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EOYAL ILLUSTKATED
STOFtY OF E^STEEiN ENGLAND,
CIVIL, MILITARY, POLITICAL, AND ECCLESIASTICAL,
FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD TO TIIE PRESENT TIME,
A SURVEY OF THE EASTEEN COUNTIES:
PHYSICAL FEATURES, GEOLOGY, AND NATURAL HISTORY OF
CAMBRIDGESHIRE, ESSEX, NORFOLK, AND SUFFOLK,
DESCRIPTIONS OF ANTIQUITIES:
CASTLES, CAMPS, FORTS, CHURCHES, ABBEYS, MONASTERIES,
MARKET TOWNS, PUBLIC BUILDINGS,
AND THE SEATS OF THE NOBILITY AND GENTRY;
AN ACCOUNT OF
AGRICULTURE, MANUFACTURES, TRADES, &c.,
MEMOIRS OF
COUNTY FAMILIES AND EMINENT MEN,
OF EYERY PERIOD.
BY A. D. BAYNE,
Anthor of "A History of Norwich."
YOL. II.
JAMES MACDONALD & Co., MARKET- PLACE, GREAT YARMOUTH.
WECETTYCfcNTER
CONTENTS OF VOL. II.
CHAPTER XIII.
NARRATIVE OP EVENTS IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.
Reign of Henry IV., a.d. 1399 to 1413 —
Accession of the King, 1 ; Conspiracy against Mm, 2 ; John Maddon, a Suffolk Priest, Burnt for Heresy, 2 ; Bishop of Norwich Imprisoned, 3.
Reign of Henry V., a.d. 1413 to 1422 —
Accession of the King, 4 ; Disputes at Norwich, 4 ; Great Fire in Norwich, 4 ; Martyrs in Essex, 5.
Reign of Henry VI., a.d. 1422 to 1461 —
Accession of the King, 6 ; Duke of Gloucester appointed Protector, 6 ; Lim- itation of the Right of Voting, 6 ; Colchester Disfranchised, 7; Norwich Raises Men for the King, 8 ; William White, a Priest, Burnt in the City, 9 ; Christmas » Celebrated by the King at Bury St. Edmund's, 9 ; Parliament Held in that Town, 10 ; Great Riot at Norwich, 11 ; Impoverished State of Yarmouth, 11.
Reign of Edward IV., a.d. 1461 to 1483 —
Accession of the King, 14 ; Charter Granted to Norwich, 14; Law Relating to Dress, 15 ; the Queen Visits Norwich, 15 ; Liberation of Henry VI., 16 ; Flight of Edward IV., 16 ; Defeat and Imprisonment of Henry VI., 16.
Reign of Richard III., a.d. 1483 to 1485 —
Usurpation of the Throne, 18 ; Norwich Assists the Usurper, 18.
Reign of Henry VIL, a.d. 1485 to 1509—
Accession of the King, 20 ; Royal Journey through the Eastern Counties, 20 ; Bishops of Norwich, 21 ; State of Agriculture, 22 to 24 ; the Church in the Fifteenth Century, 24 ; the University of Cambridge, 26.
ii CONTENTS OP VOL II.
CHAPTER XIV.
ANTIQUITIES OF THE MIDDLE AGES.
Eastern England rich in Antiquities, 57 ; Church Architecture, Different Styles, 57 ; Anglo-Saxon Style, 57 ; Norman Style, 57 to 59 ; Early English, 59 ; Transition Style, 57 to 60 ; Perpendicular Style, 57 to 60 ; Decorated Style, 58 to 60 ; Norwich Cathedral, 59 ; Panelling, 60 ; Restoration of Churches, 61 ; Church Roofs, 61 ; Church Seats, 61 ; Chantry Altars, 61 ; Pulpits, 62 ; Rood Lofts, 62 ; Rood Screens, 62 to 64 ; Church Stalls, Sedilias, Ambrys, 65 to 66 ; Altars, 67 to 68 ; Symbolical Colours of the thirteenth Century, 68 to 69 ; Sepulchral Brasses of Norfolk and Suffolk, 70 ; Ancient Dresses of Women, 71 to 72 ; Ancient Dresses of Men, 72; Municipal Costumes, 72; Armour and Military Weapons, 74; Old Walls and Gates of Norwich, 75 to 77.
CHAPTER XV.
NARRATIVE OP EVENTS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. (First Half.) Reign op Henry VIIL, a.d. 1509 to 1547 —
Accession of the King, 78 ; Divorce of the King from Katharine, 79 ; Marriage to Anne Boleyn, 80 ; Execution of Anne, 80 ; Marriage of the King with Catherine Howard, 81 ; Places in Essex Frequented by the King, 81 ; Journey of Katharine of Arragon through Essex, 83 ; Wolsey made Cardinal, 83 ; Visit of the Queen of France to Yarmouth, 83 ; Disturbances in Norfolk and Suffolk, 84.
Reign of Edward VI., a.d. 1547 to 1553 —
Accession of the King, 96 ; Documents relating to Norfolk, 97 ; Church Goods, 97 ; Repeal of the Six Articles, 97 ; Insurrection at Attleborough, 98 ; Kett's Rebellion, 98 ; Publication of the Forty-two Articles, 100; Lords-Lieutenants of Counties appointed, 100; Members of Parliament for Norfolk in this Reign, 101.
Reign op Queen Mary, 1553 to 1558 —
Lady Jane Grey Proclaimed Queen, 103 ; Queen Mary Proclaimed at Norwich, 103; Persecution of the Protestants, 105; Great Mortality in Norfolk, 105; Martyrdom of Protestants in Essex, 106 ; Bishops of Norwich in this Reign, 110; Members of Parliament ibr Norfolk in this Reign, 110; the Jerningham family, 110.
CHAPTER XVI.
NARRATIVE OF EVENTS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. (SrrOhd Half.)
Reion op Elizabeth, a.d. 1558 to 1603 —
Accession of the Queen, 113; Release of those who were Imprisoned for the Sake of Religion, 114; Yarmouth Obtains the Privilege of Holding an Admiralty Court, 114; Prosperous State of Ipswich, 115; the Earls of Northumberland,
CONTENTS O? VOL. II. Ill
Huntingdon, &c, Visit the Duke of Norfolk at Norwich, 115; Settlement of Flemish Eefugees at Yarmouth, 117; Visit of the Queen to Essex, 1 1 8 ; to Ipswich, 118; to Harwich, 118; to Colchester, 118; to Suffolk, 120; to Buiy, 120 ; to Norwich, 121 to 127 ; Houses Visited hy the Queen in Suffolk, 120 ; Great Plague in Norwich, 127 ; Will Kempe, the Morris Dancer, Dances from London to Norwich, 128 ; Execution of the Duke of Norfolk, 130 ; Curious Customs of Norwich, 1 30 ; Post-horses First Estahlished in Norwich, 131 ; Introduction of the Art of Printing, 131 ; Norwich Notorious for the Nonconformity of its Ministers, 131 ; Great Plague at Yarmouth, 132 ; East Dereham nearly Destroyed hy Fire, 132 ; Preparations against the Spanish Armada, 132; Defeat of the Spanish Armada, 133 ; Great Plague in England 133; Knights of the Shire for the County of Norfolk, 135; Eminent men of the Sixteenth Century, 135 to 141 ; County Families in the Sixteenth Century, 142; the Astley Family, 142; the Windham Family, 144; the Spelman Family, 145; the Family of the Newtons, 146; the Family of the Whinburghs, 146; the Brampton Family, 146; the Family of the Hollands, 147; State of Agriculture in the Sixteenth Century, 148.
CHAPTER XVII.
NARRATIVE OF EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
(First Half) Reign of James I., 1603 to 1625 —
Accession of the King, 153 ; Deprivals of Ministers in Essex, 154; an Essex * Man Burnt at Smithfield, 154; Preachers Persecuted hy Laud, 155; Great Plague in England, 159 ; Dearth and Failure of the Crops, 156; Discovery of Gunpowder Plot, 156; the King Builds a House at Newmarket, 157; Great Inundations in Norfolk, 158; the King and his Son visit the University of Camhridge, 158; Disregard of Sanitary Measures, 159; Building of Audley End, 160 ; Baronets of Norfolk and Suffolk, 161 ; Invention of Decoys in England, 164.
Reign of Charles L, 1625 to 1649 —
Accession of the King, 164; Persecution of the Refugees, 165; the King's first Parliament, 165 ; Refusal of the Commons to Grant[ Supplies, 166; the Mayor of Norwich Protests against Irish Soldiers heing Quartered in that City, 166; Ship-money a species of Tax levied hy the King, 166; Ship-money demanded from Yarmouth, Norwich, King's Lynn, andWisheach, 167; Imprison- ment and Mutilation of Dr. Bastwick 168 ; the King Attempts to Impeach live Memhers of the House of Commons, 169 ; Disturbances at Colchester, 169 ; Preparations for War made by King and Parliament, 169; Defeat of the Parliamentarians at Edgehill, 170; Essex Volunteers Summoned to the Rescue of the Metropolis, 171; Battle of Marston Moor, 171; Essex Men Plundered of their Estates, 172 ; Royalist Ship Seized at Yarmouth, 173 ; Abolishment of Ship-money, 173 ; Cromwell takes Possession of tbe University Plate, 173 ; Expulsion of Royalists from Cambridge, 173 ; Captain Fresswell Imprisoned at Norwich for Attempting to Raise Volunteers there for the King, 1 74 ; Norwich Declares for the Paliament, 174; Colonel Cromwell conies to Norwich, 174 ; He Marches to Lowestoft, which Surrenders after a Short Resistance, 174 ; Fire atLowestoft, 176 ; Contributions Made hy Norfolk and Suffolk to Parliament, 176 ; Preparations Made for Reducing Lynn, 177; Oliver Cromwell a Frequent
ir CONTENTS OP VOL. II.
Visitor to Yarmouth, 178 ; Lynn Declares for the King, 179 ; Lynn Capitulates to the Parliament and is made a Garrison Town, 179 ; Battle of Naseby, 179 ; Fairfax visits Cambridge and Yarmouth, 180 ; Sir Jacoh Astley Created Baron of Reading, 180 ; The Army Assembles at Triptoe Heath, and Impeaches Eleven Members of the House of Commons, 181 ; Escape of the King from Hampton Court, 182 ; he is Taken Prisoner by the Governor of the Isle of Wight, 182 ; Cromwell Quells a Dangerous Mutiny at Ware, 182 ; the Second Civil War, 183; Surrender of Pembroke Castle to Cromwell, 183; Defeat of the Scotch Army by Cromwell, 184 ; Defeat of an Army of Royalists under the Earl of Norwich by Fairfax, 184 ; a Royalist Force Takes Possession of Colchester, 185 ; Siege of Colchester by Fairfax, 18G ; the Town is Summoned to Surrender, 186 ; Defiance of the Earl of Norwich, 18G ; Desperate Fight and Defeat of the Royalists in the Suburbs, 186 ; Reinforcements Arrive for the Parliamentarian Army, 188 ; Defeat of Major Muschamp, who was Marching to the Relief of Colchester, 188 ; Frequent Sallies made by the Royalists, 189 ; Royalists obliged to Kill their Horses for Food, 190 ; Awful Scene of Misery in the Town, 191 ; Proposal to Cut their Way through the Enemy, 193; Surrender of the Town, 194; Execution of Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle, 194 ; Trial of the King, 195 ; Insurrection in Norfolk in favour of the King, 196 ; the Insurgents are Tried in St. Andrew's Hall, 196 ; two of them are Hung in the Norwich Market, 196 ; Roman Catholics put to Death by the Parliament, 197 ; Knights of the Shire for Norfolk in this Reign, 197 ; Bishops of Norwich in this Reign, 199.
Oliver Cromwell, 201 —
His Birth and Family, 201 ; his Marriage, 202 ; his Conversion, 202 ; he Lends £500 to Parliament, 203 ; he Collects 23,000 men for the Defence of Cam- bridge, 204 ; he Suppresses a Rising of the Royalists at Lowestoft, 204 ; he is appointed Governor of the City of Ely, 204 ; Opinions of Cromwell, 206 ; Major-General Skippon, 207.
The Commonwealth, 1649 to 1660 —
The Parliament Reduces the Army, 210 ; Cromwell Expels the Members from the House of Commons, 210; Decline of the Influence of the Presbyterians, 211; Conspiracy formed for the Restoration of Charles II, 211; Cromwell Forms a neAV Council of State, 212 ; he is made Lord-Protector of the Common- wealth, 212 ; he orders Norfolk to send Ten Members to Parliament, 212 ; he Calls another Parliament, 212 ; he Dissolves it in 1658, 213 ; Knights of the Shire for Norfolk in Oliver's time, 213; Death of Cromwell, 2 1 4 ; Accession of his Son Richard, 214 ; Parliament Dissolved, 215 ; Addresses to General Monk for the Restoration of Charles II., 215 ; Members for Essex, 215 ; Letter and Declaration to General Monk, 216.
CHAPTER XVIII.
narrative op events in the seventeenth century.
(Second Half.)
Reign of Charles II., 1660 to 1685 —
His Restoration, 222 ; New Charter granted to Ipswich, 222; Leading Presby- terians promoted by the King, 223 ; the Pensionary Parliament, 223 ; Eject- ment of Nonconformists, 224 ; Audley End becomes a Royal Residence, 224 ;
CONTENTS OP VOL. II. V
Great Rejoicings at' Yarmouth on the Restoration of Monarchy, 225 ; the Mayor of Norwich and others Present the King with £1000, 225 ; Civil Govern- ment of Norwich at this Period, 225 ; Great Engagement between the English and Dutch Fleets off Lowestoft, 225 ; Plague in Norwich, 226 ; Royal Visit to Norwich, 226; the King Visits Cambridge, 227; Flourishing state of Norwich in this reign, 227 ; Great Naval Engagement between the combined Fleets of England and France against the Dutch, 228 ; Yarmouth Surrenders its Charters to the King, 229 ; the Duke of York Visits Norwich, 229 ; East Dereham almost Destroyed by Fire, 229 ; the King Grants a Charter to Yarmouth, 230 ; Gentlemen of Norfolk made Knights by the King, 230 ; Eminent Men in this Reign 231 to 234 ; Baronets of Norfolk created by the King, 231.
Reign of James II., 1685 to 1688—
Accession of the King, 234; Members for Norfolk in the Parliament of James I., 235 ; the Employment of Roman Catholics who had Not taken the Test, 235 ; Parliament Dissolved, 236 ; the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, 236 ; Roman Catholics appointed to the Deanery of Christchurch, 236 ; Revival of the Romanist Worship, 236 ; the King orders Nineteen Members of the Council and Ten Aldermen to be Turned Out of the Corporation of Norwich, 237 ; Great influx of French Subjects into England, 237 ; Eminent Refugees who found Refuge in the Eastern Counties, 238 ; Great Trade of Norwich in this reign, 238 ; the Manufacture of Crapes introduced by the Refugees, 238 ; Knight* of the Shire for Norfolk in this reign, 239 ; the King orders that Thirty Quakers be admitted Freemen of Norwich without taking the oath, 239 ; the King Revokes the new Charters of all the Towns in England, 239 ; landing of the Prince of Orange, 240 ; Flight of the King to France, 240 ; Accession of William III., 240 ; James lands in Ireland and is joined by a large number of Papists, but is Defeated by William, 240 ; He flies to France and Dies there, 240 ; the Non-juring Bishops, 241 ; the Interregnum, 242.
Reign of William and Mary, 1688 to 1702 —
It is Decreed that James Forfeited his Right to the Nation's Allegiance, 242 ; Great Tory Majority at the General Elections, 243 ; the King is Entertained at Yarmouth, 243 ; Failure of the Harvest, 243 ; Death of Queen Mary, 243 ; Surrender of Naniur to the King, 243 ; Land Tax Levied to meet the Expenses of the War, 244 ; Passing of the Bill of Rights, 244 ; the King makes a Tour through the Country, 245 ; Death of the Duke of Gloucester, 245 ; Grand Alliance against Fiance, 245 ; Death of William III., 245 ; Knights of the Shire for Norfolk in this Reign 246 ; an Act is Passed for Lighting the Streets of Nor- wich, 246 ; Brigandage in the Eastern Counties, 246 ; Newmarket in this Reign 247 ; State of Society in the Seventeenth Century, 247 ; County Families, 251 ; the Church in the Seventeenth Century, 255 ; Nonconformists in the Seventeenth Century, 256 ; Ministers Ejected in the Seventeenth Century, 257 to 262 ; Nonconformists in Norwich, 262 to 264 ; Manners and Customs in the Seventeenth Century, 264 to 267 ; State of Agriculture in the Seventeenth Century, 267 to 269.
CHAPTER XIX.
narrative of events in the eighteenth century,
(First Half)
Reign of Qeeen Anne, 1702 to 1714 —
Accession of the Queen, 271 ; Publication of the First Newspaper in Norwich, 272 ; an Act passed for making the First Norfolk Turnpike, 272 : the Town of
VI CONTENTS OF VOL II.
Holt Destroyed by Fire, 272 ; Ignorance and Superstition of the People, 273 ; Yarmouth obtained the Privilege of Electing a Mayor, 273 ; Court of Guardians appointed to Erect Workhouses, &c, at Norwich, 274; Building of the Bethel at Norwich, 274 ; Members of Parliament for Norfolk in this Reign, 274.
Reign of George I., a.d. 1714 to 1727 —
His Accession, 274 ; Prominence of two Norfolk Statesmen, 275 ; Arrest of Sir William Windham, 275; Introduction ©f New Taxes, 276; Rebellion in the North, 276 ; Loyal Address Presented to the King by the Corporation of Norwich, 276 ; Death of the King, 276 ; Knights of the Shire for Norfolk, in this Reign, 276.
Reign of George II., a.d. 1727 to 1760 —
His Accession, 278 ; His Reception of the News of his Father's Death, 278 ; Quarrel of the Rival Norfolk Ministers, 279 ; Increased Severity of the Penal Code, 279 ; Eastern England a Preserve for Game, 279 ; Enormous Sums Spent by Candidates for Parliament, 279 ; Representation of Norwich, 279 ; Arrival of the King at Lowestoft, 280 ; Riots in Norfolk and Norwich, 280 ; Norwich Cathedral Repaired, 281 ; Thanksgiving in Norwich for the Suppression of the Rebellion in Scotland, 281 ; War Proclaimed against France by the Mayor of Norwich, 281 ; Peace with France and Spain Proclaimed in Norwich, 281 ; Charles Townshend returned as Member for Yarmouth, 281 ; Great Fire at Norwich, 282 ; Earthquake felt in Norwich and Norfolk, 282 ; Establishment of the First Provincial Bank in Norwich, 282 ; Death of the King, 283 ; Norwich Manufactures, 283 ; Flourishing State of the Woollen Trade in Norwich, 284 ; Great Prosperity of Norwich, 284 ; Baronets Created by George I. in Norfolk and Suffolk, 285 ; Knights of the Shire for Norfolk in George II.'s Reign, 285 ; Bishops of Norwich, 285 ; Methodists in Norwich, 286 ; Visit of Wesley to Norwich, 287 ; Methodism first Preached at Yarmouth, 287 ; Travelling in Essex in the Eighteenth Century, 288 ; Wretched Condition of the Roads, 288 ; Infested by Highwaymen and Footpads, 288 ; First Newspaper printed in Essex, 289; Bishops of Norwich, 1738 to 1792, 289 ; the Walpole Family, 1700 to 1800, 303 ; the Town shend Family, 1617 to 1782, 4.
CHAPTER XX.
NARRATIVE OF EVENTS IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. (Second half.) Reign of George III., a.d. 1760 to 1880 —
His Accession, 309 ; Great Flood at Norwich, 309 ; DreadfulRiotinNorwich, 310; Sir Edward Astley, Bart., and Thomas De Grey Returned for Norfolk, 310; Riots in the Eastern Counties, 310; Bill passed for Granting Duties in British Colonies, 311 ; Thomas De Grey, Esq., and Sir Edward Astley, Bart., again Returned for Norfolk, 311; a Norwich Manufacturer Wins £20,000 at a Lottery, 312 ; Turnpike Roads made in Norfolk, 312 ; Prosperous State of Norwich Manu- facturers, 313 ; Foundation Stone of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital Laid, 313; Prosperity of the Port of Lynn, 314 ; the First Town Enclosed by Act of Parliament, 314 ; Bill Passed for the Better Regulation of Houses of Industry, 315 ; Publication of a Norfolk History, 315 ; Wenman Coke, Esq., and Sir Edward Astley, Bart, Returned for Norfolk, 315 ; the Prime Minister Burnt in Effigy on Mouschold Heath, 316 ; the Friar's Society Established in
CONTENTS OF VOL. It. Vll
Norwich, 316 ; Establishment of a Post Office at Long Stratton, 317 j Riot at Norwich, 317 ; Sir John Wodehouse, Bart, and T. W. Coke, Esq., Returned for Norfolk, 317 ; Suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act, 318 ; the first French Revolution Commemorated by a Banquet at Norwich, 318 ; Mesne Harvey and Hudson's Bank Opened, 318 ; Great Distress in Norfolk and Suffolk, 319 ; In- crease of the Poor Rates in Norwich, 320 ; Petitions for Peace sent to the House of Commons, 320; the Princess of Holland and her Son Escape from Holland and Land at Yarmouth, 321 ; Riots in Norwich, 321 ; Hon. H. Hobart and Right Hon. William Windham Returned for Norwich, 321 ; Lent Assizes Removed from Thetfordto Norwich, 322 ; Riots at Yarmouth, 322 ; Government of the Country Conducted with Great Rigour, 322 ; Disturbances at Norwich, 323 ; Norwich Subscribes £8000 for the Defence of the Kingdom, 323 ; Nelson Destroys the French Fleet, 324 ; Deep Snow in the Eastern Counties, 324 ; Grenadier Brigade of Guards Marched from Yarmouth and Entered Norwich by Torchlight, 324 ; Disregard of Sanitary Measures at Norwich, 325 ; Attempted Assassination of the King, 325 ; Lord Nelson visits Yarmouth, 325 ; Cheapness of Living in Norfolk and Suffolk, 32G ; East Anglia a Hundred Years ago, 32G j Agriculture in the Eighteenth Century, 329 ; Rapid Advance of Agriculture, 332 ; Farms Overrun with Rabbits, 332 ; Deplorable State of the Rural Population of the Eastern Counties, 333 ; Barbarity of the Inhabitants on the Norfolk Coast, 333 ; County Families in the Eighteenth Century, 334 ; the Coke Family, 334 ; the Keppel Family, 335 ; the Harbord Family, 337 ; the Bulwer Family, 338 ; the Family of the Cleres, 338 ; the Family of the Symonds, 338 ; the Boileau Family, 339 ; the Fountaine Family, 340 ; Estates in Norfolk in the Eighteenth Century, 342 ; Proprietors of Estates in East and West Flegg in East Norfolk, 343 ; Owners of Estates in the following Hundreds : — Tunstead, 343 ; Loddon, South Norfolk, 344; Mitford, 344; Henstead, 344; Humbleyard, South Norfolk, 344 ; Taverham, 344 ; Forehoe, 345 ; Eynsford, 345 ; Launditch, 345 ; Shrop- ham, 345 ; Clackclose, 346 ; Freebridge, 346 ; Smithdown, 346 ; Holt, 346 ; Gallow, 346 ; North Erpingham, 347 ; South Erpingham, 347 ; Eminent men in the Eighteenth Century, 347 ; the Right Hon. William Windham, 347 ; Admiral Lord Nelson, 351 ; Sir William Hoste, 353 ; Richard Porson, M.A., 354 ; Sir James Edward Smith, 356 ; Mr. Dawson Turner, 357.
CHAPTER XXI.
NARRATIVE OF EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
(First half.)
Threatened Invasion by Napoleon I., 359 ; General Volunteer Movement, 360 y Destruction of the Danish Fleet by Nelson, 361 ; Arrival of Nelson at Yar- mouth, 361 ; Peace Proclaimed, 362 ; Contested Election for Norfolk, 362 ; Visit of the Duke of Cambridge to Yarmouth and Norwich, 363 ; Preparations made against an invasion, 363 ; Establishment of the Norwich Dispensary, 364 ; Establishment of a Hospital and School for the Indigent Blind in Norfolk and Norwich, 364; Battle of Trafalgar and Death of Nelson, 364; Memorial built at Yarmouth to Nelson, 365 ; Funeral of Nelson, 365 ; Lord Palmerston stands for Cambridge and is Defeated, 365 ; Method adopted by the Govern- ment with their Borough Seats, 366 ; Unmanly Conduct of the Norfolk Electors, 367 ; John Pattoson, Esq., and Robert Fellowes returned for Norwich, 367 ; Mr. Coke and Mr. Windham are elected for Norfolk, 367; they are Unseated and Sir Jacob Henry Astley, Bart., and Edward Coke, Esq., Elected without
VIII CONTENTS OF VOL. II.
opposition, 367 ; Parliament Dissolved, 368 ; J. Patteson, Esq., and William Smith, Esq., returned for Norwich, 368 ; the [Norwich Union Society for the Insurance of Lives, &c, is Established, 369; Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Accession of George III. at Norwich, 369 ; Naval Asylum Built on the Denes at Yarmouth, 370 ; Establishment of a Lancasterian School for Boys at Norwich, 370; Norfolk and Norwich Auxiliary Bible Society instituted, 371 ; Market Place at Ipswich constructed, 371 ; William Smith, Esq., and C. Harvey, Esq., returned for Norwich, 371 ; Rejoicings at Norwich for the Victory of Vittoria, 372 ; Grand Festival at Yarmouth to celebrate the Victories of Wellington, 372 ; an Act passed to Prevent the Holding of Political Meetings, 373 ; Riots in Norwich on account of the Corn Bill, 37o ; Great Rejoicings in the Eastern Counties for the great Victory of Waterloo, 373 ; Thanksgiving held for the return of Poace, 374 ; Great Distress in Norwich and Norfolk, 375 ; Mr. E. Wodehouse returned for Norfolk in place of Sir C. H. Astley, Bart., deceased, 375 ; Laying of the first Stone of the Monument to Nelson at Yarmouth, 376 ; Parliament Dissolved, 377 ; W. Smith, Esq., and R. H. Gurney returned for Norwich, 377 ; the Hon. T. W. Anson and C. E. Rum- bold, Esq., Returned for Yarmouth after the Severest Contest ever Known, 377 ; Mr. E. Wodehouse and T. AY. Coke, Esq., returned for Norfolk, 377 ; Petitions presented to Parliament for an Alteration of the Com Laws, 378 ; Bill passed for Erecting a Bridge over the River at Duke's Palace, 378 ; Knights of the Shire for Norfolk in George III.'s reign, 379 ; Death of the King, 380 ; Bishops of Norwich, 381.
Reign of George IV., a.d. 1820 to 1830 —
Description of his Boyhood, 383; Parliament dissolved, 384;William Smith, Esq., and R. H. Gurney, Esq., re-elected for Norwich, 384 ; the Hon. George Anson and C. E. Rum bold, Esq., returned for Yarmouth, 384 ; Thomas William Coke, Esq., and Edmund Wodehouse, Esq., re-elected for Norfolk, 384 ; Grand Entertain- ment given to William Earle Lytton Bulwer, at Holt, 384 ; the Milan Commis- sion, 384 ; Trial of Queen Caroline, 385 ; Addresses presented to the Queen, 385 ; Act passed for Lighting Norwich Avith Gas, &c, 386 ; Census taken, 386 ; Celebration of the King's birthday at Norwich, 387 ; the New River or Cut from King's Lynn to Eau Brink opened, 387 ; Roman Catholics claim Political Emancipation, 388 ; New county Jail at Norwich, 388 ; Political Agitation in favour of Reform in Parliament, 388 ; Norfolk and Norwich Literary Institution Established, 388 ; Norfolk and Norwich Museum Established, 389 ; First Norfolk and Norwich Musical Festival held, 389 ; Extraordinary High Tide at Yarmouth, 389 ; Agitation for the Repeal of the Corn LaAvs, 390 ; Sir. J. Copley Canvasses the University of Cambridge, 390 ; Society formed for the Abolition of Colonial Slavery, 391 ; Election at Norwich, 391 ; William Smith, Esq., and Jonathan Peel, Esq., returned as members, 391 ; Funeral of the Duke of York, 392 ; Bill passed for making Norwich a Port, 392 ; Duke of Wellington made Premier, 393 ; Passing of the Catholic Emancipation Act, 393 ; the First Catholic Avho sat in the House of Commons, 393 ; Meeting of Weavers held on Mousehold Heath, 393 ; Acts of Parliament obtained for the formation of two lines of Railway in the Eastern Counties, 394 ; Knights of the Shire for Norfolk in this Reign, 394 ; Death of the King, 394; Great Distress in the Rural Districts, 394 ;
Reign of William IV., a.d. 1830 to 1837—
King William proclaimed at Norwich, 394 ; His Coronation, 395 ; Increase of Dissenters in East Anglia, 395 ; Establishment of the West Norfolk Agri-
CONTENTS OF VOL. II. IX
cultural Association, 396 ; Defeat of the Ministers on the Reform Bill, 396 ; R. H. Gurney, Esq. (L) and the Right Hon. R. Grant (L), returned for Norwich, 396 ; Excitement at Norwich on account of the Reform Rill, 397 ; Increase of the number of Voters in the Eastern Counties, 397 ; First Election at Norwich after the passing of the Reform Bill, 398 ; Lord Viscount Stormont (C) and Sir James Scarlett (C), returned, 398 ; W. Howe Windham (L) and Hon. George Keppel returned for East Norfolk, 398; Chas. E. Rumbold, Esq. (L) and the Hon. George Anson (L), returned for Yarmouth, 399 ; at Lynn Regis, Lord George Bentinck (C) and Lord W. Lennox (L), returned, 399 ; Lord J. II. EitzrOy (L) and Francis Baring, Esq. (C), returned for Thctford, 399 ; Assizes removed from Thetford. to Norwich, 401 ; Banquet given by S. Bignold Esq., in St. Andrew's Hall, 401 ; Commission appointed to Inquire into the State of Municipal Corporations, 401 ; the Commission at Norwich, 402 ; Strange Facts Elicited, 402 ; the New Poor Law Bill, 403 ; Dissolution of Parliament, 403 ; Viscount Stormont (C) and the Hon. R. C. Scarlett Returned for Norwich, 403 ; Thomas Baring (C) and W. M. Praed are Returned for Yarmouth, 404 ; Abolishment of the Old Corporation, 405 ; Passing of the Municipal Reform Bill, 405 ; First Election of Norwich Councillors Under the New Law, 406 ; Norwich District of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows Established, 406 ; the Tithe Commutation Act, 406 ; Revival of the Anti-slavery Agitation, 407 ; Death of the King, 407
CHAPTER XXII.
NARRATIVE OF EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
Second Half. Reign of Quebn Victoria, a.d. 1837 to 1873 —
Accession of the Queen, 409 ; Walpole's Address to the Electors of East Norfolk, 409 ; Messrs. Edmond "Wodehouse and William Howe Windham's Address, 410; the Address of H. N. Burroughes, 412; Mr. E. Wodehouse and H. N. Burroughes returned as Members for East Norfolk, 416 ; Severe Contest at Norwich, 417 ; Lord Douro and Mr. Scarlett returned for Norwich, 417 ; William Bagge (C) and L. W. Chute (C) returned for West Norfolk, 417 ; Two Conservatives returned for Lynn, 417 ; Two Conservatives returned for North Essex, 418 ; Two Conservatives returned for Colchester, 418 ; Two Liberals returned for Cambridge, 418 ; Meeting of the Camlet Weavers of Norwich, 418 ; Disturbances at Norwich, 419 ; Bill passed for the Improve- ment of the City of Norwich, 419 ; Agitation for the Repeal of the Corn Laws, 419 ; Opening of the Eastern Counties Line of Railway, 420 ; Forma- tion of the Anti-Corn Law League, 420 ; Chartist Riot at Norwich, '420 ; Two Conservatives returned for East Norfolk, 421 ; Messrs. W. Bagge and Chute re-elected for West Norfolk, 421 ; Ten Conservatives returned for the County and Towns of Essex, 422 ; Chartist Agitation, 422 ; Population of Norfolk and Suffolk in 1841, 423 ; the Tractarianism Movement, 423 ; Establishment of the General Hail Storm Society, 424 ; Great Depression of Trade in England,
424 ; Acts of Parliament for Making Railways obtained in the Eastern Counties,
425 ; Opening of the Norfolk Railway, 425 ; New Harbour formed at Lowestoft by Sir Morton Peto, 425 ; Formation of the Eastern Union Railway, 426 ; Opening of the East Suffolk Line, 426 ; Fall of a Bridge at Yarmouth, Eighty Persons Drowned, 427 ; Establishment of the Norfolk and Norwich Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 427 ; the Norfolk and Norwich Arelueolo-
X CONTENTS OF VOL. II.
gical Society Established, 427 ; Agitation in the Eastern Counties for the Repeal of the Corn Laws, 427 ; Repeal of the Corn Laws, 428 ; Passing of the Poor Removal Act, 429 ; Public Meeting held at Norwich in Favour of a National Bate, 429 ; Assembling of the Fourth Reformed Parliament, 429 ; S. M. Peto (L) and the Marquis of Douro (C) returned for Norwich, 429 ; Elections in the Eastern Counties, 430 ; Meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society of England held in Norwich, 43 1 ; the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and Natural History Established, 43 1 ; the Stantield Tragedy, 432 to 434 ; Formation of the Norfolk Farmers' Cattle Insurance Society, 434 ; Repeal of the Navigation Laws, 434 ; Visit of Jenny Lind to Norwich, 434 ; the Public Health Act applied to Norwich, 435 ; the Water Works Established, 435; Opening of the Great Exhibition of 1851, 436; Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science at Ipswich, 4 36 ; Population of the United Kingdom, 436 : Number of Labourers Employed on Farms in Norfolk, 437 ; Population of Essex in 1851, 437 ; Misery of the Rural Population, 437 ; Population of Norfolk in 1858, 437 ; 8. M. Peto (L) and Edward Warner, Esq. (L.), Returned for Norwich, 438 ; Elections in the Eastern Counties in 1852, 438 ; Formation of the Diocesan Institution at Norwich, 440 ; War with Russia, 440 ; Celebration of the Taking of Sehastopol in Norwich, 441 ; Peace Celebrated at Norwich 441 ; Sir S. Bignold Elected Mayor of Norwich, 441 ; Sir S. Bignold Returned as one of the Members for Norwich, 441 ; Local Board of Health Established at Yarmouth, 441 ; Opening of the New Cemetery at Norwich, 442 ; the Norwich Free Library Built, 442 ; the Norwich and London Accident Insurance Association Established, 442 ; Lord Viscount Bury (L.) and H. W. Schneider (L.) returned for Norwich in 1857, 443 ; Election in the Eastern Counties in 1857, 443 ; the Local Government Act in Operation in Norwich, 445 ; the Hon. Wenman Coke (L.) Returned for East Norfolk in 1858, 445 ; Lord Viscount Bury (L.) and H. W. Schneider (L.) Returned for Norwich in 1859, 445 ; Elections in the Eastern Counties in 1859, 445 ; the Norwich Battalion of Volunteers Enrolled, 447 ; Opening of the Eastern Counties Asylum for Idiots, &c, 448 ; Edward Warner (L.) and Colonel Sir William Russell (L.) Returned for Norwich in 1860, 448 ; the Population of Norfolk in 1861, Population of Suffolk in 1861, Population of Essex in 1861, Population of Cambridge in 1861, 449 ; Number of Persons Employed in the Woollen Cloth Manufactures in Norwich in 1861, 450 ; Death of Prince Albert, 450 ; The Great Exhibition of 1862, 451 ; Good Done by these Exhibitions, 451 ; Universal v. Local Exhibitions, 453 ; Leading Events, 455 ; Norwich Diocesan Church Association Formed, 455 ; Extension and Improvement of the Cattle Market, Norwich, 455 ; the Inundation on the Fen District, 455 ; Marriage of the Prince of Wales, 456 ; Lord F. J. FitzRoy (L.) Returned for Thetford, 456 ; New Act Obtained by the Norwich Court of Guardians for the Improved Management of the Poor, 456 ; an Industrial Weavers' Co-Operative Society Established at Norwich, 457 ; Sir William Russell (L.) and Edward Warner (L.) Returned for Norwich in 1865, 458 ; Elections in the Eastern Counties in 1865, 458 ; Church Con- gress held at Norwich, 459 ; the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture In- stituted, 457 ; NeAV Scheme of Drainage at Norwich, 459 ; Act Passed for the Improvement of the Port and Haven of Great Yarmouth, 460 ; Visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to Norwich, 460 ; Disastrous position of the Great Eastern Railway Company, 460 ; Cattle Plague in the Eastern Counties, 460 ; Meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society at Bury 461 ; Viceroy of Egypt visits the Show Ground 461 ; General Account of the Show, 461 to 470 ; the New Sewagage Works at Norwich, 471 ; Industrial
CONTENTS OF VOL. II. XI
Exhibition held at Norwich in 1867, 471 ; the Norwich Medical Chirurgical Society formed, 472 ; Meeting of the British Association at Norwich, 472 ; Eemarkable Drought, 472 ; Partial Destruction of the Britannia Pier, Yar- mouth, 473 ; Improvements of the Port of Harwich, 473 ; Personal History of East Anglia in 18G8, 474; a Bill passed abolishing Compounding for Rates, 474 ; Sir H. J. Stracey and Sir William Russell returned for Norwich, 476 ; Lord Claud Hamilton returned for Lynn, 477 ; the Hon. F. Walpole and Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., returned for North Norfolk, 477 ; Members returned for the Eastern Counties in 1868, 477 ; Disendowment of the Established Church of Ireland, 478 ; a Diocesan House of Mercy Established at Great Maple- stead in 1868, 479 ; Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Essex "Beef Steak Cluh," 479 ; the Obituary of 1868, 481 ; Norfolk and Norwich Musical Festival, 481 ; Death of C. Evans, Esq., 482 ; Death of C. Brightwell, Esq., 483 ; Leading Events in 1869, 485 ; Trial of "William Sheward for the Murder of his Wife, 485 ; Royal Commission at Norwich, 486 ; Shocking Tragedy at Lynn, 486 ; Meeting of the Norfolk Agricultural Association at Attleborough, 487 ; Presentation of a Testimonial to Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., 487 ; Opening of the Dock of Lynn by the Prince of Wales, 488 ; Trial of Overend, Gurney, and Co. for Conspiracy to Defraud, 488 ; Prospects of the Farmers in 1869, 489 ; Leading Events in 1870, 490 ; Report of the Royal Commissioners respecting the Election in Norwich, 491 ; Hardiment, a fellmonger, fined £100 and sentenced to six months' imprisonment for Bribery, 491 ; Mr. Tillett returned for Nor- wich, 491 ; Suicide of Sir Robert Harvey, Bart., 492 ; Failure of the Crown Bank, 492 ; Two great Conservative Victories gained, 492 ; Charge of Fraud against Sir William Russell, Bart,, M.P. for Norwich, 494 ; Passing of the Elementary Education Act, 494 ; Establishment of a School Board in Norwich, 495 ; Death of Lord Walsingham, 495 ; Leading Events in 1871, 496 ; Disasters in the Eastern Counties, 496 ; Death of E. Howes, Esq., 496 ; Three Sermons preached by the Bishop of Peterborough, 497 ; Sir Robert Buxton returned for South Norfolk, 499 ; Mr. J. J. Colman returned for Norwich, Mr. Tillett having lost his seat, 499 ; Explosion of Gun Cotton at Stowmarket, 500 ; Opening of a New Corn Hall at Yarmouth, 502 ; Church Conference at Bury, 502 ; Buildiug of a New Church at Heigham, Norwich, 503 ; the Census of 1871, 504; Leading Events in 1872, 507; Thanksgiving for the Recovery of the Prince of Wales, 507 ; Visit of the Prince of Wales to Yarmouth, 507 ; Selling of the Crown Point Estate, 508 ; Volunteer Review at Ketteringham, 509 ; First Rail Laid of the East Suffolk Tramway, 509 ; Presentation of a Testimonial to Sir H. J. Stracey, Bart., 509; Passing of a New Licensing Bill, 511 ; The Norfolk and Norwich Festival, 511 ; Norwich Diocesan Conference, 512 to 513; Visit of the Prince of Wales to Elvedon Hall, Thctford, 513 ; Sir S. Bignold, his eighty-first Birthday, 514 ; Death of II. K. Tompson Esq., at Brooke, 514; Death of Major-General Daveney, 514 ; Hospital Sunday in Norwich, 514; Annual Meetings of Religious Societies, 515; Prevalence of Small Pox in Norwich, 515; Liabilities of Norwich Corporation in 1871, 516; Expenditure of Norwich Corporation, 516 ; Reports on Norfolk Agriculture for 1871, 517 ; the Condition of the Labourers, 518; Meetings of the Labourers in Norfolk, 519 to 524; Meetings of the Landowners and Farmers, 524; Bishops of Noiwieh (1837 to 1873), 526 ; Church Restorations and Decorations, 527 ; New Stained Glass Windows in Churches, 529 to 532.
XII CONTENTS OP TOL. II.
CHAPTER XXIII.
NORWICH MUSICAL FESTIVALS.
