Endeavouring the King's Escape — 18 January 1646

Bulstrode Whitlocke's Memorials of the English affairs (FN1) was published in 1682. It contains three references to Sir Thomas Tyldesley 1612-1651, of which the most interesting is that for 18 January 1646:

The General made strict Orders for his Officers and Soldiers to pay their Quarters, and that the Countrey may not be burdened, and misdemeanors prevented, and this by advice of his Council of War.

Captain Batten kept in the Dutch Ship at Newcastle. 

Sir Tho. Tiddesly and Col. Price being apprehended about endeavouring the Kings escape, got away. 

Letters informed that the Scots Commissioners at New-castle could not prevail with the King to take the Covenant, and sign the Propositions, and that a Scotch Lord told him, if he did not, they must give him up to the Parliament of England, and it would fall heavy upon him and his Posterity. That his Ma|jesty is not pleased to come to Holmby house, not liking the place.

For 30 August 1651 there is a record of the letters received regarding the Battle of Wigan Lane:

Letters, That at the routing of the Earl of Derby, were taken prisoners 5 Collonels, the Adjutant General 4 Lieutenant Collonels, 1. Major, 4 Captains, 2 Lieutenants, and slain and dead since they were taken, the Lord Widdrington, Major-General Sr. Thomas Tiddesly, 1 Collonel, 2 Majors, and divers others of quali|ty. All their Baggage, Sumpters, Arms, and Ammunition taken, and the Earl of Derbyes 3 Cloaks with Starrs, his George and Garter with other Robes.

And for 6 October 1651 there is an account of the trial of James Stanley, Earl of Derby:

Letters, That the Earl of Derby was tryed at a Court-Marshal at Chester, at which were   20 Officers, Captains, and above that Degree, five Collonels, Major General Mitton, and Collonel  Mackworth the President. 

That the Earl confessed the Plot for a General Rising of the Presbyterians in Lancashire, to joyn with the King; but it was disappointed by the apprehending of Mr. Birkenhead. 

That Sir Tho. Tiddesly, Major Ashurst, and Major General Massey, were principal Actors in that Conspiracy. 

He confessed the matters of Treason charged against him, and submitted to the mercy of Parliament. 

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1. Memorials of the English affairs, or, An historical account of what passed from the beginning of the reign of King Charles the First, to King Charles the Second his happy restauration containing the publick transactions, civil and military : together with the private consultations and secrets of the cabinet. 

A Masque at Knowsley Hall 1641

On Twelfth Night 1640/1 a masque written by Sir Thomas Salusbury was peformed before James, Lord Strange—later the seventh Earl of Derby—at Knowsley Hall.

The part of January was played by "Mr Tilsbey":

Januarie. Mr Tilsbey.

I twofac'd January first apear

that am the lock, and key to either yeare

in w:home the sage Astronimer surveyes

ye face of Heauen, of fate, and following dayes

In homage thus to both, yor honors bow

which all as well as I for tymes past know

But of theire length of date, and light of glory

you shall obtaine, requires an endles story

This onelie they shall last, let me ensure

whilst revolutions of new yeares endure.

David George [FN1] tentatively suggests this may be Edward Tyldesley, the younger brother of Sir Thomas Tyldesley 1612-1651. However, Edward Tyldesley died in 1621 and was buried at Cartmel Priory. There is no evidence that there was a further son who was given the same name. 

It is more likely is that this is Thomas Tyldesley 1612-1651—later Sir Thomas Tyldesley.

The masque therefore provides evidence of the close connection between the Strange and Tyldesley families, and the long friendship between the two men: James Strange, the seventh Earl of Derby 1607-1651 and Sir Thomas Tyldesley 1612-1651.

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1. Records of Early English Drama, Lancashire, David George, 1991.

Isle of Man August 1651

On 12 August 1651, James Stanley, the seventh Earl of Derby wrote two letters to Sir Thomas Tyldesley which show that both men were on the Isle of Man—Stanley at Castle Rushen, and Tyldesley at Douglas. The letters concern their plans to join Charles II on the mainland:

Thom. — I have received several letters from you this day; to them all I have had the best intent that could be to give satisfaction to those desires, which were so reasonable and fitting for the present service.

I knew but at seven of the clock this evening that there was need of a boat hence for our horses. I sent you word, nevertheless, that you might expect one to-morrow morning, but I reckoned too fast; nevertheless it shall come, God willing, at the noon-tide, and the new galliot with it.

