Morley : ancient and modern

Front matter

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TENOR RENE R UN SN SEN SR ERCUCRKNORERRENEN NS

Chapter I

Early History of Yorkshire—Homes of the Britons—The Romans in Morley— The ‘Street ’—Discovery of Bronze Weapons—With the Normans— Morley in Domesday Book—The Plantagenet Period—Social Condition of the People- Poll Tax List—Significance of Names—Traits of Character—The Subsidy Roll—Phases of Village Life—-Sir John Savile—The Commonwealth Era-—Heywood’s Notices of Morley —The Hearth or Chimney Tax—Morley Contributors ae oh .. 1-18

Chapter II

The Farnley Wood Plot—Major Greathead and the Morley Conspirators— Captain Thomas Oates—Collapse of the Plot— Defence of the Plotters— Objects sought by the Conspirators—Trial and Condemnation of the Plotters ee an Hh ag aa as .. 19—24

Chapter III

The Morley Wapentake—Sheriff's Tourne Court—Morley the Capital of the ‘“‘ Hundred ’’—Extracts from Sessions Rolls—Sir Michael Wentworth’s Regiment and the Morley Contingent—Land Tax, 1692-- Morley Town’s Book, 1751—The Overseer: his Duties and Responsibilities— Some Morley Worthies—The Apprenticeship System—The Constable— Morley the Head of a Constabulary Division in 17th Century—The Ducking Stool—The Brank —The Stocks—The Dog Whipper—‘‘ Whindow Peeping ’’—Ancient Customs—The Village Watchman as ve (26—55

Xx. CONTENTS.

Chapter IV

The Surveyor of Highways-—Drinking Customs in the Olden Time —Ancient Modes of Locomotion—The ‘ Bell-Horses” in Morley— Accommodation Roads—Roller Waggons—The Old Coaching Days— The Village Carrier—Railway Facilities—The Pinder and Bye-law Man—Perambulation of the Boundaries oe aan ae we 56—67

Chapter V

Morley Fifty Years Ago—Curious Reminiscences—Antiquated Customs— A Ramble round and about the Village—The Nelson’s Arms Inn, with Notices of Public-house Signs and Tavern Life—St. Peter’s Church—The Lodge—Coal-Mining in Olden Times—Dean Wood and its Swinish Associations—The Old White Swan—The Lords of Morley— Gore Well—Quakers’ Burial Ground—The Cemetery—The Old Angel Inn and its Brave Landlord ... ee Sf Pr ww. 68—94

Chapter VI

A Bit of Old Morley—Home Life Fifty Years Ago—A Typical Morley Home—Description of Exterior and Interior—Furniture and Fittings— Decorations —Farm Houses of the Period—The Dress of the People 95—118

Chapter VII

Amusements-—Archery, Football, Cricket, Knur and Spell, etc.— Ancient Customs connected with Christmas, New Year’s Day, Valentine Day, Shrovetide, May Day, Whitsuntide, etc.—Music in Morley—Some Musical Enthusiasts—Curious Customs—Riding the Stang —Pack- Sheeting—The Henpecked Club—Funeral Customs ... ... 119--150

Chapter VIII

Bruntcliffe—Mission Church—Scholecroft— Ancient Corn Mill—Parr’s Mill—- Discovery of Mungo-—Lady Anne’s Well—Howley Hall—Nevison the Highwayman at Howley—The Stone Trade in Morley—Cross Hall—Mrs_ Fletcher's Memorial Chapel—Cross Hall Board School —Education in Morley—Dames’ Schools—Benefit Societies—Stump Cross at nis a a i ee ..» 151—176

CONTENTS. XI CHAPTER IX.

Political Life in Morley --The Morley Division—Return of First M.P.— Five Ancient Hamlets--Bridge Street—The Village Carrier—The Temperance Movement in Morley—Agriculture in the Olden Time— Ratten Row—The Townend, and some of its quaint Characters—

Ancient Medical Prescriptions Ee os wee 17]-—-187

Chapter X

The Flush Pond—Cinderhill—National School—St. Paul’s Church—Floral and Agricultural Society—Hungerhill_-Ebenezer School and Chapel— Wesleyan Schools and Chapel—Old Preaching House—Bethel Free Church—Baptist Tabernacle—Baths and Market—Queen’s Park—Zion School and Chapel—The Manor House—Co-operative Stores—The Old Parsonage—Offices of the Local Board—Grant of Charter of Incorporation—Election of First Mayor, Aldermen, and Councillors 188—212

