Camden's Britannia newly translated into English, with large additions and improvements ; publish'd by Edmund Gibson ...

NORTH-RIDING.

SCarce two miles above the Promontory of Flamburorw, the North-part of this Country, or the North-riding,* 1.1 begins; which makes the frontier to the other parts. From the Sea it extends it self in a very long, but narrow tract, for threescore miles together, as far as Westmorland, to the west. 'Tis bounded on this side with the river Derwent, and for some time by the Ure; on the other all along by the course of the ri∣ver Tees, which separates it from the Bishoprick of Durham to the North. This Riding may not unfitly be divided into these parts, Blackamore, Cliveland, Northalvertonshire, and Richmondshire.

That which lyeth East and towards the Sea, is call'd Blackamore, that is a land black and mountain∣ous, being with craggs, hills, and woods up and down it, rugged and unsightly. The Sea-coast is eminent for Scarborough, a very famous Castle, for∣merly call'd Scear-burg, i.e. a Bourg upon a steep Rock [a]; Take the description of it from the Histo∣ry of William of Newburgh. A rock of wonderful height and bigness, and inaccessible by reason of steep craggs almost on every side, stands into the Sea; which quite sur∣rounds it, but in one place, where a narrow slip of land gives access to it on the West. It has on the top a pleasant plain, grassy and spacious, of about sixty acres or upwards, and a little well of fresh water, springing from a rock in it. In the very entry, which puts one to some pains to get up, stands a stately tower; and beneath the entry the City be∣gins, spreading its two sides South and North, and carrying its front Westward, where it is fortified with a wall; but on the East is fenc'd by that rock where the Castle stands; and lastly, on both sides by the Sea. William, sirnam'd le Grosse, Earl of Albemarle and Holderness, observing this place to be fitly situated for building a Castle on, encreased the natural strength of it by a very costly work, having enclo∣sed all that plain upon the rock with a wall, and built a Tower in the entrance. But this being decay'd and falln by the weight of too much age, King Henry the second commanded a great and brave Castle to be built upon the same spot. For he had now reduc'd the Nobility of England, who during the loose reign of King Stephen, had impaired the revenues of the Crown; but especi∣ally this William of Albemarle, who Lorded it over all these parts, and kept this place as his own.

It is not to my purpose, to relate the desperate boldness of Thomas Stafford, who, that he might fall from great attempts, surpriz'd this Castle in Queen Mary's reign, with a very small number of French∣men, and kept it for two days: nor yet that Sher∣leis, a noble Frenchman of the same party, was ar∣raign'd for High-Treason, altho' he was a foreigner, because he had acted contrary to the duty of his Allegi∣ance,* 1.2 there being then a Peace between the King∣doms of England and France. These things are too well known in the world to need a publication here. Yet it is worth remarking, that those of Holland and Zealand carry on a very plentiful and gainful trade of fishing in the Sea here for herrings (call them in Latin Haleces, Leucomenidae, Chalcides,* 1.3 or what you please) whereas by an old Constitution, they use to get a Licence first for it from this Castle. For the English always granted leave for fishing; reserving the Honour to themselves, but out of a lazy tem∣per resigning the gain to others. For 'tis al∣most incredible what vast gains the Hollan∣ders make by this Fishery on our Coast. These herrings (pardon me if I digress a little to shew the goodness of God towards us) which in the former age swarmed only about Norway, now in our time, by the bounty of divine providence, swim in great shoals towards our coasts. About Mid-sum∣mer, they draw from the main sea towards the coasts of Scotland, at which time they are immediately sold off, as being then at their best. From thence they next arrive on our coasts; and from the middle of August to November, there is excellent and most plentiful fishing for them all along from Scarborough to the Thames-mouth. Afterwards, by stormy weather they are carried into the British sea, and there caught till Christmas; thence having ranged the coast of Ireland on both sides, and gone round Britain, they convey themselves into the Northern Ocean, where they remain till June; and after they have cast their spawn, return again in great shoals. This relation puts me in mind of what I have formerly read in S. Ambrose: Fish in prodigious numbers,* 1.4 meeting as it were by common consent out of many places from several creeks of the sea, in one united body make towards the blasts of the* 1.5 North-east wind, and by a kind of natural instinct swim into the northern seas. One would think, to see them as they climb the main, that some tide were ap∣proaching; they rush on and cut the waves with such vio∣lence as they go through the Propentis to the Euxine Sea. But now to return.

