GISBURN, a parish in the western division of the
wapentake of STAINCLIFFE-AND-EWCROSS, West riding
of the county of YORK, comprising the townships of
Gisbum, Gisburn-Forest, Horton, Middop, Nappa, Newsholme,
Paythorne, Rimmington, and Swinden, and containing
2530 inhabitants, of which number, 690 are in
the township of Gisburn, 10 miles (w. by S.) from
Skipton. The town is situated in a fertile plain, near
the eastern bank of the river Ribble, and at a short
distance from the borders of Lancashire. A market,
which was formerly held here on Mondays, has been
discontinued; but there is a market or fair for cattle
every alternate Monday throughout the year, and fairs
annually on Easter Monday and the 18th and 19th of
September. In the township of Rimmington is a vein
of lead-ore which contains a considerable portion of
silver. A court leet for the manor is held annually
in May, and another in November, at one of which a
constable is appointed for the township. The living is
a vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of York,
rated in the king's books at £ 11. 6. 8., endowed with
£200 parliamentary grant, and in the patronage of the
Crown. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a neat
edifice, including a nave, aisles, and a chancel, with a
square tower, in the later style of English architecture}
the windows are ornamented with stained glass. Here
is a school with a small endowment for the education
of seven poor children. On an eminence near the
Ribble is a square fort, called Castle Haugh, and near
it a barrow, in which was found a coarse earthen urn,
indicating a burial-place of the ancient Britons..