s
on the Continent about the end of the sixteenth century, saw the Pope's
alum-works near Rome, and was determined to start the industry in his
native parish of Guisborough, feeling certain that alum could be worked
with profit in his own county. As it was essential to have one or two
men who were thoroughly versed in the processes of the manufacture, Mr.
Chaloner induced some of the Pope's workmen by heavy bribes to come to
England. The risks attending this overt act were terrible, for the
alum-works brought in a large revenue to His Holiness, and the discovery
of such a design would have meant capital punishment to the offender.
The workmen were therefore induced to get into large casks, which were
secretly conveyed on board a ship that was shortly sailing for England.

When the Pope received the intelligence some time afterwards, he
thundered forth against Mr. Chaloner and the workmen the most awful and
comprehensive curse. They were to be cursed most wholly and thoroughly
in every part of their bodies, every saint was to curse them, and from
the thresholds of the holy church of God Almighty they were to be
sequestered, that they might 'be tormented, disposed of, and delivered
over with Dathan and Abiram, and with those who say unto the Lord God,
"Depart from us; we desire not to know Thy ways."'

Despite the fearful nature of the curse, the venture prospered so much
that the Darcy family, about the year 1600, set up another works in the
neighbourhood of Guisborough; and as this also brought considerable
wealth to the owners, a third was started at Sandsend in 1615. Many
others followed, and in 1649 Sir Hugh Cholmley started the works close
to Saltwick Nab, within a short distance of his house at Whitby. But
although there must have been more than twenty of these works in
operation in the eighteenth century, owing to cheaper methods of
producing alum the industry is now quite extinct in Cleveland.

The broad valley stretching from Guisborough to the sea contains the
beautifully wooded park of Skelton Castle. The trees in great masses
cover the gentle slopes on either side of the Skelton Beck, and almost
hide the modern mansion. The buildings include part of the ancient
castle of the Bruces, who were Lords of Skelton for many years. It is
recorded that Peter de Brus, one of the barons who helped to coerce John
into signing the Great Charter at Runnymede, made a curious stipulation
when he granted some lands at Lecon