Leeds Parish

OSMONDTHORPE, in the township of Halton, borough and parish of Leeds, 2 miles SE. of Leeds.

Oswinthorpe, or Ossinthorpe, the "villa regia" of Bede, is said to have been the residence of Oswyn, King of Northumberland. Certain remains of old works, which the late Alderman Skelton levelled, filling up several trenches, &c. which had continued to the time of Charles I. when the present fabric was built. In one of the windows, is a piece of stained glass, which was preserved when the old hall was demolished. It represents a King, with a very antique Crown, Sword, and a Shield, bearing the arms of the "East Angles", for here Edwin was relieved when an Exile. Here have been also pavements and causeways, found under ground, when ploughing. The third King from this Edwin, was Oswin, a virtuous prince, but more devout than brave, and who was murdered in 651, from whom, most probably, the place received its name. His remains were interred in Whitby Abbey, by order of his daughter, Edelfelda. Several hundred years after this, a family of the Osmunds resided here, and shewd a strong inclination to have it called Osmundthorp. --Thoresby.