which was next inspected. The beautiful chapel over the well, built by Margaret, Countess of Richmond, mother of Henry VII., was much admired. After a visit to the Parish Church the party dined and returned to Holywell through the beautiful Strands Wood path. An interesting discovery was made by some members of the Society. In the stackyard of the Abbey Farm, buried under a pile of brushwood, was found a tombstone which had originally stood in the Abbey, commemorating the eldest son of the second Lord Petre, who died an exile from his native country for his loyalty to King Charles in 1647, his body evidently having been brought home for burial."-Courier, May 31, 1904. "The Second Summer Excursion of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire took place on Saturday, the places selected being Bigland Hall and Cartmell Priory. The members, who were the guests of Mr. Alfred Bigland, travelled by the 9.50 train to Grange, where, after a drive through beautiful scenery, lunch took place in Bigland Hall. Afterwards Mr. Bigland showed the members over the Hall, and much interest was taken in the traces of the original building, which are said to date from a very remote age. The series of portraits, including the two attributed to Romney, and the fine series of seventeenth-century oak chests and early mahogany furniture, attracted special attention, and a considerable time was spent in their examination. The exquisite views from the grounds of Bigland Hall over the valley of the Leven were also much enjoyed. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Bigland for their kind hospitality was proposed by Mr. A. M. Robinson, one of the Council of the Society, and passed unanimously. Letters of regret had been received from the Earl of Derby, the President of the Society, and others. A visit was next paid to Cartmell Priory Church, where Mr. William E. Gregson read a short paper, giving a sketch of the history of the Priory, and pointing out the details of architectural importance. Notice was paid to the fine late Norman arches of the north aisle, and the delicate cabinet work of the upper portion of the choir stalls, executed under the supervision of George Preston, of Holker, about 1620. An examination was also made of the interesting Harrington tomb, after which the library of early printed books, deposited in the north vestry, was inspected. After dining at Grange, the party returned to Liverpool by the 6.40 train."—Daily Post, June 14, 1904. "For the Third Excursion of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire a visit was made to Beeston Castle and Bunbury Church. At Beeston Castle Mr. W. Fergusson Irvine (the After a Hon. Secretary of the Society), who conducted the excursion, read a short paper sketching the history of the Castle from its earliest age. Mr. Irvine accepted the views held by several writers on Roman Britain, and identified the spot with the Roman camp known as Bovium in the Iter of Antonius. Coming to later times, he mentioned the reference in Domesday Book, in which the township is especially stated to be lying waste, told how Randle, Earl of Chester built the present Castle in 1225, and carried its history down to the eventful December night in 1643, when the Royalist Captain Sandford, supported by only eight men, captured the Castle. careful inspection of the ruins the party visited Bunbury Church, which is generally regarded as one of the finest mediæval churches in the county. Mr. Irvine there read another short paper, and pointed out the chief objects of interest in the Church. Especial attention was directed to the fine alabaster monument of Sir Hugh Calveley, the companion of the Black Prince. The carved panels of the oak doors leading into the Ridley Chapel were much admired, as well as the interesting early sculptured stones discovered during the restoration of the Church. After visiting other objects of archæological importance in the neighbourhood the party dined at Bunbury Village, and returned by train from Tarporley Station.-Liverpool Mercury, September 6, 1904. The 54th volume (N.S. 18) of the Society's Transactions was issued to members on April 21. MEMBERS ELECTED, 1904. Jan. 14. Bailey, Fras. William. | Mar. 25. Harding, John, The 14. Bailey, Reginald Mayer Library, April 14. Hall, C. Russell. Jan. 15. 29. Feb. 12. PAPERS READ, 1903. "The Reparation of Birkenhead Priory." By A. M. ROBINSON. "Extracts from the Liverpool Corporation Records." By Miss E. M. PLATT, M.A. "Notes on Hall i' th' Wood, near Bolton." By WM. FERGUSSON IRVINE, F.S.A. 26. "St. Werburgh's Abbey, Chester, in the Thirteenth Century, from a Contemporary Roll." By Miss E. K. MCCONNell, M.A. Mar. 12. 66 Abbeystead in Wyresdale, and its Endowed School." "The Post-Glacial History of Martin Mere." By "Notes on the History of Rivington." FERGUSSON IRVINE, F.S.A. By WM. “William fil. Adam, the first known Mayor of Liver pool." By JOHN ELTON. "The Old Flour Mills of Wirral." By E. Mitford ABRAHAM. "Lancashire Folk-Lore." By W. F. PRICE. Jan. 14. PAPERS READ, 1904. "Notes on the Parish of Heysham." By Miss E. M. GRAFTON. 28. "Extracts from the Patent Rolls (Richard II.)." By J. H. LUMBY, B.A. II. "The Coast Line of Lancashire; its Form and Origin." By JOSEPH LOMAS. 'Changes on the Coast Line of Lancashire within Historic Times." By JOHN FORMBY. "Liverpool in the Great Civil War." By Miss E. K. MCCONNELL, M.A. "The Birth of Municipal Self-Government." Part. By RAMSAY MUIR, M.A. First "The Birth of Municipal Self-Government." Second "Extracts from the Liverpool Corporation Records." PRICE. By W. F. "The Siege Coins of England, 1604-49." By Dr. PHILIP Nelson. "Recent Discoveries at the Romano-British Site at Wilderspool." BY THOMAS MAY, F.S.A. (Scot.). On the opening of the Winter Session in November 1903 the following notice was sent to all the Members of the Society : The Council regret to inform the Members of the Society that at a meeting of the Council, held on the 21st of September, a letter from the Secretary was read tendering his resignation on the ground of ill-health. The following resolution was unanimously adopted :— "That Mr. Radcliffe's resignation be accepted, the Council signifying their deep regret at his decision. They also desire to place on record their high appreciation of the very valuable services rendered by Mr. Radcliffe to the Society during his long tenure of the office of Honorary Secretary, and beg to tender him a very cordial vote of thanks for his unremitting labours in the interests of the Society, which have contributed so largely to its success." At the Ordinary Meeting of the Society held at the Royal Institution, Colquitt Street, on the evening of Thursday, 5th November 1903, Mr. J. Paul Rylands, V.P., presiding, a similar resolution was submitted on the proposal of Mr. Rylands, seconded by Mr. T. Fell Abraham, and unanimously passed. The resolution was supported by several speakers, who all referred to the long and unremitting labours of Mr. Radcliffe and their appreciation of the valuable services which he had rendered to the Society. Y |
