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1376127

GENEALOGY COLLECTION

ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC UBRARY

1833 00676 0604

1922.

3NOSALL.

1572-1699.

5taffor5$bive lP>aiisb IRegisteis Society.

Editor and Hon. Secret.ary :

PERCY W. L. ADAMS, F.S.A..

Woore Manor, via Crewe.

Deanery of Eccleshall.

(Bnosall Ipaiisb IRegistev,

PrIVAIELV PRINlbD KOK IHt S J' A FKORDSHI K. t PARISH KhGISTERS SOCIEIV.

A// CommumcatioHs respectmg the printing and iranscriptioji of Registers arid the issue of the parts should be addressed to the Editor.

Attention is especially directed to Notices on inside of Cover.

(BnoealL

GNOSALL, written in Domesday Book Geneshale, remains (as regards its prefix) a complete puzzle for philologists. It is possible that the Domesdaj^ scribes blundered in their spelling, the early forms of the word (12th century) being almost invariably Gnoweshale, which later took on the similar spelling of Gnoushale and the like, with practically no change throughout the centuries.

The PARISH included the Manors of Gnosall, Walton [Grange], Moreton, Knightley, Befcote and Cowlej', Wil- brighton, and the small estate of Burgh [or BroughJ Hall. Domesday Book records close upon 100 families within these manors. Until the close of the 12th century Blymhill was also included within Gnosall parish, and until recent times the eastern boundaries by Rule and Alston seem to have been indecisive. The mention of " Mr. Whitgreeves Rule " in the Register (Sept., 1614) is presumably intended to dis- tinguish the part which lay within the parish.

Gnosall township in 1086 only had about half the popu- lation and one quarter of the value of the neighbouring manor (and parish) of Norbury, and compared still less favourably with the King's manors of Cowley and Befcote where the bulk of the population lived. Clearly the growth of Gnosall was due to its church, although in 1086 it had its [water] mill

1376127

THE CHURCH, (i. Its Constitution).

There is no evidence of a Saxon church here. Domesday book deals with Gnosall and Penkridge jointly, stating that nine clerks held these manors from the King. Both places were of increasing value, and apparently colleges were then in the process of formation. But whereas the Penkridge founda- tion assumed the normal form of a dean and seven canons, the development of Gnosall was arrested. But the church of Gnosall has usually been termed ' ' Collegiate, " as a college of four canons under a titular dean, who except for patronage held office without emolument. From the time of Stephen the ' ' dean ' ' was the bishop of the diocese, and the claim of the crown to the advowson of the church failed in 1293. The endowment consisted of the manor of Gnosall which was divided into four portions, the profits of which went to the prebendaries alone. There appears to have been no common

ii. Staj^ordshire Parish Registers.

seal, chest or chapter house, facts which led Mr. A. Hamilton Thompson, M.A., F.S.A. (in the Arch. Journ., 1917, pp. 139-239), in his " Notes on Colleges of Secular Canons m England ' ' to call this ' ' a church of portioners rather than a college " (p. 182), nor does any evidence appear to con- tradict this assertion.

It is not easy to say what the early constitution of the church was. Assuming that seven of the nine Norman canons were at Penkridge, two only are left for Gnosall. The bishop received the church of Gnosall with its prebends together with other Staffordshire Collegiate churches in 1140 from King Stephen. Actually the earliest known incumbent here was WilUam archdeacon of London (who occurs in 1155 as incum- bent of Bradley also), his patron being Bishop Roger de Clinton.

Later there was Adam, priest of Gnosall in 1199 ; John de Gnoushale succeeded one Adam (both are called " chap- lains ' ') in 1223 ; while two canons appear in 1238. This was the period when the church on the lines which we now see was built. Certainly before the close of the 13th century the manor of Gnosall was held by four clerks from the bishop. Later still the prebends were named More hall, Beverley hall, Seukeworth (1369) or Suker Hall, and Chilterne Hall. In this connection the following canons should be remembered :— Thomas de Beverley (1223), William de Seukysworth (1278- 1314), and Mr. Walter de Chilterne (d. 1361).

There is every reason for believing that the Gnosall canons were non-resident as a rule, and that the priestly offices were undertaken by the four vicars choral, who were sometimes termed and may usuall}- have been ' ' chaplains, whether attached to chapels within the church or those at Knightley, Moreton, and Chatwell. One Leonard Harcourt, at an uncertain date, built a mansion house of four little chambers for the vicars choral, and gave them a barn for hay for their horses and four butts of land in Gnosall. This remained in 1549. The appropriation of ' ' college ' ' and prebends to the bishop came about by letters patent of Henry VIH.

After the Reformation the church became a perpetual curacy in the gift of the bishop.

In the later churchwardens' accounts two examples are given of this process : 1674 " payd. 2d. for bringing us a letter from the Bushshap that Mr. Aston must be our Curate " ; 1702 " Pd. 3-0 to the Bishop's Butler when we went to petition his Lordship for an able minister."

Gnosall. ■■•

LIST OF CURATES and VICARS.

