Townships: Lydiate

A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3. Originally published by Victoria County History, London, 1907.

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'Townships: Lydiate', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3, ed. William Farrer, J Brownbill( London, 1907), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp200-208 [accessed 25 November 2024].

'Townships: Lydiate', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3. Edited by William Farrer, J Brownbill( London, 1907), British History Online, accessed November 25, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp200-208.

"Townships: Lydiate". A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3. Ed. William Farrer, J Brownbill(London, 1907), , British History Online. Web. 25 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp200-208.

In this section

LYDIATE

Leiate, Dom. Bk.; Lydyate, 1276; and Lydeyate, 1292; the usual spellings. Liddigate occurs 1202, Lichet, c. 1240; Lydegate, 1296; Lidgate, 1299; Ledeyate, 1414; Lidezate, 1481. (fn. 1)

This township has an area of 1,995 acres. (fn. 2) Lydiate proper is bounded on the south by small brooks which divide it from Maghull, and on the east and north by the Sudell or Lydiate Brook; while on the west the 25 ft. level is almost coincident with the boundary. The township also includes the ancient Eggergarth, (fn. 3) to the north of the Sudell Brook, and forming a wedge between Aughton and Downholland. In 1901 the people numbered 1,024.

The highest point in Lydiate is near the southern boundary, where the windmill stands, about 87 ft. above sea level; Eggergarth rises to 80 ft. on the northern boundary. The country is chiefly agricultural, occupied by market gardens and fields, where potatoes and cabbages alternate with wheat and oats. The soil is sand loam over a subsoil of peat. Pastures are found principally in the low-lying parts westwards.

The Liverpool and Ormskirk road passes northeastwardly through the southern end of the township; another road branches off from this at the southern boundary and goes north to Downholland and Halsall. The houses are scattered along this road; the ruined chapel popularly called 'Lydiate Abbey' is on the left side of it about a mile north of the boundary; the old hall is just to the north. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal winds its way through the township.

There is a parish council.

'From the tower steeple' of the ruin, wrote a visitor in 1813, 'the view over the low meadows of Lydiate and Altcar, which are frequently flooded after sudden and violent showers by the overflowing of the River Alt, is very extensive, embracing the whole of Formby Channel and part of the River Mersey, and bounded only by the chain of mountains terminating with the Ormshead.' (fn. 4)

Traces of seven crosses were known or remembered recently. The base of one remains near the hall; another, the School Brow cross, is buried beneath the footpath; it is reported that funerals used to stop there while the mourners repeated the De Profundis. (fn. 5)

The wake was held in Ember week. (fn. 6)

MANORS

Uctred held LYDIATE proper at the death of Edward the Confessor. It was a border township of the privileged three hides, was rated as six oxgangs of land, and had woodland a league in length by 2 furlongs broad. (fn. 7) The value was 64d., a great advance on the normal 24d., due perhaps to the wood. Early in the twelfth century it was granted to Pain de Vilers as part of his fee of Warrington, to which it continued to belong, (fn. 8) and Pain in turn granted it to William Gernet, to be held by knight's service as three-fortieths of a knight's fee. (fn. 9) In 1212 his six oxgangs in Lydiate were in the joint tenure of Benedict and Alan, sons of Simon. (fn. 10) That Alan was the elder brother seems clear by the order of the names in a quitclaim in 1202 by Simon Blundel and Siegrith his wife to Alan and Benedict de Lydiate, after an assize of 'mort d'ancestor' had been summoned between them, concerning two-thirds of two oxgangs in Gildhouse and Sureheved. (fn. 11) As Alan 'de Lydiate' he granted to Cockersand a portion of his land in the townfield in pure alms. (fn. 12)

His nephew William, son of Benedict de Lydiate, gave his share of Orshawhead to Cockersand in alms, (fn. 13) and added a further piece of land. (fn. 14) William le Boteler, as overlord, ratified the Orshaw grants, giving the bounds thus: In length from the cross on the north side of Orshaw to the ditch on the south side, in the further part of Orshaw field; and in breadth, from the brook on the west to the ditch under the law on the east. (fn. 15)

William de Lydiate was holding Lydiate of the heir of Emery le Boteler, in 1242. (fn. 16) He seems to have been still living in 1255, but to have died shortly afterwards, leaving as his heir Benedict, probably his son, whose widow Alice about 1270 made over to Sir William le Boteler all her dower and whatever claim she might have in land in the vill of Lydiate. (fn. 17)

In the middle of 1277 the same Alice prosecuted her claim against Robert de Halsall. The defendant called William son of Benedict to warrant him as to part; as to the mill he denied that Benedict her husband was ever in seisin, all his interest being 4s. yearly rent. (fn. 18)

In 1292 Emma, widow of William the Pinder, claimed dower in a small holding from Robert de Lydiate, and the latter called upon William son of Benedict to warrant. This he failed to do. Emma therefore recovered her dower against Robert, who was to have the value of it out of William's lands. (fn. 19)

Who this Robert de Lydiate alias de Halsall was there is nothing to show; he seems to have held a small subordinate manor of William de Lydiate. (fn. 20) In 1303 Thomas son of Robert de Halsall gave 20s. for licence to agree with Robert de Halsall of Lydiate. (fn. 21)

The double lordship of Lydiate again comes out in 1313 in a suit brought by the abbot of Cockersand for common of pasture of which he had been disseised, as he stated, by Benedict son of William de Lydiate and Thomas son of Robert de Lydiate. (fn. 22) Two years later the succession to what may be called the junior moiety of the manor was settled by fine between Thomas de Lydiate and his son Gilbert, the remainders being to Gilbert's brothers William, Adam, and John in succession. (fn. 23)

About the same time (1315) Richard son of Benedict de Lydiate settled an oxgang of land, &c., on his daughter Cecily, married to Elias de Occleshaw. He had received this oxgang, which lay in Gildhouse, from his brother William, and it had previously been held by Adam de Churchlee. (fn. 24)

Benedict de Lydiate, at Easter, 1325, complained that Gilbert de Halsall, John del Wolfall, and Denise his wife, and others had disseised him of ten acres of pasture in Lydiate. In this complaint he was joined by Gilbert son of Thomas de Lydiate, and Margery his wife; also by Alice, widow of Thomas; as representing the other moiety of the manor. (fn. 25) The defence was that the land was 'wood, not pasture.' Benedict and the others had enclosed the wood and so sought to deprive the defendants of the right to send their pigs there in mast-time. The jury took this view. (fn. 26)

This case introduces another family into the history of the township, the Wolfalls. (fn. 27) A settlement was made by fine in 1323 of two messuages, eighteen acres of land, and 19d. rent in Lydiate upon John del Wolfall and Denise his wife for life. (fn. 28) From this time the Wolfalls constantly appear in the neighbourhood in various relations.

