The Marland Family

History in print

From the Rev. Thomas Dunham Whitaker LLD FSA; An History of the Original Parish of Whalley (1801)

(Fourth edition revised by John Gough Nichols FSA and the Rev. Ponsonby A. Lyons BA (1872)

Book V. Chap.II p.450-451 CASTLETON

So called from the Castellum de Recedham, was principally abbey land, having been granted in divers parcels to the house of Stanlaw by its devout proprietors of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.

Roger de Lascy, Constable of Chester, gave " Abbati et monachis meis Loci Benedicti de Stanlaw quatuor bovatas terre in Rach. in villa que dicitur Castellana," and in his forest the pasture called Brendwude for feeding their animals. The monks shall have in that pasture 100 cows "cum exitu duorum annorum." (Coucher, t. 4, No. 21, p. 153; Harl. MS. 2077, f. 133 b.)

 

To the Abbey of Stanlawe was given, by John, son of Reginald le Gynour, Great Bromyrode in Castelton, between 1250 and 1261. (Coucher, t.13, No. 28, p. 609.) Henry de Lacy gave them five bovates in villa de Castleton in Rachdale on 12 Sep. 1277, for " salutaria suffragia orationum." (Ibid. No. 7, p. 595.) Henry son of Dolfyn de Heleya sold them two bovates in Racheham and a certain charter for 10s. and half a mark of silver, rent 16d. and two spurs on 11 Nov. f Ibid. No. 10, p. 597,) and a bovate in Rachedam for his salvation and half a mark of silver. (Ibid. No. 11, p. 598.) John de Lascy for four marks gave them four bovates, all his land in Castleton, "duas videlicet que fuerunt Umfridi de Lascales et duas que fuerunt Awardi Braun," (Ibid. No. 15, p. 601,) and for one mark quitclaimed to them his right in the mill of the monks of Stanlawe on the water of Sotheden between Castelton and Merlond. (Ibid. No. 16, p. 602.) Robert de Fleynesburgh sold them for 20s. two bovates in villa Castcelli de Racheham which he had bought from Adam fil. Dolfini and all his right in Sudden mill. (Ibid. No. 13, p. 599.) Helias fil. Awardi Broune gave them a bovate in Castelton which he held "jure hereditario in sergentarii servicio." (Ibid. No. 33, p. 612.) Andrew son of Richard and Ric. de Castelton each gave them charters of two bovates in Castelton. (p. 607.) Andrew clerk of Castleton gave them all his land there. (Ibid. No. 27, p. 607.) Ric. fil. Randulphi le Heyward de Castelton gave them all his lands and tenements there 16 Oct. 1331. (Ibid. No. 59, p. 632.) Galf. fil. Rob. le Hayward gave them Kilwardecroft in Castelton, 10 Sep. 1304. (Ibid. No. 62, p. 634.)

Of these, the hamlet of Merland, which appears after the dissolution to have been granted to the Radcliffs of Langley, was sold by Henry Radcliff to Charles Holt, of Stubley, Esq.; as two third parts of the rest of the township appear to have been by William Grose and Charles Newcome, gentlemen, original purchasers from Queen Elizabeth.

