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.

Thelwall.

IN the Year of Christ 920. King Edward, sirnamed The Elder, built a Town here at Thelwall, though now an obscure Village; so called, Teste Forilego, from the Stakes and Stumps cut from the Trees, wherewith they had environed it about, as a Wall: for the Saxons called such Stakes Thell; and the word Wall is a word yet used for a high Fence that encompasseth any Place about with Stone, or other thing or Building. So Cambden's Britannia, Cheshire. Polychronicon, lib. 6. cap. 5. ad finem: and that King Edward made it a Garrison, and placed Soldiers therein; wherewith also agrees Florentius Wigorniensis. But it seems to lie waste in the time of the Conqueror; for I find no mention of it in Dooms-day Book.

Roger of Poictou (Son of Rogerde Montgomery the first Earl of Shrewsbury) was Lord of all the Land in Lancashire, between the Rivers of Ribble and Mersey; and gave half of the Fishing of Thelwall to the Abbot of Shrewsbury, under Henry the First. Monasticon, vol. 1. pag. 383. This was the Fishing on the Lancashire side.

The Prior of Norton had the other half of the Fishing of Thelwall on the Cheshire side, granted by William Constable of Cheshire the younger, Baron of Halton, about the Reign of King Stephen. Monasticon, vol. 2. pag. 186.

In our Mize-book of Cheshire, anciently the Abbot of Salop stood charged with three Shillings in the Mize for Fishing in Thelwall: but this Mize is now totally lost, no Man now living being able to inform us who ought to pay the same. I conceive after the dissolution of Abbeys in England by Henry the Eighth, that Fishing coming to the King's hands, the Mize thereof ceased, being not at all paid of late Times, the Fish∣ing being then but of little value.

This Township of Thelwall is of the Fee of the Honor of Halton: one third part whereof William Constable of Cheshire gave to the Abbey of Salop, cum pertinentiis, in bosco, in plano, in aquâ. Monasticon, vol. 1. pag. 383.

In the Reign of Henry the Third, Edmund Lacy Baron of Halton and Constable of Cheshire, gave Domino Galfrido de Dutton (Ancestour to Warburton of Arley) totam terram suam de Thelwall cum Wera, & Piscaria, & Stallagiis suis: and also all the Land which he had of the Abbot and Convent of Evesham in Thelwall: Reddendo inde annuatim unam Par Cheirothecarum Cervi Furratarum ad Festum Sancti Michaelis pro omni Servitio. Lib. C. in ipso initio,* 1.1 fol. 1.f. This could be but two third parts of Thelwall. The Original of this Deed is now in possession of Mr. Pickering of Thelwall, 1666.

This Geffrey Dutton gave these Lands to Thomas his younger Son. Ibidem g.

Afterwards it was possessed by Clayton in the Reign of Edward the Third, and conti∣nued in the possession of the Claytons, till John Clayton of Thelwall sold it to Richard Brooks of Norton Esquire, about 4 Eliz. 1561. whose Son Thomas Brooks of Norton Esquire, sold the same to John Moores Doctor of Physick in London, Anno Christi 1621. and John Moores of Kirtlington in Nottinghamshire, Nephew of Doctor Moores aforesaid, sold them to Robert Pickering Councellor at Law, 1662. who is now possessed of the Mannor of Thelwall, 1666.

In this Township of Thelwall are now, 1666. certain Freeholds of Inheritance pos∣sessed by these Persons following.

• 1. Sir Peter Brookes of Mere, hath four Tenements, which were given him by his Father Thomas Brookes of Norton Esquire, before he sold away the other Lands of Thelwall.
• 2. John Martinscroft of Thelwall: This hath for long time continued in the Name of Martinscroft, an ancient Freeholder.
• 3. Robert Legh of Thelwall, bought from Sir Edward Moores.
• 4. Peter Drinkwater, formerly one Massies.
• 5. Raufe Caldwell, Fee-Farmer.
• 6. John Rowson, Fee-Farmer.
• 7. Randle Bood, Fee-Farmer.
• 8. Margaret Hogge, Widow.
• 9. John Legh of Oughtrington in Limme, bought Lands in Thelwall from Sir Edward Moores.
• 10. Katharine Mosse, one Close.
• 11. Thomas Thomason, Fee-Farmer.
• 12. John Dunbabin, a Meadow.
• 13. Sir George Warburton of Arley, half an Acre of Meadow.

Here is a Chappel of Ease called Thelwall-Chappel, situate near to the Mannor-House of Thelwall, and within the Parochiall Chappelry of Daresbury, but both within the Limits of the Mother-Church of Runcorne.

This I conceive was built by Thomas Brookes Esquire, and was lately repaired by Mr. Pickering aforesaid, 1663.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ex Chartulis Roberti Pic∣kering de Thel∣wall.