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COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR 1885-6.

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FIRST YEAR (1882-3).

Vol. I. The Vicars of Rochdale. By the late Rev. Canon Raines, M.A., F.S.A. Edited by Henry H. Howorth, F.S.A, Part i. pp. xiii. 200.

Vol. 2. The Vicars of Rochdale. Part 2. pp. 201-391.

Vol. 3. Lancashire and Cheshire Wills and Inventories at Chester, with an Appendix of Abstracts of Wills now Lost or Destroyed. Transcribed by the late Rev. G. J. PiccoPE, M. A. Edited by F P.

Earwaker, M.A. , F.S.A. pp. x. 262.

SECOND YEAR (1883-4).

Vol. 4. The Catechisme, or a Christian Doctrine necessary for Children and Ignorant people, of Lawrence Vaux, 1574, sometime Warden of the Collegiate Church, Manchester. Edited by T. G. Law, Esq., Signet Library, Edinburgh, pp. cx. in.

Vol. 5. The Rectors of Manchester, and the Wardens of the Collegiate Church of that Town. By the late Rev. F. R. Raines, M.A. Edited by J. E. Bailey, F.S.A. Part I. The Rectors; Warden Huntingdon to Warden Chaderton, pp. xx. 100.

Vol. 6. The Rectors of Manchester, and the Wardens of the Collegiate Church of that Town. Part H. Warden Dee to Warden Herbert, pp. 101-206.

THIRD Y^EAR (1884-5).

Vol. 7. The Old Church and School Libraries of Lancashire. With Bibliographical and other Illustra- tions. By Richard Copley Christie, pp. xiii, 215.

Vol. 8. The History of the Parish of Poulton-le-Fylde. By Henry Fish wick, F.S.A. pt>. 232.

Vol. 9. The Coucher Book of Furnes.s Abbey. Part I. The Furness Domains. Edited by the Rev. J, C. Atkinson, M.A. pp. 260.

FOURTH YEAR (1885-6).

Vol. 10. The History of the Parish of Bispham. By Henry Fishwick, P'.S.A. pp. 143.

Vol. II. The Coucher Book of Furness Abbey. Part II. Edited by the Rev. J. C. Atkinson, M.A. pp. 261-536.

Vol. 12. The Crosby Records. Edited by the Rev, T. E. Gibson and the late Bishop Goss. pp. xxvi. 108.

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1887.

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Cl)e Cl)etl)am t>oetetj>.

COUNCIL FOR 1885-6.

THE WORSHIPFUL RICHARD COPLEY CHRISTIE, M.A., Chancellor of the Diocese of Manchester, President. THE RIGHT REV. THE LORD BISHOP OF CHESTER, D.D. V^ice-President.

JAMES CROSTON, Esq., F.S.A.

J. P. EARWAKER, Esq., M.A., F.S.A.

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Late Disney Professor.

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■tA true purtraiturc of fundne coyncs founcJ the 8pf April! and dates following in theyearc i tainc place called the Harkirke within the lordfhip of litle Crohaie^t Sephton m the countic ofJLancafter, place — William Blundell of the faul litle Crolbie EfquiTC inclofcd from the reiidue of therfaid Harkirke For the bunall offuch Catholrck reculantcs deceafing, cither of the faid village or of the adioyningjtcighbourhood.as- fhouldc be denied Luriall at their parilh church of >ScphtoiL

Note ^ the two roundcs i(^'ncd^ cxprefTe 1 Fidcs ofttic cojnw .

Crosby 2^ecorti0:

A CHAPTER OF LAAXASHIRE RECUSAAXY.

CONTAINING A RELATION OF

TR0UBLE:S and persecutions sustained by william BLUNDELL, OF CROSBY HALL, LANCASHIRE, ESQ. (1560-1638),

AND AN ACCOUNT OF

AN ANCIENT BURIAL GROUND FOR RECUSANTS, CALLED THE HARKIRKE, AND OF COINS DISCOVERED THERE.

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY THE LATE

RIGHT REV. ALEXANDER GOSS, D.D.

EDITED BY THE

REV. THOMAS ELLISOxN GIBSON,

Author of Lydiate Hall and its Associations.”

PRINTED FOR THE CHETHAM SOCIETY.

1887.

Pkistkd by Charles E. Simms, Maxchester.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

PREFA CE V

INTRODUCTION r

By the late Rt. Rev. Alexander Goss, D. D.

CHAPTER I

Crosby Hall searched by the Earl of Derby. — William Blundell, his father Richard and a Seminary Priest conveyed prisoners to New Park. — Examined by the Earl of Derby. — Sent to Chester Castle. — Brought back to Knowsley. Examined by the Bishop of Chester. — Imprisoned at Lancaster Castle. — His father dies in gaol. — Released by the Earl of Derby. — Apprehended by Nutter, parson of Sefton. — Examined anew. — Sent to London and taken before the Archbishop of Canterbury. — Adjudged to Gatehouse prison. — Released on bonds. — House searched by Sir Richard Molyneux and Parson Nutter. — Escapes by flight, but his wife with other recusant women carried prisoners to Chester Castle. — Proclaimed an outlaw. — A fugitive till the Queen’s death. — Procures a free pardon from King James. — A “doleful ditty,” composed by him on Nutter’s persecution. — A cry for relief. — Past and present. — The names of those who begged his lands for recusancy. — Pro- ceedings against his bondsman. — Attempted distraint.— Villagers indicted for riot and rescue. — Curious petition of a Crosby recusant.

CHAPTER II

Inquisition at Wigan. — Mr. Blundell heavily fined. — Takes measures against distraint. — U nexpected visit of Sheriff’s officers. — Cattle secured. — Disappoint- ment of bailiffs and scuffle. — Summoned by Sir Ralph Ashton before Star Chamber. — Visit of Undersheriff with Mr. More and a company of 20 to dis- train.— An old woman attacked and hurt. — Seizure of 35 beasts and two horses. — Attempted rescue by the villagers. — Value of goods carried off. — Twenty-nine swine taken. — Tries in vain to repurchase his cattle. — Had lent King James 20 marks, which were never repaid. — Double subsidies. — Charge of finding a light horse. — Fined by Star Chamber £2^000 for supposed riot, and making a burial ground for recusants. — Other villagers fined. — Margaret Blundell’s narrative. — Letters of William Blundell the Cavalier.

IV

PAGE

CHAPTER III. 45

Catholic Recusants refused burial at their parish church. — Mr. Blundell encloses a piece of ground for the burial of such at a place called Harkirke. —

The first burial 7th April, 161 [. — Discovery of Coins next day. — Mr. Blundell has 35 engraved in copper (See Frontispiece). — Mr. Blundell’s account of the Coins. — Modern description by the late Rev. D. H. Haigh of Erdington.

HARKIRKE BURIAL REGISTER 69

APPENDIX 89

Crown Rents and Compositions for Recusancy remaining on the Crosby estate, and charged to William Blundell the “Cavalier” on its repurchase in 1653.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Copper-plate engraving of Coins (1613) Frontispiece.

Ancient wayside Cross at the Harkirke 68

ERRATA.

Page 19, line i(>Hor “ Recuscants.” read “Recusants.” >» 45> » 6, yi?;* “lob.” read “Tob.”

PREFACE.

The following pages illustrate a phase in the social history of England hitherto but slightly com- memorated. Few traces will be found in the Chetham publications of the bitter religious conflict raging, more especially in Lancashire, before the convulsive throes of civil war were felt throuehout the land. It is a matter of history that the Penal Laws were called into existence in the days of Elizabeth, to secure submission to the religious ordinances then forced upon the nation. These laws, though chiefly affecting priests (of whom, as Bishop Goss says, io6 suffered death in her reign) were framed so as to visit lay-recusants with the severest penalties. It is manifest that the lives of those who, at that period, adhered to the ancient faith, must have been passed in extreme discomfort. And yet even towards the end of this Queen’s reign the number of recusants in Lancashire was very great. Very many of the gentry, and a large portion of the commonalty, resisted with characteristic stubbornness the attempts then made to stamp out all vestiges of the old religion. A remarkable State Paper, i compiled by the Bishop of Chester and his officials,

^ Do7n. Eliz.^ vol. 235, No. 68. This document is given in “ Lydiate Hall and its Associations,” p. 242.

b

VI

Preface.

reveals the attitude of nearly all the gentry of the West Derby Hundred at this important crisis. It is dated 1590, and is prefaced by these observations : —

“ I. The nomber of recusants is great, and dailie increase.’’

“ 2. There may be seene usuallie everie Sunday and holiday, as hathe also very lately been confessed, as many people to repayre to places suspected as to the Parryshe Churche.”

It attributes these “enormities” chiefly to the want of due and effectual execution of the penal laws, and pro- ceeds to enumerate the gentry, beginning with the magi- strates, twelve in number. These are headed by the Earl of Derby and his son, and a running commentary in marginal notes reveals the character and disposition of each individual. With the exception of the two above- named and Mr. Legh, of Lyme, who are favourably spoken of, some disparaging qualification accompanies the other names, although they are said to be conform- able in religion. It must be remembered that no one could be a maMstrate without takinor the oaths of alleo^i- ance and supremacy. Eighteen knights and squires follow, who are bracketed together with this remark : “ All of them though in some degree of conformitie, yet in general note of evil affection in religion non-communicants, and f wives of most of them recusants.” After this we have eight of the same class who are said' to be “ more usual comers to Church but non-communicants.” Three only are admitted to be “ soundly affected in religion.” We

Preface.

vii

then come to gentlemen of the better sort. Eight are named as recusants, and “ thereof indicted,” and eleven as “ comers to Church but non-communicants,” and their wives very little better than recusants. Seven more are said to be “ soundly affected in religion,” and they are followed by a list of fourteen ladies, beginning with Lady Lucy, wife of Edward Stanley, of Winwick, who are declared to be recusants, and “ thereof indicted.” Thus it will be seen that in 1590, notwithstanding the severe penal laws then in force, the feeling of the West Derby Hundred, as expressed in the attitude of the gentry, was not in favour of the. reformed doctrines, although occa- sional acts of conformity were made to escape persecution. Of the common people the same document declares that 941 persons had been prosecuted for recusancy before the last quarter session, and 800 since the last commission.

Many private papers and records in the possession of the representatives of recusant families reveal something of the manner in which these laws were enforced, and of the persecutions and sufferings of their victims. Through the kindness of Colonel Nicholas Blundell of Crosby Hall, we have it in our power to place before our readers some documents of this nature.

The Blundells of Crosby were, to use the language of the times, “ stout recusants.” They stood almost alone in the tenacity with which they clung to the faith of their forefathers. They never sought, as others in like cir- cumstances occasionally sought, to obtain by unworthy concessions, some temporary alleviation of their lot ; they

Vlll

Preface.

never made any “show of conformity/’ For more than two centuries they bore, without flinching, all the fines, imprisonments, exactions, and disabilities, which were the necessary outcome of the penal laws. And they stood firm to the end, till the day of their deliverance dawned, when they were left free to pray according to the tradi- tions of their race. Their ancestor, Robert de Eynolfs- dale, would have worshipped God in the pretty Church of St. Joseph now rising in the midst of Blundellsands at the bidding of his descendant, the present representa- tive of the family. The latter still possesses the charter- grant of King John, when Earl of Moreton, by which this very land (part of the manor of Great Crosby) was given to the above Robert, nearly seven hundred years ago. The fortunes of this family have been followed at some length by the writer in the introduction to “A Cavalier’s Note Book.” It will be sufficient for our present purpose to call attention to one member of it, William Blundell (1560-1638), whose career ran through the period of the hottest persecution. He was grandfather to his name- sake the “ Cavalier,” and has left behind him many docu- ments either in his own hand-writing or in that of his servant, which have been carefully preserved by his descendants. These papers contain, together with con- troversial writings and pious poetical effusions, those reminiscences of his own individual sufferings, which are now placed before our readers.*

^ Some of Mr. Blundell’s writings were made use of by the Editor in a paper entitled “ A Century of Recusancy,” read to the Historic Society

Preface.

IX

William Blundell was born in 1 560, and was apparently educated at Douay College, which had been established by Cardinal Allen both for ecclesiastical and lay students. The following entry occurs in the Doiiay Diary, and although the Christian name is not given, the other parti- culars are sufficient to identify the young student with our Crosby Blundell.^

“ 1580, June 9. This day there came from England two youths of gentle birth, Standishe and Blundell, and another youth, Warton, of whom the two last, although 20 years of age, as might be conjectured from their count- enances and stature, had been educated with such care by their friends, that they had never themselves had any experience of schism or heresy, having no relish whatever for any but the Catholic religion.”

It is not recorded when William Blundell left Douay, but he had an early experience of persecution when he was taken, with his father, a prisoner to Lancaster Castle, the latter having been convicted of harbouring Robert Woodroffe, a seminary priest. The original indictment in this case is still preserved at Crosby. A letter

of Lancashire and Cheshire {Transactions, vol. xxxi.), and are reprinted with the permission of the Council.

^ 1580, Junii, 9 die, et Anglia venerunt duo juvenes nobiles, Standishe and Blundell, and alius, Warton ; quorum duo extremi quamvis 20, uti ex eorum vultibus ac staturis conjicere licet, annos nati sint, tanta tamen amicorum cura sunt educati, ut quid schisma sit quidve haeresis ipsi in seipsis nunquam expert! sint, nullum cujuspiam praeterquam Catholicae vel minimum quidem, religionis gustum habentes. — Douay Diaries, ist and 2nd, p. 166.

X

Preface,

addressed by Richard Blundell to his wife from prison records the death of Mr. Worthington of Blainscow, a fellow sufferer in the cause of religion; and he himself succumbed to the hardships of his confinement, dying 19th March, 1591-92. We must leave the son to give his own history of the events which followed the death of his father. For many years he led a chequered existence, and his uncompromising character evidently gave much trouble to his persecutors. In the following State Paper he is singled out as one of the most malignant recusants in Lancashire.

“ Richard, Bishop of Chester, to Secretary Cecil, — It may please you once more to give me leave to interrupt your graver affairs, with the cause of the poor messengers so cruelly entreated in Lancashire by certain bloody recusants, since which time Her Majesty’s service in these parts hath been much hindered, &c. That part of the county where this outrage was committed is full of seminary priests and gentlemen recusants that harbour them, and namely and specially Edward Eccleston of Eccleston, William Blundell of Crosby, Henry Lathom of Mosborrow, and Henry Travers of Hardshaw, Esquires, who give countenance to all lewd practices and despise all authority, that until they be bridled from above and brought in by a strong hand, there is no hope of reformation or obedience in these parts, &c. Given at Chester, this last day of January, 1599.”*

' Dom. Eliz.^ vol. 274, No. 25.

Preface.

XI

The ill-treatment of the messengers to which the Bishop refers, was probably their having been compelled to eat their \varrants, an incident rather Irish in character, but which we learn from other sources to have actually occurred at this period.* The imprisonment of Mrs. Blundell in Chester Castle, which took place the previous year, seems to have aroused some indignation in the country, and the following letter (from a copy at Crosby) addressed to the Bishop by two powerful neighbours was successful in obtaining her release.

“To y^ Right reverend FF. in God very good L. y® L. Bisheppe of Chester, — Whereas wee are given to understand that since the late commitment of J\F‘^ Emilia Blundell (close prisoner in her Castle of Chester) yo^ hono^ by some her worshipful

frends hath beene often and earnestlie entreated for her enlargem* in regard of some of her infirmities upo good and sufficient bonds for her forthcoming and y^ inlaying of her body at such time as shall be thought fitt and convenient. And further that in a fatherlie care ov^ the present state of her feeble body and y^ preservation of her decayed health yo^ Lordship is said to carie an honorable inclination and disposition. And for that wee ourselves by div^^ sudrie o’^ good neighbours have been likewise seriouslie solicited for the speedy furthering thereof We have therefore thought good thus much hereby to signifie that if in consideration of all or any of y^p^ misses it may stand with y^ |-jobie good Lordships liking to favor to allow thereof and y^same to grant accordinglie wee for o^ parts shall be well pleased to yield thereunto and by o*’ mutual assent to joyne with yo^ ho*" in

RA.mongst Mr. Blundell’s papers are some verses in the alliterative style, once so popular, on a pursuivant named “ Crosse,” who, he says, “ was sore beaten with Boman and others, at Ollerton, near Brindell, hi Lancashyre, on the loth day of August, a.d. i6i8.”

Xll

Preface.

that behalfe so that upon like bonds sufficient permission may be had that for and during all the time of her uncomformitie, obstinacie and disobedience she shall not make any repaire unto or into anie part of o^ Parish of Sephton, nor yet within the space of so manie myles as by yo*" Lp^ shal be limited and appoynted. And for that common experience doth too well teach us that y® evill examples of such Archpapists and dis- obedient persons doe greatlie hinder the race of y® Gospell (especiallie in these maritime parts) and daylie threaten dangerous events, if y^ same be not Wislie foreseene and speedilie pre- vented : Wee could wish o^ selves likewise altogether freede

from the company of ]\P Blundell, her husband, if by any lawful way or means, he (being a confyned Papist) might be removed from among us. Thus referring the whole matter and every circumstance thereof unto yo’' lion's grave and deep consideration with remembrance of o^ duties we humbly take leave, Sephton of this August y® 2f — 98.

Yo^' good Lps every way assured,

Richard Molvnex,

Jo: Nutter.”

The qualifications of Sir Richard Molyneux for pro- moting ‘ the race of the Gospel ’ may be doubted. The marginal notice attached to his name in the return previously quoted is, “ maketh shew of god conformitie, but many of his companie are in evill note.”

His son, Sir Richard, created VTscount Molyneux, 1628, married Mary, daughter and co-heiress of Sir Thos. Carryll, knt., a staunch Catholic, and the children seem to have been brought up in that faith. One of the sons was Caryll, Lord Molyneux, the famous royalist leader, who succeeded his brother Richard as 3rd Viscount in 1654. The family continued Catholic until 1768, when

Preface.

Xlll

Charles Philip, who had been a minor for some time, and had apparently received a Protestant education, publicly conformed to the Established Church. He was created Earl of Sefton in 177 id

The Rev. J. Nutter is said in the same return to be Dean of Chester and Parson of Sephton, Aughton, and Bebbington. Hence he was a great pluralist, and had the reputation of possessing considerable wealth. He was the ‘ golden ass ’ of Queen Elizabeth, so that we may conjecture the source of the following special commission.^ “ 44 Eliz\ Depositions taken before the Bishop of Chester concerning certain bags of treasure supposed to have been concealed in the parsonage house of Sefton after the death of Mr. Nutter, Dean of Chester — also for the proving the bastardie of him.-^

The “ ditties ” of Mr. Blundell belong to this period. Out of 18 composed by him three only are given, the rest being chiefly translations of pious Latin hymns. His verses, though rugged, are quaintly expressive, and bring out the religious and controversial side of his character.

" The last Catholic Viscount IMolyneux, William, was a Priest of the Society of Jesus, and died 1759. In early life he had renounced the family estates, reserving only a very modest pittance. He could not legally dispossess himself of the title, but he never made use of it. He is passed over in the will, dated 14 June, 1751, of his brother Thomas, who constituted his wife, Maria Molyneux, Charles, Duke of Beaufort, and William Prujean, the family solicitor, guardians of his infant son.

^Called “Nuttall” by Leycester {Ajitiq. of Chester., p. 169), who says of him, “ A man of great wealth : Queen Elizabeth tearmed him a Golden Ass : he died as he was at supper at Sefton, a.d. 1613.”

3 La?ic. and Chesh. Records^ R. S., pt. 2nd, p. 336.

XIV

P7'eface.

He came into life at the period of the greatest revolution that has befallen England ; in the very year when by the accession of Elizabeth to the throne, the change of religion was rendered complete. Nursed amid the traditions of Catholicity, he lived long enough to be a witness of the results of this important event. It is interesting to note what an English gentleman in his position has to say on this point. His verdict, as given in the comparison which he makes between the past and the present, is’ not favourable to the new order of things.

Many family traditions of these persecutions were carried abroad by the English ladies who peopled the convents in France and Flanders, — humble dwellings which had arisen to supply the place of the stately monasteries whose ruins still adorn our land. One such document is annexed to iMr. Blundell’s narrative because it contains some additional particulars. It has been furnished to the Editor by the Benedictine Community at Teignmouth, in Devonshire, where the annals of the English Augustinian Convent, formerly at Louvain, are preserved.

For all necessary information regarding the Penal Laws, our readers are referred to the following introduc- tion by the late Bishop Goss, who A bbott' s Journal

for the Chetham Society. He does not pretend to give a digest of these numerous enactments, but says enough to make us wonder, not that England became Protestant, but that a remnant was left to carry on the traditions of the older faith. Dr. Goss was consecrated in 1853 as

Preface,

XV

Bishop of Gerra in partibns, and coadjutor to the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Liverpool, whom he succeeded in 1856. He died October 3, 1872, leaving behind him the reputation of an able and fearless prelate. At one time he contemplated the publication of an account of the Harkirke burial ground, and of the remarkable dis- covery of Saxon coins related by 'Sir. Blundell. In addition to this introduction he has left many notes regarding the coins, though not reduced to any order.

The original copperplate engraving of 35 of these coins, procured by iMr. Blundell in 1613, has been utilised for this work. Impressions were taken at the time, and a copy found its way into the British iMuseum.^ William Blundell, the Cavalier, had one or two hundred copies struck off in 1676, and Mr. T. Blount, to whom he lent the plate, had others taken for the use of his friends. One of them was sent in 1693, to Mr. Abel Small, then engaged in the reprinting of Camden, and led to a notice of the find in that work.^

The name “ Harkirke ” is said to be derived from “All hara Cyrice,” the hoary, grey, or ancient church, and the tradition of the holiness of the spot no doubt influenced Mr. Blundell in his selection of it for a burial ground. The same sentiment may have led to the deposit made 700 years previously, as churchyards were sometimes chosen for the concealment of treasure.

* Harleian MSS., No. 1,437.

^ Camden’s Britannia, “Gough,” vol. hi. p. 137. See also plate III. in Spelman’s Life of Alfred.

xvi Pi'eface.

