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HISTORY  AND  TOPOGRAPHY 

OF    THK 

CITY    OF    YORK; 

AND   THE 

EAST  RIDING  OP  YORKSHIRE; 

EHBRACINa 

A  OENEEAL  EEVIEW  OF  THE  EABLT  HISTORY  OF  GBEAT  BRITAIN, 

AND  A  GENERAL  BISTORT  AND  DESCRIPTION  OF 

THE  CODNTY  OF  TOBK. 

BY  J.  J.  SHEAHAN  AND  T.  WHELLAN. 

IN  TWO  VOLUMES.— Vol.  I. 


BEVERLEY: 
PRINTED  FOR  THE  PUBUSHEHS,  BY  JOHN  GREEN.  MARKET-PLACE. 


PREFACE. 


In  presenting  tbis  work  to  the  numerous  subscribers,  it  is  deemed  un- 
nocess&iy  to  expatiate  on  the  value  and  utility  of  works  of  this  nature.  To 
all  classes  a  well  digested  and  £Euthfully  compiled  Histoiy  and  Topography 
of  their  own  District  must  be  an  useful  and  interesting  acquisition.  "  For  a 
people  to  be  ignorant  of  their  own  history,  and  the  scenes  and  circumstances 
amid  which  they  have  sprung,  is  degrading  in  the  extreme,"  says  a  recent 
writer,**  and  is  not  unfrequently  productive  of  evil.  It  is  only  a  necessary 
wisdom  to  be  able  to  r^ate  the  early  history  of  the  locality  in  which  Provi- 
dence has  placed  us;  to  know  its  peculiarities;  and  to  have  marked  its 
progress.'*  "The  study  of  History,  and  particularly  that  which  is  Local,'' 
writes  an  eminent  authority,  "  may  be  numbered  among  the  most  important 
pursuits  of  man,** 

The  arrangement  of  the  first  volume  of  the  present  work  embraces  a 
General  Review  of  the  Early  Histoiy  of  Great  Britain,  and  the  ancient 
kingdom  of  Northumbria,  with  much  useful  information  of  a  miscellaneous 
character ;  a  General  History  and  Description  of  the  County  of  York,  which, 
from  its  extent,  opulence,  and  commercial  importance,  holds  a  distinguished 
rank  among  the  great  divisions  of  this  kingdom ;  and  which,  in  fact,  is  more 
extensive  and  populous  than  many  independent  states,  and  may  be  considered 
an  epitome  of  all  that  is  interesting  in  England :  also,  a  History  of  the  vener- 
able City  of  York,  with  its  glorious  Minster,  and  numerous  antiquities ;  and 
of  that  ancient  appendage  to  the  city,  the  Ainsty  Wapentake,  including  the 
town  and  interesting  neighbourhood  of  Tadcaster. 

The  second  volume  contains  concise  Histories,  and  a  Topographical  Sur- 
vey, of  the  important  Town  and  Port  of  Kingston-upon-Hull ;  and  of  all  tho 
Towns,  Parishes,  &c.,  in  the  East  Riding  of  Yorkshire,  including  Beverley, 
Bridlington,  Howden,  <&c.,  and  the  border  towns  of  Malton  and  Selby. 


IV  PREFACE. 

In  preparing  tlie  work  for  the  press,  all  possible  care  bas  been  taken  to 
avoid  the  errors,  and  profit  by  the  experience,  of  former  writers;  the  best 
topographical  authorities  only  have  been  consulted,  and  all  irrelevant  matter, 
which  would  have  augmented  the  size  of  the  work,  without  adding  to  its 
usefulness,  excluded — whilst  nothing  was  rejected  which  was  really  impor- 
tant. And,  to  secure  authenticity,  the  most  unremitting  endeavours  have 
been  used ;  every  parish  and  township  in  the  district  has  been  visited  for 
the  purpose  of  collecting  or  revising  the  local  information  on  the  spot;  and 
the  discharge  of  this  duty  has  been  attended  with  much  more  labour  and 
expense  than  was  at  first  anticipated.  It  is,  therefore,  presumed  that  the 
work  will  be  found  as  accurate  as  is  compatible  with  the  vast  body  of  matter, 
and  the  diversity  of  subjects  compressed  within  its  pages. 

The  Statistical  matter  is  chiefly  extracted  from  the  Parliamentary  Reports 
of  Population,  &c, ;  and  the  acreage  of  each  place  is  mostly  taken  firom  the 
Parliamentaiy  Return  of  the  Census  of  1851,  which,  though  it  frequently 
differs  from  the  local  estimated  extent,  is  the  surest  source. 

An  expression  of  gratitude  is  here  most  justly  due  to  the  several  Clergy- 
men and  Gentlemen,  who  have  kindly  aided  the  work  by  their  corrections 
and  valuable  literary  contributions ;  and  to  the  general  body  of  the  Subscri- 
bers the  volumes  are  very  respectfully  dedicated. 

Beverley,  November ^  1866. 


Intrtjf  I0  M,  I. 


(Topographiedl  Aecountt  are  given  of  the  Names  of  Places  in  Italies.) 


Abbess  HUda,  80 

Abbeys — See  Monasteries 

Aborigines  of  Great  Britain,  87 ;  character 
and  description  of,  38 ;  religion  of,  39 

AcoMter  Malbis  Parish^  645 

Aeaster  Setby  Township,  648 

Aeomh  Parish,  649 

Agricaltaral  Statistics  of  England,  6;  So- 
cieties and  Fanners'  Clubs,  8 

Albion,  derivation  of,  38 

Alcuin,  291,  463,  634 

^dborough,  the  ancient  Isurium,  306 

Aldby,  near  Stamford  Bridge,  84 

Ainstj  Wapentake,  643 

Aire,  River,  82 

Alectas  proclaimed  Emperor,  59 

Alfired  the  Great  divides  the  kingdom,  08 

Ancient  Britons  snbmit  to  the  Bomans, 
and  adopt  their  cnstoms,  53 

Anglo-Danish  Period,  05 

Anglo-Saxon  Period,  73 

Anglo-Saxon  Kings — ^Alfred  the  Great,  08 ; 
Athelstan,  08;  Edmund,  100;  Edgar, 
101;  Ethelred,  101;  Edward  the  Con- 
fessor, 102;  Harold,  108 

Anffram  Township,  667 

Anlaffs  fleet  enters  the  Humber,  00 

Antiquities  of  Yorkshire,  34 

AppUUm  Roebuck  Township,  661 

Arbor-Low  (Peak  of  Derby),  40 

Archdiocese  of  York,  870 

Area  of  the  Wold  district,  4 

Aries,  Council  of,  68 

Armies,  mode  of  assembling,  135 

Ashham-Bryan  Parish,  651 

Askham-Riehard  Parish,  652 

Askeme  Springs,  85 

Athelstan,  King,  establishes  the  kingdom ; 
bis  death,  99 

Atmospherical  phenomena,  274 


Augustine,  St.,  created  Archbishop  of  Can- 
terbury, 80 
Aurelius  Ambrosius,  75 
A  woman  crucified  by  her  daughter,  257 

Barbarous  customs  of  the  English,  150 

Barony,  description  of,  116 

Bathing  places,  principal,  10 

Battle  Abbey,  Roll  of,  HI 

BatUes— Near  York,  75,  07,  102,  ^13;  at 
Coningsborough,  75;  Mount  Badon,  76; 
Hatfield,  86;  Winmoor,  80;  Bromford, 
00;  Chester,  100;  Fulford,  104;  Stam- 
ford Bridge,  105;  Senlac,  commonly 
called  Hastings,  108;  York,  120;  near 
York,  121 ;  on  Cuton  Moor  ("Battle  of 
the  Standard"),  124;  at  Falkirk,  132; 
Bannockbum,  135 ;  Myton-on-Swale, 
137;  Boroughbridge,  137;  Byland  Ab- 
bey, 140 ;  Nevill's  Cross,  143 ;  Bramham 
Moor,  149;  St.  Albans,  152;  Bamet 
Heath,  154;  Towton  Field,  156;  Bamet, 
168 ;  Tewkesbury,  168 ;  Bosworth  Field, 
171;  Stoke,  174;  Flodden  Field,  181; 
Eineton,  or  Edge  Hill,  234;  Tadcaster, 
235;  Wetherby,  236;  Selby,  240;  and 
Marston  Moor,  244 

Bedem,  derivation  of,  471 

Bells,  invention  and  use  of,  418 

Bemicia,  kingdom  of,  76 

Beverley  and  Barmston  Drainage,  5 

Beverley,  King  Charles  I.  at,  282 

Bible,  first  complete  version  published  in 
England,  180;  indiscriminate  use  of, 
195 

Biekerton  Township,  655 

BUbrough  Parish,  653 

Bilton  Parish,  654 

Bishops  committed  to  the  Tower,  229 

Bishopthorpe  Parish^  657 


VI 


INDEX. 


Black  Hamilton,  10;  derivation  of  the 
name,  12 

Boadicea,  Queen  of  the  Jceni,  46 

BoltonPercy  Parish,  659 

Boroughbridge  burnt  by  the  Scots,  136 

Boiton  Spa,  688 

Bramham  Parish,  682 

Bridges  of  stone  first  built  in  England,  364 

Bridlington  Chalybeate  Spring,  35 

Brigantes,  the  metropolis  of,  42;  Cortis- 
mandua  their  Queen,  45 ;  Venusius  be- 
comes their  chief,  46 ;  subjugation  of  the 
tribe,  53 

British  Kings — Ambrosius,  64 ;  Arthur,  64, 
76,  312;  Vortigem,  73;  Ochta  and  Abi- 
sa,  76 ;  Ebraucus,  the  supposed  founder 
of  York,  289 

British  Remains — tumuli,  barrows,  crom- 
lechs, (fee,  46  and  47;  corslet  of  gold 
found  in  a  barrow,  52 ;  urns,  52 ;  canoes, 
war  chariots,  (fee,  53 

Bruce,  David,  taken  prisoner,  144 

Burgundy,  Duchess  of,  instigates  rebellion, 
176 

Calder,  River,  33 

Caledonians,  38 

Canal^  of  Yorkshire,  33 

Canute's  reproof  to  his  courtiers,  313 

Capitation  tax,  144 

Caracalla  murders  Geta,  50 

Caractacus,  Chief  of  the  SilureSf  45 

Carausius,  Emperor,  59 

Cassiterides,  or  the  Tin  Islands,  37 

Castles  or  Fortresses,  ancient,  34;  at  Bam- 
borough,  87;  Aldby,  84;  York,  90,  337; 
Tadcaster,  671 ;  number  of  existing  re- 
mains of  Castles,  343 

Cathedrals  burnt,  123 

CatQe,  Teeswater  and  Holdemess,  breed 
of,  16 

Cattertan  Township,  675 

Caves  of  Yorkshire,  86 

Caxton  introduces  Printing,  180 

Celtic  sepulchres  and  monuments,  47 

Centenarians  in  England,  18 

Chantries,  how  founded,  187 

Christian  Festivals,  origin  of,  407 

Christianity  introduced  into  Britain,  61; 
re-introduced  by  St.  Augustine,  80,  82 

Civil  government,  titles,  &c.,  282 

Classes,  distinction  of,  preserved  by  Wil- 
liam the  Conqueror,  114 

Cleveland  hills  and  vale,  18 

CUfford-cum-BosUm  Toumship,  686 

Clifibrd's  Tower  at  York,  888 

Cock,  Biver,  160 

Coffee  introduced  into  England,  361 


CoUan  Toumship,  662 

Commerce  of  Yorkshire,  20 

Constantino  the  Great  bom,  60,  292 ;  as- 
sumes the  imperial  purple  at  York,  and 
embraces  Christianity,  60 

Constantius,  Emx>eror,  60 

Copmanthorpe  Chapelry,  663 

Copper  Mines,  17 

Coronation  stone  and  chair,  132, 146 

Corpus  Christi  Plays,  574 

Courts  of  Exchequer,  &c.,  removed  from 
York,  133;  reinstated  in  York  for  six 
months,  136 ;  again  transferred  to  York, 
146 

Cowthorpe  Oak,  657 

Cranmer,  Archbishop,  184 ;  his  death,  204 

Cromwell,  Oliver,  at  the  siege  of  York, 
241 ;  his  death,  259 ;  his  effigies  burnt 
at  York,  262 

Danes  invade  England,  95 ;  their  massacre 
on  St.  Brice's  Day,  100 

Dance  Maine,  52 

Danish  Kings — Ringsidge,  98 ;  Eric,  101 ; 
Sweyne,  102,  313;  Canute,  102,  313; 
Harold  and  Hardicanute,  102 

Derwent,  River,  32 

Devil's  Arrows,  34,  52 

Devil's -Den  (Cromlech),  52 

Dialects  north  and  south  of  Humber,  80  ^ 

Diefyr,  or  Deira,  kingdom  of,  76 

Dissolution  of  Monasteries,  181 

Disputes  about  the  Festivid  of  Easter,  90 

Domesday  Book,  its  origin,  ^c,  112 

Don,  River,  33 

Drainage — Beverley  and  Barmston,  5  ; 
Holdemess,  5 ;  Keyingham,  6 ;  Hertford 
and  Derwent,  6;  Spalding  Moor  and 
Walling  Fen,  6 

Drake,  the  historian,  639 

Dreadful  executions  of  the  nobility,  189 

Dringhotises  Township,  650 

Dropping  Well  at  Knaresborough,  35 

Druids,  39 ;  their  sacrifices,  40 ;  their  civil 
government,  41 ;  they  oppose  the  Ro- 
man invaders,  42 

Druidical  Circles,  50 

Ducking  or  Cucking  Stool,  388 

Dwarf  Rose  in  the  Field  of  Towton,  161 

Eastern  Moorlands,  11 

East  Riding  of  Yorkshire— situation  of,  2; 
climate  of,  6 ;  principal  towns  of,  3 ;  is 
famous  for  breeding  horses,  7 ;  its  min- 
eral productions,  8 ;  marshes  and  warp- 
land,  9 

Edward  the  Confessor  names  his  successor, 
107 


INDEX. 


Vll 


Egbert  unites  the  kingdoms  of  the  Hep- 
tarchy, 94    « 
Egfiid,  King,  buried  at  Driffield,  92 
Ely,  Bishop  of,  heads  an  army,  187 
England,  the  Island  of  Saiats,  80 
England  submits  to  the  Conqueror,  122 
Ermine  Street  (Roman  road),  70 
Esk,  Riyer,  83 
Ethelred  flies  the  kingdom,  102 


I,  Ancient^  852 
Fair  Rosamond,  895 
FLto  Whispering  Knights,  49 
Flamborough  promontory,  3 
Fleming,  Nicholas,  Mayor  of  York,  187 
Flood,  great,  at  Bipponden,  2tf  7 
Foss,  River,  88 

Fosseway  (Roman  road),  69,  70 
Franchise  of  Yorkshire,  86 
Freeburgh  Hill,  12 
Free  Chapels,  how  founded,  187 
Fridstol,  or  freed  stool,  ancient,  876,  377 

Galilee  Porches  in  ohurches,  876 
Galtres,  ancient  Forest  of,  83,  851 
Gasooigne,  Chief  Justice,  refuses  to  pass 

sentence  of  death  on  Archbishop  Scrope, 

148 
Gayesion,  Piers  de,  134,  135 
General  History  of  Yorkshire,  37 
Gent,  Thomas,  the  historian,  640 
Geoffrey  Plantagenet,  Archbishop  of  York, 

129 
Geo£5!ey  of  Monmouth,  the  historian,  289 
Geology  of  Yorkshire,  20 
Giggleswick  Scar,  35 
Glass  windows  first  introduced,  407,  440 
Glo'ster,  Duke  of;  his  conduct  at  the  death 

of  Edward  V.,  169 ;  is  made  Protector, 

and  crowned  King,  170 
Goodmanham,  Pagan  Temple  at,  84 
Graham's  Dyke,  54 
Gregory  the  Great,  Pope — his  character, 

79;  he  resolves  on  the  conversion  of 

England,  80 
Qrimstcn  Township,  678 
Guilds  or  Fraternities,  198 
Guy  Fawkes,  a  Yorkshireman,  637 

Hadrian,  Emperor,  arrives  in  Britain,  54 ; 

resides  at  York,  291 
Hadrian's  Great  Wall,  55 
Hainault  soldiery  massacred,  142 
Harcdd  II.  crowned,  108;  his  death  and 

burial,  109 
Harrald  Hadrada  invades  England,  104 
Harrogate  Springs,  85 
Hazlewood  Hall  or  Castle,  676 


Healaugh  Penrith,  664 

Hengist  and  Horsa  invited  to  Britain,  73 

Hengist  defeats  the  Picts  and  Scots,  75 

Hermit  of  Knaresborough,  635 

Hertford  and  Derwent  Drainage,  6 

Hestay  Towfuhip,  668 

Hide  of  land,  description  of,  116 

Hinguar  and  Hubba,  90 ;  they  destroy  the 

Holdemess  coast,  97 
Holdemess  Drainage,  5;  cattle,  7 
Holdgate,  or  HolgaUf  Township^  663 
Holy  Isknd,  87 

Horrible  brutalities  of  the  Danes,  97 
Horse  Racing,  632 

HuU,  River,  31 ;  change  of  its  course,  32 
Hull,  a  maritime  town,  138 
Hulpit  and  Hunpit  holes,  36 
Humber,  River,  28 

Hurtlepot,  Ginglepot,  and  Donk,  Caves,  36 
HiUUm-Waandeiley  TowMhip,  667 

loknild  Street  (Roman  road),  70 

Independents,  the,  rob  the  churches,  256 

Indulgences,  definition  of,  408 

Inhabitants  of  Yorkshire,  their  character, 
36 

Instance  of  filial  afiection,  236 

Insurrection  of  the  northern  CathoUcs, 
207 

Insurrection  in  the  East  Riding,  200 

Insurrection  of  the  old  Parliamentary  fac- 
tion, 262 

Ireland  peopled,  38 

Isurium  (Aldborough),  42 

Jack  Straw  and  Wat  Tyler's  rebellion,  144 
Jenkins,  Henry,  18,  260 
Jews,  the  number  of,  in  England,  356 
Jones,  Paul,  the  Anglo-American  bucca- 
neer, 271 
Julius  Agricola,  52 
JuUus  Cffisar,  invasion  of,  43 

Keyingham  Drainage,  6 

Kingston-upon-Hufi,  port  of,  20 

King,  origin  of  the  name,  83,  353 

King  Arthur  defeats  the  Saxons ;  his  mur- 
der, and  the  discovery  of  his  remains, 
76,77 

King  Edwin's  daughter  baptized  by  St. 
Paulinus,  83 

King  Edwin  baptized  by  St.  Paulinus,  and 
his  glorious  reign,  85 ;  his  death,  86 

King  Richiurd  I. — his  coronation,  127 ;  his 
imprisonment  in  Austria,  129 

King  John  visits  York,  130 

King  Alexander  I.  of  Scotland  married  at 
York,  180 


\1X1 


INDEX. 


King  Alexander  II.  of  Scotland  married  at 
York.  131 

King  Edward  I.  at  York,  131 ;  his  death, 
133 

King  Edward  II.,  134 ;  his  murder,  141 

King  Edward  III. — ^his  glorious  reign  and 
marriage,  142 

King  Biohard  II. — ^his  accession,  144 ;  de- 
position and  murder,  146 

King  Henry  IV. — his  accession,  147 ;  death, 
150 

King  Henry  V.  visits  York  and  Beverley, 
150;  his  death,  151 

King  Henry  VI. — ^his  character,  151 ;  falls 
into  the  hands  of  the  Yorkists,  164; 
again  made  King,  167 ;  confined  in  the 
Tower,  and  murdered,  169 

King  Edw.  IV.  proclaimed,  155 ;  crowned, 
162 ;  again  crowned,  164 ;  his  imprison- 
ment and  escape,  167;  is  again  pro- 
claimed King,  167 ;  his  death,  160 ;  his 
family,  169 

King  Edward  V.  murdered  in  the  Tower, 
170 

King  Richard  III.,  170 ;  slain  at  the  battle 
of  Bosworth  Field,  172 

King  Henry  VII. — ^his  coronation,  mar- 
riage, &c.,  172 

King  Henry  VIII.  receives  the  title  of  De- 
fender of  the  Faith,  181 ;  visits  York- 
shire, 192 ;  his  death,  197 

King  Edward  VI.— his  death,  201 

King  James  VI.'s  accession,  211 ;  his  death, 
217 

King  Charles  I. — ^history  of  his  disastrous 
reign,  217;  is  refused  admittance  into 
Hull,  230 ;  his  person  delivered  up  by 
the  Scots,  257;  is  tried  and  executed, 
259 

King  Charles  II.  proclaimed,  261;  his 
death,  264 

King  James  II. — ^his  accession,  264 

Kirkhy.Wharfe  ParUh,  677 

Kirk- Hammer  ton  Parish,  665 

Kits-Coty  House,  48 

Knapton  I'oumship,  651 

I^ncaster,  Duke  of,  lands  at  Kavenspum, 

146 
Levellers,  the,  their  fanaticism,  257,  258 
Library  of  York  Cathedral,  312 
lindisfame,  Isle  of,  87 ;  church  destroyed 

by  the  Danes,  93 
Lollius  Urbicus,  56 
Londesborough,  King  Edwin's  residence, 

84 
Long  Manton  Parish,  666 
Long  Meg  and  her  Daughters,  49 


Long  Parliament,  the,  227 

Lothbric,  a  Danish  General,  legend  of,  96 

Malham  Core,  36 

Malo  Cross,  71 

Mansions,  ancient,  35 

Mark,  value  of,  129 

Mary,  Queen  of  Scots,  210 

Massacre  of  the  Jews,  126 

Maxima  Csesariensis,  54 

Mechanics'  Institute,  Yorkshire  Union  of« 

617 
Middlethorpe  Township,  664 
Mile,  derivation  of,  55 
Mineral  Springs  in  Yorkshire,  35,  688 
Minster,  derivation  of  the  name,  410 
Mistletoe,  a  sacred  plant  with  the  Druids, 

40 
Monastic  Institutions  in  Yorkshire,  35 
Moncuteries,  suppression  of,  181;  annual 

revenues,  185 
FHaries— York,  491,  492,  405 
Nunneries— York,  406, 556 ;  Tadcaster,  672 
Priori<?«— York,  490,  497  ;  Sinningthwaite, 

654;    Nun-Appleton,  661;    Heaulaugh 

Park,  664 
iro«ptta/»— York,  471,  497,  498,  499,  500 
Moor  Monkton  Parish,  667 
Mountains  in  Yorkshire — Roseberry  Top- 
ping, 10 ;  Black  Hamilton,  Ac.  10,  12 ; 

Stow  Brow,  11;  Howardian  Hills,  13; 

Pennygant,  Wamside,  and  Ingleborough, 

19 
Multangular  Tower  at  York,  203,  334 

Nahum  Chapelry,  667 

Nennius,  the  historian,  280 

Newcastle,  Earl  of,  created  a  Marquis,  230 

Nice  and  Sardica,  Councils  of,  64 

Nidd,  Biver,  33 

Norman  Period,  107 

Northern  Assize  Circuit.  36 

North  of  England  divided  into  Shires,  Arc, 
101 

Northallerton  burnt  by  the  Scots,  136 

North  Biding — Situation  and  extent,  10, 
1 1 :  principal  towns,  10 ;  climate,  13 ; 
soil,  14 ;  agricultural  and  woodlands,  15  ; 
cattle,  sheep,  and  horses,  16 ;  minerals 
and  lead  mines,  17;  longevity  of  its  in- 
habitants. 18 

Northumbria,  Earls  of,  102 

Northumberland,  Earl  of,  murdered.  175 

Northumbrian  dynasty,  extinction  of,  9^ 

Northumbrian  kingdom  conquered  by  the 
Danes,  07 ;  reduced  to  an  Earldom,  101 ; 
divided  into  Shires,  119 

Nunneries,  first  instances  of,  496 


INDKX. 


IX 


OctETias  crowned  at  York,  Gl 
Onse,  Jdrer,  28 ;  etymology  of,  290 
Oxton  Toumihip,  675 

Pagan  Temple  profaned  by  Coifi,  84 

Pall,  or  PalUam,  of  the  Archbishops,  388 

Paiisi,  tribe  of,  42 

Parliainent,  first,  held  in  York,  125 ;  deri- 
Tation  of  the  name,  125;  other  early 
Parliaments,  131, 138, 139,  143 

Panlinos  and  Golfi  discnss  religion,  84 

Pauperism  floods  the  conntry,  185 

Penda,  King  of  Mercia,  85,  89 

Pestilence,  called  the  "Black  Death,"  144 

Petoaria and  Portns  Felix  (British  Towns ) , 
42 

Phcenician  Merchants  visit  the  Tin  Is- 
lands, 37 

Pickering  Beck,  13 

Picts  and  Soots,  68 

Pilgrimage  of  Grace,  insurrection,  189 

Pli^e,  the,  146,  262 

Pope  Adrian  sends  Legates  to  England,  in 
A.D.  785,  93 

PoppUUm — Upper  and  Nether^  669 

Population  of  England  armed,  125,  139 

Population  of  several  towns  in  the  reign  of 
Edward  III.,  144 

Ports  of  Yorkshire,  20 

Price  of  provisions  in  1533, 181 

Prince  Charles  Stuart,  the  Pretender,  267 

Prince  Bupert,  242 

Printing  Press,  the  first  at  York,  180 

Promontories,  3 

Protestants  and  Catholics  executed  for 
heresy,  195 

Puritans,  the,  207 

Quakers,  origin  of  the  name,  549 
Quarter  Sessions,  where  held,  36 
Queen  Anne's  Bounty,  374 
Queen  of  Scotland  visits  York,  178 
Queen    Elizabeth's    accession,  205;    her 

death,  211 
Queen  Henrietta's  letter  to  Charles  I.,  237; 

her  death,  259 
Queen  Margaret's  adherence  to  her  party, 

162 ;  her  captivity  and  death,  169 
Queen   Mary's  accession,  201;  her  mar- 
riage, 203 ;  her  death,  205 
Queen  Victoria's  visit  to  York,  280;  to 
Kingston-upon-HuH,  282 

BaUways,  34  * 

Bavenspnme,  Bolingbroke  lands  at,  146 ; 

Edward  IV.  debarks  at,  167 
Bebellion,  the,  of  1745,  267 
BebeUion  in  Yorkshire,  175 


Reformation  in  Religion,  182;  new  liturgy 

compiled,  199 
Reform  Bill,  effects  of,  in  Yorkshire,  86 
Relics  found  on  Towton  Field,  161 
Religious  edifices    profiemed    during    the 

Commonwealth,  458 
Religious  Houses,  35 ;  suppression  of,  181 
Richmond,  Earl  of,  lands  at  Idilford-Ha- 

ven,  171 
Riding,  origin  of  the  term,  114 
Rivers  of  Yorkshire,  27  to  93 
RoUrich  Stones,  49,  52 
Roman  Invasion,  43 
Roman  Period,  53 
Roman  Colonies,  Stipendiary  Towns,  Latin 

Cities,  66 
Roman  government  of  Britain,  66 
Romans,  the,  relinquish  Britain,  68 
Roman  modes  of  sepulture,  58,  298 
Roman  sepulchral  and  other  remains,  34 ; 

at  York,  293 
Roman  roads,  60,  72 
Roman   Stations — Eboiacum,  54;  Delgo- 

vicia,  Dunus  Sinus,  Danum,  Ac,  72; 

Derventio,  72,  83 ;  Calcaria,  670 
Roman  Encampments,  73 
Roman  Villa  at  CoUingham,  690 
Roseberry  Topping,  10,  1 1 
Rosedale  Iron  works,  17 
Ruforth  ParUh,  670 

Sanctuaries  abolished,  200 

Sanctuary,  the  privilege  of,  375 

Saxons,  the — their  origin,  manners,  &c., 
73 ;  invited  to  Britain  by  Vortigem,  74 ; 
their  conquest  of  the  Britons,  77 ;  their 
religion,  78;  tiUes  of  honour,  115; 
names  of  divisions  of  land,  116 

Saxon  Heptarchy,  77 ;  how  composed,  81 ; 
extinction  of,  94 

Saxon  Kings—Ida,  Ella  or  Alia,  Ethelfrid, 
and  Edwin,  82;  Ceadwalla,  Oswald, 
Adelwald,  OBwy,  Oswin,  and  Oswio,  86 ; 
Alcbfrid,90;  Egfrid,  91 ;  Osred,  Ceonred, 
Ccel\%Tilf,  92;  Mol-Edilwold,  Alchred, 
Alfwold,  and  Ethelbred,  93;  Osbald, 
Eardulf,  and  Egbert,  04;  Osbert  and 
Ella,  95 ;  Egbert,  08 

Saxon  Remains  at  York,  311 

Saxton  Pariah,  680 

Scarborough  besieged  by  the  nobles,  134; 
burnt  by  the  Scots,  136 

Scarborough  burnt  by  the  Danes,  104 

Scarborough  CasUe,  attempt  to  seize  it,  203 

Scarborough  Springs,  35 

ScarthingweU,  681 

Scots  pass  from  Ireland  to  Scotiand,  B8 

Scotland,  ancient  inhabitants  of,  68 


INDKX. 


Soots,  their  barbarous  invasions,  128 

Scottish  Regalia  removed  to  England,  132 

Scottish  League  and  CJovenant,  224 

Scotch,  the,  in  arms  against  Ghas.  I.,  224 

Sorope*s,  Archbishop,  rebellion,  147;  his 
execution,  148 

Sea  coast,  extent  of,  10 

Sepulchral  (called  Druids')  Circles,  48 

Severus,  Emperor,  arrives  in  Britain,  56 ; 
his  conquests  and  death,  57;  fUneral 
obsequies  at  York,  58 

Severus  Hill,  near  York,  58 

Ship-money,  tax  imposed,  223 

Sieges — Portsmouth,  232;  York  com- 
mences, 241;  ends,  251;  Leeds,  236; 
Pontefract,  253;  Sheffield,  254;  Scar- 
borough and  Skipton,  255 ;  Carlisle,  268 

Simnel,  Lambert,  an  impostor,  173 ;  is  pro- 
claimed King  in  Dublin,  174 

Sistuntii,  tribe  of,  42 

Siward,  Earl  of  Northumbria,  102 

Sixth  Conquering  Legion,  55,  69 

Skipton  burnt  by  the  Scots,  187 

Skipbridge  HamUt,  669 

Skirlaw,  Bishop  of  Durham,  411 

Spalding  Moor  and  Walling  Fen  Drainage, 
6 

Spencer,  Hugh  de,  favourite  of  Edwsrd 
in..  138 

Spume  Promontory,  8 

St  Ceaddo,  or  Chad,  Archbishop  of  York, 
384 

St  Edward  the  Confessor,  102, 103 

St  Edwin  (King),  St  Ethelburge  (Queen), 
384 

St  John  of  Beverley,  388 

St  Oswald  (King),  87 

St  Oswald,  Archbishop  of  York,  802 

St  Paulinus,  Archbishop  of  York,  80, 382, 
384 

St.  Thomas  of  Canterbury — ridiculous 
trial  of,  103 

St  Wilfrid,  Archbishop  of  York,  90,  385 

St  William,  Archbishop  of  York,  393 

Staith,  origin  of  the  name,  360 

Steeton  Township,  682 

Stonehenge  on  Salisbury  Plain,  49,  50 

Stoupe  Brow,  or  Stow  Brow,  11 

Stuarts,  the  last  of  the,  405 

Sunk  Island  recovered  from  the  Humber, 
8,9 

Sutton-cum-Hazlewood  Tototuhipj  675 

Swale,  River,  27;  St  Paulinus  baptizes 
immense  numbers  in  it,  28,  and  80 

Sweating  Sickness,  200 

Sweyn's  Danish  fleet  enters  the  Humber, 
102 

Synods  held  in  Northumbria,  (a.i>.  785)  98 


Tadcaster  Tovm  and  ParUh,  670 
Tariff  of  prices  at  York  in  1314,  185 
Tees,  River,  27 

Temple  of  Bellona  at  York,  292 
Temple  of  Serapis  at  York,  295 
Theodoras,  Archbishop  of  Britain,  91 
Thirty-nine  Articles,  the,  published,  806 
Thornton  Force  and  Scar,  35 
Thorp'Areh  ParUky  691 
Thrave,  meaning  of,  165 
Thunder  and  rain  storm,  4 
Thurston,  Archbishop  of  York,  128 
Tides,  Spring,  at  York  and  Hull,  29 
Tithings,  why  named,  115 
Tithes,  origin  of,  373 
Tockwith  Township,  656 
Tonnage  and  Poundage  levied,  221 
i    Tosti's  fleet  enters  the  Humber,  104 
Tournament  at  York,  1 31 
Tournament  between  two  English  and  two 

foreign  Knights,  149 
Towton  Township,  682 
Turpin,  the  highwayman,  513 
Tyler's,  Wat,  rebellion,  145 

Wade's  Causeway,  71 

Wages  of  workmen  in  the  14th  century, 
411 

Wall  of  Antoninus,  54 

Waltheof,  Earl  of  Northumbria,  101, 120, 
122 

Walton  Parish,  692 

Wapentake,  origin  of  the  term,  114 

Warbeck,  Perkiu,  an  impostor,  176 ;  is  pro- 
claimed King,  by  the  title  of  Richard 
lY.,  and  is  executed  for  treason,  178 

Warwick,  the  great  Earl,  his  character  and 
death,  168 

Wars  of  the  Roses,  151 

War,  Great  Civil,  cause  and  progress  of,  217 

Wastes  of  Yorkshire,  20 

Waterfalls  of  Yorkshire,  85 

Wailing  Street  (Roman  road),  70 

Wayland  Smith's  Cave,  48 

Weathercote  Cave,  36 

Wesley,  Rev.  John,  547 

West  Biding — situation  and  prindpsl  towns 
of,  18 ;  soil,  minerals,  and  manufactures, 
19 

WighiU  Parish,  693 

Wilstrop  Township,  066 

William  Duke  of  Normandy  prepares  to 
invade  England,  107;  is  sumamed  the 
tlonqueror,  111 ;  his  harsh  treatment  of 
the  English,  112 

Wharfe,  River,  82 

Wolds  of  Yorkshire,  3 ;  soU  of,  5 ;  rabbit- 
warrens  and  sheep-walks,  7 


IKDEX. 


XI 


UUeskelf  Towfuhip,  660 
Ure  or  Yore,  Biver,  28 

Tales— -of  York,   18;  of  Derwent,  4; 

Cleveland,  drc,  18 
Venerable  Bede,  68 
Vennsina,  Chief  of  the  Brigantes,  46 
Yicioria  Begia  (Water  Lily),  616 
Volmitii,  tribe  of,  42 
Yortimer  defeats  the  Saxons,  75 

Yos^das  Care,  86 


of 


Yorkshire— situatLon  and  Ridings  of,  1 ; 
area  and  population  of,  2 ;  Wolds  of,  8 ; 
Carrs  and  Levels  of,  5 ;  agriculture  of, 
6 ;  wastes  of,  20 ;  ports  of,  20 ;  commerce 
and  geology  of,  20 ;  general  history  of, 
37 ;  how  divided  after  the  Conquest,  118 ; 
is  famed  for  its  battle  fields,  218 

Yorkshire,  places  in,  that  have  given  title 
to  Peers,  or  have  been  the  capital  resi- 
dences of  Barons,  286 

York,  Dukes  of,  181 

York,  Earl  of,  283 


^t  €iiu  ai 


FAOE. 

York  becomes  the  Boman  Station, 

Ehoracum ^ 54 

Sixth  Conquering  Legion  arrives  . .  55 

City  besieged  by  the  Britons 56 

Emperor  Severus  resides  at  York  . .  58 

Hia  death  and  funeial  obsequies.  .58,  292 
Caracalla   murders   Geta   and    his 

friends 50 

Caransius,  a  Briton,  proclaimed  Em- 
peror, and  his  murder 59 

Death  of  the  Emperor  Constantius*.  60 
Constantine  the  Great — arrives,  as- 
Bumes  the  imperial  purple  at  York, 

and  embraces  Christianity  ......  64 

King   Arthur   celebrates   the    first 

Christmas  festival  in  Britain    . .  64,  31 2 
York  seized  by  the  Danes,  and  hor- 
rible sufferings  ot  the  inhabitants  97 
The  city  taken  by  the  Norwegians. .  104 
la  the  rallying  point  of  the  North- 
umbers   112 

The  citizens  submit  to  William  the 

Conqueror 120 

City  re-taken  by  ^e  Engli^  and 

Danes,  and  parUy  burnt  by  accident  120 
Is  besieged  and  burnt  bj  the  Con- 
queror   121 

Is  again  burnt  (accidentally)  in  1137  128 
First  English  Parliament  held  here 

125,  319 

The  atj  risen  to  eminence ........  126 

Great  massacre  of  the  Jews 126,  319 

Their  horrid  fate  at  York    128 

Temporal  and  spiritual  power  united  130 

King  John's  visit 130 

The  city  besieged  by  the  Barons....  180 


PAOC. 

Henry  JII.  attends  a  convocation, 
and  Alexander  I.  of  Scotland  is 

married  here 130 

Alexander  11.  of  Scotland  married 

here     131 

Visit  of  Edward  1 131 

York  a  maritime  town 183 

Fortifications  repaired  by  Edw.  II. .  134 

Another  Parliament  held  here    ....  138 

Dreadful  aftray  with  the  Hainaulters  142 
Visits  of  Edward  II.,  several  Parlia- 
ments held  here,  the  city  set  on 

fire  by  David  Bruce 148 

Bichard  n.  confers  the  title  of  Ia^ 

Mayor 145 

Dreadful  pestilence 144, 146 

Mace  and  Cap  of  Maintenance  pre- 
sented to  the  Corporation    146 

Courts  removed  firom  London  to  York  146 

Henry  V.  visits  the  city  of  York ....  150 

Prince  Edward  knighted  here 171 

Visit  of  the  Princess  Margaret  ....  178 
Churches  of  York  in  the  time  of 

Henry  V 182 

Visit  of  Henry  Vm 192 

Catholics  put  to  death  here 207 

Execution  of  the  Earl  of  Northum- 
berland and  others   209 

Visits  of  James  VI 211,  216 

Visits  of  his  Queen  and  children   . .  215 

The  Plague    215 

Horse  race  on  the  river  Onse 216 

Visits  of  Charles  1 222,  224 

He  keeps  Easter  here 225 

He  holds  a  Council  at  the  Deanery.  226 

Fixes  his  head-quarters  here 281 


Xll 


INDKX. 


PAOE. 

Queen  Henrietta  at  York USQ 

Siege  of  York  commences    241 

St.  Mary's  Tower 24a,  337,  479 

Surrender  of  the  city    251 

Is  dismantled  of  its  garrison 257 

Cromwell's  visit 259 

Old  Jenkins  at  York  Assizes 260 

Charles  II.  proclaimed,  and  Crom- 
well's effigy  burnt  at  York 201,  262 

Visit  of  James,  Duke  of  York 262 

Lamps  first  hung  up  here    264 

Outrages  on  the  Catholics,  \Vm.  and 
Mary  proclaimed,  overflow  of  -the 

Ouse,  and  a  great  fire  at  York. . . .  206 

Great  drought  here 266 

RebeUion  of  1745 268 

Visit  of  the  Prince  of  Hesse    269 

Visit  of  the  Duke  of  Cumberland  269,  349 

Visit  of  the  King  of  Denmark 270 

Visit  of  the  Duke  of  York 270,  271 

Corps  of  volunteers  embodied 272 

Marquis  of  Rockingham's  funeral  . .  273 
Prince  of  Wales  and  Duke  of  York 

at  York  races 273 

Visit  of  Charles  James  Fox 274 

Visit  of  Prince  William  Frederick  of 

Gloster  and  the  Earl  St.  Vincent  275 
Mary    Bateman,     the    "Yorkshire 

Witch"    276 

Visits  of  the  Duke  of  Sussex,  the 

Duchess  of  Kent,  Princess  Victoria  276 
Prince  Albert,  Duke  of  Cambridge, 

Queen  Victoria,  (fee,  at  York  ....  277 

Boyal  Agricultural  Society's  Show. .  277 

Great  banquet  at  Guild  Hall 277 

Visit  of  the  Queen  and  Royal  family  280 

York,  Earl  and  Dukes  of 283 

Origin  of  the  city  of  York    289 

Etymology  of  the  name    290 

Resemblance  of  York  to  Rome    ....  291 

Is  the  seat  of  the  Roman  Emperors  292 

Temple  of  Bellona    292 

Roman  Remains  of  sepulchres,  tesse- 

lated  pavements,  altars,  ware,  (fee.  293 
Roman  Multangular  Tower,  and  Ro- 
man Wall 293,  834 

Temple  of  Serapis 295 

Roman  burial  place 298 

Saxon  remains 311 

Churches  in  York  at  the  Conquest. .  811 

Description  of  York  in  Domesday  . .  314 
Houses  and  population  of  York  in 

the  time  of  Edward  the  Confessor  319 

Great  Council  of  the  North    320,  343 

Topography  of  the  City  of  York ....  321 

Situation  of  the  City     321 

Description  of  the  fortifications. . . .  322 


PAOK. 

Leland's  description  of  York 3215 

Restoration  of  the  Walls 324 

Circumference  of  the  Ramparts 327 

Entrance  Gates  or  Bars  328 

Micklegate  Bar,  328 ;  Bootham  Bar, 
329;  Monk  Bar,  330;  Walmgate 
Barand  Barbican,  324, 330;  Fisher- 
gate  Bar  and  Postern,  331;  the 

other  Posterns 832,  333 

Lendal  Tower    332 

Red  Tower 336 

Old  Baile  Hill 337,  362 

York  CasUe   337,  601 

Cliflford's  Tower 338 

Site  of  the  Prsetorium  Palace 343 

The  Manor  Palace    343 

Site  of  Percy's  Inn    346 

Old  Archiepiscopal  Palace 347,  460 

Lardiner  HaU.  Duke's  HaU 347 

Mulberry,  or  Mulbrai,  Hall 349 

The  Castle  Mills   349 

Names  of  Streets,  derivation  of  ....  350 

Abbot  of  St.  Mary's  fair 352 

Jews  numerous  in  York 356 

The  "Railway  King,"  former  resi- 
dence of 358 

A  street  named  after  him 362 

First  Coffee  House  in  York 361 

The  New  Walk 863 

Suburbs  and  Bridges  of  York 364 

St.  William's  Chapel 365 

Ouse  and  Foss  Bridges    866 

Scarborough  Railway  Bridge 367 

Mortality,  Cholera    367,  868 

Sanitary  measures    368 

Drainage  of  the  Foss  Islands 869 

Abolition  of  intramural  interment. .  369 

Ecclesiastical  affairs     370 

Dispute  about  the  Primacy 871 

Income  of  Bishops    872 

Dean  and  Chapter  of  York 373 

Arms  of  the  Cathedral 873 

List  of  the  Archbishops   377 

list  of  the  Deans 380 

Annsds  of  the  Archbishops 381 

St.  William's  entry  into  York — ^acci- 
dent on  Ouse  Bridge    394 

Great  feast  in  honor  of  Archbishop 

Neville's  enthronization 398 

Cardinal  Wolsey    899 

Anecdote  of  Archbishop  Mountain . .  402 

The  Cardinal  of  York 405 

The  Cathedral,  or  Minster 406 

The  edifice  rebuilt    408 

Dates  of  the  erection  of  its  parts    . .  412 

Chantries  in  the  Minster 418 

Minster  burnt  by  Martin. 414 


n!DXX. 


ziii 


PAGE. 

Another  Are  in  the  Minster    417 

Musical  FestiTals 417 

Great  bell,  **  Peter  of  York"    418 

Description  of  the  Minster 419 

The  Ladye  ChapeUe 433 

The  stained  glass  windows 440 

I>imen8lon8  of  the  Minster 446 

Comparative  magnitade  of  the  Min- 
ster       445 

The  monoments   446 

Chapter  Hoose,  description  of   ....     455 
Dignitaries,  Ssc,  of  the  Cathedral  . .     459 

Minster  Yard 460 

ComparatiTe  capacity  for  accommo- 
dation of  the  largest  charches  in 

Europe   460 

Minster  libraiy    461 

Chapel  of  the  Holy  Sepulchre    ....     465 

liberty  of  St.  Peter 467 

St.  William's  College    469 

The  Bedem    470 

St.  Leonard's  Hospital 471 

St  Mary's  Abbey 475 

Holy  Trinity  Prioiy 862,  490 

Dominican  Friary 491 

Franciscan  Friary 492 

Augustinian  Friary 493 

Carmelite  Friary 495 

Benedictine  Nunnery 496 

St.  Andrew's  Priory 497 

Hospital  of  St.  Nicholas 497 

Hospital  of  St  Magdalen 498 

Hospital  of  St  Anthony 498 

St  Anthony's  HaU    499 

Various  reUgious  guilds 500 

Churchu  of  York 501 

All  Saints' Church,  North  St,  503; 
AU  Saints,  Pavement,  506 ;  church 
of  St  Crux,  508;  of  St  Cuthbert, 
510;  of  St  Dennis,  511;  of  St 
OUre,  513 ;  of  St  Helen,  Stone- 
gate,  515 ;  of  St  John,  517 :  of  St 
Lawrence,  518;  of  St  Margaret, 
521 ;  of  St  Martin,  Coney  St,  523 ; 
of  St  Martin,  Mioklegate,  526 ;  of 
St  Mary  Bishophill  Senior,  527; 
of  St  Mary  Bishophill  Junior,  529 ; 
of  St  Mary,  Castlegate,  580 ;  of  St. 
Michaelle-Belfry,  532 ;  of  St  Mi- 
chael, Low  Ousegate,  534;  of  St 
Sampson,  586 ;  of  St  Saviour,  537 : 
of  the  Holy  Trinity,  King's  Sq., 
539;  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  Mickle- 
gate,  540;  of  the  Holy  Trinity, 
Goodramgate,  542 ;  of  St  Maurice, 
543;  of  St  Paul,  544;  and  of  St 
Thomas,  545. 


PAGE. 

Dissenting  Chapels  « 546 

Catholics 550 

Catholic  Church  of  St  George    ....     552 

Chapel  of  St  Wilfrid    554 

Catholic  fraternities 555 

Convent  of  St  Mary 556 

Public  Schools  .'-^St.  Peter's,  557; 
Holgate's,  558;  Training  Institu- 
tion, 559 ;  Yeoman,  559 ;  School  of 
Design,  560;  Wilberforce  School 
for  the  Blind,  561;  Blue  Coat, 
562;  Spinning,  563;  WUson's 
Charity,  564;  Bagged,  564;  Dods- 
worth's,  565;  Haughton's,  565; 
National  Schools,  565;  British, 
566;  We8leyan,567;  Independent, 
567;  St  George's  Catholic,  567; 
Convent  Schools,  568;  Sunday 
Schools,  568. 
AlmshouBeSt  or  HospitdU: — ^Agar's, 
Barstow's,  and  St.  Catherine's,  569 ; 
Colton's,  Harrison's,  and  Hewley's, 
570;  Ingram's,  Mason's,  and  Mai- 
son  IMeu,  571 ;  Middleton's,  Mer- 
chant Tailors',  and  Old  Maid's, 
572;  St  Thomas's,  573;  Thomp- 
son's  and  Trinity  Hospital,  575; 
Watter's  and  Wilson's,  576;  and 
Winterskelfs,  577. 

Population,  &c.,  of  York 577 

Commerce,  Trade,  ice 579 

Markets,  Fairs,  &c 581 

Corporation  of  York 584 

Franchise 589 

Freemen's  Strays 590 

Courts  of  Justice   591 

Gmld  HaU 592 

Mansion  House 594 

The  Judge's  Lodgings 596 

Assembly  Booms 597 

Festival  Concert  Boom 598 

Theatre  Boyal    599 

Yorkshire  Club  House 600 

The  De  Grey  Booms    601 

County  Gaol  (York  Castle) 601 

City  House  of  Correction    604 

Merchants'  Hall    605 

Merchant  Tailors'  and  other  Halls . .     606 

York  County  Hospital 607 

Other  Medical  Institutions 608 

York  Lunatic  Asylum 609 

Betreat  Lunatic  Asylum 61 1 

Pauper  Lunatic  Asylum 612 

Yorkshire  Philosophical  Society    . .     613 
The  Museum  and  its  contents    ....     614 

York  Institute   620 

Yorkshire  Architectural  Society. ...     621 


XIV 


INDEX. 


FAas. 

Yorkshire  Naturalists'  Club    621 

Yorkshire  Antiquarian  Club    622 

Subscription  and  Select  libraries  . .     623 

Newspapers    623 

Railways 624 

Gas  and  Water  Works 626,  627 

PubUc  Baths 627 

Banks,  Barracks,  Jkc 628 


PAGE. 

York  Poor  Law  Union 630 

Penitentiaiy  and  City  Mission    ....  690 

Model  Lod^g  House 631 

Cemetery    631 

Cholera  Burial  Ground    632 

Bacecourse  ( Knavesmire)    632 

Archery  Society 634 

Eminent  Men  connected  with  York  634 


ERRATA. 


Page    10,  line    3  from  the  foot  of  the  page,  add  Withemsea  to  the  Principal  Bathing 

places. 
137,  line  20  from  the  top,  read  and  the  Bishop  of  Ely. 
280,  first  line  of  the  note  at  foot,  Ibr  subsequent  pages  of  this  Tolumo,  read  in  the 

Hcond  volume  of  this  history. 
239,  last  line  of  the  note  at  foot,  for  subsequent  pages  of  this  volume,  read  see  the 

history  of  that  town  in  the  second  volume  of  this  history, 
257,  line  10,  read,  and  they  contended,  Ae. 
333,    „     3,  of  the  note,  for  emerged,  read  immerged. 
865,    „     1,  for  measures,  read  measured, 
406,  fourth  line  of  the  note  from  the  bottom,  for  fiist  one  meal,  read  fSast  on  one 

meal. 
670.    Since  the  account  of  Tadcaster  was  printed,  General  Wyndham  has  sold  to 

Lord  Londesborough  that  portion  of  his  Yorkshire  property  which  is 

situated  in  and  around  that  town. 
687,  line  24,  for  shapel,  read  chapel. 


If 


tt 


tt 


»t 


tt 


tt 


tt 


tt 


if 


YORKSHIRE. 


TopoaRAPHT.^ — ^This  great  and  noble  maritime  county,  which  derives  its 
tuaae  from  its  chief  town,  and  which  is  by  flar  the  largest,  and  in  the  number 
and  wealth  of  its  inhabitants,  as  well  as  in  its  natural  and  artificial  produc- 
tions, the  most  considerable  and  important  shire  in  the  kingdom,  is  situated 
nearly  in  the  centre  of  Great  Britain.  It  is  bounded  on  the  N.E.  and  £.  by 
the  German  Ocean;  on  the  S.  by  the  rivers  Humber  and  Trent,  which 
separate  it  from  Lincolnshire,  and  by  the  counties  of  Nottingham,  Derby, 
and  Chester ;  on  the  W.  by  Lancashire ;  on  the  N.W.  by  Westmorland ;  and 
on  the  N.  by  Durham.  The  general  form  of  the  county  is  that  of  an  irre- 
gular quadrangle,  with  two  projecting  points  at  its  N.W.  and  S.E.  angles ; 
and  its  extreme  points  lie  between  the  parallels  of  58  d^.  18  min.  and  64 
deg.  40  min.  N.  latitude,  and  between  d  deg.  40  min.  W.,  and  0  deg.  10  min. 
E.  lon^tude  of  the  meridian  of  Greenwich.  The  circuit  of  Yorkshire  is 
about  460  miles ;  its  length  from  east  to  west  is  110  miles ;  and  its  breadth 
from  north  to  south  is  00  miles.  It  extends  in  its  longest  part  about  ISO 
miles,  from  Spurn  Head,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Humber,  to  Lune  Forest, 
where  it  joins  Durham  and  Westmorland,  these  being  its  south-eastern  and 
north-western  extremities. 

From  its  great  extent  this  fine  English  province  was,  at  an  early  period 
of  the  Saxon  dominion,  divided  into  three  grand  districts  called  lUdingSt 
which,  in  reference  to  their  relative  positions  with  respect  to  each  other,  and 
to  the  city  of  York,  are  termed  East,  West,  and  North  Ridings.  The  East 
Riding,  the  smallest  of  the  three  divisions,  is  subdivided  into  seven  wapen- 
takes ;  the  West  Riding,  the  largest  of  the  three  divisions,  is  in  nine  sub- 
divisions; and  the  North  Riding  has  twelve  wapentakes,  including  the 
Liberty  of  Whitby  Strand.  There  is  also  a  small  district  called  the  Ainsty 
of  the  dty  of  York,  which,  until  1836,  was  separate  from  either  of  the 


3 


BESCBIPnON   OF  TOBKSHIBE. 


Ridings,  but  which  in  that  year  was  annexed  to  the  West  Riding.  Tork- 
shire  contains  about  6S0  parishes,  comprising  about  5000  villages  and 
hamlets ;  1  archiepiscopal  city  (York) ;  1  episcopal  city  (Ripon) ;  13  corpo- 
rate towns ;  17  parliamentary  boroughs ;  and  59  market  towns.  It  returns 
37  members  to  parliament,  and  is  divided  into  50  Poor  Law  Unions.  It  is 
in  the  Northern  Circuit ;  in  the  archiepiscopal  province  of  York ;  and  in  the 
dioceses  of  York  and  Ripon. 

Each  of  the  three  Ridings  has  a  separate  lieutenancy,  magistracy,  clerk  of 
the  peace,  treasurer,  and  other  public  officers  and  courts ;  but  all  of  them 
are  amenable  to  the  superior  courts  held  for  the  whole  county  at  York  Castle, 
which  stands  within  the  bounds  of  the  city  of  York.  Though  the  latter 
place  is  a  county  of  itself,  holding  separate  courts  of  gaol  delivery,  &c.,  the 
electors  of  the  city  unite  with  the  North  Riding  in  the  election  of  Knights  of 
the  Shire,  The  whole  of  the  East  and  North  Ridings,  and  a  great  part  of 
the  West  Riding,  is  chiefly  dependent  on  agriculture ;  a  large  portion  of  the 
latter  division  is  distinguished  for  extensive  manufactures  of  woollen  cloth, 
worsted  stuff,  linen,  cutlery,  and  other  hardware. 

The  area  of  Yorkshire,  according  to  the  latest  Parliamentary  Report,  is 
5,983  square  miles,  or  3,829,S86  statute  acres.i'  The  population  of  the 
county  in  1851  was  1,797,995  souls;  of  which  number  89d,749  were  males, 
and  905,246  females.f 

The  East  Biding,  which  comprises  the  south-east  part  of  the  county,  is 
situated  between  the  parallels  of  53  deg.  35  min.  and  54  deg.  15  min.  N. 


»  The  area  of  each  divieion  of  Yorkshire,  and  density. 

in  1851. 

niviaiONS. 

Aroa 

in  8qo«f« 

Mfles 

Are* 

inStatato 

Acres. 

Penoiui 

toa 

Square  MDe 

Acres 

toa 

Penon 

Inhabited 
HoQses  to  a 
Square  Mile 

Peraons 

toa 
HoQse. 

YoBK  City 

East  Riding 

North  Ridimo  .... 
West  Riding 

4 

1.201 
2,109 
2,669 

2,720 

768,419 

1,350,121 

1.708,026 

8,542 
182 
102 
496 

0-7 
3-5 
6-3 
1-3 

1,665 
37 
21 
99 

51 
4*9 

4-8 
5-0 

f  Population  of  each  division  of  Yorkshire,  as  enumerated  at  each  census  from  1801  to 
1851  inclusive;  also,  increase  of  population  per  cent,  in  the  halfcentusy. 


DIVISIONS. 


York  City 

£abt  Riding.... 
North  Riding  . . 
West  Riding    .. 


YEARS. 


1801. 


16,846 
111,192 

158,927 
672.168 


18U. 


19,099 
133,975 
170,127 
662,875 


1821. 


21,711 
154,643 

188,178 
809,363 


1831. 


26,260 
168,891 
192,206 
984,609 


1841. 


28,842 

194,936 

204,701 

1,163,580 


1851. 


36,308 

220,983 

215,214 

1,325,495 


Increase 
of  Population 

percent. 
inSO  jreais* 


116 
97 
35 

132 


DSSCBIFTION   OF  YOfiSSHIfiE.-  3 

ktitade,  and  1  deg.  10  min.  W.  and  0  deg.  10  min.  £.  longitude  from  the 
meridian  of  Greenwich.  Its  boundaries  on  the  N.  and  N.W.  are  formed  by 
the  little  riyer  Hertford,  and  the  Derwent,  which  divides  it  from  the  North 
Riding  as  fiir  down  as  Stamford  Bridge ;  and  from  a  mile  above  that  place, 
by  an  irregular  boundary  line  which  joins  the  Ouse,  about  a  nule  below 
York ;  from  this  point  it  is  bounded  on  the  W.  and  S.W.  by  the  river  Ouse, 
which  separates  it  from  the  West  Eiding ;  on  the  S.  by  the  Humber ;  and 
on  the  £.  by  the  North  Sea  or  German  Ocean.  It  is  an  irregular  figure, 
resembling  the  outline  of  a  shoulder  of  mutton,  of  which  Holdemess  may  be 
called  the  shank,  terminating  in  a  narrow  point  at  the  confluence  of  the 
Humber  with  the  ocean,  whence  the  Riding  extends  from.  60  to  00  miles 
northward,  varying  in  its  widest  parts  from  30  to-  40  miles  in  breadth  from 
east  to  west  It  contains  7  wapentakes,  about  197  parishes,,  and  about  400 
townships,  and  it  forms  a  rich  agricultural  district.  Its  principal  towns  are 
Hull,  Beverley,  Bridlington,  Driffield,  Hedon,  Hornsea,  Howden,  Market 
Weighton,  Pocklington,  and  Patrington.  HuU,  or  Eingston-upon-HuU,  is 
an  ancient  town  and  county  of  itself,-  but  attached  to  the  East  Riding  in  the 
election  of  two  knights  of  the  shire  to  serve  in  parliament  Beverley,  the 
capital  of  the  Riding,,  is  now  the  only  parliamentaiy  borough  in  it — ^Hedon, 
an  ancient  borough,  having  been  disfr'anchised  in  1832.  The  coast  of  this 
Riding  has  two  remarkable  promontories — Flamborough  Head  and  Spurn 
Point — and  has  been  much  wasted  by  the  incursions  of  the  sea  during  the 
present  century ;  but  on  its  southern  border,  several  thousands  of  acres  of 
fertile  land,  called  Sunk  Island,  have  been  recovered  from  the  estuary  of  the 
Humber,  by  a  system  of  warping  and  embanking,  which  was  commenced  in 
the  reign  of  Charles  I. 

The  East  Riding  is  far  less  conspicuously  marked  with  the  bolder  features 
of  natme  than  the  other  parts  of  the  county.  It  may  be  distanguished  into 
three  districts,  the  WoldSf  and  the  two  level  tracts,  one  of  which  lies  to  the 
east,  and  the  other  to  the  west  and  north  of  that  elevated  region.  The 
Wolds  are  lof)y  ranges  of  chalk  lulls,  extending  frx>m  th^  banks  of  the 
Humber,  in  the  vicinity  of  Hessle,  in  a  northerly  direction,  to  the  neigh- 
bonrhood  of  Malton  on  the  Derwent,  where  they  range  eastward  within  a 
few  miles  of  the  course  of  that  river,  to  the  coast,  where  they  form  the  lofty 
promontory  of  Flamborough  Head ;  and  in  the  vicinities  of  the  villages  of 
Flamborough,  Bempton,  and  Speeton,  they  rise  in  cliffs  of  from  100  to  150 
feet  The  ascent  to  the  Wolds  is  somewhat  steep,  except  on  the  eastern  side, 
where  they  rise  in  gentle  and  successive  swells,  presenting  a  beautiful  aspect 
towards  the  flat  country.    Though  their  height  in  the  most  elevated  parts  is 


4  DESCRIPTION   OF  TOBKSHIBE. 

supposed  not  to  exceed  600  feet,  yet  many  parts  afford  magnificent  and  de- 
lightful prospects.  From  several  of  the  elevated  points  between  the  Humber 
and  the  high  road  from  Kirk  Ella,  by  Kiplingham,  to  Cave,  York  Minster, 
Howden  Church,  Flamborough  Head,  Bridlington  Priory,  Beverley  Minster, 
and  the  churches  of  Hull  and  Hedon,  may  be  distinctly  seen;  and  fiom 
some  of  these  heights  the  Cathedrals  of  York  and  Lincoln  are  at  once  visible. 
The  eastern  part  of  this  elevated  district,  skirting  the  Humber,  commands  a 
splendid  view  of  that  vast  estuary  extending  to  the  south-east  till  it  is  lost  in 
the  horizon ;  and  the  farther  distances  are  filled  up  with  a  view  of  the  shores 
of  Holdemess  and  Lincolnshire.*  The  western  hills  towards  Cave  afiford  a 
very  extensive  prospect  over  an  immense  level,  terminating  in  the  high  lands 
of  the  West  Riding ;  and  also  of  the  rivers  Ouse  and  Trent,  which,  at  their 
junction,  are  overlooked  by  the  fine  promontory  of  Aukborough.  From  the 
western  hills  a  good  view  is  obtained  of  the  southern  part  of  the  Vale  of  York, 
reaching  far  beyond  that  city  into  the  West  Hiding ;  and  &om  the  northern 
edge  of  these  hills  the  Vale  of  Derwent  is  seen  extended  below,  and  beyond 
it  the  black  moors  towards  Whitby  rise  in  sublime  grandeur.  The  surfoce 
of  the  Wolds  is,  for  the  most  part,  divided  into  numerous  extensive  swells, 
by  deep,  narrow,  winding  valleys ;  and  the  whole  extent  of  the  Wold  district 
is  computed  at  about  400,000  acres. 

The  level  tract  along  the  coast,  on  the  east  of  the  Wolds,  begins  near 

*  At  the  Meeting  of  the  British  Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science,  held  at 
Hull,  in  the  month  of  September,  1853,  Professor  Stevelly  read  communications  from 
the  Bev.  Thomas  Banldn,  on  "  The  continuation  across  the  ootmtry  of  the  thunder  and 
nun  storm,  which  commenced  in  Herefordshire,  on  September  4th,  and  terminated  on 
the  Yorkshire  Wolds,  on  September  6th,  1852 ;"  and  a  "  Notice  of  a  terrific  thunder- 
cloud on  the  Wolds,  September  26th,  1852."  This  latter  commenced  about  fire  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon,  in  the  N.W.,  with  a  dark  nimbus  cloud.  Its  first  appearance  was 
wedge-shaped,  with  its  point  towards  the  wind,  and  gradually  increased  in  size.  In  a 
short  time  a  quantity  of  gaseous  matter  issued  from  the  base  of  the  wedge,  and  its 
colour  and  evolutions  resembled  the  smoke  arising  from  the  discharge  of  a  park  of 
artilleiy.  The  Sistant  thunder  occasionally  growled,  but  no  lightning  was  seen  for  a 
considerable  time.  By-and-bye  the  cloud  assumed  the  shape  of  a  fan,  lying  in  a  slanting 
position,  with  the  upper  part  reaching  about  20  degrees  towards  the  zenith.  The  colour 
changed  to  that  of  a  dingy  brown,  and  the  edges  fringed  and  gilded  on  the  broad  part  or 
top  of  the  tkD..  After  some  flashes  of  sheet-lightning,  the  thunder  roared  tremendously. 
The  fim  shape  was  changed  to  that  of  a  shapeless  cloud.  The  distance  seemed  at  first 
about  six  miles,  but  in  the  course  of  twenty  minutes  the  rain  fell  in  torrents;  still  the 
lightning  was  moderate.  The  fiBll  of  rain  was  but  of  short  duration,  though  very  heavy. 
T^e  frightM  cloud  must  have  travelled  some  fifteen  or  sixteen  miles  an  hour.  The 
day  was  calm,  except  a  very  gentie  motion  in  the  atmosphere,  about  two  o'clock,  which 
veered  to  the  N.W.  in  a  short  time. 


DESCRIPTION   OF  TOBBBHUIE.  5 

Filey,  the  noiihem  limit  of  the  East  Riding.  As  far  as  Bridlington  the 
face  of  the  country  is  beautifully  diversified  with  lofty  swellsi  but  at  that 
place  the  country  sinks  into  a  flat,  which  continues  for  eight  or  nine  miles 
to  the  southward  with  scarcely  any  variation.  About  seven  miles  south  of 
Bridlington  the  Holdemess  district  begins,  the  eastern  part  of  which,  towards 
the  sea  coast,  is  a  finely  varied  country,  in  which  is  situated  Hornsea  Mere, 
the  largest  lake  in  the  county ;  but  the  western  edge  is  a  fenny  tract  of 
abont  four  miles  in  breadth,  extending  nearly  twenty  miles  in  length  south- 
ward to  the  banks  of  the  Humber.  These  fenny  lands  are  provincially  called 
Cam.  The  southern  part  of  this  district,  bordering  on  the  Humber,  also 
fJEklls  into  marshes ;  and  in  most  parts  of  Holdemess,  the  views  are  enlivened 
by  a  prospect  of  the  Yorkshire  and  in  some  places  of  the  Lincolnshire  Wolds. 
The  third  natural  division  of  the  East  Elding  extends  ficom  the  western  foot 
of  the  Wolds  to  the  boundary  of  the  North  and  West  Ridings.  This  tract 
of  land,  which  is  commonly  called  The  LeveU,  is  flat  and  uninteresting, 
though  generally  fertile  and  well  interspersed  with  villages  and  hamlets ;  in- 
deed it  is  a  continuation  of  the  level  tract  ab6ut  and  around  Selby,  Thome, 
and  Goole,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Ouse. 

The  Soil  on  the  Wolds  is  commonly  a  free  and  rather  light  loam,  with 
a  mixture  of  chalky  gravel,  and  some  parts  are  very  shallow.  The  flat 
country  extending  between  the  Wolds,  the  Ouse,  and  the  Humber,  towards 
ihe  Spurn  Head,  along  the  side  of  the  Humber,  presents  a  soil  of  a  strong 
nature ;  and  the  soil  of  the  Levels  is  in  most  parts  clayey,  with  an  extensive 
sandy,  and,  in  some  places,  moorish  tract  running  through  the  middle. 
Near  the  banks  of  the  Ouse  and  Derwent  it  is  entirely  a  clayey  loam. 

One  of  the  most  important  agricultural  improvements  in  the  county  is 
the  drainage  of  the  carrs  and  marshes  in  this  division  of  it,  together  with 
those  of  the  North  Riding  bordering  on  the  course  of  the  Derwent.  The 
Beverley  and  Barmston  Drainage,  executed  under  the  provisions  of  an  Act  of 
Pariiament  passed  about  the  year  1792,  extends  from  Barmston  on  the  sea 
shore,  a  few  miles  south  of  Bridlington,  along  the  course  of  the  river  Hull, 
on  the  western  side  of  that  river,  nearly  to  Eingston-upon-Hull,  a  distance  of 
about  24  miles.  Its  northern  part  contains  more  than  2000  acres,  and  has 
an  outfall  into  the  sea  at  Barmston ;  and  the  southern  division,  extending 
southward  from  Foston,  contains  upwards  of  10,000  acres,  and  has  its  outlet 
into  the  river  Hull  at  Wincolmlee.  The  Holdemess  Drainage  lies  on  the 
eastern  side  of  the  river  Hull,  and  extends  from  north  to  south  about  11 
miles,  and  contains  11,211  acres.  In  1762  an  Act  was  obtained  for  draining 
this  level,  much  of  which  before  that  period  was  of  small  value,  being  usually 


0  BfiSCBIPnOK   OF  YOBESHIfiC^ 

covered  with  water  for  above  half  the  year.  The  Keyingham  Drainage ,  1  jing 
between  Sunk  Island  and  the  mainland,  was  originallj  completed  mider  an 
Act  passed  in  the  year  1733 ;  but  a  new  Act  was  obtained  in  180d,  under 
which  the  course  of  the  drainage  was  partly  altered,  and  an  additional  tract 
of  land  included,  making  a  total  of  6^00  acres.  The  Hertford  and  Derwent 
Drainage,  contains  upwards  of  10,000  acres,  of  which,  4,600  are  in  the 
East,  and  the  remainder  in  the  North  Riding.  This  dnunage  was  com- 
pleted under  the  powers  granted  to  three  directors,  and  three  commissioners, 
by  an  Act  passed  in  the  year  1800.  Spalding  Moor  and  WalUng  Fen,  a  dis- 
trict lying  westward  of  the  southern  part  of  the  Wolds,  were  drained,  allotted, 
and  enclosed,  under  the  provisions  of  the  same  Act  of  Parliament 

The  CUmate  of  the  East  Riding  varies;  it  being  colder  on  the  eastern 
than  on  the  western  side  of  the  Wolds,  as  they  break  the  force  of  the  winds 
from  the  German  Ocean.  The  Levels  in  the  western  part  of  the  Riding 
enjoy  a  nuld  climate.  Near  the  coast  the  country  is  exposed  to  fogs  £rom 
the  sea  and  £rom  the  Humber.     On  the  Wolds  the  air  is  sharp. 

Every  kind  of  agricultural  crop  is  cultivated  in  Yorkshire ;  and  the  systems 
of  tillage,  on  account  of  the  great  diversity  of  soils  and  situations,  are 
extremely  various ;  but  greater  improvements  have  been  made  in  agriculture, 
and  it  has  been  brought  to  a  higher  degree  of  perfection,  and  conducted  on  a 
more  extensive  scale  in  the  East  Biding,  than  in  any  other  portion  of  the 
county.  Even  in  the  low  grounds  called  the  Carrs,  adyoining  to  the  river 
Hull,  such  improvements  have  been  made  by  drainage,  as  less  than  a  century 
ago  would  have  been  deemed  impossible.  Extensive  tracts  of  land,  formerly 
flooded  a  great  part  of  the  year,  and  producing  scarcely  anything  but  rushes 
and  a  little  coarse,  grass,  are  now  covered  with  abundant  crops  of  grain ;  and 
the  value  of  the  soil  has  been  increased  in  a  tenfold  proportion.  The  £GLrms, 
especially  on  the  Wolds  and  in  the  southern  parts  of  Holdemess,  are  gene- 
rally very  large,  and  small  farmers  are  rarely  to  be  found,  except  in  the 
Levels  on  the  western  side  of  the  Wolds  towards  York.*     Wheat  is  grown 

*  AgricuUural  Statistics  of  England. — The  area  of  England,  in  statute  acres,  is 
825,904,29.  Mc.  Queen's  Statistics  of  the  British  Empire,  gives  the  quantliy  of  culti- 
vated  land  in  England  at  25,632,000  acres ;  of  these  he  computes  that  15,379,200  acres 
were  pasture  and  meadow  land,  and  10,252,800  were  garden  and  arable.  He  calculates 
the  average  value  to  be  258.  per  acre.  It  is  calculated  that  at  least  1,200,000  acres  of 
land  in  England  are  taken  up  with  hedges;  half  of  which  without  inconvenience  might 
be  dispensed  with.  From  the  last  Census  Report  we  leam  what  follows : — Farms  occupy 
two-thirds  of  the  land  in  England.  The  number  of  the  farms  is  225,318,  the  average 
size  is  111  acres.  Two-thirds  of  the  farms  are  under  that  size,  but  there  are  771  above 
1,000  acres.    The  large  holdings  abound  in  the  south-eastern  and  eastern  counties,  the 


DfiSCmpnON  OF  TOBKSHIBfi.  t 

to  a  great  extent  on  all  the  lower  and  more  fertile  lands ;  and  on  the  Wolds, 
where  about  a  century  ago  it  was  almost  unknown,  the  valleja  and  declivities 
of  the  hiUs  now  wave  with  plentiful  crops  of  wheat ;  and  the  farm  servants 
and  labourers,  who  fbnnerly  lived  on  barley  bread,  now  use  good  wheaten 
floor.  The  quantity  of  land  annually  sown  with  barley  is  nowhere  remark- 
ably great,  except  on  the  Wolds,  the  soil  of  which  is  peculiarly  adapted  to  its 
culture.  The  rabbit  warrens,  which,  in  the  more  uncultivated  state  of  the 
Wolds,  formed  a  prominent  feature,  have  nearly  all  disappeared;  and  in 
proportion  to  th6  extirpation  of  rabbits,  the  breed  of  sheep  has  been  im- 
proved, especially  by  crosses  from  the  Leicestershire.  The  sheep  walks  are 
generally  on  the  more  elevated  parts  of  the  Wolds.  The  extensive  level, 
extending  from  the  foot  of  the  Wolds  to  the  western  limits  of  the  Riding, 
has  received  many  great  improvements  by  drainage,  enclosure,  and  the 
newest  modes  of  agriculture.  The  vast  commons  of  Walling  Fen  and  Bishop- 
soil,  containing  upwards  of  9,000  acres,  which,  fifty  or  sixty  years  ago,  was 
a  dreary  waste,  full  of  swamps  and  broken  grounds,  and  which  in  foggy  or 
stormy  weather  could  not  be  crossed  without  danger,  are  now  covered  with 
well-built  farm  houses,  and  intersected  in  various  directions  with  good  roads. 
In  the  rich  and  strong  lands  about  Howden,  large  quantities  of  flax,  and 
also  of  beans,  are  produced ;  and  the  whole  of  the  level  land  in  the  East 
Riding  yields  fine  crops  of  com  of  all  kinds. 

There  is  little  grass  land  in  this  district,  except  on  the  banks  of  the  Der- 
went  above  Malton,  and  again  at  Cottingham,  where  there  are  low  tracts  of 
marshy  meadows,  which  produce  abundant  crops  of  coarse  flaggy  hay,  of 
which  that  obtained  from  the  last-mentioned  district  is  of  a  pecuHarly 
nutritive  quality. 

The  East  Hiding  is  famous  for  the  breeding  and  "  making  up  **  of  horses, 
for  which  there  is  one  of  the  most  noted  fairs  in  the  world,  at  Howden. 
Holdemess,  and  some  other  districts,  are  distinguished  for  superior  breeds  of 
homed  cattle,  as  well  as  sheep.  Holdemess  cows  are  remarkable  for  their 
large  size,  abundant  supply  of  milk,  and  short  horns.  They  are  well 
formed,  and  distinctly  marked,  being  variously  blotched  with  large  patches 
of  deep  red  or  black,  or  with  a  dun  or  mouse  colour  on  a  clear  white  ground. 
They  are  rarely  of  one  uniform  colour,  and  are  never  brindled  or  mixed. 

biiiaD  fiurmB  in  the  north.  There  are  2,000  Engtish  fiurmen  holding  nearly  2,000,000 
acres;  and  there  are  97,000  English  fjumers  not  holding  more.  There  are  40,650 
farmerB  who  employ  five  labonrers  each ;  16,501  have  ten  or  more,  and  employ  together 
311,707  labonrers;  170  farmers  have  above  60  labourers  each,  and  together  employ 
17,000. 


8  DESGBIPnOK  OF  Y0BE8HIBE. 

There  are  several  Agricultural  Societies  and  Fanners*  Clubs  in  Yorkshirei 
liberally  supported  by  the  landowners  and  fiBurmers.  The  Yorkshire  Agricul- 
tural Society^  formed  October  10th,  1837,  and  constituted  on  the  model  of 
the  Highland  Society  of  Scotland,  may  be  considered  the  chief  of  them.  It 
need  scarcely  be  added  that  the  object  of  these  associations  is  the  encourage- 
ment and  improvement  of  agriculture  in  all  its  branches.  There  are  no 
extensive  woods  in  the  East  Riding.  The  only  woods  east  of  the  Wolds  are 
those  at  Bise  and  at  Burton  Constable ;  but  there  are  abundance  of  planta- 
tions, and  trees  in  the  hedge  rows  of  old  enclosures.  Since  the  beginning 
of  the  present  century,  the  fine  elevation  of  the  Wolds  have  been  greatly 
improved  by  enclosures  and  plantations.  Nearly  all  the  fields  are  now  en- 
compassed with  quickset  hedges,  and  different  parts  of  the  heights  are 
ornamented  by  extensive  plantations  of  Scotch  and  spruce  firs,  larch,  beech, 
ash,  &c.  Several  tracts  have  also  been  planted  in  the  low  country  to  the 
west  of  the  Wolds. 

Chalk  and  limestone  are  the  principal  mineral  productions  of  the  East 
Biding ; — chalk  chiefly  on  the  Wolds,  and  limestone  in  the  Yale  of  Derwent. 
Near  the  coast  the  chalk  extends  from  Hessle,  on  the  banks  of  the  Humber, 
to  Beighton,  near  Hunmanby.  The  chalk  is  occasionally  used  in  building, 
and  frequently  for  burning  into  lime ;  and  the  limestone,  being  coarse  and 
hard,  is  of  little  value  either  for  building  or  burning.  The  springs  in  the 
chalk  are  very  powerful,  and  many  of  them,  breaking  out  through  the 
gravel  at  the  eastern  foot  of  the  Wolds,  combine  to  form  the  river  Hull.  In 
the  gravel  beds  resting  on  the  chalk,  very  perfect  remains  of  large  animals 
have  been  found;  and  vertebrsB,  18  feet  in  length,  and  from  8  to  10  inches 
in  diameter,  have  been  exhumed ;  as  are  fr^uently  teeth,  measuring  from  8 
to  10  inches  in  circumference.  "At  Hull  the  gravel  depositoiy  of  animal 
remains  is  about  90  feet  from  the  surface,  and  the  workmen  employed  in 
boring  for  water  near  the  North  Bridge,  described  their  tools  to  have  smelt 
as  if  they  had  been  cutting  fish,  so  that  it  is  probable  that  not  only  the  bones, 
but  also  the  fleshy  part  of  the  animal  remains.  The  coast  from  Spurn  to 
Bridlington  forms  a  section  of  all  the  beds  above  the  chalk ;  and  as  it  is  not 
in  the  line  of  dip,  two  beds  are  generally  seen  at  the  same  time.  A  bed  of 
dark  red  day  commences  at  Eilnsea,  containing  rounded  boulders,  mixed 
with  pebbles,  both  of  which  are  composed  of  granite,  gneisa,  mica  state,  por- 
P^yry^  grauwacke,  quartz,  nunmtain  Umestons  containing  organic  remains,  all 
the  sandstones  and  coal  shales,  coal,  fuUers*  earth,  chaOc,  and  flint.  In  this 
bed  the  chalk  pebbles  are  in  the  greatest  quantity.  On  the  south-western 
side  of  Holdemess,  along  the  edge  of  the  chalk  hills,  a  very  extensive  tract 


DiesGiuimoN  OP  tobeshibe.  9 

of  rich  land  has  been  formed  in  the  course  of  ages,  called  Warp  Land,  vbich 
oozisists  of  the  clay  and  sand  deposits  of  the  Humber.  The  greatest  breadth 
of  this  tract  is  from  HuU  to  Hedon,  a  distance  of  six  miles,  and  its  length 
firom  Hull  to  Lowthorpe,  a  distance  of  twenty  miles.  A  narrow  piece  of 
newly-formed  warp  extends  firom  Hedon  to  Spurn,  including  Sunk  Island, 
and  is  called  the  Manhes.  How  long  this  operation  of  land  making  has 
been  proceeding  in  this  quarter,  hdfiian  penetration  and  local  records  are 
alike  incapable  of  determining ;  but  that  its  date  is  many  centuries  is  obrious, 
as  Drypool,  which  stands  upon  the  present  bank  of  the  Humber,  is  mentioned 
in  the  Domesday  survey,  and  a  causeway,  extending  firom  Beverley  to  the 
newly  built  town  of  Hull,  at  nearly  its  present  level,  existed  in  the  time  of 
Edward  I.  The  depth  of  the  warp  at  Hull  is  48  feet ;  beneath  it  is  a  bed 
of  moorland,  consisting  priiicipally  of  peat  earth,  two  feet  in  thickness.  The 
warp  land  extends  beyond  Driffield,  but  it  is  there  much  shallower  than  at 
Hull,  and  its  vridth  does  not  exceed  four  miles.  That  this  moor,  now 
coTered  with  warp,  was  formerly  upon  the  surface,  is  shown  by  the  nature  of 
its  composition  being  eridently  peat,  which  could  not  be  formed  in  any  other 
situation;  and  that  it  extended  across  the  Humber  into  Lincolnshire,  is 
proved  by  pieces  of  wood,  exactly  the  same  as  those  found  in  the  moor, 
haring  been  washed  up  at  Hessle  after  a  high  wind.'i'  All  along  the  eastern 
side  of  the  Wolds,  fin>m  Bridlington  to  Beverley,  and  firom  thence  to  Hessle 
by  the  Humber  side,  the  sandstone,  and  the  chalk  which  rests  upon  it,  dip 
and  Taniah  under  an  extensive  bed  of  alluvial  soil,  which  forms  the  whole 
district  of  Holdemess.  The  extensive  plain  on  the  north,  the  west,  and  the 
south  of  the  Wolds  is  covered  with  an  alluvial  deposit.  ''  It  may  be  observed, 
as  a  peculiarity,  that  the  whole  of  the  extreme  edge  or  margin  of  the  Wolds, 
to  the  north  and  to  the  west,  with  one  exception,  continues  in  a  regular  and 
entire  state  along  the  surface,  without  any  of  those  depressions  which  take 
place  at  a  very  Uttle  distance  within.  It  is  veiy  probable  that  the  Wolds 
have  been  the  last  deposit  of  all  the  great  masses  of  simple  and  homogeneous 
matter  in  this  part  of  the  world.  There  are  scattered  all  over  this  elevated 
tract  nodules  of  pyrites,  of  a  round  form,  composed  of  iron  and  sulphur,  which 
the  country  people  call  buUets;  there  are  also  great  quantities  of  loose  firag- 
m^ita  of  sandstones,  which  are  perfectly  foreign  to  the  calcareous  matter  of 
which  the  Wolds  are  formed,  and  they  have,  doubtless,  been  brought  here 
by  the  action  of  the  sea,  after  the  chalky  stratum  had  been  deposited  and 
haidened,  or  they  would  have  sunk  into  the  pulp."! 

•  WhUe'B  Gazetteer  of  the  East  and  North  Bidings  of  Torkshire.       t  Ibid. 

0 


10  DESCRIPTION  OF  TOBKBHIfiS. 

The  North  Riding  comprehends  the  whole  north  side  of  the  comity,  and  is 
much  larger  and  more  hilly  than  the  East  Biding.  It  is  of  an  irregular 
ohlong  figure,  from  70  to  88  miles  in  length  from  E.  to  W.,  and  varying 
from  25  to  47  miles  in  breadth  from  N.  to  S.  It  lies  between  the  parallels 
of  53  deg.  57  min.,  and  54  deg.  88  min.  N.  latitude,  and  between  0  deg.  19 
min.  and  2  deg.  22  min.  W.  longitude  from  Greenwich.  It  extends  westward 
from  the  ocean  to  the  confines  of  Westaflorland,  and  is  bounded  on  the  N.  bj 
the  river  Tees,  which  separates  it  from  the  county  of  Durham ;  on  the  N.E. 
and  E.  by  the  North  Sea ;  on  the  S.E.  by  the  East  Riding ;  on  the  S.  by 
the  liver  Ouse  and  the  West  Riding;  and  on  the  W.  by  the  county  of 
Westmorland. 

The  Riding  is  divided  into  12  wapentakes,  and  contains  about  220 
parishes,  and  580  townships.  The  principal  towns  are  Scarborough,  Whitby, 
Pickering,  Malton,  Yarm,  -Stokesley,  Guisborough,  Middlesborough,  Redcar, 
Eirbymoorside,  Helmsley,  Thirsk,  Northallerton,  Richmond,  Bedale,  Masham, 
Middleham,  Leyboum,  Askrigg,  and  Hawes.  The  city  of  York  is  attached 
to  the  North  Riding  in  the  election  of  two  knights  of  the  shire.  The  gaol, 
house  of  correction,  and  the  principal  courts  and  offices  of  the  Riding,  are 
situated  at  its  capital — ^Northallerton ;  and  its  six  parliamentaiy  boroughs 
are  Malton,  Richmond,  Scarborough,  Thirsk,  Northallerton,  and  Whitby. 
More  than  400,000  acres  of  this  Riding  are  uncultivated  hills,  fells,  and 
moors,  some  of  which  rise  to  the  height  of  from  1,000  feet  to  more  than  2,000 
feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  The  highest  of  the  mountains  are  Roseberry 
Topping,  1,022,  or  according  to  some,  1,488  feet;  Black  Hamilton,  1,246 
feet;  Botton  Head,  near  Stokesley,  1,485  feet;  Nine  Standards,  on  the 
borders  of  Westmorland,  2,186  feet;  Water  Crag,  2,186  feet;  and  Shunner 
Fell,  2,829  feet  above  the  sea.'C  The  three  latter  are  at  the  west  end  of  the 
Riding. 

The  sea  coast  of  the  East  and  North  Ridings  is  about  100  miles  in  extent 
from  the  mouth  of  the  Hiunber  to  the  mouth  of  the  Tees.  The  principal 
harbours  on  the  coast  are  Hull,  Bridlington,  Scarborough,  and  Whitby ;  to 
which  may  be  added,  Filey  Bay,  Robin  Hood's  Bay,  and  several  other  creekS' 
and  fishing  stations.  The  principal  Bathing  Places  on  the  coast  are  Scaiv 
borough,  Whitby,  and  Redcar,  in  the  North  Riding;  and  Bridlington,  Fil^, 
Hornsea,  and  Aldborough,  in  the  East  Riding. 

Mr.  Tuke,  who  surveyed  this  Riding  in  the  early  part  of  the  present 
century,  estimated  its  contents  at  1,311,187  acres ;  of  which  about  442^565 

•  Colonel  Madge's  Itigonometrical  Surrey. 


DESOBIPTION   OF  TORKSHIBB.  11 

were  then,  and  are  still,  mostly  uncoltiyated  moors.     He  divided  the  Riding 
into  six  districts,  as  follows : — 

Cultifated        UneoltlvKted 


i« 


The  Coast    64,020 

Cleveland 70,444 

Vale  of  York,  Howardian  Hills,  <ko 441,886  15,000 

Byedale,  with  the  East  and  West  Marishes   100,437  8,435 

Eastern  Moorlands    102,000  106,625 

Western  Moorlands   00,000  226,040 

Total     800,187  442,000 

Of  the  micultivated  lands,  about  136,625  acres  in  the  Eastern  Moorlands, 
and  76,940  acres  in  the  Western  Moorlands,  are  incapable  of  improyement 
except  by  planting ;  but  a  great  part  of  the  remainder  might  be  converted 
into  arable  or  pasture  land. 

Along  the  coast  from  Scarborough  nearly  to  the  mouth  of  the  Tees,  the 
face  of  the  country  is  hillj  and  bold,  the  cliffs  overhanging  the  beach  being 
generally  £rom  60  to  160  feet  high,  and  in  some  places  still  higher,  as  at 
Stoupe  Brow,  or  Stow  Brow,  which  rises  190  feet  above  Bobin  Hood's  Bay. 
The  moors  in  the  back  ground  rise  to  an  altitude  of  about  1,000  feet,  and 
the  gradual  slope  from  the  moors  to  the  sea  renders  the  climate  cold  and 
stormy. 

Ths  EoMtem  Moorlands,  which  bound  the  narrow  strip  of  coast  land 
between  Scarborough  and  Whitby,  is  a  wild  and  mountainous  district,  about 
80  miles  in  length  from  east  to  west,  and  20  in  breadth  from  north  to  south, 
and  is  intersected  by  several  beautifrd  and  fertile  dales,  some  of  which  are 
extensive.  The  most  remarkable  object  in  the  topography  of  these  wilds  is 
the  singular  peaked  mountain  called  Boseberry  Topping,  which  is  situated  at 
the  north-west  angle  of  the  Eastern  Moorlands,  near  the  village  of  Newton, 
about  one  mile  to  the  east  of  the  road  from  Guisborough  to  Stokesley.  This 
conical  mount,  from  its  detached  position  and  superior  elevation,  commands 
in  all  directions  a  land  and  sea  prospect,  at  once  extensive  and  interesting, 
and  serves  as  a  landmark  to  mariners.  Its  pinnacled  summit,  too,  furnishes 
the  inhabitants  with  the  means  of  prognosticating  the  weather ;  for  when  its 
top  begins  to  be  darkened  with  clouds,  rain  generally  follows,  sometimes  ac- 
companied with  thunder,  as  indicated  in  the  following  ancient  proverb, — 

"  When  Roseherry  Topping  wears  a  cap. 
Let  Cleveland  then  beware  of  a  clap." 

The  height  of  this  mountain  has  been  already  stated,  but,  as  has  been 
shown,  some  of  the  hills  in  other  parts  of  these  moorlands  are  much  higher. 


12  DESCRIPTION    OF  TOBKSHIRB. 

Rosebeny  Topping  is  covered  with  verdure  from  its  base  nearly  to  its  sum- 
mit, which  terminates  in  a  peak  of  bare  gritstone  rock,  only  a  few  yards  in 
circuit  Its  base  "  is  composed  of  immense  strata  of  alum  rock,  above  which 
is  iron  ore,  and  about  half  way  up  the  hiU  is  a  large  laminated  rock  consisting 
of  a  friable  and  indurated  ferruginous  or  ochrey  clay,  of  a  gritty  texture, 
containing  an  innumerable  quantity  of  petrified  shells,  and  other  marine  sub- 
stances, most  of  which  are  bivalves,  chiefly  of  the  cockle  and  oyster  kinds, 
and  very  brittle,  though  filled  with  substances  as  hard  as  the  rock  in  which 
they  are  imbedded.  Petrified  scallop  shells,  and  the  ammonite,  or  snake 
stones,  are  found  in  the  substrata  of  the  rock,  but  they  are  seldom  perfect. 
Jet,  and  pieces  of  petrified  wood,  have  sometimes  been  found,  as  also  have 
trochita,  or  thunderbolts,  as  they  are  vulgarly  called.  The  latter  are  conical 
stones  from  two  to  six  inches  long,  and  less  than  an.  inch  in  diameter  at  the 
base.  A  little  below  the  summit  is  a  spring  of  clear  water,  concerning  the 
origin  of  which  the  country  people  have  a  ridiculous  traditional  tale  of  a  child 
being  drowned  there  in  the  lap  of  its  nurse,  who  had  fallen  asleep  in  the 
hollow  where  the  water  issues  from  the  earth.  Eoseberry  Topping  is  sup- 
posed to  have  been  the  Mars  of  the  Saxons,  as  Freeburgh  Hill,  within  three 
miles  of  it,  is  said  to  have  been  their  Venus,  The  labour  of  ascending  Hose- 
berry  Topping  is  amply  remunerated  by  the  enchanting  views  from  the  rocky 
summit,  in  which  are  seen, — the  beautiful  Vale  of  Cleveland,  a  great  part  of 
the  county  of  Durham,  the  river  Tees  and  its  broad  estuaiy,  with  a  large 
expanse  of  the  German  Ocean,  all  stretched  out  like  a  map  round  the 
observer ; — ^the  land  beautifully  studded  with  villages,  farm  houses,  handsome 
villas,  plantations,  &c.,  and  the  sea  enlivened  with  vessels  of  all  grades, 
whose  glittering  sails  full  bosomed  to  the  wind,  or  eddying  to  the  breeze, 
form  various  shades  in  the  sunbeams,  as  they  stand  in  different  directions, 
and  present  a  pleasing  variety  to  the  enraptured  sight."'*' 

At  the  west  end  of  the  East  Moorlands,  about  three  miles  west  of 
Helmsley,  is  a  lofty  range  of  hiUs  called  Black  or  Bleak  Hambleton  or 
Hamilton,^  This  range,  which  has,  at  a  distance,  the  appearance  of  but  one 
elevation,  rises  between  the  open  and  luxuriant  Vale  of  De  Mowbray,  and 
the  romantic  Ryedale,  and  commands  from  its  summits  varied  and  extensive 

•  White's  Gazetteer  of  the  East  and  North  Bidings  of  Yorkshire. 

f  The  term  Hamilton,  or  namildun,  is  of  remote  antiquity,  being  derived  from  him- 
mel,  or  kernel,  which  in  the  Teutonic  languages  signifies  a  covering,  a  semi-globe,  or  the 
heavens ;  and  thus,  from  their  hemispherical  form,  or  appearance,  these,  as  well  as  hills 
near  Kirkby-Malzeard,  Tadcaster,  and  Kendal,  had  their  name.  The  hills  called 
Hamilton,  near  Helmsley,  are  the  largest  that  bear  thai  name. 


DE8GBIFTI0N  OF  T0BX8HIBE.  13 

proepects,  in  which  are  seen  the  towns  of  Northallerton,  Thirsk,  Eirby* 
moorsidey  Helmsley,  the  Catholic  College  of  Ampleforth,  the  ancient  Castle 
of  Gilling,  and  the  pictoresque  remains  of  the  Abbeys  of  Byland  and 
RiTanlx. 

The  northern  heights  of  the  East  Moorlands  are  known  as  the  Cleveland 
HiUs ;  and  the  fine  fertile  tract  which  lies  between  them  and  the  river  Tees, 
is  called  the  Vale  of  Cleveland.  From  the  tenacity  of  its  clays,  or  from  its 
eraggy  cli£b,  Clevdand  is  supposed  to  derive  its  name.  The  old  local  dis- 
tiidi,  "Cleveland  in  the  clay  bring  ns  two  soles  and  carries  one  away," 
alludes  to  the  cleaving  of  the  clays  to  the  shoes  of  the  traveller.  The  ex- 
tensive Vale  of  York,  which,  according  to  Mr.  Tuke,  reached  from  the  border 
of  the  Tees  to  the  southern  confines  of  the  coimty,  by  Selby,  Thome,  and 
Doncaster,  has  its  northern  portion  in  this  Riding.  It  is  bounded  on  each 
side  by  the  Eastern  and  Western  Moorlands,  and  has  a  gentle  slope  from 
the  Tees  southward  as  fiar  as  York,  where  it  sinks  into  a  perfect  flat ;  not 
however  before  its  ordinanly  level  surflELce  is  broken  by  several  bold  swells. 
A  range  of  Highlands,  called  the  Howardian  HiUis,  separates  this  vale  from 
R^edale.  The  latter  dale,  and  the  East  and  West  Marishes,  form  an  exten- 
sive level  between  the  Eastern  Moorlands  and  the  river  Derwent.  This 
levels  which  consists  of  the  Vales  of  Eye  and  Derwent,  extends  under  the 
southern  margin  of  the  Eastern  Moorlands  from  Helmsley  to  Scarborough 
and  Filey.     The  Marishes  are  separated  from  Eyedale  by  the  Pickering 

The  Western  Moorlands  lie  to  the  west  of  the  Vale  of  York,  and  extend 
westward  from  Richmond,  Bedale,  and  Masham,  to  the  borders  of  West- 
morland and  the  county  of  Durham.  These,  which  are  of  far  greater 
elevation  than  the  East  Moorlands,  form  part  of  the  moimtainous  range 
which  terminates  the  West  Riding,  near  the  lofty  mountains  of  Whemside, 
Ingleborough,  and  Pennigant,  each  rising  to  nearly  2,500  feet  above  the 
level  of  the  sea.  Though  these  moorlands  are  much  higher  than  those  at 
the  east  end  of  the  Riding,  they  are  generally  more  fertile  than  the  latter ; 
and  among  them  are  some  of  .the  richest  valleys  in  England.  There  eire 
several  extensive  Dedes  in  the  North  Riding.  Wensleydale,  which  is  one  of 
them,  is  watered  by  the  serpentine  stream  of  the  Ure ;  Swaledale  ranks  next  to 
it  in  extent,  and  both  of  these  dales  axe  very  beautiful  and  romantic.  Tees- 
dale  is  of  a  similar  character,  and  like  the  two  former  ones,  has  several  steep 
acdivities  and  beautiful  cascades.  The  smaller  dales  are  very  numerous, 
and  are  generally  very  fertile. 

Tks  Climate  of  the  North  Riding  is  various.     On  the  coast  it  is  cold ;  in 


14  '       DESOBIFnON   OF  TOBKSHIRB. 

ihe  Yale  of  York  the  air  is  mild  and  temperate,  except  near  the  moors.  The 
Howardian  Hills  are  cold ;  the  great  altitude  of  the  East  Moorlands  render 
their  climate  very  cold,  but  the  air  of  the  West  Moorlands  is  much  colder, 
though  the  latter  are  more  favourable  to  vegetation  than  the  former,  owing 
to  their  calcareous  composition.  Cleveland  being  exposed  to  the  cold  winds 
£rom  the  moorlands  and  the  sea,  has  a  cUmate  somewhat  severe. 

The  Soil  along  the  coast  consists  of  a  strong  brownish  clay  and  loam. 
The  district  of  Cleveland  has  mostly  a  strong  clayey  solL;  but  in  some 
places  a  clayey  loam  prevails,  and  in  others  a  fine  red  sandy  soil.  This  is 
generally  a  fertile  and  well  cultivated  vale.  On  the  East  Moorlands,  near 
the  old  enclosures,  are  some  considerable  tracts  of  loamy  and  sandy  soils, 
producing  furze,  fern,  thistles,  and  coarse  grass.  The  subsoil  is  various,  and 
the  basis  of  the  whole  district  is  freestone.  The  sur£ELce  of  some  of  the 
higher  hills  is  entirely  covered  with  lai^e  masses  of  freestone;  in  other 
places  are  extensive  morasses  and  peat  bogs,  very  deep,  frequently  not  pas- 
sable, and  highly  dangerous.  These  morasses  produce  ling,  and  occasionally 
bent  and  rushes.  The  Hamilton  Hills,  which  form  the  western  end  of  these 
wastes,  are,  however,  very  different,  having  generally  a  fine  loamy  solL  on  a 
limestone  rock,  which  produces  great  quantities  of  coarse  grass  and  bent,  in 
some  places  intermixed  with  ling.  Some  of  the  mountains  on  the  western 
side  of  the  country  are  covered  with  fine  sweet  grass,  and  others  with  exten- 
sive tracts  of  bent.  In  the  Vale  of  York,  the  level  land  near  the  Tees 
consists  chiefly  of  a  rich  gravelly  loam ;  upon  the  high  grounds  on  the  west 
side  of  the  road  from  Catterick  to  Pierce  Bridge,  the  soil  is  mostly  strong, 
and  generally  fertile,  but  in  some  places  cold  and  springy.  Fine  hazel  loam 
is  also  occasionally  met  with.  On  the  east  side  of  the  road  irom  Greta 
Bridge  to  Catterick  is  much  fine  gravelly  soil,  with  a  considerable  quantity  of 
clay,  and  some  peat ;  and  to  the  north  of  Eichmond  is  a  mixed  loamy  soil, 
resting  on  lime  or  freestone ;  the  latter  excellent  for  buildii^.  On  the  east 
side  of  the  Catterick  and  Pierce  Bridge  road  is  some  cold  thin  clayey  soil, 
of  a  ferruginous  ochreous  appearance,  probably  containing  iron.  About 
Barton,  Melsonby,  and  Middleton  Tyas,  the  soil  is  loamy,  upon  limestone ; 
but  about  Hanlaby,  and  from  thence  eastward  to  the  edge  of  Cleveland,  and 
between  the  Wiske  and  the  Eastern  Moorlands,  as  far  as  Burrowby  and 
Thomton-le-moor,  is  mostly  a  cold  clay ;  though,  in  some  places,  less  tena- 
cious soils,  mixed  with  various  kinds  of  pebbles,  are  met  with.  On  the  west 
side  of  the  road  between  Richmond  and  Leeming,  a  good  gravelly  soil  pre- 
vails; towards  Hornby,  a  fine  gravelly  clay;  and  at  Langthom,  a  fertile 
sandy  loam,  and  some  peat.     The  land  on  both  sides  of  the  brook  which  runs 


DB8CBIFTI0N  OF  TOBXBHIBE.  16 

from  Burton  Constable  to  Bedale,  <fec.,  is  mosdy  a  rich  loam ;  but  in  some 
{daces  intennised  with  cobble  stones  and  coarse  gravel.  The  soil  between 
Catterick  and  Bonmghbridge,  on  both  sides  of  Leeming-lane,  is  generally 
fertile  both  in  tillage  and  pastuiBge,  being  mostly  a  rich  loam,  and  having  in 
some  plaoes  a  mixture  of  gravel,  and  in  others  sand.'**  The  soil  of  the 
Howaidian  Bills  is  mostly  a  good  strong  loam  upon  clay,  mixed  with  cobble 
stones,  and  in  some  places  it  is  light  and  fertQe,  upon  a  limestone  rock.  The 
western  end  of  these  highlands,  and  from  thence  to  Thirsk,  is  chiefly  a  dairy 
country.  Ryedale  and  the  Vale  of  Derwent  are  extremely  fertile,  having 
generally  a  hazel  loam  upon  clay ;  or  a  deep  warp  or  silt  soil  on  gravel  or 
day.  The  Maiishes,  East  and  West,  are  a  low  swampy  tract  of  marsh  lands. 
The  soil  in  these  marshes  is  chiefly  clay,  with  some  sandy  loam,  gravel,  and 
peat.  The  soil  of  Wensleydale,  near  the  river,  is  generally  a  rich  loamy 
gravel,  and  on  the  sides  of  the  hills,  a  good  loam,  in  some  places  a  little  stiff, 
upon  a  substratum  of  limestone.  The  soil  of  Swaledale  and  Teesdale  is 
mostly  a  rich  loam,  though  clay  and  peat  moss  appear  in  some  places  in 
ascending  the  hills. 

Agriculture,  throughout  the  greater  part  of  the  North  Riding,  has  within 
the  last  half  century  advanced  as  rapidly  as  in  most  parts  of  the  kingdom, 
considering  the  circumstances  of  cHmate  and  soil.  In  the  Vale  of  York  more 
than  one  third  is  in  tillage,  and  the  rest  in  grass.  Ryedale,  the  Marishes, 
and  the  northern  part  of  the  coast  have  about  one  third  in  tillage;  the 
southern  part  of  the  coast  about  one-half.  About  one-half  of  Cleveland  is  in 
tillage.  In  the  dales  of  the  Eastern  Moors  only  about  one-fifth  is  in  tillage, 
and  much  less  in  those  of  the  Western  Moors.  The  lower  and  better  part  of 
the  moors  are  mostly  stinted  pastures,  on  which  cattle  are  kept  in  summer ; 
but  the  high  moors  are  generally  unlimited  pastures.  Cleveland  is  as  re- 
markable for  the  culture  of  wheat  as  Ryedale  is  for  that  of  oats.  Barley  is 
not  much  cultrrated  in  the  North  Riding,  nor  rye,  except  on  poor  and  sandy 
soils ;  but  mssUnj  or  a  mixture  of  wheat  and  lye,  was,  till  a  few  years  ago, 
veiy  common ;  and  from  it  was  made  nearly  all  the  household  bread  used  in 
the  district.  Great  quantities  of  rape  are  grown  in  Ryedale  and  other  dis- 
tricts ;  and  mustard  is  grown  near  York,  and  prepared  for  use  in  that  city. 
The  lattrar  is  equal  in  quality  to  the  Durham  mustard.  The  enclosed  lands 
in  many  parts  of  the  dales  are  chiefly  appropriated  to  meadow. 

The  Woodlands  of  the  North  Riding  are  only  estimated  at  about  80,000 
acres,  dispersed  in  all  dixections»  the  moorland  and  Cleveland  having  the 

*  White's  Gazetteer  of  the  East  and  North  Bidings  of  Yorkshire. 


16  DESCRIPTION   OF  TOBKSHIRE. 

smallest  piopoition.  Oak,  ash,  and  broad-leaved  or  wych  elm,  are  the  spon- 
taneous produce  of  the  woodlands.  "  The  oak  timber,  though  not  large,  is 
of  excellent  quality,"  writes  White,  in  his  Gazetteer,  "  being  produced  on 
sound  and  often  rocky  ground,  its  growth  is  slow,  which  renders  it  extremely 
hard  and  durable,  and  to  the  use  of  it  the  ship-builders  of  Whitby  owe  their 
wealth,  and  the  ships  their  celebrily."  There  is  a  great  quantity  of  lai^ge 
timber  trees  in  the  hedge  rows  in  various  parts  of  the  Biding. 

This  district  is  said  to  produce  some  of  the  finest  and  largest  Catde  in 
England,  the  breed  having  of  late  years  been  greatly  improved.  The  Tees- 
water  or  Holdemess  Breed  of  cattle  axe  considered  the  largest  in  the  kingdom, 
and  they  fetch  veiy  high  prices  in  the  market.  *^  They  are  handsome 
animals,  distinctly  marked  with  red  or  black  blotches  on  a  white  ground ; 
their  backs  level ;  throats  clean ;  necks  fine ;  carcase  fiill  and  round ;  quarters 
long;  hips  and  rumps  even  and  wide;  stand  rather  high  on  their  1^; 
handle  very  lightly ;  are  light  in  the  bone ;  and  have  a  very  fine  coat  and 
thin  hide."  We  may  add  to  this  graphic  description,  that  this  breed  is 
short-homed,  and  is  bred  chiefly  in  the  northern  part  of  the  Vale  of  York. 
In  the  southern  part  of  the  same  vale  the  breeding  of  cattle  is  not  so  much 
attended  to  as  in  the  north ;  the  chief  object  of  the  graziers  there,  being  the 
dairy.  Towards  the  western  extremity  of  the  Riding  some  long-homed 
cattle  are  met  with,  and  also  a  mixed  breed  between  the  two.  Ryedale,  the 
Marishes,  and  the  Howardian  Hills  are  also  celebrated  for  fine  shortrhomed 
cattle ;  and  a  great  number  of  good  cattle  are  bred  on  the  East  Moorlands 
and  along  the  coast. 

The  Tees-^cater  breed  of  sheep,  the  old  stock  of  Cleveland  and  the  northern 
parts  of  the  Vale  of  York,  are  large,  coarse  boned,  and  slow  feeders,  and 
their  wool  is  harsh  and  diy,  But  most  of  this  stock  has  been  improved  by 
a  mixture  of  the  Leicestershire  and  Northumberland  breeds ;  as  also  have 
those  in  Ryedale,  the  Marishes,  and  the  Howardian  Hills,  where  a  cross  has 
likewise  been  obtained  firom  the  Lincolnshire  long-woolled  breed.  The  na- 
tive moorland  sheep  are  small  and  hardy. 

Yorkshire  has  long  been  famed  for  its  Horses,  and  the  North  Riding  is 
particularly  distinguished  for  its  breed.  The  hme  of  the  Yorkshire  horses 
is  deservedly  spread,  not  only  in  this  country,  but  also  in  France,  Germany, 
Russia,  America,  &c.,  and  dealers  from  those  countries  generally  attend  the 
great  annual  flair  at  Howden,  and  are  frequently  commissioned  by  Emperors 
and  Kings  to  purchase  horses  there.  The  horses  of  the  Yale  of  York,  by  the 
introduction  of  the  racing  blood,  are  rendered  the  most  valuable  breed  for  the 
saddle;  and  the  Cleveland  horses  are  well  adapted  to  the  coach  or  the 


^  DESCBIPTIOM   OF  T0BK9HIRE.  17 

ploagh.  Other  parts  of  the  Ridmg  produce  excellent  horses  likewise,  for 
the  saddle  and  coach,  and  in  the  moorland  dales  is  bred  a  hardy  and  useful 
description  of  horse,  forming  a  medium  between  the  Scotch  galloway  and  the 
strong  coach  horse. 

The  Minerals  of  this  district  of  the  county  consist  chiefly  of  alum,  lead, 
freestone  or  grit,  a  Tery  inferior  kind  of  coal,  limestone,  and  ironstone. 
Cleveland  and  the  coast  abound  in  all  their  hills  with  beds  of  aluminous 
strata ;  and  extensive  works  for  the  manu&cture  of  alum  have  been  estab- 
lished near  Whitby,  where  the  art  is  stated  to  have  been  introduced  from 
Italy  in  1595. 

There  are  Lead  Mines  in  Swaledale,  Arkengarthdale,  and  the  neigh- 
boouing  valleys;  and  great  quantities  of  ironstone  are  found  in  Bilsdale, 
Bransdale,  and  Rosedale,  in  the  Eastern  Moorlands,  where  iron  seems  to 
have  been  extensively  manufiictured  in  ancient  times.i'  The  huge  heaps  of 
slag,  and  the  remains  of  ancient  works,  with  the  appearance  of  the  hearths 
where  charcoal  has  been  burned,  show  that  iron  was  anciently  wrought  in 
several  of  the  dales  in  this  district,  on  an  extensive  scale.  Some  ironstone 
is  got  on  the  coast  near  Whitby.  A  mine  of  very  fine  copper,  near  Middleton 
Tyas,  was  wrought  for  some  years,  about  the  middle  of  the  last  century,  and 
veins  of  the  same  metal  are  supposed  to  lie  concealed  in  various  parts  of  the 
Western  Moorlands.  Near  the  bridge  at  Eichmond,  in  1798,  copper  of  an 
excellent  quality  was  discovered. 

Freestone  and  ffrtt,  of  an  excellent  quality  for  building,  is  found  in  many 
parts  of  this  Riding,  especially  on  Gatherley  Moor,  near  Richmond;  at 
Renton,  near  Boroughbridge ;  and  in  the  quarries  near  Whitby  and  Scar- 
borough ;  from  whence  are  drawn  the  massive  blocks  used  in  the  construction 
of  the  piers  at  these  ports.  Limestone  is  very  abundant  on  the  Western 
Moorlands  and  on  the  Hamilton  and  Howardian  HiUs.  Seams  of  coal,  which 
is  heavy,  sulphureous,  and  bums  entirely  away  to  a  white  ashes,  are  wrought 
in  different  parts  of  both  the  Eastern  and  Western  Moorlands,  at  GiUing 
Moor  on  the  Howardian  Hills,  and  in  the  Vale  of  York,  between  Easingwold 
and  Thirsk.     Marble  of  various  kinds,  together  with  a  kind  of  flag  stone  used 

•  An  inspeximnB,  dated  at  York  the  20th  of  Febmary,  1328,  the  2nd  of  Edward  m., 
recites  a  grant  made  on  the  16th  of  August,  1209,  by  Robert  de  Stuteville,  of  a  meadow 
in  Bosedale,  to  the  nuns  of  that  place,  excepting  only  his  forge,  affords  proof  that  iron 
was  worked  there  early  in  the  18th  century. — Dugdale's  Monastieon,  vol,  i,  p,  507. 

Lai^ge  quantities  of  ironstone  have  been  recently  conveyed  from  Bosedale,  and  it  ap- 
pears that  there  is  a  determination  on  the  part  of  the  owners  of  property  there,  that  the 
rieh  minenls,  contained  in  their  fertile  vale,  shall  not  any  longer  lay  hid  to  the  world, 
but  be  made  to  oontribate  to  its  wealth  and  prosperity. 

D 


18  DESCRIPTION    OF   YORKSHIRE. 

for  covering  roofs,  and  a  sort  of  purple  slate,  are  also  dug  up  in  this  districts 
On  the  surface  of  some  of  the  north-western  hills  large  blocks  of  light  red 
granite  are  seen. 

Though  the  climate  of  the  North  Riding  is  vaiious,  it  is  as  favourable  to 
longevity  as  most  parts  of  the  kingdom.  The  most  remarkable  in  the  list  of 
departed  venerables  are  Henry  Jenkins,  of  Ellerton-on-Swale,  who  died  in 
1670,  aged  169  years;  Mary  WiMnson,  of  Romaldkirk,  who  died  in  1783, 
aged  109 ;  Thomas  Martin,  of  Helmsley,  who  died  in  1804,  at  the  age  of 
130  years ;  and  John  Davidson  (late  a  sergeant  of  the  5th  regiment  of  foot), 
who  died  at  Rawcliffe,  November  11,  1854,  aged  101  years.*  The  latter 
was  discharged  from  the  army  in  1805,  and  worked  at  his  trade  of  basket 
making  until  the  last  three  years  before  his  death. 

The  West  Biding,  which  for  its  extent,  popidation,  trade,  and  manufactures, 
is  the  most  important  division  of  tlie  county,  is  bounded  on  the  N.  by  the 
North  Riding ;  on  tlie  E.  by  the  river  Ousc  to  its  junction  with  the  Trent ; 
on  the  W.  by  the  county  of  Lancaster ;  and  on  the  S.  by  the  counties  of 
Chester,  Derby,  and  Nottingham.  Its  greatest  length  from  E.  to  W.  is 
about  95  miles,  and  its  extreme  breadth  from  N.  to  S.  is  48  miles.  It  is 
situated  between  the  parallels  of  53  deg.  18  min.  and  54  deg.  23  min.  N. 
latitude,  and  0  deg.  43  min.  and  2  deg.  40  min.  W.  longitude  from 
Greenwich. 

The  most  important  towns  in  the  West  Riding  are  Bradford,  Leeds, 
Sheffield,  HalifiELx,  Huddersfield,  Dewsbury,  Bamsley,  Wakefield,  Rotlierham, 
Doncaster,  Pontefract,  Goole,  Bawtry,  Selby,  Tadcaster,  Tickhill,  Wetherby, 
Knaresborough,  Otley,  Keightley,  and  the  city  of  Ripon. 

The  surface  of  this  part  of  the  county  is  diversified,  and  gradually  varies 
from  a  level  and  marshy,  to  a  rocky  and  mountainous  region.  The  Vale  of 
York,  which  lies  along  the  borders  of  the  Ouse,  is  a  flat  and  marshy  district, 
intersected  by  the  rivers  Ouse,  Aire,  and  Don.  The  middle  parts  of  the 
Riding  contain  a  variety  of  beautiful  scenery,  but  the  country  westward  of 

*  Centenarians. — ^At  the  lost  census  1 11  men  and  208  women  have  been  relumed  of 
ages  ranging  from  100  to  119  years;  and  to  the  scientific  inquirer  in  the  districts 
where  these  old  people  reside,  an  opportunity  is  afforded  of  investigating  and  setting  at 
rest  a  problem  of  much  greater  interest  than  some  of  the  curious  questions  that  engage 
ihe  attention  of  learned  societies.  Two-thirds  of  the  centenarians  are  women.  Several 
of  them  in  England  are  natLves  of  parishes  of  Ireland  or  Scotland,  where  no  efficient 
gjstem  of  registration  exists ;  few  of  them  reside  in  the  parishes  where  they  were  born, 
and  have  been  known  from  youth ;  many  of  the  old  people  are  paupers,  and  probably 
illiterate ;  so  that  it  would  no  doubt  be  difficult  to  obtain  the  documentary  eridence 
which  can  alone  be  accepted  as  conclusive  proof  of  such  extraordinary  ages. 


DESCRIPTION    OF  YORKSHIRE.  10 

Sheffield,  Bradford,  and  Otley,  is  ragged  and  mountainous.  The  western 
part  of  the  district  of  Craren  presents  a  confused  heap  of  rocks  and  moun- 
tains ;  among  which  Pennygant,  Wharnside,  and  Ingleborough,  are  particu- 
larly conspicuous.  The  latter,  which  is  one  of  the  most  majestic  moimtains 
in  the  county,  rises  from  a  base  of  nearly  ten  miles  in  diameter,  to  an 
elevation  of  2,360  feet.  The  scenery  in  the  picturesque  vales  of  the  Wharfe, 
ihe  Aire,  and  the  Ribble,  is  beautifully  diversified.  In  the  middle  district 
of  this  Riding  the  air  is  sharp,  clear,  and  healthful ;  in  the  western  the 
climate  is  cold,  tempestuous,  and  rainy ;  and  in  the  eastern  parts,  towards 
the  banks  of  the  Ouse,  damps  and  fogs  are  somewhat  prevalent. 

The  soils  of  the  West  Riding  vary  from  a  deep  strong  clay  or  loam  to  the 
worst  peat  earth.  Almost  all  the  arable  land  is  enclosed  with  hedges  or 
stone  walls ;  the  former  in  the  eastern,  the  latter  in  the  western  parts.  A 
great  part  of  the  Riding  is  exclusively  kept  in  grass.  In  the  arable  land,  a 
greater  quantity  of  wheat  is  raised  than  of  any  other  grain.  The  quantity 
of  oak  and  ash  wood  is  very  considerable,  and  both  meet  with  a  ready  market 
at  the  shipping  and  manufacturing  towns. 

The  mineral  productions  of  the  West  Riding  are  of  peculiar  value,  as  they 
create  and  supply  the  manufactures  of  the  district.  They  consist  of  coal, 
iron,  stone,  and  lead.  "  The  West  Riding,"  writes  the  editor  of  the  Parlia- 
mentary Gazetteer  (1843),  "yields  in  geological  interest  to  no  equal  space  in 
the  kingdom.  In  this  portion  of  the  island,  four  clearly  marked  di\dsions 
present  themselves.  The  Levels  on  the  east  rest  on  the  stratum  of  red  sand 
and  clay,  with  gypsum  or  alabaster  in  varying  quantity.  The  magnesian 
limestone  range  is  one  great  plain  rising  from  beneath  the  Levels,  and  ter- 
minating toward  the  west  in  a  regular  well-defined  edge,  forming  the  partial 
summit  of  drainage.  In  the  south  is  the  great  Yorkshire  and  Derbyshire  coal 
field,  which  rivals,  or  even  supasses  in  importance,  that  of  Northumberland. 
The  mining  district  is,  in  some  parts  of  the  north,  exceedingly  variable  in 
features,  occupying  either  high  or  low  ground,  producing  or  not  producing 
metallic  ores." 

The  Manufactures  of  the  West  Riding  are  most  valuable  and  extensive ; 
they  consist  chiefly  of  woollen  and  stuff  goods  and  cutlery.  The  seat  of  the 
former  is  the  district  including  the  towns  of  Leeds,  Halifax,  Huddersfield, 
Bradford,  and  Wakefield ;  and  that  of  the  latter,  Sheflfield  and  its  ^dcinity. 
Besides  broad  and  narrow  cloth  of  various  qualities,  quantities  of  ladies' 
cloths  and  shawls  are  also  manufactured  in  this  district,  as  w^ell  as  camblets, 
shalloons,  duroys,  everlastings,  shags,  serges,  baize,  carpets,  canvas,  hnen, 
sacking  thread,  &c.     The  Leeds  poltery  enjoys  a  \ery  considerable  reputation 


20  DESCRIPTION   OF  TOBKSHIBS. 

both  at  home  and  abroad.  Besides  the  manufietcture  of  cutlery,  there  are, 
besides  at  ShefQeld,  foundries  for  iron,  brass,  and  Britannia  metal,  and  ex- 
tensive works  for  the  refining  of  steel;  and  at  the  neighbouring  town  of 
Botherham  are  celebrated  iron  works,  at  which  all  kinds  of  articles  in  cast 
iron  are  produced. 

The  Wastes  of  Yorkshire  are  yery  extensive,  and  about  the  end  of  the  last 
century  were  calculated  in  the  whole  at  849,272  acres ;  but  they  have,  since 
that  period,  been  considerably  lessened  by  numerous  Inclosure  Acts ;  obtained 
both  for  the  detached  wastes,  and  for  parts  of  the  moorlands. 

The  geographical  features  of  the  county  are  strongly  marked,  and  render 
the  whole  province  one  of  the  most  interesting  in  the  kingdom ;  parts  of  the 
moors  in  the  North  Riding  rise  1,444  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  and 
there  are  many  other  highlands  andYeaks  in  various  parts  of  the  district 

The  chief  Port  of  the  county  is  Hull,  which  may  be  deemed  the  third  in 
England ;  and  the  ports  of  the  smaller  class  are  those  of  York,  Selby,  Goole, 
Thome,  Bridlington,  Scarborough,  Middlesborough,  and  Whitby. 

The  Commerce  is  of  a  very  extensive  and  diversified  character.  The 
foreign  and  coasting  trade  is  wholly  centred  in  the  above-mentioned  ports, 
but  more  particularly  in  that  of  Hull,  through  which  is  poured  an  immense 
quantity  of  manufactured  goods,  coal,  stone,  &c.,  from  the  West  Riding. 
Com  is  exported  fix)m  Hull,  Bridlington,  and  Scarborough,  to  London  and 
the  collieries  of  the  north ;  and  from  the  principal  markets  of  the  East  and 
North  Ridings,  great  quantities  of  grain  are  sent  into  the  western  division 
of  the  county. 

Geology,  dc, — The  county  of  York  afifords  interesting  fields  of  study  to  the 
student  in  geology.  All  its  strata,  with  slight  variations,  dip  eastward,  those 
which  appear  at  its  western  extremities  being  of  the  oldest  formation.  The 
mineral  productions  of  the  county  consist  chiefly  of  coal,  iron,  lead,  alum, 
and  stone  of  various  qualities.  The  West  Riding  comprises,  as  has  just 
been  observed,  one  of  the  most  valuable  and  extensive  coal  fields  in  the 
kingdom. 

That  distinguished  Professor  of  Geology,  John  Phillips,  Esq.,  F.R.S.,  de- 
livered a  lecture  in  Hull,  in  1853,  on  the  occasion  of  the  visit  to  that  town  of 
the  British  Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science.  The  subject  of  the 
Professor  was  "  Some  Peculiar  Phenomena  in  the  Geology  and  Physical  Geo- 
graphy of  Yorks^re ;"  and  from  that  lecture,  as  we  found  it  reported  in  the 
local  newspapers,  we  have  selected  the  following  interesting  extracts.  After 
referring  to  the  large  portion  of  the  residents  in  the  county  to  whom  York- 
shire was  unknown ;  and  to  the  small  number  of  Yorkshiremen  who  could  be 


DESCRIPTION   OF  YORKSHIRE.  21 

to  have  climbed  our  lofty  moimtams — which,  in  his  judgment,  made 
this  county  famous  among  the  counties  of  England — or  who  were  supposed 
to  know  much  of  the  mountains,  and  caverns,  and  stratified  rocks;  and 
having  alluded  to  the  geographical  appearance  of  the  county ;  to  the  distri- 
bation  of  masses  of  land,  and  of  the  relative  elevation  of  different  parts  of 
the  district,  as  well  as  to  the  elevations,  depressions,  and  stratifications  of 
portions  of  the  county,  he  drew  the  attention  of  his  audience  to  waterfalls, 
and  remarked  that  they  did  not  find  a  waterfall  of  the  slightest  importance 
in  the  S.W.  part  of  the  county,  or  in  the  Wold  country.  But  as  soon  as  they 
airived  at  the  district  of  the  oohtes  firom  Whitby  to  Thirsk  they  had  water- 
falls, and  going  further  north  they  became  abundant  and  most  beautiful  in 
character.  There  was  Hardrow  Force,  with  a  fall  of  one  hundred  feet  over 
a  magnificent  precipice,  and  they  might  walk  underneath  the  edge  of  it,  and 
only  get  wetted  by  the  spray,  such  a  distance  was  the  water  thrown  over  in 
a  carved  line.  But  on  finding  their  way  to  a  fall  where  the  rock  was  of  a 
basaltic  nature,  and  of  a  quite  different  texture  to  the  first  one  he  had  men- 
tioned, there  was  instantly  visible  a  very  marked  difference.  Such  a  rock 
was  the  precipice  over  which  the  High  Force  Falls  rolled  their  waters.  It 
was  of  limestone,  and  was  one  of  the  most  beautiful  in  the  country.  He  only 
mentioned  these  facts  to  show  that  to  geologists  this  was  a  most  important 
sabject,  and  deserving  of  their  serious  consideration.  He  would  labour  to 
show,  in  the  second  place,  that  these  results  were  dependent  on  the  peculiar 
geological  structure  of  the  country.  He  had  the  pleasure  of  coming  to  that 
pari  of  the  countiy  where  it  could  not  be  necessary  to  say  that  water  had  a 
tendency  to  deposit  sediment  on  level  surfaces.  On  tlie  banks  of  the  num- 
ber they  found  that  sediment  thrown  down  by  water,  formed  smooth  surfaces 
and  had  a  tendency  to  create  what  were  called  warps — ^which  were  in  very 
many  instances  of  the  most  fertile  description.  They  should  look  at  the 
atrocture  of  the  country.  He  was  not  going  to  tell  them  how  many 
thousands  of  these  various  deposits  there  were,  composed  of  sand,  covered 
with  a  subsequent  deposit  of  lime,  then  a  subsequent  deposit  of  sand  again, 
th^i  of  iron  stone,  and  so  on,  for  many  thousands  of  feet,  for  he  would  tell 
them  that  to  count  them  would  be  of  very  little  service  except  to  show  that 
the  structure  of  the  earth  was  composed  of  regular  coatings  of  various 
substances,  and  was  materially  different  to  what  many  people  imagined.  Ho 
believed  that  the  earth  showed  in  its  distribution  as  much  arrangement  as 
was  to  be  found  among  other  works  of  nature.  He  should  endeavour  to 
show  that  the  various  strata,  which  were  elevated  and  depressed,  were 
caused  by  a  great  convidsive  movement  in  tlie  earth.     He  should  be  able  to 


23  DESCRIPTION    OF   YORKSHIRE. 

show  this  by  various  illustrations,  and  he  was  certain  he  should  not  leave 
any  one  present  in  doubt  on  the  subject.  He  intended  to  show  the  character, 
in  general  terms,  of  the  old  bed  of  the  sea  at  a  certain  period,  very  far  back 
since,  that  a  set  of  rocks  were  placed  in  them — ^that  a  movement  then  took 
place  in  the  bed  of  the  sea;  and  he  should  describe  the  results  of  that 
general  movement.  If  they  transported  themselves  into  the  western  parts 
of  Yorkshire,  and  stood  between  Mickle-Fell  and  Ingleborough — a  truly 
magnificent  country — ^they  would  find  that  the  geological  features  of  the 
country  were  clearly  to  be  traced  from  the  natural  movement  of  the  earth, 
of  a  most  decisive  character.  Having  gone  to  Ingleborough,  the  country 
showed  that  the  basis  of  the  whole  formation  began  with  a  mass  of  slate 
rocks,  thrown  up  in  an  angular  elevation,  and  into  grand  curvatures.  By 
observing  the  direction  of  the  large  arches  of  the  rocks,  by  means  of  the  dips 
and  strikes,  it  was  very  easy  to  determine  the  precise  direction  in  which  that 
rock  ran.  In  the  instance  to  which  he  alluded,  they  ran  from  E.  to  S.W. ; 
the  whole  country  had,  in  fact,  been  bent  in  a  series  of  curved  elevations  and 
depressions,  like  a  waved  substance,  just  as  we  might  bend  a  piece  of  paper. 
That  was  undoubtedly  caused  by  the  bed  of  the  sea,  at  some  ancient  period, 
having  imdergone  a  movement  of  some  kind  or  other,  for  they  found  in 
examination  these  rocks  contained  the  organic  remains  of  zoophites,  corals, 
shells,  and  traces  of  the  lower  orders  of  animal  life.  Up  to  the  present  time, 
however,  neither  Professor  Sedgwick  nor  the  friends  who  had  assisted  him 
had  been  able  to  trace  any  remains  of  fishes.  The  surface  of  the  country 
having  become  elevated  in  places  by  this  struggle  of  nature,  a  phenomena  of 
a  more  recent  period — one  of  great  interest  to  geologists — ^had  occurred, 
which  had  ground  down  the  surface  of  the  elevation  and  brought  it  to  its 
original  level.  The  question  then  arose  as  to  how  so  extraordinary  an  efiect 
could  have  been  produced  by  nature.  The  president  of  the  British  Association 
had  successfully  investigated  the  employment  of  mechanical  force  to  reduce 
rocks,  and  would  probably  agree  with  him  in  doubting  if  there  were  any  force 
in  nature  likely  to  produce  effects  of  the  kind  to  which  he  alluded,  except  it 
were  by  the  action  of  the  agitated  waters  on  the  coasts.  Over  the  deposit  of 
the  Cambrian  rocks,  worn  and  wasted,  there  was  a  deposit  of  a  calcareous 
character,  which  was  no  doubt  at  first  calcareous  mud,  several  hundred  feet 
in  thickness.  On  examining  a  piece  of  that  rock  with  the  naked  eye,  it 
appeared  to  contain  fossil  remains  of  a  large  character ;  but  when  a  slice  of 
it  was  cut  off  and  placed  under  the  microscope,  it  then  turned  out  that  the 
deposit  was  composed  of  nothing  else  but  the  remains  of  life,  accumulated 
during  a  former  period ;   and,  therefore,  they  had  the  most  unquestionable 


DESCBIPnON    OF  TOtlKSHIBfi.  Ad 

evidence  that  the  sea  has  been  concerned  in  the  formation.     But  now  let  us 
paase  at  this  point,  and  inquire  what  this  remarkable  formation  must  have. 
been.   The  whole  sea-bed  must  have  been  widely  and  for  a  long  time  depressed. 
We  find  a  series  of  deposits  to  a  considerable  elevation,  consisting  of  lime- 
stone, shale,  and  many  other  sorts ;   and  you  must  still  go  on  and  add  to 
them  the  whole  thickness  of  the  coal  measures  of  Yorkshire,  and  you  must 
believe  that  after  the  land  which  has  thus  been  elevated  and  then  torn  away^ 
as  just  described,  was  again  depressed  with  these  subsequent  deposits  upon 
it,  BO  that  several  thousand  feet  of  earth  now  laid  upon  the  top  of  the  Cambrian 
beds.     WeU,  now,  that  is  the  second  part  of  the  history  belonging  to  that 
line  of  country.     And  now  comes  on  another  change.     The  whole  of  this 
formation  is  broken  up  again  by  a  fracture  not  limited  to  Yorkshire,  but 
which  can  be  traced  northward  from  thence  to  Newcastle,  and  by  which  the 
then  existing  strata  of  the  surface  of  the  earth  have  been  carried  upwards  by 
pressure ;  and  thus  we  arrive  at  the  causes  of  those  cases  of  elevation  and 
depression  in  the  present  arrangement,  varying  from  an  elevation  of  3,000 
feet  on  the  north,  and  1,200  and  000  feet  on  the  south  side  of  Ingleborough, 
and  in  many  places  to  even  considerably  greater  elevations  than  that,  but 
not  exceeding  4,000  feet     To  explain  this  still  Anther,  suppose  this  is  a 
mass  of  mountain  limestone  taken  from  half-way  up  the  Ingleborough 
mountain,  from  which  it  has  been  thrown  down  to  the  south,  and  placed  on 
that  side :  it  is  not  limestone  only,  but  millstone  grit,  the  coal  measures,  and 
other  portions  of  the  former  land  have  all  been  displaced,  and  depressed,  so 
much  so,  that  instead  of  being  found  where  they  are  had  they  remained  in 
their  relative  position  to  the  rest  of  that  strata,  they  would  now  have  been 
found  far  above  the  summit  of  Ingleborough.    It  must  once  have  been  1,500 
feet  above  where  it  now  exists.   Well,  now,  this  is  the  average  of  the  depression 
of  the  real  mountain  limestone.     The  most  remarkable  feature  of  the  deposits 
of  this  era  was  that  they  showed  that  the  period  of  their  deposit  was  the 
first  in  which  this  country  became  dry  land.     At  the  preceding  deposits 
were  those  of  the  water ;  but  here  we  had  diy  land,  and  land  plants  which 
had  grown  upon  rocks  in  connexion  with  beds  of  coal.     This  was  the  only 
evidence  upon  which  we  could  satisfactorily  rest  of  the  appearance  of  dry 
land.     You  could  see  the  strata  exhibiting  it  at  Lord  Fitzwilliam's  coUiery 
at  Wentworth.     The  period  at  which  this  formation  took  place  was  now  so 
distant  that  it  could  not  be  measured  by  revolutions  round  the  sun.     And, 
now,  let  them  look  again  at  what  happened  after  this  event.     This  was 
another  great  system  of  dislocation  which  affected  all  the  north  of  England. 
Alter  the  deposit  of  the  coal  measures,  and  again,  as  in  the  previous  case. 


S4  DE8GRIPTI0N    OF   YORKSHIRE. 

we  bad  the  effects  of  the  sea  in  sweeping  away  the  land ;  subsequently  a 
depression  takes  place,  and,  then  a  marine  deposit  takes  place  upon  that ; 
after  that  you  have  a  set  of  deposits,  including  the  peroxide  of  iron,  and  it  is 
for  that  reason  we  look  for  a  deficiency  of  animal  life.  After  that  a  totally 
new  series  began ;  the  first  of  this  series  was  the  lias.  He  trusted  many 
would  with  him  visit  the  coast  and  see  this  formation  for  themselves. 
If  they  did,  they  would  find  vast  numbers  of  curious  shells,  and  great 
numbers  of  curious  animals ;  this  was  the  range  of  the  ammonites.  He 
supposed  that  nobody  could  be  found  amongst  us  who  would  now  believe  the 
tales  of  the  Whitby  people,  who  supposed  that  these  were  serpents  without 
heads,  and  that  they  could  successfuUy  put  them  on.  There  were  IdO 
species  of  these  most  beautiful  creatures,  not  a  single  living  specimen  of 
which  was  now  in  existence.  The  learned  lecturer  next  referred  to  a  work 
which  he  published  in  1829,  in  which  he  recorded  a  remark  that  this  coast 
abounded  in  iron  stone,  and  to  the  fact,  that  two  years  ago  some  gentlemen 
from  Middlesborough-upon-Tces  went  to  a  place  called  Eston  Nabb,  and  not 
knowing  what  had  been  recorded  for  twenty  years  respecting  the  iron  stone,  but 
looking  at  the  country,  thought  it  contained  iron ;  they  examined  and  found 
it ;  they  commenced  operations,  and  now  several  blast  furnaces  are  at  work ; 
and  those  rocks  in  all  the  mining  books  of  the  day  axe  spoken  of  as  a  dis- 
covery of  iron  stone ;  they  refer  to  it  as  if  it  had  never  been  known  before ; 
it  was,  in  truth,  a  discovery  after  all ;  although  it  had  been  published  by 
me,  for  the  pubUcify  had  become  totally  forgotten  by  all  practical  men.  He 
mentioned  this,  not  for  the  childish  claim  of  honour  for  the  discovery,  for  it 
was  known  before  he  wrote  it,  but,  continued  the  Professor,  there  was  no 
British  Association  then.  This  iron  stone  is  found  in  beds  of  16  feet  thick 
in  some  places,  and  in  many  cases  13  feet  thick,  and  it  is  obtained  with  such 
ease,  that  it  can  be  and  is  placed  on  the  railway  waggon  at  half  a  crown  a  ton, 
leaving  a  very  large  profit  for  the  lord  of  the  manor ;  this  was  a  price  at 
which  iron  stone  could  not  be  produced  in  any  other  county  of  England.  He 
next  alluded  to  the  series  of  oolite  deposits.  This  extends  from  Gloucester 
and  Bath  to  the  sea  coast  of  Yorkshire,  near  Whitby.  Near  to  Bath  and 
Gloucester  there  are  several  mines  of  this  rich  and  beautiful  freestone,  of 
which  so  many  churches  and  other  public  edifices  are  built.  In  Yorkshire^ 
this  stone  was  found  mixed  with  a  great  variety  of  marine  shells  ;  but  he 
most  particularly  wished  to  draw  attention  to  certain  remarkable  plants,  some 
of  which  were  found  in  a  perpendicular  position,  and  many  in  an  oblique 
one ;  there  were  many  of  them  frequently  ten  feet  in  length,  and  they  pos- 
sessed the  joints  (^  marsh  plants.    It  was  only  in  one  place  that  they  were 


DEBOBlPnOV  OF  TOBKSHIRE.  20 

finmd  erect     The  plants  were  not  found  in  the  oolite  near  Bath  and 

Gloucester;  they  appear  to  be  the  produce  of  a  marshy  soil.    Fossil  plants 

exist  in  the  north-east  of  Yorkshire,  and  are  not  very  unlike  the  cycas  and 

«f"«wi  which  some  of  us  now  cultivate  with  so  much  care  in  hothouses ;  they 

are  found  along  with  many  other  ferns  and  corresponding  plants,  and  also 

fresh  water  shells,  if  they  were  firesh  water  shells ;  he  dare  not  go  so  &r  as 

to  say  so,  aUhough  some  persons  did,  but  he  did  beliere  that  they  had  lived 

m  an  estuary.    This  chain  of  the  oolite  series  were  remarkable  for  having 

its  abundance  of  plants,  for  its  ironstone,  and  fossil  sheiils,  and  for  two 

descriptions  of  building  stone,  shale,  &c,f  all  different  firom  the  oolite  of  Bath ; 

and  it  was  worthy  of  consideration,  that  there  were  some  series  of  rocks  of  the 

some  formation,  in  which  there  was  an  eaiiie  absence  of  certain  fossils  found 

in  other  rocks  of  the  same  formation ;  this  indicated  that  a  portion  of  the 

same  chain  or  rock  had  been  subjected  to  different  circumstances  at  one 

extremity  firom  those  which  existed  at  the  other;  and  yet  there  were  some 

saries  of  rocks,  apparently  of  the  same  formation,  in  which  both  the  fossils 

and  the  rocks  were  of  a  totally  different  order ;  there  were  also  marks  in  the 

ooUte  rocks  of  Yorkshire,  which  showed  one  curious  circumstance,  and  that 

was  that  there  must  have  been  land  to  the  northward  where  land  plants  have 

been  growing,  and  which  have  been  drifted  possibly  by  the  action  of  the  sea 

to  the  oolite  rocks  where  they  were  now  found.    This  was  a  curious  corrobo- 

ratioa  of  Professor  Forbes*  theory,  which,  for  explanation  of  the  modem 

distribution  of  plants,  required  that  there  should  at  some  period  have  been 

land  somewhere  between  the  Highlands  and  Scandinavia.    He  would  now 

call  their  attention  to  the  foot  that  the  stratified  crust  of  Yorkshire  had  been 

again  broken  up  after  the  deposition  of  the  oolites,  and  had  been  formed  into 

great  depreasions  and  arches  like  those  before  described — the  sur£ftce  had 

been  worn  down,  and  there  had  been  another  marine  deposit,  the  chalk  of 

the  Wolds.    It  was  a  most  pleasing  geological  walk  to  start  ftom  Brough, 

and  trace  along  the  edge  of  the  Wold  Hills  this  deposit  of  chalk.    He  must 

sow  pass  to  the  illustration  of  the  movements  which  had  taken  place  on  the 

smfoce.    In  Holdemess,  were  it  not  for  a  geological  deposit,  the  country 

would  be  as  flat  as  it  was  thought  to  be  by  some  people ;  but  he  had  some 

degree  of  pleasure  in  pointing  out  a  place  where  the  hill  arose  no  less  than 

150  foet  above  the  sea.    The  place  was  called  Dimlington  Heights,  and  was 

oaaapofaed  of  day,  inclosing  a  great  variety  of  stone  in  large  masses.    There 

were  also  various  bands  of  gravel  which  marked  its  gradual  formation.    Now 

these  stones,  which  were  there  to  be  seen,  were  of  a  most  characteristic 

description,  and  could  be  traced,  beyond  aU  doubt,  as  part  of  that  found  at 


^G  DSSCBIPTION   OF  YOBKSHIBE. 

Shapfell,  ill  Westmorland.  Similar  blocks  of  granite  were  found  dropped 
iu  other  places,  all  of  which,  it  was  clear,  had  come  from  the  same  place. 
These  blocks,  it  was  OTident,  had  been  by  some  agency  removed  finom  Shap- 
£bU«  and  carried  eastward  over  a  deep  valley  in  which  the  river  £den  runs, 
had  climbed  next  a  great  range  of  hills  which  they  had  crossed,  dropping 
eome  at  certain  places,  and,  being  over  the  hills,  had  then  began  to  diverge, 
and  take  irregular  courses,  going  to  Dartington,  over  the  Yale  of  York  to 
Northallerton,  and  to  various  places  along  the  coast  down  iuto  Holdemess. 
The  course  of  the  stones  was  distinctly  marked,  and  could  be  traced  clearly. 
The  point  of  elevation  over  which  they  had  been  carried  was  now  1,440  feet 
above  the  sea — a  height  as  high  as  that  fiom  which  they  had  been  taken — 
to  reach  which  they  had  to  croes  a  valley  which  was  the  most  ancient 
geological  valley  in  Yorkshire.  This  showed  that  the  block  must  have  been 
transported  by  some  power  different  from  what  was  ordinarily  met  with.  A 
veiy  great  number  of  these  stones  were  found  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Ingle* 
borough,  and,  indeed,  he  had  taken  the  pains  to  mark  many  of  them  on  a 
part  of  the  six-inch  ordnance  map.  The  part  where  they  were  here  found 
was  even  higher  than  the  place  from  which  they  came.  How,  then,  was  their 
transit  to  these  places  to  be  accounted  for  ?  He  was  scarcely  able  to  furnish 
a  solution  that  appeared  to  him  entirely  satisfactoiy ;  but  he  was  disposed  to 
think  that  the  continual  movement  of  the  level  of  the  ground,  without  any 
great  disturbance  of  the  crust  of  the  earth,  might  be  an  element  in  the 
explanation,  of  considerable  importance,  for  this  might  have  taken  place,  and 
the  rocks  now  standing  have  been  undisturbed  by  any  violent  convulsion, 
whilst  the  general  form  of  them  might  have  been  altered.  Then,  supposmg 
this  to  be  the  case,  it  was  suggested  that  the  blocks  of  stone  had  been  taken 
from  their  original  position  by  icebergs,  which,  floating  about,  were  melted, 
and  the  blocks  dropped.  Subsequent  alterations  in  the  form  of  the  earth's 
surface  brought  the  blocks  up,  and  they  were  again  picked  up  by  the  ice 
and  dropped  again  somewhere  eLse.  These  were  some  of  the  methods  of 
accounting  for  these  removab,  and  were  probably  the  best  explanations  that 
could  be  given  of  them — though  he  did  not  give  them  as  being  altogether  satis- 
fJGU^toiy  or  complete.  That  all  those  districts  had  once  been  covered  by  a 
glacial  ocean  was  clearly  proved  by  shells  of  that  particular  character  which 
Mr.  James  Smith,  Professor  Forbes,  and  other  gentlemen,  who  had  made 
researches  into  the  matter,  considered  stamped  as  shells  of  an  Arctic  Sea« 
Having  described  the  iofluence  of  the  weather  on  the  earth,  in  the  wasting 
and  wearing  away  of  its  surDace ;  and  alluded  to  the  action  of  the  water 
after  it  sunk  into  the  earth,  as  exhibited  in  springs  and  caves  in  Yorkshire, 


DBSCBIFTION   OF  TORKSHIRE.  Q7 

the  learned  Professor  proceeded  to  speak  of  the  waterfalls.  That  of  Hardrow 
Force,  if  seen,  he  continued,  would  enable  every  one  to  understand  the  des- 
eiiption  which  Ljell  had  given  of  the  action  going  on  at  Niagara.  There 
(at  Hardrow  Force)  a  small  mountain  stream  fell  over  the  rock,  the  base  oi 
wfaleh  was  composed  of  day  and  shale.  This  was  acted  upon  by  the 
moistaie,  and  fell  away  gradually,  and  the  result  was,  the  cliff  was  under- 
mined, and  the  rocks  above  bemg  jointed  at  pretty  regular  intervals,  fell  over, 
and  thus  the  waterfall  was  removed  a  certain  step  further  up  the  mountain. 
On  examination,  this  course  of  action  might  be  clearly  traced  as  having 
occurred  from  the  Biver  Ure,  a  distance  of  fall  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  and  they 
would  see  that  the  waterfisJl  was  certainly  going  back  slowly  but  yet  sensibly. 
The  consideration  of  this  and  of  aH  matters  connected  with  the  study  of 
geology  would  tend  to  show  them  that  a  regular  process  was  going  on  in 
nature — pmlucing  changes  highly  curious  and  interesting.  These  changes, 
tiiough  they  might  not  be  so  violent  as  those  which  were  shown  to  have 
taken  place  under  older  geological  forms,  would  yet  prove,  under  considera- 
tion, that  nature  was  consistent  in  her  methods  of  producing  phenomena, 
and  that  the  effects  which  were  produced  by  nature  were  under  the  control 
of  a  law ;  that  that  law  is  guided  by  an  intelligence  which  is  of  a  kind  not 
to  be  eappoaed  mutable  as  our  vain  fancies  might  be ;  but  an  intelligence 
that  had  presided  through  times  which  it  was  vain  for  us  to  think  of 
measuring ;  and  which,  as  it  had  known  no  limit  in  the  past,  neither  had  it 
any  limit  in  the  future. 

BivEBS. — The  principal  rivers  in  Yoriuhire  are  the  Ouse,  the  Swale,  the 
Ure,  the  Wharfe,  the  Derwent,  the  Aire,  the  Calder,  the  Don,  the  Hull,  the 
Tees,  and  the  Esk,  all  of  which,  except  the  two  last,  pour  their  waters  through 
the  great  estuaiy  of  the  Humber. 

The  Tees  rises  in  the  mountains  of  Cumberland  and  Westmorland,  and 
pursues  a  serpentine  course  along  the  south  margin  of  the  County  of  Dur- 
ham, which  it  divides  from  the  North  Riding  of  Yorkshire  throughout  the 
whdie  extent.  It  flows  through  the  fine  Vale  of  Teesdale,  where  it  receives 
several  tributary  streams,  and  after  passing  Barnard  Castie,  Yarm,  and 
Stockton,  falls  into  the  German  Ocean,  bdow  the  latter  town.  The  Tees  is 
navigaUe  for  vessels  of  60  tons  burthen  up  to  Stockton,  but  the  channel  is 
serpentine  and  intricate,  and  the  current  rapid.  Below  Stockton  the  river 
expands  into  a  large  bay  about  three  miles  broad.  The  estuary  of  the  Tees 
is  a  place  of  great  safety  for  vessels  in  stormy  weather. 

The  Swale  is  the  next  in  geographical  position,  and  it  has  its  source  in  the 
western  extremity  of  the  North  Biding  of  Yorkshire,  and  after  watering  the 


98  DESCRIPTION  OF  TOBXSHIRE. 

romantio  dale  to  which  it  gives  name  (Swaledale)  and  passing  Richmond  and 
Catterick,  it  enters  the  Vale  of  York,  where  it  leceiyes  the  small  river  Wiake, 
and  continues  its  course  till  it  joins  the  Ure  at  M  jton,  a  few  miles  below 
Boroughbridge.  The  Swale  is  navigable  only  for  a  very  few  miles.  Lam- 
bard,  Bede,  and  other  early  writers  tell  us,  that  Paolinus,  the  first  Archbishop 
of  York,  baptised  10,000  persons  in  this  river  in  one  day, — '*  by  cause  at 
that  tyme  theare  weare  no  churches  or  oratories  yet  buylt**  The  river  is 
supposed  to  have  been  called  Suale  ficom  the  Saxon  word  SwaUWf  "  by  reason 
of  the  swift  course  of  the  same.*' 

The  Ure  or  Yore,  which  is  one  and  the  same  river  with  the  Ouse,  directs 
its  course  eastward  from  its  source  on  the  elevated  moorland  between  York* 
shire  and  Westmorland,  and  below  Askrigg  it  forms  a  remarkably  fine 
waterfall  called  Aysgarth  Force,  The  whole  waters  flail  over  a  rugged  lime- 
stone rock  into  a  narrow  channel,  and  form  a  succession  of  picturesque 
waterfiadls.  After  passing  through  Middleham,  Masham,  Ripon,  Borough* 
bridge,  and  Aldborough,  it  joins  the  Swale  at  Myton,  and  the  united  waters 
then  continue  their  course  to  about  six  miles  bdow  Boroughbridge,  where 
they  take  the  name  of  the  Ouse,  ttom  an  insignificant  rivulet  with  which 
they  there  form  a  junction. 

The  Ouee,  or  the  Northern  Ouse  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  to  distinguish 
it  from  the  river  of  the  same  name  in  Buckinghamshire,  is'fbimed,  as  we 
have  just  shown,  by  the  union  of  the  Swale  and  Ure,  and  it  runs  southward 
receiving  the  waters  of  the  Nidd,  at  Nun-Monkton ;  thence  it  flows  gently  to 
York,  where  it  is  joined  by  the  Foss,  and  afterwards  bounds  the  East  and 
West  Ridings.  At  Nun-Appleton  it  is  increased  by  the  waters  of  the 
Wharfe ;  and  after  passing  Selby  to  its  successive  junctions  with  the  Derwent, 
the  Aire,  and  the  Don,  it  falls  into  the  Humber,  at  its  confluence  also  with 
the  Trent.  This  fine  river  is  navigable  throughout  its  whole  course,  and  is 
the  great  drain  of  all  Yorkshire. 

The  Humber.  This  noble  river — the  Thames  of  the  midland  and  northern 
counties  of  England — divides  the  East  Riding  of  Yorkshire  from  Lincoln- 
shire during  the  whole  of  its  course.  It  is  formed,  as  we  have  just  observed, 
by  the  junction  of  the  Ouse  and  Trent  At  Bromfleet  it  receives  the  little 
river  Foulness,  and  rolling  its  vast  collection  of  waters  eastward,  in  a  stream 
enlaxiged  to  between  two  and  three  miles  in  breadth,  washes  the  town  of 
Hull,  where  it  receives  the  river  of  the  same  name.  Opposite  to  Hedon  and 
Paull,  which  are  a  few  miles  below  Hull,  the  Humber  widens  into  a  vast 
estuary,  six  or  seven  miles  in  breadth,  and  then  directs  its  course  past 
Great  Grimsby,  to  the  German  Ocean,  which  it  enters  at  Spurn  Head.    No 


DSSCBIPnOK  OF  YOBKSHIBE.  M 

olher  river  STstem  collects  waters  from  so  many  pomts,  and  cotmects  so 
many  important  towns,  as  this  noble  stream.  ''The  Hnmber/*  says  a 
reoent  writer,  ^'resembling  the  trunk  of  a  vast  tree  spreading  its  branches 
in  eveiy  direction,  commands,  by  the  numerous  rivers  which  it  receives, 
the  navigation  and  trade  of  a  veiy  extensive  and  commercial  part  of 
Cngland^** 

The  Homber  is  navigable  up  to  Hull  for  ships  of  the  laigest  burthen;  the 
Hnmber  and  the  Quae,  up  to  the  port  of  Groole,  for  vessek  drawing  not  more 
than  16  feet  of  water;  and  to  York  for  those  of  140  tons  burthen.  The 
distance  from  Hull  to  York  by  water  is  about  80  miles.  Above  the  city  of 
York  the  Ouse  is  navigable  as  far  as  Boioughbridge,  a  distance  of  20  miles, 
for  barges  of  80  tons.  The  whole  course  of  the  Ure,  Ouse,  and  Humber,  is 
about  160  miles. 

The  tpring  tide$  rise  at  Hull  more  than  twenty  feet,  and  at  York  from  two 
to  two  and  a  half  feet,  but  they  formerly  rose  at  that  place  four  feet  In 
1648,  it  is  recorded  that  a  ^ring  tide  at  Ouse  bridge  rose  to  the  height  of 
five  feet  Some  of  the  "  land  floods  "  have  risen  here  to  a  veiy  great  height 
In  173d,  the  Ouse  at  York  rose  in  one  night  nearly  nine  feet,  and  filled  the 
streets  in  the  lower  parts  of  the  city;  and  in  December,  1768,  the  water  rose 
at  the  same  place  twenty  inches  higher,  and  was  seventy-five  feet  above  the 
low  water  vuA  of  dry  seasons. 

Of  the  river  Humber — ^the  Ahu$  of  Ptolemy — ^that  quaint  old  author, 
Lambard,  writes  thus : — "  Humber  is  not  the  name  of  any  one  water  within 
Ingbnde,  bat  is  a  name  that  is  gyven  to  the  metinge  of  many  waters,  and 
therfere  Ldande  contendeth  reasonablye  that  it  should  be  called  Aber,  which 
in  the  Bryttishe  is  the  same  that  the  Saxons  and  we  nowe  calle  the  mouthe 
of  a  lyver;  for  it  hathe  not  the  name  of  Humber  till  it  approche  neare 
Kingston-on-Hull,  before  which  tyme  it  hathe  receyved  Ouse,  Ure,  Done, 
Trent,  Hull  water,  and  some  other  smal  brokes,  and  so  openeth  into  the  sea ; 
and  theribre  Humber  hathe  not  as  a  lyver  of  itselfe  anye  begginninge,  (as 
Polydor  and  others  describe)  but  may  wel  inoughe  be  said  to  begynne  wi^e 
the  head  of  any  of  those  lyvers  which  it  reoeyveth.  It  should  seme  that 
Ptolemy  ment  this  lyver  when  he  speaketh  of  Abus,  so  callinge  the  same 
that  ihe  Biyttons  called  Aber.  Gefifrey  of  Monmouthe,  the  leader  of  our 
Inglishe  ChroniclerB,  sayeth  that  it  was  called  Humber  by  occasion  that 
Locrine,  the  ddest  son  of  Brutus,  chased  Humber,  the  Kinge  of  the  Hunnes 
(that  anyved  in  his  country)  into  this  water,  wheare  he  was  drowned. 

Dam  Aigit  obstat  ei  flnmen,  submergitnr  illie, 
Deque  sue  tribait  nomixie  nomen  aquK. 


80  DBSGBIPnOK   OF  T0BK8HIBE* 

After  that  ihe  Saxons  weare  coma  in  great  nomber  into  this  ile,  they  M  at 
variance  among  themselves,  in  so  much  that  Ethelbert,  Kinge  of  Kent,  (which 
receyved  Augustine)  warringe  upon  the  rest,  enlarged  his  dominion  to  this 
water;  herof  b^an  the  people  beyonde  the  same  to  be  called  Northumbera, 
and  their  Kingdome  Northumberland.  This  ryver,  and  the  Thamis,  (as 
Polydor  observeth)  do  not  so  comonly  overfiowe  their  banks,  as  other  waters 
within  the  realme,  which  he  imputeth  probablye  to  the  qualitie  of  the  ground 
undemeathe,  which  being  gravel  soketh  muche ;  but  the  cause  of  the  groweth 
no  lesse,  by  reason  that  theise  twoe  waters  be  not  neighboured  with  so  many 
hilles,  as  Severn  and  others  be,  from  which  eveiy  sodeine  rayne  descendinge 
into  the  ryvers,  causeth  theim  to  swell  sodenlye  also.'* 

And  here  we  make  a  slight  digression  for  the  purpose  of  glancing  at  a 
subject  which  may  not  be  considered  altogether  irrelevant,  viz : — **  The  Dia* 
lects  North  and  South  of  the  Humber  compared. "  At  the  meeting  of  the 
British  Association  held  in  Hull  in  1853,  Charles  Beckett,  £sq.,  M.RXD.S., 
read  an  interesting  paper  on  this  subject.  He  commenced  by  observing  that 
the  boundaries  of  English  counties  were  various,  and  often  aibitraiy — the 
most  natural  being  riven.  The  river  Humber,  from  its  widtii  and  length, 
had  always  formed  a  most  distinct  boundary,  not  only  between  two  different 
counties,  but  also  between  two  classes  of  peasantry,  differing  much  in  many 
respects — in  origin,  physiognomy,  manners,  conformation,  and  also  in  dialect. 
Large  eiddences  exist  of  Danish  origin  in  the  names  of  towns  and  villages  in 
both  counties ;  no  less  than  313  places  terminating  in  6y  in  Lincolnshire ; 
whilst  in  the  North  and  East  Riding  of  Yorkshire  185  of  the  same  were  found. 
This  termination  always  pointed  out  a  Danish  origin.  Several  other  Danish 
names  of  places,  persons,  and  other  things,  were  also  found  to  exist.  The 
distinction  between  the  peasantry  north  and  south  of  the  Humber  could  not 
escape  the  attentive  observer.  The  Lincolnshire  peasant  was  somewhat 
more  phlegmatic,  his  physiognomy  less  marked  and  acute,  and  the  £ace  more 
oval  in  form  than  the  Yorkshire  one.  His  maimer  is  more  amicable  and 
polite,  but  less  decisive  and  acute.  This  harmonizes  not  only  with  his  own 
appearance,  but,  singularly,  also  with  the  general  mildness  of  the  aspect  of 
the  landscape  arotmd  him.  These  inquiries  were  the  more  interesting, 
because  the  progress  of  civilization  increased  travelling  facilities,  and  the 
lapse  of  time  tends  rapidly  to  eSajce  these  ethnological  distinctions.  The 
successive  irruptions  of  the  Boman,  Saxon,  Danish,  and  Norman  people  into 
this  country  were  analogous  to  the  warping  of  low  land  by  successive  tides ; 
the  existing  language  being  a  rich  alluvium  left  by  them  all.  Yorkshire  had 
probably  several  dialects;    Lincolnshire  two,  according  to  HalliweU — the 


BSSOAimOK   OP  YOfiXBHIRS.  ^1 

iiorlih  and  the  south.  Both  agreed  in  the  broad  ptonunciations  of  many 
sjUableSy  as»  for  instance,  changing  one  into  two ;  as  sea,  se-ah ;  seat,  se-at ; 
beast,  bee-ast  Both  use  many  archaic  words— each  county,  howerer,  having 
its  own.  The  intonations  and  inflexions  of  the  voice  vaiy  also  in  the  two 
ooanties.  But  the  chief  difference  lay  in  the  relative  value  of  the  two  Towels 
i  and  o  being  rendered  ei  in  Yorkshire,  and  double  or  long  %  in  Lincolnshire, 
as' wife,  weife,  wiife;  life,  leife,  liife,  respectively.  These  apparently  trivial 
difierences  were  in  fact  sufficient  to  change  the  whole  character  of  the 
Temacular  speech.  The  o,  also,  had  similar  varieties ;  thus  in  Yorkshire  we 
have  now,  noo ;  and  thou,  thoo.  In  Lincolnshire  these  would  be  thaou,  naau. 
Some  other  characteristics  were  also  mentioned.  On  the  whole,  the  Lincoln- 
ahixe  dialect  was  more  soft  and  agreeable,  contained  fewer  obsolete  words 
and  accents,  and  approached  more  nearly  to  pure  speech.  The  paper  closed 
by  enquiring  how  far  climate  and  the  social  history  and  progress  of  the 
two  counties  might  have  operated  along  with  some  differences  of  origin,  in 
h^ing  to  these  interesting  and  probably  transient  ethnological  distinctions. 

At  ^e  same  meeting.  Sir  Charles  Anderson,  Bart,  read  a  paper  on  "  The 
influence  of  the  invasion  of  the  Danes  and  Scandinavians,  in  early  times,  on 
certain  localities  in  £ngland."  The  talented  lecturer  said,  that  having  lately 
visited  Denmark  and  the  northern  parts  of  Europe,  he  had  been  much  struck 
with  the  similarity  pervading  the  Danish  and  English  languages.  This 
siniilaritj  he  ascribed  to  the  influence  which  the  Danes  possessed  when  they 
made  a  conquest  of  this  island,  and  planted  themselves  as  settlers  in  it,  and 
he  gave  sevenl  examples  in  support  of  his  assertion,  which  fully  identified 
the  two  languages. 

The  river  HuU  rises  in  the  Eastern  Wolds,  near  Driffield,  and  pursues  a 
southern  course  to  the  eastward  of  the  town  of  Beverley,  with  which  it  is 
united  by  a  canal;  and  it  flails  into  the  Humber  at  Kingston-upon-Hull, 
where  it  forms  a  secure  but  contracted  haven.  This  river  serves  to  drain 
the  whole  country  between  the  Wolds  and  the  sea ;  and  historians  tell  us 
that  the  portion  of  this  river  between  the  Humber  and  "  Sculcotes  goto  "  was 
originally  cut  by  Sayer  de  Sutton,  to  drain  the  marshes  within  his  lordship 
of  Sutton.  In  a  charter  of  Richard  11,  this  part  of  the  river  is  said  to  have 
pieviottsly  been  named  Sayer  Creek.  Mr.  Frost  thinks  that  the  drain  called 
Sayer  Creek  was  cut  by  Sayer  de  Sutton  so  early  as  the  reign  of  King  John. 
The  river  Hull  is  navigable  to  Frodingham  Bridge,  several  miles  above 
Beveriey;  and  thence  to  Great  Driffield  by  means  of  a  canal.  Another 
canal  extends  eastward  from  the  river  Hull  to  Leven,  a  length  of  about 
three  miles. 


8d  DESOBIPnON  OF  YOBKflHTBK. 

AU  the  local  historians,  except  Mr.  Frost,  assert  that  the  river  Hull  in 
former  times  discharged  itself  into  the  Hamber  to  the  eastward  of  the  present 
river;  but  that  gentleman  found  abundant  evidence  in  the  registers  and 
histories  of  the  Abbey  of  Meaux»  to  show  that  its  ancient  coarse  lay  to  the 
westward  of  the  present  channel ;  and  he  thinks  that  the  frequent  notice  of 
Old  Hull  as  one  of  the  boundaries  of  lands  without  the  walls  to  the  westward 
of  the  town,  would  of  itself  be  amply  sufficient  to  establish  the  fiu^t,  without 
the  corroborative  proof  afforded  by  the  registries  of  Meaux,  which  are  con- 
clusive on  the  subject.*  That  veiy  diligent  author  informs  us,  that  in  the 
Book  of  Meux,  the  ancient  river  is  described  as  having  divided  the  wapen- 
takes of  Holdemess  and  HarthiU,  and  that  New  Hull,  which  had  formeriy 
been  called  Sayer  Creek,  and  had  become  a  great  river,  in  consequence  of 
the  channel  of  Old  Hull  having  warped  up,  was  afterwards  the  dividing 
boundary  of  the  districts  of  Holdemess  and  Harthill ;  and  that  a  part  of  the 
village  of  Wyke  or  Hull,  which  had  previously  been  within  the  limits  of 
Holdemess,  being  then  separated  by  the  river,  became  a  member  of  the 
wapentake  of  Harthill. 

The  Wharf  €  rises  at  the  foot  of  the  Craven  Hills,  winds  its  course  through 
the  district  of  Wharfdale,  and  passing  Tadcaster,  joins  the  Ouse  at  Nun- 
Appleton.    It  is  navigable  as  fiEur  as  Tadcaster. 

The  Derwent  has  its  head  in  the  Eastern  Moorlands,  in  the  North  Biding, 
within  about  four  miles  of  the  sea.  After  running  in  a  line  almost  parallel 
with  the  coast  to  the  foot  of  the  Wdds,  it  takes  a  westerly  direction  till  it 
receives  the  Bye,  from  Helmsley ;  thence  by  Malton,  Gkite-Helmsley,  and 
Stamford  Bridge,  to  the  Ouse,  near  Barmby,  from  which  it  is  navigable  for 
vessels  of  twenty-five  tons  burthen,  to  Malton,  and  above  which  town  the 
navigation  has  been  continued  to  Yedingham  Bridge,  a  further  distance  of 
about  nine  miles.  From  its  junction  with  the  small  river  Hertford,  near 
its  source,  the  Derwent  divides  the  North  and  East  Bidings  till  it  approaches 
near  Stamford  Bridge,  where  it  enters  the  East  Biding. 

The  Avre,  one  of  the  most  considerable  rivers  in  Yorkshire,  takes  its  rise 
in  some  wild  moors  near  Malham,  in  the  north  west  quarter  of  the  West 
Biding,  and  runs  past  Skipton  and  Bingley  to  Leeds.  Twelve  miles  below 
the  latter  town,  near  Castleford,  it  receives  the  Calder,  and  passing  Snaidi, 
it  joins  the  Ouse  three  miles  south  west  of  Howden,  a  little  below  Armin. 
The  Aire  becomes  navigable  at  Leeds,  where  it  forms  a  junction  with  the 
Leeds  and  Liverpool  canaL    Camden  says,  the  course  of  the  Aire  is  so 

•  EVott's  HisUnio  Notices  of  Kingston-iipQn.Hull,  p.  38, 83. 


DESCRIPTION   OF  TORKSHIBB.  33 

ielj  crooked,  that  be  crossed  it  seven  times  in  travelling  half  an  hour 
in  a  straight  line. 

The  Colder  rises  on  the  eastern  border  of  Lancashire,  not  tax  from 
BxmoleT,  and  porsaes  an  eastward  course  through  Todmorden  valley,  to 
Wakefield ;  it  then  turns  to  the  north  till  it  joins  the  Aire,  at  Castleford. 
lia  1758,  an  Act  was  passed  for  extending  the  navigation  of  the  Calder  to 
Sowerby  bridge,  in  the  parish  of  Halifex,  and  for  making  the  Hobble 
nsvigable  from  Brooksmouth  to  Salterhebble  bridge.  In  1825,  an  Act  was 
passed  for  making  a  cat  from  this  canal  at  Salterhebble,  to  Bailej  Hall  near 
Hali&x.  This  river  is  connected  with  various  canals,  which  form  a  water 
cotniminicatkm  across  the  kingdom  from  Hull  to  Liverpool,  as  well  as  a 
junction  between  the  eastern  and  western  seas. 

The  D(m  has  its  source  in  the  western  moors  beyond  Peimiston,  and  flows 
by  Sheffield,  Rotherham,  Doncaster,  and  Bawcliffe  bridge,  to  Goole,  where 
it  &119  into  the  Ouse.  In  its  course  it  is  joined  by  the  Hodbeck,  the  Wente, 
the  Bother,  and  other  tributaries,  and  by  several  canals.  The  lower  part  of 
the  channel  of  the  Don,  from  the  vicinity  of  Snaith,  is  artificial,  and  is 
QsaaDy  called  the  Dutch  river.  In  1751  this  river  was  made  navigable  to 
Tinsley,  three  miles  below  Sheffield ;  and  by  an  Act  of  Parliament  passed  in 
1815,  this  navigation  has  been  continued  by  a  cut,  called  the  Tinsley  canal, 
to  Sheffield. 

The  Esk  has  many  sources  in  the  centre  of  the  Eastern  Moorland  dales, 
and  flowing  eastward,  receives  various  streams,  imtQ  it  falls  into  the  North 
Sea  at  Whitby,  dividing  that  town  into  two  nearly  equal  parts,  which  are 
connected  by  a  draw-bridge.  On  the  17th  July,  1761,  the  spring  tides  rose 
and  fell  here  four  times  in  less  than  half  an  hour. 

The  Fobs  rises  near  Cndke  Castle,  and  joins  the  Ouse  at  York.  The 
ebannel  of  this  river  is  believed  to  have  been  originally  formed  by  the  Ko- 
mans,  to  effect  the  drainage  of  an  extensive  level  tract  lying  between  the 
Ouse  and  the  Howardian  Hills,  near  the  western  extremity  of  which  it  has 
its  source.  Leland,  in  enumerating  the  rivers  which  water  the  forest  of 
Galtres,  says  ''The  Fosse,  a  slow  stream,  yet  able  to  bear  a  good  vessel, 
rjaeth  in  nemore  Calaterio,  or  amongst  the  woody  hills  now  called  Galtres 
Forest,  and  in  its  descent  from  the  highest  ground,  leaveth  Crayke  on  the 
west  side,  thence  it  goeth  by  Maiton  Abbey,  Marton,  Stillington;  FarUngton, 
Towthorpe,  Erswick,  Huntingdon,  &c.,  at  York  into  the  Ouse." 

The  Kidd  rises  in  Netherdale,  and  passing  by  Knaresborough,  enters  the 
Ouse  at  Nun-Monkton. 

The  Canals  of  Yorkshire  are  numerous,  but  are  chiefly  in  the  West 

F 


84  DESCRIPTION   OF  YOBK8HIRE. 

Hiding ;  and  the  county  is  so  intersected  bj  BaiUcays,  that  there  are  few 
towns  or  good  villages  without  a  railway  station.  There  are  420  miles  of 
railway  in  the  West  Riding,  and  the  land  occupied  by  railways  is  5,392  acres. 
It  appears  from  a  return  recently  issued  by  the  railway  companies  in  England 
and  Wales,  that  the  total  acreage  of  the  parishes  through  which  the  various 
railways  pass,  is  9,177,190 ;  and  the  acreage  of  the  land  occupied  by  the 
railways  is  66,047,  or  071  per  cent  The  aggregate  length  of  railway  in  the 
various  parishes  is  6,637  miles ;  and  the  average  quantity  of  land  occupied 
per  mile  of  railway,  is  11-68  acres.  There  is  one  mile  of  railway  to  every 
162,802  acres  of  land.* 

Antiquities, — Besides  the  Roman  remains  which  are  noticed  at  subsequent 
pages,  the  most  remarkable  antiquities  exist  in  the  relics  of  ancient  castles 
and  religious  edifices.  The  only  remains  of  Roman  structures  now  to  be 
seen  at  York  are  the  polygonal  tower,  and  the  south  wall  of  the  Mint  Yard. 
Roman  urns  have  been  discovered  in  several  situations  near  the  stations  and 
roads  of  that  people ;  and  a  vast  variety  of  Roman  antiquities  have,  at  dif- 
ferent times,  been  found  in  York  and  its  vicinity,  such  as  altars,  sepulchral 
and  other  urns,  sarcophagi,  coins,  signets,  &o.  Many  ancient  tumuli  are 
discemable  in  various  parts  of  the  county,  particularly  on  the  Wolds ;  and 
besides  the  Roman  encampments,  others  of  the  Saxons  and  the  Danes  may 
be  traced  in  several  places  in  the  North  and  West  Ridings.  Near  Borough- 
bridge  are  three  gigantic  obelisks  of  single  stones,  commonly  called  the 
Devil's  Arrows,  by  some  thought  to  be  Druidical,  and  by  others  supposed  to 
be  of  Roman  origin.  About  nine  miles  N.W.  of  Ripon  is  a  remarkable 
assemblage  of  rocks  called  Bramham  Crags,  which  are  conjectured  to  have 
been  a  Druidical  temple. 

The  chief  remains  of  ancient  Castles  or  Fortresses  are  CliflEbrd's  Tower  at 
York;  and  in  the  West  Riding,  the  castles  of  Conisbrough,  Harewood, 
Knaresborough,  Pontefract,  Great  Sandall,  Skipton,  and  Tickhill;  in  the 
North  Riding,  the  castles  of  Helmsley,  Malton,  Middleham,  Mulgrave, 
Pickering,   Richmond,   Scarborough,   Sheriff  Hutton,   and    Skelton;    and 

*  From  the  some  return  we  learn  that  the  railway  companies  in  England  and  Wales 
contributed  towards  the  poor  rates  ^187,614.  in  1851,  and  jC186,539.  in  1852 ;  while  the 
total  amount  collected  in  the  parishes  through  which  they  pass,  amounted  to  jC3,I89,135. 
in  the  year  ending  Lady-day,  1851,  and  £3,113,926.  ending  at  the  same  period  in  1852. 
So  that  the  railway  companies  paid  in  the  year  ending  Lady-day,  1852,  5'99  per  cent,  of 
the  whole,  or  nearly  6  per  cent,  of  the  rates  for  occupying  0*71  per  cent,  of  the  land, 
being  8*43  times  the  amount  of  the  sum  paid  per  acre  by  the  parishes.  The  average 
amount  paid  by  the  parishes  for  the  poor  rates  is  6* 78s.  per  acre,  while  that  paid  by  the 
railway  companies  for  the  land  they  occupy,  is  £287.  per  acre. 


DB8CRIPTI0N   OF  TORKSHIRE.  35 

Wresadl  in  the  East  Biding.  The  most  remarkable  ancient  mansions  are, 
Temple  Newsom,  near  Leeds;  and  Oilling  Castle,  near  Helmsley.  The 
latter  was  formerly  the  seat  of  the  ancient  fia,mily  of  Fairfax.  There  are 
likewise  several  ancient  mansions  injdifferent  parts  of  the  county,  but  now 
ccmTerted  into  farm  houses. 

The  number  of  ancient  Beligious  Houses,  or  Monastic  Institutions,  in  the 
county  was,  according  to  Benton,*  14  Abbeys,  44  Priories,  7  Alien  Priories, 
18  Cells  and  23  Friaries  of  various  orders.  The  beautiful  and  picturesque 
rains  of  many  of  them  denote  their  former  splendour.  The  principal  ruins 
of  abbeys  are  those  of  St.  Mary's  at  York ;  Fountains,  Boche,  Kirkstall,  and 
Selbj,  in  the  West  Biding ;  and  Byland,  Bivaulx,  Easby,  Eggleston,  and 
Whitby,  in  the  North  Biding.  The  chief  ruins  of  priories  are  those  of 
Bolton  and  Knaresborough,  in  the  West  Biding ;  Guisborough,  Mountgrace, 
and  Wykeham,  in  the  North  Biding;  and  Bridlington,  Kirkham,  and 
Watton,  in  the  East  Biding. 

Mineral  Springs,  <tc, — ^The  chalybeate  and  sulphureous  springs  of  Harro- 
ffoU  are  of  great  celebrity.  They  were  discovered  in  1571,  and  have  rendered 
that  once  obscure  hamlet  one  of  the  principal  watering  places  in  England. 
The  springs  of  Askeme,  about  eight  miles  north  of  Doncaster,  much  resemble 
those  of  Harrogate,  both  in  smell  and  taste,  but  differ  from  them  in  their 
operation.  The  chalybeate  and  saline  springs  of  Scarborough,  discovered 
early  in  the  17th  century,  have  long  been  celebrated ;  and  there  is  also  a 
famous  chalybeate  spring  at  Bridlington  Quay.  There  are,  besides,  mineral 
springs  of  various  qualities  at  Aldfield,  Boston,  Gilthwaite,  Horley  Green, 
Hkley,  and  Enaresborough,  in  the  West  Biding;  and  at  Malton,  in  the 
North  Biding.  A  mineral  spring  was  discovered  near  Guisborough,  in  May, 
189d,  which  is  much  resorted  to; — the  waters  are  diuretic.  At  Enares- 
borough is  the  celebrated  Dropping  and  Petrifying  Well ;  and  at  the  bottom 
of  Giggleswick  Scar,  near  the  village  of  Giggleswick,  is  a  spring  which  ebbs 
and  flows  at  irregular  periods.  On  the  Wolds,  and  near  Cottingham,  on 
their  eastern  side,  are  periodical  springs,  which  sometimes  emit  very  powerful 
streams  of  water  for  a  few  months  successively,  and  then  become  dry  for 
years. 

Amongst  the  most  remarkable  WaterfcMs  in  the  coimty  are  Thornton  Force, 
near  the  village  of  Ingleton,  in  the  West  Biding,  and  in  the  vicinity  of 
Thornton  Scar,  a  tremendous  cliff  of  about  800  feet  in  height.  The  Force 
IB  formed  by  a  smaU  stream,  which  is  driven  down  a  precipice  of  about  90 

•  Monasticon  EboracenM. 


36  DESCaiPTION   OF  T0BK8HI&E* 

feet  in  height.  The  cataract  of  Malham  Cove,  which  is  800  feet  high ;  and 
Aysgarth  Force;  Hardrow  Fall;  High  Force,  in  the  Tees;  Mallin  Spout; 
Egton ;  and  Mossdale  Fall ;  all  in  the  North  Biding. 

There  are  several  curious  Caves,  which  may  be  classed  among  the  natural 
curiosities  of  the  county ;  of  which,  that  near  Ingleton,  among  the  Craven 
mountains ;  Yordas  Cave  and  Weathercote  Cave,  in  the  latter  of  which  is  a 
stupendous  cataract  of  60  feet  fall ;  Hurtlepot  and  Ginglepot,  near  the  head  of 
the  subterranean  river  Wease,  or  Greta ;  and  Donk  Cave,  near  the  foot  of 
Ingleborough,  are  the  principal.  In  the  same  neighbourhood,  at  the  foot  of 
the  mountain  Pennigant,  are  two  frightful  orifices  called  Hulpit  and  Huntpit 
Holes,  through  each  of  which  runs  a  subterraneous  brook,  about  a  mile  in 
length,  and  emerging,  one  at  Dowgill  Scar,  and  the  other  at  Bransil  Head. 

Franchise,  dc. — Previous  to  the  year  1832,  when  the  Reform  Bill  became 
the  law  of  the  laud,  Yorkshire  returned  to  Parliament  two  members  for  the 
county,  and  two  each  for  the  boroughs  of  Aldborough,  Beverley,  Borough- 
bhdge^  Hedon,  Kingston-upon-Hull,  Enaresborough,  New  Malton,  North- 
allerton, Pontefract,  Richmond,*  Ripon,  Scarborough,  Thirsk,  and  York. 
Under  that  Act  two  members  are  returned  for  each  of  the  three  Ridings ; 
the  boroughs  of  Aldborough,  Boroughbridge,  and  Hedon,  were  disfranchised ; 
those  of  Northallerton  and  Thirsk  were  deprived  of  one  member  each; 
Bradford,  Halifax,  Leeds,  and  Sheffield,  were  granted  two  members  each ; 
and  Huddersfield,  Whitby,  and  Wakefield,  one  member  each ;  so  that  there 
are  now  in  Yorkshire  seven  new,  and  elet^en  old,  Parliamentary  boroughs, 
which,  with  two  members  each  for  the  three  Ridings,  returns  no  less  than 
37  Members  to  Parliament. 

Yorkshire  is  included  in  the  Northern  Circuit,  The  Assizes  are  held  in 
York,  where  is  the  county  gaol ;  the  Quarter  Sessions  for  the  North  Riding, 
at  Northallerton ;  and  for  the  East  Riding,  at  Beverley ;  the  Easter  Quarter 
Sessions  for  the  West  Riding,  at  Pontefract ;  the  Midsummer,  at  Skipton, 
adjourned  to  Bradford  and  Rotherham ;  the  Michaelmas,  at  Knaresborough, 
adjourned  to  Leeds  and  Sheffield ;  and  the  Christmas  Sessions,  at  Wetherby, 
adjourned  to  Wakefield  and  Doncaster. 

The  Inhabitants  of  Yorkshire  are  social,  humane,  industrious,  frnigal,  and 
enlightened ;  and  the  familiarity  that  prevails  amongst  the  different  grades 
of  society  is  an  admirable  trait  in  their  character.  The  Yorkshire  temple  of 
fame  records  a  numerous  list  of  worthies,  eminent  in  charity,  literature,  the 
arts  and  sciences,  and  in  arms ;  most  of  whom  are  noticed  in  the  histories  of 
the  towns  and  parishes  where  they  were  respectively  bom  or  flourished. 


GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  YORKSHIRE. 


Fboic  the  coDcuiTOiit  testimony  of  the  earliest  historians,  it  is  certain  that 
the  aborigines  of  Great  Britain  were  several  tribes  of  Gallic  Celts,  who  emi- 
grated from  the  contihent,  and  settled  here  at  least  a  thousand  years  before 
the  Christian  era,  The  whole  of  the  southern  coast  of  the  island  appears  to 
have  been  peopled  before  either  its  more  northern  or  the  midland  districts 
had  been  penetrated.  As  the  descendants  of  the  original  settlers  increased 
in  number,  and  new  bands  of  emigrants,  or,  as  thej  have  been  technioallj 
named,  waves  of  population,  successively  arrived  from  the  mother  country, 
the  backwoods  were  gradually  cleared,  till  at  length  the  whole  island  became 
inhabited.  Besides  the  testimony  of  ancient  authorities,  the  position  of  the 
two  countries  (Gaul  and  Britain),  and  the  resemblance  of  manners  and  cus- 
toms, we  have  the  clear  and  strong  testimony  of  language,  to  prove  the  one 
people  to  have  ^rung  from  the  other.  The  Celtic  language,  though  in 
divided  portions,  is  still  known  amongst  us.  One  branch  of  it,  called  the 
Gaelic,  is  spoken  by  the  native  Irish,  by  the  Scottish  Highlanders,  and  in 
the  Isle  of  Man ;  the  other  was  formerly  current  in  the  county  of  Cornwall, 
and  is  still  spoken  in  Wales  and  Lower  Brittany.  The  Gaelic  or  Celtic  race 
not  only  took  possession  of  this  kingdom,  but  actually  overrun  the  continent 
of  Europe,  from  the  fieo-thest  shores  of  Ireland  to  the  banks  of  the  Danube. 
The  eariy  Greek  writers  knew  Htde  of  Western  Europe,  and  Herodotus,  who 
wrote  in  the  middle  of  the  fifth  c^itiuy  before  the  coming  of  Christ,  had  but 
an  indistinct  nodon  of  the  British  Isles,  under  the  general  term  of  Cassi- 
terides,  or  the  Tin  Islands,  as  the  grand  source  from  which  the  Phcenicians 
derived  their  supply  of  that  metal.  The  earUest  mdhtion  of  oiur  islands  by 
their  names,  is  made  by  the  philosopher  Aristotle,  who  lived  a  century  later 
than  Herodotus.  In  alluding  to  the  ocean  without  the  Pillars  of  Hercules, 
(the  straits  of  Gibraltar)  he  tells  us  there  were  "  two  islands,  which  are  very 
large,  Albion  and  Jeme,  called  the  Britannic,  which  lie  beyond  the  Celtse." 


88  OEMERAL  HI9T0BT   OF  TORKSHIBE. 

Polybius,  another  Greek  histx>rian,  who  wrote  about  150  jears  before  the 
Christian  era,  speaks  of  the  "  Britannic  Ides/'  but  adds  nothing  to  our 
knowledge  of  tiiem.  He  tells  us  that  firom  a  yeiy  early  period  of  the  history 
of  the  world,  the  Phoenician  merchants  obtained  their  supply  of  tin  (an 
article  in  use  as  far  back  as  the  time  of  Homer)  from  Britain.  As  this  metal 
is  found  chiefly  in  Cornwall  and  the  Scilly  Islands,  the  parts  of  Britain  which 
would  flrst  present  themselves  to  the  navigators  from  the  PhoBnician  port  on 
the  coast  of  Spain,  Gadeira,  or  Gades  (the  modem  Cadiz)  would  be  these 
places  and  the  south  of  Ireland.  Another  Greek  writer,  Diodorus  Siculus, 
informs  us  that  the  tin  was  carried  firom  the  district  in  which  it  was  found, 
to  an  island  **  in  fi*ont  of  Britain,"  named  Ictis,  apparently  the  Isle  of  Wight, 
where  it  was  purchased  by  native  merchants,  who  transported  it  to  Gaul, 
and  it  was  then  carried  overland  on  pack  horses,  a  journey  of  thirty  days,  to 
the  mouth  of  the  Rhone.  If  we  except  the  allusions  made  to  the  trade  in 
tin,  by  the  early  Greek  writers,  everything  relating  to  this  distant  region, 
almost  unconnected  with  the  world  as  then  known,  was  wrapped  in 
mystery,  and  continued  so  until  the  veil  was  at  length  drawn  aside  by  the 
ambition  of  Julius  CsBsar. 

Ireland  is  supposed  to  have  been  peopled  (at  least  in  part)  from  the  coasts 
of  the  west  of  Britain,  at  the  same  time  that  the  aboriginal  Celts  emigrated 
to  England.  The  former  island,  known  to  the  Romand  by  the  names  of 
Hibemia  and  Juvema,  appears  to  have  been  tolerably  well  known  in  the  age 
of  Ptolemy,  who  gives  us  a  description  of  its  coasts,  and  enumerates  the 
tribes  and  towns  both  in  the  maritime  districts  and  in  the  interior.  Three 
at  least  of  the  tribes  who  held  the  eastern  coast  of  Ireland,  the  Brigantes, 
the  Menapii,  and  the  Yoluntii,  were,  no  doubt,  colonies  from  the  opposite 
shores  of  Britain. 

It  was  to  one  of  the  Celtic  bands  of  foreign  invaders,  who  inhabited 
Ireland,  that  the  epithet  Scots  was  flrst  applied.  Different  interpretations  of 
this  word  have  been  given,  but  the  most  probable  is  the  same  with  the  modem 
Gaelic  term  Scuit  or  8c<tait,  signifying  a  **  wandering  horde.'*  From  Ireland 
a  branch  of  the  Scots  passed  over  into  Scotland,  and  eventually  gave  their 
name  to  that  coimtry ;  though  a  part  of  it  had  long  before  been  peopled  by  the 
Caledonians  or  CavWdaoin,  that  is,  '<  men  of  the  woods."  The  Gauls  who  first 
inhabited  Britain'*'  were  distinguished,  not  only  for  their  good  natural  capa- 

*  The  original  name  of  this  island,  Albion,  is  that  by  which  it  still  continues  to  be 
designated  in  the  language  of  our  Scottish  Qael.  They  call  it  AUnnn,  Inn  13  the'  Qallio 
term  for  a  *'  large  island;"  AVb^  though  not  now  used  by  the  Scottish  Gael,  anciently  aig- 
nifled  whitt:  Albinn  therefore  means  the  ** 'White  Island,"  a  name  probaUy  given  to 


GENERAL  HISTORY   OF  T0RS8HIRE.  80 

eitj,  bat  for  their  valour,  and  their  pledged  fidelity  to  aid  each  other  against 
the  attacks  and  incursions  of  all  foreign  powers.  Their  persons  were  tall, 
their  clothing  was  untanned  skinS)  and  they  painted  the  naked  parts  of  their 
body  with  a  blue  dye  extracted  from  woad,  decorating  the  skin  with  figures 
of  Tanous  objects,  particularly  the  heavenly  bodies;  and  they  shaved  all 
their  beard  except  on  the  upper  lip,  which  they  suffered  to  grow  to  a  great 
length.  The  barbarous  practice  of  tatooing  was  long  in  use  among  the  more 
northern  Britons;  it  was  a  custom  amongst  the  Picts  as  late  as  the  fifth  cen- 
tury. Their  towns  were  a  confused  assemblage  of  huts,  covered  with  turf 
or  duns,  little  superior  to  the  kraals  of  the  Hottentots,  and  for  the  sake  of 
secnrity,  generally  planted  in  the  midst  of  woods  and  morasses,  and  sur- 
rounded with  palisadoes  of  trees  piled  upon  each  other,  like  the  fortification 
observed  at  this  day  among  the  New  Zealanders.  They  seem  to  have  been 
able  to  fabricate  warlike  weapons  from  metals.  Their  arms  were  small  tar- 
gets, and  swords,  and  spears;  and  in  battle  they  used  a  very  formidable  kind 
of  chariot,  which  was  armed  witJi  iron  scythes,  projecting  from  the  axle. 

Tbey  were  governed  by  chiefs,  and  the  great  mass  of  the  people,  as  we 
leam  from  Caesar,  were  in  a  state  of  servile  dependance,  the  mere  slaves  or 
Berh  of  a  peering  nobility.  The  general  food  of  the  tribes,  inhabiting  the 
soathem  districts  of  England,  was  milk,  and  the  flesh  of  their  herds,  super- 
stition having  forbid  the  use  of  fish,  and  several  kinds  of  animal  food;  but 
the  poor  savages  of  the  north  subsisted  principally  by  hunting  and  the  spon- 
taneous fruits  of  the  earth.  These  Ancient  Britons  had  made  some  progress 
towards  civilization  in  the  southern  parts  of  the  island,  prior  to  the  period 
of  the  Boman  invasion,  but  all  the  northern  tribes  were  as  wild  and  uncul- 
tivated as  their  native  hills. 

Their  religion,  which  formed  part  of  their  monarchial  government,  was 
Druidical.  Its  origin  is  not  known  with  any  degree  of  certainty,  though 
some  affirm  that  it  was  first  introduced  into  England  by  the  Phoenicians ; 
whilst  others  contend  that  the  Druids  accompanied  the  Celts  in  early  ages 
from  the  east     They  adored  under  different  appellations  the  same  Gods  as 

Great  Britain  from  the  chalk  cliffs  which  it  presented  to  the  view  of  the  people  on  the 
opposite  coast.  Namerous  interpretations  have  been  given  of  the  word  Britain;  the  most 
probable  perhaps,  of  which,  is  that  advanced  by  Whitaker,  the  historian  of  Manchester. 
Brii,  he  maintains,  signifies  "the  divided"  or  "separated;"  and  the  termination  in,  is 
notfaing  more  than  the  sign  of  the  plural  according  to  the  usual  mode  of  declension  in 
the  Gaelie  tongae.  BrUin  therefore  were  the  separated  people  or  the  emigrants,  as  we 
thould  say, — those  who  had  removed  from  the  rest  of  their  countrymen  in  Ghml,  and 
settled  in  AWifm;  and  thus  it  would  appear  that  the  name  Britain,  which  is  now  given 
to  the  ialand,  was  originally  applied  to  its  inhabitants. 


40  OBKERAL  HISTORT   OF  YORgBHTRB. 

the  Greeks  and  Romans.  Pluto  they  considered  as  iheir  progenitor;  Apollo, 
Mars,  Jupiter,  Minerva,  and  Mercury  were  severally  worshipped.  To  these, 
the  superior  Gods,  they  added  a  multitude  of  local  deities,  the  genii  of  the 
woods,  rivers,  and  mountains.  They  worshipped  in  high  places,  and  in  deep 
groves,  and  adored  the  God  of  Nature,  and  rendered  him  praise  on  the  yearly 
succession  of  the  seasons,  which  they  kept  as  solemn  festivals.  They  did 
not  worship  idols  in  the  human  or  any  other  shape,  hut  one  of  their  tenets 
inculcated  the  invisibility  of  the  deity,  and  that  consequently  he  ought  to  be 
adored  without  being  seen.  They  dwelt  largely  in  allegory,  aod  symbolical 
representations,  and  clearly  explained  their  superstitious  rites  and  mytholo- 
gical observances  to  the  initiated,  but  to  none  else :  initiation  therefore  became 
a  point  of  primary  importance  vrith  every  individual  who  was  ambitious  of 
exalting  himself  to  eminence  in  any  station  of  life,  whether  civil,  military, 
or  religious. 

On  the  oak  they  looked  with  peculiar  reverence.  This  monarch  of  the 
forest,  from  its  strength  and  durability,  was  considered  as  the  most  appro- 
priate emblem  of  the  divinity.  The  tree  and  its  productions  were  deemed 
holy;  and  if  it  chanced  to  produce  the  mistletoe,  the  whole  tribe  was  sum- 
moned to  gather  it;  two  white  heifers  were  immolated  under  its  branches; 
the  chief  Druid  cut  the  sacred  plant  with  a  golden  knife,  with  much  pomp 
and  ceremony;  and  a  religious  feast  tehninated  the  ceremonies  of  the  day.* 

Their  sacrifices  in  times  of  peace  were  the  fruits  of  the  earth ;  in  war  they 

«  One  of  the  greatest  festivals  of  the  Braids  was  the  WitiUr's  SoUtiee,  which  they 
held  about  the  same  period  of  the  year  at  which  we  celebrate  the  festival  of  Christmas; 
and  hence  the  practice  of  adorning  our  houses  with  Mistletoe  (a  sacred  plant  with  the 
Druids)  has  been  derived  from  the  use  of  that  plant  in  the  religious  observances  of  that 
people.  The  mistletoe  was  dedicated  to  Friga,  the  Venus  of  the  Scandinavians;  and  as 
she  was  the  goddess  of  love,  hence  arose  the  custom  of  kissing  under  the  mistletoe. 
The  festival  of  the  SalumaUa  was  introduced  by  the  Romans,  and  was  united  with  the 
winter  festival  of  the  Druids.  The  HoUy  was  dedicated  to  Saturn;  and  as  the  fetes  of 
that  deity  were  celebrated  at  the  same  time,  the  Bomans  were  accustomed  to  decorate 
their  houses  with  hoUy.  The  Soman  laurel  was  entwined  with  the  Druidical  mistletoe, 
and  the  Saxon  evergreens  with  the  holly  and  ivy,  to  form  a  garland  wherewith  to  deco- 
rate the  houses  and  temples  of  the  people;  and  so  has  this  custom  of  decorating  our 
houses  with  evergreens  remained  with  us  to  this  day:  the  early  Christians  having  used 
the  same  observances  as  their  Pagan  neighbours,  while  they  were  celebrating  their  fes- 
tival at  Christmas,  in  order  that  they  mi^t  escape  observation.  The  fostival  of  the 
Winter's  Solstice  was  meant  to  testify  men's  joy  at  the  return  of  the  sun,  and  it  obtained 
the  Anglo-Saxon  name  of  Juul  or  Yule,  a  word  for  which  several  etymologies  have  been 
assigned.  On  the  eve  of  the  Winter's  Solstice,  the  Anglo-Saxons  burnt  a  large  block  of 
wood  as  an  emblem  of  returning  light  and  heat,  and  hence  may  be  traced  the  still  ob- 
served custom  in  England,  of  burning  the  yule  log. 


GEKEAAL  BISTORT   OF  YORKSHIRE.  41 

devoted  to  the  God  of  battles  the  spoils  of  the  enemy;  bot  in  the  hour  of 
danger  human  sacrifices  were  deemed  the  most  efficacious.  To  their  belief 
in  the  immortality  of  the  soul,  they  added  the  absurd  fiction  of  metempsy^ 
chofiiS)  that  man  is  placed  in  the  circle  of  courses — good  and  evil  being  placed 
before  him  for  selection.  If  he  prefer  the  former,  his  soul,  when  it  leaves 
the  body,  enters  the  circle  of  felicity;  but  if  he  chooses  the  latter,  death 
returns  him  to  the  circle  of  courses,  and  he  is  made  to  do  penance  for  a  time 
in  the  body  of  a  beast  or  reptQe,  and  then  permitted  to  re-assume  the  form  of 
man.  According  to  the  predominance  of  vice  or  virtue  in  his  disposition,  a 
repetition  of  his  probation  may  be  necessaiy;  but  after  a  certain  number  of 
tn^amigrations,  his  ofiences  will  be  expiated,  and  the  circle  of  felicity  will 
receive  him  among  its  inhabitants. 

"  The  worship  of  the  Druids,"  writes  the  Rev.  George  Oliver,  "  was  of  a 
nature  that  required  silence,  secrecy,  and  space  for  contemplation.  This  end 
could  be  obtained  by  no  means  so  effectually  as  by  placing  their  sacred  tem- 
ples in  the  bosom  of  an  impervious  grove  of  trees,  intersected  by  a  labyrinth 
of  devious  and  inextricable  paths  and  windings.  The  veneration  for  oaks 
was  patriarchial;  it  is  not,  therefore,  wonderful  that  the  early  Druids  esteemed 
that  tree  holy,  and  solemnly  consecrated  it  to  one  of  their  most  powerful 
deities.  The  solitude  of  a  grove  of  branching  oaks  gave  an  air  of  mystery 
to  their  proceedings,  and  the  people  were  easily  persuaded  that  it  was  the 
peculiar  residence  of  the  great  and  terrible  God,  who  would  not  fail  to  inflict 
summary  punishment  on  the  profane  intruder,  whose  unhallowed  feet  should 
violate  the  sanctuary,  and  unauthorized,  attempt  to  penetrate  the  hidden  re- 
cesses of  the  sacred  enclosure,  where  the  most  holy  temple  was  constructed.*** 

The  sons  of  chief  personages  were  disciples  in  the  ethic  schools  of  the 
Druids,  where  the  rules  of  moral  life  were  inculcated  as  the  foundation  of 
human  wisdom;  and  in  order  to  guard  the  people  against  any  possibility  of 
sophistry  and  innovation,  their  maxims  of  justice  were  taught  orally.  Their 
dispensation  of  justice  was  not  under  any  written  code  of  laws,  but  on  what 
they  professed  to  be  equitable  principles,  all  their  verdicts  being  determined 
by  such  a  sense  of  impartial  justice  as  the  assembled  delegates  entertained, 
and  in  a  discordance  of  opinion  in  the  congress,  appeal  was  made  to  the 
Arch-Druid,  whose  sentence  was  decisive. 

In  their  civil  government,  capital  offenders  were  sentenced  to  death,  and 
publicly  sacrificed  in  the  most  awful  and  solemn  manner,  whilst  those  con- 
victed of  smaller  crimes  were  excluded  from  public  worship,  and  deprived  of 
an  civil  and  religious  benefits  until  they  sincerely  repented. 

•  History  of  Beverley,  p.  10. 


4d  OBNERAL  HISTORY   OF  TOBSSHIBB, 

The  British  Dniids  exercised  their  utmost  authority  in  opposing  the  usur- 
pation of  the  Roman  invaders,  who,  inflamed  with  resentment,  determined 
on  the  utter  extermination  of  the  Druidic  order,  consequentlj  its  priests  were 
sacrificed  to  this  inhuman  policy;  and  those  who  fled  to  the  Isle  of  Anglesea 
perished  in  the  flames  hy  the  orders  of  Suetonius,  and  subsequendj  great 
numbers  of  them  were  massacred  in  the  unsuccessful  eiBTort  of  the  Britons 
under  Queen  Boadicea.  After  this  period  the  power  and  splendour  of  the 
Druids  rapidly  disappeared. 

The  original  inhabitants  of  the  eastern  side  of  the  island,  extending  from 
the  Humber  to  the  Tyne,  at  the  period  of  the  Roman  invasion,  were  the 
Brigantes,*  the  most  numerous  and  powerful  of  all  the  tribes  that  then  shfyred 
the  possession  of  Britain.  They  were  the  last  of  the  British  tribes  that  bent 
the  neck  to  the  Roman  yoke.  Ptolemy,  who  wrote  about  a.d.  IdO,  asserts 
that  they  reached  from  sea  to  sea,  the  Mersey  being  their  southern,  and  the 
Frith  of  Solway  their  northern  boundary  on  the  western  coast. 

"Under  this  general  term,  however,  appear  to  have  been  included  the 
Vohmtii,  to  whom  belonged  the  west  of  Lancashire,  and  the  SistuntUf  who 
possessed  Westmorland  and  Cumberland;  as  well  as  the  Parisi,  who  occu- 
pied the  southern  district  of  Yorkshire,  and  who  are  supposed  by  Horsley  to 
have  been  separated  from  the  proper  Brigantes  by  a  line  drawn  from  the  Ouse 
or  Humber  to  one  of  the  bays  on  the  sea  coast  north  of  that  river.  According 
to  Richard  of  Cirencester,  the  Parisi  lived  on  the  eastern  point  of  Brigantuiy 
where  the  promontories  of  Ocellum  (Spurn  Head)  and  of  the  Brigantes  (Flam- 
borough  Head)  stretch  into  the  sea,  and  their  cities  were  Petuaria  and  Partus 
FeUx,  Probably  as  the  capital  of  the  proper  Brigantes  was  on  the  banks  of 
the  Ure,  the  river  Derwent  formed  the  boundary  between  the  two  kindred 
tribes,  and  the  present  East  Riding  may  safely  be  assumed  to  include  some- 
what more  than  the  extent  of  territory  occupied  by  the  Parisi. "+ 

The  capital  or  metropolis  of  the  Brigantes  is  termed  by  many  writers,  Iseur ; 
by  Antoninus,  Isu-brigantium,  afterwards  Isurium,  now  the  small  town  or 
village  of  Aldborough,  near  Boroughbridge,  in  this  county. 

Richard  of  Cirencester  tells  us  that  Isurium  was  the  chief  city  of  the 
province  of  the  Brigantes,  although  he  calls  Eboracum  (York)  their  capital. 
In  a  recently-published  local  work — QilVa  VaUu  Eboracerms,  8vo.,  1852,  p. 

*  The  Brigantes  appear  to  have  descended  from  the  Helvetii,  irhoae  emigratioa  ia 
mentioned  hy  Cesar.  De  Bell.  Oail,  lib.  u  The  word  Biigantia  is  derived  by  some 
writers  from  bri,  a  hUl ;  gan,  a  lake ;  and  tia,  country. 

t  Beverlac,  vol.  i.,  p.  2.  Portas  Felix  is  placed  in  Bichard's  Map  of  Britain  on  Bur- 
lington Bay. 


OSKBBAL  HI8T0BT  OF  T0BK8H1BB.  4S 

484,  the  history  of  Isttrium  is  giyen  thus:— "Aldburgh  was  the  Iseur  of  the 
Druids  and  Britons,  the  Isurium  of  the  Bomans,  the  Burgh  and  afterwards 
the  Aldbuzgh  of  the  Saxons.  It  is  supposed  to  have  taken  its  original  name 
firom  Isis,  a  deity  worshipped  here,  and  Euros  or  Ure,  the  river  near  which 
the  dtf  stood.  Previous  to  the  Roman  conquest  it  was  the  seat  of  the  Brig- 
antaan  kings,  and  the  chief  city  of  this  part  of  Britain.  Here  reigned,  before 
the  year  50,  Yenusius  and  his  Queen,  Cartismundua,  who  were  afterwards 
subdued  by  the  Roman  power,  and  by  whom,  after  having  defended  his 
country  against  the  Romans  for  nine  successive  years,  was  the  brave  Carac- 
tacus.  King  of  the  Silures,  treacherously  delivered  into  the  hands  of  his 
enemies.  The  conquest  of  Britain  was  completed  about  the  year  70,  after 
which  Isurium  Brigantium  became  the  northern  metropolis  of  the  Romans, 
previous  to  their  removal  to  £boracum,  or  York.'*  Mr.  Thomas  Wright,  M.A., 
F.  S.  A.,  in  his  Wandering$  of  an  AtUiquofy^  published  in  1864,  quotes  the 
above  passage,  and  then  remariu  that  "  all  ibis  pretended  history  is  entirely 
without  foundation.'*        *        *        * 

"We  have  no  reason  for  stating,"  he  continues,  *'  that  Isurium  was  known 
to  the  ' Druids  and  Britons'  by  the  name  of  Iseur;  the  derivation  has  not  even 
remote  prabability  in  its  favour,  and  there  is  not  the  least  ground  for  sup- 
posing that  Isis  was  ever  worshipped  here;  we  have  not  the  slightest  ground 
Ibr  stating  that  it  was  the  seat  of  the  Brigantian  Kings,  and  ito  connection 
with  Yenusius  and  his  Queen  is  a  mere  creation  of  fancy;  neither  have  we 
any  reason  for  bdieving  that  it  was  ever  'the  northern  metropolis  of  the 
Romans,*  or  that  they  removed  from  hence  to  Eboracum.  All  that  we  really 
know  is  simply  that  Isurium  must  have  been  one  of  the  earlier  Roman  towns 
in  Britain,  since  it  is  mentioned  by  Ptolemy,  and  that  it  existed  at  the  time 
when  the  Antonine  Itinerary  was  compiled."  Mr.  Wright  adds  that  his 
object  Hot  mentioning  this  is  chiefly  to  warn  his  readers,  and  especially  the 
young  antiquary  "against  the  speculative  antiquarianism  which  thus  builds 
deoq>tive  edifices  without  foundations.'* 

Caius  Juhus  CsBsar,  a  favourite  Roman  General,  having  in  the  short  space 
of  three  years  conducted  his  victorious  legions  firom  the  foot  of  the  Alps  to 
the  mouth  of  the  Rhine,  descried  firom  the  coast  of  Morini  the  white  clifEs  of 
the  neighbouring  island;  and  ike  conqueror  of  Gaul  aspired  to  the  glory  of 
adding  Britain  to  the  dominions  of  Rome.  The  Britons,  by  lending  aid  to 
his  enemies,  the  Yeneti  of  Gaul,  supplied  him  with  a  decent  pretext  for 
hostilities ;  and  in  the  Utter  part  of  the  summer  of  the  65th  year  before  the 
Chiistaan  era,  (the  exact  day,  according  to  Halley,  the  astronomer,  was  the  26th 
of  August),  being  the  699th  year  after  the  foundation  of  the  Roman  empire. 


44  GENEKAL   HI8T0BY   OF  YOBKSHIRE. 

Ctesar  sailed  from  Witaand,  on  the  French  coast,  between  Calais  and  Bou- 
logne, with  the  infantry  of  two  legions,  (12,000  men  in  about  80  ships,)  and 
in  a  few  hours  he  cast  anchor  before  the  spot  now  occupied  bj  the  town  of 
Deal.    The  cavalrj  was  directed  to  follow  in  18  yessels,  which  were  stationed 
in  a  port  about  eight  miles  from  that  in  which  Csssar  embarked.    The  Roman 
fleet  left  the  coast  of  France  at  daybreak,  and  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  fore- 
noon it  arrived  on  the  coast  of  Britain,  here  formed  of  low  clififs,  which  were 
covered  with  British  warriors,  prepared  for  battle.    After  waiting  in  vain  for 
the  arrival  of  his  cavalry  until  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  Csssar  took  ad- 
vantage of  a  favourable  wind  and  tide,  and  running  up  about  seven  miles 
further,  brought  his  ships  upon  an  open  and  level  strand,  which  was  more 
favourable  for  the  landing  of  his  troops.    The  natives  appeared  in  multitudes 
to  oppose  their  landing,  and  the  Roman  troops  were  seized  with  alarm  at  the 
novel  and  formidable  appearance  of  the  British  warriors,  and,  imacquainted 
with  the  depth  of  the  water,  they  were  unwilling  to  leave  tlieir  ships.     At 
length,  after  much  hesitation,  the  standard  bearer  of  the  tenth  legion,  calling 
on  his  fellow  soldiers  to  follow,  jumped  into  the  sea.     It  was  some  time 
before  they  could  reach  firm  ground ;  for  the  depth  of  their  ships  had  obliged 
them  to  anchor  at  a  considerable  distance  from  the  shore,  and  they  had  to 
struggle  through  deep  water,  while  their  enemies  rode  into  the  water  with 
their  horses  and  attacked  them,  or  overwhelmed  them  with  missiles  from  the 
beach.    As  soon,  however,  as  the  soldiers  obtained  a  firm  footing,  they  gained 
the  beach  after  a  short  struggle,  and  the  untaught  valour  of  the  "  naked  bar- 
barians "  was  soon  made  to  jrield  to  the  superior  discipline  of  their  enemies. 
The  Britons  fled,  and  the  invaders  being  destitute  of  cavalry  were  unable  to 
pursue  them. 

Thus  did  the  Romans,  for  the  first  time,  place  their  feet  on  the  soil  of  Britain. 
Ccesar  had  been  four  days  in  Britain  before  his  cavalry  could  put  to  sea  from 
the  coast  of  Gaul,  and  then,  although  a  favourable  wind  brought  them  within 
sight  of  the  camp,  the  weather  became  so  stormy  that  they  were  driven  back 
to  the  port  they  had  left.  The  storm  increased  during  the  night,  and  Ceesar  s 
ships,  which  rode  at  anchor,  were  destroyed  or  much  damaged.  This  acci- 
dent caused  the  British  chiefs  to  form  a  new  conspiracy,  with  the  design  of 
attacking  the  Roman  camp.  A  general  assault  was  soon  made,  and  although 
it  proved  unsuccessful,  it  taught  Ccesar  to  reflect  on  the  evident  danger  of 
his  situation,  should  the  inclemency  of  the  winter  intemipt  his  communication 
with  Gaul.  He  therefore  gladly  accepted  an  illusory  promise  of  submission 
from  a  few  of  the  native  chiefs,  and  returned  with  his  army  to  Gaid,  after  a 
short  absence  of  three  weeks.     The  ensuing  winter  was  spent  by  each  party 


OKKE&AL   HI8T0BT   OF  Y0BK8HIRE.  45 

in  the  most  actiTe  pieparations ;  and  in  the  following  spring,  CsBsar,  with  an 
army  consisting  of  five  legions  and  d,000  cavalry  (30,000  men)  saQed  fipom 
the  coast  of  Gatil,  in  a  fleet  of  more  than  800  ships.  At  the  sight  of  this 
immense  armament,  the  Britons  retired  with  precipitation  into  the  woods ; 
and  the  invaders  landed  without  opposition  on  the  very  same  spot  which  they 
had  occupied  the  preceding  year. 

The  British  chiefs  having  composed  their  differences,  soon  united  against 
the  invaders ;  and  the  latter  were  exposed  to  constant  attacks,  in  the  course 
of  which  they  lost  a  considerable  number  of  men;  for  the  woods  which 
covered  or  skirted  the  country  through  which  CsBsar  marched,  gave  a  secure 
shelter  to  the  Britons,  and  they  were  thus  enabled  to  harass  the  Romans,  by 
sudden  and  unexpected  attacks.  At  length,  after  conquering  and  receiving 
the  submission  of  a  very  larffe  tract  of  country,  extendinj?  from  sea  to  sea  on 
the  southern  side  of  the  iZd;  C»s<^  ha^  agreed  upon  a  tribute  which 
the  Britons  were  to  pay  annually  to  the  Eoman  people,  returned  to  Gaul, 
carrying  with  him  the  hostages  which  he  had  taken  from  the  British  chiefs, 
as  pledges  for  the  fulfilment  of  a  treaty  into  which  th^  had  entered  with 
him*  CiB8ar*s  expedition  to  Britain  was  considered  one  of  the  most  re- 
markable events  of  the  time ;  and  the  victorious  commander  was  looked  upon 
as  one  who  had  carried  the  Homan  arms  into  "a  new  world. 

During  the  period  of  about  a  century,  from  the  time  of  Ceesar  to  that  of 
Claudius,  we  have  scarcely  any  information  relatlag  to  the  island  of  Britain. 
But  in  the  reign  of  the  latter  Emperor,  Britain  seems  to  have  been  disturbed 
with  civil  strife.  One  of  the  chiefs,  called  by  Dion  Cassius,  Bericus,  was 
compelled  to  fly  finom  the  island,  and  took  refuge  at  the  court  of  Claudius,  to 
whom  he  explained  the  state  of  Britain,  and  tJie  facility  with  which,  at  that 
momenty  it  might  be  conquered.  It  appears  too,  that  at  that  time,  the 
islanders  had  been  very  irregular  in  the  payment  of  their  tribute,  so  that 
ClaudiuB  was  thus  supplied  with  an  excuse  for  hostilities.  Accordingly,  in 
the  year  48,  that  Emperor  sent  over  an  army,  under  the  command  of  a 
senator  of  distinction,  named  Aulus  Plautius,  who  perfected  the  conquest  of 
a  great  part  of  Britain. 

The  first  mention  of  the  great  tribe  of  the  Brigantes  occurs  about  a.d.  60, 
aHer  Plautius  was  recalled  to  Rome,  and  when  Ostorius  Scapula  was  Governor 
or  Proprstor  of  Britain.  At  that  period  Caractacus,  the  brave  chief  of  the 
Silures  ^Welshmen),  was  defeated  in  battle  by  the  Romans,  and  he  fled  for 
protection  to  Cartismandua,  his  stepmother.  Queen  of  the  Brigantes.  But 
instead  of  assisting  or  protecting  that  great  warrior  against  the  common 
enemy,  this  unnatural  woman  delivered  him  up  to  the  Roman  power,  from 


46  OBNEBAL  HISTORY   OF  TOBKSHIAB. 

fear  of  drawing  a  victorious  army  into  her  countiy.  The  dignified  appearanoe 
of  Caractacus  and  his  feunily  at  the  court  of  Rome,  is  the  theme  of  eveiy 
Bchoolboj.  From  Tacitus  we  learn  some  particulars  of  the  abandoned  Queen 
Cartismandua.*  She  had  married  one  of  her  chiefs,  named  Venusius,  who 
quarried  with  her  because  she  would  not  surrender  to  him  the  supreme 
power  oyer  her  people.  She  then  not  only  deserted  her  husband,  but  con- 
signed her  person  to  the  embraces  of  her  menial  servant  Vellocatus.  Avitus 
Didius  Oallus  succeeded  Ostorius  as  Propnetor,  in  the  year  5d,  and  about 
the  time  of  his  arrival  in  Britain,  a  civil  war  broke  out  among  the  Brigantes. 
Many  of  the  tribe,  disgusted  with  the  conduct  of  their  Queen  with  r^aid  to 
Caractacus,  placed  themselves  under  the  leadership  of  Venusius,  and  cried 
out  against  the  indignity  of  being  ruled  by  a  woman.  Cartismandua's  party 
appear  to  have  been  the  strongest,  and  Venusius  was  driven  from  among  the 
Brigantes.  He  now  placed  himself  at  the  head  of  the  party  that  was  in 
arms  against  the  invaders,  and  for  some  short  time  was  pretty  successful. 
In  the  meantime,  Cartismandua  captured  and  put  to  death  a  brother  and 
other  relatives  of  her  husband ;  and  he,  in  revenge,  collected  his  allies,  and 
being  joined  by  a  party  of  the  Brigantes,  proceeded  to  make  war  on  the 
Queen,  his  wife ;  she  now  claimed  the  protection  of  the  Romans,  who  imme- 
diately sent  an  army  to  assist  her,  and  in  a  well-contested  battle  the  enemies 
of  the  Queen  were  defeated.  In  a.d.  60  there  was  a  general  revolt  of  the 
Britons,  under  Boadicea,  Queen  of  the  Iceni,  joined  by  Venusius  with  his 
Brigantian  forces.  This  valiant  princess  led  the  British  armies  in  person 
against  the  legions  of  Rome;  and,  in  a  dreadfol  fight  at  Battle  Bridge, 
80,000  Britons  are  said  to  have  been  left  dead  on  the  field.  The  reader  of 
English  history  is  aware  that  this  noble  lady  died  by  her  own  hands  to  save 
herself  from  infiamy  or  bonds.  In  the  following  year  the  combined  army  was 
routed  by  Suetonius  Paulinus ;  and  in  the  same  year  the  Brigantes  revolted 
against  the  authority  of  Cartismandua,  who,  after  some  severe  conflicts,  was 
only  rescued  with  great  difficulty  by  a  body  cf  Roman  troops. 

In  the  year  70  Venusius  was  sole  monarch  of  the  Brigantes;  but  after 
several  hard-fought  battles,  in  which  the  Romans  were  finequently  defeated,  a 
great  part  of  the  Brigantian  territory  was  subdued  by  Petilius  Cerealis,  in 
the  reign  of  the  Emperor  Vespasian. 

British  Remains. — There  is  hardly  a  comer  of  England  in  which  the 
spade  or  the  plough  does  not  from  time  to  time  turn  up  relics  of  its 'earlier 
inhabitants ;  but  the  British  antiquities  consist  chiefly  in  the  places  of  sepul- 

Tadt.  Hist,  lib  ill,  c.  46. 


OENEBAL  HIBTOBT  OF  TOBKSHIBB.  47 

dure  of  that  people — the  barrows,  cromlechs,  stone  circles,  together  with  the 
instrameiita  of  stone  and  bronze,  which  are  sometimes  discovered  in  the 
sepulchral  chambers,  and  frequentLj  found  in  ploughed  fields  in  most  parts 
of  the  country. 

From  the  remotest  ages  it  was  customaiy  to  mark  to  future  generations 
the  kst  lesdng  place  of  the  honoured  dead,  bj  raising  mounds,  more  or  less 
eleYEted,  according  to  circumstances  connected  with  the  locality,  or  according 
to  the  power  or  influence  of  the  deceased.  To  these  sepulchral  mounds  our 
Anglo-Saxon  forefathers  gave  the  names  of  low,  (hlcnoj,  and  barrow,  (heorhy 
hearw);  of  which  the  former  is  chiefly  preserved  in  names  of  places,  such  as 
Bartlow,  Houndslow,  Lowesby,  &c, ;  while  the  latter  has  been  generally  used 
as  the  technical  term  for  aU  ancient  sepulchral  mounds:  both  are  equivalent 
to  the  Latin  tumuku.  The  British  barrows  are  generally  large  mounds  of 
earth  covering  a  rude  chamber  of  rough  stones,  often  of  colossal  dimensions. 
Groups  of  large  stones  arranged  in  this  manner  have  been  found  scattered 
over  vaikms  parts  of  the  British  Islands,  as  well  as  in  other  countries.  Our 
antiquaries  have  applied  to  them  the  name  of  cromLecha^  and  have  in  many 
cases  called  them  Druid's  altars;  but  recent  researches  have  left  no  room  for 
doubt  that  they  are  all  sepulchral  chambers  denuded  of  their  mounds.  The 
word  crcmleeh  is  said  to  be  Celtic,  and  to  have  a  meaning  not  differing  much 
from  that  of  the  name  dolmen,  givrai  to  them  in  France,  which  signifies  a 
stone  table ;  and  the  peasantry  of  that  country  often  call  them  Fairies*  Tables, 
and  Devils*  Tables.  Some  of  our  Geltio  antiquaries  not  satisfied  with  the 
name  of  Cromlech,  had  named  them  Kist^vaens,  or,  as  they  interpret  it, 
stone  e^este.  The  cromlech,  in  its  simplest  form,  consists  of  four  large 
stones,  three  of  which  raised  on  their  ends  form  the  sides  of  a  square,  while 
the  fourth  serves  as  the  covering,  so  that  the  chamber  thus  formed  is  usually 
closed  in  only  on  three  sides.  In  some  instances,  as  they  now  stand,  the 
back  stcme  has  been  carried  away,  and  the  cromlech  consists  only  of  three 
stones,  two  standing  like  the  portals  of  a  door,  to  support  the  transverse  cap- 
atone  or  lintel;  in  others,  where  the  cromlech  has  fallen,  only  two  stones  are 
left,  one  upright,  and  the  other  leaningupon  it  with  one  edge  on  the  ground ; 
and,  in  many  instances,  all  that  remains  of  the  original  cromlech  is  a  single 
stone  standing  upright  or  lying  flat  We  owe  these  forms  doubtless  to  the 
dilapidations  of  time,  and  several  examples  are  known  of  the  destmction  of 
whole  eromlechs  to  break  up  the  stones  for  roads  or  other  purposes. 

But  the  cvomleoh,  or  British  sepulchral  chamber,  was  sometimes  made 
more  complicated  in  its  structure  than  that  just  described.  In  some  instances 
it  presents  the  form  of  a  ponderous  ciqp-stone,  supported  at  its  oomers  by  four 


48  GENERAL  HISTORT   OF  YORKSHIRE. 

Stones,  aiid  leaving  the  sides  of  the  chamber  more  or  less  open.  In  other 
instances  the  chamber  is  made  more  complete)  its  sides  being  formed  bj  a 
number  of  stones  joined  side  by  side  iwdth  one  or  more  very  large  cap-stones 
above.  Sometimes  more  than  one  cromlech  is  found  under  the  same  mound ; 
and  in  other  cases  these  Celtic  sepulchres  contain  galleries  or  a  series  of 
chambers  under  large  moimds.  Vast  works  of  this  kind  are  found  in  Brittany 
as  well  as  in  Ireland.  The  celebrated  Celtic  monument  in  New  Grange,  in 
the  county  of  Meath,  contains  a  chamber  20  feet  high,  by  30  feet  in  circum* 
ference,  and  is  approached  by  a  narrow  passage  from  the  side  of  the  mound, 
the  entrance  to  which  was  closed  by  a  long  slab  of  stone.  The  monument 
at  Ashbury,  in  Berkshire,  to  which  the  Saxons  attached  the  name  of  WelandM 
Smiththan  (Weknd's  Smithy — Weland  was  the  Saxon  Vulcan),  a  name  which 
has  been  corrupted  to  that  of  Wayland  Smith's  Cave,  appears  to  have  been 
originally  a  gallery,  with  chambers  of  this  description. 

In  the  year  1816  a  very  curious  monument  of  the  same  kind,  at  Stoney 
Littleton,  near  Wellow,  in  Somersetshire,  was  opened,  and  an  account  of  it 
published  in  the  19th  vol.  of  the  Archselogia.  The  barrow,  which  was  com- 
posed of  stones  instead  of  earth,  was  of  a  very  irregular  form,  measuring  in 
length  107  feet,  its  extreme  breadth  being  54  feet,  and  its  height  13  feet  in 
its  most  elevated  part.  When  opened  it  was  found  to  contain  a  long  galleiy, 
with  chambers  on  each  side.  The  reason  of  the  use  of  stones  instead  of 
earth,  in  the  formation  of  the  mounds  or  barrows,  may  be  generally  traced  to 
to  the  natural  character  of  the  locality,  as  such  barrows  are  found  most 
frequently  on  spots  where  stone  was  much  more  easily  obtained  than  earth. 
In  Scotland,  where  barrows  formed  of  stone  are  numerous,  they  are  callecl 
cairns.  The  Welsh  call  them  camydd;  and  in  France  the  sepulchral  mounds 
of  stone  are  called  galgah.  The  cap-stones  of  some  of  the  cromlechs  in 
England  are  of  immense  size;  that  of  the  cromlech  in  the  parish  of  Morvan, 
in  Cornwall,  called  Chto-Quoit,  is  calculated  to  weigh  about  20  tons;  the 
covering  stone  of  one  at  Lanyon,  in  the  parish  of  Madron,  in  the  same  county, 
weighs  about  15  tons;  and  that  of  the  very  remarkable  cromlech  on  the  hill 
between  Maidstone  and  Kochester,  in  Kent,  known  by  the  name  of  Eits-Coty 
House,  has  been  estimated  at  10^  tons.  Others  are  much  smaller.  The 
base  of  the  larger  sepulchral  mounds,  and  very  often  of  the  smaller  ones,  was 
usually  defined  either  by  a  shallow  foss,  or  by  a  circle  of  stones,  and  some- 
times the  two  were  combined.  In  some  instances,  especially  in  CornwaU, 
instead  of  the  circle  of  stones  the  base  of  the  barrow  was  supported  by  a  sort 
of  low  wall.  The  circles  of  stones  are  frequently  foimd  with  the  cromlechs 
in  various  parts  of  England;  and  they  are  also  often  found  without  any 


GENERAX  HISTOBT  OF  T0BK8HISE.  49 

cromlech  in  the  centre.  There  are  several  good  examples  of  the  latter  in 
Cornwall,  which  measure  from  60  to  80  feet  in  diameter ;  and  there  are 
remains  of  these  sepulchral  circles  on  the  summit  of  the  lofty  Pen-maen- 
mawr,  in  North  Wales ;  at  Little  Salkeld»  in  Cumberland ;  at  RoUrich,  near 
Banbury ;  and  in  several  other  parts  of  England.  The  circle  at  Salkdd, 
called  in  that  locality,  Long  Meg  and  her  Dattghtera,  consists  of  67  unJieum 
upright  stones,  forming  a  circle  of  350  feet  in  diameter ;  some  of  the  stones 
are  10  feet  high,  and  15  feet  in  circumference ;  and  one,  which  stands  about 
twelve  yards  from  the  others,  is  15  feet  in  circumference,  18  feet  high,  and 
weighs  16^  tons,  is  called  "  Long  M^,"  and  the  others  "  her  daughters." 
Near  the  principal  stone,  four  others  form  a  square,  which  is  doubtless 
part  of  the  ancient  cromlech.  This,  like  all  these  sepulchral  cirdes,  is 
situated  on  elevated  ground ;  and  indeed,  in  a  great  number  of  cases,  the 
British  cromlechs,  like  the  barrows  of  other  periods,  are  placed  on  lofty  hills, 
commanding  extensive  views  of  the  sea,  if  on  the  coast ;  or,  when  inland,  of 
the  surrounding  countxy.  It  seems  always  to  have  been  the  desire  of  the 
British  chieftains  to  be  buried  in  such  commanding  positions ;  and  our  as- 
tonishment is  heightened  on  viewing  the  stones  of  many  of  the  cromlechs 
and  circles,  by  the  consideration  that  there  are  no  quarries  in  their  immediate 
neighbourhood,  from  which  the  stones  could  have  been  obtained.  A  fine 
cromlech,  with  a  circular  base  of  stonework,  at  Molfra,  in  Cornwall,  is  situated 
on  a  bare  hill,  which  commands  a  wide  range  of  view  over  Mount's  Bay. 
The  above-mentioned  circle  on  the  top  of  Pen-maen-mawr,  is  another  extra- 
ordinary instance  of  this  kind ;  and  a  third  is  situated  on  a  lofty  hill  com- 
manding a  view  of  the  Scilly  Isles.  But  the  Britons  must  have  possessed  a 
mechanical  art  of  which  we  are  ignorant,  by  which  these  stones  could*  be 
removed. 

Dr.  Stukely  asserts  that  all  the  great  stones  forming  Stonehenge,  on 
Salisbuiy  Plain,  were  brought  from  Marlborough  Downs,  a  distance  of  15 
miles,  and  that  one  of  them  weighed  40  tons,  and  would  require  140  oxen  to 
draw  it  The  BoUrich  Stones  are  perhaps  the  most  interesting  remains  of 
the  ancient  Britons,  in  the  central  district  of  the  kingdom :  they  form  a 
circle,  the  diameter  of  which  is  107  feet.  Within  the  circle  are  the  remains 
of  the  cromlech  now  called  the  Five  Whiepering  KnighU,  in  consequence  of 
their  leaning  position  towards  each  other;  and  which  cromlech,  Stukely 
believed  to  have  formed  a  Kistawm.  The  tallest  of  the  five  large  Knights 
is  now  very  nearly  11  feet  in  height  A  stone  circle,  called  Arbor-low,  in 
the  peak  of  Derby,  is  nearly  150  feet  in  diameter,  and  is  surrounded  by  a 
deep  intrenchment    Sometimes  the  stones  forming  the  sepulchral  circle 


60  GBNBBAL  HISTORY  OF  TORKSHIfiS. 

are  nearly  equal  in  size,  while  in  other  cases  they  are  very  irregular. 
It  does  not  necessarily  follow  that  the  mounds  raised  in  aU  these  circles 
contained  each  a  cromlech — ^the  interments,  may,  in  some  cases,  have  heen 
made  without  a  chamher,  as  it  has  been  found  to  be  the  case  in  some  large 
barrows. 

Antiquarians  observed  these  circles  before  they  noticed  how  often  they  ac- 
companied cromlechs,  or  were  aware  that  cromlechs  are  sepulchral  monu- 
ments ;  and  they  generally  gave  them  the  name  of  Druids'  Circles,  imagining 
that  they  were  the  temples,  or  courts  of  justice,  or  places  of  assembly  of  that 
order;  but  it  is  now  quite  certain  that  the  ms^ority  of  them  were  originally 
made  to  support  or  inclose  sepulchral  mounds.  The  cromlechs,  too,  which 
it  is  now  certain  were  sepulchral  chambers,  were  untLL  lately  supposed  to  be 
Druidical  altars.  In  7e  greater  number  of  instoces.  the  euperincumbent 
mound  or  barrow  has  been  removed,  chiefly  for  the  sake  of  the  earth,  or 
soil;  but  sometimes,  perhaps,  in  the  belief,  prevalent  during  the  middle  ages, 
that  treasure  was  contained  under  it,  and  the  massive  chamber  of  rough 
stones  alone  has  been  left  standing.  Hence  the  number  of  cromlechs  without 
mounds. 

With  our  scanty  knowledge  of  the  sulject,  it  would  be  rash  to  assert  that 
the  whole  of  the  stone  circles  still  remaining  on  our  own  soil,  have  been 
erected  around  sepulchral  mounds.  The  greater  number  of  these  cireles  are 
not  larger  than  the  basis  of  ordinary  large  barrows,  and  there  are  sepulchral 
mounds  known,  whose  basis  are  equal  to  the  largest ;  yet  some  few  of  the 
cireles  may  have  been  erected  for  other  purposes.  The  gigantic  monuments 
of  Stonehenge  and  Abury,  or  Avebury,  are  amongst  those  to  which  it  would 
be  difficult  to  assign  a  cause  for  their  erection.  Stonehenge,  an  Anglo-Saxon 
term,  meaning  the  hanging  stones,  is  the  most  remarkable  monument  of 
antiquity  in  our  island.  It,  "  the  great  wonder  of  Salisbury  Plain,"  con- 
sisted originally  of  an  outer  cirele  of  80  upright  stones,  14  feet  high  above 
the  ground,  and  7  feet  broad  by  S  feet  in  thickness,  sustaining  as  many 
others,  placed  horizontally,  so  as  to  form  a  continuous  impost. 

This  differs  from  other  Celtic  stone  monuments,  inasmuch  as  the  stones 
have  been  hewn  and  squared  with  tools,  and  each  of  the  upright  stones 
had  two  tenons  or  projections  on  the  top,  which  fitted  into  mortices  or  hollows 
in  the  superincumbent  slabs.  Within  this  circle,  which  was  about  100  feet 
in  diameter,  was  another  circle,  83  feet  in  diameter.  This  again  enclosed  two 
elliptical  arrangements  of  large  and  small  stones.  This  structure  of  stones 
occupies  the  centre  of  an  area,  inclosed  by  a  cireular  entrenchment,  consisting 
of  a  ditch  and  bank,  300  feet  in  diameter;  and  it  was  approached  by  a  wide 


GENERAL  HI9T0BT   OF  TOBKSHIBE.  61 

entrenched  ayenue  from  the  north-east,  which,  at  the- distance  of  a  few  hun- 
dred leet,  hranched  off  in  two  ways,  running  north  and  east  Stonehenge, — 
the  Chorea  Gigantum — Choir  of  Giants,  is  a  mysterious  monument,  con- 
cerning which  no  one  knows  who  built  it,  or  how,  or  why  it  was  built;  and 
the  tradition  that  Merlin,  the  magician,  brought  the  stones  from  Ireland,  is 
felt  to  be  a  poetical  homage  to  the  greatness  of  the  work.    The  ground  around 

« 

Stonehenge  is  coyered  with  barrows,  and  was  eyidently  the  cemetery  of  a  yery 
eztenaye  tribe. 

At  the  yiUage  of  Ayebury,  about  SO  miles  distant  from  Stonehenge,  is  a 
series  of  remarkable  circles,  which  consisted  originally  of  an  area  of  about 
1,400  feet  in  diameter,  inclosed  by  a  deep  ditch  and  bank.  The  space  inclosed 
by  the  earthen  embankment  contains  a  yillage,  with.yarious  fields  and 
buildings,  oyer  which  the  stones  that  remain  are  scattered  in  apparent  con- 
fuaion.  At  no  great  distance  from  the  outer  circle  is  a  fine  cromlech  with  its 
attendant  circle  of  stones. 

In  the  British  barrows  the  body  is  sometimes  found  to  haye  been  buried 
entire,  while  in  many  cases  it  had  been  burnt,  and  the  ashes  deposited  in 
rode  urns.  When  the  body  was  interred  without  cremation  or  burning,  it 
WBs  sometimes  stretched  at  full  length,  and  at  others  doubled  up  and  laid  on 
one  side,  or  sometimes  placed  in  a  sitting  position.  The  urns,  containing  the 
burnt  bones,  are  sometimes  found  in  their  natural  position,  and  sometimes 
inyerted,  with  the  mouth  downwards.  When  upwards,  the  urn  is  often 
coyered  with  a  flat  stone.  The  different  modes  of  burial  seems  to  haye  been 
fashions  adopted  by  different  fiimilies,  or  by  subdiyisions  of  tribes  or  septs ; 
though  all  the  different  modes  of  interment  are  often  found  in  the  same 
harrow,  for  some  of  the  barrows  seem  to  haye  been  feunily  grayes,  and  it  is 
raze  to  find  only  one  interment,  while  the  large  barrows  contain  usually  a 
oonsiderable  number  of  urns  and  bodies.  Throughout  these  early  barrows 
there  appears  much  irregularity,  and  eyidently  a  good  deal  of  caprice  in  the 
mode  of  buriaL 

Most  of  the  cromlechs,  stone  circles,  and  large  stones,  in  yarious  parts  of 
this  and  other  countries,  and  which,  as  we  haye  said  haye  been  classed  erro- 
neously among  Druidic  remains,  haye  attached  to  them  many  popular  names 
and  legends;  for  when  thahr  meaning,  or  the  object  for  which  they  were 
erected,  were  alike  forgotten,  the  monuments  continued  to  be  regarded  by 
the  peasantry  with  reyerence,  which,  combined  with  a  certain  degree  of 
mysterious  fear,  degenerated  into  a  sort  of  superstitious  worship. 

As  we  haye  seen  the  peasantry  of  France  denominate  the  simple  cromlechs 
.  furies*  tables  and  devils*  tables,  and  the  more  complicated  cromlechs  are 


63  OKNEIUL   HI8T0BT  OF  YORKSHIRE. 

similarly  named  fiuries'  grottoes,  or  fairy  rocks.  The  single  stones  are  some- 
times called  fairies*  or  devils'  seats.  The  people  of  Brittany  declare  that  the 
multitade  of  stones  arranged  upright  in  lines  at  Camac,  was  an  army  of 
pagans  changed  into  stones  hy  St.  ComiUy.  It  is  the  popular  belief  in  Anjou, 
that  the  fairies,  as  they  descended  the  mountains,  spinning  by  the  way, 
brought  down  the  great  stones  in  their  aprons,  and  placed  them  as  they  are 
now  found.  We  have  also  seen  that  the  Saxons  believed  that  a  cromlech  in 
Berkshire  was  the  workshop  of  their  mythic  smith,  Weland.  A  sepulchral 
circle  in  Cornwall  is  called  Dance  Maine,  or  the  Dance  of  Stones,  and  is  said 
to  be  the  representation  of  a  party  of  young  damsds,  who  were  turned  into 
stones  because  they  danced  on  the  Sunday.  A  cromlech  on  Marlborough 
Downs  is  called  the  Devil's  Den;  and  the  three  gigantic  stones  near  Borough- 
bridge  are  called  the  Devil's  Arrows.  According  to  legend,  a  party  of  soldiers 
who  came  to  destroy  Long  Clapton  were  changed  into  the  Bollrich  Stones, 
in  Oxfordshire.  These,  and  similar  legends,  are  found  in  every  part  of  our 
island,  and  they  are  generally  good  evidence  of  the  great  antiquity  of  the 
monuments  to  which  they  relate. 

It  does  not  appear  to  have  been  the  custom  with  the  Britons  to  inter  with 
their  dead  many  articles  of  value.  By  much  the  greater  number  of  barrows 
are  found  to  contain  nothing  but  urns  and  burnt  bones.  In  some  cases  a  few 
instruments  of  stone  or  bronze  are  found ;  and  in  much  rarer  instances  beads 
and  firagments  of  other  personal  ornaments  oociur.  Traces  of  a  metal  covering 
for  the  breast,  very  thin,  and  therefore  more  for  ornament  than  protection, 
have  also  been  found  with  skeletons  appeurently  of  this  early  date.  The  most 
remarkable  discovery  of  this  kind  was  made  in  the  month  of  October,  1833, 
at  Mold,  in  Flintshire.  A  barrow,  which  was  called  by  the  Welsh  peasantry, 
bryn^^Uy-Uon,  or  the  hill  of  fairies  or  goblins,  and  which  was  believed  to  be 
haunted,  was  cleared  away  for  agricultural  purposes.  It  was  found  to  contain 
interments  of  urns,  &o,,  and  in  another  part  of  the  mound  was  discovered  a 
skeleton,  round  the  breast  of  which  was  a  corset  of  thin  gold.  This  inter- 
esting relic  is  now  in  the  British  Museum.  There  is  a  curious  circumstance 
connected  with  this  barrow:  before  it  was  opened,  a  woman  of  the  neighbour- 
hood declared,  that  as  she  was  going  home  late  one  night,  and  had  to  pass  by 
it,  she  saw  over  the  barrow  a  spectre  '^clothed  in  a  coat  of  gold,  which  shone 
like  the  sun." 

The  implements  made  of  stone,  which  are  found  in  the  barrows,  are  usually 
heads  of  axes  or  hammers,  chisels,  and  arrow  heads ;  and  these,  as  well  as 
stone  knives,  saws,  ^c^,  are  also  found  abxmdantly  in  all  parts  of  the  British 
Islands,  and  indeed  all  over  the  world.    The  British  urns  an  m  general. 


OENEBAL  HISTORY   OF  TORKSHIRB.  58 

llioagli  not  always  Tery  rudely  made — ^not  baked,  but  merely  dried  in  the 
smi,  and  haying  none  of  the  elegance  of  the  Koman  urns. 

There  are  many  ancient  barrows  in  Yarious  parts  of  Yorkshire,  especially 
in  the  south-eastern  part  of  the  county,  or  the  wold  district;  several  of  which 
liare  been  opened,  and  found  to  contain  urns,  burnt  bones,  skeletons,  stone 
and  bronze  implements,  Sec.;  and  numax>us  relics  of  our  Britidi  ancestors 
hacve  been,  tamed  up  by  the  plough  and  spade  in  Tarious  parts  of  the  county. 

There  are  several  collections  of  British  coins  in  the  hands  of  private  indi- 
vidnflls,  as  wdl  as  in  the  museums,  but  our  knowledge  of  them  is  as  yet  in 
its  in&ncy;  and  comparatively  little  has  been  done  towards  classifying  them 
in  a  satisfiEMstory  manner. 

Of  the  domestic  buildings  of  the  early  Britons  there  are  no  remains,  nor 
axe  there  any  relics  of  those  terrible  war-chariots  which  Cessar  describes  as 
striking  tenor  into  his  legions ;  but  a  few  British  canoes  (one  of  which  is  in 
the  museum  at  York),  a  few  circular  shields,  some  spears,  daggers,  multi- 
tudes of  axe  heads,  arrow  heads,  Ssc. ;  some  coarse  potteiy,  together  with  the 
sepolchml  mounds,  circles,  and  cromlechs,  elready  noticed;  and  the  mighty 
earlliworks,  which  they  erected  for  the  defence  of  the  country,  are  the  only 
memorials  we  have  of  the  original  inhabitants  of  our  island.  And  in 
speaking  of  those  earthen  ramparts,  it  is  difficult  to  define  the  precise  share 
of  the  ancient  Britons  in  their  construction,  as  compared  with  the  labours 
of  the  Bucoessive  occupants  of  the  country;  for  the  Romans,  being  too  wise 
a  people  to  be  destroyers,  naturally  improved  the  old  defences  of  the  island, 
and  adapted  them  to  their  own  notions  of  military  science ;  and  the  same 
remaik  will  apply  to  the  Danish  and  Saxon  invaders.* 

Julius  Agricola  effected  by  policy  what  the  Boman  legions  were  unable  to 
accomplish  by  coercion,  namely,  the  entire  subjugation  of  the  Brigantes. 
His  admirable  prudence  led  him  to  introduce  amongst  the  natives  of 
Britain,  the  arts  and  manners  of  his  own  nation,  and  by  instilluig  into 
their  minds  a  taste  for  the  elegancies  and  luxuries  of  civilized  life,  he  accom- 
plished more  in  a  few  years  than  his  predecessors  had  done  by  arms  for 
upwards  of  a  century.  The  Britons  were  charmed  with  the  mildness  and 
justice  of  his  government,  and  publicly  pronounced  him  their  benefactor. 

•  For  a  ftiller  aeeotmt  of  the  Aborigines  of  Britain,  see  a  recent  work,  called  "  Tb& 
Celt,  the  BoBMn,  and  the  Saxon,"  by  Thomas  Wright,  Esq.,  M JL,  FJ3JL,  ise. 


54  aSKERAL   HI8T0BY   OF  TOBKSHIRE. 

He  received  the  submisBion  of  the  whole  of  the  Brigantes  in  the  year  79 ; 
and  from  that  period  the  Romans  fixed  their  principal  station  at  Eboracum 
(York),  and  it  became  the  capital  of  the  fourth  Roman  proyince  called  Max- 
ima CoMfrienM, 

Before  the  close  of  the  first  century,  the  ancient  British  habits  began  to 
be  disesteemed  by  the  chiefs,  and  regarded  as  a  badge  of  barbarism.  Tacitus, 
describing  the  change  which  the  manners  of  the  Britons  underwent,  says, 
"  They,  who  a  little  while  before  disdained  the  language,  now  affected  the 
eloquence  of  Rome ;  this  produced  an  esteem  for  our  dress,  and  the  Toga  came 
into  general.use,  by  degrees  they  adopted  our  vicious  indulgences,  porticoes, 
baths,  and  splendid  tables;  this  among  these  uninformed  people  was  called 
cultiyation,  whereas,  in  fieu^t,  it  was  only  an  appendage  to  slavery." 

That  politic  commander  (Julius  Agricola),  after  he  had  reduced  the  north 
of  England,  and  what  is  now  termed  the  lowlands  of  Scotland,  in  order  to 
secure  his  conquests,  and  to  keep  the  latter  district  in  subjection,  erected 
a  line  of  forts  across  what  has  been  termed  the  upper  isthmus,  from  the  Forth 
to  the  Clyde ;  and  in  the  reign  of  Antoninus,  LoUius  Urbicus  raised  on  the 
same  site  a  new  chain  of  fortresses,  and  joined  them  together  by  an  immense 
continuous  rampart  of  earth  and  turf,  which,  from  the  name  of  the  Emperor 
under  which  it  was  built,  is  usually  called  the  Wall  of  Antoninus.  It  is  now 
called  popularly  Graham's  Dike,  and  along  its  course  are  frequently  found 
inscribed  tablets  commemorating  the  portion  built  by  the  different  troops  and 
cohorts  of  the  Roman  army.  Some  writers  assert  that  Agricola,  in  a«d.  84, 
also  extended  ftora  Solway  Frith  to  Tynemouth  a  chain  of  stations,  which  in 
A.D.  124,  were  connected  by  a  deep  ditch,  an  earthen  rampart,  and  a  great 
wall  raised  by  the  £mperor  Hadrian,  or  Adrian,  as  an  obstruction  to  the 
sallies  of  the  Caledonians,  who  obstinately  refusing  to  yield  to  the  imperial 
eagle,  frequently  descended  in  rage  from  their  mountains,  notwithstanding 
the  barrier  raised  by  Agricola,  and  penetrating  into  the  Roman  territory, 
committed  dreadful  ravages. 

After  the  departure  of  Agricola,  in  a.d.  85,  this  unbending  people  overrun 
a  great  part  of  the  countiy  to  the  north  of  the  Humber ;  and  being  joined  by 
numbers  of  the  discontented  Britons,  who  were  anxious  to  throw  off  their 
subjection  to  a  foreign  yoke,  carried  on  a  predatory  war  against  the  Romans. 
To  quell  the  revolt,  Julius  Severus  was  appointed  Governor  of  Britain,  but 
was  shortly  afterwards  recalled,  and  Prisons  Licinius  was  sent  to  succeed 
him.  But  the  Caledonians  continuing  their  incursions,  the  Emperor  Hadrian 
himself  arrived  in  Britain,  in  A.n.  120,  to  oppose  them  in  person,  and  fixed 
his  residence  at  Eboracum.    He  brought  wiUi  him  the  Sixth  Roman  Legion, 


G£K£1EIAL  mSTOBY'OF  TOBKSHIBE.  66 

styled  Legio  Sexta  Victrixy*  which  consisted  of  ahout  6,000  foot  and  600 
horse ;  hut  on  his  approach  the  invaders  retreated.  From  what  he  had  seen, 
Hadrian  was  convinced  that  the  chain  of  forts  erected  hy  Agricola,  was  not 
soMcient  to  resist  the  assaults  of  these  active  and  persevering  harharians ; 
and  be  determined  to  confine  their  incursions  hy  raising  that  formidahle 
barrier  across  the  island,  fi'om  the  Solway  to  the  Tyne,  of  which  we  still 
trace  tiie  stupendous  remains.  A  massive  wall,  nearly  70  nulesf  in  length, 
extending  over  plain  and  mountain,  from  Bowness,  on  the  Solway  Frith,  to 
the  now  celehrated  locality  of  Walls-End,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Tyne,  ac- 
companied on  its  southern  side  hy  an  earthen  vallum  and  a  deep  ditch. 
This  celehrated  wall  was  a  massive  work  of  masonry,  varying  from  6  to  nearly 
10  feet  in  thickness,  and  from  18  to  19  feet  high.  On  the  north  side  it  was 
accompanied  hy  a  foss  86  feet  wide,  and  16  feet  deep.  To  the  south  was 
another  lesser  foss,  with  a  triple  entrenchment  of  earth  and  stones.  The 
wall  was  fortified  with  a  formidable  series  of  23  stationary  towns,  with  inter- 
mediate nule  castles  and  watch  towers.  These  towns  or  stations  were  a  short 
distance  apart  along  the  line  of  the  wall,  and  each  consisted  of  a  citadel, 
strongly  waUed,  with  streets  and  hahitations  within,  and  often  extensive 
saburbs  without.  The  smaller  fortresses,  as  we  have  just  observed,  stood 
between  these  towns,  at  the  distance  of  one  Koman  mile  from  each  other; 
and  between  each  of  these  again  were  four  small  subsidiary  buildii^gs,  which 
ior  distinction  have  been  termed  watch  towers.  And  for  its  defence  were 
assigned  4  squadrons  and  14  cohorts,  composing  an  army  of  10,000  men. 
The  remains  of  this  great  rampart  at  the  present  day  rises  in  some  parts  six 
feet  above  the  sva&ce. 

Until  lately  it  was  the  custom  of  historians  to  consider  the  wall  only  as 
the  structure  raised  by  Hadrian,  while  the  earthen  vallum  or  rampart  was 
ascribed  to  Severus ;  but  the  Rev.  J.  Collingwood  Bruce,  of  Newcastle-upon 
Tjme,  clearly  proves,  in  his  interesting  volume  on  "The  Roman  Wall," 
recently  published,  that  both  are  parts  of  one  work,  erected  by  the  former 
Emperor.  This  immense  erection  seems  to  have  been  part  of  a  system  of 
circumvallation  adopted  by  the  Emperor  Hadrian,  for  it  appears  that  remains 
of  similar  walls  are  found  on  the  distant  frontiers  in  Germany.  Having 
thus  made  provision  for  ^e  future  security  of  the  province,  and  having  also 

•  The  title  Vietrix,  or  Conquering,  was  bestowed  on  those  legions  distinguished  for 
some  fiaat  of  extraordinary  bravery.  The  first  officer  of  the  legion  was  called  LegoHa 
Legionii,  and  he  acted  under  the  superior  order  of  the  Greneral  of  the  army  of  which  his 
legion  formed  a  part,  or  the  Qovemor  of  the  province  where  it  happened  to  be  stationed. 

f  The  word  Mile  is  derived  from  MiUiaare,  a  thousand  paces. 


56  OENESAL  HISTORY   OF  Y0BK8HIBE. 

restored  order,  and  diiven  back  the  Caledomans  into  their  fastnesses,  Hadrian 
returned  to  Borne,  leaving  the  Sixth  Legion  at  York,  where  its  head  quarters 
continued  for  800  years. 

The  expedition  of  Hadrian  to  Britain,  which  was  commemorated  by  several 
coins  in  large  and  middle  brass,  seems  to  have  been  followed  by  a  period  of 
profound  tranquillity.  In  a.p.  138,  Hadrian  was  succeeded  by  the  Emperor 
Antoninus  Pius,  whose  Propraetor  in  Britain  was  Lollius  Urbicus,  a  man  of 
energy  and  talent,  which  he  was  soon  called  to  exercise  in  suppressing  a  new 
irruption  of  the  northern  tribes. 

The  Caledonians  appeared  in  a  state  of  insurrection  on  the  south  of 
Hadrian's  wall,  aided  by  a  remnant  of  the  Brigantes,  who  seem  to  have  pre- 
served a  precarious  independence,  perhaps  in  the  rugged  country  extending 
from  the  wilds  of  Lancashire  over  the  lake  district,  and  who  had  frequently 
made  predatory  outbreaks.  The  latter  were  quickly  overwhelmed,  and  the 
greater  part  of  the  tribe  destroyed.  The  northern  insurgents  were  driven 
into  their  mountains,  and  Lollius  Urbicus  caused  the  new  barrier  to  be  raised 
for  their  restraint,  which  we  already  noticed  under  the  name  of  the  wall,  of 
Antoninus.  The  energetic  measures  of  Urbicus  restored  tranquillity  for  a 
time. 

The  Romans  had  now  begun  to  treat  the  natives  with  more  respect,  and 
to  consider  them  as  component  parts  of  the  empire ;  the  Britons  were  allowed 
to  become  participators  of  the  laws,  privileges,  and  immunities  of  the  Romans; 
they  became  eligible  to  every  situation  and  office  for  which  they  were  qualified, 
and  they  no  longer  endured  a  disgraceful  exclusion  from  intermarrying  with 
their  conquerors.  By  this  wise  act  the  Romans  gained  some  of  her  best 
commanders  and  Emperors.  In  the  reign  of  Gommodus,  about  the  year  183, 
the  Caledonians  again  took  up  arms,  routed  the  Roman  army,  and  ravaged 
the  country  as  far  as  York.  To  repel  these  invaders,  the  Emperor  immedi- 
ately sent  over  as  Proprsetor,  Ulpius  Marcellus,  a  soldier  of  approved  valour, 
with  a  great  body  of  troops,  who  quickly  restored  peace.  But  it  was  of  short 
duration,  owing  to  the  revolts  of  the  natives,  the  incursions  of  the  Caledo- 
nians, and  the  insuboiiflination  of  the  Roman  army.  In  the  reign  of  Severus, 
Virius  Lupus,  then  ProprsBtor  in  Britain,  wrote  to  that  Emperor  "  informing 
him  of  the  insurrections  and  inroads  of  the  barbarians  (as  the  native  inhabi- 
tants were  called),  to  beg  that  he  might  have  either  a  greater  force,  or  that 
the  Emperor  would  come  over  in  person."  Severus  chose  the  latter,  and  in 
d08  (the  14th  year  of  his  reign),  attended  by  his  two  sons,  Caracalla  and 
Geta,  and  a  numerous  army,  he  arrived  in  Britain,  and  immediately  advanced 
to  York,  which  was  besieged  by  the  Britons,  under  Fulgenius,  a  Scythian 


6EMSRAL   HISTORY   OF  TOBKSHIBE.  57 

General,  whom  the  natives  had  drawn  over  to  their  assistance.  The 
£mperor,  now  60  years  old,  and  sorely  afflicted  with  gout,  resolved  to  con- 
duct the  war  against  them  in  person.  He  rejected  all  overtures  for  peace, 
except  on  their  entire  suhmission  to  his  mercy,  which  hard  condition  they 
rejected.  They  accordingly  raised  the  siege,  and  retired  north  of  Hadrian's 
vail,  whither  the  Emperor,  with  his  son  Caracalla,  and  a  great  force  pro- 
ceeded, leaving  his  other  son,  Geta,  in  company  with  Papinius,  an  eminent 
Koman  lawyer  in  York,  to  administer  justice  until  his  return.  Severus 
having  at  length,  in  S09,  suhdued  or  concluded  a  treaty  with  these  hitherto 
nnconquered  people  at  a  loss,  according  to  Dion  and  others,  of  no  less  than 
50,000  men,  took  hosti^es  of  them,  and  returned  to  York.  It  has  heen 
popularly  supposed,  as  we  have  already  ohserved,  that  the  following  year  was 
employed  in  the  construction  of  that  immense  line  of  fortification  from  the 
Solway  to  the  Tyne,  which  recent  examinations,  and  the  careful  consideration 
of  ancient  testimonies,  have  left  little  douht  was  the  sole  work  of  the  Em- 
peror Hadrian.  Indeed,  the  historian  of  Severus  has  not  hesitated  to  pro- 
nounce that  stupendous  erection,  the  principal  glory  of  his  reign.  Severus 
carried  his  conquests  as  fiar  as  the  Highlands  of  Scotland,  and  it  is  not 
probable,  that,  after  having  added  so  much  to  the  Roman  territory  towards 
the  north,  he  would  raise  a  barrier  on  the  limits  to  which  the  Roman  power 
had  been  confined  when  almost  at  its  lowest  ebb. 

It  is  possible,  however,  that  Severus  may  have  repaired  the  wall,  and  it 
seems  that  during  his  stay  at  York  he  often  visited  its  towns  and  garrisons. 

Historians  have  related  several  "fatal  omens"  which  accompanied  the 
Umperor's  progress,  one  of  which  occurred  at  York,  when  on  his  return  firom 
Caledonia,  he  went  to  offer  sacrifice  at  the  temple  of  Bellona.  While  he  was 
there,  confiding  in  the  solemn  promises  of  the  Caledonians  to  preserve  the 
peace,  news  suddenly  arrived  that  the  MasatsB  and  the  Caledonii  (the  two 
great  tribes  into  which  all  the  other  tribes  of  Britain  had  in  a  manner 
mei*ged)  had  igaxn  united,  and  they  had  recommenced  their  predatory  in- 
roads. Furious  at  the  faithlessness  of  the  barbarians,  and  incensed  at  the 
renewal  of  a  war,  by  an  enemy  whom  he  had  considered  as  completely  sub- 
dued, Severus  resolved  on  their  entire  extermination;  but  his  own  death, 
which  occurred  on  the  4th  of  February,  /211,  averted  the  accomplishment  of 
his  sanguinary  design.  A  short  time  previous  to  his  death,  he  addressed  his 
sons,  Caracalla  and  Geta,  thus : — "  I  leave  you,  Antonines  (a  term  of  affec- 
tion) a  firm  and  steady  government,  if  you  follow  my  steps,  and  prove  what 
you  ought  to  be ;  but  weak  and  tottering,  if  you  reject  my  council.  Let 
every  part  of  your  conduct  tend  to  each  other's  good ;  cherish  the  soldieiy, 

z 


58  GENERAL   HISTOBT   OF  T0RK9HIRE. 

and  ihen  you  maj  despise  the  rest  of  mankind.  I  found  the  republic  dis- 
turbed, and  everywhere  distracted,  but  to  you  I  leave  it  firm  and  quiet — even 
the  Britons.  I  have  been  all,  and  yet  I  am  now  no  better  for  it"  Then 
calling  for  the  urn,  in  which  his  ashes  were  to  be  deposited,  he  exclaimed, 
'*  Thou  shalt  hold  what  the  whole  world  could  scarcely  contain."  The 
Boman  historian,  Eutropius,  tells  us  that  this  Emperor  died  at  York — ^he 
expressly  says,  **dece8sit  Eboraci;"  and  Spartian  also  says,  " periit  Ebaraci 
in  Brittania"  The  Saxon  Chronicle  confirms  this  testimony,  by  stating  that 
"  he  reigned  17  years,  and  then  ended  his  days  at  York."  (Efer-wick.) 

After  his  death,  according  to  the  custom  among  the  Bomans,  his  remains 
were  reduced  to  ashes.  Dion  Cassius  and  Herodian  tell  us  that  his  body 
was  borne  by  the  soldiers  to  the  funeral  pile,  about  which  the  army  and  the 
•two  sons  of  the  deceased  Emperor  made  several  processions  in  honour  of  his 
memory.  Abundance  of  presents  were  cast  upon  it,  and  at  last  the  fire  was 
put  to  it  by  Caracalla  and  Geta;  and  that  the  ashes  were  collected  and  re- 
ceived into  an  urn  of  porphyry,  carried  to  Home,  and  deposited  in  the  tomb 
of  the  Antonines. 

All  the  writers  who  have  described  York  have  dwelt  with  much  exultation 
on  the  magnificence  of  the  funeral  obsequies  of  Severus.  The  funeral  pile  is 
stated  to  have  been  erected  beyond  the  village  of  Holgate,  about  H  mile  west 
of  the  city,  and  the  eminence  now  called  Severm  HiU  is  doubtless  indebted  for 
its  present  appellation  to  its  connection,  in  some  way,  with  that  fiineral  cere- 
mony.«  Drake  is  of  opinion  that  this  mount  or  tumuli,  where  the  funeral 
rites  were  performed,  was  raised  by  the  soldiers  that  the  memory  of  their 

*  When  a  Boman  died,  his  body  was  laid  out  and  washed,  and  a  small  coin  was  placed 
m  his  mouth,  which  it  was  supposed  he  would  require  to  pay  his  passage  in  Charon's 
boat.  If  the  corpse  was  to  be  burnt,  it  was  earned  on  the  day  of  the  funeral  in  solemn 
procession  to  the  fimeral  pile,  which  was  raised  in  the  place  set  apart  for  the  purpose, 
called  the  tutrinum.  The  pile,  called  rogus,  or  pyra,  was  built  of  the  most  inflammable 
wood ;  and  when  the  body  had  been  placed  upon  it,  the  whole  was  ignited  by  the  rela- 
tions of  the  deceased.  Perfumes  and  spirituous  Hquids  were  often  poured  over  it;  and 
objects  of  different  kinds,  which  had  belonged  to  the  individual  when  aHve,  were  thrown 
into  the  flames.  When  the  whole  was  consumed,  and  the  fire  extinguished,  wine  was 
scattered  over  the  ashes,  after  which  the  nearest  relatives  gathered  what  remained  of 
the  bones  and  the  cinders  of  the  dead,  and  placed  them  in  an  urn,  in  which  they  were 
committed  to  the  grave.  The  site  of  iho  ustrinum  has  been  supposed  to  have  been 
traced  in  the  neighbourhood  of  several  towns  in  Boman  Britain.  Persons  of  rank  were 
burnt  with  greater  ceremonies  than  were  observed  on  ordinary  occasions,  and  on  a  spot 
chosen  for  the  purpose  instead  of  the  ordinary  ustrinum.  The  Bomans  had  other  modes 
of  sepulture  besides  that  of  cremation.  The  bodies  were  sometimes  buried  entire,  but 
in  several  diflerent  manners. — The  Celt,  the  Boman,  and  the  Saxon,  by  Thomas  Wright, 
Esq.,  M.A.,  F.S.A.,  &c. 


OEKEBAL  BISTORT   OF  YORKSHIRE.  59 

great  captain  might  surviye  in  Britain;  but  other  historians  maintain  that 
the  bill  is  a  natural  elevation  on  the  face  of  the  country;  and  recent  excava- 
dons,  for  the  purpose  of  forming  the  large  reservoir  for  the  new  waterworks, 
have  confirmed  that  opinion. 

After  the  death  of  Severus,  his  two  sons,  in  compliance  with  the  will  of 
iheir  £ither,  jointly  assumed  the  imperial  purple;  but  the  elder  brother, 
Canu^alla,  a  man  of  vile  disposition,  perceiving  that  his  half-brother,  Geta, 
was  in  much  &vour  with  the  army,  on  a  slight  pretence  of  mutiny,  ordered 
no  less  than  30,000  soldiers  and  persons  of  both  sexes,  whom  he  considered 
as  Geta*s  friends,  to  be  put  to  death;  and  with  his  own  hands  he  murdered 
Geta  in  the  arms  of  his  mother .f  This  monster  then  returned  to  Rome, 
from  whence  he  went  to  Syria,  where  he  was  assassinated  at  the  instigation 
of  Opillius  Macrinus,  by  Martialis,  a  desperate  soldier,  who  had  been  refused 
the  rank  of  centurion. 

For  a  considerable  time  no  occurrence  of  importance  took  place  in  Britain, 
though  the  Sixth  Legion  continued  at  York.  But  the  country  north  of  the 
Hnmber,  where  the  Bomans  had  settled  in  great  numbers,  began  to  assume 
a  beautiful  aspect.  They  cleared  the  woods,  drained  the  marshes,  built  or 
improved  all  the  principal  towns ;  the  cheerless  cabin  of  the  British  chief  was 
exchanged  for  the  Roman  Villa,  with  its  decorated  porticoes  and  tesselated 
pavements ;  and  some  of  the  most  important  Eoman  stations  were  scattered 
over  the  once  wild  haunts  of  the  fierce  Brigantes. 

In  the  year  287,  during  the  reign  of  the  Emperor  Dioclesian,  Carausius, 
a  Briton,  who  had  the  command  of  a  fleet  on  the  Belgic  coast,  passed  over 
into  Britain ;  assumed  the  imperial  purple,  and  set  at  defiance  the  whole 
power  of  Rome.  He  is  said  to  have  been  proclaimed  Emperor  at  York. 
This  usurper  overcame,  with  the  assistance  of  the  Picts  and  Scots,  with 
whom  he  leagued,  Quintus  Bassianus,  a  Roman  Lieutenant,  who  was  sent 
over  by  the  Emperor,  to  dispossess  and  destroy  him.  After  reigning  for 
seven  years,  an  independent  Emperor  of  Britain,  he  was  treacherously  mur- 
dered at  York,  by  his  Mend  Alectus,  who  appears  to  have  caused  himself  to 
be  prockimed  Emperor  in  that  city.    Both  of  these  usurpers  were  of  plebeian 

f  Although  it  has  been  generally  agreed  by  local  historians,  that  the  murder  of  Geta 
and  Papinins  by  Caracalla  took  place  at  York,  Gibbon,  in  his  Decline  and  FaU  of  the 
Soman  Efi^nre  (chap.  vi.  pp.  52,  53),  seems  to  be  quite  onoonscious  that  any  difference 
of  opinion  preTailed  as  to  whether  it  happened  at  York  or  at  Bome.  The  silence  of  such 
an  authority,  on  a  question  incidentally  so  important  to  the  accuracy  of  his  histoiy,  is 
very  ominous  of  the  invalidity  of  the  claim  of  York  to  have  witnessed  the  assassination, 
as  well  as  the  death  and  deification  of  some  of  the  masters  of  the  world. — York  Guide, 


60  GENERAL   HISTORY   OP   YORKSHIRE. 

origin.  Some  authors  assert  that  Alectus  was  murdered  by  Asclepiodotus, 
who  also  seized  on  the  government  of  Britain,  whilst  others  contend  that 
Alectus  reigned  until  Constantius,  sumamed  Chlorus,  was  elected  Emperor 
at  Rome,  in  a.d.  304,  when  the  latter  came  over  inmiediatelj  to  Britain,  and 
slew  him  with  a  sword  of  his  own  making — ^he  (Alectus)  having  been,  as  it 
is  asserted,  in  early  life  a  whitesmith.  Constantius,  though  but  a  senator  of 
Home  in  the  reign  of  AureHan,  was  of  imperial  descent ;  and  having  some 
years  before  visited  this  island  in  the  character  of  Propraetor,  is  said  to  have 
married  Helena,  or  Helen,  a  British  princess — ^but  that  Helen  was  of  British 
origin,  appears  to  be  a  mere  fable.  Constantius  and  Helena  were,  however, 
the  parents  of  Constantine  the  Great,  the  first  Christian  Emperor  of  Rome, 
who  was  generally  supposed  to  have  been  bom  at  York,  in  the  year  272, 
imtil  Niebuhr  published  his  "  Lectures  on  the  History  of  Rome,"  wherein  he 
shows  that  in  aU  probability,  Naissus,  in  Moesia,  was  the  place  of  his  births 

Drake,  and  other  local  historians,  seem  very  desirous  to  prove  that  Con- 
stantino the  Great  was  bom  in  York  during  one  of  the  expeditions  of  his 
father  to  Britain,  but  little  reliance  is  to  be  placed  upon  many  circumstances 
of  this  nature,  connected  with  histoiy  so  many  centuries  ago— especially  when 
historians  are  found  vieing  with  each  other  in  giving,  as  they  think,  an  im- 
portance to  the  city  to  which,  in  many  instances,  it  has  no  claim.  In  the 
instance  before  us,  Gibbon,  in  a  note  to  the  14th  chapter  of  his  Decline  and 
Fall,  destroys  any  lingering  inclination,  which  a  partial  citizen  might  retain, 
to  believe  that  such  was  the  case. 

Constantius  resided  at  the  Imperial  Palace  at  York  for  two  years,  and  died 
there  on  tho  25th  of  July,  306,  "  fifteen  months  after  he  had  received  the 
tide  of  Augustus,  and  almost  fourteen  years  and  a  half  after  he  had  been 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  Csesar."*  The  ceremony  of  the  deification  of  the 
remains  of  Constantius  was  performed  with  the  usual  splendour  at  York ; — 
Drake  has  collected,  with  great  diligence,  an  account  of  the  costiy  character 
of  the  solemnities.+  Several  medals  in  memory  of  Constantius  were  struck 
on  this  occasion,  which  have  the  head  of  the  Emperor  velatum  et  laureaJtum  ; 
and  this  inscription,  "  Divo  Constantio  Pio."  On  the  reverse  is  an  altar 
with  an  eagle  on  each  side  of  it,  holding  a  label  in  their  beaks  between  them, 
inscribed  "  Memoria  Felix." 

There  was  a  local  tradition  that  the  urn  containing  the  ashes  of  Constan- 
tius, was  deposited  in  a  vault  beneath  the  church  of  St.  Helen-on-the-Walls, 

•  Gibbon's  Decline  and  FaU  of  the  Roman  Empire,  xiv.  p.  169. 

f  Eboracum,  p.  43. 


GENEBAL,  HISTORY  0?  YOEKSHUIE.  61 

York ;  that  it  was  discoTered  about  the  time  of  the  Beformation ;  and  that 
the  urn  was  preserved  for  some  time  in  that  church. 

Constantine  the  Great,  the  son  and  successor  of  Constantius,  is  said  to 
have  taken  great  pains  to  be  present  at  his  &ther*s  death,  the  better  to  secure 
the  favour  of  the  British  legions.  Gibbon  relates  the  arts  by  which  he 
induced  the  imperial  authorities  in  Eboracum  to  proclaim  him  Emperor  of 
the  West  HoweTer,  it  is  certain  that  he  assumed  the  imperial  purple  at 
York,  with  the  titles  of  Caesar  and  Augustus,  and  that  there  he  was  pre- 
sented with  a  Tufa,  or  golden  globe,  as  a  symbol  of  his  soTer^igntj  over  the 
island  of  Britain.  He  prized  this  emblem  highly,  and  upon  his  conversion 
to  Christianity,  had  a  cross  placed  upon  it,  and  had  it  carried  before  him  in 
all  his  processions.  The  Tufa  has  been  the  usual  sign  of  royalty,  in  England, 
since  that  period,  and  is  considered  part  of  the  regalia. 

Soon  after  the  inauguration  of  the  Emperor  Constantine,  he  not  only  left 
Britain,  but  Europe  also ;  and  removed  the  seat  of  empire  firom  Home  to 
Byzantium,  called  afterwards  from  him,  Constantinople. 

In  312,  Constantine  renounced  paganism,  and  embraced  Christianity,  and 
in  the  following  year,  after  the  conquest  of  Italy,  he  made  a  solemn  declara- 
tion oi  his  sentiments  in  the  celebrated  edict  of  Milan,  restored  peace  to  the 
Christian  church,  and  promulgated  the  principle  of  religious  liberty. 

Eusebius  ascribes  the  conversion  of  Constantine  to  the  miraculous  sign  of 
a  cross,  which  was  displayed  in  the  heavens,  with  the  legend,  *'  In  hoc  Signo 
VincU  "  (By  this  sign  thou  shalt  conquer),  while  he  meditated  and  prepared 
the  Italian  expedition. 

The  Britons  remained  quiet  till  the  year  326,  when  they  revolted,  and  the 
Scots  having  come  to  their  assistance,  the  Eomans,  under  the  command  of 
Trahems,  their  Lieutenant^  were  defeated,  and  Octavius,  the  British  chief, 
was  crowned  King  of  all  Britain,  in  York. 

AAer  this,  Octavius  ungratefully  sought  to  dispossess  his  benefactors,  the 
Picts  and  Scots,  of  that  part  of  the  country  allotted  to  them  by  Casarius ; 
but  the  King  of  Scotland  being  informed  of  his  intention,  came  suddenly 
upon  him,  and  compelled  him  to  flee  to  Norway. 

The  exact  date  of  the  introduction  of  Christianity  into  Britain  is  involved 
in  obscurity,  and  has  been  the  subject  of  much  dispute.  Some  writers  place 
the  date  of  its  introduction  at  a  very  eariy  period  after  the  death  of  our  Lord. 
A  manuscript  in  the  British  Museum  says,  ''In  the  31st  year  after  the 
Crucifixion,  twelve  disciples  of  St.  Philip  the  Apostle,  of  whom  Joseph  of 
Arimathea  was  the  head,  came  into  this  land,  and  preached  the  doctrines  of 
Christianity  to  King  Arviragus,  who  denied,  them.     But  they  obtained  from 


6d  OENEBAL  HISTOBT  OF  TOBESHIBE. 

him  this  spot  (Glastonbury),  with  twelve  hides  of  land,  whereon  they  erected 
the  first  church  in  the  kingdom."  Gent,  Speed,  Camden,  and  others,  assert 
that  the  gospel  was  preached  here  by  Joseph  of  Arimathea  in  the  time  of 
Suetonius,  and  by  Simon  Zelotes  in  the  time  of  Agricola;  whilst  some 
authors  pronounce  that  Christianity  was  planted  in  this  island  by  St.  Paul, 
and  some  of  the  other  Apostles.  The  chronicler  of  Doyer  Castle  says,  "  In 
the  year  of  grace  180,  reigned  in  Britain,  Lucius.  He  became  a  Christian 
imder  Pope  Eleutherius,  and  served  God,  and  advanced  Holy  Church  as 
much  as  he  could.  Amongst  other  benefits  he  made  a  church  in  the  said 
castle,  where  the  people  of  the  town  might  receive  the  sacraments.  "><«  The 
same  chronicler  then  goes  on  to  tell  of  the  dreaiy  period  of  the  Saxon  inva- 
sion under  Hengist,  when  "the  Pagan  people  destroyed  the  churches 
throughout  the  land,  and  thrust  out  the  Christians." 

William  of  Malmsbury  records  as  a  remarkable  piece  of  ecclesiastical  an- 
tiquity, that  when  St.  Philip  the  Apostle  was  in  Gaul,  promulgating  the 
doctrines  of  Christianity,  he  received  information  that  all  those  horrid  super- 
stitions which  he  had  observed  in  the  inhabitants  of  that  country,  and  had 
vainly  endeavoured,  with  the  utmost  labour  and  difficulty,  to  overcome, 
originated  from  a  little  island  at  no  great  distance  from  the  continent,  named 
Britain.  Thither  he  immediately  resolved  to  extend  the  influence  of  his 
precepts,  and  despatched  twelve  of  his  companions  and  followers,  appointing 
Joseph  of  Arimathea,  who,  not  long  before,  had  taken  his  Saviour  from  the 
cross,  to  superintend  the  sacred  embassy.  On  their  arrival,  the  Koman 
General,  Vespasian,  who  was  tarrying  at  the  court  of  Arviragus  and  Givenissa, 
interested  himself  very  warmly  in  their  behalf  with  both  the  King  and  Queen; 
and  at  his  request  the  royal  protection  was  granted  to  the  strangers,  and 
they  were  hospitably  entertained  by  Arviragus;  who,  to  compensate  them  for 
their  hard  and  toilsome  journey,  bestowed  on  them,  for  a  place  of  habitation, 
a  small  island,  which  then  lay  waste  and  untiUed,  surrounded  by  bogs  and 
morasses.  To  each  of  the  twelve  followers  of  St.  Joseph,  he  appointed  there 
a  certain  portion  of  land  called  a  hide,  sufficient  for  one  family  to  live  upon, 
and  composing  altogether  a  territory  to  this  day,  denominated  "the  Twelve 
Hides  of  Glaston." 

Mrs.  M.  Hall,  in  her  recently-published  Lives  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  Qiieens, 
says,  "  The  account  of  the  first  introduction  of  Christianity  into  Britain,  sin- 
gular and  romantic  as  it  may  seem,  is  not  undeserving  of  attention,  as  it  is 
well  known  that  St.  Paul  preached  to  the  utmost  bounds  of  the  west ;  and 

•  See  Appendix,  Mo.  I.,  to  Bagdale's  Acootint  of  the  Nunnery  of  St.  Martin. 


OEKEBAL  HIST0B7  OF  T0BE8HISE.  63 

we  have  excellent  authority  for  believing  that  some  of  the  Apostles  actually 
preached  to  the  Britons.  Theodoret,  who  asserts  this,  declares  the  Britons 
were  conyerts  to  St.  Paul;  and  states  that  Aristobulus,  a  Bishop  ordained  by 
St.  Paul,  and  sent  to  Britain  as  a  missionary,  was  mart3rred  a.d.  66.  There 
is,  indeed,  every  reason  to  believe  that  the  Christian  faith  was  early  promul- 
gated in  Britain,  and  many  converts  made  prior  to  the  defeat  of  Queen 
Boadicea.  If  Vespasian  was  at  all  instrumental  in  establishing  it  here,  it  is 
singular  enough,  as  his  son  Titus  was  the  destroyer  of  Jerusalem,  and  dis- 
perser  of  the  Jews  throughout  the  world." 

The  Fabyan  Chronicle  says,  "Lucius,  or  Lucy,  the  sone  of  Coilus,  was 
made  King  of  Biytons  in  the  yere  of  our  Lord,  C.  Ixxx.  The  whiche  in  all 
actes  and  dedyes  of  goodness  followed  his  forefaders  in  suche  wyse,  that  he 
of  all  men  was  beloued  and  drad.  Of  this  is  lytell  or  none  acte  notable  put 
in  memoiy,  except  that  aU  wiyters  agree  that  this  Lucius  sent  to  Eleuthe- 
rius,  th^i  Pope  of  Home,  certayne  pistles  or  letters,  prayinge  hym  that  he 
and  his  Brytons  myghte  be  receyved  to  the  faythe  of  Crist  s  Churche; 
whereof  the  Pope  beynge  very  joyous  and  gladde,  sent  into  Brytayne  .ii.  noble 
derkes,  named  Faganus  and  Damianus,  or  after  some  Fugacius  and  Dimia- 
nua;  these  .ii.  good  and  vertuous  derkes  were  honourably  receyued  by 
Lucius,  the  whiche,  by  ther  good  Doctryne  and  vertuous  ensamples  gyu3mge, 
conuertjd  the  Kinge,  and  a  great  parte  of  the  Brytons."'*' 

The  Venerable  Bede,  who  wrote  his  Ecclesiastical  History  in  the  8th  cen- 
tury, "and  whose  learning,"  says  the  author  of  Beveriac,  "would  make  his 
authority  respectable  in  any  age,"  tells  us  that  the  Christian  Mih  was 
preached  in  Britain,  and  the  first  hierarchy  established  by  the  missionaries 
sent  in  a.d.  170,  by  Pope  Eleutherius,  at  the  request  of  Lucius,  a  British 
King.f  This  statement  is  confirmed  by  St.  Gildas  the  Wise,  who  flourished 
AO).  495;  and  who  observes,  Hke  Bede,  that  the  Britons  preserved  the  fiaith 
in  tranquillity  from,  that  time  until  the  persecution  of  the  Boman  Emperor 
Diocletian  in  303,  when  St.  Alban  and  so  many  others  suffered  martyrdom.^ 

Three  British  Bishops, — ^Eborius  of  York,  Kestitutus  of  London,  and 
Adelphius  of  Richborough — attended  the  first  ecclesiastical  council  at  Aries, 
which  was  called  by  Constantine  the  Great,  to  condemn  the  heresy  of  the 
Donatists  in  a.i>.  314.  According  to  the  accounts  of  that  Council,  published 
by  Simon  of  Paris,  the  Bishop  of  York  signed  himself  ^'Eborius  Episcopels  de 

•  Fabyan  Chronicle,  p.  88. 
t  Eedes.  Hist,  Book  i,  chap.  iv.    Bede  tells  as  that  in  the  4th  century  the  monastery 
of  Bangor,  near  Chester,  contained  more  than  2,000  monks. 

i  Bellarm.  de  Scrip  Ecdea.;  also  Usher  Kccles.  BriL  Antiq.,  cap.  v. 


64  GENERAL   HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE. 

Civitate  Ehoracensi"^  British  Bishops,  we  are  likewise  told,  attended  the 
Council  of  Nice  in  the  year  825 ;  and  at  that  of  Sardica  in  847.  The  first 
direct  evidence  of  the  existence  of  structures,  dedicated  to  the  Christian  wor- 
ship in  York,  is  to  he  found  in  the  records  of  the  events  which  occurred  in 
that  city  during  the  struggles  between  the  Britons  and  the  Saxons.  York 
was  then  frequently  taken  and  re-taken,  and  suffered  severely  in  various 
sieges,  for  the  different  conquerors  took  but  Httle  pains  to  keep  in  repair  the 
various  buildings  erected  by  the  Romans. 

Ambrosius,  the  British  King,  held  a  council  of  his  princes  and  nobles  at 
York,  and  ordered,  we  are  told,  the  churches,  destroyed  or  injured  by  the 
Pagans,  to  be  re-built.  King  Arthur,  who  is  said  to  have  celebrated  the  first 
Christmas  ever  kept  in  this  country,  at  York  in  a.b.  534,  gave  similar 
directions. 

Now,  on  the  other  hand,  some  writers  deny  the  whole  of  the  above  evidence 
altogether.  Mr.  Thomas  Wright,  a  most  zealous  and  skilful  antiquary,  in 
his  excellent  work  on  the  early  inhabitants  of  Britain,f  tells  us,  that  amongst 
the  immense  number  of  altars  and  inscriptions  of  temples,  and  with  so  many 
hundreds  of  Koman  sepulchres  and  graves  as  have  been  opened  in  this 
country,  not  a  single  trace  is  to  be  found  of  the  rehgion  of  the  Gospel.  "  We 
seem  driven  by  these  circumstances  to  the  unavoidable  conclusion,"  he  writes, 
"  that  Christianity  was  not  established  in  Eoman  Britain,  although  it  is  a 
conclusion  totally  at  variance  with  the  preconceived  notions  into  which  we 
have  been  led  by  the  ecclesiastical  historians."  The  same  learned  writer,  after 
examining  the  subject,  is  of  opinion  that  the  few  allusions  to  Britain  in  the 
earlier  Christian  writers,  ought  to  be  considered  as  little  better  than  flourishes 
of  rhetoric.  "  Britain,"  he  says,  "  was  the  western  extremity  of  the  known 
world,  and  when  the  zealous  preacher  wished  to  impress  on  his  hearers  or 
readers,  the  widely  extended  success  of  the  Gospel,  he  would  tell  them  that 
it  extended  from  India  to  Britain,  without  considering  much  whether  he  was 
literally  correct  in  saying  that  there  were  Christians  in  either  of  these  two 
extremes.  We  must  probably  consider  in  this  light  certain  passages  in 
Tertullian,  Origin,  Jerome,  and  others."  With  respect  to  the  alleged  pre- 
sence of  British  Bishops  at  the  CouncU  of  Aries,  he  thinks  that  the  lists 
printed  in  the  Collections  of  Councils  is  extremely  suspicious,  and  looks  veiy 
like  the  invention  of  a  later  period.  "  In  the  year  860,  under  the  Emperor 
Constantius,  a  council  was  called  at  Arminimi  (Rimini),  in  Italy,  on  account 

*  Camden's  Britannia,  Gough's  edition, 
f  The  Celt,  the  Saxon,  and  the  Roman,  by  Thomas  Wright,  Esq.,  MJL,  F.S^,  Ssc., 
pp.  296,  &o. 


GENERAL   HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE.  05 

of  the  Arion  controTersy,  and  it  is  said  to  have  been  attended  by  four  hun- 
dred Bishops.     The  prelates  assembled  on  this  occasion  were  to  be  supported 
at  the  public  expense,  but  we  are  told  by  the  ecclesiastical  historian,  Sulpicius' 
Severus,  who  wrote  about  forty  years  afterwards,  that  *  this  seemed  unbe- 
coming to  the  Bishops  of  Aquitaine,  Gaul,  and  Britain ;  and  they  choose 
rather  to  liye  at  their  own  charge,  than  at  the  public  expense.     Three  only 
hx>m  Britain,  on  account  of  their  poverty,  made  use  of  the  public  provision ; 
for,  though  the  other  Bishops  offered  to  make  a'  subscription  for  them,  they 
thought  it  more  becoming  to  be  indebted  to  the  public  purse,  than  to  be  a 
burden  upon  individuals.*    If  this  account  be  true,  and  three  Bishops  really 
went  from  Britain,  they  were  perhaps  only  missionaries,  whose  converts  were 
too  few  and  too  poor  to  be  able  to  support  them."    Mr.  Wright  thinks  it  not 
unlikely  that  the  three  names  of  British  Bishops  "  pretended  to  have  been 
at  the  Council  of  Aries,  had  been  made  to  answer  to  the  three  Bishops  men- 
tioned by  Sulpicius  Severus ;"  and  he  treats  the  above  accounts,  in  which 
occur  the  nameb  of  Joseph  of  Arimathea,  St  Paul,  King  Lucius,  and  Pope 
Kleutherius,  as  l^endary  stories  resting  upon  no  authority,  and  which  will 
not  bear  criticism.    He  also  refuses  to  believe  in  the  "  pretended  persecution 
in  Britain  under  Diocletian;"  but  we  think  his  reasons  for  denying  it  are  not 
very  strong.     "A  persecution  of  the  Christians,"  he  argues,  "is  not  likely  to 
have  taken  place  under  the  orders  of  the  tolerant  Constantius,  who  was 
Governor  of  Britain  when  the  persecution  of  Diocletian  commenced,  and  who 
became  Emperor  two  years  later,  and  in  another  year  left  his  title  to  his  son 
Constantine."    Constantius  may  have  been  tolerant,  but  he  was  a  Pagan, 
and  the  representative  and  servant  of  the  persecuting  tyrant  Diocletian ;  and 
that  he  (Constantius)  became  Emperor  two  years  afterwards,  and  that  after 
his  death  his  son  became  a  Christian,  seems  but  a  poor  cause  for  supposing 
that  he  refused  to  cany  out  the  rule  of  his  master  in  persecuting  the 
Christians. 

Our  antiquary  entertains  strong  doubts  of  the  authenticity  of  the  work 
attributed  to  Gildas,  on  which  chiefly  our  notions  of  the  establishment  of 
Christianity  into  Koman  Britain  are  founded.  "  If  the  authority  of  such 
writers  be  worth  anything,"  he  adds,  ''  we  must  take  it  for  granted  that  at 
least  after  the  age  of  Constantine,  Boman  Britain  was  a  Christian  country ; 
that  it  was  filled  with  churches,  clergy,  and  bishops,  and,  in  fact,  that  Pa- 
ganism had  been  abolished  throughout  the  land.  We  should  imagine  that 
the  invaders,  imder  whom  the  Roman  power  feU,  found  nothing  but  Christian 
altars  to  overthrow,  and  temples  of  Christ  to  demolish.  It  is  hardly  neces- 
saiy  to  point  out  how  utterly  at  variance  such  a  statement  is  with  the  result 


66  GENEBAL  HISTOBT  OF  TOBKSHIRE. 

of  antiquarian  researches;  not  a  trace  of  Christianity  being  to  be  found 
among  the  innumerable  religious  and  sepulchral  monuments  of  the  Roman 
period,  found  in  Britain." 

But  at  whatever  period  the  truths  of  the  Christian  religion  were  first 
preached  in  this  kingdom,  it  seems  certain  that  it  had  been  quite  extirpated, 
and  that  idolatry  had  spread  itself  entirely  over  the  land,  when  Pope  Gregory 
the  Great  sent  hither  Augustine  and  his  fellow-labourers  to  spread  the  faith 
of  the  Gospel,  in  the  year  696. 

The  Homan  government  in  Britain  was  vested  in  a  Prefect,  or  Propretor, 
who  possessed  the  whole  administrative  power,  judicial  and  military;  a 
Quaestor  or  Procurator,  appointed  by  the  Emperor,  to  arrange  the  affairs  of 
the  revenue ;  and  a  numerous  army  of  legionaries  and  auxiliaries  secured 
the  obedience  of  the  people,  and  protected  the  country  from  foreign  invasion. 
In  the  reign  of  Constantine,  both  the  form  of  government  and  the  territorial 
divisions  were  altered.  That  monarch  divided  his  vast  dominions  into  four 
prefectures — Italy,  Gaul,  the  East,  and  Blyria.  Britain  was  included  in  the 
prefecture  of  Gaul,  and  the  deputy  of  that  prefect  resided  at  York,  and  was 
called  the  Vicar  of  Britain.  His  subordinates  were  the  consulars  of  Valentia 
and  Maxima  Ccssariensis;  and  the  presidents  of  the  sub-divisions  called 
Flavia,  Britannia  Prima,  and  Britannia  Secunda,  The  superintendence  of 
the  army  was  committed  to  three  Dukes;  the  first  commanded  from  the 
north  fi:ontier  to  the  Humber;  the  second,  with  the  title  of  Count  of  the 
Saxon  Shore,  the  troops  on  the  coast  from  the  Humber  to  the  Land's  End  in 
Cornwall;  and  the  third,  the  Count  of  Britain,  commanded  the  garrison  in 
the  interior. 

Throughout  the  provinces  were  scattered  a  great  number  of  inhabited 
towns,  and  military  posts,  the  names  of  which  are  still  preserved  in  the 
Itineraries  of  Eichard  and  Antoninus.  They  were  partly  of  British  and 
partly  of  Roman  origin ;  and  were  divided  into  four  classes,  gradually  desc^i- 
ding  in  the  scale  of  privilege  and  importance.  The  Colonies  claimed  the  first 
rank,  and  were  inhabited  by  veterans  rewarded  by  the  lands  of  the  conquered 
nations.  Each  colony  was  a  miniature  representation  of  the  parent  city. 
It  adopted  the  same  customs,  and  was  governed  by  the  same  laws.  In 
Britain  there  were  nine  of  these  establishments,  two  of  civil  and  seven  of  a 
military  description,  namely,  Richborough,  London,  Colchester,  Bath,  Glou- 
cester, Caerleon,  Chester,  Lincoln,  and  Chesterfield.  The  towns  of  the 
second  class  were  called  Munioipiaf  and  were  occupied  by  Roman  citizens. 
The  advantages  enjoyed  by  the  Colonies  were  nearly  equalled,  and  in  some 
respects  surpassed  by  the  privileges  of  these  municipal  cities,  the  inhabitants 


OENEBAL  HI8T0RT  OF  TORKSHIBE.  67 

of  which  were  exempted  £rom  the  operation  of  the  imperial  statutes,  and 
possessed  the  right  of  choosing  their  own  magistrates,  and  of  enacting  their 
own  hkws.  Privileges  so  valuahle  were  reserved  for  the  reward  of  extraordi- 
nary merit,  and  Britain  could  only  boast  of  two  Municipia — ^Verulam  (near 
the  present  town  of  St  Albans)  and  York.  The  Latin  Cities  were  the  next 
in  lunk,  and  their  inhabitants  had  the  right  of  electing  their  own  magis- 
trates annually ;  and  the  Stipendiary  Towns  were  charged  with  the  imperial 
tribute  from  which  the  other  towns  were  exempt  These  distinctions  were 
however  gradually  aboHshed.  Antoninus  granted  to  every  provincial  of  rank 
and  opulence  the  freedom  of  the  city;  and  Caracalla  extended  the  indulgence 
to  the  whole  body  of  the  natives. 

The  science  of  agriculture  seems  to  have  made  great  progress  about  this 
time,  for  Tacitus  observes,  that,  except  the  olive,  the  vine,  and  some  other 
fruits  peculiar  to  the  hotter  climates,  this  country  produces  all  things  else  in 
great  plenty;  and  that  the  fruits  of  the  earth,  in  coming  up,  are  forward,  but 
very  slow  in  ripening;  the  cause  of  which  is  the  excessive  moisture  of  the 
earth  and  air;  and  Strabo  observes,  that  our  air  is  more  subject  to  rain 
ihan  snow. 

Camden  says,  that  so  happy  is  Britain  in  a  most  plentiful  product  of  all 
sorts  of  grain,  that  Orpheus  (or  more  truly  Onamacritus)  hath  called  it  the 
very  seat  of  Geres;  and,  continues  the  same  writer,  *' former  times  this  was 
as  it  were  the  granary  and  magazine  of  the  Western  Empire,  for  from  hence 
the  Romans  were  wont  every  year,  in  800  vessels  larger  than  barks,  to  trans- 
port vast  quantities  of  com,  for  the  supply  of  their  armies  in  garrison  upon 
the  frontiers  of  Germany."  He  also  quotes  an  enconium  on  Britain,  from  an 
old  orator,  in  a  panegyric  to  Constantine,  thus,  "  O  fortunate  Britain,  the 
most  happy  country  in  the  world,  in  that  thou  didst  first  behold  Constantine 
our  Emperor.  Thee  hath  Nature  deservedly  enriched  with  the  choicest 
blessings  of  heaven  and  earth.  Thou  neither  feelest  the  excessive  colds  of 
winter,  nor  the  scorching  heats  of  summer.  Thy  harvests  reward  thy  labours 
with  so  vast  an  increase,  as  to  supply  thy  tables  with  bread,  and  thy  cellars 
vrith  liquor.  Thy  woods  have  no  savage  beasts;  no  serpents  harbour  there 
to  hurt  the  traveller.  Innumerable  are  thy  herds  of  cattle,  and  the  flocks  of 
sheep,  which  feed  thee  plentifully,  and  clothe  thee  richly.  And  as  to  the 
comforts  of  life,  the  days  are  long,  and  no  night  passes  without  some  glimpse 
of  light  For  whilst  those  utmost  plains  of  the  sea  shore  are  so  flat  and  low 
as  not  to  cast  a  shadow  to  create  night,  they  never  lose  the  sight  of  the 
heavens  and  stars;  but  the  sun,  which  to  us  appears  to  set,  seems  there  only 
to  pass  by.** 


68  GENERAL  HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE. 

Isacius  Tzetes,  a  famous  Greek  writer,  affirms  that  the  fertility  and 
pleasantness  of  Britain  gave  occasion  for  some  to  imagine,  that  these  were 
the  Fortunate  Islands,  and  those  the  Seats  of  the  Blessed,  where  the  poets 
tell  us  the  face  of  nature  smiled  with  one  perpetual  spring. 

The  Romans  continued  to  hold  their  sway  in  Britain  for  nearly  a  century 
after  the  death  of  Constantino  the  Great,  hut  their  writings  afford  hut  scanty 
materials  for  illustrating  the  histoiy  of  Yorkshire. 

The  Emperor  Constantine  having  taken  the  flower  of  the  British  youth  to 
his  wars  in  Gaul,  Britain  was  left  open  to  the  devastating  incursions  of  the 
Caledonians,  or  Picts  and  Scots,*  who  in  364  renewed  their  attacks;  and 
the  country  was  at  the  same  time  harrassed  hy  the  Saxons,  whose  predatory 
descents  on  the  coast  indicated  their  intention  of  seizing  on  a  dominion, 
which  imperial  Rome  now  held  with  a  feehle  hand. 

Internal  dissensions,  and  external  assaults,  were  now  hasting  £a^  the 
downfall  of  the  empire  of  Rome,  and  in  a.d.  426,  the  Romans  finally  relin- 
quished all  possession,  power,  and  authority,  in  Britain,  in  the  481st  year 
after  Caesar's  coming  over.  "  The  tyrants  had  left  none  but  half  foreigners 
in  our  fields,"  writes  William  of  Malmsbury,  "None  hut  gluttons  and  de- 
bauchees in  our  cities ;  Britain  robbed  of  the  support  of  her  vigorous  youth, 
and  the  benefit  of  the  liberal  arts,  became  a  prey  to  her  neighbours,  who  had 
long  marked  her  out  for  destruction.  For  immediately  after,  multitudes  lost 
their  lives  by  the  incursions  of  the  Picts  and  Scots,  villages  were  burnt,  cities 
demolished,  and  all  things  laid  waste  by  fire  and  sword.  The  inhabitants  of 
the  island  were  greatly  perplexed,  and  thought  it  better  to  trust  to  anything 
than  a  battle :  some  of  them  fled  to  the  mountains,  others  having  buried 
their  treasures,  many  of  which  have  been  dug  up  in  our  age,  betook  them- 
selves to  Rome  for  assistance." 

•  Scotland,  the  ancient  name  of  which  was  Caledonia,  was  first  inhabited  by  a  people 
who  came  from  Scythia  or  Scandinavia,  which  now  includes  Norway,  Sweden,  and  part 
of  Denmark,  and  took  the  name  of  Pike  or  PehtSt  from  a  country  so  styled  in  the  north 
of  Norway.  In  the  time  of  the  Saxons  they  were  called  Peohts,  and  their  country 
PeohUand,  They  were  called  Caledonians  from  Celyddon,  which  in  the  ancient  British 
language  meant  the  Coverts.  Some  say  they  were  descendants  of  Scythiac,  or  Gothic 
colonists,  who  conquered  North  Britain  some  ages  before  the  Christian  era.  The  Scots 
were  originally  GaJlic  Celts,  who  in  early  ages  migrated  from  the  western  shores  of 
Britain  into  Ireland.  They  made  many  marauding  incursions  into  the  Eoman  territories 
on  the  south-west  coast  of  Scotland.  At  length  they  settled  in  Kintj're,  and  had  coloni- 
zed Argyle,  50  years  after  the  Saxon  conquest,  when  a  bloody  struggle  ensued  between 
them  and  the  natives,  which  at  the  end  of  340  years,  terminated  in  the  extinction  of  the 
Pictish  government,  and  the  union  of  the  Picts  and  Scots,  under  Eeneth  Mac  Alpin,  in 
A.D.  843. 


OBNEaAL  HISTORY  OF  YORKSHIBE.  69 

Many  striking  evidences  of  the  stupendous  public  works  accomplished  by 
the  Romans  during  their  residence  in  this  country  stiU  remain.  "  Like  a 
conqaeror  of  modem  times,  they  bestowed  extraordinary  attention  on  their 
public  roads  and  waUs,  and  at  a  distance  of  1,400  years,  we  can  trace  in 
legible  characters  around  us,  the  labours  of  the  mistress  of  the  world."  The 
Roman  Yeterans  were  no  less  famed  for  their  valour  in  the  field  than  for  their 
knowledge  and  assiduity  in  architecture  and  sculpture,  for  they  fought  and 
laboured  with  equal  skill  and  vigour,  and  it  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  this 
wise  policy  of  keeping  the  soldiery  usefully  employed  in  time  of  peace,  should 
have  been  abandoned  by  the  modem  European  nations. 

The  Sixth  Legion,  called  Legia  Sexta  Victrix,  remained  at  York,  until  the 
final  desertion  of  the  island  by  the  Romans.  This  legion  was  brought  out 
of  Germany  by  the  Emperor  Hadrian,  and  its  station  at  York  may  easily  be 
traced  for  a  period  of  more  than  300  years.  The  ninth  legion  was  also 
stationed  at  York,  but  is  generally  supposed  to  have  been  early  dissolved, 
and  incorporated  with  the  sixth.  This  legion  consisted  of  six  to  seven 
thousand  troops,  of  which  about  one-tenth  part  was  horse,  and  the  remainder 
foot  soldiers. 

The  Roman  soldiers  employed  much  of  their  leisure  hours  in  perpetuating 
their  names,  or  complimenting  their  victorious  leaders  by  monumental 
inscriptions ;  and  also  by  inscriptions  commemorative  of  the  completion  of 
buildings  and  public  works;  and  in  erecting  and  inscribing  statues  in  honour 
of  their  principal  deities;  but  after  the  introduction  of  the  Christian  religion 
these  statues  were  destroyed.  Many  Roman  coins  have  been  found  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  the  great  stations,  where  they  had  been  secreted  either  by 
the  Roman  soldiers,  or  by  the  afi&ighted  Britons,  when  the  northern  tribes 
or  the  Saxon  invaders  burst  in  upon  their  country,  and  razed  their  towns  to 
the  ground. 

Roman  Roads. — The  Romans  bestowed  very  great  attention,  labour,  and 
expense  on  their  pubHc  highways,  which  generally  consisted  of  a  regular 
pavement,  formed  by  large  boulder  stones  or  fragments  of  rock,  embedded  in 
gravel,  and  varied  in  width  from  four  to  fourteen  yards,  and  were  carried 
over  rivers,  not  by  bridges,  but  by  fords. 

The  four  principal  Roman  military  roads  which  traverse  Britain  were  the 
WatUng,  or  WiUhding  Street ;  the  Ermine,  or  Hermin  Street ;  the  Fosseway ; 
and  the  Icknild  Street.  The  Roman  roads  are  generally  very  direct.  They 
seem  seldom  to  have  turned  out  of  their  course  to  avoid  a  hill ;  and  in  some 
instances  we  find  the  Roman  road  proceeding  direct  up  an  acclivity  which 
we  should  not  encounter  at  the  present  day.     A  Roman  road  runs  over  the 


70  QEKERAL  HISTOBT  OF  TOBKSHIREk 

top  of  one  of  the  mountains  of  Westmorland,  almost  2,000  feet  above  the  level 
of  the  sea,  which  is  named  from  its  devation.  High  Street 

The  WaUing  Street,^  which  divided  England  in  length,  commenced  at  the 
port  of  Hutupia,  now  Eichborough,  in  Kent,  and  extended  to  the  limits  of 
the  wall  of  Severus  on  the  Tjne,  intersecting  Yorkshire  from  the  edge  of 
Nottinghamshire,  to  the  bishopric  of  Durham.  It  is  probable  that  this  great 
highway  entered  the  county  somewhere  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Bawtxj,  but 
the  exact  point  is  not  ascertainable.  It  is  certain,  however,  from  traces,  that 
it  passed  through  Danum,  or  Doncaster,  over  Scawsby  and  Pigbum  Leas  to 
Bamsdale,  through  Pontefract  Park  to  Castleford,  the  ancient  LegioUum,^ 
From  this  station  it  continued  to  Calcaria,  now  Tadcaster,  and  from  thence 
to  Eboracum  (York),  the  chief  seat  of  the  Homan  power  in  Britain.  From 
this  city  it  was  carried  on  to  Imrium  (Aldborough),  where  it  crossed  the 
river,  and  thence  by  Leeming  Lane  to  Cattaracton,  now  Catterick  Bridge. 
Crossing  over  the  Swale,  it  turned  more  to  the  northward,  and  passing  over 
the  Tees  gX  Ad  Tisam  (Piersel»idge),  it  entered  the  county  of  Durham,  and 
thence  continued  to  the  Boman  wall. 

The  Ermine  Street  extended  from  London  to  Lincoln  and  Warrington, 
crossing  Northamptonshire  at  Castor,  and  passing  through  Yorkshire.  The 
Fosseway  led  from  Bath  to  Lincoln  and  Newark;  and  the  Ickneld,  or  Icknild 
Street,  extended  from  Caistor,  in  Norfolk,  through  Colchester  to  Lincoln. 

Besides  the  Watling  Street  and  Ermine  Street,  several  other  Roman  roads 
ran  through  the  Ager  EboracensiSf  or  province  of  York,  in  various  directions, 
and  for  the  discovery  of  some  of  them,  as  also  many  other  Homan  works,  we 

»  The  etymology  of  this,  the  greatest  of  the  Boman  roads,  has  cansed  much  discnssion 
amongst  antiquarians.  Hoveden  thinks  that  it  was  called  the  Watling  Street,  fh)m 
Wathe  or  Wathla,  a  British  King.  Whittaker,  the  Manchester  historian,  and  Stukeley 
are  of  opinion  that  it  was  the  Guetheling  rood — Sam  GueiheUn,  or  the  road  of  the  Irish, 
the  6  being  pronounced  as  a  W.  Camden  thinks  that  it  derives  its  name  from  an  un- 
known Yitellianus,  but  that  its  etymology  is  from  the  Saxon  Wadla,  a  beggar,  because 
this  rood  was  the  resort  of  such  i>eople  for  the  charity  of  trayeUers.  Spehnan  fimcies  it 
was  called  Werlam-Street,  from  its  passing  through  Verulam.  Soniner  derives  the  name 
from  the  Belgic  Wentelin,  while  Baxter  contends  that  it  was  made  by  the  original 
Britons.  Br.  Wilkes  says,  that  it  was  more  indented  and  crooked  than  other  Boman 
roads  usually  are,  and  supposes  that  it  was  formed  of  wattles^  which  was  the  idea  also  of 
Pointer.  A  learned  writer  in  the  Mirror  for  1829,  contends  that  it  is  a  Boman  road 
made  from  station  to  station,  and  hence  its  deviation  from  a  straight  line,  which  in 
many  parts  is  so  apparent.  He  is  also  of  opinion  that  it  was  planned  and  formed  by 
Vespasian,  the  celebrated  Boman  general  in  Britain,  after  the  various  stations  through 
the  kingdom  were  finished,  and  that  he  named  it,  in  compliment  to  the  Emperor 
Vitellius,  VUeUU  Strata  Via,  Watling-Street  Way. 

f  Boothroyd's  Hist.  Pontefract,  p.  12. 


OEl^EBAL  HISTOBT  OF  YORKSHIRE.  71 

tre  nudnlj  indebted  to  the  industry  of  Francis  Drake,  Esq.,  the  learned 
antiquary  of  the  city  of  York,  and  the  late  Rev.  Thomas  Leman.  A  military 
load  led  from  Mancunium,  or  Manchester,  to  York,  passing  through  the 
township  of  Stainland,  near  HaHflEuc,  by  the  way  of  Cambodunum,  supposed 
to  be  Almondbniy,  near  Huddersfield.  It  kept  the  C  alder  on  its  left*  till  it 
crossed  that  riTor  about  a  mile  below  Dewsbury,  where  it  fell  in  with  the 
turnpike  road  to  Wakefield.  From  this  place  it  kept  the  direction  of  the 
precwnt  highway,  half  the  way  to  Pontefiact,  and  then  inclining  to  the  left, 
joined  the  great  military  road  from  Doncaster  to  York. 

Another  of  these  Roman  ways  ran  from  Chesterfield,  by  way  of  Sheffield, 
Bamsley,  Hemworth,  and  Acworih,  and  joined  the  Wading  Street  at  Ponte* 
fract;  and  a  idcinal  way  appears  to  haTO  passed  through  Pontefract,  in  -a 
Bouth^ly  direction,  to  the  villages  of  Darrington,  Wentbridge,  Smeaton, 
Campsall,  and  Hatfield.     Thero  was  also  a  road  from  Manchester,  by  Cam- 
bodnnum,  Wakefield,  and  the  Street-houses.    A  Eoman  military  way  ran 
from  Yoik  to  Derventio,  near  Stamford  Bridge,  whero  it  divided  into  two 
branches,  the  one  leading  to  Dnnsley  Bay,  the  Dunns  Sinus  of  Ptolemy ;  and 
the  other  to  Scarborough  and  Filey.    The  branch  leading  from  Stamford 
Bridge  to  Dunsley  Bay  is  now  called  Wade's  Causeway,  and  is  supposed  to 
have  derived  its  name  from  the  Sason  Duke,  Wada,  who  is  said  to  have  re- 
dded at  a  castle  near  the  coast     Drake,  in  his  Histoiy  of  York,  tells  us  that 
he  ''had  his  first  intelligence  of  this  road,  and  the  camp  upon  it,  from  T. 
Robinson,  Esq.,  of  Pickering,  a  gentleman  well  versed  in  this  kind  of 
learning.**    Mr.  HinderweU,  on  the  authority  of  Mr.  Robert  King  (who  dis- 
covered the  vestiges  of  the  Dunus  Sinus  road,  in  the  fields  near  the  village 
of  Broughton,  where  eleven  Roman  urns  wero  dug  up  in  making  fences  for 
the  enclosure,  and  the  stones  of  the  road  have  been  frequently  ploughed  up), 
gives  a  clearer  idea  of  this  highway,  in  the  following  passage : — "  Thero  was 
also  another  Roman  road  which  passed  westward,  through  the  range  of  towns 
called  Street  towns,  viz: — Appleton-le-Street,  Barton-le-Street,  <fec.    The 
great  Roman  road,  or  Ermine  Street,  continues  by  the  town  of  Barugh,  and 
not  tax  from  Thornton  and  Risborough,  to  the  barrows  near  the  little  village  of 
Cawtfaom,  or  Coldthom,  whero  thero  is  a  small  spring;  and  a  house  in  the 
village  still  retains  the  name  of  Bibo,  supposed  to  be  derived  firom  having 
been  a  drinking  house  of  the  soldiers  from  the  barrow  camps.    Hence  the 
road  proceeds  to  Stopebeck,  which  it  crosses  in  the  line  of  the  Egton  road, 
and  then  continues,  at  a  small  distance  from  that  road,  to  a  stone  cross,  called 
Malo  Cross,  which  it  passes  at  about  the  distance  of  forty  yards  on  the  west 
of  the  cross.    It  then  runs  northward  to  Keys*bec,  which  it  crosses  about 


7Q  GENERAL   HISTORY  OF  YORKSHIRE. 

sixty  yards  east  of  the  Egton  road,  and  pursues  the  northern  direction,  until 
it  crosses  Wheeldale-bec,  at  the  point  of  junction  of  that  bee  and  Keys-bee, 
whence  it  proceeds  by  the  Hunt-house  to  July  or  Julius  Park,  to  the  ancient 
castle  of  Mulgrave,  situate  near  Dunua  Sinus,  or  Dunsley  Bay,  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Whitby,  where  several  Roman  urns  have  been  found."* 

Another  Roman  road  ran  from  York  to  Bridlington  Bay  or  Filey.  This 
celebrated  bay  is  called  by  Ptolemy  Gabrandtovicorum  Sinus  Tortuosus,  or 
Salutaris.  From  it  a  Roman  ridge,  commonly  called  the  Dykes,  is  apparent 
for  many  miles  over  the  Wolds,  directing  in  a  straight  line  for  York.  The 
late  Sir  Christopher  Sykes  discovered  a  vestige  of  this  road  at  Sledmere,  in 
levelling  a  high  bank,  forming  one  side  of  the  Slade  near  the  Mere.  "  The 
workmen  came  upon  a  very  distinct  layer  of  smaU  gravelly  stones,  at  almost 
two  feet  six  inches  from  the  surface,  laid  in  a  convex  form,  nine  feet  wide, 
and  six  or  seven  inches  thick,  in  the  direction  of  a  line  between  York  and 
Hunmanby ;  but  after  it  ascends  the  hill  from  Sledmere,  it  is  more  in  the 
form  of  an  intrenchment  than  a  road,  and  has  probably  been  used  at  different 
periods  for  both  purposes."!  Drake  traces  this  road  from  Sledmere,  by 
Wharram-en-le-Street  and  Settrington,  to  Malton  and  York. 

There  was  a  Roman  way  from  York  to  the  Praetorium  of  Antoninus,  which 
Camden  places  at  Patrington.  Drake  fixes  the  first  military  station  from 
York,  on  this  road,  at  DerverUio,  or  Stainsfordburgh,  now  called  Stamford 
Bridge,  and  the  next  station  at  Delgovwia,  now  Londesborough.  From  the 
latter  station,  part  of  the  Ermine  Street,  called  Humber  Street,  ran  south  to 
the  village  of  Brough  (ad  PetuariumJ,  on  the  Humber ;  and  from  the  station 
ad  Abum  on  the  opposite  side  (Wintringham),  was  continued  to  lAndum, 
now  Lincoln. 

The  great  military  road  fix^m  York  to  Lincoln,  as  marked  out  in  the  fifth 
and  eighth  iter  of  Antoninus,  was  by  Danum,  (Doncaster),  and  crossed  the 
Trent  at  Littleborough,  the  ancient  ArgoUcum.  Thus  did  the  military  roads 
converge  in  every  direction  from  the  extremities  of  the  province  to  Eboracum^ 
or  York,  their  common  centre. 

Roman  Stations, — Besides  the  great  Roman  station  of  Eboracum,  or  Ebu- 
racum,  at  York,  this  county  contained  also  in  the  West  Riding,  the  stations 
of  Isurium,  at  Aldborough ;  Legiolum,  near  the  junction  of  the  rivers  Aire 
and  Calder ;  Danum,  at  Doncaster ;  Olicana,  at  Bkley ;  and  Cambodtmum, 
at  Almondbury,  near  Huddersfield.  The  stations  in  the  North  Riding  were 
those  of  Cataractonium,  at  Catterick ;  and  Derventio,  at  Stamford  Bridge,  or 

•  HinderweU'8  Hist  Soarb.  pp.  19,  20.        f  Allen's  Hist  Yorks.  p.  U. 


OSKEBAL   HISTORT  OF  YORXSBIRS.  78 

at  Alby,  or  Aldby,  a  mile  farther  northward ;  and  in  the  East  Riding,  Petu- 
{urioy  at  Beverley,  or  Brough ;  DelgovUia,  at  Londesborough ;  and  Pratorium, 
at  Patrington. 

Traces  of  Raman  Encampments  are  found  in  several  places,  and  will  be 
noticed  under  their  proper  heads  in  this  work.  (For  a  further  account  of 
Soman  Btmains,  see  tlie  History  of  York,  at  subsequent  pages,  J 

AHer  the  Romans  had  vacated  Britain,  the  country  sunk  into  a  state  of 
anarchy,  barbaroos  nations  invading  it  frequently,  and  civil  wars  prevailing 
more  and  more  among  the  Britons  themselves,  so  that  it  lay  for  some  time, 
as  it  were,  without  blood  or  spirit,  and  without  any  face  or  appearance  of 
goTemment.   While  under  the  dominion  of  the  Romans,  England  and  Wales 
contained  thirty  CivitcUeSf  or  Seigniories,  governed  by  their  own  magis- 
trates;  and  it  is  supposed  that  the  Britons,  when  left  to  themselves, 
establisihed  the  same  number  of  republics.     But  civil  discord  very  soon 
established  military  tyrannies;  and  to  aggravate  these  evils,  the  Picts  and 
Scots  were  continually  renewing  their  attacks  on  the  divided  Britons.    In  a 
few  years  eveiy  trace  of  popular  government  had  vanished,  and  the  ambition, 
the  wars,  and  the  vices  of  the  petty  chieftains,  or  Kings  of  Britain,  together 
with  the  frequent  incursions  of  the  above-named  depredators,  inflicted  on 
the  country  more  permanent  and  extensive  injuries  than  had  ever  been  suf- 
fered from  the  incursions  of  foreign  enemies.     In  the  north,  district  after 
distzict  became  the  scene  of  devastation  at  the  hands  of  the  northern  tribes ; 
and  the  approach  of  danger  admonished  the  more  southern  Britons  to  pro- 
vide for  their  own  safety.    Vortigem,  the  most  powerful  of  the  British  Kings, 
leaniing  that  a  Saxon  squadron  of  three  chiules,  or  long  ships,  was  cruising  in 
the  channel  in  quest  of  adventures,  under  the  command  of  the  brothers 
Hengist  and  Horsa,  hastened  to  solicit  their  assistance  in  banishing  the 
northern  invaders.     The  Saxon  chiefs  eagerly  accepted  the  invitation  of  the 
British  Prince  to  aid  in  fighting  his  battles,  and  depend  for  their  reward  on 
his  gratitude. 

The  Saxons  were  confederated  tribes,  consisting  of  the  Angles,  the  Jutes, 
and  the  genuine  Saxons,  who  had  long  been  settled  on  the  shores  of  the 
German  Ocean,  and  extended  from  the  Eyder  to  the  Rhine.  They  were  a 
bold  and  warlike  people,  trained  to  arms  from  their  boyhood,  and  whose  only 
profession  was  pillage  by  land  and  piracy  by  sea.  Their  whole  time  was 
devoted  to  indolence  and  to  rapine.    Every  warrior  attached  himself  to  the 


74  QEMERAL  HISTORY  OF  TORKSHIBB. 

fortunes  of  some  favourite  chieftain,  whom  he  followed  in  his  piratical  expe- 
dition ;  whilst  the  culture  of  their  lands,  and  the  care  of  their  flocks,  were 
consigned  to  the  women  and  slaves. 

Zosimus  tell  us,  that  they  were  in  general  a  warlike  nation;  and  were 
looked  upon  to  be  the  most  valiant  of  all  the  Grermans,  both  for  greatness  of 
mind,  strength  of  body,  and  a  hardy  constitution.  Marcellinus  observes,  that 
the  Romans  dreaded  them  above  all  others,  because  their  motions  were  always 
sudden ;  and  Orosius  says,  that  "  for  their  courage  and  activity  they  were 
terrible."  They  were  eminent  for  their  tallness,  symmetiy  of  parts,  and 
exactness  of  features.  Wittichindus,  a  monk,  has  left  us  this  description  of 
them,  ''the  Franks  were  amazed  to  see  men  of  such  vast  bodies,  and  so  great 
souls.  They  wondered  at  their  strange  habit  and  armour,  at  their  hair 
hanging  down  upon  their  shoulders,  and  above  all,  at  liieir  courage  and 
resolution." 

Sidonius,  the  eloquent  Bishop  of  Clermont,  in  describing  these  barbarians, 
says,  ''We  have  not  a  more  cruel  and  more  dangerous  enemy  than  the 
Saxons.  They  overcome  all  who  have  courage  to  oppose  them.  They  sur- 
prise all  who  are  so  imprudent  as  not  to  be  prepared  for  their  attack.  When 
they  pursue  they  in&llibly  overtake;  when  they  are  pursued,  their  escape  is 
certain.  They  despise  danger ;  they  are  inured  to  shipwreck ;  they  are  eager 
to  purchase  booty  with  the  peril  of  their  lives.  Tempests,  which  to  others 
are  so  dreadful,  to  them  are  subjects  of  joy.  The  storm  is  their  protection 
when  they  are  pressed  by  the  enemy,  and  a  cover  for  their  operations  when 
they  meditate  an  attack.  Before  they  quit  their  own  shores,  they  devote  to 
the  altars  of  their  Gods  the  tenth  part  of  the  principal  captives;  and  when 
they  are  on  the  point  of  returning,  the  lots  are  ciust  with  an  affectation  of 
equity,  and  Ihe  impious  vow  is  fulfilled." 

The  Saxons,  according  to  Lingard,  were  invited  to  Britain  by  Vortigem  in 
the  year  449.  Ancient  writers,  however,  are  at  variance  respectbig  the  exact 
year;  "but,"  writes  Camden,  "at  what  time  soever  they  came  over,  it  is 
certain  they  showed  wonderful  cotirage,  and  this  tempered  with  great  pru- 
dence; for  in  a  short  time  they  became  so  considerable,  both  for  numbers, 
discipline,  and  conquests,  that  they  were  in  a  most  prosperous  and  powerful 
condition,  and  their  victory  in  a  manner  enim  and  absolute."  All  they 
conquered,  excqpt  some  few  who  took  refuge  in  the  uncultivated  western 
parts,  yielded,  and  became  one  nation,  and  embraced  their  laws,  name,  and 
language. 

Such  is  the  character  of  the  auxiliaries  invited  by  Vortigem  to  resist  the 
invaders.    For  six  years  they  served  him  with  fidelity,  but  the  Picts  and 


GENERAL  HI8T0BT  OF  T0BK8HIBB.  75 

Soots  were  no  sooner  driven  bock  to  their  native  hills,  than  the  Saxons,  in 
their  greedy  desire  to  possess  the  fertile  country  for  which  they  had  been 
fighting,  obtained  large  reinforcements  &om  their  own  country,  and  turned 
their  snrords  upon  the  Britons,  who  made  an  obstinate  resistance,  in  which 
they  fought  many  great  battles  under  Yortigem  and  the  renowned  King 
Arthur. 

The  Piets  and  Soots  having  succeeded  in  subduing  all  the  country  north  of 
the  Humber,  and  in  rendering  York  littie  short  of  a  heap  of  ruins ;  Hengist, 
the  Saxon  general,  attacked  and  defeated  them  with  great  slaughter  near  the 
city.  Ajft^  rescuing  York,  and  all  the  country  south  of  the  river  Tees,  and, 
as  has  just  been  observed,  banishing  the  invaders  to  their  native  moun- 
tains, the  Saxons  received  large  reinforcements,  and  attacked  the  Britons. 
Several  bloody  battles  were  fought,  and  Kent  was  conquered  by  Hengist. 
Sach  is  the  account  given  by  the  Saxon  Chronicle ;  but  the  British  writers 
teil  a  different  tale.  They  attribute  the  loss  of  Kent  to  the  infatuation  of 
Vortagem  and  the  treacherous  policy  of  Hengist.  They  tell  us  that  the 
Britidi  Song  having  become  enamoured  of  the  beautiful  Rowena,  daughter 
of  Hengist,  divorced  his  Queen,  took  the  former  to  his  bed,  and  bestowed  on 
his  father-in-law  the  kingdom  of  Kent.  The  Britons  being  satisfied  that  the 
Saxons  intended  to  settle  in  this  country,  sent  for  Aurelius  Ambrosius,  Prince 
of  Armorica,  who  is  described  as  of  Boman  origin,  the  son  of  parents  who 
had  worn  the  purple,  and  a  brave  and  unassuming  warrior,  to  assist  in  de- 
lending  them.  "  Hengist  hearing  of  their  embassy,'*  says  Allen, ''  privately 
sent  his  sons  Ochta  and  Abisa  to  secure  all  the  northern  fortresses;  who, 
stnctly  obserting  their  fiEither^s  instructions,  feigned  accusations  against  many 
of  the  leading  characters  at  York  and  its  vicinity,  charging  them  with  a 
design  ot  betraying  their  countrymen  into  the  hands  of  those  enemies  whom 
the  Saxons  had  defeated ;  and  imder  this  pretence  put  many  of  them  to 
death,  some  secretly,  others  openly,  as  actually  convicted  of  the  treasons  laid 
to  their  charge.**'*' 

Yortimer,  the  son. of  Yortigem,  now  placed  himself  at  the  head  of  the 
Britons,  attacked  the  Saxons  before  the  arrival  of  Ambrosius,  and  defeated 
them  in  fovuT  successive  battles.  Shordy  afterwards  Ambrosius  arrived,  and 
slew  Hengist  in  an  obstinate  and  bloody  battie  at  the  village  of  Gonings- 
borou^  about  five  miles  from  Doncaster.  His  two  sons,  Ochta  and  Abisa, 
fled  with  the  shattered  remains  of  their  army;  the  former  to  York,  and  the 
latter  to  Aldborough,  but  they  were  quickly  pursued  by  Ambrosius,  to  whom 

•  Allsn's  Hist  Torks.,  p.  21. 