Benedict de Lydiate must have died soon afterwards, (fn. 29) for though he paid to the subsidy in 1327 he is not named in 1332. For a time Gilbert de Lydiate was the foremost man in the township, as in the assize of 1331 and the subsidy of 1332. (fn. 30) John son of Benedict becomes prominent about 1350. (fn. 31) In that year he pleaded that Sir William le Boteler of Warrington, Elizabeth his wife, and many others, including the Wolfalls and Elias de Gildhouse, had unjustly disseised him of his free tenement in Lydiate, viz. two-thirds of the manor. The recognitors decided in his favour, saying that he was seised of it until the defendants ousted him by force and arms. (fn. 32)

Shortly afterwards, in 1352, John de Lydiate and two others were charged with having disseised Margery, widow of Robert de Lydiate, of her third of the junior moiety. (fn. 33) A year later Elizabeth daughter of Robert de Lydiate claimed certain lands as her inheritance, of which John de Lydiate and his tenants were in possession. Their defence was that she was a bastard, and the matter was referred to the bishop for inquiry. (fn. 34) From this time the 'junior manor' disappears from view. (fn. 35) John de Lydiate had suits later with Otes de Halsall, (fn. 36) Robert de Wolfall, (fn. 37) and Adam Tyrehare, a chaplain and trustee, (fn. 38) concerning various claims as to lands in Lydiate.

One other family may be noticed at this point. Simon son of Richard de Ince in 1306 claimed from William del Halgh of Lydiate a tenement in the latter place. (fn. 39) William del Halgh enfeoffed William Blundell, clerk, of his holding in Lydiate and Maghull, who reenfeoffed him and his wife Anabel, with remainder to John their son and his wife Agnes. John died, leaving an infant daughter Isabel, who in 1359 claimed it from Henry de Bickerstath of Aughton, senior, his wife Agnes (Isabel's mother,) and others. (fn. 40)

John de Lydiate's daughter and heir Katherine married Robert son of John de Blackburn of Garston; and as a release to his father of lands received from him in Downham and Much Woolton was made by Robert in 1389, (fn. 41) the marriage probably took place then. There were at least two children—a son born about 1400 and a daughter Agnes, eventually the heir of both father and mother. (fn. 42) She married Thomas, a younger son of Sir John de Ireland of Hale, who thus became lord of Garston and Lydiate.

Katherine the heiress seems to have died in 1435. (fn. 43) Her grandson Lawrence Ireland, son of Thomas, would then come into possession of the manor. He was a minor, and his mother had in 1433 married as her second husband David de Standish. He married Katherine, daughter of Henry Blundell of Little Crosby, and by her had a son and heir John, who in March, 1469, is described as 'lord of Garston,' so that his father Lawrence probably died before that time. (fn. 44)

John Ireland of Lydiate, who married Beatrice daughter of William Norris of Speke, died in May, 1514, holding the manor of Lydiate of Sir Thomas Butler by the tenth part of a knight's fee; it was worth 10 marks annually. He also held the manor of Garston and lands in Downham, Allerton, Woolton, Halewood, and West Derby, which were the Blackburn inheritance, the annual value being a little over 14 marks. George, his son and heir, was fortyseven years of age. (fn. 45)

George Ireland held the manors for some twenty years, (fn. 46) being succeeded about 1535 by his son Lawrence, who in 1540 made an exchange of lands with Thomas Lydiate of Lydiate. (fn. 47) In 1539–40 he had a grant of lands in Garston from Thomas Ireland of the Hutt, and four years later he surrendered all his lands in Garston and the neighbourhood to Sir William Norris of Speke, receiving the Norris lands in Lydiate and Maghull in part compensation. (fn. 48) About the same time he purchased from Thomas Holt of Gristlehurst that portion of the possessions of Cockersand Abbey which lay in his own neighbourhood—in Lydiate, Thornton, Melling, and Cunscough; and in 1546 he acquired Eggergarth from the Scarisbricks. (fn. 49)

Ireland of Lydiate. Gules, a hunting spear in bend head downwards or, between six fleurs de lis argent, all within a bordure engrailed of the second charged with ten pellets.

He died in March 1566, holding the manor of Cunscough of the queen in chief; the manor of Lydiate of Thomas Butler of Warrington by the twentieth part of a knight's fee, paying a rent of 5s. 4½d., the clear value being 40 marks; the manor of Eggergarth of the same Thomas Butler, as the twentieth part of a knight's fee, paying 7s., the value being £11; also lands in Aughton of the earl of Derby. His son and heir was William Ireland, who was fortysix years of age. (fn. 50)

William Ireland died about three years after his father. In 1567 he granted the reversion of Cunscough and Eggergarth to Gilbert Halsall and William Ireland, (fn. 51) his youngest son, for ninety-nine years. He had a dispute with his younger brother George of Gray's Inn, who claimed everything under a feoffment made by their father. (fn. 52) A pedigree was recorded in 1567. (fn. 53) The inquisition after his death records only a messuage and land in Cunscough, in the tenure of Thomas Tatlock, held of the queen in chief by the service of the sixtieth part of a knight's fee, the value being 23s. 4d. Lawrence Ireland, his son and heir, was eighteen years of age. (fn. 54)

The heir was engaged in many lawsuits. (fn. 55) He died 6 May, 1609, leaving a widow and ten young children, for whose benefit he had in 1605 enfeoffed Sir Richard Molyneux and others, of Lydiate Hall, Lydiate chapel near the manor-house, the dove-house, barns, &c. Lydiate and Eggergarth are stated in the inquisition to be held of Thomas Ireland of Warrington in socage by the rent of a rose yearly, their value being £5 clear; he also had tenements in Cunscough, Melling, Aughton and Maghull. (fn. 56)

Edward Ireland, his son by his second wife Mary Scarisbrick, was his heir, but only sixteen years of age, and his wardship was granted by James I to Barnaby Molyneux and Hugh Nelson. (fn. 57) He was twice married; by his first wife he had two daughters; by his second—Margaret Norris, a granddaughter of Edward Norris of Speke—he had a son and heir Lawrence. (fn. 58) He died on 1 April, 1637, (fn. 59) and the inventory of his property has been preserved. (fn. 60)

His son and heir Lawrence was only about three years of age, (fn. 61) and was still under age in 1651, when his mother Margaret sent a petition to the Parliamentary Commissioners touching the sequestration of his estate. Like many others of his faith he was sent to one of the colleges abroad to be educated. On account of religion two-thirds of the Ireland estate was sequestered, and the widow was allowed a fifth in 1651, to be increased to a third should she prove that she was not a delinquent; (fn. 62) Gilbert Ireland of the Hutt, a distant relative and a strong partisan of the Parliament, was made guardian. Mr. Ambrose, the Parliament's agent, 'had given reasons which induced him to believe that young Mr. Ireland was being brought up in popery; namely, that his mother demanding from him how her son should be maintained, he answered that if she would please he should be brought up in the Protestant religion he might be provided for according to his rank and quality, she replied "she had rather see him hanged"; that he could never hear of him going to church, but that he had been kept secret and conveyed from one papist's house to another, whereof Mr. Ditchfield, a papist at Ditton, was one; and that it had then lately been given out that he had been sent beyond the seas, where Mr. Ambrose believed he then was.' It was replied that he had been educated at Oxford, (fn. 63) and only sent abroad by licence from the Council of State. Colonel Gilbert Ireland refused to stir; 'he had heard they were about to marry him (Lawrence) with Mr. Ditchfield of Ditton's daughter, an arch-papist, signifying his dislike thereof.' It appears therefore that the widowed mother secured no better terms. (fn. 64)

