The history and antiquities of the county palatine, of Durham: by William Hutchinson ... [pt.2]

The Parish of ST OSWALD.

Part of the parish of St Oswald lies in the ward of Easington, and part in Ches∣ter ward. This parish includes the chapelries of St Margaret in Crossgate, and Croxdale.

In our account of the chantries in the church of St Nicholas, we shewed by a record in bishop Langley's time, that a tenement belonging to the chantry of St Mary was described to be in the old borough of Durham: In vet'i burgo Dun. sup. fi∣nem pontis novi ex p'te australi. ten. Pr. Dun. &c. which, with other records of the like nature, prove, that the old borough of Durham was situated in the parish of St Oswald, and so all the ancient muniments tend to confirm. It is conjectured, when the bishop erected a new free borough for merchants in Elvet, the distinctions of the borough of Elvet, and the old borough of Durham first arose. Was there not much evidence to shew, there were distinct places called the old and new borough, out of the bounds of the city, and in the limits of St Oswald's parish, we should not have insisted on the position so positively. When the old borough of Durham had its rise, from whence, or what were its privileges, we remain ignorant; but the evidence we shall produce leads us to judge the old borough of Durham comprehended the whole parish of St Oswald, substracted from Croxdale, and that on the institution of the borough of Elvet, limits and bounds were set to the new borough, and the rest remained to the old borough; admitting this conjecture, it will follow, that the old borough comprehended Crossgate, South-street, &c. now St Margaret's cha∣pelry, and in fact circumscribed the new borough, It is not material to press this subject further than to support our first position, that Old Durham, and the old borough of Durham, were the first settlements of the Saxons here, before they built their church on the summit of the hill; and from thence those places derived their present name.

On the cliff before described, in the view from Gillygate church, is the platform now called Maiden Castle†, inaccessible from the river by reason of the steepness of

the cliff, which is almost perpendicular, and about one hundred feet in height. —On the right and left the steep sides of the mount are covered with a thick forest of oaks: The crown of the mount consists of a level area or plain, forty paces wide on the summit of the scar, in the front or north east side, one hundred and sixty paces long on the left-hand side, and one hundred and seventy paces on the right. The approach is easy on the land side, from the south-west, fortified with a ditch and breast work: The entrance or passage over the ditch is not in the middle, but made to correspond with the natural rise of the outward ground; probably this entrance was guarded by a draw-bridge: The ditch is twelve paces wide, and runs with a little curvature to each edge of the slope, now covered with wood as before noted; on one hand being fifty paces in length, on the other eighty paces. After passing the ditch there is a level parade or platform,

twenty paces wide, and then a high earth fence, now nine feet perpendicular, which, as in most places of the like kind, it is apprehended, was faced with mason-work: A breast work has run from the earth fence on each hand along the brink of the hill, to the edge of the cliff or scar. The earth fence closes the whole neck of land, and is in length one hundred paces, forming the south-west side of the area. These particulars are illustrated by the annexed plate. It is most probable this was the vetus burgus Dunelmensis noted in the records; it is at a little distance from the head of the street called Old Elvet, in a direct line therewith, and oppo∣site to Old Durham, the river dividing it from the latter place, and almost filling up the intervening space: It was supported anciently, as is presumed, by another fort∣ress called the Peel, erected on the opposite eminence, which now bears the name of Peel Law. Many places in the northern counties retain the name of Peel and Law, implying castle and hill, whose antiquity may be traced back to the Saxon times. We presumed to offer an opinion, in the preceding pages, that in the valley over∣looked by this fortress, the wandering Saxons sat down with the remains of Saint Cuthbert; and we submit to the candour of the reader, whether that idea is alto∣gether vague and improbable. The name of maiden applied to a castle is now be∣come indefinite; whether it imples beautiful, or a fortress which never has been conquered, has not been determined: Our best antiquaries give preference to the distinction fair or beautiful. The old fort, on Stainmore, in Westmoreland, is called Maiden Castle, and the adjoining inclosures bear the name of Peel-yard.

Bishop Carilepho, on his bringing in the canons regular, granted to the convent, Elvet as a free borough, that they might have forty merchants there, exempted from all dues and duties to him and his successors .

In the reign of king Stephen, Cumin's soldiers burnt the borough of Elvet; at the same time they burnt St Giles's. Bishop Pudsey restored the borough, and confirmed it to the convent, with all its ancient privileges . In the convention entered into between bishop Poore and the convent, for quieting their privileges, we find Elvet thus mentioned. Consuetudines et emendationes de bracinis et false pane, &c. de hoib's prior. apud Elvet & apud vetus burgum Dunelm. remanebunt, &c. P'dci autem hoi'es prioris de Elvet & de veteri burgo Dunelm. utantur eisdem mensuris & ponderibus quibus hoi'es ep'i utuntur in burgo suo Dunelm. This convention was rati∣fied and exemplified by bishop Hatfield †. That prelate, in 1379, made a con∣firmatory grant of tenements, given to the priory by bishop Bury, wherein they are distinctly described, "Un. mess. & quatuor cot. cum p'tin. in Elvet in Dun. &c. un. gardinu et tres acras prati cum pertin. in vet'i burgo Dun. &c.‡"—In a licence from bishop Dudley, 1483, to the convent, to put lands in mortmain, Elvet is thus mentioned: Baronia de Elvet juxta Dun. burgo de Elvet juxta Dun.— Vet'i burgo Dun.—Vic. Sc'i Egidii juxta Dun,—Burgo Dun.—& ballio australe Dun§. Here we see the barony of Elvet, the borough of Elvet, the old borough of Dur∣ham, and the borough of Durham: The reader will immediately draw the dis∣tinction, and with it, we presume, this inference, that the borough of Elvet, the borough of Durham, and the old borough of Durham, are several; the name of the borough of Durham being solely applied to the present city ‖.

Having trespassed much on the reader's patience, we proceed with the parish of St Oswald. There are two streets, the one called Old Elvet, the other New Elvet; from New Elvet branches out a street, called Hallgarth-street; from the prior's hall, named in the records Elvet Hall, the manor and barony house standing therein ¶.

At the end of this street is a lofty hill of a conical figure, called Mont'joye, rising from the plain or valley, (but on the opposite side of the river to Old Durham) where we have presumed the Saxons sat down with the remains of St Cuthbert. In French history we find a definition of this historical title, for there the name of Mont-joye is given to heaps of stones laid together by pilgrims, on which crosses are erected, when they come within view of the end of their journey; and so betwixt St Dennis, in France, and Paris, they are called St Dennis's mont-joyes. When the travellers, bearing St Cuthbert's remains, arrived here, they would view the whole ground of their destination; and it lies in the exact line in which we presume they made their pro∣gress from Ripon. The extremity of New Elvet bears the name of Church-street.

The church stands in a fine elevated situation, on the brink of the river. Much conjecture arises in etymologies; perhaps the situation gave the name to Elvet, de∣rived from the French elevè, lofty, sublime. The street of Old Elvet is very broad, excellently paved, and well built : New Elvet is narrower, rises with a steep ascent, and has many ancient buildings. The gardens of each are beautiful; those of the former inclining to the race-ground, having a view of Pelaw wood, the river, and St Giles's: The others hanging on the banks of the river, and its prin∣cipal edifices.

The church † stands in the center of a very large yard or burial ground, and having been built of stone subject to decay, is in most parts covered with rough-cast

and lime: It is of such antiquity, that we find one Dolfinus mentioned as priest

there in 1156. This is a regular edifice, having two side ailes of a similar form: The length of the nave is twenty-nine paces, the middle aile is eight paces wide, and the side ailes six paces each: It is supported on pillars, five in each row, three to the east are round, and two to the west octagonal, light, and of a good height; the capitals ornamented with rolls: The arches are circular: The arch which sup∣ports the tower, and that which opens the chancel, are pointed: The upper win∣dows of the nave are regular, five on each side, with elliptic arches: The sout haile is lighted by five side windows, three are east of the door, and two to the west, and there is a window at each end, all with pointed arches: The north aile has but three side windows, two to the east of the door, with elliptic arches, and one to the west, and a window at each end with pointed arches. Those variances shew, at different periods, material alterations have been made in this fabric. The pulpit is placed against the first south pillar . In the south wall, under the windows, are four arches for tombs, but no effigies or inscription; neither is there any tradition for whom they were made. The font is a large stone bason, and there is a gallery over it which fills the whole west end of the nave. The roof is of wood, in the vault form, of excellent workmanship, jointed with rose knots, the rafters support∣ed

on brackets, ornamented with cherubs bearing shields, but without blazoning of arms. One of the knots, in the center of the arch, is painted blue, with an inscrip∣tion in a circle in letters of gold, of the old black character: Orate p' A. W. Cat∣ten, vicr. We presume Catten caused the roof to be constructed in its present beautiful form, and find a Will. de Catten vicar in 1411. The church is well stalled, the chancel remarkably neat, and kept with that pious decency which is ne∣cessary to the solemnities of divine worship: It is 12 paces in length to the steps of the altar rails, and six wide: The altar is elevated six steps, and the space within the rails is upwards of 12 feet: The east window consists of four lights, under a pointed arch; there are three windows on the north side, and four on the south, some of which are modern: Behind the table, and on each side, it is wainscotted, painted, and gilded; and below the rails, the chancel is regularly stalled in the cathedral form with oak, having a large seat at each side of the entrance gate. The roof is flat and stuccoed. The vestry room is also very neat. There is much broken painted glass in the windows, but no figure perfect. Against the second pillar, chained to a desk, is "The defence of the apology of the church of England," with the sermon preached at Paul's cross, by the bishop of Sarum, 1560, and other curious tracts. In the tower is a set of six musical bells. The vicarage house is sweetly situated at the north entrance into the church-yard, on the banks of the river.

The parish of St Oswald lies in the deanry of Chester, from which it is dis∣tant about seven miles; being a Peculiar belonging to the dean and chapter of Dur∣ham, it pays no procurations to their official, or to the archdeacon of Durham: Since the year 1660, no churches exempt from archidiaconial jurisdiction, and sub∣ordinate to the dean and chapter of Durham, have paid any procurations to the of∣ficial. This church is dedicated to the royal Saint Oswald.

There were two chantries in this church: One dedicated to St John the Baptist and St John the Evangelist, annual value 12l. 9s. 4d. was founded by Rich. de Elvet, cl. John de Elvet, cl. and Gilbert de Elvet. Walter, bishop of Durham, granted them licence, dated the 5th of June, 1402, to erect a chantry of one chap∣lain, at the altar of St John the Baptist and St John the Evangelist, that they, their

ancestors and heirs, might be prayed for, and that lands and rents of the annual income of ten marks might be given to the chaplain and his successors for ever: Accordingly the manor of Edderacres with its appurtenances, a messuage in Flesh∣ewergate in the borough of Durham, two messuages in the borough of Elvet, and one messuage in Old Elvet described to be near the cemetery of St Oswald, all which were of the real value of 6l. 10s. were conveyed over to the chaplain and his sucessors for ever, by the bishop's consent, the 26th of April, 1403 †. The other chantry was dedicated to St Mary the Virgin ‡, annual value 4l. Walter, bishop of Durham, granted his licence, dated the 20th of September, 1392, to John Sharp and Wm de Middleton, chaplains, to give two messuages with their appurtenances in Elvet, of the yearly value of 12s. to Alan Hayden, chaplain, custos of the blessed Mary's chantry in this church, to be held by him and his successors for ever, for their better support and maintenance §.

There was an hospital dedicated to St Leonard, in this parish; but who was the founder, what was the constitution, or the time of its building, remain unknown: It is not named in the Monasticon, or any other authorities before us, save those of the church of Durham. We are led to conjecture that this hospital stood at Beau∣trove or Butterby, as that manor is tithe-free, and situated near the medicinal springs hereafter noted.

Adjoining to the south wall of the church-yard, is a field, called the Anchorage, (or Anchoritage, Hermitage, or Hermit's close) and adjoining thereto is a field called the Palmer's (or Mendicant's) close; but we have met with no evidence re∣lative to a hermitage here.

From the south-west corner of the church-yard you enter upon those beautiful natural scenes which border the river. A walk is laid open, and kept in order for the recreation of the public, at the charge of the dean and chapter, whose bene∣volence on this and various other occasions, demands the warmest acknowledg∣ments. Mr Pennant, speaking of the banks, says, they

are covered with wood, through which are cut numbers of walks, contrived with judgment, and happy in the most beautiful and solemn scenery. They impend over the water, and receive a most venerable improvement from the castle and ancient cathedral, which tower far above.

The banks are steep, and cloathed with forest trees;

in several parts the rocks break forth, where venerable oaks are suspended: The river, with a pure and tranquil stream, glides at the bottom of the hill, reflecting the noble objects which crown her banks: Here the opening valley pours forth a ri∣vulet, and there the solemn dell, with Nature's wildest beauties, yawns with broken rocks, which yield the living fountain from their lips, whilst each brow is crowded with bending oaks, whose naked talons and twisted arms rival each other in gro∣tesque figure. You see the towers of the cathedral rising sublimely from the wood, and lifting their solemn battlements to the clouds; and beyond those the turrets of the castle, on their rocky base; whilst on the other hand, the houses of South-street are stretched along the summits of hanging gardens: In front is an elegant new bridge of three arches, through the bows of which, at the first distance, are seen a fine canal of still water, with a mill; at the second distance, Framwelgate bridge, of two elliptic arches; and through the bows of the second bridge, the pleasant villa of Crook Hall , with the rising grounds behind it. This prospect, perhaps, is not to be equalled in the environs of any city in the known world. On turning about, you have a view not less pleasing for its simplicity; you command the walk before noted, with a fine bend of the river, forming a crescent; the banks richly cloathed with wood, and crowned with the church of St Oswald. This walk is much fre∣quented, and deservedly has the applause of every traveller. We present to the reader two plates of those favourite views on the banks.

The New Bridge was erected in 1781, at the expence of the dean and chapter, by Mr Nicholson their architect: It is upon a beautiful modern plan, the arches semicircular, with a balustraded battlement. There was formerly a narrow bridge near this place for horses to pass, which was carried away by the floods in 1771 †: The accident proved fortunate for the public, as it occasioned the present hand∣some structure ‡ to be erected, which being of a suitable width, the chapter permit gentlemen's carriages to pass thereon, without toll.

FRAMWELGATE BRIDGE, seen upon this view, has one pier and two elliptic arches, of ninety feet span, so flat as to be constructed on the quarter section of a circle, calculated to suit the low shores on each side: The masonry is plain, but ex∣cellent, as is proved by its age; it was built by bishop Flambard, has stood near seven hundred years, and is perhaps the finest model of bridge-building, of that antiquity, in Britain. A gateway tower which stood on the city end of the bridge, was removed of late years for the conveniency of carriages, which have encreased amazingly in number within this century. Bishop Bainbrigg granted to prior Castel and the convent, all the waste land between this bridge and Elvet bridge,

reserving certain privileges to him and his successors and their tenants; and bishop Kellow granted them the fishery.

CROOK HALL, which we mentioned in the preceding page, took its name from a family of Crook who settled there in the times of king Edward II. and III. they having disused the name of Sidgate manor, its ancient title. In the time of Edward III. it became the possession of Billingham, of Billingham, who held it for many ages; and we find by the proceedings on an elegit, in 1651, this was the estate of Thomas Billingham, and therein it is mentioned as being the capital house of the manor of Sidgate†. The dean and chapter have a yearly payment out of the lands of Crook hall of 53s. 4d. for tithes ‡.

Park-keepers have been appointed by patent for Frankleyn for many ages §.

At the distance of half a mile from Crook Hall is NEWTON HALL, one of the seats of Sir Henry George Liddell, bart. The situation is lofty and beautiful, com∣manding a fine prospect of the city and adjacent country: It is a handsome modern house, sheltered with plantations, and environed with rich meadow lands. Newton is named among those tenements, which, the monastic writers tell us, the bishops yielded up to the earls of Northumberland, to enable them by their issues, the bet∣ter to prosecute the wars of those times; which, when once severed from the church, were refused to be restored, and in time became lay fees: But afterwards, when the See was settled at Durham, the church was reinstated in all its ancient

possessions. By the Boldon book we learn the abbot of Peterborough had New∣ton by agreement and free alms of the bishop; and that Radulphus Clericus held certain lands there, as well the estate of Robert Tit, as what he had of the bishop, in exchange for lands in Middleham. Bishop Pudsey granted Newton to Roger de Reding, (who afterwards appears to have taken the name of Roger de Newton) under a reserved rent of eight marks of silver: It soon afterwards was part of the possessions of the ancient family of Bowes, for bishop Bury, by his deed, dated in 1337, rehearsing several conveyances, confirms to Adam de Boughes the several lands therein named, for the twentieth part of a knight's fee, and 20s. 1d. rent payable at the bishop's exchequer. In 1345, bishop Hatfield also confirms the same; and in 1447, bishop Nevil, by inspeximus of all the former instruments, confirms the several premisses to William Bowes†. In bishop Bury's time we see Nicholas Scriptor in possession of sixty acres inter Petariam de Newton & Aldnew∣ton, held in capite by service and fealty, and 5s. rent payable at the bishop's ex∣chequer in Durham, and 13s. 4d. to John de Akeley, and 6s. to Alice, the widow of Rich. de Belle, for life‡. By bishop Hatfield's survey it is stated, that John Heron, esq was in possession of Newton per servic. forin§, and cvjs. viijd. rent. The heirs of William de Kirkenny had x acres called Kyowlawe, rendering a pound of cumin: And of the lands there termed lands of the exchequer, William Bowes, esq held 40 acres of freehold, formerly the right of the scribe called Fyngall, ren∣dering 5s. besides him sundry other persons held lands of that tenure. By an in∣quisition taken on the death of Elizabeth the widow of Robert Bowes, it appears that she had dower assigned at Newton‖. On the death of her heir Sir William del Bowes, we find he died seised int. al's of the capital messuage of Newton, with

two hundred acres of land there, of the gift of the bishop. This estate continued in the family of Bowes till the fifth year of bishop Pilkington, when Geo. Bowes, esq obtained a licence to alien to Anth. Middleton. It afterwards became the estate of Thomas Blakiston, esq who conveyed it to Marmaduke Blakiston, clerk, one of the prebendaries of Durham, in the seventh year of bishop James†; and he sold it to the family of Liddell.

At the distance of two short miles from Newton stands

FINCHALE,

on the banks of the river Were. It was a place of some consequence in the early ages of the British church, for we hear of a synod being held here in the year 792‡, in the time of Higbald, bishop of Lindisfarn, for the purpose of regulating church dis∣cipline and manners: And it seems another synod was held here in the year 810§.

In the beginning of the twelfth century, St Godric, a hermit, sought this seclud∣ed situation for his devotions, mortifications, and severities, where he lived sixty-six years, and died in the year 1170. Soon after the hermit settled here, bishop Flambard granted to the monastery of Durham, in free alms, the hermitage of Finchale, with its waters, fishings, rights, and privileges, subject to Godric's life, who should hold of them; and after his death, that it might be the habitation of such of their brethren as they should appoint‖. Gul. Neubrigensis, gives a parti∣cular account of this man. In cibo et potu, in verbo et gestu, homo simplicissimus, decente cum gravitate servare modum studuit. velox ad audiendum, tardus autem ad loquendum, & in ipsa locutione parcissimus. The hermit erected a small chapel here, and dedi∣cated it to St John the Baptist: Though he died in great agonies, this writer des∣cribes him in vultu autem ejus mira quedam dignitas et decus insolitum visebatur¶. As to

[figure]

[figure] view of Finchale Abbey

FINCHALE ABBEY.

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his way of life, take the same author, Quem tandem post multam lustrationem inveniens, ibidem, cum sorore paupercula primum, & ea defuncta solus, multo tempore habitavit.