76  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  YORKSHIRE. 

they  surrendered,  and  by  whom  they  were  pardoned.  According  to  Gildas, 
Ambrosiua  perished  in  a  domestic  quarrel  with  Guitolin.  Uter,  sumamed 
Pendragon,  succeeded  his  brother  Ambrosius  as  sovereign,  in  490.  Ochta 
and  Abisa  soon  after  revolted,  and  wasted  all  the  country  from  the  borders  of 
Scotland  to  York,  which  city  they  infested.  The  British  King  defeated  them 
in  battle,  and  took  them  prisoners.  At  the  early  age  of  eighteen,  Arthur 
ascended  the  throne  of  Britain;  and  the  Saxons  taking  advantage  of  his 
youth,  made  an  attempt  upon  his  kingdom.  Ochta  and  Abisa,  having 
escaped  from  tlieir  captivity,  fled  home,  and  returning  with  a  powerful  army, 
again  conquered  the  northern  parts  of  the  kingdom,  which  they  divided  into 
two  sections,  or  kingdoms ;  the  northern  portion,  which  was  situated  north 
of  the  Roman  wall,  was  called  Bemida,  and  its  capital  was  Bamburgh ;  and 
the  more  southern,  Diefyr,  or  Deira,*  of  which  York  was  the  capital.  Arthur, 
notwithstanding  his  youth,  attacked  the  two  brothers,  and  defeated  them  in 
several  battles ;  and  the  following  summer  he  gained  a  decisive  victory  over 
the  Saxons,  slaying  90,000  of  them  on  Mount  Badon,t  including  all  the 
Saxon  generals,  and  the  flower  of  their  army.  The  city  of  York  was  de- 
livered up  to  him  immediately  on  his  approach. 

After  all  his  conquests  this  renowned  monarch  was  slain  in  a  rebellion  of 
his  own  subjects,  and  by  the  hands  of  his  own  nephew,  in  542.  Though 
some  writers  assign  dates  to  the  exploits  of  this  great  chieftain,  who  is  said 
to  have  fought  and  to  have  gained  twelve  battles ;  yet  Dr.  Lingard  says  res- 
pecting him,  "  if  we  divest  his  memory  of  that  fictitious  glory,  which  has 
been  thrown  round  it  by  the  imagination  of  the  bards  and  minstrels,  he  will 
sink  into  equal  obscurity  with  his  fellows.  We  know  neither  the  period 
when  he  lived,  nor  the  district  over  which  he  reigned.  *  *  *  Perhaps 
when  the  reader  has  been  told,"  continues  the  same  author,  "  that  Arthur 
was  a  British  chieftain,  that  he  fought  many  battles,  that  he  was  murdered 
by  his  nephew,  and  was  buried  at  Glastonbury,  whero  his  remains  were  dis- 
covered in  the  reign  of  Henry  11.,  he  will  have  learned  all  that  can  be 
ascertained  at  the  present  day,  respecting  that  celebrated  warrior."+  The 
manner  of  the  discovery  of  his  remains  is  said  to  be  as  follows : — King  Henry 
U.,  whilst  in  Wales,  heard  an  ancient  song  of  the  martial  de€ds  of  Arthur, 
accompanied  with  the  music  of  the  harp,  in  which  it  was  declared  that 
Glastonbury  was  the  place  of  his  burial.     Henry  repaired  to  the  spot,  and 

•  The  kingdom  of  Deira  comprehended  Yorkshire,  Durham,  Lancashire,  Westmor- 
land, portions  of  Northumberland,  and  Cumberland. 

f  Badon  has  been  generally  supposed  to  have  been  the  city  of  Bath. 
}  lingard's  Hist.  Bng.  vol.  i,  pp.  71,  72,  fcap.  8vo. 


OENEBAt.  HISTOBT  OF  TORKSHIRE.  77 

having  ordered  the  groond  in  the  church  jaxd,  between  two  pyramids,  to  he 
excavated,  at  the  depth  of  seven  feet  a  broad  stone  was  discovered,  to  which 
was  fastened  a  leaden  cross,  with  this  inscription  in  rude  characters : — Hie 
Jaeet  MepuJUus  Rex  Arturius  in  Inaulm  AvaUmia,  Nine  feet  deeper,  we  are 
told,  his  body  was  found,  enclosed  in  the  trunk  of  a  tree  hollowed  for  that 
pupose.  Arthur  must  have  been  a  powerful  man,  for  the  chroniclers  of  the 
discovery  of  his  remains  assert  that  his  shin  bone  being  set  on  the  ground 
reached  up  to  the  middle  of  the  thigh  of  a  tall  man ;  and  that  the  space  of 
his  forehead  between  his  eyes  was  a  span  broad.  His  Queen,  Guenhera, 
whom  he  had  married  at  York,  had  been  buried  near  him ;  and  both  their 
bones  were,  by  order  of  the  Abbot  Stephen,  translated  into  the  great  church, 
and  there  royally  interred  under  a  marble  tomb.  The  time  of  King  Arthur 
is  generally  supposed  to  be  from  the  year  506  to  542. 

Dissensions  having  arisen   and  become  multipHed  among  the  British 

Princes,  the  Saxons  gained  an  entire  conquest  over  all  the  Britons,  save  a 

miserable  remnant  that  would  not  submit  to  their  yoke,  and  who  sought 

shelter  in  the  Cambrian  mountains,  where  their  posterity,  according  to  Welsh 

history,  have  ever  since  remained. 

The  conquest  of  the  northern  part  of  the  country  by  the  Saxon  chieftains 
-was  not  achieved  until  the  year  547,  that  is  98  years  after  the  arrival  of 
Hengist  and  Horsa  in  Britain. 

Besides  England,  the  Saxons  possessed  themselves  of  the  greater  part  of 
Scotland,  and  the  Highlanders,  who  are  the  true  Scots,  call  them  Sassons  to 
this  day.  The  name  of  England  was  established  in  a.d.  800,  when  Egbert 
assumed  the  sovereign  authority.  Several  of  the  counties  are  mentioned 
before  the  extinction  of  the  Saxon  Heptarchy,  the  smaller  provinces  or  king- 
doms of  which  became  counties,  as  Kent,  Sussex,  Surrey,  and  Essex. 
Hampshire,  Somersetshire,  Wiltshire,  and  Berkshire  (portions  or  shires  of 
the  kingdom  of  Wessex)  are  mentioned  before  the  accession  of  King  Alfred, 
A.i>.  871;  Devon  and  Cornwall  about  the  same  time;  Gloucestershire  soon 
after,  and  most  of  the  other  counties  from  north  to  south  are  named  in 
history  previous  to  the  Norman  conquest,  where  they  use  the  same  language 
with  us,  only  varying  a  little  in  the  dialect.  And  this  language  we  and  they 
kept  in  a  manner  uncomipted,  together  with  the  kingdom,  for  1,150  years. 
Notwithstanding  the  primitive  barbarism  of  the  Saxons,*'  writes  Oliver, 
'they  are  the  people  of  whom  we  have  the  greatest  reason  to  be  proud.  The 
Bomans  introduced  into  this  island  the  arts  of  civilization,  and  the  comforts 
of  domestic  life,  but  the  Saxons  did  more.  They  not  only  gave  to  this 
kingdom  salutary  laws,  by  which  the  rights  and  liberties  of  its  inhabitants 


Ml 


78  GENERAL  HI8T0BT  OF  T0RK8HIRE. 

were  defined  and  made  secure,  but  they  laid  the  foundation  on  which  the 
flEibrie  of  our  glorious  constitution  is  built;  and  by  the  union  of  wisdom  and 
piety,  they  succeeded  in  gradually  forming  the  minds  and  manners  of  society 
to  an  intercourse  of  superior  polish,  and  conducive  to  the  best  interests  of 
morality  and  virtue."* 

The  Hdigion  of  the  Saxons,  which  was  a  more  barbarous  superstition  than 
that  of  Druidism,  which  it  superseded,  prevailed  till  nearly  the  close  of  the 
sixth  century.  It  was  chiefly  founded  on  traditional  tales  received  from  their 
fathers,  not  reduced  to  any  system.  The  votive  sacrifices  of  the  Britons 
were  addressed  to  Hu,  the  god  of  peace,  but  those  of  the  Saxons  were 
chiefly  offered  up  to  Mercury,  whom  they  called  Woden,  and  upon  whom  they 
looked  as  the  deity  of  war,  and  the  ancestor  of  their  princes.  His  sacrifices 
were  men,  and  the  day  consecrated  to  him  was  the  fourth  of  the  week,  which 
we  therefore  at  this  day  call  Wednesday.  They  believed  that  if  they  could 
only  propitiate  this  deity  by  their  valour,  they  should  be  admitted  after 
death  into  his  hall,  and  there  repose  on  couches,  and  satiate  themselves  with 
strong  drink  from  the  sculls  of  their  enemies  whom  they  had  killed  in 
battle.  The  sixth  day  they  consecrated  to  Venus,  whom  they  called  Frea 
and  Frico,  firom  whence  we  call  that  day  Friday;  as  Tuesday  is  derived  from 
Tuisco,  the  founder  of  the  German  nation;  and  Sunday,  Monday,  and 
Saturday,  from  the  gods  Sunnan,  Monan,  and  Seater,  to  whom  those  days 
were  dedicated.  Thor,  whom  they  looked  upon  as  another  powerful  god,  they 
took  to  be  the  ruler  of  the  air,  and  to  him  they  dedicated  the  fifth  day  of  the 
week,  or  Thursday,  and  they  had  also  a  goddess  called  Foster,  to  whom  they 
sacrificed  in  the  month  of  April ;  which,  observes  Bede,  they  call  Foster 
Monarth,  and  we  at  this  day  call  the  paschal  feast  Easter,  Besides  being 
idolatrous,  they  were  likewise  strangely  superstitous.  Camden  tells  us  that 
they  much  used  the  casting  of  lots.  After  cutting  a  branch  from  some  fruit 
tree,  they  divided  it  into  little  slips;  each  of  which  they  distinguished  by 
certain  marks,  and  then  cast  them  promiscuously  upon  a  white  cloth.  If 
the  consultation  was  upon  public  affiiirs,  the  priest,  but  if  upon  private,  the 
head  of  the  family,  after  worshipping  the  gods,  took  each  of  the  pieces  up 
three  several  times,  and  then  gave  an  interpretation  according  to  the  mark 
set  upon  them.  To  foretell  the  events  of  war,  they  used  to  take  a  captive  of 
the  nation  against  which  their  design  was,  and  compel  him  to  fight  a  duel 
with  one  of  their  own  country,  and  by  the  issue  of  this,  they  concluded  which 
side  woidd  conquer. 

•  Histoiy  of  Beverley,  p.  39. 


GENERAL  HISTOBT  OF  TOBESHIBE.  79 

The  Saxon  reiigion  remained  in  the  ascendant  throughout  the  greater  part 
of  Britain  for  more  than  a  centoiy,  and  the  first  hlow  which  it  sustained, 
irms  inflicted  hj  Pope  Gregory  the  Great,  about  the  year  597.  "  This  excellent 
personage  sustained  a  character  of  much  estimation,  both  as  an  ecclesiastic 
and  a  poUtician ;  and  ample  justice  has  been  done  to  his  merits,  as  well  by 
Mb  cotemporaries,  as  by  succeeding  generations.  To  his  extraordinary  zeal 
and  persererance,  the  Anglo-Saxons  were  most  essentially  indebted  for  their 
ocmverBion  from  the  hoirible  system  of  idol  worship ;  and  the  whole  tenor  of 
his  conduct,  with  few  exceptions,  was  exemplary  as  a  Christian  Bishop.  He 
was  a  gentleman  by  birth,  education,  and  manners ;  being  nobly  descended, 
and  the  great  grandson  of  a  Pope.*  His  distinguished  talents  had  been  im- 
proved in  the  best  manner  of  the  times ;  and  he  devoted  his  earlier  sendees 
to  the  public,  in  a  civil  station,  as  Governor  of  Rome.  Early  in  the  prime 
of  his  days  he  formed  an  irresistible  bias  towards  monastic  retirement  How 
weQ  calculated  soever  he  might  have  been  for  civil  employments,  to  which 
his  indncements  were  more  numerous  and  weighty,  he  voluntarily  relinquished 
the  splendid  offisrs  of  ambition,  and  attached  himself  solely  to  tbexalm  pur- 
soztB  of  learning  and  rdigion*  His  paternal  fortune,  which  was  very  con- 
sideraUe,  he  distributed  with  a  liberal  hand  amongst  his  kindred,  and,  with 
the  small  remains  of  his  property,  he  built  and  endowed  churches  and 
monasteries.  His  gradations,  fixnn  monkish  seclusion  to  the  papal  throne, 
were  few,  but  honourable  to  himself,  and  beneficial  to  those  who  employed 
him."t 

Before  his  pontifieate  he  had  desired  to  come  over  to  Britain,  and  obtained 
permisnon  from  the  reigning  Pope,  but  was  prevented  by  the  people  with 
whom  he  was  very  popular,  and  who  would  not  suffer  him  to  leave  Rome. 
This  undertafciBg  he  had  always  at  heart,  and  it  rose  from  the  following  in- 
cident:— ^Passing  through  the  maiket-plaoe  at  Rome,  sometime  before  his 
elevation  to  the  papal  throne,  he  saw  some  Saxon  youths  firom  Britain  ex- 
posed for  sale,  whom  their  mercenary  parents  had  sold  to  the  Roman 
merchants,  according  to  the  custom  of  all  the  Teutonic  peoples.}  We  are 
told,  that  stmek  with  their  fine  foatores  and  fair  complexion,  he  enquired  the 
name  of  the  country  which  could  produce  such  perfect  specimens  of  the 
hmnan  fiame,  and  was  answered  that  they  came  from  Britain.  Finding 
diat  tbej  were  still  heathens,  he  sighed  deeply,  and  said,  "  it  is  a  lamentable 

that  the  Prince  of  Darkness  should  be  master  of  so  much 


•  Felix  n.,  who  died  kJ>.  492,  the  47th  Bishop  of  Borne, 
t  History  of  Beverly,  by  Bev.  O.  Oliver,  p.  82.       *  Malmsbuiy  historian,  i,  e.  8. 


80  QENSBAL  HISTORY  OF  TOBESHIRE. 

beauty,  and  have  so  many  comely  persons  in  his  possession ;  and  that  so 
fine  an  outside  should  have  nothing  of  God's  grace  to  furnish  it  within." 
Bede  adds,  that  he  again  asked,  what  was  the  name  of  that  nation,  and 
being  told  that  they  were  called  Angli  or  Angles,  "Right,"  said  he,  "for 
they  have  angelical  faces,  and  it  becomes  such  to  be  companions  with  the 
angels  in  heaven."  "  What  is  the  name  of  the  province  from  which  they 
are  brought,"  continued  he,  and  upon  being  told  it  was  Deira,  a  district  of 
Northumbria,  "  Truly,  Deira,  because  they  are  withdrawn  from  wrath,  and 
called  to  the  mercy  of  Christ,"  said  he,  alluding  to  the  Latin  De  ira  Dei 
eruti,  "  What  is  the  name  of  the  King  of  that  province  ?"  EUa  or  AUa, 
was  the  reply.  "  Alleluia,"  cried  he,  "  the  praise  of  God,  the  creator,  must 
be  sung  in  those  parts." 

Soon  after  his  elevation  to  the  pontifical  chair,  in  590,  he  turned  his 
thoughts  to  this  abandoned  part  of  the  vineyard,  and  dispatched  his  Mend 
Austin,  or  Augustine,  the  superior  of  his  own  monastery,  with  forty  other 
zealous  monks,  to  spread  the  truths  of  the  gospel  in  Britain ;  and  by  their 
preaching,  the  Christian  religion  made  such  rapid  progress  that  it  soon 
became  the  prevailing  faith  of  the  country,  and  Augustine  was  created  Arch- 
bishop of  Canterbury,  in  the  year  600,  and  Paulinus,  another  Roman  mis- 
sionary. Archbishop  of  York,  in  628.  So  great  was  the  crowd  of  converts 
to  Christianity,  that  Paulinus  is  said  to  have  baptized  10,000  persons  in  one 
day  in  the  river  Swale,  in  Yorkshire.'*' 

The  English  no  sooner  received  the  truths  of  Christianity,  than  with  a 
most  fervent  zeal  they  gave  up  themselves  to  it,  and  employed  their  best  en- 
deavours to  promote  it,  by  discharging  aU  the  duties  of  Christian  piety,  and 
by  erecting  churches  and  monasteries,  so  that  no  part  of  the  Christian  world 
could  either  show  more  or  richer  religious  establishments.  So  many  persons, 
eminent  for  sanctify,  did  it  produce,  that  England  was  justly  styled  the 
Island  of  Saints. 

The  Saxon  conquerors  divided  Britain  into  seven  portions  or  kingdoms, 
since  called  the  Heptarchy,  over  each  of  which  a  monarch  presided.  They 
lived  for  a  long  time  in  a  flourished  condition  under  their  Heptarchy,  till  at 


*  Speed  Brit,  p.  313.  Camden  says,  that  the  Bishop,  after  having  consecrated  fhe 
Swale,  commanded  that  they  should  go  in  two  by  two  and  baptise  each  other  in  the 
name  of  the  Holy  Trinity.  Thia  feat  was  performed  at  Belperby.  The  river  Swale  was 
held  sacred  by  the  Saxons,  and  termed  the  Jordan  of  England  on  account  of  this  won- 
derflil  baptism  by  St.  Paolinus.  The  same  escploit  is  related  of  St  Augustine,  and  both 
the  rivers  are  called  Swale,  though  the  one  runs  into  the  Thames,  and  the  other  into 
theUre. 


G£KEBAL  HISTORY   OF  TORESRIRE. 


81 


length,  as  we  shall  see,  all  the  other  kingdoms,  shattered  with  civil  wars, 
were  subdued  to  that  of  the  West  Saxons;  and,  Egbert,  the  ambitious 
monarch  of  that  kingdom,  united  them,  and  published  an  edict,  ordering 
the  whole  Heptarchy  to  be  called  EtigleUmd,  i.  e.,  The  Latid  of  the  Angles, 

Camden  gives  the  following  Chorographical  table  of  the  Saxon  Hef« 
tabchy: — 


1. — ^The  Kingdom  of  Kent 
contained 

2.— >The   Kingdom   of  the 
South  SaxoM  contained 

3. — ^The  Kingdom    of  the 
East  Angles  contained 


} 
} 


4. — ^The    Kingdom  of  the 
West  Saxons  contained 


5. — ^The  Kingdom  of  Nor- 
thumberland contained 


0.— The   Kingdom  of  the 
East  Saxons  contained 


1 


7.— The  Kingdom  otMercia 
contained 


The  Ck)unty  of 
The  Counties  of 

The  Counties  of 


The  Counties  of 


The  Counties  of 


EenU 


>    The  Counties  of    -* 


*-    The  Counties  of    « 


Sussex. 
Surrey. 

Norfolk. 
Suffolk. 

Cambridge,  with  the 
Isle  of  Ely» 

Cornwall. 
Devon. 
Dorset^ 
Somerset. 
Wilts. 
Hants. 
^  Berks. 

r  Lancaster. 

York. 

Durham. 

Cumberland. 

Westmorland. 

NorthumberlAnd,<rn(i 
Scotland  to  the 
Frith  of  Edin- 
burgh. 

Essex. 

Middlesex,  and  part 
Hertfordshire. 

r  Gloucester. 

Hereford. 

Worcester. 

Warwick. 

Leicester. 

Rutland. 

Northampton. 

Lincoln. 

Huntingdon. 

Bedford. 

Buckingham. 

Oxford. 

Stafford. 

Derby. 

Salop. 

Nottingham. 

Chester,  and  the 
other  parts  o/Hert- 
L      fordshire. 


I 


8d  QBNERAL  HI8T0BT  OF  YOBKSHIRE. 

Under  the  Heptarchy  York  was  the  capital  of  the  kingdom  of  Northum- 
brian or  Northumberland,'!'  and  its  first  Saxon  King  was  Ida,  of  whom 
William  of  Malmsbury  writes  thus,  "The  most  noble  Ida,  in  the  full  vigour 
of  life  and  strength,  reigned  in  Northumbria.  But  whether  he  himself  seized 
the  chief  authority,  or  received  it  by  consent  of  others,  I  by  no  means 
venture  to  determine,  because  the  truth  is  unrevealed." 

Ida  died  in  a.d.  559,  and  on  his  death-bed  he  divided  his  dominions 
between  his  two  sons;  giving  the  part  called  Deira  to  Ella,  or  Alia;  and 
Bemicia  to  Adda.  It  was  during  this  reign  that  some  youths,  earned  from 
this  country  for  sale  to  Rome,  attracted  the  attention  of  Gregory,  a  monk, 
afterwards  Pope,  and  which  circumstance  was  in  some  measure  connected 
with  the  re-introduction  of  the  truths  of  Christianity  into  Britain,  as  already 
related.  Ella,  the  first  Anglo-Saxon  King  of  Deira,  left  at  his  death  his  son 
named  Edwin,  an  infant  of  three  yeai's  old,  for  his  successor.  Ethelfrith,  or 
Ethelfrid,  a  grandson  of  Ida,  soon  after  succeeded  to  the  throne  of  Bemicia, 
and  after  rendering  himself  formidable  to  all  his  neighbours,  particularly  the 
Picts,  Scots,  and  Welsh,  he  invaded  Deira,  from  whence  he  expelled  the 
infemt  E^ng,  and  united  that  kingdom  to  his  own  dominions.  Edwin  was 
carried  to  North  Wales,  and  educated  by  Cadvan,  a  Prince  of  that  countiy. 
For  the  space  of  27  years  Edwin  wandered,  a  fugitive  Prince,  through  the 
different  kingdoms  of  the  Heptarchy  without  being  able  to  recover  his  pater- 
nal dominions,  or  even  to  find  a  secure  asylum,  as  the  power  of  Ethelfritli 
deterred  the  Saxon  Princes  from  provoking  his  resentment  .by  protecting  a 
forlorn  orphan.  At  length,  at  the  age  of  30  years,  his  many  excellent 
qualities,  and  majestic  deportment,  gained  him  the  favour  of  Eedwald,  King 
of  East  Anglia,  and  his  royal  consort;  and  for  a  short  period  he  enjoyed,  at 
the  East  Anglian  court,  the  sweets  of  tranquility  and  repose. 

The  consequence  of  this  generous  act  of  hospitality  on  the  part  of  Redwald, 
were  two  hard-fought  battles  with  the  tyrant  Ethelfrith,  in  the  latter  of  which 
victory  was  declared  in  favour  of  the  East  Anglians,  the  Northumbrians 
having  thrown  down  their  arms,  and  betaken  themselves  to  flight.  Kedwald 
advanced  into  Northumbria  without  opposition ;  the  three  sons  of  the  usurper, 
Eanfrid,  Oswald,  and  Oswy,  having  fled  into  Scotland,  and  the  Northum- 
brians submitted  to  Redwald,  who  not  only  restored  Edwin  to  the  throne  of 
Deira,  his  patrimonial  inheritance,  but  also  gave  him  the  kingdom  of 
Bemicia. 

"Edwin  obtained  the  kingdoms  of  Deira  and  Bemicia  in  617,"  writes 

•  The  kingdom  of  Northamberland  was  so  called  from  its  situation  north  of  the 
river  Humber — the  land  north  of  the  Humber. 


GENERAL   HISTORY   OF   YORKSHIRE.  83 

Alien,  "and  in  634  he  acquired,  though  not  without  much  opposition,  a  de- 
cided pre-eminence  over  the  other  Princes  of  the  Heptarchy,  and  assumed  the 
title  of  monarch  of  the  Anglo-Saxons,  which  Redwald  had  enjoyed  during  his 
life.  He  claimed  an  ahsolute  authority  over  the  other  Kings ;  and  hy  an 
ensign  carried  hefore  in  the  form  of  a  globe,  as  a  symbol  of  the  union  of  the 
Heptarchial  goyemment  in  his  person,  he  gave  tliem  to  understand  that  he 
was  not  only  their  head  but  their  master. '> 

£dwin  now  demanded  in  marriage  Ethelburgha,  daughter  of  the  late 
Ethelbert,  the  first  Christian  Eingf  of  the  English,  and  sister  of  Ebald, 
Eadbald,  or  Ethelbald,  King  of  Kent,  a  Princess  of  great  beauty  and  virtue ; 
but  his  proposal  met  with  a  refusal  which  he,  then  in  the  acme  of  his  power, 
had  not  expected.     She  was  a  Christian,  and  he  yet  an  idolater.    She  would 
not  renounce  her  £uih  for  the  splendour  of  a  throne;  nor  would  she  become 
the  consort  of  Edwin,  unless  she  might  be  allowed  the  free  exercise  of  her 
own  religion.     Edwin  submitted  to  this,  and  Ethelburgha  brought  with  her 
Paulinas,  a  Roman  Missionary  and  Christian  Bishop,  as  well  as  Christian 
attendants.    On  Easter  eve,  in  626,  the  Queen  was  delivered  of  a  daughter; 
and  on  Easter  day  an  assassin,  named  Eumer,  sent  by  Quichelm,  King  of 
the  West  Saxons,  being  admitted  into  the  presence  of  King  Edwin,  attempted 
to  stab  him  with  a  poisoned  dagger.     He  would  have  certainly  killed  him,  if 
liDa,  his  favourite  and  faithful  minister,  had  not,  for  want  of  a  buckler,  inter- 
posed his  own  body,  and  so  saved  the  King's  life  with  the  loss  of  his  own. 
The  dagger  wounded  the  King  through  the  body  of  his  officer.     The  ruffian 
was  cut  to  pieces  upon  the  spot,  but  not  before  he  had  killed  another  of  the 
courtiers.    The  King  returned  thanks  to  the  Gods  for  his  preservation ;  but 
Paulinus  told  him  it  was  the  effect  of  the  prayers  of  his  Queen,  and  exhorted 
him  to  thank  the  true  God,  for  his  merciful  protection  of  his  person,  and  for 
her  safe  delivery.    The  King  was  pleased  with  this  discourse,  and  soon  after 
he  began  to  examine  the  subject  of  religion.     He  consented  that  his  infant 
daughter  should  be  consecrated  to  God,  and  she  was  baptized  on  Whit-Sunday, 
and  called  Eanfleda,  being  the  first  fruits  of  the  kingdom  of  Northumbria. 
These  things  happened  in  the  royal  residence  upon  the  Derwent,  says  Bede; 
that  is,  near  the  Roman  station  Derventius,  or  Derventio,  mentioned  by 

•  Allen's  Hist.  Yorks.,  p.  28. 

*  Aooording  to  Camden,  the  word  "King**  is  derived  fh>m  the  Saxon  Cyning,  or 
Canynff,  which  signifies  the  same;  and  that  from  can,  "power,"  or  ken,  "knowledge,*' 
wherewith  every  monarch  is  supposed  to  be  invested.  The  Latin  rex,  the  Scythian  reix, 
the  Pmuc  pedch,  the  Spanish  rey,  and  the  French  roy,  came  all,  according  to  Postel, 
from  the  Hebrew  nueh,  "  chief  head." 


84  GENERAL   HISTORY   OF   YORKSHIRE. 

Antonius,  iu  his  Itinerary  of  Britain.  The  place  is  near  to  Stamford  Bridge, 
and  is  now  cailed  Aldby,  tliat  is,  Old  Dwelling;  and  near  to  it  Camden 
noticed  the  rums  of  an  old  castle. 

The  King  moreover  promised  Paulinus,  that  if  God  restored  him  his 
health,  and  made  him  victorious  over  those  who  had  conspired  so  basely  to 
take  away  his  life,  he  would  become  himself  a  Christian.     When  his  wound 
was  healed,  he  assembled  his  army,  marched  against  the  King  of  the  West 
Saxons,  vanquished  him  in  the  field,  and  either  slew  or  took  prisoners  all 
the  authors  of  the  wicked  plot  of  liis  assassination.     From  this  time  he  no 
more  worshipped  idols;  yet  he  deferred  to  accomplish  his  promise  of  re- 
ceiving baptism.     Paulinus  continued  to  exhort  him,  and  to  pray  earnestly 
for  his  conversion ;  and  Edwin  was  willingly  instructed  in  the  faith,  often 
meditated  on  it  by  himself,  and  consulted  with  the  wisest  among  his  great 
officers.    Pope  Boniface  sent  him  an  exhortatory  letter,  witli  presents;  and  a 
silver  looking-glass  and  an  ivory  comb  to  his  Queen.     At  length  a  day  was 
appointed  when  the  subject  of  religion  was  to  be  discussed  in  the  presence  oi 
the  court ;  Paulinus  was  to  point  out  the  evidences  of  Christianity,  whilst 
Coefi,  or,  as  it  is  written  by  Bede  in  the  Northumbrian  dialect,  Coifi,  Edwin's 
high  priest,  was  to  defend  the  idolatry  of  his  fathers.     The  result  of  this 
discussion  was  that  Coifi,  the  high  priest  of  the  idols,  declared  that  by  expe- 
rience it  was  manifest  that  their  Gods  had  no  power,  and  he  advised  the 
King  to  command  fire  to  be  set  to  the  pagan  temples  and  altars.     The  King 
asked  him  who  should  first  profane  them.     Coifi  answered  that  he,  himself, 
who  had  been  the  foremost  in  their  worship,  ought  to  do  it  for  an  example  to 
others.      Then  he  desired  to  be  furnished  with  arms  and  a  horse;  for, 
according  to  their  superstition,  it  was  not  lawful  for  the  high  priest  to  bear 
any  arms,  or  to  ride  on  a  horse,  but  only  a  mare.    Being  thereupon  mounted 
on  the  King's  own  horse,  with  a  sword  by  his  side,  and  a  spear  in  his  hand, 
he  rode  to  the  temple,  which  he  profaned  by  casting  his  spear  into  it     He 
then  commanded  those  that  accompanied  him  to  pull  it  down,  and  bum  it. 
The  parish  church  of  Godmanham  now  occupies  the  site  of  this  temple. 
Tliis  place,  says  Bede,  the  venerable  patriarch  of  Saxon  history,  writing  in 
731,  is  to  the  east  of  York,  beyond  the  Derwent,  and  is  called  Godmmiding- 
ham.     It  retains  to  this  day  the  name  of  Godmanham.     Mr.  Wright,  in 
his    Wanderings  of  an  Antiquary,   recently   published,  thinks   it  possible 
that  Londesborough,  in  the  East  Riding,  may  have  been  the  site  of  King 
Edwin's  residence,  that  place  being  but  one  mile  distant  from  the  Pagan 
temple. 

On  Easter  Day  (Apiil  12th,  627),  King  Edwin  and  several  of  his  nobles 


GENERAL   HFStORY   OF   YORKSHIRE.  85 

were  baptized  by  PauUnus  at  York,  in  a  small  wooden  church  or  oratory, 
hastily  erected,  and  dedicated  to  St.  Peter.    Edwin  afterwards  began  a  large 
church  of  stone,  in  which  this  was  enclosed,  and  which  was  finished  by  St. 
Oswald,  one  of  his  successors.    Paulinus  fixed  his  episcopal  See  at  York,  with 
the  approbation  of  King  Edwin,  and  continued  to  preach  freely  during  the 
remaining  six  years  of  this  Prince's  reign.     The  people  flocked  in  crowds  to 
receiye  the  sacrament  of  baptism,  and,  as  we  have  seen  at  pages  28  and  80, 
the  good  Bishop  baptized  them  in  multitudes  in  the  rivers.     When  the  King 
and  Queen  were  at  their  country  palace  of  Yeverin,  in  Glendale,  among  the 
Bemicians  in  Northumberland,  the  Bishop  was  occupied  36  days  together, 
horn  morning  till  night,  in  instructing  persons,  and  baptizing  them  in  the 
little  river  Glen.     When  Paulinus  was  with  the  court  in  the  country  of  the 
Deiri  he  baptized  in  the  river  Swale,  near  Catterick.     Edwin  built  a  church 
near  this  place  in  honour  of  St.  Alban,  from  which  a  new  town  arose,  which 
was  called  Albansbury,  and  since  Almondbury.     The  royal  palace  at  that 
place  was  burnt  by  the  pagans  after  the  death  of  King  Edwin.     His  succes- 
sors had  their  country  palace  in  the  territory  of  Loidis,  or  Leeds,  where  a 
town  of  that  name  was  afterwards  built. 

Edwin's  reign,  of  17  years,  is  the  brightest  in  the  annals  of  the  Heptarchy. 
He  reclaimed  his  subjects  from  the  licentious  life  to  which  they  had  been 
accustomed,  and  was  distinguished  for  his  strict  and  impartial  administration 
of  justice.  It  was  proverbial  in  his  reign  that  a  woman  or  child  might 
openly  carry  from  sea  to  sea  a  purse  of  gold  without  any  danger  of  violence 
OT  robbery.  As  no  inns  or  houses  of  public  entertainment  existed  in  those 
days,  and  as  travelling  was  difficult  and  tedious,  he  caused  stakes  to  be  fixed 
in  the  highways  near  unto  clear  springs,  and  brazen  dishes  to  be  chained  to 
them,  to  refresh  the  weary  sojourner,  whose  fatigues  Edwin  had  himself 
experienced.  The  English  enjoyed  so  perfect  tranquillity  and  security 
throughout  the  dominions  of  King  Edwin,  that  his  peace  was  proverbial. 
And  his  Christian  virtues  were  very  remarkable.  He  was  equally  zealous  to 
practice  himself,  and  to  propagate  on  all  sides  the  maxims  and  truths  of 
Christianity.  Indeed  the  English  nation  generally  received  the  faith  with  a 
fervour  equal  to  that  of  the  primitive  Christians;  and  Kings,  who  frequently 
find  the  greatest  obstacles  to  virtue,  often  set  their  subjects  the  strongest 
examples  of  the  most  heroic  virtues.  Several  monarchs  exchanged  their 
purple  and  sceptres  for  hair  cloth,  their  palaces  for  poor  mean  cells,  and 
their  power  and  command  for  the  humility  of  obedience.  After  ha>dng  spent 
flix  years  in  the  practice  of  the  Christian  virtues,  God  was  pleased  to  visit 
him  with  afflictions  to  raise  him  to  the  glory  of  martyrdom. 


86  GENERAL   HISTORY   OF   YORKSHIRE. 

Penda,  the  pagan  King  of  Mercia,  united  with  Ceadwalla,  King  of  Gwynez 
or  North  Wales,  to  destroy  all  the  English  Christians.  Edwin  met  them  at 
a  place  afterwards  called  Hevenfield'*'  (now  Heathfield  or  Hatfield),  a  village 
seven  miles  from  Doncaster,  and  in  a  most  bloody  battle,  fought  October 
12th,  633,  lost  his  crown  and  life,  in  the  48th  year  of  his  age.f  His  head 
was  buried  in  the  porch  of  the  church  he  had  built  at  York,  and  the  re- 
mainder of  his  body  was  deposited  in  the  Abbey  of  Whitby. 

The  victors  now  at  the  head  of  a  vast  army,  ravaged  the  kingdom  of  the 
Northumbers,  and  York,  its  capital,  in  a  most  barbarous  manner.  His  only 
son,  Osfhd,  being  slain  with  his  father,  Osric  and  Eanfrid,  the  two  nearest 
relatives  of  Edwin,  were  chosen  Kings  of  Deira  and  Bemicia;  but  the  former 
was  defeated  and  slain  in  battle  by  the  Welsh  King,  and  his  brother  Eanfrid 
was  cruelly  and  treacherously  put  to  death  by  Ceadwalla  at  York,  in  634, 
though  he  came  to  that  city  with  only  twelve  attendants,  for  the  purpose  of 
treating  for  peace.  Osric  and  Eanfrid  had  formerly  received  baptism,  the 
former  from  Paulinus,  and  the  latter  from  the  monks  of  St  Columba,  at 
Icolmkill;  but  each  relapsed  into  the  errors  of  paganism.  The  indignant 
piety  of  the  Northumbrians  expunged  the  names  of  these  apostate  Princes 
from  the  catalogue  of  their  Kings,  and  the  time  in  which  they  reigned  was 
distinguished  in  their  annals  by  the  expressive  term,  "  The  unhappy  year." 

Oswald,  the  younger  of  the  sons  of  Ethelfirid,  and  nephew  of  Edwin,  whose 
sister  Acca  was  his  mother,  was  called  to  the  united  throne  of  the  Northum- 
bers in  635.  This  Prince,  who  had  in  the  preceding  reign  fled  to  Scotland, 
and  embraced  Christianity  whilst  in  exile,  assembled  a  small  but  valiant 
army,  and  marched  into  Northumberland  against  Ceadwalla,  who  had  laid 
waste  the  country  with  fire  and  sword  as  far  as  the  Picts'  wall.  Oswald  gave 
the  tyrant  battle  at  a  place  called  by  Bede,  Denisbum,  that  is  the  brook 
Denis,  adjoining  the  Picts*  wall  on  the  north  side,  and  gained  a  complete 
victory;  Ceadwalla  (who  used  to  boast  that  he  had  been  bom  for  the  exter- 
mination of  the  Angles),  with  the  greater  part  of  his  army  being  slain  on  the 
field. 

Having  thus  firmly  established  himself  on  the  Northumbrian  throne, 
Oswald  set  himself  to  restore  good  order  throughout  his  dominions,  and  to 
plant  in  them  the  faith  of  Christ.  He  entreated  the  King  and  Bishops  of 
Ireland,  then  called  Scotia,  to  send  him  a  Bishop  and  assistants,  by  whose 

*  This  name  was  given  to  it  on  account  of  the  great  number  of  ChristianB  there  slain 
in  this  engagement. 

i  On  St.  Edwin  see  Bede  Hist  i.  ii.,  c.  9,  10, 12, 15,  20. 


OENE&AL  HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE.  87 

preaching  the  people  whom  he  governed  might  be  grounded  in  the  Christian 
religion,  and  receive  baptism.  Aidan,  a  monk  of  the  celebrated  monastery  of 
Hy, — a  man  no  less  venerable  for  his  virtues,  than  eminent  for  his  learning, 
— was  chosen  for  this  great  and  arduous  undertaking.  The  King  bestowed 
on  Aidan  the  Isle  of  Lindisfame,  since  called  Holy  Island,  for  his  episcopal 
seat,  and  thus  was  founded  that  ancient  See  which  was  afterwards  removed 
to  Doiham,  By  the  great  labours  of  Aidan,  aided  by  the  piety  and  munifi- 
cence of  Oswald,  Christianity  was  firmly  established,  and  maintained  its 
influence  amid  all  the  wars  and  revolutions  which  succeeded.  Oswald  filled 
his  dominions  with  churches  and  monasteries;  and  his  own  virtues  were  so 
great  and  numerous,  that  many  years  after  his  death  they  procured  for  him 
the  honour  of  canonization. 

During  eight  years  Oswald  reigned  in  such  prosperity,  that  the  Welsh,  the 
Picts,  and  the  Scots  are  said  to  have  paid  him  tribute.  But  the  fate  of 
Edwin  awaited  Oswald.  During  a  progress  which  he  made  in  Shropshire, 
attended  but  by  a  few  firiends  besides  his  domestic  servants;  Penda,  the 
baxbarous  Eing  of  the  Mercians,  who  envied  the  greatness  of  Oswald,  and 
detested  his  religion — and  who  nine  years  before  had  slain  the  pious  King 
£dwin — secretely  raised  an  army,  and  endeavoured  to  accomplish  by  strata- 
gem and  surprise,  what  he  dare  not  attempt  in  open  battle.  The  treacherous 
and  cowardly  wretch  fiercely  assaulted  and  killed  Oswald  at  Masserfield,  since 
called  Oswestry,  or  Oswaltre,  that  is  Oswald*s  Cross,  about  seven  miles  from 
Shrewsbuiy;  and  he  had  the  ferocity  to  cause  the  head  and  limbs  to  be 
severed  from  the  trunk,  and  fixed  on  high  poles  driven  in  the  ground  as 
trophies  of  his  yictory,*  This  treacherous  act  was  performed  on  the  5th  of 
August,  64d.  Penda  afterwards  ravaged  Northumbria,  but  the  royal  castle 
of  Bebbaborough  (Bamborough,  in  Northumberland)  was  the  first  place  that 
yentuivd  to  stop  his  destructive  progress.    Situated  on  a  rock,  and  protected 

•  Camden,  Capgrave,  and  others  think  this  is  the  place  where  St.  Oswald  was  slain; 
but  Alban  Butler  imagines  the  scene  of  his  death  to  be  Winwich,  in  Lancashire,  which 
w«a  anciently  called  Maserfleld,  or  Maserfelth,  and  where  is  a  well  still  called  St. 
Oswald's,  whieh  was  formerly  viaited  oat  of  devotion.  There  are  many  churches  in 
Kngland  dedicated  to  God  in  honour  of  St.  Oswald.  The  year  after  his  martyrdom,  his 
brother  Oswy  took  his  body  off  the  poles  upon  which  the  tyrant  had  affixed  them ;  he 
MUt  the  head  to  lindisfiime,  and  it  was  afterwards  put  in  the  same  shrine  with  the 
body  of  St  Gttthbert,  and  was  with  it  translated  to  Durham,  as  the  Malmsbury  hiatorian 
and  others  assure  us.  The  rest  of  St.  Oswald's  body  was  Uien  translated  to  the  monas- 
teiy  of  Bardney  in  lineolnshire.  Part  of  the  relics  were  afterwards  translated  to  the 
Abbey  of  Sl  Winoc's  Berg,  in  Flanders,  in  1221,  and  deposited  there  with  great  solem. 
nity  hy  Adam,  Bishop  of  Terouanne.  St.  Aldan,  the  first  Bishop  of  lindisftme,  was 
also  eanonized. 


88  GENERAIi  HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE. 

on  one  side  by  a  steep  ascent,  and  on  the  other  side  by  the  German  Ocean, 
it  bade  defiance  to  the  tyrant.  But  here  he  displayed  the  ferocity  of  his  dis- 
position. By  his  order  the  neighbouring  villages  were  demolished,  every 
combustible  material  was  collected  from  the  ruins  and  reared  up  in  an  im- 
mense  pile  against  the  walls,  and  as  soon  as  the  wind  blew  fiercely  towards 
the  city,  fire  was  set  to  the  pile.  But  as  the  fire  and  smoke  was  being  wafted 
over  the  heads  of  the  trembling  inhabitants,  the  wind  suddenly  changed,  and 
the  fire  spent  its  fury  in  the  opposite  direction.  Chagrined  and  confoundedi 
Penda  raised  the  siege,  evacuated  the  kingdom,  and  turned  his  arms  against 
the  King  of  East  Anglia.  Soon  after  his  retreat  in  648,  the  Northumbrian 
Thanes  placed  Oswy  or  Oswio,  the  brother  of  Oswald,  on  the  united  throne, 
but  in  the  second  year  of  his  reign  appeared  a  dangerous  competitor  of  the 
house  of  Ella,  in  the  person  of  Oswin,  the  son  of  Osric;  and  prudence  or 
necessity  induced  him  to  consent  to  a  compromise,  and  Oswin  was  crowned 
King  of  Dcira,  whilst  he  reserved  to  himself  Bemicia  and  the  northern 
conquests. 

Oswy,  who  was  never  pleased  at  this  division  of  the  kingdom,  afterwards 
asserted  his  claim  to  the  throne  of  Deira,  and  obliged  Oswin  to  arm  in  his 
own  defence.  According  to  Bede,  Oswin  was  of  a  religious  rather  than  a 
martial  disposition ;  and  regarding  it  criminal  to  shed  the  blood  of  his  sub* 
jects  for  the  support  of  his  throne,  privately  withdrew  from  his  army,  with 
the  intention  of  taking  refuge  in  a  monastery;  but  before  he  could  execute 
his  design,  he  was  betrayed  to  Oswy,  who  inhumanly  murdered  him  in  the 
hopes  of  more  easily  seizing  his  kingdom.  The  people  of  Deira,  however, 
dreading  the  dominion  of  so  cruel  a  Prince,  immediately  elected  his  nephew, 
Adelwald,  or  Odilwald,  son  of  his  brother  Oswald,  as  their  King,  and  thus 
was  Oswy  foiled  in  his  ambition. 

Adelward  commenced  his  reign  in  653,  and  for  three  years  the  kingdom  of 
Deira  experienced  an  interval  of  peace.  Oswy  still  persevered  in  his  claim 
to  this  kingdom,  and  Adelwald,  fearing  that  his  uncle  would  seize  the  first 
opportunity  to  execute  his  designs,  listened  to  a  proposal  of  a  league  with  the 
Kings  of  Mercia  and  East  AngUa  against  the  King  of  Bemicia.  The  Mer- 
cian King,  seeing  himself  supported  by  the  armies  of  East  Anglia  and  Deira, 
refused  every  overture  for  peace,  and  Oswy  was  obliged  to  try  the  fortune  of 
war  with  three  powerful  enemies.  The  nigl^t  before  the  eventful  contest  he 
fervently  implored  the  assistance  of  heaven,  and  vowed  if  he  was  victorious  to 
devote  his  infant  daughter  Elfieda  to  the  service  of  God  in  monastic  seclusion. 
But  while  the  two  armies  were  advancing  to  the  scene  of  action,  Adelwald 
was  forming  new  projects ;  he  wisely  considered  that  to  whichever  side  the 


OBKERAL  HISTOBT  OF  T0BK8HIBE.  89 

tictoiy  inclined,  it  would  be  equally  dangerous  to  hin^,  and  that  the  ambition 
of  Penda,  as  well  as  of  Oswy,  might  hurl  him  from  his  throne.    He  therefore 
resolved  to  stand  neuter  during  the  battle,  and  save  his  own  troops,  in  order 
to  defend  his  dominions  against  the  conqueror.     Penda  attacked  the  Ber- 
nicians  with  great  impetuosity ;  but  as  soon  as  the  Mercians  saw  Adelwald 
draw  off  his  division  they  suspected  some  treachery,  and  began  to  give  way, 
and  no  possible  effort  could  rally  them.     The  Kings  of  Mercia  and  East 
^nglm  were  slain,  and  their  armies  routed  with  terrible  slaughter.   Thus  fell 
the  ciueL  and  treacherous  Penda,  after  he  had  stained  his  sword  with  the 
blood  of  two  Northumbrian  Kings — ^Edwin  and  Oswald ;  and  three  Kings  of 
Cast  Anglia — Sigebert,  Egric,  and  Annas.     With  this  hoary  veteran,  who 
was  80  years  old,  and  who  had  reigned  30  years,  fell  28  vassal  chieftains,  or 
conunanders  of  royal  blood.     This  decisive  battle  wasibught  at  Winwidfield 
(VVinmoor),  or  Field  of  Victory,  situated  on  the  northern  bank  of  the  river 
Winwald,  now  Aire,  near  Loyd^n,  now  Leeds,  on  the  15th  of  November,  655. 
After  the  battle  Oswy  overran  the  kingdoms  of  the  fallen  monarchs,  and  sub- 
dued the  astonished  inhabitants.     Mercia  he  divided  into  two  portions ;  the 
province  on  the  north  of  the  Trent  he  annexed  to  his  own  dominions ;  those 
on  the  south  he  allowed  to  be  governed  by  Peada,  the  son  of  Penda,  who  had 
married  his  daughter.     But  Peada  soon  after  perished  by  the  treachery,  it  is 
said,  of  his  wife,  and  his  territory  was  immediately  occupied  by  the  North- 
umbrians. 

In  fulfilment  of  his  vow,  Oswy  placed  his  child  Elfleda,  who  was  not  yet 
one  year  old,  under  the  care  of  the  Abbess  Hilda  at  Hartlepool;  and  her 
dower  was  fixed  at  ISO  hides  of  land  in  Bemicia,  and  at  an  equal  number  in 
Deinu  This  munificent  donation  enabled  the  sisterhood  to  remove  their 
establishment  to  a  more  convenient  situation  at  Whitby,  where  the  royal  nun 
liyed  the  space  of  59  years  in  the  practice  of  the  monastic  duties,  during  one 
half  of  which  she  exercised  the  office  of  Abbess.  The  King  soon  afterwards, 
stung  with  remorse  for  the  murder  of  Oswin,  founded  and  endowed  another 
monastery  at  Gilling,  on  the  very  spot  in  which  that  Prince  had  been  slain ; 
and  the  community  of  monks  were  bound  to  pray  daily  for  the  soul  of  the 
murdered  King,  and  for  that  of  the  royal  murderer.*  Oswy  had  now  under 
his  control  a  greater  extent  of  territory  than  had  belonged  to  any  of  his  pre- 
decessors ;  but  long  before  his  death  the  tyrannical  conduct  of  his  officers 
caused  the  Mercians  to  revolt,  and  expel  the  Northumbrians ;  and  the  sceptre 
was  conferred  on  Wulphere,  the  youngest  son  of  Penda,  who  had  been 
anxiously  concealed  from  the  researches  of  Oswy. 

*  Bede  iiL,  24.    Kennios,  c.  64. 


90  OENERAJL  HISTORY   OF  YORXSHIRe. 

A  few  years  afterwards  Adelwald  died  without  issue,  and  Northumbria  was 
again  united  in  one  kingdom  under  Oswy.  But  this  re-union  was  of  short 
duration,  for  Alchfrid,  his  eldest  son,  demanded  a  portion  of  the  Northum- 
brian territory,  with  the  title  of  King.  It  is  not  clear  what  means  he  used  to 
oblige  his  father  to  give  up  to  him  the  kingdom  of  Deira,  but  this  is  certain 
that  Oswy  was  induced  to  divide  with  him  his  dominions ;  and  thus  did  he 
resign  that  crown  which  he  so  long  and  so  anxiously  desired  to  unite  with 
his  own. 

Christianity  had  now  been  preached  in  all  the  Saxon  kingdoms  except 
Sussex,  but  as  the  missionaries  had  come  from  different  countries,  though 
they  taught  the  same  doctrine,  they  disagreed  in  several  points  of  ecclesias- 
tical discipline.  Of  these  the  most  important  regarded  the  canonical  time 
for  the  celebration  of  Easter,  a  subject  which  had  for  several  centuries  dis- 
turbed tiie  peace  of  the  church.  It  was  universally  admitted  that  it  depended 
on  the  commencement  of  the  equinoctial  lunation ;  but  the  Roman  astrono- 
mers differed  from  the  Alexandrinian,  the  former  contending  that  the 
lunation  might  begin  as  early  as  the  5th,  whilst  the  latter  maintained  that  it 
could  not  begin  before  the  8th  of  March.  The  consequence  of  this  diversity 
of  opinion  was,  that  when  the  new  moon  fell  on  the  6  th,  6th,  or  7th  of  that 
month,  the  Latin  celebrated  the  feast  of  Easter  a  full  lunation  before  the 
Greek  Christians.  Weary  of  the  disputes  occasioned  by  these  computations, 
the  Roman  church,  in  the  middle  of  the  sixth  century,  had  adopted  a  new 
cycle,  which  agreed  in  every  important  point  with  the  Alexandrinian  calcula- 
tion. But  this  arrangement  was  unknown  to  the  British  Christians,  who  at 
that  period  were  wholly  employed  in  opposing  the  invaders  of  their  country ; 
and  they  continued  to  observe  the  ancient  cycle,  which  was  now  become 
peculiar  to  themselves. 

Hence  it  occasionally  happened  that  Easter,  and  the  other  festivals 
depending  on  that  solemnity,  were  celebrated  at  different  times  by  the  Saxon 
Christians,  according  as  they  had  been  instructed  by  the  Scottish,  or  by  the 
Roman  and  Gallic  missionaries;  and  thus  did  Oswy  see  his  own  family 
divided  into  factions,  and  the  same  festivals  solemnized  on  different  days  in. 
his  own  palace.  Wilfrid,  afterwards  Archbishop  of  York,  having  been  in- 
structed at  Rome  in  the  discipline  of  the  church,  was  requested  by  AlchMd, 
the  son  of  Oswy,  to  instruct  him  and  his  people  in  ecclesiastical  discipline ; 
and  Oswy,  desirous  to  end  the  dispute,  and  to  procure  uniformity,  summoned 
tiie  champions  of  the  two  parties  to  meet  at  the  monastery  at  Streaneshalch, 
now  Whitby,  in  664.  The  Kings,  Oswy  and  Alchfrid,  were  present  at  this 
conference.    Wilfrid  rested  the  cause  of  the  Romans  on  the  authority  of  St. 


aSKERAL  HISTORY   OF  TOBKBHIBB.  91 

Peter,  and  the  practice  of  the  uniyersal  church ;  and  after  a  long  debate  it 
appeared  clear  to  the  great  majority  of  the  monks  and  ecclesiastics  present, 
that  those  were  in  error  who  differed  in  this  and  other  matters  from  the 
practice  of  the  Roman  church.  Rapin  and  some  others  pretend  that  the 
Scots  or  Irish  and  the  Britons  were  for  some  time  schismatics  in  consequence 
of  these  matters ;  but  tbese  writers  are  mistaken,  for  the  Saxon  Christians 
did  not  coincide  with  the  Quartodecimans,  who  had  been  condemned  by  the 
church,  nor  had  this  difference  between  them  and  the  uniyersal  church  then 
proceeded  to  a  breach  of  communion.* 

Soon  after  this  conference  the  See  of  Canterbury  became  yacant  by  the 
death  of  Deusdedit;  Oswy  consulted  with  Egbert,  the  King  of  Kent,  and  by 
their  concurrence  the  presbyter  Wighard,  who  had  been  chosen  to  succeed 
to  the  Archiepiscopal  dignity,  was  sent  to  Rome  to  ask  the  adyice  of  the 
Apostolic  See  on  the  subject  of  discipline.  But  the  new  prelate  died  at  Rome 
of  a  dreadful  and  fatal  pestilence,  which  was  then  rayaging  Britain  and 
Ireland,  and  which  he  had  escaped  in  his  own  country.  In  a  letter  from 
Pope  Yitalian  to  Oswy,  annoimcing  his  death,  the  Pontiff  assures  the  King, 
that  he  would  select  for  the  See  of  Canterbury  a  person  equal  to  so  exalted  a 
station ;  and  after  some  delay  the  learned  and  yirtuous  Theodorus,  a  monk  of 
Tarsus,  was  landed  in  Kent  with  the  title  of  Archbishop  of  Britain.  His 
authority  was  immediately  acknowledged  by  all  the  Saxon  prelates,  synods 
were  held,  and  unifonnily  of  discipline  was  ererywhere  observed. 

Oswy  died  in  670,  in  the  29th  year  of  his  reign,  and  the  sceptre  of  North- 
umbria  was  transferred  to  the  hands  of  Egfrid,  or  Ecgfrid,  his  son  by  Anfleda, 
the  daughter  of  Ekiwin.  Some  writers  say  that  Alchfiid,  his  eldest  son,  was 
still  aliye,  but  lejected  on  account  of  illegitimacy,  and  that  he  ascended  the 
throne  after  the  death  of  Egfrid;  others  assert  that  he  ruled  in  Deira  up  to 
about  the  time  of  his  father's  death,  when  his  subjects  reyolted  against  him, 
and  he  retired  to  Ireland,  where  he  deyoted  himself  to  learning  and  piety 
until  the  death  of  Egfrid.  But  Dr.  Lingard  teUs  us,  that  after  a  dlHgent 
examination  of  Bede,  it  appeared  to  him  that  these  writers  haye  confounded 
Alch^d  and  Aldfrid,  and  made  the  two  but  one  person.  Aldftid,  who  was 
illegitimate,  and  thought  to  be  the  son  of  Oswy,  hyed  in  spontaneous  exile  in 
Ireland  through  his  desire  of  knowledge,  and  was  called  to  the  throne  after 
the  decease  of  the  legitimate  offspring  of  Oswy. 

Though  the  royal  families  of  Northumbria  and  Mercia  were  allied  by 
maniage,  the  ambition  of  Egfrid  led  him  to  inyade  that  kingdom  in  679.    A 

•  Bed6  iii.,  35,  M. 


99  GENERAL   HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE. 

conflict  took  place  on  the  banks  of  the  Trent,  but  peace  was  restored  by  the 
interposition  of  Archbishop  Theodorus.* 

In  685,  this  restless  monarch,  who  laboured  incessantly  to  preserve  and 
enlarge  his  dominions,  invaded  the  territories  of  the  ficts,  for  the  purpose  of 
depredation  or  conquest,  and  was  killed  by  them  in  battle  in  the  40th  year 
of  his  age,  and  the  15th  of  his  reign.    Egfrid  dying  without  issue,  the  North- 
umbrian Thanes  offered  the  crown  to  Alfred,  or  Aldfrid,  the  reputed  but 
illegitimate  son  of  Egfrid.     During  the  last  reign  he  had  retired  to  the 
western  isles,  and  had  devoted  the  time  of  his  exile  to  study,  under  the 
instruction  of  the  Irish  monks.     His  proficiency  obtained  for  him  from  his 
contemporaries  the  title  of  the  learned  King.    He  displayed  great  moderation 
and  virtue  in  governing  his  kingdom,  and  after  reigning  happily  for  19  years, 
he  died  in  705,  and  is  said  to  have  been  buried  at  Little  Driffield,  in  the 
East  Riding  of  Yorkshire.     Osred,  the  eldest  son  of  Alfred,  a  child  eight 
years  of  age,  succeeded  his  father.     During  the  minority  of  this  Prince,  a 
nobleman,  named  Eadulph,  usurped  the  sceptre,  and  besieged  the  royal  infant 
and  his  guardian  in  the  strong  foilress  of  Bamborough ;  but  the  nobles  and 
people  rising  in  defence  of  their  Sovereign,  the  usurper  was  taken  prisoner, 
and  put  to  death,  after  a  tumultuous  reign  of  two  months.     Osred,  however, 
as  he  advanced  towards  manhood,  lost,  by  his  licentious  conduct,  the  affections 
of  the  people,  which  Ceonred  and  Osric  (two  brothers,  descendants  of  a  natural 
son  of  Ida,  the  first  Anglo-Saxon  King  of  Northumbria),  perceiving,  formed 
a  party  against  him,  and  were  supported  by  the  whole  body  of  the  clergy. 
At  length  they  raised  the  standard  of  revolt,  and  Osred  was  defeated  and 
slain  on  the  banks  of  Winandermere,  in  716,  being  the  19th  year  of  his  age, 
and  11th  of  his  reign.     Ceonred,  who  then  mounted  the  throne,  died  in  718, 
and  was  succeeded  by  his  brother  Osric,  who  reigned  peaceably  11  years, 
but  was  slain  in  780.     The  next  King  of  Northumbria  was  Ceolwulf,  the 
brother  of  his  predecessor,  who,  in  the  8th  year  of  his  reign,  voluntarily 
retired  to  the  monastery  of  Lindisfame,  where  he  passed  the  remainder  of 
his  life.     Ceolwulf  was  the  patron  of  the  Venerable  Bede,  the  ecclesiastical 
historian.     In  the  year  737,  Eadbert,  the  cousin  of  Ceolwulf,  was  crowned, 
and,  after  enlarging  his  kingdom,  and  reigning  31  years,  he  followed  the 
example  of  his   predecessor,  by  seeking  the  peaceful  tranquillity  of  the 
cloister.     This  monarch's  brother  was  Archbishop  of  York.     Oswulf,  the  son 
and  successor  of  Eadbert,  was  assassinated  in  758,  in  the  first  year  of  his 
reign ;  his  Thanes  having  conspired  against  liim.     The  next  Northumbrian 

•  Bcde  iv.,  c.  81. 


GENERAL   HI8T0RT   OF  Y0RE8HIBE.  93 

monarch  was  Mol  Edilwold,  who,  though  not  of  royal  blood,  was  [raised  to 
the  throne  by  the  sof&age  of  the  people.  He  too  was  conspired  against,  and 
put  to  death  by  Alchred,  a  descendant  of  Ida,  who  usurped  the  throne  in 
765.  This  monarch  reigned  9  years;  but  in  774  he  was  expelled,  and 
£thelred,  the  son  of  Edilwold,  was  chosen  in  his  stead.  This  Prince  was 
obliged  by  his  subjects  to  abdicate,  and  seek  refuge  in  a  neighbouring  king- 
dom in  770. 

Alfwold,  the  son  of  Oswulf,  and  grandson  of  Eadbert,  was  now  placed  on 
the  throne;  and  though  he  reigned  11  years,  honoured  and  beloved,  yet  he 
yielded  up  his  hfe  at  the  hands  of  the  Ealdorman  Sigan.  The  murderer  put 
a  period  to  his  own  existence  five  years  later. 

In  785  Pope  Adrian  sent  two  papal  legates,  the  Bishops  of  Ostia  and 
Tudertum,  to  England.  Soon  after  their  arrival  they  convoked  two  synods, 
the  one  in  Northiunbria,  the  other  in  Mercia.  At  the  latter  synod,  which 
was  attended  by  all  the  Princes  and  prelates  in  the  country,  the  legates  read 
a  code  of  ecclesiastical  laws,  composed  by  the  Sovereign  Pontiff,  for  the 
government  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  church.  It  was  heard  with  respect,  and 
subscribed  by  all  the  members.'S' 

la  789  Osred  11.,  son  of  Alchred,  was  advanced  to  the  throne  of  Northum- 
bria,  and  the  following  year  he  was  deposed  by  the  Thanes,  and  he  retired 
to  the  Isle  of  Man.    Ethelred  was  then  recalled,  and  returned  with  a  thirst 
for  revenge,  and  was  replaced  on  the  throne.     Soon  after  his  restoration  he 
ordered  Eardulf,  one  of  his  most  powerful  opponents,  to  be  slain  at  the  door 
of  the  church  of  Eipon.     The  monks  carried  the  body  into  the  choir,  and 
during  the  funeral  service  it  was  observed  to  breathe ;  proper  remedies  were 
applied  to  the  wounds,  and  the  future  King  of  Northumbria  recovered,  and 
was  carefully  concealed  in  the  monastery.     This  act  of  cruelty  was  followed 
by  the  murder  of  Elf  and  Elwin,  the  two  sons  of  King  Alfwold.-   Osred  now 
Tetumed  from  the  Isle  of  Man,  and  braved  his  rival  to  battle ;  but  he  was 
deserted  by  his  followers,  and  added  another  to  the  victims  of  Ethelred*s 
ambition.     This  monster  repudiated  his  own  wife,  and  married  the  daughter 
of  OfCa,  the  powerful  King  of  Mercia.     In  the  third  year  of  his  reign  a  total 
failure  of  the  harvest  reduced  the  inhabitants  to  flamine,  to  which  were  soon 
added  the  ravages  of  pestilence ;  and  to  complete  their  misfortunes,  an  army 
of  Danes  landed  on  the  coast,  pillaged  the  country,  and  destroyed  the  venerable 
church  of  Lindisfame.    All  these  calamities  were  attributed  to  the  impru- 
dence of  Ethelred ;  and  in  the  fourth  year  of  his  restoration  he  fell  in  a 

•  Saxon  Chronicle,  64.    Wilk.  Con.  p.  152, 164. 


94  GENERAL  HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE. 

fruitless  attempt  to  quell  the  rising  discontent  of  his  subjects. 'i'  The  ad- 
herents of  Osbald  now  placed  -him  on  the  throne ;  but  after  a  short  reign  of 
27  days,  the  opposite  faction  gained  the  ascendancy,  and  Osbald  was  deposed, 
and  found  safety  in  a  monastery. 

Eardulf,  whose  life  had  been  saved  by  tlie  monks  of  Kipon,  then  grasped 
the  sceptre,  stained  by  the  blood  of  so  many  Princes ;  but  civil  dissensions 
had  now  prevailed  to  an  alarming  extent,  and  in  808  he  was  obliged  to  fly 
from  the  fury  of  his  rebellious  subjects,  and  take  refuge  in  the  court  of 
Charlemagne.  Alfwald,  the  head  of  the  faction  by  which  Eardulf  was 
dhven  from  his  kingdom,  undertook  to  sway  this  dangerous  sceptre ;  but  he 
reigned  only  two  years,  and  his  death  left  the  crown  to  Eanred,  in  whose 
reign  the  Anglo-Saxon  kingdom  of  Northumbria  ceased  to  be  independent 

During  the  last  century  Northumbria  had  exhibited  successive  instances 
of  treachery  and  murder,  to  which  no  other  country  perhaps  can  furnish  a 
parallel.  The  monarchs,  with  few  exceptions,  were  restless  and  ambitious, 
and  the  inconstancy  of  the  Thanes  was  fatal  to  the  ambition  of  the  monarchs. 
Out  of  the  fourteen  kings  who  had  assumed  the  sceptre  during  that  century, 
only  one,  if  one,  died  in  the  peaceable  possession  of  royalty ;  seven  were 
slain,  and  six  were  banished  from  the  throne  by  their  rebellious  subjects. 
And  the  same  anarchy  and  perfidy  prevailed  till  the  Danes  totally  extin- 
guished the  Northumbrian  dynasty,  by  the  slaughter  of  Ella  and  Osbert,  in 
the  year  867. 

Egbert,  the  only  remaining  Prince  of  the  house  of  Cerdic — deriving  his 
descent  from  that  conqueror,  through  Inigils,  the  brother  of  Ina — having 
been  compelled  to  quit  this  country,  was  well  received  at  the  court  of  Char- 
lemagne. For  tliree  years  he  had  enjoyed  considerable  command  in  the 
armies  of  that  Emperor ;  and  having  improved  the  period  of  his  exile  in 
acquiring  a  proficiency  in  the  arts  of  war  and  government,  he  returned  to 
Britain,  and  was  called  to  the  throne  of  Northumbria ;  and  by  his  eminent 
abilities,  and  great  experience,  he  was  enabled  to  unite  the  seven  kingdoms 
of  the  Heptarchy  into  one  monarchy,  about  890  years  after  the  first  arrival 
of  the  Saxons  in  this  country. 

The  authority  acquired  by  Egbert  over  the  tributary  kingdoms  was  very 
soon  weakened  by  the  incursions  of  the  Danes.  Their  invasions  gradually 
became  more  frequent  and  formidable ;  and  while  the  Kings  of  Wessex,  suc- 
cessors of  Egbert,  were  fully  employed  in  defending  their  own  dominions,  they 
could  only  maintain  a  precarious  sovereignty  over  the  other  kingdoms. 

Saxon  Cbron.  6i,  65. 


OENEBAL  HISTORY  OF  TOBKSHIBB.  05 


Those  rapacioas,  restless,  and  cruel  spoilers,  the  Danes,  in  whom  we  do 
not  find  a  single  redeeming  virtue,  made  their  first  appearance  on  our  shores 
about  the  year  787,*  hut  they  did  not  succeed  in  forming  a  permanent 
establishment  until  a.d.  867,  in  which  year  they  fitted  up  a  mighty  fleet,  and 
taking  advantage  .of  the  party  divisions  of  the  inhabitants,  during  the  inaus- 
picious reign  of  Ethelred,  invaded  the  kingdom,  penetrated  with  complete 
success  into  the  northern  districts,  and  secured  to  themselves  the  sceptre  of 
Northumbria.  In  proceeding  through  the  country  they  burnt  cities,  de- 
stroyed churches,  wasted  the  land,  overturned  everytliing  in  their  way,  and 
with  the  most  barbarous  cruelty  murdered  the  Kings  of  the  East  Angles  and 
Mercians.  "Language  cannot  describe  their  devastations.  It  can  only 
repeat  the  terms,  plunder,  murder,  rape,  famine,  and  distress.  It  can  only 
enumerate  towns,  villages,  churches,  and  monasteries,  harvests,  and  libraries 
ransacked  and  burnt.  But  by  the  incessant  repetition,  the  horrors  are 
diminished;  and  we  read,  without  emotion,  the  narrative  of  deeds  which  rent 
the  hearts  of  thousands  with  anguish,  and  inflicted  wounds  on  human  happi- 
ness, and  human  improvement,  which  ages  with  difficulty  healed,  "f  "  Ex- 
punge the  name  of  one  King  from  their  records,"  says  a  learned  writer,  in 
speaking  of  the  Danes,  "  and  their  political  existence  in  England  exhibits 
nothing  but  a  deformed  mass  of  perfidy  and  slaughter,  profligacy  and  crime." 

The  Northumbrians  being  the  most  remote  from  Wessex,  at  length 
recovered  their  independence,  and  Osbert,  or  Orbrightus,  was  raised  to  the 
throne.  Discord  and  party  spirit,  which  for  such  a  length  of  time  disturbed 
the  kingdom,  and  which  for  a  while  seemed  to  be  extinguished,  was  revived 
by  the  licentious  tyranny  of  the  new  King,  and  the  flames  of  civil  war  were 
floon  enkindled  m  Northumbria.  Returning  one  day  from  hunting,  Osbert 
called  at  the  mansion  of  one  of  his  nobles,  named  Bruem  Brocard,  guardian 
of  the  sea  coasts,  and  not  finding  him  at  home,  violated  by  force  the  chastity 
of  his  wife.  To  revenge  this  insult,  Bruem  excited  a  revolt  of  the  Bemicians ; 
Osbert  was  declared  unworthy  to  govern,  and  another  King,  named  Ella,  was 
elected  to  the  throne  of  Bemicia.  Thus  was  Northumbria  once  more  divided 
between  two  Kings,  and  two  factions,  who  were  continually  aiming  at  each 
other  s  destruction.    No  sooner  was  the  Bemician  monarch  seated  on  the 

•  Hoveden,  pw  4a  f  Tom.  Aug.  Sax.,  vol.  iL,  p.  180* 


06  GENERAL   HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE. 

throne,  than  he,  stimulated  by  Earl  Bruem,  endeavoured  to  dispossess  Osbert 
of  the  crown  of  Deira,  and  a  sanguinary  civil  war  ensued,  in  which  the 
equality  of  the  forces  of  the  two  Kings  prevented  the  scale  turning  on  either 
side.  At  length  Bruem  rashly  and  inconsiderately  resolved  to  'sail  to  Den- 
mark, and  to  soHcit  assistance,  which  was  but  too  readily  granted. 

Urged  by  ambition  and  revenge,  the  King  of  Denmark  eagerly  entered  into 
the  enterprise.  His  revenge  is  said  to  have  been  excited  by  the  alleged  cruel 
treatment  of  a  Danish  General,  named  Lothbroc,  the  father  of  Hinguar  and 
Hubba,  who  being  alone  in  a  small  boat  was  driven  by  accident  to  the  coast 
of  Norfolk.  Historians  tell  us,  that  he  was  well  received  and  hospitably 
treated  at  the  court  of  Edmund,  King  of  the  East  Angles;  that  he  was  an 
accomplished  sportsman,  and  became  so  conspicuous  for  his  dexterity,  as  to 
obtain  a  distinguished  place  in  the  royal  favour.  That  Bern,  the  King*s 
huntsman,  growing  jealous  of  him,  took  an  opportunity  of  drawing  him  to  a 
thicket,  where  he  murdered  him,  and  concealed  the  body.  That  the  corpse 
was  discovered  by  means  of  Lothbroc 's  dog ;  that  Bern  was  tried  and  found 
guilty  of  the  murder,  and  the  sentence  passed  upon  him  was,  that  he  should 
be  put  into  the  murdered  man's  boat,  and  without  tackling  or  provision,  com- 
mitted to  the  mercy  of  the  waves.  That  the  boat,  by  a  singular  fatality,  was 
cast  upon  the  coast  of  Denmark,  and  that  being  known,  Bern  was  appre- 
hended, and  examined  concerning  the  fate  of  Lothbroc.  That  in  order  to 
exculpate  himself,  Bern  told  the  Danish  authorities,  that  Lothbroc  had,  by 
the  King's  command,  been  thrown  into  a  pit,  and  stimg  to  death  by  serpents. 
They  add  that  Bruem  arrived  in  Denmark  shortly  after  this  circumstance, 
and  that  measures  were  speedily  concerted  for  the  invasion  of  Deira.  But 
Dr.  Lingard  gives  a  different  version  of  the  cause  of  this  descent  of  the  Danes* 
on  the  authority  of  Asser,  Ingulphus,  the  Saxon  Chronicle,  Leland,  and 
Turner.  He  tells  us,  that  during  the  reign  of  Ethelbert,  King  of  Wessex, 
the  predecessor  of  Ethelred,  one  of  the  most  adventurous  and  successful  of 
the  Sea-Kings,  or  pirate  chieftains,  named  Eagnar  Lodbrog,  constmcted  a 
number  of  large  ships  for  the  purpose  of  invading  England ;  that  owing  to 
the  unskilfulness  of  the  mariners,  or  the  violence  of  the  weather,  the  vessels 
were  wrecked  on  the  coast  of  Northumbria.  That  Bagnar,  with  several  of 
his  followers  reached  the  shore,  and  heedless  of  the  consequences,  commenced 
their  usual  career  of  depredation.  That  Ella  flew  to  the  coast,  fought  with 
the  plunderers,  made  Bagnar  prisoner,  and  put  him  to  death;  and  that  his 
sons,  Inguar  and  Ubbo,  who  swore  to  avenge  the  murder,  collected  to  their 
standard  the  combined  forces  of  8  Sea-Kings,  with  SO  Jarls,  consisting  of 
several^thousand  warriors,  and  in  the  reign  of  Ethelred  landed  on  the  coast 


OEKERAL   HISTORY   OF   YORKSHIRE.  97 

of  East  Anglia  without  opposition.*  It  seems  ceitain,  however,  that  soon 
after  the  death  of  Ragnar,  that  a  mighty  fleet,  commanded  by  the  two 
brothers,  Hinguar  and  Hubba,  entered  the  Humbor,  and  spread  terror  and 
dismay  all  over  the  country.  The  Xorthurabrians  being  wholly  ignorant  of 
their  design,  were  not  in  readiness  to  dispute  their  landing,  consequently  they 
soon  became  masters  of  the  northern  shore,  and  having  burnt  and  destroyed 
the  towns  on  the  Holdemess  coast,  they  marched  directly  towards  York, 
where  Osbert  was  preparing  an  army  to  oppose  them. 

In  this  great  extremity  Osbert  was  constrained  to  apply  to  his  mortal  foe^ 
EUa,  for  assistance,  and  to  the  great  credit  of  the  latter,  he  willingly  agreed 
to  suspend  their  private  quarrel,  and  join  forces  against  the  common  enemy. 
Without  waiting  the  arrival  of  Ella's  reinforcement,  Osbert  sallied  out  of 
York,  and  attacked  the  Danes  so  vigorously,  that  they  could  hardly  stand  the 
shock.  But  pressing  in  their  turn,  the  Danes  compelled  the  British  army  to 
retire  without  any  order,  into  the  city.  Osbert,  in  endeavouring  to  rally  his 
scattered  troops,  was  slain  in  the  retreat  with  a  great  number  of  his  men. 
The  victors  now  entered  York  in  triumph,  whilst  Ella  was  advancing  in  hopes 
of  repairing  the  loss  Osbert  had  sustained  by  his  impatience.  Hinguar 
having  conquered  one  of  the  Kings,  went  out  to  meet  the  other,  and  a  battle 
no  less  bloody,  and  £a,tal  to  the  English,  ensued.  Ella  was  killed,  and  his 
army  entirely  routed.  Some  historians  state  that  Ella  was  not  slain  in  the 
battle,  but  taken  prisoner,  and  that  Hinguar  ordered  him  to  be  flayed  alive 
in  revenge  for  his  father's  murder. 

Hovedon  thus  describes  the  horrible  sufferings  of  the  inhabitants  of  York 
on  this  occasion: — "By  the  General's  cruel  orders  they  knocked  down  all  the 
bojs ;  young  and  old  men  they  met  in  the  city,  and  cut  their  throats;  matrons 
and  virgins  were  ravished  at  pleasure ;  the  husband  and  wife,  either  dead  or 
dying,  were  tossed  together ;  the  infant,  snatched  from  its  mother's  breast, 
was  carried  to  the  threshold,  and  there  left  butchered  at  its  parent's  door,  to 
make  the  general  outcry  more  hideous."  According  to  the  same  authority, 
as  well  as  that  of  the  Saxon  Chronicle,  this  battle  was  fought  on  the  21st  of 
March,  867. 

The  kingdom  of  Northumbria  was  thus  conquered  by  the  Danes,  after  it 
had  been  in  the  possession  of  the  Saxons  for  3S0  years.  Hinguar  now  ap- 
pointed his  brother  Huhba,  Governor  of  York,  and  gave  him  also  the  command 
of  the  newly-won  kingdom.  A  deputy  Governor,  named  Godram,  with  a 
ganrison  under  his  command,  was  left  in  the  city,  whilst  the  two  brothers 

•  lingard's  Hist,  of  England,  vol.  i.  p.  155.    Fcp.  8vo. 

0 


OS  GENERAL  HISTOBT  OF  TOBKSHIRE. 

pushed  their  conquests  southwards.  In  870,  Hinguar  and  Hubba  returned 
to  York,  and  constituted  Egbert,  a  Saxon,  devoted  to  their  cause,  Bong  of 
Northumbria.  He  was,  however,  soon  deposed,  and  Kingsidge,  a  Dane,  was 
proclaimed  King.  The  populace  of  York,  being  much  enraged  at  this,  mur- 
dered the  Dane,  and  restored  Egbert  His  second  reign  was  of  short  duration, 
for  the  Danes,  increasing  in  power,  divided  the  kingdom  of  Northumbria 
amongst  three  of  their  own  officers.  Sithric,  a  Dane,  and  Nigel  his  brother, 
reigned  beyond  the  Tyne  in  the  year  877;  and  Reginald,  also  a  Dane, 
governed  the  city  of  York,  and  all  the  coimtry  between  the  rivers  Tyne  and 
Humber,  at  the  same  period.  The  success  of  the  Danes  in  Northumbria,  as 
well  as  in  the  south,  compelled  the  Anglo-Saxon  Kings  and  Princes  to  con- 
federate for  mutual  defence,  and  by  the  skill  and  wisdom  of  Alfred  the  Great, 
King  of  Wessex,  the  invaders  were  subdued  in  880,  after  that  renowned 
monarch  had  emerged  from  his  retreat  in  a  swineherd*s  cottage.  To  prevent 
the  rapine  and  disorders  which  formerly  prevailed  in  the  realm,  Alfred  divi- 
ded part  of  the  kingdom  into  Counties,  Hundreds,  and  Tithings,  caused  the 
inhabitants  of  each  district  to  be  made  responsible  for  the  damage  committed 
by  lawless  mobs,  established  trial  by  jury,  and  composed  a  body  of  laws  on 
which  the  glorious  superstructure  of  English  liberty  was  finally  erected.  He 
was  not  less  generous  than  brave,  and  by  acts  of  kindness,  sought  to  convert 
the  Danes  from  deadly  enemies  to  £aithful  subjects.  Alfred  may  be  con- 
sidered as  the  first  King  of  the  Anglo-Saxons ;  but  to  Athelstan,  as  we  shall 
see,  belongs  the  credit  of  being  the  founder  of  the  English  monarchy,  for 
after  the  battle  of  Brunanbuih  he  had  no  competitor. 

The  restless  spirit  of  the  Danes  not  brooking  restraint,  they  re-commenced 
hostilities,  but  after  plundering  Mercia,  in  910,  they  were  again  defeated,  in 
a  desperate  battle  in  the  north,  by  Edward  the  Elder,  son  and  successor  of  the 
Great  Alfred,  when  two  of  their  Kings,  Halfden  and  Eowils,  brothers  of 
Hinguar,  and  several  thousands  of  their  soldiers  were  slain.  At  this  period, 
Edward,  with  the  Mercians  and  West  Saxons,  ravaged  the  principal  part  of 
Northumbria  for  nearly  five  weeks. 

This  decisive  victory  established  the  superiority  of  the  Anglo-Saxon 
monarch  over  the  ruthless  Dane.  Athelstan,  the  successor  of  Edw6urd,  com- 
pelled Sithric  and  Nigel  to  submit  to  his  victorious  arms;  but  upon  doing 
homage,  they  were  allowed  to  keep  their  possessions.  In  0^6,  Sithric  ob- 
tained the  daughter  of  Athelstan  in  marriage,  on  condition  that  he  would 
turn  Christian;  but  dying  the  first  year  of  his  marriage,  his  sons,  Godfrid 
and  Anlaff,  whom  he  had  by  a  former  wife,  stirred  up  a  rebellion  among  the 
Northumbrian  Danes.    This  drew  upon  them  the  indignation  of  Athelstan, 


GENERAL  HISTOBT  OF  TOBKBHIRE.  99 

who  attacked  and  reduced  tke  whole  of  Northumbria,  except  the  castle  of 
York,  which  was  Y&ry  strong  and  well  garrisoned.  One  of  the  Danish 
Ptixxoes  now  fled  to  Scotland,  and  the  other  to  Ireland,  whence  thej  returned 
in  three  years  afterwards  (in  937)  with  a  great  body  of  Norwegians,  Danes, 
Iiiah,  Scotch,  and  Welsh  soldiers.  Anlaff  entered  the  Humber  with  a  fleet 
of  615  Bail,  landed  his  forces,  and  marched  to  York  before  the  King  had  any 
inteJligeace  of  it,  and  were  soon  joined  by  the  confederated  Scotch  and 
British  Princes.  Athelstan,  who  not  content  with  his  own  forces,  had  pur- 
diased  the  aid  of  several  Sea-Eings,  was  soon  approaching  the  north.  As  he 
passed  through  Beverley,  he  visited  the  church,  offered  his  dagger  on  the 
altar,  and  vowed  to  redeem  it,  if  he  returned  victorious,  at  a  price  worthy  of 
a  King.  In  a  few  days  afterwards  the  famous  battle  of  Bromford,  or  Bru- 
nanburh,  in  Northumbria,  was  fought,  in  which  Athelstan  gained  a  complet<> 
victoiy,  the  army  of  the  Princes  being  entirely  destroyed. 

This  engagement,  which  is  celebrated  in  the  relics  of  Saxon  and  Scandina- 
vian poetry,  lasted  from  morning  till  sunset.  A  contemporary  writer  tells-  us 
Hiat  in  the  English  army  waved  a  hundred  banners,  and  round  each  banner 
were  ranged  a  thousand  warriors.  "  Never,"  says  the  native  poet,  '*  since 
the  arrival  of  the  Saxons  and  Angles,  those  artists  in  war,  was  such  a  carnage 
known  in  England."  Constantine,  the  King  of  Scotland,  saved  himself  by  a 
precipitate  flight,  after  his  son  and  most  of  his  men  had  been  slaughtered ; 
and  amongst  the  slain  were  6  petty  Kings  of  Ireland  and  Wales,  and  12 
gieneral  officers.  To  prevent  future  rebellion,  Athelstan  proceeded  to  York, 
and  rased  the  castle,  which  was  the  principal  bulwark  of  the  Danish  power, 
to  the  ground.  The  conqneror,  in  his  return  from  the  battle,  redeemed  his 
dagger  £rom  the  chiurch  of  Beverley,  with  a  grant  of  ample  and  valuable 
piivil^es.  This  decisive  victory  confirmed  the  ascendency  of  Athelstan ;  the 
British  Princes  no  longer  disputed  his  authority,  and  his  power  became  pre- 
dominant in  Britain.  To  him,  therefore,  belongs  the  glory  of  having 
established  what  has  ever  since  been  called  the  kingdom  of  England;  and 
he,  himself,  undoubtedly,  was  the  first  monarch  of  England.  His  prede- 
oessorsy  till  the  reign  of  Alfred  the  Great,  had  been  styled  the  Kings  of 
Wesaex.  Alfred  and  his  son  Edward  assumed  the  title  of  Kings  of  the 
Anglo-Saxons;  and  Athelstan  sometimes  called  himself  King  of  the  English, 
but  at  other  times  he  claimed  the  more  pompous  designation  of  King  of  All 
Britain.  But  in  the  course  of  a  century  the  latter  title  fell  into  disuse,  and 
the  former  has  been  retained  to  the  present  age. 

Athelstan  died,  much  r^etted  by  his  subjects  and  the  surrounding  nations, 
on  the  37th  of  October,  941,  and  was  buried  in  the  Abbey  of  Mahnsbury, 


100  GENERAL  HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE. 

where  he  had  deposited  the  remains  of  Elfwin  and  Ethel  win,  who  fell  at 
Bromford.  This  monarch,  dying  without  heirs,  was  succeeded  on  the  throne 
of  England  by  Edmund,  eldest  son  of  Edward,  the  predecessor  of  Athelstan, 
then  about  17  years  of  age.  The  turbulent  spirit  of  the  Northumbrians, 
which  Athelstan  had  kept  imder  some  restraint,  soon  broke  out  after  his 
death.  Anlaff,  who  had  fled  to  Ireland,  was  invited  to  hazard  a  third  time 
the  fortune  of  war;  and  having,  by  the  promise  of  a  large  sum  of  money, 
obtained  a  considerable  force  from  Olaus,  King  of  Norway,  the  Humber,  in  a 
few  weeks,  was  covered  by  a  numerous  fleet  of  foreign  adventurers.  The 
operations  of  the  campaign  are  involved  in  much  obscurity,  but  in  a  short 
time  the  whole  of  Northumbria  submitted  to  his  arms. 

In  942  Anlafl*  attacked  the  kingdom  of  Mercia,  but  Edmund  gave  him 
battle  near  Chester,  and  neither  side  being  able  to  claim  the  victory,  a  peace 
was  concluded  through  the  mediation  of  Odo  and  Wulstan,  the  Archbishops 
of  Canterbury  and  York.  By  this  treaty  Edmund  gave  up  all  the  country 
north  of  the  Roman  highway,  Watling  Street,  which  divides  England  into 
two  parts.  The  kingdom  of  Northumbria  is  once  more  about  to  be  divided. 
The  people,  during  the  absence  of  Anlaff,  sent  for  his  nephew  Reginald,  and 
crowned  him  King  at  York.  Anlaff  prepared  for  resistance ;  but  through  the 
intciTcntion  of  Edmund,  who  was  backed  by  a  powerful  army,  it  was  agreed 
that  Anlaff  should  retain  the  crown  of  Deira,  whilst  Reginald  swayed  the 
sceptre  of  Bemicia.*  It  was  also  stipulated  that  the  two  Kings  should  swear 
fealty  to  Edmund,  and  embrace  the  Christian  religion ;  and  the  ceremony  of 
their  bjlptism  was  performed  in  the  Cathedral  by  Archbishop  Wulstan. 

In  944  hostilities  recommenced — Edmund  again  successfully  opposed  them, 
and  obliged  the  two  kings  to  quit  the  island.  Edmund  died  sole  monarch  of 
England  in  946,  and  his  sons  being  in  infancy,  he  was  succeeded  by  his 
brother  Edred,  whose  reign  was  principally  distinguished  by  the  final  subju- 
gation of  Northumbria.  He  proceeded  to  that  country,  and  I'eceived  from 
the  natives  the  usual  oaths  of  fidelity;  but  the  obedience  of  the  Northum- 
brians lasted  only  as  long  as  they  were  overawed  by  his  presence.  He  was 
no  sooner  departed,  than  they  expelled  liis  ofQcers,  and  set  his  authority  at 
defiance.  Anlaff  was  again  invited  to  return  to  York,  he  obeyed  the  invita- 
tion, and  obtained  possession  of  the  whole  of  Northumbria,  which  he  retained 

•  Dr.  Lingard  snys,  that  Anlaff  died  the  next  year  after  he  concluded  the  treaty  with 
Edmund,  and  that  it  was  after  his  death  that  Northumbria  was  again  divided.  He  states 
that  after  the  kingdoms  wore  di\ided,  the  two  kings  were  Anlaff  and  Reginald,  but  he 
does  not  tell  us  who  they  were,  but  he  distinctly  states  that  Anlaff  was  the  second  of 
that  name  in  Northumbria.    Lingard's  Eng.,  vol.  i.,  p.  200.    Fcp.  8vo. 


GENERAL   HISTORY   OP  TORKSHIRE.  101 

for  foor  years.  In  950  another  revolt  took  place,  in  fwhich  Anlaff  was 
deposed ;  and  Eric,  who  had  been  driven  from  Norway  by  his  brother  Haco, 
the  king  of  that  country,  and  who  had  wandered  for  years  a  pirate  on  the 
ocean,  and  landed  on  the  northern  coast,  was  saluted  King,  and  called  to  the 
throne  in  his  stead. 

Now  followed  a  civil  war  between  the  factions  of  Eric  and  Anlaff;  and 
when  all  was  in  confusion,  Edred,  at  the  head  of  an  army,  marched  to  the 
north,  subdued  the  contending  parties,  severely  punished  the  perfidy  of  the 
rebels,  obliged  Eric  to  flee  into  Scotland,  threatened  to  destroy  the  whole 
countiy  with  fire  and  sword,  and  even  commenced  the  execution  of  his  threat 
bj  burning  the  monastery  of  Ripon.  He,  however,  soon  relented,  pardoned 
the  offending  people,  and  replaced  Eric  on  the  throne  of  Northumbria. 

When  Edred  left  York,  the  Danes  pursued  him,  and  furiously  attacked  his 
forces  on  the  banks  of  the  river  Aire  (at  Castleford),  but  were  repulsed. 
Eldred  returned  to  Tork  to  chastise  the  people  for  rebellion,  upon  which  the 
inhabitants,  to  save  themselves  from  his  just  indignation,  renounced  Eric, 
and  put  him  to  death,  and  they  also  slew  Amac,  the  son  of  Anlaff ;  these 
Princes  having  been  the  chief  instigators  of  their  treachery.  Edred  spared 
the  city,  bat  dissolved  their  monarchial  government,  and  reduced  the  kingdom 
of  Northumbria  to  an  Earldom,  of  which  York  was  constituted  the  capital, 
and  Osulf,  or  Osluff,  an  Anglo-Saxon,  or  Englishman,  became  the  first  Earl. 
This  final  subjugation  of  the  great  northern  kingdom  took  place  in  951.  The 
chief  residence  of  the  Earls  or  Viceroys,  like  the  ancient  Kings  of  Northum- 
bria, was  at  York.  In  this  reign  the  north  of  England,  like  the  rest  of  the 
kingdom,  was  divided  into  shires,  ridings,  and  wapentakes,  and  a  number  of 
officers  appointed  for  their  superintendence.  Edgar,  who  succeeded  Edred 
on  the  throne  of  England,  appointed  Oslac  to  join  Osulf  in  the  government 
of  the  north,  but  the  authority  of  these  two  officers  was  subsequently  united 
in  the  person  of  Waltheof,  the  second  Earl. 

During  the  reign  of  Ethelred,  the  Danes  became  so  turbulent,  that  he 
attempted  to  destroy  their  power  by  secretly  ordering  them  to  be  massacred 
on  St  Brice's  day,  the  13th  of  November,  1012.  The  slaughter  on  tliat  fatal 
day  was  great  in  the  southern  part  of  England,  but  in  the  north  they  were 
too  numerously  intermingled  with  the  Saxons  to  be  sentenced  to  assassination. 
Among  the  thousands  who  fell  was  the  Lady  Gunhilda,  sister  to  the  King  of 
Denmark,  who  had  been  sent  as  hostage,  on  condition  of  peace,  together  with 
her  husband,  Palig.  This  detestable  Eict,  which  will  cover  the  name  of 
Ethelred  with  eternal  infamy,  so  inflamed  the  Danes  with  indignation,  that 
in  a  short  time  the  Saxons  became  the  sport  of  a  revengeful  enemy.     To 


109  GENERAL  HISTOBT   OF  YOBKSHUBE. 

revenge  the  wrongs  of  his  countiTmen,  Sweyne,  King  of  Denmark,  undertook 
the  conquest  of  England.  In  1013  he  entered  the  Humber  with  a  large 
fleet,  and  having  destroyed  the  country  on  both  sides  of  the  river,  he  pro- 
ceeded to  York,  and  encamped  on  the  banks  of  the  Ouse.  EtheLred,  with 
an  army  augmented  by  a  number  of  Scots,  gave  him  battle,  but  the  EngHsh 
monarch  was  defeated,  and  seizing  a  boat,  fled  to  the  Isle  of  Wight,  and 
thence  to  Normandy,  leaving  his  crown  and  kingdom  to  the  conqueror. 

Sweyne  died  at  Gainsborough  in  1014,  and  his  son  Canute  was  proclaimed 
King,  but  being  obliged  to  return  to  Denmark,  the  English  in  his  absence 
recalled  their  exiled  monarch,  who  ruled  by  force  of  arms  over  the  southern 
parts  of  the  island  till  his  death  in  1016.  Canute  died  in  this  country,  King 
of  England,  Denmark,  and  Norway,  in  1035,  and  was  succeeded  in  his 
British  dominions  by  Harold,  his  second  son,  sumamed  Harefoot.  This 
monarch  was  succeeded  by  Hardicanute,  a  licentious  tyrant,  who  died  two 
years  after  his  accession,  at  the  nuptials  of  a  Danish  lord,  at  Lambeth.  The 
next  Danish  claimant  to  the  British  crown  was  named  Sweyne,  but  Edward 
the  Confessor,  though  not  the  hereditary  descendant,  was  raised  to  the  throne 
by  the  voice  of  the  people.* 

History  is  almost  silent  concerning  the  first  seven  Earls  of  Northumbria — 
Osulf,  Waltheof,  Uthred,  Hircus,  Eadulf,  Aldred,  and  Eadulf  11.;  but  the 
last  thre&— Siward,  Tosti,  Tosto,  or  Tostig,  brother  to  Harold,  and  Morcar, 
make  a  conspicuous  figure  in  the  annals  of  the  country.  Siwaid,  the  8th 
Earl,  was  a  man  of  extraordinary  strength  and  valour.  He  was  appointed 
by  Edward  the  Confessor  to  lead  an  army  of  10,000  men  into  Scotland,  to 
aid  Malcolm  against  the  usui^r  Macbeth,  whom  he  slew,  and  set  the  former 
on  the  throne  of  Scotland.! 

When  this  brave  old  warrior  was  on  his  death-bed  at  York,  in  1055,  and 
reduced  to  the  last  extremity  by  disease,  he  exclaimed,  "  Oh !  what  a  shame 
it  is  for  me,  who  have  escaped  death  in  so  many  dangerous  battles,  to  die  like 
a  beast  at  last  Put  me  on  my  impenetrable  coat  of  mail,"  added  he,  ''  gird 
on  my  sword,  place  on  my  helmet,  give  me  my  shield  in  my  right  hand,  and 
my  golden  battle-axe  in  my  left ;  thus  as  a  valiant  soldier  I  have  lived,  even 
so  will  I  die.'*  It  is  recorded  that  his  friends  obeyed  this  injunction,  which 
was  no  sooner  done  than  he  expired.     He  died  in  1055,  and  his  body  was 

*  The  surname  of  "the  Confessor"  was  given  to  this  monarch  from  the  bull  of  his 
canonization,  issned  hy  Pope  Alexander  m,  about  a  century  after  his  decease. 

f  '*  Gracions  England  hath  lent  us  good  Siward,  and  ten  thousand  men. 
An  older  and  a  better  soldier,  none  that  Christendom  gives  out" 

Shak8pe«re*s  Macbeth,  Act  iv.  Sc.  8. 


GENERAL  HISTOBY  OF  T0RK8HIBE.  lOS 

buried  in  the  church  of  St.  Olaye,  at  York.  Tosti,  second  son  of  Earl  God- 
win, minister  of  state,  succeeded  Siward  in  the  Earldom  of  Northumbria,  but 
his  role  was  so  cruel  and  tyrannical,  that,  in  1065,  as  we  read  in  the  Saxon 
Chronicle,  the  Thanes  and  people  revolted,  and  furiously  attacking  his  house, 
he  very  narrowly  escaped,  with  his  family,  and  fled  into  Flanders.  The 
Northumbrians  seized  his  treasures,  and  appointed  Morcar  to  be  their  Earl. 
Harold,  brother  of  Tosti,  being  appointed  by  the  King  to  vindicate  the  royal 
anthority,  and  quell  the  insurrection,  b^an  his  march,  while  Morcar,  at  the 
head  of  the  Northumbrians,  advanced  southward.  The  two  armies  met  at 
Northampton,  but  happily  an  arrangement  was  effected  without  bloodshed. 
Harold  on  being  convinced  of  his  brother's  misconduct,  abandoned  his  cause, 
and  interceded  with  the  King  in  favour  of  the  insurgents.  The  Confessor 
confirmed  Morcar  in  his  Earldom;  and  Harold  afterwards  married  Morcar*s 
sister,  and  obtained  from  the  King  the  government  of  Mercia  for  Morcar*s 
brother,  Edwin. 

King  Edward  died  on  the  5th  of  January,  1066,  and  was  buried  on  the 
following  day  in  the  abbey  church  of  Westminster,  which  he  had  founded. 
During  his  reign  the  most  approved  Danish  laws  were  incorporated  with  the 
costoms,  maxims,  and  rules  of  the  Britons,  the  West  Saxons,  and  the 
Mercians.  This  code  became  common  throughout  England,  and  were  the 
laws  80  fondly  cherished  by  our  ancestors  in  succeeding  ages,  and  so  often 
promised  to  be  adhered  to  by  princes,  as  the  surest  means  of  securing  their 
popularity, 

The  Malmsbuiy  historian,  speaking  of  the  English  at  this  remarkable 
period,  says,  "  They  wore  clothes  that  did  not  reach  beyond  the  middle  of 
the  knee,  their  heads  were  shorn,  and  their  beards  were  shaven,  only  the 
upper  lip  was  always  let  grow  to  its  full  length.  Their  arms  were  loaded 
with  gdden  bracelets,  and  their  skins  dyed  with  painted  marks/' 

The  above-mentioned  Harold  was  proclaimed  King  by  an  assembly  of  the 
Thanes  and  citizens  of  London,  on  the  death  of  Edward,  and  the  day  of  the 
Confessor's  funeral  witnessed  the  coronation  of  the  new  monarch.  The 
ceremony  of  the  coronation  was  performed  by  Aldred,  Archbishop  of  York, 
Stigand,  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  being  then  suspended.  The  southern 
counties  cheerfully  acquiesced  in  the  succession  of  Harold,  but  the  Northum- 
brians in  their  pride  refused  to  be  bound  by  the  act  of  those,  whose  military 
qualities  they  deemed  inferior  to  their  own.  Harold,  accompanied  by  Wul- 
stan,  Bishop  of  Worcester,  hastened  to  the  north,  and  soon  won  the  affection 
of  the  Northumbrians.  The  news  of  Edward's  death,  and  Harold's  acces- 
sion, no  sooner  reached  William,  Duke  of  Normandy,  nephew  to  the  deceased 


104  GENERAL   HISTORT   OF   YORKSHIRE. 

monarch,  than  he  assembled  his  council,  and  expressed  to  them  his  deter- 
.  mination  to  pursue  by  arms  his  pretensions  to  the  crown  of  England.  Tosti 
(Harold's  brother),  the  outlawed  and  exiled  Earl  of  Northumberland,  en- 
couraged by  the  Duke  of  Normandy,*  and  his  father-in-law,  Baldwin,  Earl  of 
Flanders,  now  attempted  to  dethrone  him.  With  40  ships,  well  manned, 
supplied  by  the  latter  nobleman,  he  made  a  descent  upon  Yorkshire,  entered 
the  Humber,  and  committed  the  most  horrible  ravages  on  its  banks. 

Morcar,  Earl  of  Northumbria,  with  his  brother  Edwin,  Eaii  of  Chester, 
marched  expeditiously  against  the  invader,  and  pursued  him  into  Lincoln- 
sliire,  where  they  defeated  him,  and  compelled  him  to  flee  to  his  ships.  He 
then  sailed  to  Scotland,  and  after  vainly  endeavouring  to  excite  the  King  of 
that  country  to  join  him  in  the  invasion  of  England,  his  vindictive  spirit 
impelled  him  to  apply  for  assistance  to  Harrald  (sumamed  Hardrada,  or  the 
Stem),  King  of  Norway,  with  whom  he  was  more  successful.  That  great 
warrior  immediately  equipped,  for  the  invasion  of  England,  the  most  mighty 
armament  th«rt  ever  left  the  coast  of  Norway.  It  consisted  of  SOO  sail,  be- 
sides store  ships  and  vessels  of  smaller  size,  to  the  number  of  600  in  all. 
Harrald  touched  at  the  Orkneys,  where  he  was  joined  by  Tosti  and  a  large 
reinforcement  of  adventurers.  Having  burnt  and  plundered  the  town  of 
Scarborough,  and  received  the  submission  of  the  people  of  the  coast  of  York- 
shire, from  the  Tees  to  the  Humber,  the  Norwegians  entered  the  latter  river 
for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  possession  of  York.  They  landed  at  the  village 
of  Riccall,  ten  miles  from  York,  and  after  ravaging  the  country  in  the  most 
cruel  manner,  they  commenced  their  march  to  the  latter  place.  A  desperate 
attempt  to  save  the  city  was  made  near  the  village  of  Fulford,  by  the  Earls 
Edwin  and  Morcar.  The  Norwegians  were  drawn  up  with  their  right  flank 
to  the  river,  and  their  left  to  a  morass.  The  impetuosity  of  the  English 
burst  through  the  line;  but  they,  in  their  turn,  were  overwhelmed  by  a 
fresh 'body  of  forces  from  the  ships;  and  more  of  the  fugitives  perished  in 
the  water  than  had  fallen  by  the  sword.  Edwin  and  Morcar  escaped  to 
York,  whither  Tosti  and  his  forces  followed,  and  the  city  was  taken  by 
storm.  Harold,  the  English  King,  who  had  been  preparing  to  meet  the 
threatened  attack  of  William  the  Norman,  having  heard  of  the  unexpected 
invasion  of  Hardrada,  lost  not  a  moment  in  marching  against  the  aggressor, 
and  within  four  days  after  the  late  battle,  he,  at  the  head  of  a  powerful  army, 
was  in  the  neighbourhood  of  York. 

On  the  23rd  of  September,  1066,  he  arrived  with  his  forces  at  Tadcaster, 

•  Daniel,  Hist,  de  France,  vol.  iii.  p.  00. 


GESERAL   HISTORY  OF  YORKSHIRE.  105 


• 


and  the  following  day  he  marched  towards  York.  At  the  Eing^s  approach 
the  invaders  withdrew  from  York,  taking  with  them  500  of  the  principal 
inhabitants  as  hostages,  and  leaving  150  of  their  men  to  prevent  the  English 
from  taking  peaceable  possession  of  the  city ;  they  moved  about  eight  miles 
from  York,  to  Stamford  Bridge  (long  afterwards  known  as  *<  the  Bridge  of 
Battle  "),  where  they  secured  a  very  strong  position  with  the  main  body  of 
thdr  anny,  on  ground  gently  rising  from  the  river  Derwent — the  river 
flowing  in  front,  and  a  narrow  wooden  bridge  forming  the  means  of  commu- 
nication between  the  opposite  sides.  The  river  here  runs  nearly  south,  and 
is  about  eight  miles  distant  from  its  jimction  with  the  Ouse.  The  position 
of  the  invaders  had  several  advantages ;  it  was  easily  defended,  commanded 
a  view  of  the  country  for  some  distance  around,  and  it  afforded  a  commimi- 
cation  with  the  fleet,  then  lying  in  the  Ouse. 

**  The  order  of  the  battle  displayed  considerable  knowledge  of  the  mihtary 
art;  with  both  wings  bent  backward  until  they  met,  the  army  formed  a  close 
rather  irregular  circle,  everywhere  of  equal  depth,  with  shield  touching  shield, 
8o  as  to  form  a  rampart  of  bucklers.  The  royal  standard,  called  very  appro- 
priately, '  The  Land  Ravager,*  was  planted  in  the  centre,  and  by  it  the  King 
and  }ns  chosen  companions  had  generally  their  station.  This  arrangement 
was  adopted  as  the  best  means  of  defence  against  the  superior  strength  of 
the  English  in  cavalry.  The  first,  or  outer  line,  presented  to  the  enemy  a 
complete  circle  of  spears,  which  were  held  obliquely,  at  a  considerable  eleva- 
tion, their  ends  restmg  on  the  ground ;  this  position  required  the  soldiers  to 
bend  one  knee ;  the  second  line  stood  erect,  holding  their  lances  in  readiness 
to  pierce  the  breasts  of  the  horses,  should  they  attempt  to  break  through. 
The  archers  were  placed  so  as  to  assist  them  in  repelling  these  attacks. 
The  Norwegian  King,  mounted  on  a  black  charger,  with  a  white  star  in  its 
forehead,  rode  round  the  circle,  encouraging  his  men,  and  was  rendered  con- 
spicuous by  his  dazzling  helmet,  and  the  sky  blue  mantle  he  wore  above  his 
coat  of  mail.***  The  English  King  having  pursued  tbe  invaders,  resolv^ 
to  attack  them,  notwithstanding  all  the  advantages  of  their  position. 

On  the  d5th  of  September,  at  day-break,  he  commenced  hostilities,  and  the 
battle  raged  with  increasing  foxy  until  three  o*clock  in  the  afternoon.  The 
armies  were  nearly  equal  in  numbers,  each  consisting  of  about  60,000  men, 
most  of  them  chosen  warriors,  full  of  the  most  savage  bravery,  and  distin- 
gmahed  for  their  strength  and  courage.  Harold,  in  his  first  attempt  to  force 
the  passage  of  the  river,  appears  to  have  routed  a  detatchment  on  the  western 

«  BatUe  ileldB  of  Yorkshire. 


106  GENERAL   HISTOBT   OF  Y0RK8HIBE. 

side,  which  was  placed  there  to  guard  the  bridge.  Whilst  the  English  were 
pursuing  the  fugitives,  and  attempting  to  cross  the  river,  historians  tell  us, 
that  a  single  Norwegian,  of  gigantic  strength  and  power,  placed  himself  upon 
the  bridge,  and  there  by  his  extraordinary  valour  opposed  the  whole  English 
army  for  three  hours,  killing  with  his  own  hand  forty  of  Harold's  soldiers. 
After  having  scornfully  refused  an  invitation  to  surrender,  with  an  assurance 
of  the  amplest  clemency  from  the  EngUsh,  we  are  told  that  a  Saxon  boatman 
rowed  himself  imder  the  bridge,  and  thrusting  his  spear  up  through  the 
woodwork,  pierced  the  Norwegian  terribly  inwards,  under  his  coat  of  mail."!* 
The  English  then  rushed  on  with  resistless  impetuosity,  and  the  conflict  that 
ensued  was  dreadful.  No  quarter  on  either  side  was  allowed  by  this  im- 
mense multitude  in  arms,  so  that  it  is  with  good  reason  said  that  this  action 
is  one  of  the  most  bloody  that  is  recorded  in  the  annals  of  England ;  and  it 
is  stated  that  after  the  lapse  of  fifty  years  the  spot  was  still  whitened  with 
the  bones  of  the  slain.  For  a  long  time  the  issue  of  the  contest  appeared 
doubtful.  The  attack  of  the  English  was  furious,  and  it  was  met  with  equal 
spirit  by  the  Norwegians.  At  length  the  generalship  of  Harold  proved 
superior  in  the  field  to  the  Norwegian  chief.  **  He  ordered  his  horsemen  to 
retreat,  in  order  to  draw  the  enemy  from  their  position  and  break  their 
ranks ;  the  stratagem  had  the  desired  effect ;  the  Norwegians  quitted  their 
position;  the  English  horsemen  returned  to  the  charge,  and  obtained  a 
speedy  victory  over  their  now  disordered  and  half  armed  enemies ;  for  they 
had  thrown  aside  their  shields  and  breastplates  to  join  in  the  pursuit  The 
King  of  Norway  was  pierced  in  the  neck  with  an  arrow,  and  instantly 
expired.  Tosti  was  also  slain,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  army,  with  all 
the  chiefs,  perished,  fighting  like  madmen. "f  The  EngHsh  pursued  the 
remains  of  the  routed  army  in  their  disordered  flight  towards  their  ships, 
"  and  from  behind  hotly  smote  them."  Many  were  pushed  into  the  rivers 
and  drowned ;  and  others  reached  their  vessels,  somo  of  which  were  boarded 
and  burned,  and  the  whole  fleet  was  seized  by  the  victors.  Olaf,  son  of 
Hardrada,  and  Paul,  Earl  of  Orkney,  who  had  been  left  in  command  of  the 
fleet,  were  taken  prisoners ;  and  here  the  magnanimity  of  the  EngHah  King 

•  It  must  confessed,  that  the  exploits  of  this  huge  and  valiant  warrior  has  more  the 
appearance  of  romance  than  of  soher  history,  though  it  is  recorded  by  aU  who  have 
written  an  account  of  this  battle.  Drake  tells  us,  that  the  inhabitants  of  Stamford 
Bridge  "  have  a  custom,  at  an  annaal  feast,  to  make  pies  in  the  form  of  a  swiJl,  or  erwine 
tub,  which  tradition  says  was  made  use  of  by  the  man,  who  struck  the  Norwegian  on  the 
bridge  instead  of  a  boat;"  and  Profesnor  Phillips,  speaking  of  this  champion  of  the  bridge, 
says,  "  an  annual  boat-like  cake  is  the  village  monument  to  his  ibrtunate  enemy." 

i  Battle  Fields  of  Yorkshire. 


GENEBAL   HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE.  107 

shines  conspicuoualy,  for  after  receiying  back  the  citizens  of  York,  who  had 
been  detained  as  hostages  on  board  the  Norwegian  ships,  he  permitted  all 
who  had  survived  the  slaughter,  to  depart  to  their  own  country,  in  a  part  of 
their  shattered  fleet,  having  first  obliged  them  to  swear  never  to  disturb  the 
BritLsh  dominions  agauL  But  20  ships  were  sufficient  to  carry  back  the 
misecable  remains  of  an  army,  which  it  took  more  than  500  to  convey  hither. 
Camden  tells  us,  that  the  spoil  taken  by  the  victors  was  immense ;  and  that 
the  gold  alone,  which  the  Norwegians  left  behind  them,  was  as  much  as 
twelve  men  could  cany  on  their  shoulders.  It  is  stated  that  Harold  disgusted 
his  army,  by  refusing  to  distribute  among  them  any  portion  of  this  spoil. 
But  Harold's  triumph  was  of  short  duration ;  for  after  his  return  to  York, 
and  whilst  he  was  seated  at  a  royal-  banquet,  surrounded  by  his  nobles,  cele- 
brating his  great  victory,  a  messenger  entered  the  hall,  and  announced 
the  arrival  and  descent  of  the  Duke  of  Normandy  and  an  immense  army,  at 
Pevensey,  in  Sussex,  He  immediately  commenced  his  march  southward, 
and  encountered  the  enemy  at  Hastings,  where,  in  bloody  strife,  he  lost 
bis  crown  and  life,  in  that,  his  last  and  most  desperate  battle. 


Kotmatt  iPettnH. 

S<»ue  historians  assert  that  Edward,  sumamed  the  Confessor,  named,  with 
his  dying  breath,  William,  Duke  of  Normandy,  bis  nephew,  as  his  successor. 
At  the  time  of  that  King  s  death,  a  report  had  been  circulated,  that  on 
his  death  bed  he  had  appointed  Harold  to  succeed  him;  and  the  latter 
was  called  to  the  throne  by  the  voice  of  the  people.  However  this  point 
may  be  settled,  we  have  the  fact  that  William  of  Normandy  claimed  the 
£nglish  crown,  fought  for,  and  obtained  it.  He  employed  eight  months 
in  the  most  active  preparations  for  the  invasion,  and  by  the  beginning  of 
August  he  found  himself  at  the  head  of  50,000  cavaLy,  besides  a  smalls 
body  of  in£uitiy.  To  furnish  transports  for  this  numerous  army,  every  vessel 
in  Normandy  had  been  put  in  requisition.  But  the  supply  was  still  inade- 
quate, and  many  individuals  sought  the  favour  of  their  Prince,  byl)uilding 
ships  at  their  own  expense,  in  the  different  harbours  and  creeks.  The 
Normans  landed  without  opposition,  at  Pevensey,  on  the  29th  of  September, 
1066 ;  marched  immediately  to  Hastings,  and  threw  up  fortifications  at  both 
traces,  to  protect  their  ships,  and  secure  a  retreat  in  case  of  disaster.  In  the 
beginning  of  October  Harold  was  feasting  and  rejoicing  at  York ;  and  on  the 
18th  of  the  same  month  he  had  reached  the  camp  of  the  Normans.    The 


108  GENERAL   HISTORY   OF  TORESHIRE. 

Spot  which  he  selected  for  this  important  and  sanguinary  contest  was  called 
Senlac,  now  Battle,  eight  miles  north-west  of  Hastings,  an  eminence  opening 
to  the  south,  and  coyered  on  the  hack  hj  an  extensive  wood.  He  posted  his 
troops  on  the  decliyity,  in  one  compact  and  immense  mass.  In  the  centre 
waved  the  royal  standard ;  hy  its  side  stood  Harold,  and  his  two  hrothers 
Gurth  and  Leofnrin ;  and  around  them  the  whole  army,  every  man  on  foot. 
On  the  opposite  hiU  William  marshalled  his  host.  In  the  front  he  placed 
the  archers  and  howmen ;  the  second  line  was  composed  of  heavy  inf&ntry 
in  coats  of  mail ;  and  hehind  these,  arranged  in  five  divisions,  the  pride  of 
the  Norman  force,  the  knights  and  men-at-arms.  Both  men  and  horses  were 
completely  cased  in  armour,  which  gave  to  their  charge  an  irresistihle  weight, 
and  rendered  them  almost  invulnerable  to  ordinary  weapons.  William,  we 
are  told  by  an  old  writer,  *'  out  of  a  pious  care  for  the  interests  of  Christen- 
dom, and  to  prevent  the  effusion  of  Christian  blood,  sent  out  a  monk,  as 
mediator  between  both,  who  proposed  these  terms  to  Harold,— either  to 
resign  the  government,  or  to  own  it  a  tenure  in  fee  from  the  Norman,  or  to 
decide  the  matter  in  single  combat  with  William ;  but  he,"  continues  our 
authority,  "  like  one  who  had  lost  the  government  over  himself,  r^ected  all 
propositions,  and  foolishly  flattering  himself  with  success,  because  it  was  his 
birthday,  promised  to  give  them  battle.**  Camden  observes  that  the  night 
before  the  battle  was  spent  by  the  English  in  revels,  feasting,  and  shouting ; 
but  by  the  Normans  in  prayers  for  the  safety  of  their  army,  and  for 
victory. 

Next  morning  at  break  of  day,  the  Normans,  after  a  regular  shout,  sounded 
to  battle,  and  both  armies  drew  up.  When  they  were  ready  to  engage,  the 
Normans  raised  the  national  war  cry  of  "  God  is  our  help,**  which  was  as 
loudly  answered  by  the  adverse  cry  of  "  Christ*s  rood,  the  holy  rood.**  The 
Normans  charged  first  with  a  voUey  of  arrows  fix)m  all  parts,  and  that  being 
a  sort  of  attack  to  which  the  English  were  strangers,  proved  exceedingly 
terrible.  William  then  ordered  the  cavaliy  to  charge,  but  the  English,  who 
resolved  to  die  rather  than  attempt  a  retreat,  kept  their  ranks,  and  repulsed 
them  with  great  loss.  The  English  in  every  point  opposed  a  solid  and 
impenetrable  mass,  and  neither  the  buckler  nor  corslet  of  the  Normans  could 
withstand  the  stroke  of  the  batde  axe,  wielded  by  a  powerful  arm  and  with 
imerring  aim.  After  a  pause  the  left  wing  of  the  Norman  army  betook  them- 
selves to  flight,  closely  pursued  by  their  opponents,  and  a  report  having  now 
spread  that  William  himself  had  fallen,  ihe  whole  army  began  to  waver. 
The  Duke,  with  his  helmet  in  his  hand,  rode  along  the  line  exclaiming,  **  I 
am  still  alive,  and  with  the  help  of  God  I  still  shall  conquer.**    The  presence 


OSNERAL   HISTORY   OF  tORffSHIRE.  109 

and  confidence  of  their  commander  reviyed  the  hopes  of  the  Normans. 
WOliain  led  his  troops  again  to  the  attack;  but  the  English  column  resisted 
ererj  assai]lt>  aud  maintained  their  ground  with  so  much  brayery,  that  the 
Noimans  were  most  miserably  harassed,  and  were  upon  the  point  of  re- 
treating, had  not  their  leader  used  the  most  extraordinary  means  to  inspire 
them  with  courage  and  confidence.    Harold,  on  his  part,  used  eyery  possible 
exertion,  and  was  distinguished  as  the  most  actiye  and  braye  amongst  the 
soldiers  in  the  host    His  brothers  had  already  perished,  but  as  long  as  he 
snryired,  no  man  entertained  the  apprehension  of  defeat,  or  admitted  the  idea 
of  flight    The  battle  continued  for  seyeral  hours  with  great  fury,  the  English 
resisting  the  almost  oyerwelming  charges  of  the  Norman  cayaliy.    At  length, 
William,  disappointed  and  perplexed,  had  recourse  to  stratagem.    He  or- 
dered him  men  to  retreat  and  to  giye  ground;  but  still  to  keep  their  ranks. 
The  EngUsh  taking  this  for  flight,  thought  the  day  was  certainly  their  own, 
wlmeupon  they  broke  their  ranks,  and,  not  doubting  their  yictory,  pursued 
the  enemy  in  great  disorder.     But  the  Normans  rallying  their  troops  on  a 
sodden,  renewed  the  battle,  and  enclosing  the  English  in  that  disorder,  killed 
great  numbers,  while  they  stood  doubtful  whether  they  should  run  or  fight 
At  last,  Harold  was  shot  through  the  head  with  an  arrow,  and  fell  from  his 
steed  in  agony,  and  was  borne  to  the  foot  of  the  standard,  where  he  breathed 
his  last    The  knowledge  of  his  flail  relaxed  the  efibrts  of  the  English. 
Twenty  Normans  undertook  to  seize  the  royal  banner,  and  effected  their 
purpose,  but  with  the  loss  of  half  their  number.     One  of  them,  who  maimed 
inth  his  sword  the  dead  body  of  the  King,  was  afterwards  disgraced  by 
William  ibr  his  brutality. 

It  was  now  dusk  in  the  eyening,  the  English  became  dispirited,  and  having 
loet  their  King,  fled  to  saye  their  liyes,  after  haying  fought  without  inter- 
mission from  seyen  o*clock  in  the  morning.  During  the  engagement  William 
exhibited  many  proofs  of  the  most  determined  courage ;  he  had  three  horses 
killed  under  him,  and  he  had  been  compelled  to  grapple  on  foot  with  his 
adyersaries.  Harold's  mother  b^^ed  as  a  boon  the  dead  body  of  her  son, 
and  offered  as  a  ransom  its  weight  in  gold,  but  William's  resentment  haying 
rendered  him  callous  to  pity,  he  refused,  and  ordered  the  corpse  of  the  fallen 
monarch  to  be  buried  on  the  beach ;  adding,  with  a  sneer,  "he  guarded  the 
coast  while  he  was  aliye ;  let  him  continue  to  guard  it  after  death." 

There  is  an  old  English  tradition  that  Harold  did  not  fall  in  this  battle, 

hat  had  retired  to  a  hermitage,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days ; 

hut  the  historical  account  is,  that  by  stealth,  or  by  purchase,  his  remains 

•  were  lemoyed  firom  the  beach,  and  interred  at  Waltham  Abbey,  which  he. 


110  GENERAL   BISTORT   OF   YORKSHIRE. 

himself,  had  founded  before  he  ascended  the  throne.  It  is  said  that  a  plain 
stone  was  laid  on  his  tomb  in  ihe  Abbey,  with  the  expressive  epitaph, 
"Harold  Infelix."  It  is  said  that  on  the  evening  of  the  battle  William 
caused  his  pavilion  to  be  pitched  among  the  heaps  of  slaiig  and  there,  with 
his  barons,  he  supped  and  feasted  among  the  dead. 

Thus  ended  the  memorable  and  fatal  battle,  which  is  c<Hmnonlj  called  the 
Battle  of  Hastings;  and  this  day  (14th  October,  1006)  ended  the  Anglo-Saxon 
monarchy,  which  had  continued  more  than  600  years ;  and  gave  our  island 
to  the  dominion  of  the  Norman  race.  On  the  £eld  of  victory  the  conqueror 
erected  and  endowed  a  splendid  monastery,  the  remains  of  which  still  re- 
tain the  name  o(  Battle  Abbey,  It  is  said  that  the  high  altar  stood  on  the 
very  spot  where  the  standard  of  Harold  had  been  planted.  The  exterior  waJls 
embraced  the  whole  of  the  hill  which  had  been  the  centre  of  the  battle,  and 
aU  the  surrounding  country  became  the  property  of  the  Abbey.  The  com- 
munity of  this  monastery  were  bound  by  its  rule  to  offer  prayer  perpetually 
for  the  eternal  rest  of  the  souls  who  had  fallen  in  the  conflict;  and  the  Abbey 
itself  was  at  once  the  monument  of  the  Norman  Duke  s  triumph,  and  the 
token  of  his  piety.  Palgrave  very  happily  concludes  his  description  of  this 
noble  and  richly-endowed  Abbey  thus:  "But  all  this  pomp  and  solemnity  has 
passed  away  like  a  dream.  The  'perpetual  prayer*  has  ceased  for  ever, — the 
roll  of  Battle  is  rent, — the  shields  of  the  Norman  lieges  are  troddeii  in  the 
dust, — ^the  Abbey  is  levelled  to  the  ground, — ^and  a  dark  and  reedy  pool  jBUs 
the  spot  where  the  foundations  of  the  quire  have  been  uncovered,  merdly  for 
the  gaze  of  the  idle  visitor,  or  the  instruction  of  the  moping  antiquaiy.*' 
The  foundation  of  this  Abbey  was  soon  followed  by  that  of  the  town,  which 
was  afterwards  called  Battle  or  Battel. 

"Whether  we  consider  the  Norman  Conquest  in  its  success,  or  in  its  con- 
sequences," writes  Mr.  Oliver,  "  it  is  still  an  event  equally  stupendous  and 
unprecedented.  It  was  effected  almost  without  a  struggle.  Never  were  such 
important  residts  accomphshed  with  so  little  sacrifice  on  the  part  of  the 
conquerors.  The  rash  attempt  made  by  a  provincial  Duke  to  reduce  this 
powerful  island,  would  in  any  other  age  have  been  deemed  preposterous,  and 
its  success  contrary  to  aU  the  chances  of  political  calculation.  William, 
himself,  could  scarcely  anticipate,  or  even  hope  for  that  perfect  good  fortune 
with  which  it  was  accompanied.  The  native  inhabitants  appear  to  have  been 
completely  paralysed  by  the  imexpected  result  of  the  battle  of  Hastings ;  which 
feehng,  the  superior  genius  of  William  well  knew  how  to  convert  to  his  own 
advantage,  that  even  the  sacrifice  of  their  liberties,  their  property,  and  innu- 
merable lives  was  insufficient  to  rouse  them  to  any  effective  resistance  against 


OENERAI.  HISTORY   OF  Y0BK8HIRE.  Ill 

the  tjraimy  wbich  trampled  them  miderfoot,  and  reduced  their  ancient 
nobilitj  to  a  state  of  servile  thraldom.  ""!< 

William,  who  had  hitherto  heen  called  "the  Bastard,"  and  was  now  sur- 
named  "  the  Conqueror,"  was  crowned  in  Westminster  Abhej,  on  the  25th  of 
December  next  following  the  battle  of  Hastings,  bj  Aldred,  Archbishop  of 
York;  Stigand,  of  Canterbury,  being  suspended  from  the  Archiepiscopal  office. 
Having  thus  established  himself  on  the  throne  of  England,  William  on  his 
part,  to  confirm  his  authority,  adopted  the  most  bold  and  active  measures. 
He  expelled  the  English  from  their  estates,  and  reserving  to  himself  about 
1,400  manors,  he  distributed  the  fair  territory  of  Britain  amongst  his  rapacious 
foUowers.!  This  numerous  train  of  military  adventurers,  who  had  accom- 
panied him  from  Normandy  under  the  promise  of  reward,  held  their  new 
possessions  of  the  King  on  the  tenure  of  homage,  and  fealty,  and  military 
service;  by  which  they  were  boimd  to  attend  him  in  the  field  with  a  certain 
number  of  retainers,  armed,  mounted,  and  provided  for  a  specified  number 
of  days  in  every  year.  The  Boll  of  Battle  Abbey  given  by  Hollinshed,  con- 
tains the  names  of  639  Normans,  who  became  cLiimants  upon  the  soil  of 
England,  whilst  the  ancient  nobility  were  stripped  of  their  titles  and  property, 
and  the  humble  classes  of  the  inhabitants  were  reduced  to  the  condition  of 
miserable  slaves.^ 

Thus  all  the  principal  manors  in  the  kingdom,  except  those  which  the 
King  had  reserved  to  himself,  were  held  of  him  by  tenants  in  capite,  or  in 
other  words,  by  his  Barons;  and  these,  consisting  of  about  700  persons,  were 
the  legitimate  Parliament,  or  Council  of  the  realm.  The  lands  thus  acquired 
and  maintained,  the  Bacons  again  subdivided  into  Knight's  fees,  and  let  them 

•  Histoiy  of  Beverley,  p.  69.        f  West's  Enquiry,  p.  24. 

I  The  grants  of  the  landed  property  in  England,  made  by  the  Conqueror  to  some  of 
his  nobles,  were  excessive.  To  GeofiQrey,  Bishop  of  Constance,  he  gave  250  manors ;  to 
William  Warrenne,  298 ;  to  Richard  de  Clare,  171;  to  Bannlph  de  Baynard,  85 ;  and  to 
Roger  de  Bresli,  149  manors.  His  uterine  brother,  Odo,  Bishop  of  Bayenx,  and  Earl  of 
Kent»  possessed  in  that  ootmty,  and  in  several  othen,  439  manorB.  Robert,  Earl  of 
McMBtagnft,  on  whom  he  bestowed  the  Earldom  of  Cornwall,  had  in  that  and  other  coun- 
ties, 973  manors ;  and  Alan  Fergant,  Earl  of  Bretagne,  had  442  manors.  The  manor  of 
Richmond,  in  Yorkshire,  had  156  lordships ;  besides  which,  the  Earl  possessed,  by  the 
gifk  of  the  King,  276  manors  in  other  parts  of  the  kingdom.  The  King  himself  pos- 
sessed so  fewer  than  1432  manors  in  different  parts  of  the  kingdom.  A  Manor  was 
synonimous  is  the  language  of  the  Normans  with  Villa  in  Latin.  It  denoted  an  ex- 
tensive  parcel  of  land,  with  a  house  on  it  for  the  accomodation  of  the  lord,  and  cottages 
for  his  villeins  and  slaves.  He  generally  kept  a  part  in  his  own  "hands,  and  bestowed 
the  remainder  on  two  or  more  tenants,  who  held  of  him  by  military  service,  or  rent,  or 
olher  prostadoos. 


lis  OSKEBAL  HISTOBY  OF  TORRSHIBS* 

to  tenants  on  a  similar  tenure.  The  Conqueror  laid  aside  the  greater  part 
of  the  English  laws,  and  introduced  the  Norman  customsi  and  even  ordered 
all  causes  to  be  pleaded  in  French ;  and  we  are  told  bj  Ingulphus,  who  lived 
at  that  time,  that  he  "  obliged  all  the  inhabitants  of  England  to  do  homage, 
and  swear  fealty  to  him  and  his  successors.** 

He  made  a  seal  also,  on  the  side  of  which  was  engrayen,  Hoe  Normanto* 
rum  Chdidmvm  nosce  patronum,  by  this  the  Normans  own  great  William 
Dyke;  and  on  the  other  side  Hoc  AngUs  siffno  Begem  faUaris  eundum,  bjthis 
too,  England  owns  the  same  their  King.  He  erected  numerous  fortresses  to 
overawe  the  insulted  and  oppressed  inhabitants,  and  conscious  of  the  detesta- 
tion in  which  he  was  deservedly  held,  he  entertained  a  perpetual  jealousy  of 
the  English,  and  in  the  resistless  apprehensions  of  his  guilty  mind,  he  com- 
pelled them  to  rake  out  their  fires,  and  extinguish  their  lights  at  eight  o'clock 
every  night,  and  they  were  reminded  of  this  duty  by  the  toU  of  the  Curfew. 

The  northern  counties  were  slow  to  submit  to  the  Norman  yoke,  which, 
however,  at  last  fell  on  them  with  terrible  weight  A  violent  struggle  was 
made  for  some  years  to  expel  the  invaders,  and  York  was  the  rallying  point 
for  the  patriot  army.  '*Bj  the  splendour  of  God,"  (his  usual  oath)  said 
William,  when  the  men  of  York  rose  and  massacred  his  Norman  garrison,  ''I 
will  utterly  root  out  these  Northumbrian  people,  nor  will  I  lay  lance  in  rest 
for  other  cause,  until  I  have  done  the  deed."  The  gage  was  redeemed.  St 
Cuthbert,  whose  awe  had  caused  meaner  invaders  to  stand  aloof,  himself 
quailed  before  the  withering  glance  of  the  Conqueror.  The  power  of  dark- 
ness for  a  time  prevailed.  William,  as  we  shall  see,  marched  from  the  Ouse 
to  the  Tyne,  leaving  behind  him  villages  destroyed  and  without  inhabitants, 
and  scattering  the  mangled  members  of  the  people  upon  every  highway. 
Slaughter  gave  place  to  famine,  and  &mine  to  pestilence,  under  the  stem 
severity  of  the  Norman  tyrant 

Having  silenced  the  disaffected,  and  constrained  the  country  to  a  state  of 
suUen  quietude,  he  caused  a  survey  to  be  taken  of  all  the  lands  in  England, 
the  four  northern  counties  excepted,  on  the  model  of  the  Book  of  Winchester, 
compiled  by  order  of  Alfred  the  Great  This  survey  was  registered  in  a 
national  record  called  Dom  Boc,  Doomsday  or  Domesday  Book,  or  judgment, 
alluding  by  metaphor  to  those  books  out  of  which  the  world  shall  be  judged 
at  the  last  day.  It  was  to  serve  as  a  register  of  the  possessions  of  every 
English  freeman,  to  ascertain  what  quality  of  military  service  was  owed  by 
the  king's  chief  tenants ;  to  affix  the  homage  due  to  him,  and  to  record  by 
what  tenure  the  various  esstates  in  Britain  were  held.  This  survey  was 
imdertaken  by  the  advice  and  consent  of  a  great  council  of  the  kingdom, 


OBNERAJL  BISTORt  6V  YORKSHIRE.  113 

which  met  immediatdj  after  the  false  rumour  of  the  Danes'  intended  attack 
upon  England,  m  the  year  1085,  as  it  is  stated  in  the  Saxon  Chronicle,  and 
it  did  not  occupy  long  in  the  execution,  suice  all  the  historians  i/vho  speak  of 
it  -vary  but  firom  the  year  1083  until  1087.  There  is  a  memorandum  ftt  the 
end  of  the  second  yolume,  stating  that  it  was  finished  in  1080.  The  manner 
of  performing  the  survey  was  expeditious :  certain  commissioners,  called  the 
King's  Justices,  were  appointed  to  travel  throughout  England,  and  to  register 
Hpcm  the  oath  of  the  Sheriff,  the  Lords  of  each  manor,  the  priests  of  every 
chmch,  the  stewards  of  ererj  hundred,  the  bailiffs  and  six  villeins  or  hus- 
bandmen of  every  village,  the  names  of  the  various  places,  the  holders  of 
them  in  the  time  of  King  Edward  the  Confessor,  40  years  previous ;  the 
names  of  the  possessors,  the  quantity  of  land,  the  nature  of  the  tenures,  and 
the  seTeral  kinds  of  property  contained  in  them.  All  the  estates  were  to  be 
then  triply  rated;  namely,  as  they  stood  in  the  reign  of  the  Confessor;  as 
they  were  first  bestowed  by  King  William  I. ;  and  as  they  were  at  the  time 
of  the  survey.  The  manuscript  itself  consists  of  two  volumes,  a  greater  and 
a  less.  The  first  of  these  is  a  large  folio,  containing  the  description  of  31 
counties,  upon  8852  double  pages  of  vellum,  numbered  on  one  side  only,  and 
written  in  a  small  but  plain  character,  each  page  having  a  double  column. 
Some  of  the  capital  letters  cmd  principal  passages  are  touched  with  red  ink, 
and  oUieis  have  red  lines  run  through  them,  as  if  they  were  intended  to  he 
obliterated.  The  smaller  volume  is  of  a  4to  size,  and  is  written  upon  450 
double  pages  of  velltmi,  but  in  a  single  column,  and  in  a  very  large  and  fair 
chancter :  it  contains  three  counties,  and  a  part  of  two  others.^^  Through 
all  ages  this  "  Book  of  Judicial  verdict "  will  be  held  in  estimation,  not  only 
§or  its  antiquity,  but  also  for  its  intrinsic  value.  To  the  present  day  it  serves 
to  show  what  manor  is,  and  what  is  not  ancient  demesne. 

The  Normans  were  remarkable  for  their  courage  and  valour:  though 
seated  in  the  midst  of  warlike  nations,  they  never  made  submission  without 
an  appeal  to  arms.  Their  valiant  behaviour  in  the  wars  of  the  Holy  Land 
exeeediBgly  increased  their  honour;  and  Roger  Hoveden,  extolling  their 

*  The  Domesday  Book,  the  most  andent  of  its  kind  of  which  any  European  nation 
can  boast,  was,  until  1695,  kept  under  three  locks,  the  keys  of  which  were  in  the  custody 
of  the  treasurer  and  two  churchwardens  of  the  Exchequer,  but  it  is  now  deposited  in  the 
Chapter  House  at  Westminster,  where  the  fee  for  consulting  it  is  08. 8d.,  and  for  tran- 
aeripta  from  it,  4d.  per  line.  Though  it  is  now  nearly  800  years  old,  it  is  in  as  fine  a 
state  of  preaenration  as  if  it  were  the  work  of  yesterday.  In  the  40th  of  George  m. 
(IBOl),  his  Majesty,  by  the  recommendation  of  Parliament,  directed  that  it  should  be 
printed  for  the  use  of  the  members  of  the  Houses  of  Lords  and  Commons,  and  the 
poUic  tibrariea  of  the  kingdom,  which  orders  were  duly  obeyed. 

Q 


114  GENERAL  HISTOBT  OF  TOBKSHIBE. 

deeds  of  arms,  tells  us, ."  that  bold  France,  after  she  had  experienced  the  Nor- 
man valour,  drew  back ;  fierce  England  submitted ;  rich  Apulia  was  restoi*ed 
to  her  flourishing  condition ;  famous  Jerusalem,  and  renowned  Antioch,  were 
both  subdued." 

The  Normans  preserved  most  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  laws  and  customs,  but 
preferred  their  own  trial  by  batde,  as  more  worthy  of  warriors  and  freemen,  to 
the  fiery  ordeals  of  the  English.  They  separated  the  spiritual  from  the 
secular  courts ;  and  the  old  distinction  of  classes,  viz.,  Ealdermen,  Thanes^ 
Ceorls,  and  TheawaSj  were*  preserved  under  the  names  of  Count  or  Earl^ 
BaroTij  Knighty  Esquire,  Freetendnt,  ViUein  or  Villain,  and  Neif, 

In  the  Domesday  Survey  we  find  Yorkshire,  as  at  present,  divided  into 
three  Hidings,  called  the  east,  west,  and  north,  and  subdivided  into  Wapen- 
takes, a  division  peculiar  to  Yorkshire.  And  here  we  shall  make  a  digression, 
for  the  purpose  of  explaining  some  of  the  ancient  titles,  tenures,  and  terms, 
used  in  the  admeasurement  of  land,  beginning  with  the  names  of  the  divisions 
and  subdivisions  of  this  county. 

Biding  is  a  term  derived  from  the  Saxon  Trithing,  which  implies  a  third 
part ;  a  mode  of  division  in  England,  as  has  just  been  observed,  now  only 
peculiar  to  Yorkshire,  but  common  in  Lincolnshire  and  some  other  counties 
in  the  Anglo-Saxon  era.  The  Trithing  man,  or  Lathgrieve  (the  chief  magis- 
trate of  a  Riding),  presided  over  three  or  four  or  more  Hundreds,  formed  into 
what  was  called  a  Trithing,  or  Lath,  or  a  Rape ;  hence  the  Laths  of  Kent, 
the  Rapes  of  Sussex,  the  Parts  of  Lincoln,  and  the  Trithings  or  Bidings 
of  Yorkshire. 

Wapentake,  or  Wapontake,  is  equivalent  to  Hundred,  and  this  division  is 
likewise  of  Saxon  origin,  and  was  probably  made  in  imitation  of  the  Centena 
of  Germany.  The  true  origin  of  the  application  of  the  word  Hundred  to  the 
division  of  a  county  is  uncertain.  Some  authors  have  considered  the  Hun- 
dred as  relating  to  the  number  of  the  heads  of  families,  or  the  number  of 
dwellings  situated  in  the  division ;  others  to  the  number  of  hides  of  land 
therein  contained.  Other  writers  are  of  opinion  that  the  Hundred  was 
formed  by  the  union  of  ten  tithings,  and  was  presided  over  by  a  Hundredary, 
who  was  commonly  a  Tfiane,  or  nobleman,  residing  within  the  Hundred. 
The  word  Wapentake  is  evidently  of  warlike  origin.  In  the  northern  counties 
the  frequent  occasion  for  militaiy  array,  predominating  over  the  peaceful  pur- 
poses of  civil  jurisdiction,  before  the  union  of  England  and  Scotland,  the 
subdivision  of  these  counties  received  warlike  titles,  as  Wards  and  Wapen- 
takes. The  court  of  the  chief  officer,  or  Hundredary,  commonly  met  once  a 
month,  and  all  the  members  came  to  it  in  their  arms,  from  which  it  obtained 


GENEBAL  HISTOBT  OF  TORKSHIBE.  115 

the  name  of  Wapentac,  or  Wapentake,  which  literally  signifies  '*  To  Arms," 
from  Wapen,  weapons,  and  tac,  touch.  When  any  one  came  to  take  upon 
him  the  government  of  a  Wapentake,  upon  a  day  appointed,  all  that  owed 
suit  and  service  to  that  Hundred  came  to  meet  their  new  governor  at  the 
usual  place  of  meeting.  "  He,  upon  his  arrival,  alighting  from  his  horse,  set 
up  the  lance  on  end  (a  custom  used  amongst  the  Romans  by  the  Prsetor,  at 
the  meetings  of  the  Centumviri),  and  according  to  custom,  took  fealty  of  them ; 
the  ceremony  of  which  was,  that  all  who  were  present  touched  the  governor's 
lance  with  their  lances,  in  token  of  confirmation,  whereupon  the  whole  meeting 
was  called  a  Wapentake,  inasmuch  as  by  a  mutual  touch  of  each  other's  arms, 
they  had  entered  into  a  confederacy  or  agreement  to  stand  by  one  another."* 

Tithmgs  were  so  caUed  because  ten  freemen  householders,  with  their  fami- 
lies, composed  one;  and  a  number  of  these  tithings  (probably  ten,  or  perhap^ 
one  hundred)  originally  composed  a  superior  division,  called  a  hundred, 
wapentake,  ward,  &c.,  in  each  of  which  a  court  was  held  yearly  for  the  trial 
of  causes.  An  indefinite  number  of  these  divisions  form  a  County  or  Shire, 
the  civil  jurisdiction  of  which  is  confined  to  the  Shire-reve,  or  Sheriff,  who  is 
appointed  annually.  Anciently  the  Shire-genot,  or  Folk-mote,  as  the  highest 
court  in  the  county  was  then  called,  was  held  twice  a  year,  and  presided  over 
by  the  Bishop  or  his  deputy,  and  the  Alderman  or  his  vicegerent,  the 
Sheri£^ 

Judge  Blackstone  says  that  King  Alfred  the  Great  divided  England  into 
counties,  hundreds,  and  tithings,  to  prevent  the  rapine  and  disorders  which 
formerly  prevailed  in  the  realm ;  the  inhabitants  of  each  district  being  then 
made  responsible  for  the  lawless  acts  of  each  other.  But  shires  and  counties 
are  mentioned  before  the  accession  of  that  monarch.  Soon  after  the  intro- 
duction of  Christianity  in  the  seventh  century,  the  kingdom  was  divided  into 
Parishes  and  Bishoprics. 

The  principal  Htles  of  honour  amongst  the  Saxons  were  Ethding,  Prince  of 
the  blood ;  Chancellor,  assistant  to  the  King  in  giving  judgments ;  Alderman^ 
OT  Ealderman,  Governor  or  Viceroy.  This  word  is  derived  from  aM  or  old, 
like  senator  in  Latin.  Provinces,  cities,  and  sometimes  wapentakes,  had 
their  aldermen  to  govern  them,  determine  law  suits,  &c.  This  office  gave 
place  to  the  title  of  Earl,  which  is  Danish,  and  was  introduced  by  Canute. 
Sherds,  or  Shir-rieve,  the  Alderman's  deputy,  and  chosen  by  him,  sat  as 
judge  in  some  courts,  and  saw  sentence  executed.  Heartoghan  signified 
Generals  of  armies  or  Dukes.    Hengist,  in  the  Saxon  Chronicle,  is  Hear- 

*  Bswdwen's  Domesday  Gloss.,  p.  82. 


116  GENERAL   HISTORY  OF  YORKSHIRE. 

togh.     Reeve,  among  the  English  Savons,  was  a  steward.     Witan  or  Witss 

(i.e.  wise-men)  were  the  magistrates  or  lawyers.     Thanes  (i.e.  servants)  were 

officers  of  the  crown,  whom  the  King  recompensed  with  lands,  to  be  held  of 

him,  with  some  obligation  of  service  or  homage.     There  were  other  lords  of 

lands  and  vassals,  who  enjoyed  the  title  of  Thanes,  but  were  distingoished 

from  the  King's  Thanes.     The  Aldermen  and  Dukes  were  all  King*8  Thanes. 

These  were  the  great  Thanes,  and  were  succeeded  by  tha  Barons,  which  title 

was  brought  in  by  the  Normans.    Mass  Thanes  were  those  who  held  lands 

in  fee  of  the  church.    Middle  Thanes  were  such  as  held  very  small  estates 

of  the  King,  or  parcels  of  land  of  the  King*s  greater  Thanes.     They  were 

called  by  the  Normans,  vavassors  or  yavassoiies.     Ceorl  (whenoe  our  word 

churl)  was  a  countryman  or  artisan,  who  was  a  freeman.     Ceorls,  who  had 

Acquired  possession  of  five  hides  of  land  with  a  large  house  court,  and  bell  to 

caU  together  their  servants,  were  raised  to  the  rank  of  Thanes  of  the  lowest 

class.     The  Villeins — "  Ascripti  vill®  seu  glebse  " — ^were  labourers  bound  to 

the  soil,  and  transferred  with  it  from  one  owner  to  another ;  in  this  and 

other  respects  they  were  little  better  than  slaves.    According  to  the  enume* 

ration  in  the  Domesday  Book,  these  Ceorls^  under  the  names  of  villeiiiSy 

cottars,  and  bordars,  amounted  in  England  to  183,094 ;  whilst  the  freemen 

were  only  80,005  ;  and  the  slaves,  26,552.     The  burghers,  many  of  whom 

were  ceorls  of  the  same  description,  were  numbered  at  17,106. 

A  Hide,  or  a  Carucate  of  laud,  is  generally  estimated  at  120  acres,  and 
was  considered  to  employ  one  plough  for  a  year — hence  it  is  sometimes  called 
a  Plough-land.  It  is,  by  some,  derived  from  the  Saxon  hyden-tectum^  the 
roof  of  a  house ;  this  quantity  of  land  being  considered  as  a  proper  annexa* 
tion  to  a  farm  house.  Under  the  feudal  system  most  lands  were  held  under 
a  military  tenure.  AU  the  lands  in  the  kingdom,  soon  after  the  Conquest, 
were  said  to  be  "held  of  the  King;"  and  the  great  vassals  of  the  crown, 
both  lay  and  clerical,  were  forced  to  have  a  certain  number  of  horsemen 
completely  armed,  and  to  maintain  them  in  the  field  for  the  space  of  forty 
days.  England  was  so  distributed  by  these  means,  that  William  the  Con* 
queror  had  always  at  his  command  an  army  of  60,000  Knights.  By  t^e 
term  Knights  must  be  understood  those  who  held  Knight's  fees,  not  persons 
who  had  obtained  the  order  of  knighthood.  A  Knight's  fee  consisted  of  two 
hides  of  land,  or  two  hides  and  a  half;  and  a  mesne  tenant,  who  had  more 
than  a  single  Knight  s  fee,  was  called  a  bavasor,  a  term  applied  to  any  vassal 
who  held  a  military  fief  of  a  tenant  in  chief  to  the  crown.  He  who  held  of 
a  bavasor,  was  called  a  balvasitii,  and  each  of  these  might  enfeeoff  another  to 
hold  of  him  by  Elnight's  service.    A  Barotiy  was  Knight's  service  embaroned, 


GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  TORKSQIRE.  117 

or  enlaiiged.  Thus  eyeiy  nobleman  was  by  tenure  a  soldier ;  his  military 
duly  was  not  confined  within  the  kingdom,  but  extended  abroad  at  the  com- 
maud  of  the  King ;  and  not  singly,  but  with  such  a  number  of  Knights  as 
bis  barony,  by  its  several  fees,  maintained.  AU  the  great  landowners  were 
soldiers,  paid  and  maintained  by  the  lands  they  possessed,  as  they  likewise 
paid  and  maintained  those  freeholders  of  an  inferior  rank,  who  held  Knight*s 
fees  under  them.  The  nulitaiy  tenure,  or  that  by  Knight  service,  consisted 
of  what  were  deemed  the  most  ftee  and  honourable  services,  but  in  their 
nature  they  were  unavoidably  uncertain,  as  to  the  time  of  peiformance ;  the 
second  species  of  tenure,  or  free  socage,  consisted  also  of  free  and  honourable 
services,  but  were  reduced  to  an  absolute  certainty.  This  tenure  subsists  to 
this  day,  and  in  it,  since  the  statute  of  Charles  11.,  almost  every  other  species 
of  tenure  has  been  merged. 

The  chief  tenants  of  lords  generally  divided  their  property  into  two  portions, 
one  of  which,  the  principal  farm  or  manor,  on  which  the  rest  depended,  and 
to  which  they  owed  suit  and  service,  was  called  the  Dememe, 

A  Virgate  or  Yard  of  land  differed  in  extent  at  various  times,  and  in  various 
parts  of  the  kingdom,  from  being  measured  with  a  rood  (virga)  of  the  length 
of  a  yaid.  An  Oxgcmg  or  BouvaU  was  as  much  land  as  an  ox  could  till,  or 
about  H^  acres.  A  Perch  was  5^  yards ;  an  Acre,  100  square  perches ;  a 
Canteate^  Carve^  or  Plotighrland,  was  generally  8  oxgangs.  Bereicick$  are 
manors  within  manors.  Heriot  is  a  fine  paid  to  the  lord  at  the  death  of  a 
land  holder  or  change  of  tenant. 

The  other  terms,  most  common  in  connection  with  the  tenure  of  land, 
were  Sac,  Soc,  Thol,  Theam,  Infangtheof,  and  View  of  Frank  Pledge.  AU 
these  terms  are  in  ancient  law,  and  originated  from  the  old  Saxon.  Sac  and 
Soc  means  the  jurisdiction  of  holding  pleas,  and  imposing  fines,  and  the  right 
which  a  lord  possessed  of  exercising  justice  on  his  vassals,  and  compelling 
them  to  be  suitors  at  his  court.  Sockmen  were  those  who  held  land  on 
lease,  and  their  land  was  called  sockland.  They  were  comparatively  free 
tenants,  and  held  their  land  generally  by  the  service  of  ploughing  their  lord's 
own  demesne  land,  a  certain  number  of  days  in  the  year.  According  to 
some,  Soc  in  Saxon  means  the  handle  of  a  plough ;  but  others  teU  us  that  it 
naeans  liberfy  or  privilege.  Socage  then,  or  free  socage,  denotes  a  tenure  by 
any  certain  and  determinate  service. 

Britton,  describing  lands  in  socage  tenure,  imder  the  name  of  fraunke 
forme,  says  that  they  are  lands  and  tenements,  whereof  the  nature  of  the  fee 
is  charged  by  feofi&nent  out  of  chivalry  for  certain  yearly  services,  and  in 
respect  whereof  neither  homage,  ward,  marriage,  or  relief  can  be  demanded. 


118  OENERAL  HISTORY  OF  YOBKSHIBE. 

Those  who  preserved  their  lands  from  the  innovations  of  the  Norman  con- 
queror were  said  to  hold  them  mfree  and  common  socage. 

Thol  was  the  liherty  to  take,  as  well  as  to  he  free  from,  toll ;  and  Theam^ 
or  Theim,  was  the  prerogative  of  having,  restraining,  and  judging  hondmen, 
and  villeins  with  their  children,  goods  and  chattels,  in  the  court  of  the  person 
possessing  the  privilege  of  Theam.  Infangtheof  is  a  criminal  jurisdiction, 
hj  which  thieves,  found  in  the  territories  of  the  possessor  of  this  privilege, 
might  he  punished  without  appeal.  By  virtue  of  these  powers  offenders  were 
tried  for  thefts  and  other  misdemeanors,  and  sentenced  in  the  lord*s  court, 
and  even  executed  on  the  gallows  helonging  to  the  manor. 

View  of  Frank  Pledge  meant  that  twice  in  the  year,  upon  such  days  as 
the  possessor  of  the  privilege  shall  think  fit,  he  shall  have  a  view  of  all  the 
frank  pledges  of  his  tenants. 

Waifs  were  goods  which  had  heen  stolen,  and  thrown  away  hy  the  thief  in 
his  flight,  for  fear  of  heing  apprehended.  These  were  given  hy  law  to  the 
Edng,  as  a  punishment  upon  the  owner  for  not  himself  pursuing  the  felon, 
and  taking  away  his  goods  from  him. 

From  the  Domesday  Book  we  learn  that  at  the  Conquest  the  county  of 
York  was  divided  among  some  of  the  most  powerful  and  leading  men  of  the 
Conqueror^s  government.     Their  names  are  entered  in  the  following  order  :— 

'<  I.  Land  of  the  King  in  Yorkshire.  U.  The  Archhishop  of  York,*  and 
of  the  canons,  and  of  his  men.  HE.  The  Bishop  of  Durham  f  and  his  men. 
IV.  The  Ahbot  of  York.  V.  Earl  Hugh,"  Robert  de  Eue,  Earl  of  Eue,  in 
Normandy.  '  "  VI.  Robert,  Earl  of  Morton,"  half  brother  to  the  Conqueror, 
by  whom  he  was  created  Earl  of  Cornwall,  1068.  "  VII.  Earl  Alan,"  son  of 
Flathald,  obtained  the  castle  of  Oswaldestre  fifom  the  Conqueror.  ''  Vlll. 
Robert  de  Todeni,"  Lord  of  Belvoir,  county  Lincoln,  oh.  1088  "IX.  Ber- 
enger  de  Todeni.  X.  Hbert  de  Laci,'*  Lord  of  Pontefract  "XI.  Roger  de 
Busli"  held  the  manor  of  Hallam  (Sheffield)  under  the  countess  Judith,  anno 
1080,  ob.  1009.  "  Xn.  Robert  Malet,"  great  chamberlam  of  England,  but 
subsequently  disinherited  and  banished.  "XTTT.  William  de  Warren,"  Earl 
Warren,  in  Normandy,  created  Earl  of  Surrey  by  William  IE.,  died  1089. 
"  Xmi.  William  de  Percy,"  sumamed  Algernon,  obtained  divers  lands  from 
William  L,  ob.  circa  1096.  "  XV.  Drago  de  Holdemesse,"  also  called  Drue 
Debeverer,  came  into  England  with  the  Conqueror,  and  retired  into  Flanders 
some  years  afterwards.     "XVI.  Ralph  de  Mortimer,"  came  into  England 

*  Thomas,  canon  of  Baion,  in  Normandy,  succeeded  in  1070. 
f  Walcher  consecrated  circa  1072. 


GENERAL  HISTOBT  OF  YOBKSHIBE.  119 

with  the  Conqueror,  and  obtained  the  castle  of  Wigmore.  "XVU.  "Ralph 
Paganel,"  held  divers  lordships  at  the  general  survey,  living  1089.  "  X Vni. 
Walter  de  Aincourt.  XIX.  Gilbert  de  Gant,''  son  of  Baldwin,  Earl  of  Flan- 
ders, obtained  divers  lordships  from  the  Conqueror.  "  XX.  Gilbert  Tison. 
XXI.  Hugh,  son  of  Baldric.  XXII.  Emeis  de  Burum,"  held  thirtj-two 
lordships  in  the  county ;  he  was  the  ancestor  of  the  present  family  of  Byron. 
"  XXm.  Osbert  de  Arcis.  XXTTTT.  Odo  BaHstaiius.  XXV.  Richard,  son 
of  Erfest  XXVI.  Goisfrid  AlseHn.  XXVH.  Alberic  de  Coci.  XXVHI. 
Gospatric.    XXIX.  The  King*s  Thanes.*' 

An  old  writer  informs  us,  that  the  Conqueror  rewarded  his  followers  with 
these  estates  in  this  county: — ^To  Hugh  de  Abrincis,  7  lordships;  Alan 
Rnfus,  166 ;  Robert  Earl  of  Morton  and  Cornwall,  196 ;  WiUiam  Mallet,  32 ; 
Robert  Todenai,  2 ;  Ralph  de  Mortimer,  18 ;  William  de  Percy,  80 ;  Walter 
Deincourt,  4 ;  Goisfrid  Alsehn,  or  Hanselin,  8 ;  Ralph  Paganel,  15 ;  Roger 
de  Buisti,  49  ;  Robert  de  Brus,  in  the  West  Riding,  48,  and  in  the  North 
Riding,  51 ;  Drago  de  Beverer,  aU  Holdemess,  being  60  lordships;  and  to 
!Evni^u8  Burun,  32  lordships. 

Aiter  the  Conquest  much  of  the  land  passed  into  the  possession  of  the 
church,  and  the  reUgious  fraternities,  but  at  the  Reformation  most  of  it  re- 
verted to  the  Crown,  and  was  subsequently  granted  for  services  to  persons  in 
royal  favour,  or  sold  for  the  use  of  the  King. 

Though  it  is  a  generally  received  opinion  that  England  was  divided  into 
Counties  and  Shires,  or  Shrievalties,  towards  the  9th  century,  yet  it  does  not 
sfypear  that  this  change  took  place  in  the  ancient  kingdom  of  Northumbria 
earlier  than  the  middle  of  the  11th  century.  At  the  time  of  the  Norman 
survey  it  contained  six  Shires,  under  the  designation  of  Eureunckmre, 
Riehmundeseire,  LoncMtreteire,  Caplande  (afterwards  called  the  Bishopric  of 
Durham),  Westmerilonde,  and  Cvmbrelonde, 

In  1068,  Earl  Morcar,  who  was  still  Grovemor  of  York,  with  his  brother, 
the  Earl  of  Chester,  and  their  nephew,  Blethevin,  King  of  Wales,  finding 
that  Duke  William*s  policy  was  to  root  out  the  ancient  nobihty,  and  to  de- 
grade the  native  inhabitants  to  the  condition  of  slaves,  resolved  to  oppose  him. 
On  hearing  of  their  designs,  he  created  one  of  his  cruel  satellites,  named 
Copai,  Earl  of  Northumbria,  and  despatched  him  down  to  Durham  with  a 
guard  of  1,200  men.  But  the  Northumbrians,  headed  by  Earl  Cospatrick, 
and  Edgar,  the  Etheling  (the  latter  being  the  lawful  heir  to  the  crown  of 
England),  marched  to  Durham  by  night,  and  attacked  and  slew  Copsi  and 
all  his  men.  The  insurgents  then  proceeded  to  York,  where  they  were  re- 
ceived with  joy  and  gladness  by  Earls  Morcar  and  Edwin,  as  well  as  by  the 


120  *    OENEBAL  HISTOBT  OF  TOBKSHIBE. 

citizens.  William  once  more  drew  his  conquering  sword,  and  advanced 
rapidly  towards  York,  at  the  head  of  a  powerful  army.  The  Northumbrian 
chiefs,  finding  themselves  unable  to  withstand  him,  sent  Edgar  back  to 
Scotland,  and  submitted  themselves  to  the  Conqueror,  bj  whom  they  were 
readily  pardoned.  The  citizens,  too,  hearing  of  his  lenity,  went  out  to  meet 
him,  and  delivered  to  him  the  keys  of  the  city.  They  also  were  apparently 
received  into  favour,  but  a  heavy  fine  was  levied  upon  them,  and  two  castles 
in  the  city  were  shortly  after  fortified  by  the  Conqueror,  and  strongly  gar- 
risoned with  Norman  soldiers.  On  the  arrival  of  William,  the  Saxon  nobles, 
who  had  manifested  a  disposition  to  shake  off  the  Norman  yoke,  fled  into 
Scotland  for  protection.  Among  these  were  Morcar,  Edwin,  and  Gospatrick. 
Elated  by  his  success,  William  sent  a  herald  into  Scotland  to  demand  the 
Etheling,  and  the  English  lords ;  but  Malcolm  refusing  to  comply  with  the 
mandate,  and  knowing  that  the  Conqueror  would  revenge  the  denial,  invited 
the  King  of  Denmark  to  unite  with  the  English  and  Scotch  in  an  attempt  to 
expel  the  Norman.  The  Danish  monarch  soon  united  in  the  confederacy,  and 
sent  a  fleet  of  250  ships,  well  laden  with  troops,  commanded  by  his  brother 
Esbom,  or  Osbem,  with  the  two  sons  of  the  King,  Harold  and  Canute,  as 
well  as  other  distinguished  personages.  This  fleet  entered  the  Humber  in 
1069,  and  the  forces  being  joined  by  the  English  and  Scotch,  they  marched 
direct  to  York,  where  they  were  met  by  the  Atheling  and  a  large  number 
of  the  English  exiles,  who  had  arrived  fix)m  Scotland  for  the  purpose.  The 
Norman  garrison  in  the  castles  prepared  for  a  siqge,  and  on  the  19th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1069,  they  set  fire  to  some  houses  in  the  suburbs,  to  prevent  them 
being  made  useful  to  the  besiegers.  But  the  wind  being  high,  the  flames 
spread  &rther  than  was  designed,  and  burnt  down  a  great  part  of  the  city, 
including  the  Cathedral,  and  the  inyaluable  library  placed  there  by  King 
Egbert,  in  a.d.  800.  During  the  great  confusion,  into  which  the  imexpected 
ravages  of  the  fire  threw  the  garrisons,  the  Danes  and  English  valiantly 
attacked  the  fortresses,  entered  the  city  sword  in  hand,  and  cut  the  Ncnrmans 
(about  8,000  in  number)  to  pieces.  All  who  escaped  this  dreadful  slaughter 
were  the  Sherifif  of  the  county,  his  wife,  and  two  children,  with  a  few  others 
who  were  found  in  the  castle. 

Waltheof,  5th  Earl  of  Northumberland,  and  son  of  Siward,  was  now  ap- 
pointed Governor  of  the  City,  with  a  strong  garrison  of  English  and  Scotch 
soldiers  under  his  command;  and  the  Danes  retired  to  a  good  situation, 
between  the  Humber  and  Trent,  to  wait  the  Normans.  William,  who  was 
hunting  in  the  forest  of  Dean  when  he  received  the  first  news  of  this  disaster, 
swore  his  &vourite  oath  (see  page  112)  that  he  would  destroy  all  the  people  of 


aSHBSAL  HUriOBT  OF  Y0BK8HIBB.  Idl 

the  north.  Hearing  that  the  garriBon  of  York  had  been  taken  bj  his  enemiei, 
he  was  much  exasperated,  and  hastened  at  the  head  of  a  powerful  armj  into 
the  north.  He  spread  his  camps  oyer  the  country  for  the  space  of  100  miles, 
and  then  the  execution  of  his  tow  began.^^  Alured,  a  monk  of  Beyerley,  who 
wrote  in  the  Idth  century,  states,  "  that  the  Conqueror  destroyed  men,  women, 
and  children,  from  York,  eren  to  the  western  sea;"  and  the  historian  of 
Malmsbury  tells  us,  that  no  less  than  100,000  persons  perished  at  that  time 
In  a  district  60  miles  in  length.  The  whole  country  between  York  and  Dur- 
ham was  laid  waste  so  effectually,  that  for  nine  years  afterwards  the  ground 
remained  untilled ;  and  many  of  the  wretched  inhabitants,  who  had  escaped 
the  sknghter,  were  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  eating  dogs,  cats,  and  even  their 
own  species,  to  prolong  a  miserable  existence.  This  account  is  confirmed 
by  Boger  de  Hoyeden,  and  Simon  of  Durham,  as  well  as  by  the  concur- 
rent testimony  of  all  the  historians  of  those  times.  When  the  Conqueror 
amved  befinre  the  city,  he  summoned  the  Governor  to  surrender,  but  Waltheof 
sternly  reused,  and  set  his  threats  at  defiance.  The  wily  Norman  now  had 
reooQiBe  to  bribery:  for  a  large  sum  of  money,  and  permission  to  plunder  the 
sea  ooast^  the  fisuithless  and  corrupt  Danish  General,  Osbert,  agreed  to  quit 
the  country  as  soon  as  the  spring  would  permit  William  lost  no  time  in 
polling  fixrwaid  the  si^^e*  He  attempted  to  take  the  dty  by  storm,  after 
making  a  large  breach  in  the  wall  with  engines,  but  was  repulsed  with  great 
kfls;  Waltheof,  himself^  according  to  William  of  Malmsbury,  having  stood 
■ingly  in  the  breach,  and  cut  down  several  of  the  Normans  who  attempted  to 
nunmt  it  From  the  same  historian  we  learn  that  about  this  time  a  severe 
battle  was  fought  near  York  between  the  Normans  and  a  powerful  army, 
probably  of  Caledonians,  who  came  to  the  reUef  of  the  besieged;  in  which 
the  NormanSf  however,  were  victorious. 

Affcer  a  gallant  defence  of  six  months,  York  was  obliged  through  &mine  to 
capitnlaAe;  and  though  the  conditions  of  the  surrender  were  favourable  to  the 
besieged,  yet  the  Conqueror  attributing  the  first  success  of  the  Danes  to  the 
treachery  of  the  citizens,  took  signal  rengeance  upon  them,  put  the  soldiers 
to  die  8Word«  and  burnt  the  dty  to  the  ground.  York  never  enturaly  over- 
came this  shock,  nor  recovered  its  ancient  splendour.  The  Conqueror  pro- 
fcssed  great  fiiendship&r  Waltfaeotthe  Governor,  who  had  so  nobly  resisted 
hhon;  and  the  more  firmly  to  attach  him  to  his  interest,  he  being  a  man  of 
preominent  note^  he  gave  him  in  marriage  Judith,  his  niece,  daughter  of 
Maud.  Covnte^  of  Alb«nnarie»  his  uterine  sister,  and  at  the  same  time 

•  Helittihed*   8es  also  Tonsil  Hkt  Bag.,  vd.  L,  p.  70. 


IdS  GENEBAL   HISTOBY   OF  TOBKSHIBE. 

restored  to  him  the  Earldoms  of  Northampton  and  Huntingdon,  which  be- 
longed to  Siward,  his  fiather.  Waltheof  having  become  involved  in  the  revolt 
of  the  Borons,  for  the  expulsion  of  the  King,  in  the  10th  year  of  this 
reign  (1076),  he  was  arraigned  for  conspiracy,  and  was  condemned  and 
executed  at  Winchester,  in  the  same  year,  and  his  decapitated  trunk  was 
treated  with  every  possible  indignity.  The  body  having  lain  for  some  time 
in  the  cross-way,  where  it  was  buried,  was  afterwards  removed  to  Croyland 
or  Crowland  Abbey,  in  Lincolnshire,  where  it  was  honourably  sepulchred. 
And  thus  perished  the  brave  Waltheof,  the  last  of  the  Saxon  Earls.  The 
execution  of  this  nobleman  is  observed  to  be  the  first  instance  of  beheading 
in  this  kingdom.  His  widow,  the  Countess  Judith,  not  being  a  participant 
in  her  husband's  treason,  was  allowed  to  retain  his  lands,  manors,  and  Earl- 
doms. Historians,  however,  have  accused  her  of  treachery  towards  her  lord ; 
for  though  his  innocence  was  attested  by  Archbishop  Lanfranc,  yet  at  her 
instigation,  who  is  said  to  have  effected  a  second  marriage,  he  was  con- 
demned. Ingulphus,  a  monk  of  Croyland,  and  her  contemporary,  has  not 
scrupled  to  describe  her  by  the  execrable  appellation,  impiissima  Jezebel, 

York,  before  it  was  burnt  by  the  Norman,  was  considered  by  Hardinge, 
superior  to  London ;  and  was,  according  to  the  author  of  the  PoUchronicon, 
''as  fedr  as  the  city  of  Home,  from  the  beauty  and  magnificence  of  its 
buildings."  Harrison  very  justly  styled  it  Altera  Eoma;  and  Leland  tells  us 
that  it  was  so  large,  that  its  suburbs  extended  to  the  villages  a  mile  distant. 

Li  1071,  the  embers  of  civil  war  being  rekindled  by  the  jealousy  of 
William,  the  influence  of  Edwin  and  Morcar  was  judged  dangerous ;  and  the 
King  thought  it  expedient  to  secure  their  persons.  Edwin,  whilst  en- 
deavouring to  escape  towards  the  borders  of  Scotland,  was  betrayed  by  three  of 
his  vassals,  and  he  fell  with  twenty  of  his  fidthfiil  adherents,  fighting  against 
his  pursuers.  The  traitors  presented  his  head  to  William,  who  rewarded 
their  services  with  a  sentence  of  perpetual  banishment.  His  brother  Morcar 
fled  to  the  standard  of  Hereward,  erected  in  the  "  Camp  of  Refuge,*'  in  the 
Isle  of  Ely,  Cambridgeshire ;  and  with  the  Bishop  of  Durham,  and  many 
Saxon  nobles,  was  afterwards  condemned  by  William  to  perpetual  imprison- 
ment In  1073,  the  Conqueror  being  at  Durham,  summoned  before  his 
tribunal,  Cospatrick,  the  Earl  of  Northumberland,  and  charged  him  with  old 
offences,  which  it  was  supposed  had  been  long  ago  forgiven — ^the  massacres 
of  the  Normans  at  Durham  and  York.  He  was  banished  by  the  sentence  of 
the  court;  and  having  retired  to  Scotland,  Malcolm  gave  >^iTp  the  castle  and 
demesne  of  Dunbar. 

The  people  of  England  finding  further  resistance  to  the  Norman  useless^ 


GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  T0RK8HIRE,  193 

submitted  to  his  yoke  in  sullen  despair.  Even  Edgar  the  Etheling  consented 
to  solicit  a  livelihood  of  the  man  whose  ambition  had  robbed  him  of  a  crown. 
William  granted  him  the  first  place  at  court,  an  apartment  in  the  palace,  and 
a  yearly  pension  of  865  pounds  of  silver. 

Nothing  of  importance  is  recorded  of  Yorkshire  from  this  period  until  the 
year  1137,  when,  on  the  4th  of  June  in  that  year,  the  city,  which  had  par- 
tially risen  from  its  ashes,  was  destroyed  by  an  accidental  fire,  which  burnt 
down  the  Cathedral,  the  Abbey  of  St.  Mary,  St.  Leonard's  Hospital,  thirty- 
nine  parish  churches  in  the  city,  and  Trinity  church  in  the  suburbs,  besides 
many  streets  and  public  buildings.* 

Whilst  the  civil  war  between  King  Stephen  and  the  Empress  Maud,  or 
Matilda,  raged  with  destructive  fury,  David,  King  of  Scotland,  uncle  to  the 
Empress,  espoused  her  cause,  and  with  a  powerful  army  of  Normans,  Ger- 
mans, Saxons,  Cumbrian  Britons,  Northumbrians,  Ficts,  and  Scots,  three 
times  invaded  the  northern  provinces  of  England,  and  laid  w^te  the  country 
as  far  as  the  city  of  York.  In  these  expeditions  the  army  of  the  Scottish 
King  coiiducted  the  war  with  the  ferocity  of  savages.  They  profaned  the 
churches,  burnt  the  monasteries  and  villages,  promiscuously  slaughtered 
children,  aged  people,  and  the  defenceless ;  and  exercised  the  most  unheard 
of  barbarities  upon  the  natives  in  general.  Pregnant  women  were  ripped  up, 
and  the  infants  cut  to  pieces.  The  fair  females,  which  they  spared  in  their 
route,  and  which  were  generally  distinguished  by  their  birth  or  beauty,  were 
stripped  of  their  clothes,  tied  to  each  other  with  thongs,  and  driven  at  the 
point  of  the  spear  to  Scotland;  where,  after  suffering  every  kind  of  indignity, 
thej  were  retained  as  slaves  to  their  captors,  or  bartered  by  them  for  cattle 
to  the  neighbouring  chieftains. 

Their  conduct  so  incensed  the  powerful  Norman  Barons,  that  they  re- 
solved, unanimously,  at  the  suggestion  of  Thurston,  Archbishop  of  York,  who 
was  then  Lieutenant-Governor  of  the  North,  to  repel  the  invaders;  and  even 
the  Saxon-English  were  so  exasperated  against  the  Scots,  that  they  forgot 
their  hatred  of  the  Normans,  in  the  pleasing  hope  of  taking  vengeance  upon 
sach  cruel  enemies.  The  aged  Archbishop  succeeded  in  uniting  all  to  fight 
for  their  countiy,  their  families,  and  their  God.  David,  hearing  of  their 
intentions,  drew  his  army  from  before  York,  and  retired  northwards.  The 
chief  of  the  Barons  who  joined  in  this  struggle,  were  William  le  Gros,  or  de 
Albermarle,  Walter  de  Gaunt,  Eobert  and  Adam  de  Brus,  Roger  de  Mowbray, 

•  On  the  previous  dny,  the  Cathedral  of  Bochester  had  been  bnmt;  and  on  the  27th 
of  the  same  diaasbcous  month,  the  dty  of  Bath  was  nearly  destroyed  by  fire. 


Id4  aSHBRAL  HISTOBt  OV  TOBKSHnOB. 

Walter  L'  Espec,  Gilbert  and  William  de  Lacy^  and  William  de  Percy.  At 
the  appointed  time,  the  nobles,  with  their  Yaaaala,  repaired  to  York,  and 
were  met  bj  the  paroohial  clergy,  with  the  bravest  of  their  paziahionera ; 
and  after  spending  three  days  in  fasting  and  derotiony  and  swearing  before 
the  Archbishop  that  they  would  never  desert  each  other,  they  marched 
against  the  enemy,  under  the  command  of  that  prelate,  as  fiir  as  Thirsk 
Gasile,  then  a  stronghold  of  the  Mowbrays.  There  Thurston  resigned  his 
authority  to  Balph,  Bishop  of  the  Oikney  Isles,  William  le  Qros,  and  Walter 
L'Espeo. 

On  the  33nd  of  August,  1188,  the  two  armies  met  on  Guton  Moor,  near 
Northallerton,  and  a  terrible  battle  ensued.  This  engagement  is  called  the 
BatUe  of  the  Standard,  from  a  high  standard  round  which  the  English  as- 
sembled, and  which  was  a  tall  mast  of  a  vessel,  strongly  fastened  into  the 
framework  of  a  carriage  upon  wheels,  having  at  the  top  a  crucifix,  a  silver 
pix  containing  a  consecrated  host ;  and  from  which  were  suspended  the  con* 
secrated  banners  of  the  three  patron  saints — St.  Peter  of  Yorii,  St.  John  of 
Beverley,  and  St  Wilfred  of  Ripon.  The  standard  was  guarded  by  a  chosen 
band  of  knights,  who  had  sworn  rather  to  die  than  yield  it  to  the  hands  of 
the  enemy.  After  the  Bishop  had  made  an  oration  to  the  army,  from  the 
carriage,  and  had  given  them  the  blessing,  which  they  received  on  their 
knees,  they  all  shouted  "  Amen,"  and  rose  to  receive  the  shock  of  the  enemy. 

But  the  spirit  of  discord  and  disunion  reigned  in  the  Scottish  camp,  and 
this  is  not  surprising,  considering  the  many  different  races  of  which  it  was 
composed.  David  had  intended  that  the  battle  should  be  commenced  by  the 
men-at-arms  and  archers,  in  whom  his  chief  strength  consisted ;  but  the  men 
of  Galloway,  who  fought  with  long  slender  spears,  and  who  dii^layed  great 
bravery  during  the  campaign,  insisted  upon  taking  that  post  of  honour. 
After  an  angry  discussion,  the  King  was  obliged  to  yield  the  van  to  the  G$l' 
wegians.  The  English  drew  up  in  a  compact  body,  the  spearmen  and 
archers  in  front,  and  the  heavy  armed  chivalry  in  the  rear,  the  sacred  banner 
towering  bright  above  them  all.  The  Scots  were  formed  in  four  lines,  the 
men  of  Galloway  (or  Picts)  in  front,  who  began  the  battle,  wildly  rushing  on 
their  opponents,  and  throwing  themselves,  like  a  tempest,  upon  the  En^sh 
spearmen.  For  a  moment  the  English  were  staggered,  but  whilst  thus  held 
at  bay,  the  matchless  archery  of  the  native  English  was  brought  to  bear 
with  tremendous  effect  upon  the  enemy.  The  naked  Galwegiana  were  on 
the  point  of  turning  before  these  terrible  dischai^es  of  barbed  death,  when 
the  Scottish  men-at-arms,  commanded  by  Prince  Henry,  coming  to  their 
rescue,  dashed  with  such  impetuosity  upon  the  English  rank^  that  they  were 


aSVBBAI.  HX8T0BT  OF  T0BX8BIBB.  135 

torn  asonder,  and  yictorjr  appeared  to  snule  upon  the  Scottish  monarch. 
The  conflict  now  grew  hotter ;  it  was  "  Lance  to  lance,  and  horse  to  horse  *' 
— when  lo !  the  Scottish  forces  waver — they  are  seized  by  a  panic — a  rumour 
bad  spread  through  the  ranks  that  the  King  was  slain ;  and  though  he  him- 
self, hehnet  in  hand,  hastens  from  rank  to  rank,  to  reassure  them  that  he  is 
jet  alive— he  fails  in  rallying  them — they  fly,  and  are  ruthlessly  slaughtered 
hy  their  pursuers ;  and  the  battle  is  lost.  In  rain  the  King  and  his  brave 
son  Henry,  and  a  few  faithful  nobles,  maintained  the  combat;  notwith- 
standing the  astonishing  proofs  of  valour  and  intrepidity  which  they  displayed, 
fttej  were  nobly  defeated  by  the  newly-raised  army  of  the  "  chariot-mounted 
banners."  The  Scottish  army  consisted  of  d7,000  men,  and  nearly  one  half 
are  said  to  have  perished  in  the  battle  and  flight  on  that  fetal  day ;  and,  as 
we  have  no  account  of  prisoners,  it  is  probable  that  no  quarter  was  given. 
Thelosson  the  English  side  is  not  stated;  that  of  the  Scoto  is  most  probably 
guess  work. 

There  are  no  indications  of  hillocks  or  moun^  to  be  seen  in  the  neighbour- 
hood, to  mark  the  graves  of  the  dain ;  and  the  only  name  of  a  place  bearing 
a  xvfenmce  to  such  an  event,  is  "  Scot  Pit  Lane,**  applied  to  a  green  lane,  a 
little  to  the  north  of  the  spot  where  stood  the  consecrated  banner  of  the 
Englidi  army,  and  which  is  stiU  known  as  "  Standard  Hill.*'  Some  writers 
suppose  that  the  dead,  excepting  a  select  few,  were  never  buried.  The  fleld 
of  this— ^ne  of  the  most  bloody  battles  recorded  in  the  history  of  this  king- 
dom— was  an  open  level  common,  upon  which  little  advantage  could  be  gained 
over  an  enemy  by  selection  of  ground,  as  it  afforded  no  strong  posts,  or  easily 
deCmded  positions. 

This  agnal  defeat  so  overawed  the  Scoto,  that  the  people  of  the  north  of 
Ea^and  i^jpear  to  have  been  secure  from  their  incursions  for  a  long  period. 
For  seven  centuries  York  had  exhibited  a  series  of  sanguinary  wars,  and  re- 
peated desolations ;  but  from  the  date  of  this  battle,  it  ei\joyed  fer  some 
ages  the  blessings  of  peace,  and  again  rose  to  wealth  and  importance. 

Li  A.D.  1160,  just  dd  years  after  the  terrible  conflagration  in  the  reign  of 
Stephen,  Henry  11.  held  in  York  the  first  meeting  said  to  be  distinguished 
in  histoiy  by  the  name  of  Parliament*    Malcolm,  King  of  Scotland,  accom- 

•  The  word  Psriiament  is  derived  from  Porter  la  ment-'to  speak  one*i  mind.  Some 
••gr  that  this  'word  ParUament  does  not  occur  nntil  the  above  year,  and  that  before  that 
time  it  was  nsnally  denominated  the  King's  Court,  or  Great  Council.  Drake's  Ebor.,  p. 
as.  Camden,  however,  thinks  that  this  word  was  used  in  the  16th  of  Heniy  I.  Cor. 
Dise.,  tdL  1,  p.  804.  Blaokstone  says  it  was  first  applied  to  general  assemblies  of  the 
States,  aadw  Loois  YIL,  in  Franoe,  about  the  middle  of  the  lath  eentory;  and  that  the 


126  GENEiUL  HISTOBT   OF  TOBKSHIBE. 

panied  by  all  his  Barons,  Abbots,  and  Prelates,  attended  and  did  homage  to 
Henry,  in  the  Cathedral,  for  his  kingdom  of  Scotland,  and  acknowledged  him 
and  his  successors  his  superior  lords.  In  1171  Henry  called  another  con-, 
vention  of  Bishops  and  Barons  at  York,  to  which  he  summoned  William,  the 
successor  of  Malcolm,  to  do  homage  for  his  kingdom ;  and  in  memorial  of  his 
subjection,  the  Scotch  Eang  deposited  his  breast  plate,  spear,  and  saddle,  on 
the  altar  of  St.  Peter,  in  the  Cathedral  church.  About  this  period  York 
appears  to  have  been  eminent  for  trade,  for  a  few  years  later,  the  King,  under 
pretence  of  raising  money  for  the  Holy  Wars,  imposed  upon  his  subjects  a 
contribution  of  one-tenth  of  their  moveables,  and  demanded  from  the  city  of 
York,  one-half  of  the  sum  that  he  required  from  London. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  reign  of  Richard  I,  (sumamed  Cceur  de  Lion — 
the  hen-hearted)  a  general  massacre  of  the  resident  Jews  took  place,  under 
circumstances  of  peculiar  atrocity.  The  crusades  to  the  Holy  Land,  to  rescue 
Jerusalem  from  the  hands  of  the  Saracens,  tended  to  inflame  the  zeal  of  the 
nation  against  all  men  not  bearing  the  name  of  Christian ;  besides,  the  pre- 
judices of  the  age  had  stigmatized  money  lenders  at  interest,  with  the  odious 
name  of  usurers.    Another  cause  of  the  implacable  hatred,  and  pubhc  hos- 

first  mention  of  it  in  our  statute  law,  is  in  the  preamble  to  the  statnte  of  Westminster, 
i.,  8,  Edw.  I.,  A.D.  1272.  Com.,  vol.  i,  p.  146.  Ingolplius,  who  died  in  1109,  used  the 
word  Parliament  for  a  meeting  of  the  Chapter  of  a  Convent.  When  the  Norman  Con- 
queror of  Britain  distributed  the  landed  property  of  the  kingdom  amongst  his  numerous 
followers,  the  Barons,  who  held  their  land  in  ctxpite^  or  directly  under  the  King,  formed 
the  Council  of  the  Bealm,  or  the  Parliament  of  that  period.  (See  page  111.)  But  in 
process  of  time,  when  the  lands  became  subdivided,  and  the  number  of  Barons  increased 
to  a  prodigious  multitude,  the  great  Barons  only  were  summoned  by  the  King,  and  the 
others  assembled  at  the  writ  of  the  Sheriff,  and  were  placed  in  a  separate  house.  This 
was  the  origin  of  the  two  Houses  of  Parliament.  (Blackst.  Com.  Archb.,  vol.  i.,  p.  898.) 
When  the  towns  of  England  had  sprung  into  importance  as  marts  of  industry,  the 
Crown,  in  order  to  neutralise  the  power  of  the  nobility,  called  ui)on  them  to  send  members 
to  Parliament — ^but  at  long  intervals :  and  that  may  be  considered  the  real  origin  of  the 
third  estate  in  the  Bealm.  The  Crown  recognised  a  body,  which  it  called  the  Commons, 
because  it  feared  the  nobility,  and,  wishing  to  hold  the  balance  of  authority,  it  pitted  the 
two  extremes  of  society  against  each  oUier.  But  these  Parliaments,  as  regarded  the  true 
interests  of  the  country  at  large,  were  mere  mockeries — for  they  were  only  summoned 
when  the  Crown  required  the  consent  of  the  Commons  to  laws  passed  to  strengthen 
itself,  to  levy  taxes,  to  curb  the  power  of  the  church  by  the  statute  de  mortmain;  or  of 
the  nobles,  by  the  statute  de  donis.  This,  until  the  revolution  of  1688,  was  all  the  share  , 
the  Commons  had  in  the  government — for  the  tradition  of  an  hereditaiy  monarchy  in 
alliance  with  an  hereditary  nobility  was  faithfully  observed;  and  no  commoner,  except 
through  the  doors  of  the  church  or  the  law,  was  ever  raised  to  a  high  office  in  the  state. 
A  dozen  of  such  elevations  in  six  centuries  wiU  cover  all  these  promotions  from  the  raaks 
of  the  people. 


GSNEBAL  BISTORT   OF  Y0BK8HIRB.  127 

tilify  of  the  English  people,  to  the  Children  of  Israel,  was,  that  thej  had 
heen  introduced  by  the  Norman  Conqueror,  and  a  number  of  them  settled  in 
York  soon  after  the  Conquest,  whose  immense  increase  of  wealth,  eventually 
proved  to  them  a  source  of  terrible  evil.     The  King,  who  was  crowned  with 
great  pomp  at  Westminster,  on  the  3rd  of  September,  1189,  with  a  view  to 
obtain  popular  flEivour,  strictly  forbid  the  presence  of  any  Jew  whatever  at 
his  coronation.     Notwithstanding  this  prohibition,  two  of  the  most  wealthy 
Jews  of  York,  named  Benedict  and  Jocenus,  repaired  to  London,  with  a 
pompous  retinue,  in  order  to  meet  their  brethren,  and  to  offer  some  valuable 
presents  to  the  King,  as  a  peace-offering  at  his  coronation.     On  the  day  of 
the  ceremonial,  many  of  the  Jews  mixed  in  the  crowd,  and  the  populace, 
with  a  savage  ferocity,  commenced  a  general  massacre  of  them  in  London, 
plundered  their  property,  burnt  down  their  houses,  and  destroyed  numbers 
'  of  their  wives  and  children.     Benedict  and  Jocenus  were  attacked ;  and  the 
former  being  grievously  wounded,  was  dragged  into  a  church,  where  he  was 
forced  to  renounce  Judaism,  and  submit  to  the  ceremony  of  baptism.     But 
the  next  day,  when  the  heroic  Israelite  was  brought  into  the  presence  of  the 
King,  and  asked  whether  he  was  a  Christian  or  no,  he  boldly  answered, 
that  he  was  a  Jew,  and  should  die  in  the  fiaith  of  his  fathers.    The  King 
ordered  him  to  be  restored  to  his  friends,  but  he  soon  afterwards  died  from 
the  effect  of  his  bruises.    Jocenus  returned  unhurt  to  York,  where  a  still 
more  awful  fate  awaited  him.  During  a  very  boisterous  night,  the  city  of  York, 
either  by  accident  or  design,  took  fire,  and  the  flames  rapidly  spread  in  all 
directions.     This  calamity  was  seized  upon  to  renew  the  persecutions  against 
the  Jews ;  and  while  the  citizens  were  engaged  in  extinguishing  the  flames, 
the  house  of  Benedict  was  violently  entered  by  the  lawless  rabble,  who  mur- 
dered the  widow  and  children  of  the  deceased  Jew,  and  seized  aU  the  property 
upon  which  they  could  lay  their  rapacious  hands.    Alarmed  at  this  outrage, 
Jocenus  sought  refuge  in  the  castle,  to  which  he  removed  his  family,  and  the 
whole  of  his  wealth ;  and  his  example  was  followed  by  nearly  all  the  Jews  in 
the  city.    In  a  few  days  the  house  of  Jocenus  shared  the  fate  of  that  of 
Benedict.    The  Governor  of  the  castle  having,  some  business  without  its 
walls,  left  it  for  a  short  time  in  the  possession  of  the  Jews,  who,  fearing  that 
he  might  have  joined  in  the  conspiracy  with  their  enemies,  refused  to  re-admit 
him  on  his  return.     The  Sheriff,  enraged  at  this  indignity,  issued  his  writ  of 
posse  eamit€Uus,  to  raise  the  country  to  besiege  and  take  the  castle.    Though 
an  innumerable  company  of  armed  men,  as  well  from  the  city  as  from  the 
sorrounding  country,  rose  simultaneously,  and  begirt  the  castle,  yet  the  wiser 
and  the  better  sort  of  citizens  stood  aloof  from  a  flood  that  might  soon  over- 


138  aSNXRU.  HUTOBT  OF  YORKBHIBB. 

whelm  themselTes.  Roger  de  Hoveden  infonns  us  that  the  Jews,  now  dmen 
to  extremitiesy  held  a  council,  and  offered  a  very  large  sum  of  money  to  be 
allowed  to  escape  with  their  lives,  but  this  offer  was  rejected.  We  are  told 
by  Matthew  Paris,  that  the  council  was  then  addressed  by  a  certain  foreign 
rabbi,  or  doctor  of  their  laws,  who  had  visited  England  for  the  instruction  of 
the  Jews,  as  follows: — "Men  of  Israel,  our  God,  whose  laws  I  have  presh 
cribed  to  you,  has  oommanded  that  we  should  at  any  time  be  ready  to  die 
for  those  laws ;  and  now,  when  death  looks  us  in  the  face,  we  have  only  to 
choose  whether  we  should  prolong  a  base  and  infismous  life,  or  embrace  a 
gallant  and  glorious  death.  If  we  fall  into  the  hands  of  our  enemies,  at  their 
will  and  pleasure  we  must  die ;  but  our  Creator,  who  gave  us  life,  did  also 
ei\join  that  with  our  own  hands,  and  of  our  own  accord,  we  should  devoutly 
restore  it  to  him  again,  rather  than  await  the  cruelty  of  an  enemy."  This 
invitation  to  imitate  the  example  of  the  followers  of  Josephus,  in  the  cave  of 
Jotapata,  was  embraced  by  many  of  the  Jews,  but  others  choose  rather  to  try 
the  clemency  of  the  Christians,  upon  which  the  rabbi  further  said,  *'  Let  those 
whom  this  good  and  pious  discourse  displeases,  separate  themselves,  and  be 
cut  off  fiom  the  congregation!  We,  for  the  sake  of  our  paternal  law,  despise 
this  transitory  life."  Before  the  selfnlevoted  victims  began  to  execute  the 
sentence  upon  each  other,  they  set  fire  to  the  castle,  and  committed  all  their 
property  to  the  flames,  to  prevent  it  falling  into  the  hands  of  their  enemies. 
The  rabbi  then  directed  that  the  husbands  should  cut  the  throats  of  their 
own  wives  and  children;  and  Jocenus  b^an  the  execution,  by  applying  the 
knife  to  the  throats  of  his  wife  and  five  children.  The  example  was  speedily 
feUowed  by  the  other  masters  of  fsunilies;  and  afterwards,  as  a  mark  of  pecu- 
liar honour,  the  rabbi  cut  the  throat  of  Jocenus  himself  1  The  last  of  the 
victims  was  the  selfnlevoted  adviser  of  the  deed,  who  was  probably  the  <»ily 
actual  suicide. 

The  survivors  then  announced  the  horrid  catastrophe  which  had  be&Uen 
their  brethren,  to  the  besiegers,  casting  the  dead  bodies  of  tiie  victims  over 
the  wall  to  convince  them  of  the  reality  of  their  story.  At  the  same  time 
they  si^)plicated  for  mercy,  promising  to  become  Christians.  Pretending  to 
compassionaie  their  sufferings,  and  promising  pardon  on  the  condition  named, 
the  merciless  barbarians  obtained  admission  into  the  castie,  and  dew  every 
<me  of  the  poor  Jews,  though  to  the  last  they  cried  out  for  baptiam.  Tho 
diabolical  murderers  then  hastened  to  the  Catiiedral,  where  the  bonds  (for 
loans),  which  the  Christians  had  given  to  tlie  Jews,  were  deposited,  and 
breaking  open  tiie  chests,  burnt  in  the  midst  of  the  nave  of  the  church,  all 
the  dooumfidls  they  contained*  thus  fireeing  themselves  and  others  from  their 


GENERAL   HISTORY    OF  YORKSHIRE.  129 

obligations.*  This  massacre,  in  which  it  is  supposed  that  not  less  than  from 
1,500  to  2,000  Jews  in  York  fell  victims,  occurred  on  the  lltli  of  March, 
1190.  And  in  spite  of  a  proclamation  in  their  favour  by  the  King,  the 
same  spirit  of  persecution  manifested  itself  in  many  of  the  large  towns  of  tlie 
kingdom  about  that  period.  These  horrors  are  imiformly  reprobated  by 
the  historians  of  the  time.  When  the  King,  who  had  embarked  for  the 
Holy  Land,  heard  of  these  enormities,  he  sent  orders  to  his  Chancellor  and 
Regent,  William  Longchamp,  Bishop  of  Ely,  to  go  down  into  Yorkshire,  and 
execute  strict  justice  upon  the  offenders,  but  many  of  the  miscreants  had  fled 
from,  the  city,  and  the  remaining  citizens  declared  that  the  inhabitants  of  tlio 
neighbouring  towns  were  the  principal  offenders.  However  he  deposed,  and 
committed  the  Sheriff  and  Governor  to  prison ;  took  away  one  hundred  hos- 
tages ;  repaired  the  castle ;  inflicted  flnes  upon  a  few  of  the  citizens  ;f  and 
gave  the  government  of  the  county  to  his  brother,  Osbert  de  Longchamp. 
Notwithstanding  this  sanguinary  persecution,  a  new  colony  of  Jews  soon 
settled  in  York,  where  they  remained  till  the  time  of  Edward  L 

The  reader  of  English  history  knows  that  Richard  L,  so  glorious  to  military 
fame,  and  so  oppressive  to  his  subjects,  after  performing  prodigies  of  personal 
valotir  in  Palestine,  and  becoming  a  hero  of  romance,  had  the  misfortune  to 
be  trepanned  in  his  way  home,  by  Leopold,  Duke  of  Austria,  who  sold  him 
to  the  Emperor  of  Germany ;  and  that  he  was  transported  by  his  new  pro- 
prietor from  Vienna  to  Mentz,  and  other  places,  where  he  was  generally  kept 
in  rigorous  confinement,  till  a  treaty  was  concluded,  by  which  the  Emperor 
extorted  from  him,  or  rather  from  the  people  of  England,  100,000  marks  of 
silver,  of  the  weight  of  Cologne.  To  raise  this  immense  sum,  as  well  as  to 
leplenish  the  exhausted  treasury,  recourse  was  had  to  the  sale  of  offices  of 
trust  and  honour ;  the  situations  of  Sheriff  and  Justiciary  were  disposed  of 
to  the  highest  bidder ;  and  Eichard  declared  that  he  would  sell  the  city  of 
London  if  he  could  find  a  purchaser.  The  Corporation  charters  too,  of  the 
various  boroughs,  were  renewed  or  confirmed,  on  payment  of  heavy  fines. 
In  1195,  Geoffiney  Plantagenet,  Archbishop  of  York,  possessed  himself  of  the 
shrievalty  of  the  county  of  York,  on  payment  of  a  fine  to  the  King,  of  3000 

•  Hoveden,  379.    Dicets,  661.    Brompton,  1172. 

•f  Bidiard  Malebisse  paid  ceo  marks  for  his  pardon,  &c.,  on  account  of  being  concerned 
in  the  slan^ter  of  the  Jews  at  York.  Again,  xx  marks  to  have  his  land  restored,  which 
was  seized  on  that  occasion.    Maddoz*8  Exehefuer,  800. 

The  mark  was  an  iadeierminate  sum,  which  varied  in  different  ages.  Some  have 
stated  it  at  6  oz.,  others  at  8  oz.  Maddox  sajs  a  mark  of  gold  was  equal  to  six  pounds,  or 
six  score  shillings ;  the  mark  of  silver,  13s.  id. 


130  GENERAL   HISTOBT   OF  TOBKSHIKE. 

marks.'i'  Having  by  this  means  united  the  temporal  and  spiritual  authori- 
ties, this  prelate,  who  was  the  natural  son  of  King  Heniy  11.,  flourished 
with  all  the  power  and  dignity  of  a  sovereign  Prince,  'in  the  north  of 
England.  The  office  of  High  Sheriff  was,  in  these  times,  one  of  great 
trust  and  responsibility;  as  the  keeper  of  the  King*s  peace,  he  was  the 
first  man  in  the  county,  and  superior  in  rank  to  any  nobleman.  He  was  the 
King's  farmer  or  bailiff;  the  collector  of  all  the  royal  rents  and  revenues 
within  his  district ;  to  his  custody  were  entrusted  all  the  royal  castles  and 
manors  lying  within  the  bailiwick ;  and  he  provided  the  castles  and  fortified 
towns  with  ammunition  and  other  necessaries.  He  was  dignified  witib  the 
title  of  Viscount,  and  all  the  freeholders  of  the  county,  whatever  might  be 
their  rank,  were  obliged  to  give  their  personal  attendance,  to  swell  out  the 
magnificence  of  his  train.  From  this  service,  even  the  Hchest  and  most 
powerful  barons  were  not  exempt.  Hence  the  retinue  of  a  provincial  shmff 
must  have  equalled  that  of  a  powerful  monarch. 

The  reign  of  King  John  began  in  turbulence,  and  ended  in  disgrace.  Ac* 
cording  to  the  custom  of  these  times,  when  the  monarch  had  no  settled 
revenue,  it  was  usual  for  him  to  renew  the  borough  charters  at  his  accesdon, 
for  the  purpose  of  recruiting  his  treasury ;  and  John  followed  this  eauuuple. 
In  the  beginning  of  his  reign,  his  Mcyesty,  accompanied  by  the  Queen  and 
many  of  his  principal  Barons,  made  a  progress  into  the  north.  The  royal 
party  crossed  the  Humber  from  Grimsby,  and  proceeded  to  Cottingham  and 
Beverley,  and  thence  to  York,  where  a  convention  was  held,  which  was  at- 
tended by  the  King  of  Scotlfind  and  his  nobles.  It  appears  that,  on  this 
occasion,  the  citizens  were  not  well  affected  towards  John,  for  they  refused 
to  show  him  any  marks  of  honourable  greeting,  or  to  display  the  usual  tokens 
of  joy  and  congratulation  at  the  presence  of  their  sovereign  amongst  them. 
The  irritable  monarch  was  so  highly  incensed  at  this  instance  of  n^Iect, 
that  he  amerced  the  city  in  the  sum  of  £100.f  In  the  last  year  of  this 
troublous  reign  (IdlO),  the  northern  Barons  laid  siege  to  York,  but  granted 
a  truce,  and  retired  on  receiving  1000  marks  from  the  citizens. 

In  1330,  Henry  m.  attended  a  convocation  at  York,  in  which  Alex- 
ander, King  of  Scotland,  swore  to  many  the  Lady  Joanna,  or  Jane,  Heniy*8 
eldest  sister;  and  in  the  following  year,  the  marriage  was  solemnized  in 
the  Cathedral  church  of  this  city,  in  the  presence  of  the  Bang,  amidst  very 
splendid  festivities.  This  was  the  lady  whom  the  Scots  in  derision  called 
Joan  Makepeace.     "  A  name  not  in  vain,"  says  Buchanan,  "  for,  from  that 

•  Lei.  CoU.  vol.  iL  p.  210.    Stowe'a  Chioo.  p.  167.        f  Mag.  Bot  8  Job. 


GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  YORKSHIRE.  131 

time,  there  was  a  strict  alliance  between  the  two  E^ings.*'  On  the  same 
occasion,  was  solemnized  the  marriage  of  Hubert  de  Burgh,  the  Justiciary, 
and  Margaret,  sister  of  King  Alexander.  In  1280,  Henry  and  the  King  of 
Scotland,  with  the  principal  nobility,  kept  Christmas  at  York,  in  a  most 
magnificent  manner;  and  in  1287,  Cardinal  Otto,  the  Pope's  L^ate,  ne- 
gocaated  a  peace  between  the  Kings  of  England  and  Scotland,  who  met  at 
York  for  that  purpose. 

In  1251,  the  marriage  of  Alexander  11.  of  Scotland,  and  Margaret,  the 
beaatifiil  daughter  of  Henry  lU.,  was  celebrated  at  York,  with  all  the  mag-. 
nificence  and  grandeor  suitable  to  the  qnptials  of  such  exalted  persons.  All 
the  peers  of  the  realm  accompanied  Henry  and  his  Queen ;  and  the  Scottish 
King  was  attended  by  his  mother,  and  a  large  retinue  of  his  nobility.  On 
Christmas  Day,  Henry  conferred  the  honour  of  Knighthood  on  Alexander, 
and  tweoij  of  his  nobles;  and  on  the  following  day  the  royal  pair  were 
married  in  the  Cathedral,  by  the  Archbishop,  Walter  de  Grey.  As  we  have 
just  stated,  an  immense  number  of  military  commanders,  and  other  persons 
of  rank,  attended  Henry ;  and  Alexander  was  attended  by  more  than  sixty 
Knights,  dad  in  a  most  superb  manner.  During  the  stay  of  these  monarchs 
in  York,  the  Archbishop  several  times  entertained  them  with  princely  mag- 
nificence and  grandeur ;  expending  during  the  visit  of  the  royal  party  more 
than  4,000  marks,  or  nearly  £2,700.  For  one  feast  alone  he  had  sixty  &t 
oxen  roasted  and  cooked  in  various  ways. 

In  this  chivalrous  age  mock  contests  formed  the  principal  amusements  of 
the  nobility.  On  aU  great  occasions  a  tournament  was  formally  proclaimed ; 
and  here  the  aspiring  warrior  had  an  opportunity  of  recommending  himself 
at  once  to  the  notice  of  his  Sovereign,  and  the  recommendation  of  his  supe- 
riorB,  which  led  the  way  to  honourable  distinction ;  and  of  exciting  at  the 
same  time  the  admiration  and  esteem  of  the  softer  sex,  by  the  display  of 
superior  strength,  activity,  or  military  skilL  On  the  present  occasion,  a 
grand  tournament  took  place  at  York,  in  the  presence  of  the  two  Kings,  and 
aU  the  principal  nobility  of  England  and  Scotland,  In  1291,  Edward  I. 
visited  York  on  his  way  to  Scotland;  when  the  famous  Welshman,  the  repre- 
sentative of  the  ancient  Princes  of  South  Wales,  Bees-ap-Meredith,  was  tried 
and  condemned  here  for  high  treason,  and  drawn  through  the  city  to  the 
gaUows,  where  he  was  hanged  and  quartered.*  In  1206,  the  Scots  having 
made  an  inroad  into  England,  this  valiant  monarch  marched  against  them 

•  Slowe'a  Annals.  The  word  <' Ap"  is  a  Welsh  prefix,  equivaldnt  U>/'  llto"  in  Scotland, 
and  the  ^'O"  m  Ireland. 


182  GENERAL   HI9T0BT   OF   YOBKSHIRE. 

with  a  well  appointed  army,  and  joining  in  battle,  he  slew  28,000  of  the 
enemy  in  the  field,  and  put  the  rest  to  flight  Berwick,  Dunbar,  and  Edin- 
burgh, and  other  places,  opened  their  gates  to  the  conqueror;  and  John 
Baliol,  the  Scottish  King,  was  forced  to  resign  his  kingdom  by  a  charter, 
dated  10th  of  July,  at  Brechin.  The  sceptre,  coronation  stone,')'  ^c,  were 
sent  to  London. 

In  1298,  the  same  monarch  summoned  a  special  Parliament  to  meet  at 
York,  when  the  English  Barons  attended  in  great  numbers;  those  who  diso- 
beyed the  order  to  be  present,  being  accounted  rebels.  At  this  assembly,  the 
King's  confirmation  of  Magna  Chqrta  (or  the  Great  Charter),  with  the 
Charta  de  Forresta  (Charter  of  the  Forests),  was  read,  and  the  Bishop  of 
Carlisle  pronounced  a  curse  upon  all  who  should  attempt  to  violate  them. 
The  Scottish  lords,  who  were  summoned  to  attend  this  Parliament,  not 
making  their  appearance,  the  English  lords  decreed,  that  an  army  should  be 
sent,  under  the  command  of  the  Earl  of  Surrey,  to  relieve  Roxborough,  which 
the  Scots  were  at  that  time  besieging.  At  this  Parliament,  the  Commons  of 
of  the  Realm  granted  the  King  the  ninth  part  of  their  goods ;  the  Archbishop 
of  Canterbuiy,  with  the  clergy  of  his  province,  the  tenth  penny ;  and  the 
Archbishop  of  York,  with  his  clergy,  a  fifth. 

Edward  afterwards  summoned  another  Parliament  to  York,  and  renewed 
his  former  order  for  the  attendance  of  the  Scottish  nobility;  but  they  again 
refused  compliance  with  the  King's  command,  which  induced  him  to  issue  a 
commission  of  array,  ordering  his  subjects  to  meet  him  at  Eoxborough  on  St. 
John's  day.     The  famous  battle  of  Falkirk  then  ensued,  in  which  the  cele- 

*  This  famous  stone,  on  which  the  inaaguration  of  the  Scottish  Kings  was  perfonned, 
was  removed  from  the  monasterj  of  Scone,  in  Perthshire,  and  is  now  inserted  in  the 
seat  of  the  Coronation  chair  of  the  Sovereigns  of  England.  It  is  a  flat  stone,  nearly 
square,  and  is  said  to  be  the  identical  stone  which  formed  Jacob's  pillow,  when  he  had 
those  celestial  and  mystical  visions  mentioned  in  holy  writ.  Tradition  says  it  was 
brought  out  of  Palestine  into  Ireland,  and  was  there  used  as  the  inauguration  stone  of 
the  Kings  of  that  country ;  that  it  was  brought  from  Ireland  by  Fergus,  the  son  of  Erie, 
who  led  the  Dabriods  to  the  shores  of  Argyleshire ;  and  was  deposited  in  the  eiiy  of 
Scone.  An  old  antiquarian  has  described  this  stone,  "  the  ancientest  respected  monu- 
ment in  the  world;  for,  although  some  others  may  be  more  ancient  as  to  duration,  yet 
thus  superstiously  regarded  they  ore  not."  The  antiquity  of  this  "  Stone  of  Destiny  " 
is  undoubted,  however  it  may  be  questioned  whether  it  be  the  same  stone  on  which 
the  ancient  Kings  of  Ireland  were  crowned  on  the  hiU  of  Tara.  The  history  of  Us 
being  used  for  the  coronation  of  the  Scottish  Kings,  and  of  its  removal  from  Scone 
by  Edward  I.,  admits  of  no  doubt.  A  record  exists  of  the  expenses  attending  its  re- 
moval. The  curious  visitor  to  London,  may  inspect  it,  together  with  the  andent  chair 
made  for  its  reception,  in  the  reign  of  Edward  I.,  in  the  chapel  of  St.  Edward  the  Con- 
fessor, Westminster  Abbey. 


OEKERAL  HISTORY  OF  TORKSHIBE.  133 

I  hnted  chieftain,  Sir  William  Wallace,  was  defeated;  after  which  the  King 
letiimed  to  Yorit,  and  in  1299,  held  another  Parliament  there.  In  1304, 
Edward  completed  the  reduction  of  Scotland,  though  not  its  suhjugation; 
sod  after  disbanding  his  armj,  he  ordered  the  Courts  of  Exchequer  and 
King's  Bench,  which  had  continued  during  seven  years  at  York,  to  resume 
their  former  station  at  Westminster.'ie 

Yoik  then  ranked  amongst  the  English  ports,  and  furnished  one  vessel  to 
£dwaid's  fleet;  but  Hull  had  already  begun  to  rise  its  £Bune  as  a  maritime 
town,  and  when  vessels  were  built  on  a  larger  scale,  it  absorbed  a  great  share 
of  the  commerce  which  was  formerly  confined  to  this  city. 

Bdwazd,  having  conquered  and  united  the  principality  of  Wales  to  the 
crown  of  England,  and  having  constrained  the  Scots  to  swear  fealty  to  him, 
qpent  the  winter  before  his  death  at  Carlisle,  where  he  summoned  his  last 
Parliament  The  Scots,  taking  advantc^e  of  the  King^s  absence,  and  of  his 
having  dismissed  his  army,  assembled  their  dispersed  forces,  attacked  and 
obtained  a  signal  victory  over  the  English  troops,  and  took  prisoner  the  Earl 
of  Pembroke,  who  commanded  in  Scotland.  Exasperated  at  this  unexpected 
revolution,  Edward  resolved  to  march  into  the  heart  of  Scotland,  and  destroy 
the  kingdom  from  sea  to  sea;  and  to  that  end  he  summoned  all  the  vassals 
I  of  the  crown  to  meet  him  at  Carlisle,  about  the  middle  of  summer,  on  pain  of 

forfeiting  their  fees.  But,  whilst  "man  proposes,  God  disposes;"  no  sooner 
had  Edward  assembled  the  finest  army  England  had  ever  seen,  than  he  was 
seized  with  a  distemper,  which  put  an  end  to  his  days,  and  all  his  projects. 
On  his  death-bed  he  earnestly  recommended  Prince  Edward,  his  eldest  son  and 
successor,  to  prosecute  the  war  with  Scotland  with  the  utmost  vigour.  He 
also  advised  the  Prince  to  carry  along  with  him  his  remains  at  the  head  of  the 
anny,  not  doubting  but  that  the  sight  of  his  bones  would  daunt  the  courage 
of  the  enemies  he  had  thrice  conquered.  After  these  last  orders  to  his  son, 
he  caused  himself  to  be  carried  by  easy  journeys  to  meet  the  enemy ;  but  he 
had  not  advanced  above  five  miles,  to  a  village  in  Cumberland,  called  Burgh- 
npon-Sands,  when  his  sickness  was  increased  by  an  attack  of  dysentery,  which 
carried  him  o£P  on  the  7th  of  July,  1307,  in  the  68th  year  of  his  age,  and 
85th  of  his  rdgn.  And  thus  ended  the  career  of  the  warlike,  politic,  but 
unjust  King  Edward  I.,  who  has  been  deservedly  called  "  the  hammer  of 
Scotland.**  His  body  was  conveyed  to  Westminster  Abbey,  and  laid  by  the 
remains  of  Henry,  his  father;  and  the  memory  of  his  death  is  preserved  on 

•  lisgord's  Hist  England,  vol.  iiL,  p.  fUO.    Fcp.  8vo. 


184  GENERAL   HISTORY   OF  tORKSHIRE. 

the  spot  where  he  died,  bj  a  square  pillar  bearing  an  appropriate  Latin 
inscription.'ic 

One  of  the  greatest  e^ils  of  the  feudal  system  was,  that  when  a  feeble 
monarch  filled  the  throne,  the  kingdom  was  torn  to  pieces  by  domestic  faction 
and  civil  war.  The  vast  domains  of  some  of  the  nobles,  over  which  their 
authority  was  almost  unlimited,  gave  them  a  power  nearly  equal  to  that  of  the 
King;  and  the  reader  of  English  history  is  well  aware  that  these  factious 
ohieftaans  often  raised  the  standard  of  rebellion,  even  against  their  monarchs. 
Edward  11.  was  one  of  the  most  weak  and  unfortunate  of  the  English  Kings ; 
and  his  idleness,  incapacity,  and  passion,  for  favourites,  proved  lus  ruin. 
His  inordinate  attachment  to  Piers  de  Gaveston,  together  with  the  haughty, 
arrogant,  and  insolent  disposition  of  the  favourite,  led  to  a  combination  of  the 
nobility  against  them.  Gaveston,  and  some  of  his  followers,  had  been 
bamshed  from  the  kingdom  by  Edward  L,  but  in  the  year  1812,  Edward  II., 
in  an  evil  hour,  invited  him  to  meet  him  at  York,  and  "  received  him  as  a  gift 
from  heaven.f  ** 

On  this  occasion  the  King  kept  his  Ohiistmas  at  York.  The  return  of  the 
&vourite  excited  the  resentment  of  the  Barons,  and,  as  we  have  stated,  a 
powerM  conspiracy  was  formed  against  him.  Thomas,  Earl  of  Lancaster,  ^ 
cousin-german  to  the  King,  first  Prince  of  the  blood,  and  one  of  the  most 
opulent  and  poweriul  subjects  in  the  kingdom,  was  the  chief  of  the  party  who 
had  bound  themselves,  by  an  oath,  to  expel  G^ve^n;  and  he  suddenly 
raised  an  army,  and  marched  to  York,  the  walls  of  which  city  Edward  had 
caused  to  be  strongly  fortified,  and  put  in  a  posture  of  defence,  in  anticipation 
of  this  outbreak. 

The  King,  hearing  of  the  approach  of  Lancaster,  fled  with  his  &vourite  to 
Newcastle,  whither  the  Earl  followed  in  pursuit  of  them ;  but  before  the 
arrival  of  the  pursuers,  Edward  had  just  time  to  escape  to  Tynemouth,  where 
he  embarked,  and  sailed  with  Gaveston  to  Scarborough.  The  castie  of  the 
latter  place  being  deemed  impregnable,  the  King  left  his  favourite  in  it  (some 
say  that  he  made  him  governor  of  that  fortress),  and  returned  to  York,  either 
to  raise  an  army  to  oppose  his  enemies,  or,  by  his  presence,  to  allay  their 
animosity.  In  the  meantime  the  confederated  nobles  sent  the  Earl  of 
of  Pembroke,  with  a  strong  force,  to  besiege  Scarborough,  which,  after  a 
gallant  defence,  capitulated  upon  merciful  terms  (afterwards  flagrantiy  violated 

*  The  original  monument  was  erected  by  Heniy,  Dake  of  Norfolk,  in  1685;  but  it 
having  gone  to  decay,  the  present  pillar  was  raised  by  the  late  Earl  of  Lonsdale,  in  1803. 

f  Stowe's  Annals. 


OBMERAL  HISTORY  OF  TOBKSHIBE.  185 

by  the  victor)  wMch  extended  even  to  Gaveston  himself,  who  waa,  however, 
taken  pirisoner.  Pembroke,  now  master  of  the  person  of  this  public  enemj, 
conducted  him  to  the  castle  of  Deddington,  near  Banbury,  where,  on  pretence 
of  other  business,  he  left  him  protected  by  a  feeble  guard.  Warwick,  pro- 
bably in  concert  with  Pembroke,  attacked  the  castle ;  the  garrison  refused 
to  make  any  resistance,  and  the  unfortunate  Oaveston  was  yielded  up  to 
him,  and  conducted  to  Warwick  Castle.  The  Earls  of  Lancaster,  HerelEbrd, 
and  Arundel,  immediately  repaired  thither,  and  without  any  regard,  either  to 
the  laws  or  the  military  capitulation,  they  ordered  the  obnoxious  &vouiite 
to  be  beheaded,  and  the  execution  took  place  on  Blacklow  Hill  (now  Gavers- 
ley  Heath),  on  the  dOth  of  June,  ISld.*  Such  was  the  miserable  end  ot 
Edward's  first  ^Eivourite. 

After  the  disastrous  battle  of  Bannockbum,  in  1314,  in  which  Edward 
lost  about  50,000  men,  he  narrowly  escaped  to  York,  where  he  held  a  great 
coonciL  At  this  time  the  prices  of  the  following  articles  were  fixed  by  the 
King's  writs: — ^for  a  stall  or  com  fed  ox,  not  more  than  £1.  4s. ;  lor  a  grass 
fed  ox,  not  more  than  16s. ;  for  a  &t  stalled  cow,  Ids. ;  for  a  com  fed  mutton 
with  wool  grown.  Is.  8d. ;  a  fat  hog,  two  years  dd,  not  to  exceed  Ss.  4d. ;  a 
ht  goose,  ^d. ;  a  fat  capon,  dd. ;  a  &t  ben,  or  two  chickens,  lid. ;  and  94 
eggs,  not  more  than  Id. 

In  the  year  1315  there  was  a  great  fiunine  and  morftaliiy;  the  flesh  of 
beasts  was  conmpted ;  men  were  forced  to  feed  on  dogs  and  horses ;  many, 
it  is  said,  eat  not  only  their  own  children,  but  stole  others  to  devour  them 
also ;  whilst  the  old  prisoners  in  some  of  the  prisons  fell  upon  those  newly 
brought  in  amongst  them,  and  greedily  devoured  them  whilst  half  aHve.  In 
the  year  following.  Sir  JosseHne  Danville,  and  his  brother  Robert,  who,  with 
200  men  in  the  habit  of  friars,  attacked  the  episcopal  palace  at  Durham,  and 
conunitted  many  notable  robberies,  were  executed  at  York.  In  the  same 
year  the  King  issued  orders  from  Beverley,  fer  arming  the  whole  population  ot 
Yorkshire  and  Northumberland,  between  the  ages  of  16  and  60,  both  horse 
and  &ot;  with  directions  that  they  should  be  prepared  to  march  with  him 
against  the  Scots;  and  he  appointed  officers  to  see  that  his  commands  were 
carried  into  execution.f    On  the  15th  of  September  he  ordered  the  levy  in 

•  Hinderwell'8  Bist  Scarboroagh,  p.  51. 

f  The  regnlar  and  established  modes  of  assembling  annies  in  fonner  times,  when 
the  eoDstitutional  militaiy  fbrce  of  EoLglaad  consisted  of  feadal  troops,  and  the  posse 
oQOBitatQS,  were  as  follows : — ^The  tenant  who  held  in  capUe,  that  is  one  who  held  imme* 
diately  from  the  King,  the  quantity  of  land  amounting  to  a  Knight's  fee,  was  to  hold  him- 
self in  readiness,  with  horse  andannsi  toaenpetbe  Eingin  war,  either  at  home  or  abroad, 


186  GENERAL   HISTOBT  OF  YORESHIBE. 

the  county  of  Yorit  to  be  inspected.  The  northern  parts  of  the  kingdom 
were  so  exhausted  that  the  King  was  compelled  to  recruit  his  forces  from  the 
southern  and  western  parts ;  and  on  the  ISth  of  August,  1318,  he  issued 
orders  from  Nottingham,  to  every  city  and  borough  throughout  England,  to 
raise  the  number  of  men  appointed  in  the  respective  summonses ;  and  to  have 
them  well  armed  and  accoutred,  to  resist  the  threatened  invasion  of  the 
Scots.'i^  The  campaign  not  having  commenced  tiU  the  following  spring,  the 
King  issued  orders  early  in  the  year  for  arming  the  population  of  the  whole 
kingdom,  between  the  ages  of  30  and  60. 

By  the  King's  order,  according  to  Stowe,  the  Clerks  of  the  Exchequer  set 
out  for  York,  on  the  15th  of  October,  1819,  with  the  Domesday  Book  and 
other  records,  which,  with  provision,  laded  twenty-one  carts.  The  Judges  of 
the  King's  Bench  came  at  the  same  time,  and  continued  to  transact  the 
business  of  the  court  in  the  city  of  York  for  six  months.f 

In  1318,  the  whole  of  the  north  of  England,  to  the  middle  of  Yorkshire, 
was  ravaged  with  fire  and  sword,  by  an  army  of  Scottish  marauders,  under 
the  command  of  Bruce's  fiEunous  Generals, — ^Thomas  Bandolph,  Earl  of 
Murray,  and  Sir  James  Douglas ;  and  having  burned  the  towns  of  North- 
allerton, Boroughbridge,  Knaresborough,  Skipton,  and  Scarborough,  and 

at  hiB  Dim  expense,  for  a  stated  time ;  generally  40  days  in  the  year;  and  this  sendee 
being  aocomplished,  the  tenant  could  either  return  home,  or  if  he  or  his  followers  alter- 
wards  continued  to  serve  with  the  army,  they  were  paid  by  the  King.  The  quantity  of 
land,  or  sum  of  money,  which  constituted  a  Koight's  fee,  appears  to  haye  yaried  at 
different  periods.  In  the  reigns  of  Heniy  U.,  and  Edward  II.,  a  Knight's  fee  was  stated 
at  £20  per  annum ;  and  the  number  of  KnighVs  fees  in  the  kingdom  was  estimated  at 
60,000.  Qroie*$  MU,  Aniiq^  voU  i.,  p,  4.  A  tenant  who  had  several  Knight's  fees,  might 
discharge  them  by  able  substitutes.  The  posse  comitatus  included  every  free  man 
between  the  ages  of  15  and  60.  The  chief  duty  of  this  body  being  to  preserve  peace, 
under  the  command  of  the  Sheriff,  they  differed  from  the  feudal  troops,  inasmuch  as 
they  were  not  liable  to  be  called  out,  except  in  ease  of  internal  oommotion,  or  actual 
invasion:  on  such  oocasions  they  could  legally  be  marched  out  of  their  respective 
counties,  but  in  no  case  could  they  be  sent  to  do  military  duty  out  of  the  kingdom. 
Besides  these  means  of  raising  armies,  under  the  authority  of  the  royal  prerogatiye,  on 
extraordinary  occasions,  districts,  cities,  burghs,  and  eyen  particular  persons,  were 
obliged  to  find  men,  horses,  and  arms,  at  the  will  and  pleasure  of  his  sovereign.  After 
the  16th  of  Edward  m.  (1843),  new  forms  and  modes  of  raising  men  were  adopted. 
The  monarchs  contracted  with  their  nobility  and  gentry  to  find  them  soldidrs,  at  certain 
wages,  and  their  parliaments  supplied  them  with  the  means. 

*  The  comparative  proportion  of  men  raised  in  different  towns  in  the  neighbourhood 
may  be  seen  in  the  following  Hst: — York,  100  foot;  Beverley,  80;  Scarborough,  30; 
Hull,  20;  Grimsby,  20;  Doncaster,  10;  Stamford,  15;  and  Derby,  10. 

f  Byley,  p.  564. 


aEKBBAI.  HISTORY  OF  T0RK8HIBB.  137 

imposed  a  contributian  of  1,000  marks  upon  the  inhabitants  of  Ripon,  they 
retomed  to  Scotland,  laden  with  much  plunder,  and  carrying  with  them  a 
great  number  of  prisoners.     This  calamity  was  followed  next  year  by  a 
famine  and  pestilent  disease,  which  carried  off  great  numbers  of  the  inhabi- 
tants left  in  the  plundered  districts.    In  13S0,  the  army  raised  by  Edward 
being  at  length  organised,  that  monarch  marched  into  the  north  at  the  head 
of  it,  and  laid  siege  to  the  town  of  Berwick-upon-Tweed ;  but  he  had  scarcely 
sat  down  before  that  place,  when  Randolph,  the  Scottish  General,  instead  of 
attacking  the  King  at  Berwick,  led  his  forces  across  the  Solway,  and  laid  the 
country  waste  with  fire  and  sword,  even  to  the  gates  of  York ;  and  after 
burning  the  suburbs  of  the  city,  returned  northwards  with  their  booty. 
William  de  Melton,  at  that  tune  Archbishop,  indignant  at  the  insult  thus 
offered  to  the  city,  took  up  arms,  and  hastily  raised  an  army,  composed  of 
priests,  canons,  monks,  husbandmen,  artificers,  and  others,  to  the  number 
of  10,000  men;  and  with  this  undisciplined  band,  he  pursued  the  Scots, 
and  imfortunately  overtook  them  at  Myton-upon-Swale,  three  miles  east  of 
Boroughbridge;  where,  with  more  zeal  than  skill,  he  attacked  them  on  the 
12th  of  October  (1320). 

"These  able  soldiers,"  says  Holinshed,  "had,  as  experienced  commanders, 
the  Archbishop,  and  Bishop  of  Ely,  being  the  leaders  of  these  warlike  troops ; 
much  fitter  to  pray  for  the  success  of  a  battle,  than  to  fight  it**  Aware  of 
the  pursuit,  the  Scots  laid  an  ambuscade,  and  waited  for  the  Archbishop*s 
army,  in  the  order  of  battle.  According  to  the  old  chronicler,  the  scene  of 
the  battle  was  the  "  Myton  meadow,  near  the  Swale  water."  This  would  then 
be  a  large  open  field,  now  enclosed,  and  known  by  the  name  of  "The  Ings," 
and  extends  about  a  mile  along  the  east  bank  of  the  Swale,  before  its  junction 
with  the  Ure,  and  an  equal  distance  down  the  north  bank  of  the  Ouse. 
Our  idea  of  the  battle,"  writes  the  editor  of  the  Battle  Fields  of  Yorkshirey 
is,  that  the  English  were  advancing,  over  the  open  field,  towards  the  Swale, 
enclosed  on  two  sides  by  rivers,  when  the  Scots,  'among  the  hay  kookes 
bushed,*  on  the  higher  ground  to  the  north,  above,  and  about  the  village  of 
Myton,  setting  fire  to  the  hay,  rushed  suddenly,  under  cover  of  the  smoke, 
upon  their  unprepared  antagonists,  cooped  up  in  a  bad  situation,  and  routed 
them  with  little  loss  on  their  own  side ;  while  that  of  the  English  amounted 
to  between  8,000  and  4,000,  of  which  2,000  were  drowned,  most  probably  in 
the  waters  of  the  Ouse,  opposite  the  village  of  Dunsforth,  where  the  river  is 
both  wide  and  deep."  It  is  however  certain,  that  after  a  feeble  resistance, 
the  English  were  defeated^  with  the  loss  just  stated,  including  Nicholas 
Fleming,  who  was  then  for  the  seventh  time  Mayor  of  York. 

T 


138  OXKZRAL  HI8T0BT  Of  TO&S0HIB2. 

In  this  batde  such  a  number  of  ecdedasticsi  in  fiiU  canonicals,  fell  (SOOi 
according  to  Dr.  Lingard),  that  it  was,  says  Buchanan,  for  a  long  time  called 
the  White  BatUe;  and  it  is  sportivelj  recorded  bj  the  Scottish  writers,  under 
the  tide  of  the  Chapter  of  Mytan  (or  Mitton,  as  thej  erroneously  call  it). 
The  Archbishop  himself  had  a  very  narrow  escape,  and  had  business  enough 
to  fill  up  the  vacancies  in  the  church,  on  his  return.  The  body  of  the  Mayor 
of  YorlE  was  honourably  interred  in  the  parish  church  of  St.  Wilfirid,  at  York, 
and  the  Archbishop  granted  an  indulgence  of  forty  days  to  all  the  citizen^ 
who,  being  truly  penitent,  should  approach  the  sacraments,  and  say  a  Pater- 
noster and  Aye-Maria  for  the  repose  of  his  soul.  A  chantiy  was  also  founded 
for  him  in  the  same  church.  The  Scots  returned  home  without  further 
molestation,  but  with  a  large  increase  of  spoil ;  and  Edward,  as  soon  as  he 
heard  of  the  event,  raised  the  siege  of  Berwick,  and  hastily  retired  to  York. 

The  King  had  now  another  great  &vourite,  in  the  person  of  Hugh  de 
Spencer,  a  man  of  considerable  exterior  accomplishments,  but  destitute  of  aH 
prudence  and  moderation.  His  rapacity  led  to  a  combination  of  the  nobles 
against  him,  in  Iddl,  and  Edward  was  compelled  to  bani^  both  him  and 
his  father  beyond  the  sea.  In  a  short  time,  the  King  found  himself  in  a 
situation  to  bid  defiance  to  his  enemies,  and  the  Spencers  were  recalled. 
Again  the  factious,  turbulent,  but  powerful  Earl  of  Lancaster  headed  a  con- 
federacy of  the  nobles,  and  raised  an  army  to  oppose  the  King ;  but  having 
entered  into  an  alliance  with  Bruce,  King  of  Scotland,  nuiny  of  the  English 
deserted  him,  and  joined  the  standard  of  Edward.  Lancaster,  with  the  Earl 
of  Hereford  and  a  few  other  noblemen,  having  &iled  in  an  attempt  to  secure 
a  position  at  Burton-upon-Trent,  hastily  retreated  northward,  to  join  the 
succours  which  were  expected  from  Scotland.  On  the  16th  of  March,  18dl, 
he  arrived  at  Boroughbridge,  where  he  fotmd  Sir  Andrew  Haida,  Governor 
of  Carlisle,  and  Warden  of  the  Western  Marches,  and  Sir  Simon  Ward, 
Sheriff  of  Yorkshire,  with  a  strong  force,  ready  to  bar  his  further  progress. 
Harcla,  who  had  received  the  honour  of  Knighthood  at  the  hand  of  Lancaster, 
was  now  tempted  to  prove  his  gratitude  to  him,  at  the  expense  of  his  duty 
to  his  Sovereign.  Lancaster  promised  to  confer  upon  him  one  of  the  five 
Earldoms  then  in  his  possession,  if  he  (Harcla)  would  help  him  with  the  forces 
under  his  command,  to  remove  the  Spencers;  but  the  Warden  of  the  Marches 
was  incorruptible;  and  the  Earl  had  nothing  left  but  to  turn  back,  and  fight 
the  King's  army,  which  was  in  pursuit  of  him,  or  force  the  passage  of  the 
river  before  it  came  up;  and  he  chose  the  latter  of  these  alternatives.  The 
river,  which  is  here  about  sixty  yards  wide,  was  at  that  time  traversed  by  a 
wooden  bridge,  the  small  town  of  Boroughbridge  standing  on  the  south  side. 


6SNERAL  mSTORT  OF  YOBKBHIBE.  139 

The  Eaii's  an^rs  first  b^in  the  fight,  but  were  repeUed  by  the  moi-e  potent 
disohaige  of  their  adyersaries.  The  m6n-a^a^ns  next  attempted  to  force  the 
passage  of  the  river»  and  the  Earl  of  Hereford  was  slain  by  the  thrust  of  a 
lance  below  his  armour,  through  a  chink  in  the  bridge,  by  a  Welsh  soldier, 
who  had  hid  himself  beneath.  Sir  William  Sulley  and  Sir  Roger  Bemefield 
were  slain,  and  Sir  Roger  Clifford  was  wounded  on  the  head.  During  this 
attack,  Lancaster  had  led  a  part  of  his  army  to  a  ford,  a  little  lower  down; 
but  hare  again  he  was  repeiled  by  a  shower  of  arrows  from  the  opposite  bank. 
Seeiiig  all  his  attempts  to  pass  the  river  by  force  baffled,  his  courage  entirely 
Caokd  him,  and  he  retired  into  a  chapel,  where  he  was  seized,  stripped  of  his 
armour,  and  treated  with  great  indignity.  The  rest  of  his  party  were  dis- 
persed, and  a  great  many  of  them  taken.  Lancaster  was  conveyed  to  York, 
wherehewasinsulted,  pelted  with  dirt,  and  called  in  derision  "King  Arthur." 
fie  was  then  imprisoned  in  the  castle  of  Pontefinaet,  in  a  dungeon,  in  a 
new  tower,  which  he  himself  had  recently  made,  and  the  only  entrance  to 
which  was  by  a  trap-door  in  the  floor  of  the  turret.  Shortly  afterwards  the 
King  being  at  Pontefiract,  the  Earl  was  arraigned,  in  the  hall  of  the  castle, 
befixre  a  small  number  of  peers,  among  whom  were  the  Spencers,  his  mortal 
enemfflit.  As  might  have  been  expected,  he  was  condemned,  and  sentenced 
to  be  hanged,  drawn,  and  quartered;  but  through  respect  for  his  royal  blood, 
the  punishment  was  changed  to  decapitation ;  and  the  sentence  was  immedi« 
afeely  put  into  ezecation.  The  fiite  of  Lancaster  involved  that  of  many  others. 
Never  since  the  Conquest  had  such  havoc  been  made  among  the  ancient 
nobility;  never  since  then  had  the  scaffold  been  drenched  with  so  much 
noble  blood  as  on  this  occasion.  No  less  than  ninety-five  Barons  and  Knights 
were  taken  prisoners,  and  afterwards  tried  for  high  treason.  The  Lords 
Warren  de  Lisle,  William  Touchet,  Thomas  Mandute,  Fitz  William  the 
yonnger,  William  Cheney,  and  Henry  de  Bradbum,  were  executed  at  Ponte- 
fraet;  and  the  Lords  Clifford,  Mowbray,  and  Deynville,  were  executed  at 
York,  and  their  bodies  hung  in  chains. 

The  wooden  bridge,  upon  which  the  fate  of  the  Lancaster  &ction  was  de- 
cided, has  since  been  succeeded  by  a  handsome  one  of  stone.  The  ground 
oeeapied  by  the  forces  of  Harcla  and  Ward,  is  now  covered  with  houses, 
timber,  and  coal  yards ;  and  partly  by  a  short  canal,  belonging  to  the  river 
Ure  navigation.  At  a  place  called  2^  Old  Banks,  below  ^e  bridge,  many 
fingments  of  arms  and  armour  were  found  in  1793,  when  the  embankments 
of  the  river  were  formed.    These  were  probably  relics  of  this  battle. 

In  1899,  the  King,  after  having  conciliated  the  Barons,  held  another  Par- 
bament  in  York,  in  winch  the.  decree,  made  in  the  preceding  year  in  London, 


140  QENEBAL   HISTORY   OF  T0BK8HIBE. 

for  alienating  their  estates,  was  reversed,  and  the  elder  Spencer  created  Earl 
of  Winchester.  At  this  Parliament  the  several  ordinances  of  the  Barons, 
made  at  different  times,  were  examined,  and  such  of  them  as  were  confirmed, 
were,  h j  the  King's  order,  directed  to  be  called  statutes ;  the  clergy  of  the 
province  of  Yoik  granted  the  King  a  subsidy  of  fourpence  in  each  mark; 
Robert  Baldock  was  made  Lord  Chancellor;  and  Edward,  the  King's  eldest 
son,  was  created  Prince  of  Wales,  and  Duke  of  Aquitain.  After  the  dissolu- 
tion of  this  Parliament,  Edward  raised  an  immense  army  to  oppose  Robert 
Bruce,  who  was  then  desolating  the  English  border ;  and  in  the  month  of 
August,  in  the  same  year,  at  the  head  of  this  army,  he  marched  into  Scot- 
land ;  and  though  the  enemy  had  destroyed  all  the  forage,  he  penetrated  as 
far  as  Edinburgh,  into  this  region  of  total  &mine.  Being  obliged  to  retire 
for  want  of  provisions,  this  mighty  host  retreated  to  England,  and  so  ravenous 
were  the  soldiers,  after  their  late  abstinence,  that  no  less  than  16,000  of  them 
died  of  repletion.  Bruce,  aware  of  the  retreat  of  the  English,  closely  fdlowed 
them,  and  then  he  became  the  aggressor.  In  oider  to  end  the  war,  he  con- 
ceived the  bold  design  of  capturing  the  person  of  the  King ;  and  with  that 
intention,  he  came  up  with  the  English  army,  encamped  upon  an  advanta- 
geous piece  of  ground,  near  Byland  Abbey,  about  fourteen  miles  from  York, 
which  Edward  had  made  his  head  quarters,  while  he  refreshed  and  recruited 
iiis  men.  The  English  were  posted  on  the  Abbey  bank — a  high  ridge  of 
land,  extending  from  Cambe  Hill,  by  Oldstead,  to  the  village  of  Wass— a 
most  favourable  position.  Bruce,  who  well  knew  how  to  encounter  great 
obstacles  in  the  field,  sent  his  two  associates  in  arms,  Randolph  and  Douglas, 
to  storm  the  narrow  pass,  which  led  to  the  top  of  the  hill ;  whilst  he  turned 
the  English  position,  by  sending  a  body  of  BQghlanders  to  scale  the  steep 
cliff,  and  thus  surprised  the  enemy,  by  attacking  them  at  once  in  Hank 
and  rear. 

After  a  short  fight  the  English  were  routed,  and  fled,  leaving  their  strong 
position,  and  much  spoil  in  the  hands  of  the  victors.  Edward,  who  was  at 
dinner  in  the  Abbey  when  the  battle  began,  made  his  escape  to  York  with 
difficulty,  but  he  was  indebted  for  his  safety  to  the  swiftness  of  his  horse. 
He  left  his  privy  seal,  plate,  money,  and  other  treasures,  behind  him.  The 
fugitives  were  chased  towards  York  by  Walter  Stewart,  before  which  city,  it 
is  said,  he  halted  until  the  evening,  with  only  500  men-at-arms,  to  see  if  the 
enemy  would  come  out  to  the  encounter.  There  is  no  record  of  the  number 
slain  in  this  fight,  but  several  of  the  nobility  were  taken  prisoners,  among 
whom  were  John  de  Bretagne  and  Henry  de  Sully.  The  Scottish  army  re- 
turned unmolested,  and  laden  with  spoil    Byland  Abbey,  so  cloae  to  the 


aSNERAL  HianOBT  OF  Y0RK8HIBE.  141 

scene  of  conflict»  was  no  doubt  plimdered  of  all  that  was  worth  carrying 
away ;  but  it  was  not  destroyed,  nor  its  inmates  slaughtered,  as  were  those 
of  Dryburgh  and  Mekose  by  the  English  in  their  late  incursion. 

According  to  the  expression  of  the  old  chronicle,  the  battle  of  Byland 
Abbey  took  place  ''fifteen  days  after  Michaelmas,  1323."  Sir  Andrew 
Havcla,  now  Earl  of  Carlisle,  was  accused  of  having  entered  into  a  traitorous 
oorrespondence  with  the  Scottish  King,  and  of  supineness  and  wilful  inaction, 
in  not  intecTupting  the  march  of  the  Scots,  and  thus  preventing  them  pursuing 
the  retreat  of  Edward ;  and  with  all  the  savage  barbarity  of  the  times,  he 
was  tried,  condemned,  and  executed.  But  even  the  guilt  of  that  unfortunate 
nobleman  (and  that  is  doubtful)  could  not  shift  the  blame  of  the  shameful 
defeat  and  infamous  flight  of  the  English,  their  army  being  much  more 
numerous  than  that  of  the  Scots.  After  this  batde  a  truce  was  agreed  upon 
between  the  two  nations,  to  continue  lor  the  space  of  thirteen  years. 

Edward  was  shortly  after  deposed  and  imprisoned  by  the  direction  of  Mor- 
timer, the  paramour  of  his  Queen,  Isabella ;  and  he  was  finally  murdered 
with  unparalleled  cruelty.  His  son,  then  but  fourteen  years  old,  was  crowned 
in  13d7,  under  the  title  of  Edward  HI. ;  and  his  reign,  which  lasted  for 
£^  years  and  a  few  months,  shines  with  much  lustre  in  the  annals  of 
.England,  and  constitutes  a  splendid  period  in  the  history  of  York.  In  the 
first  year  of  his  reign,  the  youthful  King  ordered  his  whole  army  to  rendez- 
vous ia  York,  in  order  to  oppose  the  Scots,  who,  with  two  powerful  armies, 
including  30,000  light  cavalry,  under  the  conduct  of  the  distinguished  Gene- 
rals, Randolph  and  Douglas,  were  ravaging  the  northern  part  of  the  kingdom. 
'While  the  King  lay  at  York,  preparing  for  the  expedition,  he  was  joined  by 
John,  Lord  Beaiunont,  of  Hainault,  and  several  other  knights  and  gentlemen, 
who,  with  his  retinue,  composed  a  band  of  500,  or,  according  to  Enightson, 
of  3000  men.  Most  of  these  foreigners  were  lodged  in  the  suburbs,  but  to 
Zx>rd  John  himself,  the  King  assigned  the  monastery  of  White  Monks  in  the 
dty.  The  King,  with  the  Queen-mother,  made  their  abode  at  the  monastery 
ot  the  Friars  Minors.  For  six  weeks  Edward  held  his  court  at  York,  whilst 
an  anny  of  60,000  men  was  being  raised.  On  Trinity  Sunday  the  King  gave 
a  splendid  entertainment  at  the  monasteiy.  To  his  usual  retinue  of  500 
Knights,  he  added  60  more;  and  the  Queen-mother  had  in  her  suite  60 
ladies  of  the  highest  rank  and  greatest  beauty  in  England. 

During  the  festivitiea  a  contest  arose  between  the  Hainaulters  and  a  body 
of  Lincolnshire  archers,  who  lodged  with  thooi  in  the  suburbs;  and  hostilities 
once  begun,  abettors  successively  came  in  on  both  sides,  till  nearly  8000  of  the 
archers  were  collected.    Many  of  the  foreigners  were  slain,  and  the  rest  were 


143  GENERAL  HI8T0BY  OF  TOBXSHIBB. 

obliged  to  retire.  During  the  fray  part  of  the  city  took  fire,  and  it  was  with 
difficulty  that  the  flames  were  subdued.  On  the  fidlowing  night  the  foreignero, 
determined  on  revenge,  headed  by  their  officers,  fell  upon  the  Linoolnfihire 
and  Northamptonshire  archers,  and  slew  about  800  of  them.  This  rash  act 
induced  the  English  to  combine,  to  the  number  of  6000,  in  the  homble  reso- 
lution of  sacrificing  the  whole  of  the  Hainaulters ;  but  this  catastrophe  was 
arrested,  and  the  tranquillity  of  the  city  restored  by  the  firmness  and  wise 
precautions  of  the  Eiog.*  The  Scots  being  informed  of  the  warlike  prepa- 
rations of  Edward,  sent  ambassadors  to  York  to  negodate  a  treaty  of  peace ; 
upon  the  failure  of  which,  Edward  advanced  against  them  with  his  anny,  in 
all  the  martial  pomp  of  those  chivalrous  times.  After  a  dose  pursuit  the 
enemy  was  at  last  overtaken  and  surrounded  at  Stanhope  Park,  and  would 
have  surrendered  but  for  the  treachery  of  Lord  Mortimer,  who  opened  a  road 
for  their  escape.  The  Scots  then  withdrew  their  forces,  but  Douglas  as- 
saulted the  English  camp  at  night,  and  nearly  succeeded  in  killing  the  King. 
On  the  failure  of  this  attempt  the  Scots,  after  doing  what  mischief  they 
could,  retreated  within  their  own  territories.  Edward,  excessively  chagrined 
at  the  escape  of  an  enemy  whom  he  had  so  thoroughly  in  his  power,  returned 
to  York,  and  afterwards  to  London.  Lord  John  Beaumont,  upon  receiving 
£14,000. — ^the  sum  for  which  he  and  his  foreign  soldiers  had  been  engaged, 
returned  to  the  continent ;  and  shortly  afterwards  a  marriage  was  n^gociated 
between  his  niece,  Philippa,  the  most  celebrated  beauty  of  the  age,  and  the 
young  King  of  England.  This  marriage  was  solemnized  in  the  Cathedral 
of  York,  by  the  Archbishop  of  that  province,  and  the  Bishop  of  Ely,  on  the 
d4th  of  Januaiy,  1828,  it  being  the  Sunday  before  the  eve  of  the  festival  of 
the  Conversion  of  St.  Paul. 

The  court  was  then  at  York,  and  for  three  weeks  the  feastings,  jousts, 
tournaments,  maskings,  revds,  interludes,  &c.,  were  continued  without  inter- 
mission. "  Upon  these  happy  nuptials,"  says  Froissart,  "  the  whole  kingdom 
teemed  with  joy.**  But  jealousies  again  arose  between  the  Hainault  soldieiy, 
which  formed  part  of  the  retinue  of  Beaumont,  and  the  English;  and  the 
former  took  advantage  of  this  carnival  to  treat  the  latter  with  outrage  and 
violence.  The  foreigners  not  only  set  fire  to  the  suburbs  of  the  dty,  by 
which  a  whole  parish  was  nearly  destroyed,  but  they  vidently  assaulted 
several  of  the  wives,  daughters,  and  maid  servants  of  the  inhabitants.  The 
dtizens,  enraged  by  these  proceedings,  armed  themsdves,  and  challenged 
the  Hainaulters  to  battle.    In  this  desperate  contest,  which  took  plaoe  in  the 

•  Ldand'8  Ck>lL  voL  L,  p.  307.     ^Tmsr,  toL  iv.,  p.  39d. 


OSKESAL  mSTOBT  OF  T0RX8HIBS.  148 

Btieei,  called  Watlingate  (now  Lawrence  Street),  no  less  than  697  of  the 
fine^eiB,  and  94d  Englishmen,  were  slain,  or  drowned  in  the  Ouse. 

In  188d,  Edward  summoned  another  Parliament  to  this  city ;  and  two 
years  afterwards^  the  King,  on  his  march  to  Scotland,  stayed,  and  kept  his 
Christmas  here.  On  his  return  from  that  country,  he  held  another  Parlia- 
ment in  this  city,  to  which  Baliol,  whose  cause  he  had  emhraced,  in 
opposition  to  David  Bruce,  was  summoned  to  attend  him ;  hut  Baliol,  not 
daring  to  trust  himself,  for  fear  of  heing  seized  hy  his  Barons  on  his  journey, 
sent  the  Lords  Beaumont  and  Montecute  to  excuse  him,  and  afterwards  met 
the  King  at  Newcastle.  In  1885,  Edward  took  up  his  residence  at  the 
monasteiy  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  in  this  city,  and  held  a  council,  in  which  the 
Bishop  of  Duiham,  then  Chancellor,  resigned  the  great  seal  into  his  hands, 
and  he  immediately  gave  it  up  to  the  Archhishop  of  Canterbury,  who  took 
the  usual  oa^  of  office  in  the  presence  of  the  council,  and  on  the  same  day 
proceeded  to  the  "  church  of  the  Blessed  Mary,'*  where  he  affixed  it  to  several 
deeds.  It  appears  in  Cotton's  Collections,  that  in  this,  and  in  the  preceding 
reign,  there  were  no  less  than  twelve  Parliaments  assembled  in  York.  During 
the  wars  in  France,  in  which  Edward  and  his  renowned  son,  the  Black 
Prinoe  (so  called  from  the  colour  of  his  armour),  gained  the  memorable 
victories  of  Crecy  and  Poictiers,  the  Scots  formed  a  resolution,  suggested, 
most  probably,  by  the  French  monarch,  to  invade  and  ravage  the  northern 
eoonties  of  England  during  Edward's  absence.  Accordingly,  in  1846,  David 
Brace,  with  an  army  of  86,000  men,  well  armed  and  trained,  entered  by  the 
eastern  marches,  and  destroyed  the  country  vnth  fire  and  sword  as  far  as 
York;  and  actually  set  fire  to  the  suburbs,  and  then  retired  to  a  short 
distance  from  that  city.  Philippa,  the  heroic  consort  of  King  Edward,  who 
then  kept  her  court  at  York,  issued  peremptory  orders  to  arm  the  population, 
vrfaether  laity  or  clergy;  which  was  soon  accomplished  under  the  active 
saperintendenee  of  Archbishop  William  de  la  Zouch,  Lord  Percy,  and  others. 
A  gallant  army  vms  soon  assembled  before  the  gates  of  York,  and  the  Queen 
headed  it  in  person.  The  second  division  was  commanded  by  the  Archbishop, 
in  which  were  found  all  the  clergy  of  the  diocese,  who  were  able  to  bear 
anns.  The  two  armies  met  at  a  place  called  Nevil's  Cross,  in  the  county 
of  Duiham,  on  the  17th  of  October,  in  the  same  year ;  and  though  the  Scots 
were  unprepared  for  immediate  action,  yet  they  thought  it  an  easy  matter  to 
conquer  an  army  oi  clerks  and  citizens,  commanded  by  a  woman  and  a  priest. 
Bat  tfaej  were  miserably  deceived.  The  English,  fighting  for  their  altars 
and  their  homes,  entered  the  battle  with  a  fuU  resolution  not  to  survive  the 
loss  of  their  freedom.    The  carnage  of  that  day  was  dreadful.    The  English 


144  OENERiLL  HISTOBT  OF  T0BE8HIBE. 

gained  a  signal  victoiy ;  David  Bruce  was  taken  prisoner ;  about  100  of  the 
choicest  Knights  in  Scotland  lost  their  lives ;  and  20,000  men  perished  in 
the  contest'!'  The  English  lost  4,000  private  men,  and  five  Esquires.  After 
the  battle,  the  victorious  Queen  returned  to  York  in  triumph ;  and  having 
seen  the  citj  strongly  fortified,  and  then  leaving  the  Lords  Percy  and  Neville 
to  the  government  of  the  north,  she  returned  to  London,  carrying  her  royal 
prisoner  in  her  train.  William  de  Hatfield,  the  second  son  of  Edward  and 
FhiLippa,  died  in  his  infancy  in  York,  and  was  buried  in  the  Cathedral. 

This  reign  was  unhappily  distinguished  by  a  pestilence,  called  the  *'  black 
death,"  which  was  uncommonly  fatal  and  extensive.  It  broke  out  in  ld49,t 
and  raged  at  York  for  nine  weeks,  and  considerably  diminished  the  popula- 
tion.  It  took  a  wider  range,  and  proved  more  destructive  than  any  calamily 
of  that  nature  known  in  the  axmals  of  maokind.  Its  effects  continued,  in 
some  degree,  even  to  the  time  that  Walsingham  wrote,  which  was  about 
seventy  years  afterwards.  In  the  last  year  of  this  long  and  eventful  reign, 
the  Parliament  granted  the  King  a  capitation  tax  of  4d.  fix>m  every  lay 
person  of  either  sex,  in  the  kingdom,  above  fourteen  years  of  age;  and  12d. 
from  each  beneficed  clergyman.  The  only  persons  exempted  from  it»  were 
the  four  mendicant  orders  of  religious,  and  real  known  b^^ars.  From  the 
accounts  of  the  produce  of  this  tax,  the  entire  population  has  been  estimated. 
The  city  of  London  was  rated  at  35,000  souls;  Yorky  at  11,000;  Bristol, 
9,000;  Coventry  and  Plymouth,  each  7,000;  Norwich,  6,000;  Lincohi, 
5,000;  Lynn,  5,000;  Colchester,  4,600;  Beverley,  Oxford,  and  Newcastie- 
upon-Tyne,  each  4,000 ;  Ely,  Canterbury,  and  Bury,  in  Suffolk,  each  3,500 ; 
Gloucester,  Leicester,  and  Shrewsbury,  each  3,000 ;  and  Kitiffston-vponrHuU, 
fiflOO.l  Thus  England  had  but  two  towns  containing  a  population  of  more 
than  10,000  souls;  six  only  with  a  population  exceeding  5,000;  and  but 
eighteen  above  3,000. 

Richard  IE.,  grandson  to  Henry  m.,  was  but  eleven  years  old  when  he 
came  to  the  throne.  The  late  King  had  left  the  kingdom  involved  in  many 
dangerous  and  expensive  wars,  which  demanded  large  and  constant  supplies. 
The  capitation,  or  poll  tax,  levied  at  the  close  of  the  last  reign,  led  the  way 
to  others  in  rapid  succession.  The  ultimate  consequence  was  an  insurrection 
of  the  lower  classes  of  the  people ;  occasioned,  perhaps,  not  so  much  from  the 
nature  of  the  tax  itself,  as  from  the  brutal  insults  attending  its  colleotion.  It 
began  in  Essex,  and  the  rebels  were  headed  by  a  profligate  priest,  who  had 

•  Knighton's  Coll.  2590.        f  Walsingham,  p.  118. 
X  M.S.  penes  me,  calculated  f^oza  ti^^  Subsidy  Boll  of  51st  £dwiid  lU. 


0£N£BAL   HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE.  145 

assumed  the  name  of  Jack  Straw.  The  men  of  Kent,  who  were  not  long 
behind  their  neighbours  in  Essex,  placed  themselves  under  the  leadership  of 
a  blacksmith,  named  Wat  Tyler,  or,  according  to  some,  a  Kentish  tyler, 
named  Walter.  The  number  of  the  rebels  soon  amounted  to  100,000  men, 
and  the  discontent  became  general  in  the  southern  and  midland  counties. 
The  flame  of  rebellion  soon  spread  from  the  southern  coast  of  Kent,  to  the 
right  bank  of  the  Humber ;  on  the  southern  coast  it  reached  as  far  as  Win- 
chester; and  on  the  eastern,  to  Beverley  and  Scarborough. 

Tyler,  at  the  head  of  a  Isurge  body  of  men,  marched  into  London,  and  at 
Smithfield  he  was  met  by  the  King,  who  invited  him  to  a  conference,  under 
a  prrtence  of  hearing  and  redressing  his  grievances.  Tyler,  ordering  his 
companions  to  retire,  presented  himself  before  the  King,  and  accordingly 
began  the  conference.  Whilst  stating  his  complaints,  and  making  his 
demands,  he  now  and  then  lifted  up  his  sword  in  a  menacing  manner ;  and 
at  length  he  laid  his  hand  on  the  bridle  of  his  Sovereign,  which  insolence  so 
raised  the  indignation  of  William  Walworth,  Mayor  of  London,  who  was 
attending  on  the  King,  that  he  stunned  Tyler  with  a  blow  of  the  mace,  and 
Robert  Standish,  one  of  the  King's  Esquires,  riding  up,  dispatched  him  witli 
his  sword.  The  rebels  seeing  their  leader  fall,  bent  their  bows  to  tako 
revenge,  when  Kichard,  though  not  yet  quite  sixteen  years  of  age,  appealing 
to  them,  told  them  that  he  would  be  their  leader,  and  that  they  should  have 
whatever  they  desired.  The  mob  followed  the  King  into  the  fields  at  Isling- 
ton, and  there  he  granted  to  them  a  charter,  which  he  soon  after  revoked  in 
Parliament 

The  Scots  having  entered  Northumberland,  and  taken  three  castles  in 
the  Marches,  Richard,  in  1885,  set  out  from  the  south  to  oppose  them,  at 
the  head  of  80,000  men.  The  progress  of  the  King  was  arrested  at  York,  by 
an  unfortonate  circumstance,  which  cast  a  gloom  over  the  seqmel  of  the  expe- 
dition. In  the  neighbourhood  of  the  city  (near  Bishopthorpe),  Lord  Ralph 
Stafford,  eldest  son  of  the  Earl  of  Stafford,  one  of  the  royal  favourites,  was 
basely  assassinated  by  the  hand  of  Sir  John  Holland.  The  father  and 
relatiTes  of  the  slain  loudly  demanded  justice ;  and  Richard  confiscated  the 
property  of  the  assassin,  and  threatened  him  with  the  gallows,  if  he  ever  left 
the  Sanctuary  of  St  John  of  Beverley,  where  he  had  taken  refuge. 

In  1889,  King  Richard  visited  York,  for  the  purpose  of  adjusting  a  disa- 
greemodt  between  the  ecclesiastical  and  civil  authorities ;  and  during  this 
visit  he  took  his  sword  from  his  side,  and  gave  it  to  be  borne  before  William 
de  Selby,  the  mayor,  and  his  successors,  whom  he  dignified  with  the  title  of 
Lord  Mayor,  which  honour  has  ever  since  been  retained,  and  is  possessed  by 

u 


146  GENERAL  HISTORT  OF  TORSSBIRt!. 

no  other  city  except  those  of  London  and  Dablin.  Richard  afterwards  visited 
York  seyeral  times,  and  granted  the  citizens  some  valoable  charters,  immu- 
nities, and  privileges. 

In  the  year  1390 — 1,  a  contagious  disease,  of  the  nature  of  a  plague,  raged 
with  great  violence  throughout  England ;  of  which  malady  thiere  fell  a  sacrifice 
to  it,  in  the  city  of  York  alone,  about  12,000  souls.  In  1393,  Richard,  being 
displeased  with  the  citizens  of  London,  the  courts  of  Kings's  Bench  and 
Chancery  were  again  removed  to  York,  but  they  remained  here  only  from 
Midsummer  to  Christmas.  Thomas  Arundel,  Archbishop  of  the  diocese,  was 
then  Lord  Chancellor.  In  the  same  year  the  King  presented  the  first  mace 
to  the  city,  to  be  carried  before  the  Lord  Mayor,  and  a  cap  of  maintenance 
to  the  sword  bearer  ;*  and  in  1896,  the  same  monarch  erected  the  city  of 
York  into  a  distinct  county  of  itself,  and  appointed  two  SherifiBs,  in  lieu  of 
the  three  Bailiffs  that  previously  formed  a  part  of  the  corporation.  In  this 
reign,  Edmund  Plantagenet,  surnamed  De  Langley,  the  fifth  son  of  Edward 
m.  and  Queen  Fhilippa,  was  created  the  first  Duke  of  York. 

In  the  year  1393,  a  quarrel  arose  between  Henry  Bohngbroke,  Eail  of 
Hereford  (afterwards  Duke  of  Lancaster,  and  King  Henry  IV.),  and  Thomas 
Mowbray,  Duke  of  Norfolk,  who  had  accused  each  other  of  treason.  Richard, 
by  the  advice  of  his  council,  sent  these  two  noblemen  into  exile,  the  first 
for  six  years,  and  the  other  for  life.  This  arbitrary  procedure  rendered  the 
Eong  odious  to  his  subjects  in  general,  and  especially  to  the  discontented 
Barons.  In  1399,  Bolingbroke,  then  Duke  of  Lancaster,  finding  that  the 
rebellious  nobles  were  ready  to  dispossess  Richard  of  the  crown,  sailed  from 
France  with  only  three  ships,  attended  by  about  sixty  gentlemen  and  their 
servants,  and  landed  at  Ravenspur,  or  Ravenspume,  in  Holdemess,  on  the 
4th  of  July,  where  he  was  joined  by  Lords  Willoughby,  Ross,  Darcy,  and 
Beaumont,  with  a  great  number  of  the  gentry  and  commonalty.  At  Doncaster, 
the  Duke  was  joined  by  the  Earls  of  Northumberland  and  Westmorland, 
two  of  the  most  powerful  Banms  in  England,  and  a  great  number  of  people 
from  all  parts  of  the  countiy.  The  King  himself  during  these  commotions 
was  in  Ireland,  and  soon  after  he  landed  in  England,  his  army  deserted  him, 
and  he  himself  was  betrayed,  apprehended,  and  sent  to  the  tower,  and  Boling- 
broke proclaimed  King.    Richard  was  soon  after  deposed  by  the  two  Houses  of 

•  The  C€^  of  MaifiUfumee,  which  is  stiSl  worn  by  the  sword  bearer  on  all  atate  oooa- 
dons  in  the  dtj  of  York,  is  traditionally  the  identical  hat  of  King  Bichard  IL,  who, 
upon  some  festive  occasion,  placed  it  upon  the  head  of  the  nearest  person,  who  happened 
to  be  the  Lord  Mayor's  Esquire.  It  was  originally  crimson  yelvet,  edged  with  gold ;  bat 
it  is  now  very  mndi  fiuied,  and  has  only  been  held  together  by  repeated  re-linings. 


) 


GENERAL  HISTOBT  OF  TORESHIBE.  I4t 

Parlkment,  and  sent  to  Pontefract  Castle,  where  he  died  or  was  murdered. 
Some  historians  assert  that  he  was  there  inhumanly  starved  to  death;  whilst 
others  inform  us  that  Sir  Piers  Exton,  with  eight  ruffians,  entered  his 
chamber,  disarmed  and  attempted  to  lay  hold  of  him,  but  that  he,  perceiving 
their  deadly  erradd,  so  furiously  attacked  them,  that  he  slew  four  of  them 
ivith  a  weapon  which  he  had  seized  from  the  first  who  entered ;  and  that 
whilst  combating  with  the  rest  of  the  murderers,  Sir  Piers  mounted  a  chair 
bdiind  him,  and  cut  him  down  with  a  pole-axe>  Scrope,  Archbishop  of  York 
at  that  time,  mentions  his  death  by  htmger,  but  adds  ut  vulgwriter  dieUur. 
When  preparing  for  his  expedition  to  Ireland,  Richard  made  his  will,  in 
which  he  was  very  particular  in  ordering  the  ceremonials  of  his  funeral,  and 
for  which  purpose  he  allotted  JB4,0O0.f  Within  ten  months  the  unhappy 
monarch  was  deposed,  murdered,  and  buried  without  pomp.  Such  is  the 
mutability  of  human  greatness. 

Soon  after  Henry  Bolingbroke  ascended  the  throne  of  England,  under  the 
tide  of  Henry  IV.,  Henry  Percy,  Earl  of  Northumberland,  who  had  lost  a 
brother  and  son  in  the  battle  of  Shrewsbury ;  Richard  Scrope,  Archbishop 
of  Toik,  whose  brother  Henry,  the  King  had  beheaded ;  and  Thomas,  Lord 
Mowbray,  Earl  Marshal  of  England,  whose  father  died  in  exile,  imited  with 
Lfords  Falconberge,  Bardolf,  Hastings,  and  others,  in  a  conspiracy  to  depose 
him.  Through  the  impatience  of  the  Archbishop  the  plot  was  disclosed. 
Scrope  framed  several  impeachments  against  the  King,  which  he  caused  to 
be  fixed  against  the  doors  of  the  churches  of  his  own  diocese,  and  sent  them 
in  the  form  of  a  circular  into  other  counties,  inviting  the  people  to  take  up 
arms  to  reform  abuses.  Henry  was  charged  by  the  conspirators  with  perjury, 
rd>eilion,  usurpation,  the  murder  of  his  sovereign  (Richard  IE.),  irreUgion, 
extortion,  and  the  illegal  execution  of  many  clergymen  and  gentlemen.^ 
The  Archbishop  preached  a  sermon  to  three  congregations  in  his  own  Cathe- 
dral, and  raised  30,000  men  suddenly  to  arms,  who  joined  his  standard  (on 
which  was  painted  the  five  wounds  of  our  Saviour)  at  Shipton-on-the-moor, 
a  few  miles  from  York.  To  put  down  this  rebellion,  the  King  sent  an  army 
of  80,000  men  into  Yorkshire,  imder  the  command  of  the  Earl  of  Westmor- 
land and  the  Prince  John.  The  Archbishop's  forces  were  advantageously 
encamped  on  the  forest  of  Qaltres,  without  the  gates  of  the  city,  when  the 
King's  army  arrived  at  York.  Westmorland  being  weaker  than  the  insurgents, 
did  not  consider  it  prudent  to  attack  them ;  and  having  a£fected  to  fieivour 

•  Booihroyd's  Hist  Pontefract,  p.  114.       f  Bymer's  Fcodera,  torn,  viii,  p.  75. 

X  Ang.  Sax.,  862. 


148  GENERAL  HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE. 

their  Tiews,  he,  by  means  of  flattery  and  intrigue,  obtained  an  interview 
with  the  Prelate.     The  meeting  took  place  in  sight  of  both  armies,  the 
Archbishop  being  attended  by  the  Earl  Marshal,  and  the  Generals  shook 
hands,  and  reciprocated  other  tokens  of  reconciliation  and  friendship.     The 
Archbishop  declared  that  he  had  come  not  to  make  war  bat  peace,  and 
particularized  the  different  grievances  which  he  thought  it  necessary  to 
redress  for  the  prosperity  of  the  kingdom.     The  wily  Earl,  by  some  specious 
pretences  and  promises,  induced  the  Archbishop  to  dismiss  his  forces  to  their 
respective  homes,  which  was  no  sooner  done,  then  the  Prelate  and  the  Earl 
Marshal  were  arrested  for  high  treason,  and  their  lives  paid  the  forfeit  of 
their  precipitancy  and  misplaced  confldence.     They  were  carried  prisoners  to 
Pontefiract,  where  the  King  was,  who  ordered  them  to  follow  the  court  to  the 
primatical  Palace  of  Bishopthorpe.      There  the  King  commanded  Chief 
Justice  Gascoigne  to  pronounce  on  them  sentence  of  death ;  but  that  upright 
and  inflexible  Judge  refused,  on  the  plea  that  the  laws  gave  him  no  jurisdic- 
tion over  the  life  of  a  Prelate,  and  that  both  he  and  the  Earl  had  a  right  to 
be  tried  by  their  Peers.*     The  King,  however,  found  a  more  obsequious 
agent  in  a  Knight  named  Fulthorpe,  who,  at  the  King's  command^  vrithout 
indictment  or  trial,  condemned  them,  with  Sir  John  Lamplugh,  Sir  Robert 
Plumpton,  and  several  others,  to  be  beheaded.     Scrope  immediately  ex- 
claimed, *<  The  just  and  true  God  knows  that  I  never  intended  evil  against 
the  power  of  King  Henry ;  and  I  beg  you  to  pray  that  my  death  may  not  be 
revenged  upon  him  or  his  friends."     On  the  8th  of  June,  1405,  the  Arch- 
bishop suffered  with  great  firmness  in  a  field  between  York  and  Bishop- 
thorpe ;  his  body  was  interred  in  the  Cathedral,  and  his  head  was  fixed  on 
a  pole  and  placed  on  the  city  walls,  where  it  long  remained  a  spectacle  for 
vulgar  eyes,  and  a  standing  jest  for  the  enemies  of  religion.f    Being 
regarded  in  the  light  of  a  martyr,  his  tomb  was  visited  by  so  many  devotees 
as  to  attract  the  attention  and  interference  of  the  King.     The  Earl  Marshal's 
body  was  buried  also  in  the  Cathedral,  and  his  head  was  fixed  on  a  spike, 

•  It  la  related  of  this  upright  Judge,  that  on  another  occasion,  one  of  the  associates  of 
the  King's  eldest  son  (Henry,  the  eccentric  "  Prince  Hal"  of  Shakespeare's  "  King  Henry 
the  Fourth"),  had  been  arraigned  before  him  for  felony.  The  Prince  imperiously  re- 
quired the  release  of  the  prisoner,  and  when  that  was  refused,  drew  his  sword  on  the 
Judge.  Bat  Qascoigne  cooUy  ordered  him  into  confinement  in  the  prison  of  the  King's 
Bench ;  and  the  young  Henry  had  the  good  sense  to  submit  to  the  punishment.  When 
the  incident  was  related  to  his  father,  he  is  said  to  have  exclaimed,  *' Happy  the 
monarch  who  possesses  a  Judge  so  resolute  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty,  and  a  son  so 
willing  to  yield  to  the  authority  of  the  law." 

f  Walsingham. 


GENERAL  BISTORT  OF  YORKSHIRE.  149 

and  exhibited  on  the  walls  of  the  city,  Henry  then  issued  orders  from 
Pontefinict  for  the  seizure  of  all  the  liberties  and  priyileges  of  the  city  of 
York ;  many  of  the  adherents  of  the  Archbishop  were  tried  and  executed, 
bnt  a  general  pardon,  dated  at  Ripon,  was  soon  after  published,  and  York 
was  reinstated  in  the  enjoyment  of  its  former  privileges.  Thus  did  the 
citizens  testify  their  affection  and  gratitude  for  their  royal  benefactor, 
Richard  II.,  eren  after  his  death.  In  the  second  year  of  this  reign  (1401) 
Henry  visited  York,  on  his  return  from  Scotland,  and  in  that  city  witnessed 
a  tournament  between  two  English  and  two  foreign  Knights ;  the  foreigners 
proved  the  victors,  and  the  King  was  so  pleased  with  the  combat,  that  he 
gave  Sir  John  Cornwall,  one  of  the  combatants,  his  sister  in  marriage. 

In  1408,  the  Earl  of  Northumberland  and  Lord  Bardolph,  who,  after  the 
defeat  of  the  insurrection  in  1406,  had  retired  into  Scotland,  raised  a  powerful 
force,  and  again  appeared  in  arms  agcdnst  the  King.  Sir  Thomas  Eokeby, 
Sheriff  of  Yorkshire,  assembled  the  posse  camitatus  to  oppose  the  Earl,  who 
was  desolating  the  country  as  he  passed  along.  The  Sheriff  took  his  post  at 
Grimbald  Bridge,  near  Enaresborough,  but  the  Earl  seeing  the  advantage  of 
his  position,  made  no  attempt  to  force  the  passage,  but  turned  aside,  and 
directed  his  course  towards  Wetherby,  closely  pursued  by  the  Sheriff.  From 
Wetherby  the  rebeb  turned  to  Tadcaster,  and  finally  both  parties  drew  up 
their  forces  for  battle,  on  Bramham  Moor,  near  Haslewood.  The  Sheriff 
fought  under  the  standard  of  St.  George,  and  the  Earl  under  the  standard  of 
bis  own  arms.  The  fight  was  contested  with  great  fury  for  the  time  it  con- 
tinued, and  "  victoiy  fell  to  the  Sheriff."  Northumberland  was  slain  on  the 
field,  and  Bardolph  was  taken  prisoner,  but  so  severely  wounded  that  he  died 
shortly  afterwards.  The  King  soon  after  went  to  York,  and  finding  several 
of  the  EarVs  adherents  in  the  city,  he  completed  his  revenge  by  the  execution 
of  many  of  them,  and  the  confiscation  of  their  estates.'!'  The  brave  Rokeby 
was  then  granted  the  manor  of  Spofforth  (formerly  belonging  to  the  Earl), 
with  all  its  appurtenances,  during  his  life. 

The  people  of  England  generally  were  as  yet  only  half  civilized,  and  could 
bear  unmoved  the  recurrence  of  sights,  as  well  as  commit  actions,  which 
ought  to  be  esteemed  most  shocking  to  humanity.  Who  could  bear,  in  our 
more  refined  times,  to  behold  the  mangled  limbs  of  a  dismembered  human 
being  publicly  exposed  to  the  gaze  and  insult  of  the  multitude.  Yet  in  the 
14th  and  1 5th  centuries,  such  scenes  were  of  common  occurrence.  The 
body  of  the  unfortunate  Earl  of  Northumberland,  after  being  slain  in  this 

♦  Bymer,  vol.  riii.,  pp.  620,  630. 


160  GENERAL  HI8T0BT  OF  TOBKSHIBE. 

batde,  was  quartered,  and  one  part  placed  on  a  gate  in  London,  another  at 
Lincoln,  a  third  at  Berwick-upon-Tweed,  and  the  fourth  at  NewcaBtle-upon- 
Tjne.  The  head,  "  full  of  eilver  hoaiy  hairs,"  was  also  sent  to  London,  and 
placed  upon  the  bridge  at  the  summit  of  a  pole.  We  have  just  seen  the  head 
of  an  Archbishop  treated  with  a  similar  indignity  at  York.  But  a  still  more 
horrible  display  took  place  during  the  same  reign.  The  Earl  of  Huntingdon, 
Sir  Thomas  Blount,  and  Sir  Benedict  Seley,  were  executed  for  treason,  and 
their  quarters  were  carried  to  London,  to  4>e  publicly  exhibited.  The  pro- 
cession throc^h  the  city  was  headed  by  the  Earl  of  Rutland  carrying  on  a 
pole  the  head  of  Lord  Spencer,  his  brother-in-law,  which  he  presented  in 
triumph  to  Henry,  as  a  testimony  of  his  loyalty.'*^  The  people  that  were 
capable  of  enduring  such  scenes  as  these  with  satisfaction  and  delight,  could 
have  made  but  small  progress  towards  civilization.  Barbarism  too  might  be 
ashamed  of  the  extremes  to  which  the  indulgence  of  private  hatred  and  re- 
venge was  carried.  To  pounce  on  an  enemy  in  the  dark,  and  to  cut  out  his 
tongue,  or  deprive  him  of  sight,  was  of  such  common  occurrence,  that  an  Act 
of  Parliament  was  passed  for  its  suppression.  Heniy  IV.,  whose  usurpation 
was  the  source  of  innumerable  woes  to  England;  and  who  preserved  his 
crown  by  shedding  torrents  of  noble  blood,  died  on  the  19th  of  March,  1418, 
in  the  46th  year  of  his  age,  after  a  reign  of  18  years.  This  monarch  used 
to  say  that  so  long  as  Englishmen  have  wealth,  they  are  obedient ;  but  when 
poor,  they  were  liable  to  rebellion. 

Henry  V.,  the  hero  of  Agincourt,  being  engaged  during  the  chief  part  of 
his  reign  in  his  wars  with  France,  made  only  one  visit  to  York,  during 
a  progress  to  the  north,  in  1431.  The  Queen  accompanied  the  Kmg,  and 
after  a  short  stay  at  York,  the  royal  pair  proceeded  to  visit,  and  perform 
their  devotions  at  the  venerable  shrine  of  St  John  of  Beverley,  which  had 
been  reported  to  have  exuded  blood  all  the  day  on  which  the  battle  of  Agin- 
court was  fought,  in  1415.  During  the  stay  of  the  King  and  Queen  at  York, 
news  arrived  of  the  death  of  the  Eing*8  brother,  the  Duke  of  Clarence,  who 
was  slain  in  France.f 

In  the  course  of  this  reign,  commands  from  the  King  were  received  by  the 
Lord  Mayor,  to  seize  and  confiscate  the  estates  and  effects  of  divers  persons, 
who  had  been  tried  and  executed  for  high  treason;  amongst  whom  was 
Henry,  Lord  Scrope,  of  Masham,  beheaded  .at  Southampton  in  1418.  His 
head  was  ordered  to  be  placed  on  the  top  of  Micklegate  Bar,  York.  The  Earl 
of  Cambridge,  who  had  married  the  heiress  of  the  house  of  York,  and  Sir 

•  Home's  England,  vol.  iii.,  p.  04.        t  Walaingham. 


I 


OBVERAL  HISTORY  OF  TOBKSHIBE.  151 

Thomas  Gray,  were  executed  with  Lord  Scrope.  The  latter  was  Lord 
Treasurer  of  England,  and  had  married  Joan,  Duchess  Dowager  of  York. 
The  execution  of  these  noblemen,  we  are  told  by  Rapin,  "  was  the  first  spark 
of  that  fire  which  almost  consumed,  in  process  of  time,  the  two  houses  of 
Lancaster  and  York."  Heniy  died  in  France  on  the  last  day  in  August, 
142d,  and  was  buried  near  the  shrine  of  Edward  the  Confessor,  ia  West- 
minster  Abbey. 

During  the  sanguinary  dispute-between  these  two  houses,  commonly  desig* 
sated  the  Wars  of  the  Roses,*  this  city  was  occasionally  connected  with  the 
contending  parties,  and  though  not  actually  the  seat  of  war,  several  of  the 
battles  took  place  in  the  neighbourhood.  All  the  foreign  invasions  this  king- 
dom had  suffered,  were  never  so  destructive  as  this  most  unnatural  intestine 
war,  between  two  fierce  £Eu;tions,  filled  with  such  implacable  hatred  towards 
each  other,  that  nothing  but  the  utter  extirpation  of  one  of  the  parties  could 
satiate  this  extraordinary  thirst  of  power.  During  the  space  of  thirty  years, 
irhich  this  cruel  conflict  lasted,  twelve  regular  battles  were  fought  within  this 
kingdom  by  Englishmen  only ;  above  eighty  royal  Princes  fell  by  each  other's 
swords  ;f  and  the  ancient  nobility  and  gentry  of  the  kingdom  was  almost 
annihilated.  No  less  than  100,000  of  the  commons  sacrificed  their  lives  in 
these  imnatural  struggles. 

Henry  YI.,  a  man  better  fitted  for  a  monastic  life  than  a  regal  one,  was  by 
no  means  competent  to  guide  the  hehn  of  government  at  the  turbulent  period 
in  which  he  reigned.  The  liouse  of  York  seized  this  opportunity  to  assert  its 
title  to  the  throne,  and  after  wading  through  an  ocean  of  blood,  at  length 
obtained  it^  The  incapacity  of  the  King  incited  Richard  Flantagenet,  Duke 
cf  York,  to  urge  his  claim  to  the  crown  of  England,  in  right  of  his  mother, 
through  whom  he  descended  from  Philippa,  only  daughter  of  Lionel,  Duke  of 
Clarence,  second  son  of  Edward  m. ;  whereas  Henry  YI.  descended  from 
John  of  Ghent,  or  Gaunt,  Duke  of  Lancaster,  third  son  of  the  same  monarch. 
The  Duke's  illustrious  descent,  immense  possessions,  and  superior  attain- 
ments, gave  him  influence  with  the  nobility,  and  procured  him  formidable 
connections ;  added  to  which,  he  stood  plainly  in  succession  before  Henry. 

•  So  called  firom  the  different  symbols  of  party  which  the  people  took.  Lord  Camp. 
beU,  in  his  Lives  of  the  Lord  ChaneeUors,  voL  i.,  p.  352,  says,  "  The  claims  of  the  rival 
houses  being  debated  in  the  Temple  Gardens,  London,  the  red  and  white  roses  there 
plucked  became  the  opposing  emblems."  The  partisans  of  the  house  of  York  chose 
the  White  rose  as  their  mark  of  distinction ;  and  those  of  the  house  of  Lancaster  the 
Bed  rose. 

f  Daniel  Kennet's  Hist  of  England. 


153  GENERAL  HISTORY   OF   YORKSHIRE. 

In  preseating  his  claim  to  the  crown,  he  levied  war  against  the  King,  and 
without  material  loss,  slew  about  5,000  of  the  royal  forces  at  St.  Albans,  on 
the  22nd  of  May,  1454 ;  amongst  whom  were  the  Duke  of  Somerset,  the 
Earl  of  Northumberland,  the  Earl  of  Stafford,  eldest  son  of  the  Duke  of 
Buckingham,  Lord  Clifford,  and  many  other  persons  of  distinction.  Alter 
this  battle,  the  Duke*s  irresolution,  and  the  heroism  of  Margaret  of  A^jou, 
Queen  of  Henry  VI.,  caused  a  suspension  of  hostilities.  The  leaders  on  both 
sides  assented  to  meet  in  London,  and  be  roconciled.  The  Duke  of  York  led 
the  Queen  in  solemn  procession  to  St.  Faults,  and  the  chiefs  of  one  party 
marched  hand' in  hand  with  the  chiefs  of  the  other.  It  was  a  public  dem(m* 
stration  of  peace,  with  secret  mutual  distrust ;  and  an  accident  aroused  the 
slumbering  strife.  One  of  the  King's  retinue  having  insulted  a  retainer  of 
the  Efiui  of  Warwick's,  a  partisan  of  the  house  of  York,  their  companions 
fought,  and  both  parties  in  every  county  in  the  kingdom  flew  to  arms.  The 
battle  of  Bloreheath,  in  Staffordshire,  on  the  2drd  of  September,  1459,  was 
won  by  the  Lancastrians,  the  Duke  of  York  being  in  Ireland,  and  the  Eaiis 
of  Warwick,  Marche  (afterwards  King  Edward  IV.),  and  Salisbury,  with 
many  other  noble  adherents  to  the  house  of  York,  escaped  to  Oalais.>i'  Par- 
liament soon  after  declared  the  Duke  of  York,  and  all  his  partisans,  guilty  of 
high  treason,  their  estates  confiscated,  and  they  and  their  posterity  incapable 
of  inheriting  to  the  fourth  generation.  The  Lancastrian  party  being  now 
triumphant,  determined  to  extirpate  the  Yorkists ;  and  with  this  view,  the 
Earl  of  Wiltshire  and  Lord  Scales  were  empowered  to  search  out  and  punish 
those  who  had  borne  arms  for  the  Duke  of  York.  But  these  severities  had  a 
different  effect  from  what  was  expected ;  the  discontents  of  the  nation  in- 
creased ;  the  fugitive  Lords  returned  from  Calais,  and  erected  the  standard 
of  rebellion;  and  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  the  Bishops  of  London, 
Lincoln,  Ely,  and  Exeter,  and  a  large  number  of  the  Barons,  declared  in 
their  fi&vour. 

In  the  meanwhile,  the  King  and  Queen  assembled  their  forces  at  Coventry. 
The  Earls  of  Marche  and  Warwick,  with  a  numerous  army,  hastened  from 
London  into  the  midland  counties.  The  King's  forces,  commanded  by  the 
Dukes  of  Somerset  and  Buckingham,  advanced  to  meet  them,  and  on  the 
10th  of  July,  1460,  a  decisive  batde  was  fought  on  the  banks  of  the  Nene,  in 
the  vicinity  of  Northampton.  After  an  obstinate  contest  for  five  hours,  the 
King*s  army  was  completely  routed,  the  King  himself  taken  prisoner,  and 
upwards  of  10,000  soldiers  slain,  or  drowned  in  attempting  to  cross  the  river. 

•  Hall's  Chron.,  p.  174.    HoUiashed,  p.  1207. 


GENERAL  HISTOBT  OP  TOBXSBIRE.  153 

The  slaaghter  fell  cluefij  on  the  nohiliiy  and  gentry,  the  common  people 
being  spared  by  order  of  the  Earls  of  Warwick  and  Marche  ;*  and  the  Duke 
of  Bockiii^ham,  the  Earl  of  Shiewsbuiyi  the  Lords  Beaumont  and  Egremont, 
with  Sir  William  Lucy,  and  several  other  nobles  and  officers  of  distinction, 
were  left  dead  on  the  field. .  Henry  was  brought  a  prisoner  into  Northamp- 
ton, and  conTeyed  to  London  in  a  few  days.  The  Queeni  the  young  Prince 
of  Wales,  and  the  Duke  of  Somerset,  fled  into  the  county  of  Durham,  and 
from  thence  to  Wales,  and  afterwards  into  Scotland.  After  this  success,  the 
Duke  of  York  returned  from  Ireland,  and  arrived  in  London  soon  after  the 
meeting  of  the  Parliament,  which  assembled  on  the  9th  of  October,  and  in 
which  the  claims  of  the  two  houses  of  York  and  Lancaster  were  fuUy  investi- 
gated. The  Duke's  title  being  indefeasible,  it  was  decreed  that  Heniy  should 
enjoy  the  crown  during  his  life;  and  that  Richard,  Duke  of  York,  should  be 
his  successor,  as  the  true  and  lawful  heir  of  the  monarchy;  and  in  this 
anangement  Richard  acquiesced.t  Though  the  King  appeared  satisfied 
with  this  decision,  yet  the  Queen,  a  woman  of  masculine  understanding, 
seeing  her  son,  the  Prince  of  Wales,  deprived,  by  this  settlement,  of  his  sue* 
cession  to  the  throne,  was  not  so  passive.  She  soon  returned  to  England, 
appealed  to  the  Barons,  and  before  the  end  of  the  year,  drew  together  at 
York,  an  army  of  dO,000  men,^  among  whom  were  the  Dukes  of  Exeter  and 
Somerset,  the  Earl  of  Northumberland,  and  the  Lords  Clifford,  Dacre,  and 
Neville.  The  Duke  of  York,  hearing  of  the  Queen's  designs,  but  not  knowing 
that  she  had  made  such  progress  in  raising  en  army,  set  out  from  London 
on  the  Snd  of  December,  with  only  about  6,000  men,  giving  orders  to  his 
8on,  the  Earl  of  Marche,  to  levy  forces  in  Wales,  and  then  to  join  him ;  and 
leaving  the  King  to  the  care  of  the  Duke  of  Norfolk  and  the  Earl  of  War* 
wick.  As  the  Duke  of  York  advanced  northward,  he  received  the  mortifying 
intelligence  of  the  Queen's  success  in  levying  troops;  and  at  length  being 
arrived  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Wakefield,  he  was  informed  that  she  was 
approaching  to  give  him  battle. '  The  Duke,  resolving  not  to  engage  with 
numbers  so  greatly  disproportionate,  retired  to  his  castle  at  Sandal,  to  await 
the  arrival  of  the  Earl  of  Marche.  The  Queen  soon  appeared  before  the  walls 
of  Sandal  Castle  with  the  main  body  of  her  army,  led  by  the  Dukes  of 
Somefset  and  Exeter,  provoking  her  enemy  to  battle,  sometimes  by  menaces, 
and  at  other  times  by  insults  and  defiances,  observing  that  it  was  disgraceful 
to  a  man  who  aspired  to  a  crown,  to  suffer  himself  to  be  shut  up  by  a  woman. 

•  Stowe,  400.       f  Cotton's  Abridg.  pp.  666,  667.    Stowe,  pp.  410, 411. 

t  Hall,  p.  18d.    HoQinshed,  p.  1608. 

X 


1 


u 


154  QENEBAL   HISTORY   OF  TOBKSHIBE. 

Up  to  this  fatal  moment  the  Duke  had  always  displayed  great  prudence  in 
his  conduct,  but  this  last  taunt  of  the  Queen  was  more  than  he  could  endure. 
He  quitted  the  castle,  descended  into  the  plain,  and  drew  up  his  forces  on  the 
common  between  the  fortress  and  Wakefield  bridge,  caUed  Wakefield  Green, 
on  the  24th  of  December,  1460.  The  inequality  of  numbers  was  of  itself 
suffi(;ient  to  decide  the  victory,  but  the  Queen  having  placed  a  body  of  troops 
in  ai^bush,  under  Lord  Clifford  and  the  Earl  of  Wiltshire,  they  fell  upon  the 
rear  of  the  Duke  s  army,  while  they  were  attacked  by  the  main  body  in 
front,  and  in  less  than  half  an  hour  the  Duke  himself  was  slain,  and  his 
little  army  was  almost  annihilated.  The  Duke's  body  was  soon  recognized 
amongst  the  slain,  and  his  head  was  cut  off  by  Margaret's  orders,  and  placed 
over  Micklegate  Bar,  at  York,  with  a  paper  crown  upon  it,  in  derision  of  his 
pretended  tiUe."^  His  second  son,  the  Earl  of  Rutland,  who  had  only  reached 
his  18th  year,f  flying  from  the  bloody  scene,  was  overtaken  on  the  bri^e  of 
Wakefield,  by  Lord  Clifford,  who,  in  revenge  for  his  father,  who  had  perished 
at  the  battle  of  St.  Albans,  plunged  his  dagger  into  his  breast,  notwithstanding 
his  earnest  entreaties  to  spare  his  life.  The  Duke  of  York,  who  was  greatly 
and  justly  lamented  by  his  own  parly,  perished  in  the  60th  year  of  his  age, 
and  left  three  sons,  Edward,  George,  and  Eichard;  and  three  daughters, 
Anne,  Elizabeth,  and  Margaret  About  3000  Yorkists  fell  in  this  batde ; 
and  the  Earl  of  Salisbuiy,  Sir  Richard  Limbrick,  Sir  Ralph  Stanley,  and 
several  other  persons  of  distinction  were  taken  prisoners,  and  inunediately 
decapitated  by  martial  law  at  Pontefract,  and  their  heads  placed  on  Mickle- 
gate Bar,  at  York.^ 

Rapin  says,  the  only  oversight  of  the  Duke  waa  in  shutting  himself  up  in 
a  castle,  instead  of  retreating  to  join  his  son.  Edward,  Earl  of  Marche,  and 
heir  to  the  late  Duke  of  York,  was  at  Gloucester  when  he  received  the 
melancholy  intelligence  of  the  fate  of  his  feither  and  brother ;  and  having 
completed  his  levies,  hast^ied  to  interpose  an  army  between  the  royalists 
and  the  capital.  Queen  Margaret,  after  the  success  at  Wakefield,  advanced 
towards  London,  with  design  to  secure  that  city.  The  Eaod  of  Warwick, 
havijig  had  hi^  ^rmy  reinjbrced  by  a  body  of  Londoners,  and  brangiHg  King 
Henry  with  him,  set  out  firom  London,  and  gave  battle  to  the  Queen's  troops, 
on  the  I7th  of  February,  1461,  on  Bamajda,  or  Baniet,  Heathy  near  St 
Alban9*  Victory  wsjs  agion  declared  for  this  valiant  Quean,  and  the  Yorkiste 
lost  about  2,300  men.§    Night  saved  the  Yorkists  ftom  uttev  destruotion. 

«  Beauties  of  l^nglan^  and  Wales.        f  H9  was  Itom  17th  May,  1443. 

t  HoUinsbMU        «  Hall. 


eSNBRAL   HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE.  165 

By  iliis  Tictoiy  Margai«t  had  the  satisfaction  to  procure  the  liberty  of  the 
captive  King.  Thoiigb  the  Queen  had  gained  two  battles,  and  released  the 
King,  yet  it  was  not  in  her  power  to  enter  London,  for  her  soldiers  were 
principaUy  borderers,  from  both  sides  of  the  Tweed,  accustomed  to  Uve  by 
r^ine,  and  had  been  allored  to  the  royal  standard  by  the  promise  of  the 
plunder  of  the  country  south  of  the  Trent,  and  no  entreaties  or  prohibition 
could  prevail  on  them  to  desist  from  plundering  the  town  of  St.  Albans,  and 
ike  surrounding  countxy.  The  Londoners  therefore  shut  their  gates  against 
an  army  which  ihey  imagined  came  on  purpose  to  plunder  the  countiy.  The 
King  and  Queen  then  ftoceeded  to  York,  and  in  the  city  or  its  vicinity, 
wxm  had  60,000  infantry  and  cavalry,  commanded  by  the  Duke  of  Somerset, 
the  Earl  of  Northumberland,  Lord  Clifford,  and  Sir  Andrew  Trollop. 

But  this  success  of  the  Lancastrian  party  lasted  not  long ;  for  soon  after 
the  death  of  the  Duke  of  York,  at  the  battle  of  Wakefield,  Edward,  Earl  of 
Marche,  his  eldest  son,  now  in  his  20th  year,  waived  the  title  of  Duke  of 
York,  on  the  5th  of  March,  1401,  and  got  himself  proclaimed  King,  by  the 
title  of  Edward  IV.,  at  London,  and  in  several  other  places.  On  that  day 
expired  the  reign  of  Henry  VI.,  a  Prince  whose  personal  character  commanded 
the  respect  of  his  very  enemies,  and  whose  misfortunes  still  claim  the  sym- 
pathy of  the  reader.  Edward  departed  from  London  a  few  days  afber  he 
had  been  proclaimed ;  and  having  collected  a  force  of  nearly  50,000  men,  he 
encamped  at  Pontefract. 

Edward  having  resolved  to  meet  his  competitors,  and  to  decide  the  contest 
by  the  law  of  arms,  sent  Lord  Fitzwalter,  with  a  detachment,  to  secure  the 
pass  at  Ferrybridge,  on  the  river  Aire.  The  Duke  of  Somerset  began  his 
cyperataons  by  sending  Lord  Clifford,  with  a  body  of  his  own  retainers,  **  the 
flower  of  Craven,"  to  didodge  the  Yorkists  from  this  post ;  and  the  attack, 
which  took  place  at  break  of  day,  was  so  sudden  and  furious — ^the  guards 
being  all  aaleep,  and  not  dreaming  of  an  enemy  so  near  them — that  the 
Iffidge  was  easily  won,  and  the  Yorkists  lost  their  position.  Lord  Fitzwalter,"^ 
awakened  by  the  noise,  supposing  it  to  arise  from  some  quarrel  amongst  his 
own  soldiers,  rushed  out  amongst  them  unarmed,  and  was  slain ;  and  the  Earl 
of  Salisbury  at  the  same  time  shared  a  similar  fate.  Thus  Clifford  secured 
the  important  pass  of  the  river.  Consternation  now  appeared  to  be  becoming 
general,  when  an  act  of  heroism  of  the  great  Earl  of  Warwick,  who  was  the 
■o«k  of  Edward's  army,  restored  order  and  confidence  to  his  soldiers.     "  For 

•  Bapin  calls  the  commander  of  this  detachment,  Lord  Fitzwalter;  but  it  appears 
fh>m  Dogdale,  that  there  was  not  at  that  time  any  person  of  the  name  and  title. — 
BttTooage,  i,  p.  328,  and  ii.,  p.  285. 


156  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  YORKSHIRE. 

when  tlie  Earle  of  Warwike  was  informed  hereof,  like  a  man  desperat  on  his 
hacknie,  and  hasted  puffing  and  blowing  to  King  Edward,  saieng,  *  Sir,  I 
praie  God  have  mercie  of  their  soules,  which  in  the  beginning  of  your  enter- 
prise have  lost  their  Hves.  And  bicause  I  see  no  succors  of  the  world,  bat 
in  God,  I  remit  the  vengeance  to  him  our  Creator  and  Redeemer.*  With 
that  he  alighted  downe,  and  slue  his  horse  with  his  sword,  saieng, '  Let  him 
flee  that  will;  for  surelie  I  will  tany  with  him  that  will  tany  with  me;' 
and  kissed  the  crosse  of  his  sword,  as  it  were  for  a  vow  to  the  promise.'** 
This  determination  of  the  Earl  to  share  the  fate  of  the  meanest  soldier,  in- 
spired great  confidence  in  the  troops ;  and  to  show  the  greater  security,  a 
proclamation  was  issued,  giving  to  eveiy  one  not  well  affected  to  the  cause, 
fuU  liberty  to  retire ;  but  menacing  the  severest  punishment  to  those  who, 
having  remained,  were  discovered  exhibiting  any  symptoms  of  cowardice  in 
the  ensuing  battle.  Rewards  and  honours  were  offered  to  the  comrade  who 
should  slay  him  who  was  caught  turning  his  back  on  the  foe. 

Edward  lost  no  time  in  sending  William  NeviUe,  Lord  Faloonberg,  with 
a  detachment  to  cross  the  Aire  at  Castleford,  about  four  miles  above  Ferry- 
bridge, with  orders  to  attack  those  who  guarded  the  lost  position.  Falconberg 
executed  his  orders  with  such  secrecy  and  promptitude,  that  he  sudd^y 
attacked  Lord  Clifford,  who  was  at  the  head  of  a  body  of  horse,  which 
was  completely  routed,  and  obliged  to  retreat  in  confusion  towards  the 
main  body  of  the  army.  In  his  retreat,  Clifford,  unawares,  fell  in  with 
another  party  of  Yorkists,  and  having  his  helmet  off,  either  from  the  effects 
of  heat  or  pain,  a  random  arrrow  pierced  his  throat,  and  he  fell  dead  to  the 
ground.  The  brother  of  the  Earl  of  Westmoiland  also  was  slain  in  this 
skirmish.  Lord  CUfford,  who  from  his  bloody  deeds  at  Wakefield,  was  called 
"  the  Butcher,'*  was  a  fierce  soldier; — indeed,  it  might  with  truth  be  said  of 
him,  '*  that  a  braver  warrior  never  drew  a  sword,  or  one  whose  heart  was 
more  tempered  like  the  steel  he  wore."  The  post  of  Ferrybridge  being  thus 
recovered,  Edward  passed  with  his  whole  army  over  the  Aire,  and  marched, 
by  way  of  Sherbum,  towards  Tadcaster,  in  quest  of  the  enemy*  The  two 
armies  confronted  each  other  on  the  following  day,  Palm  Sunday,  the  d9th 
of  March,  1461,  on  Towton  Field,  since  called  Palm  Sunday  Field,  and  im- 
mediately prepared  for  that  bloody  and  memorable  battle,  the  issue  of  which 
was  to  decide — ^what?  "  Something  siirely  of  the  highest  importance  to  the 
weU-being  of  the  nation  !'*  writes  the  editor  of  the  Battle  Fields  of  Yorkshire, 
"  No !  only  whether  Henry  or  Edward  was  to  be  the  ruler  of  England.    And 

*  HoUinshed. 


OEKEBAL  HISTOBT  OF  TORKSHIBE.  157 

iox  a  mere  change  of  masters,  the  strength  of  the  whole  kingdom,  its  host  and 
bravest  smis  were  mustered  in  arms,  the  worst  passions  of  human  nature 
inflamed,  and  let  loose  in  actions  too  horrible  for  recital.  What  madness  of 
mankind  I  what  foUy !  what  reckless  waste  of  God*s  great  g^fts  !'* 

The  site  of  this  great  battle  is  a  long  brow,  or  ridge  of  high  ground, 
extending  between  the  Tillages  of  Towton  and  Saxton,  the  former  village  being 
SLtoated  about  two  miles  nearly  south  of  Tadcaster,  and  Saxton  nearly  two 
miles  south  of  Towton.  From  this  eleyated  ridge,  now  a  well  cultivated  and 
pleasant  region,  the  prospect  of  the  surrounding  country  is  both  extensive 
and  beautifuL  Henry*s  army»  according  to  Hall,*  consisted  of  60,000  men, 
commanded  by  the  Duke  of  Somerset;  and  that  of  Edward  amounted  to 
48,600,  and  was  led  by  himself  in  person.  The  two  wings  of  the  Lancas- 
trian army  is  supposed  to  have  extended  firom  Giimston,  beyond  Towton,  to 
a  sliest  hollow  in  the  high  ground  in  the  field,  called  North  Acres,  being 
nearly  two  miles  in  length.  The  Yorkists  occupied  equally  elevated  ground 
in  their  front;  a  level  space  lying  between  the  armies,  and  the  land  gradually 
declining  in  the  rear  of  both.  The  great  Earl  of  Warwick,  one  of  the  bravest 
warriors  in  England,  commanded  the  right  wing  of  Edward*s  army,  Lord 
Falconbeig  the  left,  whilst  the  main  body  was  led  by  Edward  himself.  Sir 
John  Yenloe  and  Sir  John  Denman,  "  two  valiant  commanders,"  had  charge 
of  the  rear  guard.  The  contest  was  most  obstinate.  Edward  issued  orders 
to  his  soldiers  to  give  no  quarter;  and  it  will  suffice  to  observe,  that  these 
mighty  hosts — ^both  strong,  both  valiant,  both  commanded  by  leaders  ani- 
mated against  each  other  by  all  the  hatred  that  faction  and  deadly  thirst  for 
revenge  could  supply,  maintained  the  deadly  struggle  from  seven  in  the 
momii^  tiU  dusk  in  the  evening — ten  mortal  hours  of  carnage  and  slaughter. 
"It  is  morning,  yet  the  sun  rises  not!  the  air  is  gloomy  and  dark,  thick 
douds  obscure  the  sky.  A  tempest  is  gathering — a  storm  is  impending  in 
the  heavens  as  weU  as  upon  earth.  Yet  the  wrath  of  man  sleeps  not.  In 
the  armies  all  is  active  preparation  for  the  work  of  death.  The  trumpets 
have  blown  their  loud  notes  of  defiance.  The  impatient  neigh  and  tramp  of 
the  war  horse  is  heard,  mingled  with  the  loud  and  haughty  voices  of  the 
commanders,  exhorting  their  men  to  daring  deeds,  and  vengeance  for  their 
kindred  already  fiallen.  The  red  rose  and  the  white,  the  &tal  colours  of  the 
striving  houses,  are  about  to  be  bathed  in  blood.  All  are  eager  for  the 
combat,  no  slackness  is  found  on  either  side.  Falconberg  confronts  the 
army  of  Henry  with  young  Edward*s  vanguard.    They  are  nearly  within  an 

*  FoUo,  186. 


158  GENERAL  HISTOBT  OF  T0BE8HIBB. 

arrow's  flight  of  each  other;  and  the  archers  are  measuring  the  distance 
with  their  eyes,  knowing  how  far  their  feathered  shafts  can  carry  death. 
Suddenly  the  south  wind  in  a  lt>a];ing  gust,  rushes  down  with  a  storm  of 
snow ;  the  flaky  tempest  drives  full  in  the  faces  of  the  Lancastrians ;  hlinds 
them,  so  that  they  cannot  see  their  enemies.  Not  unohserved  hy  the  wily 
Falconberg ;  who  instantly  gives  the  command  to  his  bold  yeomanry,  '  Each 
archer  from  his  bow  send  a  flight  arrow  to  the  enemies*  ranks,  then  back 
retire  three  strides  and  stand.'  Quick  as  hand  can  follow  thought  the  order 
is  obeyed,  for  every  mind  sees  advantage  from  the  act.  The  bow  strings 
twang,  the  whistling  shafts,  long  and  light,  swifter  than  the  tempest,  rush 
against  the  distant  foe ;  who,  ignorant  of  the  stratagem,  bend  their  bows  and 
ply  the  strings,  until  the  quivers  are  exhausted.  While  the  Yorkists  in  grim 
quiet  stand  idle ;  not  one  of  their  enemies'  shafts  has  reached  them.  The 
English  Archer  s  boast,  that  he  carried  twelve  enemies  below  his  belt,  is  but 
idle  breath  for  the  red  rose  faction.  Not  so  for  their  foes,  who  seeing  all 
their  enemies'  efforts  vain  to  reach  them,  advance,  and  with  loud  derisive 
shouts,  send  their  thick  volley  like  lightning  on  their  foes.  Struck  down 
helplessly  by  hundreds  with  impunity ;  volley  after  volley  is  sent  into  their 
crowded  ranks.  Not  only  do  the  Yorkists  empty  their  own  quivers  on  the 
unresisting  foe,  but  gather  their  enemies'  arrows  from  the  Add,  and  send 
them  winged  with  death  unto  their  former  owners.  Impatient  of  the  severe 
and  deadly  shower,  Northumberland,  Somerset,  and  Trollop,  urge  on  their 
men  to  close  combat,  now  their  only  hope  of  victory.  The  bow  is  laid  aside, 
and  spears,  swords,  and  battle  axes,  decide  the  contest.  A  fearful  scene  of 
close  and  deadly  fight  ensued — ^no  militaay  skill  is  employed,  no  maxkceuvering 
of  forces ;  nothing  but  brute  force  and  physical  endurance  are  required.  As 
no  prisoners  are  to  be  taken  on  either  side,  each  man  fights  as  though  the 
battle  depended  upon  himself  alone — ^the  determination  of  all  seems  to  be  to 
conquer  or  die  upon  the  field."* 

There  are  so  many  confused  and  conflicting  accounts  of  this  battle,  that.it 
is  impossible  to  give  a  full  and  particular  description  of  it.  But  all  agree 
that  the  air  was  darkened  by  the  snow,  which  fell  very  thick,  and  was  blown 
by  the  wind  full  in  the  faces  of  the  Lancastrians,  and  that  this  more  than 
balanced  the  advantage  they  derived  firom  the  superiority  of  their  numbers. 
At  length  the  forces  of  Henry  began  to  give  ground,  at  first  in  good  order, 
not  flying,  but  retreating  as  they  fought,  and  makii^  a  stand  now  and  then, 
so  that  their  enemies  could  not  be  sure  of  the  victory.    The  troops  of  Edward, 

•  BatUe  Fields  of  Yorkshire. 


aSNSBAL  HISTORY  OF  T0BK8HIRE.  160 

mcouraged  by  his  own  personal  brayery,  now  made  fresh  efforts,  and  at  last 
they  so  pressed  the  Lancastrians,  as  to  oblige  them  to  fly  in  disorder.  Then 
it  was  that  the  dreadful  slaughter  ensued — ^that  the  flying  troops  were  cut 
down  without  mercy.  The  retreating  soldiers  shaped  their  course  for  Tad- 
caster  bridge  in  order  to  cross  the  Wharfe,  but  despairing  of  reaching  it,  be- 
cause they  were  so  hotly  pressed,  they  turned  aside,  in  order  to  pass  the  small 
liTer  Cock,  which  runs  through  one  of  the  most  crooked  of  channels,  along 
the  west  side  of  the  battle  field,  and  enters  the  Wharfe  about  a  mile  south-east 
of  Tadcaster.  But  this  movement  was  made  with  such  confusion  and  hurry, 
that  the  Cock  was  quickly  filled  with  their  dead  bodies,  which  served  as  a 
bridge  for  the  pursued  and  pursuers  to  pass  ov^r,  and  the  waters  of  the 
rivnlet  rolled  a  bloody  current  to  the  Wharfe.  The  slaughter  at  this  point 
was  so  tremendous,  that  even  the  waters  of  the  Wharfe  were  crimsoned  with 
the  blood  of  the  victims.  98,000  of  the  Lancastrians  were  slaughtered  in  the 
battle  and  pursuit,  and  the  total  number  that  perished  on  that  dreadful  day 
is  87,776.  A  contemporary  historian  assures  us,  that  besides  those  who 
perished  in  the  waters,  38,000  men  remained  dead  on  the  field.')'  The  whole 
distance  between  the  battle  field  and  the  city  of  York  (ten  miles)  was  covered 
with  the  bodies  of  the  slain.  Edward  himself,  in  a  confidential  letter  to  his 
mother,  while  he  conceals  his  own  loss,  informs  her  that  the  heralds,  em- 
pbyed  to  number  the  dead  bodies,  returned  the  Lancastrians  alone  at  98,000.f 
Among  the  slain  were  the  Earls  of  Northumberland,  Westmoriand,  and 
Shrewsbuiy ;  John,  Lord  Clifford,  already  mentioned.  Lords  Dacre,  Beau- 
mont, Neville,  Willoughby,  Boos,  Scales,  Grey,  Fitzhugh,  Molineaux,  Welles, 
and  Heniy  Buckingham ;  Sir  Andrew  Trollop,  Sir  John  Neville,  Sir  Richard 
Percy,  Sir  John  Heyton,  Sir  Gervace  Clifton,  Sir  Edward  Hamis,  Sir  Jc^n 
Burton,  Sir  David  Trollop,  Sir  Thomas  Crakenthorpe,  Sir  John  Ormond,  and 
many  other  Knights.  The  Dukes  of  Somerset  and  Exeter  were  fortunate 
enough  to  escape  the  carnage ;  but  Thomas  Courtney,  Earl  of  Devonshire, 
and  several  others  were  taken  prisonets.  This  bottle  fixed  the  crown  on  the 
brow  ci  Edward.  The  snow  storm  of  the  battle  day  was  succeeded  by  a 
frost,  which  congealed  the  blood  upon  the  snow;  and  as  the  wounds  were  all 
made  with  arrows^  swords,  spears,  and  battle-axes,  the  effusion  of  blood  would 
be  grmtet  than  in  a  modem  battle.  And  when  a  thaw  came,  and  dissolved 
the  mass,  the  field  presented  a  most  horrible  spectacle,  the  ftmrows  and  water 
courses  literally  running  with  blood.  ^ 

•  Cent.  Hist.  Croyland,  p.  653.        •»  Fenn's  Letters,  voL  i,  p.  217. 
{  Some  writers  dispute  the  fietct,  that  the  waters  of  the  Wharfe  could  be  dyed  with 
blood  by  the  carnage  of  the  battle,  bm  at  the  e^tor  of  the  BatOe  Fieldt  of  Yarkihiret 


160  GEKERAL  HISTOET  OF  TOBtSHIIlB. 

Thus  did  the  folly  of  the  nation  exhibit  itself;  and  thus  did  dose  upon 
40|000  Englishmen  sacrifice  their  Hyes  in  deciding  the  question  whether  an 
amiable  and  imbecile  Sovereign,  or  a  javenile,  but  able,  yoluptuous,  and 
sanguinary  tyrant  (as  he  afterwards  proyed  to  be),  should  be  their  master. 
No  other  object  was  involved  in  the  struggle-nno  wrongs  were  redressed, 
no  rights  were  obtained — ^it  was  not  a  combat  for  justice  or  freedom,  for  they 
were  names  and  things  unknown  and  forgotten  amid  the  dissonant  dash 
of  arms,  and  the  bloody  vengeance  of  furious  party  spirit  The  £ari  of 
Northumberknd  reached  York  before  he  died;  Lord  Clifford  was  tumbled 
into  a  pit  along  with  a  heap  of  dead  bodies ;  the  £ari  of  Westmoriand  was 
buried  in  Saxton  church ;  and  Lord  Dacre  was  interred  in  Saxton  church 
yard,  where  is  a  "  meane  tomb  "  to  his  memory. 

Lord  Dacre  is  supposed  to  have  been  killed  in  the  field  called  North  Acres 
while  drinking,  having  removed  his  gorget  for  that  purpoacf  The  traditkni 
of  the  neighbourhood  is,  that  he  was  struck  in  the  throat  by  a  bolt,  or  head* 
less  arrow,  shot  from  a  cross-bow  by  a  boy,  hid  in  a  ''burtree,"  or  elder  bush. 
The  spot  where  the  event  took  place  is  yet  pointed  out  by  the  inhabitants. 
It  is  a  rising  ground  a  short  distance  from  the  cross  roads  at  the  north  west 
comer  of  Scarthingwell  Park;  and  many  *'  burtrees  **  are  yet  growing  in  the 
a^acent  hedgerows.  An  old  dwarf  thorn  yet  stands  near  the  place,  which 
may  have  been  a  tree  at  the  time  of  the  battle.  The  bodies  of  the  common 
men  were  thrown  into  large  pits,  numbers  together.  According  to  Stowe, 
the  slain  were  buried  in  five  great  pits,  yet  appearing,  to  the  north  of  Saxton 
church;  but  Mr.  Hungate  caused  them  to  be  removed  from  thence,  and 
buried  in  the  church  yard  of  Saxton.  Li  preparing  a  vault  near  Lord 
Decrees  tomb,  on  the  north  of  the  church,  a  few  years  ago,  to  receive  the 

very  justly  remarks, — ^This  is  very  probable.  The  Cock  is  a  small  river,  not  more  than 
ten  feet  T?ide,  and  which  a  man  of  ordinary  agility  might  easily  overleap.  We  are  told 
that  the  greatest  slaughter  began  when  the  Lancastrians  fled  in  conftision  across  the 
brook;  and  the  water  oonrse  being  filled  with  the  bodies  of  those  who  foil,  fiusOitated 
the  passage  of  their  oomrades,  as  well  as  of  their  pursuers.  The  Lancastrians  flying 
from  the  battle  field,  from  about  North  Acres,  would  rush  down  Towton  dale  without 
seeking  for  a  bridge,  when  so  narrow  a  river  wotdd  soon  be  filled  with  the  drowned  and 
slain.  And  it  must  be  considered,  that  as  the  Cock  does  not  nm  above  two  miles  fhr- 
ther,  it  may  easily  oairy  its  ensanguined  waters  into  the  Whaife.  Besides,  as  the  chase 
was  continued  for  some  distance,  it  is  not  unlikely  that  many  might  be  slain  on  the 
banks  of  the  Wharfe  itself  near  Tadcaster.  There  is  even  yet  a  tradition  current  in  the 
neighbourhood,  that  the  Cock  ran  blood  for  fi>rt7-eight  hours  at  that  time. 

•  The  following  rhyme  is  well  known  to  the  people  of  Saxton : — 

<*The  LoidDMfM, 
Wm  ilaia  in  Not*  Aem.'* 


OBKEBAL  HISTORY  OF  YOB£SHIB£.  161 

body  of  a  gentleman  of  the  name  of  Prest,  of  Scarthingwell  Hall,  an  immense 
mass  of  bones  was  cut  through^  near  five  feet  in  thickness,  and  of  consider^ 
able  extent.  This  proves  the  correctness  of  the  statement  that  the  bones 
vrere  removed  to  the  church  yard.  Drake,  the  historian  of  York,  saw  a 
grave  opened  in  1784,  where,  among  vast  quantities  of  bones,  were  found 
some  arrow  piles,  pieces  of  broken  swords,  and  five  groat  pieces  of  Henry 
IV.,  v.,  and  YI.  In  the  fields  around  the  village  of  Saxton  are  several 
artificial  mounds,  probably  depositories  of  the  dead  slain  in  this  terrible 
battle ;  and  near  the  hamlet  of  Lead,  close  to  the  Cock  rivulet,  are  three 
mtate  mounds  of  a  similar  kind,  nearly  close  together,  about  six  feet  in  height, 
and  forty-two  feet  in  diameter,  which,  in  all  probability,  cover  multitudes  of 
the  slain.  AU  writers  agree  that  the  bodies  of  the  soldiers  were  buried  be- 
neath large  mounds  on  the  field  of  battle ;  but  the  lapse  of  four  centuries, 
and  the  continued  action  of  the  plough  and  harrow,  have  worn  many  of  them 
nearly  down  to  the  level  surfisice  of  the  soil.  Circles  may  yet  be  seen  in  the 
field  above  a  stone  quarry,  which  mark  the  spots  as  repositories  of  the  slain. 
In  this  field,  which  formed  part  oi  the  battle  ground,  flourishes  profusely  a 
dwarf  rose,  which  it  is  reported  the  Yorkists,  either  in  afiection,  or  in  triumph, 
planted  on  the  graves  of  their  fallen  countrymen.'!' 

The  author  of  the  Battle  Fields  of  Yorkshire  tells  us,  that  another  beautiful 
and  iiuiciful  notion'  is,  that  this  rose  will  not  grow  elsewhere ;  "  and  that 
Providence  has  caused  it  to  spring  firom  the  blended  blood  of  the  victims  of 
the  red  and  white  rose  factions,  which  are  typified  in  its  white  petals  slightly 
tinged  with  red,  and  in  the  dull  bloody  hue  of  the  leaves  of  the  older  wood. 
This  pleasing  piece  of  superstition,"  he  adds  "  has  caused  many  of  those  di- 
minutive shrubs  to  be  removed  firom  their  native  soil,  and  carried  far  away  to 
other  places."  Patches  and  clusters  of  these  rose  trees  in  full  blow  may  be 
seen  every  year;  and  it  appears  very  difficult  to  eradicate  the  plant,  for 
whilst  the  least  portion  of  the  root  remains  in  the  soil,  it  will,  in  due  time, 
shoot  forth  a  plant,  and  bear  its  delicate  white  flower,  upon  which  the  rustic, 
happy  in  his  legendary  lore,  traces  in  its  slight  tinges  of  pink,  the  blood  of 
Lancaster. 

Among  the  few  relics  of  the  battle  found,  was  a  gold  ring  weighing  more 
than  an  oimce,  which  was  turned  up  on  the  field  about  the  year  1786.     It 

•  lo  the  foregoing  desoription  of  the  battle  of  Towton  Field,  we  have  been  led  into  a 
alight  error,  by  following  the  accounts  of  Bapin  and  most  of  the  historians,  who  state 
that  the  flying  Lancastrians  heing  unable  to  reach  Tadcaster  bridge,  tamed  aside,  in 
order  to  pass  the  small  river  Cock.  This  is  eridently  a  mistake ;  for  to  pass  the  Cock 
from  the  field  of  batUe,  was  the  only  way  by  which  they  could  gain  Tadcaster  bridge. 

T 


163  OENERAL  HIBTOBT  OF  TOBESHZSE. 

bore  the  creet  of  the  noble  family  of  Percy*  and  it  ia  supposed  the  ring  was 
worn  by  the  Earl  of  Northumberland  on  the  day  of  the  battle.  A  silver  gilt 
ring,  with  two  hands  coigoined,  and  an  antique  spur,  with  some  other  tzifling 
articles,  have  also  been  found  on  the  battle  field. 

On  a  part  of  the  field  north  of  Saxion,  Bichaid  m.  began  to  build  a 
chapel,  in  which  prayers  might  be  said  for  the  souls  of  the  ahdn ;  but  its 
completion  was  prevented  by  his  death  at  the  battle  of  Bosworth  Field.  No 
remains  of  this  chapel  are  now  to  be  seen ;  but  the  site  is  yet  oaUed  "  Chi^ 
Garth."  The  batde  of  Towton  Field  is  called  among  the  country  people 
*'  the  Towton  Dale  Fight ;"  and  they  also  say  that  it  took  place  on  a  Sunday, 
whilst  the  people  were  attending  mass  at  Saxton  church. 

King  Henry,  his  Queen,  and  their  young  son  Edward,  who  had  remained  at 
York  during  the  battle,  retired  into  Scotland  with  the  Dukes  of  Somerset  and 
Exeter,  and  afterwards  quitted  the  kingdom.  Edward  entered  the  cily  of 
York  soon  aflter  their  departure,  and  immediately  took  down  from  the  Bar,  the 
head  of  his  father,  and  those  of  his  Mends,  which  had  been  upon  the  walls  of 
the  city  since  the  battle  of  Wakefield,  and  in  return  ordered  Thomas  Courtney, 
Earl  of  Devon,  the  Earl  of  Kyme,  Sir  William  HiU,  and  Sir  Thomas  Fulford, 
adherents  to  Henry,  to  be  executed,  and  their  heads  to  be  placed  on  the 
vacant  poles  over  Mickl^ate  Bar.  Edward  soon  after  repaired  to  London, 
where  he  was  crowned  on  the  29tb  of  July  next  following.  When  the  Par- 
liament assembled,  both  houses  were  eager  to  display  their  attachment  to 
their  new  Sovereign.  They  first  pronounced  the  reigns  of  the  three  last 
Kings  a  tyrannical  usurpation,  and  then  followed  a  sweeping  bill  of  attainder, 
which  extended  itself  to  almost  every  man  who  had  distinguished  himself  in 
the  cause  of  the  house  of  Lancaster.  The  unfdrtunate  Henry  YI.,  his  Queen, 
and  son,  together  with  the  Dukes  of  Somerset  and  Exeter,  the  Earls  of  North- 
umberland, Devon,  Wiltshire,  and  Pembroke,  and  a  large  number  of  Viscounts, 
Knights,  Priests,  and  Esquires,  were  adjudged  to  sufier  all  the  penalties  of 
treason.  La  defence  of  such  imexampled  severity,  it  was  allied  the  advan- 
tage of  annihilating  at  once  the  power  of  the  parfy;  and  to  this  motive  was 
probably  added  another,  the  necessity  of  providing  funds  firom  which  Edward 
might  satisfy  the  expectations  of  those  to  whose  services  he  owed  the  present 
possession  of  the  crown. 

The  cause  of  the  red  rose  now  appeared  desperate;  but  it  was  still  supported 
by  the  courage  and  industiy  of  Margaret  To  aid  hear  cause,  she  visited  the 
continent,  and  invited  all  true  Knights  to  avenge  the  wrongs  of  an  ]i\jured 
monarch.  The  Duke  of  Bretagne  made  her  a  present  of  12,000  crowns;  and 
the  King  of  France  ^Louis  XI.)  lent  her  20,000  crowns,  and  permitted  Breze, 


GBNXRAL  BISTORT  OF  T0RK8HIBE.  163 

the  Seneschal  of  Nonnaiidy,  to  fbQow  her  fortunes  with  2,000  men.  Aller 
tn  absence  of  five  months,  she  retnmed,  and  summoned  to  her  standard  the 
friends  of  her  fiunilj  on  the  holders ;  and  with  this  army,  composed  of  Scotch, 
French,  and  Northumbrians,  she  seized  the  three  fortresses  of  Bamborough, 
Ahuwidc,  and  Dunstanburgh.  But  when  the  Earl  of  Warwick  arrived  with 
90,000  men,  and  intelligenoe  was  receiyed  of  the  advance  of  Edward  with  an 
eqnal  number,  the  Lancastrians  separated  to  garrison  their  conquests,  and 
the  Queen,  wilii  her  French  auxiliaries,  repaired  to  their  ships.  The  winds 
and  ihe  waves  now  seemed  to  have  conspired  against  her ;  part  of  her  fleet, 
with  all  her  treasures,  were  dashed  against  the  rocks ;  and  Margaret  and 
Bies^  arrived  in  a  fishing  boat  at  Berwick.  Warwick,  dividing  the  rojal 
army  into  three  bodies,  besieged  at  the  same  time  the  three  fortresses,  which 
snmndered  after  a  brave  and  obstinate  resistance. 

The  spirit  and  activity  of  Margaret  exposed  her  during  this  winter  cam- 
paign to  numerous  privations  and  dangers.  After  the  loss  of  the  above-named 
cast&eB,  she,  accompanied  by  the  Duke  of  Exeter,  Brezd,  and  300  exiles, 
sailed  to  Sli^,  in  Flanders.  The  Duke  of  Bui^gundy  received  her  with  every 
mark  of  outward  distmction,  but  refused  to  listen  to  her  soUcitatrons  in  favour 
of  her  husband.  He  gave  her  a  supply  of  money  for  her  present  expenses, 
and  forwarded  her  in  safety  as  fistr  as  the  Dnchy  of  Bar,  in  Lorraine, 
belonging  to  her  fiither.  There  she  fixed  her  residence,  watching,  with 
anxiety,  the  course  of  events,  and  consoling  her  sorrows  with  the  hope  of  yet 
placing  her  husband  or  her  son  on, the  English  throne. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  above  campaign,  Edward,  with  a  numerous  army, 
and  most  of  his  nobility,  on  their  march  to  the  north  against  the  unfor- 
tunate Henry,  visited  Torii.  Edward  proceeded  no  further  than  Newcastle, 
having  been  taken  ill  at  that  place ;  and  the  command  of  the  entire  army 
was  undertaken  by  Warwick.  Henry,  who  for  security  had  been  conveyed 
to  the  castle  of  Hardlough,  in  Merionethshire,  commanded  by  David  ap 
Jevan  ap  Eynion,  who,  in  defiance  of  repeated  acts  of  attainder,  refused  to 
submit  to  Edward ;  was,  in  the  same  year,  summoned  to  put  himself  at  the 
head  of  a  body  of  exiles  and  Scots.  He  was  soon  joined  by  the  Duke  of 
Somerset,  Sir  Ralph  Percy,  and  their  adherents.  The  Lancastrians  en- 
camped on  the  banks  of  the  Dilswater,  near  Hexham ;  where  they  were  soon 
attacked  by  a  powerful  army,  commanded  by  Neville,  Lord  Montague,  the 
Warden  of  the  East  Marches.  Somerset,  who  was  endeavouring  to  save 
himself  by  flighti  was  taken,  beheaded  the  same  day,  and  buried  in  the 
neighbouring  Abbey.  Two  days  later,  the  Lords  Roos  and  Hungerford  met 
with  the  same  fate  on  the  Sandhill,  at  Newcastle ;  and  many  of  their  fol- 


164  GENERAL  HISTORY   OF  TORSSHIRE. 

lowers  were  successively  executed  in  that  town,  and  at  York.  Henry  sayed 
himself  by  flight.  Hollinshed  tells  us  that  here  he  shewed  himself  an  excel- 
lent horseman,  for  he  rode  so  fast,  that  none  could  overtake  him.  His 
servants  and  equipage  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands,  and  among  the  latter  was 
found  the  royal  cap,  called  Bycoket,  or  Abacot,*  with  which  Edward  was 
again  crowned  on  the  4th  of  May,  in  the  same  year,  with  great  solemnity  at 
York. 