Trust not would his experience say,

Captain or comrade with your prey ;

But seek some charnel, when, at full,

The moon gilds skeleton and skull :

There dig, and tomb your precious heap,

And bid the dead your treasure keep.^

At Hexham churchyard in 1833, 8,000 Northumbrian coins were found, supposed to have been placed there not later than a.d. 844. The Bishop conjectures that the Harkirke deposit was made on the occasion of a sudden incursion of the Danes, by some one whose death or captivity prevented his reclaiming the treasure. The date he supposes to have been about 913, as there are no coins of the latter part of the reign of Edward, son of Alfred. The Danes have left in this part of Lancashire many traces of their settlements. Crosby, Formby, and Ravensmeols lie contiguous to each other, so that at one time the Danish element must have been in the ascen- dant. The treasure found at Cuerdale in 1840 is supposed to have been deposited about the same period. It was a much larger find, consisting of 7,000 to 8,000 silver coins, with ingots of silver about three inches and one- tenth in length, armlets and other ornaments. The deposit lay about 40 yards from the banks of the Ribble. Mr. Blundell speaks of four score as the number of coins discovered at Harkirke, but his grandson, the “ Cavalier,” sa)^s that upwards of 300 coins were found, as well as some few pieces of uncoined silver. If this was the case, many must have come to light after the first discovery.

* Rokeby, Canto II., part 18.

Preface.

xvii

The Cavalier adds that until 1642, he had a great many in his own keeping, but that at the breaking out of the Civil War he sent them for greater security into Wales, where they were lost. The same fate befell some of the family writings. Certain it is that none of the coins are now at Crosby Hall, and that so many valuable deeds are missing, that it is impossible now to compile a satis- factory pedigree of the family. Mr. Blundell does not give any clue to the place where these treasures were deposited. It may have been Wrexham, where his kins- men, the Banisters, resided.

It is evident that IMr. Blundell took a ereat interest in the treasure, which he felt had come to him as some recompense for his charity in providing, like another Tobias, a place of sepulture for those of his religion and race. His quaint explanation of the coins shews a better knowledge of the Anglo-Saxon saints and monarchs than of the science of numismatics. At the period when he lived this science was unknown, so that he had not the assistance of those kindly manuals which very much lighten the labours of students in this province. Moreover, it would be too much to expect from a copperplate of that period that accuracy of delineation, without which the best endeavours at a true interpretation will neces- sarily fail. The engraver in all probability never saw the Coins themselves, and though Mr. Blundell no doubt copied them with the greatest care, he confesses with regard to some that he has left places vacant where he could not decipher the “ strange characters.” After all,

XVlll

Preface,

it is a matter of less importance than if the Crosby “find” had stood alone. It has been eclipsed of late years by that of Ciierdale, which included most of the Crosby coins depicted in the plate. Mr. Blundell’s mistakes in description chiefly arise from his confounding the moneyers with Saxon Kings, and from his erroneous notion that there was a special coin for Peter Pence. The short description given at the end of the chapter was procured by Bishop Goss from the late Rev. D. H. Haigh of Erdington, whose attainments in this particular branch of science are well known.

The Harkirke Burial Register is almost entirely in the handwriting of the successive squires of Crosby, and great care has been taken to notify in each entry that the party interred had been previously denied burial at the parish church. The names are chiefly those of humble tenants and neiehbours, the total number buried beingr 1 3 1, of whom 26 were Priests.

The last person who appears to have been refused burial at Sefton Church was Ellen Williamson of I nee Blundell. This was on 5th May, 1629, so that the removal of the inhibition coincides with the induction into the living of Rev. Edward Moreton, D.D., which took place in the followinor month. Eew burials are recorded from Liver-

O

pool, but the same prohibition was in force there, and the friends of Anne Webster, a tenant of Mr. Crosse, had much difficulty in disposing of her body. After the Curate of Liverpool Chapel had refused to bury her, they went to the Mayor for an order, but without success.

Preface,

XIX

They afterwards made application in vain to Mr. More, and had then to undertake the long journey to Crosby, where IMr. Blundell acted for them the part of the good Tobias. The exclusion of the Catholic recusants of this district from the use of their parish church yard lasted quite 20 years. In regard to the burial of Priests, it is generally notified that they were carried to the grave at the dead of night. The burials that took place after the above year are nearly altogether those of Priests. Little is known of their lives, wdiich were hidden and apostolic. Constantly exposed to seizure, they had no fixed abode, but went from house to house, preaching in barns, and ready to give their assistance wherever required. It was not till after the Civil Wars that the squires, whose tenants they served, were able to give them a comparative safe asylum in their own mansions. The writer has not met with an earlier instance of a Priest in Lancashire residing with his patron, than that of the Rev. John Walton, S.J., wdio, in 1646, was retained by the Cavalier at Crosby Hall, which, however, he was frequently obliged to leave at a moment’s notice. Something notable has come down to us with regard to two of the Priests here interred. There is amongst the few memorial stones at Harkirke an oblong stone with deeply- cut initial letters, intended to designate the Rev. John Layton, alias Port, S.J., who was buried at 9 p.m. on the night of 19th Feb., 1624, having expired the previous evening. The following passage from the Annual Letters, S.J., 1624, shows that though he died young, he had left his mark in the land.

XX

Preface.

These letters were annual reports furnished by the Superior of the district to the General of the Society at Rome, giving such details as might be considered interesting or important.

“ Great fruit is gained from the sermons preached not only in private houses, but also publicly and frequently in rustic barns, and these are attended by great crowds both of Catholics and Protestants from the neiorhbourhood.

o

Father John Layton, alias Port, was successful in this work. His sermons were attended by such numbers that it was difficult to find a barn large enough to hold them all, while in the meantime the Protestant churches were nearly emptied. It is recorded that the parson of a celebrated parish church would often deplore from his pulpit with tears the non-attendance of the people, and the almost abandonment of his church, yet all in vain ; for upon great festival days his congregation consisted only of his wife and children and domestics, and one or two townsmen to fill the vacant seats of the church. On the contrary, our father sought every means of enlarging and decorating his barn, and feeding the multitude flocking there like sheep without a shepherd, with the salutary food of the word of God and the Sacraments. He was one of the many who devoted their labour to hearing confessions and administering Holy Communion, as also to preaching, catechising children, disputing with the heretics, confirming the orthodox in their faith, and performing all the other functions of Apostles, ffe thus drew into his barn a most copious harvest, and would

Preface,

XXI

have gained yet more had not sickness, followed by death, carried him off at the early age of 38.”^ Sefton was doubtless the parish church referred to in the fore- going extract.

Rev. Edward Molyneux, a secular priest who died 80 years later, seems to have led a similar life, with the same efficacious results. He resided with his brother, Mr. Richard ^Molyneux, at the Grange (now a farm house close to the Altcar shooting ranges), of which property the family had a long lease, procured from their kinsmen, the Molyneux’s of Sefton. He also went from house to house preaching in barns to great multitudes of hearers. Mr. Nicholas Blundell records more than once in his diary that he went with his wife to IMargery Howerd’s to hear “ Mr. Molineux hold forth.” He also tells us of his being found dead on the sands on 28th April, 1704. He speaks highly of him as a priest and a confessor, and says that he had 800 penitents under his charge, besides children. Of course many of these must have come from a distance. A curious tradition regarding Mr. Molvneux has lingered to this day in the village of Little Crosby. It is said that he was the owner of a fleet horse, and that on the above day, after riding over the sands to Liverpool, as he often did, he put up at his usual inn. When ready to return in the evening, the ostler told him that his horse was lame, and offered another which he accepted, riding leisurely homew^ards. With the intention of robbing him, the man soon after mounted Mr. Molyneux’s horse, over-

^ Foley's Records^ S.J. Collectanea, pt. ii. p. 1108.

d

XXll

Preface,

took him on the lonely sands, and, pulling him from his horse, was alarmed at finding that the fall had occasioned his death. He fled hastily from the spot, but several years afterwards, being about to die at Lancaster for some other villainy, he confessed that he had been the cause of the death of Father Molyneux. Whatever truth there may be in this tradition, it seems certain that no suspicions of foul play were entertained at the time, otherwise the diarist would have alluded to them.

The site of this ancient burial place is now included within Crosby Park walls. It lies at a short distance from the Hall, westward, towards the sea. A neat memorial cross has been erected by the present squire to mark the spot. A road formerly ran towards Sefton, through the Harkirke ; and one of the wayside crosses with which England was once thickly studded, has been restored to its ancient position at its side.

]\Ir. Blundell is sometimes mistaken in the names of those who beo^ged his lands, nor is this to be wondered at. He would naturally desire to know as little as possible of his unwelcome visitors. In some cases he bought them off, and it was clearly their interest to accept a moderate composition. The difficulties in the way of distraint must have been very great, and Mr. Blundell with his tenants, most of whom were in the same plight as himself, had no doubt their “ plan of campaign.” They would have timely notice of the approach of the enemy, and would take care that there should be little for them to seize. Although the only magistrate in the neighbour-

Preface.

XXlll

hood, Mr. More, was by no means friendly, yet he would be unwilling- to proceed to open acts of hostility, and the SherilTs assistance could not be reckoned upon at ordinary times. When he did come down at the head of a posse of soldiers with trumpets and drums, it was really a very formidable affair. Fortunately the “ bark ” of the Star Chamber was worse than its “ bite,’’ for it frequently remitted or diminished the fines imposed.

Mr. Blundell petitioned the Crown for some abatement of the outrageous sum in which he had been amerced, and the following document, preserved at Crosby, gives the result.

“Charles R.

Right trustie and righte well-beloved Counsellor, wee greet yo^ well. Whereas we have been petitioned by yo^ trustie and well-beloved subjecte John ffleininge Esq’* executo’" of the last will and testam^ of S’" W^ Norris, Knight, who was fyned in o^ Court of Stare Chamber in the sume of ;^iccoand by Will"^ Blundell, gent : who was fyned in the sume of £2000 that wee would be seriously pleased in consideration of their small estates to accept of each of them in lieu of their fynes so imposed such a sume of money as they are able to give. And for that it appeareth by the certificate of the Lord Chiefe Baron of or Excheq*" that upon consideration of their meane estates (wh. are well known unto him) hee is of opinion that if^250 may be paid by each of them unto o^ use in lieu of their fynes it were a behooveful bargaine for us, wee are therefore seriously pleased upon consideration thereof to accept of the said several sumes of £2^0 of each of them in full discharge of the said several fines above mentioned. And do hereby will and command you to give order to attorney general to p’pare a bill fit for o^ Royal signature conteyninge such a discharge of the said several fines as hee shall think fitt. And for soe doinge this shall be yo*”

XXIV

Preface.

warrantt. Given at Courtt of Greenwich the 19th of Maie in the 7th year of o^ Reigne. To o^ Right trustie and Righte well- beloved CoLinsello’’ Richard Lo. Weston o’" highc Treasurer of England.

M"" Attorney. I here send you the copie of his p-g under

his Royal! signature directed unto me by w^^ you may do what his pleasure is and so pray you to p’sue the direction

therein given. 25 Maie, 1631.

Richard Weston.”

Mr. Blundell having married Emilia, sister of Sir William Norris, it is easy to understand how they came to be associated in this petition. The knight’s offence arose also out of a matter of religion. He complained to Mr. More that he was too particular in making enquiries from the Churchwardens of Childwall about his absence from church. More replied that he was too credulous of the speeches of the Churchwardens, whereupon Sir William gave him the lie, which, being returned, the knight drew his sword and struck him a blow. A complaint was made by More to that omnipotent tribunal the Star Chamber, and the result was a fine of ^1000 besides £^o to be given to More as a solatium. It is singular that both the contending parties should follow each other to the grave soon after their quarrel. Sir William Norris died in 1631, and More, as the Cavalier William Blundell tells us, fell down dead in the street, in 1632. He was 69 years of age, and his improvident habits must have contributed to the ruin of this important Liverpool family. Henry Scarisbrick, of Scarisbrick, who died 1609, left his daughter Mary, wife of John More, gentleman, 200 marks

Preface,

XXV

yearly, but appointed Lawrence Ireland and Alexander Barlow her trustees, so that her portion be “ no wise impaired by her husband.”^

It will be seen from the above document that Mr. Blundell got off for ^250, but in addition to this he had to pay the expenses of the Sheriff and his followers. The receipt of Sir Ralph Ashton for his share of the

spoil, is still preserved at Crosby.

The extracts from the “ Create Roll ” of Lancashire Recusants, show how carefully all unpaid fines and compositions were charged against their estates. When the property of the Cavalier, forfeited for his loyalty, was offered for sale in 1653, it was purchased for him by two friends. In 1658 he was ready to pay for It, but was confronted by the enormous bill here Inserted, which nearly doubled the cost of redemption. He complains also that he was forced to procure ‘‘ at his great charge ” these extracts to be taken from the Exchequer Roll. It appears from the bills attached that the transcribing of this document, which Is above 20 feet long, cost no less than ^34 ibi'. 2d. Should the Great Roll of Recusants throughout England ever see the light. It will be discovered how much of the life of England was crushed under the weight of the Penal Laws. Their disabilities and exactions fettered its free existence; they embittered the lives of those who were true and loyal subjects of the Crown, seeking only to worship God according to their conscience. The Penal Laws are largely responsible for

* Lancashire InquisiiiofiSy Record Society, vol. iii.

xxvi

Preface.

the almost total disappearance in Lancashire of the class of lesser gentry — a class very numerous in the early days of Queen Elizabeth.

It is satisfactory to be able to add, on the authority of his grandson the “ Cavalier,” that William Blundell, who suffered so much for his faith, had the blessing of God in his temporal affairs. He added somewhat to his paternal estate, and left it to his successor unincumbered with debt, besides providing his other children with a competent maintenance. He died at Crosby on end July, 1638, aged 78 years. His eldest son Nicholas having pre- deceased him in 1631, his namesake the “Cavalier” entered upon his inheritance at the early age of 19. He had been married when only 15, in order to enable his grandfather to make a fresh settlement of the estates, — a matter of considerable importance to those under the ban of the Penal Laws.

The thanks of the Chetharn Society are tendered to Colonel Blundell, for permission to transcribe for publica- tion the valuable papers here inserted. The Editor wishes also to acknowledge the readiness with which he entered into his plans, and the many facilities afforded him towards the prosecution of this work.

T. E. G.

Birkdali.

INTRODUCTION

By the late Right Rev. ALEXANDER GOSS, D.D.

The story of the Harkirke forms an episode in the history of James I. His predecessor, Elizabeth, whilst she upheld with a firm hand the freedom of England against foreign aggression, trampled without re- morse on the liberties of her subjects at home. Not content with a simple oath of allegiance, she enforced obedience to the royal supremacy in matters of faith, as well as in aft'airs of State. Her lieges were required “ Jmmbly to confess her majestie to be the supreme orovernor in all things as well ecclesiasticall as temporall within the realm dissent from the national church was punished with the same penalty as treason against the State. Under her sister Mary she had conformed to the Catholic Church, so that it was not unreasonable to expect that she would treat the religious scruples of her former co- religionists with tenderness; but her temper was soured by the knowledge that they looked upon her as the ille- gitimate fruit of an adulterous connexion, and her feelings were exasperated by the efforts of the Spanish party in

^ Oath of William Alley, Bishop of Exeter. Notes and Queries^ 3rd s. vol. vii. p. 355.

B

2

Crosby Records.

favour of Mary Queen of Scots. During her reign there suffered capitally no less than 204 Catholics. Fifteen of these were condemned for denying her supremacy, one hundred and six for the exercise of priestly functions, and the others for being reconciled to the Catholic faith, or for harbouring, aiding or assisting priests.

With regard to the great part of these victims, the law was fully and literally executed. After being hanged up they were act down alive, dismembered, ripped up and their bowels burnt before their faces ; after which they were beheaded and quartered.' This enumeration does not include those who perished in prison. The number of those who were banished was also very great. No wonder, then, that Catholics who had groaned under her own yoke for nearly half a century looked forward to the accession of J ames with hopeful anticipations. Among the secret advertisements addressed to Sir Francis Walsing- ham is the following : — “He (Edmond’s, alias Hunte the Jesuit) seemeth to be p’s waded that the Kinge of Scotts shall marry w^^ y^ Kinge of Spayne his daughter. Where uppon he dothe infer that the country of Scotland wyl become papists and for the Kyngs affection to Papistry he standeth nothinge doubtful, this rather for the great credytt that Holte the Englishe Jesuyte and some other of the Semanaryes have about the Kynge there and some of his counsell (as he supposethe).” ^ Many of the hardships

^ Rev. Sydney Smith’s, “ Letter on the Catholic Question.”

2 Anno 1585, March. Vol, 177, No. 48, S.P.O.

Introduclion.

3

which they had endured under his predecessor had been brought upon them by their adherence to the cause of his mother, the unfortunate Queen of Scots ; and it was con- fidently expected, if his gratitude did not reward their devotion, his justice would at least mitigate their suffer- ings.' Whilst his accession to the English throne was still doubtful many of them had advocated his claims, and he had promised to the princes of their communion, as well as to their own envoys and to the nobility, that they should be well dealt withhal, and should not only be quiet from molestations, but should also enjoy such liberty in their houses privately as themselves would desire, and have both priests and sacraments, with full toleration and desired quiet. He had promised the Pope, Clement VI I L, through his ambassador, that no attachment to his own creed should ever induce him to act with harshness or severity toward that numerous body of his subjects who had adopted a contrary faith, and that all the advantages of justice, peace, and protection by their fellow citizens, should be extended freely and equally to them, and that neither the Pope nor any other man of reasonable judg- ment should ever have ground to complain of his admin- istration. ^ His professions went even still further. He admitted the Catholic to be the ancient mother religion

^ Lingard, vol. vi. p. 639, “Garnet to Persons,” April 16, 1603. Father Gerard, cited in Tierney’s Dodd^ vol. iv. p. 37 ; Butler’s Memoirs of E?ig. Cath.^ II. chap, xliii.; Hume, vol. vi. chap. 47 p. 30.

3 King James to his ambassador Sir Thos. Parry, from S.P.O., cited by Tierney.

4

Crosby Records.

of all the rest, and recognised the Pope to be primus episcopus ipJer omjies episcopos, and prmceps episcoporum, and declared his willingness to honor the saints and to reverence her who, “ blessed amongst women,” is the Mother of God, in glory both above angels and men. He was, in fact, currently and credibly reported to be secretly a Catholic. Wade writes to Walsingham from Paris: — “ The Scotch Ambassador hath not stuck to tell the Lord Hamilton, in the hearing of others, that the King is secretly Catholic.”' “The King by vord and promiss has ac- cepted thair offer of money to be paid, how sone he shall publish liberty of conscience. Thai (Henry Constable and Lord Bonington) have desyrit the abay of Newabay on the west border to be a retreat to such as for thair con- science shall fie out of Angland, w'"^ the King premisses to do connivently.”^ Another consideration, of no little weight with an absolute sovereign, augmented his leaning in favour of Catholics. He knew them to be loyal from principle, and he was glad to have their support against the Puritan devils by whom he declared that his mother and himself had been haunted from their cradles.

His experience of government in Scotland had nourish- ed the belief that where there was no bishop there would be no King, and he made no secret of his persuasion that the hierarchy was the firmest support of the throne.

* S.P.O. France, May 5th, 1581. Cited in Simpson’s Cainpion^ p. 380, note 248.

= Mr. John Colville to Sir Robert Cicil, Aug. 21, 1599. S.P.O. Eliz., vol. 65, Art. 16.

Introduflion.

5

It was, no doubt, this connection, rather than doctrinal considerations, that led him to abandon the pure Kirk of Scotland, which he found to agree “ as well with mon- archy as God with the devil,” in favour of episcopacy, although he had repeatedly expressed his gratitude to God, “that he belonged to the purest Kirk in the world,” and had publicly declared that, “ as long as he should brook his life, he would maintain its principles.” '

In July he made an effort or pretence to fulfil these promises. He conferred on several Catholics the honour of knighthood, and he invited some of the most distin- guished amongst them to Hampton Court, where they were received by the lords of the council with marks of respect. He promised also to exonerate them from the penalties of recusancy “ as long as they kept themselves upright in all civil and true carriage towards his majesty and the states without contempt.” ^

It was, however, the misfortune of James to live in an intolerant age ; and if he was ever disposed to befriend Catholics, the fear of giving offence to his Protestant subjects compelled him to abandon his resolution. He even went so far as to assure his council in the most solemn manner that he had never any such intention ; and, on his authority. Coke, his attorney-general, declared that “ the eyes of the Catholics should sooner fall out than they should ever see toleration.” ^ But truth was

^ Ling, vol. vii. pp. 26, 28 ; Chamber’s Dom. An. Scot., vol. i. p. 160.

® Tierney, vol. iv. pp. 37, 154; Ling, vol. vii. p. 25.

3 Tierney, vol. iv., citing Howell, vol. ii. p. 5.

6

Crosby Records.

not counted a royal virtue by the house of Stuart/ and James never hesitated to deny what he found it incon- venient to acknowledec, “for whereas if before the Kinor had promisit to the Pope and to uther catholiques in France (as to the Guisardes) yet in respect he did after- vart deny the said premisses and did somwhat to the contrari (as in the beheading of P'entun), tharfor his sincerite was much suspected w^'^ thamm.”^ His conduct goes far to justify epithets of mean, pedantic, and coit- temptible, though hardly his designation as a “ compound of blood and mud, only remarkable for the hardness of his heart and the softness of his brains.

When reminded by Watson of his promises of protec- tion, he observed to a bystander: “Xa, na, good fayth, we’es not neede the papists now;” and for this selfish motive he did not hesitate to abandon them to the fanati- cism of their adversaries. He was even mean enouo^h to pretend that he had never forgiven the penalties of recusancy; and by demanding the arrears, which had the effect of crowding thirteen payments of £^o per month into 07ie, he reduced many respectable families to indi- gence. His net income from the fines of recusancy amounted to thirty-six thousand pounds per annum.

Abundant as were the resources placed at his com- mand, as compared with his sorry allowance in Scotland,

^ Butler’s Mem. of Cath., vol. ii. p. 76.

= S.P.O. Scotland, Eliz. vol. 65, Art. 16.

3 Life and Letters of Lady Arabella Stuart, by Eliza Cooper, vol. ii. p. I. LListory of the Commo7iwealth, by Andrew Bisset, vol. ii. p. 80.

^ Ling, vol. vii. p. 189, citing “ Hardwicke Papers,” vol. i. p. 446.

Introdu5lion.

/

James was constantly in want of money, for he was surrounded by needy and rapacious followers, and was himself immoderately fond of pleasure. This compelled him to have recourse to a parliament in order to replenish his exhausted treasury ; but the House of Commons showed no disposition to encourage his extravagance. It no longer displayed the obsequiousness which it had exhibited in former reigns, and its members spoke with a boldness and freedom which, under Elizabeth or her royal father, would have sent them to the tower.

The reaction resultinc; from the remembrance of their late thraldom was aided by dissent, which was greatly on the increase, so that there was fostered in the House a spirit hostile to the prerogatives of a monarch, who claimed by divine right unlimited power over the lives, liberties and consciences of his subjects.

