White on line


Compiler’s note:  this document, as well as being incomplete, has been downloaded from the internet, into which it was probably originally scanned.  So its spellings may well be weird.  I have not attempted to correct it;  your guess is as good as mine.

took up his abode at Depedale, where he had been sometime, when about 1135, Sir Ralph, son of Lord
Geremund, being out hunting, found his course intercepted by a morass; surveying this wild and secluded
scene more closely, he at length perceived a column of smoke rising above the trees; making his way with
difficulty through the plants and shrubs, he reached the place and found a rudely constructed hut, before it
was a fire of sticks, and by it sat an aged man with unshorn hair and untrimmed beard. After hearing his
tale, Sir Ralph proceeded to Derby, where it was verified, and the next day he returned with garments and
food to the Hermit of the Dale—brought him tools and endowed him with the toll of his mill at Burgh,
(Borrowash,) and encouraged him to fulfill the Virgin‟s pleasure. The recluse immediately commenced
scooping out a habitation in the rock, which after several years labour was completed, as also an oratory at
the foot of the hill for his patroness the Virgin. After living in this solitude for many years, he was found by
a pilgrim attracted by the fame of his sanctity, stretched upon the floor of his cell apparently asleep, but
dead. At his death, Serlo-de-Greudon, a knight of eminent valour and great wealth, who married the
daughter of the above Sir Ralph, gave the place of Depedale to his godmother, who had a son, whom she
educated for holy orders, that he might perform divine service in her chapel there; but a short time
afterwards, and with her consent, he invited canons from Calke, and gave them Depedale. These canons
having been removed for their misconduct, some white canons of the Premonstratention Order repaired