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Peter has lived in his beautiful stone-built house since 1960. The house reputedly dates back to John of Gaunt’s (the Duke of Lancaster) day.

Red Cat Cottage

The house itself is a bit of a period mismatch. The earliestΜύpart of the house dates back to the 17th century, whilst the main body was added in the 18th century and the top of the house was built in the 20th century.

In 1644, after the Battle of Marston Moor (during the English Civil War), 'Trooper' Jane Ingilby met Oliver Cromwell at the doors to Ripley Castle, near Knaresborough, with a pair of pistols.

It is believed that she had fled from the Royalist defeat, where she had fought in the battle disguised as a man in a full suit of armour. She returned to the castle with her brother, a wanted man, ahead of Cromwell and his troops.

Jane Ingilby held Cromwell in the castle library overnight at gunpoint to prevent him from finding her brother, who was hiding in the castle.ΜύCromwell escaped and made his way towards Harrogate.

The garden at Cromwell's convenience

During this time Peter Branwell's home was the 17th century equivalent of a public house.

"The story goes that Oliver Cromwell, having been rebuffed by Lady Ingilby, stopped off at this ale house and he spent a penny in the garden! Although, we don’t know the precise location of the action," Peter explains.

The ale house was called the Red Lion, however the inn sign was so badly drawn that it was known as the Red Cat. The cottage is still known as Red Cat Cottage to this day.