Royd

From what has been said it will be obvious that the names of other animals, such as deer, must enter largely into the composition of local names. We may see this in Darlands, sometimes written Dare-lands and Deer Lands, in Ecclesfield, and in the adjacent Doe Royd, a royd being a forest clearing. Deór, a wild beast, but in these names a deer, is also seen in Darton, which is found in Old English as deórtûn (deer-park), and in Darby or Derby. Speed's map of Derby, 1611, contains an emblematic drawing of a deer-park, surrounded by a wooden fence, with a single deer in the middle.

Thwaites was, no doubt, another similar station, and in the old name of Ravenroyd (mentioned in the Poll Tax of 1378-9), between Thwaites and Bingley, we have still another exposition of a royd, or clearing, made for the men of the raven, as the Vikings were sometimes called. Often on their marches they carried live ravens, as portents of good luck, and on their battle-flags and banners its image always appeared, in the same way as the eagle was borne as the ensign of the Romans. The raven, indeed, was unknown in Yorkshire before its importation by the Vikings from the cliffs of Norway in the ninth century. To the valleys of Yorkshire they gave the name dales, and the streams they called becks, and the ravines gills.

One word is necessary as to the name chosen for the house. The Bishop was anxious to have a name that would be suitable to the locality, and many were suggested, such as "Bishoproyd," "Bishopcroft," &c. &c. Finally, Dr. Skeat of Cambridge was consulted, and by his advice " Bishop-garth" was selected, " garth" being the Norse and Anglican form of the word which is usually spelt "yard." Dr. Skeat explained that "Bishoproyd" would be an eminently unsuitable name, for a "royd" is a "clearing": thus, "Ackroyd" is a "clearing among oaks"; " Bishoproyd" would therefore mean that bishops had been cleared away to make room for the house!

1417. Henry Rishworth formerly held two oxgangs in Hipperholme, Osbarn rode, lands in Coley, etc. His nephew Henry, son of Nicholas de Rishworth, next heir, paid 10s heriot. 1418. John, son and heir of Henry de Rishworth, herioted a cottage and a royd in the Hey in Hipperholme.

Yet few royds are found south of the Little Don