Historic%20Yorkshire
Historic%20Yorkshire
Historic%20Yorkshire
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
46<br />
BOLTON ABBEY.<br />
The original situation of the Priorywas at Embsay,<br />
where it was founded in the year ii2i,by William de<br />
Meschines and his wife Cecily as a Priory of Canons<br />
of the Order of St. Augustine. After an existence of<br />
thirty-three years at Embsay, the Priory is said to have<br />
been transferred to the present locality, and numerous<br />
reasons are given for the change. The chief and most<br />
generally credited is that contained in the following<br />
account: —<br />
On the death of the founders an only daughter, Alice,<br />
was left, who adopted her mother's name of Romelli.<br />
This lady married William Fitz Duncan, nephew of<br />
David, King of Scotland, by whom he was established,<br />
" by force ofarms," in the honour of Skipton and Crafra<br />
(Craven) in the year 1152. A son was the issue of this<br />
marriage,who bore the name of the Boy of Egremond,<br />
and who was much adored by his mother. Tradition<br />
says that this boy was drowned in attempting to jump<br />
over the Strid,a narrow part of the river Wharfe, with a<br />
greyhound in leash. The dog did not bound over with<br />
his master,but held back, and the consequence was that<br />
the youth was thrown into the torrent. The accident<br />
was witnessed by a forester, who immediately proceeded<br />
to the boy's mother, andin sorrowful tones asked, " What<br />
is good for a bootless bene ?" which curious question was<br />
at once understood by Romelli, who replied, " Endless<br />
sorrow," and she is said to have been thrown into the<br />
utmost grief by the sad occurrence. The accident has<br />
given originto some verses by the poet Rogers,which are<br />
worthyof reproduction. We quote fromthem asfollows: —<br />
" Say what remains when hope is fled ? "<br />
She answered, " Endless weeping!"<br />
For in the herdsman's eye she read<br />
Who in his shroud was sleeping.<br />
At Embsay rung the matinbell,<br />
The stag was roused in Barden-fell;<br />
The mingled sounds were swelling, dying,<br />
And down the Wharf ahern was flying;