With acknowledgments of great indebtedness and thanks to the following authorities:

1. Sir John B. Burke's "Visitation of Seats and Arms" 2nd. Series (London) 2 vols. 8vo 
1864 - 55.
2. Burke's "Landed Gentry" 3rd. And 4th. Edits. 1860 & 63. For "Spofforth of Eastthorpe 
Hall").
3. "Family Record" by Ashworth P. Burke.
4. "Index to Printed Pedigrees" by C. Bridger.
5. Fairbairn's "Book of Crests" Vol. 1.
6. Harleian Society MSS. "Spofforth of Spofforth".
7. Canon J. S. Purvis, Archivist of York Minster.
8. The Society of Genealogists, London.
9. The Yorkshire Parish Register Society, York Probate Office, Sommerset House, 
Yorkshire Archaeological Society, British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, 
Public Record Office, the Lincoln, Newark, Nottingham, Sheffield and Guildhall 
Libraries, and many other private contributors.


PREFACE

	With all due respect to the authorities quoted on the preceding page, it is 
obviously unfair to expect the average reader to believe that the Spofforths of to-day can 
prove a perfectly legitimate descent, generation by generation, from pre-Conquest days, 
as is apparently claimed in the Pedigree prepared by that great authority, Sir J. B. Burke.

	There is, in reality, no authority for such a claim, which at times borders on the 
ridiculous; so, therefore, for the period previous to the early XVI th century, when Parish 
Registers first came into existence, and Wills and Admons, were more extensively used, 
these statements of relationships must be considered merely conjectural, and with the 
greatest reserve.

	In order, however, to sustain historical interest and preserve tradition, I am 
reproducing, therefore, a more or less correct copy of Burke's account of the family up to 
the Reformation, but from then onwards I am insisting upon the quotation of certifiable 
evidence where possible from Registers, Wills and other records.  This has necessitated 
the reconstruction and study of the various known branches of this ancient family, and 
future research will then tend naturally to co-ordinate the pieces of this typical jigsaw 
puzzle into a more coherent whole.

	No doubt there may be many omissions and inaccuracies in this attempt of mine 
to clarify the present unsatisfactory position, for in all probability there are still many old 
Parish Registers awaiting their time to deliver up to some future student of genealogy 
further lists of old Spofforth entries, but the compiler is content to have accomplished his 
share of research, ant to leave further investigation to posterity.

	There have been many major branches, notably those of York, Terrington, Selby, 
Howden, Dirkin, Wakefield, Snaith and Carlton, Hull, Doncaster, Southwall, Lichfield and 
Bristol, but it would appear at the time of writhing (1949) that representation today is 
confined to the York, Terrington, Howden and Wakefield units.  The "Spaffords" of 
Nottinghamshire and the "Spaffords" of Bedfordshire were two branches which evidently 
moved southwards at the end of the XVth. Century.  The Spaffords are still a flourishing 
branch of the family, whose representatives have distinguished themselves especially in 
the Church, while as far as I am aware, the Spuffords are now extinct, although in 
Toddington, Bedfordshire, they had a wonderful record of unbroken descent from 1541 
to 1850.

	The accounts given of the Howden Branch previous to 1727, by Burke in his 
"Landed Gentry" and in the Harleian MSS. "Spofforth of Eastthorpe Hall", appear to be 
both misleading and contradictory, and I have been unable to trace any corroborative 
evidence whatever bearing out the published genealogy of this branch previous to 1650, 
although it is possible this evidence may exist.  As an example, the first Spofforth entry 
in the Howden Registers is dated 1726 only, and this family is definitely descended from 
one Simon Spofford who died at Selby in 1688, but whose birth and parentage I have 
been unable to trace.

	In a similar manner I can vouch for Robert Spoforth, founder of the Wakefield 
and district branch, who married at Crofton in 1675, and for Richard Spofford who died in 
1704 and was the founder of the Terrington and York branch.

	I am firmly of the opinion that, as from the Reformation and the Revival of 
Learning, with the advent of the Parish Register of Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 
family pedigrees should be able to be substantiated by appropriate references and 
should reflect a true statement of the position, otherwise the charm of true genealogy 
would be lost.  At the same time, should further authoritative evidence be produced, I 
should be only too pleased to make the "amend honourable" and to tender my humbled 
apologies to the representatives of the branches concerned.

	In some cases it has proved most difficult to get information from the Registers of 
the Parishes concerned.  Incumbents have stated that in these exceptional times they 
regretted they had no opportunity of searching the records, others that they could not 
read medieval English, some stated their registers were undecipherable, a few quoted 
exorbitant fees, while others refrained from answering any enquiries whatever.  Qualified 
researchers in Yorkshire are evidently non-existent and -- a sad pity --many registers 
were quoted as being lost or missing, burnt, stolen or destroyed through various causes.

	A few remarks on the family name and its claim to Armorial Bearings may not be 
out of place here.  The name is first mentioned in Domesday Book 1068 as SPOFORD, 
since that time, owing to various reasons, has been variously spelled Spoford, Spofford, 
Spafford, Spufford, Spauforth, Spofer, Spawforth, Spofforth, Spoforth, Spoffurth, 
Spoffort, Spofferd, Spofforths, Spauforthe, Spoofourthe, etc.  The origin of the name is 
obscure,  One writer states:  "...we deduce `Spofforth' from "Spoff' or `Spot's' worth.  
(A.S. WOERTH - estate).  If this be true, then Spoff or Spot was the C. E. chieftain who 
displaced the British."  "...the nice little story about the ford to the Spa is too modern, too 
easy and too obvious, and in rejecting that I find I sin in good company.  I cannot see 
any necessity for a ford.  The Crimple is only a good-sized beck, and besides, there is 
no satisfactory place for the ford to lead to and no main road crossing the Crimple".

- - - - - - - - -


The Arms, Crest and Motto, according to various books of reference, are as follows:

	ARMS  - Guiles.  Two chevronels within a bordure or.

	CREST  -  A Chess Rook,. Qules.

	MOTTO  -  Tempus meae opes.

The motto of the American branch of the Spofford family is "Rather Deathe than False of 
Faythe."

