William Eyre bap.1390 founded the Northlee branch of the family. William was the third son of Sir Nicholas Eyre(c1370) of Agincourt fame.

In the fourteenth century the manor of Highlow Hall passed by marriage into the Eyre family when Nicholas already heir to the manorial holdings of Hope, married the younger of the two Archer sisters. Nicholas lived at Highlow. It is said that seven sons lived within eye-sight at the Halls of Moorseats, Shatton, Nether Shatton, Hazelford, Offerton, Crook Hill and Northlee.