Duke of Hereford and Mowbray, Did^e of Norfolk, should be decided by single combat at Coventry, both Dukes having api)eared before the Kiug at Oswestry after the dissolution of .! - . 1 < I • 1 • . : ijnoty- 8''u,..-..;..iii 1::,' ■ ' ' • ^'' -^i . ..ihirfai vib ... ' '■ ■■' '"^ '"^ oj bfiDJKO iod e'i^w 8d1o'oP1 lo Robg.fjO '-*''^ '■■"' ■ ■■'■' '-'"' '''' .1'. b-f,»\J'>tlI .aY.r.b oboJj rii a-ol Ik "• ^' •■■■ ■-'■'-^ '--'^ ■ . >.,.oi»id ni v[fJi.;do'l'-}) ■ ^ ],.ta'Hw-|r4/; >:>i.fivi]. ,'-oO J/: 134 THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. the Parliament held at Shrewsbury." ^ One can imafi^ine the gay pageant as the Monarch, so vain of liis personal appearance, "handsome and golden-haired," just thirty years of age, witli his enormous retinue of servants, clad in costly liveries, and the nobles of his Court all vying in extravagance, rode over the Shrop- shire plain through the two long narrow streets of which Oswestry then consisted, up to the Castle. In his company were the two bitter foes, the Dukes of Hereford and Norfoliv — the former better known as Jlarry IJolingbroku. Oji I9th March, lb98, in the Castle of Oswestry they ap[)ealed to the King, who ordered them to fight their quarrel out at Coventry. Shakespeare begins his tragedy, "Richard IL," with the scene, but by a poetical licence makes it take place in the Tower of London instead of Oswestry Castle. Face to face, And frowning brow to Ijrow, ourselves will hear The accuser and the accused freely speak — And the noble appeal of Norfolk echoed through the walls of our old Castle — My dear, dear Lord, The purest treasure mortal lives aflbrd, Is — spotless reputation ; that away, Men arc but gilded loam, or painted clay. A jewel ill a ten-times-ljarr'd-up chest Is — a l)old s[)irit in a loyal breast. The entertainment of the King was costly even in those days. There was no Local Government Auditor then, and the unfortunate Oswestrians had to borrow JEIOO from their Lord, Mdiich was to be ex- pended partly " in divers labours and necessary nego- tiations when Ilichard, King of England, had occupied the said town," and partly in defraying losses ''during 1 ]\ini(inrs I/lsl. of asv/v.s '?•//. J)r(i/,i''^ Pari. Hint., vol. i., 493. The account dl' the (iii';it I'arli.imciil will l)c round fully given in Owen and I'.lakeway's J/ixt. of Shrc trsOio-//, ^\\icvc there is a similar relVrcniH! to the adjournnicnl lo ( )swrs( ry ov OswaUlsl ice, as I~)i-ako terms it. reimant e\idcntly i|Uoles IVoiii hrakc. > "io ijj ,1, ■ ►X"^ j-^j )"id ij;>{ls ' I'.uikIIi; is, Nu. l'()7, ;hm1 J'.inHlJr L'C., ;;i;;, an.j S. A. 'J'rans., Scl.lllVIl : A ili,-.|niv (iT llir l';i|-i,sli. i Ml:;'. ?).!it '.fo ^'-^^ mni lUi '/^ «•[' 138 THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. I will not stake ancient Oswestry on tlie hill On the draught-b(jard nor at chess. The best of any single town are its people, The best of any one ronnd Castle is its wine. Has any Castle around its equal ? Or have better burgesses been found '/ In it are the shops of Cheap, And liannony and honesty also ; A cruciform Churcli under an angle of a hill, Churchmen who call upon Oswald, She will have none of the lawlessness that has been, Nor breach of privilege ; the London of AVales ! To the Castle of stone is he a ca])tain, The stoutest of all in the great town, To tiie bright Castle on the wall a Maximus Is Marcdydd the peer of Idwal ; A Hector is the son of Howel ab JMorys, The stalwart Earl of Llys Mechain ; Of chiefs has he been found most just Of the stock of Einion, and of the CyfRns, A lofty oak from Hendwr is this, A youthful Dragon on Girion's side, He belongs to the name of Rhyddcrch, And the wise tongue of the ancient Cwaithvoer In my mind is the name of Miiredydd, The name of LIudd is in this spot. The London of the oaks of twenty hills Are the revellers of the town Oswald ; Beli made Caerllion, Son of Dyonwal, as the Isle of Mona ; And there had the hero a thousand Warriors, every hinulred, '^I'he son of Howel, with the pale steeds, Is the second generous one of this pale Castle ; And its arm, as it hath ever been. And (Japtain of its people of c(pial age ; A stag is Marcdydd over men, He has become a man ; an Ivigle is he now, A salmon of the salt water Is the Stag on Oswald's l^'estival ; He is the excellent Captain, His men arc the shoal ])eliind him, Slender men, nu'ii sm.iil ;ind olu'dirnt, Huge men and spcarsmcn glowing like end)ers, liroad in the sun are their head pieces, I'air is the haft of their axelieads of iii-e r>la/,ing on Iheir a/.iire poles. Cooil in the hand are the bows ; steel the axes, • rfiJii!:) ..:'oq;^ ahij rii ?.j t'fu/IJ lo om;:, . . ! . -sojfj I'uA ,v/ot« oil ^(i o[;<>j;C'{ it TFIli: STORY OF OSWRSTIIY CASTLK. 139 Skilful is the step of the men in wheel inf,^ "about ; 'I'liat of tlio musicians is another step. Like Mael^wn tlie ()]<1 has he been; They, as his family, follow him, He calls upcju his soldier^, Jle turns with his )uen to the tavern, He pays for what they drink, lie gives the contribution of Ivor of yore, A large jewel as far as Main, And yet is he in Mechain. In his fist are the heights of Edeyrniawn, He is the one sword of the South, and its genius, Let the nudtitude be drawn After Marcdydd, like the Town of Lud ; A prince of the town is he, A Trystan over the third part of Troy : ^[ay God bestow three lives on his haii-S, Three ages on the Stag of Oswald's land ! Edward Llwyd of Llwynymaen, near Oswestry, a descendant of the Crusader Meurig Lloyd, was Constable of Oswestry Castle under either Thomas Fitzalan, Earl of Arundel, who died 1525, or his son William, who died 1543.^ Another recently discovered item in the same Records dated 1528-9, shows that matters were still in a some- what unsettled condition in Oswestry, and that the Constable of the Castle failed to maintain order, In most grcvowcs and humble wysc shcwcth untoyo'r h\^j;]\- nes yo'r power Orator and dayly bedsman Thomas ap ]\Iercdith of the Towne oF Oswostvc in the ]\hirehe3 of Wales that where your power Orator toke to ferme by a lease of the Abbot and Co' vent of the monastry of Shrewsbury the Tithes of the p'she Church and p'sonage of Oswestre for certeu ycres yet enduring by force whereof your bedsman peasaV)le and quyetly occupyed the same the space of vii yeres passed untyll of late that oone S"^ Peres 13ruerton Clerke on the ifeast of Seynt Chad in ye xx yere of yo'r noble Reigne p'tendyd and feyned title unto the said p'sonage and the same Sir Peter by the said p'tended title and the [)ersons following that ys to wyt Edward Trevor con- stable of Oswestre John Trevor bis sonne beinir 1 J'vtvf/s Fadug, vi., ]). 351, where a copy of J'^lward Llwyd's \\"\\\ is given. Vol. VI , 'lw\ S. 11 Oil"// JJii^UiUi'i'"*' .'Jsb'iO (: jiJc-^noO 5>tti9(i , . . . . /oil' flllol .': ;i )7 140 THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. wylfull gentlemen accompanyed with diu'rs other mysruled p'sons of yo'r Lordship of Cliirke as of divers other countreys to the number of two hundryed came at harvest in Ryatherovs manor, that ys to say wyth syths bowes arrows swords and sperys unto the Lordshipe of Oswestre and then and there made divers assaults and frayes upon yo' orators servants and from yo'' orator botli in forceable and ryotos man'' of the Teyth corne and liey of the same p'sonage to the sume of ffower score poundes and more to tlie undoing of yo"" said orator,"^ &c. And the complaint proceeds to set forth most elabor- ately how this was followed up by the " murther of William Kydin aiul the sore wounding of diverse true men of the |)arishe," and iinally "they cam into ye towne of Oswestre the said viii daye and then Jand there shotte arowes at yo'r orators sonne beying of x years of ayg-e but yt God savyd hym and so shotte at other Dy vers honest mennes houses of the same Towne in lyke forme so yt noo man durst come out of his house for Jeopardy of theyr lives to the enorme and horrible ensample of good Ilule. " Edward Trevor, the Constable before mentioned, appears to have been guilty of other offences, as the following Record will show,extracted from Star Chamber Proceedings Henry VIII. It has never been published, and is interesting as containing an allusion to the Sanctuary at Halston, and also as an illustration of the troublous times on the Welsh Border. Star Chamber Proceedings, Henri/ the EigJdh, vol. x., iJ. J^l. To the Kyng our Sov^'eygn lord. In the most humble wyse beseeheth your g-'*cyous hyghnes yo*" pore and dayly oratryx Augncs Clayton wedowe late wytFe off Hugh Clayton that where the seyil Hugh Clayton was att Oswestre in the Lordshippe of Oswestre in Goddys pease and yo'"s llychard Berkley of Oswestre aboveseyd yonian s"" vaunt unto Edward Trevo' Constable of the Castelle of Oswestre in the scyd lordsliy])pe Thomas ap Jolm carter of Oswestre aboveseyd and Edward ap John carter the iiij"' daye off August last past att Oswestre aboveseyd wyth force & armys 1 Jji/c-Gones Sept. 14, 1892, Star Cluunber Proceed iiigs. eivu Or. aiii TO Juo 9raoo jy .ba^B sarjoiia orb oi c- J>oii8dduq itaod :isv9/i and 11 iliv AV -5^ f^i .^*'>*-S" tiViJ''»v3'S 3jU \,S_'f4"V^Y\ .■c.T>J.x''ii>SaOf;'C^V '{ :joT^ ill yih.j- ■■.' i.. . . . -■ ^' - . TUE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. 141 that vs to say wyth byllys swerdys &i bulders agenst yo^ pease made assaulto uppon the seyd Hugh Clayton and 0';^^ /^^ & there shainotuUy .\: feU)uously bete wounded ky d ij murdered and alLerward the seyd llychard Berkley was mdytcd before the eoroner of the scy.l lordshyppe or the detli ^ murder of the seyd Hugh Clayton as pryneypelle and the sejcl Thomas ap John carter and Edward ap John carter were than before the seyd coroner indyted as accessoryes to tlie same murder and thereuppon the seyd constable and John irevo hvs son Baylye of tlio seyd towne of Oswcstre toko the seyd Thomas ap John carter & Edward ap John carter and put them in pryson and tlie seyd constable & baylye wylfully and favorabely not havyng r . . pect nor good mynde to your lawes and good justice sulVered the seyd llychard U-rkcley than s^\aunt to the seyd constable to escape and goo hys weye m to a sanctuary called lialstone and conveye hys goods ,S: catallys theder w* hym ^Yhere for trowght the seyd Berkeley after that he was indyted was wyth the seyd constable & baylye waytyng uppon them so that they myght have taken and put hym m pryson as they dede the seyd ij accessoryes and moreoV^ your seyd oratryx sayth that the seyd constable & baylie have the rule of the seyd lordshippe of Oswestre by reason of there oftyces and the people there wylbe muche moved (!^ ruled by them and the seyd constable & baylie favo^ socor ^ helpe the seyd murderers and have don and so contynnially trom hens- forth intend to do So that yo>^ seyd pore orutryx can ne sha ie have noe justice ne remedy ayenst the seyd murderers for the deth of her seyd husbond acordyng to your lawes whereby the seyd haynous and shamefulle murder of her seyd husbond ys lyke to be unpunysshe into the ylle and most p'dous exsamplo of Oder ylledoers and myschevous murderers In consyderacion whereof and for asmuchc as yo>^ seyd oratryx can ne shaLle not have indytierent trialle & justice in the seyd lordshippe tor due punysshment of the deth & murder of her scp'd husbond because of the myght & rule that the seyd constable & bayiie have in the seyd lordsliyppe and for there grete iavo"" that they here to the seyd murderers to g^unt your g-eyous letters ot p'vay scale to be dyrected to the seyd constable ^ bayiie com'aundyng them by the saino to apere betore yo-^ seyd g^^cyous hyghnes and y^/ must honorable councelle att yo^ paliee att Westmester at a certeyn daye ui^pon a paync by yo g^'eyous hyghnes to be Ivmet there to aunswer do and recevo in the p'-misses acordyng to ryght ecpule cK: justice and that your seyd liyghnes by your seyd liouoruble councelle wyilo take suche dyreccion in thys behallle that your seyd pore eOVtOH- ...f/.il\.'J ui r.'f;TJ:;)!i*infiI o:?oYoit iwo^ iim.y ■ji tfib ;i::;ii.;: ';.w,.) 142 THE STORY OF OSWESTtlY CASTLE. oratryx maye have lior duo and conveiycnt remedy ayenst the soyd murderers for pimyssment of the seyd murder by her apele or odervvyse acordyng to yo"^ lawes so that the seyd murderers maye not escape unpunyssed by the favo"^ suppor- tacion aytlo and beryng of the seyd constablo & baylie at the rev''ence of aUmyghty God and in the weye of chary te and your seyd [)oro oratryx shalle dayly p^'ye to God for the p'^s'^va- cion of your most royallc astatc long to indure. [Endorsed] Clayton v''s' Trevo'' & al'. Voccntur Edwardus Trcvo'' & Johannes Trevo' infraque relati per b'ro do P.S. ad com' coram d'no Rege & con*^ suo apud Westni' in oct' lliilarii p'x sub pena cujus lib't eor' c I'i Ex niandato tl'ni Car"^ xxv^" Octobris R. Lee. Clayton v's' Trevo*' An Inquisition was taken at " Lndlowe in Pentecost week 18 H. VL, upon the death of Beatrix Countess of Arundel,"^ as to the dower of the Countess, which describes it as consisting of " parcel of the castle, town and manor of Oswaldestree, viz. in Castle of Oswaldes- tre, a new hall with an upper chamber annexed and other chambers and offices, also one third part of the Chapel there, third part of kitchen with larder, third part of a grange outside the castle, also the stable with a small granary with third part of garden next the Barbican, third part of Court house and third part of a well in the said Castle." The privileges of the Lords Marchers were becoming more and more unsuited to the growth of the towns and villan^es. It was evident that a chancre must be made, and the CVown assume direct rule, and Davies tells us that "In 27 yere of the reign of Henry VIII. all ye Lords Marchers in England were extinguished, and their Iloyall authoritie subverted." And at the same time by Statute Oswestry with the other lands in the Marches was annexed " to and with the realm of Enghind," and thenceforward the feuilal rights of the Lords ceased, except in so far as chief rents were payable out of the lands and tolls collected at the four I Cli. In. L'ost Mort., 18 11. VI., No. L'.S, Mom. 23. xM i'i iu« ?.'o ni .33 J. .)! / »*<>.] Vii"*-'' '^;. . , .,7 ihidn . ^ ^>.ficl o.;^ e/j - i ■ I. 17 HK ^>fl 4^ ^O'li' OtiJ io vi 1 ■ 'f - '""i .fl'lo 'j'i.cq b-iiilJ j>nr. oa/ioif J-ii^l'' "io "■■ .-,.., ... .,: ; ■ .. ' -.>tii, ,_. «0!Ti^Ct bnj.; ,ijir!'i io^iiib ooiiiaai; iiv/o'jl) fj art::? .:t.G boil ^ ,b&J'xovdij^ o(.rrioii.Jijii ^ 8b.aj;j{ jofl'o ' ■■ ■ . > .i:t: Mi'Al ,bi: ,oid.,..!V .13 ^^l ..Hvii: THE STORY OF OSWESTUY CASTLE. 143 gates of the town. In 1577 a document among the Aston Records shows that the Castle was still used as a place of residence, for a jury find " the Castle of Oswestry to have bin reputed the Lords chief house w'thin the lih'ties whether the same Castle had bin used as the Mansion House wherein the Lords of this Manur' themselves resident they knowe not, but they have heard that in times past the Lords Highe Con- stables had the use of the same Castle and dwelled therein of a long tyme. It hath nott bene inhabited att all nor occupied by any but by the Lords owne officers to the Lords use." On the death of Earl Henry Fitzalan in 1580, without male issue, his daughter and heiress Mary married Thomas, Duke of Norfolk, and the titles and honours and much of the property of the House of Fitzalan were car- ried into the House of Howard. On the attainder of the fourth Duke of Norfolk for treason in connection with Mary Queen of Scots, his son Philip, although losing the Norfolk honours, retained the Earldom of Arundel in right of his mother, and the Baronies of Clun and Oswestry, and the title of Baron of Oswestry still sur- vives in the Norfolk family. The Town Seal consists of the figure of King Oswald with an oak bough in his hand. It may be suggested that this is derived from the oak bough which is [)lacod in the mouth of the white horse, the dexter supporter of the Norfolk crest, wliicli is to be seen in the pictures of the New Gate in Church Street, Oswestry. The Inn which adjoins its site is known as the " VVhite Horse," no doubt derived from this crest. Pliilip, Earl of Arundel, was the last Arundel who was territorial Lord of Oswestry, and met with a sad fate. He was one of the greatest scholars of his day, and Hepworth Dixon in his Toivcr of London gives his romantic biography. Ho died in the 'J'owor in L51)5, " not without suspicion of [)oison." In 1582, he granted to the town its hrst Constitution, still extant, signed " Anmdcll To these 1 agree so far as 1 may ;" and the visitor to the Tower may see engraved ;».'i>iji 'i07.HJ r Oli.3 ni i)OI»i >•:>){ .Y .ij'f3m.6ini:'"i. oii.} to obia ofl)- >ioo:/ xi: i J.-' ^* ■' {ioojui. otlv/ i .olh)q;>'.> l>''\t} '\ci sy:\ U]lff r,- ii wiai' JiliW ^OiiliL' iJi3 nwob 10 elJai/J aria tg/ijiiti i 1' eonojo'v oj JJOOl )i> on Si aidi' '\at bfiaa^so iaviui iaom (iwoi e tfipaanoo b'l'Ull U 'io .!!>0/f,f3J' Gii^ dunom oi ijii.i; .gakW ' ni n^ THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. 147 Eoyalist forces there, and he had won the battle of Newark and had returned to Shrewsbury and Chester, where great rejoichigs had taken place, and the Parlia- mentarians were much discouraged. Earnest rei)re- sentations were made to head([uarters in London that aid should be sent to Shropsliire and Cheshire. On the other side the Parhament was no less active ; on 11th June, 1G43, it appointed Sir Thomas Myddelton, of Chirk Castle, to be Sergeant-Major General for the six counties of North Wales, and the Earl of Denbigh Lieutenant- General for Stafford, Cheshire, and Salop. Myddelton was nephew of the celebrated Sir Hugh Myddelton (himself a burgess of Oswestry) who brought the New Ptiver to London, and, I may add, was the donor of the oldest and most valuable piece of plate in the possession of the Corporation of Oswestry. He endeavoured to gather recruits in London, although with slow progress, but in the meantime the friends of the Parliament were not idle in Shropshire. " The life and soul of the Parliamentary side was Thomas jSIytton of Halston, brother-in-law to Myddelton. lie was above all others instrumental in keeping together the friends of the Parliament in Salop, and in neutralizing in a great measure the influence of the Iloyalists there. His superlative ability as a military commander, his un- swerving fidelity to the Parliament, and his eminent humanity to his enemies, place him in a more favour- able light than any man in Wales or the borders who took sword in hand during that terrible struggle." ^ In August of 1G43 Myddelton reached Shropshire from London with seven great pieces of ordnance, four cjses of projectiles and 40 carriages of ammunition. On Tuesday, 11th September, Wem was captured from the Iloyalists and became the Parliamentary headquarters for Salop. Lord Capell with his army, 4,000 strong, attacked Mytton, who had only 800 men, but he re- 1 rhill. Civil War, vol. i., p. IGO. Vol. VI., 2ik1 S. YJiUTfl '/f e- e.x-\. a id iffy.i If O.. ■ . -- (■ ■ ; 1,.; o. '3 , „ .. ;r,? i , vi &bia ^ I oiia 'io fuoa .a a rf < .!,U t»iui »0 1 I i,0 uiiW .jDDt .q ,.f .K) 148 THE STORY OF OSWKSTRY CASTLE. pelled the attack with the invaluable aid of the women of Wem^ so that it was said Tiie woiutMi of Weill ;iiul u few niu.skctcerb licat tlie Lord C;q)ell and all his cavaliers. Roundhead rhyme was somewhat hard upon Lord Capell, for it had been previously said of him The Lord Capell willi a thoiisaud and a half Came to Barton Cross and there they killed a calf ; And staying there until the break of day, They took to their heels and fast they ran away. Poor Lord Capell ! Some time afterwards he was captured by the Parliament and beheaded in London, and the sword he wore on that day is preserved at Brogyntyn. An attempt was first made to capture Oswestry by stratagem, and Mercurius AuUmis of Tuesday, February IGth, 1644, describes the stratagem thus — "These worthy Rebels at Wemme this last weeke had a plot upon the Towne of Oswaldstree ten miles from Wemme. The contrivance was layd thus — the Governour of Oswaldstree Colonell Lloyd was to be invited to dinner to a gentleman's house, where he would have been siu'prized by forces from Wenune, who resolved instantly upon tho surprize to carry him before his owne garrison and there foi'ce him to have caused his Ollicers to deliver uj) the Towne. To })rosecuto this plot the Rebells of Wenmie were already upon ihcir J\larch, but two of their Scouts being hap[)ily taken, the Treachery was confessed and discovered to the Governour, who suddenly returned home, and secured the Towne, the confident Rebells being Ibrced to returns to the place from whence they came." Col. Lloyd was a descendant of the Crusader Lloyd, and one of the Lloyds of Llwyiiymaeii, and is described by Pennant as l)eing of a "convivial tiu"n ;" his carelessness however, got known and Sir Ahsett Shi[)maii was appointed (;!overnor in his stead. Col. Lloyd died \'6 J*obruary, 1GG2, and was buried in the Llanforda vault on the north aisle of Oswestry Church, with this inscription on a flat stone — ji'jy/ iliiib OflJ JOhj ;-;j(iJ '>diiO-}<:iO-Ul oT j,. , i V 0: 'b -jlaui lihoa i THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. I 49 Temporibus diria pietas rcgique Deoque Immota liac terra jam tumulata. One Avlio then durat l)e loj'al just and wise When all were out of countenance here lies. His wife Frances Lloyd, who died 15th December, 16G1, is buried in the same vault, with this inscription — Wise bove her sexe with peril of her life A loyal subject and a loving wife Her God and King rcstorde her heart run 'ore More than brirafull with joy could hold no more. In after years Edward Lloyd, son of this Col. Lloyd, petitioned first of all the Parliament,and afterwards King Charles IL for relief, and in the Lloyd MSS. (the property of Mr. Stanley Leighton),he sets forth to the Parliament "That he was formerly seised in fee of certain houses in Oswestrie burnt down by Colonell Mitton in safety to the garrison to the damage of 2,000//," so that now " there remains only waste ground," and he prays this may be taken into account when his fine should be imposed. He wrote "The true narrative of CajDtain Edward Lloyd's actions and sufferings, how he gave his nia'tie all his plate and raised a Troope of Dragoons and armed them at his own charge, advancing likewise a month's |)ay to every soldier out of his own purse," how he sustained " frequent imprisonment, at least a dozen times ; nor did their malice only rest on him, but extended itselfe to all his relations, his wife was like- wise questioned for her life and hardlie escaped, a friend of hers hanged and a maid servant whipt to death for their fidelitie to his ma'tie in endeavouring to restore the garrison of Oswaldstre to their prestine loyalty," and he estimates his losses at X'8, 030 14s. Gd. After all his troubles, this Edward Lloyd was buried in the fiimily vault in the Oswestry Parish Church in 1G86. To return, Cathrall in his Ilistori/ of Osivcstri/ states that Fairfax and ]\Iytton made an attempt to seize Oswestry by surprise, whicli Prince Kupcrt repulsed, but T find upon comparison of the records that tliis is a mistake, and that the repulse (derived from a chance i: .. ... , -.. . ,.-. . Vn)i{ ".Sfeffi(T 1(7/0 &x\'i f' t^J\'-fi I; 'c*y ! ':'H ODIUM aoaj'ulo jtj X^ 150 THE STOllV OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. note in Pennant) took place in Cheshire, and not at Oswestry. But Oswestry did not long remain free from attack. Mytton was ever on the watch for a favourable opportunity to seize the town when the garrison should be reduced, and it is clear the Eoyalist leaders were no match for him in audacity. Prince Paipert w-as now in Chester, and was much in need of ammunition. Mytton was at Wem, wdiere the Parliamentary Committee for Shropshu-e had their head quarters. An arrangement had been made to send a large convoy of ammunition from Oswestry Castle to Prince Ilupert at Chester. The latter was gathering his forces for the campaio-n, which was to end in three weeks in the disastrous defeat of Marston ]\Ioor. The Parliamentary leaders realised the importance of preventing reinforcements passing from Shrewsbury to Chester. Cliirk village, on the direct route from Oswestry to Chester, was in the hands of the Parliament, although its Castle was still held by the Koyalists. Therefore the convoy had to make a detour from Oswestry through Preeshenlle, St. Martins, and Bangor Iscoed. Through the kindness of the present Eiirl of Denbigh I have been enabled to obtain copies of the original correspondence. ]\rytton, who was ubiquitous, determined to waylay the convoy, and although he did not succeed in doing so, yet encountered a party of dragoons on their way from Oswestry to C'hester. The following is his graphic description of the encounter. I may add that in Phillips's Civil War, vol. ii., p. 173, there appears another account by Mytton of the same event taken from " Two Great Victories," King's Pamphlets 1G3-3, but the letter I copy is his private report, and contains several additional parti- culars, and has never been published. Wem 20 of June, 1G44. Right Hono'ble I came hither about eleven of the clocke at night that dale I parted with yo^ honor I had not beene in bed one quarter of an howor till intelligence came to me that there was am- :*;? ion ban ,; laaa^l ni cjoa Ou ■ ... . '^.1-t4;.ffp [>«6»fi s'umII bn ;jja:> iMiua evijij i. ,i;.5i.i WMiy'j ayqiiiidH m ondy ddj:? -y^i^m i .i^illl .oafri lo Oy CTsV/ 7 ) drju OK TPIE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE, 151 munition tho noxt daio to goo from Oswcstrec towards P. Rupert whcrcuijoii I dvcw out all that poore strength could bo spared both of horse and footo intending eitlier to surprize it or to koepo it in towno till yoMionor did' send further stronrrth to enable us to take tlie tovvne. When I came to the place where I had appointed a messenger to meete me to give me notice what time they set out witli their carriages who told mo that there wasgone out of Oswestree yesterdaio morningo a partie to_ fetch It to that towno, they not adventuringe t'o come on tins side the river but thorough Wales. I have sent divers waies to have intelligence of the goinge of it ; I do not heare that It is gone past, I expect to heare everie hower; the comainders thought litte to retreate higher last night, beinge not assured whether yo-^ lienor would send to our rehefe or no. At the place where I appointed tho messenger to meet me, being tliere with the horse, the foote being 2 miles beliinde we tookc 2 of Maior Sacheverell's troopers who informed me that a heutenant with 20 musquetiers was gone past us about a mile, whereupon I tooke some 25 troopers and about as manie dragoones after. I went as fast as I could, when we came in sight ot theni our dragoones alighted to charge them in the reare, they beinge not aware of us, but one of our troopers dis- charged a pistol! by what meancs I know not and gave them an allarme, we had no waie but to charge them presentlie with our 25 horse who wont on verie rosolutlie though in a verie disadvantageous place for the horse in respect of the enclosures they were in, being in wood grounds and verie manie hedges, and instead of 20 wo found 5-1 whereof after a few shot they made at us we tookc between 20 and 30 besides 2 or 3 slaine. Ihero is an other letter I writ bearer which I rest w'' ;yMionor, whereby y"" honor maiesee what is furtlier intended if yoMionor countermand it not, I rest as ever -, , ^ ^ Yo^ honor^ most faitlifull servant My lord I beseech yo^ honor to excuse me in desiringe yo"" co- _>__/_/L maunds that the inclosed male '^''/^^^/^ To the right honble tlie Earle of Denbigh Generall of these associated counties humblio i)re- sent. Mytton h;i(l not captured the ammunition, but had learnt from his prisoners of the weakness of the garrison Vol. VI., '2nd S. T Of- atMsa .' e>d!i ;ic\ .,,.... denied M'gifi i?M i-' .Oil 'SO slesJyf *ir.;o oJ 1 '&-iuUii'hi&um OV' nJiv/ 'ivsv SI in ihdoiil ^.,_ O.t 70flOll hrA JJJtf , 'F- .J/IO« 152 THE STORY OF OSWESTRY TASTLE. at Oswestry, although (perhaps by design) they had misled him, as the garrison was much stronger than he was led to believe. The capture of the ammunition was ot* little moment, as it appeai-ed probable the town itself would be taken by a sudden dash. The same night on which he had sent the letter I have given lie writes another, the handwriting of which shows the haste with which it was written. It is as follows, and is also unpublished : — Wem 20 of June 1G44 11 at night. Right Hono'ble I have certaine intelligence . , . now come "that there is but GO foote left in Oswestrie and am desired by divers in the neiborhood to take it in, the am'unition is gone past this cveningc it is but a verie little as I lieare, I am now goingc to take some of my Tenants that are sum'oned to give .... at Shrewsbcrie. 1 got w'hn 2 miles of that towne. My Lord I know you are engaged with yo'' forces another waie, for footo in my poore opinion you cannot want to goo against the prince. If yo"^ lordship will be pleased to lend me 800 foote, and 300 horse I doubt not by God's leave, but to take the towne and hould it and this place also with L^. R. volens ; and to send yo"^ horse backe to you before you joinc with Cheshire. I desired 200 musquets of yo'' honor if you please to let me have 300 I doubt not but to raise men speedilie. If yo"^ honor be pleased to condisccnd hereunto, I humblie desire that they with all speed advance not loosingo one bower's time, all which I refer to yo'' honors consideration beinge a matter of verie greatc consequence ; it blocketh up the waie between Cheshire and Shrewsbcrie and all North Wales. If I have a petard I should hope to take it presentlie, however it is not like that wo shall ever finde it so wcake again. 1 rest my lord Yo"" honor' most faithfull servant Tuo. Mytton. To the right honoblo the Earlo of T')onbigh my most lunnble service [^resent. The letter was accompanied by a formal application from the Parliamentary Committee for Shropshire, also unpublished. J am i)aot '.. Lfijs . ' £);I/:^ oj .\i'l ,(i\rn{)i HiiOi.} vo .ion Jrijrob 1 egrroa Y5>ii.j .■.(iiU.tiuiii) A ,vjit§y.yi'i. (iohi\, . - ..... . ■ ' -' ' • ■' '-^^ .-■= >ifi;j-.vT. .. Jaoai "ton*. ' .VOTVfll .ohT if^hln ■'- '^ ■-■"' ■■■ ■' '■ --^ -'■'••■■ i!OJJ.3oi^]qji li-rcno't n vd hviiiUKfjriOooi- THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. 153 UuniT iio'ni.K In regard wcc liavc noc ccrtaync intelligence that ye magftziiie is yet ])a.s.sc(l Oswestery wcc lunnbly desire y* yo' r.oi-i' would continue yo"" resolutio" to send yo"^ horse and foote towards us (although Coll. Mytton bee returned to Wemmc). Weo liavc sent out for intelligence concerningc that designe, and expect betimes this night, that o^ intelligence come to give us certayne inforniatio' yf it bco not already passed, wee are resolved to fall upon y" Towne, w'ch yf weo take (as wee doubt not but through Gods assistance wee may) wee are sure either to take y'= magazine, or els to stop}) it from ever goeinge necrcr y" Prince, w'ch wc hope will growe of great concernment. Wee have sent some Comaunders to attend yo"" liorse, and to take care that they may bee quartered w"' conveniency tljis night. With y-" tender of o'' liumblest service wee rest Right ho^'^ Y(V Lo'ps most humble servants Wcni June 20. For y right ho'i" iiasiu gjo/^ r/?f.^rr Earlo of l)enbit:l» Gcnerall ^ U/(^^f (j itl'ord ^ ^ these humbly present. f: //^W^ The four signatories with Andrew Lloyd of Aston, formed the Parhamentary Committee for Shropshire. " Sam. More " was " More of Linley/' "Ro. Clive" (of Styche), was a direct lineal ancestor of the present Earl of Powis, and "Thomas Hunt" was M.P. for Shrews- bury in the Parliament of the Commonwealth. The names of several o-eneratious of the family of Hunts of Boreatton appear as Trustees of the Old Chapel,^ Os- westry (Congregational). Lord Denbigh listened to Mytton's appeal and resolved that together they would 1 S. A. Trans., vol. iv., p. 171. ■<■' V; -- 8jili:viy« 'jldmini \ o ■ ) J Jllc/lM • K 1 ' .J 4roother's, Captain Kcme immediately lixed his guards and sent out parties into the mountains and scouts everyway, who returned with news of one Colonel Marrow's appearing with a body of horsG, but they never came up, though expected. My Lord's horse, commanded by IMajor Erazer, had the guard of the Shrewsbury road and Morton. Our foot made an onslaught on the church, being but 200, and after half an hour's sore fight entered tlic church. The enemy fled into the ,steei)le, thence they fetched them down with powiler. Tliere we look 27 prisoners. Tli5r--"» }>}{> THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. 155 from the gate at our men. liut one of our shot striking a woman's bowels out, and wounding two or tlu'oe, put them in fear, that tiiey betook themselves to tlie castle. We forced oj)en the gates, and the horse entered resolutely, and by three o'clock were ])ossesscd of the town — as good a ])iece of service (God ha\'c all praise) as this year liath })roduced. My Lord himself entered the town, with the horse, neglecting thoughts of his own safety. Our men minded not the plundering ol the town (which was their right in taking it in this way), but followed us to the castle, where they fiercely fired upon us — every way being well manned. We made some shot with the groat sacro, but they took little cficct. Only some timorous men got over the walls, one broke his arm falling, others, Captain Keme's horse lighted upon and took them ])risoners. Captain Kerne sent my Lord from his guard 14 })risoners into the town, besides one Captain, which his scout took by Chirk Castle, with his connnission under liis Majesty's hand, and sent it to my Lord also. My Lord at night called a Council of War, and ordered a strong guard, and designed a party of troopers to venture to fire the castle gates with })itch, but our men wearied out slipped the opportunity. My Lord, by break of day waking, came to Captain Keme in the same house with him, and designed him to go forward with the design ; but on his way there met hira a party of women of all sorts down on their knees confounding him with their Welsh bowlings, that he was fain to get an interpreter, which was to beseech me to entreat my Lord, before he blew up the Castle, they might go up and speak to their husbands, children, and the officers, which he moved, and m}' Lord condescended to, so that Captain Iveme might go with them and a trumpet, which he did courageously, and carried this message. Then my Lord, to avoid the clfusion of blood, offered them mercy, if they would accept of it, where- upon they threw down this paper : — To the Right Honourable the Earl of Denbigh. Propositions propounded by us for the delivering up of the Castle of Oswestry : First, to march aivay with oar arms, bag and baggage, officers and stttdiei's,iiiid all other persons whatsocvci- being in the said Castle, and Secondly, tJiat we, the said officers, and cdl other persons whatsoever, being tvithin the said Castle, may be guarded <-■ -jJii ;Pf or-f'-!^,' -IT'-. -A'-.^ :.' iiv. i>.i«« ^iAi ,,VV Usi i;)(j ^WfKIK.Vbs'xOS' : ,m<\I •..-.. .- . , ,,'if 0] il^fi iTiJJIli To'j od *0'rl ..iJi\UV 156 THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. through your quarters to Montford Bridge, or quietly to abide in our own hahitaiions. Thirdly, that we may march out of the said Castle, over the said bridge with our muskets charged, lighted matches, and balls in our mouths. These propositions being granted, the Castle shall be delivered by the officers subscribed. John Birdwell, Lieutenant-Colonel. JouN Wahren, Captain. NiCHS. Hooks, Lieutenant. Thomas Davenport, Lieutenant. Hugh Lloyd, Ancient. Lewis Morgan, Ancient. Caj)t. Kerne returned leaving the women. My Lord refused to condescend. At last the women prevailed, and cried to me to come up. Then the two brave champions, Colonel Mytton and Captain Keme, went up, and they said they would repose themselves on such quarters as my Lord would sign to, which was their lives only. So they marched out, and we found 100 good muskets, besides others stolen away, eight halberts and officers to them, one barrel of powder and suitable match, many swords, and some few pistols, 20 gentlemen of Wales and Shropshire, divers officers, and 200 prisoners, besides what were lost. Lnmediately (it being the Lord's day) my Lord called away all to go to Church to praise God, which was done, and our dead buried. In all this service we had but two slain and one horse, and but four wounded, blessed be God. This town is of great concernment. We had a Council of War at 10 o'clock, at which my Lord-General (the Earl of Denbigh) made Colonel Mytton Governor of Oswestry. And we have resolved upon a great design, which is to join with the Cheshire Forces, where Sir Thomas Myddelton is now at Nantwich, and hath been there four days, and go against Prince Rupert into Lancashire. I pray commend us especially now in your constant prayers to the Lord. 13e doing as well as we ; and praise God for his miraculous love by us a poor weak army. This day my Lord received thanks from the Committee of both Kingdoms for the last service at Tipton Green. It is a sad sight to behold the ignorance of these Welsli in these parts, and how they are enslaved to serve. We shall leave a garrison ? i. .■ii^.ij 3-f>-i'> ^H.i Ml, i._.-i ; Oj Y..'iv/-'s bfjlijiso is'iCvt Y^'ii (Y/-i!> ^•*'' THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. 157 here and Colonel Mytton, and marcli to our foot on Wednes- day next with our body of horse. Colonel Fox is with us here ; our men fetched in oOO cows and salt runts of tlic mountains, and soil good ))onny worths. This town to avoid plundering are to give 500 [)ounds to the soldiers.^ List of Prisoners taken at Oswestry. Lieut.-Col. Bledwyn Lieut. Richard Franklin Sir Abraham Shipman, the Governor then at Shrewsbury Capt. John Farrell Capt. John Madrin Capt. Thomas Tenet Capt. Phillips Lieut. Nicholas Hooke Lieut. L)aven[)ort Cornet Leonard Cornet Lloyd Ensign Morgan Ensign Wynne Commissary Richard Edwards, with nine sergeants, nine cor- porals, one drum-major, 305 common soldiers, eighty towns- men in arms. Also 200 mus- kets, 100 pikes, and other weapons, and forty-five barrels of powder," This is the oflicial account of the capture of the Castle, but it is supplemented from otlicr sources, and variations occur which are somewhat dithcult to reconcile. It is clear that while a guard was left at the Beatrice Street entrance to the tow^n the main body under Lord Denbigh made a detour near the site of the Cambrian Railway Station, round the Walls to the oi)posite end of the town, and attacked the Parish Church, which was outside the walls and occupied by the Royalists as an outwork. Here the battle began, and the Iloyalist forces were probably taken by surprise, not expecting so daring an attack 1 From a |);uui)h]ct, cnliLlal "Two (Jreat Victories: unc ubtaiiiod by tlio Marl of l)ciil)i<;li at O.swcslry, kc, certilicd by letters ffom the Ivol of Deiibi-h's (|uailer,s ; llie oilier victory by Col.jiiel Milton, with a list of tlie prisoners l>y liiin taken. I'ub. according to order. London: I'rinled l)y T. (^)e, I 0 I I." (K- 1'. H;:i— :}). 2 T/i< Kiwjdom's Wuhhj Inlc/ln/cnar, No. Gl, p. P.)0. 'r-isbwoq "Jo awoi GxfJ oj t: '.' 'jij./o'^*'b ft iirtf'.m ,0* 158 THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. with such small numbers, and having evidently not occupied the Church in force. The Church being captured, the next line of defence was the walls, and the garrison retreated to the New Gate in Church Street, opposite to the present Post Office, where the Gate was " shot through," but Gough in his History of Mijddle gives an additional incident which happened here. He tells us that the assailants were not certain that the gate was free, and so " sent George Cranage, a bold and daring young man, to see whether it were soe, who tooke a hatchett in his hand and went to the drawbridge and found that the soldiers were gone and the gate was open, for the Cannon had broken the doors and this Cranage broake the chaines of the drawbridge with his hatchett and lett downe soe that the soldiers made haste to enter the towne. Butt those that were within made like haste to meet them, which Cranage perceiving and seeing a box of drakes standing within the gate ready charged, hee turned the box of drakes towards those in the towne, and one of Cranage's partners came with a firelocke and gave fire to them, which made such a slaughter among the Garrison soldiers, and they retreated and fled unto the Castle." The Royalist forces rushed down Church Street, hotly pursued by the Parliamentarians. It is clear that some of the garrison instead of retreating up Bailey Street into the Castle, endeavoured to escape down Beatrice Street and over the walls, and then was seen the wisdom of the precaution taken to guard the Chirk road at the Beatrice entrance to the town. No doubt it was here that the " timorous men got over the walls." The remainder of the garrison got safely into the Castle, and from the walls could watch the Parliamentary forces drao-ofinnr the "groat sac re ' somewhere near the site of the Old British School. The "great sac re " was unavailing, the walls were too strong ; a formal siege was imj)ossible, as the lloyalist forces from Chester and the nei'dibour- hood far outnumbering the Ijcsiegers, would soon raise ;u aao'- eifli 01 Joow 1 &/i..t to pi ,' I _ yiltioati oi iia'.iiJoviisI>ao ,9iJoi*,/ ^nj o.:tnj oo:'' 'd.cw n9ii.t bri.fj ,=^[bv/ otiit levo b/t.o d'iie'i.i'8 eoi'i,.„,.. . c i 1 r .- . - , . . . , bK) r:[,|: '!,,) aJi« tilU •tJ!'">n 0-fOi'(v/';-'iii>w THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. 159 the siege. Colonel Marrow, who had mysteriously dis- appeared from the scene, was hovering somewhere near with his troop of horse, and Shrewsbury occupied by a large lloyalist garrison was only 18 miles away. It was therefore clear that some daring deed should be undertaken. Gough gives us an incident not found in the official report, Cranage being, we are told, "well rewarded and well lined with sacke was persuaded by the Generall to hang a buttar on the Castle gate. Now a buttar is an iron shell as bigge as a pott, it was filled with powder and wildfire balls, and had an handle with an hole in it, by which it might be fastened with a nayl to any place. Cranage takes this buttar with a cart nayl and a hammer and got from house to house into the house next the Castle, and then stepping to the Castle gate hee fixed the buttar and stepping nimbly backe again escaped without any hurt the buttar burst open the gate." Gough quaintly ends, "I have beene the longer in speaking of George Cranage because that after the Warr was ended hee came to live some while at the Red Bull, and afterwards at Newton on the Hill, where he was tenant to Thomas Newans. Hee was a painfull laborious man in husbandry, and although he was a stout man of his hands, yett he was peaceable and a good neighbor, Hee went to live againe att the Red Bull, and there his wife dyed, and then he married Dorothy, the daughter of Richard Plumger, and there hee dyed." The capture of Oswestry was a great blow to the Royalist party. Efforts were made to explain it, and Mercurius Aulicus of Tuesday, July 9th, 1644, reporting Lord Denbigh's ill success at Shrewsbury, says " where he came with much confidence (being full of his late success at Oswaldstree which Towne he crept into when the Governor Sir Abraham Shipman was gone to Slu'ewsbury for convoy of some Prisoners)." The joyful news was at once sent to London, and both Houses voted their tlianks. The following copy of the vote is also ex- tracted from Lord Denbigh's papers, and is unpublished. Vol. V[., 2ud S. U RL 6'' h... .... , ,j (lead .; . \' ,• ') 7"' 8-flW 5 [JjtieoBoq ' -I -iii.';;4->jiij' >..t i.^'ii :jil r • ■1 '■[■'I c. . 0 'ill Qieil "• • ^- ''^ i^nnijR a-tj^f sill ip, «/!W M7/an .B b(f!i ,.iy .ioY 160 THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. Die Veneris 2S Jimii IGJf.'i.. L're from the Earle of Denbigh from Oswalstree of June the 24 concerning the taking of tho said Towne and Castle of Oswalstree vv"' a List of Armes and Prisoners, tlio Prisoners that were taken being as many or more than those that took them the Towne and Castle. Resolved &c. that a thousand pounds in money and 600 paire of pistolls shall be forwarded provided and sent downe to y° Earle of Denbigh upon Accompt for the pay and arming his forces and that it be referred to the Committee for Shrop- shire to take care for provyding for these Armes and money, and to make Report on Monday morning next. Ordered that M' Serjeant doe p'pare a L're to be sent to the Earle of Denbighe from both Howses in acknowledgmt of tho great and good services done by ColoncU Mitton. and likewise to acknowledge and take notice of others in tlie said L're, Ordered that the first 200'' that shal bee discovered to tho Committee fcr examina'cons and come to their knowledge ano^nido i£om t«CS /J M 162 THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. sent mc word of the enemies' gathering into a great botly in Wales, Shrewsbury, and Chester to regainc Oswaldstre. Upon my leaving that plaec I ordered a good quantity of ammuni- tion and three companies of S'' W. Middluton's to be sent to reinforce that garrison, w'-'' by my liorsc weare safely convaid into the towne, so tliat now there are neare upon 400 musquet- teers fitted with all necessaries, and a good ingenior to secure that garrison, and a full troope of horse, yett in regard the enemy is now emptying all their garrisons and will venture all rather than not recover that i^Iace w""^' they conceave to bee of so great concernment to their affairs, I shall humbly beseech your lo''^ to order that some forces may undertake the reliefe and defence of these parts in my absence, and that whilst I am executing your lo^'^ commands in other places my honour may not suffer, nor the advantages be lost where a more immediate charge and trust is conferred upon me. This I thought fitt to represent to your loi"* wisdome, and remaine, My Lords and Gentlemen, Your most humble and Wem, affectionate servant, 27 June, 1644. B. Denbigh.^ But before relief could come the Royalist attack was made. Lord Denbigh had left for Manchester to seek aid. In a letter of 26th June, 1644, from Nantwich, Lord Denbigh says — " My regiment of foot and Sir Thomas Myddelton's are grown so weake that they are not able to guard theire colours, and therefore wee thought htt to leave tliem for the defence of Wem and Oswaldstre. "2 On the following Saturday Sir Fulk Hunkes, Governor of Shrewsbury, resolved to take advantage of Lord Denbigh's absence, and with over- whelming forces to recapture the town. He marched from Shrewsbury to Oswestry with Colonel "Marrow, who had now found bis troop, at the head of 1,500 horse and 3,500 foot. The Koyalists consisted, as Myddelton tells us, of "the most valiant commanders 1 State Papers Doiu., C'liarle.s I. Emullo 31G, ful. 100. From PhilHps's Civil ]Var, vol. ii., p. 177. - riiiinps's Civil War, vol. ii., p. 178. i>flj3 oidmari i?,oia ido t ^{■. .bijs i nod -: . .. „,, .., .. ..iOi(T :5i:;. . . .J ..J .;,. ...... ,ir-?/ J o.i vTi/dBWfti'lB THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. 1G3 and soldiers drawn out of the garrisons of Chester, Cheshire, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Ludlow, Derbyshire, and Flintshire, and other places." They were not so quick in their movements as the Parliamentarians had been, for a messenger had arrived post haste to Myddelton with "an earnest and impor- tunate letter from Col. Mytton the Governor," and on the "Lords day last past" Myddelton advanced by forced marches from Spurstow in Cheshire, towards Whit- church and Ellesmere, and so on to Whittinofton — 50 miles in two days — encamping in the fields on the way, arriving at two o'clock on the Tuesday afternoon. Here they could see past Old Oswestry the smoke of the cannon outside the town, " where the enemy endeavoured by battery and storming violently to have carried it." The siege had lasted for three days, but still Colonel Mytton held out. The Royalists had captured the Church, and no doubt anticipated a speedy victory. Hunkes heard of the approach of the relief, and according to his own account to Prince Ptupert, "commanded Colonell Marrow to send out a party of horse to discover their strength, but expressly forbad him to engage himself, yet contrarie to my knowledge or direction he took with him the whole bodie of horse." The following letters give the Parliamentarian and Royalist accounts of the encounter. They are taken from the invaluable Appendix to Phillips's Civil War, vol. ii. Sir Thomas Myddelton' s Account. To the Honourable Williiim Lenthal, Esquire, Speaker of the House of Commons. HONOUllED Sill, Not to trouble you with vain relations whereby to hinder the other serious employment fur the Kingdom's good, may it please you to be advertised that the Town of Oswestry, late taken by the i'orecs of i'arlianieiu, iin(h r my brothci-, Col. Myttoii's command, -was upon SaLunlay last begun to be begirt, and since strictly bcsi(\ge(l by the King's forces, consisting of about 1,500 horse and 3,500 foot, under the command of Col. Marrow. And that thereupon, in pursuance of a Council of lu ir. o '\ii : .... . ... ,.,....J .eiiorijoio') "lo oaaoH 1 \r(u 'r-iliini . . 'to x^v ; 164 THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. War's determination, occasioned by an earnest and importunate letter from my brother, Col. Mytton, directed to me for speedy relief and raising of the siege of tlie said town, I did upon the Lord's day last [)ast, with such forces of horse and foot as I then had with me, and the foot forces of Cheshire, all of us then at Knutsford (intending to have marched for Manchester, and then for the service in tlie north, according to enjoinment of the Committee of both Kingdoms), return and readvance with all my said forces unto a [)lace called Spurstow Heath, whore that night we quartered, and thence advanced upon Monday towards Whitchurch. We quartered that night like- wise in the open fields, at a place called the Fens, in Flintshire, whence yesterday we marched towards EUesmere, and so to Oswestry, where the enemy endeavoured, by battering and storming of the same, violently to have carried it. About two o'clock in the afternoon we came in sight of tlie town, and within three miles of it, where the enemy having got intelli- gence of our approach were prepared to receive us. The chief forces of our enemy consisted of the most valiant commanders and soldiers drawn out of the garrisons of Chester, Cheshire, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Ludlow, iJerbyshire, and Flintshire, and other places. The enemy had taken up the passage of water near Whittington, and very furiously assaulted and charged us, but were repulsed, and forced to retire through the courage of our horse, who most courageously entertained the enemy. Three several times the skirmish was doubtful, either side being forced so often to retreat ; but in the end, our foot forces coming up relieved the horse, beat back the enemy, and pursued them with such force that the horse, thereby encouraged, which indeed was formerly weary, joining with the foot, they put the enemy to an absolute iiight, in which we pursued them live miles towards Shrewsbury, to a place called Felton Heath, and where we remained after their flight again masters of the field. In the skirmish with the enemy, and in the pursuit, we lost several of our horse, some of our troops, but never a footman whicli I am yet informed of. Many of the troopers are hurt, but I hope they will recover. I lost one Captain Williams ; and one Capt.- Lieut. Fletcher, a very courageous man, being Capt.-Lieut. to Col. Barton, in my brigade, was dangerously shot, but 1 hope not mortally. As fur the enemy, they lost many stout men, had many of them taken prisoners ; the nund)er wlioreof the enclosed will manifest, some of them being of great quality, as the Jjord Newport's eldest .son. And, besides, such was their liaste in choir flight, that we found in •3 J.filgli'. In 5. ., Y'JOV ■) joo'i fU.")>;ja i^nTjiii iiuxhi -.ibjiii iji.».m).;u.iiJi t>v< ^.m- ,,j's ',!,'! ■ ■< mil r skildsfi c- • . . y'.\ ^' H/rv/ ... - ,JiiO!J . u;! t ; : THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. 1G5 the way of our pursuit, the highway, as it were, strewn with store of bread, cheese, bacon, and other good provisions, clothes, and else such necessary appurtenances to an army, besides some whole veals and muttons newly killed. Tlio enemy before the relief came had taken the church, the strongest hold about the town. Upon the approach of the relief they suddenly deserted it, and sent their two battering pieces unto Shrewsbury. In the way also were taken by our forces seven carts and wagons, laden with, provisions, such as beer, bread, and other necessaries, and one was laden with powder and other ammunition. The Town of Oswestry I find to be a very strong town, and if once fortified, of great concernment, and the key that lots us into Wales. Sir, I had to my aid three regiments of foot, viz., Col. George Boothe's regiment, a gallant regiment, led by himself on foot to the face of the enemy. Another by Col. ^lainwaring, and the third by Col. Croxon ; all of them stout and gallant com- manders, and the rest of the officers and soldiers full of courage and resolution. Major Louthiano, Adjutant-General, that brave and faithful commander, to whom I cannot ascribe too much honour, brought up the rear that day. Sir, I rest, yours, &c., Tfio. Myddelton. [enclosure.] Prisoners taken at Oswestry July 3, 1G44. Francis Newport, heir to the ~j Lord Newport > Captains of a Troop of Tlorso Capt. Swynerton j Twenty ^Velsh and Shropshire Two pieces of artillery to come gentlemen up to the walls to save the One Cornet of Horse, who had Musketeers no command Seven carriages, whereof one of Lieut. Nowell powder One Quartermaster 200 common soldiers, most of Two cor])orals them Welsh Thirty-two troopers 100 horse Great store of arms found in the corn and ditches. There is since taken iMajor Manlye^ i\m\ Major Whirney, under the walls of Shrewsbury.- ^ ^hijor MiUily \v;is (lovoi'Utn- oT I'angoi-, l-'linlsliiiv. - b'l-om a painplilct, I'litillod ''A (A)[>y ol' a Letter «ont I'l-oiu Sir Thos. MyddeltDH, ikc. 1-,oik1ou : I'riuLcd for ICJward tfu.sbaiul«, July 10, IGlf." (Iv. r. 194—10). i • T })ttd otiw ,*: J oaO "io oiio li>3i^?f!/; ,«<:'^. — . -... J ■' '' X'-.' -Of) ,7t)iitiHW loi/:;'. ; ;-■. ^.'->niW -■■ ■■'■■■' -■'^rria ai dfQfiT ■v^— »^.^ 166 THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. Sir Falke HunJce's Account of it to Prince Rupert. Uay it pleask your Highness, Upon Tuesday, July the 2(1., I was drawn out, with what force I could, to ioyno with (JoU. Marrow for the rogani- ing of Oswostrie, where having inteUigencc of the approach of the enemy, I commanded Coilonel Marrow to send out a party of horse to discover their strength, but expressly forbad him to engage himself ; yet contrarie to my knowledge or direction, he tooke with him the whole bodie of horse, and engaged him- self so larre, that he was routed before 1 knew anything^ of it. As soon as I had notice thereof, by a messeng from himself, who desired nice to drawe off', his horse bein^^ wholly routed, I put myself in a posture for the security of the cannon, and drawing them off, the first man I mett withal was Marrow all alone. And perceiving that the enemy was like to cutt between us and Shrewsbury, wee drew what strength wee could to- gether, and with small losse made a retreat, and brought off" our cannon to Shrewsbury, where wee quartered the remainder of Marrow's troopes. The Thursday following, the enemy advanc'd up to this town, the Lord Denbigh commanding-in- chiefe, thinking to have surprised it out of a confidence of a good partie heo had of the towne ; but the outworkes were so ■well defended, and Marrow falling out with some horse, his Lordship was forced to retire with some losse, and being past over Montford Bridge, hee sett it on fire and retired, dividing his troopes to Oswestry where he tarried not long but borrowed and with his own troopes he went to Cholmondly, which iust now I heare he hath taken. Marrow is now returning to goe about C'hirdc to seeko to get his horse togither againe This countrie is in a very bad condition, and men are hoere very slow in fuHilling your Ilighnesse commands Heere is very little added to what your liighness left, nor was ever any man amongst so many caterpillars as I am, and see not any possi- bility to amendment in your Highness absence. I shall_ most humbly desire your Highness to consider what good intelligence I have whereby I am informed that having taken Cholmondly they intend for Morton Corbet, from thence to Artly, and so to us if they are not prevented. U your Highness doc not cast an eye U[)on the forces as are here. The news is better from the King's army from whence wee receive intelligence that his forces have brought off" ton pieces of Waller's ordnance and many ])risoners with the Gcncrall of the artillery. Tn this acti(^n the Lord Wilmot was taken prisoner, and by the same party that tooke liim brought into TfriWr A! (iUtl ( ei '//(jii/iK .'i')>!ij;* iU:\d c •iaatKj {^iiad JO0 ooa biiii ,,m/: •q'.tfNir.o \(_n£im o or-. . i i^r.:} joii ooi.: i^p/jnnmb. kjuov j* o.t 'io t!'..i THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. 167 the King's guards unknown to tliern that brought him, whereby tlioy became prisoners thoiuselves, and hco rescued, having only received a sHght hurt,. S'' Wdliain Waller who com- manded re[)orted to be hurt and retired to Nort1iam]iton. The King is now at Evesham more as to overthrow of the ungratefull Scot, Your Highness most luimble servant, Salop, July 10th, 164t. F. Hunkes.i Addressed — (For his Highness Prince Rupert. Lord Denbigh had hastily left Manchester and ar- rived in Oswestry the next day too Late to share in the victory. He writes — " If I conhl have advanced in a convenient time, or the action had bene deferr'd till our forces had been united (w"=^ the Council 1 of Warr enclined unto, and tlie attempt had been put off if the letters sent to give advertisement of my approach had not bene conceal'd) though God was pleased to give great testimonies of his goodnesse and favor in what was done, the victory had been more compleate and in all probability wee had bene masters of their cannon and of theire best men, w*^^ did belong to the garrison of Shrewsbury and the adjacent parts. "^ There is an Oswestry tradition that the remarkable round stone still to be seen at the foot of St. Oswald's Church Tower is a relic of the siege, and was a cannon ball fired by Cromwell, and that tlie old chest in the tower was used " by Cromwell to store oats for his horses." The "Weekly Account" shows the interest which the Parliament took in Mytton's success. " I will heere relate the manner of the raisinof of a far greater siege on our part, for we are this day informed that after the Earl of Denbigh had taken the Towne of Oswestree, left Colonell Mytton Governor, and himself marched into Cheshire, the Welsh and Irish came against it and la.yed siege thereunto, luid ^ Strtto Papers Dom , 31G, fol. 132. A portion of this letter is in ciplior, but is translated as ^ivon. 2 State Papers Doui. Chas. T., 31G, lol. 120. Vol. VI., 2Md S. V p ..... ^. ...... . f .';rf J ii'i • ' ' ) nefUf.^0 /; a/jv/ bur, ,f ? iBSilo bio oil:* Ji-.H:) b' ill >looj J 1 a,lv liCMfiw 339ieJi? .0£f .b^ ,.<>! .« ,ioV 168 THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. upon notice thereof given to the Earl he called a Councell of Warre thereupon, and it was agreed that Sir Thomas Myddelton with a strong party should undertake this siege, which was performed with pru- dence and valour, keeping the design secret and stop- ping all inteUigence to the enemy, inasmuch that our forces came upon them while they were feasting with their stolne Veall, Lambe, Beefe, Mutton, &c., some of it being hot and ready drest, which by their hasty running away they left behinde, and being pursued he took two hundred prisoners, among which were some captains and other ofiicers and seaven carriages." With reference to the capture of Lord Newport "Perfect Diurnall " of 10th July, 1644, says— ''The new created Lord Newport (alias Sir Ptichard Newport) having a fine estate and employed it for the raising of forces aoainst the Parliament, the house has thouofht good to dispose thereof to be employed on the contrary part, it being but equall those which have been at cost to destroy the kingdom should be at the like charge towards the preservation thereof. And therefore have ordered that the estates both of him and his son before mentioned sludl be employed for the use of the Parlia- ment forces, and that young Newport shall be brought up to London that his person may be disposed of I presume it is to the capture of these "seaven carriages" that allusion is made in Owen and Blakeway's quotation from '^The Perfect Occurrence of Parliament from* May 31st to June 7, 1G44," which speaks of — "col. Mitton having takensome carriages that were going from Ossister to Colonel Hunks at Shrewsbury worth G or £7000," and another paper (the Scottish Dove) raises the value of this capture of Col. Hunks's treasure to £20,000. " If a colloquial word for a miser be derived fi'om the name of this officer, it adds one more to the numerous in- stances of the durable ellects produced upon language from local and temporary circumstances."^ 1 Hi At. of Shrewsburi/, vol. i., 110. iimEiJO; I '.'lo Ov-tiiM Joo " — ^0 ei/saqe douiv/ '\l4^0i. , '. .ys;) THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. IGO The references to Oswestry Castleduiing the Common- wealth are but scanty. Mytton remained Governor for a short period, and although a vahant soldier, he did not forget his family ties, and in a fortnight after the Oswestry fight he wrote to his " Deere Harte " as he styles his wife — " I have sent thee hereby a cabinet, and therein some silver grogaram and a ])ayre of silk stockings. I received the hatte you sent;" and he tells her — " I am about to take the children into Oswestrie, Brother Myddelton and myself intend, God willing, to take a voyage into Wales, if the enemy prevent us not by cominge against Oswestry againe."