There is some disagreement about the meaning; most claim the meaning is ‘Eystein’s farm’ from the old Norse or the old Danish name ‘Oysten’.

However others say the name means ‘residence of the Gods’ from Aisr one of the Norse Gods.

Field names indicate the Danish colonisation of marshy land eg ‘Bonny Carr’ (‘carr’ meaning a marshy area) and the suffix ‘-by’ is indicative of Scandinavian settlement from 850 A.D. Nevertheless it is possible that an already existing Anglo-Saxon settlement could have been re-named.

The first written evidence is the mention of Asenby in the Domesday survey of 1086.

• “ In Topeclive (Topcliffe) and Crecula (Crakehill), Deltune (Dalton), Estanesbi (Asenby) and Schipetune (Skipton-on-Swale), Bernulf had 26 carucates of land for geld, where 15 ploughs may be. Now William has 3 ploughs here, and 35 villanes and 14 bordars with 13 ploughs. A church is here, and 2 priests having one plough, and one mill of five shillings (annual value).Wood, pasturable, four quaranteens in lengths and four in breadth. T.R.E. (it was worth) four pounds; now, one hundred shillings.”

This evidence tells us that Bernulf, a Dane, used to own the land but it had been given to William de Percy by William the Conqueror after the Norman invasion. It was a relatively important area having a church, a mill and a comparatively large population for the period.

It had increased in value, suggesting Norman sympathisers living in the area since many surrounding villages had been ‘laid waste’. Although we have no written evidence, archaeological finds in the surrounding area and early Christian worship here would suggest human settlement even before the Viking invasion.

It therefore seems that Asenby has certainly existed as a settlement for the last thousand years, and probably existed as a nucleated settlement during the Danish invasion from 850 A.D., but possibly had inhabitants prior to this.

A pinfold is a pound with high walls in which stray animals were confined and were usually located on the edges of villages, near smithies or inns, so that drovers could secure their animals there overnight.

Villages were obliged to have pinfolds and there used to be two in Asenby:-

1. At the Rainton crossroads near to The Forge, and The Shoulder of Mutton (now the Crab and Lobster).
2. Next to the smithy which used to be to the rear of where Pear Tree House is now. All that remains is part of the high wall but the bungalow named ‘Pinfold’ commemorates the place.

It's recorded that in 1675 the residents of Asenby were fined for not hav​ing a pinfold!

1. One of the fastest rising rivers in the country.
2. Asenby Parish Council hold the fishing rights from the bridge to Highfield’s plantation. Find out how you may get a fishing permit for free by contacting the Parish Council using the enquiry form on the HOME page.
3. Before Thirsk Swimming Pool was opened by voluntary subscription in 1970, swimming in the Swale was a popular pastime.
4. Villagers donated 1d or 2d (old pence) a week towards the building of the pool – it was collected with the milk money on a Friday evening.
5. Several local people have drowned in the river over the centuries, either accidentally or deliberately.
6. Work to make this section of the Swale navigable in the mid 1700s was stopped.

The annual fair at Topcliffe used to be held for three days in mid-July. It was a traditional rendezvous for gypsies and horse-dealers from far and near. It was a persistent source of annoyance for Asenby residents as their fields were filled with encampments, wagons, gypsies and tinkers. The Parish Council complained that “Asenby receives no benefit from the Fair so camping should be transferred to the township of Topcliffe”(1924).

Camp dwellers used to congregate along Park Road and the grass verges of Sykes Lane. Crops were damaged and fences broken it seems. Bare knuckle fights took place alongside the riverbank as it was understood that every quarrel, which occurred during the year, had to be settled with a stand up fight at Topley Fair.

The women had a special arena for fighting which was the plot by the river on the Asenby side of the bridge. Horses raced along the road ‘frightening villagers in Asenby’.

There were ‘no sanitary arrangements’ (1949 Parish Council) and many complaints of litter. Drinking booths were set up along the road to Topcliffe. In 1929 a group of 20 Asenby landowners, farmers and tenants voted and agreed not to let any land to fair people.

They agreed that if anyone defaulted on the agreement they would be held responsible for any damage done to other people’s land, fences or crops.

Some farmers are reported to have spread lime on their fields to keep away the gypsies.

Incidents of rowdiness, drunken brawls and reports of cock-fighting continued. In 1968 four members of a local canoe club were attacked and one lad had his front teeth broken. Pressure to end the fair increased.

The last fair took place in 1969. The following year James Callaghan, Secretary of State for the Home Office, signed the notice to abolish Topley Fair and so an old tradition died.

There have been at least two witches in Asenby’s past:-

Mary Harker

Mary, who was known as the Yorkshire Witch, was born here in 1768 , the daughter of farmer, Ben Harker, and baptised at St Columba’s Church, Topcliffe. She progressed from being a child of ‘low cunning’ to being a thief, a fraudster and eventually a murderess.

She poisoned at least four people in Leeds and was hanged at York in 1809. Her skin was tanned and distributed to those who had been wronged. Her skeleton can still be seen in the Thackray Medical Museum in Leeds.

Peggy Lumley

Peggy, who lived in Asenby in the mid-1800s, is described by T Carter Mitchell of the Thirsk Falcon as being tall and having a striking appearance. A commanding figure, she reminded one of the enchantress Medea but for a fearsome squint in her eyes which, although it detracted from her comeliness, became well a votary of the ‘black art’.  

A great reader, especially of quaint old books which taught of necromancy and magic art. A clever, strong-minded woman, she mingled her conversations with dark sayings too deep for the comprehension of her associates. Not surprisingly, therefore, she was looked upon by some as a witch.  There are stories of persons who, having unwittingly angered Peggy, received from her a look which made them return home with foreboding to find some of their stock stone-dead.  

Asenby is home to one of only 10 rare medieval turf labyrinths in the country.

It is situated on the triangular grass area belonging to Crab Manor and measures 27 metres across and its path is 330 metres long. It is overgrown but, apparently, intact underneath the surface. It is recorded as a National Monument.

It is of the Chartres type and it was said in 1908 that ‘there are persons yet alive who have trodden it on many a summer’s evening and kneeling down at the centre have listened to hear the fairies singing’ (Allcroft ‘Earthwork of England’)

There used to be a chain ferry across the river near the present sewerage works. We hope to add more about this in the future.