HISTORY OF PRESTON, 
 
 LA NCA SHIRE; 
 
 TOOITHEIl WITH 
 
 THE GUILD MERCHANT, 
 
 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE DUCHY AND COUNTY PALATINE 
 OF LANCASTER. 
 
 WITH EIGHTEEN PLATES. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR EDWARD JEFFERY AND SON, PALL MALL; 
 
 AND SOLD ALSO BY J. WILCOCKSON, PRESTON. 
 1822. 
 
temp ORAT ION 
 
^0 
 
 London : Printed by T. White 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PRESTON, Etymology and ancient Description of 
 Modern Description of 
 Churches, Public Buildings, &c. 
 Population, County Rates, &c. . 
 Nield's Description of the House of Correction 
 The Government 
 
 Mayors, Bailiffs, and Recorders, from 1701 
 Further Particulars relating to the Modern History 
 Account of the taking the Town in the Rebellion 1642 . 
 Account of the taking the Town in the Rebellion 1648 . 
 Account of the taking the Town in the Rebellion 1715 and 45 
 Representative History, and List of Members who have served 
 in Parliament 
 GUILD, List of Years that Guilds have been held 
 List of Guild Mayors and Bailiffs 
 The Origin and History of 
 The Method of Holding a Guild 
 The Oaths taken on this occasion 
 The Solemnization of the Guild 
 List of Companies that attend 
 Officers of the Guild . 
 List of Aldermen and Grand Seneschals in Office during th 
 
 Guild .... 
 Guild Orders «... 
 
 Account of the Celebration of the Guild, 1762 
 Account of the Celebration of the Guild, 1782 
 Account of the Celebration of the Guild, 1802 
 Account of the Preparation of the Guild, 1822 
 
 97 
 100 
 104 
 109 
 110 
 119 
 
DUCHY and County Palatine of Lancaster, Account of 
 Fees and Revenues of the Duchy 
 List of Chancellors of the County Palatine 
 Officers, and further Particulars of the Duchy Court 
 Officers, and particulars of the County Palatine 
 Revenues of the Duchy 
 
 Account of the Public Records of the Duchy 
 Account of the Public Records in County Palatine 
 
 Page 
 . 122 
 . 126 
 . 134 
 . 13S 
 . 139 
 . 144 
 . 147 
 
PRESTON 
 
 LANCASHIRE. 
 
 Preston, a market town, borough, and parish, locally 
 situated on the river Ribble, in the hundred of Amounder- 
 ness, County Palatine of Lancaster. 
 
 " Since this place in length of time was ruined by 
 war, or as the common people think by an earthquake, 
 lower down, where the Ribell receives the tide, and is 
 called by the geographer BELLISAMA iESTVARIVM 
 near Pemmrtham, where, in the Conqueror's time was a 
 castle, as appears from that prince's survey, out of the 
 ruins of Riblecester arose Preston, a large, and, for these 
 parts, handsome and populous town, so called from reli- 
 gious persons, as much as to say Priest's town. Below 
 it the Ribell receives the Derwen, a small river, which 
 first waters Blackborne, a noted market town, so called 
 from a black water ; which formerly belonged to the 
 
 B 
 
Lacies, and gave to the tract adjacent the name of 
 Blackburnshire. Thence it passes by Houghton Tower, 
 which gave name to a famous family that long resided at 
 it; and Waleton, which William, lord of Lancaster, son 
 of king Stephen, gave to Walter de Waleton; but it 
 afterwards belonged to the famous- family of the Langto?is, 
 which derive themselves from the Walton's. But to 
 return. 
 
 " Preston before-mentioned is vulgarly called Preston 
 in Andernesse for Acmundesse-nesse* ; for so the Saxons 
 called this part of the country which runs out with a long 
 compass between the rivers Ribell and Cocar, and forms a 
 promontory resembling a nose, and afterwards called Ag- 
 monder nes. In the Conqueror's time it had ' only sixteen 
 villages inhabited, the rest lying waste,' as we read in 
 Domesday book-j", and it was held by Roger of Poitou. 
 Afterwards it belonged to Theobald Walter, from whom 
 the Butlers of Ireland derive themselves: for so we find 
 in a charter of Richard I. ' Know ye that we have given 
 and by this present writing confirmed to Theobald Walter 
 
 * Ax/«!v Io-iSo?. See the records of the church and monastery of York 
 under Ripon. Gale MS. n. 
 
 •f Q. If Mr. Camden does not confound this with Preston in the W. 
 Riding of Yorkshire, which also belonged to Roger de Poitou, Domesd. f. 332. 
 Lancashire was included in the counties of York and Chester at that survey. 
 
for his homage and service all Agmondernes with its ap- 
 purtenances, Sec.' This tract yields plenty of oats, but 
 will not bear barley. It has rich pastures especially on 
 the sea side which is partly champain, whence great part 
 of it seems to be called the File, q. d. the Field, though 
 in the Tower rolls it is called by the Latin name of Lima, 
 which signifies the instrument used to polish iron. But 
 because it is in some places marshy it is accounted un- 
 healthy. The little river Wyr runs swiftly through it, from 
 Wierdale, a wild desart, by Grenhaugh castle, which 
 Thomas Stanley, first earl of Derby of this family, built 
 when his life was in danger from certain of the nobility 
 of this county who had been proscribed, and whose estates 
 Henry VII. had given him. They often assaulted him, 
 and continual!}* ravaged his lands, till the moderation of 
 that excellent man prudently extinguished their resent- 
 ments. 
 
 " In many places on this coast one sees heaps of 
 sand, on which they pour water till they contract a salt- 
 ness, which they afterwards boil over turf fires to white 
 salt*. Here are likewise some quicksands as they are 
 called, so dangerous to travellers, w T ho take the shortest 
 
 * See Ray's Northern words, p. 20Q. G. and West's Furness, p. 191. 
 
way when the tide is out, that they ought to be parti- 
 cularly careful that they do not suffer ship- wreck at land, 
 as Sidonius expresses it: but particularly about the 
 mouth of the Cocar, where as it were in a land of 
 quicksands stands Cockersand abbey, a house of Cluniacs, 
 formerly founded by Ranulphus de Meschines, but exposed 
 to the violence of the winds between the mouths of the 
 Cocar and Lune or Lone, and having an extensive command 
 of the Irish sea. 
 
 " This river Lone or Lune rising in the Westmoreland 
 hills runs southward between craggy banks and an unequal 
 channel, inriching those who live on it in the summer 
 months with a fine salmon fishery ; which fish delighting 
 in clear streams and sandy flats come in shoals to this 
 and other rivers on this coast. As soon as it visits Lan- 
 cashire the little river Lac unites its waters with it from 
 the east, where now is Over Burrow, a mean country village, 
 which the inhabitants told us was a great city, and occu- 
 pied large fields between the Lac and Lone, and suffered 
 all the miseries of famine before it surrendered, according 
 to the tradition handed down to them from their fore- 
 fathers. Certain it is that this place asserts its antiquity 
 by various monuments of antient date, as stones with in- 
 scriptions, tesselated pavements, Roman coins, and this 
 
new name which points out to us a burgh. It must owe 
 the recovery of the name to others not to me, though 
 I have sought it with unwearied diligence ; nor is the 
 reader to expect that I should point out the name of 
 every town in Britain mentioned by Ptolemy, Antoninus, 
 the Notitia, and the classic authors. If, however, I might 
 be allowed to conjecture, I should readily suppose it 
 from the distance from Coccium or Riblechester to be 
 Bremetonacvm, which Hieronymus Surita the Spaniard 
 has justly in his notes on Antoninus distinguished from 
 Breivientvracvm. 
 
 " From this Burgh the river Lone passes by Thur- 
 land, a castle of the Tunstalls, built by Thomas Tunstall 
 knight of the garter, in Henry VI. when the king had 
 given him leave ' to fortify and kernell, i. e. embattle his 
 house:' and Hornby a noble castle, founded by N. de 
 Mont Began, and owned by the Harringtons and Stanleys, 
 barons Mont Eagle, descended from Thomas Stanley first 
 earl of Derby*. The 3d and last of them William Stanley 
 left Elizabeth his only daughter and heiress, wife of 
 Edward Parker lord Morley, mother of William Parker, 
 whom king James invested with his grandfather's title of 
 
 * And advanced to that title by Henry VIII. H. 
 
Mont Eagle, and we and our posterity must acknowledge 
 to have been born for the good of the whole kingdom. 
 For, from an obscure letter privately sent to him, and by 
 him most opportunely produced, the wickedest plot which 
 the most accomplished villany could contrive, was detected 
 when the kingdom was on the eve of destruction, when 
 certain wretches, under the cursed mask of religion, lodged 
 a great quantity of gunpowder under the parliament house, 
 and waited to fire it and blow up their king and country 
 in a moment/' 
 
 The Borough of Preston in Amounderness. 
 
 Theobald Walters, son of Henry, son of Hubert, and 
 brother to Hubert Walter, a bishop of Canterbury, ob- 
 tained a grant of the fee of the Lordship of Preston, 
 and the whole wapentake or forest of Amunderness, of 
 Richard I. to hold by three' Knight's fees. This grant 
 bears date, 22d April, 1st Richard I. (being the Friday 
 next ensuing his coronation.) In 6th Richard I. having 
 such large possessions in this county, he was made sheriff 
 thereof, in which office he continued till the 1st of John 
 inclusive. He contributed very largely towards the re- 
 demption of king Richard I. as may be seen in Maddox's 
 History of the Exchequer, page 412. His son Theobald, 
 
who married Maud, sister to Thomas Becket, a bishop 
 of Canterbury, took upon himself the surname of Butler, 
 upon being appointed butler of Ireland. Tosti, fourth 
 son of Godwin, earl of Kent, being made earl of North- 
 umberland, by Edward the Confessor, in the thirteenth 
 year of his reign, anno 1056, then held Preston in Ag- 
 munderness, with divers hamlets thereunto belonging, 
 which Featherston afterwards held, 28th Henry VIII. 
 
 Preston was made a burgh or borough by Henry II. 
 in the twenty-sixth year of his reign, when the men thereof 
 gave one hundred marks, to have by charter the same 
 liberties that the men of Newcastle had, for the con- 
 firmation of which, they paid 2nd king John sixty marks 
 and four chascurs or dogs. And in the next year the men 
 of Preston were fined in ten marks and a palfrey, to 
 have peace, touching a plaint which Theobald Walter 
 had brought against them* concerning the gibbet and 
 gaol in Preston : their grants and liberties were also con- 
 firmed by Henry III. and Edward III.; all the distinct 
 charters, with the recitations, are contained in charter 
 granted by Elizabeth; two charters were subsequently 
 granted by Charles II. 
 
 The church of Preston, dedicated to St. "Wilfrid, was 
 impropriated to the college of Leicester, and is now 
 
in the patronage of Sir Henry Hoghton, Bart, and has 
 in its parish the chapels of Bio ugh ton, St. Lawrence 
 new chapel, which, having no certain endowment, the 
 Rev. Samuel Peploe, vicar of Preston, procured the 
 queen's bounty for it in 1717- This Mr. Peploe was 
 promoted from the vicarage of. Preston to the see of 
 Chester in 1725, and was succeeded at Preston by his 
 son, who, in 1727, was presented by the Dean and 
 Chapter of Chester, to the rectory of Northenden, or 
 Northen, in that diocese, worth about 150/. per annum. 
 
 In 1322, 16th Edward II. in the octaves of the na- 
 tivity of St. John the Baptist, Robert Bruce, entering 
 into England, by Carlisle, kept on his way through Cum- 
 berland, Westmoreland, and Lancaster, to Preston, which 
 town he burnt, as he had done others in the countries he 
 had passed through ; and, after three weeks and three 
 days, says Mr. Holinshed, returned into Scotland without 
 engaging. 
 
 Modern description of Preston. 
 
 Preston is an ancient borough town in Lancashire, 
 pleasantly situated on a gentle elevation above the Ribble, 
 about fifteen miles from the confluence of that river with 
 the Irish sea, and in the centre of a country abounding 
 
9 
 
 in rich and varied landscapes. According to the opinions 
 of some antiquaries, this town rose into existence on the 
 decay of the ancient city of Ribchester, a city which is 
 now reduced to the humble condition of a village, about 
 eleven miles distant from Preston ; a priory was anciently 
 erected here under the auspices of the earl of Lancaster, 
 A.D. 1221, for the grey friars. The building which 
 formed the seat of the institution was, subsequently to 
 the dissolution of religious foundations, converted into a 
 house of correction, and is now occupied in distinct 
 private dwellings of the lowest description. The town 
 was incorporated by Henry II. in 1160. By a sub- 
 sequent charter granted in the reign of Henry III. the 
 officers of the burgh were authorised to hold a guild mer- 
 chant for the renewal of freedom to the burgesses and 
 for other purposes. This privilege is made the occasion 
 of great festivity. For a long time after their first insti- 
 tution the guilds were held at irregular periods, but they 
 have now, for more than a century, been uniformly ce- 
 lebrated every twentieth year, commencing on the 
 -Monday next after the decollation of St. John, which 
 generally happens in the last week of August; the last 
 was held in 1802, and the ensuing guild will commence 
 on the 2nd of September, 1822. The amusements, which 
 
10 
 
 are of great variety and interest, continue for a fortnight ; 
 but, for civic purposes, the guild books are open for an 
 entire month. The body coporate consists of a mayor, 
 (anciently a prefect or portgreve) recorder, seven alder- 
 men or benchers, and seventeen capital burgesses, who, 
 together, form the common council of the borough. The 
 mayor and two towns bailiffs (anciently named pretors), 
 and two .Serjeants or subministerial officers, are elected 
 annually upon the Friday preceding the festival of St. 
 Wilfrid, who was formerly the lord of this borough, and 
 they are invested on the 12th of October following by a 
 jury of twenty-four guild burgesses. The members of 
 the council, with the exception of the mayor, retain 
 their seats for life, or during the pleasure of a 
 majority, and vacancies are supplied by the remaining 
 members. The town sends two representatives to par- 
 liament, and affords a practical example of universal 
 suffrage; every male inhabitant, whether housekeeper or 
 lodger, who has resided six months in the town, and who 
 has not, during the last twelve months, been chargeable 
 to any township as a pauper, having a right to vote for 
 two candidates at elections. This principle was established 
 by a decision of the house of commons, on an appeal in 
 the year 1766, and has ever since been acted upon. 
 
During the greater part of the last century the town was 
 much resorted to, as an agreeable retirement, by old and 
 respectable families; but having, during the last twenty 
 or thirty years, become the seat of very extensive manu- 
 facturing establishments, the character of the inhabitants 
 has undergone a consequent change. This change was 
 in a great measure brought about through the spirited 
 exertions of a single individual, the late Mr. John Horrocks, 
 who in the year 1791 commenced, nearly without ca- 
 pital, a small manufacture of muslin, and taking advantage 
 of the important improvements then introduced in the art 
 of cotton spinning, he formed several establishments in this 
 branch of business, and in the course of a very few years 
 became the master or principal owner of no less than six 
 large factories, and obtained interest sufficient to secure 
 his return to parliament, without opposition, at the general 
 election in 1802. 
 
 The population of the town had been nearly stationary 
 for a full century previous to the year 1790, and generally 
 estimated at about 6,000 persons ; in 1801 the number was 
 11,887 ; in 1811, 17,065, and in July, 1819, the number 
 of inhabited houses was found to be 1,546 ; uninhabited, 
 including new buildings, 170, and inhabitants 21,958. The 
 money raised by the poor's rates in 1803, was 3120/. 5s. 8d. 
 
12 
 
 at 4s. 3d. in the pound. The streets are generally broad 
 and well paved ; the houses are almost entirely built of 
 red brick, and slated ; but the town cannot, as yet, boast 
 much in respect to public buildings. 
 
 The Guildhall, which stands near the market place in 
 the centre of the borough, is a handsome brick building, 
 and contains a news room, council chamber, and court 
 room, which last is used as the hustings at elections ; right 
 over the entrance into the town hall, are the town arms, 
 with emblems of war. The original town or moat hall 
 were destroyed on the 3rd of June, 1780; a ball had been 
 held in it the preceding evening; the present edifice is 
 built on the scite of the former, and was finished 1782. 
 
 The market place is large and nearly of a square forn.. 
 consisting of elegant shops ; an obelisk is placed in the 
 centre, on the summit of which is a gas light, with a 
 reflector, which serves to illuminate the whole of the 
 place, which is four thousand square yards. 
 
 A literary and philosophical society was established 
 here in March 1810, and honoured by the names of many 
 eminent characters : the first newspaper, which was pub- 
 lished weekly, appeared in 1745, under the title of " the 
 British Courant, or Preston Journal." 
 
 There are two churches ; St. John's formerly dedi- 
 
13 
 
 cated to St. Wilfrid, who was Archbishop of York; 
 the first stone of the tower was laid June, 1814 ; the 
 steeple was reared October 25, 1815 ; the chancel was 
 opened, after being rebuilt, 20th March, 1818; and Trinity 
 Church, the first stone of which was laid on the 4th June, 
 1814; there are likewise several chapels of ease to the 
 above. The vicarage is valued in the king's books at 
 151.13s. l\\d. 
 
 The proportion of Roman catholics is, perhaps, 
 greater here than in any other town in England. This 
 body of Christians possesses two large chapels, St. 
 Wilfrid, and St. Mary ; the former is said to be the largest 
 in the kingdom, and both of them are generally well 
 filled. The methodists have also a large meeting-house, 
 and there are slender congregations of independents, 
 baptists, presbyterians, quakers, and unitarians. 
 
 The theatre royal is an extensive building, very com- 
 modious, and well adapted for the drama, is situated in the 
 S. of Fishergate, and was built in 1802. 
 
 The assembly room, built at the sole expense of the 
 Earl of Derby, measures thirty-two feet by twenty-four, 
 and is a very elegant building ; there are likewise several 
 billiard rooms, public and private. 
 
 The cockpit is a capacious building, situated near 
 
14 
 
 Stonygate, it is used only during the races, and is under 
 the patronage of the Earl of Derby; this place is now 
 used as a Sunday school. 
 
 The music academy is erected in Cannon street, and 
 is well adapted for the purpose. 
 
 The cold bath is situated at the foot of Spa-brow, near 
 the bleach works, very conveniently fitted up, and much 
 resorted to in the summer months. 
 
 Avenham gardens, with the warm and cold baths 
 erected by Mr. Jackson, situated in the slope of the hill 
 facing the river Ribble. 
 
 Earl Derby's house is a magnificent structure, and 
 when seen from the main street has a princely ap- 
 pearance. 
 
 The public offices belonging to the County Palatine of 
 Lancaster are kept in this town. The quarter sessions for 
 the hundreds of Amounderness, Blackburn, and Leyland, 
 are also held here ; and there is a house of correction 
 built on the plan of Howard, and at present under ex- 
 cellent management. A gas company was established 
 here in 1815, being the first of the kind successfully 
 formed after those in the metropolis. The Ribble does 
 not admit vessels of large burden, on which account the 
 maritime trade of the town is at present confined to the 
 
15 
 
 western coasts of Great Britain, and some of the ports 
 of Ireland. The river is, however, capable of being ren- 
 dered navigable for vessels of sufficient magnitude to carry 
 on an intercourse with America and the West Indies, and 
 a subscription has been lately entered into for procuring 
 a regular nautical survey of the channel. The public 
 foundations of the town are a dispensary ; it was first es- 
 tablished in commemoration of the jubilee in October, 1809, 
 the number of in and out patients admitted from its com- 
 mencement to October, 1819, was 16,045; a house of 
 recovery, established June, 1813, for preventing contagious 
 diseases ; the ladies charity for the relief of pregnant women ; 
 the benevolent society instituted 1812 ; the catholic charitable 
 society, instituted 1731 ; the vaccine institution; the alms- 
 houses and workhouse which stands upon Preston Moor ; 
 a national school, established in 1815, to which was 
 annexed the blue schools, on the system of Dr. Bell ; 
 a catholic school, established in 1814, and a methodist 
 school, also conducted on the new system ; a free gram- 
 mar school, situated at Syke Hill, for the gratuitous in- 
 struction of freemen's sons in classical literature, but which 
 few of the freemen now avail themselves of, and several 
 other minor institutions. The principal market, which is 
 very plentifully supplied, is held every Saturday ; besides 
 which, there are markets for fish and vegetables every 
 
16 
 
 Wednesday and Friday ; 31 miles from Liverpool, the same 
 distance from Manchester, 22 S. of Lancaster, 15 from 
 Wigan, and 214 N. W. of London. 
 
 This town likewise possesses a valuable and extensive 
 library situated in Shepherd street, it was founded by Dr. 
 Richard Shepherd, a physician, who was twice mayor of 
 this borough, and who died 28th November, 1761 ; he 
 left the interest of 1,000/. for its support and enlargement, 
 to the mayor and aldermen for the time being, who grant 
 tickets of admission thereto during certain hours of the day ; 
 but it is to be lamented that this town does not yet possess 
 a public library to which men of business, and especially 
 the rising generation, can have access at their short pe- 
 riods of leisure. 
 
 RETURNS, 1811. 
 
 HOUSES. OCCUPATIONS. COUNTY RATE, 1816. 
 
 PRESTON PARISH. 
 
 X 
 
 *5L 
 
 %>■ 
 
 Barton .... Township 
 
 69 
 
 74 
 
 
 
 Broughton . . . Township 
 
 96 
 
 101 
 
 1 
 
 Elston .... Hamlet 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 
 Fishwick . . . Township 
 
 55 
 
 56 
 
 
 
 G ZdfhoTes . \**™* 
 
 47 
 
 50 
 
 
 
 Haighton . . . Township 
 
 35 
 
 35 
 
 
 
 LeaAshton,IngoU Townsl . 
 and Cottam i r 
 
 114 
 
 115 
 
 
 
 Preston .... Borough 
 
 3489 3623 
 
 12 
 
 Ribbleton . . . Township 
 
 23 
 
 25 
 
 
 
 £. 
 
 3796 
 
 4527 
 1205 
 1731 
 
 £. 
 15 
 18 
 5 
 7 
 
 s. 
 
 16 
 17 
 
 4 
 
 2416 
 
 10 
 
 1 
 
 1799 
 
 7 
 
 9 
 
 7328 
 
 30 
 
 10 
 
 34936 
 1547 
 
 145 
 6 
 
 11 
 8 
 
17 
 
 The House of Correction at Preston being the best disciplined 
 place of the sort in England, the following account of it, 
 by Mr. Nield, in a letter to Dr. Lettsom, was thought 
 worthy of insertion ; it is printed from the original. 
 
 " William Halstead, keeper ; salary 130/. (out of which 
 he pays 12s. per- week to a turnkey) and a plot of ground 
 worth 20/. per annum. Fees none. For the convey- 
 ance of prisoners to Lancaster, Wigan, and Ormskirk, 
 Is. per mile. Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Wray ; salary 20/. Duty; 
 Sunday morning; prayers and sermon. Surgeon, Mr. 
 Birdsworth; salary 10/. and makes a bill. Task-master, 
 Thomas Houghton ; salary 50/. and five per cent, on the 
 gross earnings of the prisoners; he has a man to assist him, 
 whom the county allows 12s. a week. Number of pri- 
 soners 1st October, 1802, men one hundred and fifteen ; 
 women forty-five ; total one hundred and sixty. 
 
 Allowance. Every day breakfast and supper : seven 
 ounces of bread, two ounces of oatmeal, one quarter of an 
 ounce of salt, each meal, boiled into gruel. Dinner, Sun- 
 day and Thursday, half a pound of beef with the bone, 
 seven ounces of bread each, one pound of potatoes, and water 
 to drink. Monday and Friday, seven ounces of bread 
 each, and one quart of peas with vegetables, to ten pri- 
 
 D 
 
18 
 
 soners. Tuesday and Saturday, a stew of cow-head and 
 shins. Wednesday, seven ounces of bread, and four ounces 
 of cheese each. 
 
 This prison is a little way out of the town, near the 
 church gate bar ; and is surrounded by a boundary wall, 
 which being at a distance from the prison, the keeper has 
 within it a convenient garden. 
 
 On one side the entrance is the turnkey's lodge, on the 
 other is the office of the clerk of the peace. Up-stairs are 
 two reception cells, where prisoners are examined before 
 they are admitted into the interior of the prison ; there are 
 likewise rooms for the turnkey's family. For prisoners 
 there are six airy courts about twenty-two yards by twelve 
 each ; four of which are for men, and two for women, with 
 water, and a sewer in each. To every court-yard there 
 is a day-room, the average size about five yards square. 
 On the ground floor are eighteen sleeping cells, seven feet 
 six inches, by six feet six inches, with vaulted roofs ; there 
 are sixteen other cells, but, being very damp, were not 
 used to put prisoners in. There are likewise on the ground 
 floor forty-eight workshops, in which thirty-one pair of 
 looms were employed when I was there. On the first 
 story are fifty-two sleeping cells, the size of those below ; 
 and on the upper story fifty-three. Each cell is fitted up 
 with a wood bedstead, straw in sacking, two or three blan- 
 
19 
 
 kets, and a quilt ; ventilated by an aperture over the door, 
 and an iron grated window opposite. There is an excel- 
 lent kitchen, fitted up with every convenience for frugal 
 cookery. A room with a bath, in which every prisoner 
 is washed previous to trial. Each prisoner has clean linen 
 every Sunday, and all are required to attend divine service, 
 unless prevented by sickness. The chapel, which is in 
 the centre of the building, has a cupola on the top, and is 
 partitioned so that the men and women cannot see each 
 other. There are two large workrooms up-stairs, in one of 
 which were six pair of looms, and the other is used for 
 batting cotton. Two rooms are set apart for infirmaries ; 
 but, as there were no sick prisoners at my visit, shoemakers 
 and tailors were at work in one of them. The rules and 
 regulations for the government of the prison are conspi- 
 cuously stuck up in various parts. The court or session 
 house is within the walls, and convenient passages lead 
 into it for prisoners on trial. Act for preservation of health 
 and clauses against spirituous liquors both hung up ; the 
 prison clean. Number of prisoners, 24th October, 1805 ; 
 men forty-two, women seventy; total one hundred and 
 twelve. It being the dinner hour when I made this visit, 
 I was much pleased with the order and regularity of the 
 prisoners' behaviour, and the attention with which it was 
 
20 
 
 served. The keeper was out on business: it therefore 
 could not be accidental, but method ; and indeed he ap- 
 peared to me, on both visits, to be well calculated for the 
 important trust. The total amount of earnings and dis- 
 bursements, from Easter sessions 1802 to Easter sessions 
 1803, was as follows, viz. 
 
 £. s. d. 
 
 362 6 2£ 
 
 5 6 
 
 32 16 9 
 
 30 12 
 
 73 11 1 
 
 966 15 5% 
 
 £ 1471 2 
 
 £. s. d. 
 
 By total amount of cotton picking ...... 686 17 
 
 Do. do. of weaving . . 615 2 
 
 Do. joiners, tailors, shoemakers, &c. 169 3 
 
 To total amount paid to prisoners discharged . 
 
 Do. necessaries for manufactory, oil, batting- sticks, &c. 
 
 Do. cash advanced to prisoners, and entered to their accounts 
 
 Do. of salary for an assistant in the manufactory 
 
 Do. of per centage allowed task-master .... 
 
 Do. of cash paid to Mr. Threlfall, the inspector 
 
 ,£1471 2 
 
 Average number of prisoners for the year, one hundred 
 and sixty-six. The accounts are examined and signed by 
 Mr. Threlfall, the inspector, and laid before the magis- 
 trates at each quarter sessions, with the vouchers from 
 the several employers for their respective sums. Amount 
 of earnings from the 4th October, 1804, to the 9th October, 
 1805, 811/. 14s. 
 
21 
 
 £. 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 . 303 
 
 13 
 
 41 
 
 . 508 
 
 
 
 7i 
 
 Disbursements for the above period .... 
 
 Cash paid by Mr. Threlfall, the inspector 
 
 .£811 14 
 
 These prisoners have the other moiety of William 
 Edmundson's legacy, mentioned in the list at Lancaster ; 
 it amounts now to 21. 10s. per annum, and is the only bene- 
 faction to this prison. It is distributed as follows: every 
 New Year's day each prisoner receives a loaf of fine bread, 
 value three halfpence, six ounces of cheese, and a pint of 
 ale ; and what the legacy is short of that allowance, is made 
 up out of the earnings. They have likewise a holiday 
 every New Year's day in the afternoon. 
 
 Debtors arrested by the process issuing out of the 
 borough court for sums under 10/. are sent here. At my 
 visit in 1802, I remarked a total neglect of cleanliness 
 in the court-yards of this prison, and for want of a drain 
 the uncovered deposits were extremely offensive. Dung- 
 hills up to the very windows of the workshops, and a 
 hog-stye in another part ; and I am sorry to observe, that 
 there was no alteration at my last visit, 23rd October, 1805. 
 I am informed that it is intended to vault or cover them 
 over next summer ; but I think the nuisance cannot be 
 removed without a regular drain is made for so crowded 
 a place ; it would then be an excellent prison. 
 
The form and manner of the Government of this town. 
 
 The major for the time being, according to a guild 
 order made in the reign of Edward III., 1328, on the 
 Monday previous to the election of his successor, sum- 
 mons the bailiffs to appear before him and the burgesses, 
 to pass the accounts of their stewardship for the year, 
 charging themselves with all monies received belonging 
 to their office, and likewise stating what payments they 
 have made according to any orders given by the aforesaid 
 mayor and council to them to dispose of; and after pas- 
 sing their accounts, the said bailiffs have till Candlemas 
 day to gather in their arrears and finish their accounts ; 
 after which the mayor with his burgesses and other invited 
 guests and friends have a public dinner out of the revenues 
 of the borough, which feast is called the privy accounts 
 dinner, and the evening following the mayor and his 
 brethren meet again upon the town's affairs, and for the 
 election of new officers for the ensuing year ; and the 
 present mayor, in the week before the election court, 
 causes the serjeant to summon all the inhabitant bur- 
 gesses personally to appear at the said court, and when 
 the election court approacheth, one of the Serjeants, early 
 in the morning, ringeth the town's bell to put the bur- 
 
gesses in mind of their duty to appear in that court, which he 
 again repeats at ten o'clock, and likewise at two in the af- 
 ternoon, when the major, with his brethren and burgesses, 
 appeareth in the hall for keeping the said election court. 
 
