Historic%20Yorkshire

46
BOLTON ABBEY.
The original situation of the Priorywas at Embsay,
where it was founded in the year ii2i,by William de
Meschines and his wife Cecily as a Priory of Canons
of the Order of St. Augustine. After an existence of
thirty-three years at Embsay, the Priory is said to have
been transferred to the present locality, and numerous
reasons are given for the change. The chief and most
generally credited is that contained in the following
account: —
On the death of the founders an only daughter, Alice,
was left, who adopted her mother's name of Romelli.
This lady married William Fitz Duncan, nephew of
David, King of Scotland, by whom he was established,
" by force ofarms," in the honour of Skipton and Crafra
(Craven) in the year 1152. A son was the issue of this
marriage,who bore the name of the Boy of Egremond,
and who was much adored by his mother. Tradition
says that this boy was drowned in attempting to jump
over the Strid,a narrow part of the river Wharfe, with a
greyhound in leash. The dog did not bound over with
his master,but held back, and the consequence was that
the youth was thrown into the torrent. The accident
was witnessed by a forester, who immediately proceeded
to the boy's mother, andin sorrowful tones asked, " What
is good for a bootless bene ?" which curious question was
at once understood by Romelli, who replied, " Endless
sorrow," and she is said to have been thrown into the
utmost grief by the sad occurrence. The accident has
given originto some verses by the poet Rogers,which are
worthyof reproduction. We quote fromthem asfollows: —
" Say what remains when hope is fled ? "
She answered, " Endless weeping!"
For in the herdsman's eye she read
Who in his shroud was sleeping.
At Embsay rung the matinbell,
The stag was roused in Barden-fell;
The mingled sounds were swelling, dying,
And down the Wharf ahern was flying;