SHOCKING news reached the villagers of Calverley towards the end of April, 1605. Two young children had been murdered by their father, Walter Calverley, a member of one of the most distinguished families in the area. The Calverley family were landowners in the village and around Rawdon, Yeadon and Horsforth. Locals were stunned at the foul murder and asked questions as to why it had occurred.

Walter had been driven insane through drink, debt and jealousy. The causes went back several years. His father had married Catherine, daughter of Sir John Thornholm of Haysthorpe, near Bridlington. She was a devout Catholic, and during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1 she was persecuted for her beliefs and for giving refuge to priests. Witnessing this, young Walter suffered psychological damage and displayed violent fits of temper. Because of heavy fines inflicted on the family by the Government, land had to be sold off and when Walter inherited his father’s estate, he was faced with financial problems and became morose. When he married Philippa, daughter of the Hon Henry Brooke, Walter’s burning desire was to have a son and heir, but he became increasingly moody and stalked around the Old Hall consumed by depression, worsened by heavy drinking.

He was still hospitable to friends and often held dinner parties at the Hall. At one of these a friend, Leventhorpe, was introduced to Philippa. He was fond of literature and quoted poetry. Philippa had an interest in poetry and a relationship developed between the two. Leventhorpe became a regular at the Hall, sometimes when Walter was away. The relationship was platonic but Walter was consumed by jealousy. When Philippa had a son, William, there was great rejoicing, but after the birth of the second son, Walter became convinced he wasn’t the father. His depression deepened, he drank heavily and became provocative towards Leventhorpe, who insisted he hadn’t committed adultery with Philippa.

After giving birth to her third baby, Henry, Philippa was so delicate the child had to be nursed at a farmhouse two miles away. On April 22, 1605 Walter charged his wife with being unfaithful, but she denied it. Walter’s threatening behaviour frightened her so much, her screams brought servants rushing in. After a heavy drinking session, Walter awoke late on April 23 and drank more ale. He was now out of his mind and began to plan murder. He called for his horse and sent his male servants on a false errand. Staggering into the hall, he found four-year-old William playing. Walter seized him and repeatedly stabbed him with a dagger. He carried the blood-soaked body upstairs and flung the dead child on his wife’s bedroom floor. The distraught mother was nursing her second son, 18-month-old Walter. As his father lunged at him with his dagger, Philippa was wounded but failed to prevent the infant being killed. Convinced he’d killed both, Walter rushed out. He planned to ride to where Henry, the baby, was and murder him too. But, in his drunk state he fell off his horse and was set upon by his servants who were in pursuit.

Walter was committed for trial at York Castle. Refusing to plead guilty or not guilty, a board was placed over him and weights were gradually put on top, crushing his body. Despite the agonising pain, he refused to plead and died. He was buried at St Mary’s Church in Castlegate, York.

There are those who claim his ghost haunts the Old Hall and its grounds, and nearby Calverley Woods.