(FROM A BOOK BY CYRIL T OXLEY)

PAGE SIX OF TEN

"BELIEVE IT OR NOT"

In what historic building did hundreds of Jews die in tragic circumstances?

In Clifford's Tower, York in 1190. A large number of the Jewish community, seeking refuge from an incensed mob led by frantics, barricaded themselves in the tower, and fearing a treacherous plot refused the governor admission. The result was an assault upon the place by force of arms, and the mob, taking advantage, seized the opportunity and took the law into their own hands. The Jews, terrified and driven to a final extremity, cut the throats of their wives and children, then killed themselves.

What is Leeming Lane?

It is part of the great northern highway and a section of the old Roman road known as Watling Street which runs northwards from York. Leeming Lane, which covers twenty-six miles from Boroughbridge to Scotch Corner, is practically a straight line and almost completely level. It is one of the finest stretches of road in the country, has many old inns dating back to the heyday of coaching and was in past times the haunt of highwaymen and footpads.

Who was Joe Rogue?

A miser who died in 1790 at Rigton, near Otley. His real name was Joseph Holmes and he died worth £550, a considerable sum in those times. Holmes boasted that he had never done a day's work in his life nor never spent a single farthing on food and clothing, succeeding in begging all the necessities of existence.

In what Yorkshire city did the plague infect the locality so severely as to cause birds to fall from the air?

In Leeds in 1644. Dr Whitaker wrote: " The air in June when the greatest number died, was very warm, and so infectious that dogs and cats, mice and rats died, also several birds in flight over the town dropped down dead." In that year 1,335 persons died of plague.

What and where is Nevison's Leap?

It is a deep chasm through which now runs a modern highway on the outskirts of Pontefract. Nevison, the Yorkshire highwayman, when hotly pursued by constables, put his mount to the jump and made a desperate but successful escape. He thus eluded his would-be captors who in fear turned back. The spot has borne his name ever since.

Where did a thunderstorm coat candle-snuffers with gold?

At Harewood in 1787 and due to the extraordinary effect of lightning. Scratchard wrote of the affairs that follows: "A very worthy person, one George Fawcett, a hatter of Birstall, whom I well knew, especially as an excellent singer, happened to call at Harewood for payment of a bill when a thunderstorm came on. A number of sovereigns were laid, with notes, upon a table, when an awful flash alarmed the reckoners and caused them to retire. Upon re-approaching the money it was discovered that a guinea or a sovereign was gone, and it occasioned some explanation, Fawcett denying that he had touched the cash, and his customer averring that he had counted it out and left it. The former, I believe, with his usual generosity, good temper and forbearance, gave up the point, and the other had no qualm of conscience for, on reaching down the candle-snuffers, the same evening, which hung upon a nail, the good housewife discovered them to be almost as finely gilded as though working a goldsmith had done the job. These snuffers are, I understand, still shown at Harewood. An equal astonishment was once excited at Horsforth but I forget the particulars."

Who was the hangman who became a rigid opponent of capital punishment?

James Berry, who lived in Bradford and who carried out 130 executions in the period 1884-1892. He described himself as "Executioner of England." Berry made efforts to make the hanging of criminals a more speedy and humane affair, and which was written about in "The Reluctant Hangman" by Justin Atholl. In spite of the hardening effect of his office, Berry, upon retiring, embarked upon a campaign which urged the abolition of hanging, and gave many lectures upon the subject. He also became a fervent Methodist. His neighbours, however, did not relish his presence, and one by one vacated the row of houses, one of which was occupied by Berry. The latter solved the problem by buying the lot and letting them to new tenants.

Where is a house believed to have been given as a reward for murder?

"Broadgates," Barnard Castle, an interesting old Tudor building on the hill and dating from about 1483, though the kitchen, dining hall and dungeon are much older. The house is believe to have been a gift from Richard III to one of the murderers of the Princes in the tower. The cellars are 80 feet below ground, the dungeon being hewn out of solid rock and which once contained a torture chamber. Until recently, "Broadgates" was a museum and housed a fine collection of furniture of the Elizabethan and Stuart periods. After Marston Moor, Cromwell, on his way to Richmond, spent a night there.

Who was the Yorkshireman described as "the morning star of the reformation"?

John Wycliffe, the great reformer, who was born at Hipswell near Richmond and who became a leader of the religious sect known as Lollards. Wycliffe did much to carry his message to lowly and simple folk; he was a man of deep faith, great courage and character, and was unswerving in his opposition of the Papacy. Fuller wrote of Wycliffe : " His enemies thought that by burning his bones and scattering them in the swift, they should destroy his name and doctrine. But no! The swift carried them into the Avon, the Avon into the Severn, the Severn into the ocean and the ocean round the world." Wycliffe died in 1384, struck down with Palsy whilst preaching. His remains suffered the indignity of exhumation thirteen years later and were scattered upon a dunghill.

Where was the first mental hospital founded for the humane treatment of the criminally insane?