Lord  Montague  was  now  created  Earl  of  Northumberland ;  and  another 
list  of  attainders  contributed  to  exhaust  the  resources  of  King  Henry,  and  to 
add  to  those  of  Edward.  The  citizens  of  York,  as  well  as  the  people  of  the 
north  in  general,  had  hitherto  firmly  attached  themselves  to  the  house  of 
Lancaster ;  but  they  now  seem  to  have  espoused  the  cause  of  Edward,  or  he 
endeavoured  to  gain  them  to  his  favour,  for  before  he  left  that  city  on  this 
occasion,  he,  by  patent  dated  York,  June  10th,  1464,  not  only  relinquishes 
his  usual  demands,  or  fee  farm  rent  of  the  city,  but  assigned  it  for  the  twelve 
succeeding  years,  an  annual  rent  of  £40.,  to  be  paid  out  of  his  customs  in 
the  port  of  HuU.  In  this  extraordinary  document  (which  is  now  deposited 
in  the  Tower  of  London)  the  King  expresses  his  great  concern  for  the  suf- 
ferings and  hardships  the  city  had  imdergone  during  these  wars,  and  for  the 
poverty  they  had  occasioned. 

After  the- flight  from  Hexham,  Henry  sought  an  asylum  among  the  natives 
of  Lancashire  and  Westmorland,  a  people  sincerely  devoted  to  his  interests, 
and  was  during  this  time  frequently  concealed  in  the  house  of  John  Machdl, 
at  Crakenthorp,  in  Westmorland.*  For  more  than  a  year  he  eluded  the 
vigilance  and  researches  of  the  government ;  but  he  was  at  last  betrayed  by 
the  perfidy  of  Cantlow,  a  monk  of  Abingdon,  and  taken  by  the  servants  of 
Sir  James  Harrington,  of  Brierley,  in  or  near  to  Waddington  Hall,  in  York- 
shire. At  Islington  the  unfortunate  monarch  was  met  by  the  Earl  of 
Warwick,  who  ordered  by  proclamation  that  no  one  should  show  him  any 
respect,  tied  his  feet  to  the  stirrups  as  a  prisoner,  led  him  thrice  round  the 
pillory,  and  conducted  him  to  the  Tower. 

The  Lancastrians  having  abandoned  the  contest  after  the  battle  near 
Hexham,  Edward  for  some  years  kept  quiet  possession  of  the  crown.  But 
at  length  he,  who  had  driven  Henry  into  exile,  was  in  his  turn  obliged  to 
share  the  same  fortune  himself,  owing  to  the  defection  of  "  that  setter  up  and 

•  Spelman  says  that  this  word  signified  a  royal  cap  ensigned  with  two  crowns  of  gold, 
which  doubtless  were  those  of  England  and  France. 

*  Bymer,  xi.,  p.  948. 


QENEBAL   HISTORY   OF  TORKSHIBE.  165 

poller  down  of  Kings,"  the  Earl  of  Warwick.  Whilst  that  Earl  was  in 
France,  negociating  a  treaty  of  marriage  between  Edward  and  the  French 
King  s  sister,  it  happened  that  the  former  visited  WjdeviUe,  Lord  Rivers,  i^t 
Grafton  (Northamptonshire),  where  he  saw  his  daughter  Elizabeth,  relict  of 
Sir  John  Grey,  of  Groby  (a  Lancastrian),  a  woman  of  superior  beaufy  and 
accomplishments.  The  Lady  Grey,  whose  husband  had  fallen  at  the  second  ' 
battle  of  St  Albans,  seized  the  opportunity  to  throw  herself  at  the  feet  of  her 
sovereign,  and  solicit  him  to  reverse  the  attainder  of  her  late  husband,  in 
favour  of  her  destitute  children.  The  King  pitied — ^nay,  soon  loved  the 
beautiful  suppliant,  and  in  the  end  married  her,  after  having  vainly  en- 
deavoured to  debauch  her.  But  the  connection  proved  calamitous,  for  the 
Earl  of  Warwick,  disgusted  with  Edward*s  conduct  in  consequence  of  this 
alliance,  espoused  the  cause  of  Henry,  in  which  he  united  his  two  brothers, 
the  Marquis  Montecute  and  Lord  George,  one  of  whom  was  Lord  President 
of  the  North,  and  the  other  Archbishop  of  York.  Warwick  was  Governor  of 
Calais ;  and  it  was  agreed  that  whilst  he  at  that  place  endeavoured  to  excite 
the  inhabitants,  the  two  brothers  should  stir  up  a  commotion  in  the  north. 
They  soon  entered  into  a  correspondence  with  the  eldest  sons  of  the  Lord 
Fitzhugh,  and  Neville,  Lord  Latimer,  Sir  John  Conyers,  and  others,  to  de- 
throne Edward,  and  restore  Henry.  Their  attention  was  directed  to  the  city 
of  York,  where  was  an  Hospital,  dedicated  to  St.  Leonard,  to  the  Warden  of 
which,  certain  Thraves  of  com  from  every  plough  land,  had  been  paid  since 
the  time  of  King  Athelstan.*  It  was  supposed  that  these  thraves  had  ori- 
ginally been  a  voluntary  contribution,  but  which,  by  custom,  were  at  length 
considered  a  debt.  In  the  beginning  of  the  last  reign,  in  consequence  of 
some  of  the  farmers  having  withheld  the  thraves,  it  was  deemed  necessary  to 
have  them  confirmed  to  the  hospital  by  Act  of  Parliament. 

The  government  officers  appointed  to  collect  these  thraves  having  at  this 
time  (a.d.  1469)  attempted  to  levy  their  value  by  distress,  the  farmers  and 
the  peasants  flew  to  arms,  chose  for  their  leader  Robert  Hilyard,  or  Hul- 
deme,  commonly  called  Robin  of  Redesdale,  and  threatened  to  march  to  the 
south  and  reform  the  abuses  of  government  The  two  brothers  of  the  Earl 
of  Warwick  are  said  to  have  improved  the  opportunity  to  increase  the  spirit 

•  A  Throve  ms  sometimes  twelve,  and  at  other  times  twenty-four  sheaves.  The 
King's  thraves  were  called  Horatafia,  Herstraffa,  or  Herat  Com,  and  were  payments  in 
lien  of  the  King's  right  to  pastorage  and  forage  for  his  horses ;  and  it  appears  that  King 
Athelstan  endowed  St.  Leonard's  Hospital  with  some  of  his  thraves  in  this  county. 
The  same  monarch  endowed  the  Collegiate  establishment  at  Beverley  with  four  thraves 
of  com  annually  fktnn  eveiy  plough  land  in  the  Bast  Biding. 


166  OEMBBAI.  HISTOBT  OF  T0BX8HIBB. 

of  revolt  By  misrepresentiiig  tlie  affidr,  they  are  said  to  have  ezaspeiated 
the  people  to  such  an  eztenti  that  15,000  mea  arose  in  arms,  and  marched 
towards  Yoik.  The  citizens  of  York  were  alarmed  by  the  approadi  of  the 
insurgents ;  bat  the  Earl  of  Northumberland,  Warwiok*s  brother,  to  prevent 
the  destraction  of  the  city,  attacked  and  defeated  them  with  coneiderable 
alaaghter;  and  executed  their  leader  on  the  field  of  batde.  This  dream- 
stance  would  seem  to  acquit  one  of  the  Nevilles  from  all  share  in  the  insur- 
rection ;  but  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  he  could,  if  he  pleased,  have 
instantly  extinguiflhed  the  flame  before  it  grew  into  a  general  c<mflagration ; 
and  his  inactivity  subsequent  to  their  attack  upon  York»  together  with  the 
conduct  of  his  two  brothers,  prove  that,  whatever  were  its  original  cause^ 
they  were  willing  at  least  to  convert  it  to  their  own  purposes. 

The  rebels  had  lost  their  leader,  but  they  found  two  othere  of  more  illus- 
trious name  in  the  before-mentioned  sons  of  Lords  Fitzhugh  and  Latimer — 
the  one  the  nephew,  and  the  other  the  cousin-german  of  Warwick;  and  these 
young  men,  though  nominally  at  the  head  of  the  rebels,  in  realily  obeyed  the 
commands  of  Sir  John  Conyers,  an  old  and  experienced  officer.  The  claim  of 
the  hospital  was  now  forgotten,  and  their  avowed  object  was  to  remove  from 
the  King's  councils  the  Wydevilles  (the  Queen's  fiimily,  of  whose  influence 
with  the  King  the  Nevilles  were  jealous),  the  authors  of  the  taxes  that 
impoverished,  and  of  the  calamities  that  oppressed  the  nation.  At  the  name 
of  Wanrick,  his  tenants  crowded  from  every  quarter ;  and  in  a  few  days  the 
insurgents  reached  a  very  large  number.  On  the  first  intdligence  of  the 
rising  in  Yorkshire,  Edward  summoned  his  retainers,  and  fixed  his  head 
quarters  at  the  castle  of  Fotheringhay.  The  King's  forces  and  the  rebels  met 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Banbury ;  the  former  under  the  joint  command  of 
the  Earls  of  Pembreke  and  Devon.  The  two  Earls  entered  Banbury  together, 
but  quarrelled  in  an  evil  hour  about  their  quarters,  *'  The  Eari  of  Pem- 
broke," says  Hall,  "  putte  the  Erie  of  Devon  out  of  an  Inne,  wherein  he 
delighted  muche  to  be,  for  the  love  of  a  damoeell  that  dwelled  in  the  house ; 
contrary  to  their  mutuall  agroment  by  them  taken,  whiche  was,  that  whoso- 
euer  obterned  first  a  lodgyng,  should  not  be  deceiued  nor  remoued.** 

The  Earl  of  Devon,  after  a  hearty  quarrel  with  his  brother  general,  retired 
with  his  division ;  and  the  rebels,  profiting  by  this  opportunity,  attacked  the 
remaining  forces.  The  day  was  for  some  time  doubtful,  but  the  insurgents 
at  length  prevailed,  and  beheaded  the  Eari  of  Pembroke,  either  in  the  town, 
or  its  immediate  neighbourhood,  together  with  his  brother.  Sir  Bichard 
Herbert,  and  ten  other  gentlemen.  This  conflict  is  said  to  have  taken  place 
at  Danesmoor,  or  Dunsmoor,  as  it  is  now  called.    Hall^  Grafton,  and  Hollin* 


OXNBBAL  HISTOET  OF  TOBSSHIBS.  167 

afafid  state  that  above  600  WelBhmen»  of  which  the  Earl  of  Pembroke's  Ibrcea 
were  prinoipally  oomp06ed»  were  slain  in  this  battle ;  and  William  of  Wor* 
oeater  states,  that  at-least  168  of  the  nobility  and  gentry  of  Wales  fell  in  this 
hattle.  About  1,600  of  the  inmirgents  were  slain  on  the  same  fidd,  among 
whom  weve  Sir  Henrjr  Latimer*  Sir  Roger  Pigot,  knt,  fto.  The  Nevilles 
then  proceeded  in  search  of  Edward*  whom  they  found  at  Olney,  in  Buok- 
inghamshire»  plunged  in  the  deepest  distress  at  the  defeat  of  Pembroke. 
Here  he  was  taken  prisoner*  and  placed  in  the  custody  of  the  Archbishop  of 
York,  who  sent  him  to  Middleham  castle.  And  then  did  England  ezhiUt 
the  ertraordinary  spectade  of  two  rival  Kings*  each  confined  in  prison*— 
Heniy  in  the  Tower*  and  Edward  in  Yorkshire.  At  the  command  of  War- 
wick* the  insurgents  returned  to  their  homes,  laden  with  plunder.  Edward 
soon  afterwards  escaped  from  Middleham*  and  fled  into  France.')' 

The  poor*  passive  King  Henry  was  now  brought  out  of  the  Tower,  where 
he  had  been  a  prisoner  for  nearly  nine  years*  and  amidst  great  rgoidngs* 
once  more  reinstated  in  his  kingly  dignity.  A  Parliament  was  called,  which 
confirmed  Henry's  title  to  the  crown  with  great  solemnity;  Edward  was 
pronounced  an  usurper,  and  all  acts  passed  by  his  authority  repealed; 
and  Warwick  was  received  among  the  people  under  the  tide  of  the  King 
Maker.  But  Heniy*s  evil  fate  suflered  him  not  to  ei\|oy  his  honours  long, 
for  Edward  having  prevailed  with  the  Duke  of  Burgundy*  his  brother-in-law* 
to  lend  him  an  aid  of  men  and  money,  set  sail,  and  after  an  absence  of  nine 
months,  landed  at  Ravenspume,  on  the  14th  of  March,  1471,  on  the  spot 
where  Bdingbroke  had  previously  landed  to  dethrone  Richard  11. 

Edward,  who  was  attended  by  d,000  men,  sent  some  of  his  followers  to 
sound  the  a&ctiona  of  the  people ;  but  finding  all  the  parts  of  the  country 
firom  where  he  had  landed  to  York,  very  much  averse  to  his  title,  and  perfectly 
satisfied  with  Henry*s  rule,  he  artfully  pretended  that  he  came  but  to  daim 
his  patrimonial  estate  of  Yorit  only,  and  not  the  crown.  This  dissimulation 
had  the  desired  effect  upon  the  people,  who  admired  his  modemtioa,  and 
thought  it  the  highest  injustice  to  keep  him  from  his  dukedom.  This  politic 
artifice  was  disbelieved  by  Warwick,  who  sent  strict  orders  to  the  city  of 
York  and  tjie  town  of  Hull  that  he  should  not  be  admitted.  On  his  way 
towards  York,  he  everywhere  proclaimed  Heniy  King,  and  styled  himself 
only  Duke  of  York;  and  he  wore  in  his  bonnet  an  ostrich  feather  the  device 
of  Edward,  the  Lancastrian  Prince  of  Wales.    On  his  near  ^preach  to  the 

«  There  aie  mfwnl  aoeoonts  of  the  escape  of  Edvard,  bat  that  which  is  generally 
SiTVD  is,  that  the  Arohlnahop  aDowed  him  to  lum^  and  that  one  day  while  he  waa  em- 
ldo7ediathBtaaei«M,hawaBoairiedeff hyhiaftieadf.    Hall,S08. 


168  OENEBAL  HISTORT  OF  YORKSHIRE. 

city  he  was  met  bj-  two  Aldermen,  who  informed  him  that  he  could  not  be 
received  there,  but  that  the  citizens  would  oppose  him  to  the  utmost. 

Notwithstanding  this  message,  however,  on  his  coming  to  the  gates,  and 
repeating  his  former  professions  of  loyalty  to  King  Henry,  and  swearing  to 
be  true  and  faithful  to  him,  he  was  admitted.  He  rode  immediately  to  the 
Cathedral,  and  there  in  a  most  solemn  manner  confirmed  his  oath  on  the 
high  altar.*  This,  however,  was  an  act  of  base  hypocrisy ;  for  no  sooner  had 
he  performed  this  ceremony,  than  he  seized  the  guards,  assumed  the  r^al 
tide,  raised  a  considerable  loan  in  the  city,  and  leaving  it  well  garrisoned, 
marched  to  London,  where,  on  his  arrival,  the  gates  were  thrown  open  to 
him,  and  the  like  acclamations  heard  as  Henry  had  enjoyed  but  six  months 
before. 

The  sequel  is  known  to  every  reader  of  English  histoiy — ^the  decisive  battle 
of  Bamet  soon  followed,  in  which  Edward  defeated  Henry's  forces;  the  great 
Earl  of  Warwick  was  slain,  together  with  his  brother  and  10,000  of  their 
adherents.!  This  battle  took  place  on  Easter  Sunday,  1471 ;  and  on  that 
very  day  Queen  Margaret  landed  at  Weymouth  with  a  body  of  French 
auxiharies.  When  she  heard  the  fatal  news  of  the  death  of  the  brave 
Warwick,  and  the  total  destruction  of  her  party,  she  gave  way  to  her  grief, 
for  the  first  time  it  is  said,  in  a  torrent  of  tears.  She  sank  to  the  ground  in 
despair,  and  as  soon  as  she  recovered  her  composure,  hastened  with  her  son 
for  safety  to  the  Abbey  of  Ceme.  But  the  Lancastrian  Lords,  who  still 
remained  faithful  to  the  cause,  induced  her  to  quit  her  asylum,  conducted  her 
to  Bath,  and  raised  a  considerable  body  of  troops  to  fight  tmder  her  banner. 
A  few  days  after  the  battle  of  Bamet,  Edward  was  summoned  to  the  field  of 
Tewkesbury,  where  his  good  fortune  again  prevailed.  Margaret*s  forces  were 
routed,  though  the  Lancastrians  fought  to  the  last  with  imdaunted  bravery. 
Immediately  after  the  battle.  Prince  Edward,  the  son  of  Henry,  was  murdered 
in  cold  blood  by  the  Dukes  of  Clarence  and  Gloucester,  aided  by  Lord 
Hastings  and  Sir  Thomas  Grey,  in  the  presence  of  Edward,  who,  it  is  said, 
struck  the  brave  youth  the  first  blow  with  his  gauntlet.     Henry  was  thrown 

•  Historians  remark  that  thoagb  the  due  punishment  of  this  wUfol  peijury  was  with- 
held from  Edward  himself,  yet  it  fell  in  full  measure  upon  his  children. 

f  The  Earl  of  'Warwick  was  one  of  the  most  extraordinaiy  characters  of  his  time, 
and  one  of  the  bravest  warriors,  and  most  rich  and  powerfol  nobles  in  England,  He 
owed  his  popularity  as  much  to  his  hospitality  as  to  his  personal  qualities.  It  was  of 
the  most  unbounded  and  profUse  kind:  It  is  said  that  S0,000  persons  were  regularly 
maintained  in  his  numerous  castles,  and  any  man  might  walk  into  his  kitehen  at 
pleasure,  and  take  away  as  much  beef  or  mutton  as  he  could  cany  on  his  dagger. 


O&KEBAL  BISTOBY  OP  YORKSHIRE.  169 

into  the  Tower,  where  he  expired  in  a  few  days,  or,  according  to  some,  was 
put  to  a  violent  death  by  Richard,  Duke  of  Gloucester.  Margaret  was  im- 
prisoned, first  in  the  Tower,  afterwards  at  Windsor,  and  lastly  at  Wallingford, 
with  a  weekly  allowance  of  five  marks  for  the  support  of  herself  and  her 
servants.  After  a  captivity  of  five  years,  she  was  ransomed  by  Louis,  King 
of  France,  for  50,000  crowns,  and  retired  to  Ai^ou,  where  she  closed  her 
eventful  life  in  the  year  148Q.  This  extraordinary  woman,  who  sustained 
the  cause  of  her  amiable  but  truly  unfortunate  husband,  in  twelve  battles, 
died  very  miserable  indeed;  but  with  few  other  claims  to  our  pity,  except  her 
courage  and  her  distresses. 

Some  years  sabsequent  to  the  batde  in  Tewkesbury  Park,  Edward  IV. 
visited  York  for  the  last  time.  He  was  met  at  a  village  called  Wentbridge, 
some  distance  from  the  city,  by  John  Ferriby,  then  Lord  Mayor,  the  Alder- 
men, and  commonally  on  horseback,  and  many  of  the  principal  citizens,  who 
conducted  him  with  loud  acclamations  to  the  city.  He  departed  in  a  few 
days,  having  first  made  the  city  a  present  of  a  laiige  sum  of  money. 

This  King  is  said  to  have  been  the  most  accomplished,  and  till  he  grew  too 
unwieldy,  the  most  handsome  man  of  the  age.  The  love  of  pleasure  was  his 
ruling  passion ;  and  few  Princes  were  more  magnificent  in  their  dress,  or 
more  licentious  in  their  amours.  His  excesses  at  last  incapacitated  him  for 
active  exertion,  and  he  entirely  abandoned  the  charge  of  military  afiairs  to 
his  brother  Richard,  the  Duke  of  Gloucester.  A  slight  ailment,  induced  by 
the  debaucheries  in  which  he  indulged,  suddenly  exhibited  the  most  danger- 
ous symptoms,  and  in  a  few  days  put  a  period  to  his  existence,  in  the  41st 
year  of  his  age,  and  33rd  of  his  reign.  Edward  might  have  promised 
himself  a  long  and  prosperous  reign,  had  not  continued  indulgence  enervated 
his  constitution,  and  sown  the  seeds  of  that  malady  which  consigned  him  to 
the  grave.  He  left  two  sons,  Edward,  in  his  12th  year,  who  succeeded  him, 
and  Richard,  Duke  of  York  and  Earl  Marshal,  in  his  11th  year.  Of  his 
five  daughters,  who  had  been  in  their  youths  affianced  to  foreign  monarchs, 
Elizabeth  was  afterwards  married  to  King  Henry  Vu. ;  Cecily,  to  the  Vis- 
count Welles ;  Anne,  to  Thomas  Howard,  Duke  of  Norfolk ;  Catherine,  to 
WiHiam  Courtenay,  Earl  of  Devon ;  and  Bridget  became  a  nun  in  the  con- 
vent of  Dartford. 

Having  the  command  of  the  army  against  the  Scote,  Richard,  Duke  of 
Gloucester,  was  employed  in  the  marches  at  the  time  of  his  brother's  death ; 
but  the  moment  he  heard  of  that  event,  he  repaired  to  York,  with  a  train  of 
600  Knighte  and  Esquires,  dressed  in  deep  mourning,  and  ordered  a  solemn 
requiem  mass  to  be  celebrated  in  the  Cathedral  of  that  city,  for  the  repose  of 

z 


170  GENERAL   HISTORY   OF  TORKBHIRE. 

the  late  King's  soul.  Gloucester  was  a  Prince  of  insatiable  ambition,  who 
could  conceal  the  most  bloody  projects  under  the  mask  of  affection  and  loyalty. 
After  the  funeral  obsequies  had  been  peiformed  with  royal  magnificence,  he 
summoned  the  nobles  and  gentlemen  of  the  county  to  swear  allegiance  to 
Edward  V . ;  and  to  give  them  an  example,  was  himself  the  first  who  took  the 
oath.  Having  been  appointed  protector  of  the  realm,  he  assumed  the  lofty 
style  of  "  brother  and  uncle  of  Kings,  protectour  and  defensour,  great  cham- 
beriayne,  constable,  and  Lord  High  Admiral  of  En^and.'*  About  this  time 
the  Corporation  of  York  begged  of  Gloucester  to  move  the  King  for  a  dimi- 
nution of  their  yearly  payments  to  the  crown,  in  consideration  of  the  expenses 
they  had  incurred  in  the  public  service.  It  is  well  known  to  the  reader  of 
English  history  that  Gloucester's  ambition  soon  afterwards  led  him  to  usurp 
the  sovereignty,  and  to  cause  his  nephews  (the  youthful  King  and  his  brother 
Clarence)  to  be  secretly  murdered  in  the  Tower,  and  that  he  was  crowned  at 
Westminster,  uuder  the  title  of  Richard  IH.,  together  with  his  consort  Anne, 
the  daughter  of  the  late  Earl  of  Warwick,  in  the  year  1483.  In  the  latter 
end  of  August  in  the  same  year,  the  King,  accompanied  by  his  Queen,  and 
the  youthful  Prince  Edward,  made  a  journey  to  the  north,  and  visited  York. 
It  appears  that  Eichard  was  most  anxious  to  appear  in  an  imposing  manner 
before  his  northern  subjects  on  this  occasion,  as  we  find  his  secretary  writing 
from  Nottingham  to  York,  urging  <*  the  gude  masters,  the  mair,  i^corder,  and 
aldermen,  and  sheriffs,"  to  make  splendid  preparations  for  their  Majesties' 
reception,  "  for  there,''  says  he,  "  be  comen  many  southern  lords,  and  men  of 
worship,  which  will  mark  greatly  your  resayving  thar  graces ;"  and  in  the 
same  letter  he  assures  them  of  the  singular  love  which  tiie  King  bore  to  the 
city  of  York  "  afore  all  others."  And  in  a  letter  writtai  by  Richard  himself 
(preserved  in  the  Harleian  MSS.)  from  York  to  Piers  Courties,  keeper  of  his 
wardrobe,  he  orders  him  to  send  hither  an  almost  incredible  supply  of  gor- 
geous state  apparel. 

Most  historians  assert  that  on  this  occasion  Riehaid  was  crowned  at  York 
by  Archbishop  Rotherham ;  bat  in  this  they  are  in  error,  as  Mr.  Daviee,  kte 
town-clerk  of  York,  has  shown  c<»iclusively — there  being  no  reoord  of  snch 
coronation,  either  in  the  archives  of  the  Coiporation  ef  York,  or  in  the  official 
acts  of  Archbishop  Rotherham.f  Nor  is  Uiere  any  account  of  a  coronation 
given  by  any  contemporai;;^  chronicler.    But  what  has  led  writers  of  a  later 

«  Hist.  Croyl.  eontd. 

f  Extraotfi  ttom  the  Municipal  Becords  of  the  City  of  York,  by  Bohert  Davies,  F.SA., 
pp.  1280,  286. 


GBKEBAIi  HISTORT  OP  TOBSSHIRE.  171 

date  into  error  is,  no  doubt,  the  extraordinary  splendour  with  which  the  cere- 
mony of  knighting  the  young  Prince  Edward  was  conducted  here  during  the 
royal  visit.  On  the  8th  of  September,  the  Prince  was  not  only  knighted, 
but  he  was  invested  with  his  full  title  and  dignity  as  Prince  of  Wales.  On 
this  occasion,  says  Hall,  '*  the  whole  clergy  assembled  in  copes,  richly  revested, 
and  so  with  a  reverent  ceremony  went  into  the  city  in  procession,  after  whom 
fi^owed  the  King,  with  his  crown  and  sceptre,  apparelled  in  his  circot  robe 
royal,  accompanied  with  no  small  number  of  the  nobilily  of  his  realm ;  after 
whom  marched  in  order  Queen  Anne,  his  wife,  likewise  crowned,  leading  on 
her  left  hand.  Prince  Edward,  her  son,  having  on  his  head  a  demy  crown 
appointed  for  the  degree  of  a  Prince.  The  King  was  had  in  that  triumph  in 
such  honour,  and  the  common  people  of  the  north  so  rejoiced,  that  they 
extolled  and  praised  him  far  above  the  stars."* 

Tournaments,  masques,  plays,  and  other  diversions,  in  which  all  the  peers 
in  the  kingdom  joined,  took  place  on  this  occasion,  and  so  luxurious  was  the 
feasting,  and  so  prodigious  were  the  sums  of  money  expended,  that  the  royal 
treasury  was  nearly  exhausted,  though  about  that  period  wheat  sold  for  2s. 
a  quarter,  barley  for  Is.  lOd.,  and  oats  for  Is.  2d.  This  monarch  dis- 
tinguished the  city  of  York  by  various  marks  of  royal  munificence,  and  the 
citizens  showed  their  gratitude  by  a  steady  adherence  to  his  interests.  Soon 
after  the  accession  of  Richard,  the  Duke  of  Buckingham  took  up  arms  against 
him,  and  a  proclamation  from  the  King,  declaring  the  Duke  a  traitor,  was 
publicly  read  at  York.  There  were  named  with  him  in  the  proclamation  the 
Marquis  of  Dorset,  Sir  William  Noreys,  Sir  William  Knevet,  and  some 
others  of  the  Duke*s  adherents;  and  a  reward  of  £1000  in  money  was  offered 
in  the  proclamation,  or  £100  a  year  in  land  to  any  person  who  should  bring 
the  Duke  to  justice;  and  1000  marks,  or  100  marks  a  year,  for  the  Marquis. 
In  1485,  Richard  and  Anne,  his  Queen,  visited  Scarborough,  and  resided 
for  some  time  in  the  castle.  The  King  was  very  liberal  to  that  town,  not 
only  adding  to  its  security  by  a  wall  and  bulwark,  but  also  granting  a  charter, 
with  more  extensive  privileges  than  those  of  his  predecessors. 

The  crown  which  he  had  so  iniquitously  obtained,  was  not  preserved  to 
him  long.  On  the  7th  of  August,  1485,  Henry,  Earl  of  Richmond  (the 
representative,  in  right  of  his  mother,  of  the  house  of  Lancaster),  landed  from 
Harfleur,  in  Normandy,  with  an  army,  at  Milford-Haven,  in  South  Wales, 
and  proceeded  to  Lichfield,  his  army  being  augmented  on  the  way.  The 
forces  of  the  King  met  those  of  the  Earl  near  Bosworth,  in  Leicestershire, 

*  Hall's  Chronicle,  p.  380. 


172  OEKfiBAL   HISTORY   OF  TOBKSHIRC* 

on  the  22ad  of  the  same  month,  where  the  battle,  which  determined  the  quarrel 
of  the  two  contending  houses  of  York  and  Lancaster,  was  fought  Richard 
was  slain,  and  his  army  totally  routed.  His  crown,  which  was  found  in  the 
field,  was  immediately  placed  by  Lord  Stanley  on  the  head  of  the  Earl  of 
Richmond,  and  the  army  saluted  him  King.  Richard's  body  was  stripped, 
thrown  across  a  horse  behind  a  pursuivant-at-arms,  and  in  that  manner  con- 
veyed to  Leicester,  where  it  was  exposed  for  two  days  to  public  view,  and 
then  interred  with  litde  ceremony  in  the  church  of  the  Grey  Friars. 

The  accession  of  Henry  VII.  to  the  throne,  and  his  subsequent  marriage 
with  the  Princess  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Edward  IV.,  and  heiress  of  the 
house  of  York,  united  the  interests  of  the  houses  of  York  and  Lancaster,  and 
blended  the  "  two  roses." 

"  The  houses  now  of  York  and  Lancaster, 
Like  bloody  brothers  fighting  for  a  birthright, 
No  more  shall  wound  the  parent  that  would  part  'em. 
0  m  •  m 

We'll  twine  the  roses,  red  and  white,  together, 
And  both  fix>m  one  kind  stalk  shall  ever  flourish."* 

The  Princess  Elizabeth  had  been  sent  by  Richard,  as  a  captive  to  Sheriff 
Mutton  Castle,  near  York ;  and  it  is  said  that  the  tyrannic  Prince  intended 
to  marry  her  himself  (though  she  was  his  niece)  as  a  matter  of  policy.  She 
was  conducted  publicly  to  London,  by  a  numerous  body  of  nobility,  and  her 
marriage  with  the  King  was  soon  after  solemnized.  After  his  marriage,  the 
new  monarch  resolved  to  make  a  progress  through  the  kingdom.  The  na- 
tives of  the  northern  counties  had  been  much  devoted  to  Richard ;  and  Henry 
hoped,  by  spending  some  time  amongst  them,  to  attach  them  to  his  interests. 
Accordingly  he  set  out  with  a  numerous  and  splendid  retinue,  and  visited 
Lincoln,  Nottingham,  and  many  other  places.  At  Pontefract  he  received 
intelligence  that  Lord  Level,  formerly  Chamberlain  to  Richard,  had  raised  a 
force  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Ripon  and  Middleham,  and  was  preparing  to 
surprise  him  at  his  entry  into  York.  The  Duke  of  Bedford,  at  the  head  of 
a  pretty  numerous  body  of  forces,  prepared  to  meet  the  insurgents ;  but  upon 
the  publication  of  an  offer  of  pardon  to  all  who  should  return  to  their  duty, 
the  rebel  army  immediately  dispersed.  Level  himself  escaped  from  the  king- 
dom, and  a  few  of  has  followers  were  executed  by  the  Earl  of  Northumberland. 
The  King  made  his  entry  into  York  with  royal  magnificence.  Three  miles 
from  the  city  he  was  met  by  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Aldermen  on  hoi*seback ; 

*  Shakespeare. 


GENERAL  HISTOBY  OF  TORESHIRE.  173 

at  the  gate  he  was  reeeived  with  a  procession  of  the  clergy,  the  acclamations 
of  the  populace,  and  the  exhibition  of  pageants.  He  spent  three  weeks  in 
the  city,  dispensing  favours,  conferring  honours,  and  redressing  grievances ; 
a  conduct,  the  policy  of  which  was  proved  by  the  loyalty  of  the  country 
during  the  invasion  of  the  following  year.  Amongst  other  favours  granted 
to  the  citizens  of  York,  he  diminished  the  yearly  rent  of  JS160.,  which  they 
paid  to  the  crown,  to  the  small  sum  of  JS18.  5s.* 

The  perpetuation  of  the  crown  in  the  family  of  its  present  possessor  was 
now  threatened  by  the  birth  of  a  Prince ;  and  this  event  uiged  the  enemies 
of  the  King  to  one  of  the  most  extraordinary  attempts  recorded  in  history. 
After  the  death  of  the  Duke  of  Clarence,  brother  to  Edward  lY.,  his  only 
child,  Edward  Plantagenet,  was  created  Earl  of  Warwick,  the  title  borne  by 
his  grandflBtther.  When  Henry  VII.  ascended  the  throne,  this  youthful 
Earl  had  only  reached  his  16th  year ;  and  he  had  been  for  some  time  a 
prisoner  in  the  castle  of  Sheriff  Hutton,  in  which  place  he  had  been  confined 
by  Eichard  HI.,  who  feared  that  he  might  one  day  become  a  dangerous  com- 
petitor for  the  crown.  One  of  the  first  acts  of  the  new  King  was  to  transfer 
the  young  Prince,  from  his  prison  in  Yorkshire,  to  a  place  of  greater  secu- 
rity— ^the  Tower,  he  too  viewing  him  with  peculiar  jealousy ;  and  thus  was 
this  innocent  child  made  a  victim  to  satisfy  the  ambition  of  others. 

One  Richard  Simons,  a  young  priest  of  Oxford,  landed  in  Dublin  with  a 
boy  about  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  presented  him  to  the  Earl  of  Kildare,  the 
Lord  Deputy,  and  the  chief  of  the  Yorkists  in  Ireland,  under  the  name  of 
the  unfortunate  Earl  of  Warwick,  and  implored  the  protection  of  that  noble- 
man for  a  young  and  innocent  Prince,  who,  by  escaping  from  the  Tower,  had 
avoided  the  fate  similar  to  that  of  his  unfortunate  cousins,  the  sons  of 
Edward  lY .  The  boy  was  in  reality  Lambert  Simnel,  the  son  of  a  baker  at 
Oxford,  a  youth  of  handsome  exterior,  good  address,  and  endowments  of  the 
mind  above  his  years ;  and  he  had  been  well  instructed  in  the  part  which  he 
had  to  perform,  as  he  could  relate,  with  apparent  acciuucy,  his  adventures 
at  Sheriff  Hutton,  in  the  Tower,  and  during  his  escape. 

The  Earl  of  Lincoln,  who  had  been  declared  by  Richard  IH.,  heir  pre- 
sumptive to  the  crown,  and  whose  hopes  were  blighted  by  the  accession  of 
Henry,  was  one  of  the  first  that  openly  espoused  the  cause  of  the  impostor. 
The  Earl  embarked  for  Flanders  to  concert  with  his  aunt,  Margaret  of  York, 
Duchess  of  Burgundy,  the  means  of  dethroning  Henry,  and  to  solicit  her 
^support  in  the  undertaking.    The  Duchess,  who  was  sister  to  the  two  late 

•  Bot.  Pari,  vi,  800. 


174  OEKBBAL  HI8T0BT  OF  TORKSHIBE. 

Kings,  and  a  mortal  ememy  to  the  house  of  Lancaster,  immediatelj  agreed 
to  famish  the  Earl  with  2,000  Hurgundian  soldiers.  The  boy  Simnel  was 
introduced  under  his  assumed  name,  to  the  citizens  of  Dublin  and  the 
nobility  of  Ireland,  by  Lord  Thomas  Fitzgerald,  the  Chancellor,  brother  to 
the  Lord  Deputy,  With  the  exception  of  the  Butlers,  the  Bishops  of 
Gashel,  Ologher,  Tuam,  and  Ossoiy,  and  the  citizens  of  Waterlbrd,  the 
rest  of  the  population,  relying  on  the  authority  of  the  Earl  of  Eildare, 
admitted  the  title  of  the  new  Plantagenet  without  doubt  or  investigation ; 
and  having  been  joined  by  the  Earl  of  Lincdn  and  his  Burgundians,  as  well 
as  by  Lord  Lovel  and  others,  he  was  proclaimed  in  Dublin  by  the  style  of 
Edward  YL,  King  of  England  and  France,  and  Lord  of  Ireland^  The 
ceremony  of  coronation  was  performed  by  the  Bishop  of  Meatb,  with  a 
diadem  taken  from  a  statue  of  the  Madona ;  writs  were  even  issued  in  his 
name ;  a  Parliament  was  convoked ;  and  legal  penalties  were  enacted  against 
his  principal  opponents  in  Ireland.  When  the  intelligence  reached  Henry, 
he  conducted  the  real  Earl  pf  Warwick  irom  the  Tower  to  St  Paul's,  that 
he  might  be  publicly  recognized  by  the  citizens ;  and  took  him  with  him  to 
the  palace  of  Shene,  where  he  conversed  daily  with  the  noblemen  and  others 
who  visited  the  court  This  prudent  measure  satisfied  the  people  of  England. 
They  laughed  at  the  imposture  in  Ireland,  whilst  the  Irish  maintained  that 
theirs  was  the  real,  and  that  the  boy  at  Shene  was  the  pretended  Plantagenet. 
The  rebels  now  resolved  to  make  an  attempt  on  England,  and  the  Earl  of 
Lincoln  being  appointed  commander  in  chief,  landed  with  an  army  of  8,000 
Gennan  and  Irish  troops,  at  the  Pile  of  Foudray,  in  Lancashire.  At  Swart- 
more,  near  Ulverstone,  the  rebels  were  joined  by  the  tenantry  of  Sir  Thomas 
Broughton,  and  here  the  impostor  was  again  proclaimed.  The  Earl  expected 
that  the  people  of  the  north  would  rise  and  join  him  as  he  marched  along, 
but  in  this  he  was  disappointed,  but  not  dismayed,  lor  he  resolved  to  march 
directly  towards  the  King  and  give  him  battle.  They  now  commenced  their 
march  towards  York,  after  sending  a  letter  addressed  to  the  Lord  Mayor  and 
Corporation  of  that  city,  commanding  that  lodgings,  victuals,  &c.,  should  be 
provided  for  them.  This  was  immediately  communicated  to  Henry,  who 
without  delay  proceeded  to  York,  where  an  attempt  was  made  to  seize  his 
person  whilst  he  was  solemnizing  the  festival  of  St  Ge<»^,  and  it  certainly 
would  have  been  successful  had  not  the  Earl  of  Northumberland  rescued  him. 
This  rebellion  was  not  repressed  until  an  obstinate  contest  took  place  at 
the  village  of  Stoke,  within  a  few  miles  of  Newark,  on  the  6th  of  June,  1487. 

•  Baeon,  14, 15.    Polydor,  668. 


OENERAL  HI8T0BT  OF  TOBSSHIBE.  176 

Daring  the  space  of  three  hours  the  victoij  was  doubtful,  but  at  length  the 
rebels  were  entirely  routed  with  a  loss  of  half  their  number ;  and  the  Earl  of 
Lincoln,  Sir  Thomas  Broughton,  and  most  of  the  other  leaders,  were  slain 
on  the  field  of  battle,*  Several  of  the  principal  insurgents  were  afterwards 
banged  upon  a  gibbet  at  Yorkf  Simons  and  his  pupil  surrendered  to  one  of 
the  King's  esquires.  The  priest  was  made  to  confess  the  imposture,  and  then 
thrown  into  prison,  in  which  he  perished ;  but  the  pretended  Edward  VI. 
obtained  his  pardon,  was  made  a  scullion  in  the  royal  kitchen,  and  after- 
wards, in  reward  of  his  good  conduct,  was  raised  to  the  office  of  falconer. 

The  real  object  of  this  most  serio-comic  proceeding  must  for  ever  remain  a 
mystery.  There  is  no  doubt  of  its  having  been  a  deeply  laid  plot  to  annoy 
if  not  to  dethrone  the  King,  on  the  part  of  the  adherents  of  the  house  of 
York.  But  why  personate  a  prince  who  was  still  living,  and  who  might  any 
day  be  confronted  with  the  impostor?  The  Eail  of  Lincdn  had  seen  and 
convened  with  the  real  Earl  of  Warwick  at  Shene ;  and  the  Earl  of  KiUare 
and  many  others  were  doubtless  in  the  secret.  Several  reasons  have  been 
assigned  for  these  strange  proceedings,  but "  the  least  improbable  is,"  writes 
Dr.  liingaid,  "  that  which  supposes  that  the  finamers  of  the  plot  designed,  if 
it  succeeded,  to  place  the  real  Warwick  on  the  throne ;  but  that,  sensible  how 
much  they  should  endanger  his  life,  if  they  were  to  proclaim  him  while  he 
was  in  the  Tower,  they  set  up  a  counterfeit  Warwick,  and  by  this  conlrivanoe 
made  it  the  interest  of  Henry  to  pi>Bserve  the  true  one."| 

In  the  Parliament  hdd  in  the  fourth  year  of  this  reign,  the  King  was 
granted  a  subsidy  for  carrying  on  the  war  in  Bretagne.  This  land  tax  was 
found  so  heavy  in  this  part  of  the  kingdom,  that  the  people  of  Yorkshire  and 
Durham  refused  to  pay  it  The  Earl  of  Northumberland,  then  Lord  Lieu- 
tenant*  wrote  to  inform  the  King  of  the  discontent,  and  praying  an  abate- 
menty  but  that  avaricious  monarch  would  not  abate  a  penny.  The  message 
being  dalivedred  by  the  Ea3:l  with  too  little  caution,  to  the  inflammable  popu- 
bwob  who  had  assembled  in  a  tumultuous  nuumer  around  his  house^  at  Cook 
Lodges  near  Thirak,  to  complain  of  the  grievance;  the  incensed  rabble, 
supposing  him  to  be  one  of  the  chief  advisers  of  that  measure,  immediately 
broke  into  the  house,  and  murdered  the  unfortunate  Earl  with  many  of  his 
8crvants.§  This  sad  catastrophe  ocoorred  on  the  feast  of  St  Vitalis  the 
Mar^,  A^ril  SSth,  1489.    Thus  perished  Henry  Percy,  the  fourth  Eaxl  of 

•  BipiD,  vol  i,  19. 606, 660.    Hall,  fid.  6.    Baosn,  666,  667.    HoUinahed,  p.  1461,  Ae. 

t  Hist  CnqrLoonld. 
t  Hirt.  Bag.,  vol.  v.,  p.  666,  Ufp.  8vo.         I  DugJale's  Baroniffe. 


176  GENERAL  HI8T0BT  OF  T0BK8HIBS. 

NorthomberlAtid)  a  most  exemplary  nobleman,  and  one  who  enjoyed  a  high 
degree  of  popular  fieiTOur.  How  truly  has  a  witty  writer  said  lately,  that 
"  popularity  is  a  popular  error."  The  murdered  Earl  was  buried  at  Beverly 
Minster,  with  great  pomp  and  ceremony.  But  the  matter  ended  not  here ; 
for  being  inflamed  by  one  John  ^  Chambre,  a  man  of  mean  extraction,  but 
who  was  much  esteemed  by  the  common  people,  they  chose  for  their  leader 
Sir  John  Egremont,  and  openly  erected  the  standard  of  rebellion,  declaring 
their  intention  of  marching  against  Henry  himself.  His  Miyesty  hearing  of 
this  insurrection,  sent  Thomas,  Earl  of  Surrey,  with  a  competent  force,  to 
repress  the  rebels.  The  Earl  defeated  them,  and  John  k  Chambre,  and 
several  of  his  adherents,  were  executed  at  York,  with  great  solemnity ;  the 
former  on  a  gallows  of  extraordinary  height,  and  the  others  were  suspended 
around  him.  The  rest  of  the  malcontents  dispersed,  while  Sir  John  Egre- 
mont  was  fortunate  enough  to  escape  into  Flanders,  where  he  obtained 
protection  from  Margaret,  Duchess  of  Burgundy.  Henry,  on  this  occasion, 
visited  York,  in  order  to  pacify  that  cify  aod  county ;  he  appointed  the  Earl 
of  Surrey,  President  of  the  North,  and  Sir  Richard  Tunstal,  his  chief  com- 
missioner, to  levy  the  tax  without  any  abatement.  The  firm  conduct  of  the 
King  so  damped  the  spirits  of  the  northern  malcontents,  that,  in  all  the 
future  rebellions  during  his  reign,  they  approved  themselves  fedthful  and 
loyal  subjects. 

One  would  have  imagined  that  from  the  ill  success  of  Simnel*s  imposture 
few  would  be  willing  to  embark  in  another  of  a  similar  kind ;  but  this  was 
indeed  a  reign  of  plots,  treasons,  insurrections,  impostures,  and  executions, 
though  no  prince  ever  loved  peace  more  than  Henry  did.  The  old  Duchess 
of  Burgundy,  the  fomenter  and  promoter  of  the  King  Simnel  enterprise, 
procured  a  report  to  be  spread  that  the  young  Duke  of  York,  said  to  have 
been  murdered  in  the  Tower  by  command  of  Richard  m.,  was  still  living. 
This  rumour  being  greedily  received — ^the  English  being  ever  ready  to  give 
credit  to  absurdities — a  young  man  about  twenty  years  of  age,  of  handsome 
features,  graceful  air,  easy  manners,  courtly  address,  and  elegant  conversation, 
was  landed  at  the  Cove  of  Cork,  from  a  merchant  trading  vessel  from  Lisbon. 
It  was  soon  whispered  about  that  the  mysterious  stranger  was,  Richard 
Duke  of  York,  the  second  son  of  Edward  IV.  The  English  settlers  in  Ire- 
land were  warmly  attached  to  the  house  of  York,  and  hence  has  that  country 
been  selected  as  the  theatre  upon  which  was  to  be  performed  the  first  act  in 
the  exploits  of  this  pretender,  as  well  as  the  opening  scene  of  the  Simnel 
£urce.  After  the  Earl  of  Desmond  and  the  citizens  of  Cork  had  declared  in 
his  fitvour,  he  accepted  an  invitation  from  the  ministers  of  Charles  m.  to 


GENERAL  HISTORY   OF  TORKSHIRE.  177 

visit  France,  and  place  himself  under  the  protection  of  that  monarch.  For 
some  time  he  was  treated  by  Charles  as  the  real  Doke  of  York,  and  heir  to 
the  English  throne;  and  for  his  greater  security,  a  guard  of  honour  was 
allotted  to  him. 

Leaying  France,  we  find  him  under  the  protection  of  the  Duchess  of 
Bui^ndy,  who  received  him  with  joy,  appointed  him  a  guard  of  thirty  hal- 
berdiers, and  gave  him  the  surname  of  "  The  White  Rose  of  England."  Her 
conduct  alarmed  Henry,  and  revived  the  hopes  of  his  enemies.  Could  the 
aunt,  it  was  asked,  be  deceived  as  to  the  identity  of  her  nephew,  or  could  she 
countenance  an  impostor?  Henry  spared  neither  pains  nor  expense  to 
unravel  the  mystery;  and  the  Yorkists  were  equally  active.  The  royal 
emissaries  reported  that  the  impostor  was  the  son  of  a  converted  Jew,  who 
had  been  over  to  England  in  the  reign  of  Edward  IV. ;  that  he  was  a  native 
of  the  city  of  Toumay,  and  that  his  real  name  was  Perkin  Warbeck.  Sir 
Robert  Clifford,  the  secret  agent  of  the  Y^orkists,  had  seen  ^*  the  white  rose," 
and  had  heard  from  himself,  and  from  his  aunt,  the  history  of  his  adventures  ; 
and  he  assured  his  employers  in  England,  that  the  claim  of  the  new  Duke  of 
York  was  indisputable.  The  spies  of  Henry  discovered  the  English  partisans 
of  the  pretender,  and  in  one  day  Lord  Fitzwalter,  Sir  Simon  Montford,  Sir 
Thomas  Thwaites,  several  clergymen,  and  others,  were  apprehended  on  the 
charge  of  high  treason.  Their  correspondence  with  the  friends  of  the  pre- 
tender in  Flanders  was  considered  a  sufficient  proof  of  their  guilt ;  and  all 
received  judgment  of  death.  Some  of  them  suffered  immediately,  and  the 
rest  were  pardoned.  Sir  William  Stanley  too,  Henry *s  Lord  Chamberlain, 
was  convicted  of  the  same  crime,  and  decapitated. 

Three  years  had  now  elapsed  since  the  pretender  first  set  forth  his  claim ; 
and  yet  he  had  never  made  any  attempt  to  establish  it  by  legal  proof,  or  to 
enforce  it  by  an  appeal  to  the  sword.  At  length  he  sailed  from  the  coast  of 
Flandere,  with  a  few  hundreds  of  adventurers  attached  to  his  fortunes,  and 
made  an  unsuccessful  descent  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Deal.  The  inhabitants 
attacked  the  invaders,  made  169  prisoners,  and  drove  the  remainder  into  their 
boats.  All  the  captives  were  hanged,  by  order  of  Henry.  Warbeck  then 
sailed  to  Lreland,  and  with  the  aid  of  tlie  Eari  of  Desmond,  laid  siege  to 
Waterford.  Here  again  he  fiedled,  and  then  returned  to  Flanders.  Soon 
after  he  sailed  to  Cork,  but  the  natives  of  that  ''  beautifiil  city  "  refused  to 
venture  their  lives  in  his  service.  From  Cork  he  passed  to  Scotland,  and 
was  received  with  great  cordiality  by  James  IV.,  the  King  of  that  country, 
who  was  seduced  to  believe  the  story  of  his  birth ;  and  he  carried  his  con- 
fidence so  liur  as  to  give  him  in  marriage  his  near  relation,  Lady  Catherine 


178  OEKERAL   HISTORY   OF   YORKSHIRE. 

Gordon,  daughter  of  the  Earl  of  Huntlej.  But  not  content  with  these 
instances  of  favour,  James  resolved  to  attempt  settling  him  on  the  throne  of 
England.  Warbeck  had  mustered  under  his  standard  1,400  men,  outlaws 
from  all  nations ;  to  these  James  added  all  the  forces  it  was  in  his  power  to 
raise ;  and  the  combined  army  crossed  the  border.  Thej  were  preceded  by 
a  proclamation,  in  which  the  pretender  was  styled  "  Richard,  by  the  grace  of 
God,  King  of  England  and  France,  Lord  of  Ireland,  and  Prince  of  Wales." 
But  the  proclamation  had  no  effect.  It  was  expected  that  the  country  would 
rise,  when  called  upon ;  but  the  adventurer's  pretensions  were  now  become 
stale — the  novelty  of  the  thing  had  worn  away — and  not  a  sword  was  un- 
sheathed in  favour  of  the  white  rose.  The  Scots,  to  repay  themselves,  pillaged 
the  country  without  mercy,  and  returned,  laden  with  spoils,  to  their  homes. 
We  soon  after  find  this  restless  adventurer,  under  the  title  of  Bichard  IV., 
at  the  head  of  6,000  of  the  men  of  Cornwall,  before  the  gates  of  Exeter, 
where  failure  marked  his  progress.  At  Taunton  he  perceived  the  approach 
of  the  royal  army,  commanded  by  the  Lord  Chamberlain  and  Lord  Brooke ; 
and  at  midnight,  leaving  his  followers  to  their  fate,  he  rode  away  with  a  guard 
of  sixty  men  to  the  sanctuary  of  Beaulieu,  in  Hampshire.  In  the  morning 
the  insurgents  submitted  to  the  royal  mercy,  and  the  ringleaders  were  hanged. 
Upon  receiving  a  promise  that  liis  life  should  be  spared,  Warbeck  surrendered 
himself  to  the  King,  who  ordered  him  to  be  confined  vnthin  the  precincts  of 
the  palace. 

Having  grown  weary  of  confinement  in  the  palace,  he,  at  the  end  of  six 
months,  attempted  to  escape,  but  failed ;  and  for  this  he  was  placed  in  the 
stocks  at  Westminster  and  Cheapside,  and  then  committed  to  the  Tower. 
The  real  Earl  of  Warwick,  and  the  pretended  Duke  of  York,  were  now  fellow- 
prisoners  in  the  Tower.  They  soon  contracted  a  mutual  friendship  for  each 
other.  Warbeck  and  he  entered  into  a  conspiracy,  with  four  of  the  warders, 
to  murder  the  governor,  effect  their  escape,  and  make  another  attempt  to  seize 
the  crown.  This  plot  being  discovered,  they  were  both  brought  to  trial,  con- 
demned, and  executed.  Whilst  Warbeck  and  Warwick  were  plotting  in  the 
Tower,  a  person  of  the  name  of  Halph  Wulford  attempted  to  personate  the 
young  Prince,  but  he  was  soon  apprehended,  and  he  paid  with  his  life  the 
forfeit  of  his  temerity. 

The  Princess  Margaret,  Henry's  eldest  daughter,  a  beautiful  girl  in  her 
18th  year,  when  on  a  journey  into  Scotland,  in  order  to  consummate  her 
marriage  with  James  IV.,  visited  York,  on  the  14th  July,  1503,  accompanied 
by  a  train  of  600  lords  and  ladies.  On  this  occasion  the  citizens  testified 
their  loyalty  to  Heniy  by  paying  her  the  most  marked  attention.    The 


GENERAL  HISTORY   OE   TORESHIRE.  179 

Sheriff,  attended  bj  about  100  lords,  ladies,  and  gentlemen,  on  horseback, 
met  her  at  Tadcaster  Bridge,  and  the  cavalcade  proceeded  till  it  amved 
within  a  mile  of  the  citj.  '*  So  great  were  the  preparations  within  the  walls 
of  the  northern  metropolis,"  writes  Miss  Strickland,  in  her  Lives  of  the 
Queens  of  England,  <'  that  she  found  it  necessary  to  change  her  dress ;  for 
which  purpose  she  retired  to  her  litter,  where,  assisted  by  her  tirewomen,  she 
performed  her  toilette  bj  the  wayside.  All  her  ladies  and  maidens  likewise 
refreshed  their  habiliments,  and  when  they  considered  themselves  sufficiently 
brightened  and  cleansed  from  the  dust  and  stains  of  travel,  York  gates  were 
opened,  and  a  grand  procession  of  civH  magnates  and  gallant  Yorkshire 
oavaliers  poured  forth  to  meet  and  welcome  the  royal  train.  The  citizens 
were  headed  by  the  Lord  Mayor  of  York  and  the  chivalry  of  the  Earl  of 
Northumberland.  In  fair  order  did  Queen  Margaret  enter  York,  her  min- 
strels  singing,  her  trumpets  and  sackbuts  playing,  and  the  high  woods 
resounding,  banners  and  bandroles  waving ;  coats  of  arms  unrolled  to  the 
light  of  the  sun  setting ;  rich  maces  in  hand,  and  brave  horsemen  curvetting 
and  bounding.  York  was  crowded  with  the  gentry  from  the  East  and  West 
Ridings.  My  Lord  of  Northumberland  and  my  Lord  Mayor  did  their  best 
to  make  Queen  Margaret*s  reception  expensive  and  splendid,  but  as  they  did 
not  produce  any  striking  variation  in  their  pageantry,  it  need  not  be  dwelt 
upon.  The  young  Queen  was  received  in  the  palace  of  the  Archbishop  of 
York,  after  her  fatiguing  day  was  done.  In  the  morning,  that  prelate  led 
her  to  high  mass  in  York  Minster.  Margaret  was  gloriously  attired  in  cloth 
of  gold  on  this  occasion,  her  gown  being  belted  with  a  precious  girdle  studded 
with  coloured  gems ;  the  ends  of  her  belt  himg  down  to  the  ground ;  her 
necklace  was  very  splendid,  full  of  orient  stones.  As  she  went  from  the 
palace  to  the  Minster,  the  Countess  of  Surrey  bore  her  train,  and  after  them 
followed  her  ladies,  all  very  richly  attired,  in  goodly  gowns  tied  with  great 
gold  chains  or  girdle  belts,  with  the  ends  hanging  down  to  the  earth.  When 
mass  was  done.  Queen  Margaret  gave  reception  in  the  great  ante-room  of  the 
Archbishop's  Palace,  holding  a  drawing-room,  as  it  would  be  called  in  modem 
phraseology.  Here,  my  lady,  the  Countess  of  Northiunberland  was  pre- 
sented to  her,  being  weU  accompanied  with  knights  and  gentlemen.  The 
young  Queen  of  Scotland  kissed  her  for  the  welcoming  she  gave  her."  Mar- 
garet remained  at  York  from  Saturday  till  Monday,  and  was  presented  with 
a  silver  cup  ornamented  with  gold.  Upon  taking  leave  of  the  Corporation, 
when  she  reached  Clifton,  on  her  journey  northward,  she  made  the  following 
coarteous  but  laconic  speech ;  "  My  Lord  Mayor,  your  brethren,  and  all  the 
whole  city  of  York,  I  shall  evermore  endeavour  to  love  you,  and  this  city,  as 


180  GENERAL  HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE. 

long  as  life  itself."  York  was  the  second  of  the  ten  staple  towns  which 
Heniy  VU.  established  in  England,  with  a  view  to  the  promotion  of  trade. 
These  ten  towns  were  endowed  with  peculiar  commercial  privileges,  as  marts 
where  foreigners  might  find  the  commodities  of  the  country  in  abundance. 
During  the  remainder  of  the  reign  of  this  monarch  the  annals  of  York 
contain  no  important  transaction. 

In  1509,  Henry  VIII.,  then  only  sixteen  years  of  age,  succeeded  to  the 
throne  on  the  death  of  his  father.  In  the  course  of  this  year,  or,  according 
to  some  authorities,  in  1507,  Hugo  Bois,  or  Goes,  the  son  of  an  ingeniooB 
printer  at  Antwerp,  established  a  printing  press  at  York,  being  shortly  after 
the  invention  of  printing,  and  contemporaneous  with  Wynkyn  de  Worde. 
According  to  some,  Bois  had  his  press  in  the  Minster  yard,  in  or  near  St 
William*8  College,  on  the  same  site  upon  which  the  royal  printing  presses 
were  erected  in  164d,  whilst  Charles  I.  was  at  York ;  but  other  accounts 
state  that  Bois's  press  stood  in  Stonegate,  in  the  house  known  as  Mulberry 
or  Mowbray  Hall. 

William  Caxton,  a  London  merchant,  who  had  attached  himself  to  the 
service  of  Margaret,  Countess  of  Richmond,  mother  of  King  Henry  VU.,  and 
had  travelled  much  on  the  continent  of  Europe,  first  introduced  the  art  of 
printing  into  England,  about  the  year  1474.*  By  the  desire  of  his  illustrious 
patroness,  Caxton  contrived  to  make  himself  acquainted  with  the  mechanism 
of  the  art  in  Germany ;  from  which  country  he  returned  to  England,  pro 
\ided  with  types,  presses,  &c,,  which  he  erected  in  one  of  the  chapels  within 
Westminster  Abbey  (encouraged  by  Thomas  Milling,  the  then  Abbot),  sup- 
posed by  some  to  be  the  almonry,  and  there  be  produced  the  first  specimen 
of  English  typography.  The  "  Game  and  Play  of  Chesse  "  was  printed  in 
that  year,  and  was  the  first  book  ever  printed  in  these  kingdoms.  In  a  few 
years  after,  the  "mystery  of  printing,"  as  it  was  then  called,  was  introduced 
into  Oxford  and  St.  Albans.  The  first  specimen  of  Oxford  workmanship  ia 
dated  1478,  and  the  first  book  printed  at  St.  Albans  is  dated  1480.  York, 
as  we  have  seen,  procured  itself  the  advantage  of  the  press  in  1507  or  1500 ; 
Cambridge  in  1521 ;  Tavistock  in  1535  ;  and  Canterbury  and  other  towns, 
at  periods  considerably  later.  The  press  made  very  little  progress  in  England 
during  the  latter  end  of  the  15  th  and  nearly  the  whole  of  the  16tk  century. 
The  first  complete  version  of  the  Bible  was  published  on  the  4th  of  October, 
1535. 

•  Caxton  died  in  1491,  and  was  buried  in  St.  Margaret's  ehuroh,  Weatminster. 


GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  YORKSHIRE.  181 

York  and  the  Ainsty  contributed  500  men  to  the  army  that  fought  against 
the  Scots,  under  the  Earl  of  Surrey,  and  gained  the  memorable  yictory  of 
Flodden  Field,  on  the  9th  of  September,  1618.  In  this  battle  James  lY., 
King  of  Scotland,  Henry's  brother-in-law,  was  slain.  His  body  was  conveyed 
to  York,  and  there  exposed  to  public  view,  till  Henry's  return  from  France, 
when  it  was  presented  to  him  at  Richmond,  in  Surrey. 

In  1581  the  city  of  York  obtained  an  Act  of  Parliament  "  for  amending 
the  rivers  Ouse  and  Humber,  and  for  pulling  down  and  avoiding  of  fish- 
garths,  piles,  stakes,  and  other  things  set  in  the  said  rivers."  Previous  to 
this  year  there  were  fish-garths  in  these  rivers,  which  were  so  injurious  to 
the  tnule  of  York,  by  preventing  the  free  passage  of  ships  to  that  city,  that 
the  Lord  Mayor  and  commonalty  petitioned  Parliament  for  this  Act,  for  the 
removal  of  the  obstructions. 

In  the  d4th  of  this  reign  (1588),  the  price  of  provisions  was  fixed,  as  fol- 
lows :-^beef  and  pork,  at  a  halfpenny  a  pound ;  veal  and  mutton,  at  a  half- 
penny and  half  a  farthing  >  hens,  a  penny  each ;  geese,  two-pence  each ; 
butter,  sixpence  a  stone ;  and  cheese,  eighteen-pence  a  stone ;  with  all  other 
articles  in  proportion.  The  shilling  of  that  day  was  worth  about  five  times 
that  sum  in  our  present  money. 

The  suppression  of  the  monasteries,  which  commenced  in  1585,  excited  a 
great  sensation  in  Yorkshire,  and  all  throughout  the  northern  counties. 
Before  this  period,  the  King  was  a  disputant  on  tenets  of  religion,  with 
Martin  Luther,  having  written  a  book  of  controversy,  still  extant,  entitled 
"  A  Defence  of  the  Seven  Sacraments,  by  King  Henry  VLLL. ;"  for  the  merit 
of  which  the  Pope  and  Sacred  College  granted  him  the  distinguished  title  of 
King  Defender  of  the  Faiths — "  Rex  Fidei  Defensor."  Thus  it  is  clear  that 
Henry  was  originally  a  strenuous  advocate  of  the  Catholic  church ;  but  the 
Pope's  refusal  to  grant  him  a  divorce  from  his  lawful  wife,  Catherine,  excited 
hie  ire  to  such  a  pitch,  that  he  resolved  to  try  whether  Acts  of  Parliament 
did  not  possess  the  talismanic  power  of  deputing  or  constituting  himself  head 
of  the  church,  instead  of  the  Pope.  Accordingly,  in  1582,  an  Act  was  passed 
for  extinguishing  the  payment  of  Annates,  or  first-fruits  to  the  see  of  Rome, 
and  was  followed  by  another  statute,  prohibiting  the  Pope  from  interfering 
in  the  nomination  of  Bishops;  and  the  Pai*liament,  which  met  in  1584, 
ratified  and  established  the  King's  claim  of  Supreme  Head  of  the  Church. 
Acts  were  also  passed  for  taking  away  the  benefit  of  sanctuary ;  for  giving 
the  first-fruits  to  the  King,  and  for  making  a  provision  for  suffragan  Bishops. 
Having  now  proved  the  flexibility  of  his  Parliament,  and  being  either  aware 
that  his  revenues  were  not  adequate  to  gratify  his  insatiable  propensity  for 


183  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  YORKSHIRE. 

diversions,  feastiag,  gaining,  and  public  shows ;  or,  prompted  by  inordinate 
avarice,  he  next  turned  his  thoughts  to  the  religious  and  charitable  institu- 
tions of  the  country,  and  first  obtained  an  Act  for  the  suppression  of  the 
smaller  monasteries.':'  He  afterwards  ordered  Articles  of  AlteratUms  in  Ba- 
Ugioua  Doctrines  to  be  exhibited,  and  they  were  signed  by  18  Bishops,  40 
Abbots  and  Priors,  7  Deans,  17  Proctors,  and  1  Master  of  a  College.  Most 
of  the  larger  monasteries  were  dissolved  in  1540,  and  surrendered  to  the 
King ;  and  thus  the  foundations,  made  by  the  piety  and  wisdom  of  our  fore- 
fiithers,  for  the  benefit  of  religion,  learning,  and  the  reUef  of  the  poor,  lost 
the  stability  of  their  settlements,  and  were  laid  at  the  mercy  of  a  cruel,  disso- 
lute, and  licentious  monarch ;  the  "  only  Prince  in  modem  times  who  carried 
judicial  murder  into  his  bed,  and  imbrued  his  hands  in  the  blood  of  those  he 
caressed."!  No  one  surely  can  suppose  that  in  Henry's  newly-acquired  taste 
for  sacrilege  and  church  ^plunder,  he  had  any  regard  for  rehgion  or  Ghod's 
honour  ;|  for,  as  Bishop  Fisher  truly  said,  "  it  is  not  so  much  the  good  as 
the  goods  of  the  church,  that  he  looked  after."  And  although  the  confiscation 
was  a  deserved  vengeance,  if  the  gifts  of  the  pious  founders  were  being 
abused,  yet  it  **  was  an  mcrease  of  guilt  in  the  King  and  Parliament,  who, 
by  not  preventing  the  abuse,  had  made  themselves  partakers.in  the  sin." 

In  the  reign  of  Henry  V.,  York  contained,  besides  the  Cathedral,  forty-one 
parish  churches,  seventeen  chapels,  sixteen  hospitals,  and  nine  monasteries, 
or  convents,  consequently  the  suppression  of  the  religious  houses  inflicted  a 
terrible  blow  on  the  grandeur  of  that  city.  '*It  cannot  be  denied,"  ob- 
serves Drake,  "  that  after  the  dissolution  of  the  monasteries  by  King  Henry 
Vm.,  with  the  chantries,  chapels,  hospitals,  and  other  houses,  for  the 

*  Bishop  Tanner,  Notit.,  p.  23,  says,  that  the  Act  for  the  suppression  of  the  lesser 
monasteries  was  passed  about  March,  1535.  Spelman,  in  his  Histoiy  of  Sacrilege,  p. 
183,  tells  us,  that  the  bill  stuck  long  in  the  House  of  Commons,  and  would  not  pass,  till 
the  King  sent  for  the  members  of  that  house,  and  told  them  he  would  have  the  bill 
pass,  or  have  some  of  their  heads. 

t  Mc'Intosh's  History  of  England. 

I  **  Men  gave  their  lands,  as  they  declared  in  the  deed  of  gift, '  for  the  glory  of  God,' 
and  they  charged  what  they  so  gave  with  the  maintenance  of  masses ;  if  reformation  had 
been  desired,  this  condition  would  have  been  repealed ;  but  this  would  not  have  gorged 
that  flfttal  covetousness,  which,  by  confiscating  the  endowments,  ran  headlong  into  the 
guilt  of  sacrilege.  But  again,  was  all  the  confiscated  property  of  the  nature  above 
described?  Our  own  experience  can  answer.  Were  the  tithes  (now  impropriated)  of 
much  more  than  half  the  parishes  of  England,  given  to  superstitious  uses  ?  Were  the 
glebe  lands,  and  glebe  houses,  of  our  poor  vicarages  (now  in  the  hands  of  laymen), 
superstitious  and  unholy  things  7  This  part  at  least  of  the  spoil  was  taken  strictly  fhxm 
the  clergy."— ^Tiffter/orw. 


GENERAL   HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE.  183 

sustenance  of  the  poor,  that  this  famous,  and  then  flourishing  city  received  a 
terrible  shock,  by  the  tearing  up  of  those  foundations.  No  sooner  was  this 
mandate  given  here,  but  down  fell  the  monasteries,  the  hospitals,  chapels, 
and  priories  in  this  city,  and  with  them,  for  company  I  suppose,  eighteen 
parish  churches,  the  materials  and  revenues  of  all  being  converted  to  secular 
uses."* 

"  The  dissolution  of  the  religious  houses  in  England  is  one  of  the  most 
important  events  recorded  in  our  national  history,"  writes  Mr.  G.  S.  Phillips,f 
in  his  OtUde  to  Peterborough  Cathedral.  ''It  changed  the  whole  aspect  of  civil 
and  ecclesiastical  affairs,  and  produced  an  entire  revolution  in  the  scheme  of 
l^slation.  Those  institutions,  which  had  prospered  in  our  island  for  cen- 
turies, were  all  rooted  up  and  destroyed,  and  that  too  by  the  imperious  fiat  of 
a  monster, — ^second  to  none  in  infamy,  cruelty,  and  crime.  With  a  heart 
brutalized  by  sensuality, — ^with  feelings  unacquainted  with  the  common 
sympathies  of  our  nature, — and  with  passions  unaccustomed  to  controul, — 
Henry  VIII.  ascended  the  throne  of  England,  a  fit  instrument  for  the  perse- 
cutions and  horrors  which  he  accomplished.  He  was  brought  up  a  Catholic, 
and  originally  destined  for  the  Boman  church.  When  he  ascended  the 
throne,  he  marri^  Catherine  of  Arragon,  who  was  the  reputed  widow  of  his 
brother  Arthur.  This  event  was  hailed  with  joy  by  the  people,  and  was 
sanctioned  by  the  papal  authority.  The  reader  will  bear  in  mind  the  fact  of 
this  marriage,  as  it  was  one  of  the  chief  causes  of  the  revolutions  which 
we  have  just  mentioned.  The  person  whom  Henry  appointed  his  Prime 
Minister  was  Wolsey,  a  man  of  low  origin,  but  possessed  of  extraordinary 
talent,  which  gave  him  immense  influence  with  his  Sovereign.  It  was  he 
who  directed  the  movements  of  the  whole  machinery  of  the  state ;  and  being 
made  a  Cardinal  by  the  Pope,  exercised  little  less  than  absolute  authority 
over  the  religion  of  the  country.  The  pomp  and  splendour  of  his  retinue  was 
equal,  if  not  superior,  to  that  of  the  King.  He  held  in  his  hands  the  des- 
tinies of  all  the  nobles  by  whom  he  was  surrounded ; — ^his  word  was  £Bite ; — 
his  will,  law.  It  cannot  be  surprising,  then,  that  a  Catholic,  possessed  of 
such  vast  influence,  should  have  been  the  stay  and  bulwark  of  his  religion; 
and  it  is  very  probable  that  if  Wolsey  had  never  lived,  Catholicism  would 
have  had  a  shorter  duration  than  it  obtained  in  the  reign  of  Henry;  for  men*s 
actions  are  always  obedient  to  the  circumstances  in  which  they  are  placed, 
as  the  conduct  of  Henry  will  sufficiently  testify. 

•  Eboracom,  p.  286. 

f  Author  of  the  Hfe  of  Wordtwarth,  &c.,  and  at  present  Lecturer  to  the  Yorkshire 
Union  of  Mechanics'  Institutes. 


184  GENERAL   HISTOBY   OF  YORKSHIRE. 

Hitherto  then  we  perceive  that  Heniy  and  Catholicism  were  at  peace.  He 
was  not  yet  placed  in  that  situation  which  afterwards  made  him  declare  war 
against  it.  The  continental  Reformers  only  excited  his  destructiveness,  and 
Luther*s  writings,  which  were  making  their  way  into  England  with  an 
astonishing  rapidity,  caused  him  to  write  a  hook  against  the  new  doctrines 
which  Luther  taught  and  promulgated.  All  these  circimistances  then  were 
working  in  favour  of  the  Catholic  rehgion:  but  the  time  was  soon  to 
come,  when  more  powerful  influences  were  to  operate  upon  the  King,  and 
stronger  motives  were  to  direct  his  movements.  Queen  Catherine,  who  had 
heen  married  to  Henry  a  great  number  of  years,  at  length  displeased  him ; 
and  he  affected  to  have,  at  this  remote  period,  such  strong  compunctions 
about  his  marriage  with  her,  on  account  of  her  being  his  brother  s  widow, 
that  nothing  but  a  divorce  could  make  him  happy.  The  secret  cause,  how- 
ever, of  this  sudden  change,  was  discovered  in  his  affection  for  Anne  Boleyn. 
In  order  to  obtain  the  divorce,  he  applied  to  the  Pope,  who  refusing  to  grant 
it,  Henry  appealed  to  the  Universities  as  a  last  resource,  and  they  declared 
his  marriage  with  Catherine  illegal.  During  this  debate  about  the  l^ality 
of  the  marriage,  sprung  up  Cranmer,  the  most  weak,  cruel,  and  bigoted  of 
Henry *s  accompHces.  It  was  he  who  divorced  the  Queen,  and  for  this  ser- 
vice he  was  soon  after  appointed  arbiter  of  civil  and  religious  affairs.  Wolsey 
feU  from  power  with  the  Queen ;  for  not  daring  to  offend  the  Pope,  and 
relying  on  his  influence  with  his  Sovereign,  he  overreached  himsdf,  by 
tampering  with  the  King  too  long, — and  ultimately  fell  a  victim  to  his  own 
subtilty.  Thus  the  principal  support  of  the  Catholic  rehgion  was  lopped 
away,  and  the  King  having  been  excommunicated  by  the  Pope,  set  his 
threats  at  defiance, — ^made  a  new  creed  for  his  subjects,  and  ordered  Cranmer 
to  bum  and  destroy  all  who  did  not  immediately  become  converts  to  it.  He 
finally  threw  off  all  submission  to  the  Pope,  and  resolving  to  show  how  little 
he  regard^  his  authority,  he  broke  up  all  the  monastic  institutions  of  the 
country, — ^robbed  them  of  their  wealth, — and  put  most  of  the  monks  to 
death." 

The  Rev.  John  Tickell,  in  his  History  of  Kingstofi'Upon-HtiU,*  says,  '*The 
Monks  were  historians,  the  Abbots  excellent  landlords ;  and  in  general  they 
were  remarkable  for  an  universal  hospitality.  In  order,  however,  that  the 
suppression  of  the  monasteries  might  be  received  with  less  concern,  Heniy 
made  use  of  an  artifice.  He  caused  a  report  to  be  spread,!  that  the  kingdom 
was  going  to  be  invaded  by  several  Princes,  at  the  instigation  of  the  Pope 

•  pp.  180, 181.        f  Stowe,  p.  ^76. 


GENERAL   HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE.  185 

and  Cardinal  Pole ;  and  he  confirmed  this  report,  by  going  in  person  to  visit 
the  coasts,  and  commanding  forts  and  redoubts  to  be  erected  in  several  places. 
He  likewise  gave  strict  orders  to  fit  out  a  strong  fleet,  and  keep  the  troops  in 
readiness  to  march  upon  the  first  notice."*^  The  King's  intent,  in  all  these 
proceedings,  was  to  convince  the  people  that  the  Parliament  would  be  obliged 
to  levy  heavy  taxes  to  resist  the  pretended  invasion ;  but  that  he,  acquiiing 
a  large  revenue  by  the  suppression  of  the  monasteries,  would  have  no  occasion 
for  such  subsidies."! 

The  supporters  of  the  confiscation  painted,  in  most  attractive  colours,  the 
advantages  of  the  bill,  which  vested  in  the  crown  "  all  the  property,  moveable 
and  immoveable,  of  the  monastic  establishments  which  either  had  already 
been,  or  should  hereaffcer  be,  suppressed,  abolished,  or  surrendered."  The 
social  condition  of  England  was  to  undergo  a  vast  transformation — ^pauperism 
and  taxation  were  to  terminate — ^fiiture  wars  would  be  waged  without  any 
additional  burthens  on  the  nation,  and  aU  apprehensions  of  danger  from 
foreign  hostility  or  internal  discontent  were  to  cease.  How  the  future  re- 
alized the  hopes  of  the  royal  parasites,  except  in  enriching  them  at  the 
expense  of  the  monasteries,  history  can  tell.  Pauperism  soon  flooded  tbe 
oountiy ;  and  the  King,  as  we  shall  see,  instead  of  diminishing  the  national 
burthens,  demanded  compensation  for  the  expenses  he  incurred  in  the  re- 
formation of  religion !  Within  twelve  months  after  the  religious  houses  were 
despoiled  he  wrested  two  subsidies  from  Parliament.  How  the  property  of 
the  monasteries  was  spent  we  have  accounts  in  the  chroniclers  of  the  day. 
According  to  Bale,  an  ardent  Eeformer,  "  a  great  part  of  this  treasure  was 
tamed  to  the  upholding  of  dice  playing,  masking,  and  banqueting — ^yea,"  he 

continues,  "  I  would  I  could  not  by  just  occasion  speak  it — ^bribing,  wh , 

and  swearing." 

The  annual  rents  of  the  380  lesser  establishments,  which  were  dissolved 
in  1585,  amounted  to  £32,000. ;  and  the  goods,  lands,  plate,  <i^.,  belonging  to 
these  houses,  were  valued  at  £100,000.,  but  are  said  to  have  been  worth  three 
times  that  sum.  By  the  suppression  of  the  greater  monasteries,  in  1540,  tbe 
King  gained  a  revenue  of  more  than  £100,000.  a  year,  besides  large  sums  in 
plate  and  jewels.  The  annual  revenue  of  all  the  suppressed  houses  amounted 
to  £14d,014.  13s.  O^d.,  about  one-and-twentieth  part  of  the  whole  rental  of 
the  kingdom,  if  Hume  be  correct  in  taking  that  rental  at  three  millions,  as 
the  rents  were  then  valued.  Burnet  says  that  they  were  at  least  ten  times 
as  much  in  real  value ;  for  the  Abbots  and  Priors  having  some  presentiment 

«  Bornet    Lord  Herbert        f  Stevens'  History  of  Taxes,  p.  210. 

2  B 


186  OENEBAL  HISTOBT  OF  T0BX8HIBX. 

of  the  impending  stonn,  had  fixed  the  yearly  rents  reiy  Iow»  and  ndaed  the 
fines  very  high,  that  they  might  have  something  to  subsist  on  when  they 
should  be  expelled  their  houses.  Besides  the  rents  of  the  lands  belonging  to 
the  monasteries,  Henry  receiyed  a  considerable  sum  arising  from  the  church 
ornaments,  plate,  goods,  lead,  bells,  and  other  materials,  which  he  thought  it 
not  proper  to  have  valued  at  alL 

Lord.  Herbert,  in  his  history  of  this  rapacious  monarch,  tells  us  that  many 
of  the  visitors  appointed  to  examine  into  the  state  of  the  monasteries, 
petitioned  the  King  that  some  few  of  them  might  be  su£fered  to  remain 
for  the  benefit  of  the  country  at  huge ;  the  poor  receiving  from  them  great 
relief^  and  the  rich  good  education  for  their  children ;  and  Bishop  Latimer 
also  earnestly  entreated  that,  at  least,  two  or  three  might  be  left  standing 
in  every  county,  to  be  nurseries  for  charity,  learning,  preaching,  study,  and 
prayer.  But  Cromwell,  by  the  King's  directions,  invaded  all,  nor  could  he 
be  prevailed  upon  to  leave  one  of  them  standing.  Notwithstanding  the 
immense  riches  which  Heniy  had  obtained  from  the  suppressed  Abbeys, 
Friaries,  Nunneries,  and  Monasteries,  and  which  he  pretended  was  not  to  be 
converted  to  private  uses,  but  to  fill  his  exchequer  and  relieve  his  suljects, 
who  were  led  to  believe  that  they  should  never  hereafter  be  charged  with 
subsidies,  fifteenths,  loans,  or  other  aids ;  yet  his  illgotten  wealth  was  very 
soon  lavished  away,  and  the  exchequer  being  reduced,  he  demanded  subsidies 
both  of  the  clergy  and  laity.  Accordingly,  the  Parliament,  which  sat  in 
November,  1545,1'  granted  him  a  subsidy  of  two  shillings  in  the  pound, 
and  the  convocation  of  the  province  of  Canterbury,  granted  him  a  continu- 
ation of  a  former  subsidy  ai  six  shillings  in  the  pound.  Besides  there  were 
yet  in  the  kingdom  several  Colleges,  Free  Chapels,  Chantries,  Hospitals, 
and  Fraternities ;  and  as  Henry  had  demanded  a  subsidy,  this  obsequious 
Parliament,  apprehensive  that  further  demands  might  be  made,  very  liberally 
and  generously  gave  them  ail  to  him ;  with  all  their  sites,  buildings,  riches, 
lands,  possessions,  &c.,  amounting  to  many  thousand  pounds  a  year.  After 
his  compliant  Parliament  Jiad  granted  aU  this,  Heniy  came  to  the  House 
and  thanked  his  fedthful  Commons  for  what  they  had  done,  telling  them 
**  that  never  King  was  more  blessed  than  he  was ;  and  at  the  same  time 
he  assured  them  that  he  should  take  proper  caro  for  the  supplying  of  the 
ministers,  for  encouraging  learning,  and  relieving  the  poor."t  The  Uni- 
versities, however,  it  seems,  rather  suspected  him;  for  they  now  made 
application  to  him,  that  they  might  not  be  included  in  the  Act  of  dissolution 

«  Bnmet       f  Ibid. 


} 


GENBBAL  HISTOBT  OF  TOBSSHIBE.  187 

of  Colleges  and  Fraternities;  and  Dr.  Coz,  tator  to  the  Prince  of  Wales, 
irrote  to  secretary  Paget,  reqaesting  bim  to  represent  to  the  King  the  great 
want  of  schoolsy  preachers,  and  houses  for  orphans;  ''that  there  were 
TavenoQS  wolyes  about  his  Migesty,  which  would  devour  Uniyersities,  Cathe- 
drals, and  Chantries,*  and  a  thousand  times  as  much,  so  that  posterity 
would  wonder  at  such  things ;  he  therefore  desired  that  the  Universities,  at 
leasti  might  be  secured  from  their  spoils.**!  These  solicitations  produced 
the  desired  effect;  for  Henry,  by  confirming  the  ancient  rights  of  the 
Universities,  dispelled  their  fears,  and  assured  them  that  their  revenues 
should  remain  untouched.  By  way  of  atonement  for  the  havoc  made  in  the 
religious  houses,  in  coigunction  with  other  motives,  partaking  more  of  policy 
than  retribution,  Henry  erected  six  Bishops*  Sees,  on  the  ruin  of  as  many  of 
the  most  opulent  monasteries,  and  appropriated  a  part  of  their  revenues  to  the 
maintenance  of  the  new  prelates.  But  even  these  were  at  first  so  scantily 
endowed,  that  the  new  prelates  for  some  years  ei\joyed  little  more  than  a 
nominal  income.^ 

To  soften  the  odium  of  these  measures,  much  has  been  said  of  the  immo- 
rality piaetisedt  or  supposed  to  be  practised,  within  the  monasteries.  "  It  is 
not  in  human  nature,**  writes  Dr.  Lingard,  "  that  in  numerous  societies  of 
men,  aU  should  be  equally  virtuous.  The  monks  of  difierent  descriptions 
amounted  to  many  thousands ;  and  in  such  a  multitude  there  must  have 
existed  individuals,  whose  conduct  was  a  disgrace  to  their  profession.  But 
when  this  has  been  conceded  on  the  one  hand,  it  ought  to  be  admitted  on  the 
other,  that  the  charges  against  them  are  entitled  to  very  little  credit  They 
were  ex  parte  statements,  to  which  the  accused  had  no  opportunity  of  replying, 
and  were  made  to  silence  enquiiy,  and  sanctify  injustice.    Of  the  com- 

*  It  ma  the  eoitom,  in  andent  times,  for  Lords  6f  manors,  and  persons  of  wealth 
and  importaxiee,  to  build  small  ohapels  or  side  aisles  to  their  parish  churches,  dedicated 
in  honour  of  some  ftTonrite  saint,  and  these  were  endowed  with  lands  sufficient  for  the 
maintfinanoe  of  one  or  more  ehantors  or  priests,  who  were  to  sing  masses  at  the  altar 
araoted  therein,  tasr  the  soul  of  the  founder  and  those  of  his  ancestors  and  posterity; 
these  chantiy  chapels  senred  also  as  a  borial  place  for  the  founder  and  his  fiunilj. 
There  were  frequently  many  chantries  in  one  church,  and  they  were  generally  separated 
from  the  rest  of  the  church  by  a  screen.  Fuller  says,  "  Chantries  were  A^ecHve$,  not 
able  to  stud  by  themselves,  and  therefore  united,  for  their  better  support,  to  some  pa- 
foehial,  ooUegittte,  or  cathedral  church.'*  Before  the  Beformation,  much  of  the  property 
of  the  UniTersities  was  held  on  the  condition  of  the  performance  of  chantry  services. 

Free  Chapelt,  though  endowed  for  the  same  use  and  service  as  chantries,  were  inde- 
pendent of  any  church  or  other  eodeeSastieal  edifice.  "  They  had  more  room  for 
priests,"  says  Fuller,  "  and  more  priests  for  that  room." 

t  Burnet       {  Jonmals,  113.    Stiype,  1.    Bee,  270.    Hjmeir,  ziv.,  700,  710,  Ac. 


188  OENEBAL   HISTORY   OF   YORKSHIRE. 

missioners,  some  were  not  yexy  immaculate  characters  themselves ;  all  were 
stimulated  to  invent  and  exa^erate,  both  by  the  known  rapacity  of  the  Eing» 
and  by  their  own  prospects  of  personal  interest,  "'i' 

Mr.  Thorn,  in  a  small  work  called  Bambles  hy  Bivert,  says,  **  There  can 
be  little  question  that  at  the  Reformation  the  monks  had  become  more  open 
to  censure  than  at  any  previous  period.  It  is  impossible  to  read  the  notices 
of  them  that  occur  in  writers  of  all  descriptions  without  feeling  this.  Nor 
can  it  perhaps  be  said  that  there  was  not  need  for  some  great  change  at  the 
time  of  the  dissolution  of  monasteries.  But  in  palliation  of  that  measure 
nothing  can  be  said.  It  is  the  largest,  coarsest,  and  most  unprovoked  robbery 
that  monarch  ever  committed  on  his  subjects.  Every  reason  put  forward  to 
justify  it  was  a  plain  untruth.  From  the  beginning  to  the  end,  every  step 
taken  was  equally  vile.  Sometimes  the  detestable  evidence,  accumulated  by 
Henry's  commissioners,  is  adduced  in  his  favour ;  but  those  commissioners 
were  the  greatest  scoundrels  in  this  country,  excepting  their  master." 

The  suppression  of  the  religious  institutions,  and  the  appropriation  of  the 
property  of  the  church  and  the  patrimony  of  the  poor  to  ''the  King's 
Majesty's  use ;"  the  turning  out  of  so  many  priests,  monks,  nuns,  sick  and 
aged  people,  to  starve,  or  beg  their  bread,  so  exasperated  the  people  of  the 
northern  counties,  who  retained  a  strong  attachment  to  the  ancient  doctrines, 
that  in  1536  a  large  multitude  rose  in  open  rebellion,  and  demanded  the 
redress  of  these  grievances;  that  is,  the  re-establishment  of  the  Catholic 
religion,  and  the  monastic  institutions.  The  first  who  appeared  in  arms 
were  the  men  of  Lincolnshire,  under  the  guidance  of  Dr.  Makerel,  Prior  of 
Burlings,  who  had  assumed  the  name  of  Captain  Cobler;  and  so  formidable 
was  their  force,  that  the  Duke  of  Suffolk,  the  royal  commander,  deemed  it 
more  prudent  to  negociate  than  to  fight  In  the  five  other  counties,  the 
insurrection  had  assumed  a  more  formidable  appearance.  From  the  borders 
of  Scotland  to  the  Humber,  the  inhabitants  had  generally  bound  themselves 
by  oath  to  stand  by  each  other. 

Nor  was  the  insurrection  long  confined  to  the  common  people.  Bapin  and 
others  tell  us  that  the  nobility  and  gentry,  the  former  patrons  of  the  dis- 
solved houses,  had  joined  the  standard  of  revolt.!  The  Archbishop  of  York, 
the  Lords  Neville,  D*Arcy,  Lumley,  and  Latimer;  Sir  Robert  Constable,  Sir 
John  Buhner,  Sir  Stephen  Hamilton,  Sir  Thomas  Percy,  brother  of  the  Earl 
of  Northumberland,  and  many  other  Knights  and  gentlemen  of  the  north, 
were  amongst  the  insurgents.     The  real  leaders  seem  not  to  have  been 

«  Hist.  Kng.,  voL  vi.,  p.  266,  fcp.  8vo.        f  Bapin,  vol.  i.,  p.  815. 


OENE&AJL  HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE.  189 

known,  but  the  rebels,  amounting  in  number  to  upwards  of  40,000  men, 
were  under  the  nominal  command  of  Bichard  or  Robert  Aske,  of  Aughton,  a 
gentleman  of  considerable  fortune  and  influence  in  Yorkshire ;  and  the  enter- 
prise was  quaintly  termed  the  Pilgrimage  of  Oracs.  The  oath  taken  by  the 
"  Pilgrims "  was,  « that  they  should  enter  into  this  pilgrimage  for  the  love 
which  they  bore  to  Almighty  God,  his  fiuth,  the  holy  church,  and  the  nudn- 
tanance  thereof;  the  preservation  of  the  Kings  person  and  issue;  the 
purifying  of  the  nobility,  and  expulsion  of  villein  blood  and  evil  counsellors 
from  his  grace  and  privy  council ;  not  for  any  private  profit,  nor  to  do  dis- 
pleasure to  any  i^ivate  person,  nor  to  slay  or  murder  through  envy,  but  to 
put  away  all  lears,  and  to  take  afore  them  the  Cross  of  Christ,  his  fiEdth,  and 
the  restitution  of  the  churoh,  and  the  suppression  of  heretics  and  their 
opLoions."  On  their  banners  were  painted  the  Crucifixion  of  our  Saviour, 
and  the  chalice  and  host,  the  emblems  of  their  belief.  A  number  of  ecclesi- 
astics marched  at  the  head  of  the,  army,  in  the  habits  of  their  order,  carrying 
crosses  in  their  hands,  and  wearing  on  their  sleeves  an  emblem  of  the  five 
wounds  of  Christ,  with  the  name  of  Jesus  wrought  in  the  middle.  Wherever 
the  pilgrims  appeared,  the  ^ected  monks  were  placed  in  their  monasteries, 
and  the  inhabitants  were  compelled  to  take  the  oath,  and  to  join  the  army. 
Henry  immediately  issued  commissions  to  several  Lords  to  levy  troops,  but 
from  the  backwardness  of  the  people,  the  army  was  not  sufficiently  strong  to 
oppose  the  insurgents.  Aske,  in  the  meantime,  did  not  remain  iaactive.  He 
divided  his  army  into  separate  divisions — one  of  which  took  possession  of 
Pontefinct  Castle,  whilst  another  division  made  themselves  masters  of  the 
city  of  York ;  and  a  third,  under  the  command  of  one  Hallam,  took  Hull  by 
surprise.  The  strong  castles  of  Skipton  and  Scarborough  were  preserved 
by  the  courage  and  loyalty  of  the  garrisons,  l^e  King  issued  a  proclamation, 
in  which  he  told  the  rebels  that  they  ought  no  more  to  pretend  to  give  judg- 
ment with  regard  to  government,  than  a  bliad  man  with  regard  to  colours : 
— "  And  we,"  he  added,  **  with  our  whole  council,  think  it  right  strange  that 
ye,  who  are  but  brutes,  and  inexpert  folks,  do  take  upon  you  to  appoint  us, 
who  be  meet  or  not  for  our  council." 

Aske,  at  the  head  of  80,000  men,  then  hastened  to  obtain  possession  of 
Doncaster.  The  Earl  of  Shrewsbury,  though  without  any  commission, 
armed  his  tenantiy,  and  threw  himself  into  the  town ;  he  was  soon  joined  by 
the  Duke  of  Norfolk,  the  King's  lieutenant,  with  a  small  army  of  6,000  men, 
and  a  battery  of  cannon  was  erected  to  protect  the  bridge.  The  Duke  en- 
camped near  Doncaster,  and  entered  into  a  negotiation  with  the  rebels,  who 
had  taken  their  stand  at  Scawsby  Leas.    On  the  dOth  of  October,  1536,  the 


190  6ENEBAL  HI8T0BT  OF  TOBKSHIBE. 

Duke  sent  a  herald  with  a  proclamation  to  the  insurgents ;  Aske,  sitting  in 
state,  with  the  Archbishop  of  York  on  the  one  hand,  and  Lord  D'Aroy  on  the 
other,  gave  the  herald  an  audience,  but  on  hearing  the  contents  of  the  pro- 
clamation, he  refused  to  allow  it  to  be  published  to  the  army.  Henry,  who 
was  now  greatly  alarmed,  issued  a  proclamation,  commanding  all  the  nobility 
to  meet  hiTn  at  Northampton.  Meanwhile  the  insurgents  advanced  towards 
the  detachment  commanded  by  the  Duke  of  Norfolk,  which  was  stationed  to 
defend  the  bridge  which  formed  the  pass  between  the  two  armies.*  A  most 
fortunate  circumstance  for  the  King  occurred  at  this  juncture,  the  river  Don, 
which  was  fordable  in  several  places,  was  now  so  swollen  by  a  heavy  rain 
that  it  was  impossible  to  effect  a  passage  over  it ;  had  it  been  otherwise,  the 
royal  army  must  have  been  defeated ;  though,  under  the  circumstances,  it  is 
impossible  to  say  what  might  have  been  the  consequence,  for  the  Duke, 
though  entrusted  with  the  command  of  the  forces  of  the  King,  was  averse  to 
the  alterations  made  in  religion,  and  it  could  not,  therefore,  be  agreeable  to 
him  to  oppose  men  who  were  defending  a  cause  which  he  secretly  approved. 

During  these  protracted  negotiations,  the  King  was  enabled  to  strengthen 
his  army,  which  so  alarmed  many  of  the  rebeb,  that  they,  suspecting 
they  were  betrayed  by  their  leaders,  withdrew  themselves  from  the  cause. 
Wearied  at  length  by  the  delays  in  the  negotiation,  the  main  body  of  the 
rebels,  which  still  remained  in  their  camp,  resolved  to  renew  hostilities,  and 
to  attack  the  royal  army  at  Doncaster ;  but  this,  however,  was  prevented  by 
another  violent  rain,  which  rendered  the  river  impassable. 

Henry  now  sent  a  general  pardon  for  the  insuigents  who  should  lay  down 
their  arms,  excepting  only  ten  persons,  six  of  whom  were  named,  and  four 
not  named.  This  offer  was  r^ected,  and  after  many  delays  and  tedious 
negotiations,  the  King  proposed  that  the  rebels  should  send  deputies  to  treat 
for  peace.  This  proposal  was  accepted,  and  at  a  conference  held  at  Don- 
caster,  on  the  6th  of  December,  the  deputies  made  the  following  demands : — 

1st — That  a  general  pardon  should  be  granted  without  any  exception. 

dnd. — ^That  a  Parliament  should  be  held  at  York. 

8rd. — ^That  a  Court  of  Justice  should  be  erected  there,  so  that  the  inhabi- 
tants][of  the  northern  counties  should  not  be  brought  to  London  on  any 
lawsuit 

4th. — That  some  Acts  of  the  late  Parliament,  which  were  too  grievous  to 
the  people,  should  be  repealed. 

5th. — ^That  the  Princess  Mary  should  be  declared  legitimate. 

•  Bapin,  vol.  i.,  p.  815.    Hall,  280.    Stowe,  674. 


n 


OENEBAL  HI8T0BT  OF  YOBXSHIBE.  101 

.  6th.— That  the  Papal  authority  should  be  re-established  on  its  former 
footing. 

7th. — ^That  the  suppressed  monasteries  should  be  restored  to  their  former 
state. 

8th. — ^That  the  Lutherans,  and  all  innovators  in  religion,  should  be 
seyerely  punished. 

0th. — ^That  Thomas,  Lord  Cromwell;  Audley,  the  Lord  Chancellor;  and 
Rich,  the  Attorney  General;  should  be  removed  from  the  Council,  and 
excluded  from  the  next  Parliament. 

10th. — That  Lee  and  Leighton,  visitors  of  the  monasteries,  should  be 
imprisoned,  and  brought  to  account  for  their  briberies  and  extortions.* 

This  conference  broke  up  without  producing  any  effect,  but  the  Duke  of 
Norfolk  advised  the  King  to  comply  with,  at  least,  some  of  their  demands. 
Henry  therefore  promised  that  their  grievances  should  be  patiently  discussed 
at  the  next  Parliament,  which,  he  agreed,  was  to  be  held  tit  York ;  and  he 
also  offered  a  general  pardon  to  the  rebels.  Aske  and  the  other  leaders 
accepted  the  King's  offer,  and  the  treaty  being  concluded,  the  insurgents 
inmiediately  dispersed.  But  Henry,  freed  from  his  apprehensions,  neglected 
to  redeem  his  promise,  and  in  less  than  two  months  the  "  Pilgrims  "  were 
again  in  arms ;  but  the  Duke  of  Norfolk,  with  a  more  numerous  force  over- 
powered them,  after  they  had  fSedled  in  two  successive  attempts  to  surprise 
Hull  and  Carlisle.  Lord  D*Arcy,  Eobert  Aske,  and  many  other  leaders 
were  taken,  sent  to  London,  and  executed.!  The  Abbots  of  Fountains, 
Jervaux,  and  Rivaulx,  the  Prior  of  Bridlington,  and  others,  were  executed  at 
Tyburn ;  Sir  Bobert  Constable  was  hanged  in  chains,  over  Beverley  gate,  at 
Hull;  Aske  was  suspended  from  a  tower,  probably  ClifiEbrd*s,  at  York; 
D'Arpy  was  beheaded  at  Tower  Hill,  in  London ;  and  seventy-four  of  the 
officers  were  hung  on  the  walls  of  Carlisle.  The  several  rebellions  which 
occurred  in  the  north  having  subsided,  and  the  King's  anger  being  satiated 
with  the  blood  of  the  chief  rebeb,  he  issued  out  a  general  pardon  to  all  the 
northern  counties,  excepting,  however,  twenty-two  persons,  most  of  whom 
were  taken,  and  actually  suffered  in  one  place  or  another. 

Ln  the  month  of  August,  1541,  Henry,  in  order  to  quiet  the  minds  of  the 
people,  receive  their  submission,  and  reconcile  them  to  his  government,  made 
a  progress  to  the  north,  accompanied  by  the  Queen.  Another  motive  for  this 
journey  was,  that  he  proposed  to  have  a  conference  at  York,  with  his  nephew, 

•  BiQiin,  vol.  i,  page  816. 
f  lingud**  Englsnd,  voL  vi,  p.  d&7.    Fop.  8to. 


19d   .  GENERAL  HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE. 

James  Y.,  King  of  Scotland,  in  order  to  settle,  if  possible,  a  lasting  peace."** 
"  On  his  entrance  into  Yorkshire,  he  was  met  with  200  gentlemen  of  the 
same  shire,  in  coats  of  velvet,  and  4,000  tall  yeomen  and  serving  men,  well 
horsed,  which,  on  their  knees,  made  submission  to  him  bj  the  month  of  Sir 
Bobert  Bowes,  and  gave  to  the  King  £900.  On  Bamsdale,  the  Archbishop 
of  York,  with  more  than  300  priests,  met  the  King,  and,  making  a  like  sub- 
mission, gave  to  him  £600.  The  like  submission  was  made  by  the  Majors 
of  York,  Newcastle,  and  Hull,  and  each  of  them  gave  the  King  £100."f 

The  Scottish  nobility  and  ecclesiastics  doubting  the  sincerity  of  Henry, 
prevailed  upon  James  to  forego  the  proposed  meeting;  and  thus  disappointed, 
the  English  monarch,  after  a  sojourn  of  twelve  days,  left  York  abruptly  on 
the  39th  of  September.  During  his  stay  at  York,  he  established  a  President 
and  Council  in  the  city,  under  the  great  seal  of  Oyer  and  Terminer,  which 
continued  till  the  reign  of  Charles  I.  The  first  President  was  Thomas,  Duke 
of  Norfolk.  The  power  of  this  court  was  to  hear  and  determine  all  causes  on 
the  north  side  of  the  Trent.  In  the  same  year.  Sir  John  Neville,  knt.,  and 
ten  other  persons,  were  taken  in  rebellion,  and  executed  at  York. 

Soon  after  the  King  aboHshed  the  papal  authority  in  England,  the  clei^ 
were  divided  into  two  opposite  factions,  denominated  the  men  of  the  old  and 
the  new  learning.  Gardiner,  Bishop  of  Winchester,  and  Lee,  Archbishop  of 
York,  with  the  Bishops  of  London,  Durham,  and  Bath  and  Wells,  were  at 
the  head  of  the  former ;  and  the  leaders  of  the  latter  were  Cranmer,  Arch- 
bishop of  Canterbury;  Latimer,  Bishop  of  Worcester;  and  Shaxton  and  Fox, 
Bishops  of  Sarum  and  Hereford.  And  during  the  whole  of  the  time,  from 
the  commencement  of  the  revolt,  until  the  death  of  the  King,  the  creed  of  the 
church  of  England  depended  on  the  theological  caprice  of  its  supreme  head. 
Heniy*s  infallibility  continually  oscillated  between  the  two  parties  in  the 
church.  His  hostility  to  the  court  of  Rome  led  him  at  times  to  incline  to  the 
men  of  the  new  learning ;  but  his  attachment  to  the  ancient  faith — ^which  is 
most  manifest  throughout  the  work — quickly  brought  him  back.  The  leaders 
of  both  parties,  warmly  as  they  might  be  attached  to  their  own  opinions,  did 
not  aspire  to  the  crown  of  martyrdom ;  they  were  always  ready  to  suppress, 
or  even  to  abjure,  their  real  sentiments  at  the  command  of  their  wayward  and 
imperious  master.  Both  parties  carefully  studied  the  inclinations  of  the 
King,  and  sought  by  the  most  servile  submission  to  win  his  confidence.  In 
1636,  the  head  of  the  church,  with  the  aid  of  his  theologians,  compiled  certain 
''Articles,"  which  were  ordered  to  be  read  to  the  people  in  the  churches 

•  Hume,  vol.  iy.,  p.  188.        f  HolHnshed  Cbron.,  1682. 


I 


aENERAL   HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE.  193 

without  Any  oomment.  The  book  of  Articles  may  be  divided  into  three  parts. 
The  first  declares  that  the  belief  in  the  three  Creeds — the  Apostles',  the 
Nicene,  and  the  Athanasian — is  necessary  for  salvation ;  the  second  explains 
the  three  great  sacraments  of  Baptism,  Penance,  and  the  Holy  Eucharist, 
and  pronounces  them  the  ordinary  means  of  justification ;  and  the  third 
teaches  that,  Hiough  the  use  of  images,  the  intercession  of  saints,  and  the 
usual  ceremonies  in  the  service,  have  not  in  themselves  the  power  to  remit 
sin,  or  justify  the  soul,  yet  they  are  highly  profitable,  and  ought  to  be 
retained.  Heniy  having,  by  these  Articles,  fixed  the  landmarks  of  English 
orthodoxy,  now  ordered  the  convocation  "  to  set  forth  a  plain  and  sincere 
exposition  of  doctrine  "  for  the  better  information  of  his  subjects.  This  task 
was  accomplished  by  the  publication  of  a  book,  entitled,  "  The  godly  and 
pious  Institution  of  a  Christian  Man," — ^a  work  which  was  subscribed  by  all 
the  Bishops  and  dignitaries  of  the  church,  and  pronounced  by  them  to  accord 
"in  all  things  with  the  true  meaning  of  Scripture."  It  explains  the  Creeds, 
the  seven  Sacraments,  which  it  divides  into  three  of  a  higher,  and  four  of  a 
lower  order,  the  ten  Commandments,  the  Paternoster  and  Ave  Maria,  Justi* 
fication,  and  Purgatory.  It  denies  the  supremacy  of  the  Pope,  and  inculcates 
passive  obedienoe  to  the  King ;  and  that  Sovereigns  are  account^})le  to  God 
fdone ;  and  it  is  chiefly  remariiable  for  the  earnestness  with  which  it  refuses 
salvation  to  all  persons  out  of  the  pale  of  the  Catholic  church.  By  way  of 
concession  to  the  men  of  the  new  learning,  as  well  as  to  replenish  his  coffers, 
the  King  ordered  a  number  of  holidays  to  be  abolished,  shrines  to  be  de- 
molished, and  superstitious  relics  to  be  burnt  There  is  one  proceeding  in 
connection  with  this  order,  which  on  account  of  its  singularity  and  absurdity, 
deserves  attention. 

In  the  reign  of  Henty  11.,  Thomas  k  Becket,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury, 
sometime  Lord  High  Chancellor  of  England,  and  a  great  champion  of  the 
rights  ot  the  church,  had  been  murdered  in  his  own  Cathedral  by  four  gentle- 
men  in  the  King's  service,  who  mistook  for  a  command  a  rash  expression  of 
their  master.*    The  prelate  was  afterwards  canonized  by  the  Pope,  and  the 

•  The  Archbishop  having  frequently  given  offence  to  the  King,  hj  oppodng  his  designs 
upon  the  rights  and  property  of  the  church,  the  King,  one  day  in  a  tran^ort  of  fiiiy, 
cried  out,  and  repeated  several  times,  that "  he  cursed  all  those  whom  he  had  honoured 
with  his  friendship,  and  enriched  by  his  bounty,  seeing  none  of  them  had  the  oonnge 
to  rid  him  oi  one  Kshop,  who  gave  him  more  trouble  than  all  the  rest  of  his  subjects." 
Hearing  these  words,  Sir  William  Tiaoy,  Sir  Hngh  Morville,  Sir  Bichard  Briton,  and 
Sir  Reginald  Fitz-Orson, "  who,"  says  Butler,  "  had  no  other  religion  than  to  flatter  their 
Prince,*'  conspired  privately  to  murder  the  Archlashop,  and  perpetrated  the  sacrilegious 
act  on  the  29th  of  December^  lira 

d  0 


194  GENERAL  HISTOBT  OF  TORKSHIBE. 

anniversary  of  his  martyrdom  was  consecrated  to  God  in  honour  of  the  saint. 
It  was  now  suggested  to  Heniy  VILL.,  that  so  long  as  the  name  of  St.  Thomas 
of  Canterbury  should  remain  in  4he  calendar,  men  would  be  stimulated  by 
his  example  to  brave  the  ecclesiastical  authority  of  their  Sovereign.    The 
King's  attorney  was  therefore  instructed  to  exhibit  an  information  against 
*'  Thomas  Becket,  sometime  Archbishop  of  Canterbury ;"  and  that  individual 
was  formally  cited  to  appear  in  court,  and  answer  to  the  charge.     The  saint 
having  neglected  to  quit  the  tomb,  in  which  he  had  reposed  for  more  than 
three  centuries  and  a  half,  would  have  been  decided  against  for  default,  had 
not  the  King,  by  his  special  grace,  assigned  him  a  counsel.     The  court  sat 
at  Westminster ;  the  Attorney-General  and  the  advocate  of  the  accused  were 
heard ;  and  sentence  was  finally  pronounced  that  Becket  had  been  guilty  of 
rebellion,  contumacy,  and  treason ;  that  his  bones  should  be  publicly  burnt, 
and  that  the  offerings  which  had  been  made  at  his  shrine  should  be  forfeited 
to  the  crown.'i'     The  sentence  was  executed  in  due  form ;  and  the  gold,  silver, 
and  jewels,  the  spoils  obtained  by  the  demolition  of  the  shrine,  were  conveyed 
in  two  ponderous  coffers  to  the  royal  treasury.    A  proclamation  was  after- 
wards published,  stating  that  forasmuch  as  it  now  clearly  appeared  that 
Thomas  Becket  had  been  killed  in  a  riot  excited  by  his  own  obstinacy,  and 
had  been  canonized  by  the  Bishop  of  Rome,  the  King's  M^esty  thought  it 
expedient  to  declare  that  he  was  no  saint,  but  rather  a  rebel  and  traitor  to 
his  Prince,  and  therefore  commanded  that  he  should  not  be  esteemed  or  called 
a  saint ;  that  all  images  and  pictures  of  him  should  be  destroyed ;  the  fes- 
tivals in  his  honour  be  abolished,  and  his  name  and  remembrance  be  erased 
out  of  all  books,  under  pain  of  imprisonment.t    Henry,  like  all  other  Re- 
formers, made  his  own  judgment  the  standard  of  orthodoxy ;  and  he  executed 
the  laws  against  those  who  differed  £rom  him,  tnth  equal  rigour,  both  before 
and  after  his  quarrel  with  the  court  of  Rome.    Before  that  event  the  teachers 
of  Lollardism  excited  his  ire ;  and  after  it  he  was  not  less  eager  to  light  the 
faggot  for  the  punishment  of  heresy.    A  number  of  German  Anabaptists 
landed  in  England  in  1586 ;  they  were  instantly  apprehended,  and  fourteen 
of  them,  who  refused  to  recant,  were  condemned  to  the  flames.    In  1588 
more  missionaries  of  the  same  sect  followed,  and  a  similar  fate  was  awarded 
to  them.    Even  Henry's  own  relations  and  friends  were  sacrificed  on  the  plea 
of  high  treason  or  heresy.    Even  Cromwell,  his  Vicar-G^neral  and  factotum, 
who,  by  cunning  and  servility,  had  raised  himself  from  the  shop  of  a  fuller 
to  the  Earldom  of  Essex,  and  the  highest  seat  in  the  House  of  Lords,  died 
on  the  scaffold. 

•  Wilk.  Con.,  iii,  896-6.       f  lUd,  641. 


QEKEIUL  HISTOBT  OF  TOBKSHIRE.  195 

In  1541  the  King  published  dx  articles  of  belief,  in  the  fonn  of  an  Act  of 
Parliament.  The  1st  article  declared  that  in  the  Blessed  Eucharist  is  really 
present  the  natural  body  of  Christ,  under  the  forms  and  without  the  substance 
of  bread  and  wine.  3nd.  That  communion  under  both  kinds  is  not  necessary 
ad  sdkOem,  drd.  That  priests  may  not  marry  by  the  law  of  God.  4th.  That 
Yows  of  chastity  are  to  observed.  5th.  That  private  masses  ought  to  be 
retained.  And  6th.  That  the  use  of  auricular  confession  is  expedient  and 
necessary.  This  statute  declares  that  if  any  person  preach,  write,  or  dispute 
against  the  first  article,  he  shall  not  be  allowed  to  abjure,  but  shall  suffer 
death  as  a  heretic ;  or  if  he  preach,  write,  or  speak  openly  against  any  of  the 
other  fiye,  he  shall  incur  the  usual  penalties  of  felony.  Thus  it  appears  that 
Henry  was  still  opposed  to  the  Lutheran  doctrines  of  Justification  by  Faith 
alone,  &c.  By  law  the  Catholic  and  Protestant  were  now  placed  on  an  equal 
footing,  in  respect  to  capital  punishment.  If  to  admit  the  papal  supremacy 
was  treason,  to  reject  the  papal  creed  was  heresy.  The  one  could  be  expiated 
only  by  the  halter  and  the  knife ;  the  other  led  the  offender  to  the  stake  and 
the  faggot.  On  one  occasion  Powel,  Abel,  and  Featherstone  had  been  at- 
tainted for  denying  the  supremacy  of  the  King ;  Barnes,  Garret,  and  Jerome, 
for  maintaining  heterodox  opinions — ^they  were  now  coupled.  Catholic  and 
Protestant,  on  the  same  huHxUes ;  drawn  together  from  the  Tower  to  Smith- 
field,  and  while  the  former  were  hanged  and  quartered  as  traitors,  the  latter 
were  consumed  in  the  flames  as  heretics. 

The  King  had  formerly  sanctioned  the  publication  of  an  English  version 
of  the  Bible,  and  granted  permission  to  aU  his  subjects  to  peruse  it ;  but  in 
1548,  he  had  discoyered  that  the  indiscriminate  reading  of  the  holy  volumes 
had  not  only  generated  a  race  of  teachers  who  promulgated  doctrines  the 
most  strange  and  contradictory,  but  had  taught  ignorant  men  to  discuss  the 
meaning  of  the  inspired  writings  in  alehouses  and  taverns,  till,  heated  with 
controversy  and  liquor,  they  burst  into  ii\jurious  language  and  provoked  each 
other  to  breaches  of  the  peace.  And  in  his  last  speech  to  the  Parliament, 
he  complained  bitterly  of  the  religious  dissensions  which  pervaded  every 
parish  in  the  realm.  After  observing  that  it  was  partly  the  fault  of  the 
^rgy,  some  of  whom  were  "  so  stiff  in  their  old  mumpsimus,  and  others  so 
busy  in  their  new  sumpsimus,"  instead  of  preaching  the  word  of  God,  they 
weie  employed  in  railing  at  each  other ;  and  partly  the  fault  of  the  laity,  who 
delighted  in  censuring  the  proceedings  of  the  clergy,  he  said :  "  If  you  know 
that  any  preach  perverse  doctrine,  come  and  declare  it  to  some  of  our  council, 
or  to  us,  to  whom  is  committed  by  God  the  authority  to  reform  and  order 
such  causes  and  behaviours;   and  be  not  judges  yourselves  of  your  own 


106  GENERAL  HIBTORT  OF  YORKSHIRE. 

fimtastical  opinions  and  vain  expositions ;  and  although  you  be  permitted  to 
read  holy  scripture,  and  to  have  the  word  of  God  in  your  mother  tongue,  you 
must  imderstand  it  is  licensed  you  so  to  do,  only  to  inform  your  conscience^ 
and  inform  your  children  and  families,  and  not  to  dispute,  and  to  make 
scripture  a  railing  and  taunting  stock  against  priests  and  preachers.  I  am 
very  sorry  to  know  and  hear,'*  he  added,  '*  how  irreyerently  that  precious 
jewel,  the  word  of  God,  is  disputed,  rhymed,  sung,  and  jingled,  in  every  ale- 
house and  tavern,  contraiy  to  the  true  meaning  and  doctrine  of  the  same ; 
and  yet  I  am  as  much  sorry,  that  the  readers  of  the  same  follow  it  in  doing 
so  faintly  and  coldly.  For  of  this  I  am  sure,  that  charity  was  never  so  faint 
among  you,  and  virtuous  and  godly  living  was  never  less  used,  nor  God 
himself  among  you  never  less  served."* 

Tyndal's  and  Coverdale's  versions  of  the  Bible  were  this  year  (1543)  ordered 
to  be  disused  altogether,  as  "crafty,  false,  and  untrue;"  and  permission 
to  read  the  authorised  translation,  without  note  or  comment,  was  confined 
to  persons  of  the  rank  of  lords  or  gentlemen.  A  new  work  was  published  in 
the  same  year,  with  the  title  of  "  A  necessary  Doctrine  and  Erudition  for 
any  christned  Man,"  or  the  "^  Eing^s  Book."  This  book,  the  composition  of 
which  occupied  two  committees  of  prelates  and  theologians  for  three  years, 
contains  a  more  full  exposition  of  the  doctrines  to  be  taught,  than  that  given 
in  a  previously  published  book,  called  "  The  Institution,"  with  the  addition 
of  Transubstantiation,  and  the  sufficiency  of  communion  under  one  kind. 
The  doctrines  contained  in  this  book  were  approved  of  by  both  houses  of  con- 
vocation ;  and  the  Archbishop  ordered  them  to  be  studied  and  followed  by 
every  preacher. 

Towards  the  latter  end  of  his  reign,  Heniy  became  more  arbitraiy,  both 
in  spirituals  and  temporals.  The  Archbishops  of  Ganterbuiy  and  York, 
the  Bishop  of  London,  and  several  other  prelates,  were  obliged  to  make 
conveyances  in  his  favour,  of  many  manors  belonging  to  their  difilnreiit 
dioceses,  upon  veiy  slight  considerations,  and  these  deeds  were  confirmed  by 
Parliament.! 

The  Bang,  who  had  long  indulged,  without  restrednt,  in  the  pleasures  of 
the  table,  at  last  became  so  enormously  corpulent,  that  he  could  neither^sup- 
port  the  weight  of  his  own  body,  nor  remove  without  the  aid  of  machineiy 
into  the  different  apartments  of  his  palace.  Even  the  fatigue  of  subscribing 
his  name  to  the  writings  which  required  his  signature,  was  more  than  he 
could  bear ;  and  three  commissioners  were  appointed  to  perform  that  duty. 

•  Hall,  p.  160.        +  Vide  the  Act  37th  HeDTy  VIH.,  c.  16. 


aKNBBAL  HISTOBY  OF  TOBSSHIBE.  197 

An  inveterate  ulcer  in  the  ihigh,  whicli  bad  mote  than  once  threatened  his 
life,  and  which  now  seemed  to  baffle  all  the  skill  of  bis  surgeons,  added  to 
the  irascibility  of  his  temper ;  and  in  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1646,  his 
health  was  rapidly  declining.  In  his  last  illness,  according  to  one  account, 
be  was  constantly  attended  by  his  confessor,  the  Bishop  of  Rochester,  beard 
mass  daily  in  his  chamber,  and  receiyed  the  communion  under  one  kind ; 
another  account  states  that  he  died  in  the  anguish  of  despair ;  and  a  third 
represents  him  revising  spiritual  aid  till  be  could  only  reply  to  the  exbortation 
of  the  Archbishop  by  a  squeeze  of  the  baud.  As  the  awful  hour  of  bis  disso- 
lution approached,  we  are  told  by  Burnet,  that  he  became  more  froward, 
imperious,  and  untractable,  than  erer.  His  courtiers  durst  not  remind  bim 
of  the  change  be  was  shortly  to  undeiigo,  or  desire  him  to  prepare  himself  for  it. 
At  length,  Burnet  says.  Sir  Anthony  Denny  had  the  courage  and  honesty  to 
disclose  it  to  him ;  the  King  expressed  bis  sorrow  for  the  sins  of  his  past  life, 
and  said  be  trusted  in  the  mercies  of  Christy  which  were  greater  than  his 
sins.  He  died  at  Westminster,  on  Friday,  the  28th  of  January,  1547,  in  the 
66th  year  of  his  age,  and  d8th  of  his  reign,  leaving  behind  him  the  terrible 
character,  that  throughout  his  long  reign  be  neither  spared  man  in  his  anger, 
nor  woman  in  his  lust.  By  bis  will  he  provided  lor  the  interment  of  his 
body,  the  celebration  of  masses,  and  the  distribution  of  alms  for  the  benefit 
of  bis  souL*  This  will  is  now  deposited  in  the  Chapter  House,  Westminster. 
Henry  VUi.  was  succeeded  on  the  throne  by  his  only  son  Edward  VI., 
(by  Jane  Seymour,  bis  third  Queen),  being  then  just  nine  years  old.  His 
coronation  was  solemnized  on  the  30th  of  the  Ibllovnng  month  (Februaiy),  a 
new  form  having  been  drawn  up  for  it,  by  bis  uncle,  the  Duke  of  Somerset, 
now  called  the  Lord  Protector,  and  the  ceremony  was  concluded  with  a 
solemn  high  mass  sung  by  Archbishop  Oranmer.f  Somerset,  and  the  other 
guardians  of  the  youthful  monarch,  were  favourable  to  the  new  doctrines, 
and  to  the  professors  of  the  new  learning,  though  they  deemed  it  prudent  to 

•  The  body  of  Henry  lay  in  state  in  the  chapel  of  "Whitehall,  which  was  hang  with 
black  cloth;  eighty  large  wax  tapers  were  kept  constantly  burning;  twelve  lords  monmers 
sat  around  within  a  rail;  and  every  day  masses  and  a  dirge  were  performed.  At  the 
commencement  of  the  service,  Norroy,  King-at-arms,  called  aloud :  "  Of  your  charity, 
pray  for  the  soul  of  the  high  and  mighty  Prince,  our  late  Sovereign  Lord,  Heniy  YIII.** 
On  the  14th  of  February  the  body  was  removed  to  Sion  House,  on  the  19th  to  Windsor, 
and  the  next  day  was  interred  in  the  midst  of  the  choir,  near  the  body  of  Jane  Seymour. 
Gardiner,  Bishop  of  Winchester,  preached  the  sermon,  and  read  the  Amend  service, 
which  eondudfid  with  the  Psahn  '*  De  profimdis."  See  Sandford,  402 ;  Stzype,  2;  Beo. 
lii.,  17;  Hajwaard,  276. 

f  Stiypa'a  Gnnmer,  p.  144. 


198  aSKEBiX  HISTORY  OF  TOBKSHIBS. 

conceal  such  predilection  during  the  life  time  of  Heniy ;  and  now  that  they 
were  freed  from  restraint,  they  openly  professed  themselves  the  patrons  of 
the  new  Gospel.  They  now  undertook  to  establish  a  different  religious  creed ; 
with  that  view  they  entrusted  the  education  of  Edward  to  the  most  zealous 
though  secret  partisans  of  the  reformed  doctrines ;  and  in  a  short  time  the 
royal  pupil  beUeved  that  the  worship  so  rigorously  enforced  by  his  fiftther 
was  idolatrous.  The  diffusion  of  the  ''  new  learning  "  was  now  aided  by  all 
the  influences  of  the  crown.  The  zeal  of  the  King*s  guardians  was  the  more 
active,  as  it  was  stimulated  by  the  prospect  of  reward ;  for  though  they  were 
the  depositories  of  the  sovereign  authority,  they  had  yet  to  make  their 
private  fortunes;  and  the  church,  notwithstanding  the  havoc  which  had 
been  made  in  its  possessions  during  the  last  reign,  had  yet  some  gleanings 
left.  Accordingly,  Edward's  first  Parliament,  held  in  the  first  year  of  his 
reign,  caused  a  survey  and  inquisition  to  be  made  and  taken,  of  all  the  lands 
designed  for  the  maintenance  of  Chantries,  Free  Chapels,  and  Colleges,  which 
had  not  been  fully  effected  in  the  reign  of  his  father,  and  all  the  revenues 
given  for  obits,  anniversaries,  lights  m  churches,  together  with  all  the  lands 
belonging  to  Guilds  or  Fraternities,  on  the  same  account*  This  Act  did  not 
pass  without  great  difficulty ;  Cranmer  and  others  of  the  Reformers  opposed 
it,  knowing  well,  that  when  once  these  revenues  were  in  the  Sovereign's 
hands,  the  church  would  be  deprived  of  them  for  ever ;  and  they  (the  Re- 
formers) hoped  for  some  favourable  opportunity  to  convert  them  to  uses 
beneficial  to  the  reformed  religion.  The  people,  too,  in  general  continued  to 
murmur  at  these  proceedings.  Many  towns  petitioned  against  them.  We 
have  not  met  with  the  record  of  a  petition  from  the  city  of  York,  on  the 
subject;  but  the  people  of  Hull  petitioned  and  complained,  "That  the 
church  was  ruined,  the  clergy  beggared,  all  learning  despised,  and  that  the 
people  began  to  grow  barbarous,  atheistical,  and  rude.f 

•  For  Chantries  and  Free  Chapels,  See  noU  at  foot  of  page  187.  The  Ohit  was  the 
anniversaiy  of  any  person's  death ;  and  to  observe  such  a  day,  with  prayer,  alms,  or  other 
commemorations,  was  called  the  keeping  of  the  obit  Anniversaries  were  similar  to  the 
obits,  inasmuch  as  they  were  the  yearly  retnms  of  the  death  of  persons,  which  the 
religions  registered  in  their  obitual  or  martyrology,  and  annnally  observed  in  gratitude 
to  their  founders  and  beneflBu^tors.  Ouild  signifies  a  fraternity  or  society,  many  of  which 
existed  formerly  for  religions  or  charitable  purposes.  The  name  is  derived  from  the 
Saxon,  Gildan,  to  pay,  because  every  member  paid  something  towards  the  exx>ense8  of 
the  society. 

f  Becords  of  Hull.  It  mast  be  ever  lamented  that  the  destroyers  of  the  religions 
houses  did  not  spare  the  learning  of  the  nation,  collected  through  so  many  eentaries, 
and  deposited  in  the  lifararies  of  these'  institutioitB.    No-— all  was  sacrificed  during  the 


OSKBBAL  HI8T0BT  OE  T0BE8HIBE.  199 

Finding  that  they  ware  likely  to  be  disappointed  in  their  expectations,  the 
lapacious  coortierB  induced  the  joung  King,  either  to  give  to  them,  or  other- 
vise  to  sell  greatly  below  their  real  value,  most  of  these  forfeited  houses,  and 
to  p^y  the  said  endowments  out  of  the  Crown's  revenues,  as  is  done,  in  part  at 
least,  even  to  this  day.  There  was  a  clause  in  the  Act,  importing  that  these 
revenues  should  be  converted  to  the  erecting  and  maintenance  of  Grammar 
Schools,  and  to  the  better  provision  for  preachers,  curates,  and  readers ;  and 
this  seems,  in  part,  to  have  been  put  in  practice,  for  many  schools  in  dif- 
lierent  parts  of  the  kingdom  were  founded  at  that  period,  and  mostiy  endowed 
out  of  the  Chantry  lands,  disposed  of  as  they  had  been  at  so  much  below 
their  value.  By  this  Act  90  Colleges,  110  Hospitals,  and  3,784  Chantries 
and  Free  Chapeb,  were  destroyed. 

In  the  beginning  of  this  year  (1548)  the  council  made  great  alterations  in 
ckorch  offices.  By  an  order,  dated  January  the  28th,  carrying  candles  on 
Candlemas  day ;  making  the  sign  of  the  cross  on  the  forehead  with  ashes  on 
Ash  Wednesday ;  and  bearing  palms  on  Palm  Sunday,  were  forbidden ;  as 
also  were  the  rites  used  on  Good  Friday  and  Easter  Sunday.  Confession 
was  left  optional,  and  it  was  ordered  that  all  images  and  pictures  should  be 
removed  iiom  churches.  In  the  Parliament  which  met  on  the  d4th  of 
November,  in  the  same  year,  a  bill  was  introduced  for  the  purpose  of  autho- 
rizing the  uses  of  a  new  liturgy,  or  a  book  of  common  prayer,  in  the  English 
language,  which  had  been  compiled  by  Cranmer  and  Holgate,  Archbishops 
of  Canterbury  and  York,  and  upwards  of  twenty  other  commissioners.  This 
bill,  which  imposed  very  serious  penalties  upon  any  minister  who  should 
refuse  to  use  it,  or  who  should  preach  or  speak  in  derogation  of  it,  passed 
through  the  lower  house  without  much  difficulty ;  but  in  the  higher  house  it 
met  with  a  warm  opposition.  It  was  carried  however  by  a  minority  of  31  to 
11.  The  non-contents  were  the  Earl  of  Derby,  the  Bishops  of  London, 
Durham,  Norwich,  Carlisle,  Hereford,  Worcester,  Westminster,  and  Chi- 
chester, and  the  Lords  Dacres  and  Wyndsor.^t* 

Though  the  new  liturgy  was  compiled  chiefly  from  the  Roman  Missals  and 

exterminating  period,  which  put  an  end  to  the  existence  of  the  Catholio  church  as  a 
national  establishment  Mannscripts,  which  can  never  be  renewed,  were  consigned  to 
profime  uses ;  whole  ship  loads  were  transported  to  the  continent;  histoiy,  topography, 
biography,  records,  were  alike  bartered  for  a  hase  equivalent,  and  petty  tradesmen  were 
ftimiahed  with  paper  for  common  purposes,  which  was  worth  its  weight  in  gold. — CoU. 
EecL  Hitft.,  vol.  iL  Bale  asserts,  that  he  knew  a  merchant,  who  received  as  many  manu- 
soripta  ftom  monastto  lihmries  for  iOs.  as  would  serve  him  for  all  the  purposes  of  his 
busmass  for  twenty  years. 

•  The  King's  Joonud,  6.    Jooxnals,  881.    Stvype,  ii.,  p.  84. 


200  QEKEBiLL  HISTOBY  OF  TORKBHIRE. 

Breviaries  (such  parts  being  omitted  as  were  deemed  objectionable,  and  nu- 
merous additions  and  corrections  introduced,  to  meet  the  wishes  of  the  new 
teachers,  without  shocking  the  belief  or  the  prejudices  of  their  opponents), 
yet  such  was  the  attachment  of  the  people  to  the  ancient  service,  that  in 
many  counties  they  rose  in  open  rebellion  against  it.  Insurrections  broke 
out  almost  at  the  same  time  in  the  counties  of  Wilts,  Susses,  Surrey,  Bucks, 
Hants,  Berks,  Kent,  Gloucester,  Somerset,  Devon,  Oxford,  Norfolk,  Essex, 
Suffolk,  Hertford,  Leicester,  Rutland,  Worcester,  and  other  counties.  These 
rebellious  risings,  some  of  which  were  very  formidable,  were  finally  suppressed 
with  the  aid  of  the  foreign  troops — ^the  bands  of  adventurers  that  had  been 
raised  on  the  continent  to  serve  in  the  war  against  Scotland.  In  connection 
with  these  risings  was  an  insurrection  at  Seamer,  near  Scarborough,  in  the 
second  year  of  this  reign.  It  was  promoted  by  William  Dale,  the  parish 
clerk ;  William  Ambler,  or  Ombler,  of  East  Haslerton,  yeoman ;  and  John 
Stevenson,  of  Seamer.  They  set  fire  to  the  beacon  at  Staxton  in  the  night, 
and  thereby  assembled  a  rude  mob,  to  the  number  of  3,000,  whose  avowed 
object  was  the  restoration  of  the  ancient  faith. 

This  rabble,  before  they  were  suppressed,  committed  several  outrages ;  a 
party  of  them  went  at  night  to  the  house  of  a  person  named  White,  and 
seizing  him  and  all  who  were  in  the  house,  carried  ihem  to  the  wolds  near 
Seamer,  where  they  stripped  and  murdered  them.  Many  apprehensions 
were  at  that  time  entertained  that  their  numbers  might  swell  to  a  formidable 
body,  for  discontent  was  pretty  genend  among  the  people ;  but  the  Lord 
President  of  the  North  sent  a  detachment  from  York  against  them,  and  the 
King  issued  a  proclamation,  offering  a  general  pardon  to  all  who  would  sub* 
mit;  on  which  the  greater  number  of  them  immediately  di^rsed,  but  the 
leaders  were  apprehended  4uid  executed  at  York. 

Among  the  other  changes  in  the  forms  and  ceremonies  of  religion,  in  1648, 
was  the  total  abdition  of  Sanctuaries.  In  1552  altars  were  ordered  to  be  re- 
moved £rom  churches,  and  tables  substituted;  and  in  the  same  year  the 
marriage  of  priests  was  declared  good  and  vaUd. 

In  1551  the  city  of  York  suffered  considerably  from  a  severe  nondescript 
epidemic,  called  the  Sweating  Sickness,  which  extraordinaiy  disease  was  then 
prevalent  in  England.  This  Mghtful  plague  made  its  first  appearance  at 
Shrewsbury  on  the  15th  of  April,  in  this  year,  and  spreading  towards  the 
north,  continued  till  the  month  of  October  following.  People  in  perfect 
health  were  the  most  liable  to  be  seized  with  it,  and,  in  the  beginning  of  the 
distemper,  it  was  almost  certain  death  in  a  few  hours.  Stowe  instances  its 
awful  fatality,  by  seven  housdiolders,  indio  all  supped  cheerfully  together  over 


r 
I 


GENERAL    HISTORY   OF    YORKSHIRE.  201 

mght,  but  before  eight  o'clock  the  next  morning,  six  of  them  were  dead.  So 
great  was  the  fear  generally  excited  by  tliis  alarming  disorder,  that  great 
numbers  fled  out  of  the  kingdom,  hoping  to  escape  the  contagion ;  but,  how- 
ever incredible  it  may  appear,  the  most  veritable  historians  positively  assure 
us>  that  the  evil  followed  them,  and  was  peculiar  to  the  English ;  for,  in 
various  parts  of  the  continent,  though  breathing  a  purer  air,  amongst  men  of 
different  nations,  the  infection  seized  them,  and  them  only.  It  first  mani- 
fested itself  in  a  sudden  chilliness,  immediately  followed  by  violent  perspiration, 
which  brought  on  sleep,  and  terminated  in  death.  Few  escaped  who  were 
attacked  with  full  stomachs.  How  many  died  in  York  of  this  singular  dis- 
temper is  not  known,  but  it  appears  in  Mr.  Hildyard*s  collections  that  the 
mortality  was  great.*  This  disease,  says  HoUinshed,  made  the  nation  begin 
to  repent,  and  give  alms,  and  remember  God,  from  whom  that  plague  might 
weU  seem  to  be  sent,  as  a  scourge  for  the  sins  of  the  people ;  but  the  im- 
pression, it  seems,  very  soon  wore  out ;  for  as  the  contagion  in  time  ceased, 
80,  continues  he,  our  devotion  decayed. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1658,  the  King  was  seized  with  an  illness, 
which  ended  in  a  consumption,  of  which  he  died  on  the  6th  of  July  following, 
in  the  16th  year  of  his  age,  and  7th  of  his  reign.  During  his  illness,  the 
rapacious  courtiers  not  yet  content  with  the  spoils  of  the  church  which  they 
had  received,  prevailed  upon  him  to  sign  an  order  for  visiting  the  churches, 
to  examine  what  riches,  plate,  or  jewels,  belonged  to  them  in  general ;  and 
to  seize  all  the  superfluous  plate,  ornaments,  and  Unen,  for  the  alleged 
purpose  of  providing  for  the  poor.  "Calling  in  these  superfluous  orna- 
ments," says  the  Rev.  J.  Tickell,  "  which  lay  in  the  churches  more  for  pomp 
than  use,  and  converting  them  into  money  to  be  given  to  the  poor,  deserved 
no  blame ;  but  the  misfortune  was,  the  poor  had  by  much  the  least  share  of 
it,  the  greater  part  being  appropriated  to  other  uses."f 

When  Mary,  the  daughter  of  Henry  VILL.  and  Catherine  of  Arragon,  and 
a  Catholic,  ascend^  the  throne,  in  1558,  things  were  in  great  confusion,  as 
might  be  expected,  in  consequence  of  the  sacrilegious  robberies  and  spoliations 
committed  by  her  licentious  fsither  and  his  harpies ;  and  in  the  endeavour  to 
restore  the  plundered  property,  as  well  as  the  ancient  fEuth,  many  cruelties 
were  perpetrated  in  her  reign.  She  certainly  had  great  difficulties  to  en- 
counter, considering  the  task  which  she  had  taken  upon  herself  to  perform ; 
for  although  her  ministers  professed  deep  sorrow  for  what  had  been  done,  and 
implored  forgiveness,  yet,  such  as  were  in  possession  of  the  spoils  of  the 

*  Drake's  Eboracum,  p.  128.         f  HiBtory  of  Hull,  p.  217. 

2  D 


'HOii  GENERAL   HISTORY   OF   YORKSHIRE. 

monasteries,  held  them  with  an  iron  grasp ;  they  liked  not  that  paying  back 
again — ^it  was  double  trouble. 

In  the  first  Parliament  of  this  reign  (held  soon  after  the  accession  of  the 
Queen)  all  the  statutes  with  regard  to  religion,  which  had  been  passed  during 
the  reigns  of  her  father  and  brother,  were  repealed,  so  that  the  national 
religion  was  again  placed  on  the  same  footing  on  which  it  stood  at  the  death 
of  Henry  Yin.  Intrigues  were  now  set  afoot,  and  fomented  by  the  Eeformed 
preachers.  In  the  same  year  a  marriage  was  projected  between  the  Queen 
and  Philip,  Prince  of  Spain,  and  son  of  the  celebrated  Emperor  Charles  V. 
An  insurrection  ensued,  headed  by  Sir  Thomas  Wyat,  the  object  of  which 
was  to  force  Mary  to  marry  Courtenay,  the  young  Earl  of  Devon  (whom  she 
had  recently  liberated  from  the  Tower,  to  which  he  had  been  confined  from 
his  infancy  by  the  jealousy  of  his  father  and  brother) ;  and  failing  in  that, 
the  conspirators  resolved  that  he,  in  defiance  of  the  Queen's  authority,  should 
marry  the  Princess  Elizabeth,  and  repair  with  he|r  to  Devonshire  and  Corn- 
wall, where  the  inhabitants  were  devoted  to  his  family ;  and  where  he  would 
find  the  Duke  of  Suffolk,  the  Earl  of  Pembroke,  and  many  other  Lords  ready 
to  join  his  standard.  These  and  other  plans  were  suggested  and  discussed, 
but  Courtenay,  though  ambitious,  was  timid  and  cautious,  and  all  their 
attempts  failed.  Of  the  participation  in  the  treason  of  the  insurgents  of  the 
Princess  Elizabeth,  there  could  hardly  exist  a  doubt ;  and  for  several  weeks 
Renard,  the  Spanish  ambassador,  endeavoured  to  extort  the  Queen's  consent 
that  the  Princess  should  be  condemned,  and  sent  to  the  scaffold.  She  was  a 
competitor  for  the  crown,  he  argued;  she  had  accepted  the  offer  of  the  rebels, 
and  ought  to  suffer  the  penalty  of  her  treason.  However,  that  Queen,  to 
whom  we  are  accustomed  to  apply  the  opprobrious  epithet  of  "  bloody,"  dis- 
regarded these  and  other  weU-founded  arguments,  and  contented  herself  by 
proposing  to  her  council  that  some  one  of  her  Lords  should  take  chaise  of 
the  Princess  in  a  private  house  in  the  country ;  but  no  man  being  found 
willing  to  incur  the  responsibility,  she  was  sent  to  the  Tower,  and  afterwards 
to  Woodstock.  Some  of  the  leaders  of  this  rebellion,  including  Wyat,  were 
condemned  and  executed ;  others  obtained  pardon,  and  out  of  400  taken  iu 
the  act  of  rebellion,  but  sixty  suffered  the  penalty  of  their  crime.  A  learned 
and  impartial  historian  justly  observes,  that  if  on  this  occasion  sixty  of  the 
insurgents  were  sacrificed  to  the  justice  and  resentment  of  Mary,  we  shall 
find  in  the  next  reign,  that  after  a  rebellion  of  a  less  formidable  aspect^ 
some  hundreds  of  victims  were  required  to  appease  the  offended  Ms^esty  of 
her  sister.  And  if  we  look  at  the  conduct  of  government  after  the  rebellions 
of  1715  and  1745,  we  shall  not  find  that  the  praise  of  superior  lenity  is  due 
to  more  modem  times. 


GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  YORKSHIRE.  308 

During  the  insurrectioii  referred  to  (which  was  chiefly  confined  to  the 
oountj  of  Kent)  a  party  of  the  insurgents  attempted,  hy  stratagem,  to  take 
the  castle  of  Scarborough,  which  at  the  time  was  but  slightly  garrisoned. 
Mr.  Thomas  Stafford,  second  son  of  Lord  Stafford,  collected  some  fugitives 
in  France,  which  he  disguised  in  the  habits  of  peasants  and  countrymen,  and 
took  with  him  to  Scarborough  on  a  market  day,  under  the  most  unsuspicious 
appearances.  He,  with  about  thirty  of  his  little  troop,  strolled  into  the 
castle,  at  intervals,  with  a  careless  air,  apparently  to  gratify  their  curiosity. 
Embracing  a  favourable  opportunity,  they,  at  the  same  moment,  secured  the 
different  sentinels,  took  possession  of  the  gate,  and  admitted  their  remaining 
companions,  who,  under  the  exterior  gari>  of  countrymen,  had  concealed 
arms.  They  retained  possession  of  the  castle,  however,  but  for  three  days, 
for  the  Earl  of  Westmorland,  with  a  considerable  force,  recovered  it  without 
loss.  Mr.  Stafford  was,  on  -account  of  his  quality,  beheaded ;  and  three 
other  of  the  leaders,  Strelley,  Bradford,  and  Proctor,  were  hanged  and  quar- 
tered ;  hence  the  origin  of  *'  A  Scarborough  warning ;  a  word  and  a  blow, 
and  the  blow  comes  first.*' 

On  the  festival  of  St  James,  in  A.  D.  1554,  the  marriage  of  Philip  and 
Maiy  was  celebrated,  in  the  Cathedral  Church  of  Winchester,  before  crowds 
of  the  nobility  of  every  part  of  Christendom,  and  with  a  magnificence  which 
has  seldom  been  surpassed.*  And  in  the  Parliament  which  assembled  in 
the  same  year  the  Papal  supremacy  was  restored,  and  the  Church  of  England 
was  re-united  with  that  of  Rome.  The  motion  for  the  re-union  was  carried 
almost  by  acclamation.  The  dissolution  of  this  Parliament  was  followed  by 
an  unexpected  act  of  grace.  The  Lord  Chancellor  and  several  members  of 
the  council  proceeded  to  the  Tower,  and,  in  the  name  of  the  King  and  Queen, 
rdeased  the  state  prisoners  still  confined  on  account  of  the  insurrection  of 
Northumberland  and  Wyat. 

From  the  sufferings  of  the  Reformers,  or  the  men  of  the  "  new  learning,*' 
in  the  reign  of  Heniy  VULl.,  it  might  perhaps  have  been  expected  that  they 
would  have  learned  to  respect  the  rights  of  conscience ;  but  experience 
proved  the  contrary.  They  had  no  sooner  obtained  the'  ascendancy  during 
the  short  reign  of  Edward,  than  they  displayed  the  same  persecuting  spirit 
which  they  had  formerly  condemned. 

Unhappily  this  was  an  age  of  religious  intolerance,  when  to  punish  the 
professors  of  erroneous  doctrine  was  inculcated  as  a  duty,  no  less  by  those 
who  r^ected  than  by  those  who  asserted  the  Papal  authority ;  and  this  is 

*  See  a  Aill  description  of  the  ceremony,  in  Bosso,  p.  61. 


204  OEKERAX   HISTORY   OF   YORKSHIRE. 

equally  true  of  foreign  religionists.'^'  Archbishop  Cranmer  had  compiled  a 
code  of  ecclesiastical  discipline  for  the  government  of  the  Reformed  church,  by 
which  it  was  declared  to  be  heresy  to  beUeve  in  Transubstantiation,  to  admit 
the  Papal  supremacy,  or  to  deny  Justification  by  Faith  only ;  and  it  was  or- 
dained that  individuals  accused  of  holding  such  heretical  opinions  should  be 
arraigned  before  the  spiritual  courts,  should  be  excommunicated  on  conviction, 
and  after  a  respite  of  sixteen  days,  should,  if  they  continued  obstinate,  be 
delivered  to  the  civil  magistrate,  to  suffer  the  punishment  provided  by  law. 
Fortunately  for  the  professors  of  the  ancient  faith,  Edward  died  before  the 
new  canon  law  obtained  the  sanction  of  the  legislature. 

By  the  accession  of  Mary  the  sword  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  men  of 
the  ''  old  learning,"  and  Cranmer  and  his  associates  perished  in  the  flames 
which  they  had  prepared  for  the  destruction  of  their  opponents.  After  the 
passing  of  the  Act  for  reuniting  the  churches,  the  Reformed  preachers  acted 
in  numerous  instances  with  great  imprudence,  and  really  provoked  chastise- 
ment by  the  intemperance  of  their  zeal.  Fanaticism  became  rampant,  and 
a  new  conspiracy  was  organized  in  the  counties  of  Cambridge,  Suffolk,  and 
Norfolk,  and  then  the  storm  burst  on  their  heads ;  and  if  anything  could  be 
urged  in  extenuation  of  the  cruelties  which  they  afterwards  suffered,  it  is  the 
provocation  given  by  themselves.  They  heaped  on  the  Queen,  her  Bishops, 
and  her  religion,  every  indecent  and  irritating  epithet  which  language  could 
supply.  Her  clergy  could  not  exercise  their  functions  witiiout  danger  to 
their  lives.  A  dagger  was  thrown  at  one  priest  in  the  pulpit ;  a  gun  was 
discharged  at  another ;  and  several  wounds  were  inflicted  on  a  third,  while 
he  administered  the  communion  in  his  church.  Some  congregations  prayed 
for  the  death  of  the  Queen ;  and  tracts  of  the  most  libellous  and  abusive 
character  were  transmitted  from  the  exiles  in  Germany ;  and  successive  in- 
surrections were  planned  by  the  fugitives  in  France.  "  For  the  better  pre- 
servation of  the  peace  of  the  realm,"  several  of  the  preachers,  with  the  most 
zealous  of  their  disciples,  were  tried  and  executed  for  heresy ;  and  amongst 
them,  Cranmer,  Ridley,  and  Latimer,  each  of  whom  had  been  concerned  in 
the  rebellion  of  Wyat.  Many  of  the  Reformed  clergy  sought  an  asylum  in 
foreign  cUmes ;  but  the  Lutheran  Protestants  refused  to  receive  them,  styling 
them  heretics,  because  they  rejected  the  corporeal  presence  of  Christ  in  the 
Eucharist.  They,  however,  met  a  cordial  reception  from  the  disciples  of 
Calvin  and  Zuinglius,  and  obtained  permission  to  open  churches  in  Stras- 
burg,  Frankfort,  Geneva,  Zurich,  Basle,  and  Aran. 

•  See  Calvin,  de  supplicio  Sen'eti ;  Beza,  de  Hecriticus  a  civili  niagistratu  puniendis ; 
and  MelancthoD,  in  locis  Com.,  c.  xxxii.,  de  Ecclesin. 


OENERAIi   HISTOHY  OF  TORESHIRE.  S05 

The  Reformed  writers  have  described  in  glowing  colours  the  sufferings,  and 
sought  to  multiply  the  number  of  the  victims  of  persecution  in  this  reign ; 
while  the  CathoHcs  have  maintained  that  the  reader  should  distrust  the 
exaggerations  of  men  heated  with  enthusiasm,  and  exasperated  by  oppression. 
The  most  impartial  writers  state  that,  after  expunging  from  the  catalogue  of 
the  martyrs  the  names  of  all  who  were  condemned  as  felons  or  traitors,  or 
who  died  peaceably  in  their  beds,  or  who  survived  the  pubhcation  of  their 
martyrdom,  or  who  would  for  their  heterodoxy  have  been  sent  to  the  stake  by 
Reformed  prelates  themselves,  had  they  been  in  possession  of  the  power,  the 
number  of  persons  that  suffered  for  religious  opinion  in  the  space  of  four 
years,  was  nearly  200.  And  yet  these  deductions  and  allowances  take  but 
little  from  the  infamy  of  the  measure.  The  persecution  continued  at  intervals 
till  the  death  of  Mary,  which  occurred  in  1658.  Her  successor  on  the  throne 
was  the  Princess  Elizabeth,  another  daughter  of  Henry  VIII.,  by  his  second 
wife,  Anne  BuUeyn,  or  Boleyn. 

In  this  reign  the  Protestant  rehgion  was  re-established,  and  the  Catholics 
again  became  an  object  of  persecution.  Those  who  denied  the  supremacy  of 
the  Queen  suffered  for  it. 

Mr.  Phillips,  in  his  little  work  on  Peterborough  Cathedral,  ahready  quoted, 
says,  "We  must  now  say  a  few  words  about  this  *  Good  Queen  Bess,'  as  her 
fraudulent  historians  call  her.  Indeed  we  cannot  let  this  opportunity  pass 
of  shewing  Elizabeth  in  her  true  colours.  It  is  a  duty  which  every  writer 
owes  to  the  public.  Be  it  known  then,  that  during  the  reign  of  her  sister 
Maiy,  Elizabeth  professed  to  be  a  most  zealous  Catholic.  She  attended 
mass,  and  could  count  her  beads  with  the  rapidity  and  devotion  of  a  saint. 
Yet,  notwithstanding  these  outward  appearances.  Queen  Mary  knew  the 
treachery  and  deception  of  her  sister  s  heart,  and  was  never  confident  of  her 
actions.  She  long  suspected  her  sister's  conduct,  and  when  dying,  requested 
that  Elizabeth  would  no  longer  deceive  her  as  to  her  real  character.  With  a 
great  oath,  Elizabeth  said,  she  hoped  '  the  earth  would  open  and  swaUow  her 
up,  if  she  were  not  in  heart  and  soul  a  Cathotic'  No  sooner,  however,  was 
Elizabeth,  Queen,  than  she  declared  herself  a  Protestant,  and  began  her  reign 
by  dismissing  from  office  all  those  who  were  not  after  her  way  of  thinking. 
It  would  require  too  much  space  to  write  out  a  fair  statement  of  Elizabeth's 
character  in  this  work ;  if,  however,  the  blackest  perjury — ^the  most  base  and 
open  licentiousness'*' — ^the  most  horrid  sacrifices  to  the  Protestant  faith — ^the 

*  There  is  a  law  yet  unrepealed  in  the  statute  book,  which  Elizabeth  caused  to  be 
passed  in  her  reign,  which  enacts,  that  all  her  naturcd  children  should  be  heirs  to  the 
throne,  by  whomsoever  begotten. 


206  OEKEBAL  HISTOBT  OF  YORKSHIRE. 

cruelest  hatred  and  persecution  of  a  young  and  lovely  Queen,  who  threw 
herself  upon  Elizabeth  for  protection — ^if  imprisoning  her  for  upwards  of 
eighteen  years  for  an  alleged  crime,  of  which  she  had  no  right  to  be  an 
arbiter,  and  the  final  murder  of  that  Queen,  are  sufficient  virtues  to  make 
Elizabeth  worthy  the  commendation  of  posterity — ^we  wUl  leave  her  to  their 
homage,  and  smother  the  indignation  which  the  black  catalogue  of  her  crimes 
arouses  within  us." 

In  the  second  session  of  Parliament  in  this  reign,  the  obligation  of  taking 
the  oath  of  supremacy  (the  administration  of  which  had  hitherto  been  con- 
fined to  persons  seeking  preferment  in  the  church,  or  accepting  office  under 
the  crown)  was  extended  to  others ;  and  the  first  refusal  was  made  an  offence 
punishable  by  premunire,  and  the  second  by  death,  as  in  cases  of  treason. 
This  measure,  which  evidentiy  aimed  at  the  total  extinction  of  the  ancient 
creed,  met  with  considerable  opposition  from  many  Protestants,  who  ques- 
tioned both  its  justice  and  its  policy ;  but  after  a  long  struggle  it  was  carried 
by  the  efforts  of  the  ministers ;  and  had  its  provisions  been  strictiy  carried 
into  execution,  the  scaffolds  in  every  part  of  the  kingdom  would  have  been 
drenched  with  the  blood  of  the  sufferers.  The  convocation,  which  had  as- 
sembled, according  to  ancient  custom,  at  the  same  time  with  the  Parliament, 
now  drew  up  a  new  creed,  chiefly  foimded  upon  that  formerly  published  by 
the  authority  of  Edward  YI.  This  important  work,  called  the  Thirty-nins 
Artklesy  as  they  now  exist,  received  the  subscriptions  of  the  two  houses  of 
convocation  in  1562.  But  what  a  strange  and  inconsistent  being  is  man ! 
The  framers  of  the  Thirty-nine  Articles  could  not  have  forgotten  the  perse- 
cution of  the  last  reign — ^many  of  them  having  suffered  imprisonment  or  exile 
£or  their  dissent  from  the  established  church ;  and  yet,  as  if  they  had  suc- 
ceeded to  the  infallibility  which  they  condemned,  they  refused  to  others  the 
liberty  of  religious  choice  which  they  had  arrogated  to  themselves.  Instead 
of  considering  the  newly  drawn  up  articles,  as  merely  the  distinguishing 
doctrines  of  the  church,  recentiy  established  by  law,  they  laboured  to  force 
them  upon  the  consciences  of  others,  by  making  it  a  crime,  subject  to  the 
penalties  of  heresy,  to  question  their  truth.  But  the  attempt  was  opposed  by 
the  council,  as  being  unnecessary  as  far  as  regarded  Catholics,  since  they 
could  at  any  moment  be  brought  to  the  scaffold  under  the  Act  of  Supremacy. 
The  cruel  penal  laws  enacted  in  this  reign  for  the  extirpation  of  the  Catholic 
religion,  awarded  the  punishment  of  death  in  its  most  hideous  form  to  ordaiii 
a  Catholic  priest  within  the  kingdom;  death  to  a  Catholic  priest  to  enter  the 
kingdom  from  abroad ;  death  to  harbour  such  a  priest ;  death  to  confess  to 
such  a  priest ;  death  for  a  priest  to  celebrate  mass ;  death  for  a  Catholic  to 


QEXERAL  HISTORT   OF  TOBKSHIBE.  907 

attend  at  mass ;  and  death,  as  before  stated,  to  deny  that  the  Queen  was  bead 
of  the  church.  Challoner's  list  of  persons  put  to  death  for  the  Catholic 
faith,  between  the  years  1577  and  1681,  contains  the  names  of  thirty-three 
phests  and  eighteen  of  the  laity,  who  suffered  in  York. 

But  in  addition  to  the  Catholics,  the  Puritans  (who  derived  their  origin 
&om  some  of  the  exiled  ministers,  who,  during  the  reign  of  Mary,  had  im- 
bibed the  opinions  of  Calvin)  were  a  perpetual  cause  of  disquietude  to  the 
Queen.  They  approved  of  much  that  had  been  done,  and.  urged  her  to  a 
further  reformation.  They  objected  to  the  superiority  of  the  Bishops,  and 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  episcopal  courts ;  to  the  repetition  of  the  Lord's  Prayer, 
to  the  responses  of  the  people,  to  the  sign  of  the  cross  in  the  administration 
of  baptism,  to  the  ring  and  the  words  of  the  contract  in  that  of  marriage,  to 
the  observance  of  festivals,  the  chant  of  the  psalms,  the  use  of  musical 
instruments  in  churches,  and  to  the  habits,  "  the  very  livery  of  the  beast," 
worn  by  the  ministers  during  the  celebration  of  divine  service.'*^  The  Queen, 
who  had  a  rooted  antipathy  against  the  doctrines  of  the  Puritans,  and  an 
insuperable  jealousy  of  all  their  proceedings,  erected  a  tribunal,  called  the 
High  Commission  Court,  for  the  purpose  of  enquiring,  on  the  oath  of  the 
person  accused,  and  on  the  oaths  of  witnesses,  of  all  heretical,  erroneous,  and 
dangerous  opinions,  &c.  Catholics  and  Puritans  alike  felt  the  vengeance  of 
this  tribunal ;  many  of  the  Puritan  clergy  being  imprisoned  and  suspended. 
In  1571,  not  fewer  than  seven  bills  for  a  further  reformation,  were  introduced 
into  the  House  of  Commons.  To  the  Queen  such  conduct  appeared  an  act 
of  high  treason  against  her  supremacy ;  and  on  the  dissolution  of  the  Parlia- 
ment the  Lord  Keeper,  by  her  command,  informed  the  Puritans,  that  she 
"  did  utterly  disallow  and  condemn  their  foUy,  in  meddling  with  things  not 
appertaining  to  them,  nor  within  the  capacity  of  their  understandings."! 

A  slight  glance  at  the  events  of  this  reign  reveals  to  ns,  that  the  subjects 
of  the  Queen  were  required  to  submit  to  the  superior  judgment  of  their 
Sovereign,  and  to  practice  that  religious  worship  which  she  practised.  Every 
other  £oTm  of  service,  whether  it  were  that  of  Geneva,  in  its  evangelical 
purity,  or  the  mass,  with  its  supposed  idolatry,  was  strictly  forbidden,  and 
both  the  Catholic  and  the  Puritan  were  made  liable  to  the  severest  penalties 
if  they  presumed  to  worship  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  their  con- 
sciences. But  the  experience  of  ages  has  shown  that  religious  opinions  are 
not  to  be  eradicated  by  severities. 

In  1569,  the  Catholics  made  a  fruitless  attempt  in  the  north  to  restore 

«  Neal'8  Puritans,  o.  4,  5.       t  D'Ewes's  Journal,  161, 177. 


208  GENERAL   HISTORY   OF   TORKSHIRE. 

their  religion  hj  assembling,  to  the  number  of  1,600  horse  and  4,000  foot, 
under  the  command  of  Thomas  Percy,  Earl  of  Northumberland,  and  Charles 
Neville,  Earl  of  Westmorland.  The  first  object  of  the  insurgents  was  to 
release  the  Queen  of  Scots  from  Tetbury,  and  endeavour  to  extort  from 
Elizabeth  a  declaration  that  she  (Mary)  was  next  heir  to  the  throne.  The 
proclamations  which  they  published,  stated  that  they  did  not  intend  to  attempt 
anything  against  the  Queen,  to  whom  they  avowed  unshaken  allegiance.  Her 
Majesty  is  surrounded,  says  one  of  these  documents,  "  by  divers  newe  set-upp 
nobles,  who  not  onlie  go  aboute  to  overthrow  and  put  down  the  ancient 
nobiHtie  of  the  realme,  but  also  have  misused  the  Queue's  Majistie's  owne 
personne,  and  also  have  by  the  space  of  twelve  yeares  nowe  past  set  upp  and 
mayntayned  a  new-foimd  religion  and  heresie,  contrary  to  God's  word." 
Wherefore  they  called  upon  all  true  Englishmen  to  join  with  them  in  their 
attempt  to  restore  the  crown,  the  nobihty,  and  the  worship  of  God,  to  their 
former  estate.  "  They  saw  around  them  examples  of  successful  insurrection 
in  the  cause  of  religious  liberty,"  writes  Dr.  Lingard.  "  The  Calvinists  of 
Scotland  had  established  their  own  creed  in  defiance  of  all  opposition ;  the 
Calvinists  of  France  had  thrice  waged  war  against  their  own  Sovereign ;  both 
had  been  aided  with  men  and  money  by  the  Queen  of  England.  If  this  were 
lawful  to  other  religionists,  why  might  not  they  also  draw  the  sword,  and 
claim  the  rights  of  conscience."* 

^  The  first  meetings  of  the  chief  insurgents  were  held  at  the  seat  of  the 
Earl  of  Northumberland,  near  TopclifiTe ;  and  they  there  entered  into  a  cor* 
respondence  with  the  Duke  of  Alva,  Governor  of  the  Low  Countries,  and 
obtained  his  promise  of  a  reinforcement  of  troops,  and  a  supply  of  arms  and 
ammunition.  Rumours  of  the  intended  insurrection  having  gone  abroad, 
the  two  Earls  were  summoned  to  appear  at  court  to  answer  for  their  conduct. 
This  order  from  the  Queen  precipitated  the  rising  before  they  were  fully  pre- 
pared ;  for  the  leaders  had  already  proceeded  so  far  in  their  designs,  that  they 
dare  not  trust  themselves  in  the  Queen's  hands.  They  determined  to  b^gin 
the  insurrection  without  delay ;  and  their  first  demonstration  was  made  at 
Durham,  where  they  had  a  mass  celebrated  in  the  Cathedral  before  several 
thousand  people,  and  where  they  threw  down  the  communion  table,  and  tore 
the  English  prayer  books  into  pieces.  Thence  they  marched  forward  to 
Staindrop,  Darlington,  Richmond,  and  Ripon,  restoring  the  ancient  service 
in  each  place.  At  the  latter  town  they  assembled  round  the  market  cross  on 
the  18th  of  November,  and  after  putting  Sir  William  Ingilby,  who  had  op- 

•  Histoiy  of  England,  vol.  viii.,  p.  46,  fop.  8vo. 


OEMEBAL   HIStbBY   OF   YORKSHIRE.  ^09 

posed  them,  to  flight,  they  proceeded  to  Enareshorough  and  Wetherfoy,  and 
thence  to  Clifford  Moor.  They  then  marched  towards  York,  but  hearing  that 
the  Earl  of  Essex,  then  Lord  President  of  the  North,  was  there  with  5,000 
effective  men,  they  retired  and  laid  siege  to  Barnard  Castle.  That  fortress 
was  under  the  command  of  Sir  Oeorge  Bowes  and  his  brother,  who,  alter  a 
gallant  defence  of  eleven  days,  capitulated  on  condition  that  the  garrison 
cdiould  be  allowed  to  march,  with  their  arms  and  ammunition,  to  York ;  which 
they  accordingly  did.  The  Earl  of  Sussex,  the  Earl  of  Rutland,  Lord 
Hunsdon,  William,  Lord  Evers,  and  Sir  Halph  Sadler,  with  their  forces,  to 
the  number  of  7,000,  now  marched  from  York,  against  the  rebels.  On  their 
approach,  the  leaders,  through  fear,  fled  into  Scotland ;  the  insurgents  dis* 
parsed,  but  most  of  them  were  killed  or  captured  in  their  flight.  The  fiailure 
of  this  enterprise  involved  many  of  the  conspirators  in  ruin ;  and  on  Qood 
Friday,  the  d7th  of  March,  1570,  Simon  Digby,  of  Aiskew,  and  John  Ful- 
thorpe,  of  Iselbeck,  Esqrs;  also  Robert  Pennyman,  of  Stokesley,  and  Thomas 
Bishop,  Jun.,  of  Pocklington,  gentlemen  (all  of  whom  were  taken,  and  im- 
prisoned in  York  Castle),  were  drawn  to  Enavesmire,  and  there  "  hanged, 
headed,  and  quartered,"  and  their  heads,  with  four  of  their  quarters,  were 
placed  on  the  four  principal  gates  of  the  city,  and  the  other  quarters  were  set 
up  in  different  other  parts  of  the  country.  The  Earl  of  Westmorland  found 
means  to  escape  from  Scotland  to  Flanders ;  but  the  Earl  of  Northumberland 
was  betrayed  and  given  up  by  the  Earl  of  Moreton,  Viceroy  of  Scotland,  and 
Lord  Hunsdon,  Governor  of  Berwick.  He  was  conducted  a  prisoner  to 
York,  and  beheaded  on  a  scaffold  erected  for  that  purpose,  in  Pavement  in 
that  dty,  opposite  the  church  of  St  Crux,  on  the  22nd  of  August,  1572,  and 
his  head  was  set  upon  a  high  pole  over  Micklegate  Bar,  where  it  remained 
about  two  years.  His  head  appears  not,  however,  to  have  been  taken  down 
by  ofiScial  authority ;  for,  from  a  curious  old  MSS.,  written  about  that  period, 
Allen  quotes  the  following  memorandum,  "  Li  the  year  1574,  the  head  of  the 
Earl  of  Northumberland  was  stolen  in  the  night,  from  Micklegate  Bar,  by 
persons  unknown.  **♦  The  Earl  died  avowing  tlie  Pope^s  supremacy,  denying 
that  of  the  Queen,  and  affirming  the  land  tjf^  be  in  a  state  of  schism,  and  her 
aMiheiBDts  no  better  than  heretics.f  His  body  was  buried  in  the  church  of 
St.  Cruxy  without  any  memorial,  attended  only  by  two  of  his  men-servants, 
and  three  women.    This  was  the  last  open  attempt  made  to  restore  the 

•  In  the  same  xnantucript  it  la  stated  that  doling  this  year  a  vezy  oonsiderable  earth* 
qnake  was  experienced  at  York.  It  ftirther  states  that  abont  the  same  time  a  prison  was 
erected  on  Onse  bridge,  in  the  same  dty. 

f  Speed. 

2  E 


'210  GENERAL  HISTORT   6f  YORKSHIRE. 

Catholic  religion  in  this  kingdom.  Hume  sajs  great  severity  was  exercised 
against  such  as  had  taken  part  in  these  rash  enterprises;  no  less  than  sixty- 
six  of  them  were  hanged  in  Durham  ;'*'  and  about  800  persons  are  said,  in 
the  whole,  to  have  suffered  by  the  hands  of  the  executioner.  Between  New- 
castle and  Wetherby,  a  distance  of  sixty  miles  in  length  by  forty  in  breadth, 
there  was  not  a  town  or  village  in  which  some  of  the  inhabitants  did  not 
expire  on  the  gibbet.  In  this  last  attempt  to  re-establish  the  ancient  creed, 
some  of  the  leaders  are  supposed  to  have  entertained  the  design  of  placing 
on  the  throne  Mary,  the  Scottish  Queen,  then  a  prisoner  in  England. 

During  the  progress  of  this  rebellion,  the  city  of  York  was  in  daily  ex- 
pectation of  a  siege,  as  is  abundantly  proved  by  many  curious  entries  in  the 
Corporation  records.  For  example,  on  the  18th  of  November,  it  is  ordered, 
*^  that  the  wardens  do  bring  into  the  citie  all  sties  and  ladders  that  may  lie 
in  the  suburbs  thereof,  and  the  inhabitants  do  make  their  abode  in  the  citie 
thys  troblesome  time."  On  the  21st,  it  is  directed,  "  that  whensoever  any 
alarm  shal  hapen  within  this  citie,  no  manner  of  men,  women,  ne  children 
shall  make  any  showteyng,  crying,  nor  noyse,  but  to  kepe  silens."!  A  city 
guard  of  100  men  is  also  spoken  of. 

The  many  wai*m  contests,  with  respect  to  trade  and  commerce,  which  took 
place  between  the  city  of  York  and  the  town  of  Eingston-upon-Hull, — ^being 
for  many  years  rivals  in  this  respect — were  amicably  terminated  by  an  agree- 
ment made  and  entered  into  on  the  28th  of  June,  1577.  On  that  day  articles 
were  agreed  on  between  Hugh  Greaves,  the  then  Lord  Mayor  of  York,  and 
the  citizens  of  the  said  city,  on  the  one  part ;  and  John  Thornton,  Mayor  of 
Kingston-upon-Hull,  and  the  burgesses  of  the  same,  on  the  other  part ;  by 
the  mediation  and  before  the  Hon.  Henry,  Earl  of  Htmtingdon,  Lord  Presi- 
dent of  the  North.  By  this  agreement  all  differences  and  disputes  between 
the  two  parties  finally  terminated. 

In  the  3'ear  1568  an  investigation  into  the  charges  made  against  the  unfor- 
tunate Mary,  Queen  of  Scotiand,  was  held  at  York,  before  commissioners 
appointed  by  Queen  Elizabeth.  These  commissioners  were  the  Duke  of 
Norfolk,  the  Earl  of  Sussex,  an(^  Sir  Ealph  Sadler.  Mary  was  represented 
by  Lesley,  Bishop  of  Ross ;  the  Lords  Livingstone,  Boyd,  and  Herries,  and 
three  others.  During  these  conferences,  which  continued  for  several  days, 
the  city  of  York  was  the  scene  of  active  and  intricate  negotiation ;  but  at 
length  the  proceedings  were  transferred  to  London.     In  1585  many  of  the 

*  Dr.  lingard  says  that  no  less  than  800  suffered  in  the  county  of  Durham, 
f  Memorials  of  the  Bebellion  of  1569,  8vo.,  London,  1840,  p.  76. 


QENERAti   HISTORY   OF  YOBKSHIRE.  211 

churches  of  York  were  united.  In  1600  the  city  was  again  visited  with  a 
very  serious  earthquake,  which  greatly  alarmed  the  inhabitants.  On  Thurs- 
day,* the  d4th  of  March,  1603,  Queen  Elizabeth  finished  her  long,  prosperous, 
but  rigorous  and  imperious  reign.  She  died  at  her  Manor  of  Richmond,  in 
Surrey,  in  the  70th  year  of  her  age,  and  45th  of  her  reign,  and  was  buried  in 
Westminster,  in  the  chapel  of  Henry  VII.,  where  a  stately  monument  is 
erected  to  her  memory.f 

Maiy  and  her  sister  Elizabeth — ^two  zealous  promoters  of  rival  creeds — 
are  dead ;  and  here  we  pause  to  ask,  are  the  religions  which  these  two  Queens 
professed,  to  be  charged  with  the  excesses  perpetrated  in  their  reigns?  By 
no  means  I  far  from  it  This  would  be  calumny  of  the  blackest  dye.  If  we 
attribute  the  persecutions  in  Mary's  reign  to  the  spirit  of  Catholicism,  must 
we  not»  by  the  same  rule,  attribute  the  rigorous  and  protracted  persecutions 
in  the  reign  of  Elizabeth,  and  all  the  diabolical  penal  laws,  to  the  spirit  of 
Protestantism  ?  Assuredly  we  must  But  both  the  Catholic  and  Protestant 
church  equally  deplore  those  direM  persecutions,  and  most  emphatically  and 
unequivocally  condemn  the  laws  which  countenanced  them.  To  what  then 
are  these  persecutions  to  be  attributed?  To  the  impiety  of  the  age,  the 
eruelty  of  individuals,  and  not  to  the  religion  of  our  forefathers,  or  the  spirit 
of  the  reformed  creed.  And  perhaps  the  cause  may  be  discovered  in  the 
fact,  that  the  extirpation  of  erroneous  doctrine  was  inculcated  as  a  duty, 
by  the  leaders  of  every  religious  party.  Mary  is  called  "  bloody,"  but  im- 
partial writers  tell  us,  that  she  only  practised  what  the  Beformers  taught ; 
and  that  it  was  her  misfortune,  rather  then  her  fault,  that  she  was  not  more 
enlightened  than  the  wisest  of  her  contemporaries. 

The  successor  of  Elizabeth  was  James  VI.  of  Scotland  (son  of  Mary, 
Queen  of  Scots),  who  became  James  I.  of  England.  That  monarch  visited 
York  in  1603,  on  his  way  from  Scotland  to  London,  to  take  possession  of 
the  crown  of  England,  and  was  received  by  the  Lord  Mayor  and  citizens 
with  great  magnificence,  and  splendid  demonstrations  of  loyalty.  The  fol- 
lowing quaint  account  of  this  monarch's  reception  at  York,  is  from  the  pen 
of  Mr.  Edward  Howes,  the  continuator  of  Stowe's  Annals. 

*  Stowe  observes  that  this  day  of  the  week  was  fatal  to  King  Henry  Vm.,  and  all  his 
posterity ;  himself,  his  son  Edward,  and  his  daughters  Mary  and  Elizabeth,  having  died 
on  that  day. 

f  The  reign  of  EUzabeth  was  long  and  prosperous ;  and  was  somewhat  conspicuous, 
too,  for  what  Pennant  calls  its  "  romantic  fooleries."  TUts  and  tournaments  were  the 
delight  of  "  good  Queen  Bess."  "  At  these,  in  her  6«th  year,"  says  that  author,  "  with 
wrinkled  face,  red  perriwig,  little  eyes,  hooked  nose,  skinny  lips,  and  black  teeth,  she 
could  suck  in  the  gross  flatteries  of  her  favoured  courtiers." 


212  GENERAL  HIST0B7   OF   Y0BK8HIRE. 

"  On  the  15th  of  April,  1603,  his  M^jestie  set  forwards  from  Durham 
towards  Yorke,  his  train  still  increasing  by  the  numbers  of  gentlemen  from 
ihe  south  parts,  that  came  to  offer  him  fealty ;  whose  love,  although  he  greatly 
tendered,  yet  did  their  multitudes  so  oppress  the  country,  and  made  pro- 
visions so  dear,  that  he  was  fain  to  publish  an  inhibition  against  the  inordinate 
and  daily  access  of  the  people  coming,  that  many  were  stopped  in  their  way. 

'*  The  High  Sheriffe  of  Yorkshire,  very  well  accompanied,  attended  his 
Majestie  to  Master  Inglebyes,  beside  Topcliffe,  being  about  sixteen  miles 
from  Walworth,  where  the  King  had  lain  the  night  before,  who  with  all  joy 
and  humility  received  his  Mi^estie,  and  he  rested  there  that  night 

"  The  Lord  Mayor  and  Aldermen  of  Yorke,  upon  certayne  knowledge  of  the 
King's  journey  into  England,  with  all  diligence  consulted  what  was  fittest  to 
be  done,  for  the  receiving  and  entertajming  so  mighty  and  gracious  a  Sove- 
raygne,  as  well  within  the  cittie,  as  at  the  outmost  bounds  thereof;  as  also 
what  further  service,  or  duteous  respect,  they  ought  to  show  his  Majestie 
uppon  so  good  and  memorable  an  occasion  as  now  was  offered  unto  them ; 
and  thereupon  they  sent  Bobert  Askwith,  Alderman,  unto  Newcastle,  and 
there  in  the  behalfe  of  the  Lord  Mayor  and  citizens  of  Yorke,  to  make  tender 
of  their  zealous  love  and  dutie,  for  the  which  his  Majestie  gave  them  heartie 
thankes. 

"And  uppon  Saturday,  the  16th  of  April,  John  Robinson  and  George 
Bucke,  Shenffes  of  Yorke,  with  their  white  roddes,  being  accompanied  with 
an  hundred  citizens,  and  threescore  other  esquires,  gentlemen,  and  others, 
the  most  substantial  persons,  being  all  well  mounted,  they  received  the  King 
at  the  east  end  of  Skip  bridge,  which  was  the  utmost  boundes  of  the  libertyes 
of  the  cittie  of  Yorke ;  and  there  kneeling,  the  Sheriffes  delivered  their  white 
roddes  unto  the  King,  with  acknowledgment  of  their  love  and  allegiance  unto 
his  M^yestie,  for  the  which  the  King,  with  cheerfull  countenance,  thanked 
them,  and  gave  them  their  roddes  agajme ;  the  which  they  carried  all  the 
way  upright  in  their  handes,  ryding  all  the  way  next  before  the  seigeant 
at  armes. 

"  And  before  the  King  came  to  the  cittie,  his  Majestie  had  sent  Syr  Thomas 
Challenor  to  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Aldermen,  to  knowe  who  formerlye  had 
borne  the  sworde  before  the  Kinges  of  England  at  their  coming  to  Yorke ; 
and  to  whom  of  right  that  office  for  that  tyme  appertayned,  because  it  had 
been  anciently  performed  by  the  Earls  of  Cumberland,  as  hereditary  to  that 
house,  but  was  now  challenged  by  the  Lord  President  of  the  North,  for  the 
tyme  being,  as  proper  to  his  place.  But  upon  due  search  and  examination, 
it  was  agreed,  that  the  honour  to  bear  the  sworde  before  the  King  in  Yorke, 


OEMERAL   HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE.  218 

belonged  unto  Greorge,  Earle  of  Cumberland,  who  all  the  while  the  King  was 
in  Yorke,  bare  the  sworde,  for  so  the  King  willed,  and  for  that  purpose  sent 
Syr  Thomas  Challenor  agajne  to  the  Lord  Mayor,  and  the  Lord  Mayor  bare 
the  great  mace  of  the  cittie,  going  always  on  the  left  hand  of  the  Earle. 

"And  when  the  King  came  to  the  cittie,  which  was  well  prepared  to  give  his 
Highness  and  his  royal  tndne  entertaynment,  then  the  Lord  Mayor,  with  the 
twelye  Aldermen  in  their  scarlet  robes,  and  the  foure-and-twentye  in  crimson 
gownes,  accompanied  with  many  others  of  the  gravest  menne,  met  the  King 
at  Micklegate  Bar,  his  Majestie  going  betweene  the  Duke  of  Lennox  and 
Lord  Hume ;  and  when  the  King  came  near  to  the  scaffold  where  the  Lord 
Mayor,  with  the  Recorder,  the  twelve  Aldermen,  and  the  foure-and-twentye, 
were  all  kneeling,  the  Lord  Mayor  said,  '  Most  high  and  mightie  Prince,  I 
and  my  brethren  do  most  heartilie  wellcome  your  Majestie  to  your  Highness* 
cittie,  and,  in  token  of  our  duties,  I  deliver  unto  your  Majestie  all  my  au- 
Uioritie  of  this  your  Highness*  cittie,*  and  then  rose  uppe  and  kissed  the 
sworde,  and  delivered  it  into  the  King*s  hand,  and  the  King  gave  it  to  the 
Duke  of  Lennox,  who,  according  to  the  King*s  appointment,  delivered  it 
unto  the  Earle  of  Cumberland,  to  bear  before  his  Majestie. 

'*  The  Lord  Mayor  also  delivered  up  the  keyes  of  the  cittie,  which  the 
Lord  Hume  received  and  carried  them  to  the  manor.  And  when  the  Re- 
corder had  ended  his  grave  oration  on  behalfe  of  the  cittie,  then  the  Lord 
Mayor,  as  the  King  commanded,  took  horse,  and  bare  ihe  cittie  mace,  ryding 
on  the  left  hande  of  the  Earle  of  Cumberland,  who  bore  the  sword  of  the  cittie, 
and  so  attended  his  Majestie  to  St.  Feter*s  church,  and  was  there  royally 
received  by  the  Deans,  Prebends,  and  the  whole  quyer  of  singing  menne  of 
that  Cathedral  church  in  their  richest  copes.  At  the  entrance  into  the 
church,  the  Dean  made  a  learned  oration  in  Latin,  which  ended,  the  King 
ascended  the  quyer.  The  canapa  was  supported  by  six  Lordes,  and  was 
placed  in  a  throne  prepared  for  his  Migestie,  and  during  divine  service  there 
came  three  sergeants  at  armes  with  their  maces,  pressing  to  stand  by  the 
throne,  but  the  Earle  of  Cumberland  put  them  down,  saying,  that  place,  for 
that  tyme,  belonged  to  hym  and  the  Lord  Mayor,  and  not  to  them. 

"  Divine  service  being  ended,  the  King  returned  in  the  same  royal  manner 
he  came ;  the  canapa  being  carried  over  him  into  the  manor  of  St.  M^ryes, 
where  the  Lord  Burleigh  and  council  gave  tiieir  attendance,  and  received  his 
Majestie,  where  Dr.  Bennet  having  ended  his  eloquent  oration,  the  King 
went  into  his  chamber,  the  sworde  and  mace  being  there  borne  by  the  Earle 
and  Lord  Mayor,  who  left  the  sworde  and  mace  there  that  night ;  and  when 
the  Lord  Mayor  was  to  depart,  the  Lord  Hume  delivered  him  agayne  the 
keyes  of  the  cittie. 


dl4  GENERAL   HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE. 

"  The  next  day,  being  Sundai,  the  17th  of  Aprili  the  Lord  Major,  with 
the  Recorder,  the  Aldermen  and  Sheriffes,  and  the  twentye-fonre,  with  all 
their  chief  officers,  and  the  Preacher  of  the  cittie,  and  Town  Clerk,  in  very 
comely  order,  went  unto  the  manor,  of  whome,  as  soone  as  the  King  had 
knowledge  of  their  comming,  willed  that  so  many  of  them  as  the  roome  would 
permit  should  come  into  the  privy  chamber,  where  the  Lord  Mayor  presented 
his  Majestie  with  a  Deiyre  cuppe,  with  a  cover  of  silver  and  gilt,  weighing 
seventie  and  three  ounces,  and  in  the  same  two  hundred  anjels  of  gold ;  and 
the  Lord  Mayor  sayde,  '  Most  high  and  mightie  Prince,  I  and  my  brethren, 
and  aU  the  whole  commonaltie  of  this  your  Highnesse  cittie,  present  unto 
your  most  excellent  Majestie  this  cuppe  and  golde,  in  token  of  the  dutifull 
affection  wee  bear  your  Highnesse  in  our  hearts,  most  humbly  beseeching 
your  Highnesse  favourable  acceptance  thereof,  and  your  most  gracious  favour 
to  this  your  Highnesse  cittie  of  York;*  the  which  his  Majestie  graciously 
accepted,  and  sayde  unto  them, '  God  will  bless  you  the  better  for  your  good 
will  towards  your  King.'  The  Lord  Mayor  humbly  besought  the  King  to 
dine  with  him  the  next  Tuesdai ;  the  King  answered,  he  should  ride  thence 
before  that  time,  but  he  would  break  his  fast  with  him  in  the  next  morning. 

**  This  Sundai  the  King  went  to  the  Minster,  and  heard  a  sermon,  made 
by  the  Dean,*  who  was  Bishop  of  Limerick,  in  L'eland.  The  Lord  Mayor, 
Aldermen,  and  Sheriffes,  and  foure  and  twentye  attended  upon  the  King,  the 
Earle  still  bearing  the  sworde,  the  Lord  Mayor  the  mace,  and  the  Sheriffes 
bearing  up  their  roddes,  as  well  within  the  church  as  in  the  streets,  marching 
before  the  King  unto  the  manor.  The  next  day  being  Mondai,  at  nine 
o'clock,  the  Lord  Mayor  came  to  the  manor,  being  accompanied  and  attended 
by  the  Recorder,  Aldermen,  and  foure  and  twentye,  and  others,  and  attended 
there ;  and  at  ten  of  the  clock,  the  King,  with  his  royal  traine,  went  to  the 
Lord  Mayor  s  house,  and  there  dined ;  after  dinner  the  King  walked  to  the 
Dean's  house,  and  was  there  entertayned  with  a  banquette,  at  the  deanerie ; 
the  King  took  horse,  and  passed  through  the  cittie  forth  at  Micklegate  towards 
Grimstone,  the  house  of  Sir  Edward  Stanhope,  the  Earle  of  Cumberland  and 
the  Lord  Mayor  bearing  the  sworde  and  mace  before  the  King,  until  they 
came  to  the  house  of  St.  Kathren,  at  which  place  the  Earle  said,  '  Is  it  your 
M^yestie's  pleasure  that  I  deliver  the  sworde  agayne  unto  my  Lord  Mayor, 
for  he  is  now  at  the  utmost  partes  of  the  liberties  of  this  cittie  ?'  Then  the 
King  willed  the  Earle  to  deliver  the  Mayor  his  sworde  agayne.  Then  the 
Mayor  alighted  from  his  horse,  and  kneeling,  took  his  leave  of  the  King,  and 

*  Dr.  ThomboroQgh. 


GENERAL   HISTORY  OF  TORESHIRE.  215 

the  King  pulling  off  his  glove,  took  the  Mayor  by  the  hande,  and  gave  him 
tfaankes,  and  so  rode  towards  Gnmstone,  being  attended  by  the  Sheriffes  to 
the  middle  of  Tadcaster  bridge,  being  the  utmost  bounds  of  their  liberties. 
The  next  day  the  Lord  Mayor,  according  as  he  was  commanded  by  a  noble- 
man, came  the  next  morning  unto  the  court  at  Grimstone,  accompanied  by 
the  Recorder,  and  foure  of  his  brethren,  viz. — ^WHliam  Robinson,  James 
Birkbie,  William  Greenburie,  and  Robert  Askwith,  and  certain  chief  officers 
of  the  cittie ;  and  when  his  Miyestie  imderstood  of  their  coming,  he  willed 
that  the  Mayor,  and  Master  Robinson,  and  Master  Birkbie  should  be  brought 
up  into  his  bed-chamber ;  and  the  King  saide,  *  My  Lord  Mayor,  our  mean- 
ing was  to  have  bestowed  upon  you  a  knighthood  in  your  own  house,  but  the 
oompanie  being  so  great,  we  rather  thought  it  good  to  have  you  here;'  and 
then  his  Majestie  knighted  the  Lord  Mayor,'*'  for  which  honour  the  Lord 
Mayor  gave  his  Migestie  most  humble  and  heartie  thankes,  and  returned/' 

Hildyard,  in  his  Antiquities  of  York,  tells  us  that  the  King  was  much 
pleased  with  the  loyalty  and  affection  paid  him  by  the  Lord  Mayor  and 
citizens,  and  that  at  dinner  with  them,  he  expressed  himself  much  in  favour 
of  the  dty,  and  promised  that  he,  himself^  would  come  and  be  a  burgess 
among  them ;  and  that  their  river,  which  was  in  a  bad  condition,  should  be 
made  navigable.  From  another  source  we  learn  that  before  the  King  left 
York,  he  ordered  all  prisoners  in  the  city  to  be  set  at  Hberty,  ^*  wilful  mur- 
derers, traitors,  and  papists  being  excepted." 

Li  the  June  following,  his  Queen,  and  thjeir  two  eldest  children,  Prince 
Henry,  and  Lady  Elizabeth,  visited  York  on  their  road  from  Edinburgh  to 
London,  and  met  with  a  reception  equally  cordial.  The  royal  party  arrived 
in  York  on  the  Whitsun  Eve,  and  on  the  following  Wednesday  departed  for 
Grimston,  &o.  On  this  occasion  the  Lord  Mayor  and  citizens  presented  to 
the  Queen  a  large  silver  cup,  with  a  cover  double  gilt,  weighing  forty-eight 
ounces,  with  eighty  gold  angels  in  it ;  to  the  Prince,  a  silver  cup,  with  a 
cover  double  gilt,  weighing  twenty  ounces,  and  £20,  in  gold ;  and  to  the 
Princess,  a  purse  of  twenty  angels  of  gold.  The  King  visited  Pontefract  in 
the  same  year,  when  he  granted  that  honour  and  castle  to  the  Queen,  as  part 
of  her  jointure. 

In  the  second  year  of  this  reign  (1004),  the  plague,  which  the  preceding 
year  had  carried  off  30,578  persons  in  London,  raged  to  an  alarming  extent 
at  York,  no  less  than  3,512  of  the  inhabitants  falling  victims  to  it,  though 
by  the  precautions  used,  it  was  not  of  long  duration.     To  prevent  the  conta- 

•  Sir  Bobert  Waiter. 


aiQ  dEMERAL  HISTORY   OF   YORKSHIRE. 

gion  from  spreading  into  the  country,  stone  crosses  were  erected  in  various 
parts  of  the  vicinity  of  York,  where  the  country  people,  without  coming  into 
the  city,  met  the  citizens,  and  sold  them  their  commodities.  Several  of  these 
crosses  are  yet  remaining.  The  infected  were  sent  to  Hob  Moor,  and  Horse 
Fair,  where  wooden  booths  were  erected  for  them;  and  the  Minster  and 
Minster-yard  were  close  shut  up.  The  Lord  President's  courts  were  ad- 
journed to  Ripon  and  Durham,  and  many  of  the  inhabitants  removed  from 
the  city. 

The  year  1607  was  remarkable  for  a  severe  frost,  by  which  the  river  Ouse 
became  almost  a  solid  body  of  ice.  Various  sports  were  practised  on  it ;  and 
Drake  says  that  a  horse  race  was  run  on  it  frt)m  the  tower  at  Marygate  end, 
under  the  great  arch  of  the  bridge,  to  the  cranes  at  Skeldergate  postern. 
Seven  years  afterwards,  there  was  so  heavy  a  fall  of  snow  in  the  month  of 
January,  during  a  frost  of  about  eleven  weeks,  that  when  it  was  dissolved 
by  a  thaw,  the  Ouse  overflowed  its  banks,  and  covered  North  Street  and 
Skeldergate,  so  that  the  inhabitants  were  obliged  to  leave  their  houses.  This 
inundation  lasted  ten  days,  and  destroyed  many  bridges.  It  being  the  assize 
week,  four  boats  were  employed  at  the  end  of  Ouse  bridge  to  cany  passengers 
across  the  river ;  and  the  same  number  were  engaged  in  Walmgate  to  ferry 
over  the  Foss.  A  drought  succeeded,  which  continued  till  August  following, 
and  caused  a  great  scarcity  of  hay,  beans,  and  barley. 

In  1617  (August  10th),  King  James,  with  his  nobles  and  Knights,  both 
English  and  Scotch,  visited  York,  on  his  progress  to  Scotland.  The  Sheriffs 
of  the  city,  clad  in  their  scarlet  gowns,  and  attended  by  100  yoimg  citizens 
on  horseback,  met  his  Majesty  on  Tadcaster  bridge,  and  escorted  him  to 
Micklegate  Bar,  where  he  was  received  and  welcomed  by  the  Lord  Mayor, 
Aldermen,  and  commonalty,  with  the  usual  formalities ;  and  a  silver  cup, 
value  £36.  5s.  7d.,  was  presented  to  him,  and  an  elegant  purse,  of  the  value 
of  £3.,  containing  100  double  sovereigns.  The  Recorder  delivered  a  long 
oration,  and  on  Ouse  bridge  another  speech  was  made  to  the  King,  by  one 
Sands  Percvine,  a  London  poet,  respecting  the  cutting  of  the  river,  and 
making  it  navigable.  His  Majesty  then  rode  to  the  Minster,  where  he  heard 
divine  service,  and  thence  retired  to  the  Manor  Palace,  where  he  kept  his 
court.* 

The  next  day  he  dined  at  Sir  George  Young*s  house,  in  the  Minster-yard, 
with  Lord  Sheffield,  the  Lord  President,  and  after  dinner,  he  created  eight 
Knights,  and  examined  the  Cathedral  and  Chapter  House,  which  he  much 

*  Nichol's  Progresses  of  James  I.,  vol.  iiL,  p.  271. 


GENERAL   HISTORY   OP   YORKSHIRE.  217 

admired.  The  following  day  his  Majesty  rode  through  the  city,  vrith  all  liis 
train,  to  the  Archiepiscopal  Palace  at  Bishopthorpe,  where  he  dined  with 
Tobias  Matthew,  the  Archbishop.  After  attending  divine  service  in  the 
Cathedral  on  Sunday,  which  was  the  13th,  "  this  Bctgcuiow  Prince,  the  Solo- 
mon of  the  North,  touched  about  seventy  persons  afflicted  with  the  King's 
Evil."  That  day  he,  and  his  whole  court,  dined  with  the  Lord  Mayor,  and 
after  dinner  he  knighted  the  Mayor,*  and  Serjeant  Button,  the  Recorder. 
Next  day  the  King  rode  to  Sheriff  Hutton  Park,  and  there  knighted  several 
gentlemen.  On  Tuesday,  the  16th  of  August,  Dr.  Hodgeson,  Chancellor  of 
the  Church,  and  Chaplain  to  his  Majesty,  preached  before  him  at  the  Manor 
Palace ;  and  after  sermon  the  King  departed  for  Ripon,  where  he  was  pre- 
sented with  a  gUt  bowl,  and  a  pair  of  Ripon  spurs,  which  cost  five  pounds. 
On  the  16th  of  April  he  slept  at  Aske  Hall,  the  seat  of  T.  Bower,  Esq.,  whom 
he  subsequently  knighted  at  Durham.  In  March,  1625,  James  was  seized 
with  illness ;  his  indisposition  was  at  first  considered  a  tertian  ague ;  after- 
wards the  gout  in  the  stomach ;  but  whatever  was  its  real  nature,  under  his 
obstinacy  in  lefiising  medicine,  and  the  hesitation  or  ignorance  of  his  physi- 
cians, it  poved  &tal,  for  he  died  on  the  d7ih  of  the  same  month,  in  the  69th 
year  of  his  age ;  after  a  reign  of  twenty-two  years  over  England,  and  over 
Scotland  almost  the  whole  of  his  life.  Of  his  seven  children,  two  only  sur- 
vived him ;  Charles,  his  successor  on  the  throne,  and  Elizabeth,  the  titular 
Qneen  of  Bohemia. 

'*  James,"  writes  Dr.  Lingard, ''  though  an  aUe  man,  was  a  weak  monarch. 
His  quickness  of  apprehension,  and  soundness  of  judgment,  were  marred  by 
his  credulity  and  partialities,  his  childish  fears,  and  habit  of  vaccillation. 
Eminently  qualified  to  advise  as  a  counsellor,  he  wanted  the  ^irit  and  reso- 
lution to  act  as  a  Sovereign.  His  discourse  teemed  with  maxims  of  political 
wisdom,  his  conduct  firequently  bore  the  impress  of  political  imbecility.  If, 
io  the  language  of  his  flatterers,  he  was  the  British  Solomon ;  in  the  opinion 
of  less  interested  observers,  he  merited  the  appellation  given  to  him  by  the 
Dnke  of  Sully,  that  of  the  tpteeetfool  in  Europe"^ 

Charles  I.  ascended  the  throne  when  he  was  in  his  d5th  year,  and  his 
disastrous  reign  will,  through  all  time,  occupy  a  distinguished  place  in  the 
annals  of  England.  Every  part  of  the  kingdom  was  agitated  by  that  mighty 
coilision  which  arose  between  the  monarchial  and  democratic  branches  of  the 
l^gislatore ;  but  in  the  county  of  York  the  shock  was  felt  with  greater  violence 
than  in  any  other  county  in  Great  Britain.     Yorkshire  was  indeed  shook  to 

•  Sir  Bobert  Aakwith.       t  History  of  England,  voL  ix.,  p.  232,  Fcp.  8vo. 

3    F 


218  GENERAL   HISTORY  OF  T0RK8HIRE. 

its  centre  by  the  contests  which  took  place  during  this  eventful  reign,  between 
the  prerogatives  of  the  Crown  and  the  privileges  of  the  Parliament. 

No  county  in  England  has  witnessed  more  of  the  civil  wars,  to  which  the 
kingdom,  in  former  ages,  was  exposed,  than  this ;  and  it  is  not  a  little  re- 
markable that  Yorkshire,  which  afforded  the  scene  of  action  for  the  battle 
which  decided  the  fate  of  the  house  of  Lancaster,  on  the  field  of  Towton, 
should  have  witnessed  the  overthrow  of  the  house  of  Stewart  on  the  field  of 
Marston.  Indeed,  the  military  history  of  Yorkshire,  from  the  earliest  times 
to  the  end  of  the  great  civil  war,  which  ended  with  the  restoration  of  Charles 
n.,  is  a  study  in  itself  well  deserving  of  attention. 

A  recent  writer,  in  referring  to  the  county  of  York  as  being  the  scene  of 
numerous  military  encounters  from  the  earliest  ages,  says,  **  It  was  in  York- 
shire where  the  most  powerful  nation  of  the  aboriginal  Britons  dwelt ;  where 
the  Romans  displayed  their  grandeur,  and  had  their  favourite  station ;  where 
the  Saxons  first  exhibited  their  valour  against  the  Picts  and  Scots ;  where 
the  roving  Danes  first  gained  a  permanent  establishment;  and  where  the 
northmen  sustained  their  greatest  reverse,  at  Stamford  Bridge.  The  Scot- 
tish invaders  never  sustained  a  more  complete  defeat  than  at  Standard  Hill. 
A  more  bloody  battle  never  took  place  in  England  than  that  of  Towton  Field. 
Yet  all  these  sink  into  insignificance,  in  their  causes  and  consequences,  com- 
pared with  that  of  Marston  Moor."* 

Entering  upon  the  stage  of  action  inexperienced  and  impolitic,  at  a  period 
too  iu  many  respects  highly  unfavourable,  Charles  had  difficulties  of  no 
ordinary  character  to  encounter;  yet,  on  the  other  hand,  few  monarchs 
ever  came  to  the  crown  of  England  with  a  greater  variety  of  favourable 
circumstances,  in  some  respects,  than  he  did.  He  saw  himself  in  posses* 
sion  of  a  flourishing  kingdom — his  right  to  that  kingdom  undisputed — 
and  strengthened  by  the  alliance  of  the  French  King,  whose  sister  he 
had  recently  married.  But  these  circumstances  were  of  little  avail  in  the 
present  critical  posture  of  affairs.  The  supply  granted  by  Parliament  to 
his  father,  had  not  covered  the  moiety  of  the  charges  for  which  it  had 
been  voted,  and  James  bequeathed  to  him  debts  amotmting  to  dS  7 00,000. 
The  accession,  and  marriage  too,  of  the  new  King,  had  involved  him  in 
extraordinary  expenses.  It  was,  however,  with  cheerfulness  and  confidence 
that  he  threw  himself  on  the  bounty  of  his  subjects.  His  first  Parliament 
met  on  the  18th  of  June,  and  in  this  assembly  he  demanded  the  necessaiy 

*  BatUe  Fields  of  Yorkshire. 


OEMERAIi   HISTORY   OF   YORKSHIRE.  QIO 

supplies  for  carrying  on  the  war  of  the  Palatinate;  but  his  request  was 
answered  with  a  petition  for  an  enquiry  into  the  grievances  of  the  nation ; 
and  instead  of  granting  the  sums  required,  they  employed  their  time  in  dis- 
putations and  disagreeable  complaints.  To  Charles  those  objections  did  not 
apply,  which  had  always  been  opposed  to  the  pecuniary  demands  of  the  late 
monarch.  It  could  not  be  said  of  him  that  he  had  wantonly  plunged  himself 
into  debt,  or  that  he  had  squandered  among  his  minions  the  revenues  of  the 
crown.  The  money  which  he  solicited  was  required  to  carry  into  execution 
the  vote  of  the  last  Parliament ;  and  those  who  advised  the  war,  could  not 
reasonably  refuse  the  funds  necessary  for  the  maintenance  of  that  war.  In 
the  House  of  Peers  many  of  the  Lords,  though  not  formally  opposed  to  the 
court,  looked  with  an  evil  eye  on  the  ascendancy  of  George  Villiers,  Duke  of 
Buckingham,  and  they  were  ready  to  vote  for  any  measure,  which,  by  em- 
barrassing the  government,  might  precipitate  the  fall  of  the  favourite.  In 
the  Commons  the  Puritans  formed  a  most  powerful  phalanx.  Austere  to 
themselves,  intolerant  to  others,  they  sought  to  reform  both  church  and  state, 
according  to  their  peculiar  notions  of  scriptural  doctrine  and  scriptural  prac- 
tice. The  spirit  of  liberty,  too,  had  been  diffusing  itself  widely  amongst  the 
people,  who,  by  consequence,  were  determined  to  oppose  the  ancient,  and,  in 
many  instances,  exorbitant  claims  of  their  monarchs ;  and  the  principles  of 
freedom,  which  they  had  been  imbibing,  would  no  longer  allow  them  to  be 
governed  by  precedents  that  had  their  origin  in  the  times  of  ignorance  and 
slavery.  Such  was  the  state  and  temper  of  the  public  mind  when  Charles 
met  his  first  Parliament ;  which  assembly  he  thought  proper  to  dissolve  as 
soon  as  he  discovered  their  intention  of  refusing  his  just  demands. 

He  then  issued  a  commission  to  raise  money  by  borrowing  of  such  per- 
sons as  were  able  to  lend ;  and  privy  seals  were  issued  out  to  all  persons 
of  substance.  The  Commissioners  (who  were  noblemen)  appointed  to  collect 
the  loan,  visited  the  various  towns  in  the  kingdom,  and  at  the  town  halls,  or 
other  public  buildings  of  each  place,  called  the  opulent  inhabitants  before 
them,  and  read  the  commission  to  them,  setting  forth  the  reasons  which  the 
King  alleged  for  requiring  the  loan.  The  Commissioners  then  took  the 
names  of  the  parties,  with  the  amount  of  their  subscription,  or  sum  imposed 
upon  them,  together  with  the  names  of  those  who  exhibited  a  disposition  to 
excuse  the  pajrment  of  the  sums  imposed.  In  many  places  the  loan  was 
reluctantly  complied  with,  and  occasioned  considerable  disgust,  for  though 
the  proceeding  was  authorized  by  many  precedents,  it  was  not  less  a  grievance. 
At  that  period  the  payment  of  all  fees  and  salaries  was  suspended ;  and  to 
such  a  state  of  destitution  was  the  royal  household  reduced,  that,  to  procure 


320  GENERAL   HI9T0BT   OF   YORKSHIRE. 

provisions  for  his  table,  the  King  was  obliged  to  borrow  J^BOOO.  of  the  Cor- 
porations of  Salisbury  and  Southampton,  on  the  joint  security  of  the  Lord 
Treasurer  and  of  the  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer.'*' 

The  second  Parliament  met,  and  was  dissolved  by  the  King,  without 
granting  the  necessary  supplies  to  carry  on  a  war  which  was  entered  into  by 
the  advice,  and  at  the  request,  of  those  very  members  who  now  refused  to 
contribute  to  its  proper  support.  The  King  was  therefore  again  obliged  to 
have  recourse  to  loans ;  and  a  commission  was  granted  to  the  Archbi^op  of 
York,  and  others,  to  compound  with  the  Catholics,  and  agree  to  dispense 
with  the  penal  laws  enacted  against  them,  for  stipulated  sums  of  money .f 
At  that  Ume  the  Corporations  of  the  maritime  towns  received  orders  to  pro- 
vide a  certain  number  of  armed  vessels,  in  order  to  equip  a  fleet  Many  of 
the  seaports  complied  with  this  request  with  great  reluctance ;  and  the  fleet 
thus  collected,  and  which  consisted  of  about  100  ships,  having  on  board 
7000  soldiers,  sailed  from  Portsmouth  on  the  7th  of  June,  1637.  But  instead 
of  being  sent  against  the  King  of  Spain,  to  the  surprise  of  almost  all  his 
subjects,  the  King  now  resolving  with  a  rupture  with  France,  sent  the  fleet, 
under  the  command  of  the  Duke  of  Buckingham,  on  a  fruitless  expedition 
for  the  relief  of  La  Rochelle,  a  maritime  town  in  that  kingdom. 

In  the  third  year  of  this  reign,  the  Lord  Lieutenants  of  all  the  counties  of 
England  had  orders  to  put  each  province  and  district  into  a  posture  of 
defence ;  also  to  be  careful  that  the  trained  bands  (a  species  of  militia)  were 
perfectly  instructed  in  the  use  of  arms ;  and  to  see  that  all  able  men,  from 
sixteen  to  sixty  years  of  age,  were  enrolled,  that  on  any  sudden  occasion,  such 
levies  might  be  made  of  them  as  should  be  required.  They  were  likewise  to 
take  special  care  that  every  county  provided  its  share  of  powder,  ball,  match, 
lead,  &c.,  and  to  put  them  into  magazines  for  the  use  of  their  respective 
counties  and  Corporations  to  be  ready  whenever  they  were  called  for. 

Soon  after  this  the  King  and  the  Lords  of  his  Privy  Council  received  in- 
telligence that  the  French  were  fitting  out  a  great  fleet,  with  which  to  invade 
England,  and  that  the  Dunkirkers  were  likewise  making  extraordinary  pre- 
parations. Orders  were  now  sent  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  diflerent  towns 
in  the  country,  to  put  them  into  a  proper  state  of  defence,  with  all  possible 
dispatch.  The  Duke  of  Buckingham,  who  had  all  along  ruled  the  King's 
councils,  was  about  this  time  stabbed  at  Portsmouth,  by  John  Felton,  a  lieu- 
tenant in  the  army,  who  immediately  declared  himself  the  murderer,  and 

•  Bush  worth,  vol.  i.,  pp.  196,  197.    Rj-roer,  x>-iii.,  p.  181.    Sydney  Papers,  iii.  363. 

♦  Whitelock,  p.  7. 


GENERAL   HI8T0BT   OF  TOBKBHIBE.  Sdl 

averred  that  he  considered  the  Dnke  an  enemy  to  his  country,  and,  as  such, 
deserving  to  suffer. 

A  tax,  called  tonnage  and  poundage,  was  now  levied  by  the  King,  on  all 
merchant  ships  and  goods,  without  the  consent  of  Parliament,  as  a  right 
belonging  to  the  Grown.  In  London,  where  the  spirit  of  resistance  had 
already  risen  to  a  considerable  height,  many  of  the  merchants  refused  to  pay 
this  tax,  alleging  that  it  could  only  be  granted  by  the  Parliament.  For  per- 
sisting in  this  refusal,  some  merchants  had  their  goods  seized  by  the  officers 
of  the  King's  customs,  and  were  themselves  thrown  into  prison.  The  contest 
between  privilege  and  prerogative  was  now  carried  on  with  great  acrimony. 
The  Parliament,  on  its  being  assembled,  warmly  remonstrated  against  the 
King's  proceedings,  and  voted  the  following  protestation : — ^That  whosoever 
should  bring  in  innovation  of  religion,  popery,  or  arminianism,  and  any  that 
should  advise  the  taking  of  tonnage  and  poundage,  not  granted  by  Parliament, 
or  that  should  pay  the  same,  shaU  be  accounted  enemies  to  the  kingdom. 
This  protestation  was  made  on  the  last  day  of  their  sitting,  and  whilst  it 
was  being  voted  the  door  of  the  House  of.Conmions  was  locked,  and  the 
Speaker  was  forcibly  held  in  his  chair.  During  this  extraordinary  pro- 
ceeding the  King  had  come  to  the  upper  house.  He  sent  for  the  serjeant- 
at-arms,  who  was  not  permitted  to  obey ;  he  then  ordered  the  usher  of  the 
black  rod  to  deliver  a  message  from  his  own  mouth ;  and  that  officer  having 
been  refused  permission  to  enter  the  House  of  Commons,  was  commanded  by 
the  King  to  break  open  the  door ;  but  at  that  very  moment  the  Commons 
adjourned  to  the  10th  of  March.  The  King,  incensed  at  these  proceedings, 
ordered  the  arrest  of  several  of  the  most  violent  of  the  opposition  members, 
and  dissolved  the  Parliament  without  sending  for  the  Commons.  The 
opponents  of  the  King  now  charged  him,  his  ministers,  and  judges,  with  a 
design  to  trample  under  foot  the  liberties  of  the  people ;  and  Charles  was 
firmly  convinced  that  they  had  conspired  to  despoil  him  of  the  rightful 
prerogatives  of  the  Crown.  The  Parliament  had  disobeyed,  thwarted,  and 
insulted  him  repeatedly,  so  he  resolved  to  govern  for  the  future  without  the 
intervention  of  the  Parliament.  And  this  intention  he  announced  by  pro- 
clamation. "We  have  showed,'*  he  said,  *'by  our  frequent  meeting  our 
people,  our  love  to  the  use  of  Parliaments ;  yet  the  late  abuse  having  for  the 
present  driven  us  unwillingly  out  of  that  course,  we  shall  account  it  pre- 
sumption for  any  to  prescribe  any  time  unto  us  for  Parliaments,  the  calling, 
continuing,  and  dissolving  of  which  is  always  in  our  power,  and  shall  be 
more  inclinable  to  meet  in  Parliament  again,  when  our  people  shall  see  more 


dSd  GENERAL   HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE. 

clearly  into  our  interests  and  actions."*  This  measure  served  only  to  aggra- 
vate the  discontents  of  the  people,  who  justly  considered  many  of  his  actions 
as  the  exertions  of  arhitrary  power. 

In  1630  the  King  sent  forth  a  proclamation  against  vile  insinuations,  and 
lying,  treasonable  and  rebellious  reports,  industriously  spread  to  render  his 
government  odious  to  his  people ;  and  some  time  after  he  sent  orders  to  the 
towns  that  the  inhabitants  should  have  a  watchful  eye  over  all  factious  per- 
sons, and  take  care  of  the  safety  of  their  towns.  Both  Charles  and  Laud, 
his  adviser,  had  been  accused  by  the  Puritans  of  harbouring  a  secret  design 
to  restore  the  ancient  creed  and  worship ;  but  the  charge  was  groundless. 
Those  who  made  it,  in  their  intolerant  zeal,  mistook  moderation  for  apostacy. 
But  Charles  conceived  it  expedient  to  silence  the  murmurs  of  his  enemies ; 
80  he  carefully  excluded  all  EngHsh  Catholics  from  [the  Queen's  chapel  at 
Somerset  House ;  he  offered  in  successive  proclamations  a  reward  of  £100. 
for  the  apprehension  of  Dr.  Smith,  the  Catholic  Bishop ;  and  he  repeatedly 
ordered  the  Magistrates,  Judges,  and  Bishops  to  enforce  the  penal  laws 
against  the  priests  and  Jesuits.  • 

In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1633,  Charles,  in  imitation  of  his  father, 
resolved  to  visit  his  native  country ;  more  especially  as  some  of  his  Scotch 
subjects  had  intimated  that  he  thought  their  Crown  not  worth  a  journey;  and 
as  he  had  some  reason  to  be  apprehensive  of  secret  designs  amongst  them. 
He  was  accompanied  by  a  gallant  train  of  English  noblemen ;  and  in  his 
progress  to  the  north  he  visited  York,  and  there  received  a  loyal  and  cordial 
welcome.  He  was  met  on  the  34th  of  May  on  Tadcaster  bridge  by  the 
Sheriffs,  with  120  attendants,  who  conducted  him  to  the  city.  At  Micklegate 
Bar  the  Lord  Mayor,  Recorder,  and  Aldermen,  standing  on  a  scaffold,  erected 
for  that  purpose,  saluted  him  at  his  entrance,  and  the  Lord  Mayor,  on  his 
knees,  at  the  same  time  deHvered  up  the  keys  of  the  city,  together  with  the 
sword  and  mace.  These,  however,  were  immediately  returned,  and  the  Lord 
Mayor,  mounted  on  horseback,  carried  the  mace  before  his  Majesty;  the 
Aldermen,  richly  dressed,  and  well  mounted,  made  up  the  cavalcade,  riding 
before  the  King  to  the  Manor  House,  or  Palace.  The  next  day  the  King 
dined  with  the  Lord  Mayor,  at  his  house  in  the  Pavement,  and  knighted  him,f 
and  the  Recorder,  t  The  following  day  he  dined  with  the  Archbishop,  and 
knighted  his  son ;  and  on  the  fourth  day  he  departed  for  Scotland.  During 
his  stay  at  York,  a  large  silver  cup  and  cover,  and  a  purse,  containing  £100., 

*  Bymer,  zix.,  p.  62.        f  Sir  WiUiam  Allenson.    •    }  Sir  William  Belt 


GENERAL  HISTOBT   OF   TORESHIBE.  223 

were  presented  to  him.  At  Edinburgh  he  was  solemnly  crowned,  with  eveiy 
appearance  of  affection  and  duty;  and  in  a  Parliament  then  held,  though  the 
Scotch  strenuously  defended  the  liberties  of  the  kirk,  yet  they  TOted  a  supply 
to  Charles,  who,  after  a  stay  of  five  weeks  in  Scotland,  returned  to  the  Queen, 
who  then  resided  at  Greenwich.  During  this  tour  Charles  visited  Pontefract, 
where  he  created  Sir  John  Saville,  knt.  High  Steward  of  the  honour  of  Pon- 
tefiract;  and  by  letters  patent  elevated  him  to  the  peerage,  by  the  title  of 
Baron  Saville,  of  Pontefract.  His  son  was  created  Earl  of  Sussex,  but  the 
£Gimily  became  extinct  in  his  grandson  James.'i' 

During  the  six  years  which  followed  his  return  from  Scotland,  England^ 
appeared  to  enjoy  a  calm.  Charles  governed  without  a  Parliament;  and  not 
only  took  no  pains  to  allay,  but  he  rather  inflamed  that  feverish  irritation 
which  the  illegality  of  his  past  conduct  had  excited  in  the  minds  of  his  sub- 
jects. Nor  was  he  ignorant  of  their  dissatisfaction;  no,  he  saw  it,  and 
despised  it ;  and  believing  firmly  in  the  divine  right  of  Kings,  he  doubted 
not  that  he  would  be  able  to  bear  down  the  force  of  public  opinion  by  the 
mere  weight  of  the  royal  prerogative. 

About  the  year  1635,  the  coasts  of  England  were  very  much  infested  by 
pirates  from  different  parts,  including  the  Dunkirkers,  and  some  even  from 
Sallee  and  Algiers,  who,  every  summer,  committed  great  depredations,  seizing 
ships,  carrying  off  prisoners,  and  injuring  the  trade  of  the  nation.  The 
Dutch  and  French  mariners,  too,  had  assumed  a  right  to  fish  on  our  coasts, 
a  proceeding  which  occasioned  much  controversy.  Charles  determined  to  fit 
out  a  fleet,  and  end  the  dispute  by  force,  and  for  this  purpose,  and  acting  on 
the  advice  of  his  Attorney-General  Noy,  he  imposed  a  tax  upon  his  subjects, 
under  the  denomination  of  Ship-money,  Though  all  the  judges  declared  this 
tax  to  be  customary  and  l^al,  yet  the  nation  murmured  at  it,  and  paid  it 
with  reluctance,  considering  it  illegal,  because  it  had  not  the  sanction  of 
Parliament.  This  was  the  tax  that  first  roused  the  whole  kingdom,  and 
determined  numbers  to  fix  the  bounds,  both  of  the  King's  prerogative,  and 
their  own  freedom ;  and  in  reality  was  one  of  the  chief  causes  of  the  King's 
ruin.  Aided  with  this  tax,  however,  Charles  fitted  out  a  fleet  of  forty  sail  of 
ships,  under  the  command  of  the  Earl  of  Lindsey,  and  a  squadron  of  twenty 
ships,  under  the  Earl  of  Essex.  This  fleet  very  effectually  scoured  the 
narrow  seas,  and  protected  the  trade  of  England ;  and  the  merchants,  whose 
commercial  interests  had  of  late  so  greatly  suffered,  submitted  to  pay  the  tax 
which  they  disliked. 

«  Boothroyd'8  Histoiy  of  Pontefract,  p.  147. 


234  GENERAL  HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE. 

In  1639  the  Scotch  were  in  anus  against  their  Sovereign.  They  had  in 
that  kingdom  long  embraced  the  Presbyterian  form  of  chnrch  govemment, 
and  though  Bishops  were  still  continued,  yet  they  were  treated  with  very 
little  respect  or  attention.  James  I.  had  used  his  utmost  endeavours  to  im- 
pose Bishops  upon  the  Scots,  but  died  before  he  could  carry  that  design  into 
actual  execution ;  and  Charles,  in  an  unfortunate  hour,  resolved  to  complete 
what  his  father  had  begun.  Whitlocke  teUs  us,  that  this  ill-judged  attempt 
to  force  the  rites  and  liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England  upon  that  people, 
'*  was  the  fountain  from  whence  our  ensuing  troubles  sprung."  The  Scots 
now  entered  into  their  celebrated  League  and  Covenant,  the  great  object  of 
which  was  to  suppress  episcopacy,  and,  if  necessary,  to  resist  the  King's  au- 
thority in  imposing  it  Charles,  looking  upon  this  procedure  as  an  open 
declaration  of  war,  immediately  levied  an  army  of  22,000  men,  and  marched 
on  an  expedition  against  the  insurgents.  He  left  London  on  the  27th,  and 
arrived  at  York  on  the  SOth  of  March,  1639,  and  there  he  was  received  with 
every  demonstration  of  loyalty.  He  was  met  at  Tadcaster  bridge  by  the 
Sheriffs,  who  conducted  him  to  Micklegate  Bar,  where  the  trained  bands  of 
the  city  and  Ainsty,  clothed  in  buff  coats,  scarlet  breeches,  laced  with  silver, 
russet  boots,  black  caps  and  feathers,  and  amounting  to  about  600  in  number, 
were  dravni  up,  and  fired  a  voUey  at  his  entrance  into  the  city.  Here  he  was 
received  by  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Aldermen  with  the  usual  solemnity,  and  the 
Becorder,  on  his  knees,  having  deUvered  one  of  those  ftilsome,  flattering  ora- 
tions so  peculiar  to  that  age,  his  Majesty  was  oondocted  with  great  pomp 
through  the  city  to  the  Palace  of  the  Manor.  On  the  following  day  (Sunday) 
the  train  bands  formed  a  lane,  rank  and  file,  for  the  King  to  pass  through  as 
he  went  to  the  Cathedral ;  and  their  appearance  and  conduct  so  gratified 
him,  that  he  distributed  a  sum  of  money  amongst  them,  and  also  returned 
them  his  thanks  in  person."*" 

York  and  its  vicinity  being  the  principal  rendezvous  for  the  royal  army, 
the  King  spent  nearly  a  month  in  that  city.  '*He  went  to  York,"  says 
Ghiizot,  in  his  Hutory  of  the  Engliik  Rgvohtthn,  *'  siurrounded  with  extraor- 
dinary pomp,  still  infiatuated  with  the  irresistible  ascendency  of  royal  mcyesty, 
and  flattering  himself  that  to  display  it  would  suffice  to  make  the  rebels 
return  to  their  duty.  The  Lords,  and  a  crowd  of  gentlemen,  flocked  to  York 
as  to  a  festivaL  The  town  and  camp  presented  the  appearance  of  a  court 
and  tournament,  not  at  all  that  of  an  enemy  and  of  war.  Charleses  vanity 
was  delighted  with  such  display." 

*  Drake's  Eboracum,  c.  v.,  p.  187. 


GENERAL   BISTORT   OF   YORKSHIRE.  ^25 

During  this  visit  the  King  kept  the  festival,  called  Mauuday  Thursday  (the 
Thursday  before  £a6ter),  in  the  Cathedral,  when  the  Bishop  of  Ely  washed 
the  right  feet  of  thirty-nine  poor  aged  men  in  warm  water,  and  dried  them 
with  a  linen  cloth.  Afterwards  the  Bishop  of  Winchester  washed  them  over 
again  in  white  wine,  wiped,  and  kissed  them.  This  part  of  the  ceremony 
was  performed  in  the  south  aisle  of  the  Minster.  His  Majesty  then  gave  to 
each  of  the  poor  men  several  articles  of  wearing  apparel,  including  shoes  and 
stockings,  a  wooden  scale  full  of  claret  wine,  a  jole  of  salt  fish,  a  jole  of 
salmon,  and  a  sixpenny  loaf  of  bread.  He  also  gave  them  a  leathern  purse, 
each  containing  20s.  in  money,  and  in  another  thirty-nine  sHver  pennies, 
being  the  number  of  his  own  years.  On  the  following  day  (Good  Friday), 
Drake  tells  us,  that  he  touched  for  the  King's  evil  no  fewer  than  200  persons 
in  the  Minster ;  and  **  during  the  tyme  the  King  touched  those  that  had  the 
disease  called  the  evill,"  writes  that  historian,  "  were  read  these  words,  *  They 
shall  lay  their  hands  upon  the  sick,  and  they  shall  recover ;'  and  during  the 
tyme  the  King  put  about  every  one  of  their  necks  an  angel  of  gold,  with  a 
white  ribbon,  were  read  these  words,  *  That  light  was  the  true  light  which 
lighteneth  eveiy  man  which  cometh  into  the  world.*  "*  On  Easter  Monday 
the  King  ordered  £70.  to  be  given  to  each  of  the  four  wards  of  the  city,  to  be 
distributed  amongst  poor  widows ;  and  on  the  two  following  days  he  touched 
each  day  100  persons  for  the  evil,  but  with  what  success  the  historian  very 
discreetly  chooses  not  to  disclose.  During  his  stay  at  York  he  paid  a  visit 
to  Hull,  where  he  was  received  vrith  great  pomp  and  ceremony  ;f  and  before 
he  left  York  his  Majesty  and  his  whole  court  dined  with  the  Lord  Mayor,  on 
whom,  together  vrith  the  Recorder,  he  conferred  the  honour  of  knighthood. 
Having  spent  nearly  a  month  in  York,  Charles,  and  his  nobles,  at  the  head 
of  the  army,  proceeded  against  the  Scots.  Had  the  King,  at  this  juncture, 
exerted  himself  with  vigour  and  decision  against  the  malcontents,  his  army 
being  superior  to  theirs,  it  is  probable  that  he  might  have  prevented  many  of 
his  succeeding  misfortunes ;  but  instead  of  fighting,  he  unwisely  entered  on 
a  treaty  at  Berwick ;  and  terms  were  agreed  on,  which  neither  side  cared 
much  to  preserve.  The  Covenanters  swore  obedience  to  him,  but  the  very 
next  year,  when  the  King  had  disbanded  his  forces,  they  raised  the  standard 
of  rebellion,  entered  England  under  the  command  of  General  Leslie  (created 
afterwards  Earl  of  Leven)  and  the  Marquis  of  Montrose,  and  proceeding 
to  the  borders  of  Yorkshire,  they  levied  a  weekly  contribution  of  £5,600.  upon 
the  inhabitants  of  the  northern  counties,  and  threatened  soon  to  occupy  the 
city  of  York. 

•  Drake's  Eboiaeom,  c.  v.,  p.  187.    f  See  the  Histoiy  of  Hull  at  subsequent  pages. 

2  o 


226  GENERAL  HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE. 

To  arrest  the  progress  of  the  invaders,  the  King  came  in  three  days  from 
London  to  York,  where  he  was  again  received  with  the  usual  gifts,  speeches, 
and  ceremonies,  and  on  the  7th  of  September  (1640),  he  issued  out  writs  to 
summon  all  the  peers  of  the  realm  to  a  great  council  to  be  held  at  York. 
The  royal  army,  commanded  by  Sir  Jacob  Astley,  and  consisting  of  about 
12,000  foot  and  3,000  horse,  arrived  on  the  same  day  that  the  writs  were 
issued ;  and  being  divided  into  divisions,  one  body  was  encamped  in  Clifton 
Fields  and  the  other  in  Bishop  Fields  on  each  side  of  the  Ouse,  and  a  bridge 
of  boats  was  thrown  over  the  river.  About  60  pieces  of  cannon,  with  182 
wi^gons  loaded  with  powder  and  ball,  together  with  several  carriages  filled 
with  pick  axes,  spades,  shovels,  &c.,  were  brought  at  the  same  time  from  the 
magazines  at  Hull.  This  proceeding  naturally  spread  an  alarm  through  the 
country,  that  the  King  intended  to  lay  aside  one  of  the  three  estates  of 
the  realm,  and  to  govern  the  nation  without  a  House  of  Commons.  The 
King's  position  at  this  juncture  was  exceedingly  unpleasant  and  critical. 
Twice  had  the  commons  refused  to  grant  bim  supplies  to  carry  out  his  wars. 
Twice  had  he  abruptly  dissolved  that  assembly,  measures  which  greatly  in- 
creased the  discontent  of  the  people.  Ship  money  and  some  other  arbitrary 
taxes  had  been  exacted  with  severity,  and  many  of  his  subjects  made  large 
advances  to  him  from  their  private  fortunes,  and  amongst  this  number  was 
the  celebrated  Earl  of  Strafford,  Lord  Lieutenant  of  the  North,  who  gave  his 
Mfi^esty  £20,000 ;  but  these  resources  were  still  insufficient  to  carry  on  the 
war  against  the  presumptuous  Scots.  Sucb  was  the  distressed  condition  in 
which  Charles  found  himself  when  he  returned  to  York  and  called  a  general 
council  of  his  nobles ;  the  nation  was  discontented,  the  army  discouraged, 
the  treasury  exhausted,  and  every  expedient  for  supply  tried  to  the  uttermost 
On  the  10th  of  September  the  King  assembled  the  gentlemen  of  Yorkshire, 
and  proposed  their  paying  the  trained  bands  for  two  months,  to  which  they 
assented.  Petitions  now  poured  in  upon  his  Majesty,  beseeching  him  to 
summon  a  Parliament,  and  the  gentry  of  this  county  pressed  the  measure 
upon  him  as  the  only  means  of  restoring  and  ensuring  a  continuance  of 
tranquillity.  On  tbe  24th  of  the  same  month,  the  great  assembly  of  peers 
met  at  the  Deanery  in  York,  the  hall  of  which  "  was  richly  htmg  with 
tapestry  for  the  purpose,  and  the  King*s  chair  of  state  was  placed  upon  the 
half  pace  of  the  stairs  at  the  upper  end  of  the  ha]l."i<  In  the  opening  speech 
the  King  announced  his  intention  to  call  a  Parliament  in  the  course  of  the 
present  year,  and  he  asked  coimcil  at  the  same  time  of  the  peers,  in  what 

*  Drake's  Ebonemn,  p.  140. 


OENEBAL  HI8T0BT   OF   YORKSHIRE.  227 

way  to  treat  a  petition  for  a  redress  of  grievances  which  he  had  received  from 
the  Scotch  invaders,  and  how  his  army  should  be  kept  on  foot  and  main- 
tained until  the  supplies  from  Parliament  might  be  had  for  that  purpose. 
During  the  sitting  of  the  council  at  York,  which  continued  till  the  18th  of 
October,  a  negotiation  was  entered  into  with  the  Scots,  and  Ripon  was 
appointed  as  the  place  of  conference. 

This  negotiation  was  conducted  by  sixteen  English  peers  and  eight  com- 
missioners appointed  by  the  Covenanters.  Under  the  pretence  that  this 
conference  would  prevent  them  from  seeking  more  abundant  quarters,  the 
Scots  boldly  demanded  a  monthly  subsidy  of  £40,000.  The  English  com- 
missioners, seeing  that  the  King  must  ultimately  yield,  concluded  separate 
bargains— one  with  the  gentlemen  of  the  north,  who,  on  the  faith  of  a  solemn 
promise  that  they  should  be  reimbursed  out  of  the  first  supply  granted  by 
Parliament,  consented  to  raise  the  weekly  sum  of  £5,600.  by  county  rates  on 
the  inhabitants  of  the  four  northern  counties ;  and  another  with  the  Scots, 
who  engaged,  as  long  as  that  subsidy  were  paid,  to  abstain  from  all  acts  of 
hostility,  and  from  eveiy  species  of  compulsory  demand.  The  treaty  was 
immediately  transferred  to  London,  and  the  King  and  the  peers  also  hastened 
thither,  that  they  might  arrive  in  time  for  the  opening  of  Parliament. 

At  this  juncture,  when  the  accumulated  evils  of  thirty  years  of  misgovern- 
ment  brought  the  kingdom  to  the  verge  of  a  great  revolution,  Charles,  on  the 
Srd  of  November,  1640,  met  that  memorable  assembly,  which  is  called  in 
history  the  Long  Parliament^  and  which  was  speedily  to  contend  with  him 
for  the  sovereign  authority.  Its  first  acts  were  to  oppose  the  King  in  the 
election  of  the  Speaker ;  to  vote  down  the  Council  Court  at  York ;  and  to 
present  articles  of  impeachment  against  the  President  of  that  court — ^the 
famous  Wentworth,  Earl  of  Strafford,  and  Archbishop  Laud,  the  King's  chief 
advisers ;  and  to  pronounce  the  commissions  for  the  levy  of  ship-money,  and 
all  the  proceedings  consequent  on  those  commissions,  to  be  illegal.  The 
Scottish  commissioners  were  received  by  the  opponents  of  the  King  as  friends 
and  deliverers ;  and  most  of  the  demands  of  the  Covenanters  were  granted ; 
and  while  the  patriots  in  the  House  of  Commons  engaged  to  support  the 
Scottish  army  during  its  stay,  and  to  supply  it  with  a  handsome  gratuity  on 
its  departure,  the  Covenanters  stipulated  to  prolong  the  treaty,  and  to  detain 
their  forces  in  England  till  the  reforms  in  church  and  state,  projected  by  the 
Puritans,  should  be  fully  accomplished.  It  soon  appeared  that  the  Scottish 
commissioners  acted  not  only  in  a  political,  but  also  in  a  reUgious  character; 
and  while  they  openly  negotiated  with  the  King,  they  were  secretly  but 
actively  intriguing  with  the  Puritans,  to  procure  ia  England  the  abolition  of 


228  GENERAL   HISTORY   OF   YORKSHIRE. 

the  episcopal,  and  the  substitution  of  the  Presbyterian  form  of  church 
government. 

The  House  of  Commons  not  only  refused  to  supply  the  King's  necessities 
for  the  repression  of  the  insolence  of  his  Scotch  subjects,  but  it  actually  ap- 
proved of  the  conduct  of  the  rebels,  and  voted  two  sums,  one  of  £125,000., 
for  the  charges  of  the  Scottish  army  during  five  months,  and  another  of 
JB800,000.,  under  the  denomination  of  "  a  friendly  relief  for  the  losses  and 
necessities  of  their  brethren  in  Scotland."* 

"The  government,  which,  in  the  hands  of  Charles,  had  assumed  the 
character  of  an  absolute  monarchy,  soon  became  democratical  to  a  degree 
incompatible  with  the  spirit  of  the  constitution.  Lieutenants  and  Deputy 
Lieutenants  of  counties,  who  had  exercised  powers  for  the  national  defence, 
not  authorized  by  statute,  were  declared  delinquents.  Sheriffs  who  had  been 
employed  to  assess  ship  money,  and  the  jurors  and  ofl&cers  of  the  customs, 
who  had  been  employed  in  levying  tonnage  and  poundage,  as  well  as  the 
holders  of  monopolies  by  patents,  were  brought  under  the  same  vague  charge, 
and  the  latter  were  expelled  from  Parliament,  The  judges  who  had  given 
their  votes  against  Hampden,  in  the  trial  of  ship-money,  were  accused  before 
the  peers,  and  in  a  few  weeks  such  a  revolution  was  produced  in  the  govern- 
ment, by  the  House  of  Commons,  seconded  by  the  peers,  that  the  kingly 
power,  which  had  been  almost  omnipotent,  was  in  danger  of  being  reduced 
to  insignificance.  These  measures  naturally  placed  the  Parliament  at  issue 
with  the  King,  and  the  differences  between  the  conflicting  authorities  con- 
tinued to  increase  during  the  years  1640  and  1041,  tiU  an  open  rupture 
became  unavoidable."! 

In  the  year  1641  the  King,  accompanied  by  the  Prince  of  Wales,  after- 
wards Charles  II. ;  the  Palsgrave  of  the  Rhine ;  the  Duke  of  Lennox ;  the 
Marquis  of  Hamilton ;  and  several  other  noblemen,  visited  York  on  his  way 
to  Scotland,  where  he  had  summoned  a  Parliament  on  the  15th  of  July,  in 
order  to  ascertain  their  dispositions  towards  him.  On  the  day  after  his 
arrival  at  York,  he  dined  with  the  Lord  Mayor, J  and  knighted  both  him  and 
the  Recorder.§  Conceiving  that  his  person  was  in  danger,  the  King  de- 
manded a  guard  from  the  freeholders  of  Yorkshire,  for  his  protection,  which 
was  readily  granted. 

The  Commons  had  already  stripped  him  of  many  of  those  prerogatives 
which  he  had  oppressively  exercised ;  and  the  royal  authority  was  so  reduced, 

•  Baillie,  i.,  p.  240.        +  Baines's  Gazetteer  of  Yorkshire. 
I  Sir  Cliristopher  Croft.     §  Sir  Robert  Berwick. 


GENERAL   HISTORY   OF  TORKSHIRE.  229 

that  its  total  abolition  seemed  inevitable.  The  King  was  even  deprived  of 
the  power  of  appointing  governors,  generals,  and,  in  short,  whatever  related 
to  the  army ;  and  that  they  might  deprive  him  even  of  the  shadow  of  his 
former  authority,  they  demanded  that  the  power  of  raising  the  militia,  and 
the  nomination  of  its  officers,  might  be  vested  in  them.  To  this  last  de^ 
mand  Charles  gave  a  peremptory  denial,  and  both  parties  from^this  time 
prepared  for  war. 

Amongst  the  extraordinary  events  which  excited  the  public  mind  at  this 
period,  was  the  commitment  of  twelve  Bishops.  The  populace  having  be- 
come infuriated  against  the  bench  of  Bishops,  frequently  assailed  them  with 
abuse  and  menaces  on  their  way  to  the  house.  On  one  occasion  the  cries  of 
vengeance  in  the  palace  yard  were  so  loud  and  alarming,  that  the  prelates 
remained  after  the  other  lords,  till  the  darkness  of  the  night  enabled  them  to 
steal  away  to  their  homes.  The  next  day,  Williams,  Archbishop  of  York, 
prevailed  on  eleven  other  prelates  to  join  with  him  in  a  declaration,  which 
was  read  in  the  upper  house.  It  stated  that  the  Bishops  could  no  longer, 
without  danger  to  their  lives,  attend  to  their  duty  in  Parliament,  and  that 
they  therefore  protested  against  the  validity  of  any  proceedings  which  might 
be  passed  during  their  absence.  This  protest  was  heard  with  surprise  and 
indignation  To  retire  or  remain  was  at  their  option,  but  to  claim  the  power 
of  suspending  by  their  absence  the  proceedings  of  Parliament,  was  deemed  an 
assumption  of  sovereign  authority.  The  lower  house  ridiculously  impeached 
the  twelve  prelates  with  high  treason,  Williams  boldly  professed  his  readiness 
tib  meet  the  charge,  but  the  others,  intimidated  by  the  violence  of  the  times, 
apologised  for  their  conduct.  Ten  were  committed  from  the  house  to  the 
Tower,  two,  the  Bishops  of  Durham  and  Lichfield,  on  account  of  their  age 
and  infirmity,  to  the  usher  of  the  black  rod.* 

In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1642,  the  King  gradually  withdrew  himself 
from  the  vicinity  of  the  metropolis,  first  to  Newmarket,  then  info  the  more 
northern  counties,  and  on  the  18th  of  March  in  the  same  year,  he,  with  his 
son  Prince  Charles,  his  nephew  the  Prince  Elector,  and  several  noblemen, 
not  without  considerable  risk,  arrived  in  York,  where  most  of  the  nobility  and 
gentry  of  the  north  of  England,  and  many  from  London  and  the  southern 
parts  of  the  kingdom,  came  to  testify  their  loyalty,  and  offer  him  their 
services.  During  this  stay,  Charles  ordered  his  state  printing  presses  to  be 
erected  in  the  house  of  Sir  H.  Jenkins,  formerly  St  William*s  CoUege,  in  the 
yard  near  the  Minster.     Notwithstanding  the  loss  of  the  Courts  of  Presi- 

•  Roshirorth,  iv.,  p.  466.    Clarendon,  i.,  p.  850. 


330  OENE&AIi  HI8T0BY   OF  YOBKSHIRE. 

dencj,  which  the  Parliament  had  lately  aholished,  York  was  now  the  resort 
of  nobility  and  gentry,  and  it  derived  no  small  degree  of  its  lustre  from  being 
the  asylum  of  the  legitimate  Sovereign. 

One  of  the  principal  objects  of  the  King's  journey  to  York  was  to  secure 
the  vast  magazines  of  the  fortress  of  Hull,  which  consisted  of  all  the  arms 
and  ammunition  of  the  forces  levied  against  the  Scots.  With  this  view  he 
sent  the  Earl  of  Newcastle  to  Hull  to  take  possession  of  the  town  in  his 
M^eBty*s  name,  but  the  authorities  declined  to  receive  the  Earl.  On  the 
38rd  of  April,  in  the  same  year,  his  Majesty,  attended  by  his  son,  and  a  long 
train  of  attendants,  set  out  from  York  for  Hull,  but  Sir  John  Hotham,  the 
governor,  perceiving  that  matters  were  drawing  to  a  crisis,  shut  the  gates, 
and  refused  to  admit  him,  though  he  requested  leave  to  enter  with  twenty 
persons  only.*  This  was  the  first  open  act  of  hostility  preluding  that  great 
civil  war,  which,  for  the  space  of  four  years,  desolated  England,  and  brought 
her  monarch  to  the  block.  The  House  of  Commons  then  wrote  letters  to 
many  of  the  corporate  towns,  directing  that  they  should  be  put  in  the  best 
posture  of  defence,  in  order  to  defend  themselves  against  those  whom  they 
styled  papists,  recusants,  and  disaffected  persons.  These  letters,  in  which 
the  King  was  represented  in  a  very  unfieivourable  light,  as  though  his  inten- 
tion  was  to  subject  the  nation  to  a  foreign  power,  threw  the  country  into  the 
utmost  consternation.  The  Parliament  then  pretended  that  they  had  re- 
ceived several  informations  from  abroad,  concerning  a  design  to  invade 
England,  and  that  the  Earl  of  Digby  had  got  together  about  40,000  men  at 
Elsinore,  in  Denmark,  and  a  fleet  of  ships  ready  to  convey  them  to  Hull. 
Civil  war  now  seemed  inevitable. 

The  two  houses  voted  a  levy  of  16,000  men  in  opposition  to  the  King ; 
the  trained  bands  of  London,  under  General  Shippon,  professed  the  strongest 
attachment  to  the  cause ;  the  arms  at  Hull  were  removed  to  the  Tower  of 
London;  a" forced  loan,  to  bear  interest  at  eight  per  cent.,  and  paid  in  money 
or  plate,  replenished  the  treasury,  and  large  sums  were  employed  in  the 
purchase  of  stores.  The  armies  which  had  been  raised  for  the  purpose  of 
suppressing  the  rebellion  in  Ireland,  were  openly  enHsted  by  the  Parliament, 
for  their  own  purposes,  and  the  command  of  them  was  given  to  the  Earl  of 
Essex,  who  was  appointed  Lord  General  ;f  and  the  Earl  of  Warwick  took 
the  command  of  the  fleet. 

•  See  the  History  of  Eingston-upon-HuIl  at  Bubseqaent  pages  of  this  volume. 

f  The  pay  of  the  soldiers  at  that  time  was  Is.  6d.  per  day  for  the  infantry;  2s.  6d.  for 
the  cavaliy,  viz. — Is.  4d.  for  the  keep  of  the  horse,  the  rest  for  the  man;  the  Lord 
General  reoeiyed  £10.,  the  Qenend  of  the  horse,  JS6.,  per  dtij. 


OEN'ERAL   BI9T0BT   OF  YORKSHIRE.  ^31 

On  the  other  hand,  the  King,  who  remained  at  York,  employed  himself 
with  great  activity  in  rousing  his  adherents  to  arms.  Numhers  of  the 
nohility  gentry,  and  clergy,  with  the  members  of  both  Universities,  lent  him 
money ;  and  the  Queen  departed  the  kingdom,  and  sold  the  crown  jewels  in 
Holland  to  purchase  a  cargo  of  ammunition.  The  whole  kingdom  was  now 
thrown  into  confusion.  In  every  shire,  almost  in  every  township,  were  per- 
sons raising  men  at  the  same  time  for  the  opposite  parties.  In  the  southern 
counties  the  interest  of  the  Parliament  was  generally  predominant ;  but  the 
King,  however,  mustered  an  army  of  about  4,000  troops,  of  which  about  8,000 
were  foot,  and  1,000  horse.  Negotiations  still  proceeded.  There  were  many 
at  York,  and  in  the  Parliament,  who  still  laboured  hard  to  effect  an  accom- 
modatidtt — ^for  though  the  King's  unhappy  predilection  for  arbitrary  power, 
had  raised  him  a  host  of  enemies ;  his  moral  virtues  had  procured  him  a 
great  body  of  zealous  supporters.  The  Parliament,  in  answer  to  the  King's 
demand  for  a  reply  to  certain  proposals,  which  he  had  made  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  year,  presented  for  his  acceptance  nineteen  articles,  in 
which  the  privileges  of  the  Parliament  so  hx  outweighed  the  prerogatives  of 
the  crown,  that  they  were  deemed  wholly  inadmissible: — Should  I  grant 
these  demands,  said  the  King,  in  reply,  I  may  be  waited  on  bare-headed ; 
I  may  have  my  hand  kissed ;  the  title  of  Majesty  may  be  continued  to  me ; 
and  the  King's  authority  signified  by  both  Houses,  may  still  be  the  style  of 
your  commands ;  I  may  haye  swords  and  maces  carried  before  me ;  and 
pleaae  myself  with  the  signs  of  a  crown  and  a  sceptre ;  but  as  to  true  and 
real  power,  I  should  remain  but  the  outside,  but  the  picture,  but  the  sign 
of  a  King.* 

Shortly  after  Charles  took  up  his  residence  at  York,  the  Parliament 
appointed  a  commission  to  reside  in  that  city,  to  strengthen  their  party  and 
to  watch  the  movements  of  the  King ;  and  on  their  passing  an  ordinance  for 
embodying  the  militia,  the  King  ordered  his  friends  to  meet  him  at  York, 
whither  he  directed  the  several  courts  to  be  in  future  acQoumed*  The  Lord- 
Keeper  Littleton  being  ordered  by  the  Parliament  not  to  issue  the  writs, 
made  his  escape  to  York,  and  bringing  with  him  that  important  mark  of  sove- 
reignty, the  great  seal,  he  joined  the  royal  party,  for  which  he  was  afterwards 
proclaimed  by  the  Parliament  a  traitor  and  a  felon.  On  the  d7th  of  May, 
164S,  Charles  issued  a  proclamation,  dated  from  his  court  at  York,  appointing 
a  public  meeting  of  the  nobility  and  gentry  of  the  neighbourhood,  to  be  held 
on  Heworth  Moor,  on  the  drd  of  June.    At  this  meeting,  at  which  70,000 

*  Eoshirorth,  iv.,  pp.  732,  7S5.    Qarendoii,  i,  654,  647. 


ddd  GENERAL   HISTORY   OF   YORKSHIRE. 

persons  were  present  (40,000  according  to  Guizot),  the  King,  who  was  accom- 
panied by  his  son  Prince  Charles,  and  150  Knights  in  complete  armour^ 
and  attended  with  a  guard  of  800  soldiers,  was  received  with  the  loudest 
acclamations  of  loyalty  and  respect.  In  a  short  address  he  thanked  the 
meeting  for  the  assurances  of  loyalty  and  attachment  which  he  had  received, 
and  explained  the  particulars  of  the  situation  in  which  he  was  placed.  He 
then  returned  to  the  city,  where,  after  keeping  his  court  for  more  than  five 
months,  during  which  time  every  attempt  at  negotiation  had  failed,  he  re- 
solved to  support  his  authority  by  arms.  His  towns,  his  ships,  his  arms,  his 
money,  were  taken  from  him,  but  there  still  remained  to  him  a  good  cause, 
and  the  hearts  of  his  loyal  subjects,  which,  with  God*s  blessing,  he  doubted 
not  would  recover  all  the  rest.  Having  constituted  Sir  Thomas  Glemham 
Governor  of  York,  and  appointed  the  Earl  of  Cumberland  supreme  com- 
mander of  his  forces,  the  King  removed  his  court  to  Beverley,  with  a  view  of 
preparing  for  an  attack  upon  the  fortress  of  Hull.  But  after  an  abortive 
attempt  to  get  possession  of  that  place,  he  returned  to  York.i' 

Hostilities  soon  after  commenced  with  the  siege  of  Portsmouth.  Colonel 
Goring,  the  Governor  of  that  place,  an  officer  of  distinguished  merit,  having 
refused  to  act  on  the  side  of  the  Parliament,  a  strong  force,  under  the  com- 
mand of  the  Parliamentary  General,  the  Earl  of  Essex,  appeared  before  the 
town  and  besieged  it.  The  King  immediately  proclaimed  that  general  and 
the  officers  under  him  traitors,  unless  they  should  return  to  their  duty  within 
the  space  of  six  days ;  the  Parliament  on  their  part  declared  the  royal  pro- 
clamation a  libellous  and  scandalous  paper,  and  retorted  the  crime  of  treason 
on  all  those  by  whom  it  had  been  advised,  and  by  whom  it  should  he  after- 
wards countenanced.!  In  these  circumstances  Charles  resolved  on  hostile 
measures.  He  summoned  all  his  loving  subjects  north  of  the  Trent,  and 
within  twenty  miles  to  the  south  of  that  river,  to  meet  him  in  arms  at  Not- 
tingham, on  the  3/2nd,  or,  according  to  some,  the  25  th  of  August  (1642),  as 
he  then  and  there  intended  to  set  up  his  standard. 

Accordingly,  on  that  day  the  royal  standard  was  erected,  and  on  it  was 
painted  a  hand  pointing  to  a  crown,  with  this  motto,  "  Give  to  Caesar  his 
due."  It  was  carried  by  a  guard  of  600  foot,  from  the  castle  into  a  large 
field;  the  King  followed  with  a  retinue  of  2,000  men;  and  the  people 
crowded  around  to  hear  the  proclamation  read  by  the  herald-at-arms.  This 
ceremony,  called  the  raising  of  the  standard,  was  deemed  equivalent  to  a 

*  See  the  history  of  Eingston-upon-Hull  at  a  subsequent  page  of  this  volume, 
f  Bushworth,  vi.,  pp.  761,  773.    Clarendon,  i.,  711,  715. 


QEKEBAL  HISTORY  OF  TOBKSHIRE.  288 

dedaratton  of  hostilities.  At  Nottingham  the  King  could  muster  no  more 
than  600  men,  hut  he  was  shortly  after  at  the  head  of  three  times  that 
numher.  From  that  place  he  despatched  to  the  Parliament  the  Earl  of 
Southampton,  Sir  John  Colepepper»  and  Sir  William  Uvedale,  with  some 
fresh  propositions  to  incline  them  to  a  treaty,  but  in  vain ;  and  after  a  few 
more  messages  and  answers,  all  hopes  of  peace  entirely  vanished,  and  the 
nation  saw  itself  involved  in  all  the  horrors  of  intestine  war,  the  most  direful 
of  national  calamities. 

The  reader  of  English  history  is  aware  that  at  this  stage  of  the  contro- 
versy  between  the  King'  and  his  opponents,  the  real  liberties  of  the  people 
could  no  longer  be  regarded  as  the  cause  of  quarrel.  These  liberties  had 
already  been  established  by  successive  acts  of  the  legislature.  The  dispute 
was  now  confined  to  certain  concessions,  which  the  Parliament  demanded  as 
essential  to  the  preservation  of  those  liberties,  and  which  the  King  refused  as 
subversive  of  the  royal  authority.  The  Parliament  now  possessed  the  con* 
trol  of  the  public  money,  the  power  of  impeachment,  and  the  right  of  meeting 
every  third  year;  and  these  powers,  it  was  contended  by  some,  formed  a 
sufficient  barrier  against  the  encroachments  on  the  part  of  the  Sovereign ; 
but  others  insisted  that  the  command  of  the  army,  and  the  appointment  of 
the  officers  of  state,  the  councillors,  and  the  judges,  ought  also  to  be  trans- 
ferred, for  a  time  at  least,  to  the  two  houses.  Who  then  were  the  authors  of 
the  civil  war?  is  a  question  that  is  often  asked.  That  learned  and  impartial 
historian.  Dr.  Lingard,  says,  in  reply  to  this  question,  "  The  answer  seems 
to  depend  on  the  solution  of  this  other  question — ^were  additional  securities 
necessary  for  the  preservation  of  the  national  rights?  If  they  were,  the 
blame  will  belong  to  Charles ;  if  not,  it  must  rest  with  his  adversaries. "« 

That  there  were  faults  on  both  sides  seems  unquestionable ;  and  it  is  to  be 
especially  lamented  that  the  good  sense  of  the  monarch  had  not  taught  him 
to  go  along  with  the  general  feelings  of  his  people ;  but  Princes  in  all  ages, 
as  Dr.  Lingard  truly  remarks,  have  been  slow  to  learn  the  important  lesson, 
that  the  influence  of  authority  must  ultimately  bend  to  the  influence  of 
opinion.  *'  In  most  of  the  conflicts  which  have  divided  nations  against  them* 
selves,  **  says  a  distinguished  writer,  "  one  side  or  other  has  been  so  wicked, 
or  both  so  worthless,  or  the  points  at  issue  so  personal  and  valueless,  that  the 
redtal  of  their  progress  and  results,  merely  amuses  by  variety  of  incident,  or 
disgosis  by  sameness  of  depravity ;  but  in  the  principles  and  fortunes  of  the 
Cavalifln  and  Roundheads,  we  still  experience  a  real  and  vital  oonoem.    The 

*  lingsxd'i  Hiatofy  of  KngJand,  voL  z.,  p.  70,  fop.  8vo. 

3  H 


S34  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  T0RK8HIRE. 

warmth  of  passions,  though  abated,  is  not  extinguished ;  we  feel  as  if  our 
own  liberty,  our  own  allegiance,  our  own  honour  and  religion  were  involved 
in  the  dispute.  "><< 

The  long  and  fruitless  altercations  being  at  an  end,  and  war  being  inevi- 
table, the  Parliament  placed  the  command  of  the  militia,  and  authority  to 
raise  forces  in  eveiy  county,  in  such  hands  as  they  esteemed  trustworthy. 
Each  army  in  its  composition  resembled  the  other.  The  command  of  the 
Royalists  was  entrusted  to  the  Earl  of  Lindsey ;  and  that  of  the  Parliamen- 
tary forces,  as  we  have  seen,  to  the  Earl  of  Essex.  In  the  meantime.  Sir 
William  Waller  had  reduced  Portsmouth,  while  Essex  concentrated  his  force, 
amounting  to  15,000  men,  in  the  vicinity  of  Northampton.  The  first  pitched 
battle  between  the  adherents  of  the  King  and  Parliament,  was  fought  on  the 
plain  of  Kineton,  near  Edge-hill,  in  Warwickshire,  on  Sunday,  the  23rd  of 
October,  1642,  when  both  armies  claimed  the  honour,  but  neither  reaped  the 
benefit,  of  victory.  Among  the  distinguished  persons  who  took  part  in  this 
bloody  conflict,  were  the  King,  Prince  Rupert,  Earl  of  Lindsey,  the  Earl  of 
Essex,  Lords  Saye,  Digby,  Roberts,  Carnarvon,  Brooks,  Byron,  Wharton, 
Wilmot,  Mandeville,  Fielding,  Willoughby,  Goring,  &c. ;  Sirs  W.  Fairfax, 
John  Meldrum,  Philip  Stapleton,  James  Ramsay,  W.  Balfore,  Jacob  Astley, 
Edward  Vemey,  George  Lisle,  William  Constable,  &c. ;  Hampden,  Holies, 
Ballard,  Grantham,  and,  according  to  some  writers,  Oliver  Cromwell.  The 
Earl  of  Lindsey  was  slain,  fighting  on  foot  at  the  head  of  his  men.  This 
brave  old  General's  prayer,  before  the  advance  to  the  conflict,  is  said  to  have 
been  as  follows : — **  0  Lord,  thou  knowest  how  busy  I  must  be  this  day ;  if 
I  forget  thee,  do  not  thou  forget  me.    March  on  boys  !*' 

Essex  withdrew  to  Warwick,  and  thence  to  Coventry ;  and  Charles,  having 
compelled  the  garrison  of  Banbury  to  surrender,  marched  onwards  to  the  city 
of  Oxford.  The  limits  of  this  work  will  not  admit  of  even  a  passing  notice 
of  the  battles  which  took  place  in  several  of  the  southern  counties ;  we  must 
therefore  confine  our  remarks  to  the  proceedings  which  occurred  in  the  dis- 
trict to  which  this  volume  is  devoted.  Alas !  that  the  fair  plains  of  this  fine 
county  should  be  again  the  scene  of  bloody  strife  between  Englishmen  only ; 
that  her  fertile  fields  should  be  once  more  deluged  with  the  blood  of  thou- 
sands of  its  best  nobles  and  hardiest  sons. 

The  minority  of  the  northern  nobles  were  attached  to  the  King^s  party, 
and  probably  Ferdinando,  Lord  Fairfax,  was  the  most  powerful  adherent  of 
the  Parliament  in  those  parts.    Accordingly,  he  received  their  commission 

•  Hartley  Coleridge's  Biographia  Borealis. 


OBKEBAL   HI8T0BY   OF  Y0BK8HIBE.  235 

(still  ronnmg  in  the  King*s  name)  to  be  General  of  the  forces  in  the  north, 
and  his  8on»  Sir  Thomas,  was  appointed  General  of  horse  under  him.  Sir 
Thoioas  Fairfax,  who  appears  to  have  been  endowed  with  a  never-tiring  zeal 
for  the  cause  in  which  he  was  engaged,  performed  his  first  exploit  in  the 
autumn  of  164d,  bj  driving  a  small  detachment  of  Royalists  from  Bradford 
to  Leeds,  whither,  in  conjunction  with  Captain  Hotham,  he  marched  a  few 
days  after,  and  compelled  the  enemj  to  retire  upon  York.  The  great  strength 
of  the  Parliamentarians  lay  in  the  large  manu&cturing  towns  of  the  West 
Bidix^,  and  the  chief  supplies  of  their  army  were  drawn  from  that  district ; 
and  that  army  having  increased,  1,000  men  were  marched  to  Tadcaster 
and  Wetherby  to  guard  the  passes  of  the  Wharfe,  and  thus  protect  the  friendly 
districts  of  the  west . 

The  Earl  of  Newcastle,  who  had  raised  a  considerable  force  in  the  north, 
for  the  protection  of  the  northern  counties,  now  marched  to  the  assistance  of 
the  loynd  party,  and  on  the  80th  of  November  he  arrived  at  York  with  6,000 
men  and  ten  pieces  of  artillery.  The  Earl  of  Cumberland  then  resigned  his 
commission  to  Newcastle,  who,  after  having  stayed  only  three  days  in  York 
to  refresh  his  troops,  marohed  out  with  4,000  men  and  seven  pieces  of  cannon, 
to  attack  the  enemy  at  Tadcaster,  whero  Lord  Fairfax  was  posted  with  700 
troops."*^  At  the  same  time  the  Earl  sent  his  Lieutenant-General,  the  Earl 
of  Newport,  with  3,000  men,  to  attack  Wetherby.  At  Tadcaster  the  battle 
was  contested,  with  equal  obstinacy,  but  with  much  less  bloodshed,  than  the 
memorable  one  fought  near  the  same  place,  between  the  fierce  adherents  of 
the  rival  houses  of  York  and  Lancaster.  (See  page  156.)  The  action  to<^ 
place  on  the  Srd  of  December,  1643.  The  town  being  untenable,  the  Par- 
liamentarians resolved  to  draw  out,  and  select  a  post  of  more  advantage ;  but 
before  they  could  do  so,  the  King*s  forces  attacked  a  position  above  the  bridge, 
in  which  was  a  small  body  of  foot  to  cover  the  retreat,  in  so  brisk  a  manner, 
that  the  whole  force  drew  back  to  maintain  that  ground.  The  Earl  began 
his  attack  about  eleven  o*clock  in  the  forenoon,  and  the  fighting  continued 
till  dusk  without  intermission,  during  which  time  40,000  musket  shots  were 
discharged,  besides  the  fire  from  the  aitilleiy ;  but  the  slaughter  bore  no 
proportion  to  the  shot  expended ;  as  the  number  killed  on  both  sides  did  not 
exceed  300.  The  disparity  of  numbers  caused  Lord  Fairfax  to  draw  off  his 
forces  to  Selby  and  Cawood  in  the  night,  and  the  following  morning  the 
Royalists  marohed  into  Tadcaster  without  opposition.  The  only  person  of 
note  who  fell  in  this  battle  was  Captain  Lister,  who  was  shot  by  a  bullet  in 

*  Memoirs  of  Sir  Thomas  Ffiirfaz. 


d86  aSXEBAL  HISTOET  OV  TOBKSHIBB. 

the  head.*  He  was  a  yaluahle  officer,  and  a  great  loas  to  his  pairty.  The 
garrison  of  Wetherby  consisted  of  800  foot  and  40  horse,  commanded  by 
Sir  Thomas  Fairfax ;  and  this  small  force  was  sorprised  early  one  morning 
by  a  body  of  800  men,  under  Sir  Thomas  Glemham.  Under  the  cover  of 
darkness  and  the  woods  around,  the  Royalists  arriTed  close  to  the  town 
without  giving  any  alarm,  until  they  were  ready  to  enter.  The  guards  were 
found  sleeping  at  their  post,  ''for,"  says  Sir  Thomas,  ''at  the  beginning  of 
the  war  men  were  as  impatient  of  duty  as  they  were  ignorant  of  it."  The 
General  hQwever  was  awake,  and,  with  the  assistance  of  a  few  men,  held  the 
enemy  at  bay  till  more  of  the  guards  were  got  to  arms.  A  smart  engage- 
ment then  ensued,  in  which  the  assailants  were  repulsed.  The  attack  was 
soon  renewed,  bat  in  the  midst  of  the  conflict  Fairfax's  magazine  was  blown 
up,  and  produced  so  tremendous  an  explosion,  that  the  RoyaUsts  believing 
that  the  enemy  had  cannon,  began  to  retreat,  and  retired  towards  York,  and 
were  ptirsued  by  Sir  Thomas  with  his  small  body  of  horse,  who  took  some 
prisoners.  Sir  Thomas  Gleroham  returned  to  his  garrison  at  York.  In  this 
engagement  Major  Carr  of  the  Royalists,  and  Captain  Atkinson  and  a  few 
of  the  Parliamentarians  were  slain.  Seven  men  were  blown  up  by  the  pow- 
der explosion.  The  Earl  of  Newport,  on  arriving  at  Wetherby,  found  no 
enemy  to  contend  with.  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax  having  previously  joine4  his 
father  at  Tadcaster. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1643,  Leeds,  Wakefield,  Halifex,  Skipton, 
Knaresborough,  and  several  other  towns  and  garrisons  against  the  King, 
were  reduced  to  his  Majesty's  subjection,  by  the  valorous  conduct  of  the  Lord 
General  (the  Earl  of  Newcastle).  Bradford  stood  two  vigorous  sieges,  but 
surrendered  when  the  ammunition  of  the  fortress  was  exhausted.  Then,  but 
not  till  then,  did  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax,  who  conducted  the  d^ence,  ofifer  to 
capitulate ;  but  Newcastle  having  refused  to  grant  the  conditions.  Sir  Thomas, 
with  fifty  mounted  troopers,  cut  his  way  through  the  lines  of  the  Royalists, 
and  made  his  retreat,  but  his  wife  and  most  of  the  soldiers  were  taken  pri- 
soners.!   By  the  various  chances  of  war,  several  of  those  towns  were  lost  and 

•  Thoresby  mentions  the  following  instance  of  filial  affection  relating  to  the  death  of 
this  gentleman : — Some  years  after  the  battle,  the  Captain's  son  was  passing  through 
Tadcaster,  and  finding  the  sexton  digging  in  the  choir,  enquired  where  his  father,  Cap- 
tain Lister,  was  buried.  To  which  the  sexton  replied  by  showing  him  a  scull  just  dug 
up,  which  he  averred  was  the  head  of  the  Captain.  On  examining  the  scull,  a  bullet 
was  found  lodged  in  it,  and  this  testimony  to  the  truth  of  the  gravedigger's  words,  so 
struck  the  young  man,  that  he  sickened  at  the  sight,  and  died  soon  after. 

t  Lady  Fairfax  was  shortly  after  sent  back  to  her  husband,  by  the  Marquis  of  New- 
castle, in  his  own  coach, 


GSNEBAL  HISTOBT  OF  T0BE8HIBS.  d87 

• 

won  again,  sometimes  by  one  party,  sometimes  by  another,  so  that  in  spite  of 
every  precaution,  Yorkshire  was  for  some  years  a  scene  of  bloodshed  and 
misery. 

It  was  chiefly  owing  to  the  indefifttigable  exertions  of  the  Queen  (Henrietta 
Maiia,  dav^hter  of  Heniy  IV.  of  France)  that  Charles  had  been  enabled  to 
meet  his  opponents  in  the  field.  It  has  already  been  observed  that  her 
M^esty  departed  for  Holland  in  the  spring  of  1642,  where  she  pledged  her 
own  and  the  crown  jeweb  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  arms  and  ammunition 
for  her  husband's  adherents.  During  her  residence  in  Holland  she  had 
repeatedly  sent  the  King  supplies  of  miUtaiy  stores,  and,  what  he  equally 
wanted,  of  veteran  officers  to  train  and  discipline  his  forces.  The  Queen 
having  embarked  at  Schuiling,  near  the  Hague,  under  convoy  of  seven  Dutch 
ships  of  war,  commanded  by  Admiral  Van  Tromp,  arrived  at  Bridlington 
Bay  on  the  20th  of  February,  1643,  and  after  remaining  at  anchor  three 
days,  the  squadron  entered  the  harbour.  Her  Majesty  brought  with  her 
thirty  pieces  of  brass  and  two  of  iron  ordnance,  with  small  arms  for  the 
equipment  of  10,000  men ;  and  though  four  of  the  Parliament's  ships  had 
been  croizing,  with  a  view  to  intercept  her,  yet  she  was  so  fortunate  as  to 
effect  a  landing  whilst  the  enemy's  ships  were  riding  at  anchor  off  Newcastle. 
Batten,  the  Parliament's  Vice-Admiral,  having  notice  of  her  Miyesty's  arri- 
val, immediately  weighed  anchor,  but  did  not  gain  the  bay  tmtil  the  night 
after  the  Dutch  vessels  had  entered  the  port.  Chagrined  at  his  disap- 
pointment, he  drew  his  vessels  directly  opposite  to  the  quay,  and,  on  the 
morning  of  th@  24th,  commenced  a  heavy  cannonade,  in  hope  of  firing  the 
ammunition  vessels,  and  the  house  in  which  the  Queen  was  lodged.  Some 
of  the  balls  actually  penetrated  the  room  in  which  her  Majesty  reposed,  and 
compelled  her,  with  the  Duchess  of  Bichmond,  and  the  other  ladies  of  her 
retinue,  to  leave  their  beds,  and,  according  to  some  authorities,  "  barefoot 
and  bareleg,"  seek  for  safety  beneath  the  precipitous  bank  of  the  stream  now 
known  as  Bessingby  Beck,  which  empties  itself  into  the  harbour. 

The  Queen  herself  has  transmitted  to  posterity  an  interesting  detail  of  the 
whole  event,  in  the  following  letter  to  the  King.  It  is  taken  from  a  volume 
in  the  British  Museum,  marked  7379,  in  the  Harleian  Catalogue. 

"Burlington,  25th  Febraary,  1643. 
"  My  dear  heart, 

"As  soon  as  I  landed,  I  dispatched  Progress  to  yon;  hat  having 

launt  to-day  that  he  was  taken  by  the  enemy,  I  send  this  bearer  to  give  you  an 

account  of  my  arrival,  which  has  been  very  saccessAil,  thank  Ood;  for  as  rough  as  the 

sea  was  when  I  first  crossed  it,  it  was  now  as  calm,  till  I  came  within  a  few  leagues  of 

Newcastle;  and  on  the  coast  the  wind  changed  to  N.W.,  and  obliged  ns  to  make  for 


888  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  YORKSHIRB. 

Burlington  Bay,  vhere,  after  two  days  lying  in  the  road,  oar  cavalry  arriTed.  I  imme* 
diately  landed,  and  the  next  morning  the  rest  of  the  troops  came  in.  Qod,  who  protected 
me  at  sea,  has  also  done  it  at  land;  for  this  night  four  of  the  Parliament  ships  came  in 
without  our  knowledge,  and  at  four  o'clock  in  the  morning  we  had  the  alarm,  and  sent 
to  the  harhour  to  secure  our  hoats  of  ammunition ;  but  about  an  hour  after  these  four 
ships  began  so  Airious  a  cannonading,  that  they  made  us  get  out  of  our  beds,  and  quit 
the  village  to  them ;  at  least  us  women,  for  the  soldiers  behaved  very  resolutely  in  pro- 
tecting the  ammunition.  I  must  now  play  the  Captain  Bessus,  and  si>eak  a  little  of 
myself.  One  of  these  ships  did  me  the  favour  to  flank  my  house,  which  fronted  the 
pier,  and  before  I  was  out  of  bed,  the  balls  whistled  over  me,  and  you  may  imagine  I 
did  not  like  the  music.  Every  boddy  forced  me  out,  the  balls  beating  down  our  houses; 
BO,  dressed  as  I  could,  I  went  on  foot  some  distance  from  the  village,  and  got  shelter  in 
a  ditch,  like  those  we  have  seen  about  Newmarket ;  but  before  I  could  reach  it  the  balls 
sung  merrily  over  our  heads,  and  a  seijeant  was  killed  twenty  paces  from  me.  Under 
this  shelter  we  remained  two  hours,  the  bullets  flying  over  us  and  sometimes  covering 
us  with  earth.  At  last  the  Dutch  Admiral  sent  to  tell  them,  that  if  they  did  not  give 
over  he  would  treat  them  as  enemies.  This  was  rather  of  the  latest,  but  he  excused 
himself  on  account  of  a  fog.  Upon  this  the  Parliament  ships  went  off,  and,  besides,  the 
tide  ebbed  and  they  would  have  been  in  shoal  water.  As  soon  as  they  were  withdrawn 
I  returned  to  my  house,  not  being  willing  that  they  should  boast  of  having  driven  me 
away.  About  noon  I  set  out  for  the  town  of  Burlington,  and  all  this  day  we  have  been 
landing  our  ammunition.  It  is  said,  that  one  of  the  Parliament  Captains  went  before  to 
reconnoitre  my  lodgings,  and  I  assure  you  he  had  marked  it  exactly,  for  he  always  fired 
at  it.  I  can  say  with  truth,  that  by  land  and  sea,  I  have  been  in  some  danger,  but  God 
has  preserved  me;  and  I  confide  in  his  goodness  that  he  will  not  desert  me  in  other 
things.  I  protest  to  you,  in  this  confidence,  I  would  &ce  cannon,  but  I  know  we  must 
not  tempt  God.  I  must  now  go  and  eat  a  morsel,  for  I  have  taken  nothing  to  day  but 
three  eggs,  and  slept  very  little." 

"  No  action  of  the  war/*  says  Dr.  Lingard,  '*  was  more  bitterly  condemned 
by  the  gallantry  of  the  Cavaliers,  than  this  immanly  attack  on  a  defenceless 
woman,  the  wife  of  the  Sovereign."  In  order  to  secure  the  Queen  from  any 
further  attack,  Lieut.-Gen.  King  erected  a  batteiy  on  each  side  of  the  port» 
but  the  danger  and  insult  not  having  been  repeated,  the  utility  of  the  works 
were  happily  never  proved.  In  expectation  of  the  Queen's  arrival,  the  EarL 
of  Newcastle  had  drawn  a  part  of  his  army  in  that  direction,  in  order  to  pro- 
tect her  from  the  attacks  of  her  enemies ;  and  immediately  upon  her  arrival, 
she  was  waited  upon  by  the  Marquis  of  Montrose,  and  Lord  Ogilby  with  two 
troops  of  horse.  Sir  Marmaduke  Langdale,  Sir  John  Ramsden,  and  others  of 
the  King's  friends. 

After  remaining  at  Bridlington  for  about  nine  days,  the  Queen  was  safely 
conducted  to  York.  She  slept  at  North  Burton  on  the  first  night,  at  Malton 
the  second  night,  and  arrived  in  York  on  the  8th  of  March,  with  three 
coaches,  and  an  escort  of  eight  troops  of  horse  and  fifteen  companies  of  foot. 
The  military  stores  were  conveyed  from  Bridlington  en  route  to  York  in  a 


OfiKEBAL  BISTORT   OF  YORKSHIRE.  d39 

long  train  of  500  carts  and  1000  horses.  For  his  attention  to  the  Queen  on 
this  occasion  as  well  as  for  his  devotion  to  the  cause  of  the  King,  the  Lord 
General,  as  the  Earl  of  Newcastle  was  called,  was  created  a  Marquis.  When 
the  Queen  aniyed  at  York,  the  King  was  staying  at  Oxford,  and  to  pursue 
her  journey  thither  at  that  time,  would  he  to  throw  herself  into  the  hands  of 
her  opponents.  She  accordingly  remained  in  Yorkshire,  winning  the  hearts 
of  the  inhabitants  by  her  affiibility ,  and  quickening  their  loyalty  by  her  words 
and  example.*  She  afterwards  marched  without  opposition  to  Oxford, 
bringing  to  her  husband,  who  met  her  at  Edge-lull,  a  powerful  reinforcement 
of  men,  artilleiy,  and  stores. 

In  Yorkshire  several  important  militaty  events  took  place  in  the  course  of 
the  year  1648.  The  Earl,  now  Marquis  of  Newcastle,  made  a  kind  of  tri- 
umphal march  through  the  county.  He  took  Bradford  and  retook  Wakefield 
for  the  King.  Eotherham  was  in  possession  of  the  enemy,  and  refusing  to 
yield,  he  commenced  an  attack  upon  it,  and  took  it  by  storm.  Sheffield  too, 
which  had  previously  been  taken  possession  of  for  the  Parliament,  by  Sir 
John  Gell,  was  re-captured  by  him,  and  he  defeated  Lord  FairfiEuc  at  Atherton 
or  Adderton  Moor.  He  then  recovered  Gainsborough,  in  Lincolnshire,  from 
the  army  under  Cromwell ;  and  intended  to  proceed  southward,  but,  we  are 
told  by  Lingard,  his  followers  refused  to  accompany  him  any  further  in 
that  direction.  They  had,  he  says,  been  embodied  for  the  defence  of  the 
northern  counties,  and  could  not  be  induced  to  extend  the  limits  of  that  ser- 
vice for  which  they  had  been  originally  enrolled.  Had  they  advanced  and 
joined  the  King's  army  in  the  south,  in  all  probability  an  end  would  have 
been  put  at  once  to  the  war,  by  the  reduction  of  London ;  but  in  consequence 
of  their  refusal  to  march  southward,  the  King'was  deprived  of  one  half  of 
his  expected  force,  and  was  compelled  to  adopt  a  new  plan  of  operations. 

In  the  north,  success  and  defeat  appeared  to  alternate  between  the  con- 
tending parties,  and  no  decisive  advantage  had  as  yet  been  gained  by  either; 
yet  on  the  whole,  the  balance  of  victory  seemed  to  incline  in  the  £ang*s 
fevour."t 

From  the  commencement  of  the  difference  between  the  King  and  the  Par- 
liament, a  thorough  understanding  existed  between  the  chief  of  the  Scottish 
Covenanters,  and  the*principal  of  the  English  Reformers.  Their  views  were 
similar,  their  object  the  same.     The  Scots  had  indeed  fought  and  won,  but 

•  Clarendon,  ii.,  p.  148. 

f  For  an  accoant  of  the  Siege  of  Hull,  which  took  place  about  this  time,  see  the  his- 
tory of  that  town  at  subsequent  pages  of  this  volume. 


940  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  TORKSHIBE. 

they  held  the  fruit  of  their  victory  by  a  doubtful  tenure,  as  long  as  the  fata 
of  their  "  English  brethren  *'  depended  on  the  uncertain  chances  of  war. 
Both  policy  and  rehgion  prompted  them  to  interfere ;  the  triumph  of  the 
Parliament  would  secure  their  liberties.  The  Parliamentarians  first  invited 
them  to  interpose  their  mediation,  which  they  knew  would  be  so  little  £Biyour« 
able  to  the  King ;  then  commissioners  were  sent  to  Edinburgh  with  ample 
powers  to  treat  of  a  union  and  confederacy  with  the  Scottish  nation ;  and  a 
league  and  covenant  was  framed,  in  which  the  subscribers  engaged  mutually 
to  defend  each  other  against  all  opponents. 

This  formidable  union  struck  alarm  into  the  breasts  of  the  Royalists* 
They  had  found  it  difficult  to  maintain  their  ground  against  the  Parliament 
alone ;  they  felt  unequal  to  the  contest  with  a  new  and  powerful  enemy.  By 
means  of  £100,000.,  which  they  received  from  England,  the  Scottish  levies 
were  soon  completed ;  and  in  the  early  part  of  the  year  1644,  an  army  of 
30,000  men,  under  the  command  of  their  old  General,  the  Earl  of  Leven, 
crossed  the  Tweed  at  Berwick,  and  attempted  to  surprise  the  town  of  New- 
castle before  it  could  be  put  in  a  posture  of  defence.  But  in  this  they  were 
disappointed,  for  the  Lord  General  had  arrived  at  that  fortress  the  day  before 
it  was  summoned  by  Leven ;  and  the  Scots,  leaving  six  regiments  before  the 
place,  crossed  the  Tyne,  and  entered  Sunderland  on  the  4th  of  March.  The 
Boyalists,  to  the  number  of  14,000,  hovered  upon  their  march.* 

Yorkshire  being  left  with  but  8,000  or  4,000  men  for  its  protection,  the 
Parliament  ordered  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax,  with  Lord  Fairfax,  his  father,  to 
attack  this  small  force,  which  was  commanded  by  Colonel  Bellasis,  the  son 
of  Lord  Falconberg.  The  two  parties  encounted  each  other  at  Selby  on  the 
11th  of  April,  and  in  the  action  the  Royalists  were  entirely  defeated.  The 
Parliamentarians  had  their  army  in  three  divisions ;  the  first  was  led  by  Lord 
Fairfax,  the  second  by  Sir  John  Meldrum,  and  the  third  by  Colond  Bright. 
The  cavalry  was  commanded  by  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax.  After  some  hard 
fighting,  the  Royalists  (who  had  possession  of  the  town)  were  beaten  from 
their  defences,  and  Sir  Thomas,  having  forced  open  a  barricade,  obtained  an 
entrance  between  the  houses  and  the  river,  where  he  met  with  a  body  of  the 
enemy's  horse,  which  he  charged  and  routed,  when  they  fled  across  the  river 
by  a  bridge  of  boats  towards  York.  Another  body  of  horse  quickly  charged 
Sir  Thomas's  pkrty,  and  after  a  desparate  struggle,  the  Royalists  were  beaten 
back,  and  Colonel  Bellasis  taken  prisoner.  The  main  body  of  Parliament- 
arians now  entered  the  town,  and  the  greatest  part  of  the  King's  forces  were 

•  Bashwortii,  vol.  v.,  p.  600. 


(IBNEtUL   HISTORY   OF  TORESBIRE.  241 

either  slam  or  taken  prisoners.  This  victory  made  the  Parliament  masters 
of  the  midland  parts  of  Yorkshire.  The  inhabitants  of  York,  hearing  of  the 
captore  of  Selbj,  were  in  great  fear  and  consternation,  and  implored  the 
Marquis  of  Newcastle,  who  had  been  keeping  the  Scots  at  bay,  to  march 
speedily  to  their  assistance,  or  their  important  city  would  be  lost  to  the 
royal  cause.  The  Marquis  at  once  fell  back  to  its  relief;  and  the  Scots 
having  joined  the  forces  of  Lord  Fairfisa  at  Wetherby,  the  united  army 
marched  to  Yoric,  and  commenced  the  si^e  or  blockade  of  that  city,  on  the 
19th  of  April,  1644. 

The  combined  forces  of  the  Parliament  and  the  Scottish  General  being 
quite  inadequate  for  the  siege  of  this  well-fortified  and  strongly-manned  city, 
a  deputation,  composed  of  the  Earls  of  Crawford  and  Lindsey,  and  Sir 
Thomas  Fairfiu,  was  sent  to  the  Earl  of  Manchester,  desiring  his  co-opera- 
tbn,  to  which  he  willingly  consented.  Previous  to  the  arrival  of  Manchester 
the  besiegers  numbered  16,000  foot  and  4,000  horse — a  force  not  sufficiently 
numerous  to  invest  the  city ;  but  that  General  brought  with  him  an  army  of 
6>000  foot  and  8,000  horse,  of  which  last  the  fiunous  Oliver  Cromwell  was 
liieutenant-General ;  and  three  sides  of  the  city  were  completely  invested, 
the  north  side  remaining  open.  Manchester's  division,  with  twelve  pieces  of 
cannon,  took  a  position  near  Bootham  Bar,  towards  Clifton.  The  besieging 
force  had  now  three  Generals,  Manchester,  Leven,  and  Fairfiax,  who  occupied 
difiiarent  positions  around  the  walls ;  and  the  siege  was  soon  vigorously  prose- 
cuted. Several  batteries  were  opened  against  the  city ;  and  especial  mention 
may  be  made  of  those  on  the  rising  grounds  called  Garrow  and  Lamel  MiU 
HiU,  out  of  Walmgate  Bar,  where  four  pieces  of  cannon  played  almost  inces- 
santly on  the  tower,  castle,  and  town ;  while  the  garrison  and  armed  citizens, 
from  their  different  platforms,  kept  up  a  heavy  fire  on  the  works  of  the 
beaiegerB.  There  were  also  batteries  on  the  Bootham  side.  The  Earl  of 
Manchester  made  an  attack  near  Walmgate  Bar,  and  took  possession  of  the 
church  of  St.  Nicholas,  but  was  soon  obliged  to  retire ;  the  Scots  seized,  near 
Micklegate  Bar,  a  convoy  of  cattle,  which  was  about  to  enter  the  city ;  and 
many  smart  skirmishes  took  place,  through  the  exertions  of  the  besiegers  to 
preserve  the  houses  in  the  suburbs  for  their  own  convenience  (the  inhabitants 
having  withdrawn  to  the  city),  which  the  besieged  set  fire  to. 

For  some  time  the  work  of  destruction  was  carried  on  "  with  great  gallantry 
and  spirit,**  and  with  varied  success.  Charles,  who  was  at  that  time  in  the 
south,  at  the  head  of  an  inferior  force,  endeavouring,  by  some  skilful  ma- 
noeuvres, to  escape  from  the  two  divisions  of  the  Parliamentarian  army,  under 
Essex  and  Waller,  saw  with  dismay  the  danger  which  threatened  him  in  the 

S  I 


M^  GENERAL   HISTORY   OF   YORKSHIRE. 

north.  The  fall  of  York  would  most  certainly  deprive  him  of  the  northern 
counties,  and  the  subsequent  junction  of  the  besieging  army  with  his  oppo- 
nents in  the  south,  would  constitute  a  force  against  which  it  would  be  useless 
to  struggle.  His  only  resource  was  in  the  courage  and  activity  of  his  nephew. 
Prince  Rupert,'*'  who  had  recently  driven  the  Parliamentarians  from  before 
Newark,  and  reduced  Stockport,  Bolton,  and  LiverpooL  He  ordered  that 
commander  to  collect  all  the  force  in  his  power,  to  hasten  into  Yorkshire  to 
fight  the  enemy,  and  to  keep  in  mind  that  two  things  were  necessary  for  the 
preservation  of  the  crown,  both  the  relief  of  the  city  of  York,  and  the  defeat  of 
the  combined  army.  On  the  receipt  of  the  royal  command,  Rupert  took  with 
him  a  portion  of  his  own  men,  some  regiments  lately  arrived  from  Ireland, 
and  reinforcements  joined  him  on  his  march.  Newcastle,  who  was  in  daily 
expectation  of  the  arrival  of  Rupert,  had  recourse  to  a  nue  to  gain  time. 
That  wily  General  endeavoured,  by  a  pretended  treaty  with  the  besiegers,  to 
direct  their  attention  from  further  attacks.  A  cessation  was  agreed  upon, 
commissioners  met,  and  after  a  week's  deliberation,  hostilities  recommenced 
on  the  15th  of  May.  The  besiegers  renewed  their  assaults  on  the  city  with 
redoubled  vigour.  The  Earl  of  Manchester's  forces  undermined  St.  Maiy's 
Tower  at  the  north-east  corner  of  the  Manor;  and  Colonel  Crawford,  a 
Scotchman,  sprung  the  mine,  which  demolished  the  Tower,  and  buried  a 
great  many  persons  in  the  ruins.  He  then  with  his  cannon  made  a  breach 
in  the  wall  lower  down  in  Marygatc,  and  having  entered,  many  of  the  soldiers 
scaled  two  or  three  walls,  and  took  possession  of  the  Manor. 

This  occurred  on  Trinity  Sunday,  when  most  of  the  officers  were  at  the 
Cathedral ;  but  the  alarm  given  by  the  explosion  of  the  mine,  caused  them 
to  run  from  the  church  to  their  posts.  A  party  of  the  garrison,  too,  issued 
out  by  a  private  sally-port,  entered  the  Manor  House,  and  cut  off  the  retreat 
of  the  enemy.  A  smart  conflict  ensued,  in  which  about  fifty  of  the  Pariia- 
mentarians  were  killed,  and  350  made  prisoners.  Sir  Philip  Byron,  Colonel 
Huddlestone,  and  Mr.  Samuel  Breary,  were  slain  on  the  side  of  the  garrison. 
The  latter  gentleman  was  Captain  of  a  company  of  volunteer  citizens,  and 
son  of  one  of  the  Aldermen.  On  the  34th  of  June,  a  party  of  the  garrison, 
consisting  of  about  600  men,  sallied  out  firom  Monk  Bar,  and  furiously  as- 
saidted  the  Earl  of  Manchester's  quarters ;  but  they  were  soon  driven  back 
with  considerable  loss.f  The  siege  still  continued  with  all  possible  vigour, 
an  almost  incessant  fire  was  continued  day  and  night,  both  by  the  besiegers 

*  Prince  Hapert  was  a  younger  son  of  Frederick,  Frinoe  Palatine  of  the  Bhine,  by 
the  Princess  Elizabeth,  sister  of  BCing  Charles  I.  of  England. 

f  Ex.  MS. 


GENERAL   HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE.  943 

and  the  besieged ;  and  so  loyal  were  the  people  of  York  to  their  Sovereign, 
we  are  told  bj  Drake,  that  the  women  assumed  a  masculine  courage,  and, 
despising  fatigue  and  danger,  contributed  much  to  the  defence  of  the  city. 
The  supply  of  fresh  provisions  having  been  cut  off  by  a  line  of  circumvalla- 
tion  drawn  round  the  city,  the  prices  were  excessively  high  before  the  end  of 
the  siege.  Mutton  sold  for  Ids.  a  quarter ;  beef,  at  4s.  per  stone ;  pork,  at 
7s. ;  bacon,  at  4s. ;  eggs,  at  3d.  each ;  fresh  butter,  at  2s.  8d.  per  pound ; 
and  oatmeal,  3s.  8d.  per  peck.  But  the  magazine  was  well  stored  with  salt 
provisions,  grain,  and  liquors. 

On  the  evening  of  the  SOth  of  June,  the  besiegers  to  their  surprise  and 
consternation,  received  intelligence  that  Prince  Bupert,  with  an  army  of 
30,000  men*  was  advancing  to  the  relief  of  the  city,  and  would  quarter  that 
night  at  Enaresborough  and  Boroughbridge,  within  eighteen  miles  of  York. 
Conscious  of  their  inability  to  contend  with  him  in  that  situation,  the  Psur- 
liamenVs  leaders  held  a  council  of  war,  at  which  it  was  resolved  to  raise  the 
siege.  Accordingly,  on  the  1st  of  July  they  drew  off  from  their  entrench- 
ments before  the  city,  and  marched  to  Hessay  Moor,  about  seven  miles  west 
of  York,  and  there  the  army  was  drawn  up  in  order  of  battle,  expecting  the 
Prince  would  make  that  his  way  to  the  city.  But  his  Highness,  aware  of 
the  movement,  avoided  the  conflict  by  an  exertion  of  great  military  skill. 
He  caused  only  a  party  of  horse  to  face  the  enemy  at  Skip-bridge,  where  they 
might  secure  their  retreat  over  the  Ouse  at  Nun-Monkton ;  and  interposed 
the  Ouse  between  the  enemy  and  the  main  body  of  his  army.  The  latter 
spent  that  night  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  in  the  Forest  of  Galtres,  near 
Poppleton  ferry;  whilst  the  Prince,  with  about  200  horse,  rode  on  to  York, 
where  his  arrival  produced  the  greatest  demonstrations  of  joy.  A  council  of 
war  was  immediately  held — and  here  we  would  pause  to  remark — ^that  had 
the  Prince  not  been  too  precipitate,  he  might  not  only  have  relieved  the  city, 
bat  he  might  have  established  the  royal  cause  on  a  basis  too  strong  for  re- 
bellion to  shake.  In  the  council  the  Marquis  of  Newcastle  gave  it  as  his 
decided  opinion,  that  it  was  inexpedient  at  that  moment  to  hazard  an  en- 
gagement with  the  enemy ;  especially  as  in  two  days  he  expected  Colonel 
Clavering,  with  a  reinforcement  of  3,000  men  from  the  north,  and  2,000 
drawn  out  of  several  garrisons.  Besides,  he  added,  that  he  had  certain  in- 
telligence that  dissension  prevailed  amongst  the  Parliamentarian  Generals, 
and  that  they  were  about  to  separate.! 

•  Rashworth,  vol.  v.,  p.  631. 
f  Mem.  Sir  T.  Fairfiix.    Sewetutie's  Life,  by  the  Duchess. 


244  GENERAL  HISTORY   OF   YORKSHIRE. 

The  Marquis  proved  correct  in  his  remarks,  hut  the  daring  and  impetaons 
Prince,  whose  subsequent  rashness  was  the  cause  of  so  many  misfortunes  to 
the  monarch,  and  whose  martial  ardour  was  not  sufficiently  tempered  with 
prudence,  stated  that  he  had  received  positive  orders  from  the  King,  then  at 
Oxford,  to  bring  the  enemy  to  immediate  action.*  Accordingly,  Rupert, 
with  his  forces,  marched  out  of  York  on  the  following  day,  the  2nd  of  July, 
and  his  van  came  up  with  the  enemy  just  as  they  had  broken  up  with  the 
intention  of  proceeding  to  Tadcaster.f  Rupert  is  said  by  some  to  have  passed 
a  part  of  his  army  over  the  Ouse  at  Poppleton,  by  means  of  a  bridge  of  boats 
made  by  the  Scots  ;l  and  to  have  entered  with  his  whole  army  into  Hessay 
Moor,  which  the  Parliamentarians  had  hardly  quitted.  He,  however,  pur- 
sued them  with  such  rapidity,  that  his  vanguard  almost  overtook  their  rear 
near  the  village  of  Long  Marston.  Both  parties  soon  began  to  draw  up 
in  order  of  battle;  the  Prince  possessing  himself  of  the  principal  part  of 
the  Moor,  the  Parliamentarians  were  obliged  to  range  their  forces  in  a  large 
field  of  rye,  at  the  end  of  the  village  of  Marston,  fronting  the  Moor.  This 
being  a  rising  ground,  Rupert  sent  a  party  to  dislodge  them,  but  the  Royalists 
were  driven  back,  and  that  com>field  remained  in  the  possession  of  the 
enemy.  Both  armies,  in  accordance  with  the  military  tactics  oi  the  age, 
were  drawn  up  in  line,  the  infantry  in  three  divisions,  with  strong  bodies  of 

*  The  following  extract  from  the  letter  of  the  King,  and  whioh  Bapert  would  seem  to 
have  regarded  as  containing  an  imperative  command  to  fight  the  enemy  at  York,  cer- 
tainly excalpates  the  latter  from  the  charge  usually  hrought  against  him,  of  fighting 
without  orders : — '*  But  now  I  must  give  you  the  true  state  of  my  afihirs,  which,  if  their 
condition  be  such  as  enforces  me  to  give  you  more  peremptory  commands  than  I  would 
willingly  do,  you  must  not  take  it  ill.  If  York  be  lost,  I  shall  esteem  my  crown  little 
else,  unless  unsupported  by  your  sudden  march  to  me,  and  a  miraculous  conquest  in  the 
south,  before  the  effects  of  the  northern  power  be  found  here;  but  if  York  be  relieved, 
and  you  beat  the  rebels'  armies  of  both  kingdoms,  which  are  before  it,  then,  but  other- 
wise not,  I  may  possibly  make  a  shift  upon  the  defensive  to  spin  out  time,  until  you 
come  to  assist  me.  Wherefore  I  command  and  conjure  you,  by  the  duty  and  afi*ection 
which  I  know  you  bear  me,  tliat,  all  new  enteri)rises  laid  aside,  you  immediately  march, 
according  to  your  first  intention,  with  all  your  force  to  the  relief  of  York ;  but  if  that  be 
either  lost,  or  have  freed  themselves  from  the  besiegers,  or  that  for  want  of  powder,  you 
cannot  undertake  that  work,  that  you  immediately  march  with  your  whole  strength  to 
Worcester,  to  assist  me  and  my  army,  without  which,  or  your  having  relieved  York,  by 
heating  the  Scots,  all  the  successes  you  con  afterwards  have,  most  infallibly  will  be  use- 
less unto  me." — Evelyn's  Memoirs^  voL  v..  Octavo  edition,  p»  121. 

}  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax  says,  "  we  were  divided  in  our  opinions  what  to  do ;  the  English 
were  for  fighting,  the  Scots  for  retreating,  to  gain,  as  they  alleged,  both  time  and  place 
of  more  advantage ;  this  being  resolved  upon,  we  marched  away  towards  Tadcaster." 

{  Others  assert  that  the  army  crossed  the  ferry,  which  at  the  time  was  fordable. 


GBKEaAL  HISTOBT  OF  TORKSHIKE.  245 

oavalxy  on  each  flank.  The  Eing*s  forces  amounted  to  14,000  foot,  9,000 
horse,  and  25  pieces  of  ordnance ;  and  the  number  on  the  other  side  is  vari- 
ooflly  estimated.  Some  writers  state  that  it  was  nearly  equal  in  number  to 
the  Royalist  army.  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax  says  that  its  number  was  somewhat 
greater  than  that  of  the  King's  forces ;  whilst  others  state  that  it  reckoned 
40,000  soldiers.  There  was  this  peculiarity  in  the  arrangement  of  the  Par* 
liamentarians,  that  in  each  division  the  English  and  the  Scots  were  inter- 
mixed, to  preclude  all  occasion  of  jealousy  or  dispute.  The  right  wing  of  the 
Parliament's  army  was  placed  near  Marston  town  end,  having  the  village  on 
their  right,  fronting  the  east;  and  as  their  horse  and  foot  came  up,  they  formed 
their  battalia  and  left  wing,  endeavouring  to  gain  as  much  to  the  left  as  they 
could ;  so  that  at  last  their  lines  extended  from  Marston  to  Tockwith^  and, 
as  we  have  said,  fronted  the  Moor.  The  position  chosen  by  the  Parliament- 
arians was  an  advantageous  one.  On  the  right,  the  village  of  Marston  secured 
them  against  being  outflanked  on  that  side ;  extending  westward,  the  array 
passed  across  Marston  field,  a  large  enclosure  cultivated  in  common,  where 
many  of  the  farmers  held  pieces  of  land,  at  that  time  bearing  a  crop  of  lye, 
which  would  then  be  nearly  ready  for  the  harvest  This  ground  is  con- 
dderafoly  elevated  above  the  Moor,  to  which  it  slopes  gently  down,  but  so 
easily,  that  a  horseman  might  gallop  up  or  down  without  any  inconvenience. 
Close  to  the  village  of  Marston,  a  place  is  shown  where  it  is  said  that  the 
hedges  were  cut  down  to  make  a  way  for  the  Parliamentarian  army  to  pass, 
and  this  spot  is  now  called  "  Cromwdl's  Qap." 

A  Htde  further  west  from  Marston,  where  the  land  has  its  highest  eleva- 
tion, is  the  spot  where  tradition  points  out  the  position  held  by  Cromwell ;  a 
clump  of  trees  stood  there  some  time  since,  now  all  felled  but  one,  which  has 
been  left  (though  dead)  to  point  out  the  station  of  the  grim  Ironsides.  The 
position  more  to  the  left,  towards  the  village  of  Tockwith,  being  nearly  level, 
presented  fewer  points  of  advantage,  and  this  latter  place  secured  the  left 
flank  from  being  turned.  The  troops,  standing  with  their  backs  to  the  south, 
would  have  an  extensive  view  of  the  country  to  the  north  and  east,  over  the 
level  plain  and  rural  villages  of  the  Ainsty,  to  the  towers  and  walls  of  York. 
The  right  wing  of  the  Parliamentarian  army,  extending  to  and  resting  on 
the  village  of  Marston,  consisted  of  the  Yorkshire  horse  (but  newly  raised), 
commanded  by  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax,  a  man  of  known  valour  and  resolution ; 
three  regiments  of  Scottish  horse,  commanded  by  the  Earl  of  Dalhousie,  the 
Earl  of  Eghnton,  and  Lord  Balgony,  forming  his  reserve.  Next  to  them 
was  a  body  of  infiemtry  consisting  of  Lord  Fair£GUL*s  foot,  and  two  brigades  of 
the  Scottish  horse  for  a  reserve.    The  main  body,  consisting  chiefly  of  mus- 


246  QENEBAL  HISTORY  OF  Y0RK8HIBE. 

keteers  and  pikemen,  was  commanded  bj  the  three  generals  Lord  Fair£BLx» 
the  Earl  of  Manchester,  and  the  Earl  of  Leven.  The  left  wing  was  com- 
posed  of  the  whole  of  Manchester's  cavalry,  under  the  command  of  Lieut. 
Gen.  Cromwell,  among  whom  were  his  tried  and  trusty  Ironsides  (a  name 
first  bestowed  upon  them  in  this  battle)  with  three  regiments  of  Scottish 
horse,  commanded  by  Major  Gen.  Lesley ;  and  upon  their  left,  near  a  cross 
ditch  where  the  Royalists  had  a  regiment  of  foot  were  the  Berwickshire 
dragoons  under  Colonel  FrizelL  This  wing  extended  to  the  village  of  Tock- 
with,  and  the  whole  army  was  drawn  up  in  large  bodies  well  supported  by 
artillery.  The  field  word  of  the  Parliamentarian  troops  was  "  God  with 
us."    Previous  to  the  attack  they  were  heard  singing  psalms. 

The  King's  army  was  drawn  up  in  a  line  opposite,  on  the  open  moor, 
partly  protected  by  broken  ground,  ditches,  and  furze  bushes.  The  left  wing, 
fronting  the  position  of  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax,  was  led  by  Prince  Rupert  in 
person.i^  The  right,  opposed  to  Cromwell,  was  led  by  Sir  Charles  Lucas  and 
Col.  Hurry ;  the  main  body  by  the  Generals  Goring,  Porter,  and  Tilliard. 
It  is  not  certain  what  particular  charge  the  Marquis  of  Newcastle  had  this 
day,  though  it  is  certain  he  was  engaged  very  valiantiy  in  the  battle  Some 
writers  state  that  he  had  no  command,  but  acted  merely  as  a  volunteer,  with 
many  more  gentiemen  equally  disgusted  with  Rupert's  haughty  conduct 
The  field  word  of  the  Royalists  was  "  God  and  the  King." 

*'  When  both  armies  were  completely  drawn  up,  it  was  after  five  in  the 
evening,  and  nearly  another  hour  and  a  half  passed  with  litde  more  than  a 
few  cannon  shots.  Newcastle  considered  all  was  over  for  that  day,  and  had 
retired  to  his  carriage  to  prepare  himself  for  rest  for  whatever  might  betide 
on  the  morrow.  Even  Rupert  and  Cromwell  are  believed  to  have  expected 
that  their  armies  woidd  pass  the  night  on  the  field.  It  was  a  bright  summer 
evening,  and  the  calm  beauty  of  the  heavens  above  left  light  enough  still  for 
the  work  of  destruction  to  proceed,  and  that  mighty  host,  46,000  men,  children 
of  one  race,  subjects  of  one  King,  to  mingle  in  bloody  strife,  and  lay  thou- 
sands at  rest,  *  to  sleep  the  sleep  that  knows  no  waking,'  that  lovely  night  of 
June,  on  Long  Marston  Moor.  It  has  been  surmised,  with  considerable 
probability,  that  a  stray  cannon  shot,  which  proved  fieital  to  young  Walton, 
OHver  Cromwell's  nephew,  by  rousing  in  him  every  slumbering  faeling  of 
wrath  and  indignation,  mainly  contributed  to  bring  on  the  general  engage- 
ment.    Certain  it  is,  that  he  was  the  first  to  lead  his  men  on  to  the  attack. 

•  Some  writers  assert  that  the  left  wing  was  led  by  the  Marquis  of  Newcastle,  whilst 
the  right  wiJDg  was  commanded  by  Prince  Bapert. 


OENERAL  HISTORY   OF  YORESHIBE.  247 

It  was  within  a  quarter  to  seven  on  that  cahn  evening,  when  the  vast  array 
that  spread  along  the  wide  area  of  Marston  Moor  began  to  be  stirred  by 
rapid  movements  to  the  front.  Along  a  considerable  part  of  the  ground  that 
lay  immediately  between  the  advanced  posts  of  the  Parliamentary  forces  and 
the  Royalist  army,  there  ran  a  broad  and  deep  ditch,  which  served  to  protect 
either  party  from  sudden  surprise.  Towards  this,  a  body  of  Cromwell's 
oaraliy  was  seen  to  move  rapidly  from  the  rear,  followed  by  a'  part  of  the 
in&ntry.  Prince  Eupert  met  this  promptly  by  bringing  up  a  body  of  mus- 
keteers, who  opened  upon  them  a  murderous  fire  as  they  formed  in  front  of 
the  ditch,  which  protected  Rupert's  musketeers  from  the  cavalry,  while  a 
range  of  batteries,  advanti^eously  planted  on  a  height  to  the  rear,  kept  up 
an  incessant  cannonading  on  the  whole  Hne."* 

"  Suddenly  the  left  wing  of  the  Parliamentarians  was  stirred  by  a  rapid 
movement;"  says  a  recent  writer,  '*  had  the  eagle  eye  of  Cromwell  seen  the 
moment  of  advantage  ?  or,  was  it  the  death  of  his  nephew,  struck  down  by  a 
cannon  shot,  that  awakened  his  slumbering  wrath,  roused  the  lion  spirit 
within  him«  and  now  hurried  him  to  the  combat,  and  with  him  the  whole 
anny,  for  a  single  charge  must  inevitably  bring  on  a  general  engagement. 
His  heavy  armed  curasaiers  were  already  chanting  their  vengeful  psalm  of 
batde,  while  their  eyes  were  lighted  up  with  martial  joy.  Not  one  of  them 
but  carried  a  bible,  as  well  as  a  carbine,  pistols,  and  a  heavy  broad  sword,  "f 
The  small  ditch,  which  lay  between  the  contending  armies,  had  an  embank- 
ment on  one  side  of  it ;  and  though  they  had  drawn  up  within  musket  shot 
of  one  another,  yet  it  must  incommode  the  party  that  passed  it,  and  lay  them 
more  open  to  their  enemy.  In  the  ditch  the  Royalist  leader  placed  four 
brigades  of  their  best  musketeers,  which  at  the  first  were  gallantly  assaulted 
by  the  enemy,  and  forced  to  give  ground.  The  finont  divisions  of  horse  mu- 
tually charged,  the  respective  opposite  right  and  left  wings  meeting.  Crom- 
well, with  his  trusty  Ironsides,  dashed  off  rapidly  to  the  right,  and  clearing 
the  ditch  beyond  the  enemy's  fiank,  he  swept  down  upon  their  right  wing 
with  such  irresistible  force,  that  the  cavalry,  who  were  then  under  the  com- 
Biaad  of  General  Goring,  were  completely  broken  soon  after  the  first  onset 
For  a  short  time  ihe  fighting  here  was  truly  terrific.  Some  of  the  King's 
bravest  men  attacked  Cromwell's  troopers  in  front  and  flank,  and  every  inch 
was  disputed  at  the  sword's  point.  For  a  while  all  was  dose  and  deadly 
conflict;  the  cannon's  roar,  the  clashing  of  arms,  the  ringing  of  pistol  shots, 
the  sound  of  trumpets,  mingled  with  the  yells,  shouts,  and  cheers  of  the 

•  Wilton's  CnmUMtt  and  the  Proteetorau,  p.  96.       f  Battle  Fields  of  YorkBhire. 


348  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  YORKSHIRE. 

troops,  making  up  a  dreadful  battle  chorus.  The  Royalists  fought  bravely, 
rallying  when  broken,  and  again  rushing  to  the  charge.  Goring  and  New* 
castle  exerted  themselYes  like  tried  and  trusty  soldieiiB ;  what  generalship 
and  personal  courage  could  do,  was  done,  and  done  in  vain.  The  whole  right 
wing  of  the  King's  army  was  dispersed ;  and  such  of  them  as  escaped  the 
swords  of  Cromwell's  Ironsides,  wheeled  about,  and  fled  to  join  the  caTalxyi 
under  Prince  Rupert's  own  command.  The  guns  were  silenced,  and  the 
artillerymen  fled,  or  were  sabred  at  their  posts ;  while  Cromwell,  recalling 
his  men  finom  the  pursuit,  led  them  back  in  perfect  order  towards  their  first 
point  of  attack. 

But  a  diflerent  scene  had  been  enacted  meanwhile  on  the  left  wing. 
Prince  Rupert,  who  commanded  there  in  person,  poured  a  tremendous  fire 
into  the  right  wing  of  the  enemy,  led  by  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax,  and  dashed  in 
upon  them  with  his  usual  impetuosity,  and  swept  through  their  broken  ranks 
with  tremendous  slaughter.  Nevertheless  Sir  Thomas,  with  a  body  of  400 
horsemen,  passed  the  ditch,  and  charged  furiously  upon  the  royal  ranks,  and 
after  a  dreadful  struggle,  cut  his  way  through,  despite  all  their  efforts  to 
hinder  him ;  the  Royalists  flying  towards  York,  closely  pursued  to  prevent 
their  rallying.  Rupert  seeing  the  disorder  of  that  wing,  dashed  forward  at 
the  head  of  his  men,  driving,  scattering,  and  destroying  all  before  him.  In 
vain  the  leaders  struggled  to  stem  the  tide— on  sped  the  Prince  over  the 
dying  and  the  dead,  pursuing  the  routed  squadrons  towards  Tadcaster  and 
Cawood.  Instead  of  pursuing  them  with  his  whole  strength,  had  Rupert 
merely  ordered  a  detachment  to  keep  them  from  rallying  after  they  were 
pushed  from  the  field,  and  fallen  with  the  rest  of  his  force  upon  the  naked 
flank  of  the  Parliamentarian  foot,  the  victory  might  have  been  his  own,  and 
his  rashness  in  fighting  been  justified  by  success.  Thus  one  wing  of  eadi 
army  was  routed,  and  the  main  bodies  closely  engaged  in  an  even  balanced 
and  desperate  struggle,  when  Cromwell,  with  his  troopers  flushed  with  vic- 
tory, dashed  impetuously  upon  the  naked  flank  of  the  Royalist  in&ntry, 
overturning  all  before  them.  It  was  at  this  time  that  the  Marquis  of  New- 
castle's own  regiment — called  "  White  Coats,"  from  their  clothing,  consisting 
of  more  than  a  thousand  stout  Northumbrians,  being  deserted  by  the  horse, 
yet  scomiog  either  to  fly  or  to  ask  quarter,  were  cut  to  pieces  by  the  enemy, 
all  bravely  fiBJling  in  rank  and  file  as  they  stood.  This  brigade,  which  was 
well  armed  and  disciplined,  strong  and  valiant,  was  commanded  by  a  Scotch- 
man named  King,  the  Marquis's  Lieutenant,  a  man  of  considerable  military 
experience. 

The  three  Generals,  Manchester,  Leven,  and  Fairfax,  appear  to  have  con- 


OEKBRAL  HISTOBT  OF  TORKSHTRS.  949 

aidefBd  the  battle  as  lost,  and  were  hastening  out  of  the  field,  when  the  Tictoty 
ihej  despaired  of  unexpectedly  fell  into  their  hands.  For  General  Porter, 
after  having  forced  back  part  of  the  Parliamentarian  foot,  even  beyond  their 
first  position ;  and  after  three  hours  of  hard  fighting,  and  when  he  thought 
the  success  of  the  Prince  was  established,  found  himself  attacked  with  greater 
fury  ihan  erer^  and  that  unexpectedly  in  the  rear.  Here  the  order  of  the 
iMttle  was  completely  reversed,  each  party  occupying  the  ground  held  by  the 
other  at  the  beginning  of  the  fight  Cromwell  having  rallied  his  men,  ad- 
vanced towards  the  centre  of  the  action  just  as  Rupert  returned  from  his 
headlong  and  mad  pursuit,  at  the  head  of  his  exulting  cavalry,  confident  that 
the  field  was  already  won.  But  a  short  time  was  sufficient  to  convince  him 
thai  his  enemies  were  the  victors ;  for  though  the  second  battle  was  equally 
ffoioos  and  desperate  with  the  first,  yet,  after  the  utmost  efforts  of  courage 
by  both  parties,  victory  wholly  turned  on  the  side  of  the  Parliament ;  for, 
hemmed  in  on  nearly  sll  sides,  on  difficult  and  broken  ground,  without  hope 
of  sucoouTi  and  almost  without  means  of  retreat.  Porter  and  his  brave  band 
smnendered  themselves  prisoners.  Rupert's  whole  tndn  of  artillery  was 
taken,  and  those  Royalists  who  had  survived,  and  were  not  taken  prisoners, 
were  pursued  to  within  a  mile  of  the  walls  of  York,  by  their  relentless  ene- 
mies, Rupert  himself  only  escapng  by  the  fieetness  of  his  horse.  Thus 
ended  this  sanguinaiy  conflict  between  the  most  numerous  armies  that  ever 
w«e  engaged  duiing  the  course  of  these  unnatural  wars.  About  ten  o'clock 
the  Royalists  had  pursued  the  main  port  of  the  enemy  from  the  field ;  but 
before  midni^  the  best  and  bravest  of  the  friends  of  rojBltj  were  lying  dead 
OD  the  field,  or  prisoners  in  the  hands  of  the  foe,  or  helpless  and  despairing 
fugitives  on  the  roads  to  York  and  other  places,  pursued  with  great  slaughter. 
The  victoiy  was  complete.  What  a  contrast  between  the  going  out  and  the 
letom  of  the  Royalist  army.  The  number  of  the  dain  on  both  sides  is  said 
to  be  about  8,000,  though  authors  vary  much  in  this  as  in  other  particulars 
of  the  battle ;  but  the  villagers,  who  were  commanded  to  bury  the  dead,  as^ 
sertoi  tiuKt  they  interred  only  4,160  bodies,  two-thirds  of  whom  appear  to 
have  been  men  of  rank;  and  their  graves  are  yet  to  be  seen  near  Wibtrop 
Wood,  at  the  end  of  a  long  green  lane,  on  the  western  side  of  the  moor. 
This  is  supposed  to  be  the  place  where  Oromwdl  beat  the  Royalist  right 
wing,  and  afterwards  mowed  down  Newcastle's  valiant  regiment,  for  they 
would  probably  bury  them  "where  the  battle's  wreck  lay  thickest" 

Among  the  Royalists  who  fell  were  Sir  WilHam  Wentworth;  Sir  Francis 
Bacres;  Sir  William  Lambton;  Sir  Charles  Slingsby,  Knight,  who  was  in^ 
terred  in  the  Cathedral;  Colonel  John  Fenwick,  whose  remains  could  not  be 

d    K 


950  OEKERAT.   BISTORT  OF   YORKSHIRE. 

identified  among  the  heaps  of  dead ;  Sir  Marmaduke  Luddon ;  Sir  Thomas 
Metham ;  Sir  Thomas  Gledhill ;  Sir  Richard  Graham ;  and  more  than  4,000 
others.  Upwards  of  1,500  were  taken  prisoners  on  that  dreadful  daj, 
amongst  whom  were  General  Sir  Charles  Lucas,  General  Porter,  General 
Tilliud,  Lord  Goring*s  son,  and  many  more  field  officers.  The  Prince  like- 
wise lost  besides  his  95  pieces  of  artiUerj,  130  barrels  of  gunpowder,  10,000 
stand  of  arms,  47  colours,  2  waggons  loaded  with  carbines  and  pistols,  and 
all  his  bag  and  baggage. 

The  principal  persons  slain  among  the  Parliamentarians  were  Charles, 
brother  of  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax,  who  was  buried  at  Marston ;  Mi^or  Fairfiu, 
Captain  Micklethwaite,  and  Captain  Pugh.  From  the  circumstance  of  the 
battle  being  at  one  time  so  much  against  them,  they  must  undoubtedly  have 
lost  a  number  of  adherents  nearly  equal  to  the  vanquished ;  but  they  ihem* 
selves  would  not  acknowledge  the  loss  of  more  than  800  subalterns  and 
privates.* 

Prince  Rupert,  to  whose  want  of  sufficient  coolness  and  prudence,  the  dis- 
asters of  this  day  were  attributed,  has  been  accused  by  some  of  wanting 
courage,  a  charge  which  by  others  is  believed  to  be  completely  unfounded. 
Cromwell,  too,  is  taxed  with  cowardice  by  Hollis,  who  says  that  he  witiidrew 
very  soon  from  the  fight,  for  a  slight  wound  in  the  neck ;  but  he  is,  however, 
by  most  writers  considered  the  main  instrument  in  gaining  this  important 
victory.    It  was  late  in  the  evening  when  the  Royalists  arrived  at  Mickl^ate 

♦ 

Bar,  and  as  none  but  the  garrison  were  suffered  to  enter,  many  of  the 
wounded,  fainting  under  fieitigue  and  anxiety,  filled  the  air  with  sounds  of 
distress,  and  the  scene  of  confusion  and  misery  that  ensued,  was  beyond 
description.! 

This  disastrous  battle  extinguished  the  power  of  the  Royalists  in  the 
northern  counties,  and  opened  an  immediate  way  to  Cromwell's  assumption 
of  the  vacant  throne,  when  Charles  fell  a  sacrifice  to  violence  and  political 
rancour.  Among  the  many  battle  fields  of  Yorkshire,  at  Marston  Moor  only 
was  there  any  great  principle  depending  on  the  issue.  In  the  other  battles 
the  object  had  been  to  repel,  perhaps  a  provoked  invasion ;  to  crush  a  rebel- 
lion of  ambitious  and  discontented  nobility ;  or  oftener  for  a  mere  change  of 
rulers.  The  people  shed  their  blood  for  men  from  whom  they  could  receive 
no  benefit,  and  for  objects  in  which  they  had  no  interest;  but  at  Marstoh  I 

Moor  only  the  spirit  of  civil  and  religious  freedom  was  manifested.     There  it. 

•  For  this  battle  see  Bushworth,  v.,  632.  Clarendon,  iv.,  503.  Thorloe,  i.,  89. 
Whitelook,  89. 

f  Hargrove's  Histoiy  of  Tork,  vol.  i.,  pp.  169, 178. 


GENERAL   HISTOBY   OF  YORKSHIBE.  351 

iras  that  King  and  people  contended ;  the  one  for  power  unlimited  and  absolute ; 
the  other  for  justice  and  liberty — ^man's  birthright  Liberty  and  privilege 
on  the  one  side,  and  prerogative  and  despotic  power  on  the  other,  were  on  the 
field  of  Marston  brought  into  open  conflict,  and  the  sequel  is  well  known. 

The  day  after  the  battie  the  brave  Marquis  of  Newcastle,  and  several  of 
his  friends,  either  despairing  of  the  royal  cause,  or  disgusted  with  the  arro- 
gant conduct  of  Prince  Rupert,  resolved  to  quit  the  countiy,  and  immediately 
went  to  Scarborough,  and  thence  embarked  to  Hamburgh.  Rupert  himself 
drew  his  army  from  the  city  of  York,  aud  hastily  retreated  into  Lancashire ; 
and  thus  were  the  afiairs  of  the  unfortunate  Charles  irretrievably  ruined  by 
the  imperious  and  injudicious  conduct  of  his  froward  kinsman.  Had  he  left 
a  sufficient  garrison  in  the  city,  it  might  be  held  out  against  the  Parliament- 
arians, as  great  dissensions  prevailed  among  the  leaders ;  but  encouraged  by 
the  intelligence  of  the  departure  of  the  two  royal  commanders,  and  knowing 
that  Sir  Thomas  Glemham,  the  Goyemor,  was  left  with  only  a  very  small 
garrison,  and  in  a  great  measure  defenceless,  in  consequence  of  the  loss  of 
artillery  at  the  late  battie,  the  Parliament's  Generals  appeared  before  the 
walls,  and  renewed  the  siege.  The  Gx)vemor  was  summoned  to  surrender 
unconditionally — ^to  which  a  negative  answer  was  returned.  However,  thir- 
teen days  after  the  battie  of  Marston,  and  after  a  siege  of  nearly  thirteen 
weeks,  during  which  time  the  garrison  had  repulsed  twenty-two  attempts  to 
carry  the  city  by  storm,  and  four  countermines ;  and  between  4,000  and  5,000 
of  the  enemy  had  perished  before  its  walls,  the  Governor  was  reduced  to  the 
painful  necessity  of  surrendering  the  city,  on  the  following  conditions,* 
which,  owing  to  the  existence  of  considerable  dissensions  amongst  the  forces 
of  the  Parliament,  were  extremely  favourable. 

1.  That  Sir  Thomas  Glemham,  as  Governor  of  the  city  of  York,  shall  sur- 
render and  deliver  up  the  same,  with  the  forts,  tower,  cannon,  ammunition, 
and  furniture  of  war  belonging  thereto,  on  the  16th  of  July,  1644,  at  eleven 
o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  to  the  three  Generals,  or  to  whom  they  shall  appoint, 
for  the  use  of  the  King  and  Parliament,  in  the  manner,  and  upon  the  con- 
ditions following: — 

d.  That  all  the  officers  shall  march  out  of  the  city,  with  their  arms,  drums 
beating,  colours  flying,  match  lighted,  bullet  in  mouth,  bag  and  baggage. 

S.  That  they  shall  hare  a  convoy,  that  no  ix\iuiy  be  done  them  in  their 
march  to  Skipton. 

4.  That  sick  and  maimed  soldiers  shall  not  be  hindered  from  going,  after 
their  recoyeries. 

•  Ex.  MS. 


853  OEMEBAL  HiarORT  OF   TORESHIBB. 

6.  That  soldierB*  wives  and  children  may  hare  liberty  to  go  to  their  hus- 
bands and  fathers,  to  dieir  own  homes  and  estates,  and  to  enjoy  them 
peaceably,  under  ccmtribution. 

6.  That  no  soldier  be  enticed  away. 

7.  That  the  citizens  and  inhabitants  may  eigoy  all  their  priTileges,  which 
formerly  they  did  at  the  beginning  of  these  troubles,  and  may  have  freedom 
of  trade,  both  by  sea  and  land,  paying  such  duties  and  customs  as  aU  other 
cities  under  obedience  of  Parliament. 

8.  That  if  any  garrison  be  placed  in  the  cily,  two  parts  in  thvae  shall  be 
Yorkshiremen ;  no  free  quarter  shall  be  put  upon  any  without  his  own  con- 
sent, and  the  armies  shall  not  enter  the  city  before  the  Goremor  and  Lord 
Mayor  be  acquainted. 

9.  That  in  all  chaiges  the  citizens,  residents,  and  inhabitants,  shall  bear 
only  such  part  with  the  county  at  laige,  as  was  formerly  in  all  other  assess- 
ments. 

10.  That  all  citizens,  gentlemen,  residents,  sojourners,  and  every  other 
person  within  the  city,  shall,  if  they  please,  have  free  liberty  to  remove  them- 
selves, family,  and  goods,  and  to  dispose  thereof,  and  their  estates,  at  their 
pleasure,  according  to  the  law  of  the  land,  either  to  live  at  their  own  homes 
or  elsewhere ;  and  to  enjoy  their  goods  and  estates  without  molestation,  and 
to  have  protection  and  safeguard  for  that  purpose,  so  that  they  may  rest 
quietly  at  their  abodes,  and  travdl  safely  and  fredy  about  their  occasions ; 
and  for  their  better  removal,  may  have  letters  of  safe  conduct,  and  be  f m> 
nished  with  horses  and  carriages  at  reasonable  rates. 

11.  That  all  gentlemen,  and  others,  that  have  goods  within  the  city,  and 
are  absent  themselves,  may  have  &ee  liberty  to  take,  carry  away,  and  dispose 
of  them,  as  in  the  forcing  articles. 

13.  That  neither  churches  nor  other  buildings  shall  be  de&iced,  nor  any 
plunderings,  nor  taking  of  any  man's  person,  nor  any  part  of  his  estate, 
suffered;  and  that  justice  shall  be  administered  within  the  city,  by  tlie 
magistrates,  according  to  law,  who  shall  be  assisted  therein,  if  need  require, 
by  the  garrison. 

18.  That  all  persons  whose  dwellings  are  in  the  city,  though  now  absent, 
may  enjoy  the  benefit  of  these  articles,  as  if  they  were  present. 

Signed, 

FERDINAND   FAIRFAX, 
MANGHEBTEB, 
ADAM   HEPBORNE, 
LORD   HUMBEE, 
WILLIAM   CONSTABLE. 


THOMAS   OUEMHAM, 

■ 

aOVEBHOB. 


aSNBlUL  filSTOBT  OF  TOUESHISE.  d58 

The  &ie68  of  the  King*  amovmtiiig  to  mora  than  one  thousaad,  besides 
flick  and  wounded,  aeooidingly  enwuated  the  city  on  the  f<^owing  daj* 
through  Micklegate  Bar,  marching  through  the  yictorious  armj  (which  had 
been  prsTiously  drawn  up  on  each  side,  witiioat  the  Bar,  and  ioxmed  into  a  line 
of  about  a  mite  in  extent),  with  arms  in  their  hands,  drums  beating,  colours 
flying,  ibc,  towards  Skipton.  On  their  departure,  the  three  succesfiful  Gene^ 
xalfl,  the  Eads  of  Leven  and  Manchester,  and  Lord  Eairfax,  with  their  IbrceSi 
entered  the  city  in  solemn  procession,  and  went  directly  to  the  Cathednd, 
where  they  returned  thanks  to  the  Almighiy  for  their  success — prayer  being 
cAred  up  by  the  Earl  of  Leren's  chaplain,  a  Presbyterian;  and  the  following 
Thnrsday  was  appointed  a  day  of  general  thanksgiTing.» 

York  suffered  seYcrely  irom  this  calamitous  si^ge.  Its  walls  were  sadly 
shattered ;  several  houses  were  in  ruins,  and  the  suburbs  completely  destroyed. 

Lord  Ferdinando  Faix&x  was  now  made  Goremor  of  York,  and  that  city 
became  the  seat  of  a  standing  committee,  whereby  the  affiiirs  of  the  whole 
county  were  conducted  with  almost  absdute  power«  Lord  Fairfu  and  Ms 
aon.  Sir  Thomas*  now  sumamed  the  Hero  of  ths  ChmmonweaUh,  received 
commissions  from  the  Parliament  to  reduce  all  the  garrisons  that  still  held 
out  lor  the  King  in  this  county ;  and  Sir  Thomas  was  soon  after  appointed 
Commander-in-Chief  of  all  the  forces  of  the  Parliament.  The  city  walls  were 
put  in  a  state  of  repair,  and  no  time  was  test  in  attempting  to  subdue  the 
spirit  of  loyalty,  which  still  existed  in  many  of  the  fcMixesses  of  the  county. 
Detachmento  of  troops  were  sent  to  besiege  them.  The  siege  of  Pontefract 
Castle  commenced  on  Christmas  day.  Sir  Thomas  Faii£Guc  having  taken  pos- 
oession  of  the  town  in  the  banning  of  December.f  On  the  10th  of  January, 
1645,  after  an  incessant  cannonade  against  the  ramparts  ci  the  Castle,  the  Pix 
Tower  gave  way,  and  by  its  fiedl  carried  part  of  the  walls  along  with  it.  The 
81^  continued  till  the  garrison  was  reduced  to  great  distress  fi>r  want  of 
provisions.  At  this  period.  Sir  Marmaduke  Langdale,  one  of  the  Royalist 
Generals,  making  a  rapid  march,  at  the  head  of  2,000  horse,  arrived  at  Pon- 
tefract; attacked  the  besiegers,  who  were  commanded  by  Colonek  Lambert 
and  Forbes;  and  after  an  obstinate  engagement,  the  Parliamentarians  retired 
in  dis(»der  to  Ferrybridge,  and  from  tiience  towards  Sfaerbum  and  Tadcaster, 
dosely  pursued  by  the  Boyalists. 

