RIBSTON (GREAT), a township, joint with
Walshford, in the parish of HUNSINGORE, upper division
of the wapentake of CLARO, West riding of the
county of YORK, 3 miles (N.) from Wetherby, con-
taining,with Walshford, 155 inhabitants. It is almost
surrounded by the river Nidd. There is a place of
worship for Wesleyan Methodists. The fine apples,
known by the name of Ribston Pippins, were first cultivated
here, the original tree having been raised from a
pippin brought from France. Here was a preceptory of
Knights Templars, founded by Robert, Lord Ross, and
afterwards granted to the Knights Hospitallers: at
the dissolution it was valued at £265. 9. 6. per annum,
and is now a private, mansion, the chapel of which
contains some memorials to the family of Goodriche;
and in the cemetery is the sepulchral monument of the
Roman standard-bearer to the ninth legion, which was
found at York, in 1638. This township is within the
peculiar jurisdiction of the Manorial Court of Hunsingore.