Chapter XI

St. Mary’s in the Wood—Notice in Domesday Book—The Chapel of St. Nicholas—The Norman Church—The ‘‘Queer End ”—Saxon Cross— Ancient Scrolls on the Walls—Copies of Inscriptions—The New Congregational Church ... ie es <. ee ww. 213—225

Chapter XII

The Religious and Legal Changes at St. Mary’s—Services of the Romish Church—The Puritan Form of Worship—Lease of Chapel to the Presbyterians—Notices of Trustees—Major Greathead, Captain Oates, and others—Ministers at St. Mary’s—The Registers—Interesting

Extracts therefrom—Studies in Etymology—St. Mary’s Graveyard 226—257

Chapter XIII

Mechanics’ Institution—Liberal Club—Norrisson Scatcherd, F.S.A.— Nathaniel Dixon, Esq.—Low Common—The Butts—Brunswick Chapel— Pinfold—Conservative Club—Bibliography of Morley Literature - The Visitation of Cholera—Morley Hall—Rehoboth Chapel—Yew ‘Tree House—Post Office—Wesleyan Chapel—Old House and Gateway—

Concluding remarks a ce es oe e: 258—281

Xii. CONTENTS.

Chapter XIV

The Manufacturing Life of Morley—The Old Morley ‘“ Dasher ”—Procésses of Manufacture—Wool Sorting, Wool Scouring, Blending, Scribbling, Condensing, Spinning, Burling, Weaving, Milling, Dyeing, and Finishing—Progress of the Trade—Present Position and Prospects—The Plug Drawing Riots - The Chartist Movement — Progress of the Working Classes—Chamber of Commerce—Technical School—Fire Insurance Company ... oe =: ae ee ss ... 282—307

General Index .. ae : a 5 Ry ... &08—314

List of Subscribers Ae es = a ote wo. olo—oee

VIL pd ‘ ee

—

STEEL ENGRAVINGS.

PorTRAIT OF CHARLES GEORGE MILNES-GASKELL, J.P., D.L. To face p. 1

(First M.P., for the Morley Division).

PoRTRAIT OF JOSEPH RHODES, Esa. re &6 (First Chairman of the Morley School Board).

Morey INDUSTRIAL CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY’S CENTRAL STORES ,, 209

PORTRAIT OF ALDERMAN EDWARD STOCKWELL _.... im Be 280

PORTRAIT OF SIMEON Kaye, Esq. Se aX 306

(First Chairman of the Morley Chegabor of ae PHOTOGRAPHS.

PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR ... Se To face Title page. (Editor of < Old Y. syste ay : PoRTRAIT OF JOSHUA ASQUITH, Esq., J.P... fre ae ne 28 PoRTRAIT OF GEORGE WEBSTER, Esa. ... a Ve an ae 83 (Chairman of the Morley Fire Insurance Company).

PoRTRAIT OF WILLIAM DoDGsHuy, Esq. ... es - 93 (First Chairman of the Morley Burial ont

PoRTRAIT OF RicHARD BoRRovUGH Hopkins, Esa. Fa te 179

(Solicitor and Town Clerk).

PORTRAIT OF ALDERMAN JOSEPH SCHOFIELD i ra: aah PAs (First Mayor of the Borough of Morley).

PORTRAIT OF THE REV. AMBROSE SHEPHERD ae ; Se 249

(Minister at St, Mary's Congregational Gharoh

Xiv.

-~ ILLUSTRATIONS.

WHOLE PAGE (DALLASTINT) ILLUSTRATIONS.

THE OLD ANGEL INN, BRUNTCLIFFE A Brit oF OLtp MorR.LeEy

MALE CosTuMES, A.D., 1836

FEMALE CosTUMES, A.D., 1836 SHARP’s HovusE, OWLER’S LANE Manor Hovst

St. Mary’s CoNGREGATIONAL CHURCH

THE OLD PARSONAGE

IX. Mortry Hovse

Yew TREE Hovust

WHOLE PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS.

CorPORAL CROWTHER’sS Hous, BANKS’ HILL ...

