In 4 Hen. IV. when John de Brodeheved, of Wigan, and Emma his wife sued Thomas de Gretherton of Wigan, draper, and Alice his wife for the third part of one messuage and acre of land, with the appurtenances, in Wigan, as the dower of the said Alice, which she had of the dowry of Robert Wade of Wigan, formerly her husband, before the King's Justices of Assize, James de Langton appeared, by his attorney, who produced the letters patent of King Edward III. to John de Winwick, together with the confirmation thereof by the present King, and claimed his right to have cognizance of that plea. The said attorney also stated that, in the King's Court at Lancaster, on the Monday of the 4th week of Lent, he had produced a close writ from the King to his justices at Lancaster, enjoining them to permit the said James de Langton to use and enjoy the liberties contained in the beforementioned charters, bearing date at Lancaster on 6th March, 2 Hen. IV. (1401).[1]
James de Langton, the present Rector, was probably a brother of Ralph de Langton, the Lord of Newton, and patron of the church, though he is not mentioned in the pedigree. He occurs in 1406 as a trustee of the family estates.[2] He obtained another charter
- ↑ Plea Rolls, Lane, 2 Hen. IV.
- ↑ Chancery Rolls, Lanc, 7 Hen. IV., No. 37, being a precept dated 16th June, 1406, to the escheator to give to Henry de Langton, son and heir of Ralph, son of John, son of Robert, son of John de Langton and Alice his wife, and Agnes his wife, livery of his lands, taking security of him for payment of their relief. It was found by inquisition that John de Langton, clerk, by fine levied in 32 Edw. I. gave the manors of Walton in le Dale, Newton, and Langton, with the appurtenances, and the advowson of the church of Wigan, to John, son of Robert de Langton, and his wife Alice, and the heirs of the body of the said Alice by the said John begotten, with remainder to the right heirs of the said Alice, and after the deaths of the said John and Alice the premises descended to Robert, their son and heir, and after his death to John, son and heir of the said Robert, which said John gave to one Lawrence M … chaplain, and his heirs and assigns for ever, 16 messuages, 200 acres of land, 40 acres of meadow, 12 acres of wood, 40 acres of moor, and 200 acres of pasture, parcel of the said manor of Walton, who gave the same to Ralph de Langton and Joan his wife and the heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten, with remainder to the right heirs of the said Ralph, which said Ralph was the son and heir of the aforesaid John, son of Robert, son of John, and to whom the said manors and advowson descended after his
