The Entwistle Family - Section Two pages 11-

My next notes on the family bring me to the time of King John, 1192-1216. Under Eggeworth, the "Testa de Nevill" gives: "Willo de Radcliff ten xjj bovat terre in Eggeworth in thenag' p service 'xvjs viijd" and "Pater ejusdem Willo dedit Roberto de Entwisell 11 bovat in maritag cum fil sua."  Entwistle was not at the time a township in itself, but was a part of Edgworth township. These two bovates of land which William Radcliff gave in marriage to his daughter many believe to be the lands attached to Entwistle Hall. Nevill being a contemporary historian we must accept his statement as being correct. It is, therefore, difficult to understand why such an authentic and up-to-date work as the Victoria County History is supposed and claimed to be should, in Lancashire, Vol. 5, say that "Elizabeth, daughter of Henry de Radcliff, and wife of Robert de Hennetwissel, received four ox-gangs (i.e., bovates) of land in Edgworth from her father." 

As these two bovates of land would, in all probability be occupied - not necessarily as manor lands - it is possible that they were in the occupation of Robert Entwisle prior to his marriage. In short, William Radcliff gave his daughter the land of which her husband was the tenant. Various writers say that Entwistle Hall was built by Robert Entwisle in 1200. It may be presumed there was a dwelling on the site prior to that date, and when in 1212 Entwistle was severed from Edgworth and became a township on its own, such edifice as may have been in existence, and had become the residence of its former lord's son-in-law would naturally become the hall or manor house. There is of course, no reason why Robert should not replace an old humble dwelling by building another more in keeping with his new dignity of lord of the manor. He undoubtedly was the first lord of the manor of Entwisle.