Historic%20Yorkshire

THE TRAGIC STORY OF THE ELLANDS. 73
of her grief, but the eldest of Sir Robert's sons, Adam,
a child of five, would not eat or drink, and on
the savage knight offering him bread, the child, with
glowing eyes, threw it at his face, at which disdainful
act Sir John broke out into a fit of passionate anger,
swearing to eliminatethe seedof the Beaumont from the
earth, or rather weed out the offspring of his blood as
weeds are weededfrom the corn. The horrible festivity
continued for a long period into the night, but at length
the atrocious murderersdeparted, andtook their wayback
to Elland Hall.
Such was the fear in which Sir John
Elland was held
byall his neighbours,that, though the wholecountryrang
with the accounts of his violent deeds, none dare arouse
his resentment by commencing any legal or other
measures; so the matter was apparently forgotten. Sir
John continued to hold the office of Sheriff, and was
prosperous in every way. His eldest son grew up and
was married, whilst his eldest daughter,too, was married
to a Savile of HowleyHall.
Immediately after the tragedy last recorded, Lady
Beaumonthad sent messengers to herrelatives in Lancashire,
the Townleysand Breretons, informingthemof the
unhappy occurrences and asking a shelter. She, therefore,
and her children and the membersof the two other
families were welcomedunder the hospital roofs of the
two halls.
A period of nineteen years had elapsedsince the death
of Sir Robert, and during that time the heirs of the three
bereaved houses occupied themselvesin all warlike exercises
and grew up into stalwart men with all the courage
and boldnessof their familyblood. About this timethey
decided upon concocting some plan of revenge against
the shedder of their father's blood, and with that end in
view communicated with persons ofQuarmby, friendly to
them in the matter, and not longafter Townley Hall was
visited by two men, called Haigh and Dawson. These
informed them that Sir John had to keep his " Sheriff's