From hence the shore is craggy, and bendeth in∣ward as far as the river Teise; and by its winding in,* 1.6 there is caused a bay about a mile broad, which is called Robin-Hoods Bay,* 1.7 from that famous Out law Robin Hood, who flourish'd in the reign of Rich. the first, (as Jo. Major a Scotchman informs us. who stiles him, a principal and leading robber, and the most kind and obliging robber.) From hence the shore imme∣diately going back on both sides, lets us see the Bay Dunus sinus mention'd in Ptolemy,* 1.8 upon which is seated the little village Dunesly;* 1.9 and just by it, Whitby,* 1.10 in the Saxon tonguea 1.11 Streanes-Heale, which Bede renders, the bay of the Watch-tower. I will not dispute this ex∣planation of it, though in our language it seems so plainly to intimate the bay of Safety, that I should cer∣tainly

have said it was the Sinus Salutaris, if its situati∣on (as the Geographer makes it) did not perswade me to the contrary [b]. Here are found certain stones,* 1.12 resembling the wreaths and folds of a serpent, the strange frolicks of nature, which (as one says) she forms for diversion after a toilsome application to serious business. For one would believe them to have been serpents, crusted over with a bark of stone. Fame ascribes them to the power of Hilda's* 1.13 prayers, as if she had transform'd them [c]. In the infancy of the Saxon Church, she withstood, to the utmost of her power, the tonsure of the Clergy, and the celebration of Easter after the Roman manner, in a Synod touching these matters An. 664. held in the Monastery she had founded in this place, whereof her self was first Governess [d].* 1.14 It is also ascribed to the power of her sanctity, that those wild Geese which in the winter fly in great flocks to the lakes and rivers unfrozen in the southern parts; to the great amazement of every one, fall down suddenly upon the ground, when they are in their flight over cer∣tain neighbouring fields hereabouts: a relation I should not have made, if I had not received it from several very credible men. But those who are less inclin'd to heed superstition, attribute it to some oc∣cult quality in the ground, and to somewhat of anti∣pathy between it and the Geese, such as they say is between Wolves and Scylla-roots. For that such hidden tendencies and aversions as we call Sympathies and Antipathies,* 1.15 are implanted in many things by pro∣vident nature for the preservation of them, is a thing so evident, that every body grants it. Edelfleda the daughter of King Oswin, afterwards enriched this Abbey with very large revenues; and here also she buried her father. But at length, in the times of the Danish ravages, it was destroyed; and although Serlo Percius (who presently after the Conquest was made Governour of it) rebuilt it, yet at this day it has hardly the least shew of its ancient greatness. Hard by, upon a steep hill near the sea (which yet is between two that are much higher) a Castle of Wada a Saxon Duke is said to have stood,* 1.16 who (in the confused disorderly times of the Northum∣brians, so fatal to petty Princes) having combined with those that murder'd King Ethered, gave battel to King Ardulph at Whalley in Lancashire, but with such ill fortune, that his army was routed, and him∣self forced to fly for it. Afterwards he fell into a di∣stemper which kill'd him, [ 798] and was interr'd on a hill here between two hard stones about seven foot high; which being at twelve foot distance from one ano∣ther,* 1.17 occasions a current report, that he was a gyant in bulk and stature. Long after, Peter de Malo-lacu built a Castle near this place, which from its grace and beauty he nam'd in French Moultgrace,* 1.18 (as we find it in the History of Meaux,) but because it be∣came a grievance to the neighbours thereabouts, the people (who have always the right of coyning words) by changing one single letter call'd it Moult∣grave; by which name it is every where known, tho' the reason of it be little understood.* 1.19 This Peter de Malo-lacu, commonly called Mauley (that I may sa∣tisfie the curious in this point) born in Poictou in France, married the only daughter of Robert de Turnham in the reign of Rich. 2. by whose right he came to a very great inheritance here, enjoyed by seven Peters, Lords de Malo-lacu successively, who bore for their Arms, a bend sable in an Escocheon Or. But at last the seventh dying without issue,1 1.20 the inheritance came to be parted by the sisters between the Knightly families of the Salvains and Bigots [e]. Near this place, and elsewhere on this shore, is found Black Amber or Geate.* 1.21 Some take it to be the Gagates,* 1.22 which was valued by the Ancients among the rarest stones and jewels. It grows upon the rocks, within a chink or cliff of them; and before it is polish'd looks reddish and rusty, but after, is really (as So∣linus describes them) black and shining like a dia∣mond.* 1.23 Of which, thus Rhemnius Palaemon from Dionysius:

— Praefulget nigro splendore Gagates Hic lapis ardescens austro perfusus aquarum. Ast oleo perdens flammas, mirabile visu, Attritus rapit hic teneras, ceu succina, frondes.

All black and shining is the Jeat, In water dip'd it flames with sudden heat. But a strange coldness, dip'd in oyl, receives; And draws, like Amber, little sticks and leaves.

