Bolton By Bowland

The Ancient Parish of BOLTON BY BOWLAND

[Transcribed information mainly from the early 1820s]

"BOLTON BY BOWLAND, a parish-town, in the west-division and liberty of Staincliffe; (Bolton Hall, the occasional residence of John Bolton, Esq.) 4 miles W. of Gisburn, 10 from Settle, 12 from Colne, (Lanc.) 14 from Skipton, 55 from York. No Market. Fairs, June 28, 29, and 30, or horned cattle, pedlary, &c. Pop. 1,205. The Church is a rectory, dedicated to St. Peter, in the deanry of Craven, value, £11. 13s. 4d. p.r. £123. 12s. Patron, John Bolton, Esq.

Bolton Hall the ancient residence of the family of Pudsay, says, Dodsworth, "stands very pleasantly among sweet woods and fruitful hills." Here Sir Ralph Pudsay sheltered his persecuted sovereign Henry VI. after the battle of Hexham: and where still are preserved a pair of boots, a pair of gloves, and a spoon, which the unfortunate Monarch left, either from haste and trepidation, or as tokens of regard for the family. An adjoining Well still retains the name of "King Harry," who is said to have directed it to be dug and walled, in its present shape, for a cold bath. In the church, which is a plain building of late Gothic architecture, is the famous monument of Sir Ralph Pudsay, with his three wives and twenty five children, all engraven in relief, upon a slab of grey Craven limestone. --Whitaker's Craven. The manor and advowson were purchased for £42,000. by John Bolton, of Liverpool, Esq. its present owner."

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"HOLDEN, in the township and parish of Bolton by Bowland, liberty of Staincliffe; 5 miles from Guisburn, 10 from Settle, 13 from Skipton,"

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"HUNGRILL, a farm-house in the township and parish of Bolton by Bowland, liberty of Staincliffe; 5 miles from Gisburn, 10 miles S. of Settle.

This was, for many generations, the residence of the Walkers; and now of Edward King, Esq., Vice Chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster."

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"MONUBENT, a farm-house in the township of Gisburn Forest, and parish of Bolton by Bowland, liberty of Staincliffe; 6 miles from Gisburn, 9 from Settle."

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"SKIRDEN, a farm-house in the township and parish of Bolton by Bowland, liberty of Staincliffe; 4½ miles from Gisburn, 9 miles SSW. of Settle."