History society

At the December meeting of the Brompton Local History Society, Chris Hall of Scarborough Archaeological and Historical Society described the work that the society had done in surveying Raincliffe Woods.

Raincliffe Woods forms the edge of the plateau of Seamer Moor which is known to be rich in archaeological remains.

What was less well known was the wealth of archaeology on its flanks. The survey team discovered hollow ways, entrenchments, watercourses, house or charcoal burning platforms and quarries.

For the second part of the evening Chris Evans and Trevor Pearson talked about Brompton Castle. The earliest reference to a castle at Brompton is in Thomas Hinderwell’s History of Scarborough published in 1798, which writes of the foundations of an ancient building on Castle Hill. There is also a legend of a sad accident to a crusader and his lady love from the castle.

Chris Evans speculated that features of the village landscape suggested that the castle extended well beyond the Castle Hill and Trevor Pearson pointed out that the survey carried out by the speakers suggested one fairly small building and a walled yard. It is hoped that further investigations will reveal more.

The next meeting of the society is not until February 1 when Di Ford will talk about the men from Brompton commemorated on our war memorial. Everyone is welcome at this meeting which is at Brompton Village Hall at 7pm.

The society’s excursions next summer will be to Pickering church to look at the murals in the company of Kate Giles and then to Rievaulx Abbey.