ORIGINS OF THE TITLE “SILVER ROYD”.
It has been suggested that this title emanates from either Norwegian, Danish or a mixture of both languages.
In Norse the name “Royd” means “Dwells in the Clearing in the Forest” or “Forest Clearing”.
It is often associated with a male name. For example Ackroyd, Holroyd, Murgatroyd etc. and over the years has evolved into such surnames as Reade, Read or Reid.
The use of the name “Silver Royd” for an area of land is common throughout North and West Yorkshire. Indeed the West Riding Archives show that in Old English this term denotes “a clearing” which suggests that from the time of the Viking Invasions it is a phrase which the invaders brought with them and which has stood the test of time and endures to this very day.
From the West Riding Archives it is shown that in Medieval Calderdale for example this was the term used to describe land “Cleared” or “Assarted” for Farming and has links to the old Saxon Kingdom of Mercia and Northumberland.
In and around “Scardeberg” (as Scarborough was originally named by its Viking invaders) we have evidence of other Norse Names and the most easily recognised of those is “Danes Dyke”.
It would appear that we have the Norse to thank for the naming of the land which formed our old rugby pitches and is now the name of the land upon which our new Head Quarters stand, which is “land cleared for farming” and was used for this very purpose prior to the building of our new Clubhouse and facilities.
How coincidental and appropriate is it that our 2nd, 3rd & 4th teams are all named Vikings, Danesmen and Norsemen thus continuing the traditional link with our Nordic influences.
If Royd is land “cleared for farming” how is the word Silver linked to it?
The Silver Birch tree was prevalent throughout England (and Europe) and the Forestry Commission confirm that it is one of the most commonest of Britain’s native broad leaved trees.
The Birch are pioneer species with light wind blown seeds that can grow quickly on bare land without being planted and prefer light dry acid soils and can grow in cold climates. They can withstand the wind, hard frosts and strong sunshine which would make it an ideal tree to have grown on the coast here at Scalby.
It is interesting that whilst it does not have much value commercially for timber in Britain, in Scandinavia it is grown for that very purpose so it is not unreasonable to assume that our Viking Invaders recognised the value of such a tree and having made their “Royd” would readily use it’s properties to provide shelter as the waterproof bark of the birch tree was used for roofing and tanning leather and its twigs bound together make besoms or as we know them brooms or sweeping brushes.
To summarise it would not be unreasonable to assume that the land at Scalby on which our club stands proudly would have, prior to the Viking Invasions, been populated by the Silver Birch Tree given its prevalence in Britain and its liking of the very climate we experience year in and year out at Scalby. It is also reasonable to assume that our Viking Invaders recognised its value to them to enable them to establish a settlement.
Conclusion
Whilst it is not possible to be absolutely 100% sure of its accuracy our feeling is that it is a good bet that the Title “Silver Royd” does originate from the clearing of the Silver Birch Trees to create a “Royd”.
If anyone has any further or more accurate definition we should be pleased to hear from them.