Origin of those Celebrations, 533 ; Early Festivals in the Cathedral, 534 ; Patrons of the Festivals, 534 ; Professor Taylor their Promoter, 535 ; Oratorios Performed at the Festivals, 535 ; Handel, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Dr. Spohr, 536, 537, 538 ; the Principal Vocalists Engaged, 539 ; the Festival of 1840, 539 ; of 1848, 540 ; of 1852, 540 ; of 1854, 541 ; of 1857, 541 ; of 18G0, 541 to 549 ; Dr. Spohr's "Last Judgment," 543 ; S. Bennett's " May Queen," 543; Benedict's "Undine," 544; the Festival of 1863, 549; of 1866, 550; Visit of the Prince and Princess of "Wales to Norwich, 551 ; their Attendance at the Festival of 1866, 551 ; Performances of Oratorios, 550 to 554; the Festival of 1869; its Failure, 555 ; subsequent Grand Concerts ; their Success, 556 ; the Last Festival of 1872 ; its Success, 556 ; Returns of all the Festivals from 1824 to 1872, 556 ; Account of Sums Paid to Charities, 557 ; Committee of Management, 557.
CHAPTER XXIV.
RELIGION AND EDUCATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
The Church and its Influence on Society, 560; Church Extension in the Nineteenth Century, 561 ; Activity of the Clergy in the Nineteenth Century, 561 ; Church Societies, 562 to 567 ; Nonconformists in the Nineteenth Century, 567 ; their Hostility to the Church, 567 ; Education in East Anglia, 568; Promoted by the Clergy of the Church, 569; Foundation of Grammar Schools, 570; Origin of Popular Education, 571 ; the National Society and British School Society, 572 ; Statistics of Education, 572 to 575 ; Dr. Jessopp's Account of Norwich Grammar School, 575 ; his Account of Norfolk Endowed Schools, 578 to 587 ; the Police of the Eastern Counties, 584.
CHAPTER XXV.
BMINENT MEN OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
George Crabbe, the Suffolk Poet, 588 ; Robert Bloomfield, the Suffolk Poet 589 ; Professor Sedgwick, the Geologist, 592 ; Professor Taylor, the Musician, 595 ; Lord Lytton, the Norfolk Novelist, 598 ; Professor Smyth, of Cambridge, 606 ; Norwich Artists, 608.
CHAPTER XXVI.
AGRICULTURE IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
Modern Agriculture Improved by the Applications of Science, 609 ; Norfolk Agriculture Pre-eminent, 610 ; Mr. Coke of Holkham introduced the best Breed of Sheep, 610 ; Manufactories of Chemical Manures, 611.
CONTENTS OF VOLS. I AND II. X1I1
MEMOIKS OF EMINENT MEN AND COUNTY FAMILIES.
VOL. I. PAGE
Earls of East Anglia ... ... ... ... ... 427
Hereward, the Saxon Hero ... ... ... ... ... 458
Dukes of Norfolk ... ... ... ... ... ... 603
Norman Barons ... ... ... ... ... ... 46G
Norman Warriors ... ... ... ... ... ... 469
Ancestors of County Families ... ... ... ... 470 — 474
Roger Bigod and his Descendants ... ... ... ... 476
COUNTT FAMILIES IN THE TWELFTH CENTURY AND SUCCEEDING AGES, 510
The Bigod Family in East Anglia ... ... ... ... 512
The De Warenne Family, Castleacre ... ... ... ... 518
The Sharnborne Family, Shernhourne ... ... ... ... 523
Le Strange Family, Hunstanton ... ... ... ... ... 524
The Mortimer Family, Attleborough ... ... ... ... 529
The De Grey Family, Merton ... ... ... ... ... 530
The Reedham Family, Reedham ... ... ... ... 532
The De Vaux Family, Holt ... ... ... ... ... 533
The Bozun Family, Whissonsett ... ... ... ... 534
The St. Omer Family, Outwell ... ... ... ... ... 534
The Talbot Family, Fincham... ... ... ... ... 534
The Bacon Family, Baconsthorpe ... ... ... ... ... 535
The Paston Family, Oxnead ... ... ... ... ... 560
The Wodehouse Family, Kimberley ... ... ... ... 565
The De Erpingham Family, Erpingham ... ... ... ... 569
The De Lucy Family, at Diss ... ... ... ... ... 570
The De Tony Family, Saham Tony ... ... ... ... 573
The Trusbutt Family, South Runcton ... ... ... ... 573
The Mowbray Family, Framlingham ... ... ... ... 603
The Fastolff Family, Caister ... ... ... ... ... 605
VOL. II.
The Howard Family — Dukes of Norfolk ... ... ... ... 34
The Southwell Family, Woodrising ... ... ... ... 44
The Ratcliffe Family, Attleborough ... ... ... ... 45
The Hare Family, Stow Bardolph ... ... ... ... 49
The Lovell Family, Barton Bendish ... ... ... ... 51
The Harling Family, East Harling ... ... ... ... 52
The Bardolph Family, Stow Bardolph ... ... ... ... 53
The Yelverton Family, Yelverton ... ... ... ... 55
The Boleyn Family, Blickling ... ... ... ... ... 56
The Jerningham Family, Costessey ... ... ... ... 110
Th§ Bedingfeld Family, Oxburgh... ... ... «. ... 112
XIV
CONTENTS OF VOL. II.
The Astley Family, Melton ... The Windham Family ... The Spelman Family, Narborough The Whinburgh Family, Whinbur The Brampton Family, Letton The Holland Family, Quidenham The Hervey Family, Ickworth The Walpole Family, Houghton The Townshend Family, Rainham The Coke Family, Holkham The Keppcl Family, Quidenham The Harbord Family, Gunton The Clare Family, Ormesby ... The Bidwer Family, Heydon The Fountaine Family, Narford The Longe Family, Spixworth The Windham Family, Felbrigg
«h
EMINENT MEN OP THE NINETEENTH CENTURY
Admiral Lord Nelson ... '
Sir William Hoste
Richard Porson
Sir James Edward Smith
Mr. Dawson Turner
George Crabbe, the Suffolk Poet ...
Robert Bloomfield, the Suffolk Poet
Professor Sedgwick, the Geologist...
Professor Taylor, the Musician
Lord Lytton, the Norfolk Novelist
Professor Smyth ...
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A HISTOKY OF EASTEKN ENGLAND.
CHAPTER XIII.
NABKATIVE OF EVENTS IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.
/^?
^THIS eventful period includes the reigns of Henry V. and Henry VI. of ^ the House of Lancaster, and the reigns of Edward IV., Edward V., and Richard III., with the Wars of the Roses, which desolated the country in the second half of the fifteenth century. Many of the nobles of East Anglia were involved in those contests, and changes were proceeding in the state of society of infinitely more importance than the rise or fall of any dynasty.
REIGN OP HENRY IV., 1399 TO 1413.
This reign is usually said to have commenced on the 29th September, 1399, the day on which Richard resigned the Crown, but it appears from the Rolls of Parliament that he became King on the following day. He was the son of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. His first wife was Mary Bohun, co-heiress of the Earl of Hereford ; his second, Jane, daughter of the King of Navarre. His children were Henry, who succeeded him ; Thomas Duke of Clarence, killed at Beauje, John Duke of Bedford, Humphrey Duke of Gloucester, Blanche, who married Louis Duke of Bavaria, Phillippa, who married Eric King of Denmark. Henry IV., who was anxious to conciliate the clergy, promised at his accession that he would maintain the Church of Rome in all its liberties and franchises, and in the second year of his reign a statute was passed for burning heretics (second Henry IV., c. 15). The purpose of this barbarous punishment is thus stated in the Act : " It is to strike fear in the minds of others, whereby no such wicked doctrines and heretical opinions, nor the authors or favourers of them, be sustained, or in any way suffei*cd within this realm." The persecution was carried into effect by a Avrit de heretico eomburendo, which was issued upon the certificate of the Bishop, and which obliged the Sheriff to commit the offender to the flames. Several persons
VOI,. II, B
2 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
were apprehended in Suffolk under this statute against the Lollards, upon mere suspicion of heresy, amongst whom were John Waddon, a priest, Bartholomew Monk, and William Scuts, who were committed to the custody of the Duke of Norfolk at Framlingham Castle, where Waddon was burnt for preaching against the Church of Rome. The others abandoned their tenets to save themselves from the stake. Many heretics were burnt in other places- every year in the reigns of the Henrys IV., V., and VI.
Henry IV. directed a writ to the bailiffs by which four citizens of Norwich were ordered to be returned to Parliament, but the attendance of members being then paid for by their constituents, the expense was an object, and they therefore used interest to get the number of members reduced to two only. Under the old charters of the city the freemen were entitled to vote for members of Parliament and for members of the Corporation. The old freemen, therefore, formed the greater part of the constituency, and in the course of time became a very corrupt body in Norwich as well as in all other corporate towns.
On February 20th, 1403, the King with the consent of Parliament granted that the shipping of wool, fishes, and skins, together with the packing and weighing of wools, &c, which then used to be at Lynn and Ipswich, should from thenceforth be at Yarmouth and nowhere else, within the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, during the King's pleasure. This was in consideration of Yarmouth being so exposed to invasions by the enemy. Notwithstanding the encouragement given to the burgesses of Yarmouth, and their trouble and expenses in making their second haven, it was soon as bad as the former one, and navigation was again at a stand. Therefore, in the tenth of Henry IV. we find the burgesses petitioning a third time for liberty to make a third haven near Newton Cross. That King not only granted their request, but, in consideration of the many difficulties to be encountered, he very liberally contributed towards the expense of it out *of his customs at Yarmouth £100 per annum for five years.
In 1404, Thomas Mowbray, Earl Marshal of England, who had been received into Royal favour by marrying the King's niece, entered into a conspiracy with Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, Richard Scroop, Archbishop of York, and Lord Hastings, to take away the life of Henry IV., and meeting at York-Wold-Downs, where they had an army of 2000 men assembled, bid defiance to the King, who to check their rebellious designs, sent an army against them under Ralph Nevill, Earl of Westmoreland. The latter, under pretence of receiving their manifesto of grievances, and seemingly approving them, caused the Archbishop and the Earl Marshal, Thomas Mowbray, to £e arrested, whom he brought as
EVENTS IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTUEY. 3
prisoners to the King at Pomfret, from whence they were conducted to York, and there beheaded. The Earl Marshal's head was set upon the walls of the city, and his body was buried in the Cathedral. The earl's real and personal estates in Norfolk and Suffolk were forfeited to the Crown. The King granted the Castle and Manor of Framlingham to his son Henry, Prince of Wales, who appears to have been in possession till about 1412.
In this reign of Henry IV. the family of Steward or Smart came into Norfolk and settled at Marsham. Sir John Steward, who attended James Prince of Scotland on the sea coast of Norfolk when crossing the seas for France, was taken prisoner with that prince, and marrying one of the maids of honour to Queen Joan, settled in England. Sir Robert Steward of this family is said to have encountered a lion in France, and his sword being broken in the engagement, he seized a staff and with it slew the savage beast, for which deed the French King gave him the bearing of the lion and the ragged staff as an augmentation of honour.
Alexander de Tottington, Prior of Norwich, was chosen Bishop by the monks in 1407, but Henry IV. refused to accept the election, and im- prisoned the bishop for a year in Windsor Castle. By the petition of the citizens and the great interest used in his behalf by Thomas Arundel, Archbishop of Canterbury, he was released. He repaired the Bishop's palace, which had fallen into decay. He died April 28th, 1413. and was buried in the Lady Chapel at the Cathedral.
EEIGN OP HENRY V., 1413 TO 1422.
Henry V. was the eldest son of his predecessor. He married Catherine, daughter of Charles VI. of France. He had only one son, Henry, who succeeded him. If we may credit some of our earlier historians, Henry, when Prince of Wales, had frequently been guilty of riotous and profli- gate conduct, but as soon as he ascended the throne he distinguished himself by propriety in the ordinary relations of life, and he enjoyed extreme popularity. Some of his early acts as sovereign evinced a generous disposition.
In the first year of the reign of Henry V., an act was passed requiring that knights, citizens, and burgesses should be resident in the places for which they were elected. The people were so delighted with the exploits of the King, that there was complete unanimity between him and his Parliaments, which sat nearly every year, and at the prayer of the Com- mons, he pledged the Crown that no act should ever pass without their authority. One injudicious measure of theirs was granting him a subsidy on wool and leather for life, for all such votes are inexpedient, as tending- to free the sovereign from the necessity of calling Parliaments.
HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
In the first year of this reign the city of Norwich was in great dis- order, occasioned by the dispute between the Commons and the Mayor and the twenty-four of the Council, respecting the election of Mayors, Sheriffs, and other officers of the Corporation, and other powers granted by the late charter, concerning which they could not agree, but at length the disputes were settled.
In February, 1413, a great part of the city was burned down by a sudden fire, which consumed all the convent of the Preaching Friars, and all that belonged to them.
The same love of pageantry which existed in many ancient boroughs manifested itself in Norwich, where under the authority of a charter of Henry V., granted in 1417, the members of the religious fraternities called " guilds," who had previously held their processions, carried them with greater pomp and on a greater scale than ever. The guild of St. George, with the trade fraternities, revelled in all the splendours of media? val show on such occasions. These festivities, however, were only associated with the Church, and were not affairs in which the municipal authorities as such took any part.
In 1415, Henry V., before he went to France, visited the city of Norwich, where he left his coronet in pawn for 1000 marks, of which 500 were lent by the Corporation of Norwich, 400 by that of Lynn, and the rest by William Westacre, William Walton, and Nicholas Scormfet. During this reign, the citizens not being repaid, sued the King in the Court of Exchequer for £100, which they had lent him. They lost the royal favour, and their charter for some time, but it was restored again in 1439.
Henry V., before his accession, appears to have held some communi- cations with the Lollards, but when he became King he evinced a deter- mination to support the old Church. One of the chief of the Reformers, Sir John Qldcastle, with whom the King had been on intimate terms, was condemned as a heretic, but in 1413 escaped from the Tower, and fled into Wales. He was captured in the winter of 1417, and "adjudged to die as a traitor to God, and a heretic condemned by sentence of the Spiritual Court, and as a traitor to the King and kingdom."
Nearly the whole of the reign of Henry V. was devoted to a useless attempt to gain possession of France. Thinking it expedient that the people should be actively employed, so that their attention might be diverted from his defective title, he sent envoys thither in 1414, demanding the absolute cession of the crown of France, or, if that were refused, the immediate possession of certain provinces. The French government offered to restore certain territories, but the terms were rejected and war was declared. This led to the battle of Agincourt in 1415,
EVENTS IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 5
John Mowbray, sou of the first Duke of Norfolk, had the office of Earl Marshal of England confirmed to him on the accession of Henry V. to the throne in 1413. He was with that King at Harfleur in 1415, being then very young, and in 1417 he was present at the siege of Caen, which was taken. After his return to England in 1424, he presented a petition to Par- liament for the dukedom of Norfolk, his father having died without attain- der, and this being allowed, he was declared Duke of Norfolk. Next year he came into possession of all his lands and his castle at Framlingham.
Richard Courtney, L.L.D., Prebend of St. Paul's, London, was chosen Bishop of Norwich in 1413. He was a man of great learning and ability, and much esteemed for his piety as well as admired for his eloquence. He attended Henry V. in Normandy, and was present at the siege of Harfleur, where he died of a dysentery, September 15th, 1415. His body was brought to England and buried amid the Kings in the Collegiate Church of St. Peter, Westminster, in St. Edward's Chapel, behind the high altar.
John Wakering, Rector of St. Bennet's Sherhoy, London, Canon of Wells, and Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, succeeded to the bishopric. He was a severe disciplinarian, forbidding tradesmen in Norwich from opening their shops on Sundays except in harvest time. His general character was chaste, bountiful, and affable. He built the cloister of the Bishop's Palace (not now standing), and the chapter house on the south side of the chancel, which is likewise demolished. He died on Easter Monday, 1425, and was buried near the altar steps.
Essex began to be prominent in the annals of Nonconformity about the middle of the fourteenth century. While John Wycliffe was yet in the zenith of his popularity, his followers were numerous in Essex and in the Eastern Counties. Essex was afterwards one of the fields of labor into which itinerant preachers were sent forth by Sir John Oldcastle, Lord Cobham, and his friends. During the first quarter of the fifteenth century, several persons suffered martyrdom in Essex for their religious opinions not being in strict conformity with the dogmas of the Church of Rome.
Thomas Bayley, " a valiant disciple and adherent of Wycliffe, vicar of Manurden, was convicted of heresy in a convocation held at London on March 2nd, 1430." His gravest offence was affirming that " the conse- crated host is true bread in its own nature, and the body of Christ only in a figure." Bayley was degraded from the priesthood, and shortly after he was burnt at Smithfield. In 1440, " a certain Richard Wiche, priest of Hermetsworth, in Essex, who had before been convicted of heresy and abjured, was found guilty of a relapse, and being degraded from his priestly dignity, was burnt as an incorrigible heretic on Tower Hill." Many other instances of a like kind are recorded in " The Annals of Nonconformity in Essex."
b HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
REIGN OP HENRY VI., 1422 TO 1461.
Henry VI. was son of the previous King. He married Margaret of Anjou, daughter of Rene, titular King of Jerusalem, Sicily, and Naples. He had a son, Edward, who was killed at Tewkesbury. As the new King was an infant hardly nine months old on September 1st, 1422, his uncle, the Duke of Gloucester, was appointed Protector in England, and the Duke of Bedford, on the refusal of the Duke of Burgundy, became Regent of France. The demented monarch of that country only survived his son-in-law a few weeks, and on his death Henry VI. was proclaimed King.
Parliament had now begun to assume a constitutional shape and substantial power, and at this early date we find a Reform Bill introduced to the Legislature and adopted. This measure did not, however, extend the franchise — it abridged and limited it to the 40s. freeholders of the counties, who have ever since continued to enjoy it. Prior to this a system of universal suffrage had prevailed so far as the freemen were concerned. The electors had grown tumultuous and unmanageable. An Act of Henry VI. recites that the elections in many counties of England " had been by outrages and excessive numbers of people, many of them of small substance and value, yet pretending to a right equal to the best knights and esquires, whereby manslaughters and other mishaps occurred." The right of election was, therefore, limited to those who possessed 49s. a-year in land, free from all burdens within any county — which made them men of substance in those days — this sum being equal to £20 a-year of our present money. The good old-fashioned historian, jealous of the right of voting, adds : " It were to be wished that the spirit as well as the letter of this law had been maintained." For 150 years before this the Eastern Counties had sent knights to the House of Commons, which it was universally agreed assumed its representative form in the reign of Henry III. The first members from Essex on record were John le Breton and John Filiol, who were returned to the Parliament of Edward I. (] 290) held at Westminster. From that period down to our own time the members follow in regular succession. Occasionally only one appears upon the roll, sometimes three or four ; but this, perhaps, may arise from the members sent from some of the towns being confused and classed with them. It is certain that Chelmsford, at least on one occasion, sent a member, but it is believed to nave petitioned to be relieved from the burden, as the M.P. was not then content with the barren honour, and his constitutents had to provide him with a substantial stipend. Bradfield, Rayleigh, and Thaxted are also described as boroughs, and may have sent representatives to the national council. Colchester elected its members from the same period as the county, viz. (1290), and the first
EVENTS IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 7
who appear upon the roll are Elias Fritz-John and Hubert de Colchester. In looking through the roll we find Sir Isaac Rebow was one of the represesentatives in the reigns of William and Mary, of Anne, and of George I. He was associated in the last instance with another name still well-known to us, Richard Du Cane, Esq. The name of Rebow is often found at later periods. Robert Walker and R. Symnell, gentlemen, took wages from the town in the thirty-ninth and forty-third of Elizabeth, and appear to have been the last who received pay for their legislative duties. Henry V. disfranchised the borough for three years, or in other words, "exempted it from sending members to • Parliament " for that period, as an act of special favour, on account of the great expense the inhabitants had been at in repairing their walls. By a strange reversal of circumstances, that which would now be considered a mark of degradation was then an act of grace. Maldon made its first returns in the reign of Edward III., and in the time of Edward VI., when the abridgement of the franchise to which we have referred took place, we find Johannes Tyrell was one of the members, the name of Tyrell frequently appearing in the county representation from the twenty-eighth of Edward III., so that it was as familiar to the electors five centuries ago as it has been within the last twenty-five years. Harwich made one return in the thirteenth of Edward II. (1343), but it does not seem to have been veiy proud of the privilege — perhaps it was not found so productive as in modern times — as there was a complete suspension of its exercise till the reign of James I. There is one fact that would dazzle the eye and gladden the heart of the advocate of annual Parliaments, on looking over these musty rolls. The members for the counties and boroughs were elected for only one session, so that sometimes we find two elections in one year — a circumstance that would almost tempt him to turn Conservative and stand upon ancient precedent.
An incident in connexion with the family of De Vere soon after occurred, which illustrates the jealousy of power and the gratitude of Kings in those days. The monarch visited Essex, and tarried for a time at Hedingham Castle, to partake of the hospitality of the man who had so long suffered and so nobly fought for the cause of Lancaster, now triumphant. Right royally was he entertained. Meanly and oppressively was the host requited. On the departure of the sovereign from the castle, the servants and retainers of the earl assembled, some to do honour to the chief, others to indulge the natural desire of gazing upon royalty ; and dressed in rich liveries they lined the pathway from the portals. "My lord," said the King, turning to the earl, "I have heard much of your hospitality, but I see it is greater than the speech. These handsome gentlemen and yeomen I see on both sides of me are surely
8 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
your menial servants ! " The earl replied, they were mostly his retainers, come to do him service on this state occasion, and chiefly to see his grace. The King started. " By my faith, my lord " responded he, " I thank you for your good cheer, but I may not endure to have my laws broken in my sight (alluding to an act limiting the number of a baron's retainers), my attorney must speak with you." And the hospitality of Hedingham Castle was rewarded by wringing from the earl a fine of 15,000 marks (equal to £10,000), for the holiday parade of the very men who, in the line of battle on the field of Bosworth, had assisted in making Richmond a King. Even this, however, did not shake the loyalty of the earl, who retained command in the army of his sovereign, and did good service in upholding his authority in the battle with the Cornish rebels at Blackheath.
Henry VI. twice visited Norwich and was entertained at the public expense. His Queen (Margaret) being terrified at the rumour of the advance of Edward, Earl of March, towards London, besought the aid of the inhabitants of Norwich, when the Commons resolved to lend 100 marks to the King and the aldermen presented the Queen with sixty marks. Subsequently the mayor and aldermen raised forty armed men, the Commons eighty, for the service of the King, to whom they proved their loyalty for many years.
About this time (1425) reformers of religion began to propagate their principles in Norfolk, and a general persecution broke out against them in this diocese. Men that earnestly desired the reformation of the English Church, and were disciples of that great and good man John Wickliffe, were called Lollards by the clergy as a name of infamy, but so zealous were they for the truth, such abhorrence had they of the Church of Rome, that they chose rather to suffer many grievous torments, or even death, rather than forsake the truth or deny the faith once delivered to the saints. On this account above 120 persons in various parts of the diocese, both men and women, suffered great persecution for their profes- sion of faith, for at this time the King (Henry VI.) sent forth his letters to John Exeter, Registrar of Norwich, to apprehend all that were suspected of Lollardy or heresy wherever they could be found, and to send them to the next prison, there to remain till delivered by course of law, and in particular to seize William White, a priest, and others, who had renounced the errors and practices of the Church of Rome. This William White was of Kent, a scholar and disciple of Wickliffe. He came into Norfolk, and dwelt chiefly at Ludham, and instructed many in the truths of the Gospel. He was then the only preacher of WicklifiVs doctrine in the county of Norfolk, and his disciples all held the same doctrines. This preacher was a priest, but not of the common sort of those times, being learned,
EVENTS IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 9
upright, and affable. He resigned his benefice to marry, but did not leave his duty, but continually laboured to promote true religion by reading, writing, and preaching. The points of doctrine which rendered him ob- noxious to the ruling powers were —
1. That men should seek for forgiveness of their sins from God only.
2. That the wicked living of his Holiness the Pope is nothing else but a devilish estate and a heavy yoke of Antichrist, and therefore he is an enemy to the truth of Christ.
3. That men ought not to worship images or other idolatrous paintings, nor the holy men that are dead.
4. That the Eomish Church is the fig tree which Christ hath cursed, because it brings forth no fruits of true belief.
On these articles he was brought before Archbishop Chichley at Canterbury, where he advocated the truth he had so long preached, but at last his courage failing, he submitted to a recantation, and abjured the faith. Soon after, being greatly troubled for what he had done, confess- ing his offence, he became much bolder in declaring the truth. Coming with his wife into Norfolk, he abode with one Thomas Moon, of Ludham, and was so diligent in his teaching that he converted many to the true faith, and continued to do so by travelling into divers places to sow the good seed of the Word of God, which he saw blessed with great increase. At last, by means of the letters before mentioned, he was taken and brought before John Wakering, Bishop of Norwich, by whom he was convicted of thirty articles, and being condemned, was cruelly burnt in Norwich in September, 1424, being the protomartyr of Norwich. So holy, devout, and innocent was his life and conversation, that he was much reverenced, and at his death many desired him to pray for them. When he was brought to the stake he wished to speak to the people who stood around in order to confirm them in the truth, but one of the servants of the bishop struck him in the mouth violently and forced him to be silent. So he ended a good life to the great grief of many of his followers, both in the city and country. Though he was not allowed to declare his doctrine at his end, it sprung up the faster, verifying the old sayino- that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church. He was violently taken away, but he left so many excellent discourses among his followers, that though dead he still spoke. After his death, his wife, Joan, for spreading abroad the same doctrine, suffered much trouble and punish- ment at the hands of the bigoted bishop.
In 1433, Henry VI., then only twelve years of age, celebrated Christmas at the monastery of Bury, where he resided till St. George's day following. Before his departure, the King, the Duke of Gloucester, and several of his noble attendants, were admitted members of the community. In
10 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
1446, a Parliament was held at Bury, at which that King presided in person. This Parliament was convened under the influence of Cardinal de Beaufort, the inveterate enemy of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, the King's uncle, and the popular regent of England ; and there is reason to believe that the real purpose of this meeting was to afford an opportunity for his destruction. Hume observes that it assembled not at London, which was supposed to be too well affected to the duke, but at Bury, where his enemies expected he would be entirely at their mercy. Their plan was successful ; in the second day of the session he was arrested, all his servants were taken from him, and his retinue sent to different prisons. Preparations were made for bringing him to a public trial ; but his enemies dreading the effect of the innocence and virtues of " the good duke," as he was called, had recourse to a more certain way of ridding themselves of him than by impeachment. On the morning after his apprehension, the duke was found lifeless in his bed, and though an apoplexy was declared to have been the cause of his death, yet all impartial persons ascribe it to violence. Pitts relates that the duke was smothered with bolsters, and a tradition prevails that this atrocity was perpetrated in an apartment of St. Saviour's Hospital, then an appendage to the monastery, by Walpole de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk. The duke's body was buried at St. Alban's.
In the ninth year of Henry VI., 1430, the Norfolk Justices of the Peace assembled at Sessions and fixed the wages of labourers, as follows : — a ploughman, a shepherd, a carter, a malster, 13s. 4d. yearly with meat, drink, and clothing for the best; 10s. with meat and drink for the secondary. A labourer, a ditcher, a thatcher, a waller, a hedger, 1M. per day in winter, and 2d. per day in summer for the best ; and Id. in winter, lr?d. in summer, for secondary. A bailly in husbandry, 20s. yearly with meat and drink. Masons, leyers, reders, tylers, 2d. per day in winter and 2|d. in summer, with meat and drink. A carpenter, 2d. per day in winter and 3d. in summer, with meat and drink. Most of the agricultural labourers were lodged, boarded, and clothed by their masters and had their money for their wives and families. Assuming money to have been ten times its present value as generally estimated, a labourer had 20d. per day in summer besides his food and clothing, much better pay than in later times.
In 1436, Thomas Browne (Bishop of Eochester) was translated to the see of Norwich, and he ruled the diocese nine years, dying in 1445, and he was buried in the Cathedral. Then John Stanbery (Provost of Eton) was nominated by the King, but set aside by the Pope.
In 1445, William Lyhert, or Hart, was consecrated Bishop of Norwich. He is said to have repaired the spire of the Cathedral, which had been
EVENTS IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTUBY. 11
struck by lightning. He also vaulted the nave in stone, the greatest work that had been undertaken since the erection of the building. He died in 1472, and was buried in the Cathedral.
Sir John Howard, who flourished in this reign of Henry VI., dis- tinguished himself in the wars with France. He accompanied John Viscount Lisle to Bloy with 22,000 men, and soon after marched to the relief of Chatillon with John, Earl of Shrewsbury, where that valiant earl was slain. In 1442, he was sent by Henry VI. to quell a great liot in Norwich, and did so effectually.
At Yarmouth the election of four bailiffs ceased in the fourth of Henry VI., when Robert Elys and William Oxnege were elected the two bailiffs for the year ensuing, and the town continued under the govern- ment of two bailiffs, twenty-four aldermen and forty-eight councillors, till the thirty-sixth of Charles II., as will afterwards appear. The town had hitherto been in a very depressed state, with very little trade.
The third haven of Yarmouth, with increasing trouble and expenses, served the burgesses for near 100 years, when the charges became so intolerable that they were obliged to apply to Henry VI. in his thirty- first year for further relief and assistance, when they obtained a remittance of fifty marks, being parcel of their fee farms for six years, for the use of the haven. At this time, indeed, the town appears to have been in a declining state. The great expenses levied upon the inhabitants for the maintenance of the haven, occasioned the loss of a considerable part of the herring trade, which had been on the decline ever since the former reign. To these heavy contributions was owing the departure of many of the inhabitants, who retired to less expensive places, so that those who remained in the town were so few, and so overburdened with poor, that they were exempted in this reign of Henry VI. from the common subsidies of government, the fifteenths and tenths which were granted to the King in those years, as such taxes could not be collected, nor could they be raised in succeeding years, in consequence of the extreme poverty of the town.
Sir William Oldhull, of East Dereham, in the tenth of Henry VI., had the King's protection, being then abroad in France in the retinue of Thomas, Duke of Exeter. He was afterwards Speaker of the House of Commons, and attainted of treason for being concerned in the rebellion of Jack Cade in Kent, and a writ of outlawry was confirmed against him by Parliament about the thirty-third of Henry VI.
In the reign of Henry VI., the fashion prevailed among the male sex of closely shaving the face and cropping the hair above the ears. They wore a jacket or doublet cut round with the shoulders, and having wide sleeves ; but a change took place in the next reign, when the jackets
12 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
scarcely reached the thigh, and the sleeves were slit so that the dandies might show their loose white shirts. The hair also was allowed to grow in profusion, and formed a great contrast to the fashion of the previous reign.
In the old records of the borough of Lynn Regis there is a curious entry, "1437, April 4th. The same day Thomas Burgh and John Warryn, burgesses of ye last Parliament for Lyn, did well and discreetly declare those things which were substantially done and acted for ye Mayor aforesaid in ye Parliament." Again, under the date of April 18th, 1442, it is recorded that "the same day ye burgesses of ye last Parliament, viz., Richard Frank and Walter Curson, discreetly and seriously declared several transactions of ye said Parliament."
Thus we learn that in the reign of Henry VI., more than 400 years ago, ere printing had come into use and a full century before the Reformation, members of Parliament were wont to go down to their constituents at the close of the Session, and to give them a detailed account of the mode in which they had discharged the trust committed to them. The last day of the Session was the 27th of March; and since Thomas Burgh and John Warryn made their appearance in the Commons at Lynn on the 4th of April, they must have set forth on their return home without loss of time. The journey from Westminster to Lynn, nearly one hundred miles, was probably performed on horseback, and must have occupied several days. We may also be sure that Thomas Burgh and John Warryn did not leave Westminster before the Session had closed ; for until the last day of the sittings they could not obtain the certificates of attendance which entitled them to demand their wages of their fellow-townsmen, for then members of Parliament were paid for their services.
Four centuries and a-half have made considerable changes in the rela- tions between members of Parliament and their constituents, and when we contrast the brief records of the sober proceedings in the Hall of Lynn in the reign of Henry VI. with the uproarious assemblies in this age, we are not sure that the comparison is very favourable to the nineteenth cen- tury, when newspapers give full reports of all political proceedings.
Though the Commons with great care maintained and extended their rights during the Lancastrian period, their conduct towards individuals and parties was often most shameless and unjust. During all the reigns from Henry VI. to the accession of Henry VII., they blindly obeyed the dictates of the faction which had the ascendancy, and the prince whose success in the field had defeated his competitors. The history of their proceedings is a succession of contrary decisions on the same questions, conflicting laws on the same title, attainders and reversals, consigning one
EVENTS IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 13
day all the adherents of one party to confiscation and reinstating them the next.
In the fifteenth century Norfolk and Suffolk seem to have become remarkable for litigation, and the quirks and quibbles of attorneys were complained of in the House of Commons as a grievance. The Act of 33rd Henry VI., cap. 7, says that not long before in the city of Norwich and in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk there were only six or eight attorneys at the most coming to the King's Courts, in which time great tranquillity reigned in those places, and little vexation was occasioned by foreign and untrue suits. But now, says the Act, there are in these places four score attorneys or more, the generality of whom have nothing to live upon but their practice, and besides are very ignorant. It com- plains that they came to markets and fairs and other places where people assembled, exhorting, procuring, and moving persons to attempt untrue and foreign suits for small trespasses, little offences, and small sums of money, which might be determined in Courts Baron, so that more suits were now raised for malice than for the ends of justice, and Courts Baron became less frequented. Therefore it was enacted that only six attorneys should practise in Norfolk, six in Suffolk, and two in Norwich.
REIGN OF EDWARD IV., 1461 TO 1483.
This reign, as proved by the rolls of Parliament, began on March 4th, 1461. Edward IV. was the second son of Richard, Duke of York, who was a lineal descendant of Lionel, Duke of Clarence, son of Edward III. He was born at Rouen, April 29th, 1441. He married Elizabeth Woodville, widow of Sir John Grey, and daughter of Jacquetta, dowager Duchess of Bedford. His offspring were Edward, who succeeded him, Richard, Elizabeth, who married Henry VII., Catherine, who married William Courtenay, Earl of Devon, Anne, who married Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey, and several other children.
Though Edward was recognised as King, his tenure was very uncertain, as the Lancastrians still mustered in considerable numbers. He had immediately to engage in active warfare to preserve his crown, and leading his army northward he attacked and routed Margaret's hardy forces at Towton, a village about eight miles from York. The slaughter was terrific, and a contemporary writer states that 38,000 men were left on the battle-field. Henry and his heroic spouse escaped into Scotland, and with a view to secure aid from that country he surrendered Berwick-on- Tweed.
King Edward IV. took on himself the government of this realm on March 4th, 1461, and sent letters to all local authorities commanding them to proclaim him King, and that all of what degree soever from the
14 HISTORY OV EASTERN ENGLAND.
ages of sixteen to sixty should arm themselves in a defensible manner and hasten to him with all possible speed. On this he was proclaimed by the authorities of Norwich, and assigned a sufficient number of soldiers and a great quantity of provisions, for which the moiety of a whole tenth was assessed throughout the city.
Such was the force of political necessity in this reign that the citizens found it expedient to make their peace with the Yorkist monarch Edward IV., who granted a charter to them, dividing Norwich from the rest of the county of Norfolk, and making it a county of itself, but it did not incorporate the inhabitants. It provided for the election of aldermen and common councilmen, and of a mayor and sheriffs by them, and jurisdic- tion was given to the mayor, sheriffs, &c, over all real and personal actions within the borough.
King Edward IV. called his first Parliament on November 4th, 1460, and in order to ingratiate himself with his people he confirmed all manner of charters, liberties, &c, made by the Kings Henry IV., V., and VI., and afterwards, at the request of the citizens of Norwich, whom he thought fit to oblige, he confirmed all their former charters.
In 14G0 Sir John Howard was sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk, and had consequently the custody of the castles at Norwich and Framlingham. In consideration of his great services he obtained a grant of several manors which were then in the crown by the attainder of John Earl of Wiltshire. In the second year of Edward IV. he had the joint command or the King's fleet and did considerable service in the war with France.
In 1461, in the first year of Edward IV., the castle at Norwich was committed to the custody of the High Sheriff of Norfolk for the time being. The castle was made the county prison for felons and debtors, and though situated in Norwich it always belonged to the county. The sessions and assizes were held in the old Shirehouse now demolished. The sessions were held four times a year, in January, April, July, and October. The summer assizes and monthly county courts were held in the old Shirehouse, but the Lent assizes were held at Thetford, formerly an important town which has dwindled down to a small place.
In 1461, by an order of Edward IV. under his privy seal, Sir Edward Wodehouse, of Kimberley, in Norfolk, levied of his followers, tenants and gentlemen of quality in the county no less than 200, and armed them at his own charge and attended the King in his journey into Scotland, being accompanied in his own retinue with two dukes, seven earls, thirty-one barons, and fifty-nine knights. He lived till 1473, but there is no record when he died, though he and his second wife were buried in Kimberley Church and had an inscription over them on a brass plate, but it was lost long ago.
EVENTS IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 15
In 1463, corn was so plentiful in Norfolk and Suffolk that wheat was sold for 20d. per quarter; malt for the same price, barley or oats for 12d. per quarter. In 1551, the price of wheat was 7s. per coomb ; malt, 4s. 63..; barley, 4s.; oats, 3s.; beef, 18d. per stone; mutton, 18d. per quarter; butter, 3d. per pint; cheese, 2d. per lb.; while in 1556 wheat sold at 10s. 4d. per quarter; barley, 4s. 4d.; oats, 2s. 4d.; rye, 2s. 8d. per quarter. The value of money was then very different to what it is now.
In 1463, John Pedle, labourer, of Yarmouth, for coining and uttering eighteen groats made of copper and lead, as good and lawful money of England, was tried, condemned, and hanged.
In the reign of Edward IV"., some laws were enacted to regulate apparel. None under the rank of a lord were to wear purple cloth or silk; yeomen and persons under that degree were not allowed to wear any bolsters or stuff of wool, cotton, &c, in their doublets ; none but persons of rank were allowed to wear jackets indecently short; none but the same class were to have pikes to their boots exceeding two inches in length.
Edward IV., by letters patent under the broad seal of England, dated at Westminster, 7th December, 1468, granted to John, Duke of Norfolk, and Elizabeth his wife and their heirs for ever, the return of all writs whatsoever and of all bills, summons, precepts, and mandates of the King and of all acting under him, within the liberty, manors, and Hundreds of Forncet, Framlingham, Ditchingham, Loddon, Syseland, Halvergate, South Walsham, Cantley, Strumpshaw, Castre, Winterton, Royton, and Bayfield, in Norfolk ; also within the Hundreds of Earsham and Guilt- cross, and several towns, with all the fines, profits, &c.
In July, 1469, Elizabeth Woodville, the Queen of Edward IV., paid a visit to Norwich, and remained there several days. Her Majesty, with the princesses and an extensive suite, entered the city through Westwyk Gate, which was, as usual on the visits of sovereigns, beautified for the occasion. John Parnell had been brought from Ipswich to use his skill in ornamentation, and under his superintendence, and after his design, a stage, covered with red and green worstead, was erected, adorned with figures of angels, banners of the royal lady and the King, and a profusion of crowns, roses, fleur tie hjs, &c.
There were also two giants made of wood and Hungary leather, their bodies stuffed with hay and their crests glittering in all the grandeur of gold and silver leaf. There were also two patriarchs, twelve apostles, and sixteen virgins in mantles with hoods. A certain friar played Gabriel, a son of John Mundford, assisted in this performance, and Gilbert Spirling exhibited a fragment of the Salutation to Mary and Elizabeth, which
16 HTSTORY 5P EASTERN ENGLAND.
required a speech from him in explanation. There were many clerks singing finely, accompanied upon the organ.
William de Botoner, alias de Worcester, in his itinerary, relates that Caister Castle was twice besieged in the reign of Edward IV. ; the first time (1469) by Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, and the second by Lord Scales. During the time of these sieges it belonged to John Paston, Esq., who was one of the executors of the will of Sir John Fastolff. These sieges furnish strong evidence of the feeble hand of government, of the turbulent spirit of the great lords, the unsettled state of society, and the insecurity of property, for the Duke of Norfolk had no right to Caister.
On September 13th, 1470, Henry VI., who had been imprisoned in the Tower, was liberated, proclaimed King, and restored to the government. He reigned in full power for six months, during which time Edward IV was forced to flee from the realm to France, where he was assisted by the French Monarch to return to England.
In 1471 Edward IV. sailed for England, and went directly for the Nor- folk coast, and on Tuesday, March 12th, towards evening, they came be- fore Cromer, and the King sent to land Sir Robert Chamberlain, a Norfolk man, and Sir Gilbert Debenham, a Suffolk man, with others, to discover how the people of those parts were affected to him. On their return the King found that there was no security for him to land there, on account of the care which the Earl of Warwick and the Earl of Oxford had taken in that county to resist him. Not only the Duke of Norfolk, but all the other gentlemen whom the earl suspected to favour Edward, were sent for to London by letters of privy seal, and either committed to safe keeping in or about London, or else to find sureties for their loyalty to King Henry. As for the common people, and the city and chief towns, they well know that they were and always had been great favourers of Henry, yet the knights who were sent ashore were cheerfully received and hand- somely treated by their friends. After King Edward perceived by their report how things stood in Norfolk, he sailed for the northern parts, and landed at Ravenspur near the Humber, and thence went to Nottingham, where he was informed that in the town of Newark, the Duke of Exeter, the Earl of Oxford, the Lord Bardolph, and others, were lodged with 4000 men, which they had raised out of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge, and Lin- colnshire, but upon their thinking that King Edward's whole army was coming against them they dislodged, and the King proceeded to London, and being arrived there King Henry was again deposed and made his prisoner, whom he carried with him to Barnet, where a battle took place between his forces and the men raised by the lords and gentlemen of Henry's party. The latter were overcome after a fierce fight which lasted three hours, and
EVENTS IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 17
about 3000 were slain. After this battle, King Edward returned to London with King Henry as his prisoner. Soon after, that unfortunate King was put in the Tower and murdered there.
