The first historic record of Meaburn is in the reign of Henry II, at
which time the Barony of Westmorland was in possession of the Morville
family. Roger de Morvill had a son and heir, Hugh, and a daughter,
Maude. This daughter was married to William de Veteripont, and carried
with her in marriage to her husband part of the manor of Meaburn. This
manor previously included both the Meaburns (sometimes spelt _Medburn_
or _Mayburn_), and all the lands between, called Meaburn Field. The
other portion of the manor belonged, in the right of succession, to
Sir Hugh; he, being one of the four knights who assassinated Thomas
a Becket, his lands were confiscated, and became the property of the
King; whence the two divisions of Meaburn were afterwards known as
_King's_ Meaburn and Maud's or Maulds Meaburn. William de Veteripont
then held the manor in right of his wife, and gave four oxgangs of land
at Maulds Meaburn to the Hospital of St. Leonard at York. Ivo their son
also gave lands to the same hospital, circumscribed by the following
limits:--
"From the nether or lower head of Undercot gill, into the syke which
is in the upper head, and so all along by the same sike southwards on
to the ditch by the highway side which leads from Appleby to Tibbay,
and so, nigh unto the public way or street westwards unto the boundary
of Askeby, unto the mills, and unto the ground which the said Ivo had
before given to aforesaid hospital."
Ivo de Veteripont was brother to Robert, to whom King John granted
the confiscated lands of Sir Hugh de Morville, and made him Baron of
Westmorland. Ivo was succeeded by his son Robert, who gave to the Abbey
of Shap 22s. yearly, to be paid out of Maulds Meaburn in the name
of alms corn. In 1243 Robert granted the manor to John le Fraunceys,
son of Hugh, to hold to him and his heirs, rendering yearly for all
services one pound of cumin.
This payment was to Ivo, but there were other services to be performed
to the Barons of Westmorland, paramount lords of the fee. John le
Fraunceys granted on the other hand that Johan, daughter of Ivo, should
peaceably have and hold the several lands and tenements granted to her
by her father, with the service of villans and bondsmen.
In 1257 Philip le Fraunceys had a grant of free warren in Westmorland
and Cumberland. He had a son Gilbert, whose son Richard married a
daughter of Sir Michael de Harclay, then the King's ward, about 1278.
In 1292 occurs the name of John Franceys of Cliburn, of an ancient
family there, as a juror in a case at Appleby, and also in 1307; so
that it is probable the family of Frauncis holding Meaburn, and holding
and living at Cliburn were of the same stock. In 1315, at the death
of Robert de Clifford, the inquisition finds that Richard de Frauncis
held of him the manor of Meaburn Maud and Whale, by homage and fealty
and the cornage of 33s. and the wardship, worth 40s. In 1342 Isabella
de Vernon held Meaburn, the family of Frauncis having doubtless ended
in a daughter married to Vernon. The name Richard de Vernon occurs as
holding the manor in 1370, 1392 and also in 1423, including Whale, by
cornage of 33s. In 1519 we find a Richard Vernon of Nether Haddon,
Derby, holding lands in Newby and succeeded by a son George, doubtless
of the same family. In 1553 we find Sir George Vernon, Knight, lord
of the manor of Maulds Meaburn by the like previous services. He was
succeeded by Sir Thomas Stanley, Knight, who sold it to Sir Richard
Lowther, Knight, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth.
Sir Richard Lowther gave his tenants of Maulds Meaburn their choice to
hold their tenancies after the customs of any one of a certain number
of manors. They chose Ravenstonedale, then under Philip, Lord Wharton,
and the copy of an indenture made between Philip, Lord Wharton, and
his tenants in the 3rd and 4th of Philip and Mary and also in the 22nd
of Elizabeth was to stand as an indenture between Richard Lowther and
his tenants of Maulds Meaburn. Sir Richard Lowther, during his life,
gave the manor to his eldest son, Christopher, and he also confirmed
the indenture; but when he came into possession he was so heavy in his
exaction of service from his tenants that they refused in many cases to
comply, alleging that such was not the custom in Ravenstonedale, nor
named in the indenture. The consequence was an appeal to some court of
law.[13]
The land at that time was for the most part unenclosed, and was known
as Oxgang, Demain and Improved Lands, or lands enclosed. The most
important of the last were the Cow Pasture and the Ox Close; the latter
had been enclosed sixty years previous to this period, and contained
about 100 acres. The Cow Pasture, 250 acres; they were both used as
common pasture. Another large enclosure was the Park, at that time
fenced half way round with a wall of stone, and the other half with
quickset hedge. Dryevers, Mires, Flass, Garth and others were enclosed
about thirty years previously. For these improved lands the lord
demands 12d. an acre and eight years fine; the tenants refuse, and it
is proved that such were laid on in his father's time, and the Demain
lands were raised 13s. 4d. in lieu. Then again he wishes the tenants
of all lands that were Demain to pay eight years fine. In this he is
defeated, it being ordered that they were to enjoy them for one year's
fine, on account of having compounded with his father, and paying £500
and so having the customs alleviated.
