Formby History

The village of Formby was founded by the Norse settlers in the early ninth century in what was then a remote and inaccessible part of the Lancashire coast. It was cut off from the rest of the country by forest, lakes and marshland. For many centuries it's inhabitants led a quiet and isolated life, tending their fields and their livestock, making or mending their homes, boats and fishing gear which they used on the River Alt. Formby was not really discovered until the nineteenth century, when the coming of the railway opened up communication with Liverpool and Southport. This is what started the process by which Formby eventually became a Merseyside commuter town. Even to today, Formby still retains much of the distinct features which made it what it is. The Formby coastline, now much of which is a protected sanctuary for the Red Squirrels, attracts many thousands of visitors annually.

The history of Formby has never been dramatic, but it is full of interest and it is all told in the books called "My Formby", (currently out of print), "Formby Remembered" and the newly published "Formby Fornebei Millennium" which are all written by Joan A. Rimmer and are available by post from Joan at 9 Priesthouse Lane, Formby, Merseyside, L37 8BB, England. Joan Rimmer was born and has lived all her life in Formby. Her deep love for the place of her birth was first illustrated in the beauty of her highly successful nostalgic poems on Formby, which were circulated World Wide. She was a librarian with Sefton Libraries and has a vast knowledge of Formby History.

THE FORMBY FAMILY
Through out the ages, the Formby family have been a quiet God fearing family, looking after their land and their tennants. They remained Roman Catholic after Reformation, as did most of the West Lancashire families. The Formby family took no part in the Civil War or the Jacobite Rebellions. However during the 1720's, with Squire Richard Formby, the family adopted the Established religion and became Protestant.
The family have never seeked any honours or titles although one notable member of the Formby family was Richard who died in 1407. He was an armour bearer to King Henry IV and fought with the king at the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403. He was buried in behind the alter at York Minster, but in 1840 there was a fire at the Minster which damaged Richard's tombstone. A member of the Formby family asked for the stone to be sent back to Formby. His request was granted and the cracked stone was repaired and now lies in the porch of St. Luke's Church. A replica was made and that is still in the Minster. The inscription on the tombstone was written in Latin and reads "Here lies Richard Formby, formerly Armour Bearer to our Lord the King, who died on September 23rd 1407; on whose soul may God have mercy."

THE LORDS OF THE MANOR
After the Norman Conquest of 1066, Formebei saw a succession of landlords and the ownership of the local monor. There are two known documents which deal with families who have taken the name of Formby, both date from the thirteenth century. The first dates back to 1250 and concerns a quarter of the manor of Formby which came into the possession of Hugh De Corona. Hugh was a son of Derby who aquired the principal dwelling house along with all the free men and unfree men for a rent of 15s. 2d per year and a pair of White Gloves. The presentation of the white gloves is thought to be a symbol of allegiance given when a bargain was struck. Hugh De Corona subsequently called himself Hugh De Formby.
The other known document dates from 1260 and describes a grant of land by Hugh, son of Derby, to Robert, son of Richard of Formby. A segment of this 1260 document reads:-
Hugh, son of Master Roger of Dereby, to Robert, son of Richard of Fornebi son of Albin the Priest.
A selion in Fornebi lying in the Wray and extending from the garden of Alan Norris to Hanglone; also a garden at Rysinbrgge, and the messuage which Roder of Argarmeols held, rendering yearly a white glove or 1d.
Witness:
Sir Henryof Lee, Dom. Robert Parson of Walton, Alan Norris, Richard Blundel, William son of Edwyn, Hugh of Aynolisdal, Colin his son, Robert the Poinur, Walter of Karlton

The names of the witnesses are members of other local families and thier names help to fix the date of the document, which was not given. There are several problems brought up by this document. Who is the priest? Was he the chaplin of Formebi? This is a reasonalbe assumption. Where is The Wray, the Hanglone and the Rysinbridge? Why was Hugh only given one white glove and not a pair which is the norm.
It is clear from this document that Hugh De Formby inherited the principle dwelling house, so it seems probable that he was the founder of the manorial family. The principle dwelling house was the forerunner of what is now Formby Hall.