^ The town was not molested further, however, but must have been left in terrible disorder, garrisoned by hostile soldiers — the Church in ruins, and houses burnt. There are allusions to Oswestry in Mytton's account of his successful tight with Prince Rupert's horse at Welshpool in the same year, and he says that " many of Rupert's Horse dis- affected came into Oswestry daily." Myddelton and Mytton made Oswestry their head quarters that autumn, and from there marched to attack Montgomery Castle, where on 17th September, 1644, the decisive battle took jjlace, by whicli the power of the Royalists in North Wales was utterly destroyed, 500 cavaliers being killed and between 1,200 and 1,500 taken prisoners. After the battle Colonel Mytton returned to his post at Oswestry. On 30th September, "Red Castle," the seat of Lord Powis, was attacked by Sir Thomas Myddelton and stormed, and Lord Powds was taken by Myddelton a prisoner to Oswestry Castle. On Christmas day of the same year Sir John Watts, the Royalist Governor of Clurk Castle, in a letter jjre- served at Chirk Castle, wrote to Prince Rupert an account of an unsuccessful attempt by ]\Iyddelton to re-capture his own Castle with the help of the Oswestry garrison: — "My stones bcate them oil ; they acknow- 1 Mytton MS., coini)iled by Mr. Stanley Leij^diton in Munt. Coll. ^■^:^i -(.OS' ■( 'JOV,'Oq Qill.j iViiiV:' vv{ ^r isao'^yj tni$i:,ii mlJ 'taji/i .' >3 0d l)n.L^ ,beoi'ii»Ja bii&no: oi . v-^ >{J'J' ,{iuO ,1u'oi/i ni n. 2 ll;irl. MS., !)H. diiJ y'liiji. Od'iCl THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. l7l when it was pulled down." Mr. Sabine purchased the board, and had it placed where I Iiave seen it, at the head of his drawing room mantelpiece at Careglwyd, Oswestry. This, probably, is the only relic of the Castle still in existence, except the few rugged and. shapeless stones crowning the hill. Tlie Castle, probably did not disappear all at once. In 1G73 the " Bayhffes and Burgesses " petitioned Charles 11. for a Charter, and stated that they were " all y^ time of y** late intes- tine warrs very greate suflerers for that having made y'' towne a Garrison for your Majestys father it was taken by storme and y'^ suburbs all burnt and y^ walls castle and Church demolished by y' late usurping powers." And finally, according to an old MS. in my possession, upon the renewal of tho Charter by Charles 11. it was proclaimed "that the swine market will be kept on the hill or voyd place where the Castle is." It is scarcely possible to conceive a degradation so complete. The Municipal Eecoi'ds show that at the beginning of the present century the wall round the Pitcher Bank side of the Castle Bank was built at the cost of the Corporation, and many of us are old enough to remember how we used to "toboggan" up and down the steep sides of the Castle Hill, into the Horse Market below, where there was no boundary wall. Tlie late Mr. Charles Sabine, senr., was instrumental in rescuing the Hill from the hands of the spoilers, and induced a number of leading Oswestrians to form a syndicate to purchase it from the trustees of Mr. Venables of Woodhill, to whom it belonged, but again the "Castle Bank," as we call it, fell into a neglected condition, and finally it was reserved for Mr. Alfred Wynne Corrie of Park Hall, among the many- memorable acts which signalised the four years of his Mayoralty, ofllcially to receive the Bank irom the late owners and to dedicate it to the public of Oswestry for ever. i .IT }- Bne -^'.tyhn osjm =^ '\o omiri \ lit; • »/■ ei .+ [ *V- ■ 'fo n!rf Af}* no in Bbiijiii edt fnoit iUti oiVS j^HiSJOftS' .iuv:i 172 THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. ADDENDUM. It may interest local readers to note that " The Story of Oswestry Castle " formed the subject of a drama written at the commencement of the present centur}', the title page of which is as follows. It will be seen that tiic names of several of the dramatis persontc are taken from the actual records. For many years the " Stanton " Company, by whom the piece was performed, had a high reputation in the Western and Midland comities. Mr. and Mrs. Fawcett, who are mentioned, were the grandfather and grandmother of Mr. Owen S. Fawcett, a well-known and esteemed Shakespearian actor, now I'csident in the United States, whose family vault is in the Oswestry Parish Churchyard : — THE CASTLE OF OSWESTRY OR THE SIEGE OF 1644, A NEW OPERATIC DRAMA IN THREE ACTS, Founded on historic fact and first acted at The Now Oswestry Theatre on Tuesday, 12th November, 1819. Oswestry : Printed and sold by W. Price, Cross Street. Price 28. 6d. To William Ormsby Gore, Esq., With a just sense of the indulgent kindness he has shewn to my first dramatic eftbrt. CASTLE THE OF OSWESTRY is by permission most respectfully dedicated by his very obliged and obedient humble servant The Author. DRAMATIS PERSONS. Sir Absett Shipman ... ... ... Mr. Fawcett. (Governor of the Town and Castle of Oswestry). The Earl of Denbigh Mr. Giles. (Conmiaiider of tiic I'arliameut forces). George Cranage ... ... ... ... Mr. JIeauicote. (Aide de Camp to the Jvirl). Col. Lenori ... ... ... ... Mr. Tvrer. (A Portuguese soldier of fortune in the Parliament service). no ,M14 HO :13MI8 ?tHT A !-mB bn,-. fo);'^ "yhi "[ V ' ' ' . ."JJ.. : YfiTfisrweO ,»'ii)Jti.rA;ijii :ilf) .... ... ... '• .iiSiS'fT .•;tM ... ,., .... ... hott'jil hO .t.\'.!Uiiihj/.l iiili lit y{njJv(fi hiioUAoH oao;/jj{i,lio*l A) THE STORY OF OSWESTRY CASTLE. 173 Captain Mordaunt Mr. Henderson. Ensign Belford Mr. Wilson. Corporal Ciiuriur Gillert ... ... ... Mr. Cukflev. ((jlardcncr at the CVibtlc;). I'^tcr ]\Ii._ Atkins. (A peasant lad, grandson to Maudclaine, in love with Cissita). Soldiers, Constables, &c. Ethelinda Miss Stanton. (Daughter of the Governor). Alice Mr. Cufflev. (Ethelinda's friend and confidant). Cissitta Miss Weston. (A peasant girl in love with Peter). Dame Maudelinc Mrs. Fawcfitt. ;iMv: 174 AN ANCIENT BRONZE MATRIX FOUND AT CHIRBURY. By the Rev. JOHN BURD, M.A., Prebendary of Hereford. (With u Plate). Ix 1879 the sexton of Chirbury Church, in di^i-cfinfr a grave, found what he took to be a piece of old iron, which he threw aside amongst tlie stones and refuse as worthless. Being questioned some time afterwards as to whether he had ever found any objects of interest in the course of his work, he mentioned this piece of metal, and pointed to the place where it lay. Curiosity being awakened in my mind regarding it, I instructed him to search for it, and after a thorough overturning of the refuse it was at length found. It proved to be a bronze matrix of good workmanship, for casting images of the Blessed Virgin with the infant Jesus in her arms. Its dimensions are as follows : — 4|- inches long, \\ in. broad in the part where the die is cut, which occupies two-thirds of the whole length; the other third, form- ing a short handle, is V^ in. long, and \ an in. broad; the length of the figure is 3 inches. Being desirous of obtaining the best oj^inion on this interesting relic, I sent a cast from the matrix to the late Mr. Matthew H. Bloxam of Rugby, who wrote as follows : — Rugby, 16th October, 1879. Dear Sir, I thank you very much for the cast in wax from the bronze matrix found at C'hirbury, with the little statuette of the 15. Virgin and Infant Christ. It is evidently the work of some seal engraver, the matrices of seals of monastic founda- tions being mostly of brass. Thu engraver lias in this case, unless the wax has llowed too mueli, sunk his die in a [)ortion odc^ 'lo ^niiniiicyvo rl-gfjoiorf^ r i:,/;- h-:: 1i ©SflO'id J) od oj .h9Y0'i([ ii .1 .ni 1.1 ,^,aoI 86fion M .., ,. .A^-mU^^ • -^ ''V V ic ''idti .iu ivv 1.'. ') — - av/olloi V i. iO tfi 4>Xoii.i •n'8I .ladoJoO dibl .YaouH Lnuui zii.tjiiii oijnoi.' 'X 'it .ui«'fi7 M 0 Hw. • . , .- ..... 'did jhijja ^(loiiuc ow ;. ....: ^^^ BRONZE MATRIX. ^^^ FOUND AT CHIRBURY. YPUSJIIHD TA 0MU01 AN ANCIENT BRONZE MATRIX FOUND AT CHIRBURY. 175 of the drapery too deep. Tlio costuinG consists of the veiled head dress, but there is no wimple, the neck being bare ; the body attire consists of the gown and mantle, the cordons of the latter being fastened in front by a iciuiail, ur morse. The Pose of the tigare Avas a common one in the 14th century. I should attribute the matrix, whicii is a very interesting one, to the latter part of the Uth century, or early part of the 15th century, circa A.D. 13U0-1410. Tilgrim's tokens wore frequently cast in lead or pewter, and I tliink it probable that the casts from this matrix were also of lead or pewter. I think gutta porcha properly prepared would be a good material for taking impressions. Should 1 iind any re[)reseutations from seals with which to compare it i will let you know. I hope to exhibit the impression at some meeting of the Royal Archaeological Institute. Again thanking you for the cast, I remain, Dear Sir, Yours very faithfully, The Rev. John Burd Matt. H. Bloxam. Chirbury Vicarage, Shropshire. The site of the Priory of Austin Canons, founded in the reign of Henry II. or Eichard I., adjoins the Churchyard of St. Michael's Church, and wlien Oliver Midulton, the last Pi-ior of Chirlniry, rendered his account to the Commissioners of King Henry VIIL, 1534-5, he set down as one of the sources of income : — " (Jblo.tions at the several shrines of Saints in the Parish Churches of the Prior's Advowson £5 12s. lOd.''^ One of these "several shrines" was "The chapel of St. Mary's Well (Sanctce lilarice dc Font) " ; but where this was situated I am unable to state, unless it was the well at Shelve, known to this day as Lady Well, which gives its name to the Lady- well Mines. It is certain that the Prior of Chirbury held 15 acres of land 1 Eytou'b Antiq. Shrop., ii., p. 03. •■{10V •JO b/iallo (i^Iij .. ... R b6 hluov/ ij;.' jfnidJ 1 .jfijixo.iH. .H . . iywE ado I. .tsS adT ,op.«rtft?>i7 vii-.iJ'{hiO ,01 i ;-!■■ ■ii J 8i^. .Rf) .11 , ii ,.<^otA?\ .'([i''!> - •,■ .t 170 AN ANCIENT BRONZE MATRIX FOUND AT CillRBURY. at Shelve in 1249, from wliicli Thomas Corbet, Baron of Caws, was then endeavouring to oust him, and succeeded in so doing a year later.^ But these power- ful ecclesiastics were not wont to sit down tamely under such an act of confiscation, and probably suc- ceeded at a later date in recovering it. The Well might have been on this land, over which a shrine had been erected, and hence the source of income mentioned in the Valor. It need hardly be said that in pre- reformation days (as now in the Roman Catholic Church) when devout people brought their oblations to the shrine of a particular saint a small additional payment secured to them an image of the saint, which they carried away with them to their homes as a stimulus to their devotion. [By the kind permiasion of Mr. Burd a model of the Matrix has been placed in the Shrewsbury Museum. — Editou.] 1 Ibid, p. 111. .in .q ,bidl * 177 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE MANOR OF CHETTON. By Rev. RALPH C. PIJRTON, B.A. The Manor of Chetton originally formed the north- western and central portion of the parish to which it has given a name. " Catinton " is derived by Eyton from A.S. Cete, " a hut," and the common termination ton, bat this does not seem probable. The obvious meaning of the name appears to be the "ton" of the Ceatlnofas, or descendants of Ceata, No less a person than the lady Godiva, famous in story, held the Manor of Chetton before the Conquest. Her husband, Leofric, Earl of Mercia, died 1057, her son Algar in 1059. It is uncertain whether she sur- vived the latter, though it is thought by some that she lived to see England fall a prey to the Norman. According to Domesday, "The Earl himself holds Catinton. Godeva, the Countess, held it in the time of King Edward. Here is i hide geldable. In demesne are iii ox-tcams ; and vi serfs, ii female serfs |ancilla3], iv villains, and i boor, with a priest, and a i)rovost have iii teams, and yet there might be ii more teams. Here is a new mill, and i league of wood. In time of Kino- Edward, the manor was worth 100s., now it is worth 45s." Chetton was not the only manor in Shropshire where Godiva had an interest : "Tlie stately luiU of Loughton, near Bridgnorth " (as Kingsley terms it in Ilcrcivanl, chap, i.) was also one of Earl Leofric's I'csidences ; and this explains the fact that the chapclry of Loiio-hton (i.e., LculVic'a-ton), though about seven miles distant, is still annexed to the liectory of (yhottoii. Vol, VI., '.ilul S. yy 9fU 'io "nod*' SfiJ &d o:» jnin^ism ,^;- .>jl/i aiU blsfi tpO'^a -•mat... - - ^I ^^^01 K '>imi Oilt ill di ble-i -) vdi ,4iV9boO .j ovrA :jc:ovo'[q a l>ii,«s ,.jfc5i>i"iq >; iIJiy/ ,iOOu i hajj ,g' v>iii>i io ociiii III .boov/ io -jL^-^mi i Lms JHrn wea je ai ^jfov/ Ri ,tr 7/ Oil ,.bOO[ xii'iow c;:-// loncm orii ^bTJSwbU '.rj9ilv7 •^liH?,!?*: ■ -"^ '• • ■ ■''--■ '-Uioedd doa aew noiieriO ,'ivviyno'vA\ ill Ji e. ah s^•U■ihVA :v v?V 'V/ SOME ACCOUNT OF THE MANOR OV CIIETTON. 179 her youngest sister, is not mentioned, being probably dead without issue. Finally the King granted a third of the manor to Auger de Tatlington, another third to Rohcrt de llotoft and Nicholas de VVancy, the remaining thii'd and the advowson being retained by the Crown, Edelina's heirs putting in no claim. In 12GG the King had granted this third to Robert Corbet of Chaddesley, as a reward for faithful service — tliougli Robert appears to have had a previous interest here by purchase. Before 1270 he was dead, and had acquired the wliole of the manor. As Robert Corbet, lord of Chetington, he grants to Sir Ptobert Burnel one acre in his demesne in Clietton, and the advowson of the Church, as far as it belonfjed to him, and the homa^je of Huofh de Holi- cote. For this Robert Burnel was to pay Id. yearly in the Church of Chetton, The rest of his interest in Chetton Corbet granted to his nephew William Corbet. Both these grants the King confirmed. , The terms of service was the finding of one footman with bow and arrows for the wars in Wales, where he was to stay till he had shot away his arrows. In 1277 for the muster at Worcester against Llewellyn William Corbet had to find one man, who was to take with him a gammon of bacon and stay till it v^^as eaten. In 1283 William Corbet was dead, his heir being Sir Roger, whose service is described as one footman in the Kin^r's Army during the Welsh wars, with one bow and three arrows, and a caltrop, and also " a cured hog, and when he reached the King's Army he was to deliver to the King's Marshal half thereof, and the marshal was to give him of the same half-bacon for dinner as long as he stayed in the army, and he was to stay as long as the hog lasted." By 1291 Robert (Roger?) Corbet was dead, and William his son a minor, — Nesta widow of Sir Roger (re-marriod to Thomas de llossall) liolding land in (JlietLon of his inheritance W(jith 48s. lOd. In 13 IG the said William is rolurned as Lord of Clietton. In 1423 John "Lord Talbot and de Chetton" presents to the livinnf. This was the famous first Earl of mi M\:f he lo nii%& 180 SOME i^CCOUNT OF THE MANOR OF CHETTON- Shrewsbury, whose son, the second Earl, afterwards had claims here as will be seen below. According to Blakeway (Bodl. MS., Salop, TO, f. 248,) however, the manor passed through several hands after Corbet, — the next possessor being, says this authority, the Lord Clinton, who sold it to one llichard Legett, from whom it was purchased by Sir John Cow- per, Ptector of Chetton (see list below). This scarcely agrees with Talbot's tenure ; nor with the inquest on the death of Sir William Lord Level (and of Eudon Biuiiel, — see the account of that manor) in 1454, where, among his estates in Shropshire occurs not only ** 9 mess. 1 car. 5 virg. terr.," and so forth, of land in Chetton, but also "Chetton Manor" itself (Cai Inq. p. m.). This I am unable to explain; but it seems that Chetton must have passsed to Sir John Cowper before 1416, for (to continue Blakeway's account) he had made Christiana, daughter and co-heir of Sir John Stepleton, and wife of Robert Cresset of Upton Cresset, his heir. But Cresset's title to Chetton was disputed by no less a person than John Talbot, 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury, and not until that nobleman fell in battle (14G0) could he make good his claim. In 1464 he called together an assembly of ecclesiastics and laymen of repute, in his little church of Upton, to give their decision in the matter. In the course of the inquiry it appeared that Sir John Cowper had solenuily notified Christiana to be his iieir, publicly taking her by the hand in Chetton Church, and callinp- the concfrefration there present to witness. Asked as to the Earl's claim, the Hector took a solemn oath, with hand upon breast, that the said Earl had no claim whatever. The assembly decided in favour of Cresset, who was declared to hold the Manor by free gift of the said Bector. The curious inquirer will find a copy of the "Notarial Instrument," in Latin, in Blakeway's collection (MS. BodL, Salop, 10, f. 249). Bobert Cresset, Sheriff in 1469, was son of Hugh, Shcrill' in 1435 (Cp. Blakeway's >S'Ac'7'z//6). Christiana, I. SOME ACCOUNT OF THE MANOR OF CHETTON. 181 his widow, was, it appears, re-married to one Coyney, whose daughter Joyce married Edward Burton of Longnor (Ibid., p. 1G5). Sir John, Lord Lovell, held at his death (14G4) lands, etc., in. Chetton, which Joan his widow held in 14GG. Of the subsequent history of the Manor, as such, I have no further information. Francis and Edward Cresset (sons of Thomas Cresset and Elizabeth Corn- wain) present to the living in 1603, but whether this family had any interest in the manor at that time, I cannot say. At the present day there are no traces of manor or manorial rights. It would appear that, at the time of the Visitation of 1G23 the old manor had been divided up into the estates which now take its place, and are freehold. Of these, therefore, some account is sub- joined. HOLICOTE. The name of this, the most easterly portion of Chetton, apparently implies the '*Cot" of some holy man. Holicote is styled a manor by Blakeway, but was probably a tenure under the lords of Chetton. In 1194 we have an assize of mort d' ancestre, in which Hugh de Holicote was plaintiff against Adam de Hereford {Eyton i., 181). In 1220 Hugh de Holicote appears as surety for Sibill de Broc, lady of Chetton. In 1255 this or a second Hugh sat as a juror of the Stottesdon Hundred, and about 12G8 Robert Corbet, Lord of Chetton, grants his homage to Sir Bobert Burnel (see above) . In a deed of this period he is styled son of Geoffrey de Criddon, whence it appears that he was husband of Sibill, daughter and heiress of Geoffrey. She had re-married in 1274. Hugh was succeeded by Sir Boger de Holicote, who granted a messuage, etc., here to William Ilobald " of the mill," who in his turn grants it (1297) to his son William and Mabil his (son's) wife, to be held under Hugh de Holicote, chief lord — the successor of Sir Boger. The name of Ilobald or Ilubbal, a family OOi m Mil . noH aid oj (YC:M) 182 SOME ACCOUNT OF THK MANOR OF CIIETTON. possessing more than one interest in this neighbourhood, still survives in the name Ilarpsford, which appears as " Hubbal's ford" in a road-book of recent date, while "the mill" there situate is styled ** llubbol's Mill" hi the Churchwardens' Accounts for 1G32. I do not quite understand why Eyton (i., 182) should distinguish between William liobald "of the Mill" and William Hobald " of Ilarpsford," for "the mill" and Ilarpsford seem to have been one and the same place. John, son of William Hobald, in 1374^ grants to Guy, "Lord of Holicote," the land above mentioned, among the witnesses being Thomas de Glasleye, Hugo de Upton, llobert de St. George, &c. In 1384 Thomas de Glasleye granted to Richard son of Guy all his lands, tenements, and services in the vill and territory of Holycote, within the lordship of Eudon Burnell. These are further expressed in a deed (1404) between Henry de Wynnesbury and the said iiichard Holycote (as he is styled), to be the lands, tenements, etc., which Thomas de Glasleye had of the gift and feoffment of Guy de Holycote. Iiichard Holicote greatly improved his estate here. In 1410 Ilo^er de Westwode <'ranted to him all the lands and tenements etc. in the town and vill of Holi- cote, which he had of the gift and feoffment of Edith de Westwode, daughter and coheiress of another Ptichard de Holicote. In 1416 he enfeoffed in all his lands here Sir John Talbot (afterwards Earl of Salop), Adam Osborne, Rector of Chetton, and William Law^rence, Rector of Sidbury ; and he then (the feoffees having apprirently reinstated him) grants the lands etc to his brother William, and to Joan his (own) daughter by a former wife. The latter w\as dead 1438 wdien William made a similar grant to his brother Richard and Marjery his wife — to them and tlieir issue male, with remainder ^ My priiici|i;il Moiirco of inronnution I'oi' tlio account lliaL I'ullows is Blakcway's Bodleian MS.S. Salop, vol. i. I'arocli. lli.st. (10, fl". 239- 217). ixia iydo .3 erl.> bna vioJeenrivW si jL 'I f a'JSff ».lK(Ai eid ifi? ni ijai. r , t r)i h( Bill oj ojy at £ . . ;■ ?;..'■■■ o: I ■ .' IJjyf '■ ij :if,'Ab vr)\fj •;-^ SOME ACCOUNT OF THE MANOT^ OF CHETTON. 183 to tlie daughters. In 1400 Marjery had remarried John Forten of Holicote, and they grant Hohcote to John Lord of Lovell, ITLunphrey Blount, and Thomas de Lalewhet C?) Hector of Sidbury. From the names of the various feoffees it is clear that the Ilolicotes were a family of some consideration. In 1494 Katherine Ilawys, widow of Peter Hawys of Ludlow and daughter of John Forten, releases to John Hord all her right in the aforementioned lordships. It is not clear when or how the Herds came into possession here, but in 1493 John Estoppe of Madeley, husband- man, granted to John Hord of Bridgnorth all his lands etc. in Holicote, and he was probably feoffee of the HoUcotes, for six years before he had granted the messuage etc. formerly John Ilobars to Alice daughter and heiress of William Holicote. This John Ilord was of Herd's Park, near Bridgnorth, and was Sheriff in 1488. His father Thomas, who sur- vived him, was also Sheriff in 1457, and married Joyce, daughter and coheiress of Sir John Stepleton. Thomas was son of lUchard Hord (by Agnes daughter and co- heiress of John Perell, Bailiff of Shrewsbury, 1407j, son of Thomas (by Alice daughter and coheiress of John Palmer, of Bridgnorth), whose father Richard, — who married Marmxret dauo-liter and coheiress of Sir Robert Francis, was son of Richard, — called Roger by Blake- way, and identified with the Sheriff of 1381, — who was grandson of Richard Hord who married Joyce, daughter of Sir Nicholas Young. In 1494 John Hord purchased the interest of Thomas Summer of Albrighton in the messuages, lands etc., in Holicote. He was succeeded by his son Thomas (by Mary, daughter of William Bulkeley of Beaumaris), who left an only daughter and boiiess (by Dorothy, daughter and heiress of John Il;ir|)or of Rushall) l^'rancos, iiKUticd 1st to l^jilward Uawlegh of l*\uiniiigho (Norf.), and secondly to Thomas Fcnnor oF Sonierton (()x(>n), Jlcr claim in ilohcott! was (h8|)utcd by William Powes of Shipton, — as r(iprcsenlative of William do kidol Jo 8*s9"£i&doo i?rwj -ic} -^i>'fiJ£lOi.H. 3€ Ut,.. .1 })!,hll}qHlh' KJ5Y/ ^' 184 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE MANOR OF CHETTON. Holicote, who had left a daughter and heiress Alice, wife of one Povves, whose great-grandson WilHam, son of John, was father of the said clainmnt. His case was decided against him by the Court of the Marches, and he accordingly releases the lands to Frances. She leased Holicote to John Fewtrell of Chetton, yeoman, for 24 years at 34s. rent. This John Fewtrell was younger son of John Fewtrell of the Down (see below), and was buried at Chetton, September 20th, 1G05. In the Visitation Pedigree he is recorded as having four sons and two daughters, but a comparison with the registers renders it probable that the correct number was six sons and three daughters, viz., Thomas, bapt. at Chetton, March 12th, 1558 ; Marjery, bapt. April 22nd, 1559 ; Thomasin, bapt. March 30th, 15G1, and married September 15th, 1583, to Edward Reynolds; Walter, bapt. March 18tli, 15G3; John, bapt. July 25th, 15G5; Edmund, bapt. December 3rd, 1567; Richard, bapt. April 30th, 1570, whose wife's name was Jane, by whom he had issue — Dorothy, Thomas, and Richard; Francis, ba[)t. April 4th, 1574, and married, 1G27, to Rebecca Gallimore, by whom he had issue; and Peter, bapt. July 20th, 1578. Edward, son of Richard Fewtrell " of Holicott," was baptized at Chetton in 1G23, and buried the same year. This was probably a son of the above-named Richard by a second wife, his wife Jane having died in 1G16. Richard Fewtrell "the younger" occurs 1634, and Richard Fewtrell and Elizabeth his wife were resident in Chetton as late as 1666, when Elizabeth, wife of Richard Fewtrell, John, son of Pichard Fewtrell, and also Richard Fewtrell were buried. They left several children, but the family appears to have left the porish soon after, for the burial of Thomas Fewtrell, "formerly of this parish," in 1G77 is the last entry in the Register. On the demise of Frances Fermor without issue, Holi- cote passed to her cousin-german Thomas Hord, who held it in 1504, and was liviiif'- 1G03. He was son of John Hord (first cousin of Frances Fermor) by Katharine, !.£187rja tnt UK .ii:j JO ftoa x; " .1. Dnc LVi 5!iiOl. ki oil . 10 f;. 30ME ACCOUNT OF THE MANOR OF CHETTON. 185 daughter of Adam Otley of Pitchford. In 1594 he was engaged in raising coals here. Traces of coal mines are evident at the present day, but their working has long been abandoned. How long Holicote remained in this family I have not discovered. It is now divided up into several smaller freeholds. WALSBATCH. The probable meaning of the name, and some notices of this place are given in the account of Faintree. It lies in the centre of the parish. The family of Colburne, or (as it is often written) Cowburne were resident here when the Registers begin (1538). Sir William Cow- burne was rector of Chetton at that time, and was buried there March 15th, 1575. He bequeathed xxs. to the poor of the parish. He was, doubtless, kinsman (perhaps father) of Richard Colburne, or Cowburne, " of Walsbach," who married, 1572, Dorothy, daughter of Leonard Fewtrell of the Down (see below), and died 1585, leaving by her four daughters, Margaret, d. 1620, set. 46 ; Elizabeth, b. 1576 ; Dorothy, d. an infant 1578 ; and Jane, b. 1582 ; and a son Roland (1579- 1623), who by his wife Joyce, d. 1614, had an only child Richard, who died an infant 1614. I find mention also of Mary Cowburne, married 1563 to Stephen Farmer ; and of Ann, married 1567 to Richard Fewtrell. Of the same family, no doubt, was Richard Colburne "of the Wood," who was buried at Chetton 1615. A cottage, now pulled down, called " the Wood," not far from the Church, marked perhaps the site of his resi- dence. In the Churchwardens' Accounts, among the bequests, we have: — "Richard Colborne th' elder and Elizabeth his wife gave the daye cjid yeare above wrytten [Ap. 5th, 1615], the some of xxs. to be sett ffoarth at the Rate of xx(^. per annu' to be bestowed ifor the pooi'O of the parishe on good ifiyday in each yeare by the Churchwardens forever to be continued." Vol. VI., 2 ml S. X .■mood ^o 'M .6 .0(11. V'f,!f;T: tAI ilo'JJJxIv 186 SOME ACCOUNT OF TBE MANOR OF CHETTON. His son Richard Colborne, "yeoman," in 1616 paid His. mid. " for his father's buryall in the church." He was buried at Chetton, December 7th, 1638, leaving by his wife Dorothy an only surviving son, "Richard Colborne, gent." (1621-1665), who by his wife Margaret (re-married in 1670 to Richard Wilkes) had three daughters — Isabel, b. 1646; Dorothy, b. 1648, married in 1670 to Mr. Giles Kettleby ; and Margaret, b. 1650; and one son George, bapt. at Chetton, November 4th, 1651. Soon after 1670 the family appears to have left the parish. The next family whom I find at Walsbatch is that of Aston. George Aston was Churchwarden of Chetton in 1644. "Mr, George Aston, sen.," was buried there April 7th, 1678. By his wife Margaret, ob. 1674, he left a son George, bur. Jan. 23rd, 1693, married first, 1665, to Alice Hoccom, who, with an infant son, died 1666 ; secondly to Mary, d. 1706, by whom he had two sons, George and Henry ; and two daughters, Margaret and Anne. Henry Aston " of Wasbatch," the second son fl679-l736) by Mary his wife, d. 1740, had a son Edward who died, 1722, an infant. I find no further records of Aston after 1740. Henry Aston was buried in a vault under the aisle of the church, in the centre of the Nave. A large slab bearing his name was un- covered during the recent restoration, but was again paved over. Soon after this period the fimily of Baker held Walsbatch. Henry Baker d. Dec. 30th, 1803, aged 99 years, and John Baker of Walsbatch, who d. Jan. 13th, 1840, rilso attained the great age of 90. Since which period the estate has passed by sale to several proprietors, the present possessor being James Stoddart. THE DOWN. ^^ The Down occupies the ridgo of high land enst of Walsbatch, whence its name. The earliest mention of yil : r, :6Jil^ii-'?b owd bar- ; ^i^in^ll hmi Q\ ■■ I -id -nil ;?..ov7 sm/wt pj/i ^^^fuijjod dj-- A .©ybH edi k> BCoil ■i9-i«!-. .- ^lijijl Y.-i/:. .noJi9/!0 .h. Losi.. ,■ .,^^ ,neb .ae^jncrl b.^hixai j>H .OiOI ,f(:K)8 d'jiAh behud s'xadi Ic isrn^E'i siofTjnU 'b jBonsifoo buB laJd-gji^rb ,\i^^i .b ailJ^lo '30oq i'lii 0} £.0i^ b6;i^ -'odiedO ,aii;4 ■ ■ io ij3»-irjcf o-] > io vino ;;:ija -jGii 70 dooumi --OnOI./MS " -i ^'^ -■ --, f -^ • - T .eor,[(.] eiUiJ ilj: 188 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE MANOR OF CIIETTON. Arms of Fewtrell : — Per chevron argent and sable, 3 mullets coimterchangedjOn a chief of the 2nd, 3 leopards faces of the first. " Itichard Smalman of the Down," was buried at Chetton, March 21st, 1671, and his son (presumably), "Mr.Eichard Smalman of the Down," May 2Sth, 1719. His son, also a Ivichard, by Ann his wife, was father of Arthur, baptized May 5th, 1780. There was another branch of tiiis family resident in Chetton. They appear to have been of some position in the parish. Subsequently the estate came into the possession of the Bakers of Walsbatch, from whom it passed, through an heiress, to the family of Aston, who now hold it. THE CHURCH OF CHETTON. Chetton Church is one of the oldest foundations in the county, and doubtless owes its existence to Godiva, the famous Countess of Mercia. That a Church was here at the time of the Conquest is clear from the mention of " a Priest " in Domesday. About 1214 Edelina de Broc gave the Church of Chetton to Lilleshall Abbey, but when her claim here was disallowed in favour of her sister Sibil, tlie act was declared nugatory, and the Abbot accordingly quit- claimed for ever. About 1253 Sibil, as Lady of Chetton, gave a virgate of land worth 16s. yearly " to the Parson of the Church of Chetyton in pure and perpetual alms to find a chaplain to ring the Mass of St. Mary " — the origin of the present glebe, I suppose; also an acre of land to the Chiu'ch — no doubt the present Churchyard — with a fishpond (servarium) worth 6d. yearly. In 1291 the Church of Chetyton with the Chapel of Lustone (Loughton) is returned as worth .t:l6 yearly. The Hector of Cound had a portion therein worth 4s., also the Abbot of Wigmore another portion worth 10s. In 1341 the taxation is stated at £1G 4s., the Abbot's portion being included (see more fully in Eyton i., 183). jl hkV.l 'fJOii Vil:. /-i !!:>H.>U.iyli fV li- ?3'-)trddA 9«I^ i.Bk Oil i.fi .bo-tjG;ta aif noliuxa.; ■ \, SOME ACCOUNT OF THE MANOR OF CHETTON. 189 In 1534 the net value was <£10 19s. 7d.,and the Rector of CoLind's "pension" of 5s. is again mentioned. Probably, says Eyton, the founder of Cound endowed it with tithes in Eudon Burnell, and possibly Criddon, afterwards made over to the Ptector of Chetton in lieu of an annual pension. The Abbot of Wigmore's pension, still mentioned, is probably to be similarly explained. The Advowson passed from Chetton to Eudon Burnell by grant of Eobert Corbet to Sir Pobert Burnel (given above). From the Lovels it passed to the Savages (see under Eudon), who sold it, with the Manor, to Thomas Wylde, 4 Eliz. With this family it remained till recent years, when it was purchased with the Woodlands Estate (originally part of Eudon Burnell) by T. M. Southwell. The oldest portion of the Church is the chancel, which is good early English. The original three-lancet east window, discovered and restored in 1892, was re- placed, at some period not defined, by a curious broad window of five lights. The nave represents, I believe, the restoration, for which the brief dates 15 Geo. III. ; and was until recently a very plain structure with a gallery. The Tower, embattled, with pinnacles, was erected in 1826. In 1891-2 the entire building was restored, and greatly improved; at the expense of Mrs. Purton of Faintree, and other subscribers, in memory of William Cecil Pardoe Purton, Esq., J. P., of Faintree. who died 1889, and was buried here. The east window of five lights, already noticed, was taken away, and the original window, of which traces were found, restored.^ An aumbrey and piscina were also brought to light. A small Vestry was thrown out (now an organ-chamber) on the north side of the chancel. In the nave early English windows replaced the old ones, and a similar window was let into the west side of the Tower, the 1 It has recently been filled with stained glass in memory of the Rev. J. S. Purton, late rector. .ilow/' ■ • ^i^fi \^ l tiV/Oi-J;..- 190 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE MANOR OF CHETTON. lower story (^and belfryj of which was thrown open to the nave by a screened opening. A porch was also added. The interior fittings are almost entirely new. Chetton must, I think, have suffered severely during the Eebellion, or from " Eestoration," for there are no monuments preserved in memory of the families of Whitton, Briggs, or Fewtrell, many members of which were buried here. The principal monuments are to the Pardee and Purton Families, and a brass to the memory of Archdeacon Yickers should be noticed. There is a fine peal of six bells, five of which are as old as the sixteenth century, though some have been re-cast. The Registers date from 1538, and the Church- wardens' Accounts are complete, with a few mutilations, from 1599 to 1743. Besides the families already noticed, the following names occur in the Begisters : — Beech, Blount, Burnell, Cheese (yeoman), Colbatch, Fydbin ("gent.") Geary, Gough (yeoman), Greenowes, (yeoman), Hassold, Holland, Kinnersley, Levington, (yeoman), Milner, Smalman, Talbot (yeoman). The population, above IG years, in 1070 was 180 conformists, 2 Papists, and no nonconformists. At the last census it was 497. The acreage of the entire parish is 4,037*782. INCUMBENTS OF CHETTON. [Compiled from "MS. Blakeway, 14" (formerly C. Top. Salop, 9), in the Bodleian Library, with additions.] 1255, Richard ffolyott was rector. Dead before ffg.^^t^^'^y 1260. [No less than three persons of this naroe held the see of Hereford 1148-1234] 1278. Philip Eurnol. The Arcluloacon of Bath, Master Ralph ^'J^^JI^SuE""'' do Witham, writes to the Jiishop in his behalf; and the Bisliop in consequence, though he suspends the execution of the presentation on account of the pre- ,!«mr artJ && bio -. tlniicnc^oT) •.) Of>a {2ici'i Ui^ift 'i^. SOME ACCOITNT OF TBE MANOR OF CHETTON. 191 1279. 1284. 1285. 1302. 1321. 1322. 1326. 1334. 1342. sentee'a absence, grants that no time shall run against him, provided the Church in the meantime be honestly served. On the feast of S. Mary INIagd. the Bishop commits custody to Sir Richard, parish priest of Chetton, till All Saints, in the name of Philip Burnol clerk. 4 kl. Nov., 1278, the Bishop grants letters dimissory only for this Olio time to the Bishop of Bath and Wells to order about the admission of Philip Burnol to this living. May 27th, Sir Malcom, Canon of Wells. The .same. Aug. 19th, Sir Nicholas do Hereford, The same. Canon of Hereford. [N. de H., who was Prebendary in 1275 (Dioc. Hist, 119), was of an old Herefordshire Family, and kinsman to the more cele- brated Sir N. de H. of Wycliff's days.] Dec. 21st, Ko^L,^er de Lectone. Maurice de Pissato, Acolyte. The Same. The Crown, as guarilians of the heir and lantl of Sir Philip Burnell deceased. Godefrid de Rudham. The King orders the Bishop to excuse him residence. May 11th, Alan de Rudham, Priest. The DiiaAiynaBumei next day his residence is dispensed with, " insistere honestis obsequiis d'ne alienore uxoris d'ni Hugonis Despenser junioris." He resigned 1326 (being then called Lidham) for Wyken. 4 Kai. Fob., Hugh de l>eysyu, late Rec- tor of Wyken (Dioc. Line). Jan. 18th, William de Beysin. This Institution is entered again in 1335. Jan. 17th, Nicholas de Wythiford. Resigned 1355 for his successor's prc- ferm'cnt. At the Bishop's Visitation, 1353, Sir N. is stated to bo bound to lind a clerk "ad jurandum in celo- brationo divinoruni et pulsationo com- j)an()rum ot hujiisiiHHli iu {«. sVi rt^iff A ^' ("I • i i. iU. Vi • ,<^>n. lBl§ .ry uij tohfifci'. ;.UL^i i ;u\h'-<-' '■■■ h'-{^-hoD .istu U t»iO0Xiis I ^x i> ii .i : 1 rix'^' i .<;i;«l \: ■ ' i .U'Zl K /;i'i!f> Mt t' JiU 192 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE MANOR OF CHETTON. 1355. July 30th, Richard de Marteleye, late Rector of Lanreind (Dice. Land. ),^ which he exchanged for this living. 1369. John Howel. Rex. 1371. Sep. 22nd. Sir Thomas Neeldare (or NichoUs Bumei. Nowere), priest. Resigned, 1388, ex causa permut. 1388. Aug. 10th, Sir Adam Osborne, late Vicar .sir Hugh Bumei. of Moneford, which he resigned for this living. Resigned 14-23. 1423. July 31st, Sir John Covvper, Chaplain, john Lord Taibot Resi ' 'io) c... . inul .V-D8Sf. .i>m/jA sirtj "i:o «'>.fjJ'fmj-.'r ow, ; ik.«b^ju noifq&« [>afifili .il«0b^TV/ m.cil!r ,\ .?,Y6I 1u y^.;..> i<; ..i:""J , , „^, • , . . < SOME ACCOUNT OF THE MA.!^OR OF CHETTOX. 103 length of his tonuro seoms uncertain, [lie married for his first wife one Dorotliy, by whom he had James (b. 1G05); Mary (b. 1G07); Susannah (b. 1G09) ; Ann (b. IGll), and a son who died at birtli 1G14. The name of his second wife was Ruth, buried at CheLton, Aug. 21st 1G24'. He matric. at St. Mary Hall, Oxford, Oct. 19th, 1599, as a native of Salop, and " fil. plob.," aged IG, and graduated B.A., March 5th, 1G02-3.] 1G38. George Benson, M,A., Prebendary of Cliicliester, and son of Dr. Geo, B. Canon of Hereford. He must have been entirely non-resident, as his name does not occur in the registers. He was ejected from this hving, according to Walker (pt. ii. p. 14), by the Com- mittee of Shro[)shire, and succeeded by Baglcy, a mere layman, (cp. ibid. i. 98.) [John Spilsbury, however, who was " curate " lG-i3-4, signs as " minister " in lG-15, and was perhaps predecessor to Bagley. Benson was a native of Worcestershire, and matric. at (paeon's College, Oxford, Nov. 21st. 1G2S, aged 15, and graduated B.A., 1G31, xM.A., 1G34, UD., lOGO; Canon and Arch- deacon of Hereford, IGGO; Canon of Worcester, 1G71 ; Dean of Hereford, 1G72 ; Died August 21tli, 1G92, aged 78.] 1G37-1G42. Wiiiam Chiklo (1G37) ; Jolni Sym- mons (IGIO); andTiiomasClent (1G42) wore " curates." 1045. Jolni Spilsbury, " Minister." See above. Ho was buried at Chetton, June, 1G5-4. (Qu. a native of Worcestershire, 1G02 ; and ]\[.A. of ^lagdalen Hall Oxford.] 1G54. William Baggeley, " Minister." Ejected 1GG2 (Calamy). 1GG2. Nov. 12th. George Barklcy, M. A. Buried '''S;;;;;^^^^^^ at Chetton, Jano 20tli, 1G7G. [Will'" Barklcy, MA,, rector of Clun- Vul. VI., L>iid fc;. V ol .Gi^OI // .ir.Ol • mtl') '1- .a bill' ,1V JtjV 194 SOME ACOOUNT OF TEE MANOR OF CHETTON. giinford, had a son Goorgo (born about 1G07), M.A. of Jkaseuoso Coll., Oxford ; also Thos. 1j. of Ewdncss had a son ot this name.] 167G. Sept. 20th, Joseph Blundston. The same. Buried at Chotton, Oct. 30th, 1714, fct. 71. [His wife Dorothy was buried under the altar at Chetton (1712), but the stone bearing her name is now covered up. Only half the slab is inscribed, her husband's name apparently having never been added.] 1715. Josopli Soloy. [Ho was born at Stapplo flail, 16S9,and was son of J. Soloy, gent. ; matric. at Ball. Coll., Oxford, March l(3th,1705-G, aged 16 ; B.A. 1709 ; M.A.from C. C. Q, Camb., 1718 ; Vicar of Preshute, Wilts, 1723; Canon of Winchester 1724; l^ector of Houghton and of Alesford, Hunts, 1727; died Nov, 25th, 1737.] 171G. Samuel Casson (or Calson, ace. to Blake- Ti'omas wyido way, citmg- JNlon. Ins.). Buried at Chetton, Aug. 20th, 1750. [He was son of Rev. Edward Casson, Vicar of Ombcrsley, co. Wore, wliero he was born 1G78 ; ho matric. at Oriel Coll,, Oxford, Oct. 10th, 1695, aged 17; llA. 1699 ; M.A. 1702 ; Kector of Oeux- hill and Clazcloy 1718.] 1750-1769. Joseph l^all (1750-2); John Rey- nolds (1752-9) ; and Edward Evans (1759-69) sign as "Curate." [Edw. Evans was afterwards Rector of Upton Cresset t ami Curate of Morville.] 1769. Charles Wylde was Rector. Ho died Jan. 1798. [Horn at Worccs- [Pn.babiy cither hia -1 i-r<->r. /■ i-» 1 .TT 1 I father or lii.s eUler ter 1733; son of Robert Wylde, gent. ; i-voHur, Thomas matric. at Morton Coll., Oxford, Doc. ^^'>'^'" ^'^'i J 14th, 1751, agtMl IS; B.C.L. 1758; Ructor of Cda/i'ley and Roddiiigton.] 1781. Charles l'\;wtrcll was " Chirate." [A name once very common in Chetton. C^u. son of John Fewtrell of Bridgnorth, M-f r ,l'|Arj ii .aitx ■isS .art I . <^ ,w''.! 'idTf-o; iVl .eavi: i. 10 Jioa .dp SOME ACCOUNT OF THE MANOR OF CHETTON, 195 gent, matric. at Pembroke Coll., Oxford, Dec. 15tb, 1778, aged 30.] 1798. April. Ed^vard Davenport.^ "BLn?'£q. [In 1801 the Register records that Chas. Fewtrell, Curate, resigned the Curacy of Chetton to the Ilev. Edward D., rector.] 1813. The Yen. William Vickers, M.A., Trin. Coll., Cam. Archdeacon of Salop, in Diocese of Hereford, 1830. Died May 10th, 1851, aged G2, and was buried at W or field. 1S51. Richard Herbert. [Qu. Trin. Coll., Dubl.]. '"'i.^^^i^' Died 18G1. [Of the family of II. of ' " ' Muckross in Ireland.] 1861. John Smyth Pnrton, IJ.D., and formerly '^^!;J^^'^;:^''^-' 1^'ellow and Tutor of St. Cath. Coll., Cambridge. liaried at Chetton, Jan. 1st, 1892. [See the account of Faintree.] 1892, Henry Kemble South w^.H, UA. Magd. 'SumI^-!;,'. Coll, Oxford; born in London, 18G1. [Son of tlie patron] present Rector. The Rectory House stands in the valley, a mile sovitli east of tlic chureh. It Avas biiilt early in the [u-csent century by Archdeacon Vickers. It is surrounded by extensive grounds, and Hanked by two gigantic cedars. NOTE. To my account of Faintree (Vol. v., pt. ii.) I take the opportunity of making the following additions and corrections. (1). An inquest on the death of John Whitton, of Whitton and Faintree, is d.ited ISth Sept., 3 Henry VIII. (See p 215). (2). Oliver Briggs purcliased Faintree from Sir Jolui AVhitbrookc, IGIO. (Seep. 21G). [J. KB.] (3). A gold lion on a canton sable (says Blakeway) was granted to Briggs of Faintree for cadency by Du-dalr, 1GG3. (1). On p. 222, Une 21, for "biothcr'' ran/ ''father," and at lijie '2('>, for " l{y liis lirst Avifu," etc., ?W(/ " His first wife was Fli/abi'th, I'tc., l)ut lie died s.p., his (.■stales passing to his heii's Lionel and Walter, etc." ^ Blakeway's list ends here. *rTi^-- ;r :iT .8181 •alth"/-' 7/ .T i iff-''' '1(0 ^■ 10 hi .1081 .S^8I .r,:^ .1 DCY ^{ufi:i;y':((>l]q«,> ?;:!i 9>i '' iUiol ■ .i\s\ vr.J'. /:' 1 .21']; 0 1^ ■lo 196 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE MANOPtS OF EUDON BURNELL AND EUDON GEORGE. By Ukv. RALPH C. I'URTON, B.A. EuDON BuRNELL occiipies the high ground forming the south-western portion of Chetton parish. It is traversed by a cross-road connecting the Ludlow road with that leading to Cleobury Mortimer. At the time of the Domesday Survey, " The same Kainald [the SherifT] holds Eldone. ^Iward held it, and was a free man. Here are ii hides geldable. In demesne are iii ox-ten ms, and vi serfs, i villain, v boors, and i Frenchman with ii teams. Here is wood for Ix swine. It was worth 30s. Now it is worth 40s." The form Eldon, being a solecism, is rejected by Eyton, who prefers as the original form Eudon, which he derives from the A.S. Eowu (ewe), or eow (ash). But Eldon occurs again in the entry for Eudon George. One is inclined to see in this form the name of the Saxon /Elward (i.e., /Eelward's-dun), but he did not hold Eudon George. " Eald " (old) is a possible root, but the derivation seems quite uncertain. iElward was Saxon lord of Oldbury and Glazeley. Bainald or his successors appear to have enfeolfed here the same feudatory who also held Chetton, and the history of the two manors is for a time identical, (See the account of Chetton). On the death of Daraiettade Broc, Eudon, with other lordships, was granted to Sto])hen de "Jurnham, as husband of Edelina de Broc. Me usurped the rights of her sisters, but his claims were disputed (see under Chetton), and the result as regards Eudon was that fJ ^' 'sw biUi ,a' ^i, ;j{iasar':)b '^ ■ '^ edT ^ ■toil bib cm[ :hjd ,('i7iib-<:j'b'{j;wb3'v , o.i) .V" T: ill) EUDON BURNELL AND EUDON GEORGE. 197 Clemence, sister of Edelina, recovered this manor as lier share, and conveyed it to her liusband William de Malesevers, alias de Tatlington (see Eyton i., 18G), to whom she bore four sons. About 1240 Simon de Frankley, who may have been (as Eyton conjectures) second husband of Clemence, held half a fee in Eudon Maleseverez. His grand- daughter and eventual heiress Emma, daughter and heiress of Thomas de Luttelton(by his ilrst wife Emma, daughter of the said Simon), was wife of A_uger de Tatlington, eldest son of William de Malesevers (Cp. Nash Hist. Woro., i., 458), which Auger was returned in 1255 as lord of Eudon, holding it of John Eitzalan by service of one montar for half a knight's fee, and owing suit to the Sheriff's Court twice a year, but not to county or lesser hundred Courts, because his ances- tors rendered no such suit, nor did he pay stretward or motfee. In 1263 Richard de Eslewode held one virgate of land, etc., of Auger in Eudon, for which he did suit every three weeks at Auger's Court here, and rendered homage and reliefs to him. Into Auger's endless litigations it is unnecessary to enter : they will be found in Eyton i., 187 sqq. We hear no more of him after 1267. His interest in Eudon was perhaps sold when he conveyed his share of Chetton to Itobert Corbet — and probably to Sir Ilobert Burnel, to whom the said Corbet granted the advowson of Chetton (see under Chetton). In 1281 Sir Hugh Burnel, brother of the famous Chancellor, had a grant of free warren here, which was claimed in 1292 by his widow Sibil, holding- Eudon in dower, prior to whose tenure occurred the following affray, quoted by Eyton from the pleas of the Crown, October, 1292 :— " William do BedlesM orlhin (i.e., P)els\vardinc') and 'i'iiomas de Kenleye were together in the kitchen of Hugh Burnell in the vihage of Eudon Burnell, and a quarrel arising between them, William struck 'J'homas i) 16 rioawovlui 3i-., ' Jri i.: i-»/ii ■'{ f f 9'.f9]ja!9J ^'(o<:t -1 A "^0 lodo.i'I oi ■!0 ■a ^ 'i^tudk 198 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE MANORS OF on the liead with a sword, whereof on the fourth day after Thomas died. William is a fugitive and is sus- pected. He has been summoned, and is outlawed. He had no chattels. The vills of Eudon and Chetjnton did not make pursuit, and so they are in mhevicordia. Afterwards it was proved that the said William had chattels, viz., 4s. Gd,, for which the sheriff is answer- able." (Cp. Eyton, i., 189). Sir Hugh left a son and heir, Sir Philip Burnel, who, as heir to his uncle, the Lord Chancellor, became pos- sessed of vast estates and the Barony of Holgate. He married Matilda Fitzalan, daughter of the Earl of Arundel, by whom he left a son Edward, who succeeded to the Barony, but died 1315 without issue ; and a daughter Maude, heiress to her brother. Maude Burnel was twice married : her first husband, John, Lord Lovel, was, it is said, deprived of his wife's inheritance by fine, and the Barony of Holgate, etc., accordingly descended to her children by her second husband. Sir John de Handle (ob. 20 Ed. HI.), whose sons Nicholas and Richard assumed the name of Burnel. The younger died before his father, and his line ended in coheirs. Sir Nicholas Burnel, Baron of Holgate, devised it to his son Sir Hugh, who died (8-9 Henry V.) possessed of the said Barony, with the Manor of Eudon and the advowson of Chetton Church. On his leaving no male issue, his estates appear to have reverted to Sir William Lord Lovel, as representative of Maude Burnel through her first husband, for in 1454 this nobleman died pos- sessed of the Manors of Holgate, Acton Burnel, and Eudon, with lands, etc., in Chetton (see under Chetton). By Alice his wife (daughter and eventual heiress of John, Lord Deincourt, and widow of Balph Butler of Sudley), he left a son, Sir Jolm Lovel, who succeeded him, and died possessed ol' J^^udon Biu'ncll, 4 Edw. IV, His wile Joane, sister and heiress of William, second Viscount Beaumont, survived him, and held Eudon, etc., in 14G0 {Inqa. y.mort.). Her son Sir Francis, Viscount iii;(ii : 5j.ub ■m ai 'i\f AlO'iVlVJ lot ,:■ 6tiw aiii osiiA x^ EUDON BURNELL AND EUDON GEORGE. 199 Lovel, was attainted by Henry VII. for adherence to llichard III. ; and Eudon, with other of his forfeited estates, was granted (1 H. VI[.) to Sir John Savage, one of Richmond's commanders at Bosvvorth, in whose family it continued till earl}'- in the reign of Elizabeth, when John Savage conveyed it to Thomas Wylde. By licence dated March 2nd, 4 Elizabeth, John Savage alienated the advowson of Chetton, and apparently Eudon was sold at the same time (as Blakeway sup- poses) . The Wyldes were an ancient Worcestershire family. Thomas Wylde of the Commandery, Worcester, whose last will is dated 1558, was son of Simon Wylde, and by his second wife Elianor, daughter and coheiress of George Wall of Droitwich, had two sons, George Wylde of Droitwich, and Thomas Wylde of Kemsey, co. Wore., and Glazeley, Co. Salop, who purchased Eudon Burnell with the advowson of Chetton from John Savaofe. He died 1599, leaving by will xxs. for the poor of Chetton. lie married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of llichard Cooke of Fuhvell llach, Essex, and was father of Sir Edmund Wylde, High Sheriff for Worcestershire, who died 1020, having had issue by his wife Dorothy, dauMiter and heiress of Sir Francis Gierke of Houo-hton Conquest, Bedf., two sons, Edmund and Walter, of whom the latter died young. As patron of Chetton Edmund Wylde is mentioned in the Register of that Church in the account of the institution of George Barkley to that rectory with the Chapelry of Loughton, " Ad quam rectoriam et Capel- 1am dictus Georgius Barkley praosentus fuit per Edmon- dum Wylde armigerum et indubitatum patronum eJLisdem ecclesia3 et capellaB, vicesimo nono die mensis Octobris, anno dom. IGG'2, etc." Also on the 21st of September, 1G70, Jooei)h l^huidston was inducted to the same hving on the presentation of "J^]dnuuid Wylde, Esquire." On the death of Edmund Wylde, 1677, without issue (when the male line or this branch appears to liave ;;.jln :^..p,vr JeYChX <3jjvi jOii J. '%'i ,:-> » I v: [i\.>V t^J v.iv^i^.-rr^ 1 -oO.- ■.h 200 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE MANORS OF become extinct), his estates reverted to the descendants of Thomas Wylde of the Oommandery, above mentioned, by his first wife Ahce, daughter of llobert Sudiugton of Worcester, by whom he was father of Ptobert Wylde (ob, 1G07, set. 72), whose son Thomas married Dorothy, daughter of Rowkmd Berkeley of Spetchley, and was father of Robert (ob. 1050^ Let. 55), whose son llobert, (by Anne, daughter of Robert Rowland, alias Steyner, of Worcester), married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Dennis, rector of St. Helen's, Worcester, and left a son Thomas Wylde of the Oommandery and of Glazeley, Esq., M.P., b. 1G70, whose first wife was Katharine, daughter and coheiress of Sir Baynham Throckmorton of Cloerwall, Glouc, by whom he had a son Robert, whose wife's name was Dowdeswell. Thomas Wylde, son of Robert, and brother, I suppose, of Ciiarles Wylde, Rector of Chetton 1700-1798, married firstly Sarah (b. 1728) , eldest daughter of William Burton of Eudon Bur- nell (see under Faintree), and Sarah his wife, by whom he had a son Thomas Rouse Wylde of the Woodlands, in Glazeley parish, who married the daughter of Mr. Russell, an eminent surgeon of Worcester, but had no issue. On his death the estates reverted to the children of Thomas Wylde by his second wife EHzabeth, daughter and coheiress of Ralph Browne of Oaughley, co. Salop, by whom he was ancestor of the Wylde-Brownes of the Woodlands, who recently sold Eudon Burnell to John Pritchard of Stanmore, M.P., whose nephew and heir William Pritchard Gordon, J.P., now holds it. Arms of Wylde : — Argent on a chief sable three martlets of the field. Note. — In the last Visitation of Shropshire, 16G3, the Pedigree of ''More of Eudon Burnell" is entered (Op. Tramactions, 2nd Ser., iv., 62). Tlie tenure of the Wyldes was, I believe, continuous, nor is there any ti'uco of a family of the name More in the Registers, etc., so that I am unable to explain the entry. Ln the jjlakcway MS., already relbrrcd to, the Arms (exhibit- ing the swan of the Larden family) and quarterings of ,(i; ■jO 7o;jooil ilOP iio'ibiiib a/I: j;n:5^'> sdir ilvtiisb aid iiO .ofiaaj "io .'ioj-:^oym; i^MW ''^fi ii a^'ixl) aldjda .i:.»uvj .^> .ao dun'gy^L — ; yi.'i't, W .hhii bib ... ...-.,, EUDON BURNTELL AND KUDON GEORGE. 201 More of Eudon Burnell are sketched, but no further particulars are given. The Pedigree itself I have not examined. EUDON GEOEGE. This, manor Ues to the west of Eudon Burnell and adjoins it. The Domesday entr}^ is as follows : — " The same Iladulf [de Mortemer] holds [under Earl Ptoger] Eldone. Edric held it [in 8axon times] and was a free man. Here are ii hides geldable. In demesne are ii ox-teams, and vi serfs and one villain, and ii boors with i team, and still there might be ii more teams. In time of King Edward the manor was worth 25s , and after- wards it was waste. Now it is worth 15s." For Edric the Saxon see Eyton's account of this manor. William le Savage, who held Eudon early in the twelfth century^ had a daughter Geva, wife of Herbert de Tenbury (who left two daughters, Alice and Felicia), and a son Adam le Savage, a person of conse- quence in his day, whose only son Adam died without issue. His estates passed to the heirs of his six daughters, named de Eudon, de St. George, and de Adam de Eudon was living about 1240 ; William, son of William de St. George, had claims here 1221 ; and these two shared the fief of Savage, with GeollVey de Overton. In 1255, William do St. George, liobert Corbet, of Clietton, and Geofh'ey de Overton were lords of Eudon. To William de St. George succeeded Adam, who held one knight's fee here in 1305, nor is any other tenant mentioned. In 131G Henry de Eudon is returned as lord of this manor. Apparently his real surname was St. George, in which family (who gave the distinctive title to the olace) Eudon remained some time further. In 1374 Robert de St. George witnesses a deed of John Hobald to Guy, Lord of Jiolicote. In 1414 John de St. Geoige is said to have held J^^udon (IMakeway). Vol, VI., 2nd y. '/^ //bil •o^niB. ioasim ob hiUi J>jii! .,< .li-jaoSiirtj*; 10 •''•) (:)flv;\ V 1 liui'xJi iii-.n'i • 202 MANORS OF EUDON BURNELL AND EUDON GEORGE, The family of Briiyn is the next whom I find in pos- session. John Bruyn of the Hay (1420), who married Ellen Worthyn (see Blakeway's Sheriffs), was father of William (1439), whose son John Bruyn bequeathed Eudon George and other estates in this neighbourhood to his daughter and heiress Marjory, wife of William Oteley of Pitchford (Sheriff of Shropshire 1500, ob. 1529), and she, by her will dated 1580, settles Eudon, etc., on her younger son 'Ihomas Oteley of Forde, who left two sons, liichard and Walter ; but how long Eudon remained in this family 1 have not discovered. From the Registers it appears that families of the name of Cock and Farmer lived here, and tlie Tedstills also are mentioned in connection with it. TEDSTILL. This is a small township, once, presumably, part of the Manor of Eudon George. The origin of the name is obscure. In 1219 Alan de Tijedestiel is mentioned. In 1240 we have a fine between Geoflrey de Griddon (Criddon) phiintiff, and William de Middelton, tenant, of half a knight's fee and one virgate of land in Ci'iddon and Godestil (i.e., no doubt Tedstill). This form of the name is strange, but perhaps original, in which case the second syllabic must have been accented and the first two letters lost si^jht of. The Cistercian Convent at Brewood owned land here. The yeoman family of Tedstill, who appear to have been seated here from a remote antiquity, are mentioned in the Ptegisters as late (at least) as 172G. aua c .jdn'bimi jjc yiiJi Hi 0 '203 THE CHURCHWAEDENS' ACCOUNTS OF THE PARISH OF HIGH ERCALL. By the Hon. and Rev. G. H. F. VANE, M.A., Vicar of High Ercall. These accounts begin in the year 1685, i.e., exactly one hundred years later than the parish registers begin, and though a few pages near the beginning of the first volume are missing, the accounts are continued with this exception in an unbroken series to the present day. Until 1717 each list of disbursements is preceded by one of receipts, but after the date mentioned the list of receipts is omitted until 1735, when it re-appears for three years, appearing again and for the last times in 1768 and 1769. In the most ancient lists fourteen townships appear in order, beginning with '* Imprimis. Ercall. The Right Hon^^--* ffrancis Lord Newport." In 1709 the title of Baron Newport of High Ercall, which had been created by Charles I. in 1643, is merged in the higher title of the Earldom of Bradford, but the name of the "Lordship Division" of the parish is con- tinued until 1836. This division com])rised the town- ships of Ercall, Walton, Osbaston, Cotwall, and Moor, the remainder being sometimes called " the Chapelry," and more definitely " Rowton Chapelry " in 1853-4-5. Lord Bradford's name continues to head the list until 1768, when it makes way for those of Thomas Thonms and William Randle, the fine old hall which had been gallantly defended by Lord No\v})ort against the l*ar- liamentarians, in 1646, being apparently divided into two houses in 1768, and so continuing until about 50 years ago. In connection with the transference of this ' PT T" 'V , liLi-Z 1)9.1;: '.Ari IIS Ori ijuiidoo oa lufc ,8«}Yi iu Boauoil owJ 204 churchwardens' accounts of the great family's property in the parish of High Ercall to other hands, the following entry in our Churchwardens' books is of interest : — 1770, May 1st, Mr. Clarke received of Mr, Newport for the use of Rowton Chapil £12. An account of the expenditure of this money in the repair of the chapel follows, and then this note : — The above account is not put in the Parish Accounts, because the money was not received from the Parish, To return, however, to 1G85. The only names appearing in the list of that year, and still represented in the same locality, are those of Adney and Buttrey, both of Kovvton. The former is followed by this entry : And for Dragge Lane house ... .., ... GO . 01 . OG A family of the name of Adney lived in the same spot for at least a century before, for the very lirst entry in the parish registers records the burial of " George Adeney of Rowton, one of the six men of the parish," in 1585. The totals for 1G85 are thus summed up : — Received bv Lewne the Sume of,.. .., ... 15.05.06 Disburst tlie Same of 17.09.06 Soe that wee have Disburst more then wee have ) ^.-^ ^. ^^ Received ye Sume of .,, ... ... ... J To this I would only add that the unusual words " lewn " and " lestall " have been used from time im- memorial in this parish, the latter apparently being always the sum mentioned below : — 1G94. Received for the Widow Lloyd's Lestall 00 . 03 . 04 1728. Reed, one Lestall for burying in y" Church 00 . 03 . Oi COLLECTIONS AND LRIEFS. Til is is the first s\d)ject which attracts our attention after the lists of receipts, and while the Parish llegisters '^{imivi ii oil.) r 00 r;^ ai 00 m . m ^ "^"^^^ ^^^^ ^'^'^'^ ^'''^'"'^ ^'^'^'' iO'> PARISH OF HIGH ERCALL. 205 record three collections in 1061 and no others, the followino- are found in the Churcliwardens' Books : — Collections ill the years 1GS7 aiul 16S8. rffor flrench rrotestants 01 . 05 . OG Letters J fibr poore Inhabitants in Com. Y'orke... 00 . 07 . 05 Pattenti itbr a fire in S' Leonard Stanley in Com. [ Glocestev 00.08.01 02 . 01 . 00 In connection with the first of these entries we may recall the fact that the Edict of Nantes was revoked by- Louis XIV. in 1G85, and that no previous brief ever brought in such large sums as those which throughout the kingdom were subscribed for the refugees, of whom De Foe satirically wrote : — Four hundred tliousaud wooden pair of slices, Who, (jlod bo thanked, had nothing left U) lo5;e. To Heaven's great praise, did for religion ily To make us starve our poor in charity. In 1689 we find the following : — For sending the money to y^ Archdeacon y* was gathered for y^ protestants in Ireland ... 00 . 02 . 06 And in 1690 a similar entry, the charge, however, this time being four shillings, " the messenger lying out a night extraordinary, ye Arclideacon not being at home," In 1G94 there was " collected in this Parish for ye relief of ye French Protestants the sum of three pounds and five pence," the transmission of which sum cost no less than five shillings. And connected with this subject is the following entry in 1792 : — A Journey to Eccleshall to pay in the subscrip- | a ' n tion for the French Clergy ... ... ... j And, indeed, Parliamentary grants to *' poor French Protestant refugee clergy " and " ])oor French Protest- ant laity," were made in the annual votes of supply up to the present reign. n him I ,.UU »iT0¥ ,l'i'.l.. V'iuJvJ/ ii«>Jvi v>v' U, 'VVJ. f5.ft7/ '^ ao ilcyi ©jcIj bfiii ew 08i>I xtl 0' ii! Of ---: >Jt'v .1 iji •'{'fjao ',miivvo!loi ocij ai vf»e,|dija ,. , ,, j -(!Ct';??.d.'Ja Oilj if I V I'- ll';. »■■.■ : f tiC.inJ'.; T .tJ:,.»>Uiii«i t;h&J Si 206 CHURCHWARDENS ACCOUNTS OF THE In April, 1699, there was " collected for ye Relief of ye Persecuted Vaudois the sum of two pounds three shillings and 8^^," this, perhaps, going to form a part of the huge total of X*8 0,000 which was amassed for the relief of those Italian Protestants on whose behalf all England was stirred, and on whose oppressors Milton, some years before, so grandly invoked vengeance in his magnificent ode, beginning : — Avenge, 0 Lord, thy slaughtcr'd saints, wliose bones Lie scattered on the Alpine mountains cold. In 1704 more numerous collections were made, viz, : For a fire at Stockton in Stanton Lacy ... For a fire at Great Massingham in Norfolk . . For a fire at Longdon in Pontcsbur^ For a fire at South Molton in Devon For rebuilding Church Minshall Church in Chester For a fire in Great Queen Street, London For Isaac Rohotliam, for loss by fire For Seamen's widows and orphans For a fire at Wapping And in 1705 and 170G :— For the repair of Beverly Church For a fire at Bradmore CO. Notts... For a fire in the parish of S. Saviour's, Southwark For a fire at Meriden co. Warwick In 1705 There was pd. for a Booke to register Aflfidavits and Collections upon Briefs ... ... ... 00 . 01 . 00 However, the following are entered in the Church- wardens' Book : — Collections for Briefs for ye yeare 1714. flfor Bursl am Church 00 flbr Battisham 00 . for Dorchester ... ... ... .. ..00. for St. John Baptiste ... ... 00, for Blandford forum ... ... ... ... 00 0. 7 . 9 0 . 8 . 0 0 . 5 . 111 0 . , 6. 3 0. 7 . 0 0. 9. 0 0 , 5 , , 11 0 . 11 . lU 0. 13. 2i 0. 8 . 2 0. 6 . 9 0 . 6 . 3 0. 5 . n 08 .05 07 . . OU 07. Oli 07 , Oli 08 .00 0.8.0.. Ht . <"'. .0 iiijdrt'jm^ "k .a .0 .. ■■-■ '■ ii .V .0 'i 0 .e ,0 ... ii> H ,0 ,0 |U . U . 0 \t .sr.o * ir^Jii III iioJ .;>] :rih is lo'i ' ifi « 'loU £.>■;.() ... « . 0, .0 i'^ .a .0 ... --"♦: ?)a-ri f>m; 'm\i n\ huh C^OVij'fl 00 . ro . 00 ... ... .., kod'W jMtJ OT/JOY &i 'to\ 'A'di'0. 0 . . i-vr O ■■,-:,:■• h.'n PARISH OF HIGH ERCALL. 207 And for 1715 :— ffor drynton O0.O6.O9| for Kentforcl 00 . OS . 03^ for Blimhill 00 . 08 . 03 J for St. Peters 00.07.04" for Newcastle 00.15.06$ for Cow Keepers 02.01.11 for Bowyer .. 