Lawrence came of age in 1655, in which year he granted a lease of Cunscough Hall to John Tatlock. He married, about the beginning of 1658, Anne, daughter of Edward Scarisbrick, but she died within six years, leaving two daughters, Margaret and Katherine. In 1664 he settled his estates on his elder daughter and her heirs, with remainder to the younger daughter and her heirs, and further remainders; gave the children into the guardianship of his mother, and for himself sought admission into the Society of Jesus. He made his profession in 1666, and was ordained priest, but there is little further record of his career, (fn. 65) and his only connexion with Lydiate was his settling a messuage in the place upon his younger daughter Katherine in 1673; she afterwards became a nun at Dunkirk. He died at York, 30 June, 1673. His mother survived him, being buried at Halsall in 1695. (fn. 66)

The manor of Lydiate now went to Charles Anderton, (fn. 67) who had married Lawrence Ireland's elder daughter. He had first to meet claims to the estates by William Ireland, brother of his wife's grandfather Edward, and by William's son Francis; these claims were based on a feoffment made by Lawrence Ireland (d. 1609), the father of Edward and William, but never executed. It is not certain whether Charles Anderton ever resided at Lydiate; on succeeding his father in 1678 he lived at Lostock, and Lydiate was leased to Thomas Lydiate; old Mrs. Ireland lived in part of it. (fn. 68) He died in 1691. His eldest son Charles was then at St. Omer's, where he died in 1705, being succeeded by his brother James. The manors of Lydiate, Melling, Cunscough, and Eggergarth and other Ireland lands were in this year settled to the use of his mother Dame Margaret for life, with remainders to Francis and to his brother Joseph in tail male; then to his sister Mary, the wife of Henry Blundell of Ince Blundell. James, the legal owner, had entered the Society of Jesus in 1703, and drew a pension of £50 from the family estates; he died in 1710, having in 1708 executed a conveyance in order to enable his younger brother Francis to make a marriage settlement. (fn. 69)

Anderton of Lostock. Sable, three shack-bolts argent.

Francis Anderton took part in the rising of 1715, and was taken to London and condemned; (fn. 70) he was pardoned, but the forfeited estates were recovered by an elder brother Lawrence, who had been a Benedictine, renouncing his vows and his religion in 1724. He died very shortly afterwards, and by his will left his estates to his brother's children, with remainder to the Blundells. Under this will the Blundells of Ince Blundell succeeded to the Lydiate manors and estates after the death of Sir Francis Anderton in 1760. Sir Francis, after his pardon, had lived very quietly at Lydiate Hall, devoting himself to country sports, and especially to cock-fighting. (fn. 71)

A very singular dispute followed his death without issue. By the will of his brother, as stated, the Blundells of Ince Blundell were the heirs to the Anderton properties; but Dame Margaret, who died in 1720, had also by her will made a settlement of the Lydiate estates as follows: 'As for and concerning my manors or lordships of Lydiate, Melling, Cunscough, Eggergarth, Aughton, Maghull, and Aintree, &c., I do hereby give, devise, and bequeath the same unto Nicholas Starkie, his heirs and assigns for ever, and to and for no other use, intent, trust, or purpose whatsoever.' Mr. Starkie was a lawyer of good repute, who though a Protestant had long been concerned in her affairs. (fn. 72) Her desire was to secure the estate for her son Francis, but as he had been convicted of high treason to have named him directly would only have led to forfeiture. After Lawrence Anderton's death a settlement was drawn up in accordance with Dame Anderton's known wishes. Her daughter Mrs. Blundell, then a widow, refused to sign it, on account of a clause indemnifying Mr. Starkie; the latter, who was receiving the rents and was apparently the legal owner, could not see his way to relinquish the clause, but after some negotiation and the payment of £1,000 he in 1728 made over the Lydiate estates to three trustees, his son being one, for the use of Sir Francis Anderton during life and then to the heirs of his body, all mention of the Blundells being omitted. Mrs. Blundell and Mr. Starkie died before Sir Francis; and Robert Blundell of Ince, as heir, was met by the claims of Edmund Starkie the son, the only surviving trustee, who insisted that Dame Anderton had made an absolute gift to his father, of which he intended to avail himself, the allowance to Sir Francis having been an act of compassion to him personally. The Blundells, however, took possession, but it is supposed they had to compensate Edmund Starkie by a heavy payment. (fn. 73) Since that time the manor of Lydiate has descended with Ince Blundell. (fn. 74)

The Halsalls of Halsall preserved an interest in Lydiate, derived perhaps in part from Alan de Lydiate of Halsall. In 1414 Archdeacon Henry de Halsall acquired a quarter of the manor from Owen de Penerith and Joan his wife; the origin of their title is unknown. (fn. 75) Seven or eight years later (1422) Sir Gilbert de Halsall bought lands there from William Fletcher of Lydiate and Joan his wife. (fn. 76) At the death of Henry Halsall in 1472 he was said to have held half the manor, but the tenure is not stated. (fn. 77) Sir Thomas Halsall, who died in 1539, is stated to have held the 'manor' of Lydiate by the tenth part of a knight's fee. (fn. 78) In the next inquisition, in 1575, the lands in Lydiate and Eggergarth are said to be held of Lawrence Ireland. (fn. 79)

The Molyneux family bought small parcels of land here as early as the fifteenth century. Sir William Molyneux in 1543 acquired from Sir William Norris a fourth part of the manor of Formby in exchange for lands in Lydiate (fn. 80) and Maghull. Then at the beginning of 1561, John, son of Sir Edward Warren, and Sir Richard Molyneux agreed to take all the Halsall lands in Lydiate, charged with 20d. payable to the chief lord, in exchange for the fourth part of the manor of Formby; the 20d. was divided into 9d. and 11d. to correspond with the purchasers' shares. (fn. 81) In 1595 Edward Warren, son of John, sold his share of Lydiate to Sir Richard Molyneux; (fn. 82) and in 1623, at the inquisition after Sir Richard's death, he was said to have held the 'manor' of Lydiate and various lands there, but the jury did not know by what services. (fn. 83) It remained in the possession of the family till the end of the eighteenth century, when it was sold as 'the moiety of the manor,' to Henry Blundell of Ince, who thus became sole lord; the price paid was £460.

