WEST DERBY HUNDRED 



Sir William died I September, 1506, seised of the 

 manor of Speke, and lands there and in Siche, as also 

 in West Derby, Formby, and Oglet. His son and 

 heir, Henry Norris, was then aged twenty-eight and 

 more. 1 



Henry Norris had in 1500 married Clemence, one 

 of the daughters and coheirs of Sir James Harrington, 

 of Wolfage and Brixworth in Northamptonshire.* 

 On the division of the Harrington property in 

 1516, half of Blackrod fell to Clemence. 5 Henry 

 Norris is said to have fought at Flodden, in company 

 with his brother William, under the leadership of Sir 

 William Molyneux. 4 He died at Speke 7 July, 

 1524, leaving as heir his son William, then aged 

 twenty-three or more. The manor of Speke and the 

 other lands, &c., in Speke, Siche, and Oglet were said 

 to be held of Sir William Molyneux, by knight's 

 service, except two parcels of land in Speke held of 

 the same Sir William in socage by the rent of 1 8^. 5 



William Norris was knighted between 1530 and 

 1535, upon what occasion does not seem to be 

 recorded. He made several exchanges and sales of 

 various Norris properties, parting with Caldy, but 

 buying the Grosvenor lands in Lancashire, exchanging 

 lands in Formby, Lydiate, and Ince Blundell for others 

 in Garston and elsewhere. 6 He dwelt sometimes at 



CHILDWALL 



Blacon near Chester, but Speke was his principal 

 residence.' In 1544 he engaged in the Scottish 

 expedition of Lord Hertford, and it is notable as an 

 indication of his character that the spoils he brought 

 home were books. 8 He seems also to have fought at 

 Pinkie, as the arms and initials on the ' gwyddon ' 

 won by Sir William Norris in Scotland are those of 

 David Boswell of Balmuto, whose sons fell there. 9 

 In 1554 he represented Liverpool in Parliament. 10 

 Three years later he was too infirm for military 

 service in person." In 1563 he compiled his 

 'Genealogical Declaration,' 18 and on 30 January, 

 1567-8, was gathered to his fathers, being buried at 

 Childwall four days later. 13 



Edward Norris, his son and heir, was of the age of 

 twenty-eight years. A considerable portion of Speke 

 Hall was built in his time. It does not appear that 

 he took any marked part in the religious controversy 

 of the age, though he held the Speke estates for the 

 greater part of Elizabeth's reign," but at the end of 

 his life he desired his son to make provision for the 

 maintenance of a ' sufficient chaplain ' at Garston 

 chapel, 15 200 being the sum named ; bequeathing 

 also 60 for a schoolmaster at Much Woolton. He 

 had in 1605 provided 140 for the rebuilding of the 

 tower of Garston chapel. In 1605-6, 'being him- 



