LANCASHIRE RECUSANTS ABOUT 1630 Communicated by J, Brownkill, M.A.

Transcription

1 LANCASHIRE RECUSANTS ABOUT 1630 Communicated by J, Brownkill, M.A. /TA HE following list of the recusant landowners JL of Lancashire who compounded with the Crown for the two-thirds of their estates which might legally be sequestrated for their refusal to conform to the established religion, is taken from John Lucas's MS. " History of Warton." For an account of the author see the Society's Transactions (New Series), ii. Lucas had it from Thoresby. It will be seen how large a proportion of the soil was in the hands of persons hostile to Protestantism, the names ranging from great landowners like Richard Towneley of Towneley to humble yeomen such as Leonard Washington of Warton. To those given must be added many others of secret sympathisers, such as. Molyneux of Sefton, and some who for one reason or another did not then compound. The writer thus traces the origin of the scheme : "The original of the following subscription or composition was that the Papists, taking the advantage of King Charles the First's necessities (who had been drawn into a war by his Parliament, and then denied money to carry it on), offered to maintain 5000 men to serve his majesty in Ireland, and a proportion of ships to secure him in England, upon condition that they might enjoy the free exercise of their religion. When this was proposed in Parliament Sir John Savile (afterwards

2 172 Communications Lord Savile) interposed and offered this project: That if the king was pleased but to call on the recusants to pay their thirds (legally due to the Crown) it would prove a way more effectual, and less offensive, to raise a mass of money ; it being but just that they who were so rich and free to purchase new privileges should first pay their old penalties. This project was soon after put in execution, and the recusants of these northern counties were summoned to appear at the Manor within the walls of the city of York before hid majesty's commissioners, there to compound for their respective lands, goods, and arrearages" (p. 634). The lists printed below then follow. The following detailed account of one of the compositions will explain the system, the fines ranging apparently from a fourth to a tenth of the annual values of the estates : " This Thomas Middleton of Leighton in the county of Lancaster esqr- on the 6th of October 1629 compounded with the Commissioners at York for all his lands in the county of Lancaster and for all his lands in Westmorland, and for his tithes also of the rectory of Warton in the said county of Lancaster for the annual rent of, 100 to be paid at Martinmas and Whitsuntide by equal portions ; and gave bond for the first half-year's rent accordingly. He likewise compounded for all his arrearage for the sum of $ to be paid at Whitsuntide next. But if his estate should appear before Pentecost next to be ^"460 per annum then he was to pay ^20 more than his former composition of ; ioo" (p. 544).

3 ' Communications 173 COMPOSITIONS 1629 Payable. Thomas Middleton, Esq., Leighton.. j^joo Thomas Blackborne, Capernwray Robert Charnley, Yealand Conyers... i 10 o Robert Middleton, Middleton John Cansfield, esq., Robert Hall o o Lawrence Cowpland, Thurnham John Barrow, Weeton Gervase Clifton, Westby Hugh Charnley, Dalton Robert Calvert, esq., Cockerham Thomas Pattison, Great Singleton Richard Moss senior, Skelmersdale Edmund Winstanley, Pemberton o Richard Massy, Rixton o o Abraham Langton, Lowe Roger Charnock, Leyland William Sale, Hopecarr Richard Shuttleworth, Bedford Peter and Roger Houghton, Lowton Ralph Houghton, Aspull Nicholas Curwen, Caton Thomasine Tunstall, Fairthwaite Alice Clopton, Fairthwaite o Richard Bradshaw, Astley Thomas Westby, esq., Burn o o Henry Lance, Abram.... i 10 o o Henry Ashton, Preston Henry Lathom, Mossborough o o Richard Watmough, Micklehead William Partington, Hough Thomas Morley, Wennington Thomas Parkinson, Wyresdale Edward Standish. Standish Edward Pendleton, Great Woolton Thomas Linaker, Cuerdley Thomas Stananought, Fazakerley John Clifton, Stalmine Thomas Standish, Standish Katherine Potter, Rainhill John Ditchfield, Sankey... '.. 300

4 174 Communications 1'ayable. Thomas Hitchmough, Halebank... ^ 3 o o William Moscroft, Standish Francis Wilkinson, Bold John Bradley, Chipping Jenet Parker, Aughton Edward Ash, Dutton Richard Walker, Littledale Gilbert Thornton, Melling Thomas Leigh, Walton Anne Sherburn, Leagram o o Edward Ireland, esq., Lydiate o o Richard Singleton, Chipping John Bradley, Thornley..... zoo John Baines, Sellet John North, Whittington William Girlington, Wennington Alice Preston, Ellel Robert Cansfield, Ellel Elizabeth Croft, Gressingham Sir Cuthbert Clifton, Westby and Lytham o o Henry Howard, Eccleston Henry Finch, Mawdesley George Bradshaw, Bedford Thomas Winkley, Billington John Gaunt, senior, Singleton Isabel Cansfield, Cansfield Edward Stubbs, Houghton Isabel Anderton, Euxton John Osbaldeston, Ribchester o John Gaunt, junior, Singleton Ralph Eccleston, Singleton Margaret Rogerley, Blackrod Ralph Rishton, Oswaldtwisle Henry Fielden, Witton Katherine Rishton, Rishton Elizabeth Speak, widow, Billington J ohn Talbot of Carr, Wilpshire Robert Langton, Walton Thomas Hesketh, esq., Poulton o o Nicholas Grimshaw, esq., Clayton o o Sir William Norris, Speke o o Robert Fazakerley, Fazakerley o o Thomas Tarleton, Fazakerley Thomas Birtwisle, Huncote Dorothy Birtwisle, Huncote Richard Barker, Kirby

