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Helmsley, called by Bede Ulmetum, is a small town situated on the east- side of Hambleton-Hills, or Hambleton-Blackmoor, and is frequently called Helmsley-Blackeymoor. It had formerly the protection of a Castle on the west, which, according to Camden, was built by Robert de Ross, and called Castle Fursam. It was besieged in 1644, by Sir Thomas Fairfax, and surrendered to the arms of parliament Nov. 21, and by their order soon afterward dismantled. The ruins, yet remaining, consist of a lofty Tower and some other small detached parts, with a Gateway from the south, situated on an eminence surrounded with a double moat. The old Tower and Helmsley Church are very conspicuous objects from the Terrace at Duncombe-Park. Helmsley formerly belonged to the Duke of Buckingham, which he obtained by marriage of the heiress of the Duke of Rutland. After his death it came into the possession of his son, the well-known George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, who sold it, along with the whole of his estates in the parishes of Helmsley and Kirkdale, to Sir Charles Duncombe, ancestor of the present Charles Duncombe, Esq. of Duncombe-Park.

Description(s) edited from Langdale's Yorkshire Dictionary (1822) and Baines's Directory of the County of York (1823) and other sources.

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