De was born about 1243 in Shropshire, England, the son of John Hawkins [Hotchkiss], de Northwod, de Hoxwode, de Flegh, de Hawkinge but his mother is unknown.
He died about 1327. The place is not known.
His wife was Maud [Matilda] Fitton, who he married in ABT 1263 in Lancashire, England. Their four known children were Andrew (c1264-<1321), John (c1270-<1345), Thomas (c1272->1349) and Stephen (c1280-1350).
| Event | Date | Details | Source | Multimedia | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | ABT 1243 |
| |||||
| Death | ABT 1327 |
Note 1
!StyleName: [Hotchkiss / Hawkins], de Northwood, de Hokeswod, de Flegh, Hogekins, Hesketh William “Walter” [~1243 - ~1327]
!Notes: The name “Hesketh” appears to be another variant of Hoxwode / Hotchkiss / Hoskins / Hawkins, formed in the northern county of Lancashire, but using keth [kith] as the ending and “Hes”, a scribal variant of “Hos”. “Kith and kin" refers to one’s friends, acquaintances, and family members . "Kith" represents familiar friends or neighbors, while "kin" signifies blood relatives. The idiom, rooted in Middle English, denotes a person's entire close social circle, including both family and friends.
!Note: Biography:
Sir William Hawkins [~1243 - ~1327] started his life at Hawkeswood, with his father John de Northwode, later de Hoxwode.
It is possible that John and William first traveled to Kent even before the funeral of Laurette de Braose, John’s first cousin
twice removed, who died in 1266 near Canterbury and was the wife of Robert FitzPernel, Earl of Leicester. Given the family’s
Northwode inheritance and Ysolda’s connection to Kent, the father and son may have remained to manage property and meet
other relatives — events that ultimately established the Hawkins line at Nash Court. Sir Roger de Northwode [c. 1215–1286],
first cousin once removed to John, was Constable of Dover Castle until about 1259, and held the office of Lord Warden of the
Cinque Ports. It is likely through him that John and William were named as de Flegh when placed in charge of Hawkinge as knight
service land under Dover Castle. By 1271, John, father of William, was already paying a knight’s fee for Boughton, which included
Nash Court. Sir William's marriage about 1263 to Maud was likely a normal arranged marriage for the time, and he likely initially
took her back to Kent and Hawkinge / Nash with him. Hawkinge, less Nash, was donated to the Church in 1294/5, which means it is
likely all the children were actually born there. By that time Sir Andrew was about 30 years old, and was probably left with Nash,
while William and his other sons and father went back to take care of other things. At this point, starting in about 1295, he seems to
have taken another knight service position as “Steward of Cheshire”. This would have put him in a position of traveling between
Lancashire and Shropshire, which would have actually facilitated the many things he had to take care of. This would include settling
his son John in Warwickshire, beginning to consolidate things in Lancashire, and helping his father settle Warrin in Neenton, and sell
their remaining portion of Hawkeswood to his brother Hugh in 1303, who had probably been taking care of it all this time.
William eventually seems to have settled in Lancaster, consolidating his estate there, which his son Thomas [~1276 - >1349] eventually
ended up in charge of. Thomas was still fairly young to just retire at about 51 after turning over the Lancashire service land to his son
Sir John [~1296 - <1345]. He ended up captaining a ship by 1327. Stephen is perhaps one of the more interesting in that he was
actually seen in Lancashire, York, and with his brother Andrew.
!Note: Certain things are obvious about the origin of the Hawkins family.
1. The visitation of Kent is one of the earliest actual charts of the family’s heritage, verified by the heralds in 1619.
To discount this record is foolish.
2. The early family was definitely connected to the Nash estate and owned it by heredity right without a separate court deed.
3. Nash was originally part of the Hawkinge manor in Folkestone Hundred, and both were held under Dover Castle.
4. The name Hawkins, most assuredly came as a place name from Hawkinge and was probably altered slightly to the more familiar “kins”
ending meaning family. It may also have been affected by close relatives’ name of Hotchkiss.
5. Hawkinge was donated to the church by John and his son William de Flegh in 1294–1295, but Nash was not.
6. By 1271, John, father of William, was already paying a knight’s fee for Boughton [Boneton. ½ fee held by John de Boneton.], which included Nash Court, in right of Agnes and
Eleanor, younger daughters and heirs of Maud de Averenches, Barony of Folkestone, overlords of Hawkinge by knight service and ward to Dover Castle.
7. William was living at the right time to be the father of Andrew and simply by the possession of Nash, had to be his father.
8. References to "flag" at Dover Castle where likely referring to the banner representing the commander or constable of the castle.
This would very likely have been a banner bearing his personal coat of arms. During the time of Roger de Northwood's command, this would
have been the arms of Northwood. John and William being Northwoods, this banner would have referred to their name as well.
9. It appears that John and William were 2nd cousins of Stephen and Roger. It also appears that John was son of Nicholas de Northwood and
grandson of Ysolda de Baskerville de Northwood.
!Note: How the Early Hawkins Inheritance Likely Worked
John and his son William held land from Hawkeswood, Shropshire to Hawkinge, Kent and in between.
They gained more land through service at Dover Castle.
Dover Castle assigned them Hawkinge, apparently so they could prepare it for the church.
Nash was part of Hawkinge but stayed with the family.
Their land included properties in Warwickshire and Hereford and Wiltshire and Kent and apparently Huntingdonshire.
A. Children of John. In 1303 John and William went to Shropshire to clear up their interest in Hawkeswood and other land in and near Shropshire.
1. William was John's main heir aside from the following. In Lancashire, William's surname was known as Hesketh and he was identified as a knight. He married Mawde Fitton whose
Lancashire holdings became the basis of the Hesketh line.
2. John and William sold their portion of Hawkeswood and other Shropshire land to Hugh le Mon who was also John's son and the father of the Hotchkiss line.
3. Warren who was also John's son, and father of the Hill line, was likely setup with his feoffment of nearby Neenton. The later lifetime lease in 1328
only confirmed this arrangement.
4. Simon, John's younger son, received land in Huntingdonshire.
B. Children of William <<<<
1. Also on that 1303 trip, John, William's 2nd son, born about 1272, was apparently put in charge of land in Warwickshire and nearby counties. He also
inherited much of Rufford in Lancashire.
2. Thomas was sent into royal service while still young. Most Lancashire properties such as Great Harwood and Rufford eventually came under his line.
3. Sir Andrew, as the first born, would be the main heir in Kent.
4. Stephen stayed with Andrew and later received York land himself. He likely received other lands which he passed to his own sons, including land in
Becconsall and Hesketh in Lancashire.
C. Children of Andrew from his first wife. Andrew's first wife likely brought York land into the family.
1. Nicholas received the main York land.
2. Henry received land in Nottinghamshire and in Norfolk.
3. Andrew II also received York land.
4. Roger came of age after Joan married Andrew. Andrew held Devon land through Joan and shared part of it with Roger.
5. Alexander received small pieces of land in Kent.
D. Children of John from his second wife Joan, who most likely brought lands from Devon and Cornwall with her dowry.
The Nash Estate became the family home after Hawkinge Manor was given to the church.
After Andrew died in 1321 Joan held Nash for her life, and was thus called Joan of Nash.
She apparently had the ability to distribute portions of the remaining property to her children as they came of age.
1. When Joan died Nash and the remaining lands, mostly in Kent and nearby counties, passed to her first son John I of Nash.
2. Margery was given a small York estate at age 2 1/2. Stephen was her guardian and added more land to her share when he died.
4. When Joan died the rest of the Devon land went to Sir Richard, alias Hankeford. He likely also received more in knight's service.
!Note: Origins of the Hawkins Family at Nash Court, Kent
Working Theory: Transition from Hawkeswood to Hawkinge and Nash
Confidence Level: High: Documented, multiple-source aligned.
Summary:
This research explores the plausible transition of the Hotchkiss family line from Hawkeswood [Shropshire] to Kent, culminating in the Hawkins family’s long-term residence at Nash Court in Boughton-under-Blean.
Key Points:
* 1303 Property Sale in Shropshire:
- A grant is recorded from John fitz Nicholas of Northwod to Hugh le Mon of Hokswode, witnessed by William de Hokeswod.
- This marks the divestiture of property by John and William Hotchkiss, likely transferring Hawkeswood to their brother Hugh.
1294–1295 Donation of Hawkinge Manor:
- William, son of John de Flegh, donates the Manor of Hawkinge and Flegis Court to St. Radegund’s Abbey during the 23rd year of Edward I’s reign.
- This is the last known private ownership of Hawkinge before it becomes abbey land.
- Since this donation occurred in 1294–1295, and William was the son of John who already held Boughton and Nash Court by 1271, it implies the Flegh family held Hawkinge for at least 23 years.
* Possible Identification:
- The names and dates suggest William de Hokeswod, William de Flegh, and William Hawkins may be the same person, or at least closely related.
- All were sons of John, active around the same time, and involved in the transition or donation of a manor.
- For now, they are referred to as John and William de Flegh/[possibly de Hokeswod, Hawkins] pending further evidence.
* Doubt Concerning the Norfolk Flegg Line:
- A Flegg family from Norfolk has attempted to associate itself with William de Flegh, but the details are chronologically implausible.
- The Norfolk line includes John de Flegg [b. c. 1190 – d. 1242] and William de Flegg [b. c. 1220 – d. 1278].
- However, the donation of Hawkinge and Flegis Court to St. Radegund’s occurred in 1294–1295, at least 16 years after the Norfolk William’s reported death.
- Their claim also conflates unrelated individuals and offers no clear ancestral connection, casting serious doubt on the association.
- This conflicting claim appears in a genealogical PDF: Seeking My Roots – G002217.pdf and is expanded upon in Bigelow Society – Flagg History.
- Thus, the Norfolk de Fleggs can be confidently ruled out as ancestors of the Hawkins of Nash.
* Ownership of Nash Court Prior to 1300:
- By 1271, John, father of William, was already paying a knight’s fee for Boughton, which included Nash Court, in right of Agnes and Eleanor, younger daughters and heirs of Maud de Averenches.
- This predates William’s donation of Hawkinge to the church during the 23rd year of Edward I’s reign [1294–1295], confirming that Nash was already in family possession.
- The proximity to Whitstable, just 7 miles from Boughton-under-Blean, further supports a family-based landholding pattern.
- Dodeham alias Northwood is noted as part of the surrounding area historically connected to Whitstable and Nash, suggesting deeper local ties.
* Connection to Dover Castle through Sir Roger de Northwode:
- Sir Roger de Northwode [c. 1215–1286] was Constable of Dover Castle until about 1259, and held the office of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.
- He was also involved in numerous public and ecclesiastical works in Kent, including restoration of the Monastery of St. Sexburge.
- His role suggests close ties between the Northwode family and Dover Castle — the very office to which the Barony of Folkestone and Hawkinge owed service.
- This reinforces the plausibility that John de Northwod et de Hoxwode or his son William may have been involved in duties at Dover Castle, or gained land in Kent through that service.
- It is possible that Roger de Northwode, through family connection to Sybil and the Baskervilles, called the family to service. The use of "de Flegh" might reflect an association with flag-bearing or banner service, possibly tied to Dover Castle.
- Tensions at Dover Castle were heightened during this period due to:
+ Military campaigns in Wales
+ French threats along the Channel
+ Internal unrest like the Barons’ War
- These events increased demand for trusted Marcher lords and knightly families.
- The Cinque Ports were obligated to provide naval support; Dover Castle’s increased strategic needs could easily have prompted recruitment or resettlement of military families such as the Northwodes or Hotchkisses into Kent.
- It is possible that John and William first traveled to Kent for the funeral of Laurette de Braose, John’s first cousin twice removed, who died in 1266 near Canterbury and was the wife of Robert FitzPernel Earl of Leicester, Robert. Given the family’s Northwode inheritance and Ysolda’s connection to Kent, the brothers may have remained to manage property or arrange marriages locally [for William]—events that ultimately established the Hawkins line at Nash Court, following their earlier association with the Hotchkiss and Hokeswod names.
* Emergence of the Hawkins Family in Kent:
- By 1374, John Hawkins and his wife Joane hold land in Boughton, specifically Nash Court.
- His brother Richard Hawkins holds land in Whitstable, also in Kent.
- Their father, Andrew Hawkins, is presumed to have been born circa 1270 and died by 1320.
* No Acquisition Records for Nash:
- There are no surviving records showing how the Hawkins family came to possess Nash Court, strongly suggesting it was never separately acquired.
- This supports the theory that Nash was retained when Hawkinge was donated to the abbey — a common practice for families keeping smaller estates.
* Connection to the de Averenches / Crevecoeur Line:
- In 1263, Hamo de Crevecoeur and his wife Maud de Averenches died.
- Their Inquisition Post Mortem names daughters and coheirs, including Agnes [married to John de Sandwich], Eleanor [married to Bertram de Crioll], Isolda [married to Nicholas de Lenham], and Isabel [married to Henry de Gaunt].
- A 1271 writ for partition shows land at Folkstone and surrounding manors, including Evering, Hougham, and Boneton.
- One entry reads: “½ fee held by John de Boneton.”
- This may refer to John de Boughton, aligning with the Hawkins family’s known holdings at Nash [in Boughton].
* Warren de Neenton and Broader Northwode Family:
- Evidence suggests that William [b. ~1243] and Hugh le Mon [b. ~1250] may have had a brother Warren [~1257].
- A 1328 fine names Hugh son of Warin de Neenton, whose property would revert to others if he lacked heirs.
- The fourth reversion names John, son of Roger Hochkys, likely a great-nephew, suggesting a large extended family.
- This helps explain the land division and provides plausible motivation for William to sell his share of Hawkeswood and establish a new line in Kent.
* Use of Variant Names in Northwode Records:
- Many Northwode family members appear in deeds under alternate identifiers [e.g., occupational or locational surnames].
- These alternate names can make tracing lineage more difficult, though context and associated witnesses often indicate they belong to the same extended family.
- Identifying patterns across land grants, inheritance clauses, and place-names like Hokeswod/Hawkeswood and Hawkinge/Nash may help clarify these relationships further.
