[B] ASHTON, or LONG ASHTON, is situated in a rich woody vale_Curiosities of Great Britain: England and Wales Delineated Vol.1-11 Historical, Entertaining & Commercial; Alphabetically Arranged. 11 Volume set.

on the north by a range of picturesque though bleak hills, and on the

north lies the lofty ridge of Dundry. In this parish the inhabitants

raise fruit and vegetables for the Bristol market. There is much

garden-ground in Long Ashton, in which many Roman coins have been

discovered. The houses are in general well-built, much company resorting

thither during the summer season. The circumjacent scenery is

delightful, and in the vicinity are the remains of two Roman

encampments, Stokeleigh and Burwalls. The church is an old but very

handsome building, founded by the family of Lyons; the nave and aisles

are divided from the chancel by a beautiful gothic screen of fret and

flower work, painted and gilt, and executed in the most admirable style.

One of the 6 bells contained in the tower is inscribed "Sancte Johannes

Baptiste ora pro nobis;" on the tower are the arms of Lyons, in stone.

Amongst several painted figures and coats of arms on the glass of the

windows, are the portraits of Edward IV. and his Queen, Elizabeth

Widville. Here are several handsome monuments, but that of Sir Richard

Choke and his lady is eminently magnificent and beautiful. Ashton Court,

the manor house, originally founded by the Lyons family, but materially

altered by Inigo Jones, occupies the S.E. slope of Ashton Down, and the

remains of another old manor house, called the Lower Court, still stands

in a valley to the S.W. of the village.

Map| Names of Places. | County. | Number of Miles From

+--+-------------------------+---------+------------+------------+

22|Ashton-in-Mackerfield}[B]| | | |

| o & chap } |Lancaster|Newton 3|Prescot 7|

7|Ashton-upon-Mersey } | | | |

| to & pa } |Chester |Stockport 9|Manchester 7|

+--+-------------------------+---------+------------+------------+

|Dist.|

Map| Names of Places. | Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population.

+--+-------------------------+----------------------+-----+-------+

22|Ashton-under-Lyne[A] p|Mottram 5| 186| 33597|

22|Ashton-in-Mackerfield}[B]| | | |

| o & chap } |Wigan 5| 196| 5912|

7|Ashton-upon-Mersey } | | | |

| to & pa } |Altringham 4| 184| 2078|

+--+-------------------------+----------------------+-----+-------+

[A] ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE is a large town situated at the south-eastern

extremity of the county. It consists of several narrow streets, built on

a high bank, which rises from the river Tame. It appears from an ancient

manuscript, that Ashton was formerly a borough, yet for some centuries

it sent no members to Parliament; but, by the Reform Bill of 1832, it

now returns one member, and the mayor of the town is the returning

officer. The borough comprises the whole district, over which the

lighting and paving act of the 7th and 8th of Geo. IV. extends. A court

is held here for the recovery of debts, not exceeding five pounds, by

48th Geo. III. c. 18; any person may sue, under the general regulations,

and defendants sued elsewhere are to have their costs. Defendants

removing out of the jurisdiction, may be followed in person and goods,

by removing the record to the superior courts, but wagers, &c. are not

recoverable. The principal part of the landed property of this parish

belongs to the Earl of Stamford, in whose family it was conveyed, by the

marriage of Sir William Booth to the daughter of Sir Thomas Asheton,

whose family possessed some peculiar privileges in this manor: among

which was, the power of life and death over their tenantry. In

commemoration of this privilege, and its having been sometimes

exercised, a field near the old hall is still called Gallows Meadow.

There is also an ancient custom here, called "riding the black lad,"

celebrated every Easter Monday, to perpetuate some act of great tyranny

exercised by Sir Ralph Asheton, in 1483, when vice-constable of England.

The ceremony consists in exhibiting the effigies of a man on horseback

through the streets, which is afterwards suspended on the cross in the

market place, and there shot. The figure was formerly cased in armour,

and the expenses of it were defrayed by the court. Another account of

the origin of this custom states, that Thomas Asheton, in the reign of

Henry III., particularly distinguished himself at the battle of

Neville's Cross, and bore away the standard from the Scotch King's tent.

