Halifax Parish

NORLAND TOWN, in the parish of Halifax, Morley-division of Agbrigg and Morley, liberty of Wakefield, 3½ miles SW. of Halifax, 7 from Huddersfield. Pop. 1,665.

On the edge of Norland Moor, amongst a large ridge of rocks, is a very ponderous stone, which projects over the side of the hill, and has a very uncommon appearance; it is called the Lad stone, but, for what reason, no inhabitant of the place can tell. Mr. Watson observes, that if the name is British, it may come from Llad, to kill or slay, and might be the place for the execution of criminals, in the time of the Druids, who were extremely lavish of human blood, not only criminals, captives, and strangers, were slain at their sacrifices, but their very disciples were put to death, without mercy, if they were wilfully tardy in coming to their assemblies. --Watson's Halifax.