* Y-DNA Haplogroup and Project Evidence:
- The Hotchkiss, Hoskins, and Hawkins surname DNA projects all show R-M269 as the most common haplogroup.
- They also contain a significant portion of I-M253, the user's haplogroup.
- This consistent DNA profile across all three projects supports the likelihood of shared paternal ancestry, even without a confirmed paper trail.
- While STR comparisons or segment testing would be required for specific matches, this provides strong probabilistic support for a common Norman origin.
Conclusion:
The timing, geographic overlap, and consistent use of given names [John, William] point to a strong likelihood that Andrew Hawkins descended from William de Hokeswod/Flegh/Hawkins, who gave up Hawkinge but retained nearby Nash. This transition laid the foundation for the Hawkins line that held Nash Court for centuries thereafter.
The additional connection to Warren de Neenton and the Hotchkiss / Hochkys name shows a broader network in the extended Northwode/Hokeswod family. The presence of larger family branches may have influenced William’s move to Kent. Further research into the records of St. Radegund’s Abbey, the Flegh family, land rolls in Boughton and Whitstable, and the inheritance records related to Maud d'Averanches and John de Boneton [possibly de Boughton] may provide more direct evidence.
-
Selected Sources and Further Research:
* Medieval Deeds for Northwood, Stottesdon: http://www.shropshirehistory.org.uk/html/search/verb/GetRecord/theme:20080228204832
* Hasted, Edward. The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent: Volume 7 [1798]: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-kent/vol7/pp2-19
* Archive.org – The visitation of Kent [1619–1621]: https://archive.org/details/visitationofkent00camd/page/n7/mode/2up
* Hawkins Family Pedigree: https://www.thedicamillo.com/house/nash-court/
* Hawkinge Village History: http://www.dover-kent.com/VILLAGES/58-Hawkinge.html
* Wikipedia – Roger de Northwode: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Northwode
* Battle Abbey Roll: The Norman Lineages [1889]
* Family Tree DNA Projects:
- Hotchkiss: https://www.familytreedna.com/public/hotchkiss?iframe=ydna-results-overview
- Hoskins: https://www.familytreedna.com/public/hoskins?iframe=ydna-results-overview
- Hawkins: https://www.familytreedna.com/public/hawkins?iframe=ydna-results-overview
* Genealogical PDF [G002217]: https://www.seekingmyroots.com/members/files/G002217.pdf
* Bigelow Society – Flagg Genealogy: http://bigelowsociety.com/rod2005/flagg05.htm
* Neenton Fine Record [AALT]: http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT4/CP25[1]/CP_25_1_194/IMG_0007.htm
==============================================================
!Notes: Summary early Sidbury and Hokeswod records. Hawkswood House is about 1 mile southwest of Sidbury, so no they aren’t the same thing. That is more or less toward Chorley.
Before 1066 - Under Wiga, a franklin, Sudbury’s Saxon lord, it had been worth 20s. annually, afterwards it was waste.
1086 - Sudbury was held by Ralph de Mortimer under-Earl Roger de Montgomery as one hide. There were two ox-teams in demesne, and six serfs, six villeins, and three bordars with two teams, and there was land for two teams more. In I086 was worth 18s
1200 - A Sir Hugh de Sudberi occurs, who probably took his name from Sidbury.
Before 1240 Sidbury became the property of Ralph d’Arraz.
1255 - Ralph d’Arraz held Sidbury as a hide and half of land. He also held Neenton as half a hide.
1280 - mention of Hokeswod along with Sidbury and Fulesworth in an assize of mort d'ancestor where Henry son of Henry le Clerk, of Sudbury attempts to reclaim his inherited land in feudal tenure from Joan late wife of Radulph de Araz who had taken possession after the death of his [Henry’s] father Henry le Clerk.
1303 - John fitz [son of] Nicholas of Northwod sells land to Hugh le Mou of Hokswood witness William de Hokeswod [grant of land at Chorley]. One source mentions Gregory and William de Hokeswode, but can’t find original reference.
1310 - Richard son of Hugh le Mou of Hokswood sells to John de Baskerville of Northwude, land which John de Hoxwode gave to Hugh, Richard’s Father in the vill and fields of Northwude. I’m not sure if this includes the land given as near Sidbury, but this is not Hokeswode as Hokeswode was already given as belonging to William and Hugh prior to the 1303 purchase.
1316 - Ralph d’Arraz is given as lord of Sidbury, but Neenton is not mentioned.
1328 - Hugh, son of Warin de Neenton. acknowledges he had gifted tenements to Thomas, the parson of the church of Neenton, who grants to Hugh, son of Warin and Joan his wife and their heirs the same tenaments at Neenton. John fil Rogi Hochkys & his heirs are listed as the 4th of the successors if Hugh and Joan had not living descendants.
—
So from the above, we have:
Nicholas of Northwod
John of Northwod and de Hoxwode, son of Nicholas 1303 Sells land to son Hugh, Richard’s father - William of Hokeswode is witness
Hugh le Mou of Hokswod, son of John 1310 possibly dead as son Richard is selling some land from his father to John de Baskerville of Northwude. Richard’s grandfather would be too old to be John.
Richard, son of Hugh of Hokswod 1310 adult, born before 1290, maybe 1285.
—
So we have Richard son of Hugh, and Roger as contemporaries, possibly brothers or father/son based on other dates.
William is also likely to be related to both Hugh and John. I’m going to guess for now as Hugh’s brother, which would leave John as ancester to all 3.
Note: Detailed source information is under Roger.
!Source:Medieval deeds for Northwood, Stottesdon http://www.shropshirehistory.org.uk/html/search/verb/GetRecord/theme:20080228204832
Land of John de Hawkswood
No 384, 1302/3.
>>> John <<<, son of
>>> Nicholas de Hawkswood <<< to
>>> Hugh le Mon de Hawkswood <<<. GRANT of a messuage in the vill of Northwood lying between the messuages of Henry Blundell and William Blundell and extending from the highway which leads to le Euwes [Yews] to the land of Henry Blundell together with eleven and a half acres of land in the field of Northwood, one acre lying in the field by Chorley called le Leye between the lands of Baldwin de Baskereville and John Baskerville, half an acre under the hill opposite Chorley and extending to the river of Russebache, two acres lying in the field opposite Pickthorn between the land of John Baskerville on both sides, one acre lying in the same field and extending from the land of John Baskerville to the moors [ad moras] of Baldewin, one acre lying in the same field between the highway leading from Norhtwood to le Eues [Yews] and the land of William de Chorley, and six acres in the field opposite the mill of Sidbury, one acre lying between the land of Hugh Hed and the land of Nicholas de Biriton, one acre lying above Scallebrayn between the land of Baldwin de Baskerville and the land of John de Baskerville, half an acre lying above le Elfurlong between the land formerly of Hugh Hed and the land of John de Baskerville, half an acre extending towards ?Coumbesbach and lying near the land of John de Baskerville, one acre lying at le Mulnepoleshade near the land of John de Baskerville, and two acres lying in Wlueshal, one being at the top and the other extending to the river of the mill of Sidbury. Witnesses: Ralph de Arras, Knight, Guy de Glazeley, John de Ludlow in Neenton, William de ?Ribbeley,
>>> William de Hawkswood <<<, Henry Blundell, Hugh de Kelingley, clerk.
================================================
!Note: Possible early ancestors of the Hawkins name definitely need more research. The following DNA projects all show R-M269 as the most common Haplogroup, and also both have a significant portion of I-M253, my Haplogroup. They all have a similar mix and appear very closely related.
1. Hotchkiss “https://www.familytreedna.com/public/hotchkiss?iframe=ydna-results-overview"
2. Hoskins "https://www.familytreedna.com/public/hoskins?iframe=ydna-results-overview"
3. Hawkins "https://www.familytreedna.com/public/hawkins?iframe=ydna-results-overview"
!Source: Inquisitions Post Mortem, Edward II, File 65 https://www.british-history.ac.uk/inquis-post-mortem/vol6/pp139-149
244. ANDREW HAUKYN of Preston in Holdernesse.
Writ. 3 July, 13 Edward II. [25 Apr 1307-1327, so 3 Jul 1320]
[YORK.] Thursday the eve of the Assumption, 14 Edward II.
Preston. A messuage, 1/2a. and 1r. land, and a toft and 6a. land, 2a. 1r. meadow, and pasture for a fat beast in the ox marsh [in marisco boum] held jointly with Stephen Haukyn his brother who survives, and the heirs of the said Andrew, of the king in chief, as of the honour of Albemarle, by knight’s service.
Margery his daughter, aged 2 1/2, is his next heir.
C. Edw. II. File 65. [9.]
!Note: For the following linage to work, the family would have had to have a tradition of arranged marriages, with the wife being 10 or more years younger than the husband. This actually seems likely enough at the time.
!Source: DOVER KENT ARCHIVES http://www.dover-kent.com/VILLAGES/58-Hawkinge.html
HAWKINGE HISTORY.
A glance at Hawkinge, especially its ancient Church and its old stone Manor House of Coomb, suggests that the place is rich in history, the threads of which it will be interesting to gather up. The pre-Nor-man history of Hawkinge is bound up with the Folkestone Hundred, in which it is situated. In Saxon times it was held by Earl Godwin, and after the Conquest was part of the possessions of the Bishop of Bayeux. After the disgrace of the Bishop and the confiscation of his lands, the parish of Hawkinge appears to have been broken up into three Manors, of which the principal one was the Manor of Hawkinge, and later the Manor House of it was called Fleggs Court.
-
The Manor of Hawkinge was a part of the Barony of Folkestone, and held by the Avrenches bv Knight’s service and ward * of Dover Castle. Immediately after the Conquest, this Manor was held on strictly Military tenure, but a century later the holding was more in the nature of fee simple, and the estates became hereditary. In the year 1156 this Manor was held by Osbert de Hawking, and it continued in that family till it became extinct, and the next to hold it was the Fleghs, who remained in possession until the reign of Edward 1., during which time the Manor House acquired the name of Flegg’s Court. "William Flegh, in the year 1295, gave this Manor and the Church, which it is presumed that be or hie predecessors had built upon it, to St. Radigund’s Abbey, which had only four vears previous to that date been founded. The Manor and the Church continued in the possession of the Abbot and Canons of that Abbey until its dissolution, when it went to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and it continues a possession of the See of Canterbury at the present time.
Note: primary sources date donation at 1294/5.
!Source: Hawkinge History 1246-1900 https://www.hawkinge-tc.gov.uk/your-community/history/
This is a william son of john: 1275 William son of John de Flegh gave his Old Manor House ‘Flegis Court’ in the Hundred of Folkestone,
>>> Hawkynge <<< and Evering, as well as the church to the Abbot and convent of St Radegund’s.
Note: primary sources date donation at 1294/5.
!Source: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of the Proposed Development of Land at Coombe Wood Lane, Hawkinge, Kent. March 2022 https://www.swatarchaeology.co.uk/pdf/2022/49%20-%202200301%20Land%20adjacent%20to%20Coombe%20Wood%20Lane%20Hawkinge%20DBA.pdf
5.4.4 The Manor of Hawkinge was a part of the Barony of Folkestone and held by the
Avrenches Knight’s service and ward of Dover Castle. After the Conquest, this Manor
was held on strictly Military tenure, but a century later the holding was more in the
nature of fee simple, and the estates became hereditary. In the year 1156 this Manor
was held by Osbert de Hawking.
5.4.5 In 1275, William son of John de Flegh gave his Old Manor House ‘Flegis Court’ circa 1km
to the east in the Hundred of Folkestone, Hawkynge and Evering, as well as the church
to the Abbot and convent of St Radegund’s
!Source: British History Online, Parishes: Hawking https://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-kent/vol8/pp147-151#:~:text=To%20the%20northward%20is%20Hawkinge%2Dmill%20green%2C%20from%20a%20windmill%20on%20it%2C%20near%20which&text=in%20the%2023d%20year%20of%20which%2C%20William%2C,of%20John%20de%20Flegh%2C%20gave%20all%20his
THE MANOR OF HAWKING, alias Fleggs-court, by which latter name it is usually called, was antiently held of the barony of Folkestone, or Averenches, by knight's service, and ward to Dover castle, by a family who took their surname from it; one of whom, Ofbert de Hawking, held it in manner as above-mentioned, in king Henry II.'s reign, of William de Albrincis. After they were extinct here, it came into the possession of the Fleghs, in which it continued till the reign of king Edward I. in the 23d year of which [1294-5], William, son of John de Flegh, gave all his manor in the hundred of Folkestone, in Haueking and Evering, together with the church of Haueking, to the abbot and convent of St. Radigund; [fn. 1] at which time the mansion of this manor had acquired its present name of Fleghs-court. In which situation this manor continued till the dissolution of the abbey in the 27th year of king Henry VIII. when it came into the king's hands, who, two years afterwards, granted the scite of the abbey, with all its possessions, in exchange, to the archbishop Cranmer: and he, that year, authorised by an act, reexchanged it again with the king. Notwithstanding which, this manor, but whether by any particular exception in the last exchange, or by some future grant, I have not found, became again soon afterwards part of the possessions of the see of Canterbury, where it still continues, his grace the archbishop being now entitled to the inheritance of it, Mr. Kelsey, of this parish, is the present lessee of it.
!Source: THE HISTORY AND TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY OF THE COUNTY OF KENT., By EDWARD HASTED, Efq F. R. S. and S. A., M.DCC.XCIX., https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/The_history_and_topographical_survey_of_the_county_of_Kent_%28IA_b28772155_0008%29.pdf
The manor of Hawking, alias Fleggs-court,
by which latter name it is ufually called, was antiently
held of the barony of Folkeftone, or Averenches, by
knight’s fervice, and ward to Dover caftle, by a family
who took their furname from it ; one of whom, Of-
bert de Hawking, held it in manner as above-men-
tioned, in king Henry II.’s reign, of William de Al-
brincis. After they were extinct here, it came into the
pofleflion of the Fleghs, in which it continued till the
reign of king Edward I. in die 23d year of which,
William, fon of Johnde Flegh, gave all his manor in
the hundred of Folkeftone, in Haueking and Evering,
together with the church of Haueking, to the abbot
and convent of St. Radigund at which time the man-
fion of this manor had acquired its prefent name of
Fleghs-court….