Note:  "Intelligible Heraldry" p.56 (Lynch-Robinson).
Ref. Crests:  "...the Tower is exactly like a chess castle or rook; but the chess castle is 
also used as a charge under the name of a Chess Rook", (A. S. Roc - fortress).

- - - - - - - - -

	The origin of the Arms and Crest as claimed cannot be established but it is 
interesting to note that the Arms of Thomas Spofforth, Bishop of Hereford, 1421-1448,  
were "Guiles Three Chevronelles Embrased Or".  Those of the Clares of Pontefract 
(Marr. Richard S 1565) were Or. Three Chevronelles Ou,", and that the Arms of the 
Anlabys (Marr. Robert S. 1440) contained the Chess Rook,  (A.  A. Chevron between 
three chess rooks.  Sa.).

	R. H. D'Elboux, Esq., M.A., F.S.A, Secretary of the Harleian Society, writes -  
"Although not a grant from the College of Arms, the coat may nevertheless be 
considered the Spofforth Arms simply from generations of use.  Some families 
stubbornly refused to have their Arms, already used by them, "granted" to them later by 
the College of Arms.  It is the Charnell coat.  It may also quite well be the Spofforth Coat.
	"There are many cases of the same coat being used by several entirely different 
families in different parts of England.  It may be a variant of a cadet branch, and it is also 
possible that a Spofforth married the heiress and adopted the coat, but to establish this 
would entail enormous research."

Note:  The Charnells, as a family, are now extinct.

	The College of Arms in a letter dated 14th January 1948 states: -  "The 
Achievement of Arms, as depicted in the die impression has not been traced in our 
Record although, as probably Captain Ralph Spofforth is aware, this coat is noted in 
various books of reference as borne by the ancient family of his name seated for 
generations in Yorkshire.  The Arms i.e. Shield only, "gules, two chevrons within a 
bordure or", was however registered for Charnell during the Visitation of Lincoln in 1562 - 
1564, and the same Arms but with different tinctures are recorded for a number of 
families.

	Not one of these families, however, appears to have been entitled to a crest "A 
Chess Rook".  No member of the family appears ever to have registered the genealogy 
or part thereof in our official records.  It is apparent that this family has used, without 
authority, for many generations the Arms and Crest depicted in the die impression, but I 
have been unable to trace any early mention of such usage in our collection of Armorial 
information".

(End of Preface)

	The Spofforths are a very ancient Yorkshire family, of Anglo-Saxon descent, who 
held the rank of Theyns and were the Lords of extensive possessions in and around the 
Forest of Knaresborough previous to the Conquest.  They were plundered of these by 
the rapacious Norman Duke William but have since then, although they have never 
attained the dignity of the peerage, maintained the character of a reputable arms bearing 
county family.

	They were originally of Spofforth, one of the great and early Saxon parishes 
((13062 ac. Oro, II poles.) near Wetherby and Knaresborough, a village afterwards 
remarkable for a noble castle, erected temp. Ed.III on the forfeited lands of the "de 
Spoffords" granted to the Percies, Earls of Northumberland.  (Note: The foundations of 
this are 7th century Anglican, the footings of which are probably in front of the present 
building, and it was a stronghold of the old kingdom of Northumbria).  After their 
expulsion from Spofforth by William I, the family has been seated at York, Wistowe, 
Turnhead and Scriven, and in more modern times at Selby, Doncaster, Howden, Bristol, 
and London.

	ORM  - The grandfather of Gamelbar de Spofford was a prominent Northumbrian 
Thane.  It is supposed he was born in 956 or thereabouts and he died before the reign 
of Edward the Confessor.  It is evident from the many references in Domesday Book to 
his son Gamel, and to his grandson Gamelbar, that the Orm of Domesday was the 
brother and not the father of Gamel.  This name shows Danish descent, and Thoresby, 
speaking of the Danes, says "there was also a person of eminence amongst them called 
Arm or Orm who gave his name to several places, and this Arm is the same with Orm", 
an ancient family both amongst the Danes and northern English, whose Dano-Saxon 
manuscript is called from him "Ormulum".  (Thoresby's "History of Leeds", Vol. 2, p 195).

	GAMEL - A Northumbrian nobleman, son of Orm, had large possessions in 
counties York, Lincoln, Derby, Stafford, Salop and Chester.  These were laid waste after 
his death.  He also held the hereditary offices of King's fowler and Ranger of the Forest 
of Knaresborough.  He was "craftily" slain at York in 1064 for opposing the tyrannical 
practices of the Earl.  He seems to have been a man of generous feelings shown in his 
princely gift of his Manor of Neweton to the Church of St. Peter at York.  Probably he had 
estates in the other northern counties to which the Domesday survey did not extend.  He 
did not live to see the downfall of his country and the ruins of his family and of his 
friends, caused by the Norman invasion, for before that he had been treacherously 
murdered by Tosti.

	From Gamel descended another family, that of the Gambles.  There are still 
members of that branch living, though in "Old Yorkshire" Vol. R, p. 243, it was reported 
that the last of the local family had just died at Helmsley, a few miles from Kirkdale.  
There had been Gambles living in the vicinity of Helmsley for over 300 years.

	Gamel had issue two sons: -

	ORM and GAMELBAR -

	ORM, the elder, was Lord of Wellebrune in which berewick was Kirkdale, 
Thormanby, Scriven and other places.  He restored the old Saxon church of Kirkdale, 
near Helmsley, which is still standing, with an ancient sundial bearing an inscription in 
Saxon, "Orm, son of Gamel, bought S. Gregory's monastery when it was all broken 
down and fallen and he caused it to be made anew from the ground, to Christ and S. 
Gregory, in the days of Edward the King and Tosti the Earl."

	And underneath this, "And Haworth made me, and Brand the Priest."  He married 
Ethelbritha, daughter of Ailred, Earl of Northumbria, and had descendants, one branch 
of whom assumed the name of "De Scriven" whose line ended temp. Ed. III in an 
heiress Ivana, who married William de Slingsby, to which family she conveyed Scriven 
with other estates, together with the Rangership of the Forest of Knaresborough.  Orm 
was dispossessed of a considerable portion of his estates by William the Conqueror, 
who bestowed them on William Malet, Governor of York Castle, at the time of the 
struggles of the Northumbrians under Gospatrick, for the maintenance of their 
independence.