PaGE FROM TowNsHIP RECORDS, A.D., 1760 AUTOGRAPHS OF TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS, A.D., 1750-1800 St. PeTer’s CHURCH ...

View OF HUGHENDEN (WILLIAM Hotton, Esq.) ...

THE WooDLANDS (Geto. WEBSTER, Esq.)

Tur CEMETERY CHAPEL

INTERIOR OF A MoRLEY COTTAGE, A.D., 1836

CELLAR AT HOWLEY ...

ENTRANCE To CourT YARD, HOWLEY

PANELLING IN BAILIFF’s HovusE, How tev...

BaILirr’s Housr, HowLey

INTERIOR OF ZION INDEPENDENT CHAPEL AUTOGRAPHS OF TRUSTEES OF ST. MARy’s, A.D., 1721 AUTOGRAPHS OF TRUSTEES OF ST. Mary’s, A.D., 1763 Pace oF MS. Sermon sy Rey. A. HupsweEu

ANCIENT TOMBSTONES ...

ILLUSTRATIONS.

OTHER ENGRAVINGS.

_ SPECIMEN OF DomMESDAY Book...

GRoAT OF RicHARD II.

MUSKETEER

Douckine STooL TUMBREL AND CHAIR Morey BRANK

Tue VILLAGE STOCKS Our VILLAGE WATCHMAN WAGGON

MEN wITH Doe ...

St. PreTer’s SCHOOL...

SPRINGFIELD HOUSE DEAN Woop BRIDGE...

EARL DARTMOUTH TINDER Box

TINDER Box

Getting A LIGHT TALLOW CANDLE ...

INTERIOR OF FARM ecsne MALE CosTUMES

Dress IN MORLEY, A.D., FEMALE CosTUMES

Sam WILD..

Sam WILD AND HIS Doe.

Hopge at LEE Farr FooTBALL

CRICKET a BAT AND Gwen e: KNURS ; KNuUR AND te

LEAP FRoG

Boar’s HEAD ...

Yue Log...

WASSAIL CUP...

Cuore at St. Mary’s ...

A MusicaL ENTHUSIAST RIDING THE STANG Mission CHURCH THORNFIELD HOUSE SHARP’S SPRING

Howry HALL FIREPLACE AT HOWLEY GABLE AT HOWLEY Coat or Arms, HowLEy

“1816...

Cross Hau Mrs. FLETCHER

OuR VILLAGE SoROO Laren oe

HoRNBOOK ve Cross-KEys INN ...

Isaac CROWTHER, Esq.

St. Pavuw’s CHURCH EBENEZER CHAPEL WESLEYAN SCHOOLS WESLEYAN CHAPEL ...

TABERNACLE

Manor House

ARMS OF SALT

St. Mary’s, A.D., 1830 St. Mary’s, A.D,. 1870 ..

Curis. NessE, M.A.

Tuomas SHARP, M.A, ARMS OF SHARP : THe Rev. JosEPH Fox...

PROFESSOR Morris, D.D.

XY.

. 169

170 172 173

. 174

. 190

. 239

.. 245 ... 245 AUTOGRAPHS OF MINISTERS...

Tue Rev. JAMES WONNACOTT...

246 247

Tue Rev. Frep. Barnes, B.A. 247

THE Rev. Gro. SoutHEy, B.A.

THE Rev. W. E. ANDERTON, M.A.

MorLEY Hovse

CaTHOLIC APOSTOLIC Cacnba NATHANIEL Dixon, Esq.

BRUNSWICK CHAPEL PINFOLD 4

THe Rev. EDWARD eevon Mr. ANDREW COWBURN

OLtp HovusE AND GATEWAY SHAKE-WILLEY

TEAZER

SCRIBBLER, AND Eo RDEsen GRINDING FRAME

ScotcH FEED ...

SPINNING WHEEL

Sprnnina MULE

HAND RAISING

CRANK MILL...

248 248 261 . 262 263

. 264

. 267

272 . 275 278

... 280

. 286

. 289

. 290 sys 298

WAorks of WAilliam Smith, F343.

