George Thomas Orlando Bridgeman

“ Oliver de Langton, late of Wigan, gentleman; William de Langton, late of Wigan, gentleman; and many others, chiefly from Wigan and the neighbourhood, including Margaret Holerobyn of Wigan, concubine of the aforesaid James de Langton. The above mentioned Edward de Langton, son of James, was accused of concealing two Wigan men who had committed murder. The morals of the English people generally, both clergy and laity, were deplorably low at that period, and the numerous ecclesiastical abuses which occurred were rapidly preparing the way for the reformation. ”

“ And notwithstanding that the said Alice had given no award, nor made any reformation in the payment of the annual rent in her lifetime, the said Alexander makes the said Oliver, his son, and John Dale, to sue against the complainant for the said statute merchant, against all right and conscience, at Lancaster, where he has such favour, suretyship, and succour to support him in his wrong. ”

“ In the meantime James de Langton, who appears to have been a man of dissolute life, was obliged to fly from Wigan, probably for debt, and in the year 20 Hen. VI. the sheriff of Lancaster is ordered to take James de Langton, parson of the church of Wigan, late of Wigan, in the county of Lancaster, clerk, as an outlaw. [8] The fact of his being an outlaw will account for his non-appearance to prosecute his plea against Alexander de Standish in that year, and for his being then described as late of Wigan, when summoned to answer the administrators of the will of Lawrence de Standish. ”