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CHARACTERS FROM CHESTER - STARTING "T" BY PHILLIP E JONES [Thomas Brassey], [Thomas Chaloner], [Thomas Clare], [Thomas Erdeley], [Thomas Gamull], [Thomas Grosvenor], [Thomas Hand], [Thomas Harrison], [Thomas Hughes], [Thomas Lockwood], [Thomas Lunt], [Thomas Lyniall], [Thomas Mainwaring Penson], [Thomas of Woodstock], [Thomas Poole], [Thomas Stanley], [Thomas Telford], [Timothy Featherstonehaugh] Thomas Brassey Brassey was the contractor responsible for constructing Chester’s General Railway Station in 1847/8. The building was designed by C H Wild and Mr Thompson of London, the latter being the designer of Derby Railway Station. Thomas Chaloner Thomas was a member of a local family who were Heraldic painters in the city and was himself Deputy Herald. Thomas Clare A city councillor in 1836, Clare helped to develop much of the Newtown area of Chester. Thomas Erdeley He was a notable figure at Chester’s Abbey during the time of Richard Sainsbury and was thought to have led one of the more troublesome elements within the monastic house. He was reported to have been guilty of theft, having been accused of breaking into the chest of Abbot Henry de Sutton and stealing 25 marks and 3 gold rings. He was also charged with stealing a chest and 5 marks belonging to Robert de Legh. Despite any wrongdoing however, Erdeley managed to overcome his poor reputation and eventually rose to become Abbot of Chester’s Norman Abbey. Thomas was the son of Edmund Gamull, a 4 times Mayor of Chester and the father of Sir Francis Gamull, a leading Royalist during the English Civil War and Siege of Chester. Along with his wife, Thomas was interred at the church of St Mary’s on the hill, close to the medieval castle. Their family altar tomb is located in St Catherine’s Chapel within the church. He was reported to have held meetings for “Recusants” at his town house in 1687. He was Mayor of Chester in 1685 and later served as Member of Parliament for the city. Born in 1656, Sir Thomas was reported to have married Mary Davies, the daughter and heiress of Alexander Davies, a Scrivener who held lands on the outskirts of London and which ultimately have become the most valuable properties in Great Britain. From this union Sir Thomas had three sons; Richard, who was born in 1689 and died in 1732. His next son was Thomas, who was born in 1693 and died in 1733. His final son was Robert, who was born around 1697 and died in 1755. All three sons would ultimately succeed to the family’s titles and have had a major impact on the social and political life in the city of Chester, their adopted home. The youngest son, Robert, was the father of another Richard who was born around 1731 and died in 1802 and who later became the Baron Grosvenor in 1761 and was made Viscount Belgrave and Earl Grosvenor in 1784. This Richard was later succeeded by his own son Robert, who was born in 1767 and died in 1845. It was he who rebuilt Eaton Hall, the family’s home outside of Chester and helped to consolidate the Grosvenor family’s property holdings in London. He was a Member of the House of Commons from 1788 until 1802 and was created a Marquis at the coronation of William IV in 1831. His first son, Richard, became the 2nd Marquis at the age of 50 years old, following the death of his father in 1845. Like his father he sat as a Member of the House of Commons from 1818 through to 1835 and was succeeded in turn by his own son, Hugh Lupus Grosvenor. Robert Grosvenor’s second son, Lord Robert Grosvenor was born in 1801, created Baron Ebury in 1857 and died in 1893. He in turn was succeeded by his own son, Robert Wellesley Grosvenor, who was born in 1834, but died without issue. He was then followed by his younger brother, Lord Richard Grosvenor who was born in 1834 and later created Baron Stalbridge. Hugh Lupus was born in 1825 and died in 1899. He became the Duke of Westminster in 1874 and sat in Parliament from 1847 through to 1862. Hugh’s first son Victor Alexander died before his father, being born in 1853 and dying in 1884 and never succeeded to the family title. This was passed to Hugh’s grandson, who succeeded to his grandfathers titles in 1899. The grandson, Hugh Richard Arthur Grosvenor was born in 1879 and received his inheritance at the comparatively young age of 20. Two years later he was reported to have married Miss Cornwallis West. Hand was the Mayor of Chester in 1701 and responsible for the rebuilding of Pemberton’s Parlour, which had been formerly known as the “Goblin” or “Dille’s” Tower. There is a suggestion that the original tower had been a round or drum type octagonal construction, with a walkway through its centre and topped with a fighting platform. Following the bitter Civil War and subsequent Siege of Chester, the tower was in such a ruined state that the Council rebuilt the structure, in its current semi circular form. The son of a local joiner from Richmond in Yorkshire Thomas Harrison was born in 1744. As a young man Harrison showed an early talent for both mathematics and mechanics and it wasn’t long before his abilities attracted the attention of a local benefactor, who was keen to develop the young mans abilities. He arranged for the young Harrison to receive an extensive education, including the Grand Tour, which allowed him to study the great architectural buildings of Europe. It was during this trip that he began to develop the architectural skills that he would later employ in future commissions. In Rome, his services were greatly appreciated by the Pope who rewarded the young architect with a Gold and Silver medal. Harrison was still a relatively obscure 