"In 1241 Robert de Holland and his son Thurstan were taken and lodged in the King's prison upon the charge of having set fire to one of the houses of a certain John Mansell in Wigan. The Sheriff was directed, however, to release them if they would find good and sure pledges that they would appear before the King to reply to the charge.

"Thurstan did not appear on the day appointed , but Robert came and defended his whole action, and put himself for good or evil upon the country, to wit, upon twelve knights above suspicion and upon four vills of the neighbour-hood of Wigan." A day was given him upon the advent of the Justices to those parts, and the Sheriff was directed in the meantime to let him have peace, and in no wise to trouble him or permit him to be troubled. Thurstan appeared before the Justices on the 23rd July, and because no one sued against him, he was questioned as to how he would acquit himself concerning the fire if any one would speak against him, whereupon he too put himself for good or evil upon twelve knights and four vills of the neighbourhood." A day was given him at the advent of the Justices to those parts. As no subsequent proceedings, however, appear to have been recorded, it is possible that the affair did not go any further. From the fact that the son, Thurstan, was of man's estate at this time, it is clear that Robert must have been at least forty years of age, so that we get some idea of the period covered by his life.

"Robert de Holland probably died about this time, as his son Thurstan represented the family on the important inquiry held in 1242-43 to ascertain the knight's fees in the Hundred of West Derby chargeable to the Gascon Scutage. The name of Robert's wife is not known, but he had a large family, among whom were Thurstan, his son and heir, already mentioned, Adam, from whom sprang the Hollands of Euxton, Richard, from whom descended the Hollands of Sutton, Matthew, Robert, and Roger."