ARDEN, a township, joint with Ardenside, in the parish of HAWNBY, wapentake of BIRDFORTH, North riding of the county of YORK, 8 miles (N. W. by W.) from Helmsley, containing, with Ardenside, 139 inhabitants. A small Benedictine nunnery was founded here about 1150, the revenue of which, at the dissolution, was £ 12. In 1757, John Smales and Gregory Elsley bequeathed £120. 5., directing the produce to be applied to the instruction of six poor boys.