From a paper of Henry the Eighth’s time, among the MSS. at Skipton, I
find that the following singular toll was anciently levied in Skirack
and Crookrise:
“Note, that theise customes hayth ben used tyme out of mynd, by y^{e}
report of Rob. Garth, forster ther; the whych s-ay-eth, that he in all
his tyme, and his father afore him in y^{t} office, always hayth taken
the sayd customes:
“First, that ev’ry bryde cumynge that waye shulde eyther gyve her lefte
shoo or III_s._ IV_d._ to the forster of Crookryse, by way of custome or
gaytcloys.”
The rest only relate to tolls taken for the passage of sheep, cattle,
and wool.
The commutation was so high, that I suppose the penalty would generally
be paid in kind; and by this ungallant custom, the poor brides of Craven
would be reduced to tread the rugged ways of Crookrise in the situation
of the light-footed sons of Thestius--
----το λαιον ιχνος αναζβυλοι ωοδος,
Τονδ εν ωεδιλοις.--
_Eurip. in Fragm._[330]
[330] Dr. Whitaker’s History of Craven.
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