Historical antiquities, in two books the first treating in general of Great-Brettain and Ireland : the second containing particular remarks concerning Cheshire / faithfully collected out of authentick histories, old deeds, records, and evidences, by Sir Peter Leycester, Baronet ; whereunto is annexed a transcript of Doomsday-book, so far as it concerneth Cheshire, taken out of the original record.

Nether-Knotsford.

WIlliam Fitz-Nigell Baron of Halton held Cunetesford under Hugh Lupus Earl of Chester, as we read in Doomsday-Book; and one Erchbrand then held it of William.

But whether that Knotsford, so held by this William, comprehended any more than that which is now a distinct Township of it self, called* 1.1 Knotsford-Booths, and is at this day in Halton-Fee, is some Quaere.

Certain it is, William de Tabley, Lord of Over-Tabley, was also Lord of both Knots∣fords, Nether-Knotsford and Over-Knotsford, in the Reign of King Edward the First; as may appear by this following Charter, wherein he Institutes Burgesses in both Knotsfords; the Original whereof is in my Possession. Q. num. 11.

SCiant praesentes & futuri, Quòd ego Willielmus Dominus de Tabley (that is, Over-Tabley) dedi, concessi, & hâc praesenti Chartâ meâ confirmavi omnibus & singulis Burgensibus meis de Knotsford Burgagia libera, unumquodquè infrà se continens duas Selio∣nes & dimidium Terrae: Habendum & Tenendum de me & Haeredibus meis vel Assignatis, sibi & Haeredibus suis, vel Assignatis eorum, liberè, quietè, benè, & in pace, & jure Haere∣ditario in perpetuùm; cùm Housbold & Haybold Burgensibus de Knotsford in nemore de Knotsford, & in Turbarià; Et cùm Housbold & Haybold Burgensibus de Boys [id est, Knots∣ford-Booths, sive Over-Knotsford] in nemore de Boys, & Turbariam & Communem Pastu∣ram utrique eorum de Boys & Knotsford omnibus animalibus suis, infrà metas de Knotsford & metas de Boys, quantum praefata Terra poterit sustinere in Hyeme, & liberam Communam in Morâ de Cressewalleclef (sicut medietas aquae praecucurrit) ad metendum & ad falcandum, salvâ venditione ejusdem Herbagii: Reddendo indè annuatìm mihi & Haeredibus meis vel Assignatis, de quolibet Burgagio XII Denarios, ad duos Anni terminos, videlicèt, sex De∣narios ad Festum Sancti Johannis Baptistae, & sex Denarios ad Festum Sancti Martini in Hyeme: Et unusquisque eorum tertium meliorem Porcum nomine Pannagii pro Porcis suis nutritis infrà metas Willielmi, qui pingues sunt de Pesonâ ejusdem Willielmi: Et quòd dicti Burgenses molant blada sua ad molendinum meum de Knotsford pro XX grano: Et si con∣tigerit, quòd molendinarius aliquod damnum Sutoribus ad molendinum fecerit, per Vicinos suos secundùm quantitatem delicti in Curiâ emendabit: Et quicunque dictorum Burgensium panem desiderat obtinere in Furno pistum infrà quatuor portas Villae, pro quoquo Bushell unum Obolum Furnario meo praestabit; & quòd nullus eorum infrà quatuor portas Villae nullum Furnum elevabit: Et quòd dicti Burgenses mei faciant Sectam ad Curiam meam magnam bis in Anno, videlicèt, ad proximam Curiam pòst Pascha, & ad proximam Curiam post Fe∣stum Michaelis: Et quòd Portimotus teneatur in eodem Burgo de tribus Septimanis in tres Septimanas: Et quòd omnia Placita de Transgressionibus, Attachiamentis, Conventionibus fractis placitantur in eâdem Curiâ: Et quicunque dictorum Burgensium pro aliquo forisfacto in misericordia ceciderit, non det nisi XII Denarios antè Judicium; & post Judicium, rationabilem misericordiam secundùm quantitatem delicti, nisì id forisfactum ad Gladium pertineat: Et quòd dicti Burgenses mei intèr se idoneum Ballivum eligant & habeant, qui in Officio suo mihi & Burgensibus meis Sacramenta observanda fidelitèr praestabit: Et quòd dicti Burgenses de Knotsford & de Boys illam Terram vendere, quandocunquà & cuicunquè, seù invadiare possint, salvo viro Religioso & Domino Capitali ejusdem Feodi. Et ego verò praefatus Willielmus, & Haeredes mei vel Assignati, praedictis Burgensibus meis de Knotsford omnia Burgagia sua, & Assignatis eorum, pro omnibus Servitiis Secularibus, Exactionibus, Consuetudinibus, & Demandis, Salvâ Summonitione de Culward, contrà omnes homines & foeminas Warrantizabimus. In hujus rei Testimonium praesentem Chartam Sigilli mei muni∣mine roboravi. Hiis Testibus, Domino Ricardo de Massy, Willielmo de Modburlegh, Willi∣elmo de Manwaring, Rogero de Toft, Adâ de Tabley, at multis aliis.