All this evening we have been casting forth coal, and still they are at work; and because of the great haste of her coming, so much shall be left thereof as may serve for ballast; the rigging of the sails, and many other lets, make, that she cannot possibly be ready this night. In my opinion Cottrells vessel might have some of my horses, and some other invention for the transport of the men; but of that you will consider.

Baggerley did desire our Dutchman, or one Dopson, to set a plank into the John; but the first must go in the galliot, else it must stay; and I assure you it will be, God willing, of better use than our Manx boats for landing men. The other is sick in bed; so of him I need not say more. George Joyner is, I hope, as capable as either of them, and him I send; and will want of no care or pains that may advance the present service.

I have looked into my store, and find a mistake of your opinion concerning the arms, for we have not so many fired as you think, and divers of them we have must go into St Bryde and St Andrew's parish, in the stead of others which were lately taken from them. And I would not have any excuse among this people, as that they could not defend their country by reason I had disarmed them to fit myself elsewhere. Nevertheless, I will send twenty musquets, twenty-four pikes, and two barrels of powder, which, when I have told you all, may be thought as much as could well be spared.

I shall expect to hear from you to-morrow morning. If please God that all be ready, we may make use of this wind.

My hearty service to yourself and the gentlemen.

Believe me very faithfully your assured servant,
Derby.
Aug. 12, 1651.

Thom. — So I call you, lest I offend you. Since my wife and I commanded our dear daughter to be our secretary I have observed the wind to turn fair, at least as I think; however, I desire that all things may be in readiness, that in case so great a blessing come to us, we make good use thereof.

If my horses be come up to Douglas, and the vessel, it will be necessary to ship all again immediately. If you do this, let me hear from you presently; and nothing shall hinder me, God willing, to haste unto you, and ever be,

Your faithful friend and servant,

Derby.

Castle Rushin, Aug. 12, 1651.

My little vessel will be ready this tide. The great prize vessel, which I was in hope to have taken for my horses, is not in case.

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1. Private Devotions and Miscellanies of James Seventh Earl of Derby, The Revd. F R Raines, Chetham Society FS Vol 66, 1867.

Henriette Marie Stanley 1630-1685

Henriette Marie Stanley 1630-1685 was one of the daughters of James Stanley the seventh Earl of Derby. In August 1651, she was with her father in the Isle of Man where he was planning his ill-fated expedition to England. On 11 August 1651 she wrote to Sir Thomas Tyldesley 1612-1651 [FN1]:

Sir, — Not a minute since, as I was passing the bridge, I met with your letter, and do not a little admire your goodness, when I consider so great an indisposition was not capable to divert you from so troublesome an employment. Nothing can please me better than to hear from you my lord's gallant resolutions: they are so well seconded by you and the rest of the noble persons with him, that I do not doubt of a happy success in all your enterprizes, though the wind is so unmercifully cruel. I am just now told it begins to be fair, which makes me believe this will not reach you, and that I have in some part acquitted myself of what I owe you, without exposing to your view the absurdities of,

Sir, your affectionate Servant,

Henriette Marie Stanley,

Aug. 11, 1651.

My lady commands me to assure you of her service. Mine, I beseech you, Sir, to Colonel Roscarroek and Mr Tilsley Sandes [FN2]. Let the first know that I am sorry that any of my concernments should give him the least trouble; wherefore I desire him to forget the book, and only remember how much I am his servant.

Sadly there was to be no "happy success". Just two weeks later, on 25 August 1651, Sir Thomas Tyldesley fell at the Battle of Wigan Lane. The Earl of Derby was taken prisoner in September 1651, and—despite having been granted quarter by Captain Oliver Edge—was beheaded at Bolton on 15 October 1651.

In 1654 Henriette Stanley married William Wentworth, the second Earl of Stafford. Oddly, Wentworth's father had also been beheaded—in 1641. Henriette Wentworth died in 1685 and a memorial to her survives in Wentworth Old Church.

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1. Private Devotions and Miscellanies of James Seventh Earl of Derby, The Revd. F R Raines, Chetham Society FS Vol 66, 1867.
2. The identity of "Mr Tilsley Sandes" has not yet been established.