? William Sutton, buried b July, 1575. ^. Geoffrey Gosling, buried 25 Sept.', 1580' ? Laurence Clowes, buried 29 June 1=^8^ occ. 1593. Richard Fenton, to 1601 ?. ' ' '"

? 1602. (a curate) to 1608.

1608. Roger Bolton, to Aug., 1615.

Sept., 1615. William Jennings, to Dec, 1615

Jan., 1616. Thomas Rocke, to Dec, 1630.^

Jan., T631. Wilham Geast, to March, 1632.

March, 1632. William Brereton, buried 18 Feb.,

1642-3. ? Samuel Weblev, occ. 1649-50.

Aug., 1650. John Hall, occ. April, 1660.

occ. May, 1661. Thomas Reynolds, buried 10 April,

1674. (? 1666 as assistant). Edward Aston, buried 1702. 1702. Robert Fox.

1731. .... Jeacocke.

Samuel Smallbroke, res. 1759.

1777. Joseph Cattlow.

John Swinnerton, res. 1784.

1784. William Lowe.

1817. Fearon Jenkinson.

1845. John Till (and first vicar).

1901. John Warner.

1905. John Child Bucking.

THE CHURCH, (ii. Its Edifice.)

Gnosall church was dedicated to St. Laurence. It is architecturally of very great interest, and as recent repairs have been conservatively executed (the north transept still remains untouched) it is possible to observe the work of different periods rather easier than is usually the case.

The church is cruciform with a central to\^'er, built of a whitish sandstone. The tower arches form its most striking feature, exhibiting massive supports and the bold carving of the late Norman period. Tliere is an interesting arcade in the south transept surmounted with a triforium passage of the same date. There was a chapel to the east of this transept at an early date. Carved string courses .show that the 12th century chancel extended two bays only. There is nothing in these features inconsistent with a daU after 1 140 when the bishop was given the church. Donbtle.ss building operations were due to him.

iv. Staffordshire Parish Registers.

The nave was originally without aisles. Behind the pulpit is an arch which is a subject for some speculation but may represent part of a walled-up window in the original north wall. The west wall has a small door and three lancet windows above of Early English work. Indeed, at a com- paratively early date, the nave, by no means large, must have become all too small, and the north and south aisles were added earl}^ in the 13th century. In the 14th century the chancel was extended to the east, as was also the south chapel. This part of the church thus became particularly roomy. The clerestory of the nave and the tower were formed in the 15th century. Above the chancel arch can be seen marks of the slope of the previous roof.

In the north transept a shallow chapel was made to the east in the late Perpendicular period, with corner buttresses which have proved far from efficient. From, the coats of arms recorded as existing in 1680 in window glass hereabouts, this was apparently a Peshall family chapel. In the will of Robert Sutton of 1517 a chapel of St. Katherine is mentioned, but no hint is given as to its situation.

South-east of the chancel is situated the one monument of the church. It represents a man in armour of the Yorkist period (1460-85) on an elevated tomb. Possibly once his ladj^ 's effigy lay in the vacant space beside him. The bawdric (or belt) and feet resting on a lion (instead of the later dog) are both early tendencies. The tomb is therefore not likely to be later than 1470. There seems to be a tradition that it represented a ' ' Baron Brough ' ' who was the last to kill a wolf in Staffordshire, the event occurring in a pit hole near Brough Hall. Needless to say there was no such person as baron Brough, but the apparent confusion with the owner of Brough Hall marks him a Knightlej^ It is not clear what Knightley died at this date.

Built into the east wall are two early stone coffin lids. In the north wall of the chancel is a round-arched recess which was probably used as an Easter Sepulchre.

It will be noticed that several of the windows of the nave and elsewhere are of a later period than the wall in M'hich they are set. In the chancel a certain amount of uniformity was brought about by this process.

The font and pulpit are modern, as is the reredos which was formerly in Eccleshall church. In the south transept had lately been set the ancient chest bound with iron. It is in fair condition but has been shortened a foot or so. There are a few fragments of ancient glass and no modern glass except that of the east window dedicated in 1922 as a memorial of the War.

Gnosall. ^

THE CHURCHWARDENS' ACCOUNT BOOK. The Churchwardens' Accounts date only from 1669. In this volume will be found a copy of a List of Proprietors of Seats in the church of 1639 > also a list of churchwardens from 1669-1737. In 1672 the following goods were in their custody :— " A Crane for Building, A greate Lather, A Church Bible, A Communion Booke, a Hom.ily Booke, A Regester booke, Juell and Harding with other small bookes, A Sirplice, A Carpett cS: Couer for the Communion Table, A pulpit Cussioni A silver Cupp & Couer of silver. Two Great Guns, one Flagon] One Bason. "

Subsequent lists (from 1692) include two register books, tvv^ old books of Ch : Wardens accounts, one book of Canons, one hearse cloth, one napkin & one wallett, while the church plate has altered to a silver cup and paten. In fact the ' ' two large pewter gunns ' ' had not prevented sacrilege in 1692, when 8d. was ' ' payd to Messengers that tooke Notes to severall Churches to be published after the robbing of our Church. " So it comes about, then, that the oldest Commiunion service plate dates from 1692, of which the paten, the gift of Mrs. Ann Doody, provides the only known example of the Chester Hall marks of that year.

