A HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE 



William de Kirkdale, was in 1241 returned as hold- 

 ing the third part of a knight's fee in Kirkdale, of 

 the earl of Lincoln, then lord of Penwortham. 1 



William's son, Robert de Kirkdale, was in possession 

 before 1288," and in 1320 

 agreed to sell the manor to 

 Robert de Ireland ; 3 the trans- 

 fer was completed in the fol- 

 lowing year, 4 and the purchaser 

 was returned as tenant in 

 1323.* Adam de Ireland of 

 Hale, father of Robert, held 

 lands here and was in 1322 

 stated to hold the three plough- 

 lands. 6 



Robert de Kirkdale retained 

 a small estate, which passed to 

 his son Henry before 1332.' 

 Henry de Kirkdale died without issue before 1353, 

 when he was succeeded by his sister's children. 8 



The new lord, Robert de Ireland, answered in 



IRELAND or HALE. 

 Gulet, a* fleurs de Us, 



1355 for the third part of a knight's fee held of 

 the duke of Lancaster. 9 In 1361 John de Ireland, 

 probably his son, was in possession, 10 and in 1378 

 another Robert de Ireland contributed to the aid 

 granted to John, duke of Lancaster, in respect of this 

 manor." Robert married Lora, afterwards the wife of 

 John de Legh of Macclesfield. He died in 1 38 1," leav- 

 ing a son and heir Robert, who was perhaps a minor. 

 The younger Robert in 1399 released to John, son of 

 Robert de Legh, the messuages and lands in Hale and 

 Kirkdale then held by John and Lora his wife. 13 In 

 1404 he was outlawed, at the suit of John de Legh, 

 for non-payment of a debt of 1 2 marks. 14 Four years 

 later he released to William de la Moore of Liverpool 

 his right in various tenements in Kirkdale and Liver- 

 pool, 15 and by another deed granted to the same 

 William the manor of Kirkdale and eight acres in 

 Liverpool. 16 Peter and Robert de Legh, sons of John 

 and Lora, also disposed of their lands here to the 

 Moores," who thus became undisputed lords of the 

 manor and holders of a considerable estate. 



