Lisieux Hall, Chorley nr Preston

[Marmitch]

Hi

Does anyone know the history of Lisieux Hall. Apparently it used to be called Crook Hall. I am trying to determine if the Crook family who lived there are ancestors of mine. My Crook relatives apparently were 'forced' out of their home during the reformation when the refused to renounce ther catholicism.

Does this 'story' ring a bell with anyone out there?

[Berlin-Bob]

This is part of the current usage:
Before Haigh Hall and the Masonic Hall, the first two competitions were held at Lisieux Hall, Whittle-le-Woods near Chorley, on the 19th of January 1992 and the 18th of April 1993 completely free of charge. Formerly known as Crook Hall, Lisieux Hall is situated at the end of a long drive just off Dawson Lane, in Whittle-le-Woods, and was the home of the Crook family from the seventeenth century. Lisieux Hall is used by a variety of organisations for events ranging from agricultural means to company training courses. One such course held at the Lisieux Hall training centre is the CIEH food hygiene and safety programme, which is held four times per year. An organisation called 'Trees of Time and Place', headed by David Searle used a one acre plot of the land at Lisieux Hall in which he established a nursery of 33,000 seeds and were sold at reduced prices to regional schools and environment projects, such as the BTCV and Groundwork. The Royal Ordnance Factory have also been sourcing seeds from their own land to be grown at Lisieux Hall, which will be replanted at various parts of the ROF as well as being made available to Chorley schools. The Northern Counties Queens Association's link to Lisieux Hall is simply that it was the workplace of founder and Chairman, Derek Lane.
in This is Lancashire:  http://www.communigate.co.uk/lancs/ncqa/page4.phtml

but this is probably more like what you are looking for:
Lisieux Hall, Whittle-le-Woods: Was previously Crook Hall, the mediaeval manor of Whittle. Belonged to the Crook family, 16th to the early 19th century. Part share of the manor of Whittle-le-Woods was granted to Gilbert de Witul in the reign of Henry I who subsequently passed it onto Richard le Butler, and through his ancestor John Butler de Rawcliffe into the hands of the Standish and Anderton families. The Anderton family transferred their portion of the manor to Mr. William Crooke. The other portion (moiety) described as Wythall in the wood, was passed from Warin Bussel onto the Lee family, and then to Sir Richard Hoghton through his marriage to Sibil. "New Croke Hall" as "Lisieux Hall" was then known was built by Richard Clayton Dr. of Divinity who had purchased estates known as New and Old Croke. The hall descended into the hands of Richard Clayton Esq, and as he was without ancestors, the hall passed into the hands of the Leicesters, of Toft, in Cheshire who married one of the sisters. "Old Croke Hall" descended through another member of the Clayton family to a Robert Clayton of Fulwood, then to Mr William Crooke. Formerly know as Crook Hall, Lisieux Hall sits at the end of a long drive in Dawson Lane, and was the home of the Crook family from the 17th century. Crook Hall, Whittle-le-Woods: Was a large house reputed to have nine hearths. Now known as Lisieux Hall. A long table from the now demolished Crook Hall, with a carved inscription "an aerlome" can be found at Selly Manor in Birmingham. Catherine Mary Middleton daughter of Sir Thomas Stanley Massey Stanley (died 1889) married in 1849 John Blundell of Crook Hall, Chorley.
at Chorley Halls: http://www.boyd.harris.btinternet.co.uk/hist/sys2004.htm

Found through Google: Lisieux Hall

regards,
Bob

[Marmitch]

Thanks for the information. You appear to have read the same Web page (Chorley Halls) as I did.
The 'story' I was told of the family was that although the Crook family were 'thrown out' of the hall because they would not renounce their faith, the youngest child (son I think) was taken away and brought up as a protestant, and it was he and his descendants who continued to live in the hall. My lot were those who were turfed out.
As I have said in previous postings I cannot vouch for the veracity of the story as tales get passed down the generations and get changed and embellished rather like a game of chinese whispers.
What can be said however, is that these stories have some basis in fact, and I'm trying to establish what the truth is.
On that note, does anyone know where I might find out about the history of this particular Crook family, to see if I can make a connection.

Many thanks MM

[patreesh]

A close family member was a Crook living in Whittle le Woods. She died in 1971.  Her daughter is still alive and 92 years old with a very good memory. She also worked at Lisieux Hall. Maybe with her help we could get some answers for you.

[Marmitch]

Thanks Patreesh,

Any light you can shine on this topic will be gratefully received

MM

[patreesh]

Regarding the Crook family, I have some knowledge of the family of John Crook of Crow Tree Farm Brindle. He died tragically circa 1899 soon after his wife Mary had died at the age of 40. The five children sold up. They moved to Swansea Fold Whittle le Woods where there was work at the cotton weaving mill on Mill Lane nearby. They were Catholics.

[andrewalston]

There is a baptism at Leyland on 15 Aug 1630 of Thomas, son of Thomas Clayton of Crooke, so any sequestration of the estate must have been before then.

[riester]

My mum was born and raised in whittle and her best friend was called crooke and she was from a catholic family, they owned part of the quarry in whittle and had a large home which has now been converted into a nursing home x

[riester]

Not sure if this is the same link as you have already http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=53064