CHAPTER I.

HISTORY OF ASKERN AND ITS VICINITY.

SECTION I.

HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE OF ASKERN.

ASKERN is a village in the Parish of Campsall, situated about seven miles north of Doncaster, and nine miles south of Pontefract; it is built on the edge of a rocky declivity, and borders on a plain, which spreads extensively to the north and east. The houses mostly front the plain, and are protected backwards from the prevailing westerly winds by the abrupt elevation of the limestone rock, and from the same cause, the easterly gales are arrested in their course, and modified in their effects. Though not perhaps so favourably situated as many of the more celebrated watering places of this kingdom and the Continent, Askern possesses advantages to which, it is the object of this work to direct attention.

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Little of historical interest attaches to the village of Askern, and the antiquarian has sought in vain for any records or memorials of its earliest existence. Even the origin of its name is lost in obscurity, and only a guess can now be made at its etymology. Hunter, in his learned work on the Deanery of Doncaster, observes, "The name admits of analysis into the ern, or receptaculum of the ask, the popular name for a species of newt which might inhabit the margin of the pool, which is a peculiar feature of Askern." With deference to so high an authority, I venture to suggest another etymology, and would derive the name from the Saxon word sceran, which means a cliff or naked rock on the dry land." It is very probable that this term in former times was peculiarly applicable to the hill behind the village, called the Mount, which, although now clothed with verdure, was at one time undoubtedly a naked rock, elevating its rugged sides above the adjoining plain. To those accustomed to trace the origin of words, it will be easily conceived how the Saxon word might assume its present mode of spelling, by the prefixing a, changing c into k, and dropping or changing the vowels. In fact, at the present time the word is spelt indifferently, Askern, Askerne, Askron, or Askeron.

At the time of the Conquest, this domain was held by the family of the Foliots, who had extensive possessions in this part of the country; it passed

successively into the hands of the Newmarches, Gascoignes, Gargraves, and others. Miss Brooke of Gateforth, as heiress of the late Humphrey Osbaldeston, Esq., is at present a large proprietor, and Lady of the Manor. The tithe belonged formerly to the Humfreys; it is now in the possession of the Mellish family.

The earliest historical notice of Askern, is in the 44, Edward III., " when at the sheriff's turn for Osgodcross, held at Graystones, the jury present, on behalf of the town of Norton, that the people of Askern are bound to cleanse a certain part of Askern pool, which is a common water course, and that they have neglected to do so, in consequence of which the King's highway is overflowed and drowned, so that neither horse nor foot passengers can go along it." *

Up to a comparatively recent period, Askern had not been a place of much general resort, and little or no temptation besides its Mineral Waters was held out to the valetudinarian to induce him to select it as a temporary residence. Mr. Brewerton, in his "Treatise on the Mineral Water of Askern," which was published in 1818, speaks of it in the following terms :-" As the village consists of farm houses and the cottages of labourers, the accommodations for visitors were, till lately, below mediocrity. Prior to the erection of the Hotel, there was only one

* Hunter.

mean public-house, the Swan, and its principal recommendation was the honest bluntness of the landlord, Thomas Hackin, which overbalanced for a time, the coarse rusticity and inelegance of the accommodations. Besides this, there was a boarding house, where a good table and comfortable beds were provided, but the greater number of visitors had private lodgings in the village, almost every cottage being converted into a lodging house."

Since this period, however, the increasing number of visitors, has induced the proprietors in the village to engage in useful improvements, and at the present time, Askern boasts of several extensive buildings for the accommodation of strangers. The largest of these is the Hotel, which was built in the year 1808; it is pleasantly situated on the rising ground, on which the village stands, commanding a view of the lake, bath-houses, and the surrounding country. The Swan Hotel, little, if at all, inferior in point of convenience to the former, was built in 1817 by its present proprietor, Mr. Haigh, and is now a principal place of public accommodation in Askern. Besides the Hotels there are good Inns at which the daily visitor may be accommodated.

Upon the terrace, below the Mount, is an elegant Mansion which was erected by Dr. Oxley, in 1826. The wings of this building are occupied as lodging houses, the centre being inhabited by Dr.

Oxley, who has, since his residence in the place, taken a lively interest in its welfare; and, as physician to the Bath Charity, still assiduously devotes the fruit of his long experience to the relief of those whom this excellent institution enables to resort here for the benefit of the waters.

Within the last few years many new houses have been built, and comfortable lodgings can be procured for all classes of visitors.

It was long a matter of regret to many visitors at Askern, that there was no nearer place of public worship than the parish Church at Campsall. This deficiency was removed by the erection of the Chapel in the years 1824-5, which was built by subscription, on a plot of ground purchased of Henry Keyworth, Esq. It was originally intended for the use of all denominations of Christians "holding the divinity of Jesus Christ," but arrangements never having been made for the supply of preachers by other classes of Christians, it has been entirely supplied by the Wesleyan Methodists, and the chapel is at present the property of the Conference of that body. It is a neat and commodious building, with sittings for one hundred and fifty persons. Services, conducted by local preachers, are held every Sunday morning and evening.

During the past year, a National School has been established in Askern; it has a double school room capable of containing 150 children, for whose