Alan de Merland sold for 100s. all his land in Merland, subject to xld. rent to Hugh de Eland yearly, to Roger, Constable of Chester, who gave it to the monks of Stanlaw saving Hugh de Eland's rent and foreign service; and Adam de Bury (occurs 1235) sold them the mediety of Merland. (Coucher, 1.13, Nos, 1—6, pp. 590-4.) Roger de Midelton quitclaimed to them his right in Threpfeld " inter Merland et Thorniton .... unde contentio fuit inter me et Alanum de Merland." (Ibid. No. 41, p. 619). At the gaol delivery of Lancaster, 13 June, 1302, Will, del Cleg was found to have been imprisoned by indictment of Salford " de furto quinque averiorum de grangiario de Merland." (Ass. Rolls, Lanc. M. 3, 2—4, m. 3 dors.) By commission dated at Nottingham, 7 Dec. 1324, Edward II, appointed John de Lancastria and Gilbert de Syngeltone to make inquisition whether the seneschall of Blakeburnschire whenever they went " ad partes de Rach." to hold courts there had puture from the Abbot of Whalley and his predecessors by reason of their grange of Merlonde and the lands and tenements belonging to it " ad rogatus suos, ex curiatitate sua, an alio modo, et si alio modo, tune quo modo, ex qua causa, et a quo tempore." (Add. MS. 10374, f. 141), The inquisition taken at Mamcestr. 12 Jan. 1325, stated that the seneschalls of those parts had no puture from the abbot or his predecessors by reason of their grange of Merlond or of any lands or tenements belonging to it in the time of the king or of Thomas late Earl of Lancaster, or of Henry de Lascy quondam com. Lync. " cum ad partes illas pro curiis dominorum suorum tenendis declinaverunt," and had no right to any, " nisi ad rogatus et ex curialitate " of the abbot and his predecessors. (Ib. f. 141 b). On 9 Feb. 1325 the King ordered Will, de Tatham, keeper of the forfeited lands in partibus de Blak. et Rach, to require no puture from the abbot when he came to the parts of Rachedale to hold the courts. (Ibid.)

 

Anno domini M°ccc° xlij°., "Memorandum quod Rob. Weryngton in recessu suo de officio ecclesianun de Rach. et Eccles. dimisit apud Merlond animalia subscripta, videlicet: Boves xvii., vaccas xxxi. taurus i. duorum annorum iij. stircos x. vitulos xvij. porcos xx. Apud Eccles. Boves x, vaccas ix. stircos xvij, vitulos vj. porcos et porcellos xxxv." (Ib. f. 58). At Liverpool assizes 9 June, 1343, Hen. de Barlowe and Hugo de Tettelowe were indicted for coming to the Abbot of Whalleye's manor of Merland on 26 Mar. 1339, " et ibidem in stagno predicti Abbatis piscati fuerunt," and carrying away fish to the value of 100s. (Ass. Rolls, Lanc. M. 3, 4—4, m. 16.) At the same time Thurston de Holland was presented " per Juratam magne Inquisicionis'' for fishing in stagno abbatis at Merland on 29 Mar. 1341, "et quadraginta bremes et bremiculos ibidem invent. cepit et asportavit." (Ib. m. 29.)

 

At Preston Assizes, 1 Ap. 1353, " assisa venit recognoscere si Joh. Abbas de Whalleye, Will, de Seleby et Wil. f. Rog. the Personesman injuste etc. disseiserunt Joh, de Radeclyfe seniorem de libero tenemento suo in Spotland et Castleton," namely, of two putures to be taken in the said towns, "ubi predictus Joh. est ballivus de feodo de balliva serjancie Manerii de Rachedale ad faciendas execuciones per se et subbailivos suos remuabiles ad voluntatem ipsius Joh. de mandatis que ei veniuntur de Senescallo Curie Manerii predicti," he should have a puture for two of his sub-bailiff's every week in the year, " die Veneris hora nona et eodem die ad cenam in quolibet die Sabbathi proximo sequente ad gentaculum prandium et potum competencia ad mensam dicri Abbatis prout servientes de officio ejusdem Abbatis habent ibidem," and another puture for two subbailiffs, " per duos dies anno quando placebit eidem Joh. ad horam nonam et ad cenam et per utrumque de diebus predictis prandium et potum competencia " at the Abbot's table as his servants have there. The case was adjourned to 19 June. (Add. MS. 10371, f. 14 b; Ass. Rolls, Lanc. M. 3,4-5, m. 34.) Joh. de Radeclif senior was summoned to Preston assizes, 27 Sep. 1353, to answer to the Abbot of Whalley why be took and unjustly detained the Abbot's cattle, who complains that John on 19 Dec. 1352, " in villa de Castletone in quodam loco qui vocatur Merland cepit duos boviculos ipsius Abbatis," and detained them until the Abbot made a fine; damages £20. John said " quod quiddam Adam quondam Abbas de Stanlawe predecessor predicti Abbatis dudum tenuit Manorium de Merland," from Hen. de Lacy, Com. Lanc, et Constab. Cestrie, from whom the Luke inherited, for 6s. a-year, and that he had seized the cattle because the rent was four years in arrear. On 22 April 1354 a jury found that the Duke was never seised of the rent of 6s. and that the Abbot did not owe it to him. The Abbot to recover his damages, which are however not specified in the roll. (Ib. m. 11 dorso.) By indenture dated at Whalley 8 Mar. 1360 Johan de Radeclif, leisne Baylif de la Cour de Rachedale, released and quitclaimed to the Abbot and convent of Whalleye his right in the bailiff's putures " parmy toute la ville de Castleton et en la Graunge de Whitworth en Spotland," and for this release they granted 12s. a-year to him and his heirs. (Add. MS. 10574, m. 116-117.)