40 year old provincial architect, with few buildings to his credit, when he entered a competition to design and build a replacement gaol at Chester’s medieval Castle around 1784. His prize for winning the initial competition was 50 Guineas, but that was as nothing compared to the later fame and adulation he received as a result of his subsequent projects. The commission for a new gaol at the castle was quickly extended to include the rebuilding of the city’s Shire Hall and then in 1804 added to again with an Armoury and Barrack Blocks. With the new Castle complex completed, the new site had extended well beyond the limits of its medieval predecessor. In order to complete his project, Harrison then undertook the design of a striking new entrance to the complex, built in the Greek Doric style and thought to be based on the Propylaeum at the Acropolis in Athens. This final part of the Castle project was undertaken between 1810 and 1822, during which time Harrison was also employed on a restoration of the city’s cathedral building between 1818 and 1820. Harrison was also responsible for the design of Chester’s second river crossing, the Grosvenor Bridge, but sadly did not live to see its completion as he died in 1829, aged 85. Opened by the then 13 year old Princess Victoria in 1833, the bridge project was completed by William Cole, a pupil of Harrison’s. Up until 1864 it was the world’s greatest single span stone bridge, standing 200 feet wide and 60 feet high. He also rebuilt the ancient St Bridget’s church around 1825 after it had been demolished to make way for Grosvenor Road and he relocated it close to the castle complex. Sadly the rebuilt church failed to survive later city developments and finally disappeared forever during the twentieth century, along with many other historic buildings Foliot House in Northgate Street was another Harrison building, that has managed to last the test of time, but is today hidden by the later “Odeon” cinema and has been converted into offices. Chester’s northern gate was designed by Harrison and was erected between 1808 and 1810. He was also the architect of the city’s Commercial Building and News Room which was situated on Northgate Street. Born around 1826 Hughes was a local man who was thought to have been educated at the King’s School in the city, who having left school was apprenticed to a Bookseller in Chester. He was the editor of the Cheshire Sheaf, which regularly featured in the pages of the local publication, the Chester Courant. He was a founder of the Chester Archaeological Society and was a noted archaeologist and author in his own right. Lockwood was a local architect who was thought to be responsible for the design of the Old Bank Building which lies on the northern side of Foregate Street, close to the city’s Eastgate, dating from around 1895. His other landmark buildings were said to have been the Blossom’s Hotel, which was originally sited on the eastern corner of St John’s Street and thought to date from 1896. The modern day Blossom’s has moved slightly south of its original position, but remains as on of Chester’s premier hotels. Lockwood has also been credited with designing Chester's Grosvenor Museum building, as well as the city's High Cross area. Lunt was a local foundry owner and builder who constructed Bold Square, on the south bank of the canal around 1814. He also built the Union Bridge which linked this earlier site, with the Egerton Street area which he later developed. A leading Quaker within Chester, Lunt was said to be responsible for both the Union Hall and the Commercial Hall in the city and put forward proposals to revitalise Chester. He hoped to construct a waterway from Dawpool, near Parkgate on the Wirral through to Chester, but failed to get backing the scheme. In later years the Manchester Ship Canal was built, which removed any further opportunity for Chester’s port to benefit from international trade. Lyniall was a local merchant who was granted the lease on the Roodee in Chester during the reign of Elizabeth I. He built an embankment on the site and extracted tolls from every ship and boat that berthed there to bring goods into the city. Thomas Mainwaring Penson (1818-1864) Penson was a local architect who is best known for his design of the Browns of Chester building in the city. He was also responsible for designing the Chapels at Overleigh cemetery, which stands on the southern bank of the River Dee. He was assisted in the actual construction of the cemetery by a Mr Lister who undertook the layout of the grounds. Penson also designed the Grosvenor Hotel in the city centre, a well as the Queens Hotel which lies opposite Chester’s General Station. Holding the title Duke of Gloucester, he was appointed Justice of Chester around 1393. However, he was so disliked by the local people that they rose up against him. The king Richard II, having been made aware of this local antipathy finally removed Gloucester from office He was a member of the Poole family that owned Poole Hall at Stanlow and which was demolished to make way for the later industrial estate. Thomas was Sheriff of Chester and married Mary Talbot, daughter of Sir John Talbot. The Poole family were reputed to have lived at Poole Hall for over 500 years, from the 1300’s through to the 1800’s. Thomas Poole was said to have rebuilt the hall in 1574 and replaced the much earlier family residence. Roland Poole was the owner of the hall during the English Civil War and as a Royalist sympathiser was heavily fined for his support of Charles I. As a result he was obliged to sell the family’s goods and chattels to his brother Sir Francis Poole. Another