EGGERGARTH

EGGERGARTH is not mentioned by name in Domesday Book, being at that time probably included in Halsall. Like Halsall and Lydiate it formed part of the Warrington fee. In the survey of 1212 it is stated that Richard le Boteler had given the two oxgangs in Eggergarth to Matthew de Walton by knight's service (one-fortieth of a fee), and that Henry son of Gilbert was holding it at the date mentioned. (fn. 84) Henry de Walton granted to the monks of Cockersand a ridding in Eggergarth. (fn. 85)

William de Walton and William de Lydiate held Eggergarth and Lydiate of the heir of Emery le Boteler in 1242 for the tenth part of a knight's fee. (fn. 86) In 1355 Gilbert de Scarisbrick was holding it of the lord of Warrington, (fn. 87) and it continued in this family until, as stated above, it was purchased about 1546 by Lawrence Ireland from James Scarisbrick, possession being given in 1547. (fn. 88) The delay in payment of the purchase money caused much disputing, the matter remaining unsettled for twenty years. (fn. 89) From this time Eggergarth has descended with Lydiate, in which it has become merged, though mentioned separately in inquisitions and settlements.

It seems to have possessed a mill from early times, situated on the brook dividing it from Lydiate proper. William son of Benedict de Lydiate in 1296 granted 4s. of annual rent from the mill to Gilbert son of Richard de Halsall; (fn. 90) and four years later contention having arisen between Sir William le Boteler, Adam de Pulle and Alice his wife on the one part, and Gilbert son of Gilbert de Halsall on the other, respecting the diversion of the course of the Alt, (fn. 91) which flowed to the injury of a certain mill in Eggergarth and Lydiate, an agreement was in June, 1298, made for a diversion of the course. (fn. 92) The Halsall lands in Lydiate adjoining the brook were in dispute early in the reign of Henry VIII, when Nicholas Longback, tenant of Sudell Close, complained that William Molyneux of Sefton, out of his covetous mind and malice towards Sir Henry Halsall, had caused Katherine Male to claim them in the wapentake court, where William Molyneux was steward, and the twelve suitors who tried the case were his tenants and forced to do as he told them. (fn. 93) A little later Sir Henry Halsall made further complaint as to this aggression. (fn. 94)

It was in respect of Eggergarth that Sir Thomas Butler early in the reign of Henry VIII claimed the wardship of Thomas son and heir of Gilbert Scarisbrick from the earl of Derby; by the first award the custody of the manor was allowed, but about 1517 the wardship of the heir was confirmed to the earl, and the custody of the manor was transferred to him, Sir Thomas receiving £40 as compensation. (fn. 95)

Robert Blundell in 1598 asserted that from time immemorial the lord of Ince Blundell and his servants and tenants and all the people of the manor had had a right of way from Ince, over Alt Bridge and through Altcar, and thence 'through Lydiate to certain lands called Eggergarth, and thence to Aughton, and so to Ormskirk church and the market, and back again the same way by and near to a watermill in Eggergarth.' Of late the tenant of Lawrence Ireland had stopped plaintiff's servants and tenants near the mill, on their way to the market, and told them that in future they would not be allowed to pass through Eggergarth. (fn. 96)

The Orshaw family appears from time to time. In 1529 Henry son and heir of Richard Orshaw, deceased, complained that Thomas Halsall and others had ousted him from his free holding in Lydiate. It appeared that the lands had been bought in 1520 by Sir Henry Halsall and given to found a chantry in Halsall church. (fn. 97)

Families in the neighbouring townships also held lands in Lydiate, as the Maghulls, Molyneuxes, and Walshes, but the only freeholders recorded in 1600 were Lawrence Ireland and—Lydiate. (fn. 98) Descendants of the Molyneuxes of Melling were settled here in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. (fn. 99)

James Dennett of Lydiate registered in 1717 a small estate in Cunscough and Sutton; his son James became a Jesuit. (fn. 100) Among the returns of 'Papists' Estates' at the same time occurs the name of James Pye of Lydiate, yeoman. (fn. 101)

In 1530 the Hospitallers received a rent of 2d. from the heirs of Kirkby for Hollins Acre in Lydiate. (fn. 102)

In connexion with the Established Church St. Thomas's was erected in 1839; a district was formed in 1871. (fn. 103) The rector of Halsall presents.

Lydiate Hall was originally a quadrangular building enclosing a small court, but the eastern range of buildings was destroyed about 1780. The other three sides still remain, but the house is empty and dismantled, and in spite of some amount of repair not many years ago, is rapidly falling into decay. This is all the more to be deplored because the chief rooms, the hall and great chamber, have been but little altered since they were first built, and preserve several charming pieces of detail. The exterior is very picturesque, with its panelling and bands of quatrefoils of white plaster set in black wood, and the grey stone roofing slates make an agreeable contrast to the varied patterns of the walls.

Lydiate Hall from the East

The house is of two stories, the hall occupying the west wing, with a range of rooms over it, while the great chamber is to the south, and the kitchen wing to the north. The destroyed east wing is said to have been the oldest part of the house, and stone built, but unfortunately nothing is left of it. What remains is of timber and plaster on a low stone base, and its earliest part seems to belong to the end of the fifteenth century, having probably been built by Lawrence Ireland, whose initials are on the doorway from the hall into the screens; he was living about 1470. The screens are at the north end of the hall, and are entered through a projecting porch, altered in the eighteenth century, and bearing the Anderton arms, above which is a small room with a three-light window, setting forward on carved brackets on which are three roses. The entrance door is probably original, closely studded with nails after the fashion of many others in old Lancashire houses, and immediately to the left on entering is the door of the hall with Lawrence Ireland's initials in the spandrels of the arched head The hall has a flat ceiling with moulded beams, and is lighted by a continuous row of windows on east and west. It has a large masonry fireplace at the north end on the line of the screen, probably an early sixteenth-century addition to the plan. At the south end is the canopy over the daïs, a plaster cove panelled with wooden ribs, having carved bosses at the intersections. On the bosses are a variety of devices of which some are armorial, but many seem to be merely decorative. Among them are two with the initials J. I. and B. I., for John Ireland and Beatrice (Norris) his wife. He died in 1514, and the date of the canopy is probably a few years before this. It is a beautiful and valuable example of its kind, but in the present neglected state of the house, is in no small danger of damage.

An earlier example from Boultons in West Derby parish is now set up in safety in the Liverpool Museum.

At the west end of the daïs was formerly a projecting bay, now destroyed, and the opening to it blocked up; while at the east end is a projection balancing the porch at the other end of the hall, and containing the stair to the chamber on the first floor. In the south-east corner of the hall is a door to the rooms on the ground floor of the south wing, which now contains little of interest except two good late seventeenthcentury fireplaces. In the larger of these rooms, and in the hall, the sixteenth and seventeenthcentury panelling which formerly lined their walls is carelessly stacked, at the mercy of any chance comer who may see fit to carry off anything that takes his fancy.

The great chamber has a ceiling panelled with moulded wooden beams and light ribs crossing the panels diagonally, the beams being slightly cambered. This room has been lined with sixteenth-century wainscot, full of good detail, and in it were inserted two elaborately carved panels with figures in low relief said to represent Henry VIII and his wives. Only one of these panels now remains, leaning against the wall.

The rest of the south wing is gutted, and ends in a plain brick gable.

