Page:History of the Fylde of Lancashire (IA historyoffyldeof00portiala).pdf/394

 place in the church, and on the 5th of November, 1638, when they were called upon by the churchwardens to attend there in order to lay the necessary taxes for the repair of the sacred edifice, then much decayed, Mr. Fleetwood "locked himself in the church, as before he had many times done," and compelled them to conduct their business without the building.

Incensed at the persistent hostility of the vicar an appeal against his conduct was made by the "men" to the archbishop of York, and by him referred to the bishop of Chester, who replied:—"That the corporation or company of 30-men, not having any warranty from the king, was nothing in law; but if the parish or township did delegate the power. to the 30-men as to church matters, then their acts relating thereunto were as effectual and binding as if they had the king's sanction; and wishing to know the affection of the parishioners on this head, he issued an order on 22 Nov. 1638, that public notice sh^d be given in the church for all the parishioners to meet and give their voices whether they chose that the custom of the 30-men representing the whole parish two for every township, should continue, or they should be dissolved."

Mr. Fleetwood having ignored this order, the churchwardens took upon themselves the duty of calling a general conference of the parishioners; a great multitude assembled in the churchyard, where the meeting was held, the vicar having locked the church door, and declared in favour of their ancient custom being continued and preserved to their posterity as it had come down to them, freely giving "their power and strength to the said 30-men, to confer and determine all church matters."

To this resolution were appended the signatures of four hundred and ninety-four persons, amongst whom were Thomas Clifton of Westby and Clifton, John Westby of Mowbreck, Thomas Hesketh of Mains, Edward Veale of Whinney Heys, John Parker of Bradkirk, and Edward Bradley of Bryning.

The bishop of Chester, having received an official report of the result of the meeting, communicated with the archbishop of York, as below stated:—

"Chester palace, 14 Dec. 1638.

"Seeing the vicar (whom I have used with all gentleness and lenity), continues