Chapter 15

[100]"Yon guest" may be yongest, i. e. that adventure; or it may mean yonghaist, or apparition, which in old poems is applied sometimes to what is supernaturally hideous. The printed copy reads,—"The beast hath," &c.

[101]Hired.

[102]Such like a roar.

[103]Drew out.

[104]In the combat.

[105]Meeting, battle.

[106]Hie, to hasten.

[107]The MS. reads, mistakenly, every day.

[108]At the back of French-gate, in Richmond, a little without the walls, stood the monastery of the Grey Friars, founded, in 1258, by Ralph Fitz-Randolph, lord of Middleham, and, after flourishing nearly three centuries, was surrendered, in 1539, by Robert Sanderson, the last warden, and fourteen brethren. Several of the families of Scroop, Plessey, and Frank, were buried here. In the time of Leland, the house, garden, orchard, and meadow, were walled in, and the edifice existed unimpaired; but there now remains only a solitary steeple, majestic and beautiful in ruins, to mark the residence and the sanctuary of that order of mendicants called Franciscans from their founder St. Francis.

[109]Prize.

[110]The father of sir Gawain, in the "Romance of Arthur and Merlin." The MS. is thus corrupted:—"More loth of Louth Ryme."

[110]The father of sir Gawain, in the "Romance of Arthur and Merlin." The MS. is thus corrupted:—

"More loth of Louth Ryme."

[111]Thomas Percy, seventh earl of Northumberland, K. G; after the failing of this insurrection he fled into Scotland, but was betrayed by the earl of Moreton, viceroy of Scotland, and lord Hunsdon, governor of Berwick. He was brought to York, and beheaded on a scaffold, erected for the purpose, in the Pavement, near St. Crux church, 22nd August, 1572; in which church his body was buried, and his head placed over Micklegate bar, where it remained about two years.

[112]Anne, daughter of Henry Somerset, earl of Worcester.

[113]Surety.

[114]Rather.

[115]Richard Norton, esq., of Norton Conyers, co. York, mar. Susan, daughter of Richard Nevill, lord Latimer, by whom he had nine sons, all of man's estate, and all engaged in the rebellion, though only seven occur in the list of attainders. Old Norton escaped along with some of his sons over seas, where he died. In the Lansdowne MSS. is a paper addressed to Lord Burleigh, containing a pedigree of the families of Morton of Bawtry (Nicholas Morton, priest, being engaged in this rebellion) and Norton of Norton Conyers, interspersed with strange personal reflections on almost every individual of the two families, and endorsed, "A trybe of wicked people."

[116]Lingered.

[117]Christopher and Marmaduke are mentioned as prisoners in Sadler,II.136, and the former appears to have been executed.

[118]After the failure of this enterprise he escaped to Flanders, where, after several attempts in vain to secure a pardon, he died in exile, a pensioner of the king of Spain. Mr. Surtees says he saved a part of the estate, and left descendants. The estate of Norton Conyers, however, was granted to a Musgrave, who sold it to an ancestor of sir B. R. Graham, bart., the present owner.

[119]Charles Nevill, sixth earl of Westmoreland, attainted for the share he took in this rebellion, when all his honours becameforfeited. In the reign of James I., Edmond Nevill, the lineal descendant of George, youngest son of Ralph 1st earl, and next heir male of Charles the last earl, claimed the earldom of Westmoreland; but it was decided against him, on the ground that the attainder had caused all the honours possessed by the same Charles to beforfeitedto the crown as an estate of inheritance. A copy of Edmond Nevill's claim, which is curious, may be found in Lansdowne MSS. 254, p. 376, and Surtee's Durham, iv. 164.

[120]Standard.

[121]The supporters of the Nevills, earls of Westmoreland, were two bulls, argent, ducally collared gold, armed or, &c. But I have not discovered the device mentioned in the ballad among the badges, &c. given by that house. This, however, is certain, that among those of the Nevills, lords Abergavenny (who were of the same family), is a dun cow with a golden collar; and the Nevills of Chyte, in Yorkshire (of the Westmoreland family) gave for their crest, in 1513, a dog's (greyhound) head erased. So that it is not unlikely that Charles Nevill, earl of Westmoreland, here mentioned, might on this occasion use the above device on his banner.