According to the relation of John Lambe of Kirkby Stephen, aged
ninety years, there were, when he lived at Maulds Meaburn, sixty
years before, seventy-four oxgangs of land (the oxgang land was the
greatest portion), and that then, and in the time of his father, the
tenants paid 5s. for each oxgang as rent due to the lord yearly, paid
at Pentecost and St. Martin's, and 7d. likewise as a mylne ferme, in
respect of grinding corn; for this reason, their moulter was very
light, only one peck of meal for ten bushels, and also the same for
every ten bushels of shillings. The Demain lands also paid the same.
This Christopher denies, claims the 7d. as part of the rent, and that
they ought to pay moulter after the rate his witnesses say is done
in Ravenstonedale, namely, for all corn ground at the lord's mylne,
except oats, they pay the 30th part of corn unground, and one 30th
part in meal after being ground, and for shilling oats one 13th part
for shilling and for making groats of the same one 30th part and for
grinding the same into meal one 30th part. The tenants refuse, and
the miller, at the command of Mr. Lowther, refuses to grind; so they
carry to the neighbouring mills of Barnskew, Crosby, King's Meaburn
and Rutter, at the same time saying they are not compelled to grind
at his mill at any rate, except for a certain portion of land. This
rouses his anger considerably, and he reminds his oxgang tenants that
it is their duty to keep in repair the millstones, wheels, hopper, and
race pertaining to the mill. The case was brought before the Queen's
Counsellors at York, and it was ordered that suit be done to Mr.
Lowther's mill only for 154 acres and 32 perches of the oxgang land;
that for oats only are they bound to Mr. Lowther's mill; and for all
other grain they can go where they will. This order is dated 31 Queen
Eliz., 1589, and as affirmed, was publicly read to and served upon
about thirty of the wayward tenants on Meaburn Green, hard by The
Crosse thereupon; but they were either not there, or being a stubborn
set, heeded it not; for Mr. Lowther's mill was still deserted; law
was again referred to, and from the evidence given there were various
infringements of the order; amongst the rest Thomas Kitchen of
Wickerslack borrowed a peck of big of a neighbour, and got half of it
ground at Crosby and the other half at Barnskew. However, to set all
right a commission was ordered to set out the 154 acres, 32 perches.
After much difficulty it was settled and a list drawn out of the
occupiers, areas and names of the lands where each piece was situated.
They are scattered all over the township, each tenant having a portion,
and curiously enough the names are those retained by fields at the
present day, with scarcely any alteration.
Mr. Lowther requires a general fine of one year's rent on the change of
the lord, in lieu of which it is agreed: The tenants to pay 100 nobles
on St. Peter's or Lammas next at the Feast of Pentecost, if Christopher
Lowther and his brother Jerrard will be bound that it shall not be
changed for eight years after October 11th, 1592. He next wishes to
have imposed a running fine or gressome, which in Ravenstonedale is £12
15s. 5d., paid by a certain number of the ancient customary or oxgang
tenants every seven years. The tenants of Oxgang land had to pay 25s.
8d. as boon rent yearly, and those of the Demain; after the rent they
took their tenements with or without boon. The lord demandeth boon days
over and beside, but in this case is defeated.
Another complaint is that the tenants do not comply with the following
custom in Ravenstonedale, namely: If the lord or his officers cause a
tree to be felled on any man's tenement, whoever gets the tree has to
pay 2d. to the tenants, who also had the top, and was bound to fence up
the gap or stoven till it was out of harm from cattle; if he neglected
this, he had to pay 6d. to the lord for each stoven not fenced up. Also
each tenant had to plant three ashes on his tenement each year, and two
for every tree felled, for the increase of wood. Some of these demands,
however, he could not succeed in having fulfilled.
