Middlesmoor
| Middlesmoor | |
| Yorkshire West Riding | |
|---|---|
Jun2007.jpg) Middlesmoor | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SE092741 |
| Location: | 54°9’46"N, 1°51’30"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 40 |
| Post town: | Harrogate |
| Postcode: | HG3 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | North Yorkshire |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Skipton and Ripon |
Middlesmoor is a small hill village at the head of Nidderdale in the West Riding of Yorkshire. It is the pricipal settlement in the parish of Stonebeck Up, historically a township in the ancient parish of Kirkby Malzeard.
History
The name ‘Middlesmoor’ was first mentioned in the 12th century. It probably means "moorland in the middle of two streams" referring to the River Nidd and its tributary How Stean Beck.[1] An alternative explanation is that the name comes from an otherwise unrecorded personal name, Midele.[2]
In the 12th century Byland Abbey established a grange at Middlesmoor.[3]
Church
It appears that there has been a place of worship at Middlesmoor since Anglo-Saxon times. There is a stone cross inscribed "Cross of St Ceadda" (Chad), dated to Anglo-Saxon times, in the Church of St Chad, which also contains an ancient font which is possibly Anglo-Saxon.[4]
The present church was built in 1864 by William Henry Crossland. It is a Grade II listed building.[4] The church occupies a commanding position overlooking upper Nidderdale.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Middlesmoor) |
References
- ↑ Watts, Victor, ed. (2010), "Middlesmoor", The Cambridge Dictionary of English Place-Names, Cambridge University Press
- ↑ Smith, A. H. (1961). The Place-names of the West Riding of Yorkshire. 5. Cambridge University Press. p. 217.
- ↑ Jennings, Bernard (1992). A History of Nidderdale. p. 96. ISBN 1-85072-114-9.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 National Heritage List 1174129: Church of St Chad (Grade II listing)