Likewise Marbodaeus in his Treatise of Jewels:

Nascitur in Lycia lapis, & prope gemma Gagates, Sed genus eximium foecunda Britannia mittit; Lucidus & niger est, levis & laevissimus idem: Vicinas paleas trahit attritu calefactus, Ardet aqua lotus, restinguitur unctus olivo. Jeat-stone, almost a gemm, the Lybians find, But fruitful Britain sends a wondrous kind;

'Tis black and shining, smooth, and ever light, 'Twill draw up straws if rubb'd till hot and bright, Oyl makes it cold, but water gives it heat.

Hear also what Solinus says: In Britain there is great store of Gagates or Geate, a very fine stone. If you ask the colour, it is black and shining; if the quality, it is ex∣ceeding light; if the nature, it burns in water, and is quenched with oyl; if the virtue, it has an attractive power when heated with rubbing [f].

From Whitby the shore winds back to the west∣ward; near which stands Cliveland,* 1.24 so called, as it seems, from precipices, which in our language we call Cliffs; for it is situated by the side of several steep hills up and down here; from the foot of which the country falls into a plain fertile ground [g].

Upon the shore, Skengrave, a small village, flou∣rishes by the great variety of fish it takes; where, se∣venty years ago, it is reported, they caught a‖ 1.25 sea∣man,* 1.26 who lived upon raw fish for some days; but at last taking his opportunity, he made his escape again into his own element. When the winds are laid, and the sea in a still calm, the waters thereof being spread into a flat plain, very often a hideous groaning is suddenly heard here, and then the fishermen are afraid to go to sea; who, according to their poor sence of things, believe the Ocean to be a huge mon∣ster, which is then hungry, and eager to glut it self with mens bodies. Beneath Skengrave stands Kilton,* 1.27 a castle, with a park quite round it; this belonged formerly to the famous family of the Thwengs, whose estate fell to the Barons of Lumley, Hilton, and Daubeny. Very near this place is seated Skelton-castle, which be∣longs to the ancient family of the Barons de Brus,* 1.28 who are descended from Robert Brus a Norman. He had two sons, Adam Lord of Skelton,* 1.29 and Robert Lord of Anan-dale in Scotland, from whom sprang the Royal Line of Scotland. But Peter Brus▪ the fifth Lord of Skelton, died without issue, and left his si∣sters heirs; Agnes married to Walter de Falconberg;* 1.30 Lucie married to Marmaduke de Thwenge, from whom the Baron Lumley is descended; Margaret married to Robert de Roos; and Laderina married to John de Bella-aqua; men of great honour and repute in that age. The Posterity of Walter de Falconberg flourish'd a long time; but at last the estate fell by a female to2 1.31 William Nevil, famous for his valour, and honour'd with the title of Earl of Kent by King Edward the fourth. His daughters were married to J. Coigniers, N. Bedhowing, and R. Strangwayes.

Near Hunt-cliff on the shore, when the tide is out, the rocks shoot out pretty high; and upon these your Sea-calves (which we contractedly name Seales, as some think for Sea-veals or Sea-calves) lodge in great droves, and there sleep and sun themselves. Upon one of the rocks nearest to the shore, some one of these stands centry, as it were; and when any body comes near, he either pushes down a stone, or casts himself upon the water with great noise, to alarm the rest, that they may provide for themselves, and get into the water. Their greatest fear is of men; if they are pursued by them and want water, they commonly

keep them off, by casting up sand and gravel with their hinder feet. They are not in such awe of wo∣men; so that those men that would take them, dis∣guise themselves in their habit. Here are found on this Coast yellowish and reddish stones; some rusted over with a brinish substance, which by their smell and taste resemble Coperas, Nitre, and Brimstone: and also great store of Pyrites like brass in colour.

Near, at Huntly Nabb, the shore (which for a long way together has lain open) now riseth high with craggs; and up and down at the bottoms of the rocks lye stones of several sizes so exactly form'd round by nature,* 1.32 that one would think them bullets cast by some Artist for the great Guns. If you break them, you find within Stony-serpents wreath'd up in Circles, but generally without heads. Hence we come in view of Wilton-castle,* 1.33 formerly belonging to the Bulmers. Higher up at Dobham the river Tees flows into the Sea, having first receiv'd many small rivulets; the last of which is a nameless one, entring it near Yarum,* 1.34 known for its market; and washes Stokes∣ley,* 1.35 a small market-town likewise, which hath been long in the hands of the famous family de Eure. Be¦low these,* 1.36 stands Wharlton-castle, which formerly be∣longed to the Barons Meinill; and Harlsey, to the fa∣mily of Hothom, but afterwards to the Strangwayes: both of them old and ruinous.