5 Communications 175 Payable. John Bootle, Knowsley John Whalley, Ince Blundell Henry Smith, Guerdley John Butler, Kirkland James Walton, Preston Thomas Ince, Ince Thomas Anderton, Horwich Lawrence Parkinson, Swineshead Henry Moss, Skelmersdale Jenet Gerard, Brindle John Houghton, Fearnhead Henry Preston, Dalton Thomas Bank, Dalton John Reskow, Dalton Brian Howard, Parr Ralph Knowles, Parr Francis Worsley, Bold William Naylor, Halewood o Thomas Hay ward, Cuerdley o Gawyn Atherton, Windle William Hoghton, Park Hall Richard Catterall, Clayton., Robert Tetlow, Chamber Christopher Cams, Halton John Crook, Brindle o Edward Garforth (? Gorsuch), Scarisbrick.. 10 o o Thomas Molyneux, Windmeley (?).... '500 Alexander Rigby, Preston Grace Duxon, Brindle Henry Mossock, Bickerstaffe o o George Crook, Kirkham.. ' Peter Stanley, Aughton Robert Boardman, Orford Oliver Mainwaring, Windle Edward Heyward, Tarbock Richard Formby, Formby Thomas Knipe, Dalton Richard Bootle, Woolston Margaret Hitchtnough, Halebank William Thornbrough, Hamfield Hall o o William Anderton, esq., Anderton o o Robert Rawlinson, Marsh Grange James Stanley, Aughton., William Parkinson, Wyresdale Richard Urmston, Culcheth William Bradshaw, Haigh

6 176 Communications Payable. John Clayton, Houghton... 2 o o Alice Orrell, Turton..,.. 20 o o Richard Moss, Lathom William Toothill, Chorley John Part, Halebank Elizabeth Fazakerley, Allerton Thomas Sudall, Lostock Elizabeth Tyldesley, Leigh....,1500 Thomas Gillibrand, Chorley...,.. 20 o o 1631 Thomas Kirkham, Warton...., 200 John Houghton, Fearnhead Leonard Clarkson, Wood Plumpton Francis Preston, Dalton....,1000 John Crook, Brindle o Thomas Hothersall, Billington o Thomas Hesketh, senior, Harwood Andrew Norris, West Derby John Bullinge, Warrington Thomas Milner, Allerton Elizabeth Ltnaker, Allerton o John Lawton, Widnes John Patten, Widnes Richard Carter, Widnes o John Preston, esq., the Manor o o Henry Wood, Widnes Francis Rawson, Ditton Robert Crosse, Hale Edward Chawner, Speke Elizabeth Hunt, Huyton Edmund Bispham, Billinge.. '. ' John Farington, Ribbleton Thomas Sherburne, Hey sham Thomas Singleton, esq., Staining o o Nathaniel Banastre, Altham Jane Towneley, Hapton Thomas Langtree, Langtree Isabel Langtree, Langtree Roger Anderton, Birchley Bridget Bushel, Ulverston Thomas Osbaldeston, Walton Robert Sherburne, Catterall o o

7 Communications 177 1'ayal.le. William Houghton, Grimsgarth... ^10 o o Roger Hesketh, Goosnargh Thomas Ashton, Croston Thomas Werden, Croston Richard Towneley, esq., Burnley Anne Stopforth, Melling o Hugh Crook, Broughton Grace Wilkinson, Preston George Wilkinson, Broughton William Worthington, Worthington Robert White, Great Eccleston William Jump, Becconsall Robert Harrington, Huyton. : Robert Molyneux, Garston Robert Whitfield, Garston Thomas East, Garston Thomas Hitchmough, Garston William Chawner, Garston William Harrison, Speke William Hughson, Speke o Thomas Crook, Speke Robert Hay, Speke William Chawner, Speke John Plumbe, Garston o Richard Egerton, Parr Robert Edwardson, Speke Ralph Hesleden, Ashton Christopher Bow, Croft o John Urmston, Bedford John Moss, Windle Jenet Ball, Windle... ' Alice Lyon, Windle Thomas Smarley, Speke Thomas Dalton, Pilling Elizabeth Calvert, Cockerham Thomas Dalton, esq., Thurnham Thomas Prestwich, Hulme Thomas Richardson, Myerscough o Christopher Taylor, Houghton o William Baines, Nether Wyresdale Robert Layfield, Barnacre Thomas Moore, Euxton John Townley, Hurstwood Gabriel Hesketh, Goosnargh Robert Hodgson, Euxton o Richard Ashton, Abram M

