Produced by Ted Garvin, Andy Schmitt and the PG Online Distributed Proofreading Team. THE EVOLUTION OF AN ENGLISH TOWN Being the story of the ancient town of PICKERING in Yorkshire from Prehistoric times up to the year of our Lord Nineteen Hundred & 5 BY GORDON HOME TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR GENEROUS HELP IN THE COMPILATION OF THIS BOOK PREFACE The original suggestion that I should undertake this task came from the Vicar of Pickering, and it is due to his co-operation and to the great help received from Dr John L. Kirk that this history has attained its present form. But beyond this I have had most valuable assistance from so many people in Pickering and the villages round about, that to mention them all would almost entail reprinting the local directory. I would therefore ask all those people who so kindly put themselves to great trouble and who gave up much time in order to help me, to consider that they have contributed very materially towards the compilation of this record. Beyond those who live in the neighbourhood of Pickering, I am particularly indebted to Mr Richard Blakeborough for his kind help and the use of his invaluable collection of Yorkshire folklore. Mr Blakeborough was keen on collecting the old stories of hobs, wraithes and witches just long enough ago to be able to tap the memories of many old people who are no longer with us, and thus his collection is now of great value. Nearly all the folklore stories I am able to give, are those saved from oblivion in this way. I have also had much help from Mr J. Romilly Allen and from Mr T.M. Fallow of Coatham, who very generously gave his aid in deciphering some of the older records of Pickering. To Professor Percy F. Kendall who so kindly gave me permission to reproduce his map showing the Vale of Pickering during the Glacial Epoch, as well as other valuable help, I am also greatly indebted; and I have to thank Professor W. Boyd Dawkins for his kindness in reading some of the proofs, and for giving valuable suggestions. GORDON HOME. EPSOM, _May 1905_. CONTENTS PREFACE. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. INTRODUCTION CHAPTER I CONCERNING THOSE WHICH FOLLOW CHAPTER II THE FOREST AND VALE OF PICKERING IN PALAEOLITHIC AND PRE-GLACIAL TIMES CHAPTER III THE VALE OF PICKERING IN THE LESSER ICE AGE CHAPTER IV THE EARLY INHABITANTS OF THE FOREST AND VALE OF PICKERING CHAPTER V HOW THE ROMAN OCCUPATION OF BRITAIN AFFECTED THE FOREST AND VALE OF PICKERING, B.C. 55 TO A.D. 418 CHAPTER VI THE FOREST AND VALE IN SAXON TIMES, A.D. 418 TO 1066 CHAPTER VII THE FOREST AND VALE IN NORMAN TIMES, A.D. 1066 TO 1154 CHAPTER VIII THE FOREST AND VALE IN THE TIME OF THE PLANTAGENETS, A.D. 1154 TO 1485 CHAPTER IX THE FOREST AND VALE IN TUDOR TIMES, A.D. 1485 TO 1603 CHAPTER X THE FOREST AND VALE IN STUART TIMES, A.D. 1603 TO 1714 CHAPTER XI THE FOREST AND VALE IN GEORGIAN TIMES, A.D. 1714 TO 1837