Friday 31 August 2012

Nicholas Tyldesley 1401


In 1875, William Langton published [FN1] the first volume of a collection of abstracts from Inquisitions Post Mortem which had been made by Christopher Towneley in the 17th century. Two entries related to the Tyldesleys. The first concerned John Tyldesley, the second related to Nicholas Tyldesley receiving the advowson of Prestwich Church:
Bille et L're.
[T. p. 75, No. 195.]
Henry par la grace &c. Jolian Wakeryng n're Chancellr donnez Nicholas de Tildesley leglise p'ochiele de Prestwich regardante par reson de la meindre age du filz et heir de Roger de Longley dedeins age done a n're Palays de Westm: le 26 jour de Janvier lan de n're regne second. [2 H. 4, 1401.]

1. Abstracts of Inquisitions Post Mortem, William Langton, Chetham Society FS95, 1875

Thursday 30 August 2012

Thurstan Tyldesley 1537


Thurstan Tyldesley, who died around 1554, was the great-great-grandfather of Sir Thomas Tyldesley 1612-1651. Amongst other posts he was deputy keeper of Myerscough Park to Thomas Stanley, the third Earl of Derby (third creation):
Deer Slaying in the Sixteenth Century.
In the time of Henry VIII. Myerscough Park was well stocked with deer, and it appears that these deer had " time out of mind " been used to get out of the boundaries of the park and wander into the pastures and cornfields in the neighbourhood, but were nevertheless considered the "King's deer." In 1537 Thurstan Tyldesley, Esq., deputy keeper to the Earl of Derby of the Myerscough Park, complained in the Duchy Court that Richard Gottson (chaplain), James Syngleton, Peter Syngleton, and Richard Syngleton, of Inskip, yeomen, and others to the number of eight, did at midnight on the 26th September, 1537, with swords, staves, bills, bowes and arrows, assemble together at Eves and Inskip to destroy the King's deer, which had come out of the park, and moreover that they had attacked the constables and "made an affray."[2]
2. Pleadings, viii. T. 5. [FN1]

1. History of St Michaels-on-Wyre, Henry Fishwick,  Chetham Society SS25, 1891

Wednesday 29 August 2012

John Tyldesley 1410


In 1875, William Langton published [FN1] a collection of abstracts from Inquisitions Post Mortem which had been made by Christopher Towneley in the 17th century. Two entries related to the Tyldesleys. The first concerned John Tyldesley:
JOHANNES DE TILDESLEY.
12 Hen IV. (1st December 1410.) 
[T. p. 494, No. 2137. D. fo. 24.]
INQUISITIO capta apud Asteley virtute br'is die Lune prox: post festum S'ti Andree anno 12 H. 4 Juratores dicunt quod quidam Ricardus Rigby capellanus et Robertus filius Ricardi de Wolston dudum fuerunt seisiti de manerio de Tildesley vocat: Nicholas maner: de Tildeslegh cum pertinentiis ac predictum manerium dederunt Johanni de Tildesley et heredibus masculis de corpore suo si Johannes obiit [s: h: — Dodsw.] rem: Nicholao de Tildesley rem: Ranulpho de Tildesley rem: Thurstano de Tildesley &c. Et quod predicti Johannes Nicholaus et Ranulphus obierunt sine herede Et quod predictus Thurstanus habuit exitum quosdam Thomam de quo breve predict: facit mentionem et Hugo nem et obiit qui quidem Thomas obiit sine herede et terr: descendebant Hugoni ut fratri et heredi predicti Thome Et dicunt quod predictum manerium tenetur Willi'mo Botiller milite per quod servitium ignorant Et dicunt quod Thurstanus de Tildesley fuit seisitus de quadam placea terre vocat: Le Hirst in Tildesley in feodo talliato tent: de predicto Willi'mo Botiller milite Et dicunt quod Johannes de Maunton capellanus fuit seisitus de certis tenementis vocat: le Sperme et le Parke in Tildesley et dedit predict: terr: Thurstano de Tildesley predicto Et dicunt quod predictus Thomas obiit 21 Octobris anno 12 H. 4 Et quod Hugo de Tildesley est frater et heres predicti Thome et etatis 40 annorum.
This provides three names which are missing from the Gillow and Hewitson Pedigree. Thurstan de Tyldesley who married Margaret Workesley had three brothers—John Tyldesley, Nicholas Tyldesley and Ralf Tyldesley, each of whom died sine prole, that is without children. 

The second entry related to Nicholas Tyldesley.

1. Abstracts of Inquisitions Post Mortem, William Langton, Chetham Society FS95, 1875

Tuesday 28 August 2012

Woodplumpton Registers 1604-1659


St Anne's, Woodplumpton
(click image for larger version)

As well as the baptism record for Sir Thomas Tyldesley 1612-1651 the famous Cavalier , the registers of Woodplumpton [FN1] contain two further entries relating to the Tyldesleys.

Two children of Thurstan Tyldesley of Myrescough are baptised—Jane Tyldesley in 1607 and Robert Tyldesley in 1611. Jane and Robert Tyldesley do not appear on the Gillow and Hewitson Pedigree, though it is possible that Thurstan Tyldesley was Sir Thomas Tyldesley's great uncle—normally referred to as Thurstan Tyldesley of Stansacre.

FO.11
Jane Tyldesley d. of Thurstand Tyldesley of Myrescoughe 26 April 1607
FO 32a
Robte Tyldesley s. of Thurstan Tyldesley of Myerscoughe 13 April 1611

1. Registers of St Michael's on Wyre 1659-1707 and Registers of Woodplumpton 1604-1659, Lancashire Parish Register Society vol 27, 1906

Monday 27 August 2012

Which year was Sir Thomas Tyldesley born?


(click image for larger version)

Across the web there are references to Sir Thomas Tyldesley the famous Cavalier being born in 1592 or 1596 [FN1]. However, if one considers the will of his father, Edward Tyldesley, made on 23 March 1621, it contains a wish that Thomas Tyldesley marry Anne Breres:
I require my said sonne at his yeares of consent to accept of the said marriage
It would make no sense at all to be referring to a time when Thomas Tyldesley would be old enough to consent to marriage if he was born in 1592 and so already aged 29, or born in 1596 and so already aged 25! 

The answer is to be found in the registers of Woodplumpton, a chapelry of the Church of St Michael's-on-Wyre situated just a few miles away from where Myerscough Lodge once stood. Here is the baptism record of the infant who was to become Sir Thomas Tyldesley [FN2]:
Thomas Tyldesley s. of Edwarde Tyldesley of Myrescoughe Esquire 10 September 1612
This transcript has been checked against the original entry in the register and it is correct. Unfortunately the normally excellent Lancs OPC has transcribed "Edward" as "Henry", but Family Search has the correct name.

So, born in September 1612, Thomas Tyldesley was in fact aged just 8 at the time his father made the will.

This fits in with all the other information available. Thomas Tyldesley was admitted to Gray's Inn on 20 November 1622, just after his tenth birthday as was then possible. And he married Frances Standish in 1634, when he was aged 21—which was typical. Read some of the descriptions of the Battle of Wigan Lane—does this sound like a man of 38, or of 59?!  Look too at the available images of Sir Thomas, particularly the Hulton portrait. This was produced after the outbreak of the Civil War—does it portray a man in his thirties or in his fifties? 

Finally where is there any evidence of Thomas Tyldesley prior to 1612?

The reason the 1596 error is so prevalent is probably that it appears in the original Dictionary of National Biography for Thomas Tyldesley—a seeming impeccable source. The year of birth appears correctly as 1612 in the current Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (subscription required).

A later post will give one further source which not just confirms the year of birth to be 1612, but also suggests a precise date of birth.

1. Many thanks to Pat Etchells for pointing out the prevalence of the 1592 error.
2. Registers of St Michael's on Wyre 1659-1707 and Registers of Woodplumpton 1604-1659, Lancashire Parish Register Society vol 27, 1906

Sunday 26 August 2012

John Lunt the informer 1694


John Speed's map of 1610 shows the prominance of 
The Lodge at Myerscough
(at centre—click for larger image)

A previous post described how a Royal Proclamation was issued in 1689 against three of the Tyldesleys and others following a suspected plot.

