Yorkshire

Here we look at Yorkshire's part in the transatlantic slave trade and some examples of its legacy remaining in our historic environment.

To read more about locations with links to the transatlantic slave trade, see The Transatlantic Slave Economy and England’s Built Environment: A Research Audit

Harewood House

Listed Grade I 

Henry Lascelles (from 1690 to 1753) was a banker and sugar importer who held shares in 21 ships involved in the transatlantic slave trade between Barbados and Africa. He bought land in Yorkshire with the fortune he amassed.

In 1759 his son Edwin Lascelles, Baron Harewood (from 1712 to 1795), laid the foundation stone of Harewood House, Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LG. With the Lascelles fortune at his disposal Edwin Lascelles was able to commission the top talents of the day to design Harewood, including John Carr, Robert Adam and Sir Charles Barry.

More about Harewood House

Sneaton Castle

Listed Grade II 

In 1820 James Wilson (birth unknown, died in 1830) bought Sneaton Castle, Whitby, Yorkshire YO21 3QN. Wilson also owned a sugar plantation in St Vincent, where in 1827 he employed 231 'negroes'.

In Whitby he set out to be a pillar of the community. In 1823 he rebuilt the church of St Hilda in Sneaton and between 1826 and 1830 was MP for nearby York. In his first Parliamentary speech he opposed the immediate emancipation of enslaved Africans.

Sneaton Castle is now a conference centre.

Enslavers and Plantation Wealth