00 . 07 . O^i for Derby ... 00 . 06 . 00 for Warwick 00.05.07^ for Torksey 00.0G.03i for Shoreham 00 . 07 . Oo| for lluthin 00 . 08 . 03i ffor Wrexliam 00 . 06 . 06^ for L'erpoole 00.05.06^ for Michin 00 . 05 . 04| for yt. Maries 00 . 19 . 05 The least intelligible of these items is that " for Cow Keepers," which, however, evidently appealed to the generosity of the parishioners far more than the other objects. I fear that a gap of thirty years is sufiicient to ruin any hoped for explanation from the followino- entries, which, however, are somewhat curious : — 17-16. Pd. for ye Act concerning ye Distemper'd Cattle „ Pd. for three more Acts for Do ... 1747. For two Acts concerning the Cattol ,, for a prayer for the Cattell The following " Collections for Briefs " are recorded in 1718:— S"' Mary Newington in Com. Surrey Grindon Church in Com. Stafford Ashborn & Mappleton Churches Cherrington in Com. Warwick by fire ... Newland & Che[)ping wicombc loss by Hro Ponreth Cinu'ch in Com. CiMiibr ... And in 1721 :— Louth in the county of Lincoln ... ... ) Ncw[)ort in ye county of Salop j 00 . 05 . llj 0 . 2 . 0 0 . 3. 0 0. 2 0 0 . 1 . 0 0 ,06. 8 0, ,00. 11 0 .07. 5 0 .07 . 0 0, , 06 . 6 0 , , 05 . G jvri/sW '.tot *"\ ., "> M o'f f9sK , cJWUliii'J b'it)qrtfa, 0 g . 0 ... . . 0 B . 0 ... ... 0 I) 0 (^ IvlL .\\ t) I , C' ... 1)6) lOl ,1/1 — : SIX' I ai '6 no 0 ... If {){) 0 ... S TO 0 ... 0 VO 0 ... u 00 0 ... 0 cO, 0 ... i u . i:(f . 00 I 208 CIIUllCEIWARDEXS' ACCOUNTS OF Hicai ERCALL. Bercot & Wheatley in the county of Oxon ... 00 . 06 . 10 Kingston on Hull townc and county ... ... 00 . Os . 00 Ceniberton in yc county of Salop & ... ) ..^ ^- ^j, Digertli in ye county Radnor ... ... | ' ' -' Tucksbury Church in the county of Gloster ... 00 . 18 . 00 Fitts Church in ye county of Salop 00 . 00 . 08^ October ye 17'^pd in at ye visitation free money (?) 02 . 10 . 07i Damdram in ye county of Wilts ... ... ... 00 . 0(J . 02^ Jenkin Virgoe at St. Ives in the ... ... I nn o > n^, ?/i II ' 00 . Ou . Obi county ot Cornwall ... ... ... j Usk church in the county of Monmouth ... 00 . 00 . 2\ 1722, Welchpoole in ye county of Montgomery 00 . 03 . 9h Igmanthorp in yo county of Yorke and ] „„ „p ,. Norton of Canock in com. Stafford ... J Amberloy in the county of Sussex ... 00 . OG . 2.^ These are the last of the lists of this kind, but entries of small sums " pd. for a brief," " pd. to a brief," or *' laid down for briefs," recur at frequent intervals down to the present century, when they are entered together with other expenses at the Bishop's and Archdeacon's Visitations as late as 182G at the least. The Overseers also paid a few sums for briefs, their books containing, besides other entries, the following: — 1732. towards Breefs 174'2. pd. the Churchwardens the Bishop's Letter 1775, Nov. 5. Agreed to allow Towards a Breef are Collected the sum of 178S, Oct. 19. Agreed that 2^^ for each briefe should be Allow'd out of the Church Lewn Except for lire and then something more as to be Agreed by the I'arisli. 03, , 00 . 00 1 . 10 . 0 0 , , 2. 0/ y TlCf 9{tlf Ot !V/ ■jslJ .biJt'iAiiS'i* 'jrwiJ'M' fe'di'.ib'Ji' m „... ... _ ... ^ r,.. .ii^rfit'l o/lj ^((1 irnyiy/S. nd oi kb oiom 209 THE KYNASTON FAIMILY. By W. BURSON. This ancient family is one of the eight Knightly or Noble Families of Shropshire included in Evelyn Philip Shirley's well-known book, "The Noble and Gentle Men of England/' This accepted authority says that " The Kynastons are lineal descendants of the ancient British Princes of Powys, sprung from Griffith, son of lorwerth Goch, who took refuge in this county." At the head of the family pedigree is Bleddyn ap Cynfyn, called by the heralds (Visitation of Shropshire, 1G23) Prince of Wales, ''who was most trayterously and cowardly murdered (at Welshpool) by Ptees sonno of Owen ap Edwin after ho had worthily governed Wales 13 yeares An'o 1073." His son Meredith, who was slain in South Wales in 1133, had by his second wife, Eva, daughter of Beti ap Ednowen Bendow, a younger son lorwerth (or Jerwerth) Gogh, or Red Edward, one of whose sons was GrUVith or Griffin, whom the heralds call Gruffith Vychan (or the younger). Knight of llhodes ; and they enter his wife as Matilda, daughter of Jevan Gogh ap Griffith ap Rees ap Meredith. Arms : Gules, three lions passant, argent. But a more j reliable authority (Eyton ii., 1 13) assigns Griffin another wife, Matilda, sister of Ralph le Strange, Baron of Knockyn, who had died in 1 105, leaving a fair inheritance to be divided among three sisters, his co-hoirossos. Of these, Matilda had married Griffin de Sutton (Maddock), son of Gcrvaso Gohk (as Eyton calls "Bed Edwaid") ; and they obtained, 9 Richard I., 1197, John le Strange's feofhncnt in the whole vilh of Dovancston (Dovaston), Vol. VI., 2iid S. '^A ttciJi'lU. ,tA 3 1 n '0 Y ■ff .(nf^f'f^) \ oionr ji jiKi b " -' "■ ■■■ ■'■ ' ' ■ ■■ ' n n A/ '■A 'Si\) AiU)'*) (.I- ,U\^v 010 :iv/ 0/li ill 210 THE KYNASTON FAMILY. and of Kineverdeston (Kinaston), in lieu of their ' third of Knockyn. Tlie arms of Le Strange were two lions passant, one less than on the coat mentioned above. Griffin had issue only by this wife — three sons, Madoc, Griffin, and Hoel ; and through her he and iiis descend- ants became possessed of Kinaston, whence the family have derived their name. This place, in Domesday called Chimerestun (in Welsh Tregynant, which signifies the same), is near Kinnerley. Of these sons, Griffin (whom the heralds call Grufiith Yychan de Karhowell) married a daughter of Itobert Bulkeley of Chester, and had a son, who is the first that appears of the family name. This was Griffin, or Griffith, who as *' Griffin de Kineneston " witnessed in 1313 a grant to Haghmon Abbey; he married Gwen, daughter and heiress of Jerwoith ap Griffith, and had a son Philip Kynaston (Keneaston), who, 4 Edward II., 1310, had a grant of Stokes or Stocks, a place with which the family is inti- mately associated for many generations. He married Gweruilla, daughter and heiress of Roger Vychan, ap Sir Hoger Powis, and their son and heir was Madoc Kynaston, who was living 47 Edward III., and who in 1341 had a grant ni Gesnocks. Madoc married Cicely, daughter and heiress of Jenkin Frankton, lord of Welsh Frankton, and had a son John, or Jenkin, who was seneschal or constable of Ellesniere, and gave Petton to the Earl of Lancaster ; he was living between 1373 and 1389, and married Agnes, daughter of Llewellin Dd'vv ap Grufiith ap Jorwerth Voell of Abertanat ; their son and heir Madoc Kynaston of Stokes is mentioned in 1389 and 1396, and was killed at the Battle of Shrews- bury; his coat of arms is among the emblazoned shields in Battlefield Clnu'ch. Madoc bad married Isolda, daughter of tho h'arl of Northumbcirland, who, as his widow, enfeoilcd lands of Lye l)y h^Ucsmure in 1435 ; and was succeeded by his son John, who bad a pardon iVoni Henry IV. In 1409 he made a grant to two sons, John and Gaufrido ; he wassucceedcd by liisson, Grillin tc^,If .::}3n,b7^7f^n">I "^o hir ; oiHih THE KYNASTON FAMILY. 211 Kynaston of Stokes, who was seneschal of Ellesmere in the reign of Henry VI., 1431-44. From this Griffin, who married Margaret, daughter and heiress of John llordof Walford (who died in Ireland 20tli July, 1398), sprung all the various branches of the family; iiis eldest son was Philip Kynaston of Walford, whose descend- ants held that place for four generations, ending in an heiress who married iialj^h Clive ; the second son was John, or Jenkin, Kynaston of Stokes, 1471-84, who married Jane, daughter of John Mainwaring, and was progenitor of the Kynastonsof Oteley and theKynastons of Pontesbury ; the third son, William, was ancestor of the Kynastons of Ilytou ; and. the fourth son, lloger, was a personage of great renown in the troublous times in which he lived. He was a zealous partisan of the House of York, and at the Battle of Bloreheath, 23rd September, 1459, he slew the Lancastrian leader. Lord Audley, and assumed his arms (ermine, a chevron, gules), which are quartered ever since by the Kynaston family, and borne as the chief coat by Kynaston of Hordley and Hardwick. At the field of Ludford, l2th October, 1459, he also appeared in arms against the King, but though he was included in the subsequent attainder by Henry's Parliament, yet so great w-as his popularity with the House of Commons that he, with Walter Hopton of liopton Castle, and three others, was, at the especial prayer of the House, dismissed upon payment of a fine. Through the three succeeding reigns Sir lloger Kynaston (he had been knighted by Edward IV.) continued in favour and dignity, lie had married for his first wife Elizabeth, daughter of Lord Cobham, and widow of llichard Lord Stjange (who died 23 Hen. VI., 1450) by whom he had a son, Thomas ; this lady died in 1453. Sir Poger was Sheriff of Shropshire in 1462 and 1470 ; he had a general pardon from the King, 13 Edward IV., and was Constable of Harlech, and Sheriff and Escheator of Merioneth for life. He married, secondly, EHzabcth, sister of Pichard Crey, Lonl Powis, 14G5, daughter of Henry Crey, Earl of Tankerville, oil ,v*0 *• 1 , id* I, ■, •U [7/ if l)s-(i^<*i|frii ca.U; Off ,Oct I .•;/iW 6i.' •;'-S^I .\. ■ ; 'lo ...oil: >[V/ 212 THE KYNASTON FxVMILY. by whom he had a son Humphrey. From this marriage comes the Kynaston claim to the dormant Barony of Powys. By his first marriage, with the widow of Lord Strange, he acquired Middle Castle, which washer jointure ; this place was fortified by John le Strange (or L'Estrange, as it is sometimes written), who had licence, 1 Edward II., to make a castle of his house at Mudle, which lay less exposed to the incursions of tlie Welsh than his Castles of Knockin and Ilyton, which often felt tlie fury of that people. It was a quadrangular structure, two storeys high, with aflat roof; it had a square court inside, and was surrounded by a moat, which can still be traced. To the east of the castle, a moat enclosed about half an acre of ground, the entrance to which was by a gatehouse standing near the north-east corner of the castle moat, and near it was a drawbridge. After the death of his first wife, Roger Kynaston still retained possession of Middle, in defiance of John, Lord Strange, heir of her first husband, who was born in 1444. This young peer levied forces to expel Kynaston, and, as tha latter was often resident in the county town, where he occupied what is now called the Council House, wrote a letter "fro the Castell of Hawerden the xth day of Janyvere," "to the worshipfull and wellbeloved the Baylies of the Towne of Shrovesbury with other and to all the Comons" asking their disposition " towchyng mine inhci-itaunco in the Marches of Wales, Flynt shyre [luid] Shrop shyre that some tyme were my Lord my fadres and my noble Auncestoures by fore, whose sowles God rest, and shew grace to, that hit wolde wyst you to remembre the grete ontrowthe that hath be shewed, and dayly doth his powre by Hog' of Kynaston with other of his helpers ayenst my right, all lawe and con- science." Whether he obtained the aid he sought against his late stepmother's husband, or whether he secured the neutrality of the burgesses or not, he seems to have gained his inheritance, for Middle Castle passed with his other possessions to the Derby family by the 'T Qd-J W *V ■r? /■> Oiidi VM ^ii>jj»!:.l Vvi itiVi- ''?uJ -'./y THE KYNASTON FAMILY. 213 marriage of his heiress to George Stanley, though it was yet in the hands of his opponent, for we find him still there G Edward IV., 1466, when " lloger Kinaston de Midhal], Esq., late Sheriff (1462) of Shropshire, obtained the King's pardon." His second son, Humphrey also held it as Constable, after whose time Gough, who wrote in 1700, tells us that " this castle was never inhabited, but went utterly to ruine." This celebrated character, of whom we shall say more presently, died in 1534, and Leland, who saw the Castle four or five years later, describes it as then " veri ruinus," and as belong- ing to Lord Derby. Up to about 1641 a great portion of the walls was still standing ; some of these, however, according to tradition, fell by an earthquake in 1688. Only a tower of red stone, with a spiral stair, and a few other fragments now remain, and these were repaired by Lord Alford some years ago ; over the portal of the turret are the two lions passant of L'Estrange. Sir Ivoger Kynaston died 11 Henry VII., 1495-6; as son and heir by his first wife Sir Thomas Kynaston of Hordley did homage, 22 Henry VIL, for Ness Strange and Kynton, and he was Sheriff of Shropshire in 1507-8. His property at Hordley, not improbably, came to the family by marriage with the heiress of the Hordleys of Hordley, who, it is stated, married Sir — Kynaston, who lived in Edward IV. 's time, 1461-83. At all events, 10 Henry VI., 1437-8, the Hordley estate was placed by the King in trust to Thomas Walker for Johannes Hordeley, whose heiress may have married Sir — Kynaston. Sir Thomas Kynaston,^ who died without legal issue, was buried in St. Mary's Church, Shrewsbury, 1513. His half-brother (son of Sir Roger by his second wife) Humphrey Kynaston was of Marton, but, as we have already seen, lived at Middle Castle ; both ho and his mother seem to have been in pecuniary distress, and there is in the Corporation 1 Ho is, ])orh;ii)s, llic Thoiiias ICyiuistoii ul' IjCC, who had lutnluu and release 1 liLiiry VUL, 1509. a/jv; 81! -,ll} Yd i •0 ii Oi!v/ ,v;ij ii) ij. 214 THE KYNA8T0N FAMILY. Records at Shrev/sbiuy register of their joint bond for £20. The quaint historian of Middle says that he "for his dissolute and ryotous liveing was called the wild Humphry. Hee had two wives, but both of soe meane birth that they could not lay claime to any Coat of Arnies, as appears by the card of Kinaston's Annes, which Mr. Edward Kinaston of Oateley shewed mee not long before his death. I have not heard of any children which wild Humphrey had, but I have heard of much debt that hee had contracted ; and being out- lawed in debt, hee left Myddle Castle (which he had suffered to grow ruinous for want of repaire), and went and sheltered himself in a Cave neare to Nescliffe, which to this day is called Kinaston's Cave, and of him the people tell almost as many romantick storyes as of the great outlawe Kobin Whood." Humphrey's lirst wife was Marion, daughter of William ap Griffith ap Robin, by whom he had a sou and daughter. He seems to have been a warrior like his father Sir Roger, for among the banners of those who entered France 16 June, 1513, we find from Shropshii;e "Homffray Kynaston and Thomas Trentham a C men wyth owtten standert." His second wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Meredith ap Howell ap Maurice of Glascoed, ap levan Gethyn of Gartheyr, by whom he had three sons and two daughters ; the second son was Roger, ancestor of the Kynastons of Marton and Crickett. "Wild Humphrey/' who, as we have seen, was outlavv^ed in 1491, was pardoned two years after; the pardon, under the Great Seal, is still preserved at Hardwick. He died 1534, so that the well-known " H. K. 15G4" in the cave at Nessclilf appears to be the fabrication of a later hand. His son and heir, Edward Kynaston of Hordley, was also twice married; one wife was a cousin, Margaret, daughter of Humphrey Kinaston^ of Stokes ; the other was Alargaret, daughter ^ A coutcmporavy and second couain of Wild lluni})hrcy, with whom lie is sonietiuiea cuui'used. ' > (i£it>m KI'tAi iTifirl p.j;'V/ <■ T» <^>ri< Y.1'!0<^ THE KYNASTON FAMILY. 217 of the town of Shrewsbury ;" and he sat in five Parha- ^--nents until 1708. He was Sheriff lG90,and Mayor of i^hrewsbury 1G9G, and is known as the leader of the Shropshire Tories. He built the family residence at Ilardvvick, and preferred an unsuccessful claim to the Barony of Powys 1731. By liis first wife he had Corbet Kynaston, eldest son, Francis Kynaston of Acton Eeynald, who died 1G97, and Beatrice, who died un- married 1711. He married secondly, 27 Oct., 1708, Anne, daughter of Thomas liar wood of Tern, which lady was born 30 November, 1G89, and by whom he had two sons and two daughters. She is said to have frequently carried over to Flanders the contributions of the Shropshire Jacobites for the Court of St. Germains. Mr. John Kynaston died 10 September, 1733, aged G9, and was Innied in the family vault at IJordley five days later. Corbet Kynaston, the eldest son, succeeded to the large estates, llordley, Haghmond, and Moreton Corbet; he was baptized at Shawbury, 2 Feb., 1G90 ; he was M.P. for Shrewsbury from 17 13 to 1722. In the latter year he again contested the Borough and headed the poll, but was " voted out upon petition by the dis- franchisement of the Abbey Foregate."^ His electioneer- ing- expenses were very heavy ; these and his speculations in South Sea Stock caused his retirement to the Continent. Mr. Joseph Morris, who had seen Mr. Kynaston's correspondence^ with his confidential friends in 1723 and 1724, says — ** His connection with the Stock of the South Sea Company hjid led him into an expensive Chancery Suit with Sir John Astley. His father, Mr. John Kynaston, had assisted him with funds for the election of 1713, but he refused to aid him in 1722, after promising to do so. This, probably, was the reason why he eventually devised a large portion of 1 0. and r>. Ilhtory of Shrewahury, i., 552. 2 By the kindness of 1s\y. Adnitt I liavc liad opportunity of reading: ^Fovris's copies of this liiylily interesting correspondence. Vol. VI., 2nd S. BB ., -v—f-f-. -/fv r^^.. -,. iif!;j giiv/ hnx^, :n ^uH. .X':>i)^A Hfloi. 'sic:^ iiljw Jiji^::5 Y'lootiHciO 9 sjI Yilvf '■ .(ii .-;.1 •- V..,....10 v^ ...,.1.'^ \ ' ;,;,(!.! fji;')'i 'to '(.lii ,u .8 Ln£ ,.I7 JoY 218 THE KYNASTON FAMILY. his estates to his kinsmen, the Corbets of Hcall of Hussey, instead of leaving to his half-brothers, Edward and lioger Kynaston, the property thus alienated."^ During the rejoicings at his safe return from France, 1730, the great bell of Shrewsbury Abbey ^vas broken. He seems to have had a residence in the Abbey parish, for in 1737 was privately printed a "Singular Appeal made by the ^layor and Aldermen of Shrewsbury to the House of Lords for the Ilemoval of Corbet Kynaston from the office of Alderman on the grounds that he did not [?] in accordance with an ancient charter have residence in either the parishes of Holy Cross, St. Giles, Merrival, with a copy of Kynaston's memorial." From Phillips's History of Shretrsharij (1779, p. ISG) we learn that "The Mandamus Cause, Avhich had been brought to trial in 1733 and passed by the Judges, was this year [1735] tried by Corbet Kynaston, Esq., in the Court of King's Bench. He gained his point, which occasioned great rejoicings in the town and country about Shrewsbury ; but the Corporation threw in a writ of error, determining to appeal to the House of Lords, yet this determination appears to be superseded, by a flaw or error in the first judgment, upon which the Corporation refused to admit Mr. Kynaston. He brought on a trial at common law to recover costs, but was non- suited on account of the jury being chose by the Sheriff, whereas they should have been chose by the Coroners. It is observable that the jury in 1732 were chose by the Coroners, and the trial put off because they wore not chose by the Sheriff. Mr. Kynaston the following year brought on a trial at common law, but did not gain his point ; he moved again at the King's Bench, but that Court stopt the proceeding." After these important struggles, in which he s|)ent a largo sum, he thus failed in his attempt to su[)port the 1 At the death of his father in 1733, the Gentleman's Magazine tliat year says an estate of £8,000 a year fell to CVtrbet Kynaston. ijki* ad ti ••/ . ' ' L-j. on ' ,a30'iD viol \ ')-o R*-. j/i) r.9 0*1 eoaMacn ;} 'to ii'jV'' "iiOji ;.-!if.7 jjju ,fe;.;aoa .iuvo'joi oj v/ 1;.! nofdfno'j 3i) U'A'hi a no \i lii TUsl yiiJ -j-oil; fyif.ijiv {oacKj ft^ ..|] ,a"i' 111 m ! THE KYNASTON FAMILY. l219 cause of the Freemen, and after his deatli the dispute hiy dormant till 1771, when Sir William Pulteney took it up, and the matter was finally determined 19 Novem- ber, 1774, in favour of the inhabitants (against the Corporation). Mr. Kynaston had commenced, perhaps in consequence of the above proceedings, to build a residence in St. Mary's parish, on the town wall ;^ it was a spacious and even handsome structure, in a beautiful and salu- brious situation, but his death in 1740 prevented the completion of his design, for little more was finished than the shell, even the windows were not put in, and the openings were filled with broom, whence it was usually denominated Broom Ilcdl.^ The building was subsequently used as the Salop Infirmary. From 1734 Mr. Corbet Kynaston represented the county^ in the House of Commons until his death 17 June, 1740; he was unmarried, and was buried at Moreton Corbet, 21 June. By his will 1734, and codicil 1738, he devised the Haghmond estates to his cousin Andrew Corbet of Lee and Albright Hussey, and they now form the possession of the Corbets of Sun- dorne. The Moreton Corbet and Acton Beynald estates of his mother went to another kinsman, Andrew Corbet of Shawbury, from whom the present owner, Sir Walter Orlando Corbet, Bart., is descended. The patrimonial estates went to his half-brother, Edward Kynaston. Edward Kynaston of Hordley and Hardwiok, was the elder son of John, by his second wife Anne, who ^ Phillips mentions "a grant from the Corporation to John Kynaston, Esq., of Icavo to build on the Town Wall;" and A Journey tk'io'tiijk J'hi(jland, puLlislnd 1723, says that "My Lord Newport, son to the Earl of Bradford, hath a liandsomo palaee, Avith hanging gardens down to the river ; as also hath Mr. Kinnaston, and some otlier gentlemen." - MS. note of Archdeacon Owen. 2 His electioneering colours \vei'C red and green. 'Of ■i\H ; •a'I.,>Ci iO EJGu'lc- [.[ :r;..^'r ifOdOi .iuuni,:! i; i;7tiVvi> afIT J b-fj>wbfi ■ jxfi 'iVi>.ij. \.-'-" r. r't t M :(T .eaiob .<"! 'io aschoO ■■■]■ .trii)Vf aaJj^Jcis i/uiioKitivJisq .! YP ,>-''iot. 'k> HOP "18 i ,fi:...i '-,+ ffr.>ry....,...,r.y) «,4v .jr3\>r.i )J!I(>[) THfi KYNASTON FAMILY. 221 fiom Roger Kynaston, Sheriff in 1462 ; he married, 9 December, 1783, Letitia, daughter of Robert Owen of Pontesbury (Whitley), and had two sons, one of whom, Roger, died in childhood, August, 1788, and one daughter. Sir Edward died April, 1839, and was succeeded by his son, Sir John Roger Kynaston^ third baronet, who had matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford, 24 October, 1816, being then aged nineteen. He died s.p. 1866, when the estates passsd to his sister and sole heiress, Amy, who had married the Rev. Evelyn Levett Sutton, rector of High Ilalden, and vicar of St. Peter, Thanet. At the death of Mrs. Sutton, her cousin, the Rev. Walter Charles Edward Owen, suc- ceeded to the Hard wick estates, and by royal licence 2 June, 1868, assumed the name and arms of Kynaston, This gentleman, who is the present owner of the Kynaston [)roperty, was born 22 June, 1830, and married Frances Harriett, daughter of Bedell Stanford of Carn, Co. Cavan, and has a son, Walter Roger Owen Kynaston, born 1 March, 1874, and three daughters, Amy Frances, Maud, and Marian. Miss Amy Frances Kynaston married her cousin, the Rev. Loftus Meade Owen, n July, 1893. The new Domesday Book gives the Kynaston estates in Shropshire as 3,518 acres, rented at c£5,429. The family seat at Hardwick, built by John Kynaston in 1733, is of red brick with stone facings, in Queen Anne style ; the front originally faced the south, but Sir John Roger Kynaston diverted the drive to the present principal entrance on the north side, forming terraces and flower gardens on the south side instead. He also added the bay which forms the study at the south-east corner. A detached block on the western side comprises the stables ; the kitchen olhces form a corresponding block to the east. Built out at the north-east corner of the mansion is the dining room, where hang several family portraits, including two oval half lengths of Roger Kynaston and Mary his wife, by Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1759, There is here a portrait on panel of -iiO iy;>s m oji// ,(«;]jiyiJiitJ^ aii! -OO ,: t>bi:;'->m a.5J;)iOv,i .vwi; tffjj ,iiiciroa 'fori jtym^rrf m ) li.lO^i ■1j iic c.uabiK'^ lowi^ii D/ui Oiij :;, \o !jivo ov'/J '^iaibfiloiii ^c«:> >JI 222 THE KYNASTON FAMILY. Judge Owen, who built Condover Hall, and of Sir John Kynaston Powell, also two portraits by Allan liamsay. 'Pwo cups at Ifardwick arc inscribed witli records oC the deaths of members of the family, on the Monumental Cup being 0)7 obits, and on the Pindar Cup 11 others. 223 WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. By H. F. J. VAUGHAN, B.A., S.C.L., Oxox. The followinof extracts from the Ref^^isters of the Corporation of the Borough of Wenlock contain in- teresting alhisions to many members of famihes of importance in our county, and are in themselves worthy of preservation as records of the manners of our fore- fathers. The entries speak for themselves, but a slight notice may be given of some who are named in them in the order in which they occur. 8 Ed. IV. John Lawley, the bayliff, and Thomas Lawley were of a family intimately connected with Wenlock, holding a high position there, and progenitors of the Lords Wenlock. Illdmund Benethale was son of John Benethale or Benthall, of Benthall in 1399, and married Marixaret, dauo-hter of Edmund LeijT^hton of Wattlesburgh. His grandson William built the present Hall at that place. 8 Ily. VII. William Charlton, probably WilUam Charlton of Apley Castle, near Welhngton, who married Alice, daughter of Thomas Hoorde of Bridgnorth, and died 23 Henry VIII. 9 Ily. VII. Thomas Laken seems to be the son of Richard Lacon or Laken of Willey, and Alice, daughter of Thomas Hoorde of Bridgnorth (Ad. MS. 14,314 Brit. Mus., calls him Sir Richard, and his wife Alice, daughter of John Howrd, Esq.). It would ap[)ear that he was subso(picntly knighted, since he is entered in the Shropshire Visitation, 1G23, as Thomas Jjacon de Willey in com. Salop, miles, and in Sir Tlios. Boteler's R,egister we have the entry — 1545, May 8, Rychard Vol. VI., 2nd S. AA Ji^JiJ ,y.'i -ill " ylooiiiO?/ -' .',,/-•■ " i-'lJ' ^0 iioi^tja-iOqioO m amdd m l?3ft«,eii tri^ oilv/ stiioa to a9vi)2 ocl aumoxiT ban ,fii!?£d ... -'^"^ •' • / r.h'ioJ eriilo "io '<'"-' • f"^ ' "' o:i a«!'36)a iioyI'mJ. aBmsufi .liV . M'j (H h 'i. Oil eon id J A A 224 WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. harp mynstrell and servaunt to Sir Thos. Lacon and to his son rtjc(hard) buried. The family of Lacon, one of the chief famiUes of our county, obtained the Willey estate by descent, the above-mentioned Sir Richard being son of WilUam Lacon (who had succeeded his elder brother Sir Ilichard, who obt. s.p.), by Magdalen, daughter of Ilichard Wysham of Holt, co. Worcester, son of Sir Ilichard Lacon, Sheriff of Salop in 1415, by Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Sir Ifamon Peshall, whose w^ife Alice was sole daughter and heir of Robert de Harley, son of Sir Ptobert by Margaret, elder daughter and coheir of Brian de Brampton, son (or grandson Harl. MS. 1241) of Sir Eichard de Harley, Sheriff of Shropshire in 1301, by Burga, daughter and heir of Andrew de Willey or Wililey. The Lacons were heirs of a moiety of the Barony of Corbet of Cause, and so connected with the great house of Stafford. They retained the Willey estate until about the year 1617, when Sir Thomas sold it to John (afterwards Sir John) Weld, from whose descendants it passed by will to the family of Forester. The Lacons were steady adherents to the ancient faith, and seem to have suffered much during the times of persecution by the penal laws. A junior branch of the family seated at Linley continued to enjoy their estate to a later period, Another branch obtained, by marriage with the heiress, the estate of Llanddyn, part of the domain of Castell Dinas Bran, Co. Denbigh, which has descended to Lord Harlech. 11 Henry VII. Nicholas Corbyn would appear to have been Nicholas Corbyn of Corbyn 's Hall, in the parish of Old Swinford, who became possessed of New Hall End, Co. Warwick. The family was also connected with Shropshire by the marriage of John Luttley with Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Thomas Corbyii and Elizabeth, coheir of Giles Eilylode. John Lee of Nordley, Co. Saloj), also married Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Thomas Corbyn. The families of Lee and Corbyn were related through the Astleys of Astley, near Bridgnorth. Az. a cincpiefoil pierced erm. vt^HT It 6;ir(.i A -:A-nsd fiu'ifjo esfj yd ire' lo p.l«vh-:rt F.r[;t '>iVT uv« -bna" U.^E -wa'v^ WENLOCK CORPORATION RKCORDS. 225 within a bordiire engrailed of the 2iid. The family of Legg or Legge was connected at an early period with Broscley and the neighbourhood, and members of it, tliongh in a liumble sphere of life, continue to reside there, it is believed, at the present day. 12 Henry VII. Ilichard Ilaiifrhton or Ilouo-hton, was probably a descendant of Iloger Houghton of Swynney, near Broseley, whose grandson Iloger (son of Roger) held lands in Beckbury. 3 Henry VIII. Pdchard llarnage of Sheynton was probably the son of Giles Harnage, by Ellena, dauj l ij.» '*' , V^-'S ^'•" .n- 6flT A\r.ra 228 WENLOCK CORPOHATION RECORDS. 5 EHz. Roland Lacon was of Willey, and Sheriff of Shropshire in 1571. He married Ellen or Eleanor, daughter of William lligges of Straglethorpe, Co. Lincoln, by Anne, daugliter of Bahington of London (Harl. MS. 1550). Rigges bears gu. a fess ermine inter 3 talbots statant arg., each holdinnr an arrow in its jaws. The cruel penal laws against adherents of the old faith were passed by Parliament about this time, separating the English people into distinct sections. Some of them still remain, which, it is to be hoped, a more enlightened Parliament may abolish, and establish real religious equality instead of only an ideal one. These legal ennctments affected the flimily of Lacon strongly since they thought the old religion not only a better one to die in, but also to live in, and consequently we find them in future allyino- themselves with those who held the same opinion. 7 Eliz. Thomas Ludlow of Moorhouse, was eldest son of Lawrence Ludlow, and married Katherine, daughter of Thomas Farley, but died without issue. Ralph Eyton may have been a member of the family of Eyton-on-the-Wildmoors, since they were connected at this time with the neighbourhood by the marriao-e of Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Eyton of Eyton, Sheriff of Salop 1567, and M.P. for Wenlock, with Rowland, third son of Lawrence Ludlow, so that she thus became, by marriage, sister-in-law of Richard Benthall of Bent- hall, son of William, builder of the present hall at Benthall. 10 Eliz. John Broke, bayliff, was probably John Brooke, son of Sir Robert Brooke of Madeley. He died circa 1598, leaving by his wife Anne, daughter of Francis Shirley of Staunton Harold, Co. Leicester, two sons and three daughters. A.D. 1575. Richard Lutley seems to have been the second son of John Lutley by Katherine, daughter of William Jenkes, and grandson of William by Elizabeth, daughter of John Ringley, whose father, John Lutley, married Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Thomas Corbyn, ed o^ ai ''lie m-< :/it ■■'?/:i."* V 0OS '■.jLiiiuiJ I ;i ' >ii (iiJc.j' WENLOCK CX)RPORATION KECORDS. 229 by Elizabeth, daughter and coheir of Gyles Filylode of Alveley. Ivichard Liitley had by his wife Jane, daughter of William Enghsh, three sons, who died without issue, and two daughters, coheirs, Margaret, wife of George Jenkes of Wollerton, and Francis, wife of Thomas Littleton, 20 Eliz. Lawrence Benthall, named, doubtlessly, after his maternal grandfather. Lawrence Ludlow was buried 8 Nov., 1G03, and married Cicely Forster,whom an old MS. formerly in Lord Berwick's collection, calls daughter of Richard Forster of Evelith, and with this llarl. MS. 1396 and other MSS. agree; but upon turn- ing to the Forster pedigree, Cicely is called daughter of George Forster of Evelith, and sister of Joyce, wife of John Benthall, brother of Lawrence. There was no Ilichard Forster of Ecclith in the same generation as Georo'e Forster. His second cousin bore tlie name of Ptichard, but is designated of Tong. He married Elizabeth, daughter of . ... Blakeway of Berrington, and his dauo-hters' names are not mentioned : but if Cicely was one of them, then she was first cousin to Isabel, wife of Edward, Lord StaiToid. On the other hand, George Forster's son was Bichard, and lie was of Evelith, but it scarcely seems likely that the elder brother Lawrence Benthall should marry the niece of his younger brother's wife. The former Btichard seems the more probable one, and his father Bobcrt, who married Catherine, daughter of William r>arker of Coulscdge, is sometimes designated " of Evelith," as well as " of Tong." It is dillicult to identify the Thomas and two Bichard Addnmses mentioned under this date. 'I'homas Adams of Cleeton, who married IMargaret, daughter of John Ilarley of Bram])ton, was living in 1584, and liad a son Thomas. Thomas, third son of William Adams of (■leelon, had a son Thomas. Thomas, ehlest son of .John Adams of ihxjseley, by Alianoi-, daughter of . . . ( Vuinp of Stall'ordshire, died ill 1051, but he would be lallier late. There is also Thomas Adams of l>ioseley, son of Bichard Adams of %: osiooO He ■fi" ■ '.iib aid hnsi '5 &T.109D . o'iiv/ a'.ed^lo'iti m »n *',il.j^?!''«'^M 'ii> ' J,. >'it>.oj) ,■ UJ 'AClinB t\ u \U 'io anuibA. mamni V 230 WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. Asbton, Co. Salop, who married Joyce, daughter of Edward Smalmaii of Neenton, Co. Salop, but bis des- cendants bore ermine three cats a mountain pass, guard, in pale az., and indeed the heiress of the line married William Crompton. There are also many Itichard Adamses on record. A.D. 1587. William Fowler was the third son of Roger Fowler of Broomhill, by Isabella, sister and heir of Rowland Lee, Bishop of Lichfield. He purchased the estate of Ilarnage Grange. This was fo]-merly one of the estates of Buildwas Abbey, and Blakeway in his Shcri/I's of SJiropshire says that William Fowler pur- chased the estate " from William Grey, the illeo-itimate heir male of Lord Grey, to whom Henry YIII. granted that Monastery." The name of Lord Grey's illegiti- mate son, to whom most of the estate descended, was Edward, as may be seen from his will. William Fowler married Mary, daughter of John Blythe, M.D.,and the Harnage estate remained in the family until after much litigation it was sold in the present century, and is now the projierty of Sir Henry H. Edwards, Bart. 30 Ehz. Francis Tiacon, afterwards Sir Francis, son of Rowland Lacon of Willey, was of Kinlet,and Sheriff of Shropshire in 1612. His younger brother Thomas was of Linley, and his sisters Jane and Beatrix married respectively Sir Ricliard Fermor of Somerton, and Sir Francis Newport of High Ercal. The family of Fermor of Somerton, and afterwards of Tusmore, Co. Oxon, were connected with Shropshire by the marriage of Frances, daughter and heir of Thomas Hoorde of Hoorde's Park, with Thomas Fermor of Somerton, her first husband having been Edward luiwleigh of Farn- ingho, Co. Norfolk. This Thomas Fermor was a younger son of Richard Fei'mor, so cruelly treated by Henry Vni. for denying the Royal supremacy, and was the first master of Henry's celebrated JrsU'r, AVill. Sumers. Sir Itichard Fermor was son oi' Thomas, and niarrieil Cornelia,daughteraiidcoheirofSir William Corn wallis of Brome Hall, Suffolk, l)y Lucy, eldest daughter and coheir iLftDii ,^M(»i ;ii :rji:iaf;Oi£ic« 'io ... io ii'^^iriliiy./J L indv Sid band ^: -(■Hi ' fiai,!j9i:t Tiloo'jo i)c .'lonno^. IvuiibijI 'io rfoa t3;I . ':; ••:;::(•' -''rr- Invilf ef[jr v^fIi^^aob -lo) Wl .yi to e'Nfinall 'to -ioijr WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. 231 of John Nevill, Lord Latimer, by whom he had Henry, who succeeded him. Sir Ilichard's sister Mary was the wife of Francis Plowden of Plowden. Thus it is evident tliat this family of Fermor had an early connection with Shropsliire. Sir Francis Lacon himself married Jane Browne, daughter of Anthony, Viscount Montague, ot Cowdray Park, Sussex, by his second wife Magdalen, daughter of William, Lord Dacre, of Gillesland, obt. 6 Elizabeth, which William, Lord Dacre, married Eliza- beth, dauo-hter of Geornre Talbot, fourth Earl ot Shrewsbury, and was himself son of Thomas, Lord Dacre, obt. 1526, by Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Robert, obt. vi pat, son and heir of llalpli. Lord Grey stoke, by Elizabeth, daughter of Lord Fitzhugh. The connection of these several families with Shropshire was kept up, and gave rise to frequent inter-marriages. John Lutwyche was, probably, the son of Thomas Lutwyche by Margaret, daughter of John Adams of Barrow, near Wenlock, though he might have been John, sixth son of Bichard Lutwyche of Lutwyche Hall, by Elizabeth, daughter of Boger Boycott, which John was of Lincoln's Lm in 1580. Thomas Lockyer was lord of the Marsh, and married Anne, daughter of Balpli, brother of Thomas Poyner, apparently of Beslow. There are, however, two Thomas Poyners, father and son, the former of whom married Isabel, daughter of Thomas Leighton of Leighton, in 1509, and the lat .er married Ellen, daughter of Fulke Lee of Langley, in 1583. Thomas Lokyer must therefore have been either cousin or nephew of Lucy Poyner, who married William Beist of Atcham. Thomas Lokyer, the son of Thomas and Anne, married Katherine, daughter of Edward Smalman of Wildertop, Wilderhope, or as in a MS. in the College of Arms, Wildearthope ; she would, there- fore, be sister to Joyce Smahuaii, previously mentioned as wife of Thomas Adams, and aunt of Stephen Smalman who married Jane, daughter of Francis Lawley of Sponhill, Mary, wife of John Adams of Cleeton, and Anne, wife of Richard Harris of Cruckton, brother of Vol. VI., 2iid S. cc i\()B OiU tc- >1 hi}n'u,m y, hut 232 WENLOUK CORPORATION RECORDS. Sir Thomas Harries, who purchased Tong Castle from Sir Edward Stanley. 31 Eliz. The name of Ptichard Ould of Broseley, occurs as a disclaimer in 1623, and it is, probably, his daughter Mary who is entered in the MS. Visitation in the School Library at Shrewsbury, as third wife of Fulk, son of Thomas Crompton of Acton Burnell. The family was subsequently much connected with Broseley, where they lived and held a good position. William Wood, the baylifi of this year was, probably, a member of the family of Wood of Shinewood. He may have been William, who died without issue, and whose elder brother, Peter Wood, is said in an old parchment pedigree of the family, to have married lirstly Juditli, daughter of John Heath of Orton (Overton ?), Co. Chester, and secondly, Frances, youngest daughter of Thomas Astley of Patshull. By the first wife he had issue, two sons and seven daughters. The eldest son Alexander, aged 8, in 1623 married firstly Margery, daughter of Walter Astley of Patshull, and had by her three sons and five daughters. The eldest son Basill married on the 5th August, 1680, Abigail, daughter of Robert Leighton of Wattlesburgh, the second son Lawrence had an only daughter, Dorothy, buried at St. Chad's Church, Shrewsbury, haviug become the wife of Adam Waring of Lincoln's Tnn and Woodcote, Salop, and mother of Dorothy, wife of John Scott of Slirewsbury. Tlio name of Thomas Lockyer is hero spelt " Locor." 32 Eliz. John Langley is identified with John Langley of the Amies, buried at Broseley, 27 April, 1G03, in an account of the family kindly lent to the writer by A. F. C. C. Langley, Esq. He was the son of Edmund de Langley of the Amies, son of John de Langley, 21 Henry VI., and Elizabeth, sister of Edmund Michell, a monk of Buildwas Abbey, and after- wards Parson of Broseley. The Visitation of Shropshire calls this John son of William, son of John, son of William de Langley, 1 Pichard IL, who married Isabel, 8d? .0' 1c % . .. . O /I *'.10yOvl ** dleHB ) JiUKWf)/; iJ.Ji ,it>ufi«i. iitiji'r'uan Oii'n t > noa WENLOClv CORPORATION RECORDS. 233 sister and heir of Stephen de Henley. John Langley married EHzabeth, daughter and heir of John Marston and EHzabeth, daughter of Hugh Harnage of Belswar- dine; who was Tjaihf! of Bridgnorth in 1403, and Burgess of Parhanient in 1402 and 1419, He married Margaret, daughter of Sir Ilichard Lacon of Willey. 34 Eliz. This William Hord or Hoorde appears to be second son of John Hoorde of Park Bromage, Co. Salop, by Catherine, daughter of Adam Oteley ot Pichford. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Gyles Harnage of Shenton, by Elena, daughter of Thomas Kynaston of Walford. 36 Eliz. Francis Langley of the Tuckies, near Broseley, married Elizabeth, daughter of Bichard Sel- man of Harrington, Co. Salop, by Isabel, daughter ot Bobert Amias of Kemberton. The family of Old continued to hold land at Broseley until comparatively modern times, and that of Cryppin was still extant in the last century. Lawrence Benthall was the grandson of William, who built the present Benthall Hall in 1535, and himself commands our sympathy from the tragic fate of his son Edward. 38 Eliz. Thomas Holland was of the Middle Temple, and his son William married Margaret, daughter of Thomas Smallman of Wildertop, another of whose daughters, l\Iary, was wife of John Adams of Cleeton. There was, therefore, a connection between these families. Francis Smallman seems to be the younger brother of this Thomas. It is diflicult to identify Thomas Adams since there are several members of the family named Thomas at about this date. 39 Eliz. William Corfield of Longwall, belongs to a family which did not enter their pedigree in the Heralds' Visitations of Shropshire, but by the courtesy of a correspondent I am enabled to give the following account of the family ; — I. — Edward held Corve in Staunton Lacy. II.— Ralph Fitz Edward 1180. III. — Thomas. cr!w u; s ,6'idlrv(afiJ ;..ijt s :.\ .-w.,vr.J bil.f ( • VnfiLl 234 WENLOCK CORPORATION RKCORDS. IV." — Philip married Juliana Staunton. v.— William de Coifliiill. VI.— 1 Pioo-er. 2 Pticbard 12G0. VII.— Roger 1274. VIIL— Poi^^er 1320, 1344. IX.— Petnimld de Corveliill 1328, 1338, married Edith. X.— 1 Sir Poger, Priest, of Easthope, 1349. 2 Richard of Much Weiilock, married Cecily, daughter of Sir Nicholas Strclly, Kt., buried at Cardington. XI. — Pichard (son of Picbard 2), married Margaret Corbet. XII. — Pichard de Corf hill married Margaret Kinder- sley. XIII. — Pichard of Stanton Lono- married Marn:aret Churchman of Cardinoton. XIV. — Pichard Coriield of Corfield Longville and Chatwall, married Abigail, d. of John Lutwich of Lutwich. There were two members of the family of Lutwyche bearing the Christian name of John about this time, mentioned in the Visitations of Salop, viz., John (who married Katherine, daughter of William Pawle, by whom he left issue) son of Thomas Lutwiche by Margaret, daughter of John Adams of Parrow, near Wenlock, younger son of Pichard Lutwich of Lutwich Hall, in Munslow, by Agnes his wife. The otlier John was of Lincolns Inn, 2G December, 158G, of whom Blakeway says that he was a very eminent attorney temp. Elizabeth, selected by Mr. Justice Owen of Condover, to be one of the executors of his v>'ill, and who had sulFicient interest with Lord Keeper Egerton to obtain for John Cooke in I59G the oflice of deacon in the Church of Cleobury Mortimer. Mr. Lutwiche was a man of piety and nuuiillccnee, and rebuilt the chancel of Shipton in Corvodalo. Tliis John was the sixth son of Pichard Lutwich of Lutwich Hall, by Elizabeth, daughter of Poger Boycott of Eye, Co. Salop, son of the above Pichard of Lutwich and AaiietJ his wife ; but the Visitations do not mention any wife or ■:Nn v^;/::r ,I)BS1 /£&' " ■ / .iJfiJ hiW ; 10 ii WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. 235 issue of this John. The family is very ancient, and boie or a tiger pass, gules. Ptichard Coilield and Abigail, his wife, had issue. 1. John, of whom here- after. 2. William, ancestor of the Corfields of llughley, 3. Thomas of AVenlock. XV. John, 1530, married Johanna Langford, and had issue. 1. Kichard of Chatwall, of whom hereafter. 2. Ralpli, who jHU'chased GOO acres of land in Longville from John Littleton, and died 3 July, 1573, having married Alice, daughter of John Addams (living 1573), Ermine 2 cats pass, in pale, by whom he had issue, a WilHam, ao-ed 8 at his father's death. Buried at Car- dington, 11 April, 1(501, Jot. 88, whose grandson William sold Long^ville in 1710 to William Burrao'hs of Lincolns Inn. h John, born 15G7. c Ixalph, born 1570, ancestor of Corfield of Ticklerton, Co. Salop. XVI. Eichard of Chatwall, married Anne, daughter of Richard Acton of Acton Scott, by Cicely, daughter of Richard Mitton of Shrewsbury, who was six times Bailiff of that town, and died 28 November, 1591, by his wife Agnes, daughter of Sir Edward Grey of Enville, Co. Stafford, Kt. The marriaofe of Richard Corfield and Anne Acton is given in the Visitations. The Actons bore Quarterly per fess indented arg. and gules in the first quarter a martlet sable, and the heiress of the family married Walter Acton of Aldenham. Richard Acton and Anne his wife had issue. 1. John of Long- ville, of whom hereafter. 2. William of Chatwall, 1590. 3. Hichard, husband of Frances Doughty of Bourton, Co. Salop. XVII.— John of Longville died 9 March, 34 Eliza- beth, having married Johannah, daughter of John Wartur, an heiress, by whom he had issue. 1. Thomas, of whom hereafter. 2. Richard. 3. William. 4. j\Iary, wife of Richard Egerton. 5. Elizabeth, wife of Richard Harris. XVTII.— Thomas, born 1502, died 1598, having married Avicc, daughter of ... . Smallman of Rush- bury, by whom he had issue. 1. Thomas of Chatwall, .i riiiiX QiU •'J .J-ilTfliU, 23G WENLOCK CORPOnATION RECORDS. of whom hereafter. 2. Dorotliy, wife of Thomas Russell, ancestor of the Russells of Powye, Co. Worcester. 3. Margaret, wife of George Smith. 4. William. XiX. — 'J'homas of Chatwall, married Ann R,ussell of Brockton, Co. Salop, and had issue. 1. Richard, of whom hereafter. ^. Anne, wife of William Flavell. 3. .... a daughter, wife of Richard Sankey. 4. Joan, wife of William Oakley. 5. Thomas. XX. — Richard of Chatwall Park, hap. at Cardington 1615, died 1680, married Sarah, daughter of Roger Mauncell of Cardington, and had issue. 1. Richard, of whom hereafter. 2. Thomas, M.A., Vicar of Carding- ton 1709. 3. John of Quatt. 4. William. 5. Christopher. XXL— Richard of Chatwall 1637, 1710, married firstly Katherine or Margaret Warter of Cruck Meole, 1602 ; and secondly, Mary, daughter and coheir of Arthur VValtliall of Edge, Co. Salop. By the first wife he had issue. 1. Thomas of Wilston, in Cardington, 1678, 1732, who sold Chatwall to his brother Richard, and having married Elizabeth Hunt, had issue : John 1711, 1777, who owned part of Chatwall by will, but died s.p. 2 Richard 1683, 1753, of Chatwall, who by Elizabeth, his wife, daughter of William Russell, left issue, a daughter and heiress Anne, who marrying Robert Rawlins of New Hall, had issue, Richard Corfield Rawlins of Chatwall, whose son Thomas sold it in 1799. 3. William, of whom hereafter. XXII. — William, born 1689, inherited lands in Chatwall from his father, and by Elizabeth, his wife, daughter of John Harrington of Church Stretton, had issue. 1. William, of whom presently. 2. Edward, born 1716, killed while hunting. 3. Richard, born 1710, who by Mary Phillips, his wife, had issue, a Richard ; and 6, William, who left coheirs. But Richard {(() had issue, R.icliard, Rector of Pitchford and Waters Upton, Co. Salop, who 15th December, 1808, at St. Julian's, Shrewsl)ury, married Diana Margaretta, (she died at Waters Upton, 1 January, 1847), eldest daughter of Henry Pcele of Shrewsbury, one of tlio Cursitors of •J «.. ' • , ^ ■) { i iy: i M i. >;) .f Yd o.' J .■.,lv/ , 'If)! •098 WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. 239 to the family of Adams formerly of Longdon. Longville is about five miles east of Clmrcli Stretton, on the way to Wenlock, so evidently a branch of the Longdon Adamses was seated at no great distance from Wenlock and Broseley. To ])roceed to another document, a pedigree of Adams of Broseley from the College of Arms, C. 35, fo. 16 . . I. — Richard Adams of Ash ton, in Co. Salop, had issue. II, — Thomas Adams of Broseley, married Joice, daughter of . . . Smallman oi Neenton, Co. Salop, and had issue. HI, — Francis Adams of Broseley, £et. 81, 1063, married Anne, dauij'hter and heir of John Adams of Cleeton, Co. Salop, and had issue — 1. John Adams, obt s.p. ; 2. Sarah, of whom hereafter. IV. — Sarah Adams married William Crompton, son and heii' of Thomas Crompton of Stone, Co. Staff., and had issu^N^l. William; 2. Francis; 3. Thomas, set. 2, 1663; 4. Ai^p, a3t. 4, 1663. The Arms art>-l^rmine 3 cats a mountain pass, guard, az., with the note, " res}jite given for proof of these Arras. ' ' From the pedigree of Smallman we learn that the father of the above Joyce was Edward Smallman^ and that her brother Thomas had by his wife Agnes, daughter of Stephen Durant, a dauo-hter Mary, wife of John Adams of Cleeton, from all of which it seems evident that the two families of Adams were connected both throuo-h the Smallmans arul thioua'h the marriaofe of the above Francis, aged 81 in 1663, with Anne, daughter and heir of John Adams of Cleeton. There is an apparent diiliculty created by a paper in the Blakeway Collection in the Bodleian, \\ herein the above Francis Adams of Broseley, is made brother of Charles Adams of Cleeton; this would contradict the above pedigree from the CoUe^-e of Arms, which assio-ns Francis to a different family, and mentions no Charles as son of Thomas and Joyce Smallman. But the Bo etiTsibaci edjr iiiOi'l •0 240 WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS . account was taken from an oral account of the family of Adams of Broseley given in 17C0 by William Aston, nephew of the last-named William Crompton, and apparently calhng Francis younger brother of Charles Adams (who derived Cleeton I'rom his mother, the heiress of it), is a mistake, though the descendants of this Francis, as also of Charles, are correctly given. The Cleeton family is accredited with three different coats of arms (llarl. MS. 1472). Firstly, Per jiale argent and gules, a chevron between 3 (ash ?) leaves counterchanged as per Camden Clarencieux. Secondly, Ermine a chevron vaire inter 3 roses gules, as in Wick- stead's book, and thirdly, it alludes to the fact that Anne, sole daughter and heiress of William Adams of Cleeton, and widow of Francis Adams of Broseley, in 1G37 bore Quarterly 1. Sa. a martlet argt., 2. Quarterly argt. and sable on a cross gules 5 mullets or., 3. Per pale azure and sable 3 fleurs de lis or., 4. Azure a chevron inter 3 wolves' heads or. The first of these coats is that of a family whose pedigree is given in HarL MS. 1975-6 thus :— 1. — Sir Thomas. 11. — John ap Sir Thomas. III. — Adam ap John. IV. — Thomas ap Adam (Adams) married Margaret, daughter of Thomas ap Ilees ap Eignion, and had issue. V. — John, who married Maud, daughter of Wilham Thomas ap Pees ap Eignion, and had issue. YI. — Thomas Jonnes, who married Katherine, daughter of John Elliot (by Julian, daughter of Swaen), son of Jenkin Elliot. In the same ]\IS., fo. 83, the above quarterings are associated with the Herberts, No. 2 being called the coat of Brodspure, and 3 that of Ivor of Gwent, i.e., the AVelsli Ynyr Ddu of Gwent. No. 3 is the coat of Ursula Gower of Pidmarley, so that it is evident that the family of Adams, who married the heiress of Gower of Pidmarley, and whose heiress Anne married Francis Adams of Broseley, were deduced from the same stock as the Herberts. ■■h Lf;'./fiOi voO 'io aa£ •: ■ WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. 241 The Blake way MSS. also leave us in no doubt as to the descent of Anne, daughter and heiress of John A^dams of Cleeton, for we have the following confirmed by Ilarl. MS. 1082. I. — John Ada'Tis of Cleeton married a daughter of Whitton of Whitton, and had issue — 1. John of Cleeton, of whom presently, and 2. Thomas of Cleeton, who married (Margaret) daughter of Harley (of Brampton), and had issue. II. — John Adams of Cleeton, had issue. III. — John Adams 1G13 married .... daughter of Edward Smalman of Wildertop, and had issue a daughter and heir, Anne, 1615. A.D. 1597, 27 Sep. It is gratifying to find that among those persons whose position qualified them for holding ofiices of importance and trust at this time, and who had sufficient public spirit to perform those duties are such time-honoured names as those of Lacon, Bentall, Lockyer, and Horde, as well as Old and Langley. Thomas Lockyer was, probably, the son of Thomas Lockyer of Beslow, lord of the March, by Anne, daughter of Ralph Poyner, brother of Thomas Poyner of Beslow, son of William Lockyer, Baylift' of Wenlock in 1498. This Thomas married Katherine, daughter of Thomas Smalman, but the Smalman Pedigree calls her daughter of Edward Smalman, and sister of Joyce, wife of Th.omas Adams. Their son Francis Lockyer was Bayliff of Wenlock in 1G22. William Iloorde, second son of John Ifoorde of Park Bromage, and Katherine, daughter of Adam Oteley of Picliford, had much to do with drawing up those accounts. lie mai'ried Elizabeth, daughter of Guy Harnage of Shenton. 40 Elizabeth, 29 Sept. Thomas Jukes of Caughley, was the second husband of Margaret, relict of John Daw^es, daughter of William Biest of Atcham, by Lucy, datigliter of Thomas Poyner of Beslow, and one of the three coheirs of her brother John, who obt. s.p. (vide 'rrdHSdctions Shro|), Arch, Soc, (^hurcli of Donington) The Caughley estate vested in tlie Dawes family. .SA/I^ I n ,a.t^ii!iin:ifr: h apmi\7i).}ihfm Uil.i YuO A .(io-! , ^l •ijiii.ii, fi'J 1/ 242 WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. 42 Ellz. The name of rtichard Legge, gent., in this and the previous and subsequent years brings before us a family which has been for some time connected with Shropshire and the neighbouring County of Staf!o)-d- sliire, through the purcliase by the fourth Earl of Dart- mouth of the Patshull and other estates, a family which has gained the respect and goodwill of its neighbours, not only by its position and wealth, but also l)y the courtesy and excellence of its members. Collins says the family of Legge is said to have come from Italy, and William de la Lcga was Sheriff of Ilorefordshire 17 Henry II., the branch of the family established in which county has always been esteemed the elder. Francis Salter married Elizabeth, daughter of William Bayley. He was the son of Thomas Salter of Oswestry, and Alicia, daughter of Richard Lawley of Spoonliill (aunt of Jane, wife of Ste[)hen Smalman), son of Itichard Salter and Anne, daughter of Thomas Pigot of Chet- wynd, second son of John (others say Thomas) Salter of Salter's Hall, near Newport, Co. Salo[), and Rosa, daughter of William Cludd of the Orleton family. With respect to the family of Slaney Blakeway observes, " A flimily tradition derives them from Slaney, a town in Bohemia, IS miles N.AV. of Prague." "It appears from the Records of Shrewsbury that in 1G48 Frederick Slaney, gent., son of Valentine Slaney, de civitate Reofimuntani in Prussia infra dominium Reois Polonie (by which is meant, I presume, Konigsberg) Avas ad- mitted a burgess of that corporation." John and Humphrey Slaney were, probably, sons of John Slaney of Mytton, Co. Stafford, whose brother. Sir Stephen, was Lord Mayor of London in I5U5, and died lOOS, aged 84. The arms, Gules a bend inter 3 martlets or., are said to have been granted in 1505 to Sir Stephen, son of John, and grandson of Ralph of Vardley, Co. Worcester. Robert Slaney, grandson of John, brother of Sir Stephen, married in 1072 Anne, daughter of Thomas ]\roreton of Brocton Grange, Co. Staff., son of Richard Moreton, who had received Brocton Grange, H sriT WENLOCK COllPORATION HECOEDS. 243 and apparently the lordship of Beymishall or Donington, by devise from his niece Anne, daughter and coheir of Robert Moreton and Joyde, daughter of Thomas Lee of Langley, which Thomas Lee was son of Fulk Lee, and grandson of llichard (Sheriff Salop 1479], and Margery, daughter and coheir of Sir Fulk Sprenchose, amongst whose Lordships wus tliat of Beymishall als Donington, and we find this lordshi[> held by the Slaney family in 1771, when the common lands in that parish were enclosed, though it subsequently piissed to tlie family of Whiston, from whor.i it descended to that of Bishton, ;ind from them by purchase in the earlier part of the present century to that of Jones, formerly of Chilton, in the parish of Atcham. 9 Jas. I. ]\Iorrice or Morris Benthall was a younger brother of Lawrence. He was buried 7th Oct., 1G09. There is a family of Blakeway still resident at Little Wenlock. The name Harryott is peculiar. There is an estate on the extreme eastern border of the county adjoining Ohillington called Harriotts Hayes. 1G17. Sir Edward Bromley, one of the Barons of the Exchequer, was of Shiffnall, and married Margaret, daughter and heir of Nicholas Lowe of Tymore, in En- ville, Co. StaiY., but died s.p. on the 2nd June, 1G26. He was the son of Sir George Bromley of Hallon, in Worfield parish, by Joane, daughter and heir of John Waverton and Alice his wife, sole daughter and heir of George Barker of Hallon, and grandson of George Bromley of Hodnet (Sheriff in 1522) by Jane, daughter of Sir Thomas Tjacon of Willey. 1() Jas. [. John Bcntall or Benthall is probably the younger brother of Lawrence, and married Joyce, dauo-hter of Georo^e Forster and Elizabeth Moreton. Their son, Lawrence, succeeded to the estate, and was Connnissioner of Array for the King. 18 Jas. I. Thomas Wolrych was born at Worfield in 1598, and was subsequently Member of Parliament for Wenlock. He married Ursula, daughter of Thomas Oteley of Pichford. His sisters Mary and Elizabeth .1... .i,..v.- ■-.. ,^ ....... . -yv. ..... .-..-1 , ,- .. ... .,,,id r e£-.: ,j;,:j- ,;..-: ^U Jo T .1 i .h 244 WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. married respectively John Grey of Eiiville (by whom she had is-, lie Mary, wife of WiUiam Ward), and Jolm Puleston of Emral. Their mother was Margaret, sister of Sir Edward Bromley. 1()21. Sir Francis Lacon of Kinlet, Co. Salop (Sheriff 1012), married Jane, daughter of Antliony Browne, Viscount Montague. He was owner of Willcy and Kinlet. Blake way {Sheriffs of SJiropshire) says " lie sold largely, and his son Rowland suffered much in the service of Charles I." Curiously enough, under the year lG-12, Blakeway says that John Weld " purchased Willey from Sir Thomas Lacon of Kinlet, some time, as I ap- prehend, between 1612 and 1023." The only Thomas of this time was the younger brother of Sir Francis, who had the Linley estate. Sir Francis was succeeded by his son, Rowland, who married Mary, daughter of Sir Robert Purslow of Sudbury, Co. Salop, Kt., by his second wife, Jane, daughter of Arthur Salwey of Stan- ford, Co. Worcester, and had a sole daughter and heir, Anne, wife of Sir William Childe, a Master in Chancery, descended from an ancient family seated at Northwick, Co. Worcester, from whom descend the present noble and courteous owners of the Kinlet estate. Their daughter, Muriel Childe, married Francis Berkeley of Ewdness, near Woriield, whose daughter, Laconia (from Lacon) mariied Edward Browne of Caughley, and in possession of the writer (their descendant in the female line) amongst other old family papers is a deed dated 2nd May 15 James I. between Sir Francis Lacon of Kinlet, Bt., and Rowland Lacon, Esq., his son and heir, of the first part, and Walter Waukless of Ilaranesh als Hamneshe Clifford, Co. Hereford, yeoman, of the other part, by which the former sell to the latter the manor of Hamnesh, &c. Signed ffra. Lacon, Rowe Lacon, and on the back is a memorandum to the effect that seizin was given to the said Walter Waukless on 5th l^Iay, 1()17. This is evidently a deed of the Sir Francis luuler consideration and Rowland his son and heir. Loyalty and recusancy greatly reduced this old and wealthy if! h-r '}., »fr?r^- CI .vo):l bni5 , lo.a^^i^'^ V •1 mlj ifoidv/ yd trf7/!q WENLOCK CORPORATION RRCORDS. 245 family. Fuller speaks of them in 1662 as " shrewdly shattered in estate." Humphrey Brigges was of Ei-ns- tree Park, in the parish of Didlebiiry, and Sheriff of Shropshire in 1005. He was the son of Oliver Brigges of Ernestree, who married firstly Jane, daughter of Richard Habingdon of Brockhampton, and secondly Anne, daughter of Humphrey Coningsby of Neen Solers, Co. Salop. The second wife was the mother of Oliver, who augmented his estate by marrying Anne, daughter and coheir of llobert Moreton of Haughton, near Shiffnall. He frequently acted as agent for the family of Grey of Buildwas, and his son and heir, Moreton Brigges, married Cresagon, daughter of John Grey of Buildwas, and Lady of the Manor of Humphreston, Co. Salop, when it v/as alienated by an apparently forced sale to Edmund Waring, the parliamentarian. Sheriff' of Salop in 1057. Their daughter, Frances, was wife of Ferrers Fowke, from which family descended Catherine, Lady of that Manor in 1836, but the male line was continued by the eldest son, Humphrey Brigges, and became Baronets. They subsisted at Haughton until Sir Hugh Brigges (Sheriff 1747), dying without issue, left his sisters co-heirs, the eldest of whom married Edward Chandler Bishop of Durham, and left issue, vvhile the second, Elizabeth, became the wife of Leigh Brooke, and so progenitress in the female line of the ]a(,e Rev. John Townshend Brooke of Haughton Hall, and Richard, his brother, of whom it may be remarked that it is difficult to say which exceeded the other in courtesy, kindness, ability, and culture. Walter Acton was of Aldenham and Sheriff of Shropshire in 1030. He added to his paternal estate by marrying Frances, daughter and heir of Edward Acton of Acton Scott, and their son Edward, an eminent loyalist, was created a Baronet 17th Jan., 10-13, a title which has descended to Lord Acton, the present representative of the family. Thomas Hoorde was of Park Bromage, and had married Mary, daughter of Edward Fox of Ludlow, by Jane, daughter of Adam Oteley of Pitchford, son of Ednumd '/ J I ii: Ma a.ao'(jiB I lo Li ..It i;-n.>.a •/ i(j fi5 Ji J5 i> fjOU vjoA b-roJ cj Ht iliit^i to tuv/ 'L>i ntofiT 246 WENLOCK COIIPORATION RECORDS. Fox of Liidford, and Katherine, dauoliter of Thomas Trenthani of llowcester, son of Willi;un of St. Jolm's, previously mentioned, whose daiigliter Catherine married Francis Adams of Caynham. 20 Jas. J. Henry Mytton of Shipton, died 17 Sep., 1G63, and was buried at Shij)ton. From him descended the family whose name is still connected with this in- teresting old mansion, the residence of Mrs. Mytton. 21 Jas. I. Itichard Turnour was of Grays Inn, and had married Susannah, daughter and heir of John Farmer of London, Grocer, i.e. , of the Grocers' Company, a younger son of the Farmers or Fermors of Easton Neston, from whom the late Fails of Pounfret descended, Ilichard was the son of John Turner of the Woodhouses, in the Parish of Shiifnall, by Margaret, daughter of . . . Cowper of Weston, Co. Staif., son of John Turner, of Coleyhall, near Newport, Co. Salop. Francis Berkeley was of Ewdness, Clungunford, Leahall, Bradley and Stoke. