"Gilbert de Venables held at this time Eccleston, Alpraham, Tarporley, Wettenhall, Hartford, Lymme (one half), High Legh, Wincham, Mere, part of Over Peover, Rosthorne, and Hope (in Exestan hundred, now in North Wales). The same person, under the name of Gilbert Venator, held Newbold (Astbury), Brereton, Kinderton, Davenport, Witton, and Blakenhall; and appears also to be the same Gislebertus, who had joint possession of Sunderland and Baggiley, with Hamo and Ranulphus"
"Gilbert de Venables is supposed to have been a younger brother of Stephen earl of Blois, and before the year 1093 gave to the abbey of St. Werburgh the church of Astbury, and a moiety of Newbold, which gift is recited in the charter of Hugh Lupus to that abbey."