The Tyldesleys appear to have escaped prosecution, but in October 1694 there was a trial for High Treason at Manchester for eight of the other men allegedly involved in 1689:
  1. Lord Molineux
  2. Sir William Gerrard
  3. Sir Rowland Stanley
  4. Sir Thomas Clifton
  5. Bartholomew Walmesley
  6. William Dicconson
  7. Philip Langton
  8. William Blundell
One of the prosecution witnesses was John Lunt, a notorious political informer. In his evidence he mentioned two of the Tyldesleys—"Mr Tildesley of the Lodge" who must be Thomas Tyldesley 1657-1715 the Diarist and "Mr Ralph Tyldesley" whose identity is less certain but who may be the uncle of the Diarist [FN1]:
JOHN LUNT, who being ask't by Sr Wm Williams if he knew all the 5 gentn prisonrs at the Bar, he said he did know them all. Sr Rowland Stanley then said to Lunt, wch is Sr Rowland Stanley? and Lunt pointing at a wrong person, and a great noise thereupon being made, the Judge bid Lunt take one of the officrs' white staves and lay it upon Sr Rowland Stanley's head: Lunt took the staffe and laid it upon the head of Sr Tho: Clifton, saying that was Sr Rowland Stanley; and being then ask't wch was Sr Tho: Clifton, he pointed at Sr Rowland Stanley, saying that was he, and further did depose to the effect following, vizt. that he was in Ireland, a souldier in King James's guards there, at the time when Dr Bromfeild came over thither from England, wch was in the year 1689, Bromfeild, as he said, brought instruccons from most of the gentn in England that were King James's friends, and desired yt his Matie would send them over Comissions, but yt he the sd Dr Bromfeild being a pson suspected and much sought after in England, some other trusty persons were to be pitched upon for that service, amongst wch he, the sd Lunt, was one thought fitt by Dr Bromfeild [14] and recomended by him as such to the Earle of Melfort; and the sd Lunt being asked by Dr Bromfeild and the sd Earle if he would undertake the service, agreed to't, and thereupon Comissions and other instruccons were ppared, and when all things were in readiness the guards were ordered (as it was before agreed) to be drawn up, and King James coming as to take a view of them, cashiered Lunt and one Gourdon who was to go into Scotland, and some others who were to be sent to other parts on the same errand, wch was done to the intent that it being publickly beleeved they were sent away in disgrace, they might the better go on that business unsuspected; that thereupon Lunt as he said came over for England in one Cawson's vessel of Lancr together with one Mr Edmd Threlfall, and the ship comeing to Cockerham and they seeing the Custome officrs makeing towards them to come on board, Lunt prayed the Mr [15] to putt him and Mr Threlfall wth their concernes on shoar before the officrs came on board, but the master refuseing, saying he durst not do it least the officers should see em and his ship be forfeited, Lunt, as he swore, pull'd a pistol from under his coat and sett it cock't to the master's breast, threatning to shoot him if he did not imediately put off his boat, wch he thereupon did put off, and Lunt threw into the boat a Trunck and other things, leaving onely behind them in the ship a bundell of blank Commissions, and Threlfall and he gott safe to shoar wth the rest, where taking their papers and Comissions out of the Trunck, they left the empty Trunck in a ditch and gott safe themselves to Thurnham Mr Dalton's house and from thence came to Mr Tildsley's of the Lodge, where Mr Threlfall and he divided their pacquetts, Mr Threlfall to go to carry Comissions into Yorkshire, arid Lunt being to distribute the Comissions he had through Lancashire and other countrys.[16] From Lodge Lunt as he swore, came to Croxteth, the Ld Molineux's house, wch was in June or July 1689, conducted thither by a guide in the night, where he found the Ld Molineux, master Molineux his son, Sr Wm Gerrard, Sr Rowland Stanley, Sr Tho: Clifton, Mr Dicconson, Mr Blundell, M1' Gerrard Sr Wms son, Mr Harrington, Mr Ralph Tildesley, and many others; yt he there delivered a Comission from King James to Sr Rowland Stanley to be Coll of horse, another to Sr Tho: Clifton to be Coll of horse, another to Mr Molineux to be Coll of horse, another to Sr Wm Gerrard to be Coll of horse, and one to the Ld Molineux to be governor of Liverpoole, and that there he saw Mr Molineux give a Comission to Mr Blundell to be his Major, Mr Lunt being then ask't by one of the prisonrs if all those gentn last menconed were then together at Croxteth, he said yes; being then allso ask't if ever he had seen Mr Dicconson before that time, he answered no; being ask't if ever he had seen him since, he replied yes, and being then ask't if ever he had seen the Ld Molineux's son before that time, he answered no; Sr Rowland Stanley then asking Lunt if he and the sd Lunt were ever any waies acquainted before that time, Lunt replied no. Upon wch Sr Rowland said, how probable then can it be, if I were but a man of corn on and ordinary sense, that I should receive such a Comission (the acceptance whereof might throw away my life and estate) from such a pson as yu, altogether a stranger to me ? Lunt then said, but I brought you with yor Comission Dv Bromfeild's letter; thereupon Mr Justice Eyres said to Sr Rowland, yu are answered, that was his credentiall; and further said to the prisonrs, gentn, you may ask questions, but this is not the time to make yor observations. Then the Judge asked Mr Lunt againe if, before the delivy of those Comissions to Sr Rowland Stanley and Sr Thomas Clifton, he did psonally know those gentn, he answered, he did not till then know either of them. Whereupon Sr Giles Eyres the Judge did say there was then no such mighty matter in Lunt's mistake as the prisonrs made of it in diversifying the two gentn's names that were strangers to him, haveing been told when he first saw them that those were the 2 psons. The sd Lunt moreover said yt the gentn to whom he brought Comissions gave him £5 a peece. That Sr Rowland Stanley's five pounds was 2 guineas and the rest in silver, and further said yt all those gentn kissed their Comissions at the receit and readeing thereof, and afterwards on their knees drank the healths of King James and his Queen and the Prince of Wales, and said they hoped to be ready. 
Then Lunt further swore yt abt February 1690 he was with Sr Tho: Clifton at his house at Lithom, who gave him £10 to buy armes with and list men for King James, and yt Sr Rowland Stanley some time before had given him £4 for the same purpose, and that they both order'd him to go to one Mr Whitfeild the King's Cardmaker in Leicester feilds London, and take up what moneys he should have occasion for. That Mr Dicconson about that time gave Lunt 2 guineas and desir'd him to list men for him. That Lunt accordingly listed about 60 men in London, to whom at their listing he gave 12d a peece, and that he sent down 40 swords at one time and many more armes by Hilton and by Knowles, Carriers, directed some to one Mr Mare in Preston, some to one Taylor of Standish, and some to one Jackson in Preston, and tht pticularly at one time Lunt sent down as many armes as came to £50, wch he bought of a Cuttler who lives next to the upper end of Middleroe in Holeborne, London and for wch he brought the aforesd Mr Whitfeild to the Cuttler, who undertook for the paymt thereof.
That about July or August 1691 Lunt was at Standish hall desired by Sr Rowland Stanley, Mr Dicconson, Mr Blundell, Mr Langton, and others, to go over to France to acquaint King James of their forwardness, and to know when they might expect him. In order to this they gave Lunt £15 and a bill for £15 more upon one Walgrave. That Lunt accordeingly went and acquainted King James, who told him he would be in a readiness the spring following, whereupon Lunt returned, and acquainted Sr Thomas Clifton, Mr Legh, and the rest. Lunt likewise swore yt abt February 1691 he was at Dunkenhalgh, where Mr Walmsley being lately come from France, pduced a Comission from King James for his being Coll of horse, and did then deliver a Comission to Mr Dicconson to be his Lieutent Coll, and a Comission to Mr Langton to be his Major, and that Mr Langton upon his receit of that Comission said he had kept 14 [17] Ireishmen in his house 2 years, and that now he hoped to have some good of them. That Mr Legh of Lime was there present, and they did all declare they did not question to be well ppared agt the King landed.
Mr Dicconson one of the prisonrs askeing the sd Lunt the reason why he either discovered this thing no sooner or why he discovered it at all, he the sd Lunt answered he had not discovered it, but that some things were putt upon him wch he could not doe, and being urged by the Court to explaine himself, he said, when he was last in France, there was a designe on foot to kill King William, And the Earle of Melfort asked him if he would make one in the attempt and yt he answered he would, and said he came over to England intending to doe it, but that in his travelling the Country he mett with a Carthusian Fryer, to whom going to Confession he declared this, and his sd Confessor thereupon disallowed it, telling him unless he could doe it fairly in the feild it was wilful murder, and he thereupon first made this discovery least some of the rest concerned might accomplish it.
14 Instead of " Dr. Bromfeild" the Jesse MS. has, " my Lord Thomas Howard."
15 An abbreviation for " master."
16 The Jesse MS. more correctly has " countys."
17 The Jesse MS. has "4 Irishmen"
Lunt proved to be an unreliable witness, with other witnesses confirming that he had served time in prison and committed acts of dishonesty. Even his own brother-in-law spoke in rebuttal of his evidence.

On completion of the evidence relating to the first 5 defendants, Mr Justice Eyres suggested an adjournment of 2 hours to allow the jury to consider the matter. The jury indicated this was unnecessary and agreed a verdict of not guilty on all the charges without leaving the court. Mr Justice Eyres commented to the defendants: 
"Gentlemen, you see under what a merciful and easy government you live; you are sensible now that it is tender of the lives of Papists as well of Protestants; you are washed from this guilt, let me desire you to reflect on your happiness, and beware of ever entering into plots and conspiracies against it."
The trial of the remaining three defendants—Lord Molineux, Sir William Gerrard and Bartholomew Walmesley—collapsed immediately when none of the prosecution witnesses attended. Mr Justice Eyre indicated that he felt some sympathy for them as they had the misfortune to be brought up in France. However he left them also with a stern warning:
"Let me therefore say to you, Go and sin no more lest a worse thing befall you."