Here is Castelton Hall, a large irregular Pile, the residence of the Holts from the time of their quitting Stubley, about 1640, to the death of James Holt, Esq., in 1713; afterwards of the Cheethams, till the death of Edward Cheetham, Esq., in 1769. Castleton includes the hamlets of Marland, Beurdsill, and Newbold.

Andrew, son of Alan de Merland, bequeathed his body to be buried at Stanlaw, and all his lands in Spotland to the said house. Executors, Dom. Wilm. Prior de Stanlaw et Fra. Hen. de Blackburn, et alios plures. (Coucher Book t. 15, No. 84, p. 790).

Book V. Chap.II p.452 SPOTLAND

Extending from the source of the Spodden nearly to its union with the Roach. This township, consisting of the hamlets of Palings, Healey, Whitworth, Wolstonholm, and Spodland proper, contained a very large proportion of Abbey land, in consequence of
which, though without any specific grant, so far as I have been able to discover the manor of Spotland itself was claimed by the abbot and convent of Whalley. By charter bearing date exactly five years and nine days after the execution of Abbot Paslew Henry VIII. granted to Thomas Holt, of Grizzlehurst,' Esq., the manor of Spotland' with its appurtenances, lately belonging to the monastery of Whalley, and which "came into our hands, or ought to have come, by reason of the attainture of John Paslew the late abbot there, which lately hath been attainted of high treason," for the sum of £641, 16s. 8d. These premises included the whole of Brandwood! In this family they continued till the year 1667, when they were sold by Thomas Posthumus Holt, Esq., last in the line direct of Grizzlehurst.

Adam fil. Alani de Merland gave the abbot and convent of Stanlawe 8d. rent for Copperode (now Coptrod) in Spotland, and 1d. for land in Whiteword (Whitworth), which they used to pay him, and 2d. rent from Hen. fi1. Martini for land in Wyteleie (Whiteleys, adjoining Brotherod in Spotland). Witnesses, W. vicario de Rachedale, G.decano de Mamcestr. &c. (Coucher, t. 13, No. 14, p. 600.) John, son of John de Lascy, paid them 3s. yearly for Schayveralghes near Naveden (now Naden water). Witnesses, Joh. Vic. de Rachedale, Ad. fratre ejus, &c. (Ibid. No. 17, p. 602 ; Harl. MS. 2077, f. 135 b.) Andr. fil. Elene de Chadwyk gave them part of his land in Spotland, being his part of le Mosiley, 20 May, 1274. (Ibid. No. 22, p. 605.) Alex. f. Rob. de Spotlond gave them half a bovate in Spotlond. (Ibid. t.15, No. 17, p. 741.) Hen. f. Galf. decani de Walleye gave them for a certain sum his right in four bovates in Spotlond, being one-fourth of the town, scil. in two bovates held from him by Hen. de Spotlond, in one which Hugo de Thellewell formerly held from him, and in one which Mich. f. Rob. prepositi (de Spotlond) held from him. (Ibid. No. 25, p. 747.) Hugo f. Will. de Thellewall for 8 marks gave them a bovate in Spotland which he held from Hen. de Whalleye. (Ibid. No. 29, p. 750.) Alex, de Brodehalgh gave them Brodehalgh, "quam emi de Will. le Sergant et de Alex. f. Rob, de Spotlond cum assarti que vocatur Parysod et cum tota terra quam habui in Longerung." (Ibid. No. 40, p. 758.)

