The Village of Scriven and Slingsby Family History

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Scriven, Yorkshire, England
Surnames/tags: Slingsby Scriven de Scriven

Unless otherwise noted, the following material was sent via email to Bob Scrivens (Scrivens-11) from Gerald Jackson, of Nether Poppleton, on the outskirts of the City of York. (Gerry is a volunteer genealogist who lives near the village of Scriven, in Knarlesborough, North Riding, Yorkshire, Harrogate, England.)

A Short History of The Village of Scriven

Knaresborough and Its Rulers by W. Wheaters

This is a somewhat disjointed summary of my gleanings from Wheaters "Knaresborough and its Rulers".

Part I

In 1204 Henry de Scriven De Scriven-3 entered a quit claim on St Mary's Church in Bridlington (about 50 miles from Scriven). Scriven was 6 caruscates* in size. (*Caruscate: the area a team of 8 oxen could till in a season) It was witnessed by William Percy. William Wheater suggests the early Scrivens were of Percy stock and also that Henry was a kinsman of Henry of Knaresbrough.

There are references in this chapter to a land boundary from "Gamel's-wad" Another boundary - to Scriven itself - is called the "Pelle-well" which the book suggests is evidence of difficulties in the Teutonic era. Wheaters says the Domeday name Scrauinghe would mean "the 'ing' was scraped off from the Screutin territory assigned to the Celts ( now called Scotton) if the prefix Scrau were akin to the Saxon Screopan.

Bond End is an ancient roadway (still called that) in Scriven which marked part of the British trackway through the forest from Otley to Boroughbridge. It was "the quarter of the Bondi" or tenants in bondage who were the hewers of wood for the burghers.

Opposite Scriven is the camp of Gateshill, across and 200 ft above the Nidd. Wheaters claims this is Geats Hill from a German tribe connected to the Goths from Swedish Gothland. Others say it is Goatsland ! There was, however, a Celtic fort there, and there may have been Danish Camps. Fairfax camped there before attacking Knaresborough in the Civil War.

In 1365 Queen Philippa held an "inquisition" of the burghers, including John, son of Walter of Scriven, who say 'they now are and their predecessors were in possession in fee, farm, and inheritance of all the site and soil of the burgh with the appurtenances of the Crown ..... yielding 7 shillings and sixpence yearly at the feast of St Michael.' They allege the court roll proving this was stolen by John of Lilburne in the time of Edward II.

In 1308 The Slingsbys claimed that Gamel, ancestor of Henry of Scriven, held the bailiwick (Google: “the district or jurisdiction of a bailie or bailiff or sphere of influence”) and custody of the Forest and Parks of Knaresborough 'as of fee and heirship dying, seized of the offices' which then descended to his son Baldwin, and so to Henry de Scriven." (See Gamel Auceps)

--Gerald Jackson, of Nether Poppleton

[Part I does two important things. For one, it suggests that the Scriven name predates William of Normandy's 1066 invasion. The Domesday Book name Scrauinghe with "the 'ing' scraped off" came from the Celtic Screutin territory. The second thing is that Wheaters establishes a lineage for Henry de Scriven that goes back to Gamel. (See also The|Origin of the Scriven Name --Bob S.]

Part II

Referring to the de Knaresburgh [sic, Knarlesborough?] family, Wheaters talks of Robert and Thomas and suggests these names run long enough in that family to suggest they were a branch of the Slingsby-Scriven family.

In 1318, Knaresburgh [sic, Knarlesborough?] was reduced to ashes by the Scots, and in an inquisition in 1319, King Edward writes that 'divers men and tenants of our Castle and honour. In Knaresburgh, Skrevyn, ....... by the burning of their houses, leading away their animals, and taking their goods in raids by the Scots are mostly ruined.' Edward remitted their terms and rents from Michaelmas, amounting to £72 3s 7d and 'quit them of that amount.' 12 years of razing and rebellion were finally ended at the Battle of Boroughbridge in 1322.

Wheaters says that in the 1400's, much of the land in the NW of the district of Scriven with Tentergate seems to have passed from the "Screvins," who were tenants in bond to the Slingsbys.

In 1459 the feeble King Henry, pressed by the Duke of York, gave away manors, including Screvin, to numerous trustees.

