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Page 1
a GE N ps TRADITIONS
OF HUDDERSFIELD AND ITS DISTRICT
COLLECTED AND CLASSIFIED BY PHILIP AHIER
VOLUME li.
PART i. THE ELLAND FEUD
Price 3/-.
1944.
ed
HUDDERSFIELD: Tue ADVERTISER Press Ltp,, Pace
Page 3
LEGENDS. TRADITIONS
OF HUDDERSFIELD AND ITS. DISTRICT
COLLECTED AND CLASSIFIED © BY
PHILIP AHIER
VOLUME lil.
PART I. THE ELLAND FEUD
i) ff j
1948.
HUDDERSFIELD: THE ADVERTISER Press Ltp., PAGE STREET.
Page 5
il
To Mr. HORACE GOULDEN, F.L.A.,~ Pubic whose co-operation has been of considerable assistance in _ the compilation of the whole plan of ‘“The Legends and Traditions of Huddersfield and Its District.’’
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IV.
CONTENTS.
PREFACE ee INTRODUCTION SUMMARY OF THE ELLAND FEUD...
“THE DISCOURSE OF THE SLAUGHTER OF SIR JOHN DE ELAND ”
UPON
“THE “ HOLROYD-TUKNER ” BALLAD OF THE FEUD
PAGE.
Vi
13
45
Page 7
>
On
10.
LIST.OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Elland Bridge Crosland Lower Hall Quarmby Hall “The MS.
The Coats of Arms of Quarmby, Elland, Lacy, and Beaumont I
Outside Crosland Hall, 1340
Cromwell Bottom Hall
“The Murder of Sir John de Eland in Cromwell Bottom
Wood, October, 1350 Cannon Hall Emley New Hall
George Savile, Marquis of Halifax
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v1
PREFACE.
The First Part of the Second Volume of ‘‘The Legends and Traditions of Huddersfield and Its District’’ contains three of the ‘original sources’ of the story of the Elland Feud, viz., the two Prose Narratives entitled ‘‘The Discourse of the Slaughter of Eland’’ and ‘‘Revenge upon Revenge,”’ together with one Ballad which I have designated the Holroyd-Turner version.
There seemed to me little point in printing the longer ballad which appears in the Rev. J. Watson’s ‘‘History of Halifax’’ (1775) and in Dr. T. Whitaker’s ‘‘Loidis and Elmete’’ (1816); this latter poem is merely an expansion of the older ballad which has been reproduced in the text.
I should very much have liked to have printed in full two other sources of the Elland Feud which have not hitherto been so treated, viz., the Cannon Hall M.S., and the Hopkinson M.S., but I regret that I have not been able to do so.
Consequently, this Part is very reminiscent of the late Mr..J. Horsfall Turner’s work entitled ‘‘The Elland Tragedies’’ written in 1890; as a matter of fact, I have transcribed the three ‘original sources’ above-mentioned from it, not having had access to the other two above-named M.S. Mr. Turner’s little book is out of print and rather difficult to obtain, so Part I. of the second Volume of the ‘“‘Legends’”’ can, to a certain extent, be regarded as a second edition of Mr. Turner’s work. My own contribution to the literature of the Elland Feud is relegated to the second part which I hope will be ready in the ‘Spring of 1944. Therein I propose to discuss the many problems associated with this vendetta, its historicity, the topography
thereof, etc.
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Vii I am considerably indebted to Mr. A. Exley, of Gerrards Cross,
for kindly permitting me to reproduce a photograph of the first page of the M.S. version of ‘“The Discourse.’’
I must also express my best thanks to Mr. T. W. Hanson, the historian of Halifax, for the loan of blocks; to the Proprietors I of ‘‘The Halifax Courier,’’ and to the Halifax Antiquarian Society for the same privilege.
Parts I1., 111. of the first volume of ‘"The. Legends’’ are out of print, a few copies of the last three parts are still obtainable. :
PHILIP AHIER,
24 Lightridge Road, Fixby, - Huddersfield, January, 1944.
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Vill.
BRIDGE,
(Reproduced by courtesy of ‘* The Halifax Courier,’’ and The Halifax Antiquarian Society).
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THE ELLAND FEUD. (1) INTRODUCTION.
This is one of the stories in our Local History which has been related by all our former P. Hobkirk. D. F. E. Sykes, and Mr. Taylor Dyson, M.A., amongst many others. A great deal of controversy still exists as to whether the various episodes as recorded in the Ballads and in the Prose Narratives are historically accurate or are the romancings of the poet and of the chronicler.
?
Following the procedure adopted in connection with ‘‘The Legend of Bretton Hall’’ (Vol. I. Chapter III., p. 67), I propose to reproduce three of the ‘‘ original’’ sources of this gruesome vendetta.
The first is a prose narrative entitled ‘‘The Discourse of the Slaughter of Sir John de Eland, Beaumont, Lockwood, Quarmby, etc.’’; originally printed by the late Mr. J. Horsfall Turner in his work on ‘‘The Elland Tragedies’’ in 1890. This M.S. was at one time in the possession of John Baker Holroyd, afterwards Earl of Sheffield, and in 1887, was acquired by the late Mr. H. J Barber, of Brighouse.
After Mr. Barber’s death, it became the property of Mr. Edward Bond. It was auctioned for sale at Sotheby’s in London in May, 1921, after the decease of Mr. Bond. In a press cutting dated May 28, 1921, it is stated that ‘‘the M.S.S. is now in the safe keeping of Cer. Brook, of Southport, the eldest son of J. W. Brook, prominent for many years in the town’s affairs of Elland.”’ It was sold at Sotheby’s in February, 1938, to Arthur Exley, Esq., of Quendon Cottage, Gerrards Cross, from ‘‘the property of a gentleman.’’ :
This M.S, will be subsequently referred to as ‘‘The Dis- course.”’
The second source of the Feud is the older extant Ballad, likewise originally the property of John Baker Holroyd, Earl of Sheffield, and also first printed by Mr. J. H. Turner in the work above-mentioned; this transcript of an older Ballad will be sub- sequently designated as the Holroyd-Turner version of the poem..
The third document is ‘‘Revenge upon Revenge,’’ believed to have been written by Dr. Midgley, the supposed author of Bentley’s ‘‘Hallifax and Its Gibbet Law,’’ which was printed in London in the year 1708, for William Bentley (the Parish Clerk of Halifax).
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CROSLAND LOWER HALL.-
QUARMBY HALL. Photo by Mr. J. Eric Smith, M.A., F.R.G.S.
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(2) SUMMARY OF THE STORY. OF : THE ELLAND FEUD.
During the reign of Edward III., Sir John de Eland, then Sheriff of Yorkshire, and High Steward to the Earl of Warenne, had a quarrel with Sir Robert Beaumont, of Crosland Hall, respecting a man named Exley, a relation of the Beaumonts, who happened to kill a sister’s son of Sir John de Eland, for which Exley gave to the Elands a piece of land for satisfactton. Not- withstanding this gift, Sir John sought to slay him, and he fled thereupon to Sir Robert Beaumont. Sir John de act highly incensed at the protection granted to the fugitive, gathered to- gether a trusty body of men, at the head of whom he marched to capture Exley. knowing the friendship between the Beau- monts, Lockwood of Lockwood, and Hugh de Quarmby, he led his men by night, first to Quarmby, where he attacked and slew the occupant. Old Lockwood shared the same fate, and these two being thus easily dealt with and put out of the way, he next marched to Crosland Hall. Here he was at first stopped by the moat, but waiting a little, a maid came over the draw- bridge to fetch some water, and watching his opportunity he rushed over the bridge, followed by his men, and entered the Hall. They then dragged Sir Robert Beaumont from his bed, and basely murdered him in the presence of his wife and two so1s.
After thé perpetration of- these outrages, the younger branches of the three families fled into Lancashire, where they remained, for fifteen years, under the roofs of the Townleys and Breretons. Being now grown up to manhood, they sought retri-— bution and waylaid Sir John de Eland at Cromwell Bottom, as he was returning from Rastrick.(qy. Brighouse), and slew him. Not satisfied with this act of Justice, they determined to extirpate the name of de Eland. With this intent they hid themselves in Elland Mill on the eve of Palm Sunday, and when the young knight with his lady and their only son passed by to Church in the morning, the murderers rushed forth, shot an arrow through the head of the father, and so wounded the son that he died soon after in Elland Hall.
This murder raised the whole town of Elland to arms, to avenge the death of their knight. The murderers defended them- selves for some time with great valour, but were at last com- pelled to fly.. Quarmby was wounded in Ainley Wood, where he was left, and the other two only escaped by the fleetness of their horses. On their return from the pursuit, the Elland men finding Quarmby still alive, but desperately wounded, soon déspatched him.
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4
Lockwood was sometime after slain at Camel Hall (now Cannon Hall) by Bosville, the under-sheriff; but Adam Beaumont retired to his paternal seat, where for some time he lived in security. Hearing, however, of the death of Lockwood, he began to fear for his own safety, and, as precepts were sent from London to the sheriff to arrest him, he left the country, landed in France, by some means got into the service of the Knights of Rhodes, obtained a command of no mean degree, gained many laurels in defence of the Christian faith, and finally in one of the engagements with the Turks, honorably ended his life.
These four paragraphs were written by C. P. Hobkirk in his ‘“ History of Huddersfield ’’ (1st Edition, pp. 29—31). Hobkirk went on to say:
‘“ Such is the story of the feud, Eland v. Beaumont, and the ancient method of administering law, according to the most authentic records. It is now almost forgotten, good old Jonas Oldfield (then the Surveyor of the Highways for South Crosland) can repeat it, and it is remembered by the few who care for antiquarian Bes but with such exception it has well nigh fallen into oblivion.’
In his second edition, Hobkirk considerably expanded the summary of the feud and followed some prose narrative which he did not mention:
(3) “THREE “SOURCES OF THE FEUD.
(i) THE DISCOURSE, OF YE SLAUGHTER OF ELAND, BB&AUMONT, LOCKWOOD, QUARMBY, etc.
A most remarkable instance of private feud which was the utter destruction of several Yorkshire families in temp. Ry Bee, dit.
N.B.—Eland or Ealand lies midway *between Halifax and Wakefield, in the West Riding of Yorkshire.
*Note by Mr. J. Horsfall Turner, much _ nearer Halifax.’’ : I
[1 have preserved the archaic spelling, but have re-paragraphed the Chapters so that my readers will not be wearied of reading the narrative; a few additional punctuation marks have been inserted to assist in the perusal of ‘‘The ]
Page 15
LG Fea
DCE, +
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‘+ The M.S. of ‘“ THE DISCOURSE.”
(Reproduced by kind permission of Mr, A. Exley, of Gerrards Cross,)
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“CMAPTRE
How Sr. Jon Eland*of Eland & Sr. Robert Beaumont of Crossland Hall had batteled ye one against ye other in ye behalf of their maister whome ye were faithful unto weh was a distruction unto them both.
Itt happened in. ye month of May yt Jon Elland fore- casted ye way & went to betray Sr. Robert Beaumont at Crosland Hall and thereupon gathered together a great number of men and armed ym ready to battle and privily in ye evening to Cros- land Hall ye went and as they shoud pass through ye Townes of Quormby and Lockwood to Crosland ward there dwelt two old gentlemen of nigh afinity unto Sr. Robert Beaumont, ye one called old Hugh of Quernby, and ye other old Lockwood of Lockwood, whome Eland suspected wou’d stand in arms against him in ye behalf of their kinsman Sr. Robert,
Therefore Eland by deceipt went into their owne houses and put ym to death, and afterwards came to Crossland Hall & wn ye cou’d find no way to gett in, therefore they hide ym in bushes until such time as they A Maid of ye house did tet down ye drawbridge to pas ovr to do her business : I
therewith they came to ye bridg & passed ovr into ye Hall, “where Sr. Robt. and his family being in bed nothing susspected . ye matter, yet as soon as Sr, Robert perceived how Eland had betray’d him he suddenly :rushed up & called his. family, & therewth unarmed took their weapons & Assailed their enemies to make them recoyle, or goe back again over ye bridge.
Imediately thereupon one of Sr. Robts- Kinsmen & a friend of his went to Lancashire to geyt knowledge unto Sr. John Brewerton and Sr. John Towneley, how Sr. John Eland had betray’d their Kinsman, Sr. Robt. Beaumont, wherefore ye assented to come ovr wth diverse gentlemen and othrs well Armed to reskue Sr. Robt Beaumont who conjectured yt ye more part of Sr. Robts men were slayne & made away.
