theymself withe Wm. Gerarde (Gerrard) and his company on the Sonday next afore the fest of the Apostles Symon & Jude."
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Robt Bullocke. |
Robt. Barowe. |
A commission from the King, dated 12th November, 31 Hen. VIII. (1539) was given to Edward Earl of Derby, commanding him to hold a court for the purpose of enquiring into the said riot; and a court was accordingly held on the following 16th December for the aforesaid purpose, recognizances having been taken that Langton, Gerrard, and others should keep the peace.[1]
In giving his evidence. Sir Thomas Langton acknowledged that parson Kyghley had made no writing to him of the stewardship of the manor, but he asserted that when he made him parson of Wigan about 5 years since, in that same year he had been content that he, the said Sir Thomas, should occupy the post of steward to the parson as he had done to others his predecessors before. He said "he never knew but that one, as a surmise may, hath occupied as Mayor of the said town, and in likewise a surmised servant hath occupied as his servant, and both without any authority to his knowledge." He also acknowledged that the same parson (Kyghley) did not command either him or the said Thomas Gerrard, his deputy, to come there (to the said election), but he says that he and the said Thomas Gerrard came as in the parson's right as his steward, and in the name of the parson required and desired Lawrence Sherington and others, inhabitants of Wigan, to be content to use their liberties, according to the grant, for lawful election.
Thomas Gerrard said he believed that the election of the Mayor of Wigan belonged to the parson of Wigan or his steward.
Leland, the Antiquary, whose travels throughout the country extended from about 1536 to 1542,[2] thus describes the town of