The north wing has been nearly rebuilt, and retains nothing of its old fittings, its eastern half being now used as a farmhouse. On the north are some picturesque brick farm buildings, built by Sir Francis Anderton in 1744.

To the south of the hall in an open field stands the ruined chapel called 'Lydiate Abbey.' It was dedicated in honour of St. Catherine. Its plan is of the simplest form, a rectangle 46 ft. 9 in. long by 16 ft. 4 in. wide, internal measurement, with a small west tower. Weather and the arch-enemy of ancient buildings, ivy, are slowly destroying its ruins. It has had an east window of five lights, and four threelight windows on the south side, with stepped buttresses between the windows, formerly capped by pinnacles, which, with an embattled parapet, are shown in Pennant's view, noted below. There are no windows on the north side. There are north and south doorways near the west end, with a south porch, over the outer arch of which are the arms of Ireland, and on the dripstones of the label the initials LI and CI. There are stone seats on both sides of the porch, and in the north-east angle is a holy-water stone, while the remains of a niche and corbel, formerly over the outer arch, lie near by. The tower is of three stages with diagonal buttresses, and a three-light west window. In the belfry stage are two-light windows with tracery, and the tower has an embattled parapet with angle pinnacles.

Parts of a broken altar-slab lie in the church, enough remaining to show that the altar was 3 ft. 4 in. high by 8 ft. 6 in. long and 2 ft. 6 in. wide.

The date of the building is probably fixed by the initials on the porch of Lawrence Ireland, ob. before 1486, and Catherine (Blundell) his wife, though the details would suggest a later date, especially the absence of cusps in the window tracery.

Pennant thus describes it in 1773: 'A small but most beautiful building, with a tower steeple, with pinnacles and battlements venerably overgrown in many parts with ivy.' (fn. 104) Gregson also notices the building, but was of opinion it was never completed. (fn. 105) This however, is a mistake, fragments of stained glass and roofing flags having been found within the walls.

The chapel was no doubt dismantled when the worship for which it was erected was prohibited by law. Four alabaster groups attributed to the Nottingham school, and representing the story of St. Catherine, probably formed the reredos; they were preserved at the hall, and are now in the pulpit of the church opposite. An alabaster figure of St. Catherine, which has been supposed to have occupied the niche over the porch, has also been transferred from the hall to the church. (fn. 106) The interior of the chapel was used for burial occasionally—five priests lying there. (fn. 107)

No details are known as to the continuance or revival of the Roman Catholic worship in Lydiate, but Francis Waldegrave, S.J., was in residence at the hall in 1681. Margaret Ireland of Lydiate, widow, and many others, occur in a list of recusants fined or outlawed in 1680. (fn. 108) The mission was served by the Jesuits down to 1860, (fn. 109) when the late Thomas Ellison Gibson, a secular priest, was appointed. (fn. 110) He was a diligent antiquary and author of the work frequently quoted in this account—Lydiate Hall and its Associations, issued in 1876. He also edited the Cavalier's Note Book, Crosby Records, and N. Blundell's Diary. Edmund Powell, appointed in 1885, must also be mentioned. (fn. 111)

Gregson in 1816 records that 'the neighbourhood still abounds with Catholic families, and mass is regularly performed in the old hall.' (fn. 112) This domestic chapel has been superseded by the church of St. Mary (commonly called 'Our Lady's'), built in 1854 by the late Thomas Weld Blundell, and consecrated in 1892. A burial ground was opened in 1860. Besides the alabaster groups and statue already mentioned the church has the figure of a bishop seated (said to have been brought from Halsall), a pre-Reformation chalice, and an ancient processional cross. A roadside cross, found buried in the neighbourhood in 1870, has been erected as the cemetery cross. (fn. 113)