	GAMELBEORN or GAMELBAR de SPOFORD,  son of Gamel, Lord of Spofforth, 
Plumpton, etc. Soon avenged his father's death by an attack on Tosti, culminating in a 
revolt of the Northumbrians in 1066 in which many of his bodyguard were slain.  Harold 
traveled to York to restore tranquillity, and Morcar was made Earl of Northumberland the 
same year.

	In 1066, Tosti induced the King of Norway to join him in an invasion of England.  
They stormed York and defeated Morcar, but were themselves defeated by Harold at 
Stamford Bridge on 23rd September 1066, in a battle in which both Tosti and the King of 
Norway were slain.  Ten days after this victory, Harold himself was defeated and slain at 
Hastings.  Thus, the murder of Gamelbar's father, leading up to the battle of Stamford 
Bridge, thereby preventing Harold from giving his whole energies to guarding against the 
impending invasion by William the Conqueror, became a potent cause of the downfall of 
the Anglo-Saxons.

	The Manor of Spoford was in the large parish of Spoford, on a branch of the 
Nidd, a tributary of the Wharfe, convenient to Gamelbar's mansion in the City of York, 
and to his other estates.  It must have had great advantages, for his successor, William 
de Percy, upon whom the Conqueror had bestowed it, selected it out of all his large 
estates in that neighbourhood as his home and made it the head of a barony.  For 
several generations Spofforth Castle was the chief seat of the Percy family.

	Gamelbar was an active participant to free his country in 1068-69 but was forced 
to submit to William the Conqueror.  All of his estates were confiscated and it is probable 
that his life paid forfeit for his patriotism.  Some of his family became tenants of Perci, 
while others sought refuge in the cloister.

	Sir Henry Ellis, in his "General Introduction to Domesday Book" refers to "lands 
which were seized from Gamelbar, Merlesuian and other Saxon Thanes of the North, 
after the suppression of the rising in 1069" (vol. I, pp 7-14), also "of the lands of 
Giselbertus Tison, consisting of 29 manors forfeited upon the ravaging of Yorkshire, ten 
belonged to Gamelbar and one to Gamel".  Of six which had belonged to Gamelbar it is 
said "Has terras habet Giselbertus Tison, sed wastae sunt omnes", and referring to 
lands of Berengarius de Todeni, "these also 29 manors were forfeited lands, 18 had 
belonged to Gamel and 5 to Torbrand".  Of 11 of Gamel's manors it is said "Has terras 
habuit Gamel, et nunc Berengarius habet, set wastae sunt omnes". (Vol. 1, p. 493).  
After the desolation of the Norman Conquest, for such it was, many remnants of the 
greater families of the Saxon times found no asylum but in the cloister, and some 
obtained the rule of monasteries.

	Briscoe in "Old Notts." States: - "After the Norman Conquest, Gamelbar, an old 
Saxon knight, was allowed to retain two carucates of land at Cuckney, a village on the 
Foulter, near Worksop, for the services of shoeing the King's palfrey as oft as he should 
be at his manor of Mansfield; and if he performed the work without injury to the 
Conqueror's palfrey he was to receive a palfrey of the value of four marks, but if he 
lamed it he was required to forfeit one of the same value".

	Gamelbar de Spoford had a son William de Spoford, who held in 1066, 
according to the Domesday Book (Vo. II, p. 322a) four ploughs and nine villains, and ten 
borderers, four acres of meadow, a mill ann. value of ten shillings, wood pasture one 
mile long and one mile broad, the whole sixteen quarterteens long and twelve broad, 
value in King Edward's time twenty shillings, in William's time sixty shillings.

	Either Gamelbar or his son William joined with Aldred Archbishop of York in 
resisting the imposition of the Dane-gelt, and his estates were confiscated in 1086 and 
bestowed upon the Norman adventurers.

	Walter de Spofford, his son, was slain during the invasion of England by 
Malcolm, King of Scotland, (Vide 38 Dunhelm, p. 200).

	John de Spofford, son of above, was living in 1105 and married Juliana, 
daughter of Nigellus de Pluntona, of Plumpton, in the Parish of Spoford, and had issue a 
son : -

	Henry de Spofford, who was living temp. Stephen.  Henry married a daughter of 
Sir Richard de Stokeld, Kt. Of Stokeld, near Spofforth, and had a son  : -

	Elerina or Elwine de Spofford (Also described as Robert), living in 1186 temp. 
Henry II, who had two sons : -

	1.  Gamel Spofford, who was Marshal to Nigel de Plumpton, Lord of Plumpton. 
(History of Ilkley, p.90), and 

	2.  John Spofford, who settled in Ireland and in 1195 was elected the First 
Provost of Limerick.  (Fernar's "History of Limerick", p. 229).  Three years afterwards, by 
virtue of a charter granted by Richard I in 1198, he was elected the first Mayor of the 
City, from which time downwards to the middle of the 15th century, the names of his 
descendants frequently occur in connection with the city as Bailiff, Mayor or other official 
capacity, and on one occasion in 1421 as a rebel with forfeiture of his property.

	A John Spoffourd was Bailiff in 1387, and in 1392 a John Spofford was Lieut. 
Governor of the Fortress of Limerick.  (Lenihan's "History of Limerick", pp. 691-6, and 
"Rotulorum Patentium et  Clensorum Cancellariae Hibernae Calendarium", Vol. I, p 148).

	A John Spofford was Mayor also in 1404, 1418-9, 1423, 1432 and 1437.

	William Spofford, son of Gamel, attended a Parliament at St. Albans, temp John 
1213, and had three sons :--

1.  Nicholas de Spauford, of whom presently.

2.  Henry de Spofford, mentioned 1286 in a Writ directed to the Sheriff of York and dated 
at Westminster 6th August 1286. (Yorks. Inquis. 1275-95. Vol. 23 Yorks. Arch. Soc.)

NOTE:  Amongst the list of Burials contained in the Records of the Black Friars of York is 
included the name of Henrie de Spofforde.

3.  William de Spofford, mentioned  1293 as one of 24 Jurors carrying out an Inquisition 
at the Hospital of St. Nicholas, York.