 The bellman of the borough crieth aloud O'yes, which 
 signifies to open the court in due form : when silence is 
 proclaimed, whilst the bailiffs' accounts are examined and 
 duly made up. Afterwards the bellman reiterates O'yes 
 three times more ; the town clerk calls upon the inhabitant 
 burgesses personally to appear, from the court roll book. 
 When the court roll book is once called over, and in case 
 of all the burgesses not appearing, a new proclamation is 
 made, in the open streets, and on their not appearing at 
 this second call, shall be fined in the sum of 3s. 4d. ; and 
 on the third call, not appearing, shall be fined 6s. 8c?., 
 unless the mayor or town clerk, otherwise excuses them 
 in some particular or extraordinary case of emergency, 
 whereby they possibly could not attend. After which 
 the town clerk enters the formulae of this election court 
 in the following words : — *« And here you may perceive, 
 that this court of election was one of the grand three port- 
 motes formerly in use within this our borough of Preston, 
 during the Saxon era, unto which all burgesses, under a 
 penalty, were then bound to appear, as has been declared 
 
24 
 
 heretofore/' The mayor then stands up, and nominates 
 a person fitting for the office, to fill the office of one of 
 the elisors, in order to nominate a jury. The senior al- 
 derman, having received advice from his brethren in office, 
 and the capital burgesses of the borough, in behalf of the 
 common burgesses or freemen, to whom in former days 
 the choosing of a second elisor belonged, do likewise choose 
 another person to be an elisor, in unison with the former ; 
 which two elisors are to nominate and duly elect twenty- 
 four right and worthy persons to be regularly impannelled 
 as a jury ; twelve of which shall be taken out of the body 
 of those called capital burgesses, and the other twelve to 
 be chosen out of the common burgesses of the borough 
 of Preston. The following oath is then administered to 
 the elisors : — 
 
 " You two are elected and chosen to be electors, com- 
 monly called elisors, within this our borough, and the fran- 
 chises thereof: you shall therefore elect and choose twenty- 
 four honest and discreet burgesses, inhabitants within this 
 said town, and such as are burgesses of the last guild mer- 
 chant ; which twenty-four, so by you to be chosen, are to 
 elect one honest, Avise, and discreet person, to be mayor; 
 one honest, wise, and discreet person to be bailiff; and one 
 honest, wise, and discreet person to be sergeant : and the 
 
names of the twenty-four, so by you chosen, shall be 
 
 presented to your said worshipful the mayor, with all 
 
 convenient speed. 
 
 " So help you God/' 
 
 During the time occupied by the two elisors, in con- 
 sulting and making up a list of the jurors' names, to be 
 by them presented to the mayor, the sergeant, in the 
 mayor's name, shall specially invite the gentlemen and 
 burgesses that attend this election court, to adjourn for 
 the space of half an hour, and to attend his worship 
 the mayor to the sergeant's house, or any other he has 
 previously appointed, and then and there to regale them- 
 selves most heartily with ale, cake, fruit, &c. 
 
 When the elisors have perfected their list, notice is 
 given to them, in order that they may return to their 
 duty at the Moot-hall. The sergeant then maketh pro- 
 clamation, summoning orally all persons to make their 
 special appearance in open court, which of late was ad- 
 journed for the space of half an hour, concluding with 
 God save our lawful sovereign. The schedule containing 
 the twenty-four names elected and duly chosen by the 
 elisors, is delivered into the hands of his worship the 
 mayor, who peruses the same, and then delivers it to 
 the grand seneschal, or town clerk, who orders, by pro- 
 
 E 
 
26 
 
 clamation, that all such persons, and burgesses of the 
 borough of Preston, do stand duly elected to be right, 
 and lawful jurors, as aforesaid, and that they must an- 
 swer to their respective names, and present themselves 
 upon the first call. Then they are duly called, separately ; 
 upon making their personal appearance in open court, 
 his worship the mayor, perusing the schedule, immediately 
 nominateth one of the number, being a capital burgess 
 of the borough, to be the foreman of the jury, according 
 to ancient and lawful usage. After which he tendereth the 
 following oath to the foreman only : — 
 
 " You, with the rest of your brethren, are appointed 
 to elect and choose one mayor, one bailiff, and one sub- 
 bailiff, commonly known by the name of the town's ser- 
 geant ; you shall also elect and choose one honest, wise, 
 and discreet person, to be mayor of this town, for the 
 next year, beginning at the feast of St. Wilfrid, now next 
 ensuing; one other honest, wise, and discreet person, to 
 be bailiff of this town, called and known by the name of 
 town's bailiff; and one other honest, wise, and discreet 
 person, to be sub-bailiff, commonly called the town's ser- 
 geant ; which three aforesaid persons, chosen by you, to 
 serve in the several offices aforesaid, shall be inhabitants 
 within this our said borough, and also shall have been 
 
27 
 
 burgesses of the last guild merchant, and such persons as 
 
 you, in your consciences, shall think fit to use and exercise 
 
 the said distinct offices, for the good and welfare of this 
 
 town, and the franchises thereof. 
 
 " So help you God/' 
 
 The following oath is administered to the residue of 
 the jurors: — 
 
 " The aforesaid oath which B. C. your foreman, on 
 
 his part, hath duly taken ; you, and every one of you, 
 
 shall severally perform, on your part. 
 
 " So help you God." 
 
 On the jurors being duly elected and sworn, they im- 
 mediately adjourn to the council-house, or chamber, at 
 the door of which the sergeant keepeth watch, lest they 
 be interrupted, or overheard, by any person or persons, 
 during these their deliberations: in this place they are 
 bound to remain, without any meat, drink, fire or candle- 
 light, until all and every of them coincide with each other, 
 upon the charge given in to them. Being therefore all 
 of one mind, they are upon this called into court, and 
 each answering to his respective name, the foreman de- 
 livers a schedule of their perfect agreement, containing the 
 names of an elect mayor, town's bailiff, sub-bailiff, or 
 town's sergeant; as was given for their verdict in this 
 
28 
 
 case to them. Which new elect, if not present in court, 
 (as it generally happens he is not,) they send for him ; 
 also for the elected baihff, and sub-bailiff, or town's ser- 
 geant. The present mayor then declareth, upon their 
 making their appearance in court, that the jury duly 
 chosen upon this occasion, have freely elected and chosen 
 him for a person fitting to fill the office of supreme ma- 
 gistrate for the succeeding year, thinking that he is a 
 person most worthy of that high office, and in his opi- 
 nion will reflect honour and reputation upon the borough, 
 and therefore wishes him, without murmur, to accept of 
 the office, wherein he is so unanimously chosen by the 
 jurors, and for to take the respective oaths belonging to 
 the high office of chief governor of this town. 
 
 The oaths of allegiance and supremacy are therefore 
 duly tendered to him, which may be seen in Burn's Jus- 
 tice, on reference thereto. The two oaths aforesaid, con- 
 clude with the following declaration : — 
 
 " I, B. C, do declare and believe, that it is not lawful, 
 upon any pretence whatsoever, to take up arms against 
 the king; and that I do abhor that traitorous position, of 
 taking arms by his authority, against his person, or against 
 those that are commissioned by him. 
 
 " So help me God." 
 
29 
 
 Then he subscribeth the following declaration : — 
 " I therefore well and truly do declare, that their lies 
 no obligation upon me, or any other person, from the 
 oath known by the name of the ' Solemn League and 
 Covenant ;' and moreover, that the same was in itself an 
 unlawful oath, imposed upon the subjects of this realm, 
 against the known laws and liberties of the kingdom. 
 
 Signed " B. C." 
 
 The bailiffs' oath is administered as follows : — 
 " You shall therefore well and truly use and exercise 
 the said office of bailiff, during the time of your appointed 
 office, and keep all and every of such office, in all its 
 parts, whole and entire, in all cases of plaintiff, at whose 
 suit or suits, such person or persons were lawfully arrested, 
 and taken into execution within this borough, for any 
 debt or trespass, and to be fully satisfied of his said debt, 
 costs, and damages, to him adjudged; except you other- 
 wise shall lawfully be discharged thereof. You shall also 
 safely keep within your said prison, within your juris- 
 diction, all such other person or persons, goods and chattels, 
 as shall be lawfully arrested within the borough, until 
 such time as such person or persons, goods or chattels, be 
 duly discharged by sufficient bail therein given, or other- 
 wise provided for. You shall also, from time to time, 
 
30 
 
 during your said office, at and by the appointment and 
 orders of his worship the mayor, and the rest of his bre- 
 thren, or the major part of them, disburse and lay down 
 all and every kind of needful and regular charges and 
 other disbursements, as to the worshipful the mayor, and 
 his brethren, or the major part of them, as shall be thought 
 right, just, lawful, and proper for the public weal of this 
 town, and the franchises thereof. And also maintain, 
 repair, uphold, perforin, and do all matters and things, 
 which the bailiffs of this town, and their predecessors 
 in office, have usually been wont to do, and which 
 may tend, in every degree, to the public benefit and 
 welfare of this our borough of Preston, its franchises 
 and liberties thereof. You shall expose, and inform his 
 worshipful the mayor, of all faults and misdemeanours 
 which shall come to your knowledge, and known to have 
 been committed within this borough, or the franchises 
 or liberties thereof, during the whole time of your servi- 
 tude, in this your aforesaid office. You shall also maintain, 
 uphold, and set forth, all laudable rites and customs,, as 
 have been originally used and practised within this town, 
 by the bailiffs of the said town, your predecessors in 
 office, for the welfare and honour of this borough, and the 
 franchises and liberties thereof: and according to such 
 
31 
 
 orders and regulations as have been originally agreed upon 
 by the worshipful the mayor, and the rest of his brethren 
 in office, the common councilmen of the town. You 
 shall also gather all monies, and discharge all debts, as 
 by virtue of this your office, you ought, and shall collect, 
 within this town, or which during the time of your said 
 office, you or either of you shall be indebted or shall owe 
 unto his worship the mayor, bailiff, or burgesses of the 
 town, by reason of your said office, before the feast day of 
 the purification of our blessed lady the Virgin Mary, next 
 ensuing the day of your accounts. 
 
 " So help you God/' 
 
 The town sergeant's oath. But observe, the very same 
 oath which precedeth the oath of the mayor and bailiffs, 
 is also administered to the sub-bailiff, or town's sergeant, 
 who likewise takes this oath, which is as follows, viz. 
 
 " You are duly elected, and chosen to the office of 
 town's sergeant for the next ensuing year, and shall there- 
 fore well and truly execute and exercise the aforesaid 
 office, known by the name of the town's sergeant, within 
 this our borough of Preston, in Amounderness, in the 
 county of Lancaster, together with its franchises and li- 
 berties thereof, from the feast day of St. Wilfrid, the 
 archbishop, next forthcoming, until the feast day of St. 
 
Wilfrid, the archbishop, then forthcoming, (that is to say) 
 for one whole year, if you live till then, and so long con- 
 tinue in office, and from that day, until another person 
 to your office is duly and lawfully sworn and elected, you 
 shall obey your said worshipful the mayor, and him 
 duly serve and revere, as pertaineth ; and to the extent 
 of your power, maintain the peace of the king's majesty, 
 within this ancient borough, its franchises and liberties 
 thereof. You shall also carry the toll-box, every market 
 day, and during the times of fairs, following after the 
 bailiffs of this town, and duly wait upon them, as be- 
 cometh your situation, and give due assistance to them in 
 the collecting and gathering of tolls, and other customs, 
 belonging to his worship the mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses 
 of this ancient and loyal town of Preston, during the 
 time of your servitude in this aforesaid office. You shall 
 likewise be ready to come to his worship the mayor, to 
 ring the ordinary bell, every market day, and at all other 
 times when his worship the mayor telleth you to do so ; 
 and at all other due and convenient times, during this your 
 said office, you shall hold yourself in readiness to give 
 assistance to the sergeant at mace, commonly called the 
 mayor's sergeant, for all executions served by the said 
 sergeant, within this our said borough of Preston, and the 
 
33 
 
 franchises and liberties thereof. And moreover, such 
 person or persons' goods and chattels, as are held in 
 bondage, by arrest or execution, you shall take into your 
 custody, and the same safely keep, and deliver over, with 
 all possible speed, unto the bailiffs of this town, for the 
 time during the existence of this your said office. You 
 shall not exact or extort from any person or persons, for 
 or concerning the execution of this your office, any money, 
 gift, reward, or any other thing whatsoever, than such lawful, 
 just, and equitable fees, as originally have been allowed, 
 and usually taken, by your predecessors the sergeants of 
 the town, except it shall be otherwise ordained by the 
 worshipful the mayor, and his brethren. You shall not 
 take any money, gift, or reward, of any gamester or 
 gamesters, which you shall find, or take any material be- 
 longing to any kind of play, or game, within this borough, 
 during the time of your office, to the intent to bear or 
 agree with, or with a view to oversee this their offence 
 against the public morals of the inhabitants of this town. 
 But all persons as you shall find so offending within this 
 borough, its franchises and liberties, shall be brought 
 before his worship the mayor, and supreme magistrate, or 
 in certain cases, the same shall be made known to him 
 without delay. And if you shall find, or know of any 
 
 F 
 
34 
 
 lewd, bad, or suspected person or persons, to be relieved, 
 harboured, or kept at any house or houses, within this 
 borough, the franchises or liberties thereof, you shall 
 use your best endeavours to "apprehend them personally, 
 all and every one of them, or otherwise take them, or give 
 information of them and their respective residence to your 
 worshipful master, the mayor of this ancient and loyal 
 borough, in order that they may be apprehended, and 
 duly taken and put into custody, keeping this knowledge 
 of the case to yourself, nor letting any other person or _ 
 persons into the knowledge thereof, so that these villainous 
 persons may betake themselves to flight, and thereby 
 make their total escape out of the franchises and liberties 
 of the borough. And further, you shall truly present to 
 your master, his worship the mayor of the town, the 
 names of all and every respective householder, as shall 
 in any wise relieve, keep, or harbour all such lewd per- 
 sons, known to your personal knowledge. 
 
 " So help you God/' 
 The oath of the mayor's sergeant is administered as 
 follows : — 
 
 " You are chosen to the office of sergeant, for the year 
 ensuing : you shall therefore well and truly use and exercise 
 the said office of sergeant at mace, commonly known by the 
 
35 
 
 title of mayor's sergeant, within this town of Preston, and 
 the franchises and liberties thereof, from the feast day of 
 St. Wilfrid, forthcoming, until the feast day of St, Wilfrid 
 then next following ; (that is to say) for one whole year, 
 if you live thereunto, and so long continue in the said office. 
 You shall obey his worship the mayor, and attend upon 
 him, at all convenient times, during the time of this your 
 said office, and in as much as in you lieth, cause the king's 
 majesty and peace to be preserved and fully maintained, 
 within this town, its franchises and liberties thereof. You 
 shall, in your proper person, make all arrests, and procla- 
 mations, and serve all manner of processes, and executions, 
 between party and party, and all other things which shall 
 in all manner appertain and belong to your office, to be 
 done and executed within this town, and the franchises 
 and liberties thereof, in such manner and form, as the 
 sergeant at mace of the city of London do execute and 
 perform, whether it be upon body or chattels, according 
 to the warrant or warrants, which shall be directed unto 
 you, for the due execution and performance thereof, 
 without any demur or delay whatsoever, during the ser- 
 vitude of this your said office. And all such persons' 
 goods and chattels, as you shall arrest or take into exe- 
 cution, you shall immediately deliver unto the bailiffs of 
 
36 
 
 this town, or one of them, or in case of their absence, to 
 the sub-bailiff. You shall also keep his majesty the 
 king's standard, both for weights and measures, during 
 the time of your office, and all such weights and measures 
 as shall be brought to you, to be made perfect and sealed, 
 you shall justly and truly make and seal, without any 
 deceit or corruption whatsoever, according to the ancient 
 weights and measures now used, except you shall be other- 
 wise ordered by the worshipful the mayor of the town, 
 and his brethren. You shall see no tolls, or customs be- 
 longing to this town, during your office, to be withdrawn 
 or taken away, during the bailiffs' absence, but you shall 
 take, if found wanting, and deliver them up to the bailiffs 
 of this town. You shall not exact or extort from any 
 person or persons, for or in the execution of your said 
 office, any money, gift, reward, or other thing whatsoever, 
 than such regular and lawful fees, as originally have been 
 granted and allowed, and taken by your predecessors the 
 sergeants of this town. You shall not take any money, 
 gift, or reward, from any common gamester, which you 
 shall find at any unlawful play or game, within this town, its 
 franchises and liberties, during the time of your said office, 
 with an intent to overlook or bear in any degree, with 
 these their unlawful offences, calculated to injure the 
 
37 
 
 public morals of the inhabitants of this borough of Preston. 
 But all persons, so found by you, so offending in these 
 cases, shall be immediately brought before your said wor- 
 shipful the mayor, or you shall otherwise make the same 
 known to him without delay. And moreover, if you shall 
 find any loose, lewd, bad, or suspected persons, who are 
 relieved, kept, or harboured within this town, its franchises 
 and liberties thereof, you shall use your best endeavours 
 to apprehend them, or otherwise without delay, shall bring 
 them before your worshipful the ma}'or, to the end that they 
 may be committed. You are not to give knowledge or 
 warning, either by yourself, or by any other indirect means, 
 to any persons, or to themselves, in anywise, lest they 
 betake themselves to flight, and thereby escape without 
 the franchise and liberties of the borough. And further- 
 more, you shall truly represent to your mayor, the names 
 of all and every householder as shall anywise relieve, keep, 
 or harbour, any such aforesaid lewd persons, to the best 
 
 of your knowledge. 
 
 " So help you God/' 
 
 When the mayor, bailiffs, and sergeants are duly sworn, 
 the mayor shall dissolve the court; and he, with all present, 
 consisting of gentlemen and burgesses, shall give due and 
 proper attendance to the elect mayor, to his respective 
 
38 
 
 residence, and he in return shall give them a sumptuous 
 banquet or noble treat, and afterwards another banquet, 
 or grand entertainment, shall be given to the various ladies 
 of the town, and wives of all the capital burgesses, in the 
 same manner. There shall be prepared against the feast 
 day of St. Wilfrid, the archbishop, entire new gowns, 
 and other decent attire, as becometh the ancient costume 
 of the borough, and livery cloaks for the sergeants ; one 
 at the bailiffs' charge, and the other at the new elect's 
 charge. 
 
 And when the aforesaid day is come, viz. St. Wilfrid's 
 day, all the capital burgesses, with the gentlemen of the 
 town, and others who are specially invited upon this 
 occasion, with the four bailiffs and sergeants shall attend 
 the mayor, and new elect, to the parish church, in due 
 procession, preceded by all the regalia, in due and proper 
 form ; at which time, and on the Sunday following, the 
 former mayor, and the new elected mayor, shall sit to- 
 gether, upon an elevated throne, belonging to the supreme 
 magistracy of this ancient and loyal borough ; where 
 divine service shall be peformed, and an inauguration 
 sermon shall be preached upon this occasion ; after which 
 the former mayor leads down the aisle of the church, 
 and when arrived at the transcept makes a sudden stop, 
 
39 
 
 and instantly turning round to the mayor elect, makes a 
 speech applicable to the situation he is about to hold ; 
 afterwards he invests him, by delivering the ensigns of 
 magisterial authority, viz. the staff and maces, and then 
 retires into the regular situation assigned for him in the 
 procession. The bailiffs and sergeants, in like manner 
 deliver up their authority to those appointed to succeed 
 them in office. On this ceremony ending, the bells of the 
 church ring a merry peal, welcoming in the joyful so- 
 lemnity, of inaugurating a new magistrate for the succeeding 
 year. They all give attendance to the new mayor, at 
 his residence, where he entertains them nobly, with a 
 splendid feast, composed of all kinds of dainties, such as 
 wine, sack, and ale, in abundance. During the course of 
 the evening, he entertains the ladies of the town with a 
 sumptuous supper. Let it be remembered that the mayor 
 elect, previous to setting out in full procession to the parish 
 church, that the keys of the Moot-hall and prison, the 
 massive guild book, maces, mayor's staves, halberds, the 
 book of orders, and other books, records, &c. the standard 
 measures, and every other thing belonging to the corporate 
 body is presented to him by indenture. 
 
 The oath of the standers for tollage, is couched in 
 the following words : — 
 
40 
 
 " You shall well and truly collect, and gather, within 
 
 this town, all the tolls, duties, and customs, as of right are 
 
 due to the mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses of this town, 
 
 for all such goods as you shall know, or by strict enquiry 
 
 shall find, to be bought, sold, or exchanged within this 
 
 town, and thereof make a just and true account, and 
 
 undelayed payment thereof, to the mayor of this town, 
 
 of all such monies, as you shall have duly received, 
 
 according to ancient usage and known custom of this 
 
 town. 
 
 " So help you God/' 
 
 The oath administered to those denominated " Searchers 
 for cloth or ulnage," is as follows, viz. — 
 
 " You shall diligently see, and make due search after 
 all such cloth, and cloths, that shall be dyed, dressed, or 
 pressed, with a cold press, within this borough, its fran- 
 chises and liberties thereof, and see whether the same be 
 well and sufficiently dressed, pressed, and dyed, without 
 putting thereto any deceitful thing, or mixing the same 
 with bad colours, or whether the same be starched or 
 strained, or any ways unlawfully made, contrary to the 
 statutes in that case made and provided : and such cloths, 
 so rightly and duly made or manufactured, pressed, and 
 dyed, shall be sealed with a seal, given into your hands, for this 
 
41 
 
 purpose, taking only such just and due fees, as are ap- 
 pointed by the statute in that case, and upon default, in 
 making, dying, pressing, or sealing such inefficient cloth, 
 unsealed, you immediately seize the said cloths, and 
 present the name or names, of such person or persons, 
 who shall offend therein : all these points, you, and either 
 of you, shall well and truly observe and keep, according 
 
 to your cunning wit and powers. 
 
 " So help you God/' 
 
 The freeman's oath is thus : — 
 
 " You shall swear that you shall be good and true to 
 
 our Sovereign Lord King George the Fourth, and to his 
 
 heirs and lawful successors, and you shall be obedient 
 
 to the just and good government of this ancient borough 
 
 of Preston ; and, to the best of your power, you shall 
 
 maintain and preserve the peace, and all your due franchises 
 
 thereof, and according to your knowledge and ability, do 
 
 and perform all other acts and things as do appertain to 
 
 a freeman of this town to do. 
 
 " So help you God." 
 
 The seneschal, steward, or town clerk's oath is as 
 follows :— 
 
 " You are elected and chosen to the office of steward, 
 or town clerk of this borough and town of Preston, and 
 
 G 
 
also clerk of the statutes, within the same ; you shall 
 therefore, by yourself, or your sufficient deputy, well 
 and truly, execute your said office, during such time as 
 you shall so continue in the same, according to the liberties 
 and customs of this town, and also shall do and perform, 
 execute and accomplish, all things belonging to the said 
 office and either of them, according to your knowledge 
 and judgment, for the public weal and benefit of this town, 
 receiving your due fees and profits therefrom. 
 
 " So help you God/' 
 
 GUILD YEARS. 
 
 A.D. 1329, 2nd Edward 3rd, 
 
 Line of Plantagenet, or Anjou. 
 
 1397, 20th Richard 2nd, 
 
 Do. 
 
 1418, 5th Henry 5th, 
 
 Line of Lancaster. 
 
 1429, 7th Henry 6th, 
 
 Do. 
 
 1458, 37th Henry 6th, 
 
 Do. 
 
 1501, 16th Henry 7th, 
 
 Families United. 
 
 1543, 34th Henry 8th, 
 
 Do. 
 
 1562, 4th Elizabeth, 
 
 Do. 
 
 1582, 24th Elizabeth, 
 
 Do. 
 
 1602, 44th Elizabeth, 
 
 Do. 
 
 1622, 20th James 1st, 
 
 Union of the two kingdoms. 
 
 1642, 16th Charles 1st, 
 
 Do. 
 
 1662, 14th Charles 2nd 
 
 Do. 
 
 1682, 34th Charles 2nd, 
 
 Do. 
 
 1702, 1st Anne, 
 
 Do. 
 
43 
 
 1722, 9th George 1st, 
 1742, 16th George 2nd, 
 1762, 2nd George 3d, 
 1782, 22nd George 3rd, 
 1 802, 42nd George 3rd, 
 1822, 2nd George 4th, 
 
 Unic 
 
 i of the two kingdoms. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 Do. 
 
 LIST OF GUILD MAYORS AND BAILIFFS. 
 
 DATES. MAYORS. 
 
 1329 Aubert son of Robert. 
 
 1397 
 1418 
 1429 
 1458 
 1501 
 1543 
 1562 
 1582 
 1602 
 1622 
 1643 
 1662 
 1682 
 1702 
 1722 
 1742 
 1762 
 1782 
 
 William Ergham. 
 H. Johnson. 
 Robert Hoghtou. 
 Robert Hoghton. 
 William Marshall. 
 Thomas Tipping. 
 Thomas Wall. 
 George Walton. 
 Henry Catterall. 
 William Preston. 
 Edmund Werden. 
 James Hodgkinson. 
 Roger Sudall. 
 Josias Gregson. 
 Edmund Assheton. 
 Henry Farington. 
 Robert Parker. 
 Richard Atherton. 
 
 1802 Nicholas Grimsha< 
 
 BAILIFFS. 
 
 William son of Paulin, Roger Brock- 
 holes. 
 
 Johanes Meols, Thomas More. 
 
 Wm. Wintre, sen. Robt. Meols. 
 
 J. Hoghton, sen. Robt. Parker. 
 
 James Haydoke, Rich. Dawson. 
 
 Hen. Preston, Wm. Ergham. 
 
 Chris. Haydoke, Lvan Wall. 
 
 Evan Wall, Thomas Tipping. 
 
 W. Hodgkinson, sen. T. Berres. 
 
 Hen. Hodgkinson, Rd. Blundell. 
 
 Rd. Blundell, Roger Langton. 
 
 Roger Langton, Wm. Sudall. 
 
 Wm. Sudall, Thos. Sumner. 
 
 John Walmsley, Josiah Rishton. 
 
 Joseph Curtis, Jos. Drinkwater. 
 
 Wm. Patten, Rich. White. 
 
 Dr. Parkinson, Robt. Prescot. 
 
 John Jackson, jun. John Grimshaw. 
 
 Robinson Shuttleworth, Nicholas Grim- 
 shaw. 
 
 Thos. Wilson, Thos. Norcross. 
 
44 
 
 LIST OF THE 
 
 MAYORS, BAILIFFS, AND RECORDERS, 
 
 WHO HAVE SERVED THE BOROUGH OF PRESTON, FROM 1701 TO 1821. 
 
 DATES. MAYORS. 
 
 1701 Josias Gregson. {Guild.) 
 
 1702 Geoffrey Rishton. 
 
 1703 William Lemon. 
 
 1704 John Atherton. 
 
 1705 Thomas Winckley. 
 
 1706 John Chorley. 
 
 1707 Roger Sudall. 
 
 1708 John Harrison. 
 
 1709 John Loxam. 
 
 1710 George Lamplugh. 
 
 1711 William Gradwell. 
 
 1712 Richard Assheton. 
 
 1713 Edmund Assheton. 
 
 1714 Lawrence Wall. 
 
 1715 William Lemon. 
 
 1716 Robert Chadwick. 
 
 1717 Joseph Curtis. 
 
 17 18 Richard Casson. 
 
 1719 George Lamplugh. 
 
 1720 William Gradwell. 
 
 1721 Edmund Assheton. (Guild.) 
 
 1722 Lawrence Wall. 
 
 1723 John Thornton. 
 
 1724 John Clayton. 
 
 1725 Thomas Garlicke. 
 
 1726 John Myers. 
 
 1727 Richard Addison, 
 
 BAILIFFS. 
 
 Joseph "Curtis, Jos. Drinkwater. 
 Robt. Chadwick, Adam Cooper. 
 Rich. Assheton, Rich. Casson. 
 Lawrence Wall, John Orme. 
 Edmund Assheton, Wm. Coope- 
 Benjam. Tod, Thos. Garlicke. 
 William Prescot, James Drinkwater. 
 Joseph Brearly, John Waller. 
 James Chorley, John Birchall. 
 Thomas Rishton, Thomas Myers. 
 William Hebson, Robert Ashburner. 
 Peter Harrison, Joseph Tomlinson. 
 John Thornton, Johu Clayton. 
 Edward Entwistle, J. Drinkwater. 
 John Addison, Richard Price. 
 William Wall, Joseph Drinkwater. 
 John Myers, Richard Addison. 
 
 Richard Atkinson, William Harrison. 
 
 Richard King, James Ryley. 
 
 William Hardman, Henry Fisher. 
 
 William Patten, Richard White. 
 
 Edward Entwistle, J. Drinkwater. 
 
 James Derbyshire, Henry Smith. 
 
 William Atherton, John Ravald. 
 
 Anth. Davis, Robert \\ alshman. 
 
 William Prichard, J. Myers, jun. 
 
 Sir Edward Stanley, Bart, afterwards 
 Earl of Derby, and Banastre Parker. 
 
45 
 
 DATES. MAYORS. 
 
