James Leyburn
As an assistant (and kinsman) to Sir Thomas Wharton, Deputy Warden of the West March, he took an important part in the Battle of Solway Moss (1542).
[4] Sir Henry Bellingham suffered attainder in c. 1461 for his adherence to the Lancastrian cause, in the victory of Edward IV,[5] and his estates passed temporarily into the keeping of William and John Parr of Kendal.
The original Hall was replaced two hundred years ago by a house of moderate scale,[8] but some remains of an earlier gatehouse and outbuildings survive.
[13] In 1525 James had the lease of the tithes of Skelsmergh, and also those of Bradleyfield, Tranthwaite, Cunswick, Bulmerstrand and Bradeslak (which his father had occupied aforetyme), and those of Brindrigg, for 21 years, from the Abbey convent of St Mary at York.
[18] A letter from Sir James Leyburn dated 26 April shows that Cumberland and his servants conducted the "sheriff's turn" at Kendal, contrary to the King's command given by the Duke of Norfolk in Clifford's hearing,[19] and these disruptions and infringements of the Liberties increased through 1533.
[21] Thomas Cromwell sent letters to Robert Poulton, Abbot of the Premonstratensian house of Cockersand, Lancashire, instructing him to grant to Sir James Leyburn certain lands belonging to the abbey in the manor of Assheton.
At this time the Earl of Derby wrote to the King that it was rumoured that Sir James Layburn had sworn himself to the cause of the commons, and that many said he had done so more than a month previously.
[28] In March 1537 Leyburn made a further deposition, that the Bailiff of Kendal, William Collins, who was sworn to the commonalty, in response to letters had raised money in the town and sent deputies to a gathering at Richmond, while the parishioners of Heversham were withholding tithes from the landlords who had taken leases from the abbot of St Mary's in York.
Steward ("Mr.") Leyburn advised against any participation, but a sworn company from Kendal headed by Collins came repeatedly to his house for him to take their oath, as they protested against the high custumal charges introduced by the new tenant landlords.
[34] During the disestablishment of the great Cistercian house of Furness Abbey, Sir James Leyburn as commissioner and Sir John Lamplugh (the younger) as his assistant by the command of the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, gave good service, and Robert Southwell wrote to Cromwell in July 1537 asking that they be thanked and seeking their further assistance in Cumberland and Northumberland.
[38] The suppression of a seditious song against Cromwell gave Leyburn an opportunity to seek his favour in July 1538, at the same time sending news of the Council of the North.
But in April 1540 his name appears among the annual payments for the assistants to the Deputy Warden of the West March ("foranempst Scotland"[41]) tendered to Cromwell, and before the end of that month he was included in a special commission of the peace for the Northern Circuit.
[43] Sir Thomas Wharton led the comparatively small English force which defeated the much greater numbers of invading Scots at the Battle of Solway Moss in November 1542.
[44] In a letter of 26 November Wharton lists them again, making clear that most of his worthies were his kinsmen, adding that all had "served his majestie in suche wise that I cannot write unto your lordship the worthynes of theyre praise".
[46] By July 1543 there had arisen a dispute among the gentlemen of the West Marches concerning their service in the battle, some taking all the praise to themselves to the detriment of others who should have been partners in the gain and commendation.
The Duke showed them that the King had written his thanks to them all, and his opinion would not be swayed by misreports: and Suffolk wrote to William Parr that he should send for Sir James Layburne, "who seems to speak for many", and assure him that it was so, and that the worst detractors would be punished or reproved.