About the year 1180, bishop Pudsey granted a foundation charter for a cell at Finchale , by which it appears two monks of Durham, Reginald and Henry, had possessed themselves of Godric's hermitage, and had some allowances made them for their support. Henry, the bishop's son, was about to found a religious house at Backstanford †, which the convent of Durham did not approve, being esteemed an intrusion on their rights; an agreement soon took place on the following terms; the convent granted to Henry, Finchale, with its appurtenances, to the intent that he should build a church there, and institute a convent of monks; thus he was in∣duced to transfer his works of piety to this retirement, where he erected proper accommodations for a colony of Benedictines, chosen out of the convent of Dur∣ham, over whom was placed Thomas the sacrist, as prior, in the year 1196. This house received considerable augmentations by various pious donations ‡.

When the church and other edifices at Finchale were erected, the remains of which are yet standing, it is not possible to determine with precision, no evidence thereof being found in the archives of the dean and chapter: From the order of building seen in some parts of the ruins, much may be attributed to Henry the bishop's son; but other parts appear of older date. The solemn remains are

situated in a very deep vale, on the banks of the river, where the stream making a sweep, forms a little level plot, which is almost covered with the buildings; shel∣tered to the north by the lofty rocks and hanging woods of Cocken, and on every other side by steep hills. The river flows swiftly over a rocky channel; and the murmuring of the waterfalls is re-echoed from the groves and cliffs. The present buildings are much disunited, so that it is impossible to trace all the ancient offices of this religious mansion.

At the entrance into the church, at the west end, on the right-hand, is a square vault, the roof of which is groined from the angles and the side walls, and support∣ed in the center by a short octagonal pillar: There was an aqueduct to this place, and it had an upper apartment. The church, though small, is in the form of a cross; the gateway, at the west end, has a pointed arch of several members, rising from small round columns or pilasters, with plain capitals: The nave is twenty-eight paces in length, and seven in width. In the center of the cross it appears there has been a tower or spire, supported on four circular pillars, very short and heavy, exceeding even part of Durham cathedral for disproportion: The pillars are so massive, that one of them contains a turpike staircase, which led to the super∣structure; they form a square of equal sides, twenty-one feet from pillar to pillar, the capitals of an octagonal form: The center had a dome or vaulted roof, with in∣tersecting ribs, and on the east side one pointed arch remains. In the etching given in Stevens' Monasticon, drawn by King, a short octagonal spire of stone is placed on the tower. On the north side of the nave, are four pillars supporting pointed arches; the pillars round, with capitals formed of double rolls, constructed of a durable stone, and entire; the south side is close, a long cloister or passage running on the outside to communicate with the south limb of the cross. The north and south limbs of the cross are exactly equal in length and width, being twelve paces long and seven broad: They are very ill lighted; one great window in the south limb, towards the east, being the chief: Indeed it appears that those parts have been added to the original structure, or rebuilt; as they are in no wise similar to the other parts in masonry or materials. The choir is remarkable; from the east window, ten paces in length, it is inclosed with high dark walls, and from thence to the cross, being nine paces, (the whole nineteen paces long) are two round columns on each side, similar to those in the nave, bearing three pointed arches: The east window has been sive paces wide, (as appears from the measure∣ment of the sole, for all the rest is gone) with outward buttresses, ornamented with stone pinnacles, one of which on the south side still remains. It is very singular that windows of a modern date have been placed between the pillars, to fill up the arches, formed of a yellow and perishable kind of stone; which work now separates itself from the arches: The yellow stone has been won from the bed of the river, and is of the same kind with those of which the out-buildings are constructed; the co∣lumns and arches are of a bluer nature, and in no wise injured by time; they seem to be of the Normandy stone, much like the columns and castings of several of the ancient castles. Allowing this observation to be just, we should be apt to conjec∣ture these columns and arches originally divided the center from a side aile; but

on strict search, no foundations or other work was discovered which could encourage this idea: If there were no side ailes, then this was a fabric of singular construction; for it will follow, that the nave and part of the choir were open to the air on the sides, like a cloister: There is something similar in the abbey of Furness, in Lan∣cashire, where a part on the north side is open. The founder, in imitation of the severities of St Godric, might think it expedient to deprive the monks of indul∣gence, and leave the church open to the air; but in after ages, when the religious professed more outside shew than real zeal, yielded to the fascinations of luxury, and studied gratifications and softness, they closed the arches with windows, made covered passages, and transformed this building to its present model: As its solenm beauties are much admired, if the windows were displaced, and the co∣lumns and arches laid open, it would greatly improve its appearance, and render it still a finer objet from the walks of Cocken.

The rest of the monastic buildings are very ragged and ruinous: In one part a bow window is projected from a pilaster in the wall, and seems to have appertained to some chief apartment. The hall or refectory has been a handsome edifice; it stands on the south side of a court, nearly of equal sides, about twenty-six paces every way; is twelve paces long, and eight wide, within the walls; having five re∣gular windows to the south, and four to the north; in the staircase or entrance is a large window to the south: The vault underneath is supported by a row of four octagonal pillars in the center, without capitals, from whence the groins are sprung; the pilasters in the walls and angles are capitalled; the ribs are of hewn stone, meeting in points, and the interstices of the vault wedged with thin stones; the whole a fine piece of architecture. This vault is lighted by six small windows to the south, and is not above eight feet in height to the crowns of the arches.

It is said that St Godric, and also Henry de Puteaco, or Pudsey, lie interred here; but the floor of the church is covered with ruins, and grown over with brambles and weeds, so as to prevent, without much labour, a search for their tombs .

The revenues of this house, 26th king Henry VIII. were valued at 122l. 15s. 3d. according to Dugdale, and 146l. 19s. 2d. Speed. At the dissolution it consisted of a prior and eight monks †. The manor and cell of Finchale were part of the pos∣sessions restored to the church on the foundation of a dean and chapter, by king Henry's deed of endowment.

Finchale being part of the prebendal corps lands, the beauty of the retirement induced Mr Spence to make a good room in the farm-house near the abbey, with a bow-window overhanging the murmuring streams of the Were, and looking upon the sweet sequestered walks of Cocken, but turning its back upon the vener∣able ruins.

The pleasant village of SHINCLIFF lies within a mile of Durham, sheltered by hills on every side, except towards the south-west, where it opens to the river Were, with rich meadow lands. Bishop Carilepho granted it with other lands to the convent of Durham †. There was an ancient bridge over the river at this place, which, in bishop Fordham's time, was gone to decay; collections have been made for repairing it, but the money being embezzeled or misapplied, a commission of account issued, dated 14th of January, 1385‡: It seems the measure was ineffectual, for his successor, bishop Skirlaw, erected a stone bridge of three arches, which stood till the year 1752, when the violent flood on the 7th of February undermined and threw down one of the piers, which carried with it two of the arches; the bridge was restored the following summer at the public expense §. It is said Shincliff was the birth place of bishop Sever, abbot of St Mary's, York. We find the family of Aslakby had possession here in bishop Langley's time. It has been the seat of the family of the Hoppers of late years, whose present representative is Robert Hopper Williamson, esq

Near this village William Rudd, esq built his villa, seated in a delightful retire∣ment, commanding a solemn view of the sequestered vale, with its hanging woods, which form a beautiful amphitheatre; a scene excellently adapted to study and contemplation.

On the other side of the river stands Houghall, part of the prebendal lands of the church. The manor house was built by prior Hotoun, who, notwithstanding the embarrassments he suffered under the persecuting spirit of bishop Bek, com∣pleted this and other considerable pious works. No certain etymology of the name of this place is obtained; from its situation, in a low and watry plain, we may adopt the word hough, which in this country has acceptation for a plain by the side of the river; which is sufficiently descriptive of the scite of this place. There was in the cathedral church, as before noted, an altar called Howall's altar, erected

perhaps by some benefactor who bestowed this place on the church; or indeed it might be called Hotoun's hall, from the prior who built it in the thirteenth century; the corruption to Houghhall seems a familiar one. The house has been moated round and otherwise fortified: Tradition says Sir Arthur Hazelrigge possessed it, and that Oliver lodged there for some time; it is certain it was refitted, and perhaps put into a state of defence by some of that party; the arms of Cromwell now remain on one of the mantle-pieces in the house.

At the distance of a mile to the south-west, but on the opposite side of the river, stands

BUTTERBY,

anciently written Beautrove, from its beautiful situation. The river Were runs almost round the chief part of the estate, the neck of land which divides the streams being only about two hundred yards wide. Here, it has been imagined, stood the ancient hospital of St Leonard; the founder and institution not now known. The lands are remarkably fertile; the river near the house falls swiftly over a rough channel, under high rocky shores and hanging woods: On the more distant side of the estate the river flows deep and slow, forming a canal a mile in length, where the adjacent lands make a considerable plain. There is not a sweeter rural scene in the whole county, unadorned and in simple nature, for art has not yet extended her hand hither, further than in the ordinary course of agri∣culture. As this place is remarkable for its beauty, so it is for natural curiosities; surrounded with the river, from the fissure of a rock, which lies about forty feet from the shore, flows a considerable spring of salt water, mixed with a mineral quality. The situation of this spring subjects it to a mixture of fresh water, so that it is difficult to know how much salt it contains in its purest state; on several trials it has yielded double the quantity produced from sea water. The shore for a con∣siderable distance shews many ouzings, or small issues of salt water; from which cir∣cumstance, and by a dike or break of the rocks in the channel of the river, a little above the spring, it is presumed a rock or bed of salt might be won of some value: It has never been searched for; the family who lately possessed the estate, from a love of retirement and ease, neglected a trial. The spring is much resorted to in sum∣mer for its medical qualities; but as the well is not inclosed by any building, it is frequently overflowed by the river. This water is reputed to be an effectual reme∣dy for a disease known among people employed in smelting and refining houses be∣longing to the lead works. Half a pint is sufficiently purgative for the strongest person. Within a few yards of the salt spring, on the opposite shore, is a fluent spring strongly impregnated with sulphur, without any vitriolic or other compound.

The prospect from an adjacent head-land, called Croxdale Scar, is deservedly admired by every visitant: It commands an extensive view of the valley towards the west, with the channel of the river for several miles through a country highly cultivated. Over a fine plain, at the distance of a mile, are seen Sunderland bridge of four arches, with Croxdale, the beautiful seat-house of William Salvin, esq on the left, and Burnigill on the right; the scene animated by passengers on the great southern turnpike road: Beyond the bridge the vale narrows and winds towards the south, diversified by woodlands, cottages, and inclosures: To the right you look down upon the vale of Butterby, belted round with the crystal waters of the Were, and the eye traces its varied shores, its rocks and sylvan scenes: Be∣yond which lies an extended valley, terminated by the village of Shincliff, and in∣closed on every side with lofty forests.

The manor-house of Butterby stands in a pleasant garden, which, with the whole offices are inclosed by a deep moat, walled round, and though now dry, is capable of being filled with water to the depth of 15 feet: The entrance is by a strong gate∣way and bridge. The secluded situa••ion of the house shuts it from distant pros∣pects; but such as it commands are romantic and rural. In cleansing the moat some years ago, in a large stone trough were found a coat of mail, with a cap of chain work quilted in canvas, a halbert, breastplate and buckler: In an adjacent field, where it is supposed an ancient chapel stood, many stone coffins and holy water jars were dug up.

This is a manor and constablery of itself, free of all manner of tithes, paying a prescript rent of 1l. 13s. 4d. to the curate of Croxdale, at Midsummer.

Butterby was part of the ancient possessions of the Lumleys, of Lumley castle: Sir Marmaduke Lomeley held it, and from him it descended to Robert his son, who died seised thereof in the 36th year of bishop Hatfield, 1381, as appears by an in∣quisition taken at Durham, before Will. del Bowes, escheator: Ralph de Lumley was his brother and heir, and was possessed thereof at the time of his attainder, 1st king Henry IV. 1329; after which, in great bounty, the crown in the following year granted to Eleanor his lady, daughter of John lord Nevil of Raby, and sister of Ralph earl of Westmoreland, 20l. a year out of the duties of Hull, together with the manors of Beautrove and Stranton: Thomas, her eldest son, died possessed of the castle of Lumley, and manors of Stanley, Stanton, Ricklesden, and Beautrove, in the 5th Henry IV. leaving his eldest son Sir John, who was restored in blood in the thirteenth year of that reign. As we do not find Beautrove in any future in∣quisitions taken on the deaths of the Lumley family, we may conclude it passed as a marriage portion with Margaret, one of the daughters of Ralph Lumley, who mar∣ried Sir John Clervaux of Croft, or otherwise sold into that family; for Elizabeth, the heiress of Clervaux, married Christopher Chaytor, and carried with her large pos∣sessions: And we find, in the 8th year of queen Elizabeth, this Christ. Chaytor was possessed of Beautrove, and suffered a recovery thereof in Cur. D'nae reginae apud Dunelm. Had this estate come into the crown by the attainder of George Lumley, in the 29th king Henry VIII. we know of no grant of so early a date as to admit such limitations taking place in the Chaytors' family, as required a recovery being suffered, as before noted, to dock and defeat the same; the whole length of time being only, a period of twenty years. Nicholas Chaytor, of Croft, in the county of York, esq by his will, dated February 8, 1665, made several provisions out of this manor for his younger children, and subject thereto the estate descended to his eldest son Sir William Chaytor†. In the 6th year of king William III. 1695, an act

of parliament was obtained, intituled, an act to vest certain lands of Sir William Chaytor, bart . in Yorkshire and Durham, to be sold for payment of debts charged thereon, and to secure portions for younger children; by virtue of which the manor of Butterby was sold in 1713, to Thomas, John, and Humphrey Doubleday, sons of Robert Doubleday, then late of Jarrow, in this county, a Quaker family, under which purchase it soon after became the sole property of Humphrey, save one-third of the salt-springs reserved to the use of John Doubleday and his heirs. Humphrey's eldest son, Martin Doubleday, dying a bachelor, he devised the manor with his other estates, to his mother, who, by her will, devised the same upon trust to be sold; and it hath lately been purchased by Mr Ward of Sedgefield.

About a mile south of Butterby is

CROXDALE,

the seat of the family of Salvin†; an excellent house, placed on a lofty situation, and commanding a most beautiful prospect of the vale through which the river Were winds its course, stretching several miles towards the south-west; Sunderland bridge is in front, and the enlivened prospect of the great southern road with the passengers, at the agreeable distance of half a mile. It is bordered by extensive woods and plantations, and embellished with pleasure grounds and gardens in a good taste.

The first mention made of Croxdale in the records before us, is in bishop Lang∣ley's inspeximus, dated 1431 ‡, of a grant of bishop Anthony Bek, dated 1299, whereby the prelate granted to Walter de Robiry, certain lands of Queryndon moor, extending to the fields of Croxdale; and also an inspeximus of Richard of Routhbery's grant of the same lands to John de Denum ‖; another inspeximus of a

grant from John de Denum to Richard de Routhbery for life, of the manor of Croxdale, with the before mentioned lands, by the service of a rose at the feast of St John the Baptist. In the 37th year of bishop Hatfield, the manor was in the possession of Robert de Whalton, who obtained licence to alien the same, with limitations to his issue. In the 14th year of bishop Skirlaw, A. D. 1402, it ap∣pears by an inquisition, that the manor of Croxdale was in the hands of trustees, to the use of the heirs of Robert Tirwhit, held of the lord bishop in capite, by suit at three head courts.

In 1474, we find Croxdale was become the possession of the Salvin family, and that Gerard Salvin died seised of the manor†, and Gerard was his son and heir, then

of the age of twenty-one years and upwards, from which time the family have held an uninterrupted possession.

There is a chapel here under St Oswald's, which being only three miles from Durham, was generally served by a monk from the convent: It is a mean building, consisting of a nave or body and chancel, very dark, and in poor repair: No arms or monuments, or any thing memorable. It is in the deanry of Easington, and a Peculiar belonging to the dean and chapter of Durham, not certified or in charge, consequently pays no first-fruits or tenths, but only 2s. 6d. as procurations to the bishop. The real value (1767) was 52l. 10s .

A small rivulet runs at the foot of the pleasure grounds, called Croxdale beck; this water passes through a very romantic channel, and supplies a paper-mill: It makes its way in a deep and narrow dell, just sufficient to admit a winding road to the mill. The rocks on each hand are shaken and columnar, affording several grand and awful scenes; the precipices overhang the vale; and large forest trees, bend∣ing from the cliffs, extend their solemn shade on every side. The natural grottos watered with cascades, the mossy banks, the falling streams of the brook, the gloom of the thick foliage, the grotesque rocks, the spreading arms of the oaks, the grassy plots that border the rivulets, all conspire to please the mind that has a taste for solitude, romantic scenes, and rural meditation. Was a little art employed to smooth the paths, to remove some few deformities, and with a skilful hand to dress the wild beauties of the vale, we know not where a more extraordinary scene could be found. The dell is so deep, that on very few days in the year the sun's rays touch the mill-house, and a person might live there for an age and never enjoy that spectacle. In days of deep ignorance and superstition, this dell was thought to be the residence of evil spirits; an idea which gained credit, perhaps, from its being a place resorted to by robbers and vagabonds. To banish the infernal inhabitants, a cross was erected here, which gave name to the adjacent lands, this being in se∣veral old writings wrote Croixdale; so the desert of Cross-fell, in Cumberland, is in old authors and charts called Fiends Fell; and since the erection of a cross there∣on, to vanquish the legions of Satan, it has obtained the present name of Cross-Fell.

Returning towards Durham by the turnpike road,

BURNHALL

lies to the left, the seat of Geo. Smith, esq The house stands in a low situation, on the banks of the river Bourn or Brune, from whence the house took its name. Mr Smith has made great improvements to his seat and adjacent lands: A farm∣house,

on the opposite side of the turnpike road, is called Old Burnhall. In the 25th year of bishop Hatfield, we find this manor was the estate of Robert de Brackenbury, held of the lord of Brancepeth by the fourth part of a knight's fee, value 10l. In the 5th king Richard II. 1381, it was called in the record Burne∣magna, and was then held by Alicia the daughter and heiress of Gilbert de Brack∣enbury, of John de Nevill, lord of Raby. It came into the family of the Claxtons by marriage with Maud, daughter and heiress of Will. de Brackenbury, and was then held of the earl of Westmorland. It was afterwards the property of the Peacocks †.

Near Burnhall house is a house vulgarly called Farewell Hall, situated on the side of the turnpike road; this was the family house of the Farnhams, who posses∣sed a considerable landed property. The manor of Relley, which lies at the point of land between the rivulets of Brune and Derness, with lands in Aldernage, by the licence of bishop Bury, were purchased by the convent of Durham of Richard de Castro Bernardi ‡.

ALDERNAGE HOUSE, otherwise called Aldin-Grainge, in a pleasant retired situ∣ation on the banks of the Brune, was the place of residence of John Bedford, esq M. D. in the last years of his life; with a considerable estate adjoining, held un∣der the dean and chapter of Durham, by lease for twenty-one years ‖.

BROOME is frequently mentioned in our ancient records. By an inquisition taken in the third year of bishop Bury, it appears, lands in Broome were the pos∣session of Constantia del Brome, who held them in capite by fealty and ten shillings rent, and Thomas del Brome was her son and heir. In the year 1362, Richard de Wyteparys died seised of lands in Netherbrome, held of the bishop of Durham at 6s. 8d. rent, which paid a rent-charge of 20s. yearly to the prior of Durham; and also lands in Overbrome, held of the prior of Durham at 2s. rent. By bishop Hat∣field's

survey it is stated, that one Robert Belford held lands which formerly be∣longed to the family of Brome, and that there were sundry other proprietors, among whom the prior of Durham is noted to be in possession of Wyteparys lands. In the 31st year of bishop Hatfield, by an inquisition taken on the death of Thomas de Hexham, whose heirs are named in the survey before noted, we find he died seised of the manor of Broome, held of the prior of Finchale by fealty and four shillings rent. In a licence of bishop Fordham's, for the priory of Dur∣ham to obtain lands in mortmain, dated 1388, certain lands in Le Brome are mentioned †, formerly the estate of John Cawoode, named in the survey before re∣ferred

to, T'e. de Pr. ut de Cella sua Fynkhall. In the beginning of the fifteenth century, the 27th year of bishop Langley, it became part of the great possessions of the Fossour family, who afterwards wrote their name Forcer.