 1728 Joseph Curtis. 
 
 1729 Edmund Assheton. 
 
 1730 Lawrence Wall. 
 \73\ Sir Edward Stanley, Bart, after- 
 wards Earl of Derby. 
 
 1732 William Atherton. 
 
 1733 John Clayton. 
 
 1734 John Myers. 
 
 1735 Richard Addison. 
 
 1736 Henry Farington. 
 
 1737 Edmund Assheton. 
 1788 William Atherton. 
 
 1739 John Ravald. 
 
 1740 Lawrence Rawstorne. 
 
 1741 Henry Farington. (Guild.) 
 
 1742 John Walshman. 
 
 1743 William Prichard. 
 
 1744 William Harrison. 
 
 1745 James Derbyshire. 
 
 1746 Thomas Starkey. 
 
 1747 Richard Shepherd M. B. * 
 
 1748 Richard Pedder. 
 
 1749 Ti.omas Astley. 
 
 1750 Lawrence Rawstorne. 
 
 1751 John Bolton. 
 
 1752 Hubert Parker. 
 
 1753 Win. Prichard. 
 
 1754 John Starkie. 
 
 1755 Richard Shepherd, M.B. 
 
 * This gentleman founded the library in this towi 
 be seen in the uctagon room, at the library, hi a fine 
 a chevron, an inescocheon, charged with a peli 
 fleur de lis. Crest — A lamb passant or. 
 
 BAILIFFS. 
 
 W. Shackleton, R. Pedder. 
 
 E. Knight, J. Walshman. 
 
 T. Astley, James Naylor. 
 
 Thomas Hesketh, Alexander Osbaldes- 
 
 ton. 
 Henry Farington, J. Assheton. 
 J. Hopkinson, J. Bolton. 
 J. Hopkins, R. Pedder. 
 John Winckley, John Garlick. 
 Lawrence Rawstorne, R. Robinson. 
 R. Assheton, Dr. Escolme. 
 Thomas Garlick, C. Barton. 
 H. Orme, J. Todhunter. 
 Thomas Starkie, Richard Shepherd, 
 
 M.B. 
 Dr. Parkinson, R. Prescot. 
 J. Dixon, Richard Loxam. 
 J. Hesketh, Gilbert Woosey. 
 R. Briggs, Thomas Jackson. 
 Edward Pedder, J. Wilkinson. 
 Thomas Winckley, S. Prescot. 
 Joseph King, J. Wilkinson. 
 James Astley, Joseph Myers. 
 Robert Parker, Nich. Walton. 
 Robt. Hesketh, Evelyn Chas. Franckes. 
 Will. Coward, William Green. 
 Dr. Escolme, Richard Livesey. 
 Nicholas Starkie, Robert Moss. 
 Thos. Grimshaw, Jas. Cowburn. 
 Thomas Aldred, Ralph Watson. 
 
 mi, called " Shepherd's Library." A portrait of him may 
 ,e state of preservation. He bore for his arms — Azure, on 
 nourishing her young, with a nest proper, between three 
 
46 
 
 1756 Richard Pedder. 
 
 1757 Robert Hesketh. 
 
 1758 John Bolton. 
 
 1759 Wm, Prichard. 
 
 1760 Lawrence Rawstorne. 
 
 1761 Robert Parker. (Guild.) 
 
 1762 Thomas Jackson. 
 
 1763 Edward Pedder. 
 
 1764 Richard Assheton. 
 
 1765 William Prichard. 
 
 1766 Joseph Myers. 
 
 1767 Robert Moss. 
 
 1768 Thomas Grimshaw. 
 
 1769 Richard Assheton. 
 
 1770 Edward Pedder. 
 
 1771 James Cowburn. 
 
 1772 Ralph Watson. 
 
 1773 Richard Atherton. 
 
 1774 Bartholomew Davis. 
 
 1775 John Grimshaw. 
 
 1776 Edwd. Pedder. 
 
 1777 Jas. Cowburn. 
 
 1778 Ralph Watson. 
 
 BAILIFFS. 
 
 John Whittle, John Darbyshire. 
 
 Edw. Bolton, John Nabb. 
 
 Wm. Riddihough, Bart. Davis. 
 
 John Watson, Thomas Wilson, 
 
 Rich. Atherton, John Taylor. 
 
 John Jackson, jun. John Grimshaw, 
 (late father of the borough, but re- 
 signed on account of old age.*) 
 
 Fleetwood Hesketh, W. Prichard. 
 
 Thos. Pedder, John Smalley. 
 
 Rich. Casson, Thos. Aldred. 
 
 Will. Leake, Alex. Nowell. 
 
 Thos. Cowburn, Will. Briggs. 
 
 Nich. Winckley, Robt. Farrer. 
 
 Edward Pedder, Rich. Wilso n 
 
 Jas. Woods, J. Nuttall. 
 
 Wm. Wickstead, Jas. Knowles. 
 
 Jas. Cheetham, Thos. Greaves. 
 
 Thos. Walsham, Robert Bailey. 
 
 Edwd. Atherton, Edwd. Robt. Travers. 
 
 Oliver Farrer, John Greaves. 
 
 Thomas Cowell, James Heald. 
 
 James Pedder, Thos. Bolton. 
 
 John Latus, John Fallowfield. 
 
 James Blackhurst, John Heald. 
 
 * John Grimshaw, Esq. (father of the borough,) resigned on account of his age, and Thomas Miller, Esq. 
 was appointed an alderman in his place, and afterwards elected mayor of the borough, for 1820. A very 
 handsome piece of plate, bearing the following inscription, was presented to John Grimshaw, Esq. by the 
 mayor and common council of this borough, in the month of January, 1821: — " To John Grimshaw, 
 Esquire, late senior alderman of the corporation of Preston, and one of his Majesty's justices of the peace for 
 that borough ; who for a long series of years, supported the rights and interest of the body corporate, and 
 promoted the peace and welfare of the borough in general, with equal ability, integrity, and zeal : this cup is 
 presented, as a token of gratitude for his public services, and of esteem and regard for his private character, 
 by the mayor, aldermen, and capital burgesses of the borough, in common council assembled." This vener- 
 able old gentleman died on Monday, the 12th of March, 1821. 
 
47 
 
 DATES. MAYORS. 
 
 1779 Thomas Pedder. 
 
 1780 Bartholomew Davis. 
 
 1781 Richard Atherton. (Guild.) 
 
 1782 
 1783 
 1784 
 1785 
 1786 
 1787 
 1788 
 1789 
 1790 
 1791 
 1792 
 1793 
 1794 
 
 John Green. 
 William Grimshaw. 
 Ralph Watson. 
 Bartholomew Davis. 
 Richard Atherton. 
 Thomas Cowburn. 
 John Grimshaw. 
 William Green. 
 Edward Pedder. 
 Thomas Greaves. 
 William Prichard. 
 Robinson Shuttleworth. 
 James Pedder. 
 
 1795 Henry Walshman. 
 
 1796 James Moore. 
 
 1797 John Fallowneld. 
 
 1798 Edward Robert Travers. 
 
 1799 John Grimshaw. 
 
 1800 William Prichard. 
 
 1801 Nich. Grimshaw. {Guild.) 
 
 1802 Samuel Horrocks. 
 
 1803 Daniel Lyon. 
 
 1804 George Blelock. 
 
 BAILIFFS. 
 
 Thos. Briggs, Thos. Winckley. 
 
 Rich. Loxam, Wm. Sergeant, who died 
 
 in office, and was succeeded by Thos. 
 
 Farrer. 
 Robinson Shuttleworth, Nich. Grim- 
 shaw. 
 Henry Walshman, John Green. 
 Jas. Cowburn, Joseph Seaton Aspden. 
 Jas. Blackhurst, John Heald. 
 Jas. Moore, Daniel Lyon. 
 Richard Newsham, Richard Loxam. 
 Wm. Wilson, George Blelock. 
 Seth German, Henry Fisher. 
 R. Riddihough, Robt. Gornall. 
 Hugh Waterworth, Sept. Gorst. 
 Jas. Lorimer, Jas. Cowburn. 
 Ralph Assheton, George Bolton. 
 George Dewhurst, Hu. Dewhurst. 
 Thomas Sill, John Horrocks (afterwards 
 
 member of parliament for the bo- 
 rough). 
 Roger Fleetwood, Peter Blelock. 
 John Troughton, Samuel Horrocks, 
 
 (now member of parliament for the 
 
 borough). 
 William Brakell, Thomas Ogle. 
 Jno. Startifant, Jno. Whitehead. 
 Thomas Starkie Shuttleworth, George 
 
 Fleming. 
 James Heald, Richard Palmer. 
 Thomas Wilson, Thomas Norcross. 
 William Leighton, Thomas Miller. 
 Robert Friend, Jas. Mounsey. 
 John Taylor, George Cotton, of Chester, 
 
 (died in office). 
 
48 
 
 DATES. MAYORS. 
 
 1805 Edward Robert Travers. 
 
 1806 John Grimshaw. 
 
 1807 Richard Newsham. 
 
 1808 Nicholas Grimshaw, 
 
 1809 Daniel Lyon. 
 
 1810 George Blelock. 
 
 1811 Edward Robert Travers. 
 
 1812 Nicholas Grimshaw. 
 
 1813 Richard Newsham. 
 
 1814 Daniel Lyon. 
 
 1815 Edward Robert Travers. 
 
 1816 John Troughton. 
 
 1817 Nicholas Grimshaw. 
 
 1818 Richard Newsham. 
 
 1819 Hugh Dewhurst. 
 
 1820 Thomas Miller. 
 
 1821 Nicholas Grimshaw, Esq. 
 
 BAILIFFS. 
 
 James Pedder, John Daniel Lyon. 
 John Nock Grimshaw, Chas. Ambler 
 Thomas Tomlinson, James Dixon. 
 Thomas Moore, Jonathan Lodge. 
 Arthur Milsom, Will. Brade. 
 Joseph Robinson, John Paley. 
 Wm. Buck, R. R. W. Robinson, M.D- 
 Charles Buck, Thomas Petty. 
 Thomas Green, John Woodburn. 
 Thomas German, Wm. Petty. 
 James Newsham, William Taylor. 
 Thomas Troughton, John Baron. 
 J. Addison, jun. R. Addison. 
 T. B. Addison, W. O. Pilkington. 
 Thomas Dewhurst, R. Buxton. 
 S. Horrocksjjun. Geo. Jackson. 
 William Clayton, Edward Grimshaw. 
 
 RECORDERS. 
 Edmund Starkie, Esq. Barrister-at-Law, of this Borough. 
 John Aspinall, Esq. Serjeant-at-Law, of Standen Hall. 
 Robert Moss, Esq. Barrister-at-Law, of this Borough and of Sandhills. 
 Sir James Alan Park, Knt. one his Majesty's Justices of the Court of Common 
 Pleas. 
 
 ALDERMEN. 
 
 E. R. Travers, Esq., (Father of the Borough,) Samuel Horrocks, Esq., M. P. 
 
 Daniel Lyon, Richard Newisham, John Troughton, Hugh Dewhurst, 
 
 and Thomas Miller, Esqrs. 
 
 CAPITAL BURGESSES, OR COMMON COUNCIL. 
 
 John Green, (Treasurer), Henry Fisher, Robert Gonial, James Heald, Richard 
 
 Palmer, (Town Clerk), William Leighton, Robert Friend, James 
 
 Mounsey, John Taylor, Thomas Tomlinson, James Dixon, 
 
 Thomas Moore, Jonathan Lodge, Arthur Milsom, 
 
 Joseph Robinson, and John Paley. 
 
49 
 
 The following particulars were kindly communicated by a gen- 
 tleman, resident at Preston, to the publisher : — 
 
 In the year 1793> an act of parliament was obtained 
 for making a navigable canal from Kendal in Westmorland, 
 to Westhoughton in Lancashire. This is called the Lan- 
 caster canal, and touches in its course the towns of 
 Lancaster, Preston, Chorley, and Wigan, forming a 
 junction with the duke of Bridgewater's canal, and also 
 with that from Leeds to Liverpool. The Lancaster canal 
 is now completed, except for about four miles to the south 
 of Preston, where the north and south branches are 
 connected by an iron rail way, upon which coals and 
 lime stone are conveyed in waggons, which are hoisted 
 up an inclined plane, on the north bank of the Ribble, 
 by means of a steam engine. The loss and expense at- 
 tending this inconvenient break in the navigation not only 
 prevents the carriage of general merchandize, but occasions 
 the town of Preston to be supplied with coals, in a great 
 measure, by carts directly from the pits. If the line of 
 water carriage were complete, the tonnage upon this canal 
 would be more than doubled, and the whole of this 
 populous and increasing district might thus be supplied 
 
50 
 
 with goods of every description, which are now principally 
 carried by land. This short obstacle of four miles once 
 removed, boats might be loaded at the London Docks, 
 at Paddington, Birmingham, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, or 
 Manchester, and conveyed by water, without being un- 
 loaded, to Preston, Lancaster, and Kendal. The finances 
 of the canal company have not yet been thought equal to 
 so great an undertaking as the building of an aqueduct 
 over the Ribble ; but it is hoped that the increasing profits 
 of the concern, e^en under its present disadvantages, will 
 soon enable the proprietors to fulfil their original engage- 
 ments with the public. 
 
 In the general account of this town it may be thought 
 proper to mention that, by the combined exertions of the 
 trustees of the different roads with the commissioners of 
 police within the borough, the main approaches to Preston 
 have within the last few years been greatly improved ; 
 the entrance from Liverpool, by Fishergate in particular, 
 may be said to equal that of most provincial towns. The 
 plan of flagging the parapets has also been lately intro- 
 duced, and a considerable part of Church street and 
 Fishergate already enjoys the benefit of this convenience, 
 but owing to an economising spirit among the commis- 
 
51 
 
 sioners, the improvements in this respect are at present 
 discontinued: in the year 1821, the parish of Preston 
 contained 27,362 inhabitants, and 4,723 houses. 
 
 This town, from its situation, has been an important 
 post in the civil commotions of this kingdom, and the 
 scene of various military actions ; the following account of 
 the one that happened in 1642, is printed from the original 
 in the British Museum, and is thought worthy of insertion. 
 
 The true relation of the taking of the town of Preston by 
 Colonel! Seatons forces from Manchester, sent in a letter 
 from a worthy minister (an eye witness thereof) to an 
 emminent divine in London. 
 
 WORTHY SIR, 
 
 Be pleased to accept this poor rude paper, it is a 
 messenger sent to tell you good tidings. We have as- 
 saulted and taken Preston, a town very considerable, and 
 which much tends to the advancement of the publike 
 worke in this county, and so not altogether impertinent 
 to the kingdome. We were about 900 or 1000 firemen, 
 horse and foot, and about 600 bill-men, halberdiers and 
 clubmen ; our march in the night was tedious, especially 
 to many who had marched the night before, and to ac- 
 comodate us in that, God gave us a faire night, such as 
 
52 
 
 had not beene of a space before, yea, and indeed the day 
 forerunning threatned us a very foule night — this was of' 
 God. Our men assaulted it a little before sun rising, in 
 an houres time they were masters of it; it was well fortified 
 with brick walls, outer and inner ; our men (but especially 
 three companies that came from Manchester) fell on 
 with notable resolution. Captain John Booth scaled their 
 walls, bidding his souldiers either follow him or give him 
 up ; but they, forgetting their owne safety, followed him. 
 The garrison fought it out stoutly, they kept their inner 
 works with push of pike, and also the breach they kept 
 with their swords, which aggravates the matter. We have 
 not lost above three or four men, (very strange) falling 
 upon them in their workes ; of theirs I saw lying dead in 
 one street end at least five or six, besides other parts of the 
 towne severall, and many in the houses not calling for 
 quarter. And as if men must have been singled out for 
 slaughter, wee could have scarcely have picked out better ; 
 the major (that was resolute to desperatenesse in the cause, 
 that had oftentimes been heard sweare he would fire the 
 towne ere he gave it up, and begin with his owne house,) 
 was slain, and that very day he had appointed to constrain 
 the w ell-affected, or to have seized on their estates ; Sir 
 Gilbert Houghton's brother, a captain, and a desperate 
 
53 
 
 papist ; Mr. Westby, a physitian, and a desperate, a Ser- 
 jeant to the freehold, that came lately out of Ireland, 
 a most wicked wretch, were of the number of the slain. 
 Several of our men are shot, but not mortally (its notable) ; 
 many are shot in two or three, or four severall places, 
 and neither to death nor dangerously ; we have taken 
 some prisoners of note. Captain Farrington, Sir John 
 Talbot's sonne, one Fleetwood, and they say Anderton 
 of Clayton, if so, I assure you, he is one of the most 
 considerable men for estate and activity in the county, 
 and many others, with many arms and a large part 
 of things justly, and by plunder (alas, that that is so much 
 lamented, but most hard to be prevented) seized on, more 
 prisoners of note, we had been possessed of, but that honest 
 flight rescued them. The fruit of this design is not yet per- 
 ceived, but will shine forth more and more I am confident ; 
 it blocks up the way, that all the north-vast part of Lanca- 
 shire, where were the chief malignants, and the cream of the 
 earl's forces, yea, and indeed, they will come in (I am per- 
 swaded and partly perceive already) and subscribe to the 
 propositions. So soon as matters were settled, we sung prai- 
 ses to God in the streets, (sir, it was wonderful to see it) the 
 sun brake forth and shined brightly and hot, in the time of 
 the exercise, as if it had been midsummer. Truely, sir, we 
 
54 
 
 owe (subordinate to God) a great deal to Sir John Seaton ; 
 things are artificially and methodically done, past what they 
 were before ; he is a man of wonderful care and unwearied 
 industry, onely rather too harsh for our northern, knotty rig- 
 ged dispositions, had he the meek spirit, and smooth tongue 
 of S. M. Sparrow, he were peerlesse, and without parallell, 
 doubtlesse. Sir, I am in haste, just come from Preston, and 
 the poste about to take horse, pardon my rudnesse, and bre- 
 vity, onely, I beseech you assist us in praises, that we 
 may not loose God for want of praises, and pray for us, 
 that plunder cry not louder for justice than prayer for 
 mercy, remember my love and service to your wife. Fare- 
 will is the wish of 
 
 your humble servant and respective friend, 
 John Tilsley, 
 
 Preston, February 11, 1642. 
 
 Postscript. — Anderton of Clayton is out of question taken, 
 Captain Preston taken also, he, with Captain Farrington 
 came this night to Preston, the Serjeant mentioned before, 
 Avas an Irish rebell, and Fleetwood, before named, was he 
 that killed the man in Manchester, at that time the earl 
 came thither a little before the late siege. 
 
 But the most considerable of these was in 1648, when the 
 
55 
 
 Duke of Hamilton and Sir Marmaduke Langdale, with a 
 combined army of English and Scotch of the royal party, 
 were defeated with great slaughter by a much inferior num- 
 ber under Cromwell and Lambert; the battle was fought on 
 Ribbleton Moor, to the eastward of the town, and also at 
 the pass of the bridge, the Scotch were pursued by Lam- 
 bert quite to Wigan. 
 
 In the year 1715, a rebellion breaking out in Scotland 
 in favour of the Pretender, a party of Scots marched into 
 England, and being joined by several disaffected people, 
 especially papists, came to Preston in the month of 
 November, (they were commanded by General Forster, 
 and took the town and defended it for some time against 
 the king's troops, by means of baricadoes,) where they 
 were met and beaten by the king's forces under the com- 
 mand of the Generals Willes and Carpenter. Many of 
 them being taken prisoners, were tried, found guilty of 
 high treason, and executed in January and February 
 following, viz. Richard Chorley of Chorley, Esq., Mr. 
 Shuttleworth of Preston, Mr. Roger Moncaster, an attorney 
 at Garstang, Mr. John Ord of Lancaster, Mr. Thomas 
 Cowp of Walton-in-the-Dale, all neighbouring gentlemen, 
 and seven or eight others at Preston ; five at Wigan ; five 
 at Manchester, of which Thomas Siddall, a blacksmith 
 
56 
 
 and captain of the mob, was one, and his head was set 
 up on the cross there ; four at Lancaster ; four at Garstang, 
 and four at Liverpool, one of which was Mr. Collingwood, 
 who had an estate of 2000/. per annum. Also, in 1745, 
 another rebellion broke out in favour of the same Pre- 
 tender, when the Scots again entered England by Carlisle, 
 which they took, and marching to Derby, they retreated 
 from hence before the Duke of Cumberland, who re-took 
 Carlisle, after a few days seige, on 30th December, 1745, 
 and totally defeated them at Culloden, 16th April, 1746. 
 
 P. S. For this nine of the Manchester men taken at 
 Carlisle were executed at Kennington Common, near 
 London, 30th July, 1746", and the heads of Mr. Francis 
 Townley, a younger brother of the Townley family, and 
 Mr. Fletcher, were fixed upon Temple Bar, and those 
 of Mr. Thomas Deacon, son of a physician at Manchester, 
 and Thomas Syddal a barber there, son of the above 
 Thomas Syddal, blacksmith, on the top of the Exchange 
 at Manchester, 18th September, 1746. 
 
 On Tuesday morning at eleven o'clock, a quarter- 
 master of the rebels came to Preston ; at twelve, Lord 
 Elcho entered the town, at the head of 140 horse, who, 
 after being drawn up in the market-place,,, he ordered 
 down to Walton Hall ; and in the evening the Pretender 
 
57 
 
 came with about 1500 or 2000 foot. I got about thirty 
 miles on my journey that night to General Wentworth ; 
 and after riding seventy-eight miles the next day, met with 
 him at ten o'clock at night at Ferry Hill near Durham, 
 where all the foot were encamped : they are this night 
 encamped four miles from Darlington, and design to 
 proceed directly to Lancashire, unless the rebels move 
 the Yorkshire road. 
 
 Preston, December 15, Sunday Noon. 
 
 The bread ordered from Liverpool is now ordered 
 to return back, two battalions of foot guards marching 
 to this place from Wigan are ordered to return, a regiment 
 of dragoons are marched this morning Wigan road, the 
 reason of the orders given are a secret at present, a report 
 prevails that Marshal Wade has stopped them at Lan- 
 caster, but I can't give it you with certainty, some few 
 prisoners were brought in last night, and more they say 
 coming ; a report was likewise spread here that the rebels 
 had secured shipping at Lancaster, to carry off the prin- 
 cipal officers, upon which we told some of the officers 
 that their retreat that way we apprehended might easily 
 be prevented, on which we were brought to the duke's 
 quarters, and a report made to his highness. Sir Everard 
 Fawkener came soon to let us know his royal highness 
 
apprehended no danger of that kind, I shall ha - 
 opportunity to write again before I leare this tovrz. d 
 any t hi ng material yon may expect to hear from me, 
 
 I 
 
 E _- \": :di:e: :: e::e Liken, zee Mr At 
 -miz :s :lze :z> zize :: izz- i:::™:. l::z Zl:: 
 
 Tdii n::m: ~f::e :rder= r. :e; 5zz Z ---e.z: :. Ti— eeee: 
 M ---- " t zreaz :cr~irii die: — i> :rie:e: ":z:e r-- 
 
 ■ .■ 
 to m;:;: ezzezdy tor London, bnt an express andved : 
 four this morning, which has ordered the forces to march 
 :-. — e r_:ez 1— zra. —id ire zzz — zee: :'..:.._. :e: :: ::— - 
 
 live zedee zzz — zd zee Zree-ze dee:. ~e::e — ez T ie= _ .-.. 
 
 : .iic :::::? zzz zee ez ezn n: -:::::: "iri. zzze :.- ~ 
 .- : Kezzde. ezzi — e exee-cz izedj :: xz-zz :: ~ ide's 
 ee^ 'zezdre zdeizz. dee :e_: : dee rezeZ ::::;:.t :e: :: 
 1 :: ;te: Yesterday ezzzzzzzg eieaz : :d :k * 
 
 zlzzz 'zizii~-zzz~ -:zzl^ —zzziz. :: zliz zisa izzz i : - - ~ - rre-^r.;;: nc 
 
59 
 
 REPRESENTATIVE HISTORY. 
 
 This borough sent members to parliament in the 23rd 5 
 26th, 33rd, and 35th of Edward I., and in the first of 
 Edward II. ; omitted sending till Edward VI /s time, 
 when it was restored. 
 
 Petitions, &c. March 25, 1698. A petition of 
 Thomas Patton, esq., against the return of the Right Hon. 
 Lord Willoughby, by means of undue practices. 
 
 Oct. 16. A petition from the same in substance with 
 the former. 
 
 17. A petition of the mayor, bailiffs, aldermen, 
 
 common council, and capital burgesses, of this borough, 
 shewing that the Right Hon. Lord Willoughby was duly 
 elected and returned, but is since called up to the House of 
 
 thirty-eight miles, and after gratifying her curiosity, and staying some time in or 
 near the rebel camp, returned to her native village. This became so much the 
 subject of general conversation, that it was the occasion of producing a ballad, which 
 obtained as much notoriety in Ribblesdale as the famous historical ballad of Chevy 
 Chace. The gentleman who has furnished this anecdote says, that he has fre- 
 quently heard her sing the very song, of which she herself was the subject, twenty- 
 five years after the occurrence, and she had then, though advanced in life, the 
 remains of a handsome face and fine person, which had doubtless been impaired by 
 time and a strong propensity to indulge in spirituous liquors. The strains of 
 
 " Long Preston Peggy to Proud Preston went, 
 To see the bold rebels it was her intent." 
 
 Avas seldom carolled from her lips till she had been treated with half a dozen or more 
 glasses of spirits. 
 
60 
 
 Lords, whereby the borough is now represented by one 
 member only. 
 
 Nov. 20. Resolved : « That Robert, Lord Willoughby 
 was duly elected a burgess to serve in Parliament for this 
 borough. 
 
 Dec. 7, 1695. A petition of Sir Christopher Greenfield, 
 knt., against the return of Thomas Molineux, esq., by 
 means of corrupt practices. 
 
 No determination. 
 
 Jan. 16, 1706. A petition of Henry Fleetwood, esq., 
 against the return of Arthur Mainwaring, esq., by means 
 of many corrupt and illegal practices. 
 
 Feb. 15. Petition withdrawn. 
 
 Dec. 5, 1710. A petition of Francis Annesley, esq., 
 against the return of Sir Henry Houghton, by means of 
 bribery, treats, promises, imprisonment of the voters, and 
 other undue practices. 
 
 Dec. 8, 1711. Another petition of Francis Annesley, 
 esq., to the same effect. 
 
 Jan. 21, 3712. Petitions withdrawn. 
 
 Oct. 25, 1722. A petition of Thomas Molineux, esq., 
 against the return of Thomas Hesketh, esq., by means of 
 bribery and other undue practices. 
 
 Jan. 10, 1723. Another petition of the same to the 
 same effect. 
 
61 
 
 At the general election in 1768, Sir Henry Houghton 
 and General Burgoyne opposed Sir Peter Leicester and 
 Sir Frank Standish, who succeeded in getting the return. 
 The former petitioned on the right of the inhabitants at 
 large. The committee found the petitioners duly elected, 
 and ought to have been returned, and Sir Peter Leicester 
 and Sir F. Standish, barts., not duly elected— Nov. 29, 
 1768. 
 
 At the general election in 1774, Sir Henry Houghton, 
 bart., and John Burgoyne, esq., were returned without 
 any contest upon this right of election: but the dispute 
 was renewed at the election following, in 1780, when John 
 Fenton, esq., who stood upon the interest of the in-burgesses 
 inhabitants petitioned against the return of John Burgoyne, 
 esq., but the committee found the sitting member duly 
 elected— April 10, 1781. 
 
 In 1784, Ralph Clayton, and Michael Angelo Taylor, 
 esqrs., petitioned against the return of the Right Hon. 
 John Burgoyne and Sir Henry Houghton, bart. 
 
 The petition of the candidates alleged, that they were 
 duly elected by a majority of persons qualified to vote by 
 the constitution of the borough ; but that the mayor and 
 bailiffs had arbitrarily admitted a great number of persons 
 to vote for the sitting members who had no right to vote, 
 
under colour whereof a pretended majority was obtained 
 for them. 
 
 A petition of the electors, being in-burgesses inhabitants 
 within the borough, contained the same allegation, and added, 
 that by the constitution of the borough no person had any 
 right of voting upon the election of its burgesses to parlia- 
 ment but in-burgesses of the said borough, inhabiting 
 within the same; and that the return was made in 
 violation of the rights of the petitioners and others the 
 legal electors. 
 
 On the 22nd of April, 1785, the chairman of the 
 committee appointed to try the merits of this contested 
 election reported to the house that they found the sitting 
 members duly elected. 
 
 RIGHT OF ELECTION. 
 
 December 18, l66l. All the inhabitants have voices 
 in the election. 
 
 November 29, 1768. Not to admit counsel to produce 
 evidence, in order to shew that the right of election for 
 the said borough was in all the inhabitants, according 
 to the last determination of the house, or that the words, 
 " all the inhabitants," mentioned in the said determination 
 of the house, mean only, " such in-burgesses of the last 
 
63 
 
 guild, or those admitted since by copy of court-roll, as 
 are inhabitants of the place/' but all the inhabitants at 
 large. 
 
 It was determined that the words all the inhabitants 
 did not only mean the in-burgesses of the last guild, or 
 those admitted since by copy of court-roll, as are inhabitants 
 of the said place, but all the inhabitants at large — 29th 
 November 1770. 
 
 Number of voters — 2,200. 
 
 Returning officers — the mayor and bailiffs. 
 
 Patrons — the earl of Derby and Mr. Horrocks. 
 
 POLITICAL CHARACTER. 
 
 This borough had always been under the influence of 
 the earls of Derby till the year 1802, when, by the increase 
 of manufacture and population, occasioned by the intro- 
 duction of the cotton-mills into this town by the late 
 John Horrocks, esq., who, in the short space of twenty 
 years, had risen from obscurity to great opulence, he 
 succeeded to a share in the political influence. 
 
