PREFACE.

It must be matter of surprise to every intelligent person visiting WORKSOP, as well as to every reflecting resident, that a place of such antiquity and interest should hitherto have been without an historian; and this surprise is encreased, when we contemplate the memorials of its past grandeur, and the respectability of its present inhabitants. Few, indeed, have been the tourists, or general topographers, who have passed it over without notice; but none of these have devoted to it more than an unsatisfactory share of attention. To collect, arrange, and exhibit whatever has been thought worthy of remark by different authors, as well as to notice such other objects as have come under the writer's own inspection, will constitute a chief feature of these pages.

Every person at all acquainted with the general history of Nottinghamshire, must be aware, that for the substratum of any local compilation laid within that county, recourse must be had to THOROTON, whose work, however scanty on the whole, contains an invaluable treasure of ancient documents or abstracts, now no longer extant,-or not to be consulted in the originals without incredible difficulty: to this venerable authority, therefore, my first acknowledginents are due.

Next to that, I am indebted to a work of a more transcendant character, The MONASTICON ANGLICANUM of Sir William Dugdale; being an invaluable collection, in three princely folio volumes, of foundation, and other charters, &c. of all the religious houses in the kingdom. Mr. Hunter, in his accurate and elaborate History of "HALLAMSHIRE," (the ancient, as well as modern owners of which extensive domain, were likewise lords of Worksop,) has touched upon many things connected with this place; and it may truly be added, non tetegit sed ornavit,—to this work, no less than for the personal kindnesses of the elegant author, I am singularly indebted. My thanks are likewise due to Henry Ellis, Esq. keeper of the records, in the British Museum; and especially to the Rev. Bulkeley Bandinel, curator of the Bodleian Library, at Oxford, for communications connected with the treasures of these rich repositories of the national muniments: likewise to Mr. Wainwright, the historian of the Wapentake of Strafford and Tickhill, for the freest access to his well selected Antiquarian Library. The above comprise the chief of my literary obligations; other individuals have a record in my grateful recollection, for attentions which it might be less proper to specify. I must, however, particularly acknowledge the kindness of Michael Ellison, Esq., agent to the Duke of Norfolk, whose situation enabled him to afford me several facilities in the conduct of my enquiries, and whose favours were enhanced by the politeness with which they were conferred: lastly, I must, with these acknowledgments, include the name of my friend, Mr. Shaw, of Worksop, whose open door, hearty welcome, and hospitable board, have always characterised my reception at the house which first afforded me entertainment, and which has been my home on every successive visit to this place.

That the author is neither a native nor an inhabitant of Worksop, is a fact which, on consideration, must be allowed to depose rather favourably than otherwise, in reference to this work ;— for, however nativity might be presumed to have identified him with the subject, or residence to have furnished him with the means of a superior acquaintance with some minor facts or localities, yet these advantages have been more than counterbalanced by the distinctness of impression, and vividness of interest, with which almost every thing under existing circumstances, presented itself to the eye and mind of a curious and admiring stranger.

Many matters, however, once to have been seen, and which must have been interesting to the antiquarian eye, exist no longer and many others which do remain, are perishing by the common casualties of exposure, neglect, or the effect of time. The operation of enclosure acts has obliterated the original complexion of the neighbourhood, while other improvements have no less altered

the general features of the town. The demolition of the old vicarage house, appears to have been connected with the destruction of several mortuary memorials: the cellar, as well as the court of this dwelling, having been literally "paved with grave-stones," and there are persons who still recollect to have been arrested by the importunate "siste viator," who knew not the import of the words. I have given all the inscriptions at present extant in the church, in the prospect, that, at no distant period, alterations at present so imperiously called for, may probably remove, obscure, or destroy some of these memorials.

Of the manner and merit of the execution of the following work, the author has nothing particular to observe, beyond the general intimation, that having done the best he could with his means and his materials, he seeks no commendation, he deprecates no criticism. Of the matter and style it may be proper to say a few words: Having alluded above to some sources of historical information, it may be added, with reference to the descriptive character of the following pages, as well as some minor facts, that having had to familiarize himself with the general scenery, as well as particular objects in the neighbourhood; and to trust to oral report on several matters, where no better evidence could be had;-the free and flexible diction of the tourist has been adopted, in preference to the more chastised rigidity of the historical style. For the occasional expression of personal sentiments and feelings, which these pages exhibit, the author need only remark, that to his friends no explanation on this point can be necessary-and with others, no apology could avail. His design has been, by identifying the subjects of the narrative with his own feelings, to afford a vehicle for giving them a personal interest in the feelings of others.

It may, perhaps, be objected by some, that matters of trifling, and even of irrelevant importance are sometimes detailed; this is admitted, but it must not, at the same time be forgotten, that every thing is indebted for its comparative interest, no less than from its importance, to its relative connection with other subjects; and, therefore, that trees and streams, roads and fields, which could have no place in the map of a kingdom, nor even of a county, may, nevertheless, occupy distinguished situations in a parochial survey. If the fastidious charge of too great minuteness should be alleged on the one hand, it is hoped, on the other, that few facts of importance, or notices of matters of greater interest, will be found to have been overlooked or omitted. The author ventures to believe, that this work will be an appropriate heir-loom in the family library; and, however he may have acquitted himself in the execution of a task of no small difficulty, he can honestly

aver, that his principal motive has been, an ambition to record whatever can render the TOWN AND NEIGHBOURHOOD OF WORKSOP more interesting to residents or strangers. He will be gratified to entertain the inhabitants at their own fire-sides, and, by collecting and concentrating the scattered rays of local information, add but a small star to that rich constellation of topographical works, which occupies so distinguished a portion of our literary hemisphere.

Sheffield Park, May, 1826.