Staveleys of North Stainley

Stainley, Yorkshire

John Staveley (c. 1400) Wakeman of Ripon stands at the top of the 'proven' main tree for the Staveleys of North Stainley, and appears to have had two sons. The younger was John, who found the Thormanby line; the elder of which was William who went on, as eldest son with the advantages of property, to found the North Stainley dynasty which lasted nearly 400 years until it died out in 1814 with no male Staveley heirs. It spluttered on until 1933 under the female line through Thomas Kitchingman Hutchinson (Staveley) and his daughter Roseberry Mary Staveley of Old Sleningford, until it passed to descendants of the Thormanby line who were previously connected as brothers William and John in the 15th Century!

'North Stainley' is a bit of a misnomer as for the first 275 years of this period, Ripon was the main place of residence and the Stainley property seems to have been leased out.

Although there is clear contention regarding the true lineage of John Staveley from Adam de Staveley and Gospatric, these early Staveleys clearly held positions of power with a number being elected Wakeman (John, and son William).

The Staveley family of Ripon/North Stainley seems to have held the office of 'Keeper of the Parks' first granted to them by Cardinal Wolsey. Ripon Parks was an enclosed area 'part paled, part railed' of some 815 acres and about six miles all the way round, used for hunting purposes. It was owned by the Kind, but held by the Archbishop for hunting and parts were leased out. In 1647 Ripon Parks appears to have 3 lodges contained within it. One was known as 'Horsemans' builts of timber and thatch, another known as the 'Chief Lodge' built of timber and tiled but 'very ruinous' and the North Lodge also built of timber and thatch which had two outhouses and was in a reasonable state of repair. In the 1650's the Park was abolished under the 'Commonwealth' and broken up into three farms. In the 1660's, following the 'Restoration' of Charles II, a Miles Staveley had completely lost the Parks deal and eventually moved to a new house built on the Stainley site by about 1715. This Stainley land seems to have been held 'free hold' from the Archbishop.

Author: Peter Staveley

Court Roll - June 13, 1571

William Staveley came and surrendered into the hands of the Lady Queen 2 messuages and 3 bovates of land with appurtenances in the village and fields of Stainley formerly the land of John Browne; also 2 third parts of one messuage and 3 bovates of land & meadow with appurtenances lying there formerly the land of John Day, parcel of the Prebend of Nunwicke. To the use of Agnes Withes dau. of Roger Withes deed for her life-time and after her decease to the use of Miles Staveley bro. of the said William his h. & ass. for ever.

Court Roll - April 17, 1627

It was found that William Staveley Esq., outside the Court, surrendered into the hands of the lord by the hands of William Grange and Ralph Tirry two customary tenants of the lord: 2 messuages and 3 bovates of land and meadow with appurtenances in the vill and fields of Staineley, formerly the land of John Browne, and two third parts of one messuage and 3 bovates of land with appurtenances lying there, formerly the land of John Day, part of the Prebend of Nunwick. Annual rent 18s.