Forest History Tours

24/02/2025

The demolition of the town centre properties to make way for the 'beautiful' bus station.

23/02/2025

23/02/2025

Dougill Hall. Constructed for the Dougill family in 1722.

Dowgill Farm, once part of the Fountain Abbey Estate, dates back to around 1679.

11/02/2025

"In North Yorkshire they won't see anything quite like it."
Read more: https://bbc.in/3CAOO9B
📸 St. Peter and St. Paul's Church

11/02/2025

The Anglo-Saxons, Lowland Scotch, Normans, Danes, Norwegians, Swedes, Germans, Dutch, Belgians, Lombards, and Franks, have all sprung from that great fountain of the human race, which we have distinguished by the terms Scythian, German, or Gothic.

Don't hate yourself, don't believe the lies - and please consider the possible motivations and intentions behind them.This certainly isn't intended as a 'you...

09/02/2025

09/02/2025

Come and support the Green Hammerton Archaeology Group and hear about the largest ever hoard of Roman alloy vessels found near Knaresborough in 1864

Professor James Gerrard is a leading Roman specialist based at Newcastle University

09/02/2025

West End Holy Trinity Church saved before the demolition 1966.

"I went with a family from our village, I would have been 9 or 10. We walked down a lane over a small bridge and beyond a couple of horse chestnut trees to the church. Us boys ran ahead and went inside and down the aisle, I remember it smelling damp. It was a simple building with a whitewashed interior. I didn't know the valley was about to be flooded at the time but I suppose the group was going to have a last look. I remember a larger ruined building across the bridge and (I suppose naturally given the situation) a strange almost ghost-like atmosphere in the valley. A stillness as if it was quietly awaiting it's fate."

"...I believe the landlord of the Stone House Inn, George Deakin, who I believe was a local parish councillor at the time, had his plans passed for a group of houses below his pub, ostensibly for former West End residents. I think he was also involved in the building of the replacement church." D Mark Thompson.

07/02/2025

Danny Dyer is a descendant of King Edward III of England. And he’s filming at Knaresborough Castle this weekend!

The King is back!

02/02/2025

Trips up to Brimham in "carriages of every description".

02/02/2025

Why not take a walk back in-time along the ancient, beautiful Knaresborough Riverside.

https://www.foresthistorytours.com/knaresborough-riverside-walk

28/01/2025

How to avoid the TikTok doom scroll and discover some absorbing local history instead.

Read our: "Winter History Walks" in and around The Forest of Knaresborough - all from the comfort of your home?

Ten fascinating, extensively researched, up-to date walks on the historic development of The Forest of Knaresborough.

Easy to navigate pages, packed with pictures and stories.

Have a look and see what you think.

https://www.foresthistorytours.com

26/01/2025

One for the diary.

Organisers say the Jorvik Viking Festival will include battles, banquets and a Norseman's sock.

24/01/2025

https://www.foresthistorytours.com/ripley-village-walk

Robert de Ros (died 1227)

The Rosses of Ripley and Ingmanthorpe sprang from the great Barons Ross or Roos of Hamlake, ( Helmsley Castle ) in this country who descent was from one Peter whom in the reign of Henry I assumed his surname from his lordship of Ross, in Holderness. Robert Lord Ross, founded a preceptory of Knights-Templars at Ribstone, in 1224, which, after the suppression of the Order, became part of the possession of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, and was endowed at the dissolution with the yearly revenue of £207 9s. 7d., and the ancient Church, still remaining there, is supposed to have belonged to the Templars.

In October 1213, he served as a witness when King John surrendered England to the authority of the Pope. Subsequently, he was appointed as one of the twelve guarantors responsible for ensuring John upheld his promises. Despite the unrest that unfolded throughout 1214 and into the early months of 1215, he remained steadfastly loyal to the king.

Lord Robert died in the reign of King John, and lies buried on the North side of the communion table in the Church at Kirk Deighton. It is quite possible that this pious man, or some of his immediate descendants, may have erected the ancient but beautiful rood screen, which was brought from the old Sinking Capel, and now standing in Ripley Church, as King John's name is the first of a long list, now almost obliterated, along the cornice.