Therefore hee (Sr. John de Eland) sudenly gather’d his men together & assailed by battaile & slew Sr. Robert Beaumont with’ ye rest of his men & alsoe one Exley; wch a fore time Slew Sr. Jon Eland’s brother’s son for ye wch to gremt (agreement) hee gave a certain peece of land to ye Elands vet after ye agremt made, Sr. Jon Eland Sought to have slain him, & therefore Exle was constrain’d to flee unto ye foresd Sr. Robt Beaumont for ayde
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7
who by cause he was his kinsman reskued him wch partly was ye occasion of ye great mallice that was betwixt ye sd. Sr. Robt. Beaumont & Sr. ide Eland & as they were in Batle Sr. John Bruerton & Sr, John Towneley with diverse gentlemen & others well armed were comeing out of Lancashire to reskue there Kinsmen Sr. Robert Beaumont & in there comeing betwixt Puel & ye Standing Stone, to Crosland wards they met a messenger — sent unto ym advertiseing ym of ye death of Sr. Robt as is aforesaid.
Then yey enquired wt was become of his wife & children, who answered for ye safguard of their lives, they were conveyed — into a secrett place amongst there friends & after yt the Knights réturned into Lancashyre wth there company.
But Sr. John Eland caused that Sr. Robts children should be brought before him and wn ye were come he proffered ym bread wch ye received, but Adam Beaumont the eldest, after he had taken it, he wth disdayne threw it at him again, wch Eland perceiving sd yt hee woud weed out ye offspring of his blood as yey weed ye weeds out of corn. :
Imediately after Sr. John Brewerton & Sr. John Towneley sent for Roberts Children to be brought into Lancashire & wth ym ~ went thither ye children of Quermby & Lockwood & also one Lacy being of nigh affinity th’ one to th’ other as brothr & sister children, and fr soe ye continued there unto ye were twenty years of Age; att ye wch age they were Strong & of good audacity & well cou’d handle there weapons,
The remembered ye Traytours done unto their Parents by Sr. John Eland, for ye wch Lockwood ye oldest of ym sd yt it were great shame unto them, to continue among their friends and Not to revenge ye deaths of their Parents & others their Kinsmen.
In th’ use of ys communion yt chanced yt 3 honest men of their Kindred One called Dysowne, another Haugh, ye third Dawson came into Lancashyer to visit ym to whome ye opened their. Communycation before had, whereunto ye Answered yt Sr. Jon Eland had appointed a certain day to keep ye Sherriff returne at Brigghouse whereof ye shoud have knowledg, & against yt day according to promiss the had.
Wherefore they came and lay at cromwell bothome woods & waiting for Sr. Jon Eland his comeing from ye Sheriffs returne, the Appointed Assey (spy) to give ym wch ms Spy did according to there commandement.
_ Then they prepared themselves ready & upon ye water *betwixt ye br idge foot and Bridge-house they mett Sr. John with all his
* [“voad betwixt ye brook foot and Bridge house,’’ note by Mr, Turner].
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8
company, who had no little marvell wt young gentlemen they shou’d bee & at their approaching nigh him he moved his capp unto ym, wch Adam Beaumont perceiving said, ‘‘Knight, thy courtesy availeth thee naught, because thou hast slain Sr. Robt Beaumont my father ;’’ ‘‘Likewise’’ said Lockwood and Quermby, ‘‘thou hast Slain our fathers two, thefore on thee & thine will wee bee revenged & yn ye battled thone wth thother very fiercely, this battle continued long, but ever it was to the Distruction of ye Knight great prowes & Valyantoves herein was shaped (shawed),
But at ye last ye redoubled their strokes against Sr. Jon and his men & there by the Vanquished ye Knight & put him to death [21 E. II. 1347] & after returned to Fourness Fells where they continued amongst their friends declaring wt they had done in ye revenging of the Deaths of their fathers.
CHARTER 44.
How Adam Beaumont, Lockwood, Quermby & Lacy had Battelling against Sr. John Eland his son, & how ye Vanquished him & put him to death & afterwards Slew his Son.
When Adam Beamount, Lockwood, Quermby & Lacy had continued even until Palme Sunday following amongst ye friends att Fourness ffells & from whence ye came over to Ealand & yt - night ye Lodged therein ye Milne house where they heard Say yt Sr Jon Eland his son was & kept house. It chanced as yt night ye Millner command(ed) his wife to repair to ye Milne to fetch home certain Corn; she fulfilling her husbands command- ment went thether, ye young gentlemen perceiving her suffered her ‘to come in & so took her & tyed her fast & laid her aside.
Miller museing not a little wt it show’d bee yt caused her tarry so long. Wherefore hee sware by many great oaths yt she repent her long tarrying and took a in his hands to chastize her wth but wn he came to ye Milne yey took him & bound him & laid him besides his wife.
The young knight Eland dreamt yt night yt he was beset in his bed wth many Enemyes yt assailed him terribly; & Shewed ye dream to his Laydy, but she set light by it; however he caused his men to Arm ymselves and bid ym not be afraid of Lockwood, for he intended to go to church yt day being Palmsunday.
- This: Milne was in ye way to ye towne, ye draught had made ye water so little yt ye Knight wth his Son & all his servants went over ye damm,
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Q
When Adam Beaumont Espyed ym he came out of ye Milne with his bow in his hand & shot at ye Knight & hitt him and his brest plate which glanced off ye arrow; whereat Lockwood being angery Shott himself & hitt ye Knight but harmed him not. Whereupon ye knight mocked ym and Sd in case his father had_ been So well armed he had not been Slain by ym, but Says hee “If ye Town of Eland knew of this yu durst (not) appear in ys place.’’ Lockwood feareing ye Town might rise upon them Shott ye knight thro ye head; his Son and heir was inortally wounded, & carried to Eland Hall where he dyed, he had a halfe brothr remaining & a full sister, who inherited his Lands & was married Savill in Edward ye thirds time 1326.
The young men fled by Whithill lane & so by ye old Earth vate into Aneley Woods, ye Knights Servants raised ye Town of Eland to revenge ye death of their Lord, Whitill, Smith, Wilkinson & Bury wth many others being furiously enraged Pursued their Lord’s Enemies with Bows, Clubs & Rusty Bills & were a ssisted by many of ye Parishioners yt were goeing to Church.
Beaumount, Lockwood, & Quermby resisted ym as long as ye had any rows remaining; And yn betook ym selfes to fight, Quermby, ye hardiest of ym, was mortally wounded, but Lockwood took him & bare him on his back, willing his Cuzen Adam Beaumont to shoot in his roome wch he did & so defended ym from their Enemys untill Quermby was brought into Aneley woods, where for ye safeguard of his life they hid him in an ivy tree because ye Country came so fast about ym.
Yet Quernby because he shou’d be had in remembrance, not only for yt yey were brother and sister children for in time of their mirth & disporte but also for their Valient acts & Enterprizes done, ~ did give unto ym his purse full of Gold & Silver to be divided amongst ym & after this ye passed from him not a little thanking him for his gift & gude will.
The Country still followed ym, untill ye approached neigh Huthersfeild at wch time ve were out of their danger, & so ye passed to Crosland, Honley, Holmfirth & Meltam. °
The Country then retired & went back marvelling wt the had done with Quernby & in their returning the h(e)ard ye chattering of Crows & Pyes about ye Ivy tree where hee lay hid; they partly Suspecteing ye matter went thither & found Quernby hid, whom they slew most cruelly,
On ye other page Stanzo: 89 *it is said ys was done in King Edward ye 3% Reign who began to regne Jan: 1326 & reigned 51 years. Soe his reign ended a:d: 1377.
“*See page 49.
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CHAPTER III.
How Lockwood was enamoured on a woman dwelling att Camwell Hall & how he was be tray’d & Slaine.
After all these things itt chanced yt Lockwood was enamoured on a woman dwelling at Cannell Haull neigh Cawthorne, & accord- ing to their appointment mett often times in Emley Park at a great hallow oake, wch ye keeper seeing betrayed and opened their doings.
Yet notwithstanding itt chanced yt Lockwood after he had seen absent from his woman Awhile att Feney bridge as he was repairing to her again mett with two maids of his kindred coming from Lepton or Whitley wch Said unto him, ‘‘Cozen, we marvell _ not a little yt you are absent from yr. Coz. Adam Beamount, be- cause that we here say yee are sought for by ye Sherriff & others to be attached & allsoe ye places & stands yt yee repair unto, are well known, therefore it were your best to be at Crossland, Honley, & Holmfirth hunting ye red dear wth Adam Beaumount, yn to be imprisoned, and in danger of your life. Without any mirth at all (except ye hear now and then ye pipeing of ye (f)yfe in some Corner*), therefore proceed no further to yr women by whome yu shall betrayed; but return wth us to Adam Beaumont.”’ :
Then he promised to be with ym before he did either eat or drink; & after this he departed from ym & passed thourough ye woods to tEmley Haull where his woman was ; & before his coming thither Boswell, who was ye under sheriff & alsoe ownr of ye sd Haul, menaced his Tennants, yt hee wou’d put him from his farmehold (except by some divice or means he would not onely permit him to be his Tennant, but also would give him many great gifts).
And upon this condition his tennant granted him to do his endeavour therein and imediately thereon itt chanced yt Lockwood came to camel! haull and his Tennant privily gave him knowledge thereof. I I
yn Boswell gathered a great company of men together & came to cannell hall and besett yt round about & asked for
*In the Cannon Hall M.S. (“The Dyscorse”’) the words in. brackets are given thus, “‘except- ye here nowe and then the pyping of the myse in some corner’? which is probably correct. + The Cannon Hall M.S. has ‘‘Buley Haule’’ obviously an error, ‘‘Cannon Hall”’ is given in ‘‘Revenge upon Revenge.”
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The Coats of Arms of some of the participants in
‘* The Elland Feud.’’
in a
QUARMBY.
LACY of Cromwell Bottom. I
SS}
at
ELLAND.
BEAU-MONT.
(Reproduced by kind permission of Mr. T. W. Hanson, the Author of “‘ The Story of Old Halifax.”’
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Lockwood who perceived how he was betrayed yet notwithstand- ing Lockwood bouldly answered and said ‘‘I am here.’’
Then he (Boswell) with others, comanded him to Yield himself into their hands wch Lockwood refused to do so long as he had life; and therewith he bent his bow & manfully defended himselfe against ym all along time
Boswell and his Company perceiveing yt ye Cou’d not have there wills on him, they threatened him to burn ye house over his head: wch Lockwood nothing fearing, his woman perceiving him most busy in ye defence of himself, in whome he had most trust, she sodonly louped unto him & wth hyr knife She Cutt his bow- string & yn she ran fast from him, wn Lockwood perceived this in his woman, he Said, ‘‘fye on thee, whore,.yet ever thou wert ordain’d to be ye distruction of men’s blood, for by thee & such like may all men take Example’’ I
After this it chanced yt Boswell and his Company promised him very much friendship in case he would yield himself unto yr hands wch at ye last through their fayr & pleasant communica- tion & upon hope of their promiss, yielded himself to ym & yn he delivered ym his weapons Yett further they requested him to permitt them to bind his hands: wch he Suffered thym to doe, & yn yey Slew him very cruelly.
But when Adam Beamont did understand of ye death of his Cozen he was therefore not a little sorry, & alsoe for ye departing of his Coosyng Lacy who was gone into ye north; & thereby he was constrained to wander all alone, whereby he was half dis- comfitted, & at ye last, partly for yt cause, & partly for as much as there came down from London diverse processes directed to ye Sheriffe and diverse other Noblemen for to attach him, & he was out of quietness of himselfe & his friends, he was constrained to fflye into france Realmes, & soe continued amongst ye Knighte of the Rhodes & Hungary, where his Valyant acts were had in Estimation, & soe he was appointed te fight against ye heathens; from whence he directed his Letters into Yorkshire to a special friend of his called Jenkyn Dyson +dwelling at ye hole howse wthin ye Parish of Almonry; & afterwards Adam Beamount had his abideing, sometimes att ye Rodes & Sometime at Hungary where he ended his Life. I
[I am at a loss to recognise these initials. The writer must
have lived about 1600-30, judging by the writing. He has evi- dently copied from an older manuscript. J. H. T.]