In 1536 Henry VIII mustered men for military service. 'Screvyn-Cum-Tentergate mustered Thomas Slyngesby, Gentleman (See Slingsby-8), with harness for 2 men, 30 archers (including one Simon Popylton!) [This is the man who gave Gerry’s hometown its name] having no harness, 15 able Bill men (Wikipedia: “billmen,” Derived originally from the agricultural billhook, the bill consisted of a hooked chopping blade with several pointed projections mounted on a staff. The end of the cutting blade curves forward to form a hook, which is the bill's distinguishing characteristic.) with no harness.' These last included one John Slyngesby, presumably as a Bill man and with no harness, he was not a close relative of Thomas. I wonder - was he a relative at all?

That is the last reference of note to Scriven/Screvin/Screvyn."

--Gerald Jackson, of Nether Poppleton

[Part II is a list of historical highlights of Scriven, important for showing how the village of Scriven passed into the hands of the Slingsbys.]

Pursuing these references has been fascinating. Names keep cropping up which I recognise from today in local families. The influence of the Slingsby was wide, by land ownership in Knafesborough/Scriven, Bilton in Harrogate, Nun Monkton and Red House to name but a few. There were also all the connections by marriage to the families at Allerton Malauverer, Ripley Castle, and Studley Royal. It is odd how, by the end of the 18th century and through into the 19th, the male fertility seems to have become weak. Sir Charles Slingsby, who never married, became the last of the male line. However, I have had correspondence from a very old lady in Knaresborough who said Sir Charles was very close to her great grandmother, who lived in one of the caves. He visited her and was also attached to her grandmother-- she drew conclusions which may or may not have been justified!" [Gerry's polite way of saying Charles was gay.--Bob S.]

Regards,

Gerry

Slingsbytales

From Gerald Jackson, of Nether Poppleton on the outskirts of York

(sent via email to Bob Scrivens (Scrivens-11). Gerry is a volunteer genealogist who lives near the village of Scriven, in Knarlesborough, North Riding, Yorkshire, Harrogate, England.)

The Slingsby Lineage

The Slingsbys descend, in part, from an Anglo-Danish dynasty originating around Arkengarthdale and later to be found around Kirkbymoorside.

Gerneber 1025 approx, Anglo- Danish landholder - Arkengarthdale

Gamel 1050, Yorkshire magnate at time of Earl Tostig & landholder in Domesday book

Orm, Lord of Welbure – runic inscription on Kirkdale sundial in N Yorkshire* - gave his name to Ormsby

This family supported Harold and fought at Stamford Bridge in 1066, but were forced to submit to William The Conqueror.

Subsequent lineal descent to:

William de Slingsby of Scriven 1220 m. Isabella Thorpe

John de Slingsby of Scriven 1245 m. ??

(Agnes, daughter of William de Slingsby marries Thomas de Knaresborough, 1421)

John Slingsby c 1474 m. Mariora Pooley

Thomas Slingsby 1500 - ? m. Joan Mallory

Francis Slingsby 1522 – 1600 m. Mary Percy (d. of Sir Thomas Percy)

Sir Henry Slingsby 1560 - 1634 m. Frances Vasavour

Sir Henry Slingsby 1601 – 1658 m. (1631) Barbara Belasyse

Henry of Red House 1658--

Sir Thomas Slingsby 1636 – 1687 m. Dorothy Craddock

1692 Sir Thomas Slingsby 1668 – 1726 m. Sarah Savile, of Methley, producing 8 children, including : Sir Henry, father of Mary Fletcher Slingsby (illegit); Sir Thomas Slingsby 1694 – 1765; Sarah m Thomas Duncombe of Scriven in 1714; Baron Savile Slingsby 1698 – 1780 Charles Slingsby 1705 – 1772 m. (1773 ) Catherine Turner (Of Lofthouse Hill) Sir Thomas Turner Slingsby 1741 – 1806 m. Catherine Buckley, 1st cous. (see Buckley/Turner etc) m. (1781) Mary Fletcher Slingsby illegit d. of Mary Sir Henry Slingsby and Mary Aislabie, and thus 1st cousin of her husband

Sir Thomas Slingsby 1775 – 1835 died ummarried, lived at Scriven

1823 Charles Slingsby Esq 1777 – 1832 = Emma Margaret Atkinson b 1873 Of Lofthouse Hill Sir Charles Slinsgsby 1824–1869 - remained single Of Lofthouse Hill & Emma Louise Slingsby = Thomas Leslie (later Thomas Slingsby) Died without offspring

Slingsby passes to Charles Atkinson (later Charles Slingsby) , nephew or great nephew of Emma Margaret Atkinson, married but no children.

