“From Scalby to Hoveden (Howden) 4 M. scant one by enclosid Pasture and 3 by Morische and Fenny ground” (fol. 58). “From Hoveden to Wresehill (Wressel) a 3 Miles al by low Medow and Pastureground, whereof part is enclosed with Hegges” (fol. 59). “From Wresehill ... Ferry about a Mile, most by Medow Ground, and so a xj Miles to York, whereof most parte was in sight Medow and Morisch Ground, and but meane corne, but toward York the soyle and corne were better” (fol. 69).
North and West Ridings.
He came on his first journey from Scrooby in Notts to Doncaster. He observes, “Bawtre to Doncaster an vij Miles by a great Plaine and Sandy ground caullid Blitherle” (Vol. I. fol. 37), Round Doncaster is “Medow, Corn and sum wood,” but from “Tikhill to Cunesborow (Conisbrough) a 4 Miles by stony way and enclosid ground” (fol. 39), and from “Dancaster to Heathfield (Hatfield) by champayn sandy ground a 5 Miles,” and here comes Hatfield Chase, the scene of Vermuiden’s labours later. He return to Doncaster and went north and found “The ground between Dancaster and Pontefract in sum places meately wooddid and enclosid ground” (fol. 42); from “pontefract to S. Oswaldes by much enclosid and meately woddy ground a 3 Miles or more” (fol. 44). From St. Oswalds to Sandon village (a mile from Wakefield), “a 3 Miles by enclosid Ground” (fol. 44). From Wakefield to Pontefract direct was “a vj miles parte by Enclosure, parte by Champaine” (fol. 46). Thence to Leeds, he found first three miles of enclosed ground, then five miles of low meadow, and “good high plaine corne ground” (fol. 46).
From Leeds to Tadcaster was apparently unenclosed, but from Tadcaster to York there was first 4 miles of enclosed ground, then four by “playn Champaine” (fol. 48). “From York to Stockton yn the Moore a 3 Miles by low Pasture and moreisch Ground.... Thens a 5 Miles by much lyke Ground ... a little beyond that as about half a M. is Whitewelle Village. Thereabout the Fieldes for a Miles space were inclosid.... Thens a 2 M. by Fyrry. Thens to Malton a 3 Miles, and the ground is hilly there and daly and plentiful of Corne and Pasture (Vol. I. fol. 63). From Malton to Shirburne Village about an 8 miles by Champaine Ground. From Shirburne by Hilles to Semar. Thens a Mile by Meately plaine Ground, and so 2 Miles more in a vale enclosid with stepe Hilles on ech side to Scardeburg (fol. 66).
“Moste of the Ground from Scardeburg to Pykering was by Hille and Dale meate plentiful of Corn and Grasse but little wood in sight” (fol. 70). The vale of Pickering was open field land.
North-west of York itself was the great forest of Galtres, ten miles through (fol. 74). At Herperly Village beyond was “meately good corn ground, Pasture and Medow and sum Wooddes” (fol. 75).
Further south. “From Kirkeby Wisk to Northalverton a 4 Miles by Pasture and Corne Ground” (fol. 75).
Returning later from Durham we have from Greta Bridge to Richmond, “sum good corn and much More (fol. 95). Richmond to Middleham, al by mory Ground and little wood” but “Middleham to Gervalx Abbay a 2 Miles most by enclosed Pastures.” His route lay through Ripon, West Tanfield, Boroughbridge, to Knaresborough; he notes pasture, corn, wood and moor. Then comes the great forest of Knaresborough, 20 miles long and 8 broad. Then he went south through Pontefract and Doncaster, finding after Doncaster “3 Mile al by Champain ground” (fol. 105).
He came again into Yorkshire from Lancashire, and found by the Ouse near York “the ground was fair of Pasture, Corne and wood” ([Vol. V. fol. 91]), and from “Shirburne to Pontfract 6 m. soile in sight plaine, wel cornid, but little wood” ([ibid.]), and coming south, there is “woddy Grounds,” and “soile riche of wood, Pasture, corne,” but no mention of enclosure.