Thou noble stream that hastens on, Nor stops nor cares to answer why, Throngh grove, or glade, or busy town, The same bright mirror of the sky. On Turner ft's rough romantic steep, Till where thy waters lagging stay, And still on that high precipice I stand, nor think an age too long, Or where thy muddier bubbles move, The deep, the rocky, bed thy own. [536.] Will you kindly correct an error in the sketch of the Bulkeley Family which lately appeared in your paper. It is there statel that Peter Bulkeley was third son of William de Bulkeley. It ought to be third son of Robert, who had Eaton, in Davenham. John, of Haughton, was son of this Peter, who married Nichola Bird and not son of Robert. This Peter had two sons, John, of Haughtou, and Roger, of Broxton, who married Margery, daughter of John Bird, of Broxton, ancestor of the Bulkeleys, of Broxton. This branch seems to have become extinct in the male line, for Hugh Bulkeley, who married the daughter of Henry Bostock, had four daughters and no sous. Joyce married to John Bostock, of Charton, Alice, William Catherall, of Horton, Joan married to R, Hups. Jane died un married. The above-named William de Bird had six sons-William, of Osworth, Robert, of Eaton, Richard, who assumed the name of Prestland, Roger, who assumed the name of Norbury, Thomas, who married daughter of Mathew de Alpraham, and David, who married daughter of De Bickerton. The last named but one in the male line, Robert de Bickerton, for want of issue, left his estate to his nephew, Thomas Horton, Esq. The Bulkeley Family, it is said, were settled at Bulkeley for some generations before Robert de Bickerton, in the reign of King John, and before that they were settled in Wales, that the branch then became established at Bulkeley, Cheshire, and a second near Rochdale, Lancashire; from the last named descend the Buckleys, of Lancashire and Yorkshire. The branch of this family is settled in the West of England. CHILTERN HUNDREDS. (No. 511-Sept. 2.). S. S. B. [537. A hundred court is only a larger court barou being held for all the inhabitants of a particular hundred, instead of a manor. The hundrel was so called because it was part of a shire containing 10 tythings, either because at first there were one hundred families, or else they found the king one hundred able-bodied men for the wars. The free suitors are here also the judges, and the steward the registrar, as in the case of the court baron. It is likewise a court of record, resembling the former in all points except that in point of territory it is of greater jurisdiction. King Alfre, for the better government of the country, divided the territory of England into counties, those counties int› hundreds, No doubt and the hundreds into tythings or towns. the Chiltern Hundreds were of this class, and had a peculiar political significance. In Hadyn's Dictionary of Dates I find Chiltern Hundreds-viz., Burnham, Desborough, and Stoke, an estate of the Crown on the chain of chalk hills that pass from east to west through the middle of Buckinghamshire. The stewardship is a nominal office with a salary of 259 conferred on members of Parliament when they wish to vacate their seats. The strict legality of the practice is questioned. E.H. COURT LEET. (No. 512-Sept. 2.) [538. The court leet, or view of frank pledge, is a court of record held once in the year, and not oftener (Mirror, ch. 1, sec. 10, 4 v., Institutes 261, Hawkins P.C. 72), within a particular hundred, lordship, or manor before the steward of the leet, being the king's court granted by charter to the lords of those hundreds or manors. These court leets have a peculiar jurisdiction, and required the attendance of all the residents within the particular hundred, lordship, or manor, and concerned the administration of publio justice, and was held in the open air or some conveni ent place appointed for that purpose. The leet was the most ancient court in the land for criminal matters, and the court baron for civil causes. Both of these courts are very ancient. The first occurs in the Conqueror's charter for Battle Abbey, and not infrequently in Doomsday. The leet consisted of aldermen and burgesses, who were all to be persons