1. The Trials at Manchester in 1694, Chetham Society FS61, 1865

Saturday 25 August 2012

The Tyldesley Monument 1679


Today is the anniversary of the death of Sir Thomas Tyldesley 1612-1651 who fell at the Battle of Wigan Lane.

In 1679, Alexander Rigby, then High Sheriff of Lancashire, who had fought alongside Sir Thomas Tyldesley erected a monument to him at the site of the battle in Wigan Lane. The monument stands at the junction of Wigan Lane and what is now Monument Road and can be seen on Google Maps.

The current inscription reads:
An high Act of Gratitude,
which conveys the memory of 
Sir Thomas Tyldesley 
to posterity.
Who served King Charles the First 
as Lieutenant Colonel at Edge Hill Battle, 
after raising Regiments of Horse, Foot, 
and Dragoons, and for the desperate 
storming of Burton-on-Trent, 
over a bridge of 36 arches
received the Honour of Knighthood,
He afterwards served in all the Wars in great command
was Governor of Lichfield,
and followed the fortune of the Crown,
through the three Kingdoms, and never 
compounded with the Rebels, though strongly 
invested, and on the 25th August A.D. 1651 
was here slain, commanding as Major General 
under the Earl of Derby,
To whom the grateful Erector,
Alexander Rigby, Esq. 
was Cornet: and when he was 
High Sheriff of this County 
A.D. 1679.
placed this high obligation on 
the whole family of the Tyldesleys, 
to follow the noble example of their 
Loyal Ancestor.

A later post describes the state of the Tyldesley Monument in 1750, and an article published in Past Forward in April 2013 records the changes in wording which have occurred in the inscription over the years.

Friday 24 August 2012

Henry VIII and William Tyldesley 1531


Privy Purse expenses of Henry VIII—August 1531

Lunn includes a brief mention of a branch of the Tyldesley family at Little Hulton [FN1]:
TYLDESLEY OF THE WICHEVES
There was a branch of the Tyldesleys located for over one and a half centuries at the Wicheves in Little Hulton. This hall, which later became known as the Peel, was in earlier times the property of the Hultons, but towards the close of the fourteenth century was acquired by the Tyldesleys. Thomas son of Henry Tyldesley appears in 1395 and later, James Tyldesley, whose son was Thomas. This James by contract made in 1437 was married to Alice, daughter of Roger Hulton, of the Park. Thomas Tyldesley of the Peel leased Fennyslack in Worsley to James, son of Thomas Mort. A Thomas Tyldesley appears in 1523 and in 1530 the wardship of Thomas, heir of James Tyldesley was claimed by Sir John Brereton. The widow of James, who had remarried and was Lora Browne, was assigned dower out of the lands of William Tyldesley in 1546.
WILLIAM TYLDESLEY, 1539
Of this member of the Wicheves branch, there is more to relate. He was appointed keeper of the beds and armoury in Windsor Castle in 1539; wages, 6d. a day. with 3d. for his groom. Tyldesley retained this office for many years and though Catholic, held many official posts. He was a justice of the peace for Buckinghamshire and one of the quorum for Bedfordshire in 1562. In the county of Cheshire he had an estate at Barnston. Queen Elizabeth included him in a general pardon, provided he petitioned before June 20, 1559 and paid a fee of 28s. 8d. He mortgaged his estate of Peel in 1550 to Robert Fleetwood and John Stokes. Edmund Fleetwood was later associated with Peel, which hall was acquired by the Morts of Damhouse, Astley.
It is now clear that William Tyldesley was working for Henry VIII before 1539. In 1827 a ledger containing an account of the Privy Purse expenses of Henry VIII from November 1529 to December 1532 came to light. Before it was sold it was transcribed and published. Amongst the entries for August 1531 is the following:
Itm the same day paied to Willm Tyldesley grome of the Chambre for lying oute to take hawkes by the Kings comaunde        xs
As recorded in an earlier post, in 1546 Henry VIII gave William Tyldesley a licence to use a crossbow and handgun. 

1. History of the Tyldesleys of Lancashire, John Lunn, 1966
2. King Henry VIIIth's Household Book, being an Account of the Privy Purse expenses of Henry VIII from November 1529 to December 1532, Ed. Nicholas Harris Nicolas, 1827

Thursday 23 August 2012

Gray's Inn and the Tyldesleys


Gray's Inn—between 1561 and 1570

Gray's Inn prospers today as one of the four Inns of Court at the heart of legal London. Its connection to legal education dates back into the 14th century. Segar's List—a note of prominent Readers or Benchers made in the days of Charles II by Simon Segar, chief butler and Librarian of Gray's Inn—records three names from that time: William Skypwith 1355, John Markham 1391 and William Gascoigne 1398 [FN1] .Chronologically the fourth name on the list is Thomas Tildesley (1403) who was mentioned in a previous post and who died in 1410.

For many years, the educational function of Gray's Inn extended beyond the law. In 1468 Fortescue wrote "that knights, barons, and the greatest nobility of the Kingdom often place their children in these Inns of Court, not so much to make the laws their study, much less to live by their profession, having large patrimonies of their own, but to form their manners" [FN2]. The cost for maintaining a student was not inconsiderable—some 20 marks a year in 1486 [FN3]. Consequently admission was limited as noted by Feme in 1586: "Nobleness of blood, joyned with virtue, compteth the person as most meet to the enterprizing of any publick service; and for that cause it was, not for nought, that our antient Governors in this land, did with a special foresight and Wisdom, provide, that none should be admitted into the Houses of Court, being Seminaries, sending forth men apt to the Government of Justice, except he were a gentleman of blood." [FN4]

The Admissions Register for Gray's Inn from 1521 to 1889 was transcribed and published by Joseph Foster. [FN5] It contains twelve members of the Tyldesley family listed below and numbered for ease of reference. Foster notes that "It was the practice of the Inn that each Treasurer, Bencher, or Reader, introducing a student or honorary member, should enter the admission himself in the Register". This no doubt explains the short explanation attached to entry 6, the admission of Edward Tyldesley.
  1. 1528—Jeffrey Tildesley (folio 416)

  2. 1544—Edward Tyldesley (folio 467)

  3. 1557—Richard Tildesley (folio 517)

  4. 1577—Thomas Tyldesley of Staple Inn (folio 661)

  5. 1592/3—29 January—William Tildesley, of Morleys, co Lanc (folio 248)

  6. 1605/6—10 March—Edward Tildesley, son and heir apparent of Thurstan Tildesley, of Tanzaker (Stanzaker), co. Lancaster, Esq., " sine fine, quia Edwardus Tildesley, avus suus et meus avunculus admisit me sumptibus suis proprius Thomas Tildesley, lector." (folio 588)

  7. 1605/6—15 March—Thomas Tildesley, gent., son and heir of Thomas Tildesley, Esq., now reader. (folio 588)

  8. 1612/13—1 March—Richard Tildesley, son of Thomas T., of Orford, co. Lancaster, Esq.(folio 678)

  9. 1617/18—21 February—Thomas Tildesley, of Garret-in-Tildesley, co. Lancaster, Esq., son and heir of Lambert T., of same, Esq, deceased. (folio 714)

  10. 1620—3 July—Rowland Tildesley, son of Thomas T., Knight, one of the readers. (folio 773)

  11. 1622—20 November—Thomas Tildesley, of Morleis, co. Lancaster, Esq. (folio 800)

  12. 1629—6 November—Thomas Tildesley, of Garret, co. Lancaster, Esq. (folio 865)
The map shown above [FN6] is a small extract from that published by Ralph Aggas, probably between 1561 and 1570. It is discussed by Fletcher [FN7]:
A rough notion of the size and surroundings of the Inn during the early days of Elizabeth may be gained from the map of Ralph Aggas, a portion of which is reproduced on another page. It is true that the date—1560—sometimes assigned to this map is impossible. Aggas, in that year, was not out of his teens ; moreover, he pictures St. Paul's Cathedral without the spire which it possessed down to 1561. But at whatever date his work was made public, his plan of Gray's Inn certainly does not show the buildings erected by Sir Edward Stanhope and others between 1570 and 1580, and it may be concluded that the survey on which it was based was taken, by Aggas or another, before the earlier of these dates. The map is hardly correct in regard to scale, and it does not very clearly indicate the Hall. It does, however, corroborate the conclusion to which the building orders in these records lead—that prior to the accession of Elizabeth the Inn consisted of buildings irregularly grouped round one court, afterwards known as Middle, or Chapel, Court, i.e., the southern portion of Gray's Inn Square. Aggas shows a line of houses, some of which would have formed part of the Society's premises, bordering Gray's Inn Lane from the Chapel to the corner of Holbom. But South Square is uninclosed on the west, and cows are feeding there. The only gateway is that which opens upon Gray's Inn Lane. North of the buildings there is the garden, afterwards the site of Coney Court, and beyond that the " Panyerman's close," which, together with a field to the west of the Inn, was eventually converted under Francis Bacon's auspices into the celebrated " Walks." The housing question was evidently in these days somewhat pressing. The members slept two in a chamber, and even then the Inn was too small to hold them. About 1556 Bentley's Rents' were built by private enterprise just outside the bounds "for the ease of the house, lodgings at that time beinge verry scant," and some buildings known as the Irish Rents, standing on the west of the strip of ground afterwards acquired for the entry into Holborn, were hired by the Society. But if there was close packing in the chambers, there was fresh air outside. The Inn stood practically in the country, open to the breezes of the Hampstead and Highgate hills, and was, in fact, famous then, and for a hundred and fifty years afterwards, for its healthfulness.

