Healaugh

The Ancient Parish of HEALAUGH

[Transcribed information mainly from the early 1820s]

"HEALAUGH, a parish, 3 miles N. of Tadcaster. The church is dedicated to St. John the Evangelist, is a neat modern structure (see Churches for photograph), and of which the Rev. E. H. Brooksbank is vicar, is pleasantly situated upon an eminence. Population 191.

Here was, in the reign of King John, an hermitage in the wood, which afterwards, in 1218, became a convent at regular black canons, established and endowed by Jordan de St. Maria, and Alice, his wife. At the time of the dissolution, here were fourteen canons, who had revenues to the value of £72. 10s. 7d. per annum. This monastery was granted, in 1540, to James Gage, and afterwards came into the possession of Sir Arthur Darcy, knight. It afterwards was part of the possessions of the Lords Wharton, and was the seat of Philip, Lord Wharton, temp. Charles I. --Burton. --Drake.

Leland says, "From Tadcaster to Helagh Pryory is about two mile, by inclosed ground. One Geffrey Haget, a nobleman, was first founder of it. In this pryory was buried sum of the Depedales and Stapletons, gentlemen; of whom, one Sir Bryan Stapleton, a valiant Knight, is much spoken of. Geffrey Haget was owner of Helagh Lordship, and besides a great owner in the Ainsty. From Helagh pryory, scant a mile to Helagh village, I saw great ruins of an ancient manor of stone, with a fair wooded park thereby, that belonged to the Earl of Northumberland. It was as far as I can perceive, sumtyme the Haget's land."

This village is the property of B. Brooksbank, Esq. excepting one tenement and a few acres of land. It is beautifully laid out, with gardens in front of all the houses, and a good carriage road runs through the centre, which leads from Wetherby to York."

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"HEALAUGH HALL, the seat of Benjamin Brooksbank, Esq. in the township and parish of Healaugh; 1 mile from Tadcaster, 6 from Wetherby, 10 from York."

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"HEALAUGH MANOR, a farm house in the township and parish of Healaugh; 2 miles from Tadcaster."