Sir John Assheton, the founder of the church, is the reputed father of Ralph, whom the following tradition commemorates.  The origin of “Riding the Black Lad” is involved in great obscurity—­some ascribing it to the tyranny of Sir Ralph, and others to the following circumstance, which may have been fabricated merely to throw off the odium attached to his name:—­In the reign of Edward III., one Thomas Assheton fought under Queen Philippa in the battle of Neville’s Cross.  Riding through the ranks of the enemy, he bore away the royal standard from the Scotch King’s tent, who himself was afterwards taken prisoner.  King Edward, on his return from France, conferred on Thomas the honour of knighthood, with the title of Sir Thomas Assheton of Ashton-under-Line.  To commemorate this singular display of valour, he instituted the custom of “Riding the Black Lad” upon Easter Monday at Ashton; leaving the sum of ten shillings yearly to support it, together with his own suit of black velvet and a coat of mail.  Which of these accounts is correct we cannot presume to determine.  There is, however, sufficient testimony upon record to account for the dislike entertained towards the memory of Sir Ralph Assheton.

In the town of Ashton-under-Line, or Lime, called in the ancient rent-rolls Ashton-sub-Lima, a singular custom prevails.  On Easter Monday in every year, the ceremony of “Riding the Black Lad” takes place.  According to some, it is a popular expression of abhorrence towards the memory of Sir Ralph Assheton, commonly called The Black Knight, whose character and conduct would seem to warrant the odium thus attached to his name.  The following is a brief account of the ceremony;—­An effigy is made of a man in black armour, and this image is deridingly emblazoned with some emblem of the occupation of the first couple that are married in the course of the year.  The Black Boy is then fixed on horseback, and after being led in procession round the town, is dismounted, made to supply the place of a shooting-butt, and all sorts of fire-arms being in requisition for the occasion, he is put to an ignominious death.  Five shillings per annum are reserved from some neighbouring estate for the perpetuation of this absurd custom.

Sir Ralph Assheton was sheriff of York in the reign of Edward IV., and knight marshal and lieutenant of the Tower under Richard III., being in great esteem with the latter monarch.  In the Harleian MSS. annuities are mentioned as being granted to him, with divers lordships, and a tun of wine yearly.  So powerful was his jurisdiction, that a grant was made him to the effect, that if in cases of emergency suitable persons could not be procured for the trial of delinquents, his own authority should be a sufficient warrant for the purpose.  Hence, from the nature of his office, and the powers that were intrusted to him by the king, and probably too from the natural bent of his disposition, arose the popular dislike which vented itself in the well-known traditionary distich we have taken as our motto.