Footnotes

  • 1. For comparison may be cited Lawton Lidgate in Cheshire (Church Lawton); Ormerod, Ches. (ed. Helsby), iii, 15, 20. Lidyate frequently occurs as a common noun.
  • 2. 1,994, including 21 inland water; census of 1901.
  • 3. Egergarth, 1292; Ekirgart and other forms are found. The name has long been disused.
  • 4. Kaleidoscope, 8 July, 1823.
  • 5. Short Acct. of Lydiate, 11, 12; Lancs. and Ches. Antiq. Soc. xix, 170–1.
  • 6. Baines, Lancs. (ed. 1836), iv, 272.
  • 7. V.C.H. Lancs. i, 285a. This wood was probably on the west, for in Altcar also there was, at least in later times, a wood in the portion adjoining Lydiate. The name Frith may point to the same fact.
  • 8. In 1548 the following rents were payable to the lord of Warrington from the manor of Lydiate: Lawrence Ireland 5s. 4½d. and 7d.; Henry Halsall, 20d.; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 13, m. 142.
  • 9. Lancs. Inq. and Extents (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), 8. It would appear that Pain had first of all granted it to Alan de Vilers his son, the latter bestowing it upon Chester Abbey about 1140; St. Werburgh's Chartul. fol. 8. Possibly the gift did not actually take effect, for nothing further occurs in the chartulary with respect to it.
  • 10. There is nothing to show their connexion with the former holder; the tenure suggests that the two brothers had married two sisters who were coheiresses. Alan was also lord of Halsall.
  • 11. Final Conc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 20. Gildhouse (Gildus) is mentioned later as being in Lydiate; the other place seems lost. The 'two-thirds' probably means that the father's widow was still living. Siegrith may have been a third sister, claiming her share (two oxgangs) in the manor. A charter of this time by Simon son of Stainulf de Lydiate to the monks of Cockersand grants all Tunesnape, both wood and open, free from all secular service; the bounds begin from Maghull Pool to Rutende Brook, and from the middle of the moss to the Alt opposite Longley; Cockersand Chartul. (Chet. Soc.), ii, 635. The Alt is probably not 'Great Alt' (which does not touch Lydiate), but the tributary brook called Sudell Brook or Lydiate Brook; Gibson, Lydiate Hall, 13, 14.
  • 12. The bounds are thus described: From Sandyford to Murscough (Maircough is in the north of the township, adjoining Downholland), following the Alt round the Hurst to the mill pool, across to the mill road going 'by the edge of the wood,' along this road to the edge of Orshaw, and by another road to Sandyford; Cockersand Chartul. (Chet. Soc.), ii, 634.
  • 13. The monks were to have pasture for four oxen, twelve cows, and three mares and their offspring, pannage for twenty pigs, with goats and sheep at the monks' pleasure. The bounds are described with great minuteness; they mention Orshaw law, Orshaw-syke, a cross and an oak tree. Simon son of Alan (now styled 'de Halsall') gave his share, William the White of Gildhouse—perhaps son of the Simon Blundel above mentioned—did the same, and Robert de Orshaw gave half of his land within the same bounds. The abbey thus had grants of this land from the overlords and tenant. In 1268 Adam son of Robert de Orshaw held it by inheritance, paying 12d. a year; and on his decease his heir would have to pay half a mark and do homage to the monks; ibid. ii, 632–4.
  • 14. It was thus bounded: From Sandyford to Murscough, as far as the road from Downholland; turning to the moss and as far as Rushy Hills on the south, and thence to Orshaw dyke, and so back to Sandyford; ibid. ii, 636. The Cockersand rents from Lydiate in 1501 amounted to a little over 20s., the principal tenant being Nicholas Longback, who rendered 13s. 4d. and 2 capons; Rentale de Cockersand (Chet. Soc.), 5, 7.
  • 15. Cockersand Chartul. ii, 636.
  • 16. Lancs. Inq. and Extents, 147.
  • 17. Gibson, Lydiate Hall, 23. In 1276 she claimed her dower right in various messuages, lands, and wood, and half a water-mill from a number of holders in Lydiate, including William son of Benedict (an oxgang and a half, and half the mill, &c.), Adam de Churchlee (an oxgang and a half, &c.), Robert de Halsall (half the mill, &c.), Alice, widow of Roger de Lydiate, Margery daughter of Gilbert de Halsall, Simon son of Beatrice, Gamel de Lydiate, Richard son of Adam (one oxgang, &c.), Roger son of Adam, Simon the Provost, William the Serjeant, Richard de Ince, Alan de Seuedhill, and Adam de Sefton. The total of the claims shows that there were in this two-thirds of the manor (4 oxgangs), 12 messuages, 79 acres of arable land, 60 acres of wood, and a water-mill; De Banc. R. 15, m. 104.
  • 18. De Banc. R. 20, m. 17d. The writ had been issued on 4 April, 1276. The mill was in Eggergarth. The widow of some previous lord of Lydiate seems to have taken as her second husband Adam de Churchlee (Prescot). In 1291 a claim by Sir William le Boteler produced some further information. Gilbert de Halsall and Robert de Lydiate accused the superior lord and others of having dispossessed them of part of their free tenement in the township, namely, in 35 acres of wood. Among the defendants were William son of Robert de Vepont and Adam son of Simon de Lydiate. Sir William put forward his claim as being chief lord, but it appeared that his right in the present case was due to a demise to him by Adam de Churchlee, who held (by the law of England) part of the inheritance of William son of Benedict; and he had arbitrarily 'approved' the 35 acres of wood. Gilbert de Halsall was the heir of Simon de Halsall, who had purchased an acre in Lydiate, with rights of common; and Robert shared the vill with the above-named William son of Benedict; Assize R. 1294, m. 10. The Veponts occur in another local suit at this time, Cecily relict of Robert le Vepont proceeding against William le Vepont, Richard le Vepont, and Juliana relict of Robert le Vepont concerning tenements in Lydiate, Eggergarth, and Downholland; she was non-suited; Assize R. 408, m. 11.
  • 19. Ibid. m. 59d.
  • 20. In 1304 Maud, late the wife of Richard son of Robert de Lydiate, claimed 5 acres of land from Simon son of Simon de Lydiate and Adam Blundel. Simon the father was a younger brother of Richard, who had lived in adultery with Maud for a long time, but on his death bed, four years before this suit, espoused her, yet without the Church's blessing and the nuptial mass. Richard had no lawful children, and his father Robert, who was still living, entered as guardian and assigned the tenements to Maud as dower; Simon the claimant, was then under age; Assize R. 419, m. 6. William de Lydiate claimed 5½ acres from Robert de Halsall, as heir of his father Richard, who had held them in socage by the service of 27d. a year, paying 2d. to the king's scutage of 40s.; but his claim was rejected on account of his illegitimate birth; ibid. m. 8d.
  • 21. De Banc. R. 148, m. 111d.
  • 22. Assize R. 424, m. 1d. It appeared that Agnes, mother of Benedict, held a third part, and as she was not named in the writ the abbot's suit failed for the time.
  • 23. Final Conc. ii, 20. Simon son of Simon de Lydiate also put in his claim, as did Alan de Halsall. A short account of a claim by Simon de Lydiate, his son Robert, and grandson Adam, is given in the account of Little Crosby. Another grandson seems to have been William; ibid. ii, 165.
  • 24. Gibson, Lydiate Hall, 24.
  • 25. Alice widow of Thomas de Lydiate in 1323 claimed dower from Gilbert son of Thomas de Lydiate, Richard son of Robert de Gildhouse and Richard his son, Robert and William sons of Adam de Orshaw, and many others; De Banc. R. 248, m. 157.
  • 26. Assize R. 426, m. 6.
  • 27. See the account of Wolfall in Huyton.
  • 28. Final Conc. ii, 54. The remainder was first to Thomas son of Henry del Wolfall; but if he should die without issue, then one messuage and 4 acres in Shourshagh must go in succession to Richard, brother of Thomas, for life, and then to Henry son of Walter de Acton for life, and then to Robert son of Roger de Wolfall and his heirs; the residue of the tenement was to go to Gilbert son of Thomas de Lydiate for life, and to Robert and John his brothers, and after their death to Gilbert de Halsall and his heirs.