The mouth of the Tees, I spoke of, was hardly trusted by Mariners heretofore; but now it is found to be a safe Harbour: and to direct the entrance, there were Light-houses made upon both sides of it with∣in the memory of this age. Four miles from the mouth of this river,* 1.37 Gisburgh stands upon a rising ground; at present a small town: while it was in its prime, it was very much graced by a beautiful and rich Mo∣nastery built about the year 1119. by Robert de Brus Lord of the town. It has been the common burial-place for all the Nobility of these parts, and has pro∣duced Walter de Hemingford, no unlearned Historian. The place is really fine, and may for pleasantness, a curious variety, and the natural advantages of it, compare with Puteoli in Italy; and then for a health∣ful and agreeable situation, it certainly far surpasses it. The coldness of the air, which the sea occasions, is qualified and broken by the hills between; the soil is fruitful, and produces grass and fine flowers a great part of the year; it richly abounds with veins of me∣tal and Alum-earth of several colours (but especially with those of ocher and murray) from which they now begin to extract the best sort of Alum and Co∣peras in great plenty.* 1.38 This was first discover'd a few years since by the admirable sagacity of that learned Naturalist Sir Thomas Chaloner Kt. (to whose tuition, his present Majesty has committed the delight and glory of Britain, his son Prince Henry,) by ob∣serving that the leaves of trees were‖ 1.39 of a more wealky sort of Green here than in other places; that the oaks shot forth their roots very broad, but not deep; and that these had much strength but little sap in them; that the soil was a white clay, speckled with several colours, namely, white, yellowish and blue; that it never f••oze; and that in a pretty clear night it shin d and sparkl'd like glass upon the road-side [h]. Next,* 1.40 Ounesbery-Topping, a steep mountain and all over green, riseth so high, that it appears at a great distance; and it is the land-mark that directs sailers, and a prognostick to the neighbours hereabouts. For when it's top begins to be darken'd with clouds, rain generally follows3 1.41. Near the top of it, a foun∣tain issues from a great stone, very good for sore eyes. And from hence, the valleys round it, the grassy hills, green meadows, rich pastures, fruitful corn∣fields, fishy rivers, and the creeky mouth of the Tees, low and open shores yet free from inundation, and the sea with the ships in it, render the prospect very delicate. Beneath this stands Kildale, a Castle be∣longing to the Percies Earls of Northumberland; and more to the eastward, Danby, which from Brus, by the Thwengs, came to the Barons Latimer, from whose heir are descended the Willoughbies Barons Broke. But this Danby, among other estates, was sold to the Nevils, of whom George Nevil was summon'd among the Barons to Parliament by Henry 6. under the title of Lord Latimer;* 1.42 in whose posterity that dignity re∣main'd to our age [i]. I have nothing now to ob∣serve here,* 1.43 but that the Baron de Meinill held some lands in this County of the Archbishops of Canter∣bury, and that the Coigniers and Strangwaies4 1.44, with some others descended from them, are obliged to be attendant, and to pay certain military services to the Archbishops for the same.* 1.45 And whereas the King of England, by his prerogative (these are the very words of it) shall have the Wardship of all the lands of them that hold of him in chief by Knights service, of which themselves as tenants have been seised in their demesne as of fee at the time of their decease, of whomsoever they held by the like service, so that themselves notwithstanding hold of the King any tenement of the ancient demesne of the crown, till such time as the heir has come to years: Yet these fees are excepted, and others of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Durham5 1.46, so that they shall have the wardship of such lands, tho' elsewhere they held of the King.

More inward among the mountains of Blackamore,* 1.47 there is nothing remarkable to be met with (besides some rambling brooks and rapid torrents, which take up as it were all the vallies hereabouts;) unless it be Pickering, a pretty large town belonging to the Dutchy of Lancaster, seated upon a hill, and forti∣fied with an old Castle, to which many neighbour∣ing villages round about do belong, so that the adja∣cent territory is commonly called Pickering Lith, the Liberty of Pickering, and the Forest of Pickering;* 1.48 which Hen. 3. gave to Edmund his younger son E. of Lancaster. In this, upon the Derwent Atton* 1.49 is situ∣ated, which gives name to the famous family of the Attons Knights, descended from the Lords de Vescy, whose estate was divided by the daughters between Edward de St. John, the Euers, and the Coigniers. From this Edward de St. John, a great part thereof came by a daughter to Henry Bromflet; who was summon'd to Parliament in the following manner,* 1.50 (no where else to be met with among the Summons to Parliament;) We will that both you and the heirs males of your body lawfully begotten, be Barons of Vescy. Afterwards this title went by a daughter to the Clif∣fords. On the other side, four miles from Pickering, near Dow (a very strong current) is Kirkby-Morside,* 1.51 none of the most inconsiderable market-towns, for∣merly belonging to the Estotevills, and situate near hills, from which it takes it's name.