For this heroic deed the King conferred on Ashton the honour of

Knighthood, who, on his arrival at his manor instituted the custom

described. At the village of Fairfield, in this parish, there is a

Moravian settlement, who have erected a chapel for their followers. The

males are principally employed in spinning and weaving: they form a very

industrious and orderly community. On the western side of the town is

Ashton Moss, which supplies the poor with peat turf. Oak and fir trees

are frequently found by those who dig for the peat.

_Market_, Wednesday.--_Fairs_, March 23, April 29, July 25, and

November 21, for horned cattle, horses, and toys.--_Bankers_,

Buckley, Roberts, and Co.; draw in London on Jones, Lloyd, and

Co.--_Inn_, Commercial Hotel.

[Sidenote: Court of Requests for the recovery of L5. Defendants may be

followed.]

[Sidenote: The lord of the manor possessed a power of life and death.]

[Sidenote: Custom of riding the black lad.]

[Sidenote: Moravian settlement.]

[B] ASHTON. This village is generally called Ashton in Makerfield, or

Ashton in the Willows; it enjoys a very pleasant situation on the road

between Newton and Wigan. The hardware and cotton manufactories give

employment to the inhabitants. The church is a large old building, part

of which appears to have been erected by the lords of the manor. On the

pews are some ancient carvings; and in the windows are exhibited some

painted figures. Several of the Ashtons lie interred here, and their

names are inscribed on the windows. Near the church is a curious

mansion, called the Old Hall, the oldest parts of which are said to have

been built in 1483; adjoining this stands a pile, which was formerly

used as a prison.

Map| Names of Places. | County. | Number of Miles From

+--+-------------------------+---------+--------------+---------------+

41|Ashton, West to|Wilts | ... 3| ... 5|

+--+-------------------------+---------+--------------+---------------+

|Dist.|

Map| Names of Places. | Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population.

+--+-------------------------+------------------------+-----+---------+

41|Ashton-Steeple[A] pa & ti|Devizes 7| 96| 1754|

41|Ashton, West to| ... 9| 98| 374|

21|Ashurst pa|Groombridge 2| 34| 206|

38|Ashurst pa|W. Grinstead 4| 47| 423|

11|Ashwater pa|Launceston 8| 209| 862|

18|Ashwell[B] pa|Biggleswade 6| 41| 1072|

32|Ashwell pa|Overton 3| 99| 209|

27|Ashwell-Thorpe pa|Buckenham 7| 100| 471|

34|Ashwick pa|Wells 6| 118| 995|

27|Ashwicken pa|Swaffham 10| 98| 80|

35|Ashwood ham|Wolverhamp. 6| 123| ...|

22|Ashworth chap|Manchester 11| 192| 294|

43|Aske to|Darlington 11| 235| 105|

+--+-------------------------+------------------------+-----+---------+

[A] ASHTON, or STEEPLE ASHTON is remarkable for its lofty and elegant

church, which was built about the year 1480, though the chapels and a

part of the chancel appear of a still earlier date. The tower which is

high and handsome, was formerly surmounted by a spire or steeple, whence

the village had its distinctive appellation. An inscription informs us

that, in the year 1670, the spire being in height 93 feet above the

tower, was rent by a violent thunder storm, and that in the same year,

being almost re-erected, it was by a second storm again destroyed. The

roof of the nave is formed by intersecting arches, which rest on

canopied niches, adorned with whole length figures or flowers; and that

of the aisles is profusely decorated with sculpture and tracery work,

while the windows display some splendid remains of painted glass, the

whole corresponding with the exterior in style and effect. Plot informs

us that there was dug up at Steeple Ashton, a pavement, which he

considered to be Roman, though different in materials and design from

those commonly regarded as such. The Madrepore stone is found among the

fossil productions of Ashton. Rowd Ashton, the seat of Richard Godolphin

Long, Esq., is situated in a large and well wooded park. The Kennet and

Avon canal from London to Bristol passes near this village.

