Our Lady of Guisborough
A CATHOLIC HISTORY OF GUISBOROUGH Taken from the original by Alf Toland - June 1958 The Catholic history of Guisborough really commences in the reign of Henry I. In 1106 Henry had trouble with his Barons resulting in a battle between the King and forces under the command of Robert Malet and William de Mortain. Malet was killed and Mortain was taken prisoner. After the battle, the King generously rewarded his faithful followers and gave Malet’s lands in Skelton, Guisborough and Normanby to Robert de Brus. Other followers received lands in various parts of the County, but these do not concern this history. Robert de Brus endowed land and in 1119 Guisborough Priory was founded under the care of the Canons of St Augustine. In time it became the most important Priory in Yorkshire. It was dedicated to our Blessed Lady and in all probability the dedication took place on the feast of the Assumption. The first church was Norman but of this, no trace remains. The second was built in the Ea...