This Deed aforesaid was made about the Year 1292. For this William de Tabley

obtained the King's Charter for a Saturday-Market Weekly here at Nether-Knotsford, which yet continueth; and also for a Fair to be kept here Yearly in Vigiliâ, & in Die, & in Crastino Apostolorum Petri & Pauli, id est, June 28, 29, & 30. Dated at Walsing∣ham, 3 die Augusti, 20 Edw. 1. Which Charter was also Confirmed to William his Son and Heir, and another Fair Granted to be kept here Yearly in Vigiliá, & in Die, & in Crastino Apostolorum Simonis & Judae, id est, October 27, 28, & 29. Dated at Hartford, 14 die Februarii, 6 Edw. 3. 1332. Lib. C. fol. 223. a. Ex Rotulo Chartarum de Anno 6 Edw. 3. in Turre Londinensi.

How the Royalty of Nether-Knotsford was shared between Sir Richard Massy of Tatton, and the aforesaid William de Tabley, in the Reign of Edward the First, will more fully appear by these following Deeds, made about 22 Edw. 1. 1294. the Ori∣ginals whereof now remain in possession of the Earl of Bridgewater, 1667.

CUM Willielmus de Tabley tenuit totam Villam de Knotsford [He meaneth Nether-Knotsford] de Ricardo de Massy per Servitium* 3.1 Militare, ac Dominus noster Ed∣wardus Rex Angliae concesserat per Chartam suam eidem Willielmo Mercatum & Feriam certis diebus in eâdem Villâ habenda; Idem Willielmus postmodo Feoffavit plures Burgenses in eâdem Villâ de Burgagiis & certis Terris eisdem annexis; Tenendum de eodem & Haeredi∣bus suis immediatè: Ricardus de Massy Dominus Capitalis, clamans & Asserens hoc Feoffa∣mentum fore ad damnum & exhaeredationem sui & suorum manifestam, secundùm virtutem Statuti Domini nostri Edwardi de Terris & Tenementis alienatis, Tenendis de Capitalibus Dominis Feodi immediatè: Ità convenit amicabilitèr intèr eosdem, videlicèt, quòd praedictus Willielmus dedit & concessit dicto Ricardo & Haeredibus suis vel assignatis, salvis Capitali∣bus Dominis suis, medietatem omnium exituum & cujuslibet Commodi de praedicto Mercato, Curiâ, & Feriâ ejusdem Villae provenientium: Concessit etiàm, quod medietas Terrarum & Tenementorum ejusdem Villae, quae tenentur, & in futuro debeant teneri, in Burgagiis cùm Terris eisdem annexis, Teneantur de praedicto Ricardo immediatè per Servitia & Con∣suetudines indè ab antiquo Debita & Consueta; Salvo tamèn eidem Willielmo, & Haeredibus suis vel Assignatis, redditu pro eisdem Terris & Tenementis; videlicèt, pro quolibet Burga∣gio & Terrâ eidem annexâ, duodecem Denariis per Annum, & Pannagio, cùm Sectá ad molendinum suum secundùm quod vicini ejusdem Villae faciunt: PRO quâ quidèm Concessi∣one & Donatione praedictus Ricardus de Massy concessit dicto Willielmo de Tabley, & Haeredi∣bus suis vel Assignatis, quòd licitè possent dare & vendere aliam medietatem Terrarum & Tenementorum quae tenentur, vel quae in futuro debeant teneri, in Burgagiis & Terris eis∣dem annexis in praedictâ Villâ, & tenendum de eodem Willielmo & Haeredibus suis immedi∣atè; Salvis tamèn eidem Ricardo, & Haeredibus suis vel Assignatis, Servitiis & Consuetu∣dinibus indè ab antiquo Debitis & Consuetis: Concessit etiàm praedictus Ricardus, quòd prae∣dictus Willielmus & Haeredes sui vel Assignati, quieti sint in perpetuum de Servitiis & Con∣suetudinibus, quae ab antiquo debentur de Terris & Tenementis, quae tenentur, vel in futuro debeant teneri, in eâdem Villâ de praedicto Ricardo in Burgagiis & Terris eisdem annexis secun∣dùm Concessionem dicti Willielmi. In cujus rei Testimonium alter alterius scripto in medio inciso Sigillum suum apposuit. Hiis Testibus, Willielmo de Modburleg, Adâ de Tabley, Thoma de Legh, Rogero de Toft, Willielmo del Mere, Johanne de Legh, Willielmo de Meyn∣waring, Thoma Clerico, & aliis.

