Crawstone Hall, Greetland

The sketch and description were originally published in The Halifax Courier in 1912-1913. The sketch gives the north view of the hall. With its old-fashioned gateway and courtyard it has still on this side much the same appearance it had when the first Charles was King. The house was known in former days as Swayneroyde. By an award in 1519 Crawstone and Syke House, Greetland were settled on Gilbert Ramsden. From one of that family the Ramsdens of Byram are descended. The present house has the initials over a doorway ‘IR’ (John Ramsden) and date 1631. Of this same family was Hugh Ramsden BD, vicar of Halifax 1628-1629; also Henry, his brother, vicar of Halifax1629-1638. They were the sons of Geoffrey Ramsden, of Thick Hollins in Greetland, the house partly of later date now known as Bank Top Farm. PH/28.