Joan de Culcheth

Gilbert de Culcheth was lord of the Manor of Culcheth and built its first hall in 1200. He was survived by a son Hugh de Gilbert, and four daughters.

Hugh de Gilbert was murdered by a group of twelve angry men in 1246, leaving no male heir. This saw the land divided between daughters Margery, Elizabeth, Ellen and Joan. However, equality was unheard of and land could not be passed down to women.

The responsibility for the girls went to the Baron of Warrington who married off all the girls to his four sons. Eldest girl Margery, married Richard who took the name de Culcheth to ensure its survival. Each couple lived in their own sector of the Manor - Culcheth, Holcroft, Risley and Peasfurlong. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culcheth_and_Glazebury