Nicholas de Spauford, the eldest, who was residing near Wetherby in 1265, married 
Dyonysia de Plumpton.  (Plumpton correspondence. Excerpta e Rotulie Finium in "Turri 
Londoniensis").  Charles Roberts, 1835, Vol. 2, p. 422, and had a son: -

	Roger Blase de Spofford, temp. Edward I and II, 1287, who joined with the Lords 
Lancaster, Pembroke, de Warrene, and Warwick, in an insurrection against the King, 
and assisted in conveying Piers Gaveston, the King's favourite, from Scarborough 
Castle to Blacklow Hill, near Warwick, where he was beheaded.  He obtained pardon for 
participation in the murder in 1313.  (Vide Rct. Par. 7 Edward II, p. 1; also Palgrave's 
"Abstract of Parliamentary Writs" Vol. 2, Div. 1, p. 107).  Roger was also present at the 
Battle of Boroughbridge, 13th. March 1322, on the Earl of Lancaster's side, and was 
again pardoned 1325.  He had two sons who follow presently.

-------
NOTE:  During the 13th, and 14th, centuries the names of many Spofforths occur in 
various documents but their exact relationship and position in the family pedigree must, 
for the time being however, remain obscure.  The following represent a selection : -

1258.  The Prior of Holy Trinity, York, Benedictines, took action in the courts against 
Robert de Clarevaux, John de Deleby, John, William and Peter (Robert's brothers), 
Godwin the horse leech (accurit.), Geoffrey de Fangfess, Hugh le Rumanger, William de 
Cokermue, Simon de Eltoft, William de Tresk, and Hugh de Spofford and Thomas his 
brother, "for breaking the Prior's house in the suburbs of York and carrying off his doors 
and windows, and beating and ill-treating his men there".  (Curia Regis No. 161, Mich. 
43, Hen. 3.).

1260.  John Spofforth is mentioned in the Compotus, or Household Book, of Bolton 
Priory A.D. 1260 (now in the possession of the Duke of Devonshire) as having sung, in 
company with William Myoths and the Baron de Greystock, at the festival of the fiftieth 
anniversary of William de Malgam, one of the monks.

1320.  Robert de Spofford, who had been Cellarer of the Augustinian Priory at 
Healaugh, was elected Prior 1320 and died 1333.  (Vide Drake's "Eboracum").

1320.  Adam de Spofford was Rector of St. Edward's in Walmgate, York.  (Torres 
MSS.).

1322.  William de Spofford, Rector of Edlington, Yorks., presented by Sir Henry Scrope, 
6th. November 1322, resigned for the Church of Casterton Parva. (See Miller's "Deanery 
of Doncaster").

1337.  Walter de Spofford of East Drayton, Notts., who formerly held half a covert of land 
in E.D., had a son Adam de Spofford who also had land in E.D. And sold it to John de 
Durham, Notts.  Walter de Spofford married Hanysia or Hawisia Joce, daughter of Wm. 
Daniell. (Vide p. 226, "Castutarius Allathiae S. Germain de Selby, Yorks". And Coucher's 
"Book of Selby Abbey").

1358.  27th. March, Joh. de Spofford was Cantarist at St. Michael's Spurrier Gate, York.  
(Torres MSS. 89).

1362.  Thomas de Spofford was Vicar of St. Andrew's, Stanford. (Burley by Stanford).

1368.  Richard de Spofford and Matilda his wife (Marieta) were defendants in an action 
by Richard de Allerton of York at Westminster. (Yorks. Arch. Soc. Vol. 52).

1369.  "Friar Will. de Spofford, confrater domus sit Roberti de Knaresborough, Vicar of 
Hampsthwaite, post mort. 9th. October, 1369".  (Torres MSS. Archdeaconry of York. p. 
195).

1379.  Poll Tax. 2 Rich. 2.  (Rotuli Collectorum subsidii Rege a Laicie - anno secondo 
concessi - in Westrythings, in commitatu Ebornei.).

i.  Ricardus de Spofford et uxor ejus.  (Wapentake of Clarrowe, Usborn Magna, 
iiijd.)

ii.  Willelmus de Spofford, vijd, (The Ainsty, Poppleton)

iii.  Robertus de Spofford, vjd. (Ditto. Vol. 6, Parte 23/24)

iv. Johannes de Spofford, iiijd. (Clarrowe, Wetherby)

v.  Robertus Spofforth (Osgoldcross, villata de Burghwallis).

vi.  Johanna de Spofford (Wetherby, Barkston Ash Wapen.)

vii.  Willelmus de Spofford et Agnes.  (Staincross, Villata Denton).

And in the Poll Tax Returns for the East Riding, 4 Rich. 2, 1381, under Fishmarket Gate, 
Rogerus Spofforth and Cecilia his wife.

-------

Roger Blase de Spofford had two sons :-

	1.  Robert, of whom presently, and

	2.  John de Spofford, who was Proctor of the Trinitarian Friars of Knaresborough 
1318, and Master of the House in 1343.  In February 1318-19, Edward II issued a Writ of 
protection and safe conduct to Friar John de Spofford, Proctor of the Trinitarian Friars of 
Knaresborough, "going to divers parts of the country to seek alms for the relief and 
sustenance of his brethren".

Robert Spofford, the elder, was living in 1346 and married Agnes, daughter of William 
Castelay, who was one of the Jurors on the Iquisition post mortem of Roger de 
Mowbray, and had issue :-

	i  Robert, of whom presently.

ii. Henry, a priest, living in 1338, who held the Manor of Grassington in Craven, 
as trustee for Sir William de Plumpton, and Christiana his second wife (widow 
of Richard Ellendon, Mayor of Newcastle, 1338) and their heirs, by a Deed 
made 18th. May 1338, 12 Ed. 3.  (Plumpton correspondence, Cartul No. 182, 
Bodleian Library, Oxford).

Robert Spofford, the elder, married 1337, Evorta, widow of John Vavasour de Norwode, 
and had issue :-

	i.  Robert of whom presently.

	ii. Roger.

Roger Spofford or Spofforth, the second son, signed as witness to a settlement 1396, 
and had issue by Cecilia ---, his wife :-

	i.  Thomas, who became Bishop of Hereford,

	ii.  Agnes,

	iii.  Matilda.

