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Taken from the document

MRS PARKER'S SETTLEMENTS dated 19th and 20th December 1816

Drawn up prior to the marriage of Robert Townley Parker of Cuerden and Royle Lancs and Harriet Brooke spinster age 19 youngest daughter of Thomas Brooke Church Minshull

and the Capital Messuage or Mansion House called EXTWISTLE HALL and its demesne and demesne lands, coppices and other lands, and the appurtenances, in BRIERCLIFFE with EXTWISTLE (60a. 2r. 7p. of customary measure) now in holding of William Lawrence, and a water corn Mill called EXTWISTLE MILL in BRIERCLIFFE with EXTWISTLE with the toll, kiln, suit, soken, mulcture and appurtenances belonging thereto now in tenure of Daniel Parker, also a Capital Messuage or Mansion House called Netherwood and the demesne and the demesne and other lands thereto belonging in BRIERCLIFFE with EXTWISTLE (49a. 2r. 8p. of like measure) now in tenure of William Dent, also a Capital Messuage or Mansion House called Monk Hall and the demesne and demesne and other lands thereto belonging in BRIERCLIFFE with EXTWISTLE now divided into the following tenements, viz: Lower Monk Hall and Shay Lane (39a. 3r. 34p.) in tenure of William Hanworth; Higher Monk Hall (15a. 2r. 23p.) in tenure of Thomas Whitaker; Middle Monk Hall (11a. 0r. 30p.) in tenure of William Hanworth, jun.; Hawks House (1a. 0r. 30p.) in tenure of James Hanworth; Beardale Hall (18a. 1r. 39p.) in tenure of Thomas Heap; Lea Green (27a. 2r. 28p.) in tenure of Daniel Parker; and Proctor Coat (12a. 3r. 16p.) in tenure of Banastre Parker, and also a cottage and garden in tenure of Henry Todd, also the Capital Messuage or Mansion House called High Halstead and its lands in WORSTHOME, Lancs., (34a. 3r. 11p. of customary measure) now in tenure of James Smith, and also a messuage or tenement in WORSTHOME called Swindens (11a. 0r. 17p. of like measure) heretofore in occupation of Robert Halstead and now in tenure of William Knowles, and also a Capital Messuage or Mansion House called Royle with the demesne and demesne and other lands and hereditaments thereto belonging in BURNLEY and/or the Forest or Chase of PENHILL alias PENDLE, Lancs., (62 customary acres) and the appurtenances, now in possession of Joshua Fielden, and a messuage and tenement with appurtenances in BURNLEY called Cranshawe alias Crankshaw now also in tenure of said J. Fielden containing (with a close now let to Joseph Massey) of about 10 acres) 47 customary acres and the appurtenances, also freehold messuages, lands, tenements and hereditaments with their appurtenances in BURNLEY and/or HABERGHAM EAVES and/or LITTLE IGHTONHILL, Lancs., called Clifton or Clifton Tenement, Smith's, Hoppy's alias Butterworth's, Whittle Field and Spencer's (in all 128 customary acres) and their appurtenances, now in the possession or occupation of Robert Taylor, Richard Clegg, Joseph Massey and William Beanland as tenants or farmers, also freehold messuages, lands, tenements and hereditaments in BREARCLIFFE alias BRIERCLIFFE, Brearcliffe Town Field, BURNLEY and COCKIEN, all in Lancs., call 1 the Hardhouse (31a. 0r. 13p.) in tenure of William Whittaker, Shor Tenement (20a. 2r. 27p.) in tenure of Richard Whittaker, Black house Lane (25a. 1r. 27p.) in tenure of William Halstead, Hanson's Tenement (11a. 2r. 33p.) in tenure of William Halsted, and Cockden (9a. 2r. 17p.) in tenure of John Greenwood, jun

We took the dogs for a walk around Cuerden over christmas. Bit of an odd place, not sure which bit is the original.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

You are just showing off now Gloria BUT where is Cuerden?

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David
Genealogists do it in the library.

Ha ha- Seek and ye shall find

CUERDEN, a township in Leyland parish, Lancashire; on the river Lostock, and on the Preston and Wigan railway, 5 miles NNW of Chorley. Acres, 800. Real property, £3,322. Pop., 666. Houses, 121. Cuerden Hall belonged to the Banastres, and passed to the Parkers. Dr. Kuerden, the antiquary, was a native.
John Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72)

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David
Genealogists do it in the library.

Not our usual place to walk dogs, but if we go again I will photo it.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

Extwistle Hall, and a goblin funeral.

This once fine and ancient mansion house at Extwistle now lies in sad decay, and unless steps are taken soon will crumble to the ground. This antiquated manor house lies in a pastoral setting in the fields above Swinden Reservoir at Roggerham to the west of Burnley. The hall can be approached via the path around the reservoir, and the dam at the far end. A stile here gives way to a field path, and a route onto the lane (a public footpath) running past the old hall. Extwistle Hall dates from around 1580, with a rear wing built in 1637, and was the home of the Parker family of Extwistle. This area of Briercliffe and Extwistle are steeped in tradition and folklore, one of which relates to Captain Robert Parker of Extwistle.


