With the York Packs 281 



At the present time, when such great interest has 

 been renewed in the doings and writings of the Bronte 

 family, it may be interesting to note that Mr. Eobinson 

 was the pupil of Bramwell Bronte in 1845, when the 

 latter was the tutor at Thorpe Green, where his sister 

 Anne was also governess. Thorpe Green was in ancient 

 times the halfway house of the Abbots of Fountains, 

 between Eipon and York, and was also their hunting box. 

 The original house — still inhabited — is in statu quo, with 

 the extremely ornamental lead patterns in the glass 

 windows, and the picturesque quaint gables and chimneys 

 that carry one back to the mediaeval times. In the 

 courtyard close by is still the ancient " piscarium " for 

 holding the fish required for the Abbot's dinner. In the 

 Carta Fountainis is an ancient lease, of which the follow- 

 ing is an extract. It was granted by the Abbot of 

 Fountains to Francis and Peter Mann, of the Manor of 

 Thorpe Underwoods, on October 29 th, in the sixteenth 

 year of the reign of King Henry VIII. : — 



"... Further, it is agreed that the said Francis Mann, 

 and Peter Mann, his son, or one of them, shall take and deliver 

 to the said Abbot and convent, their successors or deputies, 

 such pidgeons as shall fortune hereafter to be taken at 

 every flight within the said Manor and Lordship of Thorpe 

 Underwood. Further, it is agreed that the said Francis 

 Mann, and Peter Mann, his son, and either of them shall 

 oversee, and keep as well such wild boares, deere, heron- 

 sowes, howle-ordes, and peasantes, partridges, as other 

 fowles and beastes of warranty, breeding within the said 

 Manor and Lordship, to the use and profit of the said 

 Abbot and convent and their successors, so that the said 

 Francis Mann, and Peter Mann, his son, shall not suffer 