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Roland Button of Hatton, Co. Chester, and Eleanor, his wife, daughter of Thomas Scriven of Frodesley, Co. Salop, by Elizabeth, daughter of John Leighton of Watles- burgh, and Joyce, daughter of Edward, Lord Dudley, llobert Tliorne or TliOinus appears to be the third son of Boger Thornes of Shelvock, buried in St. ]\Iarv"s, Shrewsbury, 1531, by Jane, daughter of Sir Hofer Kynaston and ]l]lizabeth his wife, daughter of Hcmy Grey, Lord Tankerville, Bobert Thornes married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Port of Bridgnorth, and so became connected with this neiirhbourhood. 22 Jas. L We have some mention of the family of Bishop of the Moor under other families. Thus Ilichard Adams of Cleeton, married a daughter of John Bishop of the Moor, and at a somewhat later period Anne, daughter of William Llopton of Hopton Wafre, l)y Elizabeth, daughter of William Fox of Ludlow, married Ilichard P)ishoj) of the Moore, h^dmund Inillock was the fourth son of Nicholas by Mary, daughter of William INlinde of Minde. He married Dorothy, daughter of to ■J8iH\' .5 i 'lo aire ii L>i\r, Wi'^NI-OCK OORPORA'ITON III'.CORDS. 247 Georf^e Smith of Morville, and of St. James',BL-i(lgriorth. On the 4th June, 1 550, Sir John Pcri'ott gi-autoil the Manor of St. James', Bridgnorth, tlien lately a chantry, to Roger Smith of Morville, the father of George Smith. This Sir John Perrott was a natural son of Ifenry VIU- hy Mary, wife of Thomas Perrott or Perrot(wdio is said l)y George Owen to have introduced pheasants into Pembrokesliire from Ireland), and daughter of James, second son of Maurice, Lord Berkeley. Sir John married twice, and left many descendants (vide an account of the family by Pev. E. L. Barnwell). 2 Chas. 1. Sir llumplu-ey Lee was the lirst Shrop- shire man who was created a Baronet, and received this dignity in 1G20. Having married Margaret, daughter of Eeginald Corbet jure uxoris of Stoke, he had a son and heir, Ilichard Lee, who alighting upon the evil days of the Civil Wars, was compelled to pay to the Parliament, that ideal Palladium of British liberty, the sum of £3719 as a composition for his estate, and jL'169 per annum. The estates finally devolved upon the two daughters of this Bichard, llachel, wife of Ralph Cleaton, and Mary, wife of Edward Sniythe, who with great and perhaps rare generosity, interposed with his father-in-law in order that his other dauo-hter should have her share of the property. Edward Smythe was created a Baronet shortly after the Bestoration, and from him descends the present owner of Acton Burnell and Langley. William Steventon of Dothill, married Sarah, sister of Henry Dawes of Caughley (who married Jane, daughter of Lawrence Benthall of 13enthall), and daughter of John Dawes by Margaret, daughter and coheir of John Beist of Atcham. 'J'heir daughter Mary married Francis Haughton of Beckbury, Co. Salop, and their son and heir John married J\h»ry, daughter of Sir Bichard Newpi)rt, alierwards Lord Newport. She married secondly, Francis Forester of Wattling Street, to whom her son by the first marriage, Bichard Steventon, devised the Dothill estate, near Wellington, Co. Salop, Vol. \ 1., 2nd S. Kl'-: 1, Jt:.-. ^' i: •/ . *r/ lUlW fjiit 1^ .« jjiii: 248 AVENLOCK CORPOIIATIOX RECORDS. which lias thence descended to the present Lord Forester. Thefuniily orirau<^liton of Jjeckbury acquired that estate by purcluise, hut, as is not unfrequentiy the case, was descended from the origirial owner of it. The first in the Visitation is — J. — lloger Haughton of Swyney, Co. Salop. This is the Swyney or Sweeney, or Sw^nney, near Broseley, and not to be confused with Sweeney, near Oswestry, Co. Salop, formerly the property of the Kyffins. II. — lloger, son of tlie above, had issue. III.— Iloger of Beckbury, who married Margaret, daughter of Tliomas Wohych of Uudmaston, and Eliza- beth, daughter and coheir of Wilhara Ivowley of Co. Staff. iVrg. on a bend sa. inter 3 Cornish choughs of tlie last, 3 escallops of the first (Add. MSS. 14,314). They had issue. IV. — Iloger Haughton of Beckbury, who married Mary, daug°hter of Sir Edward Grey of Enville, Beck- bury, &c. Of this ancient and interesting manor Eyton says — Hugh de Beckbury hving 119G, was amerced with his brother Thomas 1209. He died in 1226, leaving by his wife Alicia de Mussun, John, and Hugh of Harrington. Of these John, who was amerced in Oct., 1227^, and was dead in 1254, left issue; Philip de Beckbury, living in 1292, father of John. In the pre- sentments made at Tutbury, 7 December, 1323, before John Stonore and his fellow Justices, we find mentioned amongst others, Bichard de Beccaburi and John atte More, subtaxers of PatshuU, who were fined one mark. In the quindem of S. Trin., 35 Ed. L, Bichard de Becke- bury occurs as a juror of Seisdon Hundred and at the as- sizes taken at Wolverhampton before Wilham de Shares- hull, &c., on the 2 1st Dec, 1338, was a trial as to whether John, son of Bichard de Oldynton, and Joan his wife, and Bichard de Beckbury had unjustly disseized Thomas, son of Bichard de Oldynton of a messuage and caru- cate of land 4 acres of meadow and 2 acres of wood in Oldynton near Patshull. John stated, as tenant, that the said lands, &c., were Ibrmerly tlie possession of ■J hiui 'I'jhh^iji '< -■ •(* ;; ffO .'Ljff ■'aid ri^tlw ; w !■!?;<' bfU^ 'l{ WENLOCIv CORPORATION RECORDS. 249 Kicbard de Beckbiiry, father of Thomas, whose heir he is, and that tliis Richard was called iiidiffereiitly llichard de Oldynton and Richard de Beckburj, but that the said Richard by a deed dated 9th Ed. III., which he produced, had eiifeolTed him the said John, by the name ofJohn, sonof Rtichard de Beckbury and his heirs in the aforesaid lands, &:c., so that Richard did not die seized of these possessions. Thomas did not deny the Deed, but asserted that his father Richard had died seized of the said lands, and that he had entered into them as his father's heir until disseized by John and the other defendants. The cause came before a jury, who decided that the said Richard, father of Thomas, had enfeolfed the said John before his death, and that he did not die seized of the said possessions, the suit was therefore dismissed. John de Beckbury conveyed that miuior to his dauj^hter and her husband by line 23 Ed. III. and in default of heiis then to her right heirs. This daughter, Petronilla, heiress of Beckbury, married Thomas de la Lowe of Whittino-ton, in the parish of Kinver, Co. Stafford (Blakeway). Arg. on a bend az. three wolves' heads erased of the field and their son. Sir Edmond de la Low, who had a licence for the Divine Offices to be celebrated in the Chapel of his mansion at Whittington. from the Bishop of Lichiield, 12th Sep., 1401, left by his wife Eleanor, a son and heir, John, lord of Wytynton, father of Humphrey Lowe of Enville and Beckbury, Sheriff of Shropshire in 1439. Plumphrey Lowe married Alice, daughter and heir of William Botener of Withybrooke, Co. Warwick, by whom he had a daughter, Eleanor, heiress of Enville and Beckbury, which she carried to her husband, l^obertGrey, son of Reginald Loixl Grey of Uuthyn by loan, sole heir of VVilliam Lord Astley. Their son, Humphrey Grey of k^nville and Ijockbury, married Anne, daughter of William Eeilding of Co. Warwick, by whom he had issue Sir Edward Grey of Enville, Whittington, Beckbury, &c., who married Joyce, daughter of John Iloorde, obt. 31st May, 1494, by fiostaf" ... . /low aoufj .scbf}9?i yi '3b briornhM iiS ,(foa '' % IruA ,iis\o'u , ii^d HosH bnjj Vvi l ! ;V^>il/' .111(1 1 10 250 WENLOCK COKPORATION RKCORDS. Alice, daughter of William Bulkeley of Beaumaris, 01)1. 'iCth July, 1520, son of Thomas Ilooide, obt. 11th June, 1498, by Joyce, daughter and coheir of John Stnpleton, obt. 12 I'ly. YI. l»y tliis alliance Sir Edward Grey was fatlior of Mary, wife of Koger Ilaughton of Beckbury, and also of a son, Thomns Grey, wlio suc- ceeded to the paternal estates, and nominated to the living of Beckbury in 1535. Tie married Elizabeth, dauglitor oi' Sir Kdward Vorncy, or, as others say, Anile, dauglitcT of Sir Ralph Vernon, brother of Sir Henry of 'fong Ca.^le (IFarl. MS. G128), and had issue John Giey, wlio sold the Mansion House and lands in Beckbury to his cousin, John Ihiughton of lieckbuiy, 30th May, 1578. lie also sold Enville to his distant cousin Henry, Lord Grey of Groby. lloger Ilaughton and Mary, his wife, had issue, a daughter, Margaret, wife of Walter Somerford of Somerford, and a son. V. — John Ilaughton of Beckbury Hall, by purchase from his cousin, John Grey, in 1578. He is buried at Beckbury, and by Margaret, his wife, daughter of Humphrey Somerford of Somerford; Co. Stafford, left issue, with others. 1. Eoger, of whom hereafter. 2. Thomas of Co. Worcester, who, marrying a daughter of .... Bayley of Stoke, Co. Worcester, had a daughter, wife of John Hanbury of Beanhall, Co. Worcester, obt. 1G7G, and mother of Jonas Hanbury of B>eanhall. 3. Frances, wife of Roger r>crrington of Shrewsbury, whose daughter Eleanor,marrying Thomas Stephens of London, was^ father of Elizabeth Stephens, wife of Isaac Scott of Shrewsbury. yX._lloger (Richard?) Ilaughton, the son and heir in 1G23, married fn-stly a daughter of Tremonger, and secondly IMargarct, daughter of John Leighlon of Leigh- ton, by whom ho had issue, with others, a son and heir.^ YU. — Francis Ilaughton, who married twice, one of his wlv^s being Mary, daughter of William Steventon of Dothill, and Sarah (nee J)awes), and the other Mar- garet, (laughliM- of llicliard Tlioi-|ics of Shclvock, by Kli/abolli, daughter of I^Mward iMiLton, by whom he X, ill) V ,'(0 :i .I'-foi.— .V {y{6h'')trn>t'< v^ 'tN^rsi' ,v-'t: ( I'/,' ■ /j 01 ( /irofJv/ fJ ,i! ' aid WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. 251 had issue, with a daughter Margaret six months old in 1023, a son. VIIL — Thomas Haughton. The T3eckbury estate passed a Httle hiter into the possession of Sir llichard Astley, Bt., of Patshull, probably by purchase, wlio settled it upon his natural daughter, Anne, her mother being a lieynells. Anne married Walter Stubbs of Harrington, buried at Beck- bury l3thSep., 1697. Their son Walter succeeded to Heckbury, and died 22nd October, 1700, leaving by his wile Eleanor Jones, with other issue, a son AValter, who died in 1815, having married Harriett, eldest daughter of William Hunt of Stratford on Avon, by whom he had issue eight children, of whom Walter the eldest died s p., haVing sold Beckbury to his brother William. Frederick, the third, but eldest son, who left issue, married Matilda, only child of John Powis Stanley of Watenore, and was father of the late Orlando Stubbs, for many years the popular Master of the Albrighton Fox Hounds. He married his cousin, Octavia Jane, daughter of Edward the fourth son, and left issue an only son, Frederick Orlando. Edward, the fourth son, was of Woofertou; near Ludlow, and having married Mary Anne, daughter of William Pickering of Ludding- ton, Co. Warwick, had issue ten children, of whom Octavia Jane was wife of her cousin, Orlando, and her sister l^dith Wyndham succeeded to the i^eckbury Hall estate by devise of her uncle, William the fifth son, who had purchased it from his eldest brother. 8 Chos. I. There were two persons named Francis Adams about this time, as previously noticed, one a descendant of a iamily formerly resident at Oleaton in Bitterley, who was dead in 1037, and the other of a flimily resident near Newport, Co. Salop, who was living to a nuich later })eriod. 8 Charles 1. Richard Jones was a barrister, and of a family connected with Weidock and its neighbourhood. A(iam Tiittleton, subs(M|uonlly Sir Adam, was the eklcst son of Thomas Littleton of Stoke Saint Milburgh (no ,;r :u !.ia,a .ffOJ'iotoo'V •'Jj;}(i IWT.0 ■ii-vd lo «'5»V/' ^j;'- lihi'(ii;<:)D , . al 8-[0't;-: ... ■ .J 9 (let •OiiT >!{W oriT ujh>»> .if>>ti^jiw;i ^U^^|•.rt•J l.J ^U 254 WEfsLOCK CORPORATION REOORDS- Grey of Bulldwas (Harl. MS. 1,39G), tliough others say of Edward Grey of Build was. lie was made a Knight in his fatlier's lifetime, and married four wives, but the mother of his heir was the second wife, Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Sir Tiichard Wilbraham of Wood- hey, "Co. Chester, a family already connected with Shropshire. Thomas de Wilburgham married INIargaret, daughter and heir of John Golborne, Lord of Woodhey, by "'which match tliat manor came into the family. Their son Thomas, who died 7 Henry VII. , married Margaret, daugliter of Thomas Swetenham, and liad issue a daughter, Margaret, wife of Thomas Hill, third son of Humphrey Hill of Buntingsdale (by Agnes, daughter and heir of John Bird, heir of David de Malpas) and mother of llowhmd Hill, Lord Uiijov of I^ondon in 1549, and also a son, William Wilbraham pf Woodhey, who by his wife Helena, daughter of Philip Egerton of Egerton, had with other issue, Bichard, Master of the Revels and of the Jewel house to Queen Mary, also M.P. for Co. Chester. He married Dorothy, daughter of Richard Grosvenor of Eaton, and had issue, Thomas of Woodhey and Tilston, obt. 1010, who marry- ing Frances, daughter of Sir Hugh Cholmondeley of Choimondeley, was father of Richard, created a Baronet in 1621, who by Grace, sister of Thomas, first Viscount Savage, was succeeded in 1G43 by his son Sir Thomas, a distinguished Royalist, who survived the Restoration, and had'' issue by Elizabeth, daughter and coheir of Sir Roger Wilbraham of Bridgemore, Co. Chester, a son, Sir°Thomas, Bart., who marrying Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Edward Mytton of Weston, Co. Stalford, left at his death in IGGS three coheirs, Elizabeth, wife of Sir Thomas Middleton of Cliirk Castle, Grace, wife of Lionel, Lord Dysart, and Udvy, wife of Richard Newport, Earl of Bradford. ]\lorton Briggs, whose signature is appended, was probably, the younger brother of Sir Humphrey, who was killed during the Civil War, on the side of the King, at Stourton Castle, Co. Stafford, leaving no issue. Their sister Frances 'OoV^ "io ajj an J. ^r 7,^ ,,t:^'!' iioinlodt) ;rnc:< . i( UJj.JiJ !;^;^'f or p;f:n";r AVENLOCK COlirOKATlON UECOllDS. 255 was wife of Ferrers Fowke of Brewood Hall, Co. Staff., two of whose children are buried in Doiiingtoii Church, havini(, j)rol)aljly, dioil while visitiiii!,' their graiuhiiother, Lady l^ri«^^gs, at llumphrestoii Hall, in the iieighhour- hood. 23 Chas. I. Humphrey Mack worth was born in 1603, and in 1642 was appointed by the Parliament a committee for raisino- the weekly assessment in this county in sup[)ort of tlieir army, so that Charles I., when at Bridgnorth in October of that year, alludes to him as one who '* had assisted his Majesty's adversaries in a deep measure." He became a leading member of the Conmiittee for Shropshire formed to borrow money from the well affected, and to seize the property of the Koyalists, the Ecclesiastics, and the Papists. He was subsequently Govenour of Shrewsbury after its capture from the lloyalists, and in 1051 was president of the Court which sentenced the Earl of Derby to be be- headed at Bolton. (Blake\vay's Sheriff':^.) His descend- ants seem to have felt how little conducive it is to the liberty of Englishmen that any branch of the legislature should assume an undue proportion of power or position. A.D. 1658. Sir John Pershall or Peshall was born 22nd February, 1562, created a Baronet in 1612, and in 1615 was Sheriff of Staffordshire. He was the son of Thomas Peshall of Horseley, Co. Stafford, by loan or Jane, daughter and coheir of Sir Edmund Fettiplace or Pheti[)lace of Bessils Leigh, Co. Berks. She was the widow of Anthony Windsor, and sister of Dorothy, who married in 1556 Henry Cassey of ^Vhitfield, Co. Gloucester, obt. 1505, and was by him mother of Thomas, who died 1634, leaving by Cassandra, his wife, daughter of John Gitiard of C'lullington, (-o. Stafford, with other issue, a daughter Catherine, wife of Lawrence Benthall of Benthall, Co. Salop. The house at Horseley was burnt down during this Sir John's life, and he him- self died in 1646, aged 84. He married Anne, daughter of Balph Sheldon of Beoley, ('o. Worcester, by Anne Throgmovton, who, it may be lemembcred, was sister ,01 •ri 3l\:f sU 8/imoiiT 9dio iiijiiiiida 256 WENLOCK CORrOIlATION RECORDS. of Mabel Sheldon, wife of William Gower of Pvidmarley, Co, Worcester, and mother of Ursula Gower, coheir, wife of William Adams of Cleaton. Thus there was already a connection between Sir John Peshall and Shropshire. Both he and his wife were buried in Eccleshall Church, Co. Stafford. Their son Thomas married J3rido-et, daufditer of William Stafford of Blatherwick, Co. Northampton, and, dying in his father's life time, left issue. The Sir John Peshall, whose name is recorded, wdio was born 30th Sep., 1G28, succeeded to the Baronetcy at the death of his grand- father, and married IGGO Frances, daughter of Colonel Thomas Leigh of Adlington. He died in 1701. We are indebted for these transcripts to the kindness of Francis Benthall, Esq., F.S.A., of Buckfast Abbey, in Devonshire, than whom there are few who have a more fervent love for our county, a more intimate knowledge of her history and the genealogies of her families, or a more kindly interest in everything con- ducive to her welfare. Extracts from the Corporation Records of Wenloch. Die Martis p'xmi post festuin S'cti anno reg. reg. Edw. 4'' viij" omnes tenentes Burgi de Wenloke per virtutem cartiB regia3 sibi concessro ehgaverunt Joh'em Lawloy Eallum Biirgi vilhu (le Wcnlok ct dat Je fine xiij^ iiij'^ W" Clarke armiger silicet Edm'^ Benethale silet Rich. Stevens vicarius silicet Joli'es More de Larden Tho' Lawley Sen. silet In dei no'ie Amen Die martis prox post fm s'ti Gregorii Ep'ci Anno regni regis Edwardi iii.j'' viij vener' congregati adminc'e om'es tene'tes Burgi de Wenloke 'et per virtutem cartai Regiii3 sibi concessce eligunt Joh'em Lawley in lege perito Ballivum Burgi Villas de Wenloke. Et post hec eodem die Bog'iis prior de Wenloke eloct'us et jurat ]iriiaus Burgeiisis ad libertatcs Burgi de Wenloke ct dat de fine xiij^ iiij'^ Will's Clcrko armig' "silet, Uic'us Owen vicar silet, Tlio. Lawley sen'' silet ICdni^ Benthalc silet Joh'es ^lorc de Larden, llic'us AVavde de Wenl. 5 11 y. vij. S' Thos' Day. Magna Wenlock, Election of William Clerk baylift" William Heyward coroner, John Smith, -i? 1. V :,W. 0 b'hh ivco'i^ JO'ji : WEDLOCK COlll'OllATION RECORDS. 257 Treasurer. Item pMict Eall'us elegit Joli'om Wilkyns pro predicto anno servientera ad cla'ni (scrjeant). G lly. vij. The account of Baylill" William Clerk given on the Feast of S*^ Matthew the A])ostle. The iJurgesses adinitted were, William Charlton, J(^hn Taylor, John Dike, 8 My. vij. Account of William (Jharluton, haylill", from the Mon(hiy after the Feast of S'' .Michael in this year to the same date next year. Credit is taken for the fee of oihce of his substitute in the Court Nicholas Corb3'n, 2G'' 8'' for ins fee on account of his office and 10^ for the fee of office of N. Corbyn. 9 Ily. vij. We(hies(hiy S'' Thos' day. Election of Thomas Laken esq''^ baililf, liich'' Jxdcer, Coroner. The said bayliff elects Thomas \\'alton his Serjeant. 10 lly. vij. Account of Thomas Tiawlcy esq'''^, Bayliff from Monday next after the Feast of S' Michael to the same date next year. He claims credit for his own fee of office and that of John Horde, Justiciarii advis. 11 Hy. vij. St. Thos' Day. Election of Nicholas Corbyn bailiff, Rich'^ J^-^egg coroner. The names of those who elect the baylit^ are, Richard Taylour, W'» Walton, W'» Gyttons, Ricli'^ Benyraer, Thos. Walton, John Wilks, John Smyth, Rich*-' Glover, Ricli*^ Legge, John Mason, John Somer. Tlie said Nicholas, the Bayliff appointed Thomas Stone his serviens ad clam'am. 12 Hy. vij. Sunday, S' Thos' of Hereford's day. Election of Ricli'^ Haugliton Esq'''^ Bayliff, Richard Tayllour Coroner. The said bailiff elects Roger lleynes Serjeant ad clamam. The account of Rich'^ Houghton Esq'''^ Baylitf from j\Ionday next after the Feast of S'' Michael 12 Hy, vij to the same date in the next year. 14 lly. vij. S' Thos' of Hereford's day. llllection of William (Hiarhiton escj''^ bailil'f, John Smith coroner. The bailill elects Rich"^ Berker servicus ad clamam. The account of \\'"' Cliar- leton bailiff from the day after Michael** Day 14 Hy. \'ij to the same day in tlie next year. 15 lly. vij, MIeclion of Kich'^ l'''or5'^ es(|''' bailill". Account of Ivich'' ijogg. 17 Hy. vij. S*^ Thos' of Hereford. I^^iection of John Leyghton bailiff'. 18 Hy. vij. S^ Thos' of Hereford. Election of W'» Clark bailiff. li) lly. vij. S. Thos. of Hcrel''. Thomas Lakyn Es(j'"'. 20 lly. vij. J^^lection of Rich'' Hawlon bailiff. 2;> li}'. vij. h'dection of William Charlton bailill', John Lawley, Sen' gent., Coroner. The six men arc John Lawley, i' ,( I »' i v*»:'vi ' i\M«ij.'i :i«i V' ad Jo ,flrft'm/.la m ;*,? tiojiij 258 WEN LOCK COIIPORATION RECORDS. jun'', gent., Thomas More, John Wylk, Tlios. Smyth, Thillip Sprott, Tliomaa Lymell. 24* Hy. vij. S. Thos' of Ilorcford. Election of John Lawley, juu'', baiUll, \V'" Pcyntor, coroner. Ric'us llarnago do Sheynton armiger admitted a Burgess 3 Hy. viij. Monday next after S. Peter's day 3 Hy. viij Piic'us Foster de Evelyn Gent, achnissus Burgensis, Thomas Laken Arm. ball curi;e pcnultimo die. 17 Hy. viij. Monday in the Feast of S. Thos. of Hereford. Lawrence Ludlow, Bailiff. 19 Hy. viij. Wcdnestlay G"' in the Feast of S. Tiiomas of Hereford. Election of Ricliard Charlton gent" Baylil!, Pdch'-' Baker Coroner. His account follows. 20 Hy. viij. S' Tlios. of Herof^. Election of Edward More Baylitil, \V"' More, Coroner, John ^[ynstcrley^ Treasurer. 22 Hy. viij. Proclamation for maintaining archery and putting down unlawful games. Treasurership account of liicliard Charlton Bailiti' rendered 9 Oct. 15-11. Ordinance made 22 Oct. 24 Hy. viij. in the time of Richard Charlton gent, then baylilf tiiat every bailili' therefrom hence- forth shall make his accoumpte oppon Sa'nt Thomas of Harford Day before none and to pay the said accompt that as he shall hd in debet uppon payn off forffetyng to the franchise the sum of x' & yfl lie so do not that the bayly next after then chosen within hys tyme sue for the same x' or ells he to forfett x' &5 so every bayly after other after the same manor & fforme for ever. Wednesday S. Thomas of Hereford's Day 21; Hy. viij. election of William More Bailiff and Ralph Wilkocks coroner, among the burgesses present are Edw'^ l)yke and Edmund Litilhale, & Richard Gyttens (who was Coroner in 1520). 3 Oct. 2-i Hy. viij. admission of W'" Fenny mer, Burgess. Mem'" of Adm" of John Wulls in the time of Bailiff More, the like of Thomas Turtc and Thomas Deyes. 25 Hy. viij. Treasurership of ace' of W'" More bailiff. Feast of S. Thos. of Hereford 25 Hy. viij. Election of John Bradeley Bailiff, Edmund i.itallialo coroner. 2G liy. viij. S' Thos. of Hereford's Day Elect" of Rich'^ Charlton gent, bailiff &; Richard Gyttins coroner. Treasurer- ship aec' of Rich'' Charlton gent, for the 27 year of Hy. viij. Among the receipts is ' Lcm ress' (jf Raffe LitN'lhvs for the debt of Edmund Lytylhulys liys Father vi' viii'^ (Vrr^ i.u; lbijd'9' • ,[iiv .V [iiy .vl'l 0^ r:;ii!:)lJ. „.'ljii-;,..ii;;a.. iU U iilJUuvN') r( »";t 9l>^ii; "■// io a ,n'!v .^il ' ' .(.dot 1o "u!J' iuJJi aVJuT r?i;:i: i. <.,(*....■(.;■/> 4. s. d. xxvj vii_ vj vii, X vj vii wenLock corporation records. 259 Alocat p per dictum ball'm Imprimis for the bayley's fee It. tlio recorders fee It. the stewards fee It. the serching fee It. the court house It. paper... It. the steward for the wry tyng "j oft the bylls of the muster > ij to tlie the sheriff j It. to the serchant ior the bord ( of John Somers 5 weeks j 27 Ily. viij. S' Tlios. of Hereford's Day Eh-ction of John ])radeley of the ruihring bailiff John lleyward coroner and John Mynstcrley treasurer. Admission of liich'^ \\'ilkocks & liich*^ Lacon Esq'''^ as burgesses. 2h' Ily. viij S' Thos. of Hereford's J)ay. Election of Rich^ Lacon Esq'' bailiff, John Sutherne Coroner & John liradeley (senior) treasurer, Edward Dyke and others sixmen. Tiie compt. off Ivich^ Lacon Esquier for tyme off his Bayshipp for the yere above written. s. d. s.^ d. . . . wages ... vj viij Item the Sess costs xiij vj Item tlie Court house ij Item for wine to the Item paper ... iij Comiss vj 29 Hy. viij S"^ Thos. of Hereford's Day. Election of Richard Wrottesley gent" bailiff' John Smallman coroner k, John Sotherne treasurer. Edward Dyke and others sixmen. .30 Hy. viij S' Thos. of Hereford's Day. Election of Richard Charlton Gent, baylift, Hugh i\[ayall Coroner, John Sotherne treasurer. Sixmen Thos. 13enbow and others. Acc*^ of the above baylift". I s. d. Item, the receipt of the Exchequer ... iiij viij Item for a blak colt send by llich'^ Lakyn Squier for an exchete ... ... Item the costs of the Comiss ... ... xvj Item for Carpenters for squaring of timber ij ix Item for bord of ij men for ij days... ... viij Item for wyno for my lord president ... x\_i Item for the bedall ... ... .. ... iij Item for the borde of a })ris;)ncr viij dayes xvj It. for the costs of the accompt ... .. x\.l Item to tlie .... for his payncs for the somyning of the musters & gathyring the burgess money r>er;oxf j'ltr .:di 101 Oil:} JO '.^)&ft .s'i-^'>i!Jo ofT/:^ v/oJiiati .aoi.IT X) .K tilY t«^' nvjiitJ 1 ( 'f'-i' iiiv 1; >-.'■. ' 1.'^' .., iff [•rA ■'i'^-- 17 /. >r r; -Ir -tij lo ; JlJUili ''ic: 260 WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. 31 ITy. viij. S* Thos. of Hereford's Day. Election of William More Ijailift', Thos. Benbow of Iloppton coroner, John Suthern Treasurer. Admissions of Burgesses. Account of Will"' iMore bailil't' taken before the six men 2 Oct. o2 Ily. viij. In thu continuation of this account the bailill' claims credit for 20 sliillings paid to Thomas Uuttlcr clerk, the vicar which he owes to the baylilV as above, i.e. for the benefit of tlie franchise. 32 Hy. viij. Sabbath Day 2 Oct. S' Thos. of Hereford's Day. Election of John Sothurne bailiff, W"^ Tourdo Coroner, John ? Among the electors are, Thomas Benbow of Callaughton, Edward ])yko placed amoni^ the electors for our Lord the King by Roland Lord Bishop of Lichfield and Presi- dent of the Council of our Lord the King as in law the prior of Wenlock, John Heyward of Walton, lial[)h Lytalhale. N.B. — This is the first entry, by which it appears that the electors were sworn previously to voting, and where tlie names of the electors present are first entered and the result of the election subscribed. The entries from and inclusive of this date are fuller than they were before, probably under the influence of the Vicar, Mr. Bottelar, Infrascript Joh'es Sotherns Ball elegit subball de franch Thorn. Mounslow et jurat est. N.B. — This is the first entry of the appointment of a sub-bailiff. It is not the usual appointment of servicus ad clam', but clearly " subball." 33 Hy. viij. 2 Oct. Election of John Bradcley Jun'' bailiff. This is followed by a U)ng and interesting baylill's a(icount rendered by John Bradcley. Hubert Chase of Barton Coroner, Hugh Benbow Treasurer. Mem. 9=^ xxvj° die Septembris An° xxxiiij H. 8 Ric'us Lee ar admissus est Burges vilUc do Wenlok ad omnes libertates ibidem et jur et sol c'" feed xx*^ .... compot supra Joh'is Bradeley supra nominati Balli' fact 'cor Thesauris'et sex ho'ies et alii {sic) Burges ij die Octobris anno Beg. Regis H. viij xxxiiij. 34 lly. viij 2 Oct. Election of Ricliard Lee Escf^ bailiff Ral|)h i/itilhalc of Wyke coroner. Admissions. Hereafter ensueth all sucli thyngs that the"sed baylf»S: Ratio Bradeley alowanco of Eirst for the cost of the Sessyons, M'f(^->f''f'T i^> i! I 1} pi fihVV 9 v.. ^7 OPtH '::;ifol Jif ^iiJT .fjilkx! ■'ii;('. ■ '' ' ' ''' i-'-il lo Hoiloollil J^>(^ ^ .jnv „yM C(;. -r-[;r r;')C;i!,r() i. .Jaa }^.. ill io5 I.!' '{lij^ via moivrdi ' " . . '.ii -J io U. JBIJ''!. io OOi' ::.)L>j!5'J?.i WENLOCK CORPORATION RKCORDS. 261 Item for bred ., ale byfe „ veale toogeys... pyggs ... „ two capons spys ,, candoUs, salt, butter oiinyous & mustard .. „ brokofast ofMr. J ustics & for wyne the same tyme „ for wyne at the ^ dinner at the V vycarage J „ for bred ale after „ for the coke & the Tornor of the broche on fryday aft" „ salmon ,, heryngs ,, fresfysii&mus- ^ kuls / ,, spyce & leks ... „ wood ... „ bred ... s. iii vi XX X xvj VUJ "'J vnj viij iiij .ij viij xiiij 35 Hy. viij. Admissions of Bailifr. Item for horse met "^ thro days ... J „ to the Messen- \ ger who went to - M' Justyes ... J „ ale ^. . ,, for Sarg3\ants 1 labor about the / sayd bestes ... j „ to John Tomon ^ for makyng of | the tres for ex ccution „ for tyraber for ^ the same . . . / „ paid to Alice Benbowe at sundry tymes to make M''Jus- tys servants & M' Lacon's ser- vants to drynk . „ summe of the ^ cost of the ces- ^ syns ... ... I „ for the cost of M'- 13ayle & ^P Charleton at the assyses at Salop for besys of tlie frahchise J „ for bying of tlie car[)et for the curt house Burgesses by llichard Lee d. XX xviij XX un I'lJ vj X mj \ ij viij Esq" N.B. — There is no record of the election of a Bailiff for this year, and from the above and subsequent entries it may be inferred that llichard Lee remained in oflice for two years. It is singular that he admitted burgesses on the day on which he would naturally go out of oilice. On the other hand, however, there being fY f'f l'-^ IIJV iJO (/ii tx:a. .; -,-..• Ui^f (i ffff [irk ( -8fjr . ... 85J!>I ii^'id „ »li!l 00 :)i(i nO .• 262 WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. no record of the election of Mr. Charlton in the 36 Hy. VIIT., it seems as thougli four ])ao-es must have been lost, which must have liappened hefore the l)ook was j)aged in 1G04. 8G Ily. viij. 2 Oct. Mcmd'" of Admission of Wra. Smyth of Walton as Burgess on tlie 3id Oct. oG Ily. viij. in the time of Rich^ Charlton'bayliff. SG Hy. viij. S' Thos. of Hereford's Day Election of Thomas More of LarJen J3ayliff, Uich'^ Oswald, Coroner, J. Tk'iuleley, Coroner. oS Hy. viij. 2 Oct. Election of Thomas Lawley. .... Hy, viij. (no year given). Ordinances made 2 Oct. in the reign of Hy, viij. as to the appointments of Steward and Sergeant, kc, attested by the signature of Rychard Lawley. A short memorandum, without date, in which occur the names of Hichard Bentall, gent., and Thomas More, gent. 38 Hy. viij. 14th Sept. Jurati fuerunt Burgens'. Thomas Lawley generos, Rob'tus Lakyn gener, Joh'es Ty tley, "Willi'mus heyne de Posnall, Joh'es Adams do Wycke, Rog^ Mohne de Posnall, Ric'us Bentall, gener. 1 Ed. vj. S. Thos. of Heref*^. Election of Thomas Bowdler (qiiere Ludlow) gent" Bayliff', Rich'^ Dawley, Coroner, Ralph Ijce gent° Treasurer. 3 Ed. vj. April. Wm. Adams of Bentall at this Court al^ore ]\Iastor Balyc is made barges and hath taken liis oath. 5 Ed. vj. S, Thos. Election of Tho.s Lawley, Esq. bailiff, Rich'^ Dawloy yeora, coroner, Edmond Sprott, Treasurer. Tiic account of Thonias T/awloy follows. Among the burgesses aduiittcd was Edmund lilakeway. G Ed. vj. S. Thos. of lleref^. Elect" of Edmond Si)rott yeo- man bailit'f, Sampson gent. Coroner, Ralph Hradlcy Treasurer. The account of Edmond Sjn'ott, yeoman, follows. 8 Ed. vj. Sureties for Mv. Bayle Rich^ Bentall generos et Thomas i\[ore generos, 1 and 2 Bhil and Mary. 2 Oct. Elect" of Richard IJentall gent. r.aililV, Edw^' Duke, Coroner, Rich^ '■'^'o^^^. Treasurer. Among the six men is Ralph Lytelhales. . . .\ Phil, and Mary Eoast of S. Thos. of Heref^, Election of Thomas Rydley, Bailiri", Wm, l>ylh Corcner, Wm. More 'J'reasurer. llil ^lOiTAHvJS 'iu u /lono'fo.. •n,'"i '■J... ...... , . , ......-.,..-. ^--jB acmoiiT .'bj mil .jqaB ffJlI .Jay .yH 8B /.,/'■:'« If: ,);» eo:Ti;tnf;)iLi 1' .'iL»lf<>■i'V:^ ,01007 ■Wist yoI/.-i;. t f.!/;fi;v • , . WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. 263 .... Phil.and l\Iary, 3. Thos. of Heref'^. Election of Richard Legg yeoman Ikilirtj llalph Litellialo, Coroner, Tiios. iriill, Treasurer, 3 Eliz. 3 Oct. Election by the persons subscribed through Ral[)h Litthihales their prolocutor of . . . Lacon esq'''-" Bailiif. 5 Kliz. 2 Oct. Ijnrg(!sses admitted in the |)rcscnce of Francis Lawlcy esq*''' bailiff iloland Lacon esq''-' Rich'' Leggo, Edmund Spratt & . . . . Soutlierne, 5 Eliz. 8 Oct. Election through Ralph Littlehales as prolo- cutor of Thomas ^[oor, Bailiti, John Wilcocks (of llurton) coroner. 7 Eliz. 2 Oct. JMem. In the presence of Thos. Ludlow, esq""^ Bailiff, Roland Lacon esq'", Francis Lawlcy esq'''^, Rich'^ ^'^SS gent. &c. Thos. Lawlcy, son of Thomas Lawley esq''" and otliers made burgesses. On the same date is recorded the election of Rich'^ Hotchkiss coroner, and Ral})h Eyton, Treasurer, 9 Eliz. 9 Sep. A fine or recognizance du droit taken before Ralph Littlehale gen. bayliif of Wenlock, 9 Eliz. Villa Magn Wcnlok. M'^quod nono die Septombris anno regiii dom;e nostr;c Eliz. ab dei gr'a Angi Franc et Ilib regin:e lidei defensor &c nono coram Rad Litilhales '^on ball dom Reginre villre precUe libertatis. Precipe Ra'ds Bradcley et Catherine ux ejus q^ ten Ric' Bradcley Thom:o Luchilow arm'ger Thomie Salter genos con- vencionem inter cos fact do duobus messuagiis duobusgardiuiis duobus pom'iis sex acris terr;o et una acr' pastur cum po'tin in Wenlock i\ragn ])redieta Et nisi &c. Et est concordat sci'lt if predict' Rad's & Katherina recogn ten'ta predict' cum p'tin esse jus ipsius Rici Bradcley ut ilia qua3 iidem Ricus Thomas Thomas et Ricus ten't ex dono predict Radi et Katherina Et ilia reraissr' et quiet clam' de se et hered suis predict Rico Thomas Thomas et Rico et hered ipsius Rici Jiratleley inq)erpetuum. Et prcterea i'ldem Radus et Katherina concesser' [)ro se ct hered et ipsius Kathcrinc q*^ ipi' w'arr ipsius Rici Bradcley ten'ta pred'ca cum ])'tin contra omnes ho'ios in p'i)um. Jit pro hac recogn remission' quiet clam' warrant lino et concord p'dict Ricus Thomas Thomas ct Ricus deder' predictis Rado et Katherine viginti libras, Richard Legge p'me Edmond Sprott, Xrystoucr Morrall Arthur Ottley, 10 lOliz. llenricus Cooke do ^[adeIoy, Joh'cs Broko, admissi sunt et jurati burgenses vilhe Wcidok coram Joh'es J>roku ar' tunc Ball, Rolando Lacon, Rado Jjraddeley, Ric, Legge & Christophero Morrall aliis ad . , , ten't coram dicLo Joh'i Broko Ball et in anno ReginiC Eliz, 10. Vol. VI., 2nd S. OG ''pWO ,Vr O'O ■C' V"!:^Y: .•/Drrc-ioo ind .-■lOV Oijf) 2G4 WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. 10 Eliz. 1 Apl. A recot^mizancG and execution by George Silliock of IIus\vinr,'o in Coy Derby I'^sq"^ before Christopher ]\Iorrall baihff of Wenloek and Thomas Salter gent" of a bond given by him to lloland Lakyn of Willoy in the County of Salop esq' signed George Selyokc, 13 Ehz. 2 Oct. Election of Kich'^ Ilyddeley Gent, bailiff, Wm, Hayes Coroner, Wm. Wylde treasurer. N.B. — After this entry follows an ill-written memo- randum in the same hand, apparently tlie admission of two burgesses coram Itic. Bentall, gen.. Ptic. Legg, Christoph. Morrall, lvadulj)li Littlehales, and an- other. A.D. 1575, xij die Martii. An ordinance in the handwriting of John Broke, bailiff, bearing his signature and those of llic. Lacon, Francis Lawley, Thomas Ludlow, Richard Lutley, Rychard Rydley, Rich. Legge, per me Rich. S[trott. Trimo die Octobris anno regni Eliz. d'ucC n'ne Ehz. nunc rogina) xx'"* Mem that the day and yero last above written a patten of the Stewardsliyppt of the town and liberties of Much Wenlock together with one small fee of x^ was granted and confirmed by Morys Ludlow Esquier baylyffe of the towne and liberties afforcsaid with the assent and consent of other the burgesses & commanty (i.e., commonalty) as also the syx men of the sayd town & libtics unto George Lawley gent, for term of his natural life. Morris Ludlow, Jasjter More, Lawrence Benthall, Christopher Morrall, Thomas Addams, Rychard Kydson, Rychard Addams, sen'', Richard Addams de W'yke, Edward Harwall. Will"' W'oode. 21 Eliz. 29 Sep. An order as to a defaulting serg' and an ordinance made in the time of Jasper More gent, and signed by himself, Rich'^ Lacon, John Broke, Francis Lawley, Rich'^ Legge and others. On the same date follows the election of Lawrence Benthall, BailitY, Etlm^ Longley, coroner, Rich** Pychford, treasurer, in the presence of Jasper More gent. Bailiff" in the same year. 22 Eliz. Thursday in the Feast of S. Michael Arch. Election of Thomas Lokr Bailiff, Rich^ Kydeson coroner, 24. Eliz. 2 Oct. Election of Francis Lawley Esq''^ baihflf Treasurer W'" Wood, Coroner Humfrey Strange. 25 Eliz. 5 Aug' Election of Christopher Morrall Gent. Bayliff till jMichaelmas next in the place of Francis Lawley esq'" deceased who died after the last Court, ,!ll.!..„. ....... ;;'j.iirJW O'^CcI/i JfcjCl O'it to ' ' t...-.- on ■J:' ■^ 7f; oii; 0^1 ft aj. z aifiiLOi H'^jniih Vfs If ,'f-'i:!OKj'J ' .•ir.'Ji 'liiuv: An JiihiJ .Vi.iA otL ■ ) iJiin iJO^j. WENLOCK COKPOllATION RECORDS. 265 Mem. ill English of tlio surrender mcade by Francis Fox Esquier on the 4 Apl. 25 Eliz. of a letter patent of the Ilc- corclershi]) of Wenlock granted to liim by Richard Lacon esq'''', bailifi and bearing date 2-i May 4 Eliz. 21) Eliz. 21 Aug' Uicli'i i^ydley Jxiililf. A.D. 1587. 24 Sep. Axilla AFagu W cnlock. Mom quod Willm's Fowler armiger xxiv die iSeptembris anno regni nunc rcgiuio Angliio &c. vicesinio nono per assenson. . . bnrg'en, . . elcctus fuit liecordator cjusdeni vill fransciscice et libcrtut.tU: Magn;e Wenlocke praid usque ad festu' Sancti Miches' Arch' ex tunc prox sequcnduui. 29 Eliz. 31 Aug^ Wenlock Magna. Apud Wenlock Magnam vicessiiiio primo die Augusti anno regni dominie Elizabeth dei gratia Angliie Franciie et liibcrniie regime lidei defensoris &c. vicessimo nono coram Uich'^ llidLay geno'so Balliv villai et Kbcrtatis de Wenlock magna &c. At which day it was ap- pointed, ordered, constituted, granted and agreed by the sues, and burgesses of Wenlock aforesaid whose names be under- written that yn consideration that George Lawley of Wenlock aforesaid Gent, hath surrendered and given up to the sayd baylili" and burgesses all and singular the patent grant and oflicG of the recorder or steward of the town and liberties of LIuch Wenlock aforesaid to him the s'' George for term of liis lyfo licrctoforo given or grauntcd by any the Baylis or Bur- gesses of the sayd liberties. Therefore the said Richard Kydley gent. Baylie afores*^ and tlie sayd men ami burgesses under named and other the burgesses now present do assent consent and agree & by this constitution it is fully determined that the sayd George Lawley Gent, or his sulHcient deputie shall and may from henceforth have use exercise and enjoy the othce of Town Clarke or chief clarke but nott steward of tlie Cortc of her Majestic her hcycrs & successors of Much Wenlock aforesayd Ot the liberties of the same before the Baylie of the town & libties for the tyrac being hereafter from tjme to tyme to be holden during the naturall lyfe of the sayd George and shall likewise have and enjoy all such advantage bencfytt allowance fees persells duties & comoditics for tlie exercise of the same as Thomas Salter gent, usually had enjoyed or toke lawfully by or for the exercise of the sayd office of steward or clarke aforesayd or b}^ color ur . . . thereof, i'rovidcd always k, it is mont and agreed by all aforesayd that anything abovo wryttcn shall nott in any wysc extend or bo taken to uxcludo the Raylie or lUirgcsscs or I he Gomynallii; vi' the town and libortic aloi-esayd or tliejrc hyers or successors heroaflor from from namyng makyng or ordayning of recorder of the same nv/ oaij. HiUl\i; •(OP I'.) V I 'fO ii lUhi jl: 266 WENLOCK COHrORATION RECORDS. tovvne & liberties hcrafter according to there Corporation charter in that behalf any matter meaning or thing to the contrary hereof in any wyse notwithstanding. Lawrence llychard Had Lacon licntall. l^ydley Bayliff. J. Brooke j\Iorrice Ludlow \\'ill-" Wood Rich'^ Wyke. 29 Eliz. 29 Sep. Election of Thomas Lawley, Esq''^ bailiff, Rich'' Lcggc treasurer, Rich'' Langley, coroner. 30 Eliz. 29 Sep. Election of Jiichard Wilcocks bailiff, Edw'^ Harwell treasurer, Wm. iJawley coroner. N.B. — This entry has been erased, but repeated afterwards, when the name is spelt Wilcox, and he is styled gentleman. Mem"^ of the admission of Francis Lacon esq''*' as burgess on the same day and year, also of John Lutwyche gent., Roger Farnolles, Henry Palmer, and John Pendelbury. Account of Thomas Lawley csq'^'-' bayliff taken 29 Sep. 30 Eliz. in the presence of Rich*^ Wilcox gent" bailiff, Lawrence Bentall, Thomas Lockyer, Christopher Morrall Gent" and others. 31 Eliz. 23 Sep. Mem. of admission as burgess of Rich'' Ould and also of Wra. Sliyrbington alias Eyre. 31 Eliz. 29 Sep. Election of Wm. Wood gent" bailiff, Thomas Wever treasurer, and Rich'' Kydson coroner. The account of Wm. Wood gent" was taken on Mich' day 32 Eliz. 31 Eliz. 21^ Nov. The account of Rich^ Wilcox gent, bailiff" taken in the presence of Will"' Wood Gen' then bailiff Tliomas Locor & Christopher Morall Gent". Among the burgesses admitted in the time of Rich'' Wilcox gent, were, Simon Croft, Wm. Rushcll, Wm. Wilcox, Thomas l>ayly, Rich'' Whitopp, John Garbett, Thomas Rusho})p of Kynston, Rich'' Wolde, Wm. Care, John Burmarshe, & Edward Kydson. 32 Eliz. 29 Se[)t. Election of John Langley gent, bailiff", Wm. Dawley treasurer, & llich'' Ivydson coroner. The account of John Langley bailiff", was taken on Mich^ day 33 Eliz. '• in p'ntia Jaspi More ba'll." 34 EHz. G Nov. Tiie account of Jasper More gent" Bailiff', wJiieh buars the signature inter alios of Thomas Lawley. Tiie admi.^uoii of William llord gent, as burgess is recorded tliis year. 35 Eliz. Lawrence Bentall gent" bayliff. llis account is taken next year in the presence of Thos, Loker, John Langley, 0^ n\ &hll ,i m WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. 267 & Wm. Wood gent" and other bailitFs peers. It is signed by Tlioinas Lawley, Thomas Lacon and llich'' Willeock. 3G Ehz. 29 Sep. Compo'tus Laiircncii Bentall Gen' ball d'na; Reginjo vilho siuc do VVonlock magna unno rugni sui xxxvj^" ha'iat ca))'t et fac't xxix" die Sc[»tcmbris dictjc donuu regin;o pro omnibus finibus amcrciamentis prusioncs e.sLactis scrvitiis cxitis [)crqnisit curiiu et comoditat quibiis cunque perven'int oper'ant et ermergent' do Festo S'cti Micliaelis Arch Anno xxxv" usque idem Festum in anno xxxvj'" Thomais Lawley tunc ball villa) libortatis })raidictie coram Tliomaj' Loker Joh'e Langiey et Willmo Weal gen' ball sibi tunc et ibm assesiatis et Joh'e Wasvvolde Joh'e Cook Rado Wynne Rico Heynes Francisco Smallman et Willmo Dawley sex homines cjusdem villas et libcrtatis secundum consuetudines ejusdem villa3. 1 s Fines et am'cement Gaokc deliber . . . xxvij Profesina perquisit curiae ... ... viij x Feed burgen' fac't hoc anno ... liiij i3ona fFeloni de B"! d e 0 d a n d in manibus Rici j-xxx ii] x Okie ultimi co- ronatoris ..,j In thesauris Summe allocata' Serviontes per billara particu- lar apparet ... Tlic servants a'- low'cos for the iiij "J Ffeod balliv Ffeod recordatoris Ffeod coronatoris Ffeod thcsaur Ffeod sex ho'ies 6' s d xxvj viij XXVJ viij llj "ij uj ^nj -mj X) vj VUI Prcdictus Lauroncius Bentall petit allocat de summa xv' solvebat Rico Old coronatori et etiam petit allocat \v^ pro uno pollm . . , et sic remanet {sic) in debitat libortati in summa xxx** x'^. I^G VA'vA. 20 Sop. \\\ die fcsti Alicliis Archi viz. xxix Scptom- bris anno regni EHzabethie dui gratia Kraiieia; et llibirniie IvogiiKu lldoi defensor &c. xxxvj coram TJiomas Lawlu}' ur ballivo ibm. 11 . . . Lacon ar Laurencio Bonthall (,s/c;). :U; Khz. 29 Sop. Khiction of Rich'' Ohl BaililT, Piicli'' Cryppin Treasurer, and John Wossohl Coroner. In tlio presence V^,P ..i.^T-v- 'G,iy:?iw 10 oiliiv ?r: \y-rxt ■ . ■ "■■•■■ •'■-■■'•^ jixil ... ni 'V <4i, hj. i,, !() ,0' ;>, "Vi J)/54! 268 WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. of Thomas Lawley esq- Ji. Lacon esq- Lawrence Benthall Ihos. Locker, Rich^ Wilcocks, W'" Wood gent, and otliers' Arciong the burgesses admitted are Walter J3all of Burton' Lalph Littlehales of Wyko, Henry Old . . . Richi Lan-lev •lAr' ■^''?\\' Wilkynson of Wenlock, Evanus Davics clcrK:us (Vicar of WenloeJO, l^^rancis Langley de le Tuckeys, kc. ^ Ihe account of Thomas Lawley late bailiil was taken 1 Oct P . n ^n>'''i";'M,.°^' ^^^^^^' ^^'^ ^^"^- tl^^'ii bailill. Lawrence* ijcntall, Kich^i \\ ilcocks, Thomas Locor gent, and many otliers Computator pradictus onerat se cum v' iiij^ ijJ recept per In- dentur do Lawrence Bentall predict g'en supra compot suurn de ofhcio suo ball et cum xv^ recept de Johes Ever nuper serviens predict Laurencii v' v^ v"^ ^ l 37 Eliz. The account of Ricli'^ Old gent. Predictus Ric'us Ulde se onerat kc. et petit allocationem 57^solvendaLaurencio bentall gener pro oneratis et expensis suis solutis in curia Domina3 reginoe se quiet esse de officio suo predicto. . . . 57« Then follows a similar allowance of £3 Gs. 8(1. for his own expenses in curia dom reg se quiet esse de officio suo predicto. 38 Eliz. Mich«. Election in the presence of Thomas Holland gent, baihlf, Francis Smallman the Coroner, and Edw^ Harwell treasurer, &c. of Thomas Adams of IJroseloy f^ent Lailiil W"' Dawley Coroner, Rich'' Morrall Treasurer. T. ?,^ M,^'^',-P ^^^'- ^'o^n^otus Thomie Holland gent, imper -ball vilho hbertato de Wenlock magna fact in villa priedicta vicesimo die de Septembris An reg reg Eliz nunc kc. 39" coram Ihomas Addamsgent. (tunc ball do vil! et libortat ])redict) Laurencio Bentall, 'J'homas Locor, Itadulpho iMoore et iiieo \Vdcocks. Burgesses admitted in the time of Thomas Holland gen. baihfi WiUm. C.n-lield of Longwalle, John Ashbery of Broseley, lu-ancis Benbow of Mucli Wenlock, butcher John Hayward of Wenlock afs'i Taylor, Ralph Wellyns of Loiigville. A.D. 1597, 27 Sept. Sets forth an order existinrr, wliicli renders all persons ineligible for the oilice of bailiff who have not been admitted a Burgess a year, and proceeds thus : — Forasmuch as it is well knowne tluit tliero hath been and nowe are (Iwellinge withhi the prccincte of the same libties divers and sundry geiiMemen that as well in regard of their wysdomes and knowledge as for their general abilities in wcaltli rrri; fiif' ifvl'iiJU ill fci '3 a Er^iJoiliyi n-j- ■••7/ ,!i. '!>:.; J 3 or- -: aad;r r WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. 269 and othcrwiso have byne and aro fytt and able men to take in liand and execute the said oillco wlioc respecting'' more their own private proiitt than the comon wealth of the said towne and libtics and understanding of the said order liave employed the same to tlier owne perculyar benefite contrary doubtless to the good meaninge of those that devised and layd down the same order, & gentlemen liave from tyme to tymc witldiolden and yet do with hould them selves from buingo burgesses of the same town and libties of a very sett pur[)ose as seemeth thereby to keep them selfes from bearing or executingc the said office rather as may wclbe intendetl for ihe avoyding of such travell and charges as to the same office is incydent than for any reasonable cause them thereto movyng and for that as well the same order as tlie same subtile desese if it should be longer continueil may grow in some sorte to be prejudicial to the same libtics and specially to such of the burgesses thereof as thereby shall happen the oftener hereafter to be charged with executing of the said office for reformacon whereof it is by the said Bayliff Aldermen burgesses and comynalty at this time being assembled together considered and ordered that it sliall and may be lawful! to and for all such of the said Eurgesses as hereafter from tyme to tyme shall happen to be charged with and for the electing of the Bayliff of the same towne and libties to elect and chose for executing of the said office any man being a burgess of the same towne and dwelling within the precincte of the same libties and being sesscd of lands and tenements lying within the same of the cleer yearely value of c marks who shall in their consciences seem most fitt and worthy for the tyme then present to execute the same offiice although the same person have nut been a burgess of the same town and libties for the space of one whole yerc before the time of the same ellection .... ami that the order \'oy all such persons inhabitants of these liberties as do so wilfully or polletickly refuse to accept and take the place of burgesses shall be refirred to be further advised of untylla farther tyme. And this order to stand in force in every branch and article in the mean tyme of the feast of Symon and Jude w'ch shall be in the year of our Lord God 1598 and untyll other order shalbo in this behalf duly taken. Tho Addams Ball, Lone Lacon, Lawrence Lentall, Thomas Locor, llychard Old, \Vm. J lord, John Langley, Richard Ricliards, Kicliard Lcgge. [10 K\\y. Account of Thomas Addams bv(U) afi'vo: WEN LOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. 271 Willus Dawley clc eadora hus- baiidman llicus Dawley de eadem taylor Thomas Dawley de eadem carpenter Launcelot Dawley de eadem llicus Dawley jim'^ de eadem weaver Thomas Lawley de eadem armiger Georg'ius Lawley ile now in London gen. Ricus Francis sen"^ de Wen- lock, arg. Joh'is Brooke de eadem myler Thomas Byll de eadem Will™ Hayward de eadem Will™ Fford do eadem weaver lla'diis Benbow de eadem Thomas Syra})kys sen'' de eadem husbandman Thos. Sympkys jun'' do eadem husbandman Will'" Balljun-^ dele Hill X'per Ileywood de eadem smith Will™ Lewes de eadem John Byard de eadem naylor John Sotherne de eadem cor- viser Tliomas Lcghe de eadem yo- man Ulcus Pinches (?) de eadem ca'pter Thos. Sutton de eadem dyer Thos. Leggc de ead'" smith Willm's Porter de ead'" bus- bandm" Edward Harwell de eadem tanner Thos. Smailman de eadem husbandman John Bourinsh de eadem w»?avcr Walter Holland alias wyd- dowes carver Thomas Holland de Pickhorne gen. Nicholas Smailman de Dytton, Farmer SHIPTON ALLOTMENT, Joh'is Lutwich de Shipton gen. Jas])er ^[oro de Larden ar. Willmus Hamond Edw'us Wedgwood de Brock- ton yom. Roererus Farnold do Patton yom. Will"' Brooke de Hugldyo Willm's Parsons de Prostopp husb" Will'us Sprott de Wigwigg y'om. Francis Taylor de eadem y'om. Willm's Taylor doHarcle y'om. BDRTON ALLOTMENT, Richard Wilcox de Burton John Doughty de eadem Roger Wilcox do eadem Jeremiah Wilcocks de eadem Ball de eadem ycom' Edwardus AVilcocks de eadem Willus Heyward de Widdons- field Yul. \'L, L'nd S, Thomas Harriott de Gough's bradley Thomas Arundell de Weston yeom' Willus Crowther de eadem ycom' Thomas de Hopton Edw'us Kydson de eadem mi qqo. ft' ■^diViii-^i ^h 01) 'kin- I im si £.1 Mori *^ii .'•; J.ni: ,.1' 272 WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. Joh'is Wcale de eadem Thomas Roignolds Francis Smallman de Munk- hall Thomas Harte de Callaughton Thomas Doughty de eaclcm Willmus Enchmarsh de eadem Laimcolot Taylor de Walton Joh'es Taylor do eadem Peter J J cloy do cad'" Joh'is Tarto do Atterlcy lliciis Tarte de eadem STOOKE MYLBOROUGH ALLOTMENT. Nicholas Heatho de Norme- Thomas Bishopp de Kingston cott EATON ALLOTMENT. George Jenckes de Newe hall Thomas Lcwiesdecademyeom' gen. Franeiscus Acton do Halton gen. Willus Adams de Eaton yeom. Joh'es Maddox sen'' de Myl- linghopp Thomas fLamond de eadem yeom' Thomas Edwards Tycklarton gen. WENLOCK PARVA ALLOTMENT. Edm'us Downton Cli'ciis tie Rogerus Haiighton de Beck- Fulco Punches de eadem Ric'us Warde de Horton yeom' Ric'us Englyke de ead'" y'om. Thomas Corfield de Longville Franeiscus Du'ne de eadem George Browne de eadem Thomas Gill de ead"^ Willms Corfield de ead"» Joh'es Cooke deLuchcott yeom Willus Blakeway de eadem. eadem Will'us Hayward de Wenlock parva gen. Roger Blakeway de eadem yeom' Willms Parton de eadem BROSELEY Jolies Langley de le Amyes gen. Thomas Langley de eadem Georgius Langley de eadem Ricus Wilcox de Broseley gen. Thomas Addams^ de eadem gen. Joh'es Uxley do eadem cli'cus Edrus Pacey de eadem yeom. Willmus Geares de eadem glover Ludovicus Rampes alias Pos- terne de ead™ bury ar. Rogerus Charlton de Madeley gen. Plenr'us Cooke de eadem yeom' Thomas Romeshedd de eadem ALLOTMENT. Willus Wilcox de eadem Ric'us Yale de eadem collier Joh'es Ashbury de eadem taylor John'es Garbett de eadem Johnes Adams de eadem Ric'us Oulde de Row ton gen. Ricus Langley de le Wood- house yeom. Franeiscus Langle de le Tuckeys Ricus Langley de Swynney Ricus Adams sen"" de Barrow 1 l'\)r the I'cdigrcL' ol' lliia fuiiiily .scu jKigo liH.'J. JyJi' noinwoCI e- d 4>b ,('.<:. I to I. '■Pjiii'.Vi ihU i' WEDLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. 273 Ricus Adams jun' do eadera Thomas llaynes de eadoiu Thomas Juckes de Caughley Lauroncius Bentali de Bentall ar. armigcr Ricus Kydson sen'' de eadem Thomas llaynes de eadem Ricus l)lalco\vay do eadem Kic'us llaynes de eadem Thomas Ijocor de hi Marshe Anth'oas (iougho de eadem gen. Ric'us Adams ile Wyko y'om Joh'es Davies de Shuiiett Radus Littlehales sen'' de wood eadem Will'us Burchall de eadem Radus Littlehales jun"" do Johes Marshe de eadem eadem Launcelotus Stephens de Acton Joh'es Wossold de eadem Scott cfen. Edwardus Ancox de eadem Wilius Wossold y'om Radus Maune de Posenall Joh'es Simpkys de Bradeley Ric'us Haynes de eadem carr"^ Ricus Childe de eadem 42 Eliz. ]\lich^ Account of William Hay ward gent, bailiff signed by Rich'' Legg, bailiff, Lawrence Bentall, Thomas Loker, William Wood, Raffe Rradeley, Wm. Horde. Election of Ricli^ Jjcgg Gent", Edw*^ Harwell Coroner, Ral[)h Bradley. Among the burgess admitted in the time of Rich*^ l^^oS ^^'^ J^'ranciscus Salter gen., Francisciis I-egge .... Ixicli'^ Wossolde de Wyko, Thomas Modlicott arm de Wyke, Johes Slaney gen. Londonii mercutor Hum})hries Slayney Londonii mercator. 43 Eliz. 29 Sep. The account of Richard JjCgg gent. Election in the presence of Ricli'^ ^^SS^ gen. bailitf of John Langley bailiff, Richard Slayney coroner, Wm.Dawley treasuer, 44 Eliz. The account ot John Jjangley gent, bailill signed by Thomas Holland Baylifl', Thomas Lawley, Thomas Locor, Rich'^ Wylcoks Rich'^ A-'t^Do^- Among the burgesses admitted in the time of John Langley was Richard Leighton son of William Leighton of ... . arm. Election before John Langley gent, bailiff of Thomas Holland gent, badift", Thomas Harryott Coroner, John Bradsliaw trea- surer. Among the burgesses admitted in the time of Thos. Holland are Stephen Smaliman of Wildertopp arm., William Holland gent., Michael Holland gent., sons of the bailiff, and Richard Jenckes of Ludlow gent. 1 Janies j. Election of John Lutwicli gent, bailiff, Thomas Elyveley coroner, Edward Harwell treasurer. Among tlio burgesses adndtted in the time of John Lutwicdi gent., bailiff, are, Edrus Lawley gen., fil Thomie Lawley do Wenlock magna ar., Eranciscns Locor de la ]\Iarshe gen., Thomas \\'ilcox de Broseley gen. id JUiifi 274 WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. 9 James j. Mich^ hi the account of Richard Oukle gent, baihl't, mention is made of lliclx'^ Lavvley hite Baihlf and Mr. Morrice ISentall. Among the burgesses admitted in the time of Rich'^ Oulde was Andrew Blake way son of Roger Blake way of Wenlock parva yeom, This Rich'' Old was elected baylit! on 9 Sep. in the presence of Richard Lawley esq"" Thomas Lawley esq"' Steplien Smalman esq'''', Francis Lacon gent., and Rich*^ TiCgge gent. At the same time Thomas llarryott was elected Coroner and Rich*^ Morrall, treasarer, 9 James. In curia Francisci Lacon mil vice comes Salop. S. Edrus Clud ar 'Id con cum Jaspo More ar de plito con de manerio de Larden cum pertin in Com predicto xv acras de ter in Upper Larden, Nether Larden, Shipton, Brockton IMorehouse Syfton Wall under Eylwood & Bentleyes xlv^ S. Uici Bagott Junior gen. 'Id con cu' Laur' Ludl' gen, de plito con[ventionis] de terr in Astwall Longwild et Rusbury xxl Siliter pro manerio de Wenl parva inter Sack. & h vij' x^ 12 Jas. j. Election of Wm. Hayward bailift". Among the burgesses are Joh'es Bradeley de Horsehall gen' Thos. Madoxe de Beckbury ar., Richard Leighton de Leightou ar. Ric. Little- hales de Wyke yeom. A.D. 161G-17. Account of Thomas Corfield for that year. A.D. 1G17, 20 Feb. Copy of a letter sent from Sir Edward Bromley one of the Barons of the Exchequer Recorder of this franchise to Richard Lawley esq''" bailift from Serjeants Inn, Chancery Lane, remarking upon the decay of influence which the boro' formerly possessed and recommending a better sj'stem of managing the Hnances. 15-16 James j. On Monday 14 April, 1618, a meeting was held at Much Wenlock before Rich^ Lawley esq'''' baililf and other bailiff peers to reduce the accounts of the franchise into some order and to consider the answering of the letter of i\l'" Recorder of 20 Feb. aforesaid. A precept is issued by the bayliff directed to John Eyre sergeant at mace and ins deputies to summon the bailiff peers for a meeting w'ch was holden on 11 August, 1G18. Present, Rich'^ Lawley esq'' bailiff, Rieli'^ Ould gent., Rich*^ Slany, Launcelott Taylor and other bailiff peers. The accounts of some previous bailiffs were examinetl Szc. The Serjeant was away with the ledger and could not be found. A.D. 1018. Copy of an original direction sent by Sir Edward Bromley to bo published on Michaelmas day in tliat year. 10 James ]. Election of Francis Ileyward of Monk Ilopton bailiff in the presence of Hicliard J^awley esq''' bailiff. An assembly was held 20 Oct. 10 James j. at ]\Iuch Wenlock before Richard Ould gent, bayliff, Richard Lawley esq'^'^, Francis jsiJ &b • Abi OK J lor ,C1..A 3 a Sid V . , ^.i J an not '' •;tH r>H.t jusiv . ... ... ,. v. i';^l)'so emoa r. dv'i 02 io 'ivl)70»g^i !M;jU b. AVKNLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. 275 Lawle}^ esq*'®, Francis Locker, Thomas Corlleld, Bayliffs peers, Tlioinas Clyveley Treasurer, and divers others, among whom is John Bentall. IG James j. 2G Oct. At this meetinge Jolm Bentall of Bentall of (sic) John Bentall Esq''*^ desired qualification of all his respits of homage synce he was retorned tenant of his land in Bentall w'ch is agreed and consented to be qualified to the eighth part for the tyrne past in hope he will sliortcly become a burgess which being cast up came to 61^ x*^ which he payed instantly to the hands of Thomas Cleaveley, Treasurer. The Serjeant is allowed xxv^ x'^ chardged upon him in the good money for AB John Bentall respect of homage in the tyme of M-- Coates Sherifi' of W Edmond Bullock baylift". A.D. 1619, 31 Aug'. Record of a meeting at which regula- tions as to the accounts of the burgesses were made. Copy of an Order made for a rate on tlie borough as a contribution to the relief of maymed soldiers pursuant to the statute, the original signed by Ricli'^ Ould gent, baylift and Edward J]romley Kn^ A.D. IGIO 20 Oct, a list of armour belonging to the franchise. 17 James j. 21) Sep. Election of Robert Bullock esq'' bayliif. 18 James j. 29 Sep. Election of Thomas llassould dc Byck- thorne gent, bayliff. Among the burgesses admitted was John Ball, son of John Ball of Breston. 2 Jan>. At a court held this day among those admitted burgesses were, Thomas Wolrich of Dudmaston, Franciscus Ould de Interiori Templo London Armiger filius et ha^res apparens Rici Oulde de Rowton infra has ffranchises, A.I). 1G21, Aug' 2'i. Copy of a Warrant from the Comiss'^^ for subsidy, Sir Edward Bromley, Sir Francis Lacon Kt., Humphrey Brigges, Walter Acton and Thomas Hoorde to appear at the town hall Bridgnorth at 8 o'clock before noon on the above day. 19 James j. 29 Sep. Election of Francis Loker of the Marsh Bailiff. 20 James j, 29 Sep. Election of Henry ]\Iytton of Shipton esq'*' bayliff. Among the burgesses admitted is Edrus Harnage de Belswardvne, Ar, A.D. 1623, 22 JanJ'. Thomas Wolrich esquier & Henry Mytton Esq'' elected 13urgesses of Parliament. 21 James j. 29 Sep. Election of Robert Thorne bUfO 'JQi yiu'jjii i»rW' 276 WENLOCK CORPOTIATION RECORDS. Burgesses admitted in the time of Robert Thorne Gen., bailiir, Henricus Myttonde private ciibiculo dni reg, Harccourt Loiigliton de Plashc ar. Edr'us Acton heres et films apparcns Walter! Acton de Audcnham ar, lliciis Newporte de High ArpoU miles, Riciis Fox do W'hitchcott miles (these two nanies written in a large text hand) Thomas Tumour in lege agitus (? peritus) ar Lodovicus Piiillips de Ludlow gen' Franciscus Earkley in lege p'itas ar, Ricus Rydley CTicus villai de liridg- north gen'. 22 James j. 29 Oct. (sic). Election of Edw'^ Bishop de More gent., bayliff. As usual, after the six men two persons present are nominated. Usually, if not invaviably before, the one not nominated by the bailiff has been nominated by the representative of the Lawley family for the time beino-, but on this occasion the entry is thus : — Ricus Edares de Broseley p'r Ball'm, Edmundus Ta;ylor de Walton per Walterura arm nomine Henrici Mytton ar Gardian' Ursuhe filiio ct hcred Edri Lawley militis defunct. Burgesses admitted amongst others. Will Smith de Wyke gen. 22 Feb. Election of Edmund Bullock of Bradley to be bailiff in the place of Edward Bishop (deceased) until Michael- mas. In the presence of Walter Acton ar, Stephen Smalman ar, Thomas Wolrich do Dudmaston ar, Thomas Turnour ar, Ric, Quid, gen., Franciscus Smalman de Wildertop ar, Era. Lockor, gen., Edmund Bullock, gen., Thos. Langley gen., Rob* Bullock gen,, Sam^ Bowdler gen. and others. Burgesses made in the time of Edward Bullock of Wyke gent, baylitf. Arthur Warde of Shynton gen' Jonas Charlnour vicarius Ric'us Clowes de Ilarnage Wenlock mag grange gen' Franciscus Leighton fil Johis Ric'us Typton de Ponsard gen' Leighton de Leighton ar. Sam' Moore de Laverdon gen' Ricus Wyke de Prynrslye^ gen W"' Warren tilde John Warren Franciscus Blake way til Willi do le Byrches Blakcway de Patton Robtus Bullock de Wen Mag Roland's Lacon ar fil Francisci gen' Lacon miles Joliis Parker serviens de Piici Silvanus Lacon do West Cop- ^ Lukcner miles pico in Gom. Salop gon'. Edrus llorton de Buildcwas George Baxter of parva Wen- magna yeom. lock cl'icus Rog'us Moane do Poscnhall Georgius Lacon do Ke[nley ?] ^ Fnorsloe, ncur Shii'nal. ton. ^,-'r-'^ ''" r;aW fv.i, '■.V/OJ)liijM 'nri> .Injiifiiiir'. -Mion ^'o). WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. 277 1 Chas. j. 2 Ap. Copy of precept from tlie Sheriff. 7 Apl. Among burgesses admitted are, Thomas Lawley super de London nunc de Spoonbill armig. and Onthemus Lowkcuir de AVyke goii'. 17 May. Copy of a Warrant from Sir Richard Newport and Sir Richard Fox Knt,^ for tlie trained band both horse and foot to be at Salop 9 Oct. 1625, addressed To the worshippful the bailiff of the town and liberties of Wenlock, for levying men at arms in their bailiwick for the service of the King, signed Rich. Ffox, Rob' Leighton. 29 Sep. Election of Robert Bullock esq'"'' bailiff. Warrants to raise an army for the King. 2 Charles j. 22 Aug^ Election of Sir John Bridgeman K* Justice, Justice of Chester as recorder of the town and liberties for life in the room of Sir Edward ]>roml«y deceased. Signed by Robert Bullock, baililf, R. New jiurt, ■'iliomus Farnell, Thos. Otley, Thos. Wolryche, Walter Acton, Geo. Adney, Rowland Heines and others. Among the burgesses admitted in the time of Robert Bullock gent, are, Thos. Otley de Pytchford ar., Johes Bridgman miles, Justiciarius Chester et Recordator vilke de Wenlock, Humfre- dus Lee de Langley Baronettus, Morton Briggs de Haughton ar., Will'" Stevington de Dothill ar., Thos. Owen de Villa Salop ar. Pacis cliens vilke Salop. 