The Muschamps by Arthur Muschamp 1888-1968

(Grandson of Thomas Muschamp 1828 -1907)

 

In the year 1060, there lived near Falaise in Normandy a minor feudal lord. He took his name from the lands he owned and was served and protected by a number of retainers who, as was the custom in those dark days, had been bred either by himself or his forebears.

The name of this lordling was Roger de Muschamp, and the estate from which he derived his name had been variously interpreted as "The Field of the Fly" or as "Mossyfield" which would infer that his estate was small and swampy and that its owner was impoverished.

A distinctive shape of nose distinguished the family. Leland, the historian, makes some reference to this when he writes "All Muschamps smell a little" which no doubt refers to this organ.

When William of Normandy gathered together the flower of French chivalry for his invasion of Britain, Roger de Muschamp was anxious to accompany him, but unfortunately, the night before setting forth, he was warned in a dream, not to cross water. In consequence, it happened that when William called the roll, de Muschamp was marked AW.O.L. and it was not until two years later, when Britain had been conquered, that de Muschamp joined his beloved king. De Muschamp did not fit easily into the life of the Court so William wisely sent him as far north as possible. He was given a slice of territory on the Northern Marches, and his duty was to guard the border of Northumberland, in order to prevent the Scots from disturbing the annexed lands to the south, where the Normans were by now comfortably established. De Muschamp built watchtowers along the Border and made short work of any local peasantry who showed signs of socialistic tendencies, and the number of Muschamp noses became almost a "bulge" problem. After founding a family that was later to cause more bother in England than the Black Death, he passed away in 1099. His death was caused by his cook putting a handful of fishhooks into his porridge in error.

He was succeeded by Baron Robert de Muschamp who inherited the family nose, the Lordship of the Manor of Wooler and the ‘bulge’. The Latter was proving rather a problem because there were such a lot of them and they were all unable to read. This lack of education led to complications because in the numerous local battles that were fought, many Muschamps could be found fighting on the wrong side, under the impression that they were batting for the home team. To correct this, de Muschamp had a large shield painted with three flies (musca) upon it, in order that they would recognise their own side. This had become necessary because the Muschamp nose had now assumed many variants, and in any case was covered by the iron nose-piece of the Norman helmet. Sir Robert was drowned in 1155. He was pushed over a cliff in jest by a friend who was unaware that he could not swim. As he was in full armour at the time, there was some difficulty in fishing him out in time for the funeral.

He was succeeded by Baron Joshua Muschamp who was honoured by the King with the title of "Guardian of the Northern Marches" with the right of "gombage in fee simple" which gave him the right to keep for his personal use anything that he found in dustbins. Being a considerate man, he would often put his hand through kitchen windows to take articles which would later have been put in the bin. By accident however, someone left a rat-trap on the window sill, this later led to him becoming known as "short fingers" He was fond of collecting articles of gold and silver so his friends usually nailed these to the shelf. His death was rather tragic. Whilst out hunting, a friend who had climbed a tree in search of sea gull eggs, accidentally dropped a brick upon his head. 'This made him rather forgetful and he was later put to sleep. His effigy, together with that of his wife and thirty two children, was intended for Durham Cathedral, but as room could not be found, it was later given to a jumble sale.

He was succeeded by Sir Lesley Muschamp of whom little is known. He is believed to have fought in the Crusades as he was often absent for long periods and always returned with his hair cut short. He died as the result of a wager. A friend had wagered another one that Lesley had nothing between his ears. A stick was pushed through with unfortunate results.

Later came Guy de Muschamp who had all the family enterprise and found a rich field for his abilities in the church. The low production cost of pardons, relics and indulgences sold at controlled prices led to his rapid advancement and in 1197 he became the Bishop of Lichfield. Some years later, trouble arose about the right big-toe of St Peter which had been sold both to the Abbot of St Albans and the Abbot of Ely. In 1217 he caught the night boat to France accidentally taking the gold communion plate with him For a time there was a glut of relics on the Continental Market but this ceased abruptly after the Abbot of Fresnoy added the nasal bones of St David to his showcase. Nasty minded people said later that these bones had a marked resemblance to the Muschamp nose.

In September 1513 the Lord of the Manor was Sir Franklyn Muschamp. James the fourth of Scotland was causing trouble. Although he knew that the English army under the Earl of Surrey was approaching he crossed the Border and made himself the compulsory guest of the Border Barons. He was so delighted with the hospitality he received at Ford Castle (the seat of the Muschamps) that he decided to fight the Battle of Flodden, where his host could watch it from his bedroom window. At a critical stage, James called up his reserves to fling into battle but these were fully occupied in chasing the Muschamp hordes who were looting the baggage train in search of souvenirs. Thus, James was defeated. Sir Franklyn failed to appear at lunch some time afterwards and was not found until two years later. It appeared that he had been accidentally bricked up in a priest-hole by a careless housemaid during Spring cleaning.

