Aldbrough, Yorkshire, England. Further historical information.

ALDBROUGH

ALDBROUGH, a parish in the wapentake and liberty of Holderness; 8 miles NE. of Hedon. A flourishing and very lively village pleasantly situated on the declivity of a small eminence, and consists of some elegant and well built houses. The church (see Churches for photograph) dedicated to St. Bartholomew, is a large Gothic structure, of which the King is patron, and the Rev. Nicholas Holmes the Vicar.

The church from repairs at various periods, has now a modern appearance, Mr. Pegge, in the Archaeologia, vol. 7, assigns very plausible reasons for its not being of Saxon erection; he supposes, "that Ulf built a church, which in a few years, and by some means now unknown, was destroyed, and lay in ruins in 1080; and when the present fabric was erected, the old stone, with its inscription, which had happily been preserved, was put up in the new structure and in the place it now occupies."

In the interior of the church is an ancient circular stone fifteen inches in diameter, commemorating the building of the church, the inscription on which may be translated thus: ------- ULF COMMANDED THIS CHURCH TO BE ERECTED FOR THE SOULS OF HANUM AND GUNTHARD. Ulf, here mentioned, is supposed to be the same who gave his estate to the church of York, and in this gift was included Aldbrough, where he had a castle the foundation of which is now entirely levelled. The Roman road from Protorium to Gabrantiesoum Sinies, runs through Aldbrough. The following is a copy of an extract from an old history of York, which was lately found here, "York, 1291 1292. Jo. Spear, Mayor." These years the mayoralty was in the king's hands, and Sir John De Malso, or Meaux, was governor of the city, he was a great warrior and tall in stature, as appears from his armour, which is now to be seen in the church of Aldbrough, where he is buried under a stone monument representing him in full length lying, and also the figure of his wife. A Mr. Towry left a quantity of land, the rent arising from which is distributed to the old and infirm at the discretion of the minister, overseers and churchwardens for the time being, about 20l of which is appropriated to the education of Poor children.

Of the old castle which, with the lordship, belonged to William le Gros, Earl of Albemarle, who was at the battle of the standard, in 1138, not a vestige is to be seen. Tradition says, it stood northward of the church, but an enclosure which took place some years ago, has quite levelled the foundations; and the Well, which was within the castle and supplied it with water, is now near the high road. The Roman road from the Praetorium to the Gabrantovicorum Sinus Portuosus vel Salutaria of Ptolemy, runs through Aldbrough. --Archaeol. vol. 6. Pop. including East and West Newton townships, 998.