The wall is pierced by two pointed windows. Judging from its appearance,
it must have been a place of strength; the name Bestal being probably a
corruption of Bastile, basilion, or bastilion--all of which we find
appropriated to places of this description. Tradition, indeed, says the
ancient lords of Ashton made this a place of confinement, when the power
of life and death were at their command. A field near the old hall,
still called Gallows Meadow, was then used as a place of execution.
Sir John Assheton, in the fifth year of Henry VI., became possessed of
the manor on payment of one penny annually. He is generally supposed to
have founded the church about the year 1420. We find him assigning the
forms or benches to his tenants: the names for whose uses they are
appointed are all females. From this it may seem that seats in our
churches were first put up for their convenience. Eighteen forms or
benches are mentioned for the occupation of one hundred wives and
widows, who are named, besides their daughters and servant wenches.
Their husbands had not this privilege, being forced to stand or kneel in
the aisles, as the service required.
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