Edward IV. obtained money from his subjects without Parliamentary sanction by a new method, to which he gave the gentle name of " benevo- lences;" and one of his Parliaments granted to him tonnage and poundage for his life, the Act declaring " that tonnage was given for the defence of the realm, and especially for the safeguard and custody of the sea, and poundage for the safeguard and keeping of the sea." There is no complaint of benevolences in the Parliamentary records of this reign, but they were generally regarded as grievances.
During the civil wars between the houses of York and Lancaster, the strength of the nobility had been grievously impaired by bloodshed and the attainders which followed the civil wars. From this cause, or from the general intimidation, we find that no laws favourable to public liberty, or remedial with respect to the aggressions of power, were enacted or even proposed in Parliament during the reign of Edward IV. The Commons had much degenerated from the spirit which they displayed in previous reigns.
Sir Roger Townshend, Knt., of Rainham, in the seventeenth of Edward IV., was called to the degree of Serjeant-at-Law. In 1480 he was summoned to be an assistant to the House of Lords in Parliament ; in the first of Edward V., King's Serjeant-at-Law ; and next year he was appointed a Judge. He was one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas in the reign of Henry VII. He was a member of Parliament for Calne in Wiltshire, and died November 9th, 1493.
Edward IV. granted a patent, dated July 3rd, 1482, to Sir Edmund Bedingfield, to build a manor house or hall at Oxburgh, with towers, battlements, &c, in the form of a castle, and for a weekly market in the town on Friday. This ancient seat stands a little south-west of the church of Oxburgh : the entrance to it is over a bridge of brick with three great arches, and embattled with freestone, through a grand tower, the arch of which is twenty-two feet long and thirteen wide ; to this tower adjoin four turrets, one at each corner, of the same materials with the tower, brick, coped also and embattled with freestone, projecting and octangular ; the two in front are eighty feet from the foundation in the moat to the summit, and abont ten feet above the great tower.
King Edward IV. when he granted a patent for building the mansion gave permission for it to be built as a castle, but probably the priests of the age got about the founder and diverted him from his original inten- tion, for Oxburgh Hall wears more the aspect of a college or a monastery than of a castle, Sir Edmund lived there many years, and he married
C
18 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
two wives , the first Alice the daughter of Sir Ralph Shelton, by whom he had no male issue ; his second lady was Margaret daughter of Sir John Scot, of Scot's Hall in Kent.
Sir Edmund Bedingfield left his estate to his eldest son Sir Thomas, who dying without issue, and Robert his second son being in holy orders, the inheritance descended to Sir Edmund the third son, who attended Henry VIII. in his wars abroad, and was knighted by Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, general of the English army at Montdedier in France, on the taking of that town in 1523. By his lady Grace, daughter of the Lord Marny, he had Sir Henry Bedingfield, his son and heir, who was one of those who appeared in arms at Framlingham, Suffolk, in defence of Queen Mary and her title to the crown, and he brought with him 140 armed men.
Edward V. succeeded his father in 1483, being then thirteen years of age, who with Richard Duke of Norfolk and Earl Warrenne his brother, then about eleven years old, was committed to the care of Richard Duke of Gloucester, his uncle, but was never crowned, and it is said he and his brother were murdered in the Tower by command of that duke, who seized the crown and declared himself King on June 22nd, 1483. Some, however, suppose that Perkin Warbeck, who appeared in the reign of Henry VIII., was, as he asserted, Richard Duke of York, and a strong conviction either way is not very readily attainable.
Richard III. seized the crown, as before stated, on June 22nd, 1483, and having secured himself, as he supposed, by the murder of his two nephews, thought he would meet with no opposition, but in this he was far out in his calculation. The Duke of Buckingham and his party were the first who rose against him, on which he sent forward to most of the principal places in the realm, and among others to Norwich. The authorities dis- patched their chamberlains with £400 in gold to Sir Thomas Howard, who was just created Earl of Surrey, and was then at Ashwellthorpe. The earl raised an army, took the duke, and beheaded him at Salisbury. Then the earl went for Kent and dispersed 5000 of the duke's followers.
On August 22nd, 1485, the usurper was slain in the battle of Bosworth field near Leicester, and Henry Earl of Richmond was then and there proclaimed by the name of Henry VII. the first of the Tudor dynasty.
In this reign of Richard III. the laws passed in his Parliament were first entirely drawn up in English, and among other beneficial measures it was enacted that all " benevolences," more properly called extortions, should be annulled for ever.
In the reign of Richard III., Lord Lovell of Norfolk was a great favourite at Court, and from his bearing a dog for his crest, and supporting the iniquitous measures of that usurper and horrid murderer,
EVENTS IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 19
was distinguished by the following satirical lines : —
The Rat, the Cat, and Lovell the Dog, Rule all England under the Hog.
By the rat and the cat were meant the King's other despicable creatures, Ratcliffe and Catesby.
Sharon Turner, in his History of England, says, " I have sometimes fancied that the popular ballad of the Children in the Wood may have been written at this time on Richard III. and his nephews before it was quite safe to stigmatise him more openly." Wayland Wood, nearWatton, Norfolk, is said to have been the scene of this pathetic story, from a tradition that two infants were murdered in it by their uncle.
The reigns of the Henrys IV., V., and VI. are memorable chiefly for the cruel wars between the houses of Lancaster and York, but it is not intended to extend this work by details of their contentions, in which several eminent men of Norfolk and Suffolk were engaged. In 1453 we find that John Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, supported the cause of the house of York against that of the house of Lancaster. He was only personally engaged in two of those conflicts, namely, that which was fought at Northampton on July 10th, 1460, in which his party were victorious, and that of St. Alban's on February 17th, 1461, in which they were defeated. Henry VI. having been deposed in March, 1461, Edward IV., as the first monarch of the house of York, came to the throne ; and after he was crowned, he made this John Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, justice itinerant of all the forests south of the Trent, an appoint- ment which he held only a short time, as he died in the same year, and his remains were deposited at Thetford.
After the wars on the continent, where English Kings tried in vain to found a great empire after a hundred years of useless fighting, the civil wars commenced between the houses of York and Lancaster under the emblems of the White and Red Roses. Two factions headed by two branches of the royal family engaged in a long and fierce struggle for supremacy. As the hostility of those factions did not arise from any dispute about the succession, it lasted long after all ground of dispute about the succession was entirely removed. At length the claims of the contending parties were united in the house of Tudor. " After the wars of York and Lancaster/' says Macaulay, " the links which connected the nobility and the community became closer and more numerous than ever. The extent of the destruction which had fallen on the old aristo- cracy may be inferred from a single circumstance. In the year 1451, Henry VI. summoned fifty-three temporal lords to Parliament. The temporal lords summoned to Parliament by Henry VII. in 1485 were only twenty-nine, and of these twenty-nine several had been recently
20 HISTORY OK EASTERN ENGLAND.
elevated to the peerage. During the following century the ranks of the nobility were largely recruited from among the gentry."
REIGN OP HENRY VII., 1485 TO 1509.
Henry VII. was born in the year 1456, and was the son of Margaret (daughter of John Beaufort, Duke of Somerset) and Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond. Through his mother he was descended from John of Gaunt ; but the branch was illegitimate, as that prince did not marry Catherine Swynford till after the birth of her children. Henry VII. espoused Elizabeth of York, by whom he had six children. His accession put an end to the long contest between the houses of York and Lan- caster, and a dynasty was established which for more than a hundred years guided the destinies of England with great ability and success .
This King began his reign August 22nd, 1485, and was crowned at Westminster on the 30th of October following. Next year a rebellion broke out, for one Lambert Simnell pretending to be Edward Plantagenet, then in the Tower, carried his deceit so far as to be crowned in the Cathedral at Dublin. The King began to look about him more than he did at first, and took a journey through Suffolk and Norfolk to confirm those counties in their loyalty. And first of all he came to St. Edmund's Bury, and then to Norwich, where he kept his Christmas. He was well received by the Mayor and Sheriffs, and all the masters or wardens of the crafts or companies, all new clad in scarlet. The Mayor, on behalf of the city, made him a handsome present, and invited him and his nobles to a grand feast, the city having raised £140 for that purpose. They also made presents to John, Earl of Oxford, and his lady, who lodged at the college of the Chapel in the Fields j to the Duke and Duchess of Suffolk, who lodged at the Blackfriars ; as also to the Lord Fitz Walter, and the Chief Justice, who was lodged at the house of Sir John Paston j the King keeping his Court at the Priory .
From thence he went a pilgrimage to Walsingham, where he visited " Our Lady's Chapel," so famous for miracles, and made his prayers and vows for help and deliverance. From thence he returned by Cam- bridge to London, and after he had subdued his enemies and restored tranquility, he sent his banner to be offered to " Our Lady of Walsing- ham," as an acknowledgment that his prayers and vows had been heard.
In the fifteenth of Henry VII., one Patrick, an Augustine friar of Suffolk, having a scholar named Ralph Wilford, the son of a shoemaker, instructed him to assume the character of the Earl of Warwick, nephew of Edward IV. and Richard III., at that time confined in the Tower, whence the impostor pretended to have escaped by the aid of the friar. Many people believed this story as soon as it was divulged, which
EVENTS IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 21
encouraged the friar to assert it authentically from the pulpit. The King being informed of these transactions caused both master and scholar to be apprehended. The latter was hanged, and the friar condemned to. per- petual imprisonment.
Thomas Brown, LL.D., Dean of Salisbury, and Bishop of Rochester, was chosen Bishop of Norwich in 1429. He left money to pay the city tax, and founded exhibitions at the Universities for poor scholars from his diocese. He died December 6th, 1444, and was buried in the nave of the Cathedral. John Stanberry, D.D., was then nominated to this see, but never took possession. He was made Bishop of Bangor, and after- wards of Hereford, where he died, and was buried near the high altar in Hereford Cathedral.
Walter Hart, orLyhart, was the next Bishop of Norwich. He repaved the floor of the Cathedral, and adorned the nave with the curious stone ceiling with 400 bosses, beautifully painted and gilded, representing the leading events recorded in the Bible. There are seven bays representing the events recorded in the Old, and seven bays representing the events recorded in the New Testament, in a great variety of figures. He built the rood loft at the entrance to the choir. He died May 24th, 1472, and lies buried near the organ loft.
James Goldwell, Canon of Windsor, and principal Secretary of State to Edward IV., was chosen Bishop of Norwich in 1472. He repaired the choir of the Cathedral, and adorned it with an arched stone roof or ceiling, granted indulgences to persons for twelve years, and forty days to all who assisted him in beautifying the church. He died February 15th, 1398, and was buried in the choir, on the south side of which there is an ancient monument to his memory that still remains ; on it is his effigy at full length.
He was succeeded by Thomas Jan, Archdeacon of Essex and Dean of the Chapel Royal. He died in September 1500, and was buried in the Cathedral.
Richard Nykke, or Nix, was chosen Bishop oi Norwich in the year 1500. He adorned the roof of the south transept of the Cathedral with a beautiful arched ceiling, representing events in Scripture history, similar to that of the nave, and he did many repairs to the church. He was a man of good character, but historians have asserted that he was addicted to every vice. He was a most violent persecutor of the reformed religion (then gaining ground), and he caused many persons to be burnt alive in Norwich for their profession of the reformed faith, among whom was the eminent martyr, Thomas Bilney. This bishop was imprisoned for a long time because he secretly aided the Pope against Henry VIII., but after paying a fine of 1000 marks, he was released; in his old age he became
22 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
blind and decrepid, and he died January 14th, 1535. He was buried in the south side of the nave of Norwich Cathedral, and his tomb still exists. He was the last of the bad persecuting bishops of the Church of Rome in this diocese, but the spirit of persecution lived long after him in the new Church of England, and in various persecuting sects.
STATE OP AGRICULTURE IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.
Notwithstanding the civil wars during this period, the cultivation of the land was improved. Much of it was laid out in pasture on account of the value of wool. It appears that corn was sometimes exported, for an enactment was made in 1437, allowing persons to carry corn out of England when the price of wheat was not more than 6s. 8d. per quarter^ and that of barley not more than 3s. We have the germ of a protective law in 1463, for it was ordained that wheat, rye, and barley should not be imported unless the price of grain exceeded the prices before-men- tioned.
The state of agriculture was much affected by the change which in this century took place in the holding of land. The relation of lord and villein was now altered into that of landlord and tenant. The man who formed the' land had salaried servants — paid partly in money and partly in food and lodging, or wholly paid in money — instead of thralls with collars round their necks. The substitution of rent for service had destroyed in a considerable degree the more intimate relations of the landowner and cultivator both for good and evil. The rude fidelity of vassalage was resigned for the hard bargaining of money.
Several causes combined to promote the improvement of agriculture in the fifteenth century : the cessation of intestine struggles on the accession of Henry VII. affording the blessings of long peace to the country, the gradual abolition of the system of villeinage, of which we find the last statutory mention in this reign, the slow but sure and awakening influence of the art of printing, and, most important of all in its results, the steady increase of population, which reached about five millions in the middle of this century. The increase of population has always been the most effective stimulus to improvement in every branch of industry.
The northern and western parts of this island were at this time by far the most backward in cultivation, but in the south and east more active interest in it was taken by the landowners, who began to feel the necessity of increasing revenues to meet the drains of civil wars and to supply the expensive luxuries of peace. The dismemberment of those large baronial estates, which had previously taken place, was followed by a remarkable reverse action by the consolidation of small farm holdings into larger occupations.
AGRICULTURE IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 23
The " Introduction to British Husbandry" shows the subdivision of property occasioned by confiscation and other causes during the long struggle between the Royal houses of York and Lancaster. w The nobility and gentry who took part in the conflict were obliged to commute much of the personal services due by their tenants for rents in money in order to meet their expenses in the field. Many bondsmen were thus emancipated, and acquiring, together with their release from servitude, an interest in the soil which they had not previously possessed, they applied themselves with more earnestness to its cultivation. The estates of. many landholders were either dismembered to pay off mortgages incurred during the long continuance of that civil strife, or falling at their death to collateral heirs were divided amongst a much greater number of proprietors, who severally drawing their subsistence from a smaller portion of land, were necessarily compelled to devote much attention to its improvement. The increase of population and the charters granted to corporate bodies swelled the number of inhabitants in the towns, and markets which had not previously existed were opened for the produce of the country. Although leases had been long customary, yet they were voidable by the sale or alienation of the land, and the tenants' property was even subject to the debts of the landlord ; but both of these abuses were rectified by the statutes passed in 1449 and 1469. "
Many estates were held by the feudal lords, viz., the condition of supplying fresh straw for the royal bed and apartments. The lordly castles, though stately in appearance like Norwich Castle, had but little comfort. There was profusion, but so little advance in the "arts that the food was placed on plain oak tables. Even nobles sat on clumsy benches and slept on straw. The houses of the yoemanry were generally built of timber and clay, often without chimneys. The bedding was straw with a coarse covering.
Farmers had few conveniences, dining off wooden trenchers, and using their fingers and wooden spoons. Only the most substantial had a few pieces of pewter plate. Only gentlemen could afford to eat wheaten bread all the year round, and the yeomanry, servants, and poor ate bread made of barley or rye. In dear years bread made with oats, beans, or peas was used. For the clothing the housewife spun hemp and flax from the farm. Indeed in those days the wives did a large share of household work.
In the fifteenth century primitive customs and manners still prevailed. We find landlords rising at four a.m., breakfasting at seven a.m., dining at ten a.m., and having a collation in bed at eight p.m., drinking water only as a medicine, living on huge joints in comfortless rooms littered with rushes. When the sterner duties of war did not demand their attention, they devoted much time to the tournament, to hunting, hawking,
24 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
and fishing. From the earliest period these were favourite sports in this island.
In the reigns of the Edwards and their successors, Norfolk was famous for the sport of falconry, indeed it was the paradise of the falconer. Its extensive heaths for the pursuit of partridge, or the noble flight of the kite, the interminable ranges of marsh, where the peregrine or the lanner might encounter the heron and the mallard, or the active merlin try his pinions against the speed of the snipe, caused the country in those days to have high reputation with the sportsman. It was then as now a vast preserve for game of every kind that fed on the growing crops. There was a regular importation of hawks for the purposes of sport. The L'Estrange " Household Book," kept at Hunstanton, proves by numerous entries the prevalence of the sport of falconry. Blomefield shows that lands were let on hawk service. In the reign of the third Edward, Reginald de Dunham, for instance, held the manors of Fishley and Witton by the service of keeping a goshawk for the King. Sir J. Sebright, in his " Treatise on Hawking," observes that the village of Falconswaerd, near Bois le Due, in Holland, has from time immemorial furnished falconers to different parts of Europe. The falconers who brought every season hawks to Norfolk, were natives of that village, and most respectable and intelligent men, fond to a degree of their art, and pleased to give information to every one interested therein.
Great fluctuations took place in prices, for in 1416 wheat was 10s. per quarter, and in 1463 but 2s. per quarter. It is recorded that the average produce of the Hawstead manor farm, Suffolk, was then — wheat, six bushels ; oats, five bushels ; peas and barley, twelve bushels per acre ; whilst rentals varied from 6d. to 9d. per acre, and the Abbot of Bury in 1491 let land at 4|d. per acre under a lease of eighty years, with a stipulation to clear the thorns. As to wages, a statute of 1444 enacts 23s. 4d. per annum for a bailiff; 24s. per annum for a shepherd ; and 18s. 4d. for a labourer; whilst a female servant was to have 10s., and 4s. extra for clothing per annum. She was not likely to be too well dressed at that period, and she certainly could not have indulged in the modern luxury of crinoline. They never dreamt of such things as chignons.
THE CHURCH IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.
The ecclesiastical system of the Church of Rome continued to be much the same all through the middle ages till the fifteenth century ; but laws were passed in several reigns to prevent the encroachments of the Pope and the clergy. These laws were sharpened and strengthened by several others in the reign of Richard II., and especially by the important statute
THE CHURCH IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 2o
of premunire, which enacted " that whoever procures, at Eome or else- where, any translations, processes, excommunications, bulls, instruments, or other things, which touch the King, against him, his crown or realm, and all persons aiding or assisting therein, shall be put out of the King's protection, their lands and goods forfeited to the King's use ; and they shall be attached by their bodies to answer to the King and his Council, or process of prcvmnire facias shall be made out against them as in other cases of provisors." Thus the Kings of England gradually limited the authority of the Court of Rome, and at last renounced it altogether, but the people were still kept in a state of mental thraldom.
The Church of Rome was still predominant during the fifteenth cen- tury ; but its abuses began to excite the indignation of the people, even in the darkest corners of the Eastern Counties, where the natives appeared to be sunk in the grossest ignorance and superstition. The pilgrimages to Walsingham in Norfolk continued, and were the source of great wealth to the monks who had charge of the shrine. The pilgrimages of so many men and Avomen, including a large number of dissolute characters, afforded opportunities for love affairs as well as much vice and immorality.
A Lollard named Thorpe, about the commencement of the fifteenth century, Avrote against the pilgrimages to Walsingham thus : " I know well that when divers men and women will go thus far after their own wills, and finding one pilgrimage, they will adorn with them (arrange for another) before to have with them, both men and women, that can well sing wanton songs ; and some other pilgrims will have with them bag- pipes ; so that every town they come through, what with the noise of their singing, and with the sound of their piping, and with the jangling of their Canterbury bells, and with the barking out of dogs after them, they make more noise than if the King came there away with all his clarions and many other minstrels. And if these men and women be a month in their pilgrimage, many of them shall be a half-year after great jangleurs, tale tellers, and liars."
The Archbishop of Canterbury at that time made a defence of all this merriment, which is too good to be omitted. "Lewd losel," he replies, " thou seest not far enough in this matter. I say to thee that it is right well done that pilgrims have with them singers, and also pipers, that when one of them that goeth barefoot striketh his toe upon a stone, and hurteth him sore, and maketh him to bleed, it is well done that he or his fellow begin with a song, or else take out of his bosom a bag-pipe for to drive away with such mirth the hurt of his fellow."
" The Privilege of Sanctuary/' by which a thief or a murderer fleeing from justice to a church was allowed to go free on condition of his voluntarily abjuring the realm, is one of the mediaeval customs which
26 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
were in full practice in the Eastern Counties, and many instances are recorded in Norwich, Norfolk, and Suffolk. The privilege appears to have been introduced at an early date into England, and was sanctioned by the laws of the Anglo-Saxon and Norman Kings. It seems that in such churches as were known as places of sanctuary, chambers were pro- vided over the belfry door, in which men slept for the purpose of admitting fugitives at any hour of the night. As soon as any one was so admitted, the Galilee bell was tolled immediately to give notice that some one had taken sanctuary. The culprit then placed himself before the shrine of the patron saint, and begged for a coroner. The coroner attended, and heard his confession. The culprit, in the presence of the sacrist, the sheriff, the under-sheriff, and others, renounced the kingdom. He was then consigned to the care of the under-sheriff, who handed him to the nearest constable, and he to another, and so on till the felon reached the coast.
For three centuries the disputes between the monks and the citizens of Norwich about their respective jurisdictions led on many occasions to very serious affrays, and even to loss of life, and this continued down to the end of the reign of Henry VII. One of these contests offers an illustration of the right of " Sanctuary." A sergeant-at-mace arrested a felon on Palm Sunday, 1507, on Tomb land, in the " disputed territory/' and was conveying him to the Guildhall prison. The Prior Bronde with many of the monks attempted a rescue. The citizens and subsequently the sheriff joined in the fight. The sheriff had just succeeded in laying- hold of the prisoner, when one of the monks drew the sheriff's gown tight behind, while others rescued the prisoner from his clutch, and led him off to sanctuary in the Cathedral, where he was safe for a time, till he could make his escape.
THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE.
The Church with all her abuses did some service to the nation by the establishment, through her clergy and members, of the far-famed Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The latter of course belongs more especially to the eastern district, and kept alive the light of learning for ages amidst the surrounding darkness. The University afforded the best means for the education of the young nobility, clergy, and gentry of Norfolk and Suffolk, as well as other counties.
The University of Cambridge first arose in the Norman period, for a regular system of education was not introduced till the year 1109, when Abbott of Crowland having sent some learned monks, versed in philosophy, to his manor of Cottenham, they repaired to the town of Cambridge, whither a number of scholars flocked to their lectures. Many eminent
THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE. 27
men of every period belonging to Norfolk or Suffolk have finished their education at the University, and it has been so much identified with this eastern district that some account of it is necessary here.
The first charter known to have been granted to the University is that in the fifteenth Henry III, conferring the privilege of appointing certain officers, called taxors, to regulate the rent of lodgings for students, which had been raised exorbitantly by the townsmen. This was about fifty years after the foundation of Peter House, the first endowed college. In 1249 the discord between the students and the townsmen had arrived at such a pitch as to require the interference of the civil power ; and in 1261 dissensions arose in the University between the Northern and Southern men, which were attended with such serious consequences, that a great number of scholars, in order to pursue their studies, withdrew to Northampton.
In 1333 Edward III. granted some important privileges to the Univer- sity of Cambridge, making its authority paramount to that of the borough, and ordaining that the mayor, bailiffs, and aldermen should swear to maintain its rights and privileges. These eminent favours caused the townsmen to be more than ever jealous of its authority. Their discontents broke out into open violence in the succeeding reign, when taking advantage of the temporary success of the rebels of Kent and Essex in 1381, the principal townsmen, at the head of a tumultuous assemblage, seized and destroyed the University charters, plundered Benedict College, and compelled the chancellor and others to renounce their chartered privileges and to promise submission to the burgesses. These lawless proceedings were stopped by the arrival of the Bishop of Norwich with an armed force, and the King soon after punished the burgesses by depriving them of their charter, and bestowing all the privileges which they had enjoyed on the University, together with a grant that no action should be brought against any scholar or scholar's servant by a townsman in any other than the Chancellor's Court. Richard II. restored their charter to the burgesses, with such an abridg- ment of their privileges as rendered them more subordinate to the University than they had been hitherto.
The first endowed college — Peter House, or St. Peter's — was founded in 1257 by Hugh de Balsham, then sub-prior, afterwards Bishop of Ely, who purchased two hostels belonging to the Jesuits; and the Friars of Penance united them, and appropriated the building for the residence of students; but it was not till 1280, after his promotion to the see, that he endowed the college with revenues for the support of a master, fourteen fe flows, two Bible clerks, and eight poor scholars. After his death a new college was built on the site of the new hostels, for which purpose
28 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
the bishop gave by will the sum of 300 marks and the church of St. Peter.
Among the principal benefactors in sifbsequent times were Simon Langham, Bishop of Ely, who gave the rectory of Cherry Hinton; Bishop Montacute, who appropriated the church of Triplow, and gave the manor of Che well in Haddenham ; Margaret Lady Ramsay, who founded two fellowships and two scholarships, and gave two advowsons ; and Dr. Hale, one of the masters, who gave the sum of £7000 and two rectories. Among the members of this college were Cardinal Beaufort, Archbishop Whitgift, Andrew Perne, Dean of Ely ; Maryson, the traveller ; Craw- shaw, the poet ; Dr. Sherlock, and others.
Trinity College stands on the ground formerly occupied by seven hostels and two colleges long since demolished. Both these colleges were sup- pressed in 1546, and in the same year the present one was built by Henry VIII., for a master, sixty fellows, and sixty-nine scholars. The endow- ment was considerably augmented by his daughter, Queen Mary. The fellows are chosen from the scholars, ineligible if M.A., or of sufficient standing to take that degree. They are all required to go into priests' orders within seven years after they commence masters of arts, except two appointed by the master, one of whom is supposed to study law, the other physic. The scholarships are open to men of any county, except four or five. The government is vested in the master and eight seniors, and to so many of them as are absent the resident fellows next in seniority act as deputies. The mastership is in the gift of the Sovereign, who is visitor. The number of members on the boards is 1,147. The Master's Lodge, which contains some spacious apartments, has since the reign of Elizabeth been the residence of the Sovereign on the occasion of a Royal visit, and the Judges always reside in it during the assizes. The library is a room two hundred feet long and very lofty, and wTas built by a subscription amounting to nearly £20,000.
The collection of books is extensive and valuable, and among the busts are those of Bacon, Newton, Ray, Roger Cotes, and others. There is also a statue of Charles Seymour, Duke of Somerset, for sixty years Chancellor of the University, executed by Rysbrach in 1754. Among the portraits the most interesting are an original half-length of Shake- speare by Mark Garrard, and an original full-length, in the hall, of Sir Isaac Newton, by Valentine Ritts. Amongst eminent members and students of the college were Archbishops Whitgift and Fowler, Bishops Powell, Wilkins, Pearson, Pearce, Hinchcliffe, and Watson ; Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex ; Sir Francis Bacon, father of modern science ; Sir Edward Coke, of Norfolk ; Sir Henry Spelman, of Norfolk ; Fulke Greville, Lord Brooke, Charles Earl of Halifax, William Outram, Sir
THE UNIVERSITY OP CAMBRIDGE. 29
Isaac Newton, Dr. Isaac Barrow, Dr. Bentley, Eay the naturalist, Roger Cotes, Dr. William Whittaker, Bishop Hackets, the poets Cowley, Dryden, and Byron ; George Herbert, Dr. Donne the satirist, Richard Duke, Nathaniel Lee the dramatist, Lord Lansdowne, Sir Robert Cotton, Dr. Gale, John Le Neve, Robert Nelson, Francis Willoughby, Andrew Marvell, Dr. Samuel Knight, Dr. C. Middleton, Professor Porson, of Norfolk, the great Greek scholar.
King's College was originally founded by Henry VI. in 1441, on the sites of Augustine's Hostel, a hostel called God's House, and the Church of St. Nicholas, and was then intended only for a rector and ten scholars. In the following year William Bingham founded a hostel contiguous to the King's, for a proctor and fifty-six scholars. In 1443, Bingham having surrendered his hostel to the King, the pious monarch founded his college upon a more ample scale, including within its site the Church of St. John Zachary, in which the hall now stands. The Church of St. John belonged to Trinity Hall, to which society the Church of St. Edward was given in exchange.
Among the more eminent prelates who were members of this college may be mentioned Bishops Fox, West, Aldrich, Cox, Guest, and Wick- ham, in the sixteenth century ; Bishops Montague and Pearson, in the seventeenth ; Bishops Fleetwood, Hare, and Weston, in the eighteenth. Among the statesmen, Sir Francis Walsingham, Sir Robert Walpole, and the Earl Camden. Among those who have distinguished themselves in literature, Edward Hall the historian, William Oughtred the mathematician, Dr. Cowell the civilian, Dr. Castell, Waller the poet, Dean Stanhope, and others.
,Queen's College was begun by Margaret of Anjou, Queen of Henry VI., and completed by Elizabeth, the consort of his rival, in 1465. Richard III. intended a great benefaction to this college, by conferring on it all the forfeited estates of John Vere, Earl of Oxford, but it was rendered null and void on the accession of Henry VII., who restored the whole to the earl.
Catherine Hall was founded in 1475 by Robert Woodlark, third Provost of King's College and Chancellor of the University, who endoAved it for a master and three fellows. In the reign of Edward VI., the number of fellowships was increased to six; besides which there are eight bye-fellow- ships, one of which was founded by Mr. Frankland, for a person educated at Coventry School ; one by Mr. Holway, called the conduct fellowship ; and six for natives of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The senior fellow- ships are open, but there must not be more than two fellows of any county at the same time.
Pembroke Hall was founded in 1243, by Mary de St. Paul, third wife
30 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
of Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke. In 1347, he endowed it with estates for the maintenance of a master, six fellows, and two scholars. Henry VI. is said to have trebled the revenues of the college by bestow- ing on it the priory of Linton with its appurtenances, and the rectory and manor of Soham. The present number of fellowships is fourteen, besides two bye-fellowships ; they are open to all counties with this restriction, that there shall be no more than a fourth part of the fellows from any one county. Besides scholarships of inferior value, there are five of £30 each yearly, founded by -the Rev. Charles Parker.
From the great number of prelates who have finished their education at Pembroke Hall, it has been called Collegium Ejiiscopalc. Amongst its more eminent members may be mentioned Archbishops Grindal and Whitgift ; Bishop Fox, Bishop Ridley and Bishop Andrews ; Spenser, Gray, and Mason the poets; Dr. Long the late master, an eminent astronomer ; Stanley, the editor of Eschylus ; and Mr. Pitt.
Corpus Christi College is usually ranked the fourth in seniority, having been begun in 1344 and completed in 1353. The founders of this college were the brethren of the two guilds of Corpus Christi and the Virgin Mary, by which joint name the college was originally called ; but soon after its foundation it acquired the name of Benet College from the adjoining Church of St. Benedict. Among the eminent persons who have been members of this college we may mention Archbishop Parker, Bishop Latimer, Sir N. Bacon, Robert Earl of Lindsey, Archbishop Tennison, Robert Browne, founder of the sect of the Brownists ; John Fletcher, the dramatic poet, and others.
Gonville and Caius College, originally styled Gonville Hall, was founded in 1347 by Edmund, son of Sir Nicholas Gonville, of Terring- ton, in the county of Norfolk. In 1558 the hall was consolidated with the new foundation by Dr. John Caius, and under the charter then obtained the united foundations received the name they now bear. There are twenty-nine fellowships, of which twenty-one are open to all counties and seventeen to laymen; two of the fellows must be physicians. There are twenty-six scholarships open to all counties ; three are of the value of £56 per annum each, six of £40, six of £36, six of £30, one of £24, one of £22, and three of £20. There is also a scholarship in chemistry of the annual value of £20, and four studentships in physic, of the value of £113 8s. each per annum, founded by C. Tancred, Esq., who died in 1754, and who also founded four studentships of nearly the same annual value appropriated to law, to be held only by students of Lincoln's Inn, who are not required to be members of the University. In addition to these scholarships and studentships, there are fourteen exhibitions of different value. The college has been a celebrated seminary for professors of
THE UNIVERSITY OP CAMBRIDGE. 81
medicine and anatomy ever since the time of its second founder, Dr. Caius; and among those who have conferred honour on the college in this faculty- may be mentioned Dr. William Harvey, the discoverer of the circulation of the "blood.; Dr. William Hyde Wollaston, Dr. Francis Glisson, and Sir Charles Scarborough.
Trinity Hall was founded in 1347 by William Bateman, Bishop of Norwich, who with that intent had purchased a hostel which had been occupied by some monks of Ely. Among the eminent persons who have been members of this society may be mentioned Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester ; Thomas Tusser, author of the " Points of Good Husbandry ;" Sir Peter Wyche, the traveller ; Dr.. Walter Haddon, Master of the Requests to Queen Elizabeth.
Clare Hall was originally founded in 1326 by Dr. Richard Badew, afterwards Chancellor of the University. Having been burnt to the ground about the year 1342 by an accidental fire, it was rebuilt. The principal benefactor to this college since the founder has been Dr. Samuel Blythe, one of the masters, who gave £6000 to purchase advowsons and books. There are seventeen livings in the gift of this college — two in Cambridgeshire, one in Hertfordshire, three in Huntingdonshire, one in Lincolnshire, one in Norfolk, four in Suffolk, two in Surrey, one in Wilt- shire, and two in Yorkshire.
Among the eminent persons who have been members of this society, we may mention Thomas Philpott, the herald and antiquary ; Archbishop Tillotson, Dr. Burnet, author of " The Theory of the Earth >" John Parkhurst, author of " The Hebrew and Greek Lexicon ;" Dr. Cud worth, William Whiston, Martin Folkes, ( Dr. Langhorne, Whitehead, the poet laureate ; Thomas Cecil, Earl of Exeter ; Thomas Holies, Duke of New- castle ; and the late Marquess Comwallis.
Jesus College was founded in 1496 by John Allcock, Bishop of Ely, who had obtained from Henry VII. a grant of the nunnery of Roulegard, then lately suppressed. All the lands which had been given to that monastery were bestowed as an endowment, and the buildings were con- verted into a college. The original number of fellows was only six. Among the eminent men who were educated at this college may be reckoned Archbishop Cranmer, Archbishop Bancroft, and John Flamsted, the astronomer.
Christ's College was originally founded in the reign of Henry VI. by the name of God's house, but its foundation is generally dated from its second and more ample establishment by Margaret Countess of Richmond, in 1505. That lady, having altered its name to Christ's College, endowed it with lands for the support of a master, twelve fellows, and forty-seven scholars. Edward VI. founded another
32 HTSTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
fellowship. Sir John Finch and Sir Thomas Baynes founded two other fellowships.
St. John's College was projected and begun by the Countess of Eich- mond a short time before her death in 1509. It was completed by her executors, under the authority of a papal bull and the royal mandates of her son and grandson Henry VII. and Henry VIII., which gave them the power of suppressing a decayed hospital dedicated to St. John, then existing on the same site, the college then consisting only of the present first court. Among the eminent members of this college were Roger Ascham, Sir T. Wyatt, Lord Burleigh, Lord Keeper Williams, Dr. Dec, Thos. Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, Bishop Stillingfleet, Bishop Beve- ridgc, Dr. Jenkins, Master of the College; Thos. Slackhouse, Dr. Wm. Wootton, Dr. Bentley, Ben Jonson, John Cleland, Ambrose Phillips, Prior, Otway, and Mason, the three latter being distinguished poets.
Emmanuel College was founded in 1584 by Sir Walter Mildmay, on the site of the monastery of the Blackfriars, which he had bought of Mr. Sherwood. The original foundation was only for a master, three fellows, and four scholars. Among the members of this college were Dr. Hall, Bishop of Norwich, Matthew Poole, author of the " Synopsis Criticorum/' and Sir William Temple.
Sidney College was founded in 1596 on the site of the monastery of the Grey Friars, pursuant to the will of Frances Sidney, Countess of Sussex, who died in 1589.
The foundation of Downing College, began in 1807, received the sanction of the royal charter in 1800, after many years' litigation with the heirs at law of the founder, Sir George Downing, Bart., who by his will, bearing date 1717, bequeathed all his valuable estates in the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedford, and Cambridge, in trust for that purpose, provided that such of his relations as survived him, and as he had left the reversion of them to in succession, should die without issue. Sir Jacob Garralt Downing, the last of his relations who had any claim under his will, died without issue in 1 764.
Queen Elizabeth visited Cambridge on August 5th, 1564, and stayed five days, during which she resided at the provost's lodge, King's College and was entertained with plays, orations, and academical exercises. In the thirteenth of her reign the University of Cambridge was incorporated under the title of the " Chancellor, Masters, and Scholars of the Univer- sity of Cambridge." It was formed by the union of seventeen colleges, or societies, devoted to the pursuit of learning and knowledge, and for the better service of the Church and State. The present University statutes were given by Queen Elizabeth, and with former privileges were sanctioned by Parliament.
THE UNIVERSITY OP CAMBRIDGE. 33
Each college is a body corporate, and bound by its own statutes, but is likewise controlled by the permanent laws of the University. Each of the seventeen departments or colleges in this literary republic furnishes mem- bers both for the executive and the legislative branch of its government ; the place of assembly is the Senate House. All persons who are masters of arts, or doctors in one of the three faculties — viz., divinity, civil law, and physic — having their names upon the college boards, holding any University office, or being resident in the town, have votes in the assembly. The Senate is divided into two classes or houses ; and according to this arrangement, they are denominated regents or non-regents, with a view to some particular offices allotted by the statutes to the junior division. Masters of arts of less than five years' standing, and doctors of less than two, compose the regent or upper house, or as it is otherwise called, the " White Hood House/' from its members wearing hoods lined with white silk. All the rest constitute the non-regent or lower house, otherwise^ called the " Black Hood House," its members wearing black silk hoods. But doctors of more than two years' standing, and the public orator of the University, may vote in either house according to their pleasure. Besides the two houses, there is a council called the caput, chosen upon October 12th, by which every University grace must be approved before it can be introduced to the Senate. This council consists of a Vice-Chancellor, a doctor in each of the three faculties, and two masters of arts, the last representing the regent and non-regent houses. No degree is ever conferred without a grace for that purpose ; after a grace has passed, the Vice-Chancellor is at liberty to grant the degree. The University confers no degree whatever, unless the candidate has previously subscribed a declaration that he is bona fide a member of the Church of England as by law established ; for all other degrees, except those of B.A., M.B., and D.C.L., it is necessary that persons should subscribe to the thirty-sixth canon of the Church of England inserted in the registrar's book. The executive branch of the University government is committed to the following officers : — A Chancellor, who is at the head of the whole University, and presides over all cases relative to that body ; his office is biennial, or tenable for such a length of time beyond two years as the tacit assent of the University chooses to allow. A High Steward is elected by a grace of the synod, who has special power to try scholars impeached of felony within the limits of the University, and to hold a court leet, according to the established charter and custom. A Vice-Chancellor is elected on November 4th by the Senate ; his office, in the absence of the Chancellor, embraces the government of the University according to the statutes. There are other minor offices.
VOL. II. D
34 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
COUNTY FAMILIES DATING FROM THE FIFTEENTH
CENTURY.
A provincial history like the present must embrace the lives of eminent men in the district. What these eminent men thought, what actions they performed, what influence . they exercised on the state of society, cannot fail to be interesting to the reader. The memoirs of some eminent characters in the Eastern Counties fill many volumes, and all of them, if collected, would fill a library. We only pretend to offer a few short sketches.
THE HOWARDS, DUKES OP NORFOLK.
The noble house of Howard has stood for many centuries at the head of the English nobility. The Howards have enjoyed the dukedom of Norfolk since the middle of the fifteenth century, and have contributed to the annals of the nation several persons of the most distinguished character in war, politics, and literature. Dugdale incidentally mentions that their name is of Saxon origin, and derived either from an eminent office under the Crown before the Conquest, or from Hereward the leader of those forces which for a short time defended the Isle of Ely against the Conqueror.
The pedigree of this family begins with Fulk or Fulcho, who lived soon after the Conquest, and whose arms are borne by the Howards to this day. Galfrid, or Jeffrey, son of Fulk, succeeded him in his estate, and Jeffrey had two sons. Alan Fitz Jeffrey was the elder, whose son William took the surname of Wiggenhall. He had three sons, and John his eldest took the surname of Hey ward or Howard. His son William Howard was bred to the law, and died in 1308. He was succeeded by his son Sir John Howard, who was gentleman of the bedchamber to Edward I., and afterwards High Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk.
Sir John Howard, Knight, the first of that name Duke of Norfolk, began very early to distinguish himself in the wars with France. In the latter part of the reign of Henry VI. he accompanied John Viscount Lisle to Blay with 22,000 men, and soon after marched to the relief of Chatillon with John Earl of Shrewsbury, where that valiant earl was slain. In 1442 he was sent by Henry VI. to appease a great riot in Nor- wich. In 1460, in the first of Edward IV., he was Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk, and consequently had the custody of Norwich Castle, then the King's prison ; and in consideration of his great services he obtained a grant of several manors which were then in the Crown, by the attainder of John Earl of Wiltshire. In the second of Edward IV. he had the joint command of the King's fleet, and did considerable service against
COUNTY FAMILIES DATING PROM THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 35
France, being also at that time treasurer of the King's household. In 1467 he was Sheriff of Oxfordshire and Berkshire. In 1469, bearing the title of Lord Howard, he was made Captain-General of the King's forces at sea for baffling the attempts of the Lancastrians, then making a powerful head under the stout Earl of Warwick. In 1470 he was made Deputy- Governor of Calais and the marshes with Lord Hastings, and having behaved with singular prudence and fidelity, he obtained a grant in tail special of divers lands and manors. In 1473 he obtained of the King the wardship and marriage of Sir John Bourchier, Knight, Lord Berners, then a minor, whom he afterwards married to Catherine Howard, his only issue by his second wife. In 1477 he had a grant of the office of the Constable of the Tower of London, and the next year was again made Captain- General of the King's fleet against the Scots, and he was also installed Knight of the Garter. In the reign of Richard III. he was made Earl Marshal of England, and advanced to the dignity of the Duke of Norfolk. He was also appointed Lord High Admiral of England, Ireland, and Aquitaine for life ; at the same time he obtained a grant of divers manors and lordships, and confirmation of his mother's inheritance, and among others the manor of Forncett, and all the liberties since and now called the Duke of Norfolk's liberties, which was first granted to John Lord Mowbray. But these great honours and vast possessions were not long enjoyed, for in 1485, being placed in front of the army at Bosworth Field, he was there slain with the King, and being afterwards attainted, Henry VII. seized great part of his estate.