Part of BEAUREPAIRE, or BEARPARK†, lies in the parish of St Oswald, particularly the remains of the prior's house‡. Originally part of the possessions of the bishop, it was obtained in exchange by prior Ber∣tram, for Moorhouse; who, having a desire for a rural retreat for himself and successors, in this place erected a camera or lodge, with a chapel. Prior Hugh, of Darlington, who succeeded him at the distance of about fourscore years, in bishop Stichill's time, enclosed the park; it is also said by the monkish writers, he built a camera here, which we may conceive implies he added to or improved prior Bertram's erections. Whilst bishop Bek persecuted the convent, he broke down the fences of the park, and drove out the game. In the reign of king Edward II. the Scotch, among other depredations committed in the environs of the city, pil∣laged and defaced this beautiful retreat. Prior Fossour ‖ had great pleasure in this

place; to him we may attribute part of the embellishments, for the architecture of the chapel points out the improvements of a refined age; and as he acceded to his office in 1342, it may be presumed he restored Beaurepaire after the destroying hand of the Scots, in 1346, when David Bruce, as Camden says, ferro & flamma foevisset. As authors are silent touching Beaurepaire from this period, it is probable nothing material happened to it till the dissolution. The manor, with the house and park, were part of the possessions of the monastery, restored by the king's en∣dowment, after the institution of the dean and chapter.

In the time of dean Granville, who was instituted in 1684, an inquisition was taken of the deanry possessions, in which we find Beaurepaire thus described: "Proe∣ter domos sive aedificia apud Dun. fuit & est spectan. ad decan. decanat. Dun. et 40, 50, aut 60 annos ultimo elaps. et ultra, necnon p' te'pus, cujus contrarii memoria hominis non existit, fuit stan. & existen. apud Bearparke, infra com. & dioc. Dun. quaedam domus mansional. vocat. the manor house of Bearpark, quae quidem domus mansionalis distans est a decanatu Dunelm. p' unu. miliare Anglicanu. vel eo circiter; ac infra eand. dom. mansionalem sunt, seu saltem antiquitus & ab initio fuere stan. & existen. Cameae seu partitiones & cellae particular. sequen. viz. a hall, two passages near the hall, one large kitchen and an oven in it, a back room adjoining on the west end of the kitchen, a dining room, a great room leading to the chapel called the dormitory, some arches, and two rooms above the arches, a chapel and a room under it, three rooms or two at least called the prior's chamber, and the western room thereof called the prior's lodgings, a little room adjoining the prior's chamber, a staircase, and vaults under all and every the lower or floor rooms of the said mansion house, excepting the hall and kitchen, and the room aforesaid adjoining the kitchen. And at Bearpark aforesaid, there formerly have been belonging to the said manor house, several courts and gardens that were walled about; and also sundry out-houses, which are now wholly dilapi∣dated, and nothing to be seen or perceived but the ruins thereof. Et etiam sedes, locus, sive villa de Bearparke, est & ab antiquo fuit maneriu. ac domus mansional. terraeq. dominical. ejusd. manerij & aedificiae & structurae reliquae reliqua praementionat. ad cand. dom. mansional. spectan. necnon tenementa & parcu. ejusd. manerij, aliaq. pro∣ficua & emolumenta infra precinctus & territoria dict. manerij annuatim emergen. no'ric sunt pars & parcella corporis decanat. Dun. &c. Et terrae dominical. & tene∣menta ac parcum manerij de Bearparke aliaq. proficua infra terris dom. ejusdem manerii sunt & pro 20, &c. annos ultimo elapsos et ultra fuere annuatim de claro valen. su∣mam 300l. 295l. 290l. 285l. aut 280l. legalis monetae Angliae, ac praed. J. Sudbury durante toto tempore p' q'd fuit decan. ex terris dominical. & tenementis ac parco aliisq. emolumentis manorij de Bearparke, sum'am 6000l. &c. de claro leg'lis monetae Angliae habebat p'cipicbat & in usu. suu. convertebat." The situation of this house is excellent, about two miles to the north-west of Durham, on a lofty eminence, above the rivulet of Brune, in a dry soil, and surrounded with cultivated lands, having a long extended level mead to the south; sine coppices are scattered over the steep descents on both sides of the river; and there is a beautiful prospect to the

north, rendered highly picturesque by the town and church of Witton-Gilbert and the adjacent hamlets. Much destruction has been made in the buildings since dean Granville's time; and nothing but naked and distracted walls remain of this once beautiful place. The chapel is thirteen paces long and eight wide; the east win∣dow consists of three lights, circular at the top and very plain; there are three win∣dows on each side, each divided by a mullion into two lights, their framing on the outside square: The wall is strengthened with a buttress of neat hewn stone work between each window, and a cornice runs round the building of the zig-zag figure: There is a door on the north side of the chapel from the court. The walls of the chapel in the inside are ornamented with a regular succession of small round columns or pilasters, belted in the midst, the capitals filled with a garland of open cut foliage, of a delicate work; from whence spring pointed arches, three pilasters and two arches in each space between the windows: The west end is equally finish∣ed with pilasters and arches; and there is a small window in the center: At each side of the east window is a pedestal, for a statue, of considerable size. The apart∣ment under the chapel is lighted by small square windows; but as the floor of the chapel is gone, it is not easy to determine how it was constructed. Adjoining to the chapel on the west is a long building, the two gabels of which are standing, having a large window of six lights to the south: This was most probably the re∣fectory. On the north are the remains of a building, twenty paces in length, light∣ed to the east by three windows, which we conjecture was the dormitory: The other remains are so ruined and confused, as to render them totally indistinct. There is a door case standing, which has been the entrance into the garden or some chief court, with the arms of the See in the center. The principal parts of this edifice are delineated in the plate on the next page†.

The Scotch army, before the battle of the Red Hills, in 1346‡, (called by many writers the battle of Nevill's Cross, from the cross erected on the ground after the

[figure]

[figure] view of Bear Park

BEAR PARK

victory) lay at Beaurepaire. In the Chronique of William de Pakington, it is thus spoken of:

About this tyme, by the meane of Philip Valoys, king of France, David, king of Scottes enterid yn to the north marches, spoiling and burning, and toke by force the pyle of Lydelle, and causid the noble knight Walter Selby captayne of it, to be slayne afore his owne face, not suffering him so much as to be confessed. And after he cam to the coste of Dyrham, and lay there at a place caullid Beaurepaire, a manor of the prior of Duresme, set in a parke; and thither resorted many of the cuntery aboute, compounding with hym to spare their groundes and manurs. Then William Souch, archebishop of York, the counte of Anegos, Mounseir John de Montbraye, Mounseir Henry de Percy, Mounseir Rafe de Neville, Mounseir Rafe de Hastinges, Mounseir Thomas de Rokeby, then sheriff of Yorkshire, and other knightes and good men of the northe, marchid toward the Scottes, and first lay yn Akeland park, and in the morning encounterid with Syr William Duglas, killing of his band 200 menne; and he, with much payne, escapid to Burepaire, to king David, declaring the cuming of the English host. Wher then king David issued, and faught upon a more nere to Duresme toune, and there was taken prisoner, and with hym Syr Wylliam Douglas, the Counte of Menethe, and the Counte of Fyfe, and greate numbre of the communes of Scotland slayn. The king, because he was wondid in the face, he was caried to Werk, and there he lyd, and thens brought to Lon∣don.

We have repeated this account because it contains some circumstances not named by modern authors. The year in which this battle was fought, was pro∣ductive of the most glorious laurels that wreathed the sword of Edward III. and the Scotch received such humiliations as that nation never before experienced.

The king of England, with an army greatly inferior to his foes, by the valour and intrepid conduct of his heroic son, obtained a glorious victory at Cressy. He then formed a blockade before Calais, which, with other distresses, induced the king of France to send proposals to the court of Scotland, for making an invasion on the borders: The absence of Edward, the vast supplies of men and money which his campaign required, the exhausted state of England, afforded a probable appearance that David's projected expedition might be attended with success: The king of France's object was not honour to the Scotch crown, but to amuse the king of England, or draw off some of his forces: A considerable sum of money and rein∣forcement of troops were sent into Scotland, and the king, with the assent of his parliament assembled at Perth, engaged in the expedition. Edward having enter∣tained doubts, that during his absence a storm would be gathering on the brow of his known adversary, dispatched messengers to the court of Scotland, to amuse by offers of a restitution of Berwick, on condition that the Scotch would stand neuter in the conflicts between England and France; but contrary to the opinion of many of his most skilful peers, David rejected the proposed terms of amity, and prepared to invade England: He collected a powerful army, consisting, according to Rapin, of 30,000 men; other authors, particularly Froissart, Speed, Barnes, and Knighton greatly exaggerate the numbers; with these, in the beginning of October, 1346, David entered England by the western march, shewing tokens of a bloody and sa∣vage mind in his outset, by putting the garrison of Liddell tower to the sword, and marking his progress through Cumberland with wanton slaughter and desolation. He advanced to the county of Durham, and approached the city. The queen of England summoned the prelates and military tenants to attend her at York, where measures were concerted for opposing the invaders, and a body of troops, amount∣ing to about 16,000 men, were assembled with all speed; whilst David, with his army, lay at Beaurepaire, the associate lords encamped in Auckland park. Douglas, with a chosen troop, reconnoitering the English, was engaged near Merrington; his detachment was put to the rout, and he escaped to the king with much peril. Rapin tells us, the queen of England led the English forces to battle; but that as∣sertion is not supported by any cotemporary writer of credit: David looked upon his adversaries as a raw and undisciplined army, not able to stand against his hardy veterans, and shewed signs of great impatience before the troops engaged, pre∣suming that victory was certain, and that the riches of the city were due to his plundering soldiers: The English army was drawn up in four divisions; lord Henry Percy commanded the first, supported by the earl of Angus, the bishop of Durham, and several northern nobles; the second body was led by the archbishop of York, accompanied by the bishop of Carlisle, and the lords Nevill and Hastings; the bishop of Lincoln, the lord Mowbray, and Sir Thomas Rokesby led the third di∣vision; and at the head of the fourth was Edward Baliol, supported by the arch∣bishop of Canterbury, the lord Roos, and the sheriff of Northumberland: Each division consisted of four thousand men, and the archers and men at arms were distributed through the whole corps: The author of the Border History, probably from his own conjecture, for he quotes no authority, alledges

That besides the

forces above named, a strong and gallant party under the lords Deincourt and Ogle, guarded queen Philippa, who, in the morning before the battle, having rode along the ranks, and exhorted every man to do his duty, to maintain the honour of his king and country, and take revenge upon their barbarous inva∣ders, recommended her people to the protection of God, and retired to a small distance from the place of action.

The Scotch army was drawn out in three divisions; the first was led by the high steward of Scotland, and the earl of March; the earl of Murray and lord Douglas commanded the second; and the third, con∣sisting of choice troops, in which were incorporated the flower of the Scottish no∣bility and gentry, sustained by the French auxiliaries, was commanded by the king in person. With much heroic ardour the Scotch king ordered the trumpets to sound the charge: The high steward, who led the van, being sore galled by the English archers, rushed on with such impetuous fury, that he threw them into con∣fusion, and drove them back on lord Henry Percy's division; and the Scotch push∣ing on vigorously with their broad swords and battle axes, broke them so much, that if relief had not instantly been sent them, they would have been put to the rout; but Baliol, rushing in with a body of horse, threw the Scotch battalion into confusion, and gave the English time to rally and regain their ground, whilst the high steward was obliged to retreat and reform his distracted array: In this ma∣noeuvre he is said to have shewn great generalship, performing the evolutions in a masterly manner, and with little loss. Baliol, with equal skill, gave his troops breath, made no pursuit, and when least suspected, rapidly charged the king's di∣vision in flank, whilst they fought man to man in front: Unrelieved, and distressed with this complicated battle, the king fought desperately, repeatedly bringing back his flying troops to the charge, encouraging them by his example, his exhortations and prayers: Ashamed to desert their prince in such jeopardy, a brave phalanx threw themselves around him, and fought till their numbers were reduced to little more than eighty: In this desperate state, and bleeding with many wounds, David scorned to ask for quarter, hoping he should still be relieved, At length resistance was vain, a tumultuous multitude, with shouts of victory, rushed upon him; and he at length was made prisoner to John Copeland, a Northumbrian esquire. The division under Douglas and Murray, struck with a panic at the fate of the royal legion, and overpowered with numbers, were soon broken and routed: Murray died on the field, and Douglas was made prisoner, and few of the inferior officers escaped the sword.

The Scotch king, though he had two spears hanging in his body, his leg desperately wounded, and being disarmed, his sword having been beat out of his hand, disdained captivity, and provoked the English by opprobious language to kill him: When John Copeland, who was governor of Roxborough castle, advised him to yield, he struck him on the face with his gauntlet so fiercely, that he knocked out two of his teeth: Copeland conveyed him out of the field as his prisoner. Upon Copeland's refusing to deliver him up (his royal captive) to the queen, who stayed at Newcastle during the battle, the king sent for him to Calais, where he excused his refusal so handsomely, that the king sent him back a reward of 500l. a year in lands, where he himself should chuse it, near his own

dwelling, and made him a knight banneret.

This battle was fought on the 17th of October, 1346, and lasted only three hours, beginning at nine in the morn∣ing, the victory being declared by sound of trumpet at noon: The loss of the enemy was estimated at 15,000, the chief of whom were the earls of Murray and Strathern, the lord constable David Hay, the lord marshal Edward Keith, together with the lords chancellors and chamberlain of Scotland, the lords Philip Meldrum, John Stewart, and Alan Stewart his brother, sir Alexander Bothwell, the king's standard bearer, sir Alexander Ramsay, and others of high rank. Among the prisoners were the earls of Fife, Sutherland, Monteith, Carrick, and Wigton, the lord Douglas, the bishops of St Andrew and Aberdeen, James Douglas, sir Malcolm Fleming, with many men of distinction. Historians have not mentioned what particular loss was sustained on the part of the English. Knighton tells us of four knights and five esquires only, who fell in the field; and Dugdale says the lord Hastings was mortally wounded: But in so bloody a battle it is impossible but many men of distinction would fall in the English army.

The ground where this battle was fought is hilly, and in many parts very steep, towards the river, so that it is not possible to conceive how such an armament could be arranged and engage in any order. The account given of this battle, and of the subsequent transactions of the convent, by the writers of that house, as pub∣lished by Davies, and contained in Sir John Lawson's MSS. and Mr Hogg's Roll, is to the effect given in the notes†. The hilloc called the Maiden's Bower, where St Cuthbert's banner was displayed, whilst the monks put up their prayers to Heaven, within hearing of the noise and bustle of the conflict, where

the battle

[figure]

was (truely) with tumult and gar∣ments rolled in blood,

is yet to be seen in the depth of the valley, by the hedges of Shaw wood.

Near the turnpike road leading from Durham to Newcastle stands AYKLEY-HEADS HOUSE, the property of Mr Francis Johnson, in a fine elevated situation,

commanding picturesque views of several branches of the city of Durham, seen through various openings of the hills: The gardens and pleasure grounds are laid

out in a good taste, and the adjacent lands are highly cultivated: This villa being within a mile of Durham, is a most desirable retreat: The mansion-house was built by Mr John Dixon, an eminent attorney at law, uncle to the present owner; and it is presumed, is not a place of higher antiquity, as we do not find it mentioned in any records, save the proceedings in elegit touching the possessions of Thomas Billingham in the middle of the last century, mentioned with Crookhall.

FRAMWELGATE, called in the old evidences the borough of Framwelgate, being incorporated with the city of Durham, affords no matter for particular attention in this place; what is already said of the city or borough of Durham having immediate

relation thereto. It consists of one long street leading from the bridge towards Newcastle .

CROSGATE, which begins near the bridge, branches out into three limbs; South-street to the lest, and Allergate, or Allertongate, to the right. In the point where South-street separates from Crosgate, on an elevated situation, stands the church or chapel of St Margaret, to which you ascend by two deep flights of steps.

This church has suffered great alterations since its first erection; the architecture being various. The altar is ascended to by three steps, from which the chan∣cel is five paces in length, being eight paces in width; the south side is laid open by a wide pointed arch; the whole extent of the chancel forming a spacious porch; the north side is opened half way by a small arch. The body of the church hath a center and two side ailes, is in length seventeen paces, and of equal width. The south aile is formed by three short round pillars, supporting circular arches; the north aile by three long small pillars, with circular arches. The church is lighted by five modern windows to the south, and four to the north, more ancient. It hath a tower†.

St Margaret's is in the deanry of Chester, and a Peculiar belonging to the dean and chapter of Durham, formerly a chapel of ease to St Oswald's ‡. In the year

1431, the inhabitants of this chapelry obtained a licence for the dedication of the church, and having sepulture there . There was an ancient chantry in this church, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin; but who was the founder is not known. The an∣nual income was 7l. 14s. 8d. out of which is yearly paid to the king's receiver forty shilllings †.

The manor of Harberhouse lies within this chapelry, the ancient estate of the Forcers. In Hatfield's Survey it is said, that William Kellowe held the manor of Harebarowes at two shillings rent ; and we find Agnes de Kellowe died seised thereof in fee tail to her and the heirs of her body begotten by William de Kellowe, in the eleventh year of bishop Langley, A. D. 1417 †, and that Johan, the wife of John Fossour, was her heiress. On the 20th of October, in the first year of bishop Sever, John son and heir of Thomas son and heir, and John and Cecily his wife, had livery of Harberhouse, with lands in Kellowe, Plawsworth, Nunstanton, and Great Kellowe. It continued in the family of Forcer to the death of Basil Forcer, the last male of that house, who died about ten years ago.

The chapelry of

WITTON GILBERT

lies within the parish of St Oswald. The village is pleasantly situated on the north banks of the rivulet Brune, commanding a beautiful prospect to the southward; the ruins of Beaurepaire being the chief objects in front, with the adjacent wooded banks of the rivulet.

This church is dedicated to St Michael, and was founded in the year 1423 ‡; William Battmanson and John Shephardson, soliciting the prior and his brethren under pope Clement III. It is in the deanry of Durham, being anciently a chapel of ease to St Oswald's; is a Peculiar belonging the dean and chapter of Durham,

and not being in charge, pays no first fruits or tenths. The chapel being too small to contain the parishioners, a gallery was built at the west end in 1742. The manor of Witton Gilbert was the estate of Isabell, the wife of William Clax∣ton, esq who married to a former husband William de Laton; on the issue of which first marriage Witton was settled in tail; of that marriage there was issue Elizabeth, who intermarried with Peter Tylliall, chiv†. It descended to Robert their son and heir, and in failure of issue came to his sisters and coheiresses, Isabel, who married John Colvylle, and Margaret, the wife of Christopher Moresby, in whose families it continued in moieties for a considerable time‡. We find Fulford was the possession of the family of Lyndley, in the time of bishop Langley ‖.