Another grief is that the Demain tenants have unlawfully felled scores
of ash trees in the park, and spoiled the coppice or young wood for
spring. The tenants say it grew on part of their own tenements, and if
they had gone beyond bounds, they had been cleared at the late court.
Another service disputed was the carrying of coals. The tenants of
Maulds Meaburn had to carry sixty horseloads, every and each horseload
containing two bushels after the measure used at the pit; they had to
bring them from wherever Mr. Lowther chose to buy them, which was on
Stanemore, and to carry them to his residence, which was at Lowther.
They had to give notice to Mr. Lowther, each when he was going to bring
his share, and Mr. Lowther was bound to pay the bringer the price he
paid for them at the pit. Christopher complains that they do not bring
their yearly suit, and are behindhand for the last year, twenty-five
bushels. The tenants say he refused to pay them for the coals they
brought. To remedy this Mr. Lowther has to pay for the coals at the pit
first, which if not done, the tenants shall not be obliged to carry
them.
Another grief is that Mr. Lowther had felled trees in the park, and
wished the tenants to spring and fence; this they refused to do, and
even pulled down the fences there were, and thus it remained for some
time. It was finally concluded by a commission being sent to set out
what ought to be springed. The first part was the lower part of the
park, next the Lyvennet, which was to be cut and then well fenced for
seven years. The next portion is the north part of the park, which was
to be cut at the lord's pleasure, and then fenced as spring for seven
years. The next was the south corner of the park, to be cut, also at
the pleasure of the lord, and then fenced for seven years; but only
one of the three parts to be fenced at one time, and at any time after
these springs have had sixteen years growth. Mr. Lowther or his heirs
may cut down the hazel and birks at twenty-one years growth, and the
ashes at thirty years growth; it was also ordered that the tenants
should fence the first, as their cattle were most likely to have the
grass, Mr. Lowther being resident at a distance, but who was to fence
the other two was not decided.
The fiercest squabble of all was the following. Christopher Lowther
caused to be erected, as he and his witnesses affirm, a little
court-house, on the middle of Meaburn Green; a number of workmen were
at work upon it, and it was on the point of being finished, the frame
and timber was set up; lathed and sparred, and thatched with straw on
one side. At this time, being the 22nd October, 1585, a large number
of the wives of the tenants, instigated by their better halves, abused
the workpeople and Mr. Lowther, and even threw stones at them. This
did not cause them to desist building, so on the night of the 28th,
a number of the tenants, headed by James Fletcher, armed themselves
with pitchforks, handsaws, axes, long-piked sticks, swords, daggers,
and other unlawful engines, and levelled it to the ground. Mr.
Lowther wished to have recompense for the timber destroyed, and the
pullers-down punished. This trial is held at York, where the tenants
and their wives had to appear in defence; in which they say that what
Christopher affirms is all utterly untrue about their unruly conduct:
that according to the indenture the lord could not build on the waste
without general consent of the tenants; that if he was allowed to
build this he would build others: they had spoken to him quietly, but
he refused to listen, and so they pulled it down, for by so doing he
was infringing upon the green within the town gates on which they
grassed their horses for service upon the Borders; they say the house
was a large one, intended for a court-house and for Mr. Lowther to put
his horse in when he visited the town. A recompense of £8 seems to have
been awarded him, and the pullers-down fined, some to £3 6s. 2d. and
some to 40s. This does not satisfy, and he brings the trial on again,
but does not seem to succeed, only in obtaining a decree to have a
piece of waste ground on which to build a court-house.[14]
These disputes have been examined before commissioners who held courts
at different places, some bearing date from Kirkby Stephen, Morland
Church and Brougham Chapel; but when the cases were brought before the
Queen's Counsellors, they are dated at "Eboracum."
The names of those called as witnesses give some light as to the
residence of the neighbouring gentry, or those who lived in the
manorial houses. At Reagill Grange lived Anthony Wharton, who some
time was in tenure and occupation of Meaburn Mill. At Shap Abbey lived
Richard Wharton, gent., who, as well as he at Reagill Grange, were
members of the Wharton family to whom the lands of Shap Abbey were
granted. At Little Strickland lived John Rigg, Esq.; his father was
steward of the manorial courts at Maulds Meaburn in Sir George Vernon's
time. At Craik Trees lived Ambrose Lancaster, aged eighty years, and
also Thomas Lancaster, both of whom were strenuous supporters of
the lord of the manor. The disputes have evidently been very warmly
contested by both parties, some of the cases standing on for five or
six years. There are also accusations of base and wilful perjury.
