Roy Goodloe, who lives in Texas, has been in touch with regard to research he has been carrying on the Gidlows family and in particular their residence in Aspull. Gidlow Hall lies a few hundred metres south of the Dicconson Lane and is one of only a few Medieval moated sites that still has a full circuit of water. Roy's research shows that he is related to the Gidlow family and has traced them back to a Robert de Gidlow who was living in Aspull in 1270.
The Heritage Environment Record (HER) say the spelling was 'Gy(u)delowe' in 1291 and indicates the house was probably built by the 'Goodlaws of Ashpool'. It was mentioned in an inquisition of Henry VIII in 1534. The current house, judging by this date-stone, seems to have been built in 1574 although considerably alterations occurred in 1840 when it lost its porch and east range. The initials TG can just be made out on the date-stone which is believed to refer to Thomas Gudlawe. Roy has discovered that his ancestor, George Gudlawe was born there in 1637 but the family, being catholic and staunch Royalist, found themselves on the wrongs side at end of the English Civil War. With the prospect of being disinherited, the young George, at the age of 14, managed to make his way to the colonies, landing in Christ Church, Virginia in 1651. Catholics were not particularly welcome either in America at that time, often being asked to live with the natives.
Roy thinks this is why he changed his name to Goodloe. George had one son named Henry who stayed in Christ Church until his father died in 1710. He then moved north to Spotsylvania where he built a farm that eventually became a substantial plantation. This is fascinating research and Roy was fortunate to visit us in 2010 when he took the above photo. Comparing it with the one I took in the mid 80's (see Newsletter 165) it is obvious the building has been cleaned and extended on the left side. As far as I know, only one excavation has been carried on the site. In order to examine the silts deposited in the moat, in 1995 a trench was opened at the rear of the house across the moat. At the inner edge a gravel and stone projection was uncovered which probably served as a platform. The pottery assemblage suggested a date no earlier than the 19th century. Above the current entrance there is an oval plaque with a mysterious heraldic beast shot through by an arrow. Any more information about this site or the Gidlow family would be most welcome to help Roy with his research.
CBA Autumn Conference
This year's meeting is to be held at the Grosvenor Museum in Chester on Saturday 8th November. It's entitled 'Castles and Crenellations in the North West' and has, as usual, a variety of speakers on a range of topics with a castle theme. Please let me know if you are interested in going.
Kirkless Project Update
Wigan Council is in the process of granting us a licence. However it looks like we won't be able to start the work now until next April. This is because, when working on council land, we will need to upgrade our public liability insurance to £5 million. The premium is due in April and, although our insurer has indicated he is will to accept payment for a part year, it still wouldn't be worth it for the time we have left this year.
Next Meeting
Wednesday 5th November - in the Standish Suite at the Brocket Arms (7.30pm as usual). This month we have our very own Eric Walter who will be telling us about his experiences excavating in Cumbria on the Roman Fort at Papcastle. Eric volunteered there over a number weeks and was fortunate enough to make a significant discovery. In his first few days there he uncovered an in-scripted stone, one of only a few recovered from this site. Being just a fragment, a full interpretation isn't possible but it seems to be referring to a cohort perhaps stationed there. Eric will also be explaining the significance of the fort in context with rest of the Roman Cumbrian coast defences. Sounds like a fascinating talk - hope to see you at the meeting, BA.
|
