Spen Valley, Past and Present (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1893. Excerpt: ... which for power and magnificence has never been equalled in England. When the head of the great house of Neville fell, his fall shook the whole feudal system in England, which after that event, dragged on but a maimed existence till the era of the Commonwealth, when Cromwell's victorious troopers laid it for ever in the dust. How Sir Robert managed to avoid being led into the whirlpool in which were wrecked so many noble houses is almost inexplicable, especially when we consider how many of his own Chapel at Liversedge Hall, (Front elevation.) kindred were engaged in it and that many of the great events in this bloody contest amongst the aristocracy of England, which cost the lives of more than a hundred thousand of the bravest men in the realm, happened in this locality. Sir John Neville, knight, the son and heir of Sir Robert, married Matilda, daughter of Sir Robert Ryther, of Ryther (who bore arms argent three crescents or). This Sir John Neville, the second of the name, seems to have taken an active part in public affairs, but the times were now more settled. The rival roses of York and Lancaster were firmly entwined at last, and the throne rested on a more stable foundation than it had done for a century or two before. Sir John was twice High Sheriff of Yorkshire in this reign, but nothing else of a special character is recorded respecting him. Dame Maud or Matilda Neville seems to have survived her husband, for we find it recorded in Kirkby's inquest that she directed by will "that Sir Walter Harper preste, should have for his lyfe the profettes of the houce near Rothwell Stele, called Chapman Houce, for the upholding a lamp in Birstal Church over my husband and mee." Of Thomas Neville, the son and heir of Sir John, we know very little. He seems to ...