 He opposed the interest of the earl of Derby in 1796", 
 and was supported by the late earl of Liverpool, then 
 chancellor of the Duchy Court of Lancaster ; and by the 
 whole weight of the Church and King Club at Manchester, 
 
64 
 
 a party better known in 1745 by the name of the Man- 
 chester Jacobites, but was at that time unsuccessful, the 
 numbers on the poll being — 
 
 For Lord Stanley ----- 772 
 Sir H. P. Houghton - - - 756 
 John Horrocks, esq. - 742 
 
 The numbers being so nearly equal, and the interest 
 of Mr. Horrocks increasing, the parties formed a coalition 
 at the next election, in 1802, and agreed each to return 
 one member. 
 
 These united interests were opposed in 1807 by the 
 late Edward Hanson, esq., of Manchester, with every 
 prospect of success; and again in 1812, when they had 
 gathered such strength as to leave Mr. Hanson in a 
 great minority, the numbers on the poll being — 
 
 For Samuel Horrocks, esq. - - - 1,371 
 Edmund Hornby, esq. - 1,368 
 
 Edward Hanson, esq. - 727 
 
 Many attempts have been made to limit the right 
 of election in this town by petition, and to obtain the 
 determination of a committee, that " all the inhabitants," 
 meant only a select number, as was the case in the Truro 
 question, when the word " populace" was determined to 
 mean a corporation of twenty-five persons; and in all the 
 
65 
 
 cases respecting Poole, that the word " commonalty" 
 meant the corporation only. In the Preston case, however, 
 it is due to the cause of justice to remark, that the words 
 "all the inhabitants" having a right to vote, means all 
 the inhabitants at large of the said town. 
 
 Members who have served in Parliament for this Borough. 
 
 PARLIAMENT. 
 
 George Frevil, Esq. John Hales, Esq. 
 Anthony Brown, Esq. Thomas Fleetwood, Esq. 
 William Gerard, Esq. Anthony Brown, Esq. 
 Thomas Ruthal, Esq. William Bernere, Esq. 
 Richard Sherborne, Kt. John Sylyard, Esq. 
 John Arundel, Esq. John Hearle, Esq. 
 Richard Sherborne, Kt. Robert Southwell, Kt. 
 John Alford, Esq. Richard Cooke, Esq. 
 Gilbert Moreton, Esq. Roger Askham, Esq. 
 Edward Basshe, Esq. Reginald Williams, Esq. 
 James Hodgekinson, Esq. George Horsey, Esq. 
 Edward Basshe, Esq. Reginald Williams, Esq. 
 John Brograve, Esq. Thomas Hesketh, Esq. 
 
 Ditto. Michael Doughtie, Esq. 
 
 James Dalton, Esq. Thomas Bulbeck, Gent. 
 John Brograve, Esq. John Stanhope, Kt. 
 John Brograve, Esq. Attorney ) 
 
 of the Duchy of Lancaster, } > 4' 
 
 Vincent Skinner, Kt. William Hall, Esq. 
 Edward Mosely, Kt. . . 
 
 Ditto. William Pooley, Kt. 
 
 ! William Harvey, Kt. in place 
 of William Pooley, Kt. chosen 
 also for Sudbury . 1628 
 
 William Harvey, Kt. Henry Banister, Esq. . . 1625 
 
 1547 
 1552 
 1553 
 1554 
 
 1555 
 
 1557 
 
 1558-9 
 
 1563 
 
 1571 
 
 1572 
 
 1582 
 
 1586 
 
 1588 
 
 1592 
 
 1597 
 
 1601 
 
 1603 
 
 1614 
 1620 
 
66 
 
 George Gerard, Esq. Thomas Fanshaw, Esq. 
 
 Robert Carre, Kt. George Gerard, Kt. 
 
 Richard Shuttleworth, Esq. Thomas Standish, Esq. 
 
 Ditto. William Langton, Esq. 
 
 Ditto. Ditto. 
 
 Richard Shuttleworth, Esq. Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. Ditto. 
 
 Col. Richard Shuttleworth, Col. Richard Standish 
 Edward Rigby, Esq. Jeffery Rushton, Esq. 
 
 Ditto. Ditto. 
 
 Sir Robert Carre, Edward Rigby, Esq. 
 Sir Jervis Elwys, Sir Robert Carre 
 Sir John Chichley, Richard Fleetwood, Esq. 
 James Stanley, Esq. Thomas Pattin, Esq. 
 Sir Christopher Greenfield, Sir Edward Chisnall 
 Sir Thomas Stanley, Thomas Molineux, Esq. 
 
 Ditto. Ditto. 
 
 Sir Cyril Wyche, Charles Stanley, Esq. 
 Francis Annesley, Esq. Arthur Manwaring, Esq. 
 Henry Fleetwood, Esq. Ditto. 
 
 Sir Henry Hoghton, Bart. Henry Fleetwood, Esq. 
 Edward Southwell, Esq. Ditto. 
 
 Sir Henry Hoghton, Bart. Ditto. 
 
 Thomas Hesketh, Esq. Daniel Pultney, Esq. 
 Sir Henry Hoghton, Bart, Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. Nicholas Fazakerley, Esq. 
 
 Ditto. Ditto. 
 
 James Shuttleworth, Esq. Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. Ditto. 
 
 Nicholas Fazakerley, Esq. Edmund Starkie, Esq. 
 
 Ditto. Ditto. 
 
 Sir Peter Leicester, Bart. 
 
 Ditto. Sir Frank Standish. Bart. 
 
 John Burgoyne, Esq. Sir Henry Hoghton, Bart. 
 
 Ditto. Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. Ditto. 
 
 1625 
 
 1628 
 
 1640 
 
 1640 
 
 1653 
 
 1654 
 
 1656 
 
 1658-P 
 
 1660 
 
 1661 
 
 1678 
 
 1681 
 
 1685 
 
 1688 
 
 1690 
 
 1695 
 
 1701 
 
 1702 
 
 1705 
 
 1708 
 
 1710 
 
 1713 
 
 1714 
 
 1722 
 
 [ 1727 
 1734 
 1741 
 1747 
 1754 
 1762 
 
 1768 
 
 1774 
 1780 
 
67 
 
 Right Hon. John Burgoyne, Sir Henry Hoghton, Bart. 1784 
 
 Ditto. Ditto. . . 1790 
 
 William C. Shawe, Esq. Sir H. P. Hoghton, Bart. 
 
 Edward Lord Stanley, Ditto. . . 1796 
 
 Ditto. Ditto. . . 1801 
 
 Ditto. John Horrocks, Esq. 1802 
 
 Samuel Horrocks, Esq. 
 
 Ditto. Ditto. . . 1806 
 
 The guilda mercatoria, or merchant's guild, is a liberty 
 or privilege granted to merchants, whereby they are enabled 
 to hold certain pleas of land, &c. within their own precincts, 
 and is confirmed by charters given in the 37th Edward 
 III. and 15th Richard II. It is of Saxon origin, and 
 is derived from the word gile, signifying money, by which 
 certain fraternities enter into an association, and stipulate 
 with each other, to punish crimes, make losses good, and 
 acts of restitution, in proportion to offences ; for which 
 aforesaid purposes they raised sums of money amongst 
 themselves, and put the same into one common stock ; 
 they likewise endowed chantries, for priests to perform 
 oraisons for the defunct. Fraternities and guilds were 
 therefore in use, in this kingdom, long before any formal 
 licences were granted to them, though at this day they are 
 a company combined together with orders, and laws, 
 made by themselves, by the king's licence. Guilds were 
 held by the Saxons, as may be seen from their records, 
 
68 
 
 which runs thus : — " In Quibus -Gilhala Burgensium" &c. 
 The guild of Coventry will shew how all the rest were 
 held, and were used before any regular licence or charters 
 were granted. The guild is generally a gay and festive 
 meeting ; oratorios, balls, masquerades, and plays, continue 
 for many weeks. St. John the Baptist is the special 
 patron of Preston guild. 
 
 It is a sort of public Carnival or Jubilee.— It begins about 
 the latter end of August, and by the charter which obliges 
 the corporation to celebrate it at the end of every twenty 
 years, on pain of forfeiting their elective franchises and 
 their rights as burgesses. By public proclamation it is 
 declared, that in failure of doing so, they are ever after to 
 be debarred of the same on any future occasion. 
 
 This guild was instituted in the days of Henry the 2nd, 
 who was Duke of Normandy, A. D. 1172, and the late 
 one, in 1802, makes the eighteenth, which has been held 
 under the reign of twelve monarchs. His late Majesty, 
 George the 3rd, is the only sovereign during whose reign 
 three of these festivals have been celebrated. 
 
 The method of holding a Guild. 
 The town crier proclaims twenty-eight days' grace, 
 
69 
 
 for all burgessess to renew their freedom, whether acquired 
 by ancestry or purchase. The sports and revelry which 
 are inseparable companions of the guild, and the pro- 
 cessions of the various trades and occupations of the 
 inhabitants, draw together, on this occasion, immense 
 multitudes of people, from various parts of the united 
 kingdom ; and Preston thereby becomes the resort of all 
 that is brilliant and fashionable. 
 
 At the grand court of election, holden at the Moot or 
 Guild-hall, within the borough, previous to the guild com- 
 mencing, the greatest care is taken that the capital burgesses 
 be men of good manners, education, and ability, in order 
 that they may reflect credit, during this festival, upon the 
 whole body corporate, and the town to which they have 
 the honour to belong, as they have specially to attend 
 the guild mayor, in all the public assemblies during this 
 carnival, where the nobility, and other men of high birth, 
 together with ladies of distinction, assembled here from 
 various parts of the kingdom, are to be treated with 
 becoming courtesy, by the mayor and his retinue, upon 
 this occasion, in every way becoming their rank and 
 dignity, so that it may redound to the honour and dignity 
 of the guild merchants of the borough of Preston. 
 
 The grand seneschal, or town clerk, reads over, at the 
 
70 
 
 Easter court, held previous to the guild, the names of all 
 foreign burgesses who live out of the county of Lancaster, 
 in order that circular letters may be sent, either to them- 
 selves, or those nearest related to them, that they may 
 attend either by proxy or otherwise, at the ensuing guild 
 to be held in such a month, and on such a day, which 
 generally happens in August, unless something extraor- 
 dinary happens to obstruct the same. Three stewards are 
 generally chosen for the guild, out of the body of aldermen, 
 who have authority, by virtue of their office, to receive 
 all fines from those who claim privilege in the franchises 
 of the borough, and also the grand seneschal, or town clerk 
 to the guild, who administers the oath to all burgesses, 
 recording their names in a book kept for that purpose. 
 Twelve principal burgesses are elected out of the council, 
 to be aldermen of the guild ; their office is to sit on each 
 side of the guild mayor, at all his public exhibitions. The 
 mayor with the residue of his council, shall choose out of 
 the burgesses proper persons to -be procurators, for the 
 special purpose of providing all things necessary for the 
 guild, such as venison, beef, veal, mutton, &c. &c. together 
 with ale, wine, sack, and other liquors, to be safely lodged 
 in vaults contiguous to the Guild-hall, previous to the 
 commencement of the guild. 
 
71 
 
 All burgesses to have a month's notice previous to 
 the solemnization of the guild. 
 
 The Guild Major, with the rest of his brethren, the 
 resident gentry, and other inhabitant burgesses, attending 
 in due form, and appropriate costume, shall make pro- 
 clamation upon the market-day (Saturday) at the obelisk, 
 in the market-place, the mayor's sergeant speaking aloud 
 the following proclamation : — 
 
 The Proclamation for the Guild. — " I, G. R. gentleman, 
 now the worshipful the mayor of Preston, in Amounderness, 
 in the county palatine of Lancaster, give notice, admonition, 
 and due warning to all and every the free-burgesses, as 
 well inhabitants as foreigners, that they, and every of them, 
 do repair by themselves, or their friends as proxies, to 
 the town of Preston, on Monday the 3rd of September 
 next, coming forth, being the Monday next after the 
 feast of the decollation of St. John the Baptist, at which 
 feast heretolore a guild merchant within this borough, hath 
 usually, for divers ages last past, been solemnly kept every 
 twenty years. And now likewise, upon the day afore- 
 mentioned, in this present year, a new guild merchant, 
 within this borough of Preston aforesaid, is appointed to 
 be holden and kept, according to the tenor of divers 
 charters and grants, heretofore given, granted, and con- 
 
72 
 
 firmed, by the king's most excellent majesty, and his 
 royal progenitors, kings and queens of England, to the 
 mayors, bailiff, and burgesses of this borough. For the 
 solemnizing of which guild merchant, here to be holden 
 as aforesaid, the said G. R. now .mayor of this borough, 
 doth give further notice and warning, that all free- 
 burgesses inhabiting this borough of Preston aforesaid 
 be ready, upon the 3rd day of September aforesaid next, 
 being the first day of the ensuing guild merchant, by eight 
 o'clock in the morning, at the Guild-hall, from thence to 
 attend upon the guild mayor, stewards, and aldermen of 
 the said guild merchant, in their distinct companies of 
 trade, with their masters or wardens, well ordered and 
 disposed for that purpose, and all those that cannot well 
 be reduced into such companies or fraternities, there to 
 attend in such order as shall at that time be assigned 
 them ; and from the Guild-hall, to attend the worshipful 
 the guild mayor, in solemn procession, to the parish church 
 of Preston, from whence, after divine service, and sermon 
 preached upon that occasion, by the guild mayor's 
 chaplain, they do likewise attend upon the worshipful the 
 guild mayor, in public procession from street to street, 
 and thence return to the Guild-hall, from whence they first 
 set out. And moreover the aforesaid G. R. the mayor of 
 
73 
 
 this borough, giveth notice and warning, that all and every 
 burgess, and burgesses, as well foreigners, as inhabitants 
 within this borough, claiming any franchises either by 
 ancestry or by purchase, within this borough of Preston, 
 after their repairing to the borough at the day and time 
 aforesaid, that there and then they not only claim and 
 entitle themselves to all such liberties, privileges, and 
 freedoms, as to them, or any of them, not only shall be 
 due, or in anyways belong ; but also there and then, they 
 also do and perform, whatsoever to them, and every of 
 them, of right doth appertain to do, according to the ancient, 
 laudable, and rightful customs of this borough, as to the 
 rights and privileges anyways appertain to this guild 
 merchants' festival : and also, then and there to be ac- 
 quainted with what orders, acts, or statutes, as by the 
 mayor, stewards, and aldermen of this present guild 
 shall and may be thought fit, either to be added, altered, 
 abrogated, or confirmed, not being repugnant to the 
 known laws of this realm, for the good and public weal 
 of this borough of Preston, according to the tenor of the 
 letters patent of our Sovereign Lord Charles the 2nd, and 
 other his royal progenitors, kings and queens of this 
 kingdom, and according to the laudable custom and 
 
74 
 
 practice of many precedent guild merchants heretofore 
 
 held within this borough. 
 
 " God save the King/' 
 
 A fortnight before the guild, the mayor, stewards, 
 and aldermen of the guild, in council assembled, shall 
 elect all other officers as are necessary for the said 
 occasion, and as by former precedents are set forth, 
 to attend upon his worship the guild mayor, and the 
 nobility and gentry who have come from afar to be 
 spectators of this grand jubilee. Their various duties 
 shall be severally pointed out and explained to them. 
 The three stewards of the guild, with three of the senior 
 aldermen, are appointed during the festival, to sit in open 
 court, with the clerk of the peace of the guild, and receive 
 from each burgess of that fraternity 7d. " pro feodis sino," 
 (on account of which sum I, meaning the burgess, renew 
 my feod or fee). And the like sum for each male child 
 of any of the aforesaid burgesses, and some minor reward 
 to the sergeant of the guild, " ad Testificandum seipsos esses 
 Burgenses" that is to bear witness that they were made 
 burgesses, according to the ancient rule made use of by 
 the Roman pretors, their yeomen of the guards, or 
 sergeants of the guild, used to receive from people to be 
 
15 
 
 free in their municipia. The following words occur in 
 the original records of this borough : — " If any be mindful 
 to be made a burgess let him come into the court, and 
 render to the pretor twelve pence, and take his burgage 
 from the pretors, and render to the pretors' servant one 
 penny, and he shall bear witness that he was made a 
 burgess in this court/' When these fees are paid, then 
 shall he or his children's name be enrolled by the grand 
 seneschal, or town clerk, in order to perpetuate the same 
 from guild to guild. Then shall the following oath be 
 administered to them, in open court, if they are of age, 
 and have complied by paying their fees : — 
 
 The oath of a free burgess, being a nobleman, knight, or 
 gentleman, not residing within the borough of Preston, 
 to be administered by the steward of the Guild. 
 
 " You shall swear, that you will be good and true 
 to our Sovereign Lord King George the Fourth, and to 
 the heirs of his body and other lawful successors of our 
 said Lord the King. The guild merchant now holden, 
 and which in time to come shall be holden if you live 
 so long, you shall maintain and uphold. You shall warn 
 your mayor, or his officers, if any conspiracy or secret 
 conventicle shall exist in this town, against the peace of 
 
76 
 
 our Lord the King. All these points and articles you 
 shall well and truly keep, according to the laws and customs 
 of the realm and of this town to your power. So help 
 you God, and by the contents of this book/' 
 
 The oath of a free burgess, not inhabiting zwthin the borough. 
 
 " You shall swear, that you shall be good and true 
 to our Sovereign Lord King George the Fourth, and to 
 the heirs of his body, and other lawful successors of our 
 said Lord the King. The guild merchant now holden, 
 and which in time to come shall be holden, if you live 
 so long, you shall maintain and uphold. Obeisant and 
 obedient you shall be to the mayor of this town, con- 
 cerning the franchises and customs thereof, and the same 
 you shall maintain to your best endeavours, and this 
 town keep harmless inasmuch as in you lies. When you 
 do inhabit this town, you shall be contributary to all 
 manner of charges within this town, as summonses, 
 watches, contributions, tasks, tollages, lot and scot, and 
 all other charges, bearing your part as a freeman ought 
 to do. And all and every other orders and ordinances 
 made and confirmed at this present guild merchant, 
 which are not contrary to the laws of this kingdom, you 
 shall, as far as in you lieth, maintain and keep. You 
 
shall keep also within this town, the king's peace, in 
 your own person, according to law. You shall not 
 colour any foreign goods, under or in your own name, 
 whereby the king or this town might or may, lose their 
 customs or advantages. You shall know no foreigner 
 to buy or sell any merchandize with any other foreigner 
 within this town or the franchises thereof, except at the 
 time of the fair, but you shall warn the mayor, or his 
 bailiffs. You shall know of no gatherings, conventicles, 
 or conspiracies, made within the town of Preston, against 
 the king's peace, but you shall warn the mayor or his 
 burgesses, or some other officers thereof, and let the same 
 be known according to the best of your power. All 
 these points and articles you shall well and truly keep, 
 according to the laws and customs of these realms, and 
 of this town, to your power. So help you God, and by 
 the contents of this book." 
 
 The oath of a free burgess inhabiting the borough. 
 
 " You shall swear, that you shall be good and true 
 to our Sovereign Lord King George the Fourth, and to 
 the heirs of his body, and other lawful successors of our 
 said Lord the King. The guild merchant now holden, 
 and which in time to come shall be holden, if you live 
 
78 
 
 as long, you shall maintain and uphold, all and every 
 other ordinances and orders, made and confirmed at this 
 present guild merchant, which are not contradictory to 
 the laws of this kingdom, you shall, as far as in you lieth, 
 observe and keep. Obeisant and obedient you shall be 
 to the mayor of this town, concerning the franchises and 
 customs thereof, and the same you shall maintain and 
 keep to your best endeavour, and this town keep harmless, 
 inasmuch as in you lieth. And whilst you do and shall 
 inhabit within this town, you shall be contributary to all 
 manner of charges within this town, or summonses, watches, 
 contributions, tasks, tollages, scot and lot, and all other 
 charges, bearing your part as a freeman ought to do. 
 You shall colour no foreigner's goods, or in your own 
 name, whereby the king, or this town, might or may 
 lose their customs or advantages. You shall know no 
 foreigner to buy or sell any merchandize with any other 
 foreigner within this town, or the franchises thereof, except 
 at the time of the fair, but you shall warn the mayor or 
 bailiffs, or other officers. You shall also, within this 
 town, keep the king's peace in your own person, according 
 to law. You shall know no gatherings, conventicles, or 
 conspiracies, within this town, against the king's peace, 
 but you shall, warn the mayor or other officers thereof, 
 
The St^jsld^hd of Fee$ton- 
 £j]Ma_yor.s JVi-A-ClE- 
 
 
79 
 
 and let it out to the best of your power. All these points 
 and articles you shall well and truly keep, according to 
 the laws of the realm, and of this town, to your power. So 
 help you God, and by the contents of this book." 
 
 The Solemnization of the Guild. 
 
 On the Monday after the decollation of St. John the 
 Baptist, at eight o'clock in the morning, all the different 
 fraternities of the various trades in the borough, with 
 their respective wardens, in their gowns, and having long 
 white staves, each company walking two abreast, with 
 their flags unfurled, and bands of music preceding them, 
 march regularly to the Moot-hall, and place themselves 
 according to previous orders given, and wait for the guild 
 mayor and his company. The young gentlemen of the 
 town and others, who as yet are not free to the franchises 
 of the town, have a captain of their own, walking two 
 abreast preceded by the town's flag, having the arms of 
 the town emblazoned thereon, together with music and 
 drums ; after which the great banner, containing the royal 
 arms of England painted thereon, followed by the mayor's 
 pensioners or guard, with other partizans, and the halberd- 
 men, the sergeant with his halberd, the two sergeants with 
 their maces, and the large mace, carried by some person 
 
80 
 
 of respectability appertaining to their body, the two 
 bailiffs, with their white wands, and the aldermen, in 
 their robes, and after them the guild mayor, with his 
 staff of authority, attended on each side, and after him 
 in pairs, by the nobility and gentry belonging the town 
 and neighbourhood. 
 
 The Procession. 
 
 The mayor proceeds from his residence, attended by 
 ladies and gentlemen, to the Moot or Guild-hall, and 
 from thence walks in due procession, attended by twelve 
 aldermen and the common-councilmen, together with the 
 rest of the corporation officers, all attired in their robes 
 of office, to the ancient cross or obelisk, in the Market- 
 place, where proclamation is made, saying " That our 
 ancient guild merchant is now opened according to the 
 charter given us, of which we shall duly observe every 
 ordinance therein contained, according to the obvious 
 meaning thereof," concluding with " God save our 
 gracious Sovereign." The guild merchant being duly 
 opened and solemnized, the bells of the Parish church 
 begin to ring a merry peal, assisted by the sounds of 
 trumpets and other martial music. All the soldiers and 
 guards, together with the various companies, are placed 
 
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81 
 
 in proper order, with their wardens, and bands of 
 music. 
 
 The following Companies form themselves into order of procession 
 upon this occasion : — 
 
 The Blacksmiths' company, incorporated 20th Elizabeth, 
 
 1578. 
 Braziers' company, incorporated in Henry Vlth's reign. 
 Butchers' company, incorporated 3rd James I. 1605. 
 Carpenters' company incorporated Edward IV. 1477. 
 Clock-makers' company, incorporated 7th Charles I. 
 
 1632. 
 Coach-makers' company, incorporated 29th Carolus II. 
 
 1677- 
 Coopers' company, incorporated l6th Henry VII. 
 
 1501. 
 Cordwainers' company, incorporated 3rd James I. 
 
 1605. 
 Curriers' company, incorporated 3rd James I. 1605. 
 Drapers' company, incorporated 17th of Henry VI. 
 Farriers' company, incorporated 25th Charles II. 1670. 
 Felt-makers or Hatters' company, incorporated 2nd 
 
 James I. 1604. 
 Glaziers' company, incorporated Charles I. 1637- 
 
 M 
 
The Goldsmiths' company, incorporated in 1327, by letters 
 patent. 
 
 Grocers' company, incorporated 20th Edward III. 1346. 
 
 Haberdashers' company, incorporated 26th of Henry VI. 
 
 Inn-holders' company, incorporated 6th Henry VIII. 
 1514. 
 
 Joiners' company, incorporated 11th Elizabeth, 1569* 
 
 Mercers' company, incorporated 17th of Richard II. 
 
 Merchant Tailors' company, incorporated in Edward 
 the IVth's reign. 
 
 Painters' company, incorporated Charles I. 1637- 
 
 Sadlers' company, incorporated 1st Edward I. 1272. 
 
 Skinners' company, incorporated in 1327, Edward III. 
 
 Vintners' company, incorporated by King Henry III. 
 
 Weavers' company. 
 
 They proceed from the Guild-hall towards the Parish 
 church, preceded by trumpets, drums, and bands of 
 martial music playing in full unison. They separate 
 themselves on each side of the street, whilst the wor- 
 shipful the mayor, the nobility, and gentry pass between 
 them, and enter the transcept of the Parish church, 
 where, after divine service is performed, and an appropriate 
 sermon preached on the occasion, by the chaplain of 
 the guild mayor, the mayor proceeds in due order from 
 his throne in the church, and is received at the door 
 
Ejv sigjv£ Armop.ial 
 
 "Weavbr^^c • 
 
 
 ^Lv^o^g 
 
 CoBD^AINERS • 
 
ENSIGNS ARMORIAL 
 
 Carp e m t eus &fc 
 
 BUTCHEBS • 
 
 $iJb§£? 
 
 \lIT^ERSojc. 
 
 TAYLORS 
 
E^5Ki^"5 AEMORUL ' 
 
 ERCERg &£S 
 
83 
 
 by his guards and other attendants, together with the 
 various companies aforementioned. They proceed from 
 thence to Church-gate toll-bars, where the mayor and 
 all his retinue are entertained with a speech made by 
 a chief scholar belonging to the Free Grammar school, 
 who is selected for the occasion. A barrel of good 
 ale is generally given to the multitude, and the 
 mayor, together with those who immediately attend him, 
 drink a health to the king and queen, the prosperity 
 of the borough, and the health of the ladies and gen- 
 tlemen, together with the various companies assembled 
 upon this grand occasion. This is generally given with 
 great eclat from the surrounding multitude assembled 
 upon the occasion, together with a volley of fire, from 
 the soldiery who attend upon this occasion. The pro- 
 cession then turns round and march in due order towards 
 the Fishergate-bars, there they are entertained with a 
 similar speech given in the Latin language, when another 
 hogshead of ale is brought forth, with the aforesaid 
 ceremonies. Then they proceed forthwith to the Friar- 
 gate toll-bars, where they are entertained in the same 
 manner. They walk from thence to the high cross, 
 situate in the Market-place, where the head master of 
 the Free Grammar school maketh a learned speech, 
 
84 
 
 appertaining to the prosperity of the town, its immunities, 
 franchises, and liberties that are enjoyed within this 
 truly ancient and loyal borough, and more pertinently 
 with respect to the ancient guild merchant, held every 
 twentieth year. Upon this occasion a hogshead of most 
 excellent wine is opened, and given respectively by 
 serving-men, to the mayor, his retinue, and the various 
 companies assembled upon this great and grand jubilee. 
 The trumpets sounding, bands of music playing, and the 
 joyful acclamations of the people mixed wherewithal, render 
 this a time of joy and festivity. When this is finished, 
 they march in due order towards the Guild-hall ; and when 
 the mayor and his retinue have entered the same, the flags, 
 consisting of the royal arms of Great Britain, and the 
 armour of the town, emblazoned thereon, are hung out of 
 the windows of the Moot-hall, accompanied by the 
 acclamations of the companies, and others assembled 
 upon this occasion. The various companies repair to 
 their respective rendezvous, and there enjoy themselves 
 by social order and good-will towards one another. The 
 foreign burgesses who are come upon this occasion, are 
 duly entertained at the expence of the mayor, at some 
 respectable burgess' house, during this great jubilee. 
 
 The mayor's staff is mounted at the top with a silver 
 
85 
 
 envelope, bearing the following words engraven thereon : — 
 " Ex Dono Edwardi Rigby, Armr." The two silver 
 maces are two feet ten inches in length, and bear the 
 following words engraven on each of them : — " Edward 
 Assheton, mayor, 1722/' The large silver gilt mace 
 measures in length four feet and a half, and is surmounted 
 by a regal crown, elegantly ornamented with curious 
 workmanship, and bears the following inscription engraved 
 round the handle : — " The gift of the High and Mighty 
 Prince James, Duke of Hamilton, Marquess of Clydesdale, 
 Earl of Arran, Lanark, and Cambridge, Lord Avon, 
 Polmont, Macanshire, and Innerdale, and Knight of 
 the Most Ancient and Most Noble order of the Thistle, &c. 
 to the town of Preston, in Lancashire, in the year 1703 ; 
 in token of his friendship to that corporation, and of 
 their civilities to him, and Elizabeth Gerrard Duchess of 
 Hamilton, his consort, testified at several occasions, during 
 their abode in that place, and particularly upon the birth 
 of their son, James, Marquess of Clydesdale, who was 
 born at Preston, the 3rd day of January, 1701/' 
 
 The two small maces, together with the large silver 
 gilt one, are of exquisite beauty, and curious workmanship, 
 and consist of the crown of Great Britain surmounting 
 the top of the handles, inside each of them the royal 
 
86 
 
 arms of England is exhibited, in a kind of relief. The 
 outside margin of the larger one is intersected with the 
 arms of his Majesty, the figure of a regal crown mounting 
 a cushion, together with those of the star and thistle, 
 emblematical of the honour of knighthood enjoyed by the 
 donor, his grace the Duke of Hamilton. 
 
