Leghs of Adlington

The Leghs of Adlington began with the first Legh of Adlington, Robert de Legh, a descendant of Gilbert de Venables, who had come to Britain in the time of William the Conqueror. He was a Riding-Forester of the Forest of Macclesfield, Bailiff of the Hundred of Macclesfield, “Lieutenant” to Sir Thomas de Ferrers, Justice of Chester and for many years “Lieutenant of the Prince’s Bachelor”. He also sat as Justice in Eyre. The family established their seat at Adlington in Cheshire. Adlington Hall was inherited by the first de Legh from his mother Elena de Corona, who had married John de Legh of Norbury Booth Hall.

Robert de Legh, the second in succession, was one of the Black Prince's Esquires. Robert de Legh the third in succession was knighted during the reign of Richard II. He was twice (High) Sheriff of Cheshire. He fought at the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403 against Henry IV. Robert de Legh the fourth in succession was preparing to take part in the Battle of Agincourt but died of pestilence ten days before the battle.

Some years after the dissolution of the monasteries, Thomas Legh the tenth in succession acquired the rights of the Manor of Prestbury, together with the advowson of the Church and the tithes. Leghs became Patrons of the Living and Lay Rectors of Prestbury as they still are. Thomas Legh was appointed High Sheriff of Cheshire in 1588.

Urian Legh was knighted for his services in taking Cadiz in 1596. He was High Sheriff in 1613.

Thomas Legh (1593-1644), the twelfth in succession, was twice High Sheriff of Cheshire (1629 and 1642) and a Colonel in the Royalist Army during the Civil War. He lost Adlington Hall in December 1642 but regained it later. In February 1644 the house was again besieged. This time it had to be surrendered to the Parliamentarians in order to prevent severe damage. It was not returned to the family until 1656 after heavy fines had been paid.

Thomas Legh (1614-1687), the thirteenth in succession, was gazetted Colonel of Militia and appointed High Sheriff in 1662 in recognition of his services to the Stuarts. The next three in succession were also Colonels of Militia and High Sheriffs, John (the fifteenth) also serving as MP for Bodmin from 1715 to 1722. On the death of Charles Legh in 1781 the direct male line of succession failed but the succession continued through Charles' niece Elizabeth Rowlls who assumed the surname of Legh by Royal Sign Manual.