KIMBLESWORTH in the old books is called a rectory; the church has long been gone to decay, and the parish united to Witton Gilbert: Was a discharged living in the deanry of Chester, and a Peculiar belonging to the dean and chapter of Durham: It lies about two miles east of Witton, and was given to the monastery of Durham about the year 1220. So far back as the year 1593 we find this church in decay; and by entry made in the parish register of Witton, it appears the parishioners came to the following agreement,—

The Ascension-day being the 9th day of May, viz. A^o D'ni 1593, Mem. That the day and year abovesaid it is concluded and agreed upon between the parishioners of Witton Gilbert and the parish of Kymblesworth, that for ever hereafter, it shall be lawful for the said parishioners of Kymblesworth, in respect of their want of a church at Kymblesworth, to come to the said church of Witton aforesaid to divine service and sacraments, and whatsoever other rites, viz. burials, weddings, and churchings ac∣cordingly as law requireth. Provided always, that our byshop of Durham and Mr Dean do not withstand or let this their grant and agreement. And in con∣sideration

of this abovesaid agreement, the aforesaid parishioners of Kymbles∣worth shall ever hereafter pay or cause to be paid unto the said church of Wit∣ton Gilbert, all and all manner of sessments accordingly to their ancient rent, to pay to the said church of Witton as they pay, viz. so much of the pound as they lay for themselves. And where it was agreed, that in respect of the surplice and other things, that the said parishioners of Kymblesworth should pay 11s. viijd. which 11s. viijd they did pay unto the hands of the church-wardens of Witton Gilbert, upon Trinity Sunday the year abovesaid.

Ra. Eure died seised of the manor of Kymblesworth in the fourth year of bishop Booth, and livery was made to his coheiresses, Ann, the wife of Ra. Constable, Isabel, the wife of William Constable, and Henry Thwaites, his cousins, on the 24th of September, in the first year of bishop Sherwood †, 1485.

Sacriston-heugh, as part of the possessions of the cathedral church, is before noted. Of Simperley we find nothing remarkable in the records.

Notes

• Harl. MSS. 1808.

  Anno d'ni mill'mo, cccxviij^o accidit in epatu Dunelm. res mirabilis et omnino detestabil. q'd cum d'nus Ri'cus Marmeduc Senescall's epi Dunelm. versus comitatu Dunelm. equitaret super veterem pontem Dunelm. intersectus est p' dn'm Rob'tum do Neville cognatum suum. A^o vero sequenti m^o cccxix quo anno rex Ed∣ward—: secundus tennit pascham apud Kirkham cum regina, idem Rob'tus de Neville in superbia filios exco∣municatos & latrones congregavit volens aliqua p'dam in marchia Scocie impetrare. Sed ut accessit ad par∣cum de Bewyk intersectus est p. Jacobum de Douglas & Rad'us de Neville frat. suus junior & heres vit. reser∣vat. et in custodia d'ni Patricij de Dunbarre Comitis Marchic Scocic ut prisonar. detent's & postea feliciter redemptus & liberatus.
• †

  Mr J. Cade, of Durham, in a tract published in the 7th vol. of the Archaeologia, p. 75, has mentioned this place, and some works at Old Durham, extracts from which are placed here, that the reader, and particular∣ly the traveller, may judge for himself on the subject.

  In the first place then, I would observe, that there are several camps or stations in this county, which were undoubtedly of Roman original; but being subse∣quently occupied by different tribes of adventurers, and altered according to their respective modes of de∣fence, this circumstance has caused their primary occupancy to be overlooked by antiquaries. I shall men∣tion particularly those of Mainforth and Maiden castle, (now Old Durham) &c. The latter is the property of J. T••mpest, esq and lies within half a mile of this city, measuring, according to Dr Stukeley's account, about

  View Page 309

  five hundred feet in length, &c. Our camp at Maiden Castle I suppose may have derived its name from the British word mad pulcher or fair, which the Rev. Mr Pegge thus ingeniously explains, in treating of the maiden way or maiden castle, in the county of Westmerland, and which term is particularly applicable to the delightful situation of Old Durham. It also has a better claim to be considered as the Condurcum of the Romans, from which it is about two miles distant, than the camp near Sunderland bridge, (which is evidently of Danish construction) and which the annotator upon Camden says, was the opinion of a very great antiquary. I may likewise observe, with the learned Mr Whitaker and others, that the Romans had generally a summer and a winter station, situated within a few miles of each other, and often on opposite sides of the same river; which entirely coincides with the situation of Chester and this camp; the former might be the summer station, and this the winter. In Hollinshed's Chronicle, first edition, p. 225, we have an account of a memorable siege which this place sustained in favour of king Athelstan, against an army of Scots and Danes, commanded by Godfrey brother to Anlaf, and son to Sithric, the Danish king of the Northumbrians, about the year 930, under the title Duresme, though the foundations of the present city were not laid till sixty years afterwards; and Marianus mentions a synod being held at Dunelhoo, A^o 822. This station, I imagine, was formerly thought of great consequence, but it at length suffered the rate of many others in the northern parts, when William the Conqueror made that horrid devastation between York and this place, and erected his castrum in the new city; the fortifications were then partly level∣led, but enough is left to point out its former magnitude and importance; it being, in my opinion, much larger than Dr Stukeley has described; and the rivulet Pidding, has, with great labour and ingenuity, been diverted from its original channel, where it ran into the Were, near Shinkley bridge, to answer the purpose of the fosse along the southern and western sides of it. A gentleman, with whom I am acquaint∣ed, has carefully surveyed the old road from this place by Kepyer hospital, and he assures me, that in a dry season, the piers of a bridge are obvious in the bed of the river, seemingly of Roman construction; and I have authority to say, that coins have been formerly ploughed up here, and lately some of the lower em∣pire have also been discovered within its vicinage. The ground plot and ramparts of the watch tower, which served for signals to this station, are visible and almost entire at the entrance of Gillygate moor, and exactly correspond in form with those on the Roman wall in Northumberland. At Newton-hall likewise, on the opposite side of the river, there has been an exploratory castrum, seemingly for the security of Old Durham and Chester-le-Street.

  View Page 310

  Maiden Castle he places at Old Durham, and supposes it a Roman camp: To illustrate his subject, the tract is attended in the Archaeologia with a plate; which represents the supposed face of a vallum, and shews in the back ground a round mount. This supposed vallum is at present so much levelled, that if ever it was forced, it now appears no otherwise than the swift slope of the bank on the side of the brook, and the mount is only a natural swell or rotundity of the back ground. The plot of ground chosen by this gentleman for the station or camp, on the north-west side nearest to old Durham, and where the brook doth not run, shews some deep trenches and high earth fences; but the whole is so irregular, that it is not possible to derive any distinct figure from the remains of the works. He quotes Hollinshed's Chronicle to support a conjecture, that about the year 930, this place sustained a siege. We beg leave to compare this authority with others re∣ferred to in the 3d page of this volume. We have not been fortunate enough in our reading, hitherto to dis∣cover any evidence that William the Conqueror, when he laid waste the country, destroyed this place, or

  that it suffered the fate of many others in the northern parts, and that the fortifications were then partly levelled.

  —Dr Stukeley's description may, perhaps more happily be applied to the place described by us, and delineated in our plate; it is certainly of "high ground" hanging "over the river." and almost full "east" of the city: "Of an oblong form" one hundred and seventy paces long on the most extended side, which comes almost accurately to his description,

  five hundred feet long, very steep on three sides, the neck guarded by a rampart, and without that, at some little distance, by a ditch.

  The last circumstance noted by that author fixes the point. "The prospect is large, more especially eastward." The elevation of Old Durham ground, pointed out by Mr Cade,

  no part is above fifteen feet from the plain, where any slope lies upon the margin of the brook; and the prospect consequently is bounded eastward, by the ter∣mination of the vale, at the rising grounds of Shincliff, not more than a quarter of a mile distant.

  Mr Cade's positions, in the treatise from whence the foregoing extract is made, may, it is hoped, without an invidious appearance be shortly commented on, to the intent the reader may form a competent idea of the circumstances, or be led to enquire for himself upon the spot.

  View Page 308
• Duresme appears to have been a name introduced by the Normans, on account of the fortress built here after the Con∣quest, to keep the natives in subjection.
• †

  A melancholy instance of this depopulation, amongst many others, is to be met with at Acley, (or Acliff) in this coun∣ty, which may probably derive its name from Acca, bishop of Hagustald, in the beginning of the eighth century, and where Sir Henry Spelman mentions two Saxon councils having been held, annis 782 and 789. About a mile from the aforesaid village, after the grass is cut, the foundations of a considerable town, with a large church in form of a cross, are very con∣spicuous.
• ‡

  His description is as follows; Iter Boreale, p. 70.

  Eastward, over the river Were, upon another peninsula of high ground, I saw a camp, called Maiden Castle, which I judge to be Roman. It is almost incompassed too by a rivulet fall∣ing into the river from the east. It is of an oblong form, five hundred feet long, very steep on three sides; the neck is guarded by a rampart, and without that, at some little distance by a ditch. The prospect is large, more especially east∣ward.
• Vide notes vol. i. p. 134.—Mon. Angl. vol. i. p. 43.—Lel. Col. vol. ii. p. 385.
• Geof. de Coldingham.

  Declara'co Antonij epi sup' metis & divisis veteris burgi. E copiam parochiali reg'ro S'ce Margarete, Dun. Universis s'ce matris ecl'iae filiis ad quorum notitiam p'sentes l'rae p'venerint, Anthonius Dei gra. Dun. epus. s. in d'no sempiternam, notum vobis facimus, q'd cum olim bone memorie Will'ms Dun, ep'us primus p'decessor n'r dil'cis in Xro filiis pr. & conventui Dunelm. terras & ten. ex occidentali p'te Dun. ultra aqua. de Were usq. ad aquam de Brun concessisset donasset & charta sua confirmasset (Ballivi n'ri tanqua. extranei hujus modi fc'm penitus ignorantes p'tem etia illar terrar. — n'ram fuisse existimantes) quibusdam ad firmam dimiserunt in dil'ior filior damnum & p'judicium. Nos in hac p'te rei c'titudinem ac v'itatem plenius cognoscentes terras illas p' certas divisas antiquas & usitatas vid. Ab aquo de Were ascendendo rivulum de Milneburne, v'sus Gybetknoll ex p'te australi, de Gybetknoll versus aquilonem directe usq. ad viam regiam ducentem versus Lanchester, et ab illa via usq. ad corneram australem p'ci de Bearepair. & sic descendendo usq. in Brun. et — terre vel more continetur inter Bearepair et viam regiam qua itur de Crosegate versus Brounspittell quod est juxta Rilleybridge, iterum in aquam de Broun dil'cis in xro filiis pr. & co'ventui Dun. & succ. suis reddimus & omnino quietas clamamus ac donaco'em p'decessoris n'ri p'dci eisdem f'cam p' nob. & succ. n'ris tenore p'sentiu. confirmamus imp'p't'm. Et ne nos aut succ. n'ri in terris & ten. sed'm divisas p'no'iatas exacco'em calumniam aut p'prietatis clamiu. inposteru. exigere aut vendicare postimus p'sens scriptum sigilli n'ri munimine roboramus. Test. &c.—Randal's MSS.

  These boundaries are partial, and only include the common lately inclosed, called Crosgate moor, &c. &c.
• †

  Rot. A. Sch. 9. N^o 1. Vide vol. i. p. 202.
• ‡

  Rot. B. Sch. 2. N^o 1.
• §

  Rot. A. Dudley. N^o 77.
• ‖

  Lic. to acquire lands Rot. Fordham Sch. N. N^o 13, the like distinction cum multis aliis.

  Inq. p. m. Killinghall. A close of land in the old borough of Durham, A^o x^o Tho. ep.

  Inq. p. m. Aslackby. Tenements in Milburngate, South-street and Crossgate, "in vet'i burgo Dun." &c. xxv^o Tho. ep. Cum multis aliis.
• ¶

  John de Herdwyck, d. s. &c. a mess. in Elvet, Durham, held of the prior of Durham, by suit at the three head courts yearly, at the priors court at Elvet-hall, &c.—Inq. p. m. q'o Skirlaw, ap. Seggefield, cor. R. de Laton, esc.
• We find a tenement in this street called Bedforth Place.

  Jac. ex una p'te cujusd. burgag. voc. Bed∣forth Place, in tenura Johis Gibson.

  Fox Rot. B. A^o 1495.

  John de Elvet held of the lord bishop in cap. 4 mess. in Old Elvet, of the prior of Durham by fealty, and three suits at the prior's court for the barony of Elvet, and paying hostillar. d'ci pr. v s. p' an. Also x mess. in New Elvet, of the prior, as of burgage tenure, three suits at the barony court of Elvet, and 4s. 11d. ad hostillar. pro land male. A^o 2^o Joh. ep. &c. cor. R. de Laton Mil. esc. in co. Dun.—[Here we observe a line of dis∣tinction p'ainly drawn between the barony tenure and the burgage tenure; the burgage tenure being in New Elvet.]

  The declaration and directions of me J. Cock, cl. v. of St Oswald's, Durham, now deprived.—He sets forth, that by his will, 27 May, 1701, he had given to certain persons therein named, 600l. in trust, and declares the trust to be to purchase freehold lands and tenements therewith; and to pay the produce thereof to the mini∣ster and church-wardens, to lay out yearly 2l. 10s. for bibles, common prayers, whole duty of man, explana∣tion of the creed, and such like, to be distributed among the poor inhabitants. To apply 5l. in physic and other relief for the sick poor; 5l. a year for cloaths for poor widowers or widows, or other poor housekeepers, and 5l in money; 4l. to teach indigent children to read, spin, knit, and sew; 6l. for setting out yearly one boy, being the son of an inhabitant, and the surplus to be applied to the like purposes. A table of which charities is directed to be written and read by the minister once a year. With directions for keeping the trust subsisting by election of trustees, and for keeping a book of account, &c.
• †

  ST OSWALD VICARAGE.

  K. books 161.—Yearly tenths 1l. 12s.—Proc. ep. 7s.—Real value 160l.

  VICARS.

  • Dolfinus, presbyter de Elvete, oc. circa, 1156
  • Mag. Ric'us de Coldingham, 1175, ob. 1198
  • Nicolaus, vic. de Elvete, 1230.
  • Joh'es de Derlington, 1266, vic. Northallerton
  • Radulphus, prior de Finchales
  • Vic. of St Oswald deprived 1283, and another col∣lated the same year, names not obtained
  • Nich. de Bishopton, 1353
  • Will. de Lanchester, 1371
  • Rob. Ashburn, 1405
  • Will. Bosum, 1408, p' res. Ashburn
  • Tho. Raket, 1409. p. res. Bosum
  • Will. de Caton, 1411, p. res. Raket
  • Joh. Holderness, 1414, p. res. Caton
  • Will. Newton, p. res. Holderness, 1419
  • Will. Briscoe
  • Will. Doncaster, 1420, p. res. Briscoe
  • Joh. Lethom, 1435, p. res. Doncaster
  • Will. Newton, 1445
  • Joh. Pikering, 1472
  • Bertram Herbotell, 1485
  • Hugo S••ell, LL. D. 1486, rector of Haughton, 1470
  • Will. Appulby, A. M.
  • Tho. Farne, B. L. 4 Ap. 1498, p. m. Appulby
  • Chr. Werdale, LL. B. 1619
  • Anton. Bellasis, LL. D. 1533
  • Lanc. Thwaites, LL. B. 1534
  • Hugo Hutchinson, A. M. 7 May, 1550
  • Tho Pentland, cl. 23 Oct. 1562, p'depr. Hutchin∣son
  • Car. Moberley, cl. 21 Mar. 1574, p. m. Pentland
  • Jacob Calfhill, A. M. 28 Mar. 1593, p. m. Moberley
  • Rich. Snowdon, cl. 8 Jun. 1602, col. to the 1st stall in Carlisle
  • Joh. Browne, A. M. 15 Oct. 1622, res. 19 May, 1630
  • Joh. Scarth, deest dies mensis, 1631
  • Xtian Sherwood, A. M. 20 Dec. 1631, p. m. Scarth, rector of Bishopweremouth, 20 Jan. 1643
  • Holdsworth, an intruder, ejected for non-conformity
  • John Wood, A. M. 1662
  • John Cock, A. M. 19 Jul. 1673, p. res. Wood; de∣prived 1 Feb. 1689
  • Pexall Forster, A. M. 1690, p. dep. Cock; he resign∣ed for Egglescliffe rectory 1711, and died 27 Feb. 1739
  • Tho. Rud, A. M. 1 Sep. 1711, p. res. Forster
  • Will. Forster, A. M. 24 Jan. 1725, p. res. Rud
  • Tho. Hayes, A. M. 1765, p. m. Forster

  Chester ward book of rates.

  Durham. Parish of St Oswald.

  	£.	s.	d.
  Burnhall, Hallgarths, Relleye, Houghall, Finkley, two streets of ElVet, half of Bear∣park, rectory of Elvet, king's rents, Broom. Estimated value	1284	2	6
  Easington ward.
  Shincliff, Butterby, and Southern-closes, Shincliff tithe, rents to Dr Dalton, Crox∣dale, vicarage. Estimated value	792	1	0
  Chester ward. St Margaret's chapelry, Crosgate.
  Houses, borough lands, Newton, &c. king's rent, Crosgate constablery, king's rent, St Margaret's rectory. Estimated value	1300	0	0
  	£. 3376	3	6

  Grey's MSS.

  This parish pays to the land tax, at 4s. p' pound

  	£.	s.	d.
  Elvet borough	22	14	8
  Elvet barony	59	4	8
  Shincliff	46	14	8
  Broom	15	0	0
  Framwelgate	67	17	0
  Crosgate	16	15	4

  County rate's at 6s. 8d.

  £.	s.	d.
  3	5	7¾
  1	15	3
  0	14	0
  2	13	6
  0	11	6

  The Dean and Chapter's rents.

  	£.	s.	d.
  Shincliff tithes	0	10	0
  Old Durham tithes	4	3	4
  Broom tithes	1	0	0
  Burnhall tithes	1	2	8
  Bellasis tithes	0	5	0
  Pruddoe	0	3	4
  Hagghouse tithes	1	6	8
  Harberhouse and Carrhouse tithes	1	5	4
  Stotgate tithes	0	1	8
  Hunterbanks tithes	0	3	4
  Rectory of St Oswald	12	0	0
  Rectory of St Margaret	12	13	4
  Coal mines in Bellasis	0	10	0
  Ditto in Finkaley	0	10	0
  Ditto Baxterwood	1	0	0
  Shincliffe	38	11	2
  Borough of Elvet	15	19	0
  Barony of Elvet	19	11	0
  South-street	10	3	6
  Crosgate	17	19	10
  Chilton pool	1	3	0
  Coddesby	3	1	8
  Little Coddesby	0	8	0
  Clock mill	3	13	4
  Framwelgate	9	9	4
  Mills	9	6	8
  Scaltock mills	10	13	4
  Kelley	2	5	10
  Aldingridge	10	2	4
  Beaurepare	0	8	0

  	Bap.	Mar.	Bur.
  State of population in this parish from 1660 to 1679	639	156	747
  1760 to 1779	872	289	1260
  Increase	233	133	513

  Number of burials in the last year 80.—Computed number of inhabitants 2400.
• EPITAPHS.

  On a blue marble gravestone, near the belfry.

  Hic requiescit
  a vitae hujus malis ad
  meliorem (ut spes est) vocatus
  JOANNES RUD, THOMAE
  hujus eccl'i••e vicar, Filius.
  Optimae spei juvenis;
  in flore ipso aetatis
  diuturno morbo consumtus
  et tandem (magno suorum
  dolore) extinctus
  Natus Nov. 12, MDCXCVIII.
  Ob. Jun. 30, MDCCXX.

  On an ordinary stone, under the stairs of the gallery.

  Hac de terra raptus
  Artis ille fabricae peritissimus
  Jacobus Clement,
  In Civitate Dunelmensi,
  Architectus
  Mortalitatis suae exuvias
  Ad Dei Judicis usq. Adventum
  Hic deposuit
  In spe beatae resurrectionis
  Respexit vota coelum animumq. corona
  xvij die Decembris,
  Anno D'ni 1690. Aetatis suae 49.

  On an altar tomb, in the church-yard.

