APPENDIX B. 



The village of Elraswell is about two miles west of Driffield, on the 

 road to Malton and York. The houses are scattered around several 

 springs or wells which form the head of the rivulet which runs past 

 King's Mill, near Driffield, and contributes to form the West Beck or 

 King's river, one of the arms of the river HiilL* The village was for- 

 merly embosomed in lofty elms, from which, and from its springs or 

 wells (German queUen), it derives its name. It is thus mentioned in 

 Domesday Book : — In Helmeswelle Norman had 10 carucates of land 

 to be taxed. Land to 5 ploughs. The same has it and it is waste. 

 One mile long and half broad. In another part of the same ancient 

 record the village is called " Elmesuuelle," and is stated to be one of 

 the four berewicks to Driffield. At present, Elmswell consists of four 

 farms and several cottages; and, with Kellythorp, which was, in 

 Domesday Book, another of the four berewicks of Driffield, forms a 

 township. It was given by King William Rufus to the Monastery of 

 the Blessed Virgin Mary, near the walls of the City of York. 



At the Dissolution of the Monasteries of England this manor came 

 to the crown, together with the other possessions of that wealthy 



* ** The Hulne (saith he, Leland) riseth of three severall heads, -whereof the 

 greatest is not far from Driefield, now a small -vallage sisteene miles from HuU. 

 Certos it hath been a goodlie towne, and thei-ein was the palace of Egbright King of 

 the Northumbers, and place of sepulture of Alfred the noble king sometime of that 

 nation, who died there 727, the nineteene Cal. of Julie, the twentith of his reign, 

 and whose toombe or monument dooth yet remaine (for ought that I doo know to 

 the contrarie), with an inscription upon the same ^T^itten in Latine letters. Xeere 

 imto this towne also is the Danefield, whereia great numbers of Danes were slaine, 

 and buried in those hils, which yet remaine there to be scene over their bones and 

 carcasses. The second head (saith he) is at Estbume, and the third at EmmesweU, 

 and meeting aU togither not farre from Drifleld, the water there beginneth to be 

 called Hulne, as I have said alreadie." 



" The next of all is the Hull water, which I will describe also here, and then 

 crosse over unto the southerHe shore. The fiu'thest head of HuU water riseth at 

 Kilham, from whence it goeth to Lewthoip creeke, and soe to Frodingham, a little 

 beneath which it meeteth with simdrie waters, whereof one falleth in on the north- 

 est side, cumming from about Lisset ; the second on the north-west bank from Naf- 

 ferton ; the third from EmmesweU and Kirkebume : for it hath two heads which 

 joined beneth Little Driffield, and the fourth which faUeth into the same ; so that 

 these two latter run into the maine river both in one chaneU, as experience hath 

 confirmed." Harrison — contemporary with Holinshed. Holinshed's Chronicles 

 ed. 1807, 4to. vol. I., p. 156. 



" besides, the neighbouring towns, 

 Upon the verge thereof, to part her and the Doims, 

 HuU do^v^^ to Humber hastes, and takes into her bank 

 Some less but lively riUs."— Dravton Polv-Olbion. 



