The Battle Abbey Roll. Vol. III.
by
The Duchess of Cleveland.

ADDITIONAL NAMES GIVEN BY LELAND.

Prepared by Michael A. Linton
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Merkingfel : or Markenfield; "a noble name still sounding like trumpet music in the antiquary's ear." Their house, built by John de Markenfield, who obtained license to castellate in 1309, stands about two miles from Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire. It retains all the main features of the original work; geometrical windows, moat, hall, kitchen, solar, chapel, and offices, and is one of the best preserved specimens of the picturesque architecture of the time. It was forfeited to the Crown in the reign of Elizabeth, by Thomas Markenfield, who took a principal part in the Rising of the North. His father
is mentioned by Leland: "Markenfilde dwellith at Markenfelde, and his Maner Place berithe his Name." I might further speak of Sir Ninian, who commanded a force at Flodden, or Sir Thomas, who lies buried under a stately tomb in Ripon Minster, if I did not doubt whether so English-sounding a name should have a place here. It may be derived from a Norman source, as Greenfield is from Greenville, or Streatfield from Estreeville, but I can find no mention or trace of such an origin, except it be the "Sieur de Marcouville" mentioned in the Nobiliaire de Normandie.