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270 YORK.
who would readily assist them in case of " any
stoborne and sturdy carle " being found troublesome
and refractory. The two worthies duly received their
commission from Cromwell and commenced their
visitation, which was continued through the year
1538. From the beginning to the end they were
two of the most active agents who were employed
in the work.
It went on rapidly.
The Abbey of Jervaulx was
forfeited to the Crown by the attainder of its abbot,
who, as has been already mentioned, suffered on the
gibbet at Tyburn. Before a month was over, Sir
Arthur Darcy^ wrote to Cromwell that he had been
present with the lord lieutenant at the suppression
of that great and famous house. He gives a graphic
picture of the place. It had one of the fairest
churches he had ever seen, standing in the midst of
rich and beautiful meadows, with the waters of the
Ure gliding by, and a " grett demayne " around,
diversified, no doubt, with ancient timber and greenwood
coverts of thorn and holly. He had an eye
also to other advantages which the place presented.
The monks, it seems, were famous for their breed of
horses. There was a wide extent of common-land on
the high ground singularly suitable for the summer's
run of the brood mares and their foals. In winter
they could have shelter in the woods on the low
Sir Arthur was the second son of the Lord Darcy who took
so prominent a part in the Pilgrimage of Grace. Father and
son took different lines. Sir Arthur appears to have been sent
down to the north to assist in pacifying the country after the
rebellion was put an end to.