Page:The History of the Church & Manor of Wigan part 1.djvu/73

 together with the advowson of the church of Wigan, to hold to them and their heirs and assigns for ever of the Chief Lords of the fee.

In 1423 it was found by inquisition that Matilda, widow of Sir John Lovell, knight, died seized (inter alia) of the manor of Upholland, in the county of Lancaster, which she held of the King in capite as of the Duchy of Lancaster; also of the manor of Orrell, holden of Sir Ralph de Langton, knight, in socage; and also of a burgage, with appurtenances in Wigan, holden of William Langton, parson of the church of Wigan. In like manner, in December, 1428, Alice, widow of John le Mascy, was found to have died seized of 8 burgages, 23 acres of land, and 3 acres of meadow, with appurtenances in Wigan, of the inheritance of the said John le Mascy, which she held of William, parson of the church of Wigan.

About this time the Standishes appear to have revived an old claim which their ancestor, William de Standish, had made in the time of King Edward I. to the advowson of the church of Wigan. It was probably with the view of avoiding costly litigation that the question was referred to Alice, wife of John Gerard of Bryn, for her decision in the matter. The following deeds concerning this dispute are preserved among the Standish evidences:

1. A bond of 1,000 marks from Henry de Langton and Ralph de Langton, Esquires, and Sir Thomas Gerard of Bryn, knight, and William de Langton, parson of the church of Wigan, for performance of covenants with Ralph de Standish and Lawrence de Standish, his son, Esquires, and Alexander Standish,