holding lands and burgages. We may here remark a burgage tenure is an ancient tenure proper to boroughs, whereby the inhabitants, by custom, held their lands or tenements of the king or other person by a rent certain. It is indeed only a kind of town socage, which means to have power or liberty to minister justice and execute laws, also the circuit or territory wherein such power is exercised; hence soca is used for a seigniory or lordship, with the liberty of holding or keeping a court of his sockmen or husbandmen, who in the Saxon times were of two sorts-one that hired the lord's outlands or tenementary lands like our farmers of the present day, and the other the men who tilled and manured his inland or demense yielding operam. The service or performance of a slave or hired workman (not censum), one who taxed, levied rates or cess for the lord, which was a service in contradistinction to sockmen or ploughmen. After the conquest they were taken to be those tenants who held of no servile tenure, but commonly paid their rent as a soke or kind of freedom to the lord, though they were sometimes obliged to customary duties for the service and honour of their lord. The view of Frank pledge-a pledge or surety for the behaviour of freemen by a certain number of neighbours becoming bound for each other to see each man of their pledge forthcoming at all times to answer the transgression committed by any gone away, so that whosoever offended it was forthwith enquired in what pledge he was, and those of that pledge either produced him within 31 days or satisfied for the offence. Sometime during the reign of Henry III., and it is supposed (about the year 1260) Sir Robert De Stokeport, Knight, who at that time was seized or in possession of the mauor and barony of Stockport made the town of Stockport a free borough by obtaining a charter for that purpose. According to Mr Heginbotham's history, page 140, part ii., it is dated Sept. 6th, 44 Henry III. Opposite page (137) is a copy thereof, which would be written WALK YOUR CHALKS. (Query No. 515-September 2.) [540.] Some 50 years ago there was a class of beggars who, in the estimation of the public, were highly gifted in the art of ornamental writing. I remember when a boy seeing some of this writing on the flags in Tiviot Dale; it was," Charity is kind," "Remember the poor," "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth," and other scraps from the Scriptures. These were written with Crayon or coloured chalk, of which red, white, green, blue, and yellow were the prevailing colours. A gentleman once tested one of these scribes by asking him to write "While we have time, let us do good unto all men," but he either could not, or would not, do it. All sort of excuses were made, and at last he said he would not waste his chalk in doing it. The gentleman had discovered that these people, many of them, could neither read nor write, but had by practice acquired the art of producing short sentences in a style which astonished the passers by. These tricks were well known to the constables of that day, who unceremoniously ordered them to "Walk their chalks," or pack up their traps and depart lest they should be placed in durance vile. Hence the phrase "Walk your chalks," which is by no means very complimentary. [541] Queries. E. H. LADYFIELD, WILMSLOW. The upper part of what is now called Manchester New Road was once designated Ladyfield. Why? LINDOW. [542] WHIPPING-STOCKS. PEOVER. Can anybody give us information regarding the origin of T.K. the name of this public-house ? [543.] BEECH TREES ON KNUTSFORD ROAD.-On the Knutsford and Macclesfield highway, and near Booth Hall, is a splendid row of beech trees, almost a mile long. Their history would be of interest if it could be obtained. T.K. