Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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A Tour in Scotland is in Georgian Books.
21st September 1769. Cross over the Eimot at Yeoma's bridge, and enter Westmoreland. At a small distance beyond the bridge near the road side is the circle called Arthur's round table, consisting of a high dike of earth, and a deep foss within surrounding an area twenty-nine yards in diameter. There are two entrances exactly opposite to each other; which interrupt the ditch, in those parts filled to a level with the middle. Some suppose this to have been designed for tilting matches, and that the champions entered at each opening. Perhaps that might have been the purpose of it; for the size forbids one to suppose it to be an encampment.
21st September 1769. A little to the North of this, on the summit of a small hill, is Maryborough, a vast circular dike of loose stones: the height and the diameter at the bottom is stupendous: it slopes on both sides, and is entirely formed of pebbles, such as are collected out of rivers. There is an entrance on the East side leading into an area eighty-eight yards in diameter. Near the middle is an upright stone nine feet eight inches high, and seventeen in circumference in the thickest part. There had been three more placed so as to form (with the other) a square. Four again stood on the sides of the entrance, viz. one on each exterior corner; and one on each interior: but excepting that at present remaining, all the others have long since been blasted to clear the ground.