vi Preface. 



But I have a further reason to assign for the present venture. 

 A residence of nearly seventeen years has endeared me to the 

 district (all the pleasanter for its rugged character) and its people ; 

 and should my efforts afford pleasure to the dwellers within the 

 boundaries of the Ancient Forest, I shall be, in some measure, 

 repaying the debt due for kindnesses received, and which I can 

 neither enumerate nor forget. 



I have another and final plea to urge— the desire of personal 

 gratification. The enjoyment associated with the preparation of 

 any History, however limited in its range, or humble in its preten- 

 sions, is only such as can be fully appreciated by those who 

 undertake the pleasing labour. In following such pursuits we live 

 a double life ; for, whilst enjoying the intercourse of present friends, 

 we delight ourselves in the society of those who have long since 

 passed away. 



A Work of this character, to be moderately complete, must 

 necessarily glean its material from every available source. I have 

 spared neither pains nor expense in the. search for authorities. Dr. 

 Whitaker's "History of the Parish of Whalley," of which this 

 district forms a part, contains many interesting particulars relating 

 to Rossendale and the neighbourhood ; and I have freely dipped 

 into the pages of that comprehensive work. In the "History of 

 the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster," by Edward Baines, 

 Esq., are also some references to this locality, and of the informa- 

 tion therein contained I have occasionally availed myself. The 

 elaborate papers "On the Battle of Brunanburh, and the probable 

 Locality of the Conflict," by T. T. Wilkinson, Esq., F.R.A.S. of 

 Burnley, read before the Historic Society of Lancashire and 

 Cheshire, and published in the Society's Transactions, are replete 

 with information of a Local character, and have enabled me to 

 supply a chapter connecting the district with the events of the most 

 important period in Saxon History. 



In the early stages of the Work I received valuable assistance 

 from documents kindly placed at my service by the late Miss 



