heraldryofyorkmi01custuoft

1 62 THE HERALDRY OF YORK MINSTER.
But scanty traces now remain of the successive epochs of grandeur
which this hill has witnessed. Some tumbled hillocks mark the lines of
the Roman camp. The railway cutting has ploughed deeply
ground close by where a massive stone bastion had stood, and, in
into the
process
of digging, many interesting Roman remains were brought to light.
The roadway beneath is still skirted by ponderous masonry, which was
probably part of the Norman castle on the flat brow above. It is easy to
trace the site of the grand Jacobean house, built in the days of his prosperity
by Ralph, third Lord Eure. It must have extended round three sides of a
quadrangle (similar to Cobham Hall in Kent), facing west, with pleasant
prospect of the valley beneath, watered by the Derwent, and the wooded
hills beyond. The entrance gateway, abutting on the Malton high-road,
still stands in the old boundary wall, though it is partially bricked up, and
the stone pilasters on each side are much dilapidated.
But the gatehouse,
preserved, I suppose, for their residence by the family of Palmes, and used,
since the property was acquired by the Wentworths, as an agent's residence,
has lately been beautifully restored and much increased by Mr. and Lady
Mary Fitzwilliam.
The gateway itself, through which ponderous coaches once rumbled,
has been converted into a most charming hall. Above the curiously-carved
wooden mantelpiece are still the arms of Eure, quartering Eure, De Vere,
Tyson, and Aton ;
and the ceiling groined above.
A lesser sitting-room is panelled with grand Jacobean panelling,
probably brought
from the old house. Pillars,
in pairs, break into separate
panels the wainscoting around the room ;
elaborately-carved pilasters
support the mantelpiece, which consists of four bas-reliefs in carved oak,
illustrating the history of Jonah. On the walls hang several pieces of
armour, which probably belonged to the family of Eure. The panelling of
some of the rooms is handsome and of a later date, probably the eighteenth
century, indicating that the building was used, for some time at least, as
the residence of the proprietors.
The parish register in Old Malton Church contains a few entries of
interest concerning a race which has passed away
:
1610. Samuel Brittain, servant to the Honourable Sir William Eure, Knight, was buried
ye 6th day of January.
1620. Nicholas Biays, steward to ye Rt. Honourable Lord William Eure, gent., and
Margaret .... of .... were married ye twentieth day of August.
1646. The Right Honourable William, Lord Eure, was buried (as it was said) the eight
and twentieth day of June.
1652. The Right Honourable William, Lord Eure, was interred June 25th.
The Honourable Frances Eure, daughter to the Right Honourable William, Lord
Eure, deceased, was interred Nov. 26.
1653. William Tyson, son of James Tyson, of ye Spittal, was buried Sep. 14.