  Hic jacet corpus
  Gulielmi Eden, Pharmacopolae
  Filii Henrici Eden, de
  Shincliff, M. D. qui
  mortuus est
  tertio die Aprilis,
  MDCCXII.
• Boundaries of the parish of St Oswald, 1344.

  Quod incipiendo ad novum pontem Dunelm. & procedendo versus orientem & Molendinum de Scaletoke miln circa & juxta Were fines & limites dicte parochie Sancti Oswaldi se ostendunt usq. ad oppositum rivuli decurrentis inter Pellow & pomarium S'ci Egidii & descendentes in pred aquam Were & extunc procedendo citra & juxta rivulum pred. usq. ad parvum pontem qui vocatur Gillybridge, sic postea circumcundo campum & territoria villae veteris Dun. usq. Whiteburn, & sic procedendo versus austrum usq. moram inter Swerring∣ton & Shinklick extunc procedendo p' exteriores extremitates camporum & territoriorum villarum de Shink∣liff, Croxdail, Bewhame, & Sunderland, cum pertin. earundem descendendo usq. ad pontem & aquam de Broom, & subsequenter procedendo infra & juxta aquam de Broom versus occidentem usq. ad aquam de De∣verness (que est marchia inter parochias ecclesiarum de Brancepeth & S'ti Oswaldi) et extunc procedendo citra & juxta aquam & rivulum de Deverness usq. ad Middlewood p' exteriores extremitates camporum & terri∣toriorum villarum de Relley, Broom, & Aldingrige sic procedendo extunc usq. manerium de Bearpark al's Beurepaire ac villas de Whitton & Newton cum pertin. earundem. Et sic extunc procedendo versus boream Herberhouse usq. le Blackburn, ubi est marchia inter parochias ecclesiaram Cestrie & S'ti Oswaldi. Et adhuc sic procedendo & redcundo usq. aquam Were, circumcundo parcum de Franklaine inter & juxta aquam Were usq. veterem pontem Dunel, & adhuc usq. novum pontem prout aqua Were currit ex una parte duntaxat.

  Randal's MSS. p. 194.
• Rot. Skirlaw, N^o 103. A disclaimer of right to Edderacres, from Tho. Coke, of Thorp, juxta Easing∣ton and Johanna his wife, Margaret and Eliz. de Edderacres, 20 Oct. 1405.

  Rot. Skirlaw, N^o 5. Licence dat. 26 April, 1403.—Randal's MSS.
• †

  Chaplains. Will. de Fisheburn, cap. & custos primus oc. 20 Oct. 1405.—Chr. Aslabie, 1505.—Ed. Popley, the last incumbent, had a yearly pension of 6l. 13s. 4d. which he received in the year 1553.—In 1537, the advowson of this chantry was granted by Chr. Danbye, knt. one of the heirs of Gil. Elvet, for the next turn only, to Edw. Tetsorth and Geo. Smyth. This grant, I suppose, never took effect. — Randal's MSS. — Reg. Tunstal, p. 28.
• ‡

  The dean and chapter pay a rent to the Duke of Leeds for this chantry's lands.

  We find a chantry of the holy rood named, val. p' ann. 3l. 10s.—Also a chantry of St Oswald.—Rot. Skirlaw, N^o 5.
• §

  Alanus de Hayden, cap. oc. custos 20 Sep. 1392.—Rob Ellison, oc. 1501.—Randal's MSS.

  Edwardus d. g. rex. Inspeximus cartam quam venerabilis Pater Anth. Dunelmensis epus fecit Johi ville de Dunolm. in haec verba, &c. &c. Nov'it universitas v'ra nos dedisse &c. Jo'hi ville de Dunolmo p' homagio & s'vitio suo, &c. Et quatuor decem acre juxta hospitale S'ci Leonardi de Dunelmo, in p'ochia S'ci Oswal∣di regis, &c. A^o 1292.—Or. penes Tho. Gyll, Esq
• Crokhogh.

  Johannes de Kirby tenet Villam de Crokhough & C. Aer. Terrae & Bosc. per servic. sorin. redd. ijs.— Et dim. Acr. apud Stokerley quond'm Petri del Croke & redd. iiij d.— Hatfield's Survey.
• †

  At this bridge there happened a remarkable accident: A Mr Dalston of the Cothamhall-garth family, forced his horse over the battlements, in the dark, and was killed; he was passing the bridge on return from a country visit with a large company, and though in the midst of them, was missed by none till they arrived at the house where he was to lodge.

  An account was given of the stood in 1771, in the public prints. The waters were eight feet ten inches higher at Durham than ever known before.
• ‡

  See the plate.
• Rot. B. Bainbrigg, N^o 61, dat. 28 Sep. 1508.—Randal's MSS.

  Carta Richi de Kellawe epi, de libera piscaria a ponte de Elvet usq. ad vet. pontem—Rudd's MSS.
• †

  Mickleton's MSS
• ‡

  Vide lease to Edward Gregory, relative to St Margaret's chapel.—We find in the parish reg. of St Mar∣garet, a numerous race of the Billingham family from 1559 to 1661.

  [figure] genealogy

  PEDIGREE OF BILLINGHAM, AND CROOKHALL. Blazon of arms.—Arg. three bars and canton gules; on the latter lion pass. of the field.

  • Cuthbert Billingham.
  • Elianor, d. of Rich. Hutton, of Hunwick.
  • Ralph.
  • Isabel, d. of J. Claxton, of Old Park.
  • John
  • M. 1st. Alicia, d. of Ra. Claxton, of Winyard.
  • Ralph. Aet. 28 An. 1575.
  • Richard.
  • William.
  • Second wife, Elizabeth, d. of Rog. Swinburne, of Eglingham, North∣umberland.
  • Margaret.
  • John.
  • Margery.
  • Ann.
  • Cuthbert,

  Harleian MSS. N^o 1540.

  Haec arma inveniuntur in eccl'ia de Egglescliffe juxta Yarum in com. Dunolm. in orientali foenestra ubi sit mentio Tho. Bellingham, et Anne uxoris suae qui idem faenestram fecerunt et d'ca arma supra ponuntur caput dicti Thom. cujus imago subtus cernitur sicut et conjugis suae & liberor. &c.—Flower's visit.
• §

  After the patent of park-keeper of Frankleyn wood, dated 15 Oct. 1627, there follows an entry, setting forth the rights of the park-keeper. Confirm. 16 Oct. an. super script.— Sig. R. Dunelm. Timoth. Comyn.

  De forestariis & parcariis epor Dun. de Frankland.

  Pro vita feod 30 s. 4 d. & forestarius in Middlewood feod 6 s. 8 d. (Nevil) feod 57s. Ruthal.

  Mickleton's MSS.
• Newtona. Willielmus quondam abbas de burgo tenet Newtona juxta Dunelm. de accomodatione et Elemosina d'ni episcopi & reddit pro medietate dominij quam Ricardus Ingeniator tenuit j Marcam.

  Radulphus Clericus tenet in eadem villa quatringinti acr. tam de terra quae fuit Roberti Tit, quam de as∣sartis quae episcopus ei dedit i•• Escambium pro duabus Bovatis de Midilham pro xid. set quietus est de hoc redditu. dum est in servitio d'ni episcopi.—Bolden Buke.

  Johannes Heron chev. tenet villam de Newton juxta Dunolm. per servic. forin. & redd. cvjs. viijd.

  Haeres Will'i de Kirkenny tenet x acr. super Kyowlawe & redd. per ann. ad fest. S. Cuthb. in Sep. 1 lb. Cumin.

  Terrae Scaccarij. Heredes Will'i de Kirkenny tenent, &c. Terrae Novi Vasti, &c.

  Will's Bowes, chev. ten. xi. acr. terrae libere quond'm Roberti Scriptoris, vocat Fyngall & redd. vs.

  Cum multis aliis.—Hatfield's Survey.
• †

  Nevil, N^o 72.—Randal's MSS.
• ‡

  Inq. p. m. A^o 2^o R. Bury, ep. co••. vic. in pleno com. Dun.
• §

  Forinsecum Servitium. That is such service whereby a mean lord holdeth over of another without the compass of his own see. Bro. tit. Tenures, fo. 251, N^o 12 and 28. Kitchin, so. 209. Or else that which a tenant performeth either to his own lord, or to the lord paramount out of his see. Of these services Bracton speaketh thus:

  Item. sunt quaedam servitia, quae dicuntur forinseca, quamvis sunt in carta et de feoffamento expressa et nominata, et quae ideo dici possunt forinseca quia pertinent ad dominum regemet non ad domi∣num capitalem, nisi cum in propria persona prosectus fuerit in servitio, vel nisi cum pro servitio suo satisfe∣cerit domino regi quocunque modo et siunt incertis temporibus cum casus et necessitas evenerit et varia habent nomina et diversa: Quandoq. enim nominantur forinseca; large sumpto vocabulo quoad servitium domini regis; quandoq scutagium; quandoq. servitium domini regis et ideo forinsecum dici potest, quia sit et capitur soris sive extra servitium quod sit domino capitali.

  So that here we have a strong badge of the regalia, the bishop having the like service for this land, as the king would have out of the limits of this jurisdiction.
• ‖

  Inq. p. m. 4, bishop Fordham.
• Inq. p. m. 12, bishop Skirlaw.—Inq. p. m. Matildis ux. Will'i Bowes, 15 bishop Langley.—Inq. p. m. Will'i Bowes Mil. 1 bishop Booth —Inq. p. m. Will'i Bowes, 9 bishop Booth.—Inq. p. m. 27 bishop Booth, Newton was then under an intail; and is described to consist of 20 mess and cccc. acres of land.

  A mess. and 24 acres of land in Newton near Durham, held in cap. of Roger lord of Newton. Inq. p. m. Cuthbert son of John, A^o 10, Bury, cor. vic. in pleno Com. Dun.
• †

  Cursitors Rolls.—Rudd's MSS.
• ‡

  An. 792, synodus in Fynkhaul celebrata. Flores' Hist. Lel. Col. vol. iii. p. 38.

  E libello de locis quibus S. in Angl. requiescunt Godricus anachoreta, Dunolm.—Ibid.
• §

  A. D. 810, synodus apud Pincanhale in Nordanhumbria 4 No. Sep. celebratur.—Lel. Col. vol. iii.

  Eodem anno, qui est tertius Cenwlsi praedicti Regis, synodus congregata est in loco qui appellatur Pincan∣halth, praesidente Eanbaldo archep. Ebor.—Ibid.

  As this place (though hard to be known, the names in our ancient writers being so differently written) there was a synod held in 788.—Complete Hist. of Durh. p. 616.—Vide Saxon. Chron. p Gibson, 64.— 1288, hoc anno synodus coacta est in Northymbrorum terra apud Pincanhale 4 Non. Sept. Pincanheal, Pin∣canhale, (F••or.) Wincenhale, (Hunt.) Wincarheale, Phincanhal, (Hoveden) Pinchamhalch, Finchale, (Westm) vari ••hujus loci appellatio apud historicos non aliunde orta est quam ex similitudine literarum Saxonicarum r. p. f. quae sive librarios qui ex ea descripserant exemplaria quibus usi sunt historici, sive ipsos etiam re rum gestarum scriptores in errorem traxisse videtur. hodie Finkley, in agro Dunelmensi ad ripam orientalem sluminis Were.
• ‖

  Ex Archivis penes registri custodem Dunelm.—Vide Mon. Aug. vol. i. p. 512.—About the year 1118.
• ¶

  Ex Gul. Newbigensis Hist. lib. ii. cha. 20.

  The Rev. Mr Lambe, of Durham, obligingly furnished the author with a translation of the history of St Godrie, from the old Latin edition. The general distaste which prevails against legendary and miraculous tales, obliges us to omit it.
• Ex archivis penes registri custodem decani & capit. Dun.

  Vide confirmationem cartarum cart. 3 Ed. 2, n. 21, et cart. 17 Ed. 2, n. 12.— Angl. Sac. vol. i. p. 724, 726. —Rot. cart. 9 Joh. m. 6, n. 54.—Cart. 14. Ed. 1, n. 40 p' xxs. anni reddit. e molendino de Emeldon.—Pat. 12, Ed. 3, p. 1, m. 19, de grangia de Eshwell.
• †

  Near Wolsingham.
• ‡

  Inq. p. m. Isabella, ux. Joh'is de Birtley, d. s. of 3 mess. and 60 acres of land, in the vill. of Cokyn, held of the prior of Finchale by service of half a pound of cumin, &c. A^o 3d Walt. cp.

  Copyhold books, H. Fox, p. 282.

  Halm. ap. Wolsyngham, xxiiij Oct. A^o Tr. Rich. quinto.

  Ad hac cur. ven. Joh'es Swayn, Monach Pr. de Fynkall & cep. de d'no j parcel ter. de vasto d'ni voc. Do∣bynson Grene, &c. hend eid Pr. & succ. suis Pr. in jur. sc'd'm cons. cur. redd. inde, &c.

  Omnib's, &c. Stephus rector eccl'ie de Elwick, sal. Nov'it, &c. me dedisse, &c Deo & b'ae Marie & S'co Joh'i Baptiste & S'co Godrico & Radulpho Pr. & Monachis de Tinkhale Deo servantib's totam terra. q'm hui in villa de Thorpe cu'm oib's, &c. ad sustentaco'em hospitalitatis & triu. paup'u. qui cotidie imp'petum. ib•• ad mandatu. recipientur, &c. Test. &c. About the year 1200.

  E. MSS penes Tho. Davison de Blakiston, arm.—Randal's MSS.

  Omnib's, &c. Nigellus de Rungeton, &c. Nov'it, &c. me concessisse, &c. Deo, &c. Tres. Bovat. terrae cum p'tin. suis in villa de Thorpe, quas Steph's de Elwic eid dedit, &c.—Ib'd'm.

  Omnib's, &c. Joh. Fil. Galfridi, &c. Nov. me concessisse, &c. Deo, &c. duas. Bovat. terrae in villa mea de Thorpe, &c.—Ib'd'm.

  Joh'es de Ketton. &c. Nov'it, &c. me co'cessisse, &c. Deo. Tres Bovat. terrae in villa de Thorpe, &c. fa∣ciendo inde forinsecu. s'vitin qua'tu. p'tinet ad tanta' terram in cad villa p' om'i s'vitio, &c.—Ib'd'm.

  Gaufrid de Thorpe, &c. sciatis me concess. Deo, &c. duas bovat terrae in villa mea de Thorpe, &c salvo loco meo hiis testib's, &c.—Ib'm.

  Robert de Minstertun gave all his land in the vill. of Thorpe, except liberty in the lords woods.—Robert de Thorpe confirmed the lands given by Rob. de Minsterton, Gilbert de Eden, &c.—John de Thorpe con∣firmed to the prior and monks all their lands and tenements in Thorpe, as well of the gift of his father, as of John de Ketton. (salvo bosco meo) Dated about 1200.—John de Ketton gave two ox gangs of land in Thorpe, which W. de Stodfald held.—Galfrid, the son of John de Thorpe, confirms his father's grant.—Cecilia, the daughter and heiress of Walter de Shotton, quits claim to lands in Thorpthewles, with an obligatory writing and oath for the performance of her covenant.—John Warde, of Thorpthewles, released a rent due to him out of lands granted to Finchale by his ancestors.—And Robert, the son of William, lord of Thorpthewles, confirms the gifts of John de Eglisclyree, called Gylett, Alan Clerk, of Sherburn, and his father, in the same hands.—Randal's MSS.
• Henricus de Puteaco, son to Hugh Puteacus, was founder of Finkeshal priorye, on Were, two mils be∣nethe Duresme, and there is he buried, and also S. Goodelak the heremite.—Lel. Itin. vol. viii. p. 42.

  Tanner's Notitia, p. 114. English Monast. Stevens', p. 63.—Compleat Hist. of Duth. p. 616.—Lambard's Dict. p. 115. A celle of St Cuthbertes monasterie, &c wheare Goodrike (whose pilgrimage was profitable to barren women) lived the life of an eremite. It was valued in the recordes at 123 poundes yearlye.
• †

  So the Corpus Chris. Col. Cant. MSS.—But Leland's Itin. vol. vii. p. 5, saith xiii monks. Quere, whe∣ther the first numeral should not have been v.

  PRIORS OF FINCHALE.

  • Thomas, sacrist of Durham, first prior.
  • Radulphus, t'pe Phil. ep Dun. circa A^o 1200.
  • Rob. de Stichilie. El. bishop 1260.
  • Rob. de Insula. El. bishop 1274.
  • Galfridus de Buredon, in e'r'o purif. 1308.
  • Henr. de Stamford, 1316.
  • Henr. de Castro.
  • Tho. de Lunde, S. T. P. men. Oct. 1333.
  • Joh. de Beryngton, 18 May, 1384.
  • Will. Poklyngton, 21 Mar. 1413.
  • Will. Bawy, 4 Jan. 1437.
  • Rich. Bell, S. T. B. 20 Oct. 1464.
  • Will. Bryden, 5 Jul. 1476.
  • Joh'es Swayn, 24 Oct. 1499.

  In Willis's Mitred Abbies Chr. Harpworth is said to be prior A^o 1534.—But this is presumed to be an error.
• Installed the 24th of May, 1754.
• †

  Mon. Angl. vol. i. p. 45.—Vol. i. of this work, p. 134.
• ‡

  Commissio de com'po emendaco's Pontis de Shinkle, audiend. & terminand. Rot. Fordham, Sch. 8. N^o 3.—Randal's MSS.

  Commissio ad inquirend. de reddit. ad rep'aco'em pontis Dun. & Shincliff concess. Rot. B. Hatfield. Sch. 1. N^o 4. in dorso. Dat. 2 Mar. 1370.—Ib'm.

  Vide preceding account of Elvet bridge.
• §

  An engraving was published from a drawing of the ruins made by the author, but the plate falling into ••••roper hands, was destroyed.
• We find the following account of this spring in Gibson's edition of Camden, which is transcribed almost literally from Baker's Chronicle.

  The Spadacrene is between Butterby and Durham on Elvet moor.

  A little below Branspeth, the Were has many huge stones in its channel, never covered but when the river is overflowed by rains: Upon these if you pour water, and it mix a little with the stone, it becomes brackish, a thing which happens nowhere else. Nay, at Butterby, a little village, when the river is shallow, and sunk from these stones in the summer time, there bursts out of them a reddish salt water, which grows so white and hard by the heat of the sun (as hath been thought) that they who live thereabouts use it for salt. But that the saltness itself proceeds not from the heat of the sun, is plain by experience, in that which is most saltish, and issues out of a rock, in as much as if all the water be laved out of the place, there immediately bubbles out of the body of the rock a water as salt as the former; and besides, the rock out of which it issues is a salt rock of a sparkling substance. On the other side of the Were, there is also a medicinal spring of strong sulphur; and above it, towards Durham, is a mineral water, of the vitriolic kind, upon which Dr Wilson wrote his Spadacrene Dunelmensis.

  In Lowthorp's Abridgment of the Philosophical Transactions, vol. ii. p. 333, the following account is in∣serted, given by Mr Hugh Todd.

  About a mile and a half out of Durham, on the north east side near Butterby, was lately discovered a me∣dicinal spring, which is much frequented, and may be of great benefit to the country. It was found by workmen that dug in that place for coal. When they were twelve fathom and a half deep they discovered this treasure of natural physic. They then tried the rock about one hundred yards off, where they lost them∣selves much about the same depth, and instead of coal, discovered an excellent spring of clear water, which issues out of the hole their instruments made. These springs are in a deep gill or valley on the shore opposite to Butterby.

  Ibid. vol ii. p. 351, p' Mr Todd.

