The History and Antiquities of Masham and Mashamshire; together with an account of its several Franchises, its ancient Lords ... With ... illustrations

Front matter

THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF MASHAM AND MASHAMSHIRE; TOGETHER WITH AN ACCOUNT OF ITS SEVERAL FRANCHISES, ITS ANCIENT LORDS, RECTORS, PREBENDARIES, VICARS, CURATES, Ice., ice; AND Appendixes, containing Copies of several Charters, Grants, and other important Documents relating to the Manor, Forest, Free Warren and Free Chase, Markets, Fairs, Prebendal Church, &c, of Masham. Jilitlj numerous lithographic anb foooo-cui Illustrations. By JOHN FISHER, Esq, (masham). LONDON : SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, AND CO., STATIONERS' HALL COURT. RIPON : W. HARRISON, MARKET-PLACE. And all Booksellers. 1865. ncbicatcb TO THE MEMORY OF VICE-ADMIRAL OCTAVIUS VERNON HARCOURT, LORD OF THE MANOR OF MASHAM AND MASHAMSHIRE, WHO DIED THE I4TH OF AUGUST, 1 863, IN THE 7OTH YEAR OF HIS AGE j And in grateful acknowledgment of his many inestimable virtues j the urbanity of his manners, and gentleness of his disposition ; his skill and uprightness, combined with moderation, in the dispensing of justice as a Magistrate j his liberality and considerate conduct as a landlord j his extreme kindness to the poor, and attention to their many wants; and his unbounded munificence to charitable institutions calculated to benefit his fellow-man ; his patience and christian resignation when under affliction ; and, whilst calmly awaiting his dissolution, his entire trust and confidence in the merits and efficacy of the blood of his crucified Saviour and Redeemer.

BY THE AUTHOR. (Obituaro. ADMIRAL OCTAVIUS VERNON HARCOURT. The deatb of this estimable gentleman took place at Swinton Park, near Masham, on Friday, August 14th, 1863, at half -past ten in the even ing. He was the eighth son of Dr. Edward Vernon, late Archbishop of York, who took the surname of Harcourt by Royal sign manual in Jan uary, 1831, on bis succeeding to the estates of the last Earl Harcourt. The gallant Admiral was born on the 2Gth of December, 1793, at Rox Castle, in Cumberland (his late father being then Bishop of Carlisle) and was consequently in his 70th year at the time of his death. He entered the navy in August, 1800, as midshipman on board The Tigre, 74, Captain Benjamin Hallowell, and, on attending the expedition to Egypt, in 1807, lie witnessed the surrender of Alexandria, and was much employed in boat service on the river Nile.

After assisting at the blockade of Toulon, and contributing to the destruction of the Freneb ships of the line, Robuste and Lion, towards the close of October, 1809, he accompanied Captain Hallowell, on his promotion to Rear Admiral, into The Malta, 80, and con tinued to serve with him in that ship on the Mediterranean Station, until the receipt of his last commission on the 11th January, 1814, co-operating intermediately with the troops on tbe south east coast of Spain, and serv ing in tbe batteries at the siege of Jarragona. He next joined The Mul grave, 74, Captain Thomas James Maling, and, while cruising in that ship off the coast of Italy, he landed witb a party of seamen and marines near Piombino, where he captured a Martello Tower, and brought out, or de stroyed, a convoy anchored under its protection.