SCiant praesentes & futuri, Quòd ego Willielmus de Tabley, Dominus de Knotsford, dedi, concessi, & hac praesenti Charta mea confirmavi Ricardo de Massy Militi Domino meo, & Isabellae Uxori ejus, omnes Terras, Redditus, Homagia, Consuetudines, & Servitia sub∣scripta in Villa de Knotsford; videlicèt, de Burgagio quod Thomas Pratin tenet; & Burga∣gio quod Willielmus Filius Amelie tenet; & Burgagio quod Alexander Mucheman tenet; & Burgagio quod Elias Rotarius tenet; & Burgagio quod Radulfus Molendinarius tenet; & Burgagio quod Thomas Filius Jordani tenet; & illis duobus Burgagiis quae Ricardus Filius Adae Brodfot tenet; & de duobus Burgagiis quae Robertus Pistor tenet; & de Burgagio quod Hugo le Harper tenet; & de uno Crofto quod Alexander Mucheman tenet; & de duobus Bur∣gagiis quae Magister Rogerus de Tablegh tenet; & de duobus Burgagiis quae Nicolaa Filia

Adami de Toft tenet; & duobus Burgagiis quae Rogerus Mekehove tenet; & de unâ Domo cùm Curtilagio, quam Margeria del Broke tenet ad terminum; & de uno Burgagio quod Ri∣cardus le Harper quondàm tenuit; & de Burgagio quod Robertus Pese tenuit ad terminum de Adamo Hurne. Habendum & tenendum praedictis Ricardo & Isabellae, & Haeredibus vel Assignatis ipsius Ricardi, liberè, quietè, benè, & pacificè, cùm omnibus Libertatibus, Commo∣ditatibus, Eysiamentis, Eschaetis, praedictis Terris, Redditibus, Homagiis, Consuetudinibus, Servitiis quoquo modo spectantibus. Faciendo indè ipse Ricardus & Isabella, & Haeredes vel Assignati ipsius Ricardi, pro me & Haeredibus vel Assignatis meis, unam Sectam per afforci∣amentum* 4.1 ad Curiam Domini Hamonis de Massy de Dunham per rationabilem Summonitio∣nem, & per facturam Hayae & Hiri† 4.2 Communis, quae ego & Antecessores mei facere Consuevimus cùm Feodo de Tatton Domino de Dunham pro Villâ de Knotsford, pro omni Servitio, Consuetudine, exactione quâcunque, & demandâ: Et ego praedictus Willielmus & Haeredes mei omnes Terras, Redditus, Homagia, Consuetudines, & Servitia cùm suis perti∣nentiis, sicùt praedictum est, praedictis Ricardo & Isabellae, & Haeredibus vel Assignatis ipsius Ricardi, contrà omnes Homines & Faeminas Warrantizabimus, Acquietabimus, & in omni∣bus defendemus per praedictum Servitium in perpetuùm. In cujus rei Testimonium huic prae∣senti Scripto Sigillum meum apposui. Hiis Testibus, Hugone de Venables, Radulfo de Vernon Militibus, Willielmo de Modburlegh, Willielmo de Meynwaring, Thomâ de Legh, Johanne de Legh, Willielmo de Marâ, Adamo de Tabley, Eytropo de Mulinton, Roberto Parsonâ medi∣etatis Ecclesiae de Limme, & aliis.