His body was brought back and interred in the Abbey Church at Thetford, the said Abbey being now in ruins. Catherine, daughter to William Lord Malins, was his first wife, by whom he had one son and four daughters. By his second wife Margaret, daughter of Sir John Chatworth, Knight, he had only Catherine, who married Sir John Bour- chier, Lord Berners.
The Duke may be said to have produced a House of Lords, for from him descended eleven of the most distinguished families in England of the name of Howard, who rose into the peerage by the titles of Norfolk, Nottingham, Bindon, Northampton, Escrick, Norwich, Suffolk, Berkshire, Carlisle, Stafford, and Effingham. There is not on record a similar case of fertile nobility.
Thomas Howard, son and heir of the first Duke of Norfolk of that name, being esquire of the body to Edward IV., was retained to serve him in his wars. In the fifteenth of Edward IV., 1474, he was Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk, and in the first of Richard III., 1483, was created Earl of Surrey, and though he fought for the slain King at Bosworth Field, being taken prisoner there, yet did the conquering Prince Henry VII .
36 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
receive him into his favour, made choice of him for one of his privy council, and in 1488 restored him to his title, Earl of Surrey, and employed him to repel the Scotch incursions and quell the northern insurrections. In 1499 he attended the King and Queen to Calais, and the next year was advanced to the high office of Lord Treasurer of England. The King favoured him so much as to make him one of his executors. In 1509, on the accession of Henry VIII., that prince nominated him one of his privy council, renewed his patent of Lord Treasurer, and the year following made him Earl Marshal of England for life. In 1512, being sent general of the English force against the Scots, he slew James IV. King of Scotland, and routed their army at Flodden Field, for which great service a special grant passed by the King's order, that he and the male heirs of his body should for ever bear as an honour- able augmentation to his arms, on the bend of the Howard arms, the upper half of a red lion, pierced through the mouth with an arrow (depicted as are the arms of Scotland). In 1513, February 1st, the King advanced him to the dignity of Duke of Norfolk, which title John his father did enjoy. The said John derived his title through the female heirs of Mowbray and Segrave, from Thomas of Brotherton, son of Edward I. At the same time this Thomas Howard had a new patent for the office of Lord Treasurer, and a grant of divers lordships and manors from the Crown and confirmation of many others, including the manor of Forncett, then valued at £44 per annum. In 1521 he performed the office of Lord High Steward, at the trial of Edmund Duke of Buckingham, and sentenced him to death, but not without tears ; and in 1522 he obtained a grant to his son, Thomas Earl of Surrey, of part of the said duke's lands, and resigning to him his office of Lord Treasurer of England, he retired, with the King's leave, to his castle at Framlingham in Suffolk, where he kept an honourable house till his death on May 1st, 1524. He was buried in the Abbey Church at Thetford.
He married two wives, first, Elizabeth, daughter and sole heiress to Sir Frederic Tilney, Knt., and widow of Sir Humphrey Bourchier, Knt., Lord Berners, by whom he had eight sons, of whom Henry, John, Charles, Henry, all died young, and the other three survived him. He had also two daughters. Elizabeth, the eldest, was the mother of that most unfortunate lady Anne Boleyn, born at Blickling in Norfolk, who having been bred in courts, was appointed a maid of honour to Queen Catherine, after whose divorce she became Queen of Henry VIIL, who caused her to be condemned on a false charge of infidelity.
Thomas Earl of Surrey, eldest son of the previous Duke of Norfolk, succeeded him in his honours. In his father's lifetime he commanded a ship under his brother Edward, who was then Lord Admiral, when the
COUNTY FAMILIES DATING FEOM THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 37
famous pirate Sir Henry Burton was taken in 1512. He accompanied the Marquis of Dorset into Spain in aid of King Ferdinand against the French, and the said marquis falling sick, he had the command of the English army. In 1513, upon the death of Lord Edward, his brother being then Knight of the Garter, he was constituted Lord High Admiral in his stead, and so scoured the seas that not a French fishing boat durst be seen, and landing in Whitsand Bay, he ravaged the country there- abouts. Upon the invasion of James IV. of Scotland, he landed 5000 veterans, and joined his father, the Earl of Surrey, then General of the English army, sending a message to that King to justify Sir Andrew Burton's death. At the battle of Flodden Field he behaved gallantly, when he commanded the van guard with his younger brother Edmund, who, being in great distress, was succoured by him and Sir Edward Stanley ; and in recompense for these signal services, he was soon after- wards created Earl of Surrey, the same day that his father was made Duke of Norfolk, in the fifth year of Henry VIII. In 1520, being appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland, he suppressed the O'Neils and the O'Carrols, and governed so acceptably that he gained the love of that country. Afterwards, having performed many signal services in France, he was constituted Lord Treasurer, and made General of the King's whole army designed to march against the Scots, and all this in his father's life- time. After his father's death, he was again made General of the army, at that time raised to advance into Scotland, to set the young King free, whom the Duke of Albany kept then in custody at Stirling Castle. He afterwards attended the King into France, and was sent chief ambassador to the French King to attend him to Nice and commune with the Pope as to his delaying King Henry's divorce. In 1536 he marched to the assistance of the Earl of Shrewsbury, when he suppressed the insurrection in Yorkshire, raised on account of the dissolution of the lesser monasteries, and was soon after made Lieutenant-General of all the King's forces beyond the Trent. But after all these signal services the King, believing some accusations against him, was so far incensed as to send him to the Tower and ordered his goods to be seized, and gave notice to ambassadors abroad that he and his son had conspired to take upon them the government during his life and after his death to get the prince into his hands. The Duke of Norfolk and his son Henry Earl of Surrey, were both attainted in Parliament. The young earl lost his head, and the duke had fared no better had not the death of the miserable jealous old King hastened him to give an account of his own crimes at that bar to which he had so lately sent the son and designed to have hurried the father also. However, though his life was spared, he was not pardoned in the next reign. He retreated to his
38 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
palace at Kenninghall in Norfolk, where he died in 1554 and was buried at Framlingham.
Thomas, the eldest son of Henry Earl of Surrey, on the death of his grandfather in 1554, became the fourth Duke of Norfolk, being then more than eighteen years of age. He was fully restored in blood, and the act of his grandfather's attainder was made void in the reign of Mary I. In the second year of that Queen he commanded the forces against the men of Kent, and continued in esteem all her reign, and he was installed Knight of the Garter in the reign of Elizabeth. In the third year of the reign of that Queen he was constituted Lieutenant-General for the northern part of the realm. In 1565, he, with Robert Earl of Leicester, was solemnly invested with the habit and insignia of the Order ol St. Michael in the chapel of the Queen's Palace at Westminster, by an embassy sent from the French King.
In 1568 he was appointed one of the three Commissioners to examine at York the charges brought by the Regent Murray against the captive Queen of Scots, and here he first seriously entertained the idea of that unfortunate matrimonial scheme which at length proved so fatal to him.
The first overture of this project had been made to him two years before, by Maitland of Lethington, Mary's Secretary of State, shortly before her marriage t© Darnley, " when the duke waved it with a modest refusal." Murray, with motives very different, now secretly reiterated the proposal, but it was perhaps yet more discouraged than before by the duke, who objected with some degree of disdain to an offer of marriage with a woman who laboured under a suspicion, indeed a formal accusation, of dreadful crimes, although that woman were a sovereign.
In the eleventh year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, being suspected to be not only a favourer but a great admirer of Mary Queen of Scots, he was cast into prison, accused of designing to marry her, tried, condemned, and beheaded June 2nd, 1572, in the fifteenth year of the reign of that jealous Queen, on Tower Hill, to the great grief of many, for he was a good man and much beloved by his country.
He married three wives, first, Mary, daughter and co-heiress to Henry Fitz Alan, Earl of Arundel, by whom he had Philip Earl of Arundel, his son and heir. She died at Arundel House in the Strand, August 25th, 1557, and was buried in St. Clement's Church, near Temple Bar. He married, secondly, Margaret, daughter and sole heiress of Thomas Lord Audley, of Walden, and widow of Henry, a younger son of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, and by her had two other sons, viz., Thomas (created by Elizabeth, Lord Howard of Walden), and William, the ancestor of the Earl of Carlisle ; also two daughters. His third wife was Elizabeth, the daughter of Sir Francis Leybourne
COUNTY FAMILIES DATING FROM THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 39
and widow of Thomas, fourth Lord Dacre of Gillesland, by whom he had no issue, but it is a remarkable fact that her three daughters, the Ladies Anne, Mary, and Elizabeth Dacre, became the wives of her sons-in-law, Philip Earl of Arundel ; Thomas Lord Howard of Walden ; and Lord William Howard of Narworth, the last
Accepted Howard, than whom knight
Was never dubbed more bold in fight ;
Nor when from war and armour free
More famed for stately courtesy.
{Lay of the Last Minstrel, page 146.,}
Before we proceed with our further memoirs of this illustrious family, it i3 proper to advert to the local annals of Framlingham Castle, where they resided for ages. The third duke had ceased to make that castle his permanent residence, and after his death none of his successors appear to have abode in it. The reason for this may have been that the arrange- ments of ancient castles were unsuited to the improving habits of the nobility of this sixteenth century. The necessity for security from external violence, so requisite in the days of the great barons, no longer existed, and the time had arrived, when they could trust to the power of the law for protection, rather than to their own arms and walls. Be that as it may, before 1547 the third duke resided at his newly-erected castellated palace at Kenninghall in Norfolk, and his successors also abode there for a long time. We may venture to state that all the splendour of the castle at Framlingham soon passed away, and its domains were only of importance to its owners for the local rights and produce which could be derived from the soil.
Philip Howard, son and heir to the previous Duke of Norfolk, was Earl of Surrey, Lord Howard, Mowbray, Segrave, and Bruse of Gower, and Earl Marshal of England ; also in right of his mother, he assumed the title and honour of Earl of Arundel with the appurtenances thereof, it having been anciently adjudged in Parliament to be a local dignity, so that the possessors thereof should enjoy that title of honour. Where- upon he sat in Parliament by the title in the twenty-third year of Queen Elizabeth, in which Parliament he was restored in blood from the attainder of his father. This noble peer, being a most zealous Papist, was much maligned, being accused to the Queen by some of his potent adversaries for holding a correspondence with Cardinal Allen, Parsons the Jesuit, and others. She took a great dislike to him, for which reason, after the strict laws made against the Papists, he endeavoured to go beyond the seas without leave, but being discovered he was apprehended and committed to the Tower in the year 1584, and his estates seized, including the manor of Forncett, of which the Queen took immediate possession, and demised
40 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
part of it to William Pennant for twenty-one years, namely, all that part which after the attainder of Thomas the late Duke of Norfolk had been granted to the Lady Mary, the then King's sister, and by her had been leased to the said William. In 1586 he was fined £10,000 in the Star Chamber for his misdemeanours and attempt to go beyond the seas ; and three years after he was arraigned and condemned by his peers in West- minster Hall for divers practices having reference to his religion and favouring of the Spaniards. Nevertheless, by the Queen's grace, he obtained her pardon for his life, but continued prisoner in the Tower, and at length died in custody there, November 19th, 1595, being not full forty years of age, having during his imprisonment lived in the severity of his religion a most strict and austere life. He married Anne, sister and co-heiress to George Dacre, of Gillesland, by whom he had his only son, who removed the body of the duke to Arundel in Sussex, where it was interred in an iron coffin.
Thomas Earl of Arundel, only son of the Duke of Norfolk, was born during his father's imprisonment in the Tower, and was restored in blood by James I. in the year 1602, in the Parliament held at Westminster in the first year of his reign, and had livery of all estates from that Prince, and among others of his manor of Forncett. He was Earl of Arundel and Surrey, Earl Marshal and Premier Earl of all England, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, one of his Majesty's Privy Council, and Lord Steward of the Household. By Charles I. he was constituted Chief Justice of the forests north of the Trent, and General of the army in the first expedition to Scotland in the year 1638. He sat as Lord High Steward of England in Westminster Hall at the remarkable trial of Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Stafford ; shortly after which, foreseeing the civil wars then beginning in England, he willingly resigned his staff of Lord Steward of the Household, resolving to travel. His lady also resolved to travel, and a fine opportunity was presented, for the Queen- mother of France having been in England about two years, was obliged to return, and this earl had the charge of conducting her over. He after- wards spent some time at Utrecht, but in the winter he returned to England, and by reason of his special services and great merits, he was advanced to the title of Earl of Norfolk, in the twentieth year of Charles I. Shortly after this, discerning the flames of civil war to increase daily, his age and infirmities rendering him unfit for any further employment, he obtained leave of the King to travel. Whereupon, retiring to Padua, in Italy, he died there September 14th, 1646, in the sixty-first year of his age, and his corpse being brought over, was buried at Arundel, in Sussex. He married Lady Alathea, one of the daughters and co-heiresses of Gilbert Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, by whom he had
COUNTY FAMILIES DATING FEOM THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 41
issue : — 1 . James Lord Mowbray and Lord Maltravers, who was one of the Knights of the Bath at the coronation of Charles I., and after making the tour of France and Italy, died on his return at Gaunt, in Flanders, unmarried. 2. Henry Lord Mowbray, who succeeded him. 3. Thomas. 4. Gilbert. 6. Charles ; who all died infants in the lifetime of their father. William, the fifth son, married Mary, sister and sole heiress to Henry Lord Stafford, and in the sixteenth of Charles I. was created Baron of Stafford, and she at the same time Baroness of Stafford, from whom the Earl of Stafford was descended.
This most noble Earl of Arundel, who died at Gaunt, was a great patron of arts and sciences. His knowledge was great of building, designing, carving, and sculpture. His collection of designs exceeded that of any person then living, and his statues, were equal in number, value, and antiquity to those in the palaces of most princes. He employed persons to make collections in Greece, Italy, and many parts of Europe, where rarities were to be obtained, all of which were placed in his gardens and certain rooms of his house in the Strand. Henry Duke of Norfolk, his grandson, presented them to the University of Oxford, where they were placed and arranged, and will remain there a lasting monument to the fame of the Howard family to future ages.
Thomas Howard succeeded his father in his titles of Earl of Arundel, Surrey, and Norfolk ; and after the restoration of Charles II., in the year 1661, at the humble petition of James Howard Earl of Suffolk, Thomas Howard Earl of Berkshire, William Howard Viscount Stafford, and others, he was restored by Act of Parliament to the title of Duke of Norfolk, to remain to him and the heirs male of his body, with all the privileges, precedences, and pre-eminences thereunto belonging, by which he became the fifth Duke of Norfolk ; but dying at Padua un- married, the title and estates descended to his next brother.
Henry Howard, the sixth Duke of Norfolk, was with his three sisters, Jane, Catherine, and Margaret, restored in blood by Act of Parliament. In 1603, James I. appointed him one of the Privy Council, and on January 14th, 1604, constituted him Warden of the Cinque Ports and Constable of Dover Castle. On March 30th following, he was advanced to the honour of a baron, by the title of Lord Howard of Marnhill, and to the dignity of the Earl of Northampton ; soon after which he was appointed one of the commissioners for exercising the office of Earl Marshal of England; and on April 24th, 1605, he was installed a Knight of the Garter.
Thomas Howard, nephew of the last earl, who acquired the possession of the entire domains comprised in the letters patent of 1603, was also restored in blood by Act of Parliament in 1584. He had often the
42 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
command of the fleets of Queen Elizabeth, and on most occasions he displayed great nautical skill. In 1588 he was sent out with other admirals to watch and check the designs of the Spanish Armada ; and on the 26th of July of that year he was knighted. He was pre-eminent in aiding in the destruction of the Spanish Armada, and he was appointed to the command of some subsequent expeditions against the fleets of Spain. In 1597, the Queen called him by writ to a Parliament then holden, with the title of Baron Howard of Walden in Essex. In the May after the accession of James I., he was named one of that King's Privy Council, and in July following he was advanced to the dignity of Earl of Suffolk, and was appointed Lord Chamberlin of the King's Household, in which office he was employed by his Majesty, on receiving intimation of the Gunpowder Plot in November, 1605, to search the Parliament House, the result of which was the discovery of thirty-six barrels of gunpowder, the apprehension of Guy Vaux and other conspirators. He was possessed of great riches, and was in the enjoyment of a vast inheritance. He built, at the cost of more than £200,000, his country seat called Audley End, at Walden, in Essex, which became the noblest structure, next to Hampton Court Palace, ever erected by any subject in England. He married first his sister-in-law, Mary,, second daughter of Lord Dacre, of Gillesland, by whom he had no issue, and, secondly, Catherine, eldest daughter and co-heiress of Sir Henry Knevit, of Charlton, in Wiltshire, by whom he had his first son, Theophilus Lord Howard of Walden, who succeeded him in his honours ; also Thomas, afterwards Earl of Berkshire, Henry Charles, Robert, William and Edward, and four daughters.
Henry Howard, seventh Duke of Norfolk, maintained the fame of his ancient family. He was born January 11th, 1654, and on January 27th, 1677, was summoned to Parliament by writ, by the title of Lord Mowbray, and upon the death of Prince Rupert was made Constable of Windsor Castle, Warden of Windsor Forest, and Lord Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum of the Counties of Norfolk, Surrey, and Berks. On May 6th, 1685, in the first of James II., being elected Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, he was installed on the following 22nd of July.
This duke obtained a commission under the great seal, dated August 13th, 1687, in the third of James II., whereby his grace, as Earl Marshal of England, should revive and hold a court of chivalry, &c, and setting out for France on March 24th following, constituted his brother, Lord Thomas Howard, his lieutenant in the court of chivalry, and Sir Thomas Exton and Sir Richard Raines, surrogates. His grace returned from Flanders July 30th, 1688, and on the landing of William Prince of Orange in England, being then in Norfolk, he marched with 300 gentle- men on horseback into Norwich Market Place and declared for the Prince.
COUNTY FAMILIES DATING FROM THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 43
He brought over Norfolk, Suffolk, and adjacent counties to his interest, for which service he" was soon after sworn of the Privy Council, and so continued till his death.
He married the Lady Mary Mordaunt, daughter and sole heiress to Henry Earl of Peterborough, from whom he was divorced by Act of Parliament for her incontinency, and having no children by her he was enabled to marry again ; but leaving no issue, his titles and estates descended to the eldest son of his brother.
Thomas Howard, the eighth Duke of Norfolk, was born December 1 1th, 1683, and in 1709 his grace was married to Mary, sole daughter and heiress to Sir Nicholas Sherbourne, of Stony Hurst, in the County of Lancaster, Bart, but dying without issue, his estate went to his third brother, the second having also died without issue.
Edward Howard, ninth Duke of Norfolk, in 1727 married Mary, daughter to Edward Blount, of Blagden, near Torby, a younger son of Sir George Blount, of Lodington,
The Hon. Eichard Howard, his next brother, died without issue. Ralph Howard, of Buckenham House, Norfolk, his youngest brother, married January 7th, 1723, Winifred, daughter of Thomas Stoner, of Watlington Park, Oxford County, by whom he had a son named Thomas, who died. He again married, November, 1 739, Mrs. Proley, widow, by whom he had no male issue. He died in the lifetime of his brother, on whose death in 1777, the estates devolved on the nearest male heir, Charles Howard, of Greystock, in Cumberland.
Charles Howard was descended from Charles, fourth son of Henry, Earl of Arundel, by Elizabeth, daughter of Esine Stuart, Lord d'Aubigny, Earl of March, afterwards Duke of Richmond and Lennox. He was born in 1720, and in 1739 was married to Catherine, daughter of Thomas Brockholes, of Lancashire, by Mary his wife, who was lineally descended from Henry, Lord Scroop, of Bolton, in Yorkshire, Knight of the Most Noble order of the Garter.
It would be impossible here to give a list of the honours which from time to time have been conferred on various branches of the ducal house of Howard. Suffice it to say that, in one or other of their wide-spread branches, the Howards have enjoyed within the last three centuries the earldoms of Carlisle, Suffolk, Berkshire, Northampton, Arundel, Wicklow, Norwich, and Effingham, and the baronies of Bindon, Howard de Walden, Howard of Castle Rising, and Howard of Effingham.
44 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
THE FAMILY OF SOUTHWELL, WOODRISING.
About the beginning of the reign of Edward IV., the manor of Wood- rising came to Richard Southwell by the marriage of Amy, one of the daughters and co-heiresses of Sir Edmund Witchingham, lord of the manor. Richard Southwell was escheator of Norfolk and Suffolk in the thirty-eighth of Henry VI. In the fourth of Henry IV. he was made by letters patent Marshal of the Exchequer, and in the said year had a grant of twenty marks per annum on the aulnage of Suffolk, and was styled "late servant to our well-beloved cousin, John Duke of Norfolk."
John Southwell, Esq., of Felix Hall, Essex, grandfather of the afore- said Richard, in the twenty-ninth of Henry VI., was member of Parlia- ment for Lewes, in Sussex, and lived at Barham in Suffolk.
Robert Southwell, his son, was also lord of Barham Hall, in Suffolk, and married Cecilia, daughter of Thomas Sharington, Esq., of Cranworth, in Norfolk, and is buried in the Church of Barham, with this inscription on his gravestone : " Robert Southwell, Esq., apprentice of the law and justice of the peace, who died September 27th, 1514."
He was succeeded by Richard Southwell, Esq., of Woodrising, whose eldest son, Sir Robert, died without issue. He was made the seneschal of all the honours and manors forfeited to the King by Edmund de la Pole in Norfolk and Suffolk, or by his mother, the Duchess of Suffolk, in the nineteenth of Henry VII., and in the following year, by patent chief butler of England. In the fourth of Henry VIII. he was made supervisor of the King's lands and castles by Act of Parliament, and receiver-general of them. He died March 31st, in the sixth of Henry VIII., and left Richard, son of his brother Francis, his heir. Francis Southwell, Esq., brother of Sir Robert, was auditor of the Exchequer, and had two sons, Sir Richard and Sir Robert Southwell.
Sir Richard Southwell, of Woodrising, in Norfolk, was a great favourite of Henry VIII., one of the visitors appointed by the King of the monasteries in Norfolk on their suppression, one of the Privy Council to that King, Edward VI., and Queen Mary, Master of the Ordnance and Armoury, and High Steward of the Duchy of Lancaster. In 1554, in the reign of Queen Mary, he made a remarkable speech in the House of Lords on that Queen's being pregnant, and an Act of Par- liament passed thereon about the government of the realm, and the person of the child in case of the death of the Queen.
In the thirty-seventh of Henry VIII. he was lord of the following manors in Norfolk : — Wood Rising, Cranworth, Butlers or Botetours in Letton, Whenberg-cum-Membris, Westfield, Scoulton, Carbrooke, Wood- hall, Carbrooke Magna, or the preceptory manor with the impropriate rectory, &c, Saham Toney, Insoken and Outsoken, Bressingham Parva,
COUNTY FAMILIES DATING FROM THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 45
Tottington, Campsey and Mortimers, Thexton, Morton-cum-Ringland, Kipton in Weasenham, West Rudham, Tofts, Bircham, Burnham, Lex- ham, Gayton, Brancaster, Burnham Thorpe, Horsham, and Walsoken- Pipenhoe.
He married first Thomasine, daughter of Sir Robert Darcy, Knight, of Danbury, in Essex, by whom he had an only daughter, Elizabeth, married to George Heneage, Esq.; his second wife was Mary, daughter of Thomas Darcy, of Danbury aforesaid, by whom he had Richard Darcy, alias Southwell, Esq., of Horsham St. Faiths, and Thomas Darcy, alias South- well, Esq., of Morton, but they being born in the time of his first lady, when Mary (whom he afterwards married) was his mistress, were illegiti- mate. Great part of his inheritance with this lordship came to his nephew, Thomas Southwell, son of Sir Robert Southwell, by Margaret his wife, daughter and sole heiress of Sir Thomas Neville, fourth son of George Lord Abergavenny. Sir Richard built at Woodrising a splendid mansion, where Queen Elizabeth was entertained in 1578.
Sir Robert Southwell, younger brother of Sir Richard aforesaid, was Master of the Rolls July 1st, in the thirty-third of Henry VIII. He lived at Mereworth in Kent, and was also Chancellor of the Court of Augmen- tations, and High Sheriff of Kent in the reign of Queen Mary. Thomas Southwell, his son and heir, inherited the manor of Woodrising as legal heir to his uncle Sir Richard, and married three wives, by one of whom he had Sir Robert Southwell, Rear- Admiral in the famous engagement with the Spanish fleet in 1588. He married the Lady Elizabeth, daughter of Charles Howard, Earl of Effingham, Lord High Admiral of England. At hi3 death, October 12th, 1599, Sir Thomas was son and heir; he wasted most of his estate, and sold his lordship to Sir Francis Crane. He died in 1G43, leaving four daughters, and co-heiresses to the remainder of his estate.
THE RATCLIFF FAMILY, ATTLEB0ROUGH.
In 1411, John Ratcliff, Esq., married Cecily de Herling, who held a manor at Attleburgh, being descended from the Mortimer family. This John Ratcliff was the first who advanced the family to the honour that it afterwards acquired, he being a brave champion in war even from his youth, for which he was so much in favour with Henry V. that the King granted an annuity of forty marks a year to him and his wife Cecily, and the longest liver of them, to be received out of the manor of Tunstead, which belonged to the King's honour, or Duchy of Lancaster, in special trust that the said John should serve the King only in any war during his life. And as a further mark of favour, another grant passed the same day, to him only during his life, of another annuity of twenty-five marks
46 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
a-year, issued out of all the lands and demesne of that Duchy of Lancaster in Norfolk to enable him the better to perform his services, both which were regularly paid him by the receiver of the Duchy; and from this time he constantly attended the King in all his wars.
He was a squire only at the battle of Shrewsbury, and was knighted by Henry V. upon his landing at Kidcuny, and the next day he went with his master to the town of Harfleur, and besieged it on all sides, and was at its surrender. After this, the Bang appointed the Duke of « Exeter, his uncle, captain and governor of that town. In 1415 he was at the battle of Agincourt, in that division commanded by the Duke of Exeter, where he behaved so gallantly that he was soon after made the King's receiver in his city of Verneuil, in Normandy. When the King returned into England, he went with the Duke and stayed with him and Sir John Fastolff at Harfleur, from whence they soon after made a great inroad with 3000 Englishmen into Normandy, and took many prisoners and much booty ; but as they returned, the newly-made Constable of France, having 5000 horsemen, encountered them, and a sore conflict ensued, in which the duke lost 300 of his infantry, and was forced to retire into an orchard, and from thence retreated to Harfleur. Soon after the Constable besieged them in Harfleur ; but by the valiant behaviour of the Duke, Sir John Fastolff, Sir John Eatcliff, and others, the town was well defended till the King's navy, under the command of the Duke of Bedford, came to their assistance, and meeting with the French navy at the mouth of the Seine, vanquished it, sunk 500 ships, went up the river Seine, and supplied the town with provisions. The Constable hearing that the navy was destroyed, raised the siege and returned to Paris with less glory than he expected.
In 1417 Sir John Ratcliff was at the taking of the castle of Tonque, the city of Caen, the castle of Coursie, the city of Sees, the town of Falaise, and at the great siege of Rouen, being then in the King's troop, which, joined with Lord Gloucester's, lay before St. Hilary's Gate ; the other generals surrounding the town. They were commanders so resolute, that this, one of the greatest sieges of the age, is recorded in the history of Holingshed. Sir John Ratcliff 's services at this siege were so great that after it he was well rewarded. He died in 1420.
John Ratcliff, Knt., his son and heir, inherited his father's courage as well as his estate, being well known to the King, and having attended the wars with his father, on his death was made Governor of Fronsak Castle and the castle of Bordeaux in Gascoigne, where he behaved so well that Henry VI. in the first year of his reign retained him to serve as Seneschal or Steward of the Duchy of Aquitaine, assigning him four marks a-day for his own salary and twenty marks a-piece for his two hundred
COUNTY FAMILIES DATING PROM THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 4?
archers. In 1425, he was nominated one of the Knights Companions of the Order of the Garter at St. George's feast at Windsor by John Duke of Bedford, Regent of France, the lieutenant, and the companions. Soon after this he was again retained to serve the King in the French wars with a hundred men-at-arms, he being one. In 1432, upon humble remonstrance that there was due to him in arrears no less than £7029, he had divers lands, rents, &c, in Wales granted him in payment. Having served in arms twenty-eight years, he died in the sixteenth of Henry VI., and was buried in the choir of the church at Attleborough. He left* Thomas Ratcliff and Robert Luthum his executors, who in the nineteenth of Henry VI. had a grant of all the revenues of Bridge water and other ports to discharge a debt of £7015, due from the King for Sir John's services as Seneschal of Aquitaine and Constable of the Castle of Fronsak. He died in 1452. Katherine, his widow, was buried at Attle- borough. She was daughter and co-heiress of Sir Edward Burrell, Knt., and wife of Sir John Ferrers, and after of Sir John Eatcliff. She left Billingford manor and advowson, held of the King as of the honour of Hatfield Peverell, by the rent of 6s. 6d. per annum and not in capite, to John Eatcliff, Esq., son and heir, who married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Walter Lord Fitz Walter. He was killed at Towton, near Ferrybridge) in Yorkshire, March 29th, 1461, and left John Eatcliff, Esq., his son and heir, nine years old, whose wardship the King granted to Elisabeth, his mother, who then lived at Attleborough. After he came of age, he was accused of treason, and lost his estate.
At the coronation of Henry VIII., Sir Eobert Eatcliffe, of Attleborough, was made Knight of the Bath, and having obtained an Act of Parliament to revoke his father's attainder, he became one of the most remarkable men of that age. In 1513, he attended the King in his expedition to Therevene and Tournay. In 1522, he led the van of the King's army, sent into France under the command of the Earl of Surrey, in which and other employments he merited so well that he was created Viscount Fitz Walter, and afterwards Earl of Sussex. In 1541, he obtained a grant of a site of the Abbey of Clive, in Somersetshire, with the revenues belonging to it, and also of the College or Chantry of Attleborough, with all its revenues, and in the following year he died at Chelsea. He was succeeded by Henry Eatcliff, Earl of Sussex, Viscount Fitz Walter, Lord Egremont, and Burnell, his son and heir, who was made Knight of the Bath at the coronation of Anne Boleyn.
In the first year of Edward VI. he had the command of 1600 demi- lances in the expedition then made into Scotland, in which service, being unhorsed, he narrowly escaped with his life. Upon the death of Edward VI. he was the first who appeared on behalf of Queen Mary, for which
48 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
reason she immediately made him warden and chief justice of all the forests south of Trent. He was also Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. By his will, dated July 27th, 1555, he bequeathed his body to be buried in the parish church of Attleborough, requesting a tomb to be erected over his grave. Notwithstanding, he was not buried there, for dying at Sir Henry Sidney's house in Cannon Row, Westminster, in 1586, he was buried near his parents in the north aisle of the Church of St. Lawrence, Poultry, in London, and with them removed and buried «by Thomas his son, at Boreham, in Essex, the said Thomas having desired this to be done in his will.
Thomas Earl of Sussex, son and heir of the previous earl by Lady Howard, inherited. During his father's lifetime, he was sent by Queen Mary into Germany, to the Emperor Charles V., to treat of a marriage between that Queen and Prince Philip, the Emperor's eldest son, and afterwards into Spain, to Philip himself, for ratifying thereof. Next year, he was by them made Lord-Deputy of Ireland, and at his father's death, chief justice of all the forests south of Trent, afterwards Knight of the Garter. On the accession of Queen Elizabeth/ he was again made Deputy of Ireland ; after that, he was sent to Vienna, to the Emperor Maximilian, with the Order of the Garter ; and after that, to the same Emperor, to treat of a marriage between Queen Elizabeth and Charles Duke of Austria. Subsequently, he was employed against the Scots, in which service he highly distinguished himself; he died in 1583, leaving all his jewels, chains, plate, habiliments, horses, and other property to his widow. He left 19,000 ounces of plate. After his death, his widow Frances had a manor at Attleborough for life. She was a very religious, liberal, and charitable lady, and she established the last college that was ever founded at Cambridge, for she ordered her executors to bestow the sum of £5000, over and besides other goods, for the erection of a new college in that University, to be called the Lady Frances Sidney Sussex College, now called Sidney College. By her will, dated in 1584, she ordered her executors to purchase a perpetual annuity of £20, and to settle it on a preacher to read two divinity lectures every week in the Collegiate Church of Westminster, where she was buried in St. Paul's Chapel, April 15th, 1589. At her death the family estate in Attleborough went to Henry Earl of Surrey, late husband of the said Frances, who was a Knight of the Order and Governor of the town of Portsmouth. He died in 1593, leaving Robert Earl of Sussex his son and heir, who in the thirty-seventh of Elizabeth was sent by her into Scotland to stand proxy as a godfather at the christening of Prince Henry. In the thirty-ninth of that year, he was in the voyage with Robert Earl of Sussex to Cadiz; and in 1621 he was installed Knight of the Garter,
COUNTY FAMILIES DATING PROM THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 49
and often resided at Attleborougli. He had two sons and two daughters, who all died in his lifetime without issue. Henry Ratcliff, Lord Fitz Walter, his eldest son, married Jane, daughter of Sir Michael Stanhope, but died a young man.
THE FAMILY OF THE HARES, STOW BARDOLPH.
The family of Hare derive their pedigree from Jervis, Earl of Harcourt in France, who came over to England with the Conqueror. Sir John Hare, his son, married Ann, daughter of Eustace Carew, Baron of de1 Monte Alto (Monthant) . The other branch of the J ervis family of the Earl of Harcourt, from which the Harcourts, formerly Barons of Wing- ham, and the Lord Viscount Harcourt were descended, bear arms as Earl Jervis. Sir John Hare, son of Sir John aforesaid, manned Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John de Ashton, and was father of William Hare, Esq., who by Ann, daughter of Sir Thomas Middleton of Lancashire, was father of Sir John Hare, who by Agnes his wife, daughter of Sir John Shirley, of Weston, in Sussex, had Sir Thomas Hare. Nicholas was his son by Miss Julian Hussey. Nicholas married Elizabeth, the daughter of Sir Thomas de Walsingham ; Richard was his son and heir by Eliza- beth, daughter of John Seckford, of Suffolk, and was father of John Hare, Esq., who by Jane, daughter of Mr. Nevill, had Thomas Hare, Esq., who married Joyce, daughter of John Hyde, Esq., of Northbury ; his son John, by Catherine, daughter of Sir Richard de Anderson, had Nicholas Hare, Esq., of Homersfield, in Suffolk, and by Margaret his wife had John Hare, Esq., and Thomas Hare, LL.D., Chancellor of Norwich, and Rector of Massingham Magna, &c, 1550.
John Hare married Elizabeth, daughter of — Fortescue, Esq., and had Sir Nicholas Hare and John Hare, Esq., a merchant of London. Sir Nicholas Hare was chosen Speaker of the House of Commons in the thirty-first Henry VIIL, Master of the Rolls, and on the accession of Queen Mary, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal; in 1553, he purchased the liberty or franchise of the Hundred of Clackclose, in Norfolk. By Catherine his wife, daughter of John Basingborn, Esq., of Woodhall, in Herts, he had Michael Hare, Esq., his son and heir, who married Eliza- beth, daughter of Henry Hobart, Esq., of Hales Hall, in Norfolk, and afterwards he married Mary, daughter of Sir John Brudenel, of Dean, Notts, and died without issue in the fourth of Queen Mary.
Robert Hare, Esq., second son, succeeded, was clerk of the frills and some time a member of Caius College in Cambridge. About 1587, at the request and exhortation of Dr. Capcot, Master of Corpus Christi College, and Vice-Chancellor, he collected in three large volumes the chancellors and privileges of the University of Cambridge, and a fourth volume con-
VOL. II. E
50 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
taining the privileges of the town, compiled by him and presented to the University, to be carefully preserved in their public chest, with a copy thereof for the use of the Vice-Chancellor, and another for the use of the registrar. Afterwards he conferred a like favour upon Oxford University, and died without issue November 2nd, 1611.
The eldest branch of the Hare family being thus extinct, we return to John Hare, citizen and mercer of London, brother to Sir Nicholas, who by his wife Dorothy had eight sons — Nicholas, Ealph, Richard, Rowland, Hugh, Thomas, John, and another.
Nicholas, the eldest, was a bencher of the Inner Temple, who in 1589 built Stow Hall, the manor-house, at a cost of £40,000 ; also a spacious dormitory, adjoining to the chancel of Stow Church, for the burial-place of himself and family. He died in 1591 without issue, leaving his estate to his brother Ralph, who also died without issue in 1601, and was succeeded by Richard, who married Elizabeth, daughter of John Barnes ; by her he had two sons, Ralph and Richard. Rowland, fourth son of John Hare, and Edmund, the fifth son, died without issue. Hugh, the sixth son, was a bencher of the Inner Temple and Master of the Court of Wards. He, dying without issue, left by his will, dated December 25th, 1619, nearly £100,000, to be equally divided between his two nephews, John Hare, grandson of his brother Richard, and Hugh Hare, son of his brother John ; which John married, first, Lucy, daughter of Mr. Barlow ; second, Margaret, daughter of John Crouch, and by her left two sons, Nicholas and Hugh. Nicholas died without issue; and Hugh was created, August, 1625, Lord Coleraine in Ireland, from whom descended the Lords Coleraine, and the Hares of Docking in Norfolk.
Ralph Hare, Esq., eldest son of Richard, son of John Hare, Esq., before-mentioned, was created Knight of the Bath at the coronation of James I., and married to his first wife, Mary, daughter of Sir Edward Holinden, Knt., Alderman of London, by whom he had a son, John. His second wife was Ann, daughter of John Crouch, of Cornbury, in Herts, by whom he had no issue. Sir Ralph was very charitable to the poor, for whom in 1603 he erected six almshouses for six poor persons at Stow Bardolph, and endowed the said houses with lands for ever. Dying in August, 1623, he was succeeded by his only son John Hare, who was knighted on December 4th, 1617, at Newmarket. He married Elizabeth, only daughter of Thomas Lord Coventry, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, by whom he had five sons and seven daughters. Ralph the eldest ; John of Broomsthorpe, in Gallow Hundred ; Nicholas of Hereham, in Shropham. Ralph, the eldest son, was created a baronet July 23rd, 1641. By his wife Elizabeth, daughter and co-heiress of Sir Robert Crane, Bart., of Chilton, in Suffolk, he was father of Sir Thomas Hare, his successor.
COUNTY FAMILIES DATING FROM THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 51
His second wife was Vere, sister to Horatio, Lord Viscount Townshend ; and his third wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. Chapman. This Sir Ralph was knight of the shire in Parliament, burgess for Lynn, and died in 1671.
Sir Thomas Hare, Bart., his son and heir, married Elizabeth, sister of Sir Robert Dashwood, Bart., of Northbrook, in Oxfordshire, by whom he had four sons — Sir Ralph, Sir Thomas, Sir George, and Richard, who died young; also six daughters, Elizabeth, married to Sir Thomas Robinson, Bart., and Mary, to Thomas Leich, of London ; the others died single. Sir Thomas was knight of the shire in Parliament, and died in 1693. Sir Ralph Hare, the eldest son, by his wife Susan had no issue, and dying in 1732, was succeeded by his brother Sir Thomas, who married Rosamond, daughter of Charles Newby, Esq., of Hooton Roberts, in Yorkshire, by whom he had two daughters. Sir Thomas died February 21st, 1760, and his daughter Elizabeth married the Rev. Dr. Thomas Moore, and Mary married Sir Thomas Harris, Knt., of Finchley, in Middlesex. Sir George Hare, Bart., his brother and successor, died unmarried. Dr. Moore died in 1 779, without issue ; and Sir Thomas Harris had then no children alive. Stow Hall, where the family resided, was a stately mansion, with an extensive park around it ; but in 1 780 it was in a very ruinous condition, exciting in the breast of the beholder a feeling of sorrow for the fatality of human grandeur.
At Stow Bardolph Church there is the following epitaph on the tomb of Sir Thomas Hare, Bart., who died July 1st, 1693, aged 35 : —
The glorious sun which sets at night
Appears next morning clear and bright ;
The gaudy deckings of the earth
Do every spring receive new birth ;
But life when fled has no return,
In vain we sigh, in vain we mourn.
Yet does the turtle justly grieve her fate,
When she is left behind without her mate ;
Nor less does she who raised this tomb,
And wishes here to have a room
"With that dear he who underneath doth lie,
Who was the treasure of her heart, the pleasure of her eye.
THE LOVELL FAMILY.