[122]The silver crescent is a well-known crest or badge of the Northumberland family.

[123]Of Streatlam, co. Durham, received knighthood from the earl of Shrewsbury, being then marshal of Berwick, in 1558. He married 1st, Dorothy, daughter of sir William Mallory of Studley, co. York; and 2ndly, Jane, daughter of sir John Talbot, of Grafton, co. Worcester. Sir George is styled of South Cowton, co. York, 1 July, 4 Eliz; of Aske, co. York, 7 April, 1 Eliz. During this rebellion sir George was one of the most faithful as well as powerful supporters of Elizabeth and of the Protestant interest in the north; and, in consequence of his services, was created, by special patent, Provost Marshal north of the Trent, and is said, after the rebellion was quelled, to have exercised his office with stern severity. He died in 1580, and was succeeded by his eldest son of his first marriage, sir William Bowes, knighted in 1586.

[124]"Coward, a coward, of Barney castell,Dare not come out to fight a battell."Popular Rhyme.

[124]

"Coward, a coward, of Barney castell,Dare not come out to fight a battell."Popular Rhyme.

"Coward, a coward, of Barney castell,Dare not come out to fight a battell."

"Coward, a coward, of Barney castell,

Dare not come out to fight a battell."

Popular Rhyme.

[125]Easy.

[126]Dear.

[127]This is quite in character; her majesty would sometimes swear at her nobles, as well as box their ears.

[128]Armour.

[129]Ambrose Dudley, created earl of Warwick, 26 Dec. 1561, with remainder, failing his issue male, to Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, and the heirs male of his body, K. G.,ob.1589,s. p., and his brother Robert having died the year previouss. p., all his honours became extinct.

[130]Thomas Ratcliffe, 3rd earl, summoned to Parliament v. p. in his father's barony of Fitz-Walter, 1 and 2 Philip and Mary, 1554, K. G;ob.1583,s. p., and was succeeded by his brother Henry, K. G.

[131]Henry Carey, (s. and h. of William Carey, by Mary, daughter of Thomas, earl of Wiltshire, sister of queen Anne Boleyn, mother of queen Elizabeth,) created baron Hunsdon of Hunsdon, co. Herts, 13 Jan. 1558-9, K. G;ob.1597, and was succeeded by his s. and h. George, K. G.

[132]Two only appear to have suffered death, according to a rare tract of seven leaves, in verse, by Sampson Davie, entitled, "The several Confessions of Thomas Norton and Christopher Norton, two of the Northern Rebels, who suffered at Tyburn, and were drawn, hanged, and quartered for treason May 27 (1570). Imprinted by William How for Richard Jones." SeeNotes and Queries, 2nd S. vol. viii. 388; Strype'sAnnals, vol. ii. part i. pp. 577-8; and Wordsworth'sWhite Doe of Rylstone.

[133]From a broadside (black letter) in the Roxburgh collection in the British Museum. It is a favourite chap-book history.

[134]Christopher Maltby, draper, Lord Mayor in 1583.

[135]Thomas Appleyard, Lord Mayor in 1584.

[136]In the south aisle of the nave of Beverley Minster is an altar tomb, covered with a slab of Purbeck marble, placed under a groined canopy, adorned with pinnacles, and surmounted with figures, without inscription or indeed anything to lead to a knowledge of its occupant. Tradition assigns it to two maiden sisters (daughters of earl Puch, of Bishop Burton, and in whose household St. John of Beverley is said, on the authority of Bede, to have effected a miraculous cure) who are said to have given two of the common pastures to the freemen of Beverley.—Poulson'sBeverlac, 704.

[137]Exhibited in the Pantomime which was performed Covent Garden in the year 1770.

[138]To Edward Hailstone, esq., F. S. A., F. G. S., &c. of Horton hall, Bradford, I am greatly indebted for the above, and also for the followingbroadsides, from his valuable collection of Yorkshire lore:—The Sheffield 'Prentice, The Great Exhibition, Bill Brown, The Funny Wedding, The Crafty Plough Boy, Miss Bailey's Ghost, The Yorkshire Lad in London, Spencer Broughton, and The Bonny Scotch Lad.

