A Brief History of Crayke : Conclusion

This brief history of Crayke was first compiled in 1971 as a by-product of the author’s efforts to research the origin and development of the rectory house bought from the church authorities in December 1969.  As is evident from the sources cited, much of the information was drawn from the archives of Durham University and Cathedral as well as those held in the York Minster library and at the Borthwick Institute of the University of York.  The research, based on available archival and archaeological records, failed to reveal firm evidence to support such popular historical myths as the existence of a Roman watchtower or a major Saxon monastery on the hill, or any involvement of the castle in either the wars of the roses or the civil war.  However, for local historians there is much of interest in the records and it is to be hoped that this short digest may stimulate others to add to the details summarised here.

Ronald E Hester

The Old Rectory, Crayke