The Evolution of an English 
Town 
 
Project Gutenberg's The Evolution Of An English Town, by Gordon 
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Title: The Evolution Of An English Town 
Author: Gordon Home 
Release Date: February 14, 2005 [EBook #15053] 
Language: English 
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE 
EVOLUTION OF AN ENGLISH TOWN *** 
 
Produced by Ted Garvin, Andy Schmitt and the PG Online Distributed 
Proofreading Team. 
 
THE EVOLUTION OF AN ENGLISH TOWN 
Being the story of the ancient town of PICKERING in Yorkshire from 
Prehistoric times up to the year of our Lord Nineteen Hundred & 5 
BY GORDON HOME 
 
TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR GENEROUS HELP 
IN THE COMPILATION OF THIS BOOK
PREFACE 
The original suggestion that I should undertake this task came from the 
Vicar of Pickering, and it is due to his co-operation and to the great 
help received from Dr John L. Kirk that this history has attained its 
present form. But beyond this I have had most valuable assistance from 
so many people in Pickering and the villages round about, that to 
mention them all would almost entail reprinting the local directory. I 
would therefore ask all those people who so kindly put themselves to 
great trouble and who gave up much time in order to help me, to 
consider that they have contributed very materially towards the 
compilation of this record. 
Beyond those who live in the neighbourhood of Pickering, I am 
particularly indebted to Mr Richard Blakeborough for his kind help and 
the use of his invaluable collection of Yorkshire folklore. Mr 
Blakeborough was keen on collecting the old stories of hobs, wraithes 
and witches just long enough ago to be able to tap the memories of 
many old people who are no longer with us, and thus his collection is 
now of great value. Nearly all the folklore stories I am able to give, are 
those saved from oblivion in this way. 
I have also had much help from Mr J. Romilly Allen and from Mr T.M. 
Fallow of Coatham, who very generously gave his aid in deciphering 
some of the older records of Pickering. 
To Professor Percy F. Kendall who so kindly gave me permission to 
reproduce his map showing the Vale of Pickering during the Glacial 
Epoch, as well as other valuable help, I am also greatly indebted; and I 
have to thank Professor W. Boyd Dawkins for his kindness in reading 
some of the proofs, and for giving valuable suggestions. 
GORDON HOME. 
EPSOM, _May 1905_. 
 
CONTENTS 
PREFACE. 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
INTRODUCTION 
 
CHAPTER I
CONCERNING THOSE WHICH FOLLOW 
 
CHAPTER II 
THE FOREST AND VALE OF PICKERING IN PALÆOLITHIC 
AND PRE-GLACIAL TIMES 
 
CHAPTER III 
THE VALE OF PICKERING IN THE LESSER ICE AGE 
 
CHAPTER IV 
THE EARLY INHABITANTS OF THE FOREST AND VALE OF 
PICKERING 
 
CHAPTER V 
HOW THE ROMAN OCCUPATION OF BRITAIN AFFECTED THE 
FOREST AND VALE OF PICKERING, B.C. 55 TO A.D. 418 
 
CHAPTER VI 
THE FOREST AND VALE IN SAXON TIMES, A.D. 418 TO 1066 
 
CHAPTER VII 
THE FOREST AND VALE IN NORMAN TIMES, A.D. 1066 TO 
1154 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
THE FOREST AND VALE IN THE TIME OF THE 
PLANTAGENETS, A.D. 1154 TO 1485 
 
CHAPTER IX
THE FOREST AND VALE IN TUDOR TIMES, A.D. 1485 TO 1603 
 
CHAPTER X 
THE FOREST AND VALE IN STUART TIMES, A.D. 1603 TO 1714 
 
CHAPTER XI 
THE FOREST AND VALE IN GEORGIAN TIMES, A.D. 1714 TO 
1837 
 
CHAPTER XII 
THE FOREST AND VALE FROM EARLY VICTORIAN TIMES UP 
TO THE PRESENT DAY, A.D. 1837 TO 1905 
 
CHAPTER XIII 
Concerning the Villages and Scenery of the Forest and Vale of 
Pickering 
 
CHAPTER XIV 
Concerning the Zoology of the Forest and Vale 
* * * * * 
Books of Reference 
List of the Vicars of Pickering 
Index 
THE PURPOSE OF THE FOOTNOTES 
Having always considered footnotes an objectionable feature, I have 
resorted to them solely for reference purposes. Therefore, the reader 
who does not wish to look up my authorities need not take the slightest 
notice of the references to the footnotes, which in no case contain 
additional facts, but merely indications of the sources of information. 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
Pickering Church from Hall Garth (_Coloured_)
Pickering From The North-West 
Rosamund Tower, Pickering Castle 
Kirkdale Cave 
Hyænas' Jaws 
Elephants' Teeth 
Bear's Tusk 
Pickering Lake in Ice Age 
Newtondale in Ice Age 
Pickering Lake, Eastern End 
Scamridge Dykes 
Pre-Historic Weapons 
Leaf-shaped Arrow Head 
Lake Dwellings Relics 
Remains of Pre-Historic Animals from Lake Dwellings    
    
		
	
	
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