A TRIP TO FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND. Post 8vo,

TOO PP. OLGOd cosccveesereverssecsnseuivcensencntvaeat crac catectas esa anm Do. Do. Do. 2nd Edition. Demy 8vo,

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2OO PP. 1860 seeesoceososiencracioesiacnces oausverneteaveisescecses seem an O NIG int Do. Do, Do. 2nd Edition. Post 8vo,

RAMBLES ABOUT MORLEY. Illustrated. Crown 8vo, ZOO PP. 1866 ses secreavessoecesancientann abelgusinnn tes geees: eotisee satin Manta aan

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MORLEY: ANCIENT AND MODERN. Illustrated. Do.

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MORLEY: ANCIENT AND MODERN.

Chapter I. Harly History Of Yorkshire—homes Of The Britons—the

ROMANS IN MORLEY—THE “ STREET ”—DISCOVERY OF BRONZE WEAPONS— WITH THE NORMANS—MORLEY IN DOMESDAY Book —THE PLANTAGENET PERIOD—SOCIAL CONDITION OF THE PHOPLE—POLL TAX LIST—SIGNIFICANCE OF NAMES—TRAITS OF CHARACTER—-THE SUBSIDY ROLL—PHASES OF VILLAGE LIFE—SIR JOHN SAVILE—THE COMMONWEALTH HRA—HEY- Wwoonp’s NOTICES OF MORLEY—THE HEARTH OR CHIMNEY TAX —MORLEY CONTRIBUTORS.

T would be an interesting item of information if we could tell our readers who were the people living in and about Morley in the earliest known times. As, however, the

_ early history of Yorkshire itself is surrounded by such a

dense atmosphere of mystery that hitherto it has eluded the

efforts of the historian to pierce it fully, we need not wonder that the records of such a small and insignificant part of the county as Morley would be before the Christian era, should be altogether missing. The earliest known inhabitants of the West

Riding were the Brigantes, who possessed the northern part of the country from sea to sea. They were the most powerful and numerous of the forty Celtic tribes that were living in England at the time the Romans explored Britain, B.c.55. The Brigantes were fond of hilly localities, and the north and north-east of Yorkshire seems to have been the centre of their power. But Yorkshire, along with the rest of the country, presented at this time a very different appearance from what it does at the present day. There were no roads or enclosed fields, and immense forests covered the surface of the country.

JuLIus Casar, in his Commentaries, thus speaks of the people and the country :—

The inland part of Britain is inhabited by those who, according to the existing tradition, were the aborigines of the island; the sea-coast by those who, for the sake of plunder or in order to make war, had crossed over from among the Belge...... The population is very great, and the buildings are very numerous, closely resembling those of the Gauls; the quantity of cattle is considerable. For money they use copper or rings of iron of a certain weight. There is timber of every kind which is found in Gaul, except beech and fir. They deem it unlawful to eat the hare, the hen, and the goose; these animals, however, they breed for amusement, The country has a more temperate climate than Gaul, the cold being less intense, etc.

The homes of the Britons were of a very poor type of dwellings, being nothing more than circular huts made of wood or reeds; while for clothing they wore the skins of animals killed in the chase—hears, wolves, and beavers. When about to engage in war they stained their naked bodies with the juice of the woad, in order to make themselves. appear still more barbarous and curious in the eyes of the civilised Romans. When the last named had made good their position in the south of England, they endeavoured to force their way northward, but for a century the wild and savage Brigantes successfully defied their arms. When Ostorius Scapula came over with an army from Rome, A.D. 48, at the instance of the Emperor Claudius, to subjugate the northmen, he was so frequently repulsed by the brave Brigantes of Yorkshire that they have a special mention in the dirge sung at the funeral procession of the Emperor, in which they are styled ‘the azure-armed Brigantes.” In many of the other writings of the Roman historians witness is borne to the desperate resistance and invincible bravery of this tribe. The time came at length, however, when the Brigantes had to capitulate, being completely subdued by Petilius Cerealis, an able Roman commander, about a.p. 70, when, under their Roman masters, the Brigantes learned the arts of civilised life—they learnt the Latin language, and many were converted to Christianity by those Romans who had already embraced the new faith.