The family of the Lovells were very numerous, and were possessed of Barton Bendish, in the Hundred of Clackclose, for many generations before they settled at East Harling, in the Hundred of Guiltcross, in the reign of Henry VII. Sir Thomas Lovell, Knight of the Garter, was an
52 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
active man in the time of Henry VII. In 1485, when he was only an esquire, he was made Chancellor of the Exchequer for life ; and the same year had an annuity of forty marks, as esquire to the King's body. In 1473 Henry Heydon, Esq., granted him an annuity of 20s., out of his manor of Snoring Parva, called Dorkettys, for his good counsel that he had given him and should thereafter give him. He was first made ban- neret, and in 1487 was knighted at the battle of Stoke, and afterwards installed Knight of the Garter. In 1502 he was Treasurer of the House- hold and President of the Council. He was one of the executors to the will of Henry VII., Constable of the Tower, Surveyor to the Court of Wards, Steward and Marshal of the House to Henry VIII. He built the Gate-house at Lincoln's Inn, and placed in it the King's arms, the Earl of Lincoln's, and his own, by which it seems probable that he belonged to that society. He built East Harling Hall, on the tower of which his arms still remain. He died at Enfield, May 25th, 1524, and was buried in a chapel at Hollewell.
By his will dated October 14th, 1522, proved September 26th, 1528, he gave his manor place at Enfield, called Elsings, to Thomas Manners, Lord Roos, and to his cousin, Sir Francis Lovell, all his manors and estates in Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Middlesex, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, and Kent. Sir Francis Lovell died January 21st, 1550, and Thomas, his son, inherited all the possessions that Sir Thomas Lovell, Knight of the Garter, gave to his father. In this family it remained till Gregory Lovell, Esq., who did all he could to ruin the estate, being so malicious against his half-brother. He let the manor house almost down, and when he found he was dying he married his servant on purpose to keep his half-brother out of it for her life ; he having liberty to jointure by the entail. He gave a personal estate of £6000 to see his will per- formed, to Sir John Buckworth and Mr. Borrett, of Griston, his executors, from whom John Lovell, Esq., met with more kindness than from his brother, they being so just as to deliver up all the evidences of the estate to him without any disturbance. But, notwithstanding, he was forced to sell it, having prevailed upon his son, Mr. Lovell, of Bucken- ham, to join him in the sale.
THE HARLINGS AT EAST HARLING.
The Harlings were a family of great antiquity in the parish of East Harling, from which they received their names. We find them mentioned in divers evidences without date, but none of them were concerned in the lordship of Harling before John de Harling, about 1350. He died in 1392, and was buried there. His eldest son was Sir John de Harling, buried there. He had a daughter, Margaret, married to Sir Robert
COUNTY FAMILIES DATING PROM THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 53
Tuddenham, and a son, Sir Robert Harling, who died in 1435 sole lord and patron. He married Jane, heiress-general of Gonvile ; Ann their daughter and heiress had three husbands, but no issue, so that the estate reverted to Margaret Tuddenham her aunt, whose daughter Margaret married Sir Edmund Bedingfield, who sold it to Sir Thomas Lovell.
Sir Robert Harling was a great warrior in France in the time of that victorious Prince, Henry V., whom he attended in 1412 at the siege of Mieux, which they took by assault ; during the rest of his life he was always fighting in that country, where he died like a brave soldier, being killed by the French at Paris as he was defending that city in 1435. From thence his body was brought to Bast Harling and buried in St. Mary's, or Harling Chapel, under an altar tomb in the south wall.
THE BARDOLPH FAMILY.
This family was of great antiquity, and was for a long time resident at Wormegay, in the Hundred of Clackclose, Norfolk. The Bardolphs held many manors in Clackclose. In the reign of Henry II., William de Warrenne married, first Beatrix, and second Milicent widow of Lord Montfichet, and left Beatrix his daughter and heir by his first wife, then relict of Dodo de Bardolph. In the thirteenth of King John, this Beatrix was the wife of Hubert de Burgh, the King's lord chamberlain, and afterwards Earl of Kent. In the twenty-seventh of Henry III. the son and heir of Dodo and Beatrix was William Lord Bardolph, who had livery of the honour of Wormegay, and the sheriff had authority to deliver it to him ; and in the following year the grant of the market every Monday and a fair. His son William had several summonses to attend Edward I. as a baron, and in the fifteenth of that King's reign he attended in the Parliament at Gloucester. He married Juliana, daughter and heir of Hugh de Gourney, a baron of the realm, and died in 1289. Juliana survived him, and on her death Hugh was proved to be her son and heir. Hugh Lord Bardolph married Isabella, daughter and heiress of Robert Aquillon of Addington in Surrey, a parliamentary baron. Isabella survived him, and in the sixth of Edward II. released by deed to Sir Michael de Poynings, Knt., and Margery his wife, all her right in the manor of Bures in Suffolk, dated at Bereamp in Sussex, on the feast of the Annunciation. Lord Bardolph, son and heir of Hugh, as some say, son of William Lord Bardolph, son of Hugh, was created Knight of the Bath in the thirty-fourth of Edward I., with the Prince of Wales. In the fifteenth of Edward II., this knight with others had the o-uard of Norfolk and Suffolk and of their sea coasts. He married Agnes, daughter of Lord Grandison, and dying in the third of Edward III. left a son and heir.
54 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
THE BERNEY FAMILY, REEDHAM.
At the com?nencement of the fourteenth century, Thomas Berney, Esq., second son of John Berney, Esq., of Witchingham, had large possessions in his own right as heir to the Reedhams, Castons, and others, including the lordship of Reedham, in Norfolk. He married Margaret, daughter and heiress of Sir William de Reedham, of that place. His will is dated on Thursday next after the feast of All Saints in 1383, and he was buried at Reedham. He was the ancestor of the ancient family of the Berneys who still live at Reedham.
Thomas Berney, Esq., made his will in 1441, and was buried in the church at Reedham. John Berney, Esq., married Elizabeth, daughter of Osbert Mundeford, and died in the thirteenth of Edward TV. In 1475 Richard Southwell was guardian of the next John Berney, a minor. Another John Berney died in the twenty-eighth of Henry VIII. He left a son, Henry, and several daughters. Henry Berney, Esq., married Alice, daughter of Roger Appleton, of Dartford, in Kent, and died in 1584, leaving several sons and daughters. His son Sir Thomas Berney married Juliana, daughter of Sir Thomas Gandy, of Redenhall, and left four sons, two of whom died without issue. The third son who succeeded was Sir Richard Berney, created baronet in the eighteenth of James I. and died in 1668. Sir Thomas was his eldest son, but he left to Richard Berney, his second son, his estate at Reedham, with about £7000 per annum. Richard married a daughter of Sir Jacob Gerard, Bart., of Langford, by whom he had Richard, who made away with the greater part of the estate ; his manors at Reedham and other places were sold to pay his debts. The third son of Richard was John Berney of Westwick, who married Susan, daughter of John Staines, and left two sons, John and Richard. His second wife was a daughter of Maurice Kendal, of North Walsham, by whom he had no issue. The second son of John was Richard Berney, Recorder of Norwich and M.P. for the city in the reign of Queen Anne.
Sir Thomas Berney, Bart., to whom his father Sir Richard left a slender fortune, married Sarah, daughter of Captain Thomas Tyrell of Essex, by whom he had sons and daughters. Sir Richard Berney, Bart., his eldest son, by his wife had six sons and five daughters. He died in May 1706. His eldest son, Sir Richard Berney, Bart., died single, and was succeeded by his brother Sir Thomas, who by his wife had two sons, Sir Thomas Berney, Bart., and Richard, rector of Stokesby in Norfolk. Sir Hanson married in April, 1 756, Catherine, daughter and heiress of William Wool- ball, of Walthamstow, Essex. Sir Hanson died in 1778, and was succeeded by his son Sir John Berney.
Sir Richard Berney, Bart., at Reedham, purchased the lordship of
COUNTY FAMILIES DATING PROM THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 55
Broomholrae and Westwick, and left them to a younger son, John Berney, Esq., who married Susan, daughter of John Staines of Weston, by whom he had John, his son and heir. John Berney was lord in 1690, and married Bridget, daughter of William Branthwayt, Esq., of Hethel ; and to his second wife in 1 720, a daughter of Maurice Kendal, Esq., of New Buck- enham. Mrs. Berney, widow, possessed the estate in 1762, and John Berney Petre, Esq., was lord and patron in 1780 of Westwick in Norfolk.
THE FAMILY OF THE YELVERTONS.
The first of this family that began to purchase and raise an estate at Yelverton in the Hundred of Henstead was William Yelverton, and Mabel his wife, who in 1398 purchased lands of Richard de la Rokele, which till then belonged to Rokele's manor in Trowse. In 1317 he purchased more lands of Roger de Walsham and Thomas de Langhale. About 1322 John de Yelverton purchased the manor of Yelverton and advowson of Sir Oliver Wythe. In 1345 Robert de Yelverton, his son, held it of the said Oliver, and he of the Norfolk family. In 1391 John de Yelverton and wife had all the Yelverton estates. In 1444 William Yelverton, justice of the King's Bench, owned it, and in 1462 his commission was renewed, and again in 1471 . In 1499 William Yelverton, jun., had the estate at his father's death. He died intestate in 1518, and James Holmes administered in right of his wife Ann, sister and heir of the deceased. In 1551, Ann Holmes, their daughter, held Yelverton Hall, and left it to William Holmes, her son and heir, and it was afterwards sold to the family of the Rants, who floui'ished for some time in this part of Norfolk.
The family of the Bardwells, from a place of that name in Suffolk* flourished in the town of West Harling, Norfolk, in the fourteenth cen- tury. Sir William Bard well, a great warrior, was born in 1367, and in the year 1407, he being forty years old, was summoned as a witness for Sir Edward Hastings, of Elsing, in the cause between him and Sir Reginald Grey, Lord Ruthin, concerning the arms of Hastings, when he swore that he was a soldier with Sir Hugh Hastings, the defendant, in the voyage made by Sir John Arundel, and saw Sir Hugh bear the arms in question.
The Dagworth family flourished in the reigns of Edward III. and Richard II. This family took their rise and their name from Dag- worth, in Stow Hundred, in Suffolk ; and one of the family, Sir Nicholas, settled at Blickling in Norfolk. Sir Thomas de Dagworth, Knight, was lieutenant to Edward III. in Brittany, in the year 1345, where he fought Charles of Blois, who called himself Duke of Britain, and took him priwoner at Rochedirian, obtaining a great victory, killing about 600 knights and men at arms. But in July following he was himself killed,
56 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
while going with a small number to inspect the garrisons. In 13G4 Sir Nicholas Dagworth, Knight, afterwards Lord of Blickling, was commander in Aquitaine ; in 1373 he was employed by Edward III. in a secret negociation with Sir John Fastolffand others in France.
The family of the Marshams took their name from the village of Marsham, where they inhabited from the time of Henry I., but the family being very numerous we cannot pretend to trace them regularly before the time of Edward I., in whose reign John de Marsham lived at Marsham, and died about 1325, and his son, Thomas de Marsham, removed thence and was a merchant in Norwich in 1350'. His son Robert de Marsham lived and died at Stratton, and was one of the first of the family who resided at Marsham.
THE BOLEYN FAMILY, BLICKLING.
Blickling Hall, near Aylsham, was famous in the time of Edward the Confessor, when it was in the possession of Harold, last of the Anglo- Saxon Kings. Subsequently it belonged to the Bishop of Norwich, and afterwards to the noble families of Erpingham, Hobart, Fastolff, Clere, Dagworth, and Boleyn. It was long the seat of the Boleyns, of which family was Sir Thomas Boleyn, Knight of the Bath. Here was the birthplace of Anne Boleyn, wife of Henry VIII. and mother of Queen Elizabeth.
Blickling two Monarchs and two Queens has seen, One King fetched thence, another brought a Queen.
Sir James Boleyn, of Blickling Hall, who died in 1561, had in his possession John WicklinVs translation of the Bible in manuscript. It is now on view in the Norwich Museum.
Sir Thomas Boleyn, the father of the unfortunate Queen of Henry VIII., resided at Blickling, distant about fourteen miles from Norwich. The spectre of this gentleman is believed by the vulgar to be doomed in a certain night of every year, for a period of a thousand years, to drive a coach drawn by a pair of four headless horses over a circuit of twelve bridges in that vicinity. These are Aylsham, Burgh, Oxnead, Buxton, Coltishall, the two Meyton bridges, Wroxham, and four others. Few rustics are hardy enough to be found loitering on or near those bridges on that night. There is a tradition that if the spectre hails anyone and requests anything to be done, such as opening a gate, if the person so hailed complies, he is sure to be carried off. This tradition is familiarly known among aged persons, but the phantom is now seldom seen.
Blickling Hall is a noble palace of Gothic architecture, having a square turret at each corner and one more lofty in the centre, with a cupola and clock. The west front was built by the Earl of Buckingham in 1769.
CHAPTER XIV.
ANTIQUITIES OF THE MIDDLE AGES.
wj^ ASTERN ENGLAND is far richer in mediseval antiquities than any ^i^! other part of the country, as already shown in the topographical chapters of this work, comprising notices of the churches in all the counties and towns.
The architecture of the eleventh and twelfth centuries is known as the Norman style, which forms an intermediate link between the Roman and the Gothic. The chief characteristic feature is the semi- circular arch, springing either from a single column, varying in every degree, either from a cylinder of two diameters high to a proportion nearly classical, or from a pier decorated with half-columns or light shafts, the evident origin of the clustered pillar of a later date. The Norman style gave place in the middle of the twelfth century to the early English or lancet. Salisbury Cathedral furnishes an excellent example of this style. The reigns of the three Edwards L, II., III., are called by some antiquaries the Edwardian period, and this period comprises the most brilliant epoch in the whole history of the art, when the decorated style prevailed ; in other words, the art was then in its highest perfection, and immediately afterwards it began to decline. The domestic architecture of this epoch is scarcely less worthy of attention than the ecclesiastical. Considered as mere masonry, it is impossible to surpass the accuracy, the firmness, and the high finish of the work of this period. In the reign of Richard II. the last change of the Gothic style took place, and though the perpendicular style is admirably adapted for domestic buildings, it must be considered a decline from the highest perfection of the art. In the latter part of the fourteenth century, we find symptoms of a transition from the perfect symmetrical style then pre- valent, to one which displayed more elaborate and richer work than its precursor, but was wanting in the chaste general effect and majestic beauty of the decorated style. This new transition style received the designation of the florid or perpendicular English style, and was
58 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
employed in buildings with various modifications till nearly the close of the reign of Henry VIII. The churches of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge are specimens of this style of architecture.
About 1540 an irregular and incongruous style of architecture was introduced, and it continued to prevail till the middle of the seventeenth century. Among its characteristics are a general heaviness andrinele- gance of form and detail, doorways with arch heads exceedingly de- pressed, pointed windows clumsily formed, and an almost entire absence of ornamental moulding. Indications of this style may be found in many country churches, which have been repaired or partly rebuilt since the Reformation.
The Rev. Richard Hart, of Catton near Norwich, is one of the best authorities on ecclesiastical antiquities, on which he delivered many lec- tures in the city, and he wrote a number of letters, of which we pro- ceed to give a summary : —
Church architecture claims the highest rank, from its origin, its history, and its details. In some instances churches are the only landmarks of our county history, and supply the only memorials of parochial biography, the only illustrations of ancient costume ; and from them alone can we learn the state of the arts at any given period. Of the ancient British period there are no ecclesiastical remains, though the Christian church was planted in this island for hundreds of years during the Roman dominion. The Iceni, or aborigines of this eastern district, were entirely exterminated, but mingled with the invaders.
Of the Anglo-Saxon period, there are few if any remains in Norwich or Norfolk. Mr. Rickman's Dissertation contains descriptions of Anglo- Saxon architecture, long and short work, ballustrated windows, and triangular-headed arches, supposed to be of that style ; but of forty-six churches to which this test has been applied, not one is situated in Norfolk. What he calls the Saxon style was probably only a variety of that style then prevailing in England, and simply a modification of the Romanesque.
Before the days of the Venerable Bede, churches were built more Bomanorum, that is, in imitation of Roman models, as might have been expected a priori, because the Anglo-Saxons derived their form of Chris- tianity from Rome. Their bishops and clergy were Italians in some instances. Now the Roman style consisted of semi-circular arches, pilasters, capitals of the various classical orders, plinths, and other details, as in the ancient Basilica of St. Paul's at Rome. Norman architecture is only a modification of this semi- classical style, and takes its name from a period, and existed in England several centuries before the Conquest.
When Domesday Book was compiled, 243 churches existed in Norfolk,
ANTIQUITIES OP THE MIDDLE AGES. 59
and in Norwich twenty-five parish churches. Of all these, only some old walls, doors, and windows now remain, such as the ancient arch on the south side of St. Julian's Church, in Norwich, for south doors and fonts have been often preserved in their original state, when everything else has been remodelled according to the later styles. The south door- way is the only Norman feature of the very old church of St. Michael's - at-Thorn, in Ber-street, Norwich.
Norfolk is exceedingly rich in Norman specimens, and the noble Cathedral stands at the head of them all. The Cathedral has the loftiest and richest tower in England, carried up to the height of sixty feet above the roof without including the battlements or the spire, and without any pointed insertions from its battlements to its base. The Norman nave of the Cathedral is not equalled anywhere. It is the grandest piece of work in the kingdom. It is 212 feet long, by 72 feet 7 inches wide. The height of the present vaulting is 73 feet. Men of taste have always admired its venerable features, the arches which line the outer walls, the chevron which decorates its triforia, the billet moulding round the pier arches, the massive proportions of the piers, especially the two enormous circular ones near the ante-choir. The north transept, which continues nearly in its original state, is a valuable study, and a round-headed niche over the doorway still contains a curious specimen of ancient sculpture as well as ecclesiastical costume.
But beside the Cathedral, there are six apsidal churches in the county, viz., Gillingham, Hales, Haddiscoe, Heckingham, Cockley Cley, and South Runcton, the last-named being now in ruins. In all these, the east end terminates in a semi-circle. At Castleacre Priory and Castle- rising Church, there are two very fine Norman west fronts, the latter being a specimen of unmixed Norman work.
At Framingham Earl there is a chancel arch of the Norman style, and beautiful Norman doorways at Chedgrave, Wroxham, Kenninghall, and Thwaite. For other details of Norman work, the reader is referred to Britton's "Architectural Antiquities."
Of the transition style, the compromise between Norman and early English, there are few remains. Norfolk possesses three interesting specimens, viz., the chancel arch at Walsoken, the porch and tower at West Walton, and the south doorway at Little Snoring. The latter is included in an arch of a horse-shoe form, supposed to indicate early Saxon work. On one occasion the antiquaries made an excursion to inspect the doorway, and some of them believed it to be Saxon work. The late Mr. Taylor, of Lynn, however, doubted this, and held it to be early Norman.
Of the early English or lancet architecture, few examples remain,
60 HISTOEY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
owing to the brief continuance of that style. Still, some of our churches have single lancet windows and plain early English doorways ; as is the case at Stanfield, Catton, and Stoke Holy Cross, near the Caister camp. At Binham Priory there is a very fine early English west front, spoiled by the insertion of a large window of a much later date. At Walsoken Church there is a beautiful early English tower, and there is a specimen of the same kind in the garden of the Bishop's Palace at Norwich.
Of the transition form, the early English to the decorated style, there is no better example than the windows in the chancel of East Dereham Church, in which three lancets are covered by the same drip stone. This is one of the finest old churches in the county, and contains the tomb of the poet Cowper.
Of decorated architecture we have many specimens, ranging from its earliest geometrical tracing through all the varieties of its flowing patterns. As specimens of the former, Old Walsingham and Aylmerton Churches may be mentioned, and of the latter there are studies at Alysham and Attleborough, where the edifices have been completely restored. The finest example is at Cley Church, in the neighbourhood of Holt. The south transept or chapel which contains this fine window has been for many years in ruins, but its tracery remains uninjured.
In Norwich there is a very good decorated window at the east end of the Church of St. John's Maddermarket, which has been almost rebuilt. That portion of the cloisters of the Cathedral which commences at the north-east angle, and was founded in the year 1297, stands very high indeed as a study of decorated work, presenting the window tracery, groining, and bosses of the style ; also a well-proportioned doorway, the sides of the arch being radiated with imagery boldly sculptured in relief. There is nothing to equal it anywhere.
The perpendicular style predominates in most of the churches of Norfolk and Norwich, but not unmixed with earlier features. The best examples in the city are the churches of St. Peter's Mancroft, St. Andrew's, St. Andrew's Hall, and St. Stephen's, as being nearly unmixed perpendicular ; but there are many good examples in the county at East Dereham, Fakenham, Swaffham, Lynn/ Thetford, Diss, Attleborough, Wymondham, Ay 1 sham, North Walsham, Cromer, and other places. The rood screens in these churches are all of the perpendicular style.
Panelling is one of the most beautiful features of this style, and it may be seen in perfection in various parts of the Cathedral, especially near the monument of Bishop Nix, to the south of the nave, and in the presbytery between the throne and the altar as well as the opposite side. The large western window, the door immediately under it, the windows of the choir, and a considerable part of the cloister, are fine examples. To enumerate
ANTIQUITIES OF THE MIDDLE AGES. 61
all the beautiful doors, windows, porches, and sedilia of this style which enrich many churches in the county would require unlimited space.
Eestorations of churches in the city and county have been carried out to a great extent of late years, and nowhere more completely than in St. Peter's Mancroft, St. Stephen's, St. John's Maddermarket, and St. Giles', in Norwich. The original designs in these churches have been faithfully adhered to by the architects and contractors. In this age we only restore or rebuild. We cannot invent new orders of architecture. All our restorations take us back to the Middle Ages, and the spirit of those ages seems again to be revived.
The church roof was not unfrequently beautifully ornamented, the rich canopy of a magnificent whole ! At Knapton, near Cromer ; Upwell, near Wisbeach ; and a few adjacent churches, there are excellent roofs of open work, similar in character to that of Westminster Hall ; but generally speaking, we observe only a square panelling, ornamented with shields at the points of intersection, as in the nave of St. Nicholas' Church, Great Yarmouth. In other examples, as at St. Michael-at-Plea Church, Nor- wich, the shields are supported by angels ; and in a few rare instances, as at North Burlingham and Outwell, the angels are represented as play- ing on various musical instruments, which were probably used by our ancestors in the choral services of the church ; such as the cittern, bag- pipe, harp, violin, pipe, tambourine, &c, independently of the regalls, which was a small portable organ, having one row of pipes giving the treble notes, the same number of keys, and a small pair of bellows moved with the left hand. On the Minstrel's Gallery at Exeter Cathedral (see Britton's "Exeter Cathedral"), and on a very remarkable column in Beverley Minster, we observe a similar variety of musical instruments.
The seats of the people next demand attention ; but there are few good examples in Norfolk.
At Woolpit, in Suffolk, the seats for the people are admirably carved with poppy heads, and there are also grotesque figures at the elbow, while rich open-work patterns are inserted in the backs of those seats nearest the font. In the time of Durandus the passage in the centre of the nave separated the two sexes from each other, the women sitting on the north and the men on the south side.
Chantry altars, at which masses used to be said for the souls of their founders, frequently occupied the eastern ends of the north and south aisles, the existence of a piscina being the clearest demonstration of the fact. Occasionally, also, the altar stone (easily distinguishable by its five crosses patee, at the corners and centre of the oblong) has been used as a pavement near the spot which it formerly used to occupy. Of this there are several interesting examples at Yarmouth and elsewhere. Although
62 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
very few encaustic tiles now exist, we are still not without noticeable examples ; nor have we any reason to doubt that the balance of colours and general effect were as carefully attended to in the base as in the superstructure ; nor must we forget the sepulchral brasses of Norfolk as a beautifully-decorative feature in connection with the pavement.
The pulpit at South Burlingham, standing near the chancel arch, is painted with diaper patterns, in red, greeu, and gold, and must have harmonized most beautifully with the rood screen to which it was closely adjacent, but it is our only Norfolk specimen of the kind ; the pulpit at Castleacre (panelled with the four doctors of the church) having been evidently compiled from the parts of some rood screen or paraclose.
THE ROOD LOFT.
The rood loft was a narrow gallery, directly under the chancel arch, and received its name from a large crucifix (or rood) which was fixed upon the ledge of this gallery, facing the west. This was termed by Durandus Crux truimphalis m medio Ecclcsice, and was almost invariably flanked on its north and south sides by images of the Blessed Virgin and St. John the Evangelist, other saints having been occasionally added to complete the design. This loft was used as a gallery by the choristers, who sung during the intervals of the mass, and there the parish priest stood on Good Friday during the recital of "The Passion." At Long Melford there were twelve candlesticks of laten to light up the rood loft on occa- sions of unusual solemnity, and this was probably also the case elsewhere. The rood loft was ascended by a well staircase in a turret, of which we have numerous examples in this county. Generally speaking, the loft itself has been totally demolished, but specimens still exist in a few places, though the imagery has been of course removed.
THE ROOD SCREENS OF NORFOLK.
Let us now examine somewhat more in detail what is by far the most important of all the features of antiquity which have survived the injury of time, namely, the painted rood screens which are to be found in so many parts of Norfolk.
These may be pronounced almost a specialty of our county, for (with a few exceptions that are to be found in Suffolk), no similar have been discovered either in England or on the continent.
To give a description of these remarkable paintings, a richly-carved beam, like a cornice, sustained the loft above, and from thence, to within four feet of the pavement, tabernacle work, something like window tracery, afforded to the worshippers in the nave a clear view of the high altar through its open spaces. The lower portion was usually divided into
ANTIQUITIES OF THE MIDDLE AGES. 08
a series of closed panels, with two canopied niches in each compartment. In these are painted the effigies of saints, with their appropriate emblems generally held in the hand. They are represented as standing upon a pavement of encaustic tiles, with a tapestry of diaper work reaching as high as their shoulders, at the back ; the nimbus (or glory round the saint's head) resting upon an azure ground, while the tracery of the com- partment serves as a canopy to the whole. The mediaeval artists exhibited considerable skill and ingenuity in the management of a few colours, toning them down, if too bright, by the introduction of neutral tints, or enhanc- ing them by contrast, and producing marvellous effects of colour by the simple expedient of a countercharge. Such was the clearness and pre- cision of their designs, that a large majority are perfectly intelligible even now. Occasionally their draperies and diapers may be pronounced even excellent ; and when we consider the narrow limits of their panels, the conventional forms and subjects to which they were restricted, the imperfect materials of art as it then was, and the centuries that have elapsed since the completion of these works, we cannot fail to be astonished at the results which they were able to achieve.
The traces of early Flemish art are discoverable upon several of these rood screens. In a few exceptional cases, as at Aylsham, Cawston, and Lessingham, the paintings of some of the compartments are on paper, glued to the wood work, while in late examples the diapers and other gilt ornaments have evidently been stamped on with an instrument upon some plastic ground work, rising considerably above the coloured surface.
Ran worth has the best Norfolk example, the rood beam and paradoses being still undisturbed.
Barton Turf is the finest work of art, and the subject (the Heavenly Hierarchy) unusual, if not unique, in Norfolk.
Lessingham contains the four Doctors of the Church, viz., St. Jerome, St. Gregory, St. Augustine, and St. Ambrose.
Ludham contains an effigy of St. William, the boy martyr, said to have been crucified by the Jews, and is a very noticeable screen.
Burlingham St. Andrew contains effigies of Saints Withburga, Etheldreda, Walstan, Thomas a Becket, Edward K. C, Edmund K. M.
Barton Turf contains the effigies of four royal saints, viz., Saint Edward K. C, Edmund K. M., Olive K. M., Henry VI. R.
Stalham contains effigies of St. Roch and St. Francis.
Worstead, and also Irstead, contains an effigy of St. Wilgefortis, the virgin to whom a beard was miraculously given for the protection of her chastity.
Filby contains an effigy of St. Michael the Archangel weighing souls.
(54 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Cawsion (also at Gateley), Sir John Schorne, the Bedfordshire priest, who, making the sign of the cross, imprisoned the Devil in a boot.
On a portion of a screen at Sparham is a unique representation of "The Dance of Death." Two skeletons are represented richly attired, being emblematical of mortality and the vanity of human greatness.
ROOD-SCREENS IN NORFOLK AND A PEW IN SUFFOLK.
Of the following seventy examples of rood screens the remains were very slight and fragmentary ten years back, and since then some of them have been totally destroyed.
Aylsham, Attleborough, Barnham Broom, Barton Turf, Belton (Suffolk), Beeston Regis, Belaugh, Blofield, Blundeston (Suffolk), Bramfield, Bur- lingham, Castleacre, Oawston, Denton, Deopham, Edgefield, Edingthorpe, Elmham (North), Erpingham, Eye (Suffolk), Filby, ' Foxley, Gateley, Gooderston, Grafton (R), Gressenhall, Hempstead, Houghton, Hun- stanton, Irstead, Lessingham, Litcham, Ludham, Lynn (St. Nicholas'), Marsham, Mattishall, Morston ; Norwich — St. Michael-at-Plea, St. Swithin formerly, St. James formerly, St. John Maddermarket, and the Cathedral ; Oxburgh, Plumstead Magna, Raynham Martin, Randworth, Ringland, Ruston (East), Sail, Salthouse, Smallburgh, Southwold (Suffolk), Spar- ham, Sotterley (Suffolk), Stalham, Suffield, Swafield, Taverham, Triming- ham, Trunch, Trunstead, Upton, Walpole St. Peter, Walsingham, Walsham (North), Wellingham, Weston Longueville, Westhall, Westwick, Wick- mere, Wiggenhall, Worstead, Yaxley.
Eastward of the rood loft was the choir or chancel, which, like the Holy of Holies in the Temple, was looked upon as an emblem of Heaven itself, into which our blessed Lord and His saints have already entered, " through the grave and gate of death," and to which we humbly look forward with a hope that is full of immortality. From this sacred enclosure the laity were so strictly excluded in ancient times, that although the Emperor was allowed as a special privilege to present his oblations to the altar, he was yet to return immediately to his usual seat in the nave or body of the church. It is to be recollected that our ancestors looked upon the mass as a real propitiation for sin, and a continuation of the great Christian sacrifice. Hence arose the importance that was anciently attached to the altar, and to all things connected with the holy eucharist, which were then looked upori as the very essence of Christian devotion. Nothing was considered too precious for so august a ceremony. The vestments and altar plate of the fifteenth century have assuredly never been excelled in picturesque beauty ; and indeed there has been of late years a very decided tendency, both in England and on the continent, for the revival of these ancient patterns. The walls, windows,
ANTIQUITIES OF THE MIDDLE AGES. 65
and roofing of the chancel so nearly resemble what we see in other parts of the church that it is not at all necessary to enter into particulars. There are, however, several objects of special interest, to which we invite the attention of our readers.
1 . Stalls were erected in the choirs of collegiate or conventual churches for the accommodation of the clergy belonging to the community, and were canopied recesses like those in our cathedral, but fewer in number and less elaborately carved. The quaint devices carved upon the subsellia under these stall canopies were the subject of a paper published in 1849, and there the reader may learn all that is known about them. Each is supplied with hinges, and may be either turned downwards, so as to form a seat of ordinary dimensions, or it may be turned upwards, presenting a narrow ledge, on which as an indulgence the aged or infirm monk might support himself, half sitting, during those portions of Divine service in which the Rubric directed the congregation to stand. We cannot find in Du Cange the word " miserere," by which modern antiquaries designate these curious folding seats ; but under the term "iniserecordice" that author has explained everything that we can desire. In every example of " miserere " that we have seen, the space under the ledge is carved in a bold relief, with an ornamental boss on each side, to balance, as it were, the centre, whatever it may have been. As might have been anticipated, scriptural or legendary designs are not often found in such a position ; there are, however, a few examples to the contrary. The chief sources of illustration, according to Mr. Wright, were as follow : —
" Bestiarea," or works on natural history, then including dragons, mer- maids, unicorns, &c, which we now reject as fabulous.
" Ysoprets " and "Avynets," by which we are to understand collections of fables related by .ZEsop or Avienus.
" Calendars," or ecclesiastical almanacks, in which the domestic and agricultural pursuits of each month used to be depicted on the top or margin of the page.
" Romans de Geste," or popular romances of the day.
Humorous or satirical seem to have originated in the fancy of the artist employed. Their humor was of a very broad and homely character, rarely, if ever, rising to the level of wit.
Ornamental or pictorial, by which is meant all such examples in which the artist merely considered how he could turn the small space allotted to him to the best account in the way of decoration, but without any ulterior design.
A Wodehouse, or savage hairy man, armed with a club, with an eaglet on each of the bosses at the side ; a large human head, the hair and
VOL. II. E
66 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
beard being curiously and beautifully floriated at the ends, bosses of foliage; a knight in armour, bearing a shield of a very remarkable form, charged with erm, two chevronels, the helmet being suspended over his head. Bosses dexter, a shield quarterly, impaling two lions passant ; sinister, a cross engrailed quarterly, with a bendlet dexterwise in the first and fourth quarters. Impaling two lions passant.
A huntsman sounding a bugle horn, with a stag on each side of him, and with dogs at his feet.
Supported by two greyhounds as bosses a man riding on a wild boar, his high-crowned and bell-shaped hat and the epaulets or pinking on his shoulders being the very best illustration of costume in the whole series. The bosses are of foliage.
A man in a high-crowned and broad-brimmed hat, turned up in front, and wearing a curiously-reticulated coat. He is riding on a stag, and on the bosses on each side is a grotesque figure armed with a dagger.
The sedilia, or canopied seats of stone work on the south side of the high altar.
There are three remarkably fine recesses of this kind at Fakenham in Norfolk, on which, during the celebration of high mass, the priest, deacon, and sub-deacon might rest during the intervals of the service.
The piscina, which was a drain used among other purposes for the ablution of the sacred vessels, was a niched recess excavated out of the thickness of the south wall near the altar. The specimens were some- times double, and occasionally enriched with beautiful mouldings of the early English or decorated styles of architecture ; but in all cases the lower surface was hollowed out like a basin, and doubtless had a pipe in the centre for the free passage of water when the plug was taken out.
The ambry, or locker, was also a niche hollowed out of the substance of the south wall, and may be distinguished from the piscina by its having no basin at the bottom, and also by the hinges and other indications of a doorway. Here the cruets, towels, &c, used during the celebration of the mass, were deposited. Lockers were generally square ; but occasionally, as at Littleport, the piscina is supplied with a ledge, so that it might have answered a double purpose. The high altar was an oblong of solid masonry, about four feet in height, three feet wide, and eight feet long, and was raised on three steps above the level of the pavement. Five crosses patee were always incised upon the centre and corners of the altar-stone, or upper slab, and were the authentic tokens of its sacred character. A vessel containing reliques, as well as a record of the date of the consecration, the names of the reigning pope, bishop of the diocese, &c, were permanently enclosed in the altar on the morning of the ceremony. This vessel contained also grains of incense, the sacred
ANTIQUITIES OF THE MIDDLE AGES. 67
host, and the deed of consecration, and were inserted in a cavity of the altar filled up with a piece of stone and hollowed mortar. From the centre of a somewhat broad ledge at the back (termed the " superaltare") rose the tabernacle, to the height of about three feet. This was a receptacle for the hosts already consecrated and reserved on the pyx, and not unfrequently presented the beautiful miniature resemblance of a church or shrine. A large moveable crucifix standing upon a pedestal was placed immediately in front of the tabernacle, and there were candle- sticks on each side. The entire front of the altar was nearly always covered by the antependium that hung before it, and even after the celebration a coverlet termed the " sela stragular altaris," was thrown over the entire altar for the protection of its ornaments. This coverlet was usually green, with a valance and a cross. The antependium (also termed the " frontale ") was an oblong of cloth or velvet decorated with embroidery; while in some of the richer churches, a case of gold or silver, embossed and set with reliques and precious stones, was on solemn occasions annexed to the front of the high altar, as a splendid substitute for the antependium. The eastern wall behind the altar was sometimes panelled with a Gothic screen, called a " reredos," or it was adorned with imagery under canopied niches of which there are several examples in the chantries of Norwich Cathedral ; but more frequently the space between the altar and the lowest part of the great east window was filled up by some paintings of the same general character as that which is still pre- served in the vestry of Norwich Cathedral, and described in the " Pro- ceedings of the Archaeological Institute," 1851, p. 198, &c. It is 7ft. 5^in. long by 2ft. 4in. wide. It is divided into five compartments, representing the scourging of our Lord, His carrying the cross, His crucifixion, His resurrection, His ascension. The upper portion of this rebic tabula has been unfortunately destroyed, but what remains is in excellent preservation, and there was an ornamental border round the whole. The great east window of St. Peter's Mancroft Church is the finest ancient specimen of decorative art that the city or county can supply, for although it did not quite escape interpolation, the ancient glass has yet been happily preserved, and might be replaced at a very trifling expense. The Easter Sepulchre at Northwold, in this county, though not absolutely unique, is yet extremely rare ; for, to the best of our belief, not above three specimens of the kind are known to exist throughout the whole kingdom, viz., in Lincoln Cathedral, at Heckington in that county ("Mirror," December 24, 1831, vol. xviii., p. 449, &c), and at Northwold, which is much larger and in better preservation than either of the others. It has been fully described by the Rev. G. H. M'Gill in an interesting paper of about twelve pages, illustrated by a capital engraving (" Orig.
68 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Pap.," vol. iv., p. 120, &c.) This sepulchre, which is the largest relic of the kind in England, being nine feet in width by twelve feet in height, is on the north side of the chancel, not far from the east wall. It is composed of clunch or chalk stone, and is extremely well sculptured. Immediately over the plinth, which is quite plain, there are quatrefoils having roses in their centres, alternating with panelled double arches. Over these are the somewhat mutilated effigies of the four Roman soldiers who were set to guard the sepulchre, and there are three trees between them. Above these effigies the sepulchre is deeply recessed, forming a sort of ledge, while the wall at the back is sculptured with a series of niches, having trefoiled cusps and pedestals, but no remaining imagery ; and immediately under these niches, at the right hand or eastern corner, there is the arched recess, in which the pyx with the host was solemnly deposited on Good Friday till the morning of Easter day, when it was joyfully removed in token of the resurrection. The whole is surmounted with three remark- ably fine perpendicular canopies. Temporary " Paschals " made of wood and adorned with hangings kept in the vestry for the purpose and put together at the time, were of a much more usual occurrence. Catalogues of the furniture, vestments, and altar plates, which belonged to several of our Norfolk churches previously to the Reformation, may be seen in the Orig. Pap., vol. i., p. 73 ; also vol. v., pp. 89 and 226. Although this is a deeply-interesting branch of archaeology, not yielding to any in the richness of its details, that very circumstance renders it most unsuitable to the object which we now have in view. Cabined, cribbed, confined, by the mere tyranny of space, all that we can do will be to tell in as few words as possible, what may be considered as the best examples and where to look for them. We can tell them for instance, that the altar cloth of Lyng Church, and the hearse cloth of St. Gregory's Church, Norwich, are very noticeable specimens of ancient ecclesiastical embroidery ; and if we fail to describe them, it is for the double purpose of saving our own time and stimulating their curiosity. The alabaster tablets at St. Peter's and St. Stephen's Churches sculptured in relief, with groups of saints, and that in our Museum, which represents the legend of St. Erasmus, are also well worthy of attention. That which we have last mentioned was found some years ago buried in the churchyard at Buckenham, together with a very remarkable double crucifix, which is also preserved in the Museum (Orig. Pap. i., 243, 300).
SYMBOLICAL COLOURS OF THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY.
Five colours were anciently employed with reference to the vestments of the priesthood, viz., white, red, green, violet, and black. (" Gavanti Comment, in Rubr. Miss./' Par. I., Tit. 18.) Green (or yellow), was
SYMBOLICAL COLOURS OF THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY. 69
used on ordinary Sundays or other days ; white (or blue) on the festivals of confessors, virgins, or angels, and also upon the vigils of Christmas Day till the octaves of the Epiphany inclusive ; red (or purple), was used on the solemnities of apostles, evangelists, and martyrs, and also from the vigils of Pentecost till Trinity Sunday ; violet was the colour appropriated to Good Friday and days of public humiliation, and from Advent Sunday till the eve of the Nativity ; black was worn on Rogation Sunday, at pro- cessions and masses for the dead, as well as on solemn fast days, and occasionally on Good Friday.
The following letter from Pope Innocent III. to King John so clearly illustrates the ancient symbolism of colours, that we shall translate it at length from "Matthew Paris' History" (edit. Wats, fol., Lond., 1640, p. 223). It was written in the year 1207. Pope Innocent, wishing to render King John favourable to his design, and knowing that he was an eager and diligent collector of precious stones, sent to him the letter, accompanied by a present of that description : —
" Pope Innocent III., to John, King of England, sends his greeting and the apostolic benediction. Of all earthly riches which the human eyo desires and loves most, we believe fine gold and precious stones to be the chief ; and although your royal excellency may abound in these as well as all other riches, yet in token of our love and favour we send unto your Majesty four gold rings, set with various precious stones, desiring you to understand their form, number, materials, and colours, that so you may value the mystery rather than the gift. Their circular form signifies eternity, which has neither beginning nor end ; teaching you to pass from earth to heaven, and from things temporal to those that are eternal. The number four (which is a square), signifies constancy of mind — neither to be depressed by misfortune, nor unduly elevated by prosperity ; and this will be the case when it has for its foundation the four cardinal virtues, viz., justice, fortitude, prudence, and temperance ; the first of which you ought to exercise in judgment, the second in adversity, the third in doubtful cases, and the fourth even in prosperity. The gold denotes wisdom, for, as the prophet beareth witness as gold excels all other metals, so doth wisdom excel all other gifts ; and especially it is valuable to a King, so that Solomon desired of the Lord wisdom alone, that he might know how to rule the people committed to his charge. Moreover, the green colour of the emerald signifies faith; the blue serenity, of the sapphire hope, and the red colour of the ruby (granati) charity ; while the clearness of the topaz denotes good works, of which the Lord hath said, ' Let your light shine before men/ In the emerald therefore you have (an emblem of) what you ought to believe ; in the sapphire in what you should hope ; in the ruby of what
70 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
you ought to love ; and in the topaz of what you ought to do, that you may thus go on from strength to strength, till you see the God of gods in Sion."
