Barnsley and it's medieval past

14/01/2026

Do you know in the 14th century as well as stocks Ducking stools were used as a form of punishment and humiliation.here is information about one that was used in Worsborough see coment below extract fromWorsborough its historical assosiations and rural attractions

07/01/2026

welcome to Sharon Dawson and Kath Ward thankyou for following

20/11/2025

In 1782 part of a Roman altar dedicated to the god Mars was discovered on Staincross common. which may have been part of a rural shrine. It is therefore quite possible that this sight was of some religious significance and may have been where the Anglo Danes erected the Stonecross that gave the village and the wapentake it's name. The stone cross is no longer there but may be the one that has been re erected in All Saints church yard at Cawthorne.

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02/11/2025

Over this last week or so on my own personal face book page i have seen a lot of interest in the old Jefferson 1700s map of Barnsley.
A feature on the map cought my eye and that was Beaver Hole, so i looked into it and aparantly it is mentioned in historical records such as an 1825 act of Parliament and a 19thC local index record that mentions Beaver Hole as a significant Landmark and at one point proposed as a location for a cemetery.
It is no longer a used as a historical place name and was never used as a cemetery It's location was some where between the Old Barnsley brewery and Cunndy Cross when a new piece of road was built on the A628 (Pontefract Road replased an old section that went via Beaver Hole. Hope you found this interesting

26/04/2023

i dont post often on here now but for those who dont see our friends of monk bretton priory page we have our two day annual medieval mayhem festival 20th and 21st May on site at monk bretton priory grange lane lundwood

15/12/2022

06/02/2022

On this day1249 the town of Barnsley was granted its market charter to hold a weekly market on Wednesdays The road named market hill is a reminder of where the medieval market was. Market day must have been a great escape from the daily grind and was a source of entertainment with minstrels and wrestling matches happening all around the market

24/07/2021

Frei company medieval living history group re creating the sights and sound of life in 14th centuary Barnsley at Monk Bretton Priory

20/06/2021

If you love the Robin Hood stories read this great series (Forest Lord) books by Steven A Mckay who places the outlaw in some of our much loved villages Lets have another one Steven.

20/06/2021

Through the town of Barnsley flows the River Dearne, its waters teaming with fish and eels. Along its banks fields and meadows are laiden with wild flowers. Woods and thickets cling to the valleys sloping hill side. This lush and beautiful setting was destined to attract many settelers who would stay and call this place home.