 Lord Strange, father to the present Earl of Derby, 
 gave to the corporate body of this town an elegant silver 
 punch-bowl, ornamented with fretwork on the outside, 
 and bearing the following inscription : — " The gift of the 
 Right Honourable Edward Earl of Derby, 24th August, 
 1742 ;' surmouted by the coat armour of his lordship, 
 neatly engraved. On the opposite side occurs, near the 
 margin of the edge of the bowl, the coat armour of the 
 town of Preston, with the following words round the 
 shield : — " Preston in Amoundernesse, Anno Domini, 
 1742." 
 
 The silver gilt chalice, or flagon, is curiously embossed 
 with excellent workmanship, and has an elegant covering, 
 surmounted by a man attired in the ancient Roman 
 costume, with his hand reclining upon a shield ; within 
 this is engraven " Anno Domini, 1615." Upon the 
 opposite side is the ancient seal of the town, with the 
 holy lamb couchant, bearing a flag with the initials P. P. 
 
87 
 
 and these words encircling it : — " Sigillum commune ville 
 de Preston." 
 
 There is a fine silver coffee-pot, with the coat armour 
 of the Atherton family engraven thereon, and the following 
 words: — " The gift of Richard Atherton, of Atherton, 
 Esq. to the corporation of Preston, 1722." 
 
 The plain silver cup with handles, contains this inscrip- 
 tion : — " Ex Dono Radi Longvvorth, Gent., Rico Hynde, 
 Gent., Majori Burgensium sive ville de Preston, et Suc- 
 cessoribus suis in perpetuum. Anno Domini, 1671." Queen 
 Anne's glass is a piece of fine antiquity, and possesses a 
 silver gilt handle, which by means of a screw is separated 
 for the purpose of keeping clean. On one side is ex- 
 hibited, in neat engraving, the arms of the Fleetwoods, of 
 Penwortham, and the following words underneath : — Homo 
 Homini Lupus." On the opposite side is engraven the 
 holy lamb passant, and underneath the following inscrip- 
 tion : — " Prosperity to the Queen, the Church of England, 
 and the Corporation of Preston." There are two elegant 
 silver snuff boxes, inlaid with gold, bearing the following 
 words engraved within the lids : — " The gift of Mr. Richard 
 Palmer, Town-clerk of Preston, 1814;" the other, " The 
 gift of Mr. John Green, Treasurer of the Corporation of 
 Preston, 1814." 
 
Officers of the Guild. 
 
 There are, according to ancient custom, three high 
 stewards duly appointed to superintend this fete, whose 
 peculiar office is to compare the old guild book, in order 
 to ascertain what persons are still living, belonging to 
 each family of burgesses, whether inhabitant restored, or 
 foreign burgesses. 
 
 The first Steward compares and duly examines the 
 ancient guild book, as to what is stated above. 
 
 The second Steward is to consider what additional 
 burgesses have been admitted to the franchises and liberties 
 of the borough, who are admitted by what is termed 
 court-roll. 
 
 The third Steward is termed the bondsman, and receives 
 all fines paid at this time, and if any court-roll burgess, 
 or newly admitted burgess, requires confirmation of his 
 freedom to the borough, this aforesaid steward, with the 
 aldermen who are termed benchers, are to fix upon the 
 exact sum he is to pay for the renewal of his franchise, 
 he is then enrolled accordingly in the large guild book, 
 by the seneschal or town-clerk. Therefore, all burgesses 
 and others admitted de novo, and claiming a right of 
 privilege in these aforesaid cases, are duly admitted upon 
 examination of their claims and rights being fully proved. 
 
There is a Comptroller of the Household, chosen also 
 from the body of the aldermen, whose office is, during the 
 time of the guild being celebrated, to survey the inferior 
 officers of the household. He is attired in a dark gown, 
 with a white rod in his hand, and gives directions and 
 advice to the clerk of the kitchen, the cook, and other 
 servants employed for the purpose of preparing enter- 
 tainment for feasting, during this solemnization of Preston 
 guild. And moreover he is to see that no extravagance 
 takes place, but that economy and order be observed in 
 all things relative to this business. 
 
 The Clerk of the Kitchen is to advise with the comp- 
 troller upon all occasions, and to give due orders to the 
 cook and butchers, what sort of beef, mutton, veal, &c. he 
 is to prepare, together with venison, rabbits, hares, and 
 fowls, such as geese, ducks, pheasants, capons, and pullets. 
 The bread-baker, the brewer, and the larderer, all hold 
 their respective spheres during this interesting carnival. 
 There is a chief butler gorgeously attired in blue and red 
 costume, the yeoman of the wine cellar, clerk of the 
 kitchen, &c. &c. The clerk of the kitchen receives all 
 accounts daily, and enters all up in his account book 
 kept for that purpose, and lastly, to deliver up his accounts 
 to the comptroller, who when the guild is closed renders 
 
90 
 
 these accounts at the public audit held in the Guild-hall 
 for that purpose. 
 
 The Chief Cook gives special orders to the under cooks, 
 how and in what manner thej are to prepare victuals, 
 by giving them a bill of fare for each day's entertain- 
 ment. 
 
 The Under Cooks, together with the turnspits, scullery 
 girls, and others, are to be every way obeisant, and 
 obedient in all cases, and to go through their respective 
 occupations with all alacrity and diligence. 
 
 The Chief Butlers business is to attend the pantry, and 
 to entertain the strangers with becoming courtesy. 
 
 The Under Butlers always to be in waiting, and to be 
 ready to attend the cellars, for drawing liquors for the 
 guests assembled at these entertainments. 
 
 The Yeomen of the Wine Cellar is to attend the various 
 ladies and gentlemen with whatever they may want, such 
 as wine, sack, and other liquors provided upon this 
 occasion, and to furnish the dining-room with all necessary 
 appendages, such as the plates, knives and forks, table 
 cloths, tankards, glasses, jugs, goblets, &c. And to receive 
 orders from the comptroller what he is to do, and to be in 
 unison in all cases appertaining to this entertainment, so 
 that no bad example be set to the residue of the servants 
 
91 
 
 by any refractory words or actions, tending to disturb the 
 harmony which should prevail at this joyful time. 
 
 The P antler and Bread-baker are to provide and deliver 
 out, upon due orders being given to that effect, such as 
 bread, cheese, butter, &c. 
 
 The Guardian of the Sweetmeats and Spicery to have all 
 things in ample order and readiness, so that he may be 
 the better enabled to deliver out to the cook what may be 
 wanting in the kitchen, for furnishing dishes for the various 
 courses of the entertainments given by the guild mayor 
 and his worthy brethren the capital burgesses of the town 
 of Preston. 
 
 Those young men denominated Waiters at the Table, 
 are to be men of good manners, comely in their features, 
 and cleanly in their bodily habits ; they are to carry the 
 various dishes, and place them in ample order upon the 
 table in the dining-room, and to be ready at all times 
 during dinner, to wait upon either lady or gentleman, 
 with alacrity, in all cases needful. 
 
 There are persons appointed, termed Gentlemen Servers, 
 who receive the various dishes from these waiters, as 
 occasion requires, and who duly see that the bill of fare 
 is carried into effect upon these occasions. The tables are 
 to be prepared by the second butler in office, who furnishes 
 
napkins, bread and salt, and beer, ale, and wine, in large 
 vessels, which stand on large trays near the side-board. 
 
 The Gentlemen of the Nappery, or nut-brown ale, ser- 
 ving-men, give directions to the waiting-men, how and in 
 what manner to serve each gentleman, with bottles of 
 sack and wine, such as claret, rhenish, hock, cogniac, 
 ale, &c. and to keep the various glasses, bowls, tankards, &c. 
 in good order. 
 
 The Gentleman Carver is to attend, with his h'wytle and 
 his steel by his side, a man of good judgment in this 
 respect and of courteous manners. 
 
 The Grand Marshall of the Procession shall hold his 
 office, by giving directions how and in what manner the 
 various companies shall range themselves, and when the 
 procession is ended to see that the nobility, gentry, and 
 others, take their due precedency at the table, where 
 they dine in a sumptuous manner with the guild mayor 
 at the head of the table, joined by all his retinue. 
 
 The Usher of the Guild-hall shall have his due place 
 and precedency assigned him, and shall be habited in a 
 black gown, and a black staff in his hand, and shall stand 
 at the foot of the great staircase leading up to the rooms ; 
 all gentlemen of honour and distinction are to be ushered 
 into the room, in due form, by him. 
 
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The Groom Porters are dressed in black gowns, and 
 stand on each side of the entrance to the Guild-hall, in 
 order to keep all undue and improper persons from making 
 entrance within the hall. 
 
 When the major and his retinue are arrived at the 
 Moot-hall, the two flags, consisting of the royal arms of 
 England, and the coat armour of the town, are taken and 
 hung out of the highest window of the Guild-hall. The 
 guild mayor, with his retinue, enters the hall, passing by 
 the groom porter attired in his black gown, and his black 
 staff of office in his hand, who keeps undue and improper 
 persons from making their entrance at this time. They 
 are then conducted into the dining-room, by the comp- 
 troller and the usher, each robed, with their staves of office ; 
 when they are arrived they give a low obeisance, and so 
 return, performing this alternately to all, welcoming them 
 upon this grand solemnity. Biscuit and wine is generally 
 served before dinner ; whilst the dinner is going on, a 
 band of music is kept in full play, for the more nobly 
 entertaining the guests. The carrying of the various meats 
 on the first day of the guild is, according to ancient rule, 
 for the first course, performed by the twelve aldermen, 
 or benchers, who present the dishes to the serving-men, 
 who place them in due order upon the table. After this 
 
the guild mayor, with his master of the ceremonies, 
 proceed immediately to usher into the dining-room the 
 various nobility and gentry assembled upon the occasion, 
 and when every one is placed in due precedency, the 
 chaplain of the guild mayor imploreth the blessing of the 
 Almighty upon these gifts so liberally bestowed on them ; 
 after which the grand carver attends at table, with all 
 courtesy, in order to supply the guests there assembled. 
 After the different courses are served, and the appetites 
 of the guests perfectly satisfied, healths are enthusiastically 
 drank to the king and royal family of Great Britain, 
 together with many lords and gentlemen, the guild mayor 
 and his retinue, with three times three. 
 
 When three o'clock in the afternoon is come, notice is 
 duly given to the wardens belonging to the various com- 
 panies of trades, with their respective members, to attend 
 again in their equipage, after having dined together, at 
 their respective rendezvous. Each company invariably 
 have presents sent to them by the guild mayor and his 
 retinue, such as venison pasty, together with wine and 
 sack, in bottles. 
 
95 
 
 The first entrance of the Mayor into the Guild-hall. 
 
 The worshipful the guild mayor, with all his retinue, 
 attired in their respective robes of office, with their staves 
 in their hands, enter the Town-hall, where the sergeant 
 makes proclamation beginning with o'yes, reiterated three 
 distinct times. 
 
 The Proclamation. 
 
 " Whereas Charles the 2nd, by the grace of God, 
 King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender 
 of the Faith, by his royal charter, dated the 32nd year 
 of his reign, 1651, did grant, confirm, and continue what 
 his predecessors and progenitors, kings and queens of 
 England, or what himself had formerly given and granted, 
 in the 32nd year of his reign, to the mayors, bailiffs, and 
 burgesses (or any of them, jointly or separately,) of this 
 borough of Preston, in Amounderness, in the county of 
 Lancaster. The borough of Preston was, and now is, a 
 free and ancient borough, and did confirm and ratify all 
 the ancient rights, privileges, immunities, and franchises, 
 that at any time heretofore had been granted and con- 
 firmed to the mayor, bailiffs, and capital burgesses, or 
 to the burgesses of the borough or town of Preston aforesaid, 
 
96 
 
 by any of his predecessors or progenitors, kings or queens 
 of this realm of England. And whereas King Henry 
 the 2nd, by his noble charter, did constitute this town 
 of Preston to be a free borough ; and his son King John, by 
 his royal charter, did confirm the same ; which King Henry 
 the 3rd, by inspeximus, doth confirm and likewise ratify, 
 in the 11th year of his reign; and by another charter of 
 King Henry the 3rd, in the 37th year of his reign, did 
 grant to his burgesses of Preston, all the liberties and 
 free customs, which he had given and granted to his 
 burgesses of Newcastle-under-Line. And now the bur- 
 gesses of the borough of Preston in Amounderness, have 
 had full liberty and freedom to enjoy these privileges, 
 immunities, and franchises aforesaid, and have used and 
 enjoyed the same in a plenary way. They have also 
 kept many guild merchants'' jubilees within this borough, 
 every twentieth year, as may and do appear from the 
 records and various guild books that are now extant."* 
 
 * A Guild merchant was omitted in the time of Henry 6th, perhaps 
 owing to the various civil wars which took place between the Houses of 
 Lancaster and York ; also in the time of Henry the 8th, when the reformation 
 began in church affairs ; and in King Edward the 3rd's reign, when the 
 Scottish army, under Bruce, King of Scotland, razed Preston to the ground. 
 
97 
 
 We shall insert a List of Names, shezdng who filled the office of 
 aldermen and grand seneschal, the following guild years, 
 held at Preston : — 
 
 1397- — John Haconsall, Richard Blundell, Henry le 
 Counter, Simon de Preston, John Marshall, Richard de 
 Bretherton, William de Cane, John Alston, William de 
 Walton, mercer, William Grimbaldestone, John Lambert. 
 
 1418.— William Ergham, John Blundell, Roger Which- 
 cotte, John de Walton, Joseph de Alston, William de 
 Greenhill, John de More, Thomas de Bretherton, Robert 
 Albyn, Joseph Lambert, William Grimbaldestone, John 
 Breton, Adam de Marshall, William Blundell. 
 
 1429. — Richard Watey, Joseph Botiler, Thomas Blun- 
 dell, Gilbert Hudson, Robert Blundell, Robert Taylor, 
 Richard Johnson, William Cook, Joseph Whalley, Robert 
 Cooke, Joseph Halliwell, William Walton. 
 
 1501.— Law. Hoghton, Richard Ainsworth, William 
 Tipping, Law. Whalley, Richard Tipping, William Sadler, 
 Richard Arrowsmith, Thomas Allcock, Thomas Davell, 
 Gilbert Arrowsmith, William Bank, Thomas Wainwright, 
 Richard Walton. 
 
 1543. — Radcliffe Dawson, Oliver Breres, James Walton, 
 Alexander Clayton, William Ergham, Henry Preston, 
 
 o 
 
98 
 
 James Walton, Thomas Camerale, Thomas Sadler, William 
 Walton. 
 
 1562. — William Banester, Christopher Haydoke, Oliver 
 Breres, Radcliffe Dawson, William Bostock, William 
 Preston, Evan Hodgkinson, sen. John Werden, Joseph 
 Banester, Radcliffe Camerale, Lawrence Wall. 
 
 1582. — Henry Preston, Roger Hodginson, Robert 
 France, Thomas Couper, sen. Richard Kuerdale, James 
 Helm, James Dyke, Roger Jellibrand. 
 
 1602. — Edmund Lemon, Thomas Wall, James Hodg- 
 kinson, Richard Kuerdale, Richard Hodgkinson, John 
 Chorley, Roger Langton, William Garstang, Joseph 
 Hynde, James Werden, Nicholas Sudall, John Breres. 
 
 1622. — Henry Breres, Thomas Banester, Joseph Crook, 
 John Hynde, William Walton, Henry Sudall, Seth Bushell, 
 William Lemon, Richard Shawe, George Hodgkinson, sen. 
 William Wall, George Hodgkinson, jun. 
 
 1642.— Henry Blundell, Henry Sudall, James Wall, 
 George Addison, James Archer, Adam Mort, William 
 Cottom, Thomas Sumner, Thomas Bickerstaffe, Matthew 
 Addison, William Shawe, Christopher Banester, Esq. 
 
 1662.— Seth Blackhurst, William Banester, William 
 Turner, Luke Hodgkinson, Thomas Marten, Sylvester 
 Ingham, Thomas Walmsley, Law. Weal, William Hodg- 
 
99 
 
 kinson, Thomas Werden, Thomas Rishton, Edward Rigby, 
 Esq. 
 
 1682. — John Walmsley, Josiah Rishton. 
 
 There is generally in the afternoon of the first day, 
 great preparation made previous to the evening coming 
 on, for the ladies to honour the guild mayor with their 
 presence, where they are nobly treated, in the great dining- 
 room, with a splendid supper. Where afterwards mel- 
 lifluous sounds are heard, and the mazy dance is tripped 
 with light fantastic toe, to the great pleasure and admi- 
 ration of all present. The second day of the Guild. — The 
 guild mayor, attended by his retinue, walks in procession 
 to the Parish church, where his chaplain performs divine 
 service and sermon ; afterwards returning in the same 
 order to the Moot-hall, with all the pageantry and ceremony 
 mentioned heretofore, where they dine in their usual style. 
 The first week of the guild is attended with feasting foreign 
 burgesses, being men of good report. Each company 
 of the various trades, hang out of the windows daily, at 
 their respective rendezvous, the flags with their coat armour 
 emblazoned thereon, in vivid colours, during the whole 
 time of this jubilee. When the wardens of any company 
 are to dine publicly at any dinner given upon this occasion 
 within the borough, by an} 7 resident gentleman, he is 
 
100 
 
 attended to the place in due order, by the flag and a 
 band of music ; which has continued in former times for 
 the space of six weeks. 
 
 Guild orders agreed upon after the Restoration of Charles 
 the Second, 1660. 
 
 " It was ordered, established, and enacted, by plenary 
 assent, and consent, of the mayor, aldermen, bailiffs, and 
 others appertaining to the corporation of the borough of 
 Preston, of this present guild merchant. — That all the 
 various books containing guild orders, be surveyed, 
 examined, and assorted together, according to each subject 
 contained within them, in their respective order, according 
 to the respective reign of each king of England. And 
 that such things as appertain to the observation of the 
 sabbath-day. — Matter in itself purely pointed, concerning 
 the marsh land, the moor, and common belonging to this 
 borough. — The revenues, rents, toll, &c. &c. as do in any- 
 wise belong to this our ancient borough. — Also what may 
 relate to the trade and traffic, together with householding, 
 innkeepers, taverns, and so forth. — Also the method of 
 electing officers, and their several duties. — Also concerning 
 foreign burgesses, and how far they differ in the quality 
 of freedom from those who are inhabitant burgesses. — 
 
101 
 
 That all things be brought forward and debated upon pro 
 and con, and that what is ratified shall be written in a 
 fair and legible hand, on vellum, for the use of posterity.* 
 
 Upon each Sunday which occurs during the time of 
 this carnival, immediately after divine service and sermon, 
 dinner is prepared at the Guild-hall; first, for treating 
 the mayor, aldermen, bailiffs, recorder, and others con- 
 nected with the supreme magistracy of the town ; secondly, 
 for the feasting of the trades-people, and others ; thirdly, 
 for the working classes ; fourthly, for the decayed and 
 infirm freemen of the borough, whom poverty has brought 
 to the lowest ebb, equally participate of the benevolence 
 of the mayor, and the rest of the body. 
 
 During the time of the guild being celebrated, the 
 wardens of each company, with their brethren, examine 
 the orders of their respective companies, and if they find, 
 on mature examination, that any alteration is deemed 
 necessary, they advertise, forthwith, the guild mayor and 
 his brethren, that they may consider of the same ; . and 
 propose to him, and receive his approbation for what may 
 redound to the honour and credit of the borough, so that 
 the same may not anywise militate against the known laws 
 
 * Mr. James Hodgkinson's guild was prolonged for six weeks, in conse- 
 quence of these debates taking place. 
 
102 
 
 of this realm. All additional regulations to be entirely 
 approved of by the guild mayor and his brethren, and then 
 to be regularly engrossed on parchment, and afterwards 
 perused by the aforesaid authority. 
 
 When the conclusion of the guild merchant is come to 
 issue, all the different companies attend, as on the first 
 day of the guild, together with as many burgesses as can 
 make the same convenient, upon the worshipful the guild 
 mayor, to the Moot or Guild-hall. The court is there 
 holden, and the burgesses' attendance is requisite, par- 
 ticularly the masters and wardens belonging to the various 
 companies, who have their orders sealed de novo, and 
 regularly entered into the guild book. Proclamation is 
 then made three times. Each inhabitant burgess is called 
 by his name, by the grand seneschal, or his proxy, the 
 guild book of new orders is held up before them, and 
 afterwards the contents thereof are read to them ; then 
 the guild mayor saith, " Brethren, do you approve of 
 these ordinances so done by us, which by your preceding 
 oath (mentioned in this work) of burgesses you have 
 engaged to fulfil ; and which are consonant to the regal 
 authority, and the laudable customs of preceding guilds ;" 
 after which, all the burgesses with one voice cry, " So 
 be it ;" and the mayor concludes with " God save the 
 
103 
 
 King." Then the grand seneschal, or town-clerk, affixes 
 upon the book the grand seal of the borough, containing 
 the holy lamb couchant, and afterwards holds up the 
 book, saying, " Here is your law," concluding with " God 
 save the King." 
 
 Then the sergeants make proclamation as follows: — 
 " This grand guild merchant's court is adjourned for 
 twenty years, until a new guild merchants' court be held 
 and duly proclaimed/' They generally conclude with 
 " God save the King," amid the noise of drums, trumpets, 
 and loud acclamations from the surrounding multitude. 
 The worshipful the guild mayor, with his retinue, returns 
 from the Moot-hall, homewards ; and each warden, with 
 his respective company, to their rendezvous. The mayor 
 gives a grand banquet, consisting of biscuit, ale, wine, 
 and sack ; afterwards they retire to some respectable 
 innholder's within the borough, where the gentlemen and 
 others return him thanks in appropriate speeches, telling 
 him, with great applause from all assembled, that he has 
 had great care, much labour, and particular charge upon 
 his mind, in order to give true eclat to this great, grand, 
 and unparalleled jubilee, holden and happily concluded 
 within this borough ; which guild merchant is not re- 
 gularly held by many boroughs, but has fallen to decay 
 
104 
 
 for -want of that proper spirit, so essentially necessary 
 to the conservation of this our ancient guild merchant of 
 Preston. 
 
 An Account of the Guild that was held Monday, August 30, 
 1762. 
 
 His worship the Mayor repaired to the town-hall, 
 about nine o'clock in the morning, where he was met by 
 the stewards, aldermen, &c. After opening the guild 
 merchant, by disenfranchising the freemen, and recording 
 themselves in the new book, they proceeded to the parish 
 church, in their proper ornaments, habits, &c. with their 
 officers, regalia, and an excellent band of music ; they 
 were accompanied by a most brilliant and numerous 
 appearance of nobility and gentry, dressed in the gayest 
 and richest manner, and were attended by the several 
 companies of trade (properly marshalled or disposed) 
 with their ensigns displayed, &c. A good band of music 
 preceding each company. Divine service and a sermon 
 (preached on the occasion by the Rev. Mr. Andrews, 
 vicar of Preston, and chaplain to the mayor) being ended, 
 a grand procession was begun, and continued through the 
 principal streets : nothing could be more sumptuous or 
 striking; the whole was splendid and magnificent, and 
 
105 
 
 gave every beholder the greatest joy and satisfaction. 
 Fifty ladies and gentlemen, of superior rank, dined this 
 day, with the mayor and his lady, at the Guild-hall. 
 The entertainment (which was provided under the direction 
 of Mr. Baker, of York) afforded much pleasure. The 
 table was covered with the utmost taste and magnificence, 
 and supplied with all the delicacies, that the most luxurious 
 fancy could invent, the season furnish, or expence procure ; 
 and no care or pains were omitted to render every thing 
 as commodious and agreeable as possible. 
 
 The mayors table was, during the Guild, adorned 
 with a great variety of emblematical ornaments ; and no 
 expence was spared that might serve to improve its splen- 
 dour, elegance, and accommodations : every person was 
 supplied with plenty, and dispatch, and yet the several 
 services were performed without hurry and confusion. 
 At this table the mayor and his lady entertained fifty 
 ladies and gentleman every day, except at the races, 
 (which continued four days) when the mayor favoured 
 the gentlemen with his company at the ordinaries ; and 
 forty ladies, besides the chaplain, dined each day with 
 Mrs. Mayoress at the Guild-hall. 
 
 Tuesday, August 31. 
 
 About ten o'clock in the morning, Mrs. Mayoress 
 was waited upon, in the grand rooms of the town and 
 
106 
 
 Guild-halls, by about 300 ladies, all splendidly and 
 elegantly dressed. From thence they walked, in public 
 procession (two and two) to the church. Divine service 
 being concluded, (no sermon was preached this day) 
 they returned, in the same order as before, round the 
 market-place to the state rooms, preceded by the mayor's 
 officers, town's regalia, &c. During the procession, the 
 different companies of trade were drawn up in lines on 
 each side, (many gentlemen also attending) to prevent 
 the ladies from being interrupted or incommoded by the 
 numerous crowd of spectators, who were assembled to 
 view this uncommon and memorable sight. There was, 
 on this occasion, an amazing concourse of people from 
 many parts of the kingdom, and from all parts of the 
 county. This sight was allowed to surpass any thing of 
 the kind ever seen in the country, and exceeded the 
 expectation of every one present, as well in point of the 
 brilliancy and grandeur that attended it, as in respect 
 of the regularity and decorum with which it was con- 
 ducted. 
 
 Wednesday, September 1. 
 
 The several fraternities of trade, marshalled as before, 
 paraded the capital streets of the town, with their 
 respective colours flying, kettle drums, French horns, 
 trumpets, &c. This sight could not fail of giving great 
 
107 
 
 pleasure to the spectators. The whole was conducted, 
 as on the preceding day, with great order and regularity. 
 
 Two grand balls (to which every person who went 
 properly dressed was admitted) were given every week 
 during the jubilee, by the mayor, viz. Monday and Friday, 
 when an elegant cold collation (with a rich desert of 
 sweetmeats, and the choicest wines of all sorts) were 
 provided in an adjoining room, and in another chocolate* 
 tea, &c. &c. 
 
 The ladies assembly was opened twice a week, viz. 
 on Tuesday and Thursday, and the trade assembly was 
 opened in the same rooms every Wednesday. 
 
 A commodious temporary theatre was built (for the 
 purpose) in the Church-street, in which were performed 
 plays, &c. by his Majesty 's comedians from the theatres 
 royal in London, viz. Mr. Yates (Manager), Messrs. Holland, 
 King, Lee, &c. Mrs. Yates, Mrs. Ward, &c. Dancers, 
 Signior Maranesi, Miss Baker, Master Rogie, Miss 
 Capitani, &c. Performers at the public breakfasts and 
 concertos, Miss Brent, Signior Tenducci, Dr. Arne, Mr. 
 Arne, jun. Mr. Desaubrys, Signiors Dasti, Blanck, Richter, 
 Mr. Richardson, Master Bromley (on the harp), Mr. 
 Lambourne (on the musical glasses), &c. Mr. Johnson, 
 by his dexterity in horsemanship, gave great satisfaction. 
 
108 
 
 And that no rank of persons might be deprived of 
 amusements agreeable to them, at this solemnity, there 
 were exhibited in the old theatre, in the Fishergate, under 
 the direction of the said Mr. Yates, from Drury-lane, 
 various performances on the slack wire, by a celebrated 
 equilibrist ; ballancing, dancing, musical glasses, singing, 
 pantomime entertainments, humorous farces, &c. as at 
 Sadler's Wells. There was likeAvise a company in St. 
 John's Weend, of eminent performers from London, viz. 
 Francisco, Rayner, &c. in lofty tumbling, vaulting, dancing 
 on the stiff rope ; and in several parts of the town were 
 to be seen puppet shows, wild beasts, horses of knowledge, 
 &c. &c. In short, these and many other entertainments, 
 adapted to the peculiar taste of people of every rank, 
 diffused that cheerfulness and good humour among all, 
 which constitutes the true happiness of society. It may 
 not be improper to subjoin, that the Guild-hall, (an elegant 
 structure, designed by Mr. Carr, an eminent architect 
 in York) was lately erected for the aforesaid occasion, 
 by the mayor and the corporation, at* their own expence. 
 The state room whereof, and the adjoining Town-hall (a 
 spacious chamber) were, every assembly and ball night, 
 illuminated with some hundreds of wax tapers, in several 
 grand chandeliers, girandoles, and sconces. It is said 
 
109 
 
 that the expence of the candles alone amounted to 200/. 
 These two rooms, being united, were capable of con- 
 taining near one thousand people ; which number, it 
 was conjectured by many, appeared therein each ball 
 night. 
 
 Large quantities of ale and beer, and cold provisions 
 of all sorts, were ordered to be distributed among the 
 populace each day. For the rest, we have only to observe, 
 that every stranger seemed much pleased at the reception 
 they met with from the gentlemen of the corporation and 
 town, and the rest of the inhabitants ; and the inhabitants 
 appeared highly satisfied with the civil and cheerful 
 behaviour of their respective guests ; and with the liberal, 
 and in every respect satisfactory conduct of the mayor, 
 who was singularly studious to please, and to inspire mirth 
 and festivity into every individual. 
 
 An Account of Preston Guild, as held in 1782, from the 
 Liverpool General Advertiser, September 19, 1782. 
 
 " The guild at Preston, was, we are assured, honoured 
 with the appearance of a more numerous and splendid 
 assemblage of personages, of the first rank and fortune, 
 than ever graced that place on any similar occasion. 
 Messrs. Austen and Whitlock's company of comedians 
 
110 
 
 performed each night, to audiences not less crowded than 
 they were judicious and respectable; the boxes in par- 
 ticular, (which were filled every evening,) exhibited scenes 
 of beauty and elegance, such as are rarely to be met with 
 even in the theatres of the metropolis; nor were the 
 performances in any respect unworthy of such dis- 
 tinguished patronage, none but the newest and most 
 celebrated peices being represented during the fortnight, 
 all of which, we have authority to say, were got up and 
 performed with that chasteness and regularity which has 
 long given this company the pre-eminence over every 
 other out of London. In a word, the plays, oratorios, 
 masquerades, assemblies, and races, formed a diversity of 
 amusements for every description of taste, and greatly 
 contributed to make up a degree of refulgence such as 
 no former period has equalled, nor is it probable that any 
 future one will surpass. There were upwards of three 
 hundred people at the masquerade, on Tuesday se'nnight, 
 a number of which assumed characters, which were extra- 
 ordinarily well supported/' 
 
 Preston Guild, as held Monday, August 30, 1802. 
 