There are many payments for work on the church roof and shingles for it, culminating (1682-3) in a complete re- casting and re-laying of the lead. The bells also needed reconditioning one by one ; but in 1674 it was found necessary to renew the timber bell-frame. Large payments were made to 'squire Skrymshire for oaks from Norbury manor for this purpose, the churchwardens having vainly searched for suitable trees nearer at hand.

An appeal for funds was made to the parishioners and ' ' loving neighbours ' ' in March, 1700, it being found that three of the bells were not turnable and the clock would not ' ' go trew 12 hours. ' ' A treble bell was also needed (to make six) and there was a desire for chimes. A valuable list of over 250 subscribers is given, the sum collected being £58 OS. 5d. We further learn that the bell, which weighed 0 cwt. and cost £42, was made by the Rudhalls of Gloucester and came by water to Bridgnorth. £12 was paid to Francis Payne for the " Chvmes." There was talk of employing the balance of the money ' ' towards the building of the Free schoolhouse and gallery''in our Church," but nothing came of this. Curiously enough this new bell no longer hangs at Gnosall. It was probably removed in 1784, the exisang bell bearing that date. Number 4 is ancient and has the niscrip-

vi. Staffordshire Parish Registers.

tion : MELODIE M NOMEN CAMPANA GERET. Numbers 2, 3, and 5 are dated 171 1, and number 6, the largest, 1818. As regards the former, £5 <>s. od. was spent m 1711 " towards carriage of ye bells to Manchester and back again e, ' ' and £15 ' ' to Mr. Rudhali belfounder part of his wages, ' ' and again £11 los. od. " part of his money for casting ye bells " and £2 2s. od. for hanging them (&c.).

THE MANOR %)ersus PARISH.

There seems to have been very little freehold at Gnosall. The lords of the Manor were the fovu- prebendaries, and the manor, as has been stated already, was divided into four parts bearing the names of the prebends : Beverley Hall, Chilterne Hall, Suker or Seukewor';h Hall, and Morehall. After the Reformation the manorial portions were for con- venience farmed to one of the local gentry, whether a Knightley Whitgreave, Harcourt or other. Erdeswick says : ' ' Since

the dissolution the prebends' lands came first

leased to Sir George Blount, Knt. (who gave the same to Draper and two others of his servants) ' ' with reversion to the Bishop.

Certain of the manor rolls are in existence (once Rev. Dr. Cox's, now Dr. Dent's, of Wolverhampton), They date from 1448 and a portion is set out in some detail by N. J. Hone in The Manor (Antiquary's Books, Chap, vi.)

Besides the four Courts Baron of the prebendaries, there was the more important Court Leet with its View of Frank- pledge. The first dealt with the usual manorial customs and offences, the latter with the lesser breaches of the Common or Statute Law. The Gnosall Court Rolls provide examples of affrays against the peace : against the assize of ale and bread (the former could not be sold in Gnosall in 1592 for more than 4d. a gallon !) : unlawful gaming : the menaces of scolds and drunkards : the blocking of some pathways and the opening up of others : theft : the washing of hemp in the Gnosall brooks.

The executive apparently consisted of a Constable, several headboroughs, and two surveyors of hedges. There were four headboroughs (or tithing men) for Gnosall, and one each for Coton, Chatwall and doubtless other townships. These came before the court with their complaints and the offender was generally subjected to various fines.

There must have been considerable overlapping of ofhce- holding by the time the manorial and parochial officers were

Gnosall.

Vll.

elected. Of the latter the Churehwardens ' accounts give Churchwardens . . . . 2

Sidesmen . . . . • • 4

overseers of the poor . .

Surveyors of the highways

4 (for Gnosall, Cowley and Coton, Knightley, More- ton and Wilbrighton) .

8 (one each for Gnosall, Cowley and Coton, Kni- ghtley, Beffcote, Moreton and Wilbrighton, Chat- wall, Apeton and Alstone, Plardiwick.)

Annually one of the chief payments of the churchwardens was for the Dinner for the Officers and Jurors, held at the time of the Easter visitation of the Registrar and Apparitor, when also the election of officers took place.

One of the chief duties of the parish officers was the levying of ' ' lewnes ' ' or church rates. This assessment was made on two classes of property : ' ' Hollowers ' ' and Cottages, the former being privileged to pay double. In the Church- wardens ' accounts for 1675 there is " a Copy of all the Hollowers and Cottages of the other parte of the parish I cyond the water that pay to church ' ' : —

[Summary]
Cowley		16 hollowers 3	cottages.
Befcot		7l .	2	,,
Wilbrighton (including ton Grange, Cowley	Wal- Hall,
Linder farm, Morton Hall)	23	10	,,
Plardiwick . .		6	3	,,
Coton c^ Coton End		8	7	,,
Chatwall		16	0	"
	76I ,	> 25	+ 41 holding ' ' :	" in -66

Hollowers in ye holding are 56=total 132-I and 8 prebend hollowers besides.

