THE FORMER TIMES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3014, 7 November 1891, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE FORMER TIMES.

Neably sixty years ago I came across an old history of the ancient town of Halifax, in the west riding of Yorkshire—l suppose the parent of all other existing Halifaxs. In jthat book I read a story relating to events which occurred in the neighbourhood of Halifax a long time ago. These occurrences took place in the reign of Edward the third—one of the most vigourous and kingly of the splendid Plantagenet race. Not having re-read this story, and considering that it is close on sixty years since I did read it, I have, of course, forgotten many of the details, but the principal events are still in my memory. The story atatts abruptly without any reason for the bloody events which are described in it. It states that Sir John Elland, of Elland in the neighbourhood of Halifax, started from Elland early one night with a number of his retainers, and arousing one of the nearest neighbouring-landed proprietors from his slumbers—-Quarmby, of Quarmby— mur* dered him, I think, by cutting off his head. From Quarmby the cavalcade proceeded to Lockwood, and arousing Lockwood, of Lockwood, from hie slumbers, served him in the same manner as they had served Quarmby. Proceeding still a few miles further they came to Croseland, and aroused the Beaumonta of Crossland from their alumbcrs, and cut off the parent Beaumont's head. Having by this time done a very good night'i work, and getting rather hungry, Sir John ordered Madame Beaumont to provide refreshments for her visitors. The refreshments being provided, Sir John set the older Beaumont's head on the table aR a centre piece, and invited Madame Beaumont and her two sons to join in the cheerful repast.

It does not appear that Sir John Elland was ever called to any account for this bloody night's work. Having previously been a great man, he became still greater from having coveted and successfully taken possession of his neighbours' goods. Quarmby left a son at that time, a boy; Lock wood left n son, also a boy ; Beaumont left two sons, atao boys. These boys found homes with friends and relatives in Cumberland. They were reared in the practices and exercises of that warlike time. The ono idea that possessed these boys was revenge. In due time they grow to men's estate, and accomplished in all warlike exercises. The first victim for the purposes of revenge was old Sir John Elland. Sir John, at that time, was a sheriff of some description. In that capacity he had been holding a court of some kiud at either Raatry or Brighouse, I forget which, when the young men purposely waylaid him at night oa his return to Elland, and;murdered him. Sir John left a son and grandson. The son * middle-aged man, the grandson, a boy of twelve or thirteen years. The son, I think, was Sir John too, although there were no baronetcies in those days. The avenger/ of blood rested for a short time from their labours, and then proceeded to their work of the slaughter of the remaining Ellands. A shallow stream runs down the Elland valley. The Elland church stood on one side of the stream, Sir John EUand's fortress or residence ou the other side. To reach the church Sir John had to cross the stream ou stepping stones. At a distance of what appeared to me a long bow-shot from the stepping stones, was a mill. Early one Sunday morning the young avengers took possession of the mill. They made prisoners of the miller and his wife so that they should raise no alarm. Notwithstanding the distance of the stepping stones they were sure of their prey, if they should attempt to cross the stream. The English bowman was always victorious in every battle of those days. It was in the reign of Edward 111. that two of the most marvellous victories that the annals of warfare have ever recorded were achieved by the English archers—Cressy and Poitiers. At the hour of church going, Sir John and his son came to croes the stream. As they stepped along the stones the avengers appeared at the door of the mill. Two bows were bent, the arrows flew and the boy fell dead. The arrow which struck Sir John appeared to have no effect, whereat one of the avengers reproached hie brother archer. They soon became aware that Sir John, who lived in constant terror of them, had armour beneath his outer garments. They sought the joints of his harness, and although not killed on the spot, he was mortally wounded. The young men soon had the villagers of Elland upon them, and during their retreat one of them was slain in a forest near the place. They appear to have been hunted about the country as malefactors deserving of death, and at short intervals of time other two of the band fell. The last survivor was a Beaumont of Crossland. He escaped to the continent and died as a soldier of fortune in Hungary. By this bloody fued four of what would now be called County families, were exterminated.

Perhaps the elder Sir John had acquired his prediliction (or cutting off heads by hie proximity to the Maiden at Halifax. This celebrated predecessor of the guillotine had a terrorising effeot in the West Riding. Every person who stole anything above the value of ninepence in the parish of Halifax was liable to have his head chopped off by the Maiden.' Halifax parish was large, I have heard it said larger than the county of Rutland. In olden times it had its own criminal jurisdiction, with the privilege of shortening people by the help of the Maiden. The thieves' prayer in York« shire was " From Hull Hell and Halifax, Oood Lord deliver us. The Maiden was the terror id Halifax, and although I know Hull much better than Halifax or the other place, I have not the slightest idea what the terror in Hull was. I have told my tale. If anyone can correct anything in it, er add aught of interest to it, I shall be glad. I will now add the usual termination to the superscription at the head of this narratire. " The former times were better than these." What think you ?