For four hundred years the Romans remained masters of Britain, with York as the capital of Maxima Cesariensis, the great Roman province which comprised Yorkshire and all the country from the Tyne and the Kden on the north to the Humber and the Mersey on the south. “In the early part of the third century, York shone forth with great splendour, and it was there that the Emperor Severus held his court, while his son was in the north superintending the building of the great wall of stone from Solway Frith to the mouth of the river Tyne, a.p. 208. Severus struck coin at York, on which he designated himself

THE ROMANS IN MORLEY. : 3

Britannicus Maximus.” Some of these coins have been found at places within a few miles from Morley, but none, so far as we are aware, have been met with in our village, and yet we have evidences that Morley was not unknown to the Romans. We are proud of the fact that we have a road, which was traversed nearly fifteen hundred years ago by the Roman legions ; and thus, without having to invent some fictitious story by which to make Morley a place of more than passing interest to the student of history and antiquity, we have indisputable evidence of the existence of one of those famous old highways which were at one time in direct communication with the capital of Rome, when she was Mistress of the world. Britannia Road, as it is called, was formerly known as the “Street,” and extended within the township of Morley, from Gildersome boundary of the Bradford and Wakefield Road to Tingley Bar. |

In 1846, at the boundary between Morley and Churwell, an interesting discovery of bronze weapons was made. These consisted of two spear heads and five palstaves, one of the spear heads being very finely formed and well-proportioned, and measuring 102 inches in length, while the other was of a ruder form, though finely patinated, but wanting the lower portion, and measuring 4 inches in length. There was a palstave 63 inches in length, rough from the mould, and 174 ounces in weight. A few years previous to this discovery a large bronze palstave was found in a garden at Morley, measuring 7 inches in length, and weighing 21? ounces. Various have been the opinions of antiquaries as to the period when bronze implements were in use, but the consensus of evidence goes to show that, whilst there is no doubt that the Romans did use certain bronze implements, as a rule stone and bronze weapons are pre-Roman and pre-historic. Be this as it may, of one fact we may be certain, that our ancient village was in existence at the time of the Roman occupation. The withdrawal of the Roman legions from Britain left Yorkshire at the mercy of the Picts and Scots. The Saxons were at this time a powerful people, had been long engaged in war, and, having formed a confederacy north of the Elbe, of the German tribes, they were ready for any encounter. The Britons forthwith asked them over to assist them against the Picts. ‘ They came, they saw, they conquered,” and became the masters of the people, and despoilers and possessors of the land which had so recently supported the Roman conquerors. From this time forward, for two hundred years, the whole country was in a state of ferment—severe battles being fought, and slaughter and rapine sweeping over the land. This lasted until the Christianity which had been preached by the Roman missionaries had become neglected and almost forgotten.

The conquest of the West Riding by the Anglo-Saxons was very complete, and, in proof of this, we need only to refer to the names of places, and to the physique of the people who still inhabit this portion of Yorkshire. It is said that “the indomitable energy and the manners and customs of our yeomen, and ancient settled farmers, strongly remind us of the ever-enduring Saxon of former days. In the rural districts we are substantially the same to-day.” The greatest proof of our descent from these races is the names of places around us, having Saxon or Danish terminations. The termination ton, or village, is very common: as in Drighlington, Adwalton, Heaton, Bolton, Beeston, and many other places. The very complete occupation of the neighbourhood around Morley will be best shewn by selecting the termination Jey, which is clearly a sign of Anglo-Saxon settlement. Itis found in Morley, Tingley, Ardsley, Batley, Farnley, Armley, Bramley, Pudsey, Stanningley, Dunningley, Wortley, and many other towns. field, which means a cleared space in a woody country, is found in Huddersfield, Sheffield, and Wakefield.

SoaTcHERD connects Morley with the times of the Saxons by asserting that the Old Chapel of St. Mary’s in the Wood had been, under some form or other, a place of worship from the era of the Saxon Heptarchy down to the present period. We are left to conjecture as to the period of the Saxon occupation when the Old Chapel had its rise, for the building which was recently pulled down did in no wise help us to solve the difficulty, for no portion of that edifice could be assigned to so early a date.

