The fortunes of the Whalley family of Screveton, Notts. : a study of some of its members, c.1590-1690 : with a special reference to Major-General Edward Whalley

Abstract

Edward Whalley (c. 1601-1675), the major figure in this thesis, played a significant part in the chief military events of two civil wars, details of which are already well known.

This study examines some features of his career which are less familiar; thus his early years up to the outbreak of civil war, his two wives and children and his attitude to enclosure - a controversial issue of the time - are given greater emphasis than hitherto. Primarily , however, the purpose has been to describe Edward's major property interests and to set them in their wider context: namely, as part of the landed transactions of certain other members of the family over the period from approximately 1590 to 1690.

During these hundred years, the Whalleys of Screveton, Notts., suffered a decline due to a culmination of adverse circumstances. This decline is the underlying theme of the thesis.

Richard Whalley the elder (1489-1583) was the founder of the family fortune; his grandson, Richard the younger (d. 1632), a wastrel - the principal cause of its demise. When Peniston Whalley (1624-1693), the latter's grandson and heir, succeeded to a much reduced and encumbered estate, he had to shoulder debts which eventually overwhelmed him. Edward Whalley, second son of Richard the younger, attempted to arrest the decline and was temporarily successful, combining where possible with Peniston to regain the family inheritance. Edward's attainder for treason at the Restoration was a crippling and decisive blov idiich pnt paid to his attempts.

This study also shovs hov closely the family fortunes were hound up vith those of the powerful Cavendish family - particularly with the interests of William Cavendish, Earl and later Duke of Newcastle. He it was who triumphed over Edward's son John Whalley (c. l633-l666) in the litigation concerning Sihthorpe manor, Edward's former principal possession.

Since 'landownership' is the vital factor governing the rise or decline of any family in the seventeenth century, the thesis has necessarily heen concerned with the complexities of this subject. It would be an arid account, however, that concentrated solely on this aspect, thus a secondary purpose has been to provide biographical details and to examine genealogical and other relationships of the family where these have been previously insufficient.

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