8 178 Communications Payable. Sir William Gerard, Brynn James Anderton, esq., Clayton o o John Watson, Cliviger Richard Urmston, Culcheth William Blundell, esq., Crosby..,. 40 o o Thomas Gerard, esq., Ince o o Thomas Gerard, Aughton William Bradshaw, Haigh William Horskar, Clifton cum College Thomas Whittingham, Goosnargh Edward Worthington, Weton Thomas Threlfall, Clifton George Grayson, Clifton Richard Sherburne, Stonyhurst William Chorley, Whittingham Ellen Nelson, Whittingham Robert Worthington, Euxton Thomas Lowde, Aughton John Bee, Barnacre Ralph Critchlowe, Clayton Grace Fairclough, Chipping Ralph Holden, Haslingden William Roscowe, Euxton John Charnock, Euxton Christopher Townley, Hapton o o Anne Banister, Cuerden Sir Thomas Walmesley, Dunkenhalgh.., John Cutler, Ashton Henry Waring, Chorley William Norris, Blackrod George Beesley, Goosnargh Thomas Winkley, Billington William Singleton, Broughton Dorothy Walton, Horwich Robert Squire, Great Harwood Michael Nelson, Mawdesley Edward Smith, Scarisbrick Leonard Washington, Warton.... i 10 o Thomas Kirkby, Rawcliffe Susan Hesketh, Rufford Robert Sagar, junior, Burnley, Richard Blackburn, Skerton Anne Nicholson, Poulton...,. 200 John Bradshaw (for his wife), Pilling

9 Communications 179 The following names have no rents or fines attached : Cuthbert Halsall, Burscough. Nicholas Hesketh, Becconsall. Jane Gerard, Ashton. John Cross, Liverpool. William White, Eccleshall. Thomas Wolfall, Huyton. John Bradshaw, Pilling. In addition to the compositions for the future there were a number of settlements of arrears, small sums, from i upwards to ^10, being paid to clear the estates. In many cases these compounders had conformed to the religion established by law, and are here denoted by the letter C, when that is stated C. Thomas Southworth of Westby, for his father William Southworth. C. Henry Grayson of Fulwood, for his father George Grayson. C. Henry Sudell of Preston. C. John Ashton of Whiston. C. Nicholas Townley, esq., of Burnley and Royle. Robert Blundell, esq., and Reginald Langtree, for Edward Singleton. Roger Lee of Clitheroe, for Thomas Hesketh of Clitheroe. Alice Sayer of Burnley, for Elizabeth Whitakers of Burnley. Christopher Maiden of Samlesbury, for Gilbert Sharpies. Matthew Latus of Goosnargh, for William Latus, deed. Margaret Burning of Bispham, for Ellen Burning, deed. Alexander Woodward of Shevington,for Alexander Woodward, his grandfather, deed. William Critchlow of Euxton, for William Critchlow, his grandfather, deed. C. James Banister of Park Hall. Henry Ward of Treales, for his mother Ellen Ward, deed. Mrs. Townend and (C.) Robert Parkinson, for Margaret Hawkes, dead 15 years ago. Richard Bunderdale of Barnacre, for John Bunderdale, dead long since William Blackburn of Eccleston, for Mary Blackburn, dead long since. Thomas Bee of Barnacre, for Robert Bee. John Whatton of Scarisbrick, for his daughter.

10 i8o Commun ications James Hartley of Brerecliffe, for John Wynnel, dead long since. ' Thomas Kirkham of Hardhorn, for Agnes Kirkham his mother. Edward Midgell of Goosnargh, for George Midgell his father. Thomas Nightingale of Wrightingon, for John Halliwell of Wrightington. C. Miles Green of Shevington. Henry Stones of Euxton, for Agnes Gradell. C. Thomas Hoghton, esq., of Pendleton. Thomas Wilson of Combhills, for William Wilson his father. C. John Bank of Wrightington. C. John Radcliffe of Charnock. C. Jenet Shaw of Standish. Robert Prescot of Hest, for William Prescot his grandfather. Thomas Spencer of Croston, for William Rawson. John Martin of Clayton, for James Martin his father. James Pilkington of Whitley, for John Blackburn of Whitley. Henry Waring of Charnock, for Thomas Waring his father. C. Peter Rigby of Wrightington. Christopher and Richard Walmesley, for Richard Walmesley of Samlesbury. Hugh Aspinall of Aughton, for Thomas Aspinall his father. Richard Merror of Great Harwood, for Edward Merror his father. John Adamson of Goosnargh, for John Lawrenson. John Byard of Brindle, for Henry Walmsley of Brindle. C. Ewan Berry of Rishton. Nicholas Norris of Kidsnape, for Grace Morton. Robert Boyes of Whittingham, for Robert Boyes his grandfather. George Abbot of Brindle, for Edward Abbot his father. John Charnock of Brindle, for John Charnock his father. C. Edward Croft of Claughton. C. Mary Ingham of Wiswall, for John Ingham her late husband. John Gaunt of Singleton. Mary Rogerley. John Butler. Edward Hankinson of Clifton, for his grandmother. The total amount received for arrears was nearly ^150. The annual rent due from the main body of Lancashire compounders was