In four generations, or little more than one hundred years, the line of
the Lacies became extinct; Roger Fitz-Eustace, lord of Halton and
constable of Chester, coming into possession by right of his grandmother
Awbrey, uterine sister of Robert de Lacy, the last of this illustrious
race. Fitz-Eustace, however, took the title of De Lacy; but in the
fourth descent from him the very name was lost. Henry de Lacy, the last
and greatest man of his line, dying the 5th February 1310, left one
daughter only, who had married, during her father's lifetime, Thomas
Plantagenet, Earl of Lancaster--and carried along with her an
inheritance even then estimated at 10,000 marks per annum. On the earl's
attainder, the honour of Clitheroe, with the rest of his possessions,
were forfeited to the crown. After undergoing many changes while it
continued a member of the Duchy of Lancaster--that is, until the
restoration of Charles II.--that prince, in consideration of the great
services of General Monk, whom he created Duke of Albemarle, bestowed it
upon him and his heirs for ever. Christopher, his son, dying without
issue, left his estates to his wife, daughter and co-heiress of Henry
Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle; by her they were bequeathed to her second
husband, Ralph, Duke of Montague, whose grand-daughter Mary, married
George, Earl of Cardigan, afterwards Duke of Montague.
Pages:
796
797
798
799
800
801
802
803
804
805
806
807
808
809
810
811
812
813
814
815
816
817
818
819
820