Of the chief inhabitants that appear in this list, Mr. Fowke was of Cowley, Philip Harper of Befcote, Joseph Ball of Wilbrighton, Mr. Giftord of Walton Grange, Thomas Astley of Linder farm, Mr. Fleetwood of Plardiwick, and. John Astley and Humphrey Podmore of Coton and Coton End.

viii. Staffordshire Parish Registers.

BROUGH HALL.

Brough Hall or Burgh Hall was probably the Biighale of Domesday, which is stated to have ' ' belonged to Halstone. ' ' It was a comparatively small estate lying between Gnosall and Ranton, and Hahione may have been the Alston which with Brough and Rule were for civil purposes taken together in the 17th century (S.H.C., iqig, pp. 138, 221). But Halstone may have been Haughton, another manor of Robert de Stafford's adjoining. Burgh Hall certainly was in the possession of the Stafford family as early as 1150 when it was granted with Ranton and Cooksland to the Noel family. This grant was coniirmed by the then Robert de Stafford in c. 1181-4. (S.H.C. IL, 219, 256.) It seems probable that Philip de Burgn, the first who took his name from this place, was a Noel (? the same as Philip brother of Thomas Noel of Ranton). He lived in the time of Henry II. and John, married one Alice and was father of Bertram de Burgh who married Elisande of Little Onn (living 1253). Bertram was dead in 1219, leaving a son and heir, Bertram, a minor. This Bertram, who was living 1271, was the father of William de Burgh (living 1305, 1324) who married Joan de Cowley. He was also lord of Apeton and part of Wilbrighton. He was the father of Adam de Burgh whose daughter and heir Elizabeth married John Knightley of Gnosall, Shusions, &c., a descend- ant of a younger son of Robert Knightley III. This marriage set the fortunes of this family of Knightley (which has often been confused with that of the older branch) on a firm footing with Burgh Hall as their home. John Knightley was M.P. for the County and died in 1413. He was father of John Knightley, also M.P., and (1403) Justice of Chester, whose elder brother Richard, of Gnosall, was the father of Richard Knightley, who bought Fawsley in 1416 and died there in 1443. It is not necessary to follow the members of this family further, as Burgh Hall was a secondary dwelling place for younger sons. It was so occupied by Thomas Knightley (a third son) who was living in 1619, aged 78, whose eldest son Richard (b. 1584) appears in the parish register from 1614 to 1619. Previous to 1600 it was apparently leased to Robert Harcourt, a natural son of Robert Harcourt, of Ranton. The Knightleys of Burgh Hall eventually succeeded to the greater house at Fawsley, when (it may be supposed) Burgh or Brough Hall took a lower status. In 1680 it was occupied by Ralph Smart as ' ' tenant to Lady Knightley. ' ' The present building (a farm house) would appear to date from the first years of che eighteenth century. Only the old moat remains which is rectangular, measuring 160 x 100 yards, enclosing an area over 3 acres in extent. The property is now Lord Lichfield's.

Gnosall.

IX.

CHATWELL (or Chatwall). Chatwell (now part of Moreton) lies far to the south of Gnosall church. Its inhabitants often found it convenient to use Blymhill church ; but formerly there was a chapel of ease here, which however did not survive the Reformation. In 1680 the chapel was noted as ' ' disused. " It is now said to form part of a barn. There is a " St. Chad's well " at this place, but of dubious antiquity ; and as an explanation of the place-name this should be looked upon with suspicion. During the period covered by the Register the families of Congreave and Ames dwelt here. Richard Ames the noted curate of Bilston (1684-1730) was of this place, as was Dr. Thomas Congreave of Wolverhampton (d. 1720).

The SNOWDON Myth.

There seems to be a persistent tradition that Snowdon is visible in favourable weather from this parish, notably from Broadhill and Knightley. This is probably traceable to Pitt's Topographical History where (p. 271) it is stated that the mountain ' ' was once seen by an observer in a clear winter 's morning, in a direction beyond Chetwynd Park ..." This, of course, is not the right direction for Snowdon, which in any case it is physically impossible to see from Gnosall, being blocked by the Berwyn and Llangollen mountains. Possibly the observer saw the Cader Idris range ; but ' ' Snow- don " is probably Bwndd Arthur (2,568ft.) near Llandrillo.

KNIGHTLEY.

