his left hand, and a wool-conth in the right. Over his white shirt, two broad black belts of jersey are crossed, which considerably add to the singular appearance of this character. The bri his attendants are dressed in white, with sashes, scarfs, and high caps, all made of wool, and wands. Blaze suffered martyrdom, by decapitation, in the year 289, after being cruelly whipped with scourges, and his flesh lacerated with iron combs (whence his symbol). The woolcombers call Bishop Blaze their patron Saint; and they attribute to him, erroneously, the invention of their useful art. a characteristic flag, on which is paint ed the arms; and the Follower carries a symbol of the respective trade. The ancient dresses of the attendants are also highly deserving of attention. The loyal independent order of Odddle is held on each side by a page; and Fellows, and the Benefit Societies, attended by their followers and flags, are next observed. Then follow the Woolcombers' Company, attired in large jersey wigs and habits, dyed of different colours, and a singular woollen flag, which add considerably to the novelty of the scene. After the Master and Follower, is a beautiful boy and girl, representing a shepherd and shepherdess, holding crooks, sitting under a spacious arbour composed of boughs and flowers, erected on a carriage drawn by horses; the boy carrying a dog, and the girl, elegantly dressed, carrying a lamb upon her lap, and holding a bouquet of flowers, made of wool. Until lately they were accustomed to ride separately on horses, with the above attributes. We then notice Jason, with a golden fleece in his left hand, and a drawn sword in his right, as the champion and protector of the Fleece. The last prominent figure in the Procession is the venerable Bishop Blaze, with his black mitre of wool, and lawn sleeves, carrying a Bible in It only remains for us to remark, that this popular Procession is unequalled for its novelty and variety. Worcester, Chester, and other towns, have occasionally public exhibitions, but they are generally on a confined scale, and by no means possess those splendid attractions which are to be seen in the Grand Procession at Coventry. We therefore anxiously trust that this ancient Pageant will ever meet with public encouragement, and that it may descend to future generations with the same degree of splendour in which it is exhibited at the present day. Yours, &c. W. READER. COMPENDIUM OF COUNTY HISTORY.-YORKSHIRE. Boundaries, North, Hertford and Derwent: East, German Ocean: South, Greatest length 55; greatest breadth 33; circ. 175; square 1040. Circuit Northern. ANTIENT STATE AND REMAINS. British Inhabitants, Parisi. Roman Province, Maxima Cæsariensis. Stations, Petuaria, Brough; Delgovitia, Londesburgh: Præsidium, Ravenspurne (a town long since swallowed up by the sea): Ocellum Promontorium, Spurnhead; Derventio, Stanford bridge or Aldby. Saxon Octarchy, Deira. Antiquities. Roman Encampments at Swine. Saxon Temple, Goodmanham (on the site of the Church). Danish Earthwork, Dane's Dike near Hamborough. Roman Enc. at Hemborough. Abbey of Meux or Melsa (founded in 1150 by W. le Gros, Earl of Albemarle, and Lord of Holderness). Priories of Beverley (founded by St. John de Beverly, Abp. of York); Bridlington (founded by 2 Walter de Gaunt, temp. Henry I.); Burstall (founded in 1115 by Stephen Earl of Albemarle); Cottingham (founded in 1322 by Thomas Lord Wake of Lyddel); Ellerton (founded by William Fitz-Peter about 1221); North -Ferriby (founded in 1200 by Lord Eustace Broomfleet de Vesci); Haltemprice (founded about 1324 by Thomas Lord Wake of Lyddel, removed from Cottingham); Hull (founded in 1378 by Sir Michael de la Pole, having been begun by his father Sir William); Kirkham (founded in 1121-2 by Sir Walter D'Espec and his wife Adeline); Nunkeeling (founded by Agnes de Arches, temp. Stephen); and Warter (founded in 1132 by Geoffrey FitzPain). Nunneries of Nunburnholme (founded by Roger de Morlay, lord of the barony of Morpeth); Swine (founded by Robert de Verli, temp. Stephen); Thickett (founded temp. Richard I. by Roger Fitz-Roger); Watton (founded ante 686), and another (founded in 1150 by Eustace Fitz John); Wilberfoss (founded in 1153 by Helias de Catton); Yeddingham (founded ante 1168 by Roger le Clerc). Churches of Aldborough (a mixture of the Norman and early pointed styles); Flamborough; Goodmanham (exquisite specimen of Anglo-Saxon); Great Driffield (part Norman); Hemingborough (with a beautiful