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In 1279 the Earl John of Warrene - a very powerful Norman lord and major landowner - fiercely disputed rights and ownership of forests around the area of Cragg with his lord, King Edward 1. What is more significant is that he won the argument outright.
When his ancestral right to the Cragg forest was challenged by the Kings Justices he is reputed to have replied to their impudence by drawing his sword and proclaiming...
"Behold my lords, behold my warrant! For my ancestors, coming with William the Bastard, conquered these lands with the sword, and with the sword will I defend them."
(If you know something of modern day Cragg Vale, we think you will agree that the settlement of land disputes has really not changed all that much over the years).
In late Medieval times the deer park fell into disrepair and was finally dispaled. Knights no longer took the rough ride down The Withens toward Wakefield tourney. The wild boars, stags and wolves were in serious decline and sheep were now the major local industry.
Continued >>
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