THE PUBLICATIONS OF THE THORESBY SOCIETY. (ESTABLISHED IN THE YEAR MDCCCLXXXIX.) VOLUME XV. MISCELLANEA CONSISTING OF PARTS PUBLISHED IN 1908, 1906, AND 1909. LEEDS: 1909. PREFACE. THE Council of the Thoresby Society have pleasure in presenting to the Members the fifth volume of the "Miscellanea," and the fifteenth of the publications of the Society, consisting of parts issued for 1905, 1906, and 1909. The compilation of the papers which compose the present volume has entailed much hard work and research on the part of the various contributors, and the results as here embodied merit the ungrudging thanks of the Council and Members of the Society. The first paper, on the Leeds Dukedom (supplemented by a further note and portrait near the end of the volume), finally sets at rest a question of very considerable local interest, and it will, we think, be difficult for any future historian to refute the conclusions here arrived at. The paper on Hooton Pagnell and its Market Cross is the substance of a little address given by Professor E. C. Clark on the occasion of a most enjoyable excursion to Hooton, when the Society was the recipient of the kindly hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Warde-Aldam, and listened to an interesting account of the Hall by Mr. Bernard Wilson. The Ven. Archdeacon Armstrong Hall contributes two papers, both relating to Methley, on Dr. Timothy Bright and on the Waterton family; and local family history is still further enriched by Canon Beanlands' paper on the (now extinct) Swillington family, and by that of Mr. Lumb on the family of Denison of Leeds. The former will appeal to genealogists, not only by its matter, but by reason of a novel method of recording pedigrees which it contains; and the illustrations with which the latter paper is "embellished" (to use the classical term in this connection) will no doubt be appreciated by Leeds people. In his article on "Leeds in Prehistoric Times," Mr. Kitson Clark strikes out a novel line, and attempts to develop from the configuration and the characteristics of the country a scheme of the earliest occupation of the district. The excellent map which accompanies the paper has been printed in colours specially chosen on account of their suitability for purposes of photographic reproduction. Finally, in the history of Horsforth we see the carefully arranged and clearly reasoned results of diligent research by one whom the Society can justly claim as an expert; and the list is completed by one or two papers which, though short, are of great local interest, and by further instalments of Lay Subsidies, Musters, &c. It is confidently hoped that the volume as a whole will be found not inferior in interest to any of its predecessors. B. P. S. |