THE LEGEND
OF
MAB'S CROSS
Sir William de Bradshaw married Mable the daughter of Hugh le Norreys of Haigh and Blackrod
And who lived at Haigh Hall, near Wigan,
During the reign of Edward II (1307-1327) A great soldier Sir William went abroad to fight,
and was reported killed.
Lady Mable took as her second husband a welsh Knight.
Ten years later Sir William returned to England and arrived at Haigh disguised as a
Palmer (a pilgrim carrying a palm leaf
in token of having been to the Holy Lands)
He was recognised by his tenants,
Whereupon the Welsh Knight tried to escape.
Sir William chased and caught up with
him at Newton-le Willows, where the Welsh man was killed.
Lady Mable's confessor gave her the penance of walking once a week barefoot from high
Hall to a Cross in Wigan,
which then became known as Mab's cross.
Documents confirm that Sir William and Lady Mable were real persons and not invented ancestors or
Mythical figures.
Sir William was the son of Sir Richard de Bradshaw of Westleigh and owned land in
And around Haigh.
Lady Mable was the heiress of Hugh le Norreys, lord of the manor of Haigh and Blackrod.
History also confirms that these two people were separated for a long period of time but
the reason for the separation
Was due to William taking part in a local revolt known as the Banaster Rebellion.
He was declared as an outlaw, and his life was under threat by enemies that he had made.
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THE LEGEND
OF
MAB'S CROSS
Sir William de Bradshaw married Mable the daughter of Hugh le Norreys of Haigh and Blackrod
And who lived at Haigh Hall, near Wigan,
During the reign of Edward II (1307-1327) A great soldier Sir William went abroad to fight, and was reported killed.
Lady Mable took as her second husband a welsh Knight. Ten years later Sir William returned to England and arrived at Haigh disguised as a Palmer (a pilgrim carrying a palm leaf in token of having been to the Holy Lands) He was recognised by his tenants, Whereupon the Welsh Knight tried to escape.
Sir William chased and caught up with him at Newton-le Willows, where the Welsh man was killed.
Lady Mable's confessor gave her the penance of walking once a week barefoot from high Hall to a Cross in Wigan, which then became known as Mab's cross.
During the reign of Edward II (1307-1327) A great soldier Sir William went abroad to fight, and was reported killed.
Lady Mable took as her second husband a welsh Knight. Ten years later Sir William returned to England and arrived at Haigh disguised as a Palmer (a pilgrim carrying a palm leaf in token of having been to the Holy Lands) He was recognised by his tenants, Whereupon the Welsh Knight tried to escape.
Sir William chased and caught up with him at Newton-le Willows, where the Welsh man was killed.
Lady Mable's confessor gave her the penance of walking once a week barefoot from high Hall to a Cross in Wigan, which then became known as Mab's cross.
Documents confirm that Sir William and Lady Mable were real persons and not invented ancestors or
Mythical figures.
Sir William was the son of Sir Richard de Bradshaw of Westleigh and owned land in
And around Haigh.
Lady Mable was the heiress of Hugh le Norreys, lord of the manor of Haigh and Blackrod.
History also confirms that these two people were separated for a long period of time but
the reason for the separation
Was due to William taking part in a local revolt known as the Banaster Rebellion.
He was declared as an outlaw, and his life was under threat by enemies that he had made.
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