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH, 1881. Notes. CHESHIRE FAMILIES: EGERTON OF TATTON. [544] From Burke's "History of the Commoners," published in 1884, we call the following slightlyabridged record of the above well-known family:This branch of the Egerton family has enjoyed, for a long series of years, extensive estates and leading influence in the palatine of Chester. Sir Thomas Egerton (son of Sir Richard Egerton, of Ridley), the celebrated lord chancellor, was born in Cheshire about the year 1540, and admitted ot Brazennose College, Oxford, in 1556. The Athen Oxonienses give an account of his early pursuits, and state his having applied his muse to severe study in this university, where, continuing about three years, he laid a foundation whereon to build profounder learning. Afterwards, going to Lincoln's Inn, he made a most happy progress in the municipal laws, and at length was a counsellor of note." In 1581, Mr Egerton's eminent abilities were rewarded with the office of solicitor-general, and in 1592 with the attorney-generalship. In 1594 he was raised to the Rolls beneh, having previously received the honour of knighthood; and in 1596 obtained the custody of the great seal with the title of lord keeper. To this high station he was elevated by the especial favour of his royal mistress and the universal wish of the country, "every one," as Camden says, "having conceived mighty hopes and expectations of his lordship." After retaining this office during the reign of Elizabeth, he was created by her successor on the 21st July, 1603 Baron Ellesmere and constituted Lord High Chan cellor of England. To attempt even the most abridged epitome of the affairs in which Lord Ellesmere appears a principal actor during his eventful and splendid career would far exceed our limits Among those, however, may be especially noted th treaties with the Dutch and the Danes, 40th and 42nd Elizabeth; his exertions in behalf of the ill-fated Essex; the trials of Lords Cobham and Grey d Wilton in 1603; the negotiations respecting the pro posed union of the crowns of England and Scotland in 1604; the struggle with Lord Chief Justice Coke in reference to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chan cery in 1615; and the trial of the Earl and Countess of Somerset in the following year for the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury. The Lord Chancellor, no w more than 76 years of age, feeling both the powers his mind and body shrink under the pressure of age and infirmity, entreated from the king, in two pathe. tic letters, a discharge from his high office, which he had held nearly 22 years. His majesty complied, and after advancing the chancellor to the dignity of Viscount Brackley, received the seals in person from his lordship on his death-bel with tears of respect and gratitude, and expressed the intention of adling the earldom of Bridgewater to his previous honours. His lordship died 15th March, 1617, in a good old age, and full of virtuous fame; and in the words of Canden, "forte quanto propias Reipublicae mala viderat, ut integer honestu n finem volait." Hacket, in his life of Archbishop Williams, says he was one “qui nihil in vita nisi laudandum aut fecit, aut dixit, aut sensit." His apprehension was keen and realy, his judgment deep and sound, his elocution elegant and easy. As a lawyer, he was prudent in counsel, extensive in information, and just in principle, so tha while he lived he was excelled by none, and when he died he was lamented by all. In a word, as a statesman he was faithful and patriotic; and as a judge impartial and incorrupt:* His lordship married first, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Ravenscroft, Esq., of Bretton, in Flintshire; secondly, Elizabeth, Lady Woolley, sister of Sir George More, kat., of Losley, in Surrey, lieutenant of the Tower; and, thirdly, Alice, dowager Countess of Derby, daughter of Sir John Spencer, of Althorp. By the first lady only, who died in 1588, he had issue-viz., two sons and one daughter. Thomas (Sir), knt., who died in Ireland v. p. 23rd August, 1599, aged 25, leaving by Elizabeth his wife, daughter of Thomas Venables, baron of Kinderton, three daughters. Lord Brackley was s. at his decease by his only surviving son, John Egerton, second viscount, who was advanced to the earldom of Bridgewater on the 27th May, 1617. This nobleman, distinguishing himself in Ireland under the Earl of Essex in 1599, received the honour of knighthood, and at the coronation of James I. was made a Knight of the Bath. His lordship's appointment in 1633 to the lord presidency of