At York in the eighteenth century by William Tuke, a Quaker, and out of compassion for the mentally impaired who were brutally treated in this day. Tuke founded the Retreat with the aid of other friends, and which made such an impression that in 1815 the government were moved to appoint a committee to enquire into the conduct of madhouses.

What great cathedral was set on fire by a lunatic?

The minster at York was fired in 1829 by Jonathon Martin, a native of Hexham. Martin, who hated the form and ritual of the established church, laboured under a delusion and believed himself divinely appointed to burn down the minster. Damage to the extent of £70,000 was done and several fire engines were necessary to bring the conflagration under control. A reward of £100 was offered for the name of the culprit, who was finally apprehended and found to be insane. Martin had previously threatened to shoot the Bishop of Oxford.

Who was the Swaledale doctor who spent his life striving for the welfare of mankind?

Doctor John Fothergill, a Quaker. The doctor threw his energies into such causes as the anti-slavery movement, prison reform, cleaner air, and advocated vaccination to prevent smallpox. Fothergill campaigned for peace during the war of independence and did much to found medical schools in America. He was a famous botanist and a great student and healer. He bought an old Ackworth hospital and with the great help of other friends found the Ackworth friends' school. During his life the doctor gave away considerable sums in support of healthy and humane causes and possessed but a modest fortune at the end of his life.

Where is the house on the rock?

At Knaresborough and which was built by Sir Thomas Hill in 1770. Sixteen years were spent in the construction of this unusual house which is hewn out of solid rock on the cliff face, the material removed being used for the construction of the frontage. Fort Montague, by which name it is known, has stood for two centuries in what appears to be a precarious position, but without serious mishap. Thousands of visitors and tourists visit the place each year.

What and where is Wainright's Folly?

A tower situated on Skircoat Green, Halifax. It was built by the owner of the dye works who chose the elevated site in order to obtain a strong draught for the fires. However, as a result of a disagreement with the owner of the land, Wainwright did not complete the work, and placed on the summit of the chimney a decorative pediment, intending the structure to mock and annoy the landowner and overlook the estate. The chimney's height is 240 feet and its cost was £2,000.

Where is Shandy Hall?

At Coxwold in the Hambledon Hills. Laurence Sterne, who was an incumbent of Coxwold, lived here during the eighteenth century and where he wrote "Tristam Shandy" and "The Sentimental Journey." Shandy Hall, a fine example of Tudor architecture, is set in delightful old-world surroundings.

Where is the effigy of an archbishop with a stolen fiddle?

The effigy is in the crypt of York Minster and that is of Archbishop Blackburne (1658-1743). He is supposed to have had a rather exciting and romantic career as a young man and Horace Walpole wrote of him : "The jolly old Archbishop of York had all the manners of a man of quality though he had been a buccaneer, and was a clergyman, though he retained nothing of his first profession except his seraglio." Blackburne, whose name, according to the story told of him, was Ruggins, ran away from Cambridge when a young man with a stolen fiddle and played his way to London. After many adventures he became a pirate in the West Indes, but later entered the church and was finally enthroned as Archbishop of York. Here his conscience pricked him and caused him to return the fiddle to its rightful owner in a beautiful case.

Where did Oliver Cromwell sit all night under the pistols of a woman?

At Ripley Castle after Marston Moor. Cromwell was an unwanted guest and intruder, and Lady Ingilby, whose Royalist husband was absent with the Kings forces, had the deepest hatred and mistrust for the parliamentary general. With a brace of pistols in her apron-strings her Ladyship sat out the night at one end of a long refrectory table whilst her husbands enemy sat at the other.

What Yorkshire industry brought forth a curse from the Pope?

The alum industry, started at Guisborough by Sir Thomas Chaloner in the late sixteenth century. Sir Thomas, during a visit to Italy, became interested in the production of alum and decided to found a similar works on his estate in Yorkshire. The production of alum was at the time an Italian monopoly, and in addition to setting up as a rival, Sir Thomas had persuaded a number of the Popes skilled workmen to came to Yorkshire. The result was a curse from his holiness on Sir Thomas and all his works.

Who was the oldest Yorkshireman?

So far as it is known, the oldest Yorkshireman, and in all probability the oldest Englishman on record was Henry Jenkins, who claimed to have been born at Borton on Swale in 1501, and who died in 1670. Born in humble circumstances, Jenkins earned a living as a labourer and fisherman, and according to himself enjoyed good health all his life. Though births were not registered in his time, Jenkins lived to a great age, several very old men and women speaking of him as being an age man in the days of their childhood. An obelisk was raised to his memory in the churchyard at Bolton in 1743.

Where did the theft of dripping result in a serious public disturbance?

At Leeds in February 1865. A woman, having stole a small quantity of dripping from her employer, was charged with the theft and imprisoned. As a result, popular feeling ran riot and a large crowd of incensed citizens collected outside the goal and demanded her release. So great did the gathering become and so ugly was the mood of the sympathisers that the city authorities became seriously alarmed. Additional police were sent from Bradford and a strong body of cavalry from York. Charges were made against the demonstrators and which resulted in one man being trampled to death and many injured, including the chief constable.