The Parish Church of St. Michael and All Angels
Compiled by J. C. Wright, M.B.E.

CONTENTS

       1. Dedication
       2. Preface
       3. Contents
  I. HISTORY
       1. Introduction

               Parish covers four villages of Grassington, Hebden,
               Linton, and Threshfield; Linton and Burnsall claim each
               as historically part of one another ......

       2. The Early Years

               Church presence in Yks since at least 314 A.D. during
               Roman occupation; Church disappeared during Anglian
               invasion and occupation; Anglian King Eadwine of
               Northumbria chr. A.D. 627 by Paulinus, who also bapt.
               others in River Swale (Jordan of England) at Catterick
               ......... Anglo-Saxon Thegn Gamelbar of Linton built
               church, appointed clergy; chose spot of Norse pagan site
               on deep bend of Wharfe, destroying dragon idols but
               retaining structures ...... Normans rebuilt in stone in
               1150

       3. The Lords of the Manor and Patrons

               Normans distrib. Thegns' lands to barons; Linton to
               Gilbert Tyson, later seized; Baron as patron of church,
               which levied tythe of 10% of peasants' produce; Poll Tax
               records of 1379 showed 136 adults in the four villages;
               Linton in two medieties (halves) between 1087 and 1150
               due to female succession; two rectors for alternate
               Sundays; two sets of churchwardens; recombined 1866 but
               still 4 chrwrdns

               Earl of Westmoreland and Richard Norton of Rylstone were
               the two patrons in 1569; both lands seized by crown,
               where patronage remained until 1866, when taken over by
               Bishop of Ripon, then in 1895 to Dean of Ripon, though
               in diocese of Braddford

       4. Rectors and Curates

               Early parsons likely relatives of patron, appointing
               assistant to do actual work; first parson (persona) was
               William (12th century); 13th century rector implicated
               in poaching and murder scandals; rector Peter Toller (d.
               1492) one of first recorded burials; bequest established
               grammar school as part of church ............ Rector
               Matthew Hewitt (b 1627 Thresh) founded another grammar
               school; Rev Benj Smith (d 1777) was nephew of Isaac
               Newton; 11 questions posed by Archbishop of York
               answered favorably by Smith; Rev FAC Share served from
               1891 -1911; transcribed parish registers; list of
               rectors at end of booklet

 II. CONJECTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHURCH BUILDING
       1. General

               No traces of original wooden Anglo-Saxon church; six
               periods following

       2. The Norman Period (1066-1200)

               Two Norman arches and piers in north arcade; Norman
               masonry along north wall, 3 capitals in vestry;
               foundation 1150 (reign of Stephen)

       3. The Early English Period (1220-1300)

               Nave altered around 1250; small Devil's Door in north
               aisle (Devil's Side); bell-cote added at west end

       4. The Decorated Period (1300-1400)

               Norman chancel and west bay replaced in 1350; tomb
               recesses added to north and south aisles

       5. The Perpendicular Period (1400-1500)

               New windows in north and south aisles to replace small
               lancets; curvilinear west window

       6. The Georgian Period

               South porch added, new ceiling; box pews and new pulpit;
               sash windows replaced medieval clerestories

       7. The Victorian Period

               Major restoration in 1861 (detailed report at end of
               booklet); many new windows, porch, north aisle door ;
               walls rebuilt, roof restored, Norman font placed on
               plinth, new parapet; belfry reconstructed, many old
               stones reused in various places; pews and pulpit
               replaced

       8. More Recent Changes

               1958-9: re-roofed in lead, stolen in 1982; reroofed in
               slate; plaster work stripped to reveal stonework

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE CHURCH
       1. The Exterior

               Built with millstone grit and limestone; modest,
               unassuming Dales Church; three entrances, square belfry
               turret, many styles of windows; carved stone heads at
               ends of drip mouldings

       2. The Interior

               South porch entrance inscription from Proverbs XII;
               stone seats are heads of former windows; wide variety of
               styles within church; Font near south entrance raised on
               octagonal base......... Pews introduced after
               Reformation; congregations stood prior to this, except
               that "the weak must go to the wall" for seating; Nave
               roof re-built in timbers.........Tombs in centre aisle
               such as Anne Lupton (1665) and under seats; brass
               testaments to earlier burials; decorated tomb
               recesses.......Windows in wide variety; most stained
               glass with dedications; connection to Bolton Priory
               ........ Linton Crucifix (stolen in 1980) photo on
               pillar ; brass, made in 9th or 10th century; found in
               1835 near ford of stream near hospital by Dean family;
               British Museum said Norman in origin ....... Pulpit
               Jacobean desgin, Victorian origin; altar steps used
               prior to 1603......... Old Church Bell (1692) placed
               near pulpit when 4 hemispherical bells (C Sharp) from
               Whitechapel installed in 1914 ........Old church chest
               dates back to time when required for valuables
               .......... Choir section until 1861, when moved to
               chancel; 12 men with surplices; fiddles, tin whistles,
               recorders........... Altar representing the Last Supper;
               ancient stone slab with 5 crosses; should have been
               destroyed during Reformation, but instead saved as
               flagstones, then reinstated in altar; table in chapel
               had been altar prior to restoration .............
               Chancel roof restored to exposed fluted oak; wood
               screens have disappeared; strong timbers and massive
               ridge piece with 5 carved bosses; some represent the
               Green Man, figure in Celtic springtime rituals from
               Roman days ....... Chapels used for Communion and organ
               chamber; organ dates to 1861, then new one in 1891 (John
               Lupton), rebuilt in 1922; replaced in 1979 .......
               Church plate includes Linton Parish chalice (1662),
               Elizabeth Redmaine chalice (1707), Lupton paten (1784);
               several other pieces (cruets, communion set)