[139]"The editor is indebted for a copy of the above ballad to the obliging kindness of Dr. Rooke, of Scarborough."Yorkshire Anthology, by James O. Halliwell, esq., F. R. S., F. S. A.Printed for private circulation only.London, 1851. To which work I am much indebted.

[140]Mr. Halliwell's copy reads, "Kingston upon Woolwich, a town in Yorkshire." The above copy is from Mr. Hailstone's collection, and reads throughout more correctly.

[141]Mallet'sEdwin and Emmais founded on this ballad. See his "Ballads and Songs," edited by F. Dinsdale, esq., LL.D., F.S.A.

[142]The author of the ballad, whom the late Mr. Denham, of Piersebridge, learnt from his father, was the then master of Bowes grammar-school. His name does not appear.

[143]This verse is not in Mr. Bell's copy, in his "Ballads and Songs of the Peasantry of England."

[144]"Remote in Yorkshire, near to Bowes."—Bell.

[145]Bell has "whose;" and the following line reads thus:—"Repute for virtue did excel."

[145]Bell has "whose;" and the following line reads thus:—

"Repute for virtue did excel."

[146]"Now anxious Martha sore distress'd,A private message did him send,Lamenting that she could not rest."—Bell.

[146]

"Now anxious Martha sore distress'd,A private message did him send,Lamenting that she could not rest."—Bell.

"Now anxious Martha sore distress'd,

A private message did him send,

Lamenting that she could not rest."—Bell.

[147]"At which her heart with sorrow filled."—Bell.

[147]

"At which her heart with sorrow filled."—Bell.

[148]Thomas Petty, previously mentioned.

[149]"Instead of pleasing marriage-bed."—Bell.

[149]

"Instead of pleasing marriage-bed."—Bell.

[150]From a MS.penesJames Falconar, esq., F. S. A., Doncaster.

[151]William Smith, alderman; buried, Nov. 13, 1760.

[152]Peter Cave, mayor 1748-9; buried, June 4, 1782.

[153]The Rev. Lionel Willatts, rector of Sprotbrough, son of Charles Willatts, rector of Plumtree, Notts, and Castiliana his wife, daughter of Lionel Copley, esq., of Wadworth and Sprotbrough; buried, at Doncaster, May 20, 1760.

[154]Mr. Turbutt was of a family at Mount St. John, near Thirsk, Yorkshire. He resided for several years at Doncaster, where he died, 3 Sept. 1758, æt. 68. He was the great grandfather of Gladwin Turbutt, esq., now (1860) of Ogston hall, Derbyshire. His "young ladies" were Frances, afterwards wife of John Woodyeare, esq., of Crookhill, near Doncaster, and Eleanor, who became the wife of Lieut. General Sowerby.

[155]Mr. Ellerker was of a good family, descended from Ralph Ellerker, of Youlton, Yorkshire. He was some time a solicitor in the Inner Temple, London, and died, at Doncaster, March 25, 1774, aged 82. (Jackson'sHist. St. George's Church, Doncaster, pp. 76, 77.)

[156]1757. "The militia raised.—Sixteen inhabitants of Doncaster entered as volunteers."—Miller'sHist. Doncaster, p. 183.

[157]Alluding to their exercising by torchlight.

[158]James Stovin, esq., of Whitgift, a justice of the peace for the counties of York and Lincoln, died at Sprotbrough hall, where he then resided, 26 July, 1789, and was buried at Rossington. He was son of George Stovin, of Crowle and Winterton, the Lincolnshire antiquary. On the 11 Dec. 1771, he was appointed town-clerk of Doncaster, an office which he resigned on the 12 Jan. 1778. He was also clerk of the court of sewers from 1757 to 1775.

[159]Probably, "Mr. Joseph Gill, Gent.," who was buried, March 19, 1763.

[160]Freeman Bower, esq., of Bawtry and Maltby, co. York, born 15 Nov. 1732; died 29 July, 1786; a justice of the peace for the West Riding of Yorkshire, &c; was educated for the law, and practised for a few years as an attorney, but on inheriting some family property he discontinued that profession. On several occasions he acted as marshal to his uncle Mr. Baron Perrott, when on circuit. He is said to have been a handsome man, and of an hospitable, convivial disposition.

