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the Dissolution, «a White Doe, say the aged people of the neighbourhood, long continued to make a weekly pilgrimage from Rylstone over the fells of Bolton, and was constantly found in the Abbey Church-yard during divine service; after the close of which she returned home as regularly as the rest of the congregation.»>DR WHITAKER'S History of the Deanery of Craven.Rylstone was the property and residence of the Nortons, distinguished in that ill-advised and unfortunate Insurrection, which led me to connect with this tradition the principal circumstances of their fate, as recorded in the Ballad.

<< Bolton Priory,» says Dr Whitaker in his excellent book, The History and Antiquities of the Deanery of Craven, «stands upon a beautiful curvature of the Wharf, on a level sufficiently elevated to protect it from inundations, and low enough for every purpose of picturesque effect,

«Opposite to the East window of the Priory Church, the river washes the foot of a rock nearly perpendicular, and of the richest purple, where several of the mineral beds, which break out, instead of maintaining their usual inclination to the horizon, are twisted by some inconceivable process into undulating and spiral lines. To the South all is soft and delicious; the eye reposes upon a few rich pastures, a moderate reach of the river, sufficiently tranquil to form a mirror to the sun, and the bounding hills beyond, neither too near nor too lofty to exclude, even in winter, any portion of his rays.

solemn roar, like 'the Voice of the angry Spirit of the Waters,' heard far above and beneath, amidst the silence of the surrounding woods.

<< The terminating object of the landscape is the remains of Barden Tower, interesting from their form and situation, and still more so from the recollections which they excite.»>

Note 2. Page 190, column 1.

From Bolton's old monastic Tower.

It is to be regretted that at the present day Bolton Abbey wants this ornament: but the Poem, according to the imagination of the Poet, is composed in Queen Elizabeth's time. «Formerly,» says Dr Whitaker, «over the Transept was a tower. This is proved not only from the mention of bells at the Dissolution, when they could have had no other place, but from the pointed roof of the choir, which must have terminated westward, in some building of superior height to the ridge.» Note 3. Page 190, col. 2.

A rural Chapel, neatly drest.

« The Nave of the Church having been reserved at the Dissolution, for the use of the Saxon Cure, is still a parochial Chapel; and, at this day, is as well kept as the neatest English Cathedral.»

Note 4. Page 190, col. 2.

Who sate in the shade of the Prior's Oak. «At a small distance from the great gateway stood the Prior's Oak, which was felled about the year 1720, and sold for 70l. According to the price of wood at that time, it could scarcely have contained less than 1400 feet of timber.»>

Note 5. Page 192, col. 1.

When Lady Aaliza mourned.

<«<But, after all, the glories of Bolton are on the North. Whatever the most fastidious taste could require to constitute a perfect landscape is not only found here, but in its proper place. In front, and immediately under the eye, is a smooth expanse of park-like enclosure, spotted with native elm, ash, etc. of the finest growth: on the right a skirting oak wood, with jutting points of grey rock, on the left a rising copse. Still forward, are seen the aged groves of Bolton Park, the growth of centuries; and farther yet, the barren and titled, «The Force of Prayer,» etc. rocky distances of Simon-seat and Barden Fell contrasted with the warmth, fertility, and luxuriant foliage of the valley below.

<< About half a mile above Bolton the valley closes, and either side of the Wharf is overhung by solemn woods, from which huge perpendicular masses of grey rock jut out at intervals.

« This sequestered scene was almost inaccessible till of late, that ridings have been cut on both sides of the River, and the most interesting points laid open by judicious thinnings in the woods. Here a tributary stream rushes from a waterfall, and bursts through a woody glen to mingle its waters with the Wharf: there the Wharf itself is nearly lost in a deep cleft in the rock, and next becomes a horned flood enclosing a woody island-sometimes it reposes for a moment, and then resumes its native character, lively, irregular, and impetuous.

<< The cleft mentioned above is the tremendous STRID. This chasm, being incapable of receiving the winter floods, has formed, on either side, a broad strand of naked gritstone full of rock-basins, or pots of the Linn,' which bear witness to the restless impetuosity of so many Northern torrents. But, if here Wharf is lost to the eye, it amply repays another sense by its deep and

The detail of this tradition may be found in Dr Whitaker's book, and in a Poem of this Collection, en

Note 6. Page 192, col. 1.

Pass, pass who will, yon chantry door.

« At the East end of the North aisle of Bolton Priory Church is a chantry belonging to Bethmesly Hall, and a vault, where, according to tradition, the Claphamss (who inherited this estate, by the female line from the Mauliverers) were interred upright.» John de Clapham, of whom this ferocious act is recorded, was a name of great note in his time: «he was a vehement partisan of the House of Lancaster, in whom the spirit of his chieftains, the Cliffords, seemed to survive.»