A Chronicle of the late Intestine War 1676

In 1676 James Heath's A chronicle of the late intestine war in the three kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland [FN1] was published. It contains two mentions of Sir Thomas Tyldesley 1612-1651 in its discussion of the events of August 1651:

The King marched directly North-west to Lancashire, whither Harrison with some of Lamberts men had got before Him, intending to stop His further passage at Warrington;   to which service they had obliged and animated the new-raised Cheshire-Foot, amounting to neer 3000; but both they and Harrison received a notable defeat at that place by the conduct of Colonel Massey, who set them a forerunning with a greater speed than they had made hitherto to overtake the King; to whom in this County came the Earl of Derby, who landed at Wye-water from the Isle of Man,  though not with the same instantaneous (or indeed any) success, which his great Ancestor the noble Stanly brought to His Majesties Royal Progenitor King Henry the seventh, upon his like dispute, for the regaining of the Crown. With the Earl of Derby the King left some Forces of English under his Major-General Sir Thomas Tildesly, to strengthen what Forces he brought with him, and to countenance those Levies he was to make in that County, where he was very well beloved, both for his own and his Ancestors worth, and most liberal Hospitality. Massey was left here behind, but presently recalled.

Yet  there was a Noble Person, and some few of his partakers, whom froward unkinde Fate had banded from one ruine to a worse, and had added to that number of English at Worcester. This was the truly Honourable Earl of Derby, that was left behinde in Lancashire to raise that County, whose Le|vies with that Force left him did not amount to above 1200 men, though a little more time had rendred him formidable; with those he was marching upon a designe to fall upon Cromwel's own Regiment, quartering upon their march in Lancaster, when in the nick comes Colonel Lilburn with 10 Troops of Horse sent by the General from York upon this very Service, having with him two Regiments of the Cheshire-Foot, and other additions of Horse. The Earl was now in the midst of both these Parties, and therefore resolved to fight with Lilburn, finding his men couragious and desirous to engage, though most Horse, and in Lanes, and accordingly charged them so furiously, that he totally routed their first Troops, and made an impression into their Body so far that they began to run, while other fresh Reserves coming in, they were forced to face about, being annoyed with the Musquets; yet did they renew the charge again, and had they had but another Reserve, they had in all probability won the day; for it was upon a second Turn, when another supply resisted the torrent of their Valour, which left undeniable proofs of it self, in the death of most of the Commanders of their Wounds in and after the Battle; the names of which were the Lord Widdrington, Major-General Sir Thomas Tildesly, Colonel Mat. Boyton, Sir Francis Gamul [FN2], Lieutenant-Colonel Gallyard, and Major Trollop, and Chester; the Prisoners were Sir William Throckmorton, Colonel Richard Leg, Colonel Robinson, Bayns, Gerard, Lieutenant-Colonel Rigby, Constable, and Major Gower, and some 300 Prisoners, among whom were some Reformadoes, and some 80 slain, for the chief slaughter fell on the other side during the fight. The Earl of Derby having lost his George and Garter, fled with some 30 towards Worcester, having by the good providence of God, who alone is able to bring Evil out of Good, sheltered himself one night in a house called Boscobel, which Heaven by this means had prepared for the Kings retreat and preservation.

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1. A chronicle of the late intestine war in the three kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland with the intervening affairs of treaties and other occurrences relating thereunto : as also the several usurpations, forreign wars, differences and interests depending upon it, to the happy restitution of our sacred soveraign, K. Charles II, James Heath, 1676
2. As noted in a previous footnote, Sir Francis Gamul did not die at the Battle of Wigan Lane.

The Tyldesley Monument—Wigan Lane

(click image for larger version)

Baines [FN1]:

Three years afterwards, when the hopes of the royalists were once more revived by the appearance of Charles II. in the field, despatches were sent by that prince to the earl of Derby, summoning him from the Isle of Man, to join the royal standard. Having landed at the mouth of the Wyre, in the Fylde, at the head of 300 troops, his lordship marched to Preston, whence he sent precepts, requiring the inhabitants of the county to join him at that place in arms. This call was but feebly obeyed ; and when his lordship marched from Preston to the south, the number of his troops did not exceed 600 [1]. Manchester was at that time occupied by the Cheshire and Lancashire militia, and Colonel Lilburne, who had arrived from York with ten troops of dragoons, to join the army of Cromwell, which was daily expected from Scotland, advanced at the head of his forces to Wigan, for the purpose of intercepting the march of the earl of Derby. Having posted his horse in Wigan Lane, and lined the hedges with his infantry, the earl of Derby on his approach (August 25, 1651) was saluted with a galling fire of musketry. Astonished but not dismayed by this reception, the earl halted, and dividing his small force into two bodies of 300 each, he took upon himself the command of the van, giving the rear to Sir Thomas Tyldesley. A charge was then sounded, and this gallant little band twice cut their way through the main body of the enemy, but, attempting it a third time, and being environed and oppressed by unequal numbers, the Lord Wicldrington, Sir Thomas Tyldesley, and many other brave and worthy men, were slain. Sir Robert Throgmorton, knight marshal, was left also for dead upon the field, but, being taken up by a poor woman, and consigned to the care of Sir Roger Bradshaigh, he recovered [2]. After displaying prodigies of valour, the earl of Derby, who was wounded, and had had two horses shot under him, took refuge in a house in the market-place at Wigan, from whence he escaped the same night, and pursued his route towards Worcester, attended by three faithful followers. His lordship, on his departure, left behind him a brass plate with the arms of Man, encircled by the garter, and this plate remained in the same house (the Dog Inn) till the year 1824, when it was sold to the earl of Derby by a descendant of the family that afforded refuge to his noble ancestor. A monumental pillar in Wigan Lane marks the spot upon which the gallant Sir Thomas Tyldesley fell, and records his military achievements in these appropriate terms :— 