On  General  Langdate's  departure,  the  Parliamentarian  irx>ops  collected, 
and  on  the  dlst  of  March,  1645,  they  took  possession  of  the  town,  and  again 
lajd  siege  to  the  Castle.    For  four  months  tibe  besieged  gallantly  withstood 

*  Hargrove's  Hist  York,  voL  L,  p.  187.       f  miteloek,  p.  102. 


d54  OEKBBAL  HISTOBT  OF  YORKSHIRE. 

tihe  incessant  cannonades,  attacks,  and  sorties  of  the  enemy ;  but  at  length 
ledaced  to  a  state  of  &niine,  the  ganison  surrendered  the  Castle,  by  an 
honourable  capitulation,  on  the  20th  of  July.  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax  was 
appointed  Goyemor ;  but  as  he  was  subsequently  employed  in  the  field,  he 
placed  Cotterell  in  the  Castle  as  his  substitute.  In  1648,  when  the  war  was 
drawing  near  to  a  conclusion,  the  royal  party  being  nearly  subdued,  and  the 
garrison  of  Pontefract  consisted  of  only  100  men,  the  King's  friends  regained 
possession  of  this  important  fortress  by  stratagem.  On  the  6th  of  July,  in 
that  year,  the  Goyemor  haying  giyen  orders  for  bringing  some  beds  and  pro- 
yisions  out  of  the  country.  Colonel  Morrice,  accompanied  by  nine  others  of 
the  King's  officers,  disguised  like  peasants,  haying  concealed  arms,  appeared 
at  the  Castle  gate  with  carts  laden  with  beds,  proyisions,  &c.  These  thiogs 
being  deliyered  to  the  main  guard,  money  was  giyen  to  some  of  the  soldiers 
to  fetch  ale ;  but  scarcely  had  these  departed,  when  Morrice  and  his  party 
attacked  and  mastered  the  main  guard,  made  way  for  their  confederates  to 
enter,  took  the  deputy-Goyemor  prisoner,  and  made  themselyes  masters  of 
the  Castle.  Sir  John  Digby  was  then  made  Goyemor,  and  a  part  of  the 
King's  scattered  troops,  30  horse  and  500  foot,  formed  the  garrison.  The 
third  siege  of  Pontefract  Castle  commenced  the  following  October,  under  the 
command  of  Oliyer  Cromwell,  who,  after  endeayouring  in  yain  for  a  month 
to  make  an  impression  on  its  massy  walls,  retired  and  joined  the  grand  army 
under  Fairfax.  On  the  4th  of  December  General  Lambert  took  charge  of 
the  forces  before  the  Castle,  and  pushed  the  siege  with  the  greatest  vigour  ; 
and  when  the  news  of  the  execution  of  the  King,  in  the  following  January, 
reached  the  place,  the  garrison,  still  besieged,  proclaimed  his  son,  Charles 
n.,  and  made  a  rigorous  sally  against  their  enemies.  On  the  25th  of  March, 
1649,  the  garrison  being  reduced  to  100  men,  and  some  of  these  unfit  for 
duty,  surrendered  by  capitulation.  The  walls  of  the  Castle  being  much  shat- 
tered, the  Parliament  ordered  its  demolition,  and  within  two  months  after  its 
reduction,  the  buildings  were  unroofed,  and  all  the  valuable  materials  sold. 
Thus  was  this  princely  fortress  reduced  to  a  heap  of  ruins. 

Soon  after  the  battie  of  Marston  Moor,  Migor  Beaumont,  Goyemor  of 
Sheffield  Castie,  was  summoned  to  surrender  that  fortress  to  the  Parliament- 
arians, but  the  demand  was  answered  by  a  yoUey  of  shot,  and  a>  reply  that 
the  garrison  "  would  hold  no  parley."  The  besiegers  then  erected  two  bat- 
teries, and  kept  their  cannon  playing  upon  the  fortress  for  twenty-four  hours 
without  any  risible  effects.  Mcyor-General  Crawford,  who  conducted  the 
siege,  finding  that  it  was  Hkely  to  be  protracted,  sent  to  Lord  Fairfax  for 
the  "  Queen's  pocket  pistol,"  and  a  whole  culverin,  which,  being  brought  to 


I 


GENBBAL  HISTORY   OF  T0BK8BIRE.  S55 

the  Spot,  played  with  such  fatal  effect,  that  the  garrison  was  obliged  to  capi- 
tolate,  and  the  Castle  was  surrendered  on  the  11th  of  August  On  the  SOth 
of  April>  1646,  the  House  of  Commons  directed  that  the  Castle  of  Sheffield 
should  be  rendered  untenable ;  and  on  the  Idth  of  July,  in  the  following 
year,  the  same  assembly  passed  a  resolution  for  the  "  sleighting  and  de- 
molishing "  that  ancient  structure.  On  the  3drd  of  April,  1648,  the  work  of 
demolition  had  begun,  and  so  completely  have  the  ruins  themselves  been 
obliterated,  that  the  site  of  this  once  noble  stronghold  of  feudal  times — ^in 
which  the  unfortunate  Maiy  Queen  of  Scots  was  for  some  time  detained 
a  prisoner — is  only  distinguished  by  the  name  of  Castle  Hill. 

In  1644,  Leeds  and  Ripon  having  previously  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the 
Parliamentarians,  that  party  besieged  the  Castle  of  Scarborough.  On  the 
18th  of  February  the  town,  with  the  church  of  St  Mary,  was  taken  by  as- 
sault, and  Sir  Hugh  Cholmley,  the  (xovemor,  retired  into  the  Castle.  Sir 
John  Mddrum  then  made  a  lodgment  in  the  church,  and  opened  a  battery 
on  the  Castle  from  the  east  window.  The  garrison,  at  the  same  time,  kept 
an  incessant  fire  on  the  church,  by  which  the  choir  was  demolished.  On  the 
17th  of  May,  1645,  the  besiegers  made  a  general  assault  on  the  Castle,  but 
were  repulsed  with  great  loss.  In  this  assault.  Sir  John  Meldrum  received 
a  mortal  wound,  of  which  he  died  on  the  Srd  of  June.  Sir  Matthew  Boynton 
was  then  appointed  by  the  Parliament  to  the  command  of  the  forces  before 
Scarborough  Castle,  and  after  a  siege  of  more  than  twelve  months,  the  forti- 
fications being  ruined  by  incessant  battering,  the  stores  nearly  exhausted,  and 
the  garrison  worn  out  by  excessive  fatigue,  the  brave  Governor  surrendered 
the  fortress  upon  honourable  terms.  During  this  memorable  siege,  square- 
shaped  silver  coins,  of  the  value  of  5  s.,  and  2s.  6d.  each,  were  issued.  One 
side  bore  a  representation  of  the  Castle,  with  the  inscription,  "  Obeiditim 
Searbarough,  1645,"  and  the  reverse  the  nominal  value  of  the  piece.4( 

In  the  latter  part  of  1645  Skipton  Castle  surrendered  to  the  Parliament- 
azians,  after  sustaining  a  siege  of  three  years.  Its  defenders  were  permitted 
to  retain  their  arms,  and  retire  either  to  Newark,  Oxford,  or  Hereford.  The 
Castle  was  partly  demolished  in  1649,  by  an  order  of  Parliament,  but  the 
Countess  of  Pembroke,  the  great  restorer  of  ruined  edifices,  repaired,  and 
rendered  it  habitable,  though  not  perhaps  tenable  as  a  fortress. 

''Cromwell  began  now  to  entertain  in  his  own  breast  those  ambitious 
views  which  subsequently  placed  him  on  the  throne,"  writes  the  Bev.  Geo. 
OUver,  '*  and  he  hid  them  from  the  world  under  the  cloak  of  religion.    He 

•  Hinderwell's  History  of  Soarborough,  p.  85. 


960  OSKERAL  BISTORT  OP  TOBXSHHIE. 

was  a  profeaaed  Independent;  a  sect  which  pervaded  alike  the  citj,  the 
caantryy  and  the  camp.  All  nmks  of  aocietj  were  fall  of  its  profesaors. 
Soon,  in  erery  town  and  village,  the  spirit  of  fanaticism  waa  pr^ralent,  and 
auperseded  the  chaste  and  sober  practice  of  genuine  religion ;  and  when  the 
Independents  perceived  the  superiority  thej  had  acquired  over  the  minds  of 
the  people^  they  threw  off  the  mask,  and  adhered  in  practice  no  longer  to 
the  principles  they  had  formerly  professed  in  theory.  The  flame,  long  sup- 
pressed, now  burst  forth  with  an  irresistible  violence  that  earned  all  before 
it  They  openly  challenged  the  superiority,  says  Hume,  and  even  menaced 
the  church  with  that  persecution  which  they  afterwards  exercised  against 
her  with  such  severity.  They  had  a  minority  in  the  house,  and  voted  the 
liturgy  an  abomination  to  the  godly,  and  even  prohibited  the  use  of  it  under 
heavy  penalties.  They  were  not  respect^^s  of  persons;  and  it  was  one  of 
Cromwell*s  sayings,  that  if  he  met  the  King  in  battle,  he  would  fire  a  ptsto) 
in  his  face  as  readily  as  against  any  other  man.*  Slaughter  and  spoliation 
irere  preceded  by  long  prayers ;  and  murder,  as  Holies  expresses  it,  was  no 
sin  to  the  visible  saints.  Even  the  subversion  of  the  altar  and  the  maxdet 
of  the  King  were  esteemed  acts  of  piety  and  devotion  to  Qoi,  aond  were  ac* 
eompanied  by  the  outward  forms  of  rdigion.  With  the  bible  in  their  haoids, 
the  impious  regicides  brought  a  virtuous  monarch  to  the  block ;  with  a  text 
of  scripture  in  their  mouths,  th^  overthrew  the  altar  and  the  th»me.'*f 

In  1645  the  liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England  being  abolished,  the 
lonatical  soldiers,  quartered  in  the  different  towns,  robbed  the  diurohes  of 
the  Books  of  Common  Prayer,  and  amidst  thelondeet  and  most  savage  ftcda- 
mations  of  joy — drums  beating,  and  trumpets  sounding — committed  them  to 
the  flames. 

In  1646,  after  a  series  of  ddbats,  the  rc^al  army  was  disbanded ,'  and  the 
unfortunate  Monarch,  despairing  of  a  reconciliation  with  his  enemies,  and 
finding  his  personal  safety  insecure,  voluntarily  placed  himself  under  the 
protection  of  the  Scottirii  forces,  then  at  Newaris-apon-Trent.  The  Lords 
and  Commons  immediately  joined  in  a  vote,  unprecedented  in  history,  **  That 
the  person  of  the  King  shaU  be  disposed  of,  as  both  Hoi^ses  ot  Pariiament 
should  thmk  fit" 

By  the  more  moderate  pttty  the  war  was  now  oonsidersd  to  be  virtually  at 
an  end ;  they  expected  that  the  King  would  agree  to  the  original  proposals 
of  the  Parliament,  and  be  content  to  held  the  crown  as  his  predacessors  held 
it;  but  the  moderate  party  had  entirdy  lost  its  influence  in  Parliament,  and 

•  Hume's  En^aad,  voL  vilL,  p.  824.       f  HisCory  of  Bevnrley,  p.  927. 


OEKERAL  HISTORY  OF  YORKSHIRE.  257 

ft  new  party  had  arisen  in  the  state^  which  hecame  an  instrument  in  the 
hands  of  the  hold  and  amhitiotis  Cromwell.  This  latter  party  was  equally 
formidable  to  Royalists,  Presbyterians,  and  Independents.  Its  founders  were 
a  few  fanatics  in  the  army,  who  enjoyed  the  reputation  of  superior  godliness. 
They  called  themselves  Rationalists,  but  this  name  was  soon  exchanged  for 
the  more  expressive  appellation  of  Levellers,  In  religion  they  rejected  all 
coeiciTe  authority ;  men  might  establish  a  public  worship  at  their  pleasure, 
bat  if  it  were  compulsory,  it  became  unlawful  and  sinful ;  and  these  fanatics 
pretended  to  have  discovered  in  the  Bible  that  the  government  of  Kings  was 
odious  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  contended  that  in  fact  Charles  had  now  no 
daim  to  the  sceptre. 

The  Scots  having  delivered  up  the  person  of  the  King,  he  was  detained  as 
a  captive,  successively  at  Holdenby,  or  Holmby  House,  near  Northampton ; 
Hampton  Court,  near  London ;  and  in  the  castles  of  Carisbrook  and  Hurst, 
in  the  Isle  of  Wight.     But  to  return  to  the  annals  of  York. 

In  January,  1646,  the  great  convoy,  under  the  conduct  of  Major-General 
Skippon,  arrived  at  York  with  the  sum  of  J6200,000.,  which  was  paid  to  the 
Scottish  receiver  at  the  Guild-Hall ;  it  being  the  first  payment  for  the  arrears 
of  the  ScottLsh  army. 

In  1647,  when  the  whole  country  became  under  the  subjection  of  the  Par- 
liament, York  was  dismantled  of  its  garrison,  with  the  exception  of  Clifford's 
ToFwer,  of  which  the  Lord  Mayor  was  appointed  Governor,  and  his  successors 
continued  to  hold  that  commission  for  several  years. 

On  the  13th  of  March,  1648,  Lord  Ferdinando  Fairfax  died  at  York,  and 
was  succeeded  in  his  title  and  estates  by  his  son.  Sir  Thomas.  Guizot,  in 
writing  of  the  latter  personage,  says  that  "  while  the  civil  war  was  at  its 
height,  he  afforded  a  most  useful  protection  to  literature  and  literary  institu- 
tions. By  his  care^"  he  adds,  "the  libraries  of  York  and  Oxford  were 
partially  at  least  preserved  from  pillage."* 

At  the  Lent  Assizes  in  1648,  held  in  the  city  of  York,  a  woman  was  tried 
and  condemned  for  crucifying  her  mother ;  and  it  is  added,  that  after  perpe- 
trotiiig  the  horrid  deed,  she  had  offered  a  calf  and  a  cock  for  a  burnt  sacrifice. 
Her  husband  also  was  hanged  for  being  an  accomplice ;  and  at  the  same  time 
twenty-one  men  and  women  were  executed  here  for  various  crimes.  Judge 
Thorpe,  in  his  chaige  to  the  jury  at  these  Assizes,  endeavoured  to  vindicate 
the  Parliament  in  all  their  proceedings,  and  to  justify  the  execution  of  the 
King,  which  was  probably  then  in  contemplation. 

•  Qimot's  M&nki  ContefnporaHeB. 

2  L 


258  GENERAL   HISTORY    OF   YORKSHIRE. 

The  Levellers,  now  a  powerful  faction,  were  spreading  their  pernicious 
doctrines  through  all  ranks  in  the  army.  The  King,  they  said,  had  bound 
himself,  at  his  accession,  by  oath  to  protect  the  liberties  of  his  subjects ;  and 
as  they  maintained  that  he  had  violated  that  oath,  they  argued  that  they 
were  released  from  their  allegiance  to  him.  For  the  decision  of  the  question 
he  had  appealed  to  the  God  of  battles,  who,  by  the  result,  had  decided  against 
his  pretensions.  Ho  therefore,  they  maintained,  was  answerable  for  the 
blood  which  had  been  shed ;  and  it  was  the  duty  of  the  representatives  of  the 
nation  to  call  him  to  justice  for  the  crime,  and  in  order  to  prevent  the  recur- 
rence of  similar  mischiefs ;  as  well  as  to  provide  for  the  liberties  of  all  by 
founding  an  equal  commonwealth  on  the  general  consent.  The  fanatics  went 
still  further.  They  had  read  in  the  book  of  Numbers  that  "  blood  defileth 
the  land,  and  the  land  cannot  be  cleansed  of  the  blood  that  is  shed  therein, 
but  by  the  blood  of  him  that  shed  it ;"  and  hence  they  inferred  that  it  was  a 
duty  imposed  on  them  by  the  Grod  who  had  given  them  the  victory,  to  call 
the  King  to  a  strict  account  for  all  the  blood  which  had  been  shed  during  the 
civil  war. 

It  was  now  some  time  since  the  King  had  begun  to  fear  for  his  safety. 
He  saw  that  the  violence  of  the  Levellers  had  daily  increased ;  and  that  the 
government  of  the  kingdom  had  now  devolved  in  reality  on  the  army.  There 
were  two  military  councils,  one  consisting  of  the  principal  commanders,  the 
other  of  the  inferior  officers,  most  of  them  men  of  levelling  principles ;  and 
when  any  measure  had  received  the  approbation  of  the  general  council  of  the 
army,  the  House  of  Commons  scarcely  dare  refuse  to  impart  to  it  the  sanction 
of  their  authority.  Indeed  no  man  could  be  ignorant  that  the  Parliament, 
nominally  the  supreme  authority,  was  under  the  control  of  the  council  of 
officers.  It  had  long  been  the  conviction  of  the  officers  that  the  life  of  the 
King  was  incompatible  with  their  safety ;  and  that  if  he  were  restored,  they 
would  become  the  objects  of  royal  vengeance.  In  this  state  of  things  we  are 
not  surprised  to  find  the  House  of  Commons  declaring  by  vote,  that  it  was 
high  treason  for  the  King  of  England  to  levy  war  against  the  Parliament  and 
kingdom  of  England ;  and  granting  an  ordinance  for  the  erection  of  a  high 
court  of  justice  to  tiy  the  question  of  fact,  whether  Charles  Stuart,  King  of 
England,  had  or  had  not  been  guilty  of  the  treason  described  in  the  preceding 
vote.  The  Lords,  seeing  the  approaching  ruin  of  their  own  order  in  the  fall 
of  the  Sovereign,  rejected  both  the  vote  and  the  ordinance  without  a  dissen- 
tient voice ;  whereupon  the  Commons  voted  that  the  people,  or  rather  they, 
as  the  representatives  of  the  people,  are  the  origin  of  all  just  power;  and  on 
the  20th  of  January,  1649,  the  King  of  England,  Scotland,  and  Ireland,  was 


GENERAL   HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE.  259 

arraigned  in  Westminster  Hall,  before  sixty-six  commissioners,  and  charged 
with  being  a  "  tyrant,  traitor,  murderer,  and  a  public  and  implacable  enemy 
to  the  commonwealth  of  England."  The  sequel  is  well  known ;  on  the  80th 
of  January — ^ten  days  after  his  arraignment — ^he  was  beheaded.  Thus  fell 
this  unfortunate  King,  who,  with  all  his  faults,  was  worthy  of  a  better  fate, 
and  after  his  death  the  monarchy  of  England  was  temporally  abolished. 
Charles  was  by  nature  a  man  of  peace,  and  his  bitterest  enemies  could  not 
pronounce  him  a  tyrant  from  a  vicious  disposition,  or  from  depraved  habits. 
It  was  an  error  in  his  education,  that  he  had>  unhappily,  imbibed  fialse  ideas 
of  the  royal  prerogative,  which  he  endeavoured  to  stretch  to  its  utmost  limit ; 
and  to  this  source  may  be  traced  all  the  calamities  which  deformed  his  reign. 
They  were  purely  the  fletult  of  his  education,  and  not  of  his  principles. 

Henriette  Marie  de  Bourbon,  his  Queen,  who  was,  after  the  death  of 
Charles,  privately  married  to  Jermyn,  Earl  of  St.  Albans,  lived  to  see  the 
restoration  of  her  son  to  the  English  throne.  She  died  in  the  month  of 
August,  1669,  at  the  Castle  of  Colombo,  near  Paris,  her  last  years  being 
chiefly  spent  in  acts  of  charity  and  exercises  of  devotion. 

York  has  little  share  in  the  annals  of  the  Commonwealth,  or  Cromwellian 
protectorate.  The  Lord  General  does  not  appear  to  have  ever  been  in  that 
city,  except  at  the  time  of  its  capture  after  the  battle  of  Marston  Moor,  and 
another  time,  being  on  a  progress  to  Scotland.  "  On  the  4th  of  July,  1650," 
writes  Whitelock,  "  Cromwell  came  to  York,  on  his  expedition  into  Scotland, 
at  which  time  aU  the  artillery  of  the  Tower  were  discharged ;  the  next  day 
he  dined  with  the  Lord  Mayor,  and  on  the  following  day  set  forward  to  Scot- 
land. To  compliment  his  Excellency,  and  to  show  their  zeal  for  the  cause, 
the  magistrates  then  thought  fit  to  take  down  the  King's  Arms  at  Micklegate 
and  Bootham  Bars,  through  both  of  which  he  must  needs  pass  in  his  journey, 
and  put  up  the  States'  Arms  in  their  stead." 

On  the  8rd  of  September,  1668  (a  day  of  all  others  he  esteemed  the  most 
fortunate),  Cromwell  died  of  a  tertian  ague  at  Whitehall,*  and  was  succeeded 
by  his  son  Richard,  who  was  proclaimed  "  the  rightful  Protector  of  the  Com- 
monwealth of  England,  Scotland,  and  Ireland,  and  the  dominions  and  terri- 
tories thereunto  belonging."  Adulatory  addresses,  too,  were  presented  from 
most  of  the  boroughs  in  England,  filled  with  high-sounding  panegyrics  of 

*  Oomwell  was  buried  in  WestzxunBter  Abbey,  "with  regal  pomp,  bat  Charles  U.  had 
his  remains  disinterred  and  thrown  into  a  hole  nnder  Tyburn.  A  tradition  has  been 
preserved  that  some  of  the  friends  of  the  Protector  secretly  removed  the  body,  and  in- 
terred  it  in  a  spot  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  present  Bed  Lion  Square,  London. 


260  GENERAL   HISTORY   OF   T0RK8UIIUC. 

Richard's  wisdom,  greatness  of  mind,  and  many  other  qualities  which  were 
entirely  foreign  to  his  moderate  unambitious  character. 

During  the  Commonwealth,  two  of  the  Assizes  at  York  were  rendered  re- 
markable by  the  attendance  of  that  wonderful  instance  of  human  longeyity, 
Henry  Jenkins.  In  the  first  trial,  which  was  heard  in  1656,  Jenkins  vras 
brought  forward  as  a  witness  to  prove  an  ancient  road  to  a  mill  IdO  years 
before.  The  positive  terms  in  which  this  venerable  man  spoke,  and  the 
apparent  improbability  of  his  memory  being  able  to  take  such  a  distinct  retro- 
spect, struck  the  judge  in  so  unfavourable  a  light,  that  he  severely  repri- 
manded him.  But  the  veteran  boldly  maintained  his  assertion,  stating,  in 
further  proof  of  his  depositions,  that  he  was  then  butler  to  Lord  Conyers,  of 
Hornby  Castle,  and  that  his  name  might  be  found  in  an  old  register  of  the 
menial  servants  of  that  nobleman.  It  is  not  a  little  remarkable,  that  there 
were  on  the  same  trial,  engaged  as  witnesses  on  the  opposite  side,  four  men, 
each  about  one  hundred  years  old;  who,  on  the  judge  objecting  to  the  evi- 
dence of  Jenkins,  positively  declared  that  he  had  been  called  Old  Jenkins  as 
long  as  they  could  remember. 

In  two  years  after  (1657)  the  same  venerable  personage  was  again  at  York 
Assizes,  as  a  witness  on  a  trial  between  the  Vicar  of  Catterick  and  William 
and  Peter  Mawbank.  Jenkins  deposed  to  the  tithes  of  wool,  lambs,  Ac, 
having  been  paid,  to  his  knowledge,  more  than  120  years  before.* 

On  the  night  of  the  8th  of  December,  1659,  there  was  a  remarkably  high 

•  Henry  Jenldns  was  bom  at  Ellerton-upon-Swale,  in  the  North-Biding  of  Yorkshire, 
five  miles  E.S.E.  of  Richmond,  and  lived  to  the  amazing  age  of  169  years.  He  was  bom 
before  parish  registers  were  in  use,  but  Bishop  Lyttletx)n  communicated  to  the  Society 
of  Antiquarians,  on  the  11th  of  December,  1766,  a  paper  copied  from  an  old  household 
book  of  Sir  Richard  Graham,  Bart.,  of  Norton  Conyers,  the  writing  of  which  says,  that 
upon  his  going  to  live  at  Bolton,  Jenkins  was  said  to  be  ahout  150  years  old,  that 
he  had  often  examined  him  in  his  sister's  kitchen,  where  he  came  to  beg  alms,  and 
found  facts  and  chronicles  agree  in  his  account.  He  was  then  162  or  163  years  old. 
He  remembered  the  dissolution  of  the  monasteries,  and  said  that  great  lamentation  was 
made  on  that  occasion ;  and  he  was  often  at  Fountain's  Abbey  during  the  residence  of 
the  last  Abbot,  who  he  said  frequently  visited  his  master.  Lord  Conyers.  He  said 
that  he  went  to  Northallerton  with  a  horse  load  of  arrows  for  the  battle  of  Hodden 
Field,  with  which  a  bigger  boy  went  forward  to  the  army  under  the  Earl  of  Surrey, 
King  Henry  being  at  that  time  at  Toumay,  and  he  believed  himself  then  eleven  or 
twelve  years  old.  He  died  on  the  8th  of  December,  1670,  at  the  place  of  his  birth,  where 
a  monument  was  erected  to  his  memory,  in  1743,  the  epitaph  of  which  was  composed  by 
Dr.  Thomas  Chapman,  Master  of  Magdalen  College,  Cambridge. 

Jenkins  was  contemporary  with  Thomas  Parr,  of  whom  it  is  recorded  that  he  was 
bora  in  1483,  and  lived  in  the  reign  of  ten  monarchs  of  England.  At  the  age  of  180  he 
is  said  to  have  been  able  to  do  husbandry  work ;  and  at  the  age  of  105,  it  is  stated  in 


aENERAL  HISTORY  OF  YORKSHlBB.  361 

wind,  such  as  had  never  before  been  experienced  in  the  country.  The 
Cathedral  and  many  of  the  dwelling  houses  at  York  were  seriously  injured* 

When  the  plan  for  the  restoration  of  the  monarchy  was  nearly  complete 
for  execution,  the  county  of  York  was  well  disposed  to  promote  it  Lord 
Fairfax  was  become  a  convert  to  the  cause  of  monarchy ;  to  him  the  numerous 
Royalists  in  Yorkshire  looked  up  afl  a  leader ;  and  he,  on  the  solemn  assu- 
rance of  Qeneral  Monk,  afterwards  Duke  of  Albemarle  (who  had  been  chiefly 
instrumental  in  the  re-establishment  of  kingly  government)  that  he  would 
join  him  in  twelve  days,  or  perish  in  the  attempt,  imdertook  to  call  together 
his  friends,  and  to  surprise  the  city  of  York.  On  the  1st  of  January,  1660, 
each  performed  his  promise.  The  gates  of  York  were  thrown  open  to  Fairfax 
by  the  Cavaliers  confined  within  its  walls ;  and  Monk,  who  had  been  with 
his  army  in  Scotland,  crossed  the  Tweed,  and  marched  against  the  advanced 
posts  of  the  enemy,  then  commanded  by  General  Lambert.  Thus  the  flame 
of  civil  war  was  again  kindled  in  the  north ;  but  within  two  days  it  was  again 
extinguished.  Lambert's  army  was  ordered  by  the  Parliament  to  retire,  and 
Monk  continued  his  march  to  York,  where  he  spent  five  days  in  consultation 
with  Fair&x.  On  the  arrival  of  an  invitation  to  Westminster,  Monk  resinned 
his  march,  and  Fairfiu  having  received  the  thanks  of  the  Parliament,  dis- 
banded his  insurrectionaiy  force. 

Charles  IE.  was  proclaimed  in  London  on  the  8th,  and  at  York,  with  the 
greatest  solemnity,  on  the  11th  of  May,  1660.  "  On  that  day  the  Lord 
Mayor,  Aldermen,  &c,  on  horseback,  in  their  richest  habits,  preceded  the 
cayalcade;  next  followed  the  Chamberlains  and  Common  Councilmen  on 
foot,  in  their  gowns ;  these  were  attended  by  more  than  a  thousand  citizens 
under  arms ;  and  lastiy,  came  a  troop  of  coimtiy  gentiemen,  near  three  hun- 
dred, with  Lord  Fairfax  at  their  head,  who  all  rode  with  their  swords  drawn, 
and  hats  upon  the  points  of  them.  When  the  proclamation  was  read  at  the 
usual  places,  the  bells  rung,  the  cannon  roared  from  the  tower,  and  the 
soldiers  fired  several  volleys ;  and  at  night  were  bonfires,  illuminations,  Sso., 
with  every  other  demonstration  of  joy."* 

His  Majesty  made  his  public  entrance  into  London  on  the  29th  of  the 
same  month,  it  being  his  birthday ;  and  on  that  occasion  the  inhabitants  of 
York  expressed  their  loyalty  by  suspending  upon  a  gaUows,  erected  in  the 

Oldy'B  MS.  notes  on  Fuller's  Worthies,  that  he  did  penance  in  Alderbaiy  Chorch,  for 
lying  yrith  Katherine  Milton  and  getting  her  with  child.  He  died  in  1635,  aged  153 
years  and  0  months,  and  it  is  said  that  his  remains  rest  among  the  eminent  dead  in 
Westminster  Abbey. 

*  Allen's  History  of  Yorkshire,  p.  176. 


26/i  OENEIUL  HISTOBT   OF  YORKSHIRE. 

Pavement  for  that  purpose,  the  effigies  of  Cromwell,  clothed  in  pink  satin, 
and  Judge  Bradshaw,  habited  in  a  Judge's  robe,  and  then  burning  them  in 
tar  barrels ;  together  with  the  arms  of  the  Commonwealth  and  the  Scotch 
covenant.  Never  perhaps  did  any  event  in  the  history  of  this  nation  produce 
such  general  and  exuberant  joy  as  the  return  of  Charles  to  the  throne  of  his 
feithers.  The  people  attributed  to  the  abolition  of  monarchy,  all  the  evils 
which  they  had  suffered ;  and  from  its  restoration  they  predicted  the  revival 
of  peace  and  prosperity. 

Three  years  after  the  Restoration  a  number  of  fanatics,  headed  by  conven- 
ticle preachers,  and  old  Parliamentarian  soldiers,  attempted  to  revive  the  old 
party  feeling,  which  had  then  gradually  subsided.  The  objects  of  this  rem- 
nant of  the  Parliamentary  fEU^tion,  as  expressed  in  their  printed  declarations, 
were  to  establish  a  gospel  magistracy  and  ministry ;  to  restore  the  long  Par- 
liament ;  and  to  reform  all  ranks  and  degrees  of  men,  especially  the  lawyers 
and  clergy.  They  assembled  in  arms  in  great  numbers,  at  Farnley  Wood, 
in  Yorkshire,  but  the  time  and  place  of  their  rendezvous  being  known,  a 
body  of  regular  troops,  with  some  of  the  county  militia,  was  sent  against 
them,  and  several  of  them  were  seized  and  further  mischief  thereby  prevented. 

The  principal  leaders  were  shortly  after  tried  by  a  special  commission  at 
York,  and  twenty-one  of  them  were  condemned  and  executed ;  two  of  them 
were  also  quartered,  and  their  mutilated  bodies  placed  over  the  several  gates 
of  the  city.  The  heads  of  four  of  them  were  placed  over  Micklegate  Bar ; 
three  over  Bootham  Bar;  one  upon  Walmgate  Bar;  and  three  over  the 
gates  of  the  Castle.  At  the  trial  of  these  insurgents,  one  of  them,  named 
Per^prine  Comey,  had  the  boldness  to  tell  the  judge  that  he  valued  his  life 
no  more  than  his  handkerchief. 

In  the  year  1666,  during  the  time  that  the  plague  raged  violently  in 
London,'!'  James,  Duke  of  York  (afterwards  James  II.),  and  his  Duchess 
spent  nearly  two  months  in  the  dty  of  York.     They  were  met,  on  their 

•  This  dreadful  epidemic  made  its  appearance  in  London  in  tJbie  month  of  Jane,  1665, 
and  oontinned  till  the  beginning  of  the  year  following,  during  which  time  more  than 
100,000  persons  are  said  to  have  died  of  it.  The  houses  of  infected  families  were  ordered 
to  be  shut  up  for  a  month,  and  a  flaming  red  cross,  one  foot  in  length,  was  painted  on 
the  doors  of  such  houses,  with  the  words,  "  Lord  have  mercy  on  us,"  placed  above  it; 
and  the  wretched  inmates  were  doomed  to  remain  under  the  same  roof  communicating 
death  one  to  the  other.  The  pest-cart  went  round  at  night  to  receive  the  victims  of  the 
last  twenty-four  hours.  No  cofEins  were  prepared;  no  Aineral  service  was  read;  no 
mourners  were  permitted  to  follow  the  remains  of  their  relatives  or  Mends.  The  cart 
proceeded  to  the  nearest  cemetery,  and  shot  its  burden  into  the  common  grave,  a  d^ep 
and  spacious  pit,  capable  of  holding  some  scores  of  bodies. 


GENERAL   HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE.  963 

arrival  at  Tadcaster  bridge,  by  the  Sheriffisi,  and  at  Micklegate  Bar  by  the 
Lord  Mayor  and  Corporation,  and  conveyed  through  the  city  with  every 
demonstration  of  loyalty  and  affection.  At  their  departure  the  Duke  and 
Duchess  expressed  the  highest  satisfaction  at  the  honour  and  attention  paid 
them.  Three  years  afterwards,  the  Duke,  who  had  hitherto  been  an  obedient 
and  zealous  son  of  the  Church  of  England,  had  his  religious  credulity  shaken, 
we  are  told,  by  reading  Dr.  Heylin*s  History  of  the  Reformation  ;  and  the 
result  of  an  enquiry  which  followed,  was  a  conviction  that  it  became  his  duty 
to  reconcile  himself  with  the  Church  of  Rome.  In  1679,  wheikthe  Bill  of 
Exclusion  was  brought  forward  in  Parliament,  the  Duke,  judging  it  expedient 
to  retire  from  court,  went  to  Edinburgh,  and  in  passing  through  York  he 
was  received  with  much  less  cordiality  than  on  the  occasion  of  his  former 
visit  Although  the  Sheiifis  met  him  at  Tadcaster,  the  Lord  Mayor  and 
Aldermen  did  not  receive  him  at  the  gate  of  the  city ;  and  this  defect  of  cere- 
mony drew  on  the  magistrates  the  resentment  of  the  King,  and  the  offending 
parties  received  a  reprimand  signed  by  the  Secretary  of  State. 

It  having  been  discovered  that  several  boroughs,  by  the  exercise  of  those 
exclusive  privil^es  which  had  been  conferred  on  them  by  ancient  grants 
from  the  crown,  had  grown  into  asylums  of  public  malefactors,  and  on  that 
account  were  presented  as  nuisances  by  the  grand  jurors  at  the  county 
Assizes.  Writs  of  quo  warranto  were  issued,  and  the  old  were  replaced  by 
new  charters,  which,  while  they  preserved  to  the  inhabitants  the  most  useful 
of  their  former  liberties,  cut  off  the  great  source  of  the  evil,  by  giving  to  the 
county  magistrates  a  concurrent  jurisdiction  with  those  of  the  borough. 

In  January,  1684,  a  quo  warrarUo  was  granted  against  the  Corporation  of 
York.  In  this  instrument  the  members  of  that  body  were  commanded  to 
show  how  they  came  to  ''  usurp  "  to  themselves  several  liberties  which  they 
ei\joyed ;  and  their  charter,  which  was  demanded  for  perusal,  was  suspended. 
Some  of  the  historians  of  Toric  pretend  that  this  proceeding  on  the  part  of 
the  King  towards  the  Corporation,  was  intended  as  a  punishment  on  the 
citizens  for  the  coolness  which  they  exhibited  towards  the  Duke  of  York  in 
1679 ;  but  we  cannot  understand  how  this  opinion  can  be  entertained,  seeing 
that  the  Corporations  of  several  other  boroughs  were  treated  in  a  similar 
manner.  The  year  in  which  the  charter  was  demanded,  the  notorious  Jef- 
freys attended  at  York  as  one  of  the  Judges  of  Assize,  and  being  interrogated 
by  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Aldermen  concerning  the  King*s  intentions  relative 
to  the  city,  he  remarked  that  his  Mijesty  expected  to  have  the  govcrment  of 
the  city  at  his  own  disposal;  hence  it  is  thought  that  the  city  was  con- 
sidered disaffected.    The  Judge  however  recommended  that  an  address  or 


UQi  OENEBAL  HISTOBY  OF  TOBKBHIBB. 

petition  should  be  prepared  by  the  Corporation,  which  he  would  get  presented 
to  the  King.  This  advice  was  complied  with,  and  in  reply  Charles  ordered 
Jefirejs  to  communicate  to  them  his  intention  of  granting  them  a  new 
charter,  in  which  he  should  reserve  to  himself  only  "  the  nomination  and 
approbation  of  the  magistrates,  and  persons  in  office  therein/*  The  death  of 
the  King,  in  February,  1685,  however  prevented  the  fulfilment  of  his  promise. 

James,  Duke  of  York,  now  succeeded  to  the  throne,  under  the  title  of 
James  11.,  and  on  the  day  of  his  accession,  in  a  speech  to  the  Privy  Council^ 
he  promised  to  preserve  the  government,  both  in  church  and  state,  as  it  was 
then  by  law  established ;  and  to  take  care  to  defend  and  support  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Church  of  England,  knowing,  as  he  did,  that  its  members  have 
shown  themselves  good  and  loyal  subjects.  On  the  petition  of  the  citizens 
of  York,  the  new  Monarch  restored  or  renewed  their  charter.  In  1687, 
according  to  an  ancient  record,  "  begun  lamps  to  be  hung  up  in  the  chief 
streets  of  the  city ;  viz.,  at  the  Minster  gates,  the  west  end  of  Ouse  bridgOi 
in  the  Pavement,  Ssc,;"  but  it  is  on  record  that  in  the  reign  of  Charles  IT. 
the  city  was  lighted  by  twenty-four  large  lanterns  hung  at  the  comers  of  the 
principal  streets.  The  shock  of  an  earthquake  was  experienced  in  Fease- 
gate,  in  this  city,  on  the  12th  of  February,  in  the  same  year.  At  Gk&te- 
Fulford,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  York,  it  was  more  seriously  felt;  and 
a  subterraneous  noise  was  heard  on  the  occasion,  similar  to  the  roaring  of  a 
cannon. 

In  1688,  it  appears  that  James,  not  approving  of  all  the  members  of  the 
Corporation,  and  in  virtue  of  a  power  which  he  had  reserved  to  himself,  in  the 
last  charter,  of  regulating  that  body,  despatched  a  messenger  to  displace  the 
Lord  Mayor,  Thomas  Raynes,  and  seyeral  of  the  Aldermen,  and  others ;  and 
on  the  5th  of  October  he  appointed  in  their  place  men  professing  the  Catholic 
religion,  but  who  were  not  even  freemen  of  the  city.  The  latter  circum- 
stance afforded  the  Lord  Mayor  a  pretext  for  not  delivering  up  the  sword  and 
mace ;  but  the  office,  nevertheless,  was  declared  vacant  till  tiie  d4th  of  the 
same  month,  when  James  thought  it  expedient  to  adopt  a  different  course. 
Sir  John  Reresby,  the  Governor  of  York,  in  his  memoirs,  tells  us  of  the  very 
peculiar  situation  in  which  the  city  at  that  time  was  placed.  **  It  was,"  he 
says,  "an  archbishopric  without  an  archbishop;  a  city  without  a  mayor; 
and  a  garrison  without  a  soldier."  "  But,"  he  adds,  "  these  defects  were  soon 
supplied — ^the  old  charter  was  restored,  and  the  old  Lord  Mayor  therewith — 
the  Bishop  of  Exeter,  who  fled  from  that  city  upon  the  Prince  of  Orange's 
landing,  wto  made  Archbishop  of  York — and  I  had  one  company  of  foot  sent 
to  continue  with  me." 


OENEBAL   HISTORY   OF   YORKSHIRE.  d65 

York  was  connected  with  seTeral  of  the  proceedings  which  led  to  the  revo- 
lution towards  the  dose  of  this  year.  It  was  now  fully  believed  that  his  zeal 
for  the  religions  tenets  he  professed,  was  leading  the  King  into  measures 
subversive  of  the  English  constitution.  He  had  attempted  to  introduce  the 
Catholic  religion  into  this  city,  and  for  this  purpose  had  converted  one  of  the 
large  rooms  of  the  Manor  House  into  a  chapel,  in  which  the  services  of  that 
creed  were  celebrated.  This  attempt,  together  with  some  arbitrary  proceed- 
ings on  the  part  of  the  court,  gave  great  offence  to  the  people ;  still  James 
had  many  enthusiastio  admirers  and  loyal  subjects  in  the  city  and  county  of 
York.  Rumours  were  being  daily  spread  that  William,  Prince  of  Orange, 
nephew  and  son-in-law  of  the  King,  was  preparing  to  land  in  this  country 
with  a  considerable  force,  as  the  decided  champion  of  the  Protestant  religion. 
The  ten  deputy-lieutenants  of  this  county  then  resided  at  York,  and  after  a 
eonsultation,  a  meeting  of  the  gentry  and  freeholders  of  the  county  was  ap- 
pointed to  take  place  at  York  on  Thursday,  the  19th  of  November,  for  the 
purpose  of  voting  a  loyal  address  to  the  King  in  this  season  of  danger ;  as 
well  as  &r  considmng  the  best  means  to  pursue  for  the  preservation  of  the 
peace. 

At  this  juncture,  the  clerk  of  the  West  Riding  received  a  new  commission, 
in  which  the  names  of  about  thirty  gentlemen  in  the  neighbourhood,  who  had 
previously  acted  as  magistrates,  were  omitted.  This  circumstance  gready 
eacasperated  these  magistrates,  and  none,  perhaps,  felt  it  more  keenly  than 
Sir  Henry  Goodrick,  the  proposer  of  the  above-mentioned  meeting.  It  was 
now  srea(dv6d  to  add  to  their  address  a  petition  to  the  King,  for  a  free  Parlia- 
menty  and  redress  of  grievances.  The  Duke  of  Newcastle,  Lord  Lieutenant 
of  tibe  eounty,  arrived  in  the  city  to  preside  at  the  county  meeting,  but  find- 
ing that  aevenl  of  the  deputy-Lieutenants  had  joined  with  the  citizens  and 
diwniwBed  magistrates  in  their  petition,  left  the  city  in  disgust.  The  meeting 
took  place  in  the  Guild-Hall,  on  the  22nd  of  November,  1688,  and  the  Gover- 
nor, in  his  Memoirs  before  quoted,  informs  us  that  in  the  midst  of  about 
100  gentlemen  who  met,  Sir  Henry  Goodrick  delivered  himself  to  this  effect, 
**  That  there  having  been  great  endeavours  made  by  government  of  late  years 
to  bring  popery  into  the  kingdom,  and  by  many  devices,  to  set  at  nought  the 
laws  of  the  land,  there  could  be  no  proper  redress  of  the  many  grievances  we 
laboured  under,  but  by  a  free  Parliament;  that  now  was  the  only  time  to 
prefer  a  petition  of  that  sort ;  and  that  they  could  not  imitate  a  better  pattern 
than  had  been  set  before  them  by  several  Lords,  spiritual  and  temporal." 

During  the  proceedings  a  false  rumour  was  raised  *'  that  the  Papists  were 
risen ;  and  that  they  had  actually  fired  upon  the  Militia  troops."    Alarmed 

2  M 


260  OENEBAL  HISTORY  OF  YORKSHIEfi. 

at  this,  the  party  mshed  from  the  hall,  and  Lord  Danby,  Lord  Lnmleyi  Lord 
Horton,  Lord  Willoughbj,  aad  others,  who,  together  with  their  servants, 
being  mounted,  formed  a  body  of  horse  consisting  of  about  100  in  number, 
rode  up  to  the  troops  of  Militia,  at  that  time  on  parade,  crying  out,  "  A  free 
Parliament,  the  Protestant  religion,  and  no  popery."  The  Captains  of  the 
four  troops  of  Militia  were  Lord  Fairfax,  Sir  Thomas  Gower,  Mr.  Robinson, 
and  Captain  Tankard,  and  being  in  the  secret  of  the  fiodse  alarm,  immediately 
cried  out  the  same,  and  led  their  troops  to  join  them.  They  then  made  pri- 
soners of  the  Goyemor  and  his  inferior  o£Qicers,  took  possession  of  the  guard 
house,  placed  guards  at  the  several  entrances  leading  into  the  town ;  none 
were  suffered  to  enter  or  leave  the  city,  and  every  person  was  secured  who 
displayed  any  disapprobation  of  their  proceedings.*  On  the  following  day 
they  summoned  a  public  meeting,  passed  resolutions,  and  issued  a  declara- 
tion explanatory  of  their  proceedings.  On  the  29th  of  the  same  month,  a 
mob  assembled  in  the  city,  and  attacked,  plundered,  and  destroyed  the  houses 
of  the  principal  Catholics,  and  committed  great  outrages  in  their  chapels. 
They  threw  down  the  altars,  destroyed  all  the  pictures  and  statues,  and 
burnt  the  books  and  vestments  of  the  priests,  in  Coney  Street  and  the  Pave- 
ment. The  Lord  Mayor  and  commonalty  of  York  now  followed  the  example 
of  the  rest  of  the  kingdom,  by  openly  recognising  the  Prince  of  Orange  as 
Sovereign  of  England,  under  the  title  of  William  HI.,  and  offered  him  their 
cordial  and  grateful  acknowledgments  in  an  address  of  congratulation,  dated 
December  14th,  1688. 

William,  together  with  Mary,  his  Princess,  were  proclaimed  King  and 
Queen  of  England,  Franqe,  and  Ireland,  in  this  dty,  on  the  17th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1680,  in  the  presence  of  many  thousands  of  spectators.  In  the  month 
of  October  following,  the  river  Ouse  so  much  overflowed  its  banks,  that 
during  three  successive  days  the  use  of  boats  was  necessary  at  the  west  end 
of  the  bridge.    . 

A  number  of  Danish  soldiers,  amounting  to  5,000  foot  and  1,000  horse, 
commanded  by  the  Duke  of  Wirtemburg,  were  quartered  in  York  and  its 
neighbourhood  during  the  winter  of  this  year,  and  they  took  their  departure 
for  Ireland  in  the  following  spring. 

Nearly  thirty  houses  were  consumed  by  fire  in  High  Ousegate,  on  tlie 
night  of  Monday,  the  dnd  of  April,  1694.  The  fire  broke  out  on  the  premises 
of  Mr.  Charles  HaJl,  a  flax  dresser,  and  in  a  short  time  it  raged  with  such 
violence,  that  the  houses  on  both  sides  of  the  way  were  enveloped  in  one 

*  Sir  John  Beresby's  Memoirs. 


I 

I 


GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  T0RK8HIBE.  207 

tremendous  conflagration.  The  loss  was  computed  at  £30,000.  In  1606, 
one  of  the  Ejng*s  mints  was  erected  in  the  Manor  House,  at  York,  and 
bullion  and  plate  was  there  coined  to  the  amount  of  £380,621. 

In  the  month  of  May,  1722,  a  great  flood  happened  at  Eipponden,  in  the 
parish  of  Halifax.  Between  the  hours  of  three  and  five  in  the  afternoon,  the 
water  rose  twenty-one  feet  perpendicular,  and  bore  down  in  its  course  many 
bridges,  mills,  and  houses,  and  several  lives  were  lost  Part  of  the  church- 
yard was  washed  away,  the  graves  were  laid  open,  and  a  coffin  floated  down 
the  stream  a  considerable  distance.  The  church  was  so  much  damaged,  that 
a  new  chapel  ¥ras  built  soon  after  the  flood. 

The  summer  of  the  following  year  was  remarkable  for  a  great  and  general 
drought.  At  York,  the  river  to  the  base  of  the  middle  arch  of  Ouse  Bridge 
was  completely  dry  for  several  yards  round. 

No  public  transaction  of  material  consequence  occurred  in  the  city  or 
county  of  'York,  firom  the  period  of  the  accession  of  William  and  Mary  till 
the  memorable  rebellion  of  1745.  In  the  annals  of  England  there  have  been 
many  struggles  for  the  crown,  sometimes  terminating  fJEivourably  on  one  side, 
sometimes  on  the  other ;  that  which  took  place  between  the  Pretender,  the 
lineal  descendant  of  our  Scottish  Kings,  and  the  House  of  Hanover,  is  one  of 
the  most  memorable,  and  is  the  last  that  we  have  had  in  England  in  the 
shape  of  civil  war  and  bloodshed.  Many  of  the  most  powerful  of  the 
Scottish  chieftains — ^renowned  for  the  antiquity  of  their  fkmilies,  their  ex- 
tensive domains,  and  the  affection  bom  them  by  their  dependents — ^were 
arrayed  on  the  side  of  the  Pretender.  The  attachment  of  the  highland  clans 
to  their  chieftains,  and  which  is  undying,  is  transmitted  from  generation  to 
generation,  and  to  this  time  it  remains  in  nearly  all  its  patriarchal  purity. 
Relying  upon  the  ancient  aifection  which  subsisted  between  his  family  and 
these  hardy  mountaineers,  the  Chevalier,  Prince  Charles  Edward  Stuart, 
eldest  son  of  the  Pretender — and,  as  he  is  generally  called,  the  "  young  Pre- 
tender"— ^resolved  to  try  his  fortune  amongst  them,  and  regain  for  his  family 
that  rule  which  had  formerly  resided  with  his  progenitors.  For  this  purpose, 
after  escaping  the  vigilance  of  the  English  cruisers,  which,  from  information 
received  by  the  English  government,  had  been  sent  out  to  intercept  him,  he 
landed  on  the  coast  of  Scotland,  on  the  25th  of  July,  1745. 

The  first  account  of  his  landing  was  scarcely  credited ;  and  when  the  news 
had  become  fully  established,  all  Europe  was  astonished  at  the  daring  enter- 
prise. Upon  promulgating  his  intentions,  the  brave  clans  assembled  around 
him,  hoisted  their  banners,  and  early  in  November  he  marched  southward, 
and  entered  England  with  the  Duke  of  Perth,  the  Marquis  of  Tullibardine, 


368  GENERAL   BISTORT   OF   YORKSHIRE. 

the  Earl  of  Kilmarnock,  and  an  army  of  about  8000  or  9000  men.  On  the 
9th  of  that  month  they  laid  siege  to  Carlisle,  which  was  feebly  garrisoned  ; 
and  on  the  15th,  the  gates  were  thrown  open  to  the  rebel  army,  and 
Charles  Edward  was  proclaimed  King  of  England  at  the  cross  in  the  Mar- 
ket-place. The  Corporation  attended  the  ceremony  in  their  robes,  with  the 
mace  and  sword  carried  before  them,  and  on  their  knees  they  presented  the 
keys  of  the  city  to  the  Prince.  From  Carlisle  the  Scots  marched  southward 
as  far  as  Derby,  at  which  point  divisions  arose  amongst  them ;  they  hesitated, 
retreated,  and  arrived  at  Carhsle  on  the  19  th  of  December,  in  great  con- 
fusion, the  Duke  of  Cumberland's  horse  pressing  upon  their  rear.  Next  day 
the  Prince  moved  northward,  leaving  400  men  in  the  garrison  of  Carlisle. 
The  Duke  reached  the  latter  city  on  the  21st,  at  the  head  of  his  army,  and 
commenced  the  siege.  The  rebel  garrison,  animated  with  great  courage  and 
fidelity  to  their  Prince,  made  a  gallant  but  unavailing  defence,  for  on  the  SOth 
of  December  the  Castle  wad  surrendered  to  the  King's  tioops,  and  the 
garrison  was  made  prisoners  of. 

Of  the  Manchester  regiment  who  surrendered  themselves  prisoners,  there 
were  Colonel  Townley,  5  Captains,  6  Lieutenants,  7  Ensigns,  1  Acyutant, 
and  93  non-commissioned  officers ;  and  in  addition  to  the  Governor  and  Sur- 
geon, there  were  16  officers  and  266  non-commissioned  officers  and  private 
men  of  the  Scotch,  making  a  total  number  of  896  prisoners,  including  Cop- 
pock,  commonly  called  the  "  Mock  Bishop"  Many  of  the  officers,  including 
Townley,  Governor  of  the  city,  and  Hamilton,  Governor  of  the  Castle,  were 
executed  in  London,  with  all  the  revolting  and  disgusting  details  observed  in 
cases  of  high  treason ;  and  their  heads  were  exhibited  on  Temple  Bar,  Lon- 
don Bridge,  and  in  public  situations  in  Carlisle,  Manchester,  and  other  places. 
Majiy  others  who  were  concerned  afterwards  died  on  the  block,  including  the 
Earl  of  Derwentwater ;  about  50  were  executed  as  deserters  in  different  parts 
of  Scotland ;  and  81  suffered  as  traitors  after  the  decisive  battle  of  CuUoden, 
which  was  fought  in  the  month  of  April  following,  and  which  sealed  the  fJEite 
of  Charles  Edward,  who  now  became  a  fugitive,  and  at  length  escaped  to 
France,  after  the  failure  of  the  second  attempt  of  the  expelled  house  of  Stuart 
to  restore  themselves  to  the  throne  of  their  ancestors. 

During  this  rebellion,  the  city  as  well  as  the  county  of  York  gave  the  most 
unequivocal  proofs  of  loyalty  to  the  reigning  dynasty.  The  Archbishop  pro- 
jected an  association,  consisting  of  more  than  800  of  the  principal  nobility, 
gentry,  and  clergy,  of  the  county,  which  was  formed  at  the  Castle  of  York, 
on  the  34th  day  of  September,  1745.  A  subscription  was  immediately 
entered  into,  and  the  sum  of  JS31,4S0.  was  raised  for  the  support  of  the 


GENERAL  HISTOBY   OF   YORKSHIRE.  S69 

Goyemment  and  the  defence  of  the  oountj.  John  Raper,  the  Lord  Major, 
convened  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  for  the  same  purpose,  when  the  sub- 
scription in  the  city  amounted  to  jSd,4dO.,  and  to  iS330.  in  the  Ainsty. 
With  these  sums  four  companies  of  in&ntry,  of  serenty  men  each,  exclusiYe 
of  sergeants,  corporals,  and  drummers,  were  raised,  and  designated  the 
**  Yorkshire  Blues.'*  They  remained  embodied  about  four  months,  the  su- 
perior officers  serving  without  pay,  and  the  sergeants  receiving  14s.,  the 
drummers,  lOs.,  and  the  privates,  7s.  per  week.  Another  military  body, 
called  the  "  Independents,"  was  formed,  for  the  defence  of  the  city,  by  the 
gentLemen  and  other  principal  inhabitants.  Their  uniform  and  accoutre- 
ments were  purchased  at  their  own  ezpence,  and  the  corps  remained  undeor 
anus  ten  months. 

On  the  29th  of  May,  1746,  the  Prince  of  Hesse  passed  one  night  in  York, 
on  his  way  from  Scotland  to  London.  On  the  23rd  of  July,  in  the  same 
year,  his  Boyal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Cumberland,  on  his  return  to  London 
£rom  the  defeat  of  the  rebeb  at  the  battle  of  GuUoden,  visited  York,  and  was 
received  with  all  the  honours  due  to  his  illustrious  rank  and  eminent  services. 
On  this  occasion  the  Lord  Mayor,  Aldermen,  and  Sheriffs,  presented  him 
with  the  £reedom  of  the  city  in  a  gold  box.  A  number  of  the  rebels  were 
tried  and  convicted  at  York,  and  of  these  twenly-two  were  executed.  The 
heads  of  two  of  them,  William  Conolly  and  James  Mayne,  were  fixed  upon 
poles  over  Micklegate  Bar,  from  whence  they  were  stolen  in  the  night  of  the 
SSth  of  January,  1754,  by  a  tailor  of  York,  named  William  Arundell,  assisted 
by  his  journeyman.  Arundell  was  tried  and  convicted  for  the  offence  at  the 
Spring  Assizes  following,  and  sentenced  to  pay  a  fine  a  fine  of  £5.,  and  to  be 
imprisoned  two  years. 

Li  1757  the  new  regulations  for  levying  the  Mihtia,  which  obliged  the 
poor  to  contribute  equally  with  the  rich,  produced  a  spirit  of  insubordination 
in  the  North  and  East  Hidings  of  Yorkshire,  and  on  the  15th  of  September, 
a  large  body  of  the  country  people,  from  more  than  thirty  parishes,  assembled 
at  York,  with  intent  to  prevent  the  constables  from  presenting  the  Hsts  of 
men  subject  to  the  ballot.  Armed  with  clubs  and  other  unlawful  weapons, 
they  proceeded  to  the  Cockpit-house,  without  Bootham  Bar,  where  the  deputy 
Lieutenants  and  chief  constables  were  to  have  assembled ;  and  not  meeting 
with  the  first  named  officers  as  they  expected,  they  forced  the  lists  firom  such 
constables  as  were  in  attendance,  and  after  drinking  all  the  liquors,  they 
demolished  the  house.  They  then  plundered  and  destroyed  the  house  of  Mr. 
Bowes,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  and  threatened  to  pull  down  the 
houses  of  other  persons  whom  they  considered  as  promoters  or  favourers  of 


370  GENEIUL  HISTOBY   OF  TOBKSHIBE. 

the  Militia  Act  At  length  the  rioters  were  prevailed  upon  to  disperse,  by 
the  Lord  Mayor  and  High  Sheriff;  and  at  the  ensuing  Assizes  several  of 
them  were  tried  and  acquitted.  Only  one,  named  George  Thurloe,  received 
sentence  of  death,  but  his  punishment  was  afterwards  commuted  to  trans- 
portation for  life.  A  man  of  the  name  of  Cole  was  condemned  and  executed 
for  being  the  leader  of  a  riot,  on  the  same  occasion,  in  the  East  Riding. 

On  the  18th  of  July,  1761,  Edward,  Duke  of  York,  passed  through  this 
city  on  his  way  to  Scarborough,  whither  he  was  going  for  the  benefit  of  his 
health.  During  his  sojourn  at  the  latter  place,  the  Lord  Major  (Thomas 
Bowes,  Esq.),  the  Recorder  (Peter  Johnson,  Esq.),  and  two  senior  Aldermen, 
waited  upon  his  Royal  ELighness,  to  request  that  he  would  honour  York,  on 
lus  return,  by  spending  some  tune  in  the  dty.  The  Duke  was  pleased  to  ac- 
cept the  invitation,  the  Manor  House  was  offered  for  his  accommodation,  and 
on  the  19th  of  August  he  arrived  at  York.  He  alighted  at  the  Minster,  sur- 
veyed that  splendid  edifice,  and  then  proceeded  to  the  Mansion  House,  the 
streets  being  lined  with  Colonel  Thornton's  Militia.  At  the  Mansion  House 
the  royal  visitor  was  received  by  the  Lord  Mayor,  Recorder,  Aldermen,  and 
Sheriffs ;  and  the  freedom  of  the  city  was  presented  to  him,  in  a  gold  box  of 
the  value  of  100  guineas.  The  Duke  dined  with  the  Lord  Mayor,  the  Eail 
of  Gainsborough,  and  a  great  number  of  the  gentiy,  at  the  Mansion  House ; 
and  in  the  evening  he  opened  a  ball  at  the  Assembly  Rooms,  .with  the  sister 
of  Sir  John  Lister  Kaye,  Bart.,  then  High  Sheriff  of  the  county.  He  lodged 
that  night  at  the  Mansion  House,  and  on  the  following  morning  repaired  to 
the  race-ground,  where  he  reviewed  Colonel  Thornton's  Militia.  He  break- 
fasted at  the  grand  stand,  and  after  communicating  the  usual  compliments  of 
satisfaction,  &c,,  proceeded  to  London.* 

The  King  of  Denmark,  attended  by  many  of  his  nobles  and  a  numerous 
retinue,  feivoured  York  with  a  short  visit  on  the  dlst  of  August  in  the  same 
year.  His  Majesty  was  pleased  to  receive  the  formalities  of  the  Coipoiation ; 
and  the  following  day  he  left  York,  after  vievnng  the  Cathedral  and  the 
Assembly  Rooms ;  and  he  returned  by  way  of  Leeds  and  Manchester  to 
London. 

On  the  8th  of  January,  1762,  war  was  formally  declared  in  York  against 
the  King  of  Spain ;  and  on  the  following  day  a  similar  declaration  was  read 
at  the  Castle,  by  the  under  Sheriff,  in  the  presence  of  the  High  Sheriff  of  the 
county,  attended  by  two  regiments  of  Militia  and  several  gentlemen. 

In  the  same  year  a  violent  hurricane  was  experienced  at  York.    It  com- 

*  Hargrove's  Histoiy  of  York,  vol.  i.,  p.  286. 


OENSIUL  HISTOBY  OF  TOBKSBIBE.  S71 

menced  at  nine  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  Saturday,  the  let  of  December,  and 
oontinued  till  eight  the  next  morning.  Part  of  the  batdement  at  the  west 
end  of  the  Minster  was  blown  down,  and  many  bouses  in  the  city  were  yery 
much  damaged. 

Edward,  the  royal  Duke,  who  derived  his  title  from  this  ancient  metro* 
pedis,  again  visited  York  on  the  18th  of  August^  1766 ;  and  on  that  occasion 
he  patronized  the  national  sport,  by  honouring  with  his  presence  the  races 
on  Ejiavesmire.  Never  was  a  more  brilliant  race  meeting  at  York  than  this. 
On  Sunday,  his  Royal  Highness  attended  divine  service  at  the  Cathedral,  at 
the  west  door  of  which  he  was  received  by  the  residentary  Canons  and  choir, 
as  well  as  by  the  Lord  Mayor,  Recorder,  and  Aldermen,  and  conducted  to  the 
archiepisoopal  throna  On  Monday  he  set  out  for  Mr.  Cholzaley*8  seat,  at 
Housham,  on  his  way  to  Scarborough ;  and  on  the  6th  of  September  he  left 
Scarborough,  and  passed  through  York,  en  route  to  the  Earl  of  Mexborough's 
seat  at  Methley,  from  wbence  he  proceeded  to  London. 

Count  de  Guigues,  the  French  Ambassador,  being  on  a  tour  to  the  north, 
passed  through  York  on  the  S2nd  of  October,  177d.  He  was  honoured 
with  a  guard  of  General  Mordaunt's  dragoons ;  but  not  approving  of  the  for- 
mality, he  gave  the  men  twelve  guineas,  and  dismissed  them.  Li  the  month 
of  September,  1777,  a  slight  shock  of  an  earthquake  was  experienced  at  York; 
but  it  was  felt  more  violently  at  the  same  time  at  Leeds  and  Manchester. 

In  the  year  1779  the  inhabitants  of  the  Yorkshire  coast  were  frequently 
thrown  into  a  state  of  alarm  by  that  intrepid  Anglo-American  buccaneer, 
Paul  Jones.  "  This  man  had  formerly  been  in  the  service  of  the  Earl  of 
Selkirk,  whence  he  was  expelled  with  disgrace,"  writes  Allen,*  "  and  having 
repaired  to  America,  he  volunteered  to  make  a  descent  on  the  British  coast. 
Being  at  first  entrusted  with  the  command  of  a  privateer,  he  landed  on  the 
coast  of  Scotland,  and,  in  resentment,  plundered  the  mansion  of  his  former 
master;  he  also  burnt  several  vessels  at  Whitehaven,  and  performed  a  num- 
ber of  other  daring  exploits.  These  services  insured  his  promotion,  and 
procured  him  the  command  of  a  small  squadron,  consisting  of  the  Bon  Homme 
Richard,  and  the  Alliance,  each  of  forty  guns ;  the  Pallas,  of  thirty-two  guns; 
and  the  Vengeance,  armed  brig.  With  this  force  he  made  many  valuable 
captures,  insulted  the  coast  of  Lneland,  and  even  threatened  the  city  of  Edin- 
buiigh.  On  Monday,  the  dOth  of  September,  1770,  an  express  arrived  at 
Bridlington,  from  the  bailiffo  of  Scarborough,  with  intelligence  that  an  enemy 
was  cruising  o£f  the  ooast    The  same  night  the  hostile  squadron  was  des- 

^  History  of  Yorkshire,  pp.  104, 195. 


j)7d  OEMBBAL  HISTOBY  OF  TOBKSHIRE. 

cried  off  Flamborough,  and  it  was  soon  discovered  that  Paul  Jones  was  the 
commander.  In  the  night  of  Tuesdaji  a  krge  fleet  of  British  coasting  vessels 
sailed  into  the  bay  of  Bridlington,  and  the  harbour  became  so  completelj 
crowded)  that  a  great  number  could  only  find  security  in  being  chained  to 
each  other  on  the  outside  of  the  piers.  Two  companies  of  the  Northumber- 
land Militia,  then  quartered  in  the  town,  were  called  to  arms  by  beat  of  drum 
after  midnight,  and  the  inhabitants,  armed  witli  such  weapons  as  could  be 
most  readily  procured,  proceeded  to  muster  at  the  Quay,  while  a  number  of 
the  more  opulent  were  making  preparations  for  sending  their  fftmiliflB  into 
the  interior.  Business  was  now  completely  at  a  stand,  and  the  attention  of 
all  was  directed  to  the  expected  invasion.  On  Thursday  a  valuable  fleet  of 
British  merchantmen,  from  the  Baltic,  under  the  convoy  of  the  Serapis, 
Captain  Pearson,  of  forty-four  guns ;  and  the  Countess  of  Scarborough,  Cap- 
tain Piercey,  of  twenty-two  guns,  hove  in  sight,  and  were  chased  by  the 
enemy.  The  first  care  of  Captain  Pearson  was  to  place  himself  between  the 
enemy  and  his  convoy ;  by  which  manceuvre  he  enabled  the  whole  of  the 
merchantmen  to  escape  in  safety  into  the  port  of  Scarborough.  Night  had 
now  come  on,  but  the  moon  shone  with  unusual  brightness.  About  half-past 
seven  o*clock  the  thunder  of  the  cannon  announced  thai  the  ^igagement  bad 
commenced,  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  coast,  on  hastening  to  the  cUBrn,  were 
presented  with  the  sublime  spectacle  of  a  naval  engagement  by  moonlight 
The  battle  raged  with  unabated  fiuy  for  two  hours,  when  at  length  Captain 
Pearson,  who  was  engaged  by  the  two  largest  of  the  enemy^s  fieigatas,  waa 
compeQed  to  surrender.  Captain  Piercey  made  also  a  long  and  gallant  de- 
lence  against  a  superior  force,  but  he  waa  in  the  end  obliged  to  strike  to  the 
Pallas.  The  enemy  purchased  the  victory  at  a  prodigious  price,  not  less  than 
three  hundred  men  being  killed  or  wounded  in  the  Bon  Homme  Richard 
alone,  which  vessel  received  so  much  injury,  that  she  sunk  the  next  day  with 
many  of  the  wounded  on  board.** 

In  178d  orders  were  issued  by  Government  for  a  general  aasodation,  to 
enable  tlie  inhabitants  of  Britain  to  resist  an  invasion,  said  to  have  been  in- 
tended by  the  Monarchs  of  France  and  Spain,  assisted  by  the  Dutch.  In 
answer  to  this  order,  a  corps  of  gentlemen  volunteers  were  embodied  at  York* 
who  provided  tiieir  own  arms  and  accoutrements,  but  were  under  no  other 
control  than  that  of  the  civil  magistrates ;  and  four  companies  of  men  in 
humbler  lifo  were  embodied,  supported,  and  paid  out  of  a  general  subscription 
raised  for  the  purpose,  and  to  which  the  Corporation  generously  voted  the  sum 
of  iS500.i'     The  latter  corps,  however,  were  under  military  law,  and  were 

•  Hargrove's  Histoiy  of  York,  vol.  i.,  p.  257. 


I 


GENERAL   HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE.  Q73 

liable  to  be  marched  out  to  any  part  of  the  kingdom,  in  case  of  actual  in- 
vasion or  rebellion. 

On  the  dOth  of  July,  1782,  that  celebrated  statesman,  the  Marquis  of 
Rockingham,  Lord  Lieutenant  of  the  county,  was  buried  in  the  Cathedral 
with  much  ceremony  and  solemnity.  Several  members  of  a  political  society- 
formed  in  York,  under  the  patronage  of  this  distinguished  nobleman,  and  in 
honour  of  him  called  the  "  Rockingham  Club,"  assembled  in  the  Minster 
Yard,  and  thence  proceeded  in  a  body  to  Dringhouses,  about  one  mile  and 
a  half  from  the  city.  At  this  place  they  met  the  corpse,  attended  by 
a  numerous  cavalcade,  which  they  joined ;  and  the  procession,  which  con- 
sisted of  about  200  citizens  on  horseback,  two  and  two ;  several  gentlemen 
bearing  banners,  bannerols,  &c.,  attended  by  pages;  the  hearse,  bearing 
escutcheons,  and  containing  the  body,  in  a  coffin  covered  with  crimson  velvet 
superbly  ornamented ;  six  mourning  coaches  with  six  horses  each ;  and 
twenty  carriages  with  the  principal  gentlemen  of  the  county  and  city ;  moved 
with  slow  and  solemn  pace  to  the  Cathedral.  The  body  was  placed  in  the 
choir  during  evening  prayers,  and  then  deposited  in  the  vault  with  great 
solemnity. 

In  the  winter  of  1784,  which  was  exceedingly  severe  all  over  Europe,  the 
river  Ouse  was  firmly  frozen  during  eight  successive  weeks.  The  labouring 
classes  of  society  suffered  much,  but  a  subscription  was  raised,  and  bread  and 
coals  were  distributed  gratis  to  upwards  of  6,000  indigent  individuals.  The 
price  of  coals  was  so  enhanced  with  the  carriage  by  land,  that  they  were 
sold  at  80s.  per  chaldron.  The  effects  of  the  thaw  were  very  unpleasant. 
The  Ouse  rose  so  high  that  the  houses  in  many  parts  were  inundated,  and 
the  inhabitants  were  obliged  to  move  about  in  carts. 

On  Monday,  the  dlst  of  August,  1789,  the  Prince  of  Wales,  afterwards 
Ejng  George  TV.,  accompanied  by  his  royal  brother,  the  Duke  of  York, 
visited  the  races  of  this  city.  Their  Royal  Highnesses  arrived  in  their  car- 
riage, and  alighted  at  some  distance  from  the  Grand  Stand,  where  they  rode 
about  on  horseback,  to  gratify  public  curiosity  with  a  sight  of  their  persons. 
At  the  conclusion  of  the  day's  sport  they  entered  the  carriage  of  the  Earl 
Fitzwilliam,  and  proceeded  towards  the  city.  At  Micklegate  Bar  the  popu- 
lace took  the  horses  from  the  carriage,  and  drew  them  through  the  streets 
amidst  loud  congratulations.  The  following  day  the  Corporation  presented 
the  Heir-apparent  with  the  freedom  of  the  city,  in  an  elegant  gold  box ;  and 
on  Thursday  in  the  same  week,  his  Royal  Highness  dined  with  the  Lord 
Mayor,  at  the  Mansion  House,  in  company  with  the  Dukes  of  Norfolk,  Bed- 
ford, and  Queensberry ;  the  Earls  of  Derby,  Einnoul,  and  Fauconbei^g ;  the 

2   N 


d74  GENERAL   HISTORY   OF   TORKSHIRE. 

Lords  Clermont,  Downe,  Loughborough,  Henry  Fitzgerald,  Rawden,  Grey, 
Fitzroj,  Fielding,  and  George  Henry  Cavendish ;  Sir  William  Milner,  Sir 
Thomas  Dundas,  Sir  James  Sinclair,  Sir  George  Armitage,  &c.  On  the 
following  Saturday  these  two  royal  personages  proceeded  to  Castle  Howard, 
the  seat  of  the  Earl  of  Carlisle,  having  previously  ordered  Lieutenant  Colonel 
St  Leger  to  pay  into  the  hands  of  Walter  Fawkes,  Esq.,  High  Sheriff  of  the 
county,  200  guineas  for  the  relief  of  debtors  in  the  Castle.  Th^  also  gave 
twenty  guineas  for  the  purpose  of  clothing  some  female  convicts,  who  had 
been  ordered  for  transportation ;  and,  in  addition  to  these  benevolent  donar 
tions,  the  Prince  of  Wales  discharged  the  debts  of  three  prisoners  in  Ouse- 
Bridge  Gaol,  and  performed  several  other  acts  of  charity. 

That  eminent  statesman,  Charles  James  Fox,  visited  York  on  Monday  in 
the  August  race  week,  1791,  and  whilst  approaching  the  city,  seated  in  a 
carriage  with  the  Earl  Fitzwilliam,  the  populace  took  the  horses  from  the 
carriage,  and  drew  it  through  the  principal  streets  to  the  Deaiiery.  A  grand 
dinner  was  given  to  him,  and  many  noblemen  and  gentlemen,  at  the  Mansion 
House,  and  he  was  presented  with  the  freedom  of  the  city,  m  a  gold  box 
of  the  value  of  fifty  guineas. 

On  the  Idth  of  January,  1792,  a  singular  meteoric  appearance — an  aerial 
army — was  observed  near  the  village  of  Stockton-in-the-Forest,  about  four 
miles  from  York,  by  many  persons  of  credit  and  respectability.  This  strange 
atmospherical  phenomenon  resembled  a  large  army,  in  separate  divisions, 
some  in  black  and  others  in  white  uniforms ;  one  of  these  divisions  formed  a 
line  that  seemed  nearly  a  mile  in  extent,  and  in  the  midst  of  which  appeared 
a  number  of  fir  trees,  which  moved  along  with  the  line.  These  aerial  troopers 
moved  with  great  rapidity  and  in  different  directions.* 

In  the  month  of  June,  1794,  the  country  at  large  being  in  a  very  unsettled 
state,  the  respectable  inhabitants  of  York  enrolled  themselves  in  different 
corps  of  infantry,  and  provided  themselves  with  uniforms,  arms,  &c, ;  but  the 

o  On  the  23rd  of  June,  1744,  about  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening,  troops  of  horsemen 
were  seen  riding  along  the  side  of  SouterfeU  (Cumberland)  in  pretty  dose  ranks,  and 
at  a  brisk  pace.  Opposite  Blake  hills  they  passed  over  the  mountain,  after  describing  a 
kind  of  curvilineal  path.  They  continued  to  be  seen  for  upwards  of  two  hours,  the 
approach  of  darkness  alone  preventing  them  fVom  being  visible.  Many  troops  were  seen 
in  succession,  and  frequently  the  last  but  one  in  a  troop  quitted  his  position,  galloped 
to  the  front,  and  took  up  the  same  i>ace  with  the  rest  About  twenty-six  persons  in 
perfect  health  saw  these  aerial  troopers. — Clarke's  Sturvey  of  the  Ldkei.  Similar  phe- 
nomena were  seen  at  Harrogate,  on  the  28th  of  June,  1812 ;  and  near  St.  Neots,  in 
Huntingdonshire,  in  1620.  Aerial  phenomena  of  a  like  nature  are  recorded  by  Iivy» 
Josephus,  and  Suetonius ;  and  a  passage  in  Sacred  History  seems  to  refer  to  a  like  cir- 
cumstance.   (See  Judges,  ix.,  36).    Philosophers  aooount  for  these  appearances  on  ti^e 


GENERAL  HISTORY   07   70RE8HIRE.  276 

non-commissioned  officers  were  regularly  paid,  hj  a  general  subscription 
raised  for  that  purpose,  towards  which  the  Corporation  contributed  £500. 
This  loyul  body  of  infantry  assembled  on  Enavesmire,  on  the  28th  of  De- 
cember following,  when  they  were  presemted  with  colours  by  the  Lady 
Mayoress,  in  the  name  of  the  ladies  of  York. 

In  November,  1796,  Prince  William  Frederick  of  Gloucester  visited 
Scarborough,  and,  on  his  return  to  the  south,  spent  some  time  in  York,  and 
was  presented  with  the  freedom  of  the  city  in  a  gold  box,  with  the  usual 
formalities.     He  left;  York  on  the  12th  of  January,  1796. 

In  1805,  the  Right  Hon.  John,  Earl  of  St  Vincent,  the  great  naval  com- 
mander, honoured  this  city  with  a  visit,  and  received  its  freedom  in  a  box  of 
"  Heart  of  Oak." 

At  the  Assizes  held  at  York,  in  March,  1809,  Mary  Bateman,  a  celebrated 
''Yorkshire  Witch,"  was  tried  and  condemned  for  murder.  This  wretched 
creature  had  previously  lived  in  York  as  a  servant,  but  left  it  in  disgrace, 
being  charged  with  a  petty  theft,  and  retired  to  Leeds,  where  she  married. 
For  a  long  penod  she  practised  the  art  and  mystery  of  fortune  telling  at 
Leeds,  dduding  multitudes,  defruuding  them  of  their  property  under  the  false 
pretence  of  giving  them  a  "  peep  into  futurity."  To  enable  her  to  accomplish 
her  viUany,  and  in  order  to  prevent  detection  of  the  fraud,  there  is  reason  to 
believe  that,  with  the  aid  of  the  poisonous  cup,  she  closed  the  mouths  of 
many  for  ever.  For  one  of  these  murders  she  was  committed  to  York  Castle, 
tried,  found  guilty,  and  on  Monday,  the  20th  of  March,  she  was  executed,  at 
the  new  drop  behind  the  Castle,  in  the  presence  of  an  immense  concourse  of 
people ;  and  such  was  the  stupid  in&tuation  of  the  crowd,  that  many  are  said 
to  have  entertained  the  idea,  that  at  the  last  moment  she  would  evade  the 
punishment,  about  to  be  inflicted,  by  her  supernatural  powers.  And  to  view 
her  lifeless  remains — perhaps  with  a  view  of  proving  that  she  was  of  a  verily 
dead— crowds  of  people  assembled  at  Leeds,  though  the  hearse  did  not  arrive 

principle  of  atmospherioal  refhiction.  Many  in  this  countiy  considered  them  as  ominous 
of  the  great  waste  of  blood  spilt  by  Britain  in  her  wars  with  America  and  France. 
Shakespeare  says,  in  the  tragedy  of  Julius  Csesar, — 

**  There  ie  one  within, 
ReeovBto  most  horrid  vUou  teen  to-night : 
Fierce  flery  warriore  foaght  upon  the  doadi, 
Which  drioled  blood  npon  the  Capitol ; 
The  iMriae  of  battle  hurtled  in  the  air. 

And  ghoets  did  shriek  and  gibber  in  the  streets. 

•  •  •  • 

When  these  piodigies  do  so  eo^joiiitljr  meet, 

Let  no  man  say  they  are  natural ;  for  I  beliere 

They  ai«  portentous  things  unto  the  dfanate  that  they  point  upon." 


276  GENERAL   HISTORY   OF  YORKSHIRE. 

there  till  near  midnight,  atid  each  paid  threepence  for  a  sight  W  the  body ; 
by  which  £S0.  accrued  to  the  benefit  of  the  General  Infirmary. 

On  the  occasion  of  his  Majesty  George  m.  having  entered  the  60th  year 
of  his  reign,  the  anniversary,  October  26th  (1809),  was  celebrated  throughout 
the  country  as  a  day  of  jubilee.  At  York,  several  hundred  pounds  were 
collected  at  a  public  meeting,  and  expended — not  in  wasteful  and  unmeaning 
illuminations — but  in  feeding  the  hungry,  and  in  relieving  the  indigent. 
Public  breakfasts,  ward  dinners,  private  treats,  and  balls  were  "  the  order  of 
the  day."  The  Archbishop  treated  sixty-four  debtors  in  the  Castle  with  beef, 
bread,  ale,  and  coals ;  and  even  the  felons  shared  in  the  festivity.  There  was 
a  partial  illumination  in  the  city ;  and  the  soldiers  in  the  barracks  fired  a 
feu  dejois,  and  illuminated  their  apartments. 

On  the  26th  of  August,  1822,  the  city  of  York  was  honoured  with  a  visit 
firom  his  Boyal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Sussex,  brother  to  the  reigning  mo- 
narch of  that  day,  George  lY .  The  Boyal  Duke  partook  of  the  hospitalities 
of  the  Corporation  at  the  Mansion  House,  where  a  public  dinner  was  given 
to  him.  The  freedom  of  the  city  was  presented  to  him  in  a  gpld  box,  accom- 
panied by  an  address  expressive  of  the  admiration  of  that  "  splendid  career 
of  useful  beneficence  and  spirited  patriotism  which  gave  a  brilliant  lustre  to 
his  exalted  birth."  The  Duke  was  on  this  occasion  the  guest  of  Robert 
Chaloner,  Esq.,  M.P.  for  the  city.  In  the  year  1841  the  same  noble  Duke 
paid  a  second  visit  to  York,  for  the  purpose  of  holding  a  grand  masonic  lodge. 
He  then  sojourned  at  the  York  Tavern  (now  Harker*s  Royal  Hotel),  which 
for  a  time  was  called  the  Royal  Sussex  Hotel. 

Since  the  reign  of  Charles  I.,  York,  which  was,  as  we  have  seen,  in  former 
times  the  residence  of  Emperors  and  Kings,  has  not  been  visited  by  any 
English  Sovereign  (though  it  has  often  been  honoured  with  the  presence  of 
different  branches  of  the  Royal  family)  down  to  the  time  of  our  present  Queen. 
In  September,  1836,  her  Msyesty,  then  the  Princess  Victoria,  and  her  mother, 
the  Duchess  of  Kent,  visited  York,  and  were  received  with  the  most  un- 
bounded loyalty.  The  royal  party  attended  the  Musical  Festival  at  the 
Minster  on  each  of  the  four  days  upon  which  it  was  held,  and  during  their 
stay  at  York,  they  were  the  guests  of  the  Archbishop  at  Bishopthorpe 
Palace.  For  this  attention  to  these  illustrious  visitors,  the  Lord  Mayor 
(the  late  Sir  John  Simpson)  received  the  honour  of  knighthood  fi-om  his  late 
Majesty,  William  IV.,  in  1836. 

On  the  21st  of  July,  1840,  the  Archeological  Institute  of  Great  Britain 
and  Ireland  held  their  annual  meeting  here,  under  the  presidency  of  Earl 
FitzwilHam.     The  members  visited  the  different  objects  of  interest  in  the 


GENEHAL   HISTOBY   OF  YORKSHIRE.  S77 

city  and  neighbourhood,  and  an  exhibition  of  British  antiquities  was  held 
in  St.  Peter  8  schoolroom  in  the  Minster  Yard. 

In  July,  1848,  his  Royal  Highness  the  late  Duke  of  Cambridge,  accom- 
panied by  his  son  Geoige,  the  present  Duke,  and  other  illustrious  personages, 
attended  the  annual  show  of  the  Royal  Agricultural  Society  at  York,  and 
dined  with  the  company  in  the  large  pavilion  erected  for  that  purpose  on 
St.  George's  Close. 

On  the  28th  of  September,  1849,  the  Queen,  the  Prince  Consort,  and  the 
royal  children,  stopped  at  York  on  their  return  from  Balmoral  (their  Highland 
residence)  to  London,  on  which  occasion  the  royal  party  partook  of  luncheon 
at  the  Station  Hotel ;  a  loyal  address  was  presented  by  the  Lord  Mayor,  and 
great  rejoicings  were  made  on  the  occasion. 

On  Friday,  the  25th  of  October,  1850,  York  was  the  scene  of  a  magnifi- 
cent festival,  which  must  be  remembered  as  one  of  the  most  interesting  events 
in  civic  history ;  whether  regarded  for  the  splendour  of  the  assembly,  or  in 
connection  with  the  great  event  which  it  was  mainly  designed  to  propitiate ; 
namely,  the  great  Industrial  Exhibition  of  the  products  of  all  nations  in  the 
Crystal  Palace,  erected  in  Hyde  Park,  London,  in  1851. 

The  Lord  Mayor  of  London  having  given  a  grand  entertainment  with  the 
same  patriotic  object;  and  at  which  his  Royal  Highness  Prince  Albert  and 
the  Mayors  and  chief  magistrates  of  the  principal  towns  of  the  kingdom  were 
present ;  it  was  thought  but  natural  that  this  example  should  be  followed  by 
the  great  Corporations  of  the  country.  It  was,  accordingly,  agreed  at  a 
meeting  of  the  Mayors  and  other  civic  authorities  held  at  Derby,  to  cany  out 
the  proposition  of  the  Lord  Mayor  of  York,  the  Right  Hon.  George  H.  Sey- 
mour, to  give  a  return  bajiquet  in  this  cily.  A  subscription  was  entered  into 
for  the  purpose  of  enabling  the  Lord  Mayor  of  York,  in  conjunction  with  the 
municipalities  of  the  united  kingdom,  to  receive  the  Prince  Consort  and  the 
Lord  Mayor  of  London  on  a  scale  of  becoming  magnificence.  The  prepara- 
tions for  this  banquet  were  on  the  most  splendid  scale,  and,  as  was  well 
remarked  by  the  leading  journal  of  the  day,  "  York,  the  home  of  the  Roman 
Emperors,  when  London  was  comparatively  neglected  by  the  masters  of  the 
ancient  world,  made  a  display  worthy  of  the  far-famed  city,  that  gave  a  grave 
to  Severus  and  to  Constantino  Chlorus,  and  afforded  a  rallying  cry  to  the 
haughty  fiEustions  which  fought  for  the  English  throne." 

The  Guild-Hall  was  fitted  up  for  the  occasion  in  most  superb  style ;  and 
invitations  were  issued  for  248  guests,  the  fiill  extent  of  the  accommodation 
afforded  by  that  splendid  room.  Prince  Albert  arrived  by  railway  from 
London,  and  was  received  at  the  York  station  by  the  Lord  Mayor  of  York, 


378  GENERAL  HI8T0BT   OF  TOBKSHIBE. 

attended  by  a  guard  of  honour,  and  was  conducted  to  Lord  Wenlock's  car- 
riage, which  was  in  waiting,  and  in  which  the  Prince  drove  to  the  Mansion 
House,  attended  bj  an  escort.  His  Royal  Highness  ¥ras  received  at  the 
Mansion  House  by  a  guard  of  honour  of  the  2nd,  or  Queen's  Dragoon  Guards, 
under  the  command  of  Gol.  Campbell,  the  band  of  the  regiment  playing  the 
National  Anthem.  The  Prince  was  conducted  to  the  state  room  of  the 
building,  where  several  persons  were  presented  to  him.  At  the  Rec^tiony 
the  Lord  Mayor  of  York  appeared  in  a  crimson  silk  robe,  lined  with  sholrpink 
satin ;  this  being,  according  to  Dugdale,  the  peculiar  robe  of  the  privileged 
chief  magistrate  of  this  ancient  city  when  appearing  before  royalty. 

Amongst  the  distinguished  company  at  the  banquet  were  his  Royal  High- 
ness  Prince  Albert,  the  Bight  Hon.  the  Lord  Mayor  of  London,  the  Right 
Hon.  the  Lord  Mayor  of  York,  the  Lord  Provost  of  Edinburgh,  the  Arch- 
bishop of  York,  Lord  John  Russell,  the  Marquisses  of  Clanricarde  and  Aber- 
com,  the  Earl  of  Carlisle,  the  Earls  Granville,  FitzwiUiam,  and  Minto,  Lords 
Beaumont,  Feversham,  and  Overstone,  Sir  George  Grey,  Bart,  Sir  Charles 
Wood,  Bart,  the  Hon.  Bielby  R.  Lawley,  the  High  Sheriff  of  Yorkshire,  Sir 
C.  Tempest,  Bart,  Hon.  O.  Duncombe,  General  Sir  W.  Warre,  Sir  J.  V.  B. 
Johnstone,  Bart,  the  Members  of  Parliament  for  the  city,  the  Recorder,  the 
Sheriff  of  York,  Richard  Cobden,  Esq.,  and  nearly  one  hundred  Mayors  and 
heads  of  boroughs.  The  general  appearance  of  the  fine  old  Gothic  hall  was 
elegant  in  the  extreme.  The  great  west  window  was  covered  with  crimson 
cloth,  in  order  to  secure  a  better  effect  to  a  magnificent  ornamental  design  of 
M.  Soyer*s,  erected  in  front  of  the  window,  and  immediately  behind  the  great 
circular  table,  at  which  sat  the  chief  guests.  It  consisted  of  a  large  emble- 
matic vase,  twenty  feet  in  height,  painted  and  modelled  by  Mr.  Alfred  Adams. 
Around  the  vase  was  Britannia  receiving  specimens  of  industry  from  the  four 
quarters  of  the  globe.  Round  a  palm  tree,  which  sprung  from  the  centre, 
were  the  arms  of  London  and  York.  MedaDian  portraits  of  the  Queen  and 
Prince  Albert,  surrounded  by  the  shields  of  the  principal  cities  and  towns  in 
the  United  Kingdom,  formed  the  body  of  the  vase.  Two  figures  of  Ireland 
and  Scotland  formed  the  handles ;  the  Prince  of  Wales's  emblem,  the  neck ; 
and  the  Royal  Arms,  the  apex.  Appended  were  graceful  wreaths  of  flowers, 
in  which  predominated  the  symbols  of  the  houses  of  York  and  Lancaster,  the 
red  and  white  rose ;  and  when  a  brilliant  flood  of  gas-light,  aided  by  power- 
ful reflectors,  was  thrown  upon  this  splendid  decoration,  the  ^fect  was  very 
beautiful.  The  whole  of  this  part  of  the  hall  was  profusely  and  elegantly 
adorned  with  crimson  drapery,  vases  of  flowers,  evergreens,  banners,  Ac. 

In  firont  of  the  principal  table,  on  a  raised  platform,  covered  with  purple 


GENERAL   HISTORY   OF   YORKSHIRE.  279 

doth,  was  a  collection  of  maces,  state  swords,  and  raluable  civic  insignia, 
belonging  to  the  various  Corporate  bodies;  and  these  ancient  maces,  which 
had  been  wielded  by  generations  of  Mayors,  with  the  velvet  sheaths  and 
gaudy  mountings  of  the  gigantic  swords  of  state,  formed  a  picturesque  group. 
The  waUs  of  the  hall  were  hung  with  crimson  cloth  to  the  height  of  about  ten 
feet,  as  were  also  the  oak  pillars.  Above  were  suspended  several  of  the  fiill 
length  portraits  from  the  Mansion  House.  The  banners  of  the  several 
Mayors,  suspended  from  the  roof  arcades,  the  gallery,  &c.,  were  characteristi- 
cally splendid ;  they  bore  the  arms  of  the  several  cities  and  boroughs  whence 
they  were  sent ;  the  banner  of  York,  worked  by  the  Lady  Mayoress,  was  con- 
spicuous  to  the  right  of  the  chair,  and  the  banner  of  London  to  the  left.  At 
the  east  end  of  the  hall  was  erected  a  handsome  gallery,  for  an  orchestia  and 
a  limited  number  of  ladies  to  witness  the  banquet  It  was  ornamented  with 
crimson  drapery,  oil  paintings,  banners,  evergreens,  flowers,  &c.  Besides  the 
oidinarily  pendant  gas-lights  between'  the  pillars  of  the  arcade  on  each  side, 
there  were  in  the  body  of  the  hall  eight  variegated  Gothic  lanterns ;  three 
suspended  from  the  roof  in  the  north  aisle ;  three  in  the  south  aisle ;  one  at 
either  end  of  the  middle  aisle,  in  the  centre  of  which  there  was  a  chandelier, 
its  pendant  stem  entwined  with  the  figure  of  a  serpent  formed  in  gas.  The 
two  pillars  of  the  haU  nearest  to  the  royal  table  were  wreathed  with  ever- 
greens and  flowers,  and  serpentine  gas-lights,  and  the  gallery  was  lit  with 
pillars  of  gas  and  Gothic  lanterns.  The  tables  shone  with  epergnes, 
plateaux,  centre  pieces  heaped  up  with  pines,  grapes,  and  the  richest  firuit, 
with  silver  plate  beneath  innumerable  lights.  Among  the  embellishments 
were  various  productionfl  in  patent  glass  silvering,  prepared  expressly  for  the 
occasions,  as  being  peculiarly  appropriate  to  a  festival  to  celebrate  the  ap- 
proaching congress  of  the  artistic  industry  of  all  nations.  These  specimens 
consisted  of  gilfc  silvered,  and  bronised  figures,  bearing  large  globes  of  silvered 
g^ass.  There  were  also  three  drinking-cups,  one  for  the  Prince,  and  one  for 
the  Lord  Mayors  of  London  and  York ;  the  first  in  ruby  glass,  portions  of 
the  riffi  and  base  internally  checkered  with  silver,  and  on  the  sides  bearing 
sunken  medallions  of  her  Majesty  and  his  Royal  Highness  Prince  Albert,  and 
the  Royal  Arms  of  England.  The  other  two  cups  were  of  the  same  size  and 
shape,  but  instead  of  being  ruby  and  silver,  the  colours  were  emerald  and 
silver;  and  on  the  sides  were  the  private  arms  of  each  of  the  Lord  Mayors, 
together  with  the  usual  heraldic  emblazonments  of  the  cities  of  London  and 
York  respectively.  The  uncertainty  of  the  Lord  Mayor  of  Dublin*s  arrival 
prevented  a  cup  being  prepared  for  him. 
After  grace  had  been  pronounced  at  the  dose,  as  at  the  beginning  of  the 


ft80  OEKSRAL   HISTORY  OF  TORKSHIRE. 

banquet, "  the  loving  cup  "  was  passed  round  after  the  customary  welcome  was 
deHvered  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Mayor  to  all  his  guests,  in  the  usual  ciyic 
fetshion,  by  Mr.  Harker,  the  London  toast  master,  and  a  flourish  of  trumpets. 

The  banquet  was  prepared  under  the  superintendence  of  M.  Soyer ;  and 
one  dish  alone  on  the  royal  table  cost  the  immense  sum  of  one  hundred 
guineas.  The  chief  items  in  this  Apician  group  were  turtle  and  ortolans. 
The  wines  for  the  royal  table  were  ordered  at  an  unlimited  price  from  Messrs. 
Chillingworth  and  Son,  of  London,  wine  merchants  to  the  Queen. 

There  was  a  grand  concert  and  ball  in  the  Assembly  Room  during  the 
evening,  and  the  whole  city  was  brilliiuitly  illuminated.  Prince  Albert,  who 
was  the  guest  of  the  Lord  Mayor  of  York  on  the  night  of  the  banquet,  retired 
from  the  company  at  midnight,  and  left  the  Mansion  House  at  eight  o^clock 
on  the  following  morning.  He  was  accompanied  to  the  Bailway  Station  by 
the  Lord  Mayor,  the  Marquis  of  Abercom,  Colonel  Grey,  Colonel  Se3rmour, 
and  others ;  and  upon  his  departure  for  London  he  thanked  the  Lord  Mayor 
in  the  most  flattering  terms  for  the  very  satis£Bu;tory  arrangements  which  had 
been  made  for  his  comfort  and  accommodation. 

On  Thursday,  the  14th  of  September,  1854,  her  Meyesty  the  Queen,  ac« 
companied  by  the  Prince  Consort,  and  five  of  the  youthful  Princes  and 
Princesses  (including  the  Prince  of  Wales),  and  the  ladies  and  gentlemen  of 
the  royal  household,  stopped  at  York  en  route  for  Balmoral,  and  partook  of 
luncheon  at  the  Station  Hotel.  The  whole  of  the  Railway  Station  was 
entirely  cleared  of  carriages,  and  the  ground  between  the  rails  being  re-laid 
with  gravel,  gave  it  a  neat  and  clean  appearance.  The  arrival  platform,  for 
nearly  its  entire  length,  was  covered  with  a  beautiful  tapestry  carpet  of 
splendid  colours  and  design.  On  this  platform  were  placed  tables  covered 
with  suitable  drapery,  and  upon  them  stood  elegant  vases  of  flowers.  The 
platform  entrance  of  the  Hotel  was  decorated  with  flowers  and  evergreens, 
and  immediately  in  front  of  it,  in  the  pit  of  the  Station,  stood  the  band 
of  the  7th  Hussars,  while  a  detachment  of  the  same  r^ment  took  up  a 
position  along  the  southern  side  of  the  pit  Lower  down,  and  on  both  plat- 
forms, were  stationed  300  of  the  3nd  West  York  Light  Infiantry,  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  Smyth,  M.P. ;  the  band  of  that  regiment  occupying  a 
position  at  its  head.  About  one  o'clock  the  royal  train  entered  the  Station, 
and  the  royal  party  were  received  by  the  Lord  Mayor  (G^rge  Leeman,  Esq.), 
the  Archbishop  of  York,  the  Earl  of  Carlisle,  and  the  railway  directors.  The 
excitement  of  the  hundreds  who  thronged  the  opposite  platform  attained  its 
highest  piteh  when  they  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  royal  party.  The  heads  of 
the  gentlemen  were  uncovered,  the  soldiers  presented  the  royal  salute,  while 


GENERAL   HISTORY   OF   YORKSHIRE.  281 

from  the  whole  mass  there  rose  one  general,  thrilling  "  huzza/*  which,  ming- 
ling with  the  National  Anthem,  struck  up  at  first  by  the  Militia  band,  and 
cau^^t  up  afterwards  bj  that  of  the  7th  Hussars,  formed  one  grand  and 
enthusiastic  oblation  to  Royalty,  amid  which  the  Queen,  leaning  on  the  arm 
of  her  royal  consort,  followed  by  five  of  her  children  in  a  ro\i(,  and  her  suite, 
walked  along  the  carpeted  path  to  the  hotel,  on  her  way  repeatedly  acknow- 
ledging the  loyal  plaudits  of  her  subjects.  The  Lord  Mayor  walked  along 
with  the  royal  couple  to  the  hotel,  where  they  were  conducted  into  a  hand- 
somely furnished  room  set  apart  for  the  purpose  of  refreshment,  and  from 
which  a  good  view  of  the  Minster,  the  Museum,  St.  Mary^s  Abbey,  &c.,  is 
obtained. 

The  loom  was  decorated  at  one  end  by  a  device,  consisting  of  the  initials 
**  v.  R.*'  and  *'  P.  A.,"  formed  of  white  artificial  flowers,  arranged  on  a  crim- 
son ground,  the  whole  being  s^urrounded  with  flowers  and  eyergreens;  and  over 
the  door  was  placed  a  representation  of  the  Prince  of  Wales*  feathers,  also 
encircled  with  dahlias  and  evergreens,  and  bearing  the  motto,  <'  Ich  dien.** 
The  table  was  provided  by  Mr.  HoUiday,  the  proprietor  of  the  hotel,  with  the 

• 

most  sumptuous  viands,  wines,  grapes,  pines,  &c.  Two  or  three  of  the  royal 
suite  partook  of  refreshments  with  her  Majesty,  while  the  remainder  were 
accommodated,  in-suitable  style,  in  an  a4joining  apartment.  The  decorations 
in  the  interior  and  exterior  of  the  hotel  presented  a  very  tasteful  appearance. 

The  interval  of  half  an  hour,  during  which  the  royal  visitors  remained  in 
the  hotel,  was  enlivened  by  the  performance  of  the  two  bands.  The  royal 
party  then  re-appeared  on  the  platform  in  the  same  order  as  that  which  cha- 
racterised their  arrival,  and  proceeded  towards  the  train,  which  consisted  of 
nine  carriages,  the  one  occupied  by  her  Majesty  being  in  the  centre.  The  bands 
struck  up  once  more  "  God  save  the  Queen** — ^the  spectators  cheered  their 
loudest — ^the  soldiers  again  gave  the  royal  salute — and  after  a  few  words  with 
the  Archbishop  and  the  Earl  of  Carlisle,  her  Migesty,  the  Prince,  and  the 
royal  family,  entered  the  train.  The  Lord  Mayor  and  several  others  of  the 
North-Eastem  board  of  directors  then  took  their  places  in  one  of  the  carriages, 
and  the  train  proceeded  towards  the  north  amidst  the  loud  plaudits  of  an 
immense  number  of  human  beings  who  had  assembled  on  the  city  walls. 
Tanner-row,  Toft-green,  and  the  entire  district  abutting  on  the  line.  The 
train  was  accompanied  by  electrical  telegraph  apparatus,  so  that  in  case  of  an 
accident,  a  communication  could  be  made  immediately  for  aid. 

Amongst  those  who  accompanied  the  royal  &mily  were  Sir  George  Grey, 
Bart.,  the  Secretary  for  the  Colonies ;  Major-General  the  Hon.  C.  Grey ;  the 
Duchess  of  Wellington  and  the  Hon.  Miss  Stanley,  maids  of  honour;  Sir 

a  0 


S8d  GENERAL   HISTORY   OF   YORKSHIRE. 

James  Clarke,  her  Majesty's  physician ;  the  Hon.  Col.  Phipps»  eqneny  to 
his  Royal  Highness ;  and  Miss  Hildyard,  governess  to  the  royal  children. 

Prior  to  the  Queen's  departure,  Mr.  Baines,  of  the  Museum,  had  (he 
honour,  through  the  Lord  Mayor,  of  presenting  to  her  Majesty  a  fine  flower 
of  the  Victoria  Begia,  which  was  then  in  full  hloom  in  the  grounds  of  the 
Yorkshire  Philosophical  Society. 

The  Minster  bells,  and  those  of  other  churches,  rung  a  merry  peal  in 
honour  of  the  royal  visit.  On  her  return  from  Scotland,  oh  the  Idth  of  the 
following  month,  her  Migesty  en  suite  visited  the  towns  of  Kingston-upon- 
Hull- and  Great  Grimsby.  The  royal  party  arrived  in  the  former  town  on 
the  evening  of  that  day — slept  at  the  Station  Hotel — went  in  prooesaion 
through  the  principal  streets  on  the  following  morning,  and  departed  in  the 
royal  yacht,  the  Fairy,  about  eleven  o'clock  on  the  same  day  for  Grimsby. 
Thence  the  illustrious  visitors  proceeded  by  railway  to  London,  and  arrived 
at  Windsor  on  the  same  evening. 

CIVIL  GOVERNMENT,  TITLES,  &c.— The  civil  government  of 
Yorkshire  was  anciently  lodged  in  the  Earl  or  Count  to  whom  it  was  com- 
mitted by  the  King ;  and  in  time  it  was  intrusted  to  a  person  duly  qualified, 
who  was  called  Shire-reve,  i.e..  Sheriff  or  Governor  of  a  shire  or  county. 
Before  the  9th  Edward  U,  (1816),  this  officer  was  elected  by  the  freeholders ; 
but  since  that  time,  the  appointment  has  been  made  by  the  Sovereign.  His 
office  is  to  execute  the  King's  writs,  return  juries,  and  keep  the  peace ;  and 
his  jurisdiction  is  called  a  Bailiwick,  because  he  is  the  Bailiff  of  the  Crown. 
York  has  had  its  own  High  Sheriff  fix>m  the  3rd  of  William  the  Conqueror, 
1069. 

The  office  of  Lord  Lieutenant  appears  to  have  been  introduced  early  in  the 
reign  of  Henry  VUL.  The  statutes  of  Philip  and  Mary  speak  of  them  as 
officers  well  known  at  that  time,  though  Camden  mentions  them  in  the 
time  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  as  extraordinary  magistrates,  constituted  only  in 
times  of  difficulty  and  danger.*  The  Lord  Lieutenant  is  nominated  by  the 
Lord  Chancellor,  and  is  always  a  justice  of  the  quorum,  and  to  him  the 
nomination  of  the  Clerk  of  the  Peace  belongs.  There  are  three  of  these 
officers  for  the  county  of  York ;  one  for  each  of  the  three  Ridings. 

The  office  of  Gustos  Botulorum,  or  Keeper  of  the  rolls  and  records  of  the 
session  of  peace,  is  of  considerable  antiquity,  but  has  been  of  late  years  an- 
nexed to  that  of  Lord  Lieutenant 

•  ManniDg  and  Bray's  Surrey,  vol.  L,  p.  zxt.  introduotioD. 


OENEBAL  HISTORY  OF   YORKSHIRE.  288 

Before  the  Conquest  the  Comites,  or  Earls  of  Northumberland,  were  also 
Governors  of  the  city  and  county  of  York.  Morcar  was  the  last  Earl  of 
Northumberland  before  the  Conquest,  and  he  remained  so  till  in  the  year 
1069  he  revolted,  and  William  gave  this  Earldom  to  Robert  Copsi,  or 
Gomins ;  and  he  being  dain,  the  Conqueror  then  bestowed  it  on  Cospatric, 
who  being  deprived  of  it  in  1073,  he  lastly  gave  the  Earldom  of  Northum- 
berland to  Waltheof,  the  son  of  Siward.  Some  authors  doubt  whether  the  city 
and  county  of  York  were  included  in  this  grant ;  and  seem  rather  to  consider 
that  it  was  only  the  present  county  of  Northumberland  and  the  bishopric  of 
Duiham  over  which  he  presided.  From  this  era  Yorkshire  was  wholly  dis- 
charged from  the  government  of  these  Earls,  and  was  placed  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  vice-comites  (anciently  substitutes  to  the  Earls),  or  High 
Sheri£&  of  the  county. 

William  le  Gros,  Earl  of  Albemarle,  a  great  commander,  was,  by  King 
Stephen,  after  the  victory  over  the  Scots  at  the  famous  Battle  of  the  Stan- 
dard, in  1138,  made  Earl  of  Yorkshire,  or  according  to  some.  Earl  of  York. 
This  is  the  first  and  only  mention  that  we  find  in  histoiy  of  a  tittilar  Earl  of 
Yorkshire.  The  first  and  only  Earl  of  York  was  Otho,  Duke  of  Saxony,  son 
of  Henry  Leon,  Duke  of  Bavaria,  by  Maud,  the  daughter  of  Henry  U.,  King 
of  England.  This  title  was  conferred  upon  Otho  by  his  uncle,  Richard  I., 
during  his  sojourn  in  England  in  1100.  Whereupon  some  performed  ho- 
mage and  fealty  to  him,  but  others  refusing,  the  King  gave  him  as  an 
exchange,  the  county  of  Poictiers. 

In  the  9th  of  Bichard  U.  (1885),  amongst  several  other  creations,  Edmund 
of  Langley,  fifth  son  of  Edward  m.  and  Queen  Philippa,  was  made  the  first 
Duke  of  York.  This  Prince  died  at  his  manor  of  Langley,  and  was  interred 
in  the  Priory  there.  Edward  Plantagenet,  Duke  of  Albemarle,  his  eldest 
son,  after  the  death  of  his  father  succeeded  to  the  Dukedom  of  York  in  1406. 
He  was  slain  at  the  fieunous  battle  of  Agincourt,  in  1416,  and  left  no  issue. 
The  third  Duke  of  York  was  the  illustrious  Richard  Plantagenet,  nephew  of 
the  second  Duke,  and  son  of  Richard,  Earl  of  Cambridge,  who  was  executed 
for  treason  against  Henry  V.  This  nobleman  having  been  restored  to  his 
paternal  honours  by  Henry  VI.,  and  allowed  to  succeed  to  his  uncle's  inheri- 
tance, was  one  of  the  most  powerful  subjects  in  the  kingdom.  Being  a 
descendant  of  King  Edward  m.,  he  claimed  the  crown  of  England,  and 
levied  war  against  the  King,  which  lasted  for  thirty  years,  and  deluged  the 
land  with  blood.  (See  page  151.)  He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Wakefield, 
and  Margaret  caused  his  head  to  be  cut  off  and  fixed  over  Micklegate  Bar, 


d84  GEKERAL   HISTORY  OF  YORKSHIRE. 

York.*  Richard  was  a  brave  man,  but  deficient  in  political  courage,  and 
was  worthy  of  a  better  fate.  Edward  Plantagenet,  the  fourth  Duke  of  York, 
the  eldest  son  of  the  last  Duke,  prosecuted  his  father^s  pretensions,  and  after 
the  battle  of  Towton,  he  was  proclaimed  King  of  England,  under  the  title  of 
Edward  lY.,  and  thus  the  Dukedom  of  York  became  merged  in  the  royal 
dignity.  This  monarch  was  remarkable  for  beauty  of  person,  bravery,  affii- 
hHity,  and  every  popular  quality,  but  in  the  end  he  defiled  his  fiune  and 
power  by  efifeminacy  and  cruelty. 

Richard  Plante^enet,  of  Shrewsbury,  fifth  Duke  of  York,  second  son  of 
Edward  IV.,  was  created  by  his  father  when  vexy  young,  on  May  28th, 
1474.  This  unfortunate  Prince  is  supposed  to  have  been  murdered  in  the 
Tower  of  London,  with  his  elder  brother,  Edward  V.,  by  order  of  their  uncle, 
the  Duke  of  Gloucester,  afterwards  Richard  HI.,  in  1483. 

The  sixth  was  Henry  Tudor,  the  second  son  of  King  Henry  VII.,  who 
was  created  Duke  of  York  on  the  1st  of  November,  1491 ;  and  Prince  of 
Wales,  on  the  death  of  his  brother  Arthur,  February  18th,  1503 ;  and  on 
the  death  of  his  royal  father  he  succeeded  to  the  throne,  under  the  well 
known  name  of  Henry  VHI.,  and  this  dignity  again  became  meiged  in 
the  Crown.  From  this  period  it  has  been  customary  to  confer  the  Dukedom 
of  York  on  the  second  son  of  the  Sovereign. 

The  next  was  Charles  Stuart,  second  son  of  James  I.,  who,  whoa  a 
child  not  full  four  years  old,  was  created  Duke  of  York.  He  was  afterwards 
King  of  Great  Britain,  and  the  title  again  merged  in  the  Crown. 

The  eighth  Duke  was  James  Stuart,  the  second  son  of  King  Charles  L, 
who  was  declared  Duke  of  York  at  his  birth,  by  his  royal  father,  and  so 
entitled,  but  not  so  created  till  January  S7,  1643,  by  letters  patent,  bearing 
date  at  Oxford.  Afterwards  he  ascended  the  throne  of  Great  Britain,  and 
the  title  merged  in  the  Crown  for  the  fourth  time. 

On  the  29th  of  June,  1716,  the  2nd  of  George  I.,  that  monarch  created 
his  brother  Earnest  Augustus,  Duke  of  Brunswick  and  Lunemburgh,  Bishop 
of  Osnaburgh  (a  nominal  prelacy,  to  which  the  Elector  of  Hanover  has  the 
power  of  influencing  the  election  alternately  with  another  European  power) 
Earl  of  Ulster  in  Ireland,  and  Duke  of  York  and  Albany  in  Great  Britain; 
the  honours  to  descend  to  the  heirs  male  of  his  body,  but  he  died  without 
issue. 

Edward  Augustus,  second  son  of  Frederick  Prince  of  Wales,  bom  in 
March,  1738 — 9,  was  the  tenth  Duke  of  York,  his  Royal  Highness  having 

•  "  So  York  may  overlook  the  town  of  York." — Skakupeare, 


GENERAL  HISTORT   OF  YORKSHTRE.  385 

been  raised  to  that  dignity  by  his  Msgesty  Geoi^e  IE.,  on  the  1st  of  April, 
1760.  On  the  dlst  of  March,  1761,  he  was  appointed  Rear  Admiral  of  the 
Bine ;  and  in  the  coarse  of  a  tour  through  Europe,  he  visited  Monaco,  capital 
of  the  principality  of  that  name,  in  the  territories  of  Genoa,  in  Upper  Italy, 
where  he  was  seized  with  a  malignant  fever,  of  which  he  died  on  the  7th  of 
September,  1767. 

Frederick,  the  eleventh  and  last  Duke  of  York,  was  brother  of  his  Majesty 
King  George  IV.,  and  second  son  of  King  George  in.,  by  whom  he  was  ad- 
vance to  &e  dignities  of  Duke  of  the  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain,  and  Earl 
of  the  Kingdom  of  Ireland,  by  the  titles  of  Duke  of  York  and  of  Albany  in 
Great  Britain,  and  Earl  of  Ulster  in  Ireland.  His  Highness  was  bom  on  the 
16th  of  August,  1768 ;  and  on  the  d7th  of  the  following  February  he  was  elected 
Bishop  of  Osnaburgh.  From  his  earliest  age  he  was  destined  for  the  mili- 
taiy  profession,  the  study  of  which  formed  an  essential  part  of  his  education. 
His  first  commission  in  the  army  was  that  of  Colonel,  which  was  dated  Novem- 
ber 1st,  1780 ;  he  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  3nd  regiment  of 
Horse-Grenadier  Guards  on  the  dSrd  of  March,  1782 ;  Msgor-General  on  the 
30th  of  November  following;  and  Colonel  of  the  Coldstream  Guards,  with  the 
rank  of  Lieutenant-General,  on  the  d7th  of  October,  1784.  On  the  d7th  of 
the  following  month  he  was  created  Duke  of  York,  &c.,  after  these  titles  had 
been  extinct  for  seventeen  years — ^from  the  period  of  the  death  of  his  uncle 
Edward,  in  1767.  On  the  29th  of  September,  1791,  he  was  married  at  Berlin 
to  Frederica  Charlotta  Ulrica  Catharine,  only  child  of  King  Frederick  William 
of  Prussia,  by  his  first  consort,  Elizabeth  Ulrica  Christiana,  Princess  of 
Brunswick-WolfenbutteL  The  royal  pair  were,  on  their  arrival  in  England, 
re-married  at  the  Queen's  house  on  the  23rd  of  November  following.  On  the 
occasion  of  his  marriage  the  Duke  had  voted  him  by  Parliament  the  sum  of 
J618,000.  per  annum ;  and  the  King  settled  on  him  £7,000.  for  his  Irish 
revenues,  which,  in  addition  to  the  £12,000.  per  annum  he  before  ei\joyed, 
constituted  a  yearly  income  of  £87,000.  At  the  same  time  the  sum  of 
£8,000.  per  annum  was  voted  to  the  Duchess,  in  case  she  should  survive. 

In  1793  the  Duke  was  called  into  active  military  service  by  being  ap- 
pointed to  the  command  of  an  army  ordered  for  Flanders,  to  form  part  of  the 
grand  army  under  the  Prince  of  Saxe  Coburg.  After  the  campaign,  which 
lasted  for  several  months,  the  Duke  proceeded  to  England  to  concert  with 
the  British  government  the  plans  and  measures  for  the  ensuing  campaign. 
His  Royal  Highness  returned  in  the  month  of  February,  1794,  from  England 
to  Courtrai — ^the  British  head-quarters,  and  in  a  few  days  the  new  campaign 
had  bogun.    It  is  not  within  the  scope  or  province  of  this  history  to  follow 


Q80  GENERAL   BISTORT   OF   TORKSHIRE. 

the  Duke  through  his  numerous  engagements,  suffice  it  to  say  that  after  a 
series  of  successes,  and  a  succession  of  disappointments,  the  allies  were  at 
length  no  longer  able  to  oppose  the  enemy,  and  on  the  14th  of  April,  1795, 
the  different  British  brigades  embarked  for  England. 

In  February,  1795,  the  Duke  of  York  was  appointed  to  the  important  post  of 
Commander-in-Chief  of  the  army.  In  1799  the  Duke  again  appeared  in  the 
field.  He  landed  at  Holland  on  the  13th  of  September,  and  the  force  under 
his  coihmand,  including  1,000  Russians,  amounted  to  nearly  35,000  men. 
An  engagement  with  the  French  took  place  on  the  8th  of  October,  in  which 
the  enemy  was  entirely  defeated,  with  a  loss  exceeding  4,000  killed,  and  3,000 
taken  prisoners.  The  British  lost  about  1,600  men.  In  another  engage- 
ment, which  followed  soon  after,  the  Duke  was  again  master  of  the  field  of 
battle,  though  the  loss  amounted  to  1,300  British  luid  700  Russians.  On 
the  17th  of  October  a  suspension  of  arms  was  agreed  on,  and  it  was  stipulated 
that  the  English  and  Russians  should  be  allowed  to  evacuate  Holland,  on 
condition  that  8,000  seamen,  either  Batayian  or  French,  prisoners  in  Eng- 
land, should  be  giyen  up  to  the  French. 

In  July,  1814,  and  again  at  the  same  period  in  the  following  year,  both 
houses  of  Parliament  passed  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  Duke  of  York  for  the 
benefits  he  had  bestowed  on  the  nation  as  Commander-in-Chief  in  the  wars 
then  concluded.  His  Royal  Highness  died  on  the  5th  of  January,  1837,  and 
his  remains  lay  in  state  in  St  James's  Palace  for  several  days,  and  were  de- 
posited in  the  royal  vault  at  Windsor  on  the  dOth  of  the  same  month.  On 
the  decease  of  the  Duke  the  titie  of  York  became  extinct ;  but  it  is  probable 
that  Prince  Alfred,  the  second  son  of  our  present  Queen,  will  be  created  the 
next  Duke  of  York. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  such  places  in  Yorkshire  as  have  been  the  capital 
residences  of  Barons  by  tenure,  or  by  writ  of  summons ;  or  have  given  tide 
to  Peers  created  such  by  letters  patent: — * 

Aske — B  Sir  Thomas  Dundas,  second  Baronet  hj  patent,  August  13,  1794.    Baron 

Dundas,  of  Aske. 
Beverley — M  James  Douglas,  second  Duke  of  Queensbuiy,  in  Scotland,  by  patent,  May 

26, 1708.    Extinct  on  the  decease  of  his  son,  1778. 
2  E  Algernon  Percy,  second  Baron  Louvaine  of  Alnwick,  by  patent,  November  2, 1700. 
Bingley— J3  Robert  Benson,  by  patent,  July  21, 1713.    Extinct  on  his  decease  in  1730. 
Bolton— B  Thomas  Orde,  by  patent,  October  20, 1707. 
Burlington— ^E  Bichard  Boyle,  second  Earl  of  Cork,  by  patent,  March  20, 1G04.    Extinct 

in  1735. 

*  B  ■tands  for  Btfon  i  V,  for  Viwoitnt ;  i9,  for  Duke  or  Duchcu ;  Jf,  for  If arqais ;  and  E,  far  Earl. 


GENERAL   HISTORY   OF   TORKSHIRE.  ^87 

Carleton — B  John  de  Bella  Aqua,  by  writ  of  stiinmons,  June  8,  tirenly-aeoo&d  of  Edward 
I.,  1294. 

2  B  Henry  Boyle,  by  patent,  October  20, 1714.    Died  in  1725,  when  the  tiUe  became 
extinct. 

3  B  Richard  Boyle,  second  Earl  of  Shannon,  by  patent,  August  6, 1786. 
dereland — E  Thomas  Wentworth,  fourth  Baron  Wentworth,  by  patent,  Febmaiy  5, 

1626.    Extinct  on  his  death,  1667. 
2  D  Barbara  Yilliers,  mistress  of  Charles  II.,  by  patent,  August  3,  1670.    Extinct 

1774. 
Cowiek— B  John  Christopher  Burton  Downay,  fifth  Viscount  Downe,  by  patent,  May  28, 

1796.    Baron  Bownay,  in  England. 
Craven — E  Viscount  Craven,  of  Uffington,  Berks.,  by  patent,  March  15, 1663. 
Danby — E  Henry  Danyers,  first  Lord  Danyers,  by  patent^  February  5, 1626.    Extinct 

on  his  death,  1643. 
2  E  Thomas  Osborne,  first  Viscount  Latimer,  l^  patent^  June  27, 1674. 
Boncaster — V  James  Hay,  first  Baron  Hay,  by  patent,  July  5, 1618.    Extinct  1660. 

2  E  James  Fitz  Boy  (assumed  the  name  of  Scot),  natural  son  of  Charlea  n.,  by 
patent,  Februaiy  14, 1663.    Beheaded  1685,  when  the  title  became  forfeited. 

3  E  Francis  Scot»  third  Earl  of  Dalkeith,  and  heir  to  the  last-mentioned  EarL    Be- 
stored  by  Act  of  Parliament,  March  23»  1743. 

Duncombe  Park — B  Charles  Duncombe,  by  patent,  July  14, 1826.    Baron  Feyersham, 

of  Duncombe  Park. 
Escrick — B  Thomas  Knyyet,  by  writ  of  summons,  July  4, 1607.    Extinct  at  his  death. 
2  B  Edward  Howard,  younger  son  of  the  Eail  of  Suffolk,  by  patent,  April  29, 1628w 
Baron  Howard,  of  Escrick.    Extinct  1714. 
Qisbume  Park— J3  Thomas  Lister,  hy  patent^  October  26, 1797.    Baron  Bibblesdale,  of 

Gisbume  Park. 
Halifikx— F  Sir  George  Savile,  Bart.,  by  patent,  January  13,  1668.    E  July  16, 1679. 
M  August  22, 1682.    Extinct  1700. 
2  B  Charles  Montague,  Vy  patent,  December  4, 1700.    E  October  14, 1714.    Extinct 
1772. 
HBiewood—B  Edwin  lAsceUes,  by  patent^  July  9, 1790.    Extinct  on  his  death  in  1795. 

2  B  Edward  I^scelles,  by  patent,  June  18, 1796.    E  September  7, 1812. 
Holdemess — 2  E  Odo,  Earl  of  Champagne.    Temp.  William  I. 

2  E  John  Bamsay,  first  Viscount  Haddington,  by  patent,  January  22, 1621.    Extinot 
on  his  death,  1625. 

3  E  Rupert,  Count  Palatine,  of  the  Bhine,  by  patent,  January  24, 1644.    Extinct  on 
his  death,  1682. 

4  E  Conyers  D'Arcy,  second  Baron  IVAroy,  by  patent,  December  5,  1682.    Extinet 
1778. 

Holme-in-Spalding-Moor— B  Marmaduke  Langdale,  by  potent,  Febmaiy  4, 1658.  Ex- 
tinct 1777. 

Kingston-upon-Hull— -£  Bobert  Pierrepont,  first  Viscount  Newark,  by  patent,  July  25, 
1628.     Extinct  1778. 

Kiyeton— B  Sir  Thomas  Osborne,  by  patent,  August  15, 1673. 

Leeds— D  Thomas  Osborne,  first  Marquis  of  Cannarthen,  by  patent,  May  4, 1694. 


S88  GENERAL  HI8T0BY   OF  Y0BK8HIBE. 

Lanesborongh— rB  Richard  Boyle,  seoond  Earl  of  Cork,  by  patent,  Norember  4, 166i. 

Baron  Clifford,  of  Lanesborough.    Extinct  1785. 
Leppington->-J3  Robert  Carey,  by  patent,  February  0, 1662.    Baron  Carey,  of  Lepping- 

ton.    Extinct  1661. 
Long  Loftns— J9  Charles  Tottenham  LoftiiB,  first  Marquis  of  Ely,  in  Ireland,  hj  patent, 

January  19, 1801. 
Malton— JB  Thomas  Wentworth,  by  patent,  May  28, 1728.    E  by  patent,  November  19, 

1784.    Extinct  1782. 
Markenfield—B  Fletcher  Norton,  by  patent,  April  9,  1782. 
Middleham — B  Ribald,  brother  to  Alan,  second  Earl  of  Brittany,  by  tenure.    Temp. 

William  I. 
Mulgrave— B  Constantino  John  Phipps,  second  Baron  MulgraTO  in  Ireland,  hj  patent, 

June  16, 1790.    His  brother  created  E  by  patent,  September  7, 1812. 
Normanby — V  Henry  Phipps,  third  Baron  Mulgrave,  by  patent,  September  7, 1812. 
Northallerton — V  George  Augustas,  Prince  Electoral  of  Hanover,  afterwards  George  n., 

by  patent,  November  9, 1706.    Merged  in  the  Crown  on  his  accession. 
Fontefraot — B  Ilbert  de  Lacy,  by  tenure.    Temp.  WiUiam  I. 
2  B  John  Savile,  by  patent,  July  21,  1682.    Baron  Savile,  of  Pontefract    Extinct 

1671. 
8  B  George  Fitz  Roy,  natural  son  of  Charles  n.,  hy  patent,  October  1, 1674.    Extinct 

on  his  death,  1716. 
4  E  Thomas  Fermor,  second  Baron  Lempster,  by  patent,  December  27, 1721. 
Bavensworth — B  Bardolph,  Baron  Htzhugh,  by  tenure.    Temp.  William  L 
Bawdon — B  Honourable  Fhuids  Rawdon,  by  patent,  March  6, 1788.    E  by  patent,  De- 
cember 7, 1816. 
Richmond — E  Alan  Fergaunt,  Earl  of  Brittany,  created  by  William  I.  for  his  services  at 

the  battle  of  Hastings.    Extinct  1586. 
2  D  Ludovick  Stuart,  second  Duke  of  Lennox,  by  patent,  May  17, 1628.    Extinct  on 

his  death,  1624. 
8  D  James  Stuart,  second  Earl  of  March,  hy  patent,  August  8, 1641.    Extinct  1672. 
4  D  Charles  Lennox,  natural  son  of  Charles  n.,  by  potent,  August  9, 1675. 
Ripon— B  James  Doug^,  second  Duke  of  Queensbniy,  in  Scotland,  hy  patent.  May  26, 

1708.    Extinct  1778. 
Ross — B  Peter  de  Roos,  by  tenure.    Temp.  Henry  L 
Rotherfleld— £  Robert  de  Grey,  younger  son  of  Henry  I.,  by  tenure. 
Sandbeck — V  James  Saunderson,  first  Baron  Saunderson,  by  patent,  1716.    E  1720. 

Extinet  on  his  decease,  1728. 
Scarborough— £  Richard  Lumley,  first  Viscount  Lumley,  by  potent,  ApxH  16, 1690. 
Setrington — B  Charles  Lennox,  natural  son  of  Charles  n.,  by  patent,  August  9, 1675. 
Sheffield— B  John  Baker  Hohroyd,  first  Baron  Sheffield,  by  patent,  July  29, 1802. 
Stittenham — B  Sir  John  Leveson  Gower,  fifth  Baronet,  by  patent,  March  16,  1708. 

Baron  Gower,  of  Stittenham. 
Skelton — B  Robert  Bruce,  second  Earl  of  Elgin,  in  Scotland,  by  patent,  March  18, 1664. 

Extinct  at  his  death. 
Tadcaster— F  Henry  O'Bxyen,  Earl  of  Thomond,  in  Ireland,  by  patent,  October  19, 

1714.    Extinct  on  his  death,  in  1741 . 


HISTORY  OF  THE   CITY  OF  YORK.  289 

2  B  WiUiarn  O'Bryen,  by  patent,  July  3, 1826. 
Towton— B  Sir  Edward  Hawke,  by  patent,  May  20, 1776,    Baron  Hawke,  of  Towton. 
Waith— B  Thomas  Wentworth,  by  patent,  November  19,  1734.    Extinct  1782. 
Wakefield — E  Bobert  Eer,  son  of  John,  first  Dnke  of  Roxbuigh,  in  Scotland,  by  patent, 

May  24,  1772.    Extinct  1804. 
Wentworth  Wood  House — B  Sir  Thomas  Wentworth,  second  Baronet  by  patent,  July 

22, 1628.     V  by  patent,  December  10,  1628.    Extinct  1695. 
Whamdiffe — B  James  Archibald  Stuart  Wortley  Mackenzie,  by  patent,  July  12, 1826. 
Whorlton — B  Thomas  Bruce,  first  Earl  of  Elgin,  in  Scotland,  by  patent,  August  1, 1641. 
Wortley— J?  Mary,  daughter  of  Edward  Wortley  Montague,  by  patent,  April  3,  1761. 

Baroness  Mount  Stuart,  of  Wortley. 
TanuQ — B  Sir  Thomas  Bellasyse,  sdcond  Baronet,  by  patent,  May  25,  1627.     Baron 

Fauconbei^,  of  Yarum.    Extinct  1815. 


®]^t  Cilg  ai  gnrk. 


The  origin  of  the  fine  old  city  of  Eboracum,  or  York — in  point  of  dignity 
the  second  city  in  the  empire — and  the  etymology  of  its  name,  are  equally 
involyed  in  the  obscurity  of  upwards  of  twelve  centuries.  In  Nennius'  cata- 
logue it  is  called  Caer,*  or  Kaer  Ebratu:,  or  the  City  of  Ebraucus,  and  is  the 
first  of  that  list  of  cities.  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth,  Bishop  of  St.  Asaph,  a 
chronicler  of  the  12th  centuiy,  tells  us  that  it  was  founded  by  Ebraucus,  the 
son  of  Mempricius,  a  British  King,  the  third  from  Brute,  in  the  year  of  the 
world  2988,  about  the  time  when  David  reigned  in  Judea,  and  Gad,  Nathan, 
and  Asaph  prophesied  in  Israel.  It  is  also  affirmed,  chiefly  on  the  same  au- 
thority, that  Ebraucus  also  built  Aclud,  supposed  by  some  to  be  Aldborough, 
and  by  others  Carlisle,  as  well  as  Mount  Agnea,  the  capital  of  Scotiand ;  that 
he  reigned  sixty  years,  and  had  twenty  wives,  by  whom  he  had  twenty  sons 
and  thirty  daughters ;  and  that  he  died  at  York,  and  was  buried  in  a  temple 
dedicated  to  the  goddess  Diana,  which  he  had  erected  on  the  spot  where  now 
stands  the  ancient  church  of  St.  Helen,  in  St  Helen's  Square.f 

Though  this  story  of  King  Ebraucus,  his  cities,  his  children,  and  his  wives, 
has  been  repeated  by  several  antiquarians,  yet  the  whole  account  is  littie  re- 
garded at  the  present  day,  and  is  generally  believed  to  have  long  since  passed 

•  Nennius,  Abbot  of  Bangor,  wrote  a  Histoxy  of  the  Britons  in  aj>.  620,  which  was 
published  by  Gale.    Caer  or  Kaer  is  a  British  word,  signifying  seat  or  city. 

f  Gent  says  that  tradition  assures  us  that  the  llinster  was  built  on  the  site  of  this 
temple. 

2  P 


290  HISTORY   OF   THE   CITT   OF   TOBK. 

into  the  long  catalogue  of  exploded  errors,  to  which  the  ignorance  or  the 
credulity  of  every  age  makes  some  addition.  According  to  Humphrey  Llwyd, 
the  learned  Welsh  antiquary,  York  is  identified  with  the  city  termed  hy  the 
Britons  Ccier-Effroc ;  and  among  the  towns  of  the  Brigantes  mentioned  hy 
Ptolemy  with  the  Ehoracum  of  the  Romans.  Another  writer  coi\jecture8 
that  a  colony  of  Gauls,  which  were  driven  hy  the  Romans  from  Spain  and 
Portugal,  had  seated  themselves  here  in  Mid-England,  and  made  their  chief 
station  at  York,  to  which  they  gave  the  name  of  Ehoracum,  from  Ehora,  a 
town  in  Portugal,  or  Ebura,  in  Andalusia.*  The  plain  fAct  appears  to  have 
been,  that  the  locality  where  York  now  stands,  was  called  by  the  ancient 
Britons  Kaer,  and  that  in  all  probability  it  was  as  thickly  inhabited  as  any 
other  part  of  the  island.  And  with  respect  to  its  general  appearance,  we 
suppose  that  it  resembled  the  other  fortresses  or  stations  of  the  numerous 
tribes  that  inhabited  the  country.  Caesar  tells  us  in  his  Comtnentaries,  that 
when  he  came  to  Britain,  the  builders  knew  nothing  of  building  with  stone, 
but  called  that  a  town  which  had  a  thick  entangled  wood,  defended  with  a 
ditch  and  bank  about  it. 

The  Romans  called  this  city  Ehoracum  or  Eburacum,  but  its  present  ap- 
pellation, York,  has  given  rise  to  much  discussion,  and  a  variety  of  coi^ecture 
prevails  upon  the  subject.  Leland  and  Camden  are  of  opinion  that  the  river 
Ouse  was  anciently  called  UrCf  Eure,  or  Youre  (but  this  point  is  not  clearly 
established),  and  that  the  Saxons  added  the  termination  wic.  According 
to  the  author  of  "Restitution  of  Decayed  Intelligence  in  Antiquities, "f 
the  city  of  York  was  called  Caer-Efroc  by  the  ancient  Britons,  but  its 
appellation  was  changed  by  the  Saxons  to  Ever-wyk,  from  the  words  ever  or 
eber  a  vnld  boar,  and  wye  a  place  of  refuge  or  retreat.  Its  present  name,  he 
says,  is  obviously  derived  from  Everwic,  which  by  vulgar  abbreviation  became 
Voric  and  lastiy  York.  If  it  could  be  proved  that  the  river  had  formerly 
retained  the  name  of  Eure  as  low  as  the  city,  it  would  appear  almost  un- 
questionable that  the  name  was  derived  from  Eurewic,  a  place  of  retreat  or 
strength  on  the  Eure;  and  the  same  might  in  popular  pronunciation  be 
readily  corrupted  to  that  of  York.  Worsae,  the  learned  author  of  "The 
Danes  and  Northmen  in  Britain,"  gives  the  following  derivation  of  the  name 
York : — "  The  Briton  called  York,  Caer  Eabhroig  or  Eabhroic ;  the  Anglo- 
Saxons,  Eoforwic ;  and  the  Danes,  Jorvik ;  whence  it  is  plain  that  the  form 
York  now  in  use  is  derived." 

In  Domesday  Book  this  city  is  called,  Civitas  Eborum,  and  Eurwk. 

*  Sir  Thomas  Widdriogton's  MSS.        f  Page  UO. 


HI8T0BT   OF  THE   CITT   OF  YORK.  291 

Alcium,  a  celebrated  scholar  in  his  time,  and  a  native  of  York,  writing  near 
a  thousand  years  ago,  says,  that  the  city  was  built  by  the  Romans ;  and  he 
has  left  his  testinony  in  Latin  verse,  of  which  the  following  is  a  translation ; 

This  city,  first,  by  Roman  hand  was  form'd, 
With  lofty  towers  and  high  built  walls  adom'd ; 
It  gave  their  leaders  a  secure  repose, 
fiononr  to  th'  empire,  terror  to  their  foes. 

Drake  is  of  opinion  that  York  was  founded  by  the  Romans.  "  It  is  probable 
to  me,'*  writes  he,  "  that  this  city  was  first  planned  and  fortified  by  Agricola, 
about  A.D.  80,  whose  conquests  in  the  island  stretched  beyond  York ;  and 
that  that  General  built  here  a  fortress  to  guard  the  frontiers  after  his  return." 
The  early  importance  of  the  city  must  unquestionably  be  attributed  to  the 
Romans,  who  made  it  the  metropolis  of  their  empire  in  Britain.  The  builders 
of  the  city  were  probably  the  Roman  soldiers  themselves,  who  were  accom- 
plished masons,  being  trained  to  use  the  pick-axe,  spade,  and  trowel,  as  well 
as  military  arms.  They  called  this  city  Civitas  Brigantium,  (the  title  of 
eivUas  applied  to  Rome  itself),  as  well  as  Eboracum  or  Eburacum. 

The  resemblance  which  York  bore  to  the  form  of  ancient  Rome  is  rather 
remarkable.  Fabius's  plan  of  Rome  represents  it  in  the  form  of  a  bow,  of 
which  the  Tiber  was  the  string,  as  the  Ouse  may  be  said  to  be  the  bow-string 
of  York.  Like  Rome,  Eboracum,  although  entirely  a  military  colony,  seems 
to  have  been  governed  both  by  military  and  municipal  laws,  for  the  Em- 
perors themselves  sometimes  sat  in  person  in  the  Prsetorium,  and  firom  this 
chief  tribunal  gave  laws  to  the  whole  empire.  York,  therefore,  may  be  re- 
garded as  the  picture  of  Rome  in  miniature,  and  as  possessing  a  just  claim  to 
the  tides  of  '*  Brittanici  Orbis,  Roma  Altera,  Palatium  OurisB,  and  Preotorium 
Cssaris,"  with  which  it  is  dignified  by  Alcuin.* 

"From  the  circumstance  of  the  Ebor,  now  called  the  Ouse,  running  directly 
through  the  city,"  says  AUen,  "  York  was  more  capable  of  augmenting  its 
commercial  concerns  than  Isurium,  which  was  situated  near  the  river  Ure ; 
and  also  of  fumbhing  the  Romans,  who  were  peculiarly  partial  to  their  hot 
and  cold  baths,  with  an  ample  supply  of  water.  Here  then,  doubtless,  was 
the  cause  of  preference ;  and  hence  it  might  receive  a  name  indicative  of  its 
situation ;  for  although  Urica  and  York  are  not  exactly  the  same,  if  we  recol- 
lect the  Romans  were  succeeded  by  the  Saxons,  the  difference  may  be  purely 
dialectic.**! 

When  the  Emperor  Hadrian  came  into  this  island  in  a.d.  124,  he  took  up 

*  Alcuin  Ap.  Leland  Coll.  0.        f  Hist.  Yorks.,  Book  iiL,  p.  4. 


292  HISTOBY   OF   THE    CITY   OF  YORK. 

his  station  at  York.  The  Emperor  Seyenis  lived  and  held  his  court  in  the 
Prsetorium  Palace  of  this  city  for  more  thmi  three  years,  while  his  son  was 
in  the  north  superintending  the  completion  of  the  great  wall ;  and  he  died 
here  on  the  5th  of  Fehruarj,  211.  (See  page  57.)  A  rescript  of  law  is  still 
preserved  in  the  Roman  code,  issued  hj  this  Emperor  from  Eboracum,  on 
the  drd  of  the  Nones  of  May,  in  the  Consulate  of  Fustinus  and  Rufiis,  cor- 
responding to  the  year  211,  relating  to  the  recovery  of  the  "right  of  possession 
of  servants  or  slaves. 

Drake  tells  us  that  at  that  period  this  city  shone  forth  with  meridian 
splendour;  and  that  the  concourse  of  tributary  Kings,  of  foreign  ambassa- 
dors, and  Roman  nobles,  which  crowded  the  courts  of  the  Sovereigns  of  the 
world  when  the  Roman  empire  was  in  its  prime,  elevated  Eboracum  to  the 
height  of  sublunary  grandeur. 

There  was  a  temple  dedicated  to  Bellona,  the  goddess. of  war,  erected  at 
York  before  the  time  of  Severus ;  and  after  that  monarch  returned  from  his 
northern  conquest,  and  sought  a  temple  to  sacrifice  to  the  Gods  who  had 
crowned  him  with  success,  he  was  led  by  an  ignorant  soothsayer  to  it,  and 
this  was  looked  upon  as  a  presage  to  his  death.  This  temple  is  supposed 
to  have  stood  without  Bootham  Bar,  near  the  ruins  of  St.  Mary's  Abb^. 
Before  the  temple  stood  a  small  column,  called  the  martial  pillar,  whence 
a  spear  was  thrown  when  war  was  declared  against  an  enemy.  It  may 
here  be  observed  that  temples  dedicated  to  Bellona,  who  was  the  sister  of 
Mars,  were  not  allowed  to  be  erected,  except  in  Rome  or  in  the  principal 
cities  of  the  Empire. 

In  the  next  century  Carausius  caused  himself  to  be  proclaimed  Emperor 
at  York.  Constantius  or  Constantine  Chlorus,  another  Roman  Emperor, 
held  his  court  for  some  time  in  the  imperial  palace  at  York,  and  died 
there  in  July,  a.d.  306.  His  son  and  successor,  Constantine  the  Great, 
has  been  erroneously  believed  by  many  writers  to  have  been  bom  at  York. 
The  precise  place  of  the  birth  of  Constantine  is  described  by  an  ancient 
writer  to  be  '*Patema  in  Eboracensi  civitate."  Hence  probably  the  tra- 
dition that  the  first  Christian  Emperor  was  a  native  of  this  city.  However 
that  may  have  been,  it  is  quite  certain  that  he  received  the  commands 
of  his  dying  father  at  York,  and  that  immediately  after  the  death  of  Con- 
stantius, he  was  proclaimed  Emperor  by  the  army,  and  his  inauguration 
took  place  there.  (See  page  60.)  This  ancient  residence  of  the  "  Lords  of 
the  Universe"  began  to  decline  after  the  departure  of  Constantine,  and 
in  the  reign  of  Theodosius  the  Younger,  Rome  and  York  both  declined 
together. 


HISTORY   OF  THE   CITY   OF  YORK.  293 

BoMAK  Remains. — ^Of  the  splendour  of  the  city  daring  its  occupation  hy 
the  Bomans,  many  yestiges  have  been  discovered,  and  various  remains  of 
Boman  architecture  have  been  found ;  though,  considering  the  long  residence 
of  that  people  here,  these  antiquities  are  less  numerous  than  might  have  been 
supposed,  if  we  did  not,  as  Baines  says,  "  take  into  consideration  that  fire, 
sword,  ignorance,  and  superstition,  have  all  contributed  their  assistance  to 
the  devouring  hand  of  time,  to  erase  the  monuments  which  the  imperial 
power  had  served  to  erect."  "  It  may  seem  strange,"  continues  the  same 
writer,  in  his  Gazetteer  of  Yorkshire,  published  in  1823,  **  that  we  have  not 
to  show  any  temples,  amphitheatres,  or  palaces,  whose  edifices  must  once 
have  made  Eboracum  shine  with  distinguished  lustre ;  but  the  wonder  will 
cease  when  in  the  following  pages  we  trace  such  horrid  destruction  of  every- 
thing both  sacred  and  profane.  To  our  Christian  ancestors  we  owe  much  of 
this  destruction ;  their  holy  zeal  rendered  them  anxious  to  eradicate  every 
vestige  of  paganism;  and  the  Boman  altars  and  votive  monuments  were 
naturally  enough  consigned  to  destruction  under  their  Gothic  hands." 

Mr.  Drake,  in  the  appendix  to  his  Eboracum,  gives  a  catalogue  of  the  coins, 
as  well  as  many  other  Boman  antiquities,  found  in  York.  Dr.  Langwith 
sent  Drake  a  catalogue  of  Boman  coins  from  Augustus  down  to  Gratianus, 
124  different  sorts,  all  found  in  York.  They  fure  chiefly  of  the  Lower  Em- 
pire; and  amongst  them  Geta^s  are  the  most  common  of  any.  A  great 
quantify  of  signets,  fibula,  urns,  and  sarcophagi  have  been  dug  up  and  re- 
covered here  through  a  period  of  fifteen  centuries.  Camden,  Burton,  Drake, 
Thoresby,  and  other  antiquaries,  have  described  some  of  the  most  remarkable 
of  them. 

Almost  all  the  memorials  of  the  Bomans,  which  have  presented  themselves 
in  this  city,  have  been  found  by  digging ;  few  of  them  have  been  discovered 
above  ground ;  so  that  it  may  be  justly  said  that  modem  York  stands  upon 
ancient  Eboracum. 

A  part  of  a  tower  and  wall  are  yet  standing  in  York,  which  are  undoubt- 
edly of  Boman  erection.  This  building  is  now  known  as  the  Multangular 
Tower,  and  the  wall  which  leads  from  it  towards  Bootham  Bar.  This  tower 
and  wall  will  be  fully  described  at  a  subsequent  page  of  this  volume. 

When  digging  in  the  north  aisle  of  the  church  of  St  Cuthbert,  and  also 
on  the  north  side  of  the  churchyard,  there  have  often  been  found  Boman  tiles 
and  several  fragments  of  sepulchral  antiquities.  In  some  parts  have  also 
been  discovered,  at  the  depth  of  five  feet,  quantities  of  ashes  and  charcoal, 
intermixed  with  human  bones  and  broken  urns,  paterae,  &c.  On  the  sepul- 
chral tiles,  which  have  been  dug  up  here,  was  stamped  Leo  IX.  Hisp.     The 


d94  HISTORY   OF  TBE   CITY   OF  YOBK. 

foundations  of  a  very  strong  wall  Irave  likewise  been  traced  in  this  churchyard, 
in  the  direction  from  S.S.E.  to  N.N.W.  This  wall  appears  to  be  remains  of 
a  Eoman  or  some  very  ancient  building. 

Nearly  two  centuries  ago  a  theca  or  repository  for  urns  of  a  Roman  family 
was  dug  up  here,  but  it  was  so  little  regarded  at  York,  that  in  time  it  found 
its  way  to  Hull,  where  it  served  as  a  trough  for  watering  horses  at  a  public 
inn !  The  inscription  was  partly  obliterated,  but  it  amounted  to  this — ^That 
Marcus  Verecundus  Diogenes,  a  native  of  Berri,  in  Grascoigny,  and  a  sevir 
or  magistrate  of  the  Roman  colony  at  York,  died  there ;  who,  while  living, 
made  this  monument  for  himself.  The  size  of  the  sepulchral  monument  was 
yery  large,  being  six  feet  long  and  three  feet  deep,  and  the  stone  was  of  a  mill- 
stone grit  In  digging  the  foundation  of  a  house  on  Bishop-hill  the  Elder,  in 
1688,  a  small  but  elegant  altar,  with  figures  in  basso  relievo  of  sacrificing 
instruments,  &c.,  on  the  side,  was  found,  which  was  presented  to  Charles  I., 
when  at  York,  by  Sir  Ferdinando  Fairfiax.  The  altar  bears  a  heathen  in- 
scription, which  may  be  thus  translated. — "  To  the  great  and  mighty  Jupiter, 
and  to  all  gods  and  goddesses,  household  and  peculiar,  PubUm  AeUus  Mar- 
cianusy  prefect  of  cohurt,  for  the  preservation  of  his  own  health  and  that  of 
his  family,  dedicated  this  altar  to  the  great  preserver."  The  King  ordered 
this  interesting  relic  to  be  conveyed  to  the  Manor  House,  where  it  remained 
some  time;  but  Sur  Thomas  Widdrington,  who  resided  at  Lendal,  after- 
wards had  it  in  his  possession;  and  it  was  lastiy  seen  at  the  house  of 
Lord  Thomas  Fairfax,  in  York,  where  it  remained  till  the  desertion  of  the 
house  by  hi^  son-in-law,  the  Duke  of  Buckingham,  since  which  time  no 
trace  of  it  can  be  discovered.  This  is  the  earliest  recorded  discovery  of  a 
Roman  altar  at  York. 

In  1688  a  very  curious  sepulchral  monument  was  dug  up  in  Trinity- 
Gardens,  near  Micklegate.  The  stone,  which  is  almost  six  feet  high  and  two 
feet  broad  and  angular  in  form  at  the  top,  has  carved  upon  it  the  figure  of  a 
Roman  Signifer  or  Standard-bearer,  standing  in  an  arched  recess,  having  in 
his  right  hand  the  Signum  or  Standard  of  a  cohort,  and  in  his  left,  probably, 
the  vessel  used  in  measuring  the  com,  which  was  a  part  of  Roman  soldiers* 
pay.    Near  the  bottom  is  the  following  inscription  :-^ 

L'DVCCIVS 

L*V0LTFRVFFI 

NVB'VIEN 

SIGNIF'LEG'VIIII 

AN'XXIIX 

H'S'E 


H18T0BY  OF  THE    CITY  OF  YORK.  395 

which  Horsley  reads  thus:  Lucius  Duccius  Lucii  Voltima  (Tribu)  fiilius 
Ruffinus  Viennensis  signifer  Legionis  nonee  annonim  viginti  octo,  hie  situs 
est.  i.  e.  Lucius  Diiccius  Ruffinus,  son  of  Lucius,  of  the  Voltinian  tribe,  of 
Vienna,  standard-bearer  of  the  Ninth  Legion,  aged  twenty-eight,  is  placed 
(buried)  here. 

This  remarkable  relic  was  saved  by  Bryan  Fairfax,  Esq.,  from  demolition 
by  the  workmen  who  had  broken  it  in  the  middle,  and  were  about  to  make 
use  of  it  in  a  stone-wall  which  they  were  erecting.  It  was  afterwards  re- 
moved to  Ribstone  Hall,  near  Wetherby,  by  Sir  Henry  Goodrick,  who  first 
placed  it  in  his  own  garden,  and  subsequently  removed  it  to  a  more  appro- 
priate situation  in  the  chapel  yard.  It  is  now  in  the  Museum  of  the  York- 
shire Philosophical  Society,  having  been  presented  by  J.  Dent,  Esq.,  of 
Ribstone. 

We  are  told  by  Mr.  Drake  that  on  the  removal  of  a  house  in  Friars*  Gar> 
dens,  near  Toft  Green,  in  the  month  of  August,  1770,  part  of  the  foundation 
of  a  temple  of  Roman  brick-work  was  found  about  two  feet  beneath  the 
snr&ce  of  the  earth.  It  was  so  firmly  cemented  by  the  mortar  peculiar  to 
Roman  edifices,  as  to  resist  the  stroke  of  a  pick-axe,  and  its  form  was  semi- 
circular ;  the  other  part  being,  as  he  supposed,  under  an  adjoining  dwelling. 
Upon  or  near  to  this  foundation  was  discovered  a  dedicatory  tablet  of  grit 
stone,  three  feet  long,  two  feet  one  inch  broad,  and  seven  inches  thick,  bearing 
the  following  inscription,  and  some  curious  emblematic  carved  work  in  very 
fine  preservation : — 

DEO-SANCTO 

SERAPI 

TEMPLVIC-ASO 

LO'FECIT 

GL'HIERONY 

MIAKVS'LEO 

LEO'VI'VIO. 

This  inscription  denotes  that  "  Claudius  Hieronymianus,  Legate  or  Lieu- 
tenant of  the  Sixth  Legion  Victorious,  had  erected  from  the  foundations  a 
temple  to  the  Holy  God  Serapis.'i'  There  is  no  doubt  that  this  tablet  had 
been  fixed  in  the  front  of  that  temple,  and  it  was  long  supposed  that  the 

•  Serapis  was  a  great  Egyptian  deity,  known  by  the  three  names  of  Osiris,  Apis,  and 
Serapis.  Memphis,  Alexandria,  Canopns,  and  Athens,  had  each  a  magnificent  temple 
dedicated  to  this  idol,  and  his  worship  was  introduced  also  at  Bome,  1^  the  Emperor 
Antoninus  Pins,  aj).  146.;  thence  no  doubt  it  had  been  brought  into  this  oountiy  by 


396  HISTORY   OF  THE   CITY   OF   YORK. 

temple  itself  stood  on  the  spot  where  the  foundations  and  the  tahlet  were 
found — ^namelj,  the  end  of  Tanner-row,  near  the  spot  now  occupied  hj  the 
entrance  to  the  North  Eastern  Railway  Station.  Nothing  more  was  dis- 
covered to  further  develope  the  site  of  the  Temple  of  Serapis  till  the  year 
1887,  when  the  excavations  were  commenced  for  the  York  and  North  Mid- 
land Railway  (now  called  the  North  Eastern)  Station.  At  the  h^inning 
of  these  excavations  Mr.  Hargrove,  the  author  of  the  History  of  York,  feeling 
anxious  to  watch  and  keep  an  account  of  every  discovery  of  the  remains  of 
other  times,  attended  near  the  workmen  early  and  late,  and  after  having 
secured  many  valuable  Roman  relics,  had  the  satisfaction  to  find  and  pre- 
serve a  beautiful  tesselated  pavement,  in  the  centre  of  which  was  the  repre- 
sentation of  a  singular  figure,  the  fore  part  of  which  pourtrayed  the  bead, 
body,  and  forelegs  of  an  ox,  the  hind  part  representing  the  twisted  tail  of  a 
large  fish."^  This  interesting  discovery  at  once  removed  every  doubt  respecting 
the  temple  of  Serapis.  The  blending  of  the  worship  of  two  gods  in  one 
temple  was  no  uncommon  occurrence  amongst  the  idolatrous  nations,  and 
here  was  evidently  a  blending  of  two  heathen  deities — Serapis,  the  God  of 
Agriculture,  and  Neptune,  the  God  of  the  Sea — the  inference  being  exhibited 
in  the  position  of  each  representation. 

The  remains  of  foundations  of  an  oblong  room,  in  which  this  pavement 
was  found,  were  evident;  the  breadth  of  which  was  twelve  feet,  but  the  length 
could  not  be  so  clearly  ascertained.  At  the  north  end  was  a  large  raised 
stone,  forming  a  sort  of  table  or  altar,  which  was  preserved.  A  passage  at 
the  south-west  side  of  the  room  evidently  led  to  the  public  baths  behind. 
In  an  account  of  similar  temples  at  Thebes,  and  other  places,  it  is  stated  that 
there  is  always  observable  a  small  oblong  room,  which  was  the  adytum  or 
sanctuary,  i.  e.,  the  apartment  which  contained  the  figure  of  the  deity,  and 
in  which  the  priests  performed  those  sacrifices  and  other  rites,  which  were 
not  meant  for  the  public  gaze.  Its  dimensions  were  very  insignificant,  but 
it  was  always  surrounded  by  stupendous  erections  of  various  kinds,  col- 
onnades, courts,  &c.,  with  apartments  for  the  abode  of  the  priests. 

The  room  and  pavement  of  the  temple  of  Serapis  were  found  opposite 

the  Bomans,  and  thus  had  occasioned  the  erection  of  a  temple  sacred  to  it  in  the  then 
splendid  city  of  Eboracnm.  Mr.  Pegge  refers  the  inscription  on  this  tablet  to  the  time 
of  Hadrian  or  earlier;  and  adds  that  several  coins  of  Nerva,  Trajan,  and  Hadrian,  were 
found  along  with  it  This  cnrions  memorial  of  Boman  idolatiy,  is  now  in  the  Yorkshire 
Museum. 

«  A  plate  of  this  curious  pavement,  from  a  drawing  by  Mr.  Wm.  Wallace  Hatgrove, 
has  been  published. 


HISTOBT  OF  THB   CITT   OF  YOBK.  397 

to  Barker  Lane,  which  is  some  distance  up  the  street  of  Tanner  Row,  and 
nearly  opposite  to  Trinity  Church ;  and  the  remains  of  Roman  foundations 
which  Mr.  Hargroye  afterwards  discoyered  and  measured,  as  well  as  sub- 
sequent discoyeries  nearer  to  Micklegate  Bar,  proye  beyond  a  doubt  that  the 
temple  had  been  yery  eztensiye ;  occupying  the  higher  part  of  the  ground 
where  Tanner  Row  had  been  built  in  subsequent  times,  and  ranging  with  its 
outbuildings  from  the  bar  to  the  place  where  the  payement  aboye-described 
was  found.  It  is  possible  that  the  fragment  found  in  1770  may  haye  been  a 
part  of  the  temple  of  Serapis,  but  it  was  a  yery  tnjQing  portion  comparatiyely 
speaking. 

In  1814  a  Roman  tesselated  payement  was  found  close  to  the  rampart 
near  Micklegate  Bar,  and  another  elegant  floor  of  this  beautiful  Mosaic  work 
was  found  in  1853,  towards  the  upper  part  of  Tanner  Row.*  Mr.  Hargroye 
thinks  it  highly  probable  that  these  payements  had  been  connected  with  the 
temple  or  its  appendages,  for  the  remains  of  the  public  baths  which  were 
afterwards  found  were  between  the  temple  and  the  Bar  waUs.-|- 

In  escayating  for  a  cellar  in  Ousegate,  not  far  from  what  Mr.  Wellbeloyed 
Sttj^poaes  to  be  the  south-east  angle  of  the  wall  of  ancient  Eboracum,  a  frag« 
ment  of  a  dedicatory  Roman  tablet  was  found,  and  is  now  in  the  Museum. 
The  edifice  to  which  it  was  affixed  appears  to  haye  been  dedicated  to  the 
deities  of  Augustus,  and  to  a  goddess  whose  name  or  title  is  lost.  Of  the 
name  of  the  person  who  erected  the  temple,  the  termination  SIVS  only 
remains. 

NyMIMIB  AyO  ET  ]>£▲£  loy... 
SiyS  AEDEM  FBO  PASTE  D... 

At  the  same  time,  and  in  the  same  place,  was  discoyered  a  fragment  of  a 
tablet,  which  recorded  the  restoration  of  a  temple,  dedicated  to  Hercules, 
probably  by  one  Titus  Perpetuus.    The  remains  of  the  inscription 

HERCyXi*  •  • . 

TTEBPET... 

AETEB.. 

SByB.. 


In  the  year  1716  a  curious  antique  busty  fiye  inches  high  by  four  in 

•  These  two  payemeiits  will  be  deaeribed  at  a  sabgequent  page. 

f  The  paEfement  reaeaed  1^  Mr.  Hargrove-^and  to  whose  kindneaa  we  are  indebted 
for  the  fongoiiig  deeeiiptaon  of  it— 4ogether  with  the  other  aatiqae  remains  with  whieh 
his  labour  and  attention  to  the  aboye-mentioned  exeayationa  have  been  repaid ;  as  well 

d  Q 


998  HISTORY   OF  THE   CITT  OF  TORK. 

breadth,  representing  the  head  of  a  beautiful  female,  was  found  in  digging  a 
cellar  near  the  ruins  of  St.  Mary's  Abbey.  Gale,  the  antiquary,  finding  it 
bore  the  marks  of  Roman  origin,  and  knowing  that  the  Bomans  had  not  any 
goddess  in  their  system  of  theology,  supposed  it  had  been  designed  to  represent 
the  head  of  Lucretia,  the  Roman  matron,  whose  wrongs  expelled  the  Tarquins. 

In  Clifton  fields,  without  Bootham  Bar,  several  sarcopha§^,  or  stone  tombs, 
and  a  great  quantity  of  urns  of  different  colours  and  sizes,  have  been  found. 
Amongst  them  were  two  coffins,  dug  up  in  March,  1813,  each  containing  a 
skeleton  entire,  with  the  teeth — ^the  most  imperishable  part  of  man  when 
dead,  and  the  most  liable  to  decay  when  living — completely  perfect.  Theee 
two  last^mentioned  tombs  or  coffins,  which  are  unusually  large,  measuring 
seven  feet  four  inches  in  length,  two  feet  three  inches  in  breadth,  and  one  foot 
ten  inches  in  depth,  and  of  thick  light-coloured  grit,  are  now  in  the  north 
aisle  of  the  choir  of  the  Cathedral.  Each  coffin  is  covered  with  a  lid,  curi- 
ously made  in  the  form  of  the  roof  of  a  modem  dwelling  house.'^  The  field 
in  which  they  were  discovered  is  nearly  opposite  to  Burton  Stone,  at  Clifton, 
in  which  neighbourhood  the  principal  burial-place  of  the  Romans,  who  for- 
merly inhabited  this  cit^,  was  situated.  Campus  Martus,  anciently,  mthout 
the  cit^  of  Rome,  was  the  place  where  the  funersl  piles  were  lighted  to  con- 
sume the  deceased  Romans,  and  the  presumption  is  that  Clifton  fields  formed 
the  Campus  Martus  of  Eboracum.  In  Drake's  Antiquities,  Bootham  Bar  is 
mentioned  as  being  the  gate  which  led  to  some  grand  depository  of  their  dead 
near  CHfton  village. 

The  various  sepulchral  remains  have  principally  been  found  near  Mickle- 
gate  and  Bootham  Bars,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  which  respectively  ran  the 

as  a  large  oollection  of  other  objects  of  interest  which  he  had  during  twenty  preceding 
years  collected  in  York,  have  been  transferred  to  the  Musenm  of  the  Yorkshire  Philo- 
sophical Society,  of  which  he  is  a  member.  A  minute  description  of  his  whole  oolleotion 
by  himself  would  be  interesting. 

•  Sepulchral  chests  made  of  stone  are  much  more  rare  in  Boman  bnrial-plaoes  tliflii 
those  £6rmed  of  tiles.  They  are  generally  veiy  massive,  formed  out  of  a  soUd  stone,  and 
covered  with  a  roof-shaped  or  flat  lid.  Massive  chests  or  sarcophagi  of  this  description 
appear,  ttom  their  forms  and  inscriptions,  to  have  stood  above  ground,  and  they  present 
a  very  peculiar  mode  of  sepulture.  After  the  body  had  been  laid,  apparently  in  ftill 
dress,  on  its  back  at  the  bottom  of  the  sarcophagus,  liquid  lime  was  poured  in  until  the 
whole  of  the  body  was  covered,  except  the  face.  This  becoming  hard  has  preserved  to 
a  certain  degree  an  impression  of  the  form  of  the  body,  of  which  the  skeleton  is  often 
found  entire.  Several  fine  examples  of  this  mode  of  sepulture  may  be  seen  in  the 
grounds  and  Museum  of  the  Yorkshire  Philosophical  Society.  It  is  remarkable  that  the 
Boman  tombs  with  interments  of  this  description  found  at  York,  generally  contained  the 
remains  of  ladies. 


HISTORY   OP  THE   CITY   OF  YORK.  899 

old  Roman  roads  to  Calcarea  (Tadcaster)  and  Isurinm  (Aldborough).  "  These 
were  probably  therefore  the  principal  cemeteries  of  Eboracum,"  writes  the 
editor  of  York  and  its  Vi4dnity,  **  the  Romans  •invariably  choosing  the  way- 
side of  the  principal  thoroughfares^  beyond  the  walls  of  their  cities,  for  the 
burial  of  their  dead." 

About  the  year  1784  a  small  figure  of  a  penats,  or  household  god  (Saturn), 
was  found  by  a  person  digging  for  a  cellar  in  Walmgate ;  the  composition  of 
which  the  image  is  formed  is  a  mixture  of  metal,  and  the  workmanship  ex- 
hibits all  the  elegance  of  a  Roman  mould. 

About  the  year  1740  two  very  curious  Roman  urns  were  dug  up  near  the 
Mount  without  Micklegate  Bar.  One  of  them  was  made  of  glass,  and  being 
by  accident  broken  in  pieces,  the  inside  of  it  was  found  to  be  coated  with  a 
silver-coloured  substance,  termed  by  philosophers,  the  eleetmm  of  the  ancients. 
The  other  urn  was  of  lead,  and  was  sold  by  the  workmen  to  an  ignorant 
plumber,  who  immediately  beat  it  together  and  melted  it  down.  A  pedestal 
of  grit  was  also  found  in  the  same  year,  at  no  great  distance  from  Micklegate 
Bar.  It  measured  two  feet  high  by  ten  inches  in  breadth,  and  bore  the  fol- 
lowing Roman  inscription : — 

BRITANKL£ 

SANCTuE 

PNIKOMEDES 

AUOO.      N.      N. 

LIBEBT08. 

A  Roman  sepulchre  of  singular  form  was  found  in  1768,  by  some  labourers 
who  were  preparing  a  piece  of  ground  for  a  garden,  near  the  dty  walls,  west 
of  the  same  bar.  It  was  formed  of  Roman  tiles,  built  up  in  the  form  of  a 
roof,  and  making  a  triangle  with  the  ground  below.  On  the  top  was  a 
covering  of  semiciroular  tiles,  of  small  diameter,  so  close  as  to  prevent  the 
least  particle  of  earth  from  falling  into  the  cavily,  and  each  end  of  the 
dormitory  was  closed  with  a  tile,  on  which  was  inscribed  Leo.  IX.  His.,  being 
doubtless  the  burying-place  of  a  soldier  of  the  Legio  nana  Hupanica. 

A  sculptured  tablet,  representing  the  sacrifice  and  mysteries  of  Mithras, 
was  found  in  1747,  in  digging  for  a  cellar  in  a  house  in  Micklegate,  opposite 
St  Martin's  Ghureh.  Mithras  is  the  Greek  form  of  the  Persian  word  signi- 
fying the  Sun,  the  chief  object  of  worship  among  the  Persians  and  otiier 
ancient  eastern  nations.  This  relio  of  idolatry  is  now  in  the  entrance  hall 
of  the  Museum. 


800  BISTORT   OF  THE   CITY  OF  YORK. 

In  1770,  as  some  workmen  were  digging  a  drain  finom  the  north  east  comer 
of  Davygate,  to  the  comer  of  Lendal,  they  discovered  the  foundation  of  three 
walls  or  buttresses,  about  Bexen  feet  below  the  surface  of  the  ground.  They 
were  from  nine  feet  and  a  half  to  eleven  feet  and  a  half  broad,  about  three 
feet  distant  from  each  other,  and  were  composed  of  pebbles  strongly  cemented, 
the  open  space  between  the  walls  being  securely  filled  with  day.  Gough 
says,  they  were  supposed  to  have  been  built  by  the  Romans,  to  prevent  the 
Ouse  from  overflowing  the  city. 

In  the  same  year  were  found  in  a  gravel  pit  on  the  banks  of  the  Ouse,  about 
one  mile  and  a  half  east  of  the  city,  a  number  of  ancient  remains,  consisting 
of  fragments  of  Roman  earthenware  and  patere  (goblets),  and  within  the  com- 
pass of  about  Mtj  yards  were  likewise  discovered  a  perfect  urn  with  its  cover, 
and  many  more  pieces  of  patersB  and  urns,  some  very  laige  vessels,  part  of  an 
urn  of  crystal,  an  iron  flesh  fork,  &c.  At  the  same  time  and  place  a  strange 
discovery  was  made,  of  which  Mr.  Gough  gives  us  the  particulars.  A  stiatum 
of  oyster  shells  appeared  to  have  been  laid  about  two  feet,  in  s<mie  parts 
three  feet,  and  in  others  nearly  Ave  feet,  bdow  the  sur&ce,  and  above  them 
was  a  sort  of  rich  black  earth,  like  soot  mixed  with  oil,  among  which  were 
found  pieces  of  burnt  wood.  Upon  this  singular  substance  were  scattered 
great  numbers  of  bones  of  cattle,  chiefly  heads  and  ribs.  Many  heads  of 
beasts  were  laid  together  in  one  part ;  and  in  several  other  parts  were  bones 
mixed  with  earth  and  fragments  of  earthen  vessels.  Near  to  these,  about 
three  feet  below  the  present  surface,  the  earth  was  discoloured  and  greasy, 
as  though  it  had  been  soaked  with  blood  to  the  depth  of  two  feet.  In  the 
following  year,  1771,  a  similar  discovery  was  made  in  another  gravel  pit  not 
far  from  the  former,  and  the  particulars  of  which  are  also  given  by  Mr. 
Gough.  "  Within  this  pit,  between  layers  of  earth  and  gravel,"  writes  he, 
"  was  another  of  black  earth  intermixed  with  bumt  wood,  and  imder  it  a 
layer  of  oyster  shells.  In  the  middle  of  the  pit  was  a  hillock  of  the  same 
strata,  mixed  with  fragments  of  urns,  some  inscribed  Ofrom,  Caiva^  &o. 
Some  of  the  larger  ones  and  of  the  patens  were  adorned  with  vine  and  ivy 
branches,  &c"  In  this  pit  were  also  found  a  number  of  antique  remains, 
amongst  which  were  a  flesh  fork,  a  brass  needle,  various  fragments  of  urns, 
a  large  iron  bolt,  a  whole  patera  with  ears,  some  others  broken,  and  a  small 
urn  of  coarse  red  clay  with  a  cover  of  blueish  clay.  These  remains  favour 
the  opinion  that  a  Roman  temple  had  stood  in  that  locality,  and  that  these 
were  the  remains  of  the  saciifloes  oflered  in  the  dark  ages  of  pagan  idolatry. 

Drake  mentions  a  Roman  tablet  which  was  discovered  in  digging  a  oellar 


HISTOBT   OF  THE   CITY  OF  YORK.  801 

in  "  Oonyng  Street,"  in  the  line  of  the  Roman  wall.  It  is  now  in  tiie 
Museum,  and  is  inscribed: — 

OE^^o  LOCI 

FELICITEB 

that  is,  ''To  the  Genius  of  the  place,  happQj/'  or  " prosperoualj.**  The 
QeniuB  was  the  protecting  spirit  of  a  person  or  a  place.  The  pkce  in  this 
instance  was  most  probaUj  that  occupied  by  Eboracum ;  and  the  inscription 
is  a  short  wish  or  prayer  that  the  genius  would  be  propitious  to  Eboracum. 
Mr.  Thoresby,  the  Leeds  antiquary,  was  living  when  this  monument  was 
found,  and  in  an  account  of  it  which  he  sent  to  the  Boyal  Sodiely  he  says — 
after  describing  it  and  its  inscription,  "  If  the  name  (of  the  genius)  had  been 
added,  it  would  have  gratified  the  curiosity  of  some  of  our  necteric  antiquaries. 
But  they  must  yet  acquiesce,  for  aught  I  know,  in  their  old  Dvi,  who  b  said 
to  be  the  tutelar  deity  of  the  city  of  the  Brigantes.  The  author  of  this 
TOtive  monument,"  he  continues,  "  seems  to  have  had  the  same  superstitious 
veneration  for  the  gemm  of  York,  as  those  at  Home  had  for  theirs,  whose 
name  they  were  prohibited  to  mention  or  enquire  after.  Hence  it  is  that 
upon  their  coins  the  name  of  this  deity  is  never  expressed  but  in  a  mere 
popular  manner,  by  (hnius  PJl,,  or  Pop.  Bom" 

A  massive  brass  flagon  was  also  turned  up  by  the  plough,  in  a  field  near 
York,  weighing  seventeen  pounds  four  and  a  half  ounces,  and  calculated  to 
contain  five  modem  pints.  This  vessel  stood  on  three  legs,  and  the  top  of 
the  lid  exhibited  a  head  or  face,  apparently  connected  with  the  heathen 
mythology. 

A  small  Roman  votive  altar  of  stone,  six  inches  high,  and  six  inches  in 
breadtii  at  the  base,  bearing  a  Roman  inscription,  somewhat  impaired  by 
time,  but  from  which  it  appears  that  this  relic  was  dedicated  by  a  soldier  of 
the  Sixth  Legion  to  the  mother  of  the  Emperor  Antonius  Pius,  vras  found  in 
Micklegate  by  the  workmen,  while  digging  a  drain  in  the  middle  of  the  street. 
Several  other  Roman  remains  were  discovered  with  this  altar,  about  eight  or 
ten  feet  below  the  surface ;  and  the  workmen  met  with  two  or  three  firm  pave- 
ments of  pebbles,  one  below  another,  beneath  which  were  several  fragments 
of  beautiful  red  glazed  patereB,  adorned  with  figures  of  gods,  birds,  and  vines, 
and  one  of  them  inscribed  ianvf;  there  were  also  several  small  altars  and  an 
earthen  lamp,  with  some  Roman  coins  of  Constantine  the  Great. 

The  following  remains  have  been  found  in  the  present  century,  and  for 
ages  yet  to  come  the  inexhaustible  mines  of  antiquarian  wealth  on  which  the 


80d  HI8T0BT   OF  THE   ClTT   OF  TOBK. 

cily  of  York  stands,  will  doubtless  yield  their  contributions  to  the  cabinets  of 
the  curious.  In  June,  1802,  the  workmen,  while  digging  for  the  foundations 
of  the  new  gaol,  near  the  site  of  the  Old  Baile  Hill,  found  about  100  silver 
pennies  of  William  the  Devastator,  in  good  preservation,  though  it  is  probable 
that  they  had  lain  in  the  ground  nearly  eight  centuries.  According  to  LeLind, 
a  Castle  anciently  stood  on  this  site.  The  most  venerable  sepulchral  remains 
which  have  been  presented  to  the  antiquaiy  for  many  years,  were  discovered 
in  September,  1804,  by  the  workmen  while  digging  a  large  drain  in  the  Min- 
ster Yard,  from  south  to  west  of  the  Cathedral.  After  passing  through  a 
stratum  of  human  bones,  under  which  were  two  coffins,  hollowed  out  of  the 
solid  stone,  the  workmen  came  to  eleven  or  twelve  coffins,  each  formed  of 
stone  (apparently  from  the  quarries  of  Malton),  loosely  placed  together,  with- 
out cement  or  fastening.  Each  of  these  coffins  was  covered  with  a  rough 
flag,  four  inches  thick,  under  which  skeletons  were  found  laid  on  the  bare 
earth,  the  coffins  being  without  bottoms.  The  situation  being  wet,  some  of 
the  coffins  contained  a  quantity  of  clear  water,  through  which  the  skeletons 
appeared  entire,  but  when  the  water  was  removed,  and  the  bodies  were  ex- 
posed to  the  air,  they  crumbled  into  dust.  The  singular  form  of  these 
coffins ;  the  rough  manner  in  which  they  were  constructed;  and  their  depth 
in  the  earth,  prove  their  great  antiquity,  and  confirm  the  belief  that  they  are 
vestiges  not  merely  of  Roman  or  Saxon  times,  but  that  they  contain  remains 
of  our  aboriginal  ancestors. 

On  Monday,  the  17th  of  August,  1807,  while  the  workmen  were  preparing 
the  foundation  for  a  building  near  the  Mount,  in  the  suburbs  of  York,  a 
Roman  sepulchral  vault  or  chamber  was  discovered  about  four  feet  from  the 
surface,  which  was  eight  feet  long,  by  five  feet  wide,  and  six  feet  high,  built 
of  stone,  and  arched  over  with  Roman  brick.  A  coffiin  of  rag-stone  grit, 
about  seven  feet  long,  occupies  nearly  the  whole  of  the  vault,  and  in  the 
coffin  is  a  human  skeleton  entire,  with  the  teeth  complete,  supposed  to  be 
the  remains  of  a  Roman  lady,  consigned  to  the  mansion  of  the  dead  from 
fourteen  to  seventeen  centuries  ago.  Near  the  scull,  which  is  remarkably 
small,  was  found  a  small  phial  or  lachrimatory,  in  which  vessels  the  ancients 
deposited  the  tears  they  shed  for  their  departed  friends.  The  workmen  also 
found  at  the  same  time,  not  far  from  the  vault,  a  large  red  coloured  urn  in 
which  were  ashes,  and  the  partially  burnt  bones  of  a  human  body.  This 
ancient  sepulchre,  together  with  the  skeleton,  is  still  preserved  in  its  original 
state,  for  the  inspection  of  the  curious,  and  the  house  which  contains  it  is 
now  in  the  occupation  of  Mr.  Geoige  Flower. 


HISTORY   OF  THE   CITT   OF  YORK.  803 

About  the  beginning  of  the  present  oentoiy  sereral  Roman  fragmentary 
remains  were  found  at  the  Mount,  near  York ;  amongst  them  was  part  of  a 
coffin  bearing  the  following  incription  :^-- 

ME. . . .  ALTHEODORI 
ANI-    .OMEN'VIXrr'ANN 
XXX.VM'VI-   EHI'THEO 
D..A-  MATER'E'C 

We  learn  from  this  inscription,  though  it  contains  some  difficulties  to  an 
inteipreter,  that  it  was  designed  to  preserre  the  memory  of  Theodonanus,  of 
Nomentum  (probably),  who  lived  thirty-four  years  and  six  months,  by  his 
mother  Theodora.  Also  a  fragment  of  a  monumental  tablet,  containing  the 
following  portion  of  the  original  inscription ; — 

O'C'FIL 

...O'YARIA 

X-HISP*H£RE 

....-PATROMO 
• . .  .EKTI'FECSRT^T 

A  gratefiil  tribute,  it  is  probable,  paid  to  a  patron  by  some  person  who  had 
recelYed  fix>m  him  their  freedom. 

In  1818  two  stone  coffins,  seven  feet  in  length,  three  feet  wide,  and  six 
inches  thick,  were  dug  up  in  a  gravel  pit  near  Fulford  Church,  in  each  of 
which  was  a  human  skeleton,  and  a  small  quantity  of  a  white  substance  re- 
sembling lime  saturated  with  grease.  These  coffins  are  each  cut  out  of  a 
solid  block  of  stone. 

In  excavating  for  the  York  and  North  Midland  Railway,  near  the  bridge 
in  Holdgate  Lane,  a  Roman  altar  was  found.  It  has  no  inscription,  but  as 
it  bears  the  figures  of  three  females,  it  is  supposed  to  have  been  dedicated  to 
the  Deed  Matres,  or  Matrons,  female  deities,  three  in  number,  supposed  to 
have  been  introduced  into  Britain  by  the  German  auxiliaries.  These  three 
figures  are  represented  on  the  front  of  the  altar,  sitting  in  a  recess ;  on  the 
right  side  of  the  altar  is  a  single  male  figure,  and  on  the  left  two  male  figures. 
These  are  thought  to  have  been  designed  to  represent  the  Emperor  Septimus 
Severus,  and  his  sons  Caracalla  and  Geta.  The  fourth  side,  which  is  much 
defaced,  seems  to  have  been  the  representation  of  an  altar,  and  an  animal 
standing  before  it  This  antique  relic  of  pagan  Eboracum  is  now  deposited 
in  the  Museum.  In  the  excavations  at  the  same  place  a  coffin  was  found, 
bearing  the  following  inscription : — 


804  HISTORT  OF  THE   CITT   OF  TOBK. 

D'M'SIMFLICIAB'FLOBENTIKE 

ANIXB   INNOCENTISSIXE 

QVE   YIXIT   MSN8S8   DECEM 

FELICIYS'SIMPIiEX'PATEB'FECIT 

L*E-0*VI'V 

"  To  the  Gods,  the  Manes.'t'  To  Simplicia  Florentiiia,  a  most  innocent  beingi 
Felicius  Simplex,  her  father,  of  the  Sixth  Legion  Victorious,  dedicated  this." 
No  mother^i^li^  appears,  says  Mr.  WeUbdoved,  "  a  circumstance  which 
suggests  the  probaoSyy  of  the  birth  of  this  darling  child  having  been  marked 
by  a  lamentable  evenithat  gives  still  greater  interest  to  this  tribute  of  pater- 
nal afifection."  This^tar,  together  with  the  whole  of  the  following  antiqui- 
ties, forms  part  of  toe  valuable  collection  in  the  Museum  at  York.  In  the 
excavation  for  the  same  railway,  part  of  a  sepulchral  monument  was  turned 
up.     The  letter  M  alone,  denoting  *'  Manibus,**  remains. 

An  altar  was  recently  discovered  in  the  rubble  foundation  under  one  of  the 
pillars  of  the  church  of  St.  Dennis,  Walmgate,  York,  inscribed : — 

DEO. 

▲BOIACON 

ET  N*  AVOSI 

MAT*  VITALIS 

OBD  V*  8*  LM. 

Which  may  be  read  thus,  DEO  Arciacon  et  Numini  Augusti  Simatius  Vitalis 
Ordovix  Votum  solvit  libens  merito,  i.  e.  "  To  the  God  Arciacon  and  to  the 
Divinity  of  Augustus,  Simatius  Vitalis,  one  of  the  Ordovices,  discharges  his 
vow  willingly,  deservedly," — ^namely,  by  dedicating  this  altar.  There  is 
nothing  in  the  inscription  to  indicate  its  date. 

An  altar  was  found  in  the  Roman  baths,  discovered  in  excavating  the  site 
of  the  Railway  Station.    The  inscription  is — 

DEAB 
FOBTVMAB 

SOSIA 

IVMOINA 

Q*  ANTONI 

IBAVBIGI 

LEO*  Ava* 

^  The  word  Mane$  denotes  the  souls  of  the  departed,  "  but  as  it  is  a  natural  tendenoy 
to  consider  the  souls  of  departed  friends  as  blessed  spirits,  they  ware  called  by  the  Bo- 
mans  Dii  Bianes,  and  were  worshipped  with  divine  honours**^ 


HISTORY   OP   THE   CITY   OF  YORK.  805 

Rendered  thus — "  To  the  Goddess  Fortune,  hj  Socia  Juncina,  the  daughter 
of  Quintus  Antonius  Isauricus,  of  the  Legion  Augusta."  This  altar  must 
have  been  erected  here  during  the  first  half  of  the  second  century  of  the 
Christian  era,  as  the  Legion  Augusta,  which  came  into  Britain  with  Claudius, 
took  up  its  head-quarters  at  Caerlon,  in  South  Wales,  after  it  had  been  in 
the  north  with  Hadrian  and  Antoninus  Pius. 

Li  1886  two  coffins  were  found  in  the  Castle  yard,  York,  one  of  which 
bears  this  inscription  : — 

AYR-    SVPEHO-    CENT   .  I 

LEG"    VI-    QVIVIXITANIS 

XXXVIII*   Mini-   DXin*   AVRE 

LIA*    CENSORINA'    COIVNX 

MEMORDIM-   POSSVIT 

"  To  the  Gods,  the  Manes.  To  the  memory  of  Aurelius  Superus,  a  Cen- 
turion of  the  Sixth  Legion,  who  lived  xxxviii  years,  iv  months,  xiii  days, 
Aurelia  Censoria  his  wife  set  up  this." 

Li  1810  several  fragmentary  remains  of  the  Roman  period  were  foimd 
below  one  of  the  piers  at  the  south  end  of  the  old  bridge  over  the  Ouse,  in 
York.  A  very  singular  and  remarkable  Roman  tomb  was  discovered  in  1848, 
not  far  from  the  entrance  through  the  city  wall  to  the  Railway  Station.  It 
was  composed  of  ten  large  slabs  of  grit  stone,  and  contained  the  remains  of  a 
body,  which  had  been  placed  in  a  coffin  of  wood,  and  covered  with  lime.  The 
coffin  had  almost  entirely  perished,  but  the  lime  remained,  exhibiting  a  cast 
of  the  body,  over  which  it  had  been  poured.  This  cast  is  deposited  in  the 
Museum,  and  the  tomb  is  in  the  ruins  of  the  chapel  of  St  Leonardos 
HospitaL 

Li  1888  a  tomb  was  discovered  near  Dringhouses,  on  the  road  to  Tad- 
caster,  formed  of  roof  tiles  and  ridge  tiles,  which  bear  the  impress  of  the 
Sixth  Legion ;  erected,  it  is  probable,  over  the  ashes  of  a  soldier  of  that  Le- 
gion. It  contained  nothing  but  a  layer  of  the  remains  of  a  funeral  pile, 
consisting  of  charcoal  and  bones,  with  several  iron  nails.  A  tomb  of  the 
same  kind,  but  of  smaller  dimensions,  was  found  not  fax  from  the  city  walls, 
near  the  entrance  to  the  Railway  Station.  It  was  probably  the  tomb  of  a 
soldier  of  the  Ninth  Legion,  the  tiles  being  stamped  Leo  IX. 

In  1881  a  Roman  tomb  or  coffin  was  discovered  in  Heslington  field,  about 
a  mile  from  York.  It  contained  some  few  remains  of  the  body  of  a  female, 
which  had  been  covered  with  lime  in  a  liquid  state.     This  lime,  which  ex- 

2   R 


806  HISTORY    OF   THE    CITY   OF   YORK. 

liibits  a  cast  of  the  bodj,  together  with  some  trinkets  imbedded  in  it,  may  be 
seen  in  the  Museum.'    The  coffin  is  deposited  in  the  Multangular  Tower. 

A  plain  altar  was  found  in  a  garden  in  Lord  Mayor's  Walk,  some  years 
Ago ;  and  another  small  plain  altar  was  discovered  in  1851,  by  a  person  digging 
for  sand,  in  a  lane  on  the  south  side  of  Dunnington  Common,  near  York. 

Amongst  the  many  relics  of  the  Roman  period  which  were  discovered 
during  the  excavations  for  the  Railway,  are  the  remains  of  Roman  baths, 
which  presented  themselves  whilst  clearing  the  site  of  the  Station.  There 
is  a  curious  model  of  these  remains  in  the  Museum.  In  1841  the  relics  of 
a  human  body,  which  had  been  deposited  in  lime  in  a  liquid  state,  was  found 
in  a  stone  coffin  near  the  entrance  through  the  rampart  to  the  Railway  Sta- 
tion. The  remains  of  another  bodv  of  the  leaden  coffin,  in  which  it  had  been 
buried,  were  also  found  near  the  terminus  of  the  Railway.  Three  smaller 
coffins  of  lead,  containing  the  bones  of  children,  and  the  whole  were  de- 
posited in  the  )Iuseum.  In  1849  some  burnt  wheat  was  found  in  Jubbergate 
at  the  depth  of  sixteen  feet  below  the  surface,  on  the  site,  it  is  supposed,  of  a 
Roman  granary  which  had  been  destroyed  by  fire. 

In  July,  1851,  a  Roman  coffin  was  found  about  three  feet  below  the  sur- 
face, near  Skeldergate  Postern,  by  the  side  of  the  road  leading  to  Bishop- 
thorpe.  It  contained  a  cast  of  the  bodies  of  a  female  and  a  child,  now 
deposited  in  the  Museum.  The  body  of  the  child  appears  to  have  been 
placed,  as  the  impression  of  the  lime  represents  it,  between  the  legs  of  the 
woman,  who  was  probably  its  mother.  The  garments  in  which  they  were 
buried  appear  to  have  been  ornamented  with  crimson  or  purple  stripes,  of  a 
texture  something  like  velvet  or  plush ;  portions  of  the  coloured  fibre  being 
found  adhering  to  the  lime.  On  the  site  of  the  office  of  the  Yorkshire  In- 
surance Company,  amongst  the  foundations  of  buildings,  was  found,  some 
years  ago,  part  of  a  drain,  which  is  interesting  as  a  specimen  of  Roman 
sewerage ;  and  as  being  illustrative  of  the  Roman  method  of  constructing 
walls  of  alternate  courses  of  brick  and  stone. 

At  Aldborough,  the  site  of  the  ancient  Isurium,  numerous  specimens  of 
tesselated  pavements  have  often  been  found,  but  it  was  not  tiU  the  year  1814 
that  any  remains  of  this  kind  were  discovered  in  York.*     In  the  month  of 

*  At  Aldborongh,  about  half  a  mile  east  of  Boronghbridge,  the  site  of  the  Boman  city 
of  l9uriumt  tesselated  pavements,  some  of  them  extensiYe  and  of  the  most  heantifiil 
description,  have  been  discovered,  especially  in  the  years  1832,  1846,  and  1848.  Many 
other  interesting  remains  of  the  ancient  Isurium,  including  a  hypocaust,  the  supposed 
foundations  of  the  basilica,  the  sites  of  baths  and  other  public  buildings,  have  been  re- 
cently laid  bare,  and  many  of  the  tesselated  floors  and  other  antiquities  discovered  here. 


HI3T0RT   OF   THE    CITY   OF   YORK.  807 

April  in  that  year  a  beautiful  specimen  of  this  Mosaic  work  was  laid  bare, 
adjoining  the  rampart,  in  Bar  Lane,  near  Micklegate  Bar.  It  appeared  to 
have  been  four  yards  square,  and  for  some  years  it  was  enclosed  and  pre- 
served on  the  spot  upon  which  it  was  discovei'ed,  and  exhibited  to  the  curious. 
This  being  the  first  Roman  tesselated  pavement  found  in  this  ancient  Roman 
city,  a  beautiful  coloured  engraving  of  it  was  published  by  Mr.  Fowler,  of 
Winterton,  and  well  it  was  that  he  did  so,  for  the  Corporation  (having  pur- 
chased the  property  upon  which  it  stood)  presented  it  to  the  Yorkshire  Philo- 
sophical Society,  and  it  was  broken  into  fragments  in  its  removal  to  the 
Museum,  and  but  very  little  of  it  was  preserved.  The  spot  upon  which  it 
was  laid  is  now  the  soil  pit  of  the  Jolly  Bacchus  public  house.  Mr.  Har- 
grove, as  we  have  already  observed,  thinks  that  this  and  the  next  pavement 
to  be  noticed  had  been  connected  with  the  great  Roman  Temple  of  Serapis. 

In  Toft  Green,  not  far  from  the  site  of  the  last-mentioned  ancient  flooring, 
another  beautiful  Roman  tesselated  pavement  was  discovered,  fourteen  feet 
below  the  present  surface,  in  1853.  It  is  nearly  perfect,  and  measures  four- 
teen feet  three  inches  square.  When  perfect,  the  pattern  was  chiefly  com- 
posed of  the  common  labyrinthine  fret,  and  five  heads ;  one  in  the  centre 
,  representing  Medusa,  and  four  in  the  comers  personifying  the  four  seasons 
of  the  year — Spring,  with  its  feathered  songster ;  Summer,  with  its  flowers 
and  fruit ;  Autumn,  with  its  hay  rake ;  and  Winter,  with  its  dry  and  leafless 
branch.  Immediately  beneath  it  were  found  an  empty  urn,  covered  with  a 
square  tile ;  a  coin,  first  brass  of  Hadrian,  and  a  third-brass  coin  of  Claudius 
Gothicus,  with  the  legend  DIVO.  CLAVDIO  on  the  obverse ;  proving  that 
this  pavement  was  not  laid  down  before  a.  d.  270,  the  year  in  which  Claudius 
died.  About  twelve  or  fourteen  inches  below  this  pavement,  a  floor,  com- 
posed of  cement,  was  found,  on  which  were  scattered  many  tessellsB,  finished 
and  unfinished,  and  a  piece  of  iron,  conjectured  ta  be  a  tool  used  in  shaping 
ihem. 

are  preserved  on  the  spot.  The  vails  too  of  this  onoe  splendid  Roman  city  have  been 
recently  traced,  and  as  defined  by  them,  the  city  formed  an  oblong  rectangular  parallel- 
ogram, of  which  the  longest  sides  were  upwards  of  2,100  feet  in  length,  and  the  shortest 
somewhat  more  than  1,300  feet,  making  a  circuit  of  rather  more  than  one  mile  and  a 
half,  and  enclosing  an  area  of  60  acres.  The  thickness  of  the  wall  varies  fW)m  ten  to 
sixteen  feet ;  it  appears  to  have  been  faced  with  carefiilly  squared  stones,  without  tho 
usual  bondings  of  brick,  at  least  no  traces  of  them  have  been  found.  Outside  the  walls 
sepulchral  urns,  graves,  deposits  of  burnt  bones,  and  places  which  seemed  to  have  been 
used  for  the  purpose  of  cremation,  have  been  discovered  at  different  times.  The  most 
remarkable  sepulchral  remains  have  been  found  at  a  spot  without  the  walls,  on  the 
south  side,  known  by  the  name  of  Bed  Hills. 


308  HISTORY   OF   THE    CITY   OF   YORK. 

So  partial  were  the  Romans  to  tesselated  pavements,  that  it  was  customaiy 
with  them,  when  on  a  march,  to  be  accompanied  with  a  man,  who  was  styled 
tesserarvus,  or  chequerman,  from  carrying  a  sack  with  tessersB,  or  chequered 
dies  of  coloured  stones,  with  which  he  paved  or  inlaid  the  platform  where 
the  commanding  officer  thought  fit  to  pitch  his  tent. 

Near  the  line  of  the  York  and  Newcastle  Railway,  on  the  site  of  the  house 
erected  for  the  residence  of  the  secretary,  was  found,  in  the  year  1840,  up- 
wards of  200  Roman  silver  coins,  which,  with  the  vessel  in  which  they  were 
deposited,  are  now  in  the  Yorkshire  Museum.  Five  of  them  are  of  the  Con- 
sular or  Family  series,  much  worn,  and  illegible ;  eighteen  are  denarii  of  some 
of  the  early  Emperors ;  the  rest  range  from  Septimius  Severus  to  M.  Jul. 
Philippus.  Many  belonging  to  the  later  Emperors  appear  to  have  been  cast 
in  moulds,  and  not  to  have  been  in  circulation. 

In  the  month  of  September,  1854,  the  workmen  employed  in  sinking  a 
shaft  for  constructing  a  deep  drain  in  Church  Street,  cut  through  what  was 
considered  to  be  a  Roman  Wall,  and  in  the  centre  discovered  a  leaden  pipe 
six  feet  long,  about  four  inches  and  a  half  diameter  inside,  made  of  very  thick 
lead,  in  a  peculiar  manner,  with  a  socket  on  the  outside  to  join  to  the  pipe. 
A  few  days  afterwards  whilst  excavating  for  a  branch  drain  in  the  same  street, 
the  workmen  laid  bare  the  remainder  of  the  supposed  Roman  Wall,  when  it 
was  found  to  be  a  mass  of  concrete,  about  four  feet  thick,  extending  round 
the  leaden  pipe,  in  aU  probability  to  keep  the  pipe  from  settling  unevenly 
and  to  protect  it  from  injury.  About  nine  feet  more  of  the  lead  piping  was 
obtained.  It  has  no  doubt  been  used  to  convey  water.  Near  it  some  Roman 
draining  tiles  were  also  found,  which  were  very  probably  to  take  away  the 
waste  water  from  some  bath.  The  pipe  and  tiles,  together  with  the  above- 
mentioned  specimen  of  Roman  drainage,  may  be  seen  at  tiie  Museum. 

In  a  few  days  after  the  discovery  of  this  leaden  pipe,  the  workmen  em- 
ployed in  digging  a  large  and  deep  drain  from  Monk  Bar  to  the  river  Ouse, 
discovered,  at  the  junction  of  Goodramgate  and  Petergate,  at  the  depth  of 
twenty-three  feet  below  the  surface,  a  slab  of  grey  limestone,  measuring 
in  its  present  state  three  feet  nine  inches  square,  bearing  the  following 
inscription : — 

P-CAESAI 
ERVAE  •  FIL  •  NI 
NVS  •  AVG  •  GER 
NTIFEX  •  MAXIHV 
TESTATIS  •  XII  •  IMP  .  V 
PER-LEG  •  Vnn  .  HI 


HISTORY   OF  THE    CITY   OF   YORK.  309 

The  Rev.  C.  Wellbdoved,  in  a  communicatioii  to  the  Yorkshire  Philoso- 
phical Society,  pronounced  the  inscription,  when  perfect,  to  have  heen — 

IMP  •  CAESAR 
NERVAE  •  FIL  *  NER  '  TRA 
lANUS  '  AVO  .  GERM 
PONTIFEX  •  MAXIMVS  *  TR 
POTESTATIS  •  Xn  *  IMP  *  VI 
PER  •  LEG  •  Villi  •  HISP 

and  he  translates  it  thus: — "The  Emperor  Offisar,  son  of  Nerva,  Nerva 
Trajanus  Augustus  Germanicus,  High  Priest,  invested  for  the  sixth  time 
with  the  Trihunitian  power,  saluted  for  the  sixth  time  Imperator,  erected 
(this  building)  by  the  Ninth  Legion,  called  Hispanica  (Spanish)."  "The 
investment  of  Trajan  with  these  honours,"  he  adds,  "  synchronizes  with  a.d. 
109, 110.  At  that  time  then,  as  we  learn  from  this  tablet,  the  Ninth  Legion, 
which  came  into  Britain  with  Claudius  in  the  year  48,  and  formed  part  of 
the  forces  of  Agricola  when  he  subdued  the  Brigantes  in  the  year  79,  was  at 
Eboracum  employed  by  Trajan,  who  never  was  in  Britain,  in  the  erection  of 
public  buildings." 

In  the  Pictorial  Bible ^  at  page  469  of  vol.  iv.,  is  a  representation  of  the 
triumphal  arch  of  Trajan,  at  Benevento,  on  which  is  a  very  similar  in- 
scription.    It  runs  thus  : — 

IMP  CAESAR  •  DIVINERVAE  '  EILIO 

NERVAE  •  TRAIANO  *  OPTIMO  .  AVC 
GERMANICO  *  DACICO  *  PONT  *  MAX  *  TRIB 

POTEST  •  XVIII  •  IMP  •  VII  •  CONS  *  VU  *  PP. 
FORTISSIMO  •  PRINCIPI  '  8ENATVS  "  P  '  O  *  R 

To  what  public  building  the  stone  found  at  York  was  affixed,  cannot  now 
be  ascertained.  Mr.  Wellbeloved  thinks  that  it  may  have  been  that  gate  of 
the  ancient  Roman  station  which  is  supposed  to  have  stood  very  near  the 
spot  in  which  it  was  found.  And  this  suggests  an  important  question — ^Was 
the  ancient  Eboracum,  or  Eburacum,  as  Mr.  Wellbeloved  has  it,  fortified 
with  a  wall  at  that  early  period  ?  The  place  in  which  this  tablet  was  dis- 
covered is  the  one  which  tradition  has  assigned  as  part  of  the  site  of  the 
Roman  Pnetorium  or  Palace  at  York.  The  precise  spot  at  which  it  was  found 
was  formerly  called  King  s  Court,  and  still  more  anciently,  Eonyng  Garth 
(the  word  Konyng  signifying  royal  or  kingly);  and  at  this  point  was  probably 
in  the  time  of  Tn^an  the  grand  entrance  to  the  Imperial  Palace.    The 


810  HISTORY   OF  THE    CITT   OF  tORK. 

period  of  the  erection  of  the  tablet  is  fixed  by  the  inscription  itself  at  the  year 
of  our  Lord  110,  or  thereabouts,  and  shews  indisputably  that  the  Emperor 
Trajan  was  then  acknowledged  as  Emperor  at  York.  It  is  deserving  of  re- 
mark that  the  letters  on  the  first  line  of  the  inscription  are  six  inches  long, 
and  that  they  have  been  cut  by  a  first-rate  artist,  and  the  grandeur  and  im- 
portance of  the  building,  to  wliich  the  tablet  was  once  attached,  may  be 
judged  of  from  the  care  and  skill  which  have  obviously  been  devoted  to  the 
inscription.  Trajan  was  one  of  the  best,  and  most  just  and  lenient  of  the 
Eoman  Emperors.  May  we  not  then,  vrith  some  show  of  reason,  suppose 
that  this  elegant  tablet  once  graced  or  surmounted  the  entrance  to  the  court 
yard  of  the  palace  ?  The  inscription  is  not  dissimilar  to  that  which  adorns 
the  famous  *'  Trajan  column  "  at  Rome ;  and  it  has  been  weU  remarked  by 
one  of  the  local  journals,  that  time  and  the  effects  of  atmospheric  variations 
have  contributed  to  tarnish  the  original  perfection  of  the  inscription  at  Rome, 
whilst  the  lettering  of  what  remains  to  us  at  York,  upon  the  newly  discovered 
tablet,  is  as  clear,  and  as  fresh,  and  as  perfect,  as  it  was  on  the  day  when, 
upwards  of  seventeen  hundred  years  ago,  it  left  the  hand  of  the  talented  en- 
graver, and  was  put  up  at  York  by  the  gallant  Ninth  Legion  of  imperial  Rome. 
This  tablet  is  the  most  ancient,  as  well  as  the  most  authentic,  of  the  records 
which  have  ever  yet  been  discovered  of  the  Roman  occupation  of  this  city.  It 
is  a  valuable  discovery,  inasmuch  as  it  fixes  a  precise  period  when  the  Legio 
Nono  Hispanica  (Ninth  Spanish  Legion)  was  in  York.  But  little  is  known 
of  that  corps.  In  the  reign  of  Nero  it  was  nearly  destroyed  at  Camuldunum 
(Colchester),  by  the  British  forces  under  the  celebrated  Queen  Boadicea. 
Tacitus  informs  us  that  it  was  afterwards  recruited  from  Germany,  but  it 
again  suffered  severely  in  the  fierce  attack  of  the  Caledonians,  at  the  time 
when  Julius  Agricola  was  Propraetor  and  Legate  at  York.  The  inscription 
upon  the  recently  discovered  tablet  shows  pretty  plainly  that  this  legion  was 
stationed  at  York  in  the  time  of  the  Emperor  Trajan,  and  that  the  tablet 
itself  was  raised  by  that  legion.  This  corps  being  weak  in  number  at  the 
time  of  the  arrival  in  York  of  the  Sixth  Conquering  Legion,  it  is  supposed 
to  have  been  incorporated  with  that  legion. 

In  the  course  of  the  excavations  near  the  place  where  the  above-mentioned 
tablet  was  found,  the  workmen  turned  up  many  Roman  tiles,  some  of  which 
bear  the  stamp  of  the  Ninth  Legion.  The  tablet  and  tiles  are  deposited  in 
the  Museum.  In  the  month  of  March  in  the  present  year  (1855),  the  work- 
men employed  in  draining  operations  found  two  stone  coffins  in  Monkgate, 
near  the  bottom  of  Lord  Mayor's  Walk. 

Besides  the  relics  of  the  Roman  period  already  noticed,  a  great  many 


HISTORY   OF  THE   CITY   OF  TORE.  311 

fragments  of  monumental  and  other  tablets,  urns,  pillars,  sculptured  stones^ 
domestic  ware  and  other  utensils,  pottery,  bricks,  tiles,  &c.  have  been  found 
in  York  from  time  to  time ;  and  a  goodlj  collection  of  them  may  be  seen  in 
the  Yorkshire  Museum. 

*'  Although  the  Saxons  had  possession  of  York  during  more  than  three 
hundred  jears,"  writes  the  Rev.  Curator,  in  his  Descriptive  Account  of  the 
Antiquities  in  the  Museum,  "  and  undoubtedly  added  greatly  to  the  extent  of 
the  Roman-British  city,  yet  few  remains  of  Saxon  York  have  been  discovered. 
Their  domestic  buildings  may  have  been  generally  constructed  of  timber,  but 
their  public,  and  especially  their  ecclesiastical  edifices  were  built  of  more 
durable  materials.  The  first  Christian  church  indeed,  hastily  erected  by 
Edwin,  in  the  beginning  of  the  sixth  century,  was  of  wood ;  but  it  very  soon 
gave  place  to  one  of  stone ;  and  about  the  end  of  the  eighth  century  this  was 
rebuilt  and  enlarged  by  Archbishop  Albert,  of  whose  magnificent  structure, 
portions,  as  it  is  supposed  by  some,  may  be  seen  in  the  crypt  beneath  the 
choir  of  the  present  Minster.  It  appears  from  Domesday,  that  at  the  time 
of  the  Norman  Conquest  there  were  in  York  no  fewer  than  nine  parochial 
churches ;  but  in  these,  as  they  exist  at  present,  no  traces  of  Saxon  work- 
manship are  left  The  tower  of  another  church  (St.  Mary,  Bishophill  Junior), 
not  mentioned  in  Domesday,  has  been  referred  to  the  Saxon  era ;  but  it  has 
most  probably  been  constructed  by  later  hands,  of  Saxon  and  even  of  Roman 
materials.  A  recent  breach  in  the  city  rampart,  near  the  Railway  Station, 
brought  to  light  a  portion  of  the  fortifications  of  Eoferwic ;  the  searching  eye 
of  an  antiquary  may  detect  tomb-stones,  capitals,  and  other  fragments  of 
Saxon  work  built  into  the  walls  of  our  mediaeval  churches ;  and  an  excavator 
may  occasionally  turn  up  a  relic  of  Saxon  times,  yet  the  memorials  of  their 
long  occupation  of  our  ancient  city,  left  by  the  Saxons,  are  far  less  numerous 
and  important  than  might  have  been  expected. 

A  portion  of  a  Saxon  cross  or  piUar,  with  several  rude  wooden  coffins,  and 
some  other  Saxon  remains,  were  found  in  excavating  for  the  New  Market  or 
Parliament  Street ;  a  curiously  ornamented  fragment  of  a  stone  cross  was 
discovered  in  the  excavations,  preparatory  to  the  building  of  St.  Leonard's 
Place ;  and  several  Saxon  coffin  lids  have  been  found  in  other  parts  of  York. 

This  city  partook  largely  of  the  vicissitudes  to  which  the  country  was  ex- 
posed during  the  period  between  the  evacuation  of  Britain  by  the  Romans, 
and  the  conquest  of  this  island  by  the  Normans.  The  Picts  and  the  Scots, 
the  Saxons  and  the  Danes,  each  in  succession  erected  their  standards  before 
its  gates,  and  obtained  possession  of  it,  as  we  have  shewn  in  the  preceding 
pages  of  this  work.    Though  shorn  of  that  splendour  which  imperial  Rome 


812  HI8T0BT   OF  THE   CITY   OF   YORK. 

conferred,  still  York  maintained,  after  the  departure  of  that  people,  a  dis- 
tinguished rank  as  a  metropolitan  city,  and  as  the  centre  of  commercial 
attraction.  When  Arthur,  the  most  celebrated  of  the  British  monarchs  be- 
fore the  Conquest,  had  expelled  the  Saxons  almost  from  the  island  in  the 
year  531,  the  city  of  York  was  delivered  up  to  him,  and  firom  it  he  proceeded 
on  his  expedition  into  Scotland,  with  a  determination  to  destroy  that  ancient 
seat  of  emnity  from  one  end  to  another.  But  from  this  purpose  he  was  dis- 
suaded by  his  spiritual  guides,  and  having  abandoned  his  purpose,  he  returned 
to  York,  and  there  with  his  clergy,  nobility,  and  soldiers,  celebrated  the  fes- 
tival of  Christmas  in  feasting,  mirth,  and  rejoicings.  This  was  the  first 
festival  of  the  kind  ever  celebrated  in  Britain,  and  from  which  all  those  ever 
since  held  have  taken  their  model.  ''  The  latter  end  of  December,"  says 
Buchanan,  "was  spent  in  mirth,  jollity,  drinking,  and  the  vices  that  are  too 
often  the  consequences,  so  that  the  representations  of  the  old  heathenish 
feasts,  dedicated  to  Saturn,  were  here  again  revived.  Gifts  were  sent  mutu- 
ally from  one  to  another,  frequent  invitations  passed  between  friends,  and 
domestic  offenders  were  not  punished.  All  this  was  to  celebrate  the  Nativity 
of  Christ,  then,  as  they  say,  bom," 

Edwin,  King  of  Northumbria,  mado  York  the  metropolis  of  his  kingdom, 
and  upon  his  conversion  to  Christianity,  erected  it  into  an  Archiepiscopal 
See,  of  which  he  appointed  Paulinus,  Ethelburga  his  Queen's  confessor,  Pri- 
mate. On  the  death  of  Edwin,  who  was  killed  in  battle  in  633,  while 
resisting  an  attack  of  the  Britons,  under  Cadwallon,  assisted  by  Penda,  King 
of  Mercia,  the  city  suffered  severely  from  the  ravages  of  the  confederated 
armies,  who  devastated  it  with  fire  and  sword,  and  massacred  the  inhabitants. 
Ethelburga  and  Paulinus  fled  into  Kent,  and  the  scarcely-finished  church, 
which  Edwin  had  erected,  lay  neglected  for  some  time,  till  it  wsis  restored  by 
Oswald,  Edwin's  successor.  When  the  kingdom  of  Northumbria  was  divided 
into  two  kingdoms — Deira  and  Bemicia — York  was  the  capital  of  the  former. 

Upon  the  union  of  the  several  kingdoms  of  the  Heptarchy,  in  the  reign  of 
Egbert,  York  again  became  a  place  of  importance.  At  this  period  (the  9th 
century)  it  was  the  seat,  not  only  of  commerce,  but  of  literature,  as  far  as 
ihey  then  prevailed  in  the  country ;  and  the  library  collected  by  Archbishop 
Egbert,  and  placed  in  the  Cathedral,  ranked  amongst  the  first  in  Christen- 
dom. The  Malmsbury  historian,  speaking  of  this  library,  says,  "  it  is  the 
noblest  repository,  and  cabinet  of  arts  and  sciences,  in  the  whole  world;"  and 
Alcuin,  the  celebrated  instructor  of  Charlemagne,  in  one  of  his  letters  to  his 
royal  pupil,  requests  that  scholars  may  be  sent  from  France  to  copy  the  works 
deposited  here,  "  that  the  garden  of  letters  may  not  be  shut  up  in  York,  but 


HISTORY   OF   THE   CITY   OF   YORK.  313 

that  some  of  its  fruits  may  be  placed  in  the  paradise  of  Tours. '**^  Manj 
copies  of  some  of  the  most  valuable  works  in  this  libraiy  were  obtained  by 
Alcuin,  even  after  he  took  up  his  residence  in  the  court  of  Charlemagne ;  and 
these  were  afterwards  copied  again,  and  dispersed  through  the  yarious  monas- 
teries in  the  dominions  of  that  monarch.  Thus  is  France  in  part  indebted 
for  her  literature  to  the  ancient  citj  of  York ;  and  to  a  certain  extent  also  is 
Germany,  for  several  of  the  books  belonging  to  her  first  Apostle,  Boniface, 
were  sent  to  him  in  that  country  by  Archbishop  £gbert. 

York  suffered  much  during  the  9th  and  10th  centuries  from  the  incursions 
of  the  Danes,  who  spread  destruction  eYer3rwhere,  spoiling  the  city,  and  burn- 
ing and  wasting  the  country  around  it  for  miles.  During  this  period  many 
of  the  Danish  chieftains  found,  near  York,  a  grave,  among  whom  was  the 
brave  Earl  Siward. 

When  the  Danes  fitted  up  a  mighty  fleet,  and  entered  the  Humber,  in 
867,  under  the  command  of  Hinguar  and  Hubba,  their  first  operation  was 
against  York,  where  a  sanguinary  battle  was  fought,  partly  in  the  midst  of 
the  city ;  when  the  two  Saxon  Kings  of  Northumbria,  Osbert  and  Ella,  were 
slain,  and  the  city  was  reduced  to  a  heap  of  ruins  by  the  enraged  barbarians, 
"who  spared  neither  palace  nor  cottage,  age  or  sex."  (See  pa^e  97. J 
Having  been  rebuilt,  it  was  for  ages  the  centre,  and  frequently  the  scene,  of 
the  struggles  which  were  maintained  between  the  Saxons  and  the  Danes ; 
and  when  Sweyne,  the  Danish  King,  defeated  Ethelred,  the  King  of  England, 
in  a  bloody  and  well-contested  battle,  near  York,  and  the  latter  fled  to  Nor- 
mandy, leaving  his  crown  and  kingdom  to  the  conqueror,  it  became  one  of 
the  principal  settlements  of  those  rapacious  invaders.  Whilst  the  throne  of 
England  was  filled  by  Danish  Kings,  their  Viceroys,  or  Comites  Narthumbriat 
took  up  their  residence  at  York;  whilst  the  Sovereigns  themselves  not 
nnfirequently  made  this  city  the  royal  residence. 

Sweyne  died  in  1014,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son  Canute,  the  most 
powerful  monarch  of  his  time.  The  well-known  reproof  given  by  this  latter 
King  to  his  fawning  courtiers  is  so  just  and  impressive,  that  its  memory  has 
survived  through  eight  centuries.  Some  of  those  flatterers  breaking  out  into 
expressions  of  admiration  of  his  power  and  grandeur,  exclaimed,  that  in  him 
everything  was  possible.  Upon  which  Canute  ordered  his  chair  to  be  placed 
upon  the  sea-shore  while  the  tide  was  rising.  As  the  waters  approached,  he 
commanded  them  with  a  voice  of  authority  to  retire,  and  to  obey  the  lord  of 
the  ocean.     For  some  time  he  feigned  to  sit  in  expectation  of  their  sub- 

•  Lei.  Coll.,  i,  p.  899. 

2  s 


814  HISTORt   OF  THE   CfTTt  OF  TORS. 

mission,  but  the  sea  still  advanced  towards  him,  and  began  to  wash  him  with 
its  billows ;  on  which  he  turned  to  his  courtiers,  and  said  '*  Behold  how  feeble 
and  impotent  is  man.  Power  resideth  in  one  being  alone,  in  whose  hands 
are  the  elements  of  nature,  and  who  alone  can  say  to  the  ocean — Thus  far 
thou  shaU  go  and  no  further,  and  who  can  level  with  his  nod  the  most 
towering  piles  of  pride  and  ambition.*'  The  chroniclers  fix  the  locality  of 
this  great  moral  lesson  at  Southampton. 

When  the  Norwegian  armada  landed  their  forces  at  Biccal,  they  took  York 
by  storm,  after  a  desperate  battle  fought  at  Fulford.  On  the  approach  of 
Harold,  the  last  Anglo-Saxon  Monarch  of  England,  at  the  head  of  a  powerful 
army,  the  invaders  quitted  the  city,  and  took  up  a  strong  position  to  the  east 
of  York,  whither  they  were  followed  by  Harold,  and  the  battle  of  Stamford 
Bridge  ensued.  (See  page  104.^  In  the  intervals  of  peace  which  the  citizens 
experienced,  the  city  gradually  recovered,  and  continued  to  flourish  till  the 
Conquest. 

From  the  Domesday  Survey  we  learn  that  at  the  period  succeeding  the 
Norman  Conquest,  York  was  of  considerable  size,  and  worthy  the  rank  of 
being  the  principal  city  of  the  north.  From  that  valuable  record,  as  trans- 
lated by  the  Bev.  W.  Bawdwen,  we  extract  the  following : — 

<'  In  Eboraco  dvitate  (city  of  York)  in  the  time  of  King  Edward  (the  Con- 
fessor), besides  the  ward  of  the  Archbishop,  there  were  6  wards :  one  of  these 
was  destroyed  when  the  Castles  were  built  In  6  wards  there  were  1418 
inhabited  mansions.  The  Archbishop  has  yet  a  third  part  of  one  of  these 
wards.  In  these  no  one,  but  as  a  burgess,  was  entitled  to  any  cnstomaiy 
payments,  except  Merlesuain,  in  one  house,  which  is  below  the  Castle;  and 
except  the  Canons  wherever  they  reside,  and  except  4  Magistrates,  to  whom 
the  King  granted  this  privilege  by  his  writ,  and  that  for  their  lives ;  but  the 
Archbishop  was  entitled  to  all  customary  payments  in  his  ward.  Of  all  the 
above-mentioned  mansions,  there  are  now  in  the  King's  possession  391  in- 
habited, great  and  small,  paying  custom;  and  400  uninhabited,'!'  which  do 
not  yield  customaiy  services,  but  some  only  one  penny  rent,  and  others  less; 
and  640  mansions  so  uninhabitable,  that  they  pay  nothing  at  all;  and 
foreigners  f  hold  145  houses. 

"  St.  Cuthbert  has  one  mansion,  which  he  always  had,  as  many  say,  quit 
of  all  custom ;  but  the  burgesses  say  that  it  had  not  been  quit  in  the  time  of 

•  These  were  snch  aa  had  no  constant  inhabitant  tied  to  residence,  bat  such  as  went 
and  came  as  they  pleased. 

f  Francigenae,  or  perhaps,  non  redentei  coniuetudinem. 


mSTOBY  OF  THE   CITY  OF  YORK.  815 

King  Edward,  unless  as  one  of  the  burgesses,  or  for  this  reason,  he  had  his 
own  toll,*  and  that  of  the  Canons.     Besides  this  the  Bishop  of  Durham  has, 
of  the  Eing*s  gift,  the  church  of  All  Saints,  and  what  belonged  to  it;  and  all 
the  land  of  Uctred,  and  the  land  of  Emuin,  which  Hugo  the  Sheriff  quit- 
daimed  to  Walcherus,  Bishop  of  Durham,  by  the  King's  writ;  and  the 
burgesses  who  rent  it  saj  that  thej  hold  it  under  the  King.     The  Earl  of 
Morton  has  there  fourteen  mansions,  and  two  stalls  in  the  butchery,  and  the 
church  of  St  Crux ;  Osbem,  the  son  of  Boso,  had  these,  and  whatever  be- 
longed to  them,  granted  to  him.     Thej  had  been  the  mansions  of  Sonulfus, 
the  priest  (one),  Morulfus  (one),  Sterrus  (one),  Esnarrus  (one),  Gamel  with 
four  drenches  (one).  Archil  (five),  Levingus  the  priest  (two),  Turfin  (one), 
Ligilfus  (one).     Nigel  de  Monnevile  has  one  house  of  a  certain  Monier. 
Nigel  Fossart  has  two  houses  of  Modera,  and  holds  them  imder  the  King.f 
Waldin  usurped  two  houses  of  Eetel  the  priest  for  one  house  of  Sterre. 
Hamelin  has  one  house  in  the  city  ditch;  and  Waldin  one  house  of  Einulfus, 
and  another  of  Alwin.     Richard  de  Surdeval  two  houses  of  Turchil  and 
RavechiL    Nigil  Fossart  usurped  two  houses ;  but  it  is  said  he  restored  them 
to  the  Bishop  of  Constance.^    William  de  Percy  has  fourteen  mansions  of 
Bemulfus,  Gamelbar,  Sort,  Egbert,  Selecolf,  Algrim,  Norman,  Dunstan, 
Adolfus,  Weleret,  Ulchel,  Godolent,  Soneva,  Osbert,  and  the  church  of  St. 
Maiy.     Of  Earl  Hugo  the  same  William  has  two  mansions  of  two  bailiffs  of 
Eail  Harold ;  but  the  burgesses  say  one  of  them  had  not  been  the  EarFs, 
but  the  other  had  been  forfeited  to  him.     The  church  of  St.  Cuthbert  the 
same  William  also  claims  of  Earl  Hugo,  and  seven  small  houses  containing 
fiffy  feet  in  width,  besides  one  house  of  a  certain  person  named  Uctred.    The 
bnigesses  declare  that  William  de  Percy  included  one  house  within  the  Castle, 
after  he  had  returned  from  Scotland.    But  William  himself  denies  that  he 
had  had  the  land  of  this  Uctred ;  but  he  affirms  ^that  the  house  was  laid  to 
the  Castle  by  Hugo,  the  Sheriff,  the  first  year  after  its  destruction.§     Hugo, 
son  of  Baldric,  has  four  houses  of  Adulphus,  Hedned,  Turchil,  and  Gospatric, 
and  twenty-nine  small  mansions  ||  at  a  rent,  and  the  church  of  St.  Andrew's, 
which  he  bought.     Robert  Malet  has  nine  houses  of  these  men ;  (viz.)  Tume, 
Grim,  Grimchetel,  Emuin,  Elsi,  and  another  Emuin,  Glunier,  Halden,  Ra- 
vencheL    Emeis  de  Bumn  has  four  houses  of  Grim,  Alwin,  Gospatric,  and 

*  For  things  bought  and  sold  in  the  market    f  Probably  in  eapite,  and  therefore  quit. 
{  Chief  Jusddary  of  England.    He  was  possessed  of  280  manors. 

I  Anno  1070. 
Ij  Therefore  man»Ume$  might  be  large  inns  or  dwelling  plaeee,  perhaps  fneauagia. 


316  HISTORY   OF   THE    CITY   OF   YORK. 

the  church  of  St.  Martin;  two  of  these  mansions  pay  fourteen  shillings. 
Gilbert  Maminot  has  three  houses  of  Meurdock.  Berenger  de  Todeni  has 
two  houses  of  Gamelcarle  and  Alwin,  and  eight  houses  at  rent  A  moiety  of 
these  is  in  the  city  ditch.  Osbeme  de  Archis  has  two  houses  of  Brun  the 
priest  and  his  mother,  and  twelve  houses  at  a  rent,  and  two  houses  of  tlie 
Bishop  of  Constance.  Odo  Balistarius  has  three  houses  of  Feme  and  Orme, 
and  one  of  Elaf  at  a  rent,  and  one  church.  ^  Richard,  son  of  Erfast,  three 
houses  of  Alchemont,  and  Gospatric  and  Bemulf,  and  the  church  of  Holy 
Trinity.  Hubert  de  Montcanisi,  one  house  of  Bundus.  Landric,  the  car- 
penter, has  ten  houses  and  a  half,  wliich  the  Sheriff  made  over  to  him. 

"  In  the  time  of  King  Edward  the  yaluct:  of  the  city  to  the  King  was 
fifty-three  pounds ;  now  one  hundred  pounds  by  weight-t  In  the  time  of 
King  Edward  there  were  in  the  Archbishop's  ward  I  189  inhabited  houses  at 
a  rent.  At  present  there  are  100  inhabited,  great  and  small,  besides  the 
Archbishop's  palace  and  the  Canons'  houses.  The  Archbishop  hath  as  much 
in  his  ward  as  the  King  in  his  wards. 

"Within  the  geld  of  the  city  there  are  fourscore  and  four  carucates  of  land, 
and  every  one  of  them  taxed  as  one  house  in  the  city,  and  they  with  the 
citizens  did  the  three  works  for  the  King.§  Of  these  the  Archbishop  has 
six  carucates,  which  three  ploughs  may  till.  These  compose  the  fatm 
belonging  to  his  palace.  This  was  not  improved  and  let  at  a  rent  in  the 
time  of  King  Edward,  but  here  and  there  cultivated  by  the  burgesses ;  it  is 
the  same  now.  Of  the  land  described,  the  King's  pool  destroyed  two  new 
mills  of  the  value  of  twenty  shillings,  and  overflowed  one  carucate  of  arable, 
meadow,  and  garden  ground.  Value  in  King  Edward's  time  sixteen  shillings, 
now  three.  In  Osboldeuuic  (Osboldwick)  there  are  six  carucates  of  land  be- 
longing to  the  Canons,  where  there  may  be  three  ploughs.  The  Canons 
have  now  there  two  ploughs  and  a  half,  and  six  viUanes  and  three  bordars 
having  two  ploughs  and  a  half.  Likewise  in  Mortun  (Morton)  the  Canons 
have  four  carucates  of  land,  where  they  may  be  two  ploughs ;  but  it  is  waste. 
These  two  villages  are  one  mile  in  breadth,  and  one  in  length.  In  Stocthnn 
(Stockton)  there  are  six  carucates,  where  they  may  be  three  plou^s.     They 

*  This  is  to  be  understood  of  the  annual  value. 

f  The  ancient  way  of  paying  money  by  weight,  opposed  to  the  payment  of  the  same 
de  numeroy  importing  twenty  shillings. 

}  If  the  ward,  shire,  or  district,  meant  only  the  close  of  the  Cathedral,  it  is  plain  there 
were  more  houses  in  it  before  the  Conquest  than  there  are  now,  or  indeed  well  could 
stand  in  the  compass. 

§  Burgbote,  Brigbote,  and  Expeditio,  called  trinoda  neeeiHtae, 


HISTORY   OF  THE   CITY   OF  YORK.  317 

are  waste ;  of  these,  three  belong  to  the  Canons,  and  three  to  Eaxl  Alan. 
These  are  half  a  mile  m  length,  and  half  a  mile  in  breadth.  In  Sabura 
(Saubum)  there  are  three  carucates,*  where  they  may  be  one  plough  and  a 
half.  Waste.  Ealph  Paganel  holds  it.  The  Canons  say  that  they  them- 
selves  had  it  in  the  time  of  King  Edward.  In  Heuuarde  (Haworth)  Orme 
had  one  manor  of  six  canicates  of  land,  where  they  may.  be  three  ploughs. 
Hugo,  son  of  Baldric,  has  now  one  vassal  and  one  plough ;  value  in  King 
Edward's  time  ten  shillings,  now  five  shillings.  In  the  same  village  Walt^ 
had  one  manor  of  three  canicates  of  land ;  Richard  now  has  it  of  the  Earl  of 
Morton ;  value  in  King  Edward's  time  ten  shillings,  now  ten  shillings  and 
eightpence.  This  village  is  one  mile  long,  and  half  a  mile  broad.  In  Fule- 
ford  (Fulford)  Morcar  had  one  manor  of  ten  carucates  of  land.  Earl  Alan 
now  has  it ;  there  may  be  five  ploughs.  There  are  now  in  the  demesne  two 
ploughs,  and  six  viUanes  have  two  ploughs  there.  It  is  in  length  one  mile, 
and  in  breadth  half  a  mile.  Value  in  King  Edward's  time  twenty  shillings, 
now  sixteen.  In  the  circuit  of  the  city  Torfin  has  one  carucate  of  land,  and 
Torchil  two  carucates;  these  two  ploughs  may  till.  In  Cliftune  (Clifton) 
there  are  eighteen  carucates  of  land  subject  to  the  tax  geld  or  gelt;  these 
nine  ploughs  may  till ;  it  is  now  waste.  Value  in  King  Edward's  time  twenty 
shiUings.  Of  these  Morcar  had  nine  carucates  of  land,  and  one  half  to  be 
taxed,  which  five  ploughs  may  till.  Earl  Alan  has  now  there  two  ploughs, 
and  two  viUanes  and  four  boidars  with  one  plough.  In  it  are  fifty  acres  of 
meadow ;  of  these  twenty-nine  belong  to  St.  Peter,  and  the  other  to  the  Earl. 
Besides  these  the  Archbishop  has  eight  acres  of  meadow.  This  manor  is 
one  mile  long,  and  one  broad.  Value  in  King  Edward's  time  twenty  shillings ; 
the  same  now.  The  Canons  have  eight  carucates  and  a  half;  they  are  waste. 
In  Eoudclifie  (BAwcliff)  there  are  three  carucates  of  land  to  be  taxed,  which 
two  pbttghs  may  till ;  of  these  Saxford,  the  Deacon,  had  two  carucates,  with 
a  ball  (now  St  Peter),  and  the  value  ten  shillings.  And  Turber  had  (now 
the  King)  one  carucate  with  a  hall ;  and  the  value  five  shillings ;  now  both 
are  waste.  There  are  three  acres  of  meadow  there.  In  the  whole,  half  a 
mile  long,  and  as  much  broad.  In  Ouerton  (Overton)  there  are  to  be  taxed 
five  carucates  of  land,  which  two  ploughs  and  a  half  may  till ;  Morcar  had  a 
hall  there.  Earl  Alan  has  now  there  one  plough  and  five  villanes,  and  three 
bordars  with  three  ploughs,  and  thirty  acres  of  meadow,  and  wood  pasture 
one  mile  long,  and  two  quarentens  broad.  In  the  whole,  one  mile  in  length, 
and  half  a  mile  in  breadth ;  value  in  King  Edward's  time,  and  now,  twenty 
shillings.    In  Sceltun  (Skelton)  there  are  nine  carucates  of  land  to  be  taxed, 


818  HI8T0BT  OF  TRB  CITT  OF  TOUC 

which  four  ploughs  may  tiU;  of  these  St  Peter  had,  and  has,  three  eamcates 
in  King  Edward's  time;  and  the  Talue  six  shillings;  it  is  now  waste.  Tor- 
her  held  two  carocates  of  this  land,  with  a  hall,  and  six  oxgangs.  Now  one 
farmer  funm  eeruoriutj  has  it  under  the  King ;  and  there  are  two  ploughs 
and  six  villanes ;  value  in  King  Edward's  time  six  shillings,  now  eight.  Two 
carucates  and  six  oxgangs  of  the  same  land  belonging  to  Overton.  Eail 
Alan  has  there  one  vassal  with  one  plough.  In  the  whole,  half  a  mile  in 
length,  and  half  in  breadth.  In  Mortun  (Morton)  there  are  to  be  taxed  three 
carucates  of  land,  which  one  pbugh  may  till.  Archil  held  this  land,  and  the 
value  was  ten  shillings ;  it  is  now  waste.  In  Wichistun  (Wigginton)  there 
is  to  be  taxed  one  carucate  of  land,  which  one  plough  may  till.  Saxford,  the 
Deacon,  held  it.  Now  St  Peter  has  it  It  was  and  is  waste.  There  is 
coppice  wood  there.    The  whole  length,  half  a  mile,  and  the  breadth  ha]£ 

''  These  had  Soke,  Sac,  Toll,  Thaim,  and  all  customs,  in  the  time  of  King 
Edward ;  Earl  Harrold,  Merelesuen,  Ulffenisc,  Toigod  Lageman,  Tochi  (son 
of  Otra),  Edwin  and  Morcar,  upon  the  land  of  Ingold  only. 

**  Qamel,  son  of  Osbert,  upon  Gottingham  only,  Copsi  upon  Coxwold  only, 
and  Cnut  Of  those  which  he  forfeited  he  made  satisfiiction  to  no  one  but 
to  the  King  and  the  Earl.  The  Earl  has  no  right  whatever  in  the  church 
manors ;  neither  the  King  in  the  manors  of  the  Earl,  excepting  what  relates 
to  spiritualities  which  belong  to  the  Archbishop,  in  all  the  land  of  St  Peter 
at  York,  and  St  John,  and  St  WilMd,  and  St  Cuthbert,  and  the  Holy 
Trinity.  The  King  likewise  hath  not  had  any  custom  there,  neither  the 
Earl,  nor  any  other.  The  King  has  three  wa3rs  by  land,  and  a  fourth  by 
water.  In  these  all  forfeitures  belong  to  the  King  and  the  Earl,  whichsoever 
way  they  go,  either  through  the  land  of  the  King,  or  of  the  Archbishop,  or 
of  the  Earl. 

**  The  King's  peace  given  imder  his  hand  or  seal,  if  it  shall  have  been 
broken,  satisfaction  is  to  be  made  to  the  King  only  by  twelve  hundreds ; 
every  himdred  eight  pounds.  Peace  given  by  an  Earl  by  whomsoever  bro- 
ken, satisllACtion  is  to  be  made  by  six  hundreds ;  every  hundred  eight  pounds. 
If  any  one  shall  have  been  exiled  according  to  law,  no  one  but  the  King  shall 
pardon  him.  But  if  an  Earl  or  Sheriff  shall  have  exiled  any  one  from  the 
country,  they  themselves  may  recall  him,  and  pardon  him  if  they  will.  Those 
Thanes  who  shall  have  had  more  than  six  manors  pay  relief  of  lands  to  the 
King  only.  The  relief  is  eight  pounds.  But  if  he  shall  have  had  only  six 
manors  or  fewer,  three  marks  of  silver  shall  be  paid  to  the  Sheriff  for  the 
relief.    But  the  burgesses,  citizens  of  York,  do  not  pay  relief." 


ai8T0RT   OF  TBB   OITT  OF  TOBK.  819 

The  chief  entries  respectmg  the  city  of  York  are  thus  summed  up  by  Sir 
Henry  EUis,* — '*  In  the  time  of  Edward  the  Confessor,  there  were  six  shires 
in  York  besides  the  shire  of  the  Archbishop.  One  of  these  shires  at  the  time 
of  the  Survey,  had  been  demolished  to  make  room  for  the  Castles.  In  the 
other  five  shires  there  were  1,418  '  mansiones  hospitatse.'  In  the  shire  of  the 
Archbishop  there  were,  in  the  time  of  King  Edward,  180  '  mansiones  hospi- 
tatiB,*  so  that  the  full  number  of  those  mansions  was  1,607,  besides  the  shire 
sacrificed  to  the  Castles.  The  whole  number  may  be  presumed  to  have  been 
1800,  or  thereabouts ;  the  Curia  of  the  Archbishop  and  the  houses  of  the 
Canons  not  included  in  this  estimate.  The  whole  number  of  '  Domus  Hos- 
pitatee,*  at  the  time  of  the  Survey,  may  be  reckoned  at  1,036." 

Drake  supposes  that  in  all  there  were  3,000  inhabited  houses  in  York  in 
the  reign  of  the  Confessor,  containing  a  population  of  10,000 ;  and  allowing 
the  suburbs  to  be  as  extensive  as  Leland  represents,  he  says,  "  we  may  rea- 
sonably suppose  above  as  many  more  inhabtants  to  have  resided  in  them.**f 
Sir  H.  Ellis,  taking  his  figures  from  Domesday  itself,  makes  the  population  of 
the  ichoU  county  8,066  persons.  If  this  contrast  be  correct,  the  devastation  in 
Yorkshire  caused  by  the  Conquest  must  indeed  have  been  terrific.  As  has 
been  shown  at  page  12d,  York,  long  the  "  Athens  of  the  North,**  was,  at  the 
period  of  the  Conquest,  as  fair  and  beautifiil  as  the  city  of  Home,  and  its 
buildings  were  as  magnificent  But  its  splendours  are  doomed.  The  citi* 
zens  unfortunately  refused  to  yield  obedience  to  the  Conqueror,  and  after  a 
siege  of  six  months  they  surrendered,  and  their  city  was  razed  to  the  ground. 
It  never  entirely  recovered  this  shock. 

In  1137  York  was  again  burnt  accidentally,  including  the  Cathedral,  St 
Mary*s  Abb^,  St  Leonardos  Hospital,  and  forty  parish  Churches.  From 
being  the  metropolis  of  an  empire,  and  the  chief  residence  of  the  Northum- 
biian  Eii^^,  York  had  now  gradually  reduced  to  the  capital  and  seat  of  an 
Earldom ;  the  limits  of  the  district  under  this  term  being  for  a  long  time 
eo-extenaive  with  the  boundaries  of  the  kingdom  of  Northumbria. 

«  One  of  the  first  Parliaments  mentioned  in  history,"  says  Drake,  "  was 
held  at  York  about  the  year  1160,  in  the  reign  of  Heniy  11."  The  same 
Monarch  held  another  Parliament  here  in  1171,  at  which  William,  King  of 
Scotland,  did  homage  for  his  kingdom. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  reign  of  Richard  I.,  a  great  massacre  of  the  Jews 
took  place  here,  the  details  of  which  are  of  the  most  shocking  character. 
(See  page  Idd.)   In  IdSO  King  Henry  m.  with  Alexander,  King  of  Scotland, 

•  Sir  H.  Ellis's  Domeedsy,  vdL  iL,  p.  600.   ,  f  EbonMrnm,  p.  284. 


8S0  HI8T0BT   OF  THE  CITY  OF  YORK. 

and  an  immense  number  of  the  nobility  and  gentiy  of  both  kingdoms,  kept 
Christmas  at  York ;  and  again  in  1351  the  citj  was  honoured  by  the  same 
illustrious  personages,  to  celebrate  the  marriage  of  the  Princess  Margaret, 
daughter  of  Henry  111.,  and  the  Scottish  King.  In  1201  Edward  I.  visited 
York,  on  his  way  to  Scotland ;  and  in  1208  the  same  monarch  held  a  Par* 
liament  here,  to  which  he  summoned  the  King  of  Scotland.  This  was  Ihe 
beginning  of  the  wars  between  the  two  kingdoms,  which  raged  during  that 
and  the  following  reign.  Sereral  Parliaments  were  held  at  York  during  the 
reigns  of  the  first  three  Princes  of  the  bouse  of  Plantagenet.  In  1880  the 
unfortunate  Richard  m.  was  at  York,  and  conferred  the  title  of  Ijo/rd  Ma/ifor 
on  William  de  Selby,  who  then  filled  that  high  municipal  office.  During  the 
Wars  of  the  Roses  York  experienced  many  calamities.  Richard  m.  soon 
after  his  accession  visited  York,  where,  according  to  Drake,  he  caused  him- 
self to  be  crowned  a  second  time,  his  first  coronation  having  taken  place 
previously  in  Loiidon.  But  though  the  ceremonials  connected  with  Richard's 
visit  were  exceedingly  gorgeous,  yet  Mr.  Davies,  in  his  recent  work  on  the 
City  Records,  has  adduced  evidence  which  goes  a  great  way  to  prove  that 
his  own  coronation  was  certainly  not  one  of  them.  (See  page  170.)  In  1541 
Heniy  VIII.  established  the  Great  Council  of  the  North,  at  York,  and  directed 
its  sittings  to  be  held  at  the  Manor  House,  then  newly  erected  out  of  the 
ruins  of  St.  Mary*s  Abbey,  which,  with  the  rest  of  the  monastic  institutions 
of  the  realm,  had  been  previously  suppressed.  In  1603  York  was  visited  by 
James  I.  In  1604  the  plague  raged  here  to  an  alarming  extent  (See  page 
216.)  In  the  reign  of  Charles  I.  that  monarch  retired  to  York  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  commotions  between  him  and  his  Parliament.  In  April, 
1644,  the  city  was  besieged  by  nearly  40,000  men  of  the  Parliament's  forces^ 
under  Sir  Thomas  FairCu  and  the  Earls  of  Manchester  and  Leven.  During 
this  siege  was  fought  the  battle  of  Marston  Moor,  on  the  2nd  of  July,  and 
the  city  was  surrendered  on  honorable  terms  on  the  11th  of  the  same  month. 
At  the  Restoration,  Charles  H.  was  proclaimed  here  amid  great  r^oicings. 
During  the  period  preceding  the  Revolution  in  1688,  this  city  was  noted  for 
its  opposition  to  the  King;  and  in  the  very  year  of  the  Revolution  James  11. 
took  away  its  charter,  and  declared  the  office  of  Mayor  to  be  vacant.  Imme- 
diately after  the  Revolution  the  charter  was  restored,  and  the  civic  offices  of  the 
city  were  re-established.  From  this  period  the  most  noticeable  occurrences 
have  been  the  visits  of  illustrious  personages.  Towards  the  end  of  the  last 
century  his  Royal  Highness,  the  Prince  of  Wales  (afterwards  George  IV .),  and 

*  For  an  account  of  this  siege  see  page  241  of  this  Histoiy. 


HISTORY   OF  THE   CITY   OF   YORK.  821 

his  royal  brother,  the  Duke  of  York,  visited  York ;  and  Charles  James  Fox, 
the  Earl  St  Vincent,  Prince  Leopold,  the  Duke  of  Sussex,  and  the  great 
Duke  of  Wellington,  have  also  been  here.  An  account  of  the  visits  of  her 
present  Majesty,  her  royal  consort,  and  the  juvenile  members  of  the  royal 
family,  in  the  years  1885,  1848,  1840,  1850,  and  1854,  will  be  found  at 
page  276  to  281  of  this  volume. 

TopooBAPHY. — ^In  proceeding  to  describe  York  "  as  it  is  to  day,"  the  con- 
trast between  it  and  York  of  the  "  olden  time  "  forces  itself  strongly  upon  the 
mind,  and  serves  to  exhibit  the  vicissitudes  to  which  the  ajBGedrs  of  places  as 
well  as  of  persons  are  subject.  But  though  York — ^imperial  York— once  the 
capital  of  Britain — ^the  residence  of  Emperors  and  of  Kings — ^has  been  shorn 
of  some  of  its  brightest  beams ;  though  in  remote  periods  it  has  been  three 
times  razed  to  the  ground,  by  the  Saxons,  the  Danes,  and  the  Normans ; 
and  though  in  modem  times  it  has  been  deprived  of  its  commerce  by  HuU, 
and  of  its  manufactures  by  Leeds  and  other  towns  in  the  West-Riding,  it  is 
still  an  interesting  and  venerable  city,  and  the  See  of  an  Archbishop.  Con- 
trasting modem  York  with  its  ancient  imperial  dignity.  Sir  Thomas  Wid- 
drington  has  written : — 

York's  not  so  great  as  old  York  was  of  yore, 
Yet  York  it  is  though  wasted  to  the  core ; 
It's  not  that  York  which  Shrank  built  of  old, 
Nor  yet  that  York  which  was  of  Boman  mould ; 
York  was  the  third  time  burnt,  and  what  you  see 
Are  York's  small  ashes  of  antiquity. 

The  City  of  York,  the  county  town  of  Yorkshire,  is  situated  near  the  centre 
of  Great  Britain,  in  one  of  the  richest  and  most  extensive  plains  or  valleys 
in  England,  at  the  confluence  of  the  rivers  Ouse  and  Foss,  and  at  the  junc- 
tion of  the  York  and  North  Midland  and  the  Great  North  of  Enghmd 
Railways,  as  well  as  at  the  point  where  the  three  Hidings  or  districts  of  the 
county  meet,  though  the  city  is  independent  of  either  of  them.  It  is  distant 
by  the  York  and  North  MicQand  (now  called  the  North  Eastern)  Railway  220 
miles ;  and  by  the  Great  Northem  Railway  191  miles,  N.  N.  W.  of  London. 
The  distance  from  York  to  the  foUowing  places  (by  Railway)  is  as  follows : — 
to  Newcastle-upon-Tyne,  84  miles;  to  Leeds,  82 ;  to  Scarborough,  42| ;  to 
Whitby,  67 ;  to  Malton,  22 ;  to  Hull,  53 ;  to  Selby,  28 ;  to  Low  Harrogate, 
29 ;  to  Market  Weighton,  28 ;  to  Normanton,  24* ;  to  Derby,  88 ;  to  Bir- 
mingham, 129 ;  to  Manchester,  76 ;  to  Berwick-upon-Tweed,  161 ;  and  to 

Edinburgh,  208  miles. 

2   T 


322  HISTORY   OF   THE    CITY   OF   YORlt. 

Walls,  Gates,  &c. — The  ancient  City  of  York,  which  is  about  three 
miles  in  circumference,  is  almost  surrounded  with  walls  or  ramparts ;  but 
there  are  no  existing  records  to  show  when  these  walls  were  first  erected, 
though  there  is  a  strong  series  of  historical  evidence  to  prove  that  York  was 
fortified  both  during  the  Saxon  and  Danish  periods,  as  weU  as  under  the 
Roman  power.  There  is  no  doubt  that  under  the  Roman  Prsetors  the  ancient 
Eboracum  was  well  fortified,  and  there  appears  to  be  little  doubt  that  the 
form  and  direction  of  three  of  these  Roman  walls  has  at  different  times  been 
discovered.  Combining  the  evidence  furnished  bj  the  position  of  the  por- 
tions of  the  three  ancient  walls  which  have  been  found,  the  Rev.  C.  Well- 
beloved,  of  York,  one  of  the  best  living  authorities  on  the  subject,  thinks  we 
are  warranted  in  concluding  that  the*Roman  city  was  of  a  rectangular  form, 
of  about  650  yards  by  about  550,  enclosed  by  a  wall,  and  rampart  mound  of 
earth  on  the  inner  side  of  the  wall,  and  perhaps  a  fosse  without.  According 
to  his  ideas,  the  four  angles  of  the  Roman  wall  were  at  the  present  Multan- 
gular Tower  in  the  Gardens  of  the  Museum ;  near  the  end  of  Jubbergate 
(now  called  Market  Street),  where  it  adjoins  Coney  Street  ;*  near  the  bottom 
of  Aldwark ;  and  somewhere  in  the  vicinity  of  the  present  angle  of  the  city 
walls  on  Lord  Mayor's  Walk.  There  is  however  no  dispute  as  to  the  Roman 
origin  of  the  Multangular  Tower  and  the  wall  adjoining.  From  its  long 
defence  against  the  Norman  Conqueror  it  is  certain,  that  according  to  the 
military  science  of  the  time,  York  was  a  formidable  station,  and  must  have 
been  completely  defended  by  walls  and  ditches.  Henry  IH.  granted  a  patent 
to  the  Lord  Mayor  to  levy  certain  tolls  in  specie  on  certain  goods  entering 
York,  which  was  to  be  applied  to  the  maintenance  of  the  fortifications  of  the 
city ;  and  Drake,  in  his  Eboracum,  copies  at  length  three  writs  of  mandamus 
issued  to  the  Dean  and  Chapter,  the  better  to  enforce  the  tax. 

It  is  generally  supposed  that  these  ramparts  were  rebuilt  in  the  reign  of 
Edward  I.,  with  a  view  to  rendering  the  city  better  able  to  resist  the  inroads 
of  the  Scots,  whose  invasions  he  had  but  too  much  reason  to  expect.  In  the 
reign  of  his  son  and  successor  Edward  11.,  the  Scots  made  such  inroads  into 
the  country  as  to  penetrate  even  to  the  very  gates  of  York,  but  without 
daring  to  undertake  the  siege.  (See  page  187.)  In  the  Fcedera  of  Rymer 
we  find  the  following  mandate  from  Edward  HE.  to  the  "  Mayor  and  Bailifis 
of  the  City  of  York,"  directing  them  to  repair  the  fortifications,  and  provide 

*  In  1832  the  foundations  of  an  angular  tower  were  discovered  while  making  exca- 
vations in  Market  Street  (late  Jubbergate.) 


HISTORY   OF  THE    CITY   OF  YORK.  328 

ammimitioti  for  the  defence  of  the  place ;  and  the  method  of  defraying  the 
expense  is  characteristic  of  the  lawlessness  of  the  times. 

"  Since  the  Scotch,  our  enemies  and  rehels,  have  thought  fit  to  enter  our 
kingdom  in  an  hostile  maimer  near  Carhsle,  with  all  their  power,  as  we  are 
certainlj  informed,"  sajs  the  mandate,  "  and  kiU,  hum,  destroy,  and  act  other 
mischiefs  as  far  as  they  are  able,  we  have  drawn  down  our  army  in  order,  by 
God  s  assistance,  to  restrain  their  malice,  and  to  that  end  turn  our  steps 
towards  that  country  and  those  enemies. 

"We,  considering  our  aforesaid  city  of  York,  especially  whilst  Isabel, 
Queen  of  England,  our  most, dear  mother,  our  brother  and  sisters,^  abide  in 
the  same,  to  be  more  safely  kept  and  guarded ;  least  any  sudden  danger  from 
our  enemies*  approach  should  happen  to  the  said  city ;  or  fear  affiright  our 
mother,  brother,  and  sisters,  which  Grod  avert,  for  want  of  sufficient  ammu- 
nition and  guard ;  we  strictly  command  and  charge  you,  upon  your  fSaiths 
and  allegiance,  and  on  the  forfeiture  of  everything  you  can  forfeit  to  us,  im- 
mediately at  sight  of  these  presents,  without  excuse  or  delay,  to  inspect  and 
overlook  all  your  walls,  ditches  and  towers,  and  ammunition,  proper  for  the 
defence  of  the  said  city ;  taking  with  you  such  of  our  faithful  servants  as  will 
be  chosen  for  this  purpose ;  and  to  take  such  order  for  its  defence  that  no 
danger  can  happen  to  the  city  by  neglect  of  such  safeguards. 

"  And  we,  by  these  presents,  give  you  full  power  and  authority  to  distrain 
and  compel  all  and  singular  owners  of  houses  or  rents  in  the  said  city,  or 
merchants,  or  strangers,  inhabiting  the  same,  by  the  seizure  of  their  bodies 
or  goods,  to  be  aiding  towards  the  security  of  the  walls,  bulwarks,  or  towers, 
as  you  in  your  own  discretion  shall  think  fit  to  ordain  for  the  making  other 
useful  and  necessary  works  about  it ;  punishing  all  those  that  are  found  to 
contradict  or  rebel  against  this  order,  by  imprisonment,  or  what  other  methods 
you  think  fit.  Study  therefore  to  use  such  diligence  in  the  execution  of  the 
premises,  that  we  may  find  it  in  the  effect  of  your  works ;  and  that  we  may 
have  no  occasion  from  your  negligence,  should  danger  happen,  to  take  severe 
notice  of  you.    Dated  at  Durham,  July  15.  A.  1327. 

"BY   THE   KINO." 

In  1538  Leland  commenced  his  Itinerary  by  command  of  Henry  Vlll., 
and  in  that  ancient  record  is  the  following  account  of  the  state  of  the  fortifi- 
cations of  York  at  that  period : — "  The  towne  of  Yorke  standeth  by  west  and 
est  of  Ouse  river  running  through  it,  but  that  part  that  lyeth  by  est  is  twice 

*  Prince  John  of  Eltham,  and  the  Princesses  Joan  and  Elinor. 


834  HI8T0BT  OF  THE   CTTT  OF  TOBK. 

as  grete  in  building  as  the  other.  Thus  goeth  the  waul  from  the  ripe  (or 
bank)  of  Ouse  of  the  est  part  of  the  cite  of  York.  Fyrst,  a  grete  towre  with 
a  chaine  of  jron  to  cast  over  the  Ouse,  than  another  towre  and  soe  to  Bow- 
damgate ;  from  Bowdamgate  or  bar  to  Goodramgate  or  bar  x  towres ;  thens 
four  towres  to  Laythorpe  a  postern  gate,  and  soe  by  a  space  of  two  flite 
shottes,  the  blind  and  deep  water  of  Fosse  coming  out  of  the  forest  of  Galtres, 
defended  this  part  of  the  cite  without  waules;  then  to  Waumgate  three 
towres  and  thens  to  Fishei^ate,  stoppid  up  sins  the  communes  bumid  it  yn 
the  tyme  of  King  Henry  the  seventh.  Thens  to  the  ripe  of  Fosse  have  three 
towres,  and  in  the  three  a  postern ;  and  thens  over  Fosse  by  a  bridge  to  the 
castelle.  The  west  part  of  the  cite  is  thus  ynclosed ;  first  a  turrit,  and  soe 
the  waul  runneth  over  the  side  of  the  dungeon  of  the  castelle  on  tl^e  west  side 
of  Ouse,  right  agayne  the  castelle  on  the  est  ripe.  The  plotte  of  this  castelle 
is  now  called  Ould  Baile,  and  the  area  and  ditches  of  it  doe  manifestly  ap- 
peare.  Betwixt  the  beginninge  of  the  first  part  of  this  west  waulle  and 
Micklegate  be  ix  towres ;  and  betwixt  it  and  the  ripe  agayne  of  Ouse  be  xi 
towres ;  and  at  this  xi  towres  be  a  postern  gate,  and  the  towre  of  it  is  right 
agayne  the  est  towre,  to  draw  over  the  chain  on  Ouse  betwixt  them." 

The  siege  of  York  in  1644  damaged  'the  walls  very  considerably ;  and  the 
three  following  years  were  employed  in  repairing  them.  Walmgate  Bar  and 
the  walls  around  it  had  suffered  more  than  any  of  the  rest,  on  account  of  the 
batteries  on  Lamel  Mill  HiU.  The  Bar  was  moreover  undermined  and  much 
shaken  by  the  explosion.  The  date  of  the  completion  of  the  repairs  of  this 
part  (1648)  stands  above  the  arch  of  the  outer  Barbican.  The  walls  between 
Monk  Bar  and  Layerthorpe  Postern  were  restored  in  1666 ;  and  in  1669, 
those  near  Bootham  Bar  were  repaired  at  the  cost  of  the  city.  In  1673  the 
walls  from  Walmgate  Bar  to  their  termination  at  the  Red  Tower,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Foss,  were  repaired,  but  they  are  now  in  a  state  of  dilapidation. 
About  the  year  1700  the  whole  circuit  of  the  walls  was  paved  with  brick, 
and  thrown  open  to  the  public  as  a  promenade.  It  appears  that  soon  after 
this  date  they  began  to  fall  into  decay,  and  as  no  means  were  taken  to  pre- 
vent the  dilapidation,  the  time  did  not  appear  far  off  when  they  would  be 
entirely  destroyed.  But  in  the  year  1831  the  Corporation  granted  a  donation 
of  £100.  towards  their  restoration,  and  a  considerable  sum  was  raised  by 
subscription  for  the  same  purpose.  The  length  of  the  wall  between  North 
Street  Postern  and  Micklegate  Bar  was  restored  at  a  cost  of  iS  1,067.  17s.  6d. ; 
and  £rom  that  Bar  to  Skeldergate  Postern,  for  £1,725.  Is.  6d.  The  walls 
also  from  Fishergate  Postern,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  a  little  beyond 
Fishergate  Bar,  were  likewise  restored.    Walmgate  Bar  and  Barbican,  and 


HISTOBY   OF  THE   CITT   OF  YORK.  835 

the  lemainder  of  the  y/bH  between  that  point  and  Fishergate,  were  restored 
with  the  sum  of  Jg500.  (increased  by  several  subscriptions)  which  the  Corpo- 
ration received  from  the  Great  North  of  England  Railway  Company,  for  per- 
mission to  erect  the  gateway  to  their  coal  depot  near  North  Street  Postern.* 
Neaily  the  whole  circle  of  the  ancient  fortifications  is  now  open  to  the  public, 
and  forms  a  most  delightful  promenade,  at  once  commanding  the  advantages 
of  the  purest  air  and  most  pleasing  prospects ;  embracing — ^within  the  walls 
— the  noble  Cathedral  in  some  of  its  finest  points  of  view ;  the  picturesque 
ruins  of  St.  Mary*s  Abbey ;  the  Roman  Multangular  Tower ;  the  classical 
building  (the  Museum)  and  elegant  grounds  of  the  Yorkshire  Philosophical 
Society ;  the  venerable  Ouild-Hall,  rising  from  the  water's  edge ;  and  the 
Castle  and  Clifford's  Tower,  its  ancient  keep.  And  beyond  the  walls  the 
views  are  extensive  and  delightful,  embracing  the  beautiful  Ouse,  Severus's 
Hill,  and  other  interesting  objects.  The  walls  completely  encompass  that 
part  of  the  city  which  is  situated  on  the  western  side  of  the  river  Ouse. 
Commencing  near  the  river,  at  Skeldergate  Postern,  the  promenade  is  perfect, 
and  the  walk  delightful — ^passing  Micklegate  Bar  and  the  Railway  Station — 
till  we  reach  again  the  bank  of  the  river  at  North  Street  Postern.  Here  the 
wall  terminates  with  a  picturesque  old  tower,  from  which  a  chain  was  for- 
merly attached  across  the  river  to  Lendal  Tower  on  the  opposite  side.  From 
the  latter  tower  the  wall  may  be  traced  in  the  Museum  gardens,  running 
towards  the  entrance  lodge ;  and  from  St  Leonard's  Hospital  (adjacent  to 
the  lodge)  to  the  Multangular  Tower  from  whence  it  takes  an  easterly  direc- 
tion past  the  Manor  House  or  School  for  the  Blind.  From  hence  there  is 
an  interruption,  till  we  arrive  at  Bootham  Bar,  from  whence  it  extends  in  a 
south-easterly  direction  to  Monk  Bar.  This  pcirt  of  the  waU  is  in  good 
repair,  but  has  no  public  walk  upon  it ;  a  good  view  of  it  may  be  obtained 
from  Lord  Mayor's  Walk.  From  Monk  Bar  the  wall  sweeps  in  a  southern 
direction  to  Layerthorpe,  and  is  in  good  preservation,  and  open  to  the 
public.  From  Layerthorpe  Postern  to  the  Red  Tower,  the  river  Foss  and 
the  marshy  ground  adjoining  it  sufficiently  protected  the  city,  and  rendered 
a  wall  unnecessary    As  has  been  already  observed,  the  wall  from  the  Red 

"  Probably  it  is  not  generaUy  known,"  says  Mr.  WeUbeloved,  in  one  of  his  notes  to  the 
■nthor  of  York  and  itt  Vicinity,  '*  that  the  last  reparation  of  the  waUs  originated  with 
a  few  persons  anxious  to  walk  in  the  '  old  ways/  who  formed  an  Association  called  '  The 
Foot-i>ath  Association.'  At  a  meeting  of  the  associators,  one  member  prox>o8ed  that  the 
walk  on  the  walls  should  be  considered  as  a  common  foot-path,  A  resolution  to  that 
eflbot  brought  the  state  of  the  walls  undw  the  notice  of  the  Association,  and  successful 
meaiiures  were  taken,  tenninating  in  a  general  and  complete  repair." 


826  HISTOBT   OF   THE   CITY   OF  TOBK. 

Tower  to  Walmgate  Bar  is  much  decayed ;  bat  from  the  latter  place  to  its 
termination  at  Fisheigate  Postern,  it  is  in  good  repair,  and  the  promenade 
is  open. 

The  dilapidated  walls  from  Walmgate  Bar  to  the  Red  Tower»  a  distance 
of  nearly  350  yards,  are  about  to  be  restored,  and  when  this  is  effected,  the 
whole  of  the  walls  of  the  city  will  be  in  a  state  of  perfect  repair.  Thoa§^ 
this  latter  portion  of  the  ramparts  is  particularly  interesting,  owing  to  its 
being  the  oldest  part  of  the  time-honoured  walls  of  this  ancient  city,  and  to 
its  having  peculiarities  which  no  other  portion  possesses — ^being  built  on  a 
series  of  rude  and  irregular  arches,  on  account  of  the  unsound  nature  of  the 
soil — an  attempt  to  destroy  it  has  been  lately  made.  The  Local  Board  of 
Health  Committee,  at  the  instigation,  it  is  said,  of  an  interested  individual, 
recently  recommended  that  this  portion  of  the  walls  should  be  pulled  down ; 
and  the  chief  reason  given  by  the  despoilers  for  the  proposed  act  of  Vandal- 
ism, was  that  their  removal  would  improve  the  health  of  the  locality  (a  sheer 
fallacy),  and  that  the  site  of  the  walls  being  made  available  for  building  pur- 
poses, might  be  sold  for  from  £2,000.  to  £3,000. 

Such  a  recommendation,  and  coming  from  such  a  quarter,  veiy  naturally 
aroused  the  feelings  of  the  citizens,  who  are  justly  proud  of  the  antiquities 
they  possess,  and  anxious  carefully  to  preserve  them.  The  Yorkshire  Anti- 
quarian Club,  and  the  Yorkshire  Architectural  Society,  and  others  interested 
in  the  protection  of  the  ancient  remains  of  this  city,  lost  no  time  in  memori- 
alizing the  Council.  The  memorial  of  the  latter  society  was  signed  by  the 
Archbishop  of  York,  and  no  less  than  eight  peers  of  the  realm,  besides  a 
great  number  of  influential  gentlemen  connected  with  the  city  and  county. 
At  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  the  City  Council,  on  Monday,  February  12th, 
1855 — a  day  to  be  held  memorable  by  the  local  antiquarian — ^these  memo- 
rials were  read,  and  the  whole  subject  of  the  proposed  act  of  desecration  was 
ably  discussed.  Honour  to  those  members  of  the  Council  who  supported  the 
resolution,  that  the  minutes  of  the  Board  of  Health  Committee,  recommending 
the  removal  of  the  walls,  be  not  confirmed,  but  that  the  walls  be  repaired  and 
retained,  provided  their  restoration  can  be  effected  by  public  subscription. 
Honour  to  Mr.  Alderman  Leeman,  and  the  other  gentlemen  who  ably  pointed 
out  the  great  value  of  these  relics  of  antiquity,  and  justly  contended  that  if 
they  were  allowed  to  be  removed,  the  demolition  of  the  other  portions  of  the 
walls  might  soon  follow. 

To  the  delight  of  aU  the  lovers  of  antiquities  in  the  city  aud  county,  that 
spirit  of  Vandalism,  which  at  former  periods  sanctioned  the  destruction  of  the 
beautiful  ruins  of  the  Abbey  of  St.  Mary,  even  by  allowing  its  elegantly 


HISTORY   OF   THE    CITY   OF   YORK.  827 

carved  stone- work  to  be  burnt  into  lime ;  that  same  spirit  which  had  con- 
templated the  remoTal  of  Clifford's  Tower,  and  the  cutting  down  of  the 
magnificent  trees  on  the  New  Walk ;  and  which  would  now  sweep  away  these 
venerated  ramparts,  was  suppressed  at  the  above-mentioned  meeting  by  a 
majority  of  twenty-two.  Those  who  voted  for  the  retention  of  the  walls  were 
Mr.  Aid.  Leeman,  Mr.  Aid.  Meek,  Mr.  Aid.  Wood,  Mr.  Aid.  Evers,  Mr.  Aid. 
Richardson,  the  Sheriff,  Messrs.  Parkinson,  Woollens,  E.  K  Anderson,  G. 
Steward,  Clark,  BeU,  Craven,  Shilleto,  Hunt,  Watkinson,  Hands,  E.  Calvert, 
Wilkinson,  Husband,  E.  AUen,  Douglas,  Smith,  Scholefield,  Clarke,  John 
Meek,  Lambert,  Yallow,  and  J.  Allen.  And  the  parties  in  favour  of  the 
demolition  of  the  walls  were  Mr.  Aid.  Seymour,  Mr.  Aid.  Rowntree,  Messrs. 
F.  Calvert,  ^ilberforce,  Thompson,  Scott,  and  Mann.  It  was  then  agreed 
that  a  subscription  should  be  at  once  entered  into,  in  order  that  the  vote 
which  had  been  come  to  might  be  carried  out,  and  the  walls  repaired. 

The  circumference  of  the  ramparts  of  iTork,  according  to  Drake,  from  a 
survey  made  in  August,  1665,  is  two  miles,  three  furlongs,  and  ninety-six 
yards  (an  extent  little  inferior  to  that  of  the  old  waUs  of  London,  which 
was  only  three  miles),  made  up  of  the  following  distances  between  the  prin- 
cipal entrances : — 

PERCHES. 

Bed  Tower  to  Walmgate  Bar 60 

Thence  to  Hsfaergate  Postern  ....  99 

Thence  to  Castlegate  Postern    ....  58 

Thence  to  Skeldergate  Postern     . .  34 

Thence  to  Micklegate  Bar 186 

Thence  to  North  Street  Postern   . .  140 

Thence  to  Bootham  Bar    86 

The  fortified  walls  round  York,  and  those  at  Chester,  are  the  only  remains 
of  this  kind  of  military  architecture  on  so  extensive  a  scale  in  the  kingdom. 
The  Corporation  of  York  are  invested  with  an  annual  income  for  the  main- 
tenance of  the  ramparts,  and  at  Chester  a  specific  duty  on  certain  merchandise 
is  levied  for  a  similar  purpose.  Professor  Phillips,  in  speaking  of  York  and 
its  ramparts,  says,  **  Linumerable  battle  plains  surround  her  Roman  camp ; 
and  from  her  walls  we  may  see  three  decisive  fields — ^where  Hardrada  fell  at 
Stamford  Bridge,  and  Clifford  died  at  Towton  Dale,  and  Rupert  fled  from 
Marston  Moor — ^sixteen  centuries  of  historical  renown  dignify  the  winding 
streets  and  narrow  pavements  by  which  we  reach  the  feudal  walls,  the  Bene- 
dictine Abbey,  the  Northumbrian  Church,  the  camp  of  the  victorious  Legion."'^' 

*  Phillip's  Bivers  and  Mountains  of  Yorkshire. 


PEBCHES. 

Brought  forward ....  618 

Bootham  Bar  to  Monk  Bar 116 

Thence  to  Layerthorpe  Bridge ....  66 

Thence  to  the  Bed  Tower 80 


Total *  875 


828  HISTORY   OF   THE    CITY   OF  YORK. 

■ 

The  entrances  into  the  city  of  York  are  by  four  principal  Gates  or  Bars, 
Tjz.,  Micklegate  Bar  on  the  south-west,  Bootham  Bar  on  the  north-west, 
Monk  Bar  on  the  north-east,  and  Walmgate  Bar  on  the  south-east  There 
are  also  three  smaller  entrances  thus  distinguished — Fishergate  Bar,  Victoria 
Bar,  and  Fishergate  Postern.  There  were  formerly  posterns  at  Skeldergate, 
Castlegate,  North  Street,  and  Layerthorpe. 

Micklegate  Bar  the  principal  gate  and  chief  entrance  of  the  city  from  the 
south  is  the  most  magnificent,  and  previous  to  the  destruction  of  the  Bar- 
bican or  out  work,  in  1826,  must  have  made  a  yery  imposing  and  venerable 
appearance.  It  is  a  square  tower  with  a  fine  circular  arch,  and  embattled 
turrets  at  the  angles.  Each  of  these  turrets  are  adorned  with  a  stone  figure 
in  a  menacing  attitude.  Drake  conceived  that  the  centre  arch  was  Roman, 
and  strenuously  maintained  his  opinion,  in  which  he  was  supported  by  the 
Earl  of  Burlington ;  but  James  Essex,  the  Architect,  contradicted  this  opi- 
nion ;  and  Sir  Heniy  C.  Englefield  in  a  paper  read  before  the  Society  of 
Antiquaries,  in  1780,  satisflEictorily  points  out  the  identity  between  the  style 
of  architecture  displayed  in  this  Bar,  and  that  of  several  undisputed  Saxon 
and  Norman  edifices ;  so  that  it  is  now  generally  agreed,  that  so  far  from  the 
arch  being  a  Roman  erection,  it  is  most  likely  a  Norman  work.  The  lower 
parts  of  the  structure  are  built  of  a  grey  stone  of  veiy  coarse  grit,  whilst  the 
upper  walls  and  turrets  are  constructed  of  a  fine  white  limestone,  and  the 
difference  of  style,  as  well  as  of  materials,  shows  that  the  work  is  of  two  dif- 
ferent periods.  Above  the  gate  is  a  shield  of  arms,  suspended  from  a  garter 
of  Sir  John  Lister  Kaye,  who  was  Lord  Mayor  in  1737,  and  beneath  is  the 
inscription,  now  nearly  defaced,  "  Renovata  a.d.  mdccxxxyh."  Higher  up 
on  the  building  are  the  royal  arms  of  Old  France  and  England,  quarterly, 
between  those  of  the  city  of  York,  all  emblazoned  in  colours.  Over  each 
shield  is  a  smaU  Gothic  canopy,  and  above  the  royal  arms  is  a  helmet  crested 
vdth  a  Uan  passant  gardant,  the  whole  gilt.  These  arms  and  crest  were 
painted  and  gild  anew  in  1827,  and  are  now  much  in  want  of  similar  treat- 
ment. On  the  city  side  are  the  arms  of  France  and  England  quarterly.* 
The  two  small  doors  which  opened  from  the  lateral  turrets  upon  the  battle- 
ments of  the  Barbican,  are  stiU  visible,  and  since  the  alterations  in  1826» 
they  have  had  a  very  singular  appearance.  Drake,  writing  in  1786,  says  of 
this  entrance,  **  The  Bar  is  strengthened  by  an  outer  gate,  which  had  a  massy 
iron  chain  that  went  across,  then  a  portcullis,  and  lastly  a  mighty  strong 
double  wooden  gate,  which  closed  in  every  night  at  the  usual  hour.    It  has 

*  Arohflelogia,  vol.  vi,  p.  lOi. 


HISTORY   OP   THE    CITY   OF   YORK.  329 

the  character  altogether,  as  to  auoient  fortification,  to  be  as  uoble  and  august 
a  port  as  most  in  Europe."  Since  Drake^s  time  various  alterations  and  mu- 
tilations have  occurred  in  this  venerable  pile.  The  outer  gate,  the  massy 
chain,  and  the  portcullis,  which  was  a  large  wooden  grate,  with  iron  spikes 
at  the  bottom,  have  all  disappeared.  Sir  Walter  Scott  is  reported  to  have 
said  that  if  walking  from  Edinburgh  to  York  would  induce  the  Corporation 
to  preserve  the  harbioan,  he  would  gladly  undertake  the  journey. 

"  It  appears  by  a  record  in  the  Pipe  Office,"  writes  Mr.  Drake,  **  that  one 
Benedict  Fitz-Engelram  gave  half  a  mark  for  license  to  build  a  certain  house 
upon  this  bar,  and  sixpence  annual  rent  for  having  it  hereditary,  the  8th  of 
Bichard  I.  (1197.)  But  this  does  not  ascertain  the  age  of  the  present  struc- 
ture. Yet  I  observe  the  fteurs  de  lUia  the  royal  arms  are  not  confined  to  the 
number  of  three,  which  puts  it  out  of  doubt  that  they  were  placed  there 
before  the  time  of  Henry  V. ;  who  was  the  first  that  gave  that  particular 
number  in  his  bearing."  'The  apartments  in  the  tower  of  this,  as  well  as 
those  of  Monk  Bar  and  Walmgate  Bar,  are  now  inhabited  by  some  of  the 
police  of  the  city,  and  their  &milies.  The  tower  of  Bootham  Bar  is  un- 
occupied. 

In  1754  the  gate  on  the  west  side  of  this  bar  was  erected  for  the  greater 
safety  of  foot  passengers.  The  gateway  on  the  east  side  of  it  was  part  of  the 
alteration  of  1896.  The  top  of  this  tower  is  covered  with  lead,  and  commands 
a  most  interesting  prospect  of  the  surrounding  country.  The  ascent  to  the 
tower,  and  to  the  walls  a^oining  it,  is  by  a  double  flight  of  stone  steps  on 
both  sides  of  the  street.  This  was  the  bar  upon  which  it  was  customaiy  to 
place  the  heads  of  state  criminals  after  execution. 

Bootham  Bar,  the  entrance  from  the  north,  is  an  ancient  structure,  chiefly 
built  of  the  grit  stone  generally  used  by  the  Romans,  and  has  a  circular  arch 
similar  to  Micklegate  Bar.  **  The  structure  of  this  port,"  says  Drake,  **  is 
very  ancient,  being  almost  wholly  built  of  grit,  but  wanting  that  symmetiy 
so  very  conspicuous  in  Micklegate  Bar.  It  is  certainly  Gothic,  though  built 
of  Roman  materials.  The  inside  was  rebuilt  with  free  stone  in  1719."  The 
Barbican  was  removed  in  1881,  and  the  whole  structure  narrowly  escaped 
removal ;  the  interference  of  the  citizens,  in  public  meeting  assembled  on  the 
16th  of  February,  1883,  alone  preserved  the  venerable  relic.  A  sum  of  £800. 
was  raised  by  subscription  (the  Corporation  gave  JSIOO.,  provided  the  inhabi- 
tants would  raise  £20Q.\  and  the  exterior  and  interior  was  substantially 
repaired.  At  the  same  time  the  street  at  the  west  side  of  the  bar  was 
widened,  and  a  new  and  excellent  approach  to  the  city  formed,  caUed  St.  Leo- 
nard's Place.    The  barbican  had  embattled  turrets  at  the  angles.    On  the 

3  u 


830  HI8TOST  OF  THE  CITT   OF  TOBK. 

top  of  the  outer  front  of  the  tower  are  the  remains  of  three  stone  figures, 
similar  to  those  on  Mickl^[ate  Bar.  Previouslj  to  the  reparations  in  1881, 
there  was  in  the  inner  front,  fiEunng  the  dtj,  a  large  niche  orer  the  arch, 
\\hich  contained  a  stone  figure  of  a  King,  much  mutilated.  By  some  it  was 
supposed  to  represent  Ehrauc,  the  presumed  founder  of  the  city ;  but  it  was 
evidently  of  more  modem  costume,  and  was  most  probably  a  statue  of  King 
James  I.  There  are  arohes  on  each  side  of  the  gate  for  foot  passengers, 
and  the  portcullis  still  retains  its  ancient  position  over  the  outer  arch. 

Monk  Bar,  which  forms  the  approach  from  Scarborough,  Malton,  and  the 
vHst,  is  a  stately  gate,  with  a  circular  arch.  The  foundation  is  of  grit  stone, 
and  on  the  exterior  of  the  tower  front  are  the  arms  of  Old  France  quartered 
with  those  of  England ;  which  circumstance  bespeaks  its  antiquity.  Above 
the  shield  is  a  mutilated  helmet  beneath  a  Grothic  canopy;  and  on  the  battle- 
ments of  the  turrets  are  stone  figures  in  a  menacing  posture.  The  doors  and 
barbican  were  removed  in  1815,  but  the  ancient  portcullis  is  still  remaining. 
Mr.  Britton  considers  this  gate  as  probably  the  most  curious  and  perfect 
specimen  of  this  sort  of  architecture  in  the  kingdom;  and  therefore  veiy  in- 
teresting to  the  antiquary  and  architect'*'  Monk  Bar  is  the  loftiest  of  the 
four,  and  is  a  beautiful  specimen  of  the  castellated  architecture  which  pre- 
vailed in  the  fourteenth  centuiy.  This  bar,  we  are  told  by  Drake,  was  for- 
merly made  use  of  as  a  prison  for  freemen  of  the  city ;  and  the  two  stories 
of  vaulted  chambers  in  the  tower  were  formerly  used  for  that  purpose.  The 
gateway  roof  is  groined,  and  the  city  front  displays  several  windows  with 
mullions  and  plain  arched  heads.  There  is  a  thoroughfare  for  foot  pas- 
sengers on  each  side  of  the  bar,  of  modem  erection.  The  prospect  of  the 
surrounding  country  from  the  top  of  the  tower  is  truly  delightful. 

Walmgate  Bar,  situated  at  the  end  of  Walmgate,  is  the  entrance  into  York 
from  Beverley,  Hull,  &c.,  and  is  supposed  to  derive  its  name,  by  corrupt  pro- 
nunciation, from  the  great  Roman  road,  called  Watling  Street  This  bar 
still  retains  its  barbican  and  portcullis,  as  well  as  a  great  portion  of  the  old 
oak  door  and  wicket  of  the  main  gateway,  and  is  now  a  fiedthful  representa- 
tion of  the  defences  placed  near  the  principal  entrances  of  a  fortified  town  in 
the  middle  ages.  It  is  built  in  the  same  manner  as  the  others,  being  square, 
with  embattled  turrets  at  the  angles.  Towards  the  foundation  are  some  large 
blocks  of  grit ;  but  the  arches,  &c,,  are  modem,  having  undergone  a  thorough 
repair  in  1648,  after  this  gate  had  been  almost  demolished  by  the  Pariiament- 
arian  army  during  the  civil  war  of  that  period. 

•  York  Cathedral,  p.  87. 


BISTORT   OF  THE   CITY   OF  YOBK.  331 

The  main  building  of  the  bar  belongs  to  the  time  of  Edward  I. ;  and  the 
barbican,  which  has  a  pointed  arch,  to  the  time  of  Edward  III.  Over  the 
outer  gateway  are  the  arms  of  Henry  V.,  and  an  inscription  denoting  that 
the  bar  and  barbican  was  restored  by  the  Corporation  of  York,  a.d.  1840, 
Sir  William  Stephenson  Clark,  knight,  being  Lord  Mayor;  and  oyer  the 
gate  of  the  barbican  are  the  City  Arms,  and  the  date  **  1648,"  shewing  the 
time  of  its  repair  after  the  siege  of  1644.  The  cost  of  the  restoration 
was  JS500.  Attached  to  the  city  front  is  an  extraneous  erection  of  wood 
and  plaster  of  two  stories.  The  lower  story  is  supported  by  two  Tuscan 
columns ;  the  front  of  the  first  story  is  also  adorned  with  two  columns  of 
the  same  order ;  and  the  second  has  Ionic  pillars,  withan^  architraye  and 
cornice. 

Fiskergate  Bar,  which  stands  at  the  end  of  St.  George  Street,  was  walled 
up  from  the  time  of  Henry  VTI.  to  the  month  of  October,  1827,  when,  in 
consequence  of  the  formation  of  the  new  market  for  cattle  on  the  outside  of 
this  part  of  the  walls,  it  was  again  opened.  It  consists  of  a  plain  centre  arch, 
with  two  narrow  arches  for  foot  passengers.  There  is  no  tower  over  the 
gate,  and  the  arch  is  in  a  great  measure  new.  Leland  tells  us  that  this  bar 
was  burnt  in  the  time  of  Henry  VII.  by  the  peasantry  of  Yorkshire,  who  took 
the  city,  and  would  have  beheaded  Sir  Richard  Yorke,  then  Lord  Mayor, 
and  that  it  was  then  blocked  up. 

Over  this  gateway  on  each  side  are  sculptures  and  inscriptions.  On  the 
exterior  of  the  bar  is  one  representing  Sir  William  Todd,  merchant,  who  was 
a  great  benefactor  to  the  reparation  of  the  walls,  on  which  is  the  following 
inscription :  «  A.  Dm.  CCCCo.  LXXXVII.  S'.  Willm.  Tod,  knyght  &  mair 
jou — ates  some  tyme  was  schyriffe  did  this  cost  himself."  Over  this  in- 
.scription  was  formerly  a  piece  of  rude  sculpture,  representing  a  senator  in 
his  robes,  and  a  female  kneeling  by  him.  The  other  inscription  is  on  the 
city  side,  and  placed  imder  the  arms  of  the  city.    It  is  as  follows :  ''  A°. 

DOMINE  M.  CCCC.  LXXXVH.     Sir  WiUiam  Tod  knight  L mayre 

this  wal  was  mayde  in  his  dayes  IX  yerdys." 

Fiskergate  Postern,  the  only  one  of  the  old  posterns  now  remaining,  is 
situated  at  the  termination  of  the  walls  in  Fishergate,  and  is  a  solid  square 
stone  building  with  a  tiled  roof.  It  was  erected  at  the  beginning  of  the  16th 
centuiy,  and  is  singular  for  its  beauty  and  exactness  of  symmetry,  as  well  as 
an  admirable  specimen  of  the  species  of  defence  placed  near  small  gates  and 
sally  ports.  The  only  openings  in  the  walls  towards  the  exterior  are  two 
narrow  windows  immediately  beneath  the  roof,  which  is  made  as  far  as  pos- 
sible to  defend  them.    From  these  eleyated  windows  boiling  oil,  pitch,  stones, 


iiS'2  HISTORY   OF   THE    CITY   OF   YORK. 

and  every  description  of  deadly  missile,  were  showered  down  upon  the  be- 
siegers near  the  gate.  It  has  a  low  pointed  arched  footway,  and  was  so 
contrived  with  a  view  to  prevent  ingress  except  in  a  stooping  attitude,  which 
would,  of  course,  give  the  defenders  an  advantage.  Adjoining  to  this  gate- 
way arc  some  remains  of  Roman  masonry,  principally  arches  of  grit  stone. 

Skddergate  Postern  formerly  stood  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  but 
the  building  was  removed  in  1808.  This  postern  has  been  in  some  measure 
replaced  by  a  new  circular  arch  over  the  road  leading  to  the  city  gaol,  erected 
in  1881.  There  is  a  ferry  boat  kept  near  the  site  of  this  postern,  which 
opens  a  communication  with  the  New  Walk.  This  ferry  is  rented  from  the 
Corporation  by  a  person  whose  duty  it  is  to  be  constantly  in  attendance 
during  the  day. 

North  Street  Postern  y  at  the  termination  of  the  walls  at  North  Street,  has 
been  replaced  by  a  new  and  handsome  arch  for  carriages,  and  two  side  arches 
for  foot  passengers,  erected  in  1840,  by  the  Great  North  of  England  Railway 
Company.  For  permission  to  build  this  entrance  and  obtain  a  road  into 
North  Street,  the  Railway  company  paid  the  Corporation  £500.,  which  sum 
has  been  expended  in  restoring  Walmgate  Bar  and  barbican.  The  tower  of 
North  Street  Postern,  which  is  still  in  existence,  was  the  connecting  link 
between  the  west  and  east  lines  of  fortification.  Its  form  is  circular,  and  it 
was  used  for  the  double  purpose  of  a  postern  and  a  watch  tower  for  the  river. 
There  is  a  ferry  at  this  postern,  which  communicates  with  the  opposite  bank 
of  the  river,  and  the  person  who  rents  it  from  the  Corporation  rosides  in  the 
ancient  tower. 

Lendal  Tower  stands  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  and  as  has  been 
8he¥m  by  the  quotation  from  Leland  at  a  preceding  page,  when  the  fortifications 
of  the  city  wero  complete,  a  strong  iron  chain  passed  across  the  river  from 
each  of  these  towers.*  In  the  directions  issued  by  the  Corporation  in  1569, 
when  they  expected  a  siege  by  the  robcl  Earls, ''  all  boats,  pinks,  and  lighters,*' 
aro  ordered  to  range  themselves  within  this  chain.  Sir  Thomas  Widdrington 
mentions  a  postern  at  Lendal,  but  no  remains  of  any  such  building  are  now 
to  be  seen. 

«  Lendal  Tower  was  formerly  converted  into  a  warehouse,  and  in  1682  it  was 
thoroughly  repaired,  and  an  engine  was  placed  in  it  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  Uie 
inhabitants  with  water.  In  18^0  the  engine  was  placed  in  a  new  engine  house;  and  in 
1840  the  waterworks  wore  altogether  removed  to  Acomh  Landing.  This  tower  was 
raised  by  the  late  Waterworks  Company,  and  is  considerably  higher  than  that  on  the 
opposite  side,  being  above  fifty-eight  feet  above  the  le\'el  of  the  ground.  It  is  still  in 
the  possession  of  the  present  Waterworks  Company,  l)ut  is  at  present  occupied  as  an 
organ  manufiictory. 


HI8TOBT   OF  THE   CITY  OF  YOBK.  388 

The  ancient  Castle  or  Keep  on  Baile  Hill,  was  intended  to  serve  a  some- 
what similar  purpose  as  a  corresponding  station  to  Clifford's  Tower,  on  the 
west  hank  of  the  river. 

Victoria  Bar  is  the  name  given  to  the  arch  through  the  walls  from  Bishop- 
hill  to  Clementhorpe,  which  was  erected  hy  subscription  in  1888.  On 
opening  the  wall  a  small  gateway  was  found  to  have  been  anciently  in  the 
same  place. 

Castlegate  Postern,  which  stood  veiy  near  the  ruins  of  Clifford's  Tower,  and 
in  the  direct  road  to  the  viUi^e  of  Fulfbrd,  possessed  no  peculiar  feature.  It 
was  taken  down  in  May,  18^6,  on  commencing  the  new  works  at  the  gaol. 
Mr.  Davies,  in  one  of  his  interesting  lectures  at  the  York  Institute,  told  us, 
that  in  the  garden  of  some  cottages  close  to  this  postern  ''  there  once  was 
kept  that  instrument  of  punishment — ^the  ducking  stool — ^which  was  brought 
into  requisition  for  the  purpose  of  punishing  females  who  might  be  called  com- 
mon scolds,  this  being  effected  by  placing  them  in  the  stool,  and  plunging 
them  three  times  overhead  in  the  river.  This  custom  was  not  disused  until 
about  100  years  ago ;  but  now  we  live  in  more  gallant  times,'*  he  continued, 
"  when  any  one  might  indulge  their  loquacity  vrith  impunity."'*' 

Layerthorpe  Postern  was  situated  at  the  end  of  Layerthorpe  Bridge,  with 
the  river  Foss  running  in  front.  It  was  defended  by  a  portcuUis,  and  when 
the  city  was  in  a  fortified  state,  was  an  important  and  well  guarded  post.  It 
was  removed  when  the  present  bridge  over  the  Foss  at  this  point  was  erected 
in  1829,  in  the  place  of  the  old  and  inconvenient  arches,  which  previously 
stood  here. 

The  extensive  and  beautiful  Tudor  arch,  through  which  the  railway  enters 

•  The  ptmislitnent  of  tbe  Cueking  or  Duehing  Stool,  or  TumbreU,  waa  anciently  in- 
dieted  upon  persons  for  minor  tranfigreaaions.  The  colprit  was  placed  in  a  stool  or  ohair, 
and  emerged  overhead  and  ears,  in  stercore,  in  some  muddy  or  stinking  pond.  The 
Barrow  laws  consign  men  to  the  pillory,  and  women  to  the  cuoldng  stool  or  tnmbrell. 
These  laws  particularly  refer  to  the  frauds  committed  by  brewers  and  bakers,  and  orders 
jnatioe  to  be  done  upon  them  by  sabjeeting  them  to  the  discipline  of  the  encking  stool 
for  their  third  offence.  In  the  **  Aotes  Marie  "  it  is  expressly  provided  "  that  the  women 
pertarbatooris  for  skafrie  of  money  or  vtherwyse,  salbe  takin  and  put  vpone  the  cokstules 
of  eorie  burgh  or  towne."  In  the  Saxon  tongue  cuck,  or  guckf  signifies  to  scold  or  brawl, 
taken  from  the  bird  cuckoo,  or  gUokoo ;  and  ing  in  that  language  signifies  water.  In 
the  north  of  England  the  common  people  pronounce  it  ducking -Btool,  which  perhaps  may 
have  sprung  from  the  Belgie  or  Teutonic  duekenf  to  dive  under  water.  This  machine, 
which  has  also  been  called  the  trebucket  or  trap-door,  was  exhibited  in  terrorem  to  keep 
that  nnmly  member,  the  female  tongue,  in  due  subjection,  but  many  instances  occur  of 
hardy  females,  who  have  undauntedly  braved  the  punishment  rather  than  surrender  the 
invaluaUe  privilege  whieh  a  woman  holds  most  dear. 


334  raSTOBT  OF  THE   CITY   OF  YORK. 

the  city,  was  erected  in  1840,  and  from  the  walls  near  this  arch  may  he  seen, 
on  the  outside,  the  original  depth  of  the  scarp  and  counter  scarp,  in  other 
words,  of  the  ditch  which  defended  the  hase  of  the  wall.  This  is  the  only 
place  where  these  features  of  the  circumyallation  are  preserved  entire. 

Besides  these  bars  and  posterns,  there  were  at  different  distances  in  the 
walls  several  small  rooms  or  ce&s,  and  numerous  towers,  a  few  of  which  yet 
remain.  The  most  remarkable  of  these  is  called  the  MuUangtdar  Tower,  in 
the  gardens  of  the  Museum.  This  interesting  relic  of  the  Roman  era  con- 
sists of  a  portion  of  the  wall  of  a  large  tower,  having  ten  sides  of  a  nearly 
regular  thirteen  sided  figure,  forming  nine  obtuse  angles,  whence  it  derires 
its  name.  Antiquarians  nearly  all  agree  that  this  tower  and  the  wall  ad- 
joining it,  is  a  portion  of  the  fortifications  of  the  Roman  station  of  Ebor- 
acum ;  and  though  built  probably  about  the  middle  of  the  third  century 
of  the  Christian  era,  they  are  in  a  remarkably  good  state  of  preservation, 
considering  the  danger  to  which  they  have  been  exposed  amidst  the  various 
vicissitudes  which  the  city  of  York  has  experienced  during  the  long  and 
often  much  troubled  period  that  has  elapsed  since  Britain  was  abandoned 
by  the  Romans. 

Dr.  Lister,  in  describing  these  remains  to  the  Royal  Society,  says,  **  Care- 
fully viewing  the  antiquities  of  York,  the  dwelling  of  at  least  two  of  the 
Roman  Emperors — Severus  and  Constantius — ^I  found  part  of  a  wall  yet 
standing,  which  is  undoubtedly  of  that  time.  It  is  the  south  wall  of  the  Mint 
Yard,  and  consists  of  a  multangular  tower,  which  did  lead  to  Bootham  Bar, 
and  part  of  a  wall  which  ran  the  length  of  Coning  Street,  as  he  who  shall 
attentively  view  it  on  both  sides  may  discern.  The  outside  to  the  river  is 
faced  with  a  very  small  saaum  quadratum  of  about  four  inches  thick,  and  laid 
in  levels  like  our  modem  brickwork.  The  length  of  the  stones  is  not  ob- 
served, but  they  are  as  they  fell  out,  in  hewing.  From  the  foundation  twenty 
courses  of  these  small  squared  stones  are  laid,  and  over  them  five  courses  of 
Roman  bricks.  These  bricks  are  placed  some  lengthways,  some  endways  in 
the  walls,  and  were  called  lateres  dicUoni ;  after  these  five  courses  of  brick, 
other  twenty-two  courses  of  small  square  stones,  as  before  described,  are  laid, 
which  raise  the  wall  some  feet  higher,  and  then  five  more  courses  of  the  same 
Roman  bricks;  beyond  which  the  wall  is  imperfect,  and  capped  with  modem 
building.  In  all  this  height  there  is  not  any  casement  or  loop-hole,  but  one 
entire  and  uniform  wall ;  from  which  we  may  infer  that  this  wall  was  built 
some  courses  higher,  after  the  same  order.  The  bricks  were  to  be  as 
thoroughs,  or  as  it  were  so  many  new  foundations,  to  that  which  was  to  be 
superstructed,  and  to  bind  the  two  sides  firmly  together ;  for  the  wall  itself 


/ 


HISTORT   OF  THE   CITY   OF  YOBK.  835 

is  only  faced  with  small  square  stone,  and  the  middle  thereof  filled  with 
mortar  and  pehble/*'(< 

The  exterior  of  the  tower  exhibits  the  rude  repairs  it  has  received  in  later 
times,  and  the  portion  may  be  plainly  discerned,  which  was  raised  upon  it 
when  it  was  made  part  of  the  wall  of  York  in  the  middle  ages.  The  masonry 
of  the  interior  of  the  tower  is  remarkably  l&esh  and  perfect,  owing  to  its 
having  been  concealed  for  many  ages  by  an  accumulation  of  soU,  which  has 
only  recently  been  removed.  A  small  portion  of  a  wall  is  remaining,  which 
appears  to  have  divided  the  tower  into  two  equal  portions.  The  diameter  of 
the  whole  interior  at  the  base  or  floor,  is  about  83^  feet.  The  lower  com- 
partments had  a  mortar  floor  laid  upon  sand,  and  having  no  light  but  from  the 
entrance,  Mr.  WeUbeloved  thinks  that  they  may  have  been  used  as  depositories 
of  stores  or  arms.  There  seems  to  have  been  a  timber  floor  at  the  height  of 
about  five  feet  above  this,  and  a  third  floor  about  nine  feet  higher  up.  These 
upper  apartments  had  each  a  narrow  window  or  aperture,  so  placed  as  to 
enable  those  within  to  observe  what  was  passing  without  on  the  line  of  each 
wall ;  and  this  circumstances  leads  to  the  supposition  that  they  had  been 
used  as  guard  rooms.  The  opening  of  these  apertures  externally  was  not 
more  than  six  inches  in  width,  but  within  it  expanded  to  about  five  feet. 
The  Roman  wall  directs  its  course  £rom  the  angle  tower  in  a  north  easterly 
direction,  and  has  been  traced  as  far  as  Bootham  Bar,  where  the  foundations 
and '  some  interesting  fragments  of  the  old  Roman  gate  were  discovered. 
Between  the  Multangular  Tower  and  the  ancient  gate,  remains  of  two  wall 
towers  and  one  entire  small  chamber  have  been  found  buried  with  the  modem 
wall  of  the  city.  These  towers,'  and  the  waU  connected  with  them,  were 
removed  when  the  new  entrance  into  the  city  through  St.  Leonard's  Place 
was  formed.  The  other  Roman  wall  ran  from  the  angle  tower  in  the  direction 
of  Lendal  and  Coney  Street. 

**  The  Multangular  Tower  with  the  wall  adjoining  it,"  writes  Mr.  Well- 
beloved,  "  is  the  only  portion  of  the  fortifications  of  Eburacum  or  Roman 
York,  existing  above  ground.  But  in  excavating  for  sewers  and  other  pur- 
poses, various  portions  of  the  foundations  of  such  fortifications  have  been 
found ;  by  means  of  which  the  exact  extent  of  one  side,  and  the  direction  of 
two  other  sides  of  the  Roman  Station  have  been  satisfactorily  ascertained. 
No  distinct  traces  of  a  fourth  side  have  yet  been  found,  or  if  found,  noticed 
by  any  antiquary.     It  can  only  be  conjectured  that  it  nearly  coincided  with 

•  Dr.  Langwiih,  who  tells  us  that  this  method  of  building  with  brick  and  stone  was 
originally  African,  obserres  that  as  Severas  was  an  African  hj  birth,  it  is  highly  probable 
that  it  was  introduced  here  by  that  Emperor. 


330  HI8T0BY  OF  THE   CITT   OF  YORK. 

the  rampart  and  wall  coimected  with  Monk  Bar  and  Layerthorpe  Bridge. 
If  this  conjecture^  justified  by  what  is  certainly  known  of  the  three  other 
walls  of  the  Roman  station,  be  adopted,  it  appears  that  Roman  York  occupied 
comparatiyely  a  small  portion  of  the  site  of  modem  York,  and  that  it  was 
entirely  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  Ouse :  the  south  side  being  occupied, 
as  recent  discoveries  have  clearly  shown,  by  extensive  baths,  temples,  villas, 
and  places  of  burial ;  on  the  road  leading  from  Eburacum  to  Calcaiia  (Tad- 
caster),  the  next  station  towards  the  south. 

The  same  learned  antiquary  places  the  Roman  bridge  over  the  Ouse  higher 
up  the  river  than  the  present  one.  He  thinks  that  it  was  thrown  across  from 
about  St.  Helen's  Square  to  Tanner  Row. 

For  ages  the  Roman  Multangidar  Tower  remained  in  a  neglected  state, 
until  it  came  into  the  hands  of  the  Yorkshire  Philosophical  Society  in  1826 ; 
and  when  the  accumulation  of  rubbish,  which  had  been  collected  for  oen^ 
turies,  was  cleared  away,  several  English  coins  of  various  dates  were  dis- 
covered near  the  surface,  while  many  Roman  coins  were  found  in  the  bottom. 
And  if  any  doubt  existed  of  its  Roman  origin,  it  has  been  entirely  removed 
by  the  discovery  of  Roman  legionary  inscriptions  on  some  stones  in  the  lower 
courses  of  the  interior.  Sir  H.  C.  Englefield  is  the  only  person  who  has 
disputed  the  Roman  origin  of  this  tower,  but  he  has  not  been  so  successful  in 
establishing  his  opinion  in  this  case  as  in  that  of  the  arch  of  Micklogate  Bar. 

The  Bed  Tower y  so  called  from  having  been  chiefly  built  of  red  brick,  is  an 
erection  of  great  antiquity.  It  is  situated  on  the  south  bank  of  the  river, 
and  there  is  no  doubt  of  its  having  originally  been  a  portion  of  the  fortifioar 
tions  of  the  city,  for  it  is  connected  with  Walmgate  Bar  by  a  continuation  of 
the  bar  walls  up  to  it.  This  tower,  in  the  time  of  the  Romans,  commanded 
a  grand  bay,  the  basin  or  dock  of  which  was  more  than  a  mile  in  circum- 
ference, and  thus  completed  the  protection  of  the  city  on  that  side.  It, 
however,  has  undergone  so  many  alterations,  and  been  devoted  to  such  a 
variety  of  uses,  that  its  original  features  are  gone.  Still  the  foundations  are 
of  the  same  stone  as  the  bar  walls,  and  stone  loopholes  the  same  as  those  in 
the  bar  walls  are  remaining.  The  brick  work  is  composed  of  bricks  of  various 
ages  and  manufacture — ^the  oldest  being  broader  and  thinner  than  any  of  the 
others,  and  not  unlike  those  which  appear  mixed  with  the  stone  work  of  the 
Roman  Multangular  Tower.  The  present  appearance  of  this  ancient  struc- 
ture conveys  but  a  very  imperfect  idea  of  the  once  stately  square  tower, 
through  the  loopholes  of  which  the  engines  of  war  were  pointed  to  protect 
the  navy  of  the  port  of  York  from  hostile  attack.  In  modem  times  the  Red 
Tower  was  used  as  a  manufactoiy  of  brimstone  (from  which  oircumstanoe 


HISTORY   OF   THE    CITY   OF   YORK.  837 

it  is  sometimes  called  the  Brimstone  House),  and  that  has  aggravated  the 
dilapidations  of  time.  Where  the  brick  walls  are  perfect  they  are  about  four 
feet  thick.  The  port-holes  are  now  mostly  filled  up,  and  the  building  is  at 
present  used  as  a*  pig-stye. 

Lendal  Tower  has  been  aLready  noticed.  Besides  the  towers  of  the  city 
ramparts,  there  are  the  remains  of  two  other  towers  which  belonged  to  the 
walls  of  St.  Mary's  Abbey.  One  of  these,  caUed  St.  Mary's  Tower,  is  situated 
in  Bootham  at  the  end  of  the  street  called  Marygate,  and  was  blown  up  by  a 
mine  during  the  siege  of  York  (See  page  24S) ;  and  the  other  stands  at  the 
lower  end  of  Marygate  on  the  bank  of  the  river.  Of  the  small  rooms  or 
cells  in  the  ramparts  mentioned  above,  there  are  several  still  remaining. 

In  the  south-east  comer  of  the  city,  and  just  within  the  walls,  is  a  large 
mound,  the  origin  of  which  is  not  known.  In  ancient  deeds  it  is  called 
Vettis  BaUium,  or  Old  Bayle,  signifying  a  place  of  security;  and  probably 
forms  the  platform,  as  Leland  and  Camden  suppose,  of  an  ancient  ruined 
Castle.  The  mound,  which  is  now  called  Old  Baile  HiU,  is  ornamented 
with  a  small  plantation  of  trees,  and  from  its  summit  is  a  fine  view  of  York, 
and  of  the  rich  country  by  which  it  is  surrounded. 

The  general  opinion  of  historians  is  that  there  was  a  Castle  on  this  arti- 
ficial tumulus  in  the  time  of  the  Saxons,  and  that  William  the  Conqueror 
erected  upon  it  a  tower  to  serve  as  the  chief  garrison  for  that  part  of  the  city 
not  lying  on  the  same  side  as  the  Castle.  It  is  known  to  have  been,  at  a 
subsequent  period,  a  prison  belonging  to  the  Archbishops,  who  possessed  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  places  now  called  BiahophiU,  but  the  time  of  the  origin 
and  cessation  of  their  authority  in  this  part  of  the  city  is  not  known.  The 
incorporation  of  their  peculiar  here  with  the  rest  of  the  city  must  have  been 
later  than  1326,  for  in  that  year  a  cause  was  tried  before  Queen  Isabel, 
between  the  Archbishop,  William  de  Melton,  and  the  citizens,  to  settle  a  dis- 
pute whether  the  Archbishop,  as  Lord  of  the  Manor,  was  not  bound  to 
preserve  the  fortifications  hereabouts.  The  verdict  affirmed  his  liability. 
All  traces  of  the  Castle  upon  this  hill  have  long  since  disappeared.  Imme- 
diately opposite  the  Old  Baile  HiU  on  the  other  side  of  the  Ouse  is  a  similar 
mound,  upon  which  stands  the  ruins  of  CUfiTord's  Tower,  of  which  more  anon. 

The  Castle. — ^According  to  Drake,  the  historian  of  York,  there  was  a 
Castle  in  this  city  long  before  the  Conquest,  and  its  supposed  site  is  the  Old 
BaHe  HiU;  but  that  fortress  has  now  disappeared,  and  the  present  Castle  was, 
as  our  author  conjectures,  built  on  a  Roman  foundation.  It  was  erected  by 
the  Conqueror,  near  the  confluence  of  the  Foss  and  the  Ouse,  and  made  of 
great  strength,  so  as  to  serve  for  the  chief  Norman  garrison  in  Northimibria, 

2  X 


338  HISTORY   OF  THE   CITY   OF   YOBK. 

and  to  keep  the  people  in  awe  of  their  tyrant.  It  continued  in  the  hands  of 
the  Crown  for  many  subsequent  reigns,  and  was  used  as  the  official  residence 
of  the  High  Sheriffs  of  Yorkshire  in  succession,  as  the  Mansion  House  is 
now  the  residence  of  each  successive  Lord  Mayor.  It  was  also  used  as  a 
store  house  for  the  revenues  and  munitions  of  the  Crown  in  the  northeni 
counties,  and  there  was  a  Constable  of  the  Castle  whose  duty  it  was  solely  to 
attend  to  this  department.  This  fortress  was  entirely  surrounded  by  a  deep 
moat,  the  course  of  which  may  yet  be  clearly  traced,  the  buildings  being  thus 
rendered  inaccessible  except  by  two  draw-bridges.  The  principal  gate  or 
entrance  from  the  county,  down  to  the  early  part  of  the  ^t  centuiy,  was  on 
the  east  side,  near  the  Castle  MiUs ;  and  the  cily  entrance  was  on  the  north 
side.  A  small  arch  under  the  walls  in  front  of  the  latter  gate,  where  the 
arms  of  the  city  were  placed,  shewed  the  spot  where  the  ancient  draw-bridge 
was  erected ;  whilst  the  bridge,  gate,  towers,  and  saUy  port,  on  the  eastern  side, 
have  all  been  cleared  away.  The  remains  of  the  towers  and  sally  port  were 
removed  about  the  beginning  of  this  century ;  at  which  time  the  moat  on 
that  side  of  the  Castle,  which  had  formerly  been  supplied  with  water  from  the 
liver  Foss,  was  filled  up,  and  k  wall  built,  surmounted  with  iron  palisades,  in 
lieu  of  it.  About  the  time  of  Richard  m.  the  fortress  had  fallen  veiy  much 
into  decay,  and  was  then  very  extensively  repaired.  Leland,  however,  in  the 
reign  of  Henry  VIII.,  found  it  in  a  very  ruinous  condition,  and  says  of  it, 
**  The  area  of  this  Castle  is.  no  very  great  quantitie — ^ther  be  five  ruinous 
towers  in  it."  These  towers,  however,  presented  a  very  interesting  and  pic- 
turesque appearance. 

Sir  Thomas  Widdrington,  in  his  MSS.,  says,  "  That  part  of  the  Castle 
which  remains  of  the  old  foundation  appears  to  be  only  the  gate-house  to  the 
old  building,  by  the  proportion  of  the  gates  yet  showing  themselves  in  the 
east  side,  towards  Fishergate  Postern,  where  the  great  door  is  walled  up,  and 
where  the  main  building  of  the  Castle  was,  as  is  manifest  by  the  foundations 
of  walls  all  over  the  said  place,  if  it  be  tried  with  the  spade  or  hack."  A^r 
it  ceased  to  be  a  military  post,  it  was  converted  into  a  County  Prison ;  and 
in  1701,  being  in  a  very  dilapidated  condition,  the  part  now  called  the  OM 
Buildings  was  erected  chiefly  with  stone  brought  from  the  ruins  of  St.  Maiy  s 
Abbey.  Other  additions  were  at  the  same  time  made,  in  pursuance  of  an 
Act  of  Parliament,  which  levied  a  tax  of  threepence  in  the  pound  on  the 
county  to  defray  the  expenses. 

Within  the  walls  of  the  Castle  stands  the  beautiful  ruin  called  Cl^ord^s 
Tower,  which  is  considered  one  of  the  most  graceful  specimens  of  medisBval 
architecture  in  the  city.     It  stands  on  a  lofty  mound  of  earth,  which,  at  some 


HISTOBY   OF  THE    CITY   OF   YORK.  330 

remote  periodi  has  been  thrown  up  by  immense  labour.  This  tumulus  and 
ruin  exactly  correspond  with  Old  Baile  Hill  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river. 
Drake  supposes  that  the  mound  was  cast  up  by  the  Romans,  and  that  a 
tower  was  standing  on  it  during  their  residence  in  this  city.  The  present 
tower  was  erected  by  William  the  Conqueror  when  he  built  the  Castle,  and 
was  intended  for  the  ''  Donjon  Keep,"  that  is,  the  central  and  strongest  part 
of  the*  fortress.  Dr.  King,  in  his  Munimenta  Antiqua,  thinks  that  it  was 
originally  built  by  the  Conqueror,  and  that  it  is  one  of  the  Castles  mentioned 
in  Stowe's  Annals  as  built  in  1068 ;  "  For,"  says  he,  "  Norman  Castles  were 
built  on  high  artificial  mounds,  and  nearly  covered  the  whole  of  the  summit. 
The  Castles  built  by  the  Saxons,"  he  continues,  "  were  on  high  mounds,  or 
ancient  barrows,  and  had  a  great  plain  or  area  surrounding  them." 

There  is  no  record  of  this  tower  being  rebuilt,  but  the  architecture  bears 
evident  marks  of  a  date  much  later  than  the  reign  of  the  Norman  Conqueror. 
The  present  structure  is  certainly  not  older  than  the  time  of  Edward  I.,  and 
Mr.  Biitton  thinks  it  was  probably  erected  in  the  reign  of  his  warlike  suc- 
cessor Edward  JH,^  Though  this  was  the  keep  of  the  Castle,  it  was  totally 
distinct  from  it,  and  was  completely  separated  from  it  by  a  moat,  which  sur- 
rounded it  The  entrance  to  the  tower,  however,  was  from  the  Castle  by 
means  of  a  drawbridge,  and  a  flight  of  steps  up  the  side  of  the  mount ;  but 
these  steps  were  removed  some  years  ago  to  repair  the  wall  near  the  spot. 

This  fortress  derives  its  name  from  the  circumstance  of  a  member  of  the 
noble  and  once  powerful  £unily  of  Clifford  having  been  appointed  its  first 
governor  by  the  Conqueror.  Sir  Thomas  Widdrington  remarks,  that  the 
Lords  Clifford  were  very  anciently  called  casteleyns,  wardens,  or  keepers  of 
the  tower.  Though  the  Lord  Mayor  certainly  cannot  have  any  superior  in 
dignify  to  him  within  the  walls  of  the  city,  except  the  King  himself  or  the 
presumptive  heir  to  the  English  crown,  yet  the  Clifford  family  have  repeat- 
edly claimed  a  right  of  carrying  the  city's  sword  before  the  King  when  he 
visited  York.  When  Leland  was  at  York,  the  tower,  drawbridge,  &c.,  were 
in  ruins.  "  The  Arx  (or  Keep)  is  all  in  ruine,"  he  says,  "  and  the  roote  of 
the  hille  that  it  standeth  on  is  environed  with  an  arme  derived  out  of 
Fosse-Water."  In  the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  the  Corporation  of  York 
addressed  two  petitions  to  the  Lord  Treasurer  Burleigh,  and  to  Clifford, 
Earl  of  Northumberland,  praying  that  measures  might  be  taken  for  pre- 
venting the  keeper  of  the  Castle  from  injuring  the  tower  and  converting  its 
stone  into  lime,  inasmuch  as  they  deemed  it  to  be  of  surpassing  beauty  and 

«  Fiotoresque  Antiquities  of  English  Cities,  p.  5. 


340  HISTORY   OF   THE    CITY   OF   YORK. 

imparting  more  ornament  to  the  city  than  anything  else  beside,  save  the 
Minster.  These  petitions  had  their  due  effect,  and  the  work  of  demolition 
was  stopped ;  but  it  remained  in  an  imtenable  state  until  the  commencement 
of  the  war  between  Charles  I.  and  the  Parliament,  when  Drake  says,  "  By 
the  direction  of  Henry,  then  Earl  of  Cumberland,  Lord  Lieutenant  of  the 
northern  parts,  and  Governor  of  York,  this  tower  was  repaired;  a  considerable 
additional  square  building  put  to  it,  on  that  side  next  the  Castle,  on  which, 
over  the  gate,  in  stone  work,  are  placed  the  Royal  Arms  and  those  of  the 
Cliffords,  viz.  chequee,  a  fess,  ensigned  with  an  Earl's  coronet,  supported  by 
two  wivems,  and  this  motto — Desormais."  These  arms,  Ac,  may  still  be 
seen  over  the  gate. 

After  being  thoroughly  repaired,  a  platform  was  constructed  on  the  top, 
on  which  were  mounted  two  demiculverins  and  a  raker,  and  a  garrison  was 
appointed  to  defend  it.  During  the  siege  of  the  city  in  1644,  this  garrison 
was  under  the  command  of  Sir  Francis  Cobb,  who  succeeded  to  the  office 
of  Governor  of  the  city  at  the  death  of  Henry,  the  last  Earl  of  Cumberland. 
When  the  city  came  into  the  hands  of  the  Parliamentarians,  the  Castle  was 
entirely  dismantled,  with  the  exception  of  this  tower,  in  which,  according  to 
a  resolution  in  the  House  of  Commons,  dated  26th  of  February,  1646,  a  de- 
tachment of  sixty  infantry  soldiers  were  stationed,  "  Resolved  that  Clifford's 
Tower  (York)  be  kept  a  garrison  with  three  score  foot  in  it."  The  command 
was  then  given  to  the  Lord  Mayor  of  York,  in  whose  hands  it  continued  till 
1688,  when  Sir  John  Reresby  was  made  keeper  by  Charles  IT.  It  was  how- 
ever blown  up  the  following  year  by  the  ignition  of  the  mageizine,  and  reduced 
to  its  present  condition.  The  circumstance  is  thus  related  in  an  old  MSS. 
diary  of  those  times : — "  About  ten  o'clock  on  the  night  of  St.  George's  day, 
April  23rd,  1684,  happened  a  most  dreadful  fire  within  the  tower  called  Clif- 
ford's Tower,  which  consumed  to  ashes  all  the  interior  thereof,  leaving 
standing  only  the  outshell  of  the  walls  of  the  tower,  without  other  harm  to 
the  city,  save  one  man  slain  by  the  fall  of  a  piece  of  timber,  blown  up  by  the 
force  of  the  flames,  or  rather  by  some  powder  therein.  It  was  generally 
thought  a  wilful  act,  the  soldiers  not  suffering  the  citizens  to  enter  tiU  it  was 
too  late ;  and  what  made  it  more  suspicious  was,  the  gunner  had  got  out  all 
his  goods  before  it  was  discovered."  "  Whether  this  was  done  accidentally 
or  on  purpose,"  says  Drake,  **  is  disputable ;  it  was  observed  that  the  officers 
and  soldiers  of  the  garrison  had  removed  all  their  best  things  before ;  and  it 
was  a  common  toast  in  the  city  to  drink  to  the  Demolishing  of  the  Minced 
Pye"  The  ruin  and  adjacent  grounds  then  passed  into  private  hands,  and 
in  1826  they  were  purchased  by  the  cotmty  magistrates,  with  oth^r  property 


HISTOBY   OF  THE   CITY   OF   YOBK.  841 

in  the  immediate  neighbourhood,  to  enlarge  the  County  Oaol,  for  Jg8,800. ; 
of  which  sum  JBdOO.  was  the  price  of  the  ruins. 

At  that  time  it  was  proposed  bj  some  VandcUs  or  Goths  to  destroy  the  ruin, 
and  level  the  mound  with  the  surrounding  ground,  but  the  good  taste  of  the 
majority  of  the  magistracy  of  the  county  rejected  such  an  act,  and  instead  of 
so  doing,  they,  much  to  their  credit,  erected  around  it  a  strong  stone  wall, 
sloping  with  the  declivity  of  the  mound,  which  binds  the  base  of  the  entire 
tumulus,  and  will  protect  it  for  some  centuries.  One  of  the  county  magis- 
tracy, G.  Strickland,  Esq.,  of  Hildenby,  in  a  pamphlet  published  at  that  time, 
called  Reasons  for  notpulUng  down  Clifford's  Tower ,  &c.,  very  truly  observed, 
« that  many  persons  are  too  apt  to  despise  or  to  pass  over  in  neglect  those 
objects  which  are  habitually  presented  to  them,  and  hold  in  veneration  such 
only  as  are  distant,  and  with  which  they  are  comparatively  little  acquainted. 
Upon  this  principle  we  must  account  for  the  fact  of  so  many  of  our  country- 
men travelling  to  distant  r^ons,  and  returning  home,  expressing  wonder, 
astonishment,  and  delight,  at  the  ruins,  mountains,  and  valleys,  which  they 
have  seen,  while  they  remain  ignorant  of  the  merits  of  their  own  countxy, 
insensible  to  its  beauties,  and  affecting  to  despise  its  remains  of  antiquity. 

"  Such  persons  can  see  a  thousand  charms  in  every  broken  arch,  and  in 
every  ruin  near  the  Tiber,  however  small  the  remnant — ^while  they  can  find 
nothing  to  admire  upon  the  banks  of  the  Thames,  or  of  the  Ouse — while  they 
load  with  epithets  of  reproach  and  execration,  the  names  of  Alaric,  the  leader 
of  the  Goths,  and  of  Genseric,  the  King  of  the  Vandals,  and  call  their  myriads 
of  followers  barbarians — because  the  one  overran  Greece,  and  plundered  and 
destroyed  the  public  buildings  and  works  of  art  at  Athens,  and  Corinth,  and 
Sparta;  and  the  other,  after  taking  Rome,  laid  waste  the  city,  and  reduced 
to  ruins  its  temples  and  its  bridges — ^in  England,  with  unsparing  hand,  would 
level  to  the  ground  our  best  remains  of  ancient  buildings ;  which  have  re- 
sisted the  destructive  efforts  of  time,  and  for  ages  been  held  up  to  the 
admiration  of  all  persons  of  education  and  taste,  to  make  a  foundation  for  a 
gaol  or  a  manufactory. 

"  That  Clifford's  Tower  is  an  object  not  unworthy  of  some  share  of  respect 
and  of  care,  may  perhaps  be  made  evident  by  a  comparison  between  it  and 
some  of  those  remains  of  similar  form,  which,  because  they  are  in  Italy,  are 
held  sacred,  and  are  preserved  from  destruction.  Of  this  kind  is  the  Castle 
of  St.  Angelo,  in  Rome  (anciently  the  Mausoleum  of  Adrian.)  Of  a  similar 
form  is  the  sepulchre  of  the  Plautian  family,  upon  the  banks  of  the  Tiverone 
and  the  £eur-fkmed  tomb  of  Cecilia  Metella.  Excepting  the  first,  each  of 
these  is  greatly  inferior  in  size  to  Clifford's  Tower,  and  all  inferior  in  deva- 


342  HISTORY   OF   THE   CITY   OF   YOBK. 

tion  of  site  and  picturesque  beautj."  Thus  we  have  seen  that  this  ancient 
tower  has  had  many  escapes,  having  been  burnt  and  exposed  to  the  attacks 
of  war,  "  but  still  it  stood,"  says  Mr.  Davies,  **  its  walls  bidding  defiance  to 
age,  nor  upon  them  '  Time  writes  no  wrinkle  *  with  his  antique  hand." 

The  plan  of  this  beautiful  specimen  of  feudal  grandeur  consists  of  four  s^- 
ments  of  circles  joined  together ;  the  largest  diameter,  from  periphery  to 
periphery,  being  sixty-four  feet,  and  the  shortest,  from  intersection  to  inter- 
section, being  forty-five  feet.  The  waUs  are  between  nine  and  ten  feet  thick.'i' 
The  mound  is  mounted  by  a  flight  of  steps,  and  the  ruin  is  entered  through 
the  modem  square  tower  mentioned  before,  over  which  are  the  arms  of  the 
Clifford  family.  On  the  left  of  the  entrance  are  the  remains  of  a  winding 
staircase,  beyond  which  was  the  original  entrance ;  of  the  latter  the  remains 
of  a  ruined  archway  may  still  be  seen,  and  near  it  may  be  traced  the  grooves 
of  a  portcullis,  and  other  requisites  for  offence  and  defence. 

In  the  interior  of  the  ruin  is  a  draw-well  of  excellent  water,  about  sixty 
feet  deep,  which  in  Drake  s  time  was  choked  up,  but  is  now  open  and  well 
preserved.  The  area  of  the  ground  floor  has  a  singular  but  venerable  aspect. 
In  the  centre  is  a  large  walnut  tree  and  a  few  small  shrubs,  which  being 
surrounded  with  the  massy  but  desolate  looking  walls  of  the  ruins,  have  a 
curious  but  picturesque  appearance.  Proceeding  round  the  interior  of  the 
ground  floor  several  rocesses  will  be  observed  in  the  walls,  which  have  been 
designed  for  various  purposes  at  present  unknown.  The  walls  may  be  safely 
ascended  by  a  flight  of  stone  steps,  passing  a  small  room  in  the  square  modem 
tower,  which  was  formerly  used  as  a  chapel,  and  at  the  top  of  the  tower  the 
wall  is  sufficiently  broad  to  walk  upon  all  round.  From  this  eminence 
an  extensive  and  interesting  view  of  the  neighbouring  district  is  obtained. 
There  is  a  neat  and  broad  grass  lawn  round  the  base  of  the  tower,  and  the 
sides  of  the  mount  on  which  the  building  stands  are  planted  with  trees  and 
shrubs.  The  moat  which  formerly  surrounded  it  is  now  filled  up,  so  that 
the  entiro  space  forms  a  garden,  which  is  tastefully  laid  out  and  kept  in  ex- 
cellent order.  The  whole  property  is  held,  with  other  holds  near  the  city, 
by  grants  from  James  I.,  to  Babington  and  Duffield ;  and  the  words  of  the 
grant  aro,  "  Totam  illam  peciam  terrse  nostram  scituat  Jacent,  et  existent, 
in  civit.  nost.  Ebor.  vocat.  Clifford's  Tower." 

The  whole  area  of  York  Castle,  including  this  tower,  the  old  an4  new 
gaols,  the  county  hall,  &c.,  is  now  enclosed  by  a  very  fine  lofty  stone  wall, 
with  an  embattled  parapet,  and  the  groat  gate  of  entrance  is  flanked  by  two 

•  Archielogia,  voL  vi,  p.  259. 


HISTORY   OF  THE    CITY   OP  YORK.  843 

massj  circular  towers.*  The  modem  buildings  designated  York  CaatU,  and 
used  as  the  County  Gaol,  will  be  described  at  a  subsequent  page. 

Ancient  Mansions,  Halls,  &c, — The  site  of  the  Preetorium  Palace — ^the 
ancient  residence  of  the  "  Lords  of  the  Universe  *'— during  the  occupation  of 
the  Romans,  is  placed  by  Burton,  Drake,  and  Wellbeloved,  on  the  space  of 
ground  extending  £rom  Christ  Church,  CoUiergate,  through  the  houses  and 
gardens  on  the  east  side  of  Goodramgate  and  St.  Andrewgate,  through  the 
Bedem  to  Aldwark.  The  royal  baths  would,  in  all  probability,  occupy  a 
considerable  part  of  the  extent.  After  the  departure  of  the  Romans,  the 
imperial  Palace  was  made  the  residence  of  the  Saxon  and  Danish  Kings  of 
Northumberland,  and  then  of  the  Earls  till  the  Conquest ;  for  Tosti,  Earl  of 
Northumberland,  had  his  Palace  at  York  plundered  and  burnt  by  the  enraged 
populace.  After  the  Conquest  it  became  the  possession  of  our  English  Kings ; 
and  in  ancient  records  the  King*s  House  at  York  is  called  Manerium  mum 
de  Toft ;  and  Aula  Regis,  From  the  Kings  it  probably  came  to  the  Dukes  of 
York,  as  there  was  formerly  a  house  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Christ  Church 
called  Duke  Guildhall.  Christ  Church  in  ancient  writings  is  generally 
termed  Eedesia  8.  Trinitatis  in  aula,  vd  curia,  regis,  or  in  old  English,  Sainct 
Trinityes,  in  Conyng-garthe ;  "which  title,"  observes  Drake,  "plainly  de- 
notes that  the  old  courts  of  the  imperial  or  regal  Palace  at  York  reached 
to  this  place." 