Knightley is Chenistelei in Domesday Book, and was held by Rainald, the Norman baron of Bailleul from Earl Roger de Montgomery. But Rainald held many manors, and it is unlikely that he visited still less lived at Knightley, and as he is known to have died without issue, it is impossible that he founded the family of that name. This family cannot with certainty be traced earlier than Nicholas (surnamed Maucovenant) who held Knightley by the service of a casde guard at Oswestry, whose son Robert flourished from 1180-90. Jordan of Knightley follows Robert and another Robert follows Jordan. His son, Robert III., served with Ralph Basset, of Drayton, who died at Evesham. It is hkely therefore that the paly coat of Knightley was adapted from the Basset arms. Robert IV. of Knightley was summoned in 1 301 to follow his King against the Scots with horse and arms. He married Alice, daughter of Sir John Doyley of Ranton, heir to her brother Henry Doyley of Cowley. He

X. Staffordshire Parish Registers.

was M.P. for Staffordshire and died in 1327 ; she died in ;he plague year of 1349. Their son, Robert V., is a Knight with lands in four counties, who, dying about 1365, leaves a son. Sir John Knightley, the last male of the direct line of Knightleys. His daughter Joan married Roger Peshall, and their daughter, another Joan who married William Lee, a lawyer, conveyed linightley to her cousin Richard Peshall. She survived her husband and died in 1451. Richard Peshall ' ' of Knightley ' ' was dead in 1458, and was succeeded by his son Humphrey, who was probably M.P., 1484, also " of Knightley." He married twice and died in 1498. His son and heir, Sir Hugh Peshall (d. 1490 and buried at Grey Friars, London), had issue an only daughter Catherine, who married Sir John Blount of Kinlet, Salop. Their daughter Elizabeth Blount was mistress of King Henr}^ VIII. and mother of Henry, Duke of Richmond (1519-1536).

The manor house has long since disappeared. Its site and that of the chapel probably lay on the road which leads through the fields to Knightley Hall farm. The first field (that behind the blacksmith 's shop) is known as ' ' Chapel Field " or " Yard ' ' ; but this name can only apply to part of it for several former hedgerows can be traced. Oppo- site (to the south) in a ploughed field can be seen an acre or so of dark earth (the bulk of the field being sandy) ; tradition calls this ' ' the garden. ' ' Towards the road to Gnosall is a wall of stone, evidently a relic of the stones from the house or chapel. A burial in Jan., 1605-6 points to the graveyard still being in use.

The present chapel of ease was built on a different site in 1840, and added to in 1882.

MORETON.

In 1086, Moreton (Mortone) was the holding of a soldier (miles), an Angle, and some lesser men. There was also a mill worth i6d. From soldier or Angle possibly descended Hemming de Moreton of 1166, probably the ancestor of a family of that name who acquired property in the adjoining manor of Wilbrighton in 1330. Hither they moved their seat and there Erdeswick states ' ' one Moreton .... hath builded a proper gentleman 's house of brick. ' '

The last of this branch of the family were Thomas Moreton (d. 1582) and Adam Moreton (d. 1614), both figuring in the Register as Esquires, father and son. The succession passed to the Moretons of Engleton in the parish of Brewood, from whom were descended the Earls of Ducie, who are also Lords Moreton.

Gnosall. xi.

There was once a chapel at Moreton ; but it had fallen into disuse before the Reformation. Gregory King visiting the place in 1680, notes twenty-five houses and ' ' a Chapel demolished. ' '

The church of St. Mary was built in 1837, and the parish of Moreton (including the hamlets of Bromstead, Coley, Outwoods, Chatwell, and Wilbrighton) was formed in 1845.

WALTON GRANGE.

This extra-parochial estate was in Domesday called Waltone and belonged to Roger, Earl of Shrewsbury, being held from him by Roger [de Lacy]. In the time of Henry IL, Walter, son of Heremann, gave Walton to Buildwas Abbey, whose " grange " it became. It subsequently was owned by the Gifford family.

THE INHABITANTS.

The parish register yields the names of a considerable number of gentry, and the following occur ;• — John Harecourt, 1573-85 ; Richard Pigott, 1576-83 ; Francis Picktoo, 1579 '• Edmund Whitgreve, 1580 ; Anne Whitgrave, 1613 ; George Vice, 1584 ; George Hill, 1589 ; George Onslowe (who pur- chased land extensively in this parish in 1599) 1591 ; (d. 1627), Cassander Cocke, 1592 ; Richard Cotton, 1592 ; Robert Harecourt (of Brough Hall), d. 1600 ; Walter Forster, 1601 ; Thomas Littleton, 1610-15 ; Thomas Clive, 1611-3 ; Richard Knightley, ' ' esquire, ' ' 1612-19 ; Thomas Stokes, 1612 ; Francis Kellet, 1613 ; Thomas and Adam Moreton, both " esquires " in 1582 and 1614 ; Thomas Fowke, 1615-22 ; Richard Lloyd, ' ' esquire, ' ' 1618, 1630-7 ; Thomas Lawley, esq., 1622 ; Francis Chewnall, 1623 ; John Sommerfort, 1624 ; John Gotten, 1625 ; Walter Whitgreave, 1650-2 ; Henry Bing, 1655. M^- J'^hn Blakeman, schoolmaster, died in 1626, a date considerably earlier than the memoranda of the school charities (c. 1650") when William Cotton was school- master.

Of lesser families there were the Talbots of Moreton and Cowley ; the Astleys of Cowley and Coton, the Yestops (or Easthopes) of Chatwell ; the Davenhills, Selmans, and Barrets ; the Barnfields of Knightley, to name only a few.

