Sheffield Independent – Wednesday 16 January 1884

The Early History Of Mexbro’ And Villages Around.

(See separate fact check)

Last evening, in the National Schoolroom at Mexbro’, on behalf of the Parish Church Reading Room, a lecture on “Home history” was delivered by Dr. Sykes, of Mexbro’, who made special allusion to historical events in the surrounding neighbourhood. The Vicar (the Rev. H. Ellershaw) presided, and there was a very good attendance.

The Doctor ably traced the progress of England from its dark days of heathenism, and made the lecture especially interesting by local references. He mentioned that, 1800 years ago, Mexbro’ formed part of the great Brigantine forest, which was infested by wolves and other wild animals, and said there were still traces at Roman Terrace of one of the old Roman roads. From historical records it was evident that soldiers made repeated journeys through the dense forests around Mexbro’ to their depôt at Templeborough, and from thence to Doncaster. He vividly described the conflicts between Hengist and Aurelius Ambrosius in the neighbourhood, the latter of whom had erected formidable earthworks, the remnants of which were known as Castle Hills, Mexbro’, and which was the gathering ground for the forces. Conisbro’ was the King’s town.

In the year 853 Egbert had his residence there. After marching north to meet the Danes he was defeated, and, on retreating to Doncaster, was there met by a second body of Danes, who had encamped their forces beside the Don. During the whole of the day and night the battle raged, but Egbert received reinforcements, and the Danes were defeated. With the exception of this occurrence, the history of the district, from 489 to 1000, was a blank. Still it was known that Mexbro’ had been a place of importance. Its name was a corruption of Meadesburing.

As lately as 1310 the Wapentake court was held here. Conisbro’ was held by the powerful Saxon noble Godwin, Earl of Essex, who also had in possession Barmbro’, Hadfield, Ravenfield, and other places till the time of his death, which occurred in the year 1053. Harold, his son, succeeded.

It was not until the time of the Normans that the castle was built, and Sir Walter Scott had made the mistake of placing the erection of it in Saxon hands. Mexbro’, Denaby, and Adwick were held by three personages of less importance, Ulfac, Ulchil, and Ulchel, and it was a very stormy time for them.

The Earl of Warren afterwards took Conisbro’, and he and his family held it for 300 years. Subsequently twenty-eight towns and villages were included in the lordship of Conisbro’. During the time of the conquest Mexbro’ underwent a change of a favourable character, Airiic, the Saxon, giving half of Mexbro’ Church to Nostell Priory, and the remaining half to the monastery of Bretton, and he also gave to the monastery the whole of the land held by him in Mexbro’.

The manor of Mexbro’ continued till the dissolution of the monastery by Henry VIII.

The doctor went on to observe that Dionepia de Tilli, daughter of Otho de Tilli, was at one period the seneschal of the lordship of Conisbro’, and mentioned that Mr. Wortley, M.P. for Sheffield, was one of the descendants of this ancient family.

The lecturer received a hearty vote of thanks