!Source: Durobrivis, Chapter 9, Thirteenth-century baronies. https://www.durobrivis.net/survey/db-ke/09-baronies.pdf
In 1242, most of the knight’s fees in Kent were held from
the earl of Hereford. Directly or indirectly, all of them
were held from the countess of Eu, and by her from the
earl of Arundel.
-
Averenches
The barony centred on Folkestone has a relatively well-
recorded history, worked out in detail by Stapleton [1844].
In 1086 it belonged to Willelm de Arques [de Arcis]. With
Willelm’s daughter Emma it passed to Nigel de Muneville
[occ. 1095];20 with Nigel’s daughter Mathildis it passed
to Rualon de Averenches [occ. 1125–30], and then to Ru-
alon’s son, Willelm de Averenches [occ. 1142–76]. Willelm
stayed loyal to king Stephan,21 but seems to have had no
difficulty coming to terms with the new regime after 1154.
From him the barony passed to his descendants. The male
line ended with Willelm [d. 1236] – the son of Willelm de
Averenches [d. 1230] – who died before coming of age; and
the inheritance then went to his sister Mathildis, who was
the wife of Hamo de Crevequer [d. 1263].
-
Folkestone was one of the baronies which owed castleguard
at Dover. For each four-week spell, it was required to sup-
ply three knights. The load was shared among 21 knights,
organized in seven teams of three, working to a 28-week
rota. It is at least roughly true to say that 15 of these fees
were in Kent, six of them ‘beyond the Thames’.25
-
…, In 1242 the barony of Folkestone belonged to Hamo de
Crevequer.28 ….
!Source: https://websites.umich.edu/~bobwolfe/gen/mn/m32996x32997.htm
Notes for Hamo de Crevecoeur and Maud d'Avranches
1263 Hamo de Crevocoeur and his wife Maud de Averches both died by April 5. Their IPM states, [1]
563. Hamo de Creuequer alias de Creuker, de Crewker and Maud de Avereng' alias de Averenches, de Haverenges, sometime his wife.
Writ, 6 April, 47 Hen. III.
Robert de Creuker, son of Hamo de Creweker the younger, and nephew [nepos] of the said Hamo deceased, aged 24 and more, is his heir….
Writ, to the sheriff of Essex. 5 April, 47 Hen. III., concerning lands held by the said Hamo of the inheritance of the said Maud, sometime his wife.
The said Hamo, who married Maud, sister and heiress of William de Averenches, begat of her four daughters, viz.—Agnes married to John de Sandwyco, Iseult [Isolda, Isouda], who was married to Nicholas de Lenham and had one son, name John, now aged 12, Ellen alias Eleanor married to Bartholomew de Kyriul, alias Bertram de Criel, and Isabel married to Henry de Gaunt; and the said Agnes, John, Ellen and Isabel are heirs of the said Maud….
1271 A writ of partition for the heirs of Maud states, [2]
…,
Folkstone manor, with its hamlets, viz.—Walton, Newenton, Alcham, Achangre and Terlingham, which falls to the pourparty of Sir John de Sandwico and Sir Bertram de Crioll in right of Agnes and Eleanor, younger daughters and heirs of the said Maud [full extent given] including mills, wreck of sea, woods in the park of Herstling, and in Eeyndenn and Neweton, and customs called Mortonefar', Watelselver, Wodelode, &c. held with its appurtenances, advowsons and hundred, of the king in chief by knight's service, doing 20s. yearly to the king for the liberty of the hundred, and 15s. for the guard of Dover.
All the tenents ought to give a subsidy of 21l, 14s. 9d. for making the lord's eldest son a knight, and as much for marrying his eldest daughter.
18 knights' fees pertain to the manor, viz. —
[Saxthorpe [footnote: So given in the Calendar printed in 1806] ?] and Steyfeykeye, in co. Norfolk. 4 fees held by Sir William de Valenc'.
Londun, Ox . . , [Lid?]enn, Swynefeld and Walemer. 5 fees held by Sir Nicholas de Crioll.
Evering. 1 fee held by Roger de Evering.
Hougham [?]. 1 fee held by William le Fle . . .
Cereton held by Robert de Stothoue and his parceners.
Eynebrok. 1 fee held by Alfred de Eynebrok.
Swynefeld [?]. 1 fee held by John [?] . . . . . . . . .
Rullindonn. 1 fee held by Lambert de Langeh . . .[?].
Tankerton. 1 fee held by the brethren of Holmed. ¼ fee held by the abbot [?] of . . . .
Boneton. ½ fee held by John de Boneton.
. . . . . ½ fee held by John de P . . . . . .
Alcham. The advowson of the church is . . . . .
The nuns of Gines have . . . . . . [See No. 563.]
C. Hen. III. File 40. [7.]
Notes: Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem and Other Analogous Documents, Vol. I. Henry III.page 254. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.32044021014048&num=253&u=1&seq=5
!Source: THE ORIGINS OF WHITSTABLE. BY GORDON WARD, M.D., F.S.A. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/65df7835178a9d2b20f8d501/t/675809ee27500836f83ffe2f/1733822959562/archaeologia-cantiana_057-07_the_origins_of_whitstable.pdf
SUMMARY.
[1] That Whitstable originated on the waste ground separating the
three settlements of Seasalter, Harwich and Dodeham alias Northwood.
[2] That it was attracted to this spot by the salt trade, the herring port,
and the Canterbury road, and that somewhere near this road the
original white post or staple marked the junction of these three settle-
ments. [3] That it was originaUy part of the royal manor of Faversham.
[4] That Harwich was, or became, a part of the manor of Northwood,
which was formerly known as Dodeham [Doddanham], and is described
under this name in Domesday Book
!Note: Wiltshire Inquisition Post Mortem Records – Contextual Placement
These two records almost certainly refer to the same William Hawkins/Haukere. A Wiltshire Inquisition Post Mortem entry [1327–1377 series] names William le Haukere in an unresolved legal case, while a 1371 Surrey feoffment for the Manor of Catteshall lists William Hauker as one of three feoffees acting for William Beaufoy and his wife Agnes — the proven Northwood co-heir of that manor. The overlap in date range, location of activity, and use of the same surname form strongly suggests that William Hawkins was still operating under the de Northwood / Haukere identity in legal and manorial matters tied to the Gatton–Northwood inheritance network, reinforcing his place within the same extended family line rather than as a separate, unrelated surname. These names and dates align closely with John and William Hawkins, also recorded as de Hokeswod/Flegh, who were responsible for the 1294–1295 donation of the Manor of Hawkinge and Flegis Court to St. Radegund’s Abbey, who retained the adjacent Nash Court estate, which became the long-term seat of the Hawkins family in Kent.
!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7568830
C - Records created, acquired, and inherited by Chancery, and also of the Wardrobe, Royal Household, Exchequer and various commissions
Division within C - Records of the Chancery as central secretariat
C 143 - Chancery: Inquisitions Ad Quod Damnum, Henry III to Richard III
C 143/14 - Inquisitions taken as a result of applications to the Crown for licences to alienate land. Described at item level.
Catalogue description William de la Sale and Isabel his wife, Adam son of William de Langedon, and Philip,...
Reference: C 143/14/19
Description:
William de la Sale and Isabel his wife, Adam son of William de Langedon, and Philip, Richard, and Osbert his brothers, Thomas Blaunckespine, John son of Bartholomew de Dover, and Abraham, Robert, and Thomas, his brothers, Lettice daughter of William Colhop, and Felicia and Alice her sisters, Susan de Cumbe, Walter de Polton, Thomas Clement, and Robert le Beck to grant land in Hawkinge, Pising, River, Poulton, and Paddlesworth to the abbot and convent of St. Radegund's by Dover. Kent. 18 Edw I.
Date: 1289 Nov 20-1290 Nov 19
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record[s]
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description
Note: Lands surrounding the manor of Hawkinge being donated.
!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7568968
C - Records created, acquired, and inherited by Chancery, and also of the Wardrobe, Royal Household, Exchequer and various commissions
Division within C - Records of the Chancery as central secretariat
C 143 - Chancery: Inquisitions Ad Quod Damnum, Henry III to Richard III
C 143/18 - Inquisitions taken as a result of applications to the Crown for licences to alienate land. Described at item level.
Catalogue description Richard de Twerton, William son of John Gaderberme, Robert de Hugham, Susan de Cumbe,...
Reference: C 143/18/11
Description:
Richard de Twerton, William son of John Gaderberme, Robert de Hugham, Susan de Cumbe, Robert de Sottemere, Walter de Polton, William de la Sale, William de Burne, Thomas Saremunde, and Thomas Walter to grant land in Hawkinge, Satmar, Polton, and Alkham to the abbot and convent of St. Radigund's, Dover, retaining land. Kent. 20 Edw I.
Date: 1291 Nov 20-1292 Nov 19
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record[s]
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description
Note: Lands surrounding the manor of Hawkinge being donated.
!Source: Wiltshire Social & Institutional Records 1123-1968 https://www.findmypast.com/transcript?id=WILTS%2FSOCIAL%2F0006786&tab=this
First name[s] William Le
Notes Mentioned in a case. See page 195, 210.
Last name Haukere
Source 1327-1377 covered by transcription printed by The Index Library, Chadwick-Healey Ltd.
Year 1327-77
Archive reference TNA
Year as transcribed 1327-1377
Record set Wiltshire Social & Institutional Records 1123-1968
Record type Inquisition Post Mortem
Category Directories & Social History
Place -
Subcategory Social History
County Wiltshire
Collections from England, Great Britain
Country England
!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9691516
C - Records created, acquired, and inherited by Chancery, and also of the Wardrobe, Royal Household, Exchequer and various commissions
Division within C - Records of the Petty Bag Office
C 241 - Chancery: Certificates of Statute Merchant and Statute Staple
C 241/102 - Description available at other catalogue level
Catalogue description Debtor: John Boussh, and William Hawkin, of Lymington, merchants, of Hants [Christchurch...
Reference: C 241/102/159
Description:
Debtor: John Boussh, and William Hawkin, of Lymington, merchants, of Hants [Christchurch Hundred]
Creditor: Hugh Sampson, merchant of Hants.
Amount: £16, for merchandise bought from him.
Before whom: William Sampson, William le Horder; John le Barber, Clerk, at Southampton, in the presence of Roger Normaund, William the Launderer, John Casterel, and John le Taverner, burgesses of Southampton.
When taken: 26/07/1325
First term: 11/11/1325
Last term: 11/11/1325
Writ to: Sheriff of Hants
Sent by: William Sampson, William le Horder; Geoffrey Hogheles, Clerk at Southampton.
Endorsement: Suth't'. coram Iusticiariis de banco.
Date: 1325
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record[s]
Language: Latin
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description
Note: This Statute Merchant entry is attached to William Hawkins [b. c.1243]
as the only known adult William in the family at this date. Although he would
have been c. 80 years old and unlikely to travel personally for the 1325
debt acknowledgment, the record binds him as the merchant of record.
It is possible that the actual trade was handled by a younger family
member acting under his name or authority, but no independent William
of this generation is currently evidenced, so no new individual is created.
Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9107424
SC - Records of various departments, arranged artificially according to type, and formerly entitled Special Collections
SC 8 - Special Collections: Ancient Petitions
Subseries within SC 8 - PETITIONS TO THE KING; TO THE KING AND COUNCIL; TO THE COUNCIL; TO THE PARLIAMENT; AND THE LIKE.
SC 8/73 - 3601-3650. Individual petitions are described , dated, and are available at item level.
Catalogue description Petitioners: John Seelk. Name[s]: Seelk, John Addressees: King. Nature...
Order up to 10 items per basket, and up to 100 in a 30 day period.
Reference: SC 8/73/3650
Description:
Petitioners: John Seelk.
Name[s]: Seelk, John
Addressees: King.
Nature of request: Seelk requests that a remedy or some other solution is ordered for him as he and his wife were disseised and ejected from their free tenement in Bristol by Babbekary. They sued by writ at the common law against Babbekary, whereupon he and others procured a false indictment against him, and when he pursued his case he was imprisoned until he made a release to Babbekary. He was subsequently delivered before the justices for this false indictment.
Nature of endorsement: Concerning the release of his land made by force of imprisonment he should sue at the common law. And concerning the release that was put against him, he should aid himself by the response that he was in their prison at the making. And concerning the indictment, he should a writ of conspiracy.
Places mentioned: Bristol.
People mentioned: Henry Babbekary [Babcary]; Joan [Seelk], wife of the petitioner; >>> William le Haukere <<<; Gilbert Pokerel.
Note: The note on the guard dates this to? c. 1330 on the basis of an entry in the patent rolls for August 1330 [CPR 1327-30, p.571]. However, although this entry refers to Henry Babbekary, it does not relate to the petition in any obvious way. The petition contents suggest that this may be a complaint by an individual who had suffered under the Despenser regime, who took the opportunity of Edward II's fall to recover his losses. It may alternatively be a petition complaining of the excesses of the Isabella and Mortimer regime, which would make 1330 another possible date.
Date: [c. 1327-c. 1330]
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Former reference in its original department: Parliamentary Petition 7216
Legal status: Public Record[s]
Language: French
Note: This is near William’s deathdate. He was mentioned, not present.
!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9695655
C - Records created, acquired, and inherited by Chancery, and also of the Wardrobe, Royal Household, Exchequer and various commissions
Division within C - Records of the Petty Bag Office
C 241 - Chancery: Certificates of Statute Merchant and Statute Staple
C 241/112 - Description available at other catalogue level
Catalogue description Debtor: John Boussh, and William Hawkin, of Lymington, merchants, of Hants....
Reference: C 241/112/131
Description:
Debtor: John Boussh, and William Hawkin, of Lymington, merchants, of Hants. [Christchurch Hundred]
Creditor: Hugh Sampson, merchant, of Hants. [deceased].
