PICKERING." 297 



at the other extremity of the cross wall : this might 

 have been demolished by the parliament forces in 

 the civil wars ; who made a large breach in the 

 walls on the west side of the fortress. After the 

 castle was taken, great quantities of parchment, 

 several of which had gilt letters on them, were 

 scattered about the street called Castle-gate, and 

 picked up by the children, who were attracted by 

 the glittering leaves. Part of the ground within, 

 the castle enclosure was in 1771 converted into a 

 garden. 



The following is a curious paper containing the 

 pedigree of Sir George Fothergill, once lord of 

 Pickering ; and if the castle was not built by Wil- 

 liam llufus, or Henry I., it might have been erect- 

 ed by this family. The original paper is in the 

 possession of Mr Thomas Bointon, solicitor, Pick- 

 ering. 



" The pedigree of Sir George Fothergill of Ross ; 

 endale, or Ravensdale, a norman born, and general 

 to duke William, as in the records of the tower it is 

 recorded. 



" Duke William, the Conqueror, at his first 

 coming, found some counties which for 7 or 8 years 

 withstood him, as did the city of York, and all the 

 north riding of Yorkshire ; so that by no means he 

 could conquer the city of York. Whereupon the 

 king himself upon St. Thomas day laid seige to the 

 city of York, yet he could by no means or policy 

 conquer it ; and coming to a town 2 miles from 

 York, called Skelton, the same St. Thomas day, the 

 king met with two friars at Skelton aforesaid, and 



