George Thomas Orlando Bridgeman

“ And, nevertheless, that the aforesaid burgesses may be able more freely and quietly to proceed in their merchandizes, we have granted for us and our heirs that the same burgesses, and their heirs and successors resident within the said borough and liberty, may for ever have this liberty, namely, that they or any of them may not be put on any assizes, juries, recognitions, or inquisitions whatsoever, to be taken out of the said borough, whether the juries and inquisitions of this sort shall be taken at the suit of us or our heirs, or others, or otherwise ex officio. ”

“ By letters of the Privy Seal, issued on behalf of Sir Robert de Langton, knight, and John de Winwick, parson of the church of Wigan, bearing date on 18th May of that year, it appears that the King having granted to Sir Robert de Langton, knight, and his heirs, the advowson of the church of Wigan, the Duke of Lancaster, at the request of John de Winwick, clerk, ratifies the King's grant, and releases all right and claim to the advowson of the same church. ”

“ On 2nd April, 1357, and again on 30th January, 1358, being then Treasurer of York, John de Winwick was sent to parliament as one of the representatives of the Chapter. [13] In the same year we find him lodging a complaint in the Duchy Court against certain malefactors for resisting his bailiffs in the performance of their duties within his manor of Wigan; and the Duke issued his mandate to the Sheriff to investigate the charges, [14] It would seem that John de Winwick resigned the Rectory of Wigan in July of the following year, for his successor was presented on the 10th July, 1359. ”