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73

If the ruined walls had ears and eyes as well, and could voice what they had heard and seen, what a story could they unfold! Here came the Plantagenet warriors; King Henry VII visiting his pious mother and his step father Thomas, Earl of Derby, Besse of York, Prince Arthur, Henry, Earl of Cumberland, Warwick the King maker, King James and his court, all received with sumptuous hospitality and entertained in regal style. In sight of the castle were the desolate and forsaken ruins of Burscogh priory in which the Latham Knights knelt in prayer; within, sculptured shrines, massive stone coffins, and effigies of their illustrious dead, proud monuments to the opulence and greatness of the lords of Latham. (119) (No remains of the ruins were to be found in 1916.)

According to Burke, the great Norman Baron Herveus had two children: Theobald Walter, lord of Amounderness, and chief butler of Ireland, whose descendants bore arms, "Or, a chief indented azure," from whom were the Dukes of Ormonde and Earls Carrick; and a daughter who married 0rme Magnus, founder of Ormskirk Church, and proprietor of large estates.

The first Latham progenitor of whom we have any account was Henry, lord of Latham, who had 3 sons: Robert, Richard and Roger.

Robert de Latham.

Richard de Latham, second son of Henry, was a witness to his brother's foundation Charter of the Burscogh priory, and used the Boteler arms with the Latham difference, with the addition of an eagle's leg erased (122). He was ancestor of the Torbocks of Torbock.Roger de Latham, third son of Henry, of whom we have no account.

1. Robert de Latham, the eldest son of Henry, married, presumably, a daughter of Orme Magnus. The "Testa de Neville"  states that Albert de Grelle, Baron of Manchester, gave to Orme, in marriage with his daughter Emma, circa 1170, one knight's fee in Dalton, Parbold, and Wrightington, and one carucate of land in Eston. These estates we know came into possession of the Lathams who held them for many centuries. This Robert Latham (called Robert fitz Henry) was founder of Burscogh priory, which was endowed by him with the churches of Ormskirk and Flixton, circa 1180, (121 p. 201). Issue 2 Richard.

2. Richard de Latham, eldest son of Robert, died in the year 1220. He held the manor of Dalton, and 1/4 of the manor of Wrightington. The name of his wife is unknown, but he left issue 3 Sir Robert.

3. Sir Robert de Latham, son of Richard, died prior to September, 1286. Married Amicia, daughter of Robert de Alfreton, lord of Alfreton, Norton, and Marnham, and grandson of Robert fitz Ralph, founder of Beauchief Abbey. Sir Robert de Latham was High Sheriff of Lancaster, 1236, 1248, 1249, and again in 1263. Custos of the Castle and County of Lancaster during pleasure 1250, and of the honour of Lathom 1254. He was summoned for‑military service against Llewelyn in 1277, and fought against the Welsh in 1282. He had issue by his wife Amicia de Alfreton, 4 sons:  Sir Robert, and Richard, Henry and Thomas.

Sir Robert de Latham.

Richard Latham of Parbold, son of Sir Robert and Amicia, d. 1344. m. ‑Dionysia de Mascy, d. of Sir Hamon de Mascy of Dunham. He was one of the followers of the Earl of Lancaster in his rebellion, but was pardoned in 1313. (94, Vol. XVI, p. 202).

Henry Latham de Torbock, son of Sir Robert and Amicia. m.‑Elena, granddaughter of Henry de Turton.

Thomas Latham, son of Sir Robert and Amicia..The name of his wife is unknown. He was grantee of Mosborough and lands in Raynsforth from his brother Sir Robert, in 1292. From this gentleman are descended the Lathams of Mosborough.