{ The other prose narrative ‘‘Revenge upon gives the name of Adam Beaumont’s correspondent to be Jenkyn Dixon,
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(iil). Revenge upon Kevenge: OR, AN HistoricaL NARRATIVE
OF THE
Tragical Practices
OF
Sir JoHN Etanp, of SHland,
High Sheriff of the County of YORK, Committed upon the Persons of Sir Robert Beaumont and his Alliances, in the Reign of Edward the Third, King of ENGLAND, &c.
TOGETHER
With an Account of the Revenge which Adam, the Son of Sir Robert Beaumont and his Accomplices took upon the Persons of Sir John Eland and his Posterity, herein fully, and plainly, as well as impartially represented for the Satisfaction of the inquisitive Part of the World.
The whole being divided into Three equal PARTS.
Printed in the Year 1708. I This line on Ist edition. I
[ On 3rd edition is : I HALIFAX: Printed by P. Darsy, M.DCC.LXI.
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REVENGE UPON REVENGE: OR, AN
HiSTORICAL ee &C.
‘PART 1
This Sublunary World is the Universal Stage, on which all Mankind Act the various Parts of Human Life, in a lower, or higher Degree of Virtue, or Vice, as the one or other of them are agreeable to the different Tempers of their Natures, and Educa- tions; or as they are more or less Imitators of the good or bad Examples which pass before them.
_If Piety and Prudence become the Rule of their Conduct : Peace, Amity, and Tranquility crowns their Years with Honour and Success.
But if they be otherwise minded, and thro’ a vehement and restless Ferment of an ungovernable Passion, they suffer their Souls to be made a Victim to Pride and Luxury, there is nothing more visibly declare the Degeneracy of their Nature, and the Infidelity of their Principles, than that they cannot submit them- selves to the Rules of God’s VS and the Dispensations oi Providence.
This is that Satanical Chariot which hurries Sin and Mischief with Triumph through* the ‘World, and provokes the Almighty to let them fall into the Condemastion of the Wicked.
Hence comes it to pass, that such Men’s -Lives are generally compos’d, and made of Chequer-Work; here a Light and there a dark Point; now appeareth Joy blowing from the uncertain Corner of vain Hopes; anon, the Sorrows of Affliction, from just Dis- pleasure of Heaven, surround them with Trouble and Vexation of Mind.
In this Quarter they conclude themselves safe Libertines, in which to take the utmost of their Revenge: But in the next tura of Providence’s Grand Wheel of all Human Affairs they are en- compast with the vexatious Affronts of unavoidable Disasters.
Thus doth poor Bewildred Man fall a contemptible Sacrifice to his own unruly Lusts; those pregnant Domineering Tyrants which occasion that inward Regret, and those restless Changes of Con-
‘““thorow ’’ in 1708 edition.
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15; .
dition, that he can retain no certainty of Resolution within himi- self, nor any sure Confidence in others, that may bring to Per- fection his Ambitious Projects, but is still restless and uneasy under his most splendid Enjoyments, and most Pleasing Appre- hensions of Success, in regard, according to the old Adage, o} Wisdom and Experience.
The Esquire’s Ambition, prompts. him to hunt after Knight- hood, and from thence to a Lordly Degree; still in progressive Motion, never acquiesceing in any honour of Human Dignity on this side the Grave; for these ascending Thoughts, being roul’d by the Spirit of Pride into every Angle of an Ambitious Mind, makes the Man Angry and Vexatious, both to himself and others, under every fancied Opposition that may but.seem to intercept the Height of his Attainments; and rather than not succeed in his Enterprize, the best of his Familiars must be made a Sacrifice to his Passionate and Irreconcileable Malice, and is generally concluded to be the Ground and Occasion of those Crying, as well as Murders, which was Practiced and Committed by the Command of Sir John of Eland, he himself being present to behold the Actions performed.
And comes now in its proper Order to be related, according to that Ancient Déscription which the Bards of old gave of them in their wonted Metres, and was then received’ as very well known, but greatly admired Truths, to the Memories of that Age, unto whom it was Dedicated.
And therefore it is well hoped, that now it will neither appear. unacceptable, or displeasing under this homely and borrow’d Attire; especially considering its chief Design is to give Satisfac- tion to the Friends and Relations of the Parties then Suffering. The History whereof be pleased to take in the following Manner.
Know then, That Sir John Eland, designing to quench the Burning Flames which Malice had kindled in his Breast, chose this Season as an Opportunity most apt and fitted for his purpose, without being check’d or controul’d by his Superiors; for being himself the King’s High-Sheriff, (and his Majesty engaged in Foreign Wars) he having the whole Country, by Virtue of his Office, at his sole Command, to form them at his pleasure into a Body of Armed Men for Public Service, yet he waves that open Power, and yet out of a Politic Design, not to Allarum the whole Country, nor too much to expose himself, and his Projects to the risque and. hazard of an. unexpected Disappointment: As _ also, That he might with more Safety, and under greater Security, ac- complish his Attempts, he picks out of a greater Number, only a small Company of his Trusty Neighbours and Tenants, and of them he musters together a Stout and well Armed Band. Men
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they were whose Hands and Hearts were wholly devoted to his Command. For being Lord of Eland ‘own, all the Inhabitants therein, and the Major Part of the Parish being his Homagers, and as such had Sworn themselves to be his faithful Servants, with Life and Limb, according to the Ancient Phrase in our Law.
And with this small Army of Trusty Friends he Marches in Battle Array, with full Resolution to accomplish that Revenge and irreconcileable Malice that he had. long nourish’d in his Mind, against that most worthy Knight, of Great Fame and Pedigree, Sir Robert. Beaumont, Lord and Owner of Crosland-Hall; and that in this Affair he might act securely, like a Politic and Jealous General, and that he might prevent the Danger of a Surprize from a Back Enemy; he, the said Sir John Eland, most Llegally, as well as Murderously, (being but a private Gentleman) in the silent Time of Night, when all Men were gone to their Rest, he very speedily, and in good order, Marches these his Select Bands, directly to Quarmby-Hall, a Friend, and nigh Relation he was unto Sir Robert Beaumont, and there he enters without any Re- sistance (that Gentleman not suspecting any such evil Design could be projected against him) very violently with all his Armed Forces, and there incontinently slew the worthy Lord thereof, whose Name was Quarmby, of Quarmby.
This Bloody Act being thus most wickedly, as well as unjustly Executed, (in the Judgment of all Wise and Sober Men) it! gave great occasion of Murmuring, and Lamentation amongst the whole Neighbourhood, as not knowing, and greatly wondering, why and wherefore so Good a Man should so suddenly be cut off by so surprising, and violent a Death.
this amazing Accident were all Mens Heads and Ton- gues set on work to find out the Ground of the Mischief; and amidst the many and various Conjectures which were entertained amongst the Neighbourhood, the Major Part of the Country were of Opinion, That it must proceed from some Undervaluing and Degrading Words, which should have been spoken against Sir John Eland; or else, That in contempt of his Authority, in one kind or other, his Commands had been openly disobeyed, by the said Beaumont, of Quarmby, and the rest of their Allies, as he was the King’s High Sheriff: But how, or after what Manner soever it was that the Occasion was given, most certain it is, that both the Sheriff’s Attempts and Executions, was Inhuman, as well. as Unchristian; and doth also very plainly demonstrate the In- satiableness of his Malice: For not resting content with having committed this unparallel’d Murder upon the Body of Quarmby.
They forthwith, from Quarmby-Hall, that very Night (that is to say) Sir John Eland, and his new flesh’d Followers, haste with
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CROSLAND HALL. 1340.
(Sketch by Mr. G. N. Allsop).
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all speed to the House of Lockwood, of Lockwood; who was a Gentleman of that Wisdom and Prudence, that he was not only reckoned, but esteemed as the Oracle, as well as the Darling of his Country ; and Memory will remain fragrant in future Ages.
But to Men of Hustle and Revengeful Spirits, neither Nobility of Blood, nor Badge, nor Character of Worth and Honour, is Armour of Proof to resist the inveterate Stroke of Malice: For, in truth, all Pleas for Compassion are then superseded, where Power is resolved to take Revenge upon the Innocent and Virtuous; so that in this case we cannot reckon it for a wonder to find, as in truth they did, Defenceless Lockwood Barbarously Murdered in the Midst of his harmless and midnight Retirement, as having no Power of Armed Men to Secure him from the cruel Insults of his enraged Enemy, who, in the Heat of their Pursuits, were seeking to destroy, and take away the Life of Sir Robert Beaumont; as being resolved in this their Fury to convert their Serene and Peaceable Country into an Acheldema of Blood: For by the Deaths of Lockwood and Quarmby, Sir John Eland having deprived Sir Robert Beaumont of the Assistance of his two trusty and faithful Friends, he forthwith Marches on with his select Forces to Cros- land- Hall, which they found so strongly Moated about with a deep Trench of Water, and the Bridge thereof drawn up as was usual to secure himself and Family from the violent Assaults of Robbers, and unreasonable Men. Insomuch, that this surprising Party of Men was compelled, for some time, to make a Halt, and place themselves in Ambush to avoid discovery, waiting with great Diligence and Circumspection, the drawing up of the Bridge, which in a few Hours answered their Expectation.
For a Maid Servant belonging to the House, having some special occasion to be that Morning very early Abroad, let down the Bridge, according to common custom, which being perceived by this Armed Crew, they speedily quit their Ambushment, and violently seizing upon her, entered the Hall without any Resist- ance, but with so much Noise as gave an Alarm to the whole Family ; for they found Sir Robert in his Bed Chamber, with so many of his Servants, as in that Hurry could be summon’d to his Aid; these, tho’ meanly Arm’d, yet defended their Master and themselves with all imaginable Gallantry, till very much Wounded, and over-power’d with Multitudes, their Resistance prov’d un- successful and Sines.
For these Men of Biood seized upon the Person of Sir Robert, and hurried him with great Fury down the Stairs into I the Hall-Body. where, having ists at their Mercy, neither Human Pity to the Shrieks of his frighted and bemoaning Lady, nor
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regard of Law and Conscience, as to the Life and Honour of so worthy a Gentleman could move them to retract their wicked and cruel Designs, but out of hand they cut off his Head; which Barb- arous Murder thus Inhumanly committed, instead of putting ie stop to their further Malicious Proceedings, it prov’d a new in- centive to their riotous Lusts; which being resolved to gratify to the utmost of Excess, They eommanded all the Victuals, Bread and Wine, to be brought forth, as is usual to be done at a Festival Triumph, and sitting down to Meat, Sir John invites Sir Robert’s two Sons to come and Eat and Drink with them as they did; (for as yet he had spared their Lives) the Younger accepts the Invita- tion, and both Eats and Drinks with them, but Adam, the Elder, refused, and would not comply with their Humour; his: Refusal, when observed by Sir John Eland, and that by often Intreaty he could not. prevail with Adam to Eat, See, saith he, how heinously that Lad doth take his Father’s Death, ape looks with a frowning Countenance, as if he were resolved to take Revenge; but I will keep such a watchful and circumspect Eye over him, and such care shall be taken that he shall never be able to do us any harm.
And gives us occasion (saith the Poet) to Contemplate the Uncertainties, and innumerable Miseries which attend Life: For the last Night who more Frosperous and Happy than worthy Beaumont, Lodged in harmless, pleasant, safe and secure Repose? In the Morning surprized by unexpected Enemies, and his Life made a Sacrifice to their Barbarous Cruelties, leaving his Dear Lady and Fatherless Children, his Dead Carcass, a Monu- ment of their insatiable Revenge, and puts a Period to the First Part of this Tragical History.
PART. II.
This Second Part opens to us a new Scene of Matter, having in it a peculiar Relation to the Descendants of the forementioned Sufferers; in which the Lady Beaumont appears first upon the - Stage, and doth Act her Part in the following Story.
No sooner was the Eye lids of the Morning, which opened upon the Family of Beaumonts with that dismal Shower of Blood, which hung their Hearts, as well as Crosland-Hall, in Mourning, a little mitigated in the Fury of its dismal Storm, by the with- drawing of Sir John Eland, and his Bloody Followers, but the Lady, together with the dues of her Wounded, Headless; and Sorrowful Family, took that seasonable Interval to Interr, with decent Burial, the Remains of her Dearly Beloved Husband ; and also-to deliberate on, and contrive such new Methods, as
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might for the future Secure herself, and her Children, from the Rage and Cruelty of her, and their Enemies; All which her Transactions, doth very aptly refresh our Memories with phn well known Truths.