With the defeat of Harold at the Battle of Hastings, and the coronation of William, Duke of Normandy as King of England, in the year 1066, a new era began in Britain, and Yorkshire in the course of events suffered considerably by the change of government. What we have said about the country in relation to the Conquest of England by the Romans, will apply also to it for some time after the Norman invasion. Fora considerable period after the Conqueror’s power had been well established in the southern part of the country, Yorkshire, under its Saxon Governor, remained in its main characteristics a distinct kingdom. When at last a revolt was made against the rule of William, and the counties of York, Northumberland, etc., began to be very restless, the Conqueror swore “by the splendour of God,” his usual oath, that he would not leave a soul alive in these counties ; that he would strike the rebels through as one man; that he would destroy their habitations, their cattle, crops, and whatever would support human life. ‘These threats were almost instantly carried literally into effect ; and Simeon of Durham, an old historian, relates that “the country between York and Durham was so devastated that it lay waste for nine years ; and that the inhabitants who escaped ate rats, mice, and other vermin, to sustain life.” Some, when brought to the last extremity, sold themselves into slavery rather than die of starvation like thousands around them. No doubt the Saxons who inhabited our village at that time would suffer in the general decimation, for Domesday Book confirms that supposition, and William of Malmesbury says that not fewer than a hundred thousand persons perished in Yorkshire

MORLEY IN DOMESDAY BOOK. D at this time, and that the whole country was made into a desert. We have the most reliable testimony to the character of this massacre ‘in the pages of Domesday Book, compiled some twelve years after the scenes we have described had taken place. This book of survey was begun in 1080, and took six years in completion ; it is now kept in the Public Record Office, Chancery Lane, London.

The passage in Domesday Book referring to Morley reads as follows :—

In Moreleia habuit Dunstan VI. Car terre ad Geld, et VI. Car possunt ibi esse qui Ilbertus habuit sed weist est. bi est Ecclesia, Silva past. 1 leng. long et 1 late, T.R.E. Val. xl. Sol.

The translation is as follows :—

In Morley Dunstan held six carracutes of land, subject to taxes; and other six carracutes may be there which Ibert held, but it is waste. There is a Church. A native wood, one mile long and one broad, in the time of King Edward valued at forty shillings.

In reference to the carracutes mentioned, we may explain the term as follows :—Carucate or carve of land, carnucata terre, a plough land; which, in a deed of 19 Ed. II., is declared to be 100 acres, by which the subjects have sometimes been taxed; whereupon the tribute so levied was called carvagium or carucagium.—Bract. lib. 2,c. 26. But SKENE Says it is as great a portion of land as may he tilled in a year and a day by one plough; which also is called hilda, or hida terre, a word used in the old British laws. And now, by stat. 7 and 8 W. IIL, ce. 29, a plough land, which may contain houses, mills, pasture, wood, etc., is worth £50 per annum. LirtLeron, in his chapter of tenure in socage, says that soca idem est quod carucata, a soke or ploughland are all one.

We learn from the above extract what was the extent of the township eight hundred years ago, Dunstan having six hundred acres of land here, and Ibert other six hundred in waste, and there being also a wood of about a mile in length and breadth, or 640 acres of forest. This estimate does not, however, agree with the area of the township at the present day, for we have now about 2,600 acres rated to the relief of the poor.

Another passage in Domesday Book relating to Morley is thus rendered :—

According to the verdict of the men of Morlege (Morley) Wapentake, concerning the Church of St. Mary, which is in Morley Wood, the King has a Moiety of the three Festivals of St. Mary’s, which belongs to Wakefield. Ilbert and the Priests who serve the Church have all the rest.

We can well suppose, from the above extracts, how miserable the condition of the people hereabouts must have been ; this part of the county presenting one general aspect of wood and waste. Under the Saxon thanes the district had been cultivated and got into a prosperous condition, but now the reports conclude in nearly every case with the sad words, ‘‘It is waste.” Some considerable period of tiie elapsed before the land was once more brought into cultivation, and for many weary years the miserable serf often lacked the necessaries of life. The second notice in Domesday, however, would imply that Morley was not so much depopulated, or laid waste, as some of its neighbours, for the facts disclosed with regard to the Church point to the supposition that the village was a place of some consequence ; and this may also be inferred from the circumstance that it had given its name to the Wapentake.

Another reason for supposing that Morley had an important position amongst the towns of the West Riding at the time of the Domesday survey, and continued to increase in importance for the two centuries following, is given by ScarcHEeRD, who says that “it would be difficult to believe that so celebrated a church as that of St. Mary’s, and one so rich in offerings, should have flourished here without an adequate number of parishioners; and certainly not less so to fancy what else but its fine woods could have induced the Scots to settle at Morley during a whole winter.” The visit of these marauders, who came em meiio Svocyan De rma teal B-faxt’ Te fede Py Jon. yt hat aplaud oe rs, cay I dicto forme Hecays 7 oer cat 7 o¢ Worl cit are. cone! Lau goet.g. Quy ce serege Sune’ higamdemobtnan| bn Q. ferw Juno tow de a9 (st 7 oO xe po. Sduaoxl pope. oma e m payrco reo TRE pelt cat cou Ue Moder ocd Li Lit qaveerd pelXooulibas nenftt-\heceom Foc. (oli?