2 Chas. j. Mich^ Election of Richard Jones Esquire of Much Wenlock for baylift'. Mem'" of an order for the expulsion of Thomas Kenrick an attorney from practising in the bayliffs' court for advising suitors to withdraw their suits from this court. Mem'" dated 18 Dec. 162G, of a legacy of £5 given by Sir Edward Bromley for the poor and now handed to M"^ Adney tlie preacher of i\Iucli Wenlock, Among the burgesses admitted in the time of Ricluxrd Jones esq""" Bailiff are, Georgius Bridgman ar. fil et lucres apparens Joins Bridgman mil, Recorder, Franciscus Houghton fil Rici Haughton de Becbury ar. 3 Chas. j. Michl Election of Francis Adams de Broseley Gen. for bayliff. Among the burgesses admitted in the time of Francis Adams are, Francis Kynaston de Otley, miles and Ricus Lee do Langley ar. On .') Aug' 1628 the ledger was read before Francis Adams bailitV and others and various sums wore found to be due from previous bailiffs. Mr. Samuel J)Owdler is mentioned as town clerk and Mr. Tarte the Curate, in Mr. IJassolds account. i:l\J.'..-l.'J-J' :d^ iij& p?.9 278 WENLOCK CORPORATION RECOUDS. 4 Chas. j. Mich^ Election of W"" Hay ward gen., bailiff. 5 Chas. j. ]\lich^ Election of John Smalman gen. bailiff, Roger Moane of Posenhall gent" Coroner, Christopher Bradley, Treasurer. Among the burgesses admitted in the time of John Smalman Gent" Baylift' are Eog'us Bertie, knight of the honb'" Order of the Bath, Benjamin Valentine Esq'', Edw*^ Smalman, Gent., WiUiamPage ot Middleton gent.,Audley Bowdler of Arlescott, gent. Copy of an order made at the Quarter Sessions at Salop enabling the magistrates of the AVenlock Franchise to commit prisoners to the House of Correction at Bridgnorth. The original order was signed by Rob* Howard Kn', John Corbett Baronet, Robert Vernon, Rowland Cotton, Andrew Corbett, Knights. Richard Mytton and Rich^ More, esquires. 8 Chas. j. Account of John Smallman gent" Bailifl, taken in the presence of l^obcrt Jkdlock, gent" Bailitf, Richard Jones, Esquire, Francis Loker, AVm. Hayward and Francis Adams gent". Allowances, Imprimis given to ]\P Recorder for his advice in the suit in the Exchequeur against the franchise Item deliuered to Chrisf Bradley then treasurer to be bestowed in mending and hayling the Courte House and the market house. ]\P Adncy who was at this time Curate of Wenlock is always paid for reading morning prayers. 11 Chas. j. 35 Feb. (sic). Adam Littleton esq*''' one of her ^fajcstys Justices of her INfajestys Counsell in the Marches of Wales was and is elected and chosen Recorder of the Town and liberties of Wenlock for the term of his natural life in the place of Sir John Ih'idgeman Ivn*-, Cliief Justice of Chester, who refused the said otlice of Recorder by reason of his weak- ness and disability of body to travel and also by reason of the multiplicity of his occupations. Signed by Francis Houghton bailiff, and many others, 28 L^eb. Election of Francis Houghton esq'' bailiff before Adam Jjittleton esq"* Recorder, who is requested to peruse and alter the constitutions. Account of Francis Houghton ar. Bailiff from ]\Iich'* 11 Chas. j. to Mich. 12 Chas. j. One of the items is, M'' Adney for reading morning prayers 20^ 1,*} Chas. j. Lawrence Bontall arm. elected 'Justice' for the year. Miclr'^ Day Election of Lawrence Bentall of Buntall cs(iuirc baililf. Account of Lawrence Jk'ntall Esq'^ ]>ailiir, from Mich' I.'} Chas. j. to Micii'^ 14 Chas.j. John Deycs is mentioned as coroner and Roger Parsons as treasurer. if 1- •flii i).;,iT WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. 279 14 Chas. j. Mich^ Day. Lawrence Bcntall of ]jontall esquire was sworn Justice of the peace fur the liberties aforesaid for the following year. 15 Chas. j. Alichas. John Huxley Gent, bayliff, Lawrence Bentall esq''^ Edmund Bullock gent" and others, bailifis. 15 Chas. j. Michas. Election (in the presence of George Langley bayliff, Lawrence Bentall esq'''-', Edmund Bullock gent", Roger More gent", Edw"^ Byssope gent",preceding bailiffs called bayliffs'. peers and many others, Andrew ]]lakeway being amon"- the electors) of George Langley and Jjawrence Jientall, who wove sworn Justices of the Beacc of the liberties for the following year. Li the account of Erancis Uaughton bayliff, Mt Adney receives xx^'for reading morning prayers. This is in accordance with the following ordinance: — Imprimis for the honor of God anil maintenance of Divine Service within the sayd town of ]\luch Wenlock, it is ordered that 20/- yercly be i)ayed to the Curate there for the tyme being for saying of divine service at C of the clock every the morning throughout the whole year. Another Item is — for beer bestowed upon those that carried halberts before 1\I'' Baylilib at the iirst fair. Item, for dinner on Midsummer Day £113. IG Chas. j. Alichas. Coram George Langley gen. ball, Lawrence Bentall armig, Edmund Ihillock, gen,, Iioger More, gen., Ed wo. ]3yssope gen. bailijs. 29 Scj). Monday at Much Wenlock. AFem'" that at a general assembly of the bailiff, burgesses and commonalty of the said franchise and liberties by and with a full and general consent of the said assembly Jjawrence Bentall of jjentall esquire was elected and cliosen to be Justice of the Peace of our .Sovere<'ii Lord the King for the said franchise in the place of llichard Jones esquire deceased. George Langley Jjayliff, E. Bullock, Jii Cressett, John Weld, Roger More, Geo. Adney, James Lewes, Job Rage, Thys. Moye (? More). 18 Chas. j. AJichas. Day. Election of Henry ]\fytton of Shipton esquire bailiff, Jolm Steenton, coroner, John Mason treasurer, Lawrence 15cntall esq''^, William Walker gent, justices for the following year, 21 Chas. j. 1!) iVi.irch. Mem'" that Edmund Bullock, Erancis Adams, John Huxley sen"" and many otliers among whom was Andrew Blakeway, electetl Andrew Jiowdler of Arlescott sen"" gent, to be jjailiil' till Michaelmas Day following in the room of itobcrt Thorne of Spoonbill gent., defunct. 'JMie account of Erancis Adams Gent" Bayliff, made 21) Sop. 1015. Signed by .)ohn 11 uxl(7,Tlioin;is Loekier, (Jeorge Adney and George Langley. Vol. VI,, 2na S. ij jiliJ.v » !' jLt^Jl :(..! \o \'\'J}nm&n li Jl^>■^i■.j/; MJJll', 280 WENLOCK CORrORATION RECORDS. N.B. — There is nothing in this account which bears on the civil war then going on around and even witlun the franchise. The residents at Wenlock appear to have been very cautious, but it would appear that the bailifl was obliged to do certain official work, in describ- ing which lie made many obliterations, and which eventually forms the following item : — Item for sending forth all manner of warrants beside what are above mentioned £4- 7. This was a most extraordinary sum, compared with the usual disbursements for the purpose, and left the bailiff a creditor of £o Is. 8d. 22 Chas, j. 27 June. Ordinance for making a list of bur- gesses, foes, L^'C. Among the burgesses present were Sir Morton lU-iggs \]i\i\ Francis Adams, Francis Forstcr, Uumfry briggs rail and George Adney. 13 July. Ordinances as to the affairs of the Corporation, including one for a sermon being preached on Alichas Day for the edification of the burgesses and a rule that no one shall vote at tlio election wlio was absent from hearing the sermon. 19 Sop. At a conion liall or assembly houlden at Much Wenlock the 19^'* day of September A.D. 1G4G anno reg. reg. Caroli nunc Angliie .»cc. xxij" by Audley llowdlergent. bayhlle, Bayliff peers and burgesses of the town and liberties of Wenlock aforesaid w"' an unanimous consent it was ordayned constituted and agreed as foUowcth — Whereas Francis Smith gent, is by ordinance of Parliament adjudged a delinquent and so represented to this common assembly of the Jiaylil'f, bayliiV rccrs and burgesses for which ho hath been committed and his estate real and |)ersonaU sequestered to the use of the State— 'J'iiis assembly are agreed to displace and amove the said Francis Smith from his place and oiliccs of Comon Clarke and Clark of the Peace of the said town and liberties of Wenlock for the causes aforesaid. And this assembly arc also agreed and have choosen Mieharl Supheus of Ascott gent, to be Comon (Clarke and Clarke of the IViace of the aforesaid Poroiigh of Wenlock in the stead and [)lace of the said ffrancis Siiiiih who is displaced for the causes aforesaid. To have and enjoy tlie same by patent under the coiimioii seal of this franchise and liberty for term of his life according to the ' -1] -/looJnoV/' A 'j.'ijjfi iloic'J ?.'C'Oq flilvijfl ,frO') Rf,,J D) oitf.-4 oilJ 'lo jhjii ■uU I'j'] ^(i■l'-^I.'l WENLOCK COIIPOKATION RKCORD.S. 28 I charter of this liberty. This order constitution and election was subscribed with the names of the said IkiilitVand JJaiiilV Peers and liurgesses underwritten, and the said Michael Stephens was sworn before the said J3ailiff and iJurgcsses the time aforesaid to execute the said ollice,--Audley liowdlcr, Ball, William Fowler, John Dawes, Francis Adams, Robert Lee Fran Cooke Jo Mayer Ffra Parsons Rich Rlakeway Tho« Parkes Andrew Blakeway Edw Leighton John Wedgwood Jo Baldwin li^dw'' Ftewtrell Rich Wickstcad Andrew Rowdier Tho Rockier Edward Oxton Roger Mone Walter C-arter Edm Bullock Andrew Langley John Huxley Rich'^ llabberloy Geo Langley Humphrey Howdler John Hamond Thos Adams W'" Hassould William Nock John Tilley Rich Kenrick John Davys Jo Heynes ]\Iany other Burgesses there what consented. 30 Sepf. In the presence of Andrew Bowdler gent" bailiff, and others. Election of Sir Humphrey Briggs, Knight as re- presentative of the boro' in Pailiament at Westminster in the place of Thomas Littleton. Here follow the signatures. JohnBaldwyn Oliver Rioliards George Ludlow Thos Adney Rowland PLibcrley W"' Fowler Francis Sprott Andrew Powdler Ball Ric Cresset George Adney iMorton Rriggs Jo Leighton George Francis Forester Jolm Corlield Rich^ Clowes Fr Adams John Dawes Jolm Wareham John Huxley Rich Ridley John Littlehales Roger Moanc Nich^ SJee[)ham Edw'' Smahnan W'" Walker Edw Baldwyn 23 Chas. j. Micluis. Day. Humfrey Mackworth estjuire elected Recorder instead of Sir Adam Pointz Littleton deceased. 29 Sep. At a common hall held by Andrew Bowdler Gent., Election of John Hu.xley gent, jjayliil. 2-t Chas. j. Tiie account of Audley Bowdler gent" Bayliii for all fynes &c. which came to his hands and to the hands ot Thomas Harwell his Serjeant otherwise during the tymeof his Baylifiwick .... Lnprimis it is allowed for sending abroad ■•J(:J]J; .A J r,ri .'1 !V; ..'.KVv ff'JU £ul Jiyv/'Jjili Wfi 282 WENLOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. warrants upon divers occasions it being in the prime of the unnatural war between the King and Parhament £3 . Election of a bayliil in the \>\ace of Henry Langley gent, who died on Monday night last. Thomas Lockier gent, was elected baylill lor the end uf the year of M'' Henry Langley. A.D. 1054, 29 Sep. Election of Audley IJuwdler gen" JJailill A.D. 1G55, 29 Sep. Election of Thomas llowells of Larden gent, baililf. Among the burgesses admitted this year was iiich'^ Moore of Linley gent. A.D. 1G5G, 29 Sep. Election of i\Iichacl Ste])liens gent, bailill, George Carter was the elector named by the^ liady Lartie. A.D. 1G57, 29 Sep. Thomas Adams the younger of J]arrow gent, elected Bailiff. Among the burgesses admitted in the time of M'' ]jailiti Adams was Thomas Synor of Bentall. A.D. 1658, 2G j\Lay. A common hall was held to elect a bailiff in tlie room of Thomas Adams gent, deceased till Michas. next. Thomas Jjokier gent, was elected. Burgesses admitted 18 Jan^" 1G58, Sir Erancis Jjawley, IJar*^, Thos. Whitmore esq'", Adam Ottley esq.,, Samuel ]5aldwin, esq'*^, John Wood gent., Thomas Black way, Edw'' ljittlctongent.,lvich'^Littlehalesand others. Ac- count of Thomas Lockyer gent, bailiff, and Thomas Adams bailiff. N.B. — At the foot of the page on wliicli the above is entered is the following : — Burgesses admitted in the fore sayd year Sir John Pershall, Jjar*-, Richard Eowler, Uichard Scriven, liichard llatley, Henry Sprott, esquires, John Lacon gent., John Seamcr, John Blake- way, Cierrard Barnett. 1G58, June xv. Margaret Harper of Willey andChristo})her Morrall of Much Wenlock and Oliver Barsons of Bridgnortii vouchers for the said i\[argaret hath this day and yeare afores'^ in open flaire at Much Wenlock soulden unto i\l'' Hugh Deakin of the Bould in the County of Salop gent., one bay mare about 13'"* handfidl high with a slitt in the left yeare of the price of ij' v^. 2:) Sep. Election of Erancis Huxley of Hroseley gent., bailiff, Uicii'' Mynton coroner, Jasper Cliveley, treasurer. A.D. 1659, 1 Nov. Account of Erancis Huxley bailiff. Ctii'O '*•*•■-'{ Cii./I,rli>-i jiii.-Jl. , ■^iiWJ>>^Jl XsHy/ ■ L ,VX WEN LOCK CORPORATION RECORDS. 283 Election of John Warham gent. baililL IG Chas. ij. 19 July. Account of Michael StcjJiens baylill 1G56-7 taken before Henry Sprott Esq''^ then baylitl. 2 Jas. ij. Election of Francis Loker gent" bailill PEDIGREE OF ADAMS OF BROSELEY. I. — William Adams of Cleeton, near Bitterley, Salop, had issue, with others, William and John, both called of Cleeton. XI, — William Adams of Cleeton, married and had issue. III. — William Adams of Cleeton, married Isabel, daughter of Thomas Hopton of Bitterley, by Margaret Lutley, and had issue. IV. — William Adams of Cleeton, married Ursula, daughter of William Gower of Eidmarley, Co. Worces- ji, and had issue. y_ — William Adams of Cleeton, married Frances, daughter of Richard Forster of Sutton Madoc, and had issue a solo heir. VI. — Anne, sole heiress of Cleeton, died a widow, buried at Broseley 19 December, 1G37, married Francis Adains, and had issue. VII. — Charles Adams had Cleeton from his mother, and sold it. Married Mary, daughter of Francis Forster, buried 3 ]\Iarch, 1G88, and had issue. VIIL— William Adams buried G Oct.; 1728, married Anne, daughter of Walter Grey, and had issue. 1. William, of whom hereafter; 2. Anne, bap. 19 May, 1G84; 3. Mary, bap. 12 July, 1691. XX. — William Adams married Mary, sister and coheir of Balph Browne, and had issue. 1. William, of whom hereafter; 2. John, bap. 1 Nov., 1730, obt. infans ; 3. Elizabeth, bap. 24 Aug., 1743 ; 4. John, bap. 5 March, 1739, wiio married and left issue. X. — William Adams, bap. 8 July, 1733, married Eleanor, daughter of Henry Fermor, and had issue, a sole daughter, Eleanor, married 2 Feb., 1779, John Jones of Broseley, buried there 1820. I'M'iii- i< '. iihuHiW -.7- : >'ji .„ i.imi f\ &[o;-ii .■^anA. — .IT' ( 'i 3 -!•<-; i K./ X J u. i , ,t«M tlf;: iQdi r "to ,mGiiliiV/ 4. I .-:u)fi (fffol .? : -rf^^tetyiefl lijl, ,Xi)iLK:< 284 PETITION OF THE COTIDWAINERS OF THE TOWN OF SALOP IN A.D. 1323-4. Translated and Edued isy the Rev. C. H. DKINKWATEK, :\I.A. The document following amply warrants the conclusion which Chancellor Burn of Carlisle was ]jerhaps one of the very first to draw, but to which numerous writers of note have since given in that adhesion — viz., "that Gilds and Fraternities were in use in this l^intxclom loncj before any formal licences were granted to them." It is, indeed, just possible that the Tanners of Salop, who are mentioned in this petition, were, in some way or other, formally recognised before A.D. 1479, which is the date assigned to their Charter by Walford and others, but as yet we have had no formal evidence of it. Formal recognition was, however, seldom claimed before necessity seemed to make it indispensable, so that, ill this respect at least, the Cordwainers seem to have had a decided advantaixe over their adversaries : tlieir petition for the King's Charter ivas granted, and is still to be found in the Public llecord Office. It is no doubt the same that is referred to in the Cal, Hot. Pat., and there said to have elicited from Edw. II. a Charter of Confirmation. The notice in the Calen- darium, in the l/ch year of that King, runs thus, "Libertates confirmatoe cordewanariis villse Salop." Now this is C[uite 15G years before the date assigned by Leighton, Walford, and others to the establishment of the Tanners as a Cliartercd Gild. 1'his petition, moreover, states that the Cordwainers had "libei'tatcs " before this time, yea, "even from time immemorial,'" It is, therefore, probable that the Cordwainers, as a ai Hit' in U5.t i KliTI O ) OJ .l- [i)inic m Ylr aokHi\V!.<>'j-yi ■■'+;-) * £■ bo!>iooh w,/; ,]nalf>;W PETITION OF THE CORDWATNERS. 2 85 Fraternity, were anterior to the Tanners, and that the latter were, in the lirst instance, an offshoot from them, for the craft of the former involved the whole process from thedressmgof the raw skins (corlarecentia) to the finished slipper, hoot, or buskin, while the Tanners were only concerned with the o-eneral preparation of leather, a commodity used in a very large number of handicrafts., and disposed of wholesale, in such form and such con- dition as was best suited to each, but which they them- selves did not work up, as did the Cordwainers, into any article of personal use. It is not easy to decide for how long a period the mandate issued in reply to this petition was reckoned as a valid licence, probably only during the reign of the then King, Edw, II. It seems to have been ignored in the very next reign by the Tanners, for 40 years later (A.D, 13G1-2) the liberties of the Cordwainers seem to have required a further coniirmation. Nor even then was the contention set at rest, for in the reign of Rich. 11. (A.D. 1387-8) a third coniirmation was granted, the index-title of this last beino- in much the same form as the two proceeding, " Quod cordowannarii Salop' possint tanniare, et alia) libertates," Vie may notice that tlie date even of this last confirmation is more than 100 years earlier than that usually assigned to the Tanners, and although we do not find in the " Calendars " any notice of their having obtained distinct recognition, we may not think that they had remained so long without some standing in the eye of the law when the Cord- wainers had been more than once so distinctly recog- nised. It is quite plain that during the 14th and 15th centuries the Tanners had been increasinof in wealth and influence, and having already broken away from the Cordwainers were assiduously using every effort to destroy their independence. Brentano, as quoted by Illbbert, puts this in a clear light when he says, " Sometimes the richer craftsmen withdrew from their poorer brethren into separate gilds, as for instance the Tanners from the Shoemakers," These latter :n}l IT iii'/iiil -nfiij.j Is' ■, Ji ill ^ i; r.i r-'iif'i 8:trjk4 J' 286 PETITION OF THE CORDWAINERS OF TOE would be restricted by their proper handicraft from ex- tending their business beyond the necessities of ^-heir occupation, while, as we have seen, the Tanners would find customers for their wares among a variety of other crafts to whom leather was in o-reater or less deo^ree absolutely necessary : — Saddlers, Armourers, Black- smiths, Glovers, Whittawers, Cappers, Cobblers, Gird- lers, irarne:^s-makers, and others, who used leather in one way or another in their various hanrliworks. The separation alluded to may have been made in the previous century, 40 or 50 years before, and the friction which now declared itself affords palpable evi- dence of the envy and jealousy which had arisen between interests that were constantly clashing. It is, moreover, likely that the Bailiffs were more inclined to favour the Tanners than the Shoemakers, or were more under their influence. A certain amoimt of partiality seems to have been exercised by them, and they richly deserved the rebuke which the Mandate of the King, indirectly perhaps, but not less really, conveyed. Now the Bailiffs for A.D. 1322 and 1323 were Galfrid Eandolf and John Baldwyn, while those of 1324 were John Beyner and Thomas Colle, junior. It was, probably, under the rule of the former, who were in office two successive years, that the acts complained of were per- petrated, for though the exact date of the JMandate is not given, new Bailiffs were not elected until the lirst Sunday after the 1st September in each year. The Tanners seem to have been habitually liable to overstep their powers. Their refusal as late as A.D. 1G56 to allow a Committee appointed by the Corpora- tion to examine their "Composition" resulted in a prosecution being instituted against them. The Petition itself, written on a slip of vellum, is in the technical Norman French, used in legal })roceedings at that early period {afterward abolished by Edw. III. at the close of the 14th century). It is a curious mixture, not altogether free from Latin words and phrases, not dithcult to understand, when the writing oon y A . 'i! ' S::2Ql ,0,A 10 \yv/^ tmiio ai Jf sJ.3 lo f:(irn 6iit -ftibiiu •ai;a "Qsue* TOWN OF SALOP IN A.D. 13il3-4. 287 is plain, but very puzzling wherever the scribe has spelled a word phonetically, or literally rendered the Latin legal-phraseology of the times previous to the Conquest. A nostre Seigneur lo Roi^ et a son conscil prient les Corde- waners- de la vill de Salop' et par la ou eus et leur auncestres et tons ceux de leur mestier^ en la dite villo de temps dont memorie ne court, ount usee de tanner quyrs* a leur vol'nte sanz disturbaunce ausi avant com les tannours de mesme la vill et sur ce sire a vostre dreyn^ estre illuges ascun debat fut de ceo entre les Tannours et les Cordewan'es de mesme la ville 1 Edward II. began his reign on the 8th July, 1307. The date of this petition must have been previous to the 17tli year of this King, viz., in 1323, 4. 2 Cordewaners, usually spelled in more modei'n EngUsh cordewnniers. Spanish leather, from Cordova, was oilled Cordevan, corrupted also into cordwayn or cordcivayne ; whence a shoemaker is still technically called a cordwaincr. Puts on his lusty green, with gaudy hook. And hanging scrip of finest cordevan. Flctch. Faithf. Sh. i. 1. So Spenser : — Buskins he wore of costliest cordwai/ne. Spcns. F. Q. 6., ii. G. (Nares' Glossary). ^ Mestier. — This word has been by some derived from mysterium, i.e., vitcB modus, a trade or occupation, an artificium (Cowel) or from viinisternim, an ofHce, or a service (Blount). In modern French it is metier, which Brachet thus explains : " Metier, trade. In the 10th century it was written mistier (see the poem of S. Leger) from L. vmiisterium, an office ; then, employment : lastly, daily occupation, trade, and is so used in Carol, documents." Nares gives another definition, Perhaps, however, it is rather from viaistery. An appren- tice is bound that he may learn the "art and mistery" of such a trade. * Qziyrs or S2iyrs : which latter seems a mistake. In modern French cuir, hide, skin, leather, from L. corium. ^ Drey}i, same as darrein, ultiiiuis, i.e., last, now dernier, which was formerly derrenier, derrainier, from O.F. dcrrain. So far Brachet, who does not seem to have met with dreyn. "With the word next but one to dreyn, viz., illuges, as I read it, I am not at all satisfied. Mr. W. Boyd translates it ^' there," but I cannot warrant either the reatling or the rendering. Vol. VI., 2nd S. .J-T .TViiil.-., IDHMSKjiS oB 0 ..^ ('e. 10 ofcj-iJ i; ,1 >n ,i")5'/. 288 PETITION OF THE CORDWAINERS OF THE siir quey sire vos mandastes'^ vostre bre sous vostre prive soaF as IJailiifs^ de vosLre dite villo cj'eux enqueysont si lus dites Cordowaii'es avoient usee leur inestier do tanncrie en la forme soLizdite p' quele enqueste est trovee q' les Cordowan'es de la dite viile de tut temps avoient usee de tanner suyrs* en leur mesons a lur vol'nte, la quele enqueste est retornee en Court souz le com'une seaP de la vill. £t sire nient contresteaunt cele enqueste les ditez Tannours ount attachez to as les biens trovez en leur mesons de tannerie et les destorbent ore q' eus ne poent le dit mestier useer. Par quez, sire, les ditez Corde- wan'ers vous prient q' vous leur voillez graunter p' inspec- cioun^° de la dite enquestre b're sous vostre g'nt seal q' eus pussent user lur dit mestier^ de Tannerie ausi com eus et leur auncestres et les gents de lur mestier^ de tut temps avant ount usee et q' leur biens ore de novel attachez en leurs mesons de Tannerie leur soient deliv'ez, Mandetur ball's Salop' q'd p'mittant Cordewanarios infra scriptos coria in villa Salop' p' voluntato sua tannare prout &c. et destrictiones ad nos &c.^^ quas &c. relaxari faciant. There is no signature or seal subjoined to this docu- ment, which may therefore be regarded as an "office ^ Mandastes, the Latin would be niaudastis, contracted from man- davistid. ■^ Sval, now sceau, another O.F. form was seel, wliich afterwarda l)t'canic if[7, whence saau. In Ilalinn the word is siyiilo, which preserves the Lutin sigiliaiii. ^ BaUiffs. — These, as noted in the introduction, in A.D. 1322, 3, were John Rondulf and John Buldwyn. If we could discover the mistery of these men, light might possibly be thrown upon the motive for their zealous partisanship. ^ Cuviviune seat. — " Before the time of William the Conqueror the Englisli did not seal with wax, but they usually made a golden ci'oss on the parchment, [or] an impression on a piece of lead, wliich hanged to tlie Grant with a string of Silk, and this was held a sutficient con- firmation of the Grant itself, witliout Signing or any Witnesses" (Blount). N.B. — This is a very early instance of the town having a common seal. I'J Inspecioun. — Letters patent were called an inspeximus because they visually began with this word after the King's title. ^^ These etceteras are very perplexing, but although we cannot extend the passage, we do not doubt of the meaning, for they refer to separate clauses in the body of the petition. .riiul .'*1.0 'iOii*cnii ,>tnv)ft won ,Uw6 ^ _l\l,',v\'iYM'.;', : td) ■xcy-' v-'^r yriiuh .< lit/.. TOWN OF SALOP IN A.D. 1323-4:. 289 copy," the original having been transmitted to the Fraternity and carefully preserved in their chest. The followinir is a translation : — " The Cordwainers of the town of Salop present their-petition to our Lord the King and his Council in behalf of the town or themselves and their ancestors and all those of their mistery in the said town from time out of mind who have used to tan skins at their pleasure without disturbance ever before, just as the Tanners of the same town and upon this ^ire at your last being there without any question made of it between the Tanners and the Coidwainers of tlie same town, accordingly, Sire, you issued your writ under your privy seal to the Bailiffs of your said towai enjoining them to make enquiry whether the said Cordwainers had used their mistery of tannery in the form submitted, by which inquest it was found that the Cordwainers of the said town had from all time been used to tan skins in their houses at their pleasure v/hich inquest was re- turned into Court under the common seal of the town And, Sire, notwithstanding tliat inquest the said BaiUffs have seized all their goods found in their houses of tanning and at this time liinder them so that they cannot use the said mistery. Wherefore, Sire, the said Cordwainers pray you that you will grant by an inspexhnus of the said inquest a writ under your great seal that they may be able to use their said mistery of tannery just as they and their ancestors and the people of their mistery from all time previous have used and that their goods now lately seized may be delivered to them." [Then is added an endorsement or subscription in Latin as follows : — ] [Mandamus]. " Let it be a mandate to the Bailiffs of Salop that they permit the Cordwainers within- written to tan skins in the town of Salop at their pleasure as heretofore &c. and that they cause the distraints on our behalf if any &c. to be relaxed." f^d) Jo V ' } Jh ■ ivy .to I! ,o-ffP4 ,hnA ill;, i IV ^ i\}^on\f £ii iioi^rfhogtJ.tiiri 'io ^, • luio Ji>f- • ■ ' r .icJ ofrilfrNl Gib od aJ' L.>i..i.JV) V •;ji od 290 PETITION OF THE CORDWAINERS. The lack of personal names in this document, only perhaps an " ofiice copy," is much to be regretted. The petition itself Avould, no doubt, have been signed and sealed by the office bearers and the principal men of the Cordwainers' Fraternity, and from the seal we might have gathered how far recognition had previously been given to them. We must, however, content ourselves with the few facts Avhich may legitimately be gathered from the petition itself, hoping that some document will hereafter be brought to light which will clear up the difficulties arising from insufficient data. The meagre notes appended will be foimd useful to those who have not had previous experience of this kind of writing. I have not been able to extend the two etceteras in the Mandamus from want of the legal technical knowledge of that period. I may here add, in corroboration of tlie importance of the two trades at that period, that no persons other than resident householders could engage in either of them, for we have the notice of an ordinance of the 11th year of Henry III., 1226, 7, addressed to the " Burgenses de Salopia," which runs thus : — " Quod non emant infra Burgum Salopite coria recentia vel pannum crudum nisi sint in lotto et scotto &c." wv "^rli i-i'^q 291 SELATTYN: A HISTORY OF THE PAIIISH. By The Hon. Mrs. BULKELEY-OAVE^^. (Conluiued from 2)id Sei-ies, Vol. VI., Pnge 98^. THE RECTORS. The Clergy Institution Book in the Diocesan Registry at S. Asaph only dates from 1681. We are therefore unable to give the early Rectors of Selattyn. In a MS. in the Bodleian numbered " MS. Blakeway 15'," we find: — " William Spark, persona, ecclesia3 de Solatten 7 Ric. 11. bound to pay GO^ towards the relief of John le Strange of Blakmere, Chivaler." It is impossible to say if " Solatten " of 138 84 is the same place as '' Salatton " of 1391, but it seems highly probable. It is also difficult to see what connection it had with John le Strange ; moreover, the last John le Sl^range of Blackmere died in 1375. His daughter and heir, Elizabeth, married Thomas Mowbray, Earl of Nottingham, and she died s.p, 23rd Aug., 1383, leaving her aunt Ankaret (sister of John le Strange, her father) her heir. Ankaret married Richard Talbot, son and heir of Gilbert Baron Talbot, who was summoned to Parlia- ment from 3rd March 7 Rich. II. as " Ricardo Talbot de Blackmere." ^ 1 Historic Peerage, Nicholas, p. 151. Vol. Vr., 2nd S. KK m'j-^\ V aiiT ol fir: ^i ^^ BiWiiHe (Vl duel .lUoi 'Ju ' iiOifjjihiK *' Bii OL»: -i .^\l'.'i in !>',.!, , .,: ., .- Ml ,., H...,,. ... ,.,.....-,, .... 'mil ■oiii^ml ,1^?'^ ^ ■■"A .^. ,, ,■. .- mm.'^ — ■•'^D 292 SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF TEE PARISH. Thero may have been some connection between the famihes of Le Strange and Fitz Warren, for we read in Eyton that John, great great uncle of the last John le Strange of Blackmere, was born and baptized at Whit- tington, Sept. 16, 12GG ; and that "in Septr., 1287, being then in the custody of Anian, Bishop of St. Asaph, he made proof of his age, and had livery of his paternal inheritance." (Inquis., 15 Edw. I.)^ His mother was AHanore, daughter and coheir of William de Wai'ron, Lord of Album Monasterium or Whit- cliurch. In all probability John le Strange, to whom William Spark had to pay relief, was a cousin of John le Strano-e of Blackmere. He was Lord of Knocking, which, to- gether with Selattyn, were both in the Deanery of Marchia. He was sinnmoned to Parliament 20 Aug., 7 Piichard n. (1383), and died about 1398,- or before 1404. ^ nohcrl ap llowel. Ob. 1518.^ John ap Robert. No date.^ Rohej't Stancij. Inst, by Bisliop Warton, 1537.^ The Staney family were of considerable importance amongst the Burghers of Oswestry in the IGth and 17th centuries.^ They were granted the right to bear Arms upon the Herald's Visitation of Shropshire in 1623, which had been refused by the previous Herald in 1584, who denied to Bobert Stanney of the Libei'tiesof Oswestry, and to John and Iloger Stanney of the Town of Oswestry the " name, title, and Dignitie of Esquiers and Gentlemen." ^ Eyton, vol. x., p. 23. ■■^ Jllst. I\(raro\vne Willis's Survey of St. Asaph. ^ Ibid. llol)t. W;a-toii, Bi-liop of St. A.sapli l.').36-ir).5l, also .M.lu.t oi' neniioiiilsc}' until tin; I »is.-;iiliiliiui in \iuV.\. "' Tlifv, pi'ul);,li]y, originally caiin; IVdui Slnnmy, in CJicsliiiv. 'A PC- 1 Pf^'f? ■H-r rvj o Ua.» ji-ji ''■■■ \,- ,iar;a a.i ' r, f ■ ,'t' A ,j<, sill -i.I .la JjL ' i 'O'i.-it' Ki.i'ff ill '■^ ^'■■■- - ^ ■■■" \ ■:. '^'^^ to ..I'H{ j,;j!!* ^fc'T: 294 SELATTYN : A HISTOIIY OF THE PARISH. touched,^ and its wealth of church plate, ornaments, jewels and vestments. It was rich in the bequests of the citizens. No fewer than three Lord Mayors and many rich aldermen and citizens had been buried within its precints. I would refer my readers, to enable them to judge in some degree of the magniiicence of S, Christopher's, to the Inventory of its possessions in 1483.^ The Church and the Parsonage in which Robert Staney lived were burnt in the great fire. The former was re-built in Threadneedle Street, but was taken down in 1780 to make way for the Bank of England. The present private drawing oflice of the hJank stands upon the site of the Church. The old churchyard is now an enclosed garden.^ When the Church was removed the parish of S. Christopher's was joined to that of S. Margaret, Lothbury. Tlie 1 Registers of St. Christopher's do not begin until 3 Ehzabeth, and as Ilobert Staney died in the last year of Phillip and Mary, his name does not appear therein. In the book of Records in which the parish leases are entered it occurs : — 28 Henry VIII., 22 Dec, 153G. Robert Stanney Clark, parson witli the Clmrchwardcny lots certain premises. 30 Henry VIII. Sir Piobcrt Stanny Clark and the war- dens let other premises. 31 Hen. VIII., 11 Febry. Robert Stanny Clark, parson and the wardens let other premises. 1 The Cliautiy Act was passed o7 llvn. VII 1. 2 " S. Cliristoi)lier Ic Stocks. Minutes of the Vestry Meetings, E. Freshfieia, 186G." (British Museum Tress Mark 10,350, h. IG); also S. (Jliristopher le Stocks, " Acconipts of the Churcliwardens," K Freslilield, 1885. (I'ress Mark 10,350, h. I'J); and "Parish of S. Cliristoplier le Stocks," E. Freshflelil, 1882. (I'ress Mark, 10,350, h. L>). ^ \V"c arc indebted for this information to the llcv. Arthur Ingram, Rector of S. Margt., Lothlnuy. :7/ a-J a^s&ol i.u'ij/]i:.{ adcT ihidv/ nl (ih'foo^ff 1o yiood ml — : s-ujdoo lU ho'iB -liiv/ oil. J 117 LiOp.'!{iq i^iSiiO /mir.jt-^ :f'ieJo>' •■."!■•.* ■a) ^;i: I' • ■■ m:' . I'll'' , t ^:, I i! ..,'..,... . r(i'fiiiO lo :: .,,_.. j .gee I ...... .1 : ■ .' .i'.'jl L Uj ..<• . ■ . 1 \ i io'i ij').iil'4;)(i lun X ^ 296 SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF TUE PARISH. geve & bequeth xiij gownes in the Honour of God & the twelfe apostilles Avhiche gownes my will is that they be be- stowed to iij old auncyent & discrete poore men . . to every Sonne ifc doiigliter of my loving brotlicr Jolm Draper xx^ sterling a ])eee . Item I will *.K: charge my somie David Staney &; his hoires. . that he iinde observe & kepe an aniiall dirige or obitc duringo the space of a hunderth yeres . . . painge yerely therfor xiij*^ iiij*^. . . I geve & bequeth to the hyght altare of the aforenamed parische Churche of Oswester for my tithes negligently forgotten or unpaied at sundry tymes vj** viij'^ to the mayntcnaunce & reparacon ot the said Church of Oswester v'' sterlinge. Item. I wyll that in all goodly haste after my decease an inventor}' be taken Sz made by my loving cosing John Price, clerke & person of \Miitton & that they be equally & indiffer- -ently cievyded & partyd at the oversight of my executours & my weddid wife Jaii verch David lloid a})}) Owen. . in three severall partes. . . the firste parte to pay my debtes legacies. . . Item the seconde parte so devyded I do give & becjucth to be equally & indiherently devyded in several parte betwixte my wei beloved sonnes, tliat is to say Thomas Staney, David Staney, ISK Robert Staney & Richard Stanye ye yonger, & that they & every of them do aggre & content themselves to his por'con bymitted .t equally devyded without any gruge, malice, hatridde or debate one to another for the especiaiall love & kindnesthat I being ther father naturall thereunto have shewed & bestowed uppon them. Item the 3''^ parte I bequeth to my loving wedded wife Joanne as her dower .... Blanche my eldest doughter & wife to Master Richard l^aynolde, citizen of London . . . my doughter Jane being wif to one j\[astor Watson Citizen of London . . . Johan my doughter being wif to Jenn lloid , . my doughter Elizabeth being wif to Edwarde lloid .... my welbelovcd Ts^evewes John Price & person of Whitton & Hughe ap John of the same towne draper. Item I will that my sonne Thomas Staney may have his election of my best standing Cupp with his cover double gilt . . . David Staney have upon his election the neest of gilding bolle. Witnesses John Price clerke & person of Whitton^ Owen 1 Witness alao to tlie Will of Ptobcrt ap Howell, 154L See Chai). IV. :.iv:.i.:i '/Hf ■J!/VO ''{/a o:i siijiipyi i -jjiifiii '''' , , iloliifn. ( a ■ -. o nr^wO ;a on. I TO ailoi. ;: • ■■■ ^suii >J< ■ '^ <)j ':y^v;ih ii'jri'l nilol aGaeau.u yV 90<::! . i %:y ilVH oAt 01 odii w: • YJ. .:U:iU SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. 297 app David curate^ Robert app Howell Alderman, John app Thomas, Edward ap j\rereclith alderman of the same towne of Oswoster, Richard Baker, IJorgcs, & mc Thomas Stannuy & mo David Stancy llobcrt Stancy Cicrke & person of Sullatton & mc liichard Stancy the younger." Proved 15 April 1540, P.C.C. Will of Richard Staney of Oswestre, Draper, 1542. (13 Spert). " To be bnryed in tho p'yshe Churche of O.swestro wtin the grave of my brother parsono Stanye yf it may be convenyently ells ymmedyatlye adjoynyng the same . , , to Sir Owen my gostly father xx^ ... to the reparcion and buylding of the Churche fvye poundes sterling ... to the buylding of a new scole within the Churche yarde fyve pounds sterling , . . unto myno Eldest sone Richard Staney one hundreth poundes starling ... to my doughters laufully begotten betwixte me and my wyddydo wyfo that ys to seye Katheryn, Margaret, Jane, Dowcc and yf it bo Goddes jdeasure that she be lighted of a childc whore w* she goitli nowc to every one of theyn threescore poundes sterling a])ece" (to his " basterd children" Thomas Staney, Elizabeth and Margaret " ten poundes" each) to Elenour my weddyd wife three hundreth markes starling . . . my Suster Jenett Uoyed Jev'n lloid is wyfe fyve poundes . . . ^ Owen ap David was Curate of Oswestry as early as 1521, for lie is mentioned in the Will of " David Edmondc clercus. Oswestcr dated f) Nov. and prov. 22 Nov., 1521." lie leaves to "Doni. Robert! liaker 5* " to celebrate a trental for his soul ; " to Doni. Owine ap David curat ii' ;" his goods nu)val)lc and iiiuu(jvable lie leaves to " Richard llaniner cleri." (Will SoinerseL Ibnise, " Maynwaryng 18.") Peter Rrereton, liftli sou of Sir Raudle Rreruton of Ipstones, Sliock- lach, and Malpas, Kt., Chamberlain of Chester 21 to 23 Jleu. VIII. Kt. Banneret and Kt. of the body to Hen. VII., was Vicar of Oswes- try as early as 20th Hon. VIII. (1528-29), and 22 Hen. VIIL (1530 31), when he is the defendant in a suit with Thomas, Alibot of Shrewsbury, concerning the tithes of the Parish Church and Parsoua<'-o of Oswestry. (Star Chamber rroceed., Rundle 17, No. 380, Bundle 18, 212, Bundle 20, 7G and 80, Bmidle 21, 223, Bundle, 25, 8). Peter Brercton, Vicar of Oswestry, was the plaintilT in a suit con- cerning collecting tithes and oH'orings in the Church of Oswestry at Easier without his authority. 2irilcii. VI 11. (1537-38), llaiidall Ireland, hichard Baker, R(jl)ert l-lnyd and others wcic the duf^'ml- ants. Star ClKunb. Proceed., Hook G., Ko 2'JI, and Bundle 21, 35'J. ,^. .. ...3 'T J . . : , ..: .il:t:I ,.^oVl Li: ,v!.>'!q Jiui; . ■ (-.1 'X.;r4 -ill "; ^ii •7) ■■' ii'j!.> -j.Mi;','!. '•■■I aOi- ■'' ■' ,n f Mil jrid ,Jj ?;; >.•'•!( f^/ilo I.r,;; .^ jl'li,; .■cr,^^ n.i / .I),;!} ri,' V !i-ii.jlit'j •ill Ji" 298 SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. to every childe of my Syster Jonet lloide xx'' . . . xx* to every childe of my Nevewe Robert lloide xx^ to every childe of my Syster Elizabeth Staney wyfe to Edward lloide^ ... to Gruft" lloide his doughter xx^ now bcinj^ unmaryed ... to every child of my Nevewe Thomas lloyd- xx^ ... to every childe of my Cosyn Edward Draper xx^ . . . to every childe of myn uncle John Draper xx^ ... to the childe of my Nece Cicelye doughter of Jev'n lloyde xx^ . , . xx^ to be devyded betwixte Dowce Drapery's children . . . xx^ to be devyded betwixte Margaret Drapers children . . . to my Coiisyn John price parsone of Wittenton xx^ . . . Elenour Verch David my weddid wife . . . John ap David lloyde my brother in lawe In witness John Price, Owen ap D'd Clarke etc. David Stcmney's^ Will. ("47 Alenger). 1547. I, David Stanney ... to be buried in or lady Chauncell by my mother in the Churche of Saint Oswalde King & Martir . . to John Wynn Stanney my nephewe & to his lieires in fee simple all my landes wt'in the townc & Lordshipp of Oscstree , . . Elizabeth my sister . . . myne uncle Kicharde Blodwell* . , . my brother Thomas Stanney^ . . . Margaret ap llcwe my "wifte.^ 1 Of Llwynymacn. 2 Second son of Icvan Lloyd of Park Promise. 3 Anotlicr " David Stanney, Cent." occurs in the Oswestry Piegistcr as "buried May 29, 159G." 4 Son of Jolni Plodwell of Oswestry, by Margaret Lloyd v. — Lloyd ap Thomas Lloyd o Fodlitli. Llyfr Silin, Arch. Cnmh., Series v., p. 119. The names of John and Richard Blodwell occur amongst the earliest list of Burgesses. Richard Blodwell was supervisor to the Will of Ed. Lloyd of Llwynymacn, Ibii. In tlie Oswestry Corpora- tion Records we find 8 April, 2 Ed. VI., " M-^ That this day Richard blodwall gent, lyften'nt of Osestrie delyv'ed on gret Crosse of Selver & gylt unto the said elecc'on " [house]. See Bi/e-Gones, Eel). 28, 1877. 5 Iliid. "M'' that the said day Thomas Staney gent, on of theldr men of the said Townc delyv'ed xv'' sterling to thys of the townc to be kept in the com'yn coflre of the townes money." c In the sentence confirming the Will, tlie uidow is described as " Mar oi — oLi •— .7 i(> U'J'- ftii!;.o''i, 1 , ,. 'J/ avi'ut 'Jit.! 11 I! Am,V ■^■•■1'! jiio SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. 299 Robert Staney's Will (33 Wells). In the Name of God Amen. The 13*^ daye of September 1557, I, Robert Stanney p'sone of the parscho churcho of Seynt X'pofer beside the Stockc in London, being in goode & perfect mynde & memorye, lawde be to God, neverthelesso somewhat sicke of bodie do make & ordeyne this my present testament & last will in manor & fourme folowinge. That is to saye, 1 bcquethe & comende my sowle to Almightie God my savyor & Rodemor & to our blessed ladye his mother & all ye holy companye of heaven, beseeching hym to have morcye on my sowle. And I will my bodie to bo buryed at the highc aultcr in the saide parische chiirche of seynt x'pofor. Item, I will that at my buriall there bo a sermon & payengo therefor vi^ viii'^ Item, I will to haue ij braunches of white waxe, vj staffe torches w* a devout nomber of preiste & clerke. Item, I give & bequeth to dame Biaunche llorman^ v'' in memoriall of her kindnes to me shewed whom I make my solo executrix. Item. I give the said Blanche my sister a salte of sylver with a cover p'cell gilt of ye value of y'iII. xiiji-. iijd Item. I give to the saide Richarde my brother my lesser nutte p'cell gilto of \\]li. value or thercaboute. Item. I give to my ladyo formun ij spooues of the xij A])ostles and my best golde Rynge w*-'' stone. Item. I bequeth my gowne of violett ingrayne w* my gowne of puke^ lyned w*'' taffata to Elizabeth Chyrke. Item. I give and bequeth my ffroche of worsted faced w^^ Coney to John her sonno. Item. I bequeth my shorte gowne faced w**^ Seynt Omers worsted to Richard his brother her sonne. Item. I give to John Mynton sexton of xp'ofers mync olde longe gowne furred w^'' lambe. These being witnesses Thomas Wytton the scryvenor and notarye publique Robert Brigges goldesmythe and Davyo Draper with other. Proved P. C. C. 3 Feb.. 1558. Will of John Draper of Oswestr, 18 January 1534.^ He leaves his body to be buried " in Christian buriall in the Churclie of Saint Oswaldc the Martyr." ^ His oldost sister. - A kind of stuir. Also tho coknir puce. ■' Will. .Sonicvset House. Ilogeu 23. Vol. VI.. Jnd JS, LL -MS iH'tod 'dm iia yai fMl;>nii]tf hicr. oil,? ov on *'•% .b'iOij't b'Ji«iOY. iO j».,-..,,i ^ Jli ^Jli, iXj!.1.J '(M Oll.t (It ., ,• >i fc!-ii. J'/ O LI ni . .\Ct. i Mul-j . y 1 SELATTYN : A IHSTORY OF THE PAlirSII. oOl The Oswestry Registers only date from the succeeding year. We have no clue as to the house in which his son Robert Staney, husband of lilleanor ITanmer, lived in Selattyn, but the Registers give us tiie baptisms of his children and irrandchildren. The Registers of Oswestry and Selattyn supply us with information respecting many of the family. It is impossible to give with any certainty their degrees of relationship, so we think it better to give the entries in chronolomcal order, 2G Nov., 1570. Lui'e Staney was gossip to Gvvenh\V3'var daughter of >Sir William Maurice at Oswes- try. 15 Dec., 1583. Thomas Staney son of Jolm Staney and Anno Vercli Edward were married at Selattyn. 8 Oct., 1587. Thomas Staney and Ann Kynaston were mar- ried at Oswestry. 29 May, 1590. David Stannoy gent. bur. at Oswestry. 18 Se[)t., 1596. Gwenhwyvar Staney wife of John ap Edward was buried at Selattyn. 20 Dec, 1597. John Staney was buried at Whittington^ 25 Feb., 1G06. Thomas son of Thomas Staney gent, buried at Oswestry. 16 Jany., 1G22. Catherine wife of Thomas Staney gent. bur. at Oswestry, 12 Sept., 1625. Richard son of Thomas Staney gent, baptized at Oswestry. 21 Nov., 1630. llichard son of Thomas Staney gent, buried at Oswestry. 12 Sept., 1637. Thomas Staney gent, bur. at Oswestry. 21 Mar, 1657. Mrs. Thomas Staney widow buried at Selat- tyn. 26 Feb., 1707. Elward child of Charles Staney by [illegible] his wife baptized. STANEY or STANNKY of rORKINCTON. Ilarl. 139G, fob 298b. Hurl. 1211, fol. 127. Ainrs — Quarterly 1 and If ar(j., a chevron hclw. 3 ^lewits ya, 2 and S ary. a chevron belio. J trefoils sable. 1 'JMiu only 8t;uicy 1 I'ouikI in Wliitliuj^'tuii llcgi.stcr. I UH.(. ."^OnV ^.oeU OS -,li;i()H Jjj l>L.i-f!j>J Y/OJHV/ ^(;.;^...!P. ["i'.iinHik :.<:n\ SoOl :mU 1,2 [ v^J v^ififiJ^ a^AtnrP loWido Ivi/;vd:^^ aOtI ,cbt <)2 ,!)::•;:;! !rf.«j!j oivf/ ?\d 302 SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. ROGER STANNEY,=p of Oswestry. John Blodwellr Burgess of Oswestry. =Dau. of David ap GrifF goch ap Jem ap David Vychan ap Jer ap David ap Kawred. Richarde Blodwell. Richard Stanye,=p(l) Johanetta,^ dau. the elder, of of John Blodwell, of Oswestry. (2) Johanne, dau. of David lloid ap Oswestcr, mer- cer. Will dated 15 Nov., 31 Hen. VIII., prov. 15 April, 1540. Johanne Staney=pJohn Draper of Will 2 April, Oswald stre, 154U. r.C.C. Will IS Jany., 1534. P.C.C. Owen. Edward^ John, mentioned in Richard Staney's ^Vill, 1542. Richard= Hugh, mentioned in Mr. Robert Staney's Will, 1557. Thomas. Thomas Staney," .son and heir to Richard Staney the elder. Alder- man of Oswes- try, in April, 2 Ed. vi. (1549). David, exect. to Edw.=^Margarct Mr. Robert. Sup. Lloj-d, of Llwynymaen, ap Hewe. for B. Can. L. Feb. ~ 152'J-3U,adm. 7Feb. Oxford University Register. Rector of S. Christopher 28, March, 1536—1558, Rector of Selattyn, 1537—1553. Vicar of Meifod 1537—1540. Will 13 Sept. 1557, [irov. 3 Feb., 1558. 1544, Will dated 13 Sept., 1 558, i)rov. 3 Feb. , 1558-9, heir his Nephew Jolm Wyn Stanney. I Richard,^Elenour, of Oswestry, I Verch draper, \Vill | David. 1542. I " Parson Stanye," mentioned in brother's Will, buried at Par. Church, Oswcstre, before 1542. There was a John Staney at Oxford, 1510. Richard, sw(jrn Burgess 29 June, 15G5, liajliHe of Oswes- try 20 June, 1572, and 28 Nov., 100.3, i^igus Corporation Records 3 May, 1582, and 8 June, 1583, ' Margaret=pJohn Trevor, Jane. Dowce. (fychan), of 08weslr>', Baylill'e 10 Jany., 21 Elizabeth, 1578, and 28 Nov. 1003. I ' I Catlierine-pEdward Lloyd, Dorothy=^W illiam Cowper, bur. at Whitting- | of Drenewytkl, of Oswestry, ton, 0 Sept. 1038. Wliittington. 1 .Jdli.iuuUa, wifu luciilidncd in liis will. - 'riii.ic Ih a l.Mialii-o lMli)ii;;iiij^' to O.swisliy (jliiucli, d.ilcd l,'')7ri, ilio f;'ft <'f " It'''li:ii'U, (,sce Faculty Ollicc Liceneu). Her Will prov. 1573-4.1 ={1) Rich. Raynokle, citizen, SheritFof London, 1532. Will 1543, (20 Spert). (2) Robert Palmer, citizen and mercer of London. Will dated 5 iMay, 1544, (12 Pynnynj^). (3) Sir William Forman, Knt." Haberdasher, Lord Mayor 1538, son of William For- man,of Gainsborough, Lin- colnshire, bur. S. (ieorgc's, Botolph Lane. Will dated 1546, (30 Alcnger). Janc=j=WiUiamWatson (nativo of co. Salop), citizen of Ijondon. Will i :> 5 !). P. C. (J. fo. 4 Mellcrshe. John. Anne. Blancho=(l) Dunstan Walton. Will 1571-2. (10 Daper). (2) Sir Thos. Skynner, Kt., Ld. RLayor, 1596. Will 1597, (51 Cobham). Johan=pJevan Lloyd of Park Promise 2nd or 3rd son of Mereditii ap Howell, of ( llascoed, Vjy Dama- sin, dau. of Richard Ireland ap Rof^er Ireland, ap Sir John Ireland. Richard=FElizth. , d. Jeuan of Llwyn- | of John y-maen. I Tarbock, of V Oswestry. Elizabeth,: bur. Os- westry 10 April, 1590. ^Edward Lloidof Llwyn- ymaen. Constable of Oswestry Castle, Will prov. 16 Deer., 1544, dated Nov. 14. Jolin, of Dre- newydd. Heuge, of lal. Marget-==Edward Kinaston, of Hordley. Robert, men-: tioned in Will Rich. Staney. .Gwenhwyvor, d. of AVilliam Ed- wards, of Plas- nowydd, Chirk. Thomas, men.=Annys, dau. of Harry in Richard ap Sir John. (Her. Staney'sWill Visit). 1542. Mr. Richard David. John. Cicelyc, raen.=Georgo Briggs, (Priest). in Will Rich. ofJ^ondon. Staney, 1542. (Jfer. Visit.) Roger, son= Richard, ==Annc, d. of and heir. BaylilF of A n d r ew (Jfer. Visit). Oswestry. Ciiarlton, of Apley. I I I I Richard Thomas, Edward, William, Kyllin of of Aston. Twyford. 1 Slio liciiiioatlicil " onu Immlrod Hiuoi'kcs of loekor.iin or canvos to oiio hundred poore women ,iL Oswestry," and also subject to her suit in I'landens lieini; " recovered," one huii(h-eil iKiuiid to Oswestry for a lemlinii; fund, and Hfty pounds to tlie free seliool there. - Sir William Kornian was one of the 12 Knij;lit.s, Inave wealthy citizens that lent the ICing (!!() lien. VIII,), money ujion hinds mortK'ified to them. Sir W. Forman lent t'litlO. Slow'.s Sunifi/ of fjiinili'ii. Hook I., p:i|,'ii '2Si!. One 'I'liomas li'orniau nave X'.'") per iinn. to the poor of SI. Cliri iliiphei's, isiuin;; out of a lionso in (lornhill, williin llie saiil parish. .Stow'.s Unrvfy aj IadkIou, Kook II., piif.e lid. Ifl .unnh .iiilol. ■ r-lUiliot i;;-VW:;.l ./t)/',UIiVr' ,J>'!JU7/)' .,-u.Ji.(i!ii; .i;;)i.'J 304 SELATTYN ; A HtSTOllY OF THS PARISH. Alexander Staney.= (Ilcr. Vuil.) Robert Staney=rAnna, d. Draper. (Her. Visit J. Thomas Staney the younger, son and heir=f Cwcn, d, Jem ap Rhys, ap Dav to Robert Staney, Burgess in Oswestry, ap Clwill'm. (Jlcr. Visit. J bur. at Oswestry, 2G Dec, 1557, lived at Oldport. id Robert, Godfather,^ at Selattyn to Elizabeth, d. of Moris IFanmer, 18 July, 1307, bur. 2 Dec, 1G13, at Sel- attyn. Anne, mar.=[=Robert ap Richard, ap 31 Oct., Howell, (mentioned 1508. in Will 1590, of Ed- ward, ap David ap William, to whom he sold lands in Selattyn. (See (Jhap. IV.) Gwenhwyvar, chris. at Selattyn, 31 Oct., 1509. (lossipps, Robert Staney, Gwcnhwyvar Staney, and CJwenhwy var verch Edward. Eleanor, dau. of Thomas Hanraer (brother of David llanmer) buried at Selattyn 10 Nov., 10U8. Richard, ap_pAles d. of Edw Rob. Staney chris. Oswes- trie, 23 Aug. 1566. ap David, ap William of Pen- trewern. (His John, ap Robert=i=Katherine Staney, chris. Selattyn 0 Nov. 1572. Will 1596, Chap. IV.) John, born 24 Oct., bur. 26 January, 1620. Margaret, chris. Selat- tyn, 31 May 1570. Gossipps, David Hanmer, Margaret verch Roger, & Anne Staney, bur. Selattyn 25 Auer. , 1570. Robert, ap Richard Staney, chris atOswestric, 22 Nov., 1599, bur. Selattyn, 1 July, 1602. John, ap Richard Staney=rAnn, bur. Sel- chris at Oswestrie 21 attyn 3 Jan., Juno, 1002, bur. Selat- | 1678. tyn, 21 Jany., 1682. I Jano, chris. at Selattyn, 8 Nov., 1643, buried there 13 Jany., 1087. Saunder Staney, Burgess of Oswestry= Sissilio Staney f Thomas ap Rhys ap Morris ap Jevan Gethin, ap Kyllin. Sco Llyfyr Silin AitIuvm. Cavib. Suiic.^. V., p. 117 'XH. ..lioq'. '. ..rid ! ! .aOcu.ihii\ i,y. iodoif ' .'fhV.ofS whjujiH ' . HI; TJJ .tj ,.v ■ . Mm-M: I'.iliy. i%]y(%t .■>*■-! ' SELATTYN : A HISTOTIY OF THE rAKISII. 305 ' John Price=j=Jonett, vercli John ap Edward ap Cirun". ap Jevan, ap I Adda a.p Awr of Ticfor. ' Mr. John Pryce, Vicar of Oswestry, ir)5.3,=p Rector of Whittington, 1553, Prebend of Moifod, 1558, Chancellor of St. Asaph 1559, and Sacristan of the Cathedral ; died at St. Asaph, 15 March, 15S2 bur. j 2Uth at Oswestry. I I ElcanorT=John Lloyd, of Drenewydd, — Pry cc=^ Richard Klffin, of Fron, Pryce. j second son of Edward a[) Dafydd Kyifhi ap Y Lloyd, of LM'ynymacn, Richard aj) Meredydd AVill dated 6 Jany, 1G02. ap Ilowel ap Moris. liohert Ireland, LL.B., 6th July, 1 Mary (1554), by pi'esentation of Tliomas Hanmer^ (pro hac vice). We find the name of this rector in the Exchequer fiist-fraits Composition Books, "^ which tell us that at that date "Ptobert Ireland Clk entered his Composition for the first-fruits of Salatyn, extended at £12 9s. Gd. as tythe thereof 24/1 U. *' Sureties Hugh ap Edwarde ot the Towne of Shrews- bury, Draper, and John Davyes of Oswestre Yeoman, £11 4s. G^d." A branch of the Ireland family of the Hutt and the Hale, Co. Lancaster, had settled at Oswestry in the 14th century, and in 1434 we find Richard Ireland, receiver of the Lordship of Oswestry for King Henry VI. His sons riobert and Thomas, also Richard, Edward, Res, and David Ireland appear in a book containing the names of Burgesses prior to 1546. In 1490-1, David Ireland was made a freeman of the Mercers Co. of Shrewsbury, and one item in his will may possibly refer to our rector. It is as follows : — ) It lias liuGTi suggested that he was the Vicar of Whittington referred to in Willa 1&40, 15-11, anil \t>-l'2, and not his son. ^ Pivfuruients taken from //(Xon/ fi^ St. Asaph. .Tolin Pryce coniiiounds for 1st fruits ut Oswcsliie, -Zi .March, 7 Ivlw. VI., (K>-''>^i' K.xchcq. Conip. lik. V. Record Otlice. a of I'cntivpant, acting for tho Loril of the Manor. ■« Book iv., 1>. Uecord Olllce. •ciff •-vil r-3?;9'uj .';!!io' ' .i j 1 .yt 111 ;' A i Hi i.ii/? ,yiiT,tiiS3 Ji^l ' c( )ij 1)17 i:(J i.'fIB ,so}i ij4b V/'S TilB 'io .oO ^ifyjioM. : » 306 SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. ** Item to Robert ap Ruc^ of Oswestry 50^ also to my 'brother'' s doughter 40^.'" The Ileraids' Visitation gives us only the name of one brother, John, and tells us that he died s.p. He must have had another brother, whose name may have been Eichard or Res, and to his son and daughter these large bequests were made. The parentage of Robert Ireland, the Rector of Selattyn, cannot be proved. His will is not to be found at Somerset House^ nor at St. Asaph ; but we may be certain from the names of his sureties that he came from Oswestry or Shrewsbury. Hughe ap Edwaide was tiie founder of Shrewsbury Schoof, for which he obtained a Charter Feb. 10, 6 Edward VI. (1551). This yeare by the labor of one Hughe Edwa'ds of Salop and late of London mere' .... was laboryd to the Kyngs m'' for anwetie of xx'' for and towa'ds the mayntenance of a free scole in the sayd town of Shrewsbery.^ The other surety, " John Davyes of Oswestre, Yeo- man," I am not able to identify ; he may have been a connection, as we see from the pedigree that Elianora Ireland married Hugh Davis of Oswestry. Thomas Hanmer of Pentrepant was a Burgess of Oswestry himself, and in all probability lie would further the interests of the son of one of his fellow- burgesses. Robert Ireland's appointment to Selattyn was shortly followed by two other preferments in the Diocese. By the presentation of the Bishop of St. Asapli^ 28 July, 2 Mary, Robert Ireland Clerk entered Composition of lirst- fruits of the Rectory of Manabon otherwise called Wanavon, 1 The writing of this word is very indistinct, it may bo "Rec." 2 The only will of a Robert Ireland at Somerset House is too early. "December, 1502, Robert Ireland to be liuried in the Church of •St. ]\lary Magdalene [no place stated] becjucst to wife I'^lizabeth." 3 Sec Uii>t. Slircivs. School. He was second son of lulward Kdwardos of Kilhcndre, Tar. Dudleston, Co. Salop. 4 Bishop Warton, \r\ •tv>i.-,c-,}| ^^f\\ ^f ■r -y,* ,11. / iu 308 SELATTYN : A ITTRTOTIY OF TTIE TAIlTSn. S. Lawrence to John Ireland and Dionesia his wife of the same . . . } Dated J\Ionday next after r*- of Ascension (17 May) 1352. Also in the same Calendar of Wills we have one prov. 28 Oct., 1395. Thomas Irland, Skinner, as to his tenements in London .... To Katherine his wife he devises his dwelling-house and shop in the street of Cornhiill in the par. of S. Michael upon Cornhull, acquired by him and ]\Iatilda his late wife to them and the heirs and assigns of the testator. After the decease of the aforesaid Katherine the same is to remain to the rector and parishioners of S. jMichael's aforesaid for pious uses for the good of his soul, the souls of Robert his father, Isabella his mother, of the aforesaid Matilda, Katherine and Katherine (sic) his wives, of Johanna the mother of Richard the King, of Edward the Prince of Wales, of Simon Sudbury, late Archbishop of Canterbury and others. Dated London G May, 18 Rich. II.^ The Ireland family seems to have lived on in London, for John Ireland, Citizen and Salter of London, lived in the Parish of St. Mildred's, Bread Street, for 60 years. He died there 25 June, J 61 4, aged 83, and was buried in St. Mildred's Church, June 29, together with his wife Elizabeth, who died 2 April, and was buried 13 April, 1613, aged 75. This John Ireland gave X200 to the Salter's Cliarities, was dcj)utic of the Bread Street Ward for 15 years, and was the first IMastcr of the Salter's Conii)any. He was therefore a person of great influence, and was living at the time of our rector. We are farther told that he was married for 49 or 50 years, and that he had 12 children. Possibly it was to one of his daughters that Dame Margaret Hawkins, widow of the Hear Admiral of the Fleet against the Spanish Armada, who founded the 1 CiilciKlar or Wills of tliu Court of llusLiiig, Koll 80 (i'^r,). 2 II, id, Koll V2i (I'O). ■ illL l^ixL 6'AO av'Jiii t/y/ '<3»*i cjiia «>3.-. txi'Jixj \j4 lijiii ii'.iii r-tj. iO^ ii^ivuCi ' i^iiA x . ■i /bad h'iSiiil i;f .6T holies ,^i;jl JrnfA K-.;v7 eit .YiU'.iMiioU e''it>.jiii<:1 o.'»J 'lo ••■yjy.*;]/! ja-nl ofji j^iiy/ S: i i..j;il o;; dsidi bur. ^a'ijjov 0?. 'io '!i- u)] b'ji n;.:;ii gjjw Off.; ijji. ...,;... W.I,. ,'-"-'*fi'l<'^ lifiiilf^lB Qil} JHlt».G^iJ ..;.x.i i SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. 309 Royal Naval Hospital at Chatham on 27 August, 1594, and was buried at sea/ left a beautiful bequest. Iler will in the Court of Husting, London, was prov. Monday next after the Ft. of S. S. Tiburcius and Valerian (14 April), 1621. To bo buried in the Cluu'ch of St. Diinstan in the East near the monument erected to Sir John Hawkins my late husband To god-daughter Margaret Ireland two "carcanettes- of gold," the one weighing 2 oz. and a half "lacke pennyweight" containing 23 pieces sot with pearl, with a jewel penthuit of 5 diamonds ; the other containing eleven buttons, being massy Spanish work enamelled, and set with pearls, with a jewel pendant having in it three diamonds, three rubies and one very fair pearl .... Dated 23 April, IGIO.^ But to return to our Rector, he is described in the Records of Denbigh as " Magister Robert Ireland, Presbyter, in Legibus Bacchalaurens, Prebendarius de Meliden etc. Vicarius de Denbigh et in eadem residens, sed non hospitalis."* The final clause of this entry does not refer to resi- dence in a Religious Institution, but is the answer to the Archbishop's usual inquiry as to whether the Vicar do " keep hospitalitie." Robert Ireland was made Canon of S. Asaph 1553, and Prebendary of Meliden and Treasurer of the Cathedral 1558. He resigned the Rectory of Selattyn before this last appointment, for Robert ap Howel begins Selattyn Register as rector there in April, 1557. He was not buried at Selattyn, and the Denbigh Reo'isters do not date back so far.^ ^ Stowe's Survey. 2 Dimiuutivc of carcaus, i.e., necklaces. ^ Calendar Ct. of Hasting, lloU 298 (5). ■* Anclait and Modern Dciibiijli, p. 355. ^ One iloliurt Ireland was Hector of (Jliri.sLleLon, near (Jlirster, 15GU. This could hardly have beeu our rector, as the Hucceetlin^- rector of ChrislleLon was not ap[)oiuLed until 1598, the date of Ins death. (Sec Oruierod's Hist, of Chcs/tln). Anolher lloliert Ireland luatricuialed at UaUiol Coll., Oxford, G April, 1583, aged 19. ;o, .on boa ■ '-an e'lT 1 ^^ ob ..11 u/. add/sO i doxi 8.r;^'' e'ff ,(o) HCi* ItoH ,-/uy. i, ' ■ 1(1 '■'■a .J! \. .!T J-...,^..,. ,,-■• VtJi ,ifir(j(.'i .' ^Li^^i/.l' i.k.j\'- k iUi.Ul >,lij 310 SELATTVN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. Ptichard Ireland, the third son of David Ireland, to whom his father left a house in Mardol, Shrewsbury, was said to he Vicar of AVelshpool. This seems highly |H-ob{ible, as his name does not occur on the Mercers Co. The last of the family amongst the clergy of St. Asaph was John Ireland, who was Vicar Choral of the Cathedral in 1607, and Vicar of the Parish of St. Asaph. M*^ that upon Tuesday being the xxvj"' daie of September 1G26, at midnight John Trchmd, clerk, senior Vicar Choral! of the Cathedrall church of St. Asaph leaving then viii motherless children alive, died at his then dwelling house in Gwernglev'yd neere Bronhw3dva,^ and was buried upon Thursday following, viz. the 28th of September aforesaid anych hisstalle or sitting- place, in the said Church, viz. the south or senior stalle from the entrance to his stalle upwards closse to the walle and wooden worke there." He is probably the man who is thus described in Ancient and Modern Denhigh : — " John Ireland cler, sonne and lieire to John Ireland, gouldsmith, was admitted and sworne burgess and paid for his admittance wyne."^ In the same book we find that " Jeffrey Ireland was a Corvisor of Denbigh in the year 1598." "John Ireland, the sonne of S"" Harry Ireland, clc. deceased was sworne burgess, the iij of Januarie 1004." "Jonas Ireland glover xx^^ Julie 1G05." " M. Harry Ireland, Preacher in Devintie, sworn burgess upon the new Chartre, jiaieing for his adniyt- tance iij'^ 26 Sept. 1625." The three following wills are those of Shrewsbury Irelands. David Ireland of Salop, Mercer. (19 Jcnhjn). 7th January 1529. .... I bequethc my soul to our Ladye S' Mary and to all the hole Company in Heaven . . . and my bodyc to be buryed 1 Brouhwylva iit S. Asaph is best kuowu as Uiu homo (jf Fulicia liuiuaus, the poutcss. Her family luuvcd there t'rum Clwrych in 1S09. '- Y Civlta Cyfarwydd, p. IIG. ^ Ta-e 355. Jj. hliii yiiji-V/ Uiii MJ Sii Iv ^«w bn«if6'i,I ya'/ft:;T.*' ^r.:i\ .jttW ,fi ;U1< ij;[o-]I Y;i!i \ . - --!.hli-^ . . - . - iii SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. 3ll in the Ohappell of our Ladye within Saynt Chadde Churche of Salop .... that all the priestes and ministers of the fouro Parish Churches witliin the townc^ be at my Dirigo ... I will that Saint Gregoris trentall of three Masses bo saide for my sowle the day of my buryail. I will that the iij orders of fryers- be at my buryail and they to have for their labours for my sowle, my wife's sowlcs and all Xten sowles as my executors and overseers can best agree and devise after the laudable costome of their places. Item. I will there be at my funerall 23 tapers off wyt wax a peace and two prichetts^ and two of the said tapers to the hyth aulter and two to Saint Michalcs aulter and on to every an I tor in the Cliarcho, and the rest after the disposision of my executors. Item, to the Cathedrall Churche of Lychfelde xij*^. .... to Saint Mary howso in Coventre xij"^.