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XXXV. History Of Methley: Ed. by H S. Darbyshire and G. D. Lumb; 1937

PREFACE This history of a country parish in the West Riding of Yorkshire had its inception more than twenty years ago, when, with the late Archdeacon H. Armstrong Hall (then Rector of Methley), I began to collect materials and to make notes of such local information as was to hand. The coming of the Great War held up the work for a time, and shortly after the Armistice the death of the Archdeacon seemed likely to bring it to an untimely end. The Thoresby Society, however, wished it to be completed, and so, during such time as has been available in a busy life, and at a great distance from Methley, I have endeavoured to carry out their wishes. I am very grateful for much help, first to the late Archdeacon Armstrong Hall for all that he did during the time we were working together: indeed it is not too much to say that without his assistance the work would never have been undertaken. Mr. G. D. Lumb, F.S.A., too, has given me invaluable assistance. Nothing has been too much trouble for him, whether it were obtaining information which required someone on the spot, or the wearisome copying of lengthy documents, which he has undertaken on many occasions. To Mr. J. A. Myers also I owe much for his careful and accurate translation of the Manor Rolls—a long and tedious matter. I am well aware that this work is very imperfect, but it may help to preserve for the inhabitants of Methley, and others who are interested, some glimpses of a past of which no village need be ashamed and very many may envy. H. STANLEY DARBYSHIRE. DOULTING, March 31st, 1928. Since writing the above, the Rev. H. S. Darbyshire, M.A., died on the 30th day of June, 1936, at Doulton Vicarage, without finally completing the History of Methley, in which he took great interest, and it has fallen to the writer to add the unknown History of the Manor of Woodhall in Mickletown, and to add to and compete several pedigrees, etc. The thanks of the Society are due to Mr. Jesse A. Myers for correcting the Latin and preparing the Indexes. To Dr. Hamilton Thompson for perusing drafts and adding information. To Mr. J. S. Richardson, agent to Lord Mexborough, for valuable and kind assistance. To Mr. H. W. Thompson for transcribing the copy of Manor Rolls, and the< Leeds Corporation for their loan for that purpose. To the Yorkshire Archeological Society for the loan of a ground plan of the church, and to Mr. G. E. Kirk for corrections for the block-makers. To Mr. Scrimshaw for taking excellent photographs of the various objects. To Mr. Price, of Messrs. Gilchrist Bros., for carefully preparing the blocks. To Mr. Barwell Turner for carefully searching for and extracting Patent Rolls, etc. To the Bishop of Knaresborough for allowing a scarce view of the exterior of the church to be taken and allowing photographs to be taken of the interior of the church and chapel. And to Mr. H. Pemberton, the Hon. Treasurer, for assistance and advice. There are fine views of the Hall described by Mr. Oswald Barron in Country Life, 18 May, 1907, and of the monuments in the Waterton Chapel in Dr. Whitaker’s Lotdis and Elmet. GDL.

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