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Note 7. Page 192, col. 1.

Who loved the Shepherd Lord to meet.

At page 90 of this volume, will be found a poem entitled, Song at the Feast of Brougham Castle, upon the Restoration of Lord Clifford the Shepherd to

the Estates and Honours of his Ancestors.» To that Poem is annexed an account of this personage, chiefly extracted from Burn's and Nicholson's History of Cumberland and Westmorland. It gives me pleasure to add these further particulars concerning him from Dr Whitaker, who says, «he retired to the solitude of Barden, where he seems to have enlarged the tower ou! of a common keeper's lodge, and where he found a

retreat equally favourable to taste, to instruction, and to devotion. The narrow limits of his residence shew that he had learned to despise the pomp of greatness, and that a small train of servants could suffice him, who had lived to the age of thirty a servant himself. I think this nobleman resided here almost entirely when, in Yorkshire, for all his charters which I have seen are dated at Barden.

1346, there did appear to John Fosser, then Prior of the abbey of Durham, commanding him to take the holy Corporax-cloth, wherewith St Cuthbert did cover the chalice when he used to say mass, and to put the same holy relique like to a banner-cloth upon the point of a spear, and the next morning to go and repair to a place on the west side of the city of Durham, called the Red Hills, where the Maid's Bower wont to be, and there to remain and abide till the end of the battle. To which vision, the Prior obeying, and taking the same for a revelation of God's grace and mercy by the me

«His early habits, and the want of those artificial measures of time which even shepherds now possess, had given him a turn for observing the motions of the heavenly bodies, and, having purchased such an appa-diation of holy St Cuthbert, did accordingly the next ratus as could then be procured, he amused and informed himself by those pursuits, with the aid of the Canons of Bolton, some of whom are said to have been well versed in what was then known of the science.

a I suspect this nobleman to have been sometimes occupied in a more visionary pursuit, and probably in the same company.

For, from the family evidences, I have met with two MSS. on the subject of Alchemy, which, from the character, spelling, etc., may almost certainly be referred to the reign of Henry the Seventh. If these were original y deposited with the MSS. of the Cliffords, it might have been for the use of this nobleman. If they were brought from Bolton at the Dissolution, they must have been the work of those Canons whom he almost exclusively conversed with.

In these peaceful employments Lord Clifford spent the whole reign of Henry the Seventh, and the first years of his son. But in the year 1513, when almost sixty years old, he was appointed to a principal command over the army which fought at Flodden, and shewed that the military genius of the family had neither been chilled in him by age, nor extinguished by habits of peace.

He survived the battle of Flodden ten years, and died April 23d, 1523, aged about 70. I shall endeavour to appropriate to him a tomb, vault, and chantry, in the choir of the church of Bolton, as I should be sorry to believe that he was deposited, when dead, at a distance from the place which in his lifetime he loved so well.

a By his last will he appointed his body to be interred at Shap, if he died in Westmorland; or at Bolton, if he died in Yorkshire.»

With respect to the Canons of Bolton, Dr Whitaker shews from MSS. that not only alchemy but astronomy was a favourite pursuit with them.

Note 8. Page 195, col. 1.

morning, with the monks of the said abbey, repair to the said Red Hills, and there most devoutly humbling and prostrating themselves in prayer for the victory in the said battle: (a great multitude of the Scots running and pressing by them, with intention to have spoiled them, yet had no power to commit any violence under such holy persons, so occupied in prayer, being protected and defended by the mighty Providence of Almighty God, and by the mediation of Holy St Cuthbert, and the presence of the holy relique.) And, after many conflicts and warlike exploits there had and done between the English men and the King of Scots and his company, the said battle ended, and the victory was obtained, to the great overthrow and confusion of the Scots, their enemies: And then the said Prior and monks, accompanied with Ralph Lord Nevil, and John Nevil his son, and the Lord Percy, and many other nobles of England, returned home and went to the abbey church, there joining in hearty prayer and thanksgiving to God and holy St Cuthbert for the victory atchieved that day.»