The two sisters are described as ;- "Sorores Abbatis, Corpus Christi, York Guild, Decimo 
Anno 1417-9".  (Surtees Soc. Vol. 57, p 19).

Thomas Spofford was born 1370, assumed the monastic life, and on 10th. June 1405 
was elected Abbot of St. Mary's, York, which being a Mitred Abbey, gave him, by virtue 
of his office, a seat in the great councils of the nation.  He was a man of great learning 
and ability, and as such was nominated by Henry V to attend the Council of Constance 
1414 -18, and was elected one of its four presidents.  The Council, following that of Pisa 
1414, was called to consult on the pretensions of the three rival popes - John, Benedict, 
and Gregory - when all three were removed and Martin V was elected in their stead.

	At the same time he had a voice in the condemnation of John Huss, and Frome 
of Prague to the stake.  Soon after his return in 1422 [?] he was elected Bishop of 
Rochester, but was transferred the same year, before consecration, by Papal Bull dated 
17th. November 1421, to the more important See of Hereford, which he held until 1448 
when he resigned the office, and was allowed œ100 per year out of the revenues by his 
successor, which sum he expended on buildings and ornamental works connected with 
the cathedral, one of his architectural works being the erection of the Bishop's Palace, a 
later Bull stating that Bishop Spofforth had expended on buildings at the Cathedral 
upwards of 2800 marks. (Burton's Cath. Arch. Of England, Vol.3. p. 23).  He retired to 
his early home, the Abbey of St. Mary's, York, where he died 1456.

	In Catterick Church, Yorks., of which he was a rector, there is in the east window 
a figure of S. Anne, and the following inscription:- "Eternum mana mihi Spofford impetret 
Anna".  "Orate pro anima D'ni Thomas Spofford, Abbatis Monasterii Beatae Maree 
Eborum istius Ecclesiae Rectoris", and on the woodwork in the church are emblazoned 
the Abbot's Arms, viz. "Ou. Three chevronelles embrased. Or."
(Whitaker's "Richmondshire").

	Reference to the preceding paragraph, the Compiler wrote to the Rev. R. F. 
Bradley, Vicar of Catterick, for confirmation of this statement.  He in turn handed the 
query to the Rev. Wm. Oliver, Rector of Rokeby, Barnard Castle, who is an expert in 
such matters, and the following is his reply :-

	"Dr. Whitaker in his "History of Richmondshire" in giving an account of the 
ancient glass in Catterick Church, together with the monuments and woodwork was 
quoting from a 17th. century Visitation.  There are several accounts of the ancient 
treasures in Catterick Church written in the 17th. Century, of which Dodsworth's is 
perhaps the best known.  Since the time they were written much has disappeared, and 
no trace of them can be found, nor even the date when such objects vanished.  I could 
write you a very lengthy list of monuments, glass, and even documents and plate, that 
have been lost in Richmondshire, and nothing is known of their fate".

	And in Ludlow Church, Salop, a kneeling figure of the Bishop is represented in 
stained glass in the act of adoration of St. Anne, with a mutilated inscription:- "Media 
precors Anna", and before him a table inscribed :- "Thomas Spofford, Dei Gratia, 
Hereford Ep'us".

	The following is extracted from "Herefordshire"
(Arthur Moe's "King's England Series").  Speaking of Ross Church on the Wye, the 
writer says :- "But it is to the east window that we are drawn.  This is filled with glass 500 
years old, shining in red, blue, silver and gold.  Originally given by Bishop Spofford to 
Stretton Sugwas, the glass was brought here when the Bishop's chapel there was pulled  
down.

	For more than a hundred years it filled the window just as it was unpacked - a 
jumble of fragments, but last century it was reset and the canopied figures of four saints 
appeared above a host of angels.  Here is Ethelbert with a model church; Bishop 
Thomas of Hereford with his crozier; and Bishop Spofford himself kneels before them 
holding out his heart to the Madonna."

	The Will of John Carre of York, dated 1487, states inter alia :-  "Also I bewit to the 
Abbat of Seint Marie Abbay a payre of Spectales of sylver and gylted, and a bonet that 
was sumtyme the Bisshoppis of Hertforth".  (Surtees Soc. "Testaments Eboracensia" 
Vol. 4).  There exists a tradition that he was the Bishop who was waylaid in Barnsdale 
Forest by Robin Hood, who made him "dance in his boots", entertained him to a repast 
of the King's venison, and took from him œ300 in payment for his supper.  Bishop 
Spofford, being a Yorkshireman, would doubtless occasionally visit his native home and 
friends in the Forest of Knaresborough and would probably pass through Barnsdale, 
where he may have encountered a band of out-laws who treated him as described in the 
ballad.

	In 1449 he presented the Corpus Christi Guild of York with a "Splendid and costly 
shryne to contain the sacred elements".  The shryne is all gylte havyng six ymages 
gylded, with an ymage of the byrthe of our Lord, of mother of perle, sylver and gylt, and 
thirty three ymages enamyled standing about the same, and tablett of golde; two golde 
ryngs, one with a safure and the other with a perle, and eight other ymages, and a grete 
tablett of golde, havyng in yt the ymage of Oure Ladye, of mother of perle, which shryne 
conteyneth in lengthe three quarters of a yerde and a nayle, and in brede a quarter and 
a halfe and more, and in heighte half a yerde and over, besides the steple stonding 
upon the same, the said steple having a wether cokke there upon all gylte and a ryalle of 
golde, four olde nobles and two gylted greets, hangying upon the said steple, and also 
beying within the said steple, a berall, wheryn the sacrament is borne, havyng in the said 
berall two ymages of angells of sylver and gylte, beryng up the said sacrament the foote 
and converying of whyche said berall is sylver and gylte".

	The last time it was carried in procession through the streets of York was in the 
first year of the reign of Edward VI, immediately after which it fell a prey to the rapacity of 
the so called reformers of religion.

Robert Spofforth, the elder son, was living in 1360, and married Mary, daughter of and 
co-heiress with, Thomas de Malebis, KT., her sister Elizabeth marrying Adam Beckwith 
de Clint, 1364.  He had issue :- 

	i.  Thomas, Vicar of Bredon, Co. Leicasers.  1377-81.
		(Nicholl's "Leicestershire" Vol. 3, p. 669).

	ii.  John.

