Page:The History of the Church & Manor of Wigan part 2.djvu/154

unto mee before Easter the names of the Lectorers w^thin your Diocese, and at whose charges they are maintained, and howe they address themselves to the greate and much desired worke his Ma^ties princely care and zeale manifested in his late iniunctions sent unto us [and left] in our hands who [under] the almighty God and his Highness are the grand stewards and overseers of the buildinge, [so that if] they shold miscarrye, both the tymes present and future wold lay an heavye doome upon us, and wold not fayle to crye out Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? None but God unto whom wee stande bounde in a deep account. I very affectionatly and humbly begg at your Lp's hands a speedy manifestation of your Lp's remembrance unto mee that I may at least make it appear unto his Ma^tie that wee doe not sleape nor slumber in this royal and religiouse worke: for your Lp's owne paterne of obedience by resorting unto your episcopal house at Chester I have uppon all occasions given it all due and deserved commendations, not doubtinge but that it will bee a rule and leadinge case to others. So praying for your Lp's health and happinesse I heartily rest

your Lp's faythfull freind &

loving Brother

Sa. Ebor."

In consequence of the King's injunction, however, the bishop practically gave up his residence at Wigan, and a few years later the parsonage house, with the lands hitherto held by him in demesne, were let, as well as the tithes and other dues.

In the year 1630 there occurs amongst his expenses an item of £66 13s. 4d, for "enterteynment of Duchess de Tremulle at Chester." This lady was Charlotte Brabantina, third daughter of William of Nassau, first prince of Orange, and one of the coheiresses of her mother Charlotte de Bourbon, of the royal house of Montpensier. She had married Claude de la Tremouille, Duke of Thouars, and was at this time a widow.^[1] Her daughter had lately married James, Lord Strange, afterwards seventh Earl of Derby. The duchess arrived at Chester on 18th September, where she became the guest of the bishop; and the gentry of the

1. Memoirs of James, Earl of Derby, Chetham Soc., vol. lxvi. p. ix.