William Gascoigne of Harewood, born about 1182,
He married about 1217
William died in 1222.
According to Ralph Thoresby’s “Ducatus Leodensis” published in 1816, the information about Ailrichus, and the descent of the Gascoigne family up to the time of parish registers, came from sixteen large sheets of parchment kept at Parlington Hall. In 1696, they were copied and attested by Sir Henry St. George, Norroy King of Arms. Thoresby is, however a little critical of him, and wonders how the William Gascoigne born c.1182 could claim to be “of Harewood” when only the Gawthorpe estate appears to have come to the Gascoigne’s with the heiress Matilda (or Mansilda) Gawkethorp. Most likely the Gascoignes by then had already purchased land in Harewood. The earliest independent confirmation of the Parlington manuscripts was during the reign of Edward I (1272-1307), when Elizabeth de Bolton’s husband, described as a merchant of Kirkby Wharfe, brought a legal case against another merchant.
NOTE: - Kirby Wharfe (now known as Kirby Overblow) is situated on the north side of the River Wharfe, opposite Harewood which is on the south side of the river. Harewood and Gawthorpe were adjoining settlements or villages. William was born at Gawthorpe and on his marriage to Elizabeth de Bolton; they most likely lived at Kirby Wharfe. Therefore he would have been entitled to use the name “William of Harewood”.
The old seat of the Gawkthorpes, of Gawthorpe, was a residence when Herewode (Harewood) was what its name indicates. Its name is associated with all the interest, glamour, and romance that should pertain to this one time feudal hall.
The men of Gawthorpe, who took their name from their seat, were of some renown as soldiers, having fought on the battlefields of France and elsewhere.