 The guild commenced under the most pleasing auspices 
 imaginable, assisted by as favourable weather as could 
 
Ill 
 
 possibly be desired. The immense concourse of persons 
 of all ranks, was such, it was believed, as was never 
 before collected, on any similar occasion. The morning 
 was ushered in with the ringing of bells, and sounding of 
 trumpets. At the different inns where the various com- 
 panies were to assemble, colours or flags were seen flying 
 from the windows ; and bands of music were heard playing. 
 This was calling forth all to enjoy the jubilee. 
 
 The gentlemen's procession commenced on the morning 
 aforesaid, immediately after breakfast, and was preceded 
 by the marshall, armed cap-a-pee, on horseback, trum- 
 peters on horseback, &c. Then came twenty-four young, 
 handsome women, belonging to the various cotton-mills 
 of the town, dressed in a uniform of peculiar and chaste 
 simplicity. Their dress consisted entirely of the manu- 
 facture of the town. The ground petticoats consisted of 
 fine white calico; the head-dress was a kind of blue 
 feathered wreath, formed very curiously of cotton, so 
 as to have the appearance of a garland : each girl carried 
 in her hand the branch of an artificial cotton tree, as 
 being the symbol of her profession. These branches 
 appeared as if they were in full bloom, and bore a strong 
 resemblance to nature. The ingenuity with which they 
 were formed, and their execution, reflected great credit 
 
112 
 
 on the taste displayed by Mrs. Horrocks, and the female 
 part of her family who made them. This portion of the 
 spectacle had a truly natural and pleasing effect. The 
 various nobility and gentry, together with others, walked 
 in pairs, preceded by the Earl of Derby, and the Hon. 
 Thomas Erskine. They amounted to about four hundred, 
 consisting of all the principal noblemen, gentlemen, 
 merchants, manufacturers, and tradesmen of this and the 
 neighbouring counties. At the head of the manufacturers 
 were John Horrocks, Esq. M.P. and John Watson, Esq. 
 arm in arm, (the two principal and indeed rival manufac- 
 turers of the county,) carrying white wands in their hands ; 
 upwards of one hundred workmen and mechanics followed 
 them in pairs. They paraded through all the principal 
 streets of the town, attended by bands of music ; and flags, 
 bearing painted thereon, the coat armour of the respective 
 trade or profession, and then proceeded to the parish 
 church. 
 
 In the course of the procession came the worthy mayor, 
 Nicholas Grimshaw, Esq. with his maces, the recorder, 
 bailiffs, aldermen, common-councilmen, halberd-men, and 
 other corporation officers, such as the town-crier, beadle, &c. 
 as likewise all the various companies or incorporated bodies, 
 headed by their respective wardens, with staves of office; 
 
113 
 
 in their state dresses, and with their usual insignia ; also 
 one of the lodges of free and accepted masons, all in 
 their appropriate dresses and decorations. The excellent 
 band of the 17th regiment of light dragoons preceded 
 the corporate body, all in full dress, and their officers in 
 new clothing. 
 
 The company of butchers, in uniform and characteristic 
 dresses, and those of the tanners, skinners, and glovers, 
 habited in like manner, closed the whole. The other 
 companies were the wool-combers', spinners', and weavers' ; 
 the carpenters' company, the vintners' company, the tailors' 
 company, the smiths' company, (joined by the plumbers', 
 painters', glaziers', and watch-makers',) and the mercers' 
 and drapers' company. Each company was preceded by 
 a band of music, and a very elegant flag, bearing appro- 
 priate devices, &c. 
 
 The tailors' company was attended by a man and 
 woman decorated with fig leaves, an emblem of the very 
 high antiquity of their business. The Eve, though selected 
 from among the fair Lancasterian witches, looked so 
 bewitching on this occasion, as to gain the admiration of 
 all spectators. 
 
 The butchers' company was about forty in number, 
 they had all new white aprons, and steels hung to them ; 
 
 Q 
 
114 
 
 and twelve of their sons walked in the procession, dressed 
 in a similar uniform. All of them had white and red 
 ribbands in their hats. 
 
 The farriers' company was led by a man completely 
 attired in steel armour, elegantly ornamented, his armour, 
 cap-a-pee, was decorated with a fine plume of feathers ; 
 his horse was caparisoned with a scarlet saddle-cloth, 
 ornamented with gold fringe, which gave him a stately 
 and princely appearance. This personage represented 
 Vulcan; he was followed by eight boys, with their hair 
 powdered, without coats and waistcoats, their shirts being 
 embossed with blue ribbands ; they carried white staves 
 in their hands, with gilt heads. The farriers followed, 
 with new blue jackets and trowsers ; the jackets had red 
 collars. They wore red caps, with gilt tassels at the top, 
 and ermine fronts. 
 
 The tanners' company wore green ribbands in their 
 hats, and oak leaves, expressive of their business ; most 
 of them were attired in blue coats. 
 
 The cordwainers' company, to the number of forty, 
 wore red morocco aprons, bound with light blue ribbands, 
 and sashes thrown over their shoulders, bearing appropriate 
 inscriptions ; they were followed by a number of appren- 
 tices, bearing aloft, on long poles, all the various fashions 
 of ladies' and gentlemens' shoes. 
 
115 
 
 Sixty brethren belonging to the Freemason's lodge of 
 Peace and Unity, No. 565, walked in due procession. 
 
 After divine service, the procession paraded the streets 
 in the same order as they had gone to church, and then 
 broke up at the Guild-hall, where they had first assembled, 
 about nine o'clock in the morning. 
 
 Two very striking emblematical devices occurred in 
 the procession ; one was a machine, or sort of car, with 
 a spinning jenny on it, worked by a boy, characteristically 
 attired, and drawn by fourteen men, uniformly and 
 elegantly dressed in calico. The other was a similar 
 machine, with a loom drawn on a sledge, at which was a 
 girl working with bobbins : this was also drawn by fourteen 
 men, dressed in a uniform similar to the other. 
 
 After the procession, N. Grimshaw, Esq. the mayor, 
 entertained the gentlemen with a sumptuous dinner. The 
 mayoress, Mrs. Grimshaw, likewise entertained the ladies 
 on the following day. 
 
 Tuesday was fixed upon for the ladies' procession ; 
 a numerous body of gentlemen walked before them, and 
 filed off, forming a line on each side of the street, through 
 which the ladies had to pass. The girls from the various 
 cotton manufactories led the van as before; afterwards 
 came the ladies, two and two. The Rev. Humphrey 
 
116 
 
 Shuttleworth, A.M. vicar of the parish church, and the 
 Queen of the Guild, (the mayoress,) walked first; after 
 them came the Countess of Derby, and Lady Charlotte 
 Hornby ; Lady Stanley, daughter of the Earl of Derby, 
 and Lady Anne Lindsay; Lady, Susan Carpenter, and 
 the Hon. Mrs. Cawthorne; Lady Gerrard, and Lady 
 Hoghton ; Lady Jerningham, and Lady Fitzgerald. 
 Several other baronets' ladies, and the residue of the other 
 ladies followed, walking in pairs ; in all nearly four 
 hundred in number, consisting of the most noble and 
 distinguished ladies in this and the neighbouring counties. 
 They were superbly attired, and elegantly adorned with 
 a profusion of the most inestimable jewels. This part 
 of the fete (especially the first coup d'ceil, when the ladies 
 had all got out of the Guild-hall into the street,) com- 
 prehending such a brilliant display of beauty, elegance, 
 and fashion, deservedly attracted universal attention and 
 admiration from all present, and thereby produced one 
 of the grandest, most uncommon, and charming sights 
 ever beheld in this town . 
 
 After attending the mayoress to church, and hearing 
 divine service, the ladies paraded in 'the same order round 
 the market place. 
 
 In the course of the procession, a complete steam- 
 
117 
 
 engine in miniature, at full work, was exhibited, performing 
 all the various evolutions of the cotton manufactory, and 
 was attended by fourteen men, in uniform dresses, similar 
 to those mentioned heretofore. This very curious, rare, 
 and singular piece of mechanism, attracted great attention. 
 
 The spectacle of this day was, by far, the most brilliant 
 and gratifying of the whole festival. So splendid an 
 exhibition of female attractions has seldom been witnessed 
 in this part of the country, indeed every possible variety 
 of taste, elegance, and art were displayed by both sexes 
 during the whole carnival, in costume, ornaments, and 
 decorations. Some of the dresses worn by the ladies, on 
 this occasion, were said to be worth more than ten 
 thousand pounds. 
 
 Splendid assemblies were given in the Guild-hall, 
 (tickets ten shillings and sixpence each,) which were un- 
 commonly crowded. Balls were also held, of which 
 four hundred tickets were generally sold. The crowd 
 was so great, that dancing, upon these occasions, was 
 scarcely practicable. The new theatre royal, a very 
 elegant and convenient edifice, was well attended by 
 large audiences, every night at double prices : a great 
 part of the pit had been laid into boxes ; notwithstanding 
 which, scarcely a place was to be had on the most of 
 
118 
 
 the nights. Great merit was due to Mr. John Stanton, 
 the manager, for his spirited conduct in bringing some 
 of the first-rate performers down from London, to amuse 
 the town at this pleasing fete. Miscellaneous concerts 
 were performed in the evenings, where Mr. Haydn, Mr. 
 Meredith, Mr. Hill, Mrs. Atkins, Miss Cheese, Mr. 
 Cimador, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Yaniewitz, Madame Dussec, 
 and Mr. Harvey, exerted their musical abilities to crowded 
 and brilliant audiences. There was a grand masquerade 
 ball, (tickets one guinea each,) held in the Guild-hall, 
 where many original, singular, grotesque, and odd figures 
 were personated, by some of the first families of distinction. 
 Pidcock's menagerie was here, with an extensive collection 
 of wild beasts, and foreign birds. The celebrated Mr. 
 Ireland, the flying phenomenon, exerted himself, to the 
 great astonishment of every beholder. Hair-dressers, 
 cooks, confectioners, milliners, haberdashers, &c. &c. 
 came here in numbers, from various parts of the kingdom, 
 during this interesting spectacle. 
 
 The prodigious concourse of visitors, especially those 
 of the higher ranks, was such as to excite the astonishment 
 of all the townsmen. More than two hundred carriages 
 were daily parading the public streets. The races began 
 on Wednesday, and the concourse of people on Fullwood- 
 
119 
 
 moor, was greater than ever before remembered, and pre- 
 sented an interesting scene during this year's guild. 
 
 The ensuing Guild will commence on Monday the Id of Sep- 
 tember, 1822. Nicholas Grimshaw, Esq. Mayor. 
 
 The following is the arrangement for the entertainments : — 
 
 FIRST WEEK. 
 
 Monday— Morning — The Mayor's Procession. 
 
 Evening — Ball. 
 Tuesday — Morning — The Mayoress's Procession. 
 
 Evening — Theatre. 
 Wednesday — Morning— Races. 
 
 Evening — Mayor's Ball. 
 Thursday — Morni ng — Races. 
 
 Evening — Theatre. 
 Friday — Morning — Races. 
 
 Evening — Fancy Dress Ball. 
 Saturday — Morning — Races. 
 
 Evening— Display of Fire Works 
 
 STEWARDS OF THE RACES. 
 
 Charles Tempest, Esq. George W r almesley, Esq. 
 Second Week: — In this week there will be a grand Musical 
 Festival, for the benefit of the public charties of the town. 
 Principal Vocal Performers — Madame Camporese, Miss 
 
120 
 
 Goodall, Master Smith, Mr. Braham, Mr. Kellner, Mr. 
 Smith, and Mr. Isherwood. 
 
 Principal Instrumental Performers : — Conductor, Mr. Greato- 
 rex. — Leader, Mr. Mori. — Second Violin, Mr. Cudmore. — 
 Tenors, Messrs. Hime and Clough.— Violoncellos, Messrs. 
 Brooks, Jackson, and Sudlow. — Double Bass, Messrs. Dra- 
 ganetti and Hill. — Flutes, Messrs. Nicholson and Weiss. — 
 Oboes, Messrs. Hughes. — Clarionets, Messrs. Williams and 
 Tipping. — Horns, Messrs. Tully and Leander.— Bassoons, 
 Messrs. Godfrey and Lees.— Trumpet, Mr. Hyde. — Trom- 
 bones, Messrs. Causton, Cartledge and Waddington. — 
 Drums, Mr. Wilkinson. 
 
 Monday — Morning — Ascent of a Balloon. 
 
 Afternoon — Races. 
 
 Evening — Ball. 
 Tuesday — Morning — Oratorio. 
 
 Evening — Concert. 
 Wednesday — Morning— Oratorio. 
 Wednesday — Evening — Charity Ball. 
 Thursday — Morning — Mayoress's Public Breakfast, 
 
 Evening — Concert. 
 Friday —Morning — Oratorio. 
 
 Evening— Masked Ball. 
 
121 
 
 The following noblemen and gentlemen have accepted 
 the office of stewards for the musical festival : — 
 
 James Shuttleworth, Esq. High Sheriff of the County ; 
 the Right Hon. the Earl of Derby, Lord Lieutenant; 
 the Worshipful the Mayor of Preston ; the Hon. Mr. 
 Justice Park, Recorder of Preston ; the Rev. the Vicar 
 of Preston ; His Grace the Duke of Devonshire ; His 
 Grace the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon ; the Right 
 Hon. the Earl of Wilton; the Right Hon. the Earl of 
 Bradford; the Right Hon. Earl Howe; the Right Hon. 
 Lord G. H. Cavendish ; the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop 
 of Chester; the Right Hon. Lord Stanley; the Right Hon. 
 Lord Lindsay ; the Right Hon. Lord Lilford ; the Right 
 Hon. Lord Molyneux ; the Right Hon. George Canning, 
 M. P.; the Right Hon. Robert Peel, M. P.; the 
 Hon. and Rev. G. Bridgman ; Sir Henry Philip Hoghton, 
 Bart. ; Sir William Gerard, Bart. ; Sir Thomas Stanley 
 Massey Stanley, Bart. ; Sir Thomas Dalrymple Hesketh, 
 Bart. ; John Blackburne, Esq. M. P. ; General Gascoyne, 
 M. P. ; James Alexander Hodson, Esq. M. P. ; Edmund 
 Hornby, Esq. M. P. ; Samuel Horrocks, Esq. M. P. ; 
 Thomas Legh, Esq. M. P. ; Edward Bootle Wilbraham, 
 Esq. M. P. ; John Dallon, Esq. ; William Farington, 
 Esq. ; Robert Hesketh, Esq. ; Robert Townley Parker, 
 Esq. ; Lawrence Rawstorne, Esq. 
 
122 
 
 Some Account of the Duchy and County Palatine of Lancaster. 
 
 Lancaster was erected into a County Palatine the 50th 
 of Edward III. and granted by that king to his son John 
 for life, and that he should have - a king-like power to 
 pardon treasons, outlawry s, &c. and to make justices of 
 the peace, and justices of assize, within the said county, and 
 all processes and indictments to be in his name. There are 
 two seals, one for the County Palatine, and one for the 
 Duchy ; the last is used for lands that lie out of the 
 County Palatine, because the Duchy have not jure 
 regalia over those lands ; the statute of the 37th Henry 
 VIII., annexed lands to the Duchy for the enlargement 
 of it; fines levied before the justices of assize of Lancaster, 
 of lands in the County Palatine, shall be of equal force 
 with those before the justices of the Common Pleas. 
 Process against an outlawed person in the County Palatine of 
 Lancaster, must be directed to the Chancellor of the Duchy, 
 who shall thereupon issue like writs to the sheriff. The 
 statute of the 17th Charles II. enacts concerning causes of 
 replevin shall be of force in the court of Common Pleas, 
 in the County Palatine ; by the statute of the 17th of George 
 II., the chancellor or vice-chancellor, may empower 
 persons to take affidavits in any cause depending, in any 
 plea whatsoever, civil or criminal; by the statute 34th 
 
123 
 
 George III. the chancellor or vice-chancellor may authorise 
 persons to take special bail in actions depending in the 
 Court of Common Pleas of the said county. This Duchy 
 was the property of Henry Bolingbroke, at the time he 
 wrested the crown from Richard II., but he was too 
 prudent to suffer this to be united to the crown, it being 
 his by sure and indefeasible title, his title to the crown 
 was not so assured, therefore he procured an act of 
 parliament the first year of his reign, ordaining the Duchy 
 of Lancaster and all his hereditary estates, with all these 
 royalties and franchises, should remain to him and his 
 heirs for ever, and be administered and governed in like 
 manner, as if he never had attained the regal dignity; 
 his grandson Henry VI. being attainted 1st of Edward IV. 
 this Duchy was declared to be forfeited to the crown ; 
 but at the same time an act was made to incorporate it, 
 and make the same King Edward IV. and his heirs kings 
 of England for ever, but under a separate guiding and 
 governance from the other inheritances of the crown. 
 On the 1st of Henry VII. another act was passed, vesting 
 the inheritance of the whole to the king and his heirs 
 for ever, as amply and largely, and in like manner, form, 
 and condition, separate from the crown of England and 
 possession of the same. 
 
124 
 
 The public offices incident to this court are stationed 
 at Preston, except during the assizes, when they are 
 removed to Lancaster. The officers of the Court of 
 Chancery consist of five clerks in court, and cursitors 
 of the county have the registrar, examiner, and chief 
 clerk, with whom is filed all equity proceedings ; the 
 registrar officiates himself, or by deputy, in the vice- 
 chancellor's court at Lancaster, or in the Sessions-hall at 
 Preston ; the acting cursitor is in general one of the 
 chancery clerks, whose duty it is to issue original writs, 
 mandates upon writs directed to the chancellor from the 
 courts of Westminster, and he has a distinct office for 
 that purpose ; the seal keeper of the county, whose duty 
 is to seal all writs, process, patents, and grants of Duchy 
 lands ; the prothonotary or officer of the court of Common 
 Pleas, from whose office issues all mesne process ; he either 
 officiaes in person or by deputy at the sessions ; but during 
 the assizes at Lancaster, the clerk of the crown has his office 
 at Preston ; he has the custody of all criminal proceedings, 
 and officiates himself or by deputy ; the clerk of the peace 
 for the county is an officer of the courts of general and 
 quarter sessions; the office of sheriff for the county is 
 kept here, and a resident attorney is generally appointed 
 under sheriff; the county treasurer has also his office in 
 
125 
 
 the town. The chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, is 
 an officer before whom, or his deputy, the court of the 
 Duchy chamber of Lancaster is held. This is a special 
 jurisdiction concerning all manner of equity relating to 
 lands holden of the king in right of the Duchy of Lan- 
 caster. 
 
 This is a thing very distinct from the County Palatine, 
 which hath also its separate chancery for the sealing of 
 writs and the like. This Duchy comprises much territory, 
 which lies at a vast distance from the county, as parti- 
 cularly a very large district surrounded by the city of 
 Westminster. The proceedings in this court are the same 
 as on the equity side of the courts of Exchequer and 
 Chancery, so that it seems not to be a court of record . 
 and it has been holden, that these courts have a con- 
 current jurisdiction with the Duchy court, and may take 
 cognizance of the same causes. 
 
126 
 
 HERE BEGINNETH THE BOOKE 
 
 Which is known by the name of and treating of the fees, privileges, writts, 
 advowsons, and other officers that belong to the Duchy and Co. Palatine of 
 Lancaster, (about 1588.) 
 
 Fees of the Duchy. 
 
 The chancellor's fee of the duchy . . *. . . .£238 16 4 
 
 The attorney of the duchy 66 5 4 
 
 The auditor of the north partes . . . . . . 68 13 4 
 
 The auditor of the south partes 68 3 4 
 
 (Besides to both of them murrey cloth, green cloth for their 
 
 tables and for their lying in London, as much more as 
 
 makes both their salaries amount to ,=£76 17 3 
 The sum of all the payments which are paid to all the officers, or 
 
 allowed as salerys in the duchy, in the whole amount to 641 3 4 
 
 An Estimate of the Duchy of Lancaster, collected by the particular receivers 
 of the honors belonging to the said Duchy, and yearly paid by the Receiver 
 General : 
 
 Revenues of the Duchy per annum. 
 The Receiver of Cliderhow and Halton payeth to the general 
 
 Receiver of the Duchy 
 
 The Receiver of Pomfrett and Knasborough, com. 69 annis. 
 
 The Receiver of Tichhull 
 
 The Receiver of Pickeringleigh 
 
 The Receiver of Duntanborough 
 
 The Receiver of Tutbury, per annum 
 
 The Receiver of Longberrington 
 
 The Receiver of Leicester 
 
 The Receiver of Furness 
 
 The Receiver af Bullingbrooke 
 
 Augmentation of Lancaster * . 
 
 * If not arising from the Chantry Rent then but lately dissolved. — The Chantry of the four Altars ir 
 Liverpool amounted to 22/. 10s 2d. 
 
 1700 
 
 
 
 
 
 1800 
 
 
 
 
 
 500 
 
 
 
 
 
 350 
 
 
 
 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 
 
 1500 
 
 
 
 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 
 
 400 
 
 
 
 
 
 1000 
 
 
 
 
 
 000 
 
 
 
 
 
 400 
 
 
 
 
 
127 
 
 The Receiver of the Colledge and Chantry Rents in the county of 
 Stafford and Derby ..... . 
 
 8600 
 
 South Division. 
 
 The Receiver of Higham Ferars 800 
 
 The Receiver of Norfolk and Suffolk . . . . . 200 
 
 The Receiver of Sussex 300 
 
 The Receiver of the south parts 1000 O 
 
 The Receiver of Essex and Hartford .... 1000 O 
 
 The Receiver of the Marshes of Wales and Monmouth . . 100 O 
 
 The Receiver of Kilwaldid 100 
 
 4800 
 
 So that the receipts of the General Receiver of the Duchy of 
 
 Lancaster one year with another amounteth to . . 14,000 
 
 The Receiver is to pay to the Treasurer of his ) 
 
 Majesty's most honourable chamber 
 And to the cofferer of his Majesty's household 
 For fees to the Court officers 
 For expenses of the mass songs and others, per 
 
 annum ...... 
 
 Total disbursements 
 
 Soe that remains comminibus annis in the custody of the general 
 Receiver, to be disposed of according to His Majesty's use 
 upon Mr. Chancellor Sir Francis Walsingham * 
 
 4000 
 
 
 
 
 
 7000 
 
 
 
 
 
 641 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 100 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 11,741 3 4 
 
 14000 
 
 * Sir Francis Walsingham was Chancellor, 1588. This fixes the date when this account was takeo 
 or the rates fixed, concurring with the entry of the fees of the " Justices of the Queen's Bench." 
 
A declaration of the Forests, Chases, and Park.es, belonging to the Dutchy 
 of Lancaster, out of which the Chancellor, Attorney General, Receiver 
 General, and two Auditors are to have deer summer and winter. 
 
 In comit. of York. 
 The forest of Bolland. 
 The forest of Wensdale. 
 The forest of Bleasdale. 
 
 In comit. Lancastrie. 
 Lograine parke. 
 Mierscough parke. 
 Toxteth parke. 
 Quermore parke. 
 
 In comit. Cestriae. 
 Halton parke. 
 
 In comit. of Staffordie 
 Yoxalward parke. 
 Agardesley parke. 
 Rolleston parke. 
 Marchington ward. 
 Tutbury parke. 
 Hockcley parke. 
 Rowley parke. 
 High Lewis parke. 
 
 Parkes and Chases 
 In Hampshire, Kingsomburne ; the Chase of Holt, and the Parke com. 
 Dorset.; Kirkby Park, in com. of Lincolinae. ; Higham Ferrers, in com. 
 of Northamtonie- 
 
 In the comit. of York. 
 
 Hay parke, and the new parke of 
 
 Wakefield. 
 Havery parke. 
 Canisborough parke. 
 Altafts parke. 
 Asworth parke. 
 
 Hie sunt in comit. Derbie. 
 High Peak forest 
 Shottel parke. 
 Melbure-parke. 
 Mansfield parke. 
 Morley parke. 
 Posterne parke. 
 Ravensdale parke. 
 
 In comit. Leicestrie. 
 The forest of Leicester. 
 Castle Donington parke. 
 Barnes parke. 
 New parke of Leicester. 
 Tonley parke. 
 Pekelton parke. 
 
 In comit. Wilts. 
 Gopsley parke. 
 Alborne chase. 
 Everley parke. 
 
 Poulfret parke. 
 
 Cridlinge parke. 
 
 Kepaa parke. 
 
 Beausby parke. 
 
 Pickeringley parke. 
 
 Billon parke. 
 
 The old parke of Wakefield. 
 
129 
 
 In comit. Essex. Coppedhull parke. 
 
 Hunsde parke, in Herts. Highester parke there. 
 
 The forest of Ashdowne. ") p Comit. Hartford. 
 
 Weeck's park. 3 Hartingfordbury parke. 
 
 Two other parks there are in Suffolk. Two more parkes in ditto. 
 
 Eyste park there also. Kingslangley parke, ditto. 
 
 In the comit. Essex. Oldney parke, Buckinghamshire. 
 
 The great parke of Pleashey. Hungerford parke, Berkshire. 
 
 The little parke there. 
 
 Fees due, per annum, to these Officers. 
 
 Bailiffe of the manor of Salford 
 
 Bayliffe of Derby Wapontake 
 
 Bayliffe of manor of West Derby . . . 
 
 Mastr. of the forest of Wiersdale 
 
 Mastr. of Amounderness forest 
 
 The Escheator of County Palatine 
 
 The Sheriff of Lane Halle for allowance 
 
 The Constable of Liverpool Castle 
 
 The Maister of Symondswood forest, and Keeper of Toxteth 
 
 parke, hath for his fee, per annum 
 Steward of the Wapontake of Derby and Salford 
 The Receiver of the Co. Palat. 
 Porter of Lancaster Castle 
 Steward of Amounderness 
 Keeper of Quanmore parke 
 Mastr. of the forest wood of Myerscough 
 Mastr. of Wiresdale et Quanmore 
 
 The Chancellor's fee of the County Palatine, per annum 
 The Justice of the Queen's Bench for his office in County 
 
 Palatine* .... 
 
 And for dyett . . 
 
 To another Justice for his office in County Palatine, and dyett too 
 Atty. of County Palatine .... 
 
 . £6 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 4 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 . 40 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 36 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 . IS 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 o 40 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
130 
 
 Gierke of y e Crown for County .... 
 
 Clerk of the Common Pleas T 
 
 Clerk of Crown and Pleas 
 
 Barons of the Exchequer there 
 
 Cryer of the Sessions at Lancaster 
 
 Master of Bolland forrest .... 
 
 Steward of Ponds for his fee 
 
 Receiver of Clitherow .... 
 
 Steward of Blackburne, Tottington, and Clederhow, for his fee 
 
 Constable of Clitherow Castle 
 
 The keeper and porter of the geole in the Castle of Clitherow 
 
 Messenger of the duchy 
 
 The keeper of the parkes fees 
 
 Fee of the bailive of Ormskirk 
 
 Bailif of Burscough fee . 
 
 The under steward of Ormskirk, appointed by the Earl of Derby 
 
 Fee of the clerke of the court there 
 
 The fee of the auditor ... 
 
 The fee of the receiver, per annum 
 
 The reward of the said receiver . . 
 
 The fee for Fumes ..... 
 
 The baylives of Dalton's fee . ... 
 
 The ditto, of Hawkeshead's fee 
 
 The ditto, of Beamond and Bolton 
 
 Fee of all the manors pertaining to Furness monastry 
 
 Fee of the receiver there 
 
 Clerk of the court there 
 
 Baylive of Furness liberty .... 
 
 Keeper of the woods in plane of Fumes 
 
 Reward of the auditor .... 
 
 The stipend of a clerk to serve in the chapel of Famworth 
 
 The stipend of a clerk to serve in the chapel of Litherpoole 
 
 The fee of a clerk and schoole-master of Walton, per annum 
 
 The clerkes stipend at Blackrodes .... 
 
 The clerk of Clitherow stipend . 
 
 . £9, 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 6 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 15 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 . 3 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 . 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 3 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 . 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 2 
 
 5 
 
 8 
 
 . 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 2 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 y 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 . 28 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 15 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 13 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 . 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 2 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 . 2 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 . 26 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 . 20 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 6 
 
 IS 
 
 4 
 
 . 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 6 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 12 
 
 10 
 
 4 
 
 17 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 s 
 
 9 
 
 1 
 
131 
 
 The stipend of the clerke of Padiham chappel 
 
 The chaplins fee in the chapel of Harewood, per annum 
 
 The clerke of the chappel of Whalley 
 
 The stipend of a clerk to serve in the chappel of Rufford, per 
 
 annum ...... 
 
 The stipend of a clerk and school maister at Manchester, per 
 
 annum . . 
 
 Clerke of Beconshawe chapell 
 
 The stipend of a clerk and schoolmaster at Leyland 
 The stipend of a clerk and schoolmaster at Preston 
 Clerk and steward of Wigan 
 The clerk of Crostons stipend* 
 The payment made unto seven weomen praying within the late 
 
 colledge called Knowles's Alms House, per annum 
 Paid to two persons and the surveyor thereof* 
 
 £6 
 
 4 
 4 
 
 19 2 
 6 6 
 8 11 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 16 
 
 5 
 
 3 
 
 17 
 
 10 
 
 2 
 
 18 
 
 2 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 19 
 
 9 
 
 35 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 A Note of all the Beneficies and Spiritual Living belonging to the Duchy 
 
 of Lancaster.-]- 
 
 (r) For rectory, (v) For vicarage. 
 
