Jordan Crossland
To his God pious, to his King faithful ...
Jordan Crossland was a Royalist knight, Colonel, and member of Parliament, known for his loyalty to the Crown and his prominent role in Yorkshire. He commanded castles for the King and served as Constable of Scarborough Castle.
Born around 1617 in North Yorkshire, England, he was the eldest son of John Crossland of Canon Garth, Helmsley, and Jane Atkinson.
In 1635, he succeeded his father and inherited a lease on Helmsley rectory. Jordan was knighted on July 14th, 1642, just prior to the outbreak of the English Civil War.
Newby Manor, a gentry house, served as his main family seat. This estate would later be replaced by Newby Hall after his son sold it.
As a Royalist Colonel, Crossland defended Helmsley Castle with 200 men against the besieging forces of Thomas Fairfax from September until November 22nd, 1644, during the First English Civil War. After an honorable surrender, Crossland and his men marched to Scarborough. He later joined the Royalist garrison at Worcester.
He took up arms again during the Second English Civil War in 1648. In April 1649, as a result of his Royalist activities, he paid a fine amounting to one-sixth of his estate.
In 1651, Jordan married Bridget Fleming, daughter of John Fleming of Rydal, Westmorland. Around the time of their marriage, he converted to Roman Catholicism. His wife, Bridget, was already Catholic. Together they had ten children: Bridget, Grace, Mary, Henry, Jane, Dorothy, George, Charles, John, and Barbara. Notably, all four of their sons became priests.
Jordan was involved in Cavalier plots for a Royalist rising in the north in 1655. The following spring, he was imprisoned at Hull for suspected disloyalty to the Commonwealth.
The Restoration of Charles II in 1660 brought renewed fortune to Crossland, who thrived as a loyal Cavalier. By 1665, he had been officially designated Constable of Scarborough Castle, an office he held until his death, and also represented Scarborough as MP in the Cavalier Parliament from 1661 until his death in 1670.
He remained a practicing Catholic, serving under a Protestant monarchy.
Jordan Crossland died on August 20th, 1670, at age 53. He was buried at Ripon Cathedral, where a Latin memorial plaque remains. The plaque reads (Translated to English):
"To the best and greatest God. Jordan Crossland, of Newby, knight, Constable of Scarborough and Governor of the said Castle, was Colonel in the reigns of Charles the First and Second, lived in great praise and died with equal glory... To his God pious, to his King faithful, and to his country trusty; none more ready to preserve its laws, or more valiant in arms..."