From these, westward, stands Rhidale,* 1.52 a very fine valley, pleasant and fruitful, adorn'd with 23 Parish-Churches, and the river Rhy running through the midst of it. A place (says Newbrigensis) of vast so∣litude and horror, till Walter Espec gave it to the Clu∣niack Monks, and founded a Cloister for them. Here Elmesly is seated,* 1.53 which (if I do not mistake) Bede calls Ulmetum, where Robert sirnamed de Ross, built the Castle Fursam; near which, the river Recall hides it self under ground. Lower down upon this river stands Riton, the old estate of an ancient family the Percihaies, commonly called Percyes. From hence the Rhy, with the many waters received from other currents, rolls into the Derwent, which washes Mal∣ton* 1.54 in this valley, a market-town, famous for its vent of corn, horses, fish, and Country-utensils. There the foundation of an old Castle is visible, which former∣ly, as I have heard, belonged to the Vesceys,* 1.55 Barons of great note in these parts. Their pedigree (as ap∣pears from the Records of the Tower) is from Wil∣liam Tyson, who was Lord of Malton and Alnewick in Northumberland, and was cut off in the battel of Hastings against the Normans. His only daughter was married to Ivo de Vescy a Norman, who likewise left one only daughter called Beatrice, married to Eusta∣chius the son of John Monoculus, who in the reign of K. Stephen founded two Religious houses, at Malton and Watton. For his second wife (daughter to William, Constable of Chester) was Lady of Watton. William

the son of Eustachius by his wife Beatrice, being rip∣ped out of his mothers womb, took the name Vescey, and for Arms,* 1.56 A Cross, Argent, in a field, Gules. This William, by B. daughter to Robert Estotevill of Knaresburgh, had two sons; Eustach de Vescey, who married Margaret daughter to William King of Scot∣land; and7 1.57 Guarin de Vescey Lord of Knapton. Eu∣stach was father to William, who had a son John that died without issue, and William famous for his exploits in Ireland, and who changed the old Arms of the fa∣mily into a shield, Or, with a Cross, Sable. William (his lawful son John dying in the wars of Wales) gave some of his lands in Ireland to King Edward, that his natural son called William de Kildare, might in∣herit his estate;* 1.58 and made Anthony Bec Bishop of Durham, his Feoffee in trust to the use of his son; who hardly acquitted him••elf fairly in that part of his charge relating to Alnwick, Eltham in Kent, and some other estates, which he is said to have converted to his own use This natural son aforesaid was slain at Sterling fight in Scotland; and the title fell at last to the family of the Attons by Margaret the only daugh∣ter of8 1.59 Guarin Vescy, who was married to Gilbert de Atton.* 1.60 But enough of this, if not too much; and besides, we spoke of it before.

Near this valley stands Newborrow,* 1.61 to which we owe William of Newborrow, an English Historian, learn¦ed and diligent, (now it is the Seat of the famous fa∣mily de Ballasise, who are originally from the Bi∣shoprick of Durham;) and also Belleland, commonly call'd Biland;* 1.62 two famous Monasteries, both f••unded and endow'd by Roger Mowbray.* 1.63 The family of these Mowbrays was as considerable as any for power, ho∣nours, and wealth: they possessed very great estates, with the castles of Slingesby, Thresk, and others in these parts. The rise of this family was in short thus: Roger de Mowbray Earl of Northumberland, and R. de* 1.64 Grandebeofe, being for disloyalty dep••iv'd of their estates, King Henry the first gave a great part of them to Nigell de Albenie (descended from the same family with the Albenies Earls of Arondell) a man of very noble extraction among the Normans. He was Bow-bearer to William Rufus, and enrich'd to that degree by him,* 1.65 that he had in England 140 Knights fees, and in Normandy 120. His son Roger was also commanded by him to take the name of Mowbray, f••om whom the Mowbrays Earls of Nottingham, and the Dukes of Norfolk, are descend∣ed. To these Mowbrays also Gilling-castle,* 1.66 a little way from hence, did formerly belong; but now 'tis in the hands of that ancient and famous family, which from their fair hair, have the name of Fairfax:* 1.67 for fax* 1.68 in the old Saxon signifies hair, or the hairs of the head; upon which account they call'd a Comet or Blazing-star a Faxed-star,* 1.69 as also the place before spoken of, Haly-fax, from holy hair.

Below this to the Southward lyes the Calaterium nemus, commonly The Forest of Galtres,* 1.70 which in some places is thick and shady, in others plain, wet, and boggy. At present it is famous for a yearly Horse-race,* 1.71 wherein the prize for the horse that wins is a little golden bell. 'Tis hardly credible what great re∣sort of people there is to these races from all parts, and what great wagers are laid upon the horses. In this Forest stands Creac,* 1.72 which Egfrid King of Nor∣thumberland in the yearb 1.73 684 gave with the ground three miles round it to S. Cuthbert; by whom it came to the Church of Durham.

