In his time the borough of Wigan was again summoned to return two members to serve in the first parliament of King Edward VI. On the first institution of the House of Commons, or at least on the first return of members for boroughs, the four ancient boroughs of Lancashire, namely Lancaster, Preston, Wigan and Liverpool, were required to return two members each, those being the only towns in the county to which writs were addressed for that purpose in 23 Edw. I., 1295.[1] Wigan again returned two members in 35 Edw. I., 1307; after which no writs were addressed to our town to return members until the year 1 Edw. VI., 1547, when Alexander Barlowe, Esq., and Thomas Carne, Esq., were elected burgesses of parliament; since which time Wigan has always been represented.
John Standish, D.D., was the next rector. His institution is not recorded in the Diocesan Register, neither does his name occur in the Composition Books as having paid his first-fruits; but Strype gives, amongst a collection of collations, presentations, grants, letters and licences, to men of the church or university in the time of Edward VI., a presentation from the King to the bishop of Chester to admit John Standish, D.D., to the parsonage of Wigan, in his diocese, void by the death of Mr. Herbert, last incumbent; dated March, 1550.[2]
His connection with Wigan was of short duration. He must have resigned, or been deprived of his benefice, within twelve months of his appointment But his career was a remarkable one, and worth recording in full as an illustration of the history of the times in which he lived. According to Anthony à Wood "John Standish was born of, and descended from, an ancient and genteel family of his name living in Lancashire, and at about
- ↑ Of the next ensuing parliament of 24 Edw. I. no returns have been found, nor are there full returns extant of that of 28 Edw. I. Members for Wigan do not appear in the somewhat incomplete returns of the parliaments of 29, 30, and 33 Edw. I.; and there are no returns for the county of Lancaster of the parliament held in 34 Edw. I.
- ↑ Strype's Memorials, vol. iv. p. 260.