  • 29. 'Benedict de Lydiate' was a witness in 1329 (Blundell of Crosby D.).
  • 30. Assize R. 1404, m. 17; Exch. Lay Subs. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), 21.
  • 31. In the aid of 1346–55 John son of Benedict de Lydiate is named; Feud. Aids, iii, 90. John was probably very young on succeeding.
  • 32. Assize R. 1444, m. 3. John's mother seems to have been living and in possession of her third of the manor. Elias de Gildhouse is no doubt the Elias de Occleshaw mentioned already. He was called by the latter name in 1355, when he was constable of the vill; Duchy of Lanc. Assize R. 4, m. 5. John brother of Henry Blundell of Little Crosby acquired from Elizabeth de Gildhouses her lands in Lydiate in 1420; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 5, m. 15.
  • 33. Duchy of Lanc. Assize R. 2, m. xj; Margery was a daughter of Henry de Wolfall. Robert son of Thomas de Lydiate was defendant in a suit brought by Otes de Halsall in the following year, but not prosecuted; Assize R. 435, m. 28.
  • 34. Assize R. 435, m. 33d.
  • 35. The surname Lydiate remained common in the township; Lydiate Hall, 26. Boniface IX in 1394 granted a dispensation for the marriage of Robert son of Richard Lydiate and Joan daughter of Henry Simson of Halsall, Robert having had illicit intercourse with Agnes Blundell, who was related to Joan in the fourth degree; Lichfield Epis. Reg. vi, fol. 100b. A pardon was granted to Thomas Lydiate in 1403–4; a feoffment by John Lydiate of Lydiate was enrolled in 1441–2 and his son Thomas was re-enfeoffed in 1480; Add. MS. 32108, n. 1512, 1466, 1465.
  • 36. Duchy of Lanc. Assize R. 4 (1355), m. 24d.
  • 37. Assize R. 438, m. 14, and Duchy of Lanc. Assize R. 7, m. 2 (1358–9). The descent is given thus—Robert son of William Diotson (or Dicceson) de Wolfall.
  • 38. De Banc. R. 457 (1375), m. 186d. Adam Tyrehare was executor of the will of John de Wolfall of Lydiate in 1361; Assize R. 441, m. 3.
  • 39. De Banc. R. 158, m. 269d; 161, m. 426.
  • 40. Duchy of Lanc. Assize R. 7, m. 1. The claim failed, apparently because her mother was still living and in lawful possession.
  • 41. Gibson, Lydiate Hall, 25. Katherine de Lydiate married, as her second husband, Nicholas, son of Robert de Parr; and in 1415 it was reported that she was of unsound memory and mind, and in this condition had alienated to Ralph de Parr all her hereditary lands in Lydiate, worth £8 per annum; Lancs. Inq. p. m. (Chet. Soc.), i, 102.
  • 42. See the account of Garston.
  • 43. Writ of Diem cl. extr. issued 14 Dec. 1435; Dep. Keeper's Rep. xxxiii, App. 38.
  • 44. By a deed of 1451 Lawrence confirmed a grant of land by Robert de Wolfall alias Lydiate to Henry de Scarisbrick and John de Aughton; Gibson, op. cit. 28.
  • 45. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. iv, n. 16.
  • 46. He did homage to the lord of Warrington on 18 March, 1514–5; a year later he paid his relief of 10s.; Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 32.
  • 47. Gibson, op. cit. 29.
  • 48. Norris D. (B.M.).
  • 49. Gibson, Lydiate Hall, 29–31. He had the reputation of attending to the commonweal and making peace among his neighbours. He was considered about 80 when he died. See Duchy of Lanc. Pleadings, Eliz. lxxxiv, S. 22. He placed a stained window in Sefton church.
  • 50. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xi, n. 33. The inquisition recites arrangements for younger sons—an annuity of 5 marks for George and the like for Lawrence, both of them living at Wigan in 1566; and a general feoffment, the remainders being in succession to George Ireland his younger son for life, and then to Lawrence, eldest son of William Ireland (eldest son and heir of Lawrence Ireland, senior) and his heirs male, to John Ireland and to Thomas Ireland, younger sons of William. William was to have for life the manorhouse of Lydiate, the mill, &c., and the demesne of Eggergarth, paying £10 a year to George.
  • 51. Afterwards of Nostell Priory, Yorks.
  • 52. Duchy of Lanc. Pleadings, Eliz. lxxii, 17.
  • 53. Visit. of 1567 (Chet. Soc.), 122. In disputes after his death it was stated that the second wife (Eleanor, daughter of Roger Molyneux of Hawkley) brought no dower, and that he had made no provision for the children of his first marriage, but a liberal one for William, who was the son of Eleanor; Duchy of Lanc. Pleadings, Eliz. xcii, I, 1.
  • 54. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xiii, n. 25.
  • 55. The Elizabethan persecution added to his troubles; he was presented as a recusant in 1584, and in 1590 was among those 'in some degree of conformity yet in general note of evil affection in religion.' Two years later George Dingley, a priest who had turned informer, thus reported: 'Mr. Ireland of Lydiate hath not only relieved me and Seminary priests before the late statute of 27 [Eliz.], at his own house, but has also countenanced me and James Forthe at Crosby since the same statute, by sitting at the table with us, and I verily think he relieved the said Forde or Forthe. He is of very good living.' In 1598 he was charged £10 for his wife's recusancy, for Her Majesty's service in Ireland. See Gibson, op. cit. 35, 36; also 227, 245, 259.
  • 56. Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 126–9 Will and inventory are at Chester. The tenure recorded shows that Lydiate had been enfranchised.
  • 57. Two brothers of Edward Ireland's entered the English College in Rome. Alexander, the elder, on entering it in 1626 stated that he 'was converted from heresy through his eldest brother and sent to St. Omer's'; he became a Jesuit. Thomas, who entered in 1633, stated that two of his brothers were priests; he had been 'brought up among Catholics till ten years of age; living among Protestants he imbibed their heresy, but was afterwards restored to the orthodox faith'; Foley, Rec. S. J., vi, 310, 330.
  • 58. The settlement of the estates he made provided that in case of failure of male issue, they should go to John Ireland's eldest son, and then to the other sons. The trustees received formal seisin, as the endorsement testified, 'in the dining chamber in the hall of Lydiate, being parcel of land within mentioned, in the name of all the manors and lands within mentioned, to the within named Henry Mossock [of Bickerstaffe], James Halsall [of Altcar], and Richard Formby [jun., of Formby],' in the presence of Robert Blundell and other witnesses. His will, made a week before his death, expressed the desire that his body should be buried as near as possible to his father's resting-place in Halsall church. To his son and heir Lawrence he gave a gilt bowl, household goods, including all the brewing vessels; 'also all the armour with the clock and the drum,' and box containing money, &c. The residue of his property was to be divided into three equal parts, one for his wife, the other two for his daughters, who were to share equally. A third daughter (Mary) was born before the date of the codicil, 20 March, in which she is mentioned.
  • 59. He paid £10 on declining knighthood in 1631; Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 213.
  • 60. Printed by Gibson, op. cit. 36–43. Beds and other furnishings included looking-glasses, brushes, and a cradle. Kitchen furniture included 'wooden bottles,' an ark, two spinning-wheels, two hair cloths for the kiln, churn, cheese-press, and salting tubs. The miscellaneous goods are interesting; they begin with 'one tree framed for a milne post, and one top of a tree with broken wood upon the hill, and an oller at the wind milne,' and included an old vial, a pair of broken virginals, ox yokes and bows, horse collars, hemp traces, and millstones. The goods specially bequeathed to his son are duly set out, and provide the names of some of the chambers—the dining chamber, great chamber, hall chamber, little chamber (or Mistress Clive chamber), buttery chamber, green chamber, canaby chamber, garden chamber, brewhouse chamber, the nurseries, squirrel chamber, ward chamber, 'rowling' chamber, great parlour, green parlour, servants' chamber, cellar, hall, kitchen, buttery, larder, brewhouse, piggon, dairy. There were beds or bedstocks (sometimes more than one) in each of the chambers, parlours, and nurseries, except the hall chamber, squirrel chamber, and rolling chamber. The armour consisted of three corselets, three musketeers complete, together with a drum and the 'furniture' complete for a light horse.