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-upon-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. 

1. In Whitelocke's Memorial, p. 504, it is said that the earl of Derby had got together 1500 men; Secombe, in his History of the House of Stanley, says "about 600."

2. According to Whitelocke, p. 505, the earl of Derby lost on this occasion in prisoners, five colonels, the adjutant-general, four lieutenant-colonels, one major, four captains, two lieutenants, and 400 men; and had slain Lord Widdrington, Major-General Sir Thomas Tyldesley, one colonel, two majors, and divers others of quality. So highly did the Parliament estimate the " victory of Wigan Lane," that they voted to Colonel Lilburne £500, and £200 per annum as a mark of honour for his services, with £100 to the lieutenant who conveyed the despatches; and public thanksgivings were ordered to be offered up in the churches of London and Westminster for this victory.

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1. The History of the County Palatine and Duch of Lancaster, Edward Baines, John Harland, Brooke Herford, 1870 (Vol II p179)

Frances Tyldesley

The Tyldesleys' close connection with the Stanley family included some links by marriage. 

Richard Stanley, the grandson of Henry Stanley fourth Earl of Derby via a natural son, married Mary Tyldesley, daughter of Lambert Tyldesley of Garrett Hall. And their son, Thomas Stanley of Great Eccleston Hall, was to marry Frances Tyldesley.

Frances Tyldesley was the daughter of the famous Cavalier. Sir Thomas Tyldesley 1612-1651 and Frances Tyldesley née Standish 1616-1691 are believed to have had at least three sons and seven daughters. 

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

Charles Stanley, 8th Earl of Derby

Charles Stanley, 8th Earl of Derby

The close association between the Tyldesleys and the Stanleys was to end at the Battle of Wigan Lane on 25 August 1651 when Sir Thomas Tyldesley fell fighting alongside James Stanley, the 7th Earl of Derby. James Stanley was to be executed later in the same year, on 15 October 1651, having sought and been refused permission first to visit Tyldesley's tomb.

In contrast, Charles Stanley, the 8th Earl of Derby and Lord Lieutenant of the County of Lancashire was "aggresssively anti-Romanist" [FN1]. In the 1660s there were recurrent rumours of uprisings and invasions. One of the Earl of Derby's Deputy Lieutenants, Sir Roger Bradshaigh 1628-1684 [FN2] believed that Catholics should be allowed to join the militias formed to combat these threats. On 8 July 1666 Braidshaigh wrote to Charles Stanley pressing the case:

I hope the private peeke betwixt Ned Tyldesley and Mr. Sheriff will not be a sufficient cause to judge all of his Faith like Phanaticks [i.e. Quakers and extreme dissenters] ; they weare otherways esteemed in the late Warr and accrewd a good opinion by theire faythfull servise, and they are in some other countys to my knowledge better esteem'd, and not ill by his Majestie. My Lord, notwithstanding what I write on their behalfes, I have nothinge to doe with theire Fayth, whearin they dissent from us ; nor as theye are generally of my Kindred, which I cannot helpe; but I have the fayth to beleeve, out of conversations I have had amongst them, and the experience I have had of theire servise and sufferinge for the King, that they will be as ready as ever, either for the King or Kingdom, against any forraigne power whatever.Nay, I have heard it frequently from them, with many serious conversations, that though the Pope himselfe should endeavour to invade, they would be as ready to sheath a sword in his gutts as any enemy whatever. I humbly beg your Lordships pardon for this bouldnes, which proceeds from what past between us the other day concerning them, which I was not so willing to declare myselfe in then, though I have done it in the Parliament House, when they had like to have been excepted out of the Act of Oblivion.