Wales and the • Ben Jonson has addressed several epigrams to Chancellor Egerton: one of which we subjoin To Thomas Lord Chancellor: Whilst thy weigh'd judgments, Egerton, I hear, of T' our times return'd, hath made her heaven in thee. Marches gave rise to Milton's immortal "Comus," and is thus recorded by Warton-"I have been informed," says that writer, "from a manuscript of Oldys, that Lord Bridgewater, being appointed lore president of Wales, entered upon his official residencd at Ludlow Castle with great solemnity. Upon this occasion he was attended by a large concourse of the neighbouring nobility and geutry. Among the rest came his children; in particular Lord Brackley, Mr Thomas Egerton, and Lady Alice, to attend their father's state And new entrusted sceptre. They had been on a visit at a house of the Egerton family in Herefordshire, and in passing through Haywood forest were benighted; and the Lady Alice was even lost for a short time. This accident, which in the end was attended with no bad consequences furnished the subject for a mask for a Michaelmas festivity and produced "Comus." The earl wedded the Lady Frances Stanley, second daughter and co heir of Ferdinando, Earl of Derby, and by her, who d. 11th March, 1635, had four sons and 11 daughters Lord Bridgewater d. 4th December, 1649, and was s. by his son; John Egerton, second earl of Bridgewater, who espoused, in the 19th year of his age, the Lady Elizabeth Cavendish, daughter of William, duke of Newcastle, and had issue. i. John, K. B., third earl of Bridgewater, ancestor of the earls and dukes of Bridgewater. ii. William (Sir), K. B., of Worsley, in Lancashire, M.P. for Aylesbury, who m. Honora, sister of Thomas, Lord Leigh, of Stoneleigh, and d. in December, 1691, leaving four daughters, who all died unmarried except the youngest. Honora, b. in 1685, m. to Thomas-Arden Bagot, Esq., of Pipe Hall, in Staffordshire. iii. Thomas, of whom presently, as progenitor of the Egertons, of Tatton. iv. Charles of Newborough, in Staffordshire, M.P., b. in 1654 who m. Elizabeth, widow of Randolph Egerton, Esq., of Betley, and daughter and heir of Henry Murray, and d. in 1717, leaving a son of his own name. Steward, born in 1660, died unm. i. Frances, died in infancy. ii. Elizabeth, m. to Robert Sidney, earl of Leicester. iii. Catharine, died an infant. The earl d. 26th October, 1686, when the manor of Tatton and the other Cheshire estates of the family passed to his third son, The Hon. Thomas Egerton, of Tatton Park, b. 16th Merch, 1651, who m. Hesther, only daughter of Sir Lady Frances Stanley's grandmother, the Lady Margaret Clifford, was only child of Henry Earl of Cumberland, and of Eleanor his countess, younger daughter and co-heir of Charles Brandon, duke of Suffolk, by Mary his wife, queen dowager of France, youngest sister of King Henry VIII. John Bushby,† knt., of Addington, in Bucks, by Judith his first wife, daughter and co-heir of Sir William Mainwaring, kut., of West Chester, and by her, who died in 1724, had four sons and one daughter-viz., i. John, his heir. ii. Thomas, b. in 1680, d. unm. iii. William, LL.D., chancellor and prebendary of Hereford, prebendary of Canterbury, rector of Penshurst, &c., b. 6th July, 1682; m. Annie dau. of Sir Francis Head, bart., of Rochester, and d 26th February, 1737, leaving issue-John, who d. in November, 1740, aged 17. Charlotte, co-heiress, who m. William Hammond, Esq., of St. Alban's Court, in Kent, and d. in 1770, leaving issue. Jemima, coheiress, who m. in 1747, Edward Brydges, Esq., of Wootton Court, in Kent, and had, with other issue, the present Sir Samuel Egerton Brydges, bart., of Denton Court. iv. Mainwaring, b. in 1683, d. in 1686. i. Elizabeth, m. to the Rev. Peter Leigh, of the West Hall, in High Leigh. Mr Egerton d. 29th October, 1685, was buried at Little Gaddesden, in Herts, and s. by his eldest son, John Egerton, Esq., of Tatton Park, b. 12th Febru. ary, 1679, who wedded Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Barbour, Esq., sister and heir of Samuel Hill, Esq., of Shenstone Park, in the county of Stafford, and by her, who died in 1748, had issue-i. John, his heir. ii. Samuel, successor to his brother. i. Hester, eventually