Callis (Erringden)

From International Robin Hood Bibliography
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Probable location of 'Callis'.

By Henrik Thiil Nielsen, 2013-07-31. Revised by Henrik Thiil Nielsen, 2018-07-12.

By the last quarter of the 18th century there was a local tradition in the Halifax area to the effect that Robin Hood had resided in a house called Callis. Watson who reports this tradition puts his entry on Callis under the township of Sowerby,[1] but the closest known places named Callis are now administratively within the township of Erringden. A.H. Smith cites the place-names Callis, Callis Bridge, and Callis Nab and Wood under Erringden. He explains Callis as "[p]robably a pseudo-manorial name from the surname of Adam de Calys" who figures in 1371; "Calys" is said to be Calais, the French town. Smith cites a 1571 will that mentions "my playces called Calys", while a few 16th and 17th century record sources are listed for Callis House.[2]

It is clear from the 1775 allusion that Callis was in or near a wooded area. While the place-name Callis House no longer appears to exist, Callis Wood lies in Erringden, just across the Calder from Charlestown. Callis House may have been located near this wood.

Gazetteers

Sources

Allusions

1775 - Watson, John - History and Antiquities of Halifax (2)

Callis. An house which some believe to be the oldest in the vicarage, and where tradition sais [sic] that Robin Hood some time resided; but no other marks of its antiquity appear at present, than that the north part of it is studded after the manner of building in former times. It might take its name from the Latin word Callis, which meant a path made by wild beasts in forests and mountains, and there was certainly fine shelter hereabouts for the deer in winter, and therefore a proper place for the residence of Robin Hood, who lived by his bow.[3]

1836 - Crabtree, John - Concise History of Halifax (3)

CALLIS.
A house which some believe to be the oldest in the vicarage, and where tradition says that Robin Hood some time resided; but no other marks of its antiquity appeared in Watson's time, than that the north part of it was studded after the manner of building in former times. It might take its name from the Latin word Callis, which meant a path made by wild beasts in forests and mountains.[4]

Background

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