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72

THE LATHAM FAMILY

(Variously spelled in the ancient records, Lathom, Lathum, etc.)

Arms: Or, on a chief indented azure three bezants.

Crest: An eagle standing on an empty cradle with wings displayed, reguardant or.

Many families of England have traditions as to the origin of their family crest or coat of arms and generally the crest or coat of arms is responsible for the story, which is made to harmonize with some feature of its portraiture. A well known instance is the tradition as to the origin of the Gilpin coat of arms which is stated to have been granted to Richard de Gylpin for his valor in having killed a wild boar, hence the arms: "A boar statant sable, langued and tusked gules."

The Latham crest has given rise to the following fable: Sir Thomas de Latham father of the lady Isabel, who married Sir John Stanley, K. G., was extremely desirous of having a son to inherit his title and estates, and by a young gentlewoman by the name of Mary Oskatell, his wishes were realized; he had the infant conveyed to near the eyry of an eagle in his park, and when taking a walk with his wife, came across the child as' by accident; his wife considering it a gift from heaven, brought there by the bird of prey and miraculously preserved, consented to adopt the boy as her own and brought him to Latham house.

                               "Their content was such to see the hap,

                                 That th' ancient lady hugs yt in her lap,

                                  Smooths yt with kisses, bathes yt in her tears,

                                   And unto Latham house the babe she bears."

A similar legend dates back to the time of King Alfred. (History of Birds Stanley, "King Alfred and the eagles nursing.")

It is to be regretted that there is no authentic painting of the ancient castle of the Lathams. According to the written accounts by Seacome, in his " History of House of Stanley" and from other sources, it must have been one of the most imposing castles of England.

At the time of the memorable siege by the parliamentary forces in 1644, when was so gallantly and successfully defended by Charlotte de la Tremouille, Countess Derby, "The walls were six feet thick and upon the parapets were nine towers" machicolated, with crenolated stone work between them; and in each tower six pieces of ordnance. Within the walls was a moat 24 feet wide, and 6 feet deep, and upon the brink of moat, between the graff and the walls, was a strong row of palisades which surround the whole. In the centre was a great square tower very strongly built, ,called "E Tower." A drawbridge led to the gate house on both sides of which were towers, whole of such vast extent that several thousand soldiers could be accommodated wit ' It would appear from an ancient poem written by Thomas Stanley, second Earl of Derby on the

occasion of his departure for Flodden 1513, that Latham House must have 18 towers. (119, page XC.)

                                 "Farewell Latham! that bright bower,

                                         Nine towers thou bearest on hye,

                                  And other nine thou bearest in the utter walls;

                                          Within thee may be lodged Kinges three." 

The original castle is supposed to have been constructed by Robert de Latham in the twelfth century.

After the parliamentary forces captured Latham castle, following the departure of the Countess, the soldiers of Cromwell demolished the towers and destroyed the military works. (119)