Curiosities Of Great Britain: England And Wales Delineated Part 10

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+------------------+----------+-----------+-------------+ 37 Ashtead pa Surrey Epsom 2 Leatherhead 2 7 Ashton to Chester Chester 8 Tarporley 7 11 Ashton pa Devon Chudleigh 4 Exeter 6 22 Ashton to Lancaster Preston 2 Kirkham 7 22 Ashton[A] to Lancaster Lancaster 3 Garstang 8 28 Ashton pa Northamp Northamp 7 Towcester 5 28 Ashton ham Northamp Wandsford 5 Stamford 5 28 Ashton ham Northamp Oundle 1 Wandsford 8 41 Ashton-Giffard to Wilts Warminste 7 Hindon 6 15 Ashton chap Gloucester Evesham 5 Tewkesbury 8 41 Ashton-Keynes pa Wilts Cricklade 4 Cirencester 6 34 Ashton, Long[B] pa Somerset Bristol 3 Keynsham 7 +--+------------------+----------+-----------+-------------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+------------------+----------------------+-----+-------+ 37 Ashtead pa Ewell 4 17 607 7 Ashton to Frodsham 6 185 405 11 Ashton pa Moreton Ha. 6 174 333 22 Ashton to Garstang 11 219 ... 22 Ashton[A] to Overton 3 237 213 28 Ashton pa Stoney Strat. 7 62 380 28 Ashton ham M. Deeping 4 89 126 28 Ashton ham Stilton 8 81 129 41 Ashton-Giffard to Wilton 12 90 ... 15 Ashton chap Winchcomb 8 102 301 41 Ashton-Keynes pa Malmesbury 8 89 1182 34 Ashton, Long[B] pa Axbridge 14 120 1423 +--+------------------+----------------------+-----+-------+

[A] ASHTON. Near this village is Ashton Hall, a seat of his Grace the Duke of Hamilton. It formerly belonged to the family of the Laurences, but came into the present family by the marriage of James, Earl of Arran, afterwards Duke of Hamilton, with Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Lord Gerrard Digby, of Bromley. The mansion is a large building, with some square embattled towers, an ancient hall, and other features of a magnificent baronial castle. It is situated in a fine park, through which flows a small rivulet, forming a narrow bay, at the western side of the grounds. The park abounds with wood, and is agreeably diversified with hill and dale, and affords, from many parts, extensive views across the river Lune to Morecambe Bay, the Irish sea, &c. The mansion has undergone considerable alteration, yet care has been taken to preserve its ancient character.

_Mail_ arrives at Galgate Bridge, one mile distant, 9.20 P.M.; departs 2.20 morn.

[Sidenote: Seat of the Duke of Hamilton.]

[B] ASHTON, or LONG ASHTON, is situated in a rich woody vale, protected on the north by a range of picturesque though bleak hills, and on the north lies the lofty ridge of Dundry. In this parish the inhabitants raise fruit and vegetables for the Bristol market. There is much garden-ground in Long Ashton, in which many Roman coins have been discovered. The houses are in general well-built, much company resorting thither during the summer season. The circ.u.mjacent scenery is delightful, and in the vicinity are the remains of two Roman encampments, Stokeleigh and Burwalls. The church is an old but very handsome building, founded by the family of Lyons; the nave and aisles are divided from the chancel by a beautiful gothic screen of fret and flower work, painted and gilt, and executed in the most admirable style.

One of the 6 bells contained in the tower is inscribed "Sancte Johannes Baptiste ora pro n.o.bis;" on the tower are the arms of Lyons, in stone.

Amongst several painted figures and coats of arms on the gla.s.s of the windows, are the portraits of Edward IV. and his Queen, Elizabeth Widville. Here are several handsome monuments, but that of Sir Richard Choke and his lady is eminently magnificent and beautiful. Ashton Court, the manor house, originally founded by the Lyons family, but materially altered by Inigo Jones, occupies the S.E. slope of Ashton Down, and the remains of another old manor house, called the Lower Court, still stands in a valley to the S.W. of the village.

