KIKKHAM, 363 



Trinity. The occasion of which is said to be as 

 follows. 



Sir Walter Espec, knight, by Adelina, had only 

 one son, called also Walter, who took great delight 

 in riding swift horses ; but galloping one day to- 

 wards Frithby, near Kirkham, his horse fell near a 

 stone cross, and the young man died instantly The 

 inconsolable father scarce knowing whom to make 

 his heir, and being desirous to devote part of his 

 estate for the service ot God, consulted William his 

 uncle, then rector of Garton, who advised him to 

 found a monastery at Kirkham, which he did ; and 

 endowed it with seven churches, the profits of which, 

 together with the rents and other possessions, in 

 Yorkshire and Northumberland, amounted to 1100 

 marks. 



This house was situated in a beautiful and delight- 

 ful vale on the east side of the river Dei went, about 

 two or three miles south-east from Whitwell, and 

 about six miles from Malton There are yet some 

 remains of this once noble and magnificent structure. 

 The nothern part of the gate is yet to be seen ; the 

 remains of the cellars on the south, and a small 

 part of the church ; but all in a ruinous state. 



This priory was surrendered on Dec. 8, 1539 

 30 Henry VIII., by John de Kildwick prior, and 

 seventeen canons, and was valued in 26 Henry 

 VIII., at 300. 15s. 6d. according to Speed; at 

 269. 5s. 9d, by Dugdale : and was granted in 32 

 Henry VIII., to Sir Henry Knevet, Kt., and Ann 

 his wife; but 3 Edward VI., the earl of Rutland 

 held it de rege in capite per servic militar, to whom 