1. Harl. 1912
2. De Laudibus Legum Anglia, Sir John Fortescue, 1468
3. Ibid
4. The Blazon of Gentrie, Sir John Feme, 1586
5. The Register of Admissions, Gray's Inn 1521-1889, Joseph Foster, 1889
6. My thanks to the excellent MAPCO site where the full map is available.
7. The Pension Book of Gray's Inn 1569-1669, Ed. Reginald J Fletcher, 1901

Wednesday 22 August 2012

Mary Anne Tyldesley 1811


Mary Anne Tyldesley was born in 1776, the daughter of Charles Tyldesley and Rebecca Vernon and therefore the great-great-grandaughter of Thomas Tyldesley 1657-1715, The Diarist.

In 1809 she was the sole beneficiary under the will of her brother, Charles Tyldesley 1774-1808, who was a Royal Marine and died on the Island of Marie Galante.

What happened to Mary Anne Tyldesley after 1809?

On 4 January 1811 Charles William Rhodes applied for a licence to marry Mary Anne Tyldesley of the Parish of Knutsford. His bondsman was Mr T Quale of Knutsford. The marriage took place on 14 January 1811:
Charles William Rhodes of the island of New Providence one of the Bahama Islands Gentleman and Maria Anne Tyldesley of this parish were married in this Church by licence this 14th day of January in the year 1811 by me Harry Grey Vicar This marriage was solemnized between us Charles Wm Rhodes and Mary Anne Tyldesley in the presence of Mr T Quayle, Jane Vernon, [illegible] Wright.
Jane Vernon was one of the witnesses to the wedding and it seems likely that this is the Jane Vernon Tyldesley previously mentioned who was to marry a James Bailey on 7 April 1820. Charles Tyldesley mentioned a debt to a Mr S Wright in his will—could this have been the witness of that name to Mary Anne Tyldesley's wedding?

Following this marriage it appears that Charles and Mary Anne Rhodes initially lived in Knutsford and had a son, Charles Tyldesley Rhodes, born in 1811/12. However there are a good number of online references to the Tyldesley Sands family of New Providence—could this mean that the couple later moved to the Bahama Islands?

Tuesday 21 August 2012

Edward Tyldesley and Branwell Brontë 1846


Branwell Brontë by Joseph Bentley Leyland

Local legend, referred to previously, has it that around 1559 Edward Tyldesley eloped with Anne Leyland to avoid the objections of her father, Thomas Leyland, to their marriage. Anne Leyland lowered herself into the moat at Morleys Hall and was drawn to the far bank by means of a rope pulled by Edward Tyldesley. Edward and Anne rode swiftly to Wardley Hall and were married in its chapel. 

Certainly, there is no doubt that it was by this marriage that Morleys Hall passed into the ownership of the Tyldesley family. Thomas Leyland is known to have been an irascible man and he seems entirely possible that he may have objected to his daughter marrying Edward Tyldesley—whose prospects may have appeared limited by the fact that he was the second rather than the first son of Thurstan Tyldesley. 

In 1846 this legend was brought to the attention of Branwell Brontë by his friend Joseph Leyland:
Around this period, Joseph had a fanciful notion that his family were descended from the Leyland family of Morley Hall, Lancashire. Speaking to his friend about the subject, it was decided on Joseph investigation that Branwell would write an epic poem about Morley Hall, and in return Joseph would sculpt a medallion of Branwell's head. This was agreed and after three days the friends to leave of each other, Branwell returning to Ayliffe, happy to be writing again and Joseph to start work on the medallion. [FN1]
In a letter dated 28 April 1846 Brontë sought further details:
As I am anxious – though my return for your kindness will be like giving a sixpence back for a sovereign lent –  to do my best in my intended lines on "Morley" I want answers to the following questions.
1st (As I cannot find it in the map or Gazetteer) in what district of Lancashire is Morley situated?
2nd Has the Hall a particular name?
3rd Do you know the family name of its owners when the occurrences happened which I ought to dwell on?
4th Can you tell me in what century they happened? 
5th What, told in the fewest words, was the nature of the leading occurrence?
Work clearly did not progress smoothly and in June 1846 Brontë wrote again:
I should have sent you "Morley Hall" ere now, but I am unable to finish it at present from agony to which the grave would be far preferable.
By October 1846 the news was more positive:
"Morley Hall" is in the eighth month of her pregnancy and expects ere long to be delivered of a fine thumping boy whom its father means to christen Homer at the least, though the mother suggest that "Poetaster" would be more suitable but that sounds too aristocratic.
In fact the work was never finished, and Brontë was to die just two years later in September 1848. A 90-line fragment, entitled Morley Hall, survives in the Brotherton Collection at the University of Leeds. One verse contains a reference to Sir Thomas Tyldesley 1612-1651, the great-grandson of Edward and Anne Tyldesley:
When Death draws down the veil, and night bids evening close.
King Charles, who, fortune falling, would not fall,
Might glance with saddened eyes on Morley Hall
And while his own cause—glides into the grave—
Remember Tyldesly died his throne to save.

1. Brontë studies (Journal of the Brontë Society), Volumes 31-32, 2006

Monday 20 August 2012

The Will of Edward Tyldesley 1587


A Gold Angel from the reign of Henry VIII—note the image 
of Archangel Saint Michael slaying a dragon

Edward Tyldesley made his will in 1586. Although he died the following year, the will was not proved until 1599. It contains a wealth of social and family information—including the fact that Edward had a son William Tyldesley who is missing from the Gillow and Hewitson Pedigree

Edward Tyldesley is perhaps best known for his elopement with Anne Leyland, which in 1846 was to inspire a work by Branwell Brontë

It appears that Edward and Anne Tyldesley had at least eight children:
  1. Thomas Tyldesley who predeceased his father but himself left four children (Edward, Ann, Dorothy and Elizabeth)
  2. Thurstan Tyldesley
  3. Edward Tyldesley
  4. William Tyldesley
  5. Joan Tyldesley
  6. Margaret Tyldesley
  7. Jane Tyldesley
  8. Anne Tyldesley.
Thomas Leyland clearly became reconciled to the marriage and left the first son, Thomas Tyldesley, "a gold angell" in his will. Gifts of "Angells" can also be found in paragraph 58 of Edward Tyldesley's will below. Some writers have read these as references to gold statuettes. It seems more likely that what was intended was a gift of the hammered gold coins known as angels, the name derived from the representation of Archangel Saint Michael which they bore. 

I have divided the will into numbered paragraphs to make it easier to refer to specific sections.
  1. IN the Name of god, amen. The firste daie of Maye in the Twentith and Eighte yeare of the Reigne of or moste dread and sovaigne ladie Elizabethe by the grace &c. and in the yeare of or lorde god 1586. I EDWARDE TILDISLEY of Morleys in the countie of Lanc', Esquier, of good and pfecte healthe of bodie Thanks be to, almyghtie god, yet neverthelesse callinge to memorie the uncertentie of this lyffe, and also the paynes in sieknes wherewithe mans bodye ys afflicted near the tyme of deathe, in which tyme mans sawle ys chefelie to be Regarded, and in that tyme, Especiall, all temporall causes are to be omitted and sett apte, Therefore Respectinge the p'misses in Tyme of helthe and good memorye, I The saide Edwarde Tildisley, have thoughte good (by gods pmission) to putt my lands tents goods and chattells in pfectt disposieon and Redines in maner and forme followinge 

  2. FIRSTE and principallye I comende my sawle unto almightie god my maker and Redemer, Trustinge by his deathe and passion to be one of the electe and saved number, and my bodie to be buried (yf my chaunce be to dye in the Countie of Lanc, or near to the same) in my chappell in the pishe churche of leighe in the said Countie of lanc neare the bodies of my late wyfe Anne Tildisley Dought and sole heire of Thomas leyland of Morleys, Esquier, and the bodie of Thomas Tildisley sonne and heire of me the said Edwarde Tildisley, Deceassed 

  3. AND I will that one large stone shalbe provided and erected in Tombewise in the chappell withe ffower Imags or picturs of Brasse Representinge The said Thomas leylande, my said wiffe Anne Tildisley, my said sonne Thomas Tildisley, and me the said Edwarde Tildisley, withe supscription in Brasse, upon the border of the said Tombe, to be Ingraved, conteyninge the daie and yeare of or sevall deathes, as god hathe, and shall appointe, withe or Armes upon the said Tombe to be likewise Ingraved, (yf I in my lyfe tyme doe not cause the same Tombe to be made and pfectcd accordinglie) 

