| Notes |
- Sir Ralph de Assheton, the Black Knight of Ashton, struck so much fear into the heart of English people that his death is still celebrated more than 500 years later! The Black Knight Pageant and festival held annually in Ashton-on-Lynn keeps the legend alive.
It is said Sir Ralph rode around the countryside on his black steed looking for peasants to torture and kill. One of his legendary methods was to roll them downhill in a barrel spiked with nails!
He became so feared as Vice-Constable of England that children are said to have prayed this nightly prayer: "Sweet Jesus, for thy mercy's sake And for thy bitter passion, Save us from the axe of the Tower, And from Sir Ralph of Ashton."
Was Sir Ralph as notorious as legend tells us? We will probably never know. Yet whatever the local people thought of him, he was a man of influence among the nobility and in the royal court.
Sir Ralph was most likely born sometime around 1421 to Sir John de Assheton (Ashton) and second wife Margaret Byron. He served as a "page of Honour" to King Henry VI in 1428, a right usually given to a child around 7 years old. In 1438 he contracted to marry Margaret (Margary) Byron, daughter and heir of John Byron, Lord of Middleton. The marriage occurred either that year or the next. This began the tenure of the Asshetons as Lords of the Manor at Middleton.
Under King Edward IV, Sir Ralph held the offices of Knight Marshal of England and Sheriff of York. He was knighted in 1482 for his courage at the battle of Hutton field and King Richard III rewarded him for his support with huge land grants. In 1483 he became Lieutenant of the Tower of London and Vice-Constable of England in 1483. On June 6, 1486 he was pardoned by King Henry VII for supporting King Richard III. The year and circumstances of his death are uncertain, but no mention is found of him after 1486. One legend says he was killed by a relative on the Monday after Easter.
Here is a poem I wrote about him, or at least what is said to be of him.
THE BLACK KNIGHT (My 16th great grandfather)
Birthed to privilege and stature he entered life's fair stage,
Raised royal with entourage he was Henry's favored Page.
The capture of Berwick upon Tweed brought knighthood as ought,
And later, Vice-Constable of England fulfilled his lot.
He did not lack in courage, nor forsake his men in sway,
His bravery each day, like he, were always on display.
He moved through peers, with manners dear, a gentleman demure,
But, for the Marigold, he boldly tormented the poor.
Bereft of tender mercies toward peasants in the field,
The Black knight's scorn brought torture born 'pon all that he had killed.
No tithe could acquiesce or sooth his gnashing ire,
Sprung from the Earth he claimed their birth as kindling in the fire.
The fear he spread, such awful dread, dispersed in every prayer,
When his death came no blame was sought and none, in truth, despaired.
Each Easter Monday depicts how Sir Ralph de Assheton died,
In Ashton under Lynne, the Black Lad makes his final ride.
By John Greyson (Dec. 2013)
|
Blood in the Earth
1421 - Bef 1490