Historic%20Yorkshire

Chapter xi.
THE TRAGIC STORY OF THE ELLANDS.
HE Ellands were ever known for their bold,
overbearingcharacters, which were constantly
leading them into quarrels with all who did
not acknowledge their superiority, and the
great bodily strength and courage of the
membersof thefamily made them as intolerableto
their friends as terrible to their enemies. These
were the qualities always associated with the Elland
name, but if tradition is to be credited, the true Elland
blood has little to do with them. The story goes that in
the time of Edward the Confessor, Wilfrid, Lord of
Elland, gave shelter in a storm to one Hugo Beaulay, a
youngNorman, whopossessedgreat personalattractions,
but was of humble extraction. He had come to England
in the train of the Confessor-King,and his visit to Yorkshire
was due to his friendshipwith a son of EarlGodwin,
and whom he accompanied. The Norman,falling inlove
with the wife of his hospitable entertainer, a young and
lovely woman — who, moreover,proved false to her lord,
and returned the affection of the stranger — lingered at the
Manor House so long that the Ellandbecame aroused to
his treachery,and challengedhim to mortal combat. The
strife in the feasting hall was terribleand protracted,but
at last the Norman, assisted, it is even said, in someway