sole heiress. ii. Elizabeth, d. unm. 1763. Mr Egerton d. in 1724, was interred at Rosthern e, and s. by his elder son, John Egerton, Esq., of Tatton Park, b. 14th October, 1710, who m. in April, 1735, Christian, daughter of John Ward, Esq., of Capesthorne, bat dying in 1738 without male issue the estates and representation of this branch of the family devolved on his brother; Samuel Egerton, Esq., of Tatton Park, b. 28th December, 1711, who wedded Beatrix, youngest daughter and co-heir of the Rev. John Copley, of Battly, rector of Elmley, in Yorkshire, and by her, who d. in April, 1755, had an only daughter, Beatrix, who m. Daniel Wilson, Esq., of Dalham Tower, in Westmoreland, but predeceased her father without surviving issue. Mr Egerton died himself 10th February, 1780, advanced in years, being one of the representatives in that and the three preceding par liaments for the county of Chester. He devised his + This gentleman, who died in 1700, was son of Robt. Busby, Esq., of Addington, by his wife, a daughter of Sir John Gore, knt., of New Place, in Herts. Sir John Gore had married Bridget, daughter of Sir Edward Harington, bart., grandson of Sir James Harington and Lucy his wife, sister to Sir Henry Sidney, of Penshurst. great estates with divers remainders in tail to his only sister. Hester Egerton, who had m. in May, 1717, William Tatton, Esq., of Withenshaw, but who, upon inherit ing her brother's possessions, resumed by sign manual-8th May, 1780-her maiden name. She d. the 9th of the following July, leaving a daughter Elizabeth Tatton. the wife of Sir Christopher Sykes bart., of Sledmere, M.P., and a son and successor. William Tatton Egerton, Esq., of Tatton and Withenshaw, b. 9th May, 1749. This gentleman, who from his extensive landed possessions and great personal influence was esteemed one of the leading commoners in the kingdom, represented the county of Chester in Parliament. He m. thrice, and dying in 1806 was s. in the Egerton estates by his eldest surviving son-Wilbraham Egerton, Esq., of Tatton, was born 1st September, 1781. This gentleman suc. ceeded his father on 17th April, 1806; he represented the county of Chester in Parliament for 19 years, and served the office of sheriff in 1808, he m. 11th January, 1806, his first cousin, Elizabeth, second daughter of Sir Christopher Sykes, bart., of Sledmere House, Yorkshire, and has had issue, the present William Tatton, M.P., for Cheshire, b. 30th December, 1806; m. 18th December, 1830, the Lady Charlotte Elizabeth Loftus, eldest daughter of the Marquess of Ely, and has had two sons- -Wilbraham, b. 17th January, 1832, and Loftus Edward, b. 25th July, 1833 (who died an infant), with a daughter, b. in November 1834. ii. Wilbraham, captain 43rd light infantry, b 31st May, 1808. iii. Thomas, b. 16th November, 1809. iv. George, b. in May, 1813, and d. in August, 1814. v. Mark, b. 27th January, 1815, and d. 28th December, 1881. vi. Edward Christopher, b. 27th July, 1816. vii. Charles Randle, b. 12th May, 1818. i. Elizabeth Beatrix, died an infant in 1811. Elizabeth Mary Charlotte, died an infant in 1821. iii. Chalotte Lucy Beatrix. ii. Arms-Arg. a lion rampant gu. between three pheons sa. Crest-On a chapeau gu. turned up erm. a lion rampant gu. supporting a dart argent. MottoSic donec. Estates-Tatton, Rosthern, Ollerton, &c., were possessed by Sir Alen de Tatton, ancestor of the present proprietor in the earliest period of authentic history. The elder branch became extinct after a few descents: the heiress married William Massey, fourth son of Hamon de Massey, baron of Dunham Massey, whose descendants retained possession of the Tatton property without intermission until the reign of Edward IV. From the Tattons, of Tatton, the family of Withenshaw are undoubtedly a branch; it So take a brief warning from me, Jem, I own it possesses a charm, On the neck of a lovely young maid; Then press her still closer to thee, Jem, What wants in thy bosom arise, When by thy own hearth snugly seated, Will a wife e'er be kinder than she, Jem, When sorrow forbids thee to smile, When age and infirmity cree", And thy mother no longer can fend, When the old one and young one agree, Jem, E. H. |