       3. Linton Parish Registers and Churchwardens' Accounts

               Registers start 1562, contained in several books; Rev
               F.A.C. Share transcribed (originals in Northallerton
               archives); occupations included leadminers, husbandnmen,
               coupers, innkeepers, stonemasons, wool and linen
               websters (Linton means Linen Town), joyeners, grossers,
               cordwainers, millers, hatter, blacksmiths, et. al.;
               first burial in woolen in 1687 (John Wrathall of
               Griston) by act of Parliament; to protect wool industry,
               burial in linen only allowed with levy of fine; Latin
               sometimes used to impress upper class ...........
               Churchwardens' accounts included recipe for making ink
               from oak-galls; many accounts of costs, bounties for
               foxes, taxes and collections levied to pay for unusual
               expenses

 IV. OUTSIDE THE CHURCH
       1. The Churchyard

               Gate and stile to keep out sheep; churchyard drained
               1868, wall built around rector's pasture in 1896;
               another extension in 1967; old sundial stonework at
               south side, once used for sexton's ringing schedule
               ......... Tombstones formerly held poetic epitaphs or
               commemorated accident, illness; no yew trees; scotch fir
               planted in 1860; indigenous trees and shrubs planted
               along riverbank in 1988

       2. Kirk Yett

               (Church Gate) formerly an inn, closed by the Archdeacon
               when churchwardens found frequenting Kirk Yett instead
               of attending to their duties

       3. Threshfield Primary School

               Further west on Threshfield road; ghostly schoolmaster
               "Pam the Fiddler"; founded by Rev Matthew Hewitt 1674 as
               grammar school; became primary school in 1875

       4. The Rectories

               Rectory of the second mediety remains as a youth hostel
               in Linton; one rectory sold in 1924 to buy house in
               Grassington, which was replaced in 1991 by the New
               Rectory

       5. Church House

               In Linton Village Square; 17th century house purchased
               in 1924 for use as church hall and Sunday school; used
               for a variety of social and fund-raising events; grounds
               of house dated to 1603, when sold by Earl of Cumberland
               to defray expenses; Peart family built house on site in
               1694 (initials remain above door); copy of original
               inventory posted; restoration in 1982; artifacts in York
               museum

       6. Fountaine's Hospital, Linton

               Chapel used by parishioners of Linton; founded in 1721
               by Richard Fountaine; homes for 6 poor persons;
               resembles Castle Howard by Van Brugh

       7. St. Peter's Church, Hebden

               Built in 1841 so Hebden residents wouldn't have the long
               walk to Linton;

  V. LIST OF RECTORS

          Wiiliam and Ralph the earliest; the rectors list for "The
          One" mediety (Latin) begins in 1279; also shows patrons,
          including Lord John de Draycote, John de Gray, Lady Amicia de
          Tanfield, Lord Thomas D'Arcy; the Earls of Westmoreland (all
          named Ralph) were patrons from 1438 onwards; Elizabeth I took
          over in 1596, then followed the succeeding Kings up to
          Victoria; after her, the Bishop and Dean of Ripon as patrons
          .......Rectors' list for "The Other" mediety (Latin) begins
          in 1229; patrons included the De Grays, the Tempests, and the
          De Mallorys, many with the suffix "Soldier"; King James took
          over from Sir Richard Norton in 1607, then proceeded through
          the Kings until 1866 (consolidation)

 VI. A REPORT ON THE RESTORATION OF THE PARISH CHURCH OF LINTON-IN-CRAVEN,
     YORKSHIRE, 1861

          Church situated in deep valley on banks of Wharfe; grants
          made in 1860 to restore dilapidated building; large circular
          font may be Saxon in origin; Norman church consisted of nave,
          north aisle, and apse; south aisle, chancel, windows, and
          south arches added early 14th century.............. Jacobean
          bell-cot to be preserved; restoration around 1692 with
          windows built in the debased taste of that
          period............... interior filled with high-backed pews
          to hold 75 people; lead taken off roof, timbers decayed; sash
          windows replaced, massive deal roof to be stained like
          oak.......... chancel window and ceiling restored; carved oak
          lattice-work all missing ........... pews removed to disclose
          top of old altar carved in red sandstone

VII. SUGGESTED TOUR OF THE CHURCH - SEE PLAN

          (1) Enter through Porch, ( 2) passing the Font; (3) note the
          West Windows. (5) Norman church centre, (6) Old church bell,
          (7) Old church chest, (8) carved roof bosses, (9) stone altar
          saved from Reformation, (10) Table used for communion, (11)
          Brass Plate (12) Piscina in the wall (13) Lady Chapel (14)
          Tomb recess (15) photo of Linton Crucifix