The most curious names are those of Halfhead and Swineshead (the latter dignified into Swincheheade in 1623), both being derived from hamlets near Eccleshall. The Christian name ' ' Thomasine ' ' is here abundantly conmiou.

xii. Sta^ordshire Parish Registers.

Valentine Vicars who occurs 0 Jan., 1655-6, must be about the ninth in ascent of the present and youngest Valentine Vickers, who follows the ancient precedent to bear that name.

The best thanks of tite Society are due to Miss Ethel Stokes for transcribing the Marriage portion of the Register, to Mr. Gerald P. Mander for the transcription of the remainder and the preparation of the introductory notice, and to the Rev. jfohn Child Bocking for giving access to the Register.

®no5all f arislj K^gister.

NOTE. —The early Gnosall Register takes rather a curious form. The main portion consists of 40 leaves of vellum measuring about 2ft. 6in. long and 7in. in breadth. Being thus of an inconvenient size it has been folded across (roughly) in the centre. This bundle is supplemented by four similar sized gatherings of four leaves each, one of ten and one of eleven leaves (and a frag- ment). This takes the record to March, 1700.

The register contains mixed entries from which the Marriages were separately copied " by Miss Stokes for Mr. Turner " in and before December, 1904, and afterwards set up in type. For this reason the marriages have been here printed apart. Miss Stokes' copy has been again checked with the original up to 1700. It proves to have been on the whole very accurate. Certain omissions and doubtful readings have, however, been rectified and a few instances of the curious phrase " now his wife " in the 1590 period have been inserted. The parishes of the parties to a marriage are seldom given in the earlier period, and the copy has usually omitted mention of Gnosall in the later. It may be assumed, however, that one or more of the parties were " of this parish."

In the case of the Baptisms and Burials it will be observed that the form of entry (until 1602) repeats the surname. The original copyist seems to have taken pride in diversifying the spelling as much as possible. In the abbreviated form in which the entries are printed certain alternative spellings are given within brackets. While the spelling of the surnames has been (with the above exceptions) carefully preserved, that of the commoner Christian names (which differs considerably under different curates) has not been closely followed. The name Francis is spelt the same for both man and woman, audit is often impos- sible to be certain (in burials) which gender is intended. Subject to this, the feminine form has been printed with an e.

The original transcript (which was not made in a week) was apparently finished in December, 1599. This and other changes are duly noted in their proper places.

G. P. M.

Gnowsall Regester taketh his / begininge the xxvth of marche / Anno Dni 1572.

1572, Mar. " The 26 day was Baptized Williu Swane,

Sonne of Williu Swane and Margerie his wife." „ Apr. 20. bapt. Elizabeth Farniall, d. John and

Jonne Fearniall. Apr. 27. ,, Issabell Jervis, d. Thomas and Elline Jervies. ,, June I. bapt. Anne Selvester, d. Raphe and Elline

Selvester. „ June 10. „ Richard Blaunter (?), s, Thomas and

Anne Blauter.

2 Staffordshire Parish Registers. [1572

1572, June 14. bapt. Thomisin Warter, d. Thomas and

Sibbell Warter. ,, June 16. „ Margaret Welchman, d. James and

Frances Welchman. ,, July 12. bapt. Richard, s. John and Pernell Cham- bers. ,, July 13. buried. Margeri, wife of Henrie Millnor. ,, July 16. „ Joanne, d. Thomas and Margerie

Sancke. ,, Aug. 15. buried. Margerett, wife William Hewitte. ,, Sept. 15. buried. John More. ,, Sept. 21. bapt. Margeri, d. Richard and Margeri

Parton. ,, Oct. 6. bapt. Frances, d. Thomas and Jane Meere. ,, Oct. 30. ,, Jane, d. Thomas and Marrie Poole. ,, Nov. (Only 2 marriages.)

,, Dec. 26. buried. John Flecther. ,, Dec. 26. ,, John Smithe. ,, Dec. 28. bapt. Elizabeth, d. William and Margery

Brett. ,, Jan. 12. bapt. John, s. William and Elizabeth

Kingston. ,, Jan. ig. ,, Margeri, d. Leonard and Frances

Lutterford. ,, Jan. 26. ,, Thomissin, d. Robarte & Constance

Jordan. ,, Feb. 3. buried. Robarte Thomkinson. ,, Feb. 5. bapt. Robarte, s. John & Elizabeth Meston „ Feb. 20. ,, John, s. Robarte and Elizabeth

Swane. ,, Feb. 28. ,, Francis, s. William and Elizabeth

Lockett. ,, Mar. 15. bapt. Humfrey, s. Francis and Anne

Horton. ,, Mar. 17. ,, Anne (?), d. Thomas and Johane

Edwardes.

1573, Apr. 14. buried. William Breett.

,, Apr. 15. bapt. Margery, d. William and Sissilly

Moore.

1574] Gnosall. 3

^573> Apr. i6. buried. Margaret, wife of Thomas Wyldye.

„ May 7. bapt. Elizabeth, d. Richard and Ehzabeth

Jonson.

„ May 24. „ Humffrey, s. Richard and Margery

Whitmore.