The  Manor  Palace,  now  called  the  Manor  House,  which  is  situated  on 
the  south  side  of  Bootham,  just  without  the  bar,  and  within  the  walls  of  St. 
Mary's  Abbey,  is  the  principal  private  mansion  connected  with  the  early  his- 
tory of  the  city  now  standing.  At  the  dissolution  of  the  Abbey,  in  the  3 1st 
of  Henry  Vlil.,  that  Monarch  ordered  it  to  be  dismantled,  and  a  house  to  be 
built  out  of  the  materials,  to  be  called  the  King's  Manor;  and  as  King 
Heniy,  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  the  northern  counties  quiet,  found  it 
necessary  to  establish  what  was  called  the  Great  Coimcil  of  the  North,  he 
appropriated  the  Manor  for  the  residence  of  the  Lord  Presidents  of  that 
Council.  During  the  twelve  days  which  Henry  spent  at  York  in  1541, 
he  probably  resided  at  this  mansion.  When  James  I.,  on  his  journey  to 
London  to  take  possession  of  the  crown,  after  the  death  of  Queen  Elizabeth, 
arrived  at  York,  he  resided  at  the  Manor,  and  was  entertained  with  great 
splendour  by  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Corporation.  (See  page  311.)  He  then, 
we  are  told  by  some,  ordered  the  Manor  to  be  repaired  and  enlarged,  and 

•  The  number  of  Castles  of  which  there  are  knoim  to  be  existing  remains  is,  in 
England,  461,  Wales,  107,  Scotland,  150,  Ireland,  190;  total,  848. 


844  HIBTORT  OF  THE   CITT  OF  TOSS. 

converted  into  a  Royal  Palace,  for  bis  own  accommodation  upon  his  journeys 
between  London  and  Scotland ;  but  the  Rev.  C.  Wellbeloved  is  of  opinion 
that  instead  of  repairing  or  enlarging  the  old  building,  he  must  have  ordered 
the  erection  of  a  new  one,  as  the  residence  of  the  Lord  Presidents  stood  on 
the  site  now  occupied  by  the  Museum,  and  the  large  cellars  of  that  building 
may  now  be  seen  at  the  rear  of  the  present  Manor  House ;  whilst  the  present 
mansion  occupies  the  site  of  the  house  of  the  Abbot  of  St.  Mary*s,  which 
stood  north  of  the  spot  upon  which  the  mansion  of  Henry  VIII.  was  built. 
There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  building  which  now  stands  was  erected  by 
King  James ;  and  it  is  an  interesting  specimen  of  the  style  of  architecture 
which  prevailed  in  that  Monarch's  time.  Besides,  there  are  many  testimo- 
nials of  his  design  in  arms  and  other  decorations  about  the  several  portals  of 
the  building.  The  monastic  buildings  on  the  spot  are  said  to  have  furnished 
abimdant  materials  for  this  mansion,  as  well  as  for  that  which  preceded  it. 
As  this  building  continued  to  be  the  residence  of  the  Lord  President  of  the 
North  as  long  as  that  office  was  continued,  the  original  mansion  was  probably 
demolished,  or  suffered  to  go  to  ruin. 

The  celebrated  but  unfortunate  Thomas  Wentworth,  Earl  of  Strafford,  the 
last  Lord  President,  inhabited  this  Palace,  and  one  of  the  aiticles  of  his  im- 
peachment, drawn  up  by  John  Pym,  was  that  "  he  had  the  arrogance  to  put 
up  his  own  arms  in  one  of  the  King's  Palaces."  These  arms  still  remain 
over  one  of  the  doorways  in  the  inner  court.  In  the  reign  of  Charles  I. 
several  Parliaments  and  Councils  were  held  in  this  mansion.  During  the 
siege  of  York  in  1644,  the  Manor  was  materially  damaged  by  the  forces  of 
the  Parliament,  under  the  command  of  the  Earl  of  Manchester.  After 
undermining  and  blowing  up  St.  Mary's  Tower,  they  made  a  breach  in  the 
wall  lower  down  in  Marygate,  and  took  possession  of  the  Palace,  whilst 
the  Royalist  commanders  were  attending  divine  service  at  the  Cathedral,  it 
being  Trinity  Sunday;  the  Republicans  ''deeming  that  the  Lord's  day,"  says 
Allen,  "was  the  best  time  for  doing  what  they  denominated  the  Lord's  work." 

When  Charles  11.,  in  consequence  of  the  continual  bickerings  between  the 
Court  and  the  Corporation,  appointed  a  military  governor  of  the  city,  the 
Manor  Palace  was  his  official  residence.  Lord  Fretchville,  Baron  of  Stavely, 
was  the  first  Governor,  and  after  his  death  Sir  John  Reresby  succeeded  him. 
He  was  the  last  Governor  of  York,  and  the  Manor  does  not  seem  to  have 
borne  any  public  character  since  that  period.  James  11.  granted  it  to  the 
Catholics  as  a  seminary,  under  the  care  of  Bishop  Smith,  and  a  large  room 
in  it  was  fitted  up  and  used  as  a  Catholic  chapel,  where  mass  was  celebrated 
openly;  but  this  consecrated  room  was  in  1688  attacked  and  dismantled  by 


mstOBt  OF  THE   GITt  OF  TOftlt.  345 

A  violent  mob,  who  at  that  period  entertained  great  fears  lest  the  ancient 
fiuth  should  be  re-introduced  into  this  country.  In  1696-7  the  Manor  was 
conyerted  into  a  Royal  Mint,  and  the  gold  and  silver  coin  struck  here  was 
marked  with  the  letter  Y  under  the  King's  head.  After  this  period  the 
King's  MfCnor  appears  to  have  been  used  by  private  individuals.  Soon  after 
the  Revolution  the  Abbey  or  Manor  was  leased  from  the  Crown  for  thirty-one 
years  to  Robert  Waller^  Esq.,  who  was  Lord  Mayor  of  the  city,  and  one  of 
its  representatives  in  Parliament.  It  was  subsequently  leased  to  Tancred 
Robinson,  Esq.,  second  son  of  Sir  WiUiam  Robinson,  Bart.,  and  ancestor  of 
the  Grantham  family,  in  which  it  long  continued.  Part  of  the  building  was 
converted  into  an  Assembly  Room,  and  used  for  the  public  balls,  &c.,  untQ 
the  present  suite  of  rooms  for  these  purposes  were  erected.  Time  and  depre- 
dation have  reduced  even  the  walls  of  this  venerable  fabric  within  narrow 
limits ;  part  of  the  enclosure  is  in  the  possession  of  the  Philosophical  Society, 
the  rest  is  leased  for  gardens,  and  the  greater  part  of  what  remains  of  this 
once  regal  dwelling  has  been  since  1884  in  the  possession  of  the  trustees  of 
the  Wilberforee  School  for  the  Blind. 

The  entrance  to  the  outer  court  is  through  an  old  archway,  once  the  en- 
trance to  St.  Mary's  Abbey  from  Bootham.  On  the  right  is  a  stone  wall, 
probably  built  prior  to  the  abdication  of  James  II. ;  having  in  it  recesses 
enriched  with  arabesque  work,  apparently  designed  for  images.  The  man- 
sion is  built  in  the  quadrangular  form,  usual  at  the  period  of  its  erection. 
The  front  has  two  entrances,  one  of  which — ^formerly  the  principal  one — 
displays  over  the  doorway,  carved  in  stone,  the  Royal  Arms,  supported  by 
carved  columns,  bearing  devices,  with  the  initials  J.  R.  near  the  bottom,  and 
surmounted  with  a  crown.  This  was  formerly  the  entrance  to  the  inner 
quadrangle  or  court  yard ;  but  as  this  end  of  the  building  is  now  let  out  as  a 
private  dwelling,  the  court  yard  is  entered  by  another  doorway,  near  the  centre 
of  the  building.  This  latter  doorway  is  now  ornamented  with  carved  figures 
of  Justice,  and  other  emblematical  devices,  which  formerly  adorned  the  inner 
doorway  of  the  original  passage  to  the  quadrangle.  From  the  inner  court 
yard  are  two  ancient  grand  entrances  into  the  Palace.  The  one  on  the  east 
aide,  which  was  reached  by  a  large  flight  of  stone  steps,  and  which  has  over 
it  the  Royal  Arms,  with  the  initials  C.  R.,  led  to  an  apartment,  eighty-one 
feet  long  and  twenty-seven  broad,  which  is  by  some  supposed  to  have  been 
the  Banqueting  Room,  but  in  which  tradition  states  several  of  the  Parliaments 
held  at  York  had  assembled.  In  the  centre  of  this  room  (which  is  now  used 
as  a  National  School)  is  a  large  ventilator.  The  other  principal  doorway  is 
on  the  south  side  of  the  quadrangle,  and  over  it  still  remains  the  arms  and 

9  T 


340  HISTORY   OF   THE   CITY   OP   YORK. 

several  quartenngs  of  the  Earl  of  Strafford,  finely  carved  in  stone.  This 
outer  doorway  conducts  into  a  hall  or  vestibule,  from  which  a  second  door 
leads  to  a  broad  and  handsome  flight  of  stone  steps,  which  conducts  to  a 
spacious,  lofty,  and  comfortable  apartment,  by  some  deemed  the  Council 
Chamber.  The  doorway  already  mentioned,  from  the  vestibule  to  the  stone 
staircase,  has  a  circular  arch  ornamented  with  curiously  carved  stone-work, 
above  which  is  a  massy  stone  frieze,  supported  by  thi^ee  singular  brackets. 

There  was  formerly  a  communication  between  the  Council  Chamber  and 
the  banqueting  room,  by  a  long  gallery.  Ac^joining  the  large  room  at  the  top 
of  the  great  staircase  already  mentioned,  is  a  suite  of  apartments,  in  one  of 
which  is  a  large  fire  place  with  a  curiously  carved  mantel  piece,  and  this,  as 
well  as  some  of  the  other  rooms,  exhibits  a  carved  moulding  along  the  walls 
near  the  ceiling,  in  which  is  represented  the  bear  and  rugged  staff  and  other 
grotesque  figures.  The  large  room,  supposed  by  some  to  have  been  that  used 
as  a  Catholic  Chapel*  by  King  James,  has  a  panelled  ceiling,  and  it,  as  wdl 
as  the  apartment  with  the  curious  fire  place,  is  now  used  as  bed  rooms  for 
the  boys  of  the  school  for  the  blind.  The  supposed  Council  Chamber  is  now 
a  school  room  for  the  same  pupils,  and  beneath  the  reputed  banquet  hall 
seems  to  have  been  a  spacious  kitchen,  as  an  immense  fire  place  and  chimney 
yet  remain.  There  is  a  large  room  beneath  the  supposed  chapel  (now  the 
sale  room  for  the  articles  manufactured  by  the  blind  pupils)  which  is  said  to 
have  been  the  royal  library.  The  ceiling  is  empanelled  with  massy  oak 
mouldings.  At  the  rear  of  the  buildings  is  a  space  now  used  as  a  play 
ground  for  the  pupils  of  the  school  for  the  blind,  which  has  on  its  ift>uth  side 
the  ruins  of  the  kitchen  and  out  offices  of  the  original  residence  of  the  Lord 
Presidents,  and  beneath  which  axe  two  large  vaults.  The  ascent  to  each  of 
these  cellars  is  by  a  flight  of  stone  steps. 

An  account  of  the  Wilberforce  School  for  the  Blind,  and  the  Manor 
Central  National  School,  now  held  in  the  Manor  buildings,  will  be  found  at 
subsequent  pages. 

On  the  north  side  of  Walmgate,  opposite  the  Church  of  St.  Dennis,  near 
the  old  Iron  Foundry,  formerly  stood  Percy's  Inn,  the  Palace  of  the  Earl  of 
Northumberland,  who  fell,  fighting  for  the  House  of  Lancaster,  in  the  me- 

*  Some  suppose  the  large  room  with  the  panelled  oeiling,  over  the  sale  room  for  Uie 
articles  manufactured  by  the  blind  pupils  of  the  Wilberforce  Memorial  School,  to  have 
been  the  one  used  as  a  Catholic  Chapel ;  but  others  are  of  opinion  that  it  was  in  the 
large  room  now  oocapied  as  a  National  School — the  reputed  Banqueting  Boom — and 
for  some  time  the  Assembly  Boom,  that  the  sendees  of  the  Church  of  Bome  were 
selebrated. 


HISTORT   OF  THE  CITY   OP  YORK.  847 

morable  battle  -of  Towton  Field.  In  an  account  of  the  property  of  Henry, 
Earl  of  Northumberland  (father  of  the  above  mentioned  Earl),  who  was  slain 
at  the  battle  of  St  Albans,  in  the  33rd  of  Henry  VI.  (1454),  a  certain  man- 
sion in  Walmgate,  in  the  parish  of  St.  Dyonis  in  York,  called  Percy's  Inn, 
is  included.  Dugdale,  in  alluding  to  this  house,  says  that  on  the  ground 
where  it  stood,  there  was  found  by  a  labourer,  several  years  before,  one  arm 
of  a  gold  cup,  so  heavy  as  to  be  sold  for  the  sum  of  £50.  Percy's  lun  seems 
to  have  been  occupied  by  other  families  after  the  Earls  of  Northumberland 
forsook  it.     The  Rev.  Marmaduke  Fothergill  was  bom  there  in  16512. 

The  ArchUpiMopal  Palace  stood  on  the  north  side  of  the  Cathedral. 
Having  fallen  into  decay  it  was  demolished,  and  the  materials  used  in  the 
construction  of  the  choir  of  that  church,  the  first  stone  of  which  was  laid 
on  the  19th  of  July,  1861. 

Within  Layerthorpe  Postern  formerly  stood  a  spacious  residence  belonging 
to  the  ancient  family  of  Bigod,  of  Settrington,  which  is  mentioned  by  Leland, 
and  near  it  was  a  hospital  founded  by  them ;  but  that  author  remarks,  that 
Sir  Francis  Bigod  suffered  both  the  hospital  and  the  mansion  to  go  to  ruin, 
and  there  is  not  now  a  vestige  of  either  to  be  seen. 

On  the  left  of  the  lane  leading  to  the  church  of  St.  Mary,  Bishophill  the 
Elder,  is  a  small  croft,  known  by  the  name  of  the  Duke's  Hall,  which  is  the 
site  of  a  large  mansion  built  by  Thomas,  Lord  Fairfax,  and  inherited  by  his 
daughter,  who  married  the  unfortunate  Geoiige  Villiers,  second  duke  of 
Buckingham  of  that  name. 

Davy,  or  Lardiner  HaU,  an  ancient  building  which  stood  in  Davygate,  was 
part  of  the  possessions  held  by  grand  serjeanty  of  the  King,  in  capUe,  by 
David  le  Lardiner.  Leland  says  that  "  Davy  s  Haul "  in  York  was  assigned 
as  a  place  of  punishment  for  offenders  in  the  Forest  of  Galtres.  Sir  Thomas 
Widdrington  drew  out  a  genealogical  table  of  this  family,  and  the  pedigree  is 
published  in  Drake^s  Eboracum,  page  826.  From  this  it  appears  that  the 
Dsunily  came  to  England  with  the  Norman  Conqueror,  and  enjoyed  many 
privileges  in  York  by  royal  grant  during  many  successive  generations.  In 
enumerating  the  privileges  of  the  Lardiner  family.  Sir  Thomas  gives  the  fol- 
lowing particulars: — "In  the  pleas  of  assize  in  the  county  of  York,  the 
morrow  after  the  feast  of  St.  Michael,  before  Silvester,  Bishop  of  Carlisle, 
Roger  de  Thurkleby,  and  their  companions,  Justices  itinerant  in  the  d5th 
and  the  beginning  of  the  86th  year  of  Henry  11.,  the  King  gave  command 
to  those  Justices  to  inquire,  by  jury,  what  liberty  the  ancestors  of  David  le 
Lardiner  had  used  in  the  city  of  York ;  and  how  and  what  liberties  the  said 
David  claimeth  by  the  charters  of  any  of  the  King's  predecessors.    Thereupon 


848  HI8T0BT   OF  THE   OITT   OF  TOBK. 

David  came  in,  and  said  that  it  did  bdong  to  the  serjeanty  which  he  holds 
in  York,  to  receive,  &c. ;  as  enumerated  in  the  following  reply : — 

**  And  the  jurors  found  that  the  ancestors  of  David  le  Lardiner,  had  really 
used  the  following  liberties : — ^To  make  the  larder  of  the  King — ^To  keep  the 
prisoners  of  the  forest — To  have  the  measure  of  the  King  for  com ;  and  to 
sell  the  King's  com.  That  they  had  daily,  out  of  the  King's  purse,  fivepence ; 
and  for  these  his  ancestors  had  charters.  Sometimes  they  used  this  liberty, 
to  take,  every  Saturday,  irom  eveiy  window  of  the  bakers  where  bread  was 
set  to  sale,  a  loaf  or  an  hal^nny — Of  every  brewer  of  ale,  a  gallon  of  ale  or 
an  halfpenny — Of  every  butcher's  window,  a  pennyworth  of  flesh  or  a  penny 
— Of  every  cartload  of  fish  sold  at  Foss  Bridge,  four  pennyworth  of  fish  as 
they  were  bought  at  the  sea  side ;  and  of  eveiy  horseload  of  fish,  a  penny- 
worth or  a  penny.  That  they  used  to  make  distresses  of  the  King's  debts, 
and  to  take  foiirpence  for  eveiy  distress ;  and  that  they  were  aldermen  of 
minstreUs.  The  ancestors  of  David  le  Lardiner  have  used  these  liberties  in 
the  time  of  King  Henry,  grandfather  to  the  King  which  now  is,  and  in  the 
time  of  King  Richard,  till  they  were  hindred ;  and  they  used  all  these  Uberties 
in  the  name  of  the  serjeanty  which  they  held  of  the  King.  The  record  was 
sent  to  the  King." 

These  extraordinary  privileges,  which  were  extremely  unpleasant  and  op- 
pressive to  the  citizens  of  York,  continued  till  the  d7th  of  Henry  HI.  (1253), 
**  when,"  says  Drake,  "  a  fine  was  levied  at  Westminster,  before  the  King's 
Justices,  between  David  de  Lardiner,  plaintiff,  and  John  de  Selby,  Mayor, 
and  the  citizens  of  York,  deforciants ;  by  which  the  said  David  did  remit  and 
release  to  the  Mayor  and  citizens  all  his  right  in  the  above  articles,  except 
the  keeper  of  the  King's  jail  and  larder,  for  the  sum  of  twenty  marks,  paid 
him  by  the  said  Mayor  and  citizens."  Afiier  the  death  of  David  Lardiner, 
the  heXL  passed  by  marriage  to  the  £Bimilies  of  Leke,  Thornton,  Thwaites,  and 
Fairfax ;  and  was  in  time  transferred  to  George  Villiers,  Duke  of  Bucking- 
ham, who  married  Mary,  only  daughter  of  Thomas,  Lord  Fair&x,  to  whom 
Sir  Thomas  Widdrington  was  related.  As  neither  the  Mayor  or  Sheri£G9  could 
arrest  or  taken  fines,  nor  disturb  any  person,  though  not  a  freeman,  from 
carrying  on  his  business  on  these  premises,  the  Corporation  purchased  the 
hall  with  all  its  privileges,  by  which  it  became  subject  to  their  jurisdiction ; 
and  the  building  being  greatly  out  of  repair,  it  was  taken  doim  in  1744,  the 
materials  sold,  and  the  ground  let  on  building  leases  to  Mr.  Charles  Mitlej, 
sculptor,  reserving  a  street  or  row  from  Davygate  into  Coney  Street,  now 
called  New  Street 

Mr.  William  Carr,  biother^in-law  to  Mr.  Mitl^,  took  down  the  old  hall, 


HISTORY   OF  THE    CIT7   OF  TORX.  349 

and  built  a  row  of  six  good  houses,  which  being  roofed  in  July,  1746,  on  the 
very  day  when  William,  Duke  of  Cumberland,  visited  York  after  the  battle 
of  GuUoden,  were,  through  rospect  to  him,  called  Cumberland  Row.  These 
six  houses,  with  one  built  by  the  late  Mr.  Peckett,  more  immediately  in 
Davygate,  are  all  extra-parochial.  The  title  of  Cumberland  How  is  now 
nearly  lost,  and  the  houses  form  part  of  New  Street. 

Near  Coffee  Yard,  in  Stonegate,  was  anciently  a  laiige  house  called  Mul- 
berry Hall,  supposed  by  Mr.  Hargrove  to  be  a  corruption  of  the  words 
Mowbray  Hall ;  as  in  several  early  records  the  former  name  is  often  written 
MuVbrai  Hall,  Mr.  Hargrove  supposes  that  it  was  formerly  a  house  be- 
longing to  the  powerful  family  of  the  Mowbrays.  The  house  in  Stonegate, 
now  in  the  occupation  of  Mr.  Sunter,  Bookseller,  is  said  to  be  the  hall,  or 
a  portion  of  the  hall,  in  question.  According  to  some,  Hugo  Bois,  or  Goes, 
set  up  his  printing  pross  here  in  1607.    (See  page  180.) 

In  a  yard  nearly  opposite  St.  Martin's  Church  is  a  very  ancient  brick 
building,  with  stone  quoins  and  dressings,  which  has  apparently  been  used 
as  a  Bagnio,  the  remains  of  one  bath  being  yet  visible.  The  building  has, 
however,  being  devoted  to  such  a  variety  of  purposes  of  late  years,  that  its 
original  use  cannot  be  ascertained  with  certainty.  It  is  now  converted  into 
dwellings. 

The  old  building  in  Newgate,  and  the  ancient  pile,  called  St  William's 
College,  will  be  noticed  at  subsequent  pages. 

The  Castle  MiUs,  near  the  bridge  which  takes  its  name  from  them,  are  of 
very  ancient  origin ;  they  were  the  property  of  the  Castle,  but  alienated  in  the 
time  of  Queen  Elizabeth.  An  old  document  states  that  in  the  4th  of  Edward 
L  (1276),  the  Knights  Templars  had  a  mill  near  the  Castle  of  York,  which 
afiterwards  belonged  to  the  Kings  of  England.  During  the  reign  of  Edward 
n.  they  were  rented  by  lease  for  forty  marks  per  annum ;  by  which  we  may 
judge  of  their  extent  at  that  time;  and  as  the  situation  is  exactly  described  in 
the  register  of  Fountains  Abbey,  there  is  no  doubt  as  to  their  identity.  From 
the  Crown  they  passed  to  Sir  Thomas  Hesketh,  of  Heslington,  near  York, 
for  the  support  of  an  Hospital,  which  he  founded  in  that  village.  The  Foss 
Navigation  Company  afterwards  requiring  the  water  which  worked  the  ma- 
chineiy,  agreed  with  the  trustees  of  the  said  Hospital  -to  take  the  premises 
into  their  own  hands,  subject  to  an  annual  payment  of  £60,  to  the  Hospital. 
These  MiUs  are  now  the  property  of  the  Corporation  of  York. 

The  extensive  improvements,  which  of  late  years  have  been  effected,  are 
fast  sweeping  away  those  numerous  specimens  of  ancient  domestic  arehitec- 
tare  for  which  tlus  city  was  so  very  remarkable.    Eveiy  year  diminishes 


860  HISTORY   OF  THE   CITT   OF   TOHK. 

those  carious  exteriors,  and  it  is  probable  that  another  generation  will  possess 
only  drawings  and  elevations  of  the  buildings  now  common.  The  etchings 
of  Halfpenny  and  Cave,  made  towards  the  close  of  the  last  century,  show 
many  interesting  objects  which  have  now  altogether  disappeared. 

Britton,  in  his  Architectural  AntiquUies,*  gives  the  following  quotation  from 
Mr.  Stnitt,  which  explains  very  clearly  the  style  of  the  kind  of  buildings 
most  common  in  the  old  houses  in  the  streets  of  York : — "  From  the  reign  of 
Edward  I.  to  that  of  Heniy  Vn.,  the  common  run  of  houses,  especially 
among  the  middling  sort  of  people,  were  built  with  wood.  They  generally 
made  large  porches  before  the  principal  entrances,  with  great  halls  and 
large  parlours.  The  frame-work  was  constructed  with  beams  of  timber  of 
such  enormous  size  that  the  materials  of  one  house,  as  they  built  anciently, 
would  make  several  of  equal  size  according  to  the  present  mode  of  building. 
The  common  method  of  making  walls  was  to  naU  laths  to  the  timber  frame, 
and  strike  them  over  with  rough  plaster,  which  was  afterwards  whitened  and 
ornamented  with  fine  mortar,  and  this  last  was  often  beautified  with  figures 
and  other  curious  devices.  The  houses  in  the  cities  and  towns  were  built 
each  story  jetting  over  the  former  story,  so  that  when  the  streets  were  not 
wide,  the  people  at  the  top  from  opposite  houses  might  not  only  talk  and  con- 
verse with  each  other,  but  even  shake  hands  together.  The  houses  were 
covered  with  tiles,  shingles,  slates,  or  lead,  except  in  the  city  of  London, 
where  shingles  were  prohibited  with  a  view  to  prevent  fires." 

Before  the  present  Ouse  Bridge  was  built  in  1810,  and  the  approaches  to 
it  called  Low  Ousegate  and  Bridge  Street  widened,  the  houses  answered  so 
closely  to  this  description,  that  the  people  in  the  top  stories  could  in  some 
cases  converse,  and  almost  shake  hands  together.  The  streets  which  still 
retain  the  greatest  number  of  these  houses  are  the  Water  Lanes  leading  from 
Castlegate  to  the  banks  of  the  river,  and  the  Shambles.  There  are  also  some 
curious  specimens  in  Petergate,  Stonegate,  and  Fossgate.  The  houses  out 
of  Bootham  Bar,  with  the  curiously-designed  brick-work,  are  not  older  than 
the  17th  century. 

Names  of  Streets,  &c. — ^In  the  names  of  several  of  the  streets  of  York, 
the  termination  gate  is  used  to  describe  a  street  or  lane,  as  Marygate,  Peter- 
gate,  Micklegate,  Ousegate,  &c.,  whilst  the  greater  gates  or  entrances  to  the 
city  are  denominated  Bars,  as  Micklegate  Bar,  Bootham  Bar,  &c. ;  the  lesser 
ones  Posterns,  as  Castlegate  Postern,  Fishergate  Postern,  &c.  The  word  gale 
is  probably  derived  from  the  Danish  "gata,"  a  street,  as  many  of  the  names 

♦  Vol.  ii.,  page  79. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   CITY   OP   TOBK.  851 

of  the  suburbs  are  of  Danish-Norwegian  origin,  as  Clementhorpe,  Bishop- 
thorpe,  Middlethorpe,  Layerthorpe,  &c.,  the  termination  thorpe  being  derived 
from  "  dorp,"  a  village.  Several  of  the  streets  still  retain  the  names  they 
bore  in  medissval  times. 

Micklegate,  formerly  called  Micklelyth,  which  extends  from  St.  John's 
Church  near  Ouse  Bridge,  to  the  bar  to  whiclbit  gives  name,  merely  implies 
a  large,  great,  or  spacious  street;  Mickle  in  the  Anglo-Saxon  language  signi- 
fying great,  and  Lyth,  a  port  or  gate»  This  name  also  is  derived  from  the 
Danish  ''  MykiU,"  great,  and  "  gata/'  street.  Micklegate  was  the  widest  and 
most  elegant  street  in  York  a  few  years  ago,  and  is  now  surpassed  only  by 
Parliament  Street. 

Monkgate  leads  from  Monk  Bar  to  Monk  Bridge,  and  is  supposed  to  be 
indebted  for  its  name  to  a  Monastery  of  Crouched  Friars,  which  tradition 
informs  us  formerly  stood  in  it  at  the  comer  of  Barker  Hill. 

Beyond  Monk  Bridge  lie  the  village  and  moor  of  Heworth ;  and  towards 
the  north  forming  a  boundary  of  the  lands  of  Uphus,  is  a  lane  which  was 
anciently  termed  Goyse  Lane.  From  a  perambulation,  made  in  the  28th  of 
Edward  III.  (1355),  it  appears  that  the  Forest  of  Galtres  reached  up  to  the 
walls  on  this  side  of  the  city.* 

Walmgate,  leading  from  Foss  Bridge  to  Walmgate  Bar,  in  supposed  by  Mr. 
Drake  and  others  to  be  a  corruption  of  the  ancient  Roman  name  Watlingate» 
which  the  street  immediately  without  the  bar  bore  even  in  modem  times. 
This  latter  street  (now  called  Lawrence  Street)  is  supposed  to  have  been  the 
commencement  of  the  Boman  roads  which  led  to  the  Humber,  and  to  some 
of  the  ports  on  the  German  Ocean,  and  to  have  derived  its  former  appellation 
from  the  great  Eoman  road,  Watling  Street.  It  is  now  the  direct  road  to 
HuU,  BridHngton,  &c.  Some  imagine  that  Walmgate  merely  implied  Tripe 
Street.  Mr.  Hargrove  considers  the  name  but  a  corruption  of  Vallumgate — 
Vallum  being  the  Latin  name  for  a  wall  or  bulwark  for  security,  as  this  street 
not  only  leads  to  the  present  Walmgate  Bar,  but  also  to  Fishergate  Bar  and 
the  Red  Tower. 

Bootham  is  a  fine,  wide,  open,  airy  street  beyond  the  north  gate  of  the  city, 
communicating  with  the  village  of  CHfton.     The  Romans  having  interred 

*  The  district  formerly  known  as  the  Forest  of  Oaltres  is  the  most  interesting  portion 
of  the  Vale  of  Tork.  It  was  a  royal  demesne,  and  was  preserved  as  a  place  of  amuse- 
ment for  the  British  as  well  as  the  Saxon  Kings.  Some  parts  of  it  were  thick  and 
woody,  but  in  general  it  was  open  Hke  a  park  so  that  the  hunters  might  pursue  their 
game  in  it.  The  forest  originally  comprised  about  sixty  townships,  and  contained 
within  its  demesne  100,000  aorea  of  land,  or  neatly  the  whole  of  tlie  Wapentake  of 
Bulmer. 


853  HISTOBT  OP  THB   CiTt   OF  VOBIt^ 

their  dead  oat  of  Bootham  Bar,  as  also  without  Micklegate  Bar,  Dean  Gale 
supposes  that  the  name  Bootham  was  derived  from  the  British  word  boeth,  to 
bum.  The  monks  of  St  Mary's  Abbey  held  a  fiedr  *  in  free  burgage  out  of 
this  bar,  on  which  occasion  a  hamlet  of  booths  were  regularly  erected ;  and 
hence,  according  to  some,  the  word  Bootham.  Mr.  Drake  tells  us  that 
Bootham  was  "the  King*s  Street,  and  extended  from  Bootham  Bar  to  a 
wooden  gate,  at  the  feuther  end  of  it,  which  anciently  was  called  Galmhaw- 
lith ;  where  the  officers  of  the  city  used  to  stand  to  take  and  receive  the  toll 
and  customs."  The  Dean  and  Chapter,  we  are  told  by  Allen,  claim  jurisdic- 
tion on  the  north  side  of  Bootham,  as  part  of  the  territories, "  De  terra  Ulphi  ;*' 
but  on  the  south  side  from  the  Abbey  gate  to  St.  Mary's  Tower,  the  houses 
are  in  the  county,  being  built  where  the  ditch  of  the  Abbey  wall  formerly 
was.  At  the  end  of  Bootham,  near  the  village  of  Clifton,  is  the  basement  of 
an  ancient  cross  or  boundary  stone,  now  designated  Burton  StonSy  and  near 
it  is  Burton  Lane,  which  led  out  of  the  suburbs  into  the  ancient  Forest  of 
Galtres.  The  place  probably  derives  its  name  from  a  family  named  Burton, 
who  were  possessed  of  property  in  the  neighbourhood.  Burton  Lane  was 
formerly  called  Chapel  Lane,  from  the  Hospital  and  Chapel  of  St  Mary  Mag- 
dalene, which  stood  near  it,  but  of  which  no  remains  are  now  visible.  The 
mill  in  the  lane  existed  in  the  time  of  Richard  11.  Near  Burton  Stone,  in 
the  time  of  the  Plantagenets,  the  city  troops  and  trained  bands  assembled 
when  called  out  to  check  the  incursions  of  the  Scots,  and  here  they  received 
their  last  inspection  by  the  Mayor  and  citizens.f  The  legal  boundary  of  the 
city  extends  to  Burton  Stone,  on  the  north  side ;  but  on  the  south  side  the 
city  jurisdiction  only  commenced  at  Bootham  Bar.  In  the  field  nearly 
opposite  the  Burton  Stone,  some  stone  coffins  were  found  in  1818. 

GiUygate,  leading  from  Bootham  to  the  north  end  of  Lord  Mayor's  Walk, 
derives  its  name  from  the  ancient  church  of  St.  Giles,  which,  according  to 

•  In  the  reigns  of  Henry  HE.  and  Edward  I.,  the  great  fairs  were  the  scenes  where 
the  principal  part  of  the  traffic  of  the  kingdom  was  transacted,  as  they  were  frequented 
not  only  hy  people  of  all  the  surroonding  country,  but  by  foreign  as  well  as  English 
merchants.  They  were  held  by  prescription,  and  under  the  authority  of  royal  charters, 
and  yielded  a  considerable  profit  to  the  lords  or  owners  who  had  jurisdiction  in  all 
matters  of  dispute,  and  administration  of  justice  at  courts  of  pie  paudre  which  were 
appurtenant,  as  a  matter  of  common  right  to  every  fkir.  (Stat,  17  Edw.  I.  c.  a.)  The 
fidr  of  the  Abbot  of  St.  Mary's,  at  Bootham,  caused  many  serious  disputes  between  the 
Abbots  and  the  citizens,  till  Archbishop  Thoresby,  in  1358,  effected  an  agreement 
between  the  parties  respecting  the  bounds  of  each  jurisdiction. 

f  "  An  Antiquarian  Ramble  through  York," — a  lecture  deliyerod  by  Bobert  Dayies, 
Siq.,  F.S.A.,  at  the  York  Institute,  on  the  14th  February,  1854. 


HISTORY   OF  THE   CITY   OP  YORK.  358 

Mr.  Hargrove,  stood  about  half  way  down  the  street  on  the  west  side. 

Lord  Mayor's  Walk  was  once  called  Newbegin,  and  is  described  in  an  old 
document  as  "  Newbegin,  alias  Gilljgate." 

Penley  Chrovey  commonlj  called  The  Groves — ^the  district  north  of  Lord 
Major^s  Walk — ^is  a  corruption  of  Payneley  Crofts,  and  probably  derives  its 
name  from  a  gentleman  of  the  name  of  Payneley,  who  first  enclosed  the  land 
in  this  locality  from  the  ancient  Forest  of  Galtres,  to  which  it  previously 
belonged. 

Horse  Fair  was  the  name  given  to  a  piece  of  ground  (now  enclosed)  at  the 
north  end  of  Lowther  Street,  Groves,  it  being  the  place  where  many  of  the 
York  fairs  were  formerly  held.  At  these  fiedrs  booths  were  erected  for  the 
purpose  of  trade,  as  was  done-  at  the  Abbot  of  St.  Mary's  fair  already  men- 
tioned. In  ancient  writings  the  district  extending  from  the  place  fosmerly 
called  the  Horse  Fair  to  Bootham  is  called  Le  Horse  Ayre. 

Marygate,  which  runs  southward  from  Bootham  to  the  river,  clearly  implies 
that  the  street  leads  to  the  site  of  St  Mary's  Abbey,  the  remains  of  the 
principal  entranoe  to  the  Abbey  being  in  this  street.  Marygate  was  an- 
ciently called  Earlsburgh,  from  £arl  Alan,  who  founded  the  Abbey,  or 
probably  from  the  Danish  Earl  Siward,  who  resided  here.  At  the  entrance 
to  this  street  formerly  stood  an  unshapely  building  known  as  the  Cockpits, 
where  in  days  of  yore  cockfighting  was  carried  on  as  a  favourite  amusement 
of  the  gentry  of  the  county.  In  1748  Sir  J.  Lister  Kaye  fought  twenty-eight 
battles  with  game  cocks,  and  won  eighteen.  Now,  however,  the  barbarous 
amusement  has  fjedlen  into  desuetude,  and  it  must  be  regarded  as  an  amelio- 
ration of  manners  that  there  is  no  gentleman  who  now  breeds  birds  for  the 
purpose  of  fighting. 

Almrygarth,  a  field  near  Marygate,  in  which  the  Abbots  of  St.  Mary  kept 
their  cattle  that  were  ready  for  killing.    Here  were  also  the  Abbots'  fish-ponds. 

Coney  Street,  anciently  ''  Couyng  Strete,"  leads  from  St  Helen's  Square  to 
Spuniergate.  This  street  has  for  some  time  been  considered  the  principal 
street  of  the  city  for  business.  It  is  mentioned  in  Domesday  Book.  Coney 
is  a  corruption  of  the  Saxon  word  Conyng,  signifying  King. 

Spurriergate,  a  continuation  of  Coney  Street,  is  so  called  because  it  was 
anciently  the  residence  of  the  makers  and  dealers  in  spurs,  when  that  ap- 
pendage of  the  person  was  a  much  larger  and  more  costly  article  than  at 
present  Formerly  it  was  usual  for  the  members  of  one  trade  to  live  in  the 
same  street,  and  the  derivation  of  Spurrieiigate,  Colliergate,  Fishergate,  and 
Girdlergate  is  to  be  ascribed  to  this  circumstance.  In  the  reign  of  King 
Edward  III.,  the  church  of  St  Michael,  Spurriergate,  is  described  as  being 

2  z 


354  BISTORT  OF  THE   CITY   OF  YORK. 

iu  Conyng  Street;  and  it  appears  by  the  churchwardens*  books  of  St  Michaers 
parish,  that  more  than  200  years  ago,  Sponiergate  was  called  Little  Coney 
Street ;  hence  it  is  obvious  that  Spurriergate  is  a  name  given  at  a  later  date 
to  that  part  of  Conyng  or  Coney  Street.  Before  the  year  1769,  Spurriergate 
must  have  been  a  narrow  dirty  lane,  for  we  find  that  in  that  year  half  of  the 
houses  near  the  entrance  from  Ousegaie  were  taken  down  and  rebuilt  so  far 
back  as  to  make  the  street  t^ice  its  original  width.  The  expense  of  this 
improvement  was  defrayed  by  a  general  subscription,  to  which  the  directors 
of  the  Assembly  Rooms  contributed  £870.  Until  1841  this  street,  although 
one  of  the  most  frequented  in  the  city,  was  one  of  the  narrowest  and  most 
inconvenient.  In  that  year  one  side  was  taken  down  and  rebuilt,  and  the 
street  widened. 

St.  Helen's  Square  is  so  denominated  from  the  neighbouring  church  of  St. 
Helen. 

Blake  Street  is  probably  derived  from  the  naval  hero  of  the  Commonwealth. 
Mr.  Drake  supposes  it  to  have  been  originally  Bleake  Street,  from  its  ex- 
posure to  the  north  winds;  but  Allen  thinks  that  this  derivation  seems 
incompatible  with  every  princi^de  of  etymology,  "for  on  such  an  explanation,'* 
says  he,  "  every  town  and  city  in  the  kingdom  would  have  its  Bleake  Streets." 

Little  Blake  Street  was  formerly  called  Loup  or  Lop  hams,  most  probaUy 
from  St.  Lupus,  Bishop  of  Troyes,  who  came  over  to  England  vrith  the  con- 
currence of  Pope  Celestine,  in  company  with  St.  Germains,  Bishop  of 
Auxerre,  in  439,  to  resist  the  Pelagian  heresy,  then  infesting  die  country. 
It  is  also  conjectured  that  its  original  name  was  derived  from  the  Belgic  word 
Loop,  signifying  a  range  of  bars  joined  together;  this  being  ck)sely  con- 
tiguous to  Bootham  Bar,  the  Minster  gates,  and  Lendal  Postern.  This 
street,  though  still  narrow,  was  much  more  so  till  the  year  1785,  when  it 
was  widened  and  paved  on  each  side  by  subscription. 

Lendal,  the  street  leading  from  the  Mansion  House  to  the  Museum  gates, 
was  anciendy  called  Old  Conyng,  or  Old  King  Street  It  appears  that  this 
part  of  the  city,  down  to  the  riyer,  was  formerly  called  Lendall,  which  term, 
Drake  supposed  to  imply  Land-all ;  having  originated  from  there  being  a 
staith  or  landing  place  there,  but  adds  thart  he  imagines  the  name  arsse  from 
the  hill  near  St  Leonard's  Hospital,  and  was  aai  abbreviation  of  Leonard's 
Hill.  Mr.  Allen  thinks  that  as  a  declivity  w«s  ancientiy  termed,  both  in 
England  and  Scotland,  a  deU,  or,  in  the  Dutch  language,  dal ;  and  as  there 
is  a  strong  declivity  here,  particularly  below  St.  Leonard's  Hospital,  Leonafd 
ixkight  for  brevity  be  easily  corrapted  to  Lend ;  and  by  adding  to  it  die  pre* 
ceding  word,  the  name  would  appear  complete. 


BISTORT   OF  THE   CITY   OF   YORK.  356 

The  lauding  place  at  Lendal  Ferry  was  formerly  known  as  St.  I^onard'a 
Landing,  for  here  we  find,  in  the  reign  of  Heniy  V.,  when  Lord  Scrope  was 
attainted  for  treason,  the  Lord  Mayor,  in  his  capacity  of  escheator,  seized 
certain  ships  belonging  to  his  lordship,  lying  "  at  St.  Leonard's  Landing,  in 
the  river  Ouse." 

The  street  at  the  end  of  Lendal,  and  extending  from  the  end  of  St.  Leo- 
nard s  Place  to  the  river,  was  very  recently  called  Lendal  Street,  or  Back 
Lendal,  now  it  is  denominated  Museum  Street,  That  portion  of  it  between 
the  end  of  Lendal  and  the  Royal  Hotel  was  once  called  FinkU,  or  Finckh 
Street,  which  appellation  is  derived,  according  to  Mr.  Hargrove,  from  the 
Danish  word  Vincle,  which  means  an  angle  or  comer.  This  was  known  as 
Finkle  Street  in  the  reign  of  James  I.  In  1783  a  row  of  houses  on  the  north 
west  side  was  erected,  which  rendered  it  very  narrow,  but  in  1846  these  were 
taken  down  through  the  liberality  and  good  taste  of  the  Corporation,  and 
thus  the  ruins  of  St.  Leonard's  Hospital  were  brought  to  public  view. 

A  narrow  street,  leading  from  the  comer  of  St.  Sampson's  Square  into 
Swinegate,  is  now  called  Finkle  Street,  It  was  till  lately  also  called  Muckey 
Pegg  Lane,  probably  from  some  notorious  character  who  resided  in  it.  The 
space  between  St.  Leonard's  Cloisters  and  St.  Leonard's  Place  was  formerly 
called  Mint  Yard,  from  the  fact  of  a  royal  mint  having  been  established  in 
its  vicinity. 

Davygate  is  a  narrow  street  leading  from  St.  Helen's  Square  to  St.  Samp- 
son's Square,  In  ancient  writings  it  is  called  Davygate  Lardiner,  from  Davy 
or  Lardiner's  Hall,  which  formerly  occupied  the  site  of  Cumberland  Row,  or 
the  first  six  houses  in  New  Street     (See  page  347.) 

St,  Sampson  8  Square,  or  Thursday  Market,  is  a  large  open  area  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  the  church  of  St.  Sampson,  in  which  formerly  was  held  the  principal 
market  in  the  city,  and  in  which  is  stiU  held  the  Butcher's  Market.  The 
brutal  and  degrading  practice  of  bull  baiting  used  often  to  be  exhibited  here ; 
and  near  the  centre  of  the  Market  Place  was  formerly  a  large  bull-ring,  which 
constituted  a  privilege  to  every  freeman  who  was  a  householder,  and  resided 
within  sight  of  it,  to  right  of  stray  over  Knavesmire,  and  the  other  common 
land  belonging  to  Micklegate  Ward.  A  few  years  ago  extensive  improvements 
were  efiected  in  this  locality.  The  square  was  enlarged  and  thrown  into 
Parliament  Street,  and  a  new  outlet  formed  from  it  through  St.  Sampson's 
Churchyard,  called  Church  Street.  The  bull  ring  was  removed,  but  the 
privileges  of  the  freemen  still  remain. 

Parliament  Street,  or  the  New  Market,  between  St  Sampson's  Square  and 
Pavement,  is  a  very  wide  and  handsome  street  erected  between  the  years 


850  HISTORT   OF  THE  CITT   OF  TOBK. 

1834  and  1836.  To  effect  the  alteration  in  this  locality  a  large  mass  of  old 
and  decayed  tenements  were  removed.  Parliament  Street  is  certainly  the 
best  street  in  York.     At  elections  for  the  city,  hustings  are  erected  in  it 

JtfbbergcUe,  or  Jewhergate,  recently  called  Market  Street,  leads  from  Par- 
liament Street  to  Sporriergate,  and  has  lately  been  widened  so  as  to  afford 
additional  facilities  for  traffic.  The  learned  Dr.  Langwith  derived  the  name 
of  Jubbergate  from  Bretgate  or  Jowbretgate,  the  names  given  to  this  locality 
in  some  ancient  deeds.  By  the  term  Bretgate,  he  understood  British  Street, 
and  considered  that  here  was  a  street  inhabited  by  the  native  Britons  before 
the  ancient  Roman  city  was  founded  by  Agricola.  In  process  of  time,  he 
thinks,  it  became  the  residence  of  the  Jews,  or  that  part  of  the  city  where 
they  were  permitted  to  settle  (for  in  every  city  where  they  were  tolerated  they 
had  a  certain  locality  assigned  them  for  their  residence,  which  was  separated 
from  the  rest  by  walls,  gates,  and  bars,  and  hence  styled  Jews-burg),  and  was 
consequently  Jew-bret-gate,  which  in  succeeding  ages  might  be  written  Jou- 
bretgate  and  Jubbergate.  One  half  of  this  street — the  part  north  of  the 
intersection  of  Feasegate  and  Peter  Lane— was  formerly  called  High  Jubber- 
gate, and  the  other  end  Low  Jubbergate.  It  is  now  pretty  weU  established 
that  the  piece  of  ground  on  the  banks  of  the  Foss,  long  known  by  the 
name  of  Jewhry  or  Jewbury  was  the  place  of  interment  of  the  Jewish  popu- 
lation of  the  city,  where,  says  Mr.  Davies,  "  the  Isaacs  and  Rebeccas  of  York 
have  reposed  for  five  or  six  centuries."  Hoveden  informs  us  that  King 
Henry  II.,  in  1177,  granted  to  the  Jews  the  privilege  of  having  a  burial 
place  without  the  walls  of  every  city  in  England ;  prior  to  which  they  were 
obliged  to  convey  theit  dead  to  London  for  interment.  The  Jews  were  a 
rich  and  numerous  body  in  York  during  the  12th  century.  They  had  for- 
merly a  Synagogue  in  Walmgate.* 

Feasegate  extends  from  the  south  east  comer  of  St.  Sampson*s  Square  to 
Market  Street,  and  has  also  been  very  much  improved.  Dr.  Langwith 
imagined  that  an  image  dedicated  to  St.  Faith  had  formerly  stood  in  this 
street,  which  in  old  French  is  written  S.  Fe  ;  and  hence  remarks  that  the 
name  should  be  Feesgate.  Drake  supposes  that  Feasegate  took  its  name 
from  the  old  English /?astf  or  feag  JiageUare,  to  beat  with  rods,  and  is  thereby 
led  to  conjecture  that  offenders  were  whipped  through  this  street  and  round 
the  market.     Allen  thinks  it  probable  that  it  was  originally  Feastgate,  from 

•  It  is  stated  that  the  whole  number  of  Jews  now  in  England  is  only  30,000,  20,000 
of  whom  are  located  in  London.  Bussia  contains  1^  millions.  Constantinople,  80,000, 
and  India,  17,000  Jews.  It  is  also  stated  that  out  of  the  20,000  in  London,  2,000  are 
baptised  Christians. 


HISTORY   OF  THE   CITY   OF   TORK.  367 

its  proximity  to  Jubbergate ;  and  considering  the  peculiar  religious  customs 
of  the  people  who  resided  there,  he  concludes  that  the  Jews  from  the  neigh- 
bouring towns  and  yillages,  might,  at  their  periodical  feasts  held  in  York, 
have  been  accommodated  in  this  Street. 

Previous  to  the  alterations  effected  a  few  years  ago  on  the  west  side  of  St 
Sampson's  Church,  the  street  now  called  Church  Street,  but  formerly  Gird- 
lergate,  extended  only  from  Petergate  to  Swinegate,  or  near  to  the  east  end 
of  St.  Sampson's  Church.  By  the  late  alterations .  this  street  is  continued 
through  the  churchyard  into  St.  Sampson's  Square,  which  is  a  great  im- 
provement. Girdlergate  was  so  called  from  having  been  the  general  place  of 
residence  for  persons  of  that  trade ;  for  though  there  are  not  any  girdlers 
now  in  York,  they  were  formerly  so  numerous  as  to  form  themselves  into  a 
company,  which  was  governed  by  a  master  and  other  officers,  who  were 
annually  chosen,  and  which  held  its  periodical  meetings  at  their  common  hall. 

SmnegtUe  and  Patrick's  Pool  in  this  neighbourhood  are  very  low  places. 
In  Swinegate  stood  the  ancient  church  of  St.  Benedict,  and  on  its  site  a 
number  of  houses^  were  erected,  which  were  known  by  the  name  of  Bonnet's- 
rents ;  but  these  houses  have  given  way  to  recent  improvements.  Patrick's 
Pool  is  met  with  in  documents  as  early  as  1235. 

The  Shambles  are  so  called  from  being  chiefly  inhabited  by  butchers.  The 
ancient  name  of  this  street  was  High  Mangergate,  variously  supposed  to  be 
derived  from  the  French  word  Manger,  to  eat,  and  from  the  Saxon  word 
Mangere,  implying  trade. 

Newgate  is  a  narrow  street  in  this  locality,  so  named  from  a  prison  in  it, 
part  of  which  is  yet  remaining.  It  is  named  in  the  1 4th  century,  and  has 
been  an  object  of  interest  to  Archaeologists.  It  appears  that  the  Vicars 
Choral  possessed  a  house  near  the  yard  of  St.  Sampson's  Church,  where  they 
lived  together  and  had  a  common  hall,  and  it  is  supposed  that  this  was  the 
building.  In  later  times  it  was  probably  converted  into  a  prison  for  offenders 
within  the  precincts  of  the  court,  a  royal  residence  having  been  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood. It  is  a  large  ancient  looking  stone  building  in  bad  condition. 
The  windows  are  square  headed,  with  labels,  and  the  structure  still  retains 
the  appearance  of  a  place  of  confinement.  In  1754  it  was  licensed  as  a  place 
of  worship  for  Protestant  Dissenters.  It  is  now  occupied  by  a  lime  seller 
and  a  rag  and  bone  dealer. 

Petergate,  a  long  street  extending  firom  Bootham  Bar  to  King's  Square, 
takes  its  name  from  its  vicinity  to  the  Cathedral.  The  south  entrance  of 
this  street  has  been  very  much  widened  and  beautified. 

King's  Square,  formerly  called  the  Hay  Market,  received  its  name  doubt- 


358  HISTORY   OF   THE    CITT   OF   YORK. 

less  from  its  proximity  to  the  site  of  the  ancient  palace  of  the  Saxon  and 
Danish  Kings  of  Northumhria.  In  1768  a  part  of  the  church  and  a  house 
were  pulled  down  to  improve  the  thoroughfare,  making  the  open  space  which 
now  exists. 

Goodramgate  or  Gotherhamgate,  leading  from  King's  Square  to  Monk  Bar, 
is  a  long  narrow  street,  supposed  to  have  derived  its  name  firom  the  circum- 
stance of  its  having  once  contained  the  residence  of  a  Danish  General  named 
Godram,  Gotheram,  or  Guthrum,  who  was  deputy  governor  of  York. 

Uggleforth  or  Oglefarth  is  a  small  street  leading  from  Goodramgate  to  the 
east  end  of  the  Cathedral.  Dr.  Langwith  conceives  the  derivation  of  this 
name  to  be  from  the  British  word  Uchel,  denoting  High,  and  Poth,  now 
written  and  pronounced  forth,  a  gate,  together  meaning  Highgctte;  and  hence 
we  may  suppose  that  a  principal  gate  entrance  to  the  Close  of  the  Cathedral 
formerly  stood  hereabouts.  Mr.  Wellbeloved  says,  "  The  remains  of  a  rather 
large  gateway  to  the  Close  of  the  Minster  was  found  a  few  years  f^o  about 
the  middle  of  Ogleforth." 

College  Street^  leading  from  the  east  end  of  the  Minster  to  Goodramgate, 
is  so  named  from  the  ancient  College  of  St.  William  being  situated  in  it.  In 
an  old  house  near  the  Goodramgate  end,  Mr.  George  Hudson,  for  some  time 
called  the  '*  Railway  King,"  at  one  time  kept  a  linen  draper *q  shop. 

ColUergate  is  a  continuation  of  Petergate  and  King's  Square.  This  name 
was  given  to  it  from  its  having  being  the  residence  of  several  persons  engaged 
in  the  coal  trade. 

Fossgate  is  a  continuation  of  Colliergate  to  the  Foss,  and  hence  its  name. 

St  Saviour  gate  t  which  runs  from  the  church  of  St.  Crux  to  Spen  Lane,  is 
so  called  from.  St.  Saviour's  Church  standing  here.  It  appears  that  the  upper 
part  of  this  street  was  formerly  known  by  the  name  of  Ketmangergate,  "  pro- 
bably," says  a  learned  writer,  *'  because  it  may  have  been  the  market  for 
horses'  flesh,  for  that  is  called  ket,  and  used  to  be  eaten  about  the  time  of  the 
Conquest,  particularly  the  flesh  of  young  foals."  Mr.  Hargrove  tells  us  that 
it  is  generally  supposed  that  a  Roman  temple  formerly  stood  in  or  near  this 
street,  as  in  digging  same  foundations  on  the  north  side  of  it  many  years  ago, 
large  quantities  of  the  horns  of  several  kinds  of  beasts  were  discovered.  Its 
proximity  to  the  imperial  Palace  increases  the  probability.*  Previous  to  the 
alterations  and  improvements  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  church  of  St.  Crux, 
about  fifteen  years  ago,  there  was  an  ancient  stone  in  the  wall  of  a  house 
at  the  entrance  to  this  street,  which  is  now  in  the  Museum,  and  on  which 

•  Histoiy  of  York,  vol.  ii,  page  880. 


HISTORY   OP  THE   CITY   OF  YORK.  359 

is  inscribed — "  Here  stood  the  image  of*  Yorke,  and  remened  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  God  a.  m.  yc.  i.  unto  the  Common  Hall  in  the  time  of  the  mairalty  of 
John  Stockdale" 

King  Ebrauci  the  presumed  founder  of  the  citj,  is  believed  to  be  what  is 
here  meant  by  the  image  of  York ;  and  it  is  supposed  that  the  first  stone  was 
laid  under  his  direction  not  far  from  the  site  of  this  inscription.  The  image 
is  thought  to  have  been  of  wood ;  and  in  the  records  of  the  citj  is  the  fol- 
lowing curious  entry  relative  to  it: — ''On  January  15th,  and  the  17th  of 
Henry  VII.,  the  image  of  Ebrauke,  which  stood  at  the  west  end  of  St.  6a- 
viourgate,  was  taken  down,  new  made,  and  transported  from  thence,  and  set 
up  at  the  east  end  of  the  chapel  at  the  common  hall." 

St,  Andrewgate,  leading  from  King's  Square  to  Aldwark,  received  its  name 
from  the  desecrated  church  of  St.  Andrew,  which  stands  in  it. 

At  the  east  end  of  the  church  of  St.  Crux  was  formerly  a  short,  narrow 
street,  named  Whipmawhopinagate,  formed  by  a  row  oi  houses,  which  ran  on 
a  line  with  the  west  side  of  Colliei^te  to  the  centre  of  Pavement ;  and  on 
the  south  side  of  the  church  was  another  row  of  houses,  which  formed  a  nar- 
row and  inconvenient  lane,  generally  inhabited  by  hosiers,  and  consequently 
called  Hosier  Lane,  The  removal  of  these  two  lanes  has  very  much  improved 
this  locality,  by  widening  the  east  end  of  Pavement,  and  the  nordi  end  of 
Fossgate,  as  well  as  by  exhibiting  to  view  the  ancient  church  of  St.  Crux, 
which  had  been  completely  surrounded.  Mr.  Hargrove  imagines  that  as  the 
House  of  Correction  was  anciently  on  Peasholme  Green  in  this  vicinity, 
Whipmawhopmagate  may  have  been  a  boundary  for  the  public  whipping  of 
delinquents.  It  was  at  one  period  the  market  for  boots  and  shoes,  but 
before  its  removal  it  was  principally  used  as  a  basket  market  on  Saturdays. 

Pavement  is  a  well  built  and  pleasant  street,  extending  from  Fossgate  to 
the  north  end  of  High  Ousegate.  "Whence  it  derived  the  name  is  doubtful, 
but  we  may  with  some  degree  of  certainty  consider  it  a  token  of  the  ancient 
and  original  superiority  of  this  street  over  others  of  the  city;  for  to  designate 
one  street  '  The  Pavement,'  mint  naturally  imply  that  the  others  were  not 
paved  at  the  time  this  name  was  given ;  and  we  do  not  find  that  it  has  home 
any  other  from  time  immemorial."'!'  Previous  to  the  removal  of  the  row  of 
houses  which  formed  Hosier  Lane,  the  Pavement  extended  only  to  the  west 
end  of  St  Crux's  Church. 

High  Chiaegate,  and  its  continuation,  Low  Ousegate,  lead  in  a  direct  line 
south  fi-om  Pavement  and  the  east  of  Parliament  Street  to  Ouse  Bridge. 

*  Hargrove,  vol.  u,  page  206. 


860  HISTORY   OF   THE    CITY   OF  YORK. 

These  are  now  well  bailt  and  respectable  streets,  but  previous  to  the  building 
of  the  present  bridge  across  the  Ouse  in  1810,  thej  were  so  narrow,  that  two 
persons  on  opposite  sides  of  the  way  could  shake  hands  from  the  top  stories 
of  the  houses.  In  High  Ousegate  is  an  antique  looking  house,  in  which 
Charles  1.  dined  with  the  Lord  Major,  Sir  Christopher  Croft,  NoTember  21st, 
1641,  who  was  knighted  on  the  occasion. 

Hungau,  which  runs  from  St  Saviour*s  Church  to  the  river  Foss,  was  in 
former  times  of  considerable  importance,  being  the  place  of  residence  for  many 
of  the  most  opulent  merchants.  Drake  attempts  to  transform  Hungate  into 
Hungrjgate ;  Hargrove  considers  it  probable  that  as  Hungate  extends  to  the 
very  edge  of  the  Foss,  it  may  have  been  so  called  from  the  word  Vnday  im- 
plying water ;  and  that,  alluding  to  the  situation,  it  may  have  been  Undagate ; 
and  thence  have  become  Hundagate,  or  Hungate,  a  street  leading  to  the  water. 

Peasholme  Green  leads  to  Layerthorpe  Bridge.  The  name  of  this  street 
plainly  enough  explains  its  derivation ;  Holme  being  an  Anglo-Saxon  word 
for  a  small  island,  or  for  any  watery  situation.  Peasholme  Green  has  been 
first  gained  from  the  river  Foss  for  gardens,  and  next  for  buildings.  In  the 
centre  of  this  green  was  the  church  of  All  Saints,  of  which  there  are  no 
remains.  Crossing  the  river  Foss  at  the  end  of  Peasholme  Green,  we  arrive 
in  a  long  street  called  Layerthorpe,  formerly  called  the  village  of  Zayrethorpe. 
This  ancient  entrance  to  the  Forest  of  Galtres  bears  in  its  name  some 
allusion  to  circumstances  connected  with  a  forest ;  Zeer,  or  Zayre,  being  in 
old  English  a  hunting  term  for  the  resting  place  of  a  beast  of  the  chase. 
There  are  now  no  vestiges  to  be  seen  of  the  ancient  parish  church  of 
Layerthorpe. 

Barker  Hill,  which  conducts  from  Jewbury  to  Monkgate,  was  anciently 
termed  Harlot  HilL  Drake  observes  that  '*  probably  it  had  not  its  name  for 
nothing.  Love  Lane  being  contiguous  to  it." 

Aldwark  is  a  mean  street  running  £rom  Goodramgate  to  Peasholme  Green. 
The  word  Aid  implies  old,  and  wark  a  building.  When  we  caU  to  mind  that 
the  Roman  Imperial  Palace  extended  from  Christ  Church  to  this  street,  we 
shall  not  be  surprised  that  our  Saxon  ancestors  gave  it  this  name. 

Stonegate,  anciently  called  8taynegate,  extending  from  St.  Helen's  Square 
to  Petergate,  derives  its  name  from  the  great  quantity  of  stone  formerly 
carried  through,  and  no  doubt  strewed  in  it,  during  the  various  erections  of 
the  Minster.  Stonegate  contains  the  most  antique  houses  of  any  principal 
street  in  the  city.  The  best  specimen  of  them  is  that  occupied  by  Mr. 
Sunter,  supposed  to  be  Mulberry  Hall.     (See  page  339.) 

An  open  passage  or  thoroughfare  near  the  top  of  Stonegate  is  called  Coffee 


fitSTOBT   OF  THE   CITY   OF  YORK.  361 

Yard,     Drake  supposes  that  in  this  yard  formerly  stood  the  first  coffee  house 
estahlished  in  this  city.'i' 

FUhergate  is  the  name  borne  by  the  street,  once  considerable,  immediately 
without  Fishergate  Bar.  This  ancient  street,  which  had  suffered  much  at 
various  times  previously,  was  almost  wholly  destroyed  during  the  civil  wars 
in  the  reign  of  Charles  I.    Three  churches  anciently  stood  in  Fishergate. 

St.  Charge's  Street  now  leads  from  Walmgate  to  Fishergate  Bar.  The 
north  end  of  this  street  was  formerly  very  narrow,  and  called  Neutgate  Lane ; 
but  a  few  years  since  several  old  houses  were  pulled  down,  the  street  was 
widened,  and  the  whole  street  received  its  present  appellation,  owing  to  its 
having  been  the  street  in  which  stood  the  ancient  parish  Church  of  St. 
George.  St  George's  Catholic  Church  now  stands  in  it.  Neutgate  Lane 
was  probably  indebted  for  its  name  to  the  Newty  a  small  lizard  often  found  in 
low  marshy  places ;  this  lane  was  certainly  very  low  and  wet  St  George's 
Street  was  formerly  one  of  the  principal  entrances  to  the  city,  and  must  at 
some  time  have  been  very  populous,  for  we  find  the  sites  of  three  churches 
very  near  together,  viz : — St  George's,  St  Andrew's,  and  St  Peter  in  the 
Willows;  besides  the  churches  of  All  Saints  and  St  Helen,  which  stood 
without  Fishergate  Bar. 

CasUegate,  a  name  which  explains  itself,  leads  from  the  castle  to  the  city. 
A  wind  mill  once  stood  in  Castlegate  Lane.  Nessgate  is  a  continuation  of 
Castlegate.  It  derives  its  name  from  the  Saxon  word  Ness,  implying  a 
projecting  or  an  exalted  situation.  It  was  formerly  so  very  narrow  that 
two  oaniages  could  not  pass  each  other  in  it,  but  in  1767  aU  the  houses 
on  the  north  east  side  were  taken  down,  and  rebuilt  several  feet  further 
back,  by  which  the  street  was  rendered  open  and  convenient.  The  expense 
of  this  alteration  was  defrayed  by  subscription.  The  three  narrow  streets 
leading  from  Castlegate  to  the  river,  and  now  generally  known  as  the 
Water  Lanes,  were  formerly  called  severally  Carrgate,  Thrush  Lane,  and 
Outergate.  The  first  of  these  streets — formerly  Carrgate — ^was  subsequently 
called  First  Water  Lane  until  the  year  1851,  when  it  was  in  great  part 
rebuilt,  and  received  the  name  of  King  Street,  probably  because  it  leads  to 
the  King's  StaUh.  Thrush  Lane,  afterwards  known  as  Second  Water  Lane, 
is  now  called  Water  Lane;  and  Outergate,  afterwards  Far  Water  Lane, 
has  been  latterly  called  Friargate,  These  lanes  and  the  a4joining  Friar's 
Walls  were  the  site  of  the  old  monastery  of  the  Franciscan  Friars. 

m  Coffee  WBS  first  introduced  into  England  hj  Nathaniel  Canopus,  a  Cretan,  in  1641. 
The  first  ooffee  house  in  England  was  kept  by  one  Jacobs,  a  Jew,  at  Oxford,  in  1660. 

8  A 


86*2  HISTORY   OP   THE    CITY   OF   YORK. 

Fetter  Lane  is  a  corruption  of  Felter  Lane,  the  lane  in  which  felt  makers 
resided. 

Long  Close  Lane  is  so  called  from  its  being  on  the  site  of  a  field  formerly 
called  the  Long  Close,  extending  from  Fishergate  Bar  to  Walmgate  Bar.  In 
this  field  cattle  used  to  be  exposed  for  sale  during  the  fairs. 

St  George's  Field,  or  St,  George's  Close,  adjoining  the  entrance  to  the  New 
Walk,  is  the  site  of  an  ancient  religious  house,  and  the  property  of  the 
citizens,  in  which,  bj  some  old  charters,  they  are  authorized  to  hold  pageants, 
games,  dry  Hnen,  shoot  with  bows  and  arrows,  &c.  So  early  as  tiiie  year 
1696  this  close  is  mentioned  as  being  devoted  to  these  purposes. 

Skeldergate  is  a  long  street  on  the  south  side  of  the  Ouse,  running  parallel 
with  that  river.  This  street  was  formerly  occupied  by  merchants  for  the 
purposes  of  trade,  and  derived  its  name  firom  the  old  Dutch  word  KeUar  or 
Keldar,  signifying  a  cellar  or  warehouse,  such  places  being  numerous  here 
when  York  was  a  more  commercial  city  than  at  present. 

Beedham's  Court,  Skeldergate,  was  formerly  called  Hagworm*8  Nest. 

Bishophill  is  so  named  from  its  having  been  specially  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  Archbishop  of  York. 

Barker  Lane,  which  leads  from  Micklegate  to  Tanner  Row,  was  formerly 
called  Gregory  Lane,  the  parish  church  of  St.  Gregory  having  stood  near  the 
south-east  angle  of  it. 

Tanner  Bow  derives  its  appellation  from  the  tan-pits  which  formerly  were 
situated  between  this  street  and  the  city  walls. 

Toft  Green,  or  Toft  Field,  from  Les  Toftes,  or  Les  Kinges  toftes,  was  so 
called  from  the  number  of  houses  destroyed  here  by  William  the  Conqueror. 

The  North-Eastern  Railway  Station  occupies  the  sites  of  Toft  Green,  Friar's 
Gardens,  &c,  A  new  street,  running  from  Micklegate  to  the  Railway  Sta- 
tion, was  named  Hudson's  Street,  in  honour  of  Mr.  George  Hudson,  late 
chairman  of  the  Railway  directors,  a  former  Lord  Mayor  of  York,  and  some 
time  known  as  the  "  Railway  King ;"  but  when  Mr.  Hudson  fell  fivm  power 
in  the  Railway  world,  the  name  of  this  street  was  changed  to  Railway  Street. 

Old  BaHe  HiU  is  called  in  ancient  deeds  Vetus  Balliwn,  signifying  a  place 
of  security.  This  place  is  doubtless  the  site  of  an  ancient  castle  or  place  of 
strength. 

The  property  called  Trinity  Gardens  near  Micklegate  Bar  (the  site  of  the 
ancient  Priory  of  Holy  Trinity),  has  lately  been  purchased  by  Mr.  J.  Craw- 
shaw,  the  eminent  contractor  of  this  city,  for  building  purposes,  and  with  the 
view  of  forming  a  new  street,  to  connect  Micklegate  with  Bishophill.  This 
new  thoroughfare  will  unite  with  Micklegate  at  the  point  where  the  old  arch- 
way or  entrance  to  the  Prioiy  lately  stood. 


HISTOBT   OF  THE    CITT   OF   TORK.  863 

Nunnery  Lane,  without  Micklegate  Bar,  is  so  called  from  its  proximity  to 
the  Nunnery.  It  was  anciently  called  BeggargaU  Lanej  from  the  practice  of 
distributing  alms  to  the  poor  from  a  side-door  of  St.  Thomas's  Hospital  in 
this  lane. 

Clementkorpe. — This  suburb  is  situated  without  the  walls  towcurds  the 
south-east  angle  of  the  cil^,  and  it  derives  its  name  from  the  patron  saint 
of  its  ancient  church  and  nunnery.  There  are  now  no  remains  of  these 
buildings.  A  number  of  small  streets  have  been  erected  in  this  neighbour- 
hood within  the  last  few  years. 

The  Mount  is  probably  so  named  from  its  comparative  elevation.  It  is 
thought  by  Drake  to  have  been  a  Roman  work,  but  Mr.  WeUbeloved  says 
that  "  it  is  not  artificial,  but  natural,  and  is  a  portion  of  the  ridge,  if  such  it 
may  be  called,  to  which  Severus'  Hills  belong."  In  the  Civil  Wars  it  was 
used  as  an  outwork  to  command  the  road  leading  to  Tadcaster. 

The  New  Walk,  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Ouse,  extends  from  the  end  of 
Friar*s  Walls  (where  there  is  a  ferry  across  the  river),  to  nearly  a  mile  in 
length,  beneath  the  shade  of  lofty  elms,  which  at  the  lower  end  form  a  double 
row.  This  pleasing  promenade  was  formed  at  the  expense  of  the  city  in 
1733  and  1734,  as  far  as  the  junction  of  the  rivers  Foss  and  Ouse.  In 
1768  the  walk  was  continued  on  the  other  side  of  the  Foss ;  a  swing  bridge 
called  the  Blite  Bridge  connects  the  two  portions.  Prior  to  the  forming  of 
the  Foss  navigation  the  small  rivulet  which  divided  the  walk,  was  called 
Brawney  Dyke ;  and  over  it  was  a  draw  bridge,  which  in  1736  was  removed, 
and  a  handsome  stone  bridge  substituted,  to  the  great  ornament  of  the  walk, 
but  this  bridge  being  too  low  for  vessels  to  pass,  it  was  removed,  and  the 
present  wooden  swing  bridge  erected  in  its  stead.  Part  of  the  Church  of  St. 
Crux  having  been  taken  down,  the  useless  materials  were  removed  here  in 
1782,  and  with  them  the  walk  was  much  improved.  On  the  further  division 
of  the  walk  there  is  an  excellent  well  of  clear  water,  over  which  is  an  erection, 
built  at  the  expense  of  the  city  in  1756,  in  imitation  of  a  ruin.  The  late 
Dr.  White,  in  a  small  tract  which  he  published  respecting  the  many  fine 
springs  in  this  neighbourhood,  observes  that  they  are  generally  saturated 
with  silenites;  but  that  "  the  Lady  WeU  upon  the  New  Walk  "  is  entirely  free 
friom  that  property,  but  equally  soft  with  the  river  water,  and  remarkably 
good.  Mr.  Hargrove  tells  us,  that  in  March  and  April,  1816,  an  advertise- 
ment appeared  for  the  sale  of  forty-one  of  the  largest  elm  trees  growing  on 
this  walk,  which  excited  considerable  emotion  in  the  city ;  whereupon  a  large 
number  of  the  respectable  citizens  presented  a  memorial  to  the  Lord  Mayor, 
representing  those  trees  to  form  the  principal  beauty  of  the  walk,  and  re- 


864  HISTOBT   OF   THE   CITY   OF   YORK. 

questing  that  they  might  remain  undisturbed,  and  the  result  was  that  the 
sale  was  postponed,  and  the  trees  still  continue  to  the  credit  of  the  city.* 

The  Esplanade,  another  very  beautiful  walk,  and  agreeable  resort  for  the 
citizens,  has  been  formed  a  few  years  ago  along  the  north  bank  of  the  Ouse, 
from  Lendal  Tower  to  Clifton  Scalp,  a  distance  of  about  a  mile. 

The  Suburbs  of  York  were  extensive  at  an  early  period,  but  from  a  variety 
of  causes  were  considerably  reduced  in  population,  and  in  the  space  they 
occupied.  "  Passing  over  the  6plendid  or  sanguinary  scenes  which  the  his- 
tory of  York  presents,  in  connexion  with  the  times  of  the  Romans,  Saxons, 
Danes,  and  even  the  Norman  Conqueror,  till  we  arrive  at  the  reign  of  Edward 
m.,  when  a  great  part  of  his  army  of  60,000  men  was  quartered  in  the 
suburbs,"  says  Allen,  '*  this  alone  will  suffice  to  corroborate  the  statements 
of  their  having  contained  many  noble  buildings,  and  having  extended  to 
several  villages,  now  more  than  a  mile  distant.  All  those  fair  edifices  were 
consumed  by  fire  in  1644,  except  a  few  houses  out  of  Micklegate  Bar,  which 
were  preserved  by  the  royal  fort."*  The  ruined  suburbs  are  however  rising 
rapidly,  for  there  are  now  many  good  streets,  and  several  handsome  buildings 
and  public  institutions  beyond  the  walls  of  the  city. 

Bbidoes. — ^The  bridges  of  York  are  six  in  number,  one  of  which,  the  prin- 
cipal one,  crosses  the  Ouse  near  the  centre  of  the  city,  and  the  remaining  five 
span  the  Foss.  It  is  unknown  at  what  date  the  original  bridge  across  the 
Ouse  was  erected,  but  in  1154  the  wooden  bridge  then  standing  gave  way 
under  the  weight  of  a  large  multitude,  who  had  collected  to  witness  the  entry 
of  Archbishop  William.*  In  1235  Archbishop  Walter  de  Grey  granted  a 
brief  for  the  rebuilding  of  Ome  Bridge;  and  in  1268  there  was  an  afiray  be- 
tween the  citizens  and  tlie  retainers  of  John  Comyn,  a  Scottish  nobleman,  on 
Ouse  Bridge,  which  ended  in  the  slaughter  of  several  of  the  Scotchmen.  The 
citizens  would  appear  to  have  been  unjust  aggressors,  for  shortly  afterwards 
they  agreed  to  pay  £300.,  and  build  a  chapel  on  the  bridge,  in  which  two 
priests  should  pray  for  the  souls  of  the  slain  "  for  ever."  In  1564  an  im- 
mense flood,  caused  by  a  sudden  thaw,  carried  off  two  arches  of  Ouse  Bridge, 
and  twelve  houses  which  stood  on  them  were  overwhelmed  in  the  ruin,  and 
several  lives  were  lost.  The  bridge  remained  in  this  ruinous  state  for  nearly 
two  years,  when  the  late  venerable  structure  was  erected  on  its  site.  The 
last  old  bridge  consisted  of  five  arches,  and  was  termed  by  Camden  a  very 
noble  erection.     The  centre  arch  was  one  of  the  largest  in  Europe.     It 

•  Hargrove's  History  of  York,  vol.  ii.,  p.  525.        +  Allen's  Yorks.,  book  iii,  p.  312. 
•  Bridges  of  stone  were  not  built  in  England  till  after  the  Norman  Conquest. 


HISTOBY   OF  THE   CITY   OF   YORK.  366 

measures  eightj-one  feet  span,  and  seventeen  feet  above  the  summer  level ; 
its  width  on  the  top  between  the  walls  was  eighteen  feet,  including  the  cause- 
ways, which  were  very  narrow.  In  addition  to  the  carriage  way  and  footpaths 
just  described,  were  several  buildings  on  the  west  side  of  the  bridge ;  the 
principal  of  which  was  St,  WiUiam's  Chapel,  an  interesting  specimen  of  the 
early  English  architecture,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  plates  of  it  in  Halfpenny  s 
Fragmenta  Vetusta,  and  Cave's  Antiquities  of  York.  This  chapel,  which 
contained  several  chantries,  the  original  grants  of  which  are  still  amongst 
the  records  of  the  city,  is  supposed  to  be  tiiie  one  already  mentioned  as  having 
been  originally  built  in  1268.  After  the  Reformation  the  chapel  was  con- 
verted into  an  Exchange  for  the  Society  of  Hamburg  Merchants  of  York, 
and  subsequently  into  a  Council  Chamber  for  the  Corporation,  and  a  Record 
Room ;  and  it  was  finally  removed  on  the  erection  of  the  present  bridge  in 
1810.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  bridge  stood  the  old  gaol  for  debtors, 
which  was  built  in  the  16th  century,  at  which  time  another  arch  was  added 
to  the  bridge  in  order  to  strengthen  this  new  erection.  In  consequence  of 
the  high  pitch  of  the  central  arch,  the  ascent  and  descent  on  each  side  were 
dangerously  steep,  and  houses  and  shops  encumbered  it  imtil  within  a  few 
years  of  its  removal.  Amongst  the  contributors  to  this  bridge  was  Lady  Jane 
Hall,  relict  of  Robert  Hall,  an  Alderman,  who  gave  by  will  the  sum  of  £100. 
Her  liberality  was  commemorated  by  the  following  curious  distich,  engraved 
on  a  brass  plate  on  the  north  side  of  the  arch : — 

William  Watson,  lord  mayor.  An.  Dom.  1550. 

Ladj  Jane  Hall,  lo !  here  the  works  of  faith  doth  shew, 
By  giving  a  hundred  pounds  this  Bridge  for  to  renew. 

The  precarious  state  of  the  old  bridge  induced  the  Corporation,  in  the  autumn 
of  1808,  to  build  a  new  one.  Accordingly  an  Act  of  Parliament  was  passed 
in  that  year  for  the  erection  of  the  present  bridge ;  Mr.  Peter  Atkinson  was 
chosen  as  the  architect;  and  on  Monday,  the  10th  of  December,  1810,  the 
foundation-stone  of  the  structure  was  laid  with  much  ceremony  by  the  Lord 
Mayor.  On  the  occasion  there  was  a  grand  procession  of  the  Corporation, 
the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  Freemasons,  &c.  A  glass  vessel  was  placed 
in  the  stone,  containing  the  different  and  latest  coins  of  that  reign,  with  a 
handsome  medal,  struck  in  commemoration  of  his  Majesty  having  entered 
the  5 1st  year  of  his  reign.    The  vessel  was  covered  by  a  brass  plate,  inscribed : 

*'  The  first  stone  of  this  bridge  was  laid  December  10th,  in  the  year  mdcccx.,  and  in  the 
fifty -first  year  of  the  reign  of  George  III.,  by  the  Bt.  Hon.  George  Peacock,  Lord  Mayor. 
Peter  Atkinson,  architect." 


366  HISTORY   OF   THE   CITT   OF   TORE. 

The  Act  of  Parliament  specified  that  JSdO,000.  should  he  paid  to  the  com- 
missioners hj  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  three  Ridings  of  the  county, 
out  of  the  county  rates,  hj  five  equal  yearly  instalments  of  iS  6,000. ;  the 
West  Biding  paying  ^2,787.  10s. ;  the  North  Riding,  Jgl,862.  10s. ;  and 
the  East  Riding,  JS  1,350. ;  heing  the  usual  proportions  of  all  their  county, 
contrihutions.  In  addition,  the  Lord  Mayor  and  commonalty  of  the  city  were 
ohliged  to  contribute  for  the  same  period,  the  annual  sum  of  £400.  There 
was  also  a  bridge  toll,  which  had  been  peculiarly  obnoxious,  -and  indeed  in- 
jurious to  the  city,  which  was  finally  abolished  on  the  18th  of  June,  1829, 
when  there  was  a  grand  procession  to  celebrate  the  event  The  new  bridge 
was  completed  in  March,  1820 ;  and,  by  a  singular  coincidence,  during  the 
second  mayoralty  of  Mr.  Alderman  Peacock,  who  laid  the  first  stone. 

The  bridge  is  a  handsome  structure,  consisting  of  three  eUiptical  arches 
with  a  battlement  on  each  side,  of  a  plain  parapet  wall,  breast  high.  The 
span  of  the  centre  arch  is  forty-three  feet,  and  the  roadvray  is  forty  feet 
within  the  battlements.  The  flagged  footways  are  each  five  and  a  half  feet 
broad,  leaving  a  carriage  way  of  twenty  feet  At  each  end  of  the  bridge  on 
the  south-east  side  a  handsome  series  of  stone  steps  leads  down  to  the  staiths 
or  wharfs  for  lading  and  unlading  of  goods,  &c.  That  on  the  north  side  of 
the  Ouse  is  called  the  King*8  Staith,  and  the  Qtieetis  Staith  is  on  the  opposite 
side.  The  word  Staith  was  derived  from  a  purely  Saxon  term  signifying  a 
bank  or  shoal.  It  is  a  provincial  term  applied  to  a  wharf  or  landing  place. 
The  King^s  Staith  was  mentioned  in  the  days  of  Richard  U.,  in  connection 
with  the  fresh  water  fishers.     It  was  raised  and  new  paved  in  1774. 

Foss  Bridge,  at  the  end  of  Fossgate,  dividing  that  street  from  Walmgate, 
was  erected  in  1811,  on  the  site  of  a  very  ancient  stone  bridge  of  three 
arches,  built  in  the  reign  of  Heniy  IV.  It  appears  by  an  old  charter  that 
Richard  11.  granted  a  license  to  the  Mayor  and  (!ommonalty  of  York,  to  pur- 
chase lands  of  the  yearly  value  of  £100.,  for  the  support  of  the  bridges  Ouse 
and  Foss ;  but  the  latter  having  been  rebuilt,  the  Mayor  and  citizens  were 
empowered,  in  tlie  4th  of  Henry  IV.  (1403),  to  collect  a  toU  upon  it  during 
five  successive  years,  to  defray  the  expenses  incurred.  A  chapel  was  erected 
on  the  north  side  of  the  bridge,  dedicated  to  St  Anne,  though  it  was  some- 
times called  the  chapel  of  St  Agnes.  It  was  licensed  on  the  14th  of 
November,  1424,  for  the  celebration  of  divine  service.  Several  of  the  piles 
which  supported  this  chapel,  were  drawn  up  so  late  as  the  year  1734.  In 
Camden's  time  Foss  Bridge  was  so  crowded  with  houses  as  to  render  it 
difficult  for  a  stranger  to  know  when  he  was  passing  over  it — ^the  line  of  street 
extending  completely  over  it     The  houses  were  however  soon  after  taken 


HI8T0BT   OF  THE   CITY   OF  YORK.  867 

down,  though  we  find  that  in  17S8  several  fish  stalls  were  again  erected  on 
the  soath  side,  a  market  for  salt  water  fish  being  then  held  there  eyerj 
Wednesday  and  Friday. 

The  present  bridge  is  a  neat  structure,  consisting  of  one  elliptical  arch, 
with  a  balustrade.  The  foundation  stone  was  laid  on  the  4th  of  June,  1811 ; 
and  a  brass  plate  was  inserted  in  the  stone,  bearing  the  following  inscription : 

"  The  first  stone  of  this  bridge  was  laid  by  the  Right  Hon.  Lawrence  Dundas,*  Lord 
Mayor,  on  the  4th  of  June,  udcccxi.,  in  the  fifty-first  year  of  the  reign  of  George  HI., 
and  on  the  day  on  which  his  Majesty  completed  the  seventy-third  year  of  his  age.  Teier 
Atkinson,  Architect." 

Castle  MUU  Bridge,  over  the  Foss,  is  so  called  from  its  proximity  to  certain 
miUs  anciently  belonging  to  the  Castle.  There  was  abridge  here  at  a  very 
early  period,  and  as  it  was  in  some  sort  an  outwork  of  the  Castle,  was  well 
defended.  The  roadway  was  widened  and  the  bridge  much  improved  a  few 
years  since. 

Layerthorpe  Bridge,  which  connects  Peasholme  Green  and  Layerthorpe, 
was  formerly  remarkable  for  its  extreme  narrowness,  and  for  the  postern  that 
guarded  it  at  one  end.     The  present  structure  was  erected  in  1829. 

Monk  Bridge,  which  is  a  modem  erection,  forms  an  approach  to  York  from 
Malton,  Scarborough,  &c.  The  span  of  its  arch  is  wide  enough  to  admit  of 
the  free  passage  of  vessels  of  seventy  tons  burden. 

The  Scarborongh  Railway  Bridge,  a  neat  cast^  iron  structure,  erected  in 
1845,  crosses  the  Ouse  a  littie  above  Marygate,  and  affords  communication 
for  foot  passengers  between  the  two  lines  of  rails. 

The  Improvements  and  Alterations  of  late  years  have  almost  changed  the 
appearance  of  the  city.  Streets  have  been  widened,  new  streets  formed,  and 
many  handsome  buildings  erected.  At  the  Assizes  of  1852,  Lord  Chief 
Justice  Campbell,  in  his  charge  to  the  city  grand  jury,  complimented  the 
inhabitants  on  the  great  improvements  that  had  taken  place  in  York  within 
the  last  few  years,  and  especially  noticed  the  beautiful  grounds  attached  to 
the  Museum,  and  which  he  thought  were  not  surpassed  by  any  on  the  con- 
tinent of  Europe. 

Mortality. — ^In  former  years  York  does  not  appear  to  have  been  so  healthy 
a  place  of  residence  as  many  others,  owing  to  defective  drainage,  and  to  the 
narrowness  and  irregularity  of  the  streets.  As  we  have  shown  in  the  pre- 
ceding pages,  York  was  often  grievously  devastated  by  epidemics  during  the 
middle  ages.     In  1849,  the  "black  death;"  and  in  the  years  1890,  1550, 

•  Afterwards  Earl  of  Zetland. 


368  HISTORY  OF  THE   CITY   OP  YOBK. 

and  1604,  grievous  plagues  or  pestilences  numbered  their  victims  bj  thou- 
sands. Mr.  Davies  tells  us,  in  his  work  on  the  Municipal  Beeords  of  the 
City  of  York,  that  during  the  pestilence  of  1660,  it  was  ordered  bj  the  Cor- 
poration that  aU  infected  houses  should  have  a  red  cross  on  their  doors,  and 
that  all  persons  going  abroad  from  such  houses  should  carry  a  white  rod. 

But  the  Asiatic  Cholera  appears  to  have  been  less  flEital  here  than  in  many 
other  places.  It  made  its  first  appearance  in  Beedham*s  Court,  Skeldergate 
— ^remarkable  for  being  the  place  in  which  the  plague  first,  broke  out  which 
devastated  the  city  in  1604 — on  Sunday,  the  8rd  of  June,  183d,  and  by  the 
22nd  of  October  the  disease  had  entirely  disappeared.  In  the  beginning  of 
July  the  malady  had  attained  its  height,  when  forty  persons  died  in  one 
week.  The  total  number  of  cases  in  York  was  460,  and  the  total  of  deaths 
was  185.  The  malignity  of  the  disease  was,  no  doubt,  considerably  neutra- 
lized by  tlie  admirable  sanitary  arrangements  of  the  Board  of  Health,  and 
the  unwearied  exertions  of  the  medical  profession  of  York: — ^upwards  of 
£1,300.,  raised  by  subscription,  having  been  expended  by  the  board,  in  bread 
and  beef  for  the  relief  of  the  poor. 

In  1849  the  visitation  was  less  severe,  and  in  1854  there  was  not  more 
than  one  or  two  real  cases  (if  any)  of  Cholera  in  York.  Dr.  Laycock,  in  his 
Report  to  the  Commissioners  for  enquiring  into  the  sanitary  condition  of 
large  towns,  in  1864,  says  that ''  the  average  or  mean  age  of  all  dying  in  York 
is  six  years  and  a  half  less  than  those  dying  in  the  countiy,  and  the  deaths 
from  epidemics  are  more  numerous.**  The  average  rate  of  mortality  appears 
to  be  the  greatest  in  the  low  lying  districts  of  the  city.  The  population  of 
York  is  now  upwards  of  36,000,  and  the  average  number  of  deaths  in  York 
is  about  1,200  per  annum. 

Sanitary  Measures, — ^The  sanitary  condition  of  York  has  undergone  con- 
siderable improvement  of  late  years,  and  a  system  of  thorough  drainage  is 
now  being  carried  out,  under  the  direction  of  the  Local  Board  of  Health. 

One  main  sewer  has  lately  been  made  through  the  heart  of  the  city ;  be- 
ginning at  Monk  Bar,  and  passing  through  Goodramgate,  Church  Street,  St. 
Sampson*s  Square,  Feasegate,  and  Market  Street,  and  crossing  Coney  Street 
it  enters  the  Ouse  at  Waterloo  Place.  This  great  sewer  varies  in  depth  from 
fifteen  to  thirty  feet.  Several  sewers  of  a  similar  character  are  being  made 
in  other  parts  of  the  city.  They  are  all  egg-shaped,  and  built  with  radiating 
bricks,  made  expressly  for  this  work.  This  extensive  drainage  of  the  city 
will  cost  the  city  several  thousand  pounds,  but  it  will  be  a  great  boon  to 
generations  yet  unborn. 

Ths  Drainage  of  the  Foss,  which  has  recently  been  decided  upon,  is  another 


HISTORY   OF  THE   CITT   OF  TORK.  360 

excellent  sanitaiy  measure.  Hitherto  this  river  has  been  a  great  elongated 
cesfl-pool  for  a  great  part  of  the  city,  and  its  immediate  neighbourhood  was  in 
consequence  rendered  veiy  unwholesome.  In  1863  the  river  was  purchased 
for  £4,000.  by  the  Corporation,  for  the  purpose  of  making  sewers  for  taking 
the  drainage  of  that  part  of  the  city  which  flowed  into  it,  and  conveying  it 
into  the  Ouse.  An  Act  of  Parliamait  was  obtained  for  this  purpose,  as  well 
as  for  empowering  the  Corporation  to  drain  the  marshy  land  on  the  banks  of 
the  river,  called  the  Fo$s  Islandt.  According  to  the  terms  of  the  Act,  the 
river  Foss  must  be  kept  open,  so  that  its  navigation  will  not  be  interrupted. 
Several  plans  for  the  drainage  of  the  river  were  submitted,  examined,  and 
r^ected  by  the  Corporation,  till  at  length  at  the  meeting  of  that  body  on  the 
ISth  of  February,  in  the  present  year  (1655),  they  adopted  the  recommend- 
ation of  Mr.  Wicksteed,  an  eminent  surveyor,  that  a  line  of  intercepting 
sewers  be  constructed  on  the  land  for  the  drainage  of  the  Foss  district,  com- 
mencing  at  the  extreme  boundary  of  the  city  near  the  Union  Workhouse, 
passing  Monk  and  Layerthorpe  bridges,  thence  across  Walmgate  and  George 
Street,  to  Fishergate,  and  thence  to  the  Blue  bridge  on  the  New  Walk,  the 
sewage  matter  to  be  conveyed  into  the  centre  of  the  river  Ouse,  by  means  of 
an  iron  pipe ;  also,  to  construct  a  sewer,  commencing  in  Fossgate,  crossing 
the  Foss  Islands,  and  proceeding  to  St  George*s  Terrace,  where  it  will  join 
the  drain  alluded  to  above.  The  estimated  cost  of  the  intercepting  sewer  is 
about  £8,600.,  and  should  a  drain  be  formed,  in  addition,  for  the  Foss  Islands, 
a  further  sum  of  £8,500.  will  be  required.  These  plans,  which  are  to  be 
carried  out  without  delay,  appear  well  calculated  to  promote  the  sanitary 
improvement  of  the  city. 

Another  great  sanitary  measure  lately  carried  into  effect  is  the  abolition  of 
intramural  interment  in  the  city.  All  the  burial  grounds  and  vaults,  in 
connection  with  the  churches  and  chapels  in  York,  have  been  closed,  except 
the  place  of  interment  of  the  Society  of  Friends  and  the  new  part  of  the 
church  yard  of  St  Lawrence ;  the  former  is  to  be  closed  from  and  after  the 
Ist  of  August,  1855,  and  the  latter  is  allowed  to  continue  as  a  burial  place, 
in  consequence  of  a  piece  of  ground  having  been  but  lately  added  to  the 
church  yard.  It  is  however  ordered  that  this  new  ground  "be  properly 
drained,  and  no  more  than  one  body  is  to  be  buried  in  each  grave,  nor  with 
a  covering  of  less  than  four  and  a  half  feet  of  earth,  measuring  from  the 
upper  surface  of  the  coffin  to  the  level  of  the  ground." 

This  great  change  has  been  made  by  order  of  the  Secretary  of  State, 
in  virtue  of  the  powers  given  to  him  by  a  recent  Act  of  Parliament  The 
Order  in  Council  directs  that  from  and  after  the  88rd  of  December,  1854, 

3  B 


370  HISTORY   OF   THE   ARCHDIOCESE   OF  YORK. 

*'  no  new  burial  ground  shall  be  opened  in  the  city  of  York,  or  within  two 
miles  of  its  boundary,  without  the  previous  approval  of  one  of  her  Majesty's 
principal  Secretaries  of  State ;  and  that  burials  in  the  said  city  be  discon- 
tinued **  from  the  above  date,  with  the  modifications  already  stated. 

The  greatest  necessity  appears  to  have  existed  in  York  for  the  closing  of 
tlie  burial  grounds.  Dr.  Laycock,  a  very  competent  judge  in  the  matter, 
plainly  shews,  in  his  Report  to  the  Health  of  Towns*  Commissioners,  the 
e\al  consequences  of  the  practice  of  intramural  burial  in  the  city.  "  The 
state  of  the  parochial  burying  grounds  of  York,"  he  says,  "must  have  a 
considerable  and  noxious  influence  on  the  atmosphere  within  the  churches, 
and  on  tli»at  of  the  city  generally,  and  on  the  water.  The  greater  number  of 
these  grounds  are  of  extreme  antiquity,  and  must  have  been  buried  over  very 
oft^n.  In  fact,  many  of  them  are  raised  above  the  street  level  from  the  accu- 
mulated remains  of  generations.  The  analysis  of  the  water  from  wells  near  St- 
Cuthbert's  and  St.  Sampson's  church  yards,  shows  that  the  wells  are  tainted 
by  the  drsunage  from  these  burj'ing  grounds,  and  there  can  be  no  doubt  that 
tlie  air  is  also  polluted,  not  only  by  the  direct  emanations,  but  as  well  from 
the  drainage  from  the  bodies  in  the  public  sew^ers." 


In  ecclesiastical  affairs  the  County  of  York  is  in  the  province  of  York, 
and  until  a  few  years  ago  was  partly  in  the  diocese  of  Chester,  and  partly 
in  that  of  York.  The  former  part  consisted  of  the  deaneries  of  Richmond, 
Catterick,  and  Boroughbridge,  with  part  of  Kirby  Lonsdale,  all  in  the  arch- 
deaconry of  Richmond ;  and  the  latter  of  the  deaneries  of  Cleveland,  Ridale, 
Bulmer,  Ripon,  and  Ripon  with  Masham  (a  peculiar  jurisdiction),  all  in 
the  archdeaconry  of  Cleveland;  all  the  deaneries  of  Dickering,  Buckrose, 
Harthill  and  II uU,  and  Holderuess,  all  in  the  archdeaconry  of  the  East 
Riding ;  and  the  deaneries  of  Craven,  York,  Ainsty,  York  city,  Pontefract, 
and  Doncaster,  all  in  the  archdeaconry  of  York,  or  West  Riding.  By  order 
in  Council,  of  date  6th  of  October,  1836,  those  parts  of  the  county  previously 
in  the  diocese  of  Chester,  together  with  the  deaneries  of  Ripon,  Ripon  with 
Masham,  Craven,  and  parts  of  York,  Ainsty,  and  of  Pontefract,  have,  vdth 
the  consent  of  the  Archbishop  of  York  and  the  Bishop  of  Chester,  been  trans- 
ferred from  their  respective  dioceses,  in  order  to  form  the  new  diocese  of 


HISTORY   OF   THE    ARGIIDIOCESK    OF   YORK.  J57  I 

Ripen.  The  Province  of  York  now  comprises  the  bishoprics  of  Carlisle, 
Chester,  Durham,  Sodor  and  Man,  Ripon,  and  Manchester.  It  formerly 
included  the  whole  of  Scodand,  but  Pope  Sixtus  IV.,  at  the  end  of  the  15  th 
century,  granted  the  Primacy  of  Scotland  to  the  Bishop  of  St.  Andrews.  The 
diocese  of  York  extends  over  the  county  of  York,  except  such  parts  as  have 
been  included  in  the  diocese  of  Ripon. 

Under  the  Archbishop,  ecclesiastical  matters  are  conducted  by  Archdeacons, 
an  officer  first  introduced  into  this  diocese  by  Thomas  the  Norman  in  1070. 
Before  the  Conquest  the  Saxon  prelates  sat  in  the  courts  for  the  administra- 
tion of  justice  with  the  Earls  and  Sherififs;  but  the  Conqueror  separated  the 
ecclesiastical  from  the  civil  jurisdiction,  by  enacting  *'  that  no  Bishop  or 
Archdeacon  should  in  future  hold  ecclesiastical  pleas  in  the  Hundred  Co^rt, 
nor  suffer  any  cause  of  a  spiritual  nature  to  come  under  the  cognizance  of 
secular  persons."  Dr.  HeyUn  tell  us  that  the  archbishopric  of  York  is  the 
most  ancient  metropoHtan  See  in  England,  having  been  so  constituted  in  the 
reign  of  King  Lucius,  in  the  year  180.  But  it  is  certain  that  Christianity 
was  not  practised,  if  even  known,  in  the  north  of  England  in  the  beginning 
of  the  seventh  century.  When  Edwin,  the  Saxon  King  of  Northumbria, 
embraced  the  Christian  religion,  and  in  some  measure  introduced  it  into  the 
northern  parts  of  Britain,  he  was  baptized  by  Paulinus  at  York,  in  a  smaU 
wooden  oratory  erected  for  the  occasion,  there  being  no  place  of  Christian 
worship  in  this  city  at  that  time.  This  monarch  afterwards  established,  or 
according  to  some,  re-established  the  archbishopric,  and  Paulinus  was  made 
Archbishop.  The  Archbishop  of  York  is  Primate  and  Metropolitan  of  Eng- 
land, and  to  him  attaches  the  honour  of  crowning  the  Queens  of  England, 
and  of  preaching  the  coronation  sermon.  Warm  and  repeated  contentions 
existed  for  many  centuries  for  ecclesiastical  supremacy  between  the  Arch- 
bishops of  York  and  Canterbury.  In  Sir  Francis  Palgrave  s  "  Truths  and 
Fictions  of  the  Middle  Ages — The  Merchant  and  the  Friar,"  there  is  a 
curious  account  of  the  predicaments  in  which  my  Lord  of  Canterbury  used 
to  place  my  Lord  of  York,  when  the  latter  went  to  London ;  and  of  the  re- 
taliation made  by  my  Lord  of  York,  when  his  spiritual  brother  came  into 
the  north,  The  dispute  on  this  point  was  however  settled  in  the  reign  of 
Edward  m.,  by  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  being  styled  "  Primate  of 
All  England ;"  and  the  Archbishop  of  York,  "  Primate  of  England,"  which, 
though  it  seems  **a  distinction  without  a  difference,"  really  gave  the  su- 
premacy to  his  Grace  of  Canterbury.  The  Archbishop  of  York,  who  is  also 
Lord  High  Almoner  to  the  Queen,  takes  precedency  of  all  Dukes  who  are 


S7d  HISTORY   OF   TU£   AfiCHDIOCESE   OF  TOBK. 

not  of  the  blood  royal,  and  of  all  the  chief  officers  of  state,  the  Lord  High 
Chancellor  alone  excepted. 

The  total  number  of  benefices  returned  in  the  diocese  of  York,  in  1838,  was 
690 ;  the  incumbents  in  976  of  which  were  non-resident.  According  to  the 
Cleiigyman's  Almanack  for  the  past  year,  the  number  of  benefices  in  the 
diocese  is  878,  of  which  number  344  had  glebe  houses. 

The  yearly  tenths  of  the  archbishopric  of  York,  as  returned  in  the  survey 
made  by  the  commissioners  appointed  by  the  Grown  in  the  reign  of  Henry 
VJXl.,  on  the  eve  of  the  Reformation,  were  valued  at  £161. ;  and  the  value 
of  the  living,  as  stitted  in  the  King*8  Books  of  the  same  date,  was  £1,610. 
The  average  gross  yearly  income  of  the  Archiepiscopal  See  in  1831,  was 
£18,798. ;  net  yeaiiy  income,  £12,639.*  By  order  in  Council,  of  date  dlst 
of  June,  1837,  the  income  of  the  fuJbwr€  Archbishc^s  of  York  is  limited  to 
£10,000.  per  annum. 

The  ecclesiasticaL  establishment  in  connection  with  the  Cathedral,  consists 
of  an  Archbishop,  Dean,  Chancellor,  Precentor,  Sub-Dean,  Sucoentor,  3  Arch- 
deacons, 4  Canons  Residentiary,  24  Prebendaries  or  non-resident  Canons,  a 
Chancellor  of  the  Diocese,  a  Sub-Chanter,  4  Vicars  Choral,  7  Lay  Clerks, 
6  Choristers,  an  Organist,  and  other  officers. 

The  Deanery  of  York  was  instituted  by  Archbishop  Thomas,  in  1090.  The 
Dean,  who  is  next  to  the  Archbishop  in  rank,  is  elected  by  the  Chapter, 
invested  with  a  gold  ring,  and  installed  by  the  Precentor.  The  next  in 
dignity  in  the  Precentor,  or  Chanter,  an  office  which  also  was  founded  in 
1090.  The  duty  of  this  dignitary  is  to  superintend  the  choir,  and  install 
every  person  presented  to  any  dignity  in  the  church.  The  next  in  order  is 
the  Chancellor  of  the  Church,  He  has  the  custody  of  the  seal  of  citations, 
collates  to  grammar  schools,  &c.  His  office  was  founded  a  short  time  before 
the  deanery.     The  College  of  the  Vicars-Chcral  was  founded  by  Archbishop 

*  The  following  is  the  substance  of  the  schemes  and  decrees  to  which  the  EccUnoi- 
tical  Commi8ti(mer$  of  England  obtained  the  sanction  of  the  King  in  1836 : — That  all 
parishes  which  are  locally  situated  in  one  diocese,  and  under  the  jurisdiction  of  another, 
be  made  subject  to  that  See,  within  which  they  are  locally  situated ;  that  certain  new 
dioceses  should  be  created,  and  that  such  appointment  or  exdiange  of  ecdesiastieal  pa- 
tronage should  be  made  among  the  Archbishops  and  Bisho]>8,  so  as  to  leave  an  average 
yearly  income  of  jCI 5,000.  to  the  Archbishop  of  Canterburj';  JB 1 0,000.  to  the  Archbishop 
of  York;  JBI  0,000.  to  the  Bishop  of  liondon ;  jE8,000.  to  the  Bishop  of  Durham ;  ^,000. 
to  the  Bishop  of  Winchester ;  £5,000.  to  the  Bishops  of  Ely,  Worcester,  and  Bath  and 
Wells,  respectively;  ^,200.  to  the  Bishop  of  St  Asaph  and  Bangor;  and  tliat  out  of  the 
funds  arising  in  the  said  dioceses,  over  and  above  the  said  incomes,  the  commissioners 
should  grant  such  stipends  to  the  other  Bishops,  as  should  make  their  average  annual 
incomes  not  less  than  £4,000.,  nor  more  than  £5,000. 


HI8T0BY   OF  THE   ABCHDI0CE8E   OF  YORK.  373 

Walter  de  Grey,  in  lS5d,  and  at  present  consists  of  five  members,  who  per- 
form the  musical  part  of  the  daily  services  of  the  choir. 

The  Chapter,  which  is  composed  of  the  Dean,  and  the  four  Residentaries, 
under  the  title  of  the  *'  Dean  and  Chapter  of  York"  is  the  ruling  body  of  the 
Cathedral  establishment.  The  Archbishop  has  the  power  of  holding  visi- 
tations of  their  alfoirs.  The  Archbishop  has  the  patronage  of  the  Archdea- 
conries, the  Chancellorships,  Precentorships,  the  Non-Besidentiary  Canonries, 
and  fifty-three  benefices.  The  Dean  has  the  patronage  of  eleyen  benefices, 
and  a  revenue  of  £1,360.  The  Dean  and  Chapter  have  the  patronage  of  the 
Residentiary  and  Minor  Canons,  with  twenty-three  benefices,  and  possess  a 
revenue  of  £lfi60.,  divided  into  six  shares,  of  which  one  is  reserved  for 
minor  salaries.    The  Residentiaries  must  be  chosen  out  of  the  Prebendaries. 

At  the  Reformation  the  yearly  tenths  of  the  deanery  were  valued  at  £30. 
17s.  Of  d.  and  the  living,  which  is  in  the  gift  of  the  Crown,  at  £307. 10s.  7|d. 
The  deanery  has  the  rectories  of  Pocklington,  Pickering,  and  Kilham,  of 
which  the  Dean  is  patron  and  ordinary.')'  He  likewise  presents  to  Thornton, 
Ebberston,  Ellerbume,  Bamby  Moor,  and  Hayton  vicarages. 

The  Sub-Chanter  and  four  Minor  Canons  form  a  corporate  body,  with  a 
revenue  of  £669.,  which  is  equaUy  divided  amongst  them.  The  Treasurer- 
ship,  erected  in  the  year  1090,  was  dissolved  and  made  a  lay  fee  by  King 
Edward  VL,  as  were  also  the  prebends  of  Wilton  and  Newthorpe,  annexed 
thereto.  It  is  understood  that  about  £3,000.  is  applicable  yearly  to  the 
repairs  of  the  Cathedral  and  maintenance  of  its  services. 

The  Amu  of  York  Cathedral  were  anciently,  azure,  a  staff  in  pale  or,  sur- 
mounted by  a  paU  argent  firinged  as  the  second,  charged  with  five  crosses 
pattee  fitched  sable,  in  chief  another  such  a  cross  or.  These  arms  are  im- 
paled in  some  of  the  windows  of  the  church,  with  the  arms  of  Archbishops 
Bowett,  Rotheram,  and  Savage ;  but  they  have  since  been  changed  for  tlds 
bearing,  Gtdes,  two  keys  in  saltire  argent,  in  chief  a  crown  imperial  or,  with 
the  mitre.  The  crown  was  added  to  the  shield  on  account  of  York  having 
once  been  an  imperial  city. 

Origin  of  Tithes. — Festus  informs  us  that  the  ancients  offered  to  their 
gods  the  tithes  of  all  things,  and  this  seems  to  have  been  the  means  by 
which  religion  was  supported  by  all  nations  of  antiquity.  Parishes  are 
supposed  to  have  been  first  formed  by  Archbishop  Honorius,  who  flourished 

*  '*  By  an  ancient  custom  of  this  church,  the  Dean  of  it  was  obliged  for  ever  to  feed 
or  relieve,  at  his  deanery,  ten  iK>or  people  doily. — This  was  for  the  sotil  of  good  Queen 
Maud ;  and  for  which  purpose  he  had  the  churches  of  Kilham,  Pickering,  and  Pock- 
lington, annexed  to  his  deanery.** — Drake, 


374  HISTORY   OF   THE   ABCHDIOCESE   OF   YOBK. 

about  636,*  as  a  necessary  appropriatiou  of  ecclesiastical  duties  to  certain 
responsible  pastors,  and  to  prevent  those  irregularities  which  might  and  did 
arise  from  the  interference  that  frequently  occurred  by  the  intrusive  visits 
of  strangers  on  the  scene  of  other  men's  labours,  to  the  manifest  injury  of 
religion.  In  673,  Theodore,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  convened  a  synod, 
at  which,  amongst  other  regulations,  this  was  agreed  on : — NuUus  Episco- 
porum  aUerivs  invadat.  In  the  first  ages  of  Christianity,  every  man  was  at 
liberty  to  contribute  his  tithes  to  what  parish  or  church  soever  he  pleased  ;f 
but  this  privilege  served  as  an  existing  means  whereby  any  pique  against 
the  priest  might  be  gratified  by  the  alienation  of  his  income.  This  incon- 
venience therefore  was  obviated ;  first,  by  the  censures  of  the  Council  of 
Calcuith;  then  by  the  famous  charter  of  Ethelfwulf;  and  most  effectually 
by  the  laws  of  Edgar,  which  provided,  that  all  tithes  should  be  paid  in  the 
parish  where  they  arise.  About  the  year  690,  Ina,  King  of  the  West  Saxons, 
made  a  code  of  laws,  the  fourth  section  of  which  is  as  to  the  following  pur- 
port, "  The  first  fruits  of  seeds  or  church  due,  arising  from  the  product  of 
com,  &c.,  are  to  be  paid  at  the  feast  of  St.  Martin ;  and  let  him  that  fails  in 
the  payment  forfeit  40s.,"  as  Lambeth  reads  it;  or,  according  to  Sir  Henry 
Spelman,  608. ;  and  besides,  pay  the  dues  twelve  times  over.  In  the  62nd 
section,  *'  Church  dues  are  to  be  paid  where  the  persons  owing  them  dwell  in 
the  midst  of  winter."  These  laws  appear  to  be  the  first  on  record  respecting 
such  maintenance  for  the  church,  and  on  this  account  are  mentioned  here. 
The  gifts  and  oblations  which  the  primitive  Christians,  in  their  devotedness 
and  zeal  for  religion,  made  as  acts  of  piety,  were  transformed  by  usage  and 
custom,  into  a  right,  and  are  now  advanced  into  the  firmer  title  of  ordinance. 
Hence  modem  lawyers  say,  that  tithes  are  due  of  common  right,  as  having 
existed  since  the  first  establishment  of  churches,  and  made  regular  from  the 
division  of  parochial  limits.  In  1838,  by  Act  of  Parliament,  certain  tithe 
commissioners  were  appointed  to  commute  the  tithes  of  England  and  Wales, 
for  a  rent  charge  on  the  land,  to  vary  according  to  the  average  price  of  com. 
Queen  Anne's  Bounty. — From  a  very  early  period,  every  Bishop  and 
clergyman  has  been  required  to  pay  the  amount  of  his  first  years  incumbency 
into  a  fund,  called  from  thence  First  Fruits^  and  every  succeeding  year  as 
long  as  he  is  in  possession  of  the  living,  he  has  been  required  to  pay  one- 
tenth  part  of  his  income  into  a  fund,  hence  called  The  Tenths.  In  1290,  a 
a  valuation  for  this  purpose  was  made  of  all  the  ecclesiastical  livings  in 
England ;  and  the  book  containing  that  record  is  preserved  in  the  Remem- 

*  Stow  Chron.,  p.  77.        f  Blackstone's  Comment.,  vol.  i.,  p.  112. 


HISTORY    OF  THE    ARCHDIOCESE   OF  YORK.  375 

brancer's  office,  under  the  title  of  "  Valor  of  Pope  Nicholas  IV."  At  the 
time  of  the  Reformation  there  was  a  law  passed,  that  the  first  fruits  and 
tenths  should  be  applied  to  the  use  of  the  state,  and  that  any  Bishop  or 
clergyman  neglecting  to  pay  those  imposts  into  the  public  treasury,  should 
be  declared  an  intruder  into  his  living,  and  should  forfeit  double  the  amount ; 
and,  in  order  to  ascertain  the  full  amount,  an  accurate  and  full  valuation  was 
made  of  all  the  ecclesiastical  livings  in  England  and  Wales.  Except  during 
a  short  period  in  the  reign  of  Philip  and  Mary,  the  first  fruits  and  tenths 
continued  to  be  paid  into  the  public  exchequer,  till  the  reign  of  Queen  Anne, 
when  that  monarch,  deploring  the  wretched  condition  of  many  of  the  poor 
clergy,  owing  to  the  insufficiency  of  their  livings,  determined  that  the  first 
fniits  and  tenths  of  the  livings  of  all  the  Bishops  and  clergy  should  be  paid 
into  a  fund,  to  be  called  Queen  Anne's  Bounty,  and  that  the  amount  should 
be  appropriated  to  the  augmentation  of  the  livings  of  the  poor  clergy.  As 
there  was  no  fresh  valuation  instituted  in  the  time  of  Queen  Anne,  the  first 
fruits  and  tenths  continue  to  be  paid  according  to  that  made  by  Henry  VHE. 
in  1535,  and  which  was  registered  in  what  is  caUed  the  King's  Books  (lAber 
Regis),  to  which,  as  well  as  to  the  augmentation  from  Queen  Anne's  Bounty, 
we  shall  frequently  refer  in  the  accounts  of  church  livings  in  this  volume. 
That  this  payment  might  not  operate  oppressively,  the  first  year's  income 
was  to  be  paid  by  four  annual  instalments,  and  all  livings  of  small  value  were 
entirely  exempt,  and  hence  called  Discharged  livings.  The  increase  which 
has  taken  place  in  the  value  of  church  livings  since  1535  is  enormous. 

Sanctuary.* — ^York  Cathedral  was  one  of  the  churches  that  possessed  the 
great  privilege  of  Sanctuary  from  a  very  early  period.     This  privilege  was 

•  This  privilege  was  introduced  into  the  Chrisdiin  Church  about  the  time  of  Con- 
stantine.  It  hod  its  origin  in  the  laws  of  Moses,  who,  at  the  divine  command,  ap- 
pointed six  cities  of  refuge,  as  a  protection  to  the  involuntary  homicide  against  the 
summary  vengeance  of  his  incensed  pursuers. — Numb.  c.  35.  It  was  used  also  in  pagan 
times.  Some  particular  trees  in  the  Druidical  grove  were  sanctuaries;  and  the  altars 
of  idolatry  were  decorated  with  horns,  which  were  always  reputed  a  sanctuary  for  crime ; 
so  that  even  murderers,  fleeing  for  safety  to  the  horns  of  the  altar,  esteemed  themselves 
perfectly  secure  from  the  danger  of  apprehension  until  their  crimes  were  legally  inves- 
tigated. This  privilege  having  become  quito  a  nuisance,  through  the  number  of  the 
vilest  malefactors,  who  remained  in  the  temples  of  the  gods  with  impunity,  and  set  at 
defiance  the  operation  of  the  laws ;  Tiberius  Caesar  abolished  the  protection  afforded  by 
these  sanctuaries,  and  confined  it  to  the  two  temples  of  Juno  and  Esculapius.  By  the 
laws  of  the  Saxon  King  Ina,  a.d.  603,  any  person  guilty  of  a  capital  crime,  taking  refuge 
in  a  church,  his  life  was  spared,  on  condition  that  he  made  recompense  to  the  friends 
of  the  deceased,  according  to  justice  and  equity;  and  if  one  who  had  merely  incurred 
the  punishment  of  stripes  took  such  refuge,  his  punishment  was  suspended. 


876  HISTORY   OF  THE  ARCHDIOCESE   OF  YORK. 

possessed  bj  many  of  the  churches,  and  when  kept  under  proper  restraint 
was  a  public  benefit,  and  moderated  the  rigour  of  the  common  law.  It  al- 
lowed time  for  criminals  to  make  restitution,  and  for  the  fjidsely  accused  to 
proye  their  innocence,  whilst  without  this  respite  they  might  have  8u£fered 
immediate  punishment  or  death.  The  Leuga,  or  privileged  circuit,  was  com- 
prehended within  the  circumference  of  a  circle,  of  which  the  church  was  the 
centre,  and  its  limits  were  marked  by  stone  crosses  on  the  principal  roads 
leading  to  each  of  these  "cities  of  refuge.**'  The  refugee,  or  grUhmany 
generally  arrived  at  the  entrance  to  the  church  under  the  cloak  of  night,  and 
was  admitted  by  the  porter  of  the  church  or  monastery  into  the  porch  or 
GaUlee.\  In  the  morning  a  chapter  was  assembled  to  hear  and  record  the 
details  of  the  case.  The  Sanctuary  oath  was  then  administered,  and  having 
paid  the  customary  fee  for  registering  the  circumstances  of  his  crime,  he  was 
seated  in  the  fridstol,  and  permitted  to  remain  within  the  precincts  until  he 
-was  fisivoured  with  an  opportunity  of  compromising  with  his  adversary;  or  in 
case  of  murder  with  the  surviving  relations  and  friends  of  the  unhappy  suf- 
ferer. "  If  a  malefactor.  Hying  for  refuge,  was  taken  or  apprehended  within 
the  crosses,  the  party  that  took  or  had  hold  of  them  there  did  forfeit  tuio 
hundrgth ;  |  if  he  took  him  within  the  town  he  forfeited  four  htmdreth ;  if 
within  the  walls  of  the  churchyard,  then  six  htmdreth ;  if  within  the  church, 
then  twelve  hundreth;  if  within  the  doors  of  the  quire,  then  eighteen  htmdreth, 
besides  penance  as  in  case  of  sacrilege ;  but  if  he*  presumed  to  take  him  out 
of  the  stone  chair  near  the  altar,  called  Fridstol,  or  from  among  the  holy 
relics  behind  the  altar,  the  offence  was  not  redeemable  with  any  sum;  but 

•  "  The  King's  peace  extended  three  mila,  three  furlong,  three  eecera  bredie,  nine  fote, 
nine  scefta  munda,  nine  here  coma." — ^Wilk.  Leg.  Ang.  Sax.,  p.  63.  The  remains  of 
three  of  these  Sanctoaiy  crosses  may  yet  be  seen  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Beverley. 

f  Some  of  oar  Cathedrals  and  great  churches  possess  an  appendage  called  the  GatUee, 
or  OalUee  porch,  probably  considered  as  a  part  of  the  edifice  less  sacred  than  the  rest, 
where  preliminaries  to  admission,  as  in  baptism,  the  churching  of  women,  Ac,  were 
performed;  and  where  great  sinners  doing  public  penance  were  exposed  before  being 
receiyed  back  into  communion  with  the  church.  In  conventual  churches  this  appendage 
was  "a  small  gallery  or  balcony  open  towards  the  nare  of  the  church,  fit>m  which 
visitors,  or  the  family  of  the  Abbot,  with  whose  residence  it  communicated,  might  riew 
processions.  Here  also  the  female  relatives  of  the  monks  were  permitted  to  have  inter- 
views with  them.  From  this  last  circumstance.  Dr.  Milner  explains  the  origin  and 
derivation  of  the  appellation.  On  a  woman's  applying  for  leave  to  see  a  monk,  her 
relation,  she  was  answered  in  the  words  of  scripture,  "  he  goeth  before  you  into  Galilee, 
there  you  shall  see  him.** — ^Britton's  Archit.  Ant,  vol.  v..  Appendix  xlii. 

X  Mr.  Staveley,  on  the  aathority  of  Bichard,  Prior  of  Hagnlstad,  says  that  the  Mm- 
dreth  oontained  ^htpoundi. 


HI8T0BT   OF  THE   ARCHDIOCESE   OF   YORK. 


877 


was  then  become  sine  emendatione  boteles,  and  nothing  but  the  utmost  se- 
verity of  the  ofifended  church  was  to  be  expected,  by  a  dreadful  excommuni- 
cation, besides  what  the  secular  power  would  impose  for  the  presumptuous 
misdemeanor."*  The  Fridstol,  that  ia,  freed  stool,  was  a  chair  of  refuge  and 
safety  from  the  immediate  infliction  of  punishment  for  any  crime  whatsoeyer.f 

6y  a  statute  enacted  in  the  9th  of  Edward  U.  (1316),  it  was  provided  that 
"  80  long  as  the  criminals  be  in  the  church,  they  shall  be  supplied  with  the 
necessaries  of  life."  Whilst  the  nature  and  circumstances  of  his  crime  were 
being  investigated,  the  church  continued  its  protection,  and  the  culprit  re- 
mained in  perfect  safety  within  the  limits  of  the  Sanctuary ;  and  in  all  cases 
the  life  of  the  crimmal  was  safe,  for  having  taken  the  oath  of  fealty  to  the 
head  of  the  religious  establishment,  and  being  placed  in  the  chair  of  peace, 
he  could  compel  his  adversary  to  accept  of  a  pecuniaiy  compensation. 

The  places  of  Sanctuary  in  process  of  time  became  much  abused,  and 
diverted  from  their  original  purpose ;  and  in  the  reign  of  Henry  YIll.  they 
were  entirely  abolished. 

A  Chronological  List  of  the  Archbishops  of  York,  from  the  establishment  of 
the  See  in  the  year  625,  to  the  present  time : — 

ANGLO-SAXON  DYNASTY. 


No. 


2 
3 

4 


5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 


ARCHBISHOPS. 


St.  Paulinns    

See  vacant  34  yean. 

Ceadda,  or  Chad 

St.  Wilfrid 

Bosa 

St  Wilfrid  (restored) 

Bosa  (restored) 

St.  John  of  Beverley  . . 

Wilfrid  n 

Egbert 

Coena  Albert 

Eanbauld 

Eanbanld  11 


Conaeerftted. 


625 

666 
669 
678 
686 
691 
705 
718 
731 
767 
780 
797 


Died 
or  Tranalated. 


Contemporaneoiu  Kings. 


631 

669 
678 
685 
698 
705 
718 
731 
766 
781 
796 
832 


EdTvin. 

Oswyn. 

Alcfrid. 

Egfrid. 

Alcfrid. 

Alcfrid. 

Osred. 

Osric. 

CoBlwiilph. 

Ethelwnld. 

Edelrid. 

Aired. 


■i 


►  o 


& 


*  Pegge.  in  Archieol.,  vol.  viii.,  p.  44. 

f  The  Fridstolf  or  chair  of  peace,  occurs  in  the  laws  of  Edgar,  ca.  16.  There  were 
formerly  several  of  them  in  the  northern  parts  of  Britain;  one  of  them  occurs  in  the 
charter  of  immunities  renewed  bj  King  Henry  VII.  to  St.  Peter's,  York,  where  it  is  in- 
terpreted ctUhedra  quietudinii  vel  ptzcU. — ^Wilk.  Leg.  Anglo-Sax.  Gloss.,  p.  403.  The 
fridstol  was  generally  a  stone  chair  or  seat  near  the  high  altar,  as  an  emblem  of  pro- 
tection to  the  refugee. — Dugdale's  Monast,  vol.  ii.,  p.  128.  The  ancient  fridstol  of 
Beverley  Sanctuary  is  still  preserved  in  the  Minster  of  that  place. 

8  0 


378 


HISTORY   OF  THE   ABGHDIOCESE   OF  TORS. 


No. 


11 
12 
18 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
SO 
21 
22 

23 
24 


ARCHBISHOPS. 


25 
26 
27 
28 
29 

80 


31 

82 

38 
34 
35 
36 
37 
88 
89 
40 
41 
42 


Wulsius   . . . , 
Wimund  . . . , 
Wilfere     . . . , 
Ethelbald    . 
Bedward  . . . 
Wulstan  ... 
Oscytell   . . . . 
Athelwald    . 
Oswald     . . . 

Adulfe 

Wulstan  II.. 
Alfrio  Puttoc 


Kinsius 
Aldred  . 


CouMerated. 


832 
832 
854 
895 
921 
941 
955 
971 
974 
993 
1003 
1028 

1050 
1061 


Died 
ovTkmndftted. 


832 

854 

895 

920 

940 

955 

971 

971 

993 

1002 

1023 

1050 

1060 
1069 


Contemporaneoua  Kingi. 


ANGLO-NORMAN  DYNASTY. 


Thomas    

Gerard 

Thomas  II 

Thorstan 

St.  William  ^deprived  in 

1147)  

Henry  Mardac    

St.  William  (restored)  . . 


1070 
1100 
1109 
1119 

1144 
1148 
1153 


1100 
1108 
1114 
1189 

1147 
1153 
1154 


SAXON  UNE  (RESTORED.) 


Roger   

See  vacant  10  years, 
Geofiry  Plantagenet  . . 

See  vacant  4  yean, 

Walter  de  Grey 

Sewal  de  Bovil    

Godfrey  de  Keynton 

Walter  Giffard     

William  Wickwano . . 
John  le  Romayne  . . , 
Henry  de  Newark  . . 
Thomas  de  Gorbrigge 
WiUiam  de  Grenfeld 
William  de  Melton . . 


•  •  •  • 


1154 

1191 

1215 
1256 
1258 
1265 
1279 
1286 
1296 
1299 
1305 
1817 


1181 

1212 

1255 
1258 
1264 
1279 
1285 
1296 
1299 
1303 
1315 
1340 


Egbert. 

Egbert — ^E  thelwulph . 

Ethelbald-— Alfred. 

Alfred. 

Edward  the  Elder. 

Athelstan — Edred. 

Edwy — ^Edgar. 

Edgar. 

Edward  the  Martyr. 

Ethelred  II. 

Ethel  red  II. — Sweyn. 

Canute — ^Harold  I. — Edw 

the  Confessor. 
Edward  the  Confessor. 
Edward  the  Confessor — 

Harold  H.— Willm.  I. 


William  I.  and  IT. 
Henry  I. 
Henry  I. 
Henry — Stephen . 


Stephen. 
Stephen. 
Stephen. 


Henry  II. 
Henry  II. 

Henry  II. — Rich.  I — John 

John — Henry  III. 

Henry  III. 

Henry  III. 

Henry  III.— Edward  I. 

Edwajrd  I. 

Edward  I. 

Edward  I. 

Edward  I. 

Edward  I.  and  II. 

Edward  II.  and  m. 


LANCASTRIAN  LINE. 


48  I  William  de  la  Zonohe 

44  John  de  Thoresby  . . . 

45  Alexander  Nevile  . . , 
40  Thomas A^undall  ... 

47  Robert  Waldby   

48  Richard  Scroope 

49  Henry  Bowet 

60  John  Kempe   . . . .  i . . 


1842 
1354 
1874 
1389 
1397 
1398 
1405 
1436 


1352 
1873 
1388 
1396 
1396 
1405 
1428 
1451 


Edward  m. 

Edward  III. 

Edward  III.~>Richard  II. 

Richard  II. 

Richard  II. 

Richard  II.— Henry  IV. 

Henry  IV.  and  V. 

Hanry  V.  and  VI. 


HISTORY   OF  THB   ARCBDI0GE8F.   OF   YORK. 


879 


HOUSE  OF  YOBK. 


No. 

ARCHBISHOPS. 

ConMcratod. 

Died 
orTmulAtad. 

CoBtamponmeoat  Kings. 

51 

5a 

58 
54 

William  Booihe 

George  Neville    

Lawrence  Boothe    

Thomas  Scot  de  Bother- 
ham       .  .  .  .  .  .  .  t  1  1  «  .  r  . 

1458 

1465 
1476 

1460 

1464 
1476 
1480 

1500 

Henry  VT.    Edward  IV. 
Edward  IV. 
Edward  IV. 

Edward  IV.  ^  V.— Bichd. 

lU.--Henry  VII. 

55 
56 
57 

58 
59 

60 

61 
62 
63 
64 
65 


66 
67 
68 
69 
70 

71 
72 
73 
74 

Z5 


76 
77 
78 
79 
80 
81 
82 
83 
84 


HOUSE  OF  TUDOR. 


Thomas  Savage 

Christopher  Baynhrigge. . 
Cardinid  Thomas  Wolsey 

Edward  Lee     

Bohert  Holgate 


Nicholas  Heath , 

Protestant  Archbishops. 

Thomas  Toung   

Edmund  Grindall 

Edwin  Sandys 

John  Piers 

Matthew  Hatton     


Tobias  Matthew 

Qeorge  Montaigne  . . . . 
Samuel  Harsnett    . . . . 

Richard  Neill 

John  WUliams    

See  vacant  10  years. 
Accepted  Frewen    .... 

Bichard  Sterne   

John  Dolben   

Thomas  Lamplugh 
John  Sharp 


Sir  William  Dawes 

Lancelot  Blackburn   .... 

Thomas  Herring    

Mattiiew  Hutton 

John  Gilbert   

Bobert  Hay  Drummond . . 

William  Markham 

Edward  V.  V.  Harcourt. . 
Thomas  Musgrave 


1501 

1507 

Henry  VII. 

1508 

1514 

Henry  Vll.  and  VIII. 

1514 

1530 

Henry  VHI. 

1531 

1544 

Heniy  VIII. 

1544 

1553 

Henry  VIH.— Edw.  VI.— 

Mary. 

1555 

1558 

Mary — Elizabeth . 

1560 

1568 

Elizabeth. 

1670 

1576 

Elizabeth. 

1577 

1588 

Elizabeth. 

1588 

1594 

Elizabeth. 

1594 

rSE  OF  { 

1606 
STUART. 

Elizabeth — James  I. 

1606 

1628 

James  I. — Charles  I. 

1628 

1628 

Charles  I. 

1629 

1631 

Charles  I. 

1632 

1640 

Charles  I. 

1642 

1650 

Charles  I. 

The  Commonwealth. 

1660 

1664 

Charles  II. 

1664 

1683 

Charles  II. 

1683 

1686 

Charles  II. — James  II. 

1688 

1691 

William  in. 

1691 

E  OF  BB 

1713 
.UNSWICK. 

William  111. — ^Anne. 

1714 

1724 

George  I. 

1724 

1743 

George  I.  and  II. 

1743 

1747 

George  11. 

1747 

1757 

George  II. 

1757 

1761 

Lreorge  11.  and  III. 

1761 

1776 

Oeorge  111. 

1777 

1807 

George  ill. 

1808 

1847 

George  III.  ^  IV.— Wm. 

1847 

IV.— Victoria. 
Victoria. 

880 


HISTORY   OF   THE   ABGHD10CE8E   OF  YORK. 


A  list  of  tlie  Deans  of  York,  with  the  jear  of  their  respectiTe  creation : — 


No. 


2 
:j 

4 

ft 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 
17 
18 
10 
30 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
20 
30 
31 
32 
33 

;u 

35 
36 
37 
.38 
30 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 

45 


DEANS. 


Hugo 

William  de  St.  Barbara    

Bobert  de  Gant 

Robert  BoteviUin 

Hubert  Walter 

Henry  Marshall    

Simon  de  Apulia 

Hamo 

Boger  de  Insula    

Geoffry  de  Norwych 

Fulk  Bassett 

William 

Walter  de  Kyrkhara 

Sewal  de  Bovil 

Godfrey  de  Ludham  (or  Keyu- 

ton) 

Boger  de  Holdemess    

William  de  Langueton 

Bobert  de  Scardeburgh    

Henry  de  Newark 

William  de  Hamelton*    

Reginald  de  Gote,  Cardinalis  . . 

William  de  Pykering   

Bobert  de  Pykerings,  P.C.L.  . . 

WiUiam  de  Colby 

William  de  la  Zouch    

Philip  de  Weston 

Tailerand  Bp.  of  Albanen  .... 
John  Anglicus,  Cardinalis  .... 
Adam  Eaaton,  Cardinalis  .... 
Edmd.  de  Strafford,  L.L.D.     . . 

Boger  Walden   

Richard  Clifford,  Bac.  Leg 

Thomas  Langleyf 

.John  Prophete 

Thomas  Polton 

William  Grey,  L.L.D 

Robort  Gilbert.  S.T.P 

WUliam  Felter,  Deo.  Dr 

Richard  Andrews,  L.L.D 

Rol>ert  Bothe,  L.L.D 

Christopher  Urswyk.  Dec.  Dr. . 

William  Sheffield,  Dec.  Dr 

Geoffrey  Blythe,  S.T.B 

Christ.  Baynbrigge,  L.L.D 

James  Harrington     


Appointed. 


Temp.  Will.  n. 

Temp.  K.  Step. 

1144 


1186 
1180 
1101 
1214 
12— 
1235 
1240 
1244 
124- 
125- 

1256 
1258 
126- 
1270 
1200 
1208 
1300 
1310 
1312 
1332 
1333 
1347 
135- 
1366 
1381 
1385 
130- 
1308 
1401 
1407 
1416 
1421 
1426 
1437 
1454 
1477 
1488 
1404 
1406 
1503 

1507 


IMisd  or  RoBMfvda 


Bishop  of  Durham   1142 

Died   1186 

Bishop  of  Salisbury 1180 

Bishop  of  Exeter 1101 

Bishop  of  Exeter 1214 

Bishop  of  London 1244 

Archbishop  of  York 1250 

Archbishop  of  York 1256 

Died    1270 

Died    1200 

Archbishop    1206 

Died   1814 

Died    1310 

Died    1312 

Archbishop    1340 

Died    

Deprived    

Deprived    

Archbishop  of  Canterbury  1808 
Bishop  of  Worcester    ....  1401 

Bishop  of  Durham   1406 

Died    

Bishop  of  London     1426 

Bishop  of  London     1437 

Died    

Resigned    1477 

Died    

Resigned    1404 

Died   

Bishop  of  Lichfield 1503 

f  Bishop  of  Durham    ....  1507 

(Archbishop  of  York  ....1508 

Died    1512 


*  Jan.  10.  130&,  asnd  Edw.  I.,  this  WillUm  dr  Hamdton  had  the  great  leal  detivend  to  him  aa  Lord 
Chaaedlor  of  England.— Tom,  p.  556. 

t  In  the  year  1406  he  waa  constitoted  Lord  High  Chancellor  of  England.— Drake,  p.  664. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   ABCHDIOCESB   OF  YORK. 


381 


No. 


46 

47 
48 
49 
50 
51 

62 

58 
54 
55 
50 
57 
58 
59 
60 
61 
62 
63 
64 


DEANS. 


Thomas  Wolsey 


John  Toong 

Brian  Higden,  L.LJ).  . . 
Richard  Lay  ton,  L.L.D. 
Nicholas  Wotton,  L.LJ). 
Matthew  Button 


John  Thornborgh,  S.T.P 

George  Meriton,  S.T.P 

John  Scott,  S.T.P 

Richard  Marsh 

WiUiam  Saneroft 

Robert  Hitch,  S.T.P 

Tobias  Wickham 

Thomas  Gale,  S.T.P 

Henry  Finch,  A-M 

Richard  Osbaldeston,  S.T.P.  . . 

John  Foantayne 

George  Markham 

W.  Cockbum,    


Appointed. 


1512 

1514 
1516 
1589 
1544 
1567 

1589 
1617 
1624 
1660 
1663 
1664 
1676 
1697 
1702 
1728 
1747 
1802 
1822 


Died  or  Removed. 


f  Bishop  of  lincohi 1513 

I  Archbishop  of  York  ....  1514 

Died    1516 

Died    1539 

Died    1544 

Died    1567 

I  Bishop  of  Durham  ....  1589 
\  Archbishop  of  York  ....  1594 
Bishop  of  Worcester    ....  1617 

Died    1624 

Died    1644 

Died    1663 

Dean  of  St  Paul's,  London  1664 

Died    1676 

Died    1697 

Died    1702 

Died    1728 

Carlisle 1747 

Died    1802 

Died    1822 


ANNALS  OF  THE  ARCHBISHOPS.— Gent,  on  the  authority  of  Dr. 
Heylin,  tells  us  that  King  Lucius  made  this  ancient  See  "  a  metropolitan,"  that 
its  first  Bishop  was  Sampson,  and  its  last  British  Bishop  Tadiacus.  **  Two 
others,"  he  continues,  "  are  mentioned,  as  Taurinus  and  Pyrannus ;  the  last 
of  whom  is  said  to  have  heen  chaplain  to  the  renowned  King  Arthur."*  Li 
his  preface  to  his  History  of  York,  the  same  authority  tells  us  that  the  name 
of  another  British  Bishop  of  York  was  Exuperius,  if,  as  he  says,  we  may 
credit  a  late  account,  in  1729,  "  That  a  man  at  Stanton,  in  Northamptonshire, 
threw  up  with  his  plough  a  large  piece  of  plate,  weighing  seven  pounds, 
four  square,  with  a  large  cup  in  the  middle  of  it,  having  the  following  very 
ancient  inscription,  Exuperius  Episcopus  EcelesiiB  Ebojiense  dediV*  Gent 
does  not  give  us  the  name  of  his  author,  nor  can  we  find  any  place  named 
Stanton  in  the  county  of  Northampton.  Eborius  is  the  first  Bishop  of  York 
of  whom  we  have  what  would  appear  to  he  authentic  information.  According 
to  some  writers  that  prelate  attended  the  Council  of  Aries,  in  a.d.  314 ;  but 
as  we  have  seen  at  page  66,  the  authenticity  of  this  statement  is  somewhat 
doubtful.  Of  Eborius,  the  Centurists  of  Madgeburg  give  this  testimony, 
that  he  was  a  man,  considering  the  age  wherein  he  lived,  many  ways  learned, 
and  most  modest  in  his  conversation ;  that  he  wrote  among  other  things, 
one  book  to  his  own  countrymen,  touching  this  Council  of  Aries,  and  several 


•  Gent's  Hist  York,  pp.  68,  69. 


883  H18TOBT   OF  THE  ABCHDIOCESE  OF  TOBK. 

episdes  to  Hilary,  Bishop  of  Poictiers,  and  that  he  was  famous  in  the  year 
of  grace  d50.« 

However,  the  first  Archbishop  of  York  appears  to  have  been  St.  PauUntu, 
who  was  celebrated  in  the  Roman  Martjrologj  as  the  Apostle  of  the  largest 
and  at  that  time  the  most  powerful  of  the  seven  kingdoms  of  the  Englidi 
Saxons.  But  before  we  proceed  to  give  a  few  particulars  of  the  several 
Archbishops  that  filled  this  See,  we  would  remark  with  Mr.  Camden  that 
many  of  them  were  renowned  for  their  learning,  piety,  and  virtue.  Dr. 
Heylin  says,  that  from  the  See  of  York  proceeded  8  canonized  Saints,  3  Car- 
dinals, Id  Lord  Chancellors,  S  Lord  Treasurers,  and  8  or  4  Lord  Presidents 
of  the  great  Council  of  the  North. 

Id.  601  Pope  Gregory  the  Great  sent  Pauhnus,  with  Melitius,  Justus, 
and  others,  to  assist  Augustine  (who  had  been  some  time  in  England) 
in  preaching  the  truths  of  Christianity  to  the  Saxons.  Alban  Butler  tells 
us  that  Gregory  also  sent  "sacred  vessels,  altar  cloths,  and  other  orna- 
ments for  churches,  vestments  for  priests,  relics  of  the  Apostles  and  Martyrs, 
and  many  books,  decreeing  by  letters,  that  when  the  northern  comitries 
should  receive  the  faith,  York  should  be  appointed  a  Metropolitical  See,  in 
like  manner  with  Canterbury."  After  labouring  for  some  time  in  Kent  with 
great  zeal  and  piety,  Paulinus  was  consecrated  Bishop  by  St.  Justus,  Arch- 
bishop of  Canterbury,  on  the  25th  of  July,  625.  Edwin,  the  powerful  King 
of  Northumberland,  demanded  the  Princess  Ethelburgha,  or  Ethelburge,  of 
Kent,  but  was  answered  by  her  brother  King  Eadbald,  or  Etbelbald,  "  that 
a  Christian  maid  could  not  lawfully  marry  an  Idolater,  lest  the  faith  and  its 
mysteries  should  be  profaned  by  the  company  of  one  who  was  a  stranger  to 
the  worship  of  the  true  God."  Whereupon  Edwin  promised  entire  liberty 
and  protection  with  regard  to  her  religion,  and  expressed  his  own  favourable 
disposition  to  the  same. 

The  Princess  proceeded  to  the  north,  accompanied  by  her  confessor,  Paul- 
inus, who  undertook  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the  people  of  Noithumbria,  and 
as  we  have  seen  at  page  85,  the  King,  his  son  Osfrid,  whom  he  had  by  a  for- 
mer wife,  his  niece  Hilda,  his  whole  court,  and  a  multitude  of  the  common 
people,  were  baptised  at  York  by  Paulinus  on  the  12th  of  April,  627,  being 
Easter  Day.  Bede  observes  that  churches  and  baptistries  not  being  yet  built 
spacious  enough  for  the  crowds  that  fiocked  to  receive  baptism,  St  Paidinus 
baptised  great  numbers  in  the  river  Swale  near  Catterick,  where  the  King's 
palace  stood,  and  which  was  anciently  a  great  city,  as  appears  from  Ptolemy 

•  Magdeb.  Cent  iv.,  c.  10. 


HIBTORT   OF   THE   ABCHDI0GE8E   OF  TORE.  888 

and  others,  tHoagh  it  is  now  only  a  small  Tillage,  with  a  hridge,  called  Cat- 
terick  Bridge. 

After  preaching  and  baptising  for  some  time  in  the  ancient  kingdom  of 
Northambria,  our  zealous  Bishop  crossed  the  Humber,  and  preached  the 
faith  to  the  inhabitants  of  Lindsey,  in  the  kingdom  of  Mercia,  and  baptised 
Bleeca,  the  Saxon  Prince  or  Goyemor  of  Lincoln.  At  Lincoln  he  built  a 
church  of  stone,  in  which,  after  the  death  of  St.  Justus,  he  consecrated  St. 
Hosorius  Archbishop  of  Canterbury.  Pope  Honorius  sent  a  pallium  "(^  to  St. 
Paulinus,  as  the  northern  metropolitan  in  Britain ;  and  in  his  letter  of  con- 
gratulation with  ICing  Edwin  upon  his  conversion,  he  decreed  as  follows : — 
"  As  to  what  you  desire  concerning  the  ordination  of  your  Bishops,  we  wil- 
lingly agree  to  it;  and  we  send  palliums  to  your  metropolitans,  Honorius  and 
Paulinus,  that  whenever  it  shall  please  God  to  called  either  of  them,  the  other 
may  ordain  a  successor  for  him  by  virtue  of  this  letter."!  St.  Paulinus, 
assisted  by  his  Deacon,  James,  baptised  a  great  multitude  in  the  Trent,  near 
Tiouulfingacaester,  which  Camden  and  Smith  take  to  have  been  Southwell,  in 
Nottinghamshire.  The  East-Angles  also  received  the  faith  by  the  zeal  of 
Bt.  Paulinus  and  King  Edwin.  This  good  King  being  slain  in  battle  in  633, 
with  his  son  Osfrid,  St.  Paulinus  conducted  the  Queen  Etbelburgha  into 
Kent  by  sea,  and  at  Liming  she  founded  a  nunnery,  and  took  the  veil. 
Paulinus  not  being  permitted  to  quit  his  royal  charge,  or  return  to  York,  and 
the  See  of  Rhofi,  now  Rochester,  being  then  vacant,  King  Eadbald  entreated 
Archbishop  Honorius  to  appoint  him  (Paulinus)  Bishop  thereof.  James, 
whom  our  Bishop  left  behind,  took  care  of  the  distressed  church  of  York,  and 

•  The  PaU,  PoZZta,  or  Pallium,  which  the  Pope  sends  to  Archbishops,  is  an  ornament 
worn  npon  their  shoulders,  with  a  label  hanging  down  the  breast  and  back.  It  is  made 
of  white  lamb's  wool,  and  spotted  with  purple  crosses,  *'  and  is  worn,"  says  the  Rev.  Alban 
Batler,  *'  as  a  token  of  the  spiritaal  jarisdictlon  of  metropolitans  over  the  churches  of 
their  whole  provlnoe.  It  is  regarded,"  continues  the  same  authority,  "  as  an  emblem  of 
humility,  charity,  and  innocence,  and  serves  to  put  the  prelate  in  mind  that  he  is  bound 
to  seek  out  and  carry  home  on  his  shoulders  the  strayed  sheep,  in  imitation  of  Christ, 
the  Good  Shepherd,  and  the  Prince  of  Pastors."  Cardinal  Bona  says  the  white  lambs 
are  blessed  on  the  festival  of  St.  Agnes  in  her  Convent  at  Rome,  and  fh>m  that  time  kept 
in  some  nunnery  till  they  are  shorn ;  and  of  the  wool  are  the  paUiuma  made,  which  are 
kid  over  the  tomb  of  St.  Peter  the  whole  night  of  the  vigil  before  the  feast  of  that 
Apoetle.  Archbishops  only  wear  them  in  the  churoh  during  the  divine  office.  Spelman, 
in  his  Glossary,  Thomassin,  &o.,  show  that  a  palliam  was  a  manUe  worn  by  the  Bom^a 
Smperors,  and  that  the  first  Christian  Emperors  gave  this  imperial  ornament  to  eminent 
Bishops,  to  wear  as  an  emblem  of  the  royalty  of  the  Christian  priesthood.  It  was  after- 
wards appropriated  to  ArchbishopB  to  show  their  dignity,  and  to  command  greater  reapeot, 
ae  Ood  preeorihed  several  ornaments  to  be  wom  by  the  Jewish  high  priest. 

f  Bede,  1,  ft,  c.  17. 


884  HISTORY  OF  THE  ARCHDIOCESE   OF  YORK. 

baptised  many  living  near  Catterick-on-the-Swale,  at  a  Tillage  which  after- 
wards took  his  name,  says  Bede,  where  he  died  at  a  veiy  advanced  age. 

St.  Paulinus  died  at  Rochester  (where  he  was  buried)  on  the  10th  of 
October,  644,  having  occupied  the  Archiepiscopal  throne  of  York,  from  635 
to  633,  and  been  Bishop  of  Rochester  eleven  years.*  After  the  death  of 
King  Edwin,  the  Northumbrians  relapsed  into  idolatry;  but,  as  we  have  seen 
at  page  87,  St.  Oswald  obtained  St.  Aidan,  an  Irish  monk  of  Hij,  for  Bishop, 
and  by  him  the  faith  was  planted  again  in  that  kingdom.  The  See  of  York 
was  vacant  for  about  34  years,  during  17  years  of  which  St.  Aidan  governed 
all  the  churches  of  Northumbria.  He  arrived  in  the  kingdom  in  635,  and 
received  the  Isle  of  Lindisfame,  where  he  fixed  the  episcopal  chair,  and 
erected  a  monastery.  From  this  institution  all  the  churches  of  Bemicia,  or 
the  northern  part  of  the  kingdom  of  the  Norihumbers,  from  the  Tyne  to  the 
Frith  of  Forth,  had  their  beginning  ;  as  had  some  also  of  those  of  the  Deira, 
who  inhabited  the  southern  part  of  the  same  kingdom,  from  the  Tyne  to  the 
Humber.  St.  Aidan  died  in  651.  Finan  and  Colman,  his  countrymen, 
succeeded  him,  and  had  all  the  kingdom  of  Northumberland  for  their  diocese. 

St.  Ceadda,  or  Chady  was  the  second  Archbishop  of  York.  He  was  brother 
to  St.  Cedd,  Bishop  of  London,  or  of  the  East  Saxons,  and  was  educated  in 
the  monastery  of  Lindisfame,  under  St.  Aidan.  For  his  greater  improvement 
in  sacred  letters  he  passed  into  Ireland,  and  spent  a  considerable  time  in  the 
company  of  St.  Egbert,  tiU  he  was  called  back  by  his  brother  St.  Cedd,  to 
assist  him  in  settling  the  monastery  of  Lastingham,  which  he  had  founded  in 
the  mountains  of  the  Deira,  that  is,  the  Wolds  of  Yorkshire ;  and  when  St. 
Cedd  was  made  Bishop  of  the  East  Saxons,  St  Chad  succeeded  him  as  Abbot 
of  Lastingham.  Alfred,  or  Alcfrid,  King  of  Deira,  or  the  southern  part  of 
the  kingdom  of  the  Northumbers,  sent  St.  Wilfrid  into  France,  that  he 
might  be  consecrated  to  the  Bishopric  of  his  kingdom,  or  of  York ;  but  he 
stayed  so  long  abroad,  that  Oswy,  the  father  of  Alfi:«d,  and  King  of  Ber- 
nicia,  nominated  St.  Chad  to  that  dignity,  and  he  was  ordained  by  Wini, 

«  King  Edwin,  and  his  Queen  Ethelburge,  as  well  as  PanUnas,  have  been  canonized 
by  the  church,  and  are  consequently  styled  SaifU$.  St.  Edwin  is  honoured  with  the 
title  of  lilartyr  in  the  Martyrology  of  floras,  and  in  all  our  English  calendars.  Speed, 
in  his  catalogue,  mentions  an  old  church  in  London,  and  another  at  Breve,  in  Somer- 
setshire, of  both  which  St.  Edwin  was  the  titular  patron.  William  of  Malmsbury  and 
Alford  has  inserted,  ad.  ann.  682,  the  letter  of  Pope  Honorins  to  this  sainted  King, 
which  is  also  extant  together  with  his  letter  to  Honorins,  Archbishop,  of  Ganterbary,  in 
Bede,  and  Cone,  t.  yi.  For  farther  particulars  respecting  SS.  Paulinas  and  Edwin,  see 
page  84  of  this  history.  The  relics  of  St.  Ethelborge  were  honoured  with  those  of  St. 
Edburg  at  liming  Monasteiy.    Lei.  Collect.,  t.  i.  ^ 


HISTORY   OF  THE   ARCHDIOCESE   OF   YORK.  385 

Bishop  of  Winchester,  assisted  by  two  British  prelates,  in  666.  Bede  as- 
sures us  that  he  zealously  devoted  himself  to  all  the  laborious  functions  of 
his  charge,  visiting  his  diocese  on  foot,  preaching  the  gospel,  and  seeking 
out  the  poorest  and  most  abandoned  persons  to  instruct  and  comfort  in  the 
meanest  cottages,  and  in  the  fields.  Jaruman,  the  fourth  Bishop  of  the 
Mercians,  dying,  St  Chad  was  called  upon  to  take  upon  him  the  charge  of 
that  most  extensive  diocese.  He  fixed  the  See  of  Mercia  at  Lichfield,  so 
called  from  a  great  number  of  martyrs  slain  and  buried  there  under  Maxi- 
mianus  Herculeus ;  the  name  signifying  the  Field  of  Carcases ;  and  hence 
this  city  bears  for  its  arms  a  landscape,  covered  with  the  bodies  of  martyrs. 
St  Chad  governed  his  diocese  of  Lichfield  for  two  years  and  a  half,  and  died 
in  the  great  pestilence,  on  the  2nd  of  March,  673. 

SL  Wilfrid,  the  next  prelate,  was  bom  in  the  kingdom  of  Northumberland 
towards  the  year  634.  At  the  age  of  14  he  was  sent  to  the  monastery  of 
Lindisfame,  that  he  might  be  trained  up  in  the  study  of  the  sacred  sciences. 
A  desire  of  greater  improvement  than  he  could  attain  at  this  house  caused 
him  to  travel  through  France  and  Italy,  visiting  the  most  famous  monasteries 
in  his  way,  the  better  to  instruct  himself  in  the  rules  of  Christian  perfection. 
At  Eome  he  contracted  a  friendship  with  Boniface,  the  Archdeacon,  who 
was  a  very  pious  and  a  very  learned  man ;  as  well  as  secretary  to  St.  Martin, 
the  then  reigning  Pontiff.  The  Archdeacon  took  much  delight  in  instructing 
young  Wilfrid,  and  at  length  he  presented  him  to  the  Pope.  On  his  return 
from  Rome  he  stayed  three  years  at  Lyons,  and  received  the  ecclesiastical 
tonsure  from  the  Archbishop,  St.  Delphinius,  who  desired  to  make  him  his 
heir ;  but  the  good  prelate  was  put  to  death  at  Challons-upon-the-Saone  by 
the  order  of  Ebroin,  in  658.  Alchfnd,  the  King  of  Deira,  being  informed 
that  Wilfrid,  who  had  just  returned  from  his  tour,  had  been  instructed  in  the 
discipline  of  the  Eoman  Church,  sent  for  him,  and  finding  him  well  versed 
in  the  several  customs  of  that  church,  fie  conjured  him  to  continue  with  him, 
to  instruct  him  and  his  people  in  ecclesiastical  discipline.  This  Wilfrid  con- 
sented to,  and  the  Piincp  entered  into  an  intimate  friendship  with  him,  and 
gave  him  land  at  Ripon  to  found  a  monastery  upon,  which  the  Saint  after- 
wards governed.  At  the  request  of  Alchfnd,  he  was  ordained  priest  by 
Agilberct,  Bishop  of  the  West  Saxons,  in  663,  in  the  monastery  of  Ripon. 
This  Bishop  having  stated  that  a  person  of  such  merit  as  Wilfrid  ought  to  be 
promoted  to  a  bishopric,  and  Alchfrid  being  anxious  that  WilMd  should  be 
placed  in  the  episcopal  See  of  York,  sent  him  some  time  after  to  France  to 
be  consecrated  at  the  hands  of  Agilberct,  who  returned  to  France,  which  was 
his  native  country,  and  where  the  bishopric  of  Paris  was  given  him.    Wilfrid 

3  D 


386  HISTORY    OF   THE    ARCHDIOCESE   OF   YORK. 

being  absent  a  long  time  on  this  journey,  Oswy  caused  St.  Ccadda  or  Chad, 
Abbot  of  Lastiugham,  a  disciple  of  St.  Aidan,  to  be  ordained  Bishop.  Agii- 
beret  joyfully  received  Wilfrid,  and  with  twelve  other  Bishops  consecrated 
him  wiUi  great  solemnity  at  Compeigne  iu  664  ;  he  being  then  in  the  SOth 
year  of  his  age.  At  his  return  into  England  he  would  not  dispute  the  elec- 
tion of  St.  Chad,  but  retired  to  Ripon,  which  monastery  he  made  his  residence 
for  three  years.  St.  Theodorus,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  in  his  visitation, 
found  the  election  of  St  Chad  to  have  been  irregular,  and  removed  him ;  but 
charmed  with  his  humility  and  virtue,  placed  him  in  the  See  of  Lichfield. 
At  the  same  time  he  put  St.  Wilfrid  in  possession  of  the  See  of  York  in  699. 
Being  a  man  of  most  persuasive  oratory  and  strict  virtue,  he  prdtnoted  every 
where  religion  and  piety  with  incredible  success.  The  monastic  state  was  a 
principal  object  of  his  care,  and  this  he  settled  among  the  midland  and 
northern  Enghsh,  as  St.  Augustine  had  established  it  in  Kent.  But  Wilfrid's 
day  of  trial  and  persecution  is  at  hand ;  court  envy,  jealousy,  and  resent- 
ment are  the  secret  springs  which  are  about  to  put  in  motion  the  engines  that 
were  employed  against  him,  through  the  simplicity  or  ignorance  of  many,  the 
malice  of  some,  and  the  complaisance  and  condescension  of  others.  Being  the 
best  skilled  in  sacred  learning,  and  in  the  canons  of  the  chiurch  in  all  Britain, 
as  St.  Theodorus,  on  his  death-bed,  acknowledged  him  to  be,  he  was  too  great 
a  disciplinarian  for  some  at  court.  King  Egfrid  and  his  Queen  Ermenburga 
took  a  dislike  to  him ;  and  the  latter  employed  every  base  means  to  ruin  him 
in  the  opinion  of  her  husband.  In  order  to  undermine  him,  a  project  was 
set  on  foot  for  dividing  his  bishopric,  after  the  good  prelate  had  spent  ten 
years  in  settling  Christianity  in  it.  Theodorus,  the  Archbishop  of  Canter- 
bury, and  Metropolitan  of  all  England,  was  gained  by  specious  pretences,  and 
he  parcelled  this  great  diocese  into  three  portions,  and  consecrated  Bosa  to 
the  See  of  York,  for  the  Deira,  in  678 ;  Eata  to  that  of  Lindisfame,  for  Ber- 
nicia ;  and  Eadhed  to  the  church  of  Lindiswaras,  a  great  part  of  Lincoln- 
shire, which  Egfnd  had  won  from  Mercia.^^  Wilfrid,  for  opposing  this 
partition,  was  rejected ;  but  being  well  versed  in  the  canons,  he  saw  the 
irregularity  and  nullity  of  many  steps  that  had  been  taken  against  him ;  and 
he  appealed  to  the  Pope,  and  embarked  for  Rome  without  raising  any  clamour, 
lest  a  disturbance  or  a  schism  might  arise.  Being  driven  by  contrary  winds 
at  sea  upon  the  coast  of  Friesland,  he  W8is  moved  to  compassion  upon  seeing 
the  spiritual  blindness  and  idolatry  of  the  inhabitants,  and  he  preached 
among  them  during  that  winter  and  the  following  spring ;  and  converted  and 

•  Johnson's  Collect  of  English  Canons,  an.  679,  pref. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   ARCHDIOCESE    OF   YORK.  387 

baptised  many  thousands,  with  several  lords  of  the  country.     Wilfred  is 
honoured  to  this  day  as  the  Apostle  of  that  country. 

Next  summer  Wilfrid  leaving  his  new  converts  under  the  direction  of  proper 
pastors,  he  travelled  through  Austrasia,  where  King  Dagobert  II.  entreated 
him  to  fill  the  bishopric  of  Strasburg,  which  happened  then  to  be  vacant. 
This  honour  he  refused,  and  he  arrived  in  Rome  late  in  the  year  679,  as  the 
Pope  was  preparing  to  hold  a  great  Council  against  the  Monothelites.  In  the 
meantime,  to  discuss  this  cause  of  St  Wilfrid*s,  the  Pope  assembled  a  Synod 
in  October,  679,  in  the  Lateran  Basilica,  or  Church  of  Our  Saviour,  con- 
sisting of  above  fifty  Bishops  and  Priests,  chiefly  of  the  Suburbicarian 
Churches.  The  causes  of  the  dissension  in  the  British  Church  having  been 
weighed,  it  was  decreed  that  there  should  be  in  it  one  Archbishop  honoured 
with  the  paU,  who  should  canonically  ordain  the  Bishops  of  the  other  Sees ; 
but  that  none  of  the  Bishops  should  presume  to  meddle  with  the  rights  of 
any  other  prelate,  but  all  should  study  to  instruct  and  convert  the  people. 
After  this  St  Wilfiid  was  admitted  to  the  Council,  and  having  presented  his 
petition  in  person,  it  was  definitely  decreed  that  he  should  be  restored  to  his 
bishopric.  St.  Wilfrid  stayed  about  four  months  at  Home,  and  assisted  at 
the  great  Lateran  Council  of  125  Bishops,  in  which  he,  with  the  rest,  con- 
demned the  Monothelite  heresy. 

When  he  arrived  in  England,  and  showed  to  the  King  the  sealed  decrees 
of  the  Pope,  that  Prince  declared  that  they  had  been  obtained  by  bribery,  and 
commanded  a  certain  steward  of  the  church  for  secular  affiurs  to  commit 
Wilfrid  to  prison,  where  he  was  detained  for  nine  months.  On  being  released 
from  prison,  he  repaired  to  the  kingdom  of  the  South  Saxons,  which  had  not 
yet  received  the  light  of  faith,  and  there  by  his  preaching  converted  the  whole 
nation.  King  Egfiid  was  slain  in  battle  by  the  Picts  in  686  ;  St.  Wilfirid 
was  called  back  to  Northumberland  towards  the  end  of  the  year  686 ;  and 
the  monasteries  of  Hexham  and  Ripon,  and  the  episcopal  See  of  York,  were 
restored  to  him ;  Bosa  of  York,  and  St  John  of  Beverley,  at  Hexham,  re- 
linquishing their  Sees  to  him.  Theodorus  had  first  parcelled  the  bishopric 
of  York  into  three,  and  afterwards  into  five  bishoprics ;  and  St.  Wilfiid,  after 
his  restoration,  reduced  Hexham  and  Ripon  to  their  original  condition  of 
mere  monasteries.  But  a  new  storm  arose  against  him.  King  Alcfiid,  the 
successor  of  Egirid,  would  have  a  new  bishopric  erected  at  Ripon.  St.  Wil- 
frid opposed  the  project,  and  was  obliged  once  more  to  fly,  in  691,  Ave  years 
after  he  had  been  restored.  He  retired  to  Ethelred,  King  of  the  Mercians, 
who  received  him  most  graciously,  and  entreated  him  to  take  upon  himself 
the  See  of  Lichfield,  which  was  4;hen  vacant.     Our  Saint  founded  many 


388  HISTORY   OF   THE   ARCHDIOCESE   OF   YORK. 

monasteries  and  churches  in  Mercia ;  hut  finding  his  enemies  in  North um- 
herland  had  gained  Brithwald,  Archhishop  of  Canterhury,  and  were  soliciting 
a  sentence  of  deposition  against  him,  he  appealed  a  second  time  to  Rome,  and 
took  another  journey  thither  in  708.  His  accusers  appeared  there  against 
him,  hut  Pope  John  YI.  honourably  acquitted  him.  Uis  very  enemies  had 
always  acknowledged  his  life  to  be  irreproachable ;  and  a  Bishop  cannot  be 
deposed  unless  a  canonical  fault  be  proved  against  him  in  a  Synod.  St 
Wilfrid  met  at  Rome  with  that  protection  and  applause  which  were  due  to 
his  heroic  virtue.  Pope  John,  in  704,  sent  letters  by  an  express  messenger 
to  the  Kings  of  Mercia  and  Northumberland  in  favour  of  the  persecuted 
Bishop,  charging  Archbishop  Brithwald  to  call  a  Synod,  which  should  do 
him  justice;  and  in  default  of  which,  he  ordered  the  parties  to  make  their 
personal  appearance  at  Rome.  St.  Wilfrid  returned  to  England,  and  took 
possession  of  the  diocese  of  Hexham,  but  chiefly  resided  in  his  monastery  of 
Ripon,  leaving  York  to  St.  John  of  Beverley.  He  governed  the  monasteries 
in  Mercia,  of  which  he  had  been  the  founder,  and  which  were  afterwards  de- 
stroyed by  the  Danes.  He  died  at  one  of  these  at  Undalum,  now  called 
Oundle,  in  Northamptonshire,  on  the  24th  of  April,  709,  and  his  body  was 
buried  in  his  church  of  St.  Peter  at  Ripon.  That  monastery  having  been 
destroyed  by  the  wars,  the  greater  part  of  his  remains  was  translated  to  Can- 
terbury. St.  Wilfrid's  modesty  is  remarkable  in  never  soliciting  the  metro- 
political  jurisdiction,  which  St.  Gregory  had  ordained  should  be  settled  at 
York,  and  which  had  been  granted  to  St.  Paulinus.  It  had  failed  in  the 
Bishops  who  resided  at  Lindisfame ;  but  was  recovered,  in  734,  by  Egbert, 
brother  to  Eadbright  or  Eadbert,  King  of  Northumbria. 

Bosa,  who  was,  according  to  Bede,  a  man  of  great  sanctity  and  humility, 
occupied  the  See  of  York  from  678  to  685,  and  from  698  to  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  705.     He  was  the  first  prelate  buried  in  the  Cathedral  of  York. 

St,  John  of  Beverley. — This  illustrious  prelate  was  bom  of  a  noble  Saxon 
family,  at  Harpham  on  the  Wolds,  near  Driffield,  in  or  about  the  year 
r»40.  His  father  contributed  much  to  prevent  the  utter  ruin  of  Christi- 
anity in  the  places  where  lay  his  territorial  possessions.  It  is  recorded  by 
lk>dp,  that  an  earnest  desire  to  qualify  himself  for  the  service  of  God  drew 
liira  into  Kent,  where  he  was  a  pupil  in  the  famous  school  of  St.  Theo- 
doras, or  Theodore,  the  Archbishop  of  CantiTbury,  who  was  a  native  of 
the  Grecian  city  of  Tarsus.*  "At  a  period  when  learning  was  in  its  in- 
fancy," says  the  lenmod  author  of  Beverlac,\  "  the  arrival  of  Theodore  with 

•  Bpde's  Eccles,  Hist.,  Ub.  y.,  c.  2.        f  p.  28, 


HI8T0BT   OF   THE   ARCHDIOCESE   OF   YOBK.  889 

his  companion  Adrian,  on  the  shores  of  England,  was  a  most  auspicious 
event  Both  these  men  were  eminently  qualified  for  tutors,  from  their 
thorough  knowledge  of  sacred  and  profane  literature,  as  well  as  of  the  Latin 
and  Greek  languages.  Theodore*s  visit  to  the  Northumbrian  court  of  Egfrid, 
which  occasioned  the  division  of  the  former  extensive  diocese  of  York,  pro- 
bably led  to  John's  proceeding  to  Kent.  The  spirit  of  emulation  excited 
among  the  Saxon  youth,  had  drawn  a  crowd  of  pupils  to  the  school  of  Can- 
terbury, and  John  was  distinguished  as  one  of  Theodore's  most  eminent 
pupils."  St  John  afterwards  returned  to  his  own  country,  and  entered  the 
monastery  of  men,  under  St.  Hilda,  at  Streaneshalch,  now  Whitby,  where 
he  exercised  himself  in  studying  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  in  the  practice  of 
other  works  of  religious  piety.  During  the  absence  of  St.  Wilfrid,  and  the 
convulsions  which  agitated  the  episcopal  church  of  Northumbria,  John  suc- 
ceeded £ata,  as  Bishop  of  Hagulstad,  now  Hexham ;  and  there  his  splendid 
talents  had  full  scope  for  their  exercise.  Bede,  the  venerable  historian  of 
the  Anglo-Saxon  church,  the  pupil  and  biographer  of  this  prelate,  and  from 
whom  he  (Bede)  received  the  holy  orders  of  deacon  and  priest,  gives  ample 
testimony  of  his  sanctity,  learning,  and  zeal.  As  an  instructor  of  youth  he 
was  far  famed,  and  many  of  his  pupils  afterwards  attained  to  great  eminence. 
As  he  advanced  in  life  he  dedicated  himself  more  exclusively  to  his  clerical 
duties,  and  travelling  about  as  a  missionary,  instructed  the  rude  and  ignorant 
multitude  in  the  duties  and  doctrines  of  the  gospel.  The  state  of  the  church 
was  at  that  time  widely  different  from  what  it  is  now.  There  was  then  no 
division  into  parishes,  no  resident  ministry.  The  clergy  of  each  diocese 
resided  with  his  Bishop,  in  what  was  called  the  episcopal  monastery  ad- 
joining the  Cathedral,  and  were  sent  out  by  him  to  the  different  churches  of 
his  diocese,  as  he  had  opportunity,  and  as  the  necessities  of  the  people  re- 
quired. In  this  toilsome  but  useful  occupation,  John  laboured  with  distin- 
guished zeal  and  diligence,  as  well  as  eminent  successs.  At  a  subsequent 
period  he  betook  himself  to  a  life  of  solitude,  and  lived  for  some  time  as  a 
hermit  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Hexham.  At  the  death  of  Bosa,  Archbishop 
of  York,  John  was  selected  by  the  Synod  to  supply  his  place,  and  he  was 
solemnly  installed  by  his  friend  and  former  tutor  St.  Theodore,  in  687.  He 
now  held  the  Archiepiscopal  See  of  York,  and  the  Bishopric  of  Hexham,  and 
this  distinguished  position  speaks  loudly  of  the  estimation  in  which  his  virtues 
were  held.  He  employed  his  time  in  personally  visiting  the  churches,  and 
with  most  laudable  and  indefatigable  attention,  he  conciliated  the  affections 
of  his  pagan  opposers,  and  brought  many  of  them  into  the  fold  of  Christianity. 


390  HISTORY   OF   THE   ARCHDIOCESE   OF   YORK. 

Miracles  innumerable,  too,  were  attributed  to  his  holy  agency.  He  was 
neither  luxurious  nor  ambitious,  and  he  took  no  part  in  the  disputes  which 
at  that  period  agitated  the  Christian  church,  but  on  the  contraiy,  he  was 
humble  in  his  deportment  and  manner  of  life,  and  unassuming  in  his  general 
conduct  Soon  after  St.  John^s  advancement  to  the  See  of  York,  Wilfrid 
returned  from  Rome  in  triumph  to  his  diocese,  and  John,  with  a  spirit  of 
Christian  meekness  tendered  his  resignation,  which  Wilfrid  was  not  per- 
mitted to  accept  But  on  the  reconciliation  of  the  latter  with  the  Bishops  in 
705,  he  resigned  to  him  the  Bishopric  of  Hexham. 

The  zeal  of  our  good  prelate  now  expanded  itself,  and  Christianity  b^an 
to  assume  a  more  flourishing  appearance  in  the  north,  under  his  benign 
auspices.  He  extended  his  visitations  to  every  part  and  comer  of  the  pzx>- 
vince,  and  superintended  the  buHding  and  reparation  of  churches,  and  the 
foundation  of  monasteries.  In  one  of  his  visitations  he  came  to  a  spot  now 
called  Beverley,  and  finding  it  suitable  for  the  holy  offices  of  prayer  and 
meditation,  he  resolved  to  erect  there  a  religious  establishment.  He  accor- 
dingly erected  a  monastery  at  Beverley  for  black  monks,  and  an  oratory  for 
nuns.  In  718,  being  much  worn  out  with  age  and  fatigues,  St.  John  re- 
signed his  Bishopric  to  his  chaplain  Wilfrid  the  younger,  and  having  conse- 
crated him  Bishop  of  York,  he  retired  to  Beverley,  where  he  spent  the 
remaining  four  years  of  his  life  in  the  punctual  performance  of  all  monastic 
duties,  and  where  he  died,  on  the  7th  of  May,  721,  fuU  of  years,  and  with 
his  memoiy  overshadowed  by  the  benedictions  of  mankind.  His  body  was 
buried  in  the  porch  (porticus)  of  the  church  of  Beverley.  His  relics  were 
translated  into  the  church,  by  Alfric,  Archbishop  of  York,  in  1087 ;  and  a 
feast  in  honour  of  his  translation  was  kept  at  York  on  the  d5th  of  October. 
On  the  Idth  of  September,  1664,  the  sexton,  in  digging  a  grave. in  the 
church  of  Beverley,  discovered  a  vault  of  freestone,  in  which  was  a  box  of 
lead  yielding  a  sweet  smell,  with  inscriptions  by  which  it  appeared  that  these 
were  the  mortal  remains  of  St  John  of  Beverley.*  These  relics  had  been 
hid  in  the  beginning  of  the  reign  of  King  Edward  VI.  Dugdale  and  Stevens 
testify  that  they  were  all  re-interred  in  the  nave  of  the  same  church.  King 
Henry  V.  attributed  to  the  intercession  of  this  Saint,  the  glorious  victory  of 
Agincourt,  on  which  occasion  a  Synod,  in  1416,  ordered  his  festival  to  be 
solemnly  kept  over  all  England.t    Henschenius,  the  Bolandist,  has  published 

•  Dagdale'8  History  of  the  Collegiate  Church  of  Beverley,  p.  57. 
f  See  Lynwoode,  Provinoiale,  104. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   ARCHDIOCESE   OF   TOBK.  391 

four  books  of  the  miracles  wrought  at  the  relics  of  St.  John  of  Beverley, 
written  by  an  eye  witness.* 

Wilfrid  II.  governed  this  diocese  fifteen  years,  "  and  was  a  great  lover  of 
the  beauty  of  God's  house."  This  prelate  began  the  contention  for  prece- 
dency between  York  and  Canterbury,  which  for  many  subsequent  years 
continued  to  disturb  the  church.     He  died  or  was  translated  in  731. 

Egbert^  731. — He  was  brother  to  Eadbert,  King  of  Northumbria,  and 
the  tutor  and  friend  of  Alcuin,  a  learned  monk  of  York,  and  author  of  several 
works,  including  a  poem  on  the  saints  of  the  diocese.  Egbert,  according  to 
Bede,  was  still  more  eminent  for  his  superiority  in  knowledge  than  for  his 
high  birth.  •  As  has  been  already  observed,  the  metropolitical  jurisdiction  of 
the  See  of  York  was  recovered  by  this  prelate  in  734.  He  died  on  the  13th 
of  November,  766,  and  was  buried  in  the  church  porch  of  the  Cathedral, 
near  his  brother  King  Eadbert. 

Albert,  Elbert,  or  Adelhert,  the  next  Archbishop,  was  a  native  of  York,  and 
was  consecrated  in  767.  Archbishops  Egbert  and  Albert  taught  a  great 
school  in  the  city  of  York,  till  they  were  successively  placed  in  the  Archie- 
piscopal  chair.  When  Albert  succeeded  Egbert  in  that  dignity,  he  committed 
to  Alcuin  the  care  of  the  school,  and  of  the  great  libraiy  belonging  to  the 
Cathedral.     Albert  died  or  was  translated  in  781,  and  was  buried  at  Chester. 

E(mbdld,  his  nephew,  was  his  successor.  He  sent  Alcuin  to  Borne  to 
bring  over  his  pall,  in  780.     Eanbald  died  in  706,  and  was  buried  at  York. 

The  next  Archbishop  was  Eanbidd  IL,  and  he  was  succeeded  by  Widrius, 
who  died  in  832.     Wimund,  or  Wimundus,  his  successor,  died  in  854. 

WUfere,  WUfenu,  or  Wvlfer,  864. — ^In  the  year  873  this  prelate  was  ex- 
pelled his  diocese,  together  with  King  Egbert,  by  a  tumult  of  the  Northum- 
hers,  and  they  were  forced  to  fly  to  Burrhed,  King  of  Mercia,  by  whom  they 
were  kindly  entertained.  Egbert  dying  the  following  year,  his  successor 
recalled  Wilfere  to  his  See,  and  he  died  in  the  year  896.  During  the  greatest 
part  of  his  time  the  Danes  so  horribly  wasted  his  province  with  fire  and 
sword,  that  for  many  years  together  the  Archbishop  reaped  little  benefit  from 
it ;  and  the  successors  of  Wilfere  not  having  any  means  with  which  to  sustain 
themselves,  obtained  the  administration  of  the  diocese  of  Worcester,  which 
for  a  long  time  .they  held  in  oommendum.  The  next  two  Archbishops  of 
York  were  Etfulbald,  896 ;  and  EedwarduB,  931. 

WvlUan,  941. — ^This  prelate  espoused  the  cause  of  Anla£f,  the  Danish 
King  of  Northumbria,  against  Edred,  the  King  of  England,     He  was  com- 

•  Second  Tome  of  May,  p.  178. 


899  HISTORY   OP   THE   ARCHDIOCESE   OF  YORK. 

mitted  to  prison  by  the  latter,  but  was  soon  released,  and  restored  to  office. 
He  died  on  the  26th  of  December,  955,  and  was  baried  at  Oundle. 

Oskitellf  or  OscyteU,  his  successor,  was  translated  to  York  from  Dorchester, 
and  died  in  971 ;  and  Athelwald,  who  was  immediately  consecrated,  resigned 
his  prelacy  the  same  year,  and  died  in  retirement. 

St.  Oswald,  the  next  prelate,  was  nephew  to  St.  Odo,  Archbishop  of  Can- 
terbury, and  to  Oskitell,  his  own  immediate  predecessor  in  the  See  of  York. 
He  was  educated  by  St.  Odo,  and  made  Dean  of  Winchester,  but  passing 
into  France,  he  took  the  monastic  habit  at  Fleury.  Being  recalled  he  suc- 
ceeded St.  Dunstan  in  the  See  of  Worcester,  about  the  year  959.  He  es- 
tablished a  monastery  of  monks  at  Westberry,  a  village  in  his  diocese ;  and 
he  was  employed  by  Duke  Aylwin,  cousin  to  King  Edgar,  in  superintending 
his  foundation  of  the  great  abbey  of  Ramsey,  in  an  island  formed  by  marshes 
and  the  river  Ouse,  in  Huntingdonshire,  in  972.  St.  Oswald  was  made 
Archbishop  of  York  in  974,  and  he  shone  as  a  bright  star  in  this  dignity. 
He  was  almost  always  occupied  in  visiting  his  diocese,  preaching  without 
intermission,  and  reforming  abuses.  He  was  a  great  encourager  of  learning 
and  learned  men.  St.  Dunstan,  who  had  been  raised  to  the  Metropolitan 
See  of  Canterbury,  obliged  him  to  retain  the  See  of  Worcester  with  that  of 
York.  Whatever  intermission  his  functions  allowed  him,  he  spent  it  at  St. 
Mary's,  a  church  and  monastery  of  Benedictines  which  he  had  built  at  Wor- 
cester, where  he  joined  with  the  monks  in  their  monastic  exercises.  This 
church  from  that  time  became  the  Cathedral.  After  having  sat  thirty-three 
years,  he  expired  at  St.  Mary's  in  Worcester,  on  the  29th  of  February,  998, 
His  body  was  taken  up  ten  years  after,  and  enshrined  by  Adulph,  his  suc- 
cessor. It  was  afterwards  translated  to  York  on  the  15th  of  October,  which 
day  was  appointed  his  principal  festival. 

Aldulfe,  993. — ^A  pious  and  worthy  prelate ;  he  also  held  the  See  of  Wor- 
cester, in  commendum.  He  died  on  the  6th  of  May,  1002,  and  was  buried 
at  Worcester. 

WtUstan  II,y  1002. — He  also  held  the  See  of  Worcester;  died  in  York, 
May  28th,  1023,  and  was  buried  in  the  Cathedral  of  Ely,  "  because  on  a 
certain  time,"  says  an  old  writer,  "  having  in  devotion  gone  thither,  at  a 
procession  leaning  on  his  episcopal  crozier,  the  staff  entered  almost  half  way 
into  the  pavement;  whereat  being  astonished,  he  sayd  in  a  prophetical 
manner,  *  This  is  the  place  of  my  rest  for  ever,  here  will  I  dwell.' " 

Alfric,  sumamed  Putta,  or  Pttttoc,  Prior  of  Winchester,  was  appointed  to 
this  See  in  1023 ;  he  died  in  1050,  and  was  buried  in  Peterborough  Abbey. 

Kimius,  1050. — This  was  a  prelate  of  great  austerity,  mostly  walking 


HISTORY   OF   THE   ARCHDIOCESE    OF    YORK.  393 

barefoot  in  his  parochial  yisitations.     He  died  on  the  ^^nd  of  December, 
1060,  and  was  buried  at  Peterborough. 

Aldredy  the  last  Archbishop  of  the  Saxon  race,  was  translated  from  Wor- 
cester in  1060.  This  prelate  crowned  the  Conqueror  in  1066.  He  died  on 
the  11th  of  September,  1060,  and  was  buried  at  York. 

Thomas,  the  first  Norman  prelate,  a  Canon  of  Bayeaux,  in  Nprmandj,  and 
chaplain  and  treasurer  to  William  the  Conqueror,  was  appointed  to  this  See 
in  1070.  This  prelate  found  the  af&irs  of  the  church  in  great  disorder,  in 
consequence  of  the  dreadful  havoc  which  the  Danes  had  made  in  the  sur- 
rounding country.  He  founded  the  offices  of  Dean,  Treasurer,  and  Chanter, 
in  the  Cathedral ;  and  he  divided  the  church  lands  into  Prebends,  and  gave 
a  particular  portion  to  each  Canon ;  for  before  his  time  the  Canons  lived' 
upon  the  common  revenues  of  the  church  all  at  one  table.  Archbishop 
Thomas  died  at  Ripon  on  the  18th  of  November,  1100,  and  was  buried  in 
his  own  Cathedral  at  York. 

Gerard,  his  successor,  was  translated  from  Hereford  in  the  same  year.  He, 
as  well  as  his  predecessor,  refused  obedience  to  Canterbury,  but  at  length 
submitted  by  command  of  the  Pope.  His  death  occurred  on  the  dlst  of  May, 
1108,  and  he  was  buried  at  York. 

Thomas  IL,  nephew  to  Thomas,  the  first  Norman  Archbishop,  was  Pro- 
vost of  Beverley.  He  was  Bishop  elect  of  London,  but  before  consecration 
was  removed  to  the  See  of  York.  He  was  consecrated  in  June,  1109,  died 
February  19th,  1114,  and  was  buried  at  York. 

Thurstan,  a  learned  and  excellent  prelate,  had  been  chaplain  to  King 
Henry  I.,  a  Canon  of  St  Paul's,  and  Provost  of  Beverley.  He  was  elected 
to  the  See  of  York  on  the  15  th  of  August,  1114,  but  presuming  upon  his 
interest  at  court,  he  revived  the  old  dispute  between  the  Metropolitan  Sees 
of  York  and  Canterbury ;  and  owing  to  the  altercations  which  arose  out  of 
his  refusal  to  make  any  profession  of  canonical  obedience  to  the  See  of  Can- 
terbury, he  was  not  consecrated  till  October,  1119.  He  received  the  pallium 
at  Rheims.  Archbishop  Thurstan  was  Lord  Lieutenant  of  the  North,  and 
organised  the  troops  that  fought  the  famous  Battle  of  the  Standard.  (See 
page  Ids.)  After  having  occupied  his  See  for  twenty-one  years,  he  retired  to 
the  Cluniac  monastery  at  Pontefract,  to  prepare  himself  for  his  death,  which 
occurred  the  year  following  (1140),  on  the  6  th  of  February. 

St.  William,  the  next  prelate,  was  the  son  of  Earl  Herbert  and  Emma, 
sister  to  King  Stephen ;  and  before  his  election  he  was  treasurer  of  the  Ca- 
thedral. He  was  consecrated  at  Winchester  in  September,  1144.  But 
Osbert,  the  Archdeacon,  a  turbulent  man,  procured  Henry  Murdoch,  a  Cis- 

8  E 


394  HISTORT   OF   THE   ABCHDIOCESE   OF  YORK. 

tercian  mouk  of  the  Abbey  of  Fountaiiis,  who  was  a  man  of  great  learning, 
and  a  zealous  preacher,  to  be  preferred  at  Rome,  whither  William  went  to 
demand  his  pallium.  The  most  unwarrantable  means  were  used  with  the 
Pope  (Eugenius  III.)  to  the  prejudice  of  William ;  and  his  enemies  suc- 
ceeded in  their  efforts  to  have  him  deprived  in  1147.  William,  who,  amongst 
his  many  virtues,  was  possessed  of  the  deepest  humility,  showed  no  enmity, 
and  sought  no  revenge  against  his  most  inveterate  enemies,  who  had  prepos- 
sessed the  Pope  against  him  by  the  blackest  calumnies.  'He  returned  to 
England,  went  privately  to  Winchester,  to  his  uncle,  Henry,  Bishop  of  that 
See,  and  in  a  retired  house  belonging  to  the  Bishop,  he  spent  seven  years  in 
silence,  solitude,  prayer,  and  penitential  austerities.  Archbishop  Henry  was 
never  permitted  to  enter  the  city,  having  quarrelled  with  King  Stephen,  whose 
part  the  Canons  and  citizens  warmly  espoused.  He  lived  at  Beverley,  and 
died  there,  October  14th,  1153 ;  and  he  was  interred  in  the  Cathedral  of  his 
diocese,  though  he  had  never  been  permitted  to  enter  it  whilst  he  lived.  At 
his  death,  St.  William,  to  satisfy  the  importunities  of  others,  by  whom  he 
was  again  elected,  undertook  a  second  journey  to  Rome,  and  received  the 
pallium  from  Pope  Anastatius  IV.,  who  succeeded  Pope  Eugenius  III.  On 
his  return  to  York  he  was  received  with  incredible  joy  by  the  people.  The 
great  numbers  who  assembled  on  that  occasion  to  see  and  welcome  him,  broke 
down  the  wooden  bridge  over  the  Ouse  in  the  city,  and  a  great  many  persons 
fell  in  the  river.  Seeing  this  terrible  accident,  the  prelate  addressed  himsdf 
to  God  with  many  tears,  and  to  his  sanctity  and  prayers  has  been  ascribed 
the  miraculous  preservation  of  the  whole  multitude,  especially  of  the  children, 
who  all  escaped  out  of  the  water  without  hurt.'^'  A  few  days  after  his  instal- 
lation he  was  seized  with  a  fever,  of  which  he  died  on  the  8th  of  June,  1154. 
He  was  buried  in  his  C'athedral,  and  about  the  year  1280  he  was  canonized 
by  Pope  Nicholas  III.,  who  granted  an  indulgence  of  140  days  to  all  persons 
visiting  the  Saint's  tomb  on  the  day  of  his  festival,  or  any  day  during  the 
octave ;  and  so  great  was  the  fame  of  the  reported  miracles  of  St  William, 
that  numbers  resorted  thither,  and  made  large  ofierings  for  rebuilding  the 
Cathedral.*  The  Saint's  tomb  was  situated  in  the  nave,  but  in  1284  his 
relics  were  put  into  a  very  rich  shrine,  and  deposited  in  the  choir  by  Arch- 

•  Polydore  Virgil  pretends  that  tlds  happened  on  the  river  Aire  at  Pontefiwct ;  bat 
Brompton  and  Stubbs  expressly  say  that  it  was  in  the  city  of  York,  on  the  river  Ouse, 
where  stood  a  chapel  till  the  Beformation,  as  Mr.  Drake  testifies.  Pontefract  conld  not 
derive  its  name  from  this  accident,  as  Polydore  imagined ;  for  we  find  it  so  called  long 
before ;  and  the  name  was  originally  written  Pomfrete,  or  Pontfrete,  from  a  very  different 
Norman  etymology. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   ARCHDIOCESE    OF   YORK.  895 

bishop  Wickwane.  This  shrine  was  portable,  so  that  the  Saint's  bones  could 
be  borne  in  procession.  This  removal  or  Translation  of  the  relics  was  per- 
formed with  much  ceremony,  King  Edward  I.,  Queen  Eleanor,  and  the  whole 
court,  with  eleven  Bishops,  being  present  Large  offerings  were  made  on 
this  occasion,  which  helped  greadj  to  swell  the  funds  for  building  the  Min- 
ster. Drake  sajs  that  a  table,  containing  a  list  of  thirty-six  miracles,  with 
a  copy  of  the  above-mentioned  indulgence,  is  still  to  be  seen  in  the  vestr}% 
but  no  longer  legible.f  The  shrine,  with  its  rich  plate  and  jewels,  was 
plundered  at  the  Reformation ;  but  the  Saint*s  bones  were  deposited  in  a  box 
within  a  coffin,  and  buried  in  the  nave  under  a  large  spotted  marble  stone. 
Drake  had  the  curiosity  to  see  the  ground  opened,  and  found  them  with  their 
box  and  coffin  in  1783.  He  laid  them  again  in  the  same  place,  with  a  mark. 
A  chapel  was  erected  to  his  memory  on  the  old  Ouse  Bridge. 

Archbishop  Boffer  succeeded  St  William  in  1154,  and  he  died  at  Sherburn 
on  the  S2nd  of  November,  1181,  and  was  buried  at  York.  After  his  death 
the  See  of  York  was  vacant  for  ten  years. 

Geoffrey  PlanUtgenet,  Provost  of  Beverley,  and  Archdeacon  of  Lincoln,  was 
consecrated  August  18th,  1191.  He  was  the  second  illegitimate  son  of  King 
Henry  U.  and  his  renowned  mistress,  "  Fair  Rosamond,"  daughter  of  Walter, 
Lord  Clifford,  of  Clifford  Castle,  in  Herefordshire.  He  filled  the  high  office 
of  Lord  Chancellor  of  England  for  eight  years,  and  he  was  High  Sheriff  of 
tiie  county  of  York  in  1195.  (See  page  129.)  He  is  highly  spoken  of  as 
fulfilling  his  various  duties,  lay  and  clerical,  in  a  judicious  and  disinterested 
manner ;  but  crossing  the  Eing*s  purposes,  by  opposing  in  his  See  the  col- 
lectioB  of  the  obnoxious  taxes  laid  on  land  by  that  monarch,  "  for  his  niece's 
great  dowiy,  and  his  own  martial  uses,"  he  was  obliged  to  vacate  his  See  in 
1207 ;  and  after  undergoing  many  difficulties,  he  died  in  exile  at  Grosmont, 
in  Normandy,  on  the  18th  of  December,  1212. 

Walter  de  Grey,  the  next  Archbishop — ^a  man  of  sound  judgment,  strict 
morality,  and  great  experience — was  translated  from  Worcester  on  the  18th 
of  November,  1215.  This  prelate  amassed  great  wealth,  and  expended  it  in 
a  munificent  manner.  On  the  occasion  of  the  marriage  of  Henry  the  Third's 
daughter,  Margaret,  to  Alexander,  King  of  Scotland,  in  this  city,  in  1251, 
he  entertained  the  two  monarchs  and  their  retinues.  (See  page  181.)  He 
built  the  present  north  transept  of  the  Minster,  expending  on  it  a  vast  simi. 
He  also  purchased  the  manor  of  Thorpe,  or  St  Andrew  Thorpe,  now  called 
Bishopthorpe,  and  bequeathed  it  to  his  successors ;  and  he  bought  a  house 

•  Drake's  Eboracom,  p.  419.        f  Ibid. 


896  HISTOUY    OF   THE   ARCHDIOCESE    OF   YORK. 

in  Westminster,  of  the  Friars  Preachers,  which  was  thence  called  York 
Place ;  and  which  continued  to  be  the  town  residence  of  the  Archbishops  of 
York  till  Henry  the  Eighth's  time,  when  it  was  presented  to  that  monarch 
by  Wolsey.  He  died  in  London  on  the  1st  of  May,  1^55,  and  was  buried  in 
a  splendid  tomb  in  his  own  Cathedral,  which  still  remains. 

Sew(d  de  Bovil,  1206. — He  was  excommunicated  for  opposing  the  prefer- 
ment of  foreigners  to  ecclesiastical  dignities,  especially  an  Italian,  whom  the 
Pope  had  constituted  Dean  of  York.  He  was  reconciled  to  the  church  on  his 
death-bed,  and  he  died  May  10th,  1258. 

Godfrey  de  Kinton,  or  KeyntoKy  elected  September  SSrd,  1258. — He  appro- 
priated Mexborough  to  his  church,  and  it  has  been  since  that  period  annexed 
to  the  deanery  of  York.  He  died  on  the  12tli  of  January,  1264,  and  was 
buried  in  the  Cathedral. 

Walter  Gifford  was  translated  from  Bath  and  Wells  in  1265.  He  was 
Lord  Chancellor  of  England,  and  died  April  25, 1279,  and  was  buried  at  York. 

William  Wichrane,  September  19th,  1279;  died  August  the  26th,  1286; 
and  was  buried  at  Pontimac. 

John  le  Eomayne,  February  10th,  1286. — He  died  at  Burton,  near  Beverley, 
March  11th,  1296,  and  was  buried  in  his  Cathedral. 

Henry  de  Newark,  June  24th,  1298 ;  died  August  15th,  1299 ;  and  was 
interred  at  York. 

Thomas  de  Corhridge,  or  Corhrigge,  February  28th,  1299. — ^He  died  at 
Laugham,  in  Nottinghamshire,  on  the  22nd  of  September,  1303,  and  was 
buried  at  Southwell,  in  the  same  county. 

WiUiam  de  (jhrenfeld,  January  30th,  1305. — This  prelate  was  obliged  to 
travel  to  Rome  for  the  approbation  of  the  Pope,  and  waited  two  years  before 
he  could  obtain  it.  He  died  on  the  16th  of  December,  1315,  and  was  buried 
at  York.     He  had  boon  Lord  Chancellor  of  England. 

Wdliam  de  Melton,  September  25th,  1317.  This  active  prelate  filled  suc- 
cessively the  high  offices  of  Lord  Chancellor  and  Treasurer  of  England,  and 
he  signalised  himself  by  raising  an  undisciplined  army,  and  attacking  the 
Scots  at  Myton,  near  Boroughbridge,  in  1320.  (See  page  137.)  He  died  on 
the  5th  of  April,  1340,  and  was  buried  at  York. 

William  de  la  Zouvhe,  July  0th,  1342. — He  is  femous  for  his  courage  antl 
valour  at  the  battle  of  Novil's  Cross,  near  Durham,  in  1347.  (See  page 
143.)     He  died  July  19th,  1352,  and  was  buried  at  York. 

John  de  Thoresby,  L.L.D.,  was  translated  from  the  See  of  Worcester  on  tlie 
8th  of  September,  1354.  Ho  was  of  an  ancient  family  near  Middleham,  and 
was  esteemed  the  most  learned  man  of  his  day.     In  his  time  the  Archbishop 


HISTORY   OF   THE   ABCUDIOCESE    OF   TOBK.  397 

of  York  was  made  by  the  Pope  Primate  of  England,  and  the  Archbishop  of 
Canterbury  Primate  of  All  England ;  and  thus  was  settled  the  disputes  for 
precedence  which  had  previouslj  existed  between  the  two  Sees.  He  was 
made  a  Cardinal  by  the  title  of  St.  Peter  ad  Vincula,  and  before  receiving  this 
archbishopric,  he  had  been  some  time  Keeper  o^  the  Great  Seal,  and  Lord 
Chancellor  of  England.  He  died  on  the  6th  of  November,  1373,  and  was 
buhed  at  York. 

Alexander  Nevile,  December  18th,  1374. — ^This  prelate,  who  was  a  favorite 
of  the  unfortunate  monarch,  Richard  U.,  was  translated  to  St.  Andrews  in 
1388.  He  was  obliged  to  leave  his  country,  and  ultimately  became  a  parish 
priest  and  schoolmaster  at  Lou  vain,  where  he  died  in  May,  1392. 

Thomas  Arundel,  second  son  of  Kichard,  Earl  of  Arundel,  and  Archdeacon 
of  Taunton,  was  translated  from  Ely,  March  25th,  1389.  Being  Lord 
Chancellor  as  weU  as  Archbishop  of  York,  he  removed  the  Seals  and  all  the 
King's  courts  from  London  to  York  for  six  months,  in  order  to  humble  the 
Londoners,  who  had  offended  the  King,  After  he  had  filled  this  See  for  six 
years,  he  was  removed  to  Canterbury  in  1396,  which  is  the  first  instance  of 
a  translation  from  York  to  that  See. 

Eobert  Waidby,  a  native  of  York  and  a  friar  of  the  monasteiy  of  St. 
Augustine  in  that  city,  was  the  next  Archbishop.  He  was  a  pious  and 
doquent  man>  and  a  great  proficient  in  all  kinds  of  literature.  He  was 
translated  from  Chichester,  January  13,  1397 ;  died  May  29,  1398 ;  and 
was  buried  at  Westminster. 

Richard  Scrope,  or  Scroope,  was  translated  from  Lichfield,  July  6,  1398. 
This  prelate  was  beheaded  for  high  treason,  in  a  field  between  Bishopthorpc 
and  York,  on  the  8th  of  June,  1405  (See  page  148),  and  was  buried  in  his 
own  CathednJ.  He  was  so  much  beloved  by  the  people,  that  immediately 
after  his  death  his  grave  was  visited  by  numbers,  and  so  many  miracles  were 
said  to  be  performed  there,  that  Henry  lY.  ordered  that  it  should  be  con- 
cealed by  great  logs  of  wood.  His  present  monument  in  the  Lady  Chapel 
was  subsequently  erected.  Scrope's  rebellion  forms  one  of  the  principal 
scenes  in  Shakespeare's  play  of  Henry  IV. 

Henry  Boicet,  a  very  liberal  and  hospitable  prelate,  was  translated  from 
Bath  and  Wells,  December  9, 1405  ;  died  at  Cawood,  October  20, 1423 ;  and 
was  buried  in  the  Cathedral. 

John  Kempe,  a  man  of  humble  parentage  in  Kent,  was  translated  from 
London,  April,  1426 ;  made  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  and  became  Lord 
High  ChaneeUor  of  England^  and  a  Cardinal  of  the  See  of  Rome.     He  built 


398  HISTORY  OF  THE   ABCHDIOCESE   OF  TOBK. 

the  gate  house  of  the  old  palace  at  Cawood,  died  in  1451,  and  was  buried  at 
Oanterburj. 

WUliam  Boothe  was  translated  from  Lichfield  on  the  4th  of  September, 
1453,  died,  September  30,  1464,  and  was  buried  where  he  died  at  SouthwelL 

George  NeviUey  the  next  prelate,  was  brotiier  to  Richard,  the  famous  king- 
making  Earl  of  Warwick,  and  was  translated  from  Exeter,  in  1465.^  On 
the  death  of  the  Earl,  at  the  battle  of  Bamet,  our  prelate  was  accused  of 
treason,  imprisoned  four  years,  and  died  of  a  broken  heart  soon  after  his 
liberation,  June  8,  1476,  and  was  buried  at  York.  He  had  been  Lord 
Chancellor  of  England. 

Lawrence  Boothe,  Provost  of  Beverley,  Chancellor  of  the  Unirersity  of 
Cambridge,  and  Lord  Chancellor  of  England,  was  translated  from  Durham, 
September  1,  1476.  He  purchased  the  manor  of  Battersea,  in  Surrey,  and 
settled  it  on  the  Church  of  York.  He  died  on  the  19th  of  May,  1480,  and 
his  remains  were  interred  at  Southwell,  in  which  place  he  had  died. 

Thomas  Scot  de  Eotherham,  a  native  of  Rotherham  in  this  county,  was 
translated  ftom  Lincoln,  September  3,  1480.  He  was  a  Cardinal  of  the 
Roman  Church,  and  was  also  for  many  years  Lord  High  Chancellor  of 
England  to  Edward  IV.,  who  left  the  cares  of  government  very  much  to  him. 
On  the  death  of  that  King,  he  continued  faithful  to  the  Queen,  for  which 
cause  he  was  imprisoned  for  some  time  by  Richard  III.  This  prelate,  who 
was  also  the  second  founder  of  Lincoln  CoUege,  Oxford,  died  of  the  plague, 
at  Cawood,  on  the  29th  of  May,  1500,  and  was  interred  in  his  Cathedral  in 
a  monument  erected  by  himself. 

Thomas  Savage  was  translated  firom  London,  April  13,  1501.     He  is  said 

•  On  the  day  on  which  this  prelate  was  enthroned,  Janoaiy  15th,  1466,  he  gave  the 
largest  entertainment  ever  made  by  a  subject.  In  Heame's  additions  to  Leland's  Col- 
lectanea, the  bill  of  fare  is  as  follows : — "  In  wheat,  300  quarters ;  ale,  300  tnns ;  wine, 
100  tons;  ipocrass,  1  pipe;  wild  bolls,  6;  muttons,  1,000;  veales,  304;  porkers,  304; 
swanns,  400;  geese,  2,000;  capons,  1,000;  pygges,  2,000;  plovers,  400;  quales,  100 
dozen;  fowles  called  rees,  200  dozen;  peacocks,  104;  mallardes  and  teals,  4,000; 
kyddes,  204;  chickens,  2,000;  pigeons,  4,000;  conyes,  4,000;  bittors,  204;  heron- 
shawes,  400;  fessantes,  200;  partridges,  500;  woodcocks,  400;  curleins,  100;  egretts, 
1,000;  staggs,  bucks,  and  roes,  500  and  mo.;  pastes  of  venison  colde,  4,000;  parted 
dyshes  of  jelly,  1,000;  playne  dyshes  of  jelly,  8,000;  cold  tartes  baked,  3,000;  hot 
pasties  of  venison,  1,500;  pykes  and  breames,  604;  porpoeea  and  scales,  12;  spieee, 
sugard  delicates,  and  wafers,  plenty."  Amongst  the  officers  of  the  feast  the  Earl  of 
Warwick  was  steward ;  the  Earl  of  Bedford,  and  the  Lord  Hastings,  comptrollers ;  with 
many  other  noble  officers.  The  number  of  officers  and  servants  of  officers  was  1,000 ; 
of  cooks  in  the  kitchen,  62;  and  of  "  other  men  servants,  with  broche  tamers,  115." 


HISTORY   OF  THE  ARCHDIOCESE   OF  YORE.  399 

to  have  been  more  of  a  courtier  and  a  sportsman  than  an  ecclesiastic.  He 
died  at  Cawood,  September  2,  1507,  and  was  buried  at  York.  On  the  2drd 
of  June,  1831,  the  workmen  employed  at  the  Minster,  discovered  in  the  north- 
east aisle,  a  leaden  coffin  in  which  was  the  body  of  this  prelate  embalmed. 

Christopher  Baynhridge,  or  Baynbriggey  translated  from  Durham,  Sep- 
tember 12, 1508.  He  was  Henry  the  Eighth's  Ambassador  to  the  court  of 
Home,  where  he  was  raised  to  the  dignity  of  a  Cardinal.  He  died  and  was 
buried  at  Eome,  in  July,  1514. 

The  next  Archbishop  of  York  was  the  celebrated  Cardinal  WoUey,  well 
known  in  English  history.  Thomas  Wolsey  was  bom  at  Ipswich,  in  Suffolk, 
in  March,  1471.  His  parents  were  in  humble  circumstances,  and  he  is 
generally  reviled  as  "  the  butcher's  son."  Of  the  occupation  of  his  father 
nothing  is  known  which  can  be  depended  upon  as  certain,  but  he  could 
scarcely  be  considered  as  moving  in  the  lowest  sphere,  since,  in  his  will,  he 
devised  to  his  wife  all  his  ''  lands  and  tenements,"  in  one  parish,  and  his 
'*  free  and  bond  lands,"  in  another.  He  must  therefore  have  been  a  person 
of  good  property.  After  receiving  the  rudiments  of  his  education  at  a 
countiy  grammar  school,  Wolsey  entered  Magdalen  College,  Oxford,  in  1485, 
and  at  the  early  age  of  fifteen  he  was  admitted  to  the  degree  of  B.A.,  which 
gained  him  the  appellation  of  "  the  boy  bachelor."  He  soon  obtained  his 
degree  of  MA.,  and  was  afterwards  elected  a  Fellow  of  the  College,  and 
appointed  Master  of  Magdalen  School.  In  the  year  1600  Wolsey  left  the 
University,  having  been  presented  to  the  Rectory  of  Lynington,  in  Somer- 
setshire, by  the  Marquis  of  Dorset,  whose  three  sons  were  under  his  tuition 
whilst  he  was  Master  of  Magdalen  School.  His  patron,  the  Marquis,  died 
in  1501,  and  Wolsey  was  soon  after  appointed  domestic  chaplain  to  Dean, 
Archbishop  of  Canterbury.  Upon  the  death  of  that  prelate  in  1503,  he 
(Wolsey)  became  chaplain  to  Sir  John  Nauphant,  or  Naufan,  Treasurer  of 
Calais,  who  took  him  in  his  retinue  to  that  place ;  and  upon  his  return  to 
England,  strongly  recommended  him  to  King  Henry  VII.,  who  appointed 
him  one  of  his  chaplains,  and  sent  him  as  ambassador  to  the  court  of 
Germany.  In  1505  he  was  presented  to  the  rectory  of  Hedgrave ;  in  1508 
he  was  made  Dean  of  Lincoln,  and  in  the  year  following  Prebendary  of 
Walton  Bnnold,  and  Prebendary  of  Stow,  in  the  same  Cathedral.  Soon 
after  the  accession  of  Henry  VULl.,  Wolsey,  who  had  been  that  monarch's 
sponsor,  was  taken  into  the  royal  service,  and  was  by  degrees  entrusted  with 
the  highest  offices  of  state.  Riches  and  dignities  were  now  heaped  upon 
him  in  great  profusion.  From  1511  to  1514  he  was  made  Canon  of  Windsor, 
first  Prebendary,  then  Dean  of  York ;  Dean  of  Hereford ;  Precentor  of  St. 


400  HISTORY   OP   THE   ARCHDIOCESE   OP   YORK. 

Paurs,  aud  Bishop  of  Toumay,  in  Flanders.  In  1514  he  became  Bishop  of 
Lincoln ;  and  on  the  5th  of  August  in  the  same  year,  Archbishop  of  York. 
In  1515  he  was  created  a  Cardinal;  and  in  1516  he  was  made  Lord  High 
Chancellor  of  England.  The  splendour  of  his  domestic  establishments,  and 
the  dignified  pageantry  with  which  he  uniformly  appeared  in  public,  raised 
the  envy  of  his  contemporaries.  His  extraordinary  talent  gave  him  such 
immense  influence  with  his  Sovereign,  that  it  was  he  who  might  be  said, 
directed  the  movement  and  the  whole  machinery  of  the  state ;  and  during 
some  years  he  was  not  only  the  richest,  but  likewise  the  most  powerful  sub- 
ject in  Europe.  The  princely  liberality  with  which  he  encouraged  the  arts, 
and  inculcated  a  love  of  letters  at  a  period  when  learning  was  struggling 
against  disrepute,  has  procured  for  him  the  admiration  of  posterity. 

That  magnificent  establishment,  Christ  Church  College,  Oxford,  was  ori- 
ginally founded  by  him,  and  though  he  lost  the  favour  of  the  King  before  its 
completion,  it  is  still  a  lasting  monument  of  his  greatness  and  love  of  learning. 

During  the  debate  about  the  legality  of  the  King's  marriage  with  Catherine 
of  Arragon,  Wolsey  espoused  the  cause  of  the  injured  Queen,  and  thereby 
incurred  the  displeasure  of  his  Sovereign.  With  the  Queen  he  fell  from 
power ;  and  his  immense  influence  and  wealth  exciting  the  jealousy  of  the 
King,  he  was  attainted  of  high  treason  in  1529,  and  despoiled  of  all  his 
dignities,  and  all  his  lands  and  goods  were  confiscated.  However,  on  the 
12th  of  February  of  the  year  following,  the  King  granted  him  a  remarkably 
full  and  complete  pardon,  and  restored  part  of  his  plate  and  furniture,  and 
also  the  revenues  of  his  Archbishopric,  with  a  command  that  he  should 
henceforth  reside  in  his  diocese  of  York.  In  the  spring  of  the  same  year  he 
retired  to  his  palace  at  Cawood,  and  though  he  spent  the  following  summer 
in  great  hospitality,  yet  the  six  months  he  passed  there  were  probably  among 
the  best  spent  in  his  life.  He  visited  the  little  coimtry  churches,  reforming 
abuses,  and  frequently  preaching  and  administering  the  sacrament,  and  such 
of  the  edifices  as  were  in  a  ruinous  condition,  he  ordered  to  be  restored ;  by 
these  means  he  became  very  popular  in  his  diocese.  As  he  had  never  been 
formally  enthroned,  and  it  is  said,  had  never  even  visited  his  own  Cathedral, 
he  therefore  fixed  Nov.  7th,  in  the  same  year,  for  the  ceremony  to  take  place. 
Great  preparations  were  made  for  it,  and  also  for  the  banquet  which  was  to 
be  given  at  the  Mansion  House,  and  for  which  large  presents  of  venison  and 
game  were  made  by  the  surrounding  nobility.  However,  in  the  latter  end  of 
October,  the  Cardinal  was  suddenly  and  unexpectedly  arrested  on  a  charge  of 
treason,  by  the  Earl  of  Northumberland,  and  on  his  way  to  London,  whither 
he  was  being  conveyed  as  a  prisoner,  he  was  seized  with  dysentery,  and  died 


HISTORY   OF   THE    ARCHDIOCESE    OF   YORK.  401 

at  the  Abbey  of  Leicester,  where  he  had  taken  shelter,  ou  the  29th  of  No- 
vember, 1530,  in  the  60th  year  of  his  age.  His  body  was  buiied  in  St. 
Mary's  Chapel,  within  the  precincts  of  the  Abbey  Church,  and  neither  tomb, 
nor  stone,  nor  mound,  mai*ks  his  last  resting  place.  A  black  marble  sar- 
cophagus made  by  his  order,  and  probably  designed  as  the  depository  of 
his  own  remains,  surmounts  the  tomb  of  Nelson,  in  the  crypt  of  St.  Pauls 
Cathedral,  London. 

Edward  Lee,  December  10th,  1531. — This  prelate,  who  was  Lord  President 
of  the  North,  was  seized  by  the  insurgents  concerned  in  the  Pilgrimage  of 
Grace,  and  obliged  to  take  an  oath  of  fidelity  to  them ;  but  he  was  afterwards 
pardoned  for  this  offence.  He  died  on  the  13th  of  September,  1544,  and 
was  buried  in  York. 

Robert  Holgate  was  translated  from  Llandaff,  January  16th,  1644.  He 
was  a  monk  favourable  to  the  Reformation,  and  consequently  was  patronised 
by  Henry ;  but  in  the  reign  of  Mary  he  was  committed  to  the  Tower,  and  he 
died  in  obscurity  at  Hemsworth,  near  Pontefract,  in  1563.  He  had  been 
some  time  Lord  President  of  the  North;  and  he  founded  the  Grammar 
School  in  Ogleforth,  York,  called  by  his  name. 

Nicholas  Heath  was  translated  from  Worcester,  February  19th,  1556.  He 
was  a  learned  prelate,  to  whose  exertions  the  See  of  York  is  indebted  for  the 
recovery  of  a  great  part  of  its  present  revenues.  Being  a  Catholic,  he  was 
patronised  by  Queen  Mary,  but  was  deprived  of  his  dignity  by  Elizabeth,  in 
1558;  who,  however,  allowed  him  to  retire  to  his  estate  at  Cobham,  in 
Surrey,  where  he  died,  and  was  buried.  He  had  been  Lord  Chancellor  of 
England. 

Thomas  Young,  the  first  Protestant  Archbishop  of  York,  was  Lord  Presi- 
dent of  the  North,  and  was  translated  from  St.  Davids  on  the  25  th  of 
February,  1561.  "  A  disgraceful  character,"  writes  Allen,  "  who  took  down 
the  great  haU  in  the  palace  at  York,  for  the  sake  of  the  lead  which  covered 
it."     He  died  at  Sheffield,  June  26th,  1568,  and  was  buried  at  York. 

Edmund  GrindaU,  the  next  prelate,  was  a  native  of  Hensingham,  near 
Whitehaven.  He  was  translated  from  London,  June  9th,  1570,  and  advanced 
to  Canterbury  in  1576.  He  founded  and  endowed  a  Grammar  School  at  St. 
Bees,  Cumberland,  in  1583 ;  and  he  died  on  the  6th  of  July  in  the  same 
year,  and  was  buried  in  the  chancel  of  Croydon  Church. 

Edwin  Sandys,  or  8a7ids,  was  a  native  of  St.  Bees,  and  probably  educated 
at  the  Grammar  School  just  noticed.  He  was  author  of  Europce  Syeculum, 
and  founder  of  Hawkshead  School.  He  was  translated  from  London,  Jan- 
uary 25th,  1577;  died,  August  8th,  1688,  and  was  buried  at  Southwell. 

3  F 


402  HISTORY   OF   THE   ARCHDIOCESE   OF   TORE. 

Archbishop  Sandys  had  been  imprisoned  for  preaching  in  defence  of  Lady 
Jane  Grey's  title  to  the  throne. 

John  Piers  was  translated  from  Salisbury,  February  27th,  1558.  He  died 
at  Bishopthorpe  on  the  28th  of  September,  1594,  and  was  buried  at  York. 

Matthew  Huttoti,  a  man  of  humble  origin,  but  of  great  meht,  was  trans- 
lated from  Durham,  March  24th,  1594.  He  died  January  15th,  1006,  and 
was  interred  at  York. 

Tobias  Matthew  was  translated  from  Durham,  March  24th,  1594.  He 
died  January  15th,  1628,  and  was  interred  at  York.  This  prelate  was  one 
of  the  most  eloquent  preachers  of  his  day,  and  being  a  great  wit,  was  a 
favourite  at  the  court  of  both  Elizabeth  and  James  1.  He  kept  an  account 
of  all  the  sermons  he  preached,  by  which  it  appears  that  while  Dean  of  Dur- 
ham, he  preached  721  sermons ;  when  Bishop  of  Durham,  550 ;  and  when 
Archbishop  of  York,  721 ;  in  all,  no  less  than  1,992  sermons  after  he  had 
become  a  dignitary  of  the  church. 

George  Montaigne,  or  Mountain,  was  the  son  of  a  small  farmer  at  Cawood, 
who  rose  to  be  successively  Bishop  of  London,  and  Durham,  and  Archbishop 
of  York ;  to  the  latter  See  he  was  elected  June  6th,  1628,  and  enthroned 
October  4th.  "But,"  says  Fuller,  "he  was  scarce  warm  in  his  church,  than 
cold  in  his  coffin,"  for  he  died  November  6th,  of  the  same  year,  at  Cawood, 
the  place  of  his  nativity,  and  was  buried  there.'i' 

Samuel  Harsnett  was  translated  from  Norwich,  April  2drd,  1629;  died 
May  18th,  1631 ;  and  was  interred  at  Chigwell,  in  Essex,  where  he  had  died. 

Richard  Neill,  a  prelate  of  humble  origin,  was  translated  from  Winchester, 
April  16th,  1632.  He  died  on  the  3l8t  of  October,  1640,  and  was  buried 
at  York. 

John  WUliatns  was  translated  from  Lincoln,  June  27th,  1642.  Whilst  he 
filled  the  latter  See  he  wrote  a  book  called  "  The  Holy  Table,"  which  gave  so 
much  offence  to  Archbishop  Laud,  that  he  (Laud)  commenced  a  prosecution 
against  him,  and  he  was  sentenced  to  a  term  of  imprisonment  in  the  Tower, 

«  It  is  related  that  when  the  See  of  York  became  vacant,  Charles  1.  had  many  claimants 
for  it,  but  was  undivided  respecting  its  disposal,  and  sought  the  adriee  of  Mountain  (then 
Bishop  of  Durham)  in  his  difficulty.  The  Bishop  modestly  answered  that  if  his  Majesty 
bad  faith  like  a  grain  of  mustard  seed,  he  would  say  to  this  Mountain,  be  thou  removed 
into  yonder  Sea,  and  it  would  obey.  The  King  replied  that  miracles  had  ceased,  and 
asked  what  had  faith  to  do  in  tliis  point?  To  convince  your  Majesty  to  the  contrary, 
said  the  Bishop,  be  only  pleased  to  say  to  this  Mountain  (pointing  to  himself),  be  thou 
moved  into  yonder  See  (alluding  to  the  See  of  York),  and  1  am  sure  your  M^esty  will 
forthwith  be  obeyed.  The  King,  smiling,  took  the  hint,  and  said,  then  Mountain  I  will 
remove  thee ;  and  he  accordingly  sent  him  down  Lord  Archbishop. 


HISTORY   OF  THE   ARCHDIOCESE    OF   YORK.  403 

and  to  pay  a  fine  of  £10,000.  He  was  liberated  in  1640,  and  after  receiving 
the  archbishopric  of  York,  he  was  again  imprisoned  in  the  Tower,  along  with 
nine  other  prelates,  by  order  of  the  Long  Parliament,  for  a  cause  which  is 
already  stated  at  page  339  of  this  volume.  From  being  a  strenuous  Royalist, 
he  became  a  zealous  Parliamentarian,  and  commanded  at  the  siege  of  Aber- 
gayenny,  in  South  Wales,  and  reduced  that  fortress  to  the  obedience  of  Par- 
liament "  He  will  always  be  memorable  in  English  history,"  says  Lord 
Campbell,  "  as  the  last  of  a  long  line  of  eminent  ecclesiastics,  who,  with  rare 
intervals,  held  for  many  centuries  the  highest  judicial  office  in  the  kingdom, 
and  exercised  a  powerful  influence  over  the  destinies  of  the  nation."*  Arch- 
bishop Williams  died  on  the  anniversary  of  his  birth,  the  25th  of  March, 
1650,  aged  68,  and  was  buried  at  Llandegay,  about  two  miles  from  Bangor. 

For  ten  years  during  the  Commonwealth  this  See  was  vacant,  but  in  a  few 
months  after  the  Restoration  of  Charles  n.  (October  11th,  1660),  Accepted 
Frewen  was  translated  from  Coventry  and  Lichfield.  This  prelate  seems  to 
have  been  somewhat  eccentric ;  for  he  lived  in  a  state  of  celibacy,  and  his 
horror  of  the  "  fair  sex  "  was  so  great  that  he  would  not  even  have  a  female 
servant  in  his  house.  He  died  on  the  28th  of  March,  1664,  and  was  buried 
at  York. 

Monarchy  and  episcopacy  were  again  raised  to  great  splendour  after  the 
Restoration.  All  authority  was  acknowledged  to  be  vested  in  the  King ;  and 
the  Bishops  were  allowed  to  resume  their  seats  in  the  House  of  Peers.  In 
1661  an  Act  of  Uniformity  was  passed,  which  required  every  clergyman  who 
had  not  received  episcopal  ordination,  to  be  ordained,  and  to  declare  his  as- 
sent to  everything  contained  in  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  and  to  take  the 
canonical  oath  of  obedience ;  and  such  as  refused  to  conform  to  the  precepts 
of  this  act,  were  ipso  facto  deprived. 

Richard  Sterne  was  translated  from  the  See  of  Carlisle,  June  10th,  1664. 
He  was  bom  at  Mansfield,  in  Nottinghamshire,  and  was  a  noted  Royalist. 
He  had  been  chaplain  to  Archbishop  Laud,  whom  he  attended  at  the  fatal 
scaffold ;  and  he  was  himself  a  prisoner  in  the  Tower  for  his  adherence  to 
the  royal  cause.  He  was  the  author  of  a  Treatise  on  Logic,  and  was  one  of 
the  translators  of  the  Polyglot  Bible,  and  he  has  been  suspected  of  being  the 
author  of  "The  Whole  Duty  of  Man."  He  died  June  18th,  1683,  and  was 
buried  at  York. 

John  Dolben,  the  next  Archbishop,  had  been  a  soldier  in  his  early  days, 
and  served  as  an  ensign  at  the  battle  of  Marston  Moor,  where  he  was  dan- 

•  Lord  Campbell's  liyes  of  the  Lord  Chancellors,  vol.  ii.,  p.  504. 


40  4  iirsTonv  of  the  archdiocesk  of  york. 

gemuslj  wounded  by  a  musket  ball.  He  died  at  York,  where  lie  was  buried, 
on  the  11th  of  April,  1686.  The  See  then  remained  vacant  for  more  than 
two  years. 

Thomas  Lumplughy  a  staunch  supporter  of  the  doctrines  of  the  Church  of 
England,  and  a  liberal  benefactor  to  the  Cathedral,  was  translated  from 
Exeter,  December  10th,  1()H8 ;  died  May  6th,  1691 ;  and  his  remains  were 
interred  at  York. 

John  Sliarp,  1691. — This  prelate  distinguished  himself  by  his  strong  oppo- 
sition to  the  Roman  Catholic  predilections  of  James  11.,  whereby  he  became 
very  unpopular  at  court.  He  was  the  father  of  Granville  Sharp.  He  died 
February  2nd,  1713,  and  was  the  last  Archbishop  interred  in  the  Cathedral 
of  York. 

Sir  William  Dawes^  a  most  exemplary  prelate,  was  translated  from  the  See 
of  (Hicster,  March  2lth,  1714  ;  died  April  30th,  172-t ;  and  was  interred  at 
Catlieriiie  Hall,  Cambridge. 

lAinceht  Blackhnni  was  translated  from  Exeter,  December  lOth,  1724; 
died  1743 ;  and  was  buried  in  St.  Margarets  ('hurch,  Westminster. 

Thomm  Herrimi,  one  of  the  most  noted  prelates  of  his  time,  was  translate<l 
from  the  Soc  of  Bangor,  April  28th,  1743.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  re- 
bellion in  1745,  he  took  an  active  part  in  arousing  the  country  against  the 
claims  of  the  Pretender,  and  by  his  eloquent  appeals  the  sum  of  i* 4 0,000.  was 
soon  raised  for  this  purpose.  For  these  services  he  was  advanced  to  the 
archbishopric  of  Canterbury  in  1747.  He  died  March  13th,  1757,  and  was 
buried  at  Croydon. 

Matthew  Hutton  was  likewise  translated  from  Bangor,  December  29th, 
1747,  and  advanced  to  Canterbury  in  1757.  He  died  March  19th,  1758, 
and  was  buried  at  Lambeth. 

John  (iilhert  was  translat^l  from  Salisbury,  Mav  28th,  1757 ;  and  died  in 
1761. 

Robert  Hay  Drumnioud  was  translated  from  Salisbury,  November  11th, 
1761 ;  died  DecemlxM'  lOtli,  1776,  and  was  buried  at  Bishopthorpe. 

William  Markham,  the  next  pr(4ato,  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  was  edu- 
ratod  at  Westminster  Soliool,  of  which  School  he  was  afterwai*ds  Head 
Master.  In  1759  ho  was  appointed  Prebendary  of  Durham  ;  in  1765,  Dean 
of  Rochester;  in  1767,  Dean  of  Christ  Church;  in  1771  he  was  consecrated 
JHshop  of  Chester,  and  was  also  appointed  Preceptor  to  the  Prince  of  Wales, 
afterwards  George  IV. ;  and  in  1777  he  was  translated  to  the  See  of  York. 
He  died  on  the  3rd  of  November,  1807,  aged  89,  afU^'  filling  this  See  for 
thirty  years,  and  was  buried  in  Westminster  Abbey. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   ARCHDIOCESE    OF    YORK.  403 

The  Hofi,  Edward  Venahles  Vernon  HarcouH,  L.L,D.,  the  late  prelate,  and 
tdxth  son  of  George,  Lord  Vernon,  was  bom  on  the  10th  of  October,  1767  ; 
educated  at  Westminster  School,  and  afterwards  removed  to  Christ  Church, 
Oxford.  He  was  subsequently  Fellow  of  All  Souls'  College,  Chaplain  to  the 
King,  Prebendary  of  Gloucester,  and  Canon  of  Christ  Church.  In  1791  he 
was  appointed  to  the  bishopric  of  Carlisle,  and  was  translated  to  the  See  of 
York  in  January,  1808.  He  died  at  his  palace,  Bishopthorpe,  on  the  6th  of 
November,  1847,  in  the  91st  year  of  his  age,  and  his  body  was  buried  at 
Nuneham  Courtney,  near  Oxford,  the  family  seat  of  his  ancestors.        ' 

Thomas  Miisgrave,  D.D.,  the  present  distinguished  Archbishop  of  York,  is 
son  of  Mr.  W.  Peete  Musgrave,  a  woollen  draper,  &c.,  in  Cambridge.  He 
was  bom  in  Cambridge,  in  1788 ;  became  a  student  of  Trinity  College,  Cam- 
bridge, in  1806  ;  graduated  14th  wrangler,  in  1810  ;  and  was  elected  Fellow 
of  his  College,  which  he  held  till  1837.  He  proceeded  M.A.,  in  1813 ; 
became  Lord  Almoner's  Professor  of  Arabic  in  1821 ;  was  senior  Proctor  in 
1831 ;  was  Incumbent  of  St.  Mary  the  Great,  in  Cambridge,  and  has  also 
been  bursar  of  his  College.  He  was  consecrated  Bishop  of  Hereford  in 
1837  ;  was  translated  to  York  in  1847,  and  was  enthroned  in  the  Cathedral 
of  that  city,  on  the  13th  January,  1848.  His  Grace  is  visitor  of  Queen's 
College,  Oxford,  Governor  of  the  Charter  House,  and  of  Queen's  College, 
London,  and  Elector  of  St.  Augustine's  College,  Canterbury. 

Seat — Bishopthorpe  Palace,  near  York.  Town  Residence — 41,  Belgrave 
Square. 

The  Cardinal  of  York. — The  last  of  the  Stuarts. — This  exalted  digni- 
tary was  Henry  Benedict  Stuart,  brother  of  the  Pretender,  Charles  Edward 
Stuart.  After  the  battle  of  Culloden  he  retired  to  Italy,  and  obtaining  pre- 
ferment in  the  Catholic  Church,  he  was  eventually  appointed  Cardinal  of 
York.  He  lived  in  tranquillity  at  Rome  for  nearly  fifty  years,  but  in  1798, 
when  French  bayonets  drove  Pope  Pius  VT.  from  the  Pontifical  chair,  Henry 
Stuart  fled  from  his  splendid  residences  at  Rome  and  Frascati.  His  days 
were  days  of  want,  his  only  means  of  subsistence  being  the  produce  of  a  few 
articles  of  silver  plate,  which  he  snatched  away  from  the  ruin  of  his  property. 
When  George  ITT.  was  informed  of  the  Cardinal  Duke's  poverty  and  pitiable 
situation,  he  ordered  Lord  Milton  to  make  a  remittance  of  £2,000.,  with  an 
intimation  that  the  Cardinal  might  draw  for  £2,000.  more  in  the  following 
July.  It  was  also  made  known  to  the  Cardinal  that  an  annuity  of  £4,000 
was  at  his  service,  so  long  as  circumstances  required  it.  He  was  spared 
seven  years  to  enjoy  this  munificent  pension,  and  died  at  Rome,  in  1807,  in 
the  83rd  year  of  his  age. 


406  HISTORY   OF  THE   CATHEDRAL  OF   YORK. 

We  have  already  shown  that  Chiistianitj  was  re-introduced  into  North- 
umbria,  by  Paulinus,  a  Roman  Missionary,  about  the  year  6S5 ;  that  Edwin 
the  Saxon  monarch  of  that  ancient  kingdom,  was  converted  by  him,  and  that 
he  and  his  whole  court  were  baptised  by  him  at  York,  in  a.d.  627.  The 
chief  residence  of  this  King  was  at  York,  but  at  so  low  an  ebb  was  the 
Christian  religion,  that  there  was  not  found  a  temple  within  his  metropolis 
suitable  for  the  performance  of  the  ceremony  of  public  baptism.  A  small 
wooden  chapel  or  oratory  was  erected  for  the  occasion,  on  the  site  of  the 
presei^t  glorious  fane,  which  was  dedicated  to  God  under  the  invocation  of 
St.  Peter,  and  in  this  primitive  erection  the  solemn  ceremony  was  performed.'*' 
The  ceremony  over,  -the  prelate,  we  are  told  by  Bede,  took  care  to  acquaint  his 
royal  convert,  that  since  he  had  become  a  Christian  he  ought  to  build  a  house 
of  prayer  more  suitable  to  the  divinity  he  now  adored ;  and  by  the  Bishop's 
direction  he  began  to  build  a  suitable  fabric  of  stone,  in  the  midst  of  which 
was  enclosed  the  oratory  already  erected.*  But  Edwin  was  not  permitted 
to  see  the  completion  of  the  edifice  which  he  had  thus  piously  b^un ;  for 
scarcely  were  the  walls  raised  when  he  was  slain  in  battle  at  Hatfield,  near 
Doncaster,  in  633,  and  Paulinus  retired  to  the  south.  (See  pages  86  and 
383.)  Eanfrid,  the  son  of  Edwin's  predecessor,  then  returned  from  exile, 
and  on  succeeding  to  the  throne  of  Bernicia,  was  necessarily  involved  in  the 
war  against  Cadwallon,  by  whom  he  was  basely  slain  at  York,  when,  with 
only  twelve  followers,  he  visited  the  British  King  at  that  city  to  sue  for 
peace.  Oswald,  a  zealous  Christian  King,  the  brother  of  Eanfrid,  having 
slain  Cadwallon,  and  established  his  own  authority,  undertook  to  complete 
the  building  of  the  church  at  York,  which  he  had  no  sooner  finished  in  642, 
then  he  was  killed  by  Penda,  the  pagan  King  of  Mercia,  and  the  newly- 
erected  edifice  was  soon  after  severely  injured  by  the  invasions  of  neighbouring 
savage  tribes.  Drake  says,  that  Oswald  recommenced  the  building  about 
632,  but  this  date  is  evidently  too  early,  as  Edwin  was  killed  in  633,  and 
Oswald  did  not  commence  his  actual  reign  till  a  year  afterwards.  Eddius, 
who  wrote  about  the  year  720,  tells  us  that  at  that  date  the  building  was  in 
ruins;  that  the  timbers  of  the  roof  were  rotten,  the  walls  decayed,  the 
windows  destitute  of  glass,  or  other  material,  whereby  the  interior  was  ex- 

*  Gent  says,  that  this  oratory  was  erected  on  the  site  of  a  pagan  temple  dedicated  to 
Bellona  or  Diana. 

f  Bede's  Hist  EccL,  lib.  ii.,  ch.  14. 


HI8T0BT   OF  THE   GATHEDBAL  OF   YORK.  407 

posed  to  the  injuries  of  the  weather,  and  that  the  birds  were  the  undisturbed 
inhabitants  of  the  ruined  structure.  In  this  desolate  condition  it  was  found 
by  Archbishop  Wilfrid,  who,  about  the  year  674,  restored  it  to  its  former 
grandeur.  He  strengthened  the  walls,  renewed  the  wood  work  of  the  roof, 
covered  it  with  lead,  and  glazed  the  windows.*  This  eminent  prelate  and 
architect  founded  and  built  the  churches  of  Hexham  and  Ripon,  and  from 
their  magnitude  and  decoration,  naturally  excited  the  admiration  and  praises 
of  contemporary  writers. 

Bede  informs  us  that  the  Cathedral  of  York  was  a  square  stone  structure 
dedicated  to  St  Peter,  the  feast  of  which  dedication  was  long  held  here 
annually,  with  great  solemnity,  on  the  first  day  of  October,  and  the  seven 
following  days ;  but  Torre  tells  us  that  "  the  order  for  making  this  a  dmdile\ 
festival  was  not  issued  till  the  year  1642."  The  Cathedral  stood  and 
flourished  with  little  alteration  for  many  years,  in  the  course  of  which  the 
valuable  library  of  Archbishop  Egbert  was  bestowed  upon  it.  In  741  the 
church  was  almost  if  not  completely  destroyed  by  Are,  and  a  new  fabric  was 
immediately  begun  by  Archbishop  Egbert,  who  was  assisted  by  the  advice 

«  This  is  one  of  the  first  instances  recorded  of  glass  windows  in  this  country.  The 
windows  had  preTiously  derived  their  light  from  transx>arency  of  linen,  or  of  boards 
pierced  with  many  holes.  Wilfrid  borrowed  the  custom  of  filling  the  windows  with 
glass  from  the  churches  of  Borne,  which  he  had  several  times  visited. 

>  A  Double  is  a  festival  upon  which  the  Antiphons  are  repeated  entire,  both  before 
and  ailer  the  psalms  in  the  divine  office. 

Origin  of  ChmHan  FuHvaU, — ^In  the  first  ages  of  Christianity  the  Apostles  and  their 
saccessors  were  obliged  to  destroy  paganism  to  the  last  stone,  and  build  all  things  from 
the  vexy  foundation.  The  heathens  had  their  calendar ;  the  name  of  some  deity,  some 
feast,  seasons  of  rejoicing  or  mourning,  occupied  its  year;  and  the  heathens  were  de- 
lighted with  their  festivals.  It  was  no  trifling  work  to  begin  by  blotting  out  the  calendar 
of  civilized  nations,  without  being  prepared  to  fill  it  with  other  memorials  equally  inter- 
esting. The  Jews  too  had  their  calendar,  but  this  for  the  greater  part  was  abolished,  for 
of  what  importance  any  longer  to  the  church  were  the  feast  of  tabernacles,  of  purification, 
and  others,  ocouxring  every  month.  A  blank  volume  was  in  the  Apostle's  hands,  and  the 
duty  of  the  early  church  was  to  fill  it  up,  that  the  Christian  world  might  have  by  de- 
grees, the  whole  year  filled  with  suggestions  useful  to  the  Christian  soul.  They  begun 
immediately  to  fill  up  the  blank  calendar  with  sulgects  dear  to  every  Christian  heart. 
These  were  the  great  festivals  of  Our  Lord — ^his  Birth,  Crucifixion,  Besurrection,  As- 
cension, and  the  coming  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  These  were  coeval  with  Christianity. 
After  the  Apostles  had  passed  from  earth,  certain  days  were  set  apart  to  praise  God  for 
their  triumphs,  and  to  honour  them  in  various  ways,  as  well  as  to  implore  their  inter- 
cession; and  age  after  age  festivals  were  appointed  in  honour  of  Christian  Martyrs  and 
Confessors,  and  holy  personages.  Thus  was  our  calendar  formed.  After  the  Befor- 
mation,  the  vacancies  in  the  calendar  of  the  Church  of  England  were  filled  up  by 
political  or  social  occurrences. 


408  HISTORY   OF   THE   CATHEDRAL   OF   TOBK. 

of  the  celebrated  Alcuin.  Archbishop  Albert,  assisted  by  £aiibald,  who  suc- 
ceeded him,  completed  the  work  in  the  most  magnificent  Saxon  style.  The 
latter  prelate  did  not  live  long  to  enjoy  the  beautiful  structure  he  had  finished, 
for  he  died  in  November,  781,  in  ten  days  after  its  consecration.  Alcuin 
describes  the  fiEibric  as  of  considerable  height,  supported  by  columns  and 
arches,  covered  by  a  vaulted  roof,  and  provided  with  large  windows.  It  had 
also  porticoes  and  galleries,  and  thirty  altars,  the  latter  of  which  were  adorned 
widi  various  ornaments.* 

It  may  appear  surprising  that  these  Archbishops  were  well  skilled  in 
arcliiteeture,  but  this  surprise  will  vanish  when  we  reflect  that  it  was  cus- 
tomary for  the  monks  and  ecclesiastics  in  those  days  to  build  their  own 
Abbeys  and  Cathedrals. 

In  the  year  1069,  as  has  been  already  seen  at  page  120,  the  native  inhab- 
itants, aided  by  the  Danes,  in  their  attempt  to  throw  off"  the  yoke  of  the  Con- 
queror, set  fire  to  the  suburbs,  which  spreading  to  the  city,  communicated  to 
the  Cathedral,  and  involved  them  all  in  one  common  ruin.f  William,  who 
on  entering  the  city,  found  the  church  in  ruins,  seized  its  revenues,  and  ex- 
pelled the  Canons  from  their  stalls.  He,  however,  soon  afterwards  made 
Thomas,  his  chaplain  and  treasurer.  Archbishop  of  the  Province,  and  restored 
the  revenues,  <fec.,  to  the  church.  By  this  prelate  the  Cathedral  was  soon 
restored ;  and  he  afterwards  rebuilt  it  on  a  larger  scale,  in  the  Norman- style, 
about  the  year  1080.  But  its  prosperity  was  of  short  duration,  for  it  shared 
a  similar  fate  to  his  predecessor,  and  was  partly  burnt  down  by  an  accidental 
fire  in  1187.  Efforts  were  soon  after  made  to  further  the  restoration  of  the 
ruined  Cathedral,  and  Joceline,  Bishop  of  Sarum,  granted  an  Indulgence  of 
forty  days,  or  a  remission  of  forty  days  canonical  penance,  to  penitents  who 
contributed  towards  it.^     StiU  but  little  appears  to  have  been  effected  for 

•  Britten's  York  Cathedral,  p.  28. 
f  Simon  Dunelm,  Hist.  Angl.,  Scriptores  x.  col.  178. 
I  An  Indulgence f  according  to  the  definition  of  the  Catholic  Church  (and  we  must  allow 
she  ought  to  be  the  best  judge  of  her  own  doctrine),  is  not  the  pardon  of  any  sin,  much 
less  is  it  a  licence  to  commit  sin ;  it  is  merely  a  relaxation  of  the  temporal  punishment 
that  is  due  to  sin,  after  the  guiU  of  sin  and  the  eternal  punishment  due  to  that  guilt  is 
remitted  by  sincere  repentance  and  humble  confession.  In  other  words,  it  is  a  free 
release  from  the  external  satisfactory  works  of  penance,  in  consideration  of  the  penitent's 
internal  fervour.  The  ancient  discipline  of  the  church  obliged  great  sinners,  when 
they  repented,  to  perform  certain  penances  for  certain  lengths  of  time,  according  to  the 
nature  and  number  of  their  transgressions;  some  were  obliged  to  &st  one  meal  each  day, 
or  recite  certain  prayers,  or  perform  some  other  good  works,  for  a  number  of  days, 
months,  or  years,  and  some  great  public  sinners  were  obliged  to  perform  such  works 
during  the  terra  of  their  natural  lives.    Now  an  indulgence  of  forty  days,  or  one  hundred 


HISTORY   OF   THE    CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK.  409 

more  than  forty  years,  when  Archbishop  Boger  rebuilt  the  choir  about  1171, 
in  the  Norman  style,  to  correspond  to  the  rest  of  the  building. 

We  now  come  to  the  commencement  of  the  erection  of  the  Cathedral  as  it 
at  present  stands.  In  1/215  the  munificent  Archbishop  Walter  de  Grey 
came  to  the  archiepiscopal  throne,  and  finding  his  church  inferior  in  mag- 
nificence to  many  of  the  ecclesiastical  edifices  of  his  day,  he  determined  to 
rebuild  it  on  a  larger  and  grander  scale,  and  commenced  accordingly  with 
the  present  South  Transept,  which  appears  to  have  been  completed  during 
his  life  time.  He  prosecuted  his  design  with  much  eneigy,  giving  largely 
from  his  own  funds  towards  it,  granting  indulgences  to  penitents,  and  urging 
the  faithful  to  aid  him  in  his  efforts  to  beautify  the  structure. 

In  1260  John  le  Romayne,  treasurer  of  the  Cathedral,  completed  the 
erection  of  the  North  Transept.  He  also  raised  a  handsome  bell  tower  in  the 
place  now  occupied  by  the  great  lantern  tower.  The  old  Norman  nave,  not 
now  corresponding  with  the  beautiful  early  English  transepts,  it  was  deter- 
mined that  it  should  be  pulled  down ;  and  Archbishop  Bomayne,  son  of  the 
above-named  treasurer,  personally  laid  the  foundation  of  the  present  Nave, 
with  great  solemnity,  on  the  7th  of  Apnl,  1291.  The  materials  for  building 
the  nave  (and  for  the  whole  of  the  church,  according  to  some  authorities)  were 
contributed  by  Robert  de  Vavasour,  from  St  Peter's  quarry,  on  his  estate 
near  Tadcaster;4'  and  by  William  de  Percy,  of  Bolton,  from  his  woods  at 

days,  or  of  a  year,  or  of  seven  years,  is  a  free  release  or  remissioii  of  as  much  of  the 
temporal  pmiishmeiit  due  to  sin,  as  would  be  satisfied  by  the  performance  of  the  ancient 
canonical  penances  for  either  of  those  periods.  In  a  word,  it  is  a  commutation  of  the 
canonical  penances  for  prayers,  alms  deeds,  or  other  good  works — ^a  substitation  of  one 
flatiafSnction  for  another — of  a  longer  i>enaDce  for  a  shorter,  and  hence  it  is  styled  an 
indulgence  or  favour  done  to  the  penitent.  Thus  an  indulgence  has  nothing  to  do  with 
the  pardon  of  sin,  nor  with  the  eternal  punishments  due  to  sin,  but  only  with  that  debt 
of  temporal  penance  which  the  church  maintains  the  sinner  has  to  discharge  after  the 
eternal  guilt  of  his  sin  is  forgiven.  Indulgences  are  of  two  kinds— pcnttat  and  plenary 
— a  partial  indulgence  is  explained  above ;  and  a  plenary  indulgence  is  a  remission  of 
the  whole  of  the  debt  of  temporal  punishment  due  to  the  sin  of  the  i>enitent. 

*  There  appears  to  be  no  doubt  that  the  stone  was  taken  firom  the  quarries  of  Hazle- 
wood,  "  in  proof  whereof,  and  there  is  good  evidence  of  it  in  the  hands  of  Yavasore,  out 
of  a  little  quany  within  the  manor  of  Hasslewood  hath  been  taken  the  Cathedral  Church 
of  York,  the  Minsters  of  Howden,  Selby,  Beverley,  &c." — Appendix  to  Leland,  vol,  iii., 
Heame*s  edit.,  p.  103.  Camden  says,  that  "  near  Hesslewood,  within  twelve  miles  of 
York,  lieth  a  most  famous  quarry  of  stone,  called  Peter's  Post,  for  that  with  the  stones 
hewed  out  of  it,  by  the  liberal  grant  of  the  Vavasors,  that  stately  and  sumptuous  church 
of  St  Peter's  at  York  was  re-edify'd." 

It  appears  by  an  old  deed  that  Robert  le  Vavasour  granted  to  God,  St.  Peter,  and  the 
church  of  York,  for  the  health  of  his  own  soul,  and  the  souls  of  his  wife  Julian,  and  his 

3  G 


410  HISTOBY   OF  THE   CATHEDRAL  OF  TOBK. 

that  place.  The  memory  of  the  beneficence  of  each  is  preserved  bj  stataes 
erected  at  the  eastern  and  western  ends  of  the  building,  and  in  other  me- 
morials in  the  interior  of  the  church. 

Archbishop  William  de  Melton,  was  the  next  founder.  In  1838  he  com- 
pleted the  West  Front.  For  this  purpose  he  granted  on  indulgence  of  forty 
days, ''  to  all  such  well  disposed  people  as  pleased  to  extend  their  charitable 
contributions  towards  the  building  of  the  late  prostrate  fSabric,  whereby  he 
might  be  the  better  enabled  to  finish  so  noble  a  structure  then  newly  began.*' 
Besides  tlie  large  contributions  which  he  was  certain  to  receive  by  means  of 
this  indulgence,  it  is  said  that  he  expended  a  large  sum  out  of  his  own  money, 
and  the  other  prelates  also  contributed  largely  out  of  their  own  private  fortunes. 
But  the  great  benefactor  of  the  Cathedral  was  Archbishop  Thoresby.  That 
prelate  seeing  that  the  Norman  choir  built  by  Archbishop  Roger  did  not 
harmonize  with  the  other  parts  of  the  church,  and  considering  that  there  was 
no  place  in  the  church  "  where  our  Lady's  mass,  the  glorious  mother  of  God, 
could  decently  be  celebrated,"  determined  to  re-build  the  east  end,  or  choir; 
and  thereby  finishing  the  whole  fabric  in  the  same  style  of  architecture  as 
well  as  magnificence.  Accordingly  all  the  machineiy  for  raising  public 
contributions  by  the  church  was  put  in  motion,  and  *tis  said  that  the  Arch- 
bishop himself  devoted  of  his  own  income  about  j82,400.,  or  ^£200.  annually — 
a  large  sum  in  those  days — ^in  pursuance  of  the  work.  He  also  pulled  down 
the  archiepiscopal  mansion  of  Sherbum  Hall,  and  supplied  the  materials 
for  the  use  of  the  Minster.  Torre  says,  that  letters  mandatory,  dated  Festo, 
8.  Mich,  Anno.  1855,  were  likewise  issued  from  the  chapter  of  York,  directed 
to  all  rectors,  vicars,  and  parochial  chaplains,  within  the  respective  prebends, 
dignity,  and  the  community  of  the  church,  ei^oining  them  by  virtue  of  their 
canonical  obedience,  and  under  pain  of  the  greater  excommunication,  to  suffer 
their  collectors  in  their  chapelries  and  parishes  to  ask  and  gather  the 
charitable  alms  of  the  people,  for  the  use  of  the  fabric  of  this  church. 

Accordingly  the  first  stone  of  the  New  Choir  was  laid  by  the  Archbishop 
at  the  east  end,  on  the  19th  of  July,  1861.  The  great  liberality  of  Thoresby 
did  not  surpass  the  generosity  of  the  public ;  the  donations  continued  to  in- 
crease, till  the  Archbishop  found  himself  enabled  not  only  to  rebuild  the 

ancestors,  ftdl  and  fi>ee  use  of  his  qnarry  near  Tadcatter  in  Thevedale,  with  liberty  to 
take  and  carry  thence  a  sufficient  quantity  of  stone  for  the  fabric  of  this  church,  as  oft 
as  they  had  need  to  repair,  re-edify,  or  enlarge  the  same.  Likewise  Robert  de  Percy, 
Lord  of  Boulton,  granted  to  John,  Archbishop  of  York,  free  liberty  for  the  mariners  or 
carters  to  cany  the  fkbric  stone  from  Tadcaster,  either  by  land  or  water,  through  his 
grounds  lying  along  the  river  Quarfe  (Whar/e),  or  up  that  river  to  Tork;  and  also  his 
wood  at  Boulton,  for  roofing  the  new  building. 


HISTORY   OF  THE   CATHEDRAL   OF  YORK.  411 

choir,  but  also  to  take  down  the  central  steeple  erected  by  John  le  Romayne, 
which  was  likewise  thought  inferior  to  the  rest  of  the  edifice,  and  to  erect  in 
its  place  the  present  elegant  lantern  tower.  Walter  Skirlaw,  Prebendary  of 
Fenton,  Archdeacon  of  the  East  Rifling,  and  afterwards  Bishop  of  Durham,'*' 
gave  a  veiy  munificent  donation  for  the  latter  purpose.  The  old  steeple  was 
accordingly  taken  down  in  1370,  and  the  erection  of  the  present  Central 
Tower  was  b^[un;  but  nearly  eight  years  elapsed  before  it  was  finally 
completed.! 

According  to  Drake  the  present  towers  at  the  west  end  appear  to  have  been 
raised  by  John  de  Birmingham,  treasurer  of  the  church,  about  the  year  1402.^ 
The  rest  of  the  structure  was  finished  between  1405,  when  Archbishop 
Bowett  (whose  arms  appear  in  the  sculpture,  and  on  the  window)  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  See,  and  1426,  when  the  Dean  and  Chapter  granted,  out  of 
their  revenues,  a  full  tenth  to  the  use  of  the  fabric  then  newly  built.§  In 
addition  to  the  means  already  mentioned  for  raising  the  supplies  from  time 
to  time,  for  erecting  the  Cathedral,  bulls  apostolical,  granting  indulgences, 
were  issued  by  Popes  Innocent  VI.  and  Urban  V.  and  VI.,  and  on  one  of 
these  occasions  a  kind  of  income  tax,  of  five  per  cent,  was  imposed  on  eccle- 
siastical benefices,  for  three  years,  for  the  necessary  repairs  and  re-edifications. 

The  building  used  as  a  vestry  was  anciently  a  chapel,  founded  by  Arch- 
bishop de  la  Zouche  about  the  year  ld50,||  who  intended  it  for  the  place  of 
his  interment,  but  he  died  before  it  was  finished.  The  original  building  was 
demolished  at  the  time  of  the  new  erection  of  the  choir,  and  the  present  one 

•  From  Anthony  A*  Wood's  History  of  the  Unversity  of  Oxford  we  leam  the  following 
pftrticulars  of  this  prelate : — He  was  the  son  of  a  sieve-maker,  at  Skirlaw,  in  Holdemess, 
Yorkshire.  At  an  early  age  he  ran  away  from  his  father's  house,  and  came  to  Oxford, 
where  he  partook  of  William  of  Durham's  benefiiction  in  Univenity  College,  and  distin- 
goished  himself  so  much  by  his  learning,  that  he  rose  to  be  made  successively  Bishop  of 
lichfield  and  Coventry,  Wells,  and  Durham.  It  is  added  that  his  parents  were  ignorant 
of  his  fate  till  he  was  settled  at  Durham,  when  he  sent  his  steward  to  Skirlaw  to  bring 
them  to  him,  if  they  were  alive,  and  then  made  a  provision  for  them.  He  appears, 
continues  Wood,  to  have  been  an  eminent  architect,  as  the  centre  tower  of  York  Minster 
is  said  to  have  been  built  under  his  superintendence,  when  he  was  Archdeacon  of  the 
East  Biding.    He  died  in  1406,  and  was  buried  in  the  Cathedral  of  Durham. 

f  The  wages  of  workmen  about  this  time  were  3d.  a  day  to  a  master  mason  or  car- 
penter, and  l^d.  to  their  "  knaves,"  as  their  journeymen  were  then  called.  A  pound's 
worth  of  silver  then  was  a  pound  weight,  which  is  equal  to  £A,  of  our  present  money, 
and  one  penny  then  would  purchase  as  much  com  as  20d.  now,  bringing  the  artizan's 
wages  to  the  rate  of  28. 6d.  a  day. 

I  Drake's  Ebor.,  p.  485.  i  Torre's  MSS.,  p.  7. 

II  Stubbs*  Chron.  Pontif.  Ebor.  in  vita  Qui.  Zonch. 


412  HISTORY   OF   THE   CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK. 

was  raised  in  its  stead  bj  the  executors  of  Zoache,  and  endowed  as  a  chantry 
for  prayers  for  the  soul  of  that  prelate. 

Of  all  the  different  parts  of  this  magnificent  structure,  the  elegant  Chapter 
House  is  the  only  one  which  the  date  is  totally  unknown.  No  records 
extant  give  any  account  of  the  time  of  its  erection,  but  fix>m  the  style  of 
architecture,  Drake  and  others  conjecture  that  it  is  to  be  ascribed  to  Walter 
de  Grey ;  and  as  a  figure  in  the  window  over  the  entrance  corresponds  with 
the  representation  of  that  prelate  on  his  tomb,  and  the  arms  of  several  of 
his  contemporaries  are  painted  in  some  of  the  other  windows.  But  Mr. 
Allen  thinks  that  this  part  of  the  church,  with  its  vestibule,  is  more  probably 
of  the  reign  of  Edward  m. 

The  following  is  the  chronological  order  of  the  dates  of  the  erection  of  the 
several  parts  of  the  present  fabric,  on  the  authority  of  Mr.  John  Britton  :* — 
South  Transept,  begun  by  Archbishop  Walter  de  Grey,  in  the  reign  of  Henry 
m.,  A.D.  1227  ;  North  Transept,  by  John  le  Romayne,  1260 ;  Chapter  House, 
about  the  same  time ;  Nave,  by  Archbishop  le  Romayne,  in  the  reign  of  Ed- 
ward I.,  1201 ;  Choir,  by  Archbishop  Thoresby,  in  the  reign  of  Edward  HL, 
1852;  Oreat  Central  Tower,  about  the  same  time;  and  the  Two  West  Towers, 
built  about  1402.     The  whole  fabric  was  finished  about  the  year  1426. 

Thus  within  the  space  of  200  years  this  superb  Cathedral  was  completed 
in  the  form  and  dimensions  in  which  it  appears  at  this  day.  The  styles  of 
architecture  of  the  various  parts  of  the  building  are  as  follows : — The  Crypt, 
chiefly  Norman ;  North  and  South  Transept,  Early  English ;  Nave  and  West 
Front  of  Nave,  Decorated;  Choir,  Lady  Chapel,  Central  Tower,  and  the 
Towers  at  the  west  end.  Perpendicular ;  Chapter  House,  Decorated.f 

The  following  contracts  are  entered  in  the  books  of  the  church,  and  ihey 
are  also  noticed  in  Torre's  MSS. : — **  On  Monday  next,  after  the  feast  of  St. 
Agatha  the  Virgin,  celebrated  February  6th,  1388  (12th  Edward  HI.),  it  was 

•  Britton'8  Antiquities  of  York  Cathedral,  p.  33. 

•^  According  to  Browne's  History  of  York  Minster,  the  dates  of  its  erection  are  as 
under.  For  the  names  of  the  Aiehbishops  in  whose  time  the  several  parts  were  built, 
as  well  as  of  the  contemporaneous  Kings,  see  the  table  commencing  at  page  377  of  this 
history.  The  Original  Church  of  stone  commenced  a.d.  627;  restored,  (570;  injured 
by  fire,  741 ;  rebuilt,  1080;  injured  by  fire,  1137 ;  and  rebuilt  or  repaired  in  1170. 

The  Present  Cathedral, — The  South  Transept  was  erected  about  the  year  1220 ;  North 
Transept  erected  from  1250  to  1270;  Chapter  House,  fh>m  1280  to  1340;  Vestibule  to 
Chapter  House,  firom  1335  to  1350;  Nave,  1291  to  1360;  Eastern  portion  of  the  Choir, 
1361  to  1415;  Western  portion  of  the  Choir,  1410  to  1472;  South-west  Bell  Tower, 
1438  to  1450;  North-west  Boll  Tower,  1450  to  1474;  the  Great  Tower,  1460  to  1472; 
and  the  Organ  Screen,  from  1476  to  1518. 


HISTORY   OF  THE   CATHEDRAL   OF  TORE.  413 

covenaDied  by  indenture,  that  Thos.  de  Boreston,  vicar  choral,  should  at  his 
own  proper  costs  glaze  two  windows  in  the  Cathedral  church,  viz.,  on  each 
side  one  (west  end  of  nave),  find  all  the  glass  for  the  same,  and  pay  the  work- 
men their  wages  for  the  finishing  thereof.  Thos.  de  Ludham,  custos  of  the 
fabric,  became  bound  to  pay  him  twenty-two  marks  sterling,  yiz.,  eleven 
marks  for  each  window."  Likewise  in  1338  another  indenture  was  made 
between  one  Robert,  a  glazier,  on  the  one  part,  and  Thos.  de  Boreston,  custos 
of  the  fabric,  on  the  other,  for  the  making  of  a  window  at  the  west  gable  of 
this  Cathedral  church,  and  to  find  all  sorts  of  glass  for  the  same,  and  for 
doing  the  work  the  said  Thomas  was  to  pay  him  sixpence  per  foot  for  white, 
and  twelve  pence  per  foot  for  coloured  glass. 

The  substance  of  a  singular  contract  for  glazing  and  painting  the  great 
eastern  window  is  also  preserved  in  Torre's  MSS.  The  indenture,  which  is 
dated  10th  of  August,  1405,  is  between  John  Thornton,  of  Coventry,  glazier, 
and  the  Dean  and  Chapter.  The  painting  was  to  be  executed  with  his  ovm 
hands ;  and  the  work  to  be  finished  in  three  years ;  and  his  pay  was  4s.  per 
week,  and  £5.  at  the  end  of  each  of  the  three  years ;  and  if  he  performed  the 
work  to  the  satis£EUition  of  his  employers,  he  was  to  receive  the  further 
sum  of  £10. 

There  does  not  seem  to  have  been  much  alteration  in  the  Minster  from  the 
time  of  its  completion,  till  we  come  to  the  period  of  the  Reformation,  when 
several  of  the  chantries  and  altars,  together  with  the  shrine  of  St.  William, 
were  removed.'*'  Some  of  these  were  however  restored  in  Mary*s  reign ;  but 
all  were  cleared  away  in  the  reign  of  Elizabeth. 

The  pavement  of  the  Cathedral  is  of  recent  date ;  anciently  it  consisted 
(chiefly)  of  the  gravestones  of  the  Bishops  and  other  ecclesiastics.  "  At 
the  period  of  the  Reformation,"  says  Mr.  Britton,  '*  the  furious  zeal  which 
demoL'shed  so  many  beautiful  monuments  of  antiquity,  did  not  spare  York 
Cathedral;  nor  did  the  fanatics  of  Cromwell's  time  omit  here  their  pious 
practices  of  destroying  the  figures  and  epitaphs  on  the  tombs,  and  stealing 
the  brasses.  The  numerous  gravestones  stripped  of  their  ornaments,  and 
otherwise  injured,  disfigured  the  church;  the  old  pavement  was  therefore 
taken  up,  and  the  present  one  laid  down  in  1736,  according  to  a  plan  by  Mr. 
Kent,  under  the  direction  of  Lord  Burlington.  The  stone  for  the  purpose 
was  the  donation  of  Sir  Edward  Gascoigne,  of  Parlington,  from  his  quarry  at 

•  There  were  more  than  forty  chantries,  and  about  thirty  altars  dispersed  in  several 
places  of  this  Cathedral,  bat  it  is  as  difficult  in  this  day  to  assign  the  respective  situations 
of  a  great  many  of  them,  as  it  is  to  find  out  the  lands  the  ohantries  were  originally  en- 
dowed with. 


414  HI8T0RT   OP  THE   CATHEDRAL  OF  TOBK. 

Huddleston,  in  Yorkshire ;  and  even  some  of  the  old  marble  grayestones  were 
cut  up  and  appropriated  to  this  work.  The  expenses  amounting  to  £2,500. 
were  defrayed  by  a  subscription  among  the  noblemen  and  gentlemen  of  York- 
shire. It  is  however  to  be  regretted  that  the  noble  amateur  did  not  adapt 
the  design  of  his  pavement  to  the  style  and  character  of  the  edifice ;  instead 
of  disposing  of  it  in  a  sort  of  Roman  pattern." 

During  the  re-paving  of  the  church,  some  curious  rings  of  ruby  and  sap- 
phire, set  in  gold,  belonging  to  those  whose  mortal  remains  had  mixed  with 
their  parent  dust,  were  discovered,  and  are  now  shown  in  the  vestry. 

Since  the  period  of  the  Commonwealth  to  the  beginning  of  the  year  1839, 
there  is  nothing  particularly  worth  recording  in  the  history  of  the  Minster. 
But  on  the  2nd  of  February  in  that  year  the  magnificent  choir  was  destroyed 
by  fire,  kindled  by  the  hand  of  an  incendiary.  On  Sunday  afternoon,  Feb- 
ruary 1st,  the  usual  service  was  performed  in  the  choir  at  four  o'clock,  and 
in  the  evening  (it  being  Candlemas-eve)  the  ringers  were  in  the  church  till 
about  half-past  six.  About  four  o'clock  on  Monday  morning  a  man  passing 
through  the  Minster  Yard  saw  a  light  in  the  building,  but  supposing  that  it 
might  arise  from  workmen  in  the  edifice,  it  excited  no  suspicion  in  his  mind. 
About  seven  o'clock  a  fire  was  discovered  in  the  choir,  in  a  rather  singular 
manner.  A  young  chorister  of  the  name  of  Swinbank,  in  passing  through 
the  Minster  Yard,  slipped  upon  the  ice  and  fell  on  his  back.  Whilst  in  this 
position  he  saw  a  quantity  of  smoke  issue  from  the  roof  of  the  Minster.  He 
immediately  gave  the  alarm  to  the  key  keeper,  and  upon  the  door  being 
opened  the  whole  building  was  found  to  be  filled  with  a  dense  smoke,  and 
the  curious  and  interesting  wood  work  of  the  choir  was  extensively  on  fire. 
The  flames  rapidly  spread  over  the  whole  of  that  beautiful  collection  of  carved 
oak  pews  and  tracery,  which  had  till  then  exhibited  the  taste  and  wealth  of 
our  forefathers.  In  a  short  time  the  workmen  and  others  assembled,  and  all 
the  engines  in  the  city  were  on  the  spot.  Several  individuals  succeeded  in 
carrying  out  cushions  and  books  from  the  north  side  of  the  choir,  and  the 
curious  old  chair  which  stood  with  the  rails  of  the  altar.  The  brass  eagle 
was  removed  with  great  difficulty  owing  to  its  weight,  and  the  suffocating 
effects  of  the  smoke.  The  communion  table  was  removed  in  time  to  save  it, 
but  the  plate,  which  was  kept  in  a  secret  place  in  the  choir,  was  found  to 
have  been  melted  into  shapeless  masses.  When  the  organ  caught  fire,  an 
appalling  noise,  occasioned  by  the  action  of  the  air  in  the  pipes  upon  the 
flames,  reverberated  through  the  building,  and  struck  with  awe  all  who  heard 
it  This  noble  organ,  which  was  said  to  be  unequalled  for  tone  and  power 
by  any  instrument  in  the  world,  was  totally  consumed,  with  a  valuable  col- 


HISTORY   OF   THE    OATHEBRAX   OF   YORK.  415 

lection  of  music  which  was  deposited  in  the  organ  loft,  and  much  of  which 
being  in  manuscript  cannot  be  replaced.  By  nine  o'clock  the  entire  choir 
was  on  fire,  and  the  roof  began  to  fall  in  large  masses,  with  horrid  and 
deafening  crashes,  the  melted  lead  pouring  down  in  torrents.  The  engines 
were  scarcely  able  to  check  the  flames,  until  they  were  partly  stifled  by  the 
falling  of  the  heavy  materials  of  the  roof  and  ceiling.  At  eleven  o'clock  the 
whole  roof  had  come  down,  and  then  the  fire  began  rapidly  to  be  got  under ; 
and  by  two  o'clock  all  danger  of  further  mischief  from  the  flames  was  at  an 
end.  By  extraordinary  efforts  the  beautiful  screen,  which  divides  the  nave 
from  the  choir,  was  saved  firom  destruction.  During  the  afternoon  the  Ca- 
thedral and  its  precincts  presented  a  melancholy  spectacle.  The  floor  of  the 
nave  was  strewed  i^th  fragments  of  the  roof  which  had  been  brought  from 
the  choir ;  and  against  one  of  the  pillars  laid  the  remains  of  the  organ,  con- 
sisting of  some  fragments  of  the  gilt  pipes,  and  a  portion  of  the  iron  work. 
The  Minster  Yard  was  thickly  strewed  with  the  fragments  of  the  roof,  black- 
ened in  the  fire,  and  reduced  to  the  consistency  of  charcoal. 

By  this  great  fire  the  roof  of  the  choir  was  entirely  destroyed,  as  well  as 
the  organ,  tabernacle  work,  and  several  of  the  monuments  were  either  totally 
destroyed,  or  very  much  injured.  The  roofs  of  the  side  aisles  of  the  choir  being 
groined  with  stone,  did  not  take  fire,  and  the  great  east  window  was  scarcely 
touched.  The  fine  screen  between  the  choir  and  Lady  Chapel  was  very  much 
injured ;  and  the  clustered  columns,  arches.  Sec,  were  slightly  injured. 

Many  reports  obtained  circulation  relative  to  the  origin  of  the  fire ;  but  a 
committee  of  enquiry  having  been  formed,  it  was  ascertained  that  the  rope 
was  cut  from  the  bell  which  id  rung  for  prayers ;  and  it  had  the  appearance 
of  having  been  cut  with  a  stone,  the  end  being  very  much  chafed.  A  knotted 
rope  was  then  found  attached  to  the  far  window  of  the  North  Transept,  and 
it  was  ascertained  that  the  window  was  opened  from  the  interior.  A  bunch 
of  matches,  burnt  at  both  ends,  was  found  under  the  rubbish  of  the  burnt 
oigan ;  and  a  pair  of  shoemaker's  pincers  on  the  stool  of  the  window,  out  of 
which  the  knotted  rope  was  suspended.  It  was  now  quite  evident  that  the 
destruction  of  the  noble  edifice  was  the  work  of  an  incendiary.  A  shoemaker, 
who  resided  at  Aldwark  (a  street  in  the  city),  owned  the  pincers  as  his,  and 
this  discovery,  connected  with  other  circumstances,  formed  a  chain  of  evidence 
of  such  a  conclusive  nature,  as  left  no  doubt  that  a  man  named  Jonathan 
Martin,  a  native  of  Hexham,  was  the  incendiaiy.  He  had  lodged  for  a  month 
with  this  shoemaker,  and  on  Tuesday,  the  37th  of  January,  he  left  his 
lodgings,  stating  that  he  was  going  to  reside  at  Leeds.  On  the  following 
Saturday  evening,  about  eight  o'clock,  he  returned  to  his  old  lodgings,  giving 


416  HISTORT   OF   THE    CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK. 

as  a  reason  for  so  doiDg,  that  having  twenty  of  his  books  to  sell  at  Tadcaster, 
he  thought  he  would  come  as  far  as  York.  Convenience  was  made  for  him 
to  sleep  that  night  in  the  shoemaker's  workshop,  and  the  next  morning, 
Sunday,  he  went  out  about  half-past  ten,  and  returned  no  more.  On  Mon* 
day,  the  8th  of  February,  he  was  taken  near  Hexham,  and  on  his  examination 
before  a  bench  of  magistrates,  he  stated  that  in  consequence  of  having  had 
two  remarkable  dreams,  he  thought  he  was  to  set  fire  to  the  Minster. 

On  the  31st  of  March  he  was  tried  at  York  Castle  before  the  late  Baron 
HuUock,  and  found  not  guilty,  on  the  ground  of  insanity ;  so  he  was  ordered 
to  be  detained  during  his  Majesty's  pleasure.  In  his  defeice,  in  which  he 
displayed  much  subtlety  and  cunning,  he  gave  a  minute  detail  of  his  pro- 
ceedings, and  the  different  expedients  resorted  to  in  order  to  complete  his 
"  pious  work,"  as  he  called  it.  He  stcted  that  he  attended  the  evening  ser- 
vice, and  was  ''very  much  vexed  at  hearing  them  sing  the  prayers,  and 
amens ;  he  thought  the  prayer  of  the  heart  came  from  the  heart ;  and  that 
they  had  no  call  for  prayer  books.  The  organ  then  made  such  a  buzzing 
noise,"  he  observed,  **  Thou  shalt  buzz  no  more— 1 11  have  thee  down  to 
night"  He  then  related  how  he  left  the  choir  with  the  congregation  at  the 
close  of  the  service,  concealed  himself  behind  Bishop  Granville's  tomb  till  all 
went  out,  and  remained  concealed  till  the  bell-ringers  left  the  building ;  how 
he  arose  and  prayed,  and  called  upon  the  Lord  for  help ;  how  the  Spirit  ioLd 
him  to  strike  a  light,  how  he  completed  the  work  of  destruction,  and  escaped 
through  the  window,  looking  back  with  pleasure  on  the  *'  merry  blaze  which 
began  to  shoot  up."  The  miserable  fenatic  was  confined  in  New  Bethlehem 
Hospital,  London,  where  he  died  on  the  drd  of  June,  1888. 

Mr.  Smirke,  afterwards  Sir  Bobert  Smirke,  the  eminent  architect,  drew  up 
a  report  of  the  state  of  the  building,  and  an  estimate  for  its  restoration.  He 
recommended  that  similar  materials  ^ould  be  employed  for  its  renovation  as 
had  been  originally  used ;  that  the  ornamental  work  should  be  finished  in 
the  same  manner,  and  in  strict  conformity,  as  before ;  the  roof  to  be  of  oak, 
and  to  be  covered  with  lead ;  and  the  carved  ribs  in  tdie  roof,  the  prebendal 
stalls,  and  other  parts  appertaining,  to  be  oak.  The  restoration  of  the  edifice 
was  efiected  under  his  direction,  at  a  cost  of  i^6,000.,  which  was  raised  by 
national  subscription.  The  Government  gave  ig5,000.  worth  of  teak  timber 
from  the  dock  yards ;  and  Sir  E.  M.  Vavasour,  Bart.,  of  Hazlewood  Castle, 
nobly  imitating  the  example  of  his  imcestors,  gave  the  stone.  His  Grace  the 
Archbishop  presented  the  communion  plate,  and  a  subscription  of  J6d,000 ; 
and  one  of  the  Prebendaries,  the  Hon.  and  Rev.  J.  L.  Saville  (afterwards 
Earl  of  Scarborough),  gave  the  organ.  On  the  6th  of  May,  1883,  the  choir 
was  again  opened  for  divine  service. 


HlsroRY    OF    THE    CATIIEDIIAI.    OF    YoKK.  417 

Another  disastrous  tire  took  place  m  the  Cathedral,  on  Wednesday,  the 
2()th  of  May,  1840,  in  conse(j[uence  of  the  carelessness  of  a  workman  em- 
ployed to  olean  the  clock,  in  the  south-west  tower.  The  flames  had  acquired 
great  power  before  any  efficient  check  could  be  brought  to  bear  upon  them. 
The  first  alarm  was  given  about  half-past  sev^n  in  the  evening,  and  by  nine 
o  clock  the  peal  of  bells  had  fallen,'(«  and  the  fire  raged  through  the  roof  of 
the  tower,  and  along  the  roof  of  the  centre  aisle  of  the  nave.  By  midnight 
the  tower  and  nave  had  been  reduced  to  mere  shells,  and  by  the  greatest 
exertion  the  most  imminent  danger  was  then  over.  This  damage  was  wholly 
repaired  in  the  following  year,  at  a  cost  of  about  £23,000.,  the  whole  of  which, 
with  the  exception  of  a  few  thousand  pounds,  was  raised  by  public  sub- 
scription. The  restoration  was  admirably  effected  under  the  superintendence 
of  Mr.  Sidney  Smirke.  The  Cathedral  is  now  in  excellent  repair ;  men  are 
kept  constantly  employed  on  the  building  to  restore  all  tlie  decayed  parts, 
with  strict  attention  to  original  forms  and  details.  It  is  believed  that  this 
edifice  could  not  be  entirely  rebuilt  in  its  present  style  for  less  than  £2,000,000. 

Four  Grand  Musical  Festivals  have  been  held  in  this  Cathedral,  for  the 
benefit  of  the  York  County  Hospital,  and  the  Infirmaries  of  Leeds,  Hull,  and 
Sheffield.  The  first  was  held  on  the  23rd  of  September,  1823,  and  the  three 
following  dajrs.  The  whole  of  the  three  aisles  of  the  spacious  nave  were  fitted 
up  in  a  most  splendid  manner.  The  fioor  was  boarded  over,  and  an  immense 
gallery  constructed  at  the  west  end,  projecting  eighty-three  feet  eastward  to 
the  third  pillar  of  the  nave.  The  front  seat  was  elevated  four  and  a  half  feet 
above  the  pavement,  and  the  back  seat  was  on  a  level  with  the  base  of  the 
window,  at  the  height  of  twenty-eight  feet.  The  orchestra  was  erected  under 
the  great  lantern  tower.  The  band  was  composed  of  285  vocal,  and  180  instru- 
mental performers.  The  music  consisted  of  selections  from  the  compositions 
of  Handel,  Haydn,  Mozart,  &c.  The  number  of  persons  who  attended  the 
four  days'  performances  was  17,000 ;  and  the  gross  amount  of  the  receipts 
(including  the  evening  concerts  at  the  Assembly  Rooms)  was  £16,174.  16s. 
8d. ;  the  gross  surplus,  which  was  equally  shared  among  the  charities  above 
mentioned,  was  £7,200. 

The  Second  Festival  commenced  on  the  13th  of  September,  1825.  Total 
number  of  persons  present  at  the  four  performances,  20,873.  The  band  con- 
sisted of  615  persons,  vocal  and  instrumental.     Gross  receipts*  £20,876.  IDs* 

The  Third  Festival  took  place  on  the  23rd  of  September,  1828,  and  three 

♦  This  was  on  excellent  poal  of  ten  bells,  the  whole  of  which  were  destroyed  daring 
that  calftmity,  the  metal  being  melted  by  the  intense  heat.  The  tenor  weighed  53  cwt* 
Q5Ib.,  having  a  diameter  of  5  feet  6  inches. 

3  u 


418  HISTORY    OF   THE    CATHEDRAL   OF    YORK. 

followiug  days,  aud  was  attended  by  all  the  rank  and  fashion  in  the  noith  of 
England.  On  this  occasion  additional  galleries  were  erected  in  the  side  aisles. 
The  orchestra  consisted  of  350  vocal  performers,  exclusive  of  thirteen  prin- 
cipal singers;  and  200  instrumentalists.  The  receipts  were  dS  16,7 69.  lis.  4d. 
The  aggregate  attendance  was  ^4,525  persons. 

The  Fourth  Festival  (which  was  the  last)  was  held  on  the  7th  of  September, 
1835,  and  three  succeeding  days.  This  Festival  was  patronised,  in  person, 
by  Her  Majesty  (then  the  Princess  Victoria)  and  the  Duchess  of  Kent  The 
Royal  party  attended  the  Cathedral  on  each  of  the  four  days.  The  orchestra 
-consisted  of  about  600  vocal  suid  instrumental  performers.  The  gross  receipts 
were  ;£16,662.  3s.  9d. ;  the  gross  expenditure,  dS  13,073.  15s.;  suid  the  sur- 
plus of  dS3,588.  8s.  Od.  was  divided  in  the  proportions  of  d£  1,794.  4s.  6d.  to 
the  restoration  fund  for  the  fire  of  1829,  and  J^448.  lis.  Id.  each  to  the 
charitable  institutions  above  mentioned. 

The  late  Dr.  Beckwith,  of  York,  who  died  in  December,  1843,  left  a  sum 
of  J£2,000.  for  the  purchase  of  a  new  peal  of  beUs  for  the  Cathedral ;  and  a 
further  sum  of  dS3,000.  to  be  applied  to  the  restoration  of  the  Chapter  House. 
The  new  and  beautiful  peal  of  twelve  bells,  provided  out  of  the  above-named 
munificent  bequest,  were  rung  for  the  first  time  on  the  4th  of  July,  1844, 
the  day  on  which  the  restoration  committee  closed  their  arduous  labours. 
The  bells,  which  are  placed  in  the  south  tower,  vary  in  height  from  2^^  to  5^ 
feet,  and  in  weight  from  7^  to  53|  cwt.* 

The  large  clock  bell,  named  Great  Peter  of  York,  is  worthy  of  a  special 
notice.     It  cost  £2,000.,  which  was  raised  by  public  subscription  among  the 

•  The  history  of  bells,  as  used  in  collecting  the  people  for  religioas  worship,  is  in- 
volved in  some  obscurity.  The  invention  of  bells  is  by  some  attributed  to  the  Egyptians, 
and  it  is  certain  that  they  were  always  used  to  announce  the  festivals  in  honour  of  Osiris. 
Among  the  Hebrews,  the  high  prieRts,  in  grand  ceremonies,  wore  a  kind  of  tunic,  orna- 
mented with  small  golden  bells.  Bells  were  also  known  among  the  Persians,  the  Greeks, 
and  the  Romans.  It  is  said  that  Paulinus,  Bishop  of  Nola,  a  city  of  Campania,  in  Italy, 
introduced  bells  into  the  church  to  summon  the  people  to  divine  worship ;  but  it  does 
not  appear  that  large  bells  were  used  before  the  sixth  century.  Their  first  adaptation 
to  the  use  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  Church  is  not  clearly  to  be  ascertained  from  written  testi- 
mony. Some  say  they  were  introduced  there  by  Pope  Leo  1. ;  and  others  by  Paulinus. 
According  to  Malmsbury,  small  beUs,  noUx^  were  used  in  Britain  in  the  fifth  centuiy ; 
and  it  is  clear  from  Bede,  that  large  bells,  campana,  such  as  sounded  in  the  air,  and 
called  a  numerous  congregation  to  divine  service,  were  employed  in  England  in  the  year 
680.  It  appears  however  that  the  towers  of  churches  were  not  constructed  solely  for  the 
use  of  bells,  but  partly  to  direct  the  weary  and  benighted  traveller  to  a  place  of  human 
habitation ;  for  which  benevolent  purpose  lights  were  frequently  burnt  in  them  during 
the  darkest  nights.  Dr.  lingard  thinks  that  the  early  towers  were  distinct  fh>m  the 
church. 


HISTORY   OF   THE    CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK.  419 

citizens;  the  Dean  and  Chapter  agreeing  to  expend  a  similar  sum  in  putting 
the  north-western  tower  in  a  state  of  repair  suitable  for  its  reception.  This 
monster  bell  was  cast  by  Messrs.  Hears,  of  London  (who  also  were  the 
founders  of  the  new  peal  of  twelve),  and  it  was  hung  in  its  present  position 
in  the  aboTe-mentioned  tower  in  1845.  It  is  the  largest  bell  in  the  United 
Kingdom,  its  weight  being  11^  tons.  Its  diameter  at  the  mouth  is  8ft.  4in. ; 
its  height,  7ft.  2in. ;  and  its  thickness  at  the  sounding  curve  is  7  inches. 
The  weight  of  the  clapper  is  4  cwt.  1  qr.  6  lb.  This  ponderous  clapper  is  of 
wrought  iron  of  Yorkshire  manufacture,  and  is  a  beautiful  specimen  of  work- 
manship. The  bell  is  heavier  by  4  tons  than  Great  Tom  of  Oxford  (hitherto 
the  largest  in  England),  by  6  tons  than  the  celebrated  Tom  of  Lincoln,  and 
by  nearly  8  tons  than  the  large  bell  at  St.  Paul's.  The  ornaments  of  the 
bell  are  suitable,  and  of  a  character  and  style  similar  to  the  details  of  the 
principal  parts  of  the  Cathedral.  The  arms  of  the  city  and  church  are  placed 
on  each  side  of  it.  The  oaken  stock  on  which  the  bell  is  fixed  weighs,  with 
the  bolts,  3  tons.  There  were  17  tons  of  metal  prepared  for  this  bell.  It 
was  run  in  7^  minutes ;  took  14  days  in  cooling  before  it  could  be  uncovered; 
and  is  one  of  the  most  perfect  specimens  of  gigantic  casting  known.  Round 
the  top  is  the  following  inscription  in  Lombardic  characters : — 

"  In  sanctse  et  aetemGe  Trinitatis  honorem 
Peciinia  sponte  collata,  Eboracensea 
Faciendum  coraverunt  in  usiun 
Ecclesifle  metrop.    B.  Petri,  Ebor." 

And  round  the  rim — 

"  Anno  Salutis  MDCCCXLV.    Victoriaj  Regina  VIIL, 
Edwardi  Archiepi  XXXVIH. 
G.  et  G.  Mears,  Londini,  Fecerunt.'* 

This  magnificent  bell  is  in  the  key  of  F,  and  is  at  present  rung  by  means  of 
a  hammer  and  two  wheels,  one  on  each  side  of  the  axle,  14  feet  in  diameter, 
by  which  imperfect  mode  however  its  powers  are  never  fully  developed. 

Description. — Exterior, — The  Cathedral  of  York,  usually  called  York 
Minster,^  is  one  of  the  most  magnificent  fanes  of  the  Christian  religion  in 

•  The  word  Minster  in  the  Anglo-Saxon  is  Myruter;  in  the  old  Franco- Grauliok,  Mon- 
stier;  bat  all  from  the  Latin  Monasteriumf  a  Cathedral  Church  and  Monastery  being 
formerly  synonimous  terms.  "  In  ancient  times  scarce  any  illustrious  churches  were 
built  without  a  congregation  of  monks  to  attend  divine  service  there ;  a  mark  whereof 
remains  to  this  day,  for  our  Cathedral  Churches  are  vulgarly  called  Minsters,  or  Monas- 
teries. And  this  was  according  to  the  advice  given  to  St.  Augustine  by  Pojje  Gregory,  to 
institute  in  his  churches  a  body  of  religious  persons  like  that  in  the  primitive  church  of 


430  MISTORY   OP   THE    CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK. 

existence,  and  is  decidedly  the  most  splendid  monument  in  Great  Britain  of 

r 

the  piety  of  former  times ;  as  well  as  one  of  the  most  interesting  comhinations 
of  Gothic  arcliitecture  in  the  world.  Stupendous  castles,  splendid  monas- 
teries, and  massy  towers,  reared  through  many  ages  subsequent  to  the  erec- 
tion of  this  superb  pile,  have  long  since  mouldered  away,  and  their  site  ceased 
to  be  known ;  but  the  withering  finger  of  time  has  failed  to  devastate  this 
elaborate  erection.  This  sumptuous  church,  where  Kings  have  knelt  down 
to  worship  Him,  who  is  the  King  of  Kings,  and  warriors  laid  aside  the  pa- 
noply  of  human  warfare  to  sue  for  peace  with  heaven,  is  a  very  conspicuous 
object  for  miles  on  all  sides  of  the  city. 

Its  ground  plan  is  a  Latin  cross,  in  which  a  peculiar  symmetr}^  is  observable, 
owing  to  the  uniform  regularity  of  its  construction ;  a  feature  which  few  Ca- 
thedrals possess,  on  account  of  the  many  subordinate  chapels  which  interfere 
with  their  general  an*angcment.  The  parts  of  the  building  are  a  nave,  with 
side  aisles ;  a  transept,  situate  at  about  the  middle  of  its  length,  also  con- 
sisting of  nave  and  aisles ;  a  choir  and  side  aisles,  and  a  ''  Ladye  Chapel "  in 
continuation,  eastward  of  the  altar  screen.  A  small  transept  is  situated  about 
midway  between  the  great  transept  and  the  east  end  of  the  church.  Attached 
to  the  south  side  of  the  choir,  east  of  the  south  transept,  are  three  small 
chapels,  and  these  are  all  the  extraneous  chapels  which  ever  belonged  to  this 
magnificent  structure.  A  fine  lantern  tower  rises  from  the  intersection  of 
the  nave  and  transept,  and  the  west  end  is  adorned  with  two  splendid  towers. 
Adjoining  to  the  north  end  of  the  eastern  aisle  of  the  great  transept  is  the 
elegant  octagonal-shaped  Chapter  House,  with  its  interesting  vestibule. 

To  describe  minutely  all  the  transcendent  beauties  which  are  constellated 
in  this  distinguished  edifice,  with  all  the  technicality  of  architectural  pre- 
cision, ^ould  be  tedious  to  the  general  reader ;  yet  a  brief  outline  may  be 
equally  acceptable  and  useful.  We  will  conduct  the  stranger  therefore  round 
the  Minster  before  we  pass  the  sacred  threshold  to  survey  the  beauties  of 
the  interior. 

Tho  Western  or  Principal  Fronty  with  its  two  graceful  towers,  has  a  truly 
noble  appearance.  Human  skill  could  scarcely  have  produced  anything  more 
complete  in  this  style  of  architecture.  This  front  is  divided  into  three  com- 
partments by  the  buttresses  which  support  the  towers.  These  buttresses  are 
riclily  enchased  with  niches  and  canopies  in  relief,  from  their  base  to  the  very 

Jemsfllem,  in  wliich  none  accounted  those  things  which  he  possessed  his  own,  but  all 
things  were  common  amon^  them." — Cressy'a  Hht^ny  of  the  Saxon  Church.  The  term 
Minster  is  still  retained  by  a  few  churches  of  eminence  for  their  splendid  appearance 
and  antiquity. 


HISTORY   OF   THE    CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK.  421 

summit,  where  Uiey  terminate  in  angular  heads  under  the  cornice  of  the 
towers,  and  are  broken  in  height  into  four  stories,  gradually  diminishing  in 
breadth  and  projection  as  thej  rise. 

At  this  front  there  are  three  entrances,  the  central  one  of  which  is  of 
elegant  workmanship  and  curious  design.  It  is  divided  bj  a  pillar,  composed 
of  three  clustered  columns,  with  foliated  capitals,  into  two  doorways,  crowned 
with  pointed  arches ;  the  points  of  these  arches  bear  a  circular  window,  the 
tracery  of  which  is  formed  of  six  trefoils  in  triangles ;  and  the  whole  is 
enclosed  within  a  splendid  recessed  arch,  composed  of  various  mouldings 
relieved  by  hollows;  the  mouldings  being  occupied  by  the  most  delicate 
sculptures  of  flowers,  niche  work,  &c.  In  one  of  the  mouldings  of  the  arch 
are  sixteen  delicate  and  elegantly  executed  niches,  each  containing  a  sculp- 
tured scene  from  the  history  of  Adam  and  Eve.  Over  the  top  of  the  great 
door,  in  a  sitting  posture,  is  a  statue  of  Archbishop  de  Melton,  the  principal 
founder  of  this  part  of  the  church,  who  is  represented  with  a  model  of  the 
building  in  his  hand ;  and  in  niches  on  each  side  of  the  tympanum  are  figures 
of  Robert  de  Vavasour,  holding  a  piece  of  rough  unhewn  stone  in  his  hand ; 
and  William  de  Percy,  holding  the  similitude  of  a  piece  of  wrought  timber, 
to  commemorate  their  respective  gifts  of  stone  and  timber  for  the  choir  of  the 
church.  Above  this  doorway  is  a  grand  window  of  elegant  design — an  un- 
rivalled specimen  of  the  leafy  tracery  which  marks  the  style  of  the  middle  of 
the  1 4th  century.  It  is  divided  by  muUions  into  eight  lights,  and  the  head 
of  the  arch  is  filled  with  a  beautiful  arrangement  of  trefoils  and  other  orna- 
ments. Like  the  doorway  this  window  is  covered  with  a  pediment,  and 
accompanied  with  niches.  A  cornice  and  pierced  battlement  then  succeed, 
over  which  the  elevation  finishes  in  a  low  pediment,  the  raking  cornice  of 
which  is  ornamented  with  a  graduated  battlement,  and  on  the  apex  is  a 
handsome  pinnacle.  The  whole  of  this  front  has  niches,  with  pedestals  for 
statuary,  but  whatever  might  have  been  the  intention  of  the  architects,  it 
appears  that  they  have  never  been  occupied.  In  the  front  of  one  of  the 
buttresses  of  the  north  tower,  is  a  very  large  niche,  on  the  pedestal  of  which 
are  the  remains  of  a  person  seated  upon  a  horse  or  mule,  with  another  figure 
minus  the  head  and  shoulders,  standing  a  little  behind.  The  upper  part  of 
the  mounted  figure  is  gone,  but  when  perfect,  the  whole  was  probably  a 
representation  of  the  Flight  into  Egypt.  On  the  corresponding  buttress 
.  of  the  south  tower  is  a  niche  of  the  same  size,  having  on  its  pedestal  the 
remains  of  a  man  on  horseback,  with  figures  beneath  the  horse  s  feet.  The 
whole  of  the  upper  part  of  the  mounted  figure  is  also  gone.  Gent  says  that 
the  subject  in  this  niche,  when  perfect,  was  a  representation  of  a  knight 


4^2  HISTORY    OF   THE    CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK. 

trampling  envy,  &c,,  under  foot     There  are  similar  niches  in  the  oiher  two 
buttresses  of  this  front,  but  the  niches  are  vacant. 

The  towers,  which  are  uniform,  and  of  graceful  elevation,  and  in  ten 
several  contractions,  all  cloistered  for  imagery,  are  four  stories  in  height. 
The  upper  stories  are  more  modem  than  the  rest  of  the  front,  they  having 
been  built  by  John  de  Bermingham,  who  was  treasurer  of  the  church  about 
the  year  1433.  The  ground  floors  of  the  towers  contain  entrances  to  the 
church,  and  the  three  succeeding  stories  have  windows,  the  general  style  of 
decoration  assimilating  with  the  central  portion.  The  finish  of  the  elevation 
of  each  tower  is  a  pierced  parapet,  embattled  and  surmounted  by  eight 
crocketed  pinnacles,  four  at  the  angles,  and  one  situated  in  the  centre  of  each 
side.  The  entrance  to  the  church  in  the  lower  story  of  the  towers,  though  of 
a  subordinate  character  to  the  centre  doorway,  are  still  very  fine,  each  having 
a  handsome  deeply  recessed  arch,  supported  by  columns  similar  to  the  centre 
door.  Two  of  the  windows  of  each  tower  on  every  side  are  glazed,  but  the 
windows  of  the  upper  stories  are  filled  with  weather  boarding.  On  the  west 
side  of  the  south  tower,  a  little  higher  up  than  the  leads,  is  an  inscription 
having  the  appearance  of  Old  English  characters,  representing  the  word, 
Ber-hing-ham.  At  each  end  of  the  word,  and  between  its  divisions,  are 
figures  of  chained  eagles  and  bears.  This  is  the  memorial  of  the  above- 
named  treasurer,  who  rebuilt  or  finished  this  as  well  as  the  north  tower. 

The  dilapidations  which  time  and  fanatical  zeal  had  inflicted  on  the 
statuary  and  the  ornamental  work  of  tlie  west  front  were  well  restored  by  Mr. 
Taylor,  sculptor,  of  York,  in  1808,  and  the  steps  which  grace  the  three 
entrances  were  discovered  and  laid  bare  in  18/28,  whilst  levelling  the  ground 
in  frt)nt  of  the  building.  The  stone  of  which  the  lower  part  of  this  front  of  the 
Cathedral  is  constructed,  was  brought  frx)m  the  quarries  near  Tadcaster ;  but 
that  of  the  two  towers  was  probably  obtained  frt)m  the  quarries  of  Stapleton, 
near  Pontefract ;  for  among  the  archives  of  the  Duchy  of  Lancaster,  is  a 
grant  dated  17th  of  July,  1400,  to  the  Dean  and  Chapter  to  be  exempt  fix)m 
the  payment  of  tolls  and  other  customs  on  the  river  Aire,  for  stone  to  be 
carried  to  York  Cathedral,  for  the  new  works. 

Tfi£  Nave,  which  was  commenced  by  Archbishop  le  Komayne,  in  1291,  is 
divided  into  seven  parts  by  buttresses,  and  consists,  as  usual,  of  two  stories, 
that  is  the  centre  has  a  clerestory,  or  a  story  rising  above  the  side  aisles. 
In  every  division  of  the  aisle  is  a  fine  window  of  three  lights,  made  by  mul- 
lions.*     The  clerestory  has  a  window  of  five  lights  in  each  division,  with 

•  Mallions  are  the  solid  species  of  masonry  which  di\'ide  the  space  of  a  window  into 
compartments. 


HISTORY   OF   THE    CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK.  423 

generally  a  circle  or  wheel  in  the  head  of  the  arch,  filled  with  quatrefoil 
tracery.  The  finish  is  an  open  battlement  over  a  leaved  cornice.  The  North 
side  is  finished  in  a  plain  style,  and  has  no  pinnacles  over  the  buttresses.  It 
was  formerly  blocked  up  by  the  Archbishop  *s  palace,  and  this  probably  ac- 
counts for  the  absence  of  elaborate  ornament.  The  flying  buttresses  towards 
the  clerestory  were  removed  at  an  early  period.  The  South  side  resembles 
the  opposite  side  in  its  general  character  and  decorations  ;  the  buttresses  are 
surmounted  by  lofty  and  elegant  pinnacles,  instead  of  the  dwarf  caps  on  the 
other  side.  In  each  is  a  niche,  and  in  them  are  statues  of  Our  Saviour, 
Archbishop  St.  William,  and  the  four  Evangelists.  These  pinnacles  have 
been  completely  restored  within  the  last  twenty-five  years.  The  whole  of 
the  portions  of  the  church  already  described,  are,  with  trifling  exceptions,  in 
the  richest  style  of  the  14th  century. 

The  SotUh  Transept  is,  with  the  exception  of  the  crypt,  the  oldest  portion  of 
the  church.  The  early  date  of  this  transept  is  evinced  by  the  acutely-pointed 
arches,  and  slender  pillars,  with  plain  or  slightly  ornamented  capitals,  and 
its  angular  pediments.  The  chasteness  of  its  ornaments  forms  a  strong  con- 
trast with  the  sumptuous  grandeur  of  the  nave.  The  whole  front  is  divided 
by  buttresses  into  three  parts,  corresponding  with  the  three  internal  aisles. 
These  buttresses  are  ornamented  by  pointed  arches  of  the  lancet  form,  and 
surmounted  by  four  octagonal  turrets,  of  a  later  style  of  architecture.  In  the 
the  central  division  is  the  principal  porch  or  South  Entrance  of  the  Cathedral, 
approached  by  two  spacious  flights  of  steps,  an  unusual  appendage  to  an 
ancient  building.  After  the  Reformation,  we  are  tpld  by  Cooke,  "some 
avaricious  Dean  leased  out  the  ground  for  some  space  on  each  side  of  these 
steps,  for  building  houses  and  shops  on."  These  buildings,  which  *'  were  of 
great  discredit,  as  well  as  an  annoyance  to  the  fabric  "  continued,  he  tells  us, 
"  till  the  worthy  Dean  Gale,  amongst  other  particular  benefactions,  sufiered 
the  leases  to  run  out,  pulled  down  the  houses,  and  cleaned  this  part  of  the 
church  from  the  scurf  it  had  contracted  by  the  smoke  proceeding  from  these 
dwellings."* 

The  arch  of  entrance  is  pointed,  and  was  altered  about  forty  years  ago ; 
and  an  ancient  clock,  which  stood  over  it,  with  two  wooden  statues  in  armour 
of  the  time  of  Henry  VII.,  that  struck  the  quarters  on  two  small  bells,  was 
removed  at  the  same  time,  and  the  present  handsome  dial  substituted.  The 
second  story  has  lancet  windows ;  and  the  third,  which  is  crowned  with  a 
pediment,  has  a  beautiful  circular  rose  or  wheel  window,  one  of  the  most 

*  Cooke's  Topographicfd  Description  of  Yorkshire. 


424  UISTORY    OF    THE    CATHEDRAL    OK    YORK. 

Splendid  of  the  kind  in  England.  It  is  sometimes  called  the  marigold  win- 
dow, from  its  resemblance  to  that  flower.  It  consists  of  three  concentric 
circles,  the  smallest  occupied  with  six  sweeps ;  the  second  has  twelve  columns, 
surmounted  by  trefoil  arches,  disposed  in  the  manner  of  the  spokes  of  a  wheel ; 
and  the  third  has  twenty-four  similar  arches  disposed  in  the  same  manner. 

Above  this  is  a  triangular  window,  and  the  apex  is  surmounted  by  a  small 
spire,  commonly  called  the  Fiddler's  turret,  from  a  small  effigy  of  a  fiddler 
which  crowns  it.  This  effigy  was  removed  ^m  some  other  part  of  the  build- 
ing, and  placed  here.  The  aisles  have  lancet  windows,  and  the  general  style 
of  the  decorations  correspond  with  the  centre.  The  west  side  of  the  south 
entrance  is  disfigured  by  a  plain  irregular  building  of  two  stories,  now  used 
as  the  WUl  Office  of  the  diocese.  The  low  buildings  on  the  east  of  the  same 
entrance  are  vestries  and  out  offices  of  the  church.  They  were  formerly 
chantries,  and  one  of  them  was  known  as  Archbishop  de  la  Zouche's  Chapel, 
already  noticed.  It  is  much  to  be  regretted  in  the  many  improvements  which 
of  late  years  have  been  made  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood  of  the  Minster, 
that  these  excrescences,  which  are  of  a  dififerent  style  of  architecture,  and  at 
variance  with  the  scope  and  design  of  the  noble  edifice,  and  nrhich  consequently 
deform  it,  have  been  allowed  to  continue.  Were  it  not  for  these  erections, 
the  spectator  would  be  presented  with  a  clear  and  unbroken  coup  d'csil  of  the 
Cathedral,  incomparable  in  magnificence  and  extent. 

The  North  Transept  exhibits  the  finished  neatness  and  plainness  of  the 
first  period  of  the  pointed  style.  The  walls  both  of  the  aisle  and  doorway 
are  finished  with  a  block  cornice,  with  enriched  mouldings  and  plain  parapet. 
The  windows  are  narrow  and  acutely  pointed,  and  buttresses  are  attached  to 
the  piers,  having  angular  pedimental  caps.  The  turrets  at  the  angles  seem 
unfinished  as  they  are  left  without  spires  or  pinnacles,  and  the  point  of  the 
gable  ends  abruptly,  without  any  decoration.  The  north  front  commences 
with  a  low  blank  arcade,  or  a  series  of  arches  with  trefoil  heads.  Above  the 
arcade  is  a  fine  window  of  five  long  single  lancet  lights ;  and  higher  up  still 
is  another  of  a  like  number  of  lights ;  both  of  unequal  height.  The  west 
aisle  has  a  double  lancet  window,  which  is  finished  with  a  raking  cornice. 
The  end  of  the  eastern  aisle  is  built  against  by  the  vestibule  of  the  Chapter 
House.  Some  years  ago  this  front  was  partially  restored,  and  portions  of  it 
were  considerably  altered. 

The  Choir  is  in  the  scune  style  as  the  nave,  though  of  a  later  period.  On 
each  side,  about  midway,  is  a  projection  above  the  side  aisles,  called  the 
lAttle  Transept,  with  a  lofty  window  rising  from  the  middle  of  the  aisle  to 
nearly  the  top  of  the  choir,  and  also  with  windows  over  the  side  aisles.    This 


HISTORY    OF   THE    CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK.  426 

transept  projects  no  further  than  the  walls  of  the  aisle.  This  transept  has 
somewhat  the  appearance  of  a  square  tower,  though  not  carried  higher  than 
the  walls  of  the  nave.  At  the  angles  are  douhle  buttresses,  ending  in  pin- 
nacles, and  in  the  flank  walls  above  the  aisles  are  windows  to  correspond 
with  the  others.  The  space  between  the  great  and  little  transept  is  in  three 
divisions,  with  windows  filled  with  tracery  of  an  elegant  but  more  regular 
design  than  the  nave ;  the  buttresses  are  crowned  with  pinnacles,  and  the 
finish  to  the  walls  is  similar  to  the  nave.  The  four  divisions  eastward  of 
this  transept  are  uniform  with  those  before  described,  except  that  the  cleres- 
tory windows  are  fronted  with  open  screens  of  beautiful  stone  work,  which 
gives  them  the  appearance  of  unglazed  windows.  This  feature  is  peculiar  to 
this  Cathedral  in  England,  but  it  occurs  in  some  of  the  continental  churches. 
The  great  east  window  has  a  similar  screen-work  before  it,  towards  the  in- 
terior. The  cornice  under  the  battlements  is  more  perfect  towards  the 
eastern  part,  and  exhibits  beautiful  foliage.  The  spouts  are  sculptured  with 
bold  projecting  figures,  through  which  the  water  is  conveyed  from  the  roofs. 
The  Ecutem  Fronts  which  is  extremely  beautiful,  is  divided  by  buttresses 
into  three  portions,  answering  to  the  nave  and  aisles.  The  buttresses  are 
adorned  with  niches,  pedestals,  and  canopies,  formerly  filled  with  statues, 
but,  excepting  three  of  them,  now  empty.  The  north  and  south  buttresses 
are  octagonal,  and  contain  staircases.  The  great  east  window  in  the  centre 
is  of  the  most  magnificent  proportions,  and  unrivalled  workmanship.  Pugin 
considered  it  the  finest  window  in  the  world.  It  is  divided  in  breadth 
by  mullions  into  nine  divisions,  which  are  made  by  transoms  into  three 
tiers  of  lights,  and  the  head  is  occupied  by  three  sub-arches,  and  a  number 
of  minute  compartments.  Over  the  lofty  arch  is  a  fine  sweeping  ogee 
moulding,  with  foliage  canopy,  remarkable  for  its  fine  curve  and  lofty 
termination.  Above  the  canopy  is  some  highly  elaborate  and  beautiful 
tabernacle  work,  and  in  the  centre  is  a  square  turret,  with  a  crocketed  finial. 
The  aisles  have  windows  of  three  lights  of  a  corresponding  character,  and 
similar  in  finish  to  the  centre.  The  statue  in  the  niche,  immediately  over 
the  point  of  the  window,  is  supposed  to  represent  Archbishop  Thoresby,  the 
builder  of  this  part  of  the  fiEibric.  The  figure,  which  is  robed  and  seated, 
holds  in  its  left  hand  the  model  of  a  church,  and  points  to  the  window  with 
its  light.  In  the  niches  in  the  extreme  angular  buttresses,  are  statues  of 
Vavasour  and  Percy,  who  bestowed  the  stone  and  timber  for  the  building. 
The  seventeen  heads  at  the  base  of  the  great  window  represent  Our  Saviour 
(the  centre  one),  the  Twelve  Apostles,  and  some  of  the  ancient  fathers  of  the 
church.     The  north  and  south  aisles  of  the  choir  pretty  much  correspond, 

3  I 


4'^0  HISTORY    OF   HIE    CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK. 

except  that  the  front  of  the  latter  is  disfigured  hj  the  addition  of  the  hefore 
mentioned  vestries.     The  south  side  of  this  choir  is  now  heing  restored. 

The  OreiU  Central  or  Lantern  Tower,  rises  from  the  intersection  of  the 
nave  and  transept,  and  surmounts  the  whole  Cathedral-  "  This  magnificent 
erection/*  writes  Britton,  ''hears  evident  marks  of  the  Tudor  style.  On 
each  of  its  four  sides  are  two  large  windows,  with  two  tiers  of  mullions 
bounded  on  each  side  bj  compartmented  buttresses.  The  battlements  are 
richly  perforated."  Drake  says  that  ''tradition  assures  us  it  was  meant 
to  be  carried  much  higher,  by  a  spire  of  wood,  covered  with  lead  on  the  top 
of  it ;  but  the  foundation  was  found  too  weak  for  such  a  superstructure," 
and  recent  discoveries  have  tended  to  strengthen  this  opinion.  Great 
fault  has  been  found  with  this  tower,  because  it  is  not  surmounted  by 
pinnacles,  as  are  the  other  parts  of  the  Cathedral ;  but  this  defect  is  in  some 
sort  compensated  for  by  the  massive  appearance  which  the  absence  of  pin- 
nacles give  it.  The  top  is  reached  by  a  spiral  staircase  of  273  steps,  and  the 
labour  of  ascending  is  well  repaid  by  the  view  that  it  affords  of  the  country 
for  many  miles  round.  The  highest  point  of  this  tower  is  213  feet  from  the 
ground.  It  is  65  feet  in  breadth,  and  is  said  to  be  the  most  massive  tower 
in  England.  In  the  year  1666,  by  order  of  the  Duke  of  Buckingham,  a 
turret  of  wood  was  erected,  covered  with  lead  and  glazed,  on  the  top  of  this 
steeple.  This  was  to  put  lights  into  upon  occasion,  to  serve  as  a  beacon  to 
alarm  the  country,  in  case  the  Hollanders  or  French,  with  both  which  powers 
we  were  then  at  war,  should  attempt  to  land  on  our  coasts. 

Interior. — On  entering  the  Cathedral  from  the  west  endy'i'  the  vastness 
of  its  dimensions,  the  justness  of  its  proportions,  and  the  chaste  simplicity 
and  beauty  of  the  arrangement,  produce  an  intense  impression  of  grandeur. 
Architecture  perhaps  never  produced,  nor  can  imagination  easily  conceive  a 
vista  of  greater  sublimity  and  magnificence  than  that  which  is  seen  from  this 
entrance.  The  spectator  has  before  him  a  perspective  of  upwards  of  500  feet, 
the  continuity  of  the  vaulting  broken  in  a  pleasing  manner  about  the  centre 
of  the  lantern  tower.  In  contemplating  this  spacious  nave,  with  its  beautiful 
columns,  and  ceiling  groined  and  ribbed,  the  beholder  may  fancy  himself 
within  a  superb  avenue  of  lofty  trees,  whose  upper  branches  are  elegantly  in- 
tertwined in  an  endless  variety  of  complicated  combinations.  He  views  the 
grand  design  with  increasing  attention,  and  soon  becomes  imbued  with  other 
sentiments  than  those  of  mere  admiration  of  the  building,  as  a  superb  speci- 

•  The  principal  entrance  to  the  Cathedral  is  at  the  west  front,  but  it  is  now  used  only 
at  funerals,  or  the  reception  of  an  Archbishop,  in  solemn  procession  for  enthronization ; 
or  in  cases  of  visits  from  royal  or  very  distioguished  personages. 


HISTORY   OF   TUE   CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK.  427 

men  of  the  almoBt  unlimited  extent  to  which  the  exertions  of  human  science 
may  be  carried.  Wordl  j  considerations  are  rapidly  swept  away  to  make  room 
for  ideas  of  greater  solemnity.  Another  fine  point  of  observation  is  beneath 
the  central  tower.  Here  may  at  once  be  seen  the  lengthened  aisles  and  lofty 
columns ;  the  statuary  screen,  which  divides  the  nave  and  choir,  and  the 
several  painted  ^nndows.  To  describe  the  efifect  which  this  grand  scene  must 
produce  on  the  mind  of  the  spectator,  must  unavoidably  be  to  do  it  injustice. 
It  must  be  experienced  to  be  felt  and  understood,  for  he  is  now  within  the 
sacred  walls  of  one  of  those  grand  churches,  which,  as  Wharton  observes,  are 
of  wonderful  mechanism,  constructed  on  principles  of  inexplicable  architecture, 
and  possessing  a  t^idency  to  impress  the  soul  with  sensations  of  awe  and 
religioas  veneration. 

The  elevation  of  the  nave  is  in  three  heights  or  stories,  as  is  usual  in  most 
Cathedrals.  It  is  separated  irom  the  side  aisles  by  long  ranges  of  finely  clus- 
tered columns,  of  which  the  central  shafts  rise  to  the  roof,  and  the  others 
support  a  series  of  graceful  arches  in  the  Early  Pointed  style,  chastely  and 
appropriately  enriched.  The  capitals  are  ornamented  with  leaves,  and  the 
mouldings  of  the  arches,  which  form  the  first  story  of  the  elevation,  and  the 
other  architectural  details,  though  rather  plain,  have  a  most  pleasing  effect. 
The  Triforium,  or  second  story,  consists  of  five  lofty  narrow  trefoiled  arches, 
with  acute  angular  canopies,  and  an  open  screen  runs  in  front  of  it.  This 
division  of  the  height  of  the  nave  is  in  a  manner  united  with  tbe  tbird  or 
clerestory.  The  latter  contains  a  noble  range  of  windows,  divided  by  slender 
mullions  into  five  hghts,  having  in  the  crown  of  the  arch  a  circular  light, 
filled  with  quatrefoil  tracery.  Nearly  every  one  of  the  clerestoiy  windows 
have  a  considerable  quantity  of  stained  glass,  principally  shields  of  arms,  &c. 
In  the  spandrils  of  the  principal  arches  are  shields,  carved  with  various  coats 
of  arms  in  reUef.  Those  on  the  North  Side  are  the  arms  of  the  famihes  of 
Vavasour,  Roos,  Percy,  Greystock,  Latimer,  Vere  Earls  of  Oxford,  Beau- 
champ  Earls  of  Warwick,  Bohun  Earls  of  Hereford,  Aymer  de  Valence  Eaii 
of  Pembroke,  Cobham,  Ulphus,  and  Ferrers.  On  the  South  Side,  Vavasour 
and  Percy,  Warren  Earls  of  Surrey,  Wake,  Devereux,  Reresby,  De  Mawley 
Lords  of  Donoaster,  Clare  Earls  of  Gloucester,  Bek  of  Eresby,  Royal  Arms 
of  England,  and  those  of  a  Prince  of  Wales.  Each  of  the  centre  compart- 
ments of  every  division  of  the  second  story  formerly  contained  a  statue,  of 
which  only  five  now  remain.  The  most  perfect  is  in  the  fifth  division  from 
the  west,  on  the  south  side,  which  represents  St.  George ;  and  on  the  opposite 
side  is  a  large  wooden  dragon,  which  served  as  a  lever  to  lift  the  cover  of 
the  old  font. 


428  HISTORY   OF   THE   CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK. 

The  vaulted  ceiling  is  of  wood,  plainly  groined ;  the  bosses  being  carved 
with  incidents  in  scriptaral  history,  or  device  in  relief.  The  present  roof  was 
erected  in  1841,  the  whole  of  the  previous  one  having  been  burnt  in  the  dis- 
astrous fire  of  1840.  Formerly  the  groins  and  knots  were  enriched  with 
paints  and  gold. 

The  Aisles  are  ornamented  in  a  style  equally  splendid  with  the  nave. 
They  are  lighted  by  an  elegant  range  of  windows,  each  of  three  lights,  with 
quatrefoiled  circles  and  tracery.  Below  each  window  are  several  upright 
compartments,  divided  by  buttresses,  ending  in  pinnacles.  A  triple  cluster  of 
columns,  uniform  with  those  of  the  main  pillars,  is  attached  to  the  piers 
between  the  windows,  and  these  in  part  sustain  the  vaults,  which  are  of  stone, 
groined  with  arches  and  cross  springers.  An  arched  doorway  in  the  north  aisle 
formerly  led  into  the  chapel  of  the  Holy  Sepulchre,  or  of  St  Sepulchre,  as 
it  is  commonly  called,  built  by  Archbishop  Roger,  and  long  since  destroyed. 
Over  this  doorway  are  two  shields,  charged  with  the  arms  of  Old  France  and 
England,  and  between  these,  on  the  point  of  the  arch,  is  a  mutilated  statue 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  Divine  Child,  standing  on  a  pedestal,  but  the  upper 
part  of  the  figures  are  now  gone ;  and  near  this  are  two  angels  in  alto  relievo, 
the  heads  of  which  have  disappeared.  A  little  beyond  this  doorway  is  an 
altar  tomb,  which  is  attributed,  but  without  foundation,  to  Archbishop  Roger. 
The  large  doors  of  the  central  entrance  are  separated  by  a  slender  pier, 
adorned  with  a  beautiful  small  niche  and  canopy ;  over  which  is  a  circular 
compartment  glazed  and  ornamented  with  tracery ;  and  on  each  side  is  an 
escutcheon  of  arms,  one  assigned  to  Edward  JQ.,  and  the  other  to  the  Saxon 
Prince  Ulphus.  On  each  side  of  this  door  are  two  series  of  niches  resembling 
the  stall  work  in  the  aisles,  which,  with  the  doorway,  entirely  fill  up  the 
cespa  beneath  the  great  west  window. 

Two  series  of  niches,  with  pedestals  for  statues  and  angular  canopies,  oc- 
cupy the  jambs  of  the  window,  and  the  rest  of  the  wall  below  the  vault  is 
ornamented  with  upright  panels ;  so  that  every  portion  of  the  wall  from  the 
pavement  to  the  ceiling  is  tastefully  covered  with  ornament,  and  the  side 
divisions  which  occupy  the  towers,  partake  of  the  same  kind  of  sculptured 
work.  Above  the  arches  of  the  doorways  are  reliefs  representing,  on  the 
north  side,  the  subject  of  a  fox  chase ;  and  on  the  south,  a  combat  between  a 
knight  and  an  uncouth  looking  animal.  The  relief  in  one  of  the  quatrefoil 
panels  on  the  latter  door,  represents  Sampson  tearing  open  the  jaws  of  a  lion, 
whilst  the  faithless  Delilah  behind  him  is  cutting  ofi"  his  hair.  The  relief 
which  accompanies  it,  as  well  as  the  reliefs  in  the  quatrefoils  of  the  north 
door,  are  unintelligible.     The  towers  are  cut  off  from  view  by  plain  floors  of 


HISTORY   OF   THE    CATHEDRAL   OF   YORE.  429 

wood.  The  Ptwefnent  is  a  mosaic  pattern  on  the  grandest  scale,  but  as  has 
already  been  observed,  it  is  utterly  at  yariance  with  the  architecture  of  the 
church.  The  old  pavement,  which  was  removed  in  1736,  was  marked  with 
circles  supposed  to  point  out  the  stations  of  the  dignitaries  of  the  church  in 
the  ancient  processions. 

The  Transept,  which  is  also  in  the  early  pointed  style  of  architecture,  con- 
sists of  three  aisles ;  the  nave  or  largest  aisle,  in  common  with  the  rest  of 
the  church,  shows  three  stories  in  elevation.  The  first  consists  of  large 
pointed  arches,  springing  from  piers  set  about  with  numerous  clustered 
columns.  The  second  story  shows  a  large  circular  arch,  divided  into  two 
others,  which  in  like  manner  are  subdivided  into  smaller  ones;  and  the 
clerestory  consists  of  an  arcade  of  acutely  pointed  arches  of  equal  height, 
three  in  each  division  being  pierced  to  admit  light.  The  south  transept  is 
three  lays  or  arches  in  length  from  the  centre  tower,  and  it  is  remarkable 
that  the  columns  and  arches  exhibit  different  styles  of  proportion  and  orna- 
ment. The  two  bays  nearest  the  tower  are  filled  up  with  masonry,  as  a 
support  to  the  piers  of  that  massive  structure.  The  present  vaulted  and 
groined  ceiling  is  of  wood,  and  is  ornamented  with  a  greater  profusion  of  in- 
tersections and  bosses  than  the  nave.  The  ceiling  was  originally  much 
lower,  but  when  the  arch  which  supports  the  great  tower,  was  erected,  it  was 
necessary  to  raise  the  ceiling  of  the  transepts  to  a  corresponding  height. 
The  aisles  hare  lancet  windows  without  tracery,  in  pairs,  the  dados  being 
ornamented  with  trefoil  arches  in  blank.  The  vaulted  roof  of  stone  resembles 
that  in  the  aisles  of  the  great  nave.  The  interior  of  the  south  front  is  pecu- 
liarly grand.  The  large  circular  window  at  the  top,  and  the  three  middle 
windows  are  very  fine.  The  north  arm  of  the  transept  is  more  regular  and 
well  finished  than  the  south.  Its  principal  feature  is  the  elevation  of  the 
north  end,  which  contains  the  window  of  five  lancet  lights  called  the  Five 
Sisters,  from  a  tradition  that  the  patterns  of  the  several  divisions  were  wrought 
in  tapestry  by  five  sister  nuns,  and  presented  to  the  church.  When  viewed 
from  the  south  end  the  effect  of  this  window  is  only  inferior  to  that  of  the  great 
east  window.  One  of  the  plain  windows  at  the  end  of  the  west  aisle  was 
that  through  which  the  fanatic  lunatic  Jonathan  Martin  made  his  escape, 
after  firing  the  choir  in  1829.  The  door  through  the  eastern  wall,  at  present 
opening  into  the  yard,  is  supposed  to  have  formerly  communicated  with  a 
Chapter  House  older  than  the  present  one.  The  east  aisle  of  this  transept 
was  formerly  a  chapel  dedicated  to  St.  Nicholas,  founded  by  Richard  de 
Chester,  Canon  of  the  Church  in  1346.     The  baptismal  font  stands  at  the 


430  HISTORY   OF   THE   CATHED&VL   OF   YORK. 

end  of  the  western  aisle  of  the  south  arm  of  die  transept.    It  is  a  large  circular 
basin  of  dark  shell  marble,  not  remarkable  for  any  curious  workmanship. 

The  Central  Tower  is  supported  by  four  massive  piers,  surmounted  by 
smaller  columns.  From  these  piers  spring  four  elegantly  pointed  arches, 
nearly  100  feet  high,  above  which  is  a  gallery  in  design  closely  resembling 
the  stall  woi^  in  the  aisles  of  the  nave ;  and  this  is  surmounted  by  eight 
lofty  windows,  two  in  each  wall,  measuring  45  feet  in  length.  The  groined 
ceiling  of  wood,  which  is  180  feet  from  the  ground,  assimilates  with  the  nave, 
the  centre  boss  containing  small  statues  of  St  Peter  and  St  Paul,  with  a 
church  between  them ;  and  on  four  knots  round  about  are  cherubims  with  their 
wings,  as  mentioned  in  one  of  Ezekiel's  visions,  having  on  them  the  face  of  a 
man,  a  lion,  an  ox,  and  an  eagle.  In  the  spandrils  of  the  beautiful  arches  of 
this  tower  are  shields,  charged  as  follows: — On  the  east  the  Pallium,  the  papal 
insignia  of  Archiepiscopal  authority,  and  the  arms  of  St.  Wilfrid ;  on  the  north 
the  arms  assigned  to  the  Saxon  Kings  Edwin  and  Edmund  the  Martyr ;  on 
the  south  the  peculiar  arms  of  the  See,  and  those  of  Walter  Skirlaw,  the 
great  benefactor  of  this  part  of  the  building ;  and  on  the  west  those  of  Edward 
the  Confessor,  with  the  arms  of  England  emblazoned  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  prove  that  the  tower  was  not  completed  till  the  reign  of  Henry  V.  or 
Henry  VI.,  who  were  the  first  that  altered  the  old  French  bearing.  Nothing 
finer  than  tha  interior  of  the  lantern  can  be  imagined ;  the  windows  are  of  a 
size  sufficient  to  fiU  the  whole  interior  with  a  brilliant  light,  and,  it  may  be 
added,  that  the  immense  height  of  the  vaulting  fiUs  the  mind  with  a  feding 
of  vastness  not  easily  forgotten.  The  tower  forms  a  magnificent  vestibule 
to  the  choir. 

The  Stone  Organ  Screen,  which  stands  between  the  two  easternmost  piers 
of  the  tower,  and  divides  the  nave  from  the  choir,  is  a  curious  and  elaborate 
piece  of  workmanship,  the  history  of  which  is  not  precisely  known.  The 
doorway  in  the  screen,  which  is  the  entrance  to  the  choir,  and  which  is  not 
exactly  in  the  centre,  is  a  pointed  arch,  the  jambs  having  attached  columns 
with  leaved  capitals,  with  an  ogee  canopy  terminated  with  a  crocketed  finial. 
In  this  doorway  is  an  iron  gate  of  curious  design.  There  are  also  coires- 
ponding  gates  at  the  entrances  to  the  side  aisles  of  the  choir.  These  gates 
were  formerly  of  wood.  The  western  face,  or  exterior  of  the  screen,  is  com- 
posed of  fifteen  compartments,  containing  a  series  of  richly  canopied  niches, 
in  which  are  placed  on  elegant  pedestals  the  statues  of  the  Kings  of  England, 
ranged  in  chronological  order,  from  William  the  Conqueror  to  Henry  VI.,  in 
their  ancient  regal  costume.     The  name  of  each  statue  is  inscribed  on  its 


HISTOKY   OF   THE    CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK.  431 

pedestal  in  Latin.  Above  the  niches  are  narrow  shrines  richly  canopied,  and 
containing  two  rows  of  small  but  elegant  full  length  winged  figures,  repre- 
senting the  angelic  choir ;  and  above  the  rich  tabernacle  work  is  a  row  of 
demi-angels.  This  screen  is  gorgeous  in  the  extreme,  the  bands  of  delicate 
tracery  with  which  it  is  adorned  are  most  elaborately  sculptured.  It  would 
seem  that  the  artist  was  determined  to  charge  every  part  with  ornament, 
and  to  exert  the  fullest  latitude  of  fancy  in  giving  variety  and  intricacy  to 
its  complicated  members. 

The  statues  of  the  Kings  are  nearly  of  the  natural  size.  There  are  seven 
figures  on  the  north  side  and  eight  on  the  south  side,  viz. : — North  Side — 
WOliam  L,  William  11.,  Henry  I.,  Stephen,  Henry  11.,  Richard  I.,  and 
John.  South  Side — Henry  III.,  Edward  I.,  Edward  IE.,  Edward  HE., 
Richard  11.,  Henry  IV.,  Henry  V.,  and  Henry  VI.  The  niche  filled  by  the 
statue  of  Henry  VI.  was  long  occupied  by  one  of  James  I.  Tradition  reports 
that  this  niche  was  originally  filled  by  a  statue  of  "  that  weak,  but  reputedly 
pious  monarch,"  Henry  VI.,  and  that  it  was  taken  down  to  *'  prevent  the 
stupid  adoration  of  the  lower  ranks  of  the  people,"  who  commiserated  the 
misfortunes  of  that  ill-fated  King  to  a  very  great  extent.  "  But  it  is  more 
probable,",  writes  Mr.  Baines,  "  that  it  was  his  successor  Edward  IV.,  who, 
being  the  sun  of  the  political  firmament,  became  the  object  of  adoration,  and 
that  to  him  the  homage  of  courtly  devotion  was  offered  by  removing  the 
statue  of  his  rival.  For  some  ages,"  the  same  writer  continues,  *'  the  place 
remained  imoccupied,  but  on  the  visit  of  James  I.  to  York,  he  was  compli- 
mented by  being  placed  in  the  empty  celL"*  Dr.  Milner  conjectures  that 
this  screen  was  taken  from  the  church  of  St.  Mary's  Abbey  in  this  city ;  that 
it  lay  at  the  Manor  Palace  for  many  years,  that  King  James  I.  presented  it 
to  the  Cathedra],  and  that  in  compliment  to  him  the  Dean  and  Chapter 
placed  his  statue  in  the  vacant  niche.  The  statue  of  James  has  been  trans- 
ferred to  Ripon  Minster,  and  the  present  well  executed  figure  of  Henry  VI. 
the  work  of  Mr.  Michael  Taylor,  a  native  artist,  was  set  up  during  the 
present  century.  From  the  statue  of  this  monarch  having  been  the  last  of 
the  series,  it  has  been  inferred  that  the  screen  was  executed  towards  the  end 
of  his  reign.  Many  of  the  smaller  parts  of  the  screen  have  been  restored  by 
Bemasconi.  Above  this  screen,  and  occupying  the  site  of  the  ancient  rood, 
is  the  organ.  After  the  fire  in  18/29,  it  was  proposed  to  place  the  organ  and 
screen  further  eastward,  so  as  to  bring  more  into  sight  the  magnificent  pillars 
that  support  the  central  tower,  but  so  much  opposition  was  made  to  it,  that 
the  plan  was  abandoned. 