[161]Contends, strives for. Alluding to the contest between Mr. Stovin and Mr. Gill for the office of clerk to the commissioners of sewers for the level of Hatfield chace, which had become vacant by the death of Mr. Burden, and to which Mr. Stovin was elected, 5 Feb. 1757.

[162]Alluding to Bower, once a popish priest, the author of the "Lives of the Popes."

[163]Henry Farrer, of Doncaster, a surgeon and apothecary in extensive practice for nearly fifty years, son of John Farrer, A.M., rector of Hemsworth, descended from the Farrers of Ewood, co. York, died 7 June, 1789, aged 69. (SeeMon. Ins.Jackson'sSt. George's Church, p. 107.)

[164]George II.

[165]Mr., afterwards Dr., Edward Miller, the organist of Doncaster, and author of the History of that Town. He composed a song to a warlike tune, and a dance to the same tune, in which were introduced several parts of a soldier's manual exercise. He died Sept. 13, 1807, aged 72. See account of him inJackson'sSt. George's Church, pp. 58-96.

[166]Flauta Traversa, the Italian name for a German flute.

[167]The marquess of Rockingham.

[168]The marquess of Rockingham invited them all to his residence, Wentworth house, where they drank French wine till they were unable to get home.

[169]The marchioness of Rockingham drank their healths by the name ofhervolunteers.

[170]The descendants of Tommy Towers were resident at Clapham till within a very recent period, and used to take great pleasure in relating the adventure of their progenitor. The village of Clapham is in the West Riding of Yorkshire, on the high road between Skipton and Kendal.

[171]Abey Muggins is thought to be asobriquetfor a then Clapham innkeeper.

[172]This song obtained great popularity a few years ago from the admirable singing of Emery, and is still a favourite. Mr. Hailstone's copy concludes each verse with "Derry down, &c."

[173]From a MS.penesRev. H. J. Branson, M. A., Rector of Armthorpe. It is not now known with certainty to whom we are to attribute the authorship of these lines. They appeared in the "Yorkshire Journal," of Saturday January 19, 1788, a newspaper at that period printed and published at Doncaster, by Thomas Sanderson. In introducing the subject he says, "The following Ballad on Armthorpe Bells was wrote some years ago, supposed by a gentleman of this town, sometime since deceased, and were sent to Mr. Anstey, author of theBath Guide, nephew to the Rev. Christopher Anstey, the then rector of Armthorpe. They were for some time handed about in manuscript, but having never appeared in public may not prove unacceptable to our readers; and we hope the vein of wit and humour, which runs through the whole poem, will sufficiently apologize for its length." Who the gentleman thus alluded to was we are unable to state. An impression has prevailed that they were written by Mr. Anstey, the author of theBath Guide; but, in the absence of any positive evidence to that effect, we must assume that the proprietor of theYorkshire Journal, writing in 1788, when the subject would be fresh and talked about, is more likely to be correct in the statement above made. Mr. Christopher Anstey, the poet, was born 31 Oct. 1724, and died 3 Aug. 1805. The Rev. Christopher Anstey, rector of Armthorpe from about 1771 to 1784, died June 17, 1784, aged 73, and was buried at Doncaster.

[174]Armthorpe is a village, situated in an agricultural district, about three miles south-east of Doncaster. An account of it at length may be read in Hunter's able work, the "History of South Yorkshire." The place lay close to the confines of the ancient Chace of Hatfield, and once formed a valuable part of the possessions of the monks of the abbey of Roche. At the dissolution of the abbey the manor of Armthorpe came to the crown. In 3 James I. the king granted it to sir Robert Swyft, of Tristrop, (now Streetthorpe,) knt. The family of Cooke, of Wheatley, had a good estate here, most of which sir George Cooke, bart. sold, in 1804, to John Walbanke Childers, esq., of Cantley, in whose family it remains. The church is dedicated to St. Mary. Dr. Miller, in his "History of Doncaster," 1803, briefly remarks that it was then "a very small mean building, with one bell hanging on the outside of it, and nothing worth noticing within." Hunter, in 1828, remarks that it is a small building of one pace, with two bells hanging in a kind of pent-house on the roof, and is a fair specimen of what the original churches of the smaller country parishes must have been. "This," he says, "is the only instance of a church without a tower in the deanery." The living is a rectory in the gift of the crown, and is now held by the Rev. H. J. Branson, M.A., who was presented thereto, by Lord Chancellor Brougham, in 1834.

