101 



Horwich; fhe Heys, or meadows, as Haigh, uear Wigau, 

 Sankey. The Wortliigs, or public roads, as Southworth, 

 Faruvvorth, Worthiiigtoa ; the burghs, or small incorporations, 

 us Arbury, Newburgh. 



It would be curious and interesting to trace out the pro- 

 gress of these little communities branching out from the 

 parent stem, with their wcre-gilds and frank-pledges : and, as 

 the feudal system of tenures gradually superseded the allodial, 

 each, with its Manorial Court, exercising the various powers 

 held in such high esteem by the Baron of Bradwardine, of sac 

 and sock. Toll and Theam, infang thief and outfang thief, 

 whether hand-habend or bak-barand, wardship and heriot, pit 

 and gallows, waifs and strays, llotsome and jetsome. l^me, 

 however, will not permit such a disquisition. I have insti- 

 tuted an examination to ascertain if there are sufficient data to 

 discover the position of the Mark settlement on the opposite 

 shore of the Mersey. It appears to me that Bebbington may 

 very probably be the ancient seat of the Mark in tliat quarter. 

 There are indications of the Mark boundary, and some very 

 curious inferences may be drawn as to the mixture of Celtic, 

 Saxon, and Danish settlements. I must, however, refrain 

 from enlarging any further. 



Before concluding, I may perhaps be permitted to say a 

 word or two on a subject already hinted at, as being quite 

 necessary to take into account, in the study of Saxon anti- 

 quities. I allude to the Danish settlements, and the changes 

 consequent upon tliem. When it is recollected that, for 

 nearly two hundred years, the Danes were predominant in this 

 part of England, it is natural to suppose that many traces of 

 their occupation would be left behind. According to the 

 Saxon Chronicle, in 876, Halfdane divided Northumbria 

 amongst his followers ; Mercia, the following year, became a 

 Danish state. The prevalence of the Danelagc or Danish 

 customs north of the Trent, was secured by the treaty between 

 Alfred and Guthrun, and they so remained until the gradual 