That so unequal is the Temper and Disposition of our Lives, that we daily share, either in the loss of our suffering Friends, or in the Death of some near Relation; Some Unhappiness of our own to be concerned for ; or else we are overwhelmed with the Treacher- ous Infidelity of a seeming Friend, or the more Malicious Hatred of an open Enemy, to put us in mind, that this Mortal Life 1s neither a State of Security, nor the Duration, wherein is to be enjoyed, desirable, and never failing Pleasures.
Not but that Duty obliges us to submit with patience and Humility to the Dispensations of Divine Providence, as: becomes our holy Profession, only with this gracious freedom, that we may use our Endeavours to shelter our selves, by all lawful Means, from the Persecuting Fower of Men, intimated in that Expression of our Saviour, When ye are Persecuted in one City flee to another. I
~The Consideration whereof, undoubtedly took place in the Mind and Spirit of this Distressed Lady; for having given decent Burial to Sir Robert Beaumont, her next care was (as you have been told) how safely to Secure her own, and her Childrens Lives, which she endeavoured in the following Manner.
By sending a trusty Messenger, with all haste, to acquaint Mr. Townley, her nigh Kinsman, who at that time resided at Brereton-Hall, in Lancashire, desiring him forthwith to raise.such Assistance to join with his Servants, as might be able to rescue Sir Robert Beaumont’s Family from Sir John Eland and his Bloody Followers. This Message no sooner came to Mr. Townley, but he presently, and without delay, gathering a goodly Company of stout Friends, who being united to his Menial Servants, resolved, if possible, to perform the Lady’s Request.
But when he, and his Company were come as far as Marsden, there they received the News which the Messenger had not told them, How that Sir Robert Beaumont was slain, and the Enemies dispersed: and retired to their several Dwellings : Thereupon he and his Company immediately returned back again..
I Which News coming speedily to the Lady Beaumont’s Know- ledge, she, without any manner of delay, together with her two Sons, took their leave of Crosland-Hall, hasting with what speed they could to Mr. Townley, at Brereton- Hall.
And here I crave leave to divert the Reader with this Com- passionate Expostulation !
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Photo by the late
CROMWELL
Mr. H. P. Kendall, reproduced by
BOTTOM HALL (now demolished.)
courtesy of The Halifax Antiquarian Society.
b>
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What Heart so hard, or Eye so dry, as not to drop a Tear in Contemplation of this sad and sorrowful, as well-as melancholy Journey, and with mournful Thoughts to Travel in the Retinue of this Disconsolate Lady; who, to secure herself and Children from the Furious Malice of Cruel Revenge, is constrained to become an Exile to her beloved Habitation, and, Pilgrim like, to seek Friends and Safety in a Neighbouring County.
This I the rather added, as a Corollary to the past Tragedies, to put us in mind, that Oppressed Innocency is the proper Object of Human Pity, as well as of Christian Piety ; that our well-wishes may ever accompany those who are compelled, as was this deserv- ing Lady, to enter upon disconsolate and mournful an Address, - oppressed with multitudes. of Tears and Anxieties of Mind, how to escape their enraged Enemies, as she was how to escape the ~Herodian Cruelty of Sir John Eland, and his Accomplices.
But she, thro’ the Blessings of Providence, having carefully avoided this foreboding Cloud of Fears and Dangers, to her no small Consolation, by the faithful Conduct, and other Assistances _ of sure and safe Guides, she and her two Sons are safely arrived at Sir Thomas Brereton’ s, of Brereton-Hall, Situate on Brereton _ Green, where they found Entertainment free, kind, ‘and generous. Thus was this Ancient, but now Broken Family, to their Hearts content, settled in Peace and Safety, where they found nothing wanting but a full supply of all things which could minister to their Ease and Freedom, every way agreeable unto, and corres- _ ponding with their noble ‘Extract. I
Unto whom, shortly after, repaired Young Lacy, of Cromble- Bottom ; Lockwood, of Lockwood ; and Quarmby, of Quarmby ; which Ternary of Youths not only encreased the Number of their. Society, but inspired fresh Vigours of Youthful Complacencies into the Minds of these Spritely Exiles, who being all engaged in the same Bottom, lived together in Friendly Love and Unity, _ sometimes at Townley; at othertimes at Brereton-Hall: But in both Places great care was taken, that, according to their brisk and lively Tempers, their growing Years should be Exercis’d with _ Feats of Chivalry, as well as in Gramatical Learning, and Moral Philosophy.
In this hopeful Station they continued some Years, making Manly Exercises their chief Diversion, such as Fencing, Tilting, Riding the Manag’d Horse, and expert Shooting in the Long-Bow, which in that Age was England’ s most! famed Artillery, by which . the whole Tribe of Military Men (belonging to this Nation in the Reign of this King Edward) did, under the Conduct of Edward the Black Prince, reduce the Powers both of France and Spain unto Terms of Submission ; for these are those feathered Messengers of
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Death, that silently, and without noise speedily destroy the Lives of our Enemies, and caused England to become a ios hed to the iin round about them. 3
In all these foremention’d Manly Exercises were these Gener- ous and Noble Youths daily diverted, on purpose to make them expert, and dextrous, readily, and with success, to play the Game of Death.
Thus, and according to this order, after a diligent Manner, did these loving Associates encrease their Years and Friendship, ~ until the Measure of Time had counted Beaumont, the youngest of the four Banish’d Friends, unto the Age of Fifteen: This being the Season when Nature discovers its Puberty, and Ripeness for Action ; that spark of Honour which hitherto lay concealed in their tender and harmless Breasts, began now to discover a kindled flame of Revenge, but the first appearance and discovery thereof, issued from the Manly Speeches of Lockwood, who being Senior to the rest, in Strength of Body, as well as in number of Years, not only waited for, but took a fit Occasion, both for Time and Place, to discover to his Companions, the warmth of those spark- ling Thoughts, which hitherto had laid concealed; and this he perform’d in these short! but full Expressions following :
Friends and Allies,
When with an impartial Eye, I view and observe the Growth of our Bodies, and their Skill and Activity in Manly .Exercises, methinks we have gain’d Strength and Knowledge enough, boldly to repair. with Courage and Resolution into our own Country; from whence of a long Season we have been most Tyranically banished; and there bravely Seek to revenge the spilling of our Fathers mist innocent Bloods; for if Eland should have that foul Act for well done, it will encourage him in his Wickedness, and further to proceed in destroying the whole Posterity of our Re- nowned Ancestors. Therefore do I esteem it our Wisdom, and an undertaking very well becoming the Successors of such worthy Patriots utterly to Extirpate from the face of the Earth, this cursed Cain and all his Posterity.
Which Words were no sooner spoken, but they were received with the same briskness of Temper wherewith they were uttered ; whereas, to one whose Concerns are not engaged in the same Interest with these Sufferers, they may seem to sound harsh and unpleasing as. having in them too much of the wickedness of Re- venge, to proceed from a Manly and Christian Spirit.
But to those in whose Youthful Breasts lay noyrishiag the ‘Remembrance of their Murder’d Parents, ‘by an and Tyran- ‘nical Death; together with a deep Sense, and Apprehension of
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their own-too, too unjust Banishment from their Native Soils, Allies, and Revenues: such lively Apprehensions fermenting upon their Noble Blood, cannot, in the Course of Nature (looking on themselves, as they are meer Men, and not Saints) but be judged and looked upon as a Providential Summons to invite and prompt them to revive and retrieve their lost Honour, and thereby to render and transmit their Names famous to Posterity. But not further to dispute this critical Point of Human Honour, the Story tells us, That thus it prov’d and Revenge they took without delay ; for having maturely consider’d the whole Matter, immediately, and without further dispute, these resolute Youths, with united Hearts and Hands, kindly and firmly embraced Lockwood’s In- vitation,
But how, and after what Manner these bold Attempts should be managed with Success, was the grand Question; and, indeed, the only Remora which with-held their present Proceedings, and gave them occasion to be more grave and serious in their Debates, and caused more solid Proposals than before to be laid upon the Anvil; insomuch that all their future Consults were the trying and examining of the old Rules ; also proposing new Methods how, with least Danger, and most quick and safe Expedition, they may re- deem lost Honour, and fix it upon themselves and their Posterity, sure and stedfast, by this their designed Expedition.
While they are daily busied in these uncertain Ruminations, still halting betwixt Hope and Fear, never fixed on any settled Point : In the very heat and crowd of these tumultuous Thoughts, unexpectedly, as neither by them fore-thought,, or foreseen, there comes to pay them «an amicable Visit two faithful Friends and Dependants on some of their Ancestors. Namely,
Dawson and Haigh, these unlook’d for Guests, were very acceptable to this Youthful wavering and unstable Cabal; inso- much, that after common Civilities and Respects had been paid and received, these four Exiles became impatient of throwing away any more needless Time, as being’ fully bent upon nothing but redeeming lost Honour, according to their youthful Stile.
Therefore, laying aside all ceremonious Prefaces, as being well assured of these Mens Truth and Fidelity to their Interest, they presently withdraw them into a private Room, prepared for their purposed Debates, whither being come, they fully, and plainly imparted to them the whole Matter, to the very Bottom of their Design, earnestly requesting their Counsel and Assistance _therein, as how, and after what Manner they might bee to Per- fection these their projected Determinations.
The. Gentlemen having opened the Secrets of their Breasts unto these their Trusty Friends, they, as being wholly Dedicated
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to their Service, well pondering, and considering in their Minds the Proposals which their young Masters had made unto them, forthwith, and with one Heart and Mind, approved and encour- aged this their bold, resolved, and adventurous Attempt.
And in order thereunto, these two Men, came to this Resolu- tion, That the Sheriffs Tourn would shortly be kept at! Brig- where Eland never fails to appear in Person, and that a better Time they could not chuse opportunely to take their Re- venge upon him; as also, To do it most securely to themselves and their Followers, from being suspiciously Noted by the Country (because of their more than ordinary Number and Habit,) in regard on that Occasion, so many uncouth, and unknown People, in great Multitudes, Travel all sorts of Roads, without being questioned whence they came, or whither they went.
And for their more certainty herein, as touching the Time when this was to be done, they resolved presently to return Home, and make diligent Enquiry, at what Time certain, and without fail the Sheriffs-Tourn* would be kept at Brigg-House.
Whereupon the whole Cabal was broken up upon this Resolu- tion, and Dawson and Haigh take their leaves with a grateful Dismission, in order to get such Information in the whole Matter, as may fully Answer their Expectations, which shortly after hap- pened very agreeable to their Minds: For within a little time after, if not the next Market-Day, public Notice was given, That on such a Day the Sheriffs-Tourn would be held, and kept at! Brig-House.
sooner had they obtained this gladsome News, but these two, Dawson and Haigh, out of Hand, repair to Brereton-Hall, where they acquainted these Brave, and hardy young Gentlemen with their glad Tidings; who thereupon, without further delay presently equiped themselves for their Enterprize, after the best manner they could devise; being likewise strongly assisted from their Lancashire Friends “a Allies.
These being formed into a Military Body, they forthwith set forward with United Hearts, and Manly Resolutions, to Execute their Willed Revenge upon Sir John Eland, their grand and in- veterate Enemy.
And having Dawson and Haigh for their sure Guides, they Travelled secretly and undiscovered through By-ways_ into -Cromble-bottom Wood, upon the Sheriffs-Tourn Day at Brig- house, where all this choice Company lay in Ambush, under the command of Adam Beaumont, Lacy, Lockwood, and Quarmby, Esquires, (at that Time full little thought Sir John Eland, amidst his Pride and Gallantry at Brig-house, that his Life was thus way-laid in his Travelling ‘home. )
* Sheriff-turn,
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7 4 Hy H ; Bay hy { . SS I [ ig ! : He ui A AWWRESD: / /
\ \ N
ety hel is WAN iN \ Ny Mi AR aan WAN
' SHE MURDER OF: SIR’ JOHN. DE BLAND SLOCER)
in Cromwell Bottom Wood, October, 1350.
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And full well had these young Gallants provided themselves to encounter and secure the Person of Eland, for all his great Company of Armed Followers and Attendants.
