time being, to which they bound themselves, jointly and severally, and their heirs and executors, in a bond of £100.[1]
A few days later, namely on 21st September, 1619, James Langshaw came to Wigan Hall and requested to be admitted as a tenant at will to the Lower Walk-mill, promising to pay a yearly rent of 40s. to the parson, to rebuild the mill from the ground to the top in the following spring, to keep it in constant repair, and to leave it to the parson or his successors when it shall be demanded of him; for the due performance of all which he offers to bind himself, his heirs, executors and assigns in a bond of 100 marks. He was accordingly admitted on these terms and he further covenanted that he would not sublet the mill to any other without the parson's leave.[2]
On 2nd November, 1619, William Ormshaw, alias Ascroft, and Robert Jolly, the two bailiffs of the town, with Roger Bullock, a burgess of Wigan, came to the Hall, at the entreaty of Peter Plat, and desired the bishop to give the same Plat leave to continue a gutter or passage on to the lord's waste, which is the street of Millgate, to conduct the water from a coalpit which he had digged in his own ground near to Millgate, and which is now full of water so that he cannot work it. He promised to content the bishop for such licence in whatever fashion he should demand; and he only asked this liberty for a month that he might try what benefit he could make of that pit, and afterwards he will pay the bishop either in money or in coals what he (the bishop) shall think reasonable so long as his said coalpit lasts.[3]
On 12th of November, 1619, Thomas Gerard, junior, of Ince, gentleman, having sworn fealty to the bishop and his successors, parsons of Wigan, for the lands which he holds of him in the manor of Wigan, called Synderacres, brings to the bishop a pair of white leather gloves which he thinks himself bound by his oath of fealty to pay to him on All Saints Day in each year.[4]