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+-------------------------+---------+------------+------------+ 22 Ashton-under-Lyne[A] p Lancaster Manchester 7 Stockport 7 22 Ashton-in-Mackerfield}[B] o & chap } Lancaster Newton 3 Prescot 7 7 Ashton-upon-Mersey } to & pa } Chester Stockport 9 Manchester 7 +--+-------------------------+---------+------------+------------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+-------------------------+----------------------+-----+-------+ 22 Ashton-under-Lyne[A] p Mottram 5 186 33597 22 Ashton-in-Mackerfield}[B] o & chap } Wigan 5 196 5912 7 Ashton-upon-Mersey } to & pa } Altringham 4 184 2078 +--+-------------------------+----------------------+-----+-------+

[A] ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE is a large town situated at the south-eastern extremity of the county. It consists of several narrow streets, built on a high bank, which rises from the river Tame. It appears from an ancient ma.n.u.script, that Ashton was formerly a borough, yet for some centuries it sent no members to Parliament; but, by the Reform Bill of 1832, it now returns one member, and the mayor of the town is the returning officer. The borough comprises the whole district, over which the lighting and paving act of the 7th and 8th of Geo. IV. extends. A court is held here for the recovery of debts, not exceeding five pounds, by 48th Geo. III. c. 18; any person may sue, under the general regulations, and defendants sued elsewhere are to have their costs. Defendants removing out of the jurisdiction, may be followed in person and goods, by removing the record to the superior courts, but wagers, &c. are not recoverable. The princ.i.p.al part of the landed property of this parish belongs to the Earl of Stamford, in whose family it was conveyed, by the marriage of Sir William Booth to the daughter of Sir Thomas Asheton, whose family possessed some peculiar privileges in this manor: among which was, the power of life and death over their tenantry. In commemoration of this privilege, and its having been sometimes exercised, a field near the old hall is still called Gallows Meadow.

There is also an ancient custom here, called "riding the black lad,"

celebrated every Easter Monday, to perpetuate some act of great tyranny exercised by Sir Ralph Asheton, in 1483, when vice-constable of England.

The ceremony consists in exhibiting the effigies of a man on horseback through the streets, which is afterwards suspended on the cross in the market place, and there shot. The figure was formerly cased in armour, and the expenses of it were defrayed by the court. Another account of the origin of this custom states, that Thomas Asheton, in the reign of Henry III., particularly distinguished himself at the battle of Neville's Cross, and bore away the standard from the Scotch King's tent.

For this heroic deed the King conferred on Ashton the honour of Knighthood, who, on his arrival at his manor inst.i.tuted the custom described. At the village of Fairfield, in this parish, there is a Moravian settlement, who have erected a chapel for their followers. The males are princ.i.p.ally employed in spinning and weaving: they form a very industrious and orderly community. On the western side of the town is Ashton Moss, which supplies the poor with peat turf. Oak and fir trees are frequently found by those who dig for the peat.

_Market_, Wednesday.--_Fairs_, March 23, April 29, July 25, and November 21, for horned cattle, horses, and toys.--_Bankers_, Buckley, Roberts, and Co.; draw in London on Jones, Lloyd, and Co.--_Inn_, Commercial Hotel.

[Sidenote: Court of Requests for the recovery of 5. Defendants may be followed.]

[Sidenote: The lord of the manor possessed a power of life and death.]

[Sidenote: Custom of riding the black lad.]

[Sidenote: Moravian settlement.]

[B] ASHTON. This village is generally called Ashton in Makerfield, or Ashton in the Willows; it enjoys a very pleasant situation on the road between Newton and Wigan. The hardware and cotton manufactories give employment to the inhabitants. The church is a large old building, part of which appears to have been erected by the lords of the manor. On the pews are some ancient carvings; and in the windows are exhibited some painted figures. Several of the Ashtons lie interred here, and their names are inscribed on the windows. Near the church is a curious mansion, called the Old Hall, the oldest parts of which are said to have been built in 1483; adjoining this stands a pile, which was formerly used as a prison.

