ion commemorates. The origin of "_Riding
the Black Lad_" is involved in great obscurity--some ascribing it to the
tyranny of Sir Ralph, and others to the following circumstance, which
may have been fabricated merely to throw off the odium attached to his
name:--In the reign of Edward III., one Thomas Assheton fought under
Queen Philippa in the battle of Neville's Cross. Riding through the
ranks of the enemy, he bore away the royal standard from the Scotch
King's tent, who himself was afterwards taken prisoner. King Edward, on
his return from France, conferred on Thomas the honour of knighthood,
with the title of Sir Thomas Assheton of Ashton-under-Line. To
commemorate this singular display of valour, he instituted the custom of
"Riding the Black Lad" upon Easter Monday at Ashton; leaving the sum of
ten shillings yearly to support it, together with his own suit of black
velvet and a coat of mail. Which of these accounts is correct we cannot
presume to determine. There is, however, sufficient testimony upon
record to account for the dislike entertained towards the memory of Sir
Ralph Assheton.

In the town of Ashton-under-Line, or Lime, called in the ancient
rent-rolls Ashton-sub-Lima, a singular custom prevails. On Easter Monday
in every year, the ceremony of "Riding the Black Lad" takes place.
According to some, it is a popular expression of abhorrence towards the
memory of Sir Ralph Assheton, commonly called _The Black Knight_, whose
character and conduct would seem to warrant the odium thus attached to
his name. The following is a brief account of the ceremony;--An effigy
is made of a man in black armour, and this image is deridingly
emblazoned with some emblem of the occupation of the first couple that
are married in the course of the year. The Black Boy is then fixed on
horseback, and after being led in procession round the town, is
dismounted, made to supply the place of a shooting-butt, and all sorts
of fire-arms being in requisition for the occasion, he is put to an
ignominious death. Five shillings per annum are reserved from some
neighbouring estate for the perpetuation of this absurd custom.

Sir Ralph Assheton was sheriff of York in the reign of Edward IV., and
knight marshal and lieutenant of the Tower under Richard III., being in
great esteem with the latter monarch. In the Harleian MSS. annuities are
mentioned as being granted to him, with divers lordships, and a tun of
wine yearly. So powerful was his ju