If the Commons eventually yielded to his importunities, they did so with reluctance, and usually accompanied the grant with a demand for an extension of rights, or the promise of a reform of abuses. An attentive observer might already have discerned the germs of that levelling spirit which, under his successor, upset the throne, crippled the power of the aristocracy, and raised the middle class to political power. Yet, however acrimonious the debates, and however exasperated the feelings of party against party, there was one subject on which both sides were mutually agreed, the persecution of the Catholics. “Con- formists and Nonconformists,” to borrow the words of

8

Crosby Records.

Lord Macaulay,V“ heartily joined in enacting penal laws of extreme severity against the Papists.”

Additional severities were added to the oppressive and sanguinary code enacted in the reign of Elizabeth. A fine of not less than £ioo was levied on any person sending a child or other person to be educated in a Catholic college abroad ; and any person so educated was compelled, on his return, to conform to the established church under penalty of being rendered incapable of inheriting, or purchasing, or enjoying lands, annuities, chattels, or sums of money within the realm. Even the owners or masters of ships, conveying beyond the seas any woman or other person under the age of twenty-one without a license, were punished, the owners with the loss of their vessel, the masters with the forfeiture of their goods and imprisonment for twelve months. A penalty of forty shillings a day was inflicted on any person who should employ a tutor, and on any tutor who should presume to teach even the rudiments of grammar, unless provided with a license from the Diocesan.^ The legal fine of twenty pounds per lunar month for recusancy was rigorously exacted, and, in default of payment, all the cattle, household furniture, and wearing apparel of the recusants were seized and sold, and he forfeited in addi- tion two-thirds of his lands, tenements, hereditaments, farms and leases.

^ Hist. Eng. vol. i. p. 75.

’ Ling, vol. vii. p. 88. Butler’s Mem. E?ig. Cath. vol. ii. p. 91.

Introduftion.

9

By this depauperising process, repeated every six months, numerous families were reduced to such utter ruin that they had not even a bed to lie on. The poor who could not pay were imprisoned. No place was exempt from the severity of the law, for the clergy were bound under ecclesiastical penalties to denounce all re- cusants above the age of thirteen years living within their parishes.' The warrants of distress were issued by the judges at the assizes, by the magistrates at the sessions, and by the commissioners for causes ecclesiastical, mostly the “most earnest and base Puritans whom other- wise the Kine discountenanceth.”^ With what rieour these warrants were executed by the constables and pursui- vants to whom they were entrusted, may be seen from the fact that, in the county of Hereford alone, four hun- dred and nine families were reduced by these penalties to a state of beggary. Life itself under such circumstances was rendered burdensome. Nocturnal searches for the discovery of priests were resumed with all that train of injuries, insults, and vexations which characterised them in the reign of Elizabeth “ no night passing commonly but that soldiers and catchpoles walk into quiet men’s houses, when they were asleep, and not only carried away their persons into prisons at their pleasure, except they would brybe them excessively, but whatsoever lyked them best besydes in the house. And these searches

* Can. cxiv. = << Garnet to Persons.”

3 Ling, vol. vii. p. 50, citing “Persons’ Judgment of a Catholic Plnglishman,” p. 43, 4to, 1608.

c

lO

Crosby Records.

were made with such violence and insolency, as divers gentlewomen w^ere drawn or forced out of their beds, to see whether they had any sacred thing or matter belong- ing to the use of the Catholic religion, either about them or under their bedds. If any resistance was offered to these illegal extortions, the persuvants availd themselves of their warrents to make a forced search, in which neither pot nor pan, nor bedding nor ringe, nor jewells, nor anything escapeth their hands.”'

At the summer assizes for 1604, fewer than six thousand four hundred and twenty-six recusant convicts were returned. The gaols were crowded with prisoners, and twenty- three priests and three laymen were arbi- trarily selected and sent into banishment for life."* “The judges nowe openly protest,” writes Garnet to Persons, “that the Kincre nowe will have blood and hath taken

o

blood in Yorkshire; that the Kinee hath hitherto stroaked the papists, but nowe will strike.” And the King was as good as his word. Several persons were executed, though it has been denied that any perished before the Gunpowder Plot.^ During his reign twenty-five Catholics are said to have been executed for exercise of their religion.'*

The ingenuity or malice of Lord Chancellor Ellesmere suggested to Bancroft, who had lately been translated from London to Canterbury, a new method of subduing

* Ling, vol. vii. p. 191. ^ Ibid.^ p. 46. 3 p. 50.

*< Rev. Syd. Smith’s “ Letter on the Catholic Question.’’ Tierney enumerates 24, with dates and places, vol. iv. p. 180.

Introdu^lion,

1 1

the obstinancy of the more opulent and zealous of the Catholics.

The Primate lost no time in following his directions. On the 1 2th of March, 1605, he instructed his suffragans to excommunicate “the gentlemen recusants, landlords, and some other ringleaders of that sort, that so they who have not learned how to use their former liberty, may be better instructed by chastisement in prison.”' At the end of forty days the names of the offenders were to be certified into chancery, and writs de cxco7nm7inicato capiendo were to be sent out. The effects of this measure were equivalent to a sentence of outlawry. The delin- quents were placed out of the King’s protection, were subjected to forfeiture and imprisonment, and were ren- dered incapable of recovering debts or rents, or lands, or goods, or damages for injuries. They could not buy or sell, or interchange merchandise, or be a witness in a court of justice, or act as executor or administrator, or be an advocate, or swear in a jury, or convey their estates by deed or will.^ This penalty could be inflicted for neglecting to have a child baptized or to receive com- munion, or to go to divine service, or for error in the matter of religion or doctrine. The eftects of excommu- nication pursued them beyond the grave. Those who, whilst living, had been debarred from all society and communication with the faithful were, when dead,

^ Wilkin’s, vol. iv. p. 410, cited by Tierney; Butler’s Me7n. Eng. Cath., vol. ii. p. 90, citing Bartoli.

* Phillimore’s Burn’s Ecc. Law^ Art. “ Excora.”

Crosby Records.

1 2

deprived of Christian burial in consecrated ground. Nay, the clergy not only refused to read the service over them, but forbade the body to be buried in the churchyard. The parish register of St. Nicholas, New- castle, under date December 31, 1664, records that “ In- fant Knight and Mary Watson being excommunicated, were buried in a garden^ The refusal of the Curate of Allenmoor, near Hereford, to allow the interment of Alice Wellington, a Catholic, in the churchyard, led to a tumult, which compelled the Bishops of Hereford and Llandaff, two notorious persecutors, to flee for their lives. Her friends, aided by the Catholics, buried her by force, and beat off the civil officers. This affair was deemed to be of such moment that the Earl of Worcester, himself a Catholic, hastened from court to restore order. His efforts were supported by messengers sent from the missionaries and other Catholics in the neiehbourinof counties.^ Meanwhile the Star Chamber was stimulated to increased activity and severity by an address from the Lord Chancellor. In those days the subject had little chance of obtaining justice in prosecutions ordered by the Crown. “ The tribunals,” writes Lord Macaulay, ^ “ offered no protection to the subject against the civil and ecclesiastical tyranny of that period. The judges of the common law, holding their situations during the pleasure of the King, were scandalously obsequious. Yet, obse-

^ Hierurgia Aiiglica7ia^ P-333* Ling, vol. vii. p. 51.

3 Hist. Eng. vol. i. p. 90 ; Ling, vol. vii. pp. 177, 188, 377.

Introdu5lion.

13

quious as they were, they were less ready and less effi- cient instruments of arbitrary power than a class of courts, the memory of which is still, after the lapse of more than two centuries, held in deep abhorrence by the nation. Foremost among these courts in power and infamy were the Star Chamber and the High Commission, the former a political, the latter a religious inquisition. Neither was a part of the old constitution of England. The Star Chamber had been remodelled, and the High Commis- sion created by the Tudors. The government was able, through their instrumentality, to hne, imprison, pillory and mutilate without restraint.”

Hume says' that the Commissioners were directed to make inquiry not only by the legal method of juries and witnesses, but by all other means and ways which they could devise, that is, by the rack, by torture, by inquisi- tion, by imprisonment. It must excite the surprise of the reader that the Catholics made no attempt to shake off this galling yoke. There were amongst them men of high lineage, great possessions, and powerful connections; but they had been taught that any attempt at revolution would incur the guilt of rebellion. Pope Clement VIII. had warned them by a special messenger to exhibit all becoming attachment, and reverence, and obedience to their rulers, to commit no act which might disturb the public peace, offend their princes and magistrates, or bring their religion into hatred and suspicion ; but to

* Hist. Eng. cxll, cited by Butler, vol. ii. p. 379.

14

Crosby Records.

render to God the things that are God’s, to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to abstain from mixing up the concerns of religion with the foreio-n affairs of State. He further informed the King that he could withdraw froni the country any of the missionaries of whose loyalty his highness might have conceived any rational suspicion. ' Even Garnet, who suffered death for his supposed com- plicity in the Gunpowder Plot, implored the Pope, as soon as he had an inkling of it, to prohibit under censure all recourse to arms.^ Yet there were a few desperate men who denied the right of the Pope to prohibit them from defending their lives and liberties. Catesby, with twelve associates, formed the atrocious design of blowing up the King and his parliament; and but for the remorse of one of the conspirators, they would, in all probability, have succeeded in their wicked adventure, notwithstanding that Salisbury (Cecil) had sufficient advertisement that they had a practise in hand for some “stirre” this parlia- ment ; it was, however, thought better not to interrupt their devilish practice, but to suffer them to go on till the end of the day.^

In his subsequent attempt at insurrection he could not gather round him as many as fifty followers, which clearly shows that he did not possess the sympathy of his co- religionists.'^ Yet, although it was manifest to all that the

^ The Nuncio to Dr. Win. Gifford, Aug. i, 1603, cited by Tierney.

2 Garnet to his superior, July 24, 1605, cited by Ling, vol. vii. p. 54 r.

3 Salisbury to Sir Charles Cornwallis. E. Bib. Cott. ; Butler, vol. ii. P- 433*

4 Butler, vol. ii. p. 10 1 ; Collier, vol. ii. p. 689 ; cited by Tierney.

Inirodufiion.

15

plot was not a Catholic plot, the parliament in its next session passed two new bills containing more than seventy articles inflicting penalties on the Catholics/ Recusants were forbidden the court, or to reside within ten miles of London, or to go beyond flve miles from their own homes without special license. They were disabled from serving in civil or military offices, or from practising in surgery, physic, or law ; they could not keep arms or Catholic books. Their children could not be christened or married, except by a minister of the Church of England, under a fine of a hundred pounds, or be buried in other than a Protestant cemetery under a penalty of twenty pounds. Every child sent abroad, unless he returned and con- formed, forfeited his rights of property, which passed to the Protestant next of kin. Every householder, no matter what his creed, was liable to a fine of ten pounds per month for every Catholic visitor or servant staying in his house. All who refused the oath of allegiance, even married women, were subjected to perpetual imprison- ment in the common gaol, with the forfeiture of their rents and personal property. The oath contained not only a promise of allegiance, which all might have taken, but also a declaration, as unmeaning as it was impolitic, that to maintain the deposing power was impious, here- tical, and damnable.^ In 1610 the murder of the Erench King by Ravaillac disquieted James, lest some villainous and traitorous attempt might be intended against himself,

* Ling, vol. vii. p. 87.

’ Ling, vol. V. pp. 87, 91.

i6

Crosby Records.

and afforded a pretence for executing the penal laws with renewed vigour/ At the petition of the two houses of parliament, he issued a proclamation against priests and Jesuits, and an Act was passed ordering all persons above eighteen years of age to take the oath of allegiance under the penalty of premunire, and married women, popish recusants, to be committed to prison till they would receive the sacrament in the Church, unless they were redeemed by their husbands with the payment of ten pounds per month/

The private letters of this period show the dismay with which the Catholics were overwhelmed by these acts. “Here with us things never went so hardly; what will become of us all God knoweth.’’ “Our perplexities do daily grow so great, that you may not expect so frequent correspondence from me. London was never so ticklish. The pursuivants, by apprehending priests and Catholics, are grown so rich, that they hire spies to serve their turn ; insomuch that there is not an host, chamberlain, or ostler which is not ready to inform them of the behaviour of their guests.” “ Our persecution here proceeded! roundly against us. The oath is more and more exacted ; no man is reputed a good subject that refuseth.” “ Catholics were never in like terror and fright ; neither man nor women knowing which way to turn them, or how to avoid utter ruin of themselves and

^ Hint, of Pe?i. Laws, by R. R. Madden, p. i8o; Tierney, vol. iv., clxvii.

* Ling, vol. vii. p. ii8.

Introdu^ion.

*7

posterity.” “ The sheriff and his officers, if they find the least thing against any Catholic, are ready to arrest their persons, to drive away their goods, and to use all disgrace they can against them.” “ Our miseries daily increase. Every hour we look for the dispersion of this family. Our friends abroad are stripped of all their goods, even to their very skin.” From one lady the sheriff carried off even the very smock she used, although she had com- pounded ; another they beat on one side of her face till it was as black as a coal ; another was wheeled to a market town in a barrow, such as is used for the carrying of dung ; and another was trailed at a horse’s tail to the church. From one poor woman they took the blankets and coverlets off the beds ; from another they carried away pots, pans, and pewter ; nay, they did not even spare the very pot that was boiling on the fire; and a poor palsied cripple had the very bed on which he lay carried from under him."

As it is not the object of this preface to give a digest of the penal laws, but only to put the reader in possession of the state of things when the Harkirk first claims our notice, the subject will not be pursued further.

In a previous page mention has been made of the penalties of excommunication inflicted on recusants, and of the riot which ensued near Hereford on the refusal of the curate to bury the body of a Catholic. In i6io the storm visited Lancashire. The parson of Sefton refused

* Tierney, vol. iv. clxiii. clxvii. clxviii. clxix. pp. i6i, i66, 172, 176.

i8

Crosby Records.

to bury the corpse of a poor Catholic woman on the plea of her being excommunicated; and her sturdy friends not wishing to carry it home again, buried it outside the churchyard in the highway. Some swine tliat had the run of the lanes, happening to come to the spot, grubbed up the body, and partially devoured it.'

This outrage coming to the ears of William Blundell, Esq., of Little Crosby, who was himself a popish recusant convict, he enclosed a piece of ground, part of a plot called the Harkirk, within his own domain, in the lordship of Little Crosby, for the burial of such Catholic recusants deceasing either of the same village or of the adjoining neighbourhood as should be denied burial at their parish church of Sefton. It was already separated on two sides from the road that connected the villaofcs of Little Crosby and Sefton by a stone wall, and during the winter he cast up an earthen mound to divide it, on the ether two sides, from the rest of the Harkirk. The first burial took place on the seventh of April in the following year, i6ii. Next day the cow-boy, passing through the inclosure, picked up several silver coins, which, with boyish glee, he exhibited on his return in the servants' hall. Fortunately Mr. Blundell saw them, and, accom- panied by various members of his family, renewed the search with considerable success. He sets down the

* This horrid circumstance is related by Wm. Blundell, the Cavalier, in a letter addressed to Mr. Jas. Scarisbrick which is inserted later on. It does not, however, quite appear from the context that it happened at Sefton. — [Ed.]

IntroduH^ion.

19

number found at eighty pieces, none bigger than a groat, and none less than a two-penny piece, but his grandson, writing in 1686, says that upwards of three hundred pieces were found, as well as some few small pieces of uncoined silver. There is no reason to distrust his statement, for he adds that he had a great number of them in his own keeping till the year 1642, when he sent them for greater security, during the Civil War, into Wales, where they were lost. A true portraiture of thirty-five of them was engraved on copper, and published at the time by Mr. Blundell.

Whatever the learned may have thought of this contri- bution to numismatic science, the government looked with little favour on his “ settinge upp and mainteyninge a church yard for the buriale of Seminarie Priests and popish Recuscants contrarie to the laws of the Kingdome and canons of the Church of England.” To add to his misfortune, he was accused of “settinge on, countenanc- inge and mainteyninge severall Riotts and Riottors who endeavoured to prevent the execution of the Sheriff’s warrant for the Seizure of four oxen, seventeen sheep, nine kine, and certain swine corn and hay of the Defen- dant Blunder, by sore beating and wounding his bailiffs.” For these two offences he was summoned by Sir Ralph Ashton, the High Sheriff, before the Star Chamber, and condemned to pay a fine of two thousand pounds, and a compensation of a hundred marks to the bailiffs. He was committed to the P'leet, and the walls and mounds of the churchyard were ordered to be pulled down by the

20 Crosby Records,

Sheriff, and the ground laid waste, and the Decree to be read at the Assizes.

This took place in the fifth year of the reign of Charles I., but the business was not finally disposed of till the year 1631, when the King reduced the fine to the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds, on a certificate from the Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, that, upon consider- ation of his mean estate, which was well known unto him, he was of opinion that such sum was a “ behoovefull Bargaine” for his Majesty.

Troubles a7id Persecutions.

21

CHAPTER I.

[C/vs/f}' Hall searched by the Earl of Derby. — William Blundell, his father Richard and a Seminary Priest conveyed prisoners to N'eiv Park. — Examined by the Earl of De^-bv.-~Sent to Chester Castle.— Brought back to Knowsley.— Examined by the Bishop of Chester. — Imprisoned at Lancaster Castle. — Ilis father dies in gaol. — Released by the Earl of De^rby. — Apprehended by Nutter, parson of Sfton. — Examined anezu. — Sent to London and taken before the Archbishop of Canterbury. — Adjudged to Gatehouse prison. — Released on bonds. — House searched by Sir Richard Molyneux and Parson Nutter. — Escapes by flight, but his zuife zvith other recusant women carried prisoners to Chester Castle. — Proclaimed an outlazv. — A fugitive till the Queen's death. — Procures a free pardon from King James. — A doleful ditty" composed by him on Nutter's persecution. — A cry for relief. — Past and present. — The names of those who begged his lands for recusancy. — Proceedings against his bondsman. — Attempted distraint. — Villagers indicted for riot and resctie. — Curious petition of a Crosby recusant.

^om of tlje troubled anO persecutions ^ustapneti li^ (lelliUiam BUmDell, (Esq*, for profession of CatljoUclv faitlj*

IN the yeare of our Lord God 1590 the of June the Right hon^i® Henerie Earle of Barbie * sent certaine of his men to searche the house of Richard Blundell of litle Crosbie, in the Countie of Lancaster, Esquire, for matters belonging to Catho- licke Religion, &c., where they apprehended and tooke away with them to his honor’s house (the New parke) one Mr. Wood- roffe, a seminarie priest, and the said Richard Blundell and mee Willrh Blundell, sonne of the said Richard : And the day next

* Henry, 4th Earl of Derby, does not seem to have been over-zealous in the cause of the Reformation. If he had possessed the persecuting spirit of the Earl of Hunt- ingdon (employed in the Northern Counties) things would have been very different in Lancashire, P'rom the Stanley Papers, (Part II., Chetham Society, No. 31) it

22

Crosdy Records.

following we were severally examined by the Earle : And on the thirteenth day of the same month wee were all sent to be imprisoned in Chester Castle. About the 5 or 6 of August next following wee were all by the Earles men featched from Chester and brought to Knowesley, one of his honor’s houses, where wee were (as alsoe my mother and one John Carre my father’s man) severally examined by Chatterton, the Bishopp of Chester, who was ioyned in Comission with the Earle to examine us uppon Interrogatories by the Lords of the Councell.

And the day following the priest, my father, and I were sent prisoner to Lancaster (where wee found prisoners ther before us, Mr. Henrie Lathom of IMosborowe, and Mr. Richard Worthing- ton of Blanschouge Comitted for theire Conscience), where also my father and I remained (for the most part) untill the 19^^ of March of the year 1592, on which day my saide ffather Changed his life for a better. Within about a ffortnight after I had a licence obtained from the Right Hon^^^ the Earle of Derbie to come to Crosbie for one onely month, and then retorned to Lancaster againe, whence about IMichaelmas ensueing or some- what before I was againe dismissed by his hono^^ warrant.

And uppon the 20^^ or 21 of November next after I was againe apprehended (in the time of Bell’s persecution) by John Nutter, parson of Sephton, and divvers others assisting him, and my wyfe also was taken, and both of us first weare carried to the Parsonage of Sephton and theire staide all night, whence on the morning wee were brought to my Lord his house the New Parke before the Earle, the Bishopp Chatterton, and ]\Ir. Wade, one of the Clearkes of the Councell, where my wife was dismissed, and I with others sent to London with 2 Pursevants or ^Messengers ;

appears that his house was frequented by recusants, several of whom were of his own kindred. He died 25th September, 1593. New' Park, a seat belonging to the Earl, in Lathom, was pulled down at the beginning of the last century. It was here that during the siege of Lathom House, the Countess of Derby was invited to confer with the Parliamentary generals concerning its surrender, an invitation which she indignantly refused.

Troubles and Persectitio7is.

23

and on the of Decemb^ (beinge the feast of the Conception of our ht Ladie) I with an^ Henrie Lathom of Mosborowe was by the afforesaid Mr. William Wade brought before Doctor Whyt[gift] Archbishopp of Canturburie att his house, Croydon in Surrey, where wee were adiudged to prison, Mr. Lathom to the fleete and I to the Gatehouse of Westminster, where I remained prisoner untill the of July of the yeare 1595, then was sett at libertie uppon bonds to apeare and come in within 20 dayes after warneing given, and (since which tyme I was never imprisoned), and soe coming home with my wyfe, who had come uppe to London with her Brother Edward Xorres, and hee retorning after a few dayes, she stayed in prison with mee till my said deliverie, which was some 6 or 8 weeks.

And after w’ee lived att Crosbie untill the 27th of May in the yeare of our Lord 1598, att what tyme my house was searched by S’" Richard Mollinex, knight, and John Nutter, pson of Sephton, when, I escaping, my wyfe was taken for her Conscience and carried first to Sephton and examined, and retorned home for that night uppon bonds or promise of my ffather Norres (as I think) to appeare att Chester before the Bishopp such a day, and accordingly the last of the same month shee, together with divers other Catholickes, as namely Hector Stocke, Elin Baron, the wyfe of Lawrance Baron of the Edge, Jane Alelling, widdow', Elin Blundell, the wyfe of Thomas Blundell of the Carrside in Ince Blundell were comitted to prison in the Castle of Chester, and within a litle more then a month after (as I take it) some man (but I never knew^ w’ho it was) caused the old indictm^ for entertaineing a seminarie priest, which had beene in the yeare 1590 afforesaid, to bee prosecuted against mee, whereuppon proclamation was made accordinge to theire Custome att the Countie Courts att Lancaster that I should come in and appeare, which I not doeing was condemned of felonie by the Coroner.