John spofford, the second son, was of Newsam, near Spofforth, and is mentioned in the 
Pipe Roll 15 Rich. 2. 1396.  He married first Mary or Maria Meynell of London, and 
second Joan, daughter of Robt. Warde of Lowthorpe.  He had issue by his first wife :-

Robert Spofforth, of York and Menthorpe near Selby, was living in 1415 and was a 
member of the corpus Christie Guild of York, 1431, his name appearing as "Dom. Rob. 
Spoforth Monarchus".

	Several members of the Spofforth family appear to have been brethren and 
sisters of the Guild, which was dedicated "to the praise and honour of the most sacred 
body of our Lord".  And many of them were benefactors.  He married Ann, daughter of 
William Anlaby of Elveley and Etton, by Alice, daughter and heir of Peter Ughtred of 
Etton, and his wife Alice Ravesson, and had issue :-

i.  Roger de Spofford, a chaplain, who in October 1406 signed as witness at Everwyk to 
the settlement of the Plumpton estates, between Dame Alice de Plumpton and Robert 
de Plumpton. (Plumpton correspondence. Cartel No. 325).

ii.  Robert, of whom presently.

iii.  Richard, Incumbent of Dalton in Furness, 1376, who died 1450.  Amongst the ancient 
charters of the Duchy of Lancaster, now in the P.R.O., Box A. No. 400 is a confirmation 
dated 6th. October 1432, with seal attached, by John Kemp, Archbishop of York, of the 
composition made between the Abbot of the Convent of Furness, as parson or rector of 
the church of Dalton, and Richard Spofforth, perpetual vicar of the same church, upon 
the right of taking tithes within the parish of Dalton.  From this Richard  Spofforth 
descended Richard Spofforth who married Magdalen Gilmin of York, 1st. August 1615, 
one of the family from whom descended the mother of Alexander Pope the poet.  (See 
Marshall's "Genealogies", Brit. Mus.).

Robert Spofforth, the second son, of Wistow Manor, who was living in 1480, married 
Ellen, daughter of Sir Brian Roucliffe, of Cowthorpe, near Spofforth, who was third Baron 
of the Exchequer and the builder of Cowthorpe Church.  Sir Brian married a daughter of 
Richard Hammerton of Craven and died 1483.  Robert had issue two sons :-

	i.  Bryan, of whom presently.

	ii.  Thomas, who was chaplain of Asselbie par. of Howden in 1526.  

During this period the following other members of the family, whose exact relationship is 
obscure, are mentioned in records:

1425.  Peter Spofford of York, skynner, died.  His wife was one Margaret.  (For Abs. of 
his Will, see appendix).

1437-8.  John Spofforth and Cecilia his wife, evidently citizens of Hull, made a gift of iiijd. 
to Hedon Church.

1456-64.  Robert Spofforth, or Spofford, a Ship Master, was member of the Guild of the 
Holy Trinity, Hull, and an Aberman, who signed an Ordinance.  (Tickell's "History of Hull", 
pp 701 and 731).  Note also "The Ship of Robert Spofford, called the "Maeiflower of 
Hull"".  (Proc. of Yorks. Arch. Soc. Vol. LXIV, p 31).

1481.  Roger de Spofford, who "had leave from the Prior of North Ferriby, near Hull, to 
absent himself".

1482.  John Spofforth, of Withanthilsay (West Haddlesey) witnessed a Yorkshire Deed, 
5th. June 1482 (22 Ed. 4) between Agnes Fethistayne of Saxelby, Co. Lincoln, and 
Richard Burdux of Burton by Gateford.

1489.  Robert Spoford, of York, Baxter, died.  His wife was named Elizabeth.  (For. Abs. 
of his will see Appendix).

Bryan Spofforth, born circa 1500, was Rector of Barton le Street in Ryedale, from 1536 
to 1554.  A list of Clergy in Yorkshire who were taxed in 1526 contains the name of 
Brianus Spofforth, cap. paroch, de Thornton.([Fallow Papers).  He was deprived temp.  
Mary, for the crime of marrying, about 1530, a nun, one Agnes Aslaby, possibly of the 
neighbouring family of Aslaby of Whitwell or Welbourne.  He was summoned before the 
Courts in York and condemned to do penance in the following terms:  "That upon the 
Sonday next cominge, he shal be present in this Cathedral Churche in his cloke bare 
heyd bare leggyd with his shewes upon his fete and that he shall procede in procession 
before the Crosse the same day with a taper in his hands of half a pounde and that he 
shall knele before ye altar all Masse tyme havynge a surplusse upon hyme without 
sleves, and that he shall do lyke penance at Barton where he was parson".  He was 
deprived and evicted from his church 1554 and died 1555, having issue a son Richard.

In the Yorks.  Arch.  Society's Record Series.  Vol 51, appears the following:-
"Sir Brian Spofforth, parson of Barton, was appointed supervisor of the Will of Rauff 
Graye, of Barton, in Rydall, 10th March 1551-52", and in Vol.45 No.12we read "...And so 
yt is gracious soueraigne lorde, that one Brian Spowforth, clerke... and divers others 
riottous and evill dysposed persons to the number of twentye persons, to your said 
subjecte unknowne, the xiijth day of January in the syxt yere of your maiesties reigne by 
the unlawfull commandemente and procurement of one Margaret Graye, widow, did 
most ryottously agaynst your maiesties peace in verrye warrelyke manner with divers 
unlawfull wepons assemble themselves together at Coneysthorppe aforesaid and then 
and there with graete force did cutte down take and carye away twentye loodes of wodd 
and undrewodd, then beinge and standinge in and upon the said wodd called 
Bankeheade, and the same converted to th'use of the said Margaret Graye, to the grete 
losse, damage, and hynderence of your said subjecte and to the evill example of all 
other your maiesties subjectes dwellinge thereabouts.  In consideration whereof may it 
please your grace to grant unto the said Bryan Spowforth and others aforesaid, 
cammanding them by vertue thereof personally to appare before youre maiesties most 
honourable Counsell in the Sterred Chambre at West' there to make answers to all the 
premyses, etc.
(Sgd.) Gerard."

An Abstract of the Will of Brian Spofforthe, which was proved 1556, will be found in the 
Appendix.