„ May 30. „ Margaret, d. John Harecourte, gent.,

and Margaret his wife.

,, June I. bapt. Anne, d. WiUiam & Margery Davies.

,, July " In this monithe nothing donne."

,, Aug. 9. bapt. John, s. Humffrey and Johane Parton

,, Sept. 16. bapt. Richard, s. William & Katharine

Burley.

,, Oct. 7. bapt. Thomas, S.John and Anne Hictchins.

,, Nov. 29. bapt. William, s. John and Katherine

Fouler.

,, Dec. 19. buried. Siblie, w. Richard Bowdon.

,, Dec. 20. ,, Thomas, S.John and Anne Hictchins.

,, Dec. 26. bapt. Cisslye, d. Richard and Anne Jack- son.

,, Dec. 29. ,, Margeri, d. Alice Brasnell.

,, Jan. 27. buried. John, s. Humffrey and Johane Par- ton.

,, Feb. 4. buried. Agnes Osborne, wid.

,, Feb. 14. bapt. Mary, d. Thomas & Joanne Alsope.

,, Feb. 14. ,, Margeri, d. Humfrey & Elline Parkes

{or Perkes).

,, Feb. 16. bapt. Francis, s. Cislye Starkye, " spin-

ser. ' '

,, Feb. 20. buried. Frances, w. John Haughton.

,, Feb. 21. ,, Francis, s. Cislie Starkie.

,, Mar. 23. bapt. Elizabeth, d. Richard & Margeret

Pigotte.

,, Mar. 25. „ Anne, d. John and Joanne Fearniall.

Anno dni. 1574. 1574, Mar. 29. bapt. Joanne, d. Leonard and Thomisin

Poodmore. „ Apr. 2. bapt. Johanne, d. Thomas & Margeret

Wydowson.

Staffordshire Parish Registers.

[1574

L574, Apr.	9-	bapt-
,, Apr.	18.	buried.
„ Apr.	28.	)}
„ May	2.	bapt.
„ May	20.	buried.
„ June	5-	bapt.
„ June	15-	„
„ June	21.	buried.
„ June	21.	bapt.
„ June	28.
,, July	6.	bapt.
„ Aug.	17-	buried.
„ Sept.	9-	bapt.
„ Sept.	II.	buried.
,, Oct.	26.	bapt.
,, Nov.	18.	bapt.
„ Nov.	24.	buried.
„ Dec.	19.	buried.
„ Dec.	21.	,,
„ Nov.	24.	,,
„ Dec.	27.	>y
„ Jan.	3-	bapt.
„ Jan.	23.	buried.
„ Jan.	31-	,,

Laurence & Allice Shus-

Henry and Maude Richard & Margett and Johanne

Feb. 6. bapt.

Francis, s.

tocke. Margeret, d.

Millner. Elizabeth, d.

Piggott. Anne, d. Richard

Davies. Thomas Fowler.

Margeri, d. Issabell Maddocke, single- woman. Ellin, d. John and Johane Blakman. Anne Doollye. Allice, d. John & Cassander Swin-

shed. John, s. Raphiell and Margeri Fisher. Marie, d. Thomas and Elizabeth

Willson. John Gratewood. Richard, s. Richard and Johane

Scutte (Scute). Richard Scute.

Humfrey, s. Thomas and Anne Hall. Thomas, s. Francis and Anne Gard- ner. Humfrey, s. Thomas and Anne Hal. Leonard Parker. Anne, w. Raphe Silvester. Thomas Fletcher. Francis, s. Leonard Lutterford alias

Towers and Frances his wife. Thomas, s. Robarte and Margeret

Wyldbloud. Franc. Parker. Thomas, s. Thomas and Margeret

Wydowsonne. Richard, ' ' sonne of a begger borne

at William Bradshawes at

Knightley. ' '

1575] Gnosalt. 5

1574, Feb. II. bapt. John, s. Richard and Katherine

Catton. „ Feb. 13. „ Margeri, d. Richard and Joyce

Barrett. „ Feb. 20. „ Margeri, d. Morres and Margerett

Brett (Breett). ,, Mar. 2. buried. Johanne Moorres. ,, Mar. 8. ,, Joyce, w Henry Amese. ,, Mar. 13. bapt. Johanne, d. Humfrey and Johanne

Parton. ,, Mar. 18. buried. Richard Barrett. ,, Mar. 20. bapt. Humfrey ap. Ric, s. John and Elhne

ap. Ric.

Anno domi 1575. 1575, Mar. 28. buried. Katherine, d William and Frances

Kinge. ,, Apr. 6. buried- Margery, d. Margeret Maddocke,

single-woman. ,, Apr. 9. ,, Richard Davies.

,, Apr. 18. bapt. Johanne, d. Robarte and Agnes

Russell. ,, May 2. bapt. Mary, d. Richard and Margarett

Piggott. „ May 15. ,, John, s. John and Margerett Fear-

niall. „ May 19. buried. Allice, w. George Stringer. „ May 24. bapt. William, s. Margerett Brett, single- woman. ,, June 3. bapt. Frances, d. Thomas and Anne

Blantherne. „ June 12. buried. Agnes, d. Wihiam and Katherine

Burley. „ June 14. bapt. George, s. Thomas and El , . . (?)