[Sidenote: The church steeple twice thrown down by storms.]

[B] ASHWELL. This village, situate on the river Rhee, on the borders of

Cambridgeshire, derives its present name from Escewelle, and is supposed

by Camden to be of Roman origin, from the frequent discovery of Roman

coins, and sepulchral urns, in an adjacent earthwork, or fortification,

called Arbury banks. It is in a low situation on the northern edge of

the county. Here a considerable spring breaks out from a rocky bank

overhung with lofty ash-trees, from which a continued quantity of water

flows, and being quickly collected into one channel, turns a mill, and

soon after becomes a river. From this spring and these ash-trees, it is

supposed the Saxons gave it the name of Ashwell. The village was

anciently a demesne of the Saxon kings; but before the time of Edward

the Confessor, it was granted to the Abbots of St. Peter's, at

Westminster, to whom it continued to belong till the dissolution, when

the Abbey was erected into a deanery, and after that into a bishopric;

it, however, followed the fate of similar foundations; and when the

bishopric was dissolved, in the reign of Edward VI., it was granted,

with other manors, to the see of London, in which it is still invested.

The church consists of a nave, aisle, and chancel, with a tower at the

west-end, surmounted by a spire. In the chancel are several slabs,

formerly inlaid with brasses. Among the inscriptions, Weever notices one

with the words, "Orate pro--Walter Sommoner." "I reade," says Weever,

"that one Walter Sumner held the manor of Ashwell of the King, by pettie

sergeantie; viz. to find the king spits to rost his meate upon the day

of his coronation: and John Sumner, his sonne, held the same manor by

service, to turne a spit in the king's kitchen upon the day of his

coronation."

[Sidenote: Powerful spring oozing from a rock.]

Map| Names of Places. | County. | Number of Miles From

+--+------------------------+----------+------------+--------------+

+--+------------------------+----------+------------+--------------+

|Dist.|

Map| Names of Places. | Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population.

+--+------------------------+-----------------------+-----+--------+

45|Askerne or Askeron[A] to|Snaith 10| 169| 256|

11|Askerswell pa|Abbotsbury 7| 131| 228|

9 |Askerton[B] to|Brampton 5| 316| 473|

30|Askham chap|E. Retford 6| 140| 329|

40|Askham[C] to & pa|Bampton 4| 280| 587|

43|Askham Bryan to & pa|Wetherby 10| 196| 341|

43|Askham pa| ... 9| 195| 234|

43|Askrigg[D] m.t. & chap|Hawes 5| 246| 737|

+--+------------------------+----------+------------+--------------+

[A] ASKERNE. This village is one of the numerous places in the West

Riding, which enjoys the distinction of a mineral spring. The water

resembles that of Harrowgate Spa; but taken internally, differs

materially in its operation, acting chiefly as a diuretic without any of

that cathartic or purgative power, for which the Harrowgate waters are

so remarkable. The village is situated at the foot of a hill; the spring

rises at the distance of a few yards only from a piece of water called

Askerne Pool, seven acres in extent, and is much frequented by rheumatic

or scorbutic patients, who seldom fail to obtain the relief which they

seek. Near this place it is said the British Prince Ambrosius defeated

and put to death the fierce Saxon leader Hengist.

[Sidenote: The Saxon leader Hengist put to death.]

[B] ASKERTON. At this village there is a castle which was built by the

Barons Dacre. This well known name is derived from the exploits of one

of their ancestors at the siege of Acre, or Ptolemais, under Richard

Coeur de Lion. There were two powerful branches of that name. The

first family, called Lord Dacres of the South, held the castle of the

same name, and are ancestors to the present Lord Dacre. The other

family, descended from the same stock, were called Lord Dacres of the

North, and were Barons of Gillesland and Graystock. A chieftain of the

latter branch was warden of the West Marshes, during the reign of Edward

VI. He was a man of a hot and obstinate character, as appears from some

particulars of Lord Surrey's letter to Henry VIII., giving an account of

his behaviour at the siege and storm of Jedburgh. The castle was

formerly garrisoned by the Serjeant of Gillesland, who sometimes

commanded and led the inhabitants against the Scots.

