James Cresacre

Barnburgh

Source: http://www.rotherhamweb.co.uk/district/barnburgh.htm

Domesday name: Barneburg. In 1086 at the time of the Domesday Survey, Barnburgh was included in the Lordship of Conisbrough Domesday Book - Lands of Roger de Bully. In Barnburgh and Bilham, Oswulf had 6 carucates of land to the geld, where there could be 3 ploughs. Roger has now 1½ ploughs there; and 9 villans and 20 bordars with 5 ploughs, and 2 acres of meadow, and 200 acres of scrubland. TRE worth 60s ; now 40s.

Cresacre The Cresacres were lords of Barnburgh from an early period. James Cresacre is said to have married Elizabeth, daughter of John Woodrove of Woolley. hall. The Cresacres were lords of Bamborough from an early period. The above James is said to have married Elizabeth, daughter of John Woodrove of Woolley. INQUISITION taken at Selby, Monday after St. Bartholomew the Apostle, 6 Hen. V (1418), before Gerard Salvan, Escheator, by the oath of John Rasby of Smeton, John Swalowe of Balne, Thomas Hynton of Featherstone, John Marshall of the same, John Wayte of Trumflete, Thomas de Craven, John Otour, Henry Barley, John Wryght, Roger Shyttylworth, John Goldayle and William Mascald. James Cresacre, esq., died seised in his demesne as of fee of the manor of Barnburgh, which extends into Barnburgh, Be ... , Harlington, Wombwell, Mylnehouse, Little Darfeld, Woodhall, Tyers Hill and Bilham; the whole manor worth yearly £4 clear, and is held of John FitzWilliam, son and heir of John FitzWilliam, chivaler, in socage, by a rent of 20s. yearly for all service, as appears by a charter dated at Barnburgh on the Feast of St. James the Apostle, 44 Henry III (1260), produced in evidence at the taking of this Inquisition. He died on the Feast of St. Lawrence the Martyr, 5 Hen. V 1417. Percival, his son and heir, is aged 18 years and more. The Hall with priests hiding chamber, had stood since the 16th century. Tradition tells of Sir Percival Cresacre being attacked by a wild cat in 1477 , both man and beast being killed in the church porch of St. Peters Church. A wild cat is on the family shield and carved in stone on the church tower.

The lower part of the tower and the north arcade are part of the church of the 12th century. The south aisle and the arcade are 14th century. The stone ribbed porch has pinnacles and panelled buttresses. Mediaeval relics are gravestones serving as lintels in the clerestory, several piscinas and the font. There are fine old roofs and some 15th century screenwork. In the nave is the tall shaft of a Norman Cross remarkable for its carving of two figures. Cresacre A rare possession is the preserved oak figure of Sir Percival Cresacre of 1477; he lies under the arched canopy of a tomb adorned with shields and rosaries, a badge of his family. He is in armour and helmet, with a heart between his hands and a cat at his feet. On his wife's stone are rosaries arranged like a cross. Isabel, daughter of Percival Cresacre was the second wife of John Bosville, of Ardsley, they had six children and Isabel became executrix of his will when he died in 1441.