188 A HISTORY OF LONGEIDGE. [Chap. 8. 



and wild, and that there were multitudes of foxes and destructive 

 beasts, while the place itself was in a manner inaccessible to man ; 

 that, owing to these causes, the Diocesan Bishop of Lichfield, and his 

 officials, relinquished the whole jurisdiction of ordinaries, etc., in these 

 districts, and that this state of things continued for 470 years, until 

 the reign of William the Conqueror." 



There is some very fair grazing land in Chipping, while there is an 

 abimdance of limestone in the locality, the burning of which affords 

 occupation to a number of people. Iron-working and chairmaking 

 are the principal trades flourishing in Chipping. 



The stone quarry of the Earl of Derby, in Thornley, affords em- 

 ployment to about 20 men. Bricks and tQes are also burnt on the 

 Derby estate in Thornley. 



The families resident in this parish have occupied their houses for 

 centuries, content in their obscurity, and undisturbed by the march of 

 civilisation. The Earl of Derby is a most indulgent landlord, and is 

 highly popular among his tenants. His resident agent is Mr. Trench. 



The village of Chipping is situated on a brook, bearing the same 

 name, at the foot of Parlick Pike, a well-known hill, 1,416ft. high. 

 Brabin's School, now disused, stands at the entrance to the village, on 

 the road from Longridge, and on the door is carved in antique 

 characters the, following inscription : — " This Schoole founded by John 

 Brabbin, Gentleman, Boce, Disce, Tel Discede, 1684, C.P. ; E.P. ; I.H. ; 

 E.M." These initials refer to Christojjher and E. Parkinson ; John 

 Hawthornthwaite ; and E. Marsden. 



Among the old and historic houses in the neighboiu-hood of Chip- 

 ping may be mentioned : WoLfhouse ; Hesketh End (on which Baines 

 says are inscriptions to commemorate the landing of the Romans, 

 Saxons, and Danes, the Norman Conquest, and the Protestant 

 Reformation). Mr. E. Kirk, describing a visit paid to Hesketh End, 

 says: " Scattered about the walls, in the farm buildings, are stones 

 xvith letters and figures upon them. Over the principal entrance to 

 the house is the following : ' Deum time, regem honor, proximum arna. 

 JInc fac et Vive in efenmm.' These are unquestionably the work of 

 some Puritan owner. The characters are not all Roman, and some of 