Amount: £16, for certain merchandise bought from him.
Before whom: William Sampson, William le Horder, and John le Barber, Clerk, at Southampton, in the presence of Roger Normaund, William Loveratz, John Castrel, and John le Taverner, burgesses of Southampton.
When taken: 26/07/1325
First term: 11/11/1325
Last term: 11/11/1325
Writ to: Sheriff of Hants
Sent by: Robert de Stratfield; Robert de Staindrop, Clerk at Southampton.
Endorsement: Suth' coram Rege.
Note: Executors of Hugh: Constance, his wife, Thomas del Marche, and Thomas Sampson; Richard Cobbe, and Gregory le Taverner of Winchester, chaplains, and co-executors..
Date: 1340 Aug 14
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record[s]
Language: Latin
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description
!Note: Same as previous action but both Hugh Sampson and William Hawkins are deceased. Hugh’s unnamed heirs may not realize it or may be going after his estate. I would guess the reason this wasn’t resolved in the first place is that the parties were too old and feeble to complete the proceedings.
!Source: Shropshire Archives https://www.shropshirearchives.org.uk/collections/getrecord/CCA_X322_2_86
Power of attorney concerning land in Smethcote
Place: /Smethcott/Shropshire
Place: /Munslow/Shropshire
Place: Shropshire Archives
System Reference: X322/2/86
Document Reference: 322/2/86
Finding Aids: originally deed 86
Date: 28 Nov 1320
Level: Item
Description:
1 John son of Walter Hogekins of Acton Scott
2 Roger 'le Kingh' bailiff of 1 in Smethcote
1 appoints 2 his attorney for placing Walter son of Walter 'le Budel' of Longnor in full seisin of half of 1's heath called 'Froggepol' in Smethcote.
Given at Munselowe Wednesday on the morrow of Katherine the virgin 14 E II.
Endorsed, 'Littera attorn' per terr in Smethcote John Hocking to Roger le Knick, power of attorney 14 E 2'.
Held At: Shropshire Archives
Copyright: Shropshire Archives [Seals in Medieval Wales, Aberystwyth University and Bangor University 2009-2012]
Related People: Hogekins, John, 'Kingh', Roger the, 'Budel' [beadle], Walter,
Access Status: Readers Ticket
Creator Name: Hogekins, John
Creator Name: 'Kingh', Roger the
Creator Name: 'Budel' [beadle], Walter
Note: Walter/William not likely to actually be present. This record concerns John, son of Walter.
!Notes: ============================ End Hawkins Section ===============================
Note 2
!Notes: ============================ Hesketh Section ================================
!Notes: The name “Hesketh” appears to be another variant of Hoxwode / Hotchkiss / Hoskins / Hawkins, formed in the northern county of Lancashire, but using keth [kith] as the ending and “Hes”, a scribal variant of “Hos”. “Kith and kin" refers to one’s friends, acquaintances, and family members . "Kith" represents familiar friends or neighbors, while "kin" signifies blood relatives. The idiom, rooted in Middle English, denotes a person's entire close social circle, including both family and friends.
!Note: 1. The identification of two contemporaneous individuals named William Hesketh resolves discrepancies between the Visitation of Lancashire and the Victoria History of the County of Lancaster. One represents the established local line descending from Henry, while the other—described as landless and of unknown parentage—appears to have been a non-local figure who acquired Rufford through marriage to the Fitton heiress. This distinction supports the theory of separate yet later intertwined branches.
2. John was William’s grandson rather than son, as he was the son of Thomas, who held Rufford before him.
3. Adam was a son of Sir William, but a different Sir William.
Both of these last two identifications understandably confused our esteemed editor William Page.
!Note: The principal branches of the Hesketh family may be distinguished by their territorial designations. The senior line is styled “Hesketh of Hesketh,” reflecting its descent from the original lords of the manor. The cadet branch is styled “Hesketh of Rufford,” a designation consistently confirmed by visitations, inquisitions post mortem, and Duchy of Lancaster records. These locative identifiers provide a reliable basis for separating the two lines.
!Notes: William Hesketh = appears suddenly via marriage
This is the single most important line in the whole block:
“William Hesketh, whose parentage is unknown, was apparently a ‘landless man,’ the possessions… being acquired from his wife, Maud Fitton, or by purchase.”
He did not inherit status
He did not come from an established Hesketh line
He enters the record through marriage [1288–1289 window]
1288 → partition of the Fitton estate
1289 → William consolidates control
1310 → buys full lordship
Richard Fitton → daughters:
Maud [Matilda] → marries William Hesketh
Amabel/Anabil → marries Edmund de Lea
Earlier Heskeths:
1246: William son of Henry Hesketh
1292: William son of William Hesketh
1259–60: Richard Hesketh in Whittle
Stephen Hesketh [1301]
Adam Hesketh [pardoned 1299]
!Notes: Analysis of early Hesketh records:
Nicholas de Northwood 1200->1242 +v
I. John de Northwood, Hawkins 1225-1311 +v
_1. Sir William, de Northwood ~1243 - ~1327 +v
__b. Captain Thomas Hawkins, Hesketh of Newcastle ~1276 - >1349 +v+non-Hesketh
___i). Sir John Hesketh ~1300-? +v
____10. Sir William Hesketh of Rufford ~1330 +v
_____a). Thomas Hesketh, esq ~1358 ++more Hesketh continues
__d. Stephen Hawkins ~1280-1350 +v+non-Hesketh
___i). William Heskins of Becconsall and Hesketh ~1310 +v
____1). William Heskins of Bankfield, House, Curtilage ~ 1328 x
___ii). Stephen Hesketh ~1312 +v
____2). William Hesketh ~1333-<1394 +v
_____a). Agnes ne le Jew ~1355 +le Jew
_2. Hugh le Mon, de Northwood, Hoxwode, Hesketh ~1250 - ~1310 +non-Hesketh
__a. John Hesketh abt 1283-? x
II. Henry Hesketh ~1228-? +v
_1. William Hesketh <1250-? +v
__a. William Hesketh <1271-? x
__b. Sir John Hawkins, Hesketh of Warwickshire ~1274 - <1345 +v+non-Hesketh
___i). Sir William Hesketh ~1312 x
__c. Adam de Northwood Hesketh abt 1278-? +v
___i). Sir William Hesketh ~1326 x
___ii). John Hesketh ~1328-~1394 x
__d. Richard Hesketh ~1230-? +v
___i). Robert Hesketh ~1271-? x
Key:
+ means there are children.
v means Hesketh children are below.
x means no descendants.
+ non-Hesketh means children aren't Hesketh
+ more Hesketh continues, means this is the one line that continues.
+le Jew, means Agnes children are not Hesketh
Analysis:
1. Is I-1. or II-1. the actual Sir William married to Mawde Fitton?
a. I-1, is described as: “parentage unknown” and “landless man” prior to marriage. This would be the view from the locals in Lancashire.
Also, William Hawkins has a record of starting branches in other locations, including Hawkinge / Nash, sons in York, and selling his Hawkeswood land to his brother.
His wife was never mentioned elsewhere, and he was away from Kent enough that the Hawkins there couldn't find him, so Mawde would explain that.
Also the fact that 3 of the other Heskeths listed [I-1-a, b, c, & d] fit his known Hawkins sons perfectly adds to the evidence.
b. II-1. has local records of being son of Henry and father of William. Thus he should not be Sir William.
2. Hugh I-2 and his son John appear only once with John Hesketh being a sub-custos of Blackburn Hundred in 1323. That doesn't say Hugh was even in Lancashire, but only
that his son was placed there. This fits perfectly after Hugh had apparently died previously in about 1310, and apparently had Hesketh family there.
3. The short lines for II. Henry and III. Richard are documented, but nothing so far suggests they continue. One visitation chart seems to have alternated them as
ancestors of Sir William, husband of Maude, but that's not what the actual sources from the time say. Thus, I'd theorize that Henry and Richard went to Lancashire
and paved the way for William meeting Mawde, thus starting the Hesketh line, then faded from history. Maybe we'll find them later.
!Notes: We also had several major family network events showing up in the records of William’s descendants.
1. Marcella Thwenge [1330], who married Sir William Hesketh [1330], the 3rd-great grandson of this Sir William Hawkins / Hesketh, was the daughter of Agnes de Northwood [1310 - 1345], making Marcella and Sir William 5th cousins once removed and Marcella the 4-great-granddaughter of Sybil de Braose, de Baskerville.
2. Susan Powes [~1572, likely Powys/Powis] married Thomas Hesketh [1572-1613], making her husband the 11th-great-grandson of this Sir William Hawkins / Hesketh, and the 8th-great-grandson of Marcella Thwenge [1330, above]. The Powys family has been showing up in Hotchkiss marriages and family notes since at least their relationship with Frond Hotchkiss / verch Hoesgyn, mistress to Sir William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke MP [1423 - 1469] and mother to two of his sons, both of whom were later knighted. One of his daughters Anne Herbert married John Grey, 1st Baron Grey of Powis, 9th Lord of Powys.
3. Hodgkinson appeared several times in Hesketh Bank and with Heskeths, including the 1559, 1561, and 1628 events below.
4. The Hodgkinson cluster at Preston is located very near to Hesketh - 6.84 miles.
5. John son of Hugh Hesketh appeared in Lancashire in 1323, where both these two were likely actually Hotchkiss and William’s brother and nephew. Roger Hotchkiss actually appeared with them in another record.
6. Le Taillour presence in Hesketh / Heskin transactions. Also Le Taillour were the sons by the second marriage of William of Neenton. He later, at bout the same time as his father set him up with his lease of Neenton, acquired a manor at Hoghwyk for them, so they used both names.
7. Robert de Sankey in 1288 held Welch Whittle [near Hesketh] of William de Ferrers by a rent. He was half 2nd cousin once removed from Robert Hesketh [~1265 - >1332], whose service was associated with lands in Coppull.
8. William Le Person, Clerk, of Middulton [~1273 - ?], husband of Margaret of Baskerville, 2nd cousin twice removed, and his family seem to accompany Sir William Hawkins / Hesketh on his journeys and end up nearby in Lancashire.
9. Nicholas le Boteler is active in Lancashire from about 1331 to 1368, holding land beside Hesketh and supporting the group, including land transfers into their hands. This places the Wem interest directly next to the developing Hesketh network.
10. Adam Nowel granted a weekly market [to be held each Thursday] and a fair [to be held on St. Laurence's day, annually] for his manor of Netherton in Great Harwood, Lancashire, for his services in Scotland. Witnessed by, among others Henry de Ferrars [Ferrers], chamberlain and 3rd-great-grandson of Sybil de Braose, de Baskerville.
!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/09749e0f-5610-4238-a1f4-602aa34ac7ca
55 - Lancashire Archives
DDCL - Clifton of Lytham
Clifton-with-Salwick.
DDCL 1274 - 1275 - Turbary.
Catalogue description Deed of Licence : Henry of Halsall, esq. & Anne his wife, to John Greyves, John...
Reference: DDCL 1275
Description:
Deed of Licence : Henry of Halsall, esq. & Anne his wife, to John Greyves, John Shyrvyngton, senior, Robert Heskethe, Elizabeth Greyves, widow, Gilbert Wrench, James Shyrvington, Christopher Brewer, James Bretherton, Alis Brayson, widow, Alexander Grayson, John Grayson, John Fyld, Alexander Hogekynson, Henry Hogekynson, William Harryson, jun. & William Moreley, of Assheton, as DDCL 1274 - paying 5/3½ rent. Witn: as DDCL 1274.
Schedule of rents.
Date: 1 May 1559
Held by: Lancashire Archives, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
Notes: 5/3½ = 5 shillings and 3½ pence.
See Alexander Hodkinson 1530, and Henry Hodgkindon 1535.
Note: Network Event
!Source: Full text of "The Victoria history of the county of Lancaster;"
The Victoria history of the Counties of England, EDITED BY WILLIAM PAGE, F.S.A., A HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE, VOLUME VI, THE VICTORIA HISTORY
https://archive.org/stream/cu31924088434620/cu31924088434620_djvu.txt#:~:text=k%20[Standish]%2C%20211%20Emmott%20[Whalley]%2C%20525%20Euxton,[p]%20115%2C%20[m]%20115%20Thorp%20[Croston]%2C%20104.
—
Salt-making about 1560 led to disputes between
the lords of the manor and their tenants.®
Two recusants compounded in 1628.7
Hodkinson of Hesketh Bank paid £10 on refusing
Under the Commonwealth
William Jump and John his son, holding a house and
knighthood in 1631.8
Hesketh, Becconsall and Much Hoole;
Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 16, m.
173. In a later deed this is called the
‘manor’ of Becconsall; Towneley MS.
C 8 13, B 309.
Note: Hesketh/Hodgkinson interaction.
Note: Network Event
!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C21420507
DL - Records of the Duchy of Lancaster
Division within DL - Records of the Court of Duchy Chamber
DL 1 - Duchy of Lancaster: Court of Duchy Chamber: Pleadings
DL 1/45 - Duchy of Lancaster Pleadings, temp Elizabeth I: E1-H18. .
Catalogue description Folio: 80. Short title: Hesketh v Barnes. Plaintiff: Gabriel Hesketh. Defendant:...
Reference: DL 1/45/H18
Description:
Folio: 80.
Short title: Hesketh v Barnes.
Plaintiff: Gabriel Hesketh.
Defendant: George Barnes, George Jackeson, and Henry Hodgekynson.
Subject: a messuage, lands, and appurtenances.
Place name: Blackrod .
County: Lancashire.
Document type: bill.
Number of documents: 1.
Regnal year: 4 Eliz I.
Date: 1561-1562
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Not Public Record
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description
Note: See Henry Hodgkindon 1535.
Note: Network Event
!Source: Full text of "The Victoria history of the county of Lancaster;"
The Victoria history of the Counties of England, EDITED BY WILLIAM PAGE, F.S.A., A HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE, VOLUME VI, THE VICTORIA HISTORY
https://archive.org/stream/cu31924088434620/cu31924088434620_djvu.txt#:~:text=k%20[Standish]%2C%20211%20Emmott%20[Whalley]%2C%20525%20Euxton,[p]%20115%2C%20[m]%20115%20Thorp%20[Croston]%2C%20104.