  At Saltwater Haugh, near Butterby, about a mild and a half from Durham, in the middle of the river Were. rises a salt spring. It is good to be seen and tasted only in the summer time, when the water is discharged all on one side of the channel, for in winter when the river is high it loses its salt in the fresh streams, so that they ••••e not perceivable. The water seems to bubble up equally in all parts of the channel for the space of fo••••y ••a••ds in length, and about ten in breadth. The filtest of all the springs issues out of the middle of a rock, the surface of which was manifestly saltish, and which in a hot day, as I was told, would be all covered over 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a persect salt. I had all the water laved out of the place where it seemed to stagnate, and imme∣dia•••• out of the body of the rock there bubbled up water as salt as the former. It was as high as any brine can be and though but little in quantity, in comparison of the fresh river, yet of that force to give a brackish∣ness to the ••••ca•••• one hundred yards below. Those that have boiled this brine say, that it affords a great quantity 〈◊〉〈◊〉 baysalt, n•••• so palatable, yet as useful as ordinary salt is. It tinges all the stones with a red co∣lour. The ••ea is eight miles off where nearest.
• Record of Homage 7 bishop Barnes.—Cursitors Rolls.—Rudd's MSS.
• †

  [figure] genealogy

  PEDIGREE OF CHAYTORS OF BUTTERBY. From the visitation of Wm Flower and R. St George, N. Ks. of A. 1575 and 1615. Arms. Party p' bend dauncette 3 cingroils pierced counterchanged.

  • John Chaytor, de Newcastel, mercator.
  • Christophorus Chaytor, de Butterby, mensor R. Eliz. pro com. Dunelm, A^o 1575.
  • Elizabetha filia Will. Clervaulx de Croft, postea haeres.
  • Margareta.
  • Joanna, ux Rad. Willey de Houghton, in Durham.
  • Hugo. ob. ••. p.
  • Anthonius Chay∣tor, filius & haeres 1575. Aet. 28.
  • Margery, d. of W. Thorn∣ton, of New∣ton, esq
  • Will. C••aytor. Francis d. of Sir James Bellingham.
  • Richard.
  • Thomas.
  • Christopher. 3 fil.
  • Thomas, 4 fil Registrary of dioc. Durh.
  • Jane, d. of Sir Nich. Tempest.
  • Henry, Aet. 8. 1615.
  • Nicholas.
  • Thomas.
  • Therononie.
  • Isabell.
  • Margaret.
  • Troth.
  • Mary.
  • Eliza. Beatrix.
• St Oswald's. On a mural monument at the east end of the north aile, upon a blue square stone, in golden capitals, under a coat of arms.

  In obitum Christoferi Chaiter, de Butterbie armigeri qui obiit 17 Aprilis Anno D'ni 1592, anno aetatis suae 98. Aspice quam subito volvuntur singula casu Occidit heu inopum fautor p' tecta Butrobi A Christo nomenq. ferens cognomine Chaiters Hic custos pacis, custos suit ille registri: Hic viduae causas egit, causas{que} pupilli Hic regius terram signavit limite mensor Fidus erat sidis, nullus{que} in pectore sucus Omnibus et mitis, dictis suit ille facetus Terra tegit cineres, mens vivit in aethere summo En, gnatus natu minimus, nunc p'manet haeres Condigni patris, nec non sua munia prestans Haec tibi devinctus, scripsit monumenta Dethiceus.
• †

  We find in the Cursitors Rolls, in the 15th year of bishop Skirlaw, a writ to Robert Coniers, esch. to make livery to Gerrard Salvin, son of Gerrard Salvin, of Hersewell, and Agnes his wife, of the manor of Crox∣dale, to which she was intitled as daughter and heir of Joan, late wife of William de Ressery deceased.—No such marriage appears in the pedigrees, which is remarkable, as this large possession came into the family by that means.

  6th bishop James. Livery to Gerrard, son and heir of Gerrard Salvin.—Rudd's MSS.
• ‡

  Rot L. Langley, N^o 14. Dat. 1431.—Randal's MSS.
• ‖

  Joh. de Denum ob. circa, 1326.
• Rudd's MSS.
• †

  De terr. liberand. Gerardo Salvin. Rot. B. Booth, N^o 151.—Dat. 24 Jul. 1474.—Randal's MSS.

  St Oswald. On a monument of white marble fixed to the north wall in the chancel. Prope hunc locum inhumatus est JARRARDUS SALVIN, de Croxdale in agro Dunelmensi armiger, vicesimus Primus (sine intermissione) ejusdem) Nominis fuit & loci. Jarrardum, filium Suum apparentem. strategum, illo Superstite, perduelliones & ri∣baldos, apud Northallerton In comitatu Eboracensi, pro rege Carolo primo demicantem, truci∣debant, heredem tamen alterum reliquit Jarrardum. Subditus fuit fidelis, maritus indulgens, Pater providus, ex hujus vitae argastulo evasit decimo octavo die Januarij, 1663 Anno que Aetatis suae 74.

  [figure] genealogy

  PEDIGREE. OF SALVINS OF CROXDALE. Extracted from the before-mentioned visitation books, &c. with additions. Arms. Arg. on a chief sab, a great T, between two mullets of the field. [From a manuscript in the Harleian Collection, 1499.]

  • Sir John Salvin, knight.
  • — d. of Grey, of Heton, in Northumberland. N. B. Bowes' MS. says d. Sir Rob. Constable, of Flamborough.
  • Thomas Salvin.
  • Mary, d. to the baron of Graystock.
  • Sir Rauff Salvin, mar. twice.
  • Elizabeth; d. of Hugh Hastings, of Fenwick, knt. first wife.
  • George Salvin.
  • Margaret, d. of Sir W. Bulmer, knight.
  • Francis Salvin.
  • Margery, d. of Sir Ra. Evers, knight.
  • Ralph. So far that record goes.
  • 4 daughters.
  • Mathew, 2 son.
  • William, 3 son.
  • — 4 son.
  • Ann.
  • Margery.
  • John.
  • Robert.
  • Elizabeth.
• From a MS. composed by Mr Tho Bowes, of Bradley, (end copied by Mr Allan) he is said to be the son of Geo. Sal∣vin, by Eliz. d. &c. of Peter de Mawley (Malolacu) with whom he had, and was seised of the barony of Ecton, Newbiggin, Isle Park, Cockwold-banks, Doncaster, Barse-Castle, Pockling∣ton, Sutton, Southcotes, Stonneferry, and Bainton
• †

  He had another wife, d. of Sir Ra. Ellerker.
• 	£.	s.	d.
  Prescript in lieu of all tithes for Butterby	1	13	4	Due at Midsummer.
  — for hay of Sunderland bridge	1	8	0	Due at Michaelmas.
  — for hay and corn for Croxdale	1	0	10	Due at Easter.

  Curates.—John, 1170—Tho. Williamson, 1529—Wm Blunt, 1530 Nich. Burnchoppe, oc. 6th Feb. 1564 Fra. Brackenburye, cl. 1570—Geo. Barker, 1604— Nich. Walton, A. M. 12th Nov. 1616—J. Green, 2d Jul. 1639—Rich. Roberts, A M. 24th Oct. 1667—John Milner, A. B. 15th Apr. 1675—Rob. Thomp∣son, A. M. 1st Nov. 1681—John Smith A. M. 4th Nov. 1682 — John Lille, A. M. 21st Jul. 1684 — Abra. Yap••, A. B. 16th Feb. 1694—Fra. Woodmas, A. M. 16th Nov. 1695—Rob. Leeke, A. M. 28th Jan. 1696— Tho. Sherman, A. B. 29th Oct. 1700—Rob. Leeke; he was presented again, I suppose, after Sherman's death John Powell, A. M. 27th Nov 1703—John Waring, A. M. 31st May, 1714—John Parkinson, A M. 15th Mar. 1715—H••ld by sequestration; I presume Waring ob. 1716. Rich. Dunn, A. M. 31st Aug. 1723— John Delaval, A M. 18th Dec. 1725—Edward Gregory, A. B. 1731 — John Branfoot, A. M. 1st Dec. 1712 —Rob. Davison, A. M. 19th Oct. 1742—Tho. Hayes, A. M. 27th Nov. 1759—Jonath. Bransoot, A. B. 29th Jul. 1761—John Wheeler, A. B. 20th July, 1765.—Randal's MSS.
• [figure] genealogy

  From a manuscript of the late Mr Ra. Hodgson's of Durham.

  • Sir Gerrard Salvin, of Thorpsalvin, knight.
  • —, d. of Sir Anselm St Quinton, knight.
  • Brian Salvin, of Thorp∣salvin, esq
  • —, d. of John Folyatt, knight.
  • Gerrard.
  • —, d. of Sir Wm Skergill, knight.
  • George, of Thorpsalvin.
  • Gerrard Salvin, of Duffield, esq
  • —, d. of Sir Tho. Santon, knt.
  • John Salvin, of Duffield.
  • Gerrard Salvin, of Croxdale, esq
  • —, d. of — Wren.
  • Gerrard.
  • —, d. of — Norton, of Norton, Yorkshire.
  • Gerrard.
  • Ann, d. of Hum. Blakiston, of Great Chilton.
  • Jerrard Salvin, of Croxdale, esq living 1615, ob. ••••. 74, A. D. 1663.
  • Dorothy, d. of Bryan Belasyse, esq of Morton.—N. B. This is placed by conjecture, as such a marriage occurs a∣bout that time.—M. T.
  • Jerrard, esq of Croxdale.
  • Ann, d. of — Clavering, esq of Callaly, Northumberland.
  • Mary, mar. Edw. Haggerston, esq
  • Cath ob. unmar.
  • Bryan Salvin, of Crox∣dale, esq Ob. 1751.
  • Ann, d. of Sir Wm Hagger∣ston, of Haggerston, bart.
  • Jerrard.
  • Brian All died s. p.
  • Marmaduke.
  • Edward.
  • Ann. Margaret, d. s. p.
  • William, of Crox∣dale, esq living 1786.
  • Mary, d. of Sir Ed. Gascoigne, bart. 1st wife d. s. p.
  • Catharine, d. of T. Thorn∣ton, esq of Netherwitton, Northum.
  • Jerrard, eld. s. d. young, 1780.
  • Catharine m. T. Stanley Massey, esq Priddington, co. Chester.
  • Anne d. young.
  • Wm Salvin, eld. surviving son.
  • Bryan born 1779.
  • Mary.
  • Margaret.
  • Frances.
  • Elizabeth.
  • Mary m. Geo. Markham. esq of Claxby, Lin∣colnshire. Ob. 1776.
  • Ann married Walter Strickland, of Sizergh, esq Westmoreland.
  • William.
  • Ralph.
  • Francis de Elmdon, esq About this time a Bryan Salvin, of Croxdale, mar. Cath. d. of Sir Tho. Tempest, of Stella.—He had two other wives.
  • Ellen.
  • Muriel.
  • Eliza.
  • Robert.
  • John.
  • Marie mar. Ra. Bulmer, esq
• ‡

  From hence the visitation in 1615.
• Wm Smith, cl. was rector of Lowther in Westmorland; ob. 30th Nov. 1675, and was buried in the chancel there.

  His son Dr John Smith, a famous orthodox divine, was born at Lowther in the year 1659, settled at Dur∣ham 1681 ad••••t••••d a minor canon 1682, and was nominated to the churches of Croxdale and Witton Gil∣bert in 1686; ••eat in Madrid as chaplain to lord Lansdowne, then ambassador. In 1694, lord Crewe, bishop of Durham, constituted him his domestic chaplain: 1695, he was collated to the rectory of Gates∣head and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and to a prebend of Durham in the month of September; in 1699, was treasurer of the cath. ch.; 1••0••. he was collated to the rectory of Bishop weremouth, and built the parsonage house there; died at Camb. ••••th Jul. 1715, aet. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and was buried in St John's chapel. He mar. Mary, eldest daughter of Wm Cooper of Sea ••rough, by his wife ••hiladelphia, fifth daughter of Henry Smith, of West-Horrington and Moreton-house, which Henry was half-brother to Sir G. Baker, of Crook, by their mother Mary, daugh∣ter of Lio. Heron, of Chipchase castle, esq who was married first to Oswald Baker, esq and after his death to Will. Smith of Durham and West Herrington, esq counsellor at law, whence the said Mary Cooper was allied in blood to Geo. Baker, esq founder of 6 exhib. in St John's col. Camb. She died in 1729, aet 57, and was buried in the cath. ch. yard. They had issue George, John, and Joseph. George was of Burnhall, born 7th May, 1693; took orders in the Nonjuring church, and was made titular bishop of Durham; a famous antiquary, and editor of Bede's Works, and a tract entitled "Saxons not converted to Popery"; ob. 4th Nov. and buried in Elvet church-yard, Durham, 1756: He married Christian, daughter of Hilkia Bedford. John was a Blackhall factor; died and was buried at Durham, 1731. Joseph was fellow of Trin. Col. Camb. died 1739; married a woman of no character at Camb. called Betty Woodgen. George Smith, esq had issue John Smith, esq M. D. ob. 1752, aet. 29; buried in Little St Mary's, Durham; married Anne, dau. of Nich. Shuttleworth, esq and by her had issue an only son, the present Geo. Smith, esq who was a stu∣dent at St Andrew's, in Scotland, and now owner of Persfield, in Monmouthshire.—[See a full pedigree of this family in Thoresby's Ducatus Leodiensis, p. 21.]
• Inq. p. m. Rob. de Brackenburye, a^o 25^o Hatfield ap. Dun. cor. W. de Menevylle vic. Dun.

  Inq. p. m. Alicia dau'r of Gilbert, heir of Robert. Nicholas brother of Gilbert, and her uncle, heir, a^o 35^o Hatfield co. W. de Bowes esc.

  Inq. p. m. Matil. q. fuit uxor. Joh'is Claxton cl'ici, &c. manerio de Magna Brune, &c. te. de com. West∣m'l. p. hom. & fid. & quartam p'tem un. feod. mil. &c. a^o 17^o Langley
• †

  1688, Nov. 10, arms were granted to Simon Peacock of Burnhall, viz. Sable, three peacocks in pride argent, a chief embattled, or.—See Guillim, p. 233.
• ‡

  Rot. B. Hatfield, Sch. 2, N^o 1.

  Tho. d g. &c. S. Cu. Ric'us de Bury, &c. ac ja. p. quand. inq. cor. dil'co & fideli n'ro Joh'e de Hynd∣sey esc. &c. p. l're n'ru. de ad q'd damnu. &c. non est ad dampnu. &c. man'iu. de Rylly & dece. acr. t're cu. p'tin. in Aldyngrige q'e fueru't Ric'i de Castro Barnardi cl'ici, &c. Dat. 28th Ap. 1379.
• ‖

  Extract from Nichol's Anecdotes of Wm Bowyer, Printer, F. S. A. 1782.—"The name of Bedford has occured so often in this volume, that it becomes necessary to give some account of the family. Hilkiah Bedford, of Sibsey, in Lincolnshire, a Quaker, came to London, and settled there as a stationer, between the years 1600 and 1625. He married a daughter of Mr Wm Platt, of Highgate, by whom he had a son, Hil∣kiah, a mathematical instrument maker, in Hosier-lane, near West-Smithfield. In this house (which was afterwards burnt in the great fire of London, 1666) was born the famous Hilkiah, July 23, 1663; who, in 1667, was admitted of St John's college, Cambridge, the first scholar on the foundation of his maternal grandfather, William Platt. Hilkiah was afterwards elected fellow of his college, and patronised by Hen∣cage Finch, earl of Winchelsea, but deprived of his preferment (which was in Lincolnshire) for refusing to take the oaths at the Revolution, and afterwards kept a boarding-house for the Westminster scholars. In 1714, being tried in the court of King's Bench, he was fined 1000 marks, and imprisoned three years, for writing, printing, and publishing "The Hereditary Right of the Crown of England asserted, 1713," folio; the real author of which was George Harbin, a nonjuring clergyman, whom his friendship thus screened, and on account of his sufferings he received 100l. from the earl of Weymouth, who knew not the real author. His other publications were, a translation of an answer to Fontenelle's History of Oracles, and a Latin life of Dr Barwick, which he afterwards translated into English. He died in 1724. By his wife Alice, daughter of William Cooper, esq he had three sons; 1. William , educated at St John's College (appoint∣ed physician to Christ's hospital, 1746, and register of the college of physicians, London, of which he was fellow and censor, and died July 11, 1747, leaving by his second wife an only daughter Elizabeth, married to John Claxton, esq of Lincoln's Inn, and of Shirley, near Croydon, Surry, F. A. S.) 2. Thomas, a divine . And 3, John , a physician at Durham. He had also three daughters, of whom Christian the eldest married George Smith, esq ; of Burnhall; Elizabeth married fifty years to the Rev. Mr Gordon, who died ad∣vanced in years within a week after her, October 1779; Mary married to Mr John Soleby, druggist, in Holborn.
• †

  Perhaps the pocketing of the hundred pounds required no ceremony; for Bedford "was prosecuted, and suffered imprisonment for fathering" the book; which notorious fact, known to lord Weymouth and all the world, might sufficiently account for the benefaction to Bedford, whether he was looked upon to be the author of the book or not. But the strange part of the story is, that Harbin, the author of the book, should carry the money to him as the real author.
• ‡

  I have a number of this gentleman's letters to Dr Z. Grey, in MS.
• ‖

  He was editor of Symeon Dunelm. Hist. published in 1732.
• §

  Who used to sign himself "John Bedford, M. D. Univ. Patav." About the year 1761, he retired from practice, and lived remarkably recluse. He was described by a gentleman who visited him in 1766, as

  near in his expences, so∣ber and regular in his living, exact in his payments, and punctual in his promises.

  He had at that time an intention of putting up a monument to his father, in the church of which he was deprived. He was thrice married; died in 1776, very rich; and left a son, Hilkiah, who was entered in the summer of 1768, of St John's College, Cambridge, became a fellow of that college, and a counsellor, and died greatly beloved in 1779. Dr John Bedford had also two daughters: Elizabeth died single in August 1765: The other, Alice, (born in 1748) was married in 1766, to — Hall, esq of Durham, and is now a widow.
• ¶

  The following inscription is copied from a blue marble altar tomb in Elvet church-yard, Durham.

  Here lyes the body Of GEORGE SMITH, of BURNHALL, esq The venerable remains of a most valuable person, Whose manners, life, and writings, Gave a lustre to his birth and station. And shewed, that with the name, He had all the qualifications Of a gentleman, a christian, and a scholar. He dyed November 4, 1756, in the 64th year of his age. Near him are also buried twelve of his Children, who dyed infants, viz. 7 sons And 5 daughters. Also Christian, Wife of the said George Smith. Who died the 23d of July, 1781, Aged 79. Not in Nichol's publication. On a monument of white marble, fixed to the wall of the east end of the south aile of St Oswald's church. GEORGIO SMITH, de Burnhall, armigero, qui hac in urbe natus, Academicis{que} disciplinis Oxonii primum deinde Cantabrigiae institutus, Ita postea linguarum, historiaeq. & theologiae studiis se totum dedit, Ut inter celebriores aevi scriptores Scriptor ipse acutus gravis eruditus enitesceret. Quam raro autem et felici exemplo Literis Saxonicis operam impenderet Praeclara Bedae testatur editio Post patris sui labores morte interceptos a filio adhuc juvene absoluta, variisque Haud vulgaris argumenti & doctrinae Dissertationibus illustrata. Vitam ad severiora Religionis instituta propius exactam Humanitatis interim et Benevolentiae Condimentis ita temperavit Ut maximam nomini suo dignitatem Virtuti ipsi decus quoddam & splendorem conciliasse videretur. Vir pius prudens integer mansuctus Officiosus omnibus, omnibusq. carus, Ipsi imprimis luctuosae viduae, Quam amanter viventem foveret Mortuumque aeque desideret Testem hoc marmor perennem esse Voluit Obiit die 4 mensis Novemb. 1756 anno Aetatis 64.
• Brome cum Flash.

  Robertus Belford tenet j mess. & xxx acr. terrae quond'm Alani Brome & red. xiijs. iiijd. & j rod terrae de novo approat. &c ijd.