[175]The Flywas the name of a coach that commenced running, in the year 1768, from Leeds to London, during the winter season, and performed its journey in two days and a half, at that period considered very expeditious travelling. Probably it derived its name from this extraordinary swiftness. The advertisement of this coach, inserted in theLeeds Intelligencer, of January 3, 1769, after stating the fares, the places from whence it set out, &c. &c., concludes in the usual manner, viz. "Performed (if God permit) by Messrs. Stokes, Benton and Co;" from this expression coaches, in those days, were by some irreverently styled "God-permits." As far back as 1669 a coach called the "Flying Coach" went from Oxford to London in one day. Perhaps any vehicle became entitled to the appellation that could go along at a moderate trot. In 1791 were advertised "New Flying Stage-Waggons."

[176]Sir George Cooke, of Wheatley; probably the seventh baronet, 1766-1823.

[177]The Angel Inn, at Doncaster, upon the site of which stands the Guild-Hall.

[178]Doncaster.

[179]This passage helps to furnish a clue to the period about which these lines were probably written. Miller (Hist. Doncaster, p. 184), under 1767, says that "a new gaol was built;" and again, under 1778 (p. 185), he says that "the old gaol was taken down and a new one erected."

[180]In addition to the "lordlike" luxury of a pack of hounds, in which theoldcorporation of Doncaster formerly indulged, that highly respectable body, after the manner of the RoyalCole, of convivial memory, when they "called for their bowl," (which they not unfrequently did,) possessed also the king-like privilege of summoning their "fiddlers three." They maintained, as a part of their regular establishment, three musicians, called waits, who were clothed in scarlet liveries, and played at feasts, balls, &c., and walked in the procession to church. In former times they used to go about the town, during the night, playing a single tune on various instruments at the doors of the principal inhabitants; an office which seems to have answered the same purpose as that of watchman, to which they afterwards gave place.

[181]In 1762 the huntsman had "a frock of blue shagg, faced with red,"—the colours of the corporation's livery.

[182]The low common was enclosed about 1671, when an allotment of 1 acre 16 poles was given, in lieu of land appropriated from time immemorial to the finding of church bell-ropes, and is let to the highest bidder.

[183]From a broadside in the Roxburgh collection. Another, on this event, is published by J. Forth of Pocklington.

[184]Sir James Lowther, bart., of Laleham, Middlesex, son-in-law to the earl of Bute, lieut. and custos rotulorum of Cumberland and Westmoreland, and alderman of Carlisle.

[185]Sir Michael le Fleming, bart., M.P. for Westmoreland.

[186]From a broadside in the Roxburgh collection.

[187]Thomas Cole, huntsman; the Rev. George Davison, rector of Cockfield, co. Durham; Christopher Rowntree, junr; and William Stockdale.

[188]The above first appeared in a Ballad-opera, entitledA Wonder or, An Honest Yorkshire-man, by Henry Carey; performed at the theatres with universal applause. London, printed for Ed. Cooke, 8vo. 1736. The second edition was entitledThe Honest Yorkshire-man. London, printed for L. Gilliver and J. Clarke, 12mo. 1736. See Notes and Queries, 2nd S.IX.126.

[189]A favourite chap-book history, sometimes called "The Yorkshire Garland;" or, "The Cruel Knight, and the Fortunate Farmer's Daughter." See a broadside in Rox. coll.

[190]From a broadside in the Roxburgh coll., black letter. Printed for J. Wright, J. Clark, W. Thackeray, and T. Passinger.

[191]From a MS.penesCharles Jackson, esq., of Doncaster.

[192]The civic functionary on whom these verses are traditionally said to have been made wasGeorge Pearson, who was elected mayor 22 Sept. 1785 and 26 Sept. 1793. He died in 1798, and was interred at Stainton, co. York, where is a monument to his memory, with the following inscription:—"This monument is erected to the memory of Geo. Pearson, esq., of Doncaster, wine-merchant (but who had some years ago retired from business). He was upwards of thirty years a member of that corporation, and had twice served the office of mayor for the said borough. He was born in this town, and was the youngest son of late Rev. Nath1. Pearson, who was forty-six years vicar of this parish. He died December 25th, 1798, aged 73."