  4. AND my will ys, that My bodie shalbe Entred and buried as aforesaid in decente maner withoute overmuche or supfluous charge, as to the discrecon of my executors shalbe thoughte mete and conveniente, and neare to the proporcon in charge of the buriall of my said wyfe (The pticlers wheareof be conteyned in A booke of accompts withe me the said Edward Remayninge towchinge the said buriall) 

  5. ALSO my will ys that all my lands tents Rents Revcons, svics and hereditaments, whiche I the said Edwarde Tildisley have, as well within the countie of Lanc, as in the countie of Yorke, in the Right of my said late wyfe Anne Tildisley deceassed, as also all my lands whiche I have by gyfte or graunte of anye pson or psons, late the Inheritaunce of George Entwisell esquier deceassed, and likewise all and singler my lands tents Rents Revcons, svics and hereditaments whatsoev with all and evye their appurtenncs whatsoev whearsoev the same lye or bee, shall ymediatlie after my deathe, come and be as the shall happen to growe or fall in possession revcon or otherwise to Edward Tildisley, sonne and heire apparaunte of my said sonne Thomas Tildisley, after that he the said Edwarde shall accomplishe the Age of twentie and one yeares, and to the heires males of the body of the said Edwarde Tildisley to be lawfullie begotten, And further accordinge to suche uses and lymitacons as be sett downe and conteyned in a paire of indenturs leadinge [to] the use of a fyne conteyninge the Inheritaunce of my said wyfe, and other lands in the countie of lanc, which said Indenturs be enrolled Amongste her mats Records at lanc, And doe beare date the ffirste daie of ffebruarye in the ffourthe year of the Reigne of or sovaigne ladie the quenes matie that now ys [1562] 

  6. AND my will ys that the said uses conteyned in the saide Indenturs shall Remayne contynewe and be, as they be sett downe in the same Indenturs from heire to heire, withoute discontynuance or alteringe the same to the dishenherison priudice or hurte of mye heire or heirs whiche maye or oughte to take benefite by the said indenturs Inrolled or uses therein conteyned 

  7. NEVERTHELESSE yt is my meaninge will and mynde that he the said Edward Tildisley sonne and heire of my said sonne Thomas Tildisley, and his heirs males and the heirs males of me the said Edward Tildisley (beinge in actuall possession of the said lands) maye from tyme to tyme, make to his or their wyffe or wyffs lawfull Joincture or Joincturs for terme of lyfe of suche wyffe or wyffs in name of their ffeoffamente and dower, of anye lands pte of the prmisses (The capitall howse and demayne lauds of Morlies onlie forprised and excepted) so that the same lands so to be assured in Joincture or ffeoffamente and dower to such wyffe or wyffs doe not extende above the thrid pte of the whole Inheritaunce. 

  8. AND also to graunte Reasonable porcon of lands or Annuytie, or Annutys to his or their yonger sonne or sonnes for terme of their sevall lyves for their maintennce and prfermentes 

  9. AND ffurther to charge the prmisses or anye pcell theirof, withe conveninte and Reasonable some or sorhes of money for the Advaucemente in mariage of evye suche doughr or doughrs as he the said Edwarde Tildisley, or the heirs males of me the said Edwarde shall happen to have 

  10. AND also to make leasses for terme of three lyves, or twentie one years accordinge to the statute of the xxxijth yeare of the Reigne of Kinge henrie the eighte maid concerninge leasses to be maid by tehnts in taille. 

  11. ALBEYT yt is and shalbe lawfull for the said Edwarde Tildisley sonne of the said Thomas Tildisley and his heirs males, and the heirs males of me the said Edwarde Tildisley beinge in Actuall possession as is aforesaide, to make Alienacon and sale of anye quilitie or porcon of lands distante from the capitall howses and dernayne lands of Morleys, Withgill, and Entwisell, so that the money for whiche suche landes so to be solde be bestowed and Imployed upon other lands to be purchased more coniodious for the said Edwarde Tildisley sonne of the said Thomas Tildisley, and his heirs males, and the heirs males of me the said Edwarde Tildisley, and the same to be tyed in use accordinglie, as thenheritaunce of my said wyfe is lymitted and sett downe in the said Indenturs Inrolled, and the same to be done and pfyted within the tearme of two years next after such said quilitie or porcon of lands so to be solde as aforesaide. 

  12. AND whearas sute in lawe haithe byn heartofore dependinge, As well in the highe Courte of Chauncerie at Westmr Betwixte Robte Worseley and xpofer Anderton Esquiers pl, and me the saide Edwarde Tildisley, Deft, as also in the Dutchie Chamber at Westmr), betwixte the said Robte Worsley pl, and me the said Edward, deft, as by the Records in the saide sevall Corts Remayninge yt maye fullie appeare, for the Righte Intereste and tytle of three messuags or tents in Tildesley in the countie of Lane, some tymes the Inherataunce of my late ffather Thurstan Tildisley esquier deceassed, now in the sevall tenures or occupacons of Charles Davenporte, xpofer mon, and Roger Mather, or their assignes of the aunciente and yearlie rente of seven pownds or their abouts, whiche They the saide Robarte Worseley and xpofer Anderton doe p'tende tytle unto, by force of certen Indenturs of Bargaine and sale, amongeste other conveyauncs to them and their heirs made by my nephewe Thurstan Tildisley deceassed, late ffather to my cosen Thomas Tildisley of grais Inne gent, Whiche Indenturs doe beare date aboute the ffirste daie of ffebruarie anno octavo Elizabethe Regine [1565-6] whiche Indenturs and other conveyaunce by them the saide Robte Worseley and xpofer Anderton, sett forthe for the maintenaunce of their said tytle in and to the saide three messuags in Tildesley, was cowntpleaded by me the said Edwarde in bothe the saide Corts by force of the said Indenturs Inrolled bearinge date the ffirste daie of ffebruarie anno quarto Regine Elizabethe &c. [1561-2] whearupon an order was sett downe in the said Corte of Duchie Chambr Termino trinitatis Anno 23 Elizabethe Regine [1581] That the said Robte Worsley maye (if he will) bring his accont of Waste at lawe, againste me the said Edward Tildisley, for that ende to trye by issue at the comen lawe irr whome the Revcon and Inheritaunce of the saide three messuags or tents in Tildesley ys, or of righte oughte to be, whearin he the said Robte Worsley haith not as yet pceded. And for that my said cosen Thomas Tildisley of grais Inne, haithe Released and quyte claymed from hym and his heirs, to me the said Edwarde Tildisley, and to my said sonne Thomas Tildisley and to or heirs all his Right intereste tytle and demaunde, Which he the said Thomas Tildisley of grais Inn, or his heirs haithe, or of Righte oughte to have in or to the said three messuags in Tildisley, withe warrantie againste him the said Thomas Tildisley of grais Inne, and his heirs, as by his said Release under his hande and sealle, withe me the said Edwarde Tildisley Remayninge, yt may fullie appeare. By force of whiche Indenturs Inrolled bearinge date the firste daie of ffebruarie Anno quarto Regine Eliz. [1561-2] prdict together withe the ffyne upon the saide Indenturs Remayninge of Recorde at lanc , bearinge date die lune in quinta Septimanie quadragessime, Anno quarto Eliz. Regine pred. [1562] Together withe the said Release, workithe suche matter, as the saide Robte Worseley and xpofer Anderton and their heirs be excluded from the saide three messuags in Tildesley late the Inheritaunce of my said late father Thurstan Tildisley, both in lawe and conscience. 

  13. THEREFORE my will and mynde ys, That neither he the saide Edwarde Tildisley sonne of the said Thomas Tildisley, nor his heirs males, nor the heirs males of me the said Edwarde nor anye of or heirs shall at anye tyme hearafter, alienate the said three messuags or tents in Tildisley to anye pson or psons to the Dishinheritinge of anye of my heirs. And the rather for that the said three messuags lye in Tildesley, whearof I have my name, And also was pcell of thenheritaunce of my said late father Thurstan Tildisley deceassed, whiche movethe me the Rather to contynewe the said lands in my name and to posteritie, 

  14. AND in Remembraunce of my said Cosen Thomas Tildisley of grais Inne his good will, my will and mynde ys That my said cosen Thomas Tildisley shall have towards his exhibicon at grais Inne the some of twentie pownds of lawfull money of Englande for terme of ffyve years nexte ensuyuge the date of this my will, at the feasts of the Nativitie of sancte John Baptiste, sancte Michaell tharkangell, the nativitie of or lorde god, and the Annunciason of or ladie by equale porcons yearlie to be paide upon Reasonable demaunde, yf my said cosen Thomas Tildisley shall fortune so longe to lyve, 