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+-------------------------+---------+--------------+---------------+ 41 Ashton-Steeple[A] pa & ti Wilts Trowbridge 3 Melksham 4 41 Ashton, West to Wilts ... 3 ... 5 21 Ashurst pa Kent Tunbridge 7 Tunbr. Wells 5 38 Ashurst pa Suss.e.x Steyning 4 Henfield 3 11 Ashwater pa Devon Holsworthy 7 Oakhampton 14 18 Ashwell[B] pa Herts Baldock 4 Royston 6 32 Ashwell pa Rutland Oakham 4 Cottesmere 3 27 Ashwell-Thorpe pa Norfolk Wymondham 3 Attleburgh 7 34 Ashwick pa Somerset Shepton Mall 4 Frome 9 27 Ashwicken pa Norfolk Lynn 5 Castle Rising 5 35 Ashwood ham Stafford Stourbridge 4 Dudley 3 22 Ashworth chap Lancaster Rochdale 3 Bury 3 43 Aske to N.R. York Richmond 2 Reeth 8 +--+-------------------------+---------+--------------+---------------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+-------------------------+------------------------+-----+---------+ 41 Ashton-Steeple[A] pa & ti Devizes 7 96 1754 41 Ashton, West to ... 9 98 374 21 Ashurst pa Groombridge 2 34 206 38 Ashurst pa W. Grinstead 4 47 423 11 Ashwater pa Launceston 8 209 862 18 Ashwell[B] pa Biggleswade 6 41 1072 32 Ashwell pa Overton 3 99 209 27 Ashwell-Thorpe pa Buckenham 7 100 471 34 Ashwick pa Wells 6 118 995 27 Ashwicken pa Swaffham 10 98 80 35 Ashwood ham Wolverhamp. 6 123 ... 22 Ashworth chap Manchester 11 192 294 43 Aske to Darlington 11 235 105 +--+-------------------------+------------------------+-----+---------+

[A] ASHTON, or STEEPLE ASHTON is remarkable for its lofty and elegant church, which was built about the year 1480, though the chapels and a part of the chancel appear of a still earlier date. The tower which is high and handsome, was formerly surmounted by a spire or steeple, whence the village had its distinctive appellation. An inscription informs us that, in the year 1670, the spire being in height 93 feet above the tower, was rent by a violent thunder storm, and that in the same year, being almost re-erected, it was by a second storm again destroyed. The roof of the nave is formed by intersecting arches, which rest on canopied niches, adorned with whole length figures or flowers; and that of the aisles is profusely decorated with sculpture and tracery work, while the windows display some splendid remains of painted gla.s.s, the whole corresponding with the exterior in style and effect. Plot informs us that there was dug up at Steeple Ashton, a pavement, which he considered to be Roman, though different in materials and design from those commonly regarded as such. The Madrepore stone is found among the fossil productions of Ashton. Rowd Ashton, the seat of Richard G.o.dolphin Long, Esq., is situated in a large and well wooded park. The Kennet and Avon ca.n.a.l from London to Bristol pa.s.ses near this village.

[Sidenote: The church steeple twice thrown down by storms.]

[B] ASHWELL. This village, situate on the river Rhee, on the borders of Cambridgeshire, derives its present name from Escewelle, and is supposed by Camden to be of Roman origin, from the frequent discovery of Roman coins, and sepulchral urns, in an adjacent earthwork, or fortification, called Arbury banks. It is in a low situation on the northern edge of the county. Here a considerable spring breaks out from a rocky bank overhung with lofty ash-trees, from which a continued quant.i.ty of water flows, and being quickly collected into one channel, turns a mill, and soon after becomes a river. From this spring and these ash-trees, it is supposed the Saxons gave it the name of Ashwell. The village was anciently a demesne of the Saxon kings; but before the time of Edward the Confessor, it was granted to the Abbots of St. Peter's, at Westminster, to whom it continued to belong till the dissolution, when the Abbey was erected into a deanery, and after that into a bishopric; it, however, followed the fate of similar foundations; and when the bishopric was dissolved, in the reign of Edward VI., it was granted, with other manors, to the see of London, in which it is still invested.

The church consists of a nave, aisle, and chancel, with a tower at the west-end, surmounted by a spire. In the chancel are several slabs, formerly inlaid with bra.s.ses. Among the inscriptions, Weever notices one with the words, "Orate pro--Walter Sommoner." "I reade," says Weever, "that one Walter Sumner held the manor of Ashwell of the King, by pettie sergeantie; viz. to find the king spits to rost his meate upon the day of his coronation: and John Sumner, his sonne, held the same manor by service, to turne a spit in the king's kitchen upon the day of his coronation."

[Sidenote: Powerful spring oozing from a rock.]

