Richard Brooke was a Cheshire landowner and naval officer who acquired the former Norton Priory estate after the Dissolution. He served as Vice-Admiral of England and was Sheriff of Cheshire in 1563. His purchase established the Brooke family's long association with Norton Priory and its dependent holdings, including Acton Grange.

The 1545 purchase is documented for the Norton Priory estate, whose listed component settlements included Acton Grange.

Research sources:
- George Ormerod, History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, as cited in the biographical and estate account of Richard Brooke of Norton; corroborated by the Norton Priory historical chronology and Oxford Archaeology assessment. — https://eprints.oxfordarchaeology.com/4572/1/Norton%20Geophysical%20Appraisal.pdf
- Wikipedia biographical reference — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Brooke_%28Norton%29

The patent identifies the holding as 'Aston or Acton Grange'; in this context it is the Acton Grange associated with Norton Priory and the Runcorn township.

Research sources:
- F. C. Beazley, 'Records of the XVII. Century', Transactions of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, citing Patent Roll 861, 7 Edward VI, part II, membranes 8-10; patent dated 24 February 1552-1553. — https://www.hslc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/77-9-Beazley.pdf
- Wikipedia biographical reference — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Brooke_%28Norton%29