Page:The History of the Church & Manor of Wigan part 1.djvu/146

134 one case and in the other by certain lessees of the tithes and sundry tenants at will. Some of these were irremediably lost, though more than one of Stanley's successors made vigorous efforts to recover them.

During this half century, under the Tudor dynasty, a considerable change in the balance of power had taken place throughout the country. The wealth and power of the commonalty had largely increased, and in borough towns the burghers had attained a stronger and more independent position, which enabled them to repudiate many of the old manorial rights as having become obsolete. This had been notably the case at Wigan, in more than one point, and it was doubtless the more easy of attainment for lack of a powerful hereditary lord who could constantly watch over his interests and enforce his lawful rights. At this time the right of holding the statute markets and fairs and periodical court-leets had been claimed and exercised by the Mayor and burgesses, together with the use of the Moothall. This usurpation of the parson's ancient privileges held under charters from the Crown, which had been frequently confirmed and renewed, was challenged by parson Stanley, who in conjunction with Sir Thomas Langton, knight, the patron, laid a bill of complaint in the Duchy Court and asked for an official enquiry. A commission was accordingly issued in 2 Eliz. (1559-60) to make full enquiries into the matter.

The bill of Thomas Stanley, Bishop of Man and of the "Owte Isles" and parson of Wigan, and Sir Thomas Langton, knight, baron of Newton and patron of the said church, sheweth: That Thomas Stanley hath of right one "lete or law daye" usually held twice a year, and one Court of Record for all manner of pleas within the town of Wigan, for the preservation of justice, by force of certain letters patent granted unto his predecessors, by reason whereof Thomas Stanley appointed William Fleetwood, gent, steward general of the said church,