[Sidenote: Seat of Lord Dacre.]

[C] ASKHAM. This place consists of two manors. The hall, built in 1574,

on the river Lowther, has an embattled roof, and a sombre aspect well

suited to the gloom of the surrounding scenery. Several remarkable heaps

of stones, among which, one is called the Druid's Cross, are in this

neighbourhood; and also a large cairn, called the White-raise.

_Mail_ arrives at Lowther 1-1/2 miles distant 2.30 morning; departs 8

evening.

[Sidenote: Druid's Cross.]

[D] ASKRIGG. This ancient market town is situated near the river Ure and

Swaledale Forest: it resembles a large village, and the occupations of

the inhabitants are principally the knitting of stockings and making

butter or cheese. It is remarkable, chiefly, for some considerable

cataracts in its neighbourhood: as Millgill Force, a fall of from twenty

to thirty yards; Whitfields Force, a grand specimen of the picturesque;

and Hardrow Force, where the water falls in one grand sheet from a

perpendicular height of one hundred feet. This town is one of the

polling places appointed under the Reform Bill of 1832, for the North

Riding.

_Market_, Thursday.--_Fairs_, May 10, horned cattle; May 12, and

first Thursday in June, woollen cloth, pewter, brass, and milliners'

goods; October 28, horned cattle; October 29, woollens, &c.

[Sidenote: Cataract 100 feet in height.]

Map| Names of Places. | County. | Number of Miles From

+--+-------------------+----------+---------------+------------+

+--+-------------------+----------+---------------+------------+

|Dist.|

Map| Names of Places. | Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population.

+--+-------------------+--------------------------+-----+------+

45|Askwith to|Ripley 12| 208| 400|

24|Aslackby[A] pa|Corby 9| 104| 455|

27|Aslacton pa|Diss 9| 97| 359|

30|Aslacton pa|Nottingham 11| 123| 289|

36|Aspall pa|Framlingham 9| 85| 126|

36|Aspal Stoneham pa|Stowmarket 7| 80| 633|

9|Aspatria[B] to & pa|Allonby 4| 311| 761|

18|Aspedon pa|Puckeridge 9| 31| 560|

35|Aspley to|Stafford 7| 148| 26|

39|Aspley ham|Stratford 7| 99| 106|

3|Aspley Guise pa|Wavenden 3| 43| 1014|

22|Aspull to|Chorley 7| 203| 2464|

46|Asselby to|Snaith 7| 178| 297|

31|Assendon[C] to|Nettlebed 3| 39| ...|

+--+-------------------+--------------------------+-----+------+

[A] ASLACKBY. In this village, which is on the direct road from London

to Lincoln, there was a commandery, or associated body of Knights

Templars, founded in the time of Richard I., by John le Mareshall. It

afterwards served for the hospitallers, and at the suppression of this

society, the property was transferred to Edward, Lord Clinton. A

farm-house, which now occupies the site of the old circular church, is

called the temple. Of that ancient structure there yet remains a square

embattled tower of two stories. The lower story is vaulted, and formed

of eight groins, in the centre of which is displayed eight shields, and

various coats of arms. The parish church is a handsome building, with an

embattled tower at the west end. A castle formerly stood here, but no

vestiges of the walls can now be seen: remnants, however, of the foss

and earthworks point out the spot where it was situated.

_Mail_ arrives 7.40 morn.; departs 6.45 evening.

[Sidenote: Ancient village.]