--------------

Extracts from the records of the York Diocesan Registry.
Made by the Rev. Canon Purvis, The Archivist, in 1947.

	1.  "The Rev.  Brian Spofforth.  Consistory Court.  Cause paper R.VII g.1109. 
A.D.1563. Tho.  Gray contra Agnes Aslaby, widow of Brian Spofforth, for a bequest of a 
goblet and also ... of œ100.  File for defence only preserved.  Attestations: Chris.  Paule 
of Naffertone, yeoman, said that Brian's Will was proved in the Exchequer of York: he 
himself was present when the Inventory was exhibited there by Mr. Francis Aslaby and 
Agnes Aslaby; the value of the Inventory amounted to œ467. 12. 10d. (Multiply by 35 to 
get modern values).

	He was present when Brian Spofforth, lying sore sick, made the bequest of the 
goblet which was not worth œ8, for he twenty sundry times hath drunken of it, and has 
lodged in Brian's house.  Peter Dunkin of Heslerton said that Brian treated Agnes Aslaby 
as his lawful wife and Richard Spofforth as his son."

	Rafe Thompson of Barton le Street said that Brian took Agnes for his lawful wife 
"unto the tyme he was devorcyd frome her", and Richard to be his son "untill the day of 
his deathe, and loved him tenderly."

	2.  In the Victoria "History of Yorks", appears the following :- "6 Ed.  VI.  Agnes 
Aslaby, a nun was granted a pension of 34s. 4d. at York 1554."

	3.  The Rev. Richard Spofforth, Instiution Book 19th. July 1613.  Ric. Spofforth to 
the rectory of Barton le Street.  14th. March 1620-1.  Chris. Emerson M.A. to the Rectory 
of Barton le Street by the death of Ric. Spofforth.

	4.  The Rev. John Spofford. 16th. March 1616-17.  Joh. Spofford, to Deacon.  
31st. December 1617.  Joh. Spofford to Priest.  (No note that he was ever instituted to 
any benefice.  Probably Silkstone).

	5.  Will of Ric. Spofforth, Rector of Barton in the Streete, 3rd. February 1621, 
proved 19th. April 1621.  Two children, names not given.  Wife one Magdalen.  Will 
witnessed by his brother John Spofford, probably the priest.

--------------

The names of other Spofforths of this period which have been found in various records 
are as follows :-

1553.  "Spaford" entries begin, Collingham P.R. Notts.

1541.  "Spufford" entries begin, Toddington P.R. Beds.

1542.  From old Selby rent Books, 5th. August 33 Hen. viij.

	John Spofforde paid 4d. rent

	Isabel Spofforde paid 4d. rent.

	Robert Spofforde paid 4d. rent.

1544.  "Spoffurth" entries begin, Snaith P.R.

1557.  John Spofurth is mentioned in the Will of Robert Turpin of Monk Fryston as owing 
vs. for a quarter of oytes.

1558.   George Spoffurthe of Haddlesey, whose Will was proved 1558, was a witness 
also the the Will of John Robinson of Pontefract, 1557.

1560.   Lincolnshire and Chesterfield P.R. entries begin.  16th. June, Richard 
Spawforthe and Margaret Wagstaffe were married at Chesterfield.

1572.   Richard Spofforth was the Plaintiff in an action against Wm. Beverly, Esq., ref. 
land at North Grymstone.

1583.   John spofford and Margaret his wife were defendants in an action by Wm. 
Newbye ref. land at Bourne and Selby.

1584.   Thomas Spofforth was a plaintiff against Wm. Harebred ref. land and cottages at 
Stadlethorpe, Gowthorpe, and Blacktoft.

1592.   Richard Spaforth, gent. and Ann his wife were defendants in an action by Wm. 
Beverly, gent. ref. property at North Grymstone and Fridaythorpe.  (Yorks. Arch. 
Soc. Vol. 2).

1617.   William Spofforth and Dorothy his wife were defendants in an action taken by 
Wm. Waldby, gent. ref. land in Blacktoft and Staddlethorpe.  (Yorks. Arch. Soc. 
Vol 58).

1628.   Richard Spofforth of Scalbie, par. of Blacktoft, died.  Probate granted to Thomas 
Spofforth, his brother.  (Howden Act Book).  No will now in existence.

-----------------------

Richard Spofforth, son of Bryan, was born about 1540, married Agnes Clare, daughter 
of Gilbert Clare, Esq, of Pontefract, 1565, and is mentioned in the family pedigree as 
being the first Protestant in the family.  He had issue two sons :-

	i.  Richard, of whom presently.

	ii.  John, living circa 1598, who married one Margaret ... of Selby.

Richard Spofforth, gent. of Crambe, born circa 1565, was an Esquire to Sir Wm. 
Bambrough, Kt.  He died in 1611, leaving a widow Anne, who died 1623 and the 
following children.  (For Will, see Appendix).

1.  Christofer, born circa 1587, who left two sons.

2.  John, probably the Rev.  John of Silkstone, borne circa 1588, who married Ellen..... 
was ordained Deacon in 1616, and Priest in 1617, but whose exact benefice is 
obscure.  He witnessed his brother Richard's Will in 1621.  This John Spofford was 
the Puritan Vicar of Silkstone, appointed by Act of Parliament 24th December 1642, 
who was ejected from his living as a Nonconformist in 1662, temp.  Charles II.  He 
spent the remainder of his life with a Mr. Cotton, a gentleman who favoured the 
views of the Puritans, and died 1668, aged 80, being buried in Silkstone churchyard. 
(See Journal of the House of Lords for December 1642).  His widow died April 1679, 
at the House of John Holme, her son-in-law.

He left a son John, born 1612, died 1678, one of the Pilgrim Fathers who fled to 
America to avoid persecution, sailing in the "John of London" from Hull with a party 
of Yorkshire Puritans under the Rev.  John (sic) Rogers in the summer of 1638, and 
settling in what is now called Rowley, Massachusetts, named after Rowley, near 
Market Weighton, became the ancestor of the numerous and distinguished family of 
Spofford, several of whom have been representatives in the State Senate.  The 
"Spofford Genealogical Record" by Jeremiah Spofford, 1888, published by 
Goodspeed's Bookshop Inc., Beacon Street, Boston, U.S.A., runs into 502 pages.  
John married Elizabeth Scott, daughter of Thomas Scott of Ipswich, U.S.A., and had 
issue :-

i.  John Spofford, born 24th October 1648, married Sarah Wheeler, of Rowley, 
Mass, 9th March 1675, and died 22nd April 1697.

ii.  Thomas Spofford, born 4th November 1650, who married Abigail Haggett, 
22nd September 1675.

iii.  Samuel Spofford, born 1st January 1652, died 1743. 