-* .... to the hyglit alter in Saint Chadde Church of Salop for forgotten tythes xP. .... to the reparacion of the said Churche xl^. .... I bequethe 100 pounde to purchase lande for a Chauntre for ever to be kept at Saint Thomas aulter in Saint Chaddes Churche for my soule, my wyfis soulos and all Christian soules or ells the on hundred pound to be bestowed by my executors and overseers to bye ornaments for the saide Churche of Saint Chad or ellis otherwise by the oversighte of the worshipfull men of the parish. I will that the iij freers houses shall have x^ to be equally divided amongst them by my executors, to singe a trentall for my soulc and all xten soules the day of my anniversary or within 12 days after. Item. I will that my executors do by lands to the value of iij" and iiij^ by ycre to be given to the Vicars of Saint Chadds to singe yercly on obbit for my sowle, my wife's soules and all xten soules. .... to pore people the day of my buriall in mony 5K .... 2-i gowns to 24 pore men and wymen that beren the light at my burriall. .... I bequethe my house in Mardewall that Thomas ^ S. Mary, S. Ciiad, S. Alkinund, and S. Juliana. - Augustiniaiis, Uoniinican, and Franciscan Friars. ^ Candlesticks. "* S. Mar^^'s Mall in Coventry belonged to the Cild of S. Catherine it was inuh 11 1,"). (Camden's JJrit , vol. ii., p. 315). ^■- -. K) .... I . ■'{fo yd ■fow Oil j 'iiv/ I ' .'viij 312 SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. Clerke^ dwells in to my sonne Richard Irelande for the terms of his lyfe and I bequeathe 9 shillings of these rents of two tenements and a fjarden that I purchased of Roger Doon, Draper, to my soinie William lerland and liis liuirs of iiis body lawluUy begotten and for lacho of yores of the forsaid William that tiien the same rent shall rcmayne to my sonne Richard Ireland for terrae of his lyfe and after his deceas that the said rent do remayne to my yeres betwixt me and Katerin my wife lawfully begotten. Item. I will that all my purchased land in Bedston, Jay and Erkjay for fau'te of hores lawfidly begotten betwixt my wife Katerin and me remain to my ores of my body lawfully begotten of Anne late my wife according as the tenour of the purchasinge thereof doth expresse and if all they dye without heirs of theire bodies lawfully begotten that then the saide lande remayne to tind a Chauntro at Saint Thomas Aulter in Saint Chadde Church in Salop for ever or ells a free schole for ever and it to be sett and ordered by the Dean of the said Churche and Churchwardens by the advise of the Heedman of the same parishe for to pray for my soule my wifs soules and all xten soules. Item. I bequeathe to Ane my dowghter . . . 50". „ to El'in my dowghter . . . 50". „ to Robart my sonne . . . 50", „ to Christiane my dowghter . . . 50!'. „ to Johane my dowghter . . . 50". „ to Elizabeth my dowghter . . , 50". „ to Margaret my base dowghter 6" 13^ 4^ to her mariage and if she dye onmaryed then to be distributed in dedis of cliaritie. Item. I will that Katherine my wyfe have the orderinge of all my childerne of her begotten with their bequests till they be IG yeres of age or maried; and if any of them be deceased afore that time then that part to be distributed, halfe to my wife Katerine for theire lindinge and the other halfe to be distributed among all my childrene by my wife Katerin then being alyve and my sonne William, and if any of them do marry contrary to the mynde of their mother and my overseers of this my last will that there shall be minished of their parte so being marrycd x" and that to be distributed in dodis of charite for my sowlo hoi the and all xten soules. ^ Probably son of iiicliard Clarke of Slircwsbur . Soc xler. VUu., p. 111. J%?. . . .''05 It 8(1 oi gUw Vi'ci"! .■v?*V.\ 0,'jc^ . ii ') uon \l ' SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF T?fE PARTSn. 318 Allso it is my will that if Katerin my wife be married after my desseas that then she shall give in plate or money 4" 16 everyon of my chyldarne betwixt hir and me begotten and to William lerland my sonne and if she lyve soole and not marry then all my plate to be at her disposicion and mynde. Item. I bequeth to the reparacion of Mon words Bridge^ 5 marks. Item. I bequeathe to Atchams brige to the reparacion thereof 40^ Item, to the reparacion of tyren'is^ Brige 13^ 4*^. Item to the reparacion of Horton is lane 40^ Item to Jayne Mansell my servant 20^ Item to Anne Couper my servant 10^ 4''. Item to Raife Coton my prentis so he serve his mestres truly during his yeres 40^. Item to Richard Clerk^ scollar at his first massinginge 20^ Item I bequethe to John Wtfelld 40^ Item to John ap David lloit of Arahulleth so that he will trewly occupye wythe my wife as his father and I have done aforetyme 40^ Item to Robert ap Rue (?) of Osiuestr 50^, also to my hroihers doughtcr J/O^. Also I bequethe to the Company of Mercers of Salop to the reparacion of their lands 40^ Item I bequethe to Thomas Irelande my sonne x'' in money or plate and my skarlet gowne and my second velvet doublet. Item I bequethe to Thomas Bromley* my best velvet doublet and 10'' in money. Item I bequeathe to Richard Owen^ my sattene dublyt, my gowne bynycl with sarsnyt and 10" of money. Item to William lerland my sone my damasse doublet withe new flewes of damaske to the same and my krymson gowne and x'' of money that he do getlier and pay to my executrix my good detts in London upon my executrix coste and cxpensis, Item I bequethe to Robert Irland my sonne my puke gowne with the cape. Item I bequethe to Edward Hosier*^ a dublutt of damasse or ells of wryht satten. Item to Elizabethe his doughtcr 20^ Item to Margery my doughtcr a cup worth 10''. Item. I will that at the last payment of Thomas Abraham 1 Montford's Bridge. 2 Prolial^ly the bridge over tlie Tern. ^ Son lo Tlionias Clarke, before mentioned. * Lord High Chanecllor of J<'ngland in L5SL second son of George Bromley of llodnet, Sherill' in IH-Ji. ^ His son in-law, G Ditto. ...03 H'ii::^ ailol. oJ yiiioupoa . bttii toiljjil eiti ,1 ..-. .-jxii. \\'x Ui JjfliJ 3.1 iiw .iVjuajjiiMtd '.,v-,;.'l0vv^^ and Thomas Ireland my sonne overseers. Thes being wittnesse Mast"^ liumfrey Thomas, Warden of the battell feld, Sir Adam Coly preest, Richard Owen mercer and William Ireland my sonne. Proved at Lambeth, 17 May, 1580. Will of Wyllam Irclande of Salop Mercer. 2nd Aprill, 1545. (8 Alenger). I bequeathe my soul to Almighty God .... and my bodie to be buried in the Churchyardc of S. Chades Churche .... I bequethe to poor and ympotent persons and poore house- holders of the towne of Salopp to be distributed among them 1 ? - In 17 lion. VIII. "lluuifn Tiioniiis," lliiclielor of Degrees, was in ])Osscssiou of RULlelield. Ou 18 Oct., 15;}5, he wa.s dead, for "Sir •lolni llusscy. Chaplain, admitted to ye i^aistership or custody of ye (!()l!('giati! (!hin-eh of liat tcllield, vacnnt. hy ye death of Sir llmiiphrey 'rhoiiias, last master, on ye j)resentalion of Ahi'' iliehd. Ilussey, l"]stj." (See Shrup. Arehieo. Trans., 2nd Series, vol. i., p[i. 'SM\ and 311). '"%«^ 0851 :-~ V'' .iJJ'.JiilCu .lli i>'JVO-ll Oli-wv. it;.. ..1 ? I ■ '■ ' .■'■'■^ Jioii Tr jvr M i<, ^■ '•I ■■Ml') 'ji,;:);'.i|,,;>. .( , r<: I'll.: !i'. L .( I'] , ! .!<>'■ ,K'^i'!:./-; !uj5: ,.;;HV)Vv' ,u;, •!:)■;/, SELATTYN : A. HISTORY OF THE PARISFI. 315 in bredd or money this dere yere fourtie poundes. I bequethe Katheryne my daughter fourtio poundes . . . David my sonno fourtie poundes . . . Edward my sonne fourtie poundes, Jone my daughter fourtie poundes, and if any of them decease afore they come to lawfull age ... I will that her parte shall remayne amongst them that lyve equally divided, and if all of them decease or be married it shall be at the disposition of the executors for the poore. I bequethe to my godson William Irelande^ fortie shillings to my godson William Warringe- twelve shillinges. To my goddaughter Johanne Bo wen twelve shillinges, To Anne Luter^ my goddaughter twontie shillinges .... to my cosin John^ twoo sommes which be my godsonncs tcnno shillinges a yere. To Richard Owen my [ ] so that he do his dutio in help- ing the performance of this my last will G'' 13=^ 4'^. To Willm Harntye 20^ To Elizabeth Whitacres 30» to Elizabeth Fames 10^ to Katherine Alen 20^ to Raufe Htythe(?) 20^ to William Richarde 13^ and 4^^. I pardone Lawrence Phillipps the debt he oweth me. I pardon Elizabeth Prowes the debt she oweth me. I pardon John Whithfelde 6^ and 8*^ that my brother is suretie for and I bequeathe to hym more mynt work daye gowne. I pardon Alen Mannynge and Roger ^lannyge the debts they owe me. I bequethe my brother Robert Irelande my best gowne. Also 1 will that George Owen be recompensed for the gold he lost of myne. All my tene- ments autl takings I give to my wyfe during her lyf and after her decease to Davyd my sonne and to his heires. My will is that if my wyfe departo and dwell out of my newe housq^ that she shall put no })erson to dwell in hit but my brother Thomas if it shall be hys pleasure shall dwell in hit paing the rent to the Mercers until! David my sonno come to hys age or bo marryed. 1 Probaljly his brother Thomas's son. 2 Secoiul son of A(l;ini Wtiringe of Shrewsbury. " Mcrchanto of the Staple of Caliee;" made freeman 1511-2. Warden Mercers' Co. 1514-5. 3 Roger Luter, son of William Later, mercer, dec, was made free- man in 1535. He wiLli Hubert Irclaml, the elder, did "dctayne^the Inventory of the Churclie j^oodes of St Chaddes " 20 Dee., 1571. (Shrop. Arcluuo. Trans., vol. x., p. 107). 4 One John Irelande was bur. at Norbury, 1 Nov., 1578. ^ Prohahly the beautiful half-timliered house known as " Ireland's Mansion," in llii;h Sti'oet, Shrewsbury. Vol. VI., 2nd S. ^'^'-^' m ii <,\i\ :d. i.fji' ,.iv 31 G SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF TOE TAIlISn. It is my will also that Thomas my brother have the custody of David my sonnc .... Also I will that my brother Roberte Irelande have the custodye of Edward my sonne and all his portions bequeathed to hym. I bequeathe my debts to my wyfe and Thomas Irelande and Roberte Irelande my brothers I make executors. I bequeth to Elizabeth Browne 4« to my sister Ales Owen my violet gowne and to Hugh BecoU^ my bybuli ... Witnesses Jo'in Irelande, Rauff Hecthe and Anne his wife Richard Owen and Anne Richardson. Proved, London, 14 May, 154G, P.C.C. Will of Thomas Irelande of Shraiveshury. 4 Sept., 1554. (10 More). ... I will and bequethe to Robert Ireland my sonne my best bedd with all things thereto belonging, concerning that one bedd, my best carpet, my best table cloth and table, my standing cupp of silver and gilt with the cover of the same, my payer of best saltcs without cover of silver and gilt, my best goblet with (?) of silver and gilt, my best dozen of spoones being thereunto the dosen, provided that the saide bequest unto my said sonno shall not be delivered unto hym nor unto any other in his name during my wyefe lyfe his mother, but after her decease I will ho shall have the saido Legacie immediately, and if it fortune my sonne Robert dye before he may enjoy my said Legacie unto hym bequeathed then I will my next heir shall have all that .... and I also will that the residue of my goodes moveable and immoveable be equally devyded unto two partes and the parte being the moite thereof I give and bequeathe unto my welbeloved wief, and thother moite or parte thereof I will and bequeathe to be equally divided amongst the rest of my children that shall be lyving at the time of my decease, except my eldest sonne and heyre, my daughter and one such other of my daughters that shall hereafter fortune to marry and take to husband the sonne and heyre apparent or sonne and heyre of Thomas Scryven of Froddesley in the County of Salop Esq. and moreover I will that all my lands and te'nts in Shrewesbury, Bedston, Jaye, 1 Richard BecoU, son to Hugli Bocoll of Salop, gent., was appren- ticed for seven years in 1580. He was made a freeman of the Mercers ('o. "Son of llughc Bcwcoll dec. as a prentys 1583." fiW 6, o.'iilU ofij ;t>3- SELATTYN : A UISTORY OP THE PARISH. 3l7 ]3eckjay\ Stiitte, Bcchcoter Layntwarden,^ ruUcy,'* Codecote,^ Sliippcnf'eld, Monkmoor and Adbrightoii,° Adbright llussey ^ These lands were, as wo have seen, bought by his father, David Irchmd. Ued.'iton was a Domesday Abinor, of which Jay and Beekjay were members. It was held under the FiLzalans, Jiarons of Clun, b}' Elias de Jay and his heirs 1135-1319. (Kyton. vol. xi., 302-30G). " " 1513, 35 lien. Vlll., after the dissolution of the Monasteries, Betehcott was sold by the King to Thomas Ireland. 1718, a descend- ant of Thomas Ireland sold it to Thomas Powys, Esq." The Inquis. Hen. VIII. on articles belonging to Betehcott Chapel " found to be in the keeping of Richard Wyldyngc of the S^jout Farm," were — " 1 Chalice, a pair of Vestments, a Cross, 2 Coverings, 1 Pix, 1 Missal, 1 Little Bell called a Saint's Bell, 1 broken glass, 2 Table Cloths for the Altar and certain pieces of broken glass." {Bije-Gonts, Aug. 17, 1892). Hen. II. granted "Becchecota" to the Canons of Haghmond, they built a Chapel there, and Bishop Peche confirmed to Haghmond Abbey (before 1182-3) "the Chapel of Bechcote." It belonged to the Abbey until the Dissolution. The Minister's Accounts 1541-2 contain the following amongst the assets of the dissolved monastery, Bechcote : — Rents of Tenants at will ... ... ... 0 0 G Ferm of a Messuage and Land ... ... 2 19 \ Ferm of the Chapel 10 0 £3 19 10 (See Eyton, vol. vi., p. 24-4-2-19). ^ Leintwardinc was a Shropshire manor temp. Domesday ; it now belongs to Co. Hereford. It was granted by the Concjueror to Ralph de Mortimer. Hugh de Mortimer, 1181-5, gave the Church and Mill of "Lyntwardyn to Wigmorc Abbey." In 1534-5 the Abbot of Wigmoro's receipts were — • Yearly rents and forms of Lcntwardeu ... IG 0 3 Form and Mills of do. ... 3 3 4 Corn tithes and hay tithes do. "... 0 12 G £19 IG 1 Probably Thomas Ireland bought Leintwardinc at the Dissolution, * Pulley was partly belonging to Ralph de Mortimer. (See k^yton, vol. vi., ])[). 20G-213). Probably it luul become a jjossession of the Monasteries. ^ C!()thercote was granted to Haghmond 1204. Assets of the Abbot in 1541-2 were £4 3s. 3d. (See JOyton, vol. vi., pp. 249, 2G1-2G5). ^ " Adbrighton Monachorun\ " was probably given to Shrcwsbm-y Al)bey beforo liie (Conquest. 'V\w, Ministers' Aeroimls 15 11-2 give the Abbot's receipts £12 15s. Id. (Fyton, vol. x., 107-110). ji-diiiiou.i ,,. ir)(^hlt^J .'.•UJ iu l!lJ.^i'i '• ii ■,.. .0,1) k' t>b J-4rf.-.K::J ^■f/4o:i^ 1 '„' i I . ^1 318 SELATTYN : A IIISTOUY OF THE PARISH. Harestote,! Aston Abbott,^ Dervald and elsewhere within the Countie of Salopp. Yf it fortune me to decease before my seaven youngest children shalbe marred or otherwise preferred shalbe devydcd into three partes, one of which shall immediately after rny decease descendo and come unto my heyre accordmg to the course of inheritance, and I will another or sccondc part thereof unto my wife for the terme of her liefe together also my dwell- ing in Shrewesbury in the name of her dower and jointer, and I will the rest being the tlierde part of the saide landes and ten'ts to Joane my wyef and to her executors and assignes during the sjxace of foure yeres next after my decease to the only purpose and entent that my said wief her executors and assignes shall have the (— ) andprofytt of the snid thirde parte to be equally devyded and employed unto and for the advance- ment and preferment of all my children that shall bo lyvmgo after my decease except my sonne Robert and Lucy my daughter and one of the other of my daughters that shall here- after fortune to marry and take to husbande the sonne and heire apparant or sonne and heyre of the said Thomas Scryven. Also I will that after the saide terme of foure yeres shall be fully completyd and endyd, that then my wief shall have the moicte of all my landes and ten'ts during her liefe, and the other moiete to be to my heires. And I will furthermore that if my moveable goodes will not amounte to performo and fulfyll my will hereafter mentioned concerning my seaven younger children, then I wyll that there shall be levyed and taken out of the rente and rentes of my hole Landes yerely by my saide Wiefe and by her executors and assignes,"'the sum of twentye pounds until that my former Legacie and the moietie . , . shall be full worthe seven hundred pounde to the use and preferment of my seven younger children, that is to wyt, to Elizabeth Ireland £100, to Catherine Ireland £100, to George Ireland £100, to Wyllam Irelando £100, to ^largery Ireland£l00, to Susan Irclande £100, to Sara 1 In 1310, Abbot William of Shrewsbury Abbey paid £40 for the purchase of land in Albrighton II usee and Harlescote to John Huse, Avho held of the Earl of Arundel. The Ministers' Accounts 154:l-'2 make the Abbey's farms in llarlcseote to be £3 12s. 8d. In 1535-G the College of JJattletield was reeeivhig 20s. yearly for tlie ferm of tlic ("hapel of Albrighton Jlnssey. (Sec Kyton, vol. x., 80-85). - I'robably Aston under Wrekin, given to Shrewsbury Abbey by the Ijiipress Maud 1111. U appears in the Ministers' Accounts at the Dissolution. 0.1 Vr 0-. . .a X- '■''■ fe'i h I SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. 319 Ireland £100 .... They shall sell for two hundred poundes worth of woode, so to be sold then for the furnyshing of seven hundred poundes .... and the rest bo furnished out of the rentes and revenues of my landes . . . Provided also that Johane my wiefe shall have my farm in the East forgatt during the yeres yet to come in the Indenture of the Lease . . . then I will immediately after my decease the saide farm shall remaync to George Irelande my sonne for all the terme of yeres which shall bo then to come therein. Provided further tliat it shall please Almighty God to call any of my said seven children from this transitory life before they shall come to the age of twenty four yeres or else be marred then I will that hys or their partes be equally distributed amongst the survivors, also if any of them shall live as a thief, whoremonger or common drunkard then tlieir part shall be distributed to the others . . . Also I bequeathe to Willyam Irelande my sonne all that farm and tlie landes and the rents belonging in Stut- feld and Shippenfcld in the several tenures of Joane Vaughan and Elynor Adams widowes to have to hym for the terme of fourscore yeres . . , I give and bequeath to David Irelande^ fourtie shillinge. I appointe the righte Hon''''' Sir Thomas Bromley Knight Lord Chief Justice of England, Johan my wiefe, my brother Robert Ireland, my sonne Robert Irelande and Robert Aley my executors. Witnesses, William Poyner^ gent., George Lee, Richard Prynn, William Gough, Richard Hochekys and dyvers others. Proved London, 17th Oct. 1554. The death of Thomas Ireland is thus described in the Taylor MSS., Shrewsbury :— " November^ the 10th, 1554, was buried Master Thomas Ireland of Salop, Mercer, a right protestant^ and dylygent favourer of the woorde of God , and was also a verteous and chari- table man unto the poore, zealous and careful! in prouyd- inge for them, and y f he had lyvyd he wold have brought hys mynd to pas in the same for hys perpetuall memorye," ^ His nephew. - Of Slirewabury, second son ot Tliomas Poyner of Bestow. He mar. Jani', d. of Thomas Scryvcn of Proddeslcy, Slicrifl' in 1497. ^ This uionth must be wrong, as we see liis Will was provcil 17 Oct., 1551. "• lie si^^lled Inventory Church Cloods of S. Chad's, Shrewsbury, G Ld. VI. ;A JIBCIO}' '\".'''.-'^ a'i{>iiJo TliW .701*1 bittiift'li aiiiJlutix' lO illiJtjb eflT .3M ."^•n-M-to 'i') nOh j»WCL;:<.l ,' ' ,X,'iii. .rt io ^huo.) fl-xunV) V"HjJ.;f«vnt 320 SELATTYN ; A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. His Protestantism advanced his worldly prosperity, for his property mainly consisted of Abbey lands, as we have seen. They were not, however, bestowed upon him, for we find that on the 31st Oct., 35 Hen. VIII. (1543), when the Manor of Albrighton "inter alia " was granted to him, he paid £292 Gs. Od. for it. It was conveyed by licence of alienation, dated 18 June, 1544, to " Thomas Jennens^ and Edward Hosier,- to the use of himself the leoffee, and Johanna his wife, and his heirs, by the name of omnia ilia lesur' terras et tene- menta in Longehays vocat' Priory Hill, Malbrych, Bradweys and Bright Abricke, in the ])arish of St. Mary of Salop, and also the tithe and demesne of Abrighton, lately holden by the Dean and Chapter of St. Mary."3 Albrighton continued in the male line of the Irelands until 1792. When Thomas Pershall Ireland died, he left it to his illegitimate daughter Mary. On her death it escheated to the Crown, but was soon after granted to the nephew of Thomas Pershall Ireland, who in 1804 sold it to the Ptev. Inigo William Jones.^ The Inquisition p.m. of Thomas Irelond, Co. Salop, was taken at Wenloke, 1 and 2 Phillip and Mary. It states that his eldest son and heir Pobert was aged 18 on the death of his father, and that the said Robert in the lifetime of his father, on 29 August, took to wife Elizabeth.^ 1 Thomas Jcnnins mar. Elianora, daughter and heir of Su' Rowland Jay, of Jay, Co. Salop, isistcr to Katheriue, wifo of David Ireland. Tliomas Jennins's daughter Jane was tlic mother of Sir Thomas IJromley. 2 Brother-in-law of Thomas Ireland. 3 Shroj). Arch. Trans., 2nd Scries, vol. i., pp. 98--101. * It passed to the Sparrows by purchase, and now belongs to William Arthur Brown S[)arrow, Esq. '•' hKiuin. ]).m. 1 and 2 rhilip and Afary, secunda para., No. 83 (Tub. Uec. ()ll'icc). Tlio only oilier lii(|uis. ]).ni. of tlic Irelands ia one dated Juno 27, 37 Jlen. VllJ., No. G'J (153D) of "Anthony Ireland " of U[)pingham, Co. Kutland. It mentions Edward, his brother and heir, aged 20. ■ .'!;?fir *;' ioAT lo V/'Jif-J.i CV oii,.>.'- -i^^v-Mi iHiUiL ii..,iiii7/' ) ..ilj'l) ■(!M J: [..!■• ! !".■! .,:i.!jw.{ •• ;\ .bujjji/,/! Jh'' SELATTYN I A niSTOUY OF TDK rARISII. 321 IRELAND. AltMS : Iliul. 139G, fo. lG9b. — Gules, 6 jlcursdc-lis, 3, 2, and 1 arg. Chest: A dove arg. holding in the beak an olive hranch, vert. (From Ahiu do Coluinbors). Johannes do Hibornia^p Came over with William the Conciueror. Settled at the Hutt or Haub, in the Pari.sh of Childwall, Co. Laneaster. Ho built the chancel of Hale Church in 1081, and was bur. thoro in 1088.^ I 'Sir .... Irelando= Irlandc- Irlande= John or Roger Irelande= temp. Rich. I., 1190. Roger de Hibernia settled "all his lands of Levcrpool on the marriage of his son Robert with Beatrix de Daresbury." Some say he built the Castle of Liverpool.^ Sir Robert Ireland^ of Hutt, Kt., 1215,* mar. 1206. " In tho raigne of King John in great favoure and countenance wyth him, as appeareth diuerse wayes." Sir John Ireland: of Hutt, Kt. Matilda (or Margaret) solo d. anil heir of Sir John Hesketh of Rull'ord, Co. Lancas- ter. Arms : Arg. on a bend sciblc 3 garbs or. Beatrix, d. of William Daresbury, of Daresbury.^ Alan deColum-- bers. Arms : Gales, a bend or. :Cecilie de Walton, d. and heir of Richard do Mida \Val ton, grandson of (Gilbert do Walton, Lord of Halo and Hale- wood. In 1221, Hen. IIL took Halo, but restored 1 Recorded in NotC3 collected by "Thoiuaa Chalouor of Bridge Street, Chester, Student of the laws of Arms and Armory, 15!)2," leaf G. " Licliefcldio (lui istani Caulavian piiio . . . dui John do Irloiid iiiiliti rd . . . dni milliiiui OL'toniicic) iiriiiio." "Those words I found written in a peece of filisse in lliilo (Jliappcll wyiidowo." (Soo llala Hall, with Notes on tho family of irclauil l>l;iL-kl)UiiU), privati;ly iirinlod, ISSl). 2 Tlirei! Irl.-LiidoH in s\icci;.ssii)n, of wliom littlo is known. (Ibid). 3 Villi's of III:'. Old Halls of iMnca.-ilUi-c and C/n:^hire, l'liilli|is, pnli, IS'.Ki. One " John do Ililx.'niia " w.is liviii;,' in Shrcwsltury, :iiid aihnittod on Lho ICiill of IliirKi'ssus 1201). (Soo JoM(^ph .Morris's l'filif;r<'i!s, Slirowshmy). ■* Ann ) (if IrL'l.iud of lluLL_wurc, (U. a clw.v. ar ...,j..,» ,,i. ,-«i,nu[!.i ^nwiiwYi SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. 323 «l John Irelande=f Margery, d. of Sir William bur. Hale Church, d. 2 May, 14G2. Abherton c? Atherton. Lawrence Ireland of Lydiate, d. 1458. now extinct. Wyllyam Ireland^ =Ellyne, d. of Sir Wyllyam MoUeneux, of Sephton. Arms: Az. a cross Moline, quarter inerccd or. Sir John IrelandG=f=Margerye, d. of Sir John Stanley, brother of m. soon after Battle of Thoma.s, Lord Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby, Bosworth, d. 1526. creat. 1485. Thomas Irelande" d. 1589. : Margaret, d. of Sir Richard Boulde, Lord of Boulde. Arms : Arg a griffin scgreant, sa. George Ireland of Ilutt and Hale, etc. Thomas Ireland, founder of Irelands of Bewsey and Warrington. I Sir Gilbert Ireland, d. 1675.^=^Margaret, d. and heir of Thomas Ireland of Bewsey. I Anna, d. of Ralph^ Richard Ireland, Receiver for=p Tibota, d. of Brereton. Arms A7g. 2 bars sable. Kandulp Randulph- m. & d.!s. p. the King of the Lordships of Oswestry and Shrawardine, in Marchia Walli;e, on the death of John Fitz Alan, 13th Earl of Arundel, 14:34. (Ori- ginalia 13 Hen. VI., rot. 17). "Aug. 1, 1468, John, Abbot of Ilaughmond, demises Hethe mill to Richard Ireland of Oswestry gent, at a rent-al of IO.S. for 41 years, or of 13s. for 20 years." ^ Thomas Ireland Roger Salter uf Oswestry. Arms : Gu. 10 Billets, four, three, two, and one or. wi/ltin a loi'dure engr. a~. bezaiitt( d f..r llio i'lMlinroo of lli.- Irelands of Unit .md Halo. 3 Kand.ill Ireland was (U^fendant in Star ClianduM- .Snil 'J'.» lien. Vlll , alioiit collection tillies and Ivuilur t)ll'erilig:i in (Jliiireli of OHwe.sUy. a Eyton, vol. x., p. IIG. Vol. VI., 2udS. OO i ' fj^jsJf 'jjJki «oo« .fft Mil .b .rijiovfaofl '0nA 1 sac I i> jK Jii hi: ; .'Mm '^o 'iinii>j (J.Si.i) A .HI i'i;,'j'i f.t'i' -J I I <)() 324 SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. "I 6 1 Thomasina=Meredith ap Howell ap Morris Johanna=Mereclith ap Kyffin. Howel Kyllin, d. & co-heir I I Thomazina=T=David Lloyd ap Meredith Owen ap Griffith Ireland, of Machynlleth. o.s.p. Anns : Ai-g. a crofH Jlorde en- Elianora'=lIugh Davis of Oswestry. (/railed -salile, betw. 4 Gorniah chowjUs ppr. on a chief az. a hoars haul conjied anj. John Lloyd=: ^Mallt, d. of Hugh ap levan of Mathafarn. Jane^^John Wynn of Powis Richard Owen Owen ap Jolin- Lloyd. ^Elizabeth, d. of Owen ap Howel Goch of Mach- ynlleth. Reginald Wynne T Robert Wynne. Rowland Owen of Llynlloedd,=rEliz., d. of Rich. Pugh of Par. Machynlleth. ShcrilF | Mathavern. Montgomery 1611. Will dat. I 26 Oct., 1635, prov. 31 Jan. J/ Meredith ap Richard = of Oswestry. =Gwenhwyvar, 3 d. & co-heir:^Owen ap Griffith of I I Machynlleth. Thomas Meredith = Richard Owen of Mach-=Mary, d. and co-heir of Meredith ap^^ Thomas ynlleth. Burgess of Salop 21 Feb., 1520. Admit. ]\Iercers Co. 14 Hen. VIII. He mar. 2ndly Katherine . . . to whom admon. gran- ted to Will 2 Jan, 1576 Thomas Ottley of Shrews- bury, bur. S. Alknnmd's Ch. 1568. Thomas ap Meredith. Thomas Owen built Condover 1598, d. 21 Dec, 1598, bur. Westminster Abbey. Richard=:Sara, d. of Thomas Owen ^ Ireland of Shrews- bury. V Atnie, d. of Richard: Lystor of Rowton, Co. Salop, .son of William Lister of :David Ireland of Shrows-r=:Katherino, d. and co-heir bury, Mercer, Freeman 119U-1, liayliir 1510 and 1524, Alderman 1512. h of Robt. Knight of Shrewsbury, by (?) d. of Sir Rowland Jay of Jay, c \ '1- kIv/u'J ic i^ir.'^V/ attoij^oafil. «i«v . " O buLiii \ % i I \/ N hi 1) SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. 325 Shrewsbury, Bur- gesd 1451. Arms : On a/ts-i sa. 3 mid- leti atuj.^ Will dat. 7 Jan., 1./J9, prov. r.C.C. 17 May, 1530(10 Jcnkyii). Kt. Arms : Anj. 3 Pales gn. a bonl. enjr. az. on a canton gn. a sj)ur, the ron-cl iiincardi and .^trap or.^ Slio ro-mar. Robert Dudlcv. John Ireland Gwenhwyfar= William ap o. s. p. Jciikyn of Chirkland. Jonet=(l) Evan ap Owen (dc3. Rhiryd Vlaidd). =(2) Nicholas ap Tho. mas of Maes y newydd in Llan- decwyn. Thomas Ireland admit.=Johan, d. William freeman of Mercers Co. Shrewsbury, 19 Hon. VIIL, Bailiff 1544 and 1550-1. Will 4 Sep., 1554, prov. 17 Oct., 1554, r.C.C. (10 More). Oteley of Pich- ford, Co. Salop, Sheritr 1500. He d. 26 Sept., 1529. Arms : Arg. on a lend az. 3 oat garbs or. William Ireland admit= freeman of Mercers Co. Shrewsbury, 21 Hen. VIIL, Warden 1539. Will 2 April, 1545, prov. 14 May, 1545, P.C.C. (8 Alen). David Ireland appren. to Robt. Ireland Mercer, for 7 years from 1554. "Servant to Robt. Ireland the elder." Admit. Mercers 11 Feb., 1563-4. Edward Ireland Katheryne Jone (one Edward Ireland was Burgess of Oswestry). Richard Irland, Vicar of "Welsh- pool. Elizabeth=John Draycot Hosier of Paynesley, Co. Stallbrd. Margery =f Edward Hosier of Preston Go- balds. Arms : Per bend sinuter erm. and ermines a lion ramp. or. Anne=Thoma3 Har- per of London I I Ellin=John Bayly Christiane=. . . Grosvenor of London. Robert, made freeman=j=Elizabeth, d. and of Mercers 31 Hen VIIL. Warden 1550 and 1561,^ d. 6 Oct., a 1599,bur. in S.Chad's heir of Thomas Pontesbury of Al- bright Lee, Co. b Salop. Maria^^Ricliard Trcntham not men- of Co. Stafford, tioned in Wills. 2 There is some uncertainty as to which were the cliildren of the respective wives. Brought certain evidences of the Mercers Co. in a Conference witli the Drapers in 1567. 1 .Ur 'Xi^m-' 3V-0 i> ..".M i'sv.'.i i i/i; .ij. >, .•I'-V^iiCl ,.!i3^!) I f J i •{lejiifiifi » ii r .l>'ioi!«.J« .o'J — -■-/:!,-t<^hrfO 1(1,. m \\ ff^.^fll»?«t^■i^-■v^:. ,-i8,fff,.,".i /«fcom ..li/gigrvJJ Mmf 326 SELATTYN : A HISTORY OF THE PARISH. Edward Ireland ofi^ Jane, d. of Richard Mitton of Thomas Ireland Lythwood. j Shrewsbury, ob. 28 Nov., 1591 (6 times Bailiff). Arms : Per pale az. and gu. an eagle dis- played with S heads or., within a hord. engr, of the last. t Ales, mentionr=Richard Owen, in Will of Wyllyam Ire- land 1545. Johane=Robert Allen of Salop. Eliza-=(1) Edmund beth Pope. —(2) Thomas Montgom- ery of Shrewsbury Richard Montgomery. Arms : Gu. a chev. arg. between 3 fleiirs-de-lis or. So borne 1360 A.D. Robert Ireland=^Elizabeth, d of admit, freeman Thos. Scry ven of of Mercers Co., Salop, 1561, m. at the age of 18 29 Aug., 155-t. Froddesley, Co. Salop, Esq., by Eliz. d. of John Leighton of Wat- tlesbury. Arms : Arg. gut^e de sang a lion ramp, sahle. I George Ireland: admit. Drapers Co. Shrewsbury 1566, alive in 1602. :Mary, d. and heir of Thomas Purcell of Vainor. Arms :i>«r/-y Wai^y of 6 arg. and gu. on a bend sa. 3 boars' heads couped close of the first. Thomas Ireland, bap. Holy Cross, 16, Nov., 1572. Sheriff 1632. and 15 other children. ^^ Wyllam=Sarah, d. of Roger Irlande Baker of Hanwood. Arms : Sa. a griffin segreant erm. ducally gorged or. beaked an mtin. gu. Lucy=(l) Thomas Pope. Arms: 2 chev. gu. a canton az. =p{2) Thomas Charleton of Shrewsbury. Arms : I Or. a lion ramp. gu. \ I Thomas Charleton. Elizabeth Catherine Margery=Riciiard Lewis of Salop. Susan=Thomas Lewis of Shrews- bury, 1592. Arms : Erm. a lion ramp, within a bord. az. Sara=Richard Owen of Slirewsbury and of Whitley, Co. Salop, admit Drajjcrs Co. 1572-3, built " Owen's Mansion," in tlic S([uare, Shrewsbury, 1592, d. 25 Oct., 1594, bur. S. Chad's .S*flJ bif&l HP> ,i:!tiij V. ,j; Vl\_!7>\i \u iXCKMJ \ _ _ _ 't ! i .110j;'3!TJiilO iI-nvff>cS '1'> Ifi' !jvd si), aisrao >j :..t X liotyM ' SIIELVOCK. 329 kinds. Witnesses Sir John do Lee, Thomas liis son, Hugh the son of Philip, Stephen de Felton, Uoger Impias and others. This Deed is undated, but Philip de Schelfac, Sir John de Lee, and Ilugli son of Philip, occur as witnesses to another deecP executed between 12G9 and 1270, so that tlie present deed may be presumed to be about the same date. About 1301- the le Stranges sold to their suzerain Edmund Fitz Alan, Earl of Arundel, Ptuyton with all its homages and fees, whicli would include all their rights over Wykey and Shclvock ; but about 1325 we lind John, Lord of Shclvock, giving to the Abbot of Haghmond a quit claim as to certain lands at Baldeiton,*^ so that Shelvock had not passed with lluyton into the immediate possession of the Earl of Arundel, but was still held by an under-tenant, whom we may presume to have been a descendant of the William htz Walter to whom it had been granted in 1175. There is nothing to show whether the under-lords of Shelvock were disturbed in their possession in 1326, when their suzerain, the Earl of Arundel, forfeited his estates and was beheaded, or in 1331, when his son was restored to them, or in 1397, when his grandson again forfeited them ; nor have we found any further mention of Shelvock till 147G, when Thomas Thornes is described as of that place. The Thornes family had long been eminent in Shrews- bury, In 135G llobert atto Thornes was one of four merchants summoned from Shrewsbury to confer with the King in a Council of Merchants at Westminster.'^ Li 1381 the Earl of Arundel interfered to appease some dissensions among the burgesses of Shrewsbury which had become very acute, ^ and induced them to commit ^ l'')'loii X., IIG. '-^ l']ylou xi., l!.'). " lOyb.ii s., 7;{. ■* ItiilLs ol' l';irli;uiK!uL II,, laTu. ^ Uwcii and Jilukcway i., IG'J. .i(U iQ'iira thili aodw Of! i;\C-l ,.ll .MfM(i( 'Ji-trjjh 330 SIIELVOCK. the government of the town to a committee of 12 persons, one of whom was Robert of Thornes, son of Kobert atte Thornes above mentioned ; and tlms the Tliornes family came into connection with the Lord of the Manor of E,uyton and the suzerain of Shelvock. This Robert was four times Baihff of Shrewsbury, 1388 to 1409. His son Thomas^ wasalsoBaiHtf in 1432, 143G, and 1440, and in 1444 became one of the first Aldermen of the Borough. Thomas Thornes, grandson of the Alderman, is described- as of Shelvock in 1476, and presumably bought it. He married a daughter of Sir Roger Corbet of Morton. Roger Thornes, son of Thomas, was called the " Wise Thornes of Shrewsbury, for that both town and country repaired to him for advice." Though owner of Shelvock, he retained his family connection with Shrewsbury, and seems to have lived principally in the town, where he had a house in the Raven Street, just opposite the School Lane. He was six times Bailiff. In 150G he was associated with Richard Lyster, who, like himself, was both Bailiff of Shrewsbury and county gentleman, being the owner of Rowton, in negotiating some business in dispute between the Borough and the Abbot of Shrewsbury, and in 1525, when he was senior bailiff, he went on another deputation with Mr. Lyster to Bewdley, to arrange before the Court of the Marches sitting there a dispute between the towns of Shrewsbury and Wor- cester. He married a daughter of Sir Roger Kynaston. He died in 1531, and was buried in St. Mary's Church. ^ After him was a somewhat rapid succession to the property of Shelvock. John Thornes, his son, married Elizabeth Astley of Patishull.4 Jeffery Thornes, son of John, married first Jane Kynaston of Shardon, by whom he had a daughter ^ Owen and Blakcway i., 212. 2 Morris's MS. iu possession of l^fr. Pccle. Heralds' Visitation. -'' Owen and Hlak(!Way, i., 1^71), .'jUl' ; ii., :VJ6. * lloralda' Visitation. iU.'ijJiJi.5i7 •n. .1 vj- . nt.'*. .').,; iiT.i V SHELVOCK. 331 Jane, baptised at Middle, 13 Feb., 1545, and other children ; and secondly, Anne Fowler of St;iir<)rdshiio.^ His will was proved at Lichfield in 1552, and he was succeeded by his son by his second wife, Nicholas Thoi'nes, who married Margaret, daughter of Walter Wrotesley of Staffordshire. lie was succeeded in 1592 by his son Richard Thcrnes, who in 1599 bought a third part of the Manor of Ruyton from George Younge, Esquire,^ the heir, no doubt, of Thomas Younge, Archbishop of York, \vho had bought the manor in 1567 from the Earl of Arundel and others. Richard Thornes was Sheriff of Shropshire in 1610,^ but for the first half of the year only, being succeeded during the latter half of the year as sheriff by Richard Mytton of Ilalston, whose sister Elizabeth he had married. The initials I.t: 1606 are on a stable still standing at Shelvock, with enormously thick walls, and are those of this Richard Thornes and his wife Elizabeth Mytton. Francis Thornes, son of the Sheriff, married Beatrice, eldest daughter of Sir Andrew Corbet of Moreton Corbet, on the 12th Dec, 1625, at Moreton Corbet,* he being then 1 9 and she 1 5 years of age. By a deed^ of 16 Dec, 1638, he settled " the Lord- ship or Manor of Shelvock and all houses and lands in the township of Shelvock, the Heath Mill in the Town- ship of Knockin, and two meadows at Maesbrook," on himself in tail, subject to a jointure for his wife. When the civil war broke out he took an active part for the King.^ On the 8tli August, 1642, he subscribed in Shrewsbury a strong declaration of loyalty, and he after- wards signed " The Ingagement and Resolution of the 1 Middlo Register and Heralds' Visitation. '■^ Dukc'.s Shropshire, 315. 3 Shcri/s of Shropshire, A.D. IGIO. ■' Moreton Corbet Kogister. ^ At 'IV'dbuiore. ^ Oweu and Biakeway, i., 417, 455, 482. ;K5> (- to qo'Xfl8 ^■5 s. no iiw gfti > .nria .■o.^edi yVJ fjiifi ^r da lirl. ■!,■ 1 c s .•J:*J)-,Jy',... . ^ MHh ,<5«3I JU ,.i ^^i^^iWiwUiu 332 SHELVOCK. principall gentlemen of the County of Salop, for raising and maintaining Forces,-^ at their own charge, for the defence of his Majestie King Charles I., their country, and more particularly the fortunes, persons, and estates of the suhscribers undernamed." The ibices to be raised were "one entire regiment of dragoneers," and were to be ready, with the money, on the 20th December, 1G43, and to be under the command of Sir Vincent Corbet, his brother-in-law. Francis Thornes was one of the many county gentlemen captured when Shrewsbury was taken on Feb. '22nd, 1G44-5, by the Parliamentary forces under the command of his first cousin, Thomas Mytton of Halston, and he had to pay a composition of £720 for his estate. In 1653 he executed a settle- ment- upon the marriage of his son, com|)rising ''the Manor of Shelvock, the Manor House in Slielvock in wdiich Francis Thornes dwells, the water corn mill called Heath Mill in Knockin, Melverley Farm, 2 closes in Wykie in or near a place called Bagamore, all in the possession of Francis Thornes, land covered with water in Great Ness called Ingerley (?) Pool, a farm in Webscott, 4 messuages in Melverley, the Black Birches in Smethcot in the Parish of Middle, Startlewood in Hopton, a messuage in Edgerley, a messuage called the Gorsty Leasowesin Buy ton in the occupation of Bichard Taylor, 2 messuages in Ness, and 13 in Shotatton, in the tenures of William Hanmer, John Woods, Thomas Dovaston, John Wofie (?),Ptichard Morton, John Peevor, Cornelius Peevor, Edward Perkins, Edward Foster, John Croxon, Daniel Griffiths, Edward Griffiths, and Edward Dyos ; a messuage in Earston, otherwise Yar- ston, in possession of Bichard Jones, and two messuages in Hopton." After the Bestoration Francis Thornes was one of the Commissioners appointed under an Act of IGGl for administering oaths of allegiance and supremacy to all ^ [)uk(j's iShrojishirc, Ixxxi. ^ Wliicli ia now ut Tcdamoro. /S0\r9()'-1 . noia a ai jU.l Oi. [lie; .til.i.f> O':' 3 ci'^^* .1/. '/.I ;;t'i5\fci.vvr<.W, snELV'^ocK. 333 odice holders in Shrewsbury, and for removuig from odico all disalloctcd persons. The followinf^ inscrij)tion to the memory of him and his wife is on the north wall of the chancel of Uuyton Church : — Hero lioth the body of Francis Thornes, Esq", Justice of the Peace and quorum for this County, one of liis jMajcsty's Doputy-Licutcnants, a loyall subject, A cordial friend, A patron of the poor, who departed this hfo the 2'"^ day of July Anno Dom. 1G7S, aged 72 years. Here Heth interred the body of Beatrice Thornes, wife of Fran^ Thornes of Shelvock, Esq''", and the eldest daughter of Sir Andrew Corbett of Morton-Corbett, who deceased upon the 30^'' day of December Anno Dom. 16G4, i^etatis sua 55," Thomas Thornes, son of Francis, was the last Thornes owner of Shelvock. lie was baptised at Moreton Corbet, 2G Sept., 1630, and married in IG53 Elinor, daughter of Jonathan Langley of the Abbey, Shrewsbury, who was sheritfof the county in 1689. Secondly Catherine Littleton, daughter of Sir William Courteen, Kt., of London, and widow of Sir Edward Littleton of Pillaton, Co. Stafford, Bart., a zealous royalist.^ To her there is the following inscription on a stone which was formerly^ in the chancel of Iluyton Church, but is now lying out- side the east end : — Here lieth the body of Lady Catherine Littleton, wife of Thomas Thornes of Slielvock, Esq''°, in the County of Saloj), who (lc[)artcd this life the 12th day of December Anno Dmni 1G74. Thirdly Anne, who married after his death George Bold. Thomas Thornes sold Webscott, in Middle, to his brother-in-law Thomas Price. ^ lie died without issue. His tombstone was formerly under the altar at Buy ton, but is now, with that to his second wife, lying outside the east end of the Church. It is inscribed : — ^ I'.urkc's Peerage, tit. Ilutliorton, wlicrc, however, licr luimc is given as lleyter. " Slir()|)sliire Ivecord.s 1)y D. Pai'ke.s, Hrit. Mas. Add. MSS. 21,022 ^ (_l(jii-h's Hist, of MiddU', 120. '■ "■; • ■' ■ Olii If. 8 OS Mjo a;ti 11.; J -:.. - ,^ - - ^. id — . hw'i c^Gr.o oib ei)ia ^.. :, .- - T • k 'i\j is-Ass e o 1:1:0,1!: .J^i^M .?.'!>/>> -v'iiN' .li'i^i ,;-;:>t-i(/{ .(} v-f i:].-^^:. 334 SHELVOCK. Here lyes the body of Thomas Thorncs of Shclvock, Esq., Son and Heiro of Francis Thornes, Esq., who departed this Hlo' August 2Gth, 1G78, He, therefore, survived his father less than two months.^ The pedigree of the Thornes family down to Francis Thornes is published in the Heralds' Visitation of Shrop- shire by the Harleian Society. The subsequent pedigree will be best understood from the following table, compiled principally out of the deeds at Tedsmore. Francis Thonics^Bcatricc, d. of .Sir Andrew Corbet, ob. '-'July, 1G7S. I ob. .".i) Dec, UHM. Jolin Thornes, bapt. Moreton Corbet, lU Mareli, 1G28. Thomas Thornes, bapt. = 1st, Elinor, d. of Jonathan Lanr,dey Moreton Corbet, "20 2nd, Catherine, Lad\' Littleton. Sept., 20 Aiu 1030. 1G78. Died 3rd, Anno (who married .secondly (leorj^e Bold). Elizabeth-pSir Vincent Corbet, I who d. 1080. Beatrice, uinnarried ; buried 2 Oct., 1700, at Moreton Corbet. Frances bapt. West= . . . Ironsides Margaret- Fclton, 24 May, of Shrcwsburj'. d. before 1630. 1099. ■Thomas Price of ^^'ebs- cott, in the pari.sh of JNliddle. Sir Vincent Corbet, who Bcatrice=fJohn Kyna.ston of Jolm Price=f=Sarah. d. a minor 1GS3, when d. before Ifordley, M.R, baronetcy expired. 1707. who died 1733. I I I Beatrice, d. unmarried Corbet Kynaston Sarah, eventually sole heiress, m. (Burke's Peerage M.V. for Salop, died unmarried 17 June, 1710. John Windsor, Solicitor, Shrewsbur}', and had cinldren, for whom see SIirri[fs uf Shroji- shirc, 1781. 1 Li the Deed of 7 Aug., 1707, two inc«suagc.s in Shotatton are (lescvibcd as [(jnnevly lu'ld l)y Uogcr Thornes, and now by Timothy Sides and Francis IMyinley ; and tlio deed of 20 Dec., 1718, mentions a chief rent of Id. issuing out of lands within the Manor of Shclvock, ])elonging to J'^dward Thurnes. In 1779 tliis laml had passed from liim to Thomas Reynolds. Who these Tiiornes were docs not appear. Ivlward Thornes of lluyton married Kli/.abeth 15ill of Felton, at Felton, 2'S June, 1711. •to ,.J'..0 •RSrif»o<5' I .._..L I I ,d.rna<.'i'r't.'0!''''! lufol. X>,, t ,t\oUj'\ ^■■■■ : li ih j.;ilV!!')J'(liil ii SHELVOCK. 335 On Thomas Thornes's death his widow retained possession of Shelvock, and married Geort^^e Boltl, but tlieir right to tlie property wns evidently disputed by the family, for in 1G99 a deed of family settlement was executed, dated 30 Oct., between George Bold of Shel- vock, gent., and Anne, his wife, of the one part, and Dame Elizabeth Corbett of Shrewsbury, widow, Beatrice Thornes of Shrewsbury, spinster, Frances Ironsides of Shrewsbury, widow, and Jolm Price of Shrewsbury, gent., son and heir of Margaret Price, deceased, daughters and co-heirs of Francis Thornes, late of Shelvock, Esq., deceased, and sisters of Tliomas Thornes of Shelvock, Escp, of the other part. By this deed it is agreed that all differences and lawsuits about the land late the estate of Francis and Thomas Thornes are to cease. The Bolds are to hold for their lives and to keep in repair the capital messuage of Shelvock, the Heath Mill, and the demesne lands belonging to Shel- vock, and the following lands in Shotatton, viz., the Turf Pool, the new Hill, the old Hill, the Calves Croft by Elsbridge^ Gate, the Marly Furlong, Meridens Crofts, the great Hodge Park, the little Hodge Park, tlie Poole Marsh, the Coatfields, the broad pool or the ox pasture, Hanly- Heath, and the Heath ]\Iill, all of which are parcel of the demesne lands of Shelvock. After the deaths of the Bolds, the whole of the above are to belong in fee simple, free from incumbrances, to Francis Thornes's four daughters and their representa- tives. The Bolds are to have Broome's tenement in Great Ness in fee simple, and iC500. Various convey- ances made by Francis and Thomas Thornes in 1G73 1G7G, and 1678 are to stand good and not to be dis- })uted, by which the inheritance of certain lands in Shotatton, Yarston, and Hoptnn, and the life estate in the house and demesne of Shelvock were conveyed to 1 (^alUa llcllbridyo iu 1707 deed. - llautkj, alius Autley llcatli, in 1707 deed. Vol, VI., 2nd S. QQ ,.p >j f-l I J:' ! ' lOiJT ainiiirjH (If -^ „ JaTOf^'lff '^"■' ©ri'l .advli -■■ TjiV .ooe. ' aastd JcyiD i rofir P erJj fi-)uf'7 yd ,h9:tfji.{ v", .. ■■■ ■ ■ - ., ^cirit'i.i . .. : .ya.\)-M\'3i\l . .S hull ,.I / -Jo'^ 336 SHELVOCK. Anne Bold, and life interests in other lands to some of the others. The following lands in Shotatton, viz., the Craniums, the great Foxholes, the little Foxholes, the Gentle- women's close, a little parcel of land in possession of Anne Griffiths, and the Butts in Shotatton field in the possession of John Griffiths and John Wheelock, are to be delivered into the possession of George Bold, he paying i^lO to Beatrix Thornes for the said Butts or Furlongs, which are her proper inheritance ; and she is also to sell to him the cottage in Shotatton called Bellamie's tenement. The Bolds are to do no waste in certain tenements at Melverley of the value of <£50 per annum, which will come to the representatives of Francis Thornes's daughters after the death of Anne Bold. Anne Bold, therefore, and her second husband, George Bold, had possession of Shelvock from 1G78 ; and they were still alive in 1707/ but had let it to some under- tenants. Lady Corbet settled her fourth part of the Shelvock estate on her grandson Corbet Kynaston, and in 1702 her sisters Beatrice Thornes and Frances Ironsides transferred their shares (subject to their life interests) to her, and in 1707 the remaining fourth was bought from John Price by Corbet Kynaston's trustees for X400. Another deed of family arrangement was executed on 7 Aug., 1707, conveying the Manor and Manor House of Shelvock and its demesnes to Corbet Kynaston, and other pieces of land in " Earsdiston alias Earston," Bagamore, Hopton, Ruiton, and Melverley, to the Bolds and others in fee. In addition to the demesne lands enumerated in the settlement of 1699, the followmg are by this deed agreed to be part of the demesne lands, and conveyed accordingly to the Bolds for life, with remainder to Corbet Kynaston in fee, viz.: — "The ^ Deed of 7 Aug., 1707, Fninces Ironsidos and others to Corbet Kynaston; at Tedsmoro. ylij 0,-t led boliiee. .1': ■!;]i io t 'rK»fnf.f)'>'r .; SHELVOCK. 337 Hall Meadow, the Sprinnr, Ron^ers's Leasow, "Rogers's Meadow, the Marshes alias Wigmarshes, Earson's or Eason's Meadow, Stockin Meadow, Edmonds Moor, two White Leasows, the great Park Fields, the three crofts adjoining to the great Park lields, the Spring Meadow, the Hopyard, the little Park field, the Stanneley, the Ttock Hill, the Connery and Connery Meadow, and all other lands being now in the occupation of George Bold, his under-tenants or assigns, and in the townships of Shelvock and Shotatton." Corbet Kynaston, therefore, became sole owner of Shelvock on the death of the Bolds some time between 1707 and 1738, when he executed a deed barrino- his estate tail in a part of the property. He was not of age in 1707. In 1713 he was a candidate to represent Shrewsbury in Parliament,^ but was defeated by Thomas Jones and Edward Cressett, Esqs. He presented a petition against the return of the latter, which was dismissed by the House of Commons as frivolous, vexa- tious, and scandalous, but the next year, on the accession of George L, he was elected, together with Thomas Jones. In 1721 he was again returned at the head of the poll, with Pichard Lj'-ster, Esq., but though they sat in the House for two sessions, they were both unseated in 1723, inhabitants of the Abbey Foregate and of a number of other places having been improperly admit- ted to vote. From 1732 to 1735 he was involved in litigation with the Corporation of Shrewsbury^" in which he appears to have been unsuccessful. In 1733 his father died, and " by his death an estate of i^8,000 per an. fell to his son Corbet Kynaston, Esq.,"^ includmg the estates of Sundorne and Hordley, and in 1734 he was elected M.P. for Shropshire with Sir John Astley, and sat till his death in 1740. His step-mother'* took up her resi- 1 ^wXhcvt'^ History of Shrewsbury, 193. 2 11). 195. ■■* Gent. Mag. for 1733, p. 495. * Owen and Blakeway i. 508. ill o(fio'v;o(,!c! :.. ed !*i''oL> 338 SHELVOCK, dence in Shrewsbury on her husband's death, and lived there till her death in 1773. She is said to have been very frequently employed in carrying over to Flanders the contributions of the Shropshire Jacobites for the Court of St. Germains. Mr. Kyna-ton died unmarried the 17th June, 1740.^ As the furniture at Shelvockthen belonged to him,^ he may have occasionally lived there, but he had also houses in Shrewsbuiy which he inhabited, and chambers in the Temple in London, and described himself in his will as "of Shrewsbury." He left all his real estates, including Sundorne and Shelvock, to Andrew Corbet of Lee and Albright Hussey,^ whose grandmother was sister to Edward Kynaston of Ilordley, Corbet Kynaston's grandfatlier ; but Andrew Corbet died 15 A})ril, 1741, without issue, and was succeeded by his brother John Corbet. Corbet Kynaston, however, had left debts amounting to between i^70,000 and ^80,000; suits were instituted by his creditors, and an Act of Parliament had to be obtained for selling his estates. Accordingly an arrangement was entered into, by deed dated 20 Dec, 1748,^ between John Corbet, therein described as of Shrewsbury, and Charlton Leighton of Underdale, near Shrewsbury, and Anna Maria, his wife (who was a daughter of llichard Mytton of Halston, and was joint heiress at law with John Corbet to Corbet Kynaston). By this agreement John Corbet was to purchase the manor and lands of Acton Keynald at a certain price, and some houses in Shrewsbury, and to have Corbet Kynaston's furniture in Shrewsbury and in the Temple, and Anna Maria Leighton was to have the manor, house, and lands of Shelvock, and the furni- ture there, and the Heath Mill, the Heath Farm, and nil the freehold tenements late of Corbet Kynaston m 1 Oe?it. Mag. x., 317. - DiH'd ol" '10 Doc, 1718, :il Tcdbinoir. '•^ I'.urkc's Landed 0\iUi//, C(jrl)ct of Sumlomo. 0 rrsil „-.',-'■ r 1)11...! .VIC ,x .vn' .•'■j;).ia«fr>T .!;, ,bi T; ,.:r'U 01: snELVocK. 839 Shelvock, Shotatton, Knockin, IMelverley, Baggimore, and lluyton. Charlton Leigliton and Anna Maria his wife, tliere- fore, became owners of Shelvock in 1748. lie was the eldest son of Sir Edward Leighton of Loton,^ and suc- ceeded to the baronetcy in 17 56. Possibly he may have Hved at Shelvock before his father's death, but in 1757 he let it for his own life to Kichard Madocks, yeoman, and as Madocks is described in the deed as of Shelvock, he was, probably, already tenant of it before this time. In 17G6 Sir Charlton gave up the property of Shelvock Manor, messuage, and farm, with the Gate House, Mill, and Dovehouse thereto belono-incr and the Heath farm and land at Melverley, to his son Charlton Leighton, to whom in 1773 he also trans- ferred the Loton estate, subject to various charges. In or before 1774, however, Charlton Leighton sold the manor and estate of Shelvock to William Mostyn Owen of VVoodhouse, Esq., subject, of course, to the lease to Ilichard Madocks, who had been succeeded in the occupation of Shelvock before 17G6 by his son Robert, described as "Gentleman" in a deed of 1777. Sir Charlton Leighton, for whose life they held it, died in 1780. Mr. Mostyn Owen repre- sented Montgomeryshire in three Parliaments, He died in 1795, and was succeeded by his son William Mostyn Owen, who about 18B2 conveyed Shelvock to Thomas Bulkeley-Owen,Esq.,of Tedsmore,In exchange for lands at Haughton. Mr. Owen about 1858 pulled down the old house, and erected the present farm house, wljich is not exactly on the site of the old house, but a little to the east of it. The rats from the old house are said to have all emim-ated to Pradoe. Some of the cellars of the old huusc still remain. The stable with the date IGOG has been already mentioned. When the house was pulled down a quantity of oak panelling was ^ Burke's Peerage. 2ud Vol. a VI., IIR n 1 ■> [jd^ovnc .fiijwu Ai^:Jeoi:/L mBiOiW C!' J i i 1. f - Mij) j:; iiv.'ob bc-llijq aiiW oaooil 340 SHELVOCK. removed to Tedsmore, including an old English mantel- piece, now in the entrance hall there. Mr. Owen at one time travelled a great deal, and Vjought some very fine ])ictures abroad, two of which, the Holy Family by Murillo, and the Brazen Serpent by Ilubens, were bought by tiie National Gallery in 1837 for £7,000. He died in April, 1867, and was succeeded by his son Bulkeley Hatchett Bulkeley-Owen, who died on the lOtli August, 18G8, leaving a widow, but no children, and was succeeded by his brotlier The llev. T. M. Bulkeley-Owen, the present owner. He was Vicar of Welsh Hampton 18G3-70, and was afterwards the means of startino^ the mission district in Castle Fields, Shrewsbury, and of getting the Churcn of All Saints built and endowed there. He has also built the Chapel called St. Chad's Church, at Haughton, in West Felton parish, Mr. Thomas Lloyd is the occupier of Shelvock farm which includes the house and almost the whole town- ship, and Mr. Thomas Bowdler of the cottage, which is the only other house in the Township of Shelvock. It is situated on the brook which separates the Town- ships of Shelvock and Eardiston, and is probably the Gate House mentioned in the Deed of 1766. !;'"■' . , fa 341 THE ABBOT OF SHREWSBURY VERSUS THE BURGESSES THEREOF IN THE MATTER OF THE MILLS. Bv THE Uev. C. II. DRINKWATER, M.A., Vioar of St. (Jkouuk's, SiiuiiwaiJUUY. The following document affords a certain amount of insight into the dispute between the Abbot and the Burgesses, which dragged on its weary length for many scores of years ; in fact, it was not without its in- fluence upon their mutual dealings until the very eve of the Dissolution. Both parties were as obstin- ate as any legal fraternity could desire, and neither of them showed the least inclinotion to yield ; for although the Abbot had, to all appearance, prescrip- tion of law and long continued usage in his favour, he could not persuade the Burgesses to see the matter in dispute with any other eyes than their own ; in fact, the Burgesses were daily becoming more wealthy and more influential, and inclined on these accounts to dispute every restriction laid on their liberties. They were willing enough to yield to the Abbot in spirituals, but in temporals they would have greater freedom, and so they were not backward in taking any steps which tended to lessen his authority and to enhance their own. Dr. Cunningham says : — Tho connexion between the monasteries and the towns was close iuul not always iViuiully: to tliu Abboy tlie town ollon owed its origin; but, as Lhcy increased in wealtli, the towns- ■'UjjiiJn- ■■]() i)A^>!V O .y^H vim dl 'Ui viilwoikri anT ^ooa iU, . :■ >,: ■ . . ...w . i_, ,-. : •_. -Vi ill ,jj>vo li'i.'l.l O/ibifiuo o) him -tLllV.'OJ 'JlU ,d.iij;OV/ (11 t>UKliy'iUl)i '(,:>«»' rtJi ,Uijtii ^ Ui'.'JJO f;3 :j 03 xno'rl allim - '1 bJnorfa d ii i;< iJl ■ ■,-'■"> on di ■n-.i it ' ,('H .a hii. 344 THE ABBOT OF SHREWSBURY VERSUS THE to be maintained at the common expense of both parties, who were to divide the profits and expenses ; two water mills were to be erected on the Severn, at the joint expense of the Abbey and town, with a saving of the fishery of the burgesses, who further covenant that they will not in future obstruct any person from repairing to the Abbey mills (from which it may be inferred that they had lately done so) ; and if the existing mills do not suffice for the wants of the town, others are to be set up at the common charge of the contending i)artios. — O. and B. i., 120, 1^0, Placita coram Domino Rege apud Westmonasterium De termino Sancte Trinitatis anno regis Edwardi filii Regis Hem lei troccsimo quinto [ro Ix'v Braba ....]' {A J). IfJOG, 7). Dominus Rex mandavit Thesaurario et Camerario suis breve suum in hec verba. Edwardus Dei gratia Rex Anglic Dominus Ilibernie et Dux Aquitanie Thesaurario et Camerario suis salutem. Quia quibusdam certis de causis certiorari volumus super tenore cujusdam composic'ois inter Abbatem et Conventum Saneti Petri Salop' et communitatem Burgensium ejusdem Ville Salop/ de quibusdam molendinis in eadem Villa per predictos burgenses levatis coram Celebris memorie domino Henrico quondam Rege Anglic patre nostro anno regni sui quinquagesimo primo {12GG, 7) facte et irrotulate. Vobis mandamus quod scrutatis rotulis dicti patris nostri de anno predicto qui sunt in thesauraria nostra sub custudia vcstra ut dicitur, et transcriptionem composic'ois predicte nobis sub si^illo dicti scaccarii nostri distinctc et aperte sine dilatione mittatis et hoc breve Teste meipso a])ud Lanrecost- xix die 1 rd' lxi° Brah . . . This is my reading of some words at the end of the first line of the document. The parchment is deeply stained and broken, and some letters are irrecoverably lost. I can give no meaning to the characters as they stand. My legal friend suggests that they may be an ear-mark of tiic record, of wiiich the exact signification is not now known. The sense is comjdoto without theai. 2 Lanncost. — Tlic Abbey of Tjiinoroost lies about 11 miles N.IC. by E. of Carlisle, in the county of Cumberland. It wns un Augustinian I'riory, dedicated to St. M. Mai^daloue, and wan founded in 11C9 by llobcrt de Vallibus, Lord of Gilslaud, and endowed by himself and (iiiiers with a revenue value-'f| '/•(or:' •li ,<)U: BURGESSES TUEIIKOF IN THE MATTER OE TUB MILLS. 345 Octobris anno rci^ni nostri triccsimo quarto {1305, G) Virtute cujus ln\;vis prefatus Tlu'saurarius ct Canicrarius miserunt hoc recordum ot ])rocessum in lice verba. Plaeita dc Assisis et juratis capta coram Domino Roge apud Salop' ad fostiim Sancti Bartholomci anno li" {A luj.J.ith, i:J60,7). Salop' Cum inter rcligiosos viros Abbatem ct Convcntum Sancti Petri Salop' ex una parte etCommunitatem Burgensium Yille Salop' ex altera' motum esset placitum in Curia Domini Regis dc quibusdam molcndinis per predictos Burgenses m cadem Villa ct extra levatis contra cartas et libertates prcdic- torum Abbatis et Conventus a divcrsis Regibus et magnatibus Anglie eisdem concessas secundum quod in cartis ipsis plenius continetur Tandem mediantibus amicis communibus coram Domino Rage et ejus consilio videlicet Domino Waltero de Merton^ magistro Godefrido Giffardo tunc Cancellario Domini lleefis- et masristro Johanne ChesliulP dominis Roberto de 1 Walter de Merton was of the King's Council. He was an eccles- iastic. A notice in the Cal. Rot. Pat., p. 3G, 49 Hen III. (12G4, 5) runs thus: — "Rex amortizavit Waltero de Merton familiar i b.\^o ac Prebendario de Halywell in Eccl'ia Sancti Pauli London' in success' Mazamillam extra muros London' ex parte boreali vocat' La Afore." He was also later on Bishop of Rochester, and Lord Chancellor, and died in 1278 seized of the Manor of Kebeworth, in Co. Leicester, and lands in Middleton, in Co. Northampton, and much other land. He was the founder of Merton College, Oxford. 2 Godefriihis Giffard was also an ecclesiastic. He is styled in 1265, 6, 50 Hen. lib, " Cancellarius Regis," and in 1267, 8, "Wigorn' Electus," in 1268, 9, " Ep'us Wigorn'." 3 Afaffister Joh. (Jheshull. — He was several times Chancellor. I find the following notices of him. Ho had the custody of the great seal on the 3rd day of December, 1263 {Cal. Rot. Pat., 48° Hen. III., p. 85.) He delivered it up the year after, for we find this notice : — " Die mercurii prox' post festum Sancti Petri a Cathedra Rex recepit sigillum suum a Mag'ro Joh'ne du Chishull Archidiacono London' apud Westrn' in praseutia Hugonis lo Dispenser Justiciar' Anglia? et al' de concilio It's ct Rox eodom die dictum sigillum connniait ^^.lgiHtro J'homai do (^antilupo custodicnd' qui statim cum eo consignavit." {Cal. Rot. Pat. 49 Hen. IIP, p. 37). It was again in his hands a few years later and again taken away, " Vicesimo nono die Julii Rex Sigillum suum recepit a Joh'no do Chishull, Decano S. Pauli London et illnd conmiisit Rico' de Midclton custodicnd' qui brevia cum eodeni consignavit." (Ibid, p. 42). But in tho same year, A.D. 1268, ho was ngain made Chancellor and by a hitor patent. " Thcti;uiiaiiii,s Snacarii licgis," and in A.D Vn'6 'ElootuB London'." ..■)! ' . . V or Imb •£i[biji]4 al ebiiul n'/f ' ' oi'^^tM s f«fji/8 fittjiligia oy fats'j uiotlT "^" BURGESSES THEREOF IN THE MATTER OF THE MILLS. 347 exitus et proventus ipsorum quatuor molendinorum inter partes prodictas equalibus porcioiiibus sine contenc'one dividantur et ij)sa molendina et molcndinarii et alii ministri in ipsis niolcn- (iinis coramuni concensu consortictur sumptibus comraunibus utriusqiio partis sustententur Preterea do coramuni con- silio et concontu {sic) tam prodictorum Abbatis et (V)iiventus quam prodictorum burgensium provisum csi ut concessura quod duo molendina aquaria per aquam Sabryne currcncia circa Villam Salop' una tum stangnis eorun(dem) sumptibus comraunibus construantur et sustententur ubi utraque pars ad coramunocoramodura raagis viderit expcdirc. Itaquodoranes exitus et proventus (ipsorum) molendinorum sieut et aliorum (juatuor antodictorum equaliter inter partes dividantur Kt ([uod nulla captura ])iscium occasioneduorum (molendinorum) in aqua predicta exorteatur. Salva tamen predictis burgcnsi- bus et eorum heredibus antiqua et consueta piscac'one sua. Tn omnibus autcm preilictis molendinis consortuantur molen- dinarius et alii ministri tot ex parte predictorum Abbatis et Conventus et eorum suecossorum quot ex parte burgensiura et corura horedura.Ita quod do communi concensu utriusque partis sustententur vel araoveantur et alii loco ipsorura susti- tuantur. Si vera omnia molendina predicta una cum molen- dinis predictorum Abbatis et Conventus in Suburbio construc- tis ad multuram dicte Ville non sufficiant et plura molendina de communi concensu levare voluerunt tunc tam de sumptibus quara emolumentis eorundem molendinorum per omnia fiat inter partes sicut de aliis molendinis comraunibus ut predictum est Nullus vero de bominibus Salop' irapediet aliquem quominus ad communia molendina predicta et ad molendinum [iredictorum Abbatis et conventus in suburbio et alibi pro voluntatc sua propria libere possit ire et ad ea molere. In cujus rei testimonium presenti scripto in modum cyrographi confccto partes alternatira sigilla sua apposuerunt. Pretextu^ cujus brevis et eciara composic'ois predicte postea ex parte Abbatis et Conventus Sancti Petri Salop' nunc accepit Ilex (piod communitas l)urgensium predicte Villo composic'- oom non servant in hoc videlicet quod ipsi Hurgenses predicta (juatuor molendina infra Villam predictara ob defectum susten- tac'ois pro porc'ono eosdem (conting)ento diruere permiserunt Kt duodccim molendina alia absque asscnsu et Volimtato 1 Prdcxtu. — This may Ktaiid for pretext tt/n or pretext us, witli the moaiiiiiic (if piirjHx I. 