[summary]
VII. 1. Hugh Hesketh father of John. <<<<
John Hesketh was a sub-custos of Blackburn Hundred in 1323.
Note: It appears that Hugh Hotchkiss’ son John went to Hesketh, probably to be set up with land there, after Hawkeswood passed to Roger. That doesn't say Hugh was even in Lancashire, but only that his son was placed there, near his uncle William Hawkins/Hesketh. This fits perfectly after Hugh had died previously in about 1310, and had Hesketh family there. By our theory Hugh was the brother of William “Walter” [Hotchkiss / Hawkins], de Northwood, de Hokeswod, de Flegh, Hogekins, Hesketh [~1243 - ~1327].
Note: Network Event
!Source: Full text of "The Victoria history of the county of Lancaster;"
The Victoria history of the Counties of England, EDITED BY WILLIAM PAGE, F.S.A., A HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE, VOLUME VI, THE VICTORIA HISTORY
https://archive.org/stream/cu31924088434620/cu31924088434620_djvu.txt#:~:text=k%20[Standish]%2C%20211%20Emmott%20[Whalley]%2C%20525%20Euxton,[p]%20115%2C%20[m]%20115%20Thorp%20[Croston]%2C%20104.
—
® Final Conc. ii, 49. The trustee or
agent in this settlement was John son of
Hugh de Hesketh.
—
7 John de Hesketh was a sub-custos of
Blackburn Hundred in 1323; Cal. Pat,
1321-4, p. 382. In 1330 the Abbot of
Chester admitted him, his wife and
children to association in the prayers and
good works of the abbey ; Towneley MS.
HE Edw. III, no. §.
Note: Network Event
!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/bd8727fe-2d2b-4f98-a602-b34a572ad171
55 - Lancashire Archives
DDHE - HESKETH of RUFFORD
DDHE 25 - LONGTON
Catalogue description Grant : Adam son of Simon of Heuh to Henry son of Adam of the Halle of Longeton -- all...
Reference: DDHE 25/18
Description:
Grant : Adam son of Simon of Heuh to Henry son of Adam of the Halle of Longeton -- all his property which Henry held of Simon my father in Longeton -- for life of Ameria of the Houh my mother. Paying 3/6 silver yearly. Witn: John of Farinton, Warin of Hoghwyk, Robert of Loxsum, Robert son of Roger of Longeton, William of Hoghwyk, Adam of the same and others. Given at Longeton in Feast of St. Nicholas Confessor, 32 Ed. I.
Date: [6 Dec. 1303.]
Held by: Lancashire Archives, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
Note: This appears to be Warin [Warren] de Neenton present with two of his children by his second wife, William [Walter] le Taillour and Adam le Taillour, before Warren the Neenton lease was well established. It would appear they had acquired a manor and named it Hoghwyk appears to be a Lancastershire attempt at Hawkswode.
Note: Network Event
!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/d9dfee85-a8d3-44ff-a2ac-c4b195fe5537
55 - Lancashire Archives
DDHE - HESKETH of RUFFORD
DDHE 26 - MAWDESLEY
Catalogue description Lease : Adam son of Matilda of Eccleston to John the Tailor of Maudesley -- a moiety of...
Reference: DDHE 26/3
Description:
Lease : Adam son of Matilda of Eccleston to John the Tailor of Maudesley -- a moiety of property held by Henry son of Bymme in Moudesley, held by right of Agnes my wife, daughter of the said Henry -- to hold for life for rent of rose annually and 9d. to the Lord John the Flemmyng, chief lord of the fee. Witn: Roger son of Hugh, Warin Banastre, John son of Adam, Richard his brother, John son of Hugh, John Germayn, Richard of Kyrkham, clerk, and others. Given at Moudesley, Sun. before St. Margaret Virgin, 17 EdII.
Date: [17 Jul. 1323.
Held by: Lancashire Archives, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
Note: This is likely a family transaction, which is why most of the surnames are left off. I would propose here that means most of the folks are “le Taillours” and others are followers from Shropshire, so:
1. John the Tailor, is John, the son of Adam, the son of Henry. He is repeated in the witness list just to identify Richard.
2. Matilda is the mother of Adam and wife of Henry.
3. Agnes is the wife of Adam, and her father is Henry son of Bymme of Maudesley.
4. Richard is the brother of John le Taillour.
5. and by special appearance, we’ve seen and identified John son of Hugh before as “Hotchkiss”, which would make Roger his brother the first actual recorded user of “Hotchkiss” as a surname.
6. Lord John the Flemmying, was previously known as Sir John Fleming [~1275].
7. The Banastres married into the Heskeths.
8. Richard of Kyrkham, clerk could either be a le Clerk related to William le Clerk, le Personnes, or the actual clerk recording this document.
9. That leaves us with only John Germayn not identified.
Note: Network Event
!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/a5260418-c2d3-484a-a270-cf80edd07aea
55 - Lancashire Archives
DDF - Farington of Worden, Leyland
DDF 443 - 469 - Eccleston.
Catalogue description Feoffment: Richard son and heir of Henry Croston deed to Henry Faryngton, esq., and...
Reference: DDF 448
Description:
Feoffment: Richard son and heir of Henry Croston deed to Henry Faryngton, esq., and William Walton, chaplain -- properties in Eccleston in Leylondshir late in the tenure of John Dycunson, also the reversion of H.C. and now in the tenure of Peter Bradshagh, Rector of Eccleston and John Bretherton; also 2 messuages in Hoghwike in the tenure of Thomas Talier and Ralph Qwenfelde -- Given at Hoghwyke.
Date: 4 Apr. 1517
Held by: Lancashire Archives, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
Note: Network Event
!Source: Full text of "The Victoria history of the county of Lancaster;"
The Victoria history of the Counties of England, EDITED BY WILLIAM PAGE, F.S.A., A HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE, VOLUME VI, THE VICTORIA HISTORY
https://archive.org/stream/cu31924088434620/cu31924088434620_djvu.txt#:~:text=k%20[Standish]%2C%20211%20Emmott%20[Whalley]%2C%20525%20Euxton,[p]%20115%2C%20[m]%20115%20Thorp%20[Croston]%2C%20104.
—
John de Brereworth
the elder, in right of his wife Margery, in
13583 claimed the sixth part of the <<<< Date = 1358.
manor, &c. , against
Ejmund de Greystock and Amice his
wife ; and 304 acres were held by Geoffrey
de Wrightington, John son of Robert de
Heskin, William de Tunstall, Richard
son of Robert de Wrightington, Henry
de Tunley, Henry Banastre and John son
of Adam the Tailor; Assize R. 438, m. g.
—
Note: Le Taillour appears repeatedly as the surname of 4 of the sons of William de Neenton and their descendants. Henry, shown as father of Adam, appeared in with descendants of Sir William Hawkins / Hesketh [1243 - ~1327].
Note: Network Event
!Source: Full text of "The Victoria history of the county of Lancaster;"
The Victoria history of the Counties of England, EDITED BY WILLIAM PAGE, F.S.A., A HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE, VOLUME VI, THE VICTORIA HISTORY
https://archive.org/stream/cu31924088434620/cu31924088434620_djvu.txt#:~:text=k%20[Standish]%2C%20211%20Emmott%20[Whalley]%2C%20525%20Euxton,[p]%20115%2C%20[m]%20115%20Thorp%20[Croston]%2C%20104.
—
9 Richard Taylor of Preston [1596]
held a messuage, &c., of Robert Hesketh
and Thomas Ashton as of their manor of
Longton ; and this descended to another
Richard Taylor, after whose death in
1631 a similar tenure was recorded ;
Duchy of Lanc. Ing. p.m. xvii, no, 25 3
xxvil, no. 63. See note 7 above.
Note: Le Taillour appears repeatedly again, but this is later and with the more modern Taylor, and hasn’t actually been connected to the Le Taillor line yet.
Note: Network Event
!Source: Full text of "The Victoria history of the county of Lancaster;"
The Victoria history of the Counties of England, EDITED BY WILLIAM PAGE, F.S.A., A HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE, VOLUME VI, THE VICTORIA HISTORY
https://archive.org/stream/cu31924088434620/cu31924088434620_djvu.txt#:~:text=k%20[Standish]%2C%20211%20Emmott%20[Whalley]%2C%20525%20Euxton,[p]%20115%2C%20[m]%20115%20Thorp%20[Croston]%2C%20104.
—
The charter of Robert son of Jordan
de Sankey, which may be dated about
1250, is preserved in Kuerden MSS. iii, <<<< Robert, son of Richard, son of Henry are associated with land in Whittle, I think the 1250 date is off & should be 1286, based on Robert de Lathon the younger serving as sheriff ~1286.
C 36d. He granted to Henry de Tor-
bock the whole manor of Whittle, with
all his wood of Fulwood, and the services
of John son of Felicia, Thomas de Pier-
point and Robert de Heskin, together
with lands in Coppull. The service to be
rendered was 1d., or a pair of white gloves
yearly. Robert de Lathom, ‘then sheriff,’ <<<< Robert de Lathom [c. 1240–1325, the younger], served as sheriff around 1286.
was the first witness.
—
Robert de Sankey in 1288 held Welch
Whittle of William de Ferrers by a rent <<<< William de Ferrers of Grosby ~1240 - 1287 is Half 2nd cousin once removed from Robert Hesketh / Heskin of Hesketh [~ 1265 - >1332].
of 7s, 8d. 3 Lancs. Ing. and Extents [Rec.
Soc. Lancs. and Ches.], i, 270.
—
Note: Network Event
!Note: Summary Boteler, Hesketh, and the Lancashire Re-Formation:
An early marriage between the Botelers of Wem and the de Ferrers line — through Ankaret le Boteler [1310–1361] and Thomas de Ferrers [1305–1353] —
shows an established partnership between those families and the wider Sybil-descended group.
By the early 14th century, the lines of Henry [de Baskerville] Hesketh of Hesketh [~1206 - ?] and Sir William Hawkins Hesketh [~1243 - ~1327] are
established in the Hesketh and Heskin area, along with the Clerk and Taillour lines, forming a working local network.
At the same time, the Lancashire Botelers are split between the Warrington barony, which ends c.1328, and the Wem barony, created 1308 and continuing
through William le Boteler [d. 1334], William [d. 1361], and William [d. 1369].
During the final phase of the Wem line, Nicholas le Boteler is active in Lancashire from about 1331 to 1368, holding land beside Hesketh and supporting
the group, including land transfers into their hands. This places the Wem interest directly next to the developing Hesketh network.
In 1369, the 3rd Baron of Wem dies and the line passes through Elizabeth, effectively ending the male baronial line. At the same time, Nicholas
disappears from the Lancashire record.
What follows is a short gap in authority for the Botelers. The local Hesketh-side group remains in place, but the Boteler structure is no longer unified.
The turning point comes in 1389, when Elizabeth Boteler of the Warrington line marries Richard Boteler of the Rawcliffe line under papal dispensation.
This reunites the two Lancashire branches into a single organized line.
After this, authority stabilizes. By the 1390s, Sir John Boteler of Rawcliffe appears as sheriff, marking the return of a functioning Lancashire leadership.
Note: Network Event
!Source: Sir Robert ‘the elder’ de Lathom, Lord of Latham MP ttps://www.geni.com/people/Sir-Robert-de-Lathom-Lord-of-Latham/6000000003200696622
Gender: Male
Birth: circa 1198
Ormskirk, Lathom, Lancashire, England
Death: September 01, 1286
Lancaster, Lancashire, England
Place of Burial: Chapelry of Lathom, Lathom, Lancashire, England, UK
Note: Sir Robert de Lathom I ["The Elder"] served formally as High Sheriff of Lancashire from 1249–1254 and 1264–1265. In 1250, he acted as Custos [Keeper] of the Castle and County of Lancaster, a role frequently cited as "sheriff" in contemporary documents such as the Kuerden MSS. Information regarding the Lathom genealogy can be reviewed on Geni.com. His son, also named Robert de Lathom [c. 1240–1325], served as sheriff later, specifically around 1286.
!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/57d17148-a82e-41ae-87ec-ea863d50ca2c
55 - Lancashire Archives
DDHE - HESKETH of RUFFORD
DDHE 18 - GREAT HARWOOD
Catalogue description Quitclaim : William son of Richard son of Margery of Harewode, to William of Heskaithe...
Reference: DDHE 18/7
Description:
Quitclaim : William son of Richard son of Margery of Harewode, to William of Heskaithe and Matilda his wife -- all properties in Great Harewode, called the Lepessagh -- Witn: Robert of Heppale, now steward, Henry of Blakes, John his son, Roger Nohel, Simon his brother, Robert of Holdene, William the Clerk, Adam of Aspdene, Gilbert of Riston, Richard of the same. Given at Harwode, St. James' Day, 22 Ed. I.
Date: [25 Jul. 1294.]
Held by: Lancashire Archives, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
Note: It is important to note that Sir William would not be traveling around the country on his own. It is very likely he was accompanied by support from his original Shropshire family. It is likely that William the Clerk here is William Le Person, Clerk, of Middulton [~1273 - ?], husband of Margaret of Baskerville, 2nd cousin twice removed. In later sources, his son Robert seems to keep the related forms: Perpant, Perpont, Perpunt.
Note: Network Event
!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/59b6c8b0-5355-4500-84fd-0a190d665d0f
55 - Lancashire Archives
DDHE - HESKETH of RUFFORD
DDHE 25 - LONGTON
Catalogue description Grant : Adam son of Henry of Longeton to Robert son of William son of Thomas the Clerk,...