  15. AND whearas yt haithe pleased God to sende to my said sonne Thomas Tildisley at this prnte, yssue.three Doughrs, vidz. Anne Tildisley, Dorathie Tildisley, and Elizabethe Tildisley, whome I accepte as myne owne children, and myndfull of their prferments accordinge to the bonnde of nature, Theirfore my mynde and will ys, That she the saide Anne Tildisley shall have for her prfermente in mariage, the some of one Thouzande marks of lawfull &c, and to be paid to the said Anne Tildisley at convunyente Daies of paymente, before that she the said Anne shall accomplishe the age of Twentie years, And to be levied of all my goods and chattells, as well Realls as psonalls, whiche I the said Edwarde Tildisley shall be possessed of, the daie of my deathe (not Infringinge the trewe meaninge of this my will to charge suche smale porcons of goods and chattells as I have by this my will gyven and bequethed in pticularits to any pson or psons, But to be taken and goinge forthe of the Residue of my goods and chattells as ys afore menconed), yf the valewe of my goods whearof I shal be possessed of, and the cleare valewe of the pfetts arysinge forthe of my said farms ffrome the daie of my deathe, untill she the said Anne shall accomplishe the said age of twentie years will extende so ffarr, So THAT she the said Anne Tildisley be Ruled in the choyce of her husbande by the advyce and Councell of my sonne in lawe James Anderton of lostocke, gent, my said cosen Thomas Tildisley of grais Inne, gent, and my sonne Thurstan Tildisley or anie two of them, 

  16. AND my will ys, that the said Dorathie Tildisley shall have for her prfermente in Mariage the some of ffyve hundrethe pownds of lawfull money &c. to be paide accordinglie as ys mente and sett downe afore for the advauncemente in mariage of the said Anne Tildisley, suster of the said Dorathie, And to be paid to the said Dorathie before she shall accomplishe the age of twentie and one yeares, at suche conveniente daies as shalbe thoughte conveniente by the discrecon of my executors, and withe suche spede as the money comynge to their hands arisinge of the yssues and pfetts of my said goods and ffarmes will extende, so that the said Dorathie be ordered and advised in the choyce of husbande accordinglie as is afore sett downe on the behalfe of the said Anne Tildisley her suster, 

  17. AND my will ys that the said Elizabethe Tildisley shall have for her prfermente in mariage the some of ffyve hundrethe pownds of lawfull money of Englande, to be paid accordinglie as ys mente and sett downe afore for the advauncement in mariage of the said Anne and Dorathie sisters of the said Elizabethe, And to be paide to the said Elizabethe before she shall accomplishe the age of twentie one years, at suche conveniente daies as shalbe thoughte conveniente by the discrecon of my executors, and with suche spede as the money comynge to their hands arysinge of the issues and pfetts of the said goods and ffarmes will extende unto, so that the said Eliz. be ordered and advised in choyce of her husbande accordinglie as ys sett downe on the behalf of the said Anne Tildisley and Dorathie Tildisley, sisters of her the said Elizabethe Tildesley 

  18. AND my will ys further That my doughr in lawe Elizabethe Tildisley during the terme of nynetene years nexte ensuynge the date of this my will (if she so longe doe lyve, and kepe her selffe sole and unmaried) shall have her aboade and beinge at my howse called the lodge in mirescoughe for the bringinge uppe of her saide ffower children, vidz. Edwarde Tildisley, Anne Tildisley, Dorathie Tildisley and Elizabeth Tildisley, withe the pfetts and cohiodits arisinge and growinge of these pcells of grounde followinge, vidz. the horse copie, nexte adioyninge to the said lodge in Mirescoughe, The Amblinge mare hey, being pcell of the outwoods of Mirescoughe, the hoppe yarde, The Cowpasture greves, The close lyinge upon the west syde of the barne at Mirescoughe, The Cowe pasture medowe, and the close in the pke of Mirescoughe neare the howse of Randulphe pensaye comenlie called the olde ffeilde, with the barnes, stables, and other howses, within the outwoods of Mirescoughe, and near adioyninge to the said lodge of Mirescoughe Together withe the orchards and gardens to the said lodge belonginge, with conveniente and sufficiente turbarie for her fewell Duringe her said aboade at Mirescoughe Payinge therfore yearlie to my executors the some of ffyve shillings at the feaste of Easter, and sancte Michaell tharchangell, yearlie by even porcons, 

  19. AND my will ys, that my said [sonne] Thurstan Tildisley shall have the use orderinge disposicon and Rule of the Residue of my said farme of Mirescoughe nowe in my occupcon, together withe the prmisses assured to the said Elizabethe Tildisley for the bringinge uppe of her said children, when the same shall fall by her mariage or otherwise, to him the said Thurstan and his assignes, for the terme of nynetene years next ensuynge the date of this my will, Paying theirfore to the quenes matie the yearlie rente of twentie fyve pownds at the rente daies usuall and accustomed. And further answeringe yearlie towards the prfermente in mariage of the said Anne Tildisley, dorathie Tildisley and Eliz. Tildisley doughrs of my said sonne Thomas Tildisley, the some of one hundreth marks at the feasts of Easter and sancte Michaell tharchangell by equall porcons, 

  20. AND my will ys, that my said sonne Thurstan Tildisley shall have likewise for terme of nynetene years next ensuynge the date of this my will, (if my intereste in the same shall contynewe so longe) The comodits arisinge and growinge of my Tyethes, in Amoundrnes,whiche I have by graunte from the quenes Matie, of the yearlie Rente of twentie three pownds nynetene shillings eight pence, Payinge to her Matie the said Rente at daies usuall. And also Aunsweringe towards the prfermente in mariage of the said Anne, dorathie, and Eliz. the some of one hundrethe marks of lawfull &c. at the feaste of the Nativitie of sancte John Baptiste, Duringe the said terme of nynetene years.

  21. AND my will ys further, That my said sonne Thurstan Tildisley, shall have for terme of nynetene years from the feaste of sancte Michaell tharchangell nexte ensuynge the date of this my will, the comodits and proffetts arisinge and growinge yearlie of my tyethes of Gosenrghe, whiche I have by graunte, from Cuthbte Clifton late of Westbie in the said countie of lane esquier deceassed, by his Indenture bearinge date the twelveth Daie of Maye in the thridde of the Reigne of the quenes Matie that nowe ys [1561] of the yearlie rente of twentie fyve pownds and nyne shillings of lawfull Englishe money. Payinge theirfore to the said Cuthburte Clifton and his assignes, the said yearlie rente of twentie fyve pownds nyne shillings at Daies menconed in the said lease; and also payinge to the Curate or minister servinge the Cuere at Gosenrghe Churche, the some of twentie sixe shillings eighte pence, at the feaste of sancte Michaell Tharchangell yearlie. And further answeringe yearlie towards the prfermente in mariage of the said Anne, Dorathie, and Eliz., the some of ffortie pownds of lawfull &c. at the feaste of sancte Michaell tharkangell onlie, 

  22. WHICHE said sevall somes Resrved for and towards the prferments and the advauncemente in mariage of the said Amre Tildisley, Dorathie Tildisley, and Elizabeth Tildisley, upon my saide farme of Mirescoughe, tyethes of Amoundrnes and tyethes of Gosenrghe, My will ys that the same shalbe aunswered and paied by my said sonne Thurstan Tildisley, at the Requcste of my said sonne in lawe James And'ton and my said doughtr in lawe Elizabethe Tildisley at suche tyme and tymes as the said Anne, Dorathie, and Elizabethe, or anye of them shalbe prferred in mariage upon Reasonable acquittaunce under thands and scalles of the said James Anderton, and Elizabethe Tildisley my said doughtr in lawe or the one of them witnessinge the Recypte of the same. 

  23. PROVIDED alwaies that the said Thurstan Tildisley shall not be charged nor chargeable withe the paymente of the said yearlie somes of money, Reserved upon my said farme of Mirescoughe Tyethes of Amoundrnes, and tyethes of Gosenrghe, Intended and ment for the prfermente in mariage of the said Anne Tildisley, Dorathie Tildisley, and Elizabethe Tildisley, as above is declared for the said terme of nynetene years, But Ratablie accordinge to the tearme and number of years as the said Thurstane shall possesse and enioye the said farme of Mirescoughe, tyethes of Amoundrnes, and tyethes of Gosenrghe aforesaid, after the deathe of me the said Edward Tildisley anye thinge before menconed in this my will to the contrarie theirof notwithstandinge.