So that by these Deeds it should seem that William de Tabley held Nether-Knotsford of Massy of Tatton immediately, but mediately from the Ancient Barons of Dunham-Massy: And upon the Agreement before at large set down, Sir Richard Massy of Tatton was to have one Moiety of the Mannor of Nether-Knotsford, and half of the Profits of the Market, Fair, and Court; and William of Tabley the other half.

This William de Tabley writ himself Dominus de Knotsford, and sometimes Dominus de Tabley, which is to be understood of Over-Tabley. He married Alice Daughter of William de Mobburley the Elder: She was Widow 27 Edw. 1. 1299. and then lived at her Principal Mansion-house at Nether-Knotsford, F. num. 1, 2. For William her late Husband had not long before granted away the third Part of Over-Tabley (which was all the Lands in Over-Tabley wherewith he stood then possessed) unto Sir John Grey, Son of Sir Reginald Grey, 22 Edw. 1. And Sir John Grey granted all his Lands in Over-Tabley, which he had of the Grant of William de Tabley, unto Roger de Leycester Lord of Nether-Tabley, together with all the Lands, Rents, and Services which Alice the Widow of William de Tabley then held in Dower, de praedictis Tenementis in praedictâ Villâ de Over-Tabley, to revert to the said Roger Leycester after her death. This was about Anno Domini 1298. F. num. 1.

This William de Tabley, who died about 1297. 26 Edw. 1. had Issue William de Tab∣ley, eldest Son; and John de Tabley, another Son: Lib. C. fol. 222. m. And also two Daughters; Agnes married William de Torperley, by whom she had Issue Margaret; and Alice, another Daughter of William de Tabley.

{fleur-de-lys} These Notes following are the Notes of John Halsey of Lincolns-Inn, Esquire, extracted out of the Evidences of the Earl of Bridgewater, 1667.

William de Tabley, Lord of Nether-Knotsford, Son and Heir of the aforesaid William, had a Charter from Edward the Black Prince, dated 4 die Aprilis, 11 Edw. 3. 1337. to excuse him all his Life from being put on any Jury, and from being Mayor, Sheriff, Coroner, or other Officer, against his will. The Original now remains among the Evidences of the Earl of Bridgewater, 1667. His Wife was named Aunora: She was Widow 14 Edw. 3. and had Issue William de Tabley, under Age, and Ward to Hugh Massy of Tatton, 16 Edw. 3. and died 26 Edw. 3. at the Age of 16 Years, leaving his four Sisters to be his Heirs, Maud, Emme, Marion, and Agnes.

1. Maud married Richard de Cotton. She and her Children were all dead 45 Edw. 3. and her Part fell to the other Sisters.

2. Emme, the second Sister, married Walter Spicer of Chester. She was dead before 26 Edw. 3. and Richard Spicer their Son was found Heir.

3. Marion, or Mary, (for some Deeds call her by the one Name, and some by the other) married Roger Son of William de Minshull; who, with her Husband, Leased a fourth Part of the Mannor of Knotsford to Thomas Stathum for forty Years, 38 Edw. 3. Afterwards she married Thomas Hyde of Warford, who, with the said Thomas her second Husband, Demised to David Pinke her sixth Part of the Mannor of Nether-Knotsford, which came to her by the death of Agnes her Sister; Rent per Annum 3 l. 6 s. 8 d. 46 Edw. 3.

4. Agnes, the fourth Sister and Co-heir, married Robert Son of William de Downes, living 27 Edw. 3. After she married Warin de Croxton, but left no Issue.