brother, James, did not fare so well and was reported to have been killed during the siege of Chester. Throughout their history, the family were tied by marriage with a number of other wealthy Cheshire families, including the Talbot’s Troutbeck’s and Stanley’s. Sir Henry Poole was the last member of the family to live at the hall. Sadly he died in 1821; as a result it is said, of choking on an orange seed. The son of John Stanley and the grandson of Sir John Stanley, Thomas was appointed as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and around 1456 and called to sit in Parliament as Lord Stanley. Unfortunately, he only survived for a short period and was reported to have died in 1459. Thomas Stanley Thought to have been born around 1435 he succeeded his father, Thomas, as the 2nd Lord Stanley and was made the 1st Earl of Derby by Henry VII, in recognition of his service to the crown. Sir Thomas was credited with building and consolidating the family’s fortunes to undreamt of levels, often by cleverly manipulating people or events that were about him. He married Eleanor, the daughter and heiress of Richard Neville, the Earl of Salisbury, and sister to the Earl of Warwick, who was often regarded as the “king maker” such was his power and influence. In 1459 there was a fresh conflict between Warwick and the Earl of Exeter, with both men trying to exert their control over the hapless monarch, Henry VI. Ultimately, these political manoeuvrings ended in physical conflict between the two sides, which culminated in the Battle of Blore Heath. Stanley found his loyalties divided, as the battle saw his father-in-law, Salisbury, in direct conflict with Lord Audley, the same family from which the Stanley’s descended. As a highly astute politician, Stanley opted to remain neutral in any dispute between the two opposing forces and simply contented himself to offering moral support to both sides. When he was questioned by the king as to his absence, Stanley excused himself by stating that he had been away or suffering from an illness. Perhaps surprisingly the king accepted his excuses and in 1460, ordered Stanley to bring the sons of the Earl of Salisbury before him. Sir John and Sir Thomas Neville had both been held at Chester’s medieval castle, after their defeat at the Battle of Blore Heath. His two brothers-in-law were accompanied by two comrades, Thomas and James Harrington who were also brought before the king by Stanley. Thomas Harrington was the owner of Hornby Castle in Lancashire and James was his heir. Following their rebellion against the king their estates were seized and subsequently ended up in the hands of the Stanley family. Following Henry VI’s deposition by the Yorkist claimant Edward IV, Stanley managed to retain his position as a friend of the monarch and was afterwards appointed as Justice of Chester. Some eight years later, the Earl of Warwick, the man who had effectively put Edward on the throne, had changed his allegiance once again and now sought to restore Henry VI. In support of this cause, Warwick’s forces, under Lord Wille’s were comprehensively beaten by the king’s forces at the Battle of Stamford in 1470. Having seen his army defeated Warwick then approached Stanley, his brother-in-law, for help in his quest to remove Edward from the throne. True to form, Lord Stanley refused Warwick’s request for help and waited to see how events would develop before he committed himself. In spite of his refusal, within a few months the monarch Edward had been ousted from the throne and his Lancastrian opponent, Henry VI had been restored. The “king maker” Warwick was accompanied on his journey to London by his hesitant brother-in-law Stanley, who was now keen to actively support the cause of the reinstated monarch. 18 months later, the whole situation had been reversed yet again, Edward had returned and had defeated Henry’s Lancastrian forces at the Battle of Barnet in April 1471. The most noted casualty was the Earl of Warwick, Stanley’s brother-in-law who had been at the root of all the political plotting and manoeuvring which had beset the country for a decade. The next month witnessed the Battle of Tewkesbury, which finally and definitively settled the dispute between the two royal claimants and saw the Lancastrian cause finally consigned to history. When Henry VI died in mysterious circumstances while being held at the Tower of London, Edward IV was finally secured as the one and only king of England. With the country relatively peaceful, Stanley was able to re-establish and secure his place at court, finally becoming Steward of the Royal Household to Edward. He accompanied Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, in his military campaigns against the Scots in 1482 and was reported to have led the force that liberated the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, which has remained in English hands ever since. During these turbulent years, Stanley’s first wife had died and around 1481 he was said to have remarried, this time to Margaret Beaufort who was a distant relative of the Lancastrian Duke, John of Gaunt, the father of Henry IV. With a much disputed claim to the English crown, at 14 years old, Margaret had been married to Edmund, the Earl of Richmond, a half brother to Henry VI, who had recently died in the tower. Edmund had died in around 1456, shortly after the birth of his one and only son, Henry, the Earl of Richmond, who would later become Henry VII. Margaret had then married Sir Henry Stafford, the son of Humphrey, the Duke of Buckingham, who subsequently died in around 1481. Her later marriage to Sir Thomas Stanley, meant