Spofforth, North Yorkshire

Spofforth /ˈspɒfərθ/^[1]) is a village in the civil parish of Spofforth with Stockeld in the Harrogate district of North Yorkshire, England. It is located about 3 miles north west of Wetherby and 5 miles south of Harrogate.

The ruins of Spofforth Castle[1][2], which date from the 13th century, are close to the centre of the village. Stockeld Park, south of the village near Sicklinghall, is a stone-built 18th century Palladian villa [3].

Churches

All Saints' Church is the parish church of Spofforth and Kirk Deighton with Follifoot and Little Ribston. The date of the Church's foundation is not known and it is not mentioned in the Domesday Book. In 1893 a portion of a Saxon cross was found built into the stairs of the Tower. It is likely that an earlier Church existed, being rebuilt between 1175 and 1200, with the doorway in the south porch dating from around this time. The first rector was Master Henry de Evesham inducted in 1280. Another famous rector was William de Melon (1310–1317) Treasurer of England and keeper of the great seal. The church tower was built in 1450. The earliest bell dates from between 1570-1593.

A controversial restruction of the Church took place in 1855. James Tripp (1847–1879) built the Church and school at Follifoot and also built the schools at Linton and Spofforth.^[2]

The Spofforth Methodist Church, no longer in active use, is located on School Lane.

Notable people

Laurence Eusden (1688–1730), who was made Poet Laureate by George I in 1718, was born in Spofforth.^[3]

Blind Jack Metcalf (1717–1810), the road builder, lived in Spofforth in his later years and is buried in the village churchyard.

References

External links

• Spofforth at genuki

Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Spofforth,_North_Yorkshire Spofforth, North Yorkshire] at Wikimedia Commons