Edgley, Aysgarth, Yorkshire

Rhiannon Parker-Nicholls

Edgley Park, then known as the Edgley estate (or Edgeley) is a substantial farmhouse, dating back to at least the 17th century. Originally, the house consisted of two storeys, but was later developed into three storeys. However, due to the increase in people’s height, the house was converted back to two storeys during the 19th or 20th century to provide higher ceilings. The house is unusual as it was built into the hillside, and the windows to the front of the property are raised to enable sufficient light to enter.

To the east of the main house is a walled garden and the remains of the outdoor lavatory along with a separate building adjacent, known as the ‘waiting room’, believed to date back to the 18th century. The house also possessed a well behind the kitchens, however, this was filled in during the 20th century.

Matthew Robinson and his wife, Elizabeth Drake, moved to Edgley shortly after their marriage (Doran, 1-2). A double portrait of Mr and Mrs Robinson in front of the fireplace in Edgley was captured by Gawen Hamilton.

Elizabeth Montagu spent time during the summer months as a child at Edgley, although, it is believed she preferred her time in London to Yorkshire (Doran, 18), writing to the Duchess of Portland in 1734;

‘One common objection to the country is, one sees no faces but those of one’s own family; but my papa thinks he has found a remedy for that, by teaching me to draw’. (EMCO 133)

Behind the house runs Bishopdale Beck, which, up to the twentieth century, provided an ample supply of salmon, which travelled downstream from Aysgarth Falls, 2 miles northwest. According to Elizabeth, her father frequented fishing as well as shooting during their stays at Edgley (Climenson, I, 126).

It is unknown exactly when, but Matthew sold Edgley to William Atkinson.* In 1775, Edgley was sold to Ralph Robinson of Redmire, a distant relative of Montagu’s Robinson line, and remained in the Robinson family until the 20th century, when it was sold to the residing tenant, A. Lambert.

*With thanks to Jane Richie, North Yorkshire County Records Office, for this information.

Accipe dux belli, quem pax petit, arbiter audax

Pontigerus fluctur exilentis aquae

Fontigenas fluctus capiat mare divitis undae

Inque triumphali splendeat arcus ovans.

While living at the house, he published a five-act play entitled ‘John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough’, printed by Mr Fall in the nearby town of Leyburn. In his will he left his personal possessions and payments totalling several hundred pounds to his housekeeper, Mary Peacock, and other property to Lawson Dunn and his family. No member of the Robinson family is mentioned. (He had an illegitimate son, W K Robinson, who died at Boroughbridge, Yorkshire, in 1811 at the age of 19.) Lawson’s daughter Elizabeth Dunn erected a window in Morris’s memory in St Andrew’s Church.

Littleburn House is a substantial farm-house, but it is curious that Morris Robinson chose to end his life here rather than at Sorrelsykes – which may of course have been either derelict or let to tenants.

After Morris’s death, his properties passed to his brother Matthew Montagu in accordance with the entail down the male line of the Robinson family.

Please note that all dates and location information are provisional, initially taken from the library and archive catalogues. As our section editors continue to work through the material we will update our database and the changes will be reflected across the edition.

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