Starkye. „ July 6. bapt. Johane, d. Robarte and Constance

Jurdane. „ July 6. buried. WiUiam Sutton, clerk.

6 Staffordshire Parish Registers. [1575

1575, July 20. buried. Johan, d. Margeret Bowdon, single- woman. „ July 20. „ William, s. Margeret Breett (Brett),

singlewoman. ,, Aug. 7. bapt. Margeret, d. William and Elizabeth

Kingston. „ Aug. II. buried. Agnes Fletcher, wid. ,, Aug. 31. bapt. Frances, d. Thomas and Sibble

Warter. ,, Sept. 4. bapt. Ales, d. Thomas and Johanne

Edwardes. ,, Sept. 5. ,, Anne, d. Richard and Elizabeth

Ashe. ,, Sept. 25. ,, Richard, s. Anne Fallowes, single- woman. ,, Sept. 28. buried. John Ashley. ,, Oct. 2. buried. Humfrey Vies. ,, Oct. 22. buried. Thomas Edgerton. ,, Oct. 25. ,, Johanne, d. John and Ciselye

Haughton. ,, Oct. 28. bapt. Dorethe, d. Robarte Harcourte,

gent., and Margeret his wife. ,, Nov. 12. bapt. John, s. Thomas and Constance

Kyrdall. ,, Nov. 25. buried. Thomas Maddocke. ,, Dec. 9. bapt. Elizabeth, d. Thomas and Anne

Forster. ,, Dec. 9. ,, at Churcheaton, Mary, d. Thomas

& Margeret Wydowson. ,, Jan. 5. buried. Thomas Jervies. ,, Jan. 6. bapt. Dorithe, d. Thomas and Elizabeth

Tumkinson. „ Jan. 6. ,, El ine, d. John and Johanne Fear-

niall. ,, Jan. 8. ,, Raphiell, s. Thomas & Anne Hall. ,, Jan. 8. ,, Ellias, s. Thomas & Elline Jervies. ,, Jan. 19. buried. Thomas Wylson. ,, Jan. 24. bapt. Marke, s. Roger and Agnes Haiens. ,, Jan. 29. ,, William, s. Leonard and Frances

Lutterford.

1576]

Gnosall.

1575.

Jan.	29.	buried.
Feb.	8.	bapt.
Feb.	15-	buried.
Feb.	16.	bapt.
Feb.	23-	"
Feb.	26.	,,
Mar.	7-	buried.
Mar.	9-	bapt.
Mar.	II.	buried.

John, s. Leonard and Frances Lutter- ford.

Thomisin, d. John & Anne Brad- buery.

John Fallowes.

Rose, d. George and Anne Dawes.

Johanne, d. John and Anne Meston, of the Tylehowse, in the parish of Bradley.

Margeri, d. Anne Spicer, single- woman.

Raphe Sylvester.

William, s. William & Katherine Burley.

EUine Nurthall.

1576, Apr. 6. „ Apr. II.

bapt. buried.

, Apr. 22. bapt.

, May , May	I. 28.	bapt bapt
, May	31-	"
, June	I.	burie
, June	I.	bapt
, June	3-	"
, June	29.	))
, July , July	4- 8.	burie

Anno dni 1576.

Frances, d. Agnes Billington, wid. Johanne, d. Thomas and Johanne

Mere (Meire). Margeret, d. John and Katherine

Pouler. Alse, d. John and Johanne Blakeman. Richard, s. Raphe & Elizabeth

Silvester. Margerie, d. Hugh and Susanna

Symmons (Simons). Richard, s. Raphe and Elizabeth

Silvester. Ehzabeth, d. Richard Piggott, gent.,

and Margeret his wife. Johanne, d. John and Cassander

Swinshed. at Bradley, Johanne, d. Thomas and

Elizabeth Caldwall. Thomas, s. Roger and Anne Jonnes. Elizabeth, d. Richard Pigott, gent.,

and Margerett his wife.

S Staffordshire Parish Registers. [1576

1576, July 9. buried Johanne, d. Thomas & Elizabeth

Caldwall. July 10. bapt. Richard, s. Richard & Anne Jackson. ,, July 26. buried. Thomisine, d. John & Anne Brad-

buerye. ,, July 31. ,, Johanne Moonores. ,, Aug. 5. bapt. Anne, d. Richard and Dorethye

Parton. Aug. 5. ,, Johanne, d. Richard Parton, of Cotton, and Elline h.w. ,, Aug. 15. buried. Henry Preston. ,, Aug. 18. „ Johanne, d. John Meiston, of Bradley

parish, and Anne his wife. ,, Aug. 23. bapt. John, s. Raphe and Thomisine

Wylde. buried. Richard Cratteforde. [Marriages only.) ' ' In this monith nothinge done. ' ' Nov. 17. buried. Elizabeth Swinshed.

bapt. Roger, s. Constance Swane, single- woman,