Family History 2.25

Bigelow History: pre-1630

Edward I

Edward I

 

 

When Henry III died, Edward was on crusade in the east. He journeyed slowly homewards to his coronation. A tall, powerful man, he soon established his control over the English government and set about reforming the law and establishing the process of taxation through regular parliaments.

 

He suppressed rebellion in Wales, and built a series of castles with associated towns to keep the Welsh in order. One of the largest was at Conwy, where the planned, checker-board town was inside the walls of the castle. This was a trend-setter for other towns across Europe.

 

Edward spent much of his reign trying to subdue the Scots, with whom his father had had a good relationship. He also expelled the Jews from England.

 

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The Bigelow Association Family History has this to say:

 

" It appears that when the Normans came in William the Conqueror’s time (1066-1087), the area known as Baggiley in Cheshire was held by Hamon Massy, Baron of Dunham (Durham?).

 

Massy was given it as a reward for his Knight's service.  It was to be handed down to his heirs and successors.

"Around the time of King John, (1129-1216), the heir of Hamon Massy, another Hamon Massy, gave Mathew Massy of Bromhale: Bromhale, Duckenfield, and two parts of Biggiley. 

 

At this time the “Hamon Massy” heirs adopted the name Biggiley, as well.  Later it became known as Baguley.

It is certain that this town gave the name to the family Biggiley (Baguley.)  There were certain Biggileys known to be resident as early as the reign of Henry III, (1216-1272).  Baguley is about twelve miles from Manchester.

 

"The International Genealogical Index indicates births as early as 1170 in the area.  If that is true then, the original name is therefore Massy.  As to whether Hamon Massy, Baron of Durham, was a direct ancestor of Sire William de Baggiley (aka: de Baguley) still has to be established.

"Sire William de Baggiley (aka: de Baguley), born around 1260, was knighted by King Edward I, and later married one of the King’s daughters.  Her name was Lucy Corona.  She was born out of wedlock.  This was quite common in those days for the king to have children form someone other than the Queen.  Lucy’s mother (a lady in waiting) worked in the King’s court. 

 

"Sire William and Lucy had five children.  The children married into well-to-do families.  During this time the Baguley family were quite well up in the aristocracy of England.  They owned the salt mines in Cheshire and a mill for processing.  This is where they made their money.

"In the reign of Edward II, Sir William de Baguley was made Lord of Baguley.  Sire William built Baguley Hall around 1320 and was Lord of the Manor until his death.  At the time of his death, he also owned a manor at Hyde and another at Levenshulme in Lancashire, plus an inn called The Ryle Thorn in Baguley. 

 

"His son John Biggiley, born around 1290 and died around 1356, as well as his daughter Isabel succeeded him as joint heirs of his property.  Isabel married Sir John Leigh of Booths, a widower.  Their eldest son William inherited Baguley.  The manor remained in the Leigh family until the late seventeenth century, when the line terminated in Edward Leigh.  He had married Elinour Tatton of Wythenshawe Hall and although they had three daughters, there was no son to succeed him."

Conwy Castle

 

 

Conwy town

 

 



A street in the town of Conwy