*i PREFACE. 



sketch of the ancient and modern history of Kirk- 

 by Moorside, a totvn of some importance in the 

 immediate vicinity of the Kirkdale cave ; next I 

 was further induced to give sketches of the most 

 important places in the neighbourhood, especially 

 those in the wapentake of Rydale ; and lastly to 

 notice the castles, monasteries, antiquities, Sfc. 

 Thus my plans became enlarged, my materials ac- 

 cumulated, until a pamphlet of moderate size has 

 swelled to a thick volume, and the public hare the 

 Historia Rieiallensis, submitted to their candour. 

 To render the work more amusing and instruc- 

 tive, I have given a general introductory History 

 of the district, with Camden's remarks on Rydale ; 

 annexed observations on the rise, progress, and 

 dissolution of the Monasteries and Castles ,- ex- 

 plained many of the ancient and obscure terms ; 

 relieved the dull genealogical details and dry pe- 

 digrees of families, by Biographical anecdotes ; 

 interspersed the whole with Poetical Extracts, 

 where they could be appropriately introduced, and 

 embellished the work with many interesting en- 

 gravings, three of which are from paintings of that 

 distinguished artist, John Jackson, Esq. R. A., 

 London ; lastly I have given, at the close, a 

 few Biographical sketches of some of t^e illustri- 

 ous personages connected with the district. 



But though the work has been thus extended to 

 nearly 500 pages, yet the materials I have amassed f 

 would have furnished matter for more ample de- 

 tails : fearing however, that I should trespass too 

 far upon the kind indulgence of my subscribers, I 

 have confined myself to brief slietches of some of the 



