Selby

 

Selby is a market town, only williametery of sº part of York, and mily all.

lower division of the Wapentake of Barkston Ash, in the west Riding of Yorkshire, is

situate on the south bank of the river Ouse, at the distance of 14 miles south east from

York, and 181 miles north west fromi London. The town is of great antiquity, having

been known in the Saxon times by the appellation of SALEBIA. In the year 1070 Williain

the Qonqueror erected a monastery here; and shortly after visiting his pew foundation,

along with his queen, she was here delivered of a son, who succeeded to the throne by

the title of Henry I. From these circumstances the place derived great celebrity, and

was endºwed with various privileges. The abbey stood on the west side of the town; and

was filled with monks ofthe Benedictine order. King William Rufus gave the patronage of

it to the Bishop of York and his successors, in lieu of the claim they had to some part of

Lincolnshire. Since that period the buildings of the monastery have been appropriated

to various uses, and most of them are now demolished except the Church, which is a

spacious and elegant pile. From its various styles of architecture, no doubt can be en 

tertained of its having been built at different periods. The western front though

extremely irregular is very curious, both with respect to structure and ornaments, and

the entrances on both the north and west side are worthy of particular notice. The form

of the church is that of a cross, the shaft of which measures 267 feet in length, and the

transept 100 feet. From the centre of the pile rises a massive tower, which was rebuilt

in 1702, the old steeple having fallen down in the year 1690. In the choir are twelve

ancient stalls similar in form and workmanship to those in York cathedral. In the win

dows distinguished are considerable characters remains in the 14th of stained and 15th glass, centuries. representing Therethe arearmorial likewisebearings several an of

cient monuments, and a great variety of more modern date, that have erected since the

church became parochial, about the year 1600. There are also meeting houses of all

denominations. There is a good grammar school, founded by Edward VI. and

! well endowed. . The canal from Selby communicating with the Aire, and Calder

navigation, it becomes the unloading port in the West Riding. The principal trades

of the town are ship building, the manufacture of leather, sail-cloth, and iron

articles.

market is on Monday.

11th for cattle.

The petty sessions for the wapentake of Barkston Ash are held here. The

The fairs are Easter Tuesday, Monday after June 22, and Oct. -

Fairs for flax Tuesday before Candlemas day, Tuesday before Old Lady

day, Tuesday before Whitsunday, Saturday before Old Michaelmas day, Thursday before

Old Martlemas, and Thursday before Christmas. The population is about 3,500.