LOFTHOUSE, a parish in the eastern division
of the liberty of LANGBAURGH, North riding of the
county of YORK, 8 miles (E. N. E.) from Guilsbrough,
containing, with the hamlet of Wapley, 1178 inhabitants.
The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of
Cleveland, and diocese of York, rated in the king's
books' at £10. 11. 0., and in the patronage of the
Crown. The church is dedicated to St. Leonard. There
is a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. The
vicinity abounds with stone and alum rocks, the latter
being worked to a considerable extent. A customary
market is held on Thursday. At Handale, or Greendale,
in this parish, a priory of Benedictine nuns was
founded, in 1133, by William de Percy, the third baron
of that name, and dedicated to the Virgin Mary; at the
dissolution the revenue was valued at £20. 7. 8.