that he had become the step-father to a potential Lancastrian heir to the English throne. It was a fact not lost on a reigning monarch that had earlier been beset by counter claims made by members of the same family. However, Stanley and his new wife had both developed keen political instincts that helped them to minimise any potential threat to the sovereign. Their devotion to one another and their service to the crown, no doubt attributed to the eventual rise of the Tudor dynasty and its subsequent accession to the English throne During the reign of Edward IV, there was only one candidate for the throne, the king’s young son Edward. However, following the monarch’s death in 1483 the matter became much more complicated, with much of the country being divided into 3 separate camps, all of which supported their own candidate for the crown. Initially, the line of succession had remained intact and the young Edward V had ascended the throne, following his father’s death in 1483. Although family ties might well have led Stanley to support his stepson Henry, the Earl of Richmond, for the crown, he was thought to have accepted Edward’s right of succession. However, events beyond his control conspired to see the young prince murdered and his uncle Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, seize the throne for himself. Stanley and his wife, now needed all their political skills and wits to avoid becoming embroiled in a contest for the crown, which might see their very survival threatened. As in other disputes, Stanley seems to have adopted a highly pragmatic view towards the whole situation and adapted easily to the new administration that ruled the country. Once again he was appointed as Steward of the Royal Household, the post he had previously held under Edward IV and was also chosen as Constable of England, a lifetime posting. Unfortunately for Lord Stanley, his new wife was not so discreet or forgiving towards the new monarch, Richard III. A conspiracy to oust Richard in favour of Margaret’s son Henry was discovered by the authorities, implicating both the Duke of Buckingham and Stanley’s wife. Following the execution of Buckingham, the king ordered an inquiry into the behaviour and involvement of Margaret, the Countess of Richmond with the plotters. Although she was subsequently found guilty of some connection with the scheme, it was only her own property and lands that were seized by the crown and not those of her husband, Stanley. Because she was married to a great favourite of Richard III, Margaret escaped any serious punishment, while her fellow conspirators did not. In August 1485, Margaret’s son Henry, the exiled Duke of Richmond returned to England, to settle his dispute with the usurper Richard III. On the 22nd of the month, the two forces met at the Battle of Bosworth, a confrontation that was ultimately decided by a member of the Stanley family. William Stanley was reported to have used his forces against Richard as the battle raged and in doing so had swayed the course of events. His older brother, Sir Thomas, was said to have remained fairly inactive in the initial phase of the battle and only became involved as the tide began to go against the usurper Richard. With the battle finally won and Richard dead, legend has it that one of the Stanley’s picked up the battered crown from the field and placed it on Henry Tudor’s head. It was an act of recognition that the new monarch, Henry VII would not forget. Sir Thomas, the Lord Stanley was subsequently made the 1st Earl of Derby by the new king in recognition of his service to the crown. The accession of Henry VII to the throne marked the beginning of the Tudor dynasty, which would last for over 100 years and include some of this country’s most notable monarchs, including Henry VIII and his daughter Elizabeth I. Although his brother William was rewarded for his actions at the Battle of Bosworth, he did not fare as well as his older sibling. Having been accused of involvement in a plot against Henry VII, he was said to have been executed in February 1485. Despite this, Sir Thomas Stanley, the 1st Lord Derby remained faithful to Henry and continued to consolidate and build on the family’s notable achievements and good fortunes. When he died in 1504, he had survived the turbulent reigns of 4 English monarchs including; Edward IV, Edward V, Richard III and Henry VII. During his lifetime he had managed to avoid the political pitfalls, seizures and executions that had befell many of his contemporaries. He was survived by two of his six sons, all by his first wife Eleanor. His eldest son George, Lord Strange, had died in 1497 and it was his son, Sir Thomas’ grand son that succeeded to the title of Lord Derby in 1504. Canal and bridge engineer around 1793 that was responsible for location of the Grosvenor Bridge. He was a Royalist supporter during the English Civil War who, along with the Earl of Derby and a Captain Benbow, were reported to have been tried and condemned by a Parliamentary court at Chester in 1651 for treason All three men had been involved with an attempt to seize the town of Wigan from Parliamentary control, but had been met and subsequently defeated by a force of Dragoons. He was executed at Chester’s marketplace, close to the Abbey gateway. His co-accused, the Earl of Derby had initially escaped from custody at Chester Castle by climbing down a rope which had been thrown to him. Unfortunately for Stanley, he was quickly recaptured and removed to his home town of Bolton, where he was executed the following day, by losing his head on the block. |
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