Reference: DDHE 25/32
Description:
Grant : Adam son of Henry of Longeton to Robert son of William son of Thomas the Clerk, senior, of Longeton -- 7ac. in Longeton had from Nicholas the Botiller, viz. 1 toft and building, containing 2ac. and 1ac. in the Caliardstade, and 4ac. in Osbernescrofte with 1 head abutting towards Waldemyr on the south and towards Apaldsick on the north; also 1 place of meadow land had from Henry Pluket -- with remainder to John brother of Robert, then to William their brother. Witn: Sir Robert, lord of Shirburne, William of Farington, Adam Banastre of the Bonk, William of Hoghwik, Adam the Clerk of Penwortham and others. Given at Longeton, Mon. in Feast of Nativity of St. John Baptist, 5 Ed. III.
Date: [24 Jun. 1331.]
Held by: Lancashire Archives, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
Note: Nicholas the Botiller may be a member of the Botterell family from Shropshire. There is little use of the Botiller form in England in the 1300’s, nor is there any recorded Botterell family presence in Lancashire until the 1800’s, suggesting he was not a local man. The Botterell family were established in the Northwood area, within the same general network as the Baskervilles and Ysolda’s descendants. What may be happening here is that the Botterell family from Aston Botterell, whom the “le Clerks” likely served, appears as the earlier source of this land, and may have intentionally provided or transferred it into their hands. The rarity and distribution of the Botterell/Boterel forms, which likely derive from “butler”, along with their association with specific landed contexts such as Aston Botterell, indicate that the name functions as a family identifier rather than a general occupational label. The appearance of “Nicholas the Botiller” in the Longton record, in the absence of any local Lancashire presence of the name, suggests an origin outside the county and raises the likelihood of connection to the Shropshire Botterell lineage, though the record itself does not explicitly state this.
Note: Network Event
!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/dfe7fb5e-521b-4851-9228-324b23f1385b
55 - Lancashire Archives
DDHE - HESKETH of RUFFORD
DDHE 75 - GREAT HARWOOD - GENERAL.
Catalogue description Charter: -- granting to Adam Nowel, for his services in Scotland, a weekly market and a fair for his manor of Netherton in Great Harwood. Witn: J. Archbishop of Canterbury; R. Bishop of Chichester and Chancellor; Henry, Earl of Derby; John de Veer, Earl of Oxford, Thomas de Wake, Henry de Ferrars, chamberlain.
Given at Walton. 26 June. 12 Ed.III.
Date: 26 June.[1338]
Held by: Lancashire Archives, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
Physical condition: Seal - damaged
Note: Network Event
!Source: Hesketh Bank https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesketh_Bank
1. Hesketh Bank is a village in the West Lancashire district of Lancashire, England, 7 miles [11 km] north-east of Southport and 7 miles [11 km] south-west of Preston. The village is within the civil parish of Hesketh-with-Becconsall, which includes the village of Becconsall immediately to the south and which borders the Ribble Estuary to the north. The parish had a population of 4,187 at the 2021 census.[1] Hesketh Bank, Becconsall, and the village of Tarleton to the south form a single built-up area with a population of 8,755.[2]
Toponymy
2. Hesketh was first recorded in 1288 as Heschath.[3] The name is derived either from Old Norse hest shei meaning "race course",[3][4] or from a plural of the Welsh hesg, meaning "sedges".[4]
History
3. The village of Hesketh is known to have existed in the 13th century.[5] Hesketh Bank had a substantial brick-making industry using the local boulder clay, bricks being transported by the West Lancashire Railway which opened in 1878.[6]
4. Due to its geographical location, close to the cities of Preston and Liverpool, the village suffered during the Second World War. Stray bombs hit the old church in 1943, and landed along Becconsall Lane, causing extensive damage to the housing there.
!Source: Full text of "The Victoria history of the county of Lancaster;"
The Victoria history of the Counties of England, EDITED BY WILLIAM PAGE, F.S.A., A HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE, VOLUME VI, THE VICTORIA HISTORY
https://archive.org/stream/cu31924088434620/cu31924088434620_djvu.txt#:~:text=k%20[Standish]%2C%20211%20Emmott%20[Whalley]%2C%20525%20Euxton,[p]%20115%2C%20[m]%20115%20Thorp%20[Croston]%2C%20104.
—
about 1150-60 gave to St. Werburgh’s
Abbey, Chester, one plough-land in RUFFORD in
alms, which the abbot was holding in 1212.°
Somewhat later one Richard Fitton® held it of the
abbot by a rent of 5s, and gave a moiety to his
daughter Maud, who married William de Hesketh.’
‘The other moiety went to another deughter, Anabil
or Amabel, who marricd Edmund de Lea, and in
1285 the two daughters and their husbands were in
posession.’ “The grant to Richard Fitton may have
been for life or a term of years, for in 1292 the
Abbot of St. Werburgh’s claimed Ruftord, described
now as 4 oxgangs of land,” and in the following
year made a fresh agreement with William and Maud
de Hesteth and Edmund and Anabil de Lea, by
which the annual service was raised to 40s.,’° at
which it continued down to the Dissolution." This
—
[Regarding Longton: 1206 = first mention. ]
LEYLAND HUNDRED
More than a third was granted out in alms to the
Hospitallers and to Evesham Abbey, and some part of
the remainder may have been held in demesne or given
in small parcels, but most was included in the grant
of two plough-lands and 2 oxgangs in Longton and
Leyland made to Robert Bussel by Roger de Lacy
about 1206,' and the part of this gift lying within
Leyland constituted what was afterwards called the
manor of LEYLAND. It was held by knights’ service.
,,,
Robert Busse] was the tenant in 1212 and in 1242,> but soon afterwards his estates seem to have,..., been divided among co-heirs.
,,,
[Then probably 4 totally different long stories for …each of the 4 parts, then:]
.,,,
This was probably an imperfect account, and nearly a century later Longton was found to be held in four equal portions, 8 oxgangs of land each being held by the abbey of Evesham or priory of Penwortham, Peter and Gilbert de Risley, William de Hesketh and Maud _ his wife, and Reyner le Fleming, by the law of England, as William de la Mare in exchange for Tottington.’ This manor descended in exactly the same way as Croston, one moiety to Lea, Ashton and Trafford in succession,* and the other to Fleming and Hesketh.‘ The inferior manor, as already stated, was in 1306 stated to be held equally by four lords.
—
> Assize R. 1271, m.12. This is a
complaint that Robert de Lathom and
others had disseised them of their tene-
ment in Rufford. It was argued that
Edmund could have nothing in Anabil's
tenement until he had had offspring by
her ; it was also alleged that the disputed
land was in Lathom and not in Rufford,
—
* Ibid. 408, m. 56, 72. Against
Wiiiam de Hesketh and Maud his wife
the abbot claimed 2 oxgangs of land, 6
acres of meadow, &c., and 6s. rent in
Rufford by Croston 3 and against Edmund
de Lea and Anabil his wife a similar
tenement, the rent being excepted. He
alleged that Hugh, formerly abbot, was in
seisin in right of his church in the time
of Richard I. The wood and marsh
were held in common,
1 Final Conc. , ii, 67,
!Source: The National Archives Catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/e6b8f30a-4ac6-4a64-be93-55052948a044
55 - Lancashire Archives
DDHE - HESKETH of RUFFORD
DDHE 18 - GREAT HARWOOD
Reference: DDHE 18/2
Description:
Grant : Edmund of Leye and Anabilia his wife, to William of Heskayth and Matilda his wife -- their part of the manor of Great Harewode in Blakeburnesire, and all their part of the dower of Margaret widow of William Fiton -- paying 47/6 yearly to E. and A. for life. If W. and M. have no issue, the property to remain to heirs of M. and A. Witn: Sir Robert Banastre, Sir Robert of Holand, Sir John of Byron, William of Lee, Gilbert of Haydok, Matthew his son, Richard of Bradeshauwe, Henry of Clayton, William of Alvetham, Adam of Blakeburne, Alexander of Keuerdale, Adam of Osbaldeston, William of Balderston, William Brocholes, William of Athirton, John of Reved. Seal.
Date: n.d.
Held by: Lancashire Archives, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/4fa34bab-dcd3-42cd-94b3-0d6aafebd5d6
RYCH - RYLANDS CHARTERS
RYCH/1263-1942 - A number were in small boxes with labels written in the seventeenth and eighteenth century, and it was decided not to disperse and rearrange these,...
MOLLINGTON, etc.
RYCH/1311-1327 - A box, with a label Mollington Banester. F1, contains the following deeds :
Catalogue description Powers of attorney from Robert Banastre to William de Heskayt to deliver seisin to William de Lee
Reference: RYCH/1312
Title: Powers of attorney from Robert Banastre to William de Heskayt to deliver seisin to William de Lee
Date: Aug. 4, 1284
Held by: Manchester University: University of Manchester Library, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
Physical condition: Seal, worn.
!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/57d17148-a82e-41ae-87ec-ea863d50ca2c
55 - Lancashire Archives
DDHE - HESKETH of RUFFORD
DDHE 18 - GREAT HARWOOD
Catalogue description Quitclaim : William son of Richard son of Margery of Harewode, to William of Heskaithe...
Reference: DDHE 18/7
Description:
Quitclaim : William son of Richard son of Margery of Harewode, to William of Heskaithe and Matilda his wife -- all properties in Great Harewode, called the Lepessagh -- Witn: Robert of Heppale, now steward, Henry of Blakes, John his son, Roger Nohel, Simon his brother, Robert of Holdene, William the Clerk, Adam of Aspdene, Gilbert of Riston, Richard of the same. Given at Harwode, St. James' Day, 22 Ed. I.
Date:
Held by: Lancashire Archives, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
Note: It is important to note that Sir William would not be traveling around the country on his own. It is very likely he was accompanied by support from his original Shropshire family. I can’t say that William the Clerk here is William Le Person, Clerk, of Middulton [~1273 - ?], husband of Margaret of Baskerville, 2nd cousin twice removed, but it is possible.
!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/835d0523-73b7-42df-88b9-656ea5d84e0c
55 - Lancashire Archives
DDHE - HESKETH of RUFFORD
DDHE 18 - GREAT HARWOOD
Catalogue description Quitclaim : Diana widow of Richard son of Margery of Harewode to William of Hescaithe...
Reference: DDHE 18/8
Description:
Quitclaim : Diana widow of Richard son of Margery of Harewode to William of Hescaithe and Matilda his wife -- as DDHE 18/7 -- Witn: Sir Adam of Hudelston, Henry of Blaker, John his son, William of Alveton, John of Shuttesworthe, Thomas of the Grene, John of Revid, Adam of Smereshalgh. Given at Harewod, St. James Day, 22 Ed. I.
Date:
Held by: Lancashire Archives, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C18681582
DL - Records of the Duchy of Lancaster
Division within DL - Records of the Chancellor and Council of the Duchy of Lancaster
DL 42 - Duchy of Lancaster: Cartularies, Enrolments, Surveys and other Miscellaneous Books
Subseries within DL 42 - COWCHERS AND CARTULARIES
DL 42/1 - Great cowcher or carte regum, I. Register of evidences of title for the Duchy of Lancaster and its constituent parts, including the earldoms of...
Catalogue description Folios: 43v-44. County of Chester. Grant. First party: Henry de Lascy [Lacy], earl of...
Reference: DL 42/1/3/14
Description:
Folios: 43v-44. County of Chester. Grant.
First party: Henry de Lascy [Lacy], earl of Lincoln and constable of Chester.
Second party: Robert de Leyburn, his groom.
Place or subject: £10 of land and rent with the appurtenances in the manor of Congelton [Congleton].
County: [Cheshire].
Additional people: William de Heskehey, steward of Cheshire. Witnesses: Sir William le Vavasour. Sir Robert de Hertford. Sir William de Stopham. Sir John Springe. Sir Robert de Shirlaunde, knights. Sir William de Nony [Nunney]. Thomas de Fishburn.
Dated at Conwyk near to Excestre.
5 Dec 24 Edw I.
Date: 1295 Dec 5
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Not Public Record
Language: French
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description
Note: Baron Robert FitzPaen [~1257 - ~1315] 2nd cousin of Sir William Hawkins/Hesketh [~1243 - < 1327] was with the King in the Army of Wales in 1282; at the battle of Falkirk, 22 July 1298, and being at the siege of Carlaverock in July 1300. He was Marshal of the King’s Army citra mare Scocie in 1303 and again in Scotland 1306, 1307 - 1314 Constable of Winchester Castle and 1307 - 1310 Steward of the King's Household. This explains their presence in support roles on the route from Wales to Scotland. Actually, his repeated presence with William, even in Kent and Shropshire, help explain much more.
!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/1a884916-fc30-47b8-a9c9-c039b572a755
55 - Lancashire Archives
DDN - NATIONAL TRUST DEEDS
DDN 1 - Description available at other catalogue level
Catalogue description Grant: John son of Edmund Fyton to William of Heskayth -- land in Magna Harewode which...
Reference: DDN 1/19
Description:
Grant: John son of Edmund Fyton to William of Heskayth -- land in Magna Harewode which Edmund gave to Richard Fyton his kinsman -- Witn: Sir Adam of Hudleston, Sir Adam of Waleton, Hugh of Clydirhow, Roger his son, Simon of Alvetham, Henry of Sutteleswrth, Henry of Boulton, Robert of Ryston, Gilbert his son, Richard of Ryston, Henry his son.
Seal.
Date: 22 Jun. 1310
Held by: Lancashire Archives, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/a3aff62c-a138-4af3-a63d-0d444d42357e
55 - Lancashire Archives
DDHE - HESKETH of RUFFORD
DDHE 18 - GREAT HARWOOD
Catalogue description Acquittance : for £23 : John son of Edmund Fiton, from William Heskeyth -- quitclaiming...
Reference: DDHE 18/10
Description:
Acquittance : for £23 : John son of Edmund Fiton, from William Heskeyth -- quitclaiming 30/- annual rent from Great Harewode. Given at Mamcester, Wed. after SS. Peter and Paul, 3 Ed. II.
Date:
Held by: Lancashire Archives, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/f9c8f182-3aba-4818-a1ab-8f68ba7650bb
55 - Lancashire Archives
DDN - NATIONAL TRUST DEEDS
DDN 1 - Description available at other catalogue level
Catalogue description Quitclaim: John Fyton to William of Heskayth & John his son -- 20 shillings rent from...
