The North aisle of Ripon Cathedral is dominated by a glorious stained glass celebration of the Grantley family - the owners of Markenfield Hall. The window’s artist was Thomas Willement, who was heraldic artist to George IV and artist in stained glass to Queen Victoria. Almost uniquely within the Cathedral church, this window has no religious or ecclesiastical content.  Instead it is ‘a celebration of dynastic splendour’. The Grantley window was the first new window to be erected in Ripon Minster after its elevation to Cathedral status in 1836.  At that time, the Cathedral’s windows included many coats of arms, including two small representations of the Norton arms, but this was going to be a much grander affair. Explore the panels in detail with Dr Brian Crosse.

Following the Rising of the North in 1569, one son of Old Sir Richard survived – the direct ancestor of Fletcher Norton who, one hundred and fifty years later, reversed the family’s downfall. Born in 1716 at Grantley, he became arguably the most successful Barrister of the day, and went on to become Speaker of the House of Commons. Elevated to the Peerage in 1782, he chose as his title ‘Baron Grantley of Markenfield’ – the property he bought when unable to reclaim Norton Conyers, irretrievably lost after the Rising. He clearly prized this link with the past, although he never lived at Markenfield, having amassed enough money to extend the modest Jacobean Grantley Hall into a formidable Georgian mansion. Learn more about Fletcher and the 7 Lords Grantley that have followed him.

First published in 1910, Forgotten Shrines introduced readers to some of the most romantic ancient homes of the great recusant families, and the lives of the people who lived in them. Cam was a significant figure in the late Victorian and Edwardian rediscovery of ‘Heritage’, but for us the most significant feature of this chapter on Markenfield was his description of the Hall as he found it over 100 year ago. This is followed by an in depth depiction of The Rising of the North - so pivotal to the history of the Hall and the two families that shaped it.

Sir Thomas Markenfield, who was born around 1447 and died in 1497, is celebrated for his attachment to Richard III.  What might have once been considered universally as a mark of shame is now seen by many as a badge of honour. In particular it is believed that he fought valiantly for his lord and king on Bosworth Field.  But what was the nature of that attachment?  How did Sir Thomas first come into the king’s service? What, service did he give? And how did he adjust to life after Richard III? Professor Anthony Pollard has the answers.

A glorious reproduction of the original type-written manuscript of 6th Lord Grantley's autobiography - both hilarious and outrageous by turn. The manuscript takes its reader up to 1915, after he had been severely wounded in the First World War. The full transcript was published in 1954, the year he died, and chronicled "the twilight of the aristocracy". It has long been out of print, but finally a large portion of it is available to the public once more. As Mark Twain once said: "never let the truth get in the way of a good story"...

Re-live the good old days when Markenfield's moat was still patrolled by the Hall's two Black Swans. Declare your allegiance to Markenfield! Is it too early to introduce an Otter pin badge...? Probably not in good taste.

A pack of 10 Christmas cards and envelopes (2 of each design) depicting a snowy Markenfield and the Great Hall decorated for Christmas at Markenfield. The message inside reads "wishing you peace and happiness for Christmas and the New Year".

In this illustrated lecture, Dr Kate Giles (University of York) and new Trustee of the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust (YHCT) will speak about her lifetime of research and her commitment to caring for historic churches. After a short introduction the work of the YHCT by Rory Wardroper, a fellow Trustee, she will share the story of the Church of St Peter and St Paul in Pickering, whose historic scheme of medieval wall paintings sheds light on how past communities have created, cared for and conserved places of worship and church art. The church will be one of the pilots for YHCT's new initiative, Yorkshire Churches Day, and also has a connection to the Curteis family, as Tobit Curteis has been an advisor on the wall paintings for some years - and he and Kate very much hope that sharing its story more widely will encourage greater interest in and support for its future.

Standing on a hill overlooking the River Nidd, Knaresborough Castle was a favourite residence of early English kings. Edward II granted the Honor and Castle of Knaresborough to Piers Gaveston, one of his favourites. Gaveston was extremely unpopular among the barons who disliked his influence over the King. In 1311, under pressure from the barons, he was banished but was later readmitted to the country. The following year Gaveston was besieged at Scarborough Castle; Edward II stayed at Knaresborough Castle to be close at hand. Might he have visited his Chancellor of the Exchequor whilst in the area? Join us for the evening and you might just find out.

John Bromley-Davenport QC: successful barrister, distinguished actor, writer for the Times and Telegraph, acclaimed after dinner speaker... and cousin of 8th Lord Grantley. Alongside his legal career he also trained at the London Academy of Music and Drama has become well known on both sides of the Atlantic for his solo adaptations of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and Jerome K. Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat, both of which have been met with ongoing media acclaim over three decades; and now Tales from the Bar - the tall tales of his life within the law. Join us for an evening to remember...