After this condemnation I tarried secretly att Countrie houses some 3 quarters of a yeare, and in the meane while my wife, getting out of prison in Chester Castle uppon bonds for her

Crosby Records.

appearance againe, &c., shee and I, for feare of beeing app^- hended, went first to Wrixhame in Wales (where our brother Banister dwelt), and thence, after a good while, my wyffe being great with childe, retorned into Lancasheare to the Speakes, and I ridde to weme (where my brother Bannister had another dwell- ing house), and thence to London to gett a pardon, where, send- ing home my horses, I, with my man Peter Stocke, staide there about ffive weekes, and without getteing a pardon, I came into Staffordsheire, changing my name, whither my wyfe came to mee, and theire wee staide about two yeares at six severall places, untill the Oueene’s death, where, comminge home, I soone after obtained from K. James a free and large pardon, which cost mee in all but either 40 or 50 shillings.

Deo Gratias.

foUotoinije 3Dittic matie upo p'^ecution matie m ^efton pan^lj, ccJpenallp bv (llaljon (2liaug6an), 25i0ljop of Cljcdtec, anO Jliuttec, pardon of ^efton ano SDcane of Clje^tec:— ^

I.

Youe that present are take of us some pitie.

Who in dolefull wyse shew our grieffe in songe,

Mourne with us a whyle, yee that hear this Dittie Made to moane ourselves of receaved wronge, [ende. They feeinde [feigned] late our frende, whoe now seek our Yea, and utter overthrowe.

* The two first of these pieces Mr. Blundell has set to music, perhaps to the accompaniment of the Virginals. The following information was given to the Government in October, 1592 : “Mrs. Houghton of the Lea, hathe kepte synce the deth of her husbande, Richarde Blundell, brother to Will'" Blundell of Crosbie, Armig, who is an obstinate Papiste, well acquainted with a number of seminaries, and he teacheth her children to singe and plaie upon the Virginalls.” (P. R. O. Doj?i. Eliz. vol. 243, No. 52.) Virginals — an obsolete rectangular musical instrument of the spinnet kind.

A Doleful Ditty.

25

For our conscience sake, they pursue or take Those whom they suspect or knowe Ancient truthe aftectinge, new fond faithes rejecting Such to prisons they do hale [haul],

Others find some favour, only wee lose labour When for ease we crye or calle.

2.

Husbands and their wyves parted are a sunder,

Parents severed are from their children deare,

Servants, men and mayds, forced are a number Service newe to seeke, God, not they, knowes wheare, Sucking babes do crye, which at home do lie In the cradle for the pappe, hlothers do bewayle, being fast in jayle.

Their sweet babies heavie happe, i

All the couiitrie talketh, ev^erie way one walketh,

What in Sefton we endure

For no strange opinion, but that ould Religion

Austin planted here most sure.

3-

Howses with our growndes we must sett to others.

And in other coasts seeke our dwellinge place.

But our babes, to yonge to take with their mothers, Needs must staye behinde ; O most heavie case.

Our foes are so bent, nothinge will content But our death in sowle by siiine.

When they one can drawe from Christ’s sacred lawe. Then they thinke the field they winne.

Wretched is their winninge, when they winne by sinninge. And thearby God’s favour lose;

' Richard Blundell on entering the English College, Rome, 7 Sept. 1645, declared, inter aha, “My father, son of William Blundell, Esq., was born, or at least suckled, in prison, where his parents for a long time lay on account of their faith.” — Foley's Reconh, vol. i. p. 233.

E

26

Crosby Records.

Happie are those losses, welcome are those crosses, Which us save from endles woes.

4-

Jesu, by thy grace, sweeten so our crosses That we never faint, falle, or cast them clowne ;

^lake us well content to susteine our losses,

Whearby thou dost work us a blissfull crowne ;

Yett, good Lord Jesus, laye no more on us Then thoue geevest streng-the to beare,

Beare we see wee must, yett in thee wee trust To beare all with gladsome chearre ;

Geeve us what thou biddest, and bidde what thou pleasest, Fullie wee ourselves resygne :

In thy Church protect us, when we sinne correct us-— ' Not our owne wee are but thyne.

(A CRY FOR RELIEF.)

1.

We Catholicks tormented sore With heresies fowl railinge tonge.

With prisons, tortures, loss of goodes,

Of lande, yea lyves, even thieves amonge Do crave with harte surcharged with grieffe Of thee, sweet Jesu, some relieffe.

2.

We crave relieffe in this distresse,

We seeke some ease of this annoye,

Yett are wee well content with all,

So thee in end wee may enjoye ;

Ourselves to thee wee do resygne.

Relieve us. Lord, our cause is thyne.

A cry for Relief,

27

3-

Our cause is thyne, and thyne are wee,

Who from thy trueth refuse to slyde :

Our faithe thy trueth, true faith the cause For which these garboyles wee abyde,

True faith, I say, as plaine appears To all whoe shutt not eyes and ears.

4.

To all whoe shutt not eyes and ears ’Gainst fathers, scriptures. Church and thee, Whoe built thy Church as Doctors all With scriptures playnlie doe agree,

Not soone to falle upon the sande,

But on a Rocke stille sure to stande,

5.

Still sure to stande, yea, on a hille.

For all her friends and foes to see,

Her friends to foster and defend,

Her foes to vanquish gloriouslie,

From age to age this hath shee done.

Thus shall shee do in time to come.

d

In time to come, as heretofore,

Most certainlye shee shall prevayle ’Gainst all the force and sleightie wyles, Whearwith hellgates may her assayle;

Whoe shoote against this brazen walle With their fond boultes themselves will gaule»

7.

Themselves to gaule they wil be sure Whoe stryve to ruinate thy howse,

And to withdrawe thy children deare From saufte lappe of thy dearest spouse,

28

Crosby Records.

Thy children whom, with streames of bloode, Thou bought, sweet Lorde, upon the Roode.

8.

Upon the Rood thou bought our soules With pryce more worthe then all thou bought, Yett doth the feede [fiend] our foes so blynde Both soules and pryce they sett at nought; They reaken not anoughe their ill Except with theirs our soules they spill.

9-

Our soules to spille they think full soone,

Or els our bodies to inthralle ;

Or, at the least, to wantful state.

Through hard pursuits, to bring us all ;

Come quicklie, therefore. Lord Jesus,

And judge this cause twixt them and us.

10.

Geeve judgment. Lord, twixt them and us, The ballance yett let pittie houlde :

Let mercie measure their offence,

And grace reduce them to thy foulde,

That wee, all children of thy spouse.

May live as brethren in thy house.

(PAST AND PRESENT.)

I.

The tyme hath been wee hadd one faith, And strode aright one ancient path.

The thym is now that each man may See newe ^eligi9ns,co.ynd each day.

Sweet Jesu, w^i^ thy mother mylde, Sweet Virgine mother, thy chylde,

Past and Present,

29

Angclls and Saints of each degree, Redresse our contrees miserie.

2.

The tyme hath been preestes did accord,

In exposition of God’s word,

The tyme is now, like shipmann’s hose.

Its tornd by each fonde preacher’s glose. Sweet Jesu, &c.

3-

The tyme hath been that sheepe obaide Their pastors, doinge as they saide.

The tym is nowe that sheepe will preach. And th’ ancient pastors seeme to teache. Sweet Jesu, &c.

4.

The tyme hath beene the prelate’s dore Was seldome shott against the pore.

The tyme is now, so wives goe fine.

They take not thought the beggar kyne. Sweet Jesu, &c.

5.

The tyme hath ben priest’s woomen weare Accounted strumpetts every wheare,

The tyme is now that wedd such will.

And everie Jacke will have his Gille. Sweet Jesu, &c.

6.

The tyme hath been men did beleeve God’s sacraments his grace did give.

The tyme is nowe men say they are Uncertaine signes and tokens bare.

Svveet Jesu, &c.

30

Crosby Records.

7.

The tyme hath been men would live chast, And soe could maide that vowes had past, The tyme is nowe that gifte has gone,

New gospellers such giftes have none. Sweet JesLi, &c.

8.

The tyme hath been that Saints could see, Could heare and helpe our miserie.

The tyme is now that feends alone Have leave to range, saints must be gone. Sweet JesLi, &c.

9-

The tyme hath been feare made us quake To sinn, least God should us forsake.

The tyme is now the lewdest knave Is sure (hee’l say) God will him save.

Sweet JesLi, &c.

10.

The tyme hath been to fast and pray.

And doe almesdeeds was thought the way. The tyme is now, men say indeed,

Such stuffe w^^ God hath little meede. Sweet Jesu, &c.

1 1.

The tyme hath been, w* in this land. One’s woord as good as was his band ;

The tyme is now, all men may see.

New faithes have kild olde honestie.

Sweet Jesu, w^^ thy mother mylde. Sweet Virgine mother, w^^ thy chylde, Angells and Saints of all degree, Redresse our contrees miserie.

Beggars of Land.

31

These next afore written Ballads of Rithmes wear made by Will”^ Blundell of little Crosbie, Esquyer, and are in all eighteen.

%l)t nanie^ of t^Ijo lieg;g:eti 2 prt0 of mp for

Eecu^ancie:—

Imp^mis John Gille^

2 Charles Grimston

3 Thomas Heaton

4 Gervis Traves

5 The two of the black

guard

6 Thurston Gibson 2

7 Ambrose Astell

8 But before anie of these, one Lever (as I thinke) had a grant of the two pts of my father’s lands, and aboute a yeare before my said ffather’s death had Sot for a Composition, and a lease of the saide two pts was made to Richard Armston, esquire, the rent thereof was

And soone after my fifather’s death the said Lever (as I take it) began to proceede against me, but I am sure he had nothing.

About the year of our Lord God 1593, when I was prisoner att London, John Gille gott a grant of 2 pts of my lands, and about a yeare and a halfe after made a division with the Shrieffes assistance, and had for a Composition a hundred and twentie pounds; the lease was made to Norres, sonne and heire

aparant of Edward Norres of Speake, esquire, was dulie payde divers yeares untill

Charles Grimston had gott a new grant of 2 pts of my lands, and laboured to gett a Composition, but through god’s goodnesse hee had nothing.

Then about the yeare of our lord god 1599 I was outlawde uppon an IndictnT of fellonie for being taken with a priest, which

* This John Gill got his grant from Queen Elizabeth in 1594, but seems to have paid nothing to the Crown. Four year’s rent (;^45 6x. 8^/. ) remained due, and was a charge on the estate when Mr. W. Blundell, the Cavalier, repurchased it in 1657.

* Arthur Gibson, of I.ondon, citizen and merchant tailor, and Edward Thurleston, of Daubney, in Essex, had a grant for 27 July, 1609, for a term of 21 years. They owed three year’s rent to the Crown on surrendering it, which was added, like the above, to the obligations of the estate. (See appendix.)

32

Crosby Records.

Indlctm^ was 9 yeares before the said outlarie ; and thereuppon all my lands and goods were forfaited becase I did not come in and appeare uppon proclamation.

Then presently, after about the yeare 1601, Thomas Heaton and Gervise Traves, by reason the said Traves his hurte hee had in furthering the taking of Hunt the priest, gott a new grante of 2 pts of my lands, and laboured verie busilie to gett possession or Composition, but (blessed bee god) gott neither, in which tyme of his labouring to gett my liveing the outlarie before menconed staide, and nothing was done about the same ; untill it was thought (by reason of my close keepeing) that I was fled the land.

And thereuppon proclamacon was made in Leverpoole market according to the statute of fugitives, viz. : that I should deliver my selfe into the sheriffes hands within six monthes, or else the law to proceede.

Then two of the Queene Eliz. : her Cooks begged all my lands as of a fugitive, and thereby disapointed Heaton and Travesse of there purpose. The said Cookes caused a Commission to bee sitten for the proveing of the value of my lands and my fleeing out of the land ; but soe it pleased god neither was prvd suffi- ciently to theire likeing nor anie thing gotten.

Within a yeare or litle more after the Queene died, and I gott a pdon under the king’s seale, and thereby was freede, which pdon cost 26^ 8^ w^^^ 13^ 4^^ in expences about it.

Then about the yeare of our Lord God 1607 Came S'" Arthur Aston into this Contrie, and pretended to have a grant of two pts of m.y lands and all my goods. And once sent halfe a duzen of his agents and after came twice in his owne pson with a great Companie of men to have taken my goods, but pvailed nothing save onely the latter tyme hee tooke an ould gelding.

But in the end it appeared that the grant was not to Arthur but to Gibson and Thurstone, who laboured to gett a Composi- tion, and in the meane time they paide into the Exchecquer xx^^^ marks, being one halfe yeares rent of the 2 pts of my lands,

A Star Chamber matter.

33

and the next halfe yeares rent they paid not, and so forfaited theire grant, Peeter Stocke, whom for that end I sent to London, found out.

Next after about the yeare of our Lord god i6io came Am- brose Astell p’^tending likewise to have a grant of the 2 pts of my lands from Bowes and Beeston, and laboured manie wayse to have an agreement, but not getting anie hee came to sease uppon my goods, and driveing one of my kine and some horses was rescowed by two psons. Att which tyme divers men and women came neare to see and looke on without apointment or request of anie, whereuppon hee caused a privie Sessions, and indicted a great meanie to the number of 70 psons, intending to mak a Starre chamber matter of it. But in the meane tyme hee was pved to exceede his Comission and take bribes, and therby was driven the Countrie.

Yet afterwards, about 1613, he sent a gentleman like man, who was said to bee his sonne, to serve mee, my wife, and divers of my tenants into the Starre Chamber pees about another false p^'tended Ryott, as namely, Richard Marrowe, Thomas Bourghe, [.'*] Harrison, Thomas Marrowe, Thomas Rothwell, James Harvie, which James I sent to London to appeare for all, but uppon his appearance all theire preedings proved Conterffeate, and soe ended.

Blessed bee god for all his mercies and goodnesse for ever- more, Amen.

Edward Burghe of little Crosbie, Batcheler (who had neither goods nor liveing) was bound for the appeareance of one att Lancaster Assysses, who did not appeare, and thereuppon the bonde of £20 was forfaited. The yeare after, viz., 1624, Sir Raphe Ashton, being Sherife, his balies came into little Crosbie to distraine for the forfaiture of the said bond (as they said) without shewing any Authoritie, and themselves not knowne of anie in the towne. They tooke the Catle of Edward Rysse, and wo'^ have carried them away but y^ y® brothers of Edward Rysee and some other did rescowe them. Thereuppon the Sherife

F

34

Crosby Records.

indicted about xvi or xvii of little Crosbie, and one that was dead 20 years before of a Ryott and Rescowe for taking the goods of Edward Burghe, which they (said they) had seized upon for the forfaiture which was most false and untrue, for the goods weare not his but Edward Rysse’s.

To my Lords the Judges of Assyze at Law. The huble petition of Thomas Burghe : —

The petitioner hubly sheweth unto your Lordshipes, that hee beinge of fourscore years of age, standeth endyted before your Lordshps for recusancie and keepinge of Recusants in his howse, and hath beene much molested and trobled upon the same Indyctment fro tyme to tyme, and now yo^ petition^ dotJi here subiniit himself to your LordsJd^ censure for the same, and hubly craveth yo^ LordsliP^ that hee may be no further vexed ther- uppon, beinge so aged that he is not able to travell hither agayne wdiout danger of his lyfe, dwellinge fourtie myles fro Lancaster. 26 August, 1623.

This supplication was drawen and afterward offered upp to ye Judges or to one of them by AB Robart Blundell of Ince blundell, Esq^ and Concelor.

Troubles and persemtions.

35

CHAPTER II.

{Inquisition at lVi"an.—Mr. Blundell hea-vily fined, — Takes meastives against distraint. — Unexpected visit of Shei iff's officers. — Cattle secured.— Disappointment ofi bailiffs and sciLffle. — Summoned by Sir Ralph Ashton before Star Chamber. — Visit of Undersherff %uith Mr. More and a company of 20 to distrain. — An old woman attacked and hurt. — Seizure of ys beasts and tzvo horses. — Attempted rescue by the villagers. — Value of goods carried off. — Tzuenty-nine szoine taken. — Tries in vain to rt purchase his cattle. — Had lent King James 20 marks, which were never repaid. — Double subsidies. — Charge of finding a light horse. — Fined by Star Chamber £2000 for supposed riot, and making a burial ground for recusants. — Other villagers fined. — Margaret Blundell's narrative. — Letters of William Blundell the Cavalier. ]

^om oc t\)z tcoulilecj antJ per^cciirfons lip

^lilUam Blimtidl, for profcci$^fon of CatljoUck faftl)> — (Continued.)

The same yeare (1624) was an inquisition att Wigan, where, amongst many other Catholiks, William Blundell of litle Crosbie, esquire, [w]as found att a highe Rate, which as yet hee never knew what it was, yett, feareing the worst, hee caused his Cattell to bee carefully looked unto and keept close for feare of distraineing, till uppon the 20^^ day of October in the yeare affore written, when hee received twoe sundrie letters from two severall frends that K James had forbidden and staide the proceeding of the said Comission, there uppon presently hee caused his Cattell to bee turned into theire pastures, but presently after uppon the same day the servants of the said W^ Blundell and other hyred folkes being laboureing in a held far from the Hall, a man of an other towne came rydeing by them and called uppon them, and tould them the Sherifes balies wear att hand ; the servants forth- with came to fetch the Catle unknowing to theire master, and brought the into a strong walled Cort before the hall dore. And

36

Crosby Records.

as they were driveing them into the Court they sawe the sherifes balives come runing towards them, but the beastes and all the men, excepting three who had not tyme for it, weare gotten into the Court and the doer fast made before the balifes came to. And these three men turned backe againe, and staide in the way short of the oxehouse, and not haveing anie weapons but litle staves.

The balies, when they found the court gate made, they went sweareing towards the three men afforesaid, where one of the three was with a litle stake of two yeards long and a grained picke in the one end of it in his hand, to whom they gave ffowle and threatning speeches, comeing towards them one of the balives haveing a Javelin in his hand : the man, feareing they would strike him, bade them keepe them offe from him ; but they comeing still uppon him hee thurst att one of them, and hitting him upon the breast the one graine pearsed the fleash a litle, but not with anie danger ; the sonne of him who was hurt stepped towards the man who gave the thurst, and receaved of him a blowe of the head that brought him downe, and riseing againe received an other blowe on the shoulders that made him to reele. And this was all the blowes and hurt that was done att that tyme, and all done by one onely man. Mr. Blundell not knoweing of it, neither knoweing of the balies coming till hee sawe the Catle within the Court, hee beeing in the house, and therefore could give noe direction in these busines.

Imediatly after this Raphe Ashton served Mr. Blundell and his wyfe and divers others to appeare in the Starre Chamber uppon a Ryott and Rescowe whereof 8 have put in theire answers and depositions to certaine Interogatories, and thereby cleared themselves, yet notwithstanding hee prosecuteth still against some others, and hath served an ould woma about the age of Ixx years to appeare in the Starre Chamber att Michaell- mas terme next.

Uppon St. Lawrance day yearely in the morneing, when M^ Blundell was in bed, Mawdesley the under sherife, with M’^ More

Trotibles and perseaitio7is.

37

and a companie of others to the number of 20 in all, came to litle Crosbie and disposed themselves, some to gather Catle together, others rideing in the lanes with drawne swoards in theire hands. The Sherife meeting an ould woman above 64 yeares of age with a Pitchfork in her hand to take upp a boate of flaxe out of the reeting place as shee tould him, he comanded her to lay it downe, which shee did, then the sherife tooke it upp and gave it to one of his companie, who carried it away. Then More coming to the sherife hee said, see yo^ M^ More what a weapon this woman Carrieth, and hee knoweing her bade her goe home, then shee went on her waye upp the Lane, and the Sherife ridde after her, and overtakeing her brooke her head with the pumell of his swoard that the bloud ranne downe her face, whereuppon shee gave him fowle words. Then the sherife ridde to a yong man that stoode in the Lane with a Crabthorne Cudgell in his hand, intending to goe aboute his businesse. The Sherife gave him fowle words and tooke his Cudgell from him, and stroake him on the backe with his naked swoarde flatt way, and then turned againe to the ould woman, who came bleeding after him, and called her Deihe dyke (the name of a famous witche), and setting the point of his naked swoarde to her brest, swore hee would sticke her, and saide hee cared noe more for sticking three or iiij of them then to drinke when hee was drye.

Then the sherife stroake another man uppon his backe with his naked swoard, and pulled him by the heare of the heade before the Catle weare taken or anie thing done or spoken against them, and this was because hee would not runne soe fast as they would have him, they rideing, hee on foote.

When they had gathered the Catle together (viz. 35 beasts and 2 horses) without shewing anie authoritie, they drove them away when, as yong AL Blundell with one man with him goeing to see for what cause they tooke those Catle (being his father’s all but 2 kyne) and unsent of his father and unknowing to him, asked the Sherife uppon what cause hee tooke them, and willed him to stay at Sephton or in the way till such tyme as hee had spoken

38

Crosby Records.

with his ffather to know his pleasure, and whilest hee had this talke with the Sherife, a number of yong men of the towne came to the other syde of the lane, and some into the Lane, and staide awhile there. But the sherife promising first to stay att Sephton for an answer made proclamation that every of the yong folks afforesaid should disperce and returne home or about theire law- full businesse, and soe yong M'’ Blundell went home as fast as hee could and talked with his ffather, who said that hee had a generall pardon from our Soveraigne Lord K. Charles for all forfaitures incurred in K. James his tyme, and therefore hee thought himselfe freed from all seasures for anie Rents arreare or the forfeiture of his goods found by Inquisition at Wigan in the tyme of Ralphe Ashton’s being Sheriffe, which was two yeares before. This being the sum of his father’s answer, y^ sayd yong AL Blundell hasted fast after them, but they had driven away the Cattell so fast that hee was forced to send a Protestant man, a Smith, to Ryde after them upon another man’s horse, which was at his Smithie, to acquaint the Sheriffe with his father’s answer.

But before hee could overtake them a Companie of yong rash fellowes to the number of 14 and noe more, whereof 4 or 5 never strocke Stroake, but onely went after the rest, ranne to stay the Catle, and, overtakeing them, fell to feight with them, where 2 of these yong men were dangerously wounded, and by the Sheriffe and his followers left for dead, some 7 of the sheriffes followers haveing broken heads, but without danger. The man who gave the most stroakes to the Sheriffes followers was eldest sonne to the widdow aforementioned, whose heade the Sheriffe broake.

The Catle the Sheriffe tooke at that tyme were worth above .£"130, all which they praysed at ;^58 6s. Sd., amongest which Catle were two geldings, both which they praised to 20^ and after sould the one of them to Thomas Hill Duxburie, malt maker, for ^3^- 4d

And since then the Sheriffes Baylife hath taken from

Troubles and persecutions.