"This monument is erected to the memory of Geo. Pearson, esq., of Doncaster, wine-merchant (but who had some years ago retired from business). He was upwards of thirty years a member of that corporation, and had twice served the office of mayor for the said borough. He was born in this town, and was the youngest son of late Rev. Nath1. Pearson, who was forty-six years vicar of this parish. He died December 25th, 1798, aged 73."

[193]In 1793 the corporation subscribed fifty guineas towards the purchase of flannels and other necessaries for the use of the British army serving on the Continent under the duke of York.

[194]The Rev. Mr. Jones, as he stood by the fire; which runs thus:—"Let this be published as a warning to others, not to prove false in Love for the sake of Gold, which has been my ruin, for one James Parker, whom I priz'd above my soul; to get my father's estate into my own hands, that I might have him for my husband, I poyson'd my father, two brothers, and sister, and, to save myself, I swore falsely against my aged mother, and have taken away her life wrongfully, a sure way to the utter destruction of my soul; and, sir, let this my desire be fulfilled, that all young people may shun the snares of the devil, who are drawing to the paths of destruction this being the last desire of a miserable soul.Rachell Glassock."The Text of the sermon, preached by the Rev. Mr. Jones, was from Romans, chap vii. ver. 9. "For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died."

[194]The Rev. Mr. Jones, as he stood by the fire; which runs thus:—

"Let this be published as a warning to others, not to prove false in Love for the sake of Gold, which has been my ruin, for one James Parker, whom I priz'd above my soul; to get my father's estate into my own hands, that I might have him for my husband, I poyson'd my father, two brothers, and sister, and, to save myself, I swore falsely against my aged mother, and have taken away her life wrongfully, a sure way to the utter destruction of my soul; and, sir, let this my desire be fulfilled, that all young people may shun the snares of the devil, who are drawing to the paths of destruction this being the last desire of a miserable soul.

Rachell Glassock."

The Text of the sermon, preached by the Rev. Mr. Jones, was from Romans, chap vii. ver. 9. "For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died."

[195]Printed and sold in Bow church-yard, London.—See Horace Rodd'sGarland, in the British Museum.

[196]Communicated by J. S. Sutton, esq., of Elton hall, Stockton, whom I also have to thank for "When at hame wi' Dad."

[197]From a broadsidepenes me.

[198]From a broadside in Mr. Hailstone's coll., collated with onepenes me.

[199]Called in the Rox. coll., "Hark to Winchester; or, The Yorkshire Volunteers, &c."

[200]Henry, last earl Fauconberg, only son of Thomas 1st earl. He was lord lieutenant and custos rotulorum of the North Riding of Yorkshire, and Lord of the Bedchamber to George III; died 23 March, 1802, and was buried at Coxwold.

[201]On the 16 Jan. 1780, admiral Rodney met a Spanish squadron off Cape St. Vincent, under the command of admiral Don Juan du Langara, and completely defeated it; capturing the Phœnix, of 80 guns, bearing the flag of the admiral, the Monarca, Princessa, and Diligenta, each of 70 guns. The St. Domingo, of 70 guns, blown up; and the San Julian and San Eugenio, of 70 guns, surrendered: while the British had the trifling loss of only 32 men killed and 120 wounded. Both houses of parliament voted Rodney thanks for his conduct upon the occasion, and the freedom of the city of London was presented him in a gold box valued at 100 guineas. Lord Rodney, K.B., died 24 May, 1792.

[202]The custom of singing Hagmena songs is observed in different parts of the north of England, and in Scotland. The origin of the term is a matter ofdispute. Some derive it from "au guy l'an neuf,"to the misletoe this new year; others suppose the term to be a corruption of aghia mhênêthe holy month. The Hagmena songs are sometimes sung on Christmas Eve, and sometimes, as at Richmond, on the eve of the new year. SeeBrand'sPopular Antiquities.

[203]"Ray, ree, or rey, a Portuguese coin, 100 of which are equal to sixpence English."—Clarkson'sRichmond.

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