Specimen of Domesday Book.

down on this locality like a flock of Jocusts, stripping and ruining the whole district for miles around, was anything but a Godsend to our ancient village, for, in return for our hospitality, they destroyed both town and church, and left Ichabod written upon every stone in the place.

The Ibert to whom reference is made as being the person to whom Morley was given, was of the family of Lacy, who occupied such a conspicuous position in Yorkshire, and were the Lacies, Earls of Pontefract. This Ibert was a chief amongst the bloodthirsty hordes who came over with the Conqueror, and for his exploits he was created Baron of Pontefract in 1070. He was the first to enter on the conquest of the West Riding of Yorkshire, where he met and put to rout the gallant but untrained Northumbrians. Here he destroyed the nationality and hopes of the Saxons, and subdued all the country between Pontefract and Blackburn in Lancashire. All this extent of country ie

POLL TAX LIST. 7 afterwards became his barony, for his master gave him the whole, which included nearly two hundred manors, berewicks, and _sokes. This southern adventurer, ‘‘ whom the King delighted to honour,” had _ been, in his own country, Normandy, a baron of great importance. Ilbert de Lacy built the Castle of Pontefract for his residence, and it is said that it took twelve years in building; and here he lived in a degree of splendour, little, if anything, inferior to that of England’s greatest monarchs. He also formed the Seigniory or Honor of: Pontefract, a court still existing.

Fifty-seven years after the visit of the Scots to Morley, the curtain is again uplifted, and we get our third glimpse of the ancient village, and learn some interesting particulars concerning the men and women who dwelt here more than five hundred years ago. Had this information been accessible to our worthy and learned historian, Mr. Scatcherd, it would have gratified his pride in his native village, and furnished him with much valuable matter for his entertaining History. He names as the jirst person whom he discovers as living in Morley, one Richard Webster, who was married in 1575; but had Mr. Scatcherd been living with us to-day, we could have placed in his hands a list of the names of every inhabitant in Morley above 16 years of age who was living here in 1379, or two hundred years before the time to which he refers. From this list we can gather, not only the names, but the status in life, of our ancestors in that remote period. We can also, by aid of this valuable document, contrast the Morley of 1379 with the Morley of 1879, and thus te enabled to judge of what the intervening five hundred years have done for our native village. It furnishes us also with data by which we can tell the number of the population in 1379, and it also enables us to compare its position with that of neighbouring villages. In the second year of King Richard the Second, his Majesty fell short of money wherewith to carry on his wars, and a subsidy was granted to him by his nobles. This subsidy was in reality a poll tax, and lists were made of all persons in each town and village of the West Riding above 16 years of age, and in these lists was entered the sum charged on each, according to their station in life. An esquire was charged 20s.; a merchant 10s., 68 8d., or 3s. 4d.,

Groat of Richard II. according to his position ; and the lowest sum—fourpence (iiijd.)—was paid by all persons who had no defined occupation. As none of the inhabitants of Morley are taxed at more than a groat, the lowest amount (a man and his wife counting as one), it is plain there was not within the village

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‘) a a at that time a single person above the grade of a peasant or labourer. The impost was in reality the income-tax of the fourteenth century, with this difference, that at the present day the tax is only paid on incomes above a certain amount, but in 13879 every one had to pay; and though 4d. may seem a small amount for a working-man to pay, it represented four days’ labour, and if our working-men of to-day were called upon to give up four days’ wages for income-tax, we should soon be having indignation meetings and petitions to Parliament for a removal of the obnoxious impost. In this list of those who were liable for the poll-tax, we find the names of 34 persons living in Morley, 19 of whom were married, and fifteen unmarried, the latter consisting of male and female members of the population above 16 years of age who had not entered the holy estate of matrimony.. If we take the 19 married couples, and give them each a household of five, which is the usual average, we find that the population of Morley 500 years ago was exactly 95 souls, as against the number of 18,000 in 1886.