  Will's Warde j mes. & xxx acr. xiij s. iiij d.—& j plac. juxta ten. suum iiijd.—Tho. Ryndwode j mes. & xv. acr. vjs. iiijd.—j acr. de novo approat. iiijd.—Tho. Yoman, Robertus Palman, Johannes de Lambeton, Jo∣hannes de Cawode tenent, &c.

  Haeres Thomae de Essh tenet j mes. & xxxiiij acr. viijs. & maner de Essh, &c. j lib. cene & mult. al parcel.

  Prior Dunolm. tenet xx acr. terrae libere quond'm Rich. Whitparish & red. vjs. viijd.

  Haeredes Thomae de Hexham tenent ij acr. juxta Bromeholme & red. xij d. &c.—Hatfield's Survey.
• †

  Rot. Fordham, Sch. 10. N^o 13.
• Man'co del Brome juxta Aldyngrenge & octod'cim acr. t're cu. p'tin ib. ex dono & concessio Tho. Cop∣per & Tho. Kellawe capellor. he'nd sibi & he'dib's int. eos (Johan ux.) litie p'creat imp'p'm q'd. quid. man. & t'r. cu. p'tin. te' de Pr. Dun. p' que servicia jur. ign. &c.

  [figure] genealogy

  PEDIGREE OF FORCERS.

  • Johannes Forcer de Kellowe, in epatu.
  • Elizabeth, fil. Radi Ellarcase Mil. ux. 2.
  • Radulphus.
  • Franciscus.
  • Bartholomus.
  • —Filia Joh'is Awderwood, de Midridge Graynge, in epatu.
  • Thomas Forcer, de Kellowe.
  • — ••il. Joh'is Racket de Whar∣r••ton, ux. 1.
  • Thomas.
  • Margareta.
  • Elizabetha, fil. Joh'is Trollope, ux, 1^ma
  • Johannis de Kellowe, A^o 1575.
  • Margareta filia Xtoferi Carre de Shirburnhouse.
  • Thomas, Aet. 18, A^o 1575.
  • Margareta.
  • Elizabetha.

  Flower's visitation.
• †

  Bearpark.

  Moiety de q. est en paroch. de Witton l'aut Elvet.

  Locus de Bello redditu. olim suit vaccaria pertin. ad Eleemosynam Dun. de qua excambium p' Moor∣house farm p' B. priorem Dun.—4 Reg. D. & Cha. fo. 1 & 41.

  Bertramus prior construxit cameram cum capello ib'm.
• ‡

  Camden.

  Hugo de Derlington prior inclusit Bewpark.

  Fuit rustica prior Dun. sedes & John Fossour prior ib'm vixit & obiit.

  Vide plus de eo. Rot. Bainbridge, B. N^o 64, & Cart. D. & Cha.

  Custod. parce de Bearpark, granted p' les priors p' patent purvy cum feodo.—Mickleton's MSS.

  Ex tabula pencilibus Dunelmensis.

  Rex David venit ad Bewrepark, ubi sixit tentoria. Hoc tempore, exercitus Anglorum erat apud Akeland.

  Ex antiquo codice Dunelmensi.

  Tempore Berthrami prioris vaccaria quaedam prope Dunelm um mutata est in locum solatii & edificiis orna∣ta; a quo tempore dicta est Beaurepaire, id est Bellus redditus.

  A. D. 1264. Hugo de Derlington, prior Dunelmen. fecit magn. campanile; Parcos de Beaurepaire & Mug∣gleswick, Stangnum de Fery, Pitington, Benliffe, Mukeling; Ille fecit manerium de Ketton, capellam aula•• & cameras de codem; Cameras de Pitington, Westow, & Wardlaw, postea a Scottis destructas. Fecit ins••or cameram de Mugleswick aquam de Devernesset de Broun.—Lel. Itin. vol. viij.
• ‖

  See page 89.
• Ex Arch. D. & Cha.—Randal's MSS.
• We meet with the names of three chapels:

  • 1. The chapel of St Edmund, "In aedibus suburbanis Pr. & Conv. Dun. Bellus redditus nominatis."
  • 2. Another chapel of St Catherine in the manor, where five days in the week service was performed by a chaplain.
  • 3. The chapel of St John in the park, where service was performed twice in the week. Hugh Whitehead, the last prior and first dean of Durham, is said to have repaired many houses here which were fallen to decay.

  Bishop Bainbrig granted to the prior of Durham free warren in his parks of Beaurepaire, Muggleswick, Holayfield, and Raynton; and also in his woods of Strothowe, Witton, Mayner, Sacristanheugh, Hayning∣wood, Herberclose, and Ferycliffe; and Bakestanford wood, Rilley, cum Rilley wood, Aldinygrege, Alton∣field, and Morebybank.—Rot. Sever, N^o 64.
• †

  In the second edition of Mr Grose's work he has given a fine inside view of the great hall.
• ‡

  Ex tabula pencilibus Dunelmensis.

  A. D. 1346. Vigilia S. Luce hora q. bellum inter Scottos & Anglos in loco dicto Nevill's cross.—Berthram Copland mane irruebat cum parte exercitus in Scottos.—Neville & Henri Percy postea fortiter cum Scottos dimicabant. Gul. de la Zouche archiepiscopus Ebor & Mowbray ejus diacomis ac Robertus Ogle ejus sub∣diaconus fortiter pugnabant.—Thomas Carre vexillarius dixit Joanni Copland, cape Davidem regem.—Lel. Itin. vol. viii.

  Corabale. Tho. &c. Sciatis q'd c. Rob'tus de Cornhale teneat ad terminum vitae suae de nob. in capite 3 mess. & 6 bovatas terrae cum pertin. in Cornhale, de dono Will'i de Pendregrest, que quidem messuagia, &c. post mortem pred. Rob'ti nob. pro sorisficar'am presat. Will'i remanere deberent eo q'd idem Will's Scotis municis & rebellib's n'ris adhesit. Nos ad gratu. et laudabile obsequiu. quod dilectus nob. Joh'es de Coup∣land, nobis et eccl'ie nostre Dun. impendit, &c. Concessimus, &c. messuagia, &c. prefato Joh'i, &c. tenend. sibi & he••••delus suis de nobis & successoribus nostris per servicia inde debita, &c. &c. P. L'ram de priv. sig.—Rudd. MSS.
• Rymer's Foed. tom. v. p. 542.—Froisart, l. 1. p. 140.—Rapin, p. 425.
• †

  In the night before the battle of Durham, there appeared to John Fossour, then prior of the abbey of Durham, a vision, commanding him to take the holy corporax cloth, wherewith St Cuthbert covered the chalice when he used to say mass, and to put the same upon a spear point, and next morning to repair to a place on the west of the city of Durham, called the Red Hills, and there to remain till the end of the battle.— The prior and monks, accompanied with Ralph lord Nevil, and John Nevil his son, lord Percy, and many other nobles, returned to the abbey church, there joining in prayer and thanksgiving to God, and holy St Cuthbert, for the conquest obtained that day: In which battle a holy cross, taken out of Holy Rood House, in Scotland, by king David Bruce, was taken from the said king; which cross is recorded, by ancient and credible writers, to have come to the said king most miraculously: Being hunting the hart in a forest near Edinburgh, upon Holy Rood day. In the place where this miracle was wrought, now springs a fountain, called the Rood well. The night after he was warned in his sleep to build an abbey in the same place.— Many excellent jewels and monuments brought from Scotland, and noblemen's banners, were offered to the shrine of St Cuthbert; together with the black rood of Scotland.

  The banner cloth was a yard broad, and five quarters deep, the bottom was indented in five parts, and fringed, and made fast all about with red silk and gold. It was made of red velvet, on both sides em∣broidered with flowers of green silk and gold; and in the midst was the said corporax cloth inclosed, covered over with white velvet, half a yard square every way, having a cross of red velvet on both sides, be∣ing fringed about the edge and skirts with red silk and gold, and three fine little silver bells fastened to the skirts of the said banner cloth, like unto sacring bells.

  On the west side of the city of Durham, where two roads pass each other, a most famous and ele∣gant cross of stone work was erected to the honour of God, for the victory there obtained, known by the name of Nevil's cross, and built at the sole cost of lord Ralph Nevil; which cross had seven steps about it, every way squared, to the socket wherein the stalk of the cross stood, which socket was fastened to a large square stone, the sole or bottom stone being of a great thickness, viz. a yard and a half every way: This stone was the eighth step. The stalk of the cross was in length three yards and a half up to the boss, having eight sides all of one piece; from the socket it was fixed into the boss above, into which boss the stalk was deeply soldered with lead. In the midst of the stalk, in every second square, was the Nevil's cross: A saltire, in a 'scutcheon, being lord Nevil's arms, finely cut; and at every corner of the socket was a picture of one of the four evangelists, finely set forth and carved. The boss at the top of the stalk was an octangular stone, finely cut and bordered, and most curiously wrought; and in every square of the nether side thereof was Nevil's cross, in one square, and the bull's head in the next, so in the same reciprocal or∣der about the boss. On the top of the boss was a stalk of stone, (being a cross a little higher than the rest) whereon was cut, on both sides of the stalk of the said cross, the picture of our Saviour Christ cru∣cified; the picture of the Blessed Virgin on one side, and of St John the Evangelist on the other, both standing on the top of the boss. All which pictures were most artificially wrought together, and finely carved out of one entire stone, some parts thereof through carved work, both on the east and west sides of the cross, with a cover of stone likewise over their heads, being all most finely and curiously wrought together out of the said hollow stone; which cover of stone was covered over. It remained till the year 1589, when the same was broken down and defaced by some lewd and wicked persons.
• And likewise in the said Red Hills, on the north side of Nevil's cross, a little distant from a piece of ground called the Flasse, the Maid's bower used to be, where the prior and monks stood making their prayers to God with the holy relique of St Cuthbert: During the said battle there was erected a beautiful cross of wood, in remembrance of that holy relique carried to the battle.

  In the Harleian Collection, N^o 4843, is the following historical poem .

  Anno domini MCCCXLVI. die Martis in Vigilia Lucae Evangelistae hora matutin. nona. commissum suit bellum inter Anglos et Scottos non longe a Dunelmia, in loco ubi nunc stat crux vulgariter dicta Nevill Crosse.

  Incipit Prologus.

  O miranda bonitas Jesu salvatoris Humiles qui respicit omnibus in horis Superbos humilians cuspide meroris Quos ceca cupiditas tenuit erroris.

  Non est sapientia certe contra deum Ulla nec prudentia valet contra eum Nunc uni nunc alteri dat deus tropheum Judas sed prevaluit nunc in amoreum.

  View Page 343

  Benedictus dominus qui nos visitavit Ab Egypti carcere qui nos liberavit Qui sub nostris pedibus pharaonem stravit Filios qui Isreal diu captivavit.

  Explicit Prologus.

  Incipit Tractatus Belli.

  In Francorum partibus rege debellante Et sibi subjecere Callis laborante Sathanic satellites treuga non obstante Irruunt in Angliam ut solebant ante.

  Rex DAVIT indomitus vana spe seductus Et Francorum litteris falsis circumductus Ad Ledel se properat ad suorum luctus Nam patet per exitum qualis fuit fructus.

  Fructus parvus astuit licet capiebat Unum forcinuculum sibi quod nocebat Proch dolor sed militem vivum quem videbat Post visum interimit licet non decebat.

  Non decet ad principes nec ad reges magnos Ad vindictam pessimam nimis esse pronos Qui studet destruere fideles colonos Vix sedebit filius ejus super thronos.

  Capto forcinuculo DAVIT est letatus Plusquam credi potuit et est exaltatus Sic sic per Achitofel est conciliatus Partes quae destruere vult episcopatus.

  Temptavit multocies Duglas suo more Ut ab hoc proposito et ab hoc errore Davit regem verteret suo pro honore Error sed novissimus pejor est priore.

  Captis raptis omnibus ad Lidel inventis Versus austrum properat infurore mentis Non erant sed memores prophete dicentis Salva locum domini et ipsius gentis.

  Occidebant homines utpote bidentes Non misericordiam in se plus habentes Heu Cuthberti presulis sic tractabant gentes Horum sunt plures inopes erant qui potentes.

  Spoliant ecclesias rapiunt jumenta Et de quibus sumpserant nummos & talenta Comburunt et grangias simul et frumenta Parum parcunt talibus salla fide tenta.

  Vox in Rama sonuit fletus & ploratus Quando vir cum gregibus fugit desolatus Panem petit parvulus nec est sibi datus Ex hinc lamentabiles dabat ejulatus.

  Tunc fugit plebs ululans partes ad australes Non succursus hominum sperans aliquales Set inter angustias voces promunt tales Cuthberte nos adjuva si quomodo vales.

  Cuthbertus non immemor tante seritatis Et vim grandem sustinens sue libertatis Sic precatur dominum nostris pro peccatis Horum sors et victoria cessit desperatis.

  Ad Dunelmum properant Scotti maledicti Deridentes Anglios ac si essent victi Ad nemus de Beureparke festinant predicti Ubi erant postea fortiter afflicti.

  Figentes tentoria leti comederunt Nam dispersos Anglicos nuncij dixerunt Scottis nescientibus prompti sed fuerunt Aput Aukland Anglici mane ut viderunt.

  Noctis sub silentio quando rex dormivit Duglas cum complicibus ad predandum ivit Misit suos Catulos huc illuc ut scivit Set ruinam maximam venturam nescivit.

  Luce in vigilia sere in aurora Venerunt ad Merington non in bona hora Depredantur patriam voce cum sonora Set in luctum vertitur risus sine mora.

  Ipsis depredantibus ecce summo mane Quedam pars exercitus gentis Anglicane In predones irruit & fugerunt plarie Omnes velut lepores persequente cane.

  Sicut canes lepores insequi solebant Sic nostrates Scoticos ubique cingebant In agris & semitis mortui cadebant Quia sparsis cerebris stare non valebant.

  Agmina prospiciens Duglas Anglicorum Et progressum indicans sagittariorum Non stetit ulterius ad tenendum sorum Set ivit celeriter ad relictum chorum.

  Cum venisset igitur Duglas infra nemus Dixit fratres surgite nova nos habemus Ad arma concurrite & post ordinemus Si pro nostro commodo sit ut nos pugnemus.

  View Page 344

  Tribus in agminibus venit gens Anglorum Et in prima acie est gens Northumbrorum Sunt viginti milia certe pugnatorum Et Percy quem novimus ductor est eorum.

  Si fas esset vincere ipsius vexillum Et Nevell similiter qui stat juxta illum Caperemus Anglicos tempus post pusillum Et archiepiscopum veluti pupillum.

  Tunc dixit ut dicitur David ad majores Non sunt nunc in Anglia viri bellatores Non sunt nisi clerici atque portiores Fient ergo martires isti confessores.

  Non est nisi palea hec plebs congregata Seges est in Francia valde fatigata Capiemus Anglicos si permittant fata Velut auceps volucrem cum sit inviscata.

  Philippus rex Franciae noster specialis Nobis scripsit literam et est tenor talis Non est nunc in Anglia sexus aliqualis Caput qui defendore potest suum malis.

  Wilham illa agmina que sic indicasti Ex defectu cerebri forte machinasti Extra cursum solitum quia vigilasti Tu ex uno homine duos estimasti.

  Si tu sis perterritus vade vias tuas Et fuge velociter ne percussus ruas Donec habuerimus manus nostras duas Non timemus Anglicos nec cautelas suas.

  Ad hec verba motus est Duglas vehementer Et circum astantibus dixit luculenter Hodie non fugiam stabo sed potenter, Et hoc luet plurimus incrassatus venter.

  Non Anglorum domine curo de cautelis Regnoque Scocie ero vir fidelis, Quod si non credideris et probare velis Hoc probetur hodie sactis non loquelis.

  Tunc ad arma bellica Scotti concurrerunt Clipeis ab aureis montes splenduerunt Juxta regis latera fortes confluxerunt Et pre magno gaudio

  Venit eo tempore missus a Priore, Unus simplex monachus tractans de amore Quem jussit interimi David in surore Sed non ita sactum est ut precepit ore

  Exeunt de nemore insimul globati Gladiis et sustibus fortiter stuffati Licet erant omnibus bene preparati Erant nichilominus excommunicati

  Scotis audientibus turmas segregatim En nostrates veniunt valde seriatim Cum tubis clangentibus accedunt paulatim Ad ictus et ad verbera convenerunt statim

  Currunt Scottis ob viam mox architenentes Et transmittunt Angelos ipsos persequentes Sic purgati fuerant Scotticorum dentes Quod sunt qui relicti sunt adhuc conquerentes.

  Irrurerunt insimul Anglici & Scotti Ut Leones rabidi circa praedam moti Sed quod non dixerant culpas sacerdoti Per ictus & verbera erant culpis loti.

  Quia suspicabilis Duglas suit David Ad juncturam igitur primam festinavit Quem in ictu oculi Bertram trucidavit Vivus tam captus est licet non putavit.

  Nescio quali ductus sit David fantasia Recte cum Angligenis junxit alta via Benedicto domini matre et maria Non ut ipse dixerat stetit prophecia.

  Prophetavit inscius ut pote volebat Set non ita accidit sicuti dicebat Laudes cum victoria sibi ascribebat Set stetit oppositum antequam sciebat.

  Stetit Percy dimicans fortitor cum Scottis Cui magnates plurimi starent a remotis Quod Augus percipiens viribus cum totis Ad Percy se properat cum ducentis notis.

  Non averlunt saces Comes nec Henricus Donec victus fuerat omnis inimicus Vix in campo steterat dives vel mendicus Per quem tantus periit sanguis impudicus.

  Tunc archiepiscopus de Suche qui est dictus Ad creandos ordines venit valde strictus Quotquot ordinaverat senciebant ictus Ex hinc imperpetuum siat benedictus.

  Fuit nam diaconus Mowbray vir urbanus At{que} subdiaconus Okyll ille canus Qui ad istos ordines fuit tam prophanus Quod non potest fieri post haec capellanus.

  View Page 345

  Illi namque clerici dicti confessores Quos Davit vocaverat atque portioris Absolvunt in fustibus suos derisores Sicque jacent mortui velut peccatores.

  Morique de Moravia vir inordinatus Contra jus ecclesiae comes nuncupatus Quia duxit conjugem non licentiatus Nunc ad istos ordines fuit degradatus.

  Thomas cancellarius ducto regis Davit Qui pomposas literas saepius dictavit Quia terras Angliae nimis adoptavit Ipsum nunc exigua terra saturavit.

  Comes de Moravia Anglicis ingratus A nostris magnatibus nimis honoratus Quia venit contra nos cum David armatus Jacet inter mortuos dire vulneratus.

  Senescallus Scotiae videns ordinatos Super terram mortuos jacere prostratos Ordinari (Mori) noluit inter memoratos Iter sed arripuit inter effugatos.

  Gens nostra viriliter stetit Anglicana Set fugit celeriter turba Scoticana Currebant per aspera insimul & plana Sperantes evadere sed spes fuit vana.

  Scotis fugientibus ipsos sunt secuti Equites & pedites per paludes luti Multi vero capti sunt multi sunt minuti Panci set ad propria pervenerunt tuti.

  Videns rex attonitus quod fugissent sui Volebat se reddere sed nescevit cui Volens vexillarius ejus vita frui Dixit Coupland cape, hunc servus ejus fui.

  Mox in David guttere Coupland misit manus Sed in quantum poluit restitit prophanus Velit nolit captus est sed ut vir urbanus Fecit secum armigcr volens quod sit sanus.

  Set non ita sanus est quin architenentes Cum sagittis ferreis visitabant dentes Est unum proverbium dictum inter gentes Deridentur saepius qui sunt deridentes.

  Non erant nunc ordines nisi speciales Qui non sunt mortui omnes capitales Cumque congregaverat suos consodales Senescallus Scotiae erunt generales.