Scarce four miles from hence, Sherry-hutton,* 1.74 a very neat Castle built by9 1.75 Bertrand de Bulmer, and repair'd by Ralph Nevill first Earl of Westmorland, is pleasant∣ly seated among the woods: near which is† 1.76 Hinder∣skell,* 1.77 a Castle built by the Barons of Greystock, which others call‖ 1.78 Hunderd-skell, from the many foun∣tains that spring there.

Behind the hills to the Westward, where the Coun∣try falls again into a level, and the fields are more fruitful,* 1.79 lyes Alvertonshire, commonly North-Allerton, a small territory water'd by the little river Wiske. It takes its name from the town of Northalverton, for∣merly Ealfertun, which is nothing but a long street; yet, the most throng Beast-fair upon St. Bartholo∣mew's day, that ever I saw. King William Rufus gave this place, with the fields about it, to the Church of Durham; to the Bishops whereof it is much obliged. For William Comin, who forcibly possess'd himself of the See of Durham, built the Castle there, and gave it to his nephew; which is almost decay'd. The Bishops likewise, his Successors, endow'd it with some privileges. For in the Book of Durham,* 1.80 we find, that Hugh de Puteaco, Bishop of Durham, fortified the Town, having obtain'd this favour of the King, that of all those unlawful Castles which by his order were then destroy'd up and down throughout England, this alone should still be permitted to remain entire; which notwith∣standing, the King afterwards commanded to be rased,* 1.81 and laid even with the ground.* 1.82 Near this was fought the battel, commonly call dc 1.83 The Standard, wherein David King of Scotland, who by his unhea••d of cruelty had made this Country a mere desert,* 1.84 was put to flight with such slaughter of his men, that the Eng∣lish themselves thought their revenge then at last suf∣ficiently completed. For what Ralph the Bishop said in his Exhortation to the English befo••e the fight, was fully effected: A multitude without discipline is a hindrance to it self, either to hurt when they conquer, or to escape when they are conquer'd. This was call'd the Bat∣tel of Standard, because the English, being rang'd in∣to a body about their Standard, there receiv'd and bore the onset of the Scots, and at last routed them. Now this Standard (as I have seen it d••awn in old books) was a huge Chariot upon wheels, with a* 1.85 mast of great height fix'd in it; on the top whereof was a cross, and under that hung a banner. This was a signal only us'd in the greatest Expeditions, and was lookt upon as the sacred Altar; being indeed the very same with the Carrocium* 1.86 among the Italians, which was never to be used but when the very Em∣pire it self lay at stake.

There is farther remarkable in this division, Thresk,* 1.87 commonly Thrusk. which had formerly a very strong Castle, where Roger de Mowbray began his rebelli∣on, and call d in the King of Scots to the destruction of his Country; King Henry the second having ve∣ry unadvisedly digg'd his own grave, by taking his son into an equal share of the Government and Royalty. But this Sedition was at last, as it were quencht with blood; and the Castle utterly demolisht; so that I could see nothing of it there, besides the rampire. Another flame of Rebellion likewise broke out here in King Henry the seventh's reign. For the lawless Rabble repining most grievously at that time, that a small subsidy was laid on them by the Parliament, drove away the Collectors of it, and forthwith (as such madness upon the least success spurs on without end or aim) fell here upon Henry Percie Earl of Nor∣thumberland, who was Lieutenant of this County,* 1.88 and kill'd him: then under the conduct of John Egre∣mond their Leader, took up Arms against their King and Country. Yet it was not long before they were brought to such heavy punishments as were due to them. Here hard by stands Soureby and Brakenbak, belonging to the truly ancient and famous family of Lascelles:* 1.89 and more to the Southward, Sezay, for∣merly the estate of the Darells, after that of the Dawnies, who flourish'd long under the title of Knights.

The first and only Earl of Yorkshire (after Wil∣liam Mallet, and one or two Estotevills,* 1.90 both of Nor∣man extraction; whom some would have to have been hereditary Viscounts here) was Otho (son of Henry Leon Duke of Bavaria and Saxony,* 1.91 by Maud the daughter of Henry the second King of England) who was afterwards greeted Emperour by the name of Otho the fourth. From whose brother William (another son by Maud) the Dukes of Brunswick* 1.92 and Lunen∣burgh