♦  Gazetteer  of  Yorkshire,  vol.  ii,,  p.  39. 


432  HISTORY   OF   THE    CATHEDRAL   OF  YORK. 

T?ie  Choir, — It  would  be  difficult  to  imagine  anything  more  solemn,  beau- 
tiful, or  gorgeous  than  this  division  of  the  church,  with  its  immense  east 
window,  elegant  altar  screen,  pulpit  throne,  and  tabernacle  carvings  over  the 
stalls,  when  viewed  from  the  archway  under  the  organ.  The  architecture  of 
the  choir  is  more  ornamental  in  its  character  than  that  of  the  nave,  although 
the  general  style  of  the  decoration  is  similar.  The  roof,  which  is  wood,  is 
loftier,  and  more  intricately  groined,  and  the  bosses  are  more  numerous,  than 
the  nave,  and  an  elegant  kind  of  festoon  work  descends  from  the  capitals  of 
the  pillars,  from  which  the  vaulting  springs.  The  side  elevation  of  the  great 
or  central  aisle  of  this  portion,  like  the  other  parts  of  the  edifice,  is  made  into 
three  stories.  The  principal  arcade  differs  but  little  from  the  nave ;  and  the 
intervals  between  the  arches  are  embellished  with  shields  of  armorial  bearings. 
The  openings  of  the  triforium,  or  gallery  story,  consists  of  a  series  of  five 
cinquefoiled  arches,  with  canopies  and  crocketed  finials,  divided  in  the  centre 
by  horizontal  transoms ;  and  a  stone  rail  in  front  forms  a  protection  to  the 
persons  who  may  be  stationed  there.  In  the  clerestory  is  a  beautiful  range 
of  windows  of  five  lights,  with  cinquefoiled  heads,  having  the  crown  of  the 
arch  enriched  with  elegant  tracery.  The  walls  of  the  aisles  of  the  choir  are 
panelled,  and  are  enriched  with  tracery  corresponding  with  the  character 
of  the  windows.  The  windows  of  the  aisles  have  three  lights,  with  per- 
pendicular divisions  in  the  heads  of  the  arches,  but  the  design  is  far  less 
elegant  than  the  nave.  The  same  simple  stone  roof,  which  covers  the  aisles 
of  the  nave,  is  used  in  these  aisles.  The  introduction  of  the  smaller  transept 
does  not  break  the  continuity  of  the  great  arcade,  but  the  only  part  in  ^hich 
it  enters  into  the  design,  is  at  the  clerestory ;  the  window,  with  its  gallery, 
being  omitted,  and  a  panelled  breast-work  placed  on  the  cornice  over  the 
point  of  the  arch,  thus  allowing  a  view  of  the  lofty  window  and  handsome 
groined  ceiling  of  this  singular  appendage  to  be  obtained  from  the  choir. 
The  effect  of  this  transept,  when  viewed  from  near  the  pulpit,  is  remarkably 
beautifuL  The  shields  of  arms  in  the  choir  are  as  follows : — South  Side, 
Cross  of  St.  George,  Edward  the  Confessor,  the  Saxon  monarchs  Edwin  and 
Oswald,  Mortimer,  Ulphus,  Percy ;  the  same  quartering  Lucy,  Scrope,  Skir- 
law.  Roes,  NeviUe  Earls  of  Westmorland,  City  of  York,  Montague  Earls  of 
Salisbury,  Beauchamp  Earls  of  Warwick,  Lacy,  Royal  Arms  of  England, 
anterior  to  Henry  V.  North  Side,  Vavasour,  Neville,  Danby  or  Fitzhugh, 
St.  William,  badges  of  the  See  of  St.  Wilfrid,  Emblems  of  the  Passion  of  our 
Lord,  Greystock,  Latimer,  Clifford  Earls  of  Cumberland,  Bohun  Earls  of 
Hereford,  Royal  Arms  of  England,  a  Prince  of  Wales,  Longespee  Earls  of 
Salisbury.  Little  Transept,  SoiUh,  Dacre,  Beauchamp,  Percy,  and  Vava- 
sour ;  North,  Clifford,  Latimer,  Danby,  Pollington,  Neville,  and  Scrope. 


HISTURY    OF    THE    CATHEDRAL    OF    YORK.  433 

Behind  the  present  altar  or  communion  tahlo,  to  which  is  an  ascent  of 
fifteen  steps,  is  a  beautiful  stone  screen,  of  Gothic  architecture,  divided  into 
eight  uniform  compartments  by  slender  panelled  buttresses,  terminated  with 
crocketed  pinnacles.  Each  compartment  contains  in  the  lower  division  a 
triple  shrine  of  niches,  and  in  the  upper  an  open  arch,  separated  by  slender 
mullions  into  three  divisions,  surmounted  by  a  square  head,  of  wliich  the 
spandrils  are  pierced  in  quatrefoil  circles ;  and  above  these  is  a  delicate  open 
embattled  parapet.  The  intervals  of  this  exquisitely  wrought  screen  have 
been  filled  with  plate  glass,  affording  a  view  of  the  eastern  portion  of  the 
choir,  and  of  the  superb  east  window.  This  screen,  which  is  forty-nine  feet 
in  length,  and  twenty-eight  feet  high,  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  specimens 
of  pierced  stone  work  in  England.  Before  the  Reformation  the  high  altar 
stood  one  arch  further  westward,  and  immediately  behind  it  was  a  large 
wooden  screen,  handsomely  painted  and  gilded,  which  obscured  the  present 
stone  erection,  and  obstructed  the  view  of  a  great  part  of  the  fine  east  window 
from  the  choir.  At  each  end  of  this  screen  was  a  door,  which  opened  into  a 
small  room  behind  the  altar,  called  the  sanctum  sanctorum,  in  which,  anciently, 
the  Archbishop  used  to  robe  at  the  time  of  his  enthronization,  and  from 
thence  proceed  to  the  high  altar,  where  he  was  invested  with  the  pallium  ; 
and  above  it  was  a  gallery,  with  desks  in  the  form  of  battlements,  for  the 
musicians  required  in  the  celebration  of  the  gorgeous  services  of  the  Catholic 
Church.  In  1726  this  wooden  screen  was  pulled  down;  the  altar  carried 
back  to  where  it  now  stands;  and  in  1760  a  piece  of  tapestry  was  removed 
which  hung  before  the  present  screen.  By  these  alterations  a  view  of  one 
of  the  noblest  lights  in  the  world  has  been  opened,  and  this  magnificent 
stone  screen — esteemed  by  the  curious  one  of  the  greatest  beauties  of  the 
church — ^brought  into  view.     The  altar  railing  is  also  of  cut  stone. 

The  space  between  the  altar  screen  and  the  eastern  end  of  the  church  was 
formerly  a  chapel,  dedicated  to  God,  in  honour  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  and 
commonly  called  the  Ladye  Chapelle.  This  was  the  most  remarkable  of  the 
many  chapels  which  were  in  this  church.  It  was  founded  by  Archbishop 
Thoresby,  who,  according  to  Stubbs,  "as  a  true  respecter  of  the  Virgin 
Mother  of  God,  adorned  it  with  wonderful  sculpture  and  painting."  At  the 
Reformation  the  works  of  art  in  this  chapel  were  torn  to  pieces  and  destroyed. 
Mr.  Ralph  Thoresby,  the  northern  antiquary,  had  a  large  piece  of  carved 
work,  which,  in  his  Ducatus  Leodiensis,  he  tells  us,  was  discovered  in  the 
beginning  of  the  last  century,  "  between  two  walls,  in  a  private  house,  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  the  Minster,  and  sold  by  parcels  to  statuaries  and  others 
for  common  use."     Thoresby,  supposing  that  piece  of  statuary  work  to  have 

3   K 


434  HISTORY    OF   THE    CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK. 

belonged  to  the  Ladje  Chapel,  preserved  it  as  a  great  curiosit  j,  and  as  a  tribute 
of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the  Archbishop,  his  ancestor ;  and  his  regret  for 
the  destruction  of  this  curious  chapel,  makes  him  break  out  in  the  words  of 
the  Psalmist,  "  A  man  ^tas  famous  as  he  had  lifted  up  axes  upon  the  thick 
tree,  but  now  they  break  down  the  carved  work  thereof  with  axes  and  ham* 
mers."  In  1835  were  found  buried  on  the  premises  of  the  late  Mr.  Swineard, 
surgeon,  in  Precentor's  Court,  near  the  western  front  of  the  Cathedral,  a 
beautiful  piece  of  carved  stone  work,  which  is  now  in  the  Yorkshire  Aluseum, 
and  which  the  learned  Curator  of  Antiquities  says,  is  most  probably  another 
portion  of  the  carved  work  of  which  Mr.  Thoresby  speaks.  "  But  the  style 
and  character  of  these  remains,"  he  adds,  "  are  clearly  of  a  later  age  than 
that  of  Archbishop  Thoresby.  They  appear  to  have  belonged  to  a  magnifi- 
cent shrine ;  and  such  a  shrine  may  have  been  erected  behind  the  high  altar 
in  what  is  usually  denominated  the  Lady  Chapel;  and  it  may  have  been  one 
of  those  which  Henry  VIIL,  during  his  visit  to  York  in  the  year  1541, 
ordered  to  be  taken  down.*  Wherever  it  may  have  been  placed,  and  when- 
ever removed,  large  portions  of  it  appear  to  have  been  collected,  and  carefully 
concealed  in  his  private  residence  by  some  one,  who  hoped  the  time  would 
come  when  it  might  be  set  up  again  in  its  original  beauty  in  its  proper  place. "f 

Another  portion  of  one  of  the  niches  of  this  shrine,  which  had  been  long 
affixed  to  the  north-east  side  of  the  exterior  of  Clifford's  Tower,  has  been  re- 
cently removed  to  the  Museum ;  as  well  as  a  part  of  the  ornamental  work  of 
the  same  shrine,  which  had  been  placed  several  years  ago  in  the  garden  of 
the  late  Robert  Driffield,  Esq.,  on  the  Mount  without  Micklcgate  Bar ;  and 
smaller  fragments  of  this  beautiful  work  may  be  seen  inserted  as  ornaments 
in  the  waUs  of  several  houses  in  York. 

The  Lady  Chapel  is  now  chiefly  remarkable  for  the  number  of  monuments 
it  contains.  The  north  side  of  it  was  formerly  another  chapel,  dedicated  in 
honour  of  St.  Stephen ;  and  on  its  south  side  was  the  chapel  of  All  ScUnts. 
In  Dodsworth's  Collections,  printed  in  Stephen's  additional  volumes  to  the 
Monasticon;  and  in  Torre's  Manuscripts  will  be  found  a  catalogue  of  the  nu- 
merous chantries  of  this  church,  with  the  names  of  their  founders,  original 
endowments,  annual  value,  &c. 

The  elaborate  design  of  the  great  East  Window  is  strengthened  internally 
by  a  series  of  muUions  placed  at  a  short  distance  from,  and  exactly  agreeing 
with  those  which  contain  the  glazing.     This  is  peculiar  to  the  present 

*  See  Mr.  Hunter's  "  Account  of  King  Hemy  the  Eighth's  Progress  in  TorkBhire." 
Published  in  Memoirs  illttstrative  of  the  Antiq.  of  York  by  the  Archeeol.  Institute. 

f  Descriptive  Account  of  the  Antiquities  in  the  Grotmds  of  the  Museum. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK.  435 

church,  upon  the  second  transom  runs  a  gallery,  fronted  by  a  parapet, 
pierced  with  upright  cinquefoil  divisions,  and  from  which  an  excellent  view 
of  the  whole  interior  of  the  church  may  be  obtained.  The  dados  of  this  win- 
dow, as  well  as  of  those  at  the  extremities  of  the  aisles  are  richly  panelled, 
and  the  jambs  ornamented  with  niches.  The  pavement  of  the  choir,  in- 
cluding the  Lady  Chapel,  is  beautifully  relaid  in  mosaic. 

The  furniture  of  the  choir  is  of  the  most  magnificent  description.  The 
design  of  the  oak  pews  and  ornaments  is  very  nearly  a  counterpart  of  those 
destroyed  in  1829.  The  prebendal  stalls,  which  range  on  both  sides  as  far 
as  the  throne  and  the  pulpit,  are  twenty  in  number,  and  there  are  six  on  each 
side  of  the  entrance  under  the  organ.  These  stalls  are  of  oak,  richly  carved, 
and  surmounted  with  canopies  of  tabernacle  work.  The  names  of  many  of 
the  prebends  to  which  they  belong,  are  placed  over  them  in  carved  oak  letters. 
The  seats  or  misereres  are  curiously  carved.  The  Dean  occupies  the  first  stall 
on  the  right,  the  Precentor  the  first  on  the  left.  The  desks  below  the  stalls 
for  the  vicars  choral  and  choristers,  are  panelled  in  unison  with  the  upper 
works.  At  the  east  end  of  the  stalls  are  the  Cathedra,  or  Archbishop's 
throne,  and  the  pulpit,  opposite  to  each  other,  both  elaborately  ornamented. 
In  the  middle  of  the  choir  is  a  reading  desk,  inclosed  with  tabernacle  work ; 
and  on  the  north  side  is  a  brazen  eagle,  from  which  the  lessons  are  read. 
This  eagle,  which  was  presented  by  Dr.  Cracroft  in  1686,  was  saved  with 
some  difficulty  from  the  fire  in  1829. 

The  Organ  is  a  conspicuous  object  on  the  top  of  the  stone  screen  in  nearly 
the  centre  of  the  Cathedral.  In  1632  King  Charles  I.  levied  a  fine  of  £1,000. 
upon  Edward  Paylor,  Esq.  (for  some  offence  committed  by  that  gentleman), 
and  granted  it  to  the  Dean  and  Chapter  for  various  purposes,  one  of  which 
was  the  procuring  of  a  new  organ.  A  contract  was  accordingly  entered  into 
with  Eobert  Dallam,  of  London,  "  Blacksmith,"  for  a  complete  organ,  which 
cost  J6610.  By  the  King's  desire,  this  organ  was  placed  on  the  north  side 
of  the  choir,  nearly  opposite  the  Archbishop's  throne,  so  that  it  may  not  im- 
pede the  full  view  of  the  entire  Cathedral ;  but  it  was  afterwards  placed  over 
the  stone  screen  by  Archbishop  Lamplugh,  at  the  expense  of  the  Earl  of 
Strafford.     This  instrument  was  destroyed  by  the  fire  in  1829. 

The  present  magnificent  organ,  which  is  unquestionably  the  largest  and 
most  powerful  instrument  of  the  kind  in  the  world,  as  we  have  already  said, 
was  presented  by  the  Right  Hon.  and  Rev.  J.  L.  SaviUe,  Earl  of  Scarborough. 
Its  specification  was  composed  by  Dr.  Camidge,  of  York,  the  present  or- 
ganist, and  it  was  built  by  Messrs.  Elliott  and  HiU,  of  London,  in  1837,  and 
has  since  been  considerably  enlarged. 


436  HISTOKY    OF    TIIK    CATHEDRAL    OF    YORK. 

The  exterior  of  the  former  instrument  was  different  in  form  from  the 
present,  and  W6is  decorated  with  gilded  pipes  and  figures.  The  pipes  of  the 
present  organ  are  hronzed,  and  the  case  is  of  oak,  simply  carved.  Some  of 
the  large  pipes  stand  at  the  entrance  to  the  south  aisle  of  the  choir.  During 
the  restoration  of  the  great  nave  of  the  church,  after  the  fire  of  1840,  a  wall 
of  hrick  was  erected  between  the  three  aisles  of  the  nave  and  the  rest  of  the 
church ;  and  by  this  contrivance  the  noise  made  by  the  workmen  did  not  at 
all  interfere  with  the  usual  service  in  the  choir. 

Beneath  the  altar  is  an  ancient  vault  or  Crypt,  belonging  to  the  old  choir 
built  by  Archbishop  Roger.  Its  original  extent  cannot  be  ascertained,  as 
the  present  portion  of  it  is  bounded  by  the  comparatively  modem  work  of  the 
choir,  and  the  sweep  of  tlie  arches  eastward  is  cut  off  by  the  solid  work  of 
the  foundation  of  the  altar  screen.  It  is  nearly  square,  and  is  divided  into 
four  aisles  from  east  to  west,  each  consisting  of  three  arches,  supported  by 
six  cylindrical  columns  5  J  feet  in  length.  Although  the  general  character 
of  this  portion  of  the  crypt  is  Norman,  yet  it  is  so  strangely  mingled  with 
architecture  of  a  more  modern  date,  that,  taken  as  a  whole,  it  may  perhaps 
be  viewed  as  the  workmanship  of  the  11th  or  12th  century.  The  columns 
which  support  the  groined  arches  appear  to  have  been  preserved  from  an 
older  building,  and  put  together  with  little  care,  as  the  bases  are  too  large 
for  the  shafts,  and  in  one  instance  a  reversed  capital  is  applied  as  a  base. 
Some  suppose  that  these  columns  formed  a  portion  of  the  church  built  in  the 
8th  century,  by  St.  Wilfrid,  and  were  thus  confusedly  applied  in  the  re- 
building the  edifice  after  its  destruction  in  1060.  The  capitals  of  the  piUars 
arc  all  octagonal,  five  of  them  being  of  singular  beauty  of  design.  Professor 
Willis  declares  the  crypt  to  be  a  mere  piece  of  patch  work,  made  during  the 
fitting  up  of  the  choir  in  the  14th  century,  out  of  the  old  materials,  to  sup- 
port a  platform  for  the  altar,  and  provide  chapels  and  altar  room  beneath  it. 
The  pavement  is  composed  of  glazed  tiles,  coloured  alternately  blue  and  yel- 
low, and  of  very  ancient  date.  It  is  recorded  that  before  the  Reformation 
there  were  seven  altars  or  chantries  in  this  crypt,  and  the  remains  of  throe 
of  them  are  still  visible.  One  of  these  was  designated  the  chantry  at  the 
altar  of  St.  Mary  in  crypt  is.  In  the  crypt  is  a  lavatory  like  that  at  Lincoln, 
but  its  base  is  quite  plain ;  it  1ms  a  hole  in  the  centre  for  a  pipe,  and  the 
drain  is  covered  by  a  figure  like  a  monkey  crouching  over  its  cub.  In  onv 
of  the  western  arches  near  the  lavatory  is  a  deep  draw  well. 

Whilst  the  workmen  were  ougaged  in  taking  up  the,  broken  floor  of  the 
choir  after  the  disastrous  fire  of  18i^9,  they  came  in  contact  with  the  top  of 
a  massive  pillar.     This  led  tn  n  further  iiiV(\-ti?ntioii,  and  a  senrch  wa*?  made 


HISTORY    OF    THE    CATHEDRAL    OF    VORK.  437 

the  whole  length  of  the  choir,  when  the  remains  of  the  Saxon  edifice  built 
by  Edwin  or  Oswald,  and  the  Norman  choirs  erected  by  Archbishops  Thomas 
and  Koger,  were  discovered.  This  excavation  extends  from  the  western  wall 
of  the  crypt,  under  the  choir,  as  far  as  the  two  great  columns  which  sup- 
ported the  lantern  tower,  and  the  interesting  remains  of  the  ancient  church 
have  been  arched  over,  and  are  open  to  the  inspection  of  the  curious.  On 
entering  the  serieaof  vaults  which  lead  westward  from  the  crypt,  are  seen 
six  beautiful  pillars  of  the  Norman  church  (three  on  each  side)  7  feet  long 
and  6  feet  in  diameter.  The  capitals  of  some  of  these  pillars  are  curiously 
sculptured,  and  from  them  spring  the  mouldings  of  a  groined  vaulting.  In 
the  intermediate  space  between  each  pair  of  these  columns  are  the  bases  of 
two  smaller  ones ;  and  on  the  north  side  is  an  aisle,  at  the  west  end  of 
which  is  a  very  beautiful  twisted  column,  of  delicate  workmanship.  The 
outer  part  of  the  church  may  still  be  seen,  the  buttresses  and  walls  being  in 
a  state  of  beautiful  preservation.  Amongst  these  ruins  of  the  Norman 
church  is  an  ancient  tomb  covered  with  a  large  slab.  An  ascent  on  the 
westward  leads  into  the  Saxon  edifice,  where  we  have  a  fine  specimen  of  the 
architecture  of  that  period,  considered  equal  to  any  in  England.  It  consists 
of  a  portion  of  the  walls  of  the  church.  These  walls,  which  are  composed  of 
limestone  and  sandstone,  are  nearly  six  feet  in  thickness,  and  tlie  stones  are 
laid  in  the  hening  bone  manner,  forming  courses  eight  inches  thick. 

The  three  extraneous  chapels  already  referred  to  are  entered  from  the 
south  aisle  of  the  choir.  These  buildings,  originally  built  for  chantry  chapels, 
were  begun  by  Archbishop  de  la  Zouch,  to  whom  a  licence  was  granted  for 
that  purpose,  by  the  Dean  and  Chapter,  on  the  14th  of  June,  1352.  One  of 
these  chapels  is  now  used  as  a  Vestry ;  another,  since  the  year  1840,  has 
been  used  as  the  Record  Office  of  the  Dean  and  Chapter ;  and  the  third  is 
the  room  in  which  the  EccU»iastical  Court  is  held.  In  the  one  used  as  the 
Record  Oflice  is  a  well,  called  St.  Peter's  Welly  and  chemists  attribute  the 
excellence  of  the  water  to  the  small  portions  of  limestone,  washed  into  it  by 
the  rain,  from  the  walls  of  the  edifice. 

One  of  these  chapels  was  formerly  used  as  a  Treasury,  and  in  it  were  kept 
aU  the  rents,  revenues,  grants,  and  charters,  w^ith  the  common  seal  belonging 
to  the  church ;  and  a  particular  officer  was  appointed  to  inspect  and  take 
care  of  them.      In  the  large  inventory*  of  the  riches  belonging  to  this 

•  This  inventory  is  given  in  Dugdale's  Monasticon,  and  from  it  wo  learn  that  amongst 
the  costly  furniture,  plate,  &c.,  were  many  chalices  of  gold,  and  of  silver,  gilt  and  plain ; 
several  cups,  boxes,  censors,  crewits,  salts,  paxes,  ampules,  pectorals,  crucifixes,  chris- 
mntories,  candlesticks,  <tc.,  of  Rold  and  silver.     Copes  of  cloth  of  ^old  and  velvet,  some 


438  HISTOBY   OF   THE   CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK. 

Cathedral,  taken  in  the  reign  of  Edward  VI.,  is  an  account  of  the  money 
then  in  St.  Peter's  Chest,  which  was  soon  after  seized  upon,  and  the  trea- 
surer's office  dissolved ;  for  a  very  good  reason,  says  Mr.  Willis,  "  when  all 
the  treasure  was  swept  away,  the  office  of  treasurer  ceased  of  course." 

Belies. — In  the  vestry  several  antique  relics  are  deposited,  the  most  curious 
and  remarkahle  of  which  is  the  Horn  of  Ulphvs,  given  with  all  his  property 
to  the  Church  of  St.  Peter  of  York.  Ulphus,  son  of  Tq^dus,  was  a  Saxon 
Prince  of  Deira,  who  bequeathed  to  the  Cathedral  aU  his  property,  to  be 
held  by  the  evidence  of  this  horn.  Camden  states  the  occasion  and  form  of 
the  bequest,  as  an  instance  of  a  singular  mode  of  endowment  formerly  used ; 
and  Dugdale  relates  respecting  it,  that  '*  Ulphe,  son  of  Thorald,  who  ruled 
in  the  west  of  Deira,  by  reason  of  the  difference  which  was  likely  to  rise 
between  his  sons,  about  the  sharing  of  his  lands  and  lordships  after  his 
death,  resolved  to  make  them  all  alike,  and  thereupon  coming  to  York 
with  that  horn  which  he  used  to  drink,  filled  it  with  wine,  and  before  the 
altar  of  God  and  Saint  Peter,  Prince  of  the  Apostles,  kneeling,  devoutly 
drank  the  wine,  and  by  that  ceremony  enfeoffed  this  church  with  all  his 
lands  and  revenues,"  Several  lands,  part  of  this  donation,  and  situated 
on  the  east  side  of  York,  are  still  held  by  the  church,  and  are  called  de 
Terra  Ulphi.*  As  a  relic  of  Saxon  art  this  horn  is  very  valuable;  it  is 
made  of  an  elephant's  tusk,  is  29  inches  in  length,  curiously  carved  and 
poHshed,  and  was  originally  ornamented  with  gold  and  mounting.  It  is 
said  that  after  the  surrender  of  York  to  the  Parliamentarian  army,  in  1644, 
the  horn  was  taken  from  the  Minster  and  denuded  of  its  golden  appen- 
dages, but  it  was  probably  stolen  from  the  church  at  the  period  of  the 
Reformation.  It  is  evident  from  Camden's  remarks,  that  the  horn  was  not 
there  when  he  wrote  in  1607.  "  I  was  informed,"  says  he,  "  that  this  great 
curiosity  was  kept  in  the  church  till  the  last  age."  It  somehow  came  into 
the  possession  of  Thomas  Lord  Fairfax,  and  his  successor  Henry  Lord 
Fairfax  restored  it  to  the  Cathedral.     The  Dean  and  Chapter  redecorated  it 

embroidered,  others  set  with  pearl.  Several  mitres,  the  best  of  which  contained  62 
pointed  diamonds,  51  sapphires,  and  32  great  pearls.  Among  the  relics  are  specified 
some  bones  of  St.  Peter;  part  of  the  hair  of  St.  William;  the  arm  of  St.  Wilfrid;  two 
thorns  of  the  crown  of  Our  Saviour;  a  tooth  of  St.  Appollonia;  part  of  the  brain  of  St. 
Stephen;  and  a  cloth  stained  with  the  blood  of  Archbishop  Scrope. 

•  In  ancient  times  there  are  several  instances  of  estates  that  were  passed  without  any 
writings  at  all,  by  the  lord's  delivery  of  such  pledges  as  a  sword,  a  helmet,  a  horn,  a  cup, 
a  bow  or  arrow.  Ingolphus  tells  us  that  such  grants  were  made  "  merely  by  word  of 
mouth,  without  any  writing  or  paper,  only  by  the  lord's  delivery  of  a  sword,  helmet 
or  horn." 


HISTORY   OF   THE    CATHEDRAL   OF  YORK.  439 

with  brass  instead  of  gold,  and  caused  a  Latin  inscription  to  be  engraved 
upon  it,  which  may  be  thus  translated  : — "  This  horn,  Ulphus,  Prince  of  the 
Western  parts  of  Deira,  originally  gave  to  the  Church  of  St.  Peter,  together 
with  all  his  lands  and  revenues.  Henry  Lord  Fairfax  at  last  restored  it, 
when  it  had  been  lost  or  conveyed  away.  The  Dean  and  Chapter  decorated 
it  anew,  a.d.  1675."  A  sculptured  bass  relief  of  this  interesting  horn  may 
be  seen  above  the  arches  of  the  choir  and  nave,  in  a  line  with  various  shields 
coiomemorative  of  the  different  benefeu^tors  of  the  Cathedral. 

A  curious  cup  or  bowl  is  also  in  the  vestry,  called  Archbishop  Scrope's 
Indulgence  Cup,  This  elegant  cup  stands  on  three  feet,  and  is  ornamented 
inside  with  the  arms  of  the  Cordwainer's  Company ;  the  rim,  which  is  edged 
round  with  silver  gilt,  has  the  following  inscription : — 


"  Bicharde  arche  beschope  Scrope  grant  unto  all  tho  that  drinkis  of 

this  cope  XLti  dayes  to  pardon. 

Bobert  Gobson  beschope  mesm  grant  in  same  form  aforesaid  XLti 

dayes  to  pardon.    Bobert  Strensall. 

"  Popular  tradition  has  usually  stated,"  says  the  editor  of  York  and  its 
Environs^  "that  this  cup  was  presented  by  Scrope  to  the  Cordwainers* 
Company,  but  recent  investigation  has  proved  this  to  be  erroneous,  and  it  is 
now  pretty  much  proved  to  have  been  originally  given  to  the  York  guild  of 
Corpus  Christi ;  a  Corporation  which  distinguished  itself  for  the  sumptuous 
manner  in  which  the  incorporated  trades  and  crafts  of  the  city  celebrated  the 
religious  festival  of  Corpus  Christi,  by  the  exhibition  of  pageants  and  miracle 
plays,  which  every  year  attracted  many  persons  of  rank  and  importance  to 
witness  their  representation.  After  the  dissolution  of  the  guild,  this  cup 
passed  into  other  hands,  but  when  it  came  into  the  possession  of  the  Cord- 
wainers'  Company  is  unknown.  On  the  dissolution  of  this  company  in 
1808,  it  was  presented  by  Mr.  Hornby  (the  last  master  of  the  company) 
to  the  Cathedral." 

A  large  silver  crosier,  or  pastoral  staff,  is  also  kept  in  the  vestry,  and  ex- 
hibited to  visitors.  This  crosier  was  given  by  Catherine  of  Portugal,  Queen 
Dowager  of  Charles  11.  of  England,  to  Cardinal  Smith,  her  Confessor, 
when  he  was  nominated  to  the  See  of  York,  by  James  11.,  in  1687.  It  is 
recorded  that  as  Smith  was  going  to  the  Cathedral,  in  procession  from  the 
Catholic  chapel  established  by  James  in  the  Manor  Palace,  Lord  Danby 
(afterwards  Duke  of  Leeds)  wrested  the  crosier  from  him,  and  afterwards 
presented  it  to  the  Dean  and  Chapter.  It  is  6i  feet  in  length,  weighs  13  lbs., 
and  under  the  bend  of  the  crook  are  figures  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  In- 


•110  HISTORY    OF    THE    CATUEDRAL    OF    YORK. 

faut  Saviour,  as  well  &s  the  anus  of  Portugal  on  one  side,  and  those  of  Smith, 
with  a  mitre  and  crosier  surmounted  by  a  Cardinal's  hat,  on  the  other. 

Whilst  taking  up  the  old  pavement  in  1730,  the  pastoral  ring  of  Arch- 
bishop Sewel,  who  died  in  1258,  was  found,  consisting  of  a  plain  ruby  set  in 
gold;  Archbishop  Greenfield's,  who  died  in  1315,  a  ruby  set  in  gold;  and 
also  that  of  Archbishop  Bo  wet,  who  died  in  1423.  The  latter  is  a  com- 
position set  in  gold,  bearing  tlie  motto,  "Honor  et  Joy."  These  rings, 
together  with  three  silver  chalices,  also  found  in  the  graves  of  these  pre- 
lates, are  deposited  in  the  vestry,  as  well  as  an  antique  wooden  head,  found 
on  opening  the  grave  of  Archbishop  Ilotherham,  who  died  of  the  plague  in 
1500.  As  the  body  of  this  prelate  was  immediately  intended  without  cere- 
mony, it  is  probable  that  at  his  funeral,  wliich  took  place  when  the  pestilence 
was  abated,  a  wooden  effigy,  of  which  this  head  is  a  part,  was  substituted  for 
the  real  coq)sc.  There  is  also  preserved  the  old  copy  of  the  Bible  with  its 
chain,  that  was  formerly  attached  to  a  low  desk  near  the  door  in  the  south 
aisle  of  the  choir,  opening  into  the  Minster  Yard. 

An  antique  chair,  said  to  be  coeval  with  the  Cathedral,  and  in  which 
several  of  the  Saxon  Kings  were  crowned,  and  which  was  used  at  tiie  corona- 
tion of  Edward  IV.  and  James  I.,  is  now  placed  within  the  communion  rails. 

The  Windows  of  the  Cathedral  are  richly  adorned  with  the  representa- 
tions of  scriptural  history,  saints,  kings,  legends,  shields,  &c.,  in  painted 
glass.*  ^About  one  hundred  of  them  are  embellished  with  ancient  devices, 
whilst  only  six  are  of  modem  date.  It  is  raHier  remarkable  that  though  the 
choir  was  so  near  being  consumed  in  the  fire  of  1829,  none  of  the  painted 
glass  was  materially  impaired ;  and  with  the  exception  of  the  damage  to  the 
windows  at  the  extreme  west  end  of  the  aisles  of  the  nave,  the  same  remark 
may  be  applied  to  that  part  of  the  building  with  reference  to  the  fire  of  1840. 

The  magnificent  East  Window^  the  greatest  light  in  the  Minster,  and 
which  for  masonry  and  ancient  glazing  is  unequalled,  consists  of  nine  lights, 
and  occupies  almost  the  whole  of  the  east  end  of  the  choir.  The  height  of 
this  great  window  is  75  feet ;  it  is  32  feet  in  breadth ;  and  is  embellished 
vnth  nearly  200  subjects  from  sacred  history.  "  This  window,"  says  Drake, 
"  may  be  justly  called  the  wonder  of  the  world,  both  for  masonry  and  glazing. 
It  is  near  the  breadth  and  height  of  the  middle  choir.  The  upper  part  is  an 
admirable  piece  of  tracery,  below  which  are  117  partitions,  representing  so 
much  of  Holy  Writ,  that  it  almost  takes  in  the  whole  histoiy  of  the  BiUe. 
This  window  was  begun  to  be  glazed  at  the  charge  of  the  Dean  and  Chapter 

•  Glass  windows  were  not  used  in  England  before  the  year  675.     The  firames  were 
usually  filled  with  lattice  work  or  fine  linen  cloth. — Turn.  Ang.  Sax.,  vol.  ii.,  p.  416. 


HI8T0BT   OF   THE    CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK.  441 

in  1405,  who  had  contracted  with  John  Thornton,  of  Coyentry,  glazier,  to 
execute  it."  (See  page  413.)  "  We  may  suppose  this  man,"  he  continues, 
*'  to  have  been  the  best  artist  in  his  time  for  this  kind  of  work,  by  their 
sending  so  far  for  him ;  and  indeed  the  window  shews  it" 

**  The  east  window  surpasses  all  that  the  pen  can  describe,  or  pencil  pour- 
tray,"  writes  Allen,  "if  we  consider  it  in  the  whole,  as  to  extent,  ingenuity 
of  design,  or  richness  of  execution."  Each  pane  of  glass  is  about  a  yard 
square ;  the  figures  in  general  are  about  2ft.  Sin.  to  2fk.  4in.  high,  and  the 
heads  are  most  beautifully  drawn.  The  following  is  a  detailed  description  of 
this  window  :— 

The  top  contains  a  representation  of  Our  Sayiour  in  Heavenly  Glory  sur- 
rounded by  angels,  prophets,  patriarchs,  apostles,  confessors,  and  martyrs. 
Between  this  and  the  gallery  are  three  partitions,  with  designs  from  the  Old 
Testament,  as  follows : — 

Fint  Partition, — The  1st  compartment  in  this  partition  represents  God  creating  the 
world,  with  the  fallen  angels  beneath.  2. — ^The  spirit  of  God  dividing  the  waters.  8. — 
The  herbs  of  the  field.  4. — light  and  darkness.  (  This  and  the  precedent  pane  ieetn  to 
hone  been  tranepoeed,)  6. — Birds  and  fishes.  6w — ^Beasta  and  creeping  things,  with 
the  creation  of  man.  7. — God  with  his  tice  like  the  snn  in  glory,  sitting  in  the  middle 
of  his  Creation,  seeing  every  thing  was  good.  8. — ^Adam  and  Eve  eating  the  forbidden 
firciit  in  Paradise ;  the  serpent  represented  with  its  head  like  a  beaatiAil  woman.  9. — 
An  angel  driving  them  out  of  Paradise. 

Second  Parftlioii.~l^— Cain  killing  his  brother  Abel.  2.— Noah  in  his  Ark.  3.— 
Noah  dmnk,  and  his  three  sons.  4. — ^Building  of  Babel.  5. — Melchizedek  blessing 
Abram.  6. — ^Isaac  blessing  Jacob.  7. — Meeting  of  Jacob  and  Esau.  8. — Moses  and 
Aaron  joining  hand  in  hand.    9. — Jacob's  sons  shewing  him  Joseph's  bloody  coat 

Third  Partition. — 1. — Moses  found  by  Pharoah's  daughter.  2. — God  out  of  the  bnsh 
calling  Moses.  3. — Moses  and  Aaron  before  Pharoah ;  the  Bod  tamed  into  a  serpent. 
4^— Pharoah  and  his  host  drowned  in  the  Bed  Sea.  6. — Moses  receiving  the  law  on 
Mount  Sinai.  6. — Moses  rearing  up  the  brazen  serpent  in  the  wilderness.  7. — Sampson 
pulling  down  the  house  of  Dagon  on  iiimself  and  the  Philistines.  8. — ^David  killing 
Goliah  with  a  sling.    0. — Joab  killing  Absalom  hanging  on  the  tree. 

Of  the  ten  partitions  below  the  gallery,  nine  contain  the  principal  subjects 
in  the  Book  of  Reyelations,  and  the  last  one  is  occupied  with  representations 
of  difieient  ecdesiagtics,  kings,  isc>,  whose  names  are  connected  with  the  eaily 
history  of  the  church  in  this  part  of  Britain.     They  are  as  follows : — 

Firtt  Partition. — 1,  2,  and  8. — St.  John  in  the  caldron  of  oil,  banished  by  the  Em- 
peror Domitian,  and  sailing  to  the  island  of  Patmos.  4. — ^An  angel  coming  unto  St. 
John,  as  at  his  devotion.  6. — The  Son  of  Man  amidst  the  seven  candlesticks.  6. — The 
Seven  Churches  of  Asia.    7,  8,  and  0. — ^The  Elders  worshipping  God  on  the  throne. 

Second  Partition, — 1. — ^Angel  sounding  a  trumpet.  2. — The  Lion  of  the  Tribe  of 
Judah.    3. — The  Lamb,  the  Four  Beasts,  and  Elders.    4. — ^A  Multitude  following  the 

3   L 


443  HISTORY  OF  THE  CATHEDRAL  OF  TOfiC. 

Lamb.  6. — The  Lamb  opening  first  seal,  the  white  hone  and  its  rider  with  a  bow.  6.— ' 
Lamb  opening  the  second  seal,  the  red  horse  and  its  rider.  7. — The  fourth  seal  opened, 
the  pale  horse  and  death.  8. — The  sixth  seal  opened,  sun,  moon,  Stc,  0. — ^The  third 
seal  opened;  the  blaok  horse,  its  rider,  having  a  balance.  (But  these,  aueveral  othen, 
have  been  misplaced  since  the  restoration  of  the  windows  hy  General  Fairfax.) 

Third  Partition, — 1. — ^Angels  holding  the  fonr  winds,  and  another  ascending.  1, 2, 3, 
4,  5,  6. — ^Angels  and  Elders  about  the  throne.  7. — Opening  the  serenth  seal.  8^— 
Giving  the  seven  angels  trumpets.    9. — The  fifth  seal,  souls  under  the  altar. 

Fourth  Partitions — 1,  2,  3< — ^Angels  sounding.  4. — ^Locusts  like  men  5. — Our  Sa- 
viour with  a  Lamb,  the  four  Evangelists,  and  a  book  sealed  with  seven  seals.  6. — 
Armies  of  horse.  7. — The  angel  opening  the  book.  8. — John  eating  the  book.  9. — 
The  temple  from  whence  the  voice  came. 

Fifth  Partition, — ^1,  2,  8. — ^Two  witnesses  slain  in  the  city,  and  ascending  np.  4. — 
Elders  worshipping.  6. — ^Ark  of  the  testament.  The  woman  clothed  with  the  sun  in 
travail,  and  the  dragon  appearing  to  devour  her  child.  7. — ^Michael  warring  against 
the  dragon.  8. — The  woman  flying  into  the  wilderness,  and  the  dragon  casting  out  a 
flood  of  waters  to  overwhelm  her.    9. — ^Another  beast  risen  fix)m  the  earth. 

Sixth  Partition. — 1. — ^Dragon  sceptered,  giving  power  to  the  beast  with  seven  heads 
and  ten  horns.  2. — ^The  world  worshipping  the  monster.  8. — ^An  angel  pouring  out  a 
vial  on  the  afflicted  people.  4. — People  worshipping  the  beast  6. — The  third  angel 
pouring  his  vial  on  the  rivers.  6. — ^Another  angel  with  the  gospel.  7. — ^The  angel  over 
Babylon  pronouncing  tibe  &11  thereof.  8. — Christ  with  a  sickle,  &c.  9. — ^Angel  treading 
the  wine-press  to  the  horses'  bridles. 

Seventh  Partition,-—!. — ^Elders  with  their  harps  on  a  sea  of  glass.  2. — One  of  the 
four  beasts  giving  the  angels  the  seven  vials  of  wrath.  8. — ^Beasts  warring  with  the 
saints.  4. — ^Angel  pouring  a  vial  on  the  sea.  6. — ^Victory  of  the  Lamb.  6. — ^FourUi 
angel  pouring  a  rial  on  sun,  Ac  7. — The  fifth  angel  pouring  a  vial  on  the  seat  of  tike 
beast.  8. — ^Undean  spirits,  &e.,  going  to  battle.  9. — ^Angel  pouring  a  rial  on  the  river 
Euphrates,  which  runs  by  Babylon.    (Note,  the  precedent  two  panes  are  misplaced.) 

Eighth  Partition,, — 1. — The  whore  sitting  upon  the  beast.  2. — Babylon's  fidl.  3. — 
God  praised  in  Heaven.  4. — ^St.  John  fidling  at  the  angel's  feet  6. — ^Heaven  opened ; 
one  on  a  white  horse,  armies,  &o,  6. — ^Angel  crying  to  the  fowls.  7. — Beast,  kings,  and 
armies.    8. — ^Beast  taken.    9. — ^Angel  casting  him  into  the  bottomless  pit 

Ninth  Partition, — 1. — Saints  on  thrones.  2. — Satan  loosed  out  of  prison.  3,  4,  5, 
and  6. — The  sea,  death,  and  hell,  delivering  up  their  dead,  who  stand  before  Christ  as 
in  judgment  (attended  by  angelic  powers  holding  the  instruments  of  his  passion,  while 
the  books  are  opened  by  other  angels),  on  his  right  hand  are  the  blessed,  and  on  the  left 
the  wicked.  7.— New  heaven  and  new  earth.  8. — New  Jerusalem,  over  which  is 
Christ  enthroned,  an  angel  with  a  rial  and  golden  reed,  St  John  beholding,  *'  and  the 
pure  river  of  water  of  life,  clear  as  crystal,  proceeding  out  of  the  throne  of  Qod  aasd  of  the 
Lamb,"  9. — Our  Sariour  appearing  with  a  book  opened,  on  which  is  written,  Kgo, 
Alpha,  and  Omega,  and  St  John  vniting  the  wonderftil  things  he  had  seen. 

Tenth  Partition, — 1. — Pope  Gregory  VII.,  and  Archbishop  Thomas  I.  2,  3,  and  4, 
are  nine  Kings,  viz.,  Ethelbert,  Lucius,  Ceolwulph,  Edwin,  Oswald,  Oswin,  Edward 
the  Confessor,  Harold,  and  William  the  Conqueror.  Archbishop  Aldred  at  prayers. 
5. — ^Archbishop  le  Zonch,  with  St  Augustine  and  St  Honorius,  Archbishops  of  Canter> 


HtSTOBT  OF  THE   CATHBDBAL  OF  YORK.  443 

boxy.  7. — St  PaaliniiB,  Pope  Eleutherias,  and  St.  l/niMd.  8w — St  John  of  Bererley ; 
St  Calixtus  Bishop  of  Borne,  and  St  Egbert,  King  Ebianoa  between  two  flamines  or 
Heathen  priests;  one  of  these  high  priests  being  dignified  with  the  title  of  Proto-flam 
or  first  flam,  the  other  with  Arch-flam  only. 

The  windows  of  the  little  transepts  in  the  choir,  which  are  remarkablj 
high  and  elegant,  are  diyided  into  108  compartments,  filled  with  extremely 
fine  paintings,  iUustratiye  of  some  passage  of  Holy  Writ,  or  of  ceremopies 
connected  with  the  church. 

The  great  window  over  the  west  entrance  to  the  church,  though  of  con- 
siderable size,  is  inferior  to  the  eastern  light  The  tracery  of  the  upper  part 
of  the  window  is  rich  and  intricate,  and  the  mellowed  rays  of  light,  as  they 
come  upon  the  eye  through  the  stained  glass  of  the  lower  diyisions,  is  pecu- 
liariy  fine.  The  figures  in  the  upper  row  represent  the  Beligious  at  their 
devotions.  Those  in  the  middle  row  are  the  Apostles,  Ac,  as  St  Peter,  St. 
Paul,  St  John,  &c.  Then  follow  the  largest  effigies,  which  are  the  eight 
Saints  of  the  See,  viz.,  Paulinus,  Bosa,  John  of  Beyerley,  Wilfirid  I.,  Egbertus, 
Oswaldus,  Gulielmus,  and  Servallus. 

Tlfe  west  window  of  the  north  aisle  of  the  nave  has  representations  of  St. 
Catherine,  St  Peter,  St  Paul,  and  Christ  in  Judgment  The  first  window 
from  the  west  is  plain;  the  second  contuns  the  Annunciation,  the  Wise 
Men*s  Offering,  the  Salutation  of  St  Elizabeth,  and  the  Arms  of  the  Ingrams 
and  Grevilles ;  the  third  has  the  Crucifixion  of  St  Peter,  and  Confession, 
Penance,  and  Absolution ;  the  fourth,  the  Crucifixion  of  our  Lord,  Christ 
before  Pilate,  and  the  Arms  of  the  Strongbows  per  paled  with  the  Mowbrays ; 
the  fifth,  the  Crucifixion,  and  other  subjects ;  the  sixth  is  very  curious,  and  is 
supposed  to  have  been  given  to  the  Cathedral  by  the  bell  founders ;  and  the 
seventh,  and  last  in  this  aisle,  represents  St  Catherine,  St  Alban,  and 
several  curious  legends.  In  the  lower  part  of  the  window  are  the  Boyal 
Arms  of  England,  and  those  of  the  Queens  Eleanor  of  Castile,  Eleanor  of 
Provence,  and  Isabella  of  France.  The  window  at  the  west  end  of  the  soutli 
aisle  contains  the  Crucifixion,  with  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  St  John  the 
Evangelist  on  either  side.  The  first  window  from  the  west  is  plain ;  the 
second  has  St.  Peter,  St  Christopher,  and  St  Lawrence ;  and  the  remaining 
windows  of  this  aisle  have  been  made  up  of  various  subjects,  principally  saints 
and  legends.  The  third  has  the  date  1789,  and  the  sixth  and  seventh  that 
of  1783.    In  the  latter  window  is  a  very  old  representation  of  the  Crucifixion. 

The  beautiful  lancet  window  of  five  lights,  in  the  north  front  of  the  north 
transept,  is  one  of  the  chief  ornaments  of  the  church.  The  chaste  but  severe 
simplicity  of  these  lights  strike  the  eye  of  the  beholder  immediately  on  en- 


444  HISTORY   OF   THE   CATHEDRAL  OF   YORK. 

tering  the  Catliedral.  No  finer  eiuunples  of  Early  English  windows  can  be 
found  in  this  countiy.  The  lights,  which  are  each  64  feet  in  height  and  5|- 
feet  in  breadth,  are  fiUed  with  mosaic  work,  of  an  extremely  rich  and  yaried 
pattern,  and  their  effect  is  beautiful.  This  is  sometimes  called  the  Jemsh 
Window,  probably  firom  the  resemblance  it  bears  to  the  embroideiy  or  needle- 
work which  was  used  in  adorning  the  ancient  Jewish  tabernacles.  As  has 
already  been  observed,  this  window  has  been  traditionally  named  the  Fice 
Sisters,  from  its  having  been  presented  to  the  Cathedral  by  five  sistei^  (nuns), 
who  wrought  with  their  own  hands  the  patterns  for  the  stained  glass  devices. 
The  small  rim  of  clear  glass  round  the  edges  is  a  modem  addition,  and  gives 
it  a  veiy  pleasing  efifect.  In  the  south  transept  the  upper  or  marigold  win- 
dow has  a  fine  effect  from  the  brilliancy  of  its  coloured  glass  resembling  that 
flower.  The  first  window  in  the  second  tier  of  this  front  of  the  transept  has 
a  full-length  figure  of  St  WiUiam ;  the  second,  which  is  of  two  lights,  has 
effigies  of  St.  Peter  and  St.  Paul,  each  with  his  proper  insignia  beneath  him ; 
and  in  the  next  window  is  the  effigy  of  St.  Wilfrid.  The  windows  of  the 
lowermost  tier  are  of  modem  workmanship,  having  been  executed  by  Mr. 
William  Peckitt,  of  York,  a  self-taught  artbt,  who  died  in  1795.  They  con- 
tain very  elegant  full-length  figures  of  Abram,  representing  Feuth ;  Sdomou, 
representing  Truth;  Moses,  Righteousness:  and  St  Peter.  The  window 
representing  St  Peter  was  set  up  in  1768,  and  the  others  in  1790.  The 
former  was  presented  to  the  Cathedral  by  the  artist  in  his  lifetime,  and  the 
others  were  bequeathed  at  his  death.  In  the  east  aisle  of  this  transept  is 
some  of  the  oldest  glass  in  the  churoh,  representing  full-lengths  of  St  Michael, 
St  George,  the  Blessed  Virgin,  and  Archbishop  St.  William. 

The  glass  in  the  choir  is  very  fine  and  curious.  In  the  first  window  from 
the  west  in  the  north  aisle  are  representations  of  St  Peter  and  St  Paul,  the 
Blessed  Virgin,  and  Arehbishop  Bowett,  at  an  altar.  The  second  has 
full-length  figures  of  St.  John  of  Beverley,  Arehbishop  Scrope,  and  St. 
William,  with  several  curious  legends ;  the  third  contains  several  full-length 
effigies  of  Bishops  with  legends ;  the  fourth  is  the  small  transept  window ; 
the  fifth  has  figures  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  Infant  Saviour,  St  Anne 
and  St.  Elizabeth,  with  the  infant  Baptist;  and  round  the  window  are 
the  Arms  of  Archbishop  Scrope;  the  sixth  exhibits  St  Thomas,  St  John, 
St  Edward  the  Confessor,  and  St  John  the  Baptist;  the  seventh  window  is 
blank ;  and  the  end  window  of  the  aisle  has  the  Cmcifixion,  St  James,  the 
Blessed  Virgin,  &o. 

In  the  first  window  firom  the  west,  in  the  south  aisle  of  the  choir,  are  full- 
length  figures  of  David  and  the  Prophets  Kehemiah  and  Malachy,  with 


HISTORY   OF   THE    CATHSDBAL   OF   YOBK. 


446 


legends ;  the  second  is  fidled  with  legends,  principally  from  the  life  of  Christ; 
the  third  has  several  saints  within  borders  of  pomegranate  branches  and 
leaves;  the  fourth  is  the  Uttle  transept  window;  the  fifth  is  filled  with 
legends,  much  confused ;  the  sixth  has  King  Edwin,  St.  John,  St.  James, 
&c. ;  and  the  seventh,  in  the  upper  portion,  has  full-lengths  of  Joseph  of 
Aiimathea  and  the  Saxon  King,  Ina,  the  founder  of  Glastonbury  Monastery. 
The  lower  part  of  this  window,  conspicuous  for  its  vivid  colours,  was  presented 
by  the  Earl  of  Carlisle,  in  1804.  It  is  supposed  to  have  been  copied  from  a 
design  of  Sebastian  del  Piombo,  the  great  favorite  of  Pope  Clement  VIII., 
and  was  brought  from  the  church  of  St.  Nicholas,  in  Rouen,  in  Normandy. 
The  figures,  which  are  as  large  as  life,  represent  the  meeting  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin  and  St.  Elizabeth ;  and  the  armorial  bearings  of  the  family  of  the 
noble  donor  occupy  the  compartments. 

The  interior  dimensions'*'  of  the  Cathedral  are  as  follows : — 


FEBT. 

Length  from  K.  to  W 524i 

Breadth  of  the  east  end 105 

Breadth  of  the  west  end 100 

Length  of  oioss  aisles  from  N.  to  S.  222 

Height  of  central  tower 218 

Height  of  the  nave 99 

Breadth  of  body  and  side  aiales    . .  100 

Height  of  the  side  arches  N.  to  S. .  42 

From  west  door  to  the  choir 201 

Length  of  the  choir    157} 

Breadth  of  the  choir 46} 


FEST. 

From  the  choir  to  east  end 222 

From  altar  screen  to  east  end 26 

Height  of  the  east  window 75 

Breadth  of  the  east  window    82 

Height  of  ceiling  of  chapter  house . .  67 

Diameter  from  glass  to  glass 63 

Length  of  the  library   50 

Breadth  of  the  library 22 

Height  of  the  cornice' 22 

Height  of  the  organ  screen 24 

Breadth  of  the  organ  screen   60 


*  Table  of  comparative  dimensions  of  the  principal  Cathedrals  in  England,  in  feet. 


York 

Canterbnry 
Durham    . . . 

Ely     

Gloucester 
lincoln .... 
St.  Panl's  . . 
Salisbniy  . . 
Westminster 
Winchester 


542 
514 
420 
517 
420 
498 
500 
452 
489 
554 


222 
140 
176 
178 
144 
227 
248 
210 
189 
208 


I 


109 
74 
80 
73 
64 
83 

107 
76 
96 
86 


I 

S 


261 
214 
240 
327 
174 
252 
306 
246 
130 
247 


IP 

n 


99 
80 
70 
70 
67 
83 
88 
84 
101 
78 


s 


157 
150 
117 
101 
130 
158 
105 
140 
152 
138 


•8"« 

H 


n 

n 

mg 
h 


99 
80 
71 
70 
86 

88 

84 

101  . 

78 


^1 

"I 


196 
130 
143 
270 

270 
221 


133 


213 
235 
212 
113 
261 
288 
356 
400 

133 


446  HI8T0BT   OF  THE   CATHBDBAL   OF  YOBK. 

Monuments. — ^The  mortal  remains  of  a  very  considerable  number  of  per- 
sons of  rank  and  distinction  are  deposited  in  this  ancient  temple.  The  head 
of  Edwin,  the  first  Christian  King  of  Northumberland,  who  died  in  663,  was 
interred  here,  and  his  body  in  the  Abbey  of  Whitby.  History  also  records, 
amongst  the  distinguished  persons  buried  here,  the  names  of  Eadbert  and 
Eanbald,  Kings  of  Northumberland;  Sweyne,  King  of  Denmark;  Tosti, 
Earl  of  Northumberland,  brother  of  Harold ;  William  de  Hatfield,  second 
son  of  Edward  m.;  and  a  veiy  large  proportion  of  the  Archbishops  who  have 
presided  over  the  See,  firom  the  introduction  of  Christianity  into  this  province 
to  the  present  day.  The  principal  tombs  and  monimients  occupy  the  aisles 
on  each  side  of  the  choir,  and  the  Lady  Chapel  behind  the  altar  screen;  but 
there  are  a  few  tombs  and  inscriptions  in  the  other  parts  of  the  CathediaL 

On  entering  the  church  at  the  usual  door  in  the  south  front,  the  first  monu- 
ment that  attracts  the  stranger's  attention  is  situated  in  the  eastern  aisle  of 
the  south  transept,  and  is  the  tomb  of  Archbishop  Walter  de  Orey,  the  founder 
of  this  part  of  the  Cathedral,  who  died  in  1255  ;  the  founders  of  Cathedrals 
being  usually  buried  in  the  portion  in  which  they  themselves  built  The 
design  of  this  monument,  which  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  in  the  church, 
is  particularly  elegant  It  is  a  beautiful  relic  of  the  ISth  century,  consisting 
of  two  stories,  or  tiers  of  trefoil  arches,  supported  by  eight  slender  columns, 
with  capitals  of  luxuriant  foliage,  sustaining  a  canopy  divided  into  eight 
niches,  with  angular  pediments,  decorated  with  elaborate  finials.  These  are 
enriched  with  figures  of  birds,  foUage,  &c. ;  and  the  sweep  of  the  pediment 
has  several  crockets  running  up  its  exterior  moulding.  On  a  flat  tomb,  under 
the  canopy,  is  an  effigy  of  the  Archbishop  in  his  pontifical  robes.  This 
monument  is  inclosed  by  a  bronzed  iron  railing,  of  rich  and  elaborate  work- 
manship, erected  by  the  late  Archbishop  Markham.  The  pillars  supporting 
the  canopy  are  of  black  marble,  eight  feet  in  height  This  is  one  of  the 
earliest  examples  of  canopied  tombs  remaining  in  this  country.  By  the  side 
of  this  monument  is  another  of  a  flat  tabular  form,  supposed  to  contain  the 
remains  of  Archbishop  Godfrey  de  Ludham,  otherwise  Kineton,  who  died  in 
1364.  In  the  western  si<]^  of  the  north  transept  is  a  flat  tomb  of  black 
marble,  supported  by  iron  trellis,  3i  feet  high,  to  the  memory  of  John  HaaAy^ 
treasurer  of  the  Cathedral,  who  died  in  1434.  Within  the  grating  is  a 
dilapidated  stone  figure,  representing  a  wasted  corpse  in  a  winding  sheet 
According  to  stipulations  in  certain  ancient  deeds,  payments  of  the  Cathedral 
revenues  should  be,  and,  we  believe,  sometimes  are  made  on  this  tomb.  In 
the  eastern  aisle  of  the  north  transept  is  a  very  beautiful  monument  erected 
over  the  grave  of  Archbishop  Grenfeld^  who  died  in  1315.     It  consists  of  an 


HISTORY   OF  THE  CATHEDRAL  OF  YORK.  447 

altar  tomb,  the  dado  enriched  with  panelling  of  pointed  arches.  From  the 
ends  rise  four  dwarf  columns,  supporting  a  pedimental  canopy,  ornamented 
with  crockets,  which  terminate  in  a  superb  finial,  behind  which,  on  a  column, 
is  a  small  statue  of  the  Archbishop,  in  the  act  of  giving  the  benediction.  On 
the  tomb  is  the  full-length  effigy  of  the  prelate  engraved  in  brass,  habited  in 
pantifictdibis.  The  whole  is  an  interesting  specimen  of  the  time  of  Henry 
YI.  It  was  behind  this  monument  that  the  incendiary  Martin  concealed 
himself,  after  attending  service  in  the  choir,  before  setting  the  Minster  on 
fire  in  1820 ;  and  it  was  through  the  window  in  the  end  of  the  west  aisle 
in  this  transept  that  he  made  his  escape  after  the  building  was  in  flames. 

Opposite  to  the  entrance  to  the  Chapter  House  is  a  fine  altar  tomb,  to  the 
memoiy  of  Stephen  Beckwith,  M.  D.,  who  died  December  SSrd,  1843.  On 
the  top  is  a  beautiful  marble  effigy  of  the  deceased,  while  in  niches  on  the 
sides  of  the  tomb  are  recorded  his  munificent  bequests  to  the  di£Eerent  chari- 
ties in  this  city,  which  are  as  foUows : — 

The  Maseam  of  the  Yorkshire  Philosophical  Society 10,000 

The  Minster  Bells  and  Chapter  House 5,000 

Wilberforce  School  for  the  BUnd   5,000 

The  Female  Penitentiary 5,000 

Blue  Coat  Boys*  School    8,500 

Orey  Coat  Girls'  School   3,500 

The  Dispensaiy. 8,500 

The  Church  of  England  School '. 2,500 

The  Iniluit  School,  Skeldergate 2,500 

St.  Thomas'  Hospital    3,500 

Lady  Middleton's  Hospital 2,000 

The  Poor  of  St  Martin's  Parish  and  two  Parishes  of  Bishophill . .  500 

On  a  pillar  in  the  south  aisle  of  the  nave  is  a  brass  plate,  with  the  half 
.  length  effigy  of  a  woman  in  the  costume  of  the  period,  with  an  inscription 
showing  that  there  lies  buried  the  body  of  Elizabeth  Eymes,  one  of  the  gentle- 
women of  Queen  Elizabeth,  and  daughter  of  Sir  Edward  Neville,  who  died 
in  1588.  On  the  opposite  side  in  the  same  aisle,  on  a  brass  plate,  is  a  Latin 
inscription,  with  a  half  length  effigy,  in  a  fur  gown,  of  James  Cotrel,  Esq.,  a 
native  of  Dublin,  who  resided  some  time  at  York,  and  died  in  1596. 

In  the  wall  of  the  north  aisle  of  the  nave  is  a  low  altar  tomb,  the  dado 
ornamented  with  pierced  quatrefoUs,  through  which  the  coffin  within  it  may 
be  seen,  and  -covered  with  a  low  pointed  arch.  This  tomb  is  supposed  to 
enclose  the  remains  of  Archbishop  Roger,  who  filled  the  See  of  York,  from 
1154  to  1181.  These  are  all  the  monuments  or  inscriptions  now  remaining 
in  the  body  of  the  church,  though  there  were  formerly  many  more. 


448  HISTORY   OF   THE   CATHEDRAL   OF   TORK. 

Entering  the  south  aisle  of  the  choir  the  monuments,  in  the  order  in  which 
they  occur,  are  as  follows : — ^A  white  marble  monument  to  Christopher  E.  T. 
OldfiM,  a  distinguished  officer  in  the  Indian  armj,  who  died  at  Nakodah, 
in  the  East  Indies,  in  1850,  aged  45  years.  The  design  is  of  the  Italian 
school,  and  the  workmanship  is  very  beautifuL  The  base  is  of  vein  marble, 
having  in  the  centre  a  Roman  shield  and  helmet,  with  cross  swords  enclosed 
by  a  wreath.  The  tablet  and  upper  portion  of  the  monument  are  composed 
of  pure  statuary,  being  surmounted  by  a  very  elaborately  executed  combination 
of  military  trophies,  and  the  whole  is  placed  on  a  ground  of  Galway  black 
marble.  It  was  erected  in  1853,  at  the  expence  of  the  officers  of  the  fifth 
regiment  of  Bengal  Light  Infantry,  of  which  regiment  the  deceased  was 
Major.  A  small  tablet  to  William  Palmer,  who  died  in  1605.  A  neat 
marble  tablet,  with  two  Doric  columns  supporting  a  pediment,  to  the  memory 
of  the  BZ,  Hon,  Wm.  Wiekhamf  formerly  of  Cottingley  in  this  county,  who 
died  in  1840,  aged  79.  A  tablet  to  Jane  Hodeon,  who  died  in  1636,  in 
giving  birth  to  her  24th  child,  herself  being  only  in  her  d8th  year.  She  was 
the  wife  of  Phineas  Hodson,  Professor  of  Theology,  and  the  Chancellor  of  the 
Cathedral.  It  is  a  small  compartment  with  two  Corinthian  columns,  and  a 
plain  entablature  with  a  pediment  upon  which  are  two  weeping  boys,  coats 
of  arms,  an  urn,  and  a  long  Latin  inscription.  The  tomb  of  Sir  Wm.  Oee^ 
of  Bishop  Burton,  in  this  coimty,  Ent.,  a  Privy  Councillor  to  James  I.,  who 
died  in  1611.  On  the  tomb  are  effigies  of  himself,  his  two  wives,  and  six 
children,  all  in  the  attitude  of  prayer.  A  small  oval  tablet  containing  a 
short  inscription  to  the  memory  of  Henry  Witham,  an  officer  in  the  Craven 
Legion,  who  was  accidentally  drowned  in  the  river  Ouse,  whilst  stationed  at 
York,  in  1809.  It  was  erected  by  his  brother  officers,  as  a  mark  of  respect 
to  his  memory.  An  antique  monument  to  ArehbMop  Hutton,  who  died  in 
1605.  The  recumbent  figure  of  the  prelate  is  represented  under  an  arch, 
which  is  supported  by  two  Corinthian  columns.  The  entablature  is  sur- 
mounted by  coats  of  arms;  and  in  front  of  the  altar  tomb,  forming  the 
basement  of  the  monument,  are  three  recessed  arches,  containing  kneeling 
figures  of  the  Archbishop's  children.  A  marble  monument,  consisting  of  a 
luge  urn  placed  between  two  busts,  one  of  which  represents  Henry  Fineh, 
Dean  of  York,  who  died  in  1728,  and  the  other  the  Hon.  and  Rev.  Edward 
Finch,  Canon  Beddentiary,  who  died  in  1737.  Above  is  a  small  pediment, 
and  the  flamily  arms  with  an  inscription. 

The  monument  of  Nicholas  Wanton,  E$q,,  of  London,  is  a  neat  piece  of 
architecture,  with  a  figure  in  the  attitude  of  prayer  between  Corinthian  pi- 
lasters. The  inscription  states  that  he  died  in  1617,  and  that  his  brother 
William  is  also  interred  near  the  same  place. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    CATHEDRAL    OF    YORK.  449 

Arckhuhop  Lamplugh's  mouumeDt  is  enclosed  within  iron  palisades,  and 
exhibits  on  a  pedestal  a  statue  of  the  mitred  prelate  in  his  episcopal  robes, 
with  the  crosier  in  his  hand.  Two  pilasters  support  a  semicircular  pediment, 
with  an  urn  on  the  top.  The  Archbishop  died  in  1691,  in  his  76th  year. 
This  is  one  of  the  earliest  instances  of  monumental  effigies  the  size  of  life 
presented  in  an  erect  position. 

A  small  antique  monument,  with  the  bust  of  a  female  in  a  niche,  to  Mrs. 
Anne  Bennet,  who  died  in  1601. 

A  pyramidal  monument  of  white  marble,  to  the  memory  of  TKomaa  Lam- 
plugh,  Hector  of  Bolton  Percy,  and  Canon  Besidentiary  of  this  Cathedral.  He 
was  grandson  to  the  Archbishop  of  the  same  name,  and  died  in  1747,  aged  60. 

Near  the  entrance  to  the  crypt  is  a  marble  altar  tomb  to  Archbiakop  Dolhen, 
who  died  in  1686,  in  the  62nd  year  of  his  age.  On  the  table  reclines  a 
handsome  robed  and  mitred  figure  of  the  prelate.  On  the  south  wall  is  a 
beautiful  marble  slab,  on  which  is  represented  a  sarcophagus,  with  arms  and 
an  inscription  to  the  memory  of  the  Lad-y  Mary  Hore,  who  died  at  York  on 
her  way  to  Scarborough  in  1798,  aged  22  years. 

The  monument  to  the  Rev,  George  WiUiam  Anderson,  who  died  in  1786, 
in  his  25  th  year,  consists  of  a  compartment,  with  an  oval  inscription  tablet, 
and  a  serpent  in  a  circle  being  the  emblem  of  eternity.  A  variegated  marble 
table,  on  which  is  represented  a  sarcophagus  in  white  marble,  stands  against 
the  wall,  in  memory  of  Mr.  Francis  Croft,  who  died  in  1837,  aged  31. 

In  this  locality  is  an  elegant  classical  monument  of  white  marble,  by 
Westmacott,  to  the  memory  of  Dr.  WiUiam  Burgh,  author  of  a  treatise  "  On 
the  Holy  Trinity."  The  doctor  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  died  in  York  in 
1808,  aged  87.  The  monument  exhibits  a  full  length  emblematical  figure 
of  Jleligion,  with  a  dove  on  her  head,  and  bearing  a  cross  in  her  hand.  On 
the  base  or  pedestal  is  a  long  poetical  inscription,  written  by  J.  B.  S.  Morritt, 
Esq.,  of  Kokeby  Park,  the  early  Mend  of  Sir  Walter  Scott 

Towards  the  east  end  of  this  aisle  is  an  elegant  veined  marble  monument 
of  the  Corinthian  order,  to  WiUiam  Wentworth,  Earl  of  Strafford,  son  of  the 
unfortunate  Eail  who  was  beheaded.  In  a  double  niche,  between  beautiful 
fluted  columns,  are  whole  length  figures  of  the  Earl  and  his  Countess,  with 
an  urn  between  them,  and  the  coronet  laid  at  their  feet.  On  each  column 
stands  a  handsome  vase  or  urn ;  upon  the  pedestal,  beside  each  figure,  a 
weeping  cherub;  and  over  the  niche,  within  a  circular  pediment,  are  the 
Wentworth  Arms.  Beneath  is  a  long  inscription,  descriptive  of  his  illus- 
trious funHy  connezions.    The  Earl  died  in  1096. 

Next  to  Lord  Strafibrd's  is  a  large  white  marble  tablet  to  the  Bt.  Hon. 

3  M 


430  HWTORY   OF   THE    CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK. 

Lora  Burton  Dawnay,  Viscountess  Doivne,  who  died  in  181^,  aged  73.  In 
this  neighbourhood  is  a  neat  marble  tablet  to  the  memory  of  the  late  Bev» 
John  EyrCf  Archdeacon  of  Nottingham,  and  Canon  Residentiary  of  York 
Cathedral,  who  died  in  1830.  Also  a  neat  monument  with  yarious  devices, 
to  Edward  Tippitig,  Esq,,  of  Bellurgan  Park,  county  of  Louth,  Ireland,  who 
died  in  1789,  aged  35. 

A  new  Gothic  monument  in  stone  to  George  Hoare,  Esq,,  and  Frances  his 
wife.  The  former  died  in  1813,  and  the  latter  in  1811.  The  monument  con- 
sists of  a  tablet  under  a  beautiful  canopy,  adorned  with  finials,  crockets,  &c. 

Over  a  small  door  in  the  south  east  comer  of  this  aisle,  is  the  mural 
monument  of  Archhisliop  Piers,  who  died  in  1504,  aged  71.  It  is  a  small 
square  compartment,  with  two  Corinthian  columns  supporting  an  entablature 
decorated  with  shields  of  aims,  &c. 

Those  in  the  Lady  Chapel  are — ^under  the  great  east  window,  a  superb 
monument  in  memory  of  the  Hon,  Tlwmcts  Watson  Wentworiht  third  son  of 
Edward  Lord  Rockingham,  who  died  in  1723,  aged  58 ;  also  to  Thomas  Watson 
Wentworth,  Marquis  of  Rockingham,  who  died  in  1760,  and  was  interred  in 
his  uncle*s,  the  Earl  of  Stafford's,  vault;  and  likewise  to  Charles  Watson 
Wentworth,  the  last  Marquis  of  Rockingham,  who  died  in  1782,  aged  52,  and 
was  buried  in  the  same  vatdt,  with  great  honours,  as  already  described  at 
page  273.  This  beautiful  piece  of  sculpture,  which  was  executed  by  J.  B. 
Guelfi  Romanus,  consists  of  an  elegant  basement  of  veined  marble,  on  which 
is  a  circular  pedestal,  whereon  stands  a  full  length  figure  of  the  first  named 
deceased,  in  a  Roman  habit,  leaning  with  his  left  arm  upon  an  urn.  A  fine 
female  Qgure  is  represented  sitting  on  the  other  side,  reclining  her  head  upon 
her  right  hand,  with  her  elbow  upon  another  pedestal ;  the  back  ground  of 
the  monument  forming  a  pyramid  is  surmounted  by  a  coat  of  arms.  This  is 
the  best  piece  of  sculpture  in  the  church. 

Archbishop  Henry  Bowett's  monument  is  of  exquisite  taste  and  elegance. 
It  is  nearly  30  feet  high,  and  is  decorated  with  hght  and  lofty  pinnacles, 
statues,  &c.  The  altar  tomb  is  placed  beneath  an  elliptical  arch,  covered 
with  tracery,  and  surmounted  by  pinnacles.  The  arch  is  pointed,  and  the 
roof  beautifully  groined.  The  whole  is  a  veiy  fine  specimen  of  the  archi- 
tecture of  the  15th  century.     The  prelate  died  in  1423. 

Under  the  east  window  is  a  sumptuous  marble  monument  to  Archbishop 
Sharps,  who  died  at  Bath  in  1713,  aged  69.  It  is  of  the  Corinthian  order, 
with  pilasters ;  upon  the  pedestal  is  a  mitred  figure  of  the  prelate  in  a  re- 
clining posture,  being  about  half  raised  on  the  right  arm,  which  rests  on  a 
cushion,  with  a  book  in  the  left  hand.  The  whole  is  decorated  with  figures 
of  winged  cherubs,  urns,  drapery,  J^c. 


HI9T0BT   OF   THE   CATHEDRAX.   OF   YORK.  451 

Archbishop  Matthew's  monument  formerly  stood  against  the  wall  beneath 
the  great  east  window,  but  it  was  destroyed  by  the  fire  of  1829.  His  eflBgy, 
though  broken  into  three  parts,  is  still  preserved  here.  A  descendant  of  that 
prelate  erected  another  handsome  monument  to  his  memory,  on  the  south 
side  of  the  Lady  Chapel,  in  1844.  It  consists  of  a  Gothic  altar  tomb  of 
Yorkshire  stone,  with  a  beautiful  black  marble  slab.  The  sides  of  the  tomb 
are  each  in  fiye  compartments,  in  which  are  shields  of  arms.  This  prelate 
died  in  1628,  aged  82. 

On  the  north  side  of  this  chapel  is  another  recently  erected  altar  tomb,  to 
the  memory  of  Archbishop  Markham,  who  died  in  1807.  It  is  similar  in 
design  to  the  last  mentioned  monument,  and  round  its  base  is  a  beautiful 
pavement  of  encaustic  tiles. 

In  a  niche  in  a  wall  under  the  east  window  is  a  monument  to  Frances 
Matthew,  relict  of  Archbishop  Matthew,  who  died  in  1629,  aged  78.  It  ex- 
hibits a  female  figure  kneeling  at  a  desk  between  two  columns,  with  two 
other  figures  standing  near  the  columns  in  a  devout  posture.  The  whole  is 
decorated  with  angels,  &c,  Mrs.  Matthew  was  daughter  of  Barlow,  Bishop 
of  Chichester ;  her  first  husband  was  son  of  Parker,  Archbishop  of  Canter- 
bury ;  her  second  husband  was  Archbishop  of  York ;  and  her  four  sisters 
each  married  a  Bishop. 

Archbishop  Frewen's  monument  is  20  feet  high  and  10  broad,  and  consists 
of  two  Corinthian  columns,  with  an  arched  pediment,  between  which  is  a  full 
length  effigy  of  the  prelate  in  gown  and  cap,  the  whole  being  decorated  with 
books,  coats  of  arms,  <&c.,  and  surmounted  by  figures  of  Faith,  Hope,  and 
Charity.     He  died  in  1664,  in  his  76th  year. 

Archbishop  Scrape's  monument  is  about  8  feet  high  and  8  feet  long.  The 
sides  are  ornamented  with  sculptured  shields  in  quatrefoil  compartments. 
This  Archbishop  was  beheaded  for  high  treason  in  1406.  The  tomb  is  not 
inscribed. 

Archbishop  de  Botherham's  monument  is  a  solid  Gothic  altar  tomb,  restored 
at  the  expense  of  Lincoln  CoUege,  Oxford,  in  1832,  the  deceased  prelate 
having  been  the  second  founder  of  that  College.  The  original  monument, 
which  was  erected  by  the  Archbishop  himself,  and  under  which  he  was 
buried,  was  partially  destroyed  at  the  conflagration  in  1829.    He  died  in  1500. 

Archbishop  SewM's  (removed  from  the  south  transept)  is  a  table  monu- 
ment, with  a  cross  fiory  sculptured  on  the  top.  Over  it  was  a  marble  slab, 
supported  by  twelve  pillars,  but  this  was  destroyed  by  the  fire  in  1829. 

The  monument  of  the  Et,  Hon.  Frances  Cecil,  Countess  of  Cumberland,  is 
a  table  tomb,  supported  by  four  vases.    This  lady  was  the  daughter  of  the 


452  HISTORY    OF   THE   CATHBDRA^L   OP   YORK. 

Earl  of  Salisbury,  and  wife  of  Heniy,  Lord  Clifford,  Bromfleet,  Vetrepon, 
and  Vessej,  Earl  of  Cumberland,  and  Lord  Lieutenant  of  the  county  of  Yoik. 
She  died  in  1643,  in  her  60th  year. 

Against  the  wall  at  the  north  side  is  a  beautiful  tablet  to  the  memory  of 
Mrs.  Mary  ThomkiU,  who  died  at  Fixby,  in  this  county,  in  1727,  aged  71 
years ;  and  likewise  to  the  memoiy  of  her  two  daughters.  On  the  top  is  an 
urn  in  white  marble ;  and  on  the  right  side  of  an  inscription  is  a  branch  of 
laurel,  interwoyen  with  cypress ;  whilst  on  the  left  are  cypress  and  palms. 

There  is  a  fine  marble  monument  to  Archbishop  Sterne,  who  died  in  1683, 
aged  87,  beneath  the  east  window  of  the  north  aisle  of  the  choir.  Upon  the 
pedestal  is  a  mitred  effigy  reclining ;  over  the  figure  is  an  architraye,  frieze 
and  cornice  adorned  with  drapery  and  festoons,  and  surmounted  by  a  semi- 
circular pediment  and  coat  of  arms.  Nearly  adjoining  is  a  neat  tablet  to  IL 
Sterne,  Esq,,  of  Elrington,  who  died  in  1791,  aged  61. 

A  square  compartment,  with  small  Corinthian  columns,  in  the  north  aisle, 
contains  an  inscription  to  the  memory  of  lAond  Ingram,  infant  son  of  Arthur 
Ingrant,  Knt. 

Here  are  neat  oval  compartments  inscribed  to  the  memoiy  of  Mrs.  Penelope 
Gibson,  and  Mrs.  Johannah  Gibson,  both  of  Welboume,  in  this  county.  The 
former  died  in  1716,  and  the  latter  in  177^.  There  is  likewise  in  this  lo- 
cality a  small  marble  tablet  to  Charles  Layton,  Esq.,  who  died  in  1676. 

Samuel  Breary,  D.  D.,  Prebendary  of  Strensall,  and  Rector  of  Middletoa 
and  South  Dalton,  has  a  neat  monument  of  grey  marble,  surmounted  by  a 
pediment,  erected  here  to  his  memoiy.     He  died  in  1736,  aged  66. 

Mrs.  Mary  PuUeyn's  is  a  pyramidal  monument,  surmounted  with  an  ele- 
gant urn,  on  the  pedestal  of  which  are  placed  the  arms,  decorated  on  each 
side  with  cypress.     She  died  in  1786,  aged  82. 

A  neat  modem  monument  against  the  wall  is  inscribed  to  the  Bsv.  Sawut^ 
Terrick,  Rector  of  Wheldrake.     He  died  in  1719,  in  the  6l8t  year  of  his  age. 

In  this  aisle  is  the  splendid  monument,  erected  by  a  general  subscription 
in  the  county  of  York,  as  a  tribute  of  public  love  and  esteem  for  the  memory 
of  the  respected  statesman.  Sir  George  SaviUe,  Bart,  It  is  a  beautifiil  white 
marble  statue,  placed  on  an  elegant  enriched  marble  pedestal,  six  feet  high, 
with  scrolls  at  the  angles,  and  on  the  frieze  of  which  are  introduced  the  em- 
blems  of  Wisdom,  Fortitude,  and  Eternity.  Sir  George  is  represented  leaning 
upon  a  pillar,  holding  in  his  right  hand  a  scroll,  on  which  is  written,  *'  The 
Petition  of  the  Freeholders  of  the  County  of  York."  The  whole  height  of 
the  monument  is  sixteen  feet,  and  on  the  front  of  the  pedestal  is  an  inscrip- 
tion commemorative  of  his  public  and  private  virtues.     Sir  Qeoige  repre- 


HISTORT   OF   THE   CATHEDRAL   OF   TORS.  %  453 

sented  this  county  in  five  successive  Parliaments,  and  departed  this  life  on 
the  0  th  of  January,  1784,  in  the  58th  year  of  his  age. 

There  is  a  white  marhle  monument  against  the  wall,  to  the  memory  of  the 
Bev.  John  RichardMn,  Canon  Besidentiary  of  this  church,  who  died  in  1735. 

The  neat  statuary  marble  monument  to  John  DeaUry,  M,  D,,  who  died  in 
1773,  aged  65,  consists  of  a  figure  of  Health  in  alto  relievo^  with  her  usual 
insignia,  bending  over  an  urn,  and  dropping  a  chaplet. 

Sir  Thomas  Davenport's  is  a  highly  finished  pyramidal  monument  Sir 
Thomas  was  one  of  his  Migesty's  Sergeants-at-Law ;  and  having  opened  the 
commission  of  Assize  in  York,  on  Saturday,  March  11th,  1786,  and  attended 
the  Minster  on  the  following  day,  he  was  seized  with  a  fever,  and  died  on  the 
Soth,  aged  59. 

The  Hon.  Mrs,  Langley's  monument,  which  is  of  pointed  architecture,  is 
exceedingly  beautiful.  The  upper  part  is  a  canopy,  composed  of  several 
arches,  with  numerous  pinnacles,  &c.  This  lady,  who  was  the  daughter  of 
Henry,  Lord  Middleton,  and  relict  of  K  Langley,  Esq.,  of  Wykeham  Abbey, 
died  in  1834,  aged  65. 

The  neat  marble  monument  to  Admiral  Medley  has  a  fine  bust,  with  arms, 
curious  devices  of  naval  instnmients,  ships,  <S:c.  The  Admiral  was  bom  at 
Ghmston  Garth,  became  Vice-Admiral  of  the  Blue,  and  Commander-in-Chief 
in  the  Mediterranean,  and  died  at  Savona  in  1747. 

There  is  a  neat  plain  monument  against  the  wall,  to  the  memory  of  WiUiam 
Pearson,  L,L.D.,  Chancellor  of  the  diocese  of  York,  who  died  in  1715,  aged 
63 ;  and  beneath  is  a  small  monument  to  Mrs.  Eaynes,  who  died  in  1689. 

The  monument  to  Charles  Howard,  Earl  of  Carlisle,  Privy  Councillor  to 
Charles  II.,  is  a  marble  structure,  composed  of  two  pilasters,  and  a  circular 
pediment,  adorned  with  a  bust  of  the  Earl,  several  urns,  cherubs,  coats  of 
arms,  &c.  On  one  column  is  an  inscription  to  the  memory  of  the  deceased 
nobleman,  who  died  in  1684,  aged  56 ;  and  on  another  column  of  the  same 
monument  is  an  inscription  to  the  memory  of  Sir  John  Fenwicke,  Bart,,  of 
Fenwicke  Castle,  Northumberland,  who  died  in  1696,  aged  52,  and  was 
buried  in  London.  In  the  centre  of  the  monument  is  an  inscription  to  Lady 
Mary  Fenwicke,  daughter  of  the  above-named  Earl,  and  relict  of  the  said  Sir 
John  Feniricke,  who  died  in  1780,  aged  50. 

Sir  WUUam  Ingram's  is  an  antique  monument,  decorated  with  figures  of 
himself  and  his  wife,  ooats  of  arms,  &c.  He  was  a  doctor  of  laws,  a  master 
in  chancery,  and  sole  deputy  commissary  of  the  prerogative  court  of  York, 
and  was  knighted  by  King  James.     He  died  in  1625. 

There  is  a  small  monument,  decorated  with  coats  of  arms,  containing  an 


454     «  HISTOBT   OF   THE   CATHEDRAL   OF  TOBK. 

inscriptioii  to  Mrs.  AnnaheUa  WUkham,  wife  of  Heniy  Wickham,  D.D., 
Archdeacon  of  York.     She  died  in  1625. 

Dr.  Swinburne's  monument,  which  is  partly  modem,  is  decorated  with  coats 
of  arms,  small  figures,  and  angels,  and  a  large  figure  kneeling  under  an  arch. 
There  is  a  short  inscription,  hut  no  date. 

Against  the  wall  is  a  variegated  marhle  monument,  with  a  white  oval 
centre,  inscribed  to  Captain  Pelsant  Beeves,  of  Aborfield,  Berks.,  who  fell  in 
battle  at  Toulon,  on  the  dOth  of  November,  1798,  in  the  d9th  year  of  his  age. 

Adjoining  the  preceding  is  a  handsome  white  marble  monument  to  the 
memory  of  the  Rev,  Rd.  Thompson,  Prebendary  of  York,  and  Hector  of  Kirk- 
Deighton,  who  died  in  1795 ;  also  to  the  memory  of  Anne  his  wife,  who 
died  in  1791.  It  is  supported  by  two  flat  pillars,  one  of  which  is  crowned 
with  an  urn,  and  the  other  with  a  representation  of  books  piled  up.  A  large 
urn  is  placed  on  the  top,  and  the  whole  is  ornamented  with  emblematic  devices. 

The  handsome  monument  of  Corinthian  architecture,  erected  to  Sir  Henry 
BeUasis,  is  decorated  with  coats  of  arms,  and  three  small  figures  in  the  atti- 
tude of  prayer.  In  the  upper  part,  beneath  arches,  arc  figures  of  the  knight 
and  his  lady ;  the  latter  was  a  daughter  of  the  famous  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax. 

A  small  plain  tablet  against  the  wall  is  inscribed  to  John  Farr  Abbot,  Esq., 
of  London,  who  died  at  York  in  1794,  aged  38  years.  Beneath  this  is  a 
small  tablet  to  Elizabeth  ChaUenor,  who  died  in  1798,  aged  53. 

Over  the  grave  of  Richard  Wharton,  Esq,,  of  Carlton,  in  this  coimty,  is  a 
very  neat  white  marble  monument  on  a  black  marble  ground.  On  the  top 
is  an  elegant  sarcophagus  with  the  family  arms  in  front.  Mr.  Wharton  died 
in  1794,  aged  64  years. 

The  monument  of  Archbishop  Savage,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  aisle,  was 
erected  about  a.d.  1500,  and  restored  in  1818.  It  may  be  regarded  as  one  of 
the  latest  examples  of  the  elegant  English  style,  which,  towards  the  end  of 
the  10th  century,  was  corrupted  and  debased  by  the  intermixture  of  Grecian 
and  Roman  architecture.  On  an  altar  tomb  lies  the  effigy  of  the  prelate, 
arrayed  in  fuU  pontificals ;  and  above  is  a  pointed  arch  in  panels. 

Near  this  tomb  are  two  very  large  stone  coffins,  found  some  years  ago 
without  Bootham  Bar ;  and  near  them  are  placed  two  stone  effigies,  removed 
from  another  part  of  the  churchy-one  of  them,  which  is  attired  in  chain 
armour,  with  a  shield,  &c,,  is  supposed  to  represent  one  of  the  family  of 
Mauley ;  and  the  other,  we  are  told  by  Allen,  was  formerly  supposed  to  be 
Roman,  but  has  lately  been  considered  as  a  Saxon  layman  of  high  rank. 
Here  are  also  two  very  large  ancient  triangular  chests,  adorned  with  curious 
iron  scroll  work.  These  formerly  held  the  copes  and  other  splendid  vest- 
ments of  the  Cathedral  dignitaries. 


HISTORY    OF   THE   CATHEDRAL   OF   TORS.  *   466 

In  this  aisle,  near  the  entrance  from  the  transepti  are  two  old  monuments, 
the  brass  inscriptions  of  which  are  gone.  One  is  supposed  to  be  that  of 
Bryan  Higden,  Dean  of  York  in  1639,  and  the  other  is  unknown. 

Against  the  wall  on  the  opposite  side,  near  the  western  end  of  this  aisle, 
is  the  handsome  monument  of  Prince  William  de  Hatfield,*  second  son  of 
King  Edward  III.,  who  died  in  1344,  at  the  early  age  of  8  years.  Under  a 
beautiful  canopy  the  royal  youth  is  represented  in  alabaster,  habited  in  a 
doublet  with  long  sleeves,  a  mantle,  plain  hose,  and  shoes,  richly  ornamented. 
The  head  of  the  Prince  was  formerly  supported  by  two  angels,  now  destroyed, 
and  his  feet  rest  against  a  lion  cottchant,  A  large  quantity  of  wax  tapers 
appear  to  have  been  burnt  round  the  tomb  soon  after  the  Prince's  burial,  as 
in  the  Wardrobe  Book  of  Edward  HI.  we  find  an  entiy  of  a  sum  of  money 
paid  for  '*  103  lbs.  of  wax  burnt  around  the  Prince's  corpse,  at  Hatfield, 
Pomfret,  and  York,  where  he  was  buried." 

Of  many  of  those  monuments,  especially  the  most  sumptuous  of  them,  Mr. 
Britton  says,  "  Notwithstanding  the  labour  and  expense  profusely  lavished  in 
erecting  them,  they  display  examples  of  every  fault  which  should  be  avoided 
in  monumental  sculpture  and  architecture." 

Chapter  House.  Exterior. — This  magnificent  structure — the  most  ele- 
gant one  of  the  kind  in  England,  or  perhaps  in  the  world — is  situated  on  the 
north  side  of  the  Cathedral,  and  is  approached  by  a  vestibule,  which  branches 
ofif  from  the  north  transept  of  the  latter  edifice.  There  is  some  difficulty  in 
ascertaining  the  date  of  its  erection,  as  the  records  of  the  church  afford  no 
account  thereof.  Stubbs,  who  is  veiy  particular  in  the  memoirs  of  the  rest 
of  the  buildings,  entirely  omits  this.  Some  ascribe  it  to  the  time  of  Arch- 
bishop de  Grey,  the  style  of  architecture  according  with  the  south  transept, 
commenced  by  that  prelate  in  1220;  while  others  attribute  it  to  a  later 
period,  about  1300,  which  would  make  it  correspond  with  the  time  of  the 
erection  of  the  nave.  Good  authorities  fix  the  date  of  its  erection  during  the 
reign  of  Edward  I.  Mr.  Cooke  says  "  If  we  may  be  allowed  to  guess  at  the 
founder,  that  eminent  prelate  (Walter  de  Grey)  stands  the  fairest  of  any  in 
the  succession  for  it.  The  pillars  which  surround  the  dome,"  he  continues, 
are  of  the  same  kind  of  marble  as  those  which  support  his  tomb.     But  what 

*  This  Prince  was  bom  at  Hatfield,  near  Doncaster,  whence  he  took  his  surname. 
Qaeen  Philippa,  his  mother,  on  the  occasion  of  his  birth,  gave  five  marks  per  annum  to 
the  neighbouring  Abbey  of  Boohe,  and  five  nobles  to  the  monks  there.  When  the  Prince 
died  these  snms  were  transferred  to  the  church  of  York,  where  he  was  buried,  and  to 
the  present  time  they  are  paid  by  the  Bean  and  Chapter  out  of  the  impropriation  of  the 
Bectory  of  Hatfield,  as  appears  by  the  rolls. 


456  HISTORY   OF   THE   CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK. 

seems  to  pat  the  matter  oat  of  dispute  is  the  pictare  of  an  Archbishop, 
betwixt  those  of  a  King  and  Queen,  over  the  entrance,  which,  by  having  a 
serpent  under  his  feet,  into  the  mouth  of  which  his  crozier  enters,  exactly  cor- 
responds with  the  like  representation  of  Walter  de  Grey  on  his  monument"* 

Mr.  Brown,  in  his  valuable  work  on  the  history  of  York  Cathedral,  says 
that  '*  from  a  comparison  of  separate  parts  and  ornaments  of  the  Chapter 
House,  with  similar  parts  and  ornaments  in  other  portions  of  the  church,  he 
iQ  induced  to  imagine  that  the  Chapter  House  and  its  vestibule  were  de- 
signed about  the  year  1280;  and  as  King  Edward  I.  and  his  Queen 
Eleanor  were  in  York,  in  the  year  1384,  assisting  at  the  ceremony  of  the 
relics  of  St.  William,  it  is  highly  probable  that  the  foundation  stone  was  then 
laid.  But  it  is  also  probable  that  the  subsequent  progress  of  the  erection  of 
the  nave,  which  was  begun  iu  the  year  1291,  the  labour  required  by  the  rich 
and  delicate  work  of  the  canned  portions  of  the  Chapter  House,  and  the  dis- 
quietude of  the  time,  retarded  the  progress  of  the  building,  so  that  it  may 
not  have  been  completed  till  about  the  year  1340.'* 

The  Vestiinde  of  the  edifice  is  very  interesting  in  its  architecture  and 
sculpture.  Its  plan  is  in  the  form  of  a  right  angle,  the  first  portion  being 
44  feet  long,  and  the  second  46^  feet.  The  Chapter  House  itself  is  a 
regular  octagon,  wit^  a  projectii^  buttress  attached  to  every  angle.  The 
architecture  of  the  whole  structure  is  Pointed,  and  is  a  veiy  noble  specimen 
of  that  style. 

Interior. — ^The  entrance  to  the  vestibule  is  situated  in  the  eastern  aisle  of 
the  north  transept,  and  is  of  more  modem  woikmanship  than  the  transept 
It  is  not  unlike  the  great  western  entrance  to  the  Cathedral,  and  consists  of 
two  arches  filled  in  with  richly  paneUed  doorways,  on  the  points  of  which  is 
a  circle  filled  with  traceiy,  and  the  whole  is  comprehended  in  an  acute  pedi- 
mental  canopy.  The  two  doors  are  of  beautiful  Gothic  open  wood  woric,  and 
made  of  English  oak.  The  interior  of  the  vestibule  is  veiy  beautiful,  the 
sides  being  apparently  all  windows,  and  the  walls  below  are  richly  adorned. 
The  ceiling  is  of  stone,  and  is  richly  groined.  At  the  other  end  of  this 
splendid  vestibule  is  the  entrance  to  the  Chapter  House,  which  greatly  re- 
sembles the  first  doorway,  but  is  of  a  richer  character.  It  consists  of  two 
pointed  arches,  each  enclosing  in  the  head  three  sweeps,  which  portion  is 

•  Ck)oke'8  Topographical  Description  of  Yorkshire.  Those  supposed  pictures  of  Arefa- 
bishop  de  Grey  and  Henry  HI.  and  his  Queen,  formerly  adorned  the  blank  side  of  the 
octagon,  immediately  over  the  entrance  to  the  Chapter  House,  but  this,  with  all  the  re- 
mains of  the  original  painting  and  gilding  in  the  edifice,  has  been  removed,  and  the 
stone  restored  to  its  natural  colour. 


HISTORY   OF   THE    CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK.  457 

glazed,  the  lower  part  being  occupied  by  oak  doorways  almost  covered  with  rich 
scroll  work  in  iron.  The  upper  part  of  the  octangular  pier,  which  divides  these 
arches,  is  pierced  with  a  canopied  niche,  on  the  pedestal  of  which  is  a  statue 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  with  her  Divine  Son  in  her  arms,  trampling  on  the 
serpent.  The  image,  with  the  drapeiy,  is  somewhat  elegant,  and  has  been 
all  richly  gilt,  but,  as  Mr.  Cooke  expresses  it,  "  it  bears  a  mark  of  those 
times  which  made  even  stone  statues  feel  their  malice  " — ^it  is  defaced.  Upon 
the  points  of  these  arches  is  a  circle  enriched  with  a  quatrefoil,  and  the  whole 
is  comprehended  in  one  large  pointed  arch  richly  moulded,  and  springing 
from  small  columns  attached  to  the  jambs.  The  interior  of  this  magnificent 
structure  produces  a  veiy  solemn  and  impressive  effect.  It  is  63  feet  in 
diameter,  and  67  feet  10  inches  high,  and  this  vast  space  is  not  interrupted 
by  a  single  pillar,  the  roof  being  whoUy  supported  by  a  single  pin,  geometri- 
cally placed  in  the  centre.  The  richly  groined  ceiling  of  oak  was  formerly 
painted  and  gilded  with  representations  of  saints  and  sacred  subjects,  all  of 
which  were  tastelessly  obliterated  about  the  year  1760.  The  blank  space 
over  the  entrance  was  also  decorated  with  paintings  of  Saints,  Kings,  Bishops, 
&c.  The  thirteen  niches  over  the  door  were  formerly  filled  with  statues  of 
Our  Saviour,  the  Blessed  Virgin  (in  the  centre),  and  the  Twelve  Apostles. 
Tradition  says  that  these  images  were  of  solid  silver,  double  gilt,  the  Apostles 
being  about  a  foot  high,  and  the  central  figure  twice  the  height.  ''It  is 
generally  believed,"  writes  Allen,  "  that  Henry  Vm.  stole  them  from  the 
Cathedral,  or  had  them  presented  to  him  by  Archbishop  Holdgate,  to  prevent 
him  from  committing  the  theft."  The  whole  circumference  below  Uie  win- 
dows, except  at  the  entrance,  is  occupied  by  forty-four  canopied  stone  stalls 
for  the  Canons  who  composed  the  Chapter  of  the  Cathedral.  The  canopies 
of  these  staUs  are  profusely  decorated  with  grotesque  sculptures,  ending  in 
finials.     The  columns  of  the  stalls  are  of  Petworth  marble. 

Above  the  canopies,  and  on  the  sills  of  the  windows,  runs  a  gallery,  which 
is  continued  round  the  entire  room,  and  through  the  solids  of  the  piers ;  the 
carving  of  this  passage  is  exquisite.  The  windows  of  the  vestibule  and 
Chapter  House  are  equally  splendid,  both  in  design  and  colouring,  with  those 
of  the  Cathedral  All  are  of  ancient  date,  except  the  one  opposite  the  en- 
trance to  the  octagon,  which  is  a  restoration  by  Bamet,  of  York.  The  subjects 
of  the  latter  window  are  taken  from  the  life  of  Christ;  the  glass  in  the  upper 
compartments  of  all  the  other  windows  exhibit  the  arms  of  founders  and 
benefactors,  and  the  subjects  of  the  lower  divisions  are  chiefly  saints,  with 
beautiful  canopies  above  them,  very  richly  and  elaborately  coloured.  Pre- 
vious to  1845  the  whole  interior  had  a  very  dilapidated  appearance,  when,  by 

3  N 


458  HISTORY   OF  TH£   CATHEDRAL   OF  YORK. 

means  of  the  bequest  of  the  kte  Dr.  Beckwith  of  £3,000.,  fur  the  parpose  of 
its  repair,  it  underwent  a  thorough  restoration.  The  roof  was  then  redeco- 
rated after  the  old  style,  hj  Willement,  of  London ;  the  marble  pillars  of  the 
stalls  were  polished,  and  the  stone  work  was  cleaned ;  the  old  pavement  was 
taken  up  and  replaced  by  a  costly  and  elaborately  tessellated  one  by  Minton, 
of  Stoke-upon-Trent ;  and  the  aboTe-named  window  restored.  The  whole 
Chapter  House  now  forms  a  highly  finished  and  chastely  decorated  specimen 
of  architectural  ornament.  We  must  not  here  omit  an  encomium  bestowed 
upon  this  edifice  by  a  great  traveller,  in  an  old  monkish  Latin  couplet,  which 
is  inscribed  in  Saxon  characters,  near  the  entrance  door: — 

**  tU  l^sa  <|l0s  4lama, 

The  learned  Dr.  Whitakcr  was  of  opinion  that  this  Chapter  House,  taken 
as  a  whole,  is  the  most  perfect  specimen  now  remaining  of  the  Early  Florid 
Gothic  style  of  architecture,  introduced  in  the  reign  of  Henry  m.  Li  refer- 
ence to  York  Cathedral,  and  particularly  to  the  Chapter  House,  there  is  a 
remarkable  passage  in  the  life  of  ^neus  Silvius,  afterwards  Pope  Pius  II. 
This  distinguished  individual,  who  passed  through  England  on  his  way  to 
Scotland,  as  legate,  about  the  year  1448,  "went  down  to  York,  a  great  and 
populous  city,  where  there  is  a  church,  celebrated  over  all  the  world  for  its 
workmanship  and  magnitude ;  but  especially  for  a  very  fine  lightsome  chapel, 
whose  shining  walls  of  glass  are  held  together  between  columns  veiy  slender 
in  the  midst.*' 

Gent  has  a  story  that  Cromwell  granted  permission  to  a  person  to  pull 
down  the  Chapter  House,  and  build  a  stable  with  the  materials ;  but  the 
statement  is  probably  without  foundation,  though  that  arch-dismantler  is  said 
to  have  violated  the  sanctity  of  other  structures  not  less  sacred.f 

*  This  is  the  chief  of  Houses,  as  the  Bose  is  the  chief  of  Flowers. 

f  In  the  mad  fimaticiAin  which  raged  throughoat  England  in  the  time  of  the  Com- 
monwealth, Bloxom  says,  "  Our  sacred  edifices  were  polluted  and  profkned  in  the  most 
iiTeverent  and  disgraceful  manner;  and  with  the  exception  of  the  destruction  which 
took  place  on  the  dissolution  of  the  monastic  establishments  in  the  previous  oentuxy, 
more  devastation  was  occasioned  at  this  time  by  the  party  hostile  to  the  established 
ohurch,  than  had  ever  before  been  committed  since  the  ravages  of  the  Danish  invaders." 
And  Bishop  Nicholson,  speaking  of  the  Cathedral  of  Carlisle,  writes,  "  our  sufferings  in 
the  days  of  rapine  and  rebellion  equalled,  or  exceeded  those  of  any  other  Cathedr^  in 
England.  •  •  •  •  Our  Chapter  House  and  Treasury  had  been  turned  into  a 
magazine  for  the  garrison,  and  our  veiy  Charter  sold  to  make  tailors*  measures." 


HI9T0BT   OF   THE   CATHEDBAL   OF  TORE. 


450 


)^igtaimtB,  He.,  at  l^t  Cadt^ebral  at  Sit  ^tkt,  nt  f^ath,  in  1855. 

(The  figures  denote  the  yalne  of  the  inoomes;  and  the  date,  when  each  dignitaiy  was 

inducted.) 

Abchbishop. — Bight  Hon.  and  Most  Bev.  Thomas  Masgrave,  D.D. . .  .^£10,030. . . .  1847. 

Dean.— Very  Bev.  Sir  William  €k>ckbam,  DJ>.,  Bart iei,250 1822. 

Canons  Bbsidxntiabt. 

William  Vemon-Hareoiirt,  MJL North  NewhM 1828. 

Charles  Hawkins,  B.C.L. Btumhy 1880. 

Charles  Y.  B.  Johnstone,  MJk t Wetwang 3844. 

John  Baillie,  MJL    WUtow 1864. 

ChanceIiLor  of  the  Chubch. — ^L.  Vernon  Haroourt,  'ilJL,,  ,Laxighton.  ,1927, 
PRECENTOB. — ^Hon.  and  Bev.  Edward  Bice,  D.D.,  Dean  of  Gloncester. , Driffield,, IS02, 

Sub-Deanw — ^Hon.  and  Bev.  Stephen  W.  Lawley,  MJ^ 1852. 

SuccENTOB. — ^Hon.  and  Bey.  H.  E.  J.  Howard,  D.D.,  Dean  of  lichfield.  .fibbM.  .1822. 

Abchoeacons. 

York, — ^Venerable  Stephen  Creyke,  M.A 1845. 

Eoit'Riding, — Venerable  Charles  Maitland  Long,  M.A. 1854. 

Cleveland. — ^Venerable  Edward  Chorton,  MjI 1840. 

Fbebendabies,  Non-Besident,  and  theib  Pbebends. 


Wm.  Preston,  M.  A.,  Bilton 1812 

John  Bull,  D.D.,  Fenton 1826 

(VACANT.)        Fridaythorpe, 
T.  Hntton  Croft,  UJl,  SHUingUm    ,  .1881 

H.  C.  Musgrave,  D.D.,  GivenddU 1833 

Hon.  A.  Duncombe,  M.A.,  Bole 1841 

John  Sharpe,  D.D.,  GrindaU 1841 

Edwd.  Churton,  M.A.,  Knaresborough  1841 

S.  Creyke,  MJL.,  South  Newhald   1841 

Bobert  B.  Cooke,  M.A.,  ITUeBkelf  ....  1842 
Charles  Hotham,  MJL,  Langtqft 18i2 


William  Gooch,  M.A.,  StrensdU 1843 

Samuel  Coates,  M.A.,  Ampleforth  ....  1643 
Chas.  A.  Thurlow,  M.A.,  Huathwaite  1846 
George  Dixon,  M.A.,  Bugthorpe  ....  1840 
George  Trevor,  M.A.,  Apethorpe  . . .  .1847 
Oeorge  Wray,  M.A.,  Dunmngton  ....  1847 

E.  J.  Bandolph,  M.A.,  Warthill 1847 

H.  W.  Yeoman,  M.A.,  Thockerington  1851 

John  Blackburn,  M.A.,  EiecaU 1851 

J.  D.  Jefferson,  MjI.,  Osbaldunck, . .  .1852 
William  Hey,  M.A.,  Weighton  1854 


A.  B.  Wrightson,  M Ju,  Botevant 1843 

MiNOB  Canons.    (A  Corporation  under  the  title  of  "The  Sub-Chanter  and  Vicars 

Choral  of  York  Cathedral.") 
Sub-Chanteb. — Edward  John  Boines,  B.D. . .  1838. 


William  H.  Oldfleld,  MJL 1846 

Thomas  Bayley,  MjL 1851 


B.  E.  Metcalfe,  M.A.  1853 

Arthur  Howard  Ashworth 1853 


Abchbishop's  Chaplains. 


Joseph  Bomily,  M.A. 

Hon.  Thomas  Cavendish,  M.A. 


Ven.  Archdeacon  Musgrave,  D.D. 
Thomas  Bobinson,  D.D. 
John  Croft,  M  JL 

EzAMiNiNo  Chaplain. — ^W.  P.  Musgrave,  M.A. 
Beoistbab. — ^Egerton  Vemon-Haroourt,  Esq.     Deputy  Bbgistrabs. — Messrs.  Buckle 

and  Hudson. 
Chaftbb  CifBx  and  Begibtbab  of  the  Deanebt  of  Yobs.— Charles  A.  Thiselton,  Esq* 


460  HISTORY    OF   THE   CATHEDRAL   OF  YORK. 

Secrbtabies  to  the  Abchbishop. — John  Border,  Esq.,  London;  and  Chflrles  A. 

Thiaelton,  Esq.,  York, 

Obganist. — John  Camidge. 

Master  of  St.  Peter's  Gramxar  School. — ^William  Hey,  MA. 

Master  of  Archbishop  Holoate's  Gramkab  School. — ^Robert  Daniels,  M.A. 

The  religious  services  performed  in  the  Cathedral  are — On  Sundays  *  and 
holidays,  in  the  forenoon  at  half-past  ten  o'clock,  when  a  sermon  is  preached; 
and  in  the  afternoon  at  four,  when  an  anthem  is  sung.  On  the  week-days 
at  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  when  an  anthem  ia  sung,  unless  there  he  a 
litany ;  and  in  the  afternoon  at  four  o'clock,  when  an  anthem  is  performed. 
On  Wednesdays  and  Fridays  in  Lent  and  Advent,  and  during  the  whole  of 
Holy  Week,  commonly  called  Passion  Week,  the  choral  service  and  singing 
aire  intermitted  both  morning  and  evening.  During  the  winter  months  the 
choir  is  lighted  with  gas  for  the  evening  service. 

Cathedral  PRECI^XTs,  commonly  called  the  Minster  Yard  or  Close. — 
This  district,  the  circumference  of  which  is  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile, 
was  in  former  times  detached  from  the  city  by  walls,  and  four  pair  of  large 
gates.  One  gate  was  placed  at  Petergate,  facing  Little  Blake  Street ;  another 
opened  into  Petergate,  opposite  Stonegate ;  a  third  stood  at  the  end  of  CoUcgc 
Street,  opposite  the  Bedem ;  and  a  fourth  in  Uggleforth.  And  when  in  its 
meridian  glory,  this  small  space  contained  three  parish  churches,  and  formed 
a  little  ecclesiastical  world  of  its  own.  The  three  churches  were  those  of  St. 
Michael  le  Belfrey,  St.  Martin  ad  Valvas,  and  St.  John  Baptist-del-Pyke ; 
but  of  these  the  first  mentioned  now  only  remains. 

The  See  of  York  had  formerly  appended  to  it  several  palaces  in  different 
parts  of  the  country,  but  that  at  Bishopthorpe  is  now  the  only  one  that  re- 
mains. The  finest  of  the  old  palaces  stood  on  the  north  side  of  the  Cathednl. 
It  was  erected  by  Thomas,  the  first  Xorman  Arohbishop,t  but  its  great  hall 

•  By  the  dlfierent  nations  every  day  in  the  week  is  set  apart  for  puhlic  worship,  viz. — 
Sunday  by  the  Christians*  Monday  by  the  Grecians,  Tuesday  by  the  Persians,  Wed- 
nesday by  the  Assyrians,  Thnrsday  by  the  Egyptians,  Friday  by  the  Turks,  and 
Saturday  by  the  Jews. 

The  following  is  the  comparative  capacity  for  accommodation  of  the  most  celebrated 
churches  in  Europe : — St.  Peter's,  Borne,  54,000  persons;  Milan  Cathedral,  37,000;  St. 
Paul's,  Bome,  32,000;  St  Paul's,  London,  26,000;  St.  Petronia,  Bologna,  24,000;  St. 
Sophia's,  Constantinople,  23,000;  Florence  Cathedral,  24,300;  Antwerp  Cathedral, 
24,000;  St.  John  Lateran,  Bome,  22,900;  Notre  Dame,  Paris,  21,000;  Pisa  Cathednl, 
13,000;  St.  Stephen's,  Vienna,  12,400;  Cathedral  of  Vienna,  11,100;  St.  Peter's,  Bo- 
logna, 11,400;  St.  Dominic's,  Bologna,  11,000;  St.  Mark's,  Venice,  7000. 

f  Some  authorities  state  that  this  palace  was  erected  by  Archbishop  Boger,  who  was 
consecrated  in  1154. 


HI8T0BT   OF   THE    CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK.  461 

vas  dismantled  by  Thomas  Young,  the  first  Protestant  Archbishop,  whose 
cupidity  was  tempted  to  make  this  spoliation  by  the  lead  which  covered  its 
roof.  Since  that  period  other  parts  of  this  Anglo-Saxon  edifice  have  been 
leased  out  from  the  See,  and  for  a  long  time  a  part  of  its  ancient  site  was  a 
receptacle  for  a  mass  of  rubbish  and  filth.  The  site  of  the  mansion  is  now 
converted  into  the  Deanery  gardens.  During  the  alterations  consequent  on 
the  change  to  its  present  state,  part  of  the  cloisters  of  the  old  palace  were 
discovered,  forming,  when  found,  the  wall  of  a  stable ;  and  from  the  style  of 
architecture,  it  is  evident  that  this  is  the  work  of  the  early  part  of  the  Idth 
century.  It  consists  of  seven  semicircular  arches,  with  plain  mouldings 
springing  firom  three  columns,  with  square  capitals.  A  similar  column  in 
the  centre  of  each  division  divides  them  into  two  trefoil-headed  niches.  This 
interesting  and  picturesque  fragment  is  now  placed  near  the  centre  of  the 
north  side  of  the  Minster  Close,  and  from  it  an  excellent  view  of  the  Cathe- 
dral and  Chapter  House  may  be  obtained. 

The  Minster  Yard  was  formerly  choked  up  with  mean  buildings,*  but  in 
1835  an  Act  was  passed  enabling  the  Dean  and  Chapter  to  take  steps  towards 
their  removal,  and  to  enlarge  and  improve  the  ground  surrounding  the  Cathe- 
dral The  old  houses  soon  began  to  give  away,  and  in  a  few  years  fine  walks 
and  shrubberies,  and  beautiful  buildings  appeared  in  their  stead.  The  road 
on  the  south  side  of  the  Minster  to  the  east  end  was  formed  in  1839.  It 
formerly  ran  close  to  the  walls  of  that  church,  and  houses  were  built  as  near 
upon  it  as  the  traffic  of  the  street  would  permit.  The  iron  palisades  which 
runs  round  the  west  end,  and  along  the  south  side  and  transept,  were  also 
erected  when  the  new  road  was  made.  At  the  same  time  the  Hall  of  Pleas, 
for  the  Liberty  of  St.  Peter,  which  stood  near  the  west  end,  was  taken  away, 
and  a  number  of  houses,  extending  from  the  church  of  St.  Michael  le  Belfrey 
<to  the  top  of  Little  Blake  Street,  were  pulled  down.  These  great  changes  in 
the  general  appearance  of  the  Minster  Close  are  principally  due  to  the  taste 
of  the  present  Dean,  Dr.  Cockbum. 

Minuter  Library, — ^The  Chapel  of  the  above  mentioned  Archiepiscopal 
Palace  is  now  used  as  the  library  of  the  Cathedral.  In  stands  on  the  north 
side  of  the  Minster  Close,  and  is  an  interesting  specimen  of  the  Earliest 
Pointed  style  of  architecture.     For  many  years  this  chapel  was  in  a  very  di- 

*  There  were  at  this  tune  no  leas  than  three  public  houses  in  the  Cathedral  Close,  called 
the  Minster  Coffee  Home;  the  Hole  in  the  WaU;  and  the  Sycamore  Tree.  The  first 
mentioned  stood  opposite  the  west  front  of  the  Cathedral ;  the  second  a  little  Airther 
northward;  and  the  latter  at  the  east  end  of  the  ohorch  near  the  old  Besidentiary. 


462  HISTOBT   OF  THE   CATHEDRAL   OF  TORS. 

lapidated  state,  but  in  1808  it  was  restored,  under  the  judicious  direction  of 
the  Dean  and  Chapter,  and  the  librarir,  which  till  then  had  been  kept  in  a 
small  building  attached  to  the  Minster,  was  removed  to  it  It  stands  on  a 
line  with  the  buildings  of  the  new  Deanery,  and  is  a  great  ornament  to  the 
Minster  precincts.  Its  west  front  is  divided  into  two  stories  by  a  string 
course;  the  lower  has  a  doorway,  consisting  of  a  pointed  arch  springing  from 
two  dwarf  columns,  with  circular  capitals  simply  ornamented  with  a  flower 
moulding.  In  the  second  story  is  a  lancet-headed  window  of  five  lights,  each 
divided  by  a  capital  similar  to  those  in  the  lower  story;  the  whole  are 
bounded  by  a  semicircular  arch,  which  rises  on  each  side  of  the  window. 
The  angles  of  the  building  are  guarded  by  buttresses,  with  angular  caps,  and 
the  roof  rakes  to  a  point  with  the  small  flower  moulding,  common  to  works 
of  the  period.  The  south  side  of  the  building  is  made  into  four  divisions  by 
buttresses ;  and  in  the  upper  story  are  pointed  arched  windows.  This  side 
of  the  edifice  is  finished  by  a  string  course  and  plain  parapet;  and  the  north 
side  is  built  against  The  ground  floor  is  now  used  as  a  lumber  room,  but 
the  upper  apartment,  which  is  approached  by  a  flight  of  stone  steps  from  an 
adjoining  building,  is  neatly  fitted  up  as  the  library.  The  windows  on  the 
south  side  are  filled  with  ground  glass,  and  the  one  in  the  west  end  is  filled 
with  beautiful  stained  glass,  representing  the  armorial  bearings  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  church,  at  the  period  of  its  erection ;  in  the  centre  of  which  is  a 
shield  bearing  the  arms  of  the  Duke  of  Clarence,  who  visited  the  Cathedral 
on  the  29th  of  September,  1806.  The  date  of  this  building  is  about  the 
same  period  as  the  relic  of  the  episcopal  palace  above  mentioned.  Acyoining 
the  library  on  the  north  side  is  a  small  ancient  edifice  of  two  stones,  the 
lower  containing  a  doorway,  with  three  narrow  windows,  and  the  upper,  three 
windows  of  two  lights  each,  made  by  a  dwarf  column  in  the  centre.  The 
whole  is  finished  by  a  plain  parapet.  This  building  evidently  formed  a  cor- 
ridor to  the  ancient  chapel,  as  the  door  of  entrance  to  the  upper  room  (formerly 
the  part  used  for  divine  service)  is  in  the  upper  story  of  it ;  and  this  door, 
which  is  very  handsome,  seems  to  be  of  the  same  age  as  the  building. 

It  has  already  been  observed  that  the  Minster  Library  was  originally 
founded  by  Archbishop  Egbert,  in  the  8th  century,  and  extensive  additions 
were  afterwards  made  to  it  by  his  successor  Archbishop  Albert.  So  choice 
was  the  collection  in  this  library,  that  William,  the  librarian  of  Malmsbuiy, 
calls  it  the  "  noblest  repository  and  cabinet  of  arts  and  sciences  then  in  the 
whole  world ; "  and  the  celebrated  Alcuin,  the  preceptor  of  the  Emperor 
Charles  the  Great,  at  his  return  into  Britain,  wrote  his  royal  pupil  a  letter. 


HISTORY   OF   THE    CATHEDRAL   OF  YORK.  466 

iu  which  tlie  highest  encomiums  are  bestowed  on  this  library.*  (See  page 
313.)  But  great  was  the  loss  of  the  learned  world,  when  in  1069,  the 
library,  along  with  the  building  which  Archbishop  Albert  had  erected  for  it, 
was  destroyed  by  fire.  In  the  reign  of  William  I.,  Archbishop  Thomas 
founded  another  library,  which  was  esteemed  a  valuable  one,  but  which  un- 
fortunately shared  the  same  fate  with  the  former  one,  by  the  calamitous  fire 
which  broke  out  in  the  year  1137.  Leland  laments  the  loss  of  the  library  of 
York  Minster,  when  he  was  sent  by  Henry  YHI.  with  a  commission  to  search 
eveiy  library  in  the  kingdom.  "  There  is  now  scarce  one  book  left  in  the 
library  of  St.  Peter,"  says  that  learned  antiquary,  "  which  Flaccus  Albinus, 
otherwise  called  Alcuinus,  has  so  often  and  so  greatly  extolled  for  its  great 
number  of  books,  as  weU  Latin  as  Greek ;  for  the  barbarity  of  the  Danes 
and  the  ravaging  of  William  Nothus  have  exhausted  this  treasure,  as  weU  as 
many  others."  In  the  early  part  of  the  17th  century  the  library  was  founded 
for  the  third  time,  by  Mrs.  Matthews,  relict  of  the  Archbishop  of  that  name, 
who  presented  to  the  church  her  husband's  private  collection  of  books, 
amounting  to  upwards  of  3,000  volumes.! 

The  library  has  since  been  augmented  at  different  times,  and  amongst  the 
chief  contributors  was  Dean  Finch,  who  died  in  1738,  and  bequeathed  the 
Fadera  AngUcana  in  seventeen  tomes.  The  Bev.  Marmaduke  FothergiU,  the 
non-juring  Hector  of  Skipwith,  left  a  small  but  select  collection  of  books  to  his 
native  city,  on  condition  that  a  room  was  built  for  its  reception ;  and  in  the 
meantime  he  directed  that  the  collection  should  be  placed  in  the  library  of  the 
Dean  and  Chapter.  No  room  having  been  built,  the  books  have  been  incor- 
porated with  the  Minster  Library.^     To  the  above  have  been  added  several 

*  Alcnin  himself  was  the  first  Hbrarian  of  the  Minster,  the  care  of  the  collection 
having  been  committed  to  him  by  ArchhiBhop  Egbert ;  and  in  his  time  students  came 
from  a&r  to  avail  themselves  of  its  treasures.  Alcnin  has  snng  its  praises  in  a  Latin 
poem  reconnting  iter  numerous  volumes.  For  a  ftirther  account  of  the  libraiy  of  this 
period,  see  Sharon  Turner's  History  of  Uie  Anglo-Saxons,  and  Alcuini  Opera,  tom.  i. 

f  Archbishop  Matthews  disinherited  his  son,  Sir  Toby  Matthews,  and  this  was  pro- 
bably the  reason  that  the  mother  bestowed  her  husband's  books  on  the  church. 

X  The  learned  Marmaduke  FothergiU  was  bom  in  Percy*8  Intit  in  Walmgate,  York, 
the  ancient  town  residence  of  the  Earl  of  Northumberland,  in  1652,  and  was  the  eldest 
son  of  an  opulent  citizen,  who  had  acquired  a  fortune  1^  trade.  He  was  educated  at 
Cambridge,  and  possessed  the  living  of  Skipwith,  in  this  county ;  but  the  Bevolution 
altered  his  views  respecting  the  church,  and  being  determined  never  more  to  take  any 
oath  of  allegiance,  he  retired  from  it,  and  lived  on  the  income  of  his  paternal  estate.  He 
was  a  great  friend  and  admirer  of  literary  characters;  hence  he  often  visited  the  Uni- 
versity ;  and  though  he  performed  all  the  exercises  required  for  the  degree  of  DJ>.,  he 


466  HISTORY   OF   THE   CATHEDRAL   OF   YORK. 

laie  purchases,  gifts,  and  bequests,  which  form  tx)gether  a  valuable  libraiy  (con- 
dderiiig  its  size)  of  theological  and  general  liieiBtare,  of  nearly  8,000  Tolumes 
and  manuscripts ;  and  amongst  the  most  rare  and  valuable  works  which  it 
contains,  are  a  beautiful  copy  of  the  second  edition  of  Erasmus*  New  Testa- 
ment, in  Greek  and  Latin,  Q  vols.,  folio,  printed  on  vellum,  bj  Frob^us,  at 
Basle ;  a  MS.  copy  of  Wickli£fe*s  New  Testament,  on  vellum,  supposed  to 
have  belonged  to  Queen  Elizabeth ;  three  MS.  copies  of  the  Vulgate,  on 
vellum,  of  the  date  of  Henry  in.  or  Edward  I. ;  a  MS.  copy  of  Braeton  de 
Legibus  Anglia,  on  vellum ;  a  translation  of  Cicero  de  Senectute,  printed  by 
Caxton  in  1481 ;  and  several  other  books,  printed  by  Caxton,  Wynkin  de 
Worde,  and  Pynson,  which  are  some  of  the  best  specimens  of  early  English 
typography  extant.  We  may  also  class  amongst  the  rare  and  valuable  in 
this  library,  Torre's  inestimable  manuscripts,  containing  collections  from  the 
original  records  of  all  the  ecclesiastical  a£Ours  relating  to  this  church  and 
diocese;  the  original  register  of  St.  Maiy's  Abbey,  at  York;  and  a  TuUy  de 
Inventione,  ad  Herrenium,  very  perfect.  The  Eev.  Edward  John  Raines, 
B.D.,  is  the  present  librarian.  The  library  is  open  to  the  public  on  Tuesdays 
and  Thursdays,  from  twelve  to  one  o'clock,  when  the  librarian  is  in  atten- 
dance. Books  are  not  lent  out  without  an  order  from  the  Chapter.  In  the 
library  are  portraits  of  Archbishop  Matthews  and  the  Rev.  M.  FothergiU ;  and 
a  curious  old  print  of  the  funeral  procession  of  the  great  Duke  of  Marlborough, 
the  hero  of  Blenheim,  as  it  passed  from  his  house  at  St.  James's,  to  West- 
minster Abbey,  on  Thursday,  August  0, 172d.  In  the  ante  room  is  a  curious 
specimen  of  Saxon  sculpture,  in  a  fine  state  of  preservation.  It  was  dis- 
covered in  the  dungeon  of  an  old  building,  since  removed  which,  stood  on  the 
north  side  of  the  Minster,  and  which  from  its  appearance  had  evidently  been 
used  for  a  prison.  The  stone  is  supposed  to  have  been  originally  the  base  of 
the  archway  over  the  entrance  of  the  dungeon,  and  the  sculpture  represents 
a  man  in  the  last  agonies  of  death,  surrounded  by  demons  or  evil  spirits,  who 
are  tormenting  his  body,  and  seizing  the  departing  spirit  as  it  issues  from  it 
When  we  consider  the  great  lustre  which  the  name  of  Alcuin  once  shed 
upon  the  ancient  church  and  city  of  York — ^the  place  too  of  his  nativity — ^it 
appears  not  a  little  remarkable  that  his  name  is  not  connected  in  any  way 
whatever  with  an  institution,  a  street,  or  a  spot  of  ground,  in  any  part  of  the 
city  or  its  neighbourhood.     Can  it  be  possible,  the  reader  might  well  enquire, 

would  not  even  there  comply  with  the  goyemment  oaths,  and  therefore  oonld  never  as- 
same  the  title.  He  had  a  hurge  collection  of  manuscripts  on  the  sulject  of  eodeaiastieal 
antiquity,  which  he  once  designed  to  have  published,  and  would  have  done  so,  had  not 
extreme  modesty  prevented  him.    He  died  at  Westminster,  September  7th,  1731,  aged  79. 


HISTORY   OF   THE    CATHEDRAL   OF    YORK.  465 

that  the  name  of  him  whose  fame  attracted  stadents  to  York  from  oil  parts 
of  England  and  the  Continent;  of  him  who  sung  the  praises  of  "  Old  Ebor/' 
and  the  saints  of  its  diocese,  in  classic  verse,  aboTO  a  thousand  years  ago ;  of 
him  to  whose  care  was  committed  that  priceless  collection  of  rare  and  match- 
less works,  which  rendered  York  the  envy  of  the  learned  world  ;  of  him  who 
was  the  preceptor  of  Charlemagne,  and  the  most  learned  man  of  his  age ; 
can  it  be  possible  that  this  venerable  name,  of  which  the  people  of  York 
ought  to  be  so  proud,  is  not  commemorated  in  connection  with  a  literary 
society  or  an  institution,  or  even  with  a  street  or  lane,  in  the  city  ?  Yes,  in- 
deed, it  is  so!  And  shall  it  so  continue?  Good  taste  forbid  it.  That 
portion  of  the  Minster  Yard,  in  which  the  Cathedral  Library,  the  Deanery, 
and  the  Eesidentiary,  are  situated,  being  now  separated  from  the  other  parts 
of  the  precincts  of  the  Minster,  by  iron  palisades,  may  be  said  to  be  without 
any  specific  name ;  and  a  gentleman  of  York,  who  entertains  deep  feelings 
upon  the  above  subject,  asks  us  if  Alcuin  Place  would  not  be  an  appropriate 
appellation  for  it?  We  reply  that  it  would,  and  we  hope  to  see  the  excellent 
and  tasteful  suggestion  realized. 

On  the  north  side  of  the  Cathedral,  and  near  the  before-mentioned  Archie- 
piscopal  Palace,  stood  formerly  the  Chapel  of  the  Holy  Sepulchre,  or  of  St. 
Sepulchre,  as  it  is  usually  called,  which  has  a  door  still  remaining,  opening 
into  the  north  aisle  of  the  nave.  The  foundation  of  this  chapel  being  very 
ancient  and  extraordinary,  we  shall  present  the  reader  with  full  particulars 
of  it,  according  to  Dugdale : — "  Boger,  Archbishop  of  York,  having  built 
against  the  great  church  a  chapel,  he  dedicated  it  to  the  name  of  the  Blessed 
and  Immaculate  Virgin  Mary  and  Holy  Angels,  for  the  celebration  of  divine 
services,  to  the  eternal  honour  of  God,  glory  of  his  successors,  and  a  re- 
mission of  his  own  sins.  He  ordained  the  same  to  be  a  perpetual  habitation 
for  thirteen  clerks  of  different  orders,  viz.,  four  priests,  four  deacons,  four 
subdeacons,  and  one  sacrist ;  all  these  to  be  subservient  to  the  will  of  the 
Archbishop,  especially  the  sacrist,  who  shall  be  constituted  procurator  of  the 
rents  and  revenues  belonging  to  it,  paying  each  of  the  priests  ten  marks  per 
ann,,  for  his  own  salary,  besides  the  revenue  of  the  rents  that  remain  over, 
and  besides  what  will  complete  the  sum  of  all  the  portions  of  the  priests, 
deacons,  and  subdeacons.  Also  he  willed  that  the  said  sacrist  of  his  own 
cost  expend  ten  shillings  on  Maunday,  as  well  in  veiles,  wine,  ale,  vessels, 
and  water  for  washing  the  feet  of  the  canons,  and  other  poor  clerks,  to  the 
use  of  these  poor  clerks ;  and  also  to  contribute  sitxteen  shillings  to  the  diet 
of  the  said  poor  clerks,  that  in  all  things  the  firatemity  and  unity  of  the 
church  may  be  preserved. 

8  o 


46G  HISTORY   OF  THE   CATHEDRAL  OF  TORS. 

"  And  for  their  necessary  sustenation,  he  of  his  own  bounty  gave  them  the 
churches  of  Everton,  Sutton  with  Scroby  chapel,  Heyton,  Berdesey,  Otteley, 
one  medety ;  and  procured  of  the  liberality  of  other  faithful  persons  the  church 
of  Calverley,  ex  dono  WiUielmi  de  Scoty ;  the  church  of  Hoton,  ex  dono  Wil- 
lielmi  Paganel ;  the  church  of  Harwood,  ex  dono  Ayacie  de  Ruminilly ;  the 
church  of  Thorpe,  ex  dono  Ade  de  Bruys  et  Ivette  de  Arches  uxoris  sua.  To 
this  chapel  also  did  belong  the  churches  of  Collingham,  Clarebui^g,  and  Retr 
ford.  Roger  provided  also  that  the  churches  which  were  not  of  donation 
should  be  free  from  synodals,  and  all  other  things  due  to  the  Archbishop,  his 
successors,  and  their  officials ;  and  ordered  that  they  should  as  quietly  and 
freely  hold  and  ei^oy  these  churches,  which  are  of  his  donation,  as  others 
have  before  them.  Lastly,  he  ordained,  for  the  more  diligent  serving  of  the 
chapel,  that  none  of  the  said  clerks  should  dwell  out  of  the  city,  which  if  they 
presumed  to  do,  they  should  be  displaced  by  the  Archbishop,  and  another  of 
the  same  order  be  by  him  appointed." 

The  revenues  of  these  churches  having  very  much  increased.  Archbishop 
Sewal  appointed  Vicars  to  be  established  in  them,  and  made  several  rules  for 
the  better  government  of  the  ministers,  whom  from  thenceforth  he  caused  to 
be  called  Canons. 

In  the  STth  of  Henry  Yin.  it  was  certified  in  the  court  of  augmentations, 
that  the  revenues  of  the  Chapel  of  St.  Sepulchre  were  of  the  yearly  value  of 
£19^.  16s.  6d.  The  chapel  was  then  suppressed,  and  its  revenues  seized  by 
the  King.  In  the  4th  of  Elizabeth  (1668)  the  tithes  belonging  to  this  chapd, 
and  the  chapel  itself,  were  sold  to  a  person  of  the  name  of  Webster.  In 
course  of  time  the  chapel  was  converted  into  a  public  house,  which  from  an 
opening  at  the  end  of  a  dungeon  with  which  the  chapel  was  provided,  was 
facetiously  named  "  The  Hole  in  the  Wall."  Having  become  ruinous,  the 
building  was  taken  down  in  1816,  and  on  removing  the  materials  the  work- 
men came  to  a  subterraneous  prison  or  dungeon,  some  feet  below  the  surface 
of  the  earth.  The  approach  was  by  a  flight  of  stone  steps,  at  the  bottom  of 
which  were  two  massy  oak  entrance  doors,  one  against  the  other,  each  5  feet 
7  inches  high,  by  2  feet  7  inches  broad,  and  5  inches  thick.  The  vault  was 
32  feet  6  inches  in  length,  9  feet  4  inches  broad,  and  about  O^^  feet  in  height ; 
the  walls  being  4  feet  10  inches  thick.  On  one  side  were  three  sloping 
windows  guarded  with  iron,  and  attached  to  the  walls  were  the  remains  of 
several  staples.  This  dungeon  was  probably  used  for  immuring  ecclesiastical 
delinquents.  In  the  following  year  was  found  in  it  the  iiide  piece  of  Saxon 
sculpture  already  mentioned  as  being  deposited  in  the  ante-room  of  the 
Minster  Library. 


HISTOKY   OP   THE   CATUEDBAL    OF   YORK.  467 

The  Hall  of  Pleas,  and  prison  for  the  Liberty  of  St,  Peter,  which  stood 
nearly  oppoaite  the  west  end  of  the  Minster,  was  pulled  down,  as  has  already 
been  observed,  during  the  alterations  about  seventeen  years  ago.  As  we  have 
also  before  remarked,  there  was  a  large  arched  gateway  immediately  facing 
Litde  Blake  Street,  which  led  into  the  Minster  Yard ;  and  on  the  ground 
between  the  east  side  of  that  gateway,  and  the  church  of  St.  Michael  le 
Belfrey,  extended  a  row  of  low  old-&6hioned  houses.  On  the  west  side  of 
the  same  gateway,  abtitting  on  the  street,  stood  the  HaU  of  Pleas,  and  what 
was  called  the  Peter  Prison,  The  lower  part  of  the  building  was  used  as  the 
prison  and  residence  of  the  gaoler;  and  in  the  upper  story,  which  was  reached 
by  a  flight  of  stone  steps  from  the  Minster  Yard,  was  a  court  room  where 
causes  in  common  law,  arising  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Hberty  of  St. 
Peter,  were  tried.  The  jurisdiction  of  this  liberty  was  separate  and  exclusive, 
and  had  its  own  magistrates,  steward,  clerk  of  the  peace,  bailiff,  coroner,  and 
constables.  Four  general  quarter  sessions  used  to  be  held  in  the  Hall  of 
Pleas,  every  year,  "  to  enquire  into  all  manner  of  felonies,  poisonings,  in- 
chantments,  sorceries,  arts  magic,  trespasses,  &c. ; "  and  a  court  was  held 
in  the  hall  every  three  weeks,  where  pleas  in  actions  of  debt,  trespass,  re- 
plevin, &c,,  to  any  amount  whatever,  arising  within  the  liberty,  were  held. 

By  virtue  of  an  Act,  6  and  6  William  IV.,  cap.  76,  the  Liberty  of  St.  Peter 
of  York  has  been  abolished  for  all  civil  purposes,  although  its  ecclesiastical 
jurisdiction  continues  the  same.  The  liberty  comprehends  all  those  parts  of 
the  city  and  county  of  York  which  belong  to  the  Cathedral  or  Church  of  St. 
Peter,  viz. — ^in  the  city  of  York — the  Minster  Yard  and  Bedem.  In  the 
East  Biding — Faxfleet,  North  Newbald,  and  South  Newbald,  in  Hunsley 
Beacon  division;  Barmby  on  the  Moor,  in  Wilton  Beacon  division,  and 
Dunnington,  Heslington,  and  Langwith,  in  Ouse  and  Derwent  Wapentake. 
In  the  North  Riding — Carleton  and  Husthwaite,  in  Birdforth  Wapentake ; 
Clifton,  Haxby,  Gate  Hemsley,  Helperby,  Murton,  Osbaldwick,  Skelton, 
StiUington,  Strensall,  and  Warthill,  in  Bulmer  Wapentake ;  Brawby,  Salton, 
and  Nawton,  with  Wambleton,  in  Ryedale  Wapentake.  In  the  West  Biding 
— ^Dringhouses,  in  the  Ainsty ;  Brotherton  and  Ulleskelf,  in  Barkston  Ash 
Wapentake;  and  Knaresborough  in  Claro  Wapentake.  Besides  these  d7 
places  and  parts  of  places,  there  are  within  the  liberty  97  detached  parcels 
scattered  in  most  of  the  Wapentakes  of  the  county.  Amongst  its  privileges 
the  inhabitants  and  tenants  of  this  liberty  were  exempt  from  the  payment  of 
tolls  throughout  England,  Ireland,  and  Wales. 

The  Deanery  is  a  spacious,  commodious,  cut  stone  mansion,  on  the  north 
side  of  the  Minster  Yard,  between  the  Chapter  House  and  the  Cathedral 


4 Oh  history   of  the   cathedral   of   YORK. 

Library,  erected  in  1827,  from  a  design  of  Messrs.  Piitchett  &  Sons,  of  York. 
It  is  a  pleasing  architectural  object,  nearly  sqaare,  and  is  according  to  ihe 
style  of  the  Tudor  period,  The  west  and  principal  front  consists  of  four 
stories,  the  front  being  made  into  three  divisions  by  buttresses  and  octagonal 
turrets  at  the  angles.  In  the  first  story  are  three  windows,  with  arched 
heads ;  in  the  middle  division  of  the  second  story  is  an  oriel  window,  which 
is  continued  in  the  third  story;  the  intermediate  space  between  the  two 
windows  being  filled  with  quatrefoil,  panelling,  roses, '<&c.  The  other  divi- 
sions contain  a  square  headed  window  on  each  story.  A  continued  band 
with  grotesque  heads,  roses,  portcullis,  &c.,  extends  round  the  entire  building, 
and  the  top  of  the  edifice  is  battlemented.  The  north  side  is  similar  to  the 
one  just  described,  with  the  exception  of  having  a  noble  poroh  instead  of  the 
oriel  window ;  and  on  the  south  side  a  low  range  of  buildings,  containing  a 
private  passage  to  the  Minster  Library,  connects  it  with  the  latter  building. 
The  whole  has  a  very  chaste  and  elegant  appearance. 

The  Old  Deaneri/  House,  which  was  first  erected  in  1090,  stood  on  the 
south  east  side  of  the  Minster  Yard,  on  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  School 
of  Design. 

The  Residentiary,  or  Canon  s  rosidence,  is  situated  on  the  north  west  side 
of  the  Minster  Precincts.  It  was  erected  in  1825-6,  and  is  similar  in  size 
and  form  with  the  Deanery,  but  the  style  of  architecture  is  later.  The  front 
consists  of  throe  stories.  In  the  centre  of  the  first  is  an  arched  doorway,  and 
in  the  centre  of  the  second  is  a  bow  window.  The  third  story  has  three 
gables,  and  in  each  is  a  square  headed  window.  The  east  front  has  in  the 
ground  floor  and  in  the  upper  story,  square  projecting  windows  of  five  lights 
each,  divided  by  buttresses ;  and  some  square  headed  windows  of  two  lights 
each.  The  other  sides  are  not  visible  from  the  Close,  but  are  of  similar 
architecture.  Attached  to  this  building  is  a  handsome  garden,  which, 
together  with  the  garden  of  the  Deaner}^  is  divided  from  the  Close  by  a  light 
railing  of  iron,  and  tlie  portion  of  the  cloisters  of  the  ancient  palace  before 
noticed.  The  resident  canons  occupy  the  Residentiary  alternately  three 
months  each  year. 

The  Old  Residentiary  is  a  largo  gloomy  looking  house,  opposite  the  soutli 
east  angle  of  the  Minster. 

The  Wills,  dc.  Office  for  the  province  of  York,  is  attached  to  the  west  side 
of  the  south  transept  of  the  Cathedral,  and  is  one  of  those  extraneous 
buildings  which  greatly  disfigure  that  edifice.  Previous  to  the  year  1838, 
the  Will  Office  was  in  a  small  old  building  which  stood  at  the  east  end  of  l^c 
Belfry  Cburoh,  but  in  that  year  the  present  building  was  enlarged,  and  the 


HISTORY   OF   THE   GATHEBBAL   OF   TOBK.  469 

documents  were  moTed  thither.  The  office  now  consists  of  four  rooms,  one 
of  which  is  used  for  searching  for  and  examining  wills  or  administrations. 
There  is  an  Index  kept  of  the  names  of  the  testators  and  intestates,  to  whose 
representatives  letters  of  probate  or  administration  have  been  granted  since 
1731.  There  are,  however,  copies  of  wills  in  it  as  far  back  as  1389.  The 
fee  for  searching  this  book  is  one  shilling.  The  average  number  of  wiUs,  &c., 
passing  through  the  office  in  the  course  of  a  year,  is  about  1,600  wills,  and 
660  administrations.  The  records  of  the  Prerogative  and  Exchequer  Courts 
of  the  diocese  are  also  kept  here.  During  the  fires  of  18S9  and  1840,  the 
wiUs  were  carefully  removed  under  the  protection  of  a  detachment  of  soldiers. 
They  were  afterwards  safely  replaced,  and  no  damage  was  sustained  on  either 
occasion.     The  building  is  now  entirely  fire  proof. 

The  records  belonging  to  the  courts  of  the  Dean  and  Chapter  are  pre- 
served in  part  of  the  buildings  called  Archbishop  de  la  Zouche*s  Chapel. 

St.  WiUiam'a  College — considerable  remains  of  which  stand  in  the  opening 
of  College  Street,  right  opposite  the  large  east  window  of  the  Cathedral — ap- 
pears by  records  to  have  been  founded  by  King  Henry  VI.  to  the  honour  of 
St  William,  Archbishop  of  York,  "  for  the  parsons  and  chantry  priests  of  the 
Cathedral  to  reside  in ;  whereas  before  they  lived  promiscuously  in  houses  of 
laymen  and  women,  contrary  to  the  honour  and  decency  of  the  said  church, 
and  their  spiritual  orders."  The  letters  patent  directed  that  this  building 
should  be  erected  "in  the  Close  of  York."  It  does  not  appear  that  this  grant 
was  put  into  execution ;  probably  the  civil  dissensions  of  the  time  prevented 
it.  But  King  Edward  IV .,  in  the  first  year  of  his  reign,  granted  other  letters 
patent  of  the  same  tenor,  to  George  Neville,  Bishop  of  Exeter,  and  his 
brother  Richard,  Earl  of  Warwick,  and  their  heirs,  to  found  and  sustain  this 
coU^e,  without  reciting  any  of  the  former  grant,  and  to  have  the  nomination 
of  the  provost  of  it  for  ever.  This  patent,  which  is  large  and  full,  and  con- 
tains all  the  rules  and  statutes  to  be  observed  by  the  members  of  the  college, 
is  dated  at  York,  May  lltb,  1461.  The  members  of  this  college  consisted 
of  a  provost  and  twenty-three  chantry  priests.  The  archway  forming  the 
entrance,  which  is  a  good  piece  of  Perpendicular  work,  is  very  ancient,  and 
has  above  it,  in  a  niche,  a  dOapidated  statue  of  St.  William,  between  his  own 
arms  and  those  of  the  See ;  and  higher  up  arc  carved  wood  figures  of  the 
Virgin  and  Child,  and  St.  Christopher.  The  gate  to  this  edifice  is  very  old, 
and  contains  a  vncket  evidently  coeval  with  the  building.  The  structure 
itself  is  chiefly  Jacobean  in  style,  forms  a  quadrangle,  enclosing  a  small  court 
yard ;  round  which  are  the  remains  of  many  curious  wooden  figures.  The 
principal  entrance  to  the  interior  from  the  court  yard,  is  opposite  the  outer 


470  HISTORY   OF  THE   CATHEDRAL  OF  YORK. 

entrance,  and  is  by  a  large  doorway,  the  ascent  to  which  is  by  four  stone 
steps ;  and  opposite  the  door  a  staircase,  about  eight  feet  wide,  leads  to  the 
upper  rooms.  Several  of  the  apartments  are  spacious  and  curious.  The 
college  is  now  let  off  in  residences  for  several  poor  families.  In  164Q,  during 
the  residence  of  Charles  I.  at  York,  the  royal  printing  presses  are  said  to 
have  been  set  up  in  one  of  the  apartments  of  this  college,  and  here  were 
printed  several  of  the  political  and  controversial  pamphlets  which  created  so 
much  sensation  in  that  day.  "  From  the  royal  printing  office,"  says  Drake, 
"  were  issued  paper  bullets,  soon  to  be  changed  into  more  fatal  weapons." 

The  Bedem, — ^This  is  the  name  of  a  small  street  leading  from  Goodramgate 
to  St.  Andrewgate,  in  which  was  formerly  a  College  of  Vicars  Choral,  be- 
longing to  the  Cathedral.  Though  this  locality  was  not  within  the  Minster 
Close,  yet  it  is  always  classed  with  that  district,  on  account  of  its  connection. 

From  an  inquisition  taken  in  the  4th  of  Edward  L  (1276),  the  site  of  the 
Bedem  appears  to  have  been  given  "to  God,  St.  Peter,  and  the  Vicars 
serving  God,  in  pure  and  perpetual  alms,"  by  one  William  de  Lunam,  Canon 
of  the  Cathedral.  There  were  originally  thirty-six  of  those  vicars  choral,  ac- 
cording to  the  number  of  the  prebendal  stalls,  each  Canon  having  his  own 
peculiar  vicar  to  attend  and  officiate  for  him ;  receiving  for  th^  services  the 
annual  sum  of  40s.  each.  The  duty  of  the  vicars  choral,  besides  attending 
the  daily  service,  was  formerly  to  perform  the  offices  for  the  dead  in  the  dif- 
ferent chapels  and  chantries  of  the  Cathedral  both  day  and  night.  It  was 
therefore  convenient  to  have  a  place  near  it,  in  which  to  reside.  The  chan- 
tries and  obits,  from  which  the  vicars  choral  derived  thdr  support,  being 
dissolved,  their  number  is  now  reduced  to  five.  The  whole  college  and  site 
of  the  Bedem  was  sold  in  the  3nd  of  Edward  VI.  to  Thomas  Goulding  and 
others,  for  £1,924.  10s.  Id.,  but  this  sale  was  disannulled,  and  it  was  given 
to  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of  the  CathedraL 

The  Bedem  Chapel,  which  is  still  standing,  was  founded  in  1348,  and 
dedicated  to  the  Holy  Trinity,  the  Blessed  Virgin,  and  St.  Eatherine ;  but  it 
is  no  longer  used  for  the  general  services  of  the  church,  but  is  confined  to 
the  baptism  of  children  and  churching  of  women  ;  though  up  to  about  four 
years  ago  divine  service  was  performed  in  it  every  Wednesday.  The  exterior 
of  the  edifice  is  very  plain.  The  side  abutting  on  the  street  has  a  pointed 
doorway,  and  three  square-headed  windows,  with  a  plain  vacant  niche ;  the 
other  side  of  the  building  has  four  square-headed  windows ;  and  on  the  roof 
is  a  small  wooden  bell  turret.  The  interior  still  retains  its  ancient  furniture, 
though  in  a  dilapidated  state.  The  altar  piece  is  curious;  consisting  of  panel- 
ling of  pointed  architecture  in  wood,  with  crockets,  pinnacles,  &c,;  and 


ANCIENT   RELIGIOUS   HOUSES   OF  YORK.  471 

there  are  some  ancient  wooden  stalls,  and  an  old  octagonal  stone  font  on  a 
circular  pedestal. 

The  old  Collegiate  Hall,  where  the  vicars  usually  dined  in  common,  is  now 
converted  into  dwellings,  and  parts  of  the  ancient  outer  walls  of  the  edifice, 
with  the  evident  remains  of  Gothic  windows,  and  other  vestiges  of  former 
days,  may  yet  he  traced  on  the  south  side  of  the  huildings  hehind  the  houses 
that  abut  on  the  street  a  little  beyond  the  chapel. 

The  Bedem  clearly  owes  its  name  to  the  circumstance  of  its  being  the 
residence  of  the  vicars  choral.  Bede  was  formerly  used  for  the  verb  to  pray, 
and  Erne  implies  a  solitary  place  or  detached  dwelling ;  so  that  Bedem  evi- 
dently signifies  a  cloister  set  apart  for  one  or  more  religious  to  dwell  in. 

The  Bedem  is  the  presumed  site  of  a  part  of  the  Eoman  imperial  palace, 
or  of  the  baths  connected  with  the  palace.  When  the  Bedem  was  in  its 
prosperity,  there  were  gates  to  enclose  the  whole  opening  into  Goodramgate ; 
and  a  porter*s  lodge  stood  on  one  side.  Up  to  the  year  186S  the  Bedem  had 
the  appearance  of  a  long  narrow  court  or  yard,  having  no  outlet  but  at  one 
end — ^in  Goodramgate — but  recent  improvements  have  formed  it  into  a 
street,  which  connects  Goodramgate  with  St.  Andrewgate. 

In  the  vicissitudes  of  human  events  this  once  splendid  seat  of  Roman 
grandeur  and  imperial  honour,  and  subsequently  of  ecclesiastical  splendour, 
is  now  the  sad  receptacle  of  poverty  and  wretchedness — ^the  poorest  of  the 
Irish  emigrants  being  its  chief  inhabitants.  During  the  progress  of  the  im- 
provements here  in  1852,  a  number  of  coins  were  found  concealed  in  an  old 
flower-pot  and  coffee-pot.  They  were  principally  of  the  reigns  of  Elizabeth, 
James  I.,  and  Charles  I.  ^ 


%mittd  ^eligbttij  Matrntn,  ^l 


St.  Leonard's  Hospitai.. — This  Hospital,  which  was  the  most  ancient 
religious  institution  in  York,  and  one  of  the  noblest  foundations  of  the  kind 
in  Britain,  was  founded  by  the  Anglo-Saxon  King,  Athelstan,  in  a.d.  936, 
under  the  following  circumstances: — ^In  an  expedition  to  Scotland,  that 
monarch  visited  three  religious  places — Beverley,  Durham,  and  York — ^where 
he  solicited  the  benefit  of  their  devout  prayers  on  his  behalf,  promising  that 
if  he  succeeded  weU  therein  he  would  abundantly  recompense  them  for  the 
same.  Having  obtained  a  decisive  victory  over  Constantine,  the  Scottish 
King,  Athelstan  returned  to  York,  where  he  offered  his  hearty  thanks  to  God 


472  ANCIENT   RELIGIOUS   HOUSES   OF   TORK. 

in  the  Cathedral.  He  there  obseryed  certain  religions  men  then  called 
Coledei,  who  relieved  many  poor  people  out  of  their  slender  means;  and  to 
enable  these  people  better  to  snstain  the  poor,  as  well  as  to  fulfil  his  royal 
promise,  he  granted  to  God,  St.  Peter,  and  the  said  Coledei,  and  their  suc- 
cessors for  ever,  certain  emoluments  accruing  ta  the  Grown  in  the  bishopric 
of  York.  This  grant  consisted  of  *'  one  thrave  of  com  out  of  eveiy  carucate 
of  land,  or  every  plough  going,  within  the  bishopric  of  York,  and  which  to 
this  day  is  called  Peter  com."  This  com  rent,  which  was  then  given  to  the 
Coledei,  had  been  originally  granted  to  the  Crown  for  the  encouragement  of 
persons  who  employed  themselves  in  destroying  the  wolves,  which  were  then 
so  numerous  that  they  overran  the  country  and  devoured  the  cattle  of  the 
villages.  Possessed  of  this  income,  and  a  piece  of  waste  ground  which  also  the 
King  gave  them,  the  Coledei  founded  for  themselves  an  Hospital  in  the  city  of 
York.  William  the  Conqueror,  and  his  successor  William  Eufus,  confirmed 
and  enlarged  the  endowment.  The  latter  monarch  removed  the  site  of  the 
Hospital  to  the  place  where  the  ruins  now  stand.  He  likewise  built  them  a 
small  church,  which  was  dedicated,  as  the  Hospital  had  been,  to  St.  Peter. 
Henry  I  granted  to  them  the  close  extending  from  their  house  to  the  river 
Ouse ;  confirmed  to  the  Hospital  certain  other  lands ;  freed  them  from  geids 
and  customs ;  and  granted  to  them  the  liberties  of  sac,  soc,  tol,  theme,  and 
infangtheof.  And  as  a  more  particular  mark  of  his  favour,  Heniy  also  took 
to  himself  the  name  of  a  brother  and  warden  of  this  hospital ;  "  Frater  enim 
et  custos  ejusdem  domus  Dei  sum."  When  the  Hospital  was  burnt  down  in 
1187,  King  Stephen  rebuilt  it  in  a  more  magnificent  manner,  and  caused  it 
to  be  dedicated  to  God  in  honour  of  St.  Leonard,  and  it  was  ever  after  called 
HospUalis  8.  LeonardL  This  King  caused  Nigel,  Mayor  of  York,  to  deliver 
up  a  certain  place  near  the  west  walls  of  the  city,  to  receive  the  poor  and 
lame ;  and  he  confirmed  the  thraves,  which  then  were  "  all  the  oats  which 
had  been  used  to  be  gathered  betwixt  the  river  of  Trent  and  Scotland,  for 
finding  the  King^s  hounds,  which  was  twenty  fair  sheaves  of  com  of  each 
plow-land  by  the  year,  and  appointed  the  Dean  and  Canons  of  the  Cathedral 
church  to  gather  them  for  the  reUef  of  the  said  Hospital." 

The  privileges  and  possessions  of  this  Hospital  were  confirmed  by  Henry 
n.,  King  John,  and  several  succeeding  monarchs,  and  much  enlarged  by  the 
munificence  and  piety  of  several  noblemen  and  others.  King  John  ratified 
its  possessions  by  charter,  and  also  granted  to  the  brethren  timber  for  their 
buildings,  wood  for  fuel,  and  pasturage  for  their  catde,  through  his  whole 
forest  of  Yorkshire.  In  the  d7ih  of  Edward  L  (1299)  that  monarch  granted 
to  the  "  Master  and  Brethren  of  St.  Leonard's  Hospital,"  liberty  to  take  down 


ANCIENT   RELIGIOUS  HOUSES   OF   YORK.  478 

tke  wbU  of  the  said  Hospital,  which  extended  from  Blake  Street  to  Bootham 
Bar,  and  to  set  up  a  new  wall  for  enlarging  the  coart  of  it.  In  the  dnd  of 
Henry  VI.  (1424)  all  the  confirmations,  privil^es,  charters,  ^c.  of  this  Hos- 
pital-^-and  they  were  unusually  numerous — were  sanctioned  by  Act  of  Par- 
liament. Though  this  Hospital  was  in  the  collation  of  the  Dean  and  Chapter 
of  York,  they  were  not  sulxject  to  any  visitor  but  the  King  or  his  deputies. 
The  number  of  its  inmates,  according  to  Drake,  was  90 ;  viz. — ^a  master  or 
warden,  18  brethren,  4  secular  priests,  8  sisters,  80  choristers,  2  school- 
masters, 36  headmen,  and  6  servitors.  Thomas  Magnus  was  the  Master  at 
the  dissolution,  when  the  revenues  were  valued  at  JS862.  lis.  l^d.,  equal,  it 
is  probable,  to  nearly  £2,000.  at  the  present  time.  The  advowson  was 
granted  by  the  King,  in  1554,  to  Sir  Arthur  Darcy  and  Sir  Thomas  Clifford, 
knights,  and  John  Bolles,  gent,  their  executors  and  assigns.  The  coucher 
book  belonging  to  the  Hospital  has  been  deposited  in  the  Cottonian  library. 
The  site  of  the  house  has  passed  through  numerous  hands.  It  was  early 
devoted  by  the  Archbishops  of  York  to  the  erection  of  their  mint,  and  from 
this  circumstance  the  area  had  long  been  called  the  Mint  Yard.  After 
passing  through  various  hands,  the  whole  property  devolved  to  Geoi*ge,  Lord 
Saville,  Viscount  Halifax ;  and  being  extra-parochial,  an  attempt  was  made 
in  1687  to  establish  a  mart  there,  which  was  prevented  by  the  city  by  a  writ 
of  ad  quod  damnum.  Fearful  that  the  attempt  to  establish  a  mart  might  be 
renewed,  the  Corporation  purchased  the  whole  premises^  buildings,  and  privi- 
leges, connected  therewith,  in  1675,  for  the  sum  of  £800. ;  and  the  premises 
were  divided  and  let  out  on  lease.  Since  then  the  Theatre,  the  handsome 
crescent  called  St.  Leonard's  Place,  and  several  commodious  houses,  stables, 
&c.,  have  been  erected. 

The  chief  existing  remains  of  this  interesting  establishment  stand  imme- 
diately within  the  entrance  to  the  gardens  of  the  Yorkshire  Philosophical 
Society's  Museum.  They  consist  of  what  in  all  probability  were  the  ambu- 
latory and  chapel  of  the  infirmary  of  the  Hospital,  and  are  commonly  called 
the  Cloisien  of  8t,  Leoruard's  Hospital.  The  portion  of  this  cloister  standing 
is  in  a  pretty  perfect  state,  and  is  well  deserving  the  notice  of  the  antiquarian. 
The  style  of  architecture  is  Early  Norman,  and  it  is  the  finest  specimen  of 
that  fJByshion  of  building  in  the  city.  It  now  consists  of  three  aisles,  divided 
by  octagonal  pillars,  with  a  small  abacus  or  capital,  from  which  spring  the 
ribs  that  support  the  groined  roof.  Against  the  wall,  at  the  north  end  of  the 
cloister,  is  a  large  but  ancient  stone  statue,  supposed  to  represent  St.  Leo- 
nard. The  figure  is  seated  in  a  chair,  having  dmpery  over  its  shoulders,  and 
the  head  exhibiting  the  tonsure  of  a  monk.    It  was  formerly  placed  over  the 

3  p 


474  AKCIEMT   REUOIOUS   HOU8H8   OF  YORK. 

old  gateway  of  the  Hospital.  A  great  part  of  the  old  walls  of  die  Ho^ital 
were  taken  down  in  March,  1782,  for  the  purpose  of  admitting  carriages  to 
the  theatre  in  the  Mint  Yard ;  and  again  in  1832,  when  St.  Leonard's  Place 
was  formed.  When  these  alterations  were  made,  several  beautiM  M  arches 
belonging  to  the  Hospital  were  exhibited  to  view,  and  were  consequentlj 
doomed  to  give  place  to  the  modem  improToments. 

In  his  remarks  on  the  remains  of  St.  Leonard's  Hospital,  Mr.  WeUbelored 
says,  "  the  covered  cloister,  or  ambulatory,  appears  to  have  consisted  of  five 
or  perhaps  six  aisles,  in  two  of  which  was  a  large  fire-place ;  for  the  benefit, 
no  doubt,  of  the  infirm  and  sickly,  for  whose  use  the  ambulatory  was  de- 
signed. The  exterior  aisle,  on  the  side  towards  the  Multangular  Tower,  was 
most  probably  enclosed  by  a  wall.  Above  the  ambulatory  were  the  chambers 
or  wards  of  the  infirmary,  adjoining  to  which  is  the  beautiful  small  chapel, 
opening  to  the  chamber,  so  that  the  sick  persons  who  were  confined  to  their 
beds  might  have  the  comfort  of  witnessing  the  celebration  of  the  divine 
offices.  The  eastern  end  of  the  chapel  indicates  the  period  of  its  erection, 
the  style  of  the  architecture  being  that  of  the  early  part  of  the  13th  century.* 
The  ambulatory  belongs  to  rather  an  earlier  age.  How  access  was  obtained 
to  the  chamber  and  the  chapel  does  not  clearly  appear,  there  being  no  remains 
of  a  staircase.  Adjoining  the  ambulatory  is  the  ancient  entrance  into  the 
Hospital  from  the  river,  oh  the  bank  of  which  was  a  staith,  or  wharf,  appro- 
priated to  the  Hospital,  called  St  Leonard's  Landing ;  and  adjoining  to  this 
entrance,  on  the  site  of  the  present  street,  there  was  another  aisle,  the  use  of 
which  is  not  known.  The  staircase  leading  to  the  infirmary  and  the  chapel, 
of  which  there  are  no  traces  remaining,  may  have  been  at  the  northern  end 
of  it.  Of  the  use  to  which  the  room  under  the  chapel,  unconnected  with 
any  other,  was  applied,  no  satis£Eu;tory  account  can  be  given.'*f  At  the 
northern  end  of  the  cloisters  are  the  remains  of  two  rows  of  pillars,  ranged 
parallel  to  the  Roman  wall,  which  here  runs  from  the  cloisters  to  the  Mul- 
tangular Tower.  Mr.  Wellbeloved  cannot  give  a  satisfactory  account  of  this 
portion  of  the  ruin,  but  he  thinks  it  highly  probable  that  there  are  the  re- 
mains of  corresponding  pillars,  by  which  an  aisle  had  been  formed  in  the 
acyacent  ground,  which  is  not  in  the  possession  of  the  Philosophical  Society. 

For  ages  were  the  beautiful  ruins  of  this  religious  establishment  completely 

•  This  chapel  appears  to  have  been  solely  for  the  accommodation  of  the  mck,  and  it 
is  very  probable  that  there  also  was  a  church  belonging  to  the  hospital.  An  arch  found 
in  the  excavations  for  St  Leonard's  Place,  and  which  is  now  deposited  in  the  Mnseoskt 
is  sapposed,  by  the  Rev.  Curator  of  Antiqaities,  to  have  belonged  to  that  church. 

f  Descriptive  Account  of  the  Antiquities  in  the  Grounds  of  the  Museum. 


AMCnSNT   BBUOIOUS   HOU8KS  OF   YORK.  475 

euTeloped  in  old  buildings,  and  no  idea  had  been  entertained  of  their  ex- 
istence. When  Allen  wrote,  in  1830,  the  cloisters  were  occupied  as  wine 
▼aults ;  they  now  form  one  of  the  most  interesting  relics  in  the  citj,  of 
times  that  were ;  and  affords  another  evidence  of  the  great  anxiety  of  the 
Philoec^hical  Society  to  preserve  the  antiquities  of  this  ancient  city,  for 
it  was  they  that  cleared  these  cloisters  from  the  buildings  with  which  they 
were  surrounded,  and  by  annexing  them  to  their  already  spacious  grounds, 
protected  them  from  furUier  ii^uiy. 

St.  Mabt*s  Abbet.^ — ^Thi%  once  noble  and  magnificent  Abbey,  which  for 
nearly  five  centuries  maintained  so  high  a  rank  among  the  religious  estab- 
lishments of  this  country,  was  situated  on  the  north  side  of  the  city,  on  a 
fine  spot  of  ground  nearly  square,  which  sloped  gently  from  without  Bootham 
Bar  to  the  river  Ouse.  Its  early  histoiy  is  inyolved  in  much  obscurity,  and 
it  is  difficult  to  reconcile  the  scattered  notices  of  it  found  in  some  of  the 
oldest  and  most  respectable  of  our  ecclesiastical  historians,  with  the  inter- 
esting narratiTe  of  its  origin  by  the  first  Abbot,  Stephen  de  Whitby,  happily 
preserved  by  one  of  his  successors,  Simon  de  Warwick.  According  to  Ingul- 
phus  there  was  a  monasteiy  here  before  the  Conquest,  founded  by  Siward,  a 
noble  Dane  and  Earl  of  Northumberland,  and  in  which  he  was  interred  in 
1056 ;  and  Hoveden,  noticing  the  burial  of  Siward  a  year  earlier,  calls  the 
monastery  Q«lmanho.  Ingulphus,  in  another  page  of  his  histoiy,  speaking 
of  the  **  comprofessi "  who  came  from  other  monasteries  for  the  hospitalities 
of  Croyland,  in  1076,  names  six  monks  of  "  S.  Marie  Eboracum."  Bishop 
Tanner  observes  that  it  no  where  else  appears  that  there  were  then  any 
religious  of  that  denomination  in  the  city;  and  Burton  makes  a  similar 
assertion ;  but  notwithstanding  the  opinion  of  these  two'*  learned  authori- 
tiesy  it  seems  certain  that  the  Abbey  was  founded  and  built  in  the  reign 
of  the  Conqueror,  and  his  successor  William  Rufus,  on  a  site  "  which  some 
religious  had  before  occupied."  The  Rev.  C.  Wellbeloved,  of  York,  in  an 
interesting  account  of  the  Abbey,  addressed  to  the  Society  of  Antiquarians 
of  London,*  says,  "  The  monastery  of  St  Mary,  and  the  monastery  of  Gal- 
manho  were  the  same ;  the  former  appellation  denoting  the  patron  saint  to 
whom  it  was  dedicated,  the  latter  the  place  in  which  it  was  situated.  And 
further,  the  monastery  of  which  Hoveden  and  Ingulphus  write,  and  which 
Elfwin  restored,  was  undoubtedly  the  same  as  that  which  was  founded  anew 
by  William  Rufus ;  for  Hoveden  has  not  only  told  us  of  the  restoration  of  an 
Abbey  at  York,  dedicated  to  St.  Mary,  by  Elfmn,  but  he  has  preserved  the 

•  Printed  bj  the  Society,  with  nnmeroos  views  in  the  Vetata  Monnmenta,  voL  r. 


476  ANCIENT   RELIGIOUS   HOUSES   OF   YORK. 

names  of  the  four  first  Abbota^Stephen,  Richard,  Ganfrid,  and  Severiiius; 
during  the  goverument  of  the  List  of  whom  he  himself  flourished ;  and  these 
were  the  Abbots  who  presided  over  the  monasteiy  which  claims  William  11. 
as  its  most  distinguished,  if  not  its  earliest  bene&ctor.  Lehmd  enables  us  to 
account  for  the  appellation  Galmanho ;  for,  speaking  of  the  last  establishment, 
he  describes  it  as  being  built  without  the  walls  of  York,  at  or  near  the  place 
where  the  dirt  of  the  city  was  deposited,  and  criminals  executed.  Now  the 
common  instrument  of  execution,  the  gaUows,  was  in  Saxon  caUed  ffal^  ; 
and  thence,  as  Lje  haa  shown,  Gahnan  and  Gjdmanho  were  derived.'*'*' 

Drake,  in  his  Eboracum,  says  "  there  is  great  reason  and  authority  for 
supposing  that  there  was  a  monastery  standing  at  or  near  the  site  of  this 
Abbey  in  the  time  of  the  Danes  and  Saxcms ;  that  it  was  built  by  Siwaitl, 
the  valiant  Earl  of  Northumbria.  and  that  he  was  buried  in  it  The  monas- 
tery was  at  that  time  dedicated  to  St.  Olave^  the  Danish  King  and  martyr; 
and,  indeed,  it  retained  that  name  even  after  William  the  Conqueror  had  re- 
founded  it,  till,  by  William  II.,  it  was  changed  to  that  of  8t,  Mary" 

To  sum  up  the  several  accounts  of  the  origin  of  this  Abbey,  it  seems  very 
probable  that  about  the  year  1050,  Earl  Siward,  who  was  as  famous  f<Mr  his 
goodness  and  piety  as  he  was  for  his  valour,  began  to  erect  a  monasteiy  here; 
but  that  he  proceeded  no  further  than  the  building  of  the  church  of  the 
establishment,  which  he  dedicated  to  St.  Olave,  and  in  which  he  is  said  to 
have  been  buried.  But  the  monasteiy  itself  appears  not  to  have  been  begun, 
or  if  begun,  not  so  far  advanced  at  the  death  of  Siward  as  to  be  occupied  by 
any  religious  persons. 

*'  The  premature  decease  of  the  founder,  and  the  state  of  anarchy  and  con- 
fusion into  which  the  province  that  he  had  governed,  with  almost  regal 
authority,  immediately  fell,'*  says  Mr.  Wellbeloved,  **  appear  to  have  prervented 
the  completion  of  the  work,  and  it  remained  in  its  unfinished  condition  till 
the  arrival  of  the  Norman  Conqueror.  Six  years  after  the  Conquest  three 
zealous  monks,  Aldwinc,  Elfwine,  and  Reinfrid,  from  the  Abbey  at  Evesham, 
came  into  the  North  with  the  view  of  reviving  the  monastic  life  there,  almost 
extinct  through  the  long  continued  violence  of  the  Danish  invaders.  Having 
been  veiy  successful  in  their  mission  on  the  banks  of  the  Tyne,  Reinfrid 
came  southwards  to  Streaneshalh  (IVhitby),  where  still  remained  the  ruins 
of  a  Saxon  convent,  founded  by  St.  Hilda.  Herp  he  was  allowed  by  Eari 
Perci,  to  whom  this  fee  bolonfjed,  to  build  a  Priory  (afterwards  the  Abbey  of 
Whitby),  and  was  soon  joined  l)y  sovpral  who  had  devoted  themselves  to  a 

•  Lye,  Diet.  Sax.  in  T«rh.  GAlmiinho. 


AMGIEMT   RELIGIOUS   HOUSES   OF  YORK.  477 

monastic  life.    Among  these  was  one  named  Stephen,  to  whom  the  govern- 
ment of  the  Priory  was  committed."'!' 

This  Stephen  was  the  first  Abbot,  as  well  as  the  historian  of  St.  Mary's ; 
and  he  appeal's  to  justify  the  assertion  of  Burton  and  Tanner,  for  he  takes 
no  notice  of  any  prior  establishment,  excepting  the  church  of  St.  Olave. 
From  his  narrative  we  learn  that  he,  Stephen,  had  been  Prior  of  the  convent 
of  Whitby ;  but  that  he  and  some  of  his  monks  having  given  some  offence  to 
Earl  Perci,  were  forcibly  expelled  from  that  place,  and  took  refuge  at  Lasting- 
ham,  in  the  eastern  moors,  where  a  religious  house  had  been  established  in 
the  Saxon  times.  From  the  latter  place  they  were  also  driven  by  the  same 
powerM  Baron.  In  this  afflicting  state  their  condition  was  commiserated 
by  Alan,  Earl  of  Richmond  and  of  Breitagne,  who  in  1078  gave  them  the 
church  of  St.  Olave,  founded  by  Siward,  near  the  city  of  York,  and  four  acres 
of  land  acjjoining,  to  build  suitable  offices  upon.  He  also  obtained  for  them 
the  Ucence  and  aid  of  the  King  to  found  a  religious  establishment,  and  to 
complete  what  Siward  had  leflt  unfinished. 

Thomas,  the  Norman  Archbishop,  for  some  cause  or  other,  conceived  a 
violent  dislike  towards  this  new  monastic  fraternity,  and  forthwith  com- 
menced a  suit  against  Earl  Alan  for  appropriating  the  four  acres  of  land, 
which  he  alleged  were  his  property ;  whereupon  William  the  Conqueror,  to 
compose  the  difference,  promised  the  Archbishop  other  lands  in  lieu  of  them, 
and  so  the  affair  ceased  for  a  time.  This  hostile  relation  between  these  two 
branches  of  the  church  does  not  appear  to  have  at  all  retarded  the  prosperity 
of  the  new  establishment,  for  in  1088  William  II.,  being  at  York,  visited  the 
monastery,  "  and  seeing  that  the  building  was  too  strait  and  narrow,  he  pro- 
jected a  larger,  and  with  his  own  hand  first  opened  the  ground  for  laying 
the  foundation  of  the  church  of  the  monastery."!  An  ancient  parchment, 
formerly  preserved  in  St.  Mary's  Tower,  dates  the  foundation  in  1089,  when 
the  dedication  of  the  church  was  changed  from  St.  Olave  to  St.  Mary.  The 
monastery  erected,  the  royal  founder  endowed  it  with  several  lands  "  free 
from  all  legal  exaction  for  ever;"  Earl  Alan  having  previously  given  the 
monks  the  hamlet  of  Marygate,  then  called  Earlsborough  (doubtless  from  the 
rank  of  its  owner),  upon  the  same  conditions ;  "  and  not  long  after  our  good 
friend  Alan  dying,"  says  the  annalist,  **  the  King,  for  the  sake  of  his  soul, 

•  Desoriptive  Account  of  the  Antiquities  in  the  Grounds  of  the  Museum. 

f  "  There  is  evidence  in  what  remains  of  the  entrance  to  the  Chapter  House,  and  in 
many  of  the  carved  fragments  that  have  been  recently  disinterred,  that  the  buildings  of 
the  monastery  were  not  completed  prior  to  the  reign  of  Stephen ;  perhaps  not  so  early." 
— J{a;.  C.  WeWfeUwed. 


478  ANCIENT    RELIGIOUS   HOUSES   OF   TOBK. 

gave  us  the  towns  of  Clifton  and  Overton,  which  were  of  his  demesne.**  At 
the  foundation  of  William  II.,  as  has  already  heen  obsenred,  the  monastery 
received  the  title  of  the  **  Abbey  of  St.  Mary  at  York ;  **  and  in  that  mon- 
arch*s  charter,  various  lands  are  enumerated  which  had  been  bestowed  upon 
the  monks  by  the  Conqueror,  his  predecessor.  From  this  time  the  monifi* 
cence  and  piety  of  princes  and  nobles  enriched  the  Abbey  so  that  it  soon 
became  opulent. 

Archbishop  Thomas,  subsequent  to  the  increased  endowment  of  the  monat- 
tery,  renewed  his  claim  for  the  four  acres  of  land ;  whereupon  Stephen,  the 
Abbot,  appealed  to  the  King  in  a  full  council  of  the  nation,  held  at  Gloucester, 
and  the  suit  was  finally  settled.  The  immunities  and  privil^es  granted  to 
this  Abbey  by  William  and  his  successors,  Kings  of  England,  were  very 
great.  By  King  WLlliam*s  charter,  the  lands  of  the  Abbey  were  exempt  from 
all  regal  exactions ;  and  in  case  the  sheriff  or  his  oflELcers  had  any  comi^aint 
against  the  tenants  of  St.  Mai7*8,  they  were  first  to  acquaint  the  Abbot 
therewith,  and  at  an  appointed  time  to  come  to  the  gates  of  the  Abbey,  and 
there  receive  justice  and  right ;  and  moreover,  the  "  homines  sancte  Maris  ** 
were  exempt  from  attendance  on  juries,  or  at  the  county  courts,  as  well  as  at 
the  meetings  of  the  Ridings,  Wapentakes,  and  Hundreds. 

It  is  recorded  that  the  Minster  and  Abbey  were  consumed  by  fire  in  the 
reign  of  King  Stephen,  in  1137,  when  the  greater  part  of  the  city  was  burnt 
down ;  but  Mr.  Wellbeloved,  who  has  had  good  opportunities  of  judging,  saja» 
"  if  either  of  these  buildings  suffered  from  the  fire  at  the  time,  the  ii^ury,  it 
is  probable,  was  of  no  great  extent.** 

According  to  Dugdale,  Abbot  Simon  de  Warwick  undertook  the  erectioa  of 
a  new  and  enlarged  church  in  1370.  Sitting  in  his  chair,  with  trowel  in  bis 
hand,  the  whole  convent  standing  about  him,  he  laid  the  first  stone,  and 
lived  to  see  the  work  completed.  The  rebuilding  of  the  other  parts  of  the 
Abbey  doubtless  followed,  but  there  is  no  record  of  the  works  extant.  Simxm 
de  Warwick  is  said  also  to  have  built  the  walls  and  towers  surrounding  the 
close  of  the  Abbey. 

King  Henry  11.,  by  his  charter,  confirmed  the  privileges  granted  to  the 
Abbey  by  William  11.,  adding  to  them  certain  liberties  and  customs  which 
had  before  been  peculiar  to  the  churches  of  St  Peter  at  York  and  St.  John 
of  Beverley ;  ordaining  also  that  when  the  men  of  the  county  were  summoned 
to  serve  in  the  King*s  army,  the  Abbot  of  this  monastery  should  find  a  man 
to  carry  the  banner  or  standard  of  St.  Mary,  in  the  same  manner  as  other 
great  churches  sent  their  banners. 

The  immunities  granted  by  the  charters  of  William  11.  and  Henry  U. 


AKCISNT  BSUOIOUS  H0U8SS  OF  TOBX.  470 

were  confirmed  by  nearly  every  succeeding  Sovereign  to  the  time  of  Henry 
Vin.,  and  even  that  monarch,  in  the  first  year  of  his  reign,  by  a  large 
charter,  confirmed  all  the  liberties  of  the  convent.  In  consequence  of  the 
extensive  and  extravagant  powers  and  privileges  which  the  Abbey  possessed, 
considerable  animosity  long  existed  between  the  citizens  and  the  monks  or  their 
tenants  or  dependants,  and  acts  of  violence  sometimes  ensued.  In  1362  the 
citizens  slew  several  of  their  men,  and  burned  a  number  of  their  houses  out 
of  Bootham  Bar ;  and  a  reconciliation  was  not  effected  till  Simon,  the  Abbot, 
paid  iSlOO.  as  a  peace  offering  to  the  enraged  party ;  and  he  was  so  terrified, 
that  he  left  his  monasteiy  for  more  than  a  year.  Soon  after  this  the  Abbot 
obtained  permission  of  the  King  to  build  a  wall  on  each  unprotected  side  of 
the  Abbey,  the  rampart  of  earth  by  which  it  had  been  previously  enclosed  not 
being  sufficient  to  protect  it  from  the  hostile  attacks  of  the  citizens,  as  well 
as  for  a  better  defence  against  the  incursions  of  the  Scots ;  hence  arose  the 
high  wall  adjoining  to  Bootham  and  Marygate.  The  annals  of  t^e  convent 
thus  particularises  these  walls,  which  were  constructed  with  battlements, 
towers,  and  a  wooden  gallery  within,  and  completed  in  1266.  From  Bootham 
Bar  to  Marygate  Tower,*  194  yards;  from  Marygate  Tower  to  Lendal 
Tower  abutting  upon  the  river  Ouse,  420  yards ;  from  the  West  Tower  to  the 
tower  on  the  south,  246  yards ;  and  from  thence  by  the  rampart  of  the  city 
to  Bootham  Bar,  420  yards.  The  whole  circumference  of  the  enclosed  area 
was  nearly  three  quarters  of  a  mile. 

The  religious  of  this  Abbey  were  Black  Monks  of  the  Order  of  St  Bene- 
dict, and  had  a  psalter  compiled  for  the  especial  use  of  their  convent.  It 
was  agreed  upon  and  published  in  1300,  and  the  original  volume  is  now  in 
the  library  of  Jesus  College,  Cambridge.  The  superior  was  a  mitred  Abbot, 
and  as  such  had  a  seat  in  parliament,  which  entitled  him  to  the  dignified 
appellation  of  "  my  lord."  The  Abbot  of  Selby  and  himself  were  the  only 
two  in  the  north  of  England  who  et^oyed  this  distinction.     The  Archbishop 

«  The  drcnlar  tower  at  the  north-east  angle  of  the  Abbey  walls,  at  the  eomer  of 
Marygate,  in  Bootham,  is  called  8t,  Mary*9  Tower,  In  it  were  placed,  after  the  Be- 
formation,  the  ancient  records  of  all  the  raligioiiB  houses  north  of  the  Trent,  under  the 
charge  of  the  Lord  President  of  the  North.  It  was  likewise  the  deposit  for  some  of  the 
royal  records  of  chanceiy,  until  the  siege  of  York  in  1644,  when  the  tower  was  blown 
np,  and  many  valaable  documents  were  partly  destroyed,  and  partly  buried  in  the  ruins. 
The  date  of  this  building  is  uncertain,  though  it  is  probably  the  work  of  the  Abbot, 
Simon  de  Warwick.  Mr.  Dodsworth,  in  his  preparations  for  the  original  edition  of  the 
Monoitieon,  before  he  was  joined  by  Dugdale,  had  made  numerous  transcripts  from  the 
records  preserved  in  this  tower,  which  were  afterwards  presented  to  the  Bodleian  lA- 
hmjf  Ozfoid,  by  Thomas  Lord  Fairfla. 


480  ANCIENT   REUOIOUS   HOUSES   OF   TORK. 

of  York,  for  the  time  being,  had  power,  once  a  year,  to  visit  8t.  Mary's  Abbey 
for  the  purpose  of  correcting  or  reforming,  by  the  oomicil  of  the  brethren, 
and  by  some  of  his  canons,  any  abuses  that  might  be  introduced. 

The  Lord  Abbot  possessed  seTeral  splendid  country  houses,  the  principal 
of  which  were  at  Deighton  and  Overton  villages,  about  three  miles  distant; 
and  his  town  residence  was  near  St  Faults  Wharf,  London.  He  had  also 
a  spacious  park  at  Benningbrough,  which  was  always  well  stocked  with 
game ;  and  whenever  he  travelled  abroad  in  his  ecclesiajstical  character,  his 
retinue  was  nearly  as  sumptuous  as  that  of  the  Archbishop,  to  whom  he  was 
very  litde  inferior  in  other  respects.  Thus  did  all  go  well  with  this  famous 
Benedictine  Abbey  till  the  reign  of  Henry  VIH.,  when  alas !  all  its  beauty, 
splendour,  riches,  and  power,  could  not  save  it  from  its  impending  doom. 
The  commissioners  were  despatched  to  take  an  inventoiy  of  its  effects,  and 
that  enormous  spoliation,  that  is  veiled  under  the  soft  word  dissohuum, 
soon  followed. 

In  1540,  when  it  was  surrendered  to  the  King,  the  establishment  consisted 
of  fifty  monks,  including  the  Abbot,  Prior,  and  Sub-Prior,  and  probably  about 
150  servants.  The  last  Abbot,  William  Thornton,  or  William  Dent,  ob- 
tained a  pension  of  400  marks  per  annum,  for  the  readiness  with  which  he 
obeyed  the  King's  commands.  The  value  of  the  revenues,  according  to  Dug- 
dale,  amounted  to  £1,550.  7s.  9d.  per  annum.  Speed  says  £2,085.  Is.  5}d., 
"  which,"  observes  Drake,  "  considering  that  these  computations  were  then 
usually  made  by  those  that  had  a  mind  to  be  purchasers,  and  the  diSerence 
of  money  then  and  now,  the  bare  rents  of  the  lands  would  amount  to  an  in- 
conceivable value  at  this  day."  In  the  Valor  of  the  d6th  of  Heniy  Vili. 
(1585),  however,  the  total  clear  yearly  income  of  the  monastoiy  was  rated  at 
£3,001.  4s.  7|d. ;  and  the  clear  annual  value  at  £1,650.  Os.  7^d. — an  enor- 
mous sum  in  those  days. 

This  Abbey  had  six  ceUs  or  branch  establishments,  viz. — ^the  Priory  of  St. 
Bees,  or  Bega,  in  Cumberland,  valued  at  the  dissolution  at  £143.  17s.  d^d. ; 
the  Priory  of  St  Constantine,  at  Wetherall,  in  the  same  oounty,  valued  at 
£117.  lis.  lOfd. ;  St.  Martinis,  near  Richmond,  valued  at  £43.  16s.  8d. ; 
the  Priory  of  Romburch,  in  Cambridgeshire,  no  valuation;  the  Priory  of 
Sandtoft,  in  Lincolnshire,  no  valuation ;  and  the  cell  of  St  Mary  Magdalen, 
near  the  city  of  Lincoln. 

The  Arm8  of  St.  Mary*8  Abbey  are,  az.  on  a  cross  gu,,  a  bezant  chained  with 
the  demi-figure  of  a  King,  crowned,  and  holding ;  a  key  in  the  first  quarter. 
In  the  procession  roll  to  Parliament  in  1512,  the  key  is  wanting. 

In  the  Eboracum  Drake  has  given  an  engraving  of  a  very  ancient  and  rode 


AKCIEKT    RELIGIOUS   HOUSES   OF   YORK. 


481 


seal  of  tliis  Abbej,  appendant  to  a  deed  of  the  time  of  Edward  IV.  The 
figure  of  ihe  Blessed  Virgin  and  Infant  Saviour  in  her  lap  forms  the  device. 
In  the  office  of  the  Duchy  of  Lancaster  is  a  seal  of  Abbot  Robert,  to  a  deed 
without  a  date,  but  apparently  of  the  13th  century.  It  represents  an  abbot 
at  fuU  length ;  in  his  right  hand  a  crozier,  in  his  left  a  book ;  legend,  Si- 
onxYH  RoBERTi  Abbatis  Beate  Marie  Ebor.  In  the  Augmentation 
office  is  a  deed  made  by  Abbot  William  of  York,  dated  6th  of  Edward  IV. 
(1466),  which  has  appended  to  it  the  official  seal  of  the  Abbot.  The  subject 
is  two  female  figures  in  two  compartments,  with  two  Gothic  canopies ;  and 
aU  that  remains  of  the  legend  is  SionxyM  Pbiyatuu.  There  is  another 
seal  of  this  Abbey  in  the  Chapter  House  of  Westminster,  appendant  to  an 
instrument  of  the  dlst  of  Henry  VIEI.  (1530.)  It  is  a  large  oval  seal  of  the 
then  Abbot,  mitred,  but  without  a  crozier,  standing  between  two  shields  of 
arms,  under  a  rich  Gothic  canopy.  At  the  feet,  between  two  tassels,  is 
another  shield  of  arms,  and  underneath  is  a  fish  placed  horizontally.  Le- 
gend, 8.  Dni.  Edmundi.  Whalley,  Abbatis,  Eeclesie*  Beate,  Marie,  Juxta,  Ebor. 

ABBOTS    OF    ST.    MARY'S,    YORK. 


DIED  A.D. 

1.— Stephen  do  Whitby 1112 

2.— Richard    1131 

3.— Godfrid 1182 

4. — SaTarieos 1161 

5.— Clement   1184 

6.— Robert  de  Harpham  1189 

7. — ^Robert  de  Longo  Campo    1239 

8.— William  de  Rondela  1244 

9.~Thoma8  de  Warihill 1258 

10._Simon  de  Warwick 1296 

11.— Benedict  de  Malton    1803 

12.-John  de  Gylling 1313 

13.— Allan  de  Nesse 1331 

14.— Thomas  de  Malton 1859 

15. — William  Marreys  or  Maroys  ....  1882 


DIED  A.D. 

16.— William  Brydford,  D.D 1389 

17.— Thomas  Stayngreve    1398 

18.— Thomas  Pigot 1405 

19.— Thomas  de  Spofforth  *    

20^-William  Dalton  1423 

21.— William  Wellys+ 

22.— Roger  Kirkeby 1438 

23.— John  Cottingham    1464 

24.— Thomas  Bothe     1485 

25.— William  Sever  |  

26. — ^Robert  Warhop  or  Wanhop 1507 

27.— Edmund  Thornton 1521 

28.— Edmund  WaUey  or  Whalley 1530 

29. — ^William  Thornton   (or   Dent)   con- 
tinned  tQl  the  dissolution. 


To  account  for  the  rapid  destruction  of  the  many  splendid  monastic  edifices 
in  this  country,  which  though  shorn  of  their  ancient  glories,  are  stiU  "  Great 
in  ruin,  and  nohle  in  decay,"  it  must  he  home  in  mind  that  at  their  dissolu- 
tion the  large  estahlishments  were  for  the  most  part  granted  hy  the^King  to 

•  In  1422  he  was  translated  to  the  See  of  Hereford. 

<f  In  1486  he  was  consecrated  Bishop  of  Rochester. 

X  In  1502  he  was  translated  to  the  See  of  Durham. 

3  Q 


482  ANCIENT   REUGIOUS   HOUSES  OF  TOBK. 

noble  or  wealthy  fjEimilies,  in  consideration  of  senricey  or  of  payment  of  a  sum 
of  money ;  and  that  it  was  not  unnataral  for  the  new  owners,  under  the  ap- 
prehensions excited  by  the  unsettled  state  of  the  Reformation,  to  hasten  and 
complete  the  work  of  demolition,  which  religious  zeal  had  begun.  The  Abbey 
of  St.  Mary  was  retained  by  the  Crown,  yet  it  shared  in  the  fate  which 
befel  the  greater  part  of  the  religious  houses  in  England  at  that  period. 
Soon  after  the  monks  vacated  it,  an  order  for  its  destruction  was  issued,  with 
directions  to  erect  on  its  site  out  of  the  ruins,  a  residence  for  the  Lord  Presi- 
dents of  the  North,  to  be  called  the  King'9  McmoTt  in  order  "  that  the  very 
name  and  memory  of  the  Abbey  might  be  lost  for  oyer.**  The  site  chosen 
for  this  edifice  was  that  of  the  south  transept  of  the  church,  and  the  buildings 
of  the  Abbey,  which  extended  from  the  transept  to  nearly  the  wall  of  the 
Abbey  close,  including  the  Chapter  House,  with  its  yestibule;  also  the 
library,  the  scriptorium,  and  seyeral  other  rooms,  the  use  of  which  is  not 
known.  In  fact  it  stood  on  the  ground  now  occupied  by  the  Yorkshire  Mu- 
seum, but  it  extended  over  a  greater  space ;  and  in  the  lower  apartments  of 
the  Museum  may  now  be  seen  a  portion  of  the  foundations  of  the  front  wall 
of  this  mansion,  with  the  fire-place  of  the  room  of  the  Abbey,  through  which 
the  wall  was  carried.  The  two  fine  vaults  at  the  end  of  the  play-ground  of 
the  School  for  the  Blind  likewise  belonged  to  this  residence.  These  cell&rs, 
which  are  arehed  with  stone,  and  measure  IS9  feet  long  by  dd  feet  wide,  and 
11  feet  high,  and  in  each  of  which  is  a  well  of  excellent  water,  stand  baieath 
the  ruins  of  the  kitchen  and  other  domestic  offices  of  that  mansion,  and  are 
erroneously  stated  by  some  to  have  been  the  cellars  of  St  Mary*s  Abbey. 
(See  page  343.) 

In  1701  such  of  the  buildings  of  the  Abbey  as  still  remained  were  granted 
by  William  III.  to  the  magistrates  of  the  county,  to  be  employed  in  the  erec- 
tion of  the  county  gaol,  or  what  are  called  the  "  Old  Buildings  **  of  York 
Castle.  In  1705  the  neighbouring  church  of  St.  Olave  was  extensively 
repaired  from  the  same  quarter ;  and  in  1717  the  Corporation  of  BcTeriej 
was  allowed  to  carry  away,  during  the  space  of  three  years,  as  much  stone  as 
was  required  for  the  restoration  of  Beverley  Minster.  In  the  supply  of  mate- 
rials for  these  and  some  minor  works,  the  decayed  part  of  the  Manor  Palace, 
the  wall  by  the  river,  with  those  buildings  of  the  monasteiy  which  had  ^ot 
before  been  destroyed,  almost  totally  disappeared.  Lai^e  quantities  of  the 
hallowed  stone  of  the  conventual  chureh  were  even  burnt  into  lime  upon  the 
spot,  and  conveyed  to  different  parts  of  the  country. 

"  That  after  such  repeated  and  extensive  spoliations  one  stone  should  U^ 
left  standing  upon  another,  to  mark  the  spot  on  which  this  once  splendid 


ANCIENT   RELIGIOUS   HOUSES   OF  YORK.  483 

establishment  flourished,  is  a  matter  of  pleasing  astonishment,**  writes  Mr. 
Allen,  **  that  no  more  remains  must  ever  be  deeply  regretted  by  all  who  are 
capable  of  forming  any  just  conception,  from  the  little  that  violence  and  time 
have  spared,  of  the  exquisite  taste  and  unrivalled  elegance  that  distinguished 
the  original  structure.  Unaided  by  those  circumstances  which  usually  ac- 
company, and  throw  an  indescribable  charm  around  the  mouldering  monu- 
ments of  ancient  piety,  the  ruins  of  tile  conventual  church  of  St.  Mary  liave 
afibrded  a  favourite  subject  for  ihe  pencil  of  the  artist,  and  gratified  even  the 
most  fastidious  lover  of  the  picturesque. "  No  one  ever  visited  York  with  any 
curiosity  to  behold  the  relics  of  its  former  greatness  and  splendour,  and  con- 
templated without  admiration  a  scene  which  familiarity  deprives  not  of  the 
power  to  interest  and  delight.  No  lover  of  ancient  ecclesiastical  architecture 
ever  walked  over  that  part  of  the  close  of  the  monastery  of  St.  Mary  acces- 
sible to  the  visitant,  without  thinking  of  the  once  magnificent  refectory,  the 
retired  cloister,  the  splendid  Chapter  House,  on  the  site  of  which  he  was 
treading,  without  feeling  an  earnest  wish  that  the  research,  which  had  been 
attended  with  so  much  success  at  Whalley  and  at  Jervaulx,  might  here  also 
be  undertaken ;  or,  without  indulging  the  confident  hope  that  it  would  bo  as 
amply  rewarded  by  curious  and  valuable  discoveries.  A  fortunate  concur- 
rence of  circumstances  has  at  length  realized  such  wishes,  justified  such  a 
hope,  and  added  to  our  means  of  investigating  the  economy  of  monastic 
establishments;"'*' 

Mr.  Allen  here  aUndes  to  the  grant  from  the  Crown  which  the  Yorkshire 
Philosophical  Society  received  in  1837,  of  nearly  three  acres  of  ground  within 
the  ancient  precincts  of  the  Abbey,  including  the  remains  of  the  Abbey 
church,  with  the  exception  of  the  choir ;  and  to  the  subsequent  excavations 
carried  on  by  that  body,  by  which  the  ground  plan  of  the  monastic  buildings, 
intersected  by  the  massive  foundations  of  the  Manor  Palace,  were  discovered 
and  laid  bare.  This  Society  selected  as  the  site  of  the  building  for  their 
Museum,  &c.,  the  ^t  upon  which  the  front  part  of  the  Lord  President's 
mansion  had  formerly  stood,  and  which  at  an  earlier  period  had  been  occupied 
by  the  range  of  the  buildings  and  apartments  of  the  Abbey.  Upon  removing 
the  rubbish,  and  opening  the  ground,  considerable  portions  of  the  walls  of 
the  monastery,  of  spacious  and  elegant  doorways,  of  columns  of  varied  forms, 
rising  to  the  height  of  five  or  six  feet,  standing  as  they  did  before  the  Abbey 
was  dismantled,  were  brought  to  light.  In  the  intervening  spaces  were  scat- 
tered numberless  fragments  of  capitals,  mouldings,  and  rich  tracery  work. 

*  History  of  Yorkshire,  Book  iii.,  page  070. 


481  ANCIENT   REUQIOUS   HOUSES   OF   YORK. 

Of  similar  materials  the  foundation  walls  of  the  palace,  upon  being  broken 
up,  were  found  to  consist.  "  Not  an  hour  passed,"  says  Allen,  "  without 
bringing  to  light  some  long-buried  beautiful  specimens  of  the  art  and  fiincy 
of  the  monastic  sculptor,  some  memorial  of  departed  splendour,  to  gratify  the 
eye,  to  exercise  the  imagination,  to  send  back  the  thoughts  to  times  and  per- 
sons, and  manners,  long  passed  away." 

The  Rev.  C.  Wellbeloved,  the  late  E.  Strickland,  Esq.,  and  a  few  lovers 
of  antiquarian  research,  raised  a  subscription  for  the  purpose  of  extending 
the  excaTations  beyond  what  was  necessary  for  the  foundations  of  the  Mu- 
seum, and  when  this  sum  was  exhausted  the  Council  of  the  society  undertook 
the  completion  of  the  work  so  happily  b^un ;  and  thus  was  dlscoTered  the 
situation  and  extent  of  the  chief  buildings  that  composed  this  splendid 
monastic  establishment 

The  church  of  the  Abbey  was  871  feet  in  length,  and  GO  feet  in  breadth. 
It  was  cruciform  in  shape,  with  a  central  tower.  That  picturesque  ruio, 
which  consists  of  a  part  of  the  north  wall  of  the  nave,  containing  the  spaces 
of  eight  windows,  and  portions  of  the  clustered  columns  at  each  end  of  the 
nave,  is  all  the  remains  of  that  splendid  edifice.  The  tracery,  and  in  some 
of  the  windows  the  mullions,  have  entirely  disappeared.  The  nave  and  choir 
had  two  side  aisles,  the  transepts  had  only  one  aisle,  on  the  eastern  side. 
There  was  only  one  entrance  to  the  nave  at  the  western  end,  on  the  northern 
side  was  another  doorway,  and  on  the  southern  side,  near  the  transept,  was  an 
entrance  from  the  quadrangle,  and  probably  there  was  another  from  the  western 
end  near  the  dormitory.  The  remains  of  the  western  front  of  the  church 
must  have  been,  in  its  perfect  state,  exceedingly  beautiful.  It  was  divided 
into  three  divisions  by  buttresses,  crowned  with  turrets  or  spires  and  crockeCed 
pinnacles.  The  ornaments  about  the  doorway  have  been  singularly  elegant, 
chaste,  and  gracefid.  In  the  deep  hollow  moulding  between  every  column 
is  figured  the  shoot  of  a  vine,  rising  from  the  bottom  and  forming  at  the  top 
a  foliated  capital.  At  the  eastern  end  of  the  nave  are  the  remains  of  the  four 
piers  that  supported  the  central  tower.  The  extent  of  the  transepts  is  also 
shewn  by  the  remaining  bases  of  the  pillars.  Of  the  choir  (which  was  of 
unusual  length)  nothing  is  left  but  the  bases  of  the  piUars  and  walls.  This 
portion  of  the  ruin  is  in  the  grounds  of  the  School  for  the  Blind,  which 
adjoin  the  Museum  gardens.  The  general  style  of  the  ruin  is  Decorated, 
and  it  certainly  forms  a  very  interesting  specimen  of  the  time  of  Henry  HE. 
This  church,  when  perfect,  must  have  almost  rivalled  the  Minster  in  beauty. 
Sufficient  yet  remains  of  the  ruins  of  the  Abbey  to  carry  the  mind  back  to 
other  times,  and  to  indicate  the  labours  and  the  resting  place  of  the  first 


ANCIENT   BELIGIOUS   HOUSES   OF  YORK.  485 

Abbot,  Stephen  de  Whitby,  who  died  in  11  Id,  and  whose  supposed  tombstone, 
thus  inscribed,  is  seen  in  a  small  court  east  of  the  ruins  of  the  church ;  Hic 
Jacet  :  Stepams  Ab.  B.  Jspn.  This  stone,  which  measures  6  feet  2i  inches 
long,  bj  3  feet  1^  inches  wide,  and  7  inches  thick,  is  much  mutilated,  and 
the  inscription  is  scarcely  legible.  The  great  quadrangle,  in  its  usual  situ- 
ation on  the  south  side  of  the  nave,  was  probably  furnished  with  a  pent- 
house cloister  on  every  side. 

In  the  western  cloister  the  school  of  the  monastery  was  usually  kept ;  and 
near  this  side  fragments  of  painted  tiles  were  found,  having  on  them  the  letters 
of  the  alphabet  in  characters  of  the  14th  century,  which  were  read  from  right 
to  left. 

There  are  no  remains  of  the  Chapter  House  of  the  Abbey,  but  the  lowest 
portion  of  the  foundations,  built  of  grit  stone,  and  therefore  probably  be- 
longing to  the  structure  of  Stephen.  All  above  the  foundation  seems  to  have 
been  removed  to  make  room  for  the  spacious  cellars  of  the  Lord  President's 
residence,  the  walls  of  which  evidently  contain  many  of  the  finely-sculptured 
stones  that  adorned  this  once  magnificent  apartment.  The  approach  to  the 
Chapter  House  firom  the  quadrangle  was  through  a  beautiful  vestibule,  sup- 
ported by  two  rows  of  pillars. 

A  range  of  four  arches  formed  the  entrance  to  the  vestibule  and  the  ad- 
joining passage  from  the  cloister.  There  is  nothing  equal  or  similar  to  this 
grand  vestibule  to  be  traced  in  any  of  the  great  Abbeys,  excepting,  perhaps, 
Kirkstall.  The  preservation  of  so  much  of  this  part  of  the  monastery,  and 
of  the  whole  range  of  apartments  south  of  the  transept,  is  owing  to  the  archi- 
tects of  the  Lord  President's  palace  having  chosen  this  to  be  the  site  of  the 
front  of  that  building,  and  to  their  having  also  taken  the  level  of  the  transept 
for  that  of  their  ground  floor.  All  below  that  level  they  left  standing,  filling 
the  space  not  occupied  by  the  foundation  walls  of  the  palace  with  the  frag- 
ments of  the  Abbey.  Amongst  the  numerous  apartments  discovered  is  the 
refectory,  82  feet  long  and  87  wide,  corresponding  in  its  dimensions  with  the 
magnitude  of  the  establishment.  It  was  longitudinally  divided  into  three 
parts  by  two  rows  of  octangular  pillars,  five  in  each  row.  Adjoining  the^. 
refectory  was  an  apartment,  which,  if  the  finely- worked  bosses  or  ceiling 
knots  found  buried  in  it  had  originally  adorned  its  roof,  as  they  most  probably 
did,  must  have  possessed  exquisite  beauty.  This  room  was  divided  longitu- 
dinally and  transversely  into  three  equal  parts  by  elegant  moulded  pillars, 
resting  on  a  cluster  of  regular  octangular  bases,  from  which,  without  capitals, 
sprang  ribs  for  the  support  of  the  vaulting.  It  had  a  large  ornamented  fire- 
place, backed  with  tiles,  finished  in  front  with  grit  stone,  and  guarded  by  a 


486  ANCIENT    BELiaiOUS   HOUSES   OF   YORK. 

stone  fender.  The  foundation  of  the  front  of  the  Lord  President's  palace 
passed  through  this  room  hetween  the  fire-place  and  the  nearest  row  of  pil- 
lars, and  to  this  circumstance  we  owe  the  preservation  of  the  fire-place,  which 
is  still  standing,  as  we  have  already  ohserved,  in  one  of  ihe  lower  apartments 
of  the  Museum. 

This  latter  apartment  is  supposed  to  have  heen  the  parlour,  or  perhaps  the 
"  common  house,"  which  is  described  "  as  having  a  fire  constantly  by  day 
in  winter  for  the  use  of  the  monks,  who  were  allowed  no  other  fire."*  It 
was  furnished  with  a  stone  seat  on  every  side.  Two  other  apartments,  one 
75  feet  long  and  30  feet  wide,  divided  transversely  into  six  parts  by  ^Ye  oc- 
tagonal piers ;  and  the  other  divided  transversely  into  three  parts  by  octagonal 
piers,  without  capitals,  from  which  the  vaulting  sprang ;  are  supposed  to  have 
been  the  guest  room,  or  the  refectory  of  the  novices ;  and  the  library,  or  the 
scriptorium,!  or  both. 

Portions  of  the  site  of  the  Abbot's  residence  are  still  remaining  in  the 
buildings  on  the  same  site  selected  by  James  I.  for  a  royal  palace,  and  now 
occupied  by  the  Wilberforce  School  for  the  Blind. 

At  the  lower  end  of  the  Abbey  close — ^towards  the  river — stands  a  large 
building  which  is  now  called  the  Hospitium  of  the  monastery.  "  There  is  no 
documentary  or  traditionary  evidence  respecting  either  the  age  of  the  building 
or  of  the  uses  to  which  it  was  applied,"  says  Mr.  Wellbeloved,  in  the  little 
work  already  referred  to,  ''It  did  not  come  within  the  limits  of  the  portion  of 
the  Abbey  close,  granted  by  the  Crown  to  the  Yorkshire  Philosophical  So- 
ciety;"  continues  that  gentleman,  "and  being  at  that  time  partly  occupied 

•  See  Fosbrooke's  British  Monachison,  p.  69. 

4  The  Seriptorium  was  the  apartment  for  transcribing  books,  especially  the  Bible,  in 
the  monastic  cloister.  In  the  early  and  middle  ages  of  Christiaxiity  the  pen  was  the 
engine  for  doing  the  work  of  our  machinery ;  and  that  the  labonr  of  the  monks  in 
transcribing  and  illuminating  was  prodigious,  is  amply  attested  by  the  list  of  works  they 
produced.  "  Books  were  then  so  beautifully  painted  and  embellished  with  emblems  and 
miniatures,"  says  Oerbert,  **  that  the  whole  seemed  to  be  the  produce  not  of  human  bnt  of 
angelic  hands.*'  In  the  scriptorium  the  toiling  monk — ^that  pioneer  of  biblical  literature 
— ^plied  his  weary  task — tracing  letter  after  letter  on  the  page  of  vellum — ^for  many  a  year 
before  one  single  copy  of  the  bible  was  produced.  Leomine,  in  his  typographical  an- 
tiquities quoted  by  Home,  says  "  Fifty  years  were  sometimes  employed  to  produce  a 
single  volume,  an  evidence  of  which  occurred  at  the  sale  of  the  lato  Sir  William  Bnrrel's 
books,  in  1796.  Among  these  was  a  MS.  Bible,  beautifdlly  written  on  vellum  and  iDu- 
minated,  which  had  taken  the  writer  half  a  century  to  execute.  The  writer,  Gnido  de 
Jars,  began  it  in  his  40th  year,  and  did  not  finish  it  till  he  had  accomplished  his  90th, 
A.D.  1294,  in  the  reign  of  Philip  the  Fair,  as  appeared  by  the  writer's  own  autograph  in 
the  front  of  the  book." 


ANCIENT   REMGIOUS   HOUSES   OF   TOEK.  487 

by  two  or  three  families,  and  partly  by  stalls  for  their  horses  and  cattle,  the 
internal  character  of  the  building  could  not  possibly  be  ascertained.  It  was 
then  supposed  that  it  might  have  been  the  Grange  of  the  Abbey.  But  that 
notion  was  at  once  abandoned  when,  having  come  into  the  possession  of  the 
Society,  it  was  cleared  of  all  the  nuisances  by  which  it  had  been  long  encum- 
bered and  defiled.  It  was  then  conjectured  that  it  had  been  erected  for  the  en- 
tertainment of  those  strangers  who  were  not  admitted  to  the  principal  apart- 
ments of  the  monastery  ;  the  lower  room  having  been  the  refectory,  and  the 
upper,  originally  of  the  same  extent,  the  dormitory.  The  position  of  this 
building,  near  one  of  the  entrances  to  the  monastery,  and  the  correspondence 
of  the  plan  of  the  lower  room  with  that  of  the  refectory  for  the  monks,  tend 
to  confirm  that  conjecture.  The  portion  of  the  lower  apaitment  on  the  left 
of  the  doorway,  lighted  by  five  narrow  windows,  was  originally  separated  by 
a  cross  wall  from  the  other  portion,  forming  perhaps  a  store  room  or  buttery. 

If  this  building  was  originally  such  as  it  now  is,  constructed  partly  of 
stone  and  partly  of  timber  and  plaster,  it  must  have  been  one  of  the  later 
structures  belonging  to  the  monastery.  Yet  it  cannot  have  been  the  latest, 
for  the  manner  in  which  the  a^oining  archway  is  attached  to  it,  indicates 
that  this  was  subsequently  erected.  And  this  is  evidently  of  the  same  age 
as  the  building  ai^oining  the  ancient  Abbey  gate.  This  archway  appears  to 
have  been  the  entrance  into  the  interior  of  the  Abbey  close  from  the  river, 
and  may  be  termed  the  Water-gate.  Between  it  and  the  river  were  two 
walls,  built  by  Abbot  Thomas  de  Malton  in  1534 ;  the  one  proceeding  from 
the  tower  at  the  end  of  the  Abbey  wall,  in  Marygate,  along  the  margin  of  the 
river,  till  it  met  the  Abbey  wall  from  near  Bootham  Bar ;  and  the  other 
parallel  to  it,  near  the  Water-gate.  The  apartments  attached  to  this  gateway 
may  have  been  the  residence  not  only  of  the  gate-keeper,  but  also  of  those 
whose  diitj  it  was  to  attend  to  the  strangers  who  were  received  into  the  Hos- 
pitium."  This  building  now  contains  a  fine  collection  of  Egyptian,  Roman, 
Saxon,  and  Medieval  antiquities — ^being  part  of  the  Yorkshire  Museum. 

In  levelling  the  ground  of  the  south  aisle  of  the  nave  of  the  Abbey  church 
the  workmen  discovered,  at  the  depth  of  eight  feet,  seven  statues,  lying  with 
the  faces  downward ;  four  of  them  were  nearly  perfect,  but  the  three  others 
were  much  mutilated.  All  of  them  had  been  painted  and  gilded,  but  the 
coloujrs  rapidly  fEuled  on  being  exposed  to  the  light  and  air.  The  form  of  the 
drapery  is  different  in  each,  but  elegant  in  all,  though  the  workmanship  is 
somewhat  rude.  At  the  back  of  each  of  these  statues  is  part  of  the  shaft  of 
a  pillar,  about  seven  inches  in  diameter,  which  determines  their  situation  in 
the  church  to  have  been  against  the  columns  that  supported  the  groinings  of 


488  ANCIENT   RELIGIOUS   HOUSES   OF   TORS. 

the  Foof ;  and  since  there  were  seven  pillars  in  the  nave,  we  may  conclude 
that  there  were  originallj  at  least  fourteen  statues,  and  that  the  above-named 
seven  had  been  placed  on  the  side  near  which  ihey  were  buried.  It  is  now 
considered  beyond  doubt  that  the  two  statues,  long  known  in  York  as  curious 
relics  of  antiquity,  and  the  figures  of  which  may  be  seen  in  Plate  8  of  Drake's 
Eboracum,  belonged  to  this  set,  as  they  correspond  in  every  important  re- 
spect with  those  found  in  the  ruins  of  the  Abbey.  Dr.  Gale  supposed  these 
two  statues  represented  a  Roman  senator  and  his  lady,  but  Drake  justly 
objects  to  this  on  account  of  the  form  of  the  beard.  The  latter  writer  thus 
alludes  to  them : — ''  On  the  churchyard  wall  of  St.  Lawrence,  extra  Walm- 
gate,  lie  two  veiy  ancient  statues  prostrate ;  but  whether  Roman  or  Saxon, 
Pagan  or  Christian,  since  better  antiquaries  than  myself  have  been  puzzled, 
I  shall  not  determine." 

Both  Allen  and  Wellbeloved  say  that  one  of  them  is  evidently  a  figure  of 
St  John  the  Baptist,  bearing  his  proper  emblem — a  lamb  on  his  left  arm ;  and 
that  it  closely  resembles  a  statue  of  the  Baptist  on  the  porch  of  the  chapel 
of  Magdalen  College,  Oxford,  as  drawn  by  Carter.  "  Supposing  these  two  to 
have  belonged  to  the  church  of  St.  Mary's  Abbey,"  continues  the  former,  '4t 
may  be  safely  conjectured  that  the  fourteen  statues,  which  probably  adorned 
the  nave  of  that  church,  or  at  least  some  of  them,  were  emblematical  repre- 
sentations of  '  the  Old  and  New  Law ;'  agreeable  to  the  explanation  which 
William  of  Worcester  has  given  of  some  of  the  numerous  figures  that  graced 
the  western  front  of  the  Cathedral  of  Wells."*  If  these  observations  be  just, 
the  statues  must  be  coeval  with  the  nave  of  the  Abbey  Church,  which  was 
built  at  the  end  of  the  Idth  or  the  beginning  of  the  14th  century. 

The  seven  first  named  statues  are  now  deposited  in  the  Yorkshire  Museum, 
and  the  two  which  had  long  served  as  coping  stones  to  the  wall  of  the  church 
yard  of  St.  Lawrence,  are  now  to  be  seen  fixed  against  the  wall  of  that  church 
(the  churchyard  wall  having  been  removed),  one  on  each  side  of  the  north 
doorway.  Mr.  Wellbeloved  tells  us  that  one  of  this  series  of  statues  having 
long  formed  part  of  the  arch  of  the  bridge  at  Clifton,  has  recently  been  re- 
moved and.  restored,  in  a  sadly  weatherworn  state,  to  its  fellows  in  the 
Museum. 

Since  the  venerable  remains  of  the  Abbey  came  into  the  possession  of  the 
Philosophical  Society,  every  means  have  been  taken  to  preserve  and  beautify 
them.  Several  of  the  remains,  laid  bare  by  the  extensive  excavation  already 
mentioned,  are  still  exposed  to  view  near  the  ruins. 

*  Allen's  Hist,  of  Yorks.,  on  the  authority  of  Carter's  Specimens  of  Andent  Sonlptnre. 


ANCIENT    BELIOIOUS   HOUSES   OF   TORK.  489 

In  the  entrance  hall  of  the  Yorkshire  Museum  is  a  veiy  interesting  relic 
of  the  Abbey  of  St.  Maiy.  It  is  the  Mortar  of  the  infirmary  of  the  estab- 
lishment— a  beautiful  specimen  of  Mediaeval  art— of  bell  metal,  weighing 
76  lbs.,  and  bearing  the  following  inscription  in  Old  English  characters. 

On  the  upper  rim : 1-  Mortariu.  Sci.  Johis.  EwangeL  De.  Ifirmaria.  Bg, 

Marie.  Ebar.      The  lower : J-  Fr.  Wills.  De.  Toutharp.  Me.  Fecit.  A.D. 

MCCCVIIL 

For  nearly  two  centuries  after  the  dissolution  of  the  Abbey,  nothing  is 
known  of  this  ancient  mortar.  The  earliest  notice  we  have  of  it  occurs  in  an 
anonymous  letter  to  Gent,  published  by  hijn  in  his  History  of  Hull,  and 
dated  1734.  The  writer  of  the  letter  states  that  after  having  been  long  in 
the  possession  of  the  Fairfax  famUy  it  had  passed  into  the  hands  of  Mr. 
Smith,  a  bell-founder  in  York,  by  whom  it  had  been  sold  to  a  Mr.  Addington, 
whose  son  Joseph  Addington,  confectioner,  in  the  Minster  Yard,  had  pos- 
session of  it  at  the  date  of  the  letter.  Gough,  in  his  edition  of  Camden's 
Britannia,  published  in  1780,  says,  "  It  was  lately  in  the  hands  of  an  apo- 
thecary at  Selby,  after  whose  death  all  traces  of  it  were  lost."  In  1811,  Mr. 
Rudder,  a  bell  founder  at  Birmingham,  discovered  it  in  his  metal  warehouse 
amidst  a  large  quantity  of  old  metal  which  he  had  purchased,  and  unwilling 
to  commit  so  interesting  and  beautiful  a  relic  to  the  furnace,  he  put  it  aside 
year  afler  year,  and  at  length  removed  it  to  his  private  residence ;  and  finally 
presented  it  to  his  antiquarian  friend  Mr.  Blount,  an  eminent  surgeon  in 
Birmingham.  After  his  death  it  was  sold  by  auction,  in  the  year  1835,  with 
the  rest  of  his  coUection,  and  purchased  at  a  considerable  price  by  Mr.  Samuel 
Kenrick,  of  West  Bromwich,  for  the  generous  and  laudable  purpose  of  re- 
storing it  to  its  proper  place  among  the  remains  of  the  religious  establishment 
to  which  it  originally  belonged. 

The  wall  which  surrounded  the  Abbey  Close,  and  which  is  supposed  to 
have  been  built  by  Abbot  Simon,  enclosed  about  fifteen  acres.  A  great  part 
of  this  wall  still  remains  behind  the  houses  on  the  south  side  of  Bootham, 
and  in  Marygate.  Besides  the  close,  properly  so  called,  the  Abbey  possessed 
a  spacious  piece  of  rich  ground  to  the  north  of  Marygate,  running  down  to 
the  river,  which  was  called  Almiy,  or  Almonry-garth.  The  Abbey  had  two 
principal  gates  (besides  the  one  which  Mr.  Wellbeloved  calls  the  Watergate), 
one  to  the  east,  opening  into  Bootham,  near  Bootham  Bar  (the  present  en- 
trance to  the  Manor  or  School  for  the  Blind) ;  and  the  second,  or  principal 
entrance,  opening  into  Marygate,  and  now  forming  the  entrance  to  the  Mu- 
seum Gardens  from  that  street.  The  remains  of  the  latter  entrance  consist 
of  a  fine  old  arch  and  aicade  of  the  Norman  period,  having  attached  to  them 

3  R 


UH)  ANCTKNT    liKIJOrOUS    HOUSES    OF    YORK. 

a  part  of  the  gate-house,  the  residence  of  the  porter,  which  is  evidently  of  a 
later  date ;  the  portion  above  the  archway  and  on  the  other  side  of  it  being 
destroyed.  The  lower  story  of  the  part  of  the  gate-house  still  standing  ap- 
pears to  have  been  the  prison  of  the  Abbey,  in  which  debtors  to  the  Abbot, 
in  the  extensive  liberties  of  St.  Mary,  and  perhaps  others  subject  to  his 
power,  were  confined.  The  upper  part,  Mr.  Wellbeloved  says,  was  probably 
the  room  in  which  the  Abbot  held  his  courts ;  but  Mr.  Hargrove  states  that 
the  court  of  the  said  liberties  was  held  by  the  Steward  of  the  Abbot  in  a  large 
room  over  the  gateway,  which  was  ascended  by  a  flight  of  stone  steps,  and 
the  floor  of  which  was  neatly  executed  in  chequered  marble.*  The  present 
building,  and  that  which  corresponded  to  it  on  the  other  side  of  the  gateway, 
is  supposed  to  have  been  added  to  the  ancient  gate  in  the  latter  half  of  the 
16th  century.  This  part  of  the  gate-house,  after  being  for  several  years  a 
public-house,  was  restored  about  sixteen  years  ago,  and  has  since  been  the 
residence  of  Professor  Phillips.  The  style  of  the  exterior  of  the  old  building 
was  studiously  preserved.  Tradition  has  placed  upon  the  site  of  St.  Mary's 
Abbey  the  pagan  Temple  of  Bellona.  Near  Earsley  Bridge,  on  the  Foss, 
formerly  stood  the  mills  of  the  Abbot  of  St.  Mary's  Abbey,  but  they  have 
long  since  disappeared. 

PiuoRY  OF  THE  HoLY  Trinitt,  Micklcgate. — There  was  a  religious  estab- 
lishment or  a  church  here  endowed  for  Canons  in  very  early  times.  It  is 
twice  mentioned  in  the  Domesday  Survey,  where,  in  one  entry,  an  allusion 
to  its  privileges  occurs,  though  these  are  not  stated  at  large ;  nor  is  there 
any  notice  of  the  predial  rents  with  which  it  was  endowed.  Soon  after  the 
Conquest  the  house  became  decayed,  and  the  Canons  were  brought  to  ruin ; 
and  the  site  of  the  former  became  a  part  of  the  fee  of  Ralph  de  PaganeU,  or 
Paynell,  one  of  the  Conqueror's  followers.  Ralph  PaganeU  refounded  the 
monastery,  and  renewed  the  endowment,  not  for  Canons,  but  for  Benedictine 
monks,  in  1089,  and  gave  it  as  a  cell  to  the  Abbey  of  St.  Martin  Marmou- 
stier,  at  Tours,  in  France.  The  endowment  of  the  new  foundation  consisted 
of  the  adjoining  church  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  with  three  crofts  appertaining  to 
it ;  the  church  of  St.  Helen,  in  York,  with  the  toft  adjacent ;  also  the  churches 
of  All  Saints,  in  North  Street,  and  St.  Bridget,  in  Micklegate,  and  the  chapel 
of  St.  James,  without  the  walls.  The  founder  likewise  gave  the  monks 
various  churches,  and  the  tithes  of  several  halls,  in  Yorkshire  and  Lincoln- 
shire, including  the  churches  of  Leeds,  Barton-in-Ryedale,  Hoton-in-Bilaham, 
Moncton,  Ardington,  and  Stratton,  with  several  lands,  fisheries,  &c. 

*  Hargrove's  History  of  York,  vol.  ii.,  page  591. 


ANCIENT    RELIGIOUS   HOUSES   OF   YORK.  491 

The  temporalities  of  this  Priory  in  1292  were  rated  at  no  less  than  £60. 
lOs.  5d,  per  annum.  In  the  34th  of  Edward  I.  (1305),  by  an  inquisition 
taken  at  York,  it  was  found  that  the  heirs  of  the  founder  had  no  right  in  these 
temporalities  on  the  death  of  any  Prior;  and  that  the  Abbot  of  Marmonstier 
bad  the  sole  appointment  of  a  successor.  In  the  30th  of  Edward  m.  (1357), 
that  monarch  confirmed  all  the  privileges  and  possessions  of  the  Priory.  Upon 
the  suppression  of  the  alien  monasteries,  this  Prioiy  was  suffered  to  remain ; 
and  according  to  Cotton's  abridgement,  it  was  made  denizen  by  consent  of  Par- 
liament in  the  4th  of  Henry  VI.  (1426.)  In  consequence  of  the  exclusive 
patronage  of  the  Abbot  of  Marmonstier,  the  Priors  of  this  monastery  were 
neither  admitted  nor  confirmed  by  the  Archbishops  of  the  province ;  we  have 
therefore  no  regular  catalogue  of  them.  Stephen  was  admitted  Prior  in  1231 ; 
Oliver  de  Gages,  Prior  of  this  monastery  in  1307,  was  excommunicated  by  the 
Archbishop  of  the  diocese ;  John  de  Chesiaco  was  Prior  in  1357  ;  and  John 
Bum  in  1453.  Richard  Speyte,  the  last  Prior,  surrendered  the  house  in  the 
26th  of  Henry  VIII.  (1636),  when  the  amount  of  its  revenues  was  £196.  17s. 
2d. ;  the  clear  receipts  being  £169.  9s.  lOd.  per  annum.  In  1543  the  site  and 
the  demesne  lands  were  granted  to  Leonard  Beckwith.  In  1736  the  property 
belonged  to  the  Goodrick  family  of  Ribston.  "  The  circuit  of  ground  be- 
longing to  the  site  of  this  Priory,"  says  Drake,  "  was  of  great  extent,  being 
bounded  by  the  street  on  one  side,  a  lane  called  Trinity  Lane  on  the  east, 
the  city  walls  on  the  west,  and  its  own  walls  on  the  south."  The  site  long 
called  Trinity  Gardens,  and  long  occupied  as  a  garden  ground,  has,  as  we 
have  shown  at  page  359,  been  recently  purchased  with  the  view  of  making 
a  new  thoroughfare  from  Micklcgato  to  Bishophill.  The  only  portion  re- 
maining of  this  once  splendid  Priory  is  the  nave  of  the  church  (now  the 
parish  church  of  Holy  Trinity).  An  old  gateway,  fronting  into  Micklegate, 
which  formerly  was  the  portal  of  the  monastery,  has  just  been  removed,  and 
the  new  street  is  to  unite  with  Micklegate  at  the  point  where  it  stood.  That 
venerable  portal  consisted  of  a  beautiful  spacious  arch,  which  sprung  from 
dwarf  piers ;  above  which  was  a  square  window  of  three  lights,  with  sculp- 
tured blocks  supporting  the  cornice.  The  roof  terminated  in  a  plain  gable. 
An  imperfect  copy  of  the  seal  of  the  Priory  is  given  by  Drake,  in  his  Ap- 
pendix, p.  ci.  It  is  of  an  oval  form,  having  in  the  area  the  first  person  of 
the  Blessed  Trinity,  holding  in  front  a  figure  of  our  Divine  Redeemer  on  the 
Cross.  The  inscription,  when  perfect,  seems  to  have  been  Siouxu.  Pri- 
oRATvs.  Sakcte.  Tbinitatis.  Ebor. 

The  Monastery  of  Dominican  Friars,  or  Friars  Preachers,  was  estab- 
lished in  York  early  in  the  reign  of  Ilcnry  III.,  by  the  bounty  of  Brynn 


492  ANXIENT   RELIGIOUS    HOUSES   OP   YORK. 

Stapleton,  Esq.  The  monastery  is  supposed  to  have  stood  near  the  end  of 
the  platforms  of  the  Railway  Station,  on  part  of  the  ground  called  Les  Toftes, 
Previous  to  the  excavations  for  the  railway,  the  site  of  this  monastery  was 
also  called  Friars  Gardens.  In  the  82nd  of  Henry  Vill.  (1641),  the  huilding, 
Arc,  were  granted  to  William  Blytheman.  When  Allen  wrote,  in  1829,  the 
only  remains  of  the  institution  was  a  curious  old  draw-well,  situated  in  the 
gardens;  hut  the  gardens  and  draw-weU  have  since  disappeared,  and  the 
whole  of  the  site  of  the  monastery  is  swallowed  up  in  the  Railway  Station. 

The  Monastery  of  the  Order  of  St.  Francis,  commonly  called  Grey 
Friars f  or  Friars  Minors^  was  situated  on  the  north  side  of  the  Ouse,  near 
the  Castle.  Of  this  extensive  and  celehrated  house,  the  scene  of  many  im- 
portant events,  Drake  writes  as  follows : — "  We  are  informed  hy  historians 
that  the  monastery  of  the  Friars  Minors  was  usually  the  residence  of  our 
former  English  Kings,  when  they  came  to  York ;  and  that  it  was  noble  and 
spacious,  we  are  assured  by  Froissart,  who  tells  us  that  Edward  III.  and  his 
mother  both  lodged  in  it,  when  the  fray  happened  betwixt  the  English  soldiers 
and  strangers." 

We  find  by  this  historian  that  the  building  was  so  convenient,  that  each 
of  these  royal  guests,  though  attended  with  a  numerous  suite  of  quality,  kept 
court  apart  in  it ;  which  must  argue  it  a  structure  of  very  great  extent  and 
magnificence.  By  a  patent  of  Richard  IT.,  the  fact  of  its  being  made  use  of 
as  a  regal  palace  is  confirmed.  That  King  strictly  prohibited  any  person 
from  carrying  of  filth,  or  laying  of  dunghills,  <fec.,  in  the  lanes  or  passages 
leading  to  the  monastery ;  where,  as  the  patent  expresses,  he  himself,  as  wdl 
as  his  grandfather,  used  to  inhabit.  Also  butchers  and  other  persons  are  by 
the  same  order  prohibited  from  casting  into,  or  washing  in  the  river  Ouse 
any  entrails  of  beasts,  or  any  other  nastinesses,  to  the  prejudice  or  nuisance 
of  this  monastery. 

This  establishment  was  founded  in  the  time  of  Henry  III.,  as  it  is  said  by 
the  King  himself;  and  Henry  Lacy,  Earl  of  Lincoln,  was  one  of  its  greatest 
benefactors.  It  had  a  conventual  church  dedicated  to  the  Blessed  Virgin, 
and  the  order  of  Friars  Minors  is  said  to  have  been  divided  into  seven  cus- 
todies or  wardships,  of  which  this  establishment  was  a  principal  one.  Hence 
it  had  under  its  jurisdiction  the  Friaries  of  Beverley,  Doncaster,  and  Scar- 
borough ;  also  Boston,  Grimsby,  and  Lincoln.  The  last  Warden,  William 
Vavasour,  with  fifteen  friars  and  five  novices,  surrendered  this  house  in  the 
30th  of  Henry  VIII. ;  and  four  years  afterwards  the  site  was  granted  to 
Leonard  Beckwith. 

A  part  of  the  outer  walls  of  this  monastciy  are  standing  at  the  present  day 


AKCIENT  RELIGIOUS  HOUSES  OP  YORK.  40;} 

on  the  north  side  of  the  Ouse,  a  little  bejond  the  King's  staith  or  wharf,  and 
one  of  its  boundary  walls  may  be  traced  from  towards  the  river,  through  tho, 
premises  and  into  the  house  now  in  the  occupation  of  Mr.  George  Hope, 
Bookseller,  Casdegate.  Those  on  the  bank  of  the  Ouse  are  still  called  Friars 
Walls,  and  that  part  of  the  site  which  thej  enclose,  and  which  is  not  occu- 
pied by  buildings,  is  called  Friars  Gardens.  Several  lots  of  this  garden-land 
have  recently  been  built  upon.  In  front  of  the  walls  on  the  river  bank  are 
the  evident  remains  of  a  staith  originally  belonging  to  the  monastery. 

The  Austin  Friars,  or  Friars  Hermits  of  the  Order  of  St.  Augustine,  are 
supposed  to  have  settled  in  York  as  early  as  1278,  and  their  convent  is  said 
to  have  been  founded  by  Lord  Scrope.  Leland  mentions  that  the  Augustine 
Friary  was  situated  on  the  banks  of  the  Ouse  near  Ouse  Bridge,  so  that  it 
seems  clear  there  were  two  monastic  establishments  on  the  north  side  of  tho 
river.  "  In  one  of  the  testamentary  burials  of  Mr.  Torre,"  says  Drake,  "  Joan 
Trollop,  anno  1441,  leaves  her  body  to  be  buried  in  the  conventual  church  of 
the  Friars  Eremite  of  St  Augustine,  in  York.  The  term  of  Eremites  to 
this  order  is  what  I  have  not  before  met  with;  the  Friars  Minors  were 
styled  Earmitae,  i.  e.  Eremi  in  coUb.  The  Eremites,  or  Hermits  in  the  north, 
were  corruptly  called  Cremitts,  and  there  is  an  annual  rent  paid  out  of  some 
houses  in  Stonegate,  called  Cremitt  money,  at  this  day,  which  undoubtedly 
belonged  to  a  religious  house  of  these  orders ;  for  some  of  the  poorer  sort  of 
monks  being  called  hermits,  an  hermitage  and  an  hospital  had  one  and  the 
same  signification."  The  Augustinians  were  originally  hermits,  whom  Pope 
Alexander  IV.  first  congregated  into  one  body  under  General  Lanfranc  in 
1256.  They  observed  the  rule  of  St.  Augustine,  the  great  doctor  of  tho 
church,  and  were  clothed  in  black. 

Bobert  Davies,  Esq.,  F.S.A.,  delivered  an  interesting  lecture  at  the  York 
Institute,  in  the  month  of  December,  1854,  entitled  "  An  Antiquarian  Walk 
through  some  of  the  streets  of  York ; "  and  in  reference  to  the  old  timber 
house  of  the  Elizabethan  period,  next  to  the  Post-Office,  in  Lendal,  he  stated 
that  he  had  lately  discovered  that  this  house  stood  on  the  site  of  the  house  of 
the  Augustine  Friars.  "  Leland  in  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII.,"  continued 
the  learned  lecturer,'!'  *'  stated  that  each  of  the  four  religious  orders  called 
Mendicant  Friars — ^the  Carmelite,  the  Franciscan,  the  Dominican,  and  tho 
Augustine — had  religious  houses  in  York,  and  describes  the  establishment 
of  the  latter  as  lying  between  '  Ouse  Bridge  and  the  tower.*  Drake,  sup- 
posing that  the  tower  here  mentioned  was  Clifford's  Tower,  fixed  the  abodo 

*  As  reported  in  the  York  Herald  newspaper. 


404  AXfirST    RELIGIOUS    HOUSES    OF   YORK. 

of  the  Augustine  Friars  between  the  Friars'  Walls  and  Casti<^ate  Postern. 
He  (Mr.  Davies),  however,  was  of  opinion  that  that  was  the  house  of  the 
Franciscans,  and  that  the  tower  of  which  Leland  spoke  was  the  tower  of 
Lendal  Ferry.  They  must  therefore  look  for  the  Augustine  Friars  in  that 
direction,  and  a  document  he  had  lately  seen  placed  the  house  and  church  of 
the  Augustines  in  Conyng  Street,  precisely  on  the  spot  laid  down  by  Leland, 
Mr.  Davies  read  some  extracts  from  the  document  to  which  he  referred,  from 
which  it  appeared  the  Augustine  Friars  purchased  a  strip  of  land  in  Conyng 
Street  in  1392,  and  gave  permission  to  the  Mayor  to  place  the  buttresses  of 
the  Guild-Hall  on  their  property,  and  to  allow  the  common  gutter  to  run 
along  the  west  side  of  that  hall.  Although  the  Augustine  Friars  were 
known  as  mendicants  and  eremites,  or  hermits,  yet  they  were  not  debarred 
from  exercising  hospitality,  for  in  14 82,  when  Richard  Duke  of  Gloucester, 
afterwards  Richard  III.,  visited  York,  they  found  the  Friars  of  Augustine 
presenting  him  with  several  gallons  of  wine  of  various  kinds,  and  other  good 
things."  Thus  it  appears  that  the  site  of  the  Augustine  Friary  was  between 
Lendal  Tower  and  the  Guild-Hall. 

The  Fuiars  of  the  Oudeb  of  Mount  Carmel,  commonly  called  Cann^- 
lites  or  White  Friars y  had  a  powerful  monastic  establishment  at  York,  which 
was  of  such  extent  as  to  occupy  nearly  all  the  ground  from  Stainbow  or 
Stonebow  Lane  to  the  river  Foss.  A  portion  of  the  Friary  wall  still  re- 
mains at  the  cast  end  of  Stonebow  Lane.  The  Order  of  the  Friars  Car- 
melites was,  as  has  been  observed,  one  of  the  four  orders  of  mendicants  or 
begging  Friars.  It  took  both  its  name  and  origin  from  Carmel,  a  mountain 
in  Syria,  formerly  inhabited  by  the  prophets  Elijah  and  Elisha,  and  by  the 
children  of  the  prophets ;  and  from  them  these  monks  profess  to  derive  their 
origin,  in  an  uninterrupted  succession. 

"  The  site  of  their  monastery  in  York,"  writes  Drake,  "  is  particularly 
expressed  in  a  charter  of  confirmation,  granted  to  them  by  King  Edward  L, 
anno  1300,  dated  at  York.  It  appears  here,  by  inspeximus,  that  William 
do  Vescy  gave  them  the  first  piece  of  ground  to  build  on,  and  bestowed  upon 
them  all  his  land,  messuages,  and  tenements,  that  he  had  in  a  street  or  lane 
called  le  Stainbogh."  From  the  same  authority  we  learn,  that,  in  the  reign 
of  Edward  II,  (1314),  that  King,  then  at  York,  bestowed  a  messuage  and 
yards,  upon  the  prior  and  brethren  of  this  order,  situate  in  the  street  of 
Mersks  (a  name  no  longer  known  at  York),  which  he  had  of  the  gift  of  Galfred 
do  Saint  Quiutiu,  contiguous  to  their  house,  for  the  enlargement  of  it;  that 
the  same  King,  by  another  grant  dated  a  few  days  after  the  former,  gave 
permission  to  those  Friars  to  build  a  quay  or  wharf  on  his  vivary  of  the  Foss, 


AXCIENT    REMGIOUS    HOUSES    OF    YORK.  105 

in  their  own  land  and  within  their  close,  and  to  have  a  boat  on  his  said  vivarj 
to  fetch  stone,  wood,  or  other  necessaries,  as  weD  under  Foss  Bridge  as  from 
any  other  place  on  the  said  vivary,  or  fish  pool,  to  their  quay ;  that  the  same 
King  soon  after  granted  to  these  Friars,  by  two  deeds  dated  at  York  and 
Lincoln,  all  those  houses  with  their  appurtenances  in  Fossgate,  which  he  had 
of  the  gift  of  Thomas  the  son  of  William  le  Aquiler,  of  York,  and  Cicily  his 
wife ;  also  all  that  land  with  appurtenances  in  the  same  city,  which  he  had 
by  gift  from  Abel  de  Richale,  of  York,  for  the  enlargement  of  their  monastery ; 
and  that  in  the  reign  of  Richard  11.,  Henry  de  Percy,  Lord  of  Spoflbrd, 
granted  to  these  Friars  a  piece  of  ground  to  the  west,  contiguous  to  their 
house,  for  the  enlargement  of  their  monastery.  On  the  27th  of  November, 
1539,  the  last  prior,  S.  Clarkson,  nine  brothers,  and  three  novices,  sur- 
rendered up  their  house  into  the  King's  hands,  and  in  1544  the  site  was 
granted  to  one  Ambrose  Beckwith. 

The  principal  entrance  to  the  Priory  was  in  Fossgate,  near  its  junction 
with  Pavement,  and  at  a  very  early  period  divine  service  was  celebrated  in  an 
oratory  on  the  gateway.  The  Convent,  which  was  styled  the  Prior  and 
Brethren  of  the  Order  St.  Mary  de  Monte  Carmeli,  had  also  a  church  dedi- 
cated in  honour  "of  our  Lady  St.  Mary."  About  fifty  years  ago  Mr.  Rusby 
purchased  a  part  of  the  site  of  this  religious  house,  then  occupied  as  a  garden, 
and  erected  several  buildings  thereon.  In  digging  up  an  old  foundation  about 
that  time  his  workmen  came  to  an  ancient  arch,  in  which  were  two  distinct 
and  separate  parts  of  a  tombstone ;  and  in  another  place  they  found  a  flag 
gravestone,  with  the  representation  of  a  crosier  at  each  comer.  The  former 
he  carefully  joined,  and  placed  as  a  flag  in  front  of  his  house  in  Hungate,* 
and  it  may  be  still  seen  before  the  same  house,  which  was  lately  in  the 
occupation  of  Mr.  Joseph  Matthews.  Near  the  edge  is  a  Latin  inscription, 
now  nearly  effaced,  which  may  thus  be  translated : — "  Pray  for  Sir  Simon  de 
Wintringham,  a  priest,  formerly  vicar  of  St.  Martin  the  Great,  London,  to 
whose  soul  may  God  be  merciful."  The  middle  of  the  stone  is  curiously 
carved,  the  letters  of  the  inscription  are  of  the  Old  Anglo-Saxon  chsuracter, 
and  it  is  remarkable  that  there  is  not  any  date.f 

The  Priory  of  the  Fratres  de  Monte  Carmeli,  in  York,  is  not  noticed  in  the 
Monasticon,  or  in  Speed's  Catalogue  of  the  Religious  Houses.  ''  An  ancient 
record  in  Mr.  Hargrove's  possession,"  writes  Allen,  *'  states  that '  a  Maison 

•  Hargrove's  York,  vol.  ii.,  p.  326. 

f  This  stone  is  engraved  in  Gent.  Mag.,  1797,  pt.  ii.,  p.  031.  Sir  Simon  de  Wintring- 
ham died  in  1420.  He  was  a  Canon  of  Lincoln,  Prebendary  of  Ledyngton,  and  Provost 
of  the  Chantry  of  Cotterstock,  Northamptonshire. 


49t)  ANCIENT   BEUOIOUS   HOUSFS   OF  YORK. 

Dieu  was  founded  in  White  Friars'  Lane,  Lajerthorpe,  temp.  Edward  IV ;  * 
whence  it  is  natural  to  infer  that  there  must  anciently  have  been  a  monasteiy 
of  White  Friars  also,  from  which  the  name  has  arisen ;  but  on  this  subject 
we  can  only  conjecture,  as  there  are  no  remains  of  either  building,  and  even 
the  name  itself  is  now  no  longer  retained.'' 

Crouched  or  Cbutched  Friars. — Bishop  Tanner,  in  his  Notitia  Momu- 
tica,  states  that  there  was  a  monastery  of  this  order  at  York,  though  he  has 
not  attempted  to  describe  its  situation.  They  began  to  settle  in  this  city  in 
the  beginning  of  the  reign  of  Edward  11.,  but  were  discountenanced  by  the 
Archbishop.  In  the  21st  of  Edward  HI.  (1338),  Thomas,  Lord  Wake,  gave 
them  one  toft  and  ten  acres  of  land  on  the  moor  of  Blakeshame,  in  Famdale, 
for  building  an  oratory  and  habitation.  The  site  of  the  monastery  of  Crouched 
Friars  at  York  is  assigned  by  tradition  to  the  comer  of  Barker  Hill,  facing 
Monkgatc ;  and  from  this  institution  the  latter  street  is  supposed  to  derive 
its  name.  Mr.  Wellbcloved  says  that  it  is  probable  that  the  house  of  those 
friars  stood  near  Monk  Bar,  as  there  are  indications  of  some  ancient  buildings 
having  been  there. 

At  Clemen thorpe  was  a  Benedictine  Nunnery  dedicated  to  St.  Clement,  to 
which  the  parish  church  of  that  village  was  attached.  In  the  year  1145, 
Thurstan,  Archbishop  of  York,  granted  **  to  God,  St.  Clement,  and  to  the  nuns 
there  serving  God,  in  pure  and  perpetual  alms,  the  place  wherein  this  mo- 
nastery, with  other  buildings  of  the  said  nuns,  was  erected ;  together  with 
two  carucates  of  land  in  the  suburbs  of  York,  20s.  annual  rent,  issuing  out 
of  his  fair  in  York,  kc,  which  was  confirmed  by  the  Dean  and  Chapter.''  In 
1284,  Nicholas,  son  of  Adam  Poteman,  of  Clementhorpe,  granted  to  Agnes, 
the  Prioress,  and  the  nuns  of  St.  Clement  s,  two  messuages  in  Clementhoipe, 
with  a  toft,  a  croft,  and  half  an  acre  of  land.  These  and  several  other  giants 
to  the  nuns  were  confirmed  by  King  Edward  m.  at  York,  in  1827. 

In  1102,  Geofirey  Plantagenot,  Archbishop  of  York,  gave  this  convent, 
contrary  to  the  wishes  of  the  nuns,  to  the  nunnery  of  Godstow ;  and  Alicia, 
then  Prioress,  refusing  to  obey  the  order,  went  to  Borne  to  appeal  to  the  Pope. 
Notwithstanding  this  appeal,  the  Archbishop  excommunicated  the  whole 
sisterhood.  At  the  dissolution,  Isabel  Ward,  the  last  Prioress,  surrendered 
this  nimnery  to  Henry  YIII.,  and  had  a  pension  allowed  her  of  £6.  13s.  4d. 
per  annum.*     The  church,  however,  continued  parochial  till  1585,  when, 

•  The  first  instance  said  to  be  mentioned  in  history  of  a  nannery  is  in  the  life  of  St. 
Antony,  Abbot,  written  by  the  great  St.  Athanasius.  That  sainted  biographer  teUs  us 
that  St.  Antony,  who  was  bom  in  Upper  Egypt,  in  the  year  251,  plaoed  his  sister  in  a 
house  of  virgins  about  tlie  year  272.    He  afterwards  founded  a  monasteiy  at  Phaiom,  is 


ANCIENT   RELIGIOUS   HOUSES    OF   YOKK.  497 

along  with  the  parish  of  Middlethorpe,  it  was  miited  to  St.  Mary  s,  Bishop- 
hiU  the  Elder. 

St.  Andrew's  Priory  stood  in  a  field  now  termed  Stone  Wall  Close,  be- 
tween Blae-bridge  Lane  and  the  Glass  Works.  It  was  founded  in  1202  by 
Hugh  Murdac,  Archbishop  of  York,  who  "  granted  to  God  and  to  the  twelve 
Canons  of  the  Order  of  Sempringham,  or  St.  Gilbert,  serving  God  at  St. 
Andrews,  in  Fishergate,  Ebor.  the  church  of  the  same  place  with  lands  adja- 
cent." This  Prioiy  had  also  several  other  lands,  rents,  <fec.,  granted  to  it  at 
various  times.  On  the  d8th  of  November,  1538,  it  was  surrendered  by  the 
Prior  and  three  monks,  at  which  time  its  annual  income,  according  to  Dug- 
dale,  was  JS47.  14s.  dd. ;  but  Speed  states  it  at  dS57.  6s.  9d.  The  site  was 
granted  in  1545  to  John  Bellow  and  John  Broxholme.  Leland  tells  us  that 
this  Priory  stood  exactly  opposite  the  nunnery  of  St.  Clement ;  and  hence  a 
tradition  long  existed  amongst  the  ignorant  that  there  was  a  subterraneous 
passage  from  one  to  the  other,  though  the  river  Ouse  runs  between  them. 
There  are  no  remains  now  visible  of  St  Andrew's  Priory,  except  some  small 
portions  of  the  Priory  walls,  which  may  still  be  seen  in  Blue-bridge  Lane. 

For  the  College  of  8t,  WUliam  and  the  Bedem,  see  pages  469  and  470. 

Hospitals. — Li  former  times  Hospitals,  or  Spitals,  were  usually  erected 
outside  the  town,  and  were  intended  as  places  of  entertainment  for  poor  pil- 
grims who  could  not  afford  to  pay  for  their  lodgings  in  the  town.  All  the 
Hospitals  observed  the  rule  of  St.  Austin. 

For  St.  Leonard's  Hospital,  see  page  471  of  this  history. 

Hospital  of  St.  Nicholas, — Stood  in  Watlingate,  now  Lawrence  Street, 
without  Walmgate  Bar,  near  Plantation  House  and  the  Tan  Yard.  The 
Hospital  was  situated  behind  the  church  of  St.  Nicholas,  and  in  ancient 
writings  the  church  and  it  are  classed  together  as  one  religious  house,  and 
termed  the  Priory  of  St.  NichoUts.  This  Hospital,  which  was  for  a  select 
number  of  both  sexes,  was  of  royal  foundation,  and  established  under  the 
patronage  of  the  Kings  of  England.  According  to  the  Monasticon,  William 
de  Grenfeld,  Lord  High  Chancellor  of  England,  in  a  royal  visitation,  July 
4th,  1303,  ordained  certain  statutes  for  its  government  In  the  3rd  of 
Edward  I.  (1275),  a  canicate  of  land  was  granted  them  by  the  Empress 
Maud,  upon  condition  that  the  brethren  of  the  said  Priory  or  Hospital  should 
find  all  lepers,  who  might  visit  them  on  the  vigils  of  the  Apostles  St  Peter 

Upper  Egypt,  about  the  year  305.  The  first  mention  said  to  be  in  history  of  the 
foundation  of  a  nunnery,  is  that  founded  in  860,  near  Poictiers,  by  the  sister  of  St. 
Martin.  King  Ealbad  established  the  first  institation  of  the  kind  in  England,  at  Folk- 
stone,  in  630. 

3  s 


498  ANCIENT   BELIGIOUS   HOUSES    OF   YORK. 

aud  St.  Paul,  with  a  certain  portion  of  food.  At  the  dissolution  the  Priory 
was  valued  at  £'29.  Is.  4d.  The  church  remained  parochial  till  the  siege  of 
York  in  1644|  when  it  fell  a  sacrifice  to  the  ravages  of  war. 

The  Hospital  of  St.  Mary  Magdalen — commonly  called  the  "  Hospital  of 
St.  Mary  in  Bootham  " — was  founded  in  that  part  of  the  city  called  Le  Hone 
utjre — ^afberwards  denominated  the  Horse  Fair — (the  district  extending  north 
of  Bootham)  in  1330,  by  Robert  de  Pykering,  Dean  of  York,  and  confirmed 
by  Archbishop  William  de  Melton,  under  the  following  regulations : — "  That 
there  be  therein  one  perpetual  chaplain  for  the  master,  whose  presentation 
shall  belong  to  the  said  Robert  de  Pykering,  for  his  life,  and  to  his  heirs 
after  his  decease.  That  the  said  master  and  his  successors  being  assisted 
with  two  more  chaplains,  shall  daily  celebrate  divine  service  therein,  for  the 
souls  of  Walter,  late  Archbishop,  the  said  Robert  de  Pykering,  and  William 
his  brother ;  and  shall  competently  sustain  those  two  chaplains  with  victuab 
and  clothing,  and  pay  to  each  twenty  shillings  per  annum  ;  and  also  sustain 
with  meat,  drink,  and  clothing,  other  six  old  lame  priests,  not  able  to  minis- 
ter, allowing  to  every  one  twelve  pence  a  week." 

At  the  same  time  the  church  of  Stillingfleet  was  appropriated  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  chaplain,  the  master,  and  the  charity  for  ever.  There  was,  how- 
ever, a  sum  reserved  for  the  vicar  of  the  church,  who  was  to  be  appointed  by 
the  master  and  brethren  of  the  Hospital.  At  the  dissolution,  this  Hospital, 
which  was  valued  at  £37.  per  annum  in  the  gross,  and  at  £11.  6s.  8d.  clear, 
was  annexed  to  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of  York.  In  1557  that  body  granted 
unto  Thomas  Luither,  a  priest,  and  a  brother  of  the  dissolved  Hospital,  an 
annual  payment  of  £4.  13s.  4d.,  on  condition  that  he  should  resign  all  daim 
to  the  said  institution.  By  a  grant  from  Philip  and  Mary,  the  King  and 
Queen  of  England,  the  lands  of  the  Hospital  were  devoted  to  the  establish- 
ment and  maintenance  of  a  free  grammar  school ;  and  agreeably  to  the  tenor 
of  that  royal  ordinance,  the  Dean  and  Chapter  founded  the  one  which  was 
formerly  held  in  the  desecrated  chxirch  of  St  Andrew,  afterwards  in  the 
building  now  used  as  a  School  of  Design,  but  finally  removed  to  the  edifice 
now  known  as  St.  Peter's  School,  Bootham. 

Besides  the  great  Hospital  of  Bootham,  here  was  another  dedicated  to  St. 
Mary,  and  founded  by  John  Gyseburgh,  precentor  of  York,  for  two  chaplains, 
before  the  year  1481.  This  was  valued  at  its  suppression  in  1535,  at  £9. 
6s.  8d.  per  annum. 

The  Spittal,  or  Hospital  of  St,  AntJiony,  anciently  stood  at  the  end  of  Gilly- 
gate,  next  to  Horse  Fair.     It  was  fotlnded  about  the  year  1440,  but  its 


ANCIENT    REUOIOt'S    HOUSES    OF   YOKK.  499 

hiatorj  is  little  known.  In  Hargrove^s  History  of  York,*  is  an  engraving  of 
a  large  and  veiy  curious  mutilated  piece  of  sculpture,  which  was  taken  out 
of  the  wall  of  a  field  near  the  site  of  this  old  Hospital,  ahout  forty  years  ago. 
It  is  supposed  to  represent  the  ceremonials  of  a  religious  sacrifice  or  tow, 
there  heing  an  altar,  a  priest  in  flowing  drapery,  and  a  man  leading  out  of  a 
stable  a  large  animal,  looking  less  like  an  ox  than  a  horse.  It  is  of  Roman 
origin,  and  of  high  antiquity. 

Dr.  Tanner,  in  his  NotUia  Monastica,  says  that  a  Hospital  stood  "in 
Markgate  in  suburb  Ebor;*'  but  of  which  we  have  not  found  any  further 
particulars ;  and  there  was  a  Hospital  at  an  early  period  within  Layerthorpe 
Postern,  which  was  founded  by  Sir  Francis  Bigod,  who  had  a  fine  mansion 
at  the  same  place.  There  are  now  no  remains  of  the  house  or  Hospital. 
Mr.  Wellbeloved  thinks  the  site  of  Bigod's  Hospital  is  clearly  indicated  by 
the  stone  wall  opposite  to  the  church  of  St.  Cuthbert. 

St.  Anthony's  Hospital  is  stated  by  Leland  to  have  been  founded  for  the 
brethren  of  St.  Anthony  by  Sir  John  Langton,  knt,  who  served  the  office  of 
Mayor  of  York  nine  times,  the  last  of  which  was  in  1363.  After  the  disso- 
lution of  the  religious  houses,  it  fell  into  the  hands  of  a  fraternity  called  the 
Guild  of  8t,  Anthony,  consisting  of  a  Master  and  eight  keepers,  who  gave  a 
feast  every  third  year,  probably  out  of  the  remaining  revenues  of  the  old 
Hospital ;  but  in  1625  the  feast  was  discontinued,  and  the  fellowship  dis- 
solved. The  brethren  of  this  mendicant  Hospital  of  St.  Anthony  used  to 
solicit  alms  in  the  city  and  neighbourhood,  and  as  they  were  held  in  much 
esteem  they  were  generally  well  rewarded.  For  a  long  time  it  was  a  custom 
with  the  citizens  when  a  sow  pigged,  to  have  one  set  apart  and  well  &tted 
for  the  brethren  of  St.  Anthony ;  and  hence  came  the  proverb  "  As  fat  as  an 
Anthony  pig."  in  later  times,  the  fraternity  that  succeeded  the  original 
brotherhood  was  commonly  denominated  **  Tantony  pigs."  The  legendary 
story  of  St.  Anthony,  of  Padua,  and  his  pig,  says  Drake,  is  represented  in 
one  of  the  vrindows  of  the  church  of  St.  Saviour. 

The  building  occupied  by  the  brethren  of  St.  Anthony,  and  afterwards  by 
the  above-mentioned  fraternity,  is  called  St.  Anthony's  Hall,  and  is  situated 
in  Peasholme  Green.  This  ancient  structure  is  mentioned  under  the  same 
name  in  a  beautiful  manuscript  terrier,  in  the  possession  of  the  Rev.  J. 
Crofts,  Rector  of  the  neighbouring  church  of  St.  Saviour,  as  forming  a 
boundary  of  the  parish  so  early  as  1362 ;  and  from  this  it  may  be  inferred 
that  if  Sir  John  Langton  was  the  founder  of  the  Hospital,  he  must  have 

♦  Vol.  ii.,  p.  574. 


500  ANCIENT    RELIGIOUS    HOUSES   OF   TOBK. 

founded  it  some  years  before  he  filled  the  ciyic  chair  of  York  for  the  niath 
time,  viz.,  in  1363,  as  the  hall  was,  in  the  preceding  year,  sufficiendj  well 
known  to  be  mentioned  as  the  boundary  of  two  or  three  parishes.  In  1646 
the  whole  of  the  building  was  repaired  and  re-edified.  It  is  a  large  venerable 
looking  pile,  the  lower  part  being  of  stone,  and  the  upper  of  brick.  Each 
end  of  the  hall  presents  three  gables,  with  large  Venetian  windows  at  each 
end.  The  building  is  a  mixture  of  two  styles  of  architecture — ^the  Pointed 
and  pseudo-Roman — and  has  a  very  curious  appearance.  The  entrance  door 
faces  Peasholme  Green,  and  over  it  is  a  circular  window.  After  the  building 
was  repaired  in  1640,  one  part  of  it  was  converted  to  the  purposes  of  a  House 
of  Correction  for  lesser  criminals ;  and  it  so  continued  until  a  building  for 
that  purpose  was  erected  on  Toft  Groen,  which  in  its  turn  gave  way  to  the 
prison  near  Bailo  Hill.  St.  Anthony's  Hall  is  now  oocupied  by  the  scholars 
of  a  charitable  institution  called  the  Blue  Coat  boys'  school.  On  the  left  of 
the  entrance  hall  arc  the  apartments  of  the  master.  A  wide  staircase  leads 
to  the  upper  story,  where  the  different  tradesmen's  companies  of  York  used 
to  hold  their  general  meetings.  The  several  arms  of  each  of  them  yet  re- 
main, but  the  rooms  are  now  occupied  by  the  Blue  Coat  boys. 

The  other  ancient  Hospitals  of  the  city  of  York,  of  which  little  is  known, 
are  the  HospiUd  of  St.  Catherine,  Micklegate,  near  to  St.  Nicholas's  church, 
now  destroyed ;  the  Hospital  of  St.  John  aiid  Our  Lady,  at  Foss  Bridge ;  the 
Spital  of  St.  Loy,  at  the  east  end  of  Monk  Bridge;  Fishergate  Spital  or 
Hospital y  near  the  church  of  St.  Helen,  now  destroyed ;  and  three  Maiaon 
Dims,  one  on  the  old  Quse  Bridge,  another  near  Fishergate  Postern, and  the 
third,  which  belonged  to  the  shoemakers,  in  Walmgate. 

Sir  Richard  dc  York  founded  an  Hospital  in  Micklegate,  but  it  was  never 
finished.  The  Hospitals  still  standing,  which  have  been  converted  into 
regular  Almshomes,  will  be  noticed  at  subsequent  pages. 

(ttttt.ds. — Torre  mentions  that  a  guild  or  fraternity  of  St.  Mary  and  St. 
Martin  the  (^oifessor  was  established  on  Peaseholme  Green,  in  the  parish  of 
St.  ("Juthhcrt;  and  says  that  the  brethren  and  sisters  were  authorized  to 
causo  divine  service  to  bo  celebrated  in  the  parish  chuix;h  by  one  chaplain, 
suhmiMa  voce.  On  the  Q8th  of  January,  1452,  a  commission  was  issued  U» 
John,  Bishop  of  Philippi,  X/a  consecrate  the  chapel  of  the  said  fraternity,  and 
the  principal  altar  of  the  same  erected  within  the  church  of  St.  Cuthbert. 

In  the  yard  of  the  George  Inn,  Conoy  Street,  may  be  traced  the  remains 
of  strong  stone  walls,  which  tradition  informs  us  were  part  of  the  religious 
house  of  the  ancient  Guild  of  St.  George,  in  York.  This  fraternity  was  after- 
wards united  to  the  Guild  of  St.  Christophrr. 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   YORK,  601 

^t  George's  Close,  adjoining  the  entrance  to  the  New  Walk,  is  the  site 
of  a  religious  house  called  St.  George's  Chapel.  Here  was  anciently  a  guild 
or  fraternity  established,  termed  The  Fellowship  of  St.  George,  which  was  sup- 
pressed at  the  general  dissolution.  A  small  arched  stone  doorway  facing 
the  high  road  still  remains,  surmounted  with  a  shield  charged  with  the  cross 
of  St  George. 

There  was  an  ancient  fraternity,  called  the  GtUld  of  Corpus  Chrhti,  in 
connexion  with  the  Hospital  of  St.  Thomas,  the  particulars  of  which  will 
be  found  in  the  account  of  that  institution  at  a  subsequent  page. 

The  Guild  of  St.  Christopher  possessed  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  Guild 
Hall  and  Mansion  House.  The  chapel  of  the  Guild  stood  next  the  street, 
and  was  not  pulled  down  until  the  present  Mansion  House  was  commenced 
in  1725.  In  1682  it  was  occupied  by  Henry  Giles,  an  eminent  artist,  who 
painted  the  great  west  window  of  the  Minster,  and  another  in  University 
College,  Oxford,  in  1687.  It  afterwards  became  the  Cross  Keys  Inn,  and  is 
now  superseded  by  the  Mansion  House. 


Previous  to  the  Reformation^  when  the  population  of  York  and  its  suburbs 
could  not  be  more  than  20,000,  there  were  as  many  more  places  of  worship 
there  as  at  present  exists,  with  its  population  of  40,000.  At  that  time,  ac- 
cording to  Drake,  there  were  forty- two  parish  churches,  three  or  four  famous 
monasteries,  two  priories,  a  nunnery,  and  a  religious  college,  besides  seven- 
teen private  chapels  and  eighteen  hospitals,  "  all  of  which  had  reigned  in 
plenty  and  abundance  for  several  ages."  These  together  make  a  total  of 
seventy-five  religious  edifices.  "Everybody  must  allow,"  says  the  same 
writer,  *'  that  this  city  was  as  remarkable  for  churches  and  houses  of  religion 
as  most  in  the  kingdom."  Eighteen  parish  churches,  all  the  chapels  (with 
one  exception)  and  religious  houses  have  been  destroyed,  so  that  only  twenty- 
three  of  the  churches  and  one  chapel  now  remain ;  besides  two  churches 
recently  erected.  The  sudden  suppression  of  the  religious  houses  caused  a 
terrible  re-action  throughout  the  kingdom,  and  perhaps  the  change  was  felt 
as  severely  in  York  as  in  any  other  part  of  England.  Soon  after  the  begin- 
ning of  the  Reformation  several  of  the  churches  of  York  were  deemed  super- 
fluous, and  an  Act  was  accordingly  granted  in  the  first  year  of  the  reign  of 
Edward  VT.  (1547)  for  pulling  them  down,  and  uniting  the  parishes  to  which 


602 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   TOBK. 


thej  belonged  to  other  parishes  in  the  city.  The  preamble  of  the  Act  recites 
that  "  Whereas  in  the  city  of  York  and  suburbs  thereof,  are  many  parish 
churches  which  heretofore  the  same  being  well  inhabited  and  replenished  with 
people,  were  good  and  honest  liyings  for  learned  incumbents,  by  reason  of  the 
priyy  tithes  of  the  rich  merchants,  and  of  the  offerings  of  a  great  multitude, 
which  livings  be  now  so  much  decayed  by  the  ruin  and  decay  of  the  said  city, 
and  of  the  trade  and  merchandize  there,  that  the  revenues  and  profits  of 
divers  of  the  said  benefices  are  at  this  present  not  above  the  clear  yearly 
value  of  £1.  6s.  8d." 

In  pursuance  of  this  Act,  several  of  the  churches  were  pulled  down,  but  it 
was  not  put  in  full  force  till  the  d8th  year  of  Elizabeth  (1685),  when  the 
parishes  were  united  in  their  present  order. 

The  following  table  shows  the  number  of  parishes  in  the  city,  together 
with  the  value  of  each  living  in  the  Eiug  s  Books,*  as  well  as  the  present  net 
value.     For  the  population  of  the  respective  parishes  see  a  subsequent  page. 


PARISHES. 


-united 


-united 


All  Saints,  North  Street   

All  Saints,  Pavement,  with    . . . .  \  „^;x^  j  f 

St.  Peter  the  Little f  ^^^"^  ^ 

St.  Crux 

St.  Cuthbert  with    ) 

St.  Helen  on  the  Walls,  and  .... 

All  Saints,  in  Peasholme    

St.  Dennis,  in  Walmgato,  with  . .  1  ynjtg j 

St.  George  and  Nabum 

St.  Olave,  with 

St.  Giles    

St.  Helen,  St.  Helen's  Square. 

St.  John,  Micklegato 

St  Lawrence,  with 

St.  Nicholas 

St.  Margaret,  Walmgate,  with 

St.  Peter-le- Willows    

St.  Martin,  Coney  Street 

St.  Martin,  Micklegate,  with  ....  I^qJ*^  f 

St.  Gregory  j  \ 

St  Maiy,  Bishophill  Senior 


united 
-united 


LtTiaga. 


Discharged  Rectory. . 

Do.,  do.  1 
Disch.  Vicarage  . .  J 
Discharged  Rectory. . 

Do.        do. 


Do. 

do. 

Do. 

do. 

Do. 

do. 

Do. 

do. 

1 


Perpetual  Curacy. . . . 

Discharged  Vicarage 
Perpetual  Curacy. . . . 
Discharged  Vicarage 

Discharged  Rectory  *) 
Do.        do.  J 


Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 


do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 


1 


Vtluein 

tlM 

King'a  Books. 


£,   s.  d, 

4     7  II 

0  16  101 


6  16    6 
5  10  10 


1 


4    0  10 


4    5    5 


6  10 


10    0  I 


4    0     9^ 

4  0    0 

5  16     3 
5    0  10 


PrcMttt 
Net 


T 

107 

100 

94 

150 

138 

103 
209 

83 

124 

97 

H^ 

2S6 


•  In  the  26th  of  Henry  Vm.  (1535)  an  Act  was  passed  conferring  on  the  Crown  the 
first  fruits  of  all  benefices,  and  also  one  yearly  rent  or  pension  amounting  to  the  value 
of  the  tenth  part  of  the  profit  of  every  benefice.  Pursuant  to  this  Act,  Commissioners 
were  appointed,  and  the  celebrated  Valor  EceUHatHcus,  or  Liher  Regit,  (King's  Books), 
is  the  return  made  by  them  on  the  matters  mentioned  in  the  statute. 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   TORE. 


503 


PARISHES. 


united 


I 


St.  Mary,  Bishophill  Junior,  ^ith ' 

Upper  Poppleton,  and 

Copmanthorpe 

St  Mary,  Castlegate 

it  Sd^!^."^!^T.\^^. : : : : }  ^^^^^  { 

St.  Michael,  Spurriergate 

St.  Sampson    

St.  Saviour,  with 1  united 

St.  Andrew J 

Holy  Trinity,  King's  Sq.,  or  Christ  Church 

Holy  Trinity,  Micklegate 

Holy  Trinity,  Goodramgate,  with ' 

St.  John  del  Pike,  and    

St.  Maurice,  without  Monk  Bar. . 
New  District  Churches : — 

St.  Paul,  Holdgate  Road 

St.  Thomas,  Lowther  Street,  Groves 


( 


-united 


Discharged  Vicarage 
Perpetual  Curacy. . . . 

Chapel  of  Ease 

Discharged  Rectory . . 
Perpetual  Curacy. . . . 
Discharged  Rectory . . 

Do.        do. 
Perpetual  Curacy .... 

Discharged  Rectory. . 

Discharged  Vicarage 
Do.        do. 
Do.        do. 
Do.        do. 
Do.        do. 

Perpetual  Curacy. . . . 
Do.        do. 


Value  in 

the 

King'e  Books. 


10 

t.    d. 

0    0 

2 

8     6i 

0  10 
12     1 

2 

8 

5 

6     8 

8 

0    0 

12 

4   9t 

Present 
Net 

Income 


"ST 

144 

120 

150 

01 
109 

173 

87 
93 

138 


We  now  proceed  to  describe  the  churches  of  the  citj  in  the  order  in  which 
they  are  laid  down  in  the  foregoing  table.  The  ages  of  the  ancient  edifices 
are  unknown,  but  the  majority  appear  to  have  been  built  between  the  12th 
and  16th  centuries. 

All  Saints  Church,  North  Street, — This  is  an  ancient  Discharged  Rec- 
tory, formerly  belonging  to  the  Priory  of  Holy  Trinity,  Micklegate,  to  which 
it  was  given  by  Ralph  de  Paganel,  and  the  grant  was  confirmed  by  William 
the  Conqueror,  and  by  the  bull  of  Pope  Alexander  U.  There  were  formerly 
many  chantries  and  obits  in  this  church,  several  original  grants  of  which  are 
still  preserved  among  the  records  of  the  city.  The  benefice  is  now  in  the 
patronage  of  the  Crown,  and  incumbency  of  the  Rev.  Robert  Whytehead. 

The  Edifice  consists  of  three  spacious  aisles,  with  a  tower  and  spire  in- 
cluded in  the  plan  at  the  west  end.  The  tower  contains  three  bells,  and  the 
height  of  the  spire  is  ISO  feet.  Parts  of  the  church  and  the  south  doorway 
are  Early  English,  some  of  the  windows  are  Decorated,  and  the  roofs  and 
spire,  and  most  of  the  windows,  are  Perpendicular.  The  walls  are  in  a  great 
measure  composed  of  grit,  Roman  bricks,  and  pebbles.  In  the  west  end  of 
the  church  are  three  pointed  arched  windows  of  three  lights  each.  The 
tower,  which  appears  to  be  of  an  earlier  date  than  the  body  of  the  church,  is 
of  three  stories,  £nished  with  a  pierced  battlement,  and  pinnacles  at  the 
angles.  The  buttresses  of  the  tower  end  with  grotesque  gargoyles,  and  the 
whole  is  surmounted  with  an  elegant  octagonal  spire.     In  the  north  side  of 


604  ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   YORK. 

the  church,  which  presents  four  unequal  divisions,  made  by  strong  buttresses, 
are  square-headed  windows,  with  cinqucfoil  heads.  The  east  end  eidiibits 
three  windows  of  the  latter  part  of  the  14th  century,  each  of  three  lights. 
The  gables  of  the  nave  and  aisles  rake  to  an  apex.  In  the  south  side,  which 
is  similar  to  the  north,  there  is  a  porch  of  brick,  apparently  of  the  latter  part 
of  the  17th  century.  The  interior  is  interesting  ;*  the  nave  is  much  nar- 
rower than  the  aisles,  and  is  divided  from  the  latter  by  pointed  arches 
springing  from  small  circular  columns,  with  square  capitals.  The  chancel 
or  sanctuary  is  formed  out  of  the  nave.  The  altar  piece  is  of  oak,  with  pi- 
lasters of  the  Ionic  order,  and  gilt  capitals.  There  is  an  old  misericord  and 
a  piscina  in  the  sanctuary.  About  one  half  of  the  ceiling  of  the  church  (that 
towards  the  east)  is  in  panels,  and  is  particularly  interesting  to  the  antiquary 
from  a  fine  series  of  sculptures,  with  which  the  corbels  and  bosses  are  adorned. 
These  carvings  represent  angels  playing  on  musical  instruments,  grotesque 
heads,  &c.  The  roofs  of  the  western  half  of  the  edifice  is  in  plain  plaster, 
but  waggon-headed.  The  pulpit  of  carved  oak  is  sexagonal,  with  a  full-length 
figure  painted  on  each  side,  and  it  bears  the  date  of  1675.  On  the  floor  are 
several  crosses  flory,  and  in  the  south  wall  are  the  mutilated  remains  of  a 
Roman  sepulchral  monument.  The  font  is  an  ancient  octagonal  basin.  The 
ancient  stained  glass  in  the  windows  is  particularly  interesting.  Drake  says 
that  in  his  time  the  painted  glass  here  was  in  a  better  state  of  preservation 
than  in  any  other  church  in  the  city.  The  three  windows  at  the  east  end 
have  been  repaired  by  Wailes,  of  Newcastle-upon-Tyne.  The  one  above  the 
communion  table  has  in  the  centre  light  a  representation  of  St.  Anne  teaching 
the  Blessed  Virgin  to  read ;  and  in  the  other  lights,  St.  John  the  Baptist  and 
St.  Christopher  carrying  Our  Saviour.  These  three  subjects  are  all  sur- 
mounted by  similar  canopies.  But  the  most  interesting  windows  in  the 
church  are  the  two  easternmost  in  the  north  aisle.  The  subjects  of  one  of 
them  are  the  corporal  works  of  mercy — feeding  and  giving  drink  to  the 
hungry  and  thirsty,  clothing  the  naked,  visiting  the  sick,  &c, ;  and  the  other 
window,  which  is  very  curious  indeed,  though  much  mutilated,  seems  to  de- 
scribe the  fifteen  days  of  the  Last  Judgment,  as  Venerable  Bede  has  written 
of  them. 

*  Previous  to  the  Beformation  there  were  no  pews  in  parish  churches,  the  chief 
fiimilies  having  moveahle  seats,  as  is  still  the  cnstom  in  continental  churches.  During 
the  reign  of  Elizabeth  and  her  sncoessors,  when  long  sermons  were  eonaidfired  ne- 
cessaiy,  the  laity  began  to  feel  the  inconvenience  of  having  no  fixed  sitting  places ;  and 
as  architectural  display  and  taste  had  now  disappeared,  atilitarianism  found  an  easy 
admittance.  The  nobility,  gentry,  and  freeholders,  appear  to  have  erected  pews  at  their 
own  private  expense  for  the  use  of  themselves,  their  heirs,  and  assignB  for  ever. 


ECCLESIASTICAL    EDIFICES    OF    YORK.  506 

1. — The  first  subject  is  the  extraordinary  inundation  of  the  sea.     The 
legend  is  all  but  gone. 

2. — The  corresponding  ebb  of  the  sea.     The  legend  is 

Ye  sdconde  day  ye  see  sail  be 
So  lawe,  as  all  men  sail  yt  see. 

3. — The  foflowing  day  reduces  it  to  its  original  level. 

Ye  i^  day  yt  sail  be  plain, 
And  stand  as  yt  was,  again. 

4. — The  day  after  we  have  the  fishes  and  sea  monsters  leaving  their 
native  element,  and  coming  forth  upon  the  earth ;  but  the  lines  are  gone. 

5.— ^The  sea  is  represented  on  fire. 

Ye  V  day  ye  see  sail  bryn, 

And  all  the  watiys  that  may  bin. 

6. — On  the  sixth  day  the  trees  are  on  fire,  and  their  fruit  is  dropping ;  but 
the  legend  is  unintelligible. 

7. — On  the  seventh  day  a  general  earthquake. 

Ye  seventh  day  houses  men  tall, 
Castles  and  towers  and  ilka  wall. 

8 — On  the  eighth  day  the  rocks  are  consumed. 

Ye  viy  day  roches  and  stanes, 
Sail  bryn  togeder  all  at  anes. 

9. — The  events  of  the  ninth  day  are  entirely  effaced. 

10. — On  the  tenth  day  nothing  is  to  be  seen  but  earth  and  sky ;  the 

legend  is 

The  tende  day  for  heaven, 

Erthe  sail  be  plain  and  even. 
Meaning  the  mountains  shall  be  levelled  and  the  valleys  filled  up. 
11. — Two  men  and  two  women  with  a  priest  in  an  attitude  of  prayer. 

Ye  zi  day  sail  men  come  out 

Of  their  graves,  and  wende  abowte. 

13. — Three  sarcophagi  or  cojQ&ns  full  of  bones  coming  together. 

Ye  jjj  day  banes  dede  saU, 
Togeder  at  anes  ryse  aU. 

18. — On  the  thirteenth  day  great  stars  fall  from  heaven. 

The  xiy  day  sitthe  sail, 
Sterres  and  the  Heaven  Ml. 

3  T 


506  ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   TOBK. 


0 


14. — A  tomb,  with  a  man  and  woman  side  bj  side  on  its  summit,  three 
mourners  bending  over  them,  and  death  with  his  dart  at  the  foot. 

The  xIt  day  all  that  lives  than, 

Sail  die,  bathe  childe,  man,  and  woman. 

15. — ^And  then  follows  the  final  consummation  of  all  things. 

« 

The  XT  day  this  sail  betyde, 

The  world  sail  bryn  on  eyeiy  side. 

In  the  tracery  of  this  window  are  demons  conyejing  the  souls  of  the  wicked 
to  punishment,  and  angels  carrying  the  faithful  into  Abraham's  bosom.* 

A  singular  custom  still  prevails  in  this  parish,  on  Ascension  Day,  the  time 
of  the  annual  perambulation  of  the  boundaries.  The  lads  of  the  parish  pro- 
vide themselves  with  bundles  of  sedge,  and  while  the  clerk  is  inscribing  the 
boundary  at  the  specified  places,  they  strike  his  legs  below  the  knee  with 
their  bundles.  The  place  nearest  the  clerk,  or  that  which  gives  the  best 
chance  of  exercising  this  popular  prerogative,  is  eagerly  contended  for. 

All  Saints  Church,  Pavement. — ^This  church,  which  is  commonly  called 
AU  Hallaws,  stands  partly  in  High  Ousigate,  but  chiefly  in  the  Pavement. 
It  is  an  ancient  Discharged  Rectory,  and  before  the  Conquest,  according  to 
Domesday,  it  belonged  to  the  Prior  and  Convent  of  Durham.  By  an  old 
grant  to  Fountains  Abbey,  the  Rector  of  this  church  is  styled  "  Rector  ec- 
clesiee  omnium  sanctorum  in  Usegata."  At  the  Reformation  it  reverted  to 
the  Crown,  and  the  Rev.  George  Trevor,  M.A.,  is  the  present  incumbent. 

The  Fabric  is  handsome,  and,  according  to  Drake,  its  north  side  was  almost 
whoUy  built  out  of  the  ruins  of  Eboracum ;  but  the  whole  structure  under- 
went a  complete  restoration  in  1835  ;  and  in  1837  the  tower  was  rebuilt  after 
the  same  design  as  before.  The  edifice  is  in  the  Perpendicular  style  of  archi- 
tecture, and  is  chiefly  remarkable  for  its  exquisite  octagonal  lantern  steeple, 
which  is  a  beautiful  piece  of  architecture,  and  forms  a  very  picturesque  object 
when  seen  at  a  little  distance  from  the  city.  Tradition  says  that  when  the 
Forest  of  Galtres  extended  northward  of  the  city  as  far  as  Easingwold,  it  was  a 
nightly  custom  to  suspend  a  large  lamp  in  the  centre  of  the  steeple,  as  a 
guide  to  travellers  on  that  then  difficult  road.  In  Drake*s  time  the  hook  or 
pulley  on  which  the  lamp  or  lantern  hung  was  still  preserved.  In  1694  this 
church  narrowly  escaped  destruction  by  fire ;  most  of  the  buildings  near  it  in 

•  See  the  Hierologuty  or  the  Church  Tourists,  by  Bev.  J.  M.  Neale.  Bxplanationt  of 
the  old  atyle  of  $pelUng.  Ye  means  the;  SaU,  ahaU;  Lawe,  low;  Yt,  t(;  Bryn,  tmm; 
Hon,  mutt;  Ilka,  every;  Boches,  rocks;  Stanes,  etonee;  Anes,  once;  Wende,  troUb; 
Banes,  bonei;  Dede,  dead;  Than,  then;  Betyde,  happen. 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   YOBK.  607 

Ousegate  were  burnt  down,  which,  observes  Drake,  was  the  occasion  when  so 
many  handsome  houses  were  erected  in  that  street.  Part  of  the  present 
burial  ground  was  formerly  used  as  a  herb  and  fish  market ;  but  in  1782  the 
church-yard  was  enlarged,  and  the  chancel  being  much  out  of  repair,  was 
taken  down,  and  the  ground  on  which  it  stood  was  applied  to  enlarge  the 
market-place ;  in  consequence  of  which  the  Corporation  contributed  £100. 
towards  rebuilding  the  east  wall.  The  parts  of  the  church  are  a  nave  and 
side  aisles,  with  a  square  tower,  in  which  are  three  bells  at  the  west  end. 
The  tower  is  three  stories  in  height,  and  is  finished  with  a  cornice  and  pa- 
rapet. In  the  west  tace  of  the  lower  story,  between  two  buttresses  of  four 
gradations,  is  a  large  window  of  five  lights ;  the  second  story  is  blank,  and 
the  third  has  a  depressed  arched  window  of  three  lights  in  each  side.  Each 
of  the  eight  sides  of  the  lantern  steeple  has  a  window  almost  the  breadth 
and  nearly  the  height  of  the  structure ;  at  every  angle  is  a  buttress  of  four 
gradations,  terminating  in  a  gargoyle  and  crocketed  pinnacle ;  and  the  top 
is  finished  by  an  open  battlement  and  pinnacles.  The  whole  structure 
has  a  most  airy  and  elegant  appearance.  The  west  ends  of  the  aisles  have 
windows  of  three  lights,  and  the  roofs  of  both  rake  up  to  the  church  with 
a  plain  coping.  Each  of  the  aisle  windows  are  of  three  lights ;  and  in  each 
aisle  is  a  pointed  arched  doorway.  In  the  clerestory  are  four  square-headed 
windows,  of  three  lights.  The  aisles  are  finished  with  a  plain,  and  the  nave 
terminates  in  an  embattled  parapet,  with  five  crocketed  pinnaclqs  on  each 
side.  The  east  end  of  the  church  is  made  into  three  divisions  by  buttresses ; 
in  the  centre  is  a  pointed  window  of  three  lights,  and  in  each  aisle  is  a  similar 
window  of  two  lights.  The  interior  is  very  neat ;  the  body  of  the  church  is 
divided  from  the  aisles  by  five  pointed  arches,  resting  on  octagonal  columns. 
The  lower  story  of  the  tower  opens  into  the  nave,  shewing  the  western  win- 
dow. The  pulpit,  which  is  octagonal,  is  ornamented  with  much  excellent 
carving  and  gilding ;  and  the  sounding  board  bears  the  date  of  1634.  The 
church  was  neatly  re-pewed  a  few  years  ago,  partly  by  subscription.  At  the 
west  end  are  very  neat  stalls  for  the  churchwardens  of  the  united  parishes, 
having  a  glazed  frame-work  attached,  to  protect  these  officials  from  draughts 
of  wind  between  the  two  doors. 

The  lessons  are  read  from  a  handsomely  carved  and  gilded  wooden  eagle. 
The  organ  was  first  erected  in  1701 ;  and  the  new  and  elegant  octagonal  font 
is  the  gift  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hunt,  a  late  curate  of  this  parish.  The  minister 
and  churchwardens  possess  property  worth  about  £300.  a  year  for  the  main- 
tenance of  the  edifice.  The  monuments  are  not  very  numerous ;  amongst 
them  is  a  neat  sarcophagus,  inscribed  to  James  Saunders,  Esq.,  Alderman 


oOR  ECCLESIASTICAL    EDIFICES   OF   YORK. 

and  Lord  Mayor  of  York,  1818,  who  died  in  1896,  aged  56  years;  and  a 
neat  tablet  to  Tate  Wilkinson,  Esq.,  original  patentee,  and  thirty-four  years 
manager  of  the  Theatre  Royal,  York.  The  inscription  states  that  he  died 
in  1803,  in  his  68 rd  year,  and  that  his  body  lies  buried  in  the  north  aisle  of 
this  church.  There  is  a  neat  sarcophagus  to  the  memory  of  Samuel  Wood- 
head,  who  died  in  18B4,  aged  53 ;  and  also  tablets  commemorative  of  Captain 
Thomas  Prickett,  William  Sowerby,  and  deceased  members  of  the  families 
of  Etty,  Frobisher,  and  Wyvill. 

The  Church  of  St.  Peter,  and  for  the  sake  of  distinction  called  "  Eccle- 
si4B  Petri  Parvi,  or  St.  Peter  the  Little,  stood  on  the  east  side  of  Peter  Lane, 
a  little  west  of  High  Ousegate.  It  was  an  ancient  Rectory,  under  the 
patronage  of  the  monks  of  Durham ;  but  having  fallen  a  sacrifice  to  the  des- 
tructive events  which  at  various  times  have  laid  waste  this  city,  the  churchy 
together  with  the  parish,  was  united  to  All  Hallows  in  1585. 

The  Church  of  St.  Crux,  or  Holy  Cros$,  vulgarly  called  Cross  Ckurch^ 
stands  at  the  north  end  of  the  Pavement,  and  was  originally  built  in  the  time 
of  Edward  the  Confessor.  At  the  time  of  the  Domesday  Survey,  it  and  two 
stalls  in  the  Butchery  or  Shambles  belonged  to  the  Earl  of  Morton ;  and  the 
church  was  afterwards  given  by  Nigell  Fossard*  Lord  of  Doncaster,  to  the 
Abbey  of  St.  Mary  at  York.  It  appears  to  have  been  rebuilt  in  1424,  as  a 
commission,  dated  September  6th,  in  that  year,  was  directed  to  WUliam, 
Bishop  of  Dromore,  commanding  him  to  consecrate  the  building.  In  1840 
this  church  was  greatly  improved  externally  by  the  removal  of  projections, 
and  the  erection  of  iron  palisades.  The  living  is  a  Discharged  Rectory,  and 
at  the  dissolution  of  religious  houses,  the  patronage  came  to  the  Crown. 
The  present  Rector  is  the  Rev.  Joseph  Crosby.  There  were  formeriy  five 
chantries  in  this  chui-ch.  The  Fabric  is  composed  of  three  aisles,  with  a 
tower  at  the  south-west  angle  of  the  west  end ;  its  general  style  is  Perpen- 
dicular, the  pillars,  however,  are  Decorated,  and  the  tower  is  Italian.  The 
latter  appendage  contains  two  bolls,  and  is  an  elegant  brick  structure,  witli 
stone  dressings,  the  foundation  stone  of  which  w*as  laid  on  the  1st  of  April, 
1697.  The  lower  part  is  of  stone ;  in  the  two  upper  stories  are  Venetian 
windows,  and  at  the  angles  are  square  buttresses,  with  Tuscan  capitals.  At 
the  top  are  vases  at  the  angles,  and  the  whole  is  encompassed  with  a  neat 
railing,  within  which  is  a  hemispherical  dome,  finished  with  a  cross  aud 
weathercock.  This  tower,  which  is  ninety  feet  high,  declines  considerably 
from  the  perpendicular  towaitls  the  west,  which  gives  it  an  awkward  appear- 
ance. The  west  end  of  the  church,  which  does  not  range  with  the  tower  from 
a  tortuosity  in  the  street,  is  of  brick,  and  has  a  large  Venetian  window,  with 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   TORK.  609 

stone  dressings.  The  south  side  of  the  church,  bounding  the  Pavoment,  is 
made  into  six  divisions  by  buttresses,  containing  a  pointed  doorway,  and  five 
large  pointed  windows  of  three  lights,  with  cinquefbil  heads  and  Perpen- 
dicular tracery.  The  clerestory  of  the  nave  and  chancel,  which  rises  above 
the  aisles,  has  six  depressed  arched-headed  windows  of  four  lights.  The 
east  end  of  the  church,  abutting  on  Fossgate,  is  made  into  three  divi- 
sions by  buttresses.  In  the  centre  is  a  large  window  of  six  lights,  with  a 
transom ;  and  on  each  side  is  one  of  three  lights. 

The  north  side  is  similar  to  the  south,  except  that  it  is  only  in  four  divi- 
sions. The  interior  is  spacious  and  elegant.  The  nave  and  chancel,  which 
are  united,  are  divided  from  the  aisles  by  seven  arches,  vanishing  into  square 
piers,  the  mouldings  or  hollows  of  the  arches  being  continued  to  the  bases, 
which  are  octagonal ;  and  each  arch  has  an  outer  moulding,  which  rests  on 
corbals,  representing  heads  of  men  and  women.  The  clerestory  is  plain,  and 
the  roofs  of  the  nave  and  aisles  are  flat,  and  panelled  with  bosses  at  the 
intersections.  The  altar  piece  is  of  oak,  with  Corinthian  pilasters.  The 
pulpit  and  sounding  board  are  octagonal,  as  is  also  the  font,  which  is  very 
large.  The  monuments  in  the  church  are  numerous.  Sir  Thomas  Herbert, 
the  celebrated  traveller,  is  buried  here ;  also  the  body  of  the  Earl  of  Northum- 
berland, who  was  beheaded  in  1573.  (See  page  209.)  On  the  south  side  of 
the  communion  table  is  an  altar  tomb,  with  a  large  recess  behind,  over  the 
graves  of  Sir  Robert  Watter,  Knt,  Alderman,  thrice  Lord  Mayor  of  this  city, 
founder  of  the  Hospital  for  poor  women,  in  St.  George  Street,  and  a  benefactor 
to  this  church,  who  died  in  1612 ;  and  of  his  wife  Maigaret,  who  died  in 
1608.  The  interior  of  the  recess  is  filled  with  fancy  work,  with  statues  of  . 
Faith  and  Prudence,  and  in  the  centre  is  an  inscription.  On  the  table 
beneath  lie  full  length  effigies  of  the  Knight,  dressed  in  a  scarlet  robe,  red 
cap,  and  ruff,  and  his  lady  in  a  full  gown  and  ruff.  Near  this  monument  is 
an  ancient  lectern,  enriched  with  niches,  &c.,  and  chained  to  it  is  a  book 
entitled,  "  A  repUe  vnto  M.  Hardinge's  ansvveare,  Impiynted  at  London,  in 
Pleete  streate,  Henry  Wykes,  1566."  Beneath  is  written  1583,  which  is 
supposed  to  be  the  date  of  purchasing  it.  In  the  north  aisle  is  a  handsome 
sarcophagus,  with  a  medallion  bust  of  the  deceased,  to  Sir  Tancred  Robinson, 
twice  Lord  Mayor  of  York,  who  died  in  1754,  aged  68 ;  and  in  the  south 
aisle  is  a  neat  sarcophagus  to  T.  Bowes,  apothecary,  who  served  the  office  of 
Lord  Mayor  in  1761,  and  died  in  1777,  in  his  second  mayoralty.  Here  is 
also  a  neat  pyramidal  tablet,  with  a  basso  relievo  profile,  to  H.  Waite,  Esq., 
who  died  in  1780.  On  the  south  side  of  the  church  formerly  was  part  of 
the  parish  burying  ground,  extending  to  a  row  of  houses  the  whole  length  of 


510  ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   TORK. 

the  church,  and  forming  a  very  narrow  lane  called  Hosier  Lane.  In  1771 
the  Corporation  purchased  one  side  of  this  lane  to  improve  the  street 
The  houses  were  accordingly  taken  down,  the  cellars  filled  up,  and  the 
ground  on  which  thej  stood,  together  with  the  church-yard  on  that  side, 
was  flagged  and  added  to  the  street  This  broad  causeway  was  long  used  as  a 
poultry  market,  and  known  by  the  name  of  Ooose  Flags,  The  burying  ground 
on  the  north  side  was  parcelled  out  to  those  who  had  houses  adjoining, 
and  a  sum  of  money  was  raised  by  that  means  with  which  the  parishioners 
purchased  a  piece  of  ground  in  Hungate,  as  a  place  of  interment  There 
was  formerly  another  narrow  lane  at  the  east  end  of  this  church,  called 
Whipmawhopmagate.    (See  page  359.) 

St.  Cuthbert's  Church,  Peaseholme  Qreen, — An  ancient  Discharged  Rec- 
tory, it  being  a  parish  church,  under  the  patronage  of  William  de  Percy  at 
the  time  of  the  Conquest  It  afterwards  belonged  to  the  Prior  and  CouTent 
of  the  Holy  Trinity  in  this  city ;  and  at  the  dissolution  the  patronage  became 
vested  in  the  Crown.  In  1585  it  had  the  parish  churches  of  St  Helen-on- 
the- Walls ;  St.  Mary  extra  Layerthorpe ;  and  All  Saints  on  Peaseholme 
Green,  united  to  it.  The  present  Rector  is  the  Rev.  Thomas  Henry  Yoike. 
The  site  of  this  church  is  particularly  remarkable  for  the  discovery  of  Roman 
antiquities.  (See  page  203.)  The  Structure  of  the  church,  which  is  neat, 
and  has  a  much  fresher  appearance  than  most  of  the  churches  in  York,  is  in 
the  later  Perpendicular  stylo,  and  consists  of  a  body  without  aisles,  and  a  weU 
proportioned  square  tower  of  three  stories  at  the  west  end.  The  latter  appen- 
dage contains  two  bells,  and  is  finished  with  gargoyles  and  battlements. 
The  south  side  of  the  church  is  made  into  five  divisions  by  neat  buttresses, 
and  exhibits  a  brick  porch  and  four  square-headed  windows.  The  north  side 
is  in  three  divisions,  and  has  a  pointed  doorway  and  square-headed  windows. 

The  east  end  is  blank,  except  on  the  north  side,  where  is  a  pointed  window 
of  three  lights ;  the  place  of  the  other  windows  being  occupied  by  two  large 
buttresses  of  brick.  On  the  north  side  is  a  small  brick  vestry.  The  interior 
is  of  one  space,  with  a  waggon-head  ceiling,  adorned  with  grotesque  bosses, 
and  supported  on  similar  corbals  at  the  sides.  The  altar  piece  consists  of 
four  Corinthian  pilasters,  supporting  a  broken  angular  pediment,  in  which 
are  the  Royal  Arms  of  Queen  Anne,  with  the  date  of  1703,  probably  the  date 
of  the  last  repair  of  the  church.  The  pulpit  is  hexagonal,  and  the  font,  which 
is  octagonal,  is  new.  In  the  windows  are  some  remains  of  stained  glass, 
particularly  the  Royal  Arms  of  Edward  III.  There  are  no  monuments 
worthy  of  notice.  Near  the  entrance  is  an  inscription  in  memory  of  William 
Bowes,  Lord  Mayor,  a.d.  1416.  There  was  anciently  an  altar  in  this  church 
belonging  to  the  Guild  of  St  Mary  and  St  Martin  the  Confessor. 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF  YORK.  611 

Near  the  walls  of  the  city,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Aldwark,  a  little  to 
the  north  west  of  Merchant  Tailor's  Hall,  is  supposed  to  have  stood  the 
Church  of  St.  Helen  on  the  Walls,*  which  was  anciently  a  Rectory  of  medi- 
eties,  under  the  patronise  of  the  fiaEnilies  of  Graunt  or  Grant,  Salvaine,  and 
Langton,  to  the  latter  of  whom  in  process  of  time  fell  the  sole  presentation. 
It  was  united  to  the  church  of  St.  Cuthbert,  as  above  mentioned,  and  no 
remains  of  the  buildings  are  now  visible.  The  ancient  parish  Church  of 
Layerthorpe,  dedicated  to  St.  Mary,  was  a  Rectory,  and  was  united  to  St. 
Cuthbert's.  The  remains  of  this  building,  which  stood  without  the  Postern, 
on  the  hiU  on  the  right  hand,  have  also  disappeared  in  toto. 

The  Church  of  AU  Saints,  or  All  Hallows,  of  which  there  are  now  no  re- 
mains, stood  in  the  centre  of  Peasholme  Green.  Its  foundations  were  dis- 
covered in  erecting  the  weighing  machine.  It  was  a  Rectory  in  the  gift  of 
the  families  that  claimed  the  patronage  of  St.  Helen's  Church,  and  was 
united  with  St.  Cuthbert's,  as  before  stated,  in  1585. 

Church  of  St.  Dennis,  or  D  yon  is,  Walmgate. — Tradition  represents  this 
church  to  have  been  originally  a  Jewish  Synagogue,  or  Tabernacle,  but  there 
seems  to  be  no  ground  for  the  opinion.  It  is  an  ancient  Discharged  Rectory, 
and  before  the  Reformation  it  formed  part  of  the  possessions  of  the  Hospital 
of  St.  Leonard  in  this  city.  At  the  dissolution  it  came  to  the  Crown,  and 
since  the  year  1585,  when  the  church  of  St.  George  was  united  to  it,  the 
patronage  has  been  alternately  in  the  Crown,  and  the  family  of  Palmes,  of 
Nabum.  St  Dennis's  was  anciently  the  parish  church  of  the  Percys,  Earls 
of  Northumberland,  whose  residence  in  the  city  stood  opposite  to  it,  and  was 
called  Percy's  Inn.  (See  page  346.)  This  church  was  formerly  a  spacious 
handsome  structure,  with  a  neat  and  lofty  spire  in  the  midst  of  it.  At  the 
siege  of  1644  this  spire  was  perforated  by  a  cannon  ball  from  the  Parliament- 
arian batteries :  about  sixty  years  after  that  accident  it  was  greatly  damaged 
by  lightning,  and  in  1778  it  suffered  severely  from,  a  high  wind.     The 

•  Camden  mentions  that  the  ashes  of  the  Roman  Emperor  Constantias  Chloros,  who 
died  in  York  about  the  year  806,  were  certainly  deposited  in  this  city,  and  that  the  place 
of  their  interment  (a  yanlted  tomb,  within  a  little  chapel)  was  found  soon  after  the 
Keformation.  The  sepulchre  thus  spoken  of  by  this  learned  antiquary,  is  said  to  have 
been  when  the  church  of  St.  Helen  stood  in  Aldwark ;  and  it  is  highly  probable  that  Con- 
stantine  the  Great,  who  became  a  convert  to  Christiamty,  caused  a  Christian  church  to  be 
built  over  the  place  where  his  fiBtther's  ashes  were  deposited.  This  idea  is  strengthened 
by  the  name  of  his  mother  being  connected  with  the  church,  and  by  the  vicinity  of  this 
building  to  the  imperial  palace.  Camden  adds  a  marvellous  story  of  a  lamp  having  been 
found  burning  in  the  tomb,  which  was  soon  extinguished  by  the  communication  of  the 
air,  and  this  too  on  the  authority  of  several  intelligent  inhabitants  of  the  city. 


512  ECCLESIA6TICAI,   EDIFICEti   OF   YORK. 

church  was  much  reduced,  by  taking  down  the  west  end,  in  1798,  in  con- 
sequence of  the  foundation  being  injured  by  a  laige  and  deep  drain  passing 
too  near  it,  which  was  intended  to  draw  the  water  from  the  Foss  Ishinds. 
At  the  same  time  the  spire  was  taken  down,  and  a  square  tower  substituted. 
The  reduction  which  the  church  underwent  at  that  time  rendered  what  was 
originally  the  length  of  the  church  shorter  than  its  breadth  ;  and  hence  the 
edifice  has  a  novel  and  singular  appearance.  In  1847  the  tower  was  rebuilt, 
the  church  repewed,  and  the  whole  fabric  substantially  repaired.  The  pre- 
sent liector  is  the  Bev.  James  Sabben.  The  Edifice,  which  is  dedicated  to 
St.  Dennis,  a  French  Saint,  consists  only  of  the  ancient  chancel  and  its 
aisles,  with  a  west  tower.  The  latter  is  three  stories  high,  embattled,  and 
contains  two  bells,  The  south  side  of  the  church  is  made  into  three  divisions, 
by  buttresses ;  in  the  first  from  the  west  of  which  is  a  beautiful  arched  door- 
way of  five  enriched  mouldings,  resting  on  piers.  This  doorway  was  formerly 
approached  by  an  elegant  Anglo-Saxon  porch,  which  stood  prior  to  the  re- 
duction of  the  church,  and  which  was  in  some  degree  similar  to  the  much- 
admired  one  at  St.  Margaret*8  Church.  In  the  remaining  divisions,  as  well 
as  on  the  north  side,  are  pointed  windows  of  three  lights.  The  east  end  of 
the  chancd  rises  considerably  above  the  aisles,  but  each  of  the  roo£s  rises  to 
an  apex.  The  east  end  is  made  into  separate  divisions,  by  buttresses ;  in 
the  centre  division  is  a  depressed  headed  window  of  five  lights,  above  which 
is  a  clock  placed  there  in  1818 ;  and  in  the  aisles  are  pointed  windows,  one 
of  four  and  the  other  of  five  lights.  The  interior  has  an  equally  strange 
appearance  with  the  exterior,  but  it  is  neatly  fitted  up.  The  lower  story  of  the 
tower  is  used  as  a  vestry,  and  on  the  second  story  there  is  a  small  gallery. 
The  aisles  are  separated  from  the  nave  by  two  laiige  pointed  arches.  The 
roof  of  the  nave  is  flat  and  panelled,  the  intersecU<ms  being  marked  by 
grotesque  figures,  shields,  Sic.  The  pulpit  is  neatly  carved,  and  the  font 
is  octagonal.  The  windows  of  this  church  were  once  filled  with  stained 
glass.  The  east  window  at  present  exhibits  figures  of  the  Crucifixion,  the 
Blessed  Virgin,  St  John,  St  Dennis,  and  an  Archbishop.  In  the  south 
aisle  window  are  the  heads  of  two  female  Saints,  very  beautiful  and  perfect. 
The  body  of  Henry  Earl  of  Northumberland,  killed  at  the  battle  at  Towton, 
is  buried  under  a  large  slab  of  blue  marble  (the  family  vault)  in  the  north 
aisle.  On  the  walls  on  each  side  of  the  communion  tahle  are  monuments — 
one  to  the  memory  of  Mrs.  Dorothy  Hughes,  and  the  other  to  B.  W.  Hotham, 
Esq.,  Sheriff  of  York,  in  1801,  who  died  in  1806,  aged  48.  The  fenner 
monument,  which  has  no  date,  has  an  antique  female  figure  kneeling,  in  the 
costume  of  the  latter  part  of  the  17th  century;  and  the  latter,  which  is  of 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF  TORE.  513 

el^ant  marble,  exhibits  at  the  top  a  dove  descending  towards  a  weeping 
figure  leaning  upon  an  urn.  In  the  west  end  of  the  south  aisle  is  a  large 
tablet,  with  a  Corinthian  pillar  on  each  side,  to  the  memory  of  Dorothy  Wil- 
son, spinster,  who  died  in  1717,  aged  73,  and  left  a  considerable  number  of 
legades  for  charitable  purposes.  There  was  formerly  seyeral  ancient  inscrip- 
tions  in  this  church,  including  one  to  the  memory  of  Vice-Admiral  HolmeSi 
a  native  of  York,  who  died  in  1558. 

The  "  Chxjbgh  of  St.  Geobge,  Fishergate"  which  for  ecclesiastical  pur- 
poses is  united  with  the  church  of  St  Dennis,  stood  in  the  burial  ground  in 
St  G^eorge*8  Street.  It  was  a  Rectory,  originally  in  the  patronage  of  the 
family  of  Palmes,  of  Nabum,  many  of  whom  are  interred  here ;  that  village 
being  partly  in  the  parish  of  St  George.  It  was  afterwards  in  the  gift  of 
the  Malbyes,  of  Acaster,  and  in  the  reign  of  Richard  11.  it  was  appropriated 
to  the  Nunnezy  of  Monkton.  The  church-yard  is  an  elevated  situation,  and 
in  the  wall  next  to  Fishergate  Postern,  is  yet  remaining  a  curious  mutilated 
piece  of  sculpture,  that  in  all  probability  is  a  sepulchral  remnant  of  a  lady  of 
the  early  ages.  Mr.  Hargrove  tells  us  that  part  of  the  west  end  of  the  church 
was  standing  a  few  years  ago,  but  there  are  no  remains  of  it  now  visible. 
There  was  one  chantry  founded  in  this  church,  at  the  altar  of  St  Mary,  for 
the  soul  of  Nicholas,  son  of  Hugh  de  Sutton.  This  church-yard,  which  is 
now  the  place  of  interment  for  the  united  parishes  of  St.  Dennis,  St.  George, 
and,  until  lately,  for  Nabum,  is  remarkable  as  having  been  the  place  where 
was  interred  the  body  of  Richard  Turpin,  the  notorious  highwayman,  who 
was  tried  and  convicted  for  horse  stealing,  at  York  Assizes,  and  executed  on 
the  7th  of  April,  1780.  '<  Tradition  asserts,"  says  Allen,  "  that  early  on  the 
morning  after  the  interment,  the  body  was  stolen  for  the  purpose  of  dissec- 
tion ;  but  a  mob  having  assembled  on  the  occasion,  it  was  traced  by  them  to 
a  garden,  whence  it  was  borne  in  triumph  through  the  streets  on  four  men's 
shoulders,  replaced  in  the  same  grave,  and  a  quantity  of  slacked  lime  de- 
posited round  the  body.  On  the  coffin,*'  he  continues, "  was  inscribed  K  T., 
38 ;  but  he  is  said  to  have  informed  the  executioner  that  he  was  83  years  of 
age."  This  yard  was  used  as  a  place  of  burial  for  persons  dying  of  the 
cholera  in  188d.  The  church  or  parochial  chapel  of  Nabum  is  situate 
about  four  miles  south  of  York,  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  river  Ouse.  The 
living  is  annexed  to  the  Rectory  of  St  Dennis. 

St.  Olave's  Church,  MarygaU, — ^This  church,  which,  according  to  Drake, 
is  the  oldest  ecclesiastical  foundation  in  York,  except  the  Cathedral,  appears 
to  have  been  built  by  Siward,  Earl  of  Northumbria,  and  dedicated  to  St. ' 
Olave,  the  Danish  King  and  Martyr.    It  is  recorded  in  the  Saxon  Chronicle 

3  u 


514  ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   TORK. 

that  Earl  Si  ward  died  in  1066,  and  was  buried  "  within  the  Minster  at  Gal- 
manho,*  which  he  had  ordered  to  be  built  and  consecrated  in  the  name  of 
God  and  St.  Clave,  to  the  honour  of  God  and  all  his  saints."  In  the  time  of 
William  II.  it  was  an  ancient  Rectory  in  the  possession  of  Alan,  Earl  of 
Bretagnc,  to  whom  it  was  given  by  the  Conqueror.f  Alan  gave  it  with  the 
four  acres  of  land,  on  which  St.  Mary's  Abbey  afterwards  stood,  to  Stephen 
and  his  monks,  who  had  fled  from  Whitby,  in  order  that  they  might  settle 
here;  and  for  some  time  it  was  used  as  the  conventual  church.  After 
the  Abbey  church  was  erected,  St.  Olave's  was  accounted  as  a  chapel  de- 
pendent on  the  monks ;  and  it  is  probably  on  tliis  account  that  no  valuation 
is  put  upon  the  living  in  the  King's  Books.  During  the  siege  of  York  in 
1644,  the  old  edifice  was  much  shattered  in  consequence  of  a  battery  of  guns 
having  been  planted  upon  its  roof — some  of  the  hottest  firing  having  taken 
place  in  this  quarter.  It  was  however  repaired  in  the  reign  of  Charles  II., 
and  afterwards  nearly  rebuilt  in  17^^2-3,  the  stone  for  the  exterior  being 
chiefly  from  the  ruins  of  the  Abbey  of  St.  Mary,  which  it  adjoins.  "  One 
may  easily  imagine  this  church  to  have  been  built  out  of  St.  Mary's  Abbey," 
says  Gent,  "  it  is  indeed  a  handsome  one,  but  with  little  or  no  marks  of  an- 
tiquity." The  same  observation  is  stiU  applicable.  It  exhibits  a  mixture  of 
ancient  materials  and  modem  workmanship  so  combined,  as  to  be  worthy  the 
attention  of  the  curious.  In  this  church  was  formerly  a  seat  for  the  use  of 
the  Lords  President  of  the  North,  who  usually  attended  di^dne  service  here. 
The  benefice,  to  wliich  the  ancient  one  of  St.  Giles  is  united,  is  a  Perpetual 
Curacy,  in  the  patronage  of  Earl  de  Grey,  probably  as  lessee  under  the 
Crown ;  and  the  present  incumbent  is  the  Rev.  William  Henry  Strong. 

The  Fabric,  which  is  in  the  late  Perpendicular  style,  consists  of  a  nave, 
side  aisles,  and  west  tower.  The  latter  appendage  contains  six  bells,  and  is 
surmounted  by  a  parapet  and  eight  sleight  pinnacles.  The  north  side  of  the 
church  is  made  into  six  divisions  by  buttresses,  with  gargoyles  ending  in 
crocketed  pinnacles.  This  side  of  the  church  has  some  good  windows  and  a 
pointed  doorway,  over  which  is  a  large  niche  without  a  statue.  The  south 
side  is  much  plainer.  The  east  window  is  of  four  lights,  with  cinquefoil 
heads.  The  interior  is  very  neat,  having  been  entirely  re-furnished  a  few 
years  ago,  at  an  expense  of  about  ^300.,  raised  by  subscription.  The  seat^, 
which  are  single  with  doors,  are  of  Norway  oak ;  and  the  pulpit,  reading-desk, 
altar  piece,  &c.,  are  all  very  neat.  The  east  window  is  filled  with  stained 
glass,  and  there  is  a  gallery  at  the  west  end.     The  font  is  modern,  and  very 

*  Galinanho  was  the  ancient  name  of  Marygate.       f  Archbishop  Sharp's  MS. 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   YORK.  315 

good.  Against  the  east  end  of  the  north  aisle  is  a  handsome  marble  Uiblct 
to  Frances  Worslej,  daughter  of  Thomas  Worsley,  Esq.,  of  Hovingham  Uall, 
who  died  in  1837,  in  her  79th  year ;  another  handsome  tablet  to  Anthony 
Thorpe,  Esq.,  who  died  in  1830,  aged  72,  and  Susanna,  his  widow,  who  died 
in  1837,  aged  65 ;  and  another  to  David  Hussell,  Esq.,  who  died  in  Sep- 
tember, 1840,  aged  67.  In  the  same  aisle  are  the  following : — a  splendid 
marble  monument  to  the  Eyre  family ;  a  tablet  to  the  Rev.  Thomas  Cripps, 
Rector  of  Cheadle,  in  Cheshire,  who  died  in  1794,  aged  56  ;  a  plain  tablet  to 
WiUiam  Cattell,  and  his  widow  Sarah,  who  died — the  former  in  1830,  aged 
56,  and  the  latter  in  1842,  aged  71 ;  and  a  very  neat  sarcophagus  to  com- 
memorate David  Poole,  Esq.,  who  departed  this  life  in  1830,  aged  80,  and 
other  members  of  his  family.  In  the  east  end  of  the  soutli  aisle  is  an  ele- 
gandy-carved  tablet  to  William  Thornton,  architect,  who  died  in  17^1,  aged 
51  years;  and  a  neat  marble  tablet  to  John  Dyson  (who  died  in  18^7,  aged 
7Q),  and  his  two  wives.  Against  the  wall  of  this  aisle  are  handsome  tablets 
to  Mr.  George  Hutchinson,  of  Reeth,  in  this  county,  who  died  in  1775,  aged 
22,  and  his  mother,  Elizabeth  Hutchinson,  who  died  in  .1774;  to  Charles 
Christopher  Richard,  third  son  of  Francis  Beynton  llacket,  Esq.,  of  Moor 
Hall,  Warwickshire,  who  died  in  his  26th  year,  in  1849  ;  to  Alathea,  wife  of 
John  Jordon,  Esq.,  Colonel  of  the  9th  Dragoons,  who  died  in  1741,  and  was 
buried  here ;  and  to  Jolin  Roper,  Esq.,  and  Sarah,  his  wife,  the  former  died 
in  1826,  aged  69,  and  the  latter  in  1835,  in  her  61st  year. 

The  parish  of  St,  Giles,  or  St,  Etjidim  the  Abbot,  was  united  to  that  of  St. 
Clave  in  1585  ;  the  ancient  church  of  that  parish,  we  are  told  by  Gent,  stood 
"  in  St.  Giles  s  Gate,  vulgarly  called  Gillygate."  Its  exact  site  is  said  to  be 
near  the  middle  of  that  street,  on  the  north-west  side.  The  parish  of  St. 
Clave  is  without  the  walls  of  the  city,  in  the  North  Riding  of  the  county,  and 
Wapentake  of  Bulmer,  and  contains  the  hamlet  of  Marygate,  part  of  the 
township  of  Clifton,  one-third  of  Heworth,  and  one-third  of  RawcUffe. 

St.  Helen's  Church,  St.  Helens  Square,  was  anciently  a  Rectory  appro- 
priated to  the  Nunnery  of  Molesby,  in  Lincolnshire ;  and  in  the  reign  of 
Henry  V.  a  Vicarage  was  obtained  in  it  At  the  Reformation  the  patronage 
came  to  the  crown.  The  present  Vicar  is  the  Rev.  William  Hey.  It  appears 
that  there  were  formerly  four  churches  in  York  and  its  suburbs  dedicated  in 
honour  of  St.  Helen,  or  Helena,  the  mother  of  Constantino  the  Great ;  and 
tradition  states  that  the  one  we  are  now  describing  stands  on  the  site  of  a 
heathen  temple  dedicated  to  the  goddess  Diana,  whose  statues  usually  were 
placed  where  three  ways  met.  This  will  appear  the  more  probable  when  we 
recollect  that  in  1770,  some  Roman  foundations  were  discovered  near  it. 


616  ECCLESIASTICAL  EDIFICES   OF  YORK. 

From  ita awkward  situation  at  the  junction  of  three  streets,  in  the  Act  passed 
in  the  1st  of  Edward  VI.  (1547),  St.  Helen's,  oommonlj  termed  in  Stonegate, 
was  suppressed  and  de&ced,  "  because  it  seemed  much  to  deform  the  dty, 
being  a  great  delay  to  some  streets  meeting  and  winding  at  it"  The  in- 
habitants, however,  in  the  1st  of  Queen  Maiy  (1558),  procured  an  Act  of 
Pailiament  to  enable  them  to  re-edify  the  church,  and  restore  the  church-Turd 
that  extended  fi!om  it  so  far  as  to  occupy  a  great  part  of  the  area,  in  fiimt  of 
several  old  cottages,  which  then  stood  where  the  York  Tavern  (now  Harker's 
Royal  Hotel)  was  erected  in  1770.  The  ground  of  the  church-yard  having 
risen  to  an  enormous  height  by  successive  interments,  it  was  approached 
from  the  street  by  an  ascent  of  stone  steps,  and  the  entrance  into  the  church 
was  by  a  descent  of  a  similar  kind.  This  rendered  the  passage  for  carriages 
to  the  Assembly  Rooms  extremely  unpleasant ;  and  in  1748,  the  Corporation 
gave  the  parish  a  plot  of  ground  in  Davygate  for  a  place  <^  interment,  and 
levelled  and  apppropriated  the  church  yard  to  the  public  use ;  and  by  some 
anomaly  of  taste  or  language  called  it  St  Helen's  Square,  notwithstanding 
its  triangular  shape.  Prior  to  these  alterations  the  area  bore  the  opprobrious 
name  of  Cuckold's  comer.  There  were  three  chantries  in  this  church,  one 
founded  by  WiUiam  de  Grantham,  merchant,  in  1871 ;  another  by  Ralph  de 
Hornby,  merchant,  in  1878;  and  the  third  by  John  de  Nasaington,  the 
period  of  which  is  uncertain.  The  edifice  abuts  on  the  space  called  a  tquare, 
to  which  it  gives  name,  and  consists  of  a  nave,  chancel,  and  side  aisles.  As 
we  have  seen  the  whole  structure  was  partly  rebuilt,  and  entirely  restored  in 
the  beginning  of  the  reign  of  Queen  Maiy ;  its  general  style  is  Decorated. 

The  roof  of  the  nave  (at  the  west  end)  rises  to  an  apex,  on  which  is  a  small 
octangular  lantern,  or  bell  turret,  erected  about  forty  years  ago,  when  the  old 
octagonal  steeple  was  taken  down.  Each  face  of  this  lantern  appendage  has 
a  pointed  window,  and  it  is  finished  with  a  neat  pierced  battlement  The 
west  fi!ont  has  buttresses  terminating  in  crocketed  pinnacles,  and  a  recessed 
pointed  arch,  beneath  which  is  a  very  handsome  window  of  four  lights. 
Under  this  window  is  a  pointed  doorway,  the  weather  cornice  resting  on 
shields.  The  west  end  of  the  south  aisle  is  made  into  two  divisions  by  but- 
tresses, which  gives  the  church  a  very  singular  appearance.  In  them  are 
pointed  windows  of  three  lights,  and  the  battlement,  which  is  continued  on 
the  aisles,  is  pierced  in  a  very  tastefid  manner.  The  west  end  of  the  north 
aisle  is  partly  built  against,  and  the  remainder  of  the  church  is  totally  con- 
cealed firom  view.  In  the  interior  the  centre  is  divided  from  the  aisles  by 
four  pointed  arches  resting  on  octagonal  columns  without  bases  or  captals. 
The  east  window  has  some  stained  glass  left,  representing  full  length  figures 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF  TOBK.  517 

of  a  King  and  Qaeen,  Bishops,  and  sereral  saints ;  and  in  the  windows  of 
the  aisles,  are  some  shields  of  arms  of  the  familiee  of  Beauchamp,  Fitzhngh, 
Peioj,  Lucy,  and  Skirlaw.  The  roof  of  the  church  is  ceiled  and  plain ;  in 
the  west  end  is  a  small  galleiy,  on  which  stands  a  small  organ.  The  pulpit 
is  octagonal,  and  the  altar  piece  is  neat.  The  old  Saxon  font,  lined  with 
lead,  and  ornamented  with  antique  sculpture,  is  the  most  curious  in  the  citj. 

There  is  here  a  small  marble  tablet  to  the  memory  of  two  maiden  sisters, 
Barbara  and  Elizabeth  Dayyea,  who  died  in  1765  and  1767,  each  08  years 
of  age.  They  lived  in  the  reign  of  Charles  n.,  and  the  five  successive 
monarchs.  This  tablet  was  erected  by  their  nephew  "to  perpetuate  their 
memory,  and  the  singular  instance  of  their  longevity  and  departure  in  the 
same  year  of  their  age." 

Church  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  MickUgate^  formerly  called  8t, 
Jokn%  Ouse  Bridge  End. — This  is  a  Perpetoal  Curacy,  appertaining  to  the 
Dean  and  Chapter  of  York,  and  though  menticmed  in  the  Liber  Regis,  has 
no  value  afifixed  to  the  living.  The  jMresent  incumbent  is  the  Rev.  Edwin 
Fox.  The  Building  consistB  of  a  nave  and  side  aisles,  the  south  side  and 
east  end  abutting  upon  Mioklegate  and  North  Street  In  1551  the  lofty 
steeple  of  this  church  was  blown  down,  and  has  never  been  rebuilt,  but  its 
place  is  supplied  by  an  ugly  brick  turret,  very  much  resembling  a  pigeon 
cote,  which  greatly  disfigures  the  church.  In  this  excrescence  hangs  a 
peal  of  six  bells,  three  of  which  were  brought  from  the  ancient  church  of  St. 
Nicholas,  out  oi  Walmgate,  and  hung  up  here  in  1658.  There  was  formeriy 
a  burial  ground,  surrounded  by  a  wall,  in  front  of  this  church ;  but  at  the  time 
of  the  improvements  about  Ouse  Bridge,  the  wall  was  removed  and  a  portion 
of  the  churchyard  was  taken  into  the  street.  In  1850  the  east  end  was 
pulled  down,  re-built,  and  straightened,  to  widen  the  street^  the  north  side 
was  restored  with  Whitby  stone,  and  the  whole  church  was  thoroughly  re- 
paired. At  the  same  time  the  church  was  re-furnished — single  seats  being 
substituted  for  the  old-fiuihioned  high  pews.  The  cost  of  the  restoration,  re- 
parations, &c.,  was  ahout  iS900.,  raised  by  voluntary  contribution,  aided  by  a 
grant  from  the  Church  Building  Society.  The  architect  was  Mr.  George 
Fowler  Jones,  of  York.  The  edifice  is  partly  in  the  Decorated  and  partly  in 
the  Perpendicular  styles ;  its  south  side  is  in  five  divisions,  made  by  but- 
tresses of  three  gradations.  In  the  first  from  the  west  is  a  small  but  very 
neat  porch,  and  a  small  square-headed  window  of  two  lights ;  in  each  of  the 
three  succeeding  divisions  is  a  depressed  arched  window  of  three  lights,  and 
in  the  easternmost  division  is  a  similar  window  of  two  lights.  The  finish  of 
this  facade  is  a  string  course  and  battlement,  and  the  buttresses  are  finished 


618  ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   YORK. 

with  gargoyles  and  pinnacles.  At  the  east  end  the  roofs  of  the  three  aisles 
rake  to  an  apex,  and  are  without  ornament  There  are  three  large  windows  in 
this  end.  The  west  front  is  built  against,  and  the  north  side  of  the  church  is 
partly  concealed  from  view.  The  interior  is  very  neat,  three  large  pointed 
arches,  springing  from  octagonal  pillars,  divide  the  aisles  &om  the  nave. 
The  east  end  of  the  latter  is  used  as  a  chancel.  The  ceiling  is  flat  and 
panelled,  and  the  roofs  of  the  aisles,  which  have  a  slight  rising,  are  panelled 
with  bosses  of  arms,  &o.  The  aisles  evidently  had  formerly  a  groined  roof, 
as  there  are  remains  of  several  corbals.  The  altar  piece  is  plain,  the  pulpit 
sexagonal,  and  the  font  is  new  and  good.  A  portion  of  the  west  end  of 
the  north  aisle  is  used  as  a  vestry,  but  the  building  of  a  vestry  on  the  north 
side  of  the  church  is  in  contemplation.  In  the  vestry  are  two  curious  pewter 
flagons,  one  of  which  is  17  inches  high  and  5  inches  in  diameter,  with  scroU 
work  engraved.  It  is  of  seven  sides,  each  adorned  with  a  full  length  figure, 
habited  in  the  costume  of  the  middle  of  the  17th  century.  The  windows 
still  retain  some  painted  glass,  representing  the  Crucifixion,  the  Interment, 
&c.,  of  our  Lord,  and  the  arms  of  York,  Neville,  and  other  families.  There 
were  anciently  four  chantries  in  this  church.  Here  lie  interred  the  remains 
of  Sir  Richard  Yorke,  of  York,  Knight,  who  represented  this  city  in  six 
different  Parliaments,  and  died  in  1508.  He  was  Mayor  of  the  Staple  at 
Calais,  and  Lord  Mayor  of  this  city  in  1469  and  1482.  On  the  north  side 
of  the  communion  table  is  an  altar  monument  lately  inscribed  to  his  memory, 
though  it  is  not  certain  that  it  was  erected  for  him.  "  North  of  the  altar,'' 
says  Gent,  "  is  a  tomb  without  any  inscription,  nor  could  I  learn  who  was 
interred  therein ;  neither  guess,  unless  of  Sir  Richard  Yorke,  depicted  in  the 
windows  above  it."  The  modem  monuments  are  not  numerous,  nor  worthy 
of  particular  notice. 