Whatever the outcome of these discussions, fears of a "Popish Plot" led Charles Stanley to order Edward Tyldesley's house to be searched later that year. The order has been preserved in Bradshaigh's letter-book [FN3]:

A copy of my Lord of Derby's Order by which Ned Tildesley and Sir Thomas Preston was to bee searcht for Armes, August the 8th, 1666.

Whereas I am commanded by his Majestie to disarme all such persons as are observd to keepe horses or Armes above their ranke, you are therefore hereby commanded to make search within this County Pallatine of Lancaster with [which] persons are armed above their ranke and qualitie and give me notice thereof, and to secure them for his Majestie's service. And in the execution of this warrant I doe hereby command all officers and souldiers (and all other persons within this County) to be aiding and assisting to you herein. This shall bee your warrant. Given under my hand and seale the 28th of July (1666).

C. Derby. 

To Lieut. Newton in the County of Lancaster.

I would have you to apply yourselfe to some of my Deputy Leivtenants as are next and adjacent to those persons that are armed and horsed above theire ranke for their advice and direction in the execution of this warrant; whom I therefore here desire to be aydinge to you accordingly.You are to make search at the house or houses of Sir Thomas Preston and Mr. Tyldesley of Lodge.

A true Copy examined by us 8th of August (1666).
Will. Richardson. Adam Smith.

More intriguingly, Edward Tyldesley also appears in a letter to Braidshaigh from Colonel Kirkby in 1671 [FN4]. Clearly the Vice Chancellor and Bradshaigh had been communicating regarding Edward Tyldesley—it is unfortunate further detail is not given:

Honble Sir, Yours of the 24th I thanke you for, and have enclosed a description of Bloud which I did allsoe on this day seven-night. My Cosen Roger read your Ires as I was with him to see him take Coach at Puttney, he dined with a greate many Cheshire and Lancashire Gents uppon A Invitation of Doctor Smalwood who gave us a noble treate yesterday Meane tyme aboute 3 of the clocke in the afternoone the Dutches of Yorke dyed. This day his Maitie is Expected in towne from Newmarkett. The house is now upon the Law bill, And I beleeve we shall rise within this fortnight, since his Matie sent to us to make a recesse on this day senight. I hope to see you soone after our risinge of the House and therefore defer what I have to say till I see you. My Lord Ormond thankes you for your Care, & desires your continuance. Mr. Vice Chancellor gave you an account of what passed concernninge Tyldesley, I shall say noe more, but you may be very well satisfyd with his Matles good opinion of you. My service to your good Lady, Cosen Betty and all my good friends, to Betty my Blessinge, Bro: and Sister Errington present there service to you and are glad you seald your pte. God will reward you for your care of your Betty and her Brothers. Brother Farley doath much obstruct them. I am sory things are not soe fairely carryd amongst soe neare relattions. I thought it a poore satisfaction for my Children, better then to have longe Suite to greate hazard and cost,

Deare Sir I am Yours

R. Kirkby

London Aprill 1 1671

The House sitt morninge and afternoone and I am called downe into the House

Mr. Blood is a slender man some what inclininge to tallness, a Long leane pale face with pocke holes in it. Small grey eyes and hollow, with a light Browne straight haire.

[Footnote added later in another hand] This Mr. Blood and his Sone, and Mr. "Moore" weare the persons who attempted to steale the Kinges Crowne out of the Tower and had got it to the 2nd gate. They weare the persons allsoe suspected that assaulted James Duke of Ormond in his Coach and had taken him out to have murtherd him.

Thomas Blood notoriously attempted to steal the crown jewels on 9 May 1671, but was already being sought for other offences. Curiously the Tyldesleys were to gain a connection with the Bloods.  Thomas Blood's wife was Mary Holcroft, and her niece, Eleanor Holcroft, was to become the second wife of Thomas Tyldesley 1657-1715, the Diarist.

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1. Sir Roger Bradshaigh, Arthur Hawkes, Chetham Miscellanies, 1945, Vol 109 at page 38.
2. Hawkes suggests that Bradshaigh had been guardian of Edward Tyldesley, "the infant son of Sir Thomas Tyldesley". This seems unlikely. Bradshaigh was only 7 years older than Edward Tyldesley, and Edward Tyldesley was not an infant when his father died—he was 16 years old.
3. Sir Roger Bradshaigh's Letter-Book, The Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, 1911
4. Hawkes page 43.