 Comit. Berkes. 
 
 Henton rectory . . . . 23 7 5 
 
 In comitat Ebor. 
 Methlay rectory, Clare . 
 
 Darrington viccaria, per annum 
 Ackeworth rectoria, per annum 
 Croston rectoria, per annum 
 Slaitborne rectoria, per annum . 
 Kirkbram with rectoria . . . 12 18 4 
 
 * These livings are here stated much below their value in the king's books. — Ed. 
 t Out of the four Chantry Rents of the four Altars in St. Nicholas's church, one was endowed by 
 Henry Duke of Lancaster, another was founded by John Cross, as also a free grammar school. A Chantry 
 Rent is reserved and paid, viz. — 
 
 To the Incumbent at Liverpool . . . . 22 15 2 
 
 Schoolmaster at Liverpool . . . 5 13 4 
 
 Clerk of West Derby Chapel . . . 3 6 8 
 
 On the authority of the late Butterworth Bailey, Esq. r 
 
 25 
 
 8 11 
 
 
 
 
 
 22 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
132 
 
 Ouston vicaria, per annum 
 Castleford rectoria, per annum 
 Bradford vicaria 
 Borwickes in Elemitt 
 
 Stamford Rivers rectoria 
 Munden (v) 
 Dedham (v) per annum 
 Essex (v) per annum 
 Loughton (v) per annum 
 Langham viccaria seu rectoria 
 
 Tiberton rectoria 
 
 In com. Essex. 
 
 Saint Andrew's with St. Nicholas 
 Hartingford Bury (r) 
 
 In com. Lincoln, 
 
 Oumbey (r) clere 
 Whittingham 
 Hantley (r) per annum 
 Stoopings Parva'(r) 
 Nortcot (r) 
 South Somercetes (r) 
 Bonnington (v) 
 Salt Thetley (r) 
 Southreston (r) 
 Morningerby (r) 
 Thoresby (r) 
 
 Pennington Don clear (v) 
 Dalton (v) and clear 
 
 Hathurend (v) 
 
 Saint Peter's Leicester (v) 
 
 Desford (r) 
 
 Whitwicke (vie) 
 
 In comit. Lancastrie. 
 
 In com. Leicester. 
 
 £7 2 
 
 Oh 
 
 20 13 
 
 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 33 12 
 
 4 
 
 26 13 
 
 4 
 
 12 12 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 18 3 
 
 8 
 
 17 
 
 
 
 7 16 
 
 12 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 18 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 9 
 
 19 
 
 4 
 
 12 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 22 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 2 
 
 9 
 
 8 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 9 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 17 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 9 
 
 7 
 
 9 
 
 14 
 
 4 
 
133 
 
 Viccaria de Peurbe valet, per annum 
 
 Mandevallocke sene Monobon (v) 
 
 Swafield (r) 
 
 Marnelle (vie valet,) per annum 
 
 Shibden (v) 
 
 Trunche (r) 
 
 Southropes (r) ... 
 
 Sydestrond (r) 
 
 Northrope (r) 
 
 Moudesley (r) 
 
 In comit. Norfolke. 
 
 Themmingham rector. 
 Withrope (r) 
 Malilaske (r) . 
 Beeston (r) 
 Plurabstead (r) 
 
 Inchester (v) 
 
 Passenham (r) 
 
 Preston (v) 
 
 Widd (v) 
 
 Belhorme (v) clear 
 
 Millome (v) 
 
 Urswick (v) sunt Richmondsh. 
 
 Tutbury (v) 
 Rolston (r) . 
 Tatenham rectory 
 Wolstanton (r) 
 
 Clare (vie) 
 Eyken (v) 
 
 Holmesett (v) cleare 
 Stratford (r) 
 Hunden (v) 
 
 In comit. Northamp. 
 
 In com. Stafford. 
 
 In com. Suffolk. 
 
 £6 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 9 
 
 4 
 
 9 
 
 10 
 
 33 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 9 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 2 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 s 
 
 2 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 10 
 
 13 
 
 17 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 5 
 
 8 
 
 7 
 
 17 
 
 4 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 9 
 
 6 
 
 26 
 
 
 
 
 
 32 
 
 3 
 
 S 
 
 4 
 
 13 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 
 
 7 13 
 
 4 
 
134 
 
 In comit. Wilts. 
 Poole (r) . ' • . . . £17 12 5 
 
 Ashley (r) . . . . . 9 16 4 
 
 In co. Westmoreland. 
 Orton (v) . . . . . . 16 17 4 
 
 The valuation of some parsonages and vicarages within the Duchy, ap- 
 peareth not in the records remaining in the Duehy office, but may be found 
 in the office of the First Fruits, where the same are best known.* 
 
 Birch's MSS. 
 
 The Chancellor's of the County Palatine of Lancaster. 
 
 This List of the Chancellor's of the Duchy is taken in part from Mr. Nichol's 
 History of Leicestershire, in which copious and interesting publication 
 there is more information of this Duchy and the Co. of Lancaster, than in 
 any other I have read ; and I trust he will excuse me for making so free 
 a use of his laborious researches. 
 
 See also MSS. British Museum, No. 2077. 
 
 Tempo. 
 
 Edw. I. Ralph de Ergham, clerk, Bishop of Sarum. 
 Rd. II. Thomas de Thelwell, clerk. 
 Hen. IV. John Watering, clerk. 
 
 Thomas Harley, clerk. 
 
 John Springthorpe, clerk. 
 
 Sir William Burgoyne, Knt. 
 Hen. V. John Woohouse, Esq. 
 Hen. VI. William Throutbeche, Esq. 
 
 Walter Sherington, clerk. 
 Edw. IV. William Thresham. 
 
 Richard Fowler, servens et consiliarius scaccarii. 
 
 John le Gay, Esq. 
 
 Thomas Thurington, Esq., delectus serviens et consilarius 
 scaccarii. 
 
 * Most likely in the Nonarum Inquisitiones in curia scaccarii, 1341, or church fifteenths and tenths, 
 printed in 1807. 
 
135 
 
 Rich. III. Thomas Metcalf, dilectus serviens and consilarius. 
 Hen. VII. Sir Reginald Bray, miles pro corpore. 
 Sir John Mordaunt, Knt. 
 Sir Richard Empson, Knt. 
 Hen. VIII. Sir Henry Marney, Knt., serviens et consili; 
 Sir Richard Wingfield, miles pro corpore. 
 Sir Thomas Moore, dilectus et fidelis consili. 
 Sir William Fitzurban, Knt. 
 
 William Earl of Southampton, treasurer of the household. 
 Sir John Gage, comptroller of the household, died 
 Edw. VI. Sir William Paget, Knight of the Garter, afterwards Baron Beau- 
 desert, was buried in Litchfield Cathedral, where his monument 
 was destroyed in the civil wars. He was, as may be collected 
 from his epitaph, secretary and privy counsellor to Henry VIII. 
 and constituted by his will, counsellor and adjutant to Edward VI. 
 during his minority, to whom he was also comptroller of the 
 household, and by him created baron and knight of the garter, 
 and lord privy seal. 
 Sir John Gage, Knt., vice-chamberlain of the household, and cap- 
 tain of the guard. 
 1553. Sir Robert Rochester, Knt., comptroller of the household, died 1557, 
 
 and was succeeded by his nephew. 
 Phi. & Mary. 
 
 1557. Sir Edward de Waldegrave, Knt., master of the great wardrobe. On 
 the accession of Queen Elizabeth, he was committed to the Tower 
 where he died, Sep. 4, 1561. 
 
 1563. Sir Ambrose Cave, Knt., died 1568. 
 
 1568. Sir Ralph Sadlier, " eqes notce virtutis," in right of his situation as 
 chancellor of the duchy. Sir Ralph Sadlier, Nov. 11, 1584, claimed 
 the privilege of nominating the two burgess in parliament for the 
 town of Leicester, and was allowed to name one of them. He died 
 March 24, 1587, in his 80th year, after having been a privy councellor 
 41 years, and possessed, at the time of his death, 22 manors, with 
 several advowsons and other large grants of lands. 
 
 1588. Sir Francis Walsingham, Knt., died April 6, 1590, and was buried in 
 St. Paul's cathedral. 
 
136 
 
 1590. Sir Thomas Heneage, Knt. vice chamberlain of the household. 
 
 1597* Sir Robert Cecil, Knt., chancellor of the duchy and keeper of the privy 
 seal, resigned 1599 on becoming master of the Court of Wards, he was 
 created Baron Cecil, May 13, 1603, Viscount Cranbourn, Aug. 20, 
 that year, Earl of Salisbury, May 4, 1605, and died May 24, 1614. 
 
 1599- Sir John Fortesque, Knt., he was also master of the wardrobe to Queen 
 Elizabeth, and chancellor of the exchequer, but on the accession of 
 King James retained only the chancellorship of the duchy, he died 
 Dec. 23. 1607. 
 
 160?. Sir Thomas Parry, Knt., died I6l6. 
 
 16 16. John Dacombe, Esq., knighted 1616. 
 
 1627- Sir Edward Barrett, created Lord Newburgh 1627, dying S. P. the title 
 became extinct. 
 
 1629' Sir Humphrey May, Knt., occurs as chancellor, 1625, he obtained, in 
 1629, the reversion of the office of master of the rolls, but died before 
 it became vacant, Jan. 9, 1630. 
 
 164?. William Lenthall, speaker of the house of commons, was made chancellor 
 of the duchy then worth about 4000/. a }ear. 
 
 1660. prancis Lord Seymour, (third son of Edward Lord Beauchamp, son and 
 heir to Edward Earl of Hertford,) he had been advanced to the dignity 
 of Baron Seymour of Trowbridge, 19th Feb. 1640, appointed 
 chancellor of the duchy, June 1, 1660, died July 12, 1664. 
 
 1672. Sir Robert Carr, Knt. and Bart., Feb. 14- 
 
 1680. Sir Thomas Ingram, Knt., Feb. 14. 
 
 1688. Robert Lord Willoughby, of Eresbey, of the Ancaster family. 
 
 1697. Thomas Earl of Stamford. 
 
 1702. Sir John Leveson Gower, Bart, afterwards Lord Gower. 
 
 1706. James Stanley, Earl of Derby, groom of the bed-chamber to king William 
 III. Lord Lieutenant of North Wales and county of Lancaster, 1702, 
 vice-admiral of Lancashire, 1708, privy chancellor, and chancellor of 
 the duchy, 1706, June 10, Lord Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum, 
 Lancashire, 1727, obt. Oct. 1, 1736, mayor of Liverpool, 1734. 
 
 1710. William Lord Berkley of Stratton. 
 
 1714. Henage Earl of Aylesford, Oct. 12. 
 
 1716. Richard Earl of Scarborough, Mar. 6, resigned May 18, 171?. 
 
 1717. Nicholas Lechmere, Esq. aftrewards Lord Lechmere, for life. 
 
137 
 
 3 727- John duke of Rutland, July 17. 
 
 1736. George Cholmondeley, Earl of Cholmondeley, knight of the bath; 1725 
 master of the robes ; 1727 master of the horse to Frederick Prince of 
 Wales ; 1729, governor of Chester, and lord lieutenant and custos 
 rotulorum, and vice admiral of the same place, succeeded as Earl 
 Cholmondeley, 1733, and lord lieutenant of North Wales, the same 
 year chamberlain of Chester; 1736 a lord of the treasury, chancellor 
 of the duchy of Lancaster, and privy councellor, lord privy seal, vice 
 treasurer of Ireland, lieutenant general ; 1 759 high steward of Richmond, 
 county of Surrey, May 1 ; died 1770. 
 
 1743. Richard Lord Edgecombe, Dec. 22. 
 
 1758. Thomas Hay, Viscount Dupplin, afterwards Earl of Kinnoul, Jan. 24. 
 
 1762. James Smith Stanley, Lord StraDge, Dec. 15, father of the present Earl 
 of Derby. 
 
 1771. Thomas Lord Hyde, afterwards Earl of Clarendon, Dec. 31. 
 
 1 782. John Lord Ashburton, Mar. 27- 
 
 1783. Edward Earl of Derby, Aug. 29- 
 Thomas Earl of Clarendon, Dec. 31. 
 
 1786. Charles Lord Hawksbury, afterwards Earl of Liverpool, Sep. I. 
 
 1803. Thomas Lord Pelham, now Earl of Cliichester, Nov. 9. 
 
 1804. Henry Lord Mulgrave, Oct. 6. 
 Dudley Lord Harrowby. 
 
 1806- Edward Smith Stanley, Earl of Derby, Lord Stanley, Baron Stanley of 
 
 Lathom, and Baronet, lord lieutenant, and custos rotulorum of 
 Lancashire, M. A. Feb. 22. 
 
 1807- The Right Honourable Spencer Percival, appointed chancellor of the 
 
 the duchy, March SO. He was also chancellor of the exchequer. 
 
 Murdered by Bellingham. 
 1812. The Earl of Buckinghamshire, chancellor of the Duchy and Co. Palatine 
 
 of Lancaster, May 23. The Earl of Buckinghamshire resigned June 
 
 23, and the Rt. Hon. Charles Bragg Bathurst, the present chancellor, 
 
 was chosen. 
 The county assizes are held at Lancaster twice a year, as by law established, 
 36 Edward III. and are to be held no where else in the county. 
 
138 
 
 The duchy court is held at Lancaster castle, and at Preston ; the vice-chan- 
 cellor generally presides. 
 
 There is also a court in Westminster, called the Duchy Court of Lancaster, 
 where all cases any way relating to the revenue of the duchy of Lancaster are 
 tried, and the court established for the same purpose at Preston, is a branch of 
 the Westminster court, and is called the Court of the County Palatine of 
 Lancaster. These courts were established by King Henry IV. after having 
 deposed Richard II. when possessing the duchy of Lancaster in right of his 
 mother, he imagined he had a better claim to it than to the throne, which he had 
 usurped, he therefore separated it from the crown, and erected those courts for 
 its use. The chief judge is the chancellor, under whom are a set of regular 
 officers for the dispatch of business in the county, as well as the duchy court. 
 The following is the present list : — 
 
 Duchy Court of Lancaster. 
 Chancellor, the Rt. Hon. Cha. Bragg Bathurst. 
 Attorney Gen., William Walton, Esq . 
 King's Serg. 
 
 King's Couns. J. A. Roe, Esqr. 
 Auditors, F. L. Holt and John Mitford, Esqrs. 
 Clerk of the Council and Registrer, Hon. George Villiers. 
 Dep., Rob. John Harper, Esq. 
 Sec, R. J. Harper, Esq., Red Lion Square. 
 Clerks in Court in Causes, Mr. Harper and Mr. Davison. 
 Surveyor of Lands and Woods, south of Trent, Robert Smirke, Jun. Esq. 
 Surveyor of Lands, north of Trent, Mr. John Bower, of Smeethalls near 
 
 Ferrybridge, Yorkshire. 
 Surveyor of Woods, north of the Trent, Rt. Hon. J. Charles Villiers. 
 Usher, Mr. John Lack. 
 Messenger, Mr. Richd. Edwards. 
 
 Recceivers of the Rents. 
 Lancashire, William Eccles, Esq. Manchester. 
 Yorkshire and Notts., Thos. Lack. Esq. 
 
139 
 
 Lincolnsh., John Parkinson, Jun. 
 
 Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, Mr. Freer, of Leicester. 
 
 Staffordshire, Thomas Lack, Esq. 
 
 Monmouthshire, D. of Beaufort, K. G. 
 
 Essex and Hatford, T. Hinckley, Esq. Litchfield. 
 
 Derbyshire, R. Hinckley, Esq. Litchfield. 
 
 Other counties, south of Trent, R. J. Harper, Esq., Somerset Place. 
 
 County Palatine of Lancaster. 
 
 Chancellor, Rt. Hon. Cha. Bragg Bathurst. 
 
 Vice-Chancellor, Giffin Wilson, Esq. 
 
 Secy. Robert J. Harper, Esq. 
 
 Attorn. Gen. of the County, James Scarlett, Esq. 
 
 King's Councils, William Walton, M. F. A. Aiuslie, Esqrs. 
 
 Registrer, Examiner, and First Clerk, William Shaw. 
 Deputy Registrer, 
 
 Cursitorsand Clerks of the Chancery, J. S. Aspden, J. W. R. Wilson, Nicholas 
 Grimshaw, E. B. Walker, and R. W. Hopkins, Esqrs. 
 
 Seal Keeper, Joseph Seaton Aspden, Esq.; Acting Cursitor, N. Grimshaw, Esq. 
 
 Prothohotary, Rt. Hon. John Charles Villiers. 
 
 Deputy, William Cross, Esq. 
 
 Clerk of the Crown, J. T. Batt, Esq. 
 
 Deputy, R. W. Hopkins, Esq. 
 
 Clerk of the Peace, Edward Gorst, Esq. 
 
 Deputy, 
 
 Messenger, Joseph Ross. 
 
 The Fees of a Justice of the Peace within the County of Lancaster. 
 
 To Mr. Vice-Chancellor's Secretary for procuring the warrant, £0 10 
 
 To writing thereof, . .'. . . . • ■ . 020 
 
 For making the 1st Commission . . . . . 9 6 
 
 For engrossing thereof, 6 8 
 
 For the dedimus protestatem for taking the oaths . . . 9 6 
 
 For engrossing the oaths . . . . .. . 026 
 
140 
 
 For enrolling the 9ame, 
 
 For the return of the commission, the oaths, and filing thereof 
 To the messenger of the county palatine 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 In toto £2 1 1 
 
 4 
 
 Fynes of the several values of lands in writts of - covenant and writts of entry 
 sur desseizin in le post. 
 
 5 marks or XXs. 
 
 payet 
 
 h . 
 
 
 Above 5 marks to 10 marks . 
 
 And for every 5 marks and 20s. 
 
 4l. 6s. 8d. per annum, payeth 
 
 5 6 8. 
 
 6 0. 
 
 
 
 
 7 13 4 . 
 
 
 
 
 13 6 8 . 
 
 
 
 
 14 . 
 
 
 
 
 15 . 
 
 
 
 
 23 . 
 
 
 
 
 8 13 4 . 
 
 
 
 
 9 0. 
 
 
 
 
 10 . 
 
 
 
 
 11 6 8 . 
 
 
 
 
 12 . 
 
 
 
 
 17 . 
 
 
 
 
 18 13 4 . 
 
 
 
 
 19 . 
 
 
 
 
 22 . 
 
 
 
 
 £. s. 
 
 d. 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 1 6 
 
 8 
 
 1 10 
 
 
 
 1 10 
 
 
 
 2 6 
 
 8 
 
 16 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 1 
 
 
 
 1 3 
 
 4 
 
 1 13 
 
 4 
 
 1 13 
 
 4 
 
 1 16 
 
 8 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 2 S 
 
 4 
 
 And all other somes exceeding these somes, are to be rated according to the 
 somes above writ. 
 
 All writts of covenant, every assize, all writts of nature in assize above the 
 value of 40s. under the value of 13 nobles less a penny payeth 6s. 8d. fyne, 
 and be it IS nobles and a penny it payeth 10s., and every assize, be it never so 
 little, it maketh fyne at every Si. 6s. $d. payeth 6s. 8d., and every pone of 
 
141 
 
 justices pone of writ of right, poue de averiis vel catalis, except every writ of 
 conspiracy, writts of attaint, writts of false judgment, the fine of 6s. 8d. ; and 
 all writs of debts or trespass, exceeding the value of 40/. unto 65/. 13s. Id. 
 pay 6s. 8d. ; all actions of debt or trespass, exceeding the value of 40/. unto 
 667. 13s. Ad. pays a fine of 6s. 8d.; and above the sum of 200 markes unto 
 166/. 13s. Ad. pays l6s. 8d. ; 133/. 6s. 3d. pays IBs: Ad. 
 
 " Appointments necessary for the good and poletique rule of the Co. Palatiue 
 of Lancaster. First, it is appointed and ordained that the sessions of Lancaster 
 at all times, when they shall be holden twelve or ten days at the least, and if 
 it need more days, then to hold more, to the intent that all manner of suits, as 
 well for the king as the party, may be better spered att good and reasonable 
 leasure, and the king more avayled for his seale there also, and that the sheriffe, 
 and undersheriffe, coroners, and other clerks of the said county for the tyme 
 being, be charged over, openly sworn in plain sessions before the justices at 
 Lancaster, and other of the king's counsell, there to empannell knights and 
 squires, and the most sufficient men within the said county, to inquest both for 
 the king and for the partyes, nor letting for lure or affection, &c. Also the 
 justices of the peace for the tyme being, sworn in the chancery of the said 
 county, duly to execute their offices, and that they keepe sessions of peace four 
 times in the year at the least, and oftener if need require, according to the 
 statute." 
 
 Birch's M SS. 
 
 Edward III. not only gave to his favourite son John the dukedom of Lancaster, 
 but he made the county a palatine. The following are the words of the grant : 
 " We have granted for us and our heirs to our son John, for the great service he 
 has done his country, that he, during the terra of his life, shall have within the 
 county of Lancaster his chancery, and his writs to be issued out and under his 
 own seal* belonging to the office of chancellor; his justices likewise, as well for 
 
 * That our kings and all great personages anciently used their own pictures in the impression of their 
 seals is very evident, military men always on horseback, and in the same kind of armour that they wore, 
 which in the elder times was mail for the most part, with a shield on the left arm, and in the right a naked 
 sword, upon which it is rare, before King Richard the 1st time, to see any distinct charge, at least such as 
 became hereditary ; but, after that, it was held a great honor for those whose ancestors had served in the 
 holy wars, to retain some badges and marks which they bore, so that then they did not only continue them 
 
142 
 
 the pleas of the crown, as for other pleas relating to the common law, to have 
 recognizance of them, and to have power of making all executions whatsoever 
 by his writs and officers, and to have all other liberties and royalties of what 
 kind soever, as appertaining to a county palatine, as freely and fully as the 
 Earl of Chester within the said county is known to have, &c» &c."* 
 
 There was anciently no other seal by which to grant or demise the duchy 
 lands except the great seal of England; but in 3 Henry V. it was established 
 that " no part of the duchy land, nor any thing belonging to the same, shall 
 pass or be conveyed by any other than a seal expressly made for the use of the 
 Duchy of Lancaster." 
 
 When Henry de Bullingbroke had deposed his cousin, Richard II., he con- 
 ferred the honour of Lancaster upon his son, afterward Henry V., and that he 
 might entail it upon him and his heirs for ever, he caused an act of parliament 
 to be framed in these words : — " We being unwilling, our said inheritance or its 
 liberties, by reason of our now assuming royal state and dignity, should be in 
 any ways changed, transferred, diminished, or impaired, but that our said in- 
 heritance with its rights and liberties aforesaid, should be in the same manner 
 and form wherein they descended and fell to us, and also with all and singular 
 liberties, franchises, and other privileges, commodities, and profit whatsoever, 
 which our lord and father in his life-time had and held it for term of his 
 life, by the grant of the late King Richard, be wholly and fully preserved, con- 
 tinued, and enjoyed by us, and our heirs, specefied in the said charters by the 
 tenure of these presents, we do upon our certain knowledge, and with the con- 
 sent of this our present parliament, grant, declare, decree, and ordain, for us, 
 our heirs, that as well our Duchy of Lancaster, as all and singular counties, 
 honors, castles, manors, fees, advowsons, possessions, annuities, and seigniories 
 whatsoever, descended to us before the royal dignity was obtained by us, how, 
 and in what place soever, by right of inheritance, in possession, or in reversion, 
 
 upon their shields, but to be better known had the like depicted upon surcotes of silk behind and before, 
 which they wore over their mail, (hence called coat of arms); but after this, ere long, divers bore their arras 
 on fair, large, and deep shields . on their seals, and some on the reverse, where the picture on horseback was 
 on the other side. Howbeit in Edward the 1st days and after, most men began to leave off their pictures 
 on horseback on their seals, , which custom, by degrees declining, was intirely given over about 1356. 
 Dugdale's Warwickshire, vol. ii. page 291. Edward the Confessor first introduced seals into this country 
 ' from Normandy, where he was educated. 
 
 * Camden, 797, t Birch's MSS. 
 
143 
 
 or other way, remain to us and our said heirs specified in the charters aforesaid, 
 after the said manner for ever." 
 
 Henry V., by act of parliament, annexed to the Duchy of Lancaster a very 
 great estate which had fallen to him in right of his mother, Dame Mary, 
 daughter and co-heiress of Humphry Bohnn, Earl of Hereford. 
 
 Henry VI. was deposed and murdered by Richard III. in the presence of 
 his brother Edward IV., who succeeded to the throne in 1461 ; and the House 
 of York ruled in the persons of Edward IV., V., and Richard III. for 25| 
 years. 
 
 In the 1st of Edward IV. Henry de Bullingbroke, although he had been 
 dead upwards of 15 years, was, with many other persons, attainted of high 
 treason, and the Duchy of Lancaster annexed to the crown, subject, however, to 
 such officers and justices as governed it in the times of Henry IV., V., VI. 
 
 In the 1st of Henry VII. when the York and Lancaster parties were 
 happily united, the act of Edward IV. was repealed, and the entail to the crown 
 cut off. We have already given a list of the officers of the county and duchy. 
 In Camden's time there were a chancellor, an attorney, a receiver, clerk of the 
 court, six assessors, a messenger, two auditors, three and twenty receivers, and 
 three supervisors.* 
 
 Since the reign of Henry V. the estates of the Duchy of Lancaster had 
 been greatly reduced : the alienation of the possessions of the Yorkists, which 
 served to support the court in the time of Henry VII., and that of the church 
 during the time of Henry VIII. and Eliz. made room upon easy terms of 
 purchase for an additional number of gentry. The stewards disposed of many 
 parts of the duchy property. We will here extract, from the original grant, 
 some particulars of one sale which was made. 
 
 " March 21st, in the 20th James I., a patent was granted by the king, under 
 the great seal of the county, and the seal of the duchy, without any fee, great 
 or small, for sealing, for the sum of two thousand pounds, then paid by Edward 
 Badbie and William Welden, of London, confirmed by writ of privy seal, 
 signed by Tong and Pye, whereof Thomas Parker, Esq., Francis Empton, 
 John Chester, Christopher Parker, were appointed attornies, to give possession 
 
 * Duchy Rolls, 20th James to Charles I. folio 8, Somerset House. 
 
144 
 
 by any three, two, or one, of the following lands belonging to the crown, being 
 part of the Duchy of Lancaster, granted by the advice of George Marquis 
 of Buckingham, Master of the Horse, Lord Admiral of England, Knight of 
 the Garter, and one of his Majesty's Privy Council, &c &c. and the same was 
 afterwards confirmed by parliament.'' 
 
 In the Honour of Bullenhrook, in County of Lincoln. 
 
 The estate le Frith, near Boston, and the mansion, buildings, and 
 appurtenances, valued at 42Z. 10s., and Al. 10s. is allowed 
 from that to repair the seat walls at Wythom, is . . ^38 
 
 A messuage and 3 oxgangs in Edlington . . 15 
 
 In the Honour of Lancaster, but in the County of York. 
 The estate or cow-pasture, as it is called, of Harrop, and Nett le 
 
 Carre, otherwise Neither Care, in possession of divers 
 
 tenants, and to pay the annual rent of . . . . 6 
 
 Ditto ditto Grestouleigh, alias Gregstonleigh, ditto . . 4 
 
 Ditto ditto Betrar, otherwise Beterar, in possession of Stephen 
 
 Harrison, at the annual rent of . . -248 
 
 Ditto ditto Hareden, 5h 16s. Qd., Staple Oak, 1/. 4s. together . 7 9 
 Ditto ditto Leigh House, ll. 19s. Turneholme, otherwise Thor- 
 
 neyholme, 14s. . . . . -.2130 
 
 Ditto ditto Hare Croft, otherwise Grindleton Score, with the 
 
 whole turbary there, paying . . .068 
 
 In Lancashire. 
 Ditto ditto Fair del Holme, otherwise Fair Oak House, then 
 
 in possession of Scomlchurst . . . . . 4 110 
 
 Ditto ditto Ash Knot, Dinkley Green 3 12 8 
 
 Ditto ditto Brenet Lack, otherwise Brem Stack, with other ap- 
 purtenances in possession of Sir Rich. Sherburge . . 118 
 All which last estates or cow-pastures are within the office and charge of 
 the collector of rents and farmer of the forest of Bowland, in the said counties 
 of York and Lancaster, and are parcel of the said Duchy of Lancaster, to 
 
145 
 
 Harrop, and all other estates and cow-pastures aforementioned, were granted 
 the right of free warren, within the forest of Bowland, together with all the 
 royalties, tithes, court leets, and manorial rights. To the said Edward Badbie 
 and William Weldon, were also granted the following tenures with the annual 
 rents to each, viz. 
 
 Annual Rent. 
 