For they had Posted trusty Centinels, at every turn which . should happen, or could possibly lead to his way homewards, or to any other place; and they were not disappointed in their hopes : For those Espials who were placed in Brig-house Town, observed so exactly all Eland’s Actions, that they speedily gave these Gentlemen Notice, when he had mounted his Horse, and was upon his Journey towards Eland-Hall, whose way then lay through Cromble-bottom Wood, but the better and more openly to inter- cept him, these daring brisk youths no sooner had Notice that Eland was upon his Travel, but they speedily drew forth their Men unto the Top of the Hill, that leads from Brook-Foot to Brig- house; shortly after, at the lower End of the Lane, Eland and his Company appeared, he much wondering with himself what those Gentlemen should be that there had made a Halt, but coming up to them he Courteously vailed his Bonnet.
Unto whom Adam Beaumont, with Couragious, but in very Upbraiding Language, thus returned his Salute, Thy Courtesy, Sir Knight, shall little avail thee, for most basely and unmanly didst thou Murder my Noble Father, Sir Robert! Beaumont, in Revenge of whose Inhuman Death, here presently shalt thou be Slain; Which his Words were also confirmed from the Mouths of the other Gentlemen, whose Fathers had suffered Death the same Night with Sir Robert Beaumont, by his cruel Rage, And whose Bloods, said they all, we are now come to Revenge upon thee and thine.
These united Expressions of Anger were no sooner uttered, but they fell upon him’ with great Courage and Resolution, which he and his Company for some time stoutly resisted, with some © Effusion of Blood on both Sides; but in the Heat of the Contest, Beaumont and his Adherents separated Eland from his Company at the Lane’s Head,* and in that Place incontinently slew him, and made his Death a Sacrifice of Revenge unto the Heirs of all those Worthies whose Lives he had so eae Ce ae as before hath been Related. :
And with this Narrative of Eland’s Death, the old Poet con- cludes his second Part, with this bemoaning Farewell, (notwith- standing his acknowledgment, that what was really done to him, was but Lex Talionis, and that! such cruel Murderers could not but expect that at some Time or. other they should be Paid in their own Coin for their Tyrannical dealing) saying, That Beaumont is
* Still named Lane Head (1890),
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herein deeply guilty, not for that he so Valiantly played the Man, but that in this fatal Tragedy he shewed so little of a for a pure and spotless Conscience, would never have given its ‘onsent to seek and obtain Blood for Blood; however he hath made good the old Froverb, That Kind will creep where it cannot go.
In which Passage according to my Opinion, he doth tacitly Reflect upon the Honourable Fames of the Deceased, as if they had lived like Men apt to.take revenge, and to Punish more than the Offence Deserved; his tart Expression might as well have been spared both in his Poem, and this History, but then my Discourse would not have run on in one entire Thread, and been a perfect Transcript of the Original, .
Unto which I crave leave Modestly to add, that true it is, and must be acknowledged on all hands, That ’tis Heroic and Gallant to pass by Injuries, because in taking Revenge, a Man is but even with his Enemies, but in passing them over, he is his Superior.
But whether this may be pertinently applied to the present Case, and in that Age, when Men in Authority measured their Actions more by the Conduct of their own Will, than from the then Laws of England, is wholly left to the Reader’s judgment, how he
will determine the Matter: And so I proceed to the Third and last -Part.
PART: “ME
These Sons of Mars having accomplish’d their Design in kill- ing Sir John Eland, their Capital Enemy, seem therewith at present so fully satisfied with this their Personal Revenge, as to desist from any further attempts in that kind; but whether it proceeded from an inward Satisfaction of Mind, or from the Apprehension of more open Dangers, it is not! resolved; yet we are told (ia favour of the latter Opinion, that, notwithstanding their former Resolution of the utter Extirpation of the Family of Eland, as will more fully appear in the succeeding Part of the Story) that having openly Slain Sir John Eland, the Father,’ and Author of this Quarrel, in the View of the whole Neighbourhood, and as it were in Defiance of the King and his Laws, Sir John having that Day, according to the Ancient Customary Law of England, in a pecu- liar Manner, Represented his Majesty’s Ferson, in receiving the Fealty of his Subjects by, and from his Authority.
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This their Bold and Daring Fact, occasioned the Poet to commence this his last Part with a smart upbraiding Reflection upon Beaumont and his Accomplices, stiling them the Seed of Cain. I
It is very true, and cannot be denied, that the Fact was Sinful, yet the Manner of doing it was Masculine and Generous, not pull- I ing him by Surprize from the Bed to the Block, where no Resist- ance could be made, as he had Treated and Used their worthy Ancestors ; but Bravely did these Sparks of Honour engage them, Man to Man in the open Field, where Victory usually hangs in _ suspence, and each Man hath his Lot.
However we will wave further Comments, and follow the Author in his Story, who tells us, That these Victorious Cham- pions observing their Danger, and fearing an Insurrection, by reason of the Greatness of the Person now Slain, they thought it not safe for them to stay any longer in these Parts, therefore without further Delay, do these Young Leaders, and their well. known Followers, that very Night haste away with Speed towards Fourness-Fells, a Place betwixt Forty and Fifty Miles distance from Brig-House, lying North West, and in the utmost corner of Yorkshire, Bordering upon Westmoreland. And a Place pre-— pared by Nature to make a safe Receptacle for such Fugitives, because that way is seldom used by Travellers of any account; in regard of its inaccessible Rocks, various high Hills and deep Valleys, that it may very aptly be styled the Yorkshire Alps, hav- ing no better Inhabitants all the Winter than Wild Geese, who shelter themselves amongst these Crags, from the violence of the Winter Storms, untill the returning of Spring invite them to Fly, for the Increase of their Breed amongst the Fens in Lincolnshire.
Here it! was, and in this Desart did this Flying Army take up. their Winter Quarters, where they had Time and Security enough to Plot and Contrive new Methods of Revenge, in rooting out the whole Male Line of Eland of Eland.
And to bring thesé their malicious Purposes to a sure and cer- tain Effect, they had their constant Espials, and frequent Corres- pondents, to give them a true account of all Proceedings in the Parts next adjacent unto Eland-Hall. For in that Age when these Persons were made Exiles, there was no Gentleman, or Person ot Quality living within the Parish of Eland, besides Sir John Eland the Lord thereof, save one of the Savile’s, a Gentleman of Ancient Extract, Wise and Solid in his Deportment, never Intermeddling, as Concerning himself with either Party, during all these violent Contests ; seldom appearing in any Company, nor Travelled much abroad in these Parts, except twice a Year, by coming to Rish- worth Hall towards the Summer Season, there to Hunt and Hawk,
=
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that being a Place well Situated for such Recreations, lying in the upper Part of Eland Parish, and from thence returning back to- wards Winter unto Bothom-Hall, re? a Place known to this Day by the Name of Savile-Gate.
Having spoken thus much of one of the F amily of the Saviles, as being only a Digression made by the Poet, I shall now, with him, presently make my return to give an account of the Banishea Men in Fourness-Fells-
Adam Beaumont (saith he) Lacy, Lockwood, and Quarmby, by Advice from their Correspondents, at the opening of the Spring, took that Season secretly to return to Cromble-bottom Hall, where, thro’ the assistance of their Friends, they there contrived the manner how they might, with most Security, cut off this young Sir John Eland, and his Son: And thus it was effected.
Namely, on Palm-Sunday Evening next after the Death of his Father, in the silent hour of Midnight these Blades, together with their Accomplices, secretly, but violently they enter into Eland Miln, as the most convenient Place to lie in Ambush, in order to assault Sir John Eland and his Family in their way to Eland Church the next Morning; and here, being confined thereunto by the Method of the Poet, by his intermix’d Discourse, we are con- ‘strained to make a large toe in our Story, by acquainting the Reader.
[That the coming of these Conspirators (for so he is pleased to stile them) into the Country was not so secret, but a Rumour thereof was, got into the Mouths of the Vulgar, and from them slight underhand hints were given thereof unto Sir John Eland, advising him to take care of himself, that! he was not Surprised in his Bed, as his Father had done before to their Parents. This News, tho’ not well Grounded, yet it lay so close to Sir John’s Mind, that he could not get rid of it without discovering some Resentments, for that very Night they afterwards broke into the Miln; when in his Bed-Chamber, he told his Lady what Reports had beta brought to him, and under what danger he lay; but this Story his Lady took little Notice of, and esteemed it no better than a Fiction, and idle Report, and when Morning came he repeated the Story over again with some regret; unto which his Lady re- plied, It’s Palm Sunday, and we must certainly go to Church, and serve God this Holy Day. Which positive Resolution of hers, put Sir John upon Arming himself to be able to resist his Enemies, if he should be assaulted 1 in his way to Church. I
Which Parenthesis being I return to Beaumont ee his Accomplices Lodged in the Miln, I
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On Palm-Sunday, very early in the Morning, the Miller sent his Wife in haste to fetch some Corn from the Miln; accordingly she coming to the Miln, found the Door open, and these Gentlemen gotten into Possession, .who presently seized upon the Woman, bound her Hand and Foot, and laid her in a safe place, to prevent her from carrying News of their being there ; and the Woman not returning as her Husband expected, he began to be angry, and in much Wrath takes a Cudgel into his hand, threatning therewith sharply and severely to Chastize her for her delay.
And thus, in all haste he repairs to the Miln, with full intention soundly to Beat her for her Negligence, where coming and finding his Wife in that captiv’d Condition, and much wondering thereat, as not knowing the cause; the Gentlemen presently undeceived him about his Wife, by taking and binding him after the same manner, and quietly laid him in the same Posture, and close by her
Side.
In the interim, and all the while this was acting, Sir John Eland and his Family were preparing themselves ready to go to Church, but Sir John, having still in his Mind the thoughts of being Surprized by his Enemies, clad himself (as you have been told) in concealed Armour, to prevent (if possible) any Mischief that might befall him. Accordingly he, his Lady, his Son, and his Family set forward towards the Church, their way lying by the Miln, the Water being then small by reason of the Drought, and for the gainest way they went over the Dam Stones; which thing being diligently observed by Adam Beaumont, he presently comes out of the Miln, with a Long~Bow in his Hand, notches his Arrow to the string, and with much Fury shot at the Knight, on whose Breast the Arrow struck, but he being well Armed, it presently glanced off, and fell to the Ground ; with that Wilkin of Lockwood grew angry, and said, Cousin you shoot wide, whereupon Lock- wood drew an Arrow and shot at him himself, from which the Knight received no harm, but Smiling, to himself thus he said, If my Father had been thus clad in Armour, he had not been Slain by the Hands of these Wicked Men; and if the Men of Eland did but know with what Dangers I am assaulted, soon would they appear to my Rescue, and speedily put to flight these my Treacherous and Cruel Enemies, and I be certainly Rescued from their Bloody Purposes, who are thus come by stealth to take away my Life. O Eland (saith he) if thou hadst but known of this their cruel Design, thou wouldst soon have prevented it, by disappointing their Mali- cious Purposes. Nor had Sir John only these good thoughts of those Townsmen, but they that were in the Mill were doubtful in the Matter, and were afraid of being Surprized by their Power, in regard the Morning came on apace, and they observed that People began more openly to stir abroad; and that caused Lockwood
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without delay to draw another Arrow, and with that he shot the Knight through the Head who presently fell down Dead upon the Place; also at the same Time some other of them mortally Wounded his only Son and Heir, who was, by the Discouraged and mournful Servants, taken up, and carried into Eland-Hall, where he immediately Died of his Wounds, and with him, expired the Male Name of Eland.
Thus in a short space was the Family of Elands of Eland utterly destroyed, there being none left alive of the whole Blood, but one only Sister, who shortly after was Married to a Savile, the lineal Ancestor to the Right Honourable the late Lord Marquiss of Halifax,* [and Eland-Hall, and the Manor of Eland, are now in the Porsession of Sir George Savile, Bart., as Heir to that Noble Family. I
Having thus with much Brevity, given an Account of the fatal Catastrophe of the Ancient Family of the Elands, it is Time to enquire after the Success of Beaumont and his Accomplices.
These Confederates having accomplished the Work they came about, they speedily, and without delay, quitted their Post at the Miln, marching in good Order towards Whittle-Lane End, and so on to Old Earth-yate, and from thence to a private Gate, they craftily conveyed. themselves towards Anely Wood, which lay I about three quarters of a Mile fron’ Eland Town; Town had I by this Time received the Alarm of their Lord’s untimely Death, for no sooner had the Lord’s Servants gotten Liberty from attend- ing the dead Corps of their Master and his Son, but they hasted away to Eland, proclaiming up and down the Town that their Lord was murderously Slain, and who the men were that did it.