So that all William of Tabley's Moyety of Nether-Knotsford was now in Spicer and Marion, who scattered the same into certain Parcels: For Richard Son of Walter Spi∣cer Granted to Sir John Massy of Tatton, 45 Edw. 3. all his sixth Part of Nether-Knots∣ford, which descended to him by the Decease of Agnes Wife of Warin de Croxton; which Sir John sold to one John Shard, and others, 50 Edw. 3. and had it Re-granted back to him the said Sir John, 3 Rich. 2. So that Sir John Massy had now the sixth Part of William de Tabley's Moyety, the other Moyety being his own by Descent.

Sir Hugh Hulse had two fourth Parts Granted to him by John Stathum Nephew to Thomas Stathum his Uncle, 1 Hen. 4. and which the said Thomas Stathum bought from Marion de Tabley and Richard Spicer. And Hugh de Knotsford also Releaseth to Sir Hugh Hulse, 1 Hen. 4. his Right in a third Part of a fourth Part, which the said Hugh had from David Pinke, who had it from Spicer.

Marion, or Mary de Tabley, the Widow of Thomas Hyde, 19 Rich. 2. grants to Hugh de Toft Chaplain, Dominium de Knotsford; who re-grants the same to Mary for Life, the Remainder to Thomas Haselford and Joan his Wife, Daughter of the said Mary, and to the Heirs of their Bodies.

And in Anno 21 Rich. 2. this Mary Covenants with Cicely Daughter of the last Wil∣liam de Mobberley, to settle all she had in possession in Nether-Knotsford by Fine, first to her self, and the Heirs of her Body; The Remainder to Sir Hugh Hulse and Mar∣gery his Wife, in Tail;—The Remainder to Thomas Hulse, their Son, in Tail;—And so to Edmund, and so to Andrew, Brothers of the said Thomas;—And so to Elinour, and so to Elizabeth, Sisters of the said Thomas, in Tail;—The Remainder to the said Cicely and her Heirs: And to cause Thomas Haselford to grant the Marriage of Eliza∣beth his Daughter and Heir to the said Cicely. And after, on Tuesday post Clausum Pa∣schae, 21 Rich. 2. the said Mary Levied a Fine of eight Marks Rent in Knotsford, of the fourth Part of the Mannor of Knotsford, of the fourth Part of the Market, Fair, Toll, and Stallage of Nether-Knotsford, to John Brunstath Parson of Mobberley, and to Thomas Swetenham of Mobberley; who re-grant the same to Mary, as before,—&c. and to Sir Hugh Hulse,—&c. as in the former Covenant: And afterward Mary died in the same Year, 21 Rich. 2. her Daughter Joan, the Wife of Thomas Haselford, being dead before her.

The said Cicely, one of the Daughters of the last William de Mobberley, and Sister and Co-heir of Sir Raufe Mobberley of Mobberley, and Widow to John Dumbill of Mob∣berley, makes Sir John Massy of Tatton her Attorney to receive all Toll, and other Profits in Knotsford, belonging to her jure Haereditatis post decessum Mariae de Tabley tùnc nupèr defunctae: Which Cicely died 5 Hen. 4. and whose Daughter Margery married Sir Hugh Hulse. She had also a Daughter called Ellen, who (as I conceive) died with∣out Issue.

This Sir Hugh Hulse having now got in all Titles to the five Parts in six to be divi∣ded of William de Tabley's Moyety, and having the Marriage and Custody of Elizabeth Daughter and Heir of Thomas Hasselford granted unto him, he married the said Eliza∣beth to David Hulse, Son of John Hulse of Norbury in Cheshire: To which David, Sir Hugh Hulse gave all his Lands in Knotsford, 3 Hen. 5. This Right continued in the Heirs of the said David Hulse, until Hugh de Hulse sold the same unto Richard Brereton of Tatton Esquire, 32 Elizabethae, 1590. And so the whole Royalty of Nether-Knots∣ford was invested in the Lords of Tatton. Which Richard setled all his Estate, having no Issue, on Sir Thomas Egerton Lord Chancellor of England, from whom the Earls of Bridgewater.

Su far out of the Notes sent me by John Halsey Esquire.

{fleur-de-lys} The Earl of Bridgewater then is now Lord of Nether-Knotsford, 1667. wherein are above forty Charterers at this day.