 Manor or lordship of Singleton, alias Singleton Magna, in the 
 
 several tenures of the different tenants there . . £\6 17 10 
 
 Manor or lordship of Rigby, otherwise Rigby Parva, (besides 40s. 
 
 deducted for the fee of the bailiff) . . . 14 1 11 J 
 
 In Wyersdale the cow-pasture of Stoyneshead (besides 40s. de- 
 ducted for the fee of the bailiff) . . 3 lrj 8 
 Ditto ditto the cow-pasture called Catshawe, ditto ditto . . 2 8 8 
 Ditto ditto the ditto called Green Bank, ditto ditto . . 2 8 4 
 Ditto ditto the ditto called Ortner, ditto ditto . . 1 10 8 
 Ditto ditto the ditto called Leigh, ditto ditto . .268 
 All and singular which premises in Wyersdale, in the charge of 
 the mater forester of Wyersdale ..... 
 In the forest of Quanmore, all that pasture or waste, containing 
 80 acres, in the possession of the different tenants there, ditto 
 ditto . . . . 10 
 In ditto ditto land and pasture, containing 80 acres, late in the 
 tenure of the mayor, bailiff, and burgesses of Lancaster, 
 ditto ditto . . . . 2 10 
 In Ravensmeales within the wapentakes of West Derbyshire, one 
 
 tenement late in the tenure of divers tenants . . 16 8 
 
 In Bleasdale, a cow-pasture called Talsnapp, alias Tasnappe, in 
 
 the occupation of several tenants . . . 2 118 
 
 In ditto ditto a cow-pasture, ditto ditto . . . 2 118 
 
 In ditto ditto portions of a cow-pasture called Hasilhurste 118 4 
 
 In ditto ditto a cow-pasture called le Brookes, ditto ditto . 2 110 
 
 In ditto ditto a cow-pasture called Le Calder, ditto ditto . 2 
 
 All that cow-pasture in Bleasdale, called Akenclough, in divers 
 
 tenements, at yearly reserve of . . .200 
 
 Also Scoring Moss, John Catteral, tenant . . 4 
 
 U 
 
146 
 
 Annual Rent. 
 
 One other, or part of a tenement in possession of Bannerh urst, 
 or Bannicreste and Coldthy, and other appurtenances near 
 Myerscough Parke, and part of Stanes Acre . . 1 13 4 
 
 Divers lands and tenements in Badgerburgh, on the east side 
 
 thereof - . . • . 1 15 4 
 
 i 
 Near the Park of Myersceugh. 
 
 Overwood, Neitherwood, and Cawsghey, in the outwood of 
 Myerscough, with 22 calves, pastures within the park of 
 Myerscough, and various houses, &C. a water mill, and 
 other appurtenances . . . .3118 
 
 The other part of Stanes Acre, and tenement, and pasture near 
 
 the park . . . . 1 15 
 
 All the houses, meadows, buildings, and pastures, called Mig- 
 halgh, lying on the south side of Myerscough, and of the 
 greens . . . . .368 
 
 In Myerscough. 
 
 Lands of Robert Garstang, 6s. 1 messuage, and 6 closes, 24s. . 1 10 
 
 Another six acres in possession of Thos. Backhouse . . 10 
 
 One ditto, another messuage . . . .034 
 
 Ten Acres, Richard Leighton, Christopher Hudson, and a vast 
 quantity of other cottages, tenements, houses, land, meadows, 
 pasture, &c from reserved rents, from 4d. to 4s. all in Bleas- 
 dale aforesaid, part of the said Duchy of Lancaster . 10 2 
 
 One cottage within the park . . ..040 
 
 Ditto and meadow, ditto . . . .340 
 
 All which premises in Bleasdale and Myerscough do lie within 
 the forest of Amounderness, in the County of Lancaster, and 
 are part of the duchy. 
 In Leicestershire and Honour of Lancaster, thirty-seven acres 
 of land in pasture on the heath, in the bailiwick of Shulton, in 
 the county of Leicester, in the occupation of Robert Chap- 
 man, or Champigne. 
 
147 
 
 Annual Rent. 
 Also 397 acres of waste land in possession of John Hyde, and 
 
 Lackburgh, in Shulton aforesaid, under payment . 115 7 
 
 The following rights and privileges were also granted. All and singular 
 advowsons, donations, and free dispositions, and rights of patronage, in all 
 churches, vicarages, chapels, prebends, and other benefices whatsoever, to the 
 premises before granted, or to any part or parcel thereof, in any way belonging, 
 appertaining, incident, appendant, or incumbent, all mills, houses, stables, dove- 
 houses, wastes, &c, tythes of sheaves of corn, grain, and hay, wool, flax, hemp, 
 and lambs, and all other great and small tythes, also all oblations, obventions, 
 fruits and profits, fishery, fishings, suits, fines, warren, mineral, rents, revenues, 
 services of free and customary tenants, rents, seek works of tenants, fee farms, 
 knights' fees, marriages, wards, escheates, reliefs, heriots, fines, amercements, 
 free warren, courts, views of frank pledge of courts and leets, perquisites and 
 profits of all that to court leet and frank pledge doth belong, chattels, waifs, 
 estrays, natives and villains with their followers, estovers and commons of 
 estovers, fairs, markets, tolls, customs, rights, jurisdictions, franchises, liberties, 
 and privileges, profits, commodities, advantages and hereditaments of us the 
 king, &c. &c. &c. In 1811, the fee farm rents of many of those estates in the 
 forest of Bowland were sold, they had been conveyed to the Duke of St. 
 Alban's by Charles II., who also granted other parts of Bowland forest to 
 General Monk, afterwards Duke of Albermarle ; he died 1(J69, leaving one son; 
 he married Lady Elizabeth Cavendish. She afterwards married Ralph Mon- 
 tague, created, in 1705, Duke of Montague. He died 1709, and she without 
 issue, 1734, when the estates of Earl of Albermarle, in Bowland, passed to 
 the successors of this Ralph Duke of Montagu, now the Duke of Buccleaugh. 
 
 In the same way did Charles I., in the fourth year of his reign, 1629, sell 
 the manor of West Derby Everton, and various other places. Everton was 
 part of the duchy lands. 
 
 Account of the Public Records of the Duchy of Lancaster, fyc. 
 
 Extract from the return from the deputy clerk of the council and keeper of 
 the records, Robert John Harper, Esq. to several questions contained in 
 an order of the select committee on the public records of this kingdom. 
 Such only are considered as public, and open for public inspection, as any 
 
148 
 
 wise relate to or concern judicial proceedings, the remainder being collected 
 for the purpose of better managing and improving the inheritance of his Ma- 
 jesty's possessions, in right of his Duchy of Lancaster; and the officers of the 
 duchy think themselves at liberty to withhold them from public inspection, 
 except for the purposes before mentioned, or by command of his Majesty, as 
 Duke of Lancaster, signified by his chancellor of the duchy. 
 
 The answer to the first question is contained in the following list of records 
 in the office of the Duchy of Lancaster. 
 
 Account of the purchase money arising from the sale of rents under the 
 several acts of parliament, 20 George III., 1780, to the present time . 
 
 Awards for inclosures in which the duchy property has been concerned, 
 27 Geo. II., 1754, to present time. 
 
 Bills and answers, and depositions in the duchy court of Lancaster, and 
 of such as have been transmitted from the county palatine to be heard in the 
 duchy court, 1 Hen. VII., 1485. 
 
 Charters and grants of various kings under the great seal, as well as of 
 private persons (remaining in boxes) to the king's sons, and to ecclesiastical 
 persons, of lands within the surveys of the duchy, 1 King Stephen, 1 135, 
 to 10 Queen Elizabeth, 1568. 
 
 Charters and grants in fee farm, some of which are inrolled in the office, 
 and others remain on parchment, with the royal sign manual. The original 
 charters of the duchy and county palatine to the king's son, and grants of 
 lands to individuals of the possessions of the duchy, 51 Edward III., 1377, 
 to 1 Queen Anne, 1702. 
 
 Court rolls of such manors as formerly belonged to the duchy, and have 
 since been granted away, and of such as are at present demised by leases under 
 the duchy seal, 1283, to the present time. 
 
 Decrees of the duchy court inrolled in books, and some of the drafts with 
 the attorney general's signature, 1 Henry VII., 1485, to the present time. 
 
 Grants of rents under the several acts to enable the chancellor and council 
 to dispose of the fee farm and other rents, and to enfranchise copyhold estates, 
 20 Geo. III., 1780, to the present time. 
 
 Inquisitions, post Mortem, consisting of 2400 of various lands and tene- 
 ments within all the counties in England, 1 Hen. V., 1413, to 18 Cha. I., 
 1642. 
 
149 
 
 Leases, drafts, and inrolments of such as have passed the duchy seal of 
 lauds and tenements, parcel of the possessions of the duchy, 1 Hen. VIII.* 
 1610, to the present time. 
 
 Ministers and receiver's accounts of the rents and revenues of the duchy, 
 1 135, to the present time. 
 
 Patents of offices granted under the duchy seal, 1 Hen. VIII., 1510, to 
 the present time. 
 
 Rentals and particulars of land belonging to the duchy collected together 
 in bags and presses, and consisting of various other documents of such 
 descriptions that they cannot be comprized under one head, registered into 
 counties, and in the catalogue are the names of places alphabetically arranged, 
 51 Edward III., 1377, to the present time. 
 
 Registers of leases, warrants, grants, and other doucuments under royal 
 signs manual, inrolled in books of John Duke of Lancaster, in the time of 
 Edward the Third, and of various kings, relating to the possessions of the 
 duchy, 51 Edward III., 1377, to 8 Henry VI. 1430. 
 
 Revenue proceedings of the duchy court, inrolled in books, 6 Charles I., 
 1630, to the present time. 
 
 Special commissions of sewers, and to survey estates belonging to the duchy, 
 23 Elizabeth, to the present time. 
 
 Privy seals and bills, being the particulars prepared previous to the granting 
 any leases or offices under the duchy seal, 1 James T. to the present time. 
 
 As the records yearly increase, more room will be wanted at some future 
 period for the accommodation of them. The office was appropriated to the use 
 of the Duchy of Lancaster, under the act for erecting the buildings at Somerset 
 House, and is therefore public property. But this office was given to the duchy 
 in consideration of accommodations and concessions made by his majesty in right 
 of his duchy, from such parts of the manor of the Savoy as belonged to the 
 duchy. 
 
 I am employed in the arrangement of the records myself, and a clerk assists 
 me in placing and replacing them, for which no salary or allowance whatsoever 
 is paid, but a fee of 65. 8d. is charged for the production of each record, which 
 is the sole allowance, as well for the trouble and producing them, as for 
 arranging them and keeping them in proper preservation, and for making the 
 indexes, repertories, and calendars: and the further sum of Is. is charged per 
 
150 
 
 folio per copies, or \6d. if there is any considerable difficulty arising from the 
 antiquity or language of the record. Attendance with the records themselves is 
 so seldom demanded that no fee has been regularly settled for that purpose, 
 but if in London, a charge is made of one guiuea besides the coach-hire, and 
 if in the country two guineas a day with the travelling charges, and all other 
 expences would be expected. No account has been kept of the profits de- 
 rived by searches for public records, independent -of those where fees have 
 been received for other searches, from whence any average can be taken. 
 
 There are several inquisitions, post mortem traverses, and other inquisitions of 
 divers kinds remaining in this office under my care, commencing in the 
 beginning of the reign of Henry V., and finishing 18 Charles I., amounting to 
 nearly 2400 in number, some of which consist of many large skins of parchment 
 put on files, in several bundles, secured from future injuries by strong covers, 
 and to which there is a regular alphabetical index and calendar in one volume, 
 divided into the several reigns of the kings before mentioned, and containing the 
 names of persons, and all places mentioned in each inquisition, omitting none 
 that are legible. The first directing immediately to the several lands each 
 person died possessed of; the other referring to each inquisition in which any 
 particular lands are to be found. 
 
 I know of no objection to publishing the above index if it should be thought 
 conducive to the public benefit, and understand it will fill about 90 pages when 
 printed *. 
 
 * If these inquisitions, like those from folio 67 to 121, were printed, as well as the collection in the 
 Bodleian Library, from Henry V. to Charles I., an invaluable register of property for the County 
 ) Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster would be found, and which we hope to see printed at the expence 
 of the county or the public, as the other records are. 
 
151 
 
 In the Table of the Public Records, abstracted by Mr. Luders, 
 July 3, 1800, we find the following Account of Records and 
 other Instruments relative to the Duchy of Lancaster, §c> 
 
 Records and other Instruments. 
 
 FirstReport. 
 
 Charters and Grants 
 
 Under the great seal of duchy lands . Stephen to Eliz. ~\ 
 
 Grants in fee farm, some inrolled, others \ 
 
 not .... 51 Ed. 3, to An. ) 
 
 Confirmation of privileges . . 2 Hen. 5. 
 
 Copies of charters relating to the duchy Hen. 4, to Ed. 4. ~J 
 
 Exemplification of the grant of crea- ~\ \ 
 
 tion of the county palatine and crea- > X 
 
 tion of duke . . . 3 l Ed. 4. J 
 
 Patents of offices under the duchy seal 1 Hen. 8, to 1800. 
 
 Grants of rents under statutes . . 1780 to 1S00. 
 
 Inquistions post mortem . . . 1 Hen. 5, to Car. 1 
 
 Transcripts of, for duchy lands in 
 western counties, Dorset, Somerset, 
 Wilts, Hants . . . . 16 Car. 1. 
 
 Sewers, special commissions . . 23 Eliz. to 1800. 
 Surveys 
 
 Of woods and underwoods . . 1575. 
 
 Feoda militum Regis Caroli Ducis 
 
 Lancastria Car. 1. 
 
 Privy seals and bills . . . 1 Jac. 1 , to 1 800. 
 
 Awards for inclosures . . 1754 to 1800. 
 
 Presentations to livings under duchy 
 
 seal .... 1510 to 1800. 
 
 Court Rolls .... 
 
 Of manors formerly of the duchy, and of 
 
 those now in demise . . . 1288 to 1800. 
 Leases, 
 
 Registers of, together with warrants and 
 
 other documents under sign manual 51 E.3,to 8 H.6. 
 
 Drafts and inrolments of . . 1 H. 8, to 1800. 
 
 Rentals and Particulars 
 
 Of duchy lands alphabetically arranged 51 E. 3, to 1800. j 
 
 Fee farm rent rolls during the common- 
 wealth .... Car. 1 and 2. 
 
 Duchy office. 
 
 Bodleian Library. 
 
 Ashmoleum Mu- 
 seum. 
 
 Bodleian Library. 
 Duchy office. 
 Bodleian Library. 
 
 University Lib. 
 Canib. 
 
 Duchy office. 
 
 Augment - office. 
 
 Fol. 551. 
 C. 6. 
 
 0.1. 
 
 C.6. 
 
 O. 1. 
 
 Fol. 611. 
 
152 
 
 
 
 
 Appendix 
 
 Records and other Instruments! 
 
 Dates. 
 
 Where kept. 
 
 to the 
 FirstReport. 
 
 General Rental, Tempo, lnterregni 
 The like for Dorset, Somerset, Wilts 
 
 1648. -) 
 
 University Library 
 
 
 and Hants 
 
 1636 to 1640. S 
 
 Cambridge. 
 
 
 Accounts 
 
 
 
 
 Of ministers and receivers 
 
 1135 to 1800. ) 
 
 Duchy office. 
 
 C.6. 
 
 Of money arising by sales under statutes 
 Of receiver in the county of Lancastei 
 
 1780 to 1800. 5 
 
 
 
 and annexed lands of Clithero,Furness 
 
 
 
 
 and Haulton 
 
 Date wanting. 
 
 University Library 
 
 
 Pleadings and decrees by bill anc 
 
 
 Cambridge. 
 
 P. 1. 
 
 answer . . . . 
 Revenue proceedings 
 
 1 H. 7, to 1S00. ? 
 ] 630 to 1 SOO. i 
 
 Duchy office. 
 
 C. 6. 
 
 A few records concerning duchy 
 
 
 Auditors office. 
 
 
 County Palatine of Lancaster 
 
 
 Land revenue. 
 
 G. 15, a. 
 
 Chancery 
 
 
 
 Fol. 551. 
 
 Bills, pleadings, depositions, orders, 
 
 /1740tolSO0. dt. 
 Iwant. bef. 1740 
 
 Reg. of the co. pal. 
 
 H. 13. 
 
 and decrees 
 
 Duchy office. 
 
 C. 6. 
 
 Charters and grants of various kinds . 
 
 1135 to 1558. 
 
 
 
 Common Pleas. 
 
 
 
 
 Fines and recoveries, writs, minutes, 
 
 
 
 
 proceedings in actions and inrolments 
 
 
 
 
 of deeds 
 
 Geo. 3. 
 
 Prothonotary's 
 
 
 The records before his present Majesty's 
 
 
 office at Preston. 
 
 H. 13, b. 
 
 reign 
 
 Dates wanting. ^ 
 
 
 
 Pleas of the Crown. 
 Indictments, and other criminal proceed- 
 
 About 50 years I 
 
 Castle, Lancaster. 
 
 H. 13. 
 
 ings, and books of entries 
 
 before 1800. J 
 
 
 
 Collectanea relating to the history and 
 
 
 
 
 antiquities thereof, made by the three 
 
 
 
 Fol. 611. 
 
 Holmes .... 
 
 
 British Museum. 
 
 U. 
 
 Collection of names of the king's castles, 
 
 
 
 
 mansions, parks, forests, chases, &c. 
 
 
 
 
 within the survey of the Duchy of 
 
 
 
 
 Lancaster 
 
 
 Univer. Lib. Cam. 
 
 P. 1. 
 
 Iter forestce 
 
 S Edward 3. 
 
 Lincoln's-lnn Lib. 
 
 Q. 3. 
 
 Nona Roll 
 
 15 Edward 3. 
 
 King's Rem. office. 
 
 G. 6. b. 
 
 Ecclesiastical survey (a copy) 
 
 26 Henry 8. 
 
 First Fruits office. 
 
 G. 18. 
 
 Survey of estates therein, not granted in 
 
 
 
 
 fee farm 
 
 1629. 
 
 University Library 
 
 P. 1. 
 
 Catalogue of charters throughout Eng- 
 
 
 Cambridge. 
 
 
 land and Wales 
 
 - 
 
 Ashmol. Museum. 
 
 0. 2. 
 
 Fee farm, rolls of . . 
 
 Tempo. Interregni.j 
 
 Augment 11 - office. 1 
 
 G. 19. a. 
 
153 
 
 Ecclesiastical. 
 
 Records and other Instruments. 
 
 Diocese of Chester. 
 
 Installations of bishops, patents of offi- 
 cers, &c. 
 
 Terriers, and parish and chapel registers, 
 presentations to benefices, nominations 
 to curacies and schools . 
 
 Appropriations, endowments, composi 
 tions, grants, agreements, leases, or- 
 ders, &c. 
 
 Licences of marriage, probates of wills. 
 and letters of administration 
 
 Proceedings in causes, and books of 
 acts of the Consistory Court 
 
 Presentations and institutions to eccle- 
 siastical benefices 
 
 Consecrations of churches, chapels, &c. 
 and faculties for rebuilding churches 
 
 Original wills, or copies of 
 
 Population of parishes, account of 
 Richmond Archdeaconry Consistory 
 Court. 
 
 Wills, original 
 
 Bonds on granting letters of adminis- 
 tration, &c. 
 
 Marriage licences and affidavits thereon 
 
 Parochial registers, copies of 
 
 Act books, containing entries of pro- 
 bates 
 
 Proceedings, in suits 
 
 Inrolments of faculties for pews, &c. 
 
 Terriers 
 
 Duplicates of parish registers 
 
 Wills, original 
 
 Administration, curation, and tuition 
 bonds 
 
 Act books, containing entries 
 probates 
 
 The earliest date. 
 
 Chester 
 
 Litchfield and Coventry Diocese 
 
 Ecclesiastical survey 
 
 Commen. 1500 
 
 1525 } tothepre- 
 1590 5 sent time. 
 1714 
 
 tion / 
 of} 
 
 1748 to the 
 present time. 
 
 Bishop'sRegistry £ 
 Chester. 
 
 Consistory 
 
 Registry, 
 
 Richmond 
 
 Commissary, ) 
 Reg., Lancaster. » 
 
 Registry, Chester 
 First Fruits Office, 
 
 L. 18. c. 
 
 Fol. 554. 
 L. IS. 
 Fol. 614. 
 G. 18. 
 
 * Coventry and Litchfield ar« 
 vas removed by Perrus, 1067, t 
 
 a double name for one Bishoprick. The See held originally at the latter 
 Chester, and then called also Bishop of Chester; and in 1088 Robert de 
 
154 
 
 oh 
 
 us f 
 
 Records and other Instruments. 
 
 Terriers of rectories and vicarages 
 Registers containing institutions of 
 
 rectors and vicars, appropriations 
 
 of rectories, and endowments 
 
 vicarages 
 
 Hereford County. 
 Diocese 
 Rental of lands in Preston, &< 
 
 longing to this church 
 
 Court Rolls. 
 Court rolls and rentals, some 
 Of divers manors 
 Of manors, some 
 Of manors formerly in the possession 
 
 the crown 
 Of manors, &c. . 
 Court rolls 
 
 Charter Rolls. 
 The like 
 
 Copies and extracts of charter rolls 
 Examen cartarem 
 
 1298 to the 
 present time, 
 with chasms. 
 
 Where kept. 
 
 Bishop's Registry, 
 Litchfield . 
 
 Different Reigns. 
 Edw. 1, to Hen. 8. 
 
 Edw. 1, to Hen. 8. 
 E. 2, to pres. time. 
 1199 to 1483. 
 1 Rd. 3, to 8 H. S. 
 John to Edw. 4. 
 Temp. Edw. 2. 
 
 Univer. Lib. Camb, 
 
 King's Rem. Office. 
 
 British Museum. 
 
 Tower. 
 
 Rect. of the Exch, 
 
 Augment. Office. 
 Aud.Of.Land.Rev. 
 Tower. 
 
 Rolls. Chapel. 
 Inner Temple Lib, 
 Bodleian Lib. 
 
 P. 1. 
 
 Fol. 586. 
 G. 6 a. 
 U. 
 
 A. 2 a. 
 A. 1 a. 
 
 G. 19 a. 
 G. 15. 
 2 a. 
 D. l a. 
 Q. 2 b. 
 O.l. 
 
 County Palatine. 
 
 Among the variety of matters contained in the Clause Rolls in the Tower, the followin 
 heads ought to be particularly noticed (fol. 581). 
 
 Admiralty. 
 
 Advowsons. 
 
 Aids and Taxes. 
 
 Alien Priories. 
 
 Ambassadors. 
 
 Attainders. 
 
 Auditors. 
 
 Aurum Reginae. 
 
 Banishment. 
 
 Chancery. 
 
 Chivalry. 
 
 Church. 
 
 Cinque Ports. 
 
 Coinage. 
 
 Coronations. 
 
 Coroners. 
 
 Credentials. 
 
 Crusades. 
 
 Customs. 
 
 Custos Regni. 
 
 Demesnes, Antient. 
 
 Divorces, Royal. 
 
 Dower. 
 
 Ecclesiastical affairs. 
 
 Error. 
 
 Escheat. 
 
 Exchequer. 
 
 Exemptions. 
 
 Fines. 
 
 Fisheries. 
 
 Forests. 
 
 Forfeitures. 
 
 Gascony. 
 
 Limsey removed it to Coventry, from whence it was called Coventry and Litchfield. This Robert t 
 35th Bishop from the establishment in 656. In 1540 Chester was made a distinct Bishoprick. 
 
loo 
 
 Gavelkind. 
 
 Grain. 
 
 Habeas Corpus. 
 
 Heralds. 
 
 Heretics. 
 
 Homage. 
 
 Horses, Royal. 
 
 Household, Royal. 
 
 Ideots. 
 
 Jewels, Crown. 
 
 Jews. 
 
 Inquisitions. 
 
 Invasions. 
 
 Ireland. 
 
 King's Bench. 
 
 Knight's Hospitallers . 
 
 Letters, Royal. 
 
 London. 
 
 Marriages,Royal. 
 
 Marshal. 
 
 Mortmain. 
 
 Navy. 
 
 Nobility. 
 
 Oaths. 
 
 Ordnance. 
 
 Outlawries. 
 
 Pardons. 
 
 Parliament. 
 
 Piracy. 
 
 Plague. 
 
 Poll Tax. 
 
 Poor. 
 
 Pope's Bulls. 
 
 Pre-emption. 
 
 Privy Seal. 
 
 Proclamations. 
 
 Prohibitions. 
 
 Protections. 
 
 Purveyance*. 
 
 Reprizals. 
 
 Revenue. 
 
 Scotland. 
 
 Scutage. 
 
 Seal, Great. 
 
 Serjeants at Law. 
 
 Stannaries. 
 
 Tillage. 
 
 Tallies. 
 
 Taxes. 
 
 Thames. 
 
 Treaties. 
 
 Truces. 
 
 Tythes. 
 
 Verdures. 
 
 Universities. 
 
 Voyages, Royal. 
 
 Wardrobe. 
 
 Warrens. 
 
 Weights and Measures. 
 
 Wills. 
 
 Wool. 
 
 Works, Royal. 
 
 Writs ne exeant Regn'." 
 
 York. * 
 
 Records and other Instruments. Dales. 
 
 | Appendix 
 Where kept. | to the 
 
 
 
 FirstRepoit. 
 
 Arms, college of. 
 
 
 JFoI. 568. 
 
 Charter of privileges with confirmation 
 
 Edward 6. 
 
 Ashmol. Museum.lC. 2. 
 
 Armorial bearing, licences, pedigrees, 
 
 
 j 
 
 marriages, funerals 
 
 
 IFol. 535. 
 
 Papers of genealogies and heraldry, 
 
 
 
 English and foreign 
 
 1246 to 1604. -j 
 1399 to 1625. / 
 
 Old State Paper i 
 Office. ( 
 
 
 Papers of precedency, pedigrees, &c. 
 
 C. 1. 
 
 The like 
 
 1604 to 1761. 
 
 New St. Pa. Of. S 
 
 
 Books of pedigrees and arms, during the 
 
 
 
 
 time of visitations and since. 
 
 
 
 
 The like of the peers of the realm and 
 
 
 
 
 genealogy 
 
 1767 to 1800. 
 
 
 
 The like of baronets under the royal 
 
 
 
 
 warrant 
 
 3 Dec. 1783 to 1800 
 
 
 
 Funeral certificates during the time of 
 
 
 
 
 visitations 
 
 2lH.8,to2Jac.2. 
 
 
 Books of arms of knights of the garter, 
 
 
 
 from their institution to. 
 
 1800 
 
 
 Books of arms and pedigrees 
 
 3f various dates. British Museum. 
 
 U. 
 
 Papers of heraldry 
 
 Of various dates. 
 
 [nner Temple. Lib. 
 
 Q. 2 b. 
 
156 
 
 Records and other Instruments. 
 
 Patent Rolls. 
 Rolls 
 
 Copies and extracts of 
 Rolls 
 
 A Roll containing extracts from 
 Copies and extracts of 
 Rolls 
 
 (For creations see Patent Rolls) 
 De creatione nobilium in parliamento 
 
 et extra 
 Instructions touching knighthood 
 Collection of all officers with their fees 
 Discourses on offices, by Sir Robert 
 
 Cotton, &c. 
 A book of fees and offices 
 Tables of fees 
 
 Knighthood. 
 Instructions concerning 
 Certificates of persons who compounded 
 for not taking the honour of knight- 
 hood 
 Statutes of the garter, and French order 
 
 of St. Michael 
 Statutes of the garter 
 Certificates of persons who compounded 
 for not taking the honour of knight- 
 hood 
 Dockets, and copies of all grants of 
 
 arms 
 Books of the Earl Marshall respecting 
 the arms of the blood royal 
 Visitations. 
 Books of 
 The like 
 The like 
 The like 
 
 Garter, order of. 
 Statutes of 
 The like 
 Books of arms of the knights of the 
 
 garter, from their institution 
 Instructions for the manner of delivering 
 the insignia thereof to Ferdinand 
 Arch-Duke of Austria 
 Books of pedigrees of peers, and pedi- 
 
 J., E. 2, and H. 6. 
 John to Edw. 4. 
 1201 to 1483. 
 Temp. Hen. 3. 
 Temp. Hen. 3." 
 Edw. 5, to 27 of 
 Geo. 3. 
 
 Date wanting. 
 
 1630. 
 
 Eliz. , 
 
 Date wanting. 
 1 March, 1553. 
 Date wanting. 
 
 6 and 7 Car. 2. 
 
 Hen. 8. 
 Hen. 8. 
 
 Appendix 
 
 to the 
 FirstReport. 
 
 Rect. of the Exch. 
 
 Inner Temple. Lib, 
 
 Tower. 
 
 Rect. of the Exch. 
 
 Lincoln's-Inn Lib. 
 
 Rolls, Chapel. 
 
 Inner Temple Lib, 
 Univ. Lib. Camb. 
 
 Bodleian Library 
 
 Tanner. 
 
 Antiq. Society. Lib. 
 
 Bodleian Lib. 
 
 Univ. Lib. Camb. 
 
 Fol. 628. 
 A. 1 a. 
 Q. 2 b. 
 A. 2 a. 
 A. la. 
 Q.3. 
 D. la. 
 
 Fol. 534. 
 Q.2b. 
 P. 1. 
 
 0.1. 
 
 Fol. 610. 
 P. l. 
 
 G. 15 a. 
 
 Auditor's Office, 1 
 Land Rev. J 
 
 Fol. 534. 
 Chapter House. A. 1. 
 Ashm. Museum. iO. 2. 
 
 Audit. Land Rev. G. 15 c. 
 
 Fol. 56S. 
 College of Arms. 
 
 Temp, Eliz. 
 
 21 H.8,to2 J. 2.T 
 21 H. 8, to 2 J. 2./ 
 1 H. 8, to 2 J. 2. 
 Of various dates. 
 
 College of Arms. 
 
 Temp. H. S. 
 1766 to pres. time. 
 
 C. 
 
 Fol. 534. 
 
 C. 8. 
 
 Herald's Office. 
 
 British Museum. 
 Caius Col. Camb 
 
 Rect. of the Exch, 
 Ashmol. Museum. 
 
 College of Arms. 
 
 Univ. Lib. Camb. 
 Parliament Office, 
 
 U. 
 P. 7. 
 
 A. 1 a 
 O. 2. 
 
 So far the Report of the Public Records. 
 
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