BIRSTWITH, a township in the parish of HAMPSTHWAITE, lower division of the wapentake of CLARO West riding of the county of YORK, 8 miles (W. by N.) from Knaresborough, containing 621 inhabitants. John Richmond, in 1711, gave a rent-charge of £14 for the instruction of poor boys belonging to the townships of Birstwith and Felliscliff.