Church  of  St.  Lawhence,  out  of  Wiihngate  Bar,  in  the  street  to  which  it 
gives  name. — This  was  anciently  a  Rcctoiy  belonging  to  the  Dean  and 
Chapter  of  York ;  it  was  one  of  the  great  farms  of  that  body,  and  usually 
demised  to  one  of  the  Canons  Residentiary,  at  an  annual  rent  of  £9.  ISs.  4d. 
It  is  now  a  peculiar  Vicarage  in  their  gift,  and  in  the  incumbency  of  tho 
Rev.  John  Robinson.  A  chantry  was  founded  here  in  1346,  by  Nicholas 
Wartyr.  In  1365  the  church  of  St.  Michael  was  united  to  this  church,  sub- 
ject to  a  pension  of  13s.  4d.  per  annum,  to  the  Priory  and  Convent  of 
Kirkliam ;  and  in  1685  Archbishop  Sandys,  with  the  Mayor  and  Corporation, 
united  to  it  the  churches  of  St.  Helen  and  All  Saints,  in  Fishergate.  At  the 
si^e  of  York  in  1644,  the  church  of  St.  Lawrence  was  nearly  destroyed,  and 
it  remained  in  ruins  till  1669,  when  it  was  repaired  partially,  but  in  the  year 
1817  it  was  thoroughly  restored  and  enlarged. 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   YORK.  619 

The  Edifice,  which  is  of  mixed  styles,  consists  only  of  a  nave  or  body,  and 
a  chancel,  with  a  small  western  tower  of  three  stories.  In  the  west  front  of 
the  lower  story  of  the  tower  is  a  rude  sculpture,  representing  St.  Lawrence 
and  the  gridiron.  The  windows  of  the  church  are  small,  and  of  different 
shapes,  some  having  pointed  arches,  others  circular,  and  some  square-headed. 
On  the  north  side  is  a  beautiful  Norman  doorway,  somewhat  resembling  those 
belonging  to  the  churches  of  St.  Margaret  and  St.  Dennis.  The  circular 
head  of  this  doorway  is  of  four  mouldings,  the  interior  one  being  plain,  and 
the  rest  of  a  scroll  or  flower  pattern.  The  two  outer  mouldings  rest  on 
columns ;  on  the  capital  of  one  is  sculptured  a  Sagittarius,  and  on  the  other 
one  the  Holy  Lamb  opposed  by  a  dragon.  The  interior  of  the  church  is 
plain.  The  tower  is  open  to  it  by  a  low  pointed  arch ;  the  arch  between 
the  nave  and  chancel  is  pointed;  the  ceilings  of  both  the  nave  and  the 
chancel  are  flat,  and  at  the  w^est  end  is  a  small  gallery  sustained  by  tw^o 
Tuscan  piUars.  The  font,  which  is  of  Purbeck  marble,  is  very  curious. 
It  consists  of  an  octagonal  basin,  ornamented  with  bosses  of  heads,  leafage, 
and  grotesque  figures,  standing  on  a  pedestal  of  the  same  form.  In  the 
tracery  of  the  east  window  are  the  family  arms  of  Hesketli — arg.  on  a 
bend  «o6.  three  garbs  or;  crest,  a  garb,  ar,  banded  az. — with  this  motto, 
"  C*EST  La  Sevl  vertve  qvi  Donne  La  Noblesse"  ('Tis  virtue  only  that 
confers  nobility).  In  the  chancel  are  several  neat  marble  monuments,  in- 
scribed to  the  memory  of  difierent  branches  of  the  Yarburgh  family,  of 
Heslington,  a  neighbouring  village,  who  have  a  vault  in  this  church.  Drake 
mentions  "  two  antique  statues,  which  lie  on  the  church-yard  wall  (of  St. 
Lawrence's),  to  the  street,  in  priests*  habits,  but  whether  Christian  or 
pagan,  is  a  doubt."  There  is  no  longer  a  doubt  on  this  point,  for  it  seems 
very  certain  that  they  have  been  a  portion  of  a  series  of  statues  which  once 
adorned  the  church  of  St.  Mary's  Abbey,  and  eight  of  which  are  now  in  the 
Yorkshire  Museum.  The  waU  upon  which  they  stood  in  Drake's  time  has 
been  superseded  by  a  neat  iron  palisade,  and  the  two  effigies  now  stand 
against  the  north  waU  of  the  church — one  on  each  side  of  the  Norman  door- 
way. "  It  is  much  to  be  regretted,"  says  the  Rev.  C.  Wellbeloved,  "  that  the 
statues,  now  in  the  church-yard  of  St.  Lawrence,  should  be  separated  from 
the  other  remains  of  the  series  of  which  they  were  originally  a  part,  and 
placed  on  the  sides  of  a  Norman  portal,  with  which  they  have  no  proper  con- 
nection, where  they  have  no  meaning,  excite  no  particular  interest,  are  seen 
by  few,  and  are  exposed  to  still  further  injury  from  the  weather." 

Against  the  same  waU  of  this  church  is  fixed  a  large  grit  stone,  supposed 
by  some  historians  to  have  been  a  Roman  altar,  and  by  others  a  portion  of  a 


530  ECCLESIASTICAL  EDIFICES   OF  TOBK. 

cross  of  memoriaL  It  is  without  anj  inscription.  In  the  course  of  the  past 
year  (1854),  the  Archbishop  of  York  consecrated  an  acre  of  land  as  an 
enlargement  of  the  burial  ground  of  this  church.  The  cost,  about  £800. 
has  been  liberallj  contributed  to  by  N.  E.  Tarburgh,  Esq.,  the  late,  and 
Yarburgh  Yarburgh,  Esq.,  the  present,  owner  of  the  HesHngton  estate.  In 
consequence  of  the  enlargement,  this  burial  ground  was  suffered  to  remun 
open,  subject  to  the  conditions  noticed  at  page  396,  whilst  all  the  other 
church-yards  in  York  were  closed  during  the  past  year.  Against  the  west 
wall  of  the  church-yard  is  a  large  monument,  to  the  memory  of  six  children 
of  the  late  Mr.  Rigg,  of  this  parish,  and  another  person,  who  were  drowned 
in  the  Ouse,  near  Acomb  landing,  by  their  pleasure-boat  being  run  down  by 
a  Tessel  in  full  sail,  on  the  19th  of  August,  1830.  The  epitaph  is  by  James 
Montgomery.  A  stone  coffin  serves  the  purpose  of  a  trough  to  a  pump  in 
the  front  of  this  church-yard. 

The  ancient  Chtirck  of  St,  Michael  was  situated  near  Walmgate  Bar. 
It  was  a  Rectory,  appropriated  to  the  Prior  and  Convent  of  Earkham.  In 
1365  it  was  united  by  the  Archbishop  of  York  to  the  acljoining  church  and 
parish  of  St.  Lawrenoe,  the  Vicars  paying  to  the  convent  of  Kirkham  out  of 
the  tithes  the  annual  sum  of  13s.  4d.  There  are  no  traces  of  the  edifice 
to  be  seen,  and  its  exact  site  is  unknown ;  but  the  Rev.  C.  Wellbeloved 
says  "  I  am  inclined  to  think,  from  some  information  I  received  from  one 
of  the  Ordnance  surveyors,  that  it  was  near  the  Bar,  on  the  east  side  of  the 
road  to  Fdford."  ' 

The  ancient  Church  of  St.  Nicholcu  stood  in  Watlingate  (now  Lawrence 
Street),  on  the  ground  adjoining  Plantation  House  and  the  Tan-yard.  It 
was  originally  connected  with  the  Hospital  of  St  Nicholas ;  and  after  the 
dissolution  of  religious  houses,  it  remained  parochial  imtil  the  si^e  of  York 
in  1644,  when  it  was  destroyed  by  the  Parliamentarians.  We  learn  from 
tradition  that  the  soldiers  seized  the  beUs,  intending  to  cast  them  into  can- 
non ;  but  being  rescued  from  them  by  Lord  Fairfax,  they  were,  in  1653, 
placed  in  St  John's  Church,  Micklegate.  The  magnificent  old  porch  in  front 
of  St  Margaret's  Church,  Walmgate,  was  brought  from  this  building ;  and 
the  other  parts  of  the  ruins  were  successively  removed  to  repair  the  roads, 
Ac,  till  the  whole  completely  disappeared.  Upon  the  same  road,  a  little  fur- 
ther towards  HesHngton,  at  the  comer  of  Edward  Street,  and  opposite 
Lamel  Hill,  formerly  stood  the  Church  of  St.  Edward,  which  was  a  Rectory, 
under  the  Archbishops  of  York,  and  thus  continued  till  1585,  when  it  was 
united  to  the  church  of  St  Nicholas.  Time  has  destroyed  every  vestige  of 
this  ancient  structure. 


FXfJ.F.SIAS'nCAL    EDmCFH    OF    YOUK.  5*21 

The  Church  of  St.  Helen ,  in  Fisljergate,  was  situated  on  the  road  to  Ful- 
ford,  but  its  site  cannot  be  exactly  ascertained. 

Tlie  Church  of  All  Saints  is  supposed  to  have  stood  on  a  part  of  the  present 
cattle  market,  without  I*'ishergate  Bar.  Drake  observes  that  he  could  not 
ascertain  where  All  Saints'  was  erected,  but  the  many  relics  of  mortality 
which  were  exposed  in  1826^  on  opening  the  ground  for  the  new  market, 
leaves  little  doubt  that  it  was  the  site  of  the  above  church.  All  Saints'  was 
a  very  ancient  Rectory,  given  by  King  William  11.  to  the  Abbey  of  Whitby, 
on  condition  that  the  monks  there  should  pray  for  him  and  his  heirs.  There 
was  also  another  church  in  Fishei^ate,  dedicated  to  St.  Andrew,  which  was 
a  Rectory,  given  to  the  Priory  of  Newburgh,  by  Lord  Mowbray. 

St.  Maboabet  s  Church,  Walmgate. — Walter  Fagenulf  gave  this  church 
and  that  of  St.  Mary,  which  were  conjoined  into  one  Rectory,  and  which  also 
stood  in  this  street,  to  the  Hospital  of  St.  Peter  or  St.  Leonard,  York,  in  the 
reign  of  Henry  I.  At  the  time  of  the  dissolution  the  patronage  came  to  the 
Crown,  where  it  still  remains.  The  Rev.  George  Coopland  is  the  present 
Rector.  In  1672  the  steeple  of  this  church  fell  down,  and  seriously  injured 
the  roof  of  the  building,  which,  owing  to  inability,  or  unwillingness  of  the 
parish  at  that  period,  was  not  repaired  till  1684,  when  the  parishioners  were 
assisted  by  a  subscription  for  the  work.  The  roof  was  then  covered  with  red 
tiles,  and  the  square  tower  was  chiefly  built  with  bricks.  In  1839  the  church 
underwent  a  considerable  restoration ;  but  in  1851*2  the  structure,  except  the 
tower,  was  enlarged  and  nearly  rebuilt.  The  Edifice  is  situated  in  the  church- 
yard behind  the  houses  on  the  north  side  of  the  street,  and  the  approach  from 
the  street  is  through  a  neat  pair  of  iron  gates.  Its  parts  are  a  nave,  the  east 
end  of  which  is  used  as  a  chancel,  a  north  aisle,  a  small  chapel  on  the  south 
side,  now  used  as  a  vestry,  and  a  brick  tower  at  the  west  end.  This  tower, 
which  contains  three  good  bells,  has  stone  quoins,  and  a  battlement,  with  de- 
cayed pinnacles  at  the  angles.  In  one  of  the  three  divisions  of  the  south  side 
of  the  church,  is  a  beautiful  and  very  celebrated  porch,  which  was  brought 
here  from  the  church  or  hospital  of  St.  Nicholas,  which  formerly  stood  with- 
out Walmgate  Bar.  This  particularly  curious  doorway,  of  very  early  work- 
manship, is  undoubtedly  the  most  extraordinary  specimen  of  Norman  or  even 
Saxon  sculpture  and  architecture  this  country  can  exhibit.  It  consists  of 
four  united  semicircular  arches,  below  and  within  each  other.  The  top  or 
outer  arch  exhibits  the  twelve  signs  of  the  zodiac,  with  a  thirteenth  zodiacal 
sign,  according  to  the  Anglo-Saxon  calendar,  which  continued  in  use  for  some 
time  after  the  Norman  Conquest,  each  sign  being  followed  by  a  hieroglyphical 
representation  of  the  corresponding  month.     Beneath  the  zodiacal  signs  is  a 

3  X 


5 "24  En  LESIASTTrAL   EDIFICES   OF   YORK. 

carved  lluwer  moulding.     The  second  arch  comprises  twenty-two  grotesque 
ma<iks;  the  third,  eigliteen  hieroglvphical  figures;  and  the  fourth,  fifteen 
figures  similar  to  those  on  the  preceding  one.     The  outer  arch  is  supported 
bj  curiouslj  carved  pillars,  and  the  three  inner  ones  rest  upon  round  columns. 
Within  the  porch  is  a  small  recess  on  each  side ;  and  over  the  door  of  the 
church  is  a  carved  arch,  also  supported  by  round  columns.     The  roof  of  the 
porch  rises  to  an  apex,  which  is  surmounted  by  a  small  stone  image  of  the 
crucifixion ;  and  the  whole,  which  is  singularly  pleasing,  is  an  admirable  dis- 
play of  the  taste  which  prevailed  a  short  time  previous  to  the  abandonment 
of  the  Saxon  style.     This  splendid  piece  of  ancient  art  has  excited  much 
controversary  amongst  antiquarians,  some  contending  that  it  belongs  to  the 
loth  or  11th  century,  and  others  again  that  it  is  a  Roman  work.     But  what- 
ever may  be  the  date  of  its  erection,  all  have  agreed  to  pronounce  it  a  most 
rare  and  exquisite  piece  of  carving  in  stone.     The  recent  enlargement  and 
restoration  of  this  church  cost  about  £1,240.,  raised  by  subscription.     The 
width  of  the  north  aisle  was  increased  by  six  feet;  the  walls  and  all  the 
tracery  of  the  windows  were  restored,  and  the  latter  was  glazed  with  Cathe- 
dral glass,  with  a  coloured  margin.     The  church  was  new  roofed,  and  covered, 
together  with  the  splendid  porch,  with  slate,  instead  of  the  old  red  tiles ;  the 
vestry  was  new  roofed,  and  a  new  window  inserted  in  it.     The  interior  was 
re-fumished,  and  tlie  gallery  at  the  west  end  was  enlarged  and  elevated. 
This  gallery  was  erected  in  1839,  at  a  cost  of  500  guineas,  of  which  sum  the 
present  Rector  contributed  J2200.     Previous  to  the  alterations,  the  cliurcb 
accommodated  400  persons,  but  provision  is  now  made  for  540,  the  additional 
sittings  being  free.     The  interior  of  the  building  has  an  exceedingly  chaste 
and  elegant  appearance,  and  not  the  least  improvement  is  the  substitution  of 
neat  open  seats  for  the  old  high  pews.     The  roofs  are  open,  and  of  stained 
pine,  and  the  benches  are  stained  and  varnished.     The  reading  desk  and 
altar  rails  are  new,  and  in  keeping  with  the  other  fittings,  but  the  pulpit, 
which  is  sexagonal,  is  old.     The  tower  is  open  to  the  church,  and  the  aisle 
is  divided  from  the  body  of  the  church  by  four  pointed  arches,  resting  on  oc- 
tagonal columns,  vrithout  capitals.     The  elegant  new  font  is  from  the  chisel 
of  Mr.  William  Jackson,  of  this  city,  sculptor,  and  is  the  gift  of  Mrs.  L.  S. 
Townsend.     It  is  of  Caen  stone,  and  has  eight  sunk  panels,  with  sacred  mo- 
nograms and  foliage  carved  therein.     A  new  organ  has  just  been  purchased 
for  this  church ;  the  cost,  about  JS70.,  being  raised  by  subscription.     At  the 
chancel  end  of  the  nave  is  a  neat  tablet  to  the  memory  of  T.  Wilson,  Esq., 
an  eminent  bookseller  in  this  city,  who  served  the  office  of  Sheriff  in  1767, 
and  died  in  1780,  aged  59 ;  and  another  to  S.  Wormold,  Esq.,  Lord  Mayor 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   YORK.  5S3 

of  York  in  1809,  who  died  in  1814,  aged  60  years.  There  are  several  large 
trees  in  the  church-yard,  which,  heing  in  a  state  of  decay,  were  removed  about 
seven  years  ago,  and  young  trees  planted  instead  of  them.  The  ancient 
Church  of  St,  Peter  in  the  WiUowa,  which  at  the  time  of  the  union  of  the 
churches  in  York  was  united  to  St.  Margaret's,  was  situated  at  the  west  end 
of  Long  Close  Lane,  near  its  junction  with  Walmgate.  It  was  an  ancient 
Rectory,  in  the  gift  of  the  monastery  of  Kirkham,  and  in  it  was  a  perpetual 
chantry,  founded  at  the  altar  of  St.  Mary,  but  the  founder *s  name  is  unknown. 

Church  of  St.  Martin  the  Bishop,  Coney  Street. — This  is  sometimes 
denominated  the  church  of  St.  Martin-le-Grand,  but  for  which  title  there  is 
not  the  slightest  authority.  It  W5is  a  parochial  church  prior  to  the  Norman 
Conquest,  for  in  the  Domesday  Survey  it  is  noticed  that  "  Gospatrick  has  the 
church  of  St.  Martin,  in  Conyng  Streete."  Since  that  time  it  was  numbered 
amongst  the  great  farms  of  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of  York ;  and  in  1331  that 
body  appointed  William  de  Langtoft,  Vicar  of  the  Perpetual  Vicarage  thereof, 
and  gave  him  an  adjoining  house  to  dwell  in,  with  other  privileges,  including 
the  fruits  and  obventions  of  the  churches  of  St.  Andrew,  St.  Stephen,  and 
St  John,  in  H ungate,  and  the  mediety  of  St  Helen,  in  Werkdyke ;  and,  as 
dependent  on  St.  Martin's,  the  churches  of  St.  Michael  de  Berefride,  St.  John 
ad  Pontem  Use,  and  St.  Mary,  in  Layerthorpe.  There  were  two  chantiies 
here  also,  for  the  support  of  which  certain  houses  were  erected  in  the  church- 
yard, and  their  rents  paid  to  the  officiating  priests.  The  living  is  still  a 
Vicarage,  in  the  patronage  of  the  Dean  and  Chapter,  and  incumbency  of 
the  Rev.  WiUiam  Henry  Oldfield. 

The  Fabric,  which  is  a  good  specimen  of  late  Perpendicular  work,  is  com- 
posed of  a  nave  (the  east  end  of  which  is  used  as  a  chancel)  and  side  aisles, 
and  a  handsome  square  tower  at  the  south  west  angle.  This  tower  is  in 
three  stories,  and  has  several  good  windows,  with  weather  cornices  resting  on 
human  heads,  &c,,  and  is  finished  with  a  handsome  battlement  pierced  with 
quatrefoil  and  trefoil  panels ;  and  at  each  angle  are  double  buttresses,  which 
rise  to  nearly  the  height  of  the  building,  where  they  are  finished  by  square 
shafts  terminating  in  crocketed  pinnacles,  and  secured  to  the  structure  by 
gargoyles  of  the  most  grotesque  description.  In  the  tower  is  a  peal  of  eight 
bells,  presented  by  William  Thompson,  Esq.,  in  1729.  Each  bell  has  a 
quaint  motto ;  for  example,  the  sixth  bell  gives  this  piece  of  excellent  advice : 

"  All  you  who  hear  my  moumftil  sound, 
Repent  before  you  lie  in  ground." 

The  west  end  of  the  nave,  which  rises  to  an  apex,  is  of  considerable  height, 
and  contains  a  fine  window  of  five  lights,  and  the  same  end  of  the  north 


524  ECCLESIASTiaiL   EDIFICES   OF   TOBK. 

aisle  has  a  similar  window  of  three  lights.     The  south  side  of  the  chureb  is 
made  into  five  divisions  by  small  buttresses  of  two  gradations,  from  which 
rise  shafts  with  gargoyles.     The  entrance  to  the  church  is  in  the  first  divi- 
sion from  the  west,  and  consists  of  a  small  porch  with  a  pointed  arch,  and 
pilasters  of  the  Ionic  order.     This  porch  appears  to  be  the  work  of  the  middle 
of  the  last  century.     The  other  divisions  on  this  side  contain  each  a  pointed 
window  of  three  lights,  and  the  clerestory  of  the  nave  and  chancel  contains 
five  depressed  arched  windows  of  four  lights.      Both  aisle  and  clerestory 
finish  with  a  cornice  and  plain  pampct.     The  east  end  abuts  on  Coney 
Street,  and  is  rendered  remarkable  by  a  large  circular  clock,  which  was 
erected  by  the  parish  in  1008,  and  projects  into  the  street.     Upon  this  clock 
is  the  figure  of  a  man  holding  a  quadrant,  as  if  in  the  act  of  taking  a  solar 
observation.*     This  quadrant  formerly  always  pointed  to  the  sun.     The  east 
window,  which  is  handsome,  is  similar  to  that  in  the  west  end  of  the  nave ; 
and  the  east  end  of  the  aisles  have  each  a  pointed  window  of  three  lights. 
Beneath  the  north  aisle  window  is  a  square  headed  doorway,  and  between 
the  central  and  north  windows  of  this  end  of  the  church  is  a  small  square 
niche,  which,  before  the  recent  restoration,  contained  a  mutilated  statue  of  the 
Virgin  and  Child.     The  north  side  of  the  church  being  built  against  has  no 
windows.     In  the  year  1853  three  of  the  clerestory  windows,  on  the  south 
side  towards  the  west,  were  restored,  Mr.  Aspinall  being  the  builder;  and  in 
1854  the  remaining  two  clerestory  windows,  together  with  the  whole  of  the 
south  side  of  the  church,  including  the  windows  and  the  wall  of  the  east 
front,  were  restored  by  Mr.  Ralph  Weatherly,  of  York,  builder,  the  Messrs. 
Atkinson  of  the  same  city  being  the  architects.     The  above  mentioned  statue 
was  restored  and  placed  in  the  niche  in  the  month  of  January  in  the  present 
year,  but  having  been  considered  by  some  to  be  "a  most  offensive  addi- 
tion to  a  Protestant  place  of  worship,"  it  was  quickly  removed  by  order  of 
the  Archbishop  of  York.     The  cost  of  the  restoration  of  this  church,  about 
€1,100.,  was  raised  partly  by  subscription,  and  partly  by  mor^«^ng  the 
funds  belonging  to  the  parish,     The  Dean  and  Chapter  contributed  towards 
the  restoration  of  the  chancel  end  of  the  edifice.     The  porch  too  is  about  to 
be  rebuilt.     St  Martin*s  church  is  now  one  of  the  handsomest  in  the  citv. 
and  its  appearance  from  the  river  is  beautiful.     Allen  tells  us  that  previous 
to  the  year  1778,  there  was  a  considerable  quantity  of  Gothic  work  on  the 
buttresses,  but  that  "  it  being  thought  desirable  to  improve  the  appearance 

•  The  wags  of  tlio  city  say  that  this  man  stops  doTvn  from  his  olovated  situation  every 
tiiiio  hv  hears  the  clock  strike. 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   YOBK.  695 

of  that  part  of  the  church,  it  was  all  torn  away  hj  the  ruthless  hand  of  un- 
feeling ignorance."  The  interior  of  the  church  is  handsome.  The  body  is 
divided  from  the  aisles  by  six  pointed  arches,  supported  by  octagonal  columns. 
The  roofs  are  flat,  and  panelled  with  bosses  of  angels,  pomegranates,  &c,, 
enriched  with  foliage.  The  church  was  re-pewcd  some  eighteen  years  ago. 
The  altar  piece  is  neat,  and  the  balusters  round  the  commimion  table  arc 
yeiy  elegantly  carved.  The  pulpit  is  modem.  There  was  formerly  sus- 
pended before  the  pulpit  an  ancient  and  curious  piece  of  embroidery,  highly 
ornamented,  consisting  of  a  piece  of  puce  coloured  velvet  with  stars  of  gold, 
having  in  the  centre  a  representation  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  and  on  the  sides 
and  end  full  length  effigies  of  the  Apostles,  all  in  good  preservation.  This 
interesting  relic,  which  doubtless  at  a  former  period  formed  a  splendid  cope 
for  the  ministers  of  the  ancient  faith,  was  presented  to  the  Yorkshire  Museum 
in  1840.  Mr.  Allen  has  no  doubt  that  at  the  time  of  the  Reformation  **  many 
scores  of  equally  curious  and  elegant  specimens  of  the  taste  and  ingenuity  of 
our  forefathers  had  been  burnt  to  ashes  in  the  streets  of  York."  The  font 
is  octagonal,  plain  and  massy,  on  a  similar  stand,  with  an  elegantly  carved 
cover,  having  the  date  of  1717,  and  the  names  of  the  churchwardens  of  that 
year  carved  round  its  rim.  The  organ  stands  at  the  west  end  of  the  north 
aisle.  This  church  was  formerly  very  rich  in  stained  glass.  In  1722  the 
glass  from  the  great  east  window,  which  contained  "  the  history  of  St. 
Athanasius  and  his  Creed,"  was,  according  to  Gent,  removed  to  the  Minster 
by  order  of  the  Dean.  The  large  west  window,  which  is  called  St.  Martin's 
window,  exhibits  a  full  length  effigy  of  that  saint,  with  several  legends  con- 
cerning him ;  five  of  the  six  clerestory  windows  on  one  side  are  also  filled 
with  stained  glass,  and  there  are  some  remains  of  that  beautiful  article  in 
the  windows  of  the  aisle.  These  contain  figures  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  St. 
Geoi^e,  St.  John  of  Beverley,  St.  William,  St.  Dennis,  the  four  Evangelists, 
St.  Catherine,  Ac,  The  monuments  are  pretty  numerous.  In  the  wall  at 
the  east  end  of  the  south  aisle  is  a  curious  black  marble  slab  to  commemorate 
Thomas  Colthurst,  Esq.,  of  York,  who  died  in  June,  1588 ;  at  the  comers  of 
it  are  shields  in  which  his  crest  is  repeated.  At  the  east  end  of  the  church 
is  a  tablet  to  the  memory  of  Peter  Johnson,  Esq.,  Recorder  of  this  city,  who 
died  in  1706,  aged  76.  In  the  nave  is  a  neat  slab  to  Frances  Howard, 
daughter  of  F.  Howard,  Esq.,  of  Corby  Castle,  Cumberland,  who  died  in 

1719,  aged  81 ;  a  tablet  to  William  Dobson,  Esq.,  Lord  Mayor  of  York  in 

1720,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife,  the  former  died  in  1749,  and  the  latter  in 
1768 ;  a  handsome  Gothic  monument  to  John  Kendall,  Esq.,  and  his  wife, 
who  died,  the  former  in  1828,  aged  76,  and  the  latter  in  1833,  aged  79 ;  a 


626  ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   TOBK. 

«  

neat  marble  tablet,  surmounted  by  an  urn,  to  Alexander  Gerrard,  Esq.,  bar- 
rister-at-law,  wbo  died  in  this  city  during  the  Assizes,  in  March,  1791,  aged 
51 ;  a  tablet  to  John  Girdler,  Esq.,  who  died  in  1793,  aged  82 ;  two  neat 
tablets  to  the  Radcliffe  fianulj ;  and  a  neat  marble  tablet  to  William  Oldfield, 
Esq.,  Lord  Major  in  the  years  1825  and  1832,  who  died  in  1846,  aged  65. 
This  likewise  commemorates  his  widow,  Ann  Tamar,  who  died  in  1853,  aged 
62.  At  the  east  end  of  the  north  aisle  is  a  handsome  monument  to  Sir 
William  Sheffield,  Ent,  who  died  in  1633,  aged  58.  It  exhibits  busts  of  Sir 
William  and  his  wife,  and  female  figures  on  each  side.  Above  is  a  pediment 
with  a  shield  of  arms,  and  reclining  on  each  side  are  representations  of  Faith 
and  Hope,  with  Charity  in  the  centre.  On  the  floor  at  the  end  of  this  aisle  is 
a  brass  plate,  bearing  the  inscription,  "  In  memory  of  Mary  Ann  Campbdl, 
who  died  in  1806,  aged  39  years,  R.  I.  P."  In  the  south  aisle  is  a  slab  to 
E.  J.  Challoner,  Esq.,  who  died  in  1830,  aged  30 ;  and  near  it  is  one  to  the 
memory  of  Mrs.  Porteus,  mother  of  the  learned  Beilby  Porteus,  Bishop  of 
London,  who  was  bom  in  York,  and  was  the  youngest  of  nineteen  children. 
Also  tablets  to  Thos.  Surr,  and  members  of  his  family ;  Ann  Townsend ; 
George  Peacock,  Esq.,  his  wife,  &c. ;  Elizabeth  Sayer ;  Sarah  Stephenson ; 
and  a  large  handsome  one  to  Robert  Horsfleld,  Esq.  On  the  floor  at  the 
west  end  is  a  half  length  figure  in  brass  of  C.  Harrington,  goldsmith, 
who  died  in  1614. 

St.  Martin's  Church,  Micklegate. — ^An  ancient  Discharged  Rectory,  for- 
merly belonging  to  the  Barons  Trusbutt,  then  to  the  Priory  of  Wartre  or 
Worter,  then  to  the  Lords  Scroope,  of  Masham,  and  now  in  the  hands  of 
trustees  for  the  benefit  of  the  parish.     The  present  Rector  is  the  Rev.  John 
Montagu  Wynyard.     There  was  one  chantry  in  this  church  before  the  Re- 
formation.    The  Edifice,  which  is  of  mixed  styles,  comprises  the  usual  parts 
of  a  parish  church.     The  tower  was  rebuilt  of  brick  in  1677,  and  is  the  most 
modem  part  of  the  church.     Its  west  front  has  a  pointed  window  of  three 
lights,  and  its  finish  is  a  balustrade.     In  1565  John  Bean,  Lord  Mayor,  gave 
£100.  to  buy  a  set  of  "  tuneable  bells;  "  there  are  now  three  bells  in  the 
tower.     In  1680  a  clock  and  dial  were  erected,  at  the  cost  of  the  widow  of 
Alderman  Bawtry.     In  1585  the  church  of  St  Gregory  was  united  to  this 
church,  and  hence  it  is  called  St,  MarHn-cum-Oregory,    In  the  west  end  of 
the  north  aisle  is  a  window  of  three  lights,  with  trefoil  heads ;  the  end  of  the 
south  aisle  is  plain.     The  north  side  of  the  church,  which  faces  the  street,  is 
in  two  divisions,  marked  by  the  style  of  architecture.     The  western  end. 
which  appears  to  be  of  tHe  early  part  of  the  14th  century,  has  two  windows 
similar  to  the  one  in  the  west  end,  and  a  small  projecting  porch,  with  an  an- 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   YORK.  527 

gular  roof.  The  east  end  is  made  into  four  divisions  by  buttresses  of  three 
gradations,  finished  with  grotesque  gargoyles.  In  each  division  is  a  pointed 
window  of  three  lights.  Above  the  whole  is  a  parapet  supported  by  sculp- 
tured blocks.  This  portion  is  a  good  specimen  of  the  style  prevalent  in  the 
early  part  of  the  15th  century.  The  east  end  of  the  church  is  almost  built 
against  On  the  apex  of  the  roof  is  a  foliated  cross.  The  entire  length  of 
the  south  side  is  made  into  seven  divisions  by  buttresses,  finished  with  gar- 
goyles, much  mutilated.  The  windows  are  similar  to  those  in  the  chancel 
end  in  the  north  aisle,  but  the  parapet  is  without  the  sculptured  blocks.  In 
the  interior  the  nave  and  chancel  are  divided  from  the  aisles  bv  three  columns, 
the  two  westernmost  ones  being  circular ;  from  the  capitals  spring  pointed 
arches  of  the  13th  century.  The  chancel  is  separated  from  the  nave  by  a 
plain  arch.  The  altar  piece  is  of  the  Ionic  order,  with  a  circular  pediment. 
The  pulpit  is  of  wainscot  oak,  of  sexagonal  form,  and  richly  carved.  The 
font  is  a  plain  octagon,  on  a  pedestal  of  the  same  form.  The  ceiling  of  the 
chancel  rakes  to  about  two-thirds  of  the  chancel  arch,  where  it  becomes  flat. 
The  roof  of  the  nave,  which  springs  from  the  clerestory  windows,  is  panelled, 
with  sculptured  bosses  at  the  intersections.  The  ceiling  of  the  north  aisle  is 
plain,  and  the  south  aisle  is  like  unto  it,  except  that  the  chancel  portion  of  it 
is  ceiled  like  the  nave,  though  the  bosses  are  gone.  An  organ  was  erected  in 
the  tower,  which  opens  to  the  nave,  in  1836.  There  is  a  considerable  quan- 
tity of  stained  glass  in  the  windows,  but  generally  in  sad  condition.  The 
remains  of  Mr.  W.  Peckitt,  glass  painter  and  stainer,  of  this  city,  who  died 
in  1795,  aged  64,  are  buried  in  the  chancel  of  this  church,  and  there  is  in 
one  of  the  windows  of  the  north  aisle  a  neat  piece  of  modem  stained  glass  to 
his  memory ;  and  a  figure  of  Eeligion  (between  St.  Catherine  and  St.  John), 
by  the  same  artist,  to  the  memory  of  Anne,  his  wife,  who  died  in  1765.  In 
the  windows  of  this  aisle  are  also  representations  of  Adam  and  Eve,  and  the 
Baptism  of  Christ ;  and  in  the  windows  of  the  south  aisle  are  St.  George  and 
some  other  saints,  much  mutilated.  Amongst  the  monuments  is  one  in  the 
south  aisle  to  T.  Carter,  Esq.,  Alderman  and  Lord  Mayor  of  York,  who  died 
in  1686,  aged  52 ;  one  to  J.  Strickland,  Esq.,  of  Siserge,  in  Westmorland, 
who  died  in  1791,  aged  88 ;  and  one  in  the  nave  to  J.  Dawson,  Esq.,  who 
died  in  1731.  The  Register  book  of  this  parish  contains  many  curious  entries 
relative  to  the  siege  of  York  during  the  civil  war  in  the  reign  of  Charles  I. 

The  ancient  Church  of  St.  Gregory  stood  in  Barker  Lane,  formerly  called 
Gregory  Lane.     This  lane  leads  from  Micklegate  to  Tanner  Row. 

Church  of  St.  Mary,  Bishophill  Senior,  or  the  Elder, — This  was  an- 
ciently a  Rectory  of  medieties,  one  of  which  belonged  to  tlie  Abbot  and 


Convent  of  llealaugh  Park,  to  whom  it  was  given  by  Robert  dc  riumptou. 
It  aflcrwards  came  to  tbc  Crown,  and  the  families  of  Percy,  Vavasour,  and 
Scropc;  and  in  1515  the  whole  of  the  patronage  came  to  the  Crown.  In 
1585  the  parish  Church  of  St.  Clement,  without  Skeldergate  Postern,  was 
united  to  this  church.  The  Ilcv.  Henry  William  Beck  with  is  the  present 
licctor.  There  were  formerly  two  chantries  here.  The  Structure  is  small 
and  ancient,  and  having  a  double  row  of  trees  in  the  church-yard,  it  pos- 
sesses a  very  rural  and  pleasing  appearance.  It  consists  of  a  nave,  chancel, 
north  aisle,  and  a  square  tower  at  the  north  west  angle.  According  to  Drake 
there  is  a  great  quantity  of  millstone  grit  wrought  in  the  walls.  The  tower, 
which  was  built  in  1G50,  and  in  which  is  a  peal  of  six  good  bells,  is  princi- 
pally of  brick,  with  stone  quoins,  dressings,  and  battlements.  The  nave  and 
chancel  have  roofs  rising  to  gables,  and  of  red  tiles.  In  the  south  side  is  a 
brick  porch,  and  several  pointed  windows  placed  without  any  order,  and  in 
the  walls  is  a  curious  carved  stone,  apparently  a  portion  of  a  sepulchral 
memorial,  having  a  cross  with  rich  scroll  work.  The  east  end  of  the  church 
is  finished  with  a  plain  buttress.  The  large  cast  window  in  the  chancel  is 
of  five  lights,  with  Perpendicular  tracery.  The  chancd  is  in  the  Ayle  of  the 
14th  century.  A  modem  erection  of  brick,  attached  to  the  east  end  of  the 
chancel  aisle,  serves  as  a  vestry.  The  north  side  of  the  nave  is  in  three 
divisions  (including  the  tower)  made  by  buttresses  of  four  gradations ;  and  in 
each  division  is  a  pointed  arched  window  of  two  lights,  with  trefoil  heads, 
the  sweeps  containing  a  circle  in  which  is  a  cinquefoil.  The  weather  cornice 
terminates  in  heads  much  mutilated.  The  chancel  is  in  two  divisions,  the 
centre  buttress  having  a  finial.  The  interior  is  neatly  fitted  up.  Three 
semicircular  arches  springing  firom  circular  columns,  with  square  capitals,  and 
one  pointed  arch  which  rises  from  an  octagonal  pillar  and  capital,  divides  the 
north  aisle  from  the  nave.  The  chancel  is  divided  from  the  aisle  by  three 
arches  similar  to  the  last  described.  The  ceiling  of  the  whole  is  fiat  On 
the  south  side  of  the  communion  table  is  a  cinquefoil  locker.  The  font  is 
octagonal,  and  rests  on  a  similar  base.  Though  much  altered,  the  interior 
of  this  church  displays  the  architecture  of  the  12th  and  13th  centuries. 

Amongst  the  monuments,  which  are  numerous,  are  but  a  few  particulariy 
worthy  of  notice.  In  the  chancel  is  a  cenotaph,  ornamented  with  cherubs 
and  drapery,  to  Elias  Pawson,  Esq.,  Alderman,  and  Lord  Mayor  1704,  who 
died  in  1715,  aged  44 ;  and  one  to  G.  Dawson,  Esq.,  of  York,  who  died  in 
1812,  aged  79.  There  is  also  there  a  neat  monument  to  Mr.  Thomas  Rod- 
well,  who  died  in  1787,  aged  44 ;  and  a  Gothic  tablet  to  Mrs.  Sarah  Atkinson, 
who  died  in  1825,  aged  39.     The  church-yard  is  extensive,  and  abounds  with 


KCCLE9IASTICAL    EDIFICES    OF   YORK.  539 

tomb  stones.  Near  the  tower  is  a  handsome  monument,  surmounted  by  a 
sarcophagus,  on  lions'  feet,  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  Peter  Atkinson,  of  this 
city,  architect,  who  died  in  1805,  aged  70.  For  some  particulars  of  the 
church  of  St.  Clement,  see  page  406.  The  out  townships  of  Dringhouses 
and  Middlethorpe  belong  to  this  parish. 

Church  of  St.  Mart,  BishopkUl  Junior,  or  the  Younger. — This  is  a  Dis- 
charged Vicarage,  and  one  of  the  great  farms  of  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of 
York.  The  present  incumbent  is  the  Rev.  Arthur  Howard  Ashworth.  The 
Edifice,  which  is  of  great  antiquity,  was  till  latterly  supposed  to  be  a  Saxon 
structure ;  but  Mr.  Wellbelovcd  and  other  antiquarians  consider  that  it  was 
rebuilt  in  the  latter  part  of  the  Idth,  or  the  early  part  of  the  13th,  century, 
of  Saxon  and  even  of  Roman  materials.  Much  of  the  masonry  has  a  genuine 
Saxon  appearance,  especially  in  the  heavy  square  tower  at  the  west  end, 
which  is  equal  to  the  breadth  of  the  nave.  In  the  lower  portions  of  the 
latter  appendage  are  small  loop-holes  or  windows,  and  the  stones  and  bricks 
are  disposed  in  herring-bone  masonry,  which  is  quite  of  the  Saxon  cha- 
racter. According  to  Drake,  this  is  the  largest  tower  of  any  parish  church 
in  the  city,  and  the  same  authority  informs  us  that  the  north  side  of 
the  church  is  almost  wholly  built  of  large  stones  of  grit,  on  which  several 
regular  architectural  mouldings  can  be  traced.  The  plan  of  the  church  em- 
braces a  nave  and  side  aisles,  with  a  chancel  and  north  aisle.  The  tower 
contains  three  bells,  and  is  finished  with  a  battlement,  and  eight  small 
crocketed  pinnacles.  The  roof  of  the  nave  rises  to  a  gable.  The  chancel, 
which  is  the  most  ancient  part  of  the  structure  except  the  tower,  has  a 
pointed  window  of  three  lights  in  the  east  end ;  and  there  is  a  pointed  win- 
dow in  the  same  end  of  the  south  aisle.  The  windows  in  the  south  side  of 
the  church  are  of  mixed  styles,  and  the  north  side  is  built  against.  In  the 
interior  the  nave  is  divided  from  the  aisles  by  a  cylindrical  colunm,  from 
which  spring  on  the  north  side  two  semicircular  arches,  which  rest  against 
the  piers ;  those  on  the  south  side  are  heavy  and  pointed.  The  chancel  arch 
is  pointed ;  the  tower  arch  is  semicircular,  resting  on  piers  of  strong  masoniy ; 
and  the  chancel  is  divided  from  the  aisle  by  two  pointed  arches,  resting  on  an 
octagonal  column.  The  roof  of  the  nave  is  divided  into  panels,  but  the  bosses 
which  ornamented  the  angles  are  gone.  The  font  is  a  circular  basin,  on  an 
octangular  pillar.  There  are  some  remains  of  stained  glass  in  the  windows, 
but  much  mutilated.     There  are  no  monuments  worthy  of  notice. 

The  out  townships,  or  Chapelries  of  Copmanthorpe  and  Upper  Poppleton, 
situated  in  the  Ainsty,  belong  to  this  parish ;  the  churches  will  be  des- 
cribed in  the  account  of  those  places  at  subsequent  pages. 

3  Y 


530  FXcLF:SIA^TIiAF.    RDIFfCe^    OV    TOKK. 

8t.  Mary  8  Chuiuh,  Casdegait. — ^This  church,  which  i8  called  in  ancient 
writings,  Ecclesia  Sancte  Marie  ad  portam  Castri,  is  an  ancient  Rectory  of 
medieties,  formeriy  held  by  the  Percj  familj,  Earls  of  Northamberland,  and 
the  Priory  of  Kirkham.  It  was  consolidated  into  one  Rectory  in  the  year 
1400,  under  the  patronage  of  the  Percys  alone ;  and  at  the  Reformation  the 
advowson  reverted  to  the  Crown.  The  present  Rector  is  the  Rev.  Joseph 
Salvin.  The  Edifice  consists  of  a  nave  and  side  aisles,  chancel  and  westers 
tower,  and  spire.  All  the  angles  are  finished  with  buttresses  of  three  grada- 
tions, and  at  the  north-west  angle  is  an  octagonal  staircase.  The  west  front 
of  the  tower  has  a  large  pointed  window  of  five  lights,  and  a  transom.  Above 
this  window  is  a  niche,  and  on  each  side  is  a  sculptured  block  and  oanopy, 
for  statues,  but  by  the  decay  of  the  limestone,  all  the  work  that  formeiiy 
adorned  this  front,  and  indeed  the  whole  exterior  of  the  church,  is  completely 
destroyed.  The  lower  story  of  the  tower  is  finished  with  a  battlement.  The 
second  story  of  the  tower  is  octagonal,  of  elegant  proportions ;  in  four  of  the 
faces  of  which  are  pointed  windows  (nearly  the  height  of  the  structure)  of 
throe  lights,  with  ornamented  transoms  in  the  middle ;  and  in  the  four  re- 
maining faces  is  a  slight  buttress  of  three  gradations,  finished  with  gargoyles 
of  heads  of  animals,  &c.  These  windows  are  now  partly  filled  up  with  brick, 
which  gives  them  a  very  unsightly  appearance.  This  tower  is  ornamented 
with  the  highest  and  most  perfect  spire  in  the  city.  It  too  is  octagonal,  and 
its  height  from  the  ground  is  154  feet.  The  west  front  of  the  aisks  contain 
each  a  window  of  three  lights,  and  each  is  finished  with  a  string  course  and 
battlement,  gradually  rising  to  the  tower.  The  south  side  of  the  church  is 
in  six  divisions,  divided  by  buttresses,  finished  with  angular  caps  orocketed, 
with  gargoyles  beneath.  In  the  first  of  these  divisions*  from  th«  west,  is  a 
pointed  arohed  window  of  three  lights ;  in  the  second,  a  porch,  and  the  other 
divisions  have  square-headed  windows  with  transoms.  The  sottCh  aiale  is 
finished  with  a  cornice  and  battlement  The  north  side  of  the  chuich  very 
closely  resembles  the  south  side.  When  in  a  perfect  state  the  exterior  of 
this  church  must  have  been  very  handsome,  and  would  exhibit  a  good  sped- 
men  of  the  ecclesiastical  architecture  of  the  16th  century.  The  interior, 
which  is  of  an  earlier  date,  probably  of  the  latter  part  of  the  13th  oentoiy, 
is  spacious.  The  tower,  which  contains  three  bells,  <^f»ens  into  the  nave  and 
aisles  by  pointed  arches.  The  nave  is  divided  from  the  aisles  by  three 
pointed  arches  rising  from  columns,  some  of  which  are  circular  and  aome 
octangular,  with  capitals  of  the  Norman  form,  but  of  different  designs.  The 
westernmost  arch  of  the  north  aisle  is  pointed,  and  is  double  the  span  of  the 
others,  and  the  corresponding  arch  of  the  south  aiales  is  the  same  spaa,  but 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   tORK.  631 

cireulur  in  form.  The  arch  which  divides  the  chancel  from  the  nave  is 
pointed.  The  chancel  is  separated  from  the  side  aisles  (the  east  ends  of 
which  appear  to  have  formerly  been  chapels)  by  two  unequal  arches  on  the 
south  side,  and  three  on  the  north,  the  narrowest  one  on  each  side  being 
built  up,  apporentlj  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  monuments,  and  by  which 
this  portion  of  the  church  is  much  disfigured.  The  top  of  the  east  window 
of  the  chanoel  is  filled  with  ancient  stained  glass,  and  there  is  some  of  the 
same  beautiful  material  in  the  window  at  the  east  end  of  the  south  aisle.  In 
the  chancel  is  an  ancient  seat,  with  a  sculptured  monk  on  the  miserioord, 
and  there  are  in  the  church  two  other  similar  seats,  one  of  which  has  the 
carved  misericord.  On  the  south  side  of  the  communion  table  is  a  carving 
in  wood  of  a  female,  probably  the  Blessed  Virgin,  with  two  angels  on  each 
side.  The  roofs  of  the  nave  and  chancel  have  a  slight  rise,  and  are  panelled 
without  ornaments,  as  is  also  the  roof  of  the  south  aisle ;  the  ceiling  of  the 
north  aisle,  which  is  modem,  is  flat  and  plastered.  The  church  is  furnished 
with  the  old  high  pews ;  the  font  resembles  a  large  vase.  There  are  several 
old  monumental  inscriptions,  some  of  them  as  old  as  the  14th  and  15th 
centuries.  Many  of  these  ancient  gravestones  are  in  the  floor  of  the  church, 
especially  in  the  chancel  and  side  chapels.  In  the  floor  in  front  of  the 
altar  is  a  slab  to  the  memory  of  Sir  Heniy  Thompson,  of  Middlethorpe,  and 
his  lady,  bearing  the  arms  of  that  nobleman.  In  the  chancel  are  tablets  to 
the  Rev.  R.  Coulton,  Rector  of  this  church,  who  died  in  1713,  aged  76 ; 
and  W.  Mushett,  M.D.,  who  died  in  1793,  aged  77 ;  also  a  large  marble 
tablet  to  William  Mason,  Presbyter,  son  of  Valentine,  once  Vicar  of  EUoughton, 
who  died  in  1708,  aged  78,  and  Jane  his  ^vife ;  and  a  monument  to  Lewis 
West,  Esq.,  and  his  wife — ^he  died  in  1718,  aged  63,  and  she  died  in  1733, 
aged  77.  At  the  east  end  of  the  south  aisle  are  two  corbals  of  angels  holding 
shields  charged  with  the  arms  of  William  Gray,  who  had  a  chantry  founded 
for  him  in  this  church.  In  the  church-yard  is  the  gravestone  of  Eliza  Kirk- 
ham  Mathews,  widow  of  the  late  Charles  Mathews,  the  celebrated  comedian, 
who  died  in  1803 ;  the  age  is  defaced.  Thoresby,  in  the  Appendix  to  his 
Dueatus  Leodientis,  tells  us  that  he  had  in  his  possession  a  copper  plate,  found 
in  making  a  grave  in  this  church,  which  *'  had  been  covertly  conveyed  and 
fihstened  on  liie  inside  of  the  coffin  of  a  priest,  who  was  executed  for  the  plot 
of  1080."    The  plate  bore  the  following  inscription : — 

"  R.  D.  Thomas  Thweng  de  Heworth,  collegii  Anglo  Dnaceni  sacerdos,  post  15  annos 
in  Anglicana  missione  tronsactos  Eboraci  condemnatus,  martyrio  affcctus  est  Oct.  die 
23,  anno  Dom.  1680.  Bnobus  fidsis  testibas  ob  crimen  conspirationis  tunc  temporis 
catholids  malitiose  impoeitam." 


532  ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES  OF  TO&K. 

York  Castle,  though  extra  parochial,  is  in  some  measure  oonnected  with 
this  parish,  as  the  prisoners  who  died  a  natural  death  in  the  prison  were 
usually  interred  in  this  church  yard,  for  which  one  guinea  was  charged  on 
each  occasion. 

St.  Michael-Le-Belfbt  Church,  Petergaie. — This  church,  which  is  a 
sort  of  adjunct  to  the  Cathedral,  is  the  largest  and  the  veiy  best  and  most 
elegant  parochial  church  in  York.  It  is  supposed  to  deriye  its  appellation  of 
Le  Belfry^  which  distinguishes  it  from  St  Michael*8,  Ous^gate,  from  standing 
near  the  turrii  campanifera,  or  belfry  of  the  Minster ;  others  think  that  it 
was  partly  used  as  a  belfry  to  the  CathedraL  This  church  is  part  of  the 
ancient  possessions  of  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of  York,  to  whom  it  was  c<m- 
finned  by  Pope  Celestine  HE.,  in  1140.  The  benefice  is  a  Perpetual  Curacy, 
of  which  the  Dean  and  Chapter  are  the  patrons  and  impropriators,  and  the 
Rev.  Charles  Eose  the  present  Incumbent.  The  original  Structure,  which 
appears  to  have  been  erected  soon  after  the  Norman  Conquest,  was  taken 
down  in  1585,  and  the  present  Fabric  was  completed  ten  years  afterwards. 

During  the  time  that  the  choir  of  the  Minster  was  being  restored  after  the 
fire  of  1829,  this  church  was  used  for  the  daily  service  of  the  Cathedral — 
the  gallery  being  fitted  up  for  the  choir — and  during  the  year  1853,  the 
interior  was  re-fioored,  re-pewed,  and  otherwise  restored,  at  a  cost  of  about 
£  1,250.,  raised  by  subscription.    These  restorations  were  effected  from  designs 
by  Mr.  George  Fowler  Jones,  architect,  of  this  city.     It  was  re-opened  for 
divine  service  on  the  2drd  December,  1853,  on  which  occasion  the  sermon 
was  preached  by  his  Grace  the  Archbishop  of  the  province,  when  a  liberal 
collection  was  realized  in  aid  of  the  restoration  fund.     This  handsome  uni- 
form edifice,  which  is  a  good  specimen  of  the  late  Perpendicular  style,  cojt- 
sists  of  three  aisles,  the  east  end  of  the  centre  one,  or  nave,  being  used  as  a 
chancel.     Formerly  houses  were  built  against  the  west  end  of  the  south  aisle, 
but  all  these,  from  hence  to  the  top  of  Little  Blake  Street,  have,  within  the 
last  few  years,  been  removed.     (See  page  461.)    The  exterior  west  end  is 
mado  into  three  divisions  by  buttresses,  the  two  centre  ones  being  of  un- 
common size  and  in  four  gradations.     In  the  lower  story  of  the  centre  diviston 
is  an  arched  doorway  now  fiUed  up ;  above  this  rises  a  handsome  pointed 
window  of  h\e  lights,  and  this  window  is  bounded  by  another  arch  of  laiger 
dimensions,  the  soffit  being  filled  with  plain  but  bold  mouldings,  which 
vanish  in  the  buttresses.     Above  this  is  a  cornice,  and  the  apex  is  crowned 
with  a  small  but  neat  bell  turret,  rebuilt  a  few  years  ago.     The  sill  of  this 
window  forms  a  weather  coniico  to  the  doorway  beneath  it.     The  west  end 
of  the  north  aisle  exhibits  a  depressed  pointed  arch  of  four  lights,  and  the 


ECCLESIASTICAL  EDIFICES  OF   TOBK.  583 

window  of  the  same  end  of  the  south  aisle  is  filled  np.  It  is  to  be  regretted 
that  the  opening  of  the  ancient  western  entrance  and  the  restoration  of  the 
last  mentioned  window  did  not  form  part  of  the  recent  improvements ;  the 
houses  by  which  this  end  of  the  church  was  disfigured  having  been  removed, 
there  seems  no  reason  why  the  church  itself  should  retain  its  present  un- 
sightly  iq)pearance.  The  south  side  of  the  structure,  abutting  on  the  street, 
has  a  very  handsome  appearance.  It  consists  of  six  divisions  made  by  slight 
buttresses  of  three  gradations,  which  do  not  rise  to  above  two  thirds  of  the 
height  of  the  aisle,  and  are  finished  in  tall  square  shafts,  which  terminate 
above  the  battlement  in  pinnacles  ornamented  with  crocketing,  and  end  in  a 
finial.  Attached  to  the  first  step  of  each  buttress  is  a  band,  which  is  con- 
tinued round  the  church ;  and  the  top  is  finished  by  a  plain  band  and  parapet, 
and  over  each  buttress  is  a  gargoyle.  In  each  of  the  six  divisions  is  a  de- 
pressed pointed  arched  window  of  four  lights;  the  dado  is  enriched  with 
square  panels,  enclosing  quatrefoils,  with  shields  bearing  the  arms  of  St. 
William,  Archbishop  Zouch,  St.  Peter,  and  the  Sees  of  York  and  London. 
At  the  south  west  angle  is  a  turret  staircase,  and  in  the  first  division  from 
the  west  is  an  arched  doorway.  The  north  side  is  similar  in  form  to  the 
south,  except  that  the  dado  is  plain.  The  clerestory  windows,  twelve  in 
number,  which  are  barely  observable  in  the  street,  are  square  headed,  and  of 
three  lights  each.  The  gargoyles,  which  are  composed  of  monsters,  human 
beings  as  well  as  birds,  serve  to  attach  the  shafts  of  the  buttresses  to  the 
walls  of  the  aisles.  The  east  end  is  similar  to  the  west,  if  we  except  the 
absence  of  massy  buttresses,  the  bounding  arch  of  the  centre  window,  and 
the  turret  and  door.  The  interior  is  exceedingly  elegant  and  affords  a  good 
specimen  of  the  architecture  of  the  I6th  century.  The  nave  and  chancel  are 
divided  from  the  aisles  by  six  depressed  pointed  arches,  resting  on  clusters  oi 
four  columns,  united  by  octagonal  capitals ;  in  the  spandrils  a  quatrefoil  in 
a  circle  between  two  trefoils,  and  beneath,  an  angel  holding  shields  charged 
alternately  with  two  swords  and  keys  in  saltire.  The  ceilings  are  flat, 
panelled,  without  bosses.  The  altar  piece,  erected  in  1714,  is  of  oak,  con- 
sisting of  four  Corinthian  pillars,  with  the  entablature,  Royal  Arms,  Ac,  The 
neat  oaken  pews — single  seats — exhibit  some  chaste  carving,  executed  by 
Mr.  James  Jones,  of  this  city.  The  pulpit  and  reading  desk  are  new  and 
elegant,  the  former  was  presented  by  John  Roper,  Esq.,  and  the  latter  is  the 
gift  of  John  Clough,  Esq.,  both  of  Clifton  near  York.  In  the  gallery,  which 
is  at  the  west  end  of  the  church,  is  a  handsome  organ.  Drake  tells  us  that 
the  organ  of  this  church  in  his  time,  the  only  one  belonging  to  any  parish 
church  in  this  city,  was  removed  here  from  the  Catholic  chapel  of  the  Manor 


634  ECCLESTASnCAL   EDIFICES   OF   TOBK. 

fiouBe ;  "  bat  was  first  had  from  the  church  of  DarhAm,  as  the  arms  upon 
it  doth  shew.*'  The  east  window  of  the  ooitre  aisle«  and  that  of  the  north 
aisle,  are  filled  with  stained  glass ;  and  there  are  considerable  remains  of 
that  article  in  the  windows  of  the  soath  aisle.  They  exhibit  foil  length 
figures  of  SS.  Peter,  Paul,  John,  Christopher,  William  the  Archbishop, 
Michael,  &c.  Among  the  monmnents  the  following  are  the  most  worthj  of 
notice.  A  laige  one  at  the  east  end  of  the  south  aide  to  R.  Squire,  Esq., 
who  died  in  1709,  and  Priscilla  his  wife,  who  died  in  1711.  This  monument 
consists  of  two  costmnic  effigies  resting  their  arms  on  urns,  and  orer  them 
two  chembs  supporting  a  celestial  crown,  all  within  an  arched  recess  sap- 
ported  by  two  Corinthian  pilasters.  In  the  same  aisle  are  tablets  to  R. 
Farrer,  Esq.,  Lord  Mayor  in  1756  and  1769,  who  died  in  1780,  aged  75  ; 
and  to  A.  Hunter,  M.D.,  who  died  in  1809,  aged  79.  A  neat  tablet  at  the 
east  end  of  the  north  aisle  to  the  Rer.  Wm.  Richardson,  for  more  than  fifty 
years  minister  of  this  church,  who  died  in  1831,  aged  76.  This  clergyman 
was  also  sub-chanter  of  the  Cathedral,  and  the  compiler  of  the  hymn  book 
used  in  most  of  the  York  churches,  called  tibe  "York  Psalm  and  Hymn 
Book."  Near  to  the  latter  is  a  tablet  to  the  Rev.  W.  Knight,  of  Banbury, 
Oxon.,  sub-chanter  of  the  Cathedral,  who  died  in  1780,  aged  65.  In  this 
church  lie  the  remains  of  Gent,  the  historian,  and  his  infimt  son.  There 
was  a  chantry  founded  in  1479,  by  Sir  Ralph  Buhner,  Knt.,  to  pray  for  bis 
soul  at  the  altar  of  "  Our  Ladye  "  in  this  church.    Its  yearly  Talue  was  498. 

Part  of  the  townships  of  Clifton  and  Rawcliffe  are  within  this  parish. 

The  ancient  Church  of  St  Wiyrid  stood  on  the  north  side  of  Lendal,  on 
or  near  the  site  occupied  by  the  house  now  known  as  the  Judges*  Lodgings. 
St.  Wilfrid's  is  mentioned  in  the  Domesday  Survey,  as  an  ancient  Rectory 
prior  to  the  Conquest;  but  the  fietbric  of  the  church  must  have  been  ruinous 
at  an  eariy  date,  for  in  Queen  Mary's  time  (1556)  the  church-yaid  was  bM 
to  Richard  Goldthorpe,  who  was  Lord  Mayor,  for  JSIO.  At  the  union  oi 
churches  in  York,  in  1585,  this  parish  was  united  to  the  church  of  St 
Michael-le-Belfry,  but  with  the  peculiar  clause,  that,  "  if  ever  the  parishioners 
think  fit  to  rebuild  their  church,  the  parish  shall  remain  as  before.**  A  few 
years  ago  when  the  floor  of  the  Assembly  Rooms,  aoyoining  the  site  of  this 
church,  was  re-laid,  sereral  portions  of  on  ancient  porch,  which,  from  the 
remains,  must  have  been  nearly  as  fine  as  that  of  St  Margaret's,  were  found 
near  the  base  of  some  of  the  columns  which  decorate  the  interior.  This 
porch  had  doubtiess  belonged  to  the  church  of  St  Wilfirid. 

St.  Michael's  Cruroh,  Low  Ousegate,  commonly  called  St  Michael's, 
Spurriergate,  is  an  ancient  Rectoiy,  now  in  the  patronage  of  the  Crown,  and 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   YOUK.  585 

inciunbency  of  the  Rev.  Robert  SuttoD.  This  church,  the  origmal  foundation 
of  which  is  very  ancient,  was  given  bj  William  the  Conqueror,  or,  as  Arch- 
bishop Sharp  was  of  opinion,  by  William  Kufus,  to  the  Abbey  of  St  Mary,  at 
York.  It  contained  one  chantry.  The  Edifice^  which  forms  nearly  a  square 
with  a  western  tower,  is  in  the  Perpendicular  style.  According  to  Drake, 
the  west  end  was  almost  entirely  built  of  grit  stone,  and  contains  some  blocks 
of  an  extraordinaiy  size.  In  183d,  during  the  improvements  consequent 
upon  the  erection  of  the  new  bridge  across  the  Ouse,  and  in  order  to  widen 
the  approaches  to  it,  several  houses,  which  hid  the  south  side  of  this  church 
from  view,  were  removed,  and  that  side  of  the  edifice,  as  well  as  the  end  abut* 
ting  on  Spurrieigate,  were  taken  down  and  rebuilt  further  back.  The  exterior 
of  the  church  consequently  presents  a  modem  appearance.  The  west  end  is 
i^pproached  by  a  small  passage,  called  St.  Michael's  Lane,  leading  from  Low 
Ousegate,  half  round  the  church  to  Spurriergate,  and  from  the  great  number 
of  bones  dug  up  here  at  various  times,  the  houses  in  this  lane  seem  to  have 
been  built  on  part  of  the  ancient  church-yard.  Two  buttresses  divide  the 
west  end  of  the  church  into  three  divisions.  The  tower,  which  contains  a 
peal  of  six  bells,  is  four  stories  in  height,  in  the  lower  of  which  is  a  doorway, 
having  the  weather  cornice  finished  with  two  grotesque  beads.  Above  it  is 
a  pointed  window  of  four  lights ;  there  are  smaller  windows  in  the  upper 
stories,  and  the  top  is  finished  with  a  string  course  and  battlement.  The 
south  side  of  the  tower  exhibits  a  clock  dial«  which  is  illuminated  during  the 
winter  months.  The  south  and  east  sides  of  the  church  have  a  |dain  and  neat 
appearance,  and  contain  very  good  windows ;  and  the  north  side  is  partly 
built  against.  The  interior,  which  is  very  neatly  fitted  up,  is  divided  into 
three  aisles  by  four  pointed  arches  and  a  half,  whieh  spring  from  columns 
formed  of  four  cylinders,  cox\ioined  with  leaved  capitals.  The  half  arch, 
which  is  at  the  east  end,  was  occasioned  by  yielding  seven  leet  of  the  temer 
church  to  Spumeigate,  to  widen  the  street,  as  already  mentioned.  At  that 
time  tke  whole  of  the  interior  was  ornamented,  the  floor  was  raised,  and  the 
pews  formed  anew.  The  ceiling  is  flat,  and  in  large  panels.  The  altar  piece 
is  of  oak,  in  three  compartments,  made  by  four  compoflite  pilasters,  the 
centre  compartment  being  finished  with  an  arch,  on  which  is  a  small  figure 
of  St  MiehaaL.  The  pulpit  is  sexagonal,  the  font  is  very  mean,  and  a  small 
gallery  at  the  west  end  contains  an  organ.  The  windows  contain  some 
stained  gkiss,  much  mutilated,  representing  the  history  of  St.  John.  The 
monuments  are  not  numerous;  on  the  floor  is  a  brass  to  the  memory  of 
WiUiam  Hancock,  of  this  city,  who  died  in  1485 ;  and  on  the  south  side  is  a 
neat  tablet  to  J.  Wood,  Esq.,  Lord  Mayor,  who  died  in  1704.    At  six  o*clock 


i 


586  ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF  TOBK. 

every  morning  (Sundays  excepted)  a  bell  is  rung  in  the  tower  of  this  church, 
and  after  this  bell  has  chimed,  another  is  rung  as  many  times  as  will  corres- 
pond to  the  day  of  the  month.  The  custom  of  ringing  the  first-menticmed 
bdl  is  said  to  derive  its  origin  from  the  circumstance  of  a  trayeller  having 
bst  his  way  in  the  forest  that  formerly  surrounded  Yoric.  After  wandering 
about  all  night,  he  was  rgoiced  to  hear  the  clock  of  St.  Michael  strike  six, 
which  at  once  told  him  where  he  was.  To  commemorate  his  deliyerance  from 
the  perils  of  the  night,  he  left  a  sum  of  money  that  the  bdl  might  thencefor- 
ward be  rung  at  six  every  morning.  The  Curfew  BeU,  too,  still  continues  to 
be  tolled  here  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening. 

St.  Sampson's  Church,  Chttrch  Street. — ^An  ancient  Rectory,  formerly  in 
the  patronage  of  the  Archdeacons  of  Cleveland  until  the  reign  of  Edward 
nL,  when  it  came  to  the  Crown.  In  1303  Richard  II.  granted  the  advow- 
son  to  the  Vicars  Choral  of  the  Cathedral,  to  be  appropriated  to  their  CoU^e, 
in  return  for  their  having  undertaken  to  celebrate  in  this  church  an  anni- 
versary obit  for  the  King  and  Queen  Anne,  and  to  use  other  devotional 
exercises  for  the  eternal  repose  of  their  souls.  There  were  formerly  three 
chantries  of  this  church.  From  some  unknown  cause  this  living  is  not  men- 
tioned in  the  King's  Books,  but  it  is  now  a  Perpetual  Curacy,  in  the  gift  of 
the  Sub-Chanter  and  Vicars  Choral,  and  incumbency  of  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Bayley.  The  alterations  consequent  upon  the  formation  of  the  new  market, 
in  1834,  brought  this  church  more  prominently  into  sight  Prior  to  these 
improvements,  it  stood  almost  completely  hid  at  the  confluence  of  Swinegate 
and  a  street  called  Girdlergate ;  but  the  latter  street  was  then  lengthened,  by 
being  carried  through  the  church-yard  into  the  Market  Place,  and  Girdlergate 
and  its  continuation  were  together  called  Church  Street  With  the  exception 
of  the  tower,  the  entire  edifice  has  been  recently  restored,  at  a  cost  of  about 
£f^flOO.,  raised  by  subscription,  and  it  is  now  a  neat  commodious  church. 
The  restoration  was  finished  in  1848.  The  Fabric,  the  style  of  which  is  a 
mixture  of  the  Decorated  and  the  Perpendicular,  consists  of  a  nave^of  which 
the  east  end  forms  the  chancel),  and  side  aisles,  with  a  large  square  tower  of 
stone  at  the  west  end.  This  tower  contains  two  bells,  and  exhibits  many 
marks  of  age  and  violence.  Like  other  steeples  in  York,  it  suffered  from  the 
cannon  balls  of  the  Parliamentarians,  at  the  siege  of  York  in  1644,  and  the 
perforation  of  one  is  still  visible.  The  tower  was  originally  three  stories  in 
height  but  the  upper  story  being  in  danger  of  falling,  was  taken  down  when 
the  church  was  restored.  The  angles  of  the  tower  are  guarded  by  buttresses^ 
and  the  west  front  has  in  the  lower  story  a  laige  pointed  window  of  four 
lights.    In  the  next  story  is  a  niche,  with  a  pedestal  and  statue  in  pontifical 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   TORK.  537 

attire,  much  deoBjed.*  When  the  tower  was  perfect  it  was  finished  with  a 
batdement.  In  the  west  end  of  each  aisle  is  a  pointed  window  of  three 
lights.  The  north  and  south  sides  of  the  church  are  alike,  being  made  into 
six  diyisions  by  buttresses  of  three  gradations.  In  the  westernmost  division 
is  a  pointed  doorway,  and  in  each  of  the  other  divisions  is  a  square-headed 
window  of  two  lights.  The  east  end  of  the  church  is  in  three  divisions,  the 
roof  of  each  rising  to  an  apex ;  in  each  division  is  a  pointed  window  of  three 
lights,  the  centre  one  being  the  largest.  The  interior  is  fitted  up  with  open 
seats.  The  nave  is  separated  from  the  aisles  by  six  arches,  supported  by  oc- 
tangular columns,  with  similar  capitals ;  the  tower  opens  into  the  nave ;  the 
roofs  are  open,  but  plainly  boarded  over  and  stained.  The  old  roof  of  the 
nave  was-  very  rich  and  beautiful.  The  altar  piece  has  fluted  pilasters  of  the 
Ionic  order,  the  pulpit  and  reading  desk  are  new  and  very  neat,  the  former 
being  of  very  elegantly  carved  oak,  and  the  organ  is  good.  At  the  side  of 
the  south  door  is  a  large  holy  water  basin.  Drake  mentions  several  coats  of 
arms  which  were  in  the  windows,  but  all  the  painted  glass  has  been  long  re* 
moved.     There  are  now  no  monuments  particularly  worthy  of  notice. 

St.  Saviour's  Church,  Su  Savumrgate,  was  anciently  styled  the  Church 
of  St.  Saviour,  in  Maritco  (in  the  marsh,  in  allusion  to  its  site  having  once 
been  marshy  ground.)  It  was  founded  before  the  Norman  invasion,  for  we 
find  that  William  I.  gave  it  to  the  Abbey  of  St.  Maiy.  At  the  Heformation 
the  advowson  came  to  the  Crown.  The  living  is  a  Rectory,  and  the  present 
Rector  is  the  Rev.  Josiah  Crofts.  There  were  formerly  seven  chantries  in 
this  church,  all  of  which  were  of  considerable  value ;  likewise  a  guild  or  fra- 
ternity of  St  Martin,  founded  by  letters  patent  from  Henry  YI. 

In  1585  the  parishes  of  St  John,  in  Hungate,  and  St  Andrew,  in  St. 
Andrewgate  (both  mentioned  in  Domesday  Book),  were  united  to  this  church 
and  parish.  The  church  of  St  Saviour,  which  is  said  to  have  been  re- 
built out  of  the  remains  o{  a  neighbouring  Carmelite  convent  (See  page  494), 
was  restored,  heightened,  and  improved  in  1843,  at  an  expense  of  nearly 
£1,700.,  raised  by  subscription.  It  comprises  a  nave,  side  aisles,  and  west 
tower,  which  contains  two  bells.  In  the  west  front  of  the  tower  is  a  fine  tall 
pointed  window  of  three  lights,  with  a  transom,  and  there  are  small  windows 

•  According  to  Alban  Butler,  author  of  the  Lives  of  the  SaintSf  St.  Sampson,  the 
patron  of  this  church,  was  bom  in  Glamorganshire,  about  the  year  406,  and  was  con- 
seorated  Bishop  in  5^  by  St  Bnbritias,  without  being  fixed  in  any  particular  see.  The 
name  is  sometimes  writteo  Sanxo,  and  traditioii  informs  as  that  there  was  a  Bishop  of 
York  of  that  name  in  the  time  of  the  Britons,  and  that  a  stone  statue,  which  may  yet 
be  observed  on  the  west  side  of  the  tower,  is  of  him.  This  is  the  only  church  in  Eng*. 
Und  dedicated  to  St  Sampson. 

8  z 


538  ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   YORK. 

in  the  apper  stories.     The  tower  is  supported  at  the  angles  by  double  but- 
tresses, and  the  top  is  finished  with  a  battlement,  within  which  rises  an 
angular  roof,  which  is  surmounted  by  a  wooden  cross,  terminating  in  a 
weathercock.     The  west  front  of  the  aisles  have  each  a  pointed  arched  win- 
dow of  three  lights.     The  north  side  of  the  church,  which  faces  the  street  to 
which  the  church  gives  name,  is  made  into  three  divisions  by  buttresses ;  in  the 
first  from  the  west  is  a  pointed  doorway,  and  in  each  of  the  others  two  pointed 
windows.    The  south  side  is  similar  to  the  north ;  and  the  aisles  are  furnished 
with  a  parapet     There  are  three  windows  at  the  east  end ;  the  centre  <me 
consisting  of  five,  and  those  on  each  side,  of  four  lights.     Attached  to  this 
end  of  the  church  is  a  vestiy  of  modem  erection,  covered  with  campo,  which 
is  quite  an  excrescence.     The  interior  of  the  church  is  neatly  furnished  with 
single  seats.     The  centre  is  divided  from  each  of  the  side  aisles  by  ^yb 
pointed  arches,  supported  by  octagonal  columns  with  capitals ;  there  are  gal- 
leries  extending  nearly  round  three  sides  of  the  building ;  and  in  one  of  them 
is  a  good  organ.     The  tower  is  open  to  the  nave,  and  the  fine  window  which 
it  contains,  with  its  coloured  bordering,  is  seen  to  great  advantage.    The 
roof^  which  is  new,  is  waggon-headed,  empanelled,  and  exhibits  gilded  mould- 
ings and  massy  beams.     The  east  end  of  the  nave  is  fitted  up  as  a  chancel 
or  sanctuary.    The  altar  piece  consists  of  four  small  fluted  Ionic  pilasters  sup- 
porting a  frieze ;  the  pulpit  is  neat ;  the  font  is  a  large  massy  octangular 
basin,  over  which  is  a  ponderous  carved  cover  with  a  cross  and  dove.    The 
churchwardens*  seats  at  the  west  end  of  the  church  (for  the  united  parishes), 
consist  of  two  ancient  carved  stalls  with  moveable  seats,  and  two  modem 
stalls  made  after  the  same  pattern.    In  the  centre  window  at  the  east  end  is 
a  mass  of  stained  glass,  arranged  in  beautiful  disorder  in  1801,  and  said  to 
represent  the  l^end  of  St.  Anthony ;  and  there  are  some  brilliant  remains  <^ 
the  same  article  in  the  other  windows  at  the  same  end.    Within  the  rails  of 
the  communion  table  is  a  slab  inscribed  to  the  memory  of  Sir  John  and  Lady 
Hewley,  whose  names  have  become  so  well  known  in  connection  with  a  cha- 
ritable institution  in  this  city,  and  a  long  pending  case  arising  out  of  it,  before 
the  Court  of  Chancery.     Sir  John  died  in  1697,  aged  78,  and  "  Dame  Sanh 
Hewley  his  wife,"  died  in  1710.    In  the  south  aisle  is  a  neat  tablet  to  Thomas 
Withers,  M.D.,  who  died  in  1809,  aged  59 ;  also  a  handsome  white  marUe 
tablet  to  Andrew  Perrott,  M.D.,  who  died  in  1763,  aged  49 ;  and  two  inural 
tablets  to  the  Wilkinson  family.    In  the  north  aisle  is  a  tablet  to  Col.  Roger 
Morris  (and  family),  of  the  47th  regiment,  who  died  in  1794,  aged  68 ;  one 
to  Edward  Smith,  Esq.,  who  died  in  1799,  in  his  88th  year ;  and  another  to 
Thomas  Atkinson  and  family. 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF  TORK.  539 

Near  Hungate  on  tlie  east,  on  a  spot  long  known  as  St  John's  Green,  bat 
now  covered  with  building[s,  stood  the  ancient  Church  of  8t,  John  the  Baptist, 
It  was  one  of  the  great  farms  of  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of  York,  and  was 
Talued  at  £6.  per  annum. 

The  ancient  Church  of  St.  Andrew  is  still  partly  in  existence  in  the  street 
to  which  it  gives  name.  It  tea  was  one  of  the  great  farms  of  the  Dean  and 
Chapter,  and  an  annual  rent  of  two  shillings  for  it  was  formerly  appropriated 
to  the  revenues  of  that  body.  The  building  is  of  small  dimensions,  and  has 
undergone  strange  mutations,  and  been  horribly  desecrated ;  "  it  has  been 
now  a  house  of  prayer,  and  then  a  den  of  thieves,"  writes  Baines ;  and  Allen, 
who  wrote  in  1829,  after  telling  us  that  it  had  been  at  one  time  a  common 
brothel,  says  *'  one  part  of  it  is  now  used  as  a  stable,  and  the  other  as  a  free 
grammar  school.'*  The  nave  or  body  of  the  church  is  at  present  used  as  a 
girls'  national  school,  and  upon  the  site  of  a  chancel  the  cottage  has  been 
erected,  in  which  the  schoolmistress  resides.  The  chancel  arch  is  entirely 
blocked  up,  except  a  space  for  a  small  door  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
teacher.  The  church-yard  is  partly  built  upon,  and  the  remainder  is  used  as 
a  play-ground  for  the  children. 

Holt  Trikitt  Chubch,  King's  Square,  commonly  caUed  Christ  Church, 
CoIUergate,  was  anciently  styled  "Ecclesia  S.  Trinitatis  in  aula  vel  curia 
regisj*  and  in  Old  English,  "  Sainct  Trinitye  in  Conyng  garthe"  Drake  infers 
firom  the  former  title  that  the  old  courts  of  the  imperial  palace  of  the  Em- 
perors which  existed  in  Roman  York,  reached  to  this  place.  It  was  a  Rec- 
tory at  one  time,  in  the  patronage  of  the  family  of  Basyes,  or  Bascy,  and  in 
time  it  came  to  the  Nevilles,  and  was  given  in  1414,  by  Ralph  Neville,  Earl 
of  Westmorland,  to  a  Hospital  he  had  founded  at  Wells,  the  master  of  which 
is  the  present  patron.  The  original  endowment  was  vezy  trifling.  According 
to  Torre,  the  Vicar  was  formerly  discharged  of  all  burdens,  ordinary  and  ex- 
traordinary, except  the  charge  of  finding  *'  straw  in  winter,  and  green  rushes 
in  summer,  for  the  strewing  of  the  church,  according  to  the  common  use  of 
churches."  The  living  is  now  a  Discharged  Vicarage,  and  the  Incumbent  is 
the  Rev.  Richard  Inman.  In  the  time  of  Archbishop  Sharp  the  minilter  had 
no  income,  and  a  Vicar  had  not  been  appointed  since  the  Reformation.  The 
church  formerly  contained  four  chantries.  In  Drake's  time  a  ditch  on  one 
aide  of  the  church  was  visible,  and  still  retained  the  name  of  the  King's 
Ditch.  In  1768  the  edifice  was  considerably  reduced  on  the  north  side  for 
the  extension  of  the  area  required  for  a  hay  market ;  and  in  1880  it  was  cur- 
tailed on  the  east  side,  in  order  to  widen  Colliergate.  The  total  removal  of 
this  church  would  add  much  to  the  public  convenience,  whilst  there  would 


540  ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   TOBK. 

be  no  loss  of  architectaral  beauty.  The  reouuns  of  the  church-yard,  on  the 
south  side,  has  been  so  much  raised  through  interments,  as  to  cause  a  descent 
to  the  church.  The  Building  now  consists  of  three  aisles,  with  a  low  tower, 
containing  a  peal  of  six  bells.  In  the  west  front  of  the  tower  is  a  spadous 
window  of  five  lights,  and  the  top  is  finished  with  a  battlement.  The  win- 
dows of  the  church  are  of  rarious  periods.  All  the  three  roofs  rise  to  fdain 
gables.  There  were  formerly  some  houses  and  a  large  brick  porch  against 
the  south  side  of  the  church,  but  they  were  removed  a  few  years  ago.  The 
interior  was  re-pewed  in  1880.  The  tower  is  op^i  to  the  nave  by  a  lofty 
pointed  arch,  resting  on  octagonal  piers.  The  north  aisle  is  separated  from  the 
nare  by  two  pointed  arches,  supported  by  octagonal  pillars  without  capitals ; 
and  by  two  and  a  half  arches  on  the  south,  with  similar  pillars.  The  ceil- 
ings of  the  nave  and  north  aisle  are  panelled,  but  the  south  aisle  has  a 
common  open  roof.  The  sanctuary  is  plain,  the  pulpit  is  hexagonal,  and  the 
font  is  octagonal.  A  blue  slab  in  the  body  of  the  church  bears  an  inscription 
to  F.  Alcock,  Lord  Mayor,  who  died  in  1680,  aged  65  ;  and  near  it  is  a  brass 
tablet  to  H.  Tiveman,  Lord  Mayor,  who  died  in  1673,  aged  68. 

Holy  Tumm  Church,  Micklegate. — ^There  was  a  church  here,  in  con- 
nexion with  a  religious  house,  from  a  yezy  early  period,  and  having  from  some 
unknown  cause  come  to  ruin  about  the  period  of  the  Conquest,  Ralph  de 
Paganell  restored  its  service,  renewed  the  endowment,  and  gsTe  it  to  cer- 
tain monks,  who  thence  took  the  title  oi  the  Prior  and  Convent  of  the 
Holy  Trinity.  (See  page  490.)  At  the  dissolution  the  patronage  came  to 
the  Crown.  The  living  is  a  Discharged  Vicarage,  not  mentioned  in  the 
King's  Books.  The  parish  of  St.  Nicholas  was  united  to  this,  according  to 
the  statute,  in  1585.  The  Rev.  John  Baines  Graham,  of  Felkirk,  near  Wake- 
field, is  the  present  Vicar,  but  the  Rev.  Godfrey  P.  Cordeux,  the  officiating 
Curate,  receives  all  the  emoluments,  except  the  rents  of  a  gallery  in  the  church, 
which  was  erected  at  the  cost  of  the  present  Vicar.  "  This  church  is  now  of 
small  compass,"  says  Drake,  "but  has  been  abundantly  larger,  as  appears 
by  the  building.  The  steeple  of  it,  being  extremely  ruinous,  was  blown 
down  ih  1651,  and  rebuilt  at  the  charges  of  the  parish."* 

The  Fabric  now  consists  of  the  nave  only  of  the  conventual  church,  and  a 
small  modei'n  south  aisle,  with  a  square  tower  at  the  north  west  angle.  The 
tower,  which  contains  two  bells,  is  strengthened  with  buttresses;  in  the 
middle  of  the  north  front  is  a  small  window,  and  in  three  sides  of  the  uppo* 

*  It  must  have  been  either  a  torrot  or  a  portion  of  Uie  tower  that  was  then  blown 
down,  as  the  sUiicture  is  decidedly  of  an  earlier  date. 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   YOBK.  541 

story  is  a  circular  headed  window,  within  a  circukr  arch  supported  bj  two 
dwarf  columns,  with  aq^uace  capitals  and  bases.  The  top  is  finished  with  a 
cornice  and  batilenient,  and  the  ^ane  of  the  weathercock  bears  the  date  of 
1781.  The  south  side  of  the  tower  presents  a  highlj  curious  and  uncommon 
appearance.  The  lower  story  has  a  large  arch,  now  filled  up,  and  above  it 
are  the  remains  of  an  arcade  of  acutely  pointed  arches,  springing  from  cir* 
eular  columns.  It  is  thought  probable  that  the  front  of  this  church  exhibited 
an  extenaiTe  facade,  some  remains  of  which  exist  attached  to  the  tower;  and 
the  ornaments  just  noticed  are  supposed  by  some  to  have  belonged  to  the 
interior  of  the  edifice ;  if  so,  the  tower  must  hare  been  considerably  higher 
than  at  present  The  north  side  of  the  church  face»  the  street,  from  which 
it  is  separated  by  a  church-yard,  well  filled  with  tombstones.  This  side 
exhibits  a  row  of  four  arches,  now  filled  up,  which  formerly  divided  the 
nave  from  the  north  aisle.  In  the  westernmost  arch  is  a  porch,  which  for* 
merly  had  a  groined  roof.  The  doorway  is  pointed,  and  the  archivault  of 
the  arch  has  the  flower  moulding.  The  other  divisions  formed  by  these 
arches  contain  each  a  pointed  window  of  three  lights.  At  the  north  east 
angle  of  the  building  are  the  piers,  upon  which  the  arch  was  turned  to  the 
transept ;  and  adjoining  and  forming  the  easternmost  angle  of  the  church 
are  five  loity  pillars  united,  which  originally  supported  the  grand  arches 
between  the  choir,  nave,  and  transepts.  This  side  of  the  church  is  finished 
with  a  cornice  and  battlement  The  roof  of  the  east  end  rises  to  a  gable, 
and  the  east  window,  of  three  lights  and  simple  interlacing  arches,  is  modem. 
At  the  south  eastern  angle  tlie  pillars  again  occur,  and  the  south  side  ex- 
hibits a  plain  modem  aisle.  This  church  was  restored  and  furnished  with 
open  seats  in  1850,  and  the  interior  now  presents  a  very  neat  appearanca 
The  pillars  yrhiak  divide  the  nave  from  the  aisle  are  octagonal,  with  plain 
capitals,  from  which  rise  bold  but  graceful  arches.  Above  each  capital  is 
a  triple  column,  which  formerly  supported  the  groined  ceiling  or  trusses  of 
the  roof.  There  is  a  small  gallery  at  the  west  ead,  erected  several  years  ago. 
The  chancel  is  formed  out  of  the  east  end  of  the  nave,  and  at  the  same  end 
of  the  church,  against  the  north  wall,  is  the  pulpit  and  a  small  organ.  The 
large  window  over  the  communion  table  was  filled  with  el^aatly  stained 
glass,  executed  by  Bamett,  late  of  York,  and  it,  as  well  as  the  window  in  the 
easternmost  division  of  the  north  side  of  the  church,  and  that  in  the  east  end 
of  the  south  aisle,  were  presented  by  the  Miss  Cromptons,  of  Micklegate, 
formerly  of  Esholt  Hall ;  who  also  gave  the  munificent  sum  of  JglOO.  towards 
the  restoration  fund.  Indeed  the  parishioners  are  much  indebted  to  these 
ladies  for  the  present  excellent  condition  of  their  parish  church,  for  they,  we 


542  ECCLESIASTICAL  EDIFICES  OF  TOSK« 

are  crediblj  informed,  wen  chiefly  instrninflntol  in  promotiiig  its  restoratioa 
and  re-decontion.  The  chancel  window,  which  was  eieeted  as  a  tiihate  to 
the  memorj  of  the  Miss  Cnnnptons*  parents,  is  of  a  geometrical  pattern,  and 
hears  the  following  inscription : —  4*  ^^-  SameUB,  Tnnitafii.  HonofMii.  Paret^ 
turn.  Memarei.  Dedieavenmt.  FUia.  Supeniiiei.  E.L  H.M.  M.S.  et.  C.K 
Cramptan.  Anno.  Dom.  MDCCCL.  The  Messrs.  Atkinson,  of  Yoik,  were  the 
architects  lor  the  restorations ;  and  the  handsome  cover  of  the  commmik»i 
table  was  worked  and  presented  by  Miss  Atkinson,  sister  to  those  gentlemen. 
The  fimt  is  octagonal,  on  a  similar  base,  and  has  an  ancient  carred  cover 
sormoanted  by  a  dove,  suspended  over  it.  There  are  sereral  moral  tablets, 
but  the  one  most  particularly  worthy  of  notice  is  that  to  the  memoiy  of  John 
Barton,  M.D.,  F.A.S.  (author  of  the  Monattiean  EharaeenBe,  and  the  Eccle- 
siastical History  of  Yorkshire,  folio,  1758),  and  Mary,  his  wife,  the  former 
died  in  January,  1771,  aged  62,  and  the  latter  in  October  in  the  same  year, 
aged  68.  It  represents  a  scroll  of  parchment,  suspended  from  two  books, 
bearing  an  inscription.  Above  the  scroll  is  a  vase  entwined  by  a  serpent, 
and  suspended  from  it  is  a  seal  with  the  arms  of  the  deceased  author.  The 
Miss  Cromptons  erected  a  neat  tablet  in  memory  of  the  Bey.  Frederick  Pope, 
late  minister  of  this  church,  who  died  in  1852,  aged  58.  The  church-yard 
was  tastefully  planted  with  shrubs,  Ac,  by  the  Miss  Cromptons,  and  by  per- 
mission of  the  Archdeacon  of  York  and  Churchwardens,  these  ladies  keep  the 
yard  in  excellent  repair.  The  Vicarage  House^  a  good  brick  building  erected 
in  1630,  stands  in  the  burial  ground,  near  the  east  end  of  the  church. 

The  ancient  Church  of  8t.  Nicholas  stood  not  far  from  Micklegate  Bar, 
near  a  pioce  of  ground  called  Toft  Field,  now  swallowed  up  in  the  spacious 
Railway  Station. 

Church  of  the  Holt  Trinity,  GoodramgaU. — ^An  ancient  Rectory, 
formerly  consisting  of  two  medieties,  the  respective  properties  of  the  Priory 
of  Durham,  and  the  Archbishop  of  York ;  but  in  the  reign  of  Henry  UL. 
they  both  became  vested  in  the  Archbishops,  who  still  hold  the  patronage* 
In  1585  the  churches  of  St.  Maurice,  in  Monkgato,  and  St.  John  del  Pyke, 
in  Uggleforth,  were  united  to  this  church  and  parish.  The  living  is  a  Dis- 
charged Rectory,  of  which  the  Rev.  Edward  John  Raines  is  the  present 
Incumbent.  There  were  formerly  three  chantries  in  this  church.  Drake 
says,  "  This  church  bears  on  its  outside  many  marks  of  great  antiquity,  stmie 
of  grit  being  wrought  into  the  walls,  some  of  which  does  but  too  jdainly 
shew  the  extreme  heat  of  the  general  conflagration  in  York,**  in  1187. 

The  Fabric  has  an  antique  appearance,  and  consists  of  a  nave  and  aisles, 
with  a  square  westom  tower  (containing  four  bells),  and  an  attached  chapel  on 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF  YORK.  543 

the  south  side.  A  few  years  ago  the  west  end  of  the  south  aisle  was  restored, 
the  west  window  in  the  tower  (which  is  of  five  lights)  renewed,  and  the  south 
porch  re-huilt  The  east  and  west  end  windows,  and  those  of  the  south  aisle, 
have  pointed  arches ;  those  of  the  side  chapel  and  north  side  of  the  church  are 
square  headed.     The  north  side  was  entirely  rebuilt  about  thirty  years  ago. 

Judging  from  the  style  of  architecture,  this  church  has  been  built  at  dif- 
ferent periods ;  the  body  apparently  is  of  the  14th  century,  while  the  south 
aisle  is  certainly  no  later  than  1216,  as  appears  by  the  Eoyal  Arms  of  Heniy 
m.  and  Eleanor  of  Provence.  The  chantiy  chapel  may  perhaps  belong  to 
the  reign  of  Richard  U.,  and  the  tower  is  of  the  style  prevalent  in  the  middle 
of  the  16th  century.  The  interior  is  plain  but  neat  The  tower  is  open  to 
the  nave  by  a  lofty  pointed  arch,  supported  by  octagonal  piers.  The  nave  is 
divided  from  the  aisles  by  four  pointed  arches,  resting  on  low  octagonal 
columns,  and  the  east  end  of  the  nave  is  used  as  a  chancel.  The  ceiling  of 
the  body  of  the  church  is  flat  and  panelled.  The  altar  piece  is  plain,  the 
pulpit  is  octagonal,  and  the  font  is  an  octagonal  basin.  The  chapel  is  sepa- 
rated from  the  south  aisle  by  a  spacious  arch ;  at  each  side  are  suspended 
shields  of  arms,  viz. : — a  chevron  between  three  chaplets,  and  a  merchant^ 
mark,  with  R.  R.  The  fine  window  over  the  communion  table,  which  is  very 
ancient,  is  filled  with  curiously  stained  glass  in  a  very  perfect  state,  and  is 
much  admired.  It  contains  full  length  figures  of  Our  Saviour,  St.  John,  St. 
Christopher,  St.  George,  and  St.  Anastasia,  as  well  as  several  shields  of  arms, 
and  scriptural  subjects.  The  east  windows  of  the  aisles  are  also  filled  with 
stained  glass.  The  windows  of  the  south  aisle  contain  three  shields  of  arms, 
yiz. : — ^the  arms  of  Henry  m.,  paley  of  six  gu.  and  or,  for  Eleanor  of  Pro- 
vence ;  and  gu.  a  cross  moline  or.  In  the  windows  of  the  chapel  are  the 
arms  of  the  families  of  Percy,  Rosse,  Mowbray,  and  Vere.  The  fine  state  of 
preservation  in  which  the  stained  glass  remains,  may  be  attributed  to  the 
circumstance  of  this  church  standing  out  of  the  highway,  and  having  no 
passage  through  the  church-yard.  There  are  some  very  old  monumental 
inscriptions  in  the  church,  one  so  fai  back  as  1367.  There  ace  two  neat 
tablets  to  the  memory  of  some  members  of  the  Friar  family,  and  one  erected 
by  the  parishioners  to  the  late  Rector,  the  Rev.  J.  Dallin,  who  died  in  1838. 

Church  of  St.  Maurice,  wUhoiU  Monk  Bar, — This  was  a  Rectory  of  me- 
dieties  belonging  to  the  two  Prebends  of  Fridaythorpe  and  Fenton,  until 
united  in  1340  by  Archbishop  Walter  de  Grey.  It  was  united  with  Holy 
Trinity,  Goodramgate,  agreeably  to  the  statute  in  1686,  but  the  church  was 
retained,  and  divine  service  is  still  performed  in  it  by  the  Incumbent  of  Holy 
Trinity.    The  living  was  a  Discharged  Vicarage ;  it  is  now  a  peculiar  Curacy. 


544  ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   YORK. 

The  Edifice,  which  is  small,  is  very  ancient  and  dilapidated,  bat  the 
interior  has  been  modernised  within  the  last  few  years.  It  consists  of  two 
aisles,  or  a  nave  and  south  aisle ;  and  varies  in  style  of  architecture  from  the 
Norman  to  the  Perpendicular.  The  west  end,  which  rises  to  an  apex,  con- 
tains a  double  circular  window,  divided  by  a  small  column,  and  on  the  ridge 
of  the  roof  is  a  small  turret  of  wood,  containing  two  bells.  In  the  west  end  of 
the  south  aisle  is  a  square  window  of  four  lights.  The  south  porch  is  of 
brick,  cemented,  and  within  it  a  pointed  doorway,  the  weather  moulding 
resting  on  two  heads.  The  east  end  exhibits  two  gables,  and  in  each  is  a 
pointed  window  of  three  lights.  The  south  side  of  the  church  presents,  be- 
sides the  porch,  two  square-headed  windows  of  two  lights,  and  beneath  the 
westernmost  one  in  the  wall  are  two  sepulchral  slabs,  with  foliated  crosses  on 
them.  The  north  side  of  the  church  has  two  square  windows  of  three  lights, 
apparently  of  modem  workmanship.  The  interior  is  neatly  fitted  up ;  the 
aisles  are  divided  by  two  lai^e  pointed  arches,  and  one  smaller  at  the  east 
end,  all  resting  on  octangular  columns,  without  bases  or  capitals.  The  monu- 
ments are  rather  numerous.  In  the  chancel  are  handsome  tablets  to  John 
Clapham,  Esq.,  who  died  in  1765,  aged  52 ;  and  G.  Lutton,  Esq.,  who  died 
in  1838,  aged  53  years. 

The  ancient  churches  of  St.  John  dd  Pike  and  St.  Mary  ad  Vahoas  were 
situated  within  the  Close  of  the  Cathedral.  The  latter  was  taken  down  in 
1865,  when  the  Rectory  was  united  to  the  ndghbouring  church  of  St  John 
del  Pike. 

St.  Paul's  District  Church,  Holdgate  Road,  was  erected  in  1851,  at  a  cost 
of  about  £3,000.,  raised  entirely  by  subscription.  It  was  built  to  supply  ac- 
commodation to  the  populous  district  which  surrounds  it,  and  which  has 
sprung  up  since  the  opening  of  the  railway.  It  is  locally  situated  in  the 
parish  of  St.  Mary,  Bishophill  the  Younger.  The  living  is  a  Perpetual 
Curacy,  in  the  patronage  of  certain  Trustees,  and  Incumbency  of  the  Rev. 
William  Ashfordi  Cartledge.    It  is  entirely  supported  by  voluntary  means. 

The  Fabric,  which  is  of  stone,  consists  chiefly  of  three  aisles  rising  to  apexes 
at  the  east  and  west  ends ;  and  is  in  the  Early  English  style  of  architecture. 
The  western  entrance — a  neatly  moulded  arched  doorway,  supported  by  cir- 
cular piUars,  and  on  each  side  of  which  is  a  blank  arcade  of  acutdy  pointed 
arches — ^is  approached  by  a  flight  of  steps ;  and  above  is  a  handsome  circular 
window.  This  end  of  the  nave  has  a  prcjection,  supported  by  buttresses  at 
the  angles,  which  terminate  in  pinnacles,  and  the  apex  is  surmounted  by  a 
bell  turret,  crowned  by  a  beautifully  executed  cross.  The  sides  of  the  church 
are  made  into  six  divisions  by  buttresses,  in  each  of  which,  with  the  exception 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES    OF   YORK.  545 

of  the  easternmost  ones,  is  a  tall  pointed  window  of  two  lights ;  and  in  the 
excepted  divisions  are  moulded  doorways.  The  east  end  of  the  nave  or 
chancel  presents  a  tall  window  of  three  lights.  The  chancel  is  finished  with 
two  pinnacles,  and  the  apex  is  crowned  hy  a  handsome  cross.  The  interior 
has  a  light  and  elegant  appearance.  The  nave  is  divided  from  the  aisles  hy 
five  pointed  arches  on  each  side ;  these  arches,  which  are  neatly  moulded, 
and  are  exceedingly  graceful,  spring  from  light  clustered  pillars.  The  chancel 
is  small,  and  is  marked  hy  a  fine  pointed  arch.  The  seats  are  single,  and 
will  accommodate  ahout  700  persons ;  and  at  the  west  end  is  a  small  gallery, 
in  which  is  a  good  organ.  The  architects  of  this  elegant  little  church  were 
the  Messrs.  Atkinson,  of  York. 

St.  Thomas's  District  Church,  Lowtker  Street,  was  erected  for  the  con- 
venience of  parties  residing  in  the  Groves  and  the  adjoining  district.  The 
foundation  stone  was  laid  on  the  8th  of  September,  1853 ;  the  erection  was 
completed  in  eleven  months ;  and  it  was  consecrated  and  opened  on  Tuesday, 
the  ddnd  of  August,  1854,  by  the  Archbishop  of  York.  The  estimated  cost 
of  the  buUding,  including  the  site,  was  £3,370.  By  means  of  a  Bazaar  of 
fancy  articles,  held  in  York  in  the  months  of  October  and  January  (during 
the  erection  of  the  edifice),  when  nearly  £800.  was  raised,  and  by  the  liberal 
donations  of  some  individuals,  a  sum  of  £1,000.  has  been  set  apart  towards 
an  endowment  of  the  church.  One  half  of  the  seats  are  free,  and  the  others 
are  let,  and  the  proceeds  arising  therefrom  are  applied  towards  the  stipend  of 
the  officiating  clergyman.  The  district  assigned  to  this  church  was  formed 
out  of  the  parishes  of  St.  Maurice  and  St.  Olave.  The  living  is  a  Perpetual 
Curacy,  in  the  patronage  of  the  Archbishop,  and  Incumbency  of  the  Rev. 
Richard  Wilton.  The  Structure  is  cruciform  in  plan,  having  nave,  transept, 
and  chancel — the  latter  raised  three  steps  above  the  body  of  the  church,  and 
separated  firom  it  by  a  moulded  and  corbelled  arch,  18  feet  wide,  and  23  feet 
high.  The  transepts  are  37  feet  wide,  and  in  each  is  a  gallery  to  accom- 
modate 50  worshippers;  and  on  the  floor,  400  sittings  are  obtained  in  open 
seats.  The  pulpit  and  reading  desk  are  placed  on  each  side  of  the  chancel 
arch ;  and  the  font  is  near  the  west  entrance.  The  roofs  are  open  and  high 
pitched,  being  89|  feet  from  the  floor  to  the  apex,  and  19^  feet  to  the  top  of 
the  wall.  The  principals  have  arched  and  laminated  braces,  resting  on 
moulded  and  foliated  stone  corbels.  Externally  the  church  is  plain,  with 
single  windows,  trefoil-headed  in  the  nave  and  west  end ;  double  lights  in  the 
transepts  and  over  the  west  door;  circular  foliated  windows  in  the  tran- 
sept gables ;  and  a  three-light  window  at  the  east  end,  enclosed  with  three 
pointed  quatrefoils,  under  a  moulded  and  labelled  arch.    The  west  end  is 

4  A 


546  ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF  YORK. 

finished  with  a  projecting  bell  gable,  pierced  for  two  bells ;  the  additional 
thickness  of  the  wall  allowing  for  a  deep-recessed  porch  doorway,  being  the 
principal  entrance  from  Lowiher  Street  The  bell  gable  is  surmounted  by  a 
cross,  63  feet  from  the  ground.  The  buttresses  are  plain  and  massive,  to 
suit  the  style  of  stone  wori^,  which  is  merely  rough  hammered  work,  with 
tooled  dressings.  Tbe  stone  is  fix>m  the  Collingham  quarries,  and  the  walls 
are  lined  with  brick.  The  roofs  are  covered  with  Welsh  slate.  The  wood- 
work is  deal,  stained  and  varnished ;  and  the  windows  glazed  with  Cathedral 
glass.     Mr.  George  Fowler  Jones,  of  York,  was  the  architect 

The  other  places  of  worship  in  connection  with  the  Established  Church 
are  the  Chapel  in  the  Bedem,  which  is  described  at  page  470,  and  the  new 
church  or  chapel  on  Lord  Mayor's  Walk,  belonging  to  the  Diocesan  Training 
School,  which  will  be  noticed  at  a  subsequent  page  of  this  volume. 

Protestant  Dissenters. — The  places  of  worship  unconuected  with  the 
Church  of  England  in  the  city  and  county  of  York  are  numerous,  and  many 
of  them  are  large,  commodious,  and  handsome  edifices.  In  the  city  of  York 
there  are  chapels  belonging  to  the  principal  denominations,  except  the  Bap- 
tists, and  to  most  of  them  school  rooms  are  attached. 

Independent  Chapel,  Lendal, — This  is  a  large  brick  building,  opened 
for  Divine  Service  on  the  7th  of  November,  1816,  previously  to  which  the 
Independents  occupied  a  little  chapel  in  Jubbergate,  which  was  built  in 
1797;  but  owing  to  the  smallness  of  that  chapel,  together  with  the  un- 
pleasant situation  in  which  it  was  built,  as  well  as  other  circumstances,  that 
body  of  Christians  made  little  progress  in  York.  However,  in  1814  a  phm 
was  devised  for  the  erection  of  a  more  commodious  chapel.  Lendal  was  fixed 
upon  as  an  eligible  situation;  the  old  chapel  was  sold  to  the  Unitarian 
Baptists ;  and  Lendal  Chapel,  measuring  56  feet  by  64  feet,  was  erected  at 
the  expense  of  more  than  £3,000.,  for  the  accommodation  of  950  people.  In 
a  few  years,  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Bev.  James  Parsons,  it  was  found 
necessary  to  enlarge  it,  so  that  it  can  now  accommodate  about  1,300  persons. 
In  consequence  of  the  stiU  increasing  number  of  the  attenders,  it  was  re- 
solved to  build  Salem  Chapel,  to  which,  on  its  completion,  part  of  the  con- 
gregation, with  the  Rev.  James  Parsons,  removed.  The  present  minister  of 
Lendal  Chapel  is  the  Rev.  Stephen  St.  Neotts  Dobson. 

Salem  Chapel,  (Independent. J — This  edifice,  which  is  of  brick,  and  is 
situated  in  Spen  Lane,  facing  St.  Saviourgate,  was  erected  in  1888-9.  The 
front,  which  is  approached  by  a  flight  of  seven  steps,  hajs  an  Ionic  portico  or 
Logia  supporting  an  attic,  after  the  temple  of  Ilisseus  at  Athens ;  and  this 
portico,  which  exhibits  two  massy  stone  pillars,  together  with  the  two  |mh 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF  TORE.  547 

jecting  wings,  which  complete  the  design  of  this  front  of  the  building,  is  dono 
over  with  compo.  The  interior  measures  81  feet  in  length,  and  56  feet  in 
breadth,  and  has  very  spacious  and  well-arranged  galleries.  There  is  accom- 
modation for  nearly  1700  persons,  and  beneath  the  chapel  is  a  large  school 
room  well  lighted  and  Tontilated.  The  total  cost  of  the  erection,  including 
the  site,  was  £6fiOO  Messrs.  Pritchett  and  Sons,  of  York,  were  the  archi- 
tects. The  congregation  continues  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Bey.  James 
Parsons. 

Wesletan  Methodist  Chapel,  New  Street, — ^This,  the  oldest  chapel  in 
the  city  belonging  to  the  Wesleyan  body,  is  a  large  red  brick  building  with 
stone  mouldings,  the  foundation  stone  of  which  was  laid  on  the  1st  of  January, 
1805.  The  Methodists  of  York  had  a  place  of  worship  in  the  parish  of  St. 
Sampson  prior  to  the  year  1765 ;  they  afterwards  assembled  in  a  house  in 
Peaseholme  Green,  and  subsequently  in  Grape  Lane  Chapel,  till  the  present 
building  was  erected.  The  edifice,  which  is  of  the  Doric  order,  is  of  a  semi- 
octangular  form,  the  centre  terminating  with  a  pediment,  and  the  whole 
exterior  presents  a  good  appearance.  The  interior  is  very  neatly  fitted  up, 
and  is  calculated  to  contain  about  3,000  people.  In  the  gallery  is  a  good 
organ.  A^oining  the  chapel  are  two  good  houses  for  the  ministers  be- 
longing to  this  society.* 

Wesletan  Chapel,  Skeldergate,  commonly  called  AUnon  Chapel, — This 
place  of  worship  was  built  in  1816.  It  is  a  plain  but  commodious  brick 
erection,  and  contains  seats  for  about  800  persons.     Here  is  a  good  organ. 

Centekabt  Chapel,  8t,  Saviourgate, — ^This,  the  largest  and  finest  Chapel 
in  the  city,  was  erected  to  commemorate  the  Centenary  of  Wesleyan  Metho- 
dism, and  was  opened  on  the  18th  of  July,  1840.  The  building  is  of  brick, 
but  the  front  presents  a  fine  bold  stone  pediment,  supported  by  four  massy 
stone  pillars,  with  capitals  of  the  Doric  order.  The  entrances  beneath  this 
portico  are  approached  by  a  flight  of  six  steps.  The  interior  is  elegantly 
furnished,  and  it  will  accommodate  about  2,000  people.  The  organ  cost 
£500.  Mr.  James  Simpson,  of  Leeds,  was  the  architect.  In  the  interior  of 
the  chapel  is  a  handsome  marble  tablet  to  the  memory  of  Joseph  Agar,  Esq., 
Sheriff  of  York  in  1813,  who  died  January  13,  1847,  aged  64  years. 

St.  George's  Chapel,  WalmgtUe, — This  small  chapel  was  erected  in  1836 
to  meet  the  increasing  wants  of  the  Wesleyan  body,  but  since  the  erection  of 
the  Centenaiy  Chapel  it  has  been  converted  into  a  school. 

•  The  BeT.  John  Wesley,  the  founder  of  the  Methodist  Society,  died  in  1701,  and  is 
supposed  in  the  oonrse  of  his  itinerancy  to  have  travelled  nearly  300,000  miles,  and  to 
have  preached  40,000  sermons. 


54S  ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   YORK. 

The  foundation  stone  of  a  new  edifice,  to  be  called  Wedey  Chapel,  was  kid 
on  Easter  Tuesday  in  the  present  year  (1856.)  The  site  of  the  proposed 
structure  is  on  the  ground  called  Trinity  Gardens  (near  Micklegate  Bar),  the 
entrance  to  which  has  hitherto  been  through  an  ancient  gateway,  which  has 
just  been  removed.  Trinity  Gardens,  the  site  of  the  ancient  Priory  of  the 
Holy  Trinity,  has  lately  been  purchased  for  tha  purpose  of  forming  a  new 
street,  to  connect  Micklegate  and  BishophiU;  and  on  the  east  side  of  the 
new  street,  facing  the  city  walls,  and  acyoining  the  church  of  Holy  Trinity, 
the  new  chapel  is  being  erected.  This  building,  which  will  contain  about 
1,600  sittings,  of  which  350  will  be  free  for  the  poor,  is  intended  to  supersede 
the  one  now  occupied  in  Skeldergate,  which  is  too  small  for  the  Wesleyan 
body  on  that  side  of  the  water,  and  the  old  one  will  probably  be  converted 
into  schools  or  sold.  The  cost  of  building  the  new  chapel  will  be  about 
£6,000.,  including  the  ground.     Mr.  J.  Simpson,  of  Leeds,  i»  the  architect 

The  Reformed  Wesletan  Methodists. — This  numerous  congregation 
separated  from  the  old  Methodist  body  in  1850,  and  since  then  its  members 
regularly  meet  for  religious  worship  in  the  Festival  Concert  Room,  and  in 
the  Lecture  Hall,  St.  Saviourgate. 

Pbimitive  Methodist  Chapel,  Little  StonegeUe, — ^This  edifice,  called 
Ebenezer  Chapel,  is  a  large  brick  building,  with  a  basement  stoiy  o£  stone 
and  stone  dressings,  erected  in  1851.  The  interior  is  fitted  up  in  the  usual 
style  of  Dissenting  Chapels,  and  wiU  accommodate  nearly  3,000  persons. 
Messrs.  Pritchett  and  Sons  were  the  architects.  Prior  to  the  erection  of  this 
chapel,  the  Primitive  Methodists  worshipped  in  a  small  building  in  Grape 
Lane,  which  had  previously  served  as  a  meeting-house  for  the  Baptists, 
the  Countess  of  Huntingdon's  Connexion,  and  the  Wesleysm  New  Con- 
nexion successively.  This  latter  building  is  now  no  longer  used  for  the 
purposes  of  religion. 

Wesleyan  Association  Chapel,  in  Lady  PeckiU's  Yard,  Foasgate. — ^This 
place  of  worship,  which  will  seat  about  500,  was  erected  in  1829.  Prior  to 
that  time  the  Association  Methodists  assembled  in  a  house  in  St.  Andrew^gate. 

English  Presbyterian  Chapel,  St.  Saviaurgate, — Lady  Hewley,  who 
founded  an  almshouse  in  York,  is  said  to  have  contributed  very  liberally  to 
the  erection  of  this  chapel  in  169S.  The  first  regular  society  of  Noncon- 
formists in  York,  of  which  we  have  any  record,  met  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
Andrew  Taylor,  in  Micklegate,  an  opulent  merchant  The  Rev.  Ralph  Ward, 
chaplain  to  Sir  John  Hewley,  was  one  of  the  ministers  ejected  by  the  Act  of 
Uniformity,  and  he  preached  to  this  congregation  for  nearly  thirty  years. 
He  died  in  1692,  and  his  son-in-law,  Dr.  Thomas  Coulton,  succeeded  to  the 


ECCLESUSTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   TOBK.  649 

pastorate  of  the  Prosbytenan  congregation  at  St.  Saviourgate  Chapel,  and  so 
Gontuiued  for  a  period  of  nearly  forty  years.  In  1775  the  Rby.  Newcome 
Cappe,  a  pupil  at  the  academy  of  Dr.  Doddridge,  at  Northampton,  was  chosen 
co-pastor  with  Mr.  Hotham,  and  on  the  death  of  the  latter  in  1756,  he  be- 
eame  sole  pastor.  -In  1792  the  age  of  Mr.  Cappe  rendered  it  necessary  that 
he  should  have  assistance,  and  in  that  year  the  Rev.  Charles  Wellbeloved 
settled  in  York,  as  assistant  minister,  and  became  pastor  in  1800,  when  Mr. 
Gappe  died.  Like  his  predecessor,  Mr.  Wellbeloyed's  increasing  years  obliged 
him  to  procure  the  assistance  of  the  Rot.  Henry  Yaughan  Palmer,  who  is 
xtow  the  officiating  clergyman,  though  Mr.  Wellbeloved  is  the  pastor  of  the 
oongr^ation.  The  ecclesiastical  affairs  of  this  congregation  are  conducted  on 
the  Presbyterian  plan,  but  since  the  latter  end  of  the  last  century,  the  doc- 
trines preached  to,  and  held  by  the  persons  attending  the  chapel,  are  those 
of  Unitarianism,  and  the  place  of  worship  is  commonly  called  the  Unitarian 
Chapel;  yet  the  present  ministers  of  the  chapel  inform  us  that  it  is  not  correct 
to  call  it  by  that  title,  though  they  allow  that  the  doctrines  which  they  teach 
are  Unitarian.  In  a  communication  which  we  have  received  from  the  Rev. 
C.  Wellbeloved,  he  says,  "  My  religious  principles  are  those  commonly  called 
Unitarian ;  but  I  do  not  call  myself  a  Unitarian  Minister,  because  I  do  not 
consider  it  to  be  correct  I  am  a  Dissenting  Minister,  and  belong  to  the 
«  English  Presbyterians,"  as  distinguished  from  the  two  bodies  of  Old  Dis- 
senters— Baptiste  and  Independente."  The  chapel,  which  is  of  red  brick,  is 
cruciform  in  shape,  with  a  slightly  raised  centre.  The  interior  is  neat  and 
well  lighted.  The  organ  was  presented  by  the  late  Miss  Rawden,  of  York ; 
and  it  may  be  here  noticed  that  this  was  the  first  Dissenting  Chapel  in  York 
into  which  an  organ  was  introduced.  There  are  several  mural  tablete  in  this 
ohapol,  amongst  which  is  one  to  the  memory  of  the  Rev.  Newcome  Cappe. 

Fbiends'  Meeting  House,  Friargate, — Prior  to  the  year  1673  the  Society 
of  Friends,  commonly  called  Quakers,*  held  their  meetings  at  the  house  of 
Edward  Nightingale,  an  eminent  grocer  of  that  persuasion  in  High  Ousegate; 
but  in  that  year  a  small  meeting  house  was  erected  on  the  spot  upon  which 
now  stand  the  very  commodious  premises  of  the  Society.  The  body  having 
considerably  increased,  the  old  erection  was  enlarged  nearly  one-third,  between 

•  The  **  Society  of  Friends "  oxigmated  about  the  year  1640,  through  the  religious 
teachings  of  Qeorge  Fox,  a  native  of  Drayton,  in  Leicestershire.  Their  popular  desig- 
nation of  "  Quakers"  is  said  to  have  arisen  from  the  circumstance  of  Fox  having  told  a 
magistrate,  before  whom  he  was  brought,  "  to  tremble  at  the  word  of  the  Lord,"  as  pro- 
pounded by  him.  The  Quakers  believe  in  the  Unity  and  Trinity  of  God,  but  they  alrj^^ 
all  extanial  rites,  especially  the  Saonunents  of  Baptism,  and  the  Lord's  Sapper. 


560  ECCLESIASTICAL  EDIFICES   OF  TOBK. 

fifty  and  sixty  years  ago ;  and  adjoining  to  that  another  building  was  erected 
in  1718,  intended  chiefly  for  the  use  of  the  qnartedy  meetings  then  held  at 
York  This  erection  being  found  inconvenient,  was  nearly  all  taken  down  in 
1816,  when  an  enlarged  and  more  commodious  erection  was  commenced, 
which  is  capable  of  containing  about  1,000  people.  On  the  premises  is  a 
small  library,  containing  a  collection  of  books,  written  both  in  &TOur  and 
against  the  principles  of  this  peculiar  sect  of  Christians.  The  premises, 
which  consist  of  two  red  brick  buildings,  contiguous  to  each  other,  are  devmd 
of  ornament,  but  the  interior  is  neat  and  well  arranged.  The  principal  en- 
trance to  the  meeting  house  is  in  Gastlegate.  The  society  haye  a  burial 
ground  in  Garr*s  Lane,  Bishophill.  In  it  are  interred  the  remains  of  Lindl^ 
Murray,  the  grammarain,  and  John  Woohnan,  who  first  roused  public  atten- 
tion in  America  to  the  crying  evil  of  slavery. 

Besides  the  chapel  in  Grape  Lane,  already  mentioned,  as  having  been 
from  time  to  time  in  the  possession  of  several  district  bodies  or  sects ;  there 
is  a  small  building  at  the  bottom  of  the  same  lane,  which  was  formeriy  the 
place  of  meeting  of  a  sect  called  Sandemanians,  This  building  is  now  con- 
verted into  a  dwelling  house ;  but  the  second  story  of  it  is  used  as  a  chapel 
by  the  Latter  Day  Saints. 

The  Sioedenborgians  meet  for  public  worship  in  a  large  room  in  Qood- 
ramgate. 

Catholics. — Catholicism  has  made  rapid  strides  in  this  city  and  county, 
and  indeed  all  through  the  kingdom,  of  late  years ;  and  its  churches  and 
chapels  (some  of  them  truly  magnificent  edifices)  are  now  to  be  found  in 
almost  every  town  of  consequence.  Dr.  Thomas  Watson,  of  Lincoln,  who 
was  the  last  Catholic  Bishop  ordained  in  England  previous  to  the  reign  of 
Queen  Elizabeth,  died  in  prison,  in  1584,  when  the  Catholic  church  in  tins 
country  was  reduced  to  the  state  of  a  foreign  mission  under  the  Holy  See, 
which  placed  the  secular  clergy  under  an  archpriest  (the  Rev.  G.  Blackwell) 
with  episcopal  authority,  which  continued  till  1628,  when  Dr.  Bishop  was 
consecrated  Bishop  of  Ghalcedon,  and  placed  at  the  head  of  the  English 
Catholics.  He  was  succeeded  in  16d6  by  Dr.  Richard  Smith,  President  of 
the  English  College  at  Rome,  who  died  in  1655.  The  Roman  Chapter  ex- 
ercised episcopal  jurisdiction  in  England  from  this  period  till  1685,  irhai 
Dr.  John  Leyboum  was  appointed  Vicar  Apostolic ;  and  in  the  following 
year  England  was  divided  into  four  districts,  viz. — ^London,  Western,  Mid- 
land, and  Northern,  and  Vicars  Apostolic,  Bishops  in  partibtts  placed  over 
them.  In  1840  it  was  found  necessary,  from  the  great  increase  of  Catholics 
in  all  parts  of  the  kingdom,  to  subdivide  it  into  eight  districts,  viz. — ^L<mdon, 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   YORK.  651 

Eastern,  Western,  Central,  Lancashire,  Yorkshire,  Wales,  and  Northern. 
Thus  it  continued  till  the  year  1850,  when  the  present  Pope  (Pius  IX.)  ab- 
rogated and  annulled  all  previous  arrangements,  and  for  Vicars  Apostolic 
appointed  by  himself  and  removable  at  his  pleasure,  substituted  an  ordinary 
hierarchy  of  Bishops,  to  be  elected  by  the  clergy  of  the  respective  dioceses. 
By  the  same  rescript  the  former  eight  districts  were  subdivided  into  thirteen 
dioceses ;  the  titles  of  the  bishops  were  changed  from  sees  in  Asia  now  ex- 
tinct, to  new  sees  in  this  country ;  and  the  Catholic  Church  in  England  was 
formed  into  an  ecclesiastical  province,  composed  of  an  Archbishop,  or  Metro- 
politan, and  of  twelve  Bishops,  his  suffiragans,  who  take  their  titles  from  the 
following  places: — ^Westminster,  Beverley,  Birmingham,  Clifton,  Hexham, 
Liverpool,  Newport,  Northampton,  Nottingham,  Plymouth,  Salford,  Shrews- 
bury, and  Southwark.  Westminster  was  constituted  the  Archiepiscopal  See, 
and  Dr.  Nicholas  Wiseman,  Bishop  of  Melipotamus,  and  Vicar  Apostolic  of 
the  London  District,  was  raised  to  the  dignity  of  a  Cardinal,  and  appointed 
first  Archbishop  of  Westminster,  thus  becoming  Primate  and  Metropolitan  of 
the  Catholic  Church  in  England. 

Dr.  Briggs,  the  Bishop  of  Trachis,  and  Vicar  Apostolic  of  the  Yorkshire 
district,  was  translated  from  Trachis,  to  the  new  See  of  Beverley,  by  the  same 
papal  brief  or  rescript,  on  the  29th  of  September,  1850.  The  revival  of  the 
Catholic  hierarchy  was  deemed,  by  a  minority  of  the  people  of  England,  an 
insult  to  the  Queen's  Majesty,  and  a  great ''  Papal  Aggression ;  '*  and  in  conse- 
quence of  it  the  kingdom  was,  for  some  months,  in  a  state  of  great  excitement. 
Much  has  been  said  and  written  in  defence  as  well  as  in  condemnation  of  this 
proceeding  on  the  part  of  the  Pope  and  the  Catholic  body,  but  with  the  merits 
or  demerits  of  the  measure,  we,  as  simple  chroniclers,  have  no  concern  beyond 
that  of  placing  the  circumstance  on  record  in  connexion  with  the  Catholic 
ecclesiastical  establishments  of  York.  The  Parliament  expressed  their  oppo- 
sition to  the  measure  by  introducing  and  passing  a  bill,  entitled  "  The  Eccle- 
siastical Titles  Assumption  Act,"  which  declared  that  the  titles  conferred  "  or 
pretended  to  be  conferred  "  by  any  "  briefs,  rescripts,  or  letters  apostolical, 
and  all  and  every  the  jurisdiction,  authority,  preeminence,"  thereby  granted 
by  the  Pope,  "  are,  and  shall  be  deemed,  unlawful  and  void."  However  this 
Act  does  not  seem  to  have  e£fected  the  new  prelates  in  any  way,  for  since  the 
bill  became  law  they  have  not  been  interfered  with  by  any  party,  though  we 
believe  they  have  since  publicly  performed  the  duties  of  Bishops  of  their 
respective  Sees,  as  weU  as  held  synods,  ordinations,  &c. ;  and  their  spiritual 
subjects  do  not  hold  them  in  less  reverence,  or  their  office  in  less  respect, 
because  an  Act  of  Parliament  has  declared  their  titles  unlawful  and  void. 


55S  ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   YORK. 

As  has  been  before  intimated,  the  Right  Rev.  John  Briggs,  D.D.,  under 
the  prohibited  title  of  the  '*  Bishop  of  Beverlej/'  has  the  spiritual  chaige  of 
the  Catholics  of  Yorkshire,  from  whom  he  invariablj  receives  the  title  of  "  mj 
Lord ;"  and  he  is  assisted  in  the  goyemment  of  his  "  diocese  "  by  a  Prorost, 
and  a  Chapter  consisting  of  ten  Canons.  The  church  which  we  now  pro- 
ceed to  describe,  is  used  as  a  temporary  Cathedral. 

Catholic  Chubch  op  St.  George,  Su  George  Street. — The  chapel  in 
Little  Blake  Street  having  hecome  inadequate  to  the  requirements  of  the 
Catholics  of  York,  in  consequence  of  their  increasing  numbers,  the  present 
building  was  erected,  and  opened  for  Divine  worship  in  the  year  1850.  It 
is  a  handsome  structure,  covering  an  area  of  105  feet  by  55  feet,  exclusive  of 
porch  and  sacristies,  and  is  in  the  Early  Decorated  style  of  architecture. 
Externally  it  presents  three  gabled  roofs,  covering  the  nave  and  aisles  re- 
spectively, that  of  the  nave  being  much  higher  than  the  aisles.  There  is  also 
a  chancel  and  south  porch.  The  west  front  is  in  three  divisions,  which  are 
marked  by  buttresses.  In  the  centre  division  (being  the  west  end  of  the 
nave)  is  a  pointed  doorway,  with  a  deeply-moulded  arch  springing  from  four 
small  circular  pillars,  with  flower- worked  capitals ;  the  weather  cornice  resting 
on  a  mitred  head  on  one  side,  and  a  female  coronetted  head  on  the  other. 
Above  this  doorway  is  a  pointed  window  of  three  lights.  In  the  west  end  of 
each  of  the  aisles  is  a  window  of  two  lights,  and  the  three  gables  of  this  teoni 
of  the  building  are  finished  with  a  plain  moulding,  and  crowned  with  neatly 
executed  crosses.  The  south  side  is  made  into  six  divisions  by  buttresses, 
one  of  which  contains  a  very  neat  porch,  with  a  fine  moulded  doorway,  the 
apex  being  surmounted  with  a  cross ;  and  in  the  other  divisions  are  good 
windows  of  two  lights,  except  the  easternmost  one,  which  is  of  three  lights. 
In  the  second  buttress  from  the  east  end  is  a  niche  containing  a  spirited 
figure  of  the  patron,  St  George,  clothed  in  armour,  with  the  point  of  his 
sword  piercing  the  dragon's  head.  The  east  end  of  the  edifice  presents  two 
gables  only,  the  vestries  being  at  that  end  of  the  north  aisle.  The  east  or 
chancel  window,  which  is  large  and  handsome,  consists  of  four  lights,  and 
the  window  in  the  east  end  of  the  south  aisle  is  of  three  lights.  The  apexes 
of  the  roof  at  the  east  end  are  crowned  with  crosses ;  and  over  the  janctioD 
of  the  nave  and  chancel  is  a  double  belfry,  consisting  of  double-moulded 
arches,  with  a  quatrefoil  opening  over  them,  surmounted  by  a  high  pitched 
gable,  and  richly  floriated  cross,  representing  the  Crucifixion  of  Our  LonL 
The  top  of  this  cross  is  sixty-five  feet  from  the  ground,  and  the  belfiy  contains 
two  good  bells.  The  whole  of  the  windows  in  the  east,  west,  and  south  sides 
have  weather  mouldings,  resting  on  elegantly  carved  heads  of  bishops,  nuns, 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   YORK.  553 

saints,  &c. ;  bat  those  on  the  north  side — each  of  which  are  of  two  lights — 
have  not  this  ornament.  The  entire  building  is  finished  with  a  plain  mould- 
ing. The  interior  is  plainly  but  neatly  furnished  with  open  seats,  &c.  The 
naTe  is  divided  from  the  aisles  by  five  graceful  arches  on  each  side,  springing 
from  octangular  columns,  with  moulded  capitals.  The  roof  is  high  pitched 
and  open ;  and  there  is  a  small  gallery  at  the  west  end  of  the  navCj  in  which 
is  the  organ.  The  chancel  is  divided  from  the  nave  by  an  archway,  with 
hood  moulds  and  carved  heads,  supported  upon  triple  clustered  pillars ;  and 
in  this  arch  is  a  carved  open  rood  screen  of  wood,  on  the  top  of  which  is 
a  large  and  well  executed  representation  of  the  Crucifixion  of  Our  Redeemer 
(a  piece  of  ancient  sculpture  brought  from  the  continent),  with  carved  figures 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  St.  John  the  Evangelist  on  either  side.  The 
chancel  is  very  elegantly  and  chastely  adorned.  The  altar  is  of  Caen  stone, 
highly  enriched  with  carving  and  gilding.  It  is  made  into  three  divisions 
by  shields — on  the  centre  one  of  which  is  a  carved  representation  of  the 
Cmcifixion ;  and  the  subjects  of  the  others  are  Christ  carrying  the  Cross, 
and  his  Entombment.  The  tabernacle  and  the  reredos,  or  screen  behind  the 
altar,  are  extremely  rich  in  decoration.  The  chancel  ceiling  is  arched  in 
wood,  and  divided  into  seventy-two  panels  by  wood  mouldings ;  the  whole  is 
enriched  by  painting  and  gilding.  The  lamp  and  candelabra  are  handsome ; 
on  the  right  side  of  the  altar  is  a  piscina,  and  on  the  left  a  locker.  The  east 
window  is  filled  with  stained  glass  by  Hardman,  of  Birmingham,  and  con- 
tains figures  of  Our  Saviour,  the  Blessed  Virgin,  St.  Mary  Magdalen,  St. 
George  slaying  the  Dragon,  Christ  raising  Lazarus  to  Life,  &c.  At  the  east 
end  of  the  south  aisle,  and  divided  from  the  chancel  by  an  arch,  in  which  is 
an  open  screen,  is  the  Chapel  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  generally  called  the 
Lady  Chapel.  This  presents  an  appearance  similar  to  the  chancel  just  de- 
scribed. It  is  divided  from  the  aisle  by  a  stone  screen,  of  Gothic  design, 
which  is  extremely  beautiful ;  and  in  the  upper  part  of  which  is  a  highly- 
wrought  niche,  with  most  elaborate  tabernacle  work,  containing  a  statuette 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  Divine  Child.  The  Caen  stone  altar  and  reredos 
are  splendidly  sculptured.  The  former  is  in  four  parts,  divided  by  highly- 
polished  marble  pillars,  and  contains  representations  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 
and  Infant  Saviour,  and  St.  Joseph,  with  angels  bearing  scrolls ;  and  in  the 
latter  are  niches  containing  sculptures  of  the  Annunciation,  with  vases  and 
lilies.  The  stained  glass  window  over  this  altar  is  by  Messrs.  Bamett,  late 
of  York,  and  amongst  the  subjects  represented  on  it,  are  the  Crucifixion  and 
the  Virgin  and  Child.  The  other  window  in  this  chapel  is  also  filled  with 
stained  glass  by  the  same  artists,  and  contains  several  subjects  from  the  life 

4  B 


554  KCCLi:SIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   YORK. 

of  Our  Lord.  The  silver  lamp,  which  is  suspended  before  the  iJtar,  is  Teiy 
clegaut;  and  the  piscina  is  in  the  usual  place.  The  west  window  of  the 
south  aisle  is  also  adorned  with  stained  glass  (this  and  the  last  noticed  one 
being  memorial  windows),  but  all  the  other  windows  are  glazed  with  Cathe- 
dral glass,  having  coloured  borders.  The  pulpit,  which  is  small,  is  of  stone, 
and  the  font  is  octagonal — ^four  of  the  sides  having  symbolical  carvings.  The 
original  cost  of  the  shell  of  the  building  was  £3,300.,  and  that  of  the  site  was 
£l,t25(). ;  but  several  large  sums  have  since  been  expended  upon  it  from  tutu? 
to  time.  Messrs.  Joseph  and  Charles  Hansom  were  the  architects  of  the 
building,  and  Mr.  lialph  Weatherley,  of  York,  was  the  builder.  The  desigii 
of  the  screen,  altaf,  and  reredos  of  the  Lady  Chapel  (being  a  more  lecent 
work),  is  from  the  pencil  of  Mr.  Charles  Hansom.  Adyoining  the  church  are 
largo  schools,  which  will  be  noticed  at  a  subsequent  page. 

Chapel  of  St.  Wilfrid,  Little  Blake  Street, — This  chapel,  which  wfc? 
built  in  180S,  is  71  feet  long  by  44  feet  wide,  and  30  feet  high,  and  will  ac- 
commodate about  700  people.     There  is  nothing  particularly  worthy  of  notice, 
except  the  full-length  frescoes  in  and  about  the  sanctuary.     Those  withiu  the 
altar  rails  represent  the  Crucifixion,  with  the  figures  of  the  Blessed  Viii^, 
St.  John,  and  St.  Mary  Magdalen  (in  the  centre),  and  the  four  Evang^ats 
on  the  sides.     Over  the  vestry  doors  are  full-lengths  of  St.  Peter  and  St 
Paul,  and  some  allegorical  subjects.     The  ceiling  of  the  sanctuary  is  richly 
decorated.    There  is  a  commodious  gallery  at  the  west  end,  and  in  the  south 
side  is  a  small  gallery  or  loft  for  the  organ  and  chiHr.    Annexed  to  this 
chapel  is  the  presbyteiy,  or  residence  of  the  priests ;  and  at  the  rear  of  a 
house  nearly  opposite  to  the  latter,  is  a  large  room,  which  had  been  used  as 
a  place  of  worship  by  the  Catholics,  previous  to  the  erection  of  the  present 
chapel.     Tradition  points  to  an  upper  room  in  that  house  as  a  place  when' 
the  rites  of  the  Catholic  Church  were  celebrated  at  a  period  in  histoiy  when 
Catholicity  in  this  country  lay  trodden  to  the  grmrnd ;  when  its  professors 
skulked  from  the  public  gaze  like  timorous  slaves,  and  for  the  practice  ot 
their  religion  assembled  in  back  lanes,  in  garrets,  and  seoret  chambeiB.    Ye^ 
this  is  one  of  the  last  of  the  garret  rooms  which  carry  us  back  to  the  tirae^ 
when  our  fathers  were  driven  by  persecution  to  serve  God  in  seoreoy  and  fear. 
York  is  the  place  of  residence  of  the  spiritual  chief  of  the  Catholics  of  York- 
shire — Dr.  Briggs — and  tlie  Cathdio  clergy  of  the  city  are  the  Vety  IWt. 
Joseph  Render,  V.G.,  the  Rev.  William  Fisher,  and  the  Rev.  Joseph  Greaiy.~ 

•  It  may  be  observed  that  before  the  BeibrmadoQ,  and  for  somo  time  after,  pne>&t- 
eigoyed  the  knighUy  title  of  "  Sir." 


ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   TOBK.  555 

In  connexion  \nth  the  Catholics  of  York  and  its  vicinity,  a  branch  of  the 
charitable  fraternity  called  the  Society  of  St.  Vincent  de  Paul  was  established 
in  the  beginning  of  the  year  1859,  and  united  with  the  parent  society  in 
Paris,  under  the  presidency  of  Edwd.  Widdrington  RiddeU,  Esq.,  of  Bootham 
House,  York.  The  following  items,  taken  from  the  second  annual  report  of 
the  York  Conference  of  the  Society,  will  explain  its  objects.  During  the  year 
1853,  the  brethren  yisited  109  families — some  of  them  twice  and  some  three 
times  a  week — ^the  whole  number  of  visits  amounting  to  18,104.  Of  the 
children  belonging  to  these  poor  families,  190  boys  and  80  girls  have  been 
kept  from  begging.  The  gross  number  attending  the  poor  school  was  158, 
of  which  number  88  were  boys  and  70  girls,  and  included  in  this  number 
were  13  orphans,  who  were  fed,  clothed,  and  lodged,  by  the  conference,  and 
who  will  be  sent  out  to  service  according  as  suitable  situations  offer.  In 
addition  to  these  orphans,  39  others  received  one  substantial  meal  each  day, 
and  the  whole  number  attending  the  schools  were  provided  with  a  meal  every 
Sunday.  The  total  number  of  meals  given  during  that  year  was  21,894  ; 
besides  which  large  quantities  of  bread  and  soup  had,  from  time  to  time,  been 
distributed  to  deserving  objects,  and  a  large  quantity  of  clothing  was  pro- 
vided and  distributed  among  the  poor.  The  girls  on  the  orphan  list  had 
been  instructed  to  make  their  own  bread,  and  do  other  household  business, 
in  the  kitchen  attached  to  the  schools,  in  order  to  make  them  good  and 
nseful  servants;  and  have  been  instructed  in  the  necessary  departments  of 
needlework  by  the  ladies  of  the  Convent  of  St.  Mary,  York.  The  weekly 
consumption  of  bread  in  the  Charity  School,  for  the  year,  was  about  sixteen 
stones.  The  society  derives  its  support  from  the  donations  and  subscrip. 
tions  of  its  members  and  friends.    Mr.  John  Keller  is  the  secretary. 

There  is  also  a  branch  of  another  brotherhood  in  connexion  with  the 
Catholic  body  of  York,  called  the  Young  Men's  Society,  which  was  established 
here,  on  the  6th  of  August  1854,  by  the  founder  of  the  fraternity,  the  Rev. 
Dr.  O'Brien,  of  All  Hallows  Missionary  CoUege,  Dublin,  aided  by  the  clergy 
of  the  city.  From  the  publiahed  rules  we  learn  that  the  object  of  this  society 
is,  "  to  put  down  sin  and  fialsehood,  and  to  extend  virtue,  intelligence,  truth, 
and  brotherly  love,"  by  means  of  prayer,  good  example,  lectures,  spiritual 
reading,  a  regular  observance  of  the  sacraments,  the  practise  of  all  Christian 
virtues,  particularly  that  of  charity,  by  discountenancing  sin  of  all  kinds,  and 
by  labouring  for  the  extension  of  the  society.  The  greater  part  of  this 
society  have  been  formed  into  a  Temperance  Guild.  Mr.  Keller  is  also 
secretary  to  this  fraternity. 


566  ECCLESIASTICAL   EDIFICES   OF   TOBK. 

Nunnery  or  Convent  op  St.  Mart. — ^This  establishment  is  situated 
without  Micklegate  Bar,  and  is  a  large  handsome  red  brick  structure,  at  tlie 
rear  of  which  are  extensive  gardens.  A  building  near  the  site  of  the  present 
appears  to  have  been  purchased  in  1686,  for  the  establishment  of  a  boardiiig 
school  for  joung  ladies  of  the  Catholic  religion.  Since  that  time  Yarious 
alterations  and  additions  have  been  made,  both  to  the  buildings  and  the 
discipline  observed  within  them.  To  it  was  subsequently  united  a  convoit 
of  nuns,  or  a  community  of  religious,  called  the  Institute  of  ReUgious  L/tdies ; 
who,  having  quitted  the  world,  devote  themselves  entirely  to  the  instruc- 
tion of  youth.  The  daughters  of  the  Catholic  nobility,  gentry,  and  respec- 
table classes  are  educated  within  these  walls.  For  some  years  past  the 
number  of  boarders  has  not  exceeded  fifty,  but  in  former  years  it  was  upwards 
of  eighty.  In  1844  a  large  addition  was  made  to  the  size  of  the  establish- 
ment, by  the  erection  of  an  extensive  building  containing  spacious  school 
rooms.  Previous  to  the  opening  of  the  schools  attached  to  St.  George's 
Church,  a  number  of  poor  girls  were  here  taught  by  the  nuns  gratuitously ; 
but  their  place  has  since  been  suppUed  by  a  school  for  extems  of  the  middle 
class,  and  a  poor  school  for  infants.  The  female  schools  adjoining  the  just 
mentioned  church  are  still  conducted  by  the  sisters  of  this  community. 

The  buildings  of  the  convent,  schools,  &c,,  comprise  a  square,  in  the 
centre  of  which  is  a  small  court  yard.  The  internal  arrangement  of  the 
building  is  admirable,  and  the  school  rooms  are  perhaps  unequalled  in  the 
kingdom  for  size,  ventilation,  &c. 

The  Chapel,  which  is  cruciform  in  shape,  is  splendidly  furnished  and  deco- 
rated, and  the  intersection  is  surmounted  by  an  el^ant  dome,  supported  by 
eight  fluted  columns.     The  altar,  tabernacle,  &c.,  are  rich  in  the  extreme,  and 
there  are  several  excellent  paintings.     In  the  screen  work  is  some  very  fine 
carving ;  the  stalls  for  the  nuns  range  on  both  sides  of  the  chapel ;  the  slver 
lamp  of  the  sanctuary  is  of  the  most  chaste  design ;  and  the  organ  stands  on 
a  small  gallery  at  the  west  end.     One  of  the  transepts  is  elegantly  fitted  up 
as  the  Lady  Chapel,  and  over  the  altar  is  a  beautiful  statuette  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin,  whilst  in  the  corresponding  transept  is  a  very  elegant  image  of  St. 
Joseph.     The  gardens  are  arranged  with  much  taste,  and  the  play  ground  is 
extensive.     Adjoining  the  gardens  is  the  burial  place  of  the  sisterhood,  and 
in  it  is  a  neat  oratory.     Mrs.  Browne  is  the  present  superioress  of  the  Con- 
vent, or,  as  she  is  usually  styled  by  the  members  of  her  community,  and 
indeed,  by  the  Catholics  in  general,  the  "  Reverend  Mother."    The  present 
chaplain  is  the  Rev.  Francis  Callebert. 

The  Catholic  Schools  of  York  will  be  noticed  at  subsequent  pages. 


PUBLIC  SCHOOLS  OF  YORK.  557 

PUBLIC  SCHOOLS.— 5ft.  Peter's  Bayal  Grammar  School-^Aa  we  have 
seen  at  page  498,  the  site  and  lands  of  the  dissolved  Hospital  of  St  Maiy  Mag- 
dalen, in  Bootham,  were,  by  a  grant  from  Philip  and  Mary,  appropriated  to  the 
maintenance  of  a  free  grammar  school,  under  the  government  of  the  Dean  and 
Chapter  of  the  Cathedral  of  York ;  and  the  rectorial  tithes  of  Stillingfleet 
were  sabsequendy  given  for  the  same  purpose.  In  addition  to  this  endow- 
ment, Robert  Dallison,  Chanter  of  the  Cathedral  Church  of  Lincoln,  granted 
to  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of  York  an  annuity  of  four  pounds,  issuing  out  of 
the  manor  of  Hartesholm,  in  the  county  of  Lincoln,  which  was  appropriated 
to  this  school.  The  Dean  and  Chapter  being  the  trustees,  always  appoint 
the  master,  and  the  school  is  frequently  called  the  Cathedral  Orammar  School, 
The  income  of  the  master  has  been  considerably  augmented  by  purchasing 
property,  with  the  fines  paid  on  the  renewal  of  certain  lands  devoted  to  the 
purpose.  In  1898  the  school  was  placed  under  the  existing  regulations. 
The  number  of  free  scholars  was  formerly  about  twenty-three,  but  of  late 
years  the  number  has  been  considerably  reduced.  There  are  now  eight 
foundation  scholars,  who  receive  board,  lodging,  and  education,  free  of  expense 
for  four  years ;  and  there  are  also  eight  ^re^  scholars,  who  are  educated  free  for 
the  same  period.  The  foundation  scholars  and  the  free  boys  are  chosen  at 
an  examination,  held  in  June  in  each  year,  for  their  proficiency  in  certain 
studies ;  and  an  exhibition  or  annual  stipend  of  £50.  for  three  years  is  annu- 
ally awarded  to  the  best  qualified  pupil,  provided  he  becomes  a  student  in 
either  of  the  Universities  of  Oxford,  Cambridge,  Durham,  or  Dublin.  The 
yearly  examination  is  conducted  by  a  graduate  of  one  of  the  Universities,  ap- 
pointed by  the  Dean  and  Chapter ;  every  boy  who  has  been  in  the  school  one 
year,  and  is  under  15  years  of  age,  is  eligible  for  the  scholarships  and  the 
exhibition,  which  are  awarded  solely  on  the  ground  of  merit.  This  school 
possesses  likewise  the  privilege  of  sending  a  boy  every  five  years  to  Aberford, 
to  contend  for  Lady  Betty  Hastings's  exhibition,  which  is  worth  about  £100. 
a  year  for  five  years.  The  boys  not  on  the  foandation  pay  a  tuition  fee  of 
£10.,  and  £45.  in  addition  is  the  chaise  for  board  and  lodging.  The  building 
will  accommodate  80  boarders,  and  about  300  scholars  altogether;  and  the 
present  number  is  about  150.  The  head-master  is  the  Rev.  William  Hey, 
M.A.,  late  Fellow  of  St  John's  College,  Cambridge,  and  a  Canon  of  the 
Cathedral  of  York. 

This  school  was  formerly  held  in  the  desecrated  church  of  St.  Andrew, 
from  which  it  was  removed  to  the  building  in  the  Minster  Yard,  now  used  as 
a  School  of  Design,  and  finally,  in  1844,  the  Proprietary  or  Collegiate  School, 
which  was  the  property  of  a  Joint  Stock  Company,  was  purchased  by  the 


558  PUBLIC   SCHOOLS   OF   TORE. 

Dean  and  Chapter  for  St.  Peter*8  School^  and  the  two  schools  were  united  in 
the  Midsummer  of  that  year. 

The  School  Premitei  are  well  sitoated  in  Bootham,  and  the  building,  wMch 
was  erected  in  1837-8,  is  a  handsome  stnictore  in  the  Tndor  stjle ;  the  front 
being  of  cat  stone,  from  the  qoarries  of  Bramham  Moor,  and  the  remainder 
of  brick,  with  cut  stone  dressings.  The  design  of  the  bnilding  is  veiy  ele- 
gant, and  its  external  appearance  has  a  rery  pleasing  eflfect.  It  comprises  a 
central  hall,  class  rooms,  library,  and  boarding  house.  The  centre  has  a 
deeply-moulded  doorway,  over  which  is  a  balustrade  or  screen  of  perforated 
quatrefoila,  above  which  is  a  fine  bay  window,  surmounted  by  a  perforated 
balustrade.  At  each  side  of  the  door  and  window,  or  rather  the  angles  of 
this  central  portion  of  the  design,  rise  two  elegant  pillars,  ornamented  with 
carved  heads,  shields,  niches,  and  pedestals,  terminating  in  turrets,  between 
which  the  front  rakes  up  to  a  gable.  On  each  side  of  this  centre  is  a  range 
of  buildings,  and  at  the  left  side  is  a  large  wing,  and  to  cany  out  the  design 
of  the  architect,  a  corresponding  wing  will  probably  be  built  on  the  right  side 
at  a  future  day.  There  is  a  fine  bay  window  at  the  back  of  the  centre  por- 
tion of  the  building.    The  grounds  extend  over  four  acres. 

Holgate's  Fre$  Orammar  Sehool,  Ogleforth. — ^This  school  was  erected  and 
endowed  within  the  Close  of  the  Cathedral,  by  Robert  Holgate,  D.D.,  Arch- 
bishop of  York,  by  letters  patent  granted  by  King  Henry  VUI.,  on  the  94th 
of  October,  1546 ;  and  the  master  was  bound  to  attend  daily, "  to  teach 
grammar  and  godly  learning,  freely,  without  taking  any  stipend  or  wages." 
At  the  time  the  commissioners  made  their  report  on  this  charity,  the  property 
of  the  school  was  valued  at  upwards  of  £860.  per  annum ;  and  there  wen 
only  seventeen  boys  on  the  foundation.  This,  together  with  the  other  cha- 
rities of  Archbishop  Holgate,  having  been  shamefully  mismanaged  add  neg- 
lected, are  now  undergoing  enquiry  in  the  Court  of  Chancery.  The  school 
is  held  in  a  commodious  room  in  a  yard  in  the  above-named  street  The 
Rev.  Robert  Daniel,  B.D.,  is  the  present  master. 

The  York  Dioceion  School  Society  was  established  for  the  promotion  of  a 
system  of  religious  and  useful  education  throughout  tho  Diocese  of  York}  io 
the  principles  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  in  union  with  the  National  So- 
ciety  in  London.  The  Society  consists  of  members  of  the  Church  of  England, 
paying  an  annual  subscription  to  the  objects  of  the  Society,  and  of  donors  d 
iSlO.  and  upwards.  The  Lord  Archbishop  of  the  Diocese  is  ex-officio  Presi- 
dent, and  the  three  Archdeacons  of  the  Diocese  are  exofficio  Yice-Presid^ts 
of  the  Society.  The  list  of  Vice-Presidents  includes  the  names  of  the  c\nd 
nobility  and  gentry  of  the  county. 


PUBLIC    SCHOOLS   OF   YOBK.  559 

The  York  and  Bipon  Diocesan  Training  iMtitution,  having  for  its  object 
the  training  of  schoolmasters  and  schoohnistresses  for  the  National  Schools, 
and  also  the  Yorkshire  Yeoman  School,  were  established  in  furtherance  of 
the  oljects  of  the  Diocesan  School  Society.  The  training  school  for  masters 
is  under  the  direction  of  a  Principal,  a  Vice-Principal,  and  under  masters. 
Pupils  are  either  ordinary,  being  such  as  in  order  to  become  national  school 
masters,  desire  to  submit  themselves  to  the  appointed  course  of  training ;  or 
extra-ordinary,  being  such  as  already  having  charge,  or  being  engaged  to  taJ&e 
chaise  of  a  school  in  union  with  the  Diocesan  Society,  desire  to  avail  them- 
selves of  the  advantages  which  the  institution  affords  for  their  improvement. 
£xcept  in  cases  where  it  may  be  otherwise  determined  by  the  committee  of 
management,  no  one  is  to  commence  residence  in  the  training  school  before 
the  age  of  17,  or  after  the  25th  year  of  his  age.  The  full  course  of  training 
extends  over  three  years,  but  suitable  schools,  according  to  the  qualifications 
of  each,  will  be  sought  for  students  whose  circumstances  do  not  permit  them 
to  complete  the  full  course.  Ordinary  pupils  are  all  resident  in  the  training 
school,  and  the  terms  are  very  moderate,  being  £35.  per  annum,  including 
board  and  lodging,  medical  attendance,  books,  and  stationery.  Extra-ordi- 
nary pupils,  if  resident  within  the  institution,  pay  for  their  board,  &c.,  13s. 
per  week ;  if  non-resident,  6s.  per  week.  There  is  accommodation  for  fifty- 
five  pupils.  Attached  to  this  institution  is  a  Day  School  for  boys  over  seven 
years  of  age,  the  terms  £>r  which  are  one  guinea  per  quarter,  payable  in  ad- 
vance. Latin  and  modem  languages,  if  required,  to  be  paid  for  as  extras. 
The  present  Principal  of  the  institution  for  schoobnasters  is  the  Rev.  Hugh 
G.  Robinson,  M.A. ;  and  the  Rev.  G.  Rowe  is  the  Vice-Principal.  The  age 
of  admission  to  the  female  training  institution  is  seventeen ;  the  terms  of 
admission,  including  board  and  lodging,  are  iS18.  per  annum,  paid  quarterly 
in  advance.  Pupils  extra-ordinary,  if  resident  within  the  institution,  are 
chaiiged  10s.  6d.  per  week ;  if  non-resident,  4s.  per  week.  There  is  accom- 
modation for  thirty  pupils.  Attached  to  the  institution  is  a  middle  school 
and  a  day  school  for  girls,  the  latter  of  which  serves  as  a  practising  school 
for  the  pupils  of  the  training  school.    The  Superintendent  is  Miss  Cruse. 

The  York  Yeoman  School,  which  is  under  the  same  superintendence  as  the 
Training  School,  owes  its  establishment  to  a  suggestion  made  by  the  present 
Earl  of  Carlisle  in  1845,  and  in  the  following  year  the  school  was  founded, 
for  the  purpose  of  affording  a  good  education  on  moderate  terms,  to  the  sons 
of  the  middle  or  yeoman  class.  The  terms,  including  board*  lodging,  and 
medical  attendance,  are  twenty-one  guineas  per  annum ;  and  pupils  are  ad- 
missible at  the  age  of  seven  years ;  and  there  is  accommodation  for  seventy- 


560  PUBLIC   SCHOOLS   OF   TOBK. 

five  pupils.  The  committee  of  management  of  the  schools  indades  the  Arch- 
bishop of  York,  the  Bishop  of  Ripon,  the  Deans  and  Archdeacons  of  the  two 
dioceses,  the  Earl  of  Carlisle,  Lord  Feversham,  Lord  Wenlock,  Sir  J.  V.  B. 
Johnstone,  Bart.,  the  Hon.  P.  Dawnay,  and  several  distinguished  clergjrmen. 

The  edifice  of  the  Training  School  for  males  forms  an  extensive  pile, 
on  Lord  Mayor*s  Walk,  erected  in  1846,  by  public  subscription,  at  a  cost 
of  about  £16,000.  The  style  of  architecture  is  late  or  domestic  Gothic. 
Exteriorly  it  presents  a  centre  and  two  wings,  and  it  consists  of  a  house 
for  the  Principal,  rooms  for  the  Vice-Principal  and  five  masters,  haU,  dass 
rooms,  library,  &c.  The  whole  pile  is  constructed  of  brick,  without  stone 
dressings.  The  firont  or  centre  is  supported  by  four  half  pillars,  tenninsr 
ting  in  pinnacles ;  and  over  the  entrance  is  a  bay  or  oriel  window.  The  Yeo- 
man School  occupies  a  separate  building,  on  a  line  with  and  at  the  north-west 
end  of  the  training  institution.  It  was  erected  also  in  1846,  in  the  same 
style  as  the  training  school ;  and  is  a  range  of  buildings,  both  ends  of  which 
project  and  exhibit  gables.  The  Chapel  is  built  of  hammer-dressed  stones, 
with  cut  stone  facings,  and  the  style  of  the  architecture  is  the  Decorated. 
The  sides  are  made  into  five  divisions  by  buttresses,  in  each  of  which  (except 
those  containing  the  doorways^  is  a  window  of  two  lights.  The  chancel  win- 
dow is  of  five  lights,  and  the  window  at  the  west  end  is  of  three  lights.  The 
interior  is  very  neatly  and  appropriately  furnished  with  open  seats.  The  roof 
is  open,  the  spandrils  resting  on  corbels,  on  which  are  caired  angels  holding 
musical  instruments.  The  floor  of  the  chancel  is  tesselated,  and  there  are 
two  stone  seats,  or  sedilia,  in  the  wall,  with  Gothic  canopies.  The  Principal 
and  Vice-Principal,  masters  and  mistresses,  pupils  from  the  male  and  female 
training  schools,  and  scholars,  attend  divine  service  here  daily.  The  Prin- 
cipal is  also  Chaplain  to  the  institution.  The  site  of  the  buildings,  gardens, 
and  recreation  ground  occupies  five  and  a  half  acres. 

The  Training  InstUutionfar  Schoolmistresus  is  a  large  house  in  Monkgate, 
formerly  used  as  a  College  for  Dissenters,  but  that  establishment  was  removed 
to  Manchester  in  1840. 

Oovemment  School  of  Design,  Minster  Yard. — ^This  excellent  institution, 
which  is  a  branch  of  the  department  of  practical  art,  Marlborough  Houae, 
London,  was  established  in  September,  1843,  by  means  of  a  grant  of  mofney 
from  government,  obtained  chiefly  by  the  active  exertions  of  Mr.  Etty,  ILA., 
the  celebrated  painter,  who  died  in  this  his  native  city,  in  1850.  A  oon- 
siderable  sum  was  also  raised  by  subscription,  and  the  school  is  now  sap- 
ported  by  a  government  grant,  by  local  subscriptions,  and  the  fees  paid  by 
the  students;  the  latter  are  almost  nominal.    The  object  of  the  institute  is 


PUBLIC  SCHOOLS  OF  YORK.  561 

**  to  conTey  instruction  in  the  arts  of  drawing  and  design,  and  the  principles 
of  the  fine  arts  generally,  to  persons  of  the  humbler  classes,  with  a  view  to 
the  fostering  of  British  skill  in  those  departments  of  manufacture  which  de- 
pend for  their  excellence  on  the  artistic  abilities  of  the  designer."  The  school 
possesses  a  good  collection  of  casts  of  ornaments  and  figures  from  the  antique, 
and  a  small  collection  of  illustrated  works  on  ornament.  There  are  morning, 
afternoon,  and  evening  classes  held  daily ;  that  in  the  afternoon  is  for  female 
students  exclusiyely ;  and  the  course  of  study  includes  a  great  variety  of  sub- 
jects.   Mr.  Archibald  Cole  is  the  master  appointed  by  government 

The  school  is  held  in  a  neat  cut  stone  building  (formerly  St.  Peter's  School), 
near  the  east  end  of  the  Minster.  The  structure  consists  of  a  centre  and  two 
wings;  the  centre  has  an  arcade  of  three  arches,  above  which  are  three 
square-headed  windows ;  and  the  ends  of  the  wings  have  each  a  fine  pointed 
arched  window  of  five  lights.  The  angles  of  the  wings  are  supported  by  oc- 
tangular pillars  or  turrets,  and  the  top  of  the  whole  front  is  embattled. 

Yorkshire  School  for  the  Blind,  Bootham. — This  school  was  instituted  in 
1834,  as  a  memorial  of  William  Wilberforce,  the  philanthropist — ^the  im- 
mortal opponent  of  negro  slavery — who  represented  Yorkshire  in  six  succes- 
sive Parliaments.  On  the  drd  of  October,  1833,  a  meeting  was  held  in  the 
Festival  Concert  Room,  York,  attended  by  the  Archbishop,  Lord  Brougham 
(then  Lord  Chancellor),  and  a  large  number  of  the  nobility,  clergy,  and 
gentry  of  Yorkshire,  to  consider  the  best  means  of  testifying  the  sense  enter- 
tained by  the  county  of  the  merit  and  services  of  Mr.  Wilberforce ;  and  with 
good  judgment  and  taste  they  resolved  to  found  an  institution  for  the  education 
of  indigent  children  of  both  sexes,  who,  by  birth  or  accident,  had  been  de- 
prived of  sight ;  such  a  memorial  being  considered  more  appropriate  to  one 
whose  life  was  devoted  to  works  of  benevolence  and  utility,  than  any  monument, 
however  splendid,  in  brass  or  marble.  The  establishment  of  this  institution, 
as  a  WUbetforce  Memorial,  was  the  result  of  this  meeting,  and  in  the  foUow- 
ing  year  application  was  made  to  Government  for  a  lease  of  the  Manor  House, 
and  the  grounds  attached  to  it,  which  were  at  once  granted  for  ninety-nine 
years,  at  a  rent  of  £116.  per  annum,  and  since  that  time  the  School  for  the 
Blind  has  been  in  active  operation.  The  rules  of  this  excellent  charity  have 
been  in  a  measure  recommended  to  the  Belgian  Government,  by  a  commission 
appointed  to  report  on  the  best  means  of  educating  the  blind ;  and  in  France 
they  have  been  published,  and  received  some  attention.  Under  its  excellent 
mode  of  management,  the  school  at  York  has  become  one  of  the  most  efficient 
establishments  of  the  kind  in  Europe.  All  the  pupils  receive  such  instruction 
in  some  useful  branch  of  handicraft,  as  may  enable  them  to  obtain  a  liveli- 

4  c 


50'-^  PIULK     bCilOoLS    OF   YonK. 

hood,  attention  being  at  the  same  time  paid  to  their  moral  and  religious  edu- 
cation ;  and  those  who  are  susceptible  of  a  musical  education,  are  instructed 
in  that  science ;  several  of  them  have  made  sufficient  progress  to  qualify  them 
to  act  as  organists  in  different  churches.  The  principal  of  the  mechanical 
arts  taught  are  the  making  of  baskets  and  mats,  knitted  and  netted  work  of 
all  kinds,  and  ornamental  hair-work.  A  variety  of  these  articles  is  always 
kept  on  hand  for  public  sale.  The  studies  in  which  the  pupils  have  made 
the  most  progress,  have  been  reading,  arithmetic,  geography,  scripture  his- 
tory, &c.  An  apparatus  for  printing  in  raised  letters  has  lately  been  obtained 
for  the  institution,  and  a  Museum  for  objects,  that  wUl  admit  of  being 
handled,  is  in  course  of  formation.  The  pupils  are  allowed  to  attend  at  the 
places  of  religious  worship  which  their  parents  may  desire;  or  which,  if 
adults,  they  may  themselves  prefer. 

A  weekly  practice  of  music  is  usually  held  in  a  laige  room  in  the  institu- 
tion, in  which  there  is  a  good  organ,  on  Thursdays,  at  two  o'clock,  at  which 
the  public  are  admitted  on  the  payment  of  sixpence  each ;  and  so  high  a  state 
of  proficiency  have  the  pupils  attained,  that  in  the  summer  time  the  com- 
mittee occasionally  take  a  selection  of  them  to  the  neighbouring  towns,  where 
they  give  public  concerts.  The  school  is  supported  principally  by  means  of 
subscription.  Every  pupil  pays  towards  his  maintenance  and  clothing  a  sum 
fixed  by  the  committee ;  and  the  children  of  wealthier  parents  are  admitted 
to  receive  tuition  on  such  terms  as  may  be  beneficial  to  the  instituttoo. 
The  number  of  pupils  that  can  be  accommodated  in  the  school  is  sixty-five. 
In  1843  the  very  handsome  bequest  of  j05,OOO.  was  left  to  this  charity  by  the 
late  Dr.  Beckwith,  of  York.  The  Rt.  Hon.  the  Earl  Fitzwilliam  is  the  pre- 
sident of  the  institution,  and  amongst  the  vice-presidents  and  trustees  are  the 
Duke  of  Sutherland,  the  Earl  of  Carlisle,  and  Lord  Wenlock. 

The  Btnlding  occupied  by  this  School  was  formerly  caUed  the  Kii^  s 
Manor,  it  having  been  originally  erected  by  Henry  VJJJl.    (See  page  S43.) 

Blue  Coat  Bays  School,  Peaseholme  Green. — ^This  institution,  which  is  one 
of  the  noblest  of  the  York  charities,  was  established  in  1705,  by  the  Ixod 
Mayor  and  Corporation  of  the  city,  for  educating,  cbihing,  feeding,  and 
apprenticing  forty  boys ;  the  Corporation  provided  the  outfit  for  the  estab- 
lishment,  and  a  fund  for  defraying  the  annual  expenses  was  formed  by  a 
voluntary  and  general  subscription  amongst  the  inhalHtants,  which  amounted, 
at  the  first  opening  of  the  school,  to  JSldO.  per  annum ;  but  it  is  now  greatly 
augmented,  and  in  consequence  of  the  ample  funds  of  the  charity  the  number 
of  boys  has  been  increaaed  to  seventy,  and  another  similar  institution  lor  the 
other  sex,  called  the  Grey  Coat  Girls*  School,  has  been  united  to  it     Thero 


PUBT.IC    SCHOOLS   OF   YORK.  56S 

are  forty*four  children  in  the  latter  school.  The  bojs  are  admitted  at  the 
age  of  nine  years,  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  they  are  bound  apprentices  to 
suitable  trades.  The  annual  subscriptions  to  the  charity  are  considerable, 
and  the  real  estates  belonging  to  it  valuable.  About  the  year  1820,  Thomas 
Wilkinson,  Esq.,  of  Highthome,  late  an  Alderman  of  York,  bequeathed  to  the 
institution  the  munificent  legacy  of  £4,000.  The  present  master  and  matron 
are  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Etches.  The  building  in  which  the  boys'  school  is  held 
is  known  as  St.  Anthcny's  Hall,  and  a  description  of  it  will  be  found  at  page 
499  of  this  history. 

Qrey  Coat  GirW  School,  Monkgate. — This  school  is  supported  by  the  same 
funds,  and  is  under  the  same  rules  and  regulations,  as  that  of  the  school  just 
noticed.  The  children  are  educated,  fed,  lodged,  and  clothed,  as  weU  as 
trained  up  for  domestic  servants ;  and  are  afterwards  placed  out  to  household 
service.  It  appears  that  the  girls'  school  was  held  in  a  building  in  Mary- 
gate  till  1784,  when  the  site  of  the  present  edifice  was  purchased,  and  a 
school  house  erected  thereon,  It  is  a  large  commodious  brick  building,  with 
a  spacious  area  or  court  in  front. 

Spinning  School,  St.  Andrewgate. — Two  benevolent  ladies  of  York — Mrs. 
Cappe  and  Mrs.  Gray — ^founded  this  establishment  about  the  year  1783. 
There  was  then  in  York  a  hemp  manufactory,  in  which  several  children  were 
employed,  and  the  object  of  the  foundresses  of  this  school,  was  to  have  those 
children  taught  to  read  and  sew  after  the  business  of  the  manufactory  was 
over.  This  plan  was  adopted,  but  the  evil  e^tamples  of  the  day  destroyed  aU 
the  good  impressions  of  evening  instruction  ;  and  it  was  found  necessary  to 
remove  them  entirely  from  such  a  nursery  of  vice.  With  this  view  several 
other  ladies  joined  the  original  foundresses,  and  a  school  for  spinning  worsted 
was  soon  established,  in  which  each  girl  received  the  wages  of  her  labours. 
In  1786  a  knitting  school  was  added,  and  in  1797  a  second  subscription  was 
proposed  to  supply  the  girls  with  milk  and  breakfast.  The  school  is  still 
supported  by  donations  and  annual  subscriptions ;  but  though  the  original 
name  is  retained,  spinning  is  no  longer  attended  to,  the  children  being  at  the 
present  chiefly  employed  in  sewing  and  knitting.  The  school  is  held  in  two 
good  rooms.  The  number  of  girls  taught  is  sixty,  one  half  being  taught  to 
read  and  knit  in  the  junior  school  on  the  ground  floor,  and  the  other  half 
taught  to  read,  write,  and  sew,  in  the  upper  room.  All  the  children  are  in- 
structed gratuitously,  receive  their  breakfasts  daily,  except  on  Sundays,  and 
are  partially  clothed.  The  charity  is  managed  by  a  committee  of  ladies,  and 
the  schools  are  conducted  by  two  schoolmistresses. 

The  York  Female  Friendly  Society,  which  is  in  connexion  with  the  Spin- 


604  PUBLIC   SCHOOLS   OF  TORE. 

ning  School,  and  the  York  Grey  Coat  Giris'  School,  was  institated  chieflj 
for  the  benefit  of  the  poor  girls  educated  in  these  schools,  in  the  year  1788. 
It  consists  of  honorary  members  and  general  members,  the  former  being 
those  who  contribute  six  shillings  or  upwards  per  annum,  but  receive  no 
benefit  or  advantage  from  thence ;  and  the  latter,  those  who  contribute  to 
the  funds,  and  are  entitled  to  its  benefits  in  cases  of  sickness,  &c.  There  is 
also  a  private  fund  formed  by  the  contributions  of  the  ladies  for  the  fui^ 
ther  relief  of  the  benefitted  members  of  the  society ;  and  an  annuity  fund  for 
affording  annuities  of  forty  shillings  a  year  for  life  to  such  benefitted  or  general 
members  as  have  attained  the  age  of  55  years.  The  latter  fund  con^sts  of 
£1000.,  three  per  cent,  consolidated  bank  annuities,  which  has  been  pur- 
chased by  means  of  the  subscriptions  and  donations  of  honoraiy  members, 
without  any  aid  from  the  general  members.  The  affairs  of  the  society  are 
managed  by  some  of  the  benevolent  ladies  of  the  city.  Mrs.  Salmand, 
Minster  Yard,  is  the  Treasurer. 

Wilson*8  Charity  Schools, — ^These  schools  were  instituted  in  connexion  with 
an  hospital  or  almshouse  for  poor  women,  which  was  founded  and  endowed 
by  Mrs.  ETorothy  Wilson,  a  maiden  lady,  in  the  year  1717.  The  boys*  school 
is  held  in  the  hospital  in  Walmgate,  adjoining  Foss  Bridge,  and  the  giris* 
school  in  the  Merchants'  Hall,  Fossgate.  The  number  of  boys  is  50,  the 
number  of  girls  20,  and  both  boys  and  girls  are  educated  and  clothed  giBr 
tuitously.  There  are  schools  also  at  Nun-Monkton  and  Skipwith,  supported 
out  of  the  funds  of  this  charity. 

Indmtrial  Ragged  School. — ^This  excellent  institution  occupies  a  portion  of 
the  Old  Workhouse  in  Marygate,  and  has  for  its  object  to  provide  food, 
clothing,  and  a  sound  Christian  education,  with  industrial  employment,  for 
the  mendicant  and  destitute  children  of  the  city  of  York.  It  was  established 
in  October,  1847,  by  some  benevolent  individuals,  whose  efforts  have  been 
crowned  with  considerable  success.  It  was  for  some  time  held  in  confined 
apartments  in  the  Bedem.  The  present  building  was  purchased  in  1850, 
for  the  sum  of  £505.  About  eighty  children,  of  both  sexes,  on  an  average 
in  winter,  and  about  half  that  number  in  summer,  attend,  and  are  taught 
reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic,  as  well  as  some  industrial  handicraft  Ail 
the  children  receive  three  meals  daily,  and  a  few  of  them  reside  in  the  school. 
The  children  go  out  to  work  when  required,  and  the  pence  which  they  eara 
are  placed  in  a  savings*  bank,  in  their  own  names,  and  with  additions  made 
to  these  sums,  clothes  are  purchased  for  them.  The  government  of  the  in- 
stitution is  vested  in  the  committee  of  directors,  bourd  of  trustees,  and  a 
ladies*  committee.     The  president  of  the  institution  is  the  Earl  of  Cariisle. 


PUBLIC  SCHOOLS  OF  YORK.  565 

Dod8WOfth*i  Schools, — John  Dodswortb,  fonnerly  an  ironmonger,  founded 
and  endowed  three  schools  for  boys  in  York,  and  one  at  Nether  Poppleton, 
about  the  year  1708.  Those  in  the  city  are  situated  on  Bishophill,  near  the 
Friar's  Walls,  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Ouse,  and  in  Lawrence  Street.  The 
buildings  are  arranged  so  as  to  afford  rooms  for  the  teachers  to  reside  in,  and 
the  present  annual  value  of  the  endowment  is  JSd4.  3s.  Od.  This  sum  is  di- 
vided into  five  parts — ^£6.  168.  6d.  is  paid  to  each  of  the  four  schoolmasters, 
and  a  like  sum  is  retained  as  a  reparation  fund. 

Haughton'i  Charity  School,  in  Golliergate,  near  the  Church  of  St  Crux, 
was  founded  and  endowed  in  1773,  by  William  Haughton,  who  at  one  time 
had  been  a  dancing  master  in  the  city,  for  the  gratuitous  education  of  twenty 
poor  boys  of  the  parish  of  St.  Crux.  The  endowment  consisted  of  JS  1,800. 
the  interest  of  which,  together  with  certain  annuities,  was  to  be  applied  to 
the  instruction  of  the  aforesaid  number  of  poor  children,  and  the  Lord  Mayor 
and  Recorder,  in  conjunction  with  the  minister,  churchwardens,  and  over- 
seers of  the  parish  of  St.  Crux,  were  appointed  trustees.  Up  to  the  year 
1838  the  boys  were  taught  simply  to  read,  but  in  that  year  the  parishioners 
and  other  fidends  of  education  in  the  city  made  an  active  effdtt,  and  the 
school  was  thrown  open  to  a  larger  number  of  scholars,  and  a  good  commer- 
cial education  was  secured  for  them.  There  are  now  forfy  boys  enjoying  the 
advantages  of  this  charity,  and  Hhe  schoolmaster's  salary  is  £180.  per  annum. 

National  Schools. — These  schools  were  first  established  in  1812,  and 
are  under  the  management  of  a  sub-committee  of  the  York  Diocesan  Board 
of  Education. 

The  Manor  Central  National  School^  for  boys  and  infants,  occupies  part  of 
the  old  Manor  Palace,  a  description  of  which  is  given  at  page  343  of  this 
history.  The  large  school  room  is  the  reputed  Banqueting  Hall  of  the 
Palace,  and  the  room  used  as  a  Catholic  Chapel  in  the  time  of  James  U.  It 
was  subsequently  converted  into  an  Assembly  Boom. 

The  Aldwark  National  School,  for  girls  and  infants,  is  held  in  the  Merchant 
Tailors*  Hall,  Aldwark.  A  description  of  this  building  will  be  found  at  a 
subsequent  page. 

The  Walmgats  National  School,  for  boys,  girls,  and  infants,  is  held  in  a 
large  commodious  brick  building,  erected  about  twelve  years  ago,  in  Specula- 
tion Street,  Walmgate. 

The  MicJdegate  National  School,  for  boys,  in  Queen  Street  without  Mickle- 
gate  Bar,  is  a  hage  aiiy  brick  erection. 

The  Micklegate  National  School,  for  girls  and  infants,  is  a  veiy  neat 
Elizabethan  structure  in  red  brick,  with  cut  stone  dressings,  situated  imme- 


666  PUBLIC   SCHOOTi?   or   YORK. 

diatelj  outside  Micklegate  Bar.  It  was  erected  bj  subscription  in  lB5d,  and 
as  far  as  regards  the  structure,  fitting  up,  &c.,  is  regarded  as  a  model  school 
The  Miss  Cromptons,  of  Micklegate,  were  amongst  the  originators  of  the 
school,  and  were  the  chief  contributors  to  the  building  fund.  The  Messrs. 
Atkinson,  of  York,  were  the  architects.  The  front  presents  a  centre  and  two 
gables,  and  the  interior  consists  of  two  fine  rooms,  with  open  roofs,  and  a 
class  room.  This  school,  and  that  for  boys  in  Queen  Street,  are  district 
schools  for  all  the  parishes  in  the  city  on  the  south  side  of  the  Onse.  About 
1,500  children  attends  the  National  Schools  of  the  city. 

British  Schools. — ^The  Hope  Street  Boys'  Schocly  which  is  conducted  on 
the  British  and  Foreign  School  system,  is  open  to  children  of  all  religioos 
denominations,  and  is  under  the  management  of  a  committee,  chiefly  com- 
posed of  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  The  school  is  partly  supported 
by  subscription,  and  about  d30  boys  receive  the  elements  of  a  useful  English 
education.  The  school  is  well  supplied  with  apparatus,  such  as  a  fine  globe, 
a  magic  lantern,  air  pumps,  Ac.  The  working  of  the  electric  telegraph  is 
taught  here ;  the  Electric  Telegraph  Company  supply  the  school  with  instni- 
ments,  and  the  school  supplies  that  company  with  clerks.  The  school  room, 
which  was  thoroughly  repaired  and  re-arranged  in  1852,  is  very  spacious, 
well  lighted  and  ventilated,  and  forms  one  of  the  best  public  school  rooms  m 
York.  There  is  an  excellent  class  room,  and  there  is  a  good  play-ground  m 
front  of  the  building. 

The  British  School,  for  girls,  is  in  Jail  Lane,  Bishophill,  and  is  conducted 
on  the  same  plan  as  the  Hope  Street  School. 

The  Bilton  Street  School,  for  boys,  was  founded  in  April,  18dd,  by  the  Bev. 
Jocelyn  Willy,  by  whom  it  is  chiefly  supported.  It  is  intended  for  the 
children  of  the  district  of  Layerthorpe,  and  is  conducted  on  the  British 
School  system.  About  160  children  attend.  The  school  room  measores  60 
feet  by  80  feet ;  is  fine  and  airy ;  and  there  is  a  good  class  room. 

The  Church  of  England  Schools  in  fiishopgate  Street  were  erected  is  1838, 
and  are  partly  supported  by  subscription.  •  They  are  day  schools  for  ^ 
only,  but  on  Sunday  both  sexes  attend.  The  average  number  of  children  ib 
daily  attendance  is  about  200.  The  school  premises  are  very  commodious? 
and  consist  of  two  fine  school  rooms,  and  four  class  rooms. 

There  is  a  neat  Church  of  England  Sunday  School  in  Layerthorpe,  whicfi 
was  erected  in  1848 ;  and  there  are  schools  for  girls  and  in&nts  in  Cok 
Street,  Groves ;  and  an  Infant  School  in  Speculation  Street,  Walmgate. 

An  Infant  School,  in  Friargate,  is  endowed  with  £2.  per  annum  ton 
"  Baker's  Gift,"  for  which  some  six  poor  girls  are  taught  free. 


PUBLIC    SCHOOLS    OF   YORK.  567 

One  of  the  principal  Infant  Schools  in  the  city  is  held  in  the  ancient 
church  of  St.  Andrew,  at  which  ahout  eighty  children  attend. 

Wesleyan  Schools. — ^These  schools,  which  are  partly  supported  by  sub- 
scriptions, are  large  and  well  attended,  and  their  management  is  conducted 
by  a  committee  of  the  Wesleyan  society. 

The  AUfion  Street  School,  for  boys,  is  situated  at  the  rear  of  the  Albion 
Chapel,  in  Skeldergate.  About  seventy  boys  attend  daily,  and  a  Sunday 
school  for  girls  is  held  in  the  upper  room  of  the  same  building,  at  which 
about  sixty  girls  attend.  The  Wesleyans  have  a  Simday  School  in  Wesley 
Place,  near  Fossgate ;  it  is  a  large  brick  building  two  stories  high. 

A  Wesleyan  School  for  boys,  girls,  and  infants,  is  held  in  the  building  com- 
monly called  St.  George*s  Chapel,  near  Walmgate,  which  was  erected  in 
1820,  but  which  has  been  used  as  a  school  room  since  the  erection  of  the 
Centenary  Chapel,  in  St.  Saviourgate.  This  school  is  conducted  on  the 
Glasgow  training  system,  and  the  average  number  of  children  in  attendance 
is  about  150. 

The  Primitive  Methodist  Sunday  School  is  held  on  the  ground  floor  of  their 
spacious  chapel  in  Little  Stonegate.    About  100  children  attend. 

The  Boys'  School  in  connexion  with  the  Independents,  is  held  in  St. 
Saviourgate,  at  which  the  average  number  of  children  in  atttendance  is  about 
140 ;  and  the  Day  and  Sunday  School  for  Oirls  is  held  on  the  ground  floor 
of  the  Salem  Chapel,  at  which  about  100  children  attend  daily. 

Catholic  Schools. — St,  George's  Schools,  for  both  sexes,  are  situated  at 
the  east  end  of  the  Catholic  church  of  St.  George,  in  George  Street.  They 
occupy  a  handsome  red  brick  building,  with  cut  stone  dressings,  in  the  Tudor 
style  of  architecture,  erected  a  few  years  ago  at  a  cost  of  about  £d,000. 

Over  400  children  are  educated  in  these  schools,  which  consist  of  a  school 
for  boys  and  girls,  supported  by  voluntary  subscriptions,  collections  in  the 
church,  and  the  children's  paioe;  and  a  Charity  School,  for  both  sexes,  in 
which  the  children  are  taught  free.  About  160  children  attend  the  latter 
school,  most  of  whom  are  partly  fed,  and  some  are  clothed,  by  the  Society  of 
St.  Vincent  de  Paul.  (See  page  555.)  The  school  rooms  for  the  boys  and 
girls  are  each  70  feet  long,  25  feet  wide,  and  ISi  feet  high,  but  the  lower  or 
charity  school  room  is  a  few  feet  shorter,  a  portion  of  it  being  occupied  by  a 
kitchen  for  cooking  food  for  the  charity  children.  The  boys  are  under  the 
superintendence  of  a  head  master — ^Mr.  John  Keller — aided  by  an  assistant, 
and  some  pupil  teachers ;  and  the  female  department  is  conducted  by  the  reli- 
gious ladies  of  St.  Mary*s  Convent,  York,  who,  in  conformity  to  their  vocation, 
devote  their  time  and  talents  to  the  instruction  of  the  poor  and  ignorant. 


568  PUBLIC   SCHOOLS   OF   YORK. 

The  Convent  Schools  consist  of  a  school  for  giris  of  the  middle  dass,  and  a 
poor  school  for  infants,  and  hoth  are  well  attended.  The  schools  a4]oin  the 
convent,  withoat  Micklegate  Bar,  and  the  children  are  taught  by  the  nans. 
The  building  of  the  schdols  is  in  the  Italian  style,  the  front  exhibits  foar 
large  pilasters  supporting  a  pediment,  which  is  surmounted  bj  a  plain  cross. 

The  schools  in  York  under  Government  inspection,  and  receiving  Govero* 
ment  aid,  are  the  York  and  Kipon  Training  Schools  for  Schoolmasters  and 
Schoolmistresses,  the  Yeoman  School,  all  the  National  Schools,  the  Hope 
Street  and  Bilton  Street  Schools,  St  George's  Catholic  Schools,  the  Church 
of  England  Schools,  BishophiU,  and  the  Wesleyan  Day  Schools. 

According  to  the  Government  Report  of  the  Census  for  1851,  there  were 
then  in  the  city  of  York  94  day  schools  (41  public,  and  53  private),  in  which 
5,784  children,  viz.,  d,956  males,  and  d,8d8  females,  were  being  educated. 
The  number  of  pupils  attending  the  41  public  day  schools  was  4,415,  viz., 
d,40d  males,  and  3,013  females ;  and  the  number  in  the  53  private  day 
schools  was  1,369,  viz.,  554  males,  and  815  females.  The  population  of  the 
city  within  the  municipal  limits  being  at  the  same  time  36,303,  it  will  be 
seen  that  about  one-sixth  of  the  population  of  York  were  then  receiving  a 
school  education — a  proportion  which  is  larger  than  that  of  most  other  towns 
in  the  kingdom. 

SuNDAT  Schools. — ^In  1786,  and  shortly  after  Raikes  had  estabHshed  his 
Sunday  Schools  at  Gloucester,  the  York  Sunday  School  Society  was  formed, 
and  these  valuable  institutions  do  not  appear  to  have  existed  here  previoos 
to  that  period. 

The  Church  of  England  Sunday  Schools,  for  boys,  are  held  in  the  Mer- 
chants* Hall,  Fossgate;  Willey^s  School,  Bilton  Street;  Bishopgate  Street; 
and  at  the  National  School,  Queen  Street;  and  those  for  giris  at  Bishopgate 
Street,  Layerthorpe,  St  Andrewgate,  Cole  Street,  and  at  the  National  SchooL 
Micklegate  Bar.  The  Churoh  of  England  School  Committee  has  a  Libraiy 
and  Reading  Room  for  the  use  of  the  teachers. 

The  Society  of  Friends  hold  their  Sunday  School  in  the  Hope  Street  Sebod 

The  Sunday  Schools  belonging  to  the  other  denominations  are  held  in 
the  day  schools  in  connexion  vnth  them,  or  in  the  school  rooms  attached  to 
their  respective  chapels. 

From  the  Report  of  the  Census  for  1851,  we  learn  that  the  number  of 
Sunday  Schools  in  York  at  that  period  were  d6,  and  the  number  of  childreo 
attending  them  was  3,072,  viz.,  3,043  males,  and  l,9d0  females.  Of  these 
d6  schools,  fifteen  were  supported  by  the  Church  of  England,  and  the  nom- 
ber  attending  them  was  1,603 ;  two  by  the  Independents,  and  the  number  ifi 


HOSPITALS    OF   YORK.  860 

attendance  was  734 ;  three  by  the  Wesleyan  Methodists,  and  the  number 
was  80d ;  one  by  the  Wesleyan  Reformers,  the  number  of  children  being  810 : 
one  by  the  Wesleyan  Association,  containing  75  ;  one  by  the  Primitive  Me- 
thodists, with  d7  children ;  one  by  the  Society  of  Friends,  with  136  children ; 
and  two  by  the  Catholics,  containing  396  children.* 

In  Drake's  Eboracum  is  the  copy  of  a  petition,  which  was  presented  to 
Parliament  in  1653,  from  the  gentry  residing  in  the  northern  counties,  for 
the  establishment  of  a  University  at  York,  but  no  record  has  come  down  to 
us  respecting  the  reception  it  met  with. 

HOSPITALS  OR  ALMSHOUSES.— ^5far'«  or  St  Maurice's  Hospital, 
Monkgate,  was  founded  by  Alderman  Thomas  Agar,  by  will  dated  May  7th, 
16S1,  for  six  poor  widows,  each  of  whom  receives  £3.  15s.  4d.,  per  annum, 
from  the  endowment  The  building  consists  of  two  small  cottages,  contain- 
ing six  tenements,  which  are  occupied  by  the  poor  recipients  of  the  charity. 

Barstaw's  Hospital,  Blossom  Street. — ^It  is  not  known  that  there  are  any 
writings  relating  to  these  almshouses,  but  there  is  a  tradition  that  two  maiden 
sisters  of  the  name  of  Barstow,  who  resided  in  York,  founded  them.  They 
consist  of  two  ricketty  old  cottages,  which  are  inhabited  by  six  poor  aged 
persons,  each  of  whom  receives  a  sum  never  exceeding  £3.  per  annum,  but 
often  much  less,  and  sometimes  nothing.  This  money  is  chiefly  derived 
from  the  rents  of  some  other  buildings  belonging  to  the  charity. 

8t,  Catherine's  Hospital,  Holdgate  Lane,  for  four  poor  widows.  This  alms- 
house  was  founded  previous  to  the  Reformation,  on  the  road  side  near  the 
Mount,  as  a  house  of  entertainment  for  poor  travellers  or  pilgrims  who  could 
not  pay  for  lodgings  in  the  city.  In  Drake*8  time  the  edifice  was  kept  up 
and  repaired  at  the  city's  expense.  The  income  ci  the  charity  was  augmente4 
by  Mrs.  Frances  Nicholson,  a  widow  of  York,  who,  by  deeds  dated  the  7th 
and  8th  of  June,  1709,  bequeathed  to  certain  trustees  the  rent  of  a  piece  of 
land  in  B^gargate  Lane  (now  Nunnery  Lane),  for  the  support  of  four  ancient 
widows  in  St  Catherine's  Hospital.  It  was  likewise  increased  by  the  dona- 
tions of  the  late  Mr.  Luntley,  a  glover  in  Blake  Street;  Mr.  Hartley,  a  glover 
in  Mioklegate ;  and  Mr*  Yates,  a  linen  draper  in  High  Ousegate.  In  ad- 
dition, the  late  Countess  of  Conyngham  bequeathed  £10.  per  annum  to  the 
four  aged  women  here.    The  present  annual  income  of  each  inmate  of  the 

•  The  following  ai«  the  proportions  in  which  the  Govemment  Education  Gnint  of 
last  year  was  distributed :— Church  of  England  Schools,  jei65,824. ;  British  and  Foreign 
Society  Schools,  ^£28,579.;  Wesleyan  Schools,  JBI  1,286.;  Boman  Oatholio  Schools, 
^,789.;  Workhouse  Schools,  £9,507.  In  Scotland— Established  Cfhurch  Schools, 
|13,848.;  Free  Church  Schools,  Jgl4,000,;  Episcopal  Church  Schools,  £AU, 

4  p 


570  HOSPITALS    OF   YORK. 

hospital  is  about  i^l5.  The  old  house  ou  the  Mount  was  sold  a  few  years 
ago,  and  the  present  neat  and  comfortable  building  erected,  in  which  each 
poor  woman  has  two  small  rooms.  A  similar  SpUtal  (a  contraction  for 
hospital)  to  this,  dedicated  to  St.  Loy,  was  built  in  Catholic  times,  on  the 
east  side  of  Monk  Bridge,  but  not  a  yestige  of  it  now  remains. 

CoUon'i  Hospiud,  Rougier  Street,  Tanner  Row,  was  founded  by  Thomas 
Colton,  by  deed  dated  February  11, 1717,  and  augmented  by  his  will  dated 
1729,  for  eight  poor  women,  who  each  receive  about  £6.  per  annum.  The 
buildings  consist  of  cottages  containing  eight  mean  tenements. 

Harrison**  Hospital,  Penley  Grove  Street,  is  a  neat  stone  building,  in  the 
Tudor  style,  with  a  chapel  in  the  centre,  erected  in  1845-6.  It  was  founded 
by  Mr.  Harrison,  for  eight  poor  women  of  reduced  circumstances,  each  of 
whom  receives  J£20.  per  annum. 

Hewlejfs  Hospital,  St  Saviouigate,  was  founded  and  endowed  by  Lady 
Hewley,  relict  of  Sir  John  Hewley,  of  the  city  of  York,  Knt,  in  the  year  17(H1, 
for  ten  poor  persons.  The  trusteeship  of  the  hospital  having,  in  time,  faSksi 
into  the  hands  of  persons  professing  Unitarian  doctrines,  who  sought  for 
objects  of  the  charity  amongst  the  poor  of  their  own  sect,  the  orthodox  party 
threw  it  into  Chancery,  where  it  continued  for  twenty  years,  and  was  at 
length  decided  by  Lord  Cottenham,  that  the  charity  belonged  exclusively  to 
the  Independents,  Baptists,  and  English  Presbyterians,  and  under  the  decree, 
which  is  dated  January,  1849,  the  charity  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  trustees 
belonging  to  these  denominations.  The  original  hospital  was  a  brick  boilding 
situated  in  Tanner  Bow,  but  its  site  having  been  sold  to  the  Railway  Com- 
pany, the  present  handsome  row  of  ten  cottages  and  a  small  chapel,  all  of  cut 
stone,  was  erected  in  1840,  under  the  order  of  the  court  of  Chancery,  on  the 
site  of  the  residence  of  the  foundress,  and  within  a  few  feet  of  her  giUTe  in 
the  chancel  of  the  church  of  St  Saviour.  In  front  of  the  building,  facing  the 
street,  are  the  arms  of  the  donor,  with  an  inscription,  carved  in  stone.  Origi- 
nally the  annual  stipend  was  only  JS6.  per  ann.,  but  the  property  with  which 
the  charity  is  endowed  having  increased  in  value,  each  of  the  ten  poor  inmates 
now  receive  30s.  per  month,  besides  a  cottage  containing  two  rooms  and  a 
kitchen.     Prayers  are  read  in  the  chapel  eveiy  morning  by  a  layman. 

Besides  founding  the  hospital,  Lady  Hewley*  paid  into  the  Exchequer,  in 


•  Lady  Hewley,  or  "  Dame  Sarah  Hewley,"  as  she  is  styled,  whose  maiden  name 
Wolridge,  when  a  spinster  was  a  ward  in  chancery,  and  it  is  said  that  she  eloped  with 
Mr.,  afterwards  Sir  John,  Hewloy  upon  a  matrimonial  expedition,  she  riding  before  and 
he  behind,  on  the  same  horse,  thinking  thereby  to  protect  him  firom  the  censure  of  the 
Lord  Chancellor,  by  alleging  that  she  ran  away  with  him,  and  not  he  with  her. 


HOSPITALS    OP   YORK.  571 

1788,  the  som  of  £1,000.  the  profits  arising  therefrom  to  be  applied  to  the 
purpose  of  teaching  the  children  of  the  poor  to  read  and  write. 

Ingram*i  HogpUal,  Bootham. — Sir  Arthur  Ingram,  Knt.,  a  senior  Alder- 
man of  York,*  founded  and  endowed  this  hospital  in  1640,  for  ten  poor 
women.  Drake  says,  that  by  his  will  "  he  appointed  lands  of  the  yearly 
value  of  hhj  pounds  to  be  insured  to  the  hospital  which  he  had  lately  built 
for  the  maintenance  of  ten  poor  widows."  The  buildings  comprise  ten  cot- 
tages of  two  rooms  each,  built  of  brick  with  stone  dressings,  having  in  the 
centre  a  square  tower  of  antique  appearance,  containing  the  chapel  and 
apartments  for  the  master  or  reader.  The  entrance  to  this  tower  is  a  curious 
stone  Norman  arched  doorway,  apparently  some  part  of  a  'church  or  monastic 
foundation,  which  was  probably  removed  here  when  the  hospital  was  founded. 
Each  of  the  poor  inmates  of  this  hospital  receive  £6.  per  ann.,  and  clothing 
materials  once  in  two  years,  of  the  value  of  £1.  5s.  The  endowment  also  pro- 
vides twenty  nobles  for  ''  an  honest  able  man  to  read  prayers  in  the  chapel," 
payable  out  of  certain  lands  at  Sheriff  Button ;  in  pursuance  of  which  £6. 
Ids.  4d.  per  ann.  is  paid  to  the  master,  who  reads  the  prayers  three  times 
a  week.  The  crest  of  the  family  of  the  founder  is  a  cock,  one  of  which, 
of  silver  gilt,  is  the  badge  of  the  poor  women  and  is  transferred  to  every 
successive  inmate. 

Ma9on'8  HospUalf  CoUieigate,  was  founded  by  Margaret  Mason  (widow  of 
Mr.  Thomas  Mason,  who  served  the  office  of  Sheriff  of  York  in  1701),  for 
six  poor  women.  Mrs.  Mason's  will  is  dated  June  5th,  173d,  and  the  ori- 
ginal endowment  was  dOs.  per  annum  to  each  of  the  poor  inmates  to  be  paid 
out  of  the  rental  of  certain  property  in  Fossgate.  The  poor  widows  receive 
that  sum,  as  well  as  £S.  10s.  per  annum  from  the  Countess  of  Conyngham's 
charity.     The  almshouse  is  small,  but  each  inmate  has  one  room. 

Mai$on  Dieu,  or  House  of  God,  Walmgate. — ^The  foundation  of  this  alms- 
house is  ascribed  to  the  Company  of  Cordwainers,  but  much  uncertainty  exists 
respecting  the  period  of  its  erection.  The  Cordwainers  certainly  maintained 
it  till  the  dissolution  of  the  fraternity  in  1808,  when  its  entire  patronage, 
with  its  writings,  Ac,  were  transferred  to  Mr.  Hornby,  one  of  the  principal 
members ;  who,  finding  the  building  in  a  veiy  ruinous  state,  took  the  whole 
down,  and  generously  rebuilt  it,  in  1811,  at  his  own  expense ;  and  it  is  now 
in  the  patronage  of  the  Rev.  W.  Hornby,  son  of  that  gentleman.  The 
buildings  consist  of  five  cottages,  yet  occupied  by  aged  and  decayed  shoe- 

*  Sir  Arthur  Ingram  resided  in  a  fine  house  in  Petergato,  near  the  Minster,  which  was 
occupied  by  Charles  I.  during  his  stay  in  York  in  1642. 


57Q  HOSPITALS   OF   YORK. 

makers,  who  pay  a  few  pence  per  annum  as  an  acknowledged  grant  to  the 
patron.  On  the  top  of  the  building  is  a  cupola,  with  a  bell,  which,  before 
the  company  was  dissolved,  was  always  tolled  on  the  death  of  any  of  its 
members.  Diyine  service  was  also  performed  in  the  almshouse  occasionaliji 
at  which  the  members  were  obliged  to  attend ;  and  £rom  this  source  may  be 
traced  the  origin  of  its  name.    There  is  no  endowment. 

Middleton's  HaspiUd,  Skeldergate. — This  is  a  monument  of  the  pietjr  and 
benevolence  of  Dame  Ann  Middleton,  who,  by  will  dated  August  34th,  1655, 
left  £flfiOO.  for  building  and  endowing  it  for  twfflity  widows  of  poor  freemen 
of  the  city  of  York.  The  widows  now  receive  each  £&,  per  amiam,  £^>  of 
which  is  from  the  original  endowment;  iSS.  from  the  Countess  of  Conyngham's 
charity ;  and  £S.  from  the  late  Dr.  Beckwith's  charity.  The  hospital,  which 
was  rebuilt  by  the  trustees  (the  Corporation  of  York),  in  1829,  is  a  neat  brick 
erection,  two  stories  high,  in  which  each  inmate  has  one  good  room.  Over 
the  entrance  is  a  niche  containing  a  full-length  statue  of  the  foundress* 

Merchant  TaUors'  Hospital^  Aldwark. — ^There  was  an  ancient  guild  of 
almshouse  near  the  Merchant  Tailors'  Hall,  instituted  '*  for  the  honour  of 
God  and  St.  John  Baptist,"  by  a  patent,  bearing  date  the  Slst  of  Henry  VI. 
(1452),  for  poor  members  of  the  tailors'  fraternity,  which  was  rebuilt  in  1730. 
This  hospital  consists  of  five  small  cottagesj  which  are  still  occupied  by  poor 
brothers  of  the  fraternity,  or  their  widows,  who  receive  each  JSIO.  per  annam, 

Old  Maids'  Ho$pUalt  Bootham. — The  institutioui  which,  as  Mr.  Baines 
facetiously  remarks,  "  few  ladies  in  the  early  part  of  life  would  claim  as  t^ieir 
inheritance,"  was  founded  by  Mrs.  Mary  Wandesford,  of  the  dty  of  York, 
spinster,  who  by  will,  dated  the  4th  of  November,  1735,  bequeathed  an  estate 
at  Brompton-upon-Swale,  near  Richmond,  with  a  mortgage  of  £1,^00.  and 
£l,dOO.  South  Sea  Stock,  in  trust,  for  the  purchase  and  endowment  of  aeon* 
venient  habitation,  "  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  ten  poor  gentlewomen,  vl^o 
were  never  married,"  members  of  the  Established  Church,  who  shall  retire 
from  the  hurry  and  noise  of  the  world  into  "  a  religious  house,  or  protestaut 
retirement,"  with  JglO.  per  annum  to  a  reader.  Lord  Caatlecomer,  the  heir 
at  law  to  the  foundress  of  this  hospital,  being  a  minor  at  the  time  of  her 
death,  the  Duke  of  Newcastle,  his  guardian,  opposed  the  will ;  but  it  vas 
ultimately  confirmed  in  1739  by  a  decree  in  Chancery.  Immediately  on  this 
decision,  a  piece  of  ground,  containing  about  an  acre,  was  purchased,  and  the 
present  neat  brick  building  was  soon  erected,  and  was  opened  for  the  recep- 
tion of  the  inmates  at  the  commencement  of  1743.  The  maiden  testator 
doos  not  in  her  will  fix  at  what  time  of  life  ladies  might  become  candidatf^ 
(or  this  charity,  but  the  decree  of  the  Court  of  Chancery,  just  mentioned,  ha< 


HOSPITALS    OF    YORK.  573 

fixed  the  age  at  fifty  years.  The  hospital,  which  is  two  stories  high,  has  in 
front  of  it  a  grass  plot,  bounded  by  a  brick  wall ;  and  behind  is  a  good  sized 
garden.  In  the  centre  of  the  building,  which  rises  to  a  pediment,  is  a  vacant 
niche,  probably  intended  for  a  statue  of  the  foundress.  Each  inmate  has  two 
rooms,  and  there  is  a  small  chapel  on  the  second  floor,  against  the  walls  of 
which  are  hung  an  oil  painting  of  the  foundress,  taken  when  she  was  young, 
and  tables  of  benefactions  since  the  foundation  of  the  hospital.  Prayers  are 
read  in  the  chapel,  by  the  chaplain  of  the  hospital,  on  Wednesdays  and  Fri- 
days. The  Archbishop  for  the  time  being  and  four  other  persons  are  trustees. 
Each  inmate  receives  a  stipend  of  about  dS2S.  per  annum. 

St.  Thomas's  HospitcU,  without  Micklegate  Bar. — This  is  an  ancient  stone 
building,  which  before  the  Reformation  belonged  to  the  York  Guild  of  Corpus 
Christi,  and  was  devoted  to  the  relief  of  poor  and  weary  pilgrims  visiting  the 
city.  The  fraternity  of  Corpus  Christi,*  which  was  incorporated  by  letters 
patent  in  the  87 th  of  Heniy  VI.  (1459),  was  instituted  for  a  master  and  six 
priests,  who  were  termed  the  keepers  of  the  guild,  and  who  were  appointed 
annually  by  the  brotherhood.  An  old  record  in  the  Bodleian  Library  says, 
*'  they  were  bound  to  keep  a  solemn  procession,  the  sacrament  being  in  a 
shrine,  borne  in  the  same  through  the  city  of  York  yearly,  the  Friday  after 
Corpus  Christi  day,  and  the  day  after  to  have  a  solemn  mass  and  dirge,  to 
pray  for  the  prosperity  of  the  brothers  and  sisters  living,  and  the  eternal  re- 
pose of  the  souls  departed ;  and  to  keep  yearly  ten  poor  folks,  having  every 
of  them  towards  their  living  yearly  £3.  6s.  8d.  And  further,  they  do  find 
eight  beds  for  poor  people,  being  strangers,  and  one  poor  woman,  to  keep  the 
said  beds  by  the  year,  13s.  4d."  This  guild  was  supported  chiefly  by  the 
annual  contribution  collected  as  the  above-mentioned  procession  passed  along. 

From  the  middle  of  the  ISth  century,  down  to  the  period  of  the  Reforma- 
tion, certain  plays  or  pageants  were  exhibited  in  York,  and  in  most  of  the 
towns  in  the  kingdom,  during  the  octave  of  the  festival  of  Corpus  Christi — 
the  Thursday  after  Trinity  Sunday — and  thence  were  called  Corpus  Christi 
Plays.  Dramatic  poetry  in  this  and  most  other  nations  of  Europe  owes  its 
origin,  or  at  least  its  revival,  to  the  shows  which  were  usually  exhibited  on 
the  more  solemn  festivals.  "  At  these  times,"  according  to  Dr.  Percy,  "  they 
were  wont  to  represent  in  the  churches  the  lives  and  miracles  of  the  saints, 
or  some  of  the  more  important  stories  of  scripture ;  and  as  the  most  myste- 
rious subjects  were  frequently  chosen,  such  as  the  Incarnation,  Passion,  and 
Resurrection,  of  Christ,  &c,,  these  exhibitions  acquired  the  general  name  of 

•  A  notice  of  this  fhitemity  occxirs  in  1391,  in  the  RegiBtcr  of  Fountains'  Abbey. 


574  HOSPITALS    OF   YORK.  , 

Mysteries."*  The  "  Mysteries  "  were  chiefly  performed  on  temporary  scaf- 
folds, ornamented  with  tapestry,  and  erected  in  the  church-yards  ;t  but  the 
Corpus  Christ!  Plays  were  exhibited  on  portable  stages  for  the  seyeral  scenes, 
placed  on  wheeb,  and  drawn  to  the  principal  parts  of  the  town  for  the  better 
accommodation  of  the  spectators.  The  several  trading  companies  in  the  cities 
and  towns  appear  not  only  to  have  contributed  towards  the  production  of  these 
pageants,  but  the  subjects  for  representation  were  distributed  amongst  thenii 
and  each  company  was  compelled  to  furnish  a  stage,  together  with  actors, 
scenery,  dresses,  &c,,  for  the  exhibition  of  the  same.  Thus,  for  example,  the 
Tylers  were  obliged  to  represent  « the  fallinge  of  Lucifer ;"  the  Saddlers, "  the 
nuikeing  of  the  worlde;**  the  Ropers,  <<the  brekinge  of  the  commaudmeDts 
of  God;"  the  Shoemakers,  "the  Childer  of  Ysraell;"  the  Smiths,  "the  As- 
cension;" the  Wrights,  "the  Resurrection;"  the  Priests,  "the  Coronation 
of  Our  Lady ;"  the  Merehants,  "  Domesday ;"  &c.l 

The  Corpus  Christi  plays  at  York  were  first  performed  in  front  of  the  chapel 
of  the  guild ;  then  near  the  great  gates  of  the  Priory  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  in 
Micklegate ;  thence  they  proceeded  to  the  Cathedral,  in  the  yard  of  which 
they  probably  exhibited ;  they  then  passed  on  to  St  Leonard's  Hospital  Mr. 
Robert  Davies  tells  us  that  such  was  the  interest  then  felt  in  the  dramatic 
art  at  York,  that  the  whole  of  a  midsummer  day, "  from  mom  till  dewy  eve," 
did  the  citizens  continue  to  witness  the  representations  of  the  actors.    The 
same  excellent  authority  tells  us  that  only  one  of  these  plays  has  been  pub- 
lished, viz.,  "  The  Mystery  of  the  Incredulity  of  St.  Thomas."     The  original 
MS.  volume  of  the  sacred  dramas  enacted  at  York,  he  says,  is  is  existence, 
but  no  one  knows  where;  once  it  was  in  the  possession  of  the  Fair&x  fuuilji 
then  in  that  of  Dr.  Thoresby ;  afterwards  it  was  purchased  by  Horace  Wal- 
pole,  who  gave  JS255.  for  it.     At  his  sale  it  was  bought  by  a  Mr.  Bright,  and 
at  the  disposal  of  his  effects,  it  was  purohased  for  an  unknown  gentleman,  for 
£305.,  the  bid  on  the  part  of  the  British  Museum  being  £300.     Mr.  Danes 
inspected  the  MS.  shortly  before  its  sale,  when  it  was  in  good  condition,  and 
contained  about  fifty  mysteries.    We  most  heartily  unite  with  Mr.  Davies  in 
hoping  that  the  wealthy  unknown  may  publish  the  work,  that  the  citizens  of 
modem  York  may  see  the  dramatic  writings  which  delighted  their  ancestois.§ 

•  Eelq.  of  Ant.  Eng.  Poetry,  vol.  i.,  p.  126. 
f  Sacred  Plays,  representing  the  miracles  and  sufferings  of  Christ,  appear  to  have 
been  no  novelty  in  the  reign  of  Henry  II. 

*  Landsdovn's  MSS. 
§  "An  Antiquarian  walk  through  York" — a  lecture  delivered  at  the  York  Institution, 
in  the  month  of  December,  185i,  by  Bobert  Davies,  Esq.,  F.S.A. 


•  IIOSPITAI^   OF   YORK.  576 

In  the  third  of  Edward  VI.,  the  Lord  Mayor  of  York  for  the  time  being 
was  appointed  Master  of  the  Hospital  of  St.  Thomas,  nnder  the  express  con- 
dition that  '*  the  poor  folks  and  beds  were  to  be  maintained,  found,  and  used, 
in  the  hospital  as  before-time."  Accordingly,  September  39th,  1583,  an 
Order  of  Council  was  made,  authorizing  the  Recorder,  two  Aldermen,  and 
proper  officers,  to  proceed  to  Stainforth  Bridge  and  Buttercramb)  to  "  take 
possession  of  the  lands  there  belonging  to  St.  Thomas's  Hospital,  and  parcel 
of  the  late  Guild  of  Corpus  Christi."  At  that  period  the  buildings  of  the 
hospital  comprised  at  the  first  entrance  a  chapel,  on  each  side  of  which 
was  a  spacious  hall,  containing  seyeral  fire-places  and  requisite  furniture  for 
the  brethren,  who  there  assembled  in  common.  Above  were  dormitories  for 
twenty-four  poor  people,  and  behind  the  hospital  other  requisite  conveniences. 
The  roof  of  the  building  was  covered  with  lead,  and  over  it  hung  a  prayer 
bell.  This  hospital  gradually  declined  in  importance,  till  in  1683  we  find  it 
inhabited  by  ten  poor  widows,  who  were  allowed  to  solicit  alms  four  days  in 
the  year.  In  1787  it  underwent  considerable  alterations ;  the  back  part  of 
the  building  was  completely  taken  down,  the  chapel  was  removed,  and  the 
house  reduced  to  six  apartments  on  the  ground  floor,  and  six  more  over  them, 
each  room  being  occupied  by  one  aged  poor  woman,  appointed  by  the  Lord 
Mayor ;  and  thus  was  the  inmates  increased  from  ten  to  twelve,  which  is  the 
number  at  the  present  time.  The  expenses  of  the  alterations  were  defrayed 
by  the  money  arising  from  the  sale  of  the  prayer  bell,  the  lead  which  covered 
the  old  hospital,  &c.  The  system  of  mendicity  was  continued  till  Januaiy, 
1701,  when  Mr.  Luntley,  a  glover  in  Blake  Street,  dying,  bequeathed, 
amongst  other  charitable  donations,  the  sum  of  £1,000.,  the  interest  of  which 
was  to  be  regularly  paid  to  the  poor  of  this  hospital ;  and  begging  was  then 
discontinued.  Lady  Conyngham  augmented  the  income  of  the  hospital  by 
leaving  £25.  per  annum,  to  be  equally  divided  amongst  the  poor  inmates. 
The  poor  women  now  receive  altogether  iSlO.  per  annum. 

Thomp9on'8  Ho9pital,  Castiegate. — Founded  by  Sir  Henry  Thompson,  of 
Middlethorpe,  "  sometimes  Lord  Mayor  of  this  city,  and  Dame  Anne,  his 
wife,  for  the  relief  for  six  poor  men,"  in  the  year  1700.  The  hospital  is  a 
neat  building,  and  each  of  the  six  inmates  now  receive  £12.  lOs.  per  annum. 
In  selecting  deserving  objects  for  this  charity,  preference  is  given  to  the  in- 
habitants of  the  parish  of  St.  Mary,  Castiegate. 

Trinity  Hospital,  Merchants'  Hall,  Fossgate. — John  de  Rowcliff,  or  Raw- 
clifle,  founded  an  hospital  here  in  1373,  which  was  dedicated  to  our  Divine 
Lord  and  the  Blessed  Virgin,  and  was  commonly  termed  Trinity  Hospital. 
The  founder  had  letters  patent  from  Richard  IE.,  dated  ut  supra,  to  purchase 


570  Hospitals  of  York.  % 

lands  worth  i'lO.  per  aim.  for  the  support  of  a  priest  or  master,  and  for  the 
brethren  and  sisters  of  the  same.  The  priest  was  to  pray  for  the  said  King, 
the  founder,  and  all  Christian  souls ;  also  to  paj  weekly  to  each  of  the  thirteen 
poor  people,  and  two  poor  scholars,  constantly  residing  in  the  hospital,  four- 
pence  of  silver.  The  founder  purchased  only  one  house  and  26s.  rent,  and 
no  other  person  having  augmented  the  charity,  "  the  governors  of  the  mystery 
of  merchants  of  the  city  of  York  incorporated  July  IQth,  the  eighth  of  Herny 
VI.,  and  authorized  by  the  said  incorporation  to  purchase  lands  of  the  value 
of  ten  pounds  per  annum,  and  to  find  a  priest  out  of  the  profits  of  the  same, 
did  enter  into  the  said  lands  given  to  the  said  hospital,  and  of  the  profits  and 
and  other  lands,  did  give  yearly  to  a  priest  to  sing,  continually  in  the  said 
hospital,  over  and  besides  all  charges,  six  pounds."  Such  was  the  original 
establishment  of  this  hospital,  but  it  was  dissolved  in  the  reign  of  Edward 
VI.,  and  the  stipend  of  the  priest,  as  also  the  lands  granted  for  maintaining 
of  obits,  lamps,  <tc.,  was  by  Act  of  Parliament  given  to  the  King.  The 
Merchants'  Company  have,  however,  perpetuated  the  oharity,  and  by  means 
of  various  donations  presented  to  it  by  several  of  its  members,  five  poor  men 
and  five  poor  women  are  allowed  about  £6,  each  per  ann.,  and  rooms  be> 
ueath  the  buildings  of  the  company's  hall.  The  apartments  of  the  hospital 
being  below  the  surrounding  surface  are  exceedingly  gloomy,  and  probably 
unhealthy,  as  the  walls  are  of  great  thickness  and  retain  the  damp ;  but  we 
rejoice  to  learn  that  it  is  in  contemplation  to  build  a  new  hospital. 

Waiters  Hospital,  Chapel  Row,  George  Street.— *This  hospital  was  foandcd 
by  Sir  Robert  Wattcr,  Knt,  twice  Lord  Mayor  of  York,  who  by  wOl,  proved 
June  15, 1612,  appointed  that  an  hospital  should  be  erected  out  of  his  houses 
in  Neutgate  lane,  which  should  be  for  the  perpetual  maintenance  of  ten 
persons,  to  consist  of  a  master,  governor,  or  reader,  who  shall  hare  £3.  per 
ann.  for  his  stipend,  and  of  certain  brethren  and  sisters,  each  of  whom  weiv 
to  receive  40s.  per  ann. ;  the  said  £34.  per  ann.  to  issue  out  of  the  lordship 
of  Cundale.  The  old  almshouses  in  Neutgate  Lane  were  pulled  down  when 
that  lane  was  thrown  into  George  Street,  and  the  present  neat  building  of 
two  stories  in  height  was  erected  in  1844.  The  number  of  poor  women  now 
in  the  hospital  is  seven,  and  there  are  three  out-pensioners,  each  of  whom 
receives  JC2.  per  ann.     The  inmates  of  the  hospital  have  two  rooms  each. 

WUsorCs  Hospital,  Foss  Bridge. — ^In  the  year  1717,  Mrs,  Dorothy  Wilson, 
a  maiden  lady  who  resided  here,  bequeathed  her  own  dwelling  house  to  be 
converted  into  an  hospital  for  ten  poor  women,  each  of  them  to  have  a  xt>om 
to  herself;  and  for  their  maintenance  she  also  left  certain  lands  at  Skipwith 
and  Nun-Monkton,  from  which  each  of  the  said  poor  women  was  to  rec^ve 


i 


TOPOGRAPHY   OF   YORK.  577 

£6.  lOs.  per  auu.  The  property,  which  has  increased  considerably,  is  vested 
in  the  hands  of  seven  trustees ;  and  in  the  settlement  is  a  very  extraordinary 
clause,  purporting  that  if  any  one  of  the  trustees  be  made  an  Alderman  of 
the  city,  he  shall  cease  to  be  a  trustee.  The  original  building  stood  till 
1765,  when  it  was  taken  down  and  re-erected ;  but  when  the  bridge  across 
the  Foss  was  re-built,  it  was  found  requisite  to  take  the  hospital  down  a 
second  time,  and  it  was  then  handsomely  built  with  brick,  as  it  now  appears, 
in  1813.  The  number  of  alms-women  has  been  increased  to  sixteen,  whose 
stipend  is  iSdO.  each  per  annum,  and  there  are  also  eight  blind  pensioners  who 
each  receive  JS8.  per  ann.  In  connexion  with  this  charity  are  schools  for  50 
boys  and  20  girls,  who  are  clothed  and  educated  free ;  and  also  schools  at 
Skipwith  and  Nun-Monkton  supported  out  of  its  funds. 

Wintenkdf*8  HotpUal^  Wakngate. — ^Perceval  Winterskelf,  who  had  served 
the  office  of  Sheriff  of  York  in  1705,  gave  to  the  parish  of  St.  Margaret 
certain  buildings  on  each  side  of  a  square  court,  part  of  which  he  directed 
should  be  occupied  as  the  residence  of  six  poor  people ;  and  he  ordered  that 
the  amount  of  the  rents  of  the  remainder  should  be  entirelv  devoted  to  tho 
maintenance  of  these  six  poor  inmates.  The  conditions  of  the  bequest  are 
carried  into  effect,  and  the  poor  alms-people  receive  about  iS14.  per  annum. 

PopdIation,  Ac,  of  York. — ^Whilst  the  city  was  occupied  by  the  Eomans 
no  just  estimate  of  the  population  has  been  recorded,  but  it  must  have  been 
considerable.  In  the  reign  of  Edward  ihe  Confessor  the  number  of  inhabited 
houses  was  computed  at  1,898,  and  about  the  same  number  in  the  suburbs. 
After  the  Norman  Conquest,  as  we  leani  from  Domesday  Book,  there  were 
only  654  inhcibited  houses  in  York.  In  1186  it  was  considered  as  bearing  a 
half  proportion  to  London.  In  the  subsidy  roll  of  the  51st  of  Edward  HI., 
the  population  of  York  is  stated  at  10,800.  In  the  reign  of  Henry  V.,  the 
number  of  houses  was  3,000,  and  the  inhabitants,  10,000. 

The  population  of  the  city  at  the  six  decennial  periods  of  the  present  cen- 
tury has  been — 


1801 16,146 

1811   18,217 

1821   20,787 


1831    26,850 

1841    28,842 

1861    86,802 


Of  the  86,dOd  persons  which  formed  the  population  within  the  municipal 
boundary  of  York  in  1851,  there  were  16,96d  males  and  10,3SO  females; 
beyond  that  boundary  the  population  of  York  exceeds  40,000. 

Previously  to  the  year  1885  the  city  of  York  was  divided  into  four  districts 
or  wards,  which  took  their  names  from  the  four  gates  of  the  city ;  but  it  is 
now  divided  into  six  wards,  and  the  following  table  shows  the  various  parishes 

4  E 


57^ 


lOPuGRAPHT   OF   TOBK« 


comprised  will i in  tlioin,  together  with  the  number  of  inhabited  houses  in  each 
parish,  according  to  the  Census  of  1851,  as  well  as  the  Rateable  Value  of 
each  parish  in  1854. — 


PARISHES,  &e. 

Inhabited 

ForvL 
Malak 

ATUa. 

ToliL 

▼akH. 

Bootham  Ward, 
St.  Michael-le-Belfry     

181 
119 

4a 

12 
375 

00 

385 

80 

04 

01 

76 

016 

562 

100 
305 
420 
324 
346 

110 

272 
747 
246 
110 

102 

133 
86 
56 

137 

264 
63 
182 
146 
116 
1 

474 

486 

75 

29 

933 

218 
769 
104 
177 
244 
187 

I3as 

1246 

453 
737 
1033 
e44 
818 
91 
297 

544 

1664 

508 

278 

262 

332 
225 
141 
361 

637 
206 
432 
475 
204 
136 

641 

622 

171 

44 

1126 

208 
897 
204 
188 
282 
199 
1625 
1293 

407 
742 
1062 
736 
777 
126 
291 

961 

1862 

629 

341 

289 

388 
322 
153 
397 

671 
217 
483 
568 
820 
38 

1115 

1108 

246 

73 

2059 

426 

1666 

896 

365 

526 

886 

2928 

2538 

920 
1479 
2095 
1380 
1505 
217 
588 

1500 

3526 

1227 

619 

551 

720 
547 
294 
758 

1806 
423 
915 

1043 
584 
174 

8692 

Minster  Yard  with  Bedem 

2671 

St.  Wilfrid 

1961 

Mint  Yard  Liberty 

St.  Giles 

Monk  Ward, 
All  Saints.  PeaRholmo 

' 

St.  Cuthbert    

46^ 

St.  Helen  on  the  Walls 

St.  Andrew , 

744 

Holy  Trinity.  Goodramfiratc 

1218 

St.  John  Del  Pyke 

Wo 

St.  Maurice 

7349 

St.  Saviour 

4472 

WalmgaU  Ward, 
St.  Crux 

2801 

St..  DptiniR    ,  r  , , 

2056 

St.  George  

2060 

Stt  TiAWTflnw 

*   3173 

St.  Mai^aret    

1978 

St.  Nicholas    

1073 

St.  Peterde- Willows 

635 

MickUgaU  Ward. 
Holy  Trinity.  Micklecate 

4S>7S 

St.  Mary.  BishoDhill  Junior 

12180 

St.  Mary,  Bishophill  Senior 

3471 

St.  Martan-cnm-Gh'effory  

4300 

Guild  HaU  Ward, 

St.  Helen,  St.  Helen's  Square 

SquftTfl 

2893 
2693 

St.  Martin -le-Grand 

3738 

St.  Peter-the-Iittle    

1712 

St.  Sampson    ...................... 

2753 

CoMiUgaU  Ward, 
All  Saints.  North  Street    

2841 

All  Saints.  Pnyement. 

3050 

St.  John,  Miickleirate 

2324 

St.  Mary.  Castlesate 

2035 

St.  Michael,  Spurriersate 

2978 

York  Castle  (Extra  Parochial)    

St.  Giles  and  St.  Olave  parishes  are  partly  in  Bulmer  Wapentake,  North 
Riding.  The  population  of  the  latter  parish,  which  is  immediately  without 
the  north  wall  of  the  city,  and  which  includes  the  hamlet  of  Marygate  and 
parts  of  St  Giles,  Clifton,  and  Ilawcli£fe,  is  not  included  in  the  above  table. 


TOPOGBAPHY   OF  YOBK.  379 

Several  of  the  pariBhes  in  the  city  have  out-townships  in  the  county,  the 
population  and  other  returns  of  which  will  he  found  in  the  account  of  these 
places  at  suhsequent  pages. 

York  Castle,  being  the  County  Prison,  belongs  to  the  county  at  large,  and 
is  not  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  city  liberties. 

The  area  of  the  city,  according  to  the  parliamentary  return,  is  3,720  acres. 
The  amount  of  Assesud  Property  in  it  in  1815  was  £44,869. ;  and  in  1834 
it  was  £68,668.  The  Bateable  Value  of  the  city  in  1854,  as  shown  by  the 
foregoing  table,  is  £96,654 — ^to  which  might  be  added  the  rateable  value  of 
Davy  Hall,  or  Cumberland  Row,  an  extra-parochial  district  in  Guildhall 
Ward,  £170. ;  that  of  the  hamlet  of  Marygate,  in  the  parish  of  St.  Olave, 
which  amounts  to  £3,161. ;  and  that  of  the  township  of  Holdgate,  which  was 
£963. ;  making  a  total  of  nearly  £100,000. 

Commerce,  Trade,  Ac. — ^Tork  must  have  been  a  place  of  considerable 
trade  during  the  Roman  period ;  and  from  Alcuin  we  learn  that  its  commerce 
was  of  much  importance  in  the  middle  of  the  eighth  century.  The  Malms- 
bury  historian  tells  us  that  before  the  Conquest  York  was  a  great  city,  and 
that  "  ships  trading  from  Germany  and  Ireland  lay  in  the  heart  of  it."  The 
Ouse  at  that  period  was  the  only  navigable  river  in  the  county,  and  the  tide 
flowed  up  to  the  walls  of  York ;  consequently  the  city  was  favourably  situated 
for  commerce.  After  it  had  recovered  from  the  effects  of  the  Norman  inva- 
sion, the  trade  and  commerce  of  York  appear  gradually  to  have  increased ; 
and  from  that  time  to  about  the  middle  of  the  last  century  it  was  very  con- 
ffiderable.  During  the  greater  part  of  that  period  the  Ouse  would  admit  the 
passage,  up  to  the  bridge,  of  the  largest  vessels  employed  in  the  merchant 
service.  In  the  early  part  of  the  18th  century  a  charter  was  granted  by 
King  John  (who  visited  York  no  less  than  sixteen  times  during  his  short 
reign),  confirming  the  Mercatorial  Guild,  with  all  its  privileges ;  and  during 
the  13th  and  18th  centuries,  the  weavers  of  York  paid  a  considerable  yearly 
sum  for  their  immunities.  At  this  period  the  merchants,  artificers,  and 
tradesmen  of  York  consisted  of  several  companies  or  guilds,  aU  of  whom  were 
obliged  to  take  part  in  the  pageants  of  the  famous  Corpus  Christi  festival. 
(See  page  574.)  In  1398  the  port  of  York  furnished  one  vessel  to  the  fleet 
of  Edward  I.  In  1854  (37th  Edward  m.)  York  obtained  the  staple  for  wool, 
and  many  of  the  merchants  of  the  city  were  subsequently  members  of  the 
**  Corporation  of  the  Staple  at  Calais,"  as  well  as  of  other  guilds  in  France 
and  in  the  Low  Countries.  The  "  Company  of  Merchant  Adventurers,"  and 
the  **  Company  of  Merchant  Tailors,"  are  the  only  two  surviving  guilds  or 
fraternities  of  traders,  once  so  numerous  in  this  city ;  but  these  associations 


580  TOPOGRAPHY   OF   TOBK. 

bavo  now  ceased  to  exercise  anj  influence  over  the  trade  of  York.  Of  the 
ten  staple  towns  established  by  Henry  VU.,  York  is  mentioned  as  the  second 
in  rank,  and  like  the  rest  of  these  towns,  had  peculiar  commercial  privileges 
granted  to  it.  The  Woollen  Manufeicture,  which  appears  to  have  been  eadj 
established  at  York,  abundantly  flourished  there  so  late  as  the  reign  of  Henij 
Yin.  In  the  34th  of  that  reign  (1588)  an  Act  was  passed,  the  preamble  of 
which  says,  "  Whereas,  the  city  of  York  being  one  of  the  andentest  asd 
greatest  cities  within  the  realm  of  England,  before  this  time  hath  been 
maintained  and  upholden  by  divers  and  sundry  handicrafts  there  used,  asd 
principally  by  making  and  weaving  coverlets  and  coverings  for  beds,'*  and 
the  manu&cture  having  spread  into  other  parts,  being  thereby  "  debased  aod 
discredited ;"  the  act  proceeds  to  enact  that  henceforth  "  none  shall  mslie 
coverlets  in  Yorkshire,  but  inhabitants  of  the  city  of  Yoik."  The  mann&c- 
tures  continued  to  flourish  in  the  city  until  the  commencement  of  the  18th 
century,  when  its  trade  in  woollens  completely  left  it,  and  removed  to  the 
West  Riding.  The  increase  of  the  size  of  trading  vessels,  the  remoteness  of 
the  city  from  the  sea,  and  other  causes,  led  to  the  gradual  decline  of  York  as 
a  place  of  trade.  In  the  early  part  of  the  reign  of  Charles  L,  we  find  Sir 
Robert  Barwick  thus  addressing  the  King  on  his  entrance  to  the  city,  "That 
this  city  was  formerly  eminent  with  trade,  and  far  greater  and  more  popoloos 
than  it  now  is ;  yet  of  later  times  trading  here  decreased,  and  that  piincip^J 
by  reason  of  some  hindrance  in  the  river,  and  the  greatness  of  the  ships  nov 
in  use.  Yet,  nevertheless,  this  river,  by  your  royal  assistanoe,  might  be 
made  serviceable,  and  until  that  be  done,  there  is  no  hope  that  this  city 
will  attain  its  former  splendour  and  greatness."  Little  appears  to  have  been 
done  to  improve  the  navigation  of  the  Ouse  till  the  Idth  of  George  I.  (17'^^^ 
when  an  Act  of  Parliament  was  obtained  for  the  purpose,  and  a  lock  aod 
dam  erected  at  Nabum,  at  an  expense  of  about  £10,000.  By  these  means 
the  water  in  the  city  was  raised  five  feet,  and  vessels  of  140  tons  burden  c«n 
now  saU  up  to  it.  The  navigation  was  further  improved  in  1886,  by  the 
application  of  a  powerful  steam  dredger,  and  by  the  channel  being  made  saf- 
flciendy  deep  and  regular  to  allow  steam  vesseb  to  ply  upon  it  in  aU  states 
of  the  tide.  Notwithstanding  these  improvements,  however,  York  has  nct^'' 
been  able  to  regain  its  former  importance  as  a  place  of  trade ;  and  it  would 
probably  have  declined  still  farther  during  the  last  century,  had  it  not  been, 
that  as  the  metropolis  of  the  north,  it  was  often  the  residence  of  many  of  tbe 
county  nobility  and  gentry.  "  Whereas  the  city  of  York  is  the  capital  city 
of  the  northern  parts  of  England,"  recites  the  preamble  of  the  first  city  itn- 
provcmont  act  in  1768,  "  and  is  a  place  of  groat  resort.,  and  much  frequentw 


TOPOORAPHT   OF   YORK.  581 

by  persons  of  distinction  and  fortune,  whose  residence  there  is  of  great  benefit 
and  advantage  to  the  citizens  of  the  said  citj,  &c"  The  rapid  growth  of 
many  of  the  mannfactoring  towns  of  the  West  Riding,  and  the  port  of  Hull, 
has  a£fected  the  relative  position  of  York,  both  in  trade  and  population ;  and 
the  city  might  have  continued  to  recede  had  it  not  been  for  the  introductimi 
of  railways. 

The  trade  of  York  now  principally  arises  from  the  supply  of  the  inhabitants 
and  the  numerous  opulent  families  in  the  neighbourhood.  The  chief  branches 
of  manufacture  carried  on  here  are  i^ass,  planes  and  edge  tools,  soap,  combs, 
iron-wire,  confectionery,  and  drugs ;  and  there  are  also  some  extensive  iron 
foundries.  The  growth  of  chicory  has  of  late  years  been  largely  cultivated 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  York.  The  manufacture  of  glass  was  introduced  in 
1797 ;  the  glass  works,  which  are  situated  in  Fishergate,  were  considerably 
enlarged  in  185d;  and  that  business  is  now  continued  on  a  considerable 
scale.  The  chief  articles  manufactured  are  flint  glass  vessels  and  common 
vials.  A  Linen  Manu&ctoiy  was  established  in  1824,  outside  Walmgate 
Bar,  at  which  huckabacks,  &c.,  are  manufactured. 

Although  the  number  of  vessels  plying  on  the  river  Ouse  is  a£fected  by 
competition  with  the  railways,  yet  still  there  is  a  considerable  trade  carried 
on  between  HuU,  Selby,  and  Goole,  to  and  from  which  towns  there  is  a 
steamer  every  day,  except  Sunday.  Great  quantities  of  coal  are  brought 
hither  in  barges ;  and  from  the  junction  of  the  Foss  with  the  Ouse  is  a  navi- 
gable communication  to  the  parish  of  Sheri£f-Hutton,  in  the  North  Riding. 

Several  Joint  Stock  Trading  Companies  have  been  formed  in  York 
during  the  last  thirty  years.  The  most  important  are  the  several  Banking 
Companies,  the  Yorkshire  Intwranee  Company ,  and  the  York  6hu  and  York 
Waterworks  Companiea,  There  are  several  other  companies  for  minor  objects. 
Many  efforts  have  been  made  to  obtain  for  York  the  privileges  of  an  Inland 
Bonded  Port,  but  hitherto  without  success. 

Great  £EUsilities  have  been  opened  for  the  increase  of  the  trade  of  York  by 
the  introduction  of  BaUways ;  and  in  consequence  of  them  the  old  city  has 
become  an  important  place  for  the  transit  both  of  passengers  and  goods.  An 
account  of  the  several  lines  of.  railway  which  converge  here  will  be  found  at 
a  subsequent  page  of  this  volume. 

MarkeU. — ^In  this  city  there  are  nominally  three  mari^et  days,  viz.: — 
Tuesday,  Thursday,  and  Saturday,  but  the  Tuesday  market  has  feillen  into 
desuetude.  Drake,  writing  in  1736,  says  of  the  York  market,  "  it  is  abun- 
dantiy  furnished  with  all  sorts  of  grain,  and  a  vast  variety  of  edibles,  of  which 
wild  fowl  is  not  the  least 


68d  TOPOORAPfiT   OF  YORK. 

The  Oeneral  WeMy  Marka  for  the  sale  of  poultry,  eggs,  hutter,  fruit, 
yegetahles,  and  all  kinds  of  produce,  Ac,,  is  held  eveiy  Saturday  in  Pariia- 
ment  Street  Previous  to  the  opening  of  this  street,  the  market  was  held 
in  the  Pavement  and  High  Ou8^;ate,  which  were  veiy  inconvenient  and 
confined  places  for  that  purpose,  and  many  accidents  were  caused  by  the 
narrowness  of  these  streets,  notwithstanding  that  portions  of  the  chorcb  yaids 
of  All  Saints  and  St  Crux  had  heen  thrown  into  them. 

In  the  front  of  St  Martin's  church  yard,  in  Micklegate,  was  formeriy 
situated  the  BuUer  Stand.  Great  quantities  of  this  article  was  brought  to 
York,  and  after  heing  weighed  here  by  officers  appointed  for  the  purpose, 
was  purchased  by  contractors  and  shipped  to  London.  Sixty  yean  ago 
80,000  firkins  of  butter  were  annually  received  at  this  office.  The  building, 
which  succeeded  a  very  ruinous  one  that  was  blown  down  the  preceding 
year,  was  erected  in  1778,  for  the  purpose  of  weighing  and  marking  butter, 
and  it  too  having  become  ruinous,  was  taken  down  in  December,  1828. 

After  the  trade  in  wool  in  this  city  had  been  discontinued  for  some  ages, 
a  Wool  Market  was  established  by  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Corporation,  on 
Thursday,  the  6th  of  May,  1708.  St  Anthony's  Hall  being  the  place 
appointed  for  exposing  this  article  for  sale,  several  poor  widows,  who  resided 
there,  were  removed  to  the  hospital  of  St.  Thomas,  and  there  was  a  wooden 
cross  erected  opposite  the  hall  for  weighing  the  wool.  This  mazket  is  still 
continued  on  Peaseholme  Green  (St  Anthony's  Hall  being  now  occupied  as 
a  Blue  Coat  School)  every  Thursday,  from  the  latter  end  of  May  to  the  latter 
end  of  August ;  and  for  about  three  months  after,  viz. : — September,  October, 
and  November,  it  is  held  on  every  alternate  Thursday. 

The  Cattle  Market  is  held  in  the  new  and  spacious  Market  Place,  vithoot 
Fishergate  Bar,  every  alternate  Thursday.  It  was  formerly  held  in  Walffl 
gate,  much  to  the  inconvenience  of  the  inhabitants  of  that  neighbonrbood, 
but  in  1826  the  Corporation  purchased  the  present  piece  of  ground,  for  the 
purpose  of  a  Cattle  Market,  at  a  cost  of  £10,000.  The  stalls  and  pens  «ill 
hold  over  600  cattle,  and  about  11,000  sheep.  The  tolls  produce  about  iSS50. 
a  year.  The  laige  inn  in  the  centre  was  built  contemporaneously  with  the 
market     The  Pig  Market  is  held  near  Foss  Bridge  every  Saturday. 

Fairs  are  held  as  follows : — Candlemas  fair  on  the  Thursday  before  Feb- 
ruary 14th;  Palmsun  fiair,  Thursday  before  Palm  Sunday;  Whit  Mondaj: 
Peterday  fair,  July  10th ;  Lammas  fair,  August  12th ;  Soulmas  &ir,  No- 
vember 14th ;  Martinmas  fair,  November  23,  for  horses  and  homed  et^ 

A  Horte  Fair,  commonly  called  the  Christmas  Show,  takes  place  without 
Micklegate  Bar,  the  last  whole  week  before  Christmas. 


TOPOGRAPHY   OF  TOBK.  683 

A  Leather  Fair,  established  in  1815,  used  to  be  held  quarterly  on  Pease- 
holme  Green,  but  for  the  last  few  years  it  has  been  discontinued.  The  leather 
fisurs  are  now  held  at  Leeds. 

In  the  session  of  Parliament  of  1838,  the  Corporation  obtained  an  Act  for 
improving  and  enlarging  the  market-places  in  the  city,  and  rendering  the 
approaches  thereto  more  commodious ;  and  for  regulating  and  maintaining 
the  seyeral  markets  and  fairs  held  within  the  city,  and  its  suburbs.  Under 
the  provisions  of  this  Act,  the  new  and  spacious  street,  called  Parliament 
Street — ^now  used  as  the  Market-Place — ^was  formed,  and  opened  for  the  first 
time  in  1836.  Besides  the  great  weekly  market  on  Saturday,  there  is 
another,  but  a  lesser  market,  every  Thursday.  There  has  not  been,  and  it 
is  no  small  matter  of  surprise  that  there  is  not  yet,  an  enclosed  general 
market-place  in  York.  In  1671  Mr.  Marmaduke  Rawden,  a  merchant  of 
London,  but  a  native  of  York,  amongst  other  benefactions,  devoted  JS400.  to 
the  erection  of  a  Market  Cross  at  the  end  of  All  Saints'  Church,  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  the  public.  It  was  a  small  square  building,  with  a  dome, 
supported  by  twelve  Ionic  pillars.  The  following  year  the  cross  was  raised 
higher,  and  a  turret  and  vane  placed  on  the  top  of  it  by  the  Corporation,  at 
a  cost  of  £100.  Thus  it  stood  till  the  month  of  January,  1813,  when,  being 
considered  useless,  it  was  taken  down,  and  the  materials  sold  by  auction. 

The  Com  Market  is  still  held  in  the  open  air  at  the  east  end  of  All  Saints* 
Church,  Pavement,  on  and  near  the  site  of  the  above-mentioned  cross,  on 
Saturdays,  between  the  hours  of  twelve  and  one.  Being  situated  in  the  midst 
of  an  extensive  district,  the  com  and  cattle  markets  are  very  important. 

The  Butcher's  Market  is  held  in  St.  Sampson's  Square,  commonly  called 
Thursday  Market,  from  the  fact  of  the  principal  market  of  the  city  having  at 
one  time  been  held  on  Thursday.  There  was  formerly  in  the  middle  of  the 
Square  a  stone  Market  Cross,  with  an  ascent  of  five  steps  on  each  side,  round 
which  was  a  shed  or  penthouse,  supported  by  eight  wooden  pillars,  on  one  of 
which  was  fixed  an  iron  yard-wand,  as  the  standard  of  the  market.  This 
old  structure  was  taken  down  in  1704,  and  a  new  Cross  was  erected  instead 
of  it  on  the  west  side  of  the  Square,  on  the  site  of  the  ancient  Tolbooth,  by 
Elizabeth  Smith  and  George  Atkinson,  who  then  fBirmed  the  market  of  the 
Corporation;  and  in  consideration  of  the  expense  which  they  incurred  in 
erecting  the  Cross,  they  had  their  lease  renewed  for  a  term  of  twenty-one 
years,  at  a  rent  of  £29.  per  annum.  This  building  in  time  became  not  only 
useless,  but  a  nuisance,  as  it  was  a  harbour  for  idle  and  dissolute  persons, 
and  a  source  of  continued  disturbance  in  the  neighbourhood.  A  number  of 
the  inhabitants  of  that  part  of  the  city  raised,  by  subscription,  £100.,  in  order 


584  TOPOOBAPHT  OF  TOBK. 

to  poichafle  from  the  Corpomtkm  their  market  right  in  the  Cross,  and  to  take 
it  down.  It  was  oonseqoently  removed  in  July,  1815.  The  statae  of  George 
ILy  which  is  pUoed  over  the  entrance  of  the  Guild-Hall,  formeily  decorated 
Ihe  Cross  in  Thursday  Market,  and  was  removed  to  its  present  sitoation  in 
1786.  Drake  tells  ns  that  a  market  used  to  he  held  in  the  Thursday  Mar- 
ket-Place  every  Friday,  for  the  sale  of  linen  doth  and  linen  yam ;  hence  the 
use  of  the  yard-wand  mentioned  above. 

The  FM  Market  is  a  covered  building  at  the  west  end  of  St.  Sampson's 
Churoh.  Beforo  its  erection  the  salt-water  fish  market  was  held  in  Fossgate, 
and  previously  it  was  held  on  Foss  bridge,  and  in  Walmgate.  The  finesh- 
water  fish  market  was  formerly  held  at  a  place  called  Salter-hole-gresses,  or 
Grecian  steps,  at  the  east  end  of  the  old  Ouse  bridge.  Supplies  of  fish  fiom 
Scarborough,  Bridlington,  and  the  eastern  coast,  arrive  daily. 

The  Hay  Market  was  formeriy  held  in  King's  Square,  but  in  1827  it  was 
removed  to  Peaseholme  Green,  where  it  continues  to  be  held  every  Thursday. 
The  present  weighing  machine  was  erected  by  the  Corporation. 

CiYU*  GovEBNMBNT  OF  THE  CiTT. — Respecting  the  mode  of  government 
adopted  by  the  Britons  in  their  cities  litde  is  known.  Under  the  Roman 
government  in  Britain,  York  was  governed  in  all  respects  like  Rome  itself. 
During  the  Saxon  period  the  Kings  of  Northumbria  had  their  residence  in 
this  city ;  but  when  Edwin  became  monaroh  of  England,  he  changed  the 
government  from  a  kingdom  to  an  earidom.  York  is  at  present  a  city  and 
county  in  itself,  having  exclusive  jurisdiction,  and  is  the  second  city  in  rank 
in  the  kingdom,  though  it  is  now  surpassed  in  wealth  and  population  by  many 
of  the  more  modem  trading  towns  in  the  county.  The  city  of  York  claims 
to  be  a  Corporation  by  prescription.  The  first  charter  bestowed  upon  the 
inhabitants,  or  at  least  the  earliest  charter  extant,  or  on  record,  is  one  of 
Henry  11.,  without  date,  in  which  a  charter,  granted  by  Henry  I.,  is  referred 
to.  Richard  L,  in  the  first  year  of  his  reign  (1189),  granted  the  citizens  of 
York  an  exemption  from  toll  and  all  customs  in  England  and  Normandy ; 
and  King  John,  in  the  first  of  his  reign  (1199),  gave  them  a  charter,  ratifying 
all  former  privileges,  and  conferring  the  city  on  the  inhabitants,  subject  to  a 
fee  farm  rent  of  £160.  Confirmatory  charters  were  also  granted  by  Hemy 
m.,  Edward  U.,  Edward  m.,  and  BIchard  11. ;  confirmations,  or  new  grants 
of  charter  rights,  were  obtained  finom  almost  every  subsequent  monarch  to 
Charles  11.  In  the  9th  of  Henry  Yin.  (1618),  by  letters  patent,  a  Conntum 
Council  was  established  as  part  of  the  Corporation ;  and  a  charter,  7th  of 
Charles  I.  (1688),  first  introduced  the  election  of  eighteen  members  of  this 
council  from  each  of  the  four  wards,  into  which  the  city  was  then  divided. 


TOPOGBAPHY   OF   YORK.  585 

The  govemiDg  charters  previoas  to  1885  were  the  16th  of  Charles  IT. 
(1663);  and  another,  10th  of  Geoige  lY.  (1820),  in  consequence  of  circum- 
stances arising,  which  prevented  the  fulfihnent  of  the  charter  of  Charles 
n.  Before  the  passing  of  the  Municipal  Act,  the  Corporation  was  styled 
"  The  Major  and  Commonally  of  the  City  of  York,"  and  it  consisted  of 
the  Lord  Mayor,  12  Aldermen,  2  Sheriffs,  82  ex-Sheriffs,  who  were  com- 
monly called  the  "  Twenty-four,"  72  Common  Councilmen,  a  Eecorder,  2  City 
Council,  a  Town  Clerk,  2  Coroners,  and  some  inferior  officers.  The  Lord 
Mayor,  Aldermen,  Sheriffis,  and  the  "Twenty-four,"  constituted  what  was 
designated  the  Upper  House ;  and  the  Common  Councilmen  sat  in  a  chamher 
by  themselves,  and  formed  the  Lower  House.  The  Lord  Mayor  and  Sheriffs 
were  elected  annually ;  the  Aldermen  and  Common  Councilmen  were  elected 
for  life.  The  Lord  Mayor,  by  virtue  of  various  grants  and  Acts  of  Parlia- 
ment, was  invested  with  important  and  extensive  powers,  and  had  an  allow- 
ance for  meeting  the  necessary  expenses  of  his  station.  Prior  to  the  time 
of  Edward  III.,  this  allowance  was  £50. ;  in  1735  it  was  ^£350. ;  in  1771, 
£600. ;  and  in  1812  it  was  J88O0.  After  that  period  it  was  reduced  to  60 
guineas ;  and  the  allowance  is  now  altogether  discontinued.  In  veiy  early 
times  the  Mayors  of  York  held  their  office  for  several  years  successively.  In 
the  reign  of  Edward  in.,  Nicholas  Langton  was  Mayor  for  thirteen  years, 
and  his  son.  Sir  John  Langton,  for  eight  years.  No  less  than  twenty  of  the 
chief  magistrates  of  York  have  received  the  honour  of  knighthood. 

There  was  formerly  an  indefinite  number  of  Freemen,  or  persons  who  were 
free  of  the  Corporation  of  the  city.  This  freedom  was  acquired  by  birth,  ap- 
prenticeship, or  purchase ;  and  the  liberty  of  opening  shops  in  the  city  was 
confined  exclusively  to  these  persons.  The  fine  in  ordinary  cases  was  £25. 
The  average  annual  income  of  the  Corporation,  derived  from  rents  of  real 
property,  fines,  &c.,  was  about  £4,600.  When  its  functions  were  transferred 
to  the  newly  elected  council,  there  was  a  debt  of  £10,500.,  chiefly  contracted 
for  public  improvements. 

The  new  Municipal  Reform  Act  came  into  operation  on  the  24th  of  De- 
cember, 1835.  By  this  Act,  as  we  have  already  shown,  the  city  was  divided 
into  six  wards ;  previously  it  was  divided  into  four ;  each  ward  elects  six 
Councillors,  who  retain  their  office  for  three  years  only,  but  are  eligible  for 
re-election,  and  two  of  whom  retire  in  rotation  annually.  The  Councillors 
elect  twelve  Aldermen,  who  serve  for  six  years ;  so  that  the  corporate  body 
now  consists  of  a  Lord  Mayor,  twelve  Aldermen,  and  thirl^-six  Councillors, 
under  the  usual  corporate  style.  The  Aldermen  were  formerly  chosen  out  of 
the  wealthier  classes  of  citizens,  and  were  ex-officio  Justices  of  the  Peace ; 

4  F 


680  TOPOGRAPHY   OF   TORK. 

bat  they  are  now  only  members  of  the  Council,  possessing  no  poorer  or  au- 
thority above  the  Councillors.  The  right  of  voting  for  the  Councillors  is 
vested  in  the  male  ratepayers  of  the  city.  The  qualification  of  the  Aldermen 
and  Councillors  consists  in  the  clear  possession  of  property  to  the  amount  of 
JS500.,  or  being  rated  to  the  relief  of  the  poor  upon  the  annual  value  of  £15. 

As  we  have  just  observed,  un4er  the  old  system,  the  Mayor,  Aldermen, 
Sheriffs,  and  '*  Twenty-four,*'  met  in  a  chamber  separate  from  the  Cooncil- 
men ;  hence  the  two  divisions  were  called  the  Upper  and  Lower  House. 
Under  the  Municipal  Act,  the  entire  body  meet  in  one  place.  The  Corpo- 
ration are  charged  with  the  management  and  protection  of  the  city  to  the 
fullest  extent ;  though  under  a  local  Act,  6th  George  IV.,  cap.  15,  a  Boaid 
of  Commissioners  was  appointed  to  superintend  the  lighting,  paving,  and 
cleansing  of  the  streets,  the  recent  Health  of  Towns*  Act  abolished  the  Board 
of  Commissioners,  and  their  duties  now  devolve  upon  the  Corporation,  who 
are  constituted  by  the  said  Act,  the  Local  Board  of  Health,  and  whose 
powers  are  now  greatly  extended. 

Under  the  Municipal  Act,  the  borough  is  included  in  schedule  A,  amongst 
those  to  have  a  commission  of  the  peace,  which  has  acccordingly  been  granted; 
and  in  section  B  of  that  schedule,  amongst  those,  the  municipal  boundaries 
of  which  were  to  be  taken  till  altered  by  Pariiament  The  boundary  of  the 
old  borough,  municipal  and  parliamentary,  differs  Utde  either  from  that  of 
the  new  parliamentary  borough,  or  from  that  laid  down  on  the  map  of  the 
municipal  boundaries*  report ;  the  two  latter  being  only  somewhat  extended 
further  on  the  north  and  the  south-east  sides  of  the  city. 

At  what  time  the  title  of  Mayor  was  conferred  on  the  chief  magistrate  of 
the  city,  cannot  now  be  ascertained.  By  ancient  prescription  he  assumes  the 
title  of  My  Lord  in  all  writings,  or  in  speaking  to  him,  the  same  as  the  Major 
of  London ;  which  peculiar  honour,  as  we  have  already  seen  at  page  146  of 
this  history,  was  conferred  on  the  chief  magistrate  by  King  Richard  Hm 
whilst  on  a  visit  to  York  in  1889,  when  he  took  his  sword  from  his  side,  and 
presented  it  to  be  borne  before  WiUiam  de  Selby,  the  Mayor  of  that  day,  and 
his  successors  in  office  for  ever,  with  the  point  erect,  except  in  the  presence 
of  the  King.  The  Mayors  of  York  and  London  are  the  only  chief  magistrates 
in  England  who  have  received  the  title  of  Lord,  and  it  is  worthy  of  notice 
that  this  civic  honour  was  conferred  on  this  city  previous  to  London. 

In  1898  the  same  monarch  (Richard  n.)  presented  Robert  Savage,  the 
then  Lord  Mayor,  with  a  large  gilt  mace,  to  be  borne  before  him,  and  a  cap 
of  maintenance  to  the  sword-bearer.  The  Lord  Mayor  was  formeriy  chosen 
annually  from  the  Aldermen,  on  the  15th  of  January,  and  entered  on  his 


T0P06RAPHT  OF  YORK.  687 

office  on  the  8rd  of  February ;  now  he  is  chosen  from  the  bodj  of  the  Council, 
and  his  election  takes  place  on  the  9th  of  November.  This  office  is  of  great 
trust  and  importance.  Within  his  own  jurisdiction  he  is  surpassed  hj  none 
in  rank  and  power  except  the  Queen  and  the  presumptive  heir  to  the  Crown ; 
and  the  Commission  of  Assize  for  the  city  is  granted  conjointly  to  the  Lord 
Mayor  and  Judge.  The  Lord  Mayor  resides  in  the  Mansion  House  during 
his  year  of  office,  and  if  he  be  married,  his  wife  is  dignified  with  the  title  of 
the  Lady  Mayoress,  and  in  addressing  her,  the  term  "  My  Lady  "  is  applied. 
In  Drake's  time,  though  the  husband  parted  with  both  honour  and  title  at 
the  time  he  was  divested  of  office ;  yet  by  the  courtesy  of  the  citizens  of 
York  her  ladyship  still  enjoyed  her  title,  by  no  other  right,  perhaps,  but  that 
of  an  old  rhyming  proverb,  which  we  find  in  Dugdale : — 

"  The  Lord  Major  is  a  Lord  for  a  year  and  a  day, 
But  the  Lady  Mayoress  is  a  Lady  for  ever  and  aye." 

This  courtesy  towards  the  Lady  Mayoress  has,  however,  now  ceased ;  and  at 
the  expiration  of  her  husband's  year  of  office,  the  term  My  Lady  is  dropped, 
unless  she  is  previously  entitled  to  it  by  birth  or  marriage. 

The  Lord  Mayor,  on  all  public  occasions,  appears  habited  in  a  scarlet  robe, 
with  a  massy  gold  chain  hung  round  his  neck.  Formerly  at  the  Sessions  of 
the  Peace  he  was  supreme,  but  now  the  Recorder  is  sole  Judge  of  that  court. 
Under  the  old  regime  no  law  could  pass  the  Corporation  without  the  concur- 
rence and  approval  of  the  chief  magistrate ;  but  he  is  now  deprived  of  that 
authority,  and  instead  of  being,  as  formerly,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  life, 
he  can  only  act  in  a  magisterial  capacity  during  his  mayoralty  and  the  year 
following.  The  Lady  Mayoress  also  possesses  a  chain  of  office,  with  which 
she  is  duly  and  formally  invested  by  the  Sheriff  upon  inauguration ;  for  which 
office  he,  by  custom,  claims,  and  receives  too,  a  salute  from  her  ladyship. 

Mr.  Aldermen  Richard  Town,  who,  according  to  Mr.  Davies,  occupied  the 
antique-looking  house  at  the  comer  of  Lendal,  in  1716,  gave  a  staff  of  honour, 
made  of  Indian  wood,  tipped  with  silver,  which  had  been  taken  in  battle  from 
some  Eastern  potentate  to  the  Corporation,  their  previous  staff  having  be- 
come very  much  worn.  This  staff  is  a  symbol  also  presented  annually  to  the 
Lady  Mayoress  by  the  Sheriff. 

The  Aldermen,  too,  appear  on  all  public  occasions  in  scarlet  robes ;  and 
the  Sheriff  in  a  black  robe.  And  that  historic  relic,  the  Cap  of  Maintenance, 
given  by  Richard  U.,  as  we  have  seen  at  page  146,  is  worn  by  the  sword- 
bearer  on  all  occasions  of  ceremony. 

The  Eecarder  is  appointed  by  the  Crown,  and  is  the  particular  guardian  of 


688  TOPOGRAPHY   OF   YOBK. 

the  privileges  of  the  citizens,  and  the  preserver  of  the  ancient  records  and 
charters.  He  is  ex-ojfficio  a  Justice  of  the  Peace ;  has  precedence  next  after 
the  Lord  Mayor;  is  sole  Judge  at  the  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace;  and 
presides  as  Assessor  at  the  Sheriff*s  Court  He  is  the  puhlic  orator  of  the 
corporate  hod  j,  and  in  the  Council  Chamher  he  sits  on  the  right  of  the  Lord 
Mayor,  to  render  his  counsel  and  advice  when  required. 

Previously  to  the  passing  of  the  Municipal  Act  there  were  two  Shirifi  of  the 
city  of  York,  hut  since  that  period  there  has  been  but  one,  who  is  annually 
chosen  on  the  0th  of  November  by  the  City  Council.  The  Sheriff  has  ehaige 
of  the  prisoners  of  the  county  of  the  city,  and  he  is  the  returning  officer  at 
the  parliamentary  elections.  The  office  was  originally  instituted  by  King 
Richard  11.,  who,  in  1390,  constituted  the  city  a  county  of  itself,  and  gave 
authority  to  elect  two  Sheriffs  (in  lieu  of  the  three  Bailiffs  formerly  appointed  i, 
who,  with  the  Mayor,  should  have  cognizance  in  all  pleas  and  actions  within 
the  limits  of  the  city.  From  the  time  of  the  institution  of  the  office  till  tbp 
year  1886,  a  period  of  440  years,  the  two  Sheriffs  had  a  double  function  to 
exercise,  ministerial  and  judicial,  as  they  executed  and  made  retonis  of  all 
processes  and  precepts  of  the  courts  of  law,  and  had  authority  to  hold  several 
courts  of  a  distinct  nature.  They  had  also  the  care  of  all  debtors  and  felons 
confined  in  the  county  of  the  city ;  and  after  they  had  served  the  office,  ther 
continued,  as  before  observed,  members  of  the  "  Upper  House,'*  under  the 
tide  of  the  "  Twenty-four,'*  though  they  generally  exceeded  that  number. 
The  Sheriff  of  the  city,  under  the  existing  law,  takes  no  part  in  the  delibera- 
tions of  the  city  Council. 

The  Town  Clerk  is  appointed  by  the  Council,  and  attends  its  meetiiigs  to 
record  the  proceedings ;  he  has  also  a  great  variety  of  other  onerous  snd  im- 
portant business  to  transact  Formeriy  it  was  necessaiy  for  the  appoiDttneot 
of  a  town  clerk  to  be  approved  by  the  Crown,  but  that  is  no  longer  essential 

The  Coroner  is  chosen  by  the  city  Council;  but  that  appointment  was 
formerly  in  the  freeholders  of  the  county  of  the  city. 

The  City  Trecuwer,  and  several  inferior  officers,  are  elected  by  the  Council. 
and  the  appointment  of  Auditors  and  Assessors  is  vested  in  the  citizens. 

There  was  formerly  an  officer  called  the  Lord  High  Steward  of  tks  C^y* 
who  was  considered  the  city's  advocate  with  the  King.  Among  those  who 
have  filled  this  office  were  George  Villiers,  Duke  of  Buckingham,  appointed 
in  1673,  and  the  Earl  of  Derby,  appointed  in  1688.  With  this  noblemao 
the  office  became  extinct. 

The  Arms  of  the  City  are  aigent,  on  a  cross  gules — St  Geoi^'s  cross- 
five  lions,  passant-quondant,  Or.    The  five  lions  with  which  the  cross  i^ 


T0P06RAPHT   OF   YORK.  580 

charged,  it  is  said  were  added  by  William  the  Gonqaeror,  in  honoar  of  fire 
heroic  magistrates,  yiz. : — Sir  Robert  Clifford,  Houngate,  Talbot,  Lassels, 
and  Erringbam,  who  so  valiantly  defended  the  city  against  his  arms  in  1070, 
till  famine  obliged  them  to  surrender,  that  he  determined  thus  to  honour 
them  for  their  courage  and  brayery.  But  however  poetic  this  tradition  may 
appear,  it  must  vanish  before  the  feuct  that  armorial  bearings  have  not  been 
used  till  after  the  reign  of  William  I. 

The  Seal  of  the  Corporation  is  of  a  circular  form.  The  obverse  has  St 
Peter,  with  his  keys,  between  two  angels  holding  candles.  Legend,  8'  B — 
J.  Petri.  Prineipis  Apostolor,  The  reverse  represents  a  fortified  town,  with 
a  legend,  SigiUvm.  CIVIVM.  Ehoraci. 

The  following  are  the  chief  officers  of  the  Corporation  for  1866. 

The  Right  Honorable  George  Wilson,  Lord  Mayor. 

Charles  Heneage  Elsley,  Esq.,  SMorder.  C.  P.  Bainbridge,  Esq.,  Sherif. 

Henry  Richardson,  Esq.,  Town  OUrk  and  Clerk  of  the  Peace. 

Aldermen. — George  Leeman,  James  Meek,  William  Hudson,  Joseph  Rown- 
tree,  James  Meek,  Jun.,  William  Richardson,  Qeoige  H.  Seymour,  John 
Wood,  Richard  Evers,  and  James  Chadwick,  Esquires. 

The  City  Magistrates  are  the  Lord  Mayor  for  the  time  being,  James  Bar- 
ber, Thomas  Barstow,  James  Meek,  Leonard  Simpson,  Thomas  W.  Wilson, 
John  Swann,  John  Robert  Mills,  Thomas  Price,  and  Richard  Evers,  Esquires. 
Additional  Magistrates  are  about  to  be  appointed.  Mr.  Joseph  Munby  is 
their  Clerk.  The  Magistrates  are  Justices  of  the  Peace,  and  act  under  a 
commission  firom  the  Crown.     They  are  a  distinct  body  from  the  Aldermen. 

The  Income  of  the  Corporation  for  the  year  ending  August  81,  1664,  was 
Jg7,061,  arising  chiefly  firom  rents  and  market  tolls. 

Franchise. — ^York  returns  two  members  to  Pariiament  The  franchise 
was  conferred  at  a  veiy  early  period,  though  the  precise  time  is  uncertain ; 
but  Civitas  Eborum  occurs  at  an  early  date  in  the  Parliamentary  rolls.  Since 
the  49th  of  Henry  m.  (Id66)  it  has  r^olarly  returned  two  members  to 
Parliament  Under  the  old  Corporation  the  right  of  voting  for  members  of 
Parliament  for  the  city  was  confined  to  the  freemen.  In  1784  there  was  a 
severe  contest  at  York,  at  which  about  d,000  persons  voted.  In  1886,  ac* 
cording  to  the  Corporation  Commissioners'  report,  there  were  d,400  resident 
freemen,  and  1,800  non-resident,  making  a  total  of  8,700.  The  Reform  Act 
of  1889  reserved  the  rights  of  resident  freemen  to  a  certain  extent,  and  the 
right  of  election  was  extended  to  the  JSIO.  householders.  The  present  con- 
stituency numbers  about  4,800.  Under  the  old  Corporation  York  was  always 
accounted  a  whig  borough,  but  the  opposite  party  was  generally  strong  enough 


590  TOPOORAPHT   OF  TORE. 

to  obtain  a  share  in  the  lepreeentalion.  The  present  members  for  the  ci^ 
are  John  Qeorge  Smjth,  Esq.,  and  Sir  William  Mordaunt  Edward  Mibier, 
Bart  York  is  the  principal  polling  place,  and  the  place  of  election  for  the 
members  of  Parliament  for  the  North  Riding;  the  nomination  is  held  in 
the  Castle  YanL 

Strays. — ^The  freemen  of  York  still  possess  the  excliisiTe  right  of  pasturing 
their  cattle  free  on  the  different  strays  belonging  to  the  four  ancient  wards  of 
the  city,  and  those  whose  means  will  not  allow  them  to  possess  stock,  haye 
the  privilege  of  disposing  of  this  privilege  to  non-freemen.  The  strajs, 
which  are  large  tracts  of  land  on  each  side  of  the  suburbs,  are  as  follows : — 

MickUgcUe  Stray,  situated  without  Micklegate  Bar,  on  the  London  road, 
consists  of  the  commons  called  Enayesmire,  Scarcroft,  and  Hob  Moor,  con- 
taining together  about  440  acres.  The  York  races  are  held  on  Enayesmire : 
and  the  ancient  place  of  execution,  formerly  called  the  York  Tufmni^  and 
more  recently  Gallows  HiU,  is  included  in  this  common.  Though  the  rising 
ground  upon  which  the  gallows  used  to  be  erected  has  been  levelled,  its  site 
on  the  road  side,  near  the  boundary  of  the  city,  is  well  known.  The  crimi- 
nals were  conveyed  in  a  cart  firom  York,  surrounded  and  followed  by  immense 
multitudes ;  and  this  barbarous  custom,  with  its  brutal  concomitants,  dis- 
gusting to  the  feeling  mind,  was  continued  till  August,  1802,  when  the  new 
drop  was  erected  behind  the  Castle. 

The  piece  of  ground  called  Hob  Moor  lies  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road 
to  Knavesmire.  On  it  is  a  stone  figure  of  a  Knight  Templar,  of  the  family 
of  Boss,  as  appears  by  his  shield.  This  image  was  formerly  recumbent^ 
perhaps  in  some  of  the  churehes  of  York,  but  it  is  now  erect,  and  exhibits  on 
^e  back  the  following  inscription,  partly  defaced : — 

"  This  image  long  Hob's  name  has  bore, 
IVho  was  a  Knight  in  time  of  yore, 
And  gave  this  Common  to  the  Poor." 

Underneath  are  the  names  of  the  pasture  masters  who  erected  it,  in  1717  ; 
also,  the  later  date  of  1767.  In  speaking  of  this  figure  Mr.  Gough  says, 
"  It  was  probably  removed  from  the  ruins  of  Kirkstall  or  Rievaulx  Monas- 
tery (where  the  Bosses  were  buried  till  the  middle  of  the  fifteenth  century); 
it  is  placed,"  he  continues, ''  on  a  pedestal,  on  a  piece  of  ground  without  the 
city  of  York,  called  Hob  Moor,  and  is  said  to  have  been  given  to  the  city  by 
one  Hob,  who  perhaps  was  Robert  I.,  lineal  ancestor  of  John,  and  a  great 
benefactor  to  the  Knights  Templars."  When  the  plague  raged  in  York  in 
the  sixteenth  century,  a  number  of  infected  persons  were  sent  out  of  the  city 
to  Hob  Moor,  where  tents  were  erected  for  their  accommodation. 


TOPOGRAPHY   OF  TOBK.  591 

Bootham  Stray  is  on  the  north  side  of  the  citj,  on  the  Helmslej  road,  and 
contains  about  176  acres.    It  is  crossed  twice  bj  the  railway. 

Monk  Ward  Stray  consists  of  about  133  acres  on  Heworth  Moor,  on  the 
Malton  road. 

Wahngate  Stray  is  situated  on  Low  Moor,  without  Walmgate  Bar,  on  the 
Heslington  road,  and  consists  of  about  75  acres.  These  strays  are  managed 
by  pasture  masters,  (four  for  each  ward)  elected  annually  by  the  freemen. 

Courts  of  Justice. — The  Courts  of  Assize  for  the  city  and  county  of  the 
city,  are  opened  by  the  Judges  on  the  Northern  Circuit,  under  a  separate 
commission,  on  the  same  day  as  the  Assizes  for  the  county.  The  city  As- 
sizes are  held  at  the  Cfuild  Hall,  on  which  occasions  the  Lord  Mayor  sits  on 
the  bench  on  the  Judges'  right  hand.  The  Assizes  for  the  county  take  place 
in  the  County  HaU,  in  the  Castle  yard.  The  York  city  and  county  Assizes 
are  generally  held  in  the  months  of  March  and  July ;  and  there  is  a  general 
gaol  deliyery,  usually  called  the  Winter  Assizes,  in  the  month  of  December. 
The  present  Clerk  of  Arraigns,  or  Assize,  is  Sir  John  Bailey,  Bart.,  and  his 
deputy  is  C.  J.  Newstead,  Esq. 

Quarter  Sessions  for  the  city  are  held  in  the  Guild-Hall,  before  Charles 
Heneage  Elsley,  Esq.,  the  Recorder,  in  the  months  of  January,  April,  July, 
and  October.     All  offences,  not  capital,  may  be  disposed  of  by  this  court. 

Petty  Sessions  for  the  county  are  held  every  fortnight,  in  the  Clerk  of 
Assize's  room,  over  the  entrance  to  the  Castle.  The  county  Magistrates 
preside  at  this  court.  The  Lord  Mayor  and  one  of  the  Justices  hold  Petty 
Sessions  in  the  Magistrates'  room,  at  the  Quild-Hall,  on  Mondays,  Thursdays, 
and  Saturdays ;  and  the  city  Magistrates  sit  daily  in  the  same  place,  for  the 
dispatch  of  police  business. 

The  York  City  Court  of  Record  is  held  in  the  Ouild-Hall,  at  intervals  of 
not  less  than  two  months.  This  court  takes  cognizance  of  actions  of  every 
description,  and  damages  may  be  recovered  to  any  amount.  The  B>ecorder 
of  the  city  is  Judge,  and  he  appoints  a  deputy. 

The  County  Court  of  Yorkshire  is  held  at  the  Guild-Hall  once  a  month. 
The  jurisdiction  of  this  court  extends  to  the  recoyeiy  of  debts,  damages,  or 
demands,  when  the  amount  sought  to  be  recovered  does  not  exceed  £50. ; 
and  actions  may  be  brought  in  it  to  recover  debts  of  every  description,  not 
exceeding  that  sum.  The  Judge  is  Alfred  Septimus  Bowling,  Esq.,  Ser- 
jeant-at-law ;  and  there  are  several  deputy  Judges. 

The  Insolvent  Debtors'  Court  is  held  monthly  in  the  Nisi  Prius  Court, 
York  Castle,  before  the  Judge  or  deputy  Judge  of  the  County  Court. 

The  Ecclesiastical  Courts  of  the  Archbishop  of  York  have  extensive  juris- 


59d  TOPOOBAPHT   OF  TOBK. 

dictum ;  thej  are  hdd  in  one  of  the  Tastiies  of  the  Cathedral,  and  the  records 
are  veiy  carioos  and  TalnaUe. 

To  the  Corporation  bdonga  the  ocHiBerffancj  cf  the  metB  Aire,  Derwent, 
Don,  Oase,  Wharfe,  and  some  parts  of  the  Hamher ;  and  a  coort  is  occa- 
sioiiallj  held  for  the  arrangement  of  matters  connected  with  these  rivers. 

PUBLIC  INSTITUTIONS,  BUILDINGS,  &c.—GuUd  fluC— This 
fine  old  Gothic  building,  which  stands  behmd  the  Mansion  House,  in  Con^ 
Street,  was  erected  in  the  middle  of  the  15th  century,  bj  the  Mayor  and 
Commonalty  of  the  city,  in  concert  with  the  master  and  brethren  of  the  Guild 
of  St  Christopher.  This  Guild  was  founded  by  the  authority  of  letters  patent 
from  Richard  U.,  granted  to  Robert  Dalbey  and  other  citizens  at  York, 
Martii  13,  anno  regni  10.  The  chapel  of  the  guild  formerly  stood  where  the 
present  Mansion  House  has  been  erected.  In  the  year  1445  we  find  the 
Guild  of  St.  Christopher  agreed  to  build  a  new  hall,  with  pantiy,  butteiy, 
and  other  appurtenances,  and  in  the  year  following  the  building  was  com- 
menced. The  interior  of  the  building  was  not  finished  in  1496,  for  Thomas 
Chapman,  rather  than  be  master  of  the  guild,  agreed  to  pay  a  fine  of  £10., 
and  gave  one  hundred  wainscots  £:>r  the  roof,  and  forty  more  were  given  by 
two  other  worthies,  for  the  same  purpose.  Another  brotherhood,  called  the 
Guild  of  St.  George,  was  afterwards  added  to  the  fraternity  of  St.  Christopher, 
and  by  letters  patent,  from  Henry  VL,  dated  at  Westminster,  in  the  35tb 
year  of  his  reign  (1446),  and  addressed  to  William  Craven  and  other  citizens, 
the  said  guilds  were  possessed  of  power  to  purchase  lands  and  tenements  to 
a  certain  amount,  and  to  make  and  adopt  rules  and  regulations  relative  to 
the  disposal  of  their  revenues,  for  the  support  of  their  common  hall,  for  re- 
pairing and  maintaining  certain  bridges  and  highways  in  and  near  the  city, 
and  for  the  relief  of  the  poor.  In  less  than  a  century  alter  the  foundation  of 
the  hall  wsjsi  laid — ^the  3rd  of  Edward  VI. — ^the  united  guild  was  diasdved, 
and  their  messuages,  tenements,  &c.,  in  York  and  other  places,  were  granted 
to  the  Mayor  and  Commonalty  of  the  city  of  York,  and  to  their  snccesaors; 
and  the  common  hall  of  those  ancient  religiouB  guilds  was  then  converted  into 
the  Guild-Hall  of  the  legislators  of  the  city. 

The  entrance  to  the  building  is  by  folding  doors  at  the  east  end — ^the  west 
end  fronts  the  river  Ouse.  Ovot  the  doors  is  a  large  pointed  window  of  five 
lights,  in  the  centre  of  which  is  a  statue  of  George  n.,  which  formerly  deco- 
rated the  cross  in  Thursday  Mazket,  and  was  removed  to  its  present  situatioii 
in  1706.  The  interior  of  the  ball  is  very  imposing — indeed  it  is  one  of  the 
finest  Gothic  rooms  in  the  kingdom.  It  measures  96  feet  in  length,  43  in 
width,  and  to  the  centre  of  the  roof,  dO  feet  6  inches  in  height 


TOPOGRAPHY   OF   YORK.  693 

The  roof,  which  is  composed  of  oak,  and  decorated  with  numerous  grotesque 
figures,  carved  in  bosses,  is  supported  by  ten  octagon  oak  pillars,  on  stone 
bases ;  each  pillar  21  feet  9  inches  high,  by  5  feet  9  inches  in  circumference, 
though  severally  cut  out  of  one  single  tree ;  and  from  their  capitals  spring 
the  arches  of  the  roof.  These  pillars  divide  the  apartment  into  three  aisles. 
The  hall  is  lighted  by  several  good  plain  Perpendicular  windows ;  that  at  the 
west  end,  which  is  of  five  lights,  being  filled  with  beautifully  stained  glass, 
representing  the  Royal  Arms  in  the  centre,  and  the  figures  of  Justice  and 
Mercy^ — ^the  former  with  the  motto  "  Cuique  suum,"  and  the  latter  "  Miseris 
succurro."  In  the  lower  compartment  are  exhibited  the  arms  of  the  city,  the 
sword  and  mace,  4&c.,  vrith  the  date  1683.  The  whole  was  executed  by 
Edmund  Gyles,  a  citizen  of  York.  There  are  also  a  few  good  specimens  of 
stained  glass  in  some  of  the  other  windows.  At  the  east  end  of  the  hall  is  a 
very  large  and  valuable  picture  of  St.  Paul  pleading  before  King  Agrippa, 
painted  by  R.  Marsden,  and  presented  to  the  Corporation  of  York  in  1852,  by 
the  Rev.  T.  H.  L.  Fox,  ''  from  a  feeling  of  attachment  to,  and  in  memory  of, 
the  former  connection  of  his  family  with  this  city." 

The  west  end  of  the  haU  is  fitted  up  as  a  court,  in  which  are  held  the  As- 
sizes and  Quarter  Sessions  for  the  city.  The  hall  is  likewise  used  for 
meetings  of  the  citizens  on  all  matters  of  public  business,  and  formerly  the 
nomination  and  polling  for  Members  of  Parliament  took  place  in  it.  Here 
also  was  given  the  grand  banquet  to  Prince  Albert  and  the  Lord  Mayor  of 
London,  in  aid  of  the  Great  Industrial  Exhibition  of  1851.  (See  page  277.) 
At  the  back  or  west  end  of  the  hall,  and  overlooking  the  river  Ouse,  is  the 
Justice  Boom,  or  Petty  Sessions  Court,  where  the  Lord  Mayor  and  City  Magis- 
trates sit  to  adjudicate  cases  brought  before  them  by  the  police.  This  room 
was  neatly  wainscotted  with  oak  in  1679,  at  the  expense  of  Sir  John  Hewley, 
one  of  the  representatives  of  this  city  in  Parliament,  and  there  is  yet  an  in- 
scription over  the  fire-place  to  that  purport  The  roof  is  in  panels,  with 
coloured  bosses  bearing  shields.  The  back  of  the  Lord  Mayor's  chair  bears 
a  carved  oak  shield,  which  is  charged  with  the  arms  of  the  city,  and  sur- 
mounted by  a  carving  in  wood  of  the  ancient  Cap  of  Maintenance.  Indeed 
the  room  is  entirely  in  the  antique  style,  and  it  is  perhaps  the  most  strikingly 
fitted  up  room  of  the  kind  in  the  kingdom. 

In  one  of  the  windows  is  a  piece  of  painted  glass,  exhibiting  a  beautiful 
representation  of  Justice  drawn  in  a  triumphal  car,  the  gift  of  the  artist,  the 
late  Mr.  Peckitt  of  York.  It  was  placed  in  its  present  position  in  1754, 
when  the  Corporation  presented  the  talented  artist  with  the  freedom  of  the 
city.    Here  are  deposited  the  musketry  of  the  city,  calculated  to  equip  four 

4  Q 


594  TOPOORAPHT   OF   TOBK. 

companies  of  serentj  men  each,  first  raised  by  the  city  in  consequence  of  the 
rebellion  in  1745.  (See  page  209.)  A  part  of  St  William's  Chapd  on  Case 
Bridge  was  formerly  occupied  as  the  Council  Chamber^  and  when  that  building 
was  taken  down  in  1810,  a  new  wing  was  added  to  the  Guild  Hall,  in  order 
to  supply  the  deficiency  thus  occasioned.  This  wing  contains  the  apartments 
used  for  the  meetings  of  the  Corporation,  a  Record  Boom,  and  other  offices, 
all  of  which  overlook  the  Ouse ;  and  the  elevation  of  that  side,  as  seen  fin>m 
the  river  on  its  opposite  bank,  is  very  beautiful.  The  lower  room  of  t^s 
wing  is  a  spacious  apartment,  formerly  the  place  of  meeting  of  the  Common 
Council  of  the  city,  when  the  Corporation  consisted  of  an  "  upper "  and  a 
''  lower  "  house,  resembling  the  houses  of  Lords  and  Commons,  and  when  the 
Lord  Mayor  stood  towards  these  assemblies  in  a  similar  relation  to  that  of 
the  Sovereign  towards  the  more  august  assemblies  at  Westminster.  At  the 
upper  end  of  it  is  an  ofUcial  chair,  formerly  used  by  the  chairman,  with  a  long 
oak  table  and  scats  for  the  members  of  each  ward.  It  is  lighted  by  five 
windows,  which  face  the  river,  and  display  the  royal  and  city  arms  in 
painted  glass.  This  is  now  used  as  the  City  Orand  Jury  Boom.  A  broad 
flight  of  stone  steps  leads  to  the  chamber  immediately  over  the  one  jost  des- 
cribed, which  was  the  assembly  room  of  the  Lord  Mayor,  Recorder,  City 
Council,  Aldermen,  Sheriffs,  and  Gentlemen  of  the  "  Twenty-four  "  or  "  Upper 
House ;"  but  which  is  now  the  Council  Chamber  of  the  city.  It  is  equally 
spacious  with  the  one  below,  and  has  been  very  neatly  fitted  up,  having  a 
state  chair  for  the  use  of  the  Lord  Mayor,  and  also  a  seat  on  each  side  for 
the  Recorder,  and  the  City  Council  or  senior  Alderman.  These  chairs  arc  of 
Gothic  design,  surmounted  by  some  elegantly  carved  spiral  work.  A  table 
runs  down  the  centre,  as  in  the  room  beneath,  over  which  are  suspended,  from 
a  groined  ceiling,  two  neat  chandeliers.  The  windows,  which  are  six  lo 
number,  overlook  the  Ouse,  and  are  enriched  with  much  beautiiiilly  stained 
glass,  representing  the  armorial  bearings  of  the  city,  and  of  many  members 
of  the  Corporation.  Against  the  wall,  at  the  lower  end  of  the  chamber,  is  > 
fine  piece  of  plate  glass,  painted,  gilded,  and  elegantly  framed,  and  bearing 
the  following  inscription  :— 

"  This  tablet  was  emblazoned  with  the  Boyal  Arms,  on  the  occasion  of  ber  M^estj 
Queen  Victoria's  visit  to  York,  Friday,  the  dSth  of  September,  1840,  and  was  aftervai^ 
presented  to  the  City  Coonoil,  by  James  Meek,  Esq.,  Lord  Ifayor.** 

Mansion  House, — This  stately  edifice,  the  official  residence  of  the  Lori 
Mayors  of  the  city  during  their  term  of  office,  stands  at  the  north  end  o^ 
Coney  Street,  and  was  erected  from  a  design  of  that  celebrated  amateor 


TOPOGRAPHY   OF   TOBK.  595 

artist,  B.  Bojle,  Earl  of  Burlington,  a  nobleman  who  has  been  immortalized 
by  Pope,  in  the  well  known  line — 

"Who  plants  like  Bathurst,  and  who  builds  Hke  Boyle." 

The  site  of  the  present  erection  was  formerly  occupied  by  two  old  buildings, 
one  of  which  had  been  the  chapel  of  the  Guild  of  St.  Christopher,  and  was 
afterwards  used  as  a  dwelling  house  and  as  an  inn.  Between  these  two  old 
houses  were  gates  leading  to  the  Guild  Hall;  but  in  1725  the  gates  were 
removed  and  the  houses  taken  down,  in  order  to  build  the  present  structure, 
which  was  completed  the  following  year  at  the  expense  of  the  Corporation. 

The  front  of  the  Mansion  House  has  a  rusticated  basement,  which  supports 
four  Ionic  pilasters,  with  an  angular  pediment,  in  which  are  placed  the  arms 
of  the  city,  properly  emblazoned.  The  upper  part  of  the  building  is  of  brick. 
In  front  of  the  house  are  iron  palisades,  with  sunk  areas  to  give  light  to  the 
basement  story ;  and  a  flight  of  steps  leads  up  to  the  entrance,  which  is  by 
folding  doors.  On  the  left  of  the  entrance  hall  is  the  dining  room,  not  very 
spacious,  but  lofty ;  and  behind  is  a  small  drawing  room,  divided  from  the 
other  by  a  temporary  wooden  partition,  which  can  be  removed  at  pleasure, 
and  the  two  rooms  may  thus  be  thrown  into  one.  From  the  hall  a  good 
staircase  leads  to  the  state  room,  which  apartment  is  40  feet  6  inches  long, 
and  27  feet  9  inches  wide,  and  occupies  the  entire  length  of  the  front,  the 
ceiling  being  above  the  third  stoiy  of  the  windows.  The  entrance  is  by 
folding  doors,  above  which  there  is  an  orchestra,  supported  by  two  large  fluted 
columns.  The  interior  of  the  room  is  neatly  wainscotted,  and  its  general 
aspect  is  good.  It  is  well  lighted  from  the  front,  by  two  tiers  of  windows, 
containing  Ave  each ;  and  in  it  are  also  three  large  brass  chandeliers.  There 
are  two  fireplaces  in  it,  one  at  each  end,  enriched  with  vari^ated  marble  chim- 
ney pieces ;  and  above  that,  at  the  upper  end,  are  the  Royal  Arms,  beautifuUy 
carved  and  gilt;  whilst  at  the  lower  end  are  displayed  the  arms  of  the  city, 
adorned  with  the  insignia  of  office. 

The  PMTUings  on  the  walls  are  as  follows: — ^In  the  entrance  hall — a 
full  length  of  the  Duke  of  Richmond,  who,  with  several  other  noblemen,  left 
his  seat  in  Parliament,  and  came  to  York  to  pay  his  duty  to  Charles  I. ;  in 
the  dining  room — a  half-length  portrait  of  Alderman  Carr,  who  was  a  con- 
siderable contributor  to  the  stock  of  plate  belonging  to  the  Mansion  House ; 
also,  two  good  pictures  of  York,  one  haviog  the  old,  and  the  other  the  present 
Ouse  Bridge  in  the  foreground ;  and  in  the  little  drawing  room  is  an  excel- 
lent full-length  painting  of  George  Hudson,  Esq.,  in  his  robes  as  Lord  Mayor 
of  the  city,  by  Francis  Grant,  presented  to  the  Corporation  by  the  citizens. 


596  TOPOOBAPHT   OF  TO&K. 

Over  the  chimney  piece  is  a  portrait  of  Mr.  Drake,  the  historian;  and 
several  charters,  which  have  heen  granted  to  the  Corporation,  are  united  in 
one  frame,  which  hangs  against  the  wall  in  this  room.  In  the  state  room 
are  the  following  full-length  portraits,  aU  in  elegant  frames,  and  nearly  equal 
in  size,  each  being  about  9  feet  high,  and  6  feet  8  inches  wide : — Owrge  II,, 
presented  by  the  Marquis  of  Rockingham  to  the  Rockingham  Club,  at  York, 
in  1757,  and,  with  their  approbation,  placed  in  this  room  in  1783 ;  WilUam 
IIL,  also  presented  by  the  Marquis  of  Rockingham,  and  suspended  in  ^ns 
room  at  the  same  time;  Sir  John  Lister  Kaye,  who  serred  the  office  of 
Lord  Mayor  in  1737;  Lord  Bingley,  who  was  Lord  Mayor  in  1707 ;  the  Mar- 
quia  of  Eockingham,  presented  to  the  Corporation,  by  Earl  Fitzwilliam,  in 
1783 ;  Lord  Dundas  (Lord  Mayor),  painted  by  John  Jackson,  Esq.,  R.A.,  in 
1822 ;  Sir  W,  M,  Milner,  Bart.  (Lord  Mayor),  painted  by  Hoppner,  at  the 
expense  of  the  Corporation ;  and  George  Prince  of  Wales  (afterwards  George 
IV.),  habited  in  the  robes  of  the  Garter,  and  accompanied  with  his  black 
valet.  This  latter  picture,  which  is  by  Hoppner,  was  presented  by  his  Royal 
Highness,  to  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Commonalty,  in  1811.  The  plate  of  the 
Corporation  is  most  valuable  and  elegant ;  the  greater  part  of  the  collection 
has  been  presented  at  various  times,  by  members  of  the  corporate  body. 

The  Civic  Eegalia  consists  of  two  fine  swords  and  the  mace,  the  gold  chains 
worn  by  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Lady  Mayoress,  the  staff  of  honour,  mentioned 
at  page  587,  and  the  ancient  Cap  of  Maintenance,  noticed  at  page  146.  The 
sword  ordinarily  used  is  set  in  rubies,  and  is  mounted  with  a  large  crystal, 
set  transparent.  The  state  sword,  only  borne  before  the  Sovereign  by  the 
Lord  Mayor,  is  double  handled,  and  of  great  weight,  and  has  a  crimson 
velvet  sheath,  with  gold  mountings  of  griffins ;  and  the  mace  is  of  silver  gilt 
The  gold  chain  worn  by  the  Lord  Mayor  weighs  15  oz.,  and  the  weight  of 
that  worn  by  the  Lady  Mayoress  is  13  oz. 

There  being  now  no  salary  allowed  to  the  Lord  Mayor,  the  hospitalities  of 
the  Mansion  House  are  maintained  at  his  own  expense ;  and  the  festivities 
take  place  in  the  above-mentioned  state  room.  Part  of  the  open  space  in 
£ront  of  this  mansion  was  formerly  occupied  by  several  old  and  high  houses, 
which  were  purchased  and  taken  down  in  1782. 

The  Judges'  House,  Lendal. — This  building  was  erected  by  Dr.  Wintring- 
ham,  an  eminent  physician  of  York,  who  died  in  1748,  on  the  site  of  the 
ancient  church,  or  part  of  the  church-yard,  of  St.  Wilfrid's  parish.  In  digging 
the  foundations  of  the  house  several  cart-loads  of  human  bones  were  dis- 
covered and  removed.  After  the  death  of  Dr.  Wintringham,  this  residence 
was  occupied  by  another  celebrated  physician,  Dr.  Dealtry,  or  Dawtry,  who 


TOPOORAPHT  OF  TORK.  697 

died  in  1778.  Part  of  the  kitchen  floor  originally  consisted  of  sculptured 
tomb-stones,  the  remains  of  the  ancient  graye  yard.  The  place  of  residence 
for  the  Judges  of  Assize  was  formerly  in  a  court  in  Coney  Street^  opposite 
the  George  Inn,  which  being  very  inconvenient  for  the  purpose,  the  county 
magistrates  purchased  this  building  in  1800,  out  of  the  county  rates,  and 
appropriated  it  to  the  use  of  the  Judges.  The  present  residence  is  a  large 
brick  mansion,  with  a  double  flight  of  stone  steps  in  front,  and  before  it  a 
neat  court,  with  trees  and  shrubs.  The  exterior  has  a  pleasing  efiect,  al- 
though without  any  pretension  to  architectural  display. 

Assembly  BoomSt  Blake  Street — ^This  magnificent  structure  was  designed 
by  the  Earl  of  Burlington,  the  architect  of  the  Mansion  House,  and  the 
foundation  stone  of  the  building  was  laid  by  the  Lord  Mayor  on  the  Ist  of 
March,  1730.  The  cost  of  the  site  and  building  (about  £5,000.)  was  raised 
by  subscription  shares  of  £25.  each,  or  double  shares  of  £50.  each ;  conse- 
quently the  property  belongs  to  a  select  number  of  shareholders,  and  the 
rooms  are  only  used  for  the  concerts  and  balls  of  the  nobility  and  gentry  of 
the  city  and  county.  The  front  entrance  was  originally  by  an  ascent  of  a 
few  steps,  under  a  portico  resting  upon  light  stone  columns,  and  surmounted 
by  balustrades ;  but  in  1828  a  new  and  elegant  facade  was  erected,  from  the 
designs  of  Messrs.  Pritchett  and  Sons,  of  York.  It  consists  of  a  centre  and 
wings,  slightly  marked ;  the  former  is  wholly  occupied  by  a  handsome  por- 
tico of  four  Ionic  columns,  with  a  pediment  Under  this  portico  is  a  spacious 
doorway  with  a  lintelled  head.  The  wings  are  recessed  with  a  half  Ionic 
column  on  each  side  of  a  window,  and  this  portion  of  the  building  is  finished 
with  a  balustrade.  The  vestibule  or  grand  entrance  is  82  feet  by  21,  and  21 
feet  high ;  on  each  side  of  it  is  another  vestibule,  and  behind  are  rooms  and 
offices  used  for  domestic  purposes.  Behind  the  right  vestibule  is  a  circular 
apartment,  21  feet  in  diameter,  with  a  cupola,  45  feet  in  height 

The  Egyptian  Hall,  or  grand  Assembly  Room,  is  a  magnificent  apartment, 
112  feet  long,  40  feet  wide,  and  40  feet  high.  This  room  is  from  a  design 
of  the  celebrated  Palladio ;  the  lower  part  is  of  the  Corinthian  order ;  and 
the  wall  above  is  supported  by  forty-four  elegant  columns  and  capitals  (six- 
teen on  each  side  of  the  room,  and  six  at  each  end),  ornamented  with  a 
beautiful  cornice.  The  upper  part  of  the  building  is  of  the  Composite  order, 
adorned  with  festoons  of  oak  leaves  and  acorns.  The  room  is  lighted  by 
forty-four  windows,  which  project  inward  from  the  lower  side  walls,  and  are 
supported  by  the  same  number  of  pilasters.  Behind  the  columns  a  passage 
runs  round  the  room,  and  in  the  walls  of  it  are  forty-five  recesses.  Dr. 
Smollett,  in  the  second  volume  of  his  **  Expedition  of  Humphrey  Clinker,'* 


698  TOPOOBAPHT  OF  TOBK. 

pays  this  room  the  following  compliment : — "  The  Assembly  Room  seems  to 
me  to  hare  been  built  upon  a  design  of  Palkdio,  and  might  be  conTorted  into 
an  elegant  place  of  worship ;  but  it  is  indifferently  contrived  for  that  sort  of 
idolatry  which  is  performed  in  it  at  present;  the  grandeur  of  the  fane  gives 
a  diminutive  effect  to  the  little  painted  divinities  that  are  adored  in  it ;  and 
the  company,  on  a  ball  night,  must  look  like  an  assembly  of  &ntastic  fedries 
revelling  by  moonlight  among  the  columns  of  a  Grecian  temple." 

Adjoining  this  is  the  lesser  assembly  room,  60  feet  by  8d,  and  Sd  feet  high, 
and  which  is  always  used  on  occasions  when  the  larger  one  is  not  required. 
It  is  fitted  up  with  requisite  accommodations  for  the  purpose,  and  at  the  end 
of  it  is  a  small  organ,  which,  however,  is  never  used.  The  ceiling  is  orna- 
mented in  stucco.  For  upwards  of  a  century  these  rooms  were  lighted  with 
wax  candles,  fixed  in  large  glass  chandeliers,  which  were  suspended  from  the 
top  of  the  rooms.  The  great  facilities  afforded  of  late  years  by  the  railways  to 
parties  desirous  of  attending  the  large  balls,  annually  given  by  the  Yorkshire 
Hunt  Club  and  the  Yeomanry  Cavalry,  &c.,  have  caused  the  directors  to 
give  their  attention  to  the  more  efficient  lighting  and  ventilating  the  rooms. 
Within  the  last  few  years  the  glass  chandeliers  have  been  removed  from 
the  large  room,  and  a  continued  series  of  gas  lights  arranged  above  the 
cornice,  as  also  a  row  of  projecting  gas  lights,  with  glass  globes,  round  the 
lower  part  of  the  room.  This  extremely  brilliant  illuminating  power  gives  to 
the  room  an  amount  of  light  far  beyond  conception,  and  renders  it  a  most 
beautiful  spectacle.  Three  large  ventilators  have  also  been  placed  in  the  roof 
of  the  room,  the  effect  of  which  is  to  render  it  comparatively  cod  when  con- 
taining from  eight  to  nine  hundred  persons.  The  building  stands  near  the 
site  of  the  ancient  parish  church  of  St.  Wilfrid.  A  few  years  ago,  when  the 
floor  of  the  large  room  was  relaid,  several  portions  of  an  ancient  porch,  which 
from  the  remains  must  have  been  nearly  as  fine  as  that  of  St  Margaret's 
Church,  York,  were  found  near  the  base  of  some  of  the  columns  which  deco- 
rate the  room ;  and  which,  in  all  probability,  belonged  to  that  church.  A 
large  circular  stone  well,  supposed  to  be  of  Saxon  construction,  was  also 
discovered  in  the  centre  of  the  same  room,  and  from  it  the  building  is 
supplied  with  very  fine  water. 

The  assemblies  at  these  rooms  are  now  very  weU  attended,  though  th^ 
were  much  exceeded  by  those  of  the  close  of  the  last  century,  when  York  was 
the  metropolis  of  the  north,  and  the  centre  of  attraction. 

Festival  Concert  Boom,  Museum  Street. — The  Assembly  Booms  not  being 
snfficientiy  large  for  the  great  audiences  that  usually  attended  the  grand 
evening  concerts  of  the  Yorkshire  Musical  Festivals,  it  was  resolved  to  exwi 


TOPOGRAPHY   OF   YORK.  699 

a  new  concert  room,  so  that  the  public  may  be  well  accommodated,  and  those 
charities,  to  whose  benefit  the  funds  of  the  festiyals  were  appropriated,  might 
not  continue  to  suffer  loss.  The  foundation  stone  of  the  building  was  laid 
on  the  28th  of  July,  1834,  by  the  Rt  Hon.  William  Dunslay,  Lord  Mayor, 
and  the  cost  of  the  erection  was  defrayed  chiefly  out  of  the  proceeds  of  the 
festival  of  the  preceding  year.  The  structure  is  spacious  and  elegant,  and 
stands  behind  the  Assembly  Room,  with  which  it  is  connected  by  a  pair  of 
folding  doors,  which  are  thrown  open  on  extraordinary  occasions.  The  in- 
ternal dimensions  of  the  room  are  95  feet  in  length,  60  feet  in  breadth,  and 
45  feet  in  height,  exclusive  of  the  orchestra,  which  occupies  a  semi-circular 
recess  at  one  end,  and  will  accommodate  144  performers.  A  gallery  20  feet 
deep  fills  the  other  end  of  the  room.  When  filled  the  room  will  hold  about 
2,000  persons,  without  the  orchestra.  The  walls  are  coloured  a  pale  straw 
tint,  and  at  intervals  occur  Ionic  pilasters,  which  support  a  superb  frieze, 
modelled  after  the  antique,  by  Rossi.  The  ceiling  is  designed  in  panels,  and 
has  a  tasteful  appearance.  A  cast  of  the  Apollo  stands  upon  the  landing  of 
the  gallery  steps.  Since  the  discontinuance  of  the  musical  ^ratiTals,  this 
room  has  chiefly  been  used  for  concerts,  balls,  and  public  meetings.  The 
entire  property  of  the  room  is  vested  in  the  hands  of  trustees  for  the  benefit  of 
the  York  County  Hospital,  and  the  Infirmaries  of  Leeds,  HuU,  and  Sheffield. 

The  York  Choral  Society,  an  association  of  amateurs,  are  tenants  of  the 
room  for  a  specified  number  of  evenings  in  the  year,  when  their  concerts 
take  place.  The  musical  performances  of  this  society  have  for  several  yeai^ 
been  amongst  the  most  delightful  amusements  connected  witii  the  city. 

The  society  was  instituted  in  1888,  and  its  sole  object  is  the  performance 
of  vocal  and  instrumental  music.  Meetings  for  practice  take  place  once  a 
week,  and  four  public  concerts  are  given  in  each  year.  Every  member  sub- 
scribing 5s.  per  ann.,  receives  two  tickets  for  each  concert ;  and  subscribers 
of  lOs.  per  ann.  have  four  tickets  for  each  concert  Performing  members  do 
not  pay  anything,  and  they  receive  two  tickets  each  for  every  concert  The 
concerts  are  of  a  mixed  character — one  part  being  sacred  and  the  other 
msBcellaneoas — and  professional  talent,  vocal  and  instrumental,  is  engaged 
according  to  circumstances.  The  society  numbers  about  300  members^ 
amongst  whom  are  the  Archbishop  of  York,  the  Hon.  Lady  Musgrave, 
Lord  Wenloek,  the  Dowager  Lady  Wenlock,  the  Dean  of  York,  the  Hon. 
and  Rev.  S.  W.  Lawley,  Rector  of  Escrick,  and  most  of  the  gentry  of  the 
city  and  neighbourhood. 

Theatre  Bayal. — The  present  Theatre^  which  is  a  curious  looking  brick 
building,  was  first  opened  in  the  month  of  January,  1765,  by  Mr.  Baker, 


600  TOPOGRAPHY   OF   TORK. 

the  predecessor,  and  afterwards  the  partner,  of  Mr.  Tate  Wilkinson.  It  was 
erected  on  the  site  of  a  more  ancient  building,  in  which  theatrical  representa* 
tion  were  exhibited.  Mr.  Wilkinson  afterwards  procured  a  Royal  Patent  for 
it,  and  conducted  the  establishment  with  much  credit  to  himself,  till  his 
death,  in  1805.  During  his  life  this  theatre  was  second  only  to  the  great 
national  theatre  in  Drury  Lane,  London,  and  a  great  many  of  the  best  actors, 
who  at  different  times  have  adorned  the  London  stage,  were  reared  on  the 
York  ''  boards."  The  late  celebrated  Charles  Matthews  was  one  of  the  most 
illustrious  of  these,  and  one  of  the  most  interesting  parts  of  the  memoir  of 
that  great  artiste,  published  by  his  widow,  relates  to  the  period  when  he  was 
a  member  of  Mr.  Wilkinson's  Company. 

The  present  front  towards  St.  Leonard's  Place  (the  entrance  to  the  boxes), 
with  its  arcade,  was  erected  on  the  formation  of  that  beautiful  crescent  Pre- 
viously the  only  entrance  was  from  the  top  of  Blake  Street,  throng  the 
present  doors  which  lead  to  the  pit  and  gallery.  That  part  of  the  building 
abutting  on  St  Leonard's  Place,  stands  upon  an  ancient  stone  vault,  sup- 
posed by  some  to  be  part  of  the  remains  of  St.  Leonard's  Hospital,  and  bj 
others  to  be  one  of  the  crypts  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  which  was  destroyed  by 
fire  in  King  Stephen's  reign,  a.d.  1137.* 

The  interior  of  the  theatre,  which  is  spacious,  has  been  several  times  re- 
modelled, and  for  its  size  is  now  one  of  the  prettiest  play-houses  in  the 
kingdom.  The  stage  is  87  feet  deep  by  44  high.  The  company  of  the  Yoi^ 
Theatrical  Circuit,  which  includes  Leeds  and  Hull,  usually  commences  their 
"  season  "  here  in  March ;  but  the  theatre  is  also  open  in  the  race  and  o&er 
public  weeks.  The  house  adjoining  the  old  entrance  to  the  theatre  was  for- 
merly the  residence  of  the  manager. 

The  large  house  at  the  upper  end  of  Blake  Street,  near  the  theatre,  wis 
erected  by  Sir  William  Robinson,  Bart,  an  ancestor  of  the  present  EmA  ^ 
Grey,  who  was  then  representative  of  YoriL  in  Parliament.  In  front  are  ^^ 
arms  of  the  city,  which  were  placed  there  by  Sir  William,  merely  on  acootint 
of  his  holding  the  ground  by  lease  from  the  Corporation. 

Yorkshire  Club  House.— The  "  Yorkshire  Club,"  for  the  nobility  and  gentiy 
of  the  county,  was  established  in  1888,  and  the  Club  House,  which  is  & 
handsome  building,  is  in  the  centre  of  the  crescent  called  St  Leonard's 
Place.  The  Club  numbers  about  340  members ;  the  entrance  fee  of  each 
member  is  ten  guineas,  and  the  annual  subscription  is  £5. 

•  These  vaults,  which  are  very  perfect,  and  supported  by  short  massy  pillars,  are  ^ 
used  as  porter  stores. 


TUFOUKAPHY    OF    YOBK.  001 

De  Orey  Rooms. — This  building  is  also  in  St.  Leonard  s  Place,  and  i»  the 
property  of  a  Joint  Stock  Company,  with  a  capital  of  iB6,000.,  in  £^6.  shares. 
The  company  was  formed  in  1841,  and  the  building  commenced  forthwith. 
It  is  chiefly  intended  for  the  accommodation  of  the  mess  of  the  officers  of  the 
Yorkshire  Hussars,  during  the  annual  visit  of  that  regiment  to  York,  and 
the  barristers*  ordinary  at  the  Assizes,  but  it  is  often  used  for  concerts,  balls, 
public  entertainments,  and  meetings.  A  large  number  of  the  shares  are  held 
by  the  officers  of  the  regiment,  and  the  gentlemen  of  the  northern  circuit 

The  exterior  of  the  house  is  handsome,  the  principal  story  having  seven 
tall  circuhu>headed  windows,  in  front  of  which  a  parapet  and  iron  balustrade 
runs  the  whole  length  of  the  building.  The  principal  room  is  a  very  fine 
apartment,  partly  lighted  from  the  top.  There  is  an  orchestra  at  the  end  of 
it,  and  from  the  wall  hangs  a  fine  whole  length  painting  of  Earl  de  Grey,  in 
full  costume,  as  Colonel  of  the  Yorkshire  Hussars. 

The  County  Gaolf  commonly  called  York  Ccatle,  occupies,  as  we  have 
shown  at  page  337,  the  site  of  an  ancient  fortress,  which  was  converted  into 
a  county  prison  after  it  ceased  to  be  a  military  post.  Previous  to  the  altera- 
tions, which  commenced  in  1826,  the  entrance  to  the  Castle  was  by  folding 
doors,  and  a  porter^s  lodge,  from  Castlegate,  on  the  north  side  of  Clifford's 
Tower,  and  a  stone,  with  the  City  Arms  carved  thereon,  might  have  been 
seen  within  twenty  yards  of  the  gates,  to  mark  the  boundary  of  the  city ;  and 
on  the  opening  of  the  Assizes,  the  SherifiGs  of  York  waited  here  to  receive  the 
Judge,  and  accompany  him  to  the  Guild-Hall.  The  present  entrance  is  firom 
Tower  Street,  at  the  south  side  of  Clifford's  Tower.  The  great  gate  of 
entrance,  which  is  pointed,  has  now  a  very  imposing  appearance,  being 
flanked  by  two  massy  circular  towers,  with  embattled  parapets,  loopholes,  <&c. 
Over  the  doorway,  in  a  small  panel,  are  the  Koyal  Arms  of  George  IV., 
carved  in  imitation  of  those  of  the  period  of  Edward  IV .  From  the  top  of 
this  structure  rises  a  subordinate  square  building,  with  small  turrets  at  the 
angles,  and  the  whole  has  a  very  bold  but  yet  chaste  appearance.  The  gate- 
house, which  is  fire  proof,  was  erected  from  the  designs  of  the  late  P.  F. 
Robinson,  Esq.,  F.S.A. ;  the  first  stone  having  been  laid  on  the  30th  of 
March,  1820,  by  the  Hon.  M.  Langley,  High  Sheriff  of  Yorkshire.  The 
interior  of  the  left  hand  tower,  and  the  building  over  the  archway,  are  fitted 
up  for  a  record  room  and  offices  for  the  clerk  of  Assize,  Ac. ;  and  the  petty 
sessions  for  the  three  Ridings  are  held  in  the  office  of  the  clerk  of  Assize. 
The  right  hand  tower  is  the  porter's  residence.  The  lo%  and  splendid  walls, 
which  circumscribe  a  large  area,  enclosing  the  old  gaol,  Clifford's  Tower,  &c., 
^were  rebuilt  at  the  same  time,  in  a  style  uniform  with  that  of  the  gateway, 

4  H 


602  XOPOORAPHT   OF  YORK. 

having  uumerous  buttresses  at  regular  intervals,  with  an  embattled  parapet 
A  broad  semicircolar  avenue  round  the  north  side  of  the  base  of  Clifford's 
Tower,  leads  to  the  inner  entrance  to  the  Castle  yard.  The  whole  of  the 
buildings,  the  area  of  Clifford's  Tower,  and  the  outer  walls,  cover  nearly  eight 
acres>  The  interior  walls  of  the  Castle  yard  are  1,100  yards  in  circum- 
ference, enclosing  a  pleasant  and  open  area  of  about  one  acre,  with  a  large 
grass  plot  in  the  centre,  and  a  gravel  walk  entirely  round  it  The  county 
meetings  for  the  election  of  Knights  of  the  shire  and  other  public  business, 
are  held  in  this  yard,  which  will  contain  about  40,000  people.  The  bmldings 
form  three  sides  ef  the  square,  the  fourth  side  being  partly  formed  by  the 
mound  upon  which  stand  the  ruins  of  Clifford's  Tower. 

The  Old  Bwldingzy  which  occupy,  as  we  have  stated,  the  site  of  the 
towers  of  the  ancient  castle,  were  completed  in  1706;  the  expense  being 
defrayed  by  a  tax  of  three-pence  in  the  pound  on  all  lands,  &c.,  in  the  county 
of  Yoris,  in  pursuance  of  an  Act  of  Parliament  This  building  consists  of  a 
centre  and  two  projecting  wings,  and  a  handsome  turret  surmounts  the  centre 
of  the  edifice,  with  a  dock  and  belL  Until  the  new  buildings  were  opened, 
this  edifice  was  tiie  piison  for  d^tors  and  felons,  and  also  the  governor's 
apartments  and  the  chapel ;  but  since  then  it  is  set  apart  exdusively  for  the 
confinement  of  male  debtors. 

In  1825  the  Magistrates  of  the  county  purchased  and  enclosed  a  con- 
siderable space  north  east  of  Clifford's  Tower,  and  in  the  following  year  the 
erection  of  the  new  prison  and  the  other  alterations  commenced.  The  new 
felons'  gad  forms  the  semi-diameter  of  a  cirde,  vritii  the  governor's  honse  in 
the  centre,  and  there  is  not  in  England  a  more  handsome  or  better  con- 
structed prison.  The  governor's  house  is  an  exceedingly  neat  bmlding, 
circular  in  shape,  and  so  constructed  that  the  whole  prison  may  be  inspected 
from  it  The  prison  consists  of  four  radiating  double  lines  of  building,  with 
eight  airing  courts.  To  each  prisoner  is  allotted  a  distinct  cell,  but  there 
are  cells  in  each  ward  which  will  accommodate  three  prisoners  each.  The 
buildings  are  five  proof,  and  contrived  with  great  ingenuity  to  prevoit  the 
escape  of  the  persons  confined.  The  entire  cost  of  the  works  was  igd08,530., 
and  was  discharged  by  an  annual  rate  of  l^d.  in  the  pound  during  the  twelve 
years  the  alterations  were  in  progress.  York  Castle  now  affi>rds  acoommo- 
dation  to  about  SOO  criminal  prisoners,  and  160  debtors. 

•  On  the  Castle  Hill,  before  the  building  of  the  new  walls,  were  several  gentiemen^ 
bouses,  one  of  which  was  oooupied  hj  Sir  Henry  Thompson,  of  EscridE,  ^o  reivreaenteA 
York  in  four  Parliaments  in  the  reign  of  Charles  XL 


TOPOORAPHT  OF  YORK.  603 

The  large  and  handsome  building  opposite  the  county  courts  contains  the 
chapel  and  the  female  wards,  both  criminals  and  debtors.  It  was  erected  in 
1780/  and  considerably  enlarged  three  years  afterwards.  The  whole  length 
of  this  building  is  150  feet,  and  its  front  is  adorned  with  an  elegant  colonnade 
with  four  Ionic  pillars,  corresponding  to  the  County  Hall.  In  a  smaU  room 
near  the  governor's  house,  are  presenred  the  curiosities  of  the  Castle,  quaintly 
called  the  King's  Plate,  consisting  of  the  deadly  weapons  with  which  murders 
have  been  committed,  and  the  heavy  chains  of  the  most  notorious  malefactors 
who  have  been  at  different  times  confined  in  the  Castle,  and  amongst  them 
are  the  massive  irons  with  which  the  noted  highwayman  Dick  Turpin  was 
bound.  There  are  also  casts,  in  plaster,  of  several  criminals  who  were  exe- 
cuted  here.    Mr.  John  Noble  is  the  present  governor. 

The  County  HaU  stands  on  the  west  side  of  the  entrance  to  the  court  yard. 
This  part  of  the  Castle  was  built  at  the  expense  of  the  county  in  1078,  and 
rebuilt  by  the  same  means  in  1777.  It  is  an  elegant  structure  of  the  Ionic 
order,  160  feet  in  length  and  45  in  breadth.  The  entrance  to  it  is  by  a  por- 
tico of  four  Ionic  columns,  80  feet  in  height,  and  attached  antaB,  over  which 
is  a  pediment,  surmounted  by  a  statue  of  Justice  and  other  emblematical 
figures.  The  front  corresponds  in  style,  size,  and  elegance,  with  the  noble 
building  standing  opposite  to  it.  The  interior  is  divided  into  three  parts. 
At  the  south  end  is  the  Crown  Court,  for  criminal  proceedings ;  at  the  north 
end  the  Nisi  Prkia  Court,  for  civil  business.  In  the  middle  is  a  large 
vestibule,  into  which  open  several  supplementary  offices.  The  courts  are 
crowned  with  a  dome,  ten  feet  high,  supported  by  twelve  Corinthian  columns. 
Behind  the  Grand  Jury  room  is  the  place  for  the  execution  of  criminals, 
where  a  temporary  scaffolding  is  erected  for  the  purpose.  It  was  first  used 
for  the  sacrifice  of  human  life  to  the  offended  laws,  on  the  9Bth  of  August, 
180d ;  and  previous  to  that  date,  felons,  condemned  to  die,  were  executed  at 
Tyburn,  near  the  race  course. 

In  1805  or  1806,  the  workmen  who  were  preparing  to  erect  the  present 
wall  behind  the  Grand  Jury  room,  discovered  the  remains  of  a  Roman  wall, 
upon  which  ancient  foundation  they  raised  the  new  wall.  A  block  of  free 
stone,  inscribed  Civitati,  in  Norman  characters,  was  also  found  at  the  same 
time,  whilst  the  men  were  digging  a  drain,  which  was  supposed  to  have  been 
a  boundary  stone,  placed  there  in  the  reign  of  the  Conqueror.  Though  the 
Assizes  for  the  three  Ridings  are  held  here,  the  Castle  ia  not  within  any  of 
them,  nor  is  it  in  the  jurisdiction  of  the  city ;  it  is  Extra-Parochial,  though 
it  is  assessed,  and  bears  charges  to  the  parish  of  St.  Mary,  Castlegate.    The 


604  TOPOGRAPHY   OF   YORK. 

High  Sheriff  of  Yorkshire  for  the  present  year  (1B55)  is  James  Brown,  Esq., 
of  Copgrove,  near  Knareshorough. 

The  City  Home  of  Correction,  formerly  the  City  Gaol,  for  the  use  of  the 
city  and  Ainsty,  was  erected  near  the  site  of  the  Skeldei^te  Postern,  and 
close  heueath  the  Baile  Hill,  between  the  years  1802  and  1807.  The  ga4^ 
for  the  imprisonment  and  oorrection  of  **  lesser  criminals,"  was  formerly  a 
part  of  St.  Anthony's  Hall,  on  Peaseholme  Green ;  bat  in  the  year  1814  a 
new  House  of  Correction  was  completed  on  Toft  Green,  at  the  joint  expense 
of  the  city  and  Ainsty.  After  the  latter  district  was  added  to  the  county  tn 
1836,  all  the  committals  from  that  quarter  were,  of  course,  made  to  York 
Castle,  and  the  gaol  on  Toft  Green  was  afterwards  sold  to  the  Railway  Com- 
pany, for  dS5,000.,  and  its  site  is  now  included  in  the  Railway  Station. 

A  contract  has  been  entered  into  between  the  Corporation  of  the  city 
and  the  Magistrates  of  the  county,  for  the  custody  of  the  city  criminals, 
and  debtors  at  the  Castle,  so  that  the  business  of  the  present  gaol  is  now 
confined  to  the  safe  keeping  and  correction  of  persons  convicted  of  minor 
offences.  The  executions  at  this  prison,  whilst  it  was  used  as  the  city 
gaol,  were  happily  very  rare ;  but  when  they  did  occur,  the  horrid  ceremony 
took  place  on  a  scaffold  erected  without  the  wall,  next  to  the  Old  Baile  Hil), 
and  an  opening  was  made  in  the  wall  to  admit  the  culprit  to  pass  through. 
The  edifice  is  entirely  of  stone,  surrounded  by  a  high  brick  wall.  The  prin- 
cipal building  consists  of  a  centre  and  wings,  the  former  furnished  with  a 
pediment.  On  the  roof  of  this  building  is  an  octagonal  turret,  with  an 
hemispherical  dome  and  vane.  There  are  cells  for  the  accommodatioo  of 
seventy  prisoners.     Mr.  John  Raper  is  the  present  governor. 

On  the  east  side  of  the  old  Ouse  bridge  stood  a  Ocud  for  Debton,  which 
was  built  in  the  16th  century.  In  1724  this  gaol,  and  a  small  dwelliiig 
house  ac^oining,  were  purchased  by  the  Corporation.  They  were  immedi- 
ately taken  down,  and  a  more  commodious  prison  erected,  but  this  was 
removed  in  1810,  when  the  present  bridge  across  the  Ouse  was  built  Drake 
tells  us  that  the  high  tower  of  Monk  Bar  was  formerly  used  as  a  prison  for 
the  freemen  of  the  city. 

Post  Office,  Lendal. — This  is  a  plain  but  commodious  brick  building,  onc^ 
story  in  height,  erected  in  1840.  The  business  of  the  Post  Office  was  pre- 
viously attended  to,  for  more  than  a  century,  in  the  first  building  in  Lendal, 
near  the  Mansion  House.     Mr.  Joshua  Oldfield  is  the  postmaster. 

Trade  Halls. — As  has  already  been  observed,  there  were  formerly  here 
several  trading  guilds  or  fraternities  possessing  many  peculiar  privileges,  nov 


T0P06RAFHT   OF   YORK.  605 

obselete.     Many  of  these  guilds  possessed  common  halls,  and  two  of  them 
are  yet  in  existence. 

The  Merchants*  Hall,  or  ''  Cfilda  Mercatomm"  York,  is  situated  in  Foss- 
gate,  and  is  the  property  of  '*  The  Merchant  Adventurers'  Company,*'  ori> 
ginally  established  in  this  city  at  a  veiy  early  period.  This  company  being 
free  of  the  five  Hanse  towns,  enjoyed  many  valuable  privileges  on  the  impor- 
tation of  goods  hence ;  but  it  has  survived  all  the  fluctuations,  and  the  final 
decline  of  the  foreign  commerce  of  the  city.  The  Reform  Bill  of  1832 
deprived  this  and  aU  similar  firatemities  of  the  remnant  of  their  privileges ; 
but  the  funds  of  this  company  having  been  extended  by  several  considerable 
donations,  it  yet  exists,  but  more  in  the  character  of  a  charitable  body  than 
that  of  a  society  of  merchants.  The  ancient  seal  of  the  company  is  stOl 
preserved.  It  is  of  brass,  and  is  in  fine  preservation.  It  exhibits  two  figures 
— one  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  and  the  other  a  personification  of  Commerce ; 
'*  thus  denoting  that  the  mercantile  institution  was  grafted  on  one  which 
originally  had  been  monastic."  The  legend  or  inscription  is  as  follows : — 
**SigiUum  CanobU  hoipUaliUr  fratrvm  et  sororum  Beata  Maria  Virginis  Juxta 
Portam  Fossa  Ebor. ;"  which  is  thus  translated — '*  Seal  of  the  Monastery  of 
the  brethren  and  sisters  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  near  Fossgate,  York." 
The  Hall  is  of  great  antiquity,  and  is  stated  by  tradition  to  have  been  built 
out  of  the  remains  of  a  religious  house,  called  Trinity  Chapel.  A  piece  of 
garden  ground  behind  the  building  is  supposed  to  have  been  used  as  a  place 
of  interment ;  quantities  of  human  bones  having  been  thrown  up  at  various 
periods.  Over  the  entrance  gateway  are  the  corroded  arms  of  the  Merchants 
of  the  Staple.  A  flight  of  stone  steps  from  the  court  yard  leads  to  the  prin- 
cipal rooms  in  the  hall,  which  consist  of  two  antique  apartments,  each  65 
feet  long,  25  feet  wide,  and  about  14  feet  in  height,  which  originally  formed 
one  room.  The  inner  room,  which  is  neatiy  fitted  up,  and  ornamented  with 
several  good  portraits  of  different  Governors  of  the  Company,  as  well  as  a  full 
length  portrait  of  George  I.,  is  the  one  in  which  the  Company  holds  its 
quarterly  courts,  and  breakfast  or  dine  together  twice  a  year ;  and  the  other 
large  room  is  used  occasionaUy  for  public  meetings  and  exhibitions.  On  the 
ground  floor  is  a  small  chapel,  and  a  hospital  for  ten  poor  people,  called 
Trinity  Hospital.  The  chapel  was  built  in  1411,  and  repaired  at  various 
periods.  Divine  service  is  performed  in  it  for  the  Company  on  the  26th  of 
March — called  the  Charter  Day — and  on  one  or  two  other  days  in  the  year. 
The  hospital  has  already  been  described  at  page  575  of  this  history.  The 
workmanship  of  this  ancient  hall  is  very  massy,  the  waUs  are  of  great  thick- 
ness, and  the  roof  is  composed  of  immense  planks  of  fine  old  English  oak,  in 


606  TOFOORAPHT   OF  TORK. 

excellent  preservation.  There  are  records  in  the  chest  of  the  Merchants* 
Company  of  as  early  a  date  as  the  reign  of  King  Stephen.  Persons  serving 
an  apprenticeship  of  eight  years  to  a  "  Merchant  *'  of  the  Company,  become 
members  upon  payment  of  some  small  fees ;  and  others  become  "  Merchant 
Adventurers/*  by  being  elected  by  ballot,  and  by  paying  an  entrance  fine. 
There  are  now  about  forty  members  in  the  Company. 

Merchant  Tailan'  Hall, — ^This  building  is  situated  in  a  court  in  Aldwaik, 
aud  belongs  to  the  ancient  Company  of  Merchant  Tailors  of  York ;  which 
fraternity  now  resembles  the  Merchant  Adventurers'  Company  in  every  pcur- 
ticular:  the  privileges  of  the  members  are  merely  nominal.  They  hold 
meetings  in  their  hall,  and  on  the  SOth  of  June  the  anniversary  of  the  Com- 
pany is  celebrated,  when  they  elect  officers  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  attend 
a  sermon  in  the  church  of  St.  Crux,  which  is  preached  on  that  day  by  their 
chaplain.  The  Hall  is  an  ancient  red  brick  building,  the  principal  room  of 
which  is  spacious,  and  was  formerly  occupied  as  a  theatre.  It  is  now  used 
as  a  National  School  for  girls.  This  room  had  formerly  an  arched  wooden 
roof,  now  concealed  by  one  of  plaster.  In  the  window  is  a  piece  of  stained 
glass,  representing  two  angels  supporting  a  bust  of  Queen  Anne,  and  be- 
neath are  the  arms  of  the  Company,  with  the  following  inscription : — 

"  This  Company  had  beene  dignified  in  the  yeare  1679  by  haoing  in  their  fratarnity 
eight  Kings,  eleven  Dnkes,  thirty  Earles,  and  forty-four  Lords." 

The  ancient  hospital  or  almshouses  in  connection  with  this  fraternity  has 
been  already  noticed  at  page  57S  of  this  history. 

The  Merchant  Tailors'  Company  possess  some  ancient  plate,  consisting  of 
four  pieces  of  silver,  viz.,  two  tankards,  a  large  cup,  and  a  salver.  There  is 
here,  as  in  some  other  cities,  a  OoldsmiUis*  Company,  which  is  authorized  by 
Act  of  Parliament  to  elect  two  Wardens  annually,  and  also  to  appoint  an 
Assay  Master. 

The  Haberdashers'  Hall  stood  in  Walmgate,  at  the  comer  of  Neutgate 
Lane,  now  St.  George's  Street,  and  was  erected  by  Sir  Eobert  Watter,  Ent, 
who  served  the  office  of  Lord  Mayor  in  the  years  1591  and  1603.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Haberdashers'  Company,  and  he  built  the  hall  for  his 
brethren  of  the  trade  to  assemble  in.  It  was  a  very  ancient  timber  building, 
and  after  it  ceased  to  be  used  by  the  Haberdashers,  it  was  divided  and  let 
in  small  tenements.  It  was  removed  a  few  years  ago,  when  the  street  was 
improved  and  widened.  Sir  R.  Watter  founded  an  hospital  or  almshouse  in 
this  locality,  which  is  noticed  at  page  576  of  this  volume. 