[B] ASPATRIA, or ASPATRIC, is a long straggling village on the side of a

hill, about five miles distant from the Irish sea. It now forms part of

the estate of the Earl of Egremont, but is supposed to have derived its

name from Gospatrick, Earl of Dunbar. On removing the earth of a barrow,

which stood at Beacon-hill, an eminence about 200 yards to the north of

the village, in the year 1790, a human skeleton was found in a kind of

chest, or kistvaen, formed by two large cobblestones at each end, and

the same on each side. The feet were decayed and rotted off, but from

the head to the ancle-bone, the skeleton measured seven feet. On

exposure to the atmospheric air the other bones soon mouldered away.

Near the shoulder, on the left side, was a broad sword five feet long,

the guard of which was elegantly inlaid with silver flowers: a dirk, or

dagger, lay on the right side; it was one foot and a half long, and the

handle seemed to have been studded with silver. There were likewise

found part of a golden fibula, or buckle, a broken battle-axe, an

ornament for the end of a belt, a part of which yet remained, part of a

spur, and a bit resembling a modern snaffle. Various figures, rudely

sculptured, remained on the stones which enclosed the left side of the

chest; they chiefly represented circles, each having within a cross in

relief. Hayman Rooke, Esq., the learned antiquary, from whose account

the above particulars are taken, supposed that the personage whose

remains were found was buried soon after the first dawning of

Christianity; and also, inferred from the rich ornaments found in the

tomb, that he was a chieftain of high rank.

[Sidenote: Prodigious skeleton, 7ft. from the head to the ancle-bone.]

[Sidenote: Ancient relics found.]

[C] ASSENDON. At this township is a land spring, reputed the most

eminent of its kind in England. The water only appears after a

continuance of wet weather, but then issues forth in such abundance,

that mills might be turned by the current, and the adjacent lowlands are

inundated. This spring has been supposed by some to act on the principle

of a natural syphon, and to be supplied from subterranean sources; but

this is evidently erroneous, as the seasons of its flowing are uniformly

after heavy rains.

[Sidenote: Wonderful spring.]

Map|Names of Places.| County. | Number of Miles From

+--+----------------+---------+------------+-------------+

+--+----------------+---------+------------+-------------+

|Dist.|

Map|Names of Places.|Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population.

+--+----------------+----------------------+-----+-------+

36|Assington pa|Hadleigh 7| 57| 641|

45|Asson-Thorpe ham|Doncaster 9| 170| |

7|Astbury[A] pa|Leek 10| 160| 14637|

24|Asterby pa|M. Raisin. 13| 143| 231|

31|Asthall[B] pa|Charlbury 8| 70| 352|

22|Astley chap|Bolton 7| 195| 1832|

33|Astley chap|Oswestry 18| 153| 239|

39|Astley[C] pa|Coventry 7| 98| 340|

42|Astley[D] pa|Kiddermins 5| 121| 849|

+--+----------------+----------------------+-----+-------+

[A] ASTBURY, or AUSTBURY, is an extensive village and contains several

gentlemen's seats. The church is a handsome gothic structure, with a

lofty steeple. In the church yard are two ancient monuments, ornamented

with the insignia of knighthood, but the names of the families whose

memories they were intended to record are now lost. The parish of

Astbury contains no less than twelve townships, of which the market town

of Congleton is one. Each of these townships has its overseer and other

officers, but the whole parish is under the government of one

church-warden, the office of which is served in rotation by eight

persons, vulgarly denominated the "Posts of the Parish;" though they

should properly be called Provosts.

[Sidenote: Contains 12 townships.]

[B] ASTHALL. At this village is an old manorial mansion, now used as a

farm-house, which was formerly the residence of Sir Richard Jones, one

of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in the reign of Charles the

First. In the north aisle of the church stands a large stone coffin,

said to contain the remains of Alice Corbett, concubine to Henry I.

_Mail_ arrives 5 morning; departs 9.35 evening.

[Sidenote: Alice Corbett.]

Curiosities of Great Britain: England and Wales Delineated Vol.1-11 Historical, Entertaining & Commercial; Alphabetically Arranged. 11 Volume set. · 第 10 / 31 段

[B] ASHTON, or LONG ASHTON, is situated in a rich woody vale, protected