Slingbsy title and occupation of Scriven ceases.

Orm and Welburn

St Gregory’s church at Welburn, near Kirkbymoorside, retains many of its original Saxon features including the folowing inscription over the Saxon door:

"GAMAL. SUNA. BOHTE. SANCTUS. GREGORIUS. MINSTER. THONNE. HIT. WES. E. TO. BROCAN. & TOFOLAN. &HE. HIT. LET. MACAN. NEWAN. FROM GRUNDE. XTE: &scs. GREGORIUS. IN EADWARD DAGUM. CNG. & IN TOSTI. DAGUM. EORL"

Translated from the language of Yorkshire: “Orm, the son of Gamal, bought St. Gregory’s minster when it was all broken down and falling, and he had it made new from the ground, to Christ and St Gregory, in Edward’s days, king and in Tosti’s days, earl.

Hence the rebuilding work was done between 1056 and 1065 – before the Norman Conquest. There is also a Saxon sundial over the doorway divided into 8 parts. This says “this is the day’s sun mark, at each and every time” and “Hawarth made me and Brand, priest”

--Gerald Jackson, of Nether Poppleton

Some Slingsby History

The Slingsby legend states two brothers sailed from France to take up land in England. To decide which was to have Knaresborough they agreed it would belong to whoever set a hand on shore first. Whereupon one cut off his hand and flung it on the shore. The severed hand appears on the Slingsby Coat of Arms to this day.

Later Slingsbys have strong connections to Moor Monkton (or Moor Mountain as it was called until Victorian times) near York as well as to Scriven and Lofthouse Hill. Henry of Red House was a Royalist during the civil war and was, for his pains, beheaded on Tower Hill in 1658

Red House and Scagglethorpe were purchased in 1562 by F Slingsby Esq from Robt. Oughtre Esq whose family had lived at Red house since the time of Edward III. The site of their mansion is a short distance from the site of the present mansion which is situated close to the Ouse. It was built in the reign of Charles 1st by the (later beheaded) Royalist Sir Henry Slingsby. His father built the chapel which has close connections with Sir Thomas Fairfax. . There is a Latin inscription in brass to the memory of Dorothy, daughter of Sir Thomas Slingsby, died January 21st 1667 aged 2 years, on the south side of the chancel.

A later Sir Henry Slingsby had a daughter, Mary Fletcher Slingsby, by Mary Aislabie. It is stated she was illegitimate. Mary Fletcher Slingsby married her 1st Cousin, Sir Thomas Turner Slingsby. After she died he married another 1st cousin, Catherine Turner!

In 1869 Sir Charles Slingsby (b.1824) was drowned in the river Ure, with 5 others. while hunting. Master of the York and Ainsty Hunt, Sir Charles was crossing the Ure at Newby Hall, while it was in spate on a raft, with 5 others and their horses. His horse became restless and kicked out; the raft capsized drowning all the men; the horses all swam to safety. Sir Charles was described as a “Greek God” and was greatly revered. At his funeral 1,150 mourners followed his coffin and 10,000 lined the streets of Knaresborough, but it is interesting to note, presumably following the tradition of the times, no women were in the family cortege. St Peter’s, Harswell nr. Selby has a reredos erected by villagers in his memory and inscribed “To the deeply felt loss of a kind friend and a liberal landlord.” His obituaries in the local press are very much in the same vein. A photograph of Sir Charles in his later years can be found in Arnold Kellet’s “Images of England – Knaresborough.” Some see a likeness to some of the children of Joseph and Ann Naylor.

Charles never married and on his death the estate passed to his sister Emma Louise wife of Thomas Leslie (he later changed his name to Thomas Slingsby). They were without children and on Emma’s death the estate and title passed to Charles Atkinson, nephew or great nephew of Emma’s mother, Emma Margaret Atkinson. Charles would have been either the son of Thomas Atkinson or the son of Charles Slingsby Atkinson, a vicar. Charles Atkinson changed his name to Slingsby. He married a notorious American beauty – known as The Kentucky Belle. Apparently unable to have children they went on a prolonged holiday abroad and returned with a baby. The subsequent unsuccessful legal battle, in 1916, to have the child legitimised bankrupted the substantial estates, which were then broken up. In 1952, Scriven Hall was destroyed by fire. The stable block and coach house, impressive in themselves, remain and have been converted into homes, one of which is named “Gamel House.” The main gates and entrance pillars remain in good repair and can be seen at the top of the hill in Ripley Road as it comes out of Bond End in Knaresborough. (See photo above.)