spire); Howden (beautiful chapter-house); North Newbald (some exquisite remains of Saxon architecture); Swine. Chapels of Dunnington (some of the foundations remain); Great Hatfield (wholly dilapidated); Holme-on-Spalding Moor (erected before the fourteenth century); and Skirlaugh (one of the most perfect minor specimens of parochial architecture in the kingdom, erected in the fourteenth century). Fonts at Everingham (Saxon, removed from the church); Goodmanham (in which Coifi was baptized). Castles of Aldborough (belonged to the Saxon nobleman Ulf, and subsequently to Wm. le Gros, Earl of Albemarle, 1138); Aughton; Cave; Cottingham (fortified about 1202); Flamborough; Hull (erected in 1378 by the Mayor, &c.), another (built by Henry VIII.); Hunmanby; Leckonfield; Skipsea (built by Drogo de Bruerer, a Fleming, first Lord of Holderness); Wressle (built by Thomas Percy, Earl of Worcester, temp. Ric. II.) Mansions. Barmston Hall (used as a farm-house); Garton Blue-hall (converted into a farm-house). Caves. Dove-cote; Kirk-hole; Robin Lyth'shole. PRESENT STATE AND APPEARANCE. Eminences and Views. Bessingby; Bridlington Quay, a delightful view of Flamborough head and the bay; from Burton Agnes an extensive view of the level country at the foot of the Wolds; Filey bay, beautiful and picturesque; Flamborough head, 300 feet high, in moderate weather covered with sea-birds; from Patrington Churchyard are delightful views of the Humber; Sledmere, the coup-d'œil, novel and striking; from Sewerby House a magnificent view of the bay; the views from Swanland and Brantinghamthorpe greatly admired for their grandeur and variety; the Wolds, a magnificent assemblage of chalky hills, originating near Hunmanby, about 600 feet high, afford delightful prospects, particularly from the Southern edge. Natural Curiosities. Bridlington quay chalybeate spring; Flamborough head, the cliffs from 100 to 150 yards perpendicular; Harpham St. John's well, commemorative of St John of Beverley. Public Edifices BEVERLEY Grammar School; Hospital, founded by Wm. Temperon in 1723; another founded in 1636 by Fox Thwaites, esq.; House of Correction. Eastrington Free School, founded in 1727 by Mr. Joseph Hewsley. North Ferriby School, founded in 1778 by Luke Lillington, esq. Flamborough Lighthouse. Gate-Fulford, Quaker's Retreat; York Barracks. Halsham Free School, founded by Sir John Constable, knt. in 1579.. HULL Charity Hall; Charter House, or Maison Dieu, founded by Michael de la Pole in 1384; erected 1780; equestrian statue of William III. erected 1734; Female Penitentiary, opened in 1811; Grammar School, founded by John Alcock, Bishop of Ely, in 1486; New Gaol, erected 1783; Infirmary, established 1781; Marine School, established 1786; Trinity House, a spacious building, erected 1753. Skipwith School, founded by the will of Dorothy Wilson, dated Jan. 20, 1710. Spurnhead Lighthouse, built in 1077 by Mr. Justinian Angel, of London. GENT, MAG. July, 1826. Anlaby, William Vause, esq. Seats. Bessingby House, Harrington Hudson, esq. Bolton Hall, John Preston, esq. Hall, Richard Watt, esq. Cave Castle, Henry Gee Barnard, esq. Cherry Burton, David Foulis, esq. Constable Burton, Sir Clifford Constable, bt. Cottingham Castle, Thomas Thompson, esq. Dalton House, Lord Hotham. Escrick Hall, Beilby Thompson, esq. Everingham Park, Wm. Constable Maxwell, esq. Firby, Rev. Thomas Harrison. Ganton Hall, Sir Thomas Legard, bart. Hessle Mount, Jas. Kiero Watson, esq. Houghton, Hon. Charles Langdale. Rev. Archdeacon Wrangham. Kilnwick, Percy Robert Denison, esq. Charles Grimston, esq. Kirkella, Mrs. John Sykes. Lowthorpe Hall, W. Thos. St. Quintin, esq. Marton House, Miss Creyke, Melbourne House, Sir Henry Maghull Mervin Vavasour, bart. Melbourne Lodge, General Wharton. Henry Thompson, esq. Melton Hill, Henry Broadley, esq. Scampston House, C. Thorold Wood, esq. Sewerby House, John Greame, esq. Thorpe Brantingham, Rev. Edward William Barnard. Thorpe Hall, Lord Macdonald. Peerage. Beverley, Earldom to Percy; Settrington Barony to the Duke of Richmond. Members to Parliament. Beverley 2; Hedon 2; Kingston-upon-Hull 2 ; tota) 6. Produce. Best road horses in England. Manufactures. Soap, carpets. T POPULATION. Wapentakes 6; Market towns 6; Whole Parishes 184; Parts of Parishes 5; Inhabitants, males, 82,214, Females, 86,448, total 168,662. Families employed in agriculture, 15,192; in trade 13,304; in neither, 7,591; total 36,087. Baptisms. Males, 25,810; females, 23,704; total, 49,514. Marriages, 13,329. Burials. Males, 14,935; females, 14,223; total, 29,158. 