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+------------------------+----------+------------+--------------+ 45 Askerne or Askeron[A] to W.R. York Doncaster 7 Ferry-bridge 8 11 Askerswell pa Dorset Bridport 4 Beaminster 8 9 Askerton[B] to c.u.mberland Carlisle 13 Longtown 12 30 Askham chap Nottingham Tuxford 3 Gamston 3 40 Askham[C] to & pa Westmor Penrith 4 Lowther 2 43 Askham Bryan to & pa N.R. York York 4 Tadcaster 6 43 Askham pa N.R. York York 5 ... 5 43 Askrigg[D] m.t. & chap N.R. York Middleham 12 Reeth 7 +--+------------------------+----------+------------+--------------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+------------------------+-----------------------+-----+--------+ 45 Askerne or Askeron[A] to Snaith 10 169 256 11 Askerswell pa Abbotsbury 7 131 228 9 Askerton[B] to Brampton 5 316 473 30 Askham chap E. Retford 6 140 329 40 Askham[C] to & pa Bampton 4 280 587 43 Askham Bryan to & pa Wetherby 10 196 341 43 Askham pa ... 9 195 234 43 Askrigg[D] m.t. & chap Hawes 5 246 737 +--+------------------------+----------+------------+--------------+

[A] ASKERNE. This village is one of the numerous places in the West Riding, which enjoys the distinction of a mineral spring. The water resembles that of Harrowgate Spa; but taken internally, differs materially in its operation, acting chiefly as a diuretic without any of that cathartic or purgative power, for which the Harrowgate waters are so remarkable. The village is situated at the foot of a hill; the spring rises at the distance of a few yards only from a piece of water called Askerne Pool, seven acres in extent, and is much frequented by rheumatic or s...o...b..tic patients, who seldom fail to obtain the relief which they seek. Near this place it is said the British Prince Ambrosius defeated and put to death the fierce Saxon leader Hengist.

[Sidenote: The Saxon leader Hengist put to death.]

[B] ASKERTON. At this village there is a castle which was built by the Barons Dacre. This well known name is derived from the exploits of one of their ancestors at the siege of Acre, or Ptolemais, under Richard Coeur de Lion. There were two powerful branches of that name. The first family, called Lord Dacres of the South, held the castle of the same name, and are ancestors to the present Lord Dacre. The other family, descended from the same stock, were called Lord Dacres of the North, and were Barons of Gillesland and Graystock. A chieftain of the latter branch was warden of the West Marshes, during the reign of Edward VI. He was a man of a hot and obstinate character, as appears from some particulars of Lord Surrey's letter to Henry VIII., giving an account of his behaviour at the siege and storm of Jedburgh. The castle was formerly garrisoned by the Serjeant of Gillesland, who sometimes commanded and led the inhabitants against the Scots.

[Sidenote: Seat of Lord Dacre.]

[C] ASKHAM. This place consists of two manors. The hall, built in 1574, on the river Lowther, has an embattled roof, and a sombre aspect well suited to the gloom of the surrounding scenery. Several remarkable heaps of stones, among which, one is called the Druid's Cross, are in this neighbourhood; and also a large cairn, called the White-raise.

_Mail_ arrives at Lowther 1-1/2 miles distant 2.30 morning; departs 8 evening.

[Sidenote: Druid's Cross.]

[D] ASKRIGG. This ancient market town is situated near the river Ure and Swaledale Forest: it resembles a large village, and the occupations of the inhabitants are princ.i.p.ally the knitting of stockings and making b.u.t.ter or cheese. It is remarkable, chiefly, for some considerable cataracts in its neighbourhood: as Millgill Force, a fall of from twenty to thirty yards; Whitfields Force, a grand specimen of the picturesque; and Hardrow Force, where the water falls in one grand sheet from a perpendicular height of one hundred feet. This town is one of the polling places appointed under the Reform Bill of 1832, for the North Riding.

_Market_, Thursday.--_Fairs_, May 10, horned cattle; May 12, and first Thursday in June, woollen cloth, pewter, bra.s.s, and milliners'

goods; October 28, horned cattle; October 29, woollens, &c.

[Sidenote: Cataract 100 feet in height.]

