White's 1857 Directory of Derbyshire
DALE ABBEY PARISH. 261 took up his abode at Depedale, where he had been sometime, when about 1135, Sir Ralph, son of Lord Geremund, being out hunting, found his course intercepted by a morass; surveying this wild and secluded scene more closely, he at length perceived a column of smoke rising above the trees; making his way with difficulty through the plants and shrubs, he reached the place and found a rudely constructed hut, before it was a fire of sticks, and by it sat an aged man with unshorn hair and untrimmed beard. After hearing his tale, Sir Ralph proceeded to Derby, where it was verified, and the next day he returned with garments and food to the Hermit of the Dale—brought him tools and endowed him with the toll of his mill at Burgh, (Borrowash,) and encouraged him to fulfill the Virgin‟s pleasure. The recluse immediately commenced scooping out a habitation in the rock, which after several years labour was completed, as also an oratory at the foot of the hill for his patroness the Virgin. After living in this solitude for many years, he was found by a pilgrim attracted by the fame of his sanctity, stretched upon the floor of his cell apparently asleep, but dead. At his death, Serlo-de-Greudon, a knight of eminent valour and great wealth, who married the daughter of the above Sir Ralph, gave the place of Depedale to his godmother, who had a son, whom she educated for holy orders, that he might perform divine service in her chapel there; but a short time afterwards, and with her consent, he invited canons from Calke, and gave them Depedale.
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