Whether the courts granted justice in every case or not, we know
not; but the truth seems to have been often tampered with. At last
Christopher Lowther, in summing up his griefs, concludes by praying to
have an end of suits, and says he has been kept so for ten years by his
tenants, that he has become impoverished, and having so many children
he is utterly unable to do Her Highness' service upon the Borders,
according as he is bound, as others of his calling. The tenants humbly
reply that they too wish an end of suits; they too are impoverished;
but that Mr. Lowther has always been plaintiff against them.
Another important service due to the lord, but about which they have
not had dispute, was the Border service. When this service was required
by the Prince, the lord's steward sent a letter to the bailiff and
constables telling them what service was required, and with how many
men. These they appoint and muster in great haste, some on horse and
some on foot, according to their rate. Four men were also sworn to
rate the charges for victuals and carriage in such journeys as going
to the Borders required. This tax was levied only when summoned to go.
Those who refused to go when warned were sent by the bailiff to the
warden to receive what punishment he chose to inflict. In 1595 a list
has been made out bearing the date February 19th of that year, of all
men musterable in the Lordship of Maulds Meaburn for this service,
of tenants and young men from sixteen to sixty years of age, levied
by the constables, James Fletcher, Robert Atkinson, Anthony Wharton,
Richard Hodgeson and John Winter, and Mr. Christopher Lowther, Esq.,
Landlorde of ye Lordship, and Leader of ye men; 39 on this list are
entered as "archers furnished," each having to serve with "a nag;" one
of these, it appears, is "deceased," two "under age," and three having
substitutes entered as "his son."
The next list is "Tenants that are footmen" 59 in number, of whom 18
are archers furnished, 7 entered as archers, 2 as billmen, 16 not
furnished, and 15 before whose names is the letter F. These were
the fighting men, besides whom is a list of 28, who are "sons, and
men not being tenants." From an abstract of the muster for Border
service within the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland, taken in
1584, that of the two counties amounted to 8350, of whom Westmorland
furnished 4142; 1400 of these were archers furnished, 1300 billmen
furnished, 1342 able men unfurnished, and 100 light horsemen furnished
amongst the gentlemen and their household servants. The mustering
places were Sandford Moor, where mustered 1981, Greenholme 2669, and
Strickland Moor 1269. The last place was the rendezvous of the Maulds
Meaburn tenants. There is still a lingering tradition of the last as
a mustering place. In 1618 Mr. C. Lowther was in a special commission
with Lord Wharton and Lord William Howard and others for repressing
disorders on the Borders. When King James I came into England on his
accession to the Crown, in 1603, he attended him with a gallant company
from the Borders of Scotland to Newcastle, where the King conferred
upon him the order of knighthood, and there is little doubt but that
in that gallant company were some of the staunch yeomanry of Maulds
Meaburn. In the list of names for those deputed to serve on the Borders
are five Robinsons, five Parkins, five Winters, five Harrisons, four
Teasdales, four Whartons, three Fletchers, two Salkelds, two Kitchens,
&c. But by far the most numerous are the Addysons, who mustered 16; a
name now quite extinct in the parish.
[13] It seems that the documents from which Mr. Bland gathered
these curious particulars, represent the defendants', that is the
tenants', side of the question; and it is very hard to tell whether
the oppression they allege was real or imaginary. On the other hand,
Mr. Lowther undoubtedly had cause for complaint, for on Mr. Bland's
showing, the tenants more than once did wilful damage, and refused to
comply with the order of the court.
A possible explanation is this: the Vernons were absentee landlords,
and left things to take care of themselves; Sir Richard Lowther
expected things to be managed properly, and saw that they were; and the
change would not be popular, though perfectly just and fair. Something
about the story suggests that the trouble was organised by some
individual who possessed professional knowledge; perhaps the former
steward had been dismissed by Sir Richard, and was taking his revenge
in this way.
[14] We are inclined to think that this result, which Mr. Bland rates
rather low, constituted a decisive success. The court had already shown
that the tenants' method of redress was unlawful, had punished them for
it, and made them pay compensation for the damage they had done. It
might be argued at this point that they had a genuine grievance, and
were merely wrong in their choice of remedy; but the decree deprives
them of this excuse; for the court would not have permitted Mr. Lowther
to have a piece of waste land for this purpose, if by building there he
would be infringing the rights of the tenants. Hence his position is
justified from the very beginning.