I have seen the Copy of a Deed in a Book of Collections by John Booth of Twam∣low in Cheshire, noted Lib. H. pag. 137. f. taken out of an ancient Parchment Roll penès Davenport of Henbury; wherein John Hall Mayor of Knotsford is Subscribed as Witness, about the later end of Edward the First, in these Words:—

SCiant—Quòd ego Robertus Filius Johannis Hurne dedi—Yockin* 4.3 de Duiton duo Burgagia, quae habui ex dono Patris mei, in Villâ de Knotsford.—Reddendo indè an∣nuatìm Domino Capitali Villae de Knotsford, qui pro tempore fuerit, octodecem Denarios. —Testibus Domino Rogero de Venables Rectore Ecclesiae de Rosthorne, Rogero de Toft, Jo∣hanne de Bexton, Johanne de Aulâ tùnc Majore Villae de Knotsford, Thomâ Snowball, Eliâ Rotario, Johanne Coco,—&c.

I have also seen an Original Deed, noted D. num. 9. then in the possession of George Wilson of Nether-Knotsford, June 2. 1650. wherein Adam Putill grants unto John Cooke, totam illam medietatem illius Burgagii quòd habui juxtà Burgagium Johannis Gleyve, de quo quidèm Burgagio ego dictus Adam feoffavi Reginaldum Pistorem in aliâ medietate illius Burgagii, in Villâ de Knotsford—Reddendo Aliciae Generosae Dominae annuatìm duodecem Denarios,—&c. Et post obitum ejusdem Aliciae, duodecem Denarios Domino Villae de Knots∣ford,—&c. Hiis Testibus, Johanne de Legh, Rogero de Toft, Johanne de Aulâ tùnc Majore de Knotsford, Elyâ Rotario, Thomâ Lilicock, Thomâ Snowball, Ricardo Kylting, Rogero Filio Jordani, & aliis. Lib. C. fol. 221. b.

{fleur-de-lys} Nether-Knotsford comprehendeth the

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

Cross-Town, and hath in it an ancient Paro∣chial Chappel, a Daughter of the Mother-Church of Rosthorne, situated in the very Con∣fines of Nether-Knotsford, towards the Demain of Booths; and hath these subjacent Villages belonging thereunto.—

	The Mize.
	l.	s.	d.
Nether-Knotsford.	00	13	04
Over-Knotsford cùm Norbury-Booths	00	06	08
Bexton	00	02	09
Toft	00	08	00
Owlarton	00	08	00
	01	18	09

On the West side of the Steeple is Legh of Booths Coat Quartered with another, as is ex∣pressed in the Margin; and a little above that,

under the Window where the Bells hang, is written on the Stone, ROBERT WEB∣STER AND MAUD HIS WIFE: WILLIAM HEFELD AND MARGERY HIS WIFE. These probably were Benefactors to the Building of that Steeple with Stone, which was in the Reign of Henry the Eighth.

There is also a Chappel of Ease situated within the Lower Town of Knotsford, with a School-house adjoyning. Sir John Legh of Booths purchased from the King certain Lands in Nether-Knotsford, Sudlow, and Over-Knotsford, 3 Edw. 6. which in old time were given for the finding of a sufficient School-master at Nether-Knotsford, and also for finding of a Priest to say Service in the said Chappel; which Lands came to the King by the Statute of Dissolution of Chantries and Abbies.

Now the said Sir John Legh was bound in a Recognisance of 200 Marks to the King, to pay out of those Lands 5 l. 6 s. 8 d. yearly, to the Maintenance of a School-master, and to suffer the said Chappel to stand for Administration of the Communion: Dated 3 Edw. 6. And which Moneys are yearly paid by his Heirs at this day.

An ancient Copy of which Recognizance remains with me, 1667.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Or, Over-Knotsford.
• * 3.1

  Per tertiam partem Feodi Militis, held of the Baron of Dunham-Massy; ut in Rentali de Dunham-Massy, de 3 Hen. 4 Lib. B. pag. 209.
• * 4.1

  Efforcement Gallice, Ut∣most endea∣vor, with all force and power.
• † 4.2

  By making of the Hedge and Common ••ence.
• * 4.3

  Hukin.