Old Market Days in Aberford

ABERFORD 4432 4372. 1334 Subsidy £9.75.

Monday: (Charter) Wed; gr 7 Mar 1251, by K Hen III to Richard de Grammayr. To be held at the manor (CChR, 1226-57, p. 354). On 22 Feb 1307, the Wed market was granted to Hugh Despenser, to be held at the manor (CChR, 1300-26, p. 81). On 18 Sept 1335, the Wed market was granted to William de Gramary, to be held at the manor (CChR, 1327-41, p. 345).

Friday: (Charter) vfm, Richerius [Riquier] (9 Oct); gr 7 Mar 1251, by K Hen III to Richard de Grammayr. To be held at the manor (CChR, 1226-57, p. 354). On 22 Feb 1307, a fair on vfm Denis (9 Oct) was granted to Hugh Despenser, to be held at the manor (CChR, 1300-26, p. 81). On 18 Sept 1335, a fair on vfm Ricarius in the winter (9 Oct) was granted to William de Gramary, to be held at the manor (CChR, 1327-41, p. 345).

Presumably the manor was forfeited by and subsequently returned to the Gramary family.

Source: Yorkshire - Gazetteer of Markets and Fairs

Geology of Aberford

Leeds Geological Association: local geology pages (Geology and Man): "The Magnesian Limestone has been worked from small quarries for use as a building stone and to be burnt for lime for agricultural purposes. The stone has not only been used locally in villages such as Bramham and Aberford, but has been worth transporting considerable distances. Most of York Minster comes from a quarry near Sherburn and it was also used in the construction of Eton School. Today a large quarry at Micklefield works the stone for aggregate."