Scarborough History : Life of a Norman Earl 1066 - 1166

The main family of Northumbria held the manor of Falsgrave, and took rents and services from its 108 sokesman. In 1066 it was part of the estate of Earl Tosti, brother to King Harold. Tosti was deprived for cruelly causing insurrection among the Northumbrians. But he returned with the King of Norway, Harald Hardrada. They fired fire bales from the hill into Scarborough. The was left abandoned, those who were left were slain and all there belongings seized.

During the reign of King Stephen, two barons had commanding positions in north-east Yorkshire. Eustace Fitzjoh built a castle and founded the borough of Malton, and the second wasWilliam of Albemarle, Earl of Holderness who built a castle and redeveloped Scarborough. During 1138 , he built a fortress on Scarborough rock, built a wooden wall and established Ansketil, a priest in a rebuilt chapel.

In 1155 William was deprived of the castle by King Henry II. He spent more than £600 on the fortress from 1159 to 1164. During the disordered reign of King Stephen, William of Albemarle was one of the most outstanding barons. He was given the Earldom of York after playing a notable part as a leader in the Battle of the Standard. He cleared away villages at Danby to make a forest park.