Whilst the work was going on, Lady Elizabeth
Assheton, it is not improbable, surprised the builders at their pastime;
and giving a broad hint that a part of her money was being employed in
the erection, might desire that her arms should be fixed in the steeple,
impaled with those of her husband. The shape of an escutcheon, having a
considerable resemblance to a spade-ace, in all likelihood was the
origin of the fable.
Sir John Assheton, the founder of the church, is the reputed father of
Ralph, whom the following tradition commemorates. The origin of "_Riding
the Black Lad_" is involved in great obscurity--some ascribing it to the
tyranny of Sir Ralph, and others to the following circumstance, which
may have been fabricated merely to throw off the odium attached to his
name:--In the reign of Edward III., one Thomas Assheton fought under
Queen Philippa in the battle of Neville's Cross. Riding through the
ranks of the enemy, he bore away the royal standard from the Scotch
King's tent, who himself was afterwards taken prisoner. King Edward, on
his return from France, conferred on Thomas the honour of knighthood,
with the title of Sir Thomas Assheton of Ashton-under-Line.
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