THE SEPULCHRAL BRASSES OF NORFOLK.
Throughout the whole of England there were only about six sepulchral brasses that could be dated previously to the year 1300 ; the earliest of all having been that of Simon do Beauchainp, Earl of Bedford, who died about 1208, and was buried in front of the high altar of St. Paul's Church, Bedford. Our Norfolk series does not, however, begin till about 140 years after that time. Colman's first plate represents the brass of Sir Hugh Hastings, who died in 1347, ensigned with the " Maunch " of the Hastings family ; and the latest illustration in the same valuable work represents the brass of Thomas Hall, in Heigham Church, near Norwich, with the date 1630. Thus it will be seen that the direct evidence extends over a period of 280 years, while the collateral evidence is much more expansive. ■ Those who look upon these brasses after centuries of time, spoliation, and neglect, can only form very inadequate conceptions of what they must have been when the metallic surface was gilt and burnished, the lines and letters of a glossy .black, and the shields emblazoned with gold and colours. Such memorials interspersed with tile work, and safe from friction from their very position in the chancel, must have been not merely beautiful in themselves, but still more so accessories to such a picture as we have feebly endeavoured to pourtray, including sculpture, paintings, vestments, and altar plate. Mr. Boutell has drawn our attention to the curious fact that in the earliest examples a far higher degree of artistic excellence is manifested than at a subsequent period ; the designs are more bold, simple, and spirited, and the execution generally more skilful. But when the arts in all other respects become generally advanced, these monumental plates appear without exception to have lost almost every trace of that high excellence, as works of art, which they once so signally displayed. . Nor is it less worthy of remark, that these incised monumental plates were produced in abundance and in high perfection more than two centuries previous to the discovery of the art of engraving plates of metal for the purpose of impression, as clear and beautiful impressions are easily and frequently produced from the brasses themselves.
Of all the Norfolk examples the two Flemish brasses at Lynn (those of Adam de Walsoken, 1349, and Robert Branch, 1364) must have been in- comparably the most beautiful, the metallic plate being in each instance spread over the entire surface of the slab, and enriched with tabernacle work and imagery, though they are now in a sadly deteriorated state.
THE SEPULCHRAL BRASSES OF NORFOLK. 71
The small figures on the brass of Adam de Walsoken represent minstrels playing upon various musical instruments, a windmill with two men, and a woman standing near it, and two men fighting with swords. Groups and subjects of the same general character were doubtless employed by our ancestors, to decorate the walls of their dwellings, but the monument of Robert Branch supplies a much more valuable illustration, termed the peacock feast, supposed to represent a banquet that was given to King Edward III. by the mayor and corporation of Lynn. The King, royally crowned, sits in the middle of the table, having before him the cup that had been presented to the borough by King John. Servants are bringing in upon low flat dishes, peacocks garnished with feathers from their tails, minstrels are playing upon various musical instruments, several of the guests are covered, and each is provided with a knife, forks having been the luxury of a later period (see " Cotman's Brasses/' vol. i., plate 3. The frontispiece to each volume shows how brasses used to be emblazoned with colours. In plates 16 and 30 there are excellent canopies, see also plate 47, and in plate 28 there is a very handsome pedestal). Sir Thomas Brown tells us in his " Repertorium " that, during the Commonwealth, " more than a hundred " brasses were reeved in the cathedral alone, a greater number than the whole county of Norfolk could now supply. Hence we may easily understand what an immense number of these interesting memorials must have been irrecoverably lost, independ- ently of the number that have been partially despoiled by the removal of their canopies, scrolls, or other ornamental portions. There is indeed scarcely a church in the diocese that does not exhibit traces of such spoliation; many beautiful works of art having been ruthlessly torn up by the greedy Vandals of the seventeenth century, and probably (as old metal) sold for the merest trifle ! The outlines of these reeved brasses are, however, generally traceable upon the slabs to which they Were originally attached.
THE ANCIENT DRESSES OF THE FEMALE SEX.
With reference to the first branch of our subject, we are indeed astonished at the tardy progress of " fashion " in medigeval times, but a little consideration may possibly enable us to solve the difficulty. In the fifteenth century, not only were all the articles of female apparel about twelve times more costly than they are at present, but money was then very scarce, and husbands were doubtless " intractable " in proportion. Hence our fair but thrifty ancestresses continued to wear the very same dresses on all festive occasions for many years ; — " true to their colours " whenever they " put in an appearance ! "
The facilities of foreign travel, the introduction of cheaper materials,
72 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
the results of modern ingenuity, and the spirit of the age in which we live, all tend to rapid, frequent, and capricious variations of costume, but it was not so then, and a lady was not unfrequently attired almost exactly as her grandmother had been ! Centuries elapsed before our ancestors achieved the ruff; before they discovered the bonnet; before they perpetrated the wig !
Thus, for example, we observe the very same form of kirtle (or gown), — close fitting, low waisted, but wide and pleated at the bottom — during a period of more than three hundred years, there being only slight variations in the shape of its sleeves.
The fall, the flounce, and cuffs, of fur or of some other material, must have also been a very long-lived fashion, being observable on many brasses between the years 1466 and 1537.
The wife of Sir Miles Stapleton in 1365 wears a closely-fitting tunic over the kirtle (the sleeves of which, with a row of small buttons extending from the wrist to the elbow, are seen underneath) ; the sleeves of the tunic itself are short, but there are oblong narrow pendants almost reaching from them to the ground. It is buttoned at the breast, there are two pockets in the front, and the lower part is full, and gathered into puckers or folds.
During the reigns of Henry IV. and V. the ladies wore a sort of bag sleeve, tight at the wrist (like that of a modern bishop) ; about 1481 the sleeve became wide and open, like that of a surplice ; about 1528 the sleeves of the kirtle or under-dress were in some instances cut or pinked, so as to exhibit a rich inner lining ; in 1559 there was a tight sleeve ruffled at the wrist and with an epaulet upou the shoulder, pinked ; and at the same period we observe the earliest specimen of the ruff, and the rudiments of the habit shirt.
By far the most remarkable varieties are observed in head-dresses, which frequently supply valuable indications as to the date. We cannot, however, venture to say much upon the subject.
On the cup presented by King John to the borough of Lynn, and in the small figures upon Branch's monument, some of the females wear a closely-fitting cap like a child's nightcap, and others a sort of hood with a long tail to it, which is sometimes stiff, and sometimes loose like drapery.
The wives of Walsoken and Branch (1349 and 1364) exhibit the wimple, covering the throat, chin, and sides of the face, and the couver- clief (kerchief) thrown over the head and falling upon the shoulders.
The next important variety was the forked or mitre head-dress, which first came into fashion about 1438 and held its ground for about twenty- six years, though there is one specimen as late as 1492.
ANCIENT DRESSES AND MUNICIPAL COSTUMES. 73
This was followed by the pedimental style of head-dress, which began about 1465 and continued till lato in the following century.
The butterfly head-dress, which was a cylindrical cap with a light veil over it, stiffened and squared at the top, prevailed from 1466 to 1483.
In 1538 we observe a graceful form of head-dress like what is termed the " Mary Queen of Scots Cap."
The mantle, which was something like a cope, the jacquette, which may be compared to the " flanches " of heraldry, and excellent specimens of ancient embroidery, may all be studied in the brass of Adam de Walsoken.
After the year 1460 we observe the aumoniere (like a reticule) hanging from the lady's girdle ; and also the rosary — terminating, however, no t with a cross but a tassel — which was probably an " aspergillum," or sprinkle for Holy Water.
DEESSES OF THE MALE SEX AND THE GENTRY, ALSO MUNICIPAL COSTUMES.
On the Lynn cup, already referred to, we observe the jerkin, or short coat ; also a sort of cape, or short cloak ; a larger cloak and three or four sorts of head covering : viz., a low flat-topped cap ; another something like a helmet ; a hat sloping upwards from the rim, and flat at the top ; a hood with a tail to it; and another exactly resembling what is now termed " a wide-awake."
On the monuments of Walsoken and Branch we notice the jerkin, the mantle, cloaks long and short (in one instance festooned over the right shoulder like the plaid of ahighlander), and another long cloak, curiously buttoned all down the front ; also several kinds of head-covering, some exactly similar to those which have been recently described, others with a broad rim turned up, the top being round, pointed, or flat ; and in one instance we observe a hat and feather.
In their monumental effigies the laity are usually attired in a long gown which has sometimes bag sleeves, but resembles an albe in all respects. It is usually girdled with a leathern strap, with a rosary of much larger beads than we observe on female brasses, and without any decads. Generally speaking, these rosaries have a tassel underneath, but on the brass of Sir William Calthorp, 1495, a signet ring is attached to the end of the rosary, while a beautiful shaped aumoniere also hangs from the girdle.
About the year 1532 we observe gowns with hanging sleeves, like those which are still worn by Masters of Arts at our universities ; and in other instances of about the same date we observe a pudding sleeve, reaching a little below the elbow of the under dress.
74 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
The brass of Edmund Green in Hunstanton Church, a.d. 1490, is chiefly remarkable from the resemblance that his upper garment bears to a pelisse, or a furred surtout.
The short cloak — trunk hose (something like the knickerbockers of our own time) — and also the ruff, are observable upon Norfolk brasses between 1610 and 1630. i
During the first half of the fifteenth century we observe a frightfully ugly mode of shaving off the hair all round, to some height above the ears. It looks like a skull-cap, and is an exact inversion of the tonsure.
Municipal costumes are observable on several brasses both in Norwich and Lynn.
Burgesses of Lynn appear to have worn in the fourteenth century long gowns, the lower part of which is open in the front about as high as the knees, and with wide sleeves reaching to the elbow. There is a richly bordered and hooded cape over the upper part of this gown. It is not unlike an amess.
Aldermen of Norwich wore a mantle open at the right shoulder, falling straight behind, but gathered into a slope in front, so as to cover a great part of the left arm, while the other was exposed. It had a standing collar, and there were buttons upon the right shoulder.
A Judge of the Common Pleas, in 1507, wore his hair long and flowing, and was habited in a long wide-sleeved gown, open in the front. Ap- parently it was lined, caped, and bordered with fur, and there is a purse hanging from the girdle. On his feet he wears clogs of a very remark- able form.
A Judge of the King's Bench, in 1545, wore a wide-sleeved long gown, a mantle open at the right shoulder, as in the municipal examples, his head being covered with a coif, or closely-fitting skull-cap.
ARMOUR AND MILITARY WEAPONS.
Beyond all question the monumental effigy of Sir Walter de Mauteby, in Mautby Church (1278), is our very earliest Norfolk example of mediaeval armour. He is represented in a hauberk of chain mail — the head being covered with a coif de mailles. There is a plain surcoat over the body and the legs are crossed.
Of the same general character is the brass of Sir — de Bacon in Gorleston Church (circa 1320) ; — vambraces, or plates of steel, are how- ever observable upon the arms and legs. Ailettes or ailerons (fully described by Mr. Boutell, pp. 31, 32, 33), surmounted the shoulders of this interesting example, which is engraved opposite p. 36 in Mr. Boutelfs work.
In the brass of Sir Hugh Hastings (circa 1347) chain-mail and plate
AEMOUE AND MILITARY WEAPONS. 75
armour are similarly combined, and he wears a steel helmet instead of the coif do mailles.
In still later examples very small portions of the chain-mail were retained, and at length it gradually disappeared altogether.
There used to be in Ingham Church the brass of Sir Miles de Stapleton (circa 1364) ; and it must have been an excellent specimen of stud-mail — a rare variety of body armour. Eoundells of steel were apparently rivetted to a lining of cuir bouilli (boiled leather) or some other flexible material. At the hips a richly-embroidered belt sustained a sword on the left side, and on the right the " merci," or dagger, with which the knight might put the wounded and fallen enemy out of his misery,
" and his quietus make With a bare bodkin." — Shakespeare.
In some instances the steel-work of the armour was beautifully embellished, and of this the brass of Sir Nicholas Dagworth, in Blickling Church (1401), is perhaps our best example.
In the brass of Sir Roger Le Strange, in Hunstanton Church (1506), the surcoat over the armour is emblazoned with quarterings, like a herald's tabard ; and from the unusual position of the hands, the exact mechanism of the gauntlets is clearly traceable.
Although these remarks upon an interesting subject have been necessarily brief and sketchy, yet we hope that they may have supplied both a clue and a stimulus to ulterior research.
OLD WALLS AND GATES OF NORWICH.
R. Fitch, Esq., is the very best authority respecting the old walls and gates, of which he made a study for many years; and in 1861 he pub- lished a very handsome illustrated volume entitled, " Views of the Gates of Norwich made in the years 1792-3, by the late John Ninham ; with an Historical Introduction, extracts from the Corporation Records, and Papers by the late John Kirkpatrick, contributed to the Transactiocs of the Norfolk and Norwich Archaslogical Society, by Robert Fitch, F.S.A., F.G.S." The author says : — " The history of the walls of Norwich is a history of the gate houses, and in speaking of the origin of the first we include that of the second. In 1294, being the twenty-third of Edward L, the first mural tax was granted and continued three years. A second tax succeeded this, and in 1304 a third tax was imposed, to continue in operation for five years. In the eleventh of Edward II., a fourth tax of a like nature was allowed, and in two years after, namely in 1319, the walls of Norwich were completed.
" When the thickness and extent of the fortifications of this city are considered, it cannot be thought surprising that a period of twenty -five
76 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
years elapsed before these mural defences were finished, so far as to render no additional tax necessary. • It must not, however, be considered that no other pecuniary assistance was required towards the work. The citizens themselves manifested the greatest interest in the subject ; and the ancient books of account contain not only entries of money expended on the walls and gates, but also register the private contributions of persons towards the same object and for necessary reparation.
"It has been previously observed, that in 1319 the walls of the city were said to have been completed , but something more was required to render them adequate to the purpose for which they were designed. Neither towers nor gates could be of use unless properly furnished with munitions of war and the implements then in use for their projection. This does not a/ppear to have taken place until twenty-three years after completion, namely, in 1342, the sixteenth of Edward III., when a patriotic citizen, Richard Spynk, for the honor of the monarch and the safety of his fellow citizens, gave thirty espringolds to cast stones with, to be kept at divers gates and towers ; 100 goguns, or balls of stone, locked up in a box; a box with ropes and accoutrements ; four great arblusters, or crossbows, and 100 goguns for each arbluster; two pairs of grapples to bring the bows to the requisite tension for discharge ; also other goguns, and some armour."
After stating other acts of this citizen, Mr. Fitch proceeds : — " From this long recital of gifts, it must be concluded that Richard Spynk was virtually the fortifier of the city ; for it is clear that until his munificence made the gates and walls complete, they were imperfect. Nor did he suffer his work to fall into decay; but by the adoption of rules and regulations, he preserved to the city the full benefit of what he had done.
11 Before proceeding further with an outline of the history of the walls and gates, it should be stated that Norwich had been previously sur- rounded by a ditch and bank for protection.
" One benefit produces another, and to Richard Spynk was the city not only indebted for its safety from aggression, but also for an extension of its liberties.
" It is recorded that Queen Isabella induced the King, her son, in consideration of the costs and charges for the walls which had been raised without call on the government, to grant a charter to the citizens, that they and their heirs and successors dwelling in the said city should for ever be free from jurisdiction of the clerk of the market and of the household of the King and his heirs, so that the said clerk or his officers should not enter the city, or fee to make assay of any measures or
OLD WALLS AND GATES OP NOEWICH. 77
weights, or to exercise or do anything belonging to the said office of the clerk of the market.
" In this King's reign, according to the Customs' Book, there is an account of the battlements on the various gates, towers, and walls. These were numbered, in order that each parish might be made acquainted with its responsibilities of repairs in this respect. Beginning from the river to Coslany gate, there were 112 battlements, and ten on the gate itself. From that point to St. Augustine's gate, were sixty -nine battlements, and on the gate twelve. Thence to Fibrigge gate — on the walls and towers were 153 battlements, and on the gate thirteen ; thence to Pock- thorpe gate — on the walls and towers were 1 78, and on the gate ten ; and from this gate to the river were about forty. From this point to the tower of Conisford gate the river chiefly protects the city, but the tower bore twelve battlements ; and from the tower on the city side of the water to Conisford gate were twenty-six battlements, with fourteen on the gate. Thence to Ber Street gate were 150 ; on the gate and its wicket were twenty-seven ; and from thence to St. Stephen's gate were 307 (here were some strong towers) ; and on this wicket and gate were twenty-eight.
"From St. Stephen's to St. Giles' gate were 229 (here again were several strong towers), and on the gate and wicket were fifteen ; and from St. Giles' to St. Benedict's gate were 100, and on the gate itself and wicket were sixteen ; thence to Heigham gate seventy-nine, and on the gate four ; and from this gate to the tower and wall on the river were sixteen battlements ; in all, 1630. At this period (1845, according to the Domesday Book of the city) there was a tax called " Fossage," to defray the great charges of the walls and ditches."
The author proceeds to show the anxious attention which was paid to the preservation of the walls and gates of the city, by copious extracts from a roll, dated 13dG. He then gives a full history of the fortifications, from which we shall make some quotations in the course of our narrative of events in each century.
CHAPTEE XV.
NAEEATIVE OF EVENTS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTUEY.
OVW ^ now come *° ^e mos^ important period in the history of Eastern cy^I, England or of any part of the country. The Church of Rome had dominated over the minds of the people for a thousand years, but at last her abuses became so great that reason revolted against her authority. The events of the preceding period prepared the way for the rapid progress of the Reformation, the greatest revolution of modern times. This event must be kept in mind in any review of the state of society in the sixteenth centnry, for it produced an entire change in the political as well as religious aspect of the country.
REIGN OP HENRY VIII., 1509 TO 1547.
Henry VIII. was born at Greenwich, on June 28th, 1491, and he was the second son of his predecessor. He was the first King for more than a century who had ruled England with an undisputed title. The accession of the youthful monarch (April 22nd, 1509) was hailed with universal delight, his character as far as developed being in striking contrast to that of his father. He was handsome in person, open in bearing, generous in disposition, and dexterous in every manly and martial exercise. He married six wives in succession, and had one son and two daughters, who in due course occupied the English throne.
When Henry VIII. came to the throne he was even violent in his attachment to the papacy. He so continued for several years after his accession. But soon a change came over the spirit of his dream, and it was destined materially to affect the future struggles of reformers of religion in and out of the Church of England. About six weeks after his father's death he had married Katharine, the widow of his elder brother Arthur, who died without issue in 1502, being influenced by the representations of his council, that the same reasons which made his wise father choose to match with Spain were in force still, and he had obtained
EVENTS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 79
a licence from the Pope for that purpose. At length, however, it was formally called in question both by the Court of France and the Court of Spain, the matter soon assumed a serious aspect, and in 1528 Henry set himself to procure a divorce, but the Pope hesitating to comply with his request, the King was in great perplexity, not knowing what to do. Just at this juncture, about the month of. August, 1529, Thomas Cranmer, then already distinguished as a theologian, happening to be on a visit at the house of one Mr. Cressie, situated in the parish of Waltham Abbey, Essex, there met with Fox and Gardiner, the one the King's almoner, and the other his secretary, and they " in design falling into discourse, on that matter," Cranmer gave his opinion to this effect : K I do think that you go not the next way to work, to bring the matter into a perfect conclusion and end especially for the satisfaction of the troubled conscience of the King's highness." The result of this con- versation was that Cranmer was sent for by the King, who retained him and committed him unto the family of the Earl of Wiltshire and Osmond, whose country residence was at Newhall in the parish of Borcham. While Cranmer abode there, a great friendship was contracted between him and that noble family, especially the chief members of it, the countess, the lady Ann, and the earl himself, and under Cranmer's direction such steps were shortly taken as brought the question of the divorce to a decisive issue. In August, 1532, William Warham, the Archbishop of Canterbury, died, and Cranmer was consecrated his suc- cessor. In May, 1533, Cranmer pronounced sentence of divorce upon Katharine, and in the same year an Act of Parliament was passed confirming the sentence of divorce. So decisive a measure of course involved a repudiation of the papacy, which was accordingly accomplished the following year, by the passing of an act, entitled " The King's grace to be authorised supreme head of the Church of England." By this act nonconformity, which had been hitherto only an ecclesiastical offence, hence- forward became also a civil crime. About January 25th, 1533, rather more than three months after his formal divorce from Katharine, Henry married Anne Boleyn, daughter of Sir Thomas Boleyn, of Blickling Hall, Norfolk. The marriage took place in private, the ceremony being performed by Dr. Rowland Lee, who was then rector of Ashdown in Essex.
As long as Anne retained her influence over him, Henry's supremacy was in the main so exercised as greatly to encourage the hopes of the " gospellers." The sufferings they had hitherto endured were suspended, and Fox says " during her lifetime as Queen, we read of no great persecution nor any abjurations to have been made in the Church of England, save only that the registers of London make mention of certain
80 s HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
Dutchmen convicted for anabaptists, of whom ten were put to death in sundry places of the realm in 1535, and the other ten repented and were saved."
Anne Boleyn, who occupies such a conspicuous place in English history as one of the chief promoters of the Reformation, was born at Blickling Hall, in Norfolk, in 1507. She was remarkable for her beauty, virtues, and abilities, and her short career presents a melancholy picture of the instability of human prosperity. By Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk, she was daughter of Sir Thomas Boleyn, who was afterwards created Viscount Rochford and Earl of Wiltshire, descending through both parents from the Royal stock of Edward I., paternally from Elizabeth, daughter of that monarch, and maternally from Sir Thomas de Brotherton, Earl of Norfolk, son of the same King. At the age of seven or eight, Anne Boleyn accompanied Mary, sister of Henry VIII., to France, at the same time when that princess became the wife of Louis XII. After Mary's return to England, Anne remained in France as an attendant on Claude, the Queen of Francis I., and she is said to have lived there after with the Duchess of Alencon. The precise date of her return to England is uncertain. In this country she became a maid of honor to Queen Katharine, in which situation she seems to have been free from gross outward impropriety of conduct. During her resi- dence at Court she attracted the attention of Lord Percy, son of the Earl of Northumberland, and a page in the household of Cardinal Woolsey. Accordingly a marriage between Anne and Lord Percy was proposed, but the Cardinal and the King objected to the match. The King himself felt an affection for Anne, and as she would not be his mistress he determined to make her his wife. After a prolonged suit for a divorce from his Queen Katharine he was privately married to Anne, on November 14th, 1532. In June 1533, she was crowned, and on September 7th she was delivered of a daughter, afterwards the illustrious Queen Elizabeth. In 1536 some allegations were made against her of impropriety of conduct, and she was sent to the Tower. From the tower the Queen was conveyed back to Greenwich, where she was examined before the Privy Council. Afterwards an indictment for high treason was found against her. She was tried, condemned, and executed in 1536. Whether she was guilty of any crime or not is very uncertain, but she protested her innocence to the last day of her short life. She was the victim of a brutal tyrant who spared no man in his anger and no woman in his lust.
Incredible as it may seem, the King, on the day after the execution of his Queen, married one of her maids of honour named Jane Seymour, who did not long retain his affections, She died in October, 1537, and Henry being then a widower, wanted another wife. Cromwell, who wished to
EVENTS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 81
strengthen the Protestant cause in the country, persuaded him to solicit the hand of Anne of Cleves. The negociation was concluded, but at the first interview (December 31 , 1539) the King expressed to his friends his disappointment at her appearance, and with great reluctance agreed to the solemnization of the marriage on January 6 th, 1540.
His dislike settling into rooted aversion, his loyal nobles declared the marriage invalid, the chief pretext being an alleged precontract with the Marquess of Lorraine, and the strange argument, " that the King having married against his will, he had not given a pure inward and complete consent." But the fact was the royal voluptuary had fixed his eyes on another Norfolk beauty.
About 1540 the King began to manifest a passion or Catherine Howard, niece to the third Duke of Norfolk, and daughter t f Sir Edmund Howard, and a consequent determination to repudiate Anne of Cleves, who did not suit his taste. He put her away and married Catherine Howard, who possessed youth, beauty, talents, and politeness. The raptures with which Henry cherished his new connection exceeded all ordinary bounds. Not contented with offering up a prayer in his own chapel to testify his gratitude, he commanded the Bishop of Lincoln to compose a regular form of thanksgiving to the same effect. The new head of the Church was soon disenchanted. In the midst of his kingly extravagances, Cranmer informed him that his new Queen had indulged before her marriage, and perhaps after, in the most profligate libertinism, and had even chosen her paramours from among the servants of her grandmother, the old Duchess of Norfolk. The King is said to have wept when ho received the intelligence. The Queen and the parties with whom she had offended were proceeded against by attainder ; and it is a singular fact that the Lady Jane Rochford, who so wickedly brought her own husband to the scaffold with Queen Anne Boleyn, was herself deservedly executed in the Tower with the guilty Queen Catherine Howard, on February 14thj 1541.
Essex was a favourite county of the bluff and strong-willed Henry VIII. , and roofs are still standing, beneath which he sheltered his mistresses and feasted with the gallants of his Court. H' \er he often retired, not only to indulge his illicit pleasures and rural t.^tes, but no doubt to brood over those stern measures by which, in the latter half of his reign, he succeeded in breaking down and revolutionising the long- settled religious feeling of a whole people. This monarch was not content with the hunting palace of Chigwell, and the shaded bowers of Havering ; but in this reign Chelmsford was surrounded by royal residences. The old priory -house at Blackmore, from which the Augus- tine canons had been expelled, and their spoils divided amongst the royal
VOL. II. G
82 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
favourites, is said to have been a place to which he secretly retired to bury the troubles of a crown in the soft oblivion of lascivious pleasures. No " Court Circular" recorded his movements on these occasions; none but his confidantes know whither he had fled, but when missed from the usual palace board, scandal whispered that he had " gone to Jericho," a name which the mansion still bears as a popular designation. He dwelt with at least one of his mistresses — Elizabeth Tailbois, the widow of Sir Gilbert, and daughter of Sir John Blount ; and one of the natural sons of the monarch, whom he afterwards created Duke of Richmond and Somerset, and made a Knight of the Garter, was born in this stealthy retirement. The venerable mansion of Newland Hall, in Roxwell, which the traveller sees on the left hand side of the road as he passes down from Boyton Cross to Eoothing, a possession of King Harold before the Conquest, is marked by history as another of these characteristic retreats. Shenfield, in the parish of Margaretting, is also said to have sheltered another of the frail beauties who ministered to the passions of the King. It was then a stately mansion, its buildings extending far around, with its two strong watch-towers, its chapel, its moat, and its drawbridge ; but the plough has long since passed over the pleasure grounds and gardens where the monarch wandered in soft converse ; the old manor-house disappeared at the beginning of the present century, and the neat modern mansion of Mr. George Straight, it is believed, now stands, though on higher ground, not far from its site. Terling Place, again, the pleasant mansion of the present Lord Rayleigh, had caught the eye of the King, who had a taste for a fair landscape, as well as a fair face ; and, attracted by the picturesque woodlands and the winding Ter, he often made it a place of temporary sojourn. It had been a palace of the Bishop of Norwich, who had a park there some centuries before, and the King, having given the property to his Lord Chancellor, with liberty to restore or extend this . park, was probably an occasional inhabitant of Terling Place in the character of his guest. It is clear it was not like those before noticed, a place of stealthy trips and guilty concealment, as some of the acts of this monarch's reign are openly dated from Terling Place. New Hall, Boreham, however, was the most remarkable residence of Henry VIII. in Essex, both from its own splendour and the historical connection it has with the brilliant life and bloody death of the fair Anne Boleyn. The stately mansion, with its walls and towers about it, is believed to have been at that time nearly the largest in the kingdom. What now remains is a mere fragment — one turret of the original structure. It was the property of Sir Thomas Boleyn, afterwards Earl of Wiltshire, father of the Lady Anne; and Henry considered the estate as beautiful as the daughter. He cast a coveting eye upon it, and having obtained it by
EVENTS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 83
exchange, greatly improved it, giving it the name of Beaulieu, " a fair place." He erected also a magnificent gateway in one of the courts, which, in adapting the building to the limits of modern convenience, has been demolished ; but the arms which surmounted it have been placed over the door of the grand entrance. The crown is beautifully sculptured in freestone ; the grand hall is a noble apartment. It is nearly forty feet high, ninety in length, and fifty in width. Here the King kept the feast of St. George with his court and nobles in 1524.
While the King was the petted champion of Rome, his Queen, Katharine of Arragon, made a journey through Essex with a grand pilgrim party, proceeding on a visit to the image of the Virgin at Wal- singham, then of great repute ; on which occasion the corporation of Colchester met her at Lexden, presented her with a purse of £4-0, and when on the following day she departed from St. John's Abbey, they escorted her to the boundaries of Mile End.
We must now leave royalty, and notice other distinguished characters.
In 1513 a brilliant success was achieved by the Norfolk hero, Howard Earl of Surrey, on the famous field of Flodden. The Scotch sovereign, though brother-in-law to the English monarch, had continued the old alliance with France, and his jealousy of England was increased by several supposed grievances. James therefore readily acceded to the request of Louis that he would invade England. He crossed the Tweed and took several border fortresses ; and then gave battle to the Earl of Surrey, who had mustered a force of 26,000 men. The Scotch army was nearly twice as large, and the earl conducted the contest with great ability, and his foes were defeated with extraordinary slaughter. Ten thousand men were killed, including the King himself and a large portion of the flower of the Scottish nobility (September 9th, 1513.) As a reward for their eminent services, the Earl of Surrey was created Duke of Norfolk ; his son, Lord Howard, succeeded to the title which his father had previously held ; and Sir Edward Stanley was raised to the dignity of Lord Monteagle.
In 1515, Thomas Wolsey, a native of Ipswich, born of humble parents, and who had entered the Church, received the scarlet hat of a Cardinal. By the aid of his great talents, energy, and tact, he attained to rapid preferment. He was appointed to the see of Tournay in 1513, of Lincoln and then of York in 1514, and in 1515, besides being made Cardinal, he received the office of Chancellor. In 1518 he became papal legate, and by his commission he was authorised to suspend the laws and canons of the Church.
In 1515 the French Queen and Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, visited Yarmouth, and were entertained three days by the inhabitants of
84 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
the town. They were so pleased with it and with the manners of the people, that they expressed their intention of endeavoring to persuade the King of France to visit the place. That monarch, however, never came, the Kings of France and England not being always on friendly terms.
About the year 1525 a rebellion broke out at Lavenham, Hadleigh, and Sudbury in Suffolk, and disturbances in Norwich and Norfolk, on account of the heavy taxes and the scarcity of work, the farmers and clothiers being unable to employ the people. Holingshed says that the Duke of Suffolk, who had a commission to raise the subsidy in that county, per- suaded the rich clothiers to assent thereto, but when they went home and turned off their workmen, they assembled in conferences and openly threatened to kill the Cardinal, the Duke, and Sir Robert Drury. Having assembled at Lanham about 40,000 strong, they rang the bells to alarm the neighbourhood, on which the duke broke down the bridges to hinder their journey in larger numbers, and sent to the Duke of Norfolk, who raised what men he could in Norwich and Norfolk. Collecting a great force, he marched to meet the rebels himself. He demanded what they wanted, and John Green, a man fifty years of age, assured him on their behalf that they meant no harm to the King, to whom they would bo obedient, assuring him also that poverty was their captain and had brought them to this disturbance, because having no work, they were likely to perish from want of food.
The Duke of Norfolk hearing this, was very sorry, and pitied the poor people, and promised if they would go home quietly he would get their pardon, which promise he honourably performed after their departure, for he and the Duke of Suffolk went to Bury St. Edmund's and met the country people who came in their shirts, with halters round their necks, begging him to remember his promises. Then the two dukes so wisely managed that all was peace, and they obtained the good will of the people, and the exaction of the subsidy ceased.
The horrible punishment of boiling criminals to death for such a crime as poisoning was inflicted in the time of Henry VIII., but this barbarous mode of executing justice did not, it is said, remain on the statute book for any lengthened period. An instance of this mode of punishment occurred at King's Lynn in the sixteenth century, as may be seen by the following record, 1531 : — " This year here was a maid boiled to death in the Market Place for poisoning her mistress." (" Notes and Queries," vol. 5, page 355, 1st series.)
EVENTS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTUEY. 85
DISSOLUTION OF THE MONASTERIES.
East Anglia appears to have been the head-quarters of the monastic system for many ages till the end of the fifteenth century and later, a proof of the superstition of the people and the influence of the priest- hood of the Church of Rome. Norfolk alone contained more than a hundred religious houses ; and the city of Norwich nineteen, which covered much land and large spaces near the river. Suffolk being a county of less extent could not boast of so many religious houses, but the great abbey at St. Edmund's was famous all over England.
Erasmus visited Walsingham Priory when in all its glory, and almost at the latest moment ; and he may enable us to realise its ancient magni- ficence. After praising in general terms the beauty of the Church, he describes more particularly the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was then in an unfinished state, with the doors and windows open to the weather. Nevertheless it enclosed a small wooden chapel of exceeding splendour, to which pilgrims were admitted through small wickets at the sides. It had no windows, but a multitude of wax tapers continually burning supplied the want of natural light, while the fumes of incense diffused the most delicious perfume. " You would pronounce it," exclaims Erasmus, "the very dwelling place of the gods, such is the blaze of silver and gold and jewels on every side." One of the canons was always in attendance to receive the oblations of the faithful ; not that it was compulsory to give anything, but, as our author slyly remarks, because he was looking on, while others pretended to give, but actually stole. He describes this magnificent chapel as having then contained many statues of the saints, some of silver, others of solid gold ; and they exhibited to him at the same time altar plates, jewels, and other valuable treasures which it would take the whole day even to enumerate. Closely adjacent to the church there was a building which, according to the legend, had, like the Sand a Casa at Loretto, been suddenly transported by a miracle from a great distance in the very depth of winter, when the ground was thickly covered with snow, while at the same time two wells gushed forth from the ground at the command of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They were wonderfully cold, and said to be endowed with healing virtues as far as regarded all diseases of the head and stomach. When Erasmus heard all these things, he looked ai*ound him with amazement. Everything that he saw appeared to be new, and yet this legend extended to a very remote antiquity. He put many questions to the canon, who admitted the recent date of every part of the building. " Whence, then," he asked, " doth it appear that this house was brought from so great a distance? " Imme- diately the guide pointed out a very ancient bear skin nailed to the roof,
86 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
laughing at his dulness for having overlooked so manifest an argument. Induction was for once at fault, and the bear skin carried the day triumphantly.
Erasmus gives a short account of the reliques anciently preserved at Walsingham. In the large gate of the priory, the guide pointed out to him a very small wicket, about an ell high and three quarters of an ell wide, through which a foot passenger could only pass by stooping and stepping carefully over the lower ledge. Erasmus was assured that in the year 1314, a knight on horseback, fleeing from the eager pursuit of his enemies, called upon the Blessed Virgin in his extremity, and that without dismounting he and his steed were miraculously and instantly conveyed through the narrow opening. A brass plate is said to have been fastened to the gate in perpetual memory of the wonderful event ! The illustrious scholar was shown a finger joint of gigantic proportions as having belonged to St. Peter. He asked the guide whether he meant the Apostle of that name, and being answered "Yes," Erasmus exclaimed, " Then St. Peter must have been a man of prodigious stature \" at which one of the pilgrims unfortunately laughed, and the guide was only to be appeased by the payment of an extra fee. The most illustrious relique, " The Sacred Mitt;" was at last produced with a great deal of solemnity. The canon in attendance put on his surplice and stole, and having prostrated himself before the altar in prayer, drew forth with much reverence the crystal ampoule, in which jt was contained, and held it to the pilgrims, who kissed it as they knelt. He at the same time received their oblations on a wooden tablet, such as were then used to collect tolls in Germany. An unlucky question of our learned pilgrim, as to how it could be clearly ascertained that the relique was what it pro- fessed to be, enraged the guide beyond measure. He glared upon the pilgrims for some moments in speechless- horror, totally unable to speak. At last he said, " How can you ask such a question with an authentic in- scription before your very eyes V And he would have driven them forth as heretics and blasphemers had not the fee remedy been resorted to instantly, and it proved to be again efficacious. A little more money lulled the tempest of his wrath in a moment; the oil of mammon stilled at once the troubled waters of his indignation, and the appeased dignitary even volunteered to show the pilgrims another marvel, quce Virginis secretissimo. This proved to be a rudely-carved image of the Virgin, with a Craivpaudine under its feet like a toad, representing sin.
For upwards of five centuries Walsingham flourished gloriously, having been resorted to by numerous pilgrims from all parts of the world and enriched by their benefactions. In one year the offerings at this shrine amounted to £200, which cannot be estimated at less than £3000 of our
EVENTS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 87
present currency, and in one single week (while the visitors were there) the gifts amounted to 133 shillings, or about £61 10s. present value, independently of donations in wax, which were a considerable source of revenue.
We have the most distinct proofs that Henry III., Edward I., Edward II., Henry VIII., and a multitude of illustrious pilgrims from all parts of the world, visited "The Sacred Milk."- Henry VIII. in the earlier part of his reign twice visited it as a devotee, walking barefoot it is said from the palace of East Barsham to this place, which he desecrated in 1539, and seized the revenues, which amounted to c€5000 yearly of our present currency !
Erasmus tells us many stories of the deceptions and enormities prac- tised by the canonical gentry of his day, and Sir Henry Spelman denounced hereditary imbecility on the purchasers of Abbey lands. But both these learned authors, however great their authority, were fond of the marvellous, and Camden, the best chorographer of his age, admits many of the supposed miracles. Hume, in his " History of England," details many of the pious frauds of the monks and priests, but he says nothing about the " Wishing Wells of Walsingham."
Amongst the slender remains at Walsingham, once the celebrated seat of superstitious devotion, are two small circular basins of stone, a little to the north-east of the site of the conventual church. The water of these wells had in the time of Erasmus a miraculous efficacy in curing disorders of the head and stomach, the special gift no doubt of the Holy Virgin, who has probably since that time resumed it, for the waters have no such quality now. She has it seems substituted another of far more comprehensive virtue. This is nothing less than the power of accom- plishing all human wishes, which miraculous property the water is still believed to possess. In order to attain this desirable end, the votary, with a due qualification of faith and pious awe, must bend the right knee bare to a stone placed for that purpose between the wells. He must then plunge both his bare hands to the wrist into the water of the wells, which are near enough to admit of this immersion. A wish must then be formed, but not uttered with the lips either at the time or afterwards. The hands are then to be withdrawn, and a little water out of each hand is to be swallowed. This silent wish will certainly be accomplished within a year if the votary has only sufficient faith in the solemn rite !
Monasteries flourished till the end of the fifteenth century and later at Bury, Butley, Sibton, Bungay, Leiston, Ipswich, Sudbury, Blythburgh, Clare, Campsey Ash, Dodnash, Kersey, Ixworth, Orford, Mendham, Wangford, and other places. Most of these were small buildings, with no pretentions to beauty of architecture, bat they were for along time the
88 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
refuges of weary travellers and of the destitute poor. Abbeys and priories were flourishing in the reign of Henry VIII. in many parts of Essex, at Barking, Belaugh, Berdon, Blackmore, Maldon, Coggeshall, Colne, Colchester, Chelmsford, Dunmow, Waltham, and many other places.
Waltham Abbey, in Essex, flourished exceedingly in this reign of Henry VIII., being situated in a district through which King and courtiers, issuing from the neighbouring hunting place of Chiswell, followed the stag through the forest glades. In thr,t age the forest lands thereabout had the bad reputation of being haunted by evil visitors from the other world, but the rule of the dark vale and the wood was shared by beings of far more substantial shape called the Waltham Blacks — from their blacking their faces — a sort of lawless community of Kobin Hoods, with a deeper touch of vulgar felony in their composition, since they descended to stealing wood or sheep if their shot missed the deer. It was maliciously asserted by profane people that the monks propagated these goblin tales to keep prying eyes away from their nocturnal visits to the fair and frail sisters of the nunnery at Cheshunt, where they revelled in forbidden delights. Strange that people should invent such wicked slanders on the holy brotherhood.
Fuller, in his " Church History," tells of a merry trick played upon the good fathers of Waltham Abbey by one of the Colt family at a time when friars were getting into disrepute : — " Sir Henry Colt," says he, " of Nether Hall, in Essex, much in favour with King Henry VIII. for his merry conceits, came late one night to Waltham Abbey, where, being informed by his setters that some of the monks of Waltham were harboured in Cheshunt nunnery, he pitched a buck stall in the narrowest part of the meadow or marsh where they were to pass over, and enclosed them as they were returning in the dark to their convent. He brought and presented them next morning to the King, who said he had often seen sweeter, but never fatter, venison.
Henry VIII. in revenge for being excommunicated by the Pope sent out Commissioners to inquire into the state of the monasteries then numerous in the Eastern Counties and all over the land. This led to the suppression of 1148 monasteries in England, whose revenues amounted to £183,707 yearly. The religious houses suppressed included 700 abbeys, priories, and nunneries, 90 colleges, 2400 chantries, free chapels, &c, and 110 hospitals. The total yearly revenues of these institutions amounted to one-twentieth of the whole rental of the land of England. Black - friars, Whitefriars, Greyfriars, Austinfriars were names once common enough in Norwich, Norfolk, and Suffolk, and all stand as relics of a time when city and county swarmed with legions of monks and nuns. Where- ever these titles linger in East Anglia or anywhere else, the religious
EVENTS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 89
orders had rich houses ; the best of the glebe land in the counties ; the fattest buck from the forests ; the biggest pike from the fish stew ; and in fact as the jolly catch says, " No baron, or squire, or knight of the shire lived half so well as a holy friar."