39

Blundell 29 swine, worth £2^ at the least, but what they are praysed to by the Sheriffe is not yet knowen to Blundell. Besides the great losse hee hath now and likewyse heretofore in his former trubles through want of the occupation of his Demaine haveing noe Catle to put into it, neither dare anie man score anie Catle into it for feare of distraineing. And all this notwith- standing, hee formerly (upon a privie scale) lent to King James ;^xx markes, which was never Repayde, and alsoe besides the payement of duble Subsidyes, &c. Att the last Parlament save- ing one appoynted to bee payd by Catholikes, hee is Charged with ye finding of a light-horse with his Ryder and all furniture Compleate, as alsoe 2 Pickemen and 3 Musketeares and theire furniture Compleate. And it is to bee Remembered that whereas Roger Bradshaigh of the Haigh, Esq., in behalfe of Blundell, his brother (in) lawe, did send to the sayd M** Robert Modesley, under sheriffe, Requireing hee would bee pleased to let him have the bease or goods taken from his brother Blundell upon such a price as they were praysed to, hee, the under Sheriffe made answer yt if Blundell should have anie benefit by it, hee should not have them.

Almost all above was taken out of certaine papers written by Peter Stock, an honest old servant to W. Blundell; yet som parts of these papers was writ by Will. Blundell whim selfe, whoe suffred these losses.^

That next followeth was added to one of y® same papers by y® hand (as I think) of Nicholas Blundell, son to y® said Will. Bl.i

But since hath S^ Raphe prosecuted a Ryott against mee, and I was censured in y^ Starr Chamber to paye unto y® King £ 2000, and to y*^ balifes 200 marks, and after these costs were given by mee to S’^' Ralphe fourescore pounds. Now the principall Cause as it is Credibly thought that soe great a fine was imposed on mee, was, through the malitious informations of iudge Yelverton,

^ These remarks, inserted in the narrative, are in the hand-writing of William Blundell the ‘Cavalier.’

40

Crosby Records.

who affirmed, amongst many other things most false, that my liveing was £ looo or neare £ 1500 yearely.

But I was not fined onely for the suposed Ryott, but alsoe for suffering a place of buriall in my Demaine at Crosby to such deceased Recusants as, dyeing convicted, weere denied buriall at the Church ; but within some few monthes after I was fined, I sent my sonne Nicholas Blundell to Whaley to Sir Ralphe Ash- ton, and agreed with him paying unto him and his balifes 6 score pounds for my selfe, but hee had £/\o or above of some of the Towne of Litle Crosby, who were likwyse censured in the Starr chamber for the above sayde Ryott. Theire names were Edward Ryse, Richard Brough, John Longroe, Thomas ffarrer, and Ed. Brough. The two first were fined to the King in a peece ;

the rest were in each £ 100, and to the Baylifes amongst them ii'80, which they Compounded as above sayde for £ys> to the Baylifes.

It is to be remembred y^ y® said Will. Blundell for many yearcs next before his death payd ;^30 yearly for his composi- tion at York.*

[The following narrative is from the annals of the English Augustinian Convent at Louvain, where Mr. Blundeirs daughter, Margaret, became a Nun] : —

“Upon the 29*^^ of June, 1615, Margaret, daughter of W^^ Blundell, Esq’’ of Little Crosby, Co. Lanc% was professed at the Augustinians at Louvain, taking the name of Winifred, being then 23 years of age. She died 5*^^ April, 1647. Her father was a constant Catholic, who suffered very much for his con- science, and his father died in prison for having had a Priest taken in his house. They then proceeded according to the rigor of the law against his son ; but he, at the cost of his purse.

* These remarks, inserted in the narrative, are in the hand-writing of William Blundell the ‘Cavalier.’

Margaret BlundelV s 7iarrative.

41

managed to escape their hands for that time. Yet he afterwards suffered many troubles and molestations, so that he was often forced to lie all night in the open air, when his house was beset by pursuivants ; who once (on the report of an apostate priest who betrayed all he knew of Catholics, he himself having turned minister) remained in the house for fourteen days together. On this occasion, though both Mr. and Mrs. Blundell had left the house before their arrival, yet at last the latter becoming weary of her long stay from home, put herself into the hands of the pursuivants, who threw her into prison, and although they had nothing to prove against her, and she got friends to speak to the Justice in her behalf, yet did they keep her sixteen weeks in prison.

Many other troubles fell on them. Once in the absence of Mr. Blundell, he was proclaimed as archtraitor in the market place, on account of his faith and his absence from home, and they would have carried off his goods if he had not made his appearance, and by fines saved them. Another trouble befell him. A poor woman died in the parish, and because she was a Catholic, they would not bury her in the Churchyard, but in a great common, and they laid her so near the highway that the horses travelling along did almost dig the corpse up again ; which, being told to Mr. Blundell, he, for charity sake, enclosed a piece of ground of his own with walls. After this all the poor Catholics that died thereabouts were buried there, and amongst them some had stones on their graves with crosses, according to the Catholic manner, which were put there by their relations without the owner’s consent, but with leave from his wife only. When at length about 80 had been buried there, the High Sheriff came with 30 men, pulled down the walls, knocking the stones to pieces, both those on the walls and those laid on the graves, carried away the crosses with much derision, having also dug up some part of the graves. All this was done with sound of trum- pet, they both coming and going away with great pomp ; and for permitting this place of burial Mr. Blundell was fined a thou-

G

42

Crosdy Records.

sand pounds, and, being condemned in a premunire, was made to pay a thousand more.”

“Thus,” continues the old MS., “doth Almighty God permit His faithful servants to suffer for Him awhile in this life that they may rejoice and triumph the more for ever in Heavenly Glory, For both this gentleman and his wife were good and virtuous persons, bringing up their children in the fear of God. One of their daughters wishing to be a religious, after some years of delay from accidental causes, was taken over by Mr. Worthington, who was conveying his daughter Anne to Louvain Convent, where they both entered together.”

[William Blundell (the Cavalier) to James Scarisbrick.]

April 29, 1655.

. . . In y^ yeare 1611 a bitter storm of persecution extended

its fury in these parts to y^ bodyies of deceased Catholicks. The Churches in all places denyed them burial ; som were laid in y^ fields, som in gardens, and others in high-wayes, as it chanced. One of thes (as I have heard it credibly reported) being interred in a common lane, had her corps pull’d out by y^ hoggs, and used accordingly. Hereupon, to prevent y^ lyke for y^ future, ther was a part of y® demesne of Crosby inclosed by my grand- father Blundel for decent burial of such poore Catholicks as were otherwaies lykely to want it. When he stirred y^ first earth in order to this smal enclosure, he found in y^ grownd dyvers hundreds of old Saxon coynes, each about 3^ or a groat in weight, and coyned by Christian princes. IMany of them in y^ Saxon character were inscribed with these words, Sancti Petri Moneta; we call them Peter-pence. Others were inscribed otherwaies, but all of them marked w^^ crosses, and ther were 20 severall distinct coynes at y^ least. And because he knew well y’^ to reveile ivoi'ks of God was an honorable thing, he published the same in print, y^ brazen cuts wherof are now extant w* me, and y^ Copyes flew abroad in y^ Country.

The Cavalier s letters.

43

The valew of y® whole sum seemed equal as possible to y® expence of fencing, and of converting that smal parcel of land to yt particular use. So he had a tymely payment for all, and, as we have reason to hope, an eternall. But y® remarkable success was this : that a full company, consisting of a hundered and som upwards of faithful Christians, w* 6 or 8 valient leaders, having left in succeeding tymes their bones in that small field, it pleased y® King and y® Councel to take notice of it, and y® Sherrif w* y® Posse Comitatus was sent against them, whoe, content with dismantling y® walls, left y® poore excommunicated bodyes (though without further violence), yet subject to y® injuries afore- said. This charity of my grandfather’s, mistaken by his enemyes for a factious preventing of y® laws, and aggravated very much by other injurious circumstances, occasioned y® thunder of a dreadfull sentence against him from y® Star Chamber, wherby he was fyned in two thousand three hundred pounds to be paid to y® King and to his Officers ; y® immediat effect was poverty and trouble ; y® future, security, plenty, and God’s blessing to boote. He lived in all these respects to be truly happy, and to behold a far more dreadful judgment upon his potent oppressors.

[William Blundell (the Cavalier) to his son Rev. Thomas Blundell, S.J.J

December 29, 1686.

. . . In y® yeare 1611, when y® Catholicks wer denyed burial

at Sephton, our parish Church, my grandfather William Blundel enclosed w* a dytch a parcel of grownd at -f B for y® interment of such Catholicks as could not be allowed buryal at y® said Church. And when y® earth was removed for y® making of y® fence for y® new place of buryal, ther wer found about 300 pieces of ancient silver coyne, of y® valew of 6^ a piece or less. Thes wer all of them stamped in y® reigns of Catholick Saxon Kings, and ther wer also found som few small pieces of uncoyned silver.

44

Crosby Records.

The coynes wer of many sorts, and all of them were afterwards expressed in a large brazen plate, printed and publickly sold, but y® characters wer so strange to me that I have not skill to read them. My grandfather was so pleased w^^^ this unexpected gyfte from heaven, that he afterwards built a wall in y^ place wher y^ dytch was designed. Since that tyme ther have been interred in y^ place above lOO lay Catholicks, besydes a dozen or 14 Priests. I have y^ names of all in a little book at Crosby, and also y^ brass plate abovesaid. But my grandfather paid dearly for it, for he was grievously fyned for making this new churchyard. A great number of y^ aforesaid Coynes I had in my owne keepynge till y^ year 1642, when I sent them into Wales for better security in y^ tyme of War, w^^^ writings and other goods, which wer finally lost ther. . . .

Harkirke burial ground.

45

CHAPTER III.

[Catholic Recusants refused burial at their parish church. — Mr, Bhindell encloses a piece of ground for the burial of such at a place called Harkirke, — The first burial 'jth April.^ i6ii. — Discovery of Coins next day. — Mr. Blundell has engraved in copper (See Frontispiece). — Mr. BlundelHs account of the Coins. — Modern description by the late Rev. D. H. Haigh of Erdington. ]

3Ic0u 9^m^—iob. 12 7.

^acramcntum ali^contiere liomun c^f ; opera aiitem

2Dei ret^elare et confttcri Ijonocificum ee(t. l)^tie tlje secret of a tunp 10 gooti • luit to relieale anti confe^^e p tooo^fec^ of (BoD 10 an Ijonoralile rtjinge.

I William Blundell of Litle Crosbie, within the Countie of ) Lancaster, Esquire, a weeke or a fowertnighte before Christ- enmas laste paste, havinge hearde that Catholicke Recusants were prohibited to bee buried at theire Parishe Church, bethought mee (myself through God’s grace beinge also a Catholique) where were best to make readie in this my village of Litle Crosbie a place fitt to burie suche Catholiques either of myne owne hovvse or of the Neighbourhoode as should depte this lyfe duringe the tyme of these trebles. And so I caused a litle peece of grownde to bee enclosed w^Mn myne owne demaine land in a place called of ould tyme (as it is nowe also) the Harkirke. The workmen whoe dytched and enclosed it on twoe sydes (for other twoe sydes were fenced before) were John Ryse and Thomas Marrall, the elder, bothe of this towne of Little Crosbie and my tennants. They finished y^ dytch a litle before Christ- enmas laste, leavinge abowte the middest of the northweste syde of it a gappe or waye into it undytched of some twoe yards wyde. And thus it remayned without anie use of buriall (the

46

Crosby Records.

gappe also still lyinge open) untill the deathe of an ould man and Tenante of myne whoe, dyinge a Catholicke, was not pmitted by the Parson of Sephton to bee buried at the Parish Churche of Septon, though some of the olde man’s neighbours solicited the same, yea, and brought the corse neare to the Churche to bee buried uppon Sonday in the afore noone, beinge the seventhe of Aprill of this p^sent yeare of our Lorde one thousand sixe hundred and eleven (i6ii). The Neighbours, therfore, whoe caried and attended or accompanied the corse, came to the foresaid place in my grownd, w^^^ they or some of the cheeffeste of them had hearde was by mee enclosed from the reste of my grownde there for suche a purpose : And there buried the Corpes about twelve a Clocke when I was at dinner. This ould man’s name was Mathewson.

The daye next followinge in the morninge beinge Mondaye, a servant boye of myne of fowerteene yeares old, called Thomas Ryse, dryvinge my Catle (w^^ as yett did nightlie lye in the howse) to a field neare the sayde place of buriall, went ov^ into the said place, not at the sayd gappe but at a Corner, and uppon the right hande of the sayde entrance or gappe as one cometh owte, hee sawe uppon the sandie coppe caste w^ifin the sayde place certayne peeces of Coyne scattered (as it seemed) w^^^ the throwinge of them w^^ the sand owte of the dytch. these, therefore, w^^^

hee then found, beinge some broken, but moste of them whole, he came home, and shewed them to divers my servants firste ; and afterwards cominge into the kitchin amongest them whoe were lookinge and musinge at them, I presentlie tooke the Coyne and layde it uppe, and takinge the boye to shewe mee the place and manner of his fyndinge them, I went w^^ my Sonne Nicholas and Edwarde Denton, my man, to the place (my brother Richard Blundell cominge after us), where, seekinge and scrapinge in the sandie Coppe, wee founde a number more before dinner ; and at after dinner it pleased my mother herself to goe thither, I accom- panyinge her w^^ my wyfe, my said Brother, and Nicholas my Sonne, and Edwarde Denton afore saide, when againe wee found

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some more of the Coyne, but fewer then at the former tymes. In all there were fownde at one tyme and other above fower schore peeces, none bigger then a groate, and none less than a twoe pence.

These sevall formes were in manner followinge, viz. : [In the original MS. the Coins are here depicted, both obverse and reverse, and it is evident that from these the copper plate was engraved. See Frontispiece.]

After I had drawen these twentie fyve formes of sundrie Coynes afore placed, I fownde by more dilligent revewe of the Coynes that there were dyvers and sundrie fashions of the money of Sainte Peter, besydes that forme w^ is here before firste ex- pressed. The formes of w^ Coynes I have here under drawen, w^ other twoe of strange and to me unknowen Inscriptions uppon there firste sydes, w^ twoe are sett the lowest here under.

[Ten more coins are here depicted, making 35 in all.]

Note that uppon the seconde syde of the fower and twentithe forme in the ringe there is a place voyde, w^^ in the coine it selffe was not voide, but had c’rtaine strange characters, whiche w^^ my penne I feared I could not p’fectly imitate and expresse. And likewyse in the middle of the seconde syde of the fyve and twentithe forme, I have leaft the place vacant, whea^ the coine it selff had c’rtaine strange characters, w^^ I could not imitate nor expresse p’fectly or truly.

These eight p^cedent formes ^ weare all (no doubte) of the money of Ste Peter, commonlie called Peter pence, but of these twooe nexte followinge I can give no probable coniecture excepte it might be that they shoulde have bine Peter pence, and were mistamped. The beginninge of y® paimente of Peter pence was by Inas K. of the west Saxons, whoe imposed uppon everie howse a pennie yearlie to be paide as a tribute to the

^ It has not been thought necessary to reproduce the facsimiles of the coins which Mr. Blundell had before him when he made his fanciful comments. We believe that the description of the late Rev. D. H. Haigh, inserted at the end, will be found correct in all essential particulars.

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Bishoppe of Rome, as appeareth in Policlore Virgill and John Foxe, &c., and this was then first done aboute y® yeare of our Lorde 704, and after this Offa Kinge of Mercia, anno 779, did the same in his kingdome of Mercia; and after this againe, England, for y^ most parte beinge brought into a monarchic, and first named Englande by K. Egberte, whoe began his raigne anno 800, and dyed 837. His sonne and next successor Kinge Ethehvolfe (or more rightlie as appeareth in the next ensuinge coine /Edelulf) made a lawe for saide paiment of Peter pence throwe all his kingdome so as whoe soev^ had 30 pence yearlie rent in possessions, or more howses then one, shoulde paye for everie house a pennie yearlie.

In some writers this paiment is called Romescott; this Kinge appointed also 300 macuzes' yearly to be sent to Rome; wherof one hundred to buye oyle for light in St. Peter’s Churche, and one hudred to buy oyle for y^ same use in St. Paules Churche, and the rest was to y® pope himselfe, by him to bee bestowed in good works. Also in y^ tyme of the Danishe kings there raignes over England this tribute of Peter pence was paide. St. Edwarde, also the Confessor, paide the same as appeareth in his lyfe, written by Aired. And after him the conqueroure continued the same also as saith Houeden. And so it was continuallie paide by all our kings till K. Henrie the 8, whoe paide it also for above twentie yeares of his raigne, untill hee brake offe from the Pope and Sea of Rome for causes whiche all men knowe.

This Kinge /Edelulf in the raigne of his father, K. Egberte, whoe was our first monarche, became a monke and subdeacon, before broughte uppe under y^ most holie scoolmaster, St. Swithin, Bishoppe of Winchester ; but his saide father beinge departed this lyfe, and none other lefte of y^ blood Royall to succeede him, hee was perswaded for y^ publicke good, upon the Pope’s dispensation procured before by his father, to accept the Crowne and marrie, and so hee did, as you may reede in

* Foxe calleth them 300 marks, and Cayius saithe they were 30 pence a peece.

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IMalmesb., whoe, together Stowe, doth saye hee maried Judith, daughter to Charles y® greate K. of fifrance (whose Coine I guesse my laste expressed to be), by whom hee had 4 sonnes, all succeedinge him in the Crowne. Hee began his raigne anno 837, and raigned 20 yeares and odde monthes. Plegmund, as Malmesb. and others saye, was created Archbishoppe of Cantur- burie anno 889, which was in y® latter end of the raigne of Kinge Alfred, whose scoolmaster hee is saide to have bine, wherfore hee, seeminge not to have bine Archbishoppe in y^ tyme of Kinge Aldelulf, I cannot as yet fynde oute the reason why hee is so named upon Adelulf his coine. Godwin saithe that in his youthe he was an hermit.

yElfred, the fowerthe sonne of Adelulf, or (as he is corruptlie called) Ethelwolfe, began his raigne anno 872, and ruled 28 yeares and an halfe. Hee alone of all o^ hinges (saithe Foxe) tooke his Crowne and unction of the Pope, whom Polidore saithe to have bine Hadrian the seconde. Hee alone, for his Admirable deeds bothe in warre and peace, is surnamed y^ greate. Hee devided (as saith Verstegan) this lande into shyres, yt is to say, into shares, geevinge them such names as in effect they yet retaine emdge us. Hee is said to have devided y^ daye and night into 3 equall portions, wherof y® one hee spent in studie, prayre, and such things as belonged to his mynde and soule. The other in eatinge, sleepinge, and other exersyse of the bodie, the thirde in the affaires of the corhon welthe. Three Collegies hee founded at Oxforde, one for Gramarians, an other for Philo- sophers, the thirde for divynes. His Chastitie was such as Cooper, after many Catholique writers testifiethe, hee desired of God sicknes, that hee might not offende against 'Chastitie. Hee builte three monasteries, one at Winchester, an other at Shaftisbury, and the thirde at Adelinge, or Ethelinge, where St. Cudberht, appearinge unto him, encoraged and Comforted him, beinge in greate distresse and heavines.

This monasterie, saithe Polidore, hee gave to y^ monks of Sainte Benett, his order. And yt notable storie howe Kinge

H

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Alfred was comforted by St. Cudberht, I shall brieflle here set downe as I fynde it in the treatise of y® three Conversions of Englande, 2, 6 nu. 20, gathered out of INIalmesburie whoe lived Aboute fyve hundred yeares gone, to witt, in the tyme of Kinge Steven, and thus it is. Kinge /Elfred and his ancestors havinge lost unto y^ Danes all the Northeaste and Weste parte of Englande, hee had onelie three shyres to hyde himself in upon the south Sea, to wit, Somersetshyre, Hampshyre, and Wiltshyre, whither also the Danes followed him with a greate Armie under there Captaine Gormound, and the poore kinge beinge destitute of all humaine helpe, wantinge both money, victualls, and men (for all forsooke him upon feare) he had no other refuge for savinge his lyffe then w^^^ a fewe trustie servants of his and his Mother (the doleful Oueene) to flee into a little Hand in Somersetshyre called the Adalinge (wholye beset with waters and myre in the middest of Marishe grounde and a little wood ioyned therunto) to hyde themselves in.

Here himselfe and his mother beinge lodged in a certaine swineheardes howse, y^ rest made shifte for themselves lyinge on the grounde, but twooe things for the present pressed them most : the first hunger, for want of victualls, the second feare of Gormounds Campe that laye so neare them ; wherfore sendinge forthe his men to seeke some fishe by nighte (for yt they durst not shewe themselves by daye) the kinge and his mother w^^^ wofull hearts reposed a little there wearie bodies and mynds in the sayde Swineheards house ; and beinge entred into a little slumber, behoulde (saithe the storie) there appeared to y^ K. St. Cudberht, tellinge him both his name and that he was sente by God to comforte him, and to tell him that albeit his iustice had hitherto chastened Englishe for there sines by the swoorde of y® Danes, yet that hee woulde not extinguishe them in respecte of so manie saints that had bine, of y^ nation ; and from this daye forwarde woulde set them uppe againe. Nowe at length God for y® meritte of English saints doth looke upon England w^^^ the eye of mercie. Hee toulde him further yt himselfe from

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this state of extreame miserie showlde be restored verie soone to a florishing state of his kingdome, for which hee gave him presentlie a signe or token, sayinge, that albeit night was a verie contrarie tyme for fishers, both for y^ all rivers were frozen and a little raigne beinge falen upon y^ same had made it unfit for men to travell in that arte ; yet his men shoulde come home loaden w^^ incredible abundance of fishe. Thus hee toulde him, perswadinge him that when hee shoulde see all these things performed, hee shoulde remember to bee thankfull to God and his servants for there favoure towards him, and so deperted.