Whittel, Smith, Remington, Bunny, and the chief of the Yeo- mandry, forthwith harnessed themselves with Armour and Wea- pons wherewith to pursue these noted Murderers ;t calling to their. Aid all the Commonality of the Town, who joined to them with full and free Consent, setting forth Hue and Cry after the flying Enemy; some with long Bows, some with Pitch-Forks, and long Staves, others brought great knotted Clubs, and rusty Bills, that the Sun had not shone on for many a Day, and to them came all the Parish People who were coming to the Church, uniting them- selves with Love and good Will to this mixed Multitude.
Beaumont { Lockwood, and Quarmby, with their Followers, hearing the loud Noise, and beholding the vast Number of People which were in pursuit of them, bravely, and with much Courage
* “In whose possession, ever since, and at this day, is Eland Hall, and the Mannor, and other Appurtenances thereunto belonging,” 1708 edition.
+ “Murtherers,” in 1708 Editions. I
+} Beaumont is the spelling in the 1708 edition, as it is still the common pronunciation in the district
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and Resolution they fac’d about, made a deliberate Stand, and formed their few Followers into a Military Figure, and with this small Handfull, made very brave and stout Resistance, so long as any Arrows were left amongst them, during which smart Skirmish, Quarmby, the hardiest and most resolute Man amongst them all, for he would not flee one Foot from his Ground, tho’ all their Ammunition was spent, and he overpressed with the Multitude of Eland Men, but stood manly fighting until he fell to the Ground through the much Blood he had lost by his mortal Wounds ; which Lockwood beholding, stoutly rescu’d, as he thought, his dead Body, and nobly took it up and carry’d it on his Back into the Midst of Anely Wood. And there (as being his nigh Kinsman) he took a Purse of Gold out of his Pocket, and delivered the same unto his Followers, with this Command, saying, Deliver this to my Cousin} dear, and with it let good Chear be made, and in your Mirth remember my dead Kinsman and me, for now you see that the Day is utterly lost, and every Man must shift the best he can for himself.
In the mean time Eland Men were fiercely following Lock- wood in Anely Wood, until he quite escaped out of their Sight, and fled for Refuge amongst his Friends and Relations, which
being well observed by these his Pursuers, and that it was in
to follow him any further, they returned back, and in their Way through the Wood, they found Quarmby yet alive, who they im- mediately slew, to rid him out of his Pain; and left him to be buried by the Care of his Followers. And thus ended the fatal and bloody Quarrel betwixt Eland, Beaumont, Lockwood, and Quarmby.
A: onORl BOT. PALL ACCOUNT OF THE LIVES AND. DEATHS
OF
Wilkin Lockwood and Adam Beaumont, Esqrs. and what Travels and Adventures happened unto them after the Battle with Eland Men in Anely Wood, as the same is Recorded in a very Ancient Manuscript, in the Custody of a very worthy Gentleman, kindly communicated for Public Satisfaction. 7
t Cosen, 1708.
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Of all the Deformities which o’erspread this our Earthly Globe, none of them do so truly affect our minds with repeated Compassions, as doth our beholding: helpless Youth and oppressed Innocency, violently expos’d to the Rage and Cruelty of insatiable Malice.
It was these sad Objects which gave Words of Grief, and mournful Notes of Sorrow to our old Poet’s Description, which he hath given us of Sir John Eland’s Tragedies in the foregoing History of his Life and Death.
Nor can and unjust Revenge, consecrate and make vertuous any Attempts, that in their most modest Dress are the true Servants of Sin. Since Blood and Rapine are the genuine Off-spring of Satan, the most specious Pleas of Honour and Renown, cannot cleanse them from their Diabolical Tincture, nor set them beyond the Power and Reach of Vindictive Justice, as hath been fully exemplified in all Historical Discourses of this Nature, and may, in some few Remarks, receive fresh Evidence from the Lives and Deaths of those two Gentlemen, who providing against one Danger, did certainly fall into far greater, through their own Credulity, and the Treachery of false Friends, as was more particularly the Case of Lockwood, who is the First that enters upon the Stage of this Discourse, and of whom we are told, that after his Escape from the Pursuit of Eland Men, in Anely Wood, who, tho’ he was filled with Thoughtfulness of Care and Diligence, seeking to find Security for his Person amongst his Allies, Friends, and Acquaintance, yet could he not find any secure Residence, until he retired to a solitary Place within this Country, called Camel-Hall, nigh Cawthorn, and here for a Season he fixed his Station, well thinking with himself, that here he might continue free from Discovery, which hoped freedom gave Liberty to his Juvenal Thoughts, and that now without Fear of Danger, he might unbend the Bow of his Mind, as he had undone that of his Defensive Weapon, whereupon, amongst other his private Diversions, he chanced, unfore-thought of, to fall into the Company of a young Woman of whose Parts and Beauty he became greatly enamour’d, not so much out of any Design he had to make her his conjugal Mate, but only to insinuate so far into her Affections, as to ingage her to be to him a Lady of Pleasure; and so well were his Addresses managed, that he soon obtained so great an Interest in her Favour, as privately to receive from her many select Meetings, very secret and suitable to both their Inclinations; And the more to conceal these their stolen Pleasures, that the Vulgar might remain wholly ignorant of their Amours (Wit being always pregnant in such Cases) with united Consent, they made choice of a large hollow Oak, which they occasionally
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35 found out within Emly Park (when they were diverting them-
selves in that shady Grove from the Vehemency of Sol’s reflected Beams) to be the Seat of their concealed Enjoyments.
But long could not this their Iterated Correspondence con- tinue obscured from every Eye, especially not from the Keeper of the Park, in regard his Watchful Eyes daily surveyed each Corner of his Circuit ; besides he usually keeping his Ranges, both Day and Night, but more especially at such Seasons, and in those Hours did his Place require his exactest Observation, when Lovers of stolen Game did usually, and for the most part, make their appointed Meetings.
In this critical Moment, and on this public* Account, was the occasion first given of Lockwood’s Discovery. For the wiley Keeper by a frequent treading of his old Measures, soon descried the private and obscure Retirement of these passionately engaged Lovers, who had no Eyes left for anything but themselves, and their premediated Pleasures; and these his Observations were by him managed with that concealed Art, as if he had been Possessor of Gygesring, by which he could see all others, but none were so quick sighted as to discover him; for so dexterously did he Traverse his Steps, that he always kept his Body hid and invisible to their Sight, when his Ear was within reach of their Discourse, and this he Performed even at the very first remark he had made of such strange Guests entering so boldly within the verge of his Power.
But afterwards he so contrived his Walk, that, without any _ discovery made by them, he drew himself into that close, familiar, and clear Prospect of both their Bodies and Faces, that he cer- tainly knew, and was fully assured, that the Man was really Lockwood, and that the Woman who so frequently gratified him ~ with her interchanged Kindnesses, was certainly his Neighbour’s Daughter, whose Name and Habitation was very well known to him.
The Keeper being filled with this Sight, and big with thoughts of such an unexpected Discovery, was not so fore-casting in his Mind, as to make profit to himself of this new Adventure by using such methods ‘of discovery as might end in a Pecuniary Reward, but on the contrary, like a rash Gamester, without all Consideration he loudly winds his Horn, filling all the adjaceat with the Noise of the secret Enjoyments of these two unfortunate Lovers, And may well put us in Mind of that pithy Passage in Plutarch, That none can so disguise themselves but at some Times their Hearts may be seen at their Tongues end ;
* The 1708 edition has such spelling as publick, untill, stoln, dayly, wyly, cosen, tennant, entring, vertues. By 1761 the modern forms were settled.
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$6 and it is no small Blessing that we reap by Reading of Histories, in regard as in a Glass we may behold what those Virtues were, for which God made some Persons and People Prosperous and Successful, and for what Vices they became wretched and Miser-
able; a Truth so. undeniable this is, that we have the same exemplified in the Story before us. I
Where we are told, That the Noise which the Keeper’s Narra- tive made, Ecchoed so very loud into Lockwood’s Ears, that he readily concluded he could no longer remain in safety in the midst of such large and open Discovéries of these his Youthful Miscarriages.
Therefore out of Hand he withdraws himself, in the most private Manner he could devise, to a Place he judged to be far more safe and secure, which he found out at Fenny-Bridge, where he remained in Peace for some considerable Time, without all danger of an open Surprize, or secret Treachery, and might have continued so, if the thoughts of his old Love had not daily increased into the fermenting heats of those violent Passions, which nothing could either mitigate or cure, but her that gave the Wound; for as a Learned Man hath very accutely observed, One may as soon expect to bind a Wolf from his Prey, with the Guts of a tender Kid, as to restrain with Reason, the unruly Efforts of a Lustful Passion. I
Therefore, maugre all dangerous Oppositions that he might find in his way, he resolved forthwith to pay a Visit to his - forsaken Friend; To that purpose adventuring boldly into the common Road towards the Place of her Habitation, he casually and unexpectedly meets with two young Gentlewomen of his Kindred, as they were Travelling from Lepton to Whitley, who after a most Surprizing Manner, thus very briskly Salutes him, Cousin, It is to us no small Matter of admiration that you have remained so long Absent from your Cousin Adam Beaumont, in regard we are credibly informed, there is such diligent search made after you by the Sheriff and his Men, and many others besides to attack your Person, and that some or other of these are placed almost at every Post where you usually Travel, or make your Residence. :
Therefore, pray be advised by us who heartily wish your welfare, and do judge it to be your safest Course forthwith to repair to Crosland-Hall, where you may have frequent opportunity to go with Adam Beaumont and other Gentlemen to Honley* and Holmfirth, there to Hunt both the Red and the Fallow Deer, rather than be taken and Imprisoned by these Men to the Hazard
* Misspelt “Hanley” in 1708 edition.
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of your Life, for with them you will have the Pleasure of Hunting, and the Musical Notes of the Melodious Hounds; whereas now, as you are under these Circumstances, you live in continual Fear, without any manner of Musical Mirth, except it be now and then that you hear the Noise of Bag-Pipe, in some obscure Corner. So that all things duly:-Considered, we most earnestly beg of you to take our Advice, Speedily and out of Hand, who are your well wishers, and proceed no further to your Woman, by whom you will most certainly be betrayed, but go with us, just now, to Crosland-Hall where you may be safe.
Which Words of theirs, at this Juncture of Time, and in so remarkable a Season, were so effectually obliging and prevalent, that he promised faithfully to be with them at Adam Beaumont’s before he did either eat or drink; and under his Promise, he suddenly parted from these two Gentiewomen, speedily posting thro’ the Woods to Camel- Hall, where his did then reside.
But alas! he made but too much Haste to his own Ruin, which had thus been contrived by his Enemies during his Absence,
Boswell, who was’ at that time Under-Sheriff, as well as owner of Camel-Hall, had a little time before Lockwood’s coming thither, been with his Tenant to contrive his Way-laying, that he might make him his Prisoner at his next coming; menacing the Tenant, that if he would not do it, he would certainly not only turn him off from his Farm, but do him some other, if not a greater Mischief : but if indeed he would discover to him Lockwood, so soon as ever he came and enter’d into his House, he should not only be continued his Tenant, but he would atso add unto that, many other considerable Gifts.
Upon which large Promises made by Boswell, the Tenant made unto him a faithful Engagement to use his Endeavour to betray Lockwood into his Custody, at his next coming to his House; accordingly no sooner did Lockwood. (void of all Fears, as not expecting any Treachery in so experienced a Friend, and who was so many Ways obliged by him before) enter into Camel- Hall, in hopes with Freedom to enjoy the Society of his Mistress, but the Tenant went himself to give Boswell Notice of his being come to his House, whose unmanly, as well as unfaithful Conduct, may very aptly bring to our Minds the wise Saying of Paterculus.
For who is it (saith he) when he sees a man in Adversity, that retains the Memory of any former Benefits, but rather judge in their Minds that no Thanks can be due to Men in Calamity, as when Fortune changes, doth not also change his Fate: for so great Pompey found it true by Experience, who flying from the Battle of Pharsalia, he cast himself under the Protection of
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Ptolomy, K. of Egypt, not doubting but to find him a true Friend, on whose Father he had formerly bestowed so many Favours at Alexandria; but instead of requiting Pompey with faithful Pro- tection, he no sooner had him within his Power but he commanded his Egyptian Slave to cut off his head.