No doubt there were some good self-denying men and women among them who did some service to society in the dark ages. But in time the monasteries sunk, for the most part, into lazy dissolute confraternities, stupid and sleepy when not vicious, and banded together against the liberties of the nation. For very bad personal reasons Henry VIII. effected a very good thing. He wanted to marry as he liked, so he responded to the Pope's threat of excommunication by sweeping away the precious nests of lazy men and sterile women from the face of old England, and out of old Norwich and Norfolk.
King Henry's commissioners made searching enquiries ending in strange revelations of infanticide, imposture, fraud, and vice. The girdle of the Virgin was found at no less than thirteen places in the land. At Hales monastery in Gloucestershire a phial was found containing some of the blood of our Lord. Nobody in mortal sin could see it, but if anybody kept on paying and praying it would become visible. Two of the holy brothers made the mystery less amazing, for they divulged that there was only duck's blood in the bottle, one side of which was opaque and the other transparent crystal, so that when the sinner came to his last mark the monks turned the phial round and relieved his soul as well as his pocket.
On March 4th, 1536, a Bill was introduced and hurried through Parlia- ment for the suppression of the lesser monasteries. This Act gave to the King Henry VIII. and his heirs all monasteries the clear yearly value of which did not exceed £200, with all the property belonging to them, vesting the possession of the buildings and lands in those persons to whom the King should assign them by letters patent. It was calculated that by this Act about 380 communities would be dissolved, and that an addition of £32,000 would be made to the yearly revenues of the Crown, beside the present receipt of £100,000 in money, plate, and jewels. About 100 of these houses were respited for a time, but they soon met the same fate as the others. The superior of each suppressed house received a pension for life, but the monks under twenty-four years of age were sent adrift into the world without any provision. The nuns were treated in a similar manner. Thus many monasteries were suppressed in the Eastern Counties as well as in other counties. Seventy-seven religious houses were dissolved in Norfolk alone.
The dissolution of the monasteries, as may be supposed, caused a great deal of poverty in the Eastern Counties and all over the country. The
90 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
poor priests were driven out homeless. The poor peasants had no houses of refuge, and no means of relief. The country was overrun by sturdy beggars, who when found wandering about were severely punished. It may be supposed that the sudden breaking up of the monastic system by which the sturdy vagrants who had been supported by charity were thrown upon their own resources, would naturally produce a great amount of crime, and we find that in the latter part of the reign of Henry VIII. all the Eastern Counties and indeed all the other counties were infested with vagabonds and robbers. To suppress these, the most stringent laws were enacted and put in force.
The changes occasioned by the abolition of the monasteries led to tumults in Essex and other parts of the land. The monks had been in- dulgent landlords, but when the abbey lands came into the hands of lay proprietors, they raised the rents and otherwise pressed hard upon the tenantry. Wide parks were enclosed. The friars, who spent their in- comes upon the spot, according to old report, fed well upon the fattest produce of the land, and their custom being gone, the soil no longer yielded a profit for its tillage. Whole tracts were laid out in sheep walks. Want and misery, with their discontent, seasoned probably by a little religious animosity, came upon the poor. Open insurrections broke out in some parts of the kingdom. In 1549 there was a dearth and scarcity in the country. Wheat, which had been about eight shillings a quarter, was so dear that holders were suspected of keeping it back, and an order in council came down to the justices and other gentlemen and the officers of the boroughs, requiring them to " search the barnes, granaries, and houses of farmers and others having corn to sell, and oblige them to bring every market day such a quantity of grain to market as they could conve- niently spare." Twice during the year did excited mobs wander through Essex, demolishing houses, destroying the parks, and breaking down the enclosures of the gentry. It would seem a few men of some note encou- raged this violence, as after its suppression the High Bailiff of Eomford was executed at Romford, and Mr. Bell, an Essex man, was hanged and quartered at Tyburn.
On the suppression of the abbey at Saffron Walden, it was granted by Henry VIII., with the lordship of Walden, to Sir Thomas Audley, who, first as Speaker of the House of Commons, afterwards as Lord Chan- cellor, had been a chief instrument in carrying out the views of the King as to the suppression of the monasteries ; and he took especial care to be well paid for his work by a large share of the spoil. He was created at the same time Baron Audley of Walden, and it has been generally stated that he converted the abbey into a country residence, but this does not appear to be the fact. He founded and endowed Magdalen College,
EVENTS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTUEY. 91
Cambridge, but he left the buildings at Walden to decay, and the place deserted. It was not till Lord Audley had been laid in the tomb in Walden Church, till after the Duke of Norfolk, who married his daughter, had died on the block, and his son had succeeded to the estate, that the princely towers of Audley End began to arise.
Of all the religious institutions existing at this period in the Eastern Counties, Thetford Abbey was the most important. Its temporalities and spiritualities were large, and its possessions enormous. The monks of the abbey had estates in no less than 125 parishes in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire, from which they derived a very large annual income. The revenues of the Priory of St. George and the canons were propor- tionately large, and the town was a centre of ecclesiastical wealth, but after the dissolution it fell into the hands of private individuals. The Duke of Norfolk became the owner of the Abbey and Priory of Thetford, and Richard Fulmerston, Esq., of the nunnery and its possessions.
In 1536 the seven monastic institutions of Yarmouth were suppressed at the general dissolution, and in 1538 the Church of St. Nicholas was quite stripped of its images, pictures, and richly-decorated altar. In 1551 the brass plates were removed from the tombs and cast into weights for the use of the town.
In the same year the Grammar School was founded at Yarmouth, but in 1579 it was shut up for six months during the prevalence of the plague, when booths were erected on the Denes for the safety of the fishermen in the herring season.
In 1537, the common people rose at Walsingham on account of the suppression of pilgrimages to the image of the Virgin Mary there, but were soon quieted. And in the following year, at the special instance of Lord Cromwell, all the remarkable images to which particular pilgrimages and offerings had been made, together with the shrines of saints, were removed, and all orders of friars and nuns totally suppressed. The images of Our Lady at Walsingham were carried to London, and with several others burnt at Chelsea.
In 1538, the prior and monks of the Cathedral Church of Norwich renounced the supremacy of the Pope with the ancient religion, and abolished its discipline and doctrine. They then changed their monkish apparel for the habits of deans, prebends, and secular canons, and attended divine service after the Protestant manner. The brethren of the Yarmouth Priory were in consequence re-called ; and the govermcnt of the Church devolved upon the dean and chapter, as they were then styled, whose chaplain officiated in St. Nicholas Church.
The period of the Reformation, commencing with this reign of Henry VIII., was one that entirely changed the face of things in the Eastern
92 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
Counties. The inhabitants had long been trained into blind reverence for thejold forms and established institutions of the Church of Rome; a superstitious reverence which was not exceeded in any other part of England. Nowhere else had religious bodies greater influence over the minds of men, and the sudden downfall of those corrupt institutions affected most materially the temporal as well as the spiritual condition of masses of the common people. Up to this period the poor had been taught to look to the monasteries for alms and relief in time of sickness or distress ; but now all these places of refuge were swept away, and no others substituted for them. The monks, as may be easily supposed, used no great exertion to encourage hopes of a speedy restoration of ancient privileges under the new dispensation, but rather added to the general gloom in which the future was involved by their preaching ; and no wonder, considering the forlorn prospect before them.
On April 28th, 1540, a new Parliament was convened at Westminster, and on May 5th, the Lord Chancellor informed the House of Lords " that it was his Majesty's desire above all things that the diversities of opinion concerning religion in this kingdom should be with all possible expedition plucked up and extirpated. " In consequence of this, a committee was appointed to examine into these opinions. As the result of their pro- ceedings, a Bill was brought into the House of Lords on the 7th of June following, enacting the notorious six articles, and the Bill was soon passed. The sufferings which were inflicted by this whip of six strings are known to have been extreme, but our courtly old historians have given few details.
Sir Roger Townshend, of Rainham, Norfolk, represented the county in Parliament in 1542 and subsequent years. The Townshends were an ancient family in Norfolk, and could boast of some distinguished members. In this reign of Henry VIII. the subserviency of his Parliaments is notorious, and they appear to have resisted his will on only one or two occasions. They were in general tools employed to carry out his behests ; they readily made laws attainting those whom he meant to destroy, and they passed a series of acts on treason which gratified his sanguinary disposition. They agreed to all the ecclesiastical changes which he wished to effect.
In the latter part of this reign of Henry VIII. the King became more under the influence of the party of Reformers, at the head of whom was the Earl of Hertford, the brother of Jane Seymour. Between this family and that of the Duke of Norfolk political jealousy and religious differences existed ; and it is probable that the Earl of Hertford filled the mind of the King with apprehensions of the danger to which the accession of the prince would be exposed if the Howards retained their power.
EVENTS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 93
The duke and his son were arrested and committed to the Tower on December 12th, 1546. The one was sent by water and the other by land, and neither was aware of the apprehension of the other. In the interval between this and the day of their trial, the Court was busied in tampering with the female branches of the family, and sought the evidence of the Duke's wife, who was separated from him and her daughter, the young widowed Duchess of Richmond . In doing this, Gates, Southwell, and Carew, a leash of worthy knights and Suffolk men, were sent to Kenninghall to ferret up the widow, who had an interview with her and informed her of the arrest of her husband and son, warning her of their dangerous position without the King's mercy. The poor lady, sorely perplexed, trembling and likely to fall down, did, upon coming to herself again, at once fall into the trap which was set for her, and humbly upon her knees submitted herself unreservedly to them and to the King's designs. Her visitors then got from her the keys of her chambers and coffers, but to their disappointment found, however, only a poor prize, which, as their report states, was " so bare, as your majesty would hardly think, her jewels, such as she had, sold or lent to gage (pledged) to pay her debts, as she, her maiden, and her almoner do say," adding, " we will nevertheless for our duty, make a further and more earnest search." After ransacking every hole and corner of the palace, they found in the chamber of her sister, who it appears had a better stock of valuables than the young duchess, divers girdles, beads, buttons of gold, pearls and rings set with stones of divers sorts, whereof, with all other things, they were, they say, making inventories to be sent to his highness. Then they go on to report " that having made sure of the house and property at Kenninghall, they with all speed and at one instant sent some of their most discreet and trusty servants to all the other houses of the duke in Norfolk and Suffolk, not omitting the house of his daughter Elizabeth Holland, newly made, in Suffolk, which was thought to be well furnished with stuffe. The duke's almoner had engaged to deliver into their hands all or the greater part of the duke's plate, but of money the duke had none, supposing that the steward upon his last account had such as did remain."
While Mr. Gates and his two worthy men of Suffolk, who with so much gallantry turned the key upon a house full of women and children at Kenninghall, and who so considerately took care of all the gates and back doors, were peeping and prying about in this locality, Henry himself in his palace was studiously contriving how to reward the Seymour . family by dividing the duke's property, of which the King had received a good account. He went so far as to promise it should be shared among them, but this he did not live to accomplish. The property then
94 HISTOKY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
comprised fifty-six manors and thirty-seven advowsons, with many other considerable estates.
The Duke of Norfolk (says Hallam) had been throughout Henry's reign one of his most confidential ministers, but as the King approached his end an inordinate jealousy of great men, rather than mere caprice, appears to have prompted the resolution of destroying the most con- spicuous family in England. Norfolk's son, too, the Earl of Surrey, though long a favourite of the King, possessed more talents and renown, as well as a more haughty spirit, than were compatible with his safety. A strong party at Court had always been hostile to the Duke of Norfolk, and his ruin was attributed to the influence of the two Seymours. No accusa- tions could be more . futile than those which sufficed to take away the life of the noblest and most accomplished man in England. Surrey's treason seems -to have consisted chiefly in quartering the royal arms in his escutcheon ; and this false heraldry, if such it were, must have been con- sidered as evidence of meditating the King's death. His father ignominiously confessed the charges against himself in the vain hope of mercy from one who knew not what it meant.
An Act of Attainder (for both Houses of Parliament were made acces- sory to the legal murders of this reign) was passed with much haste, and perhaps irregularly ; but Henry's demise ensuing at the instant, pre- vented the execution of Norfolk. Continuing in prison during Edward's reign, he just survived to be released and restored in blood under Mary.
The accession of Mary in 1553 opened brighter days for him. Before that year had expired, Parliament legally reversed his attainder, it being with much reason declared that no special matter had been proved either against him or his son, except the wearing of a part of a coat of arms. This placed him once again in possession of his dignities and estates, which, however, he enjoyed only a few months, he dying on August 25th, 1554, at Kenninghall, aged eighty years. He was buried at Framlingham.
Henry VIII. granted the manor of Southmere, in Smithdon, Norfolk, to John Lord Lovell, with right of free warren and a weekly market to be held at Docking. 'At this time there was a capital house, with 600 acres of land, and 240 of heath belonging to it ; and at Docking another capital house, called Sand Island, afterwards by corruption Sunderland, with 300 acres of land. From the Lovells this manor went to Sir John Eatcliffe, and in his family it continued till Robert Ratcliffe, Earl of Sussex, sold it in 1597 to John Hare, a mercer, of London, whose son, Hugh Hare, was created Lord Coleraine in Ireland, August 3rd, 1625.
On January 28th, 1547, King Henry VIII. lay upon his death bed. Being informed that his end was near, he was asked whether he wished to confer with any one ; he replied, " With no other than the Archbishop
EVENTS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTUKY. 95
Cranmer, and not with him as yet. I will repose myself a little, and as I then find myself will determine accordingly." He did not, however, determine for nearly two hours, when it was of little or no moment who should come. Cranmer was sent for in all haste ; but he arrived only in time to receive one fixed look, when Henry grasped his hand and expired. Thomas Wolsey, the first who promoted the divorce of Queen Katharine, was the son of a butcher at Ipswich, and born in 1471. He was a student at Magdalen College, Oxford, and greatly distinguished by his talents. He had been during the preceding reign rector of Lymington, in Hampshire. Fox, Bishop of Winchester, introduced him to Court, and got him appointed almoner to the household. The next year he was made Dean of Lincoln. The King, who had a great affection for him, appointed him a member of his Privy Council, made him Prime Minister, and after- wards Archbishop of York, and then Lord Chancellor. .By the interest of Francis I. he was raised to the purple, and King Henry obtained a commission from the Pope, nominating him legate a latere. But all these preferments did not satisfy his vaulting ambition. He aimed at the pontifical chair, to which Charles V. had promised to raise him, but did not keep his promise. Wolsey, out of revenge, persuaded King Henry to seek the divorce which afterwards proved his ruin.
As Wolsey had not credit enough at the court of Rome to obtain the grant of those things with the hopes of which he had flattered the King, he became odious to that despotic Prince, who, tired out with the continual complaints made against him, and the repeated solicitations of Anne Boleyn, seized all his furniture, papers, and money, and even impeached him of high treason, which affected him to such a degree that he died of grief at Leicester Abbey, Nov. 29th, 1530.
Thomas Cromwell, the son of a blacksmith at Putney, was one of Wolsey's domestics. The King made him visitor-general of all the monasteries which were suppressed in 1539; and lastly created him Earl of Essex, and vicegerent in matters ecclesiastical ; but he being a Protestant, he was impeached of high treason, condemned, and executed in 1540.
William Rugg, D.D., was chosen Bishop of Norwich in 1535. He was a sycophantic instrument of Henry VIII. in obtaining the divorce of Katharine of Arragon. He ruled the diocese fifteen years, and died in 1550, and was buried in the choir of the Cathedral at Norwich. Thomas Thirlby, the first and last Bishop of Westminster, succeeded Dr. Rugg as Bishop of Norwich, and he was translated to Ely in 1554, where he died. He was buried in the chancel of St. Mary's Clmrch in Ely.
John Skelton, the King's orator, and poet laureate, flourished in the reign of Henry VIII. He was probably born in Norfolk, where a family
96 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
of that name lived for a long time. At any rate he was minister of Diss, and an honour to that town. Norfolk is not noted for poetical genius, and Skelton appears to have been more of a satirist than a poet. Erasmus, a man of unquestionable judgment, gives this character of him in his letter to Henry VIII. Britamiicarum literarum lumen et decus, i.e., the light and honour of British learning. Indeed he was scholar enough, and no bad poet for the times in which he lived.
William Lilly, the great schoolmaster, and author of our Latin grammar, he reflected upon as a bad versifier, to which Lilly replied :
Skeltone, dum tibi parare famam, Et doctus fieri, studes poeta, Doctrinum nee habes, nee es poeta.
Whilst Skelton thou to get esteem A learned poet fain wouldst seem, Skelton thou art let all men know it, Neither a learned man nor a poet.
Well, if not a good poet he was a severe satirist, and he lashed the Dominican friars for their vices so much so that they engaged Richard Nix, Bishop of Norwich, to call him to account for keeping a concubine. Old Nix or Nykke accordingly did so, and suspended him from his benefice at Diss. The satirist by his invectives created three such enemies as ruined him in liberty and estate. He foretold the downfall of Cardinal Wolsey, who completed his misfortunes, for he having in- veighed against some of the cardinal's actions with too much truth, the cardinal so persecuted him, that he was forced to take sanctuary at West- minster, where Abbot Islip treated him with much respect. In this con- finement he died June 21st, 1529, and was buried in St. Margaret's chapel.
REIGN OP EDWARD VI., 1547 TO 1553.
This King was proclaimed in the tenth year of his age, on January 28th, 1546, in the old style, but according to the computation of those who begin the year in January, in 1547. On February 25th, his coronation was solemnised with great pomp in London, and in Norwich with much rejoicing. Six great guns were brought on Tombland, Norwich, and often fired. Bonfires blazed in almost every open street, and the populace were regaled with plenty of beer. There was a grand procession, and a pageant drawn by horses, and the boy-King was represented by a figure of Solomon.
When about the end of the reign of Henry VIII., the proceeds of the sale of the greater and more important stores of jewels, plate, vestments, &c,
EVENTS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 97
which had filled the suppressed monasteries, were running low in his exchequer, he turned his attention to the less valuable contents of the parish churches, which had hitherto remained untouched, and he commenced the system of obtaining written acknowledgments from the minister or churchwardens of each parish as to what goods were in their custody. No document has been found relating to Norfolk dated in that reign, but many certificates are dated in the next reign.
The ordinary certificates of the reign of Edward VI. begin by giving the names of the parishes and churchwardens, the amount of plate, vest- ments, bells, &c, sold, and for what money, and end by stating how the money has been expended, and how much, if any, of it remains. The orders or instructions in this reign of Edward VI. to make these certifi- cates must have been issued about the autumn of 1547. There is one dated September 2nd, 1547 for St. Margaret's, Norwich ; others later in the same year for other parishes in the city. Besides these Norwich certificates there are many relating to parishes in Norfolk. (" Original Papers," vol. vii, part 1.)
Amongst the various documents relating to Norfolk church goods in the reign of Edward VI. preserved at the Record Office are six <c certifi- cates " concerning the following Norwich churches : — St. Andrew, extending over 16 quarto pages; St. Peter per Mountergate, 24; St. Martin at Palace, 20 ; St. Michael at Plea, 11 ; St. Mary of Coslany, 11 ; and St. Martin of Bailey, 12. These are all dated 4th October, Edward VI. (1552), and contain, first, an inventory of the money, plate, bells, goods, vestments, and ornaments remaining in the respective churches on 15th February in the second year of Edward VI. (1548-9) ; secondly, an account year by year from the 15th February, 1548-9 to the 4th October, 1552, of all such of the aforesaid goods as had been sold, with the amounts accruing and the names of the persons to whom such sales had been made ; thirdly, a similar account of the manner in which the money had been expended ; and fourthly, an inventory of the money and goods remaining on the day of the date of the certificates. They contain much that is interesting as illustrating an eventful period of our history, for it appears that a great part of the plunder of the churches got into private hands. ("Original Papers," vol. vi, part 1.)
In the reign of this young King the statute commonly called the Six Articles was repealed, which had caused the death of so many martyrs in Norfolk, Suffolk, and other counties in the time of Henry VIII., and also those statutes enacted in the reign of Richard II. and Henry V. for the suppression of the Scriptures in English. Then orders were issued to clear the churches of all images, and commissioners were appointed with authority to pull them down, which they did as they proceeded throughout
VOL. II. H
98 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
all England. This greatly enraged the common people in Norwich and Norfolk, who rose at Lynn, Watton, Thetford, Dereham, and Brandon, but they were soon dispersed.
The causes of the misery of the common people are alluded to by the ballad writers in the reign of Edward VI. Indeed, the redistribution of the estates of the monasteries and abbeys, while it enriched many " vpstart gentlemen," must have been felt severely in the rural districts of Norfolk and Suffolk, where so many poor people had been for ages relieved in those institutions. The withdrawal of this bounty was not accom- plished gradually. There was a sudden severance of the relations which had so long subsisted between the monasteries and their poor dependents, and the change was fraught with great suffering to the rural poor. In the reign of Edward VI. many enclosures of waste lands hacl been made, and the discontents of the rural districts broke out into open rebellion. Encouraged by a proclamation of the Protector Somerset against enclo- sures, and inflamed by the acts of the dispossessed clergy, the oppressed peasantry at last rose in insurrection. Most of the outbreaks were easily suppressed, but two assumed a serious character. The first, which was in Cornwall and Devon, was a religious movement to a large extent.
The second insurrection, which began at Attleborough, in Norfolk, on June 20th, 1549, was directed against the system of enclosures and the general oppressions of the rich, grievances which the rebels hoped to remedy by removing evil councillors from the Court. On July 7th, the rising had made such progress that the rebels assembled at Wymondham fair in great numbers, and having chosen Robert Kett, a tanner of that place, for their leader, they levelled the fences of a farmer named Flower- dew at Hethersett, against whom Kett is supposed to have had some animosity. Flowerdew thereupon offered some men forty pence to throw down Rett's fences, and they did so. Kett was not a man to submit to this affront patiently, so next morning he induced the same mob to go to Flowerdew's grounds and repay the compliment by throwing down more fences. Flowerdew met them, and earnestly entreated them to go away and do him no mischief, but the choleric Kett incited them to proceed, and he became so heated in the affair that he declared himself to be the captain of the people, and offered to lead them to settle their grievances all over the county.
The fame of such a leader, a man of property and lord of three manors flew far and wide ; thousands flocked to his banner, and he led them to Household Heath, near Norwich, where he erected his tribunal under an oak, which was therefore called the " Oak of the Reformation." They even attempted to enter the city and to take possession of it. The Marquis of Northampton, who was sent against them was defeated, and Lord Sheffield
EVENTS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 99
was killed ; but the Earl of Warwick being despatched with an army of 8000 men to the county, attacked the rebels and gained a decisive victory over them on August 27th, in Disson Dale. About 3000 men were killed, Kett and his brother with other ringleaders were taken prisoners, tried, condemned, and executed. Tranquility was then restored, but the discontent of the poor people at the inclosures of land has continued ever since.
In 1548, Edward VI. knighted Sir Roger Wodehouse, of Kimberley, who on account of his small stature was called little Sir Roger, and he was often called knight of the carpet. At the beginning of Kett's re- bellion, taking his household servants with him, two carts laden with beer, and a third laden with provisions, he followed the rebels, intending to dis- suade them from their wicked enterprise if he could, imagining that they being his near neighbours and knowing his former kindness to them, would have some good effect, but on the contrary, they seized him, ill- treated him, carried him away, and imprisoned him in Surrey House on Household Heath.
On July 1st, 1549, the King granted the Chapel of St. John, near the Cathedral, to Sir Edward Warner, Knight, and Richard Catline, Gent, who made over their right, however, to the Mayor, Sheriff, and Commonalty of the city of Norwich ; but the Chapter of the Cathedral appears to have put in a claim to the estate, or at any rate seem to have considered that the grant had been made in violation of their rights as defined by their foundation deeds in the time of Henry VIII. Notwithstanding this, however, in the month of June, 1555, at an assembly held in the Guild- hall, Norwich, one John Bukke/B.A., was formally appointed to the office of schoolmaster under the Corporation, and a grant was made " for the exercise of the said office, all that crypt of the late chapel and house of St. John, and all those houses, buildings, outer yards and gardens what- soever being occupied and used in part and parcel of the said chapel or charnel house." Mention is made in the deeds of a "hall, parlours, kitchens, buttery, scullery, and houses behind the same," and especially of a " house covered with reed," called " the Round," so that the premises must have been very extensive and apparently in good repair; but it seems that the upper chapel (now schoolroom) was already in a ruinous condi- tion and unfit for the purposes of a school. It probably continued to get worse and worse, until in the year 1567 a great effort was made by the Norfolk gentry and the Norwich citizens to put the dilapidated buildings into a proper state of repair, and large sums were subscribed for that purpose. The upper chapel or schoolroom was repaired, the windows were reglazed and beautified by the coats of arms of some of the gentry, city companies, and others in stained glass, and a Latin inscription was
100 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
placed over the porch to commemorate the fact of the restoration. Unfortunately no precaution was taken to protect the windows with wire guards, and " the glory of the new house " was but short lived.
In less than a century not a vestige of stained glass remained on the north side, and on the south only here and there some fragments were to be seen. In another century we find in the city accounts the significant entry that " Corporation have repaired the glass in the windows, which are frequently broken by the scholars, and are expensive" In later times the buildings were completely restored.
The school as an institution dates from 1547, when the first master was appointed in the person of Henry Bird, M.A., probably of the University of Cambridge.
The year 1549 witnessed the publication of the Forty-Two Articles of the Church of England, which were the originals of the present Thirty- Nine. On their publication, Cranmer besought the council to petition the King that all the bishops might have authority from him to cause all the clergy to subscribe to the said articles. The council complied with this request, and the King accordingly issued letters to all the bishops, authorising them to demand the subscription, charging them, however, if any party refused to subscribe to any of these articles, first to use persuasion, before he was judged a recusant.
English reformers renounced the authority of one church to set up the authority of another. They proclaimed the right of private judgment for themselves, and yet denied it to others, by requiring subscription to the articles of their creed. To question freedom of thought is equally opposed to instinct and reason. Any authority must show a warrant for the demand of passive obedience before it is rendered by any man, and even the blindest slave must have freely thought and decided upon this warrant before he received it. The church or any other claimant of spiritual despotism must point out the proofs that show her right. Nor can it be allowed that any authoritative interpretation be affixed to scripture in advance, for the title and power to do either is the very point to be proved, and can only be acknowledged at all when the true meaning is fixed by private individual judgment. Until this is done, the church stands at the bar of the private opinion of every inquirer.
Lords Lieutenant of counties were first instituted July 24th, 1549.
The military and marine government of every county was committed to the care of the Lord Lieutenant and Vice Admiral, who was also Gustos Protedorum. The Lord Lieutenant was locum tenens of the King, and, as his viceroy, governed the county. It was an office of great distinction appointed by the King for managing the standing militia of the county, and all military affairs therein. He had the power of
EVENTS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTUEY. 101
commissioning all officers in the militia, with the sanction of the King as matter of form. He appointed the Deputy-Lieutenants, whose names were presented to the King. As Gustos Protedorum ho first qualified gentlemen into the commission of the place, and was supposed to have the custody of the rolls or records of sessions.
Two noblemen of Norfolk, residing in the county, were the original promoters of the Militia Act, passed in 1757; the institution, though strongly opposed at the time, proved of great national importance, and by the efforts of men zealous for the true interests of their country, rose progressively to a system of military discipline and tactics not inferior to regular troops. Norfolk had also the honour of raising the first battalion, which marched out of the county and did duty at Hilsea Barracks, near Portsmouth, im 1759.
In the reign of Edward VI., the Members of Parliament for Norfolk were the following : —
1547 — Sir Edward Knyvet, Old Buckenham ; Sir Nicholas Le Strange, Hunstanton.
1553 — Eobert Lord Dudley, fifth son of John first Duke of Northum- berland ; Thomas Lord Fitz Walter, Attleborough, eldest son of Henry Ratcliffe, second Earl of Sussex, to whose title he succeeded in 1556.
The Parliaments in this reign were rather independent, and they abrogated the series of acts of treason passed in the previous reign. Yet one of the Parliaments sanctioned the attainder of Lord Seymour, and none of them complained of the issuing of illegal proclamations.
Thomas Howard, the third Duke of Norfolk, pulled down the old Hall on the original site at Kenninghall, and about 1525 built a magnificent house a little to the north-east, afterwards known as Kenninghall Palace or Place. It was a very extensive and ornamental building, in the form of the letter H, and surrounded by a park of 700 acres. It is very remarkable that no print or drawing of this chief seat of the Dukes of Norfolk in the county has been preserved, and very little reference to it occurs in our contemporary writings, probably because the dukes seldom resided there. Yet it must have been the meeting place of many historical characters in the stirring times of Queens Mary and Elizabeth. Mary came there when her brother, Edward VI., died, July 6th, 1553 ; and on July 9th she wrote a letter to the Lords of the Council, dated at our Manor of Kenninghall, in which she asserts her title to the Crown, and states that she had learned from an advertisement that the King, her brother, had died on Thursday at night, last past. (Printed by Foxe, Holingshed, and Heylyn.)
In the Chronicle of Queen Jane, printed by the Camden Society from the Harleian MSS., the "writer, after recording the death of Edward VI.,
102 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
says, u The 12 th of July, word was brought to the Council, being then at the Tower with the Lady Jane, that the Lady Mary was at Kenninghall Castle, in Norfolk, and with her, the Earl of Bath, Sir Thomas Wharton, son to the Lord Warton ; Sir John Mordaunt, son to the Lord Mordaunt ; Sir William Drury, Sir John Sheltoc, Sir Henry Bedingfield, Master Henry Jerningham, Master John Suilleard, Master Eichard Preston, Master Serjeant Morgan, Master Clement Higham, of Lincoln's Inn, and divers others; and also that the Earle of Sussex and Master Henry Ratcliffe, his sonne, were eomming towards her. Whereupon, by speedy Councill, it was there concluded that the Duke of Suffolk, with certain other noblemen, should get towards the Lady Mary to fetch her up to London."
Miss Strickland, in her interesting work " The Queens of England," in reference to the Princess Mary, traces her from Hunsdon into Cam- bridgeshire, and thence by Bury St. Edmund's to Kenninghall Palace, in Norfolk, where she remained from the 9th to the 11th days of July, and next apprizes her readers of Mary's arrival on horseback at Framlingham Castle, in Suffolk, with her retinue, where she had to protect her an army of 13,000 men encamped around the walls, and then says, " The Queen had, directly on her arrival, formed a Privy Council at Framlingham Castle, who were soon in active correspondence with the municipal authorities at Harwich, Thetford, Norwich, and Ipswich."
The Mayor and Corporation of Thetford, being in some fear, begged for aid from the Queen's head quarters at Framlingham, but were answered by Mary's order, " That the pride of the enemy, they would see in a short time abated, therefore they of Thetford will be out of all doubt of their conceived fear." On the same day all the ships in the harbour of Harwich declared for the Queen, having deposed Sir Richard Broke and other captains from their command. The Queen commanded stores of ammunition to be instantly forwarded to Framlingham from these ships, and commissioned Captain John Basing to resume the command of the vessels.
After noticicg the arrival at the Castle of Framlingham of many visitors, including the Marquis of Northampton, Lord Robert Dudley, Bishop Ridley, and others, Miss Strickland states that on the last day, the camp broke up at Framlingham, and that commencing her triumphant march to the metropolis, she arrived the first day at Ipswich, the day, following she proceeded to her favourite seat at Newhall, thence she travelled to In- gatestone, and on August 3rd she arrived at her seat at Wanstead, where she disbanded her army except a body of horsemen, and the same day she entered London accompanied by many lords and ladies.
The Duke of Northumberland, then Chancellor of the University of
EVENTS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 103
Cambridge, having determined to espouse the cause of the Lady Jane Grey, came to Cambridge with an army to seize the Lady Mary, who being at Sir John Huddlestone's house at Sawston, and having received informa- tion of his design, escaped into Suffolk. The duke advanced with his army towards Bury St. Edmund's, but finding the country flocking to the Lady Mary he returned with a small party to Cambridge, and endeavoured to make his peace by proclaiming Queen Mary in the Market Place, but ho was arrested for high treason the same night in King's College. His subsequent fate is well known. His great unpopularity injured the cause of his daughter-in-law, and promoted that of her rival.
During the attempt of the Duke of Northumberland to raise Lady Jane Grey to the throne, the inhabitants of Colchester steadfastly adhered to the interests of Mary, whose cause they supported with so much zeal, that very soon after her accession, that Queen visited the town for the express purpose of testifying her gratitude. The very loyal inhabitants received her majesty with every public demonstration of joy, and on her departure presented to her a silver cup containing £20 in gold. During her reign many of the Protestant inhabitants were put to death on account of their religious opinions.
THE REIGN OF QUEEN MARY, 1553 TO 1558.
King Edward VI. died on July 6th, 1553, and his death was kept as private as possible, the better to enable the court to gain time, and to provide against the proceedings of the Princess Mary, the late King's sister, whom they believed would contend for her right. The Princess, being informed of her brother's death at her house at Hovedon, and how affairs stood at Court, instead of going directly to London as was expected, retired to her palace at Kenninghall, in Norfolk, where she had many friends.
On the death of Edward VI. the Lady Jane Grey, whom the King had appointed his successor by letters patent under the great seal, was pro- claimed Queen, but the Princess Mary, the King's sister, resolving to support her claim, sent a messago from Kenninghall, in Norfolk, whither she had retired on the news of her brother's death, commanding the Lords of the Council to notify her accession to the throne, which they refused to do. During her continuance there she was joined by many of the nobility and principal gentlemen of Norfolk and Suffolk, as Sir Henry Jerningham, Sir Henry Bedingfield, Sir William Drury, Sir John Shelton, Sir John Mordaunt, son to Lord Mordaunt, Sir Thomas Wharton, son to Lord Wharton, Mr. John Suilleard, Mr. Eichard Freston, Serjeant Morgan, Mr. Eichard Higham, the Earls of Bath and Sussex, Mr. Henry Eatcliffe, and others. On July 18th the Princess was proclaimed
- 104 HISTOEY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
in Norwich, and one hundred soldiers, raised by the city for her service, were sent to join her at Framlingham Castle, whither she had retired as to a place of greater strength than Kenninghall, and more conveniently situated for retreating into Flanders in the event of failure.
She was indebted for her crown principally to the gentlemen of Norfolk and Suffolk, as yet attached to the old Church of Rome, but the services of some knights were very soon forgotten, as well as the promises made to them respecting religion. Some petitioners on that head were plainly told " that members must obey their head and not expect to rule it, and to prevent any further disagreeable applications, one Debbes, a gentleman who lived near Wymondham, was set on the pillory three days succes- sively for reminding the Queen of her former promises.
On October 24th, 1553, the Queen assembled her first Parliament, and in November an Act was passed declaring " that all the laws that had been made in King Edward's time concerning religion were now repealed, and enacting that from the 20th December next there should be no other form of divine service used, but what had been used in the last year of Henry VIII. In December, Parliament was dissolved, and another was called for the 20th of February, 1554, which having sat for a few months was dissolved on May 5th following. Mary now married Phillip of Spain, and a Parliament was called to meet in November,
On the 18th of December, an Act was passed reviving the statutes made by Richard II., Henry IV., and Henry V. against the heretics, and on the 26th of December, an Act " for the repeal of certain Acts made against the supremacy of the See of Rome." This was carrying matters with too high a hand for even some of the Papists. Accordingly in this Parliament thirty-seven members, seeing the majority inclined to sacrifice everything to the Ministry, voluntarily left the house. Among them was Robert Brown, then the member for Colchester. Numbers perceiving the extremities to which the Queen was thus proceeding, soon fled from the country.
Mary and Bishop Bonner lost no time in taking advantage of the measures already carried to execute their purpose. On February 28th, 1554, the Bishop issued a monition to all the clergy of his diocese, • charging them to note all the parishioners who should not come to " con- fession " and to the "sacrament " by the '6th of April following, that he might proceed against them; and in that same week all such priests within the diocese of London as were married were deprived of their livings, and commanded to bring their wives within a fortnight, that they might be likewise divorced from them. This last the bishop did of his own power. In March the Queen issued " Articles," enjoining the speedy execution of such canons and ecclesiastical laws as
EVENTS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 105
had been in use in the time of Henry VIII. And shortly afterwards Bonner sent out such " Articles/' preparatory to a general visitation of his diocese. As the result of it, nearly one hundred clergymen who beneficed in Essex were deprived, the greater part of them, for no other crime than that of being married men. The general persecution now commenced, and among the first to suffer were William Piggott, Stephen Knight, Thomas Hawkes, John Lawrence, and William Hunter, all of whom were brought up out of Essex.
The Queen was a bigoted Roman Catholic, and in her reign Popery was revived in its worst form, associated with all the atrocities of the most sanguinary persecution. Protestants were gathered like fuel for burning ; and as for the Puritans, no fate could be too severe for them. A furious persecution arose against all who opposed the tyranny and super- stition of the Church of Rome. During this reign five bishops, twenty-one divines, eight gentlemen, eighty-four artificers, 100 husbandmen, servants, and labourers, forty-six wives and widows, nine virgins, and two infants, perished in the flames. Besides the foregoing, sixty-four persons of different ranks and stations were persecuted for professing the reformed religion, of whom seven were whipped, sixteen died in prison, and several laid under sentence of condemnation, but were happily delivered by the death of this detestable Queen, which happened on November 7th, 1558. That year was remarkable for a severe mortality throughout Norfolk and Suffolk, indeed, through all the kingdom, as if in judgment on the whole of the people who shared in the cruelties of this bloody reign.
Notwithstanding the feeling in favour of the succession of Mary, her religious opinions were no secret to the people. She had adhered stead- fastly to the old form and faith, and whatever may be thought of her acts, there can be no doubt of her personal sincerity. The chief officers of her household were committed' to the Tower for allowing the performance of the ancient service ; and the Lord Chancellor, Sir Anthony Wingfield, and Sir William Petre, proceeding to Copped Hall, in Essex, the resi- dence of the Princess, announced to her, her chaplains, and servants, the Royal pleasure. These, after a short demur, promised obedience. She replied, " Rather than use any other service than was used at the death of the late King, my father, I will lay my head on a block and suffer death." With these strong feelings in the Sovereign, backed by subservient Parliaments, the waves of the Reformation soon began to be rolled back. First, the Protestant preachers in the county were silenced ; many ministers were expelled because they had taken to themselves wives ; and in common with the rest of the kingdom, the mass and the Roman ritual were restored in all the Essex churches, although, singularly enough, we find incidental mention made of the chained Bibles remaining in some of
106 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
them after this period. The full storm of persecution soon after broke fiercely upon the county. Bonner, who was in prison for his adherence to the Catholic cause, was liberated, and rein- stated in the see of London on the accession of the Queen. He retaliated savagely upon the Protestants ; and this district, being within his jurisdiction, presents a long and sorrowful list of those who perished in the vain attempt to root by terror the new doctrines, which had struck deeply into the heart of the land. One of the first and most remarkable of these victims was a youth of nineteen, named William Hunter, of Brentwood. He was apprenticed to a silk weaver in London, but left his master in 1555, and returned to Brentwood, in consequence of his religious opinions. Being questioned by the vicar of South Weald upon religious matters, and being found unsound as to the doctrine of the real presence in the sacrament, the great test of orthodoxy in those days, he was denounced to one Master Brown, who appears to have taken the post of inquisitor in the neighbourhood,, but Master Brown, finding him too difficult to deal with, sent him to Bonner in London. The bishop tried all he could to shake his faith, and even offered to make him his steward, or set him up in business, but it was all of no use, and he was condemned to the flames. He was burnt near where the butts stood, somewhere it is believed near the Grammar School. While the pile that was to consume him was being prepared, he knelt down on a broom faggot and read the scriptures, amidst the taunts of one Master Tyrol!, of the Beaches. He rejected the offer of life made to him by the Queen, if he would recant, and having warned the people against a priest who was present, held his head down in the smothering smoke and yielded up his life. Two gentlemen of considerable property in the county met a similar fate the same day — Thomas Heybed, of Horndon-on-the-Hill, and Thomas Causton, of Thundersley. These being persons of note, had been argued with by Bonner himself, and being condemned in the Con- sistory Court of St. Paul's, they were brought down in the same cart with Hunter, Heybed being burnt in his native village, and Causton at Rayleigh, on the 26th of March, 1555. Other executions of a like kind rapidly followed. On the 28th of the same month, William Pigot was burned at Braintree, and Stephen Knight at Maldon. On the 29th, John Laurence, a priest, was carried to the pile in a chair, being too weak to walk, and was burnt at Colchester. On the 10th of June, 1555, Thomas Hawkes, a gentleman and courtier, who was burnt at Coggeshall for leaving his child unbaptized, as were also two agricultural labourers of Great Wigborough, one being burnt at Rayleigh and the other at Rochford.
Thomas Watts a linen-draper, of Billericay, was burnt at Chelmsford.
EVENTS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTUEY. 107
The next sufferers were a company of Coggeshall men, of whom Nicholas Chamberlin, a weaver, was burnt at Colchester, on the 14th of June; Thomas Osmond, a fuller, of Manningtree, on the 15th; and William Bainford, a weaver, of Harwich, on the same day.