18261] Commencement of the Reigns of John' and Edward I. Mr. URBAN, IN July 3. N the last Quarterly Review, p 297, the following important in formation to Historians and Antiquaries occurs; and as it is, I presume, new to most of your readers, and cannot be too soon or too widely diffused throughout the Antiquarian world, I have copied it for insertion in your pages, as the channel which will convey it in the most extensive and satisfactory manner. It is to be lamented that no proof of the fact is adduced, but the reputation and peculiar duties of the individual to whom the article containing the statement may be safely attributed, are full security for its being well founded. "In all Regal Tables and Histories of England, the years of the reign of John are made to begin with the 6th April, 1199, the day of the death of Richard I. But John, notwithstanding the acknowledg ment of his inchoate right, was only Duke of Normandy until he was crowned as King of England, with the assent of the Baronage. In the period which elapsed between the death of Richard and the Coronation, John had not the style of King, he exercised no acts of royal authority, nor did he become entitled to receive the Royal revenue. His reign began with his coronation, which took place on the Ascension-day, 27th May, 1199; and he was then let into the receipt of the revenue. The years of his reign are calculated from Ascension-day to Ascensionday, and as the date changes with the moveable feast, each year of his reign is of different length, and begins on a different day. Consequently all the documents whose dates fall between the 6th April, and Ascension-day in each year, have been referred to the wrong year of the reign by those writers who have not noticed the ancient mode of calculation." To render this information of practical use, I have compiled the annexed table from those given in pp. 86 and 96, of Notitia Historica, and which will, I flatter myself, be deemed an acceptable addition to that work. TABLE SHEWING THE COMMENCEMENT AND TERMINATION OF EVERY YEAR OF THE From May 27, 1199, to May 17, 1200....! May 18, 1200, to May 2, 1201......2 May 31, 1207, to May 14, 1208....9 May 15, 1208, to May 6, 1209....10 May 7, 1209, to May 26, 1210....11 May 27, 1210, to May 11, 1211...12 May 12, 1211, to May 2, 1212....13 May 3, 1212, to May 22, 1213....14 May 23, 1213, to May 7, 1214....15 May 8, 1214, to May 27, 1215....16 May 28, 1215, to May 18, 1216...17 May 19, 1216, to Oct. 19, 1216...18 Review has likewise pointed out the The same writer in the Quarterly following error relative to the reign of Edward the First: "A mistake of the same description has been made with respect to the reign of Edfrom the 16th November, 1272, the day of ward the First, which is usually calculated the death of Henry III. Edward's reign really commenced from the 20th Nov. 1272, when he was proclaimed at the New Temple, and upon that day the date of the year of his reign was changed. Full proof is afforded of this assertion, by the date of the charter of Homage, executed by John Baliol, "apud Norham die Jovis in festo Sancti Eadmundi Regis et Martiris (20 Nov.) anno Incarnationis Dominicæ millesimo ducentesimo nonagesimo secundo, et regni ipsius domini nostri Edwardi vicesimo finiente et vicesimo primo incipiente." FEDERA, new edit. vol. i. p. 781. The proof cited, appears to be indisputable; but it is not necessary in this place to insert a table similar to the above, as it is merely required to substitute the 20th for the 16th of November, in the usual tables of the reign of Edward the First, and the one in Notitia Historica, p. 15, should be altered throughout, in the following manner. Instead of From Nov. 16, to Nov. 15, of each year, from 1272 to 1306, i. e. 1st to 34 Edw. I, it should stand thus: From Nov. 20, to Nov. 19, as above; whilst the last year of that monarch's reign should be thus written: From Nov. 20, 1306, to July 7, 1307.135. Before I conclude this letter, I beg also to notice a circumstance not, I believe, generally known respecting Edward the First, and for several examples of which I am indebted to one of the most able historians of the present day-Francis Madden, Esq. namely, that that monarch is frequently styled by contemporary writers, Edward the Third, which is explained by their including the two Saxon Kings, Edward the Martyr, and Edward the Confessor, in their list of