Reference: DDN 1/20
Description:
Quitclaim: John Fyton to William of Heskayth & John his son -- 20 shillings rent from property in Magna Harewod -- Witn: Thomas of Osebaldeston, Robert of Assheton, John of Lancaster, Richard of Morlegh, Thomas of Thornton, Gilbert of Bullinge.
Date: 14 Jun. 1311
Held by: Lancashire Archives, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
!Source: The National Archives' catalogue https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/5885c097-4407-4fe4-bc97-970501f17bec
55 - Lancashire Archives
DDN - NATIONAL TRUST DEEDS
DDN 1 - Description available at other catalogue level
Catalogue description Agreement: John of Heskayth & Adam Nowel -- tenements in Great Harrewod, the...
Reference: DDN 1/22
Description:
Agreement: John of Heskayth & Adam Nowel -- tenements in Great Harrewod, the Nethirtonndene to the Dic, with part of Nethirtonn, a third of a third of the Great Heye on Caldre, & the land of Dobbe Emmeson which Roger Nowel gave to William of Heskayth; also approvement of the common waste of Great Harrewod towards Cundecliffe to the value of 9d per year -- these being a third of the lands of William Fytonn which after his death were divided between his daughters & their husbands, William of Heskayth & Maude his wife, Edmund of Legh & Anabella his wife, & Roger Nowel & Elizabeth his wife. Witn: Sir Richard of Radecliff, parson of Bury, Adam of Radeclyffe, John his brother, John of Dynelaye, Adam of the Clogh, John of Blakeburn, John of Cliderhou.
Given at Markedholme.
Date: Aug. 1324
Held by: Lancashire Archives, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
!Source: Visitation of Lancashire by Richard St. George, 1613, page 128. https://johnhoughton.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/1613_visitation.pdf
Heskayth.
[Harl. MS. 1437, fo. 124 b, 125.].
Arms. — The first twelve quarterings of the shield described at fo. 110.
Entered.
Richard Heskayth. Richard de Stafford.
= =
| |
William de Heskaith = Annabell, dau. and
| heir of Rich:
___________|
|
Robert Heskaith. = ….. Richard, de Totleworth, = Isabell, dau. and coheir
| in right of his wife. | of Rich: Lo: of
| | Totleworth.
_________| ________________________________|
| |
William Hesketh = Elbora, dau. and sole heire
| of Rich: and Isabell.
|
>>>>>
>>>>> Note: The [above] earlier part of this visitation chart [before Sir William & Maude] appears to have been based on actual names of earlier Hesekth records,
>>>>> but without any knownledge of how they were actually related. Also the wives in that portion don’t appear to have been real.
>>>>>
| Rich: Fitton, = ….
| lord of |
| Great Har- |
| wood and |
| Martholme. |
________________|_________________ ___________________ |_______________________
| | | | | |
John Adam de Sir William Heskayth, = Mawde, dau. and Elyza., dau. and Anabyll, dau. and <<<< Sir William
Heskaith. Heskaith. knt., lo. of Heskayth | co heire of coheire, wife to coh: wife to
and Betonsaw, | Rich: Fytton. Roger Nowell, Edmond Leghe,
4 Ed. 1.[1275/6] | Lo. of Read. Lo: of Croston.
|__________________
|
Thomas de Heskayth. = Alice, dau. of ...
Come chose soit a totez gentz per ceste En- | Warren de Byspham,
denture qe de debatez qe furent Entre John de ___________| Lo. of Byspham.
Heskaith et Adam Nowell des tentz en graunt |
Harwod qe furent apres Ie Mort William Fitton Sir John de Heskaith, = Alice, sole dau. and
de sou heritage despartez entre sez treiz soeures knt. | heire to Edm: Fytton
et heires et lour barons, et cestasavoir Entre ___________| Lo. of halfe Rufford.
William de Heskaith et maude sa femme, Ed- |
mond de Legh et Amabilia sa femme, Roger Sir William de Heskayth, = Marcella, dau. and
Nowell, et Elizabeth sa femme. Lan du raigne knt., anno 29 Ed. 3. | coheire of Thwenge
le roy fitz au tres noble roy Edward disim et [1355/6] | of Kendall,
vint'. ______________| co. Westmerland.
|
Seal of Arms,-a wheatsheaf- Thomas Heskalth, = Margaret, dau. and
Signed, SIGILLVM : IOHANNIS : HESKETH: esq. | coheire of Tho:
| Banester, Baron of
__________________________________________________| Newton.
|
Nicholas Heskayth, = Margaret, dau. and coheire of . . .
esq. | Mynshull, obiit at Rufford, 5 H. 5·
[page 129] |
Sir Thomas Heskaith, = Sibill, dau. and coheire of Sir
knt., obiit 38 H. 6. | Robert Lawrance, knt., 5 H. 5.
_______________|
|
Tho : Heskaith, = Margaret, dau. to
Esq., Lo. of | Hamon Massy
Heskaith. | of Rixton.
____________|
|
Robert Heskaith, = Alice, dau. of Sir Robert Booth knt
Lo. of Heskaith, | lo: of Dunham Massye; after her hus-
obilt. 1490. _| band's death she professed chastitye.
|
Grace, dau. of = Thomas Heskaith, = Elyza., dau. and Drawing of a seal of arms, viz.-
Jo : Townley esq., obiit 1523. | sole heir of a fess engrailed between 3 fla-
of Townley. | William Fleminge, mingos [?J heads erased, ---;
| Baron of Wath, and helmet and mantling surmounted
______| lo. of Croston. by a flamingo's [?J head couped,
| wings erect, for crest.
Sir Robert Heskaith, = Grace, dau. of
knt. | Sir John Townley
| of Townley, knt.
_________________________________|___________________________
| | |
Sir Thomas Heskaith = Alice, dau. of Elynor, wife to Jane
knt. Lo. of Rufford, | Sir John Holcrofte Robert Barton
High Shenff of Lanc., | of Holcrofte, knt. of Barton Row.
anno 5 of Q. Elizab: |
obiit 1587. |_______________
|
Blanche, dau. and = Robert Heskaith, = Marye, dau. of
coheire of Hen: esg., lo. of Hes- | Sir George Stanley, knt.,
Twyford of Ken- kaith, Rufford, | Marshall in Ireland
wick, co. Salop, Holmes and | sister and heire to '
2 Wife, s.p. Holmewood Mart- | Hen: Stanlye, esq.,
holme, Great Har- | of the Croshall,
wood, Hougwick | 1 wife.
and Beconsawe, |
now living, 1613. |
_____________________________________________________________|_______________________
| ||| | | ||
John, Robert, 2. Thomas Heskaith, = Susan, dau. of Holcrofte, I dau., Jane, wife to
mar. the Henry, 3. sonne and heire, Th . .. Powes, wife to Lawrans William Reynalds.
dau. of… George, 4. ætat. 41 annor. co. Salop. Royston, after to
Haydock. 1613. Roger Dodsworth, Mary, wife to Rich:
= Chancelor of Barton, and after to
| York. Thomas Stanley,
Robert. and hath issue by
both
Note 3
============================= OVERVIEW ===========================
!Source: Full text of "The Victoria history of the county of Lancaster;"
The Victoria history of the Counties of England, EDITED BY WILLIAM PAGE, F.S.A., A HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE, VOLUME VI, THE VICTORIA HISTORY
https://archive.org/stream/cu31924088434620/cu31924088434620_djvu.txt#:~:text=k%20[Standish]%2C%20211%20Emmott%20[Whalley]%2C%20525%20Euxton,[p]%20115%2C%20[m]%20115%20Thorp%20[Croston]%2C%20104.
[Summary of 1200 and 1300’s Hesketh]
I. 1. William Hesketh [fl. 1288–1318].
Married Maud [Matilda] Fitton.
He had two sons, John, who succeeded, and Adam.
First appearance tied to 1288–1289 Fitton inheritance.
Acquired: Rufford, Great Harwood, Tottleworth.
Described as: “parentage unknown” and “landless man” prior to marriage.
Built status through: Marriage, Purchase, Founder of the main line.
—
II. 1. Richard Hesketh
1259–60: Appears in a release of land in Whittle with wife Amiria as
party to a transaction involving William Ball and wife.
Richard Hesketh, father of Robert, with land in 1292. [probably same as above].
Richard -> Robert.
—
II. 2. Robert son of Richard Hesketh [1292].
Receives land confirmation from Henry de Pool.
Land located in Hesketh township adjacent to William son of William.
Richard -> Robert.
—
III. 1. Henry Hesketh father of William with land in Beconsaw in 1246.
Henry -> William -> William.
—
III. 2. William Hesketh son of Henry Hesketh with land in Beconsaw in 1246.
Henry -> William -> William.
—
III. 3. William son of William Hesketh with land in Beconsaw in 1292.
Holds land adjoining holding of Richard.
Henry -> William -> William.
—
IV. 1. Stephen Hesketh [1301].
Recorded in Lancashire surveys.
Earliest clearly placed active figure in working window.
Later: Father of William [1349].
Confirms: Stephen -> William -> William succession.
—
IV. 2. William son of Stephen Hesketh [<1349].
Grants lands in Becconsall and Hesketh.
Active landholder.
Confirms: Stephen -> William -> William succession.
—
IV. 3. William son of William Hesketh [1349].
Confirms land grants [Bankfield, house, curtilage].
Confirms: Stephen -> William -> William succession.
—
V. 1. Adam Hesketh [1299, 1332].
1299: Pardoned for accidental killing.
1318: Adam Hesketh released his interest to his father.
1332: Pays subsidy [taxpayer].
1339: Named in Dods.
Married Maud [sister of John le Fleming].
Son of William.
Brother of John.
—
V. 2. William son of Adam Hesketh.
Mentioned as landholder in Rufford in 1342.
—
VI. 1. Sir John Hesketh [son of William] Inherits Rufford, later knighted.
1323: Settles manor and remainder to children.
1331: The Wallbanks released their estate to Sir John Hesketh.
—
VI. 2. Alice widow of Sir John Hesketh and
Sir William Hesketh [their son] granted land to ,…, in 1345.
—
VI. 3. Sir William Hesketh [next generation].
Son of Sir John, Knight.
Active in: legal disputes, military obligations [Gascony service].
The son of Adam de Mawdesley in 1342 released to Sir William Hesketh all his
lands in Mawdesley in the vill of Croston.
—
VI. 4. Thomas son of Sir William Hesketh, kt., was living in 1377 and 1385.
Had the bishop’s licence for an oratory at Martholme in 1387.
—
VI. 5. Nicholas son of Thomas Hesketh.
1380: Involved in legal complaint [maiming case].
—
VII. 1. Hugh Hesketh father of John.
—
VII. 2. John son of Hugh Hesketh.
John Hesketh was a sub-custos of Blackburn Hundred in 1323.
!Source: Full text of "The Victoria history of the county of Lancaster;"
The Victoria history of the Counties of England, EDITED BY WILLIAM PAGE, F.S.A., A HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE, VOLUME VI, THE VICTORIA HISTORY
https://archive.org/stream/cu31924088434620/cu31924088434620_djvu.txt#:~:text=k%20[Standish]%2C%20211%20Emmott%20[Whalley]%2C%20525%20Euxton,[p]%20115%2C%20[m]%20115%20Thorp%20[Croston]%2C%20104.
[Collected enties from the 12 and 1300’s]
—
Ku0erden
MSS. iii, W 22. Richard le Boteler in
1259-60 released to William Ball and
Eve [?Emma] his wife and to Richard
de Hesketh and Amiria his wife their
tenement in Whittle, &c.https://archive.org/stream/cu31924088434620/cu31924088434620_djvu.txt#:~:text=k%20[Standish]%2C%20211%20Emmott%20[Whalley]%2C%20525%20Euxton,[p]%20115%2C%20[m]%20115%20Thorp%20[Croston]%2C%20104.
—
Adam de Hesketh in 1307 demised land
in Longton to Alan del Karr and Joan
his wife ; B.M. Add. Chart. 26033.
—
William de Hesketh, whose
parentage is unknown,® was
apparently a ‘land‘ess man,’
the possessions of the family
in Rufford, Great Harwood
and Tottleworth being ac-
quired from his wife, Maud
Fitton,‘ or by purchase. He
had two sons, the above-named <<<< This statement does not agree with other records, such as the visitation, which lists a son Thomas, then grandson John, likely this one.
John, who succeeded, and
Adam.® The former, in 1323, made a settlement
of the manor of Rafford and two-thirds of the
manor of Harwood, the remainders being to his
children—William, Alice, Katherine and Margaret.°
He is described later as Sir John de Hesketh,’
and was succeeded by his son William, also a
knight.$
—
In 1339 Sir William obtained the king’s charter
for a weekly market and annual fair at Rufford ; free
warren also was allowed.? He fought at Crecy in
1346, and for his services in France was exempted
from serving on juries, &c.'? He was knight
of the shire in 1360, and was soon afterwards
followed by a son or grandson Thomas,” and he
by a son Nicholas, from which time the descent
of the manor is clear. Nicholas died in 1416 hold-
ing Rufford of the Abbot and convent of Chester
in socage by a rent of 4os., also the manor of
Harwood and a messuage in Rishton. His son and
heir Thomas was ten years old."
Thomas Hesketh ° died in 1458 holding the same
estate and leaving as heir a son Robert, thirty-one
of the receipt of this rent. See also
Ormerod, Ches. [ed. Helsby], i, 275, 284.
—
1360 also Richard de Hale of Bowdon
and Alice his wife released to Sir William
de Hesketh all their title to lands in the
vill of Mawdesley belonging to Ralph son
of Roger de Tunstall, formerly husband
of Alice ; Towneley MS. BB, no. 1495.
—
William son of John
son of Adam de Mawdesley in 1342 re-
leased to Sir William de Hesketh all his
lands in Mawdesley in the vill of Croston ;
no. 1456.
—
3 Alice widow of Sir John de Hesketh
and Sir William de Hesketh granted land
formerly belonging to John son of Adam
de Mawdesley to Roger son of Adam de
Kispham in 1345; Towneley MS. BB,
no. 1405.
