Mr. Wikes, of Leaseholme
The narrative follows the eccentric life of a clergyman in Yorkshire, a member of the Wikes family, who held the living of Leaseholme for generations. The first Wikes, a former army captain, secured the position after the Restoration, having fought for King Charles I. His descendants, known for their literary talents and peculiarities, continued the tradition of serving the parish while indulging in alcohol. The story highlights a particular incident involving the parson on a Sunday when he was scheduled to deliver a sermon commemorating the martyrdom of Charles I. Upon arriving at the church, he found the congregation absent due to a domestic dispute between a husband and wife. In an attempt to restore order, he intervened, leading to a chaotic physical altercation that drew the attention of the villagers. As the conflict escalated, local customs dictated that all three participants—husband, wife, and parson—should "ride the stang," a form of public shaming. Despite the parson's initial compliance, the couple resisted, leading to a humorous and absurd struggle. The parson, armed with a pitchfork, defended himself against the villagers who insisted on the tradition, resulting in him being accidentally dropped into a beck. After a comical retreat to the church, the parson resumed his duties, dripping wet but undeterred. He delivered his sermon, cleverly addressing the earlier chaos while invoking the memory of Charles I. The narrative captures the blend of humor, local customs, and the parson's character, illustrating the eccentricities of rural life and the challenges of maintaining dignity in the face of absurdity. The story ultimately reflects on the complexities of human relationships and the often ridiculous nature of societal expectations.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1890 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Comedy, Literary Fiction · 1,078 words
First lines
The living of Leaseholme, in the North Riding of Yorkshire, was held by three successive generations of the Wikeses for upwards of a century; all of whom were men of literary talents, popular preachers, great oddities -- but much given to the bottle. The first of the Wikes family who held the living was a gentleman who had been captain in the army in the reign of Charles I., and had fought for the unfortunate monarch throughout the civil war. In one of the battles he received a wound in his leg, which incapacitated him from further active service, and the death of the king and the supremacy of Cromwell prevented him from looking to Government for promotion.[18]
What this Textopian page supports
Mr. Wikes, of Leaseholme is listed on Textopian as a short story by Sabine Baring-Gould, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Sabine Baring-Gould
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Comedy, Literary Fiction, Satire, Religious Fiction
- Length: 1,078 words
- Structure: 1 section, 12 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Mr. Wikes, of Leaseholme by Sabine Baring-Gould
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Mr. Wikes, of Leaseholme?
- How does this short story by Sabine Baring-Gould fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Rev Mr Carter Parson Publican by Sabine Baring Gould
- The Wooden Bell Of Ripon by Sabine Baring Gould
- Jans Courtship by Sabine Baring Gould
- The Squatters Dream by Rolf Boldrewood
- George Plant by Ring Lardner
- The Jest Of Life by Arthur Gask
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a specific historical context, focusing on the life of a clergyman during the Restoration period in England.
- Comedy — The absurd situations and humorous conflicts involving Mr. Wikes and the villagers create a comedic tone throughout the story.
- Literary Fiction — The work explores themes of social customs, human behavior, and character development, typical of literary fiction.
- Satire — The story critiques societal norms and behaviors, particularly through the lens of the parson's interactions with his parishioners.
Tags
historical fiction · Yorkshire · literary talent · preacher · eccentricity · alcoholism · civil war · Restoration · clergy · humor · community · tradition