 

Joh. de Lacy de Crornwelbothom sued Rob. de Whiteworth at Lancaster assizes, June 1292, for 15 acres of pasture and 5 of wood in Spotlonde, of which Robert unjustly disseised Joh. de Lacy, father of the said John, who was seised of them " tempore domini Regis nunc " (after 1272). Robert said that he held in common with the Abbot of Stanlowe and Rob. f. Hen., which John could not gainsay, and was fined for a false claim. (Ass. Rolls, Lanc. M. 3, 2-—8, m. 47). At the same assizes on 15 July, John de Lacy sued Rob. de Whyteworth, Rob. f. Hen., and the Abbot of Stanlawe for the same land. They came by attorney, and said that the writ " peccat in forma," for, as he sued them in common for the land of which Robert alone disseised him, "ipse non ligat de aliqua injuria facta per ipsos Rob. f. Hen. at Abbatem." The case was adjourned to 6 Oct. at Appelby, when Robert and the others said that they held the tenements, with Ric. f. Ivenis, which John de Lacy could not gainsay and was fined for a false claim. (Ib. m. 84 dorso.) At the same assizes John de Lacy, in July, sued the Abbot of Stanlowe for 30 acres of pasture and half an acre of wood, in which the abbot had entry only by the disseisin which Rio. de Nortbury, quondam Abbat de Stanlowe, fecit Johanni de Lacy, father of John. The abbot said that the tenements are " de vasto predicte ville de Spotland," which waste he holds with Rob. de Wyteworth, Rob. f. Hen,, and Ric. f, Ivone in common, and " pro indiviso," who are not named in the writ. This John could not gainsay and was fined for a false claim. (Ib, m. 65)].

Book V. Chap.II p.456 HEALEY

Last is the hamlet of Healey (Highfield), memorable for the ancient mansion of the Chadwicks, which stands to great advantage on an elevated point of ground, commanding a rich and extended prospect, as far as the forest of Delamere in front, and immediately beneath looking down on a woody dingle, where the Spodden struggles for its passage through a channel of excavated rock. Henry, son of Dolphin de Hely, gave two bovates of land here to the Abbey of Stanlaw, soon after its first foundation.2 They continued however, to be held by the family, under their ecclesiastical grantees 8 for Richard de Heley held his lands here as feudatory of the house in the time of Richard I. and John. Richard had a brother John, who had Andrew, married to Hawise, daughter of Henry de Merland. They had Thomas, whose daughter and heiress Hawise, marrying Adam de Oakden,3 had Alexander de Oakden, to whom Hawise released her lands in Spotland 1388. He had issue John de Okeden, who had Alexander and Thomas Okeden, of Heley whose son Adam married Margaret, coheiress of Richard Butterworth, by Alison, daughter of Adam Buckley. And in 1483 Alice, their oldest daughter and coheiress, married John Chadwick, [marriage covenant dated 10 Feb. 1484,] who thus became possessed of Heley.

Coucher Book. [(t. 13, No. 10, p. 597.) Clemens de Heleya sold the monks of Stanlawe two bovates in Heleya, one given him by Hug. f. Jordani de Mitton, the other by Anchetillus his brother, and an assart for 3½ marks. (Coucher, t. 15, No. 65, p. 777.) Peter de Heleya gave them Heleyhalges. (Ibid. No. 66, p. 777.) Henry de Heleye gave them "totam dimidietatem de le Halgh," which he held from Adam his brother. (Ibid. No. 69, p. 780.) Bob. fil. Anketill de Heleya (son of Andrew, chaplain of Rochdale) sold them for a mark of silver one bovate in Heleya. (Ibid. No. 71, p. 781.) Hug. f. Jordani de Mitton gave Clement. fil. Andree Sacerdotis de Rach, a bovate in Heleya. (Ibid. No, 83, p. 782.)]