KIRKBYMOORSIDE

(Redirected from Kirkby Moorside)

'Kirkbymoorside' is a small market town in North Yorkshire, England which lies approximately 25 miles north of York midway between Pickering and Helmsley. It was the last town in England to receive double-yellow lines to restrict parking, and has a population of approximately 3,000.
There is some dispute as to the correct spelling but it is usually spelled with the 'k'. The name translates to settlement from the Viking word, 'by', and Kirk means church' so it means settlement with a church by the moorside. The latter is now considered archaic and is never used in an official capacity within the town; for example, businesses and addresses. All sign-posts read 'Kirkbymoorside'.

Contents

History

External links

History

Much is still to be learned about the very early history of the market town of Kirkbymoorside but its Viking name, meaning "church by the moorside," is an indication of its longstanding presence in the area.
At the time of the Domesday Survey in the 11th century records showed Kirkbymoorside had two churches, one of which was likely to be the minster at nearby Kirkdale, which is famous for its Anglo Saxon sundial and one in the town.
The Domesday Book also records that Kirkby had two of the eight mills operating within the wider area - another indication of its early importance.
It was in the 11th century that William the Conquerer evicted the Anglo Saxon owner of the manor of Kirkbymoorside and gave it to Robert Stuteville, a Norman who had accompanied him to England and whose family rose high in Royal favour.
Over the following decades the Kirkby barony changed hands several times with Henry I of England stripping Roger de Mowbray and Stuteville of their lands for rebellion and Henry II later restoring it to the Stutevilles.
The Earl of Westmoreland eventually inherited the lands and Kirkbymoorside remained in his family's possession until 1570 when he, too, had his estates confiscated for rebellion.
The Earl fled to Scotland and it is said he escaped his pursuers by having the shoes of his horse reversed because the ground was covered in snow.
The story goes that the descendants of the blacksmith who had shoed the horse were given a house in Castlegate for a rent of a farthing a year for several generations.
Kirkbymoorside remained Crown property until James I gave it to one of his favourites, the first Duke of Buckingham in the 17th century.
Buckingham's son, George Villiers, the second Duke of Buckingham,then inherited it. A leading member of King Charles II's inner circle, he was one of the richest and most powerful nobles of the time but also noted for being clever, unscrupulous and a womaniser.
He squandered his fortune, fell from favour and retreated to North Yorkshire to live in Helmsley Castle. While out riding with the hunt he fell from his horse, dropped asleep and caught a fever.
He is reputed to have died in 1687 at the age of 59 in his brother-in-law's house, now Buckingham House, in the Market Place.
But before his death Villiers sold his estates in North Yorkshire to Sir Charles Duncombe and they have since descended to the present owner Lord Feversham of Helmsley.
Through the years two castles have stood in Kirkbymoorside - one built by the Stutevilles at Vivers Hill and a stronger fortress built by the Nevilles on the northern side of the town. Fragments of Neville Castle still remain and these were restored last year, to prevent further decay, with the help of an English Heritage grant.
Kirkbymoorside, with its many fine Georgian properties and cobbled market place rising up towards the edge of the moors, remains an important working market town serving the area and it boasts one of the oldest brass bands in the country.
Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band features in the parish records of 1815 and is rated one of the best in the region today.

External links

★ kirkbymoorside gateway to the moors