  Wath qui sanctuarium Cuthberti destruxit Fidelem qui militem occidens seduxit Qui leonem catulos super nos induxit Et comburens segetes risit et non luxit.

  Wath qui terras dividit quas non adquisivit Alienas detinens pluresque concupivit Qui vixisse potuit pace sed non scivit Foveas confodiens in quas dissilivit.

  Wath qui regis Angliae filiam despexit Propter unam pellicem quam sors sursum vexit Lyam lippam oculis rex David dilexit Set Rachel pulcherrimam vix gaudens respexit.

  Non laudetur aliquis propter istud factum Nam fuit miraculum quicquid erat actum Laudetur set dominus qui custodit pactum Et Cuthberti praesulis vindicat jus fractum.

  Laudes deceptorias cunctas respuamus Et ad thronum gratiae preces effundamus Ut per temporalia sic sic transeamus Semper eternalia ne nos amittamus.

  Amen.

  View Page 342
• §

  Transcribed by Mr Jos. Ritson, of Gray's Inn, and transmitted to Mr G. Allan. He says the writing appears of the fifteenth century, and the book as having belonged to the abbey of Durham. He adds there is a Latin poem on the same subject in the Cottonian Collection, A. xx. 14. And he transmitted a copy, which did not seem sufficiently curious to ex∣cuse its being obtruded on the reader, together with the above.
• (a)

  Forte Judaeus Gens Anglorum
• (b)

  Gentem Scoticam.
• (c)

  Scottica tirannide.
• (d)

  Angli.
• (e)

  Scotti.
• (f)

  Postea Lidel.
• (g)

  Malcolm Flemyng.
• (h)

  Dunelmie.
• (i)

  Willi••lmus.
• (k)

  Northumbria.
• (l)

  Monachi transmissi.
• (m)

  David.
• (n)

  Praedones.
• (o)

  Evangelistae.
• (p)

  Bertram et Coupland
• (q)

  Anglici.
• (r)

  Exe••••itum Scottorum.
• (s)

  W. de Souch.
• (t)

  Duglas.
• (u)

  Query, forte tripudiaverunt.
• (v)

  Sagittas.
• (w)

  Henricus.
• (x)

  Comes.
• (y)

  Dandos ictus.
• (z)

  Episcopi.
• (a)

  Robertus.
• (b)

  In occidendo.
• (c)

  Inabiles ad praeliandum.
• (d)

  Occidunt.
• (e)

  Forte Moriss pro Mauretius qui in hoc praelio cecidit.
• (f)

  Charters.
• (g)

  Tho. Carre.
• (h)

  Johanni.
• (i)

  Coupland.
• (k)

  Regina Scotiae.
• Mr Cade has asserted, that there was a druidical grove here, the barrow being very conspicuous.—We admitted this account implicitly in a note to p. 2 of this volume, but have not been able to gain further infor∣mation thereof.
• Framwelgate, Durham.

  Liberi tenentes. Walterus Tailbojs tenet quodd'm maner. vocat. Erlehouse quond'm Ricardi de Kellowe & postea comitis D'Angos per cartam & servic forin. & red. per ann. lxiij s. jx d.

  Johannes de Notyngham tenet unam plac. vocat Morehous. & red vjij s. x d.

  Johannes de Thwenby, tenet j plac. vocat. Spitilfate, contin. per estimat. xvj acr. terrae & quend'm alium campum ad caput de Milburn slash ibid. per servic. forin. & red. lij s. vj d.—tenet j mes. & liij acr. & dimid. terrae & j plac. pro j. Fald juxta Wytton, per servic. sorin. et redd. per ann. xiv s. j d.

  Johannes de Baumbrough tenet j mes. & lxj acr. terrae & dimid. quond'm Rob'ti Leycest. vocat Drybourn-house, per servic forin. & redd. per ann. xlj s. ij d.

  Robertus de Massham tenet iij acr. vocat Hesilsyd sed de red. ignor.

  Magist. Johannes de Hagthorp tenet maner de Nettilworth & xlj acr. terrae quond'm Mag'ri. Will'i de Lambeton per servic. ut supra, & redd. per ann. xxvij s.

  Mag. hospitalis de Kypier tenet maner. de Holmers & lxiiij acr. & dimid. terrae in vj parcell. quond'm Will'i Wyld. & red. per ann. xxxiij s.

  Terrae Scaccarij. Will's Bowes chev. tenet boscum vocat. Farnyley red. v s.—Johannes Elvet & alij.—Spi∣ti'croft, Selknoll, Cadnesfeld, Graywast, Edeswast, Horsardleys, Keperlawe, Hurehill, Barara, Halyside, Snawdon, Hurehill, Warthall.—Mag'r hospitalis de Kypier, tenet v acr. quond'm Will'i de Layton apud Fyndon & redd. iij s. iiij d.

  Terrae vastae & redditus non soiut. sunt satis prolix.—Hatfield's Survey.

  Certain disputes having some time been agitated touching Shaw wood, the same was submitted in refer∣rence to Sir Tho. Davison, who made his award, dated the 18th of December, 1666, and finally settled all matters relative thereto for the benefit of the city of Durham and Framwelgate, and the two Baileys.—It is to be observed that the original award was produced by Mr Christopher Mickleton, deputy register of the court of chancery of Durham, and was in his hands at his death. A full copy is among Randall's MSS. in Mr Allan's custody, but too long to be inserted in this work.
• †

  	Bap.	Mar.	Bur.
  State of population in this parish from 1660 to 1679	818	202	852
  1760 to 1779	938	315	1021
  Increase	120	113	169

  Number of burials in the last year 63.—Computed number of inhabitants 1890.
• ‡

  St Margaret's chapel.

  Clear yearly val. ••l. 12s. 6d.—Yearly tenths 11s. 3d.—Certisi. val. 31l. 6s. 8d.—Real val. 120l.

  It was augmented by lot with 1••0l. in the year 1748, and with an additional 200l. on the 3d of May, 1758, in conjunction with the dean and chapter of Durham, who settled and secured a rent charge of 40l. a year to the curate. In March, 1769, an act of parliament was obtained for the division of Crosgate moor, by which the curacy is advanced about 30l. a year.

  CURATES.

  • Richard Collyson, cap. 1501.
  • Rich. Grethed, cap. oc. 1 Jun. 1521.
  • Sir Henry Morle, cur. oc. 12 Jul. 1564.
  • Car. Moberlay, cl. oc. visit. book bishop Barnes, 28 Apr. 1572: Was vic. of St Oswald's, 1574.
  • Mich. Patreson, oc. 3 Feb. 1577.
  • Jermanus Gardiner, oc. 1584.
  • Geo. Parkison, 1601.
  • Edw. Harrison, cl. 1628.
  • John Durie, A. M. oc. 1641.
  • Edw. Moorcroft, A. M. oc. Easter Tuesday, 1666.
  • Sam. Martin, min. oc. 1672.
  • Joh. Martin, min. oc. 12 Jul. 1694.
  • Philip Robson, 1703.
  • John Powell, A. M. 1713, p. m. Robson.
  • Will. Forster, A. M. 27 Oct. 1719, vic. of St Oswald, 1725.
  • Ra. Eden, cl. 14 Mar. 1722, p. res. Forster, second son of Laton Eden, vic. of Hartburn, Northumberland, deprived in 1732, for immorality, and died in York∣shire.
  • Edw. Gregory, A. B. 2 Dec. 1732, p. dep. Eden.
  • John Wheeler, B. A. 4 Oct. 1753.
• Langley Rot. D. in dorso. Dat. 11 Dec. 1431. arch. dean and chapter.—Randal's MSS.

  E. reg. paroch. 20 June, 1739. The Rev. John Simon gave 12l. 12s. to the curate of St Margaret's, to be placed at interest for the use of the poor of St Margaret's chapelry.

  1327. Un. burg. in Milburnegate. reddendo inde annuatim custodibus luminaris eccl'ie Ste Margarete, &c. 4 solidos argenti. Carta Walt'i Boney & Aliciae ux'is.

  1328. Rob. Plawseworth, and Agnes his wife, gave out of a burgage in Allertongate, 4s. to the support of lights in this chapel.

  1477. Joh. Blenkarn, &c. deliberaverunt unum antiphonarium quod quondam fuit ex dono p'dci Joh'is.— He'nd & tenend p'd'm antiphonariu. p'fato Joh'i Poton, cap'no ad terminum vite sue et post decessum suum remaneat ad p'd'cam eccl'iam, &c.

  Many other rent charges for support of lights.

  1385. An indenture touching the receipt of books for the use of the chapel.

  1328. A grant of 4s. out of a burgage, quod habui ex dono & concessione Will'i fil. Walt'i de Fysthe Carnificis de Dunolm. sustentacoi cereor. ardentium coram imagine be. Margarete in cancello dee. capelie. &c.
• †

  Bishop Tunstall, in his fourteenth year, granted to Hugh Spark, tanner, and his heirs, two burgages in Crosgate, forfeited by the attainder of Tho. Blunt, of Durham, cook, for high treason.—Cursitors Rolle. —Rudd's MSS.

  On a black wooden tablet fixed to one of the pillars.

  GABRIEL SWAINSTON, Generosus legum baccalaureus Obiit vicesimo secundo die Mensis Februarii, A. D. 1711. Aetat. suae 63. Qui dum vivus suit, saepius in animo revolvit ac ideo in tabula inde conficienda post mortem suam, et hic effigenda sub lite∣ris majusculis inscribi voluit, et ordi∣navit ad usum superviventium, (et prae∣sertim ad usum Leguliorum, et alio∣rum in Curiis Juridicis versantium) Ista Juris Civilis Effata sive Axiomata laudatissima, et omni Encomio majora, tanquam Monumenta semper et ad semper observatu dignissima: Nempe HONESTE VIVERE ALTERUM NON LAEDERE JUSSUUM CUIQUE TRIBUERE,

  On a large gravestone in the body of the church.

  Depositum JOHANNIS DUCK, Baronetti Civitatis Dunelm. Senatoris, Viri prudentis, justi, benefici, Qui quam fuit in re familiari augenda foelix tam fuit in largienda liberalis; Et ne suae tantum aetati prodesset, Ptochotrophium Lumleiae xij pauperibus alend, Extruxit. Obiit An. D'ni MDCXCI. Aug. xxvj. Cum vixisset circiter An. LIX. Sub eodem marmore condita jacet ANNA uxor ejus, Foemina pia, prudens, Fortuna selix moribus felicior Dum sic vivit benefica, post mortem desiderata Ut quos vita junxit, nec mors quidem separaret Obiit Decemb. XIV. An. Dom. MDCXCV. Aet. LX.
• Vide Harebarowes under title (Chester.)
• †

  Et Joha. ux. Joh'is Fossour est s. d'ce Agn. int. se & d'c'm Will'um de Kellawe legit. procreata & her. ipsius Agnet. p'p' & aetat. quadraginta annor. Cor. W. de Claxton. chiv. esc. co. Dun.
• ‡

  In the parish register is an entry of the ancient boundaries of this parish, and the following entry.

  Memorandum. Q'd parochia de Wytton Gilbert, incipit ab Hennyburn aliter Hornbyburn ex parte orientali sequendo le Hordley usq. Conkburn, et ita usq. ad le Lech juxta locum vocat Nixon-howse, & sic ad le Marl∣park usq. ad le Lech inter le Marlpark et Edmundsle-seld, et usq. ad le Sagarslaynhough et Blackburn sicut cadit in Were, et sic ascendendo rivulum de Blackburn a stagno d'ni epi juxta Kymlisworth usq. ad caput ejusdem rivuli, et sic de capite illius rivuli usq. Yvesmose qui est infra parcum de Beuepark; & sic ex descendendo versus boream per quoddam Siketum q'd cadit de Yvesmose usq. le Halywell in Myddilwodde, et sic ex parte oc∣cidentali per quoddam Siketum usq. dum dictum Siketum quod currit inter Stany••eses et Sclayt-slat descen∣dendo per Wetchall & Ryding quousq. perveniatur in Broun infra parcum.

  By a convention between the prior and convent, and parishioners of Witton Gilbert,

  Ye sayde par∣ishioners shall fynde all manner of charges whatsoever touching the chapell. And it is further agreed up∣on, by and betwixte ye abovenamed, yt the curat of ye saide Witton Gilbert, shall after the manner of a parson gather or have for his mayntenaunce all manner of tythes in kind Witton belonging: And yt ye sayd curat, by the agreement shall be tyed to no reparation of ye said chapell, but ye parishe itselfe, as may appear in the Euydence in the house of Durham.

  In a booke called ye fourthe Carturye, fol. 98, Z.W 6d. Spinl'm 1 z. Lawrentius Pilkington, curatus haec ad inven.

  1614, 22 Feb. In quo die maxima fuit Nix, & incipit 5^o Janu. & duravit quotidie nivente plus vel nimus 12^o Martii, et hac tempestate tam homines quam bestiae multi sunt suffocati.

  A^o D'ni 1627, 16 Dec. Maxima fuit tempestas Venti toto d. et circa hora q'rtam post prandium ventus fuit valde magnus, et tempestas fulguris et tonitrui maxima timida. pt. ea secuta est magna pluvia & Nix ad medi∣am noctem.
• At the west end of the chapel hang two bells.—Parish reg. begins 1570, 12 Eliz.

  Certfi. val. 55l.—Proc. ep. 3s. 4d.—Pen. d. & cha. 3s. 4d.—Real val. 90l. exclusive of house, &c. 1772.

  CURATES.

  • Joh. Browne, 1561.
  • Laur. Pilkington, cl. min. of God's word, 6 Feb. 1570, p. dep. Browne.
  • Mich. Pattenson; oc. 17 Jan. 1583.
  • Rob. Hawkesworth, 20 Jul. 1605, p. m. Pattenson.
  • Jos. Cradock, A. M. 14 Jan. p. m. Hawkesworth.
  • Henry Hutton, A. M. 4 Aug. 1635, p. ces. Cradock. —A true vicar of Bray.
  • Edward Kirkby, A. M. 28 Sep. 1671, p. m. Hutton.
  • Joh. Smith, A. M. 1 Jul. 1684. p. res. Kirkby.
  • Abr. Yapp, A. M. 1695, p. res. Smith.
  • Tho. Drake, A. M. 17 Jan. 1716, p. dep. Yapp.— A nonjuror.
  • Bryan Turner, A. M. 25 Nov. 1720, p. res. Drake.
  • Abr. Gregory, A. M. 1 Nov. 1738, p. m. Turner.
  • Ja. Douglas, D. D. 19 Feb. 1773, p. m. Gregory. —Prebendary of Durham and rector of Stainton.
  • Thomas Richardson, p. m. Douglas.

  Randal's MSS.

  In the church-yard. Hic jacet Johannes Smith. Qui permissione divina fulmine percussus expi∣ravit 28 die Aprilis, 1728, Aetat. 42. Videte ut vigiletis & oret∣is, nescitis enim quando Tempus Futurum sit. I. H. S.
• †

  Inq. p. m. 15 Langley. P'dca Isab. ten. die quo. ob. si. & he'dib's de corpore suo & corp'e d'ci W'i de La∣ton, p'creat man' de Wytton Gylbert, &c. & q'd Eliz. ux. Petri Tylliall, &c.—Inq. p. m. 30th Langley, &c.
• ‡

  Whitton Gilbert.

  Thomas de Claxton tenet villam de Witton Gilbert, per servic. forin. & redd. per ann. xxs.

  Elemosinar Dunolm. tenet quand. parcel terrae subtus Essh vocat. Aumenerlowde redd. per ann. ad fest. S. Cuthberti in Septemb. j. Libr'. Piperis.—Hatfield's Survey.

  Chester Ward book of rates.

  	£	s.	d.
  Witton town, Witton hall, Fulford, Sacriston heugh, Acrousclose, Simperley, half Bearpark, Earls houses, Kimblesworth, out rent to Sir Gilfrid Lawson for Kimblesworth, Witton Gilbert vicarage, Colliery ib'm.	612	18	6

  Grey's MSS.

  Land tax at 4s.—County rate at 6s. 8d.

  	£.	s.	d.
  Kibblesworth	5	16	8
  Witton Gilbert	33	11	2

  £.	s.	d.
  0	5	6¾
  1	10	7 ••/4

  Registered estates.—John Clark 4l. 12s. 7.—Mary Fenwick 4l. 12s. 7d.—Ann Clark 4l. 12s. 7d.—Eliz. Langdale 20l.—Mann's MSS.

  	Bap.	Mar.	Bur.
  State of population in this parish from 1660 to 1679 inclusive	231	69	193
  1760 to 1779	223	57	264
  Decrease	8	12	0
  Increase	0	0	71

  Burials in the last year 11.—Computed number of inhabitants 330.
• ‖

  Inq. capt. 6^o bishop Langley.
• Kymblesworth.

  Tenths 6s. 8d.—Proc. ep. 1s. 8d.—Clear val. 4l. 2s. 6d.

  RECTORS.

  • William de Hilton, 1255.
  • Rob. de Hasilarton, 1308.
  • Joh. de Lytham
  • Wm Boven, 1353, p. res. Lytham.
  • Joh. de Derlington. 135.
  • Rob. de Ormesby, 1358, p. res. Derlington.
  • Tho. de Whome, p. res. Ormesby.
  • Hugh de Chilton, 1360, p. res. Whome.
  • Joh. de Sykethorp, 1371, p. res. Chilton.
  • Wm de Barker, 1374, p. res. Sykethorp.
  • Joh. de Ackliffe, p. res. Barker.
  • Rob. Carles, 1383, p. res. Ackliffe.
  • Wm de Bishopton, 1394, p. res. Carles.
  • John Skirwith, 1406, p. m. Bishopton.
  • John Soulby, 1414, p. res. Skirwith.
  • John Clerk, 1416, p. res. Soulby.
  • Rob. Kemp, 1421, p. m. Clerk.
  • Rob. Foston, 1430, p. m. Kemp,—was bishop of El∣phin, and suffragan bishop to bishop Langley.
  • Tho. Ryhall, 1434, p. m. Foston.
  • Rich. Creswell, 1462, p. res. Ryhall.
  • Rob. Clerk, 1465, p. res. Creswell.
  • Joh. Pykering, 1478, p. res. Clerk.
  • Joh. Woodfal, 1483, p. res. Pykering.
  • Ra. Hamsterley, 1484, p. res. Woodsal.
  • Hen. Merington, 1487, p. res. Hamsterley.
  • John Young.
  • Chr. Blunt, 1519, p. res. Young.
  • John Tyndale, 1520, p. m. Blunt.
  • Rob. Hertborne, 1526, p. m. Tyndale.
  • Joh. Smythe, 1 Sep. 1543, p. m. Hertborne.
  • Rob. Crawforth, 25 May, 1560, p. m. Smythe.
  • Laur. Pilkington, 1572, p. dep. Crawforth, col. by bishop on lapse 19 Jan. 1583, p. m. Pilkington.
  • Mich. Pattenson, cl. 1583,.—In his time Kymbles∣worth was united to Witton Gilbert.

  Witton par. reg. 1601. The church was quite gone to decay, however Maria Stoke peregrina in domo Edw. Robinson, de Kimblesworth, recepta intuitu paupertatis septula in cancella de Kimb. 28 Feb. 1623.

  Randal's MSS.

  1. Guillim, p. 388, we find the arms of Nath. Johnson, of Kiblesworth, in the county of Durham, chief farmer of the chimney money of his majesty for the four northern counties, viz. party per pale sable & azure, a saltire arg. charged with 5 cocks sable, between 3 flaming towers and two spears in saltirewise in base, or.

  One of Langley's chantry clerks did duty at Kimblesworth.
• This extracted from the parish register, under which is the following certificate.

  "Least the above written memorandum should have bin lost, its here saithfully and word for word tran∣scribed out of the old paper into y^e reg^r. by me.

  "Joh. Smith, cur. of Witton-G."
• †

  Cursitors Rolls.—Rudd's MSS.