The Book Of Ripon – An Historical Anthology

Author: Celia Thomson
Price: £30
Publisher: Barracuda Books
Edition: 1st edition
Publication Date: 1978
Format: Original cloth. Dustwrapper
Condition: Very good plus in very good plus dustwrapper

Description: Quarto. Original cloth. Dustwrapper. pp.124. No. 10 from the limited edition. Copy of the author’s mother. A detailed and well-illustrated history. Binding nice and tight. Pages nice and clean. A very good plus, tight, clean copy in very good plus, slightly faded dustwrapper. Location: OSR 002829

Ripon: A Short History

Overview and Setting

Ripon is a historic cathedral city in North Yorkshire, located at the confluence of the rivers Skell, Laver, and Ure, in the northern reaches of the Vale of York. Despite its modest size, Ripon is one of the oldest urban centres in England, known for its Anglo-Saxon ecclesiastical heritage, medieval market, and association with Ripon Cathedral, one of the country’s most enduring sacred sites. Its long history reflects the religious, political, and economic transformations that have shaped Yorkshire and England as a whole.

Anglo-Saxon Origins (7th–9th Centuries)

The origins of Ripon date back to the 7th century, during the rise of the Anglian kingdom of Northumbria. The area, once a rural clearing among alder trees, gained significance through its association with St Wilfrid, a powerful and reformist bishop of York.

• Around 672 AD, Wilfrid founded a monastic church at Ripon on land granted by the Northumbrian king.
• This early stone church, inspired by Roman architecture, became one of the first stone-built religious houses in Anglo-Saxon England.
• The surviving crypt, now beneath Ripon Cathedral, is among the oldest Christian structures in Britain still in use.

Ripon quickly became a centre of Christian worship and learning, attracting pilgrims and securing royal and ecclesiastical patronage.

Viking Raids and Monastic Decline (9th–10th Centuries)

During the 9th century, Viking incursions across northern England disrupted life in Ripon and led to the decline of the early monastic community. The town suffered repeated raids as part of the broader Norse settlement of the Danelaw region.

Although the monastic church survived in part, Ripon’s role as a religious centre was diminished during this period. However, its position along north-south travel routes ensured it remained inhabited and resilient.

Norman and Medieval Growth (11th–15th Centuries)

After the Norman Conquest in 1066, Ripon came under the control of the Archbishops of York, who continued to hold substantial authority over the town for several centuries. It developed into a market town and administrative centre, noted for its craftwork and trade.

• A new collegiate church was established, eventually evolving into what is now Ripon Cathedral.
• In the 12th century, Ripon was granted a royal market charter, cementing its place as a local trading hub.
• The town hosted weekly markets and annual fairs, supporting merchants, farmers, and artisans.

By the 13th and 14th centuries, Ripon was noted for the production of wakemantle—a woollen cloth associated with the town. The economy was further supported by tanning, leatherwork, and horn crafting, all drawing upon the rich agricultural resources of the surrounding countryside.

Ripon Hornblower and Civic Identity

Ripon is uniquely associated with the Wakeman of Ripon, a medieval official responsible for maintaining night-time order. This tradition gave rise to the enduring practice of the Ripon Hornblower, where the blowing of a horn at 9pm each evening from the Market Square—now known as the Obligation Stone—symbolised the wakeman’s duty.

This tradition continues unbroken to the present day and remains a proud symbol of Ripon’s civic independence and historic continuity.

Reformation and Early Modern Period (16th–18th Centuries)

The Reformation under Henry VIII and Edward VI brought significant change. Ripon’s religious institutions were affected by the Dissolution of the Monasteries, with many chantries and ecclesiastical revenues suppressed or redirected.

Despite this, the collegiate church remained active, and Ripon continued as a functioning market town. Its central location allowed it to thrive as a staging post for travellers, especially during the rise of stagecoach travel in the 17th and 18th centuries.

In the Georgian era, Ripon developed architecturally and socially:

• Townhouses, coaching inns, and public buildings were constructed.
• The canalisation of the River Ure and improved road networks connected the town to regional markets.
• Ripon Spa became briefly popular as a minor health resort in the 18th century.

19th Century: Industrial Age and Cathedral Status

Although Ripon did not industrialise like neighbouring cities such as Leeds or Bradford, it remained an important administrative and ecclesiastical centre.

• In 1836, the church of St Peter and St Wilfrid was elevated to cathedral status, establishing Ripon as the seat of a new Anglican diocese.
• The town expanded modestly, with new schools, railway links, and public institutions built to serve the growing population.
• It retained a largely rural and service-based economy, supported by local gentry and religious endowments.

20th Century to Present

During the 20th century, Ripon continued to evolve as a small city rooted in its heritage, governance, and religious tradition.

• The First and Second World Wars brought change, including the billeting of troops and local military contributions.
• Post-war developments included suburban housing and the modernisation of public services.
• In 1974, Ripon was incorporated into the new county of North Yorkshire during local government reorganisation.

Today, Ripon remains a charter city—one of the smallest in England by population—but with a reputation for historic continuity, civic pride, and architectural charm.

Cultural and Architectural Highlights

• Ripon Cathedral: The city’s spiritual heart, with origins in the 7th century and Gothic features from the 13th century.
• Market Square: A Georgian-era civic space, still host to weekly markets and ceremonial traditions.
• The Hornblower: A living custom dating back over 1,000 years, unique to Ripon.
• Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey: Just outside the city, this UNESCO World Heritage Site reflects Ripon’s historic ecclesiastical reach.

Legacy and Identity

Ripon’s history reflects the rich layers of religious devotion, civic development, and rural economy that have shaped Yorkshire’s historic towns. It is a place where tradition and tranquillity co-exist, and where history remains a visible and audible presence in daily life.

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