The kinge, beinge wonderfully comforted with this vision, awaked for ioye, and called upon his IMother y^ Queene, whoe lay nere him, and had enioyed the selfe same vision. They recounted together all particulers, expectinge with greedines when there servants shoulde return from fishinge to confirme the same, which soone after ensued ; and they brought with them to y^ kinge so greate store of fishe as it might seeme to be sufficient to satisfye the hunger of never so greate an armie, Wherwith K. Alfred beinge encoraged, hee adventured a strange attempt, w^^^ was to goe into the Dane’s campe w^^^ one servant onelie, faininge themselves musicians, wherw^^ singinge of songs and sounding there instruments they passed throughe the whole Campe, discoveringe their disorders, and where and when they were most weake, and so retyringe themselves to theire companie againe, and arminge such men as hee coulde, secretlie set upo them w^^^ such fiercenesse as they killed manie and put the rest to flight, and constrained y^ Danes w* there K. Gormound to demaund peace and offer hostages for the same, which were accepted upon twooe conditions : the first that all of them shoulde retyre out of Englad except such as woulde be Christians ; the second that these Christian Danes shoulde be content w* y^ East Angles, to wit, Norfolke and Suffolke, all w^^^ was admitted, and Kinge Gormound himselfe made a Christian and godsonne to Kinge Alfred, acceptinge the saide kingdome of Easte Angles as tributarie unto him, and from this daye forwarde

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Kinge Alfred went gaininge more and more, puttinge his enemies to flight, untill hee had recovered all his whole king- dome againe.

And this bothe hee and his mother were wonte to recounte all the dayes of there lyfe afterwarde, and the events themselves did evidentlie declare the truthe of the miracle recorded, as hath bine sayde by o^ best historiographers, all which not withstand- inge John foxe, p. 128, writeth thus: Let us passe over these dreaminge fables, thoughe they be testified by divers authors, as William Malmesburie, Polecronicon, Roger Houeden, Jornalensis, and others more, &c. This holie Kinge yElfred was of such pietie and devotion as Florent Westmon. and others write that hee daylie hearde masse, and saide his howers and mattins, and in the night season, unknowen to all his servats, hee frequented Churches to here service. Hee wrote and promulgated * most Christian lawes, and caused such peace as hee made Braslets of goulde to be hunge uppe in the highe waye, which none durst touche. There was no vertue (saythe Polidore) wherin hee excelled not, for hee was liberall to all, but espetialle to y^ poore and needie. Hee was a strickte observer of Justice, alwayes punishinge y^ guiltie accordinge to theire desert, and with mer- veilous Charitie cherishinge y^ innocent for his valour in martiall affaires ; hee was, of all our kings, moste famous, for as much as none of them did ever winne more battles then hee, Hee had by his wyfe Etheluitha twooe sonnes, Edwarde, surnamed the Elder, and Adeluolde, and three daughters, Elfreda, Ethelgera or Elgiva, and Etheluitha.

I reede also in a learned late writer of one Adeltrude, daughter to this K. Alfred, wyfe to Lewis, K. of ffrance, surnamed stutteringe (in Latin called Ludovicus balbus), and mother to Charles y® simple, afterwarde also (thoughe not immediatlie) kinge of ffrance.

Kinge Alfred then waxinge verie olde, when hee was a little

* Cay us de Antiq. Cantab, p. 328.

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touched sicknes, hee made his last will or testament ordayn- inge his sonne Edwarde to be his heire, and gevinge dyvers gifts to his souldiours, to his familiars, to his servants, to the scollars of Oxforde, and to y^ reparation and buildinge of sacred howses. Afterwarde, his sicknes encreasinge, hee dyed at winchester the 28 of October, and was buried at the newe Abbeye, w^^ himselfe had builded. And for as muche as in this laste afore written Coine [ALFRED REX] is on the one syde, and [CVDBERHT] on the other, I thinke it moste lyke and probable that K. -Alfred caused the Coine so to be made in memorie of the fore saide miracle, for althoughe there was an Archbishoppe of Can- turburie named Cudberht, whoe dyed aboute y^ yeare 798, a man of greate renowne for learninge and vertue, yet can I fynde written no espetiall cause or reason why this kinge shoulde set him in his Coyne, who dyed a longe tyme (as y^ former Cudberht did also) before hee was made kinge, and gave not anie occasion of such spetiall memorie to be made of him by y^ saide kinge as did the other St. Cudberht, whoe was Bishoppe of Lindis- farne aboute the yeare 689, of whose holy lyfe and deathe yowe maye reede in St. Bede.i

These twooe coines differ, not in the inscriptions, but onelie in the crosses and pricks, and they seem to have bine the Coines of K. iElfred y^ greate afore mentioned, and this VVLFRED here named to have bine yt wulfred whoe was of Canturburie created Archbishoppe anno (as saithe ]\Ialm.) 804, or, as Godwin hath, 807, which was in the raigne of K. Egbert, whoe was grand- father to K. yElfred. But nether as yet can I fynde out y^ cause that moved Kinge Alfred to set this Bishoppes name in his Coine, nor can I tell howe this name VVLFRED in the coine shoulde be pronounced. Wantinge a vowell betwixt the W and the L, except y^ former W be made a consonant and the latter a vowell, and then it agreethe not fullie with the saide Bishoppes name as nowe hee is written in books. There was one Alfrid,

* Lib. 4, histor. cap. 27, et sequent^.

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kinge of Northumberland, whoe began his raigne anno 689, and in the yeare of his raigne departed this lyfe, which was the

yeare of our Ld 709, in w^^ kings tyme lived that most holie and worthie Bishoppe of Yorke, St. Wilfrid, of both whom St. Bede' wrytethe thus : Wherupon (to witt after y^ deathe of Delphine Bishoppe of Lyons in ffrance, of whom St. Wilfrid had taken the inferiour orders) returninge into England, hee was brought to bee in frendshippe and amitie w^^^ K. Aldfrid, whoe had learned to followe allwayes and love the Catholicque Rules of the Churche.

And for that hee perceaved him to be Catholique, hee gave him straight wayes the land of tenne tenements in Staforde,^ and w^^hn a whyle after, a monasterie of 30 families in Rippon, w^^^ hee had given but latelie to builde an Abbey for such as followed ye Scotts, but because, &c. the same tyme in the same monas- terie hee was made Priest by Agilbert Bishoppe of Gevisse (of whom wee spake before saith saint Bede) at y^ instance of y^ kinge, desyringe y^ so learned and Religious a man shoulde continually followe his Court, and espetialle be his teacher and precher whom not longe after hee sent into ffrance by the councell and advise of his father Oswin, when hee was but 30 yeares of age, to be consecrated and made Bishoppe by Agilbert, the Bishoppe of Paris. Nowe whether y® twooe last precedent coines were of Kinge Alfred y^ greate and Wulfred, Bishoppe of Can- turburie, or of Alfrid, K. of Northumberland, and St. Wilfrid, Archbishoppe of Yorke, I leave it to better iudgmet then myiie owne. I rather thinck them to be of y^ 2 former mentioned, and yet these twooe latter mentioned lived both together much frendlie and familiar, w^^ y^ other did not. The names I thincke were in antient tyme all one, I meane both the kings had

* Ecclesiasticall Hist, lib, 9, cap. 20. ^ Stamford in Lincolnshire.

3 Not having the MS. at hand, it is impossible to say whether the omission here occurs in the copy or in the original. — [Ed.]

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one name, viz., Alfred, and both Bishoppes one name, viz., VVLFRED, for frid and fred are all one, signifyinge peare.^

This Alfred, Kinge of Northumberland above mentioned, was Nefewe to St. Oswalde, kinge and martir, whoe was slaine by the Pagan Kinge Penda, in a placed called in their language Maserfelthe, which seemeth to have bine at or neere Winwicke Church, in the Countie of Lancaster, w^^^ is w*in a certaine pre- cinct or libertie called even to this daye Macarfeldt or Macar- feldffee. Also in y^ Church porch of Winwicke aforesaide, upon y^ OLitsyde, are engraven in y^ stone these Latin verses follow- inge :

Hie locus Oswalde, quondam placuit tibe valde : j nodanhumbroru

( Northumbrorum., fueras Rex nuneque poloru regna tenes, loco passus, mercelde, vocato.

See Cambden, pag. 981, in y^ impression at London of y^ yeare 1594. Moreow, a Catholique gentleman and frend of myne whoe had dwelte heretofore nere to the saide place, beinge moved by my letter to certifie me what hee knewe thereof, writethe that the people thereaboute have yet in there mouthes (it may be by tradition) y^ K. Oswalde beinge greevouslie wounded in a battell not farre from yt place, vowed y* if hee might wendequicke (or whicke accordinge to there speache) hee wolde there builde a Churche, wherupon (as they saye) it was then called Wendwhicke, now Winwicke.

Moreover on y^ syde of Newton parke w^^^ is towards Winwick not eight roods (as I rember saith this gentleman) from the pale, there is a little well walled w^^ stone w*in, \\ch ye people call St. Oswald’s well, and neare therunto there was an olde tree stand- inge in my tyme had (as the people say) a picture standinge in it, the place shewinge when I lived there y^ it might fitlie be used for such a purpose, and further (as I remember saithe hee) I

* Mr. Ric. Verstegan in his booke called A Restitution of Decayed Intelligence. ^ St. Bede, li. 3, hist. c. 9.

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have hearde it there reported that there had bine a greate pil- gremage to yt place. And thus I have thought good to take or rather seeke occasion here to write of place of this blessed K. and martir his death, because y^ same is by wronge informa- tion saide in a late pious booke to have bine at Osestree.i

There was 2 a K. of middle England called Ludicen (the pru- dentiall ballance in y^ Epilouge of the first booke or scale calleth him Ludecan) in the tyme of K. Egbert, whose name perhappes may be here expressed in the higher rewe of y^ first syde ; but why it hath on the seconde syde the name of K. Elfred, I knowe not, havinge reade of but onely twooe kings called Elfred or Alfred, the one of Northumberland almost an hundred yeares before Ludecan, and the other above three score yeares after him, to witt yElfred the greate, Kinge of Englande.

This Coine seemeth obscure upon y^ first syde in y^ first rowe by reason that the Caracters or letters next before the letter :T : seeme ether to bee mistaped or with age worn and defaced ; but I guesse they are made to stande for these letters :I:X: and in the latter rewe of this first syde the laste letter made thus -A_ standeth for the letter o, as is manifest by some of the peter pence afore expressed, whereby I take this to be the Coine of K. EDELSTAN, or Ethelstan, or as some call him Athelstan, the eldest sonne (thoughe illegitimate by a Concubine) of K. Edwarde, surnamed y^ elder, and grandchilde to Kinge yElfred the greate, whose name hee setteth on y^ second syde of his coine for honour and memorie of his grandfather. This K. Edelstan, or Ethelstan, succeeded his father, K. Edwarde, anno 924, and raigned 16 yeares. Hee is much comeded both in antient and late writers for his wisdome and valiantnes.

^ St. Oswald’s well is still an object of devotion to Catholics, and many come from a distance to take its waters. It is walled within, but the tree spoken of by Mr. Blundell has long since disappeared. The controversy between Winwick and Oswestry continues, but the balance of testimony appears to be in favour of the former. Mr. Blundell’s version of the legend round the exterior of the Church is copied from Camden, who has “ loco ” instead of “prato,” and omits altogether a fourth line.

Polidore (Virgil) lib. 9.

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It is recorded of him yt goinge to the battell of Brumforde^ against manie kings and innumerable enemies, hee visited St. John of Beverley by the waye greate devotion, and God so blessed his devotion as in the battell hee slewe (saith INIalmesb.) the Kinge of Scotts and fyve kings more, 12 Earles, innumerable multitude of his enemies, and gott one of y^ greatest victories that ever englishe wonne, and in his returne gave greate gifts and privileges to St. John of Beverley, and made it a sanctuarie for all debtors and malefactors.^ This K. expelled the Danes, quieted y^ Welshmen, and conqueringe the Scotts brought Con- stantine there kinge to doe him homage, and restored his sister’s sonne Ludowicke, surnamed d’Outremer (y^ is of beyond the Sea for yt hee had bine brought uppe in England) to y^ kingdome of ffrance. Hee builded twooe monasteries of monkes of St. Bene- dict’s order, one at Midleton, as Foxe calleth it, or Melton, as Polidore hath, w^^ is in the dyocesse of Salisburie, an other at Michelney in Somersetshyre. In this king’s tyme there befell a notable miracle recited by John Foxe, and registered by Malmes- burie, was as followeth : This kinge having escaped a greate danger at Winchester, where one of his subiects named Duke yElfred and other of his nobles, conspiringe together presentlie after his father’s death, wolde have put out his eyes, but hee escapinge y^ danger tooke sayde Alfred prisoner, and for that hee denied y^ hee had any such intention, y^ good kinge thought there was no better trial! then to send him to Rome to Pope John the II. to be tryed by a soleme religious othe before him.

The Pope made him sweare before Sainte Peter’s Altar, Whoe forswearinge the sayde Conspiracie fell downe presentlie before the saide Altar in y® sighte of all the people, and was caried thence in the Armes of his servants to -the scoole of Englishmen (founded by K. Offa, and destroyed by fyre in K. Egbert his raigne, and afterwards reedifyed by Kinge /Edelulf), where hee dyed y^ thirde night after, wherew^^ y® Pope and all Rome

* [Brunanburh — see Lingard, vol. i. p. 123, ed. 1854.]

* Ingulphe and Camb. in brit. pag. 636.

I

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remained astonished ; and the Pope sent presentlie into P'ngland to knowe of the kinge whether hee wolde pardon him, and suffer his bodie to be buried in Christian Sepulcher, w^^ Kinge Athel- Stan, after consultation had w^^ the rest of his nobilitie, and by the earnest intersession of Duke Alfred his ffrends, was content

hee sholde bee so buried, but yet by sentence of the whole Realme the possessios of the saide Alfred were adiudged to the king’s use, whoe bestowed them all upon Churches and Monas- teries to the honour of God and St. Peter, w^^^ had geeven this Judgment in the Controversie.i

This was y^ Coine of K. Edmund, monarche of England, second sohe (but y^ first sonne legitimate) to Edward y^ Elder, and brother to Kinge Edelstan afore mentioned, and to K. Edered whose coine next ensueth, and father to y^ most noble Kinge Edgar. This K. began anno 940, and raigned six yeares and an halfe. Hee setteth upon the second syde of his Coine (as here appereth), the name of his father Kinge Edward for an honorable memorie of him. Hee was (as Stowe, Florent, and others write) altogether counseled and led by St. Dunstan, abbot thereof, w* a Chapter.2 Hee granteth many priveledges to Glassenbury for hope of eternall rewarde and forgivenes of his sinnes. His wyfc St. Elfegla^ was Canonized after her dethe, and Miracles were wroughte at her tombe ; of this good king’s deathe (see more here after in the annotations of y^ 3 Coines of St. Eadmund).

These twooe next above were the Coines of Kinge Edered, monarch of England, whoe began 946, and raigned 9 yeares and an halfe. Hee was the third sonne to K. Edward, surnamed the Elder, and grandchild to Kinge yElfred the greate, and therfore, as I thincke, in honour and memorie of them, hee setteth their names upon y^ second syde of his Coines, as here appeareth. Malmesb., lib. 4. c. 7, salth hee humbled himselfe to y^ feete of holy men, devoted his lyfe to God and St. Dunstan, by whose

* See thisstorie in the “Three Conversions,” pte 2. c. 6. nu. 8.

= Malmesb. lib. 2. c. 7. 3 Ethehverd lib. 4. c. 7.

Harkirke Corns.

59

Councell hee made his Courte a scoole ofvertue. And when hee fell sicke hee sent for St. Dunstan, his confessor. Ingulphe, pag. 874, riteth his Character, in which hee erected a newe y® Abbey of Crowland (belyke destroyed afore by y^ Danes), and saithe hee is sorry that by destruction of y^ monastery prayers for the soules of kings his predecessors have bine intermitted, w^^ charter subscribed by twooe Archbishoppes, fower Bishopps, manie Abbots and Earles, y^ kinge, sealed w^^^ seales of goulde. See Stowe.

These 6 precedent Coines upon there second sydes seeme to mee all of them to beare the name of K. Eadwerde, surnamed y^ Elder, whoe was sonne to K. Alfred, surnamed y® greate, and father to 3 kings next succeedinge him, yt is to saye, Edelstan, Eadmund, and Edered. Hee began anno 901, and raigned 23 yeares. Hee is saide to have preferred y® Councell of St. Dunstan before all treasure. His daughters Elfled and Edburga vowed virginitie (ex Alalmesb. et Houeden). An other daughter of his called Elgiva or Ogin was maried to Charles the simple, K. of ffrance, and^ Gregorie, a sonne of his, became an hermit in Swisland.

The three first of these fower next precedent coines seeme by their inscriptions on their first sydes to be made in memorie of that St. Eadmund, kinge and martir, whoe, in the raigne of Kinge Adelulphe aboute the year 899, when Offa, Kinge of East England lefte his kingdom and was traveling towardes the holy lande in olde Saxonie, was by him the sayde Offa elected his heire, and so returning into England became prince of Offa his kingdome under Kinge Adelulf, and afterwards, anno 870, hee was by the Danes taken prisoner, and because hee wolde not forsake the faith of Christ w^^^ they urged him to doe, they bounde him to a tree and shott him to death with Arrowes, and afterwards beheaded him upon y^ 20^^^ day of November, in the yeare of o’’ Lord 870, of whose greate miracles wrought after his

^ Bede con. Cent. 13, C. 77.

6o

Crosby Records.

death yow may see in his lyfe written by Surius in his sixte Tome. And yet yow must note also y^ ther was an other St. Eadmund, kinge and Martir/ whoe was sonne to K. Eadweard, surnamed the elder, of whom and whose Coine I have spoken before, of whose death it is written that hee behoulding in his presence a certaine notable robber whome longe before hee had banished for his wickednes, invaded him, and threw him on the ground, and as hee was striking him was by the saide wicked wretch slaine.

Hee was buried (saith Petrus de natalibus) in y^ Church of Glassenburie, where also hee is honored as a martir, because hee was slaine for Justice, and there hee is famous for miracles. And in this king’s time St. Odo was Archbishoppe of Canterburie, whom florent and westmon. doe say to have bine endued w^^ the spirit of prophesie, and Malmesburie saithe he wroughte miracles, and if this Odo be named in the inscriptio on the second syde of the second of these fewer coines next precedent (which may be thoughe I knowe not the certaintie therof, not understandinge which followeth in y® saide inscription) then doubtles this St. Eadmund mentioned in the Coines was sonne to K. Eadweard, y^ elder Monarche of England, and not the former St. Edm.und, K. of East England. . The other inscriptions of the first and 3 of y® 4 last coines on their second sydes I understand not, savinge onely the English of these wordes in y^ third Coine, lomam me fecit, w^^^ is, ‘Tomam hath made me.” Of the last of the fower precedent Coines I can saye little, savinge that in the first syde the letters make some shewe that it was made in memorie of St. Eadmund as the three next afore, but why the lower crosse was set betwixte the A and the other defective letter, which seemeth to have bine a D, I cannot tell ; of the second syde I can saye lesse.

Of this inscription aboute this doble Crosse I can say little for certaine. I coniecture onely y^ it was made in this manner as a

* Petrus de natalibus in his Catalogue of Saints, lib. lO. cap. 90.

Harkirke Coins.

6i

token or badge of Christians, and that the letters doe importe as much as to say a Christen ; but let this be but my guesse untill better skill and Judgment approve the same. The latter or second syde of this is much more difhculte for my understand- inge.

The first syde of this and of the nexte ensuinge Coine seeme to have bine made on this manner lyke a Church or Chappell end, with the inscription “Christiana religio” as a token, sygne, or badge of Christian Religion. The inscription upon y^ second syde seemeth plaine in everie letter, savinge ye first, which may be taken for a D (or as I rather think it is) a B, and the eleaventh letter, w^^ may be taken ether for an I or an S, but what kinge or viceroy should be signified hereby I cahot well saye, havinge never read of any of that name emongst the kinges of o^ Countrie. I reede of one Berengarius, Kinge of Italie (whoe, as Tenebrard saith,) begone a new kingdome in Italie about the yeare 888, w^^^ continued for 8o yeares. There was also an other Berengarius successor, though longe after, to the former, whom Otho the greate, beinge mad Emperour, took prisoner. i

Of the first syde of this Coine I have spoken in my next pre- cedent ahotation. The inscription on the second syde of this Coine is plaine in everie letter, savinge that letter is betwixt the V and the R, which is made lykest to an I, but I thincke it shoulde be an S, and so it is Hludowicus Re, the letter x beinge to be understoode and added, and of this name there have bine mar.ye kings of fifrance, and of them were fyve betwixt Charles y^ great, whoe was in y^ time of Kinge Egbert and Huge Capet, who, excludinge the lyne of Charles, brought in his owne aboute the yeare 988, w^^ was aboute 40 yeares after o^ Kinge ^dered, whoe, for ought I yet can fynde out, is the laste of o'" kings that hath his name upon any of these Coines, wherfore of some of these Lodowicks I take this Coine to be (if it be a ffrench coine), but cannot guesse probablie of w^^

* Bellarmin translat. Imp. Rom. lib. 2. c. 7.

62

Crosby Records.

The first syde of this Coine beareth (as is plaine) the name of Charles, Kinge of fifrance ; and wheras there was before the end of o’* Kinge ^Idered his raigne was anno 996) dyvers kings of fifrance beringe the name of Charles the great, whose daughter Judith was maried to our Kinge yEdelulf, Charles y^ bauld, grandchilde to the foresaide Charles the greate, and Charles the simple, grandchild to o^ Kinge Alfred the great by his daughter Adeltrude, maried to Lewis the stutteringe, and Charles, sur- named the grosse, whoe, being Emperour of Rome, was chosen K. of fifrance in the tyme y^ Charles the simple, the eight heire by propinquitie of blood, lived in Englande, whoe afterwards (thoughe not iihediately) came to be K. of fifrance, wherfore seeinge there were onely these fower kings of fifrance bearinge the name of Charles before the end of o^ Kinge Edered his raigne, whoe (so farre as I yet can understand) is the last of o^ kings that hath his name expressed on any of these Coines, I therfore thincke this to have bine the Coine of some of y® saide fower kings of fifrance, but of whom I cannot certainlie saye. There was, indeed, aboute the tyme of Charles the greate, K. of fifrance and afterwards Emperour of Rome, one Lullo, Arch- bishoppe of ]\Ientz, scollar and successor to St. Boniface, the Apostle of Germanie ; but whether the inscription of the second syde of this Coine be meant of this holy Archbishoppe St. Lullo or signifieth some other man or matter it seemeth as yet to me verie harde to Judge, for nether can I give any coniecture at all of any other then of this St. Lullo, nether can I be satisfyed with this coniecture, both for yt y^ woord [VLLO] in y^ coine wanteth an L w^^ should begin saide Archbishoppes name, and also for y*^ the woorde Met or Metx on y^ Coine is more lyke to signifie the Cittie Metz of Loraigne in fifrance, where is also an Archbishoppes Sea, then Mentz or Moyunce y^ chiefe Metropolitane Cittie of higher Germanie standinge upon the river Rene not farr from Franckforte.

Har'kirke Coins.

63

Hierem. 6.

