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.

Over-Knotsford, alias Knotsford-Booths.

OVer-Knotsford is belonging to the ancient Fee of the Barons of Halton.

In the Feodary of Halton under Edward the Second, it is said—Johannes de Legh tenet Knotsford-Booths pro sextâ parte unius Feodi Militis.

This Town of Knotsford-Booths, with Norbury-Booths, William de Tabley Leased to Sir John Orreby, for the Life of Sir John, 11 Edw. 1.

Sir John Orrely selleth his Title herein to John Legh and Ellen his Wife; and after∣wards William de Tabley releaseth to John Legh, and his Heirs, all his Right in Knots∣ford-Booths and Norbury-Booths, die Martis proximè ante Festum Sancti Bartholomaei Apo∣stoli, 28 Edw. 1. 1300. Lib. C. fol. 219. b. c. d. e. g.

The Heirs of this John Legh have ever since enjoyed the same to this day, 1667. Peter Legh of Booths Esquire being now Lord thereof, and under Age.

There are now about twelve small Charterers in Knotsford-Booths.

* 1.1This John Legh, who Purchased Knotsford-Booths cùm Norbury-Booths from William de Tabley, was younger Son of William Venables de Bradwell, by Agnes his second Wife, Daughter and Heir of Richard Legh of High-Legh de West-Hall, Lord of the Moiety of High-Legh, and Widow of Richard de Limme.

This John, being brought up with his Mother in High-Legh, was sir-named de Legh from the Place of his Residence, as was the manner of those Ages; which Sir-name his Posterity retained, and bear the Coat of Arms of Venables, with the distinction of a Bend Gules, even to this day.

William Venables, Father of this John de Legh, was younger Brother to Sir Hugh Ve∣nables of Kinderton; which William gave to John de Legh his Son Lands in Rosthorn; which William, Son of William Venables of Bradwell, and Half-Brother of this John, released unto him, 13 Edw. 2. 1319. Which Lands in Rosthorn, Legh of Booths enjoy∣eth at this day, 1667.

This John de Legh, the first Legh of Booths, gave to Robert Legh his younger Son a Tenement in High-Legh, which Sir John Legh (elder Brother of Robert) confirmed to the said Robert, 1336. 10 Edw. 3. which Tenement continued in the possession of the Leghs of Adlington, until Sir Vrian Legh of Adlington not very long since sold the same to John Legh of Aldford, who sold it to Richard Legh of Swineyard in High-Legh, his Brother, 45 Elizabethae, 1602. And from this Robert, the Leghs of Adlington are Originally descended: Of which see more in High-Legh.

Ellen, the Widow of this first John Legh, purchased a Weekly Market on the Wednesday, and a Fair to be kept yearly at Knotsford-Booths on Tuesday and Wednesday in Whitson-week, under the Seal of the Exchequer at Chester: Dated 18 die Maii, 9 Edw. 3. Which Fair is at this day kept accordingly; but the Market vanished long ago. Lib. C. fol. 219. l.

{fleur-de-lys} Here should follow the Descent of Legh of Booths: But because I was denied the Perusal of the Evidences, by Robert Venables Esquire, younger Son of Peter Venables of Kinderton Esquire, who hath married the Widow of John Legh late of Booths deceased, I must omit the same; and therefore let Poste∣rity blame him for it, and not me.

Notes

• * 1.1

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