  24. AND my will ys that my said sonne Thurstan Tildisley shall have and possesse all my goods psonalls, over and besids my farmes above menconed, whiche shall appteyne to me the said Edwarde Tildisley at the Daie of my deathe, for the ffurther prfermente and advancemente in mariage of the said Anne Tildisley, Dorathie Tildisley, and Elizabethe Tildisley, accordinge to the trewe intente and meaninge of this my will (other then suche goods remayninge at Morleys or els wheare) as heartofore weare gyven by me the said Edwarde Tildisley and my said late wyfe Anne Tildisley to my said sonne Thomas Tildisley as heirelomes by deede Indented theirof made, And others then suche goods as I the said Edwarde Tildisley shall gyve in pticularities to anye pson or psons by this my last will or otherwise, 

  25. NEVERTHELESSE yt is my meaninge That suche bedds, bedstocks, pewter, brasse and other Implements of howsholde as shall Remayne in or at the said lodge in Mirescoughe at the tyme of my deathe, that the said Elizabeth Tildisley my doughtr in lawe shall have the same at Reasonable pryces, and as the same shall fortune indifferentlie to be praised, Defalkinge and allowinge to my sonne Thurstan Tildisley the prises of the same in the money, intended for the prfermente in mariage of her said three doughtrs as aforesaid 

  26. ALSO my will mynde and Intente ys,That if all my goods and Chattels in maner and forme before menconed will not extende for the advancemente in mariage of the said Anne, dorathie and Elizabethe accordinglie as is before declared, within the said terme before specified That then suche some or somes of money so wantinge shalbe supplyed by Edwarde Tildisley sonne of the said Thomas Tildisley in conveniente tyme after that he the said Edward shall accomplishe thage of twentie one years. To whome I gyve and bequethe, after that he the said Edwarde shall accomplishe the said age of twentie one years my said ffarmes of Mirescoughe The tyethes of Amoundrnes, and the tythes of Gosenrghe aforesaid, withe Intente and meaninge and also upon Condicon, That for defaulte of Issue Male of the bodie of hym the said Edwarde lawfullie to be begotten, That then the said ffarmes and tyethes shall remayne and be to the heirs males of me the said Edwarde Tildisley accordinglie, as the Inheritaunce of my said late wyfe Anne Tildisley ys lymitted aird appointed by the said Indenturs Inrolled as aforesaid. 

  27. AND ffurther my will ys, that if it shall fortune my said ffarmes of Mirescoughe, tythes of Amoundrness and my tyethes of Gosenrghe together withe my goods psonalls Charged by this my will for the prfermente in mariage of the said Anne Dorathie and Elizabethe, before that the said Edwarde Tildisley sonne of my said sonne Thomas Tildisley shall accomplishe the age of Twentie and one years will extende to a greatter some then ys sett downe for the said Anne, Dorathie, and Elizabethe, That then the surplusage and overplus arisinge of the said farmes, tyethes and goods psonalls, shalbe devided and distributed into three equall pts, vidz. one pte to the said Edwarde Tildisley iff he shall then be lyvinge, one other pte to the said Thurstan Tildisley, and the thridd and laste pte to my said sonne Willm Tildisley, AND ffurther althoe that my Intente will and meaninge ys that my said sonne Thurstan Tildisley shall have the tyethe Cornes usuallie Inned at Thornton barne pcell of my tyethes of Amoundrnes, together withe the tyethes whiche shall growe or Renewe within the Grange of Rossall pcell of the Townshippe of Thornton, in the said countie of lanc, for the terme of lyeffe of him the said Thurstan, yf my Intereste in the said tyethes shall so longe contynewe. 

  28. YET neverthelesse for so muche as I have charged my said Chattells and goods psonalls somwhate depely for the prfermente in mariage of the said Anne Tildisley, Dorathie Tildisley and Elizabethe Tildisley, Theirfore my will ys that the said tyethes of Thornton and Rossall shalbe in suspence, and not to be Receyved by the said Thurstan to his prp use, untill suche tyme as the money mente for the prferments in mariage of the said Anne Tildisley, Dorathie Tildisley, and Elizabethe Tildisley shalbe fullie satisfied contented and paied,

  29. WHICHE done and pformed my will ys, that my said sonne Thurstan Tildisley shall have the said tyethes of Thornton and Rossall grange, for the terme of lyve of the said Thurstan (if my intereste in the same shall so longe contynewe) Payinge theirfore yearlie to the said Edwarde Tildisley sonne of the said Thomas Tildisley and to his heirs males, after that he the said Edwarde Tildisley shall accomplishe the full age of twentie and one years the some of ffower pownds of lawfull money &c. at the feaste of sancte Michaell tharchangell yearlie. 

  30. AND my will ys further that my said sonne Thurstan Tildisley shall have to him and his assignes, Duringe his lyve naturall those lands and tents in Asheley in the countie of lanc, nowe in the occupacon of the said Thurstan Tildisley, and late in the sevall tenurs or occupacons of George Sailburic, John loxholme, the late wiffe of Roger Saleburie, and the late wyfe of John Saleburie of the aunciente and yearlie Rente of fyve marks or their abouts, with oute anye thinge to me, or to my heirs yeldinge payinge or doinge for the same, 

  31. AND the tyethes of Corne onlie yearlie comynge and Renewinge in the townshippes or hamletts of Coinbrall, Asheley and Kidsnape pcell of my said farme of Gosenrghe for terme of fortie years nexte ensuynge the Deathe of me the said Edwarde Tildisley (if the said Thurstan shall fortune so longe to lyve) yeldinge payinge or allowinge yearlie to my executors towards the pformrnge of this my will, the some of ffower pownds fyeftenc pence of lawfull &c. vidz. for the tyethe cornes of Coinbrall, xliiijs iijd for the tyethe cornes of Asheley xxxs iiijd and for the tyethe cornes of kidsnape vjs viijd at the feaste of Assumpton) of or ladye, or within twentie daies then nexte ffollowinge upon lawfull demaunde of the same. 

  32. AND my will ys ffurther, That my said sonne Thurstan Tildisley shall have to him and his assignes,all my estate tytle and terme of years intereste and demaunde which I the said Edward Tildisley have in or to that tente in Mirescoughe aforesaid in the said countie of lane' late in the occupacon of John Adamson yoman deceassed or his assignes of the yearlie rente of Threttie fyve shillings Aswell my estate and terme of years whiche I have by graunte from the said John Adamson, as also my terme of years Intereste and demaunde in the said terrlte whiche I have in revercon by graunte from one John Abington of henlyppe in the countie of Worcester esquier deceassed, by his Indenture bearinge date the xxjth daie of June in the xvijth yeare of the Reigne of or said sovaigne ladie the quenes matie that nowe ys [1575], with all escripts, muniments, and writings concerning the same. The said Thurstan upon his ptie and upon the ptie of his executors and assignes pforminge and accomplishinge all suche articles as be sett downe in certen articles in paper indented sealed syned and derived, made betwyxte me the saide Edwarde Tildisley of the one ptie, and the said John Abington upon the other ptie, bearinge date the ffyefthe daie of November, Anno RRne Eliz. xxj. [1579.] 

  33. AND my will ys further, That my said sonne Thurstan Tildisley shall have to him and his assignes, the Water Corne Milne in Mirescoughe, scituate upon the tente their then late in the occupacon of Thomas Richardson deceassed together with all my pte and porcon of the said tente in Mirescoughe when yt shall fall called the overwoodde, netherwoodd, the Cawsey, and the Cawsey hey not heartofore graunted by my lease and deede Indented to Wiftm Richardson my s'vaunte, together withe all Rents and somes Res'ved by the said lease indented, and hearafter payable to me the said Edwarde Tildisley or my assignes, by force of the said lease indented 

  34. PROVIDED alwaies, that aswell I the said Edwarde Tildisley, as the said Wiftm Richardson and or assignes shall have or Cornes to be spente as well at the lodge in Mirescoughe, as also at the house of the said Wiftm Richardson in Mirescoughe, to be gronde at the said milne Justlie and trewlie tolle free, withoute paymente of anye telle Corne at the said milne, And if the milner shall use deceyte, or abuse him selfe in gryndinge, or orderinge the said Cornes, their to be gronde, Then the said Thurstan to Recompence the faulte, accordinge to good conscience, so often as occason shalbe mynistred, upon Dewe prooffe of the same. 

  35. AND yt is my will, that Willm Tildisley my yongeste sonne, shall have duringe lyve, all those lands, Rents, tenlts, Rev'cons, s'vics and hereditaments sett lyinge and beynge in the townes of Chyppen, Wheatley, thornley, and hambleton, in the Countie of lanc, of the aunciente yearlie Rente of nyne pownds ffower shillings and tenne pence of lawfull money &c. accordinge to the purporte and trewe meaninge of a paire of indenturs, conteyninge the graunte of the same, maide betwixte me the said Edwarde Tildisley and my said sonne Thomas Tildisley deceassed upon the one ptie, and the said Willm Tildisley of the other ptie, bearinge date the firste daie of November, anno vicessimo scdo Reg. Eliz. [1580]

  36. AND my will ys further, that if the said Thurstan Tildisley my sonne by the death of John Adamson shall have and possesse the said tente called Stanzaker, by force of this my will in lewe and place of whiche said devise to the said Thurstan made, not meaninge nor Intendinge that the said Thurstan shall have boethe the said terrlts, vidz. the one called Stanzaker, and the other tente in Asheley late in the occupacon of the said George Saleburie, But the Choyce of the one of them, at the election of the said Thurstan, and my said sonne Wiftm to have the other, 

  37. THEIRFORE my will ys, that as the said tente called Stanzaker casuallie shall come to the possession of the said Thurstan, be yt in pte or in all, so Ratablie the said tente in Asheley, to come and be to the said Wiftm Tildisley for terme of lyfe of the said Thurstan Tildisley, and for the terme of three years nexte and Imediatlie ensuynge the deathe of the said Thurstan Tildisley, and his estate of srrender of the same tente to be made by the said Thurstan to my said sonne Willm Tildisley upon Reasonable Demaunde.

