334 THE HISTORY OF NEWMARKET. [Book VI. 



estates were wont to change owners on the issue of a single 

 battle. At the period in question {circa 1619) Chester was a 

 notable centre for horse-racing, hunting, pedestrianism, 

 archery, bull-baiting, cocking, and similar national pastimes 

 (Harleian MSS., 2125). This Earl William succeeded his 

 brother, April 15, 1594; he married, June 26, in the same 

 year, Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Edward Vere, 17th Earl of 

 Oxford, and had, with four daughters, two sons — James his 

 heir, and Robert ; he died in 1642. 



,, , , ^ ^ T 1 f Christop Clease mercer 



"John Creceton Inkeep J „,.,,~ /- , t 1 



( Willm fisher Inkeep. 



" This maior Caused first S* Geo Race on Roodey the 23 



Aprell 1624 to be begone at the poynt .beyond 



1623. j^g^y tower & to Run 5 tymes about the Roodye 

 & he that wan the last Course or Trayne to haue 

 the bell of a good value of 8 or 10" or thereabout to haue it 

 for euer : w'^'^ moneys was collected of cittisens to a some for 

 same purposse the 3 former bells of M"" Amoryes beingesould 

 & a 100" more gathered the vse thereof to find a Cupp. 



" He caused the new tower gate to be enlarged for the 

 sayd horsrace w"^^ before was but a small gate for the rome of 

 3 horses to run in brest & caused the gutters to be filled in the 

 Roodey w"^ the muck hill called the pudinghill at the gate." * 



" We are told," says Strutt, " that in the last year of 



James I., John Brereton, inn-keeper, INIayor of Chester, first 



caused the horses entered for this race, then called 



**• St. GeovQ-es race, to start from the point beyond 

 Chester. , "^^ ' , . , , ^ ^ ^ 



the new tower ; and appomted them to run five 



times round the roody ; 'and he,' says my author — probably 



the younger Randel Holme — 'who won the last course or 



trayne, received the bell, of a good value, of eight or ten pounds, 



or thereabouts, and to have it for ever ; which monies were 



collected of the citizens, to a sum for that purpose.' " f 



* MS. Harleian, 2125, fo. f-S-J. According to Omerod, John Brerton 

 was mayor, and Christopher Blease and William Fishere, sherififs, of the 

 City of Chester in 1623. 



t Strutt adds that, " By the author's having added, that the winner of 



