Burnsall Parish

THORPE, in the township and parish of Burnsall, east-division of Staincliffe, liberty of Cliffords-Fee; (a seat of the Rev. Henry Wigglesworth,) 9 miles N. of Skipton and 9 from Kettlewell, 10 from Pateley Bridge.

Thorpe, sometimes called Thorp subtus Montem, is in a most retired situation, within a cavity so encircled by high grounds, that it is difficult to conceive, at first sight, how the waters escape, and why it is not a lake. In a pasture above this village, is a cave, called Knave Knoll Hole, very difficult of access, and, from the narrowness of the entrance, equally difficult to be discovered. For these reasons, it seems to have been a retreat of some ancient banditti. Several years ago, Dr. Whitaker discovered in it, besides many bones of sheep, &c. the remains of an human skeleton.