FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF
RAPHE ENTWISLEY
AND ELLIN HOLT

THE ORIGINS OF THE ENTWISLES

"The Entwistles of Entwistle - One of several theories concerning the Entwistle family name has it as of Norman French origin, and that the early family members had acquired their lands as Norman Barons after the invasion in 1066. The name may be derived from 'Estouteville' as some authorities suggest. In any case, the Entwistles married into noble Norman families of the time. Another explanation has it being from the Old English or Norse origin - 'twisle' or 'twisla' meaning 'a piece of land at the confluence of two rivers' - a geographical feature of the local Entwistle landscape. The other portion of the name 'Henn' may have derived from the water fowl that were found in the vicinity - but this is very speculative. Many alternative spellings of the name have existed in early medieval times - 'Antwysell', 'Antwisel', 'Hennetwisel', 'Ennetwysel' and 'Entwissell'.
 

The small village of Entwistle, consisting of around 1668 acres, is named after the family who held these lands for many centuries. It is located between the towns of Bolton, Darwen and Bury. It is surrounded by the villages of Edgworth, Quarlton and Turton, and is on the main railway line between Manchester and Blackburn.
The Entwistle township dates from the early 13th century, when it was part of the Manor of Entwistle which was held by the Entwistle Family. Their county seat was Entwistle Halland, originally built around the year 1200. Its most famous family resident was Bertine Entwistle, who is said to have been knighted by Henry V on the field at Agincourt in 1415. The present Entwistle Hall was built in the early 17th century. The Entwistle family also inherited the Castleton Hall from Dorothy, daughter of Robert Holt, who married into the Entwistle family in 1649."  http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/history/old-families3.html
 
 

From www.entwislefamily.org.uk: "The original hall (Old Living) is reputed to have been built in 1200 by Robert de Entwisle, around the time that Entwistle became a township in its own right. The present day hall (illustrated here circa early 20th century) was re-built in the 15th century. In 1657 it was divided into three separate dwellings, as it remains today."
 

Burke's Peerage gives these details about the Entwisle family: "The family of Entwisle was long settled in the township of Entwisle , on the northeastern extremity of the hundred of Salford ; and Camden speaks of Entwisle Hall in his time as "a neat and elegant mansion," the residence of "noble proprietors of its own name." Of its distinguished members in early times was Sir Bertine Entwisell , knight, viscount of Bricqbec , a gallant warrior of the martial times of Henry V. and Henry VI. He participated in the glory of Agincourt , and contributed by his valour to the conquest of France . Returning to England , after the loss of Normandy , he enrolled himself under the banner of the red rose, and fell slain at St. Albans , in 1455 . In that battle, the first blow struck in the fatal conflict between the rival houses, eight hundred men are reported to have fallen on the side of the Lancastrians, including besides the Duke of Somerset , John Lord Clifford , Sir Robert Vere , Sir William Chamberlaine , Sir Richard Fortescue , Sir Ralph Ferrers , Sir Bertine Entwisell , and many esquires and gentlemen. Over the remains of Sir Bertine , who was interred in St. Peter's church, appeared, until recently, his effigy in brass, with the following inscription: "Here lyeth Sir Bertin Entwysell , knight, who was borne in Lancashire , and was Viscount and Baron of Brickbecke , in Normandy , a baylife of Constantine; who died the 28 May , in the year of Lord God moocclv. on whose soule God have mercy. Amen ."  Sir Bertine wedded Lucy , fifth daughter of Sir John Ashton , of Ashton , and relict of Sir Richard Byron , knight, by whom he left a daughter, Lucy , from whom the Northamptonshire Bradens descended. Edward Entwisle , esq. of Entwisle , head of the family in the early part of the 16th century, died 08 Jul 1545 , seised of the manor of Entwisle."
 

If you have any additional information about this family, please contact me at alice@boydhouse.com.