MEMOIR 



Davenport, too, in celebrating the glories of " Ranks- 

 borough Gorse." 



Howbeit none of these attempted the formidable 

 task which Rowland Egerton-Warburton sustained 

 during many years. A true Laureate, though he 

 never claimed the title, he furnished the famous Old 

 Tarporley Club with a fresh lyric on each succeeding 

 anniversary — spontaneous, easy-flowing, and full of 

 spirit. 



Born at Moston, near Chester, on 14th September 

 1804, Rowland Eyles Egerton-Warburton was the 

 eldest son of the Rev. Rowland Egerton-Warburton, 

 seventh son of Philip Egerton of Oulton, by his wife, 

 Emma, daughter and co-heir of John Croxton of 

 Narley Bank, Cheshire. This Emma was the grand- 

 daughter of Sir Peter Warburton, fourth baronet of 

 Arley, twenty-first in unbroken male descent from 

 Adam de Dulton, who took the surname of War- 

 burton when, in the reign of Henry II, he acquired 

 the manor of Warburton through his marriage with 

 Agnes, daughter and co-heir of Roger Fitzalured. 

 Through his father young Rowland could trace 

 direct descent from Philip, named " Goch," the 

 Red, second son of David le Clerc de Malpas, who, 

 when the earldom of Chester was annexed to the 

 Crown, was appointed sheriff of that county in 

 1252. 



Whatever virtue, therefore, may be held to be 

 inherent in ancient lineage young Rowland pos- 

 sessed, when, on the demise of his uncle, Sir Peter 

 Warburton, fifth and last baronet, in 18 13, he 

 succeeded at the age of nine to the estates of Arley 



c xvii 



