Lancashire troops were led by Sir Edward Stanley, and their patriotism and valour are celebrated in an ancient song call the "Famous Historie or Songe of Floodan Field." In the following extract certain localities in and near the Fylde are mentioned as having furnished their contingents of willing soldiers:—
"All Lancashire for the most parte
The lusty Standley stowte can lead,
A stock of striplings stronge of heart
Brought up from babes with beef and bread,
From Warton unto Warrington,
From Wiggen unto Wyresdale,
From Weddecon to Waddington.
From Ribchester to Rochdale,
From Poulton to Preston with pikes
They with ye Standley howte forthe went,
From Pemberton and Pilling Dikes
For Battell Billmen bould were bent
With fellowes fearce and fresh for feight
With Halton feilds did turne in foores,
With lusty ladds liver and light
From Blackborne and Bolton in ye moores."
The office of High Sheriff is one of considerable antiquity, and in early times it was no uncommon thing for the elected person to retain the position for several years together. Annexed is a list of gentlemen connected with the Fylde who have been High Sheriffs of the county of Lancaster at different times, with their years of office:—
1194 }
to } Theobald Walter, of Amounderness.
1199. }
1278. Gilbert de Clifton, of Clifton and Westby.
1287. Gilbert de Clifton, of Clifton and Westby.
1289. Gilbert de Clifton, of Clifton and Westby.
1393. Sir Johannes Butler, Knt., of Rawcliffe.
1394. Sir Johannes Butler, Knt., of Rawcliffe.
1395. Sir Johannes Butler, Knt., of Rawcliffe,
1397. Sir Richard Molyneux, Knt., of Larbrick (for life).
1566. Sir Richard Molyneux, Knt., of Larbrick.
1606. Edmund Fleetwood, of Rossall.
1677. Alexander Rigby, of Layton.
1678. Alexander Rigby, of Layton.
1691. Sir Alexander Rigby, Knt., of Layton.
1740. Roger Hesketh, of Rossall.
1797. Bold Fleetwood Hesketh, of Rossall.