Hec dicit dominus.

State super vias et videte et interrogate de semitis antiquis, que sit via bona, et ambulate in ea ; et invenietis refrigerium animabus vestris.

Thus saith o^ Lord.

Stand upon y® wayes and looke and enquire of the antient pathes is y® good waye, and walke therein, and yee shall fynd refreshment for your soules.

I.S.

[In another hand are written the following remarks on a fly leaf] : —

The first coynes specified in this booke cannot be properly called Petre-pence, for the Petre-pence due to Rome were not payed in a speciall coyne, but in the current monie of the age. The ancient kings graunted licence to certain Bishopps and Archbish. to coine monye, and thies here exemplified were coyned by the Archb. of Yorke, and in the letres of all thies Coines MO. standeth for Monetarius, i. the Mynt-master. And so in Plegmundus the Archb. Coine ADELVE MO was not K. Adelwulph, but a Mint-master of that name.

Description of the Harkirke Coins by the late Revd. D. H. Haigh of Erdington.

{ci) Alfred, King of the Saxons, 871 — 901.

1 AEL ERE DREX

2 JEL FR ED REX

3 ELFRED REX

4 EL FR ED REX

5 AEL ERE DRE

./EDER EDMO[netarius] LVDB ERHT EDELZT ANM-o-[netarius] LVDIC MON[etarius] VVLF RED

64

Crosby Records,

6 AEL FRE DREX VVLF RED +

None of the above have any indication of the place of mintage. 7 ALFRED -p-KSNAF-o-RDA BERIIE-ALED

MO[netarius]

The mint is Oksnaforda, viz., Oxford, the Moneyer Bernvald.

(b) Eadward, King of the Saxons, 901 — 925.

8 + EADWEARD REX

9

10

1 1

))

12

13

14

15

ff

>»

^DER EDMO (netarius) BEAKS TAN MO BEORNV VALDMO DEORV VALDMO DIORA MONE + EADNV NDMO VVLF + ARD MO VVLF HE ARD MO

The last a more ornamental type than the foregoing.

(c) Plegmund, Archbishop of Canterbury, 891 — 923.

16 + PLEGMVND ARCHIEP ^DELVLF MO

(d) Cnut (Guttfirth) King of Northumberland.

17 CNVT REX CVN NET TI +

These coins explained in memoir on Danish Coins of North- umberland.

(e) Ecclesiastical Coins of Northumberland, about A.U. 900, bear- ing legends more or less correct, intended for.

18-28 SCI PETRI MO[neta] + EBORACE CIVI[tas]

24 and 25 have little sprigs introduced on the obverse for variety. 26 to 28 have the key of St. Peter, though scarcely recognisable on these pieces.

(/) Ecclesiastical coins minted in East Anglia after the extinc- tion of its royalty.

29 +SCEA + DM[und rex] + BADI -h MOI [netarius]

30 4SCEADMVNR[ex] +IOMAM ME FECIT

Harkirke Corns.

65

31 +SCEADMUND RI +0D0 MONERLIA +

32 +SCEADMVND RE +WINIFR MONETAI

(^g) Charles-le-Simple, King of the Franks, 893 — 923.

33 CARLVS REX FR +METXVLLO

The mint is Melle ; the device on the reverse should be monogram of Carolus.

Qi) Berengarius, King of Italy, 887 — 899.

34 4-BERENGARIVI REX +XRIITIANA RELIGIO

The device on the reverse is the front of a Church, the legend “ Christiana religio.”

C) Hludovicus, King of Italy.

35 -f HLVDOWICVS RE same type and legend.

This Hludowic or Louis put Berengar to flight in 899 ; was deposed by Berengar in 905.

K

Catl)olicfts buneD tn C^arbirfte.

Anxient Wayside Cross at the Harkirre.

Harkirke Burial Register.

69

JESUS "p MARIA. 1611.

The names of those Catholicke Recusants as have been buried in the buriall place wdiin the Harkircke since y® inclosure thereof : —

ffirst of all, Mathewson, an ould man of Morehowses w^hin litle Crosbie, dyed a Catholicke, the sixt daye of Aprill, anno Doi, 1611, and was buried in y^ Harkircke y^ day following, being Sonday, and y® 7 day of Aprill aforesaid, being first denyed buriall at Sephton Churche by the parson thereof.

Secondly, Ellen Blundell, the wyfife of Thomas Blundell of y^ Carrhowses in Ince blundell, was buried in the Harkircke uppon the 10 day of Aprill, being Wednesday, anno 1 61 1, being first denyed buriall at Sephton as aforesaid.

Thirdly, Margerie Rigat, y^ wyffe of Rigat of muche Crosbie, was buried, &c., the 9 of May, 1611, being first denyed, &c.

Edwarde Tyrer of muche Crosbie was buried, &c., y^ 6 of ffebruarie, 1612, being denyed, &c.

Ric. Holland, second sonne of Richard Holland, of y® Halle of Sutton in y® pishe

I. 7 Apr., 1611.

2. 10 Apr.,

1611.

3. 9 May,

1611.

4. 6 ffebr.,

1612.

5. 6 Sept.,

1612.

70

6. 2 Oct.,

i6i2.

7. 28 Nov,,

1612.

8. 30 Nov.,

1612.

9. Decern.,

1612,

10. 16 May, 1613.

II. 23 Apr., 1613.

12. 31 Aug., 1613.

Crosby Reco7'ds.

of Prescott, was buried, &c., uppon Sonday nighte the 6 of September, 1612.

Grace IMarrowe, wyfife of John Cadicke, of muche Crosbie, was buried, &c., being denyed, &c.

Richarde Ryding of y^ Morehowses wdiin litle Crosbie was buried, &c., being denyed, &c.

Margerie, widowe of the sayde Richarde Ryding, was buried, &c., being likewyse de- nyed, &c.

Richarde Tarleton, second sonne of Ed- warde Tarleton of ffazakerley, gent., was buried in y^ Harkircke uppo Saturday night, being ye — of December, 1612.

\V*^ Tarleton of litle Crosbie, husbandman, a Catholicke wishing his wyfe to burie him after his deathe in y^ said buriall place, was accordingly there buried y® 16 May, 1613.

Jane Barone, y^ widowe of Thomason, of y^ Carrhowses in Ince blundell, was buried, &c., the Parson refusing to lett her bee buried at Sephton Church.

John Synett or — an Irishman borne in Wexforde, master of a barke, was excomuni- cated by the B. of Chester for being a Catho- licke recusant, and so dying at his house in Liverpoole was denyed to bee buried at Liver- poole Churche or Chappell, and therefore was brought and buried in this sayd buriall place of y^ Harkircke in y^ afternoone of the last day of August, 1613.

Harkirke Bicrial Register.

Raphe Croft of litle Crosbie, dying a Catho- licke Recusant, and being denyed, &c., was buried, &c.

Anne Lawrence, daughter of y® wyfife of H- Humphrey Lunt of Ince bludell, dying a Catholicke, and therefore denied, &c., was buried, &c.

John Saterthwait, R, was buried in y® Har- 15- kircke on Christenmas eave at or about 8 o’clocke in the eveninge, 1613.

Elizabethe, y^ widowe of Rich. Smith of 16. Ince blundell, dyed a Catholicke, and there- fore denyed, &c., was buried, &c., 28 day of ffebruarie, 1613, stilo novo.

Charite Melling, an ould woman and daugh- 17- ter of Rich. Melling of Melling, being kept w^^ Richarde Maghull of Ayntree, dyed there a Catholicke, and being denyed buriall bothe at Melling Chappell and at Sephton Churche, was buried in y^ Harkirke y^ 20 of Marche, about 10 of y® Clocke at night, 1614.

Jane Snopson, widow, and syster of Mar- 18. garet Barker of Darbie, widowe, dying a Catholicke, was buried, &c.

Margerie Davison, a servant maide at y® 19- Grange, dyed there a Catholicke, and there- fore denyed, &c., was buried, &c.

Margarett, y® wyffe of Henrie Blundell of 20. Ince blundell (whoe dwelt at y® Grange) dyed a Catholicke, and therefore denyed, &c., was buried, &c.

71

3 Octob., 1613.

II Nov., 1613.

24 Dec.,

1613.

28 Feb.,

1614.

10 Mar., 1614.

I Jul., 1614.

25 Jul., 1614.

2 Dec., 1614.

72	Crosby Records.
21. 3 Jan., 1615.	Catherine, y® widowe of Tho. Patrike als Gorton, of litle Crosbie, dying a Catliolicke, was therefore, &c., and was buried, &c., stilo
22. 20 May, 1615.	novo. Anne, y® wyffe of George Webster of Liv*- poole (tenant to Mr. Crosse) deyed a Catho- licke, and being denyed buriall at y® Chappell of Livpoole by y® Curate there, by y® Maior, and by Mr. INIore, was buried, &c.
23. 27 0cto., 1615. 24. 27 Apr., 1616.	Margaret, y® wyffe of Thomas Newhouse of Thornton, being denyed, &c., was buried, &c. Ellen Melling, daughter of John Melling of Incebl, dyed a Catliolicke, and was buried, &c.
25. 17 Sept., 1616.	Thomas Blundell of the Carresyde in Ince blundell, dyeing a Catliolicke, was buried, &c.
26. 13 Octo., 1616.	Anne Bludell, sister to Thomas Blundell of the hlorehowses, and wyffe to Thomas Holme of Dounholland, dying a Catliolicke, was buried in y® Harkircke w* her litle infant by her, &c.
27. 13 Oct., 1616.	Margaret, y® widowe of Raphe Crosse, dying a Catliolicke, was denyed buriall at Sephton by the minister there in absence of y® Parson, and was buried, &c.
28. II Dec., 1616.	Emliiie, y® wyffe of John Glover, being denyed, &c., was buried, &c.
29. 16 Dec., 1616.	Moneley of Holmore greene, Smith, being denied, &c., was buried, &c.
30. 4 Feby., 1617.	John Cadicke of muche Crosbie being de- nyed, &c., was buried, &c, stilo novo.

Harkirke Burial Registers,

Ellen, y® wyffe of Richarde J ohnson, denyed, 31- &c., was buried, &c.

This next above was the wyffe of Richard Johnson of the Lunt.

John Marrow of litle Crosbie, being denyed 32. buriall at Sephton by y® minister in absence of y® Parson, was buried, &c.

Nicholasson als Davit of litle Crosbie 33- denyed, &c., was buried, &c., stilo novo.

Ellen, ye wyffe of Richard Johnson of y® 34- Morehowses, being denyed, &c., was buried,

&c.

Henrie Blundell of late dwelling in y® IMore- 35- bowses, and about y® age of 100 yeares, dying a Catholicke, and therefore denyed, &c., was buried, &c.

Ellen, y® wyffe of John Longroe, denyed, 3^- &c., was buried, &c.

Catherine, y® widowe of John Rigate, neare 37- y® Chappell of much Crosbie, was buried, &c., stilo novo, being denyed buriall as aforesaid.

Humphrey Wetherbie of the Lunt was 38- buried, &c., being first denyed, &c.

Elizabeth, late widowe of Rohte Blundell, 39- Saler, was buried, &c., being first denyed, &c.

John Birtwisell, P., dyed y® 26 day of Feb- 4o- ruarie, and was buried in ye Harkircke the night following about 2 of the Clocke, anno 1620, stilo novo, priest.

Edwarde Suthworth of y® more lain, being 41* denyed buriall in much Crosbie, was buried,

&c.

73

9 Octo., 1617.

10 Octob.,

1617.

23 Jan.,

1618.

28 Jan., 1618.

3 ^lar., 1618.

27 Aug.,

1618.

29 Jan.,

1619.

18 Sept., 1619.

II Feb.,

1619.

27 Febr.,

1620.

6 May, 1620.

L

74	Crosby Records.
42. 28 Sep., 1620.	Ales Rigate, y« wyffe of John Rothwell, was buried, &c., being first denyed, &c.
43. I Nov., 1620.	Anne, the widowe of Richard Worrall, was buried, &c., being not suffered by y® Parson to bee buried at y® Churche first.
44. 4 Sep., 1620.	Margaret Sumner was buried, &c., first de- nyed buriall by the Parson at Sephton.
45. 9j^inu., 1621.	Robert Rothwell was buried, &c., stilo novo, being denyed as aforesaid.
46. 8 INIarc. , 1621.	John Davie, an infant of James Davie, was buried, &c.
47. 21 Apr., 1621.	An other yong infant, the daughter of Wake, was buried, &c.
48. 22 May, 1621.	Ann, the widowe of Bryan Ley, was buried, &c., being refused at the Churche first by y® Parson. In this space were buried 2 Infants of Thomas Bludell of y® Morehowses, i of Thomas Holmes of Douholland, 2 of Richarde Bryanson’s of y® Morehowse, i of Richarde Marrowe’s of litle Crosbie, viz. 6, w®h maketh
54. 55. 28 Mar., 1622.	the nuber of all before to bee Ellen, y® widowe of Richarde Blundell of y® Morehowses, was buried, &c., being denyed.
56.	&c., sinch w®h tyme there hath been buried an Infant of James Davies.
57- 31 1622.	John Worthington, P., was buried the last day of July, 1622.
58. 15 Nov., 1622.	James Ryse of y® morehowses, denyed, &c., was buried, &c.
59. iGFebr., 1623.	James Whitmore (younger Sonne of John Whitmore of Thursington" in Worrall, Esq., a

* Thurstaston, in Wirral.

Harkirke Burial Reoristers.

<_>

great and zelous Catholicke and Confessoiir, &c.) dyed at y® Edge uppon y® 15 day of ffebruarie, being denyed, &c., was buried, &c,

Elizabeth, y® wyffe of Oswald Hill of Ince blundell, was buried, &c., being first denyed, &c.

Agnes, the widowe of Richarde Ryse of litle Crosbie, was buried, &c., denyed buriall first.

Alice Harison, als Johns daughter, y® wid- owe of Hughe Johnson, was buried the 12 of June, being the feast of Corpus Christi, 1623, but first denyed, &c.

Elizabeth, wyffe of Raphe Starkey, was buried, &c., denyed buriall first, &c.

Ales, y® widowe of Nicholasson als Davie, was buried, &c., denyed, &c.

Jane Lunt, widowe of Edward Hunt of muche Crosbie, denied buriall for dying a Catholicke, was buried, &c., stilo novo.

Anne Worrall, wyffe of John Thompson of y® morehowses, was buried, &c., first denyed, &c.

Ales Bootle, wyffe of Cooke of Orrell, was buried, &c., refused at y Chur.

Anne Atherton, wyffe of James Dawbie, was buried, &c., not suffered to be buried at y® Churche because shee dyed a Catholicke.

John Laiton, P,, dyed y® day of ffeb- ruarie about 8 o’clock at night, and was buried y® 19 day of ffebruarie about 9 of the Clocke at night. Priest. Hee was Brother to Father

75

60. 16 Mar.,

1623.

61. 2 June,

1623.

62. 12 June,

1623.

63.	14 Jun.,
	1623.
64.	22 Octo.,
	1623.
65.	I Jany,,
	1624,
66.	28 Jaiiu.,
	1624.
67.	4 Febr.,
	1624.
68.	5 Febr.,
	1624.
69.	19 Febr.,
	1624.

76

70. 19 Mar.,

1624.

71. I July, 1624.

72. 15 Octob., 1624.

73. 2 feb.,

1625.

74. 10 May, 1625.

75. 22 May, 1625.

76. 26 Nove., 1625.

77. 14 Marc., 1624.

78. 9 Apr., 1626.

79. 17 May, 1626.

Crosby Records.

Port. (This remark has been added by the Cavalier.)

Rohte Blundell, borne at y® Carre-syde, and of a long time blind, dyed in Liverpoole, and being denied buriall there, &c.

Margaret Valentyne, daughter of Richard Valentyne als Phillipot of Bickerstaffe, was, according to her desyre, buried, &c.

Thomas Arnolde, borne in litle Crosbie, pyper, was buried, &c, denyed at y® Churche, &c.

Ales Newhouse, late wyfife of James Tarle- ton of Holmore greene, was buried, &c., stilo novo, denyed, &c.

Elizabeth, widowe of James Rise of the morehowses, was buried, &c., first was refused, &c.

Elizabeth, widowe of John Lurting of rnuche Crosbie, was buried, &c., denyed, &c., at y® Churche.

James Arnold, an Inocent sonne of Arnold of little Crosbie, was buried, &c.. de- nyed, &c.

Anne, the wyfife of John Nicholassone of muche Crosbie, was buried, &c., stilo novo, but first denyed, &c.

Ellen, daughter of John Rise of litle Crosbie, and wyfife to Richarde Shepparde of muche Crosbie, was buried, &c., first being refused, &c.

Elizabethe, wydowe of Edward Suthworthe, was buried, &c., but for dying a Catholicke

Harkirke Burial Registers.

shee was denyed buriall at the Churche by the Parson there, as all others were.

William Raban, P., dyed the 26 day of May, and was buried y® 27 daye of May at night.

Marie Newhouse y® widowe of Will‘d Roger- son, was buried, &c., denyed first.

In this space was buried twoe children of Richard Blundell of the Carr syde.

Elizabeth, late wydowe of Richarde Bal- larde of Ince, dying a Catholicke Recusant, and therefore denyed, &c., was buried, &c.

Bridget, the late wifie of Thomas Griffith of muche Crosbie, deceased, dyed a Catho- licke Recusant, and therefore denyed, &c., was buried, &c.

John Nicholasson of muche Crosbie, coming from muche Crosbie towne towards his owne howse the 27 day of December in the nighte, and being somewhat overseene wfii drinke (as it was thought) was drowned in a pitte, but because he lived a Catholicke, the Parson of Sephton would not suffer him, &c., but hee was buried, &c.

Oswalde Hogg, dying a Catholicke Recu- sant, and therefore denyed, &c., was buried, &c., stilo novo Romano.

John Burghe dyed a Catholicke, and was therefore denyed, &c., and was buried, &c,, stilo novo.

Thomas Newhouse of Thornton dyed a Catholicke, and therefore was denyed, &c., and was buried, &c., stilo Romano.

77

80. 27 May,

1626.

81. 19 Octob.,

1626.

82.

83.

84. 6 May,

1627.

85. 29 June, 1627.

86. 29 Decern. 1627.

87. 8 Janu., 1628.

88. 9 Janu., 1628.

89. 18 Januar. 1628.

78	Crosby Records.
90. 3 1628.	James Dawbie of y® Morehowses dying a Catholicke, and therefore denyed, &c., was buried, &c., stilo Romano.
91. 28 Maii, 1628.	John Reignolde of the Northend, dying a Catholicke Recusant, and therefore, &c., was buried, &c.
92. 7 July, 1628.	Peter Stocke of little Crosby, yeoman, dying a Catholique Recusant, and therefore, &c., was buried, &c.
93. 18 August, 1628.	Margarett, the widowe of Oswalde Hogge, died a Catholicke, and was therefore, &c., and was buried, &c.
94. 4 Octo., 1628.	Jane Mellinge, widowe, dyed the 4^^ daie of Octob., and was buried the 5^^^ daie of October about 9 of y® clocke at night, 1628.
95. 17 Octo., 1628.	Ann, the wyffe of Worrall of Lither- land, being denyed, &c., was buried, &c.
96. 3 Dec.	Cecilie, the wyffe of Peter Rydinge of the morehowses, dyed a Catholique, and there- fore, &c., was buried, &c.
97.	Agnes, the wyffe of Robte Rydinge of Sephton towne, dying a Catholique, was de- nyed, &c., and was buried in the buriall place in the Harkircke the three and twentieth of
98.	Januarie, 1629, after the Romane Accompt. Catherine Rydinge, the daughter of Peter Rydinge of the Morehowses, dying a Catho- lique, was denyed, &c., and was buried in the
99.	buriall place in the Harkircke the seconde daie of ffeb., 1629. Jane Cropp, servant to Abram of Thornton, dying a Catholique, &c., and was buried the 8^^^ daie of ffeb., 1629.

Harkh'ke Btirial Registers.

79

Elizabeth, daughter to Master Richard Hol- land of Sutton, and wyffe of Robte Bootle of Hoolmore in Thornton, being denyed, &c., was buried, &c., the daie of ffebruarie, about three of the clocke in the morninge, in the year 1629, after the Roman Accompt.

Tarleton of Orrell, husbandman, dying a Catholique recusant, was buried, &c., the daie of March, at night, stilo romano.

George Rydinge, the sonne of Peter Ryd- inge of the Morehowses, dying a Catholique, and therefore, &c., was buried in the Har- kircke the 9^*^ daie of IMarch, 1629. Stylo Romano.

IMargerie, the widowe of John IMarrowe of litle Crosbie, dyed a Catholique, &c., and was buried in the Harkircke the 16^^ daie of March, 1629. Stylo Romano.

Ellen, the widowe of Raphe Willihson of I nee Blundell, dyed a Catholique, &c., and was buried in the Harkircke the 5^^ daie of Maie, 1629. Stylo Romano.

John i\Iellings, P., was buried in the Har- kirke the 26^^ of Aprill in the evening, 1633. (There is added by the Cavalier’s hand, “ He was comonly called Maxheld.”)

Richard Home, P., was buried in the Har- kircke the 19* day of Sept, about 10 of the Clocke at night. Anno Dom. 1634. (x\dded by the Cavalier, “He was called Smith.”) Richard Rohteson, P., dyed the 29^^ of October, and was buried in the Harkircke the

100.

lOI.

102,

103.

104.

105-

106.

107.

8o

loS

109.

no.

1 1 1.

1 1 2.

113-

1 14.

Crosby Records.

night following about 2 of the Clocke after midnight. Anno D’ni 1634.

Raph Melling, Priest, was buried in Harkirk Maye y® 2^, 1660. He dyed about midnight betwixt the last of April and y® first of Maye.

Thomas Fazakerley, Priest, son of Mr. Rob Fazakerley of Spellow House, dyed at Crox- teth, March 22^ 1664-5, and was buried in y® Harkirk, March 24.

Alexander Barker, Priest, dyed Octob. 1 1 in Little Crosby, and was buried in y® Harkirk Octob. 12^^, 1665. He went by y® name of Parre.

John Beesley, Priest, dyed March 30, 1674, and was buried in y® Harkirk on y® 31 of March, 1674. He was commonly called Mollins.

John Birtwistle, Priest, dyed January y® 26, 1680, at Croxteth, and was buried in y® Har- kirk, January the 27 early in y® morning.

Mr. Thomas Martin, born at Goran near Kilkenny in Ireland, died at Croxteth (having been Chaplain to y® Lord Molyneux), and was buryed at the Harkirk on y® i of June, 1691.

