Page:History of the Fylde of Lancashire (IA historyoffyldeof00portiala).pdf/60

 Allen of Rossall Hall, the widow of Richard Allen, and John Westby of Mowbreck and Burn Halls. Shortly before his execution Campion deplored his compulsory confession in a letter to a friend in these words:—"It grieved me much to have offended the Catholic cause so highly, as to confess the names of some gentlemen and friends in whose houses I have been entertained; yet in this I greatly cherish and comfort myself, that I never discovered any secrets there declared, and that I will not, come rack, come rope."

The following extracts are taken from some manuscripts in the Harleian collection, and will explain themselves:—

"Names of such as are detected for receiptinge of Priests, Seminaries, etc., in the County of Lancashire.

"This appeareth by the presentment    One named little Richard receipted at of the Vicar of Garstang.              Mr. Rigmaden's of Weddicar by report.

"This appeareth by the presentment    Ricard Cadocke, a seminary priest, also of the Vicar of Kirkham.               Deiv. Tytmouse conversant in the                                       Company of two widows—viz. Mistress                                       Alice Clyfton and Mistress Jane                                      Clyfton, about the first of October last,                                      1580, by the report of James Burie.

"This also appeareth by the presentment  Richard Brittain, a priest receipted in of the Vicar of Kirkham.                  the house of William Bennett of                                          Westby, about the beginning of June                                          last, from whence young Mr. Norrice                                          of Speke conveyed the said Brittain to                                          the Speke, as the said Bennett hath                                          reported.

"The said Brittain remayneth now at the house of Mr. Norrice of the Speke, as appeareth by the deposition of John Osbaldston.

"Diocese of Chester

"Amounderness Deanery Cuthb. Clifton, Esq.     Obstinate. Will. Hesketh, gent.      Obstinate. John Singleton, gent.     Obstinate."

At that period it was customary to levy a tax of live stock and different articles of food on each county, for the supply of the royal larder, and Sir Richard Sherburn, of Carleton and Hambleton, and Alexander Rigby, of Middleton, near Preston, ratified an agreement with the treasurer and controller of Elizabeth's household, that Lancashire should provide annually