XVII. Cyrographum eiusdem Rogeri de mesuagio in Cestria et de xij. solidis capiendis apud Haleton.

CIA N T omes sanete matris ecclesie filij tam presentes ¡llecn) futuri quod ego Rogerus constab. Cestrie dedi et cöcessi et hac presenti carta mea cöfirmaui Deo et beate Marie et

players in Cheshire; the origin of which is to be found in a well-known tradition. Randle Blundeville, earl of Chester, being besieged by the Welsh in Rothelent, in Flintshire, sent to his constable, Roger do Lasey, (ante p. 2,) to come with all speed and bring what forces he could to his relief. The dispatch arrived during the fair of Chester; and Roger, with his usual impetu osity, gathered a tumultuous rout of fidlers, players, and "other debauched persons," and marched with the motley crew towards Rothelent. The Welsh, perceiving the multitude, mistook it for the regular force of their mortal enemy, and raised the siege with precipitation. This fortunate mistake found a parallel in modern times at the other extremity of the Principality, when the gallantry and presence of mind of the late Lord Cawdor converted the distant vision of a host of Welsh women in their red cloaks into a for midable array of soldiery, and induced the surrender of a well equipped detachment of eighteen hundred French invaders to a mere handful of Welsh militia, hastily called together on the spur of the occasion. The gratitude of Randle conferred the power over all the fidlers, players, and shoemakers, on his constable Roger, and his son John de Lascy transferred the authority over the minstrels on his seneschal, Hugh de Dutton ; "sicuj liberáis iltum magistratum teneo de Comite." This magistracy remained in the family, its authority was recognized by the statute 38 Eliz. and a yearly court was held till lately at Chester, on the feast of St. John the Baptist, to grant licences to the minstrels. He married Muriel, daughter of Thomas le Dispenser, and had issue,

1. Hugh.

2. Thomas.

3. John.

4. Adam.

5. Geoffrey.

¿Ttt. öc èlanbilue. ete. 19

Abbati atq. monachis loci Benedicti de Stanlawe unä partë mesuagij mei que est in villa Cestrie iuxta ecclesiam sancti Michaelis liberam et quietä ab omi seruicio terreno et seculari exactione cu omib} liber- tatib} et liberis consuetudinib} suis p salute anime mee et patris mei et matris mee et omiu antecessoru et heredu meoru in purä et ppetuä elemosynä. Illam videlicet partë que ab eädë ecclesia remotior est versus Glouerstanes. Habebit autë pars illa in latitudine capacitatë septë virgaru quib} in Cestria pannus laneus mensuratur et dimidiä virge unius. In lögitudine vero quanta terra mea sese ibidem extëdit.

He was succeeded by his eldest son, V. Hugh de Dation, living 1234, 18 Henry III. He died s.p. ante 1249, and was succeeded by his second brother,

VI. Thomas de Dutton, sheriff 1268, 53 Henry III. He married Philipps, daughter and heiress of Vivian de Sandon, and had issue,

1. Hugh de Dutton.

2. Thomas.

3. Margaret, married Thomas Venables of Kinderton.

4. Catharine, married John, son of Urian de Sancto Fetro. Thomas de Dutton died in the early part of Edward I., and was succeeded

by his eldest son,

VII. Hugh de Dutton, who married Joan, daughter of Sir Urian de Sancto 1'etro, and had issue,

Hugh de Dutton. horn 8th December, 5 Edward I. William, married Maud, daughter and heiress of Sir Richard Stock-port of Stockport. Hugh de Dutton died 22 Edward I., and was succeeded by his eldest son,

VIII. Hugh de Dutton, Steward of Halton, 24 December, 20 Edward II. He married Joan, daughter of Sir Robert Holland of Holland, in the county of Lancaster, and had issue,

1. Thomas de Dntton.

2. William, parson of Thornton 22 Edward III.

3. Geffrey.

4. Robert.

Hugh de Dutton died 1 Edward III. A.D. 1326, and was succeeded by his son,

IX. Thomas de Dutton set. 15, Whitsunday, 132?»; Seneschal of Halten 19 Ed ward III.; Sheriff of Cheshire 30 Edward III. He died 4 Richard. II.

20 rit. De Sfcmtatoe, etc.

Et quia prefatu mesuagiu totu prius Abbati et monachis dederam p reliqua eiusd. mesuagij pte que mihi remanet, ipse Abbas et monachi de Stanl. ad festu sancti Bertini ad Nudinas de Haleton singulis annis xij solidos ppetualiter habebut. Verutamen sepedictus Abbas et monachi in prefata pte sua qualescuq. domos voluerint edificabut. Hoc est aut meliores aut viliores nec erit aliquis q eos ad pte sic designata edificäd nisi p volutate eoru cöpellat. Ego autë si voluero in prefata domo hospitabor. Hijs testib} Hug. de Dutton, Ad. de Dutton, Robto clerico, Rico capello, Hug. Dispensar, Ran. Wallësi et multis alijs.