This battle was afterwards called the Battle of Neville's Cross from the following circumstance :

« On the west side of the city of Durham, where two roads pass each other, a most notable, famous, and goodly cross of stone-work was erected, and set up to the honour of God for the victory there obtained in the field of battle, and known by the name of Nevil's Cross, and built at the sole cost of the Lord Ralph Nevil, one of the most excellent and chief persons in the said battle.» The Relique of St Cuthbert afterwards became of great importance in military events. For soon after this battle, says the same author, «The prior caused a goodly and sumptuous banner to be made, (which is then described at great length,) and in the midst of the same banner-cloth was the said holy relique and corporax-cloth enclosed, etc. etc. and so sumptuously finished, and absolutely perfected, this banner was dedicated to holy St Cuthbert, of intent and purpose, that for the future it should be carried to any battle, as occasion should serve; and was never carried and shewed at any battle but by the especial grace of God Almighty, and the mediation of holy St Cuthbert, it brought home victory; which banner-cloth, after the dissolution of the abbey, fell into the possession of Dean WHITTINGHAM, whose wife was called KATHARINE, being a French woman, (as is most credibly reported by eyewitnesses,) did most injuriously burn the same in her fire, to the open contempt and disgrace of all ancient and goodly reliques.»-Extracted from a book entitled, « Durham Cathedral, as it stood before the Dissolution of the Monastery. It appears, from the In the night before the battle of Durham was old metrical History, that the above-mentioned banner strucken and begun, the 17th day of October, anno was carried by the Earl of Surrey to Flodden Field.

Ye Watchmen upon Brancepeth Towers. Brancepeth Castle stands near the river Were, a few miles from the city of Durham. It formerly belonged to the Nevilles, Earls of Westmoreland. See Dr Percy's

account.

Note 9. Page 197, col. 1.

Of mitred Thurston, what a Host
He conquered!

See the Historians for the account of this memorable battle, usually denominated the Battle of the Standard. Note 10. Page 197 col. 1.

In that other day of Neville's Cross.

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valley of Wharf forks off into two great branches, one of which retains the name of Wharfdale to the source of the river; the other is usually called Littondale, but more anciently and properly Amerdale. Dern-brook, which runs along an obscure valley from the N. W. is derived from a Teutonic word, signifying concealment.»

It is so called to this day, and is thus described by Dr Whitaker. <«< Rylstone Fell yet exhibits a monument of the old warfare between the Nortons and Cliffords. On a point of very high ground, commanding an im--Dr WHITAKER. mense prospect, and protected by two deep ravines, are the remains of a square tower, expressly said by Dodsworth to have been built by Richard Norton. The walls are of strong grout-work, about four feet thick. It seems to have been three stories high. Breaches have been industriously made in all the sides, almost to the ground, to render it untenable.

<«< But Norton Tower was probably a sort of pleasurehouse in summer, as there are, adjoining to it, several large mounds (two of them are pretty entire), of which no other account can be given than that they were butts for large companies of archers.

Note 14. Page 204, col. 2.
When the Bells of Rylstone played
Their Sabbath music-« God us ayde.»

On one of the bells of Rylstone church, which seems coeval with the building of the tower, is this cipher, J. . for John Norton, and the motto, «God us ayde.»

Note 15. Page 205, col. 1.

The grassy rock-encircled Pound.

Which is thus described by Dr Whitaker:- On the

<< The place is savagely wild, and admirably adapted plain summit of the hill are the foundations of a strong to the uses of a watch-tower.»>

Note 12. Page 203, col. 1.

despoil and desolation

O'er Rylstone's fair domain have blown.

« After the attainder of Richard Norton, his estates were forfeited to the crown, where they remained till the 2d or 3d of James; they were then granted to Francis Earl of Cumberland.» From an accurate survey made at that time, several particulars have been extracted by Dr W. It appears that the mansion-house was then in decay. Immediately adjoining is a close, called the Vivery, so called undoubtedly from the French Vivier, or modern Latin Viverium; for there are near the house large remains of a pleasure-ground, such as were introduced in the earlier part of Elizabeth's time, with topiary works, fish-ponds, an island, etc. The whole township was ranged by an hundred and thirty red deer, the property of the Lord, which, together with the wood, had, after the attainder of Mr Norton, been committed to Sir Stephen Tempest. The wood, it seems, had been abandoned to depredations, before which time it appears that the neighbourhood must have exhibited a forest-like and sylvan scene. In this survey, among the old tenants, is mentioned one Richard Kitchen, butler to Mr Norton, who rose in rebellion with his master, and was executed at Ripon.»

Note 13. Page 204, col. 1.

In the deep fork of Amerdale.

wall stretching from the S. W. to the N. E. corner of the tower, and to the edge of a very deep glen. From this glen, a ditch, several hundred yards long, runs south to another deep and rugged ravine. On the N.İ and W. where the banks are very steep, no wall or mound is discoverable, paling being the only fence that could stand on such ground.