in Germany are descended; who, as an instance of this relation of theirs to the Kings of England, us'd the same Arms with the first Kings of England that were of Norman descent, namely, two Leo∣pards or Lions, Or, in a Shield, Gules. Long after this, King Richard the second made Edmund of Lang∣ley, fifth son to King Edward the third, Duke of York: who by one of the daughters of Peter, King of Castile and Leon, had two sons; Edward the eldest, in the life time of his father was first Earl of Cam∣bridge, after that, Duke of Albemarle, and last of all Duke of York, who without issue lost his life vali∣antly in the battel of Agincourt in France. Richard the second son, was Earl of Cambridge; he married Ann, sister of Edmund Mortimer Earl of March, whose grandmother likewise was the only daughter and heir of Leonel Duke of Clarence; and attempting to set the Crown upon the head of his wife's bro∣ther Edmund, was presently found out, and behead∣ed, as if he had been hired by the French to destroy King Henry the fifth. Richard his son, in the six∣teenth year after, by the great, but unwary gene∣rosity of Henry the sixth,* 1.93 was fully restored, as son of Richard the brother of Edward Duke of York, and Cousin German to Edmund Earl of March. And now being Duke of York, Earl of March and Ulster, Lord of Wigmore, Clare, Trim, and Conaght, he grew to that pitch of boldness, that whereas formerly he had sought the Kingdom privately by ill practices, com∣plaining of male-administration, dispersing seditious rumours and libels, entring into secret combina∣tions, by raising broils next to wars against the Government; at last he claims it publickly as his right in Parliament against Henry the sixth,* 1.94 as being son of Ann Mortimer, sister and heir to Edmund Earl of March, descended in a right line from Phi∣lippa the daughter and sole heir of Leonel Duke of Clarence, third son of King Edward the third; and therefore in all justice to be preferred in the succession to the Crown before the children of John of Gaunt, the fourth son of the said Edward the third. When it was answer'd him, That the Barons of the Kingdom, and the Duke himself, had sworn Allegiance to the King; that the Kingdom by Act of Parliament was conferr'd and entail'd upon Henry the fourth and his heirs; that the Duke deriving his title from the Duke of Clarence, never took the Arms of the said Duke; and that Henry the fourth was possess'd of the Crown by the right he had from Henry the third: All this he easily evaded; by replying that the said Oath sworn to the King, being barely a human Constitu∣tion, was not binding, because it was inconsistent with truth and justice, which are of Divine appoint∣ment. That there had been no need of an Act of Parlia∣ment to settle the Kingdom in the line of Lancaster, neither would they have desired it, if they could have rely'd upon any just title: and as for the Arms of the Duke of Clarence, which in right belonged to him, he had in prudence declin'd the using them, as he had done challenging the Kingdom till that mo∣ment: and that the title derived from Henry the third, was a ridiculous pretext to cloak the injustice, and exploded by every body. Tho' these things, pleaded in favour of the Duke of York, shew'd his title to be clear and evident; yet by a wise foresight to prevent the dangers that might ensue upon it, the matter was so adjusted, That Henry the sixth should possess and enjoy the Kingdom for life, and that Richard Duke of York should be appointed his heir and successor in the Kingdom10 1.95; with this proviso, that neither of them should contrive any thing to the prejudice of the other. However, this heady Duke was quickly so far transported with ambition, that by endeavouring to anticipate his hopes, he rais∣ed that pernicious war between the Houses of York and Lancaster,* 1.96 distinguish'd by the white and the red Roses. Which in a short time prov'd fatal to himself at Wakefield. King Henry the sixth was four times taken prisoner, and at last deprived of his Kingdom and his Life. Edward Earl of March, son of Ri∣chard, then obtain'd the Crown; and tho' he was deposed, yet he recover'd it, (thus Fortune, incon∣stant and freakish, made her sport with the rise and fall of Princes;) many of the Blood-royal and of the greatest of the Nobility being cut off, those here∣ditary and rich Provinces of the Kings of England in France being lost, Ireland neglected and relapsed to their old wildness, the wealth of the Nation wasted▪ and the harass'd people oppress'd with all sorts of misery. Edward being now settled in his Throne, the fourth King of that name, bestow'd the title of Duke of York upon Richard his second son; who, with the King his brother, was destroy'd very young by that Tyrant Richard their Uncle. Next, Henry the seventh conferr'd it upon his younger son, who was afterwards, by the name of Henry the eighth, crown'd King of England. And now very lately King James invested his second son Charles (whom he had before in Scotland made Duke of Albany, [ 1604] Mar∣quis of Ormond, Earl of Ross, and Baron Ardmanoch)11 1.97 tho' but a child, Duke of York, by girding him with a Sword (to use the words of the form) putting a Cap and Coronet of Gold upon his head, and by delivering him a Verge of Gold: after he had the day before, accord∣ing to the usual manner, created both him and ele∣ven others of noble families, Knights of the Bath.