Captain Robert it is said, had been attending a Jacobite meeting one night in the early 17th century. The evening was moonlit as the captain left the meeting to return to his home at Extwistle. He crossed a small bridge near Extwistle Hall, and was amazed to hear the incantations of a goblin funeral. Curiosity got the better of Captain Parker, intrigued he sought hiding in some nearby bushes. The recitals became louder as the procession drew ever nearer. In the moonlight the cortege approached where Captain Robert was hid, and the glow of the moon lit up the brass nameplate on the coffin. To his terror it revealed his own name, 'Captain Robert Parker'. The captain took this to be a warning against taking involvement with the Jacobites, he withdrew his support for them and refused to take any part in the failed uprising of 1715.

From an article by Jack Nadin

Leslie Chapple 'Romantic Old Houses and Their Tales'

EXTWISTLE HALL

In 1190, Richard Malbisse, a Norman baron, was in possession of Extwistle, but later it became the property of the Kirkstall and Newbo abbeys. It was subsequently leased to John Parker of Monk Hall, and Richard Towneley. On the dissolution of the monasteries in 1537 it was acquired by William Ramsden, and then resold to Robert Parker. Standing high on Extwistle Moor roughly halfway between Haggate and Worsthorne, Extwistle Hall was built in the 16th century in the Tudor style, and another wing was added later. The Parker family gained prominence in local affairs, and two of its members became sheriffs of the county. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I the dubious sport of bullbaiting was at its height and a bullring was situated in the vicinity of the hall. The bullstone, a bulky piece of millstone grit is now built into a nearby wall.

There is little doubt that Edmund Spenser made the journey from nearby Hurstwood to witness the sport, and a verse from "The Faerie Queen" lends credence to this fact.

"Like a wylde bull that, being at a bay,

Is bayted of a mastiffe and a hound,

Any a curre-dog, that doe him sharpe assay

On every side, and beat about him round".

The Parker family lived at the hall for about 200 years, and it was a curious but tragic accident that severed their association with Extwistle. On Thursday, March 17th, 1718, Captain Robert Parker went out shooting on a day that turned out to be wet and stormy. Consequently at the end of the day's sport he returned to the house thoroughly drenched with rain. He removed his greatcoat and laid it in front of the fire to dry. Unfortunately, he had omitted to remove his powder flask that still contained a large quantity of gunpowder and the result was that an explosion took place. Captain Parker, along with two of his daughters ,Mary Townley and Betty Atkinson, and a child, were seriously injured, and there was considerable damage to the dining room in which the accident happened, and two other rooms were set on fire. Unfortunately, Captain Parker succumbed to his injuries and died a month later. After this tragedy the family moved to another residence, Cuerden Hall, and the old house at Extwistle appears to have been abandoned to dilapidation, although part of it was occupied as a farmhouse. A more unlikely tale records that the same Captain Parker, when returning from a Jacobite meeting late one evening, saw a goblin funeral procession pass through the gate at the top of Netherwood Fields.

The ghostly cavalcade passed of on in deep silence, a train of little men bearing the coffin, on top of which, as it passed, he saw his own name inscribed. In 1902, in a lecture to the Burnley Literary and Scientific Club, Mr. Tattersall Wilkinson, the sage of Roggerham, said: "In bygone days it was a generally accepted superstition that the devil could be raised by reciting the Lord's Prayer backwards, and woe betide the raisers who did not manage to give him a task he could not do. It is said that some country people raised his satanic majesty at Lee Green, near Extwistle. In this instance he accomplished every task put before him. Terror and dismay filled the minds of the unlucky bumpkins as the time was fast drawing nigh when he would claim his recompense. At this awful moment they bethought themselves to fetch a priest from Towneley, who arrived just in the nick of time when the devil vanished in a flash of lightning at the sight of his mortal enemy, who duly laid the foe of man with bell and book at the foot of Lee Green Scar, where he rests till this day. Sadly this once fine hall is now in decay, if nothing is done, and done quickly it will be lost forever.

Leslie Chapple 'Romantic Old Houses and Their Tales'

FAIR ALICE OF EXTWISTLE HALL


God rest a dear lady who lived long ago.
Where clear moorland waters down green valleys flow.
A romance so tender I oft times recall.
The day’s o Fair Alice of Extwistle Hall.

Her smile was so enchanting and bright shone her een.
A sweet country maiden with grace of a queen.
The lad that she courted was handsome and tall.
He worshipped Fair Alice of Extwistle Hall.

The bells of St. Peters were ringing so gay.
And lovely was Alice in bridal array.
Her wedding was honoured by banquet and ball.
And minstrels made music at Extwistle Hall.

Many years did she dwell on yon lonely hillside.
And deep was the sorrow and tears when she died.
The Hall stands deserted those faces are gone.
Yet still in our memory Fair Alice lives on.

By Milton Allan.

Ruined hall a 'crying shame'
From the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, first published Thursday 12th Aug 2004.