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+-------------------+----------+---------------+------------+ 45 Askwith to W.R. York Otley 3 Skipton 12 24 Aslackby[A] pa Lincoln Folkingham 2 Bourn 7 27 Aslacton pa Norfolk Stratton 4 Buckenham 5 30 Aslacton pa Nottingham Bingham 2 Newark 12 36 Aspall pa Suffolk Eye 6 Debenham 2 36 Aspal Stoneham pa Suffolk Debenham 4 Needham 5 9 Aspatria[B] to & pa c.u.mberland c.o.c.kermouth 8 Wigton 9 18 Aspedon pa Herts Buntingford 1 Stevenage 9 35 Aspley to Stafford Eccleshall 1 Stone 6 39 Aspley ham Warwick Henley-in Ar. 2 Alcester 7 3 Aspley Guise pa Bedford Woburn 2 Ampthill 7 22 Aspull to Lancaster Wigan 3 Bolton 8 46 a.s.selby to E.R. York Howden 2 Selby 7 31 a.s.sendon[C] to Oxford Henley-on-T. 4 Watlington 7 +--+-------------------+----------+---------------+------------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+-------------------+--------------------------+-----+------+ 45 Askwith to Ripley 12 208 400 24 Aslackby[A] pa Corby 9 104 455 27 Aslacton pa Diss 9 97 359 30 Aslacton pa Nottingham 11 123 289 36 Aspall pa Framlingham 9 85 126 36 Aspal Stoneham pa Stowmarket 7 80 633 9 Aspatria[B] to & pa Allonby 4 311 761 18 Aspedon pa Puckeridge 9 31 560 35 Aspley to Stafford 7 148 26 39 Aspley ham Stratford 7 99 106 3 Aspley Guise pa Wavenden 3 43 1014 22 Aspull to Chorley 7 203 2464 46 a.s.selby to Snaith 7 178 297 31 a.s.sendon[C] to Nettlebed 3 39 ... +--+-------------------+--------------------------+-----+------+

[A] ASLACKBY. In this village, which is on the direct road from London to Lincoln, there was a commandery, or a.s.sociated body of Knights Templars, founded in the time of Richard I., by John le Mareshall. It afterwards served for the hospitallers, and at the suppression of this society, the property was transferred to Edward, Lord Clinton. A farm-house, which now occupies the site of the old circular church, is called the temple. Of that ancient structure there yet remains a square embattled tower of two stories. The lower story is vaulted, and formed of eight groins, in the centre of which is displayed eight shields, and various coats of arms. The parish church is a handsome building, with an embattled tower at the west end. A castle formerly stood here, but no vestiges of the walls can now be seen: remnants, however, of the foss and earthworks point out the spot where it was situated.

_Mail_ arrives 7.40 morn.; departs 6.45 evening.

[Sidenote: Ancient village.]

[B] ASPATRIA, or ASPATRIC, is a long straggling village on the side of a hill, about five miles distant from the Irish sea. It now forms part of the estate of the Earl of Egremont, but is supposed to have derived its name from Gospatrick, Earl of Dunbar. On removing the earth of a barrow, which stood at Beacon-hill, an eminence about 200 yards to the north of the village, in the year 1790, a human skeleton was found in a kind of chest, or kistvaen, formed by two large cobblestones at each end, and the same on each side. The feet were decayed and rotted off, but from the head to the ancle-bone, the skeleton measured seven feet. On exposure to the atmospheric air the other bones soon mouldered away.

Near the shoulder, on the left side, was a broad sword five feet long, the guard of which was elegantly inlaid with silver flowers: a dirk, or dagger, lay on the right side; it was one foot and a half long, and the handle seemed to have been studded with silver. There were likewise found part of a golden fibula, or buckle, a broken battle-axe, an ornament for the end of a belt, a part of which yet remained, part of a spur, and a bit resembling a modern snaffle. Various figures, rudely sculptured, remained on the stones which enclosed the left side of the chest; they chiefly represented circles, each having within a cross in relief. Hayman Rooke, Esq., the learned antiquary, from whose account the above particulars are taken, supposed that the personage whose remains were found was buried soon after the first dawning of Christianity; and also, inferred from the rich ornaments found in the tomb, that he was a chieftain of high rank.

[Sidenote: Prodigious skeleton, 7ft. from the head to the ancle-bone.]

[Sidenote: Ancient relics found.]