There are in this County 459 Parishes, with very many Chapels under them, which for number of In∣habitants are comparable to great Parishes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  ••or••h-••••ding.
• * 1.2

  •• Dier. ••.
• * 1.3

  The gain∣ful trade of herring-fishing.
• * 1.4

  Hexame∣ron, l. 5. c. 10.
• * 1.5

  Aquilo▪
• * 1.6

  Teise river.
• * 1.7

  Robbin Hood's Bay.
• * 1.8

  Dunum.
• * 1.9

  Dunesley.
• * 1.10

  Whitby.
• a 1.11

  Streones-heal▪
• * 1.12

  Stony-Serpents.
• * 1.13

  Hilda.
• * 1.14

  Geese drop∣ing down.
• * 1.15

  Sympathy and Anti∣pathy.
• * 1.16

  Duke Wa∣da, from whom the family of the Wad••s derive their pedigree.
• * 1.17

  Wades∣grave.
• * 1.18

  Moulgrave Castle.
• * 1.19

  Barons de Malo-lacu.
• 1 1.20

  The inheritance of Dancaster, Bainton, Bridesalle, &c. were parted, &c.
• * 1.21

  Geate.
• * 1.22

  Gagates.
• * 1.23

  Others are of opinion, that our Pit-coal is a sort of Ga∣gates.
• * 1.24

  Cliv••la••••
• ‖ 1.25

  Hom•• ma•• 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.26

  A Sea M••
• * 1.27

  Kilton
• * 1.28

  Bruis of Ske••ton.
• * 1.29

  Skelton.
• * 1.30

  Barons F••••¦conberg.
• 2 1.31

  Sir William
• * 1.32

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.33

  ••••••ton.
• * 1.34

  ••••••um.
• * 1.35

  ••••••kesley.
• * 1.36

  ••••••••lton.
• * 1.37

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉.
• * 1.38

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉.
• ‖ 1.39

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 is ••rere.
• * 1.40

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• 3 1.41

  Whereupon they have a p••overbial | Rhime; When Rosebery Topping wears a Cap, Let Cliveland then beware of a Clap.
• * 1.42

  Barons Latimer.
• * 1.43

  The Histo∣ry of C••n∣terbury.
• 4 1.44

  And ••a••cks, ••••scended, &c.
• * 1.45

  Praeroga∣tiv. Reg. 1•• Edw. 2. Wardship.
• 5 1.46

  ••etween Tine and T••es.
• * 1.47

  Blackamore
• * 1.48

  Pickering.
• * 1.49

  Atton.
• * 1.50

  27 Hen. 6. Bromflet Lord Vescy.
• * 1.51

  Kirkby-Moreside.
• * 1.52

  Rhidale.
• * 1.53

  Elmesley, call'd also Hamlak.
• * 1.54

  Malton.
• * 1.55

  Baron Vescey.
• * 1.56

  Arms of the V••scies. Matth. Paris MS.
• 7 1.57

  Sir Guarin.
• * 1.58

  Lib. Du∣nelm.
• 8 1.59

  Sir Guarin.
• * 1.60

  Vid. pag. praeced.
• * 1.61

  Newbor∣row.
• * 1.62

  Biland.
• * 1.63

  Family of the Mow∣brays.
• * 1.64

  In ano∣ther pl••ce call'd De Frente Bo∣vis.
• * 1.65

  The Regi∣ster of Fountain-Abby.
• * 1.66

  Gilling-castle.
• * 1.67

  Fairfax.
• * 1.68

  Fax.
• * 1.69

  Faxed-star.
• * 1.70

  The Forest of Galtres.
• * 1.71

  A Horse-race.
• * 1.72

  Creac.
• b 1.73

  It was given in 685. the last of that King's reign; as some Latin editions, and the original Charter it self (still extant in the Cottonian Library and publisht by Sir Roger Twisden at the end of the Hist. Eccles. Sim▪ Dunelm.) abundantly testifie.
• * 1.74

  Sherry-hutton.
• 9 1.75

  Sir Bertrand Bulmer.
• † 1.76

  This Castle was a great part of it lately burnt down.
• * 1.77

  Hinderskel
• ‖ 1.78

  Centum fontes.
• * 1.79

  North Al∣vertonshire
• * 1.80

  Cap. 1••
• * 1.81

  113••
• * 1.82

  The B•• of Sta••••∣ard.
• c 1.83

  One part of the History written by Richard Prior of Hexham bears the title De Bello Standardi. Pits de Script. Angl. p. 259.
• * 1.84

  Hoved••
• * 1.85

  Ma••••
• * 1.86

  Carroc••••••
• * 1.87

  Thresk.
• * 1.88

  Earl of North••••¦berland slain by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Rebels
• * 1.89

  Lascell••••
• * 1.90

  Earls 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Dukes o•• York.
• * 1.91

  An. 1 R Hoved••
• * 1.92

  Dukes o•• Bruns••••••••
• * 1.93

  •• 10 H.
• * 1.94

  Rolls, •• 6.
• 10 1.95

  He and his heirs to succeed after him.
• * 1.96

  Wars be∣tween the House of York and Lancaster; or between the Red-rose and the white.
• 11 1.97

  A little child not full four years of age.