'V\w ease i,s uiKjcrtaiii. Vol. VI, 2ih1 S. SS 0(!! iiti J. 0 i . ;)j; K i i.^ ,iV .Wi 348 THE ABBOT OF SHREWSBURY VERSUS THE ipsorum Abbatiset conventus, auctoritate sua propria ineadera villa post modiim contra formam composic'ois predicte. Per quod preceptum fuit vice comiti quod non omitteret propter libcrtatcm^ ville Salop' quominus scire faceret com- munitati burgcnsium predictorum per duos liberos et legales de comitate sua quod essent coram Domino Rege a die Sancti Johannis Baptiste {June ^4) in xv dies ubicunque &c. ad ostendendum siquid pro se haberent vel dicere scirent quare composic'oem predictam in omnibus suis articulis juxta formam concessionis predicte inde^ in curia predicta ut predictan. formam observare et tenere non debent. Et ulterius facturum et recepturum quod Rex consideraret in premissis. Ad quern diem predictus Abbas venit et similiter Burgensis communi- tatis Yille predicte per promissum communem sibi factam per attornatum suum \Qwerunt. Et predictus Abbas petit quod predicta quatuor molendina communia reficiantur et susten- tentur juxta composic'oem predictam et quod alia molendina per ipsos Burgenses contra eandem composic'oem postea levata, ut predictum est, prosternantur et ammovcantur et quod com- l^osic'o ilia in suis articulis decenter teneatur et observetur. Kt predicti Burgenses dicunt dicere^ quod ipsi nichil contra composic'oem predictam fecerunt. Dicunt enim quo ad predicta quatuor molendina communia quod unum eorum stat sufficienter reparatum et sustentatum et de aliis tribus duo illorum pro debilitate et defectu susten- tac'ois diruta sunt et prostrata et tercium jamdiu est per infor- tunium fuit combustum &c. Que quidem molendina adhuc remanent infecta et inconstructa tam ob defectum predicti Abbatis quam ipsorum Burgensium eo quod idem Abbas eos nunquam monuerit nee allocutus fuit quod ipsi ad construc- tionem et reparac'oem molendinorum illorum pro porc'one ipsis inde contingente juxta composic'oem predictam contribuc'oem facerent. IJnde dicunt quod defectus ille ipsis solummodo imputare non debet &c. Et quo ad alia molendina que pre- fatus Abbas dicit eos levasse contra composic'oem &c. Dicunt ^ Lihertatem. — The historians of Shrewsbury say vol. i., p. 161 — "Soon after (May 12th, 132S\ follows a licence (from the younjj; Kiiii^, Edw. HI.) to erect within the town ' ingenia per ([uc blada et bra.sia niolero possunt ' (mills fur corn and malt), thus releasing them frf>ni a slavish and galling dependence on the Abbot." - Indf. — 1 am not snre of tliis word, either here or on page 349. It is indistinct. If it is really indc, it is jierhajis used in some forensic Kl'n^(^ •' J)u'unt diccrc. — This may be a law phrase, but not good Latin, ■i . :'3'I l^l .)! 'l! -i •ji'iii';': BURGESSES THEREOF IN THE ^lATTER OF THE MILLS. 349 quod ipsi nulla raolondiiia contra coniposic'ociu [jiodietam levavoi'unt. Et do hoc ponunt sc su[)er patriani &c. Et predictus Abbas dicit, ut prius, quod [)redicti Ijurgcnses pre- dicta quatuor uiolcndinaob dcfoctuui constructic'uis ct repara- c'ois &c. pro porc'ono ipsis indo contingcntc dirueve perniiser- unt et adhuc per eorum defectum ot non per defectum i[isorum Abbatis et conventusdiruta remanent et nifecta kc. Et eciam duodecim molendina alia absque assensu et voluntate ipsorum Abbatis ct conventus auctoritate sua propria in eadem Villa ))ostn^odum levaverunt contra formam composic'ois predicte. Et hoc petunt quod inqu initio per patriam &o. Et predict! lUirgensos similiter &c. Ideo vcniant indc^ jurati coram Domino regc a die Sancti Michaclis {Sept. 'JO) intra dies ubicunque iv:c. Et quod nee &c. ad recognitionem &c. Quia tam &c, I'ostca a die. Sancti Hillarii (Jan. l-j. or Oct, 1)" in xv dies anno regno Regis nunc octavo, venit predictus Abbas in propria persona et communitas Durgensium villo Salop' per attornatura suum Et similiter jurati veniunt quum dicunt super sacramentum suum quod tria molendina in querela predict! Abbatis contenta videlicet duo molendina ad equos et unum molenilinum ventritium sunt diruta et prostrata ob defectum construct'cois ct reparac'ois predictorum Burgensinm communitatis predicto ct non per defectum i[)Sorum Abbatis ct Conventus. Et de quarto molendino dicunt quod omnino ignorant ubi situm fuit nee de eo unquam noticiam habuerunt Et dicunt quod tria predictorum molendinorum nunc sunt edificata per predictos Uurgenses, Et inde proficium capiunt &c. Dicunt eciara quod predict! Eurgenses levaverunt duodecim molendina in predicta Villa Salop' contra tormam composic'ois predicte ad dampnum ipsius Abbatis trescentarum librarum. Questio si predictus Abbas unquam eosdem Jjurgenses monu- erit ad reparac'oem et sustentac'oem predictorum molendinorum faciendorum. Dicunt quod sepiuseos monuerit qiioniam lioa omnino facere recusarunt. Questio si predicti Burgenses unquam prefatos Abbatem et Conventum monuerunt ad reparac'oem et sustentac'oem pre- dictorum molendinorum pro porc'one ipyis contingente. Dicunt quod non, ^ IiuU. — I am not suic of tliis word, citlicr here or on paj^'c 318. It ib iiulisLinct. if it ia really indi\, it is iicrliLq).^ used in some forensic sense. - K)|i'>r f/i^a ) ,rtcn i)oiip !'.••• ;r<;; it-— •.s'lwl ' ■/i i'i 'il .,{.oai.lsJl// permaneant &c. Et preceptum est vicecomiti quod non omit- teret propter libertatem predictam quominus distraherct pre- dictos Burgenses ad promissa facienda&c, Et quo cid judiciuni dampnorum &c. dies datus est partibus usque a die Pasche in tresseptimanas ubicunque kc. quo ad audiendum judicium &c. Ad quern diem partes predicte vencrunt per attornatos sues et datus est eis dies in crastino Sancti Joliannis Baptiste ubicun- que &c. quo ad judicium dampnorum &c. Factum per recorda Anno none H quinto coram eo^ {? 9th II. v., 11,21, 2). iVr. A ..:.... .,fc. V Bocordum in Scaccario Inter Abbat Sidop' (Endoisements) ^^ ^,jjj ^^ ^^^^^^ j I Record of a Suit between the Abbot about the Abbey Mill 34 (?) Edw. I. TBANSLATION. Pleas before the Lord the King at West- Titlo, Record of minstcr in the term of Holy Trinity, in the Writ, of (JcrLioimi thirty-ljfih year of King Edward, son of King and return Ihoroto u '' ,i,-,ap fT\ Jienry (130G, 7). The Lord King has entrusted his writ to his Treasurer and ClKuiibcrlain in these words — ' Anno nono Il(enriri) r/ninto. — Tliis cuiiiiol bu rccoiiciUMl witli tlio utlici' (liitc'H. Arc wu to ascribt! this plinisc; to the orror of tin; isci'il)o, foi- \\\i.\ '.Mil year oi' llciiry r)tli (if (|uiiilo W iiitoiuii-d for (luiiiti) (I I'Jl, li), \ii luauifo.stly too lato Tor tlici oiirohiu'iit of lliis ivcord, iui(l would indicaLc! tho })rosecutioii of this dispute for about 100 yeara . .: id4A 'itj 0,1' , riOi j.'/'uic../i/w,I.i \; /' BURGESSES THEREOF IN THE MATTER OF THE MILLS. 351 Edward by the grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aqui- Writ of Certiorari taine. for the removal into To his Treasurer and Chamberlain greeting, the King's Bench Whereas for various certain causes We will 01 u certain Lom])0- , . „ t ■ .^ . r frition between the to be Hiiormed concernuig the tcnour ol a Abbot and Convent certain com})osition between the Abbot and Town ^°^' '''"'^ *^*^ Convent of St. Peter at Salop and the common- alty of the Burgesses of the same town of Salop respecting certain ^lills in the same Town, erected by the aforesaid burgesses within the time of the Lord Henry of illustrious memory, formerly King of England, our father, in the fifty-first year of his reign, made and enrolled ; — We command you that you examine the rolls of our said father of the year aforesaid which are in our Treasury, in your custody, as is said, that without delay ye send us a tran- script of the aforesaid composition under the seal of our said Exchequer distinctly and openly and this Writ. Witness ourselves at Lanrecost the nine- teenth day of October in the thirty-fourth year R t n of Writ and ^f OUr rcign. Composition. ' By virtue of which Writ the aforcsaid Treasurer And of process and Chamberlain sent this Record and Process manded)'''''' ''°"" ^^ ^^^^^^^ WOrds— ™^"*^ " ' Pleas of the Assizes and Juries held before Title of process or the Lord tho King at Salop on the festival of action. St. BartholomcAv in tho fifty-first year. Salop I Whereas between tho religious men The Composition re- to Wit j the Abbot and Convent of St. Peter at ferred to. Salop of the one part and the Commonalty of the Burgesses of the Town of Salop of tho Recitals. other, an action has been instituted in the Court of the Lord the King, respecting certain mills erected by the said Burgesses in the same Town and without it, contrary to the Charters and liberties of the aforesaid Abbot and Convent, by divers Kings and chief men of ICnglaiid granted to them, according to that wliich in iho rhnitcvs thrmselves is more fully contained : Nevertheless the aforesaid action was deter- ■■I .a d .'8 - ,l.oWo« .cO 352 THE ABBOT OF SHREWSBURY VERSUS TitE mined by the intervention of common friends before the Lord the King and his Council viz : Lord Walter de Merton Master Godfrey Gifiard (then Chancellor of the Lord the Kmg) and Master John CheshuU Lord Robert de Waleraunt and John de la Lynde, Robert Anguyllon and other great men then dwelling at Salop, namely upon the Friday next before the Feast of St. Michael in the year of the same our Lord one thousand two hundred and sixty seven and the fifty first year of the reign of the same King the action was settled and all cause of contention and discord between the parties was done away (and) they moreover very amicably agreed in this manner, that is to say — Whereas the said Burgesses had erected three water-mills and one wind-mill within the walls of the said town and three hors^- mills in the suburb of the same town, as much the same Burgesses as the aforesaid Abbot and Convent for himself and his successors The have granted that the aforesaid three mills in the said suburb erected should be overthrown and should for ever remain overthrown. And that the aforesaid four mills existing within the aforesaid walls should for ever remain in the places in which they now are, or shall be transferred to places of greater convenience in the same town, by the common consent of the parties aforesaid, at the costs of the commonalty, and there erected and main- tained. Also that the same four mills, accord- ing to the state in which they now are should be faithfully appraised by twelve good and lawful men sworn, by neither party suspected. Composition. ^^^ ^^^^^ ^.j^^ ^^-^^ j^^^^^ ^^^^ Convent shall reimburse the said Burgesses one half of the said price, if the same mills ought to remain in the same place. J 'ut if elsewhere, by common consent, they are to be erected and maintained atthc common charges of both parties. All issues and prolits of the same four mills to be never- theless divided between the aforesaid parties intii. a: 'asuj i.ivi /iT i il^^ii !\i<-j- b'iijiyiif c«{<;,'/.vii.; BURGESSES THEREOF IN THE MATTER OF THE MILLS. 353 in equal portions without contention, and the mills thenisulves and millers and other servants in the same mills, to be by common consent chosen by lot, sliall be maintained at the Coiico^sit). common charges of each party. Further by the common advice and consent, as well of the aforesaid Abbot and Convent as of the aforesaid Burgesses, it was 'provided and granted that two water mills, on the Severn water, flowing around the town of Salop, together with the dams {or pools) of the same shall be at the common charges, constructed and maintained when either party shall see that it is conducive to the common advantage, and that all issues and profits of the same mills, as well as those of the other four before mentioned, shall be equally divided between the parties. And that no catch of fish shall arise by reason of the two mills in the aforesaid water, savin"-, nevertheless, to the aforesaid Burgesses and their heirs their ancient and accustomed fishery. In all the aforesaid mills, however, the miller and other servants, as much on the ]>art of the said Abbot and Convent and other successors as on the part of the Burgesses and their heirs, bo chosen by lot, so that by the common consent of each party they be main- tained or removed and others substituted in their room. If, however, all the aforesaid mills together with the mills of the aforesaid Abbot and Convent constructed in the suburb, do not suffice for the multure of the said town, and they wish by common consent to erect more mills as much regarding the expenses as the emoluments of the same mills, everything to bo done between the parties as with respect to the other common mills as before mentioned. Nevertheless, no man of Salop is to hinder an}'^- one from going to the common mills aforesaid, ^ , ^ ,, ,, and to the mills of the aforesaid Abbot and ,,„sitiuii. Convent \n the sul)urb and elsewhere at his own ])ro})er free will and there milling. In witness whereof to (his present writing d )iie in the manner of an Indenture (he par(ies (Sealed). alternately have a|Uxcd their Seals. Under pre- .imnui rA 'Mil U ■>•? ■r.i .. . .Hi . -lotfto Oil.) 10 "^ . , .. , » I J jmiti.Ji oiU to wuHL 354 THE ABBOT OF SHREWSBURY VERSUS THE (Tlie King, i.e., text of which Writ and also of the aforesaid Honry, anno rej,'ni Coi-Qposition thereafter sctout the Kinglias now hoard on the part of the Abbot and Convent of St. Peter at Salop that the Commonalty of the Burgesses of the aforesaid town do not preserve the Compositiun in tliis respect, namely that they the Burgesses have permit-~ Count or Declara- ted the aforesaid four mills within the afore- tion. said town to go to ruin for want oi the repairs due to the same upon their part. And nave also without the assent or will of them the Abbot and Convent upon their own authority in the same town afterwards erected twelve other mills against the form of the aforesaid Composition, Wherefore the Sheriff was commanded to omit not by reason of the liberty of the town Scire facias quasi of Salop to make known to the Commonalty upon a lecogni- ^f ^j^^ aforesaid burgesses by means of two free and lawful men of liis bailiwick that they should be present before the Lord the King on the day of St. John the Baptist within fifteen days wheresoever [he should be in (ubicunquc fueri- j^up'kandl to show cause for themselves if they have, or know of anything to say why tfic aforesaid Composition in all its articles accord- ing to the form of the grant aforesaid ... in the Court aforesaid ought not to be observed and kept according to the form aforesaid. And further to do and receive what the King might adjudge in the premisses. On which day comes the Abbot and likewise the Burgesses of the Commonalty of the afore- said town by (their mutual agreement made by) their attorney come. And the aforesaid ^'^'^^ Abbot claims that the aforesaid four common mills should be repaired and maintained ac- cording to the aforesaid Composition, and that the other mills by them the Burgesses after- '^"^' wardscontniry to the same Composition erected as aforesaid should be overthrown and removed Defence. j^,^,| j],.^^^ ^],,l|^ Composi(i3ii ill all its details should bo fitly kept and observed. And the uloresaid Durgosses arc iieard to «ay that they liave done nothing contrary to tlie aforesuicl \ hu. .o»Jrt-\ ni Oj qoi«ir.v "w';)-';- ('■'<'>8 • i |>n.f.' omr v, afl.i viiw •■■t 'ml .iiiL-rcT fuii^'l Odj JjJiiv/ i).fl! ,.'f:U liiir. mJO^-> u/3 bnA , .Jfnesafi , Jft^'mo.) [ ITWOJ OStlilt-! ouhh! / .bLvnK't .bviiu.tin ,g .bnS ,JV JoY 356 THE ABBOT OF SHBEWSBURY VERSUS THE the issues be] For [the same day is given to the jiarties aforesaid]. Afterwards on the day of St. HiLary in fifteen Postea. (lays [Yi tlie eighth year of the King that now is comes the aforesaid Abbot in his own person and the commonalty of the Burgesses of the town of Salop by their Attorney And likewise the jury came who upon their oath say that Verdict for plaintiff three of the mills mentioned in the complaint the Abbot, &c. of the aforesaid Abbot namely two horse mills and one wind mill are ruined and overturned on account of the neglect to rebuild and repair of the aforesaid Burgesses and commonalty aforesaid, and not through the omission of him the Abbot and the Convent. And as to the fourth mill they say that they are entirely ignorant where it was situate, nor have they ever had any knowledge concerning it. And they say that the three aforesaid mills are now built by the aforesaid Ihirgesses. And that they take the profits thereof, &c. They say also that the aforesaid Burgesses have erected twelve mills within the aforesaid town of Salop against the form of the Composition aforesaid to the damage of him the Abbot three hundred pounds. Asked whether the said Abbot ever gave them the Burgesses notice to cause the aforesaid mills to be repaired and maintained they say that he often gave them notice although they entirely deny that lie did so. Asked wliether the aforesaid Burgesses ever gave the aforesaid Abbot and Convent notice to repair and maintain the aforesaid mills in respect of their sliaro therein thoy say that Not. Asked what kind of mills are those twelve mills which the aforesaid Burgesses liave erected they say that they are mills with wheels and other similar engines for milling and that tlioy can mill as they understand twenty (piartors of corn by day and night. WluTcforti it, being foinul by the uforosaid in((ui.siti()n that the aforesaid throo mills are ruiiuMl and overthrown owing to tho neglect of the commonally of the Burgesses aforesaid of the town of Salop. And tliat the aforcsai(l ,--^.-Mi- -rj:; n .•■»? BURGESSES THEREOF IN THE MATTER OE TIlE MiLLS. 357 Juds'iiont for damages. Burgesses have erected twelve mills in the aforesaid town of Salop contrary to the Com- position aforesaid, &c. Thcroforo it is adjudged that the aforesaid three mills bo reinstated and ro-erected at tho cost of tho aforesaid J]ur<^esses. And then O when they shall have been so restored and re- erected they shall be at tho cost of each of PlaintiiT aave aa to them the Abbot and Convent and tho afore- said IJurgesses maintained according to tlio form of tho aforesaid Composition. And that the aforesaid twelve mills by the before-men- tioned Burgesses erected at the expense of tho said Burgesses be by tho Sheriil destroyed and shall remain destroyed, &c. And the Sheriff is commanded that he omit not on account of the aforesaid liberty to distrain upon the said Burgesses to compel them to do their promises. And as to the verdict of damages, &,c., a day is given to the parties until the day of Easter in three weeks wheresoever [the King shall then be in England] upon which for tho assessment of verdict of damages [an inquest shall be had]. On which day come the aforesaid parties by their attorneys and a day is given them on tho morrow of St. John the Baptist wheresoever [tho King shall then be in England] upon which for tho assessment of a verdict of damages [an inquest shall be had]. J)ono of record in tho ninth year II. V. before him. ]{ecorded in the Exchequer. Between the Abbot of Salop and the town 35 Edw. I. Kecord of a suit between the Abbot about tho Abbev Mills 34 Edw. I. Trial. Adjournment. (Endorscmenta in later hands). tn' ' i an yv/iK^Jqiir .fci>^r;aiJuJ) .kh.T .:.uomn'tuo'iUK 'gni/' oil,}] 358 ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY OF S. MARY'S CHURCH, SHREWSBURY. Being a Lectuke by The Venerable Archdeacon LLOYi), M.A. Not long ago, in connection witli the work of the Shropshire Archceological Society,^ I had the oppor- tunity of submitting for discussion the question, " Which of those now existing should be regarded [is the first-founded Church in Shrewsbury." The conclu- sion which I drew was that such earliest foundation must have been the Church of S. Mary, and it was based mainly on these three grounds. (1). That, out of the ten churches, the dates of the origin of eight of them could be approximately assigned. (2). That, before the earliest possible date of the foundation of any of these eight, it was quite certain that Cliristianity (and therefore churches also) was established in Pengwern or Amwythig, the capital of Mid-Wales. (3). That, of the two churches to which no date of foundation could be assigned, viz., those of S. Julian and S. Mary, the latter is indicated as the earlier, both by its central position within the boundary of the original town, and also from the fact that while some "islands," as I may call them, of S. Julian's, both in town and country, lie enclosed in the wider area of S. Mary's, no such isolated portions of S. Mary's are con- tained within S. Julian's parish. These conclusions were fortified by several other considerations which I will not deal with now, as being foi'eign to my present 1 Soe Transactions, 2nd Seiics, vol. iv., jip. 7 to 13. MiilU j. fjoia iy^Nj loQ^r" ' '- ' ^ ■ ' ■ ■'- ^'- .?.';dT .(8) . ; Oil' 5B'-('l/.iM ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY OF S. MARy's SHREWSBURY 359 purpose ; and I have merely referred to these three because they will receive some confirmation from what I am about to state concerning the history of the build- ing of the Church which now exists as distinct from any building which must have in earlier times pre- ceded it. When I thus sought to provoke enquiry as to the first-founded church in Shrewsbury, I was obliged to lean to a great extent on conjectures based on circum- stantial evidence where no direct evidence had sur- vived ; but, in dealing, as I propose to do in this paper, with the existing fabric of S. Mary's Church, 1 shall have the advantage of appealing to direct evidence, and calling witnesses whose honesty we cannot doubt, though tlieir language may not be equally understood by all of us, and others may not put precisely the same value upon the testimony of each one of them that I do. The stones shall speak for themselves. In the case I shall submit to you I shall call only such wit- nesses as I can put into the box. But I must begin, I fear, with one exception. One witness, the earliest is dead and buried, but has been seen by some of us, and I must ask my readers to take our evidence at second hand. We began the restoration of S. Mary's Church in 1864 by dealing first with the nave and aisles. We took up the pavement of the whole floor, and having occasion to secure sundry, but not many, vaults and graves within the church, and to provide also channels for hot water pipes, and gas mains, a thorough investi- gation of the whole foundation became necessary. We discovered the entire ground plan of an earlier, and, I think beyond all doubt, a pre- Norman Church. It ex- tended from the eastern face of the present tower 7G feet eastward^ being 27 feet in width, and terminated in a semi-circular apse, j'jrojccting about 11 feet beyond the present nave. These foundations, which were coiitiimoiis, were fi'om 3 feet G inches to 4 i'ect thick, so far as the nave extended, while the walls of the apse ;W doruL' 30889 •[ 1. 1 >i eol/:v -uiw liaoa ■ . , _: ^ o.^ jimcftrfe ,..^.^ r:f; .Rfj '^o omop yd oooe /avi o.j i)iii'5 .ib-rrftl') B(' O'llvtlJf 3G0 ARCHITECTUKAL HISTORY OF were scarcely 3 feet thick. The pillars of the existing nave are laid upon these walls, which are sunk into the ground nearly 4 feet below the base of the pillars. Through these foundation walls we were obliged, in places, to cut channels for water or gas pipes, and were thus enabled to examine their construction. And it was very interesting to observe the evidence they gave of a yet more ancient church, being constructed of stones, most of which had obviously been used for building purposes at some yet earlier date ; just as we know, we may often see, in our own day, that when a church or dwelling is re-built, much of the old worn, though still sound, material is employed in the founda- tion of the new work. But this use of old material in the nave walls of this pre-Norman Church was not to be traced in the semi-circular apse to the east of it. From these facts I venture to offer to you certain conclusions to which I have been led. (I). That this apse belonged to a very ancient church of so-called Saxon date, which I will not dare to suggest in figures, but existing before 950, for a reason which I will give presently. This church must have been small, inas- much as the chord of the apse is considerably less than the width of the nave foundations wdiich I have just now described. Indeed, if the apse belonged to a church of the same date as those foundations, it would be out of the usual pro})ortion, and unw^orthy of its dignity. And when we add the condition of its masonry constructed of stones not previously used, to the evi- dent use of old materials in the nave, and then com- pare the small size of the apse with the considerable width of the nave, we are justified, I think, in conclud- ing that the apse belonged to an earlier church than that of which the nave foundations give evidence. Next, it would seem that this small church to which the apse belonged came to be enlarged, and that in what we may still call Saxon times. The reason for this, which I just now hinted at, is grounded in the statement made by the Commission issued in 1529, \> h don fv " i&U{ »vj>fl i iklilvr sac 'liJiiJ QiiJ S. MARY'S CHURCH, SHREWSBURY. 361 that S. Mary's Church was raised to the dignity of a Ptoyal Chapel by King- Edgar. This must have been some time between 959 and 975, when Edgar died. And this statement would point in the same direction as the condition of these old foundations, that not long after 950, the Church of S. Mary was re-built on a larger scale required by its new dignity. The apse is my evidence of the Church existing before 950, and the nave foundations, consisting largely of old materials and yet pre-Norman, as I hope to show directly, are my evidence of a second church which preceded the Conquest by one hundred years. A church it must have been of considerable size in those days, for it is described on occasion of the visit of S. Ulstan, the Bishop of Worcester, to Shrewsbury, as being the most conspicuous and venerable of the churches of Shrews- bury, a visit which took place about the time of the Conquest, and before the Abbey of Shrewsbury was built. When this second church was constructed, the builders had no occasion to interfere with the founda- tions of the apse of the earlier church, which still re- mained to tell their own tale nine centuries afterwards. They made them level with the floor, and left them buried where we found them. But we may now get above ground, and I daresay it will be more satisfactory, if not more hiteresting, that I should go on to point out features of the Church, of which you can see and judge for yourselves. I present two ground plans, which will make my conclusions better understood than any words could do. One of these gives the outline of the Norman Church, and shows also the position of the Apse in that which preceded it. The Church was, probably, extended further to the east in King Edgar's time, when he made it a Collegiate Churcli, and added to it the dignity of a Royal Chapel. But no trace of the limits of such extension was discovered when the floor of tlie chancel was laid bare. The second plan gives the Church as it now exists. mot ov/ 9'xo.dw beiiijii ,m 0(1 iihf '\:j j/il io sftiifvtivgJ :Jiro .tuioq ol fio o^ blxroda I . ' ^ 003 iWO ■ ' fiv/ '^o onO fa ban .fvlaixo won vii a« ihiudO 362 ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY OF A church of a very large size was built in what we call the Norman period. It was a plain cruciform building, extending in length 140 feet from east to west, and with transepts extending 9 L feet from north to south. Of this church some portions of the walls, either in their lower or their upper courses, can still be traced throughout its whole extent. We cannot assign to it an early date in the Norman period : probably not later than 1150, in the time of Henry II. ; possibly a little earlier, in the reign of King Stephen. It was a simple cross, without any excrescence of Chapel or subordinate iDuilding to break its simple outline. There were four chapels in the transe]:)ts, but they scarcely projected beyond the thickness of the walls. I do not know whether any of you have paid a vi&it to a most interesting spot named Porchester, near Portsmouth, where a complete and unaltered Norman Church still stands within the old Iloman Castle, which gives its name to the place. If you have, you will better appre- ciate what I am about to say ; if you have not, I would recommend you to make it the object of the next holiday excursion which you may have in view. Porchester Church is not on (piite so large a scale as S. ]\lary's, but in its date and in its structure it must correspond very nearly with what the Cliurch of S. Mary must have been in the 12th century, before the low tower at the west end was built. In constructing their Norman Church the builders at S. Mary's were content to take the outline of the second Saxon nave, and having razed it to the ground level, to erect their own walls exactly upon its foundations. The stone they used, as well as the character of the masonry, prove that the work above and below ground :tro of dinorcnt dates. In the chancel and the transepts both loundations and su[)erstructure are of the same period. I said tluit some [)c)rtion of the Norman work remains, either in its upper or its lower })ortion, through- out the whole extent of tlie cruciform plan. In the navo you may see it only in the ui)pcr part, whereas in 8'l6f IT .0; r I . ■ .V/oiv J'Si V v;; - .. . , . ■ ■ - - - - h,... -^.. - ._ - .- ■::;■ ijlUU vhow bTO'JCj 0!(!i;r, • - . • -yj-ff-.v, .fiol.Jio^i t»!)i(»<; d".):;i] ijj 4' Is. % ;ii W^ [> ! i--. k l-S. !0 1> 1> ^*«^- 0 w I? > 0. C D in '^ 0 D V 7^ ?: VJ- ^- ^ ^.1 *'" „• n ,S- ^' .'^ 1 i ■ t ■»■» ■ i :»5J ' i. jp" ^ o ■■ _•'»«*:. .. *- ijfc « .-.'J -J »v t3 X ill «< -t Jd — ,^ ._ i«rj c a ? X- Mr * u .c ^. > .Oct s. MARYS ciiuRcn, SQUEwsEURY. 3G3; the chancel and the transepts tlie Norman walls are. visible in three [)arts of their surface. In tlie centre of, the church there was a low lantern tower, the Norman masonry of which may still be seen in the spandrils of the early English arches, which were sul)sequently inserted. Tiiere are two singular features in the chancel which require remark. One is the existence of three large aumbries, which in 1868 we found concealed behind the then existing reredos. They are of Norman workmanship, and testify to what we hnd in some other large churches, as at Tideswell in Derbyshire, viz., that the altar was advanced westwards, and a sacristy or vestry placed behind it, and sheltered by an altar screen or reredos of moderate height, so as not to blind the east windows. These aumbries had been filled up with broken material and faced with masonry, probably in the fourth year of Edw^ard VI., when it was directed that all stone altars should be removed, and tables set up in their place. And here, among the stones with which the aumbries were blocked, we found the remains of the broken altar. The top stone, which formed its surface, was broken into five fragments, of which one was rather more than half the full size, containing the centre cross marked as well as the two crosses at the northern end. This w^as suflicient to prove the exact size of the old altar. We preserved this stone beneath the altar now existing, and a new slab of full size, cor- responding with the old measurement, sujDplies its place. I mention this as justifying what some persons think to be the small dimensions of the present altar, and as discountenancing the extravagant and disproportionate length of the altars now in fashion among many archi- tects and church restorers at the present time. How- ever, this is only by the way. The other noticeable feature of which I spoke belonging to the Norman chancel is the remnant of a small arcade in the north wall, with an aumbry to the east of it. The aumbry is plainly of later date than the arcade, and at one time a second niche extended, where the aumbry stands. But Vol. VI., 2nd S. ULT n )i!W ^.j. ■■ . 7.^97 . - .. ■..i/a vjoji: . " . \ ji'ir .I'Cra n'ioxidioa -TOO (b5.;ci liiii K' 'w.lH wna " ^;:o wen leiLj yili ■ 3i. i^Jih (\obiiBm I 364 ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY OF what were these two niches, for there were certainly two, if not more. From their position relatively to the altar, which, as I said, was advanced towards the west, the most obvious suggestion is that they were sedilia ; and the level, too, of the seat (if seat it was) with rela- tion to the Norman floor of the chancel, would support that suggestion. But their form and lower construction are against this view, and I can give no decided opinion . The Norman Church can be further traced in the external masonry of the chancel to the level of the Clerestory, but its features are less noticeable within ; for the interior surface has been much altered when subsequently the chancel was groined in its early English period, and again when the groined roof was removed. There are, however, two indications of the Norman windows, one on the northern and one on the southern wall. These justify me in concluding that there must have been two windows in each bay on each side. This is quite what we should expect to find, for usually one Norman window of a larger size sufficed for each bay in the nave, while smaller windows were dis- tributed at more frequent intervals in a Norman and in an early English chancel. If we turn now to the Norman transepts we shall find the work of that date more evident than in otlier })arts of the Church. Not only are the east and Avest walls in each of them almost entire, up to to the Corbel Table of their parapets, but in the south transept we have two of the Norman windows still remaining ; one in the west wall, of the ordinary form, and one in the north wall, which is circular. These two windows, though now opening on both sides only into the Church, were originally open to the Churchyard. The transepts in their gables, both north and south, had ]^robably two, if not three, Norman lights ; and in the chancel 1 conjecture that Norman liglits were, as at liiuildwas, distributed in two tiers of three lights each. So far of the Korman Church. I turn now to the very considerable alterations made in the early English lounac Oilf V .to v/of);?iw iTiiftno^l ■ -Bli.» tf:. ill biiii X.r,:i.:. ' ... ■ .*: : - -. •- ■• t.jU lfo»:0 iti all V OVv S. MARY*S CHURCH, SHREWSBURY. 365 period ; those, in fact, which give their chief interest and beauty to the interior of the fabric, and vvliich, except as regards the windows, remain at this day almost untouched. The first change to the complete Norman Church was the addition of a tower at the west end. I cannot assifjn a date, but it must have been added before the close of the 1 2th century. It is very plam, and was probably never much loftier than the level of the pj'esent bell chamber — or than the summit of the then existing central lantern. The next step seems to have been the enlargement of two, if not three, of the altar chapels in the eastern walls of the transepts, in one of which is a purely Norman window. The arches which connected them with the Church are somewhat earlier than the nave arcade, and appear to have led to the adoption of the same design a few years later in the two very similar arches at the end of the north and south aisles, which we should have expected to find adorned with mouldings corresponding to the nave arcade. All these arches partake of the heaviness and severity of the Norman style. Then came the great change effected by the early English builders by the addition of the north and south aisles. They began their work, I suppose, about 1230, and it is worth your while to observe how they pro- ceeded. They left the Norman masonry in the upper part of the walls untouched, carrying it as we might do at this day on crutches, i.e., two upright beams con- nected by a cross beam, which passed through the wall, where the spandrils of the new arches would occur. They then removed all the masonry between the level of the ground and the intended height of the new arcade. They planted their pillars on the old pre-Norman walls, of which 1 spoke at first, and then turned the arches, adopting a circular form, partly, perhaps, influenced by the preceding Norman style of the church, but chiefly it may bo, lest by inserting a })ointed arch, tliey should cut too far into the wide-jointed stones of the remaining • id '1.: !o r ' - ■^. ' ■■ ■ ./j \hBO arid ^d toa^fts i.^vniuh js:'rn:, ^'-J ainjio fsti/il' -070 V9iiJ WOiSi SV'JOado (ij -"-jiUiW 7II0V /{JIOVV 8J di bilG i.'- -il fid} flsowjsci Y'uioaKUi Oiij lij; hovrKiist iiodd vsdT ... .U Mi/v ^i i»^»jHi(x] ■ ill Y_<.( iHo! - ii 366 ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY OF Norman masonry. Tliey dealt first, it is clear, with the south aisle : the mouldings as well as the masonry are evidence of this ; and then in some ten years after- wards with the north aisle, where the mouldings are better, but the masonry is worse. The spandrils were clearly filled in afterwards when the crutches had been withdrawn. No doubt the interior of the church would have been more graceful if the nave arcade had been constructed with pointed arches corresponding with the choir arch. As it stands, the deej) interval between the arcade and the Clevestory has a bald and unsatis- factory effect ; but I think what the church loses in beauty it gains in interest, for it testiiies to a period when the Norman style had not altogether yielded to its successor, and in the construction itself we can observe exactly how the builders of that day set about their work. As to the north and south aisles, we can still trace the early English walls up to the sills of the windows, and the two western lancets still remain, though the head of that in the south aisle has been altered at some later date-. I said the south aisle was first built. We have a second proof of this by a com- parison of the two beautiful doorways to the north and south, and especially in the south porch. This porch, in its ground floor (for it has a chamber over it, added long afterwards) is a very interesting example of early English work, while it was still strongly influenced by the Norman- There is no corresponding porch to the north door, which is the more beautiful by far of the two doorways, but it was protected, we know, at one time by a wooden porch, which has been replaced by a stone one of very bad construction, in the first quarter cf this century. Having begun with the nave, the builders travelled eastwards. Tf.ey removed the four Norman arches beneath the lantern towei' at the intersection of the ci'oss — not by ])ullingdown the tower and rebuilding it, but l)y taking out one round arch at a time and insert- ing its pointed successor with as little disLurbance of > y vi ' :( nSDCJ eb,t30'jj8 6itt iijj;^ aj!;& now ■J0.<( ll'Jill ij.; iiJfiO?i bi'ti.i ■V t, /loiil'w ,1 - .>.! Oifj •■ ■•"! Y'' ■ /v> ../UMiluU ifcJJoliJ' Vv^lJJil UJJ i].)(VV jy«U ;',)*'l!ii:;i I'^iiJimj' S. MAUY's rHUIlCII, SlIRKWSBURY. 367 the walls as possible Tlioy connected the Lcyburii Cliaj)el and the C'li;i|)cl of S. (Jatlieriiio with the chancel l)y early Eni^dish arches. They groined the chancel and constructed new windows at tlie east end, and on the north and south walls. Only one of these remains. It is of a very (j^racrfnl form. No douht there was then one exactly like it oj^posite, but we have no clue to the form of the east window. We can only conjecture that it took the shape of three lancets likewise, for the groined roof would not have permitted a loftier window than those on the sides, and the width of the chancel would not suffice for five lights, at least, if grouped in the same graceful proportion. In preparing for the groining they seem to have been at some trouble to bring the walls into a proper line and level, and to have employed some portions of the older work in doing so. In dealing at this period with the transepts, they inserted at the north and south ends triple lancets of very good design — and in the east and west w^alls they set lancets for the most ])art in couples, in place of such Norman lights as had before existed. Of course we must imagine a well pitched roof above both in Norman and in early English times. The doorways into the transepts at either end bear tokens of having undergone reconstruction at the same time as the windows. They are visible only on the outside. We come now to the style known in architecture as the Decorated. It has left its mark to a very slight extent upon S. Mary's. The roof of S. Catherine's Chapel was raised, and a decorated window in the form of a spherical triangle was inserted above the Norman window on the eastern wall. To the same style belong, also, the sepulchral arch in the same chapel, and }>ossibly the chamber over the south porch with its window. There is the font also, which is one of great beauty, though it has suffered terribly from exposure at a time when it was cast out of the Church. It is exactly of the same pattern f though somewhat larger), and wrought, I doubt not, by the same hands as the -irM nj3 Jon hluov; t>'/i&Ai O io ii J)6iT93ni o^i^j. > o'liH^'' hr.ii at; h^lIvH n>:. ua id daov t//c:'n M;i'i-.: f'' ' ' "' . .^ av/ Si5 oifjiaeiiiJmj-; m tiv/ofiii '>b{if. edit i.) won snioo (^W 368 ARCQITECTURAL HISTORY OF font at Conway Church. It probably stood originally where tliat at Conway still stands, at the bottom of the nnve, on the south side, and was moved, I suppose, when first an organ was set up at the west end of the nave. This font, when rescued from the Churchyard, was placed in the north transept. Ft tin n travelled to S. Catherine's Chapel, and has since' found, I hope, its resting place at the bottom of the nave once more. I think that there is nothino;' else of the Decorated })eriod, for I do not mention the great east window as we now have it, which, though of the later Decorated style, belongs to our own times. But we now come to that style which, in equal shares with the early English, has left its chief mark upon the Church — 1 mean the perpendicular. This is the ruling feature of the exterior, as that is of the interior. We can give no precise dates to the perpen- dicular work — some part, perhaps, to the middle, but the greater part to the latter half of the fifteenth century. To this period belong the north window in S. Catherine's Chapel, the whole construction of the large south chapel of the Holy Trinity and the large arch connecting it with the chancel, the raising of the wall of the south aisle, and the insertion in it of three large and well proportioned windows. Then, on the top of the old Norman tower at the west end, the beautiful spire shot up into the air. Taking the spire alone, as distinct from the tower, it is of unusual height, and stands third in rank among English spires. And then followed, for I think it came after these things, the greatest change of all. The lantern tower in the centre of the Church was lowered to the level of the apex of the arches which supported it ; the eastern arch was cut away ; the groining of the chancel was removed ; and one continuous clerestory from east to west was added to both nave and chancel, A most beautiful ceiling was placed over the nave. The rood, which, we may conclude, had stood under the western arch of the choir, was placed over the arch, where we -00 (io'i^ ttilt rto ,iwi'ii .}i-uoi)ar:/ h- >ii ,10 boo;j ')fri' .nYj;u Uii: Jv/ s. Mary's cnuRCii, siiiikwsbury. 3G9 found in 18G5 the bottom beam of it still lying, with the three mortice holes for the rood itself and the accompanying figures of S. Mary and S. John. There were two large east windows, one to the chancel, and one of almost equal size to the Trinity Chapel, Of their exact form I can say nothing, for their original tracery disappeared soon after they were built. The window in the chapel was destroyed by a severe storm of wind, and that in the chancel seems to have been so seriously damaged at the same time that within a hundred years it was necessary to replace it by the window of poor Ehzabethan design which many of us remember existing thirty-six years ago. As to the window in the chapel, its construction was peculiar. The window was very large, the walls were very thin and weak for so large a gable. The builders, therefore, sought to remedy this defect by a large buttress carried up the centre of the window, which might support the mull ions and yet allow of one circumflex head. The buttress, as we found it before the recent restoration of this gable, was undoubtedly part of the original construction. An interesting question comes in here, viz., how came it that so great a change in the church was effected within the limit of so i'ew years ; and that the more costly work (as, for instance, the roof of the nave and the exterior of the South Chapel J was not done in those parts of the church for which the Dean and Chapter were responsible. The College was not a wealthy one, and much of the expense must have been gathered from outside. I can. only suggest that the frequent residence of Edward IV. in Shrewsbury, and the influence perhaps of some about the Court had much to do with furnish- ing the supplies. The family of Grafton in Shrew^sbury had supplied the King with a tutor for his son, after- wards Edward V. The same man continued to be tutor to the eldest son of Henry VLI. He became not only Dean of S. Mary's, but Archdeacon of Stallord, AV^arden pf Ixittlclield, Vicar of S. Alkmond, Hector of Withing- •^:!i ?,'.^' .liiHaoocf 8~flw ■» vd.;j ilv/ I J to iifj nii a d ..si'/ ,ei->fl i\i p'iiaoo iiofJ-isiip v;i-H*i *i.i) 'iooi s/ii ,9t>a/ii5!f! ■sol ,r;/j) . . , , '(ir i!i>ifi.iM ■ 4 , , , , ft , r "', v'l 1 .... .Ji{j.jj;i[j 1?i'y\r2^\.l'n vifiO ilj-ti .. . . . ., n Oi[j hnn ,'rifjddy^3iii8 nl .Vi i}ii]v/bcI'io ;) oj (l'>i/ffi [::)ii t'lJioD 'jiil JiJOAJii araoa lo • "lfTuJl<> vji.iiif;'!' i:^/i^ .;■■ •'-■ ■'• Offi ^ili JoJi.'J /J Jji?^ ^^i5!/l di iifH ln;(f .:fjiiu:> iiiun 'iivi,f;dl O.iY ,V v'!j. 370 ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY OF ton, Prebendary of S. Chad's, Prebendary of Lichfield, and, I am proud to add, Archdeacon of Salop, and he was acknowledged to be what his monument calls him, " the most worshipful priest living in his days." This man's influence must, no doubt, have been great, and much of the work at S. Mary's, of which I have been speaking, must have been going on in his younger, and probably more active, days. One further work I must notice in the church as belonging to its architectural history before it came down to our time. It is the raising of the north aisle, so that it might correspond to that on the soutii side. Of all unlikely times, this took place during the Commonwealth, when those in authority, whether Presbyterian ministers or Puritan laymen, were much more given to destroy than to edify. In 1G52 Mr. Tallents, a layman, and a good scholar, of Magdalene College, Cambridge, was sent by Puchard Baxter to be minister at St. Mary's Church and parish. Baxter had great inilucnce with the Parliament, and, being a Shroj)- shire man, he seems to have taken much care in the appointments which were made here when the true parish priests were ejected. It is to the credit of Tallents that he did not knock the church about, as so many of his Presbyterian fellows did in the churches (I cannot say committed to their care, but) surrendered to their cruel mercies, lie found the north aisle low and dark, lighted only by the narrow early English lancets, to the existence of which the lower portion of its walls still testify. So he raised the walls and inserted windows to correspond to those in the south aisle; but neither the architects nor the masons of his day could properly do the work. The jambs of their windows have no splay, and their arches are of false construction. The mould- ings also look as stiff as if they had been cast instead of cut; still the work is well meant, and is not offensivo except to a practised eye. I have now told my tale of the architectural story of the church. I have not attempted to deal with its ■■(cyi Hi 'hf :.tihmo OifJ- oj ;^i ,tl ■ on fin.) 6f.i "ij'^fit fj, .':niU> ■(j-.)iij vi bod.) 1 run to;:- //sh ; S. MAIIY'S CilUTKMI, SLIllE WSIUTRY. 371 ecclesiastical history, nor have I said anything about the very interesting collection of painted glass which it contains. I hope, if I live, to gather all these things into the form of a little book, which, though I doubt not, may contain many errors, yet niay correct some into which my predecessors have fallen, and will pre- serve some fragments of the Church's story which they did not know ; and I must leave it to those who come al'ter me to correct my mistakes, and to add many things which are not yet known, but which I think may be discovered when the Records of Shrewsbury, and especially those of the Drapers' Company, have been thoroughly explored. '■'■.1 -11" 372 GRANT BY HENRY VIII. TO EDWARD HIGGYNS OF THE DEANERY OF ST. MARY'S, SHREWSBURY, 1513. (Extracted from Patent lloll, 5 Henry VIIL, pars 2, mem. 15). Rex omnibus ad quos &c. saliitem Sciatis quod nos ex mero motu nostro et certa scientia dedimus ct concessiraiis ac per prescntcs damns et concedimus Edwardo Ilig\i,'yns clerieo capcllano nostro Decanatum (Jollegii beato Marie Virginis infra villam nostram de Shrewesbery licfeldensis dioceseos perliberam resignationem sive dimissionem Magistri Ade Grafton ultimi Decani ejusdem vacantem et ad donacionem nostram pleno jure spectantem Habendum et tenendum dictum Decanatum cum suis juribus et pertinenciis universis durante vita naturali dicti Edwardi Higgyns Salva dicto jMagistro Ada Grafton durante vita sua naturali annua pensiono sex marcarum annuatim sibi solvcndum per qucmcumquc succcssorem ibidem futurum In cujus rei testimonium &c. Teste Rego a^ud Westmonasterium vij° die Junij. per ipsum Regem &c. (Translation). The King to all to whom these Letters Patent shall eome greeting. Know ye that we of our own motion and certain knowledge have given and granted, and by these presents do give and grant to Edward Higgyns clerk our chaplain, the Deanery of the College of Blessed Mary the Virgin within our town of Shrewsbury and diocese of Lichfield, vacant by the free resignation or dismissal of ]\[aster Adam (Jralton the last Dean of the same, and of full right belonging lo uur gift. To have and to hold the said J)eanery with all its rigiits and appurtenances, during tljo natural life of the said Edward Iliggyns. Reserving to the said Master Atlam Grafton iluring liis natural life the annual pension of six marcs to be paid to liim annually by his successor there, whoever he may be. In witness whereof, &c. Witness the King at Westminster the Kovonth day of .huio. By the King kc. W. G. D. F. 0' i: f a -I : ' andriuf ax/;8 raiio ■ '-'^ oi iH hVijiwbiS iJoib J'- y^')^ 0 - .^ tI^ o^ncTtib Uuij^ o^H oJgoT .oio- .:; .H: ? ©no a^'it nr ^-fri^ao ,'.'o,fr/}ni BJsfj 'io - ? ol.iwiir> lo aoiv'io; ■ ,.ji aicri "etuiui 'ijo/ii 'Jooi otiw '■ ■ ^id' -- - ;:i> ■v:;''j ; : •[:)'! j-iid "^(ju. bnrl jofi ol) I ■ 1.// .il ..';;/■ i'''^ .'■!• vi:| oiiv/ ,■'•.^l■^n■.i\ S.;i.i;; .>tr'/ ^^■i■i^.l•: ki ;;i^: (;'■.(.. .• :'ilj .vi- l.i; i-.J::.,.; j,i ■^■|'■^/ v; Au)>.i.\\ ^jsOj VV ~ .H bi!^ ,.iV .ioV 374 HISTORY OF SHREWSBURY LIBERTIES. expenses were to be defrayed by the King. This Aclam was succeeded by Eoger, of whom we read in the Testa de Nevill of . . . Hen. lll.,^ that his sero-eantry, which was extended to fifteen days, was ahenated in part. Eoger was succeeded by Adam, a son. The feodary or Hundred roll of Shrewsbury, temp. Ed, I., relates that on Adam's death the eschea- tor took the vill of Leton into the King's hands, anno prime Edw. I., and records among the widows whose marriage belongs to the King, Aunscia (perh.ips Amicia) widow of Adam de Leton, and adds that Ttichard, his son and heir, was then married without licence. Iloo-er de Hanstone had purchased this marriage, valued at £3 Gs. 8d., from John fitz Aer the escheator, but the young gentleman, it appears, had thought fit to chuse for himself His grandmother, Petronilla, had done the same thing before him ; after her husband Roger's death she married without leave Elias de Stoke ; but she was again a widow at the time of the last mentioned Hundred Roll. In a subsequent part of the same record his tenure is stated. His service of castle ward had been extended to fifteen days, and the last was reckoned at one hide. But the King's eschaetor had compounded with him for the service by an annual rent of 40d. In 2 Ed. II. Richard de Leton held a messuage, four bovates of land, and a mill in Leton in capite by the sergeantry of linding a man cum arcu et tribus pilletis" non pernat' at castle ward of Shrewsbury for forty days ; but this was only to be demanded during the existence of war with Wales. (Compcnd : Escaet., Harl. MSS., 708.) 1 (Kyton dates this "about March, 1217."— Ed.] 2 I'ilatus or pilcMa, ia c\]iouiulc'd to moan a bolt, an arrow shot from a cross bow. Blount says it was so called from the ])ila or round knob placed about two inches below the head to hinder the arrows going too far into the deer's body. What this has to do with a military service 1 do not know, nor can I tell the meaning of the following words, non pernat' ! [Kyton translates them iin- Jcatheral.—VA) ] 6-1 J J ■> <:■ I not '»<'>^ ■a JO ,,• Oij^ ii.7.uyi; 31 ii lo emli It ' ■ ' ^- • ' • - ■ ' • ^ '- ^ lo Tint's '•'>li"E52 (i»^^ Y>' oJiq/iO Hi, .no.^^til ill iiifirr n rhtn j)nrA r.uvi-— ".Ti::! .'h-v^u ji-od!,'-' ,i!!it k^ji;!- uofv:^}] f ,,! 1 i-M I'Mi . ■ :■ ■ -.'■■■... i..i:ii:;'f ;^!irJ InnMt LEATON. 375 In 21 Edw. Ill, by an Inquisition of ad quod dam- num (Dodsworth's MSS., vol. 60), Roger de Leeton is }3ermitted to hold a moiety of the manor of Leeton for life, remainder to William Huse and Cecily his wife, and the heirs of their bodies, remainder to his own right heirs in fee. Mrs. Huse was, I suppose, a daughter, or other descendant of the settler. Adam de Leton, 12 Joh.=r Roger do Leton=prctronilla=Elias de Stoke. Adam de Leton, ob. 1 Ed. I.=pAunscia. Richard de Leton= Roger de Leton-p Ciceley=William Iluse Pat. 22 Edw. Ill, p. 1, m. 36. Licence to Roger de Leton to enfeoff Roger Don and Roger de Ercalewe, chaplains, in a moiety of the manor of Leton-juxta- Muriden held of Us in capite, that they may enfeoff him therein for life ; remainder to William Husee and Cecily his wife and the heirs of their bodies, remainder to his own right heirs. ^ In 20 Rich. II. Thomas Burleton is found to die seized of a messuage and carucate of land in Leeton, holden by a rent of 3s, 4d. (Compend. Escaet., ut supra). Roger was his son and heir. This should ^ [Roger du Leton ehangcd his mind about this entail, for a new liecnce, dated 10th Oct., 1350, allowed his trustees to demise the estate to Uoger de Leton for life, with remainder to Reginald son of Cecily de llabherley and Alice tlaiightcr of .lohn de liCe, and the heirs of their hcjdicH, with remainl I ^ ^, t »> tr i T f ( t ( ji H i W "~ v,^{''^c- i *".-' ■ I i; in .. -' ' ■ 'Jtii -1''" ' 'd oi') '...MinoL o;( :,1 0.>vfofli; ,-}Ci:; "..:;:.0 I'tO; [•' ' ' -if ' , i.: i,i/.V H.-J-k! mIj :\;^, lil ,](;:! it! I!i I l'Jl-Ii)i_l Ml ■•A ih\ -WA Kil.;; ,Jl..; AJ 'iu Y )'-■<' »lll ''''•'•■ '-O'jl t-^ J'^ iT-l.};; .ton p^K^h il. .I::*. ^.-kui^.H wh 37 G iiisTOHY or Shrewsbury libep,tiJ:s. seem to be the 40d. for which the sergeantry of aistle ward liad been coininuted by Edward I's. escheator. William Burletoii, Roo-er's son, held the same premises in 6 Hen. IV. Tbey continued in the same family (which I should be o-lad to trace from William and Cecilia lluse) for many years, but by the 7th of Henry VII. the estate in Leton, late John Burleton's, was in the possession of Thomas Pontesbury, whose descendant of both his names sold it in 30 Eliz. to Edward Owen, gent. (Lloyd's MSS.), I suppose one of the Owens of Abrightlee, ancestor of those of Eaton Mascott. Thomas Cole, Esq., who was born about 1581, is called of Leaton. lie is cassessed to the poor of St. Mary's parish for lands there in 1G34, but is omitted in 1G38, I presume he died in the interval. I have not seen any mention of the manor of Leaton subsequent to the Inquisition of 21 Edw. III. As the corporation gradually acquired by several charters the various manorial rights, the lesser manors seem to have ceased to use their functions. The corporation now considers itself supreme lord of the manor throughout its liberties, and exercised all manorial privileges within the township of Leaton till the year 17 . ., when it sold them, within those limits, to Mr, Lloyd of Dom- gay, the descendant of a family resident here from the middle of the I7tli century.^ . . . Lloyd of Domgay is now considered as lord of the manor of Leaton. [Mr. ]<'ytnri notes tliat beisidcs the Domesday IManor of Letono there was a hide of land, usually aecounted a moiety of Leaton, vhieh was })rol(alilv originally a nicmber of the Domesday Manor of Albrightou. 'I'ln' m.Miks of Shvewsliury were the lords, but made a I'ouirmeut of it In liic raiiluifs. He traees this moiety through a bueeessiou of tenants to John de Wottenhull in 1350. (See Kyton X., 211-i>i;]). ' IGSI, Leaton Manor, Ivlward Lloyd. \\c succeeded Thomas White, who appears lirst in 1GG2, and seems to have succeeded Mary Stile. 3> 'to ,ui~ f 'io fjf' - .•.tj'oaaj(jM ■I 'io fr>f1n.y ,8((oi>!^!,u/): 'su:*!!;) Ocij) o*) b^aiserv 8v-- .: J" ■ -uiod 'io ' -^ 6jli mc/ii .. ...,-., .. ., . : ; ^ . ..... , ,.:;^ 'h. >): /• ■ £;■... I Li'lM-V/ V ' -if' '.. ,{;.ii.-,i 1;.: ',.:<:, LEATON. 377 The descent of the Leaton estate in the LLoyd family may thus be traced : — (1) Edward LLoyd of Leaton ]Iall, married Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac Cleaton of Hollings, and dying in IGO."}, was succeeded by his son, — (2) Edward LLoyd of Leaton Hall, IlighSheritl' 1727, married Susan, daughter of Peter Scarlett of llogstowe, and died in 17G1: Ilis son (3) Edward LLoyd of Leaton Hall, born 171 1, married Jane, daughter and heiress of Thomas LLoyd of D^imgay, and dying in 1 7t>0 was succeeded by his son, — (1) Francis LLoyd of Leaton and Domgay, M.P. for Co. Montgomery, married Elizabeth, daughter of Arthur Graham of Hockley Lodge, Co. Armagh. This Francis LLoyd died in 1799, leaving issue five sons, of whom (5) Francis, John Arthur, and Charles Spencer successively enjoyed the Leaton estate. After the death s.p. of Charles Sjjencer LLoyd in 1876, his nephew, — (G) Arthur Philip LLoyd (son of the Rev. Henry James LLoyd, by his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Philip John Miles of Leigh Court), succeeded to the Leaton estate. He married Katherine Sebna, daughter of Vice-Admiral the Hon. Charles Orlando Bridgeman; and dying 9 Feb., 1893, was succeeded by his son, — (7) Artluir Henry Orlando LLoyd, the })resent owner of Leaton. The LLoyds trace their descent from Ivobert ap John of Bangor, Co. Flint, who married ISIatilda, daughter and heiress of David Lloyd of Pcnley and Croesmere, and both he and his wife arc said to be descended from Tudor Trevor. They are also lineally descended from Edward ill. Leaton Knolls, the seat of the LLoyd family, was erected about 1820, and the grounds are planted with choice forest trees and rare shrubs. It was purchasjd from the Jetl'eries family. Leaton Hall, their earlier seat, but now a farm-house, was built in 1G83; on the side of tlie house is tliis inscrijitiiin, — E. LL. E. 1G83. The Knolls was lately tenanted by Captain Ellis Brooke Cunliffe, and now by Captain Geoftrey Joseph Shakcrley. In 1327 the following inhabitants of Letonc were assessed to the Subsidy : — Koger de Lctone, John Ive, Mabilla le P)redlcder, Ivichard, son of Thomas, Koger Clek', William Ahdlesonc, and Reginald de Burghtou. The two latter were sub-collectors of the tax. A Court Book of 1508, preserved amongst the Corporation Muni- ments, gives the names of these inhabitants of Leaton who owed suit and service to the Court at Shrewsbury : — Licki'ox — Thomas Pontis- buiy, John Ive, William Wolascot, ('antaria boate Marie in h^cclesia beate Marie Salo[), Kaeger \Vriglit, Kicliard lUowii (deceased), John Sponele}', William Aron, and Richard ap Howell. In 1525 these names occur : — Lekton — George Ponlisbury, Thomas Lee, John Ive, Nicholas Wydder, Richard Lee, Nicholas Wheyrike, W^illiam Syndinv. ! 'u. T, ,f 7 jiff; ' ■•:'•'■■ /iuiii^i . •ill'. i'J 'VOfi ■/']!;:.! 11 ah^i.Vy ■ :; ■ " '^ f.-fnl Oi! I • LEATON. 379 and the reaiduo amongst the proprietors and other persons interested therein. The Field-Names in Leaton parish are as follows : — Shelf Patch, Ploughing Broom, Upper Kiddings, Jenkins' Meadow, Clayhouse Field, Big Ox, Allen's Leasow, Beech's Dingle, Fox and Does, Corner Marl Leasow, Big Butcher's Yard, Big Knight's Leasow, Little Dun'a Leasow, Kynaston's Piece, Lloyd Bayley's Field, Mucklestone's Allotment, Bebbington's Croft, Moses Piece, Hemp Yard, Swan's Nest, Sane's Leasow, Wynn's Croft, Boylin's Patch, Long Slang, (Jutbcrry Leasow, Yagden Lane Field, Peplow's Groinid, Weir Field, Ladies Meadow, Dainty's Patch, Sib's Patch, The Wake's Patch, Duckett's Patch. THE CHURCH. Leaton Church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, was erected in 1859, at the expense of John Arthur LLoyd of Leaton Knolls, J. P. and D.L., who died in 1861, from designs by the late Sauniel Pountney Smith. It is a stone building, consisting of chancel, nave, north aisle, and tower with pinnacles and crocketed spire. The tower was built in 1871 by Charles Spencer LLo3'd of Leaton Knolls. The District Chapelry of Leaton was formed 2G ]\Iarch, 18G0, out of the parishes of Fitz, Preston Gobalds, and St. Mary, Shrewsbury. The LLoyd family are patrons of the Vicarage. The Church wa.s consecrated 21 Oct., 18-59, The Vicarage House was built the same year. In the ('hurch is a Brass with this inscri]»tion : — In affectionate remembrance of Elizabeth, third daughter of Francis LLoyd (of Domgay, in the County of Montgomery, and of Leaton in the County of Salop, Esq., and M.P. for the former county), and of Elizabeth, third daughter and coheiress of Arthur Graham of Yockley Lodge, in the County of Armagh, Ireland, Esq., who died at Leaton Knolls, Aug. 1st, 1843, aged 60 years, and was buried in the family vault in Fitz Churchyard. Also of Maria Penelope, eldest daughter of the above-named Francis and Elizabeth LLoyd, who died at Leaton Knolls, May 7th, 1848, aged 69 years, and whose earthly remains were dcjjosited beside thosfl of her dear sister. Also of Charlotte So])hia, fourth daughter of the above-named Francis and Elizabeth LLoyd, who died at Leaton Knolls, Nov. 2nd, 1861, aged 70 years, and was buried in the family vault in the Leaton C'iiurchyard. "Blessed arc (ho dead which die in the Lr'd." Also of Jano J<]nuna, second daughter of tlio above-named Francis and JClizaboth LLoyd, who died April 14th, 1866, aged 83 years. Also of Henry James LLoyd, M.A., liector of Selattyn, in this county, fifth son of the above Francis and Mli/.abcth LLoyil, who died Sept 3rd, 1853, aged 59 years. Also of Charles Spencer LLoyd, of Le.diiii Knolls, Ivsq., D.Fj. and J.P, for County of Sahjji, burn 11th Sei)t, 1789, died 20tli June, 1876. Also 111 is inscription : — In atlt'ctionalo remeiubiMnco of John Arthur LLnyd, .si'coud Koii of l''ran(-is and j'llizabelh LLoyd. lie was Deputy (/liairnuiu of the Shropshire (>uarter Sessions and Deputy rjieulenant Bur.J^'d .: .ncyMmirt mht ■->.t i.,; u\. .1') I/. lA. , -. ...... iifi.O iiiOi. Mi* P.; l^oi-^iMi ,.iw lifit; ,.;j(y'/ 0? b-i^/i A'^ii ,bu^ .voH ' ' 'M " J!'