Which Historical Passage was but too truly verified in Lock- wood’s Treacherous Friend, for though with Ptolomy, he did not cause his Head to be cut off by his Slave, yet he basely betrayed unto his Power, who he knew sought nothing so much as his Death, for Boswell no sooner had Notice of his coming, but he presently assembled together a great Company of his Men to his Aid, and with them he came to Camel-Hall and beset the House round about, asking very Peremptorily for Lockwood; and. the first that made Answer to hiss Demand was Lockwood himself, who, like a most Noble and Daring Champion, in Defiance of him and all his Power, lordly made Answer, and said I am here.
Whereupon Boswell, with some others of Authority with him, commanded him in the King’s Name peaceably to surrender him- self a Prisoner into their Custody ; unto which Lockwood readily, as well as boldly replied, and said, He scorn’d to do it, so long as he had Life and Strength to defend himself against all their Force.
And this his Conduct was so brave and manly, and his Resistance so perilous to the Assailants, that Boswell and his Company, began to be in doubt of their Conquest over him; insomuch, that finding themselves disappointed of entering upon. him with Violence into the House; they proceeded from Blows to Words, and positively told him, that if he would not yield and surrender himself a Prisoner, they would burn the House over his Head; but these their threateing Words, was by Lockwood lightly valued as a flamming Boast, for most courageously with his Bow, he so bravely defended himself, and so. annoyed them, that they began utterly to despair vanquishing him, and undoubtedly would have withdrawn their Men, if his wicked Paramour had not prevented his Resolutions, by suddenly leaping upon him, as if she would have lovingly embraced him, and so got the Opportunity of cutting his Bow-String in sunder, with the Knife she had concealed in her Hand, .after which treacherous and most wicked Deed, she hasted with Speed away. from him, leaving him astonished at her amazing and _ hard-hearted Wickedness; but after a slender Recollection of himself and his sad Circumstances, he call’d aloud after her in this fruitless Language; Fie on thee Whore! that ever thou wert born, thus wickedly to destroy human Life, and by thee, and such, let all Men take Example, and beware of making themselves Slaves to the Enchantments of such Lacian Witches.
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This said, he retrieves his wonted Courage, and, like a generous Captain, having summoned together all the Parts of true Valour, he lets Boswell and his Company know, by his Manly Deeds, pint neither Force nor Fraud could win him to their Obedience.
Whereupon Boswell and his Company cease from all manner of open. and hostile Attempts, and now endeavour by feigned Speeches, and most hypocritical Promises, to draw him to their Lure. And, indeed, our own Experience hath taught us, that Credulity is but too frequently found to be the error of Noble and Generous Souls, who, hating Treachery in themselves, are apt to conclude every Man to be furnished with the lovely Tempers of Truth and Fidelity ; as did this Forlorn and Distressed Gentleman, who finding himself altogether unable any longer to grapple with, and Successfully to withstand their Power and Multitude, and being also willing to secure unto himself a longer time of Life, he suffered his great Spirit to submit unto Terms of Peace, as believing he really had to do with a Gentleman, that valued his Honour by his Word, and upon that account he very Peaceably, and Generously yields his Person to their promised Mercy, not at all doubting but that he had to do with Men of Worth and Integrity.
But alas! it prov’d ‘far otherwise to his utter Ruin and Destruction; for no sooner did he surrender himself into their Custody, but they Bound and Manacled his Hands that he could not defend his Life, and then most Cruelly Murder’d him, to the utter Extirpation of the Ancient Family of Lockwood of Lockwood.
Having thus given a true account of Lockwood’s Life and Death, I proceed in order to relate what Adventure befel Adam Beaumont, Esq.; and. after. what manner, as we are Credibly informed, he ended his Life; And thus it befel him.
After the Battle in Anely Wood, when they fled from the Pursuit of Eland Men, Adam Beaumont with all the speed he could make, retired himself to Crossland-Hall, his Paternal Seat, where, for some certain time, he lived in so much Security and Freedom from outward Troubles and Dangers, that he frequently diverted himself amongst other Gentlemen his Friends and Neighbours, with Hunting of Deer, Hare, and other Generous exercises befitting a Man of his Quality, not doubting but that all was well and safe with him, now that the great Storm first raised by Sir John Eland, of Eland, was suddenly blown over, without flying Reports of further Revenge.
In this manner of Living he continued without fear of any sudden Surprize, until he was certainly informed of the suddea
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Surprize, and cruel Death of Lockwood, his near Kinsman, done, and executed on him by Boswell, the under-Sheriff, and his. Followers, after a most open and very hostile manner, contrary to their most solemn Vow and Promises faithfully made unto him.
This Story was to him not only Surprizing, but most uncom- fortable Tidings, for that now he might visibly observe the Hemisphere under which he had hitherto moved with an undis- turbed Peace, to gather Clouds and Blackness, and also violently to threaten him with dismal and unavoidable Storms of Sorrow and Distress: And the more terrible was its appearance, in regard he had no Friend left to share with him in his Misery, or in whose Counsel he could safely confide, in this Day of great Distress, for Lockwood was taken from him beyond all recovery, and his Cousin Lacy, his only Surviving Trustee, was removed far from him into the North Country, there to escape this threaten- ine Tempest, of which some Relations had given him secret, Notice, so that he was left to either Sink or Swim, in his own single Bottom, in these raging and tempestuous Seas, in which Safety could not be promised, either to his Lying at Anchor, or Launching boldly into the dangerous Abyss of outward Enemies.
For to this sad and fatal Dilemma was he reduced that to stay at home was but to bring him under Lockwood’s Predicament, and to expose his Person to the Treachery of intestine Hypocrites, whose Cruelties most commonly exceed the Malicious Deeds of open Foes; and to venture abroad was openly to bid defiance unto Death.
But which of these two Evils to make choice of, he had none to be his Counsellor; and certainly greater Discomforts cannot lightly overtake any Man than to want a safe Retirement, and a true Friend, to devise, assist, and relieve him, when he is surrounded with Malicious and Implacable Enemies. For a true Friend, like the Spirits and Sinews of our Bodies, have both one Motion and Inclination, for they mingle Cares, and make a com- plete union with our Griefs. So that, According to the old Adage, happy is that Man that hath such a Friend at his need; but more happy is he that hath no need of such a Friend. Trrue it is, that im the Days of Prosperity we never want Multitudes of Friends, but when adverse Fortune turns the Wheel, where’s the Man that will share with us in our Comfortless Solitudes? And such really was the Condition of this Distressed Young Gentleman; for at home He durst not stay for fear of being Betray’d, and to go abroad without a Guide was violently to rush into Mischief, there being Snares laid for him in every Corner, and Spies posted in all Quarters to give notice when, and how to have him Surprized, on every Motion: For many unexpected Enemies now -appear’d
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against him, in regard divers and’ sundry Precepts were come from London to Arrest him, all of them already put: into the» Sheriff’s Hands, who had his Men placed in. all Parts of ‘the Country to way-lay him, in what Road soever he should take. This he very well knew, and these his Misfortunes he in vain Laments to Stones and Trees, (for no Human Ears were nigh him) that had neither Will nor Power to Help and Succour him. Where is Counsel to be had in this case? and unto whom could he better turn in this great crowd of Difficulties, than to his own Great and Manly Spirit? Brave to Win, or to Lose all by one brisk Effort, that being the fatal cast he was now to throw; and this he as Gallantly perform’d, by adventuring, without fear, singie, and alone, to Travel through the Country by Night till he could get toa Port where he might Ship himself into a Foren Country; and this he so effectually performed, that after a few Nights and Days he. was safely Landed within the Realm of France: And being now upon a Shore, and within a Kingdom that usually Rates Honour at its utmost Value, and in that grand Stage of Remark, this Young Gentleman gave such visible “Peatithonies of his Noble Extract, and true Personal Valour, that he had not long remained in those Parts, till Men of Worth and Grandeur had made Observations upon his Brave and Generous Conduct ; and that first brought him into the Acquaintance, and afterwards into the Service of the Knights of Rhodes, to Fight under them in no mean Command, in Defence of the Christian Faith within the Kingdom of Hungary, which was then very Powerfully Invaded . with a vast Army of Turkish Infidels. In:this Great and Stupendous Adventure, he gave most large Proofs of his almost invincible Strength, and most Undaunted Courage.
In these Dangerous Wars and Prodigious Battels it was, , that our English Heroe arrived to great Fame and Dignity amongst those Celebrated Champions of our Holy Faith; and amongst whom some have not been afraid to say, that the Name of Beau- mont is to be found Registered amongst the Knights of Rhodes. But however that may be received or credited I know not, yet that which I am going to say of him is undeniably true. Namely; That out of Hungary he writ a private Letter of his great Success and Honours he had obtain’d in-that Country, all of it Written and Subscribed with his own hand, directed unto Jenkyn Dixson*, Dwelling at the Hole- House, within the Parish of Almondbury, in the County of York; which his kind Letter gave great occasion of Joy to all his Friends, and well-Wishers to him and his Family, in regard they had now gotten certain Knowledge where he was; and how it was with him, as also from whence, and in what manner they might have a true Account hereafter: of this man’s Life and Death.
* Dyson, see page 12.
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And accordingly, not many Years received a true and full Narrative both of his Life and Death.
Of his Life, That his Residence was sometimes at Rhodes amongst the Knights, (if he was not one of that Honourable Fraternity) and sometimes in Hungary, where he was reputed for one of their Grand Champions.
Of his Death, That in one of these Places, in their Service, in Defence of the Christian Religion, he very Honourably ended his Life, to the Great Satisfaction of all those who are Honourers, I and well-Wishers to the Noble and Antient Family of Beaumonts; and will, no doubt, give full Satisfaction to all Candid Readers of the Lives and Deaths of Lockwood and Beaumont, after their Contest with Eland Men in Anely Wood, when they Pursued them to take Revenge on their Persons for Giving thetr Lord, and his Son, Sir John Eland of Eland.
FINIS.
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Sik GEORGE: SAVILE, Marquis of Halifax. ‘da: 1695.
(See page 32).
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(ii), A POEM
on SIR JOHN ELAND OF ELAND and HIS ANTAGONISTS.
(Referred to as the Holroyd-Turner transcript of an older Ballad).
1 What wealthy wights can here attaine, 11 To Quermbie Hall ye came by night, Always to have there will; & there they (=the) Lords they slew Sometime in; joy, somtime in paine, At yt time Heir of Quermby right, There course must they fulfill. before the Country knew.
2 For wn men walk in worldly wealth — ffull few Can have yt grace Long in ye same to keep themselfe Contented wth their place.
‘12 To Lockwood then ye Self Same night, The (=They) came & there they slew Lockwood of Lockwood, yt hardy wight, 3 The Esqr. must become a Knight, I who Stirred ys Strife anew.
Ye Knight a Lord must bee, re Thus Shall yw See no worldly wight, 13 When they had Slaine thus Suddenly sr Robt. beaumont’s aide (=help),
Content with their degree. The (=they) came to Crosland
4 Wn Pride doth reign within ye heart Craftily, , And wickedness in will, I of naught were they appay’d. The fear of God yn Set apart ye fruit must needs be ill. 14 ‘The Hall was watered well about, No wight cou’d come wthin; 5 Wth Suchlike fault was foul infest, Till time ye Brigg was well laid out, "One Sr Jon Eland Knight; . they durst not Enter in. His doings make him Sore suspect In this to have delight. 15 Before ye house they cou’d invade,
in Bushment the (=they) did Ligg; And watched a wench with wily trade, till She Let down the brigg.
6 Sometimes there dwe't at Crosland Hall, A kind and Courtious Knight, It was well known yt he wth all
Sr. 16 Then Set they Siedge asault they made
7 At Eland Sr Jon Eland dwelt |. heyniousely to the Hall; Wth in ye Manour Hall, The Knight’s chamber did they invade, The Town his Own ye Parish held & tooke the Knight wthal.
Most part upon him all. 17 Yet have I read * most certainly
8 The Market Town was Eland then, headed (=beheaded) before he were, the Patent hath been seen, He faught against ym manfully, Under King Edward Seal certain,- Unarmed as he were.
ye first Edward I ween. 18 His Servts. rose and Still with stood, . & Struck with might and maine; in his defence they shed there blood, but all that was in vaine.
