_Sirloin._--When on a visit, a day or two since, to the very interesting
_ruin_ (for so it must be called) of Haughton Castle, near Blackburn,
Lancashire, I heard that the origin of this word was the following freak
of James I. in his visit to the castle; a visit, by the way, which is
said to have ruined the host, and to have been not very profitable even
to all his descendants. A magnificent loin of meat being placed on the
table before his Majesty, the King was so struck with its size and
excellence, that he drew his sword, and cried out, "By my troth, I'll
knight thee, Sir Loin!" and then and there the title was given; a title
which has been honoured, unlike other knighthoods, by a goodly
succession of illustrious heirs. Can any of your correspondents vouch
for the truth of this?
H.C.
Bowden, Manchester.
_Thomson of Esholt._--In the reign of Henry VIII. arms were granted to
Henry Thomson, of Esholt, co. York, one of that monarch's
gentlemen-at-arms at Boulogne. The grant was made by Laurence Dalton,
Norroy. The shield was--Per fesse embattled, ar. and sa., three falcons,
belted, countercharged--a _bend_ sinister. Crest: An armed arm, embowed,
holding a lance, erect. Families of the name of Thompson, bearing the
same shield, have been seated at Kilham, Scarborough, Escrick, and other
places in Yorkshire. My inquiries are,--
1. Will any of your readers by kind enough to inform me where any
mention is made of this grant, and the circumstances under which it was
made?
2. Whether any _ancient_ monuments, or heraldic bearings of the family,
are still extant in any parts of Yorkshire?
3. Whether any work on Yorkshire genealogies exists, and what is the
best to be consulted?