The Egertons of Tatton
A powerful and influential family, both at national and county level. Sir Philip Egerton (d 1563) married Eleanor Brereton, the daughter of Sir Randle Brereton of Malpas. Sir Thomas Egerton (1540-161) was Chancellor of England and 1st Viscount Brackley. Francis Egerton, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, known as the 'Canal Duke' held extensive properties and coal mines in Worsley and built the Bridgewater Canal. Maurice, the last Lord Egerton, died in 1958 leaving the country seat at Tatton Hall and its extensive Park to the National Trust. The 3rd Duke of Bridgewater died childless and bequeathed his canal-property to Lord Francis Leveson Gower (who subsequently changed his name to Egerton), who was made Earl of Ellesmere in 1846. In 1784 another Sir Thomas Egerton, of Heaton Hal,l was made Baron Grey de Wilton, and later, Earl of Wilton in 1801. Sir Thomas was responsible for the raising and funding of the Royal Lancashire Volunteer Regiment and died in 1814. His volunteers trained on Drill Field, located between High Bank (now Nazareth House) and Sedgley Park.
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