The Elland Feud

Although it is difficult to find the reasons for the killing of Sir Robert Beaumont of Crosland Hall, Hugh de Quarmy of Ouarmby, Esquire and John de Lockwood of Lockwood, Esquire by Sir John Eland, there is no doubt that Sir John Eland, his son and grandson were murdered by descendants of the above.

The reason it is difficult to ascertain the above killings is due to the fact that the above families lived together amicably, even witnessing each others grants and deeds. One deed was witnessed by Sir John Eland only the year before the killings.

One reason could be due to quarrelling over boundaries, which happened regularly everywhere between Lords of Manors, due to the distribution of estates under the feudal system. Another reason could be the rivalry which existed between the Earl of Lancaster, with his centre at Pontefract, which covered the Manors of Quarmby and Lockwood, Crosland Hall - the home of the Beaumonts and the Earl of Warren and Surrey with his centre at wakefield which included amongst others the Manor of Eland. It is thought that the Earl of Lancaster's wife was removed from her home by the Earl of Warren and taken to Surrey, either voluntarily or against her will. The Earl of Lancaster must have believed in the former because he left her out of his will.

Another source says that a relative of Sir John Eland was murdered by Exley, a member of the Beaumont family, who then fled to the home of Sir Robert Beaumont for safety. Sir John Eland went to -the Beaumont's bouse to collect the culprit but was refused. He was instead offered compensation in the form of a piece of land, which was the custom of the time. Sir John Eland was at this time Sheriff of.Yorkshire and steward to the Earl of Warren, whereas, Sir Robert .Beaumont, Hugh de Quramby and John de Lockwood were stewards of the Earl of Lancaster.

Sir John, angry at the protection of Exley by Beaumont and using his position as Sheriff, raised men to assist him in his revenge. He first went to Quarmby Hall and then to Lockwood before approaching Crosland Hall. At Quarmby, Sir Hugh de Quarmby was killed, surprised by the attack. The same night the Eland group approached Lockwood and killed Sir John de Lockwood. After leaving Lockwood they approached Crosland Hall but could not attack because the hall was Surrounded by a moat. In the early morning the draw-bridge was lowered when a maid came out for water. This gave Sir John the opportunity to attack the hall. They dragged Sir Robert Beaumont from his bed and murdered him in the presence of his wife and two sons. They also killed Sir Roberts servants who tried to save him. There is some doubt as to whether these events took place in 1341 or 1351 as Sir John Eland was apparently murdered in 1350 and his son and grandson in 1351. If the killings of Beaumont, Lockwood and Quarmby took place in 1341, it gave time for the heirs of these families to nurse their revenge: although 1351 is the most accepted date. It should stated that at this time dates were not very accurate. Whatever the date, the heirs of these families planned to kill Sir John Eland, They had information, from two men named Dawson and Haigh, that Sir John would be at Brighouse on a certain date at the Court Leet and decided to stop him on his way back to Eland Hall. William Lockwood, Adam Beaumont, young Quarmby and a young member of the Lacy family of Cromwell Bottom, who was a cousin of Sir John Eland waited in Cromwell Bottom wood. Sir John Eland on seeing these young men spoke to them courteously and doffed his hat. At this point, Adam Beaumont identified himself and attacked Sir John, who put up a strong fight but to no avail and was killed. The four men then left the area for some time and lived as outlaws in Furness, Cumberland,, During this time they decided to completely destroy the Eland line even though they had revenged their fathers deaths.

Sir John had a son, Sir John Eland who was married with a small son. Sir John began proceedings to sue the four before the king for the murder of his father.

In 1351, the very next year, reputed to be on Palm Sunday, the plotters returned to the area and hid at Elland Mill dam. Sir John Eland, his wife and small son passed over the Mill dam and were attacked by the waiting men. In the struggle that followed, Sir John was shot through the head with an arrow and died immediately. His son, badly injured was taken back to Eland Hall where he too died. In the meantime, the people of Eland had been roused and annoyed at the murders set off in pursuit of the murderers. The murderers fled into Ainley Wood where Quarmby was wounded by an arrow during a fierce fight. William de Lockwood dragged him into the heart of the forest but the people of Eland caught up with him and killed him. The others left the scene. Lockwood went to relatives in the district whereas Beaumont went to his home, at Crosland Hall.

This event ended the Eland Feud and the Eland line. The Eland estates now passed to the Savilles through the marriage of Isabel, daughter of Thomas Eland to Sir John Saville. After those murders, the men were sought after including the people responsible for hiding them. Although Adam Beaumont lived in peace for a while, he Iearned that a warrant was out for his arrest and immediately left the country and landed in France. While in France, he joined the Knights of Rhodes and fought against the Turks in Hungary where he was killed after distinguishing himself in their campaigns.

William de Lockwood was killed locally after having an affair with a daughter of a tenant of Cannon Hall. He put up a brave fight with his bow until his mistress betrayed him by cutting his bow string. He then surrendered on the promise of mercy. Instead they bound him and murdered him without having the opportunity to defend himself.

The fate of Thomas Lacy, the other murderer, is not certain but the residents of the area appear to have lived in relative peace after these events. All the people arrested for harbouring the murderers were found not guilty, by a jury, on the charge that they were assisting the men, knowing that they were responsible for murders of Sir John Eland, his son and his grandson.

The following is a ballad of the Eland Feud which was handed down and added to over the years. There are many versions of this ballad, so this is probably not complete.