|
Epworth is a small, but straggling market town, consisting chiefly of one street of detached houses, nearly 2 miles in length, in the central part of the Isle of Axholme, 11 miles N. by W. of Gainsboro`, 4 miles W., of the Trent and 5 miles S., of Crowle. It increased its population from 1825 in 1831, to 1895 in 1841, and has in its parish 5198A. 1R., of cultivated land, extending eastward to the Trent, and westward towards the old rivers Torne and Idle, and including , Newland, Holme, West Car, Battle-Green, and other scattered farms, the parish has chiefly a low sandy moory soil, and partly an alluvial clay, and has been much improved by draining and warping. The manorial rights, and about 867 acres of land belong to the Crown, but are held on lease by Thomas Lightfoot, Esq.; and the rest of the parish belongs to numerous freeholders and copyholders., the latter subject to small certain fines. The manor of Epworth comprises the parishes of Owston and Haxey, and the chief part of Belton. It was given by William the Conqueror to Nigel d1Albini, whose descendants assumed the name Mowbray, and were among the most powerful barons of the realm, and for a time Dukes of Norfolk; but being attainted for treason during the wars of the roses, one being banished in 1397, and another beheaded in 1405, their estates here reverted to the Crown, by confiscation. They had a small castle, near the church, on the site now called Vine-Garth, where a cannon, made of bar iron, was found about 40 years ago, together with other antiquities and the foundations of buildings.
|
|
