Home Research > Members > 1386-1421 > RADCLIFFE, Thomas (-d.1403) RADCLIFFE, Thomas (d.1403), of Winmarleigh and Astley, Lancs. Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1386-1421, ed. J.S. Roskell, L. Clark, C. Rawcliffe., 1993Available from Boydell and Brewer LANCASHIRELANCASHIREFamily and Education3rd s. of Richard Radcliffe† (d.c.1375) of Astley and Radcliffe Tower by Isabel, da. (2) c.1386, Joan (fl. 1417), wid. of Gilbert Southworth (d. by 1355) of Samlesbury and William Farington (fl. 1375).Offices HeldSteward of the wapentake of Blackburnshire in the duchy of Lancaster, Lancs. 7 Apr. 1383-c.1393, Feb. 1402-d.; master forester of Pendle, Lancs. Feb. 1384, Mar. 1400; inquiry Sept. 1385 (distraints at Chadderton), July 1397 (wastes at Lancaster priory); to select archers for John of Gaunt’s expedition to Spain Mar. 1386; make arrests Aug. 1396; prevent the spread of treasonous rumours May 1402.J.p. Lancs. Mar. 1385, July 1394, Mar. 1400, Feb. 1402.Constable of Lancaster castle by 1394.BiographyRichard Radcliffe’s principal seat lay at Radcliffe Tower, which had belonged to his father, but he also inherited estates at Astley, Clitheroe and Winmarleigh, acquired the manor and advowson of Prestwich, and leased additional property in Sabden from the duchy of Lancaster.
For a brief period in the late 1360s he interested himself in the affairs of the local community, serving on two royal commissions and representing Lancashire in Parliament, but his career was not otherwise worthy of much remark. An element of notoriety did, none the less, attach itself to him and his younger son, Thomas, the subject of this biography, as a result of their involvement in various ‘trespasses, conspiracies, confederacies, extortions, oppressions, champerties, maintenances, damages, grievances, falsities and excesses’ committed by their kinsman, another Richard Radcliffe, while sheriff of Lancashire. Vociferous complaints by the abbot of Evesham and the prior of Petwortham (who seem to have been particularly victimized) led the government to hold a formal investigation, although nothing seems to have been done to discipline the offenders. No more is heard of Thomas for a while, perhaps because the survival of two elder brothers, who between them shared most of the Radcliffe inheritance, forced him into a rather subordinate position.
In April 1383, however, John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, made him steward of the wapentake of Blackburnshire; and on the death of his brother, Christopher, in the following year, he inherited the manors of Astley, Clitheroe and Winmarleigh. Now a landowner of some consequence, he was returned to Parliament almost at once, having also obtained a seat on the Lancashire bench. It was, moreover, at about this time that Thomas married, as his second wife, the twice-widowed Joan Farington, who brought him additional estates in Samlesbury. He was thus able to offer Gaunt an increased rent for the land in Sabden which both his father and elder brother had previously farmed; and in 1387 he became the new tenant. This was a busy period in his life, for he not only helped to execute the will of John Gaddesby but also, in March 1386, stood surety for his kinsman, James Radcliffe, as lessee of the herbage in Gaunt’s park at Musbury in Lancashire. One year later the duke employed Thomas to levy the arrears of rent owed by another of his many relatives, John Radcliffe of Chadderton.
During this time he entered into two recognizances for debt, one of which was offered directly to Gaunt, while the second was taken by his chancellor, William Hornby. He may well have been acting on behalf of Sir Robert Urswyk* (another of the parties), who had previously settled upon him a reversionary interest in the manor of Bispham. He and John, Lord Lovell, also received securities at this time from a local man named Nicholas Orell.In about 1390, Thomas acquired a small estate in Ravensholme, perhaps as a trustee. Although still in office as steward of Blackburnshire, he evidently felt no compunction about poaching in Gaunt’s forests and chases, and in 1392 he and his son, Richard, obtained a formal pardon from the duke for their past offences in this respect. Gaunt did not take these trespasses too seriously, for Thomas remained his ‘tres cher esquier’, and was clearly regarded as a trustworthy and loyal servant. Whatever reasons the duke may have had for removing Radcliffe’s name from the return to the Parliament of 1393 and substituting that of his powerful supporter, Sir Ralph Ipres, it seems unlikely that any slight or censure was intended, especially as Thomas did indeed represent Lancashire two years later, by which time he was in office as constable of the royal castle of Lancaster
, at a fee of 20 marks a year. He could almost certainly by then rely on the generous annuity of 100 marks settled upon him by Gaunt, whose confidence in him was such that, a year before his death, in February 1398, he made him a trustee of the manor of Barnoldswick in Yorkshire, a property set aside for the support of the duchess in her widowhood. The Lancastrian usurpation of 1399 naturally won Thomas’s firm support, and he was able, thanks to the patronage of Gaunt’s son, Henry IV, to end his days as the occupant of two important offices in the duchy of Lancaster. In 1401 he offered guarantees on behalf of two other farmers of duchy property; and he remained active as a j.p. and royal commissioner until his death. This occurred early in 1403, when he was succeeded by his son, Richard. His widow, Joan, survived for another 14 years, if not longer.ContactThe Aspinall ArmsMitton RdMittonClitheroeLancashireBB7 9PQTel: 01254 826 555Email: aspinall.arms@brunningandprice.co.ukWeb: www.aspinallarmspub.co.ukGet directions to The Aspinall Arms
There's plenty to do in the area, you could make a day of it and visit a local attraction before or after you come to see us. See a few that we would recommend... Waterhouses, Settle, North Yorkshire, BD24 9PT Tel: 01729 830 416 | A popular dales beauty spot, rolling hills and rugged moorland From the Aspinall Arms - about 28 miles to/from Malham Tarn Estate. Near Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX7 7AP Tel: 01422 844 518 | beautiful wooded valley with 19th century Gibson Mill at its heart From the Aspinall Arms - about 30 miles to/from Hardcastle craggs. Tel: 0870 333 1181 | Open 10am-5pm every day. The remains of a Cistercian abbey founded in 1148, set on the banks of the Ribble against a backdrop of dramatic hills. From the Aspinall Arms - about 9 miles to/from Sawley Abbey. Park Hill, Barrowford, Nelson, Lancashire, BB9 6JQ. Tel: 01282 677 150 | The Pendle Heritage Centre is open daily and includes a Garden Tearoom, 18th Century Walled Garden, Cruck Frame Barn, a Parlour shop, Tourist Information Centre, Pendle Arts Gallery and a Conference Centre.