-------------------------------

3.  Richard Spofforth, born circa 1590, who was inducted as Rector of Barton le Street in 
1613.  He married one Magdalen Gilmin, of York, about 1611, and dying 1620-1 was 
buried in the chancel of the church.  He left two children, Richard born about 1612, 
and Elizabeth.

4.  Rebecca Spofforth, born circa 1591, who married Roger Rome, and had issue.

5.  Katherine Spofforth, born circa 1595, who married Thomas, son of Sir Wm.  
Bambrough, Kt., and had issue two daughters.

6.  George Spofforth, born circa 1589.

7. Thomas Spofforth,  born circa 1595, who married Margaret..... and issue John born 
circa 1620, and/or Thomas. 

8.  Barbara  Spofforth,  born   circa   1597.

--------------------------

It is necessary at this stage to call a halt in the claims of the Howden branch of the family 
to a more or less direct descent from the Norman Conquest.  In 1949 an intensive 
investigation and examination of the early Spofforth Wills was made by the Compiler, 
which showed that the accounts given by Burke and the Harleian MSS. of the family 
between 1550 and 1675 were mainly conjectural, and contained many grave 
inaccuracies.  These may be noticed by a careful examination of the wills and Pedigrees 
based on such, to be found in the Appendix.

--------------------------

NOTE by Robert A. Spafford (Feb. 1999):  This is the end of the first portion of Capt. 
Ralph Spofforth's work.  I have stopped about half way through page 18.  The text 
continues through page 69, with the Appendix being pages 70 - 98.  

--------------------------

Return to Who was the father of John Spofford, the early settler of Rowley, Mass.?

APPENDIX (Extracts from)


Vol. 15. part I. Folio 171.  (of Wills in York Probate Office.):

Abs. of the Will of Brian Spofforthe, clerke of Kyrbye, 1554.  To the poore man's box at 
Barton, xls.
To Agnes Anderson my cozen, xl s.
The residue of my goods and leases I give to
Rychard Spofforthe my sonne whom I make Executor.

I will that Agnes Aslaby, his mother, have the order of him and his porcon.

Witnesses:- Henry Morwyn, clerk, Xpofer Postill.
            Sir Roland Godson, Parson, of Barton.
Proved, 3rd January 1556.


-------------------------


York Probate Office.  Vol. 32.  Folio 23.

Abs. of the Will of Richard Spofforth of Crambe, in the County of
York.  Gent, 24th February 1611:
To Anne my wife a third part of all my goods and chattels.
To Christofer Spofforth the elder and George, Richard and Thomas
Spofforth my younger sonnes and Katherine Bambrough and Barbara
Spofforth my daughters another part thereof.

And out of the last part I give
To John Spofforth my sonne œ20.
To Thomas Spofforth the elder œ10. [this is a mystery at the moment,
Thomas seemed to be the youngest son, so who was Thomas the elder?] To Rebecca 
Rome my daughter œ10.
To Barbara Spofforth my daughter œ10.
To Mr. Thomas Bambrough one Elizabeth xx s.piece of golde.
To Mistress Marie, Katherine, Annye, Elizabeth and Susanne Bambrough to everye of 
them an angel of golde.
To the poore of Crambe œ3.
To Anne my wife a bay mare.
To Thomas Bambrough and Roger Rome's children xx s.
To George my sonne the Ellin Close with the years and interest yet to come.
The rest of my goods not bequethed I give to Richard and Thomas, whom I make 
Executors.
To Thomas my youngest sonne my farms at Crambe, Anne my wife having the use 
thereof during widowhood for seven years.
I appoint my good master, Sir William Bambrough, Kt., Guardian of Thomas my 
youngest sonne.
No witnesses.  Proved 30th April 1612, by the Executors.

--------------------------

York Probate Office. 

Abs of the Will of Anne Spofforth of Crambe, in the County of York. widow. 14th may 
1623.
To be buried in the Chancel Doorstead in Crambe Church.  To my sonne Thomas 
Spofforth one oxe and four sheepe, one ewe and two piggs, two yokes and shackles.
To Margaret Spofforth his wife a brewing kettle.
To Julian Rome, wife of William Hallidaye, xxiij s. iiij d. and to the rest of Roger Rome's 
children iij li. vi s. viij d. equally amongest them.
To	Rebecca Rome a basin and a ewer.
To	my sonne George Spofforth xl s.
To	Richard Spofforth my grandchild xl s.
To	Elizabeth Spofforth my grandchild xx s.
To	Thomas Bambrough's two daughters xl s.
To	John Spofforth my sonne Ellin Spofforth his wife an blacke cowe.
To	my daughter Katherine Bamb. a blacke cowe.
To	Rebecca Rome and Ellin Spofforth a black kirtle.
To	Rebecca Rome a trunck and a payre of linen sheets.
To	my two daughters Rebecca Rome and Katherine Bambrough all my
working day apparel.
To Ellin Spofforth a fether bed.
To Isabel Foster so much stuffe and lace which is in my chiste as will make her a 
stomacher.
To Mrs. Harrison likewise of the same stuffe.
The residue of my goods I give to John Spofforth my sonne whom I make Executor.
Witnesses:- Thomas Harrison, Thomas Huggett, William Carver.  
Proved:- 1st August 1623, by the Executor. 


NOTE:

This document was manually keyed from a carbon copy of the original.  There may very 
well be more than a few typos.  Any errors are solely my responsibility.  Advising me of 
errors, typos or otherwise, would be greatly appreciated so that corrections may be made.

Some formatting (no underlining, alignment, indentation, etc.) of this online document 
differs from the original, but content is unchanged, subject to the above caveat.

Robert A. Spafford
February, 1999

Return to Who was the father of John Spofford, the early settler of Rowley, Mass.?