THE OWNERS OF SHALLCROSS. 77 



rights and mortuaries at Prestbury. Later, in 3 Ric. II., he 

 fines by licence of Robert del Leigh (Legh witnesses charter 22) 

 and Robert del Dounes.* He died 1383. 



Dying at Scakelcros, after 23 Edw. I., having lived apparently 

 c. 1230-90, Richard (II.) was succeeded by his eldest son, 



Benedict de Schalecros (iil), of Schaiecros, 



born about 1260, who may have received his Christian name to 

 honour the memory of Benedict de Worth, related to the Condys, 

 living before 13 Hen. III., his possible ancestor. (See under 

 Svain (I.) and charter 8.) He was a regarder and verderer of 

 the forest, 12 Edw. II., and a forester in fee of the Peak. 

 The latter held hereditary office by virtue of their lands. Chaucer's 

 forester will be remembered.! About 1290 Benedict extended the 

 privileges of the family in an important concession. The mill 

 was a valuable property of ^-he lord, its owner, and especially 

 when each neighbouring family was compelled to grind its corn 

 there. 



[Undated, temp. Edw. I. or Edw. II. — Harl.'] 

 No. 5 is a deed similar to No. 6, but without the last clause. The 

 same witnesses sign both these instruments. Thomas de Hyde mav 

 have been the Thomas, youngest son of the Sir John Hyde [Harl. 2161), 

 who sold the manor and estate of Shalcross. 



[Undated, temp. Edw. I., a.d. 1272-1307.] 

 No. 6. — Know all men, etc., that I, Edmund de Dounis, have given, 

 etc., to Benedict de Schalcros, my kinsman by blood, in consideration of 

 kinship and affection, and of a certain sum of money which the same 

 Benedict has paid me in hand, that the same Benedict and his heirs 

 be quit of toll and toll paid at mill (multura) for ever in my mill of 

 Tacysall, with all their corn for their own table to be there ground 

 without hindrance whenever they wish to come there for grinding. So 

 that neither I, Edmund, nor any of my heirs and assigns shall have 

 power to exact and recover in any way for ever from the aforesaid 

 Benedict or his heirs anything in name of toll or mill-toll on account 

 of their own corn as aforesaid, in the aforesaid mill. In witness, etc., 

 these being witnesses: — ^John de Sawtton,J Thomas de Hyde, etc. 



In 8 or 10 Edw. II., 1314-16, Benedict was third witness to a 

 Fritbom charter (No. 12 irtfra). In 8 Edw. II. he was first 



* Eyre Tiolls, m. 35. f Prologue, 101-17. % Sutton. 