Mr. Tho. Eccleston, borne in Great Single- ton, in y® Field in Lancashire, was a Clergie Priest ; spent more y^ 40 years in assisting poore Christias in y® parishes of Halsall and Aughton, and was buried in y® Harkirk, Aho 1700.

Harkirk Burial Register.

8i

Mr. Richard Barton

Tho. Blundell, y 3^ son of William Blundell, Esq., deceased, dyed at Litham, Mr. Clifton’s house, on Wednesday y® 27 May, 1702. His body was carried to Crosby, and buried in y® Harkirk on y® 29. He was a learned man, 55- Religious and of good life. He entered y® Society of Jesus anno 1666. This is written by y® hand of W, B. his brothq

Mr. Edw. Moleneux, bourn at Alt-Grang, was unfortunately killed by a faule off his horse, Aprill y® 28* 1704, being in y® 65 year of his age ; he was a Clergy Priest of Doua, and had for 38 years been a painfull Missioner in Formby, Crosby, and many other places, having under his charg at his death more than eight hundred penitents, besids Children, that depended upon him. He was buryed y® 29* of Apr. A.D. 1704, in y® Har- kirk about tenn of y® Clock at Night.

Mr. Rich. Foster was born in Sutton ; came from Prage to be a Missioner in these Parts, chiefly at Formby ; he lived at y® Newhouse in y® Car houses in Ince, and dyed y® 9^^^ of May, An 1707, and was buried y® day follow- ing in y® Harkirk next to Mr. Ed. M.

Mrs. Frances Blundell, doughter to Nicholas Bl. and Great Aunt to me Nicho. Blundell, dyed in y® 81 year of her age, Dec. y® 2^, 1711, and was Buried y® day following in y® Harkirk ; she was never married ; she dyed

IIS-

116,

1 17.

1 18,

1 19.

M

8a

Crosby Records.

120

I2I.

122.

at Ormskirk ; she had lived at Crosby Greatest part of her Life.

Mr. Henry Tasburgh, a Priest, of y^ Society of Jesus, dyed at y^ New Hous, January y*^ 2/th^ 1717-8, and was buried y^ day Following next to Mr. Foster in y^ Harkirk.

Mr. George Lovell, a Priest, of y^ Society of Jesus, a virtuous good Man and a very great Mathematission, was a Missior in Lan- cashire, and lived most of his Time with Bar- tholemew Walmesley of Dungen Hall, Esq., both at Dungen Hall, and attended him in his Travells, but being become a perfect Child, and having entirely lost his Memory, he was kept for some time at y® New Hous in the Carhouses in Ince, where he dyed Decern, y^ 12, 1720, and was Buryed upon y^ 14 in the Harkirk next to Mr. Tasbur. on this nearer side of him.

Mr. Robert Aldred was born at London ; he was a Priest of the Society of Jesus; he came to live with me August y^ 6^^, A.D. 1707, and continued with me for som years, then lived as my Priest at Edward Howerds in Little Crosby till the West lain Hous was built for him, where he dyed Febr. y^ 23^, A.D. 1727-8, and was buried in the Harkirk on y® 25 ; he was a Laborious good Missionor, a Fasatious plesant man, and very well be- loved by Protestants as well as Catholicks ; he lyes next to Mr. Lovell on this nearer side of him.

Harkirk Bmnal Registe7^.

83

Mr. William Pinington, a Priest, of the *23. Society of Jesus, was Buried in the Harkirk next to Mr. Aldred on this Nearer Side of him ; he was Born at Salford by Manchester within a year or two after the Restoration ; he was a Vertuous Humble man, and whilst his health Permitted a zealous Missioner ; he lived seven years with Marchall Tallard when Prisoner at Nothingham (he being a French Generali) ; he Laboured under Great Distem- pers w* exemplary Patience after a long illness, being a sort of a Coajutor to Mr. Carpenter of Liverpool ; he dyed there the 8^^ of June, 1736.

Mary Harrison dyed Octo. 24, 1736, and was 124, buri’d in the Harkirk next to Mrs. Frances Blundell on y® further side y® 26. She was born in Cleton near Preston ; was never mari’d ; liv’d housekeeper to Mr. Clifton at Westlane house in Little Crosby (where she dy’d) near six years. Her death was much lamented by all the neighbours and the whole Congrega- tion.

Grace Tootell, wife to Hugh Tootell of 125. Brindle, came to the Hall of Crosby to se her son Hugh, who >vas Butler there, and sick.

She fell 111 and Dyed ; was Buryed in the Harkirk next to Mrs. Frances Blundell, Aprill the 6* 1737, on this Nearer side of her.

Mr. Fran^ Williams, a priest of the S.J., 125.

died at Ince Blundell the of 173 ,

Crosby Records.

and was bur^ the of 173 , in the Har- kirk the next to Mr. Pinington on this side.

(Seryt Mr. Molin^ who is Priest at Moorhall) dyed at Great Crosby, and buried in the Harkirk the next to Mrs. Fra^

Blundell on the further side.

Jane Rostron, servant to Mr. Clifton at the Westlane house ; she dyed at s^ house the 21 of Aug., 1740, and was buryd next to the for- going.

Jane Formby, serv^ to Mr. Clifton of New ho., dyed the 1/45, and buryd in the

Harkk next to

Mr. William Clifton, P. of the S.J., dyed the 18 of August, 1749, ab^ 5 in y*^ morning at Newhouse in Ince Blundell ; was bury’d in the Harkk the 19* between 8 and 9 in the morning ; he lys on the further side of Mr. Aldred, I think, in same grave were Mr. Lovell was buryed.

Mr. James Clifton, Pr. of the S.J., who liv’d ab^ 20 years at Westlane ho in Little Crosby, and nephew to the forgoing, dyed at s^ house ab^ 3 o’clock on Thurday morn. 27^^ SepF, 1750, and was buryed the next day in Harkk next to his s<i Uncle on the further side. He was a very laborious good Missioner, and much regretted by the neighb^^ to whom he was very usefull in regard to their Souls and bodily infirmities.

Mr. Peter Williams, P. of S.J., dyed the

Harkirk Burial Register.

85

26 Novem., 1753, at Ince Blundell, and was buryed in the Harkirk the 27 Novem’^ in the Evening on the nearer side of Mr. Fran^ Williams.

PRIESTS BURIED.

John Saterthwait, P. U-

John Birtwisle, P. 40-

John Worthington, P. 57-

John Laiton, P. ^9-

W^ Raban, P. So-

John Melling, P.

Rich. Holme, P.

Rich. Robson, P.

Raph Melling, P.

Thomas Fazakerley, P. 1664-5.

Alexander Barker alias Parre, P.

John Birtwisle, P. 1680.

Tho^ Martin, P. *^9i-

Tho. Eccleston, P. ^700-

Rich. Barton, P. i7°o-

Tho. Blundell, P. 1702.

Edw. Molineux, P. 1704-

Richard Foster, P. 1707-

Henry Tasburgh, P. 1717-S.

George Lovell, P. 1720.

Robert Aldred, P. 1727-

William Penington, P. 1736.

Francis Williams, P. *73 -

Wm Clifton. P. 1749.

Jams Clifton, P. 1750.

86

Crosby Records.

Alphabetical List of Lay People Buried at the

Harkirk.

Arnold, James, 76.

Thomas, 76.

Ballarde, Eliz^, 77. Blundell, Eliz^ 73.

Ellen, 69.

Ellen, 74.

Frances,

Henrie, 73.

Infants (2), 74.

Margt, 71.

Robs 76.

Thomas, 72.

Bootle, Eliz^, 79. Br}^anson, Infants (2), 74. Burghe, John, 77.

Cadicke, Grace, 70.

John, 72.

Cooke, Ales, 75.

Croft, Ralph, 71.

Cropp, James, 78.

Crosse, MargS 72.

Davie, John, 74.

Davison, Margerie, 71. Dawbie, Anne, 75.

James, 78.

Formby, Jane, 84.

Glover, Em’line, 72. Griffith, Bridget, 77.

Harrison, Mary, 83. Hill, Eliz^, 75.

Hogg, ^largS 78.

Oswald, 77.

Holland, Ric'^, 69. Holme, Anne, 72. Infant, 74.

Johnson, Alice, 75.

Ellen, 73.

Ellen, 73.

Lawrence, Ann, 71. Ley, Anne, 74. Longroe, Ellen, 73. Lunt, Jane, 75. Lurting, Eliz^, 76.

Marrowe, Infant, 74.

John, 74.

Margerie, 79.

Mathewson, Will*", 69. Melling, Charite, 71.

Lay people biiried at the Harkirke.

87

Melling, Ellen, 78.

Jane, 78.

Moneley, Will"^, 72.

Newhouse, Margaret, 72.

Thomas, 77.

Nicholasson, Anne, 76.

John, 77.

alias Davit, William, 73.

alias Davie, Ales, 75.

Patrike, Cath% 72.

Reighnolde, John, 78.

Rigat, Cath% 73.

Margerie, 69.

Rogers on, Marie, 77.

Rostron, Jane, 84.

Rothwell, Ales, 74.

Robert, 74.

Rydinge, Agnes, 78.

Cath% 78.

Cecilie, 78.

George, 79.

Margerie, 70.

Rich^, 70.

Ryse, Agnes, 75.

E\iz\ 76.

James, 74.

Shepparde, Ellen, 76. Smith, Eliz^, 71.

Snopson, Jane, 71.

Starkey, Eliz, 75.

Stocke, Peter, 78.

Sumner, Marg'^, 74. Suthworth, Edw^, 73.

Eliz^, 76.

Synett, John, 70.

Tarleton, Ales, 76.

Rich^, 70.

Wiling, 70.

Will"^, 79.

Thomasson, Jane, 70. Thompson, Anne, 75. Tootell, Grace, 83.

Tyrer, Edward, 69.

Valentyne, Margaret, 76.

Wake, Infant, 74.

Webster, Anne, 72. Wetherbie, Humphrey, 73. Whitmore, James, 74. Williamson, Ellen, 79. Worrall, Anne, 78.

Anne, 74.

[89]

APPENDIX.

\Crown Rents and Compositions for Recusa7icy remaining 07i the Crosby estate^ and charged to Willia?n Blundell the Cavalier ” on its repurchase in i6yg?^

The Estate of William Blundell, Esq., being confiscated to y® Rebells for his service to the King, was sold in y® year 1653 and bought for his vse by two of his friends, after which he was forced to his great charge to procure this Writeing or Role (which is above 20 feet long) for y® clearing of many ancient convictions or charges for y® recusancy of many of his Ancestors, which it seems were recorded in y® Exchequer, and lay still as it were upon the Land (in the handwriting of W. Blundell the Cavalier).

In the Create Rolle for the xxxviijt^ yeare of Queene Elizabeth for Recusants in Comitatu Lancastrie.

ILcinCE — Johannes Gill generosus Debet xlv^i vj^ viijd | de quadam fhrma xj^i vj^ viij^ per Annum de fhrma duarum partium vnius Capitalis | Mesuagij et lx Acres terre prati et pasture cum pertinentijs in Little Crosbye | in Comitatu Lancastrie predicto vnacum Molendino ventritico xvj^® Mesuagium xvj Gardenum | c Acres terre xl Acres prati et c Acres pasture cum pertinentijs in Crosbye predicta | parcella terre et Tenementorum Willielmi Blundell Recusantis In manus Domine nuper | Regine Eliza- bethe xiijtio die Aprilis Anno regni sui xxxv^° per Thomam | Hesketh Armigerum et alios Comissionerios ratione Recusancie ipsius Willielmi Blundell | Captis et Seisitis. Quam ffirmam dicta

N

90

Crosby Records.

domina Regina Elizabetha per Literas suas | Patentes Concessit prefato Johanni Gill Habendum and Tenendum sibi | Executor- ibus et Assignatis suis A Secundo die Marcij Anno Regni sui | xxxvjt® Quamdin Premissa predicta in manus dicte domine Regine remanere | contigerit Reddendo inde Annuatim dictum redditum xj^i vj^ viij^ ad ffesta | Annunciationis beate Marie Virginis et Sancti Michaelis Archangeli ad Receptorem | Saccarij per equales portiones videlicet de eodem Redditu pro (quatuor) iiijo^ Annis integre | finitis ad ffestum Sancti Michaelis quod fuit in Anno xxxix"° Regine predicte | But As well the aforesaid John Gill As the Tennants and others of the | Premises are Dis- chardged of the aforesaid Sume of xlv^i vj^ viij^ | Neither ought the said yearely Rent of xj^* vj^ viij^ to bee hereafter | Chardged By Consideration of the Barons Remembred on the | Treasurers Remembrancers S}Me amongst the Comon Businesse of Michael- mas I Terme which was in the yeare of our Lord 1657 ; Rolle. In Certayne | proceedings touchinge Roger Bradshawe Esq^ and Gilbert Crouch | gentleman Terrtennts of the aforesaid Capitall Mesuage and premisses |

And they are Quitt,

Ex by He Croke, Clerke of the Pipe.

In the Create Rolle for the xlij*^ yeare of Queene Elizabethe for Recusants in Lancashire.

UtinCL — Tenentes duarum partium Terre et Tenementorum Willielmi Blundell | Recusantis debent Ix^i de quodam Redditu xH per Annum de fhrma duarum | partium vnius Capitalis Mesuagii et Certarum Terrarum et Tenementorum cum pertin- entijs in | Little Crosbye in parochia de Sephton et Crosby magna et in alia villagia | et parochia in Comitatu Lancastrie predicto Annui Valoris in omnibus Exitibus vltra Reprisas | lx^‘ In manus Domini Regis Jacobi xxv^° die Augusti Anno regni |

A ppendix.

91

Sui Quarto per Edmundum Trafford militem et alios Comis- sionarios ratione Recusancie | ipsius Willielmi Blundell Captis et Seisitis viz. de eodem Redditu pro vno | Anno et dimidio finitis ad ffestum Sancti Michaelis Archangeli quod fuit in Anno I Quinto regni Regis Jacobi predicti But they are Dis- chardged of the | said Siiifie of Ix^^ Neither ought the said yearely Rent of xE to | bee hereafter Chardged By Considera- tion of the Barons Remembered in the Treasurers Remem- brancers Syde amongst the Comon | Businesse of Michaelmas Terme in the yeare of our Lord 1657 Rolle |

In Certayne proceedings touchinge Roger Bradshawe Esq^ and I Gilbert Crouch gentleman Terrtennants of the premisses | And they are Quitt,

Ex by He Croke, Clerke of the Pipe.

In the Create Rolle for the yeare of Kinge

James for Recusants in Lancashire.

ILanCL — Arthurus Gibson Gives et mercator Scissor | Londini et Edwardus Thurleston de Daubney in Comitatu Essex gene- rosus debent iiij^-"^xiij^‘ vj^ viij^ de quodam Redditu xxvj^^ xiij^ iiij<^ per Annum de ffirma duarum partium vnius Capitalis Mesuagij Certe terre et tenementi | in Crosby parva in parochia de Sephton et Crosby magna et alia villa et | parochia in Comitatu Lan- castrie predicta parcella terre et possessionis Willielmi Blundell | In manus Domine nuper Regine Elizabethae xxv^o die Septem- bris Anno | regni sui xlij^o per Edmundum Trafford militem et alios Comissionarios ratione Recusancie | ipsius Willielmi Blun- dell Captis et Seisitis Quam ffirm.am Jacobus nuper | Rex Anglie per Literas suas Patentes Concessit prefato Arthuro Gibson | et Edwardo Thurleston Executoribus et Assignatis suis habendum a I xxvijn^o die Julij Anno regni sui Quinto vsque ad ffinem et Terminum xxj | Annorum extunc proxime sequentium et ple- narie Comptendo Reddendo inde | Annuatim durante termino

92

Crosby Records.

predicto dictum redditum xxvj^* xiij^ ad ffesta Sancti | Mich- aelis Archangeli et Annunciacionis beate Marie Virginis ad Receptorem Saccarii | per equales portiones viz^ de eodem redditu p iijbj Annis Integre finitis ad | ffestum Sancti Michaelis Archangeli quod fuit in Anno ix^^° regni Regis Jacobi | But Aswell the aforesaid Arthur Gibson and Edward Thurleston | As the Tennants and occupiers of the premisses are Dischardged of the I aforesaid Sume of iiij^-'^xiij^i vj^ viij^ Neither ought the said yearely | Rent of xxvj^i xiij^ iiijd to bee hereafter Chardged By Consideracion | of the Barons Remembered on the Treasurers Remembrancers syde amongst | the Coihon Businesse of Mich- aelmas terme in the yeare of our Lord 1657 | Rolle

In Certayne proceedings touchinge Roger Bradshawe Esq^ | and Gilbert Crouch gentleman Terrtennants of the premisses. | And they are Ouitt,

Ex by He Croke, Clerke of the Pipe.

In the Greate Rolle for the ix^h yeare of Kinge James FOR Recusants in Lancashire.

— Tenentes Terrarum et Tenementorum Willielmi Blundell de Crosbye | generosi Recusantis debent cxliij^i viij^ x^ ij partium denarij de quodam | Redditu Ivij^ xv^ vj^ ij pt ob de fhrma duarum partium Manerij de Crosbye et | diversarum terrarum et tenementorum ibidem Annui valoris in omnibus Exitibus vltra Reprissas | c marcae. Necnon duarum partium diversarum terrarum et tenementorum in Much Crosbye in sepa- ratis I tenuris diversorum personum Clari Annui valoris in omni- bus exitibus vltra Reprisas | xx^*. In manus Domini Regis Jacobi xviijo die Septembris Anno regni | sui viij° per Edmundum Traf- ford militem et alios Comissionarios ratione Recusancie | ipius Willielmi Blundell Captis et Seisitis viz^ de eodem Redditu pro duobus I Annos et dimidio finitis ad ffestum Sancti Michaelis Archangeli quod fuit in Anno x"^° | regni Regis Jacobi predicti.

Appendix.

93

But they are Dischardged of the aforesaid | Sume of cxliiij^i vilj^ ij pt deS. Neither ought the said yearely | Rent of Ivij^^ xv^ ij^ pt ob to bee hereafter Chardged By Consideracion | of the Barons Remembered on the Treasurers Remembrancers syde amongst | the Coihon Businesse of Michaelmas terme, in the yeare of our Lord 1657 | Rolle. In Certayne proceedings touch- inge Roger Bradshawe | Esq’' and Gilbert Crouch gentleman Terrtennants of the aforemencioned | Manners and premisses.

And they are Quitt,

Ex by He Croke, Clerk of the Pipe.

In the Create Rolle for the xvijth yeare of Kinge James for Recusants in Lancashire.

ilanCL — Tenentes duarum partium terrarum et Tenementorum Willielmi Blundell de | Crosbye in Comitatu Lancastrie predicto Recusantis debent xiij^ vj^ viij^ per Annum | de ffirma duarum partium lx Acrarum terre cum pertinentijs in Crosbye parva in Comitatu Lancastrie predicto | Clari Annui Valoris in omnibus Exitibus vltra Reprisas xx^’. In manus | Domini Regis Jacobi xix’^o die octobris Anno regni sui xvij’^^ per Thomam | Leigh et alios Comissionarios ratione Recusancie ipsius Willielmi Blundell Captis I et Seisitis viz^ de eodem redditu pro hoc Anno. But they are Dischardged | of the said Suihe of xiij^ vj® viij^. Neither ought the said yearely Rent | to bee hereafter chardged By Consideracion of the Barons | Remembered in the Treasurers Remembrancers Syde amongst the Cofhon | Businesse of Mich- aelmas Terme in the yeare of our Lord 1657, Rolle. | In Cer- tayne proceedings touchinge Roger Bradshawe Esq’' and Gilbert Crouch gentleman Tertennants of the premisses.

And they are Quitt,

Ex by He Croke, Clerke of the Pipe.

94

Crosby Records,

Tn the Create Rolle for the yeare of Kinge Charles for Recusants in A. I. Lancashire.

iltUlCL — Tenentes duarum partium terrarum et Tenementorum Willielmi Blundell de | Crosbye in Comitatu predicte Recusantis debent liiij^^ xix^ ij^ de quodam | Redditu xxxvj^i xij^ ix^ ij pt ob de ffirma duarum partium vnius Capitalis Mesuagij | et iiij^^ Acrarum terre xl Acrarum pt et iiij^-'^ Acrarum pasture cum pertinencijs in Crosby parva | in Comitatu predicto vocato y® Demeasne of Crosbye Clari Anni valoris in omnibus Exitibus | vltra Reprissas xR Ac duarum partium vnius molendinum ventriticum in Crosbye parva predicta | Clari Annui valoris in omnibus Exitibus vltra Reprissas xB. Ac duarum partium vnius I Annualis redditus viij^^ xvij^ ij^ exeuntis de terris suis in Crosbye parva predicta. Ac duarum | partium vnius Annalis redditus Ixvij^ iiij^ exeuntis de terris suis in Crosbye magna in | Comitatu predicto. In manus Domini Regis Caroli xxxj"^° die Augusti Anno regni | sui Tercio per Johannem Episcopum Ces- trie et alios Comissionarios ratione Recusancie | ipsius Willielmi Blundell viz^ de eodem Redditu pro vno Anno et dimidio finitis I ffestum Sancti Michaelis Archangeli quod fuit in Anno Quarto regni dicti | domini Regis Caroli. But they are Dischardged of the aforesaid | Sume of liiij^^ xix^ ij4 Neither ought the said yearely Rent to bee | hereafter Chardged By Consideration of the Barons | Remembered in the Treasurers Remembrancers syde amongst the Comon | Businesse of Michaelmas terme in the yeare of our Lord 1657 ; Rolle. | In Certayne proceedings touchinge Roger Bradshawe Esq^ and | Gilbert Crouch gentle- man Terrtennants of the premises.

And they are Quitt,

Ex by He Croke, Clerke of the Pipe.

Appendix.

95

In the Create Rolle for the vj yeare of Kinge Charles for Rec^^ jx Itinere Lancastrie.

iLanC*** — Tenentes duarum partium Terrarum et Tenemento- rum Willielmi Blundell | de Crosbye in Comitatu predict© Recusantis debent cxvij^i xv^ vj^ duarum partium | denarij de quodam Redditu xlvij^^ ij^ ij^ ij duarum partium denarii per Annum de ffirma duarum partium IManerij de Crosbye parva in Comitatu predict© ac vnius | Mesuagij cum pertinentijs ac cc Acrarum terre prati et pasture eisdem IManerio et ^lesuagio | spectantibus et pertinentiis jacentibus et existentis in Crosbye parv'a predicta in tenuria sive | occupacione dicti Willielmi Blun- dell Clari Annul valoris in omnibus Exitibus [ vltra Reprisas E : Acrarum duarum partium vnius Annualis