!/;y!i:n!Kir) iiolno^l ui{) ■ 'i~ .'-'Ofi'.i;^, , j'^ A .4'ii:j\( \iZ iirnij: /aI?:;' ,{/i£ j(|jfe! byiu ,?^Tof '.M,;T. ji.tOi: '''ib ,(lHr, ,hyy<^, 380 HISTORY OF SHREWSBURY LIBERTIES. of the County. He was patron of the living of Leaton Church. He died 22nd June, 1864, aged 77 years. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them." INCUMBENTS OF LEATON. 1859. Stratford Leigh. Incumbent until 1865. 1SG5. Richard Hugh Chohnondeley, M.A. Trin. Coll., Camb. ; son of the Rev. Charles Cowper Cholmondeley ; born 24 August, 1828; married 19 June, 1855, Emily daughter of Henry Ralph Beaumont, Esq., of Newby Park, Yorkshire; Incumbent until 1873; Rector of Hodnet since 1873, and Rural Dean. 18T4, Edmund Vincent Pigott, M.A. Corp. Chr. Coll,, Camb.; Incumbent until 1885 ; Vicar of Trentham since 1885. 1887. Thomas Kynastou (Jaskcll, M.A. Trin. Coll., Camb.; Vicar of Longthorj^e since 1891 ; formerly Rector of Folksworth, 1878-1885. 1891. James Mackay, M.A. Trin. Hall, Camb. ; the present Incumbent of Leaton. He married 1 June, 1892, Georgina Mary, daughter of George Kenyon, Captain R.N. For the Field-Names, and much of the information about the Church and Incumbents, I am indebted to the Rev. J. Mackay, the present Incumbent. — Ed.] 1 taorl not 7' ; .dflii-.C n-jiod ; iu 'i'jjirjji ;.0 III. X'*^'^^ ■' '.nli iuodfi noiitiC' '■''• ■•'■ "■■■ i''> ^■'<| LONGNER. 381 LONGNER. LoNGNER is written Laiig^uenare in Domesday ; in other ancient records Longenolre : the etymology of either I cannot trace. At the time of Domesday it was in the Hundred of Recordine, and was part of the property of the See of Lichfield, under which it was holden by one Wigot. It was rated at one hide, but there were two carucates^ (or 240 acres) in tillage, one whereof was demesne land or occupied by the owner, Wigot, who kept there two servants ; the other carucate was occupied by two viHans. The wliole was then valued at eight shilhngs, which was also the value of it in the time of the Confessor. The present admeasurement of this estate amounts to 312 acres, as I am informed," but as this includes every kind of land, wood, arable and pasture, and the Domesday carucata referred only to arable, it was tlien, in all probability, in as full a state of cultivation as at present, if its extent is now equal to what it was then. Wigot seems to have been a Norman,^ since his name does not occur among the landholders of Shropshire in the Confessor's time. He also bore the name of Azo, and under that name alone appears as the sub-tenant of Berrington and some other manors. J3ut he occurs under the desijjfnation of Azo Biofod in the charters of the Abbey of Shrewsbury, to which monastery he was a very early beneflictor, bestowing upon it half a hide 1 [Not carucatcs, but ox-teams. Cf. Eyton viii., 205. — Ed.] 2 Tjongucr, 311 acres, 2 roods, 20 perches. One of ye fields is called Slonecastlo fiel(l of liongner. Cf. l^yton vi., 08; viii., 20r). - J':i..J 2nd Vol. a VI., WW iSl .rro.'fJ K.WV/ ji ' a,i[j ^;;!u>ifrj) -iijooo ./oil aooii ; .. oil -Ofijij y'^ioa^''-'^ ' " -ft '■ '""i^i ^'^.A K<: JK.«-J',rf 'V ,;;>; ;.,f, .fn,,! S.;,*;-// ! vj i'Hi Hi . ////■ 382 HISTORY OF SHREWSBURY LIBERTIES. in Langenalre (so the name is there written) in or before the reign of Henry I. What became of this donation at a subsequent period I do not find, but I conceive that it thereupon became a part of the Abbey parish, and so quickly lost all traces of its separate existence. Nor am I able to trace the descent of this manor any further in the family of Wigot. Whether himself or his descendants were involved in the unsuccessful revolt of Robert de Belesme, and so lost the possession of it, or became extinct, or lost their name in some other, is alike unknown ; but the William de Laugenolre or Langeleire who held in 12 John by the tenure of a white hawk (Testa de Nevill^ p. 55b), and him of the same name mentioned in the Monastic.on as having "married Dionysia, the daughter of Roger Muisson of Opinton, a benefactor to Wombridge Priory, may have been connected with the other Longnor in this county, or with the place of the same name in Stattbrdshire, as probably as with Longner-upon-Severn.^ In the ITaughmond Chartulary are two deeds respect- ing Longner-upon-Severn, or, as it is there called, Longe- nore juxta Preston. By the iirst of these Gaufrid son of Reiner de AVirleya ofnuits to the canons of that Abbey half a virgate of land in Longenholre, viz., that which Godewin held : this in exchange for a virgate of land in Wirlega which liis aunt (amita) had given them. Witnessed by William fitz Alan, John le Strange, Hamo his brother, Stephen de Stanton, William de Hedlega, Roger de Time, Richer de Shawbury, Guimar de I'lodintune, Philip do Peninton, William my heir, and Thomas and Jordan my sons. The same witnesses attest a confii'mation of the above by the son of the ^ [TliLs '\^''illi;lm du Laiigcniolrr, mentioned in 1 csla dt KeviU and Mondial icon, is identical \\'\i\\ "William titz Gcotl'n.y, son of (JeotTrcy lit/, rv(';j,inald de AViiley, and was lord of Longiiei- upf)n Sevei'n. llo niarrii'd as early as 11*.)*,) I )i((uisia, one; of llu' co iu'iresscs nl" KoL;er Mussiiiior l'i)|>infj,t()U, and widow (»!' rmucr IJoiliarle. llo died in rj-j;{. Cf. Kylt.n vi., i:U7 ; viii., 105, l^Uti.— l-:!).] ,^i lO CiOJ- ^'im[o%ci&d *lo •07f[ -J','.'..'" l, . . t: ,. :,;:> ■i'i'C^J-- "to . ■ ■ ■ ' ■ . ' ' ' JCi. .^.. ... , . ,, . .. . i '.'>M()KiH i)<\.)i to i)A)i\y,i\u\\wr> ... ., ,.....; : .'-If \y/jt tir.slii ^.i ,}\- .:, ■ 'i 'i. ,■->': ..;.;; i;,i;;. ,7\)! (iV/ 'jm i'.!,; I/'.! J.i'^ili ''14 , /J ii.li'/'."i I ';;'','» lit Y^ol/i.V Ixir; (.MnSi-.MUijij'j 'In jj )(>'.■'.■. I id [,(tM- .ot>i; /"i^si ^Xni ; \ui' ,.17 [(.ivM .s';) x.'s.ti LONGNEU. 383 grantor, who styles himself William, son of Gaufrid de Longenhalrc ;^ and this is not the only instance of a connection between this place and that monastery, for in 1459 I 111 id that Ilichard Burnell, Abbot of llagh- mon, ordains that Sir William Salop, the sub-prior, or pi-ior clanstral, and his successors, shall enjoy the chamber which the said Sir William has built under the dormitory, with the garden thereto annexed, anciently called Longenore's garden, and the dovehouse therein. In the Inquisition of St. Chad's possessions, 132G, among the " Decimse spectantes Decano," is " de man- erio de Longenolre totam decimam." In 41 Edward III. William de Haulghton^ held a moiety of the manor^ (or manors) of Wythyngton and Longenore in tail {Pedes fin' eo anno). In 18 Ric. 11. John Holgot and Beatrice, his wife, levy a fine of the moiety of the same manor (or manors) " ex Walter' Grey et Marg'," by which is meant, I suppose, as that which they had of the gift of Grey and his wife. From this time I find no mention of it for nearly three centuries, till 22 Bich. II., 1398, when it appears in the family of Grey, John White in that year levying a fine of his manor of Longnor up the Were to Walter 1 [Eyton states that this William fitz Geoffrey died without issue in 1223, when his widow Dionisia sued William de Duston (son of William de Duston, who had acquired Longner by feoH'ment of William fitz Geoffrey), for one-third of the vill of Longenhalre, which she claimed in dower. William de Duston's grand-daughter and heir Roisia married Sir John D'Oyley, whose grand-daughter and heir Joan married Sir Thomas Lewknor. Thus the D'Oyleys and Lewknors became mesne lords of Longnei', under the Bishops of Lichfield. Cf. Eyton viii., 20G-8.— Ed.] 2 [The Ilaughtons, who also held Cleobary North and Withiugton, held Longner by feoll'ment of Sir John D'Oyley and Roisia de Dunston his wilV, from circa 1230. Cf. Eytou iii., 25-28; viii., 7G, 209.— Ed.] 2 The extract is abbreviated man', and consequently does not exhibit the sign of number. [See a note of fines, escheats, &.C., relating to Withiugton and Longner at the end of this account. — Ed.] y-i^.i I. a d :ifioJs ^n ) '/ Hi ch, ' ttsv;iA .. -.bi'iT. S:2 Hi.' ,ee}'wiaoo ©9'ifii 5. ■ •ri v.. •/ b -(a I, , . , .;- .■■::::.' '-J :. ■. :!. 384 HISTORY OF SHREWSBURY LIBERTIES. Grey and Margaret, his wife. In the second year of Henry IV. the said Walter held it of the Earl of Arundel. From this we may infer that it was then connected with Withington, which was a part of the extensive possessions of that Earl, and of which Lono^ner was esteemed a hamlet in the reign of Henry VIII. In 1422/ Alexander, son of Walter Grey, held it. Here aij^ain we are at a loss for the connectinof links between the Greys and tlie family who next appear in possession here, that of Burton,^ and whose descendants still hold it. Whether this family was originally of this county, or came from Yorkshire, is uncertain. It is probable they were of Bourton. The celebrated antiquary Browne Willis'^ decided for the first in the epitaph drawn up by him for Mrs. Lingen in Queinton Church, Co. Glouces- ter ; the })edigrees of the Heralds decide for the last. By a grant of John Wrythe, norroy, dated at York 22 May, 1478, 18 Edw. IV., Robert Burton oUhe Court of York^ is stated to have continued " with the king our sovereign lord and Comes of Guij in all his wars," in reward for which services the said herald makes him a grant of arms, viz., }>arty per pale azure and purple, a cross engrailed or. between four white roses, in manifest ^ An Alexander Grey, cliaplain, presents in li75 to Bourton on Dnnsniore, Warwickshire. 2 [Eyton notes that the Burtons were seated at Longner long before any extant account of that family would lead us to supjjose, and probably held it under the llaughtons and their successors the Greys. A deed is preserved at Longner dated 2(S May, 13 IG, by which Edward Burton of Longner, gives to Thomas Cresset of Leighton, an acre of land at Ganneston in e\-chango for H acres there. This deed mentions adjacent lands of I'Mwanl r.urton. Cf. Eyton viii., 210. — Ed.] 2 Williuin Burton, the antiipiary, ajijiears to have been of the same opinion. "The liurtons were of Sln-opshire," says he. ■' it lias been thought (o be an error of the traiiscrijit for the " couiile" (ie., county) of York. I'.ut (lie household I'stablislunent oT tlir great Kichard, Duke of Vork, who aspiri'd to the ('ri>wn in the reign of Henry \'[., may have liccn bo caUcd. "iO m i) ''{(i ?.':s$n^J blLxi CI ojJiiv/ lijot rra'j.v/J ill :u) noliirr^ne BiiOTj ■'] ;j.ui !v> >?(!!jO';i: o^^rtr'i .IimILs;.' vi<; ii'iuii /y.tul yi,;jit , 1/ ''■m-il- LONGNRR. 385 allusion to that distinguishing badge of the House of York. The words Comes of Guij have no apparent meaning, and as the original of the grant is not to be found, it is necessary to have resource to conjecture. I shall state what seems to me most prol)able. Among the most valiant ])artisans on the side of Edward IV. was his step-sou Thomas dc Ureij (son of Sir John Grey of Groby, by Elizabeth Wydville, afterwards tlie consort of that monarch). He was in high favour with his royal father-in-law, by whom he was successively raised to the dignities of Earl of Huntingdon and Marquis of Dorset, and it cannot be thought improbable that Mr. Burton, a warm adherent of the same party, and a servant in the royal household, for he appears in the same year, 1478, as one of the yeomen ushers, should have served in a military capacity under this Thomas of Grey, who may therefore be the person intended by the unintelligible expression " Comes of Guij" in the grant before us ; or that Grey, if the estate at Longner de- volved upon him from its former possessors of the same name, should reward the services of this his faithful follower, by a liberal donation of this nature. (See the History of Shrewshury, sub. ann. 1475). Will. Burton adds that the Burtons were *' a family, sometime, for no ordinary relations, not to he mentioned in the place, very gratious with the several princes of the royal house of York," an expression which seems to allude to a tradition of their being descended from Lionel, Duke of Clarence, by the wife of one Musard. Musard is said to have been the original name of Burton of Burton Constable ; and the said Duke of Clarence in his will 3 Oct., 1368, has a legacy to Sir Richard Musard, Knight, of a golden belt and a war-horse, called Maun- geneleyn (])erhaps nionn ycitetcyn. my gennet). Royal Wills, p. 88. But whether these are suflicient grounds on which to erect a royal genealogy must be left to the consideration of the reader. In ITarl. MSS. 5848, on a loose paper in an old hand is the following : — ,u 0 ■ ■ ■ ■ ' • ,6 ■■■A\\ Hix^'i I'f i: ''HV'r.r-; -jil.-t i.ni;v/-.'[ l^liroiirt ,onuui . _. . , ., ...:: . .M 386 HISTORY OF SHREWSBURY LIBERTIES. In an old booko of Yorkshire. Robert Burton=pMar[,farcb, dauj^hter and heir of Bclves or Delves. I "1 I T "I Edward William Alexander Margaret John Burton=p Elizabeth, dau, and heir of Oliver Pickburno. I ! Ill Edward Alexander Robert John Richard, obitt. This is placed opposite to the pedigree of " Edward Burton, groorae of the Rhoades, he descended out of Yorkshire, tempore Hen. VII." In an old pedigree in an ever present hand states Edward Burton to have married a dauorhter of Henry Grey, Esq. Thomas Grey, Marquis of Dorset, was among the noblemen who accompanied Henry VIII. in 1520 in his famous interview with Francis I. (See Gent. Mag., [777; Harl. MSS. 642, p. 109). [In another }iancC\. If the suggestion of this antiquary be correct, that before the Burtons became possessed of Longnor they were seated at " Burton in the same county," it seems probable that they lived at what is now called Boreton, in the parish of Condover, as there is no doubt of this place being in their possession, and so late as 1615, Edward Burton sold Burton manor and Cantlop to Sir Eoger Owen of Condover. We find (MS. at Sundorn) Walter de Burton witness to a deed 10 Edw. II. (1317), for conveying messuage and lands in Cantilop. Edmund de Burghton (MS. at Condover) has a grant of Cantilhop from his v/ife's brother, William son of Hugh de la HuUe 36 Ed. III. (1303). Hugh de Burton (MS. at Sundorn) is mentioned in deed without date, witnessed by Hugh de Wlonkeslow, and John de Burton is mentioned as son of Hugh in the above deed, Halwell, in the Hundred of Clifton, three miles from Ilitchen, Herts, on tlie attainder of Sir Robert Belknuj), J.C.P., in 1392 was granted to John Burton and others. (Ly son's Magna Brit., Bed- fjf' ■■■ ' ■ ■ ■ ■ KiJ .aj ,rio- hfift 8 V/ .-J to ifdWU 'I H' .1,1 LONGXER. S87 fordshire, v. i., p. 95). Tliis seems to bo a Sliroj)shire Burton, as it ])assed iinmediutcly afterwards to the Foresters and Baldwin Leigliton, Esq., who in J7G5 sold it. William Burton was M. P. for Shrewsbury 2 Rich. II., 1379 (Owen's Hist. Shrewsbun/), Ilicluird de Beortou, Do. 4 Rich. II., 1381, Wm. Burton Uo. G, 7, and 8 Rich. II., and Wm. Burton ditto 14 and 20 Hen. VI., 1436-1442. The Heralds have given in their pedigrees to this Robert, whom they, without any authority that I have seen, call Sir Robert, a father Sir Edward, whom they style of Longner, and whom they state to have been with King Edward IV. successful in fourteen set battles, and to have been made knight banneret under the royal standard in the field A.D. 1460, and this account is adopted as authentic by the learned editor of Anto- ninus, William Burton, a descendant of this family, if indeed it has not been borrowed from what he writes in that work. But, besides that it would be very difficult, I believe, to point out 14 set battles in which that prince w^as engaged, it must be utterly incredil)lo to anyone who will peruse the grant above referred to, that, if there had been any foundation for such a story, the king of arms in 1478, anxious as he evidently is to exalt the character of Robert Burton, and to display his just pretensions to that distinction, would have omitted all mention of his illustrious father, graced with the rare title of knight banneret, and whose memory, even if he died in the year of his creation, could not have been effaced by the lapse of 18 years. In a valuable MS. of grants in the reigns of Edw. V. and Rich. IH. (Harl. MSS. 433, p. 38b) ls this entry in the first year of the last-mentioned king: — " To Edward Burton the king hath confirmed such graunte as he had from the fee of the Corone of king E. the iiij^^ for terme ofhislyff." ^• . , ..IV d oi B'h'.is Y?j oil Bfifi dfi i jii»Ui 388 HISTORY OF SHREWSBURY LIBERTIES. As Robert Burton was already, five years before this grant, of mature years, and the acquirer of armorial distinction, the Edward Burton of the above grant was, I suppose, his son, of whom below. In the same MS,, p. 46b, is a grant from Bichard IIT. to Bobert Burton of estates in Yorkshire, but I have no proof of his identity with the probable possessor of Longner. Bobert Burton then I conceive to have been the first of his family settled at this place, ^ and even for this I have no distinct evidence ; but from an abstract of the deeds of the family drawn up by Thomas Burton, an eminent lawyer in the latter end of the 17th century, 1 learn that Edward Burton, the son of Bobert, was certainly possessed of it, and conveyed it to Geoffrey, Bishop of Lichfield, John Bretenor, and others, as trustees for certain purposes. No date is assigned to this transaction, which must have taken place between 1503, when Geofirey Blythe, Dean of York, was appointed to the See of Lichfield, and 1524, the date of Edward Burton's death. The Heralds liave also chosen to dignify this gentleman with the order of knighthood, and to entitle him of Rhodes, of the rolls, or of the rohes to King Henry VH. It is probable that he might be an officer in the wardrobe of that monarch, but that he w^as a knight of Bhodes or any knight at all is effectually disproved by his epitaph still to be seen in Atcham Church, to which it was removed from St. Chad's on the fall of that edilice, and wdiich runs thus : — Hie jaccnt corpora Edwardi Burton & Jocose uxoris ejus: qui (luidciii K(hvarI.J •(obr«i<,.-ii{i> oijj >; ■• '■ ■'■ ■' u 390 HISTORY OF SHREWSBURY LIBERTIES. The anxiety of the whole nation during^ the progress of that disease which carried off Queen Mary may be easily conceived. Her dislike of her sister's person and religion, and the danger to which the princess was exposed during that reign, wrought the hopes and fears of both Papists and Protestants to the highest pitch, and these feelings, in the case of Mr. Burton, must have been still more excited by a sense of his own personal hazard. It is no wonder, therefore, that " sitting one day alone in his upper parlour at Longner, in meditation of God's deliverances of his people, and hearing a general ring of all the bells in Shrewsbury, " his right divining soul should straightiuay tell Imii it ivas for Queen Mwie^s death." It was natural that he should ''long to hioio the truth inore earnestly,^^ and equally so, that he should be " loath to trust his servants " to make the inquiry. Under these circumstances he called his eldest son Thomas, then a boy of IG years, and des- patched him to the town on horseback. The road from the stai)lcs at Longner down to tlie river (through which, when it is fordable, lies their nearest horse- way to Shrewsbury) ran in the front of the old house, and was commanded by the windows of the upper parlour, in which Mr. Burton was sitting. In order, therefore, to abridge as much as possible the anxious interval of suspense, he directed his son to throw up his hat when he came within sight of those windows, in case he returned with the hoped for intelligence, as a token that the queen was actually dead. The youth set off, and it is surely needless to picture the conflict of passions in the father's breast during his absence. He returned, he made the desired signal. But what must have been his feelings, when, upon hurrying into the apartment to congratulate his father upon his deliver- ance, he found him just breathing his last I The tumult of the mind had overpowered the body. On receiving the signal " the good man retiring presently from the window, and recovciing his chaii-, for extremity of joy which he conceived for the deliverance of the saints of ^od ,<:> ij^ \'f ,«!,'>,■ .»;. fi ?.t)[l 'SI oi fiyii .:'>) .Ybod ojii i.)o;-.>w<3vJr>h ft'!> -jol \ • LONGNKR. 391 God, he suddenly expired, and this was his Nunc dimittis Doniine ! " Their next care was to inter his remains. What passed at liis funeral T shall give in the words of Fox, in which tlie candid reader will make some allowance for the warmth of the writer, and of the age in which, and the views with which, he wrote : — The like example of charitable atfection in these catholicke churchmen is also to be sene and noted in the burying of one Mauster Edward Boiu'ton, Esquier, who, in the same diocese of Chester, departynf? out of this world the very day before queene Elizabeth was crowned,^ required of his frendos as they would aunswere for it that his body should be buryeJ in his parish church (whiche was S. Chaddes in Shrousbury) so that no massemonger shoulde be present thereat ; which thing being declared to the Curate of that Parish, named Sir John Marshall, and the body beyng withall brought to the buriall^ ^ This seems very pi'ccise, and yet we must either condemn it as inaccurate, or abandon tlie traditional account of Mr. Burton's death, which one would be loat'i to do, as fictitious. Queen Mary died on tlie 17tii of November', Queen Elizabeth was crowned on the 15th of January. It is utterly incredible that the news of the foimer event should be two months in travelling from London to Shrewsbury. But there is too much reason to fear from the tenour of Mr. Burton's will, that we must have recourse to the latter expedient, and reject the interesting relation of his descendant. As thisstedfast Protestant died, according to that narrative, very suddenly, his will must have been executed at least some days previous to Ins decease ; yet it has evidently been drawn up under a Protestant Sovereign, i.e., after the accession of Klizabctli, for no man in his senses, under the government of (Juecn Mary, would direct himself to be buried in his paiisli church, so as no mass-monger should be j)resent at his funeral. Indeed, it must be confessed that Fox's iiinorance of the remarkable facts at tending this gentleman's death casts a greiit sluule of suspicion upon I he whole stor^'. '^ After all the body was not "brought to the buriall." For thus Fox in the errata prefixed to his work, page 1G21, col. 1, line G : — " AVhereas it is mentioned of Maister Edward Bourton, Esquier, that he was brought to the church and there denyed Christian buriall : miderst;ind (gtiitle reader) that he was not brought to the place of burial, l)ut only a messenger, whose name is John Tarperhy, was sent to know whether ho should be buried in Christian burial or not, which bi ing dcnycd hy\u, he was theieupon buried in his owno garden, as is declared in the page above mentioned." It is impossible not to observe the very reluclant, and somewho^t disingenuous terms in wIulU this retraction is couched. 892 HISTORY OP Shrewsbury liberties. upon the same day that the Queene was crowned, the Curate being therewith otl'ended sayd playnly that lie should not be buried in the church there. \V hereunto one of his frendes, named George Torpeliey,^ annsweryng agayne, sayd that God would judge him in the last day, etc. Then the Priest, "Judge God," sayth he, "or Devill,the body shall not come here;" and so they buried him in liis owne garden, where he is, no doubt, as neare the kincjdome of heaven as if he had bene buried in the middest of the Church." His descendant's remark upon this transaction follows : — " The storm of persecution was not quite so blown over thereby " (either by Elizabeth's accession or Mr. Burton's sudden death, for it is difficult to say which is meant), " but that still some scatterings did fall upon the servants of God, for they sullered some grievances still, among which was their being debarred from Christian interment in Churches." The commentator on Antoninus lived in " evil days" during the reign of Puritanism, when Popery was to be painted as black as possible. Our lot is fallen on an age of more liberality, when, without being involved, I trust, in her errors, we can allow her a fair hearing. It is evident from the words of the martyrologist, which are, doubtless, not designedly favourable to the Church of llome, that Mr. Marshall could not, without a glaring desertion of his principles, have interred the body in his church under the limitations prescribed by the deceased. Could a clergyman of our present establish- ment give sepulture to a Dissenter who stipulated, and ^ George Torpdlley was probably the informant of Fox. He appears to have been a zealous Protestant of those times, and is referred to by the martyrologist as one of his authorities for the " godly end " of William Glover, who was denied Christian burial by the curate of Wem for his attachment to the cause of reformation. Fox, 1620. Tor[)erley afterwards came to live in Shrewsbury, and seems to liave been a very busy fellow and warm Puritan. In the Bnrgldey papers, now in tlie P.riti.sli Museum, is a curious account by him and one 'I'homas Browne of certain supposed misconduct of a Mr. William Gerard, one of the counsel of tlie Marches of Wales. noitonrrT;-:*: inb -fiern ?■ .ffi . 8'V.si>a';ji! ali .jir/*] Vo jfTUffsirjln; •.;,'{ I '■ildnJov' f-^J^v/ ';■■(( ismoT j-iXj'ivjttO ^ •.: r,l ,nn.'Jc;Jl(/i .: ny.) OlU '■ LONGNER. 393 that in terms of op[)robrioiis contempt, that tlie service of" the Liturgy should not he pi-onouiiced over his renuuns ? Nor can we justly withhold the ]>raise of firmness from the curate of St. ('had, who dared to vindicate the rights of liis exjiiring Church, at the moment of her dissolution. ]\ti'. l^urton found sepulture, as we have seen, in his garden near the fishponds, and his remains lay for the space of 56 years with no other memorial on the monu- ment set over them, but his name and the year of his decease, and even these were become illegible Vjy the lapse of so many years, and tbe effect of the weather. At the end of that time, Sir Andrew Corbet, Lord- Lieutenant of Shropsblre (my author styles him baronet, but he never bore that title) happening to dine at Longner with divers other gentlemen of quality, asked leave of his host, the grandson of the deceased, to visit the tomb ot his ancestor. The state of decay in which it lay drew from him a gentle rebuke or " friendly correction,'' as the original quaintly expresses it, together with a serious injunction for its reparation, and not long after he jiroduced the following copy of verses, now ])a-inted u|)on the monument, wliit:li ai'o creditable to the talents of a Shro[)shire gentleman of the 17th century, though a leading idea in them proceeds upon the same misconception of the circumstances under wdnch the interment took place, which has been already remarked in the antiquary's reflections on the same transaction. Was 't for denying Christ, or sonic notorious fact. That lliis man's body Christian burial lack'd 1 Oh no ! not so, his faithful true profession Was the chief cause, which then was held transgression ; When Popery here did reign, the See of Rome AVould not admit to any such a tomb, Within lier idol temple walls; but he 'Truly professing (-hristianity, ^Vas like Christ Jesus in a garden laid. Where he shall rest in peace till it be said — 'ij fifO 03 d.ii i fIOIJi)niJ|n.f c-.f/on98 i? iliiv/- <•■ ... . - •. ... Jib iU' '■■: i"' -ifiiicj tl' '• ^-IJJ ,1'!:! Ji)lt --bis:.*' !>J4i iU.i ryvi.^''«j Hi Jo-, , 'M-U!^ 'Jli 'jlt-AiVH B94 nisTOKY OF sttri:wsbury liberties. Come faithful servant, come, receive with Me A just reward for thy integrity. — 1G14. ^ From a youni^er son of Thomas Burton, the eldest son of Edward, is descended the noble family of the Earls of Conyngham in Ireland. That kingdom, under the reigns of Elizabeth and James, presented a rich field of enterprise for young men of spirit and ambition. Among: the adventurers wlio went to seek their fortunes there was Captain Tliomas Burton, the younger son above mentioned. Here he chanced to form an intimacy with his countryman Francis Sheppard of Balcot in the parish of Munslow in Corvedale, who having courted a young lady in that neiglibourhood, had tlie misfortune to kill his rival, Richard More, orily son of Jasper More, Esq., of Larden, in a duel, in consequence of which he had fled into Ireland, rose to be an ollicer in the English army, and got a great estate from the Irish rebels. Captain Burton, whose sister Anne had married Mr. Charles More of Millichop, was probably acquainted with Mr. Sheppard before the fatal adventure which compelled him to leave his native country ; and the latter finding his end draw near, made a will by which he devised his estate to his sister Anne Sheppard, and constituted his friend the captain executor, who hasten- ing over to England, and repairing to Millichope, took an opportunity of engaging the affections of the young heiress, and having succeeded in obtaining her hand in marriage, produced her brother's will, and prevailed upon her to accompany him into Ireland, to settle upon her recent acquisitions. Such is the account in a paper at Millichop, drawn up by Mr. Henry More of that place, great nephew of Captain Burton. And from ' I Tn 1812, tlio tomb, haviiij^ Ijcconie very nuu;h dilnjiidatcd, was taluMi (h)wn and every slone replaced in il.s original po.sition Ly Mr. l\,ol)crt liurton of Longner. About 21 or 3 feet below the groiuid, (h(! bonen wcm found, l»iiL no trace of any collin. 'I'luy were at once covered up again, and the tomb )'(;built. Sec S. A. Transac.Lions^ v., 21)8. -Ki..] t'i ■ IJ 9' b: bii.. .■■ iV^ij iy. 'AOiJOV to YJi j'.i.ii') .ij> LONGNEll. 395 this marriage are descended the Burtons of Ireland, who have spread into a variety of opulent and prolllic branches, though the memory of the seat of their maternal ancestry in Corvedale has been so far effaced in the course of two generations, that in the family })edigree deposited in the Ulster office at Dublin, the wife of their progenitor is said to come from " Baycot, about the Cordalls in Herefordshire." Another descendant of Edward Burton who was buried in his garden, was William Burton, the very learned commentator on Antoninus, who has been already so often quoted. His father, of the same names (second son of Thomas Burton, Esquu'e, of Longner), was entered of Shrewsbury School in 1584, and is styled a citizen of London by Antony Wood, but was resident at Atcham, and denominated a plebeian in 1624, when his son, of whom I am now to speak, was admitted of Queen's College, Oxford, by which designation is only meant that the son was entered as a servitor : a station which those days of comparative simplicity did not regard as discreditable to the son of a younger brother of the first families. William Burton the younger was born in London in or about the year 1G08, being of the age of 16 at his admission at Queen's College, where he applied himself with great diligence and equal success to his studies. Logic and Philosophy were the favourite pursuits of that College, but Burton's inclination lay more to Philology and Classical Literature, to which he devoted his nights and days^ and in which he attained that proficiency as to be appointed Greek professor in Gloucester Hall at the early age of 23. We have his inaugural lecture on the history of the Greek langua*.*"". on his entrance upon that office, printed at London in 12mo, 1657. It is inscribed to his pupil Thomas Thynne, the first Viscount Weymouth,^ and it is prefaced by a ^ Tliis i;c'nilein;in, the Thomas Thynno, !<]«()., of Lt)ngleato, obtained poHSf.s.sioii of (lu! [)a[)cra luj Irft bcliiiul liiiii, ami Lliry aro probably still rcmaiuiiig iu the library there, ill $t:v45^T^\U J )iioo9a) j.i Rj. b:y\(:ji'i() 6»^7/ not ^&'- ;i i:UK<-Ul'.l HilJ "io 'h :>.f;3-ia ilJJv/ i!Ji (iiiiii i 3 96 HISTORY OF SHREWSBURY LIBERTIES. Latin epistle from his friend, the celebrated Dr. Tiang- baine, in which the writer reminds his correspondent of the years of study they had passed within the walls of the college from which liis letter is dated, and of which Langbaine was now master. Mr. Burton, being compelled to quit college by his necessities^ became usher to that famous schoolmaster, Thomas Farnaby, but was afterwards elected to the free Grammar School of Kingston-upon-Thames, which he appears to have retained till his deatl>, though he retired to London two years before that event. At the end of his in- augural lecture mentioned above is a curious little tract, the remains of the ancient Persian language, as they occur in the classical authors, arranged alphabetically, and inscribed to a Shropshire worthy, "the most learned youth Thomas Hide, the very diligent restorer of the Persian Pentateuch." But Mr. Burton's most consider- able work was his commentary on the British part of Antoninus's Itinerary, printed at London in a thin folio, 1G58, and dedicated to the Ptight Honourable John, Lord Glyn, Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Upper Bench, whom he thanks for " the particular favours conferred on himself, and those bestowed on his near relations." To this work, which displays great research and very general reading, and in which he ranks him- self among those who have endeavoured, in many instances with great probability, to deduce the origin of our laws and government from the polity and juris- prudence of the Romans, is prefixed his portrait by Hollar, in which he appears of a comely and grave aspect, with small whiskers and a peaked beard, falling band and tufted gown. He died the 28th of December, 1657, and as his book bears no appearance of a post- — humous work, it must have been printed off before his demise, though the booksellers have, according to their usual ])ractice, allixed the date of the succeed- ing year. Wood mentions his daughter Appollonia, the wile of one Calveiley of Pewter Street, in West- minster, -J'Jt &Ul -'i'jhiiiii •fM .tuH '\;;l-ifj&jj8i!fo'] .niJai H Qih oj VllJiiJJ IH' tno e.^j^a' :ino(nAii Ilea vd •iaiiuSt>ar*U ! ■•• ... ....,,.. I a jiJiw ■■b:n>\^•)i:n u;i] lu oJjJ) -.'iff ].'' .:j \i.ii'e,n avjiIj t-ul a.; '// Mis'f mil ./i 'K .,i h> oil 7/ Oil J ..'loiailifn LONGNER. 397 In 1635 and 1640 appeared a splendid folio printed & {.sic) Cassel, and entitled " Monumentum Sepulch- rale illiistrissimi ac celsissimi principis &;c. Mauritii Hessice Langravii," prefixed to which are various verses in honour of the deceased landgrave. One of these is subscribed Guil. Burtonus, Londinensis, LL. L.F. Oxon. Dobunerum ex Aula Glocestrensi. The landgrave died ill 1632, and Mr. Burton's verses were, in all proba- bility, written in the following year (while he was yet a resident in the University), and that by the request of John Ptous, the librarian (to whom Milton has a poem), and who prefaces the verses with an assertion, Qui hie ofiicisse lachrymas intermiscuere non Principem tantum sed maximum Dncem, Theologum, Philosophum, Politicum, Mathematicum, Poetam, lugent. Such is fame ! or such is praise ! Who ever before heard of tliis fxve-dt landirrave, who added to his exalted rank such consummate skill in so many and so various departments of science. Monumentum sepulcrale ad — du Mauritii Hassia3 Landgravii Principis — memoriam glorioc sempiternam exercitum — casselhs 1G40 Mansolii ^lauritiani Pars altera Cassellis anno m.d.c.xxxv. V'ginti academiarum et scholarum Mustrium tarn intra quam extra Rom. Imp. necnon variarum ecclesiarum antistitiim : nobilium ibidem et ahorum clarissimorum Virorum E^ncedia quibus communis sui Magnatis et Nutritii quondam illustris- simi, celcissimi principis ac domini, du Mauritii Hass. Landg. Comitis in Catyenelubogen, Diety, Yigenhain, Nidda, &c. Obitum acerbis lachryrais acerbo deplorant, Cassellis apud Jolianncm Saurium, Acad-Typographum. anno m.d.c.xxxv. Epicedia Anglorum, p. 133. Guil. Burtonus.'i'Londinensis LL.L.F. Oxon. Dobunorum ex Aula Glocestrensi. _ Sequuntur orationcs et carmina in obitus quondam illustri- cissimorum & florentissimorum Principum Du Othonis, Du Mauritii, Du Philippi, Du Pliilippi junioris, Du Mauritii seiiioiis, magui illius Mauritii Hassiae Landgravii, filioram dosideratissiniorum &c. kc. Cassellis M.D.C.XXXV. Vol. VI., 2nd S. y V ^i-aii/' ' ' - ;,,.".;.. . « ■ .r . ,. ,iT, A< on ;. :» .ftf«rf<|OT«0<|'(T'J.:,. ■itnJu i.ljilflJ 1 aumamO 1 .mxO MJJ 1 T ;.;.:,.. Jh-.r /;fl'A'y: I If • 398 HISTORY OF SHREWSBURY LIBERTIES. The first part contains about 60 prints, some of which are more than two feet in length, and I suppose that must have delayed the publication of that part of the work till 1640. Maiden, near Kingston, Surrey, June 14, 1817. Dear Sir, I send you a copy of the Annals of Coinage, for which you have favoured me with your name. As I have no Banker in London you will have the goodness to remit your subscrip- tion to me at this place. All I have yet been able to collect respecting William Burton is the following : — 1G37. Mr. William Burton appointed at Midsummer. 1G58. Mr. Cooke. Manning and Bray's Hist of Surrey, vol. i., p. 358, from the book in which the account is kept of the revenues of the School. A note to Mr. Burton's name gives some account of him from Wood. Ath. Oxon, vol. ii., p. 215. The present Master of the School knows nothing beyond the above ; but I have set an intelligent and indefatigable friend who is intimate with some of tlic Corporation, to search for further information. Should any such occur, it shall be sent to you immediately. I remain, dear Sir, Y' obliged & very humble Ser* Roger Rudinq. Rev. J. B. Blakeway, Shrewsbury. Account of Wm. Burton, Schoolmaster of Kingston, extracted from Manning and Bray's History of Surrey, p. 358. Wm. Burton, Schoolmaster of Kingston, was the son of Will. Burtdii of Atchain, Shropshire), educated at Queen's ('(»ll(^go, Oxford, 1025, under the pjitronagc of Mr. Allen, who removed liim to Clocester Hall, and conferred upon liim the (h-eck lecture. In 1G30 he took the degree of BC.L., but ])overty compelled him to hnivo the University, and become asisstant to ]\lr. Farnabio, tlic famous schoolniaster at Seven- JlOlj. Xf^KVCfl H -id nov fiixm rr Xl *'ie8 ■ ' (im fi he^i^^^> - r .'{iifdHwa^jlS ,x«W::»ijftl(:I if U ' lt;u',J.r^ . i".- I I ^ \.\ f^As Afft W..7,- 1o 'u-iter.rrrfrAMlnft ./to.htffl .rttW J' ^hI? tiVJ;''l O.I ■ LONGNER. 399 oaks, in Kent, and after some years he was elected Master of Kinp^ston Free School, whence after being struck with tho palsy, ho retired to London, and there died two years alter. Ho published a Latin panegyric on Mr. Allen sj^okcn in Glocester Hail over the body. Annotations on the 1st Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians, translated into English, 1647 and 1652 ; "GriEcae Lingua3 Historia," 1657, being tho substance of various speeches at Glocester Hall ; and with it " Veteris Linguae Persicre Historia, 1657," and a commendatory letter of Langbaine's, prefixed. "A Commentary on Antoninus's Itin- erary," so far as it concerneth Britain. He died 28 Dec, 1657, and was buried the same day in the vault belonging to the Clements, now in St. Clement Danes. His collections came into the hands of his scholar, Thos. Thynne, Esq., afterwards Visct. Weymouth. Wuod. Athen. Ox., ii., 215. There is also an account of Wm. Burton in Knight's Life of Colet, p. 402, which refers to Wood's Athence, vol. ii-, p. 215, and is perhaps wholly taken from it. He was educated at St. Paul's, under Alexander Gill, sen., and became a student at Queen's College, Oxon., in Easter term 1 025, aged 10, being accounted a good Grecian. Dear Sir, The above is tho best account I have been able to collect respecting Mr. Burton, and which probably your friend has already attained. The Company of Mercers, London, are patrons of St. Paul's School ; but I have known similar re- searches rejected at the Clerk's Office of that Company, and consequently have not ventured on an application. I have applied to a daughter of Mr. Laurentz, a late Head-master of Kingston School, and she informs me all the documents re- specting that school are in the custody of the Corporation of that town. It is very probable Manning and Bray perused these Records and extracted from them the above account of Burton. The Company of Merchant Adventurers (now de- nominated the Hamburgh Company) was incor))orated by Edw. I., anno 1290, being the first Incorporation of Merchants erected in England. Their original name is now in disuse. Kingston is 12 miles from London. I have not forgot to make your remembrance to Mr. Franco. There is no occasion to ■iiT ,v xi 38 ill ,, fiofxj evjiii Ij/ir- Oif-tuc 400 HISTORY OF SHREWSBURY LIBERTIES. apologize for any application to me, as nothing will give me greater pleasure than to convince you how truly I am yours John Pridden. 100, Fleet Street, 27 Feb., 1817. In the civil wars of Charles I. Longner did not escape without its sliare of the distresses which at that time affected the whole country. Its commanding situation upon tlie Severn rendered it too conspicuous to be neglected as an out-post, and it was at an early period of the war garrisoned with a party of Royalists from Shrewsbury. Thougii the number of soldiers stationed here appears to have been inconsiderable, we may readily conceive that they must have been a great annoyance to the owner, or that he was anxious for their removal. This he at length effected, their presence being required elsewhere, on his undertaking to defend his house against tfie Parliamentary forces, at his own charge. The following extract from the minutes of the Corpora- tion of Shrewsbury refers to this transaction : — 18 Doc, 1643. Ag. upon y*^ promise of Fra. Burton, Esq., of Longner, that ho will mayntayue 8 musketeers to keepo the garrison there, that, if the Governor tliinke titt, then to remove y«= garrison from Longner to Monford bridge for defence of y^ bridge. After the surprise of Shrewsbury in the beginning of the year IG45, Longner could not be long in following the example of the county town. The committee of Shropshire was indefatigable in reducing the whole country entrusted to them, to the power of the Parlia- ment ; and in the news[)aper entitled Perfect Occur-jnces, of July 25, 1G45, in the list of garrisons " taken in" by them from the king, in the course of the summer, mention is made of "Athan bridge and Longnar house," meaning, no doubt, Atcham bridge and this |)lace. Thomas Burton, Esf[uire, the son and heir of the last mentioned Francis, was a lawyci' of (lisiinguishcd eminence in lliolalLci- part of Iho I7tli ceiil,ury. Jle ■iXW- % ^x y^ 'i- to 8' .i' .iswo-l ptiiiCj:) eil"^ 'io ak) ,^^^^ (^.(J. Oilv ,;ji«r oil „ioi.u;;i,y LONGNEK. 401 was admitted a member of Gray's Inn the 3rd of May, 1G51, and appears to have been as much attaclicd to a reformation in the state in the rei<_,ni of Cliarles II., as his ancestor was to one in the Church in that of Queen Mary. At least, the deposition of one Robert Smitli, a Scottish covenanter, printed in the appendix to Dr. Spratts' Narrative of the Rije-house Plot, }). 180, wliich states him to have taken rcfufre in England after the affair of llothwell Bridge, goes on, " where I con- tinued three years, and was at many Presbyterian house-conventicles in Shrewsbury, Birmingham, and Bristol ; but never see a field-con ven tide m this king- dom, save one at Clee-hill (some few miles distant from Ludlow) upon Sunday in May, 1681, where we met to the number of upward of a thousand, and some of note were among them. But I do only remember the names of Mr. Burton, a lawyer, whose country residence is in Shropshire, and .... a merchant in Birmingham, besides the two ministers who preached, whose names are Mr, Thomas Eaglesall, who lived in Kinver, and Mr. Thomas Case, who lived near Shrewsbury, and their sermons were wholly tending to raise faction and sedition, in the same manner as I have too frequently heard in the field-conventicles in Scotland." Mr. Burton was certainly a gentleman of Whig prin- ciples since he was instituted by King William a judge for in Wales, and it is said that he sat on the commission for trying Captain Benbow after the fatal battle of Worcester in 1651. The male issue of the elder branch of the Burtons faihng in the year 1785, the Longner estate devolved upon Anne, the sole heiress of that branch, the wife of Thomas Lingen, Esq., of Badbrook, in the county of Gloucester, a gentleman of a very ancient family and grcjit estate, as he is styled in the Biograpliia Britan- nica (art. Willis), whose eldest son, llobert Lingen, assumed the name and arms of Burton only, by Act of Parliament, in pursuance of the will of his great-unclo, Thomas Uurton, Esq., the last licir male. on 'lo .)b oiijuj. 55 saoj'i.nii .iM TO ■:i ^offrfeqoiiiS -^^mji ifjani acw ed ^■ ici}i m 1 ', Oilt ,-, HJ 3(KT U •J itoij Jaiil Oiij ^ /! tl!.L>J'lJJ;t/ t^'lnih /yccj' (^iiJ ni OVJ 'lu oiJiiiv *:*ii;i(rfs; oiTt 'lo y^tnuoD Biffvl li; ' '',) "MJOrSOll it,;^ .;» ,r.«T 0 406 HISTORY or SHREWSBURY LIBERTII'S. Edward III., and I take liim to be the same wlio is stated (tlioiigh without tlie addition of knight) to liold Coiienhoj^e in the 22nd llichaid 11. , and wlio, by the name of P^alph Lingen of Wigmore, married ]\Iargery, daughter of Fulke de Penbruge of Tonge Castle, in Shropshire, and liad issue by her, Isabel Lingen, suc- cessively the wife of Sir Fulke Penbruge of the same castle, Sir Thomas Peytevine, .-md Sir John Ludlow, knights, and foundress in 1411 of the College of Tonge. It is from these frequent inter-marriages with the family of Pembruge that I derive the arms of Lingen, for armorial bearings were by no means fully established in this country as late as the middle of the 15th centurv, many persons of ancient family and fortune not haviiio- then assumed them ; and Mr. Selden quotes an example under the reign of Edward III. of an esquire of Buck- inghamshire, who, being interrogated whether he were a gentleman and had arms, or no, deposes upon oath that he was a gentleman of birth and had land of 20 marks yearly by descent, "and has not used to travail in war, nor his father before him, wherefore he has never sought to learn what his arms are," (Selden Tit. Hon., pt. 2, Ch. 5, sec. 47). This was certainly the case in the 19th of Edward III. with the family now under consideration, for in a deed dated Sunday after the Feast of the Translation of St. Thomas the Martyr in that year, whereby John de Lyngeyne grants a piece of land in Homene Castel in fee to one Roger Ynggon, he seals with nothing but a sprig, a proof that he had then no hereditary coat armour. At a later ])criod, and, as I suspect after the estates of Mortimei- had passed to the house of York, and the white rose was become the badge of that family, the Lingens assumed for their arms, harry or. and az., a bend cliarged with 3 white roses surmounting 2 bars, a coat evidently derived from that of Pembrui^e, the bcuid and bars without the ohai-ge wliich I find a])]^end- aiit to a deed of lleniy de Pennebrugge, Kniglit, in 31 Edw. l.,as that in its turn was boriowed fiom the arms :o <3m"ij; hGii lu^r, n.cfn^>iyti:;/<> a i i. f(( tJBiiO Dili Y'in/;j'ioi> a/5// aiii'V uiloi Y- ■L'-.iiJ ni 'I Y ti\i.l''L -jjU ai.uni7ii[' j.su:)0 Y'i: uii Horljr i>i-a! f>jl Ija-ij 'li.o'iq it ,X>nqa ^ V; .i;:!"'! Oi!1 Diir'Oud riiv; i>;i,jT )juiw Ol{>) ,0;j / 'Ml,' i: LONd.NKK. 407 of Ilarcotift, the l)ars without tlio IxmkI, \)y a cohoiross of which lainily 'I'oiiLje ('asthi passed into that of IVmii- bruge ill tho second year of that kiiin's rcii^ni. lialph i\c Ijiii<_;'oii, KiUL;"ht, iiu'iilioiicd ahove, was father, 1 piosuine, of Ralph Ijyiini^yii, Kni^dit, who in tlie 21st of Henry VI , 1M2, occurs as a trustee with Humphrey i\)tcH (inter curtds Joh. Cotes dc Woodeot^ cir.)^ and wlio was dead in the ;{8th of the same kin<>', 1451) (Ibid). In his will, which hears (hito Decemljor I8th, 145'2, ho styles himself of Stoko, and from liiiii the pedigree descends in a certain and uninterru[)tcd succession. (Aycough's Index 112, B. 13). Indorsod: given by Mr. James Hill 30 ]\rarch, 1719. Indorsed : A Wyll of Raphe Lingcyn a" d"' m.cccc.lii. Dat p' copia' Rcgistri. Li tlie name of God . . . Ilm3'ghty Jim' . . . . . S"" Ran . . e lyngayno yn clcre and holie mynde the xviii day of Decembr' the yer of our lorde m'cccclii make my testament orde . . . nto & wyll . . o . . . co of . , y londys as of my goodys yn the forme that folwytli, that ys to wete fyrste y boqnuthe my sowle to God my body to be buryed yn sucbe place as my wyfe my sone John Hugh Schelwyke & the p'son of Seynt Nicholas Sutton whom y make myn executores lyketh be . . tc & . . weyneth for. It, y wyll that aboue my burynge dirigc ac masse bo dyspondyt mono}'- clothynge & vytayle for poure men' wyth lyglite about my sopulte' after the dysposycyon of my sayde executores to dcspose & ordeyne as them semyth best And over thys, theras John Ixarre knyght & other ben enfeff'ed yn dyu'se man'es londys & tenemo'ts as liyt ys conteyncd yn a dede thcr of made by me to them to have & holde to them and {sic) and to thcr eyres for eu', more y wylne dcsyre, and prey the sayde felloes that they make estate of th(5 iiianer of Sutton ou' court wyth the appten'nce with other londys & tenementys called Cierionyiie wyth the appten'nce yn Sutton yn the schyr of Hereford to Jane my wyfe to liavctfe to hoklo to hir for t'mc of iiir lyfo theremeyndr therof to the sayde John my soiic to have to hym. & to liys eyres for ou' inor'. Also y wylncordoyn & ])roy s(;yd(j fooffoes of all other londys & tcn"tes to iicpe them stylle in ther handes fo that my (h'ttes may be jiayiul of the furst yssucs p'ftes and thcr of c'oinyngo p'vydod alwey yt my chyldryn have ther siislyi);miu'(! llnT ol'. And afi-or that don' & pTonued y wylne ;-r f e-rr J,,, •i/:^'' 'ii.fftiOD.'.il'J 'io vjii) fiivx ■If] {"7" i!i'./i .?^'jJ rfjVD3^« •J to III , Qylr-m ■ ■■ 00. .••' 'i)o noj.ljir; jo •: jsij-ii; v ar 'ij:.-;. p'0a':ii,i>)fios ''I ;•'-' ■'{-■ ' T/ii'-'k fH\\ ;iv .aoj- %f:: . ,. , . , ,.. .. h'- Jj "lu i) :m( ^'.'^ '. -• , ill ■)■< V'' . '!| ^Pj!. ■ ''it<.ih it;.f i '! .1,- i-)i. ' 408 niSTOllY OF SITREWBBURY LIT5KRTIRS. desyrefc pray mysaide feoffees that of the sayde issuces p'fetes & revenues my doughtres be maycd bo the dyscrccyon dys- posycyon acorde & assent of my saydo executors or ij or iij of them. And yn the mene tymc y wylne & jjn^y my say'd fcoftbes tliat the sayd issues & p'fatis y may liavc pastes doyngedyuyijc s'uyce for my soolo my fach-e & my moch'e & my fadro yn hiwe Joim Russell yn suche place as my bodye lythe & yn other aftre dysposycyon of my sayde executo''s. Yn case that my goodys woll atteyn tlier to Itm y woll and ordeyn that dyu'se goodys yn plate of selu' that som t^ine were my fadre yn lawc John Russell & my modrys yn my dys))OKycyon pte'thor of dysposed yn mynystrod wher of ptc rcsteth yn my wanle wch pte so undysposody woll that hyt be p's'ued & by the ou'syth of my brother Thomas Bromwyche & of my sayde exccuto''s &; the money ther of to be dysposed by my sayde brother aboue rchcrsed p'formed y p'y my sayde fcoHocs to make estate to cn'y of my sones that ys to Avete Richard Thomas t as they were his naturall lord & lady that ho myghtc oceu))i(^ and enjoye s^icho landes as his auuccUrecs luid l)y giflo of there noblo 'ji;'r/-{)) .1!- O'iiiil nv ■»i'7j;"! 1.1 '>il7W ilj'Jia Y ■ rf eJj rrr h:,oh o Io vaoo A fyi''/' 7'>i( I <;; i.(-.o,!f r ,, u . , ■ LONGNER. 409 progenito'"s & auncetries as by thero deedc under scale of armes more plainliov dotho appere & there delyu'dc his saide lorde & lady the saide deede dcsiringe them to see that he had righte according to his saide evidence & thereupon his saide lorde & lady dymytted him to John Breynton Icrned in the law send- inge with hym the saide evidence & the said lerned man saide upon his lernynge that he ought to have & enjoye the saide landes accordinge to his saide dede. On this the said damo Elizabetli afar the decesse of her saide husbande, whose soule Jltii pdon, comaundod david younge then being her stuarde & auditor upon the accompt takynat the manor of aillmonstro at MichiUmas the vii"' yero of kinge harry the viii"' and Jeu^n lloyde tlien beinge her bailiil' that thoyshulde take a one upon the saide grounde & that they shuldesoe that her saide ten^nte shulde have all they landes specified in his saide dccde k, accordinge to her comaundement the saide stuarde &l bailif! vued tlie grounde the thridde daye of ^larche the vii"' yere of kinge harry the viii*'' liavinge the saide evidence redde at eu'y bounde k, mere of tlie saide lande ande thereupon gave licen"-' accordinge to the ladyis comaundeme^^ to close the said landes And in Wittnes whereof the saide Stuarde wrote this scdule for to romayne with saide evidence to the entent that other that horcafter shall come niaye haue p'iitte knowlage of this that hath byn don in this bcdiaUf. Written at wantenu'' tlie dayc & yere above saide per me dauid younge, (Tlollins, Speed, Lcland, Hereford Church, Brit. Bibl. Harl. G726). P. 2 of Wigmire hundred. Aylmestre, Qu y'^ church viewed June 24, 105(3. On y"" south side of the chancell is a faire tombe of alabaster ^yth yc flgLires of a man and a woman cutt in, about the verge of y'^ stone are these wordes somewhat imperfect in their first order. mC JACIT DN's TOU'kS LINOIIKN KT DN'a ELIZABETH VXOIl EIVS QVI QVIDEM IOH'kS OIUIT DIE MKNSIS ET ELTCARETFI OBIIT I. DIE I'VIIIFIGATJONIS S(.;'tE IMAUIE ANNO DNI M CCCCC XXII quorum animab' propitictur ])cus. Amen. On y'' tombe is carved this ote (tricked in ]\[S.). (Index of ancient Charters xxvii., 15S). \Viginon\ [ndorsod, Bogi^r Morlymcr's |)c(>d(' of xi. acres of land in Sce[)h(!y antl otiier land \<'. " lioger Mortimer: Supposed tf) be given hy Mr. -lames Hill." ,.;.;:.--' J/i..i):'<;:^H .hnnrjiJ jhoocj^ ,h f.'/i: 410 HISTORY OF SUREWSBURY LIBERTIKd. Sciant p'sentes & futuri Quod Ei^o Rog's de mortuo mari Dedi & coiicessi & hac p'senti carta mea confirinavi Domino Joli'i de lingoyno pro homagio & s'uico suo undGcim acras prati de pastura mea in Secphey intcgro et incluse sunt p' illud fossatuui quod eas undiq' circuit. Jangentos se in p'to Australi ad prata liominum meoru' de burtton. J)edi eciam & concessi eidem Joh'i tutam illam terram q'm Willelmus Ven- trarius Aliquo tu'pore subtus castrum mcum de Wiggemor' tonuit \)V0 quodam cursu Aquo h'ndo in escambio' resq' ad Vinarium meum p' njediam illam terram & terram quam Henricus culpus & petronillauxor eius de prcdic'o Joh'e tenent pro ut rivulus Aquam ducit ad pred'c'm Vinarium meum. Tenend' & h'nd' de me & do horedib' rneis sibi & hercdibus suis u'l suis assignatis, libore quiete bene & inpace, integre &L honoritice exce[jti.s domib' religiosis & hideis Reddendo inde Annuatim miclii & heredib' mcis ipse & Leredes sui u'l sui Assignati unum denariu' ad festum s'ci michaclis pro om'i seruico secular! exaetione & demanda que de d'c'a terra exeunt u'l exire poterunt. Ego vero Rog's de Mortuo mar' & heredes mei p'd'cas undecim acra' una cum t'ra p'scipta p'dc'o Joh'i lK: lieredibus suis u'l suis Assigniatis contra om'es homines & feminas inp'[)etuum Warentizabimus. Et quia volo q^ hec mea donac'o & concessio tirma sit & stabilis & inp'[)etuum p'- maneat huic p'senti scri[)to sigillum meum apposui. Hiis testib': D'no Rriano de Brompton. D'no Henrico de mortuo mar'. D'no Symon de burlehe. D'no Joh'e do dunton. Henrico do Wlardeston. Rob'to Corbet. Willo le sterk' tunc constabeir de Wygimor, & multis aliis. Ralph de Penebiugg B.M. ^p Elizabeth de Penebrugfj, 35 Ed. 1.=^ Henry de Peuebrugg B.M., senior, 52 H. 111.^= John, 35 Ed. I. I Henry WYTJIYNOTON. Pedes finiib Com Salop tempore R' Edwardi Tertii abbreviat'. 41 E(hv. Ill, Will'us de Ilaulghton de mod' man' de Wyth- ynton & Longenore in tallio. n. 9. IS Ric. TV. Joh'es nf)lgot & Beatrice ux' de mcdietat' man' de Wythyngton & Longcnoro u[) y" wero, ex Walt' Clroy & Marg. n. .5!)! 22 Ivic. II. Walt' (In^y .*t. Margaret' de mcdiet' man' de Wythyngton &:■ Lougelnoie u[) y were hered' Wallcii. n. 71. Bill I .((jy _„ ; . !..„ _„' i a U'Stif!ti!*>.; (.IjllVoii ',C,Vi.v) '. Ui> iffi" J '. .1* V7/ :.T* LONONEU. 411 Ffodarhiin llundredi de Bradford. A° 24 E. I. penes Fr. Ch de E. Rob'tns (le Hani^hton tenet vill' (de Wytliinton) de llic'o filio Alani per medietat' 1 feodi militis GildabiT. Be Libertatibus. idem, p. 25^ Gad'c de Berwick 1 feod. in Rodington et Siiges- iip'ton ad don dimid' fcodi. nicmbris Eton Constantino 1 feod', i\larchaniley 4!''"" p'tem 1 feo. milit'. WithinL,ftou dim' leodi. Chetwindo duo feodu. Claus. 41 Edw. III., m. 10, f. 189. Jo'n Hert ercheprest de Welcombe et Jo' de Eccieshale. clcriens concedunt Wili'mo de Ilaulgliton unum annualem redd' vigint' librar' exeunt' de manor' de Claldewell sibi et hercd' suis ea eonditi(Uie quod pro tempore quod dom' Will'us ct heredcs sui tenent bene ct in pace medietatcm maneriorum de Jjongenore et Wythynton in Com' Salop' sans estre em]jledez ])cr Murgarete file et un des heires Nichole de Haulgliton Chival' ou per les lieires le dit Margaret per Lriefe en la Court nostre Seig'' le Hoy j)er quel le dit William ou les lieires do son corps cngendrer ))erdount les ditcs moieties des dites maunours. IiJsch. 11 Edw. I. 'I'lio. de Halton, 30. Withington villa. Esch. o2 Edw. I. llob'rt llalgliton 19. Withmton villa 1 Mess' 4 Caruc' dim' ter' et Upton secta curiae. Salop' Com' sect'. JJradford Hund' cu' redd' et car' ter' &c. Escheat: 48 Ed. III. Joh'es Cliarleton d'us Powis m' Wytli- inton &c. 50 Edw. III. Joh'es Charleton de Powis chiv'. 43. Wythin- ton &c. 21 liicli. II. Joliannaux' Jo. de Charleton CliivMS. Withinton. 8 J len. IV. Joh'es Charleton de Powis. 40. Upton Withington. 9 Hen. V. Edw^ Charleton de Powis Ch''. 53. Wythingtun. Quat. Esch. 83 E. I. Hugo Prior de Magna Malverne. 112, Quatte 1 mess 1 molend' et 1 acr' ter' ib'dem 35 Edw. I. Joh'es fil' Joh'is lil' Phylip'. LicenV Alienand'. 18G. l>>aatto in dim'. E^r/i 8 Edw. 111. Petr'us de Welles. 40. Quatt m'. /'Jsfli. IC) ICdw. 111. Pie'us de Welles. Ill Ktlw. HI. <,)ii;at (vid. [tago GG). A Alii.., xiu.:..,.., .oii ''is.J ''I'SD ^3 'iiibo't 'ijo "i . ■•r:iv7,'' 'id mwo*! fcii'l) fjoloIi/iiiO Ra'doT, .ill J;ll i^i* :V 4 V 412 HISTORY OF SHREWSBURY LIRERTIES. 4 Hen. IV. Hugo Alortimer 28. Quatt m' chilesm'sche ^ m' Sic. I 9 Hen. IV. Joh'es Crcssy seu^ !'>. Quatt m' I ])t. \ G Hen. VI. Petronilla ux' Hugonis mortymer. 5. Quatt m' 3 p* 15 Kie. li Will'as filius lleniici Mortym^ 4G. Qu. Quatte m' Ext'. 8 Hen. V. Egidius Fililode. 74. Quatt. 4 Hon. VI. Petronilla ux' Hugonis MoI■tynl^ 5. Quatt m' 3 );' 13 Edw. IV. Joh'es Bruyn Ar'. 55. Quattord. [The descent of the Longner e.stiite in I lie Tainily of l.iugen, now Burton, may be thus traced. Itobcrt Lingen, who succeeded his uncle, Thomas Burton of Longner, in 1730, assumed the sm*namc of Burton by Act of Parliament in 1748. lie was Ijorn in I7-!5, was High Slierirt'of Salop 17G3, married 1748 Anne, duiighter of Tiiom;is Hill of Tern Ibdl, und died in 1803. His eldest son, — Itobert Burton, of Longner, High Sheritl' ISOl, died without issue in \t<\l, and was succeeded by his neijhew, — Kobert Burton (son of tlic llev. Henry Burton, Vicar of Atcham), of Longnei". He num-ied tir.st, Catherine, daughter of WilHam A\'aIeot of the Moor Hall ; and secondly, Catlierine, daughter of the llev. Herbert Oakeley, D.D., of Oakeley, by whom he left at his death 14 Sept., 1860, a .son, — llobcrt Lingen Burton, .LP. and D.L., of Longner. He married in 18G1, Catherine Sojihia, daughter of Kicliard I'Vancis Cleaveland, Commander U.N., and died 17 November, 1880, leaving (with otlicr issue) a son, — John Lingen Burton, now of Longner Hall. The Arms of Burton are : Per pale azure and purpure a cross engrailed or between foiu- roses argent. Longner is an insidated part of St. Chad's parisli. The present house was rebuilt in 180G, and stands on an acclivity above tl)e Severn, in an extensive and well-wooded park. — Ed.] EXTRACTS FROM THE REGISTERS OF ATCHAM. (From Ceo. ^Morris's MS. Shropshire Registers). 1G19, March 4. Mr. Thomas Burton bur. 1G22, May 5. Mr. Francis iJurtoii and Katherine Walton mar. 1G22, June 4. Tiiomas, son of John Burton and Margaret, bapt. 1G22, Oct. 4. Elizabeth, wife of Edward Burton, bur. lG2t), June 16. John lUu'ton bur. 1071, Nov. 11. Katherine, wile of Francis Burton, Esq., bur.; died 8th. lG7o, July 81. Anne, dau. of Thomas Burton, Esq., and Eliza- beth, baj^t. J(i75, July 13. Klizabetli, dau. of 'I'liomas Burton, Ksq., and Elizabeth, bapt. 8f "oa. .TSH \l%'m^$^ifi .i)-f' ;,.!tl) .'u .-Jifd «(vl7i:ii rtiUti :.;i'T ;';M .* ; .i/vra ni,''.,'/' :■■,:' ■•:')^.\.'^- ',,-iij {K-.)'^n;'i Jii'jn (.•/*! ,-:fi4 ,.", Ylfil : I- ,')} vr I.ONCXMU. 413 1(J7G, Marcli 2!). C'liLlurinu, daii. of TliDinas i'luloii luul Kli/.;iln'tli, iKipt. 1677, April 2l{. Kobcrt.son of 'J'hoiiias llurLon uiul J'^lizabctli, ba})t. ^ 1G79, Doc. 1(J. Kuthcrine, tlau. of Thomas llurton, J'>s(|., of Longncr, ami liili/al)ctii, bapt. 1680, Jan. 13. Mary.ilau. of 'J'homas JJurton, Ksq.,of Longner, aiiJ Elizabeth, bapt. IGSO, May 7. Frauci-s Uurton of Lonrmer, Esq., buried. 1683, May 10. Tliomas, son of Tiiomas l!urlon, Esq., of Longner, ami Elizabeth, ba[)t. 1686, June 25, Eilward, son of Thomas Burton, Esq., of Long- ner, and Elizabeth, ba[)t. 1691, June 1). Pcnolo))e, dau. of Thomas Burton, Esq., of Longner, and. Elizabeth, bapt. 1691, July 13, Penelope, dau. of Thomas and Elizabeth l>urton, bur. 1692, Feb. 14. Edward, son of Thomas Burton, Esq., of Long- ner, and Elizabeth, bur. 1693, Dec. 8, Uvs. Elizabeth Burton bur, 1695, Ap. 27. Thomas Burton, of Longner, Esq., buried. 1725, Feb. 21. Robert Burton of Longner, Esq.. buried. 1753, Mar, 12, Thomas, son of Bobert Burton of Longner and Ann, bapt. 1758, Juno 25. Ann, dau. of Robert Burton of Longner and Ann, bur. 1761, Oct. 16. "Elizabeth, dau. of Robert ]]urton of Longner and Ann, bur. 1771, May 6. Anne, wife of Robert Burton, Esq., bur. 1775, Aug. 1. Mary, dau. of Robert Burton and Ann, his late wife, bur. EXTRACTS FROM THE REGISTERS OF ST. CHAD, SHREWSBURY. 1637, Nov. 21, Thomas, son of Mr, Francis Burton and CJatherino, bapt. 1682, Dec. 23. J\lr. John Burton of Ellesmere parish, and Mrs. Ann Gittins of Baseluirch, mar. 1730, Aug. 15. Thomas Jiurton, Esq., buried. 1735, I'Y'b. I:; 'I'homas Burton of Longner, ]Os(j,, bur. 1755, Srpl. 27. Henry, son of Itobert Ihirton, Escp^and Anne, ba[)t, ; burn 21.l1i. 1757, tlaii, I. I'^dward, .son of lu>bert liurton, i'^sq., and Ani»e, bapt. u -michi to , .mu tu Mo. . 'to jmli 4iiiA , .,; -jjjd-v.j**!- .fro^ir^H vtsiIoU 'iot-li- ;. ,iIAfiO Ma 'ilu &■' u'i Uimi hTOLSirxs 414 HISTORY OF SHREWSBURY LIBERTIES. < i 1758, June 12. Anne, dau. of Robert Burton, lisq., and Anne, bapt. ; born May 30. 1759, Au^^^ 22. Elizabeth, dau. of llobert Burton, Esq., and Anne, bapt. ; born 20th. 1760, Nov. 8. Anne, dau. of Robert Burton, Esq., and Anne, • bapt. ; born Gth. 17C7, May 23. Anna Maria, dau. of Robert Burton, Esq., bapt. 1771, Ap. 24. John, son of Robert Burton, Esq., bapt. 1789, Dec. 17, EHzabeth, dau. of Edward Burton, Esq., and Dorothy, bapt.; born 15th. ^-■■'CJJ^C ^ ^ g 3; 1^