From the Aspinall Arms - about 16 miles to/from Pendle Heritage Centre. Castle Hill, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 1BA. Tel: 01200 424 568 | Open 11am to 4pm. The museum stands high on Castle Hill, in the shadow of the Castle Keep, an image which has dominated Clitheroe’s skyline for over 800 years. From the Aspinall Arms - about 4 miles to/from Clitheroe castle. Pendle Ski Club, Clitheroe Road, Sabden, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 9HN. Tel: 01200 425 222 | Lessons by appointment, please get in touch. Pendle is a slope built on sound investment. Member owned, and run completely by volunteers, every penny earned is re-invested back into the infrastructure. That’s why we are proud to boast that we have one of the best “dry" surfaces in the country. From the Aspinall Arms - about 6 miles to/from Pendle ski club. Queen St Mill Textile Museum Tel: 01282 412 555 | Open 12noon to 5pm. Closed Sundays. Queen Street Mill is a unique survivor of the textile industry.
The Mill represents the last commercial steam powered textile weaving mill in the world. From the Aspinall Arms - about 14 miles to/from Queen St Mill Textile Museum. Pepper Hill Barn Study Centre, Trawden, Colne, Lancashire, BB8 8SY. Tel: 01282 870 253 | Wycoller Country Park is one of the prettiest Country Parks in Lancashire. The area is famous for its association with the Brontè sisters who referred to many of the nearby landmarks in books such as “Wuthering Heights" and “Jane Eyre". From the Aspinall Arms - about 24 miles to/from Wycoller Country Park. Langcliffe Rd, Settle, North Yorkshire, BD24 9LR. Tel: 01729 825 539 | Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Located in the market town of Settle, the Watershed Mill is set in the beautiful surroundings of the Yorkshire Dales and is only 5 minutes walk from the famous Settle to Carlisle Railway. From the Aspinall Arms - about 25 miles to/from The Watershed Mill.
Whalley Abbey, The Sands, Whalley, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 9SS. Tel: 01254 828 400 | The Cistercian Abbey of Stanlow, in Cheshire, moved to Whalley in 1296. The Church was built between 1330 and 1380, but the Abbot’s lodging and Infirmary were not completed until c. 1440. From the Aspinall Arms - about 2 miles to/from Whalley abbey. Opening timesDayOpenFood servedMonday10:30am - 11pm12noon - 10pmTuesday10:30am - 11pm12noon - 10pmWednesday10:30am - 11pm12noon - 10pmThursday10:30am - 11pm12noon - 10pmFriday10:30am - 11pm12noon - 10pmSaturday10:30am - 11pm12noon - 10pmSunday10:30am - 10:30pm12noon - 9:30pm Disabled facilitiesWe have full disabled access including a disabled loo and disabled parking. Please don't hestitate to ask if you need any assistance. Children and minorsWhilst primarily an adult’s environment, children are welcome in areas away from the bar, although the pub is not very suitable for babies and toddlers in the evenings. We have changing facilities and some high chairs available.
DogsDogs of the well behaved and on-the leash variety are welcome in the bar area. 62 King St, Clitheroe, Whalley, Lancashire, BB7 9SN. Tel: 01254 822 195 Mitton Rd, Mitton, Whalley, BB7 9PQ. Tel: 01254 826 544 Inn at the station, Clitheroe King St, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 2EU. Tel: 01200 425 464 Moor Ln, West Bradford, Clitheroe, BB7 3JG. Tel: 01200 425 271 BookingsWe do take bookings, but we try to make sure that there is room for customers who are not able to book in advance, so if you have not made a reservation, it's not the end of the world. If there are no tables free we run a waiting list from behind the bar. Please make bookings via calling or using our online bookings calendar on our home page. Unfortunately we are not able to take bookings via email. WeddingsWe are afraid we are unable to accommodate wedding parties or functions. Sadly due to our operation we are not able to cater for very large parties or groups.