  38. AND my will ys ffurther that my said sonne Thurstan Tildisley shall have the tuicon educacon and bringinge uppe of my said sonne Willm Tildisley withe his whole lyvinge and comodits whatsoever, upon Reasonable accompts to be made to the said Willm Tildisley when he shall accomplishe the age of twentie years, and in the meane tyme to see him the said Willm carefullie and sufficientlie broughte uppe to gods glorie in Vertue and learninge, and if it shall happen my said sonne Thurstan Tildisley, by the deathe of the said Edwarde Tildisley sonne of the said Thomas Tildisley, dyinge withoute Issue male of his bodie lawfullie begotten (whiche god defende) casuallie to come to the Inheritaunce of me the said Edwarde Tildisley and the Inheritance of my said late wyffe Anne Tildisley, or that the said Thurstan shall fortune to dye, havinge neither wyffe nor children, 

  39. THEN my will ys, that the said Thurstan Tildisley my soune shall Imediatlie after his entrie into the said lands and tents so fallinge to him as is aforesaid, or dyinge withoute wyffe or children, That then he the said Thurstan shall convey and assure the prmisses, and evie pte theirof, before to him lymitted by this my will, To the said Willm Tildisley and his assignes, yf he the said Willm Tildisley shall then fortune to be lyvinge, or have issue male of his bodie lawfullie begotten. 

  40. AND whereas my doughter Jane (withe my consente) hathe taken to her husbande, Willm Anderton of Anderton in the courrtic of lanc esquier, for whiche mariage, I the said Edwarde Tildisly have promysed to paie to the said Willm Anderton the some of ffower hundrethe marks at daies agreed upon, whearof pte is paied, my will ys that suche somes of money not paied, pcell of the said some of ffwer hundrethe marks, shall be paide to the said Willm Anderton, accordinge as his occasion shall Requier, yf I in my lyfetyme doe not paie the same, And to be goinge forthe of my said ffarmes of Mirescoughe Goosenghe and tyethes of Amound'nes aforesaid. 

  41. AND my will ys, that my Cosine Gilbarte Tildisley shall have duringe his lyffe the some of ffortie shillings of lawfull &c. at the feasts of sancte Martin the buysshoppe in winter, and penticoste by even porcons yearlie to be paied so that he doe not Alienate the same or anye pte theirof. 

  42. ALSO my will ys, and by these prnts I gyve and bequethe to my Cosin Richarde massie duringe his naturall lyve, one Annuytie or yearlie Rente of ffower marks of lawfull &c. at the feasts [as before] to be paied by my executors and to be yssuynge and goinge fforthe of my said ffarmes of myrescoughe, gosenrghe, and tyethes in Amound'nes, yf my intereste in them or anye of them Indure so longe. 

  43. ALSO my will ys, and likewise I gyve &c. to my s'vaunte Willm Sale in Recompence of his good srvise to mee done one Annuytie or yearlie rente of ffyve marks of lawfull &c. duringe the terme of his naturall lyffe, and to be paied at the said feasts [as before] by even porcons, and to be likewise yssuynge [exactly as the last bequest]. 

  44. ALSO I gyve &c. to my s'vaunte John Carter in Recompence of his good srvice to me clone one Annuytie &c. of ffower marks of lawfull &c. duringe the terme of his naturall lyffe, and to be paied at the lyke feasts [as before and from the same places]. 

  45. ALSO my will ys, that Willm Richardson my s'vaunte shall have for the terme of twelffe years nexte ensuynge the date of this my will the some of fortie shillings of lawfull &c. at the said feasts, and to be goinge forthe of the said ffarmes, yf the said Wiftm Richardson shall fortune so longe to lyve. 

  46. AND my will ys further that the said Willm Richardson shall have to him and his assignes, my estate, tytle &c. whiche I have in and unto the moietie &c. of that tent in Mirescoughe of the yearlie rente of ffyve marks, whiche I have by graunte of the said John Abington esquier late one of the quenes Clarks Comptrollers by his indenture bearing date &c. 

  47. ALSO my will ys that Richarde wilkinson my s'vaunte in Recompence &c. shall have duringe his lyve, all those Closurs of grounde nowe in his occupacon, vidz. &c. payinge theirfore yearlie sixe shillings eight pence. 

  48. ALSO my will ys, that John Durhame my s'vaunte shall have duringe his lyve, that tente in Astley late in the occupacon &c. payinge theirfore the auncient rente, withoute anye fyne to be paide for the same. 

  49. AND my will ys, that my s'vaunte John Strerzaker shall have duringe his lyve, all that messuage or tente in Broughton, nowe in the tenure of the said John Strerzaker, Payinge theirfore yearlie the aunciente rente and s'vices due for the same. 

  50. ALSO my will ys, That my s'vaunte Thomas woodburne shall have duringe his lyve the some of ffyeftene shillings yearlie over and beside the some of xxvs gyven to the said Thomas duringe his lyve, by my said late father in lawe Thomas leylande, and the same to be allowed in his rente reserved upon his tente, and my will ys that the Rente so reserved upon the same tente shall contynewe as yt now doethe vidz. at ffower marks p ann' and not to be Inhaunsed as the same was founde by my said father in lawe.

  51. AND my will ys that Margarette hodgekinson late my s'vaunte maide shall have duringe lyve that cottage in Astley nowe in her occupacon Payinge the Rente accustomed, and also one cowe gresse yearlie in my Demayne at Morleys, and likewise one Roodlande of medowe yearlie in the same Demayne, withoute anye thinge payinge for the same. 

  52. ALSO I gyve to my s'vaunte Richarde Carter for a Remembraunce one incalfe heffer, the best that he will Choise, and that the said Richarde shall quietlie enioye his tente in widnes duringe his lyve, Payinge the ascustomed Rents &c. withoute anye fyne or Ingressome payinge for the same. 

  53. ALSO my will ys, that Anne leylande doughtr of willm leylande of london, gent, deceassed, shall remayne and be withe my said doughtr in lawe Elizabethe Tildisley, and to be mainteyned withe conveniente clothinge meate drinke and lodgeinge at the charge of my said doughtr in lawe Elizabethe Tildisley, for thentente to attende and wayte upon my said doughtr in lawe and her children at myrescoughe or elswheare, and for the further prfermente of the said Anne, my will ys, that my said executor and doughtr in lawe shall further the said Anne withe some conveniente mariage to some of my tennts sons or others havinge reasonable maintennes, and for her said furtheraunce in mariage the some of twentie sixe pownds threttene shillings fower pence at Reasonable daies to be paide, yf I in my lyfetime doe not bestowe the said Ann in mariage. 

  54. AND my will ys, that my executors shall have speciall care to see Thomas worthington sufficientlie maynteyned and kepte during his lyve withe clothinge meate drinke and lodgeinge he doinge suche works by the appointmente of my said executors as he Reasonable maye, and not to be Reiected in his old age, of whose goods for that purposse so to be kepte duringe his lyve, my said late wyfe Anne Tildisley did receyve twentie marks of lawfull money &c. 

  55. AND my will ys, that my executrs shall have a speciall care and Regard to see my olde s'vaunt John ffraunce mainteyned and kepte convenientlie in his old age in suche maner and sorte as by the discrecon of my said executors shalbe thoughte conveniente. 

  56. AND I will that all my s'vaunts not havinge anye legacie by force of this my will shall have as of my gifte, in remembrance of their s'vice evye of them one whole years waigs. 

  57. AND my will ys, that twentie pownds of lawfull &c. shall in conveniente tyme after my deathe be bestowed upon a newe stone Bridge in the highe waye over the water called brocke neare mirescoughe in the place accustomed for the ease of travellers, and in mendinge other highe waies theirabouts. 

  58. AND also I gyve to the Righte hon'ble henrye Earle of derbie my good lorde and Mr as in humble remembrance of my dutye my beste horse or geldinge suche as his lordshippe will Choyse. To my brother in lawe John Rigmaiden esquier my beste horse or geldinge of three years olde, suche as he will Choose. To my brother in lawe xpofer Anderton esquier my beste horse or geldinge of like years nexte to that my said brother Rigmaiden shall choose. To my sonne in lawe Walter Rigmaiden and my doughtr Anne his wyfe to either of them two Angells. To my son in lawe James Anderton and my doughf Margarette his wyfe to either of them two Angells. To my son in lawe Willm Anderton and to my doughtr Jane his wyfe two fether bedds with all bed cloethes to the same belonginge, And likewise sixe yonge heffers wheareof three to be of three years olde, and the other three to be of two years olde. And ffynallie I the said Edwarde Tildisley doe ordeyne &c. my welbeloved sons the said Thurstan Tildisley and Willm Tildisley executors of this my laste Will and Testamente, and my said lorde and Mr and the said John Rigmaiden supvisors &c. In witnes wherof &c. [No witnesses. A codicil follows, but contains nothing of interest. Proved 1599]