Skerton

Origin of the name

The history of Skerton begins in Saxon times, a village having existed on the North bank of the River Lune since time immemorial. First reliably recorded in the Domesday book as being, 'Schertune'; literally 'Scar Town'.

Skerton features again in the records, being recorded as 'Skerton' in 1200, 'Skereton' in 1292, with variations on the name recorded in 1201, as 'Storton' and again in 1292, 'Sherton'.Of those four incarnations of the original Saxon name, 'Skerton' is the version that has survived the Ages and, (One might be inclined to think), is the version that will be around for a few hundred years yet.

History

1066 to 1297

After the Conquest of 1066, which saw the Realm of England seized from Saxon control and placed under the benevolent savagery of William the Conqueror, the town of Lancaster was seized as the personal fiefdom of the Norman King William I. The historic hill that now plays host to the Castle was previously the site of a Roman fort and, following the Norman Conquest, designated as the site upon which to build what is now Lancaster Castle.

The land being carved up by the Norman Aristocracy, the land playing host to 'Schertune' was granted to the Halton fee, of which Earl Tostig, (For an article on this man, see Tostig Godwinson), was a member. Tostig, having being loyal to the Norman King was rewarded in this instance with personal possession of Skerton, (Amongst other rewards of land). During his possession, the Skerton was assessed as being 'Six-plough lands'.

After Tostig's possession, Skerton was retained in demesne by the Lords of Lancaster; in 1094, demesne tithes from Skerton were granted to St Martin's at Sees by Count Roger of Poitou, (See Roger the Poitevin). The land surrounding Skerton remained more or less 'Virgo intacta', an exception being made when half a Plough-land was granted to William De Skerton, (Reeve from 1201 to 1202), to be held by this Serjeanty.

It has being revealed that around this time, the ancient assize rent of the vill for ten Oxgangs of land in bondage was seven Shillings and Sixpence, (7s 6d). By 1200, this had increased considerably to forty-two Shillings and nine Pence, (42s 9d), or, more accurately, (£2 2s 9d). It is also recorded that allowance was made for the want of Plough teams between 1200 and 1202, at the rate of six Shillings and eight Pence, (6s 8d), per team.

Skerton contributed to the Tallage between 1205 and 1206, paying thirty-nine Shillings, (39s), or, (£1 19/-). Similar contributions were made in 1226 and by 1240 to 1260, was making a contribution of around £20 per Annum. During 1246-1248, the Lune Mill, (Held by the Lords of Lancaster), the farm at Skerton and other issues of the Manor were, (Over the course of a year and-a-half), of the sum total of thirty-one Pounds, eighteen Shillings and nine-and-a-half Pence, (£31 18s 9.5d). Pleas and perquisites of the court came to sum total of eighteen Shillings, (18s). Due to the possession of the land by the Lords of Lancaster, all proceeds, (and later possession of the land), ultimately came back to the English Crown.

In 1297, it has been recorded that there were three free tenants, (That is to say, those not in bondage to another master but free citizens in their own right.), these being Alan de Paries, the Abbot of Furness and Lawrence, the son of Thomas De Lancaster.

1346 to 1440

still under construction

Education

In 1235, the 19th year of the Reign of Henry III, (House of Plantaganet), the Lancaster Royal Grammar School was established. Coincidentally, there has been a school in Skerton since 1734, meaning that Skerton is the second-oldest provider of education in Lancaster. The oldest existing school buildings still in Skerton are those built for the Parish of St. Luke's in 1870, making Skerton the location of the third oldest school in Lancaster. Meanwhile, the buildings that comprise the current secondary school for the area date from 1932, making Skerton Community High School the fourth oldest secondary school in Lancaster. Such is its current ranking.