9 Some Say that Eland sheriff was by Beaumont disobeyd, wch might make him for Such trespass wth him ye worse Appeyed.
10 He rais’d ye Country round about, 19 The Lady cryed & Shrieked withall, his friends and Tennants all, from her him whome they Led Men for that purpose picked out Her dear Husband ra the Hall, Stout, Sturday men and Tall. & their Struck of (=off) his head.
* Where ?
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But all in vaine ye more pittye, for pittye had noe place, ffor crafft mischief & cruelty, these men did most embrace.
See here in wt uncertainty This wretched world is led; Att night in his prosperity, Att morning slain and dead.
I wis a wofull house there was, yre Lord lay slain and dead, there foes yn eat before their face their meat, ale, wine, and bread. T (=Two) sons Sr Robt. Beaumont had they left onlly unslaine; Sr Jon Eland hee ym bad come eat wth him certaine.
The one did eat with him truly, ye younger he was, I think; Adam, ye other, Sturdily, -wou’d neither eat nor drink.
See how this boy, Sd. Eland, See’ his father’s death can take; If any be, it will be hee, ye same shall vengeance wrake.
‘But if yt he wax wild anon
I shall soe him for see; & cutt ym of one & one, as time shall best serve me.
The first fray here now have ye heard, yn second shall ensue; & how mutch mischiefe after ward I upon this murder grew.
And how this mischiefe he contrived, his wicked heart within, Light on himself shall be discribed, mark now for I begin.
pei Te)
The same morning a messenger - is sent to Lancashire, - to maister Towneley & Bruerton there _ there help for to require.
Unto ye mount beneath Marsdin, to whome the (=they) went with Speed, but hearing then their friend were slain, : return’d again indeed.
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When Eland with his wilfulness this Beaumond’s blood had shed, into the Coasts of Lancashire, the Lady Beaumont fled,
With her She took her Children all at Brureton to remaine; Sometime also at townely Hall they sojourned certaine.
Brureton & Towneley, friends they were to her, and of her blood; As presently it did appear they sought to’ do her good.
They kept ye boy’s till they encreast in person, strength and Age, there fathers death to have redrest Still Kindled their Courage. Lacy & Lockwood was (=were) with them brought upp at green, & Quermby, kinsman unto them, at whome (=home) durst not be seen.
The feats of fence ye practised, to weald their weapons well, till fifteen years were finished, & yn soe itt befell.
Lockwood, as eldest of ym all, Said, Friends, I think it good, wee went into our Country all, to venge our father’s blood.
If Eland have this for well done, he will Slay more indeed, best were it yn (=then) we Slew him Soon, & cut of (= off) Caines Seed.
I saw my father Lockwood Slaine, & Quermeby in ye night, & last of all ye Slew Sertaine Sr. Robt. Beamount Knight.
Oh! Lord, ys was a wicked deed, who could yere (=their) hands refrain ; for to weed out such wicked men, thoug (=though) it were to their paine. :
To ys ye rest yn all agreed, divising day by day, of this their purpose for to speed, wt were ye readiest way.
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42 lwo men yt time from Quermby came, - Dawson & Haghe, indeed, whome they consulted for ye same In this how to proceed.
43 These Country men of Course onely,. Sd. Eland kept alway ye turne att Brigghouse certainly & yu shall know ye day.
44 By Cromwell bothame must he come, Woods lye you in wait; So may yu Slay ym all and some, and take ym at a Straite.
45 The day was set, ye turn was keept at Brigghouse by Sr. John ; little wist hee was besett, than at his coming whome.
46 Dawson & Haghe had plaid their parts, 7 & brought from Bruerton green, Young gentlemen wth hardy hearts, as well were known and seen.
Adame of Beaumont their was laid, Lacy with him alsoe, & Lockwood who was naught afraid to fight against his foe.
A7
In Cromwell bothome woods they Lay a number wth ym moe, Armed they were in good aray, A Spye they had alsoe.
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To Spye ye time wn Eland came, from Brighouse towne yt day, Who plaid his part & Shewed ye same to them where as ye Laye.
Beneath Brook foot a hill there is to Brighouse in the way, forth Came they to ye top of this, there Spyeing for their praye.
51 From ye Lane end came Eland then, & Spyed these gentlemen, Sore wondered hee who were men, I & vailed his bonnett then. 52 Thy courtisie availes ye naught Sr. knight,” thou Slew my father dear, Sometime Sr Robt. Beaumont, Knight, slain shall thou be here. 53 Said Adam Beamount, wth ye rest
our fathers hast thou Slaine, whose deaths we mind shall be redrest of thee and thine againe.
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54 To strike at him still did they strive, _ but Eland still withstood, wth might and main, to save his life, but still the (=they) shed his blood.
They cutt him from his company, be like at ye Lanes end; & so ye Slew him certainely, & thus he made his end.
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56 Marke here ye end of Cruelty, Such fine hath falsehood Loe Such end himself loe here hath hee, as he brought others to. 57 But Beamount vet was much to blame, though here he plaid ye man, yt part he plaid not in ye same of A right christen man.
58 But kind in these young gentlemen crept where it could not goe, & in Such sort inforced them their father Bane to sloe (=slay). 59 The second fray now here you have, ye third now shall yu here; of yr kindness no more I crave, But onely to give eare.
(Pe, Eh 60 When Sr. John Eland thus was Slaine, indeed ye story tells, both Beaumont & his fears ( certaine fled all to Forness fells.
= fellows)
In Forness ffells long time ye were boasting of their misdeed, in more mischief contriving there, how yet ye might proceed.
The (=they) had their Spyes in this Countery nigh Eland, yn who dweld where Sr Jon Eland dwelt truly, ' & there his house he held.
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More gentlemen yn was not there, in Eland parish dweled, Save Savill half part of ye year his house at Rishworth held.
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64 He kept himself from such debate, removeing thence wthall, twise in ye year by Savils gate unto ye bothome Hall.
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Adam of Beamont yn truely, Lacy and Lockwood Eke (=also), & Quermby ran to this Country, their purpose for to seek.
To Cromwell botham Hall ye ( came, there kept them Secretly, by fond deceipt there did ye frame, their crafty cruelty.
= they)
This was ye end ye Sooth to Say, on Palmeson eve at night, to Eland milne ye took ye way about ye marke midnight (murke).
Into ye Miln house there they brake, & kept ym (=them) craftily, thus by deceipt there did they seek, ye young Knight for to slow (=slay).
The morning came, and ye milner sent his wife for Corn with hast (=haste), ye gentlemen in hands her sent, & bound her hard & fast.
The Milner swore She shou’d repent She tarryed there so Long, a good Staple in his hands hee hent to chastice her with wrong.
With hast into ye milne ran he, And meant with her to strive, but the (=they) him bound imediately, & laid him by his wife.
The young Knight Dream’d ye. Self same night, with foes he was beset, yt fiercely fettled ym to fight (=settled) against him in his bed.
He shew’d his Lady soon of this, but as a thing most vaine; She waged ye same & said I wiss yt (=that) dreames are oft most vain.
Hee Sd arme yu well my merry men, & of Lockwood be naught adread, for to ye Church now will we goe, to here (=hear) ye Service, Song & read. I
75 To Serve God this present day,
ye Knight then made him boune, (= bound), & by ye milne yn Lay ye way yt (=that) led him unto the Town.
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The drought had made water small, ye stake appeared dry ye knight, his son, and servants all, came downe ye Damm thereby.
Wn (=when) Adam this beheld, for(th) of ye milln came he, his bow wth him in hand he held, & Shott at ym Sharply.
Hee hitt ye Knight on ye brest plate, wherewth ye Shoot did slide; Wilkin of Lockwood wroth thereat, Sd, Cuzen, yu shoot awide.
And shott himself & hitt ye Knight but naught was hurt with this; whereat ye Knight had great delight. & sd to ym (=them) I wiss.
In case my father had been cladd wth Such armoure certaine, yr wicked hands Escaped he had, & had not so been slaine.
Oh Eland Town, alass, sd hee, If thou but knew of this,
foes of mine full fast wou’d flee,
& of their purpose miss.
By stealth to work needs must they goe, for it had been too much, ye Town knoing, their Lord too Sloe (=Slay) for ym & many such.
Wilkin of Lockwood was adread _ ye (town) shou’d rise indeed; he shott ye knight quite thro’ ye head, & slew him yn wth speed.
His son & heir was wounded there, but yet not dead at all; into ye house convey’d he were, dyed seized in Eland Hall.
A full sister for sooth had hee, & a half brother alsoe; ye full sister his heir must be, ye half brother (not) soe.
His full sister his heir she ee & Savill wed ye same; thus Lord of Eland Savill was, & still enjoyes ye same.
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87 See here ye end of all mischief 97 Beaumount & Lockwood Saw all this, from Eland Eland’s name & Quermby where ye (=they) stood; diplaced was to their great grief, they feytled (=settled) ym to fight, I well worthy of ye same. wyss,
& Shott as they were woo’d, 88 But as for Beaumont wth ye rest,
Undon were utterly; . 98 Till time that all their shafts were I thus simple virtue is ye best, spent, & chief felicity. of force yn must they flee ;
they had dispatch all their Intent, & lost noe victory.
(PART? I 99 The hardiest man of ym (=them) 89 What time these men these skayes there was, I (schemes) did frame, I was Quernby this is true; deeds (ye) have read and heard; for he would never turn his face, Eland’s lands came to Savills name, till Eland’s men him Slew.
In Edward days ye third. 100 Lockwood, he bare him on his back,
90 By whytill lane they made their flight, hid him in anely (=Ainley) wood ; & so to ye old earth-yate ; to whome his purse he did: betake, ye took ye woods as yn the might, of gold both fine and good.
& spyed a privy gate. 101 Take here ye gold to yu, quoth hee,
91 Themselfes conveying craftily, & to my Cozens here; to Aneley wood that way, & in their mirth, remember me, ye Town of Fland manfully I yet wn you make good Cheare.
pursued ym that day. 102 In case my foes shou’d this possess,
92 The Lord’s Servants thrououte ye it were a grief to mee; towne, my friends wellfare is my riches, had cryed wth might abd. maine, and chief felicity. upp, gentle yeoman, make you boune, ys. (=this)/day yr. = your) 103 Give place wth speed, and fare yu Ld. is slain, . well, Christ shield you from mischance ; 93 Whithill & Smith & Wilkinson, * po in case it other wise befell, Bury with many more; itt wou’d be my griefance.
as brim as boars ye made ym bowne, there Lords Enemyes to Sloe (=slay). 104 Their foes so fuersly followed on, it was no bideing there:
94 And, to be short, ye people rose Lockwood wth speed he went anon, through all ye towne aboute ; to his friends where they were. fuercly (=furiously) following upon their foes 105 Wth hast then towards H wth hue & cry & shout. they went ye ready way; a ye way then Adam Beaumont held, 95 All sorts of men, Shewed their good to Crosland Hall yt day. will, Some bows & Shaffts did bear; I .106 Thus Eland men returned whome, Some brought forth Clubs, & rusty by Aneley wood yt day; bills, there found they Quernby all laid yt (=that) Saw noe Son (=Sun) that alone, year. Scant dead as some men say. 96 To church now as ye parrish came, 107 Where they him slew quite out of they joyned ym with ye Towne, I hand, like hard men ye Stand all Same, dispatcht him of his paine; in fight now were ye {=they) ye late death of their Lord Eala’d bowne (=bouwnd),. : insenced ym certaine.
* This is probably the name in the original ballad, and not Rimmington, which, was not then locally known,
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108 Mark here ye breach of charity 110 So shall it come to pass truely how wretchedly it ends; I yt all men shall you love mark here how heigh felicity & after death so shall you be on charity depends. in life with god above. 109 You gentlemen love one another, 111 To whome allways of every wyght, Love well ye yeomanry ; Thorouout all years and day’s; Count every Christian man your in heaven and earth, both day and brother, i and live in charity. be honour law’d and praise. The other ballad has in verses 117 and 118 :— ‘* Learn, Savile, here, I you beseech, For by such means your elders came, that in prosperity, to knightly dignity; You be not proud, but mild and meek, Where Eland then forsook the same,
and dwell in charity. And came to misery.”’
)
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