  • 61. He was born 23 May, 1634, according to William Blundell; Cavalier's Note Book, 277.
  • 62. Her offence was 'recusancy only'; her son was, of course, too young to have taken part in the war had he been in England.
  • 63. His name is not in Foster's Alumni Oxon.
  • 64. Royalist Comp. P. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), iv, 14–23.
  • 65. Foley, Rec. S. J. vii, 394.
  • 66. Gibson, Lydiate Hall, 45–8. A lease of Lydiate Hall in 1671 mentions the dovecote, little kilncroft, haugh by Holland's house, pool brook, and Wolfall's copy; ibid. 47.
  • 67. Eldest son of Sir Francis Anderton, baronet, of Lostock and Anderton.
  • 68. Gibson, op. cit. 63–5.
  • 69. Ibid. 65–6.
  • 70. In 1717 Dame Margaret Anderton, as daughter and heir of Lawrence Ireland, and a 'Papist,' registered her estate at Lydiate and Aughton, as of the value of £486; Eng. Cath. Nonjurors, 114.
  • 71. Gibson, Lydiate Hall, 68–71, 80–3. In the leases granted by him there was always a stipulation with the tenant for the 'keeping of a cock.' The model of a tench caught by him is still preserved at the hall.
  • 72. To choose a Protestant friend and give him the property with a secret trust was a course often pursued in such cases in the times of the penal laws.
  • 73. Gibson, op. cit. 71–80, 131–2.
  • 74. The hall is described in Trans. Hist. Soc. iii, 78, and (New Ser.), x, 107.
  • 75. Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 5, m. 44. Their holding may have been the 'junior manor' already named.
  • 76. Ibid. m. 5. This Sir Gilbert is mentioned in the account of Halsall.
  • 77. Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Chet. Soc.), ii, 90.
  • 78. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. vii, n. 13. The principal under-tenant was Nicholas Lydiate, who had the Gildhouses and other lands.
  • 79. Ibid. xiii, n. 34.
  • 80. Croxteth D. Genl. i, 79.
  • 81. Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 23, m. 22, 32.
  • 82. Croxteth D. bdle. S; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 59, m. 327.
  • 83. Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), iii, 390.
  • 84. Lancs. Inq. and Extents, 10. Matthew may be the 'Matthew son of Richard' written over the entry 'Adam de Walton' in the Pipe Roll of 1203–4, one mark having been received from him for the scutage levied at 2½ marks for a knight's fee; Lancs. Pipe R. 179.
  • 85. Cockersand Chartul. ii, 541.
  • 86. Lancs. Inq. and Extents, 147. The two together made one plough-land, where 10 plough-lands made one fee.
  • 87. Feud. Aids, iii, 90. A grant of land in Eggergarth to Henry Walsh made by Gilbert Scarisbrick is given in Kuerden MSS. ii, fol. 262, n. 35.
  • 88. Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 12, m. 164.
  • 89. Gibson, Lydiate Hall, 30. Lawrence Ireland becoming 'old, impotent, and almost senseless,' entrusted the management of his property to his son William, who induced William Molyneux of Sefton to pay part of the money (probably the balance), and entered into a bond for repayment. The matter was left in doubt between the executors of the three parties —Scarisbrick, Molyneux, and Ireland; Duchy of Lanc. Pleadings, Eliz. cxxxix, H. 17. See also lxxvii, S. 5, where it is stated that Lawrence Ireland, 'being moved in conscience,' set apart £63 in goods to meet part of the claim, but his son William had refused to hand them over; also S. 10, and lxxxiv, S. 7, S. 22.
  • 90. Dods. MSS. xxxix, fol. 143, n. 65.
  • 91. The Sudell or Lydiate Brook.
  • 92. Gibson (op. cit. 13, 14), remarks: 'It is interesting to find that this diversion exists at this day exactly as it was made nearly 600 years ago. It extends about 200 yards on a right line to the site where the mill formerly stood, and is still useful for turning a mill for churning.'
  • 93. Duchy of Lanc. Pleadings, Hen. VIII, xxi, L. 1.
  • 94. Duchy Pleadings (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 157; the date should be 9 Hen. VIII (as at the end).
  • 95. Duchy of Lanc. Pleadings, Hen. VIII, iii, B. 3.
  • 96. Ibid. Eliz. clxxx, B. 22. A curious right of way still exists in connexion with it, the Scarisbrick estate receiving a small acknowledgement from the owner of the adjoining property for the use of a bridle path leading from the Liverpool road (from a point nearly opposite the ruined chapel) towards the mill; Gibson, op. cit. 15.
  • 97. Duchy Pleadings (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 174–9. See deeds in Kuerden MSS. ii, fol. 262, etc. n. 91, 117.
  • 98. Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 238–9.
  • 99. Henry Molyneux, of Holmes House, had a son Othniel, who died in 1731, and bequeathed the bulk of his property in Lydiate and Maghull to the Society of Friends. Henry's sister Jane married John Torbock of Sutton, also a Quaker; their grandson John Torbock inherited from Alice Molyneux, a granddaughter of Henry's brother Robert, various properties in West Derby. He died in 1805.
  • 100. Engl. Cath. Non-jurors, 108; Foley, Rec. S. J. vii, 200.
  • 101. Lancs. and Ches. Rec. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 194.
  • 102. Kuerden MSS. v, fol. 84.
  • 103. Lond. Gaz. 28 Mar. 1871; endowments, 3 Oct. 1845, and 31 Jan. 1873.
  • 104. Tour to Alston Moor, 51. An engraving of the chapel is given.
  • 105. Fragments (ed. Harland), 219; with an engraving; see also Gent. Mag. 1821, ii, 597. 'In the work of excavating the sanctuary … a curious confirmation of the fact of the chapel having been used for Catholic worship was met with. About six feet in front of the altar, and about three feet from the surface, some dark mould was found mingled with fine sand, which had evidently been brought there, as it did not belong to the natural soil… On my mentioning the discovery to the bishop (Dr. Goss) he at once referred it to the well for the deposit of the sacrarium (or piscina), which it was customary to place in front of the altar; he believed that a communication would be found with the spot occupied by the sacrarium on the south side. This conjecture proved to be correct, and a little channel could be traced leading to the position indicated'; Gibson, Lydiate Hall, 174–5.
  • 106. Ibid. 175–9. Its material makes the supposition unlikely, alabaster being ill-suited for exposure to the weather.
  • 107. The earliest record of a burial is of interest. It occurs in a report from one Thomas Bell, who had turned informer, and is dated about 1590: 'Mr. Blundell, of Crosby, kept many years one Small, a Seminary priest, who at his death was buried in the chapel of Lydiate, where never was any buried before.' Christopher Small had been fellow of Exeter Coll. Oxf. till 1575; Short Account of Lydiate (1893), 8; quoted from the Archives of the archdiocese of Westminster, iv, n. 38, 433.
  • 108. Lydiate Hall, 284.
  • 109. An account of each will be found in the work just quoted, 274–95.
  • 110. He was born in Manchester in 1822, and educated at Ushaw. Ordained in 1847 he served on the mission in Liverpool, in the Fylde, and at Lydiate. He retired from active work in 1879, and died 29 January, 1891, at Birkdale, but was buried at Lydiate. From the Memoir (with portrait) in Liverpool Cath. Ann. 1892.
  • 111. He was the son of a Liverpool corn merchant; born in 1837, educated at Everton, Eichstadt, and the English College, Rome; and ordained in the Lateran Basilica, 1862; he laboured in Liverpool and its neighbourhood. He was an antiquary also, and edited the Scarisbrick charters for the Historic Society's Transactions. He died 26 Dec. 1901. There is a memoir with portrait in Liverpool Cath. Annual, 1903.
  • 112. Fragments, 219.
  • 113. Lancs. and Ches. Antiq. Soc. xix, 168.