ANYONE who has been watching the latest Restoration programme on BBC TV cannot fail to be impressed by the vast assortment of buildings we have in Britain, many of which need restoration -- the object of the programme.

We, in Burnley, also have a number of buildings of great antiquity, but have also lost some fine historic structures as well.

Take the Holme at Cliviger -- it's doubtful that this once fine building will ever be rebuilt after being hit by fire, in spite of all its history.

Coal Clough House though, it seems, will fare better. This too was gutted by fire, but plans are afoot to rebuild.

One great building we still have is in dire need of attention, and as soon as possible -- Extwistle Hall.

It can only be described as a crying shame that a building such as Extwistle Hall, a once fine 16th Century Tudor country mansion, should have been allowed to deteriorate to its present condition.

Extwistle Hall now stands ruined, disgraced, and shamefully lopsided on the north side of Swinden Reservoir, near the Roggerham Gate Inn.

If ever there was a case for restoration, then this is it.

A footpath higher up the hill from the inn, and just around the sharp bend, takes one past the old hall, which then continues through Houghton's Farm, after which turning left over a stile runs past Netherwood farms to Heasandford, and the water meetings there -- a fine walk in any season. Extwistle Hall will always be associated with the Parker family although, at one time, it was in the possession of Kirkstall and Newbo Abbeys, who also owned Monk Hall close by Extwistle, hence the name, the original homes of the Parker family.

On the dissolution of the monasteries in 1537, Extwistle Hall was sold off to a William Ramsden, who later sold it on to Robert Parker.

It was said in 1666, ironically the year of the Great Fire of London, that "John Parker of Extwistle Hall, the largest house in the township, had eleven hearths".

The Parkers continued to live at Extwistle for almost 200 years, until tragic events of 1718 terminated their association with this then fine building.

The date was Thursday, March 17, 1718, and Captain Robert Parker set off for a day's shooting on the moors around Extwistle Hall -- the day ended wet and windy, and the Captain arrived home thoroughly drenched.

When he arrived at the hall he took off his great hunting coat and placed it near a roaring fire in the dining room at the great hall. Unfortunately, in his haste to get warm and dry, he forgot about a large canister of gunpowder in his pocket.

An explosion followed that severely injured Captain Parker, two of his daughters, Mary Townley and Betty Atkinson, and a child. The dining room was badly damaged in the explosion, as were two other rooms, which were set alight.

The Captain never recovered from his injuries, and died four weeks later. Following this, the family removed themselves from Extwistle Hall and took up residence at Cuerden Hall, near Bamber Bridge, now a nursing home.

There is, of course, the tale of Captain Parker and the goblin funeral, albeit an unlikely tale -- or is it? It is said, in local tradition and folklore, that late one night, after attending a local Jacobite meeting, the Captain was returning home to Extwistle via the gate at the top end of Netherwood fields. Here, he heard some strange noises, and hid himself in the undergrowth, both out of fear and curiosity. Soon, a train of little men came into view, now in silent procession; those in front were carrying a coffin.

In the moonlight the Captain was able to see, much to his horror, that the nameplate on the casket was inscribed with the Captain's own name!

Following the removal of the Parker family, Extwistle Hall was virtually left to dereliction, used only occasionally to house local farmers, and their labourers.

In the early 1880s, Extwistle Hall was home to the Edmondsons, James, aged 76, a farmer of 90 acres, and his wife Rachel. Also living there were his two sons, John, then aged 24, and Henry, aged 21, and two farm labourers, or servants, Thomas Howorth and James Stanworth.

However, over the next 120 odd years, Extwistle Hall was reduced to its now pitiful state of dereliction. The hall was sold off in October 1987, and plans put forward to make it into a clubhouse for an equestrian centre to be built around it, but nothing came of it.

How sad it is now to see this once grand hall with all its history and folklore in ruins -- surely it deserves more care, and a better future than this!

Lancashire Evening News - Dated 1996

A MULTI million pound plan to create an international golfing complex in Burnley was to be given the go-ahead this week. Planning chiefs were being asked to approve the conversion of the 16th century Extwistle Hall at Briercliffe and 300 acres of adjoining land into a huge leisure centre. Owners Extwistle Properties Ltd teed off with a £10 million plan to build 18 and nine hole golf courses at Houghton's and Musty Halgh Farms

Notice the name of the company. Haven't come across Extwistle properties Ltd before.

I bet they are waiting for the place to fall down so that can make use of the land.

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

I've just had a look on the Companies House website and there is no listing past, present or future for Extwistle Properties Ltd. I guess there's a chance that the company dissolved before the website was created and so wasn't entered into the database

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

It was probably just a name for a very short time. Once planning had been refused they reverted to who they actually are. As you say waiting for it to fall down. You can't wait forever though can you? Time is moving on. That was 12 years ago.

Maybe they can.
I had an email last week from someone who had obviously read our thoughts on the Hall. He wasn't impressed at the state it is in either. He thought something should be done about it but what can you do?

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

I would have thought Roger would have been on this case.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.