The  Company  of  Cordwainers  was  another  of  the  fraternities  which  were 


TOPOGRAPHY   OF   YORK.  607 

united  at  York,  for  the  protection  and  encouragement  of  tbeir  respective 
trades.  A  large  and  handsome  bowl,  which  belong  to  them,  is  now  deposited 
in  the  vestiy  of  the  Minster.  (See  page  439.)  This  Company  was  dissolved 
in  1808.  The  almshouse,  called  Maison  Dieu,  noticed  at  571,  was  con- 
nected with  it. 

Medical  Institutions. — York  County  Hospital,  Monkgate. — This  insti- 
tution chiefly  owes  its  foundation  to  a  legacy  of  £500.  left  in  1740,  by  Lady 
Elizabeth  Hastings,  "  for  the  relief  of  the  deceased  poor  of  the  city  and  county 
of  York."  This  fund  being  augmented  about  the  same  time  by  other  bene- 
volent persons,  the  hospital  was  soon  after  erected.  The  building,  which 
stood  in  Monkgate,  having  become  inadequate  to  the  requirements  of  the 
institution — ^in  consequence  of  the  great  increase  in  the  population — ^it  was 
taken  down  in  1850,  and  the  present  hospital  was  erected  and  opened  in 
1851.  It  stands  several  yards  to  the  rear  of  the  spot  upon  which  the  old 
hospital  stood,  and  is  an  elegant  and  extensive  range  of  buildings,  four  stories 
in  height,  with  a  handsome  Italian  front.  The  basement  story  is  of  stone, 
and  the  remainder  of  the  building  is  of  red  brick,  with  cut  stone  dressings. 
The  cost  of  the  structure  was  about  £11,000.,  of  which  sum  £7,000.  was 
raised  by  subscription  in  the  county,  and  the  remainder  was  taken  from  the 
funds  of  the  charity.  The  Messrs.  Atkinson,  of  York,  were  the  architects. 
The  interior  is  perfect  in  its  arrangements,  and  will  accommodate  130 
patients.  Persons  suffering  from  infectious  or  contagious  disorders  are  not 
admitted  as  in-patients.  The  number  of  patients  annually  admitted  into  the 
hospital  is  about  500.  The  annual  income  of  the  institution,  including  real 
and  personal  estates,  subscriptions,  &c.,  now  amounts  to  about  £8,000. 

Clinical  lectures  are  given  by  the  physicians  and  surgeons  of  the  hospital, 
and  certificates  of  attendance  on  the  medical  and  surgical  practice  of  the 
hospital,  coiyointiy  with  the  dispensaiy,  are  received  by  the  Boyal  College  of 
Boigeons,  and  the  Society  of  Apothecaries,  London.  The  government  of  the 
hospital  is  vested  in  the  hands  of  the  trustees  and  governors,  who  hold 
quarterly  courts  in  the  board  room. 

The  Medical  Ldhrary  was  established  in  1810  by  the  subscriptions  and 
donations  of  eighteen  members  of  the  medical  profession,  resident  in  York, 
aided  by  the  contributions  of  several  of  their  fellow  citizens,  who  were  friends 
to  tiie  diffusion  of  medical  knowledge.  In  order  to  secure  the  perpetuity  of 
the  institution,  as  well  as  to  avoid  the  expense  of  rent  and  a  librarian's 
salary,  it  was  resolved  that  the  books  should  be  the  property  of  the  trustees 
of  the  County  Hospital ;  the  office  of  librarian  being,  with  the  consent  of  the 
governors  of  the  hospital,  annexed  to  that  of  house-surgeon.    The  library  is 


608  TOPOGRAPHY  OF  YORK. 

regularly  enriched  by  the  best  medical  publications  of  the  day,  and  it  now 
contains  about  1,000  volumes  of  the  most  valuable  standard  medical  works, 
and  some  of  the  best  and  most  expensive  anatomical  plates  published.  It  is 
under  the  exclusive  management  of  its  subscribers,  who  must  be  medical 
practitioners  residing  in  York.  The  medical  officers  of  the  hospital  enjoy 
no  privileges  distinct  from  the  rest,  with  regard  to  the  use  and  management 
of  the  library.     The  annual  subscription  is  one  guinea. 

The  York  School  of  Medicine  was  established  in  1834,  the  County  Hospital 
and  the  Dispensary  being  united  in  its  formation.  The  session  is  divided 
into  two  terms,  a  winter  and  a  summer  term ;  during  which  period  lectures 
are  delivered  to  the  students  in  the  lecture  room  of  the  County  Hospital,  by 
several  able  medical  gentlemen  resident  in  the  city.  The  Museum  of  Ana- 
tomy, comprising  the  collection  of  the  late  Mr.  James  Atkinson,  is  open  to 
the  students  daily  during  the  session.  Attendance  on  the  course  of  lectures 
also  qualifies  for  examination  at  the  Royal  College  of  Surgoons,  and  at 
Apothecaries*  Hall,  London. 

The  Medical  Society  was  founded  in  1882,  for  the  advancement  and  dif- 
fusion of  medical  knowledge.  Its  meetings  are  held  at  the  Dispensary  oa  the 
evenings  of  every  alternate  Saturday,  from  the  beginning  of  October  to  the 
end  of  April.     There  is  a  Medical  Library  in  connection  with  this  Society. 

York  Dispensary,  New  Street. — This  institution  for  the  relief  of  the  fflck 
poor  was  opened  in  1788.  It  is  maintained  by  subscription,  and  is  one  of 
the  most  efficient  and  truly  useful  charities  of  the  city.  It  was  originallj 
conducted  in  a  room  in  the  Merchants*  Hall,  Foss-gate,  from  whence,  in 
1806,  it  was  removed  to  St  Andrewgate,  where  it  continued  tiU  the  erection 
of  the  present  building ;  the  foundation  stone  of  which  was  laid  in  1827,  by 
the  late  Mr.  Alderman  Wilson.  The  cost  of  the  erection  was  ^£1,950., 
including  the  site,  and  it  was  opened  in  1838.  It  is  a  neat  stone  edifice* 
with  a  small  Doric  portico  of  four  columns.  The  interior  is  well  arranged, 
having  a  large  waiting  room,  with  a  lantern  light,  with  the  various  offices 
around  it.  Some  of  the  principal  medical  men  of  the  city  are  connected 
with  this  dispensary. 

The  Institution  for  Diseases  of  the  Ear,  Merchant's  Hall,  Fossgate,  whicb 
is  the  only  one  in  the  north  of  England  devoted  exclusivelj  to  the  treatment 
of  affections  of  the  organ  of  hearing,  was  opened  about  four  years  ago> 
chiefly  through  the  instrumentality  of  James  Allen,  Esq.,  of  this  city,  vbo 
is  now  the  treasurer  of  the  institution.  It  is  supported  by  voluntary  oontn- 
butions,  and  gratuitous  advice  is  afiforded  to  the  poor  every  Saturday  «^ 
noon.    Mr.  Oswald  A.  Moore  is  the  surgeon. 


TOPOORAPHT   or   YORK.  609 

The  Inttitutionfar  Dise(ue$  of  the  Eye,  Merchant  Tailors'  Hall,  Aldwark, 
was  established  in  1831,  for  the  relief  of  the  poor,  labouring  under  diseases 
of  the  eye.  Attendance  on  Tuesdays  and  Saturdays  at  IS  o'clock.  A  donor 
of  JS5.,  or  an  annual  subscriber  of  10s.,  has  the  right  of  recommending 
patients,  and  of  voting  at  general  meetings.  The  medical  officers  are  Dr. 
Belcombe,  physician,  and  Messrs.  Reed  and  Paley,  surgeons. 

The  Homeopathic  Diepemary,  Bootham,  was  founded  in  1851,  for  the  cure 
of  cases  solely  on  Homeopathic  principles. 

Aeylttmfor  the  Insane ,  Bootham. — Established  in  pursuance  of  resolutions 
passed  at  a  county  meeting,  held  in  the  Castle  of  York,  on  the  27th  of 
August,  1772.  The  original  intention  was  to  confine  it  to  pauper  lunatics 
only,  or  to  such  as  belonged  to  indigent  families.  The  present  site  was  pur- 
chased ;  a  plan  was  prepared  for  a  building  calculated  to  contain  54  patients ; 
and  on  the  20th  of  September,  1777,  the  building  being  nearly  completed, 
apartments  were  opened  for  ten  patients  at  8s.  per  week.  At  this  time  there 
were  only  four  similar  institutions  in  the  kingdom,  namely,  two  in  London,  one 
at  Manchester,  and  the  other  at  Newcastle.  In  August,  1784,  it  was  deter- 
mined that  a  limited  number  of  opulent  patients  should  be  admitted  for  the 
benefit  of  the  institution,  and  in  1795  an  extensive  wing  was  added  to  the 
premises.  The  false  principles  upon  which  most  of  our  institutions  for  the 
treatment  of  lunatics  were  formerly  conducted,  prevailed  in  this  asylum.  In 
1818  Mr.  S.  Tuke  published  his  account  of  the  "  Retreat  *'  Lunatic  Asylum, 
and  a  passage  in  it,  recommending  a  more  mild  method  of  treatment  for  the 
insane,  than  had  been  generally  adopted,  was  made  the  subject  of  a  letter 
from  the  physician  of  this  asylum  (Dr.  Best),  in  one  of  the  York  news- 
papers. A  public  controversy  on  the  subject  ensued,  which  terminated  fa- 
tally to  the  physician,  though  beneficially  to  the  asylum.  An  investigatioa 
into  the  alleged  abuses  of  the  institution  was  set  on  foot,  and  it  soon  became 
evident  that  but  very  defective  attention  was  paid  to  the  comfort,  clothing, 
and  diet  of  the  inmates,  and  to  the  ventilation  and  cleanliness  of  the  establish- 
ment Whilst  the  investigation  was  pending,  and  whilst  public  attention 
was  excited  towards  the  asylum,  a  detached  wing  of  the  building  was  acci- 
dentally destroyed  by  fire,  on  the  evening  of  the  28th  of  December,  1814. 
This  dreadful  calamity  was  still  more  afiecting,  from  the  circumstance  of 
many  of  the  patients  being  locked  up  in  their  rooms,  and  from  the  principal 
part  of  the  servants  being  from  home ;  the  sad  consequence  being  that  four 
patients,  who  had  been  chained  to  the  walls,  perished  in  the  flames.  The 
premises  were  insured  in  the  County  Fire  Office  for  the  sum  of  £2,892.  A 
further  investigation  immediately  ensued,  which  led  to  the  exposure  of  some 

4  I 


610'  TOPOORAPHT   OF   YORK. 

shameful  and  even  criminal  abuses ;  and  the  whole  terminated  in  the  dis- 
missal of  every  servant  and  officer  employed  in  attending  on  the  patients,  the 
resignation  of  the  physician,  and  the  complete  reorganization  of  the  whole 
establishment,  under  the  direction  of  the  superintendent  of  the  before-men- 
tioned Retreat ;  and  since  that  period  the  institution  has  been  in  efficient 
and  prosperous  operation,  and  the  rate  of  mortality  has  materially  diminished. 
"  The  York  Lunatic  Asylum,  in  the  bestowal  of  its  charity,"  says  the  Report 
of  the  Medical  Superintendent  for  the  year  ending  June  1st,  1853,  "is  not 
limited  to  the  upper  and  wealthier  classes,  it  extends  its  benefits  alike  to  the 
reduced  and  the  comparatively  indigent.  It  receives  patients  suffering  under 
every  form  and  in  every  stage  of  mental  derangement :  it  shelters  alike  the 
raving  maniac  of  but  a  few  days,  and  the  hopeless  imbecile  of  a  score  years/* 

The  Building  is  of  red  brick,  and  is  a  handsome  structure,  182  feet  long, 
52  feet  in  depth,  and  three  stories  high.  The  ascent  to  it  is  by  five  stone 
steps ;  the  lowest  story  is  rustic,  from  which  four  stone  columns  are  carried 
up  to  the  entablature,  which  is  finished  by  a  pediment  On  the  top  of  the 
building  is  an  elegant  cylindrical  bell  tower,  surrounded  with  small  columns, 
and  surmounted  with  a  cupola  and  vane.  The  ground  floor  comprises  six 
day  rooms  for  the  patients,  with  access  to  five  airing  courts  adjoining  the 
building ;  a  broad  and  handsome  staircase  leads  to  the  two  upper  stories,  in  the 
first  of  which  are  two  sitting  rooms  and  several  bed  rooms,  ranged  on  each 
side  of  a  long  gallery.  The  other  story  is  constructed  in  the  same  way,  and 
comprises  lodging  rooms  only.  Behind  the  front  building  is  a  small  octagon 
erection,  containing  the  kitchen,  and  a  sitting  room  for  females,  and  near  it 
is  a  building  containing  a  series  of  apartments  for  female  patients,  which  was 
erected  at  a  great  expense,  and  opened  in  1817.  The  house  is  surrounded 
by  gardens  and  pleasure  grounds,  and  contains  all  the  modem  improvements 
connected  witli  the  treatment  of  lunacy.  The  non-restraint  system  is  carried 
out  tx)  a  considerable  extent;  and  amongst  the  usual  amusements  of  the 
patients  are  chess,  drafts,  cards,  music,  cricket,  &c. 

At  the  opening  of  the  Pauper  Lunatic  Asylum  for  the  North  and  East 
Ridings,  about  thirty  paupers  were  removed  to  it  from  this  institution,  and 
since  that  time  no  pauper  lunatic  has  been  an  inmate  here.  The  chief  officers 
of  this  institution  are  a  physician,  Dr.  Simpson ;  medical  superintendent.  Dr. 
Edward  Simpson ;  chaplain,  Rev.  Thomas  Richardson ;  and  secretary,  Mr. 
W.  H.  Howard.  The  income  of  the  establishment  is  derived  chiefly  from 
the  charge  to  patients  for  board,  attendance,  &c. ;  from  dividends  of  certain 
stock  in  the  funds,  and  from  rents.  Its  management  is  in  the  hands  of  a 
committee  of  governors. 


TOPOGRAPHY    OF   YORK.  611 

The  Rfitreat  LuiuUic  Asylum,  Heslington  Road. — This  excellent  institution 
was  projected  by  the  late  Mr.  William  Tuke,  of  York,  for  persons  afflicted 
with  disorders  of  the  mind,  among  the  Society  of  Friends,  in  consequence  of 
the  unsatisfactory  treatment  and  death  of  one  of  that  persuasion,  at  an  estab- 
lishment for  the  insane,  during  the  year  1791.  Mr.  Tuke  was  aided  in  his 
exertions  to  establish  this  asylum  by  Lindley  Murray,  the  celebrated  gram- 
marian, and  several  other  individuals;  and  though  many  objections  were 
raised  against  a  proposal  so  novel,  and  considerable  difficulties  had  to  be 
overcome,  yet  a  subscription  was  at  length  opened,  and  a  fund  was  formed  for 
its  establishment  In  1794  nearly  twenty  acres  of  land  were  purchased  for 
£2,325.,  but  it  being  afterwards  thought  too  much,  eight  acres  of  it  were 
disposed  of  for  the  sum  of  £968.,  and  the  building  was  commenced  on  the 
remaining  eleven  acres.  The  asylum  was  at  first  designed  solely  for  the 
members  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  but  has  since  been  extended  to  others 
connected  with  them.  In  1796  the  house  was  opened  for  the  reception  of 
patients,  and  from  that  time  to  the  present  it  has  uninterruptedly  enjoyed 
the  care  and  interests  of  the  descendants  of  its  projector.  Before  the  opening 
of  this  institution  the  treatment  of  the  insane,  in  the  various  asylums,  was 
harsh  in  the  extreme,  and  it  frequently  amounted  to  brutal  coercion ;  but 
those  who  have  been  the  supporters  and  managers  of  tlie  Eetreat  have  the 
enviable  satisfaction  of  knowing,  that  by  the  gentlest  and  most  amiable 
means,  they  have  accomplished  an  amount  of  good,  and  conferred  a  degree  of 
happiness  on  thousands,  which  scarcely  can  be  overstated.  The  Retreat  is 
situated  on  an  eminence,  in  the  purest  air,  and  commanding  extensive  and 
interesting  prospects  over  the  city  and  the  delightful  vale  of  York. 

The  Buildings  are  all  of  brick,  and  are  very  extensive  as  well  as  imposing. 
They  have  recently  undergone  extensive  alterations  and  improvements ;  two 
of  the  old  wings,  which  were  originally  built  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
violent  patients,  have  been  removed,  and  replaced  by  lai^e  and  handsome 
structures,  embracing  every  modem  improvement  in  the  construction  of 
dwellings  for  the  insane,  and  calculated  to  facilitate  the  carrying  out,  in  a 
still  more  complete  manner,  the  principles  of  treatment  adopted  from  the 
foundation  of  the  establishment.  A  new  meeting  house  too  has  been  recently 
added.  The  whole  pile  of  buildings  consist  chiefly  of  a  centre  and  four 
wings,  presenting  imposing  fronts  facing  both  north  and  south.  The  airing 
grounds,  gardens,  &c.,  now  extend  over  thirty  acres,  and  the  expense  of 
forming  the  whole  establishment  has  not  been  less  than  £30,000.  The 
institution  embraces  all  classes  of  patients  ''  from  the  labourer  to  the  wealthy 
gentleman,  and  from  the  servant  to  the  sensitive  and  delicate  lady."    ThjB 


6Id  TOPOGBAPBT   OF  TOBX. 

osjlum  will  now  accommodate  120  patients,  all  of  whom,  except  those  of  the 
higher  classes,  must  he  memhers  or  nearly  connected  with  the  Society  of 
Friends.  The  general  management  of  the  institution  is  ander  the  care  of 
a  hody  of  directors  and  a  committee,  and  the  medical  officers  are  Mr.  John 
Hitching,  superintendent,  and  Messrs.  Caleh  Williams  and  D.  H.  Toke.i' 

Pauper  JjuruUic  Asylwn,  Clifton. — The  North  and  East  Ridings  of  York- 
shire joined  in  the  erection  of  this  institution,  and  it  was  opened  for  the 
reception  of  the  insane  poor  of  both  Ridings  in  the  year  1847.  Provi8i<m 
was  made  for  150  patients;  but  in  three  years  afterwards  such  was  the 
increase  in  the  number  of  patients  that  ^e  buildings  were  enlarged  so  as  to 
make  them  capable  of  receiving  312  patients.  The  land  for  the  asylum  cost 
jeiO,000. ;  the  fabric,  £35,000. ;  and  the  fittings,  £5,000.  The  total  outlay 
on  the  establishment,  £50,150.  or  about  £167.  per  head  upon  the  patients 
accommodated  there — a  sum  which  falls  considerably  short  of  the  Avenge  of 
the  seventeen  other  asylums  of  a  similar  character  which  have  been  erected. 
The  average  cost  of  the  other  asylums  is  at  the  rate  of  £194.  per  head.  It 
is  to  be  deplored  that  in  the  two  Ridings  there  appears  to  be  a  steadily 
growing  increase  of  lunatic  patients.  In  1847,  when  the  asylum  was  opened, 
there  were  122  inmates;  in  1854  there  were  303;  and  in  the  last  annual 
report  of  the  Medical  Superintendent,  the  asylum  was  full,  and  fifteen  patients 
had  been  refused  admittance  for  want  of  accommodation.  In  consequence  of 
this  state  of  things,  and  as  the  law  requires  the  Ridings  to  provide  an  asylum 
for  their  insane  paupers,  it  has  been  resolved  to  enlarge  the  buildings  of  the 
institution,  by  the  erection  of  two  wings  for  male  and  female  patients  respec- 
tively, each  wing  to  accommodate  about  seventy  patients.  At  the  Easter 
Quarter  Sessions  just  passed,  the  Magistracy  of  the  two  Ridings  voted  the 
sum  of  £12,000.  (the  estimated  cost  of  the  additional  buildings,  fittings,  &c.), 
of  which  the  proportion  for  the  North  Riding  will  be  £7,125.,  and  that  of 
the  East  Riding,  £4,875.  By  the  0th  section  of  the  Lunatic  Asylum  Act, 
of  1853,  the  borough  of  Richmond  is  now  annexed  to  the  North  Riding 
for  the  purposes  of  the  insane  poor.  The  asylum  is  situated  near  the  village 
of  Clifton,  about  one  mile  and  a  half  from  the  city  of  York. 

The  Buildings,  which  form  an  extensive  and  handsome  pile,  in  the  Eliza- 
bethan style  of  architecture,  stand  in  a  garden  of  thirty  acres,  attached  to 
which  is  a  grazing  farm  of  fifty  acres.  The  grounds  are  laid  down  with 
much  taste,  and  the  house  is  approached  by  a  handsome  avenue.     The 


•  For  ftirther  partioulars  of  this  Institation  see  the  **  Description  of  the  Betreat,*  by 
Bunuel  Take,  4to.,  and  "  The  Statistiee  of  <he  Betreat^*  6vo. 


TOPOORAPHT   OF  YORK.  618 

groonds  afford  healthy  and  profitable  employment  for  the  inmates,  upon  whom 
the  occupations  of  garden  and  farm  labour,  and  the  various  diversions  of  a 
rural  life,  are  found  to  be  of  the  most  consoling  and  tranquillizing  tendency. 
The  old  methods  of  restraint  in  the  treatment  of  the  insane  are  dispensed 
with  in  this  institution,  and  everything  assumes  as  lively  and  cheerful  an 
aspect  as  possible.  Besides  gardening  and  farming,  the  patients  are  exten- 
sively employed  in  various  handicrafts — the  males  are  employed  as  tailors, 
shoemakers,  bricklayers,  masons,  blacksmiths,  carpenters,  wheelwrights,  &c. ; 
and  the  females  in  sewing,  knitting,  straw-plaiting,  washing,  ironing,  assisting 
in  the  kitchen,  and  general  household  duties.  The  system  of  keeping  the 
patients  to  employments  adapted  to  their  capacities  has  been  found  to  act 
most  favourably  on  their  minds,  besides  the  profits  of  their  labours  materially 
diminish  their  cost  to  the  public. 

City  Insane  Paupers, — Under  the  provisions  of  the  Lunatic  Asylum  Act, 
passed  in  1858,  it  has  become  imperative  on  the  city  of  York  either  to  erect 
a  lunatic  asylum  for  the  reception  of  their  own  pauper  lunatics,  or  to  enter 
into  an  arrangement  with  some  acyoining  asylum,  for  the  reception  of  those 
lunatics.  It  does  not  appear  to  be  the  intention  of  the  citizens  to  erect  a 
suitable  building  at  present,  but  to  go  on  paying  for  their  insane  paupera  in 
the  private  asylums,  at  the  rate  of  about  10s.  per  week. 

LiTEBABT,  &c.,  Ikstitutions. — Yorkshire  Philosophical  Society, — Towards 
the  dose  of  the  year  18Q2,  a  few  gentlemen  of  the  city  and  its  vicinity,  to 
whom  various  branches  of  natural  science,  and  especially  geology,  were 
favourite  objects  of  pursuit,  conceived  the  idea  of  establishing  such  a  society, 
and  forthwith  put  the  design  into  execution.  The  society  soon  increased  iu 
numbers  and  importance ;  a  museum  was  formed,  into  which  valuable  con- 
tributions liberally  flowed;  and  it  became  evident  that  no  premises  not 
expressly  designed  for  the  purpose  would  be  adequate  to  the  wants,  or  suitable 
to  the  views  of  the  society.  In  1827  they  obtained  from  the  Crown  a  grant 
of  nearly  three  acres  of  land — ^part  of  the  close  of  the  Abbey  of  St.  Mary, 
commonly  called  the  Manor  Shore,  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  building 
suitable  for  the  preservation  of  their  library,  museum,  &c, ;  and  of  establishing 
an  English  botanical  garden ;  as  well  as  for  preserving  from  further  decay 
the  venerable  remains  of  the  Abbey,  which  was  rapidly  disappearing ;  and  the 
lover  of  the  picturesque  and  beautiful  in  architecture  is  indebted  to  this 
society  for  rescuing  that  interesting  monument  of  the  piety,  taste,  and  skill 
of  past  ages,  from  the  list  of  architectural  beauties  by  which  York  was  once 
adorned,  and  of  the  existence  of  which  no  trace  is  now  to  be  found,  except  in 
the  tablets  of  the  artist,  or  in  tiie  records  of  the  topographical  historian. 


614  TOPOORAPUT   OP   YORK. 

Lord  Grantham  (now  Earl  de  Grey),  whose  flBunilj  had  long  held  the  whole 
of  the  manor,  or  ancient  close  of  the  Abbey,  under  the  Crown,  veiy  willingly 
consented  to  relinquish  the  portion  which  the  society  wished  to  possess. 

A  subscription  of  £7fiOO.,  to  defray  the  cost  of  a  suitable  building,  having 
been  previously  raised,  the  first  stone  was  laid  by  the  Archbishop  of  York,  on 
the  S4th  of  October,  1827,  and  on  the  2nd  of  February,  1830,  the  whole 
suite  of  apartments  was  opened.  This  BuUding,  commonly  called  the  3ftf- 
seum  of  the  Yorkshire  Philoiophical  Society,  is  partly  erected  on  the  offices  of 
St.  Mary's  Abbey,  and  is  one  of  the  most  chaste  and  elegant  structures  in 
the  county  of  York.  The  facade  has  a  western  aspect  towards  the  river,  and 
a  projecting  portico  of  four  fluted  Grecian-Doric  columns,  resting  upon  a 
basement  of  three  steps,  and  supporting  the  proper  entablature,  with  mutules 
and  triglyphs,  and  a  pediment.  The  entablature  is  continued  along  the 
entire  front,  having  attached  antae  at  the  angles.  In  the  portions  unoccupied 
by  the  portico  are  three  lintelled  windows.  The  whole  exterior  is  200  feet 
in  length,  and  of  Hackness  stone,  and  has  an  air  of  imposing  grandeur ;  and 
the  interior  is  in  equal  taste.  The  Hall  is  20  feet  by  18  feet,  with  a  ceiling 
of  bold  panel  work,  and  a  floor  of  Scagliola  plaster,  in  imitation  of  porphyry. 
On  one  side  of  the  hall  is  the  Library,  which  is  81  feet  by  18,  and  contains 
the  books,  maps,  drawings,  &c.,  of  the  society;  on  the  other  side  is  the 
Council  Boom;  and  the  staircases  leading  to  two  rooms  above,  which  are 
filled  with  a  variety  of  objects  of  interest.  In  the  centre  is  the  entrance  to 
the  Theatre,  or  Lecture  Boom,  which  measures  44  feet  by  85.  This  room  is 
square,  and  is  ornamented  by  six  elegant  Corinthian  columns,  which  support 
a  ceiling  richly  panelled.  The  light  is  derived  from  windows  of  ground  glass 
inserted  in  the  centre  panels,  and  by  a  simple  contrivance,  whenever  it  is 
desirable,  shutters  can  be  drawn  over  them,  so  as  to  render  the  theatre  com- 
pletely dark.  The  seats  of  the  audience  descend  to  the  lecturer's  table.  The 
room  on  the  right  is  the  mineral  museum,  that  on  the  left  the  geological  col- 
lection, which  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  kingdom.  The  centre  apartment 
contains  a  series  of  ornithological  and  zoological  specimens,  and  some  others. 

Amongst  the  varied  contents  of  the  several  rooms  of  this  building  may  be 
noticed  the  following : — 

In  the  Entrance  Hall, — ^A  Roman  tablet  representing  the  sacrifice  and  mysteries  of 
Mithras,  found  in  1747,  in  dif^ging  for  a  cellar  in  a  hoose  in  Micklegate ;  a  cast  of  one 
of  the  great  obelisks  at  Kamak,  the  eastern  part  of  Thebes,  erected  by  Amense,  sister  of 
Thothmes  II.,  in  the  name  of  her  husband  Amenenthituot ;  a  cast  of  a  figare  of  an 
Assyrian  King,  sculptured  on  a  rock,  near  Beyrout;  some  Egyptian  sculpture,  and  the 
ancient  mortar  formerly  belonging  to  the  infirmary  of  St.  Mary's  Abbey,  York. 

In  the  Theatre,  three  pieces  of  ancient  tapestry,  representing  maps  of  several  of  the 
midland  counties,  executed  in  1588 ;  a  stem  of  a  large  tree  fern,  from  Van  Dieman's 


TOPOGRAPHY   OF   TORK.  615 

Land;  and  specimens  of  Indian  producte.  In  the  Room  on  the  Right,  specimens  of  the 
higher  departments  of  zoology,  classed  according  to  the  system  of  Cuvier ;  also  a  col- 
lection of  British  and  other  shells,  skeletons  of  British  birds,  and  specimens  of  Foreign 
fish.  In  the  Large  Centre  Room,  specimens  of  reptiles,  fishes,  and  British  and  Foreign 
birds.  The  collection  of  British  birds  is  extensive,  and  some  of  the  Foreign  specimens 
are  rare  and  valuable.  The  Geological  Room  contains  a  most  extensive  and  valuable 
collection  of  Creological  specimens — about  16,000  in  number — systematically  arranged 
according  to  the  strata  to  which  they  belong.  The  collection  in  this  room  includes 
many  specimens  of  minerals  and  fossil  organic  remains,  from  the  different  strata  in 
Yorkshire.  In  the  First  Upper  Room  is  a  large  collection  of  specimens  of  ornitho- 
logical osteology ;  a  skeleton  of  the  Irish  elk,  and  also  that  of  a  young  whale  which  was 
cast  upon  the  Yorkshire  coast  a  few  years  since.  The  Second  Upper  Room  contains 
specimens  of  British  birds,  presented  by  William  Budston  Read,  Esq.  in  1846. 

In  the  Council  Room  is  a  collection  of  coins,  consisting  chiefly  of  Roman  denarii,  con- 
sular and  imperial ;  of  Roman  brass  of  three  sizes ;  several  Grecian  coins,  and  a  few 
Roman  durei ;  several  rare  and  interesting  examples  of  British  and  Saxon  coins ;  and 
English  coins  in  gold,  silver,  and  copper,  of  all  denominations.  Also  a  series  of  about 
4,CX)0  Northumbria  stycas,  found  in  St.  Leonard's  Place,  York,  in  1842 ;  and  about  2,000 
of  a  hoard,  which  was  discovered  in  1847  near  Bolton  Percy. 

The  building,  in  the  grounds  near  the  river,  called  the  Hoipitium,  contains  an  ex- 
tremely interesting  collection  of  antiquities  belonging  to  the  Roman,  Anglo-Saxon, 
Anglo-Norman,  and  Mediaeval  periods,  most  of  which  have  been  found  in  York,  or  its 
neighbourhood.  Amongst  the  collection  in  the  Lower  Room  of  this  building  (which  is 
entirely  of  ancient  sculpture)  are  nearly  the  whole  of  the  Roman  remains  mentioned 
at  pages  203  to  311 .  Many  interesting  fragments  of  the  Abbey  of  St.  Mary ;  and  a  tablet 
which  had  been  built  into  the  wall  of  the  house  which  till  lately  stood  at  the  comer  of 
St.  Savionrgate  and  Colliergate,  bearing  an  inscription.    (See  page  358.) 

The  antiquities  deposited  in  the  Upper  Room  of  the  Hospitium  are  of  a  very  miscel- 
laneous character.  The  room  is  fitted  up  with  glass  cases,  &c.,  and  the  collection  is 
interesting.  We  may  particularly  notice  an  Egyptian  Mummy,  and  several  Roman 
remains  of  humanity  embedded  in  lime,  and  now  in  glass  cases.  A  British  canoe  dug 
from  the  bed  of  the  river  Calder,  at  Stanley  Ferry,  near  Wakefield,  in  1838.  A  British 
cinerary  urn,  found  in  the  centre  of  a  barrow  at  Bishop  Burton,  near  Beverley ;  a  smaller 
British  urn,  found  in  excavating  for  the  York  and  Scarborough  Railroad,  near  Bootham ; 
a  cinerary  urn,  containing  fragments  of  bones  and  ashes,  found  near  the  Mount,  without . 
Micklegate  Bar ;  and  a  great  variety  of  Roman  bricks  and  tiles,  bearing  the  makers* 
names  or  other  inscriptions.  A  large  collection  of  Samian  ware,  plain  and  embossed ; 
and  many  fragments  of  funereal,  drinking,  and  other  vessels.  Amongst  the  antiquities 
which  were  discovered  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  and  are  deposited  here,  are  a 
firagment  of  a  large  British  urn,  found  at  Acklam,  near  Malton ;  an  urn,  a  scull,  and 
bone  pins  from  British  tumuli,  at  the  same  place;  spear  and  lance  or  arrow  heads, 
knives,  scissors,  and  other  instruments  of  iron,  found  in  Anglo-Saxon  barrows  or  tumuli 
Aear  Driffield;  jaws  and  teeth,  several  sculls,  the  umbo  of  a  shield,  centre  and  four 
pieces,  beads  of  amber,  glass,  Ac,  and  several  other  articles  found  in  barrows  near 
Driffield,  and  at  Danes'  Dale.  Several  Anglo-Saxon  urns,  from  tumuli  on  the  Yorkshire 
Wolds;  two  small  stone  hammers  found  at  Malton;  and  a  collection  of  bronze  celts, 
some  chisels  and  bronze  gouges,  found  at  Westow  near  Malton. 


616  TOPOORAPHT   or   TOHK. 

The  Mtueum  Gardeni  now  occupy  about  one-half  of  the  ancient  dose  of 
the  Abbey  of  St  Mary,  with  a  small  portion  of  the  moat  of  the  city  wall, 
and  of  the  enclosure  within  which  the  Hospital  of  St.  Leonard  formerly  stood. 
The  grounds  are  tastefully  disposed,  and  ornamented  with  rare  shrubs,  trees, 
and  plantations,  which,  together  with  the  picturesque  ruins  of  the  Abbey,  the 
cloister  and  chapel  of  St.  Leonard's  Hospital,  and  the  Roman  wall  and  Mul- 
tangular Tower,  render  this  delightful  spot  one  of  the  principal  attractions  of 
York.  In  front  of  the  Museum  is  a  small  Observatory,  erected  in  1888.  The 
Hot  House  contains  a  very  rare  and  valuable  collection  of  Orchideoos  and 
other  plants;  together  with  an  Aquarium  for  that  elegant  but  monstrous 
plant,  the  Water  Lily  (Victoria  Eegia)^  which  was  presented  to  the  Philoso- 
phical Society  by  the  Duke  of  Devonshire.  The  principal  entrance  to  the 
grounds  is  from  Lendal,  by  a  gateway  formed  by  Doric  columns,  supporting 
their  proper  entablature ;  and  a  small  porter's  lodge  attached. 

Dr.  Beckwith,  of  York,  who  died  in  December,  1848,  left  to  this  society 
one  of  the  most  munificent  bequests  of  modem  times,  for  the  promotion  of 
science.  By  his  will  he  directed  the  sum  of  £10,000.  to  be  paid  to  the 
society  for  the  better  promotion  of  its  objects.  This  intention  has  been 
carried  out,  by  the  gardens  being  greatly  extended,  and  other  improvements 
made  conducive  to  the  eujoyments  and  recreation  of  the  subscribers. 

The  British  Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science  may  be  said  in  some 
measure  to  be  indebted  for  its  formation  to  the  Yorkshire  Philosophical 
Society.  It  had  been  for  some  time  a  subject  of  profound  regret  amongst 
scientific  men  and  philosophers  in  England,  that  there  appeared  to  be  no 
interest  taken  in  science  and  scientific  pursuits  in  this  country.  *'  Science 
there  was,"  says  the  talented  Editor  of  the  Hull  Advertiser,  to  whose  excellent 
articles  in  that  paper,  on  the  occasion  of  the  visit  of  the  Association  to  Hull 
in  1858,  we  are  indebted  for  much  information  respecting  this  learned  body, 
"  vital,  and  quick,  and  powerful,  it  is  true ;  but  it  wanted  development.  It 
had  no  opening,  but  a  casual  one  for  its  exhibition.  It  was  struggling  for 
e.\istence,  and  in  its  struggle  seemed  to  have  no  assistance  from  any  one/' 
At  length  Sir  David  Brewster,  who  had  seen  the  working  of  a  scientific  con- 
gress on  the  continent,  conceived  the  design  of  forming  such  an  one  in 
England.  In  1880  he  called  public  attention  to  the  matter  in  a  powerful 
article  in  the  Quarterly  Review.  Sir  Humphrey  Davy,  Sir  John  Herschel, 
and  Mr.  Babbage,  soon  became  his  coadjutors,  and  York  was  selected  as  the 
place  where  they  should  launch  their  undertaking,  for  two  reasons : — ^first, 
because  it  was  considered  as  most  central  and  convenient ;  and  secondly,  it 
possessed  a  very  active  and  influential  Philosophical  Society.    The  secretary 


TOPOGKAPHY    OF   YORK.  617 

of  that  society  was  Professor  Phillips  (the  present  deputy  Reader  in  Geology 
in  the  University  of  Oxford),  and  to  him,  on  the  Sdrd  of  January,  1831,  Sir 
David  Brewster  proposed  that  the  society,  which  he  represented,  should  take 
the  initiative  in  the  formation  of  a  body,  intended  to  be  designated  the  British 
Association  for  the  Promotion  of  Science.  The  objects  of  this  association  he 
proposed  should  be  "  to  make  the  cultivators  of  science  acquainted  with  each 
other — ^to  stimulate  one  another  to  new  exertions — ^to  bring  the  objects  of 
science  before  the  public  eye— and  to  take  measures  for  advancing  its  in- 
terests, and  accelerating  its  progress." 

The  suggestion  of  Sir  David  Brewster  was  soon  acted  upon,  and  Pro- 
fessor Phillips,  in  conjunction  with  the  committee  of  the  society  to  which 
he  belonged,  took  such  steps  as  eventuated  in  the  first  meeting  of  the  British 
Association  being  held  in  York.  Not  less  than  dOO  of  the  most  eminent 
scientific  men  in  the  kingdom  attended  that  meeting ;  and  the  manner  in 
which  all  exerted  themselves  to  promote  the  objects  of  the  Association,  showed 
at  once  that  there  was  no  lack  of  interest  felt  in  its  future  prosperity. 

Since  then  the  Association  has  held  its  annual  meetings  in  many  of  the 
principal  towns  in  the  three  kingdoms,  all  of  which  were  eminently  suc- 
cessful; and  in  every  town  it  has  left  behind  it  marks  of  its  civilizing 
and  beneficial  influence.  Its  funds  are  devoted  to  a  considerable  extent  to 
promoting  investigations  in  all  branches  of  science ;  and  upwards  of  JS15,000. 
have  been  expended  by  the  Association  in  this  manner — **  not  frittered  away," 
says  the  Editor  of  the  Htdl  Advertiser,  "  in  useless  theories,  but,  on  the  con- 
trary, spent  in  investigations,  which  have,  in  their  results,  been  of  lasting 
benefit  to  mankind.  Indeed  it  would  be  difficult  to  say,"  continues  the  same 
writer,  "what  class  of  the  community  has  not  derived  benefits  from  its 
workings.  It  has  not  confined  its  attention  to  any  one  particular  object,  but, 
with  a  general  benevolence  of  purpose,  has  directed  the  light  of  those  master 
intellects,  which  it  numbers  in  its  ranks,  upon  every  thing  which  could  by 
possibility  advance  us  either  in  knowledge,  or  power,  or  influence.  And  so 
it  has  gone  on  growing  by  its  own  exertions,  and  gradually,  yet  efiectually, 
fordng  itself  upon  the  attention  of  the  world,  until  it  has  now  overcome  all 
opposition,  and  has  come  to  be  regarded  among  the  most  honoured  and 
influential  institutions  of  our  land." 

Yorkshire  Union  of  Mecfumies*  Institutes, — ^Incalculable  are  the  advantages 
which  must  inevitably  flow  from  these  truly  excellent  institutions.  By  means 
of  them  the  arcana  of  learning  are  thrown  open  to  all  classes  of  the  commu- 
nity, and  we  are  happy  to  find  that  this  great  blessing  seems  to  be  duly 
appreciated  by  the  inhabitants  of  Yorkshire.    There  is  not  a  market  town  in 

4  K 


618  TOPOOIUPHT   OF   TOBK. 

the  county  that  has  not  one  of  these  admiiable  institations ;  and  doubtless 
the  time  is  not  fiftr  distant  when  they  will  be  introduced  into  most  of  the 
populous  villages,  as  they  have  been  already  into  some.  Yorkshire  contains 
but  a  twdfth  of  the  population  of  the  United  Kingdom,  while  it  possesses  more 
than  a  sixth  of  the  educational  institutes,  and  nearly  a  sixth  of  the  total 
members  of  these  institutes.  Indeed  it  would  be  difficult  to  point  out  any 
county  in  Great  Britain  where  they  are  so  numerous,  in  proportion  to  the 
population,  as  in  Yorkshire.  But  a  generation  ago  Mechanics*  Institutes 
did  not  exist  Even  so  late  as  fifteen  years  ago  they  were  very  few  and 
scarcely  known,  now  this  county  alone  has  certainly  more  than  160  of  them. 
The  original  oljjects  of  Mechanics*  Institutions — the  people*s  colleges— was 
to  supply  to  the  working  classes  inducements  to  mental  cultivation  after  the 
hours  of  physical  labour,  and  to  give  them  the  means  of  it ;  but  it  is  to  be 
regretted  that  they  have  not  been  generally  found  more  useful  to  that  class. 
They  are  more  frequented  by  the  middle  classes,  or  by  those  immediately 
above  the  labouring  population ;  and  the  cause  of  this  departure  from  the 
original  principle,  is  perhaps  to  be  found  in  the  system  of  teaching  which  is 
usually  pursued — a  system  calculated  for  those  who  have  been  already  toler- 
ably well  educated,  and  not  for  those  who  come  from  manual  labour  to  learn. 
This  defect  may  be  remedied  by  applying  the  system  of  instruction  by  classes, 
not  only  to  the  teaching  of  foreign  languages,  singing,  design,  &c.,  but  to 
the  elementary  teachings  which  would  be  foimd  necessary  in  the  great 
majority  of  the  cases  for  which  the  institution  was  first  established ;  and  this 
need  not  interfere  in  the  least  with  the  system  of  lectures  for  the  middle  or 
more  educated  classes  in  the  institute,  if  it  was  found  to  be  acceptable  to  them. 
The  Yorkshire  Union  was  founded  in  1838,  and  was  confined  to  the  West 
Riding  until  April,  1841,  when  the  fourth  annual  meeting  was  held  in  the  old 
building  of  the  Institute  of  York,  at  which  it  was  resolved  that  the  Union  be 
extended  to  the  whole  county.  According  to  the  Report  issued  in  1841,  only 
ten  institutions,  including  an  aggregate  of  1,560  members,  were  connected 
with  the  Union ;  but  from  the  report  read  at  the  eighteenth  annual  meeting  of 
the  delegates  of  the  Union,  held  at  York,  on  the  dlst  May,  1855,  we  learn  that 
there  are  133  institutions  associated,  embracing  upwards  of  20,000  members, 
whose  subscriptions  annually  amount  to  nearly  £11,000.  The  number  of 
volumes  in  their  libraries  is  estimated  at  250,000.  The  Union  indades 
amongst  its  objects  the  exchange  and  circulation  of  lectures  and  papers  among 
the  associated  institutes,  and  all  institutions  are  admissible  to  it.  The  afiairs 
of  the  Union  are  managed  by  a  Central  Committee,  the  expenses  •  of  which 
are  borne  by  the  associated  institutes  in  the  manner  following : — ^Institut^ 


TOPOGRAPHY   OF   YORK.  619 

having  less  than  70  members  subscribe  5s.  per  anu.»  those  having  more  tlian 
70  and  less  than  150,  pay  10s.  per  ann.,  and  those  having  150  members  or 
upwards,  20s.  per  ann.  Every  year  several  hundred  lectures  are  delivered, 
the  majority  of  which  are  gratuitous.  York  and  several  other  towns  continue 
to  obtain  excellent  lists  of  lectures,  provided  almost  entirely  from  local  talent, 
and  these  lectures  are  in  most  cases  not  imfit  to  compare  with  professional 
lectures,  and  they  attract  quite  as  large  an  attendance ;  besides  they  spare 
the  funds  of  the  institutes,  which  are  thus  available  for  other  important  de- 
partments. ''  The  great  value  of  lectures,"  says  the  Report  for  1854,  "  consists 
in  the  stimulus  they  give  to  desire  and  seek  information,  rather  than  in  the 
amount  of  actual  information  conveyed.  The  hearer  may  carry  away  but  few 
fiiots,  but  his  field  of  mental  vision  is  enlarged,  his  reasoning  power  is 
developed,  and  he  has  recourse  to  books  to  supply  his  desire  for  information." 

An  important  department  of  the  Union  is  the  Itinerating  Village  Library. 
In  order  to  supply  the  great  deficiency  which  exists  in  respect  to  education, 
and  to  diffuse  light  and  knowledge,  with  all  their  beautiful  and  beneficent 
influences  and  results,  through  the  rural  districts  of  this  great  county,  the 
Central  Committee  of  the  Union  have  opened  a  depot  of  books  in  Leeds,  and 
organized  a  plan  of  operations,  whereby  those  books  may  be  made  available 
to  the  humblest  persons  at  a  merely  nominal  cost.  It  is  applicable  to  all 
localities,  and  must  prove  beneficial  to  all  who  are  in  earnest  after  self- 
improvement.  Wherever  twenty-five  persons  can  be  found  who  are  willing 
to  pay  one  penny  per  week  for  the  use  of  the  books,  50  volumes  are  sent  free 
of  carriage,  and  these  books  are  replaced  eveiy  six  months  by  50  others ;  and 
for  every  twenty-five  additional  subscribers  50  additional  volumes  are  sent. 
The  advantage  of  the  periodical  transfer  of  the  books^from  one  station  to 
another  must  appear  obvious  to  all,  and  therefore  needs  no  comment.  There 
are  now  no  less  than  thirty-six  of  these  Itinerating  Libraries  connected  with 
the  Union.  The  attention  of  her  Majesty's  consort,  his  Royal  Highness 
Prince  Albert,  has  lately  been  called  to  the  plan  of  this  excellent  institution, 
and  as  a  mark  of  his  approbation,  he  has  presented  to  the  Union  the  hand- 
some donation  of  211  volumes  of  excellent  works,  all  beautifully  bound,  and 
on  the  inside  of  the  cover  of  each  volume  is  a  label  with  this  inscription : — 
**  Presented  to  the  Yorkshire  Union  of  Mechanics*  Institutes,  by  his  Royal 
Highness  Prince  Albert." 

The  Castle  Howard  United  VUlagei  Itinerating  Library,  was  commenced  on 
the  1st  of  January,  1853,  at  the  suggestion  of  the  princely  owner  of  Castle 
Howard,  and  its  books  are  now  circulated  in  thirteen  villages  round  that 
splendid  mansion,  besides  four  sections  in  the  town  of  Malton.^^The  Earl  of 


630  TOPOORAPHY  OF  YOBK. 

Carlisle  is  building  reading  and  news  rooms  in  several  of  the  yillages  of  the 
Castle  Howard  estate.  It  is  in  connection  with  the  Union  of  Mechanics* 
Institutes,  but  is  quite  independent  of  the  Union  Library.  The  Unicm  of 
Institutes,  and  the  Libraries,  are  supported  in  part  by  the  donations  of  the 
friends  of  education  in  all  parts  of  the  county.  The  president  of  the  Central 
Committee  is  Edward  Baines,  Esq.,  and  the  agent  and  lecturer  is  Mr.  George 
S.  Phillips.  The  president  of  the  committee  of  the  Castle  Howard  Village 
Libraries  is  the  Rev.  Thomas  Myers,  Vicar  of  Sheriff  Hutton,  and  the 
lecturer  is  Mr.  Ishmael  Fish. 

York  Institute  of  Popular  Science  and  Literature^  St.  Saviouigate. — ^This 
institution  was  established  in  1897,  for  the  instruction  of  its  members  in  the 
principles  of  the  useful  and  ornamental  arts,  and  in  the  various  other  depart- 
ments  of  useful  knowledge.  Its  original  name  was  **  The  York  Mechanics' 
Institute,"  and  it  is  still  essentially  the  same  in  machinery  and  design  as  at 
first.  The  neat  and  commodious  building,  in  which  the  institute  is  held,  was 
erected  by  the  society,  and  opened  in  1846,  with  a  bazaar  and  exhibition  of 
paintings,  and  other  works  of  art.  It  consists  of  a  lecture  hall,  news  and 
reading  room,  class  rooms,  and  library.  During  the  winter  lectures  are  de- 
livered weekly,  on  experimental  philosophy,  practical  mechanics,  astronomy, 
chemistiy,  natural  histoiy,  Hterature,  &c.;  and  classes  are  formed,  under 
competent  paid  teachers,  for  instruction  in  writing,  arithmetic,  geometry, 
grammar,  composition,  and  drawing,  all  of  which  are  open  to  the  members 
gratuitously.  There  is  also  a  class  for  instruction  in  French,  and  a  chess 
club,  for  which  an  extra  fee  is  required.  The  members  of  this  institute  are 
divided  into  three  classes,  who  respectively  pay  30s.,  10s.,  and  68.,  jier  ann.; 
the  third  class  being  exclusively  for  youths  under  18  years  age.  Ladies'  sub- 
scriptions are  10s.  According  to  the  last  annual  Report  of  the  society  the 
total  number  of  members  was  490 ;  the  income  of  the  past  year  had  been 
£370.,  and  the  expenditure,  £330.  The  reading  room  is  open  daily,  and  the 
library  every  evening,  Sundays  excepted.  The  lecture  room  will  accommo- 
date about  400  persons ;  the  news  room  is  well  supphed  with  the  leading 
periodicals  and  newspapers;  and  the  Hbrary  contains  up  to  5,000  vc^ames. 
A  portrait  of  Dr.  Birbeck,  the  founder  of  Mechanics*  Institutes,  whidi  had 
for  some  years  been  suspended  in  the  reading  room,  and  which  had  been 
valued  at  thirty  guineas,  has  lately  become  the  property  of  the  institution,  on 
very  advantageous  terms.  The  institute  is  in  union  with  the  Society  of  Arts, 
London,  and  at  the  annual  conference  of  that  society,  held  in  London  on  the 
4th  of  July,  1854,  this  institute  was  represented  by  the  Lord  Mayor  (Geoige 
Leeman,  Esq.)    The  York  Institute  is  also  associated  with  the  Yorkshire 


TOPOGRAPHY   OF   YORK.  631 

Union  of  Mechanics'  Institutes.  Sir  George  Cayley,  Bart.,  is  the  president 
of  the  York  Institute,  and  amongst  the  vice-presidents  is  the  Rev.  C.  Well- 
heloved,  a  most  zealous  promoter  of  its  foundation,  and  one  of  its  most  constant 
and  generous  benefactors. 

Yorkshire  Architectural  Society, — This  association  was  instituted  in  1841, 
to  promote  the  studj  of  ecclesiastical  architecture,  antiquities,  and  design,  the 
restoration  of  mutilated  architectural  remains,  and  of  churches,  or  parts  of 
churches,  within  the  county  of  York,  which  may  have  been  desecrated ;  and 
to  improve,  as  far  as  it  may  be  within  its  province,  the  character  of  ecclesias- 
tioal  edifices  to  be  erected  in  future.  The  patrons  of  the  society  are  the 
Archbishop  of  Y'ork  and  the  Bishop  of  Bipon ;  its  presidents  are  the  Earls  of 
Carlisle  and  Zetland;  and  amongst  the  vice-presidents  are  the  Duke  of 
Northumbedand,  Earls  de  Grey,  EfQngham,  Dartmouth,  and  Mexborough ; 
Lords  Hotham,  Feversham,  Downe,  and  WhamclifiTe ;  Sir  Henry  Boynton, 
Sir  J.  H.  Lowther,  Sir  T.  Digby  Legard,  Sir  J.  V.  B.  Johnstone,  the  Rev. 
Sir  George  Burrard,  and  the  Archdeacons  of  the  diocese.  Hon.  secretaries. 
Rev.  J.  Sharp  and  Mr.  W.  H.  Dykes,  architect.  The  society,  which  is  now 
composed  of  about  800  members,  who  pay  an  annual  subscription  of  10s. 
each,  holds  three  public  meetings  in  each  year— ^ne  at  York,  and  two  in 
other  parts  of  the  county.  The  Muaeimi  of  the  Society,  which  is  in  the 
Minster  Yard,  York,  contains  a  good  collection  of  casts,  rubbings  of  brasses, 
&c. ;  and  there  is  in  connection  with  it  a  small  library  of  valuable  works 
on  architecture. 

Yorkshire  Naturalists'  Club. — ^Established  in  1849,  for  the  purpose  of 
bringing  the  Naturalists  of  the  county  into  friendly  and  more  frequent  com- 
munication with  one  another,  and  for  collecting  facts,  canying  on  researches, 
&c.,  bearing  upon  the  natural  history  of  Yorkshire ;  and  a  leading  object  of 
the  club  is  to  provide  a  fund,  to  be  spent  in  collecting  the  natural  productions 
of  the  county,  and  to  distribute  the  specimens,  thus  obtained,  among  the 
public  Museums  of  the  county,  the  Museum  of  the  Philosophical  Society  at 
York  to  take  precedence  in  this  distribution.  Meetings  of  the  club  are  held 
monthly,  for  the  election  of  members,  the  reading  and  discussion  of  papers, 
exhibition  of  specimens,  &c.  A  library  of  standard  works  on  different 
branches  of  natural  history,  is  being  formed  for  the  use  of  the  members. 
The  present  number  of  members  is  about  190 ;  and  the  amount  of  subscrip- 
tion is  five  shillings  per  annum.  When  the  number  of  members  is  raised 
to  800,  it  is  calculated  that,  after  the  payment  of  the  ordinary  incidental  ex- 
penses, there  will  be  £50.  per  annum,  applicable  to  the  scientific  objects  for 


623  TOPOORAPHT   OF   YORK. 

which  the  club  was  instituted.     Lord  Londesborough  is  president  of  the  club, 
and  Mr.  North,  secretary. 

Yorkshire  Antiquarian  Club. — ^This  association  was  founded  in  June,  1849, 
by  a  few  gentlemen,  interested  in  antiquarian  research,  for  promoting,  first, 
the  accurate  knowledge,  and  the  careful  preservation  of  the  antiquities  of  the 
county  of  York ;  secondly,  to  make  researches  by  the  opening  of,  and  esca- 
Tations  into,  barrows  and  other  earth- works ;  and  to  watch  the  progress  of 
public  works,  such  as  railways,  sewers,  foundations  of  buildings,  &c.  An 
important  feature  of  the  club,  is,  that  it  consists  of  a  society  of  working  arch- 
SDologists,  possessing  no  collection  of  their  own,  and  one  of  the  fundamental 
rules  states,  "  that  all  the  specimens  given  to,  or  discovered  by  the  dub,  be 
deposited  in  the  Museum  of  the  Yorkshire  Philosophical  Society."  By  faith- 
fully adhering  to  this  plan  of  proceeding,  it  has  been  in  their  power  to  add 
numerous  interesting  specimens  to  that  fine  collection;  amongst  them  a 
valuable  and  rare  collection  of  bronze,  bones,  and  urns,  which  are  now  placed 
in  separate  cases  in  the  Hospitium.  Expeditions  have  been  made  by  the 
members  of  the  club,  and  tumuli  examined  at  Acklam,  Driffield,  Skipwith, 
Huggato,  Thixendale,  Arras,  &c.,  and  much  curious  and  important  informa- 
tion have  been  obtained  respecting  the  ancient  inhabitants  of  that  district  of 
Yorkshire.  Drawings  of  the  localities  and  objects  found,  especially  the  vases, 
with  plans  of  any  peculiar  distribution  of  tumuli,  are  retained  in  the  portfolio 
of  the  club.  The  meetings  of  the  club  are  held  every  two  months,  in  Arch- 
bishop Holgate*8  School  Boom ;  and  its  afiGurs  are  conducted  by  a  president, 
two  vice-presidents,  a  committee  of  twelve  gentlemen,  a  treasurer,  and  secre- 
tary. The  present  number  of  members  of  the  club  is  about  eighty ;  and  the 
amount  of  annual  subscription  is  very  small.  The  Rev.  Charles  WeUbebved 
is  the  president,  and  William  Proctor,  Esq.,  the  hononuy  secretary. 

Lecture  HaU, — This  spacious  apartment  was  erected  in  1845,  at  a  cost 
of  about  £3,500.,  by  the  York  Total  Abstinence  Society,  and  is  situated  be- 
hind a  Temperance  Inn,  in  Goodramgate.  It  is  galleried  round  three  sides, 
and  will  accommodate  about  1,000  persons.  Temperance  and  other  public 
meetings  are  held  in  it. 

LiBRABiES. — The  York  Subscription  Library  was  instituted  in  1794,  by  a 
few  intelligent  and  spirited  individuals,  viz.,  Sir  William  Strickland,  S.  W. 
Nicholl,  Esq.,  Rev,  C.  Wellbeloved,  Anthony  Thorpe,  Esq.,  and  others. 
These  gentlemen  formed  themselves  into  a  society,  for  the  purpose  of  pur- 
chasing the  pamphlets,  and  other  light  literary  productions  of  the  day.  They 
were  then  deposited  at  the  house  of  a  member  of  the  society,  and  the  coUec* 


TOPOGRAPHY    OF  YORK.  623 

tion  was  at  certain  periods  sold,  and  more  modem  productions  purchased  from 
the  general  fund  thus  augmented.  The  number  of  members  increasing,  a 
plan  was  suggested  of  erecting  an  edifice  by  subscription  shares,  distinct  from 
the  book  society.  Accordingly  some  old  houses  were  purchased  in  St  Helen's 
Square,  at  the  comer  of  Lendal,  and  upon  their  site  a  commodious  building 
was  erected  in  1613.  Here  the  library  continued  until  1886,  when  it  was 
removed  to  the  fine  and  spacious  rooms  now  occupied  by  it,  in  No.  1,  St. 
Leonard's  Place.  The  site  of  the  old  building  is  now  occupied  by  the  hand- 
some edifice,  containing  the  offices  of  the  Yorkshire  Insurance  Company. 
The  library — which  now  occupies  five  rooms,  fitted  up  with  cases,  the 
largest  room  (a  very  fine  one)  having  a  gallery  around  it— consists  of  about 
30,000  volumes,  among  which  are  many  valuable  works,  and  the  best  current 
literature  of  the  day ;  besides  the  Transactions  of  the  Philosophical,  ArchsBO- 
logical,  Geological,  and  other  scientific  societies,  which  are  regularly  pur- 
chased as  soon  as  published;  Hansard's  Parliamentary  Debates,  and  the 
Statutes  at  laiige.  The  Public  Becord  Boom,  which  contains  a  large  collection 
of  the  Records  of  the  nation,  presented  by  the  Government,  is  open  to  all 
persons  in  the  county,  who  may  have  occasion  to  consult  them.  The  Beading 
Boom  is  well  supplied  with  the  principal  magazines  and  reviews — ^about  £60. 
a  year  being  devoted  to  their  purchase — ^but  no  newspapers  are  admitted. 
Indeed  this  library,  considering  its  extent,  is  extremely  valuable.  The  society 
now  consists  of  about  360  members;  the  annual  subscription  is  £1.  6s.,  but 
each  subscriber  must  be  the  holder  of  a  ticket,  which  has  to  be  purchased. 
The  library,  Ac,  is  open  daily,  Sundays  excepted.  Mr.  Jonathan  Swinbank 
is  the  librarian. 

The  Select  Subscription  Library,  in  Blake  Street,  was  established  in  1818, 
for  the  purpose  of  supplying  good  reading,  at  a  moderate  price,  to  those  whose 
circumstances  precluded  their  subscribing  to  the  more  expensive  libraries. 
It  consists  of  nearly  2,000  volumes,  well  selected.  The  terms  of  subscription 
are  an  entrance  fee  of  one  guinea,  and  10s.  a  year;  such  subscription  consti- 
tuting a  proprietorship.  Each  proprietor  has  the  privilege  of  recommending 
persons  in  humbler  circumstances  as  gratuitous  readers.  Mrs.  Ann  Ellison, 
librarian. 

The  Cathedral  lAbrary,  and  the  Medical  JJhraries,  are  noticed  in  other 
parts  of  this  history. 

NEWSPAPERS. — There  are  four  Newspapers  published  in  York  eveiy 
Saturday : — 

The  York  Herald  (with  which  the  "  York  Courant,"  established  in  1720, 
is  now  incorporated)  was  first  issued  on  the  2nd  of  January,  1790.     This 


634  TOPOORAPHY    OF   YORK. 

paper  is  liberal  in  politics,  and  has  a  circulation  of  about  5,000  weddj,  ex- 
tending oyer  the  counties  of  York,  Lincoln,  Lancaster,  and  the  other  northern 
counties.  The  proprietors  are  Mr.  William  Hargroye,  and  his  two  sons, 
Alfred  Ely  Hargroye  and  William  Wallace  Hargroye. 

The  Yorkshireman,  established  in  1884,  is  a  joint  stock  property,  and  has 
a  pretty  fair  circulation.    Its  politics  are  liberal. 

The  Yorkshire  Gazette  is  the  property  of  a  company  of  resident  proprietors. 
It  was  established  on  the  34th  of  April,  1819,  and  the  *'  York  Ghronicle,*' 
established  in  1773,  was  amalgamated  with  it  some  years  ago.  The  Gazette 
adyocates  conseryatiye  principles.     Mr.  James  Lancelot  Foster,  publisher. 

The  Farmers'  Friend  and  Freeman's  Journal,  established  in  January,  1850, 
is  more  of  an  adyertising  sheet  than  a  newspaper.  About  500  oojHes  of  it 
are  distributed  gratis  eyery  week.  Mr.  Henry  Fairbum  is  the  publisher 
and  sole  proprietor. 

There  are  two  subscription  News  Booms  in  the  city,  one  at  the  Boyal 
Hotel  and  the  other  in  Blake  Street 

RAILWAYS. — ^The  formation  of  railways  is  closely  connected  with  the 
interests  of  York,  and  the  ancient  city  might  haye  lost  much  of  its  impor- 
tance but  for  the  introduction  of  these  iron  highways.  The  plain  of  York 
afforded  great  natural  facilities  for  the  construction  of  railways,  whilst  the 
geological  features  of  the  neighbourhood  of  Leeds  presented  as  formidable 
obstacles ;  and  it  is  owing,  in  a  great  measure,  to  this  that  York  is  now  the 
centre  of  a  system  of  railways  radiating  in  eyery  direction. 

The  Yorii  and  North  Midland  Railway  Company  was  formed  for  the  making 
and  maintenance  of  a  railway  &om  York  to  Normanton,  near  Wakefield,  a 
distance  of  twenty-four  miles.  On  the  80th  of  May,  1839,  it  was  opened  to 
the  Milford  Junction,  where  it  joins  the  Leeds  and  Selby  line ;  and  in  May, 
1840,  it  was  opened  to  Normanton,  where  it  unites  with  the  Midland  Rail- 
way, and  forms  a  direct  line  to  London.  The  York  and  North  Midland  is 
the  connecting  link  between  the  two  extremities  of  the  chain  of  railways  on 
the  eastern  side  of  the  island,  commencing  at  Doyer  and  extending  to  Edin- 
burgh. The  York  and  North  Midland  has  seyeral  branch  railways  in  con- 
nexion with  the  main  line,  yiz. : — ^from  York  to  the  fashionable  coast  town  of 
Scarborough  (opened  in  1846),  through  Malton,  joining  the  Whitby  and 
Pickering  line  at  the  latter  place;  the  branch  to  Market  Weigfaton;  and 
that  ^m  Church  Fenton  to  Harrogate. 

The  line  to  Knaresborough  was  opened  in  1846,  by  the  East  and  West 
Yorkshire  Railway  Company,  but  in  1853  it  was  purchased  by  the  York  and 
North  Midland  Company. 


TOPOGRAPHY   OF   TOBK.  635 

The  great  North  of  England  Railway  between  York  and  Darlington,  was 
opened  on  the  Slst  of  March,  1841.  This  line  is  carried  over  the  Oose  at 
Poppleton,  by  a  viaduct  300  feet  long.  In  1850  the  company  to  whom  this 
line  belonged  amalgamated  with  the  Darlington  and  Newcastle,  and  the 
Newcastle  and  Berwick,  Railway  Companies,  and  the  whole  line  was  thence- 
forward called  the  York,  NewewUe,  and  Berwick  Bailway.  The  distance  from 
York  to  Bermck  is  150  miles.  This  line  is  celebrated  for  the  High  Level 
Bridge  across  the  Tyne  at  Newcastle,  a  work  of  immense  magnitude,  and  by 
far  the  lai^est  of  the  kind  in  the  kingdom. 

In  June,  1854,  the  York  and  North  Midland,  the  York,  Newcastle,  and 
Berwick,  and  the  Leeds  Northern  lines,  were  all  amalgamated  by  Act  of 
Parliament,  and  became  the  property  of  one  body,  under  the  name  of  the 
North  Eastern  Bailway  Company.  The  length  of  the  three  united  lines  and 
their  branches  is  68d  miles. 

The  Great  Northern  EaUway,  which  joins  the  York  and  North  Midland 
line  near  Burton  Salmon,  was  opened  in  1850.  This  line  affords  another 
and  a  much  shorter  means  of  communication  with  London.  By  means  of 
these  lines,  there  is  now  a  complete  railway  communication  from  east  to  west, 
from  Hull  to  Liverpool ;  and  from  south  to  north,  there  is  a  direct  line  from 
London  to  Edinburgh  and  Glasgow  through  York.  It  is  now  possible  to 
accomplish  the  journey  from  York  to  London  and  back  in  less  than  twenty 
hours !  allowing  an  hour  for  the  transaction  of  business. 

Bailway  Station, — ^At  the  opening  of  the  York  and  North  Midland  Railway, 
in  1830,  a  temporary  station  was  constructed  without  the  walls  of  the  city, 
and  it  so  continued  until  the  beginning  of  1841,  when  the  present  elegant 
and  commodious  structure  was  opened.  Since  its  erection,  it  has  been  greatly 
enlarged,  and  it  is  now  the  chief  station  of  the  amalgamated  companies, 
as  well  as  of  the  Great  Northern  Company.  It  is  in  the  Italian  style  of 
architecture,  and  consists  of  two  ranges  of  buildings,  connected  at  the  east 
end  by  a  large  and  handsome  hotel,  erected  in  1853.  The  principal  front 
of  the  Station  is  opposite  Tanner  Row,  with  a  building  corresponding  to  it, 
frt>nting  the  dty  walls ;  and  the  whole  area,  including  the  Station,  is  covered 
by  a  cast-iron  roof,  of  ingenious  and  beautiful  design.. 

After  proceeding  from  the  Station,  the  lines  of  railway  pass  under  the  city 
walls,  which  are  perforated  by  two  large  Tudor  arches,  each  seventy  feet 
wide.  Connected  with  the  ra^way  there  are  numerous  large  and  convenient 
woilEshops,  engine  sheds,  foundries,  Ac.  Here  are  manufactured  almost 
entirely  the  engines,  carriages,  Ac,  of  the  North  Eastern  Railway  Company. 
The  number  of  persons  employed  in  the  station,  workshops.  Sec,  is  about 

4  L 


0^6  TOPOOBAPHT  OF  TOBK. 

1,S00,  who  receive  in  wages  £2,700.  fortnightly,  or  £70,000.  per  annum. 
The  chief  officers  of  the  North  Eastern  Company  are  Mr.  W.  0*Brien,  secre- 
tary ;  Mr.  T.  E.  Harrison,  engineer-in-chief;  and  Mr.  A.  G.  Sheriff,  manager 
of  traffic.  The  erection  of  this  Station  has  txansformed  a  remote  and  retired 
part  of  the  city  into  a  scene  of  vivacity  and  commercial  activity.  During  the 
excavation  of  the  ground  necessary  for  the  formation  of  the  Station,  as  well 
as  for  making  the  railway  hetween  the  Station  and  Holdgate  bridge,  numer- 
ous Roman  remains  were  found,  consisting  principally  of  sepulchral  remains; 
and  on  the  site  of  the  Station  were  discovered  portions  of  a  Roman  Bath,  and 
some  tesselated  pavements,  the  whole  of  which  have  been  deposited  in  the 
Museum  of  the  city.  The  space  between  the  Station  and  the  city  walls  was 
formerly  called  Friars*  Gardens,  and  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  site  of  a 
Dominican  Friary.  The  men  employed  at  the  railway  works  have  just 
established  a  Library  and  Reading  Room. 

Gm  Works. — ^The  "  York  Gas  Company  "  was  incorporated  by  Act  of  Par- 
liament in  18dd,  and  the  streets  of  the  city  were  first  lighted  with  gas  on  the 
ddnd  of  March,  1824.  The  works  of  this  company  were  erected  near  Monk 
Bridge.  In  1836  another  body,  called  the  '*  York  Union  Gas  Company/' 
was  established,  and  they  had  their  works  near  the  Foss,  in  Hungate.  Both 
of  these  bodies  amalgamated  in  1844,  under  the  style  and  title  of  the  York 
United  Qas  Light  Company;  and  in  1847  the  works  of  both  were  concen- 
trated on  the  ground  of  the  original  company.  The  buildings  are  of  red 
brick ;  there  are  two  gasometers,  which  will  contain  800,000  cubic  feet  of 
gas ;  the  largest  one  is  80  feet  in  diameter,  and  rises  50  feet,  and  when  it 
was  erected,  in  1847,  it  was  the  largest  in  the  county.  At  the  same  time 
the  works  were  considerably  enlaiged  and  improved,  and  a  new  retort  house 
and  chimney  built  This  fine  chimney,  which  is  in  the  form  of  a  Doric 
column,  is  remarkable  for  its  close  resemblance  in  form,  as  weU  as  of  its  being 
about  the  same  general  dimensions,  as  the  celebrated  Tnyan  pillar  at  Rome. 

In  ancient  times,  before  the  introduction  of  oil  and  gas,  part  of  the  pro- 
clamation, annually  made  by  the  Sheri£B9  in  York,  was  as  fbUows : — ^"  Also 
we  command  that  no  manner  of  man  walk  in  the  city,  or  in  the  suburbs,  by 
night,  without  light  before  him,  i.  e.  from  Fasche  (Easter)  to  Michaelmas, 
after  ten  of  the  clock;  and  firom  Michaelmas  to  Pasche,  after  nine  of  the 
dock."  The  houses  of  the  nobility  and  gentry  formerly  had  niches  at  their 
doors,  in  which  a  large  extinguisher  was  placed,  which  was  used  for  the  pur- 
pose of  extinguishing  flambeaux,  carried  by  servants  at  night  before  their 
masters,  as  they  went  and  returned  from  their  nocturnal  revels.  One  of  the 
remaining  examples  of  these  niches  may  be  seen  at  the  door  of  the  large 


TOPOGRAPHY   OF   YOBK.  6J^7 

hoase  at  the  end  of  Blake  Street,  near  the  Theatre,  which  was  erected 
hj  Sir  William  Robinson,  Bart.  When  Edward  IV.  was  in  York,  one 
hundred  torches  were  lighted  on  the  occasion,  the  inference  being  that  the 
citizens  were  at  other  times  left  to  grope  their  way  as  best  they  could.  In 
the  time  of  Charles  n.,  the  city  was  lighted  by  twenty-four  large  lanterns 
placed  at  the  comers  of  the  streets.*  The  Act  of  1838  required  that  the 
newly  formed  company  should  light  the  city  better  and  cheaper  with  gas  than 
could  be  done  with  oil. 

York  WatertDorks. — ^Lendal  Tower,  one  of  the  ancient  towers  of  defence  for 
the  city,  was  let  by  the  Goiporation  to  Richard  Whistler,  a  London  Mer- 
chant, in  1677,  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  Waterworks  in  it ;  but  it  was  not 
till  the  year  1683  that  the  works  were  completed.  The  lease  of  the  tower 
was  granted  for  500  years,  at  the  annual  rent  of  a  Peppercorn,  An  engine, 
worked  by  two  horses,  was  then  placed  in  it,  and  the  water  was  raised  from 
the  Ouse,  and  conTeyed  through  the  city  by  means  of  wooden  pipes.  The 
works  were  afterwards  purchased  by  Colonel  Thornton,  who  considerably  im> 
proved  the  whole,  enlarged  the  building,  introduced  a  steam  engine,  and 
added  bathing  rooms  to  the  tower.  From  this  gentlemen  the  establishment 
descended  to  his  son,  also  a  Colonel,  from  whom  it  was  purchased  in  1799, 
by  the  late  Waterworks  Company,  who  raised  the  tower  considerably,  and 
made  other  additions ;  and  who,  in  1886,  erected  a  new  engine  house  near 
the  tower,  to  which  the  engine  was  then  removed. 

A  new  company  was  established  in  1846,  with  a  capital  of  £60,000.,  raised 
in  shares  of  £10.  each ;  and  they  purchased  the  old  works  at  Lendal  Tower, 
for  £38,000. ;  and  in  1849  removed  them  to  Acomb  Landing,  on  the  opposite 
bank  of  the  Ouse,  about  two  miles  above  the  city.  The  new  works  were  de- 
signed by  Mr.  James  Simpson,  civil  engineer,  of  London,  and  consist  of  two 
subsiding  reservoirs,  and  three  filter  beds,  with  two  steam  engines,  each 
capable  of  working  to  about  sixty  horse-power ;  tanks,  wells,  conduits,  pipes, 
and  other  apparatus  for  raising  the  water  from  the  river,  performing  the  pro- 
cess of  filtration,  and  afterwards  lifting  the  water  to  the  high  service  reser- 
voir on  Severus  Hill,  for  distribution,  through  metal  pipes,  over  the  city  and 
suburbs.  This  great  reservoir,  which  is  nearly  a  mile  from  the  works,  is 
formed  in  the  centre  of  that  celebrated  tumuli,  which  tradition  points  to  as 
the  spot  upon  which  the  body  of  the  Roman  Emperor  Severus  had  been 
reduced  to  ashes. 

Public  Baths. — ^In  the  above  account  of  the  original  Waterworks  at 

•  Mr.  B.  Davies'  Lectore  at  the  York  Institute. 


J 


6M  TOPOOBAPHT   OF  YORK. 

Lendal,  we  observe  that  Colonel  Thornton  added  some  bathing  rooms  to 
them.  These  baths,  which  aie  supplied  with  hot  and  cold  water,  still  con- 
tinue to  be  the  property  of  the  Waterworks  Company. 

The  Stmnming  Baths,  in  Marjgate,  were  the  property  of  a  Joint  Stodc 
Company,  with  a  capital  of  igd,500.,  in  i66.  shares*  but  these  hare  been  pur> 
chased  by  the  Council  of  the  Philosophical  Society,  upon  whose  properly 
they  stand.  The  Bath  Company  was  formed  in  1886,  and  the  baths  were 
opened  in  the  following  year.  The  large  bath  is  IdO  feet  by  80.  Warm  and 
shower  baths  have  since  been  added. 

Cavalry  Barracks, — These  barracks  were  built  on  the  Fulford  Road,  about 
one  mile  from  the  city,  in  1700,  at  an  expense  of  £27,000.,  and  induding 
the  spacious  yard,  they  occupy  twelve  acres  of  ground.  The  centre  building 
will  accommodate  three  field  officers,  five  captains,  and  nine  subalterns,  and 
staff ;  and  the  wings  will  quarter  240  ncm-commissioned  officers  and  privates, 
and  horses  for  the  entire  force. 

MiUtia  Depot,  Lowther  Street,  Groves. — ^This  building  was  erected  for  the 
stores  of  the  2nd  West  York  Light  Infantry  Regiment  of  Militia,  and  con- 
sists of  a  guard  room,  several  store  rooms,  three  cells,  and  houses  for  the 
adjutant  and  quarter-master.    Col.  Smyth,  M.P.,  is  the  commanding  officer. 

Bakks. — Messrs.  Swann,  Clough,  d  Co.,  Coney  Street;  draw  on  Sir  R.  C. 
Glynn  &  Co.,  Lombard  Street,  London. 

Yorkshire  Banking  Company,  comer  of  High  Ousegate  and  Parliament 
Street ;  draw  on  Messrs.  Williams,  Deacon,  A  Co.,  20,  Birchin  Lane. 

York  City  and  County  Bank,  Parliament  Street ;  draw  on  Messrs.  Bametts, 
Hoare,  &  Co.,  62,  Lombard  Street. 

York  Union  Bank,  High  Ousegate ;  draw  on  Messrs.  Glynn  &  Co.»  Lom- 
bard Street    The  three  latter  banks  belong  to  Joint  Stock  Companies. 

Savings'  Bank,  comer  of  Blake  Street. — This  is  a  very  neat  building, 
erected  from  a  design  of  Messrs.  Pritchett  &  Sons,  of  York,  about  twentj-five 
years  ago,  at  a  cost  of  about  d65,000.  The  upper  story  exhibits  five  fluted 
pillars,  and  three  square  pillars,  with  Corinthian  capitals,  supporting  a  plain 
frieze.  The  board  room  over  the  bank  is  exceedingly  neat,  and  is  lighted  by 
seven  windows,  five  of  which  have  circular  heads.  The  ceiling,  which  is  in 
panels,  is  richly  decorated,  and  the  walls  are  ornamented  with  pilasters  of 
the  Corinthian  order.  The  use  of  this  room  is  sometimes  granted  by  Uie 
directors  for  religious  meetings,  or  meetings  for  charitable  purposes. 

From  the  general  statement  of  this  Savings*  Bank,  for  the  year  ending 
20th  November,  1854,  we  learn  that  the  sums  received  of  depositors  within 
that  year  was  ^£84,160.    And  at  that  date  the  amount  of  its  deposits  was 


TOPO0RAFHT   OF  TOBK.  6d9 

£214,d77.,  belonging  to  6,830  individuals,  96  charitable  societies,  and  31 
friendly  societies.  The  afifiurs  of  the  bank  are  managed  by  fiye  trustees  and 
a  committee  of  twenty-four  gentlemen,  the  Lord  Mayor  for  the  time  being 
being  president  John  Swann,  £sq.,  is  treasurer,  and  Mr.  Thomas  Riley, 
secretary.  Deposits  of  from  Is.  up  to  ^80.  may  be  made  in  one  year,  and 
the  rate  of  annual  interest  allowed  to  depositors  is  three  per  cent. 

York  Petmy  Bank,  Office,  Merchants'  Hall,  Fossgate. — ^The  olgect  of  this 
institution  is  to  create  and  foster  habits  of  regularity  and  frug^  economy,  by 
affording  an  opportunity  for  the  deposit  of  the  smallest  sums  of  money  pay- 
able when  required.  The  office  is  open  twice  a  week,  for  receiving  deposits 
of  any  sums  of  money  of  not  less  than  one  penny,  or  more  than  two  shillings 
each.  Interest,  at  the  rate  of  iSd.  lOs.  per  cent  per  ann.,  is  allowed  on  every 
10s.  deposited  before  December  1st  and  June  1st  in  each  year,  such  sum 
remaining  in  the  bank  for  six  months  after  the  said  dates.  The  weekly 
number  of  depositors  is  about  600,  and  the  weekly  sums  deposited  from 
JBd6.  to  iSdO. 

York  Loan  Society,  Blake  Street. — Loans  of  from  58.  to  iS15.  are  granted 
by  this  Society,  to  the  labouring  and  other  persons  of  approved  character,  the 
borrowers  giving  a  householder  as  security  for  the  repayment  thereof,  by 
weekly  instalments  of  one  shilling  in  the  pound.  No  interest  is  required  of 
the  borrower  beyond  a  charge  of  threepence  in  the  pound. 

CUy  Police  StatUmy  St  Sampson's  Square. — The  police  force  of  the  city 
consists  of  thirty  men.    Chief  Constable,  Mr.  Robert  Chalk. 

Hotek. — ^There  are  several  very  excellent  family  hotels  and  commercial 
inns  in  York.  One  of  these  frtmous  hostelries,  the  G^rge,  in  Coney  Street 
(which  has  just  ceased  to  be  an  inn),  is  remarkable  for  its  antiquity,  and  has 
been  known  to  exist  for  350  years  as  a  hotel.  In  this  house,  which  has  just 
been  divided  and  sold,  is  a  very  antique  apartment,  with  carved  wainscot- 
tings,  and  a  ceiling  richly  decorated  in  the  style  that  prevailed  during  the 
earlier  part  of  the  17th  century.  But  the  most  remarkable  decoration  in  the 
room  is  a  singularly  interesting  group  of  five  heraldic  achievements,  in  painted 
glass,  executed  in  the  reign  of  Charles  11.,  and  consisting  of  the  armorial 
beatings  of  that  Sovereign,  the  Earl  of  Strafford,  Earl  of  Northumberland, 
&c.  Mr.  Davies,  in  his  lecture  at  the  York  Institute,  on  the  antiquities  of 
York,  observed  that  if  he  might  conjecture  how  this  memorial  of  the  **  Merry 
Monarch  "  had  got  there,  he  would  say  that  it  was  possible,  and  even  highly 
probable,  that  he  and  his  gay  companions  had  frequently  partaken  of  the 
good  eheer  of  "  mine  host "  of  the  Qeorge,  and  had  in  return  pre96nted  him 
with  this  mark  of  their  patronage. 


680  TOPOORAPHT   OF   YOBK. 

York  Po&r  Law  Union. — This  Union,  which  was  declared  on  the  15th  of 
Jolj,  1887,  nnder  the  proYisions  of  the  Act  passed  in  1834,  comprises  a  total 
area  of  108  square  miles,  and  comprehends  80  parishes  and  places,  whereof 
89  are  in  the  city,  7  in  the  West  Riding  (the  Ainsty),  16  in  the  East  Riding, 
and  36  in  the  North  Riding  of  Yorkshire. 

The  Union  Workhome  is  a  large  pile  of  hrick  building,  lately  erected  near 
Ghroves*  Terrace,  on  the  Huntingdon  Road.  It  formerly  occupied  the  house 
in  Marygate,  now  used  as  the  Ragged  School  and  Model  Lodging  House. 
The  building  will  accommodate  about  850  inmates ;  the  average  number  in 
the  house  during  the  past  year  is  about  165,  and  the  average  cost  of  each  per 
week,  about  2s.  7id.  The  master  and  matron  of  the  workhouse  are  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Wilsott,  and  there  are  eight  medital  officers  connected  with  the  Union. 

PenUenHaty^  BishophilL — ^From  the  Report  for  the  year  ending  December 
81st,  1854,  we  learn  that  The  York  Penitentiary  Society  has  completed  its 
thirty-'third  year,  and  The  Befuge  its  tenth.  This  institution  is  for  the 
reformation  of  females,  who  have  unhappily  strayed  from  the  paths  of  virtue ; 
and  many  instances  are  known  of  characters  reclaimed  through  its  instru- 
mentality. In  1848  the  fands  of  this  charity  were  increased  by  the  liberal 
bequest  of  £5,000.,  made  by  Dr.  Beckwith,  who  formerly  resided  in  the  house 
now  occupied  as  the  Refuge  of  the  Society. 

City  Mission. — The  York  City  Mission  was  instituted  in  1848,  for  the  dif- 
fusion of  moral  and  religious  instruction  among  the  poorer  classes  of  society, 
by  means  of  domiciliary  visitation ;  as  well  as  to  recommend  sanitary  im- 
provements in  the  dwellings  of  the  poor.  To  e£fect  these  objects,  missionaries 
of  approved  character  and  qualification,  who  give  themselves  entirely  to  the 
work,  are  employed  and  paid  by  the  institution ;  and  their  duties  are  to  visit 
from  house  to  house  in  their  respective  districts,  read  the  scriptures  to  the 
inmates,  engage  them  in  religious  conversations,  without  referring  to  deno- 
minational distinctions,  urge  those  who  are  living  in  the  neglect  of  religion 
to  observe  the  sabbath,  and  to  attend  public  worship,  and  to  see  that  all  per- 
sons possess  the  scriptures.  The  general  business  of  the  society  is  conducted 
by  a  committee,  consisting  of  an  equal  number  of  members  of  the  Establbhed 
Church,  and  of  Dissenters.  The  City  Mission  is  supported  by  donations 
and  subscriptions. 

There  are  also  in  York  branches  of  the  various  Missionary,  Religious  Tract, 
and  Bible  Societies,  several  benevolent  associations  for  administering  to  the 
spiritual  and  temporal  wants  of  the  poor  and  needy.  Amongst  them  are  tihe 
York  Emanuel,  the  Charitable  Society,  the  Benevolent  Society,  the  Female 
Friendly  Society,  the  Lying-in  Charity,  and  the  Society  for  the  Prevention 
of  Vice  and  Profaneness. 


TOPOGIUPHT   OF   YORK.  631 

Model  Lodging  House,  Marygate. — ^This  establishment,  which  occupies 
part  of  the  old  Poor  Law  Union  Workhouse,  in  Marygate,  was  opened  in 
1850)  by  an  association  of  philanthropic  individuals.  There  is  accommo- 
dation for  nearly  fifty  lodgers,  each  of  whom  are  supplied  with  a  separate 
bed,  together  with  the  use  of  the  day  room  (which  is  supplied  with  bibles  and 
suitable  periodicals),  kitchen,  cooking  utensils,  soap,  salt,  gas  light,  &c.,  at 
the  low  charge  of  3d.  per  night,  or  Is.  6d.  a  week.  There  are  several  sleeping 
rooms,  all  of  them  fitted  up  with  beds,  separated  by  partitions.  The  beds 
are  of  sea  weed,  and  the  house,  which  is  remarkable  for  its  cleanliness  and 
comfort,  must  be  a  great  boon  to  the  poor  and  needy. 

Cemetery. — The  York  Public  Cemetery,  on  the  Fulford  Bead,  is  the  pro- 
perty of  a  Joint  Stock  Company,  fonved  in  1830,  with  a  capital  of  i66,000., 
in  dSlO.  shares,  and  was  established  in  consequence  of  the  crowded  state  of 
the  church  yards  in  York.  The  ground,  which  consists  of  eight  acres,  was 
first  opened  in  September,  1887 ;  and  that  all  denominations  may  bury  their 
dead  according  to  their  own  form,  half  the  land  is  consecrated  for  the  use  of 
the  Established  Church,  and  the  other  half  is  appropriated  to  Dissenters. 
The  ministers  of  each  denomination  conduct  their  own  funeral  services, 
and  the  mortuary  chapel  is  so  situated,  that  the  line  separating  the  two 
divisions  of  the  Cemetery  runs  through  the  centre  of  the  building ;  conse- 
quently one  half  of  the  chapel  is  used  by  members  of  the  Established  Church, 
and  the  other  half  by  the  Dissenters. 

The  ground  is  very  tastefully  laid  down,  and  planted  with  flowers,  shrubs, 
and  forest  trees ;  and  the  chapel,  lodge,  and  entrance  gates  are  very  neat. 
The  total  cost  of  the  land  and  buildings  is  JS7,719.  The  Chapel  is  an 
oblong  building,  of  cut  stone,  finom  Roche  Abbey,  and  is  an  interesting  imita- 
tion of  Grecian  architecture.  The  entrance  is  in  the  centre  of  the  north 
side,  beneath  a  pediment  supported  by  four  fluted  pillars,  and  two  large 
pilasters.  Both  ends  of  the  building  exhibit  a  frieze,  supported  by  two 
fluted  half  pillars.  The  south  side  is  plain.  The  interior  is  neat,  and  each 
end  is  fitted  up  with  a  small  pulpit,  seats,  &c. 

That  the  poor  as  well  as  the  rich  may  have  the  advantage  of  the  cemetery, 
there  is  a  rule,  that  for  persons  dying  in  housQS  or  tenements  under  the 
annual  value  of  £6.  or  £10.  rack  rent,  the  charge  for  a  single  interment  shall 
be  much  less  than  to  other  persons.  It  is  also  laid  down  as  an  invariable 
rule,  that  no  grave,  whether  public  or  private,  when  filled,  shall  again  be 
opened,  so  that  no  human  remains  may  be  dug  up  or  disturbed.  As  the 
church  yards  of  York  have  been  recently  closed  (See  page  369)  it  is  probable 
that  this  Cemetery  will  soon  be  extended  beyond  its  present  limits.  Visitors 
have  free  access  to  walk  in  the  grounds,  except  on  Sundays. 


632  TOPOORAPHT  OF   YORK. 

Cholera  Burial  Qraumd, — As  we  have  seen  at  page  868,  that  terrible 
^demicy  the  Asiatic  Cholera,  first  manifested  itself  in  York  in  the  m<«th 
<d  June,  1882 ;  and  on  that  oocasioa  this  piece  of  gronnd,  which  is  sitnated 
just  without  the  city  walls,  between  the  Railway  and  North  Street  Postern, 
was  set  apart  for  the  interment  of  those  who  died  of  that  malady.  The 
second  visitation  of  Cholera,  in  1849,  being  much  less  serere  than  the  i«e- 
vions  one,  those  who  died  of  it  were  buried  in  the  difEierent  graye-yaids 
indiscriminately ;  the  Cholera  bnrial-giound  not  being  opened  at  all. 

Reobeativb  AinisEiiENTs. — Baee$. — ^A  large  flat  piece  of  pasture  land, 
about  a  mile  south  of  the  city,  called  Knavemnire,*  the  property  of  the  firee- 
men  of  Micklagate  ward,  is  used  as  a  Race  Count,  This  course  is  one  of  the 
finest  in  the  kingdom,  and  York  races  occupy  a  place  in  the  first  rank  upon 
the  English  tur£  The  sport  of  horse  racing,  though  undoubtedly  practised 
in  this  country  at  the  time  of  the  Roman  invasion,  does  not  appear  to  haye 
made  much  progress  till  the  accession  of  James  I.,  who  introduced  it  from 
Scotland,  where  it  came  into  vogue  firom  the  spirit  and  swiftness  of  the 
Spanish  horses,  which  had  been  thrown  ashore  on  the  coast  of  Galloway, 
when  the  vessels  of  the  Armada  woe  wrecked.  In  the  reign  of  Heniy  VJJJL. 
a  bell,  adorned  with  flowers,  had  been  **  given  to  him  who  should  run  the 
best  and  farthest  on  horseback  on  Shrove  Tuesday,"  at  Chester,  Stamford, 
and  elsewhero. 

Camden,  in  his  Britannia,  published  in  1590,  informs  us  that  horse  racing 
was  practised  on  the  Forest  of  Gsltres,  on  the  east  side  of  the  city  of  York ; 
the  prize  for  the  winning  horse  being  a  small  golden  or  silver  bell,  which  was 
always  attached  to  its  head-gear,  and  the  animal  was  then  led  about  in 
triumph ;  whence  arose  the  proverb,  for  success  of  any  kind,  "  bearing  away 
the  bell,"  or  "  to  bear  the  bell.*'  But  racing  as  a  system  may  be  said  to  date 
from  the  reign  of  James  I.  This  monaroh  was  extremely  fond  of  the  sport, 
and  his  favourite  courses  were  at  Croydon  and  Enfield  Chase.  Chaiies  I. 
followed  his  example  by  establishing  races  in  Hyde  Park  and  at  Newmaiket* 
where  James  I.  had  already  built  a  hunting  seat.  Races  were  disoontinoed 
during  the  Protectorate,  but  Cromwell  was  by  no  means  inattentive  to  the 
breeding  of  good  horses.  The  "  Merry  Monaroh  "  not  only  encouraged  racing 
by  numerous  royal  plates,  but  purohased  mares  and  sires  (principally  Baibs 
and  Turks)  in  the  Levant,  and  also  improved  the  breed  by  horses  brought 
over  from  Tangiers,  as  part  of  the  dowry  of  his  Queen,  Catherine  of  Braganza. 

•  KnaiO€,  the  Anglo-Saxon  term  fer  a  man  of  low  condition — and  this  conmum  it 
oalled  Knavesmixe,  fiiom  being  the  swampy  pasture  of  the  poor  hoaseholderB'  cattle. 


TOPOGRAPHY   OF  TOBK.  638 

Mr.  Drake  says,  "  Clifton  Belds  have  not  been  enclosed  a  century ;  and  were 
formerly  open  enough  to  have  been  the  Campus  Martins  to  Eboracum ;"  and 
in  another  place  he  speaks  more  confidently  to  there  having  been  so.  In 
1700  there  was  a  regular  race  meeting  on  Clifton  Ings,  and  in  1714  it  had 
become  so  popular  that  there  were  156  carriages  upon  the  course  in  one  day. 
During  the  great  frost  in  1607,  when  the  river  Ouse  was  frozen  over  so  hard 
that  carts  and  carriages  passed  over  it  in  safety,  Drake  tells  us  that  a  horse 
race  was  run  upon  it,  firom  the  tower  at  Marygate  end,  through  the  great 
arch  of  Ouse  Bridge,  to  the  crane  at  Skeldergate  Postern.  In  the  year  1709 
the  citizens  made  a  collection,  with  which  they  purchased  five  plates,  which 
were  run  for  over  Enavesmire,  and  from  that  period  to  the  present,  the 
annual  meetings  have  been  supported  with  much  spirit  Since  the  time  of 
Charies  n.,  this  great  national  sport  has  been  sanctioned  and  encouraged  by 
the  monarchs  of  England,  who  grant  "  Plates  "  or  "  Cups  **  annually  to  be 
run  for  on  many  race  courses  in  the  kingdom.  Though  these  royal  gifts  are 
still  frequentiy  called  plates  or  cups,  yet,  with  the  exception  of  the  Vase, 
which  is  run  for  at  Ascot  (and  which  is  still  a  piece  of  plate),  they  consist  of 
100  guineas,  and  hence  are  sometimes  called  the  King's  or  Queen's  Guineas, 
or  the  King's  or  Queen's  Hundred.  In  1713,  four  years  after  the  establish- 
ment of  permanent  races  at  York,  the  King's  gold  cup  was  procured,  and  has 
ever  since  been  run  for  at  the  August  meeting.  There  is  another  royal  plate 
of  100  gpiineas,  now  given  for  mares,  to  be  run  for  here  and  at  Richmond 
alternately.  In  1754  the  Chrand  Stand  was  built  by  subscription.  The 
building  is  of  red  brick,  with  circular-headed  windows  in  the  upper  story ; 
the  whole  finished  with  a  balustrade  projection,  the  front  of  which  is  up  to 
100  feet  in  length,  and  supported  by  a  rustic  arcade  of  15  feet  high,  from 
which  may  be  enjoyed  a  fine  view  of  the  races  and  surrounding  scenery. 
Near  the  "Winning  Post"  is  the  building  called  the  Bound  Hotue,  which 
was  erected  for  the  convenience  of  the  Stewards  or  officials.  It  is  a  stone 
rotunda,  with  attached  Doric  columns,  supporting  their  proper  entablature, 
and  surmounted  by  a  dome.  Extensive  improvements  have  reoentiy  been . 
effected  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  goal — a  neat  Stand  has  been  erected  for 
the  use  of  the  Stewards  and  their  friends,  with  a  portion  reserved  lor  ladies ; 
the  enclosure  in  front  of  the  Stands  enlarged,  and  a  telegraphic  communica- 
tion established  between  the  Qrand  Stand  and  the  city.  The  amount  of 
added  money  given  to  be  run  for  at  the  race  meeting  in  August,  1854,  ex- 
ceeded iSl,500.  The  Course  is  marked  by  posts  and  rails,  and  has  a  very 
elegant  appearance.  The  old  Two  Mile  Course  is  1  mile,  7  furlongs,  and  85 
yards,  in  length ;  and  the  ordinary  coarse  is  1  mile,  6  furlongs,  and  about  50 

4  M 


63  4  TOPOGRAPHY    OF    YORK. 

yards,  quite  flat,  aud  of  a  circular  sbai)e.  The  run  in  is  5  furlongs,  which 
forms  the  Two  Year  Old  Course.  Here  are  three  race  meetings  in  the  year, 
viz.,  the  Spring  Meeting,  held  in  April  or  May ;  the  Aufjvst  Meeting^  in  that 
month;  and  the  Yorkshire  Union  Hunt  Meeting,  in  October.  The  first 
meeting  continues  for  two  days,  the  second  for  three  days,  and  the  third 
occupies  but  one  day. 

York  Archery  Society, — Established  in  1833,  and  now  contains  upwards  of 
fifty  members,  who  are  elected  by  ballot.  The  society  holds  its  meetings  on 
Knavcsmire.  Sir  W.  M.  E.  Milner,  Bart,  M.P.,  is  the  president,  and  Mr. 
W.  W.  Hargrove,  secretary. 

Charities. — Besides  the  various  hospitals,  almshouses,  charity  schools, 
medical  and  benevolent  institutions,  which  we  have  described,  there  are 
several  charity  trusts  belonging  to  the  city,  the  administration  of  which  is 
in  the  hands  of  Trustees  appointed  by  the  Corporation,  who  publish  an 
annual  statement  of  tlieir  receipts  and  expenditure.  This  renders  it  entirely 
unnecessary  for  us  to  burden  our  pages  with  the  particulars  of  these  charities. 

EMINENT  MEN. — Several  of  the  Worthies  who  occupy  niches  in  the 
York  Temple  of  Fame,  are  already  mentioned  in  the  Annals  of  the  Bishops 
(See  page  381);  and  amongst  the  other  men  of  eminence,  or  persons  who 
were  famed  for  their  piety,  literary  attainments,  or  proficiency  in  the  arts 
and  sciences,  and  who  were  natives  of  York,  the  following  are  the  most  cele- 
brated. It  may  however  be  observed  that,  although  so  many  great  men  have 
at  different  times  resided  in  York,  yet  but  few  appear  to  have  been  bom  there. 

Constantine  the  Ch-eat,  as  has  already  been  observed  at  page  60,  was  sup- 
posed to  have  been  a  native  of  York,  until  Niebuhr  published  his  "Lectures 
on  the  History  of  Rome."  He,  however,  resided  for  a  time  in  York,  and 
there  assumed  the  imperial  purple  on  the  death  of  his  father  Constantius. 

Alcuin,  one  of  the  greatest  luminaries  of  the  age  in  which  he  flourished, 
was  a  native  of  York  or  its  neighbourhood,  as  he  himself  declares  in  his 
poem  on  the  saints  of  that  diocese,  and  is  supposed  to  have  been  bom  about 
the  year  720.  Foreigners  not  being  accustomed  to  pronounce  the  tr,  he 
omitted  it  in  his  name ;  which  he  mollified  into  Albinus,  prefixing  to  it  in 
France  the  name  of  Flaccus,  from  Horace.  In  his  letters  he  often  styles 
himself  Flaccus  Albinus.  He  was  nobly  bom,  and  became  a  monk  at  York, 
and  was  made  deacon  of  that  church.  He  learned  Latin  and  Greek,  and  the 
elements  of  the  Hebrew  language,  and  went  through  the  sacred  studies  under 
Egbert  and  Elbert,  who  taught  a  great  school  in  York.  (Some  writers  assert 
that  Alcuin  received  the  rudiments  of  his  education  from  the  Venerable  Bede.) 
When  Elbert  succeeded  Egbert  in  the  archbishopric,  in  766,  he  committed  to 


TOPOGRAPHY   OF   YORK.  635 

Alcuin  the  care  of  the  school,  and  of  the  great  library  belonging  to  the  church, 
and  his  reputation  attracted  crowds  of  students  from  Gaul  and  Germany,  and 
many  of  them  in  after  life  became  distinguished  men.  He  was  now  esteemed 
the  most  erudite  man  of  the  age.  Eanbald,  the  nephew  of  Elbert,  being 
appointed  to  the  See  of  York,  sent  Alcuin  to  Rome,  to  bring  over  his  pall,  in 
780,  and  on  his  return  from  the  "  Eternal  City,"  he  met,  at  Parma,  Charle- 
magne, or  Charles  the  Great,  King  of  France,  afterwards  Emperor.  That 
potentate  desirous  of  adding  literary  honours  to  the  fame  he  had  acquired  in 
arms,  earnestly  desired  to  detain  him ;  but  the  canons  obHged  him  to  return 
to  his  own  church.  However  that  Prince  prevailed  with  the  King  of  North- 
umberland and  the  Archbishop  of  York  to  send  him  back  to  France.  He 
appointed  him  to  open  a  great  school  in  his  own  palace,  and  generally  as- 
sisted in  person  at  his  lessons  with  the  Princes,  his  sons — and  this  example 
was  followed  by  the  chief  nobility  of  the  country.  He  also,  by  his  advice, 
instituted  an  academy  in  his  palace,  consisting  of  many  learned  men,  who 
met  on  certain  days  to  discourse  on  points  of  sacred  learning. 

Alcuin,  we  are  told  by  Gaillard,  weaned  Charlemagne  from  the  passion 
for  conquests,  by  discovering  to  him  a  new  source  of  true  greatness,  far 
dearer  to  humanity ;  and  it  is  the  cultivation  of  the  maxims  and  lessons  of 
that  wise  tutor  that  has  principally  rendered  the  name  of  that  great  Piiiice 
immortal  in  the  eyes  of  true  judges ;  for  instructed  by  such  a  master,  the 
royal  pupil  learned  to  set  a  just  value  on  true  knowledge ;  and  to  place  his 
glory  in  protecting  science,  in  perfecting  the  administration,  and  in  extending 
in  every  respect  the  empire  of  reason.  When  in  his  old  age  Alcuin  retired 
from  the  distractions  of  the  palace,  many  followed  him  to  his  retreat  at  the 
Abbey  of  St  Martin,  at  Tours,  where  he  wrote  some  of  his  best  works,  and 
where  he  continued  his  favourite  occupation  of  teaching,  till  his  death,  which 
occurred  on  Whit  Sunday,  the  19th  of  May,  804.  At  his  death  he  was 
lamented  as  the  pride  of  his  age  and  the  benefactor  of  the  empire. 

Alcuin 's  works  are  numerous,  and  the  best  edition  of  them  is  by  the 
learned  Andrew  Duchesne,  in  throe  tomes,  published  in  1617.  They  consist 
principally  of  poems,  elementary  introductions  to  the  different  sciences,  trea- 
tises on  a  variety  of  theological  subjects,  the  lives  of  several  saints,  and  an 
interesting  correspondence  with  the  most  celebrated  characters  of  the  age  in 
which  he  lived.  The  Bible  which  Alcuin  transcribed  and  presented  to 
Charlemagne  on  the  day  of  his  coronation,  is  now  in  the  British  Museum, 
having  been  purchased  for  it  a  few  years  ago  for  the  sum  of  £750. 

Bobert  Flower,  the  hermit  of  Knaresborough,  usually  called  St.  Robert 
(though  he  has  not  been  canonized),  was  the  son  of  Took  Flower,  who  was 


I 


636  TOPOGRAPHY  OF  YORK. 

twice  Mayor  of  York.  He  was  bom  towards  the  close  of  the  Idth  centoij, 
and  became  a  monk  of  the  Cistercian  Order  at  York.  After  some  years  he 
remoTed  to  Knaresborough,  where  he  resided  at  a  hermitage  among  the 
rocks.  From  hence  he  removed  to  Spofforth,  bat  retomed  to  Knaresbofongfa, 
where  he  led  a  hermit's  life,  and  ended  his  days.  His  reputed  sanctity  led 
many  persons  to  visit  him,  among  whom  was  King  John.  The  oell  in  which 
he  passed  his  days  still  remains,  and  is  known  as  St.  Robert's  Care.  It  is 
romantically  sitoated  among  the  rocks  overhanging  the  river  Nidd,  and  will 
be  fJEtmiliar  to  the  readers  of  Bulwer's  historical  romance  called  **  Eugene 
Aram/*  it  being  the  place  in  which  Aram  and  his  companions  in  guilt  coo* 
cealed  the  body  of  their  murdered  victim,  and  whero  the  remains  lay  undis- 
covered for  several  years. 

John  Waldby,  and  Bohert  his  brother,  two  eminent  scholars  who  flourished 
in  the  14th  century,  were  natives  of  York ;  Robert  was  the  47th  Arohbishop 
of  the  province.    (See  page  897.) 

John  Ergham,  another  learned  friar  of  the  same  order,  was  bom  in  York, 
and  flourished  about  the  year  1400.  He  was  an  able  preacher,  and  the 
author  of  many  books,  most,  if  not  all,  of  which  he  dedicated  to  Edward 
Stafford,  Earl  of  Hereford,  and  the  Duke  of  Buckingham. 

John  Bate,  a  Carmelito  friar,  a  profound  expositor  of  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
and  an  author  of  celebrity  in  the  fifteenth  century,  was  a  native  of  York. 

Thomas  Morton,  Bishop  of  Durham,  was  bom  in  the  Pavement,  York,  in 
1564.  His  fiftther,  Richard  Morton  (aUied  to  Cardinal  Morton,  Archbidiop 
of  Canterbuiy),  was  a  mercer,  and  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  of  the  trade 
that  lived  here — ^his  successors  in  it  being  his  apprentices.  The  subject  of 
this  notice  was  bred  in  the  school  of  this  city,  and  thence  romoved  to  Si. 
John's  College,  Cambridge,  of  which  he  became  a  FeUow.  Afterwards  he 
became  chaplain  to  Lord  Evers,  and  was  sent  as  Ambassador  to  tiie  King  of 
Denmark  and  some  German  Princes,  by  King  James  I.,  after  which  he  was 
preferred  to  the  deaneries  of  Gloucester  and  Wincester  first,  and  Uien  to 
the  Sees  of  Chester,  Coventiy  and  Lichfield,  and  lastiy  to  Durham.  He  was 
deprived  of  the  latter  bishopric  by  the  Parliament  in  1640,  and  died  in  1659, 
aged  95.  The  writer  of  this  prolate*s  life  says  that  he  was  schoolieUow  at 
York  with  Guy  Fawkes,  the  Gunpowder  Plot  conspirator. 

Robert  Carr,  Earl  of  Somerset,  was  bom  in  this  city.  His  father,  Thomas 
Carr,  a  man  of  power  and  wealth  in  the  south  of  Scotland,  being  active  for 
Mary,  the  unfortunate  Queen  of  Scote,  was  forced  his  country ;  but  coming 
to  York,  whero  he  was  suffered  to  live  quietiy,  his  son  Robert  was  bom  there. 
The  latter,  by  having  broken  his  leg  at  a  tilting  mateh  in  London,  came 


TOPOGRAPHY  OF.  YORK.  637 

under  the  cognizance  of  James  I.,  who,  pitying  his  ill  lack,  enquired  into  his 
family  and  person ;  and  finding  that  his  father  had  heen  a  sufferer  for  the 
Queen,  his  mother,  and  that  he  was  a  deserving  man,  he  took  him  into  fiivour, 
and  made  him  successiyely  a  Baronet,  Viscount,  and  Earl  of  Somerset  He 
was  afterwards  hanished  the  court,  and  died  in  ohscurity  in  1688. 

Sir  Tkonuu  Herbert,  Ban,^  son  of  Mr.  Thomas  Herbert,  merchant  and 
alderman  of  York,  was  bom  in  this  city  in  1606.  He  was  educated  at  Jesus 
College,  Cambridge,  and  afterwards  spent  several  years  abroad  in  visiting 
Europe  and  parts  of  Asia  and  Africa.  He  was  related  to  the  Earl  of  Pem- 
broke, and  was  chosen  one  of  the  attendants  of  Charles  I. ;  and  he  and 
Bidiop  Juxton  were  the  only  persons  who  attended  that  unfortunate  monarch 
to  the  scaffold.  Mr.  Herbert  attended  Charles  IE.  during  his  captivity,  and 
for  his  fidelity  he  vnis  made  a  Bazonet  at  the  Restoration.  He  published  a 
folio  of  his  travels,  in  1677 ;  and  an  account  of  the  two  last  years  of  the  reign 
of  Charles  I.  was  published  in  1703.  He  was  also  the  author  of  a  poem, 
entitled  Threno^UA  Carolina,  He  died  in  this  city  in  March,  1681,  in  the 
76th  year  of  his  age,  and  was  buried  in  the  church  of  St.  Crux. 

6fuy  Fawke»f  of  Gunpowder  Plot  celebrity,  was,  according  to  some,  bom  in 
York,  in  1570,  in  the  parish  of  St.  Michael-le-Belfty ;  but  others  assert  that 
Bishopthorpe  was  the  place  of  his  nativity.  He  appears  by  birth  and  edu- 
cation to  haye  been  a  Protestant.  His  father  died  when  he  was  young,  but 
his  mother  marrying  again,  he  removed  with  her  to  Scotton,  a  small  hamlet 
near  Ejiaresborough,  where  he  became  acquainted  with  some  influential 
Catholic  fiunilies  in  the  neighbourhood,  whose  religious  faith  he  soon  em- 
braced. In  1693  he  left  England,  and  became  a  soldier  in  the  Spanish  army, 
in  the  Netheriands,  under  the  Archduke  Albert.  In  1605  he  returned  to 
England,  and  acted  a  principal  part  in  the  prqjected  gunpowder  treason,  for 
which  he  suffered  execution,  January  81st,  1606,  at  Westminster. 

Marmaduke  FothergiU,  the  Nonconformist  Minister  of  Skipwith,  whose 
collection  of  books  and  manuscripts  are  now  in  the  Minster  Library,  was  a 
native  of  York.    (See  pe^e  468.) 

BeUby  Partenu,  Biahop  of  London,  was  bom  in  this  city  in  1781,  and  was 
the  youngest  of  nineteen  children.  From  the  school  at  Ripon  he  went  to  the 
University  of  Cambridge.  He  obtained  various  prefOTments,  until  he  became 
Bishop  of  Chester  in  1776.  In  1787  he  was  translated  to  London,  and  he 
died  in  1809. 

Henry  Swinburne,  an  eminent  D.C.L.,  was  bom  at  York  about  the  middle 
of  the  16th  century,  and  educated  at  the  Free  Grammar  School  of  the  cily. 
As  his  contemporary  and  countryman,  Gilpin,  was  called  the  "  Apostle  of  the 


638  TOPOGRAPHY    OF    YORK. 

North,"  so   Swinburne  was  styled  the  "Northern  Advocate  "—one  Uing 
famous  for  his  learning  in  divinity,  and  the  other  in  the  civil  law. 

ChrUtopher  Carticritjht,  a  profound  scholar,  styled  Vir  erudkissimuBt  vis 
bom  at  York,  and  is  known  to  the  learned  world  for  his  Annotations  on 
Genesis  and  Exodus. 

John  Earle  was  bom  in  York  in  1601,  and  entered  Merton  College,  Ox- 
ford, in  1020.  Wood,  his  biographer,  tells  us  that  his  younger  years  were 
adorned  with  oratory,  poetry,  and  witty  fancies,  and  his  elder  with  quaint 
preaching  and  subtle  disputes.  He  rose  successively  from  the  deanery  of 
Westminster  to  the  bishopric  of  Worcester,  and  ultimately  to  that  of  London. 
He  died  at  Oxford  in  1665,  and  was  buried  near  the  high  altar  in  the  chapel 
of  Merton  College,  in  that  city. 

Sir  Clifton  Wintrintjfiam,  Bart,  physician  to  King  George  IV.,  was  born 
at  York,  in  the  house  now  known  as  the  Judges*  Lodgings,  in  Lendal,  in 
1710.  His  father  was  also  an  eminent  physician  in  th\^  city.  Sir  Clifton 
pubUahed  several  works,  viz.,  "  An  Experimental  Inquiiy  into  some  parts  of 
the  Animal  Structure,"  in  1740 ;  "  An  Inquiry  into  the  Exility  of  the  ye>sels 
of  the  Human  Body,"  in  1743 ;  "  De  Morquibusdum,"  two  vols.,  in  1782  and 
1791 ;  and  an  edition  of  Dr.  Mead  s  "  Monita  et  Pnecepta  Medica  cum  multis 
notis."     He  died  in  London  on  the  10th  of  January,  1794,  aged  84. 

John  Flnxtnan,  the  celebrated  sculptor,  was  born  in  this  city,  July  6tb, 
1766,  but  he  settled  early  with  his  father  in  London.  His  excellence  as  a 
sculptor  is  universally  acknowledged. 

WiUiam  Etty,  R.  A.,  "  the  poetic  painter  of  the  human  form,"  was  born  in 
this  city  in  1787,  and  was  apprenticed  to  a  printer  at  Hull,  but  after  having 
served  his  time,  he  adopted  the  profession  of  an  artist ;  studied  under  Sir 
Thomas  Lawrence ;  and  then  travelled  in  Italy,  and  stayed  some  time  at 
Venice.  In  1827  he  was  elected  a  Fellow  of  the  Royal  Academy;  and  after 
having  amassed  a  considerable  fortune,  he  died  at  York,  in  November,  1849, 
in  the  63rd  year  of  his  age,  and  his  remains  were  interred  in  the  church-yard 
of  St.  Olave,  Marygate,  attended  by  the  Corporation  and  a  numerous  bodyirf 
his  fellow-citizens,     Etty  s  biography  has  been  just  published. 

The  late  Oeorge  Todd,  Bookseller,  of  York,  published  an  interesting  little 
History  of  Sheriff  Hutton  Castle.  This  much  respected  person  lost  his  lift 
from  cold,  contracted  by  his  zealous  endeavours  in  assisting  in  the  attempt 
to  extinguish  the  fire  at  York  Minster,  in  1829.  Before  his  death  he  wrote 
a  short  account  of  that  fire,  which  is  given  in  the  second  edition  of  Halt- 
penny's  Gothic  Ornaments. 

Bohert  Varies,  Esq,,  the  late  learned  Town  Clerk  of  York,  was  bom  in  this 


TOPOGRAPHY    OF   YORK.  639 

city,  and  now  resides  at  the  Mount,  without  Micklegate  Bar.  This  gentle- 
man published,  in  1843,  a  very  interesting  work  entitled  "  Extracts  from  the 
Municipal  Records  of  the  City  of  York,  in  the  16th  century,"  one  vol.  8vo. ; 
and  in  1850,  "TheFawkes's  of  York  in  the  16th  Century,"  a  small  8vo. 
vol.,  was  published  from  the  pen  of  the  same  writer. 

George  Lawton,  Esq.,  a  native  of  this  city,  and  now  residing  at  Nunthorpe, 
near  York  (a  Proctor  of  the  Ecclesiastical  Court  of  York  of  many  years 
standing,  and  also  Registrar  of  the  Archdeaconry  of  the  East  Riding  of  York- 
shire), has  published  the  following  works : — "  The  Marriage  Act,  arranged 
with  Notes,"  8vo.  in  1823 — second  edition  in  1824 ;  A  Treatise  of  Bona 
NotabUia,  together  with  an  account  of  the  Archiepiscopal  Courts  of  Probate 
within  the  Province  of  York,  and  of  the  peculiar  courts  of  Probate  within 
that  Province,"  8vo.,  1826  ;  *'  A  list  of  Manorial  Courts  within  the  Counties 
of  York  and  Nottingham,  which  possess  the  right  of  pi*oving  WiUs,"  8vo. 
"  Collectio  Rerum  Ecclesiasticarum  de  Dicecesi  Eboracensi,  or  Collections 
Relative  to  the  Churches  and  Chapels  within  the  Diocese  of  York,"  to  which 
are  added  "  Collections  Relative  to  the  Diocese  of  Ripon,"  two  vols.,  8vo., 
1840 — a  second  edition  of  this  work  in  one  large  vol.,  8vo.,  was  published  in 
1842,  with  an  appendix,  containing  Excerpta  from  the  MS.  Repertory  of 
Endowments  by  Dr.  Ducarel,  preserved  in  Lambeth  Palace,  transcribed  by 
permission  of  the  late  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  and  ''  The  Religious  Houses 
of  Yorkshire,"  8vo.,  in  1853. 

Mr.  John  Browney  of  Blake  Street,  York  (a  native  of  this  city),  has  pub- 
lished a  YeTj  voluminous  and  elaborate  "  History  of  the  Edifice  of  the  Metro- 
politan Church  of  St.  Peter,  York."  This  great  work,  which  was  commenced 
in  1827,  and  completed  in  1847,  is  in  33  numbers  (4to  Elephant)  to  corres- 
pond with  Halfpenny's  "  Gothic  Ornaments ;"  or  in  two  vols.  It  is  illustrated 
by  extracts  from  authentic  records,  by  plans,  sections,  and  engravings  of 
architectural  and  sculptural  details ;  and  some  of  the  best  authorities  have 
declared  it  to  be,  not  only  the  best  History  of  the  Cathedral,  but  to  be  of 
more  practical  service  to  the  profession  of  the  Architect,  than  any  other  work 
published  on  pointed  architecture  and  its  decorations. 

The  following  eminent  and  learned  individuals  though  not  bom  there, 
were,  or,  as  in  some  of  the  cases  have  been,  so  long  connected  with  York, 
as  to  justify  us  in  classing  them  amongst  the  worthies  of  that  venerable  city ; 
for  most  certainly  the  names  of  Drake,  Gent,  Hargrove,  Wellbeloved,  and 
Phillips,  will  ever  be  associated  with  the  Uterati  of  York. 

Francis  Drake,  the  historian  of  York,  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  F.  Drake, 
Rector  of  Hemsworth  and  Vicar  of  Pontefract.     He  was  bom  in  1695,  and  in 


640  TOPOGRAPHY   OF   YORK. 

early  life  took  up  his  residence  in  York,  where  he  pnu^tised  as  a  suigeon  of 
good  reputation.  He  married  Maiy,  daughter  of  John  Woodyeare,  Esq.,  of 
GrookhiU,  near  Doncaster,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons,  Rer.  Francifl  Drake, 
D.D.,  Vicar  of  St  Mary*8,  Beyerley,  and  Rector  of  Winestead,  in  Holdemess ; 
and  Rev.  William  Drake,  F.A.S.,  Rector  of  Isleworth,  Middlesex.  The 
subject  of  this  notice  was  an  eminent  antiquary,  and  F.R.3.  He  puUiahed 
his  yalnable  work  called  *'Eboracnm,  or  the  Histoiy  and  Antiquities  of 
York,"  in  one  yd.,  folio,  with  plates,  in  1736,  which  was  dedicated  to  his 
ftiend  the  Earl  of  Burlington.  He  also  was  one  of  the  compilers  of  the 
"  Parliamentary  History  of  England  to  the  Restoration,"  and  contributed 
seyeral  papers  to  the  Philosophical  Transactions,  and  tiie  Archnlogia.  He 
died  in  1770,  aged  76,  and  was  buried  in  St  Mary's  Church,  Beyerley, 
where  a  monument  is  erected  to  his  memory.  His  residence  in  York  was 
in  Coney  Street,  near  the  Oeorge  HoteL 

Thomas  Gfent,  a  well  known  collector  and  publisher  of  antiquities  relatiye 
to  Yorkshire,  was  bom  in  DubHn,  in  1691,  and  in  due  time  was  apprenticed 
to  a  printer  in  that  city;  but  bec(»ning  unaettied,  he  ran  away  from  his 
master  and  went  to  London,  where  he  soon  met  with  employment  He 
afterwards  remoyed  to  York,  where  he  worked  in  the  office  of  Mr.  White,  in 
Petergate,  but  soon  returned  to  Ireland  to  yisit  his  friends ;  again  came  oyer 
to  England  and  settied  in  London,  from  whence  he  remoyed  to  York  in  1734, 
at  the  inyitation  of  his  former  master's  widow,  whom  he  married  not  long 
after,  and  settied  in  Coffee  Yard,  behind  Stonegate.  He  was  now  master  of 
one  of  the  few  printing  offices  out  of  London,  for  he  himself  teUs  us,  in  his 
autobiography,  that  at  this  time  there  were  no  printers  in  Chester,  Liyerpool, 
Preston,  Manchester,  Kendal,  or  Leeds.  In  1780  he  printed  and  published 
**  The  Antient  and  Modem  History  of  the  Famous  City  of  York."  In  1736 
he  published  his  History  of  Hull,  which  was  followed  by  a  History  of  Ripon, 
and  in  176d  his  "  History  of  the  East  Window  of  York  Minster  "  appeared. 
All  tiiese  works  display  considerable  industry  and  care,  and  are  highly  es- 
teemed by  the  collectors  of  English  topography,  perhaps  on  account  of  their 
singularity.  Gent*s  closing  years  were  often  embittered  by  the  diffioulties 
he  met  with  in  his  business,  and  he  died  at  his  house  in  Peteigate^  cm  the 
lOih  of  May,  1778,  in  his  87th  year,  and  was  interred  in  the  church  of  St 
Michael-le-Belfry.  Many  years  afterwards  his  autobiography  was  publiahed. 
Mr.  R.  Dayies,  in  his  lecture  at  the  York  Institute,  already  quoted,  stated 
that  in  the  large  house  in  Petergate,  now  in  the  occupation  of  Dr.  Shamn,* 

•  According  to  the  same  aathority,  the  Talbot  Hotel,  a  very  old  Inn,  anciently 
occupied  the  site  of  this  house. 


TOPOGRAPHY   OF   YORK.  641 

hrmerlj  resided  Dr.  Alexander  Hunter,  the  author  of  several  works,  and 
opposite  lived  "Tommy  Gent,"  an  old  well-known  printer,  whose  produc- 
tions, though  the  rudest  specimens  of  typography,  sold  at  a  better  price  than 
some  of  the  bulkier  tomes  of  his  neighbour.  Gent  is  thus  described  by 
AUen : — '^In  his  person  as  well  as  his  mind  eccentricity  generally  appeared 
predominant  He  was  low  in  stature,  mostly  woi^  a  long  doak  &stened 
round  him  with  a  belt,  suffered  his  beard  to  grow  a  great  length,  and  seemed 
also  to  affect  an  extraordinary  air  of  gravity.  His  circumstances  were 
generally  indigent,  so  much  so,  that  he  often  sold  almanacks,  &c.,  for  the 
York  booksellers." 

WUUam  PeckUt,  a  skilful  glass  painter  and  stainer,  was  bom  at  Husth- 
waite,  in  the  North  Biding  of  Yorkshire,  in  1731,  and  commenced  practising 
his  art  in  York  in  1751,  being  entirely  a  self-taught  artist  Some  stained 
glass  windows,  executed  by  him,  adorn  the  south  transept  of  the  Minster,  as 
we  have  already  observed ;  as  well  as  another  in  the  Magistrate's  Boom,  at 
the  Guild-HalL  He  died  at  York  in  1795,  in  the  64th  year  of  his  age,  and 
was  buried  in  the  chancel  of  the  church  of  St  Martin,  Mickl^ate. 

LintUey  Murray,  the  celebrated  grammarian,  lived  for  a  number  of  years  at 
Holdgate,  near  York.  He  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  in  North  America, 
and  resided  for  some  part  of  his  life  at  New  York,  where  his  father  was  a 
distinguished  merchant  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  commenced  the  study  of 
the  law,  and  subsequently  practised  both  as  a  counsel  and  attorney  in  all  the 
courts  of  the  state  of  New  York.  He  continued  in  the  profession  till  the 
troubles  in  America  interrupted  all  business  of  this  nature,  and  then  he  en- 
gaged in  mercantile  pursuits,  and  soon  acquired  a  handsome  independence. 
But  his  health  becoming  impaired,  he  came  over  to  this  country  in  1784,  in 
order  to  recruit  it  Being  much  pleased  with  York  and  its  neighbourhood, 
he  at  length  settled  there,  and  purchased  the  house  which  stands  near  the 
bridge  at  Holdgate,  where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  days.  His  disorder 
increasing,  he  was  rendered  incapable  of  ezyoying  the  usual  occupations  and 
amusements  of  life ;  and  as  his  mental  faculties  were  unimpaired,  he  directed 
his  attention  to  the  composition  of  literary  works  for  the  rising  generation. 
Copies  of  his  first  work, ''  The  power  of  Beligion  on  the  Mind,"  were  distri- 
buted anonymously  among  the  principal  inhabitants  of  York ;  but  the  author 
did  not  remain  long  concealed,  for  a  new  edition  was  soon  called  for.  The 
first  edition  of  his  "  English  Grammar  "  appeared  in  1795,  and  had  a  rapid 
sale.  It  was  quickly  followed  by  the  "  English  Exercises,"  the  "  English 
Beader,"  and  the  "  Introduction  "  and  "  Sequel  to  the  Header,"  and  a  "  Spel- 
ling Book."    All  of  these  books  were  originally  printed  in  York,  but  the  copy- 

4   N 


04*2  TOPOGRAPHY   OF    YORK. 

right  was  afterwards  disposed  of  to  a  London  publisher.  These  works  were 
received  with  considerable  satisfaction,  and  still  oontinoe  scholastic  works  of 
the  first  character.  Having  begon  his  literaiy  career  from  disinterested 
motives,  he  constantlj  devoted  all  the  profits  of  his  pablicatknis  to  charitable 
and  benevolent  purposes ;  and  in  all  his  works  it  was  his  constant  aim  to 
promote  the  caose  of  religion  and  virtae.  Lindlej  Mnrraj  died  at  Holdgate 
on  the  16th  of  January,  ISQii,  aged  80,  and  was  interred  in  the  burial-ground 
belonging  to  the  Society  of  Friends  in  this  city,  of  which  body  he  was  a  dis- 
tinguished member. 

WUliam  Hargrove,  Esq.,  was  bom  at  Knaresborough,  October  16th,  1788, 
being  the  youngest  son  of  the  historian  of  that  place.  In  July,  1813,  he  left 
his  native  town,  and  became  a  proprietor  and  the  editor  of  the  York  Herald 
newspaper.  In  1818  he  published,  in  two  vols.,  royal  8vo,  a  ''  History  and 
Description  of  the  Ancient  City  of  York  ;**  and  the  same  year  he  was  elected 
a  member  of  the  Common  Council  of  that  city.  He  also,  afterwards,  served 
the  office  of  Sheriff  of  the  City,  and  during  several  years,  was  one  of  the  City 
Commissioners,  and  took  an  active  part  in  most  of  the  public  improvements 
of  the  city.  He  is  still  the  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Herald  (in  conjunction 
with  two  of  his  sons),  after  forty-one  years  of  extraordinary  political  excite- 
ment.    Mr.  Hargrove  also  published  two  or  three  excellent  Guides  to  York. 

Mr,  Alfred  E.  Hargrove  (son  of  the  above)  published  an  interesting  little 
work,  entitled  **  Anecdotes  of  Archery,*'  which  contains  an  account  of  all  the 
existing  societies,  rules,  and  other  matters  relating  to  archery.  The  same 
gentleman  published  a  sort  of  Tourists'  Guide  to  all  the  places  of  public 
interest  within  twenty-six  miles  of  York. 

Rev.  CfiarUs  Wellbeloved,  pastor  of  the  English  Presbyterian  Chapel,  in  St 
Saviourgate,  for  more  than  fifty-five  years,  having  first  been  assistant  to  the 
Rev.  N.  Cappe  for  eight  years.  (See  page  549.)  He  began  his  ministerial 
services  at  York  on  the  4th  of  February,  1792 ;  consequently  he  has  exercised 
the  functions  of  the  ministry  in  the  above-mentioned  chapel  for  upwards  of 
sixty  years.  Mr.  Wellbeloved  is  the  author  of  a  new  translation  of  portions 
of  the  Bible,  viz.,  the  Pentateucb,'i«  and  the  poetical  and  didactic  books,  from 
Job  to  Solomon's  Song,  inclusive,  with  notes  mostly  original,  in  two  vols., 
4to,  designed  for  the  use  of  families.  In  1842  he  published  his  interesting 
work,  called  "  Eburacum,  or  York  under  the  Romans,"  one  vol.,  4to.  For 
some  years  he  has  been  the  Curator  of  Antiquities  in  the  Museum  of  the 

•  The  Pentateucht  or  Fivo  Books  of  Moses,  is  the  oldest  writing  in  the  world.  These 
books  were  written  3,300  years  ago,  and  claim  an  antiquity  higher,  by  nearly  a  thousand 
years,  than  any  other  authentic  history  we  possess. 


THE   AIKSTT   WAPEKTAKE.  648 

Yorkshire  Philosophical  Society,  and  the  ''  Descriptive  Account  of  the  Anti- 
qaities  in  the  Grounds  and  in  the  Museum,"  was  composed  hj  him,  with  the 
exception  of  the  part  relating  to  the  Egyptian  antiquities,  which  was  drawn 
up  by  his  son-in-law,  the  Rev.  J.  Kendrick.  Mr.  Wellbeloved  was  bom  at 
Westminster,  in  the  parish  of  St.  Giles,  on  the  6th  of  April,  1769,  so  that  he 
is  now  eighty-six  years  of  age.     He  studied  at  New  College,  Hackney. 

John  PhilUps,  Esq,,  F.KS.,  the  celebrated  Professor  of  Geology,  and  now 
the  deputer  "  Reader  "  in  that  science  in  the  University  of  Oxford,  has  been 
connected  with  the  city  and  county  of  York  for  the  last  quarter  of  a  century. 
Professor  PhiUips  is  the  author  of  several  works  on  Natural  History,  Geology, 
Ac. ;  amongst  which  are  lUmtratUms  of  the  Geology  of  Yorkshire,  4to,  with 
plates,  vol.  i.  in  1829 ;  Snd  edition,  1836 ;  vol.  ii.  in  1836 ;  and  the  Rivers, 
Mountains^  and  Sea  Coast,  of  Yorkshire,  8vo,  with  plates,  1st  edition,  1853.; 
Sind  edition,  1855.  He  is  also  the  author  of  many  papers  published  in  the 
proceedings  of  the  principal  scientific  societies  in  the  kingdom,  and  he  has 
published  a  Geological  Map  of  Yorkshire,  coloured. 


The  district  contiguous  to  the  city  of  York,  on  its  south-western  side,  was 
originally  a  wapentake  or  hundred  of  the  West  Riding,  "  under  the  care  of 
the  Mayor  and  Citizens,  as  Bailiffs,"  or  stewards  of  it ;  but  by  a  charter 
in  the  27th  of  the  reign  of  Henry  VI.  (1448),  it  was  annexed  to  the  city, 
and  made  a  part  of  the  County  of  the  City  of  York,  Hence  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  Ainsty  were  obliged  to  resort  to  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Magistrates 
of  the  city  for  the  adjustment  of  all  civil  dissensions,  though  the  freeholders 
of  that  division  were  not  entitled  to  any  privileges  or  franchises  as  citizens 
of  York,  but  remained  in  other  respects  as  inhabitants  of  the  county  at  large ; 
being  allowed  to  vote  at  the  county  elections.  Thus  the  Ainsty  continued 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Magistrates  of  the  city  until 
the  passing  of  the  Municipal  Act  in  1836,  when  it  was  incorporated  with 
the  West  Riding,  and  of  which  division  of  the  county  it  now,  as  in  ancient 
times,  forms  a  wapentake.  In  several  ancient  writings  the  name  of  this 
district  is  spelt  Ancitty;  and  some  have  supposed  the  word  to  be  derived 
from  Aficientcy,  denoting  its  antiquity.  Camden  conjectures  that  its  etymo- 
logy may  be  more  plausibly  referred  to  the  German  word  Antossen,  implying 


644  THE   AINSTY  WAPENTAKE. 

a  boundary  or  limit*  Drake  supposes  it  to  have  been  deriyed  from  the  old 
northern  word  A  f tent,  which  signifies  opposite  or  contiguous,  and  says  it  was 
called  the  Ainstj  long  before  it  was  annexed  to  the  city.f  The  whole  district 
was  anciently  a  forest,  but  it  was  disforested  by  the  charters  of  Bichard  L 
and  his  sucoessor  John.  For  the  first  of  these  grants  the  inhabitants  paid 
JS19.  Os.  lld.»  and  for  the  latter,  which  declared  that  the  men  of  this  wapen- 
take, as  the  charter  expressed  it,  should  be  for  ever  free  finom  forest  laws, 
acoount  was  made  to  the  King  of  the  sum  of  IdO  marks  and  three  palfreys.^ 
Sir  Thomas  Widdrington  tells  us  that  the  city  of  York  had  from  a  yery  eariy 
period  laid  daim  to  this  jurisdiction,  by  a  charter  from  King  John.  In  the 
time  of  Edward  L  the  Mayor  and  Bailiffs  were  summoned  to  answer  the 
King,  ''  quo  warranto,"  they  held  the  Ainsty ;  and  it  appears  from  the  pleas 
held  before  that  Monarch,  in  1280,  that  the  Mayor  produced  a  charter  from 
King  John,  by  which  he  claimed  the  hundred  of  the  Ainsty ;  but  the  charter 
was,  on  inspection,  found  rased  in  the  date  in  the  word  "quarto."  On 
searching  the  rolls  in  the  Exchequer,  it  was  found  that  John  did,  in  the 
year  1214,  grant  to  the  citizens  of  York,  the  town  of  York,  in  fee  farm,  for 
the  rent  of  £U0,;  and  because  the  Ainsty  was  not  specified  in  the  charter 
of  "  anno  quarto,*'  and  also  because  the  charter  was  rased,  judgment  was 
given  against  the  Mayor  and  citizens,  the  charter  was  annulled,  and  the 
Mayor  was  committed  to  prison,  but  soon  after  bailed.  Sir  T.  Widdrington 
considered  it  a  matter  of  doubt  whether  the  citizens  of  York  had  any  good 
warrant  for  holding  the  Ainsty,  saying  for  the  '*leet"  and  some  other 
liberties^  till  it  was  annexed  to  the  city  by  the  before-mentioned  charter  or 
patent  of  Henry  VI. 

Till  the  year  1735  a  doubt  existed  whether  the  freeholders  of  the  Ainsty 
had  a  right  of  suffrage  at  the  elections  for  Members  of  Parliament  for  this 
county,  on  the  ground  that  it  formed  part  and  parcel  of  a  separate  county, 
and  though  their  yotes  were  receiyed  by  the  Sheriff,  they  were  always  taken 
with  a  query  prefixed  to  their  names;  but  after  the  contest  between  Sir 
Miles  Stapletan,  Bart.,  and  Sir  Rowland  Winn,  Bart,  the  matter  was  brought 
to  issue  before  the  House  of  Commons,  on  the  9th  of  March,  1735,  when 
this  House  decided  "  That  the  persons  whose  freeholds  lie  within  that  part 
of  the  city  of  York  which  is  commonly  called  the  Ainsty,  haye  a  right  to  yote 
for  Knights  of  the  Shire  of  the  County  of  York." 

This  district,  which  constitutes  part  of  the  beautiful  and  extensiye  Vale  of 
York,  has  the  same  natural  features.    In  the  western  part  the  surface  is 

*  Britanniffi,  p.  722.  t  Eboracnm,  c.  ix.,  p.  ^81. 

I  Ibid.  Madox  Exchoq.  pp.  274  and  282. 


THE   AINSTT   WAPENTAKE.  645 

divenified  with  gentle  swells,  but  in  the  eastern  part,  ac]|}oining  to  the  Ouse, 
it  is  a  perfect  flat,  abounding  in  excellent  pasturage  and  meadow. 

The  Ainstj  is  bounded  by  the  riTors  Ouse,  Wharfe,  and  Nidd ;  it  is  inter- 
sected by  the  post  road  from  York  to  Tadcaster,  and  the  Norih-Eastem  Eail- 
waj;  its  area,  according  to  the  Parliamentary  return,  is  49,720  acres;  and 
it  contains  the  following  parishes  and  places : — Acaster  MaUna,  Acaster  Sdby, 
Acomb,  Aakham  Bryan,  Askham  Richard,  BUbraugh,  Biltan,  Biahopthorpe, 
BoUon  Percy,  Healaugh,  part  of  Holy  Trirdty  (York),  part  of  Kirk  Ham- 
merton.  Long  MarsUm,  porta  of  St.  Mary  Biahophill  Senior,  and  St.  Mary 
BiahophiU  Junior  (York),  Moor-Monkton,  Netker-Poppleton,  Bufforth,  part 
qf  StUUngfUet,  part  of  Tadgasteb,  Thorp-Arch,  Walton,  and  Wighill. 

AcASTEB  Malbis. — ^Thls  parish,  which  is  also  called  Over-Acaater,  is  situ- 
ated on  the  western  bank  of  the  river  Ouse,  and  comprises  the  township  of 
Acaster,  and  the  Parochial  Chapelry  of  Nabum ;  the  latter  being  in  the  Ouse 
and  Derwent  wapentake  of  the  East  Riding.  The  parish  deriyes  its  second 
name  from  the  family  of  Malby,  Malbys,  or  Malebisse,  which  flourished 
here  for  some  centuries  after  the  Conquest,  until  at  length  a  daughter  and 
heiress  was  married  to  Fairfax  of  Walton,  created  Viscount  Emley. 

The  following  notices  occur  respecting  the  manor  of  Acaster  Malbis : — ^In 
the  86<li  year  of  the  reign  of  Henry  HI.  (1352),  the  King  granted  free 
warren  to  the  Abbot  of  Selby  in  all  his  demesne  lands  here  and  in  other 
places.  In  the  dlst  of  Edwurd  IH.  (1847),  Sir  William  de  Malebisse,  Knt., 
Lord  of  Acaster,  confirmed  to  the  Canons  of  Gisebum,  in  the  deanery  of 
Cleveland,  all  the  lands,  &c.,  which  they  held  of  this  fee.  In  the  23rd  of 
Henry  VI.  (1444),  the  manors  of  Acaster  Malbis,  Walton,  &c.,  were  remitted 
and  quitclaimed  by  Bryan  Fairfax  to  his  brother  William,  and  John  Dantry, 
and  Richard  Banks.*  The  Right  Hon.  Lord  Wenlock  is  the  present  Lord 
of  the  Manor  of  Acaster  Malbis,  and  sole  proprietor,  except  the  school  and 
prenuses,  yrbich  belong  to  the  feoffees  of  Enowles*  charity  for  the  time  being. 
According  to  the  Parliamentary  Report,  the  area  of  this  township  is  1,780 
acres,  but  finom  another  source  we  learn  tdiat  it  is  1,839  acres.  The  amount 
of  assessed  property  in  the  township  is  £S,476. ;  the  rateable  value  of  it  is 
J61,8S6.  ;  and  the  population  in  1851  was  330  souls. 

The  Living  is  a  Perpetual  Curacy,  though  in  the  Liber  Regis,  in  which 
it  is  rated  at  £6.  6s.  5id.,  it  is  styled  a  Discharged  Vicarage.  It  is  valued 
in  the  Parliamentary  return  of  1810  at  JS3d. ;  but  the  net  income  is  now 
about  J656.    From  a  very  early  period  the  advowson  belonged  to  the  Malby 

•  Harleian  MSS.,  704. 


646  THB   AIXSTY   WAPENTAKE. 

family,  for  we  find  Sir  Richard  Malebj,  Knt.,  presented  to  the  church  of 
Acaster,  15th  February,  1294 ;  and  on  the  11th  of  December,  1358,  Sir 
Richard  Malebjrs,  Knt.,  by  the  consent  of  the  Archbishop  of  York,  granted 
the  church  of  Acaster  to  the  Abbot  and  Convent  of  Newbo,  of  the  Premon- 
stratensian  Order,  of  the  diocese  of  Lincoln.  On  the  dissolution  of  religious 
houses,  the  advowson  fell  to  the  Crown,  from  which  it  afterwards  passed 
through  various  hands  to  the  present  patron  and  impropriator.  The  Rev. 
Robert  Ellis  is  the  present  incumbent 

The  Church  (Holy  Trinity),  which,  from  its  cruciform  shape,  is  locally 
called  the  Synagogue,  is  an  ancient  edifice,  nith  a  low  square  wooden  tower, 
and  a  small  spire,  rising  from  the  centre.  All  the  fronts  of  the  building 
have  modem  windows  of  three  lights,  with  trefoil  heads,  and  above  each  is  a 
circle,  either  enclosing  a  quatrefoil  or  a  trefoil  light.  All  the  roo£s  rise  to 
gables,  and  are  finished  with  neat  foliated  crosses.  On  the  north  side  of  the 
nave  is  a  porch,  with  a  pointed  arched  door  of  entrance ;  and  the  edifice,  on 
the  whole,  is  a  fJEur  specimen  of  the  architecture  of  the  13th  century.  The 
tower  contains  two  bells.  The  church  was  repaired,  and  the  interior  r^ewed, 
in  1832.  In  the  chaucel  is  a  trefoil-headed  piscina,  and  beneath  it  the  mu- 
tilated effigy  of  a  Crusader,  in  hauberk  suit  On  his  left  arm  is  a  shield, 
bearing  a  chevron  between  three  griffins*  heads,  being  the  arms  of  one  of  the 
Malbis  family.  Ac()oining  is  a  slab,  with  a  cross  fiory.  There  is  some 
curious  stained  glass  in  this  church ;  in  the  east  window  is  Our  Saviour  be- 
tween two  saints,  and  in  the  lower  part  shields  of  arms ;  in  the  north  window 
of  the  chancel  are  two  small  figures  of  St  James  and  St  Andrew ;  and  in  the 
window  of  the  south  aisle  are  two  figures,  one  of  which  is  crowned  and 
sceptered ;  and  the  other  is  in  chain  armour,  with  a  helmet  and  ecclesiastical 
robe,  and  in  his  hand  a  crosier.     The  Royal  Arms  bear  the  date  of  1683. 

The  Village  is  small,  and  irr^ularly  built,  and  stands  near  the  river  Ouse, 
about  Si  miles  S.  of  York,  and  2  miles  W.  of  the  Nortb-Eaatem  Railway. 

Charities, — John  Knowles  gave,  by  his  will,  in  1603,  the  sum  of  ;£100.  to 
four  feofiees  and  their  successors,  "  to  find  a  sufficient  schoolmaster  to  teach 
the  youth  of  the  parish ;  and  the  further  sum  of  £30.  for  the  use  of  the  poor." 
These  sums  were  afterwards  expended  in  the  purchase  of  a  dose  of  land 
without  Dootham  Bar,  near  York.  John  KetUewell,  by  his  will,  dated  4th 
of  August,  1838,  left  £100.  to  the  poor  of  this  township. 

The  School  is  endowed  with  £29.  4s.  per  annum  from  Knowles'  charity,  to 
which  Lord  Wenlock  adds  a  voluntary  gift  of  £10.  16s.,  making  the  total 
£40.  per  annum ;  and  for  this  sum  aU  the  children  of  the  labouring  popula- 
tion of  the  place  are  taught  free.    The  average  number  of  children  that 


THE    AINSTY   WAPENTAKE.  647 

attend  the  school  is  about  twenty-five.  Three  old  oak  seats  were  removed 
from  the  church  to  the  school  in  1832 ;  one  of  them  bears  the  following  date 
and  inscription : — "  Joseph  DaniePs  Gift,  1700.     Sit  and  welcome." 

Naburm. — This  is  a  township  and  parochial  chapelry,  situated  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  Ouse  in  the  parishes  of  Acaster  Malbis,  St.  George 
and  St  Dennis,  York.  The  whole  of  the  lands  of  Nabum  belonged  to  the 
Palmes  family  from  a.d.  1224,  down  to  the  year  1775,  when  the  grandfather 
of  the  Rev.  William  Lindsay  Palmes,  Rector  of  Long  Eiston,  and  Vicar  of 
Hornsea  (the  present  Lord  of  the  Manor),  obtained  an  Act  of  Parliament  for 
the  removal  of  the  old  entail,  and  sold  half  the  estate.  The  Rev.  W.  L. 
Palmes  and  H.  M.  Baines,  Esq.,  are  the  chief  proprietors  of  the  soil,  but 
there  are  several  freeholders  who  farm  their  own  land.  Amount  of  assessed 
property,  £3,414. ;  rateable  value,  £3,986. ;  population  in  1851,  481.  Area 
of  township,  2,466  acres. 

The  Old  Church,  which  is  a  small  edifice  comprising  a  nave  and  chancel, 
stands  within  the  grounds  of  Nabum  Hall,  on  the  banks  of  the  river  Ouse, 
bat  there  was  no  place  of  burial  except  for  the  Palmes'  family,  the  other 
inhabitants  were  buried  in  the  church-yard  of  St.  George's  parish,  York. 

The  New  Church,  which  is  in  the  early  Decorated  style,  was  erected  in 
1854,  at  a  cost  of  £2,407.,  raised  by  subscription.  John  C.  Clifford,  Esq., 
contributed  the  munificent  sum  of  £700.,  and  the  Lord  of  the  Manor  was  a 
large  contributor.  It  occupies  a  pleasant  situation  near  the  village,  and 
consists  of  a  nave,  chancel,  and  north  aisle,  with  a  tower  and  spire  at  the 
north  west  angle,  also  a  south  porch.  It  is  a  very  neat  edifice.  The  tower 
contains  three  bells,  and  the  east  and  west  gables  are  surmounted  with  hand- 
some crosses.  The  interior  is  furnished  with  open  seats,  which  as  well  as  the 
open  roof  are  stained.  The  east  and  west  windows  are  each  of  three  lights ; 
the  former  being  filled  with  stained  glass,  as  a  memorial  to  the  late  George 
Palmes,  Esq.  The  font  is  neat,  and  of  Caen  stone,  with  an  octagonal  oak 
cover.     The  architect  of  the  building  was  Mr.  G.  T.  Andrews,  of  York. 

The  old  church  will  probably  be  allowed  to  remain  as  long  as  it  will  hold 
together,  as  there  is  a  vault  for  the  Palmes'  family  under  it  It  is  likely  that 
the  space  will  be  railed  in  ultimately,  and  a  portion  of  the  east  end  repaired 
and  left  to  remain.  The  Benefice  is  a  Perpetual  Curacy,  annexed  to  the 
Rectory  of  St  Dennis,  York.  Great  tithes,  commuted  in  1766,  for  land 
which  now  produces  about  £60.  per  annum.  The  small  tithes  were  com- 
muted by  the  Tithe  Commissioners,  at  about  £49.,  in  1848.  The  Rev.  W. 
L.  Palmes  is  the  lay  impropriator.  There  is  a  burying  ground  attached  to 
the  new  church. 


648  THE   AIN8TY   WAPENTAKE. 

The  ViUage  is  situated  near  the  river  Ouse,  across  which  there  is  a  feny 
here  to  Acaster  Malbis,  aboat  four  miles  south  of  YoriL.  Here,  on  the  Oose, 
a  lock  and  dam  were  erected  in  1737,  in  order  to  impfrove  the  navigation  of 
the  river.  (See  page  580.)  The  tide  flows  up  to  Nabum  Lock,  and  pleasure 
excursions,  by  steam  boats,  are  often  made  from  YoriL  to  this  pkoe  in  som- 
mer.  A  fine  Maypole,  about  seventy  feet  in  height,  stands  in  the  village. 
There  is  a  small  Methodiit  Chapel  here,  erected  about  thirty-five  years  ago. 

Nabum  Hall,  the  property  of  the  Rev.  W.  L.  Palmes,  but  now  in  the 
occupation  of  Mrs.  Uoyd,  is  an  ancient  mansion  near  the  Onse,  situated  in 
pleasant  grounds.     It  was  badly  modernized  in  1818. 

Bell  Hall  is  the  seat  and  property  of  H.  M.  Baines,  Esq. ;  DeighUm  Grave 
is  the  seat  of  John  C.  Clifford,  Esq. ;  and  Ungcroft  Lodge  is  also  a  good 
residence  in  the  occupation  of  G.  J.  Lloyd,  Esq. 

The  School  is  endowed  with  tho  interest  of  £S00.  (Dickinson^s  and  Loftiis*8 
charity),  and  the  sum  of  £5.  per  ann.  from  Lady  Hewley*s  charity.  For 
these  sums  fifteen  children  are  taught  free. 

AcASTEB  Selbt. — ^TMs  township,  which  was  formerly  united  to  the  parish 
of  StilHngfleet  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  Ouse,  was  anciently  called 
Nether  Atdcaster,  and  was  given  to  the  Abbey  of  Selby  by  Osbert  de  Arches, 
Sheriff  of  the  county  in  the  reign  of  William  the  Conqueror ;  and  hence  its 
second  tatle.  Richard  I.  confirmed  the  gift  to  the  Abbey.  At  an  eaily 
period  Robert  Stillington  founded  here  a  College  for  a  Provost  and  three 
Fellows,  one  of  whom  was  to  instruct  children.  It  was  dedicated  to  St. 
Andrew,  and  valued,  at  the  dissolutbn,  at  £38.  lOs.  4d.  gross,  and  £d7.  ISs. 
4d.  per  annum  nett.  In  the  dnd  of  Edward  VI.  it  was  granted  to  John 
Halse  and  William  Pendred. 

The  area  of  this  township  is  1,633  acres,  and  is  the  property  of  Sir  W.  M. 
E.  Milner,  Bart  The  amount  of  assessed  property  is  J6d,107. ;  the  rateable 
value  is  £d,107. ;  and  the  population  is  1861  was  184  souls. 

By  an  Order  of  Council,  of  the  date  of  Idth  of  November,  1860,  this  town- 
ship was  formed  into  an  Ecclesiastical  District  The  Chwrek^  which  is 
dedicated  to  St  John  the  Evangelist,  and  was  erected  and  endowed  by  the 
late  Sir  W.  M.  S.  Milner,  was  opened  for  Divine  wordiip  on  Thnrsday,  July 
18th,  1860 ;  and  within  five  years  date  it  has  received  the  remains  of  its 
founder,  which  now  peacefully  repose  in  a  spaoioos  new  vanlt  at  its  east  end. 
It  is  a  beautiful  little  Oothic  edifice,  very  picturesquely  sitoated  upon  the 
banks  of  the  Ouse,  commanding  a  fine  prospect  of  the  surrounding  neigh- 
bouriiood.  At  the  west  end  are  two  memorial  windows  of  stained  g^bas ;  one 
to  the  Rev.  George  Milner,  and  the  other  in  memoiy  of  David  MazUiain, 


THE   AINSTY   WAPENTAKE.  049 

Esq.  The  church-yard,  which  is  neatly  ornamented  with  trees  and  shrubs, 
is  enclosed  by  a  light  iron  fence,  within  which  is  planted  a  hedge  of  beautiful 
holly.  The  Living  is  a  Perpetual  Curacy,  in  the  gift  of  Sir  W.  M.  £.  Milner, 
and  incumbency  of  the  Rev.  George  Hustler.  A  Parsonage  House  is  about 
to  be  erected  by  the  patron. 

The  Village  is  pleasantly  situated  about  7^  miles  S.  W.  from  York.  The 
North-Eastem  Railway  passes  at  a  short  distance  from  it. 

The  School  is  aided  by  an  old  endowment  of  £7,  per  ann.  A  neat  school- 
room, and  a  commodious  house  for  the  teacher,  stand  near  the  church. 

AcoMB. — This  parish,  which  comprises  the  township  of  Acomb  or  Akeham, 
anciently  called  Ascham^  and  part  of  the  townships  of  Dringhouses  and  Knap- 
ton,  is  situated  on  the  south  side  of  the  riyer  Ouse.  At  the  time  of  the 
Domesday  Survey,  we  find  that  the  church  of  St.  Peter,  York,  had  Acho 
(Acomb)  as  a  manor.  It  is  valued  in  Edward  the  Confiessor^s  time  at  30s., 
and  was  then  of  the  same  value.  The  area  of  the  township  of  Acomb  is 
1,440  acres;  its  rateable  value  is  £8,991.;  amount  of  assessed  property, 
£4,980. ;  and  its  population  in  1851  was  874  souls.  The  principal  land- 
owners are  F.  Barlow,  Esq.  (Lord  of  the  Manor),  Hev.  Isaac  Spencer,  Mr. 
William  Ellis,  Sen.,  Mr.  WilHam  Ellis,  Jun.,  and  Mr.  John  Burton.  The 
soil  is  of  a  sandy  and  gravelly  nature,  and  the  air  is  remarkably  salubrious. 

The  Living  is  a  Discharged  Vicarage,  and  a  peculiar  of  the  Dean  and 
Chapter  of  York,  valued  in  ihe  Eing*s  Books  at  £S.  Os.  dd. ;  but  now  worth 
£109.  per  ann.  The  peculiar  of  Acomb  formerly  belonged  to  the  Treasurer 
of  the  Cathedral  of  York,  but  was  surrendered,  with  the  Rectory,  to  the 
Crown  in  1547 ;  and  in  1609  it  was  granted  by  James  I.,  to  Thomas  Newark 
and  his  heir.  The  advowson  now  belongs  to  the  Lord  of  the  Manor,  and 
the  Rev.  Isaac  Spencer,  who  resides  at  *'  The  Plantation,"  is  the  incumbent 
The  tithes  of  the  townships  of  Acomb  and  Holdgate  were  commuted  for  land 
and  a  money  payment,  by  an  inclosure  act  in  1774. 

The  Chwreh  (St  Stephen)  is  a  neat  structure,  the  body  of  which  was  re- 
stored in  1881-d,  by  subscriptioni  and  a  grant  finom  the  Church  Building 
Society ;  and  the  chancel  in  1858,  at  the  cost  of  J.  E.  Baker,  Esq.,  of  Acomb 
Park.  It  is  situated  on  a  picturesque  eminence,  from  which  there  is  a  fine 
view  of  the  surrounding  country,  and  oondstB  of  a  nave  and  chanod,  with  an 
elegant  spite  at  the  west  end. 

The  Village  of  Acomb,  which  is  large  and  respectable,  is  pleasantly  situated 
about  %\  miles  west  from  York,  and  is  much  frequented  by  invalids.  The 
North-Eastem  Railway  passes  near  it  Several  good  residences  in  the  village 
and  its  vicinity  are  occupied  by  families  of  the  first  respectability. 

4  o 


650  THE    AINSTY   WAPENTAKE. 

Aconib  House  is  an  establUbment  for  the  insane  iu  the  higher  grades  of 
society ;  and  there  is  also  here  another  private  Lunatic  Asylum.  Severm' 
Hill,  an  eminence  situated  about  half  a  mile  from  the  village,  is  noticed  at 
page  58 ;  and  the  Waterworks,  at  Acomb  Landing,  at  page  627  of  tliis  volume. 

A  Wesleyan  Chapel  was  built  here  in  1821,  capable  of  seating  about  300 
persons.  A  neat  National  School  has  been  recently  erected  near  the  church 
by  the  liberality  of  Edmund  Barlow,  Esq.  It  is  in  the  Perpendicular  style, 
and  consists  of  one  room,  40  feet  by  20.  The  old  school-house  stands  on  a 
green,  now  called  the  cricket  ground,  at  the  back  of  the  village.  The  sum 
of  £5.  per  annum  is  paid  out  of  Lady  Hewley  s  charity,  for  the  education  of 
eight  poor  children  of  this  parish. 

Four  annuities  for  the  poor,  left  by  William  Wharton  in  1829,  and  three 
other  donors,  produce  about  X'17.  per  annum. 

Dringhouses. — This  chapelry  and  township  is  partly  in  the  parish  of 
Acomb,  and  partly  in  that  of  Holy  Trinity,  Micklegate,  and  St  Mary, 
Bishopbill  Senior,  York,  and  was  formerly  called,  variously,  Drynhous, 
Drynghous,  and  Drenghouses,  Thoresby  says  that  Drenges  were  Vassali 
Militares,  This  township  was  anciently  the  lordship  and  estate  of  John, 
Lord  Grey  of  Rotherfield,  having  descended  to  him  from  his  ancestors,  who 
flourished  in  the  reign  of  Eichard  I.  In  the  4th  of  Edward  HE.  (1331),  he 
obtained  a  charter  of  free  warren  in  this  and  divers  other  lordships.  This, 
and  all  his  other  estates,  were  afterwards  carried  in  marriage  from  the  &milj 
of  Grey  to  Sir  John  Deincourt,  among  whose  daughters  they  were  divided. 
Lord  Level  had  a  mansion  here  in  the  reign  of  Henry  YIII.  The  chief  pro- 
prietor of  the  soil  at  present  is  M.  A.  E.  Wilkinson,  Esq.,  M.D.,  who  is  Lord 
of  the  Manor,  and  resides  at  the  Manor  House.  Area  of  the  township,  751 
acres;  population  in  1851,  342.  "Here  is  an  episcopal  chapel,  erected 
about  fifty  years  ago,"  writes  Allen,  in  1829 ;  "  it  consists  of  a  nave,  chancel, 
and  south  chapel,"  as  well  as  a  square  tower,  with  an  octagonal  bell  turret, 
''  and  the  whole  has  a  mean  appearance."  This  chapel,  which  belonged  to  the 
Barlows,  late  of  Middlethorpe,  has  given  place  to  a  very  elegant  little  Chtreh, 
erected  in  1840,  at  a  cost  of  about  £5,000.,  by  Mrs.  Leigh  (relict  of  the  Rot. 
E.  T.  Leigh,  the  late  Lord  of  the  Manor),  afterwards  Mrs.  M.  A.  E.  Wilkinson. 
It  is  in  the  Decorated  style,  and  consists  of  a  nave  and  chancel,  with  a  small 
graceful  spire.  The  Living  is  a  Donative,  in  the  gift  of  the  Lord  of  the 
Manor,  and  incumbency  of  the  Rev.  Gilbert  H.  Phillips.  The  tithes  have 
been  commuted  for  £137.  14s.,  of  which  sum  £130.  are  paid  to  an  impropri- 
ator ;  £7.  to  the  Prebendary  of  Osbaldwick ;  and  14s.  to  the  Vicar  of  Acomb. 

The  Village,  which  skirts  the  road  from  York  to  Tadcaster,  is  small,  and 


THE   AIXSTY   WAPENTAKE.  651 

stands  about  li  mile  S.  W.  from  the  former  place.  There  are  some  good 
views  of  the  city  and  Cathedral  of  York  from  this  place,  and  the  celebrated 
Eace  Course  on  Knavesmire  is  in  the  immediate  vicinity.  There  are  some 
elegant  villas  in  this  township ;  and  the  old  Tyburn,  or  place  of  execution, 
formerly  stood  in  it.  (See  page  590.)  In  Bawtry  field,  in  181d,  two  stone 
coffins,  with  skeletons,  were  dug  up ;  and  in  1833  a  Roman  tomb,  formed  of 
tiles,  was  discovered.  (See  page  305.)  There  is  a  place  of  worship  here  for 
Wesleyan  Methodists. 

Knapton  Township  is  partly  in  the  parish  of  Acomb,  and  partly  in  that  of 
the  Holy  Trinity,  Micklegate,  York.  It  contains  833  acres,  and  113  inhab- 
itants ;  the  rateable  value  of  the  township  is  ;£1,095 ;  and  the  tithes  were 
commuted  in  1843  for  a  rent  charge  of  £28Q.  Sir  William  Eden,  Bart.,  is 
Lord  of  the  Manor,  and  chief  proprietor  of  the  soil.  The  Manor  House, 
situated  in  the  village,  is  an  old  thatched  brick  building,  now  a  farm  house. 

The  Village  consists  chiefly  of  a  few  farm  houses,  and  stands  3^  miles  W. 
by  N.  of  York.    Here  is  a  place  of  meeting  for  the  Wesleyans. 

AssHAM  Bryan,  or  Great. — This  parish,  together  with  that  of  Askham 
Richard  formed  but  one  lordship  in  the  Saxon  era ;  and  according  to  Domes- 
day, it  belonged,  in  the  reign  of  Edward  the  Confessor,  to  Edwin,  Eafl  of 
Mercia ;  but  he  being  slain  in  opposing  the  Norman  settlement,  it  was  for- 
feited to  William  the  Conqueror,  with  his  other  great  estates  in  this  and 
other  countries.  In  the  reign  of  Edward  HE.,  one  moiety  of  this  lordship 
was  in  the  noble  family  of  Grey  of  Rotherfield,  in  Oxfordshire,  the  last  heir 
male  of  which  left  it  to  his  daughter  and  heir  Joan,  who  carried  it  in  marriage 
to  Sir  John  Deincourt.  The  division  of  the  lordships  into  two  parishes  is 
supposed  to  be  in  consequence  of  the  partition  of  it  into  moieties,  and  to  the 
lords  building  churches  for  their  tenants  in  their  part.  When  Roger  de 
Mowbray  was  going  to  the  Holy  Land,  he  gave  all  the  manor  and  town  of 
Askham,  with  the  advowson  of  the  church,  to  his  friend,  William  de  Tykhill ; 
but  in  the  reign  of  Richard  HI.,  the  manor  of  Askham  Bryan  was  the 
property  of  Sir  John  Deveden,  Knt.  The  place  is  said  to  derive  the  second 
part  of  its  name  from  Bryan  Fitz-Alain,  who  held  it  of  the  honour  of  Rich- 
mond, paying  5s.  per  annum  to  the  Warden  of  the  Castle  of  that  town.  The 
present  Lord  of  the  Manor  is  Henry  Croft,  Esq.,  of  StiUington  Park,  who, 
with  the  Rev.  I.  D.  J.  Preston,  Miss  A.  Fawcett,  and  J.  Barstow,  Esq.,  are 
the  principal  landowners.  Askham  Bryan  contains  1,9S0  acres ;  its  rateable 
value  is  £2,249. ;  amount  of  assessed  property,  £2,397 ;  and  its  population 
in  1851  was  350  souls.     Three-fourths  of  the  parish  are  arable,  and  the  rest 


652  THE  AIN8TT  WAPENTAKE. 

meadow,  with  some  few  plantations ;  the  surface  is  flat,  and  the  soil  com- 
posed chiefly  of  gravel  and  clay. 

The  Benefice  is  a  Perpetual  Curacy,  in  the  gift  of  the  Lord  of  the  Manor, 
and  incumbency  of  the  Rer.  R.  S.  Thompson.  It  is  rated  at  £8.,  and  is  now 
worth  about  JS120.  The  great  and  small  tithes,  the  property  of  the  Lord  of 
the  Manor,  the  Perpetual  Curate,  and  Vicar,  were  commuted  for  land,  by  an 
inclosure  act  in  1811. 

The  Church  (St  Nicholas  or  St.  Michael)  appears  to  have  been  built  in  the 
eleventh  century,  and  consists  of  a  nave  and  chancel,  with  a  small  brick 
tower  at  the  west  end.  On  the  south  side  is  a  porch  of  modem  constmction, 
within  which  is  a  circular-headed  doorway,  exhibiting  three  series  of  chevron 
and  counter  chevron  mouldings,  which  rest  on  ornamented  columns.  The 
east  end  of  the  church  has  three  narrow  circular-headed  windows  filled  up. 
and  above  the  centre  one  is  the  vieica  piscee.    The  interior  is  neat 

The  VUUige  of  Askham  Bryan,  or  East  AMam,  stands  four  miles  W.S.W. 
from  York.  Contiguous  to  the  church  passes  the  North  Eastern  Railway. 
There  is  a  place  of  worship  for  Wesleyans,  and  the  school  is  endowed  with 
jS6.  per  ann.     Several  benefieu^tions  for  the  poor  amount  to  about  £Q0.  a  year. 

Askham  UaU,  the  seat  and  property  of  the  Rev.  I.  D.  J.  Preston,  is  a 
good  mansion  pleasantly  situated. 

AsKfUM  RicHAKD,  or  LiTTLE. — ^This  parish  acljoins  that  of  Askham  Biyan, 
with  which  lordship,  as  we  have  stated,  it  was  originally  incorporated.  In 
the  18th  of  Edward  1.  (1390),  the  King  granted  free  warren  to  the  Prior  of 
Bridlington,  in  all  his  demesne  lands  at  his  manors  of  Bridlington,  West 
Askham,  &c, ;  and  in  the  0th  of  Edward  11.  (1316),  the  Prior  of  Bridlington 
held  this  manor.  The  parish  comprises  060  acres ;  the  amount  of  aasesaed 
property  is  £1,685.,  and  the  population  in  1851  was  339.  The  surface  of 
the  parish  is  generally  level,  and  the  soil  is  df  a  gravelly  and  clayey  quality. 

The  Living  is  a  Discharged  Vicarage,  valued  in  the  Liber  Regis  at  £4. 
Ids.  4d. ;  present  income  about  £300.  per  annum.  William  de  Arches,  and 
Ivetta,  his  wife,  gave  this  church  to  the  Priory  of  Nun  Monkton ;  and  ac- 
cording to  the  Harleian  M88,  704,  Pope  Celestine  appropriated  the  churches 
of  Askham  Richard,  Thorpe,  and  Hamerton,  to  the  nuna  of  Monkton. 
The  tithes  were  commuted  for  land  in  1818.  The  Church  (St  Maiy)  is  a 
small  edifice,  consisting  of  a  nave  and  chancel,  with  a  vezy  large  porch  on 
the  south  side,  within  which  is  a  plain  circular  arched  doorway  resting  on 
two  columns,  with  leaved  capitals  and  square  bases.  The  windows  are  aD 
square  and  modem ;  at  the  east  end  is  a  Venetian  window,  and  above  it  1775, 
probably  the  date  of  alteration.     The  interior  of  the  church  is  very  plain. 


THE  AIK8TT  WAPENTAKE.  658 

The  Village  of  Aikham  Eiehardy  or  West  Askkam,  is  small  and  scattered, 
and  is  situated  about  6^  miles  S.W.  from  York,  and  3^  N.E.  from  Tadcaster. 
The  road  frt>m  Leeds  to  York,  and  the  North-Eastern  Railway  cross  each 
other  near  this  place.  There  is  a  phice  of  worship  for  Wesleyans ;  and  the 
School  receives  four  pounds  per  annum  from  Lady  Hewley*8  charity. 

Askham  Hall,  the  property  and  residence  of  John  Swann,  Esq.,  which  is 
pleasantly  situated  at  the  west  end  of  the  village,  is  a  red  brick  building, 
with  projecting  wings,  two  stories  in  height,  and  gable  rooft. 

BiLBBOuoH. — ^This  parish  adjoins  Askham  Richard  on  the  south.  In  the 
4th  of  Henry  VI.  (1436),  it  bebnged  to  Elizabeth,  the  widow  of  Richard  Baly. 
The  manors  of  Bilbrough  and  Steeton  are  now  the  property  of  Thomas  Fair- 
fax, Esq.,  who,  together  with  John  Fisher,  Esq.,  the  Rev.  R.  S.  Thompson, 
and  Mrs.  Todd,  are  the  principal  kndowners.  The  area  of  Bilbrough  is 
1,889  statute  acres ;  the  amount  of  assessed  property  is  Jg3,003. ;  and  the 
population  in  1861  was  d5d. 

The  Church  is  a  Perpetual  Curacy,  valued  at  £46.  6s.  lOd. ;  gross  income ; 
;£189.  The  advowson  belongs  to  the  Lord  of  the  Manor,  and  the  Rev. 
James  P.  Metcalf  is  the  present  incumbent  A  chantry  was  founded  here 
by  John  Norton,  Lord  of  the  pkce,  in  149d,  who  ordained  that  £4.  6s.  8d., 
in  land  and  inclosure,  should  be  paid  to  Sir  William  Dryver,  priest,  and  his 
successors,  to  pray  for  the  souls  of  the  founder,  his  wife,  and  children.  The 
tithes  of  Bilbrough  were  commuted  in  1888,  for  a  rent-charge  of  £270. 

The  Fabric  (St  Peter)  is  small,  consisting  of  a  nave,  chancel,  and  south 
chapel,  with  a  lower  tower  at  the  west  end.  The  tower  was  rebuilt,  the 
church  newly  roofed,  and  other  improvements  made  in  the  building  about 
ten  years  ago.  In  1849  the  windows  were  renewed  at  the  sole  expense  of 
the  Rev.  B.  Edmonson,  the  incumbent  at  that  time.  There  is  nothing  par- 
ticularly worthy  of  notice  in  the  exterior  of  the  church.  The  chantry  chapel 
appears  to  have  been  built  in  the  16th  century.  The  interior  is  plain.  The 
chapel,  which  is  separated  from  the  chancel  by  two  pointed  arches  resting  on 
octagonal  pillars,  contains  the  spacious  table  monument  of  Lord  Fairfax,  the 
celebrated  Parliamentary  general.  On  the  sides  of  the  monument  are  shields 
of  arms,  &c.,  and  on  the  black  marble  slab  are  the  DBonily  arms  and  motto, 
"  Fare  Fag  ;"  beneath  is  the  following  inscription : — 

"  Here  lye  the  bodjes  of  the  Bight  Honble.  Thomas  Lord  Fair£u,  of  Denton,  Baron 
of  Cameron,  who  dyed  November  ye  xii.,  1671,  in  the  60th  yeare  of  his  age.  And  of 
Anne  his  wife,  daughter  and  coheir  of  Horatio,  Lord  Yere,  Baron  of  Tilbuiy.  They 
had  issne,  Mary,  Dnchess  of  Baokingharo,  and  Elizabeth.  The  memory  of  the  just 
is  bleased." 


654  THE   AIN8TT  WAPENTAKE. 

In  the  easternmost  arch  is  another  table  monament»  on  the  dado  of  which 
are  two  shields,  with  merchant's  mariu.     The  font  is  a  perfect  cylinder. 

The  Village,  which,  is  situated  a  little  off  the  road  between  Tadcaster  and 
York,  about  4i  miles  from  either  of  these  places,  is  small  but  stands  plea- 
santly on  an  eminence.  There  is  a  Wmleyan  Chapel,  which  was  erected 
in  1888 ;  and  the  SeJwol  is  chiefly  supported  by  a  grant  of  £i,  per  ann.  from 
Lady  Hewley's  charity,  and  a  donation  of  £10.  from  the  Lord  of  the  Manor. 
Other  charities  connected  with  the  parish  produce  about  £9.  per  ann. 

BUbrough  Orange  is  the  seat  and  property  of  John  Fisher,  Esq. 

BiLTON. — The  townships  of  Bilton,  Bickerton,  and  Tockwith,  are  com- 
prised in  this  parish.  It  contains,  according  to  the  Parliamentary  Returns, 
4,150  statute  acres,  of  which  1,460  acres  are  in  the  first-named  township ; 
the  population  of  the  parish  in  1851  was  848,  and  the  amount  of  assessed 
property,  £5,531.  The  population  of  the  township  of  BQton  is  321.  The 
chief  proprietors  of  the  soil  are  Andrew  Montague,  Esq.  (Lord  of  the  Manor); 
Mr.  Thomas  Skilbeck,  Bilton  Grange;  Mr.  Thomas  Skilbeck,  Junior: 
Messrs.  John  Norfolk,  Rt.  Brogden,  and  Henry  Lumley.  The  soil  is  fertile, 
and  the  lands  are  well  cultivated. 

In  this  parish  are  the  remains  of  the  Priory  of  Sinningthwaite,  founded 
about  the  year  1650,  by  Bertram  Haget,  for  a  Prioress  and  twelve  nuns 
of  the  Cistercian  Order.  It  was  dedicated  to  the  Blessed  Virgin,  and  the 
grant  was  confirmed  by  Roger  de  Mowbray,  the  Lord  of  the  Manor,  and 
by  Godfrey  de  Ludham,  Archbishop  of  York.  Pope  Alexander  m.,  in 
1172,  granted  to  Christiana,  the  Prioress,  and  to  the  convent,  a  con> 
firmation  of  their  then  possessions,  with  what  might  afterwards  be-  given 
to  them ;  and  enjoined  that  none  of  the  professed  religious  should  depart 
without  license,  exempting  them,  as  usual,  from  paying  tithe  for  what  they 
occupied  or  tilled  at  their  own  costs;  which  Pope  Lucius  HI.,  in  1185, 
confirmed  to  Agnes,  Prioress  of  Sinningthwaite,  prohibiting  any  one  firom 
committing  theft  within  their  cloisters  or  granges.  Pope  Gregory  VIH. 
likewise  confirmed  the  above ;  and  King  Heniy  11.  confirmed  the  founder's 
donation.  The  Priory  possessed  considerable  lands,  rents,  &c.  in  the  county, 
and  the  advowson  of  the  church  of  Bilton.  At  the  Dissolution  its  revenues 
were  of  the  clear  annual  value  of  £60.  Os.  2d. ;  and  the  site  was  granted  in 
1589  to  Sir  Thomas  Tempest,  Ent  The  remains  of  this  establishment,  now 
a  farm  house,  are  moated  round,  and  enclose  about  eight  acres.  The  house 
is  principally  built  of  stone,  and  in  the  north  front  is  a  circular  arched  door- 
way, with  chevron  and  flower  mouldings  resting  on  cylindrical  columns,  with 
leaved  capitals.     The  windows  are  of  more  modem  workmanship,  being 


THE   ATN'STY   WAPENTAKE.  655 

square-headed,  of  four  lights.  A  small  close  on  the  north  side,  called  Chapel 
Garth,  is  the  site  of  the  chapel  and  burial-ground  of  this  conyent  The 
estate  was  formerly  the  property  of  Lord  Wharton,  who  left  it  in  the  hands 
of  trustees  for  the  support  of  a  Bible  charity. 

The  Living  is  a  Discharged  Vicarage,  in  the  peculiar  jurisdiction  of  the 
Dean  and  Chapter  of  York,  and  in  the  patronage  of  the  Prebendary  of  Bilton 
in  the  Cathedral  church  of  York,  valued  in  the  King's  Books  at  £8.  168., 
and  now  worth  about  £130.  per  ann.  Allotments  of  land  were  assigned  in 
lieu  of  tithes,  for  the  township  of  Bilton,  in  1776.  The  adyowson  was 
granted  by  Gundreda,  the  daughter  of  Bertram  Haget,  to  the  above-mentioned 
nunnery  founded  by  her  father.  In  1203  the  Prioress  and  Convent  submitted 
this  church,  with  aU  their  right  to  the  same,  to  the  ordination  and  disposition 
of  Thomas  Eomayne,  Archbishop  of  York,  who,  in  the  year  1300,  founded  a 
new  prebend  in  the  Cathedral  of  York,  to  which  this  church  was  annexed. 
The  Rev.  George  Mackereth  is  the  present  incumbent. 

The  Church  (St  Helen)  is  an  ancient  edifice,  comprising  a  nave  and  side 
aisles,  a  chancel  and  south  aisle,  a  chantry  chapel  on  the  north  side,  and  an 
ancient  porch  on  the  south  side  of  the  nave.  The  exterior  and  interior  arches 
of  the  latter  appendage  are  circular,  and  rest  on  columns.  The  south  side  of 
the  nave  has  three  square-headed  windows,  and  the  remainder  of  the  church 
has  several  windows  of  various  forms.  The  north  side  of  the  chancel  has 
some  very  curious  sculptured  blocks,  one  represents  a  man  carrying  a  pig, 
and  other  grotesque  heads.  The  interior  is  neat;  three  circular  arches, 
resting  on  cylindrical  pillars,  with  octagonal  capitals,  separate  the  aisles  from 
the  nave.  The  chancel  arch  is  circular ;  and  the  chapel,  which  is  raised 
above  the  rest  of  the  church,  is  separated  fix)m  the  chancel  by  a  pointed  arch. 
In  one  of  the  aisles  is  a  full-length  effigy  of  a  lady,  supposed  to  be  of  the  14th 
century.     This  figure  formerly  occupied  a  different  situation. 

The  Village  is  small  and  straggling,  and  is  situated  about  five  miles  E.N.E. 
of  Wetherby,  and  nine  miles  W.  by  S.  of  York — a  litde  off  the  road  between 
these  two  places. 

The  Wedeyan  Chapel  was  built  by  subscription  in  1845,  on  land  given 
by  Mr.  Thomas  Skilbeck.  The  School,  erected  by  Hall  Plumer,  Esq.,  in 
1805,  is  supported  by  subscription,  and  by  an  annuity  of  £6.  from  Lady 
Hewley*8  charily,  for  which  ten  children  are  taught  free. 

Bilton  HaU,  the  property  of  Andrew  Montague,  Esq.,  and  the  residence 
of  the  Rev.  T.  Jessop,  D.D.,  Vicar  of  Wighill,  stands  about  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  west  of  the  village,  and  is  a  fine  square  built  edifice. 

Bi4:kerton  Township  formerly  belonged  to  Bryan  Rocliffe,  a  Baron  of  the 


050  THE   A1N3TY   WAPENTAKE. 

Exchequer ;  it  is  now  the  property  of  Andrew  Montague,  Esq.  Area  of  the 
township,  1,080  acres ;  rateable  value,  £1,155. ;  amount  of  assessed  property, 
£915. ;  population  in  1851, 131  sods. 

The  Village  is  small,  and  stands  about  3^  miles  E.N.E.  of  Wetherby,  and 
H  mile  N.W.  of  Bilton.  The  river  Nidd  winds  its  very  devious  course  at 
a  short  distance  north  of  it  The  Manor  Haute,  now  a  &rm  house,  in  the 
occupation  of  Mr.  Andrew  Webster,  is  situated  at  the  west  side  of  the  village, 
and  appears  to  have  been  moated  in  ancient  times.  There  is  here  a  small 
Methodut  Chapd,  which  was  erected  in  1820. 

Taekwith  Township  extends  over  an  area  of  1,010  statute  acres,  and  is  chiefly 
the  property  of  A.  Montague,  Esq.  (Lord  of  the  Manor),  the  trustees  of 
Messrs.  J.  Thackeray  and  Thos.  N.  Jackson,  Mr.  Robert  Brogden,  Mr. 
Robert  Fawcett,  Mr.  William  Wilstrop,  Mr.  Joseph  Fowler,  Mr.  Hugh 
Wilson,  Mr.  R.  Skilbeck,  Mr.  William  Green,  and  Mr.  Matthew  Thomlinson. 
The  amount  of  assessed  property  in  the  township  is  £d,lG8.,  and  the  popula- 
tion in  1851  was  500  souls.  Before  the  year  1114,  Jefiiy  Fitz-Pain  gave  the 
chapel  of  All  Saints,  with  two  oxgangs  of  land  here,  to  the  Priory  of  Nostell, 
in  the  Deanery  of  Pontefract,  which  grant  was  confirmed  by  King  Henry  I., 
and  some  of  the  Black  Canons  of  that  monastery  were  sent  to  reside  here,  and 
form  what  was  called  a  cell  to  the  northern  house.  The  yearly  revenues  of 
this  cell  at  the  Dissolution  in  1585,  were  valued  at  but  £8.  per  ann.,  and  the 
site  of  it  was  granted  in  1541  to  Thomas  Leigh.  Skew  Kirk,  now  a  farm- 
house occupied  by  Mr.  Henry  Tennant,  is  the  site  of  this  religious  establish* 
ment  The  house,  which  is  deUghtfiilly  situated  on  the  south  bank  of  the 
Nidd,  has  been  rebuilt,  but  it  retains  many  marks  of  its  antiquity.  A  lancet 
window  bears  the  date  of  1718,  and  a  stone  coffin  and  some  ancient  carved 
stones  are  built  into  a  well  on  the  premises.  A  sword  is  preserved  here, 
which  is  said  to  have  been  left  in  this  house  by  a  knight  who  slept  in  it  after 
the  battle  of  Marston  Moor,  the  house  and  estate  being  then  the  property  of 
an  ancestor  of  Mr.  Tennant 

The  Village,  which  is  neat  and  well  built,  is  situated  about  a  mile  south  of 
the  river  Nidd,  about  8i  miles  W.  of  Yorii,  5}  N.E.  of  Wetherfoy,  and  9  N. 
of  Bilton.  At  the  &mous  battle  of  Marston  Moor,  the  front  of  the  Parlia- 
mentarian army  extended  as  &r  as  this  village.  (See  page  945.)  There  is 
a  veiy  large  tree  now  growing  in  Tockwith,  which  measures  twenty-seven  feet 
in  ciroumference.  The  Wesleyans  have  a  good-sized  chapel  here,  which  was 
erected  in  1798,  at  a  cost  of  about  £600.  The  tithes  were  commuted  for 
land  and  money  payments  at  the  indosure  in  179d. 

At  Cawthorpe,  or  CoUharpe,  in  this  neighbourhood,  at  a  short  distance 


THE    AINbTY    WAPENTAKE.  057 

from  the  church  of  that  place,  are  the  remains  of  a  gigautic  tree,  called  Cove- 
thorpe  Oak,  and  sarpassing  in  size  the  famous  Greendale  Oak  at  Wdbeck, 
Notts.  Its  circumference,  close  to  the  ground,  is  about  60  feet,  and  its 
principal  limit  extends  45  feet  from  the  bole.  The  leading  branch  was  pros- 
trated by  a  storm  in  1718 ;  and  when  entire,  its  branches  are  said  to  haye 
overspread  an  acre  of  ground.  Its  trunk  is  now  quite  hollow,  and  24  persons 
have  sat  down  within  it ;  and  there  is  standing  room  inside  on  the  ground 
for  40  men.  It  is  considered  to  be  about  1500  years  old.  '*  When  com- 
pared to  this,"  says  a  learned  writer,  "  all  other  trees  are  but  children  of  the 
forest."  Truly  this  venerable  oak  is  unquestionably,  in  the  words  of  Miss 
Blakeston,  *'  a  patriarch  of  the  ancient  forests  of  this  country." 

BisHOPTHOBPE. — This  parish  was  formerly  called  Thorpe-uponrOuse,  or 
St.  Andrew's  Thorpe,  from  the  dedication  of  its  church,  and  obtained  its 
present  appellation  in  the  reign  of  Henry  HI.,  when  Walter  de  Grey,  Arch- 
bishop of  York  purchased  the  Manor,  erected  a  mansion  upon  it,  and  annexed 
it  to  ^e  See  of  York,  as  an  Archiepiscopal  residence.  The  estate  continued 
in  the  possession  of  the  successive  Archbishops  till  the  Eeformation ;  when 
both  the  house  and  Manor  were  sold  to  Walter  White,  Esq.,  for  £625.  7s. 
6d.,  and  the  former  remained  his  seat  till  the  Restoration.  The  area  of  the 
parish  is  760  acres;  the  amount  of  assessed  property  is  ;£1,110.,  and  the 
population  in  1851  was  406  souls.     The  Archbishop  is  Lord  of  the  Manor. 

The  Church  is  a  Dischai^ed  Vicarage,  rated  in  the  Eing^s  Books  at  £4., 
but  now  worth  about  ^6184.  per  annum.  The  church  formerly  belonged  to 
the  Priory  of  St  Andrew  at  York.  The  Archbishop  is  the  present  patron, 
and  the  Vicar  is  the  Rev.  C.  I.  Smith.  Archbishop  de  Grey  founded  a 
chantry  in  this  church  (or,  according  to  some  historians,  in  the  private  chapel 
of  the  palace),  for  the  souls  of  King  John  and  himself,  and  of  all  the  faithful 
deceased ;  and  endowed  it  with  a  yearly  rent  of  £6.  14s.  out  of  the  manor 
of  Bishopthorpe.  The  Fabric  (St.  Andrew)  was  rebuilt  in  1768,  Archbishop 
Drummond  giving  the  timber  for  the  edifice,  and  £660.  as  his  contribution 
to  the  work.  He  also  gave  the  handsome  pointed  window  of  four  lights  at 
the  east  end,  which  was  removed  from  Cawood  Castle,  a  former  residence  of 
the  Archbishops.  The  church  having  become  dilapidated,  it  was  extensively 
repaired  or  restored  in  1842,  solely  by  the  late  Archbishop  (Harcourt),  at  an 
expense  of  about  Jg  1,500.  It  is  cruciform  in  shape,  and  is  in  the  style  desig- 
nated Carpenter's  Gothic.  The  interior  is  very  neat,  and  the  windows  are 
filled  with  stained  glass.  Archbishop  Drummond  is  buried  on  the  north 
side  of  the  communion  table,  and  on  the  same  side  is  a  tablet  to  the  Rev. 
John  Dealtry,  nearly  forty  years  Vicar  of  this  parish,  who  died  in  1797, 

4  P 


658  THE    AINSTY   WAPENTAKE. 

aged  89  years.  The  Vicarage  House  was  considorablj  enlarged  in  1825. 
Near  the  village  is  the  Archiepiscopal  Palace.  At  yarious  times  there  were 
palaces  belonging  to  the  See  of  York  at  Shirebum-in-Elmet,  Cawood,  Bipon, 
Bcvcrlej,  and  Otley,  besides  that  vrhich  stood  in  the  Minster  Close  (See 
page  460),  and  the  one  we  have  now  to  notice — all  in  this  county ;  besides 
mansions  in  SouthweU,  in  Nottinghamshire ;  at  Battersea,  in  Surrey ;  and 
at  Whitehall  and  York  Place,  in  London.  Biskopthorpe  Palace  is  a  large 
irregular  building,  with  a  rather  picturesque  appearance  from  the  side  of  the 
river  Ouse.*  It  was,  as  we  have  already  observed,  built  by  Archbishop  de 
Grey  in  the  13th  century,  but  it  has  since  undergone  so  many  alterations, 
and  80  many  additions  have  been  made  by  subsequent  prelates,  that  veiy 
little  of  the  original  structure  now  remains.  Archbishop  Dawes  considerably 
improved  it  about  the  year  17 SO,  and  Archbishop  Drummond  greatly  en- 
larged it,  and  built  the  present  front  and  entrance  gateway,  in  1763-6,  with 
stone  brought  from  the  ruins  of  Cawood  Castle ;  and  it  was  enlarged  and 
much  improved  by  the  late  Archbishop.  The  Chapd  was  built  by  Arch- 
bishop do  Grey,  and  is  a  good  specimen  of  the  Early  English  style.  The 
porter*s  lodge  or  gateway  exhibits  the  pointed  style  of  architecture,  and  pre- 
sents a  very  neat  appearance.  Over  the  gateway  are  the  Arms  of  the  Sec 
and  a  clock,  and  the  whole  structure,  which  is  embattled,  is  surmounted  with 
a  handsome  crocketcd  turret  and  pinnacles.  Within  the  gateway  is  a  lai^e 
grass  plot,  neatly  laid  out.  The  front  of  the  venerable  edifice  is  in  the  same 
style  of  architecture  as  the  gateway.  The  principal  entrance  is  into  a 
spadons  vestibule,  by  a  handsome  flight  of  stone  steps,  under  a  canopy,  sup- 
ported by  light  aiiy  columns.  The  front  is  finished  by  an  open  battlement 
of  stone,  and  each  extremity  is  decorated  with  the  stone  figure  of  an  eagle. 
The  mansion  has  some  fine  apartments,  the  walls  of  which  are  bung  wi^ 
portraits,  amongst  which  are  those  of  the  Archbishops  who  have  filled  the 
See  since  the  Reformation.  The  Chapel,  which  adjoins  the  libraiy,  is  smaU, 
but  extremely  neat  and  appropriate.  The  floor  is  of  black  and  white  marble, 
and  the  wooden  ceiling  is  in  square  compartments.  In  1841  the  edifice  was 
entirely  repaired,  when  the  ancient  and  curiously-carved  oak  pulpit  was  res- 
tored to  its  original  colour,  by  removing  the  white  paint ;  and  the  old  high 
and  coloured  pews  were  replaced  by  oak  sittings.  The  windows  are  long 
and  narrow,  except  the  one  over  the  communion  table,  which  is  spacious ; 
and  they  are  filled  with  stained  ^ass,  executed  by  the  late  Mr.  Peckitt,  of 

*  A  casix)m  prevailed  formerly  with  the  sailors  on  board  the  trading  brigs  to  fire  three 
ganB  every  time  they  passed ;  a  signal  which  was  answered  by  a  certain  portion  of  ale 
being  distributed  amongst  them  by  order  of  the  Archbishop. 


THE   AINSTY   WAPENTAKE.  659 

York';  that  at  the  cast  end  exhibits  the  Arms  of  the  Archbishops  from  the 
Reformation  to  the  Revolution,  impaled  with  those  of  the  See.  The  pleasure 
grounds,  which  are  partly  behind  the  mansion,  and  occupy  about  six  acres  on 
the  bank  of  the  Ouse,  are  rather  confined,  but  laid  out,  and  planted  with  a 
great  variety  of  trees  and  shrubs,  with  considerable  taste.  The  trial  of 
Archbishop  Scrope  took  place  in  Bishopthorpe  Palace,  as  already  lelated  at 
page  148  of  this  volume.. 

The  Village  is  small  but  pleasant,  and  is  situated  on  the  west  side  of  the 
river  Ouse,  about  three  miles  S.  by  W.  from  York  The  National  School  was 
rebuilt,  and  the  schoolmaster's  house  restored,  in  1846,  at  the  sole  cost  of 
Archbishop  Harcourt,  who  at  his  death  left  the  interest  of  £500.  to  the  poor 
of  Bishopthorpe.  The  notorious  Guy  Fawkes  is  said  to  have  been  a  native 
of  this  place.     (See  page  637.) 

Bolton  Percy. — This  parish,  which  is  bounded  on  the  S.W.  by  the  river 
Wharie,  comprises  the  township  to  which  it  gives  its  name,  as  well  as  those 
of  Appleton-Roebuck,  Colton,  and  Steeton.  The  entire  parish  contains  7,148 
acres,  and  in  1851  its  inhabitants  numbered  705.  The  amount  of  assessed 
property  is  £9,887.  The  area  of  the  township  of  Bolton  Percy  is  9,170 
acres;  its  population  is  S75  ;  and  the  rateable  value  £4,053. ;  assessed  pro- 
perty, £3,346.  The  soil  is  generally  a  strong  clay,  with  portions  of  a  lighter 
kind,  the  surface  is  level,  and  interspersed  with  small  plantations  and  woods. 

The  manor  or  township  of  Bolton  Percy,  or  of  Bodeltone  as  it  is  termed  in 
Domesday,  anciently  contained  eight  carucates,  and  was  held  by  Robert  de 
Percy  of  the  heirs  of  Henry  de  Percy,  Baron  of  Topcliffe,  who  held  it  of  the 
King  in  capite,  at  the  rent  of  four  shillings  per  annum.  King  Edward  I. 
granted  a  license  to  Robert  de  Percy,  to  embattle  his  mansion  house  at  Bolton. 
A  great  part  of  a  wood  in  this  place  was  given  by  one  of  the  Percys  to  the 
building  of  York  Minster.  (See  page  409.)  The  manor  afterwards  descended 
to  the  Lords  of  Beaumont.  King  Edward  1.  enriched  Henry  Lord  Beau- 
mont with  many  estates,  and  among  other  privileges  he  granted  him  a 
charter  of  free  warren  in  all  his  demesne  estates  here  and  elsewhere.  Wil- 
liam Viscount  Beaumont,  who  had  been  a  Lancastrian,  and  was  taken 
prisoner  in  Towton  Field,  in  1461  (See  page  157),  and  attainted,  but  res- 
tored to  his  titles  and  estates  in  the  reign  of  Heniy  VII.,  and  died  without 
issue,  was  lord  of  this  place.  The  manor  of  Bolton  Percy  now  belongs  to  Sir 
W.  M.  E.  Milner,  Bart.,  and  the  other  chief  landowners  are  Lord  Londes- 
borough,  the  Rector  of  the  parish,  and  Mr.  William  Green. 

The  Church  is  a  Rectory,  valued  in  the  King's  Books,  at  £39.  15s.  S^d., 
and  in  the  parliamentary  returns  at  £150.;  net  income  £1,540.    In  the 


660  THE   AINSTY   WAPENTAKE. 

reign  of  Henry  I.,  Picot  de  Percy,  gave  the  church  of  Bolton  to  the  Canons 
of  St  Oswald  of  Nostel,  which  grant  was  confirmed  to  them  hy  Henry  I. 
and  n.  It  is  now  in  the  gift  of  the  Archbishop  of  York,  and  the  present 
Rector  is  the  Rev.  Wm.  Venables  Vernon  Harcourt,  third  son  of  the  late 
Archbishop.  All  tithes  commuted  in  1797.  The  present  Edifice  (All  Saints 
or  St.  Andrew's)  was  built  by  the  Rector,  Thomas  Parker,  who  died  in  1423, 
and  is  the  largest  and  best  built  church  in  the  Ainsty.  It  consists  of  a  nave 
and  aisles,  a  chancel  and  chapel  on  the  north  side,  and  a  well-proportioned 
tower  at  the  west  end,  the  whole  of  cut  stone  and  in  the  Gothic  style.  Each 
side  of  the  nave  is  made  into  four  divisions  by  handsome  buttresses ;  the 
windows  are  of  three  lights,  and  the  finish  of  the  aisles  is  a  parapet  with 
grotesque  masks  at  the  extremities.  On  the  south  side  is  a  porch,  chiefly  of 
wood,  which  is  covered  with  ivy.  The  chancel,  which  is  higher  than  the 
nave,  and  apparently  of  later  construction,  is  made  into  three  divisions  by 
buttresses,  which  finish  above  the  parapet,  in  pinnacles  with  crocketed  caps 
and  finials.  The  east  window  is  of  five  lights,  and  the  windows  of  the  sides 
of  the  chancel  are  large,  and  of  three  lights  each.  On  the  apex  of  the  roof 
is  a  cross  floiy.  The  interior  is  spacious  and  handsome,  the  nave  is  divided 
from  the  aisles  by  four  pointed  arches,  which  rest  on  octagonal  columns,  and 
the  large  chancel  arch  rests  on  three  cylinders  conjoined,  with  octagonal 
capitals.  The  roof  of  the  nave  and  chancel  is  timber,  exhibiting  a  depressed 
arch  resting  on  plain  blocks.  The  sedilia,  on  the  south  side  of  the  commu- 
nion table,  is  in  a  beautiful  state  of  preservation,  and  the  piscina  is  perhi^is 
the  most  perfect  and  elegant  in  the  county.  The  ancient  stone  altar  was 
used  in  flooring  the  church.  The  stained  glass  in  this  church  is  very 
splendid.  That  beautiful  article  exhibits  in  the  east  window  four  fall-length 
figures  of  Bishops,  and  St.  Andrew  in  the  centre,  with  the  Royal  Anns  of 
Old  France  and  England,  Percy,  &c.  A  small  organ  was  presented  by  the 
Misses  Milner,  in  1847.  The  font  is  circular,  with  a  curious  cover  of 
wood.  The  monuments  are  numerous,  and  there  are  several  to  the  families 
of  Fairfax  and  Milner.  Amongst  those  to  the  former  family  is  a  handsome 
one  attached  to  the  east  end  of  the  south  aisle,  consisting  of  two  Corinthian 
columns  supporting  an  arched  pediment,  and  bearing  a  long  Latin  inscription 
to  the  memory  of  the  celebrated  Parliamentarian  General,  Lord  Ferdinando 
Fairfax,  who  died  in  1647,  aged  64.  The  chantry  chapel,  in  which  is  a 
piscina,  is  now  used  as  a  vestry,  and  the  tower  contains  a  clock  and  three 
good  bells. 

The  Village  is  small  and  scattered,  and  stands  about  four  miles  E.  by  S. 
of  Tadcaster.     Tiic  North  Eastern  Railway  passes  through  the  parish,  and 


THE    AINSTY   WAPENTAKE.  661 

has  an  intermediate  station  near  the  village.  This  station  is  7  miles  40 
chains  from  York.  The  School  near  the  church  was  erected  in  1790,  and  is 
chiefly  supported  hj  subscription.  The  poor  have  the  interest  of  about 
£630.  left  by  several  donors. 

BoUon  Lodge,  the  residence  of  Geo.  Hamilton  Thompson,  Esq.,  Lieut-Col. 
of  the  regiment  of  East  York  Militia,  is  a  good  mansion  pleasantly  situated. 

Appleton-Boebttck  Toumship  comprises  an  area  of  2,780  acres,  and  a  popu- 
lation of  638  persons.  Its  rateable  value  is  £3,593.,  and  the  amount  of 
assessed  property  is  £3,5/20.  William  Lord  Latimer,  who  was  summoned  to 
Parliament  from  the  43nd  of  Edward  IH.  (1369),  to  the  3rd  of  Richard  11. 
(1400),  died  possessed  of  this  manor,  leaving  it,  with  his  other  estates,  to  his 
only  daughter  and  heir,  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  John  Lord  Nevile,  of  Raby. 
The  township  now  belongs  to  Sir  W.  M.  E.  Milner  (Lord  of  the  Manor), 
and  a  few  freeholders. 

The  ViUage,  which  is  scattered,  lies  in  the  vale  of  a  rivulet  nearly  two 
miles  N.E.  of  Bolton  Percy ;  nearly  eight  S.S.W.  of  York ;  one  W.  of  the 
North  Eastern  Railway ;  six  E.  from  Tadcaster,  and  about  one  and  a  half 
from  each  of  the  rivers  Onse  and  Wharfe.  The  Wesleyan  Chapel  in  the 
village  was  erected  in  1818,  at  a  cost  of  £500.,  and  is  a  neat  square  brick 
building.  The  National  School  was  built  by  subscription  in  1817,  and  is 
chiefly  supported  by  the  Rector  of  the  parish ;  and  the  Infant  School  was 
erected  in  1841,  by  the  Misses  Milner,  by  whom  it  is  solely  supported,  in 
memory  of  the  day  on  which  the  present  Sir  W.  Milner  attained  his  miyority. 

Nun-AppleUm  Hall  is  situated  in  this  township,  about  one  mile  and  a 
quarter  from  the  village  of  Appleton.  It  occupies  the  site  of  a  Priory  for 
nuns  of  the  Cistercian  Order,  which  was  founded  by  Adeliza  or  Alice  do  St. 
Quintin,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  reign  of  King  Stephen ;  or  according  to  the 
Harleian  MSS.,  by  Adeliza  and  her  son  Robert,  in  the  5th  of  King  John 
(1S04.)  It  was  endowed  with  considerable  lands,  and  was  dedicated  to  "  God, 
St.  Mary,  and  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  in  pure  and  perpetual  almes."  The 
clear  annual  income  of  this  establishment  at  its  dissolution  in  the  reign  of 
Henry  VLLl.,  when  it  consisted  of  a  prioress  and  eighteen  nuns,  was  £73.  98. 
lOd.  Tanner  says  the  site  of  this  Nunnery  was  granted  in  154S,  to  Robert 
Darknall ;  but  among  the  abstracts  of  rolls  called  Originalia,  the  homages  of 
Quido  and  Thomas  FairfiELx  are  recorded  for  the  house  and  site.  Another 
grant  of  the  same  is  recorded,  in  the  new  edition  of  the  Monasticon,  to  Sir 
William  Fayrfax,  Knt,  and  Humphrey  Shelley.  Upon  tliis  site  Thomas 
Lord  Fairfax  built  a  handsome  house  (in  which  he  died),  which,  with  the 
estate,  was  purchased  by  Mr.  Alderman  Milner,  a  merchant  of  Leeds,  who, 


663  THE   AIN8TY   WAPENTAKE. 

upon  the  marriage  of  his  son,  Sir  William  Milner,  Bart.,  created  in  1716, 
settled  it  upon  him  and  his  son.  It  is  now  the  seat  of  Sir  William  Mordaunt 
Edward  Milner,  the  5th  Baronet,  who  succeeded  to  the  title  and  estates  on 
the  death  of  his  father,  on  the  34th  of  March,  1855.  The  present  Baronet, 
who  is  now  one  of  the  representatives  of  the  city  of  York  in  Parliament,  was 
horn  at  Nun-Appleton,  on  the  30th  of  June,  1830 ;  married  in  1844  the 
third  daughter  of  Frederick  Lumley,  Esq.,  of  Tickhill  Castle,  in  this  county, 
niece  of  the  fourth  Earl  of  Scarhorough.  The  mansion  is  a  large  and  hand- 
some edifice,  situated  in  a  picturesque  spot,  and  surrounded  by  an  extensiyc 
and  well  wooded  park.  The  house,  gardens,  and  pleasure  grounds,  have 
been  considerably  improved  by  the  late  Baronet.  The  flower  garden  with 
its  beautiful  walks,  elegant  arbours,  splendid  parterres,  and  charming  lake 
covered  with  rare  aquatic  plants,  is  a  great  object  of  interest.  The  park 
displays  much  interesting  scenery. 

In  the  same  township  is  an  ancient  house  and  farm  called  Woolas,  now  in 
the  occupation  of  Mr.  William  WiLstrop,  which  appears  to  have  been  a  place 
of  consequence  at  an  early  period.  The  moat,  with  which  the  building  was 
surrounded,  may  yet  be  traced. 

ColUm  Township  extends  over  1,139  acres,  the  property  of  Wm.  Sawrey 
Morritt,  Esq.,  of  Rokeby  (Lord  of  the  Manor),  and  a  few  freeholders.  The 
amount  of  assessed  property  is  £1,630. ;  rateable  value,  £3,383. ;  and  in  18ol 
it  contained  144  inhabitants,  The  Village  is  small  and  scattered,  and  stands 
3J  miles  N.E.  of  Bolton  Perey,  and  6i  S.W.  of  York.  The  township  is 
intersected  by  the  North  Eastern  Railway.  The  School  was  endowed  by 
Mr.  Morritt  with  £4.  per  annum. 

Colton  Lodge,  the  residence  of  Captain  T.  C.  Stuart,  is  a  good  house  near 
the  village. 

Steeton  Township  contBons  1,069  acres,  and  77  inhabitants;  the  amount 
of  assessed  property  is  £1,383.  There  is  no  viUage,  but  there  are  fifteen 
inhabited  houses  scattered  over  the  township,  and  the  place  is  about  3  miles 
N.W.  of  Bolton  Percy,  7  S.S.W.  of  York,  and  3i  E.  by  N.  of  Tadcaster. 
This  place  anciently  belonged  to  the  family  of  De  Steeton,  and  it  became 
afterwards  the  seat  of  Sir  Guy  Fairfax,  Knt,  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  King^s 
Bench  in  the  times  of  Edwurd  lY.  and  Henry  VII.,  and  it  has  ever  since 
continued  in  the  younger  branch  of  that  family,  The  remains  of  Steeion 
Hall,  the  once  splendid  mansion  in  which  the  Fairfax  family  dwelt  for  ages, 
now  consists  of  the  centre  of  the  building,  which  formerly  had  wings,  and  a 
small  chapel.  The  hall  is  now  in  the  occupation  of  a  farmer,  and  the  chapel, 
which  is  of  very  early  erection,  is  now  used  as  a  granary.     '*  This  mansion, 


THE    AINSTY   WAPENTAKE.  003 

until  lately,"  says  Allen,  who  wrote  in  1829,  "contained  the  sword  and 
chair  of  the  great  Lord  Fairfax,  which  were  removed  by  Mr.  Fairfax  to  his 
seat "  at  Newton-Kyme. 

Streethouses  is  a  hamlet  partly  in  the  township  of  Steeton,  and  partly  in 
the  parish  of  Bilbrough,  3  miles  N.E.  of  Tadcaster.  This  hamlet  took  its 
name  from  its  vicinity  to  the  Roman  road  from  York  to  Tadcaster. 

CoPMANTHORPE. — The  chapclry  of  Copmanthorpe  and  the  township  of 
Holdgate,  though  locally  situated  in  the  Ainsty  Wapentake,  are  parts  and 
parcels  of  the  parish  of  St.  Mary,  Bishophill  Junior,  in  the  city  of  York. 
The  area  of  the  township  is  1,610  acres;  its  rateable  value  is  i64,676.;  and 
the  population  in  1851  was  316.  The  North  Eastern  Railway  passes  through 
the  township,  and  there  is  a  small  station  on  that  line,  near  the  hamlet. 
The  principal  landowners  are  F.  H.  Wood,  Esq.  (Lord  of  the  Manor),  Yar- 
burgh  Yarburgh,  Esq.,  Mr.  Richard  Bean,  and  Mr.  Robert.  Lofthouse. 

The  Village  stands  about  4  miles  S.S.W.  of  York,  by  road,  and  3  miles 
54  chains  by  railway.  Adjoining  the  hamlet  is  a  field  called  TempU  Field, 
in  which,  according  to  tradition,  anciently  stood  a  temple,  but  of  what  des- 
cription, or  to  whom  dedicated,  there  is  no  record ;  but  stones,  evidently 
once  parts  of  pillars,  and  other  curiosities,  have  been  found  in  the  field  and 
in  the  fields  adjoining ;  and  similar  ones  appear  also  in  the  walls  of  some  of 
tho  oldest  houses.  The  township  is  called  Temple  Copmanthorpe  in  old 
documents.  The  Chapel  is  a  plain  oblong  stone  building,  with  a  bell  turret. 
A  faculty  was  granted  in  1750,  for  inclosing  a  chapel  yard  as  a  place  of 
interment.  The  tithes  were  commuted  a  few  years  ago  for  i6498.  16s. ;  of 
which,  £430.  for  the  great  tithes,  are  payable  to  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of 
York,  and  J668.  ISs.  to  the  Vicar  of  the  parish,  for  the  small  tithes ;  tho 
former  having  also  a  glebe  of  /25  acres,  and  the  latter  a  glebe  of  one  acre. 
The  School  is  endowed  with  J64.  per  annum. 

HoldgaU  or  Holgate  Township  lies  on  tho  western  side  of  tho  Ouse,  and 
forms  a  suburb  of  the  city  of  York.  Its  area  is  d50  acres;  rateable  value, 
£962. ;  population,  134.  The  York,  Newcastle,  and  Berwick  Railway  inter- 
sects the  township.  The  Hamlet  is  small,  and  is  situated  about  one  mile 
W.  by  S.  of  York.  A  bridge  was  erected  over  the  rivulet  here  in  1824,  and 
in  the  house  near  the  bridge  long  resided,  and  died  in  1896,  Lindley  Murray, 
the  celebrated  grammarian.  (See  page  641.)  Between  Holgate  and  Acomb 
are  very  extensive  nursery  grounds  belonging  to  Messrs.  James  Backhouse 
and  Son ;  and  about  a  mile  from  Holgate  is  Scverus*  Hill,  long  popularly 
considered  to  have  been  a  mound  made  by  the  Romans,  in  memoiy  of  the 
Emperor  Severus.    (Sec  page  68.) 


064  THE    AINSTY   WAPENTAKE. 

Upper  Poppleton,  another  out  township  in  the  parish  of  St  Mary,  Bishop- 
hill  Junior,  will  be  noticed  at  a  subsequent  page. 

MiddUthorpe  is  an  out  township  in  the  parish  of  St  Mary,  Bishophill 
Senior,  York,  situated  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river  Ouse,  about  2  miles 
S.W.  from  York.  Its  area  is  607  acres,  and  the  number  of  its  inhabitants 
in  1851  was  88.  Middlethorpe  Hall,  a  fine  mansion,  is  now  in  the  occupa- 
tion of  the  Misses  Walker ;  Middlethorpe  Lodge  is  the  residence  of  James 
Meek,  Esq.;  and  the  Manor  House  is  occupied  by  Henry  Tower,  Esq. 
Leaden  bullets  and  a  steel  breast-plate  were  dug  up  in  this  township  in  1812. 
.  Healauoh. — The  lands  of  this  parish  anciently  belonged  to  the  Priory  of 
Healaugh  Parky  which  was  established  here  at  an  early  period.  From  the 
first  charter  of  its  foundation 'it  appears  that  before  the  year  1203,  Bertram 
Haget  gave  to  Gilbert,  a  monk  of  Marmonstier,  cmd  to  his  successors,  "  the 
lands  of  the  hermitage  or  desert  which  is  in  the  wood  of  Healaugh,  viz. : — 
that  land  toward  the  east  where  the  water  is  wont  to  run  and  passe  from  the 
bridge  called  Lairbridge,  to  the  passage  anciently  called  Sangneat,"  in  order 
to  found  a  religious  house.  A  church,  dedicated  to  St  John  the  Evangelist, 
was  then  built  on  the  site  of  the  hermitage,  and  some  religious  persons  were 
fixed  here  by  Jefiery  Haget,  son  of  Bertram ;  and  about  the  year  1218,  a 
Priory  of  regular  Black  Canons  was  established  and  endowed  on  the  same 
foundation,  by  Jordan  de  S.  Maria,  and  Alice  his  wife,  who  was  grand- 
daughter to  Bertram  Haget.  Edward  11.  granted  to  the  Prior,  free  warren 
in  all  his  demesne  lands  in  Healaugh,  Wighall,  &c.  The  possessions  of  the 
Priory  principally  laid  in  the  vicinity  of  the  house.  At  its  suppression,  in 
the  reign  of  Henry  Vlll.,  here  were  fourteen  canons,  whose  revenues 
amounted  to  £86.  5s.  9d.,  according  to  Speed.  The  site  of  the  Priory  was 
granted,  in  1540,  to  James  Gage,  Esq.,  who  had  a  license  in  the  same  year 
to  alienate  it  to  Sir  Arthur  D'Arcy,  Knt.,  and  his  heirs,  and  it  was  afterwards 
the  residence  of  Lord  Wharton.  The  present  proprietor  of  the  parish  of 
Healaugh  is  S.  Brooksbank,  Esq.  Area  of  the  parish,  2,800  acres ;  popu- 
lation in  1851,  223  souls ;  assessed  property,  £4,461. 

The  Living  is  a  Discharged  Vicarage,  valued  in  the  King's  Books  at  £6., 
but  now  worth  nearly  £100.  The  advowson  was,  previous  to  the  Reforma- 
tion, in  the  Prior  of  Healaugh  Park,  who  presented  as  early  as  1271.  The 
patron  is  S.  Brooksbank,  Esq.,  and  the  Vicar  is  the  Bev.  E.  H.  Brooksbank. 

The  Church  (St  John  the  Evangelist)  is  situated  on  the  highest  ground  in 
the  neighbourhood,  and  appears  to  have  been  originally  built  about  the  period 
of  the  Norman  Conquest,  but  a  great  part  of  it  was  rebuilt  nearly  seventy 
years  ago.    It  is  a  neat  edifice,  and  consists  of  a  nave,  chancel,  and  north 


THE   AIN8TT   WAPENTAKE.  665 

aisles,  and  a  square  tower  at  the  west  end.  The  latter  appendage  contains 
three  heUs,  and  is  surmounted  by  a  modem  cross.  On  the  south  side  of  the 
naye  is  a  curious  arched  entrance  of  Saxon  workmanship,  in  fine  preservation, 
consisting  of  four  mouldings ;  the  inner  one  is  plain,  springing  from  square 
capital  and  plain  jamb ;  the  second,  which  rests  on  a  square  carved  capital 
and  a  circular  column,  has  a  fine  series  of  beaked  heads ;  the  third  is  com- 
posed of  human  heads,  grotesque  figures,  and  masks,  resting  on  a  similar 
column ;  and  the  exterior  one  is  a  fine  chevron  moulding,  rising  from  a  square 
jamb.  The  interior  of  the  nave  has  all  the  characteristics  of  early  Norman 
architecture.  In  the  aisle  of  the  chancel  is  a  handsome  table  monument  of 
alabaster,  bearing  the  recumbent  e£Bgies  of  a  knight  in  plain  armour,  between 
two  ladies,  representing  Thomas,  Lord  Wharton,  who  died  in  1566,  and  his 
two  wives.  The  Village,  which  is  very  neat  and  picturesque,  is  situated 
about  3  miles  N.N.E.  of  Tadcaster.  Near  the  church  are  the  square  plinth 
and  octangular  shaft  of  an  ancient  stone  cross. 

Healaugh  HaU,  the  handsome  seat  of  S.  Brooksbank,  Esq.,  is  situated  on 
elevated  ground  in  a  well  wooded  park,  on.  the  north  bank  of  the  Wharfe, 
about  d  miles  S.  of  the  village,  and  one  mile  W.  of  Tadcaster.  Healaugh 
Manor  House,  the  remains  of  the  above-mentioned  Priory,  is  now  a  farm 
house,  in  the  occupation  of  Mr.  William  J.  Jackson.  When  perfect,  this 
house  must  have  formed  a  spacious  quadrangle,  of  which  about  three  quar- 
ters of  the  east  side  remain  perfect.  It  is  of  two  stories,  with  an  embattled 
parapet,  and  square-headed  windows,  of  three  lights  each.  The  ancient 
moat*  encloses  about  three  acres,  and  within  it  is  another  ^Eurm  house,  erected 
about  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago,  and  occupied  by  Mr.  William  Jackson. 
These  houses,  which  are  distinguished  by  the  names  of  the  East  and  West 
Manor  House,  are  situated  about  one  mile  S.W.  of  Healaugh. 

Eibk-Hamhebtok. — This  parish  contains  the  townships  of  Kirk-Ham- 
merton  and  WUstrop,  which  are  divided  by  the  river  Nidd;  the  former 
township  is  situated  in  the  upper  division  of  the  Wapentake  of  Olaro,  and 
the  latter  in  the  Ainsty  Wapentake.  The  whole  parish  contains  d,018  acres, 
of  which  about  60  acres  are  woodland,  and  of  the  remainder  two-thirds  are 
arable,  and  one-third  pasture;  the  soil  is  very  rich.  Amount  of  assessed 
property,  £9,100.  Population  in  1851,  378  souls,  The  area  of  Eirk-Ham- 
merton  township  is  996  acres,  the  rateable  value  of  which  is  £1,973. ;  popu- 
lation, 991.  The  principal  landowners  are  Alexander  Christie,  Esq.,  James 
Christie,  Esq.,  Andrew  Montague,  Esq.,  and  Messrs.  W.  Cass,  E.  Clark, 
John  Stephenson,  and  John  Joliffe,  the  Lord  of  the  Manor  of  this  township. 

The  Ldving  is  a  Perpetual  Curacy,  in  the  gift  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  White, 

4  Q 


606  THE   AIN8TY   WAPEMTAKB. 

the  Incumbent ;  the  income  is  about  £150.,  and  there  is  a  good  glebe  house. 
Tithes  commuted  in  1765.  The  Church  (St  John  the  Baptist)  stands  on  a 
considerable  eminence,  and  is  an  ancient  edifice,  condsting  of  a  nave,  chanoely 
north  aisle,  and  a  square  tower.  It  was  enlarged  in  1885,  at  a  cost  of  JglOO. 
when  eightj-fiye  sittings  were  added. 

The  Village,  which  is  small  but  clean,  stands  about  0^  miles  N.W.  of 
York,  and  half  a  mile  distant  fix)m  the  road  between  York  and  Borough- 
bridge.  The  scenery  is  picturesque,  and  the  views  extensive.  The  railway 
from  York  to  Enaresborough  and  Harrogate  is  but  a  short  distance  N.£.  c^ 
the  village. 

WUstrop  Township  (in  the  Ainsty)  contains  l,Odd  acres  and  8d  inhabitantB. 
Andrew  Montague,  Esq.,  is  the  proprietor  of  the  soil.  Wilatrop,  which 
has  no  village,  is  situated  about  H  miles  W.  by  N.  of  Yoik.  It  adjoins 
Marston  Moor,  the  scene  of  the  great  battle  between  the  Royalists  and  the 
Parliament's  party,  in  1644 ;  and  the  graves  of  the  slain  in  that  dreadfbl 
conflict  may  yet  be  seen  near  Wilstrop  Wood.  (See  page  240.)  In  cutting 
down  a  part  of  this  wood  a  few  years  ago,  the  workmen  found  several  lead 
bullets  embedded  in  the  trees ;  and  buUets,  camion  bslls,  broken  swords,  and 
horse  shoes,  have  been  frequently  found  in  this  locality. 

WiUtrap  Hall,  an  ancient  mansion,  which  stands  about  d  miles  £•  of  the 
parish  church,  is  now  a  fiflifm  house  in  the  occupation  of  Mr.  John  Harrison. 
The  moat  may  yet  be  traced  by  which  this  house  was  surrounded. 

Long  Mabstom. — The  townships  of  Long  Marston,  Angram,  and  Hutton- 
Wandesley,  are  comprised  in  this  parish.  The  area  of  the  entiro  pariah  is 
4,281  acres ;  population  in  1851,  609  souls ;  amount  of  assessed  properly, 
£4,468.  The  township  of  Marston,  of  which  Andrew  Montague,  Esq.,  is 
chief  proprietor,  contains  2,540  acres,  and  421  inhabitants.  Rateable  value, 
J61,824.  The  surfEu^e  is  generally  flat,  and  the  soil  is  a  stiff  day  alternated 
¥rith  portions  of  lighter  quality.  The  Church  is  a  Heotoiy,  rated  in  the 
King's  Books  at  £24.  Bs.  9d.,  present  income  about  £865.  Patron,  Lord 
Wenlock;  Rector,  Rev.  Thomas  Daynell.  The  Rectory  House  is  a  good 
building.  The  tithes  were  commuted  for  lazid  in  1766.  "In  the  year 
1400,"  says  Allen,  "  a  commission  was  granted  to  the  parishioners,  because 
their  old  ohuroh  was  ruinous  and  far  distant  from  their  habitations,  to  trans- 
late the  same  from  that  place  to  another  chapel  in  the  parish,  and  there  to 
build  themselves  a  new  church,  provided  that  they  kept  enclosed  the  ceme- 
tery where  the  old  churoh  stood." 

The  present  Edifice  is  a  plain  building,  in  the  Decorated  English  style, 
comprising  a  nave,  chancel,  and  north  aisle,  with  a  south  porch  and  a  square 


THE   AIKSTT   WAPENTAKE.  607 

west  tower.  The  latter  appendage,  which  contains  three  hells,  is  embattled, 
and  has  crocketed  pinnacles  at  the  angles.  Within  the  porch  is  a  circular 
arched  doorwaj,  and  in  the  interior,  the  north  aisle  is  divided  from  the  body 
bj  three  bold  circular  arches,  resting  on  circular  columns  with  square  capitals. 
The  chancel  and  north  aisle  are  divided  by  a  pointed  arch.  "  The  existence 
of  the  Norman  circular  arches  in  this  building,"  writes  Mr.  Allen,  "  shows 
that  the  parishioners  retained  a  great  portion  of  the  former  chapel,  and  that 
they  used  their  license  to  build  a  new  church  for  the  purpose  of  enlarging 
the  existing  building,  and  converting  it  into  a  parish  church."  In  the 
chancel  is  a  handsome  monument,  consisting  of  two  recesses,  with  arabesque 
work,  to  J.  Thwaites,  Esq.,  who  died  in  1603 ;  and  a  handsome  tablet  to 
Sir  Percy  Dawes,  Bart.,  who  died  in  1733. 

The  Village,  which  is  on  the  road  from  York  to  Wetherby,  and  which  from 
its  length,  being  rather  dispersed,  is  called  Long  Marston,  stands  about  7| 
miles  W.  finom  York.  The  moor  near  the  village  is  the  scene  of  a  most 
sanguinary  battle,  which  occurred  on  the  dnd  of  July,  1644,  between  the 
army  of  Charles  I.  and  the  Parliament's  forces,  wherein  the  former  were 
totally  defeated.  (See  page  344.)  Bullets,  cannon  baUs,  and  other  remains 
of  this  desperate  combat  are  occasionally  turned  up  by  the  plough. 

The  WesUyan  Chapel  was  erected  in  1850,  by  subscription,  at  an  expense 
of  about  £300.  The  building  is  of  brick  and  contains  about  160  sittings. 
The  School  is  partly  supported  by  an  endowment  of  £10.  per  ann.,  and  partly 
by  subscription.  Other  charities  in  1836,  £108.  18s.  per  ann.,  besides  a 
share  of  Christopher's  Topham's  charity  for  apprenticing  children. 

Angram  Township  contains  618  acres,  of  the  rateable  value  of  £875. ;  and 
the  number  of  its  inhabitants  is  67.  Lord  Wenlock  is  the  sole  proprietor  of 
the  soil.  The  Hamlet^  which  consists  chiefly  of  a  few  farm  houses,  stands 
about  3  miles  S.E.  of  Long  Marston. 

HuUof^Wandedey  Townehip,  which  is  also  the  property  of  Lord  Wenlock, 
extends  over  an  area  of  1,338  acres ;  rateable  value,  £090. ;  population  in 
1851, 131  souls.  The  Hamlet  comprises  a  few  houses  between  Long  Marston 
and  Angram.  Hutton  HaU,  the  seat  of  the  Hon.  Captain  Robert  NeviUe 
Lawley,  is  a  fine  brick  mansion,  apparently  erected  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
17th  centuzy.     The  moat  is  visible  on  its  north-east  side. 

Moor  Momkton  parish  includes  the  townships  of  Moor  Monkton  and 
Hessay ;  its  area  is  4,380  acres,  of  which  number  8,110  form  the  former 
township ;  population  of  the  whole  parish  431  souls ;  population  of  Moor 
Monkton  only,  380.  Rateable  value  of  the  latter  place,  £1,760.  Assessed 
property  of  the  whole  parish,  £8,045.    The  river  Nidd,  at  its  confluence  here 


668  THE   ATNSTT   WAPEKTAKB. 

with  the  Oase,  forms  the  north-west  boandaiy  of  the  parish.  The  land  is 
chiefly  arahle ;  the  soil  is  generally  a  strong  day,  and  the  surface  is  level. 
This  place  anciently  belonged  to  the  fiAmily  of  Ughtred  or  Oughtre,  but  Sir 
Charles  Slingsby,  Bart.,  is  the  present  lord  of  the  soil. 

The  lAving  is  a  Rectory,  valued  in  the  Eong's  Books  at  £16. 19s.  7d.,  and 
in  the  patronage  of  the  Crown.  It  is  now  worth  about  £700.  per  ann.,  and 
the  Hector  is  the  Rev.  H.  W.  Yeoman.     The  tithes  were  commuted  in  1786. 

The  Church  (All  Saints)  stands  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  south  of  the 
village,  and  is  an  ancient  edifice,  having  a  nave,  chancel,  and  south  porch, 
with  a  square  tower  of  brick  at  the  west  end.  In  the  west  front  of  it  is  a 
curious  piece  of  sepulchral  sculpture,  representing  a  lady  in  a  niche,  and 
before  her  a  blank  shield.  The  porch  has  a  Norman  entrance,  and  there  is 
a  Norman  window  on  the  north  side  of  the  church ;  the  other  windows  are 
square-headed.  The  interior  of  the  church  is  plain,  with  no  arch  of  separa- 
tion between  the  nave  and  the  chancel.  The  Rectory  Home  is  situated  about 
a  mile  S.  of  the  village,  and  is  a  neat  modem  brick  building. 

The  Village  is  planted  upon  the  southern  bank  of  the  river  Nidd,  about  6 
miles  N.  W.  of  York. 

Bed  Hotise,  the  ancient  seat  of  the  Slingsby  fiunily,  is  situated  upon  the 
banks  of  the  river  Ouse,  and  is  now  in  the  occupation  of  Mr.  Hops,  farmer. 
The  house,  of  which  only  the  centre  remains,  was  built  by  Sir  H.  Slingsby, 
in  the  reign  of  Charles  I.,  and  the  chapel  was  built  by  his  fieither.  The  chapel 
is  entire,  and  paved  with  Italian  marble,  and  the  east  window  is  embellished 
with  painted  glass.  The  view  from  the  terrace  is  extensive.  Red  House 
and  Scagglethorpe  (in  this  parish)  were  purchased  about  156d  by  F.  Slingsby, 
Esq.,  of  R.  Oughtre,  Esq.,  whose  ancestors  had  resided  in  this  neighbourhood 
from  the  time  of  Edward  m.  The  site  of  the  mansion  of  this  family  is  at  a 
small  distance  fix)m  the  west  front  of  Red  House. 

Hessay  Township  contains  1,130  acres,  and  a  population  of  141  souls. 
Amount  of  assessed  property,  £1,107.  This  place  was  given  to  the  Abbey  of 
St.  Mary  at  York,  by  Osbem  de  Archis,  and  continued  in  their  possession  till 
the  dissolution.  It  is  now  held  by  various  proprietors.  The  moor  was  en- 
closed in  1880.  On  the  eve  of  the  dreadful  battie  of  Marston  Moor,  in  1644, 
the  forces  of  the  Parliament  were  drawn  up  in  battie  array  on  Hessay  Moor, 
expecting  to  encounter  Prince  Rupert  and  the  Royalists  on  their  way  to  York. 
(See  page  348.) 

The  Village,  which  is  neat  and  well-built,  stands  a  litde  to  the  S.  of  the 
road  from  York  to  Knaresborough,  about  6^^  miles  W.  by  N.  of  the  former 
place.    The  School,  which  is  supported  by  the  Rector  of  the  parish,  is  a  brick 


THE  AJNSTT  WAPSKTAXK.  669 

building  erected  a  few  years  ago  by  subscriptioii,  aided  by  a  government 
grant.  It  is  used  as  a  Chapel  of  Ease  on  Sundays  and  holidays.  There 
is  a  residence  for  the  teacher  adjoining  the  school.  The  We$leyan  Chapel  in 
the  village  was  erected  in  18S4,  and  is  a  small  brick  building. 

Skipbridge  is  a  small  hamlet  in  this  parish  and  that  of  Nun  Monkton,  and 
is  so  called  from  the  bridge — a  neat  stone  structure  of  three  arches — which 
crosses  the  Nidd  at  this  place. 

P0PP1.ETON. — ^The  parish  of  Nether  or  Water  Poppleton  lies  on  the  west 
side  of  the  river  Ure  or  Ouse,  and  contains  1,160  acres,  of  the  rateable  value 
of  about  £1,800.  The  population  in  1851  was  844  souls.  Assessed  property, 
£1,74Q.  The  principal  landowners  are  A.  Montague,  Esq.  (Lord  of  the 
Manor),  Mr.  Richd.  Wamford,  and  Mr.  Henry  Simpson.  The  soil  is  various 
but  rich,  except  on  the  moorland,  which  is  poor,  and  the  scenery  is  pleasing. 

The  Living  is  a  Perpetual  Curacy,  in  the  patronage  of  the  Archbishop  of 
York,  and  incumbency  of  the  Rev.  G.  J.  Camidge.  Annual  income  about 
iS155.  The  Church  (All  Saints)  consists  of  a  nave  and  chancel,  with  a  bell 
turret,  in  which  are  two  bells  of  reverberating  sound.  It  was  restored,  except 
the  chancel,  in  184Q,  at  a  cost  of  about  £400.  Here  are  some  monuments 
to  the  family  of  Archbishop  Hutton,  who  resided  in  this  parish  in  1620. 
The  Panonage  House  is  a  neat  residence. 

The  ViUage  is  respectable,  and  stands  near  the  river  Ouse,  about  4  miles 
N.W.  of  York.  The  railway  from  York  to  Newcastle  passes  east  of  the 
church,  after  which  it  crosses  the  Ouse  on  a  bridge  of  three  semi-elliptical 
arches,  thirty  feet  above  the  bed  of  that  river.  Prince  Rupert,  with  a  part 
of  his  army,  is  said  to  have  crossed  the  river  at  this  place  on  his  way  to  the 
battle  of  Marston  Moor,  in  1644.  (See  page  244.)  The  Reform  Methodists 
have  a  place  of  worship  here.  The  School  is  endowed  with  £6. 16s.  6d.  from 
Dodsworth's  charity  (See  page  565),  and  is  further  supported  by  voluntary 
subscription.  The  Manor  House,  built  out  of  the  remains  of  the  ancient 
seat  of  the  Huttons,  stands  near  the  church,  and  is  the  residence  of  Mr. 
Henry  Simpson. 

Ufpeb  or  Land  Poppleton  acljoins  the  last  parish,  and  is  a  Chapelry 
chiefly  belonging  to  the  parish  of  St  Maiy,  Bishophill  Jun.,  York ;  part  of 
the  township  is  in  Nether  Poppleton.  The  area  of  Upper  Poppleton  is  1,840 
acres;  population,  415;  amount  of  assessed  property,  £1,652.  The  lands 
here  formerly  belonged  to  the  Abbey  of  St.  Mary,  York,  to  which  they  were 
given  by  Osbem  de  Archis,  almost  at  its  first  institution.  They  now  belong 
chiefly  to  Andrew  Montague,  Esq.  (Lord  of  the  Manor),  and  Messrs.  T. 
Kirk,  M.  Richmond,  J.  Kirk,  R.  Hill,  and  R.  Nelson. 


670  THE   AINSTT   WAPENTAKE. 

The  Village  contains  a  few  respectable  houses,  and  is  situated  aboat  3i 
miles  W.N.W.  of  York.  The  Chapel  (All  Saints)  is  a  plain  building,  having 
a  naye  and  chancel.  The  Living  is  a  Curacy,  annexed  to  the  Vicarage  of 
St.  Maiy,  Bishoplull  Junior,  York.  The  tithes  for  ihe  manor  of  Poppleton 
were  commuted  for  land  in  1769.  There  is  a  small  Methodist  Chapel  here. 
The  Manor  House  is  now  a  farm  house,  in  the  occupation  of  Mr.  W.  Fearbj. 

HuFFOBTH. — The  parish  of  Rufforth  covers  an  area  of  d,4d0  acres,  whareof 
about  three-fourths  are  arable,  and  the  rest  pasture,  with  a  little  woodland ; 
the  surfiEU^  is  generally  flat,  and  the  soil  of  yarious  qualities.  The  rateable 
value  is  iS  1,469. ;  the  population,  999  souls ;  and  the  amount  of  assessed 
property,  Jg2,998.  The  principal  landowners  are  G.  Marwood,  Esq.,  the 
Trustees  of  a  Charity,  Mrs.  Siddall,  the  Earl  of  Harewood,  J.  N.  Clayton, 
Esq.  (Lord  of  the  Manor),  T.  Barstow,  Esq.,  and  A.  Montague,  Esq. 

The  Living  is  a  Discharged  Vicarage,  valued  in  the  Liber  Regis  at  £4. 
13s.  4d.,  but  now  worth  about  JSIOO.  per  ann. ;  the  patronage  and  impn^ri- 
tion  belong  to  Mrs.  Thompson,  and  the  Rev.  —  Watson  is  the  incumbent. 
The  tithes  were  commuted  in  1794.  The  Building  (All  Saints)  is  small  and 
mean,  and  comprises  a  nave  and  chancel,  with  a  small  wooden  turret  at  the 
west  end,  containing  two  bells.  The  brick  porch  on  the  south  side  was 
erected  in  1798,  and  within  it  is  a  circular  headed  doorway.  The  interior  is 
plain.     The  School  is  endowed  with  iS4.  per  ann.,  bequeathed  by  Dr.  Colson. 

TADCASTER. 

Besides  the  town  of  Tadcaster,  the  parish  comprises  the  townships  of 
Catterton,  Oxton,  and  Stutton-with-Hazlewood.  The  town  is  divided  by  the 
river  Wharfe,  and  the  parts  are  called  Tadcaster  East  and  Tadcaster  West 
The  river  Wharfe  is  the  boundary  of  the  Ainsty,  and  the  parts  of  this  parish 
situated  in  that  division  of  the  county,  are  the  townships  of  Tadcaster 
East,  Catterton,  and  Oxton.  The  area  of  the  whole  parish  is  6,010  acrssy 
and  the  population  in  1851  was  2,979  souls.  The  town  is  comprised  in 
the  townships  of  East  and  West  Tadcaster ;  the  area  of  the  former  town- 
ship is  555  acres,  and  that  of  the  latter  1,470  acres ;  the  population  of  the 
former  is  834,  and  that  of  the  latter  1,693.  Total  population  of  Tadcaster 
town,  3,627  souls,  viz. ;  1,237  males,  and  1,290  females.  The  soil  of  the 
parish  is  generally  fertile,  and  the  substratum  abounds  with  freestone  of 
admirable  quality.  The  principal  land  owners  are  Colonel  Wyndham  (Lord 
of  the  Manor),  Mrs.  Bosquart,  Mrs.  Fletcher,  Charles  Shann,  Esq.,  Mr.  W. 
Smith,  and  Mr.  R.  A.  Bean.     Assessed  property  in  the  parish,  £10,061. 

Tadcaster  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  Roman  station  denominated  Col- 


THE   AINSTY  WAPENTAKE.  671 

caria,  so  named,  it  is  conjectured,  from  the  nature  of  tho  soil,  which  abounds 
with  calx  or  limestone.  The  Britons,  Saxons,  and  Northern  English,  after 
the  manner  of  the  Latins,  call  the  limestone  Calc,  and  the  Theodosian  code 
names  the  burners  of  lime  Calcanenm ;  so  that  it  is  not  improbable  that  this 
town  had  the  name  of  Calcaria  from  the  circumstance  of  the  lime.  There  is 
a  hill  near  the  town,  called  Kelh-bar,  or  Kelehar,  which  seems  to  retain  some- 
thing of  the  old  name.  The  town  stands  near  the  great  consular  waj  to  the 
chief  mihtarj  station  of  the  Romans,  Eboracum  (York),  and  it  is  said  to 
have  been  considered  bj  that  people  as  one  of  the  outposts  or  gates  of  that 
great  station.  Many  Boman  coins,  urns,  and  other  antiquities,  have  been 
found  here ;  and  Mr.  Roach  Smith  has  pointed  out  a  very  fine  semi-circular 
arched  bridge  over  the  little  river  Cock,  near  its  entrance  into  the  Wharfe, 
about  half  a  mile  below  Tadcaster,  in  the  Roman  road  leading  southward 
from  that  town,  which  he  considered  aa  undoubtedly  Roman.  The  masonry 
of  the  bridge  is  massive,  and  remarkably  well  preserved,  and  the  stones  are 
carefully  squared,  and  sharply  cut,  and  on  some  of  them  the  mason's  mark  R 
is  distinctly  visible.  The  distance,  too,  of  Tadcaster  from  York,  exactly 
agrees  with  that  which  is  given  by  Antoninus,  in  his  Itinerary.  But  Mr. 
Dodsworth,  and  some  other  antiquaries,  place  the  Calcaria  of  the  Romans 
higher  up  the  Wharfe,  at  Newton  Eyme,  about  H  mile  west  of  Tadcaster, 
near  St.  Helen's  ford,  where  Roman  coins,  and  other  relics  of  that  people, 
have  been  discovered.  Indeed  every  argument  urged  in  favour  of  Tadcaster 
being  the  station,  equally  supports  the  opinion  of  its  being  at  Newton  Eyme. 
Leland,  in  his  Itinerary,  says,  "  Tadcaster  standeth  on  the  nether  ripe  of 
Wharfe  river,  and  is  a  good  thoroughfare.  The  bridge  here  over  Wharfe 
hath  eight  fisdr  arches  of  stone.  Sum  say  that  it  was  last  made  of  part  of  the 
ruines  of  the  old  Oastelle  of  Tadcaster,  a  mighty  great  hill ;  dikes  and  garth 
of  this  Oastelle  on  Wharfe  be  yet  seen  a  little  above  the  bridge.  It  seemeth 
by  the  plot  that  it  was  a  right  statelie  thing.  Tadcaster  standeth  a  mile 
from  Watling  Street,  tendeth  more  to  Caer  luel,  and  crosseth  or&t  Whaife  at 
a  place  called  St.  Helen's  forde,  li  mile  above  Tadcaster,  and  the  other  lipe 
is  St  Helen's  Chapel." 

Oough,  in  his  Additions  to  Camden,  writes,  *'  Tadcaster  is  the  outbounds 
of  the  Ainsty,  and  may  be  said  to  be  the  very  outport  or  gate  of  the  city  of 
York ;  the  Ainsty  reaches  no  further  than  the  middle  of  Tadcaster  Bridge. 
Here  seems  to  have  been  an  ancient  castrum,  camp,  or  castle,  in  the  time  of 
the  Romans.  The  Saxons  would  probably  call  it  BMd  Cotter,  and  the  more 
modem  Anglo-Saxons,  T*aud  CaUer,  which  is  easily  changed  to  Tadcaster; 
and  this  I  take  to  be  the  origin  of  the  present  name,  and  that  it  hath  nothing 


67d  THE  AINSTT  WAPENTAKE. 

to  do  with  Calcaria.  There  is  near  the  church  great  foundations  of  a  Castle, 
and  the  place  is  called  Castle  Hill."  When  eminent  antiquaries  differ  in 
opinion  so  widely,  it  is  di£Eicult  to  speak  with  anj  degree  of  certainty — ^but 
to  som  up  the  whole,  we  incline  to  the  opinion  that  Tadcaster  is  the  site 
of  the  Roman  Station  Calcaria. 

Here,  or  at  Newton  Eyme,  was  a  conyent,  founded  about  the  year  655. 
Bede  relates  that  Heina,  the  first  female  who  assumed  the  habit  of  a  nun  in 
this  part  of  the  country,  retired  to  Caleaeester,  where  she  built  a  residence. 
In  all  the  ci^il  wars  in  England,  Tadcaster  was  r^arded  as  a  post  of  con- 
siderable importance,  and  the  possession  of  it  was  repeatedly  contested. 
During  the  struggle  between  Charles  I.  and  his  Parliament,  in  1643,  the 
Earl  of  Newcastle,  with  4,000  men,  attacked  the  Parliamentarians  at  -this 
place,  which  were  commanded  by  Sir  Thomas  Fair&x.  (See  page  285.)  Of 
the  ancient  Castle,  which  stood  near  the  church,  and  by  which  the  place 
was  defended  in  feudal  times,  few  remains  are  left ;  but  firom  these  remains, 
and  the  appearance  of  the  ground,  it  seems  to  have  been  a  very  large  one, 
and  moated  round.  Some  few  vestiges  of  a  trench  may  yet  be  discovered, 
surrounding  a  part  of  the  town. 

Tadcaster  is  a  market  town,  situated,  as  we  have  observed,  upon  the  river 
Wharfe,  about  10  miles  S.W.  from  York,  14  N.E.  from  Leeds,  and  189 
N.N.W.  of  London.  The  river  is  navigable  up  to  the  town  for  boats  of  about 
100  tons  burden.  The  bridge  which  crosses  the  Wharfe  is  of  nine  arches ;  it 
was  rebuilt  in  the  beginning  of  the  18ih  centuiy,  and  is  one  of  the  finest  in 
the  county.*  The  greater  part  of  Tadcaster  is  on  the  south  side  of  the  river, 
in  the  Wapentake  of  Barkston  Ash. 

The  Taum  is  neat,  well  built,  and  pleasantly  situated ;  the  streets,  leading 
respectively  to  the  York,  Fenybridge,  and  Leeds  roads,  are  disposed  in  the 
form  of  a  cross.  The  principal  street  is  very  wide  and  pleasant,  and  the 
whole  is  lighted  with  gas.  The  branch  of  the  North-Eastem  Railway  from 
Church  Fenton  to  Harrogate  passes  by  the  west  side  of  the  town,  where 
tbere  is  a  neat  station,  and  the  Bolton  Percy  station,  on  the  main  line,  is 

*  The  Wharfe  runs  very  low  here  in  diy  seasons,  which  oooasioned  the  fiunous  veraes 
of  Dr.  Eades,  afterwards  Dean  of  Winchester,  who,  passing  this  way  in  the  snimner 
time,  wrote  a  Latin  distich,  which,  translated,  rans  thns : — 

"  Oar  BniM  in  T»deasfer  cmi  flad  no  tiMme, 
Bat  a  line  teidge,  and  ondar  it  no  i 


The  Doctor,  however,  retaming  the  same  way  in  the  winter,  thas  oommemorKtes  the 
altered  scene  >— 

"  Hit  T«iM  btfon  on  Tadcaster  wMJoat, 
Bat  BOW  gnat  llooda  wt  tea,  aad  dirt  fcr  doat.*' 


TU£   AINSTY   WAPENTAKE.  678 

about  three  miles  east  of  it.  There  are  flour  mills  on  the  banks  of  the  riyer, 
and  several  stone  quarries  in  the  neighbourhood,  but  there  are  no  manufac- 
tures carried  on  in  the  town,  though  it  is  well  situated  for  that  purpose.  A 
beautiful  walk  from  the  west  side  of  the  bridge  leads  to  what  is  called  Smmo's 
Well,  about  1^  mile  from  the  town.  The  scenery  along  this  walk,  on  the 
margin  of  the  stream,  is  truly  delightful.  The  just-mentioned  well  was  for- 
merly much  resorted  for  its  medicinal  properties,  but  now  it  is  nearly  filled 
up  and  lost.  An  ancient  £arm  house,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant  from 
the  well,  is  called  Smaw's  or  Small's  Farm,  and  the  rising  ground  upon 
which  it  stands  is  called  Smaw*s  Hill.  There  was  formerly  a  good  weekly 
market  held  here  on  Wednesdays,  but  it  had  DbJI^i  into  disuse.  A  couple  of 
years  ago,  a  few  spirited  individuals  exerted  themselves  to  revive  it,  and  thus 
promote  the  general  interests  of  the  town.  The  market  day  was  then 
changed  to  Monday,  and  a  fortnight  fair  established,  for  all  sorts  of  cattle,  on 
alternate  Mondays.  These  measures  have  been  attended  with  considerable 
success.  There  are  also  fsdrs,  for  cattle  and  sheep,  on  the  last  Wednesdays 
in  April,  May,  and  October,  and  a  statute  fiur  for  hiring  servants,  in  November. 

Before  the  formation  of  railways,  no  fewer  than  twenty-sixr  coaches  passed 
through  this  town  daily,  to  and  from  London,  Leeds,  Harrogate,  York,  &c., 
besides  a  great  number  of  waggons  and  carts.  Three  years  after  the  opening 
of  the  York  and  North  Midland  Railway  (now  the  North-Eastern  Railway), 
there  were  only  two  coaches  each  way  during  the  day ;  a  year  or  two  later 
they  were  discontinued  altogether. 

The  Living  is  a  Discharged  Vicarage,  formerly  belonging  to  the  Abbey  of 
SaUay,  in  Craven,  but  now  in  the  patronage  of  Colonel  Wyndham,  and  in- 
cumbency of  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Maddock.  It  is  valued  in  the  Liber  Regis 
at  £8.  4s.  9^.,  but  is  now  worth  about  JSd40.  per  ann. 

The  Church  (St.  Maiy)  is  a  handsome  building,  in  the  later  English  style, 
apparently  erected  early  in  the  15th  century,  and  consisting  of  a  nave,  side 
aisles,  chancel,  and  a  western  tower,  which  contains  an  excellent  peal  of  six 
bells,  and  a  clock,  with  dials  on  three  of  its  sides.  In  the  west  side  of  the 
tower  is  a  deeply-moulded  circular^headed  doorway,  and  above  it  a  fine  win- 
dow of  five  lights.  AH  the  windows  of  the  tower  are  ornamented  with 
curiously  carved  figures ;  on  its  south  side  are  two  large  niches,  and  the  top 
is  embattled  and  pinnacled.  The  south  side  of  the  church  is  in  eight  divi- 
sions, having  square-headed  windows  of  three  lights,  the  buttresses  by  which 
the  divisions  are  formed,  terminating  in  gargoyles  and  pinnacles.  The 
clerestory  has  seven  square-headed  windows  of  three  lights  each ;  the  nave 
is  finished  with  a  parapet,  and  the  aisle  is  embattled.    The  north  side  of  the 

4  B 


674  THE   AINSTY   WAPENTAKE. 

church  is  plain.  In  die  interior  the  nave  is  separated  from  the  aisles  by 
pointed  arches,  and  at  the  west  end  of  the  nave  is  a  gallery  and  an  oiigan. 
Over  the  communion  table  is  a  large  painting  of  the  Last  Supper  of  our 
Lord.  The  church-jard,  which  had  been  partially  open,  was  last  year 
enlarged,  and  entirely  enclosed  with  a  wall  and  iron  palisades,  and  a  hand- 
some entrance  erected.  These  improvements  were  effected  at  a  cost  of  about 
£350.  raised  by  subscription. 

The  Wedeyan  Chapel,  High  Street,  is  a  large  stone  erection,  built  in  1828, 
at  a  cost  of  about  £3,800.  It  consists  of  a  centre  and  two  wings,  the  latter 
being  appropriated  to  the  residences  of  the  ministers.  The  Reform  Metho- 
dists occupy  a  chapel  in  Kirkgate,  which  originally  belonged  to  the  Primitive 
Methodists,  and  afterwards  to  the  Independents.  The  PrimUive  Methodist 
Chapel  is  a  small  plain  building  in  Rosemary  Row.  The  Inghamites  have  a 
place  of  worship  in  Chapel  Lane,  erected  in  1814.  It  is  a  square  brick 
building,  and  there  is  a  small  burial  ground  attached. 

The  Free  Grammar  School  was  founded  and  endowed  with  lands,  and  the 
sum  of  £600.,  in  1668,  by  Dr.  Owen  Oglethorpe,  Bishop  of  Carlisle,*  and 
confirmed  by  license  in  the  5th  of  Philip  and  Mary.  The  annual  income  is 
about  £120.,  for  which  as  many  boys  as  present  themselves  are  taught  free, 
not  only  grammar,  but  arithmetic,  &c.  The  Rev.  W.  C.  Bellhouse  is  the 
present  master.  The  school  house  and  residence  of  the  master  is  a  large 
stone  building  adjacent  to  the  church,  and  near  it  are  four  almshouses 
founded  by  Dr.  Oglethorpe. 

Mrs.  Henrietta  Dawson  bequeathed  funds  for  twenty  annuitants,  viz. : — 
ten  widows  to  receive  £15.  each,  and  ten  spinsters  to  receive  £10.  each,  with 
an  allowance  of  about  £3.  each  for  the  entire  number  for  coals  and  rent. 
She  left  also  £20.  per  annum  for  the  instruction  of  forty  poor  children,  to  be 
taught  by  four  of  the  above-mentioned  annuitants ;  but  those  persons  not 
being  competent  to  perform  this  condition,  the  forty  children,  and  about 
twenty  ethers,  are  taught  in  the  same  building  as  the  Grammar  School,  by 
competent  teachers.     This  is  called  Mrs,  Datcson's  Charity  School, 

The  National  School,  Church  Street,  is  held  in  a  commodious  brick  building, 
erected  by  subscription  in  1788,  for  a  Sunday  School  in  connexion  with  the 
established  Church,  and  endowed  in  1835,  with  £15.  per  annum,  by  Miss 
Mary  Hill,  who  died  in  1839.  This  building  is  reputed  to  be  the  first  that 
was  built  expressly  for  a  Sunday  School.    The  Mechanics*  InsHhOe,  established 

•  This  prelate,  who  was  a  native  of  Newton  Kyme,  crowned  Queen  Elizabeth,  the  See 
of  Canterbuxy  being  vacant,  and  Dr.  Nicholas  Heath,  Archbishop  of  York,  having  re- 
fused to  do  it    He  was  aflenrards  deprived  of  his  See  for  adhering  to  his  -^-'^ — 


BABK8T0K   ASH   (PART   OF)  WAPENTAKE.  676 

in  1849,  is  held  in  a  neat  stone  building.  Lord  Londesborough  is  the 
president,  uid  Rev.  W.  C.  Bellhouse,  treasurer. 

In  1714  Henry  O'SiyeU)  the  last  Earl  of  Thomond,  in  Ireland,  was 
created  Baron  and  Viscount  Tadcaster,  but  dying  without  issue  in  174d, 
the  title  became  extinct  Dr.  Charles  Hague>  a  celebrated  professor  and 
composer  of  music,  was  bom  here  in  1769,  and  died  in  1821  at  Cambridge, 
of  which  University  he  was  professsor  of  music. 

Longevity. — John  Shephard  died  here  in  1757,  aged  109  years;  and 
William  Hughes,  in  1769,  aged  127  years. 

Catterton  Township  lies  on  the  north  side  of  Tadcaster,  and  contains  712 
acres  and  50  inhabitants.  It  is  the  sole  property  of  S.  Brooksbank,  Esq. 
The  amount  of  assessed  property  is  £948.  There  is  neither  a  place  of  wor- 
ship or  a  school  in  the  township.  The  Hamlet  consists  of  a  few  meanly- 
built  houses,  situated  about  3  miles  N.E.  of  Tadcaster. 

Oxton  Township  contains  655  acres,  and  a  population  of  55  souls.  Asses- 
sed property,  £1,434.  The  chief  proprietors  of  the  soil  are  Lady  Arabella 
Ramsden  and  Lord  Londesborough.  The  Hamlet  of  Oxton  is  small,  and 
stands  1^  mile  E.  of  Tadcaster. 

OxUm  HaU,  the  seat  of  Lady  A.  Ramsden,  is  a  fine  mansion,  situated  in 
a  park  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Wharfe,  about  1  mile  E.  of  Tadcaster. 

BARKSTON  ASH  (part  of)  WAPENTAKE. 

The  other  township  in  the  parish  of  Tadcaster  (Stutton-with-Hazelwood), 
as  well  as  the  greater  part  of  the  town  of  Tadcaster,  is,  as  we  have  already 
stated,  in  Barkston  Ash  Wapentake,  and  as  there  are  a  few  other  very  in- 
teresting places  in  this  neighbourhood,  we  shall  notice  them  here,  though 
they  are  not  situated  within  the  district  to  which  this  volume  is  devoted. 

The  area  of  Stutton-cum-Hazlewood  township  is  2,610  acres,  and  its 
population  is  347  souls.  Amount  of  assessed  properly,  i62,110'.  Sir  E. 
Vavasour,  Bart.,  is  Lord  of  the  Manor  and  proprietor  of  the  whole. 

Stutton  Village,  which  is  small,  is  situated  about  2  miles  S.W.  of  Tad- 
caster, and  near  it  is  a  station  on  the  line  of  railway  from  Church  Fenton  to 
Harrogate.  Stutton  Chrove,  formerly  the  residence  of  Captain  Markham,  and 
of  R.  Thomlinson,  Esq.,  is  now  a  Classical  and  Commercial  Academy,  con- 
ducted by  Mr.  William  Stacey,  M.C.P.  The  house  is  surrounded  by  very 
pleasant  grounds,  from  which  there  are  excellent  views  of  the  neighbourhood. 

Hazlewoodf  Hesslewood,  or  Haslewood, — This  manor  was  held  of  William 
de  Percy,  in  the  reign  of  William  I.  In  the  time  of  Henry  II.  it  was 
mortgaged  to  an  opulent  Jew  of  York,  for  the  sum  of  J6350.    This  Jew  made 


676  BARKSTOK    ASH   (pART   OF)   W.VP£NTAK£. 

a  conveyance  of  his  security  to  the  Queen,  in  discharge  of  a  debt  which  he 
owed  her;  and  John  de  Varasour  redeemed  it  by  paying  the  money.  The 
famous  family  of  Vavasour  took  the  name  firom  their  office,  havii^  been  in 
ancient  times  the  King^s  Vayasors  or  Valvasores.  In  the  reign  of  Edward 
I.  William  de  Vavasour  was  summoned  among  the  other  Barons,  to  the 
High  Conrt  of  Parliament ;  and  in  the  same  reign  he  obtained  a  licence  of 
the  King  to  make  a  Castle  of  his  Manor  House  in  Hazlewood.  In  1836, 
this  estate  passed  to  Edward  Marmaduke,  second  son  of  the  sixteenth  Lord 
Stourton,  who,  having  assumed  the  name  and  arms  of  Vavasour,  was  created 
a  Baronet  in  18d8. 

Sir  Edward  Vavasour,  the  second  Baronet,  and  present  proprietor  of  this 
Manor,  is  son  of  the  first  Baronet,  by  the  only  daughter  of  James  Lane  Fox, 
Esq.,  of  Bramham  Park.  Ho  was  bom  at  Bramham  Biggcn,  in  1815,  and 
succeeded  his  father  in  1847.  His  heir  presumptive  is  his  brother  William, 
who  was  bom  in  1822,  and  married,  in  1846,  the  second  daughter  of  the 
seventh  Lord  Clifford. 

" Hesselwood,"  writes  Gent,  "was  once  a  wood  indeed,  incircliog  its 
pleasant  edifice  with  the  most  delightful  groves ;  but  now,  being  almost  cut 
down,  and  miserably  destroyed,  scarce  retains  ito  name.  Not  far  from  hence, 
near  the  spring  head  of  the  river  Cock,  stands  Barwick-in-Elmet,  which  by 
report,  and  as  the  ruins  of  its  walls  seem  to  testify,  was  the  royal  seat  of  the 
Kings  of  Northumberland.  ""1^  In  this  manor  is  the  famous  quarry  which 
supplied  stone  for  the  erection  of  York  Minster,  and  also  materials  for  its 
repair  after  the  conflagration  in  1829.     (See  pages  409  and  416.) 

Hazelwood  Hall,  or  Castle,  is  a  splendid  old  castellated  edifice,  delightfully 
situated  on  an  eminence,  and  famed  for  the  extent  and  richness  of  its  pros- 
pccte.  An  old  writer  informs  us  that  the  Cathedrals  of  York  and  Lincoln, 
though  distant  from  each  other  sixty  miles,  may  thence  be  discovered.*  The 
front  of  the  mansion  consiste  of  a  centre  and  two  wings,  and  the  entrance 
is  approached  by  a  large  flight  of  stone  steps.  The  entrance  hall,  which 
measures  about  50  feet  by  80  feet,  is  a  magnificent  apartment ;  all  round  the 

•  G«nt'8  History  of  York,  p.  33. 

•  Fuller  tells  us  that  when  King  Henry  Vm.  made  his  progress  to  York,  in  1548,  Dr. 
Tunstall,  Bishop  of  Durham,  then  attending  him,  affirmed  to  the  King  that  within  ten 
miles  of  Hasslewood,  the  seat  of  the  Vavasors,  there  were  165  Manor  Houses  of  Lords, 
Knights,  and  Gentlemen,  of  the  best  quality ;  275  several  woods,  some  of  whi^  oon- 
tained  500  acres;  32  parks,  and  two  chases  for  deer;  120  rivers  and  brooks,  whereof 
five  were  navigable ;  76  water  mills ;  25  coal  mines ;  and  3  forges  for  making  of  iron. 
And  within  the  same  limits  as  much  sport  and  pleasure  for  hunting,  hawking,  fishing, 
and  fowling,  as  in  any  part  of  England. — Worthie*  of  England,  p.  185. 


BABK8T0K   ASH   (PART   OP)   WAPENTAKE.  677 

walls  a  beautiful  frieze  is  supported  by  fine  fluted  columns,  and  above  the 
frieze  are  shields  emblazoned  with  the  family  arms.  The  ceiling  of  this  and 
those  of  the  principal  rooms  are  exceedingly  rich  in  gilding  and  decoration. 
The  Hall  is  about  three  miles  S.W.  of  Tadcaster. 

The  Chapdf  dedicated  to  St.  Leonard,  is  a  venerable  structure,  erected  by 
Sir  William  de  Vavasour,  in  1286.  Sir  William,  who  died  twenty-five  years 
later,  left,  by  his  will,  his  body  to  be  buried  in  Novo  CapeUa  8,  Leonardi  de 
HesUwods,  after  commending  his  soul  Deo  et  B.  Maria  Virgini.  The  building 
stands  on  the  west  side  of  the  mansion,  and  is  made  into  four  divisions  by 
buttresses,  in  three  of  which  at  each  side  are  pointed  windows  of  two  lights 
each ;  the  other  divisions  are  occupied  by  a  porch  on  the  south  side,  and  a 
doorway,  now  blocked  up,  on  the  north  side ;  the  space  for  the  east  window 
is  also  built  up.  Over  the  porch  is  a  statue  of  St.  Leonard.  The  general 
aspect  of  the  interior  is  devotional ;  the  altar  is  very  curiously  carved  and 
gilded,  and  on  each  side  are  two  Corinthian  pillars,  supporting  a  frieze  and 
pediment  Above  the  altar  is  a  fine  painting  of  the  Crucifixion ;  and  on  a 
side  altar  is  a  very  elegant  coloured  statuette  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  infant 
Saviour.  Two  of  the  windows  are  filled  with  stained  glass.  There  is  an 
organ  in  the  gallery  at  the  west  end.  There  are  several  ancient  monuments, 
and  some  neat  marble  tablets,  to  members  of  the  Vavasour  family ;  also  a 
large  and  handsome  brass  effigy,  under  a  Gothic  canopy,  to  Sir  E.  M. 
Vavasour,  who  died  suddenly  at  Chanceux,  in  France,  March  16th,  1847,  in 
his  6l8t  year.  Since  the  erection  of  this  chapel  it  has  always  without  inter- 
mission been  used  for  the  celebration  of  the  services  of  the  Catholic  Church. 
The  Very  Rev.  Robert  Tate,  D.D.,  is  the  priest  of  this  mission.  In  the 
burying  ground,  ao^oining  the  chapel,  is  an  ancient  sepulchral  cross,  as  well 
as  some  very  neat  tombstones. 

On  an  eminence  in  this  township,  called  Wingate  HiU,  is  a  large  massy 
stone  cross,  which  was  restored  a  few  years  ago  at  the  expense  of  the  Lord 
of  the  Manor.  The  lower  portion  of  the  shaft  of  the  cross  is  ancient,  and 
the  upper  part  modem ;  and  at  the  intersection  of  the  shaft  and  arms  are 
carved  representations  of  the  crown  of  thorns,  and  the  nails  with  which  Our 
Saviour  was  fastened  to  the  cross.  On  Bramham  Moor,  near  Hazlewood,  in 
1408,  Sir  Thomas  Rokeby,  Sheriff  of  Yorkshire,  defeated  the  Eari  of  North- 
umberland (See  page  149) ;  and  Towton  Field,  the  scene  of  a  dreadful  battle 
in  1461,  is  likewise  in  this  neighbourhood.    (See  page  156.) 

KiBKBT  Whabfe. — ^This  parish  comprises  the  townships  of  Kirkby  Wharfe, 
Grimston,  and  Ulleskelf.  The  area  of  the  whole  parish  is  8,189  acres,  and 
the  population  of  it  in  1851,  was  70^  souls.    Amount  of  assessed  property, 


678  BARKSTON   ASH   (PART  OF)  WAPEXTAK£. 

£d,973.  The  parish  is  situated  in  the  picturesque  valley  of  Wharfdale,  its 
surface  is  undulated,  and  the  sceneiy  is  pleasingly  varied,  enriched  with 
woods,  and  embraces  many  interesting  features.    The  soil  is  extremely  fertile. 

Kirby  WJiarfe  Township  includes  the  hamlet  of  North  Milford,  and  com- 
prises 1,240  acres,  with  a  population  of  103.  The  rateable  value  is  d£l,8d4. 
Lord  Londesborough  is  the  sole  proprietor  of  the  soil. 

The  Living  is  a  Discharged  Vicarage,  in  the  patronage  of  the  Prebendary 
of  Wetwang  in  York  Cathedral ;  and  the  Rev.  John  Ashford  is  the  present 
Vicar.    It  is  rated  at  £8.  16s.  8d.,  and  now  worth  about  £130.  per  ann. 

The  Chxarch  (St.  John  the  Baptist)  is  an  ancient  structure,  in  the  early 
Norman  style,  with  a  tower  of  later  date.  The  latter  appendage  is  embattled, 
and  has  crocketed  pinnacles,  and  contains  three  bells.  The  other  parts  of 
the  edifice  are  a  nave,  chancel,  side  aisles,  and  south  porch.  The  interior  is 
neat,  and  the  Lord  of  the  Manor's  pew  exhibits  some  very  beautiM  specimens 
of  carved  oak.  In  the  same  pew  is  an  ancient  marble,  with  a  representation 
of  the  Wise  Men's  Offering,  said  to  have  been  brought  firom  Rome  by  Lord 
Howden ;  and  on  the  wall  above  is  a  neatly  gilded  tablet,  containing  a  minute 
description  of  our  Saviour's  person,  copied  from  an  ancient  sculpture  dis- 
covered in  some  distant  country,  and  set  up  here  by  Lord  Howden. 

The  Village,  which  is  small,  stands  on  the  south  side  of  the  Wharfe,  about 
2  miles  E.  of  Tadcaster.  A  fair,  formerly  held  in  a  field  near  the  village,  has 
been  removed  to  Tadcaster. 

Milford,  a  division  of  the  township  of  Kirkby  Wharfe,  is  now  divided  into 
three  farms.    Milford  Hall,  now  a  farm  house,  is  an  ancient  square  building. 

Grimston  Township  contains  nearly  850  acres  according  to  local  admea- 
surement, but  only  600  acres  according  to  the  parliamentary  returns ;  and 
115  inhabitants.  Rateable  value,  £l,d7S. ;  assessed  property,  £1,457. 
There  is  no  village  in  the  township,  and  Lord  Londesborough  is  sole  pro- 
prietor of  the  soil,  having  purchased  it  of  Lord  Howden  a  few  years  ago ; 
and  the  whole  is  occupied  by  the  park  and  farm.  Albert  Denison  Denison, 
the  first  Baron  Londesborough  (created  1860),  and  the  princely  owner  of  this 
and  several  other  large  estates  in  this  county,  is  the  second  surviring  son  of 
the  first  Marquis  Oonyngham,  by  the  eldest  daughter  of  Joseph  Denison, 
Esq.,  of  Denbies,  Surrey.  His  lordship  was  bom  in  London,  in  1805 ; 
married,  first  in  1838,  the  fourth  daughter  of  the  first  Lord  Forester  (she 
died  in  1841) ;  and  secondly,  in  1847,  the  eldest  daughter  of  Capt  C.  O. 
Bridgeman,  R.N.  He  assumed  the  name  of  Denison,  in  lieu  of  that  of 
Conyngham,  in  1849,  in  compliance  with  the  will  of  his  maternal  unde, 
W.  J.  Denison,  Esq.     Lord  Londesborough  was  for  a  short  time  Secretary  of 


BARKSTON    ASH    (PART    OF)    WAPEKTAKE.  079 

Legation  at  Berlin.     His  lordship's  heir  is  his  son,  the  Hon.  William  Henry 
Forester,  who  was  horn  in  1834. 

Omnstofi  Park,  the  heautiful  seat  of  Lord  Londesborough,  is  situated 
about  two  miles  from  Tadcaster.  The  park  comprises  about  800  acres ;  and 
the  surface  is  undulated,  and  richly  wooded.  Here  indeed  the  visitor  may 
luxuriate  amongst  the  lovely  works  of  nature  and  of  art.  On  an  eminence, 
not  far  from  the  Hall,  is  a  high  circular  tower,  erected  by  Lord  Howden, 
which  is  visible  for  miles  around.  In  the  grounds  is  an  immense  sycamore 
tree,  100  feet  high,  under  which  is  a  tombstone,  to  the  memory  of  **  Sal,"  a 
&voaiite  retriever  belonging  to  Lord  Londesborough,  and  near  it  a  similar 
tablet  to  the  memory  of  another  member  of  the  canine  species,  the  property 
of  Lady  Howden.  A  large  pond  in  the  park  contains  a  quantity  of  gold  and 
silver  fish.  The  Emperor's  Walk  has  on  either  side  marble  busts  of  the 
twelve  Caesars,  and  is  terminated  with  a  temple,  enshrining  a  large  bust  of 
Napoleon  I.  The  pleasure  grounds  display  the  most  extraordinary  skill, 
care,  and  taste.  The  fiower  garden  is  elegantly  laid  out,  and  the  rosary  con- 
tains a  collection  of  no  less  than  500  different  varieties  of  roses.  Both  are 
adorned  with  many  fine  vases  and  pieces  of  beautiful  statuary,  and  in  the 
rosary  is  a  curious  dial,  telling  the  time  at  various  places  in  Europe.  This 
dial,  which  stood  at  Londesborough  for  nearly  a  couple  of  centuries,  has  been 
lately  removed  to  its  present  position.  The  conservatory  is  filled  with  the 
choicest  exotics ;  and  the  aviary  contains  a  number  of  beautiful  plumaged 
birds  from  France. 

The  elegant  mansion,  which  was  rebuilt  in  1841,  is  in  the  Grecian  style, 
with  a  beautiful  portico  of  the  Corinthian  order,  surmounted  by  a  triangular 
pediment  Many  of  the  apartments  are  very  handsome,  and  highly  deco- 
rated ;  the  Yellow  Drawing  Room,  a  fine  apartment,  the  ceiling  of  which  is 
superbly  painted,  contains  an  arm  xhair,  which  once  belonged  to  the  Empress 
Josephine ;  four  chairs,  a  couch,  and  a  table,  formed  of  ivory,  presented  to 
Warren  Hastings,  on  leaving  India,  by  the  native  Princess ;  and  a  curiously 
carved  ivory  drinking  cup,  mounted  with  gold,  once  in  the  possession  of 
Martin  Luther.  The  Blue  Drawing  Room  contains,  besides  several  fine 
paintings  by  old  masters,  the  silver  knife,  fork,  and  spoon,  of  Prince  Charles 
Stuart,  "the  Pretender;"  a  large  quantity  of  magnificent  jewelleiy,  some  of 
which  had  been  worn  by  the  Bourbon  family ;  and  a  unique  collection  of 
drinking  vessels.  But  the  chief  attraction  of  the  house  is  the  costly  and 
magnificent  collection  of  ancient  armour,  and  of  rare  objects  of  vertu.  The 
walls  of  several  of  the  apartments  are  thickly  studded  with  swords,  rapiers, 
scymitars,  Andrea  Ferraras,  daggers,  dirks,  guns,  pistols,  and  other  imple- 


680  BAKKSTON    ASH   (PART    Ok)    WAPENTAKE. 

ments  of  war.  Amongst  them  may  be  noticed  pistols  and  bullets  £rom  the 
field  of  Waterloo ;  gauntlets  and  a  sword  which  belonged  to  Henry  \JLLl. ; 
helmets  of  the  time  of  King  John  and  Edward  m.,  and  one  which  belonged 
to  Charles  I. ;  Roman  helmets  and  camp  kettles ;  executioners*  swords  from 
Germany ;  British  arrow  heads  and  celts ;  the  pistols  of  Marshal  Ney ;  gun- 
powder  of  the  time  of  Henry  YIII.  of  England,  from  a  cannon  lately 
recovered  from  the  sea ;  and  the  golden  stirrups  of  the  High  Constable  of 
France  of  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII.  of  that  country. 

In  the  Asiatic  Dining  Room  is  a  laige  and  superb  collection  of  Indian 
and  Turkish  weapons,  made  of  or  mounted  with  gold  and  silver,  and  spark- 
ling with  diamonds  and  other  precious  stones;  including  the  swords  of 
Tippoo  Saib,  and  other  Indian,  Afighan,  and  Turkish  warriors,  with  their 
fire-arms,  chain  mail,  &c.  In  this  room  are  the  portraits  of  Lord  and  Lady 
Loudesborough,  by  Grant,  which  were  shown  at  the  Great  Exhibition  of 
1851,  along  with  that  of  the  late  Mr.  Donison,  M.P.  The  greater  part  of 
the  contents  of  the  armoury  were  collected  by  the  late  Lord  Howden. 

There  is  a  Charity  School  at  Grimston,  supported  by  Lady  Londesboiough; 
the  children  are  also  partly  clothed  by  her  Ladyship. 

UUeskelf  Township  contains  1,299  acres,  of  the  rateable  valuable  of  £2,450. 
The  Lord  of  the  Manor  is  Lord  Loudesborough,  and  the  township  belongs 
to  his  lordship  and  a  few  freeholders.  Population,  485.  The  common  was 
enclosed  in  1838,  and  the  soil  is  generally  fertile.  The  VUlctge  stands  about 
4  miles  S.E.  from  Tadcaster.  The  North  Eastern  Railway,  after  being 
carried  across  the  Wharfe  by  a  narrow  viaduct  of  nine  arches,  274  feet  in 
length,  intersects  this  township,  and  has  a  station  near  the  village,  8  miles 
54  chains  from  York. 

Saxton. — ^The  township  of  Saxton-cum-Scarthingwell  and  that  of  Towton 
form  the  parish  of  Saxton,  the  entire  area  of  which  is  4,022  acres,  and  popu- 
lation, 493  persons.  Amount  of  asssessed  property,  £3,677.  The  area  of 
the  former  township  is  2,662  acres;  the  population,  871  souls;  and  the 
rateable  value,  £2,569.  The  principal  landowners  are  Lady  Ashtown  and 
Mrs.  Gkscoigne  (daughters  and  coheiresses  of  Richd.  Oliver  Gascoigne,  Elsq., 
of  Farlington);  Lord  Hawke/Womersley ;  H.  C.  Maxwell,  Esq.;  and  Mr. 
Benjamin  Bean.  The  manorial  rights  belong  to  Lady  Ashtown.  The  land 
is  generally  in  good  cultivation,  and  there  are  some  quarries  of  stone  for 
building.  The  Hall  or  Manor  House,  formerly  the  seat  of  the  Hungate 
family  (anciently  the  owners  of  this  parish),  was  pulled  down  about  fifty  ^ears 
ago,  and  the  present  building  (now  a  farm  house)  erected  on  its  site. 

The  Benefice  is  a  Perpetual  Curacy,  in  the  gift  of  Lady  Ashtovm,  and 


BARKSTON    ASH   (PART    OF)   WAPENTAKE.  681 

incumbency  of  the  Rev.  John  Carter,  D.D.     Its  value  is  about  £S0,  per  ann. 

The  Fabric  of  the  church  (All  Saints)  is  small  and  ancient,  in  the  Norman 
style,  and  comprising  a  nave,  chancel,  and  a  neat  tower,  in  which  are  three 
bells.  It  contains  some  monuments  to  the  Hungate  and  Hawke  families. 
As  has  been  already  observed  in  the  account  of  the  battle  of  Towton  at  page 
160,  the  Earl  of  Westmoreland,  according  to  Leland,  was  buried  in  this 
churchy  where,  however,  he  has  no  distinguishable  memorials,  and  in  the 
church  yard  were  interred  many  of  those  slain  in  that  sanguinary  conflict. 
The  "  meane  tomb  *'  of  Lord  Dacre,  noticed  by  Leland,  is  on  the  north  side 
of  the  church-yard,  and  consists  of  a  plain  low  table  monument,  the  rim  of 
which  bears  the  following  inscription  (according  to  Drake)  in  Old  English 
letters,  now  much  defaced : — Hie  Jacet  Rantdpktis  Ds.  de  Dacres  et  miles  et 
occians  erat  in  heUo  Principe  VL  Anno  D.  MCCCCXLI.  xxix.  Die  Martii 
videlicet  dominiea  die  palmar um  cujus  animcs  propitietur  Deu9  Amen. 

The  Parsonage  House  is  a  handsome  building  in  the  Elizabethan  style. 

The  ViUagef  which  is  small  but  neat,  is  situated  about  4  miles  S.W.  of 
Tadcaster.  The  Chapel  for  Methodists  was  erected  in  1887 ;  and  a  School, 
whicb,  with  the  exception  of  one  penny  a  week,  which  the  children  pay  for 
the  use  of  books,  &c,,  is  supported  by  Lady  Ashtown  and  Mrs.  Gascoigne. 

ScarthingweU  Hail,  now  the  seat  of  Henry  Constable  Maxwell,  Esq.,  but 
formerly  that  of  Lord  Hawke,  the  former  having  purchased  this  estate  of  the 
latter  in  1848.  The  park  is  well  wooded,  and  consists  of  160  acres,  walled 
around,  and  the  mansion  is  pleasantly  situated  in  it,  at  the  distance  of  about 
4  miles  S.  of  Tadcaster.  A  short  distance  from  the  hall  is  a  fine  sheet  of 
water,  covering  sixteen  acres,  which  is  well  stocked  with  fish.  In  the  centre 
is  a  small  island,  upon  which  there  is  a  heronry.  Adjoining  the  hall  is  a 
beautiful  Catholic  Church,  which  was  erected  by  Mr.  Maxwell,  in  1854,  at 
an  expense  of  about  iS4,000.  The  edifice,  which  is  of  stone,  is  98  feet  long, 
34i  feet  wide,  37  feet  high,  and  will  seat  about  950  persons ;  there  is  a 
complete  internal  access  to  it  from  the  haU.  It  is  dedicated  to  God,  in 
honour  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  and  of  St  John 
of  Beverley.  The  style  of  the  building  is  chiefly  of  the  Byzantine  style,  but 
much  of  it  has  been  copied  from  the  Royal  Chapel  at  Munich.  The  exterior, 
with  its  neat  porch  and  bell  turret,  has  an  elegant  but  substantial  appearance, 
and  the  interior  is  very  chaste  and  neatly  finished.  The  altar,  reredos,  and 
tabernacle,  are  of  Caen  stone,  very  sumptuously  carved.  The  front  of  the 
altar  is  in  three  compartments,  the  centre  one  bearing  the  representations  of 
a  lamb  and  cross,  in  a  circle,  around  which  are  vine  branches,  bearing  clusters 
of  grapes,  entwined  with  ears  of  wheat    The  other  divisions  have  each  the 

4  s 


6d^  BAHKSToX    ASH    (FAR!    Of)    WAPENTAKE. 

Sacred  Heart,  one  of  which  is  surmouutcd  bj  a  cross,  and  the  other  pierced 
with  a  sword,  and  glowing  or  burning  with  love.  The  angles  of  the  taber- 
nacle arc  supported  bj  two  twisted  columns,  upon  which  are  placed  two  full 
length  figures  of  angels,  with  expanded  mngs.  The  reredos  exhibits  on  its 
front,  circles  containing  elegantly  carved  emblems,  monograms,  &c.  Around 
the  apse  or  semicircle,  which  forms  the  sanctuary,  are  seven  single  lights, 
filled  with  stained  glass  (by  Wailes),  five  of  which  contain  fifteen  subjects 
from  the  life  of  our  Lord  and  the  Blessed  Virgin.  The  roof  of  the  sanctuary 
is  groined,  and  at  the  meeting  of  the  spandrils  is  a  circle,  in  which  is  a  carved 
dove  with  expanded  wings.  The  floor  within  and  in  front  of  the  sanctuary, 
as  well  as  the  space  in  the  centre  between  the  two  lines  of  open  seats,  are 
laid  with  encaustic  tiles.  The  altar  balustrade  consists  of  twisted  columns 
and  circular  arches.  The  roof  of  the  body  of  the  building  is  semicircular, 
and  its  mouldings  and  other  decorations  arc  exceedingly  chaste  and  elegant, 
as  are  also  the  decorations  of  the  walls.  The  organ  gallery,  and  the  space 
beneath  it  at  the  west  end,  forms  a  sort  of  ante-chapel ;  this  part  is  laid  with 
encaustic  tiles.  The  organ  is  a  very  powerful  instrument.  The  vestry  is  on 
the  south  side  of  the  church.  On  the  occasion  of  the  opening  of  this  place 
of  worship,  in  the  beginning  of  June,  1854,  there  was  a  grand  assembly  of 
nearly  fifty  priests,  headed  by  His  Eminence  Cardinal  Wiseman,  and  the 
Right  Rev.  Dr.  Briggs,  the  Catholic  Bishop  of  Yorkshire,  as  well  as  of  the 
elite  of  the  Catholic  nobility  and  gentry  of  the  county.  There  was  solemn 
High  Mass  sung  upon  the  occasion,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by  Car- 
dinal Wiseman.     The  Rev.  Charles  A.  O'Neill,  is  the  chaplain. 

Towton  Toimship  contains  1,360  acres,  and  122  inhabitants.  Amount  of 
assessed  property,  £1,037.  Lord  Hawke  is  chief  proprietor  of  the  soil,  and 
Lord  of  the  Manor.  The  lands  are  fertile  and  in  good  cultivation,  and  the 
surrounding  scenery  is  of  a  pleasing  character. 

The  Village  is  very  small,  and  stands  about  2|  miles  S.  of  Tadcaster. 
This  township  is  memorable  as  the  scene  of  a.terrible  battle  fought  between 
the  houses  of  York  and  Lancaster,  in  1461.     (See  page  156.) 

Towton  HcUl,  an  ancient  mansion,  was  repaired  and  beautified  about  the 
year  1790.  Lead  Hall,  formerly  called  Lcod  or  Lede,  is  situated  on  the 
bank  of  the  small  river  Cock,  and  was  one  of  the  seats  of  the  ancient  fomily 
of  De  Tyas,  several  of  whom  are  buried  in  the  small  but  antique  chapel 
adjoining. 

Bramham. — This  parish  comprises  the  townships  of  Bramham-cum-Ogle- 
thorpe  and  Clifibrd-cum-Boston,  and  covers  altogether  an  area  of  5,462  acres. 
Assessed  property,  £5,433. ;  rateable  value,  £5,140.     Principal  landowners, 


BARKSTON   ASH   (PART    Of)   WAPENTAKE.  683 

George  Lauc  Fox,  Esq.,  Lady  Headley,  and  Rev.  B.  Eamonson.  Lord  of 
the  Manor,  F.  F.  Gascoigne,  Esq.,  of  Parlington.  The  acreage  of  the  first 
mentioned  township  is  3,971,  and  its  population,  in  1851,  was  1,318  souls. 

Bramham  Moor  occupies  a  high  plain,  rising  by  a  gentle  acclivity  from 
Bramham,  and  on  it  are  several  vestiges  of  the  Roman  way,  Watling  Street, 
from  which  consular  road  came  divers  via  vicinalesy  by  Thomer  and  Shad- 
well,  through  Street  Lane  and  Hawcaster-rig,  to  Addle.  Leland  in  his  MS. 
Itinerary,  tells  us,  that  he  never  saw  in  any  part  of  England  so  manifest  a 
token  as  here,  of  the  large  crest  of  the  way  of  Watling  Street.  From  the 
middle  of  Bramham  Moor  is  an  extensive  prospect  of  a  well  cultivated  district, 
which  aboimds  also  with  freestone,  limestone,  and  coal."^  Some  ancient 
brass  instruments  have  been  found  here.  Queen  Anne  gave  a  plate  of  gold 
of  horses  in  Yorkshire.  On  this  common,  in  1408,  Sir  Thomas  Rokeby, 
to  be  run  for  by  horses  on  this  moor,  that  she  might  encourage  the  breed 
Sheriff  of  Yorkshire,  defeated  the  Earl  of  Northumberland,  thereby  helping 
to  secure  the  crown  to  Henry  IV.  (See  page  149.)  A  large  portion  of 
Bramham  Moor  is  still  unenclosed. 

The  Living  is  a  Discharged  Vicarage,  valued  at  £0.  7s.  6d.,  but  now  worth 
about  £160.  per  annum.  Patrons,  the  Dean  and  Canons  of  Christ  Church, 
Oxford ;  Vicar,  Rev.  John  Young  Seagrave.  The  Church  (All  Saints)  is  an 
ancient  and  elegant  structure,  in  the  Decorated  English  style,  consisting  of 
a  nave  and  aisles,  chancel,  south  porch,  and  a  square  embattled  Norman 
tower,  surmounted  by  a  spire  at  the  west  end.  The  tower  contains  three 
bells.  The  church  was  restored  in  1853-4,  at  a  cost  of  about  £1,160.,  raised 
chiefly  by  subscription.     Both  sides  of  the  nave  are  embattled.     The  east 

*  The  late  John  Watson,  Esq.,  of  MaJton,  made  the  following  quaint  but  true  obser> 
vation  on  the  Adew  from  this  common,  in  1781 : — "  Upon  the  middle  of  this  moor,  a  man 
may  see  ten  miles  around  him ;  within  those  ten  miles  there  is  as  much  freestone  as 
would  build  ten  cities,  each  as  large  as  York ;  within  those  ten  miles  there  is  as  much 
good  oak  timber  as  would  build  those  ten  cities ;  there  is  as  much  Hmestone,  and  coals 
to  bum  it  into  lime,  as  the  building  of  those  ten  cities  would  require ;  there  is  also  as 
much  clay  and  sand,  and  coals  to  bum  them  into  bricks  and  tiles,  as  would  build  those 
ten  cities ;  within  those  ten  miles  there  are  two  iron  forges  sufficient  to  furnish  iron  for 
the  building  of  those  ten  cities,  and  ten  thousand  tons  to  spare ;  within  those  ten  mUea 
there  is  lead  sufficient  for  the  ten  cities,  and  ten  thousand  fodders  to  sjMure ;  within 
those  ten  miles  there  is  a  good  coal  seam  sufficient  to  furnish  those  ten  cities  with  firing 
for  ten  thousand  years ;  within  those  ten  miles  there  are  three  navigable  rivers,  from 
any  of  which  a  man  may  take  shipping  and  sail  to  any  part  of  the  world ;  within  those 
ten  miles  there  are  seventy  gentlemen's  houses,  all  keeping  coaches,  and  the  least  of 
of  them  an  esquire,  and  ten  parks  and  forests  well  stocked  with  deer ;  within  those  ten 
miles  there  are  ten  maiket  towns,  one  of  which  may  be  supposed  to  return  i!l 0,000, 
per  week.** 


684  BARKSTON    ASH   (PART    OF)   WAPENTAKE. 

window  is  of  four  lights,  the  apex  of  the  chancel  has  a  beautiful  foliated 
cross,  the  apexes  of  the  nave  and  porch  are  surmounted  with  plain  but 
elegant  crosses.  The  interior  is  neatly  furnished  with  single  seats,  and  the 
stained  timber  roof  is  open.     The  church-jard  is  extensire. 

The  Vicarage  House  is  a  commodious  stone  building,  repaired,  enlaiged, 
and  altered  in  1854,  at  a  cost  of  nearly  JS800.,  defrayed  partly  by  Christ 
Church  College.  The  architects  for  the  restoration  were  Messrs.  Perkins  and 
Backhouse,  of  Leeds,  and  Mr.  John  Holmes,  of  Bnimham,  was  the  builder. 

The  Village  of  Bramham,  which  is  large  and  respectable,  stands  pleasantly 
in  the  vale  of  a  small  rivulet,  on  the  great  north  road,  about  4  miles  S.S.E. 
of  Wetherby.  The  neighbourhood  is  undulated  and  abounds  with  rich  and 
beautiful  scenery.  There  are  chapels  for  the  Wesleyan  and  PrimitiTe 
Methodists.  The  School  is  endowed  with  £14.  per  annum,  arising  firom 
land  purchased  by  several  bequests. 

A  new  Lock-up  has  lately  been  erected  on  ground  given  by  the  Lord  of  the 
Manor.     This  erection  cost  about  Jg50.,  paid  out  of  the  parish  rates. 

Bramham  Park,  the  property,  and  late  the  seat  of  George  Lane  Fox,  Esq., 
is  delightfully  situated  in  the  midst  of  a  highly  cultivated  country,  about  li 
mile  S.W.  of  the  village.  The  noble  mansion,  which  had  been  built  in  the 
reign  of  Queen  Anne,  by  Robert  Benson,  Esq.,  afterwards  Lord  Bingley,  was 
destroyed  by  fire  on  the  20th  of  July,  1828.  It  was  a  magnificent  edifice, 
consisting  of  a  large  centre  and  wings,  connected  by  corridors  of  the  Doric 
order.  The  pleasure  grounds  are  extensive,  and  vexy  elegant ;  and  the  park  is 
adorned  with  temples,  &c,,  as  well  as  by  a  large  obelisk,  erected  in  memory  of 
Robert  Fox  Lane,  Esq.,  grandson  and  heir  to  Robert  Benson,  Lord  Bingley, 
who  died  in  1768.  In  the  chapel  adjoining  the  ruined  mansion  are  some 
marble  monuments  to  the  ancestors  of  the  family. 

This  estate  was  a  grant  from  the  Crown,  in  the  reign  of  William  and 
Mary,  and  was  the  first  enclosure  on  Bramham  Moor. 

BoweUffe  Hall,  the  seat  of  George  L.  Fox,  Esq.,  is  a  good  mansion  in  the 
Grecian  style,  comprising  a  centre  and  two  wings ;  the  entrance  being  sur- 
mounted by  a  pediment,  supported  by  six  pillars.  The  grounds  are  tastefully 
laid  out. 

Bramham  House,  the  residence  of  Captain  Preston,  is  a  commodious  edi- 
fice ;  Bramham  Lodge  is  the  residence  of  J.  H.  Whittaker,  Esq. ;  and  Hope 
Hall,  the  sporting  seat  of  Lord  Nevile,  stands  in  small,  but  neatly  laid  out, 
pleasure  grounds. 

Bramham  College. — This  scholastic  institution  occupies  the  mansion  a  short 
distance  from  the  village,  formerly  known  by  the  name  of  Bramham  Biggin, 


BARKSTON    ASH   (PABT   OF)   WAPENTAKE.  686 

which  was  once  the  ancestral  seat  of  the  noble  house  of  Headlej.  About  the 
year  1844,  the  Hev.  Benjamin  Bendej  Haigh,  who  had  for  seyeral  years 
occupied  Grimston  Lodge,  near  Tadcaster,  as  an  educational  establishment, 
took  Bramham  Biggin  on  lease,  and  transferred  his  establishment  thither. 
Since  then  Mr.  Haigh  has  expended  large  sums  in  enlarging  and  improving 
the  house  and  grounds,  and  it  is  now  admirably  suited,  by  reason  of  its 
internal  and  external  arrangements,  for  the  accommodation  of  a  large  number 
of  pupils.  The  entrance  gateway,  with  its  neat  rustic  lodge,  has  an  air 
of  elegance  about  it ;  and  the  view  of  the  College  from  this  point,  with  its 
glassy  dome  and  other  ornamental  appendages,  and  surrounded  as  it  is 
by  tastefully  arranged  gardens  and  pleasure  grounds,  and  with  rich  sylvan 
scenery,  is  very  imposing  and  beautifully  picturesque. 

The  original  style  of  the  house  was  Tudor ;  the  principal  front  exhibits  a 
centre  and  two  wings,  170  feet  in  length.  The  new  buildings  consist  of  a 
hall,  60  feet  long,  30  feet  wide,  and  34  feet  high ;  arcaded  cloisters,  gymna- 
sium, (fee.  The  refectory  is  a  magnificent  apartment,  in  the  Grecian  style, 
60  feet  long,  85  feet  wide,  and  32  feet  high.  The  decorations  of  this  room, 
with  its  beautiful  dome,  and  fine  oriel  window,  are  exceedingly  chaste  and 
elegant,  and  the  general  arrangements  of  the  college  appear  to  be  perfect. 
Indeed,  the  Government  Inspector  stated  that  for  efficiency,  elegance,  and 
comfort,  there  was  nothing  in  the  country  to  equal  this  establishment.  Gas 
works,  for  lighting  the  college,  have  been  recently  erected,  at  a  cost  of  iB  1,800. 
The  park,  gardens,  &c.,  extend  over  about  180  acres.  The  course  of  in- 
atruction  pursued  at  this  establishment  embraces  all  the  modem  languages, 
as  well  as  the  classics ;  also  mathematics,  and  the  other  branches  of  a  sound 
commercial  education.  Nor  are  the  accomplishments  neglected  ;<^'music, 
drawing,  and  dancing,  being  taught  to  such  pupils  as  are  desirous  to  learn 
them,  by  the  best  masters.  The  mysteries  of  agriculture,  too,  are  taught  to 
those  who  choose  to  learn  that  science.  There  is  an  excellent  library  at- 
tached to  the  college,  to  which  the  pupils  are  allowed  access.  Divine  service, 
with  a  lecture  by  the  Principal  (Rev.  B.  B.  Haigh),  is  celebrated  every  Sun- 
day evening  in  the  hall  of  the  college.  The  pupils  of  this  establishment  can 
matriculate  at  the  London  University. 

The  Rev.  B.  Eamonson,  Vicar  of  Collingham,  by  deed,  in  1853,  conveyed 
to  T.  Fairfiftx,  Esq.,  and  his  heirs  in  trust,  a  field  in  this  parish,  called  Sand- 
forth  Close,  the  rents  to  be  applied  by  the  incumbent  of  Clifford,  thus : — ^in 
payment  of  18s.  on  every  St  Thomas's  Day,  to  as  many  poor  widows  or 
widowers  in  this  township ;  in  pajrment  of  13s.  annually  towards  the  educa- 
tion of  a  child  resident  in  Bramham ;  and  in  the  distribution  of  bibles,  prayer 
books,  ice,  to  the  poor. 


686  BABKSTOK    ASH   (pART   OF)  WAPENTAKE. 

CUffordrCum-Boston  Towtiship  embraces  an  area  of  1,491  acres,  and  con- 
tained 1,834  inhabitants  in  1851.  Assessed  property,  Jg2,616.  It  is  said 
that  the  neat  and  interesting  Village  of  Clifford^  which  is  situated  about  S\ 
miles  S.E.  by  S.  of  Wetherby,  derives  its  name  from  the  circumstance  of  the 
Lord  CliiEford,  of  Skipton,  having,  on  his  way  to  aid  Henry  of  Lancaster 
against  Edward  of  York,  drawn  up  his  northern  forces  before  the  battle  of 
Towton,  on  the  extensive  plain  now  forming  this  township,  which  hencefor- 
ward took  the  name  of  Clifford  Moor.  Subsequently  a  smaU  hamlet  was 
erected  for  the  convenience  of  the  shepherds  who  fed  their  flocks  upon  the 
moor;  this  became  gradually  extended,  until  a  small  village  was  formed, 
which  took  its  name  from  the  moor  in  which  it  was  situated.  A  statute  £ur 
for  sheep  was  annually  held  here  upon  the  Wednesday  after  the  Idth  of 
October;  but  since  the  whole  of  the  moor  became  enclosed,  about  sixteen 
years  ago,  this  once  far-famed  fair  has  dwindled  dovra  to  a  village  feast 

Near  the  village  are  extensive  flax  mills,  belonging  to  Messrs.  R.  T. 
Grimston  and  Co.  These  have  been  lately  enlarged,  and  the  company  now 
possess,  in  steam  and  water,  equal  to  100  Ij^orse  power.  There  are  two  reser- 
voirs, and  their  joint  extent  is  7^  acres.  About  400  persons  are  constantly 
employed  in  manufacturing  shoe  threads  and  shop  twines  from  flax,  the  su- 
periority of  which  over  similar  articles  has  long  been  recognised.  The  Messrs. 
Grimston  (who  reside  here)  have  erected  a  number  of  houses  in  the  village 
for  the  accommodation  of  their  workpeople,  and  in  the  construction  of  them 
every  attention  has  been  paid  to  comfort  and  cleanliness. 

A  District  Church  (St  Luke),  very  eligibly  situated,  and  forming  a  pro- 
minent object  to  the  surrounding  neighbourhood,  was  erected  in  18452,  at  a 
cost  of  about  J^  1,5 60.,  raised  by  subscription.  The  site,  together  with  the 
sum  of  J£100.,  for  the  erection  of  a  tower,  was  given  by  the  late  G.  L.  Fox, 
Esq.,  of  Bramham  Park.  The  patronage  was  vested  in  George  Lane  Fox, 
Esq.,  in  consideration  of  his  having  given  £1,000.  to  be  invested  in  the  funds 
as  an  annual  income  to  the  incumbent,  and  £500.  (minus  the  deduction  of  a 
repair  fund  for  the  church)  towards  the  building  of  a  residence ;  ultimatdy 
Christ  Church  College,  Oxford,  the  lay  impropriator  of  the  rectorial  tithes  of 
Bramham,  gave  £300.  towards  the  Parsonage,  and  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Lewth- 
waithe,  the  first  incumbent  of  the  church,  made  up  the  remainder  of  the  cost 
of  the  building.  The  present  incumbent  is  the  Rev.  John  Barclay  Scriven. 
The  church  is  a  handsome  cruciform  structure  of  stone,  in  the  Early  English 
style,  with  a  pinnacled  tower  at  the  west  end,  and  contains  about  300  sittings. 

Here  is  a  Catholic  Church,  dedicated  to  St.  Edward  the  Confessor,  erected 
at  a  cost  of  about  £4,000.,  raised  entirely  by  subscriptions,  collected  in  this 


BAKKSTON    ASH    (PAKT    uf)   WAPENTAKK.  587 

country  and  on  the  continent,  by  the  pastor,  the  Rev.  Edward  L.  Clifford. 
The  style  of  this  splendid  edifice  is  pure  Norman-Gothic ;  Joseph  Hansom, 
Esq.,  was  the  architect,  and  it  was  opened  in  1848.  It  consists  of  a  nave 
and  aisles,  two  chapels,  and  a  handsome  porch.  In  a  nicho  in  the  front  of 
the  latter  appendage,  is  a  neat  statuette  of  the  patron  saint  seated.  The 
sides  of  the  church  are  each  made  into  eight  divisions  by  pilasters.  In  these 
divisions  are  good  windows,  and  the  clerestory  of  the  nave  has  eight  double 
lights  on  each  side.  The  interior  has  an  unusually  impressive  appearance. 
Six  massy  circular  pillars  and  arches  separate  the  nave  from  the  aisles, 
behind  the  high  altar,  and  at  the  sides  of  the  sanctuary,  run  a  line  of  arcade 
work,  and  behind  the  altar  screen,  and  separated  from  the  sanctuary  by  three 
arches,  is  the  Lady  Chapel,  which,  together  with  the  Chapel  of  the  Blessed 
Sacrament,  are  most  sumptuously  decorated.  In  the  Lady  Chapel  is  a  very 
beautiful  statue  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  executed  in  Carrara  marble,  by 
Hoffman,  and  pronounced  by  Overbeck  to  be  one  of  the  best  works  of  Chris- 
tian art  in  the  world.  Hoffman  is  now  the  first  Christian  sculptor  of  the 
day,  and  his  conversion  to  Catholicity  took  place  whilst  he  was  executing 
this  statue.  The  front  of  the  high  altar  presents  a  line  of  pillars  and  arches 
elegantly  carved  and  gilded,  and  the  space  within  them  represents  a  tomb, 
in  which  is  to  be  deposited  the  relics  of  a  saint.  Several  of  the  windows 
are  filled  with  stained  glass,  and  the  roof  is  open.  The  body  of  the  church 
is  without  pews  or  seats,  except  a  number  of  small  light  chairs  (similar  to 
those  seen  in  the  continental  churches),  which  serve  both  for  sitting  and 
kneeling.  There  is  a  mortuary  shapel  in  the  crypt.  A  bell,  weighing  13 
cwt,  is  suspended  in  a  temporary  erection  of  wood  at  the  west  end,  but  a 
massive  Norman  tower  is  about  to  b^  built,  in  which  will  be  placed  a  peal 
of  six  bells.  In  the  church-yard  is  a  handsome  sepulchral  cross,  and  ad- 
jacent to  the  church  is  the  presbytery. 

The  Boys'  School,  a  little  distance  from  the  church,  is  a  neat  building, 
above  the  porch  of  which,  in  a  niche,  is  a  statuette  of  the  Madonna.  About 
100  children  attend  the  day  school,  but  a  much  larger  number  attend  the 
Sunday  school. 

The  Convent  and  Oirls'  School  is  a  very  neat  Gothic  building,  situated  at 
the  top  of  the  village,  near  the  Protestant  Church.  This  edifice  was  erected 
in  1849,  for  a  Protestant  Nunnery,  by  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Lewthwaite,  lato 
incumbent  of  St.  Luke's  Church  (now  a  priest  of  the  Catholic  Church),  and 
dedicated  with  religious  processions,  Ac,  under  the  title  of  "  The  Oratory 
and  Hostill  of  St.  Stephen  and  St.  John."  But  on  his  becoming  a  Catholic, 
in  1851,  Mr.  Lewthwaite  conveyed  it  to  the  trusteeship  of  the  Right  Rev. 


688  BARKSTON    ASH   (PAHT    Otj   WAPENTAKE. 

Dr.  Briggs  (Catholic  Bishop),  the  Rev.  E.  L.  Clifford,  and  the  Ber.  J.  C. 
Fisher,  to  be  maintained  as  a  Conventual  School.  The  inmates  of  the 
building  are  nuns  of  the  Order  of  Providence,  from  Loughborough,  whose 
sole  business  is  to  educate  the  poor  and  instruct  the  ignorant  The  school 
for  girls  is  well  attended.  Opposite  the  Convent  gate  is  a  deep  draw  well, 
over  which  Mr.  Lewthwaite  erected  an  ornamental  building  of  Gothic  design, 
under  a  sense  of  the  high  dignity  to  which  the  element  of  water  is  raised  in 
the  Sacrament  of  Baptism. 

There  was  a  Methodist  Chapel  close  to  the  Catholic  Church,  which  was 
purchased  and  pulled  down,  and  a  small  but  neat  chapel  was  erected  on 
another  site  during  the  past  year.  The  Natumal  School  was  enlarged  in 
1851,  by  G.  L.  Fox,  Esq.,  by  whom  it  is  chiefly  supported.  There  is  a 
handsome  Methodist  School  in  the  village,  built  in  1852,  at  a  cost  of  about 
£400.     The  site  was  given  by  Mr.  J.  Diggle,  of  Clifford. 

In  1608  Richard  Dawson,  of  Collingham,  left  an  estate  to  the  poor  of 
Clifford,  and  two  other  places.  The  property  now  lets  for  £70.  per  annum, 
about  £S0.  of  which  is  distributed  yearly  to  the  poor  of  this  township. 

BoBton  Spa  is  a  lai^e  and  flourishing  village,  situated  in  a  romantic  and 
beautiful  vale  through  which  the  river  Wharfe  runs  with  a  rapid  current. 
Its  exact  position  is  the  south  bank  of  the  Wharfe,  on  the  road  leading  from 
Wetherby  to  Tadcaster,  about  3  miles  S.S.E.  of  the  former  town.  It  is 
connected  with  the  village  of  Thorpe  Arch  by  a  very  fine  bridge,  across  the 
river,  of  four  arches.  The  former  name  of  the  place  was  Boston,  but  it 
was  called  Boston  Spa,  a  few  years  ago,  by  the  Postmaster  General,  to  dis> 
tinguish  it  from  Boston  in  Lincolnshire.  The  village  is  of  recent  growth, 
and  has  arisen  in  consequence  of  tHe  accidental  discovery,  in  1744,  of  a 
chalybeate  springi',  by  John  Shires,  a  labourer,  while  cutting  brush-wood  on 
the  banks  of  the  river.     Little  appears  to  have  been  known  of  the  medi- 

*  The  following  is  an  analysis,  from  one  vine  gallon  of  this  water,  by  Dr.  Adam 

Hunter,  of  Leeds,  and  Mr.  West : — 

QnSam* 

Muriate  of  Soda 562.00 

„       of  lime 12.25 

.,       of  Magnesia  7.25 

Carbonate  of  Iron    1.75 

Silica  0.75 

584.00 
OaseouM  ConterUt : — 

Cubic  Indct. 
Carbonic  Add 10.56 

Azotie  Qas 6.00 


BABKSTON    ASH   (PABT    Of)   WAPENTAKE.  689 

cinal  properties  ol  this  witter  till  the  year  1784,  when  it  was  submitted  to  a 
series  of  experiments  by  an  eminent  physician  and  chemist.  For  some  time 
this  spring  had  been  called  Thorpe  Arch  Spa,  on  account  of  the  village  of 
that  name  in  the  vicinity  afibrding  the  nearest  accommodation  for  visitors, 
before  the  building  of  the  village  of  Boston.  The  water  is  of  a  saline  taste, 
and  of  a  slightly  sulphureous  smell»  and  is  possessed  of  purgative  and  diuretic 
qualities.  It  is  taken  in  larger  quantities  than  the  Harrogate  water,  and 
is  efficacious  in  cases  of  general  relaxation,  bilious  and  dyspeptic  complaints, 
and  glandular  obstructions. 

The  soil  coaisists  of  sand,  clay,  and  magnesian  limestone.  The  rocks  are 
chiefly  calcareous,  and  supposed  to  be  impregnated  with  different  minerals. 
According  to  the  census  of  1851,  this  rising  village  contained  about  S50 
houses,  and  a  population  of  1,049  souls — ^though  it  is  said  that  the  first  house 
was  built  here  in  the  bare  open  field  in  1753,  by  the  late  Mr.  Joseph  Tate. 
Now  it  has  its  handsome  church,  good  chapels,  excell^at  and  commodious 
hotelsy  w^  suppbed  shops,  gented  villa  residences,  and  a  variety  of  respect* 
able  lodging  houses,  suited  to  tl^e  taste  and  convenience  of  every  olass  of 
visitors.  Most  of  the  houses  are  elegant,  and  are  built  of  Clifford  Moor  stone. 
The  scenery  is  picturesque  in  the  extreme,  and  the  walks  on  the  banks  of 
the  river  are  very  romantic.  ''The  situation  of  Boston  Spa  is  such  as 
will  always  command  the  attention  of  the  invalid,  and  the  admiration  of  the 
traveller,"  writes  a  local  authoress.  "  The  Creator  has  scattered  innumerable 
beauties  over  our  globe,  on  the  frame-work  of  the  hills,  and  the  valleys  they 
enclose, — on  crag  and  stream,  sky  and  earth.  He  has  drawn  the  lines  of 
beauty  and  grandeur,  with  a  pencil  that  never  errs;  and  amongst  these 
lovely  ornaments  of  earth,  may  jusUybe  ranked  this  *  Gem  of  the  Yorkshire 
VaUeys.'  "* 

The  original  mineral  spring  belongs  to  the  Lord  of  the  Manor,  and  is  let 
at  an  annual  rent;  the  Old  Spa  House,  or  pump  room,  was  built  over  it 
in  1884.  Previous  to  its  erection,  the  well  was  open,  and  two  old  women, 
who  had  for  their  shelter  an  excavation  in  the  rock,  attended  daily,  and 
sold  the  water.  The  river  was  crossed  near  this  place  by  a  rude  wooden 
bridge.  But  to  this  state  of  things  a  great  contrast  is  formed  by  the  present 
accommodation  provided  for  the  visitors  to  this  place  of  fashionable  resort. 
The  pump  room  alluded  to  has  its  hot  and  cold  baths ;  and  all  the  advan- 
tages of  the  pump  room,  baths,  hot  and  cold,  upon  the  newest  principle, 

•  The  Otm  of  the  Yorkshire  VaUeys,  de.,  by  Miss  Sarah  Blakeston,  of  Boston  Spa. 
We  would  refer  oar  readers  to  this  interesting  little  work,  for  a  concise  and  well  written 
description  of  this  enchanting  neighbourhood, 

4  T 


690  BABKSTON   ASH   (PABT   OF)  WAPENTAKE. 

splendid  assembly  or  promenade  room,  and  eleganUj  laid  out  pleasure 
grounds,  maj  be  enjoyed  at  the  new  baths  at  the  Victoria  and  Albert  Hotel* 
The  other  large,  commodious,  and  well  conducted  Hotel  is  called,  from  its 
proprietor  (Mr.  Thomas  B.  Dalby),  Dalby's  Hotel. 

The  Church  (St  Maiy)  is  a  beautiful  Gothic  structure,  erected  in  1814  (on 
land  giyen  by  Mr.  Samuel  Tate,  said  to  have  been  the  first  person  bom  at 
Boston  Spa),  and  enlarged  and  improyed  in  1851.  It  has  lately  been  nuide 
parochial  for  ecclesiastical  purposes.  Its  parts  are  a  nave,  north  aisle, 
chancel,  porch,  and  tower.  The  living  is  a  Perpetual  Curacy,  of  the  net 
value  of  i6146.  per  ann.,  in  the  gift  of  the  Vicar  of  Bramham,  and  incumbency 
of  the  Rev.  W.  S.  Homer,  who  resides  in  the  Parsonage  House. 

The  Presbyteriam  and  WesUyans  have  each  a  chapel  here ;  and  there  is  a 
National  School,  which  is  well  conducted  and  attended. 

Mr.  Thomas  Nichols,  bookseller,  has  a  small  but  select  subscription  libnuy. 

About  three  miles  from  Boston  Spa,  in  the  parish  of  CoUingham,  the 
remains  of  a  Eoman  ViUa  were  recently  discovered  in  a  field,  known  bj  tbe 
name  of  Dalton  Parlours,  belonging  to  the  fieurm  at  Compton,  in  the  occupa- 
tion of  Mr.  Joseph  Dalby.  The  site  was  formerly  called  Abbey  Field,  from 
the  remains  of  walls  then  existing,  and  which  were  removed  about  the  year 
1806 ;  and  before  the  enclosure  it  formed  part  of  Clifford  Moor.  The  field 
is  now  tilled,  and  at  various  periods  coins,  tiles,  and  other  fragmentary  re- 
mains of  Roman  occupation,  have  been  ploughed  up.     Numerous  skeletons 

*  This  beautiful  Hotel  was  erected  by  a  company  of  shareholders,  at  a  cost  of  about 
£3,500.,  and  in  1851  the  property  was  purchased  by  Mr.  John  Newhill,  the  present  pro- 
prietor, who  has  since  made  extensiye  improvements  in  the  house  and  gronnds.  To 
obtain  the  mineral  spring  at  this  point,  the  solid  rook  has  been  bored  to  the  depth  of 
•ipwards  of  eighty  yards ;  and  the  water  now  flows  to  the  surfiuse  through  copper  and 
^oitta  percha  pipes.    This  important  and  interesting  spring  was  analysed  in  1849,  by 

W.  West,  Esq.,  F.B.S.,  and  the  following  is  the  result : — 

PwChO.        PwRnt. 

Sulphate  of  Magnesia grains 6.0 0.75 

Chloride  of  Magnesium „     20.4 2.55 

„        of  Sodium „      406.6   50.82 

„        ofOalcinm    ,     24.07 3.01 

Carbonate  of  lime „     .... 20.01 3.65 

Silica ,      1.01 0.14 

Carbonate  of  Iron    „     0.06 0.006 

Iodine A  trace 

Bromine : A  trace 

AUo  of  Oases : — 

Pet  Gal.  PCf  Pint. 

Carbonic  Acid  Gas  cubic  inches 10.06 1.32 

Nitrogen* .  •  ■  • . .  • .  • *  *  „         ...««.  9t08 .*«•«».  •  1«18 


THE    AINSTY  WAPENTAKE.  691 

have  also  been  found  here,  and,  in  one  case,  intennent  under  tiles  seems  to 
have  been  adopted.  In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1864,  some  gentlemen  in 
the  neighbourhood  decided  to  examine  the  site,  and  the  result  of  their  exca- 
vation was  the  discoyery  of  a  portion  of  a  Roman  residence,  consbting  of 
some  rooms,  with  the  remains  of  hypocausts,  and  a  fine  tesselated  pavement. 
Nearly  the  whole  of  the  pillars,  &c.,  of  one  hypocaust,  and  the  greater  part 
of  the  pavement,  have  been  removed  to  the  Museum  at  York.  '*  From  the 
general  character  of  the  remains,  and  nature  of  the  objects  found  on  the  site," 
says  W.  Proctor,  Esq.,  of  York,  in  an  admirable  account  of  the  excavations 
at  this  place,  which  he  presented  to  the  Yorkshire  Antiquarian  Club,  **  there 
can,  I  suppose,  be  no  hesitation  in  looking  upon  the  foundations  at  Dalton 
Parlours  as  the  remains  of  a  villa,  in  which  some  wealthy  Roman  citizen, 
exchanging  the  '  fumum  et  opes  strepitumque  Romse  *  for  the  delights  of  a 
rural  residence,  had  furnished  himself  with  his  usual  luxuries  and  means  of 
enjoyment.  Independently  of  the  absence  of  the  mention  of  any  station  in 
this  locality,  by  the  writers  of  any  authority  in  these  matters,  the  place  itself 
gives  no  indication  which  would  lead  to  the  formation  of  such  an  opinion." 

THE  AINSTY  WAPENTAKE   CONTINUED. 

Thorp  Aboh. — This  parish  is  situated  in  the  beautiful  vale  of  the  river 
Wharfe,  and  is  supposed  to  derive  the  distinctive  afiBx  to  its  name  from  the 
family  of  De  Arcubus,  or  D'Arches,  who  came  in  with  WiUiam  the  Conqueror, 
and  obtained  large  possessions  in  this  part  of  the  country.  The  area  of  the 
parish  is  1,607  acres ;  population,  815  :  rateable  value,  £2,620. ;  and  amount 
of  assessed  property,  £3,039.  The  Lord  of  the  Manor,  and  chief  proprietor 
of  the  soil,  is  R.  W.  W.  Hatfield,  Esq.,  who  resides  at  the  Hall  near  the 
village — a  fine  mansion,  situated  in  a  well  wooded  park.  The  soil  is  fertile. 
The  Roman  road  to  Boroughbridge,  called  Rudgate,  passes  by  the  eastern 
boundary  of  the  parish.  On  the  site  of  this  road,  but  in  an  acyoining  parish, 
is  St,  Helm's  Well,  connected  with  which  was  a  chapel,  long  since  destroyed, 
and  near  it  a  cross,  which  has  lately  been  removed. 

The  lAwng,  which  was  ordained  a  Vicarage  by  Archbishop  Sewall,  in  1358, 
is  valued  in  the  King's  Books  at  £3.  15s.  5d.,  but  in  the  early  part  of  the 
last  century  it  was  only  of  the  yearly  value  of  £34.,  till  by  the  liberality  of 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Robinson,  of  Leeds,  and  Lady  E.  Hastings,  added  to  a  donation 
firom  Queen  Anne's  fund,  and  a  contribution  firom  the  then  Vicar,  the  recto- 
rial tithes  were  purchased  as  an  augmentation  to  the  living.  These  tithes 
were  commuted  for  £387.  9s.  3d.  The  present  patron  is  the  Rev.  C.  Wheeler, 
and  the  incumbent  is  the  Rev.  F.  H.  S.  Menteath. 


69d  THE   AINSTT  WAPSNTAKE. 

The  Church  (All  Saints)  staihis  a  considenible  diBtanoe  from  the  vilkge, 
and  is  an  ancient  strocture  (with  the  exception  of  the  tower,  in  the  west  front 
of  which  is  a  highly  enri<^ed  Norman  doorway),  rehuilt  in  1756,  in  the  later 
Engiish  style.  The  dianoel  was  partially  restored  in  1848.  The  tower  is 
emhattled,  and  finished  witli  crooketed  pinnacles  at  the  angles.  In  ike  inte- 
rior the  naye  is  divided  from  the  north  (the  only)  aiide,  by  liittr  eqaibteral 
arches,  vesting  on  octagonid  columns.  In  tbe  cfaaDcd  is  a  hrass  tablet,  wilii 
an  extract  from  the  will  of  Lady  Elizabeth  Hastings.  Near  tiiis  brass  is  a 
tablet  to  the  Rev.  R.  Hemington,  iorty-five  years  Vicar  of  Uiis  parish,  wfao 
died  in  1830,  aged  70.  In  making  a  vaialt  for  his  family  in  the  same  year, 
a  stone  coffin  was  disooTered,  which  is  now  deposited  in  the  cfanrch-yaid. 
The  Vicarage  H&use  is  situated  on  the  banks  of  the  Wharfe. 

The  Village  is  extremely  picturesque,  and  is  separated  £rom  Boston  Spa, 
as  has  been  already  observed,  by  a  beautiful  bridge,  from  which  there  is  a 
veiy  pleasing  and  diversified  view.  It  is  about  S}  miles  S.E.  by  E.  6om 
Wetherby,  and  19  miles  from  York  by  railway.  There  is  a  station  hero  on 
the  line  leading  from  Church  Fenton  to  Harrogate. 

The  School  was  founded  in  1738,  by  Lady  E.  Hastings,  who  endowed  it 
with  £15.  per  annum,  and  ten  acres  of  land ;  but  the  money  endowment  has 
since  been  considerably  augmented.  The  prosent  bmlding,  winch  is  of  stone, 
and  is  neat  and  commodious,  was  erected  in  18^.  There  is  likewise  a  good 
residence  for  the  schoolmaster.  Thero  is  a  Mutual  Impro<vement  Association 
held  in  this  school,  and  thero  is  in  connexion  wi&  it  a  library  of  SOO  vols. 

Walton. — This  parish  measures  1,670  statoto  acres,  mostly  the  property 
of  G.  L.  Fox,  Esq.,  who  is  Lord  of  the  Manor.  The  population  of  the  parish 
in  1861,  was  245  souls ;  the  rateable  yalue  is  ig2,010. ;  and  the  amoimt  of 
assessed  property  is  £1,816.  The  old  Roman  road — ^Watling  Street — passes 
through  this  parish.  The  Limng  is  a  Perpetual  Curacy,  in  the  patronage  of 
the  impropriators.  Its  value  was  certified  at  &1,  13s.  4d.,  retamed  at  £50., 
but  now  worth  about  i£90.  per  annum. 

The  Church  (St.  Peter)  is  an  ancient  structoro,  consisting  of  a  nave, 
chancel,  tower,  and  porch,  and  is  situ^rted  on  an  eminence.  The  tower  con- 
tains three  bells,  and  is  embattled  and  pinnacled.  The  interior  is  plain.  In 
the  chancel  is  an  ancient  monument,  consisting  of  a  recess  with  a  crocketed 
pediment,  beneath  which  is  the  effigy  of  a  Knight  in  full  annour,  with  a 
gori^et,  hood,  and  tippet,  of  chain  or  mail  annour.  The  style  of  tire  armour 
seems  to  be  of  tihe  reign  df  Edward  III.  Near  this  is  a  tabkt  to  Nicholas 
son  of  Lord  Fair&x,  of  GilMng  Oastie,  who  died  in  1703,  i^ed  44. 

The  Village  is  small,  and  stands  on  rising  ground,  about  3^  miles  E.  bj  S. 
of  Wetherby. 


THE   iJNSTT  WAPSHTAKS.  698 

WeUon  HaU,  vrhich  is  pldasantly  situated  on  the  south  side  of  the  village, 
occu|^  4he  ^te  of  the  noble  maosioii,  once  the  residenoe  of  the  Faizfax 
funiljr,  to  wkom  the  greater  part  of  this  parish  formerly  bebnged.  The 
present  house  was  ^«ected  out  <si  the  nuns  of  the  former,  more  than  a  centuiy 
ago,  and  is  now  oonTcited  into  a  boarding  academy,  oondudied  by  the  Misses 
Traadwetl. 

The  Parish  School,  which  is  conducted  on  the  National  system,  is  sup- 
ported by  Mrs.  Yorke,  of  WighiU  Park.  The  present  buildiag  was  o^ected  in 
1847,  by  the  Lord  of  the  Manor,  amd  ds  a  neat  stone  erection. 

Wig-hill. — The  family  of  Stapleton  possessed  this  estate,  and  were  seated 
here  for  upwards  of  500  years.  Sir  Robert  Stapleton,  who  was  Shedff  of 
this  county  in  the  Sdrd  of  Elizabeth  (1581),  met  the  Judges  with  fioven  score 
men  in  suitable  Hveries.  He  was  descended  from  Sir  Miles  Stapleton,  Sheriff 
of  Yorkshire  in  the  reign  of  Edward  m.,  and  one  of  the  first  founders  of  the 
noble  Order  of  the  Garter.  This  manor  and  estate  was  sold,  nearly  forty 
years  ago,  to  E.  F.  Wilson,  Esq.,  M.P.,  and  the  proprietors  of  the  parish  at 
present  are  Andrew  Montague,  Esq.  (Lord  of  the  Manor),  Edward  Yorke, 
Esq.,  Mr.  Matthew  Thomlinson,  and  a  few  others.  Area  of  the  parish,  2,588 
acres ;  population,  296 ;  rateable  value,  £4,416. ;  assessed  property,  dgd,410. 
The  surface  is  undulated,  and  the  scenery  is  rich  and  agreeably  diversified. 

The  Church  is  a  Discharged  Vicarage,  endowed  with  a  portion  of  the  rec- 
torial tithes,  and  valued  in  the  King's  Books  at  £5.  ds.  6id. ;  now  worth 
£120.  per  ann.  The  advowson  was  given  to  the  Prior  of  Healaugh  Park  in 
1291 ;  the  present  patron  is  the  Lord  of  the  Manor.  The  Fabric  stands  on 
the  summit  of  a  hill,  from  which  is  a  most  extensive  and  beautiful  prospect. 
Its  parts  are  a  nave  and  north  aisle,  chancel  and  north  chapel,  a  low  em- 
battled and  pinnacled  tower  at  the  west  end,  and  a  south  porch.  The  entrance 
is  a  curious  Norman  structure,  much  dilapidated.  The  eastern  part  of  the 
chancel  has  been  fully  repaired,  and  a  convenient  vestry  built  a  few  years 
ago,  at  a  cost  of  £833.,  by  the  Vicar,  the  Bev.  Thomas  Jessop,  D.D.  The 
western  portion  of  the  chancel  was  completely  repaired  in  1842,  at  the  cost 
of  E.  F.  Wilson,  Esq.  And  to  these  improvements  the  Archbishop  of  York 
contributed  a  handsome  antique  pulpit,  and  the  reading-desk  has  been  pre- 
sented by  Mr.  Yorke.  The  south  side  of  the  church  has  square-headed  win- 
dows ;  the  east  window  is  pointed,  and  of  three  lights.  In  the  interior  the 
aisle  is  separated  from  the  body  by  four  circular  arches,  resting  on  columns, 
formed  by  a  union  of  four  massy  cylinders,  with  octagonal  capitals.  The 
tower  is  open  to  the  nave  by  a  pointed  arch,  and  the  roof  is  waggon-headed. 
In  the  side  chapel  are  several  slabs,  to  the  memory  of  the  Stapleton  feunily 


694  THE   AIN8TT  WAPENTAKE. 

during  the  14tb  and  15th  centuries,  and  a  handsome  altar  tomb  of  alabaster, 
containing  a  full-length  effigy,  in  plate  armour,  and  a  long  Latin  inscription, 
to  Robert  Stapjlton,  Esq.,  Lord  of  Wighill,  who  died  in  1643.  It  was 
erected  hj  Catherine,  daughter  of  Lord  Fairfsix,  to  his  memory. 

The  Village  is  small  but  neat,  and  stands  about  3  miles  N.  by  W.  of 
Tadcaster.     There  is  a  Wesleyan  Methodist  Chapel  here,  erected  in  18S8. 

WighiU  Park  is  the  seat  of  Edward  Yorke,  Esq.  This  mansion  is  plea- 
santly situated  on  rising  ground,  and  in  the  midst  of  an  extensiye  and  well 
laid  out  park.  The  old  hall,  the  seat  of  the  Stapletons,  stood  on  the  north 
side  of  the  village,  and  some  vestiges  of  it  may  be  traced  in  the  building 
which  succeeded  it. 

About  H  mile  S.W.  of  the  village  is  a  small  moated  residence,  called 
Moat  House,  the  origin  of  which  is  not  known.  The  moat  encloses  an  area 
of  about  half  an  acre.  A  School  in  the  village,  for  girls,  is  supported  by 
Mrs.  Yorke.  The  school  house  was  erected  about  three  years  ago,  by  A. 
Montague,  Esq.     There  is  also  a  neat  residence  for  the  schoolmistress. 


END   OF   VOL.    I. 


bevsblet:  pbintbd  bt  jork  obbbh,  marbjbt-flace.