Sir Roger Muschamp was head of the family during the stirring times of the Lord Protector. He did not take much interest in politics but it seemed a shame to miss "a lick of the bone" if there was a chance of making something. He was given a firm assurance by a false friend (the Duke of Northumberland) that the Royalists could not lose if they tried. Naturally, he bought a plumed hat and set out for Marston Moor, intending to arrive a little late, but in plenty of time for the cheering and speeches. By the perverse hand of fate, things went wrong and whilst he was cutting off his curls, he was nearly captured It was only by some smart foot-work that he did not have his head on a spike on Tower Hill. His estates were sequestrated and later became the property of the Duke of Northumberland

With the decline of the family fortunes, the younger branch moved southwards, and some years later there appeared in Sheffield, Arthur Praise-God Muschamp, he had married into the wealthy Robinson family and was a staunch supporter of the Parliamentary Party. He was well educated and prospered by making wills for rich landowners who could not read He is remembered by his gift of the Land which is now part of Nostell priory. His will was witnessed by two monks (Father Riley and Father Flanagan) one of whom sat on his chest whilst the other twisted his arm Half an hour later he regretted this gift but before be could revoke his will he unfortunately fell into a bonfire lit by some ignorant rustics.

Another cadet of the family was Sir Thomas Muschamp. He had married into the influential Stanhope family. He owned large estates in the West Riding, especially in the Harewood area The Thoresby Papers show that he played an important part in the transfer of Woodhouse Moor to the citizens of Leeds.

THE REVOCATION OF THE EDICT OF NANTES by Louis the fourteenth of France forced thousands of Huguenot refugees to seek a new home in England They included many descendants from the old Muschamp estates in Normandy, and many English families bearing the names of Musgrave, Moxon, Mussom, Mossop, Mounsey and Midgley come from this stock These refugees were mostly skilled craftsmen, wool and silk weavers, makers of glass and many other articles. Their loss to France had a decisive effect on the national economy of their native country, which resulted in France becoming an agricultural country instead of a commercial exporting centre. The Huguenots settled in East Anglia, the West Country and West Riding of Yorkshire and they also formed a colony in Spitalfields in London, indeed, the Great Fire of London was said to have been started by a Huguenot refugee named Musham, who accidentally upset an oil lamp in Pudding Lane.

Sad to say, these poor relations, who had been obliged to leave everything behind, received a frosty welcome from the established family of Muschamps, whose family traditions taught them that anyone who worked, must be either insane or half-witted. There is scant reference to the new-comers in the family records.

Time has passed bearing with it the glories of this remarkable family. We only know that they left behind a tradition of faith in the individual, a belief in personal freedom and a willingness to act alone without waiting for mass approval - a tradition that is sorely needed in these days of television and when personal initiative is smothered by the blanket of Welfare State.

 

 Memories of ARTHUR MUSCHAMP by Pam Coffield

 

ARTHUR MUSCHAMP was born on 5th February 1888, in Yeadon, Wharfedale, and although, as his granddaughter, I only knew him in the latter years of his life, I was immensely proud of him, of his achievements and of his Yorkshire humour.

He was adept at creating things out of 'junk':  of mending old furniture with plywood and chipboard - and of making rag rugs.  His disregard of convention and his love of invention made him a demi-god in the eyes of his grandchildren.  We were never happier, my cousins and I, than when he shared with us the secrets of papier mache vase making, or the joys of diversification; whether it be stabilizing a table with a piece of folded paper, or by mending a broken chain with a safety pin - and the smell of glue boiling in an old bean can on the hot coals was, to say the least, intoxicating!!

He was a mine of information and, throughout our young lives, my cousins and I each spent hours of discussion with Gramp under the old cherry tree that he had planted in his garden when his own children (Dennis, my mother Greta and her twin sister Betty) were small; he sitting on his home-made bench with his back to the garden wall while we invariably sat on the ground opposite, or on a stool which Gran (EMILY, nee BRADBURY) would bring down for us, tutting at our thoughtless disregard of the damp grass.

It was here that we learned of kings and countries, wars and politics, nature and philosophy; Gramp passing his wisdom on to us through the blue, aromatic, haze which curled and billowed from his briar pipe or the occasional Woodbine cigarette.  Often he would sit alone there, in the cool of the evening, meditating and watching his garden grow.

Rarely, if ever, taking himself seriously, he also loved to 'pull faces' at Convention.  He saw life as a challenge but he was a philosopher in all things and his wisdom and humour were passed to his grandchildren not only by word but also by example. He left behind a lifetime of happy memories, a wealth of love and a very special gift to each of his successors; the ability to laugh at ourselves!