—
One Henry de Pool in 1292 confirmed
to Robert son of Richard de Hesketh
land in Hesketh adjoining that held by
William son of William de Hesketh for
a rent of 2d.; Towneley MS. C8, 13,
P57.
—
There was, as appears above, a Hesketh
family also in the township, ancestors
probably of the Heskeths of Rufford.
Stephen de Hesketh occurs in 1301
[Lancs. [¢7. and Extents, i, 310]; and in
1349 Wil: am son of Stephen de Hesketh
granted all his messuages and lands in
the vill of Becconsall and Hesketh to
Henry de Beconsaw ; and William son
of William de Hesketh confirmed to
Henry three sclions of his land in the
Banktield and a house with curtilage in
the vill at a rent of 4d. ; Towneley MS,
HE, Edw, III, no, 14, 15.
—
Adam Banastre confirmed to William
son of Henry de Hesketh part of his land
in the vill of Becconsall and Hesketh,
with common of pasture and other
liberties, at a rent of 12d.; Towneley
MS. C 8, 13 [Chet. Lib.], B 314. John
de Hesketh was a witness. Richard
Banastre in 1246 claimed 4 acres in
Becconsall from William son of Henry
and William son of John de Beconsaw,
but failed; Assize R. 404, m. 3d.
—
Adam de Beconsaw occurs as a witness
to deeds in 1380-3; Add. MS. 32104,
no. 75, 1643. He is probably the Adam
murdered at Rufford in 1399; see the
account of Rufford. Henry de Beconsaw
appears immediately afterwards, com-
plaining, perhaps in connexion with
Adam’s death, of maiming, &c., by
Nicholas son of Thomas de Hesketh of
Rofford, Gilbert his brother, and others ;
Pal, of Lanc. Chan. Mis:. 1/8, m. 12.
—
Adam de Hesketh paid 2s. to
the subsidy of 1332, and eight other
tenants each paid 15.3 Exch. Lay Subs.
[Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.], 42.
—
In 1349 an agreemert respecting the
bounds between Rufford and the Hulmes
was made ty Sir William de Hesketh
and the abbot. The bounds were de-
clared to begin at the mere, proceed
east along a syke to the moss, through a
certain lache [as long as it endures], and
across the middle of the moss to Monks’
lache, according to pits and other marks ;
Teowneley MS. DD, no. 1393.
—
The Whiteficlds lay to the south of the
church, Three fields were named Guild Heys.‘
The manor was a member of the
\Ey¢¥NOR Penwortham fee, and Richard Bussel
about 1150-60 gave to St. Werburgh’s
Abbey, Chester, one plough-land in RUFFORD in
alms, which the abbot was holding in 1212.°
Somewhat later one Richard Fitton® held it of the
abbot by a rent of 5s, and gave a moiety to his
daughter Maud, who married William de Hesketh.’
‘The other moiety went to another deughter, Anabil
or Amabel, who marricd Edmund de Lea, and in
1285 the two daughters and their husbands were in
posession.’ “The grant to Richard Fitton may have
been for life or a term of years, for in 1292 the
Abbot of St. Werburgh’s claimed Ruftord, described
nuw as 4 oxgangs of land,” and in the following
year made a fresh agreement with William and Maud
de Hesteth [Hesketh] and Edmund and Anabil de Lea, by
which the annual service was raised to 4os.,’° at
which it continued down to the Dissolution." This
—
> Assize R. 1271, m.12. This is a
complaint that Robert de Lathom and
others had disseised them of their tene-
ment in Rufford. It was argued that
Edmund could have nothing in Anabil's
tenement until he had had offspring by
her ; it was also alleged that the disputed
land was in Lathom and not in Rufford,
* Ibid. 408, m. 56, 72. Against
Wiliam de Hesketh and Maud his wife
the abbot claimed 2 oxgangs of land, 6
acres of meadow, &c., and 6s. rent in
Rufford by Croston 3 and against Edmund
de Lea and Anabil his wife a similar
tenement, the rent being excepted. He
alleged that Hugh, formerly abbot, was in
seisin in right of his church in the time
of Richard I.
—
" Among the Hesketh deeds above re-
ferred to are several ackoowsedgements
rent is now paid by the lord of Ruftord to the Dean
and chapter of Chester.! Anabil appears to have
had no issue, and in 1318, as Anabil Fitton, she
settled her moiety of the manor of Rufford upon
John de Hesketh,? who had
inherited the other moiety
from his father, and thus
became sole lord.
William de Hesketh, whose
parentage is unknown,® was
apparently a ‘land‘ess man,’
the possessions of the family
in Rufford, Great Harwood
and Tottleworth being ac-
quired from his wife, Maud
Fitton,‘ or by purchase. He
had two sons, the above-named
John, who succeeded, and
Adam.® The former, in 1323, made a settlement
of the manor of Rafford and two-thirds of the
manor of Harwood, the remainders being to his
children—William, Alice, Katherine and Margaret.°
He is described later as Sir John de Hesketh,’
and was succeeded by his son William, also a
knight.$
—
3 Dodsworth says that his father was
named John; cxlii, fol. 110, From the
notes to the account of the township of
Hesketh it will be found that there were
about his time a John de Hesketh and a
William son of John de Beconsaw ;
William son of Henry de Hesketh had
land there in 1246 and William son of
William in 1292. There is nothing to
connect any of them with Hesketh of
Rufford.
—
William de Hesketh is named in 1305,
1312 and 1318; Towneley MS. DD, no.
1681, 1683, 1686. The executors of
Anabil Fitton made claims against the
executors of William de Hesketh in
1320; De Banco R. 236, m. 3234.
—
5 He occurs in Harwood charters.
Adam de Hesketh was pardoned in 1299
for having killed Robert son of John de
Rufford by misadventure; Cal. Pat.
2292-1301, p. 483.
—
Maud sister of John le Fleming and
wife of Adam son of William de Hesketh
the elder is named in 1339 ; Dods. MSS.
exlii, fol, 109d.
—
William son of Adam de Hesketh of
Rufford is also mentioned; Add. MS.
32104, no. 4I.
—
® Final Conc. ii, 49. The trustee or
agent in this settlement was John son of
Hugh de Hesketh.
—
7 John de Hesketh was a sub-custos of
Blackburn Hundred in 1323; Cal. Pat,
1321-4, p. 382. In 1330 the Abbot of
Chester admitted him, his wife and
children to association in the prayers and
good works of the abbey ; Towneley MS.
HE Edw. III, no. §. In the following
year Anabil widow of John de Walbank
made a release to Sir John de Hesketh
and Alice his wife; Dods. MSS. cxlii,
fol. 1104,
—
Alice widow of Sir John in 1347 re-
covered 2 acres in Rufford against Sir
William de Lea and others, who alleged
that the land was in Croston; Assize R.
14355 Mm. 33.
—
5 Sir William de Hesketh is namedina
charter of 13343; Dods. MSS. cxlii, fol.
110b, He in 1354 successfully claimed
40 acres in Rufford against Thomas de
Lathom the elder and others, the defence
being that the land was in Lathom ; Duchy
of Lanc. Assize R. 3, m. 3d. [Mich.].
Three years later he claimed common
of fishery in Lathom, Scarisbrick, &c.,
against Gilbert de Scarisbrick, but did
not prosecute his claim ; ibid. 7, m. 2.
—
In 1345 a pardon was granted to
Sir William de Hesketh and others, in-
cluding Thomas de Ireland of Rufford
on condition of their readiness to serve
in Gascony ; Cal. Pat. 1343-5, p. 530.
—
Sir William was exempted from serving
on juries, &c., in 1346, and was a custos
of the peace in 13503 ibid. 1345-8,
P- 476 5 1348-50, p. 533.
—
2 Dodsworth [loc. cit.] states that
Thomas son of Sir William de Hesketh,
kt., was living in 1377 and 1385.
Thomas de Hesketh had the bishop’s
licence for an oratory at Martholme in
1387; Lich. Epis. Reg. vi, fol. 123. It
appears, however, that the heir of Sir
William in 1362 was a son William,
under age, whose wardship and marriage
were granted by John Duke of Lancaster
to the Abbot of Whalley and Richard de
Towneley ; Duchy of Lanc. Anct. D.
LS 120. It is thus uncertain whether
Thomas was a brother or a son of the
younger William, but probably the former.
—
Alice widow of Sir John de Hesketh
and Sir William de Hesketh in 1348
granted Bartholomew de Wood Newton,
chaplain, various lands in Rufford [in
Churchcarr], &c., for life, that he might
celebrate mass in the chapel of Rufford
for the souls of their ancestors and others ;
Towneley MS. HE, Edw. III, no. 13.
—
23 Adam de Clitheroe, John de Hesketh, Richard de Merkesden [Marsden] and Richard de Balderston
were appointed sub-keepers of the peace in the hundred 2 Nov. 1323; Cal. Pat. 1321-4, p. 382.
—
The following seneschals of Walton have been
noted :—
Thomas Banastre, ante 1291
Gilbert de Haydock, temp. Edw. I
William de Hesketh, ante 1291
William de Blackburn, 11 I'dw. If
Richard de Bradshagh, 13 Edw. II
Gilbert de Southworth, 17 Edw. II
Matthew de Haydock, temp. Edw. II
—
Fiton was succeeded before 1271 by his son Edmund,
who gave the manor to his kinsman Richard Fiton
before-mentioned for a yearly rent of 30s. and died
in 1296, when the interest of the Fitons of Bollin
in this manor practically terminated.”
--
Richard Fiton, kt., the grantee was living in
1283, but died before 1288, having probably survived
his only son William, whose widow Margaret then
held the third part of the manor in dower. She
afterwards married Alexander Hurel. In or before
1288 a partition of the manor was made between
the three daughters and co-heirs of Richard Fiton
and their respective husbands, namely, William de
Hesketh and Matilda, Edmund de Leye and Amabel,
Roger Nowell and Elizabeth.’
—
In 1289 Hesketh became possessed of two-thirds
of the manor, having acquired from Edmund de Leye
and Amabel their portion of the Fiton inheritance.”
In 1310 for £23 he purchased from John son of Ed-
mund Fiton the lordship of the manor, including his
own service of 20s. per annum and other ros. due
yearly from Adam son of Roger Nowell.’
—
In 1313 John de Hesketh and Adam Nowell
were complaining of the waste made in the manor
by their respective parents, who held their tenements
by the courtesy of England, in felling timber, and
in 1324 an inquest was held by the king’s order to
certify to the King’s Bench what waste Margaret
relict of William Fiton had made in tenements
belonging to the inheritance of Adam Nowell. He
recovered the tenements and obtained a verdict for
£6 7s. damages against her? Margaret died
shortly before August 1324, when the lands she |
had held in dower were divided between Hesketh
and Nowell.”
—
Upon the collection of a subsidy in 1332, John de
Hesketh contributed 65. out of 235. levied upon
twelve persons in this town-
ship. Six years later Adam
Nowell obtained a grant of a
weekly market on Thursday
and a yearly fair on the day
of St. Lawrence in his manor
of Netherton in recognition
of his services in Scotland,
and in 1339 William de
Hesketh obtained a grant of
free warren in this township.” Heskern. Argent on
Some dispute about the ‘out- a bend sable three garbs
fields’ called Tynuldefeld, or.
Denefeld, land towards Legh-
shagh Brook and the land of Dobbe Emmesone, was
arranged in 1332 by a friendly division between
Adam Nowell and John de Hesketh, kt., of certain
inclosures adjoining those fields called Wythineheved,
Wikestubbing and Dobbes Hope.”
—
On Easter Monday, 1390, John Nowell, son and
heir of Lawrence Nowell, came to Harwood Chapel
and did homage and fealty to Thomas de Hesketh
for the lands which he held of him in chief by
knight’s service.”
—
TOTTLEWORTH is first mentioned in a grant
made early in the 13th century by Maud de Praers
to Uctred son of Roger de Rishton ; her gift included
three-fourths of the place, the bounds going from
Oakenholt syke through ‘Tottleworth lache on the
west side of Bentley, and thence by Norden Brook
and Hyndburn to the starting-place.® A rent of
half a mark of silver was to be paid. ‘The descendants
of the new owner probably assumed the local name,
for in 1258 Richard de Tottleworth held 40 acres of
land in Rishton of the lord of Clitheroe, paying half
a mark yearly. The estate descended to an Anabil
daughter of John de Tottleworth,” who about 1290
sold to William de Hesketh.”
—
62 In 1292 the right of Anabil daughter
of John de Tottleworth and sister of
Alice wife of William the Harper to a
messuage and the moiety of a plough-land
in Rishton held by William de Hesketh
was inquired into. It was found that
Anabil was living, and therefore Alice
took nothing by her action; Assize R.
408, m. 4d.
—
In 1302 William de Hesketh and his
parceners held the tenth part of a fee in
Rishton of the Earl of Lincoln ; Lanes.
Ing. and Extents, i, 318.
—
By an undated deed Richard de Stafford
and Anabil his wife gave all their land
within Rishton to William de Hesketh,
and in 1312 made a further quit-claim to
him ; Towneley MS. DD, no. 1684, 1683.
The former deed may be connected with
a fine of 1304 confirming the purchase ;
Final Conc. i, 205. Isabel [or Ellota] de
Tottleworth, widow, released to him her
dower right; Towneley MS. DD, no.
—
Rishton of the inheritance of Alice lately
his wife, including the homages of John
de Wallbank and Richard son of Thomas
de Oakenshaw, and Adam de Hesketh in
1318 released his interest to his father ;
ibid. no. 1691, 1686. The Wallbanks in
1331 released their estate to Sir John de
Hesketh ; ibid. no. 1687-8.
—
There remained a small part not held
by the Heskeths, for in 1348 Adam son
of Richard de Tottleworth exchanged
some of his land with Sir William de
Hesketh; ibid. no. 1695. From fines
of 1569-70 it appears that the Rishtons
of Ponthalgh had land in Tottleworth ;
Pal. of Lanc, Feet of F. bdle. 31, m. 7;
32,m. 45. This passed to Sir Thomas
Walmsley.