English sove 2 reigns. Evidence of this fact occurs from his coronation, instead of from in many early Chronicles, but I will the demise of the preceding monarch, adduce an instance from a poet of the can by no means be adduced in support period, and which first attracted my of such a theory; for upon the death attention to the subject. The con- of Richard, John was not the legal temporary copy of the " Siege of Kar- heir to the throne; and notwithstandlaverock," in Cottonian MSS. Cali-ing his plausible argument that he was gula, A. xviii. commences with these words, "A cronicles de granz moustiers Tru et len ke rois Edewars li ters," &c. After so very dry a dissertation upon points which, however valuable or important, possess but little general interest, it is pleasing to be able to extract from such a subject any thing of an amusing character; and fortunately the manner in which the writer in the Quarterly Review has concluded his observations upon the anomalies he has pointed out, is sufficiently ludicrous to enliven a subject even more dull than the present. Dreading that some vile whig, or viler “radical," might adduce these circumstances as evidence that the ancient constitution of this country was of a more popular-nature than it suits the politics of the Quarterly Re view to countenance or promulgate, and constrained nevertheless to anticipate an inference which they might be supposed to admit that this practice shows, that according to the theory of the constitution, the title of the heir [to the throne] required the recognition of the Baronage," he cautiously, and with a gravity which is irresistible, prefaces the remark by observing, that "there is not the slightest pretence for asserting that the English monarchy was elective!" God forbid, Mr. Urban, that there should be a man in this kingdom so utterly destitute of understanding as to suspect that so absurd a doctrine should find a place in the Quarterly Review!!! The very idea is a species of literary profanation, and scarcely required so solemn a denial. At the same time that I notice the scrupulous care which the Reviewer displays for the political character of the work containing his lucubrations, I must be allowed to express my entire dissent from his opinion, that the facts in question prove" that the title of the heir to the crown required the recognition of the Baronage," and for the following reasons. Whatever may be the case with respect to Edward the First, the circuinstance of the reign of John having been considered to have commenced no next of kin to the late king, being his surviving brother, whilst his nephew Arthur, the son of his deceased elder brother Geoffrey, was one degree farther removed from the succession, he possessed but " a flimsy title" to the Royal dignity until he was acknowledged by the nation. It is admitted that the question was not then free from difficulties t, but there can be doubt that John was an usurper, and that his sole right to the crown was derived from "the assent of the Baronage at his Coronation." Thus then it was not until that occasion that John became de jure King of England; and the circumstance of that day being deemed the first of his reign, was the natural consequence of the manner in which he attained the Crown, and therefore cannot be held to establish the point urged by the Reviewer. Edward the First was the undoubted heir to the throne, and if we consider, upon the authority of the document cited, that his reign commenced upon the 20th Nov. 1272, when he was proclaimed, instead of upon the 16th, when his father died, it proves nothing more than that in this instance the king's reign was considered to have commenced from the day of his proclamation instead of his accession, and which mayin some degree be accounted for by Edward's being at the time out of the kingdom. However curious the fact may be, it is but a solitary example (for that of King John, I have endeavoured to shew is by no means in point), and stands upon the authority of the date of a single instrument, executed in Scotland, and probably drawn up by a native of that kingdom. But even admitting that the reign of Edward the First did not commence until the assent of the Baronage to his succession had been obtained, does it follow that such assent was indispensable? Or in the absence of any record of the consent of the Barons to the * Blackstone's Commentaries, vol. i. p, 201. + See some remarks on the question in the work just quoted. |