William Mauleverer: The Allerton Park Estate surrounds the village of Allerton Mauleverer. For over 600 years it was the family set of the ancient family of Mauleverer, the founder of which was William Mauleverer who came to England with William the Conqueror. He fought on the field of Senlac (the name first used for the Battle of Hastings, an old French form of old English, Sandlacu, the name of a stream near the English line which survived for centuries as Sandlake but no longer exists) and as a reward for his services received the lands around Allerton. His name was to be found amongst the list of warriors to be seen for centuries in Battle Abbey. Sir John Mauleverer was associated with the Crusades of the time of Edward I and was one of the chosen Yorkshire knights present at the nuptial ceremonies of the young King Edward II at Bologna in 1308. In 1314 King Edward II gave license to Sir John to the erection of a chantry in the church of St. Martin at Allerton Mauleverer (see below). The Mauleverers occupied a middle position in the ranks of the gentry. Several Mauleverers were High Sheriffs, a very powerful position in the middle ages. In 1871 “…a square flat stone from a front wall of the old mansion was reported on which sculptured in bold relief was ‘1585 Anno Domini P.J.M.” the date probably when the Mauleverers rebuilt the house.” Sir Thomas was made a Baronet in 1641 by Charles I hoping to win his support in the North. Instead he took up arms for Parliament and raised a regiment of horse and another of foot. He fought with Fairfax at Allerton Moor and was reimbursed by Parliament for his services being made Governor of Ripon and afterwards of Hull. In 1649 Sir Thomas Mauleverer was one of the judges at the trial of Charles I and signatory to his death warrant. He fortunately died in 1655 before the restoration of the monarchy, thus avoiding execution with the other signatories of the death warrant. His son, Sir Richard, supported the Restoration and succeeded to the family estates. He became High Sheriff in 1667 and died in 1713. Some of the Mauleverers are interned in the Westminster Abbey and in the Church of St. Martin at Allerton Mauleverer. Benedictine Priory: In 1100 a small priory of Benedictines was established in the reign of Henry II, first in the care of the Holy Trinity at York and then in 1110 it was granted to the Abbey of Marmoutier in Normandy. Sir Richard Mauleverer, the founder, gave them the church at Allerton Mauleverer along with “the tithes, men, lands and possessions” including “the site of the mill there with the pool” and certain lands in Dunsford and Gafton. When the priory was dissolved in the course of the Hundred Years War, its revenues were settled by Henry VIII on King’s College, Cambridge. They remained with the college until 1544, at this date the property was sold back to the Mauleverers and was amalgamated with the estate. Not a vestige of the old priory remains. It is said that the foundations were dug up many years ago and used for building purposes. It is of little doubt that the priory buildings stood in a grass field in front of Gate Hill Farm and was within 200 yards of the present wall, but of the shape and extent of the old monastery, there is no knowledge. The Church of St. Martin: The church at Allerton Mauleverer, dedicated to St. Martin, was erected in the time of Henry 1st by Richard Mauleverer, son of William. It was to Sir John Mauleverer that King Edward II gave license by fine in 1314 for the erection of a chantry at the church of St. Martin. The translation of the original charter reads as follows: FOR JOHN DE MAULEVERER OF A CHANTRY GRANTED. The King to all to whome & c., greeting. Although of common council, &c., yet by a fine which our beloved and trusty John de Mauleverer has made with us we have granted and given license for us and our heirs as far as in us lies to the same John that he one messauge six bovates of land and twenty solidates of rent with the appurtenances in Hopeton (Hopperton) and Quixle (Whixley) may give and grant to a certain chaplain to say mass everyday in the church of St. Martin at Allerton Mauleverer in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary forever. And to the same chaplain that be the messauge land and rents aforesaid with the appurtenances from the aforesaid John may receive and hold to him and his successors aforesaid to say mass every day in the aforesaid church in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary for ever is aforesaid by the tenor of these presents we have likewise given special license. Being unwilling that the aforesaid John or his heirs to the aforesaid chaplain or his successors by reason of the statute aforesaid by us or our heirs, should be annoyed, molested or burdened in any way. Saving however to the chief lords of that’s fee the services there from due and accustomed. In witness whereof, & c. Witness the King at Westminster, 28th day of May. By fine of sixty shillings. Three full length effigies of knights in wood are found in the church. The brass depicts the knight full length, clad in plate armour, with visored bascinet of uncommon pattern, and bauberk and jupon bearing his arms (gu. Three greyhounds courant, in pale, collared, or). The lady likewise displayed at full length, is attired in a long robe; at their feet are two hounds. Plate reads died November 30, 1400 Johannes Mauleverer One possibility, Sir John Mauleverer I c1320 The other possibility, Sir John Mauleverer II c 1340 (Sir John was a deponent in the famous Scripes/Grosvenor controversy) Also two whole length cumbent effigies in stone of Catherine, the widow of Sir Mauleverer who died January 31st, 1703 and her second husband, John Hopton Esq. of Hungerskill who died on 24 April following. In 1584 the lord of Allerton Mauleverer was Sir Richard, the son of Thomas Mauleverer. The Mauleverer line just before and after was: “Syr John Malyvorerr of Alderton, maried the doughter of John Bankes of Whipley (Whixley) and by her had yssue Thomas.” “Syr Thomas Malyvorer, son of John, maried Elisabeth, doughter to John Delaverer of Bransby and by her had yssue Richard.” “Syr Thomas Malyvorer, son of Syr Richard, maryd Alionore, doughter of Syr Henri Oughtred, knight, and by her had yssue a daughter called Jane.” Richard Mauleverer, the last of the line of Mauleverers, died in 1713 at the age of 26, unmarried. His mother, already remarried into the Arundell family, inherited Allerton and on her death in 1720 left the lands to Richard Arundell, her son from her second marriage.