Kirkby Malzeard & Laverton

Early History of Kirkby Malzeard

The earliest known activity in the area comes from a Neolithic axe hammer that was found in the Kirkby area, and given to Leeds Museum in 1956. It is thought to have been made from stone from Langdale in the Lake District.
There is clear evidence of Bronze Age/Roman activity in the area. This includes the Roman site at Castilles Farm, the Roman soldier discovered buried on the moors, and the discovery of 28 ‘socketed celts’ found on the edge of Kirkby, possibly from the Bronze Age.
There have been several name changes over the centuries, including ‘Chirchebi’ – meaning church village – in The Doomsday Book, ‘Kyrkbye Malsarde’, ‘Kyrkeby Malasart’, ‘Kirkebi Malsurd’ and ‘Kirkbye Malzard’. ‘Malzeard’ means bad clearing in Norman French, and was added in the 12th century.
The Doomsday Book records Chichebi as having 8 ‘villagers’, with an annual value of one pound to the lord, who was Gospatric.
Gospatric held thirty six ‘manors’, including Kirkby Malzeard, before the Conquest, but these were forfeited and granted to Robert Grundebeof (Roger de Stuteville), and eventually passed to the Mowbrays.
When Roger de Mowbray took part in the Revolt of 1173 against King Henry ll, the castle was besieged by the Bishop elect of Lincoln, and Mowbray surrendered it, along with Thirsk Castle, to the King, and both were demolished.
In 1307, King Edward I granted Kirkby Malzeard the right to hold two fairs annually, and a weekly market every Wednesday. This meant that Kirkby became a ‘town’, and a market cross was built to commemorate the granting.
In 1490 all association with the Mowbray family was ended when Thomas Stanley, Earl of Derby, bought the Honor and his descendants held it until the 18th century.

Kirkby Malzeard in 1600.
Between 1598 and 1616 enclosures were taking place which deprived the local people of access grazing, coal, but mainly peat. Some of these enclosures were illegal and led to trouble, mainly between Grewelthorpe and Kirkby. The riots that occurred as a result of the enclosures lead to damage to property, animals and fences being torn down to allow access. The land owners clerk was murdered, as well as several others, and the riots included womenfolk using bows, arrows and spears. Eventually it was decided that a third of the land would be enclosed.
No remains of medieval domestic architecture now exists in Kirkby or Laverton. The township at the time of the moor enclosure in 1789 had approximately 140 houses, many of which were thatched with ling, which was a principle product of the moor and was also used to make besoms (brooms). The adult population was about 560 and mainly employed in agriculture, along with besom production, spinning and weaving, straw plaiting and straw hat and bonnet making.
In 1893 the only thatched building remained near the market cross, and was formally used as the Poorhouse until it fell into disrepair and pulled down.