<< From the Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, it appears that such pounds for deer, sheep, etc. were far from being uncommon in the south of Scotland. The principle of them was something like that of a wire mouse-trap. On the declivity of a steep hill, the bottom and sides of which were fenced so as to be impassable, a wall was constructed nearly level with the surface on the outside, yet so high within, that without wings it was impossible to escape in the opposite direction. Care was probably taken that these enclosures should contain better feed than the neighbouring parks or forests; and whoever is acquainted with the habits of these sequacious animals, will easily conceive, that if the leader was once tempted to descend into the snare, an herd would follow.»

I cannot conclude without recommending to the notice of all lovers of beautiful scenery-Bolton Abbey and its neighbourhood. This enchanting spot belongs to the Duke of Devonshire; and the superintendence of it has for some years been entrusted to the Rev. William Carr, who has most skilfully opened out its features; and, in whatever he has added, has done justice to the place by working with an invisible hand of art in the

<< At the extremity of the parish of Burnsal, the very spirit of nature.

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In the following Poem I have allowed myself no further deviation from the original than was necessary for the fluent reading and instant understanding of the Author: so much, however, is the

.

By a great Lord, for gain and usury, Hateful to Christ and to his Company;

language altered since Chaucer's time, especially in pronuncia-And through this street who list might ride and wend;

tion, that much was to be removed, and its place supplied with as little incongruity as possible. The ancient accent has been re

tained in a few conjunctions, as also and alway, from a conviction that such sprinklings of antiquity would be admitted, by persons of taste, to have a graceful accordance with the subject. The fierce bigotry of the Prioress forms a fine back ground for her tenderhearted sympathies with the Mother and Child; and the mode in which the story is told amply atones for the extravagance of the

miracle.

O Lord, our Lord! how wondrously,' (quoth she) Thy name in this large world is spread abroad!

For not alone by men of dignity

Thy worship is performed and precious laud;
But by the mouths of children, gracious God!
Thy goodness is set forth; they when they lie
Upon the breast thy name do glorify.

Wherefore in praise, the worthiest that I may, Jesu! of thee, and the white Lily-flower Which did thee bear, and is a maid for aye, To tell a story I will use my power; Not that I may increase her honour's dower, For she herself is honour, and the root

of goodness, next her Son our soul's best boot.

O Mother Maid! O Maid and Mother free!

O bush unburnt! burning in Moses' sight!
That down didst ravish from the Deity,
Through humbleness, the spirit that did alight

Upon thy heart, whence, through that glory's might,
Conceived was the Father's sapience,

Help me to tell it in thy reverence!

'Lady, thy goodness, thy magnificence,
Thy virtue, and thy great humility,
Surpass all science and all utterance;
For sometimes, Lady! ere men pray to thee
Thou go'st before in thy benignity,
The light to us vouchsafing of thy prayer,
To be our guide unto thy Son so dear.

My knowledge is so weak, O blissful Queen! To tell abroad thy mighty worthiness, That I the weight of it may not sustain; But as a child of twelve months old or less, That laboureth his language to express, Even so fare 1; and therefore, I thee pray, Guide thou my song which I of thee shall say.

"There was in Asia, in a mighty town,

Mong Christian folk, a street where Jews might be; Assigned to them and given them for their own

Free was it, and unbarred at either end.

A little school of Christian people stood Down at the farther end, in which there were A nest of children come of Christian blood, That learnèd in that school from year to year Such sort of doctrine as men used there, That is to say, to sing and read alsò As little children in their childhood do.

'Among these children was a widow's son,
A little scholar, scarcely seven years old,
Who day by day unto this school hath gone,
And eke, when he the image did behold
Of Jesu's Mother, as he had been told,
This Child was wont to kneel adown and say
Ave Marie, as he goeth by the way.

"This Widow thus her little Son hath taught
Our blissful lady, Jesu's Mother dear,
To worship aye, and he forgat it not,
For simple infant hath a ready ear.
Sweet is the holiness of youth: and hence,
Calling to mind this matter when I may,
Saint Nicholas in my presence standeth aye,
For he so young to Christ did reverence.

"This little Child, while in the school he sate
His primer conning with an earnest cheer,
The whilst the rest their anthem-book repeat
The Alma Redemptoris did he hear;
And as he durst he drew him near and near,
And hearkened to the words and to the note,
Till the first verse he learned it all by rote.

This Latin knew he nothing what it said, For he too tender was of age to know; But to his comrade he repaired, and prayed That he the meaning of this song would show, And unto him declare why men sing so; This oftentimes, that he might be at ease, This child did him beseech on his bare knees.

His Schoolfellow, who elder was than he, Answered him thus :-« This song, I have heard say. Was fashioned for our blissful Lady free;

Her to salute, and also her to pray

To be our help upon our dying day.

If there is more in this, I know it not;
Song do I learn,-small grammar I have got.»

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