History of Rothwell (Book)

Text

THE HISTORY OF ROTHWELL. BY JOHN BATTY. ROTHWELL: PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR, 1877. [ENTERED AT STATIONERS' HALL.]

Preface

To many it may seem a matter of surprise that Rothwell, possibly regarded by them as merely an obscure village, should be able to furnish materials sufficiently important and interesting to engage the attention of the historian. Such, however, is the case. On entering the village, more notably by the Church, an observant stranger cannot fail to notice the venerable appearance of this sacred edifice, and must feel that a certain antiquity hangs about the place; as he goes along he will be struck with the somewhat curious and quaint aspect of the village generally in the mixture of its old and new buildings.
Rothwell unmistakably possesses several proofs of existence in the distant past, as in stanced by present archæological remains, and in recorded history. It had a name and a place in the reign of Edward the Confessor, if not earlier, and is prominently mentioned in the Domesday Book. It was a small market town six hundred years ago, and in later times was selected as a convenient situation for the Debtors' Gaol connected with the Honour of Pontefract. Moreover, important events have transpired within the parish, not only of local interest, but occasionally connected with national affairs.
The present attempt is called forth in the belief that Rothwell is worthy of a fuller, and therefore more satisfactory account, than has hitherto been given of it in several sketches already published.
The author of this work feels that even in the present undertaking only an imperfect history is produced. The limited time at his command, available only out of business hours, prohibits that complete research necessary for an exhaustive work. Unfortunately, the fundamental sources of information to be obtained from the archives of the Duchy of Lancaster, Manorial Records, and other valuable documents and private deeds, are almost beyond the reach of those having only ordinary means of time and money. He trusts, however, that the result of his humble labours now presented, will not be in vain, and that additional and valuable facts, referring more especially to ancient times, will be elicited in the future, and thereby one of the objects of the writer accomplished.
It is to be regretted that a better Chronicle of Local Events has not been made many years ago, and so rescued from oblivion circumstances of an interesting character, which might have given an insight into the curious manners and customs of the inhabitants of a former age, and have furnished a picture of the district generally.
The aim of the author has been to introduce new and original matter obtained by personal inquiry, from people possessing authoritative and official information. He has as far as possible avoided repeating that which has already appeared in print.
The reasons for the delay in the publication of the history are manifold. An unexpected amount of information acquired in the process, and the consequent enlargement of the work; the care and anxiety in obtaining correct dates and in the verification of facts, names, and circumstances; conflicting evidences, causing the arrival at the truth to be slow and difficult; added to these the constant impression that the writer must acquit himself worthily in his object and undertaking. Errors, however, in spite of this, may still creep in, as all human effort is liable to imperfection. At all events, the writer trusts that the criticism, which, like others, he does not expect to escape, will, in consideration of these points, be just if not generous.