Page:Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports, Etc., with an Appendix Containing a Rare Tract.djvu/77

 took to their heels, and never looked behind them till they reached the shores of the Mersey, at Liverpool. The bed said to have been used by this modern giant was exhibited at Hale until within these few years; and, if a genuine relic, proves him to have been of vast size.

HANGING DITCH, MANCHESTER. tradition declares that it derived this ominous name from having been the scene of the execution of several Romish clergy and recusants in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. But there are two very strong reasons against this being the fact:—First, there is no record of any execution in Manchester on the ground of recusancy or treason during the whole of that reign; second, there was formerly a "hanging bridge" over the stream, which has left its name and some portion of one of the piers remaining. Now, Hanging Bridge needs no search for a derivation; and we can hardly doubt that the ditch below the Hanging Bridge soon took the name of the Hanging Ditch.

 HORNBY CHAPEL AND SIR EDWARD STANLEY. , fifth son of Thomas, first Earl of Derby, early received the notice and favour of Henry VIII. It is said of him that "the camp was his school, and his learning the pike and sword." The King's greeting when they met was, "Ho! my soldier." Honour floated in his veins, and valour danced in his spirit. At the battle of Flodden he commanded the rear of the English army, and through his great bravery and skill, he mainly contributed to that memorable victory. A