Allen of Rossall Hall, the widow of Richard Allen, and John Westby of Mowbreck and Burn Halls. Shortly before his execution Campion deplored his compulsory confession in a letter to a friend in these words:—"It grieved me much to have offended the Catholic cause so highly, as to confess the names of some gentlemen and friends in whose houses I have been entertained; yet in this I greatly cherish and comfort myself, that I never discovered any secrets there declared, and that I will not, come rack, come rope."
The following extracts are taken from some manuscripts in the Harleian collection, and will explain themselves:—
"Names of such as are detected for receiptinge of Priests, Seminaries, etc., in
the County of Lancashire.
"This appeareth by the presentment One named little Richard receipted at
of the Vicar of Garstang. Mr. Rigmaden's of Weddicar by report.
"This appeareth by the presentment Ricard Cadocke, a seminary priest, also
of the Vicar of Kirkham. Deiv. Tytmouse conversant in the
Company of two widows—viz. Mistress
Alice Clyfton and Mistress Jane
Clyfton, about the first of October last,
1580, by the report of James Burie.
"This also appeareth by the presentment Richard Brittain, a priest receipted in
of the Vicar of Kirkham. the house of William Bennett of
Westby, about the beginning of June
last, from whence young Mr. Norrice
of Speke conveyed the said Brittain to
the Speke, as the said Bennett hath
reported.
"The said Brittain remayneth now at the house of Mr. Norrice of the Speke, as appeareth by the deposition of John Osbaldston.
"Diocese of Chester
"Amounderness Deanery
Cuthb. Clifton, Esq. Obstinate.
Will. Hesketh, gent. Obstinate.
John Singleton, gent. Obstinate."
At that period it was customary to levy a tax of live stock and
different articles of food on each county, for the supply of the
royal larder, and Sir Richard Sherburn, of Carleton and
Hambleton, and Alexander Rigby, of Middleton, near Preston,[1]
ratified an agreement with the treasurer and controller of
Elizabeth's household, that Lancashire should provide annually
- ↑ Alexander Rigby was related to the branch of that family residing at Layton Hall.