Presumably the Slingsby estates were entailed since the wills of the later Slingsbys (Sir Thomas Turner, Charles Slingsby and Sir Thomas Slingsby) make no mention of them but refer only to personal possessions such as “ farming implements, utensils, books, pictures, plate, linen and furniture.” Sir Thomas leaves all these to his “dear nephew Charles Slingsby” and the residue of his estate to Emma Margaret (his deceased brother’s wife) but asks that she gives £50 of this to “my dear niece Emma, whom I have always loved, that she might buy something in remembrance of me.”

Sir Thomas Turner Slingsby, who died in 1806, clearly had concerns about the future as he makes numerous and repeated stipulations about “lawfully begotten sons” and about female legatees, who if there were to be no male heirs, had to retain the Slingsby surname. This is later born out when the husband of Emma Louise Leslie (nee Slingsby) changes his name to Slingsby. Later, Charles Atkinson does likewise. It is interesting to note the Atkinsons [were] preparing the ground for inheritance by adopting Slingsby as a middle name.

Although baronetcies could only pass through the direct male line there have been rare occasions when titles were revived through the female line; perhaps the family, conscious of its attenuated state, was preparing the ground for this possibility. One wonders if this attenuation resulted from the consanguinuity of Slingsby marriages in the 18th century, which were presumably intended to keep the family wealth intact. Nancy Buckle, town crier of Knaresborough, whose family lived in the house on the rock and provided a succession of Nannies to the Slinsgbys has also suggested, in a personal communication, the family tended to cast its bread upon the waters [e.g. had numerous affairs that produced offspring], hence perhaps the strong emphasis on the legitimacy of heirs. We have an acquaintance in Poppleton who is also a Slingsby descendant – through the illegitimate child of a Slingsby and a Reynard daughter born in the 18th century.

--Gerald Jackson, of Nether Poppleton

Fact or Fantasy?

If the Slingsby connection is correct, according to Maximilian genealogy and Burke’s Peerage, it is possible to trace the family line back from Charles Slingsby, son of Sir Thomas, the 4th baronet to Edward III, the Plantagenet King of England. This line includes Edward’s son Lionel (Duke of Clarence), Phillipa Plantagenet (daughter of the Earl of Ulster), Edmund Mortimer (Earl of March), Maude the daughter of the 1st Earl of Pembroke, Mary Percy g.g.g. granddaughter of Henry Percy (Harry Hotspur) and g.g.g.g. granddaughter of John of Gaunt and Barbara, daughter of the 1st Viscount Fauconberg.

Edward III was a direct descendant of Alfred the Great through several lines, including William the Conqueror and Malcom III of Scotland. Alfred the Great is the 33 times great grandfather of present day Naylor/Middleton descendants who, if recent historical studies prove to be correct, might make a better claim to the throne than the present Royal Family.

However, before purchasing robes and crowns or coronets, it should be remembered that many genealogists would say we are all connected within 8 generations and can all claim royal descent!

--Gerald Jackson, of Nether Poppleton

Related sites

SCRIVEN VILLAGE (19th and 20th Century) [1], a history of the 18th and 19th c. of Scriven, with lots of family pictures of families who worked and lived on the estate.

Slingsby de Scriven [2]for a very detailed and colorful account of the Slingsby de Scriven.

The Pedigree of the Slingsby Family [3]

Other pages by Bob Scrivens

I've created a number of supporting pages that explore various related genealogical topics in a little more depth. Here are the links to them with a brief description of each.

For a brief outline of the four family lines going back from my grandparents, see My Grandparents' Ancestors.

The Origin of the Scriven Name will tell you about English and Norman origin theories, and the page The Final s in Scrivens tells the story of how my grandfather added the "s" to the family name.

For links to some of my more interesting ancestors, go to the page on Notable Ancestors.

The Page Dit Robert gives you what is currently my best explanation of the origin of the French Canadian affix, dit Robert. My grandmother's immediate ancestors were named "Robert," but my first New France immigrant was named Chartier. His son Robert's children went by "Chartier dit Robert" to distinguish them from other Chartiers.

For some historical context to better understand my ancestors' lives in the times in which they lived, take a look at Scriven Ancestry Timeline.

For a brief discussion of Westward Migration of the Scrivens, see The Scriven Family Migration Routes or the end of Matthias Scriven's biography and Joshua Scriven's biography.