Documents relating to Erringden Park

Letters Patent, 17 March, 27th year Henry VI:

"Richard, duke of York, earl of March and of Ulnstre, Lord of Wiggemore and of Clare, to all those that these letters shall see or hear, greeting. Forasmuch as for certain reasonable causes moving us thereunto, and also for to eschewe the debate and controversy, which of long time hath continued amongst our officers and tenants of our lordship of Sowerby, unto the great hurt of us, and them also, because of our game within our park of Ayringden, to the reformation of which, and also to improve our said park, and the herbage of the same from henceforth, to our most profit and avail; We therefore trusting in the truth, wisdom, and diligence of our right trusty and well-beloved Sir John Seville, knt. our steward in Yorkshire, Thomas Willughby, our auditor in England, and John Vincent, our receiver in the said shire, have ordained and committed them, and given them full power and authority, by these our letters, for to divide our said park in divers parts, or in parcels, and let it to ferme to good and sufficient men for term of life,or for term of years, or otherwise, after the custom of the manor, as their discretions shall think to our most avail, destroying our game there, so that we bear hereafter no more charge thereof, holding firm and stable whatsoever our commissioners shall do in our name in the matter abovesaid. In witness whereof we have set our seal to these our letters. Given at our castle of Fodringham, the seventeenth day of March, in the twenty-seventh year of the reign of our sovereign lord Henry Sixth, " &c

[transcribed by Rev. John Watson in his History of Halifax, p. 78]

Copy (made May 1586) extracted from Wakefield Court Rolls of Duke of York's Commission, date: 1 October 1451.

To Sir John Savile (steward), Thomas Willughbye (auditor) and John Vincent (receiver) to divide the Park of Ayringden and let it out for life or years after the custom of the manor. Reciting that Thomas Stansfeld, Thomas Southcliffe, Richard Fourness, Ralph Estwodd, John Ryleye, Robert Akeroyd and John Sunderland came before the court and were admitted tenants of parts of the Park.

[YAS DD99/B2/1]

Extract from the Wakefield Manor Court Rolls, 1 October 1451:

Thomas Stansfeld came to the court and took of the lord a fourth part of the said park as it lay between Birnedakirygate, (Burntacresgate)  and Beamonde-cloughe; to hold to him, his heirs and assigns for ever, by service, according to the custom of the manor, paying yearly to the lord six pounds sterling at Michaelmass; and for a fine at entrance, eight pounds six shillings and eight pence.

Also Thomas Southcliffe took another fourth part of the said park, as it lay between Beamonde-cloughe and Hawkes-clough. Rent and fine as above. Also the said Thomas Southcliffe took a part of the said park lying between Hoohoile and Brodehedeclough, to the three stones on Eringden moor, which is called Mandike, where the division of the park ends. Yearly rent three pounds eight shillings. Fine four pounds ten shillings.

Also Richard Fourness took another parcel called Sexokekerres, lying between Hawkes-clough and Hoohoile, to the aforesaid stones in Mandike. Rent two pounds ten shillings. Fine three pounds.

Also Ralph Estwodd took another parcel lying between Brodehedeclough and the white stone in the Cragg, and to the aforesaid stones in Mandike; and another small parcel near Simmewife-clough. Rent one pound seven shillings. Fine one pound eighteen shillings and four pence.

Also John Ryleye took another parcel lying between the white stone in the Cragg, and another stone beyond Gunerwalle-nase, (now called Nase-end). Rent one pound five shillings. Fine one pound eighteen shillings and four pence.

Also Robert Akeroyd took another parcel lying between Le Great Oller and Hawkes-cloughe. Fine one pound ten shillings; no rent mentioned.

Also John Sunderland took another parcel, lying between the said stone beyond Gunerwalle-nase and Lez Withennes, and so to Bannesterdike. Rent two pounds ten shillings. Fine four pounds six shillings and eight pence.

And it was agreed, that the said tenants, their heirs, and assigns, should pay at the death of a chief tenant, or an alienation, after the rate of twenty shillings for the fourth part of the said park; and should yearly chuse one of the tenants amongst themselves to be the Lord's Greave to collect the above rent of twenty-four pounds. And the said tenants were not to do suit at the Lord's mill, unless he built a new mill on the river Caldar, or the waters of Ayringden. And they gave the lord for fine at entrance fifty marks

[Transcribed by the Rev John Watson in his History of Halifax]