Rochford Hundred was a stronghold of the Protestants. When expelled from the churches, they met for worship in the woods and fields. A congregation of about 100 were in the habit of meeting in Plumborow Wood and Becke's Wood, in Hockley, to listen to the sermons of William Tyms, the expelled curate of that parish. Tyrrell, the owner of the woods, considered them desecrated or polluted with the sermons, and commenced a hunt after the offenders. Tyms being caught, was sent to Bonner's Court, from which he passed to Smithfield, and was burnt there on the 14th of April, 1556, together with Richard Spurge, shearman; Thomas Spurge, fuller ; all of Booking ; and Robert Drakes, the former minister of Thundersley.
In May, 155G, the following persons were burnt at Colchester, viz. : — John Mace, apothecary ; John Spencer, weaver ; Simon Joyne, sawyer ; Richard Nichols, weaver ; John Hammond, tanner ; and Christopher Lyster, a labourer, of Dagenham. Even cripples did not escape, for Hugh Laverick, a cripple, and John Apprice, a blind man, both of Bark- ing, were seized, and on the 15th of May, 1556, they were taken to Stratford and burnt. Wlien at the stake, the cripple threw away his crutch, and exclaimed to his fellow-sufferer, "Be of good comfort, my brother, for my Lord of London is our good physician ; he will heal us both shortly — thee of thy blindness, and me of my lameness." The next day Catherine Hut, of Booking, widow ; Joan Homes, Elizabeth Thack- well, and Margaret Ellis, three maidens of Billericay and Burstead, were burnt in Smithfield ; and on the 27th of June, 1556, thirteen were burnt at Stratford. Their names were Lyon Couch, merchant ; Heniy Wye, brewer, of Stanf ord-le-Hope ; William Holliwell, of Waltham Holy Cross ; Ralph Jackson, servant, of Chipping Ongar ; Lawrence Parman, smith, of Hoddesdon, Herts ; John Denfal, labourer, of Rettendun ; Edmund Hurst, labourer, of Colchester ; Thomas Bowyer, weaver, of Great Dun- mow ; George Scarles, tailor, of White Notley ; Henry Adlington, saw- yer, of Greenstead ; John Routh, labourer, of Wix ; Elizabeth Pepper, wife of a weaver at Colchester ; and Agnes George, wife of a labourer at West Bergholt, who had another wife burnt in the postern in Colchester. The persecutions raged with great fury at Colchester. The borough had become the chief post of the " Gospellers," as the Protestants were called.
On the 2nd of August, 1557, six persons liviug in Colchester were, burnt just outside the town wall. Their names were — John Johnson labourer, of Thorpe; William Bongear, glazier; Thomas Benett,
108 HISTOKY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
tallow-chandler ; Agnes Silverside, Ellen Ewring, the wife of a miller and Elizabeth Felkes, maid servant.
On the 17th of September, the same year, Agnes Bongear and Margaret Thurston were burnt in the Castle-yard, Colchester, and William Harris, and Richard Day, and Christian George, on the 26th of May, 1558. These were the last that were burnt at Colchester.
The case of George Eagles is rather a singular one. He was a tailor, with little or no learning, but " being eloquent," he set up as a preacher, and travelling from county to county, exhorting and encouraging the Protestants, he obtained the nickname of Trudgeovcr. In consequence of a royal proclamation, offering £20 for his apprehension, he was com- pelled to hide in the fields and woods, but one day, being recognised in Colchester, he fled into the country, where he was caught in a corn-field. He was taken to London, but sent down to Chelmsford for trial. The charge against him was high treason, for having seditiously assembled companies of more than six together, and being found guilty, was doomed to death. After being half hung, he was taken down, when a bailiff named William Swallow, hacked off his head with a blunt cleaver. The body being divided into four parts, and the bowels burnt, his head was set upon a pole at Chelmsford.
In 1534, the famous or rather infamous Edmund Bonner, LL.D., was collated to the rectory of East Dereham by the Bishop of Ely. In 1538 he was installed Bishop of Hertford, and in 1540 Bishop of London. In 1549 he was deprived and committed to prison by Edward VI., and restored again by Mary in 1553, and employed by that bloody Queen in persecuting the Protestants in 1555. He was slighted by Queen Elizabeth and despised, or rather hated by all men, in 1558. He died in the Marshalsea September 5th, 1569. He was the natural son of a priest named Savage, and he was a savage by nature; but his mother, Elizabeth Frodsham, marrying Edmund Bonner, of Henley, in Worcestershire, he was called by his name.
Suffolk has had no small share and no humble place in the past history of the English Church, and a parallel might be drawn between different periods, before and since the Reformation. The first scene of the Refor- mation may be laid in the good old town of Hadleigh, and Rowland Taylors name may well stir up a holy enthusiasm, when we think what he was and how he suffered for the sake of the Gospel. John Foxe speaks very warmly of the champion of the truth. It is a strange contrast which appears when the humble Hadleigh rector stood before the proud prelate Gardiner to be examined concerning his faith. They were both Suffolk men — at least, it is a current opinion that Bishop Gardiner was a native of Bury St. Edmund's. The honest old rector and the proud
EVENTS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 109
perjured prelate are representative men. Now, what had Rowland Taylor done ? Ho had dared to preach against the errors of the Church of Rome. It was charged against him by Gardiner : " Thou art married, thou speakest against the holy Mass, which is made sacrifice for the quick and the dead."
The Rector answered, u My lord, I am parson of Hadleigh ; and it is against all right conscience and laws that any man should come into my charge and presume to infect the flock committed to me with the venom of the Popish idolatrous Mass. Christ gave himself to die for our re- demption on the cross, whose body there offered was the propitiatory sacrifice, full, perfect, and sufficient unto salvation for all them that believe in him. And this holy sacrifice did our Saviour Christ offer in his own person himself once for all ; neither can any priest any more offer him, nor need we any more propitiatory sacrifice." That was a dark day in February, 1555, when such a man for preaching such truth was burnt on Aldham Common. It was hard to bring him back amidst his owu people, who wept around him, but trembled at the sight of the power which their oppressors had seized. And yet the brave old martyr had no doubt about the truth for which he died, and no fear as to the terrible agony through which he had to pass. Before he was burnt he said, " Good people, I have taught you nothing but God's holy word and those lessons that I have taken out of God's blessed book, the Holy Bible, and I am come hither this day to seal it with my blood." Protestants should not forget such a scene as that. Popery is still unchanged, and she boasts that she can say so still. The Protestant feeling of the 16th century is a pattern for us still. The lion may be tamed, but there is blood upon his beard still.
Reformers in Norfolk and Suffolk went to the stake at Bury, at Norwich, and in other towns, not because they were disloyal or criminal, nor because they were immoral, nor because they were injurious to the people, but because the people loved them and heard them gladly on account of the love they had for Christ and the Gospel.
The author of the "Magna Britannica"has given a long list of persons whose zeal for the cause of the Reformation during the furious reign of Queen Mary subjected them to dire persecution. Many of them were natives of Norwich and Norfolk. The detail is followed up by a sickening recital of afflictions, imprisonments, confiscations, maimings, and burn- ings, but we decline recording the particulars, judging it more for the honour of humanity and religion to bury such diabolical proceedings in total oblivion.
Sir John Gresham was born at Holt, in Norfolk, and educated at the University of Cambridge, whence he removed to London, and entered
110 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
into partnership with his brother, an eminent merchant. Ho served the office of Sheriff of London during the year that his brother was Lord Mayor, 1537, and founded a free grammar school in the place of his nativity. Both he and his brother continued to flourish in tirade, and projected the scheme of building an exchange in London, which was afterwards completed by Sir Thomas, son of Sir Richard. He was Lord Mayor in 1547, and died in 1556, aged forty-nine years.
John Hopton, D.D., was chosen Bishop of Norwich in 1554. He was a zealous adherent of the Princess Mary, who on her accession to the throne, promoted him to the see. He was a bigoted papist, and a furious per- secutor of the Protestants, and the last of the persecuting bishops of this diocese, but the persecuting spirit lived long after him in the Church of England. The death of the Queen had such an effect upon him that he died of grief and the fear of a change in the national religion. He was buried in 1559 in Norwich Cathedral, where many other persecuting bishops now repose.
In the reign of Queen Mary, the representatives of the county of Nor- folk were the following : —
1553 — Sir Richard Southwell, Knt., Wood Rising; Sir Henry Beding- field, Knt., Oxburgh.
1554 — Sir Richard Southwell, Knt., Wood Rising; Sir Henry Beding- field, Knt., Oxburgh.
1554 — Sir Richard Southwell, Knt., Wood Rising; Sir John Shelton Knt., Shelton.
1555 — Sir John Clerk, Knt., Blickling ; John Appleyard, Esq., Bracon Ash.
1557 — Sir Henry Bedingfield, Oxburgh ; Sir William Wodehouse, Kimberley.
During the reign of Mary, her sister, the Princess Elizabeth, took shelter in Essex. At one period she is said to have resided in a place called the fort of the castle or manor house of the Fitz Walters at Wood- ham Walter, which her mother, Anne Boleyn, in her days of beauty and power had been fond of visiting. She sought safety also in a more secluded part of Essex, at Great Bradfield, her retreat being the old house called the Place Farm, in which two rooms used to be pointed out as specially appropriated for the residence of the royal fugitive, and there she devoted herself to her classical and biblical studies. She became one of the most learned persons of her time.
THE JEENINGHAM FAMILY.
In the reign of Queen Mary, one of the most loyal of her subjects, Sir Henry Jerningham, began the erection of a new mansion at Costessey,
EVENTS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. Ill
but from the date over the porch, 1564, it appears not to have been finished till the reign of Elizabeth. Sir William Jerningham made very great improvements in the mansion, which contained several spacious apartments, adorned with numerous family portraits and others of eminent characters in English history, including a portrait of Queen Mary said to be by Holbein.
The family of the Jernegans, or Jerninghams, of Somerleyton, in Suffolk, became distinguished in the wars of Henry VIII. Sir Richard Jernegan, the second son of Sir John, attended that King in his wars in Flanders, and received then the honour of knighthood. He was sent by tbe same monarch, in 1523, as ambassador to the Emperor Charles V., then in Spain, and a collection of his correspondence with Cardinal Wooley is preserved in the Harleian Manuscripts. Sir Richard was also one of the gentlemen of the Privy Chamber to the same King. From the histories of the famous interview between Henry VIII. and Fi'ancis I. at the Champ du Drap d'Or, it appears that Sir Richard was an actor in all the feats of chivalry exhibited on that celebrated occasion. We learn, also, from Hall's Chronicles, that at the setting up of the two great royal shields of France and England, by way of general challenge to all comers at tilt, tournament, and barriers, with those of the respective associated knights, that the shield of Sir Richard Jernegan, bearing three armed buckles, gules on a field argent, was suspended upon the same tree with that of a French knight named Brean. This Sir Richard Jernegan married Ann, daughter of Sir Guy Sapcotes, but had no issue.
Sir Henry Jerningham, Knt., who was owner of estates at Wingfield and Huntingfield in Suffolk, and Costessey in Norfolk, was one of the first among the knights of those counties who espoused the cause of Queen Mary and proceeded at the head of his tenants and retainers to join the Queen at Kenninghall, and afterwards at Framlingham Castle, having previously preclaimed her at Norwich. The interest of the Jerningham family was very great at this period in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, particularly the influence of Sir Hemy, in the neighbourhood of Yarmouth, by which he was enabled at this very critical time to take possession of the fleet, which had been stationed there for the purpose of interrupting the Queen in the event of her attempting to quit England.
The Queen proved herself not ungrateful for the eminent services of Sir Henry, for upon her accession to the throne, she immediately appointed him Vice Chamberlain, Captain of the Guard, Master of the Horse and her Household, one of the Privy Council, Keeper of the Royal Palace of Eltham, in Kent, and Lieutenant of that county. Her Majesty also granted him several large manors in Norfolk, Suffolk, Herefoixlshiro, and Gloucestershire, and particularly those of Costessey, in Norfolk, and
112 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Wingfield Castle, in Suffolk. He was one of the representatives in Pai'liament for Suffolk in the first year of Queen Mary, and his eldest son, Henry Jemingham, represented it in the third and fourth years of the same reign. He continued firmly attached to the Queen during her reign.
Playfair in his baronetage observes few private families can prove such a lengthened succession of knights and baronets, who have all been matched with ladies of an equal or superior rank, and it is no less deserving of remark that they should have lived through so many centuries by a lineal male descent in nearly one original stock without spreading into several branches and settling in other parts of the king- dom, and have inviolably adhered to the ancient faith of England to which their ancestors were originally converted.
THE BEDINGFELD FAMILY, OXBURGH.
Blomefield has justly assigned in his work a prominent place to the Bedingfeld family and their ancestral residence at Oxnead ; but he is mistaken when he states that it was in possession of that family for about 500 years without any alienation, as appears from a deed, dated October 23rd, 1652, in the time of the Civil Wars, proving that this ancient family suffered the loss of all their possessions in Norfolk, in consequence of their loyalty to the martyred King of England. (See " Original Papers," vol. iv., part 3.)
After the Weylands, the manor of Oxburgh descended by the female line to Sir Thomas Tudenham about the year 1427. He was beheaded on Tower Hill, February 22nd, 1461, on suspicion of having received letters from Margaret the wife of Henry VI. Hume states that the lands and manors of Tudenham were forfeited to the Crown. Blomefield says that he left them to his sister Margaret, relict of Edmund Bedingfeld, Esq., of Bedingfeld in Suffolk. They may have been granted to her after the forfeiture. Be that as it may, the grandson of this Margaret, Edmund Bedingfeld, built the present hall at Oxburgh.
The family continued in quiet possession till the Civil Wars, when this and many other large estates were seized by Cromwell and the Parliament which obeyed his bidding. Then it was sold for nearly £10,000 to William Holcroft and Jeoffry Northleigh during the term of the natural life of the- owner, Sir Henry Bedingfeld, free from all incumbrances except an annuity of £550 payable to his son Thomas Bedingfeld. At the Restoration, the estate was purchased by the surviving branches of the family, whose descendants have held it ever since.
CHAPTER XVI.
NABKATIVE OF EVENTS IN THE ELIZABETHAN EEA.
SECOND HALF OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.
tjjlrHIS was one of the most eventful periods of our history, including \zS)i the completion of the Reformation, and the establishment of the Church of England. The Reformation was begun by Wickliffe in England, carried on by Erasmus and finished by Luther on the Continent. Wick- liffe was the first reformer who entirely renounced the authority of the Pope and the Church of Rome, as already shown in the fourteenth century, and his opinions were soon widely disseminated over the Eastern Counties, and indeed all over England ; but the principle of toleration was not under- stood even in the second half of the sixteenth century. English reformers claimed the right of private judgment for themselves, but denied it to those who did not conform to the new system of the Established Church. Persecution of Nonconformists continued to rage throughout the' whole of the century, and nowhere more fiercely than in Eastern England. Reformers renounced the supremacy of the Pope, and set up the supremacy of their own sovereign in all matters civil and ecclesiastical. Notwithstanding, the second half of this century was a period of great political and religious development.
REIGN OP ELIZABETH, 1558 TO 1603.
This Queen was the younger daughter of Henry VIII., by his second wife, Anne Boleyn, of Blickling, in Norfolk. She was born at Greenwich, September 7th, 1533, and she reigned till 1603. She never married. On the death of her sister Mary, she was immediately proclaimed Queen, and her accession was most heartily welcomed by the great body of the people. Though in the late reign she had conformed to the established faith, she now showed to which side her religious views inclined by selecting Sir William Cecil as her chief adviser.
VOL. II. i
114 history op eastern England.
One of the first acts of the new Queen was to issue her commands for the release of such prisoners for the sake of their religion as had been left . by Mary in the different jails in the kingdom. At Colchester there appears to have been ten if not more, besides Alice Michael, Christian Crampe, and John Hoste, who were liberated. Encouraged by this and similar proceedings on the part of the Queen, many an earnest "gospeller " who had hitherto concealed himself now came from his retirement and began openly to preach ; but this did not please the new Queen. A proclamation was therefore issued in December, 1558, to the effect that preachers should forbear to preach any other doctrines other than those in the gospels or epistles of the day on pain of being punished. Many preachers who did not conform were punished under the proclamation ; among others were Pullen and Dodman at Colchester, and Thomas Pike at Shoebury.
Within a month after the issue of the proclamation Elizabeth had met her first Parliament, which was convened for January 23rd, 1559. The two most important measures now passed were " An Act to restore to the Crown the ancient jurisdiction over the Estate Ecclesiastical and Spiritual, and an Act for the Uniformity of Common Prayer and Service in the church and administration of the sacraments." Among other powers conferred upon the Crown by the Act of Supremacy, was one that gave rise to a new court, afterwards the notorious Court of High Commission.
In the first year of this reign Yarmouth obtained an important privilege, that of holding an Admiralty Court on every Monday through- out the year, with power to try all maritime causes within their jurisdic- tion except piracy. This grant was further confirmed by James I., who gave an additional power to punish pirates, of which the court has several times availed itself. In the eleventh year of James I. five persons were tried and condemned, of whom three were hanged for piracy.
The Guildhall at Yarmouth was used as a place of feasting in the reign of Elizabeth. The order of the feast as agreed on at an assembly held March 18th, 1563, was as follows: — "First, that every brother of the house should, on the vigil or eve of the Blessed Trinity, be present in the church to hear divine service ; and should pay for him and his wife 2s. 8d. towards the charges of the feast, whether he came or not ; every brother or sister extraordinary coming thither, to pay 12d. a-piece, and so every other person the like. Their diet to be this : at their coming to church on the eve aforesaid, a competency of spice cakes, beer, and ale to be provided for them," &c.
Queen Elizabeth confirmed by a charter the endowment of the Free Grammar School at Ipswich. The endowment was originally
EVENTS IN THE ELIZABETHAN ERA. 115
only £38 13s. 4d. per annum from the fee-farm rent of the borough, which was augmented with £11 per annum from a benefaction by Richard Felaw, who in 1482 bequeathed lands and tenements, the produce of which is now principally appropriated to the support of Christ's Hospital. The school is called Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, and its dome roof is visible from surrounding parts of the country. There is also the Ipswich Grammar School, founded in 1851.
The town appears to have been in a very .prosperous state in the reign of Elizabeth, and much money was spent in adorning the buildings that were then erected by its wealthy traders. Almost all the quaint and costly devices which remain in the fronts of the houses in this town are dated in the second half of this century. This curious taste of the in- habitants was carried to its culminating point in an ancient house in the Old Butter Market. It was built in 1567, and was occupied by one George Copping. It soon after was occupied by the Sparrow family, who lived in it from generation to generation till a few years ago. This ancient house is a remarkable instance of elaborate ornamental pargeting.
In 1561 the Earls of Northumberland and Huntingdon, the Lords Thomas Howard and Willoughby, with many other lords and knights, came to Norwich to visit the Dnke of Norfolk, who had a palace in the parish of St. John's Maddermarket. They were lodged with their retinue at the Duke's Palace, and it being at the time when the Mayor's feast was held in St. Andrew's Hall, William Mingay, Esq., then Mayor, invited them with their ladies, also the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk, the Lord Scroop and his lady, the Lord Bartlett and his lady, with so many more lords, ladies, and knights that " the hall could scarce contain them." The four feast makers were John Suckling, baker, Thomas Sayer and Christopher Sayer, merchants, and Lawrence Wood, scrivener, by whose good management all things were kept in order, and the nobility expressed great satisfaction at their generous reception. The Mayor's bill for his share of the expense amounted to £1 12s. 5d., that being equal to £12 of our present money. The other feastmakers bore the rest of the expense, which at the same rate would be £48 of our money, or £60 in all. Certainly a cheap feast for so many lords, ladies, and citizens as filled the hall.
Queen Elizabeth was induced by the Duke of Norfolk to offer an asylum in her dominions to the inhabitants of the Netherlands, who had fled from the cruel persecutions of the infamous Duke of Alva. These refugees brought with them their arts and industry, and were allowed to settle in different parts of Norfolk and Suffolk. They rapidly increased from 3300 to 4000, and the county of Norfolk was essentially benefited by
116 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
their skill and exertions. New manufactures were introduced by the mixture of silk, mohair, and wool.
Queen Elizabeth granted permission by proclamation in 1561, to all Huguenots (who were debarred from exercising their religion in France) to reside in England, offering them her protection. A great number immediately came over, and many of them settled in Yarmouth, Norwich, and other towns in the Eastern Counties. In 1562, Yarmouth was so full of foreign Protestants, who were daily increasing in number, that the bailiffs found it expedient to publish an order forbidding the influx of any more foreigners from the Low Countries within that town.
The refugees continued to land at Yarmouth, Harwich, and other places along the eastern coast during the summer of 1562 ; and proceed- ing into the interior of the country, they settled in various towns. One of the most important of such settlements was that formed at Norwich, where they founded and carried on many very important branches of trade. Although Norwich had been originally indebted mainly to the foreign artisans for its manufacturing importance, the natives -of the city were the first to turn on their benefactors. The local guilds, in their usual narrow spirit, passed stringent regulations directed against the foreigners, who had originally taught them their trade. The jealousy of the native workmen was also roused, and riots were stirred up against the Flemings, many of whom left Norwich for Leeds and Wakefield in Yorkshire, where they carried on the woollen manufacture free from the restrictions of trades unions, while others left the country for Holland to carry on their trades in the free towns of that country. The consequence was that Norwich, left to its native enterprise and industry, gradually fell into a state of decay. Its population rapidly diminished, a large number of tho houses stood empty, riots were of frequent occurrence, and it was even mooted in Parliament whether the place should not be razed to the ground.
Under such circumstances, the Council determined to call to their aid the skill and industry of the Protestant exiles now flocking into the country. In 1504., a deputation of the citizens, headed by the Mayor, waited on the Duke of Norfolk at his palace in the city, and asked his assistance in obtaining a settlement in the place of a body of Flemish workmen. The Duke used his influence with this object, and succeeded in inducing about 300 Dutch and Walloon families to settle in Norwich at his charge, and to carry on their trades under a license granted by the Queen. The exiles were very soon enabled not only to maintain them- selves by their industry, but to restore the city to its former prosperity. The houses which had been standing empty were again tenanted, the native population were again fully employed, and the adjoining districts
EVENTS IN THE ELIZABETHAN EEA. 117
shared in the general prosperity. In the course of a few years, 3000 of the foreigners were found settled in the city, and many entirely new branches of trade were introduced by them, and successfully carried on. As before, the sour native heart grew jealous, and notwithstanding the admitted prosperity of the place, the citizens began to mutter discontent against the foreigners, who continued to increase in numbers. The hostile movement against them resulted in a conspiracy with the object of expelling them by force from the city. But the conspiracy was discovered in time. Its leader, John Throgmorton, and two others were seized and executed, and the strangers pursued their callings in peace.
Whatever may have been the shortcomings of Elizabeth in other respects, she certainly proved herself the steadfast friend and protector of the Protestant exiles. Her conduct with reference to the Norwich conspiracy clearly shows the spirit which influenced her. In a letter written by her from the Palace at Greenwich, dated the 19th March, 1570, she strongly expostulated with the citizens of Norwich concerning their jealousy of the authors of their prosperity. She reminded them of the advantages they had derived from the settlement amongst them of so many skilled artisans, who then inhabited the houses which before stood desolate, and were causing the employment of large numbers of persons who must otherwise have remained idle. She therefore entreated them to continue their favours " to the poor men of the Dutch nation, who seeing the persecution lately begun in their country for the true religion, have fled into this realm for succour, and were now placed in the city of Norwich." There is now a copy of a document in the State Paper Office (Dom. Eliz., 1561) giving an account of the benefits arising from the strangers in the city for ten years. The following is an extract : — " Im primis, They brought a grete comoditie thither, viz., the making of bayes, mocades, grograynes, all sorts of tufts, &c, which were not made there before, whereby they do not onely set on worke their owne people, but do also set on worke our owne people within the cittie, as also a grete nomber of people nere XXtie myles aboute the cittie, to the grete relief of the (poorer) sorte there."
In 1568, a body of refugees of the seafaring class established them- selves at Yarmouth with the Queen's license, and there carried on the business of fishing with great success. They laid the sure foundation of an important branch of industry. Before then, the fish along the English coasts were mostly caught by the Dutch, who- cured them in Holland, and brought them back for sale in English markets. But shortly after the establishment of the fishery at Yarmouth by the Flemings, the home demand was almost entirely supplied by their industry. They also intro- duced the arts of salt-making and herring-curing, originally a Flemish
118 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
invention. The trade was gradually extended to other places in Norfolk and Suffolk, and furnished employment to a large number of persons.
In the year 1579, the Queen riding on horseback made a tour through the Eastern Counties, commencing with Essex, and she was so gratified with the hospitality offered her there, that she tarried long in the houses of the Essex nobility. On August 5th, she visited her loyal subjects at Greenwich and Havering for five days. On August 10th she proceeded to Woodcroft Hall and honoured Mr. Weston Brown by a sojourn of two days. On August 12th she went to Lord Biches' Hall at Lees, and there abode three days. On August 16th she visited Lady Maltravers, at Gosfield, where she stayed five days. On August 20th she went to Mr. Walgrave's, at Smallbridge, and honoured him with her company for two days. On August 22nd she proceeded to Ipswich, where she was enter- tained for four days by some of the loyal gentry. On August 26th she visited Harwich, where she lodged at a house in the middle of the High Street, and was right royally entertained by the little borough, and when she took her departure the magistrates attended her in procession "as far as the windmill out of the town." Pleased with the dutiful attention she had received, her Majesty seems to have intended to reward it by some special privilege or favour, and she asked the officials around her what they wished her to do for the town. They replied, " Nothing but wish your Majesty a good journey." Struck with this spirit of inde- pendence the Queen turned her horses round, and surveying the place, said, " A pretty town, and wants nothing." So she took her leave of the little paradise of contentment, and on August 26th went to Lord Drury's, where she abode three days, and there, as well as in other Essex Halls, she was entertained with all the rude pomp and hospitality of the age. The drawing-room floors were strewed with fresh rushes, and the nobles indulged in all those luxuries which then began to be the reproach of the age, but now would be thought little of in a middle-class household. On September 1st the Queen rode to Colchester, where the inhabitants put on their brightest attire to receive her Majesty, and showed her great hospitality. The raiment which the officers wore seems rather grotesque in these days of plain garments, but no doubt in those times they were the height of splendour. The bailiffs and aldermen rode upon " comely geldings, with foot-clothes in damask or satin cossacks or coats, or else jackets of the same with satin sleeves in their scarlet gowns, with caps and black velvet tippets," &c. The councillors attended the aldermen in gorgeous apparel.
Thus attired the Corporation met the Queen. The Eecorder of the Borough, Sir Francis Walsingham, one of the Secretaries of State, delivered one of his best orations, and her Majesty was presented with a
EVENTS IN THE ELIZABETHAN ERA. 119
cup of silver, double gilt, value of twenty marks, with forty angels in the same coins with an angel impressed thereon, value of ten shillings each, doubtless regarded as a handsome present by the parsimonious Queen. The officers attendant on her did not disdain to receive largess from the borough, and showed a great liking for its good fare, of which they received a liberal supply. On September 3rd the Queen leaving the loyal town visited Mrs. Fake at Sayer Marney for two days. On Sep- tember 5th she rode to Maldon and visited Mrs. Harries for two days, but there is no record how the good folks at Maldon showed their loyalty. On September 7th we find the Queen visiting Sir Thomas Mildmay at Moulsham, where she stayed four days. On September 14th she returned to Havering. We do not find that all this hospitality was rewarded in any way. On the contrary, the loyal people of Colchester soon after had to supply corn and other provisions for the household of the Queen ; and her officers insisted on exercising her right of purveyance in the town from which it had been before exempt.
The prerogative of the Crown was felt to be most oppressive, for under it the storehouses of the people could be searched, and the best corn with the fattest animals and plumpest capons could be carried to furnish the royal table, and to feed the hungry courtiers. Payment for these com- modities was very doubtfnl. When it was made, the amount was very inadequate, the rates being fixed in times when prices were much lower. The Colchester folks therefore resisted the right of the Crown, but soon found their resistance was in vain.
The popularity of the Queen in the Eastern Counties appeared to be contagious, as if it were the result of some fascination. Wherever she came she was received with enthusiasm. The people were prepared to submit to her will and to die in her defence. When the country was menaced by the Spanish Armada, even the Roman Catholics enrolled themselves as volunteers in the army. Eastern England was not behind in these proofs of loyalty, and the military spirit rose to a high pitch all over the district. The tramp of soldiers and the rattle of arms were heard in every village and town. All men between the ages of sixteen and sixty, if not sick or impotent, were required to muster at stated times in certain places for the purpose of drill, and weapons and armour, according to the regulations, were brought for their use. The people of Essex, expecting the enemy to land on their coast, furbished up their old arms, and all the able-bodied men, even youths, applied themselves to practise with the matchlock and the pike. Colchester supplied three ships of war, all well manned by hardy sailors. Maldon contributed a small war craft filled with sons of the sea. Arrangements and preparations for defence were made along the eastern coast. At Tilbury Fort, then a mere
120 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
block-house erected by Henry VIII., an army of 22,000 foot and 1000 horse was encamped to protect London. Where the peaceful mill now stands, long lines of tents were pitched ; but all traces of the camp are now swept away. Near this spot the Queen, mounted on a war charger, appeared in the midst of her troops, and delivered that memorable speech which proved her a heroine filled with martial fire.
The Queen visited the Lord Keeper Bacon at Eedgrave Hall, Suffolk, several times, and at one of these visits her Majesty remarked, " My lord, what a little house you have got here." He replied, " Madam, my house is well enough, but your Highness has made me too great for it." The Queen also visited him at his house at Gorhambury, and in consequence of her coming there so frequently, he added to that mansion a gallery of 120 feet in length and 18 in width, in the centre whereof was a statue of Henry yilL in gilt armour. On one occasion the Lord Keeper gave an entertainment to the Queen that cost over £500.
The Queen made royal progresses through Norfolk and Suffolk in 1578, and each time rode on horseback from place to place, leaving her coaches and train of attendants to follow her. Churchyard writes : — <( Albeit of the latter (progress) they had small warning of the coming of the Queen's Majesty into both these shires ; the gentlemen had made such ready pro- vision, that all the velvets and silks which might be laid hand on were taken and bought for any money, and soon converted into such garments and suits of robes that the show thereof might have beautified the greatest triumph that was in England for these many years. For, as I heard, there were 200 young gentlemen clad all in white velvet, and 300 of the graver sort apparelled in black velvet, coats, with chains all ready at one instant and one place, with 1500 serving men more on horseback, well and bravely mounted in good order to receive the Queen's Highness in Suffolk." ,
In her progress through Suffolk in 1578, the houses she visited were Helmingham Hall, the seat of the Tollemaches ; Melford Hall, the resi- dence of Sir William Cordell, the Master of the Rolls ; Lawshall Hall, where she dined ; Hawsted Place, the residence of Sir William Drury ; Sir William Springs (the High Sheriff), at Lavenham ; Sir Thomas Kit- son, at Hengrave; Sir Arthur Heigham, at Barrow; Mr. Rookwood, at Buston, and others; whilst Sir Robert Jermyn feasted the French Ambassador at Rushbrooke. Such banquets were given as had seldom been seen before in Suffolk.
Most of the mansions visited by the Queen were then in their glory. Helmingham Hall was the seat of the ancient family of the Tollemaches, near Framlingham. The park comprised about 500 acres, and was largely stocked with deer. An avenue, arched by well-grown trees, conducted
EVENTS IN THE ELIZABETHAN EEA. 121
to the house approached by a bridge thrown across a moat which surrounded the building. The hall was one of the most interesting in the Eastern Counties. Several of the apartments are adorned with portraits of members of the family. A relic of great interest is shown in one of the rooms. It is a lute, which the Queen Elizabeth presented to an infant scion of the house, to whom her Majesty stood godmother.
Queen Elizabeth probably visited Kenninghall during her progress into Norfolk in 1578. There is a long contemporary account of the progress by B. Goldingham and Thomas Churchyard, printed in Blomefield's "History" from Stow's "Holingshed." On leaving Bury the Queen came to Kenninghall, when " the Earl of Surrey did show most sumptuous cheer, in whose park at Kenninghall were speeches well set out, and a special devise much commended ; and the rest as a number of jolly gentlemen were no whit behind to the uttermost of their abilities, in all that might be done and devised."
Dr. Nott, in his "Life of the Earl of Surrey," says : "Some idea may be formed of the magnitude of the house at Kenninghall, when we find that, besides a suite of apartments for the duke and another for the duchess, there were separate apartments also for the Earl of Surrey, for the Countess of Surrey, for the children, for the master of the children, for the Duchess of Richmond, for the Lord Thomas Howard, for Mrs. Holland, for Mr. Holland, the duke's secretary, and Mr. Adryan, the physician of the household, &c." From hence the Queen went on to Lady Stiles', at Bracon Ash, and then to Norwich.
On the day of her entry into the city, she started from Bracon Ash soon after dinner, which was very early, and was met by the Mayor and Corporation at Harford Bridges, that being the boundary of the county. William Downes, Lord of the Manor of Earlhaui, then and there presented a pair of gold spurs to the Queen, and delivered the following verses : —
" Eesplendant Queen, my Soveraing Lady, deere, my heart would yeald to thee what is my own, But for because the case appears not cleer. My name is Downs ; I hold of thee by right A manor whose name is Earlham hight.
" In seriantine the tenure thereof stand, and by the grant a Basilisco due. By petit seriantine my land
must yejild, my leig, a pair of spurs to you. Thereby in proof my homage to declare so oft as please you hither to repair.
122 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
" Likewise to me, if old reports be true,
is service 'signed w'n I to doe am prest, That is while your maiestie is heer,
I am to be preferred before the rest — Lieutenant to Blanchlow's castle old, And high constable heere the place to hold.
" In lieu thereof there should redound to me the palfrey which thy maiestie doe beare. My spurs, 0 Queen, I render unto thee,
and for the Crown I pay three pounds a year. Lo, thus to thee his whole estate is known whos heart and land and goods are all thy own."
The Queen entered the city by St. Stephen's Gates, which, in order that all things should be fitting for so illustrious a visitor, were duly decorated. A new porticullis was made, the building was put in thorough repair, and so were the walls at this point. Moreover the gate was beautified both within and without. On the outside was a large escutcheon of her Majesty's arms, with a falcon as her badge. On another shield was the cross of St. George, and on a third the arms of the city. Beneath the Queen's coat appeared the motto, " God, and the Queen we serve." On the inner or city side of the gate appeared the red rose, then the red and white roses united, and for a second time the arms of the Queen. Beneath all were the following lines : —
Division kindled strife
Blest union quenched the flame ; Then sprung our Phoenix deare,
The priceless Prince of fame.
Here the waits of the city, habited in suitable costume, stood ready with their music. A gay procession started from the city to meet the royal party. First came in rank, two by two, three score comely youths of the school of bachelors, arrayed in doublets of black batin, black hose, black taffeta hats with yellow bands, and then a livery and maudelin of purple tuffeta, trimmed with silver lace. These were followed by a figure fancifully attired in armour, with velvet hat and plume, intended to repre- sent King Gurguntus, the reputed founder of the castle. This personage was attended by three henchmen, bearing his helmet, staff, and target, and gaily decked out in livery of white and green, all richly mounted. Next followed the noble company of gentlemen and wealthy citizens, in velvet coats and other costly apparel. Then came the officers of the city, every one in his place ; then the sword-bearer, with the sword and cap of
EVENTS IN THE ELIZABETHAN ERA. 123
maintenance, next the Mayor in full scarlet robes, lined and trimmed with fur ; the aldermen in their scarlet gowns, and those of them who had been mayors in cloaks likewise ; next came those who had been sheriffs, in violet gowns and satin tippets ; and lastly the famous whifflers, poising and brandishing their weapons with dexterity, just sufficient to preserve order without doing mischief. Thus they proceeded some two miles forward on the road to meet the Queen.
Then followed all the citizens, shouting and rejoicing as usual on such occasions, and when the royal train arrived, the exchanging of compli- ments in flowers of speech and more substantial coins of gold. The Mayor presented a vase of silver gilt, containing £100 of money, as a tribute of loyalty to his Sovereign ; upon which her Majesty exclaimed to her footman, " Look to it, there is £100 ;" and in return the city was presented with a mace or sceptre, richly gemmed, so that on this occasion her Majesty made some return for value received. Then followed the flowery addresses — first the Mayor's and the answer to it ; King Gur- guntus should have delivered forty-two lines of poetry, but fortunately for the Queen, this infliction was deferred in consequence of an April shower. Triumphal arches welcomed the Queen to the city walls and pageants met her eye at every turn. The first pageant was upon a stage forty feet long and eight broad, with a wall at the back upon which was written divers sentences, viz. : " The causes of the Common- wealth are God truly preached ;" " Justice truly executed ;" " The people obedient ;" " Idleness expelled ;" " Labour cherished ;" and " Universal concord preserved/' In the front below, it was painted with representations of various looms, with weavers working at them ; over each the name of the loom — Worsted, Russels, Darnex, Mochado, Lace, Caffa, Fringe. Painting of a matron and several children, over whom was written, " Good nurture changeth qualities." Upon the stage at one end stood six little girls, spinning worsted yarn, at the other end the same number knitting worsted hose. In the centre stood a little boy, gaily dressed, who represented the Commonwealth of the city, who made a lengthened poetical speech to the Queen, commencing —
" Most gracious prince, undoubted sovereign queen,
Our only joy next God and chief defence, In this small shew our whole estate is seen ;
The wealth we have we find proceed from thence. The idle brand hath here no place to feed ; The peaceful wight hath still to serve his need.
" Again our seat denies our traffic here,
The sea too near divides us from the rest.
124 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
So weak we were Avithin this dozen year
As care did quench the courage of the best ; But good advice hath taught those little hands To rend in twain the force of puning hands.
" From combed wool we draw the slender thread,
From thence the looms have dealing with the same,
And thence again in order to proceed
These several works which skilful art doth frame,
And all to drive Dame Need into her cave,
Our heads and hands together laboured have."
This device delighted her Majesty. Another very magnificent affair, with gates of jasper and marble, was placed across the Market Place, with five female figures on the stage above, representing the City, Deborah, Judith, Hester, and Martia (a queen), whose chief, the City, was the first spokeswoman, suceeeded by the others each in turn. The City delivered herself in some hundred lines of poetry, the others rather more briefly ; but all they said we care not to repeat. " Whom fame resounds with thundering trump," " Flower of Grace," " Prince of God's Elect," " Mighty Queen," " Finger of the Lord," and such like hyperbole, made up the substance of their fulsome flattery.
We know the good Queen Bess was very fond of such food, but we think that even her taste must have been palled with the adulation offered on this joyous occasion. Others of a similar character were scattered along her pathway to the Cathedral, where she attended Divine service, and sat in the place now filled by the statue of good Bishop Bathurst. After her devotions had been duly performed in the grand old fane, the Protestant Queen proceeded to her quarters at the Bishop's Palace, where she lodged during the week and was sumptuously entertained. Next day being Sunday, she again publicly attended Divine service, and offered her prayers to the King of kings amid the noblest of the realm and a vast congregation. She must have remembered what a different scene the Cathedral presented in the reign of her sister Mary, only a few years before, when processions of proud priests passed along the aisles, when monks and abbots and people prostrated themselves before the holy rood, when confessionals were placed at every pillar and devotees were kneeling before priests confessing their sins, when high mass was cele- brated on the high altar, and when a large censer was suspended from the roof and swung across the nave to incense the whole building.
All this was now changed, and the Queen was the great promoter of the change and the head of the Church of England. Her decree in matters spiritual was law. She made or unmade bishops at her pleasure. The
EVENTS IN THE ELIZABETHAN ERA. 125
feelings of reverence for the Queen in that congregation may be easily imagined. There she stood, a majestic figure, gorgeously arrayed, in the prime and pride of womanhood, sovereign of her people, sovereign of all hearts, which beat in unison with hers in love for the reformed religion.
But we must turn to more pleasing scenes in the old city. The following week was one of jubilation, such as Norwich never saw before nor since. On the Monday, the devisor, or master of the ceremonies, planned an artful scheme by which her Majesty was enticed abroad by the invitation of Mercury, who was sent in a couch covered with birds and little angels in the air and clouds, a tower in the middle, decked with gold and jewels, topped by a plume of feathers, spangled and trimmed most gorgeously ; Mercury himself in blue satin, lined with cloth of gold, with garments cut and slashed according to the most approved fashion of the day, a peaked hat made to cut the wind, a pair of wings on the head, and the heels to assist in flight, in his hand a golden rod with another pair of wings. The horses of his coach were painted, and furnished each with wings, and made to " drive with speed that might resemble flying." In this guise, Mercury presented himself before the window at the Palace, and tripping from his throne, made his most humble obeisance, and delivered his lengthy address, all of which her Majesty most graciously received.
On Tuesday the Queen proceeded to Gossey Park to divert herself by hunting, and on her way she was entertained by a grand pageant outside of St. Benedict's Gate, which was decorated for the occasion. At that time it was all an open cultivated country just outside the gate, only the main road, no streets nor houses in Heigham as at present. There was plenty of room for a vast concourse of spectators. Arrived at Cossey, the Queen enjoyed a day's sport, and was entertained at the old hall, for then the new hall had not been built.
On the return of her Majesty from Cossey Park, the minister and congregation of the Dutch Church, then in the Church of St. Andrew's Hall, waited on her, and the former presented to her a silver cup, said to be worth £50, and delivered an appropriate Latin oration, which the Queen graciously heard, and approved of the Protestant sentiments of the foreign divine. The Queen had greatly encouraged Protestant refugees to settle in the city, which was then full of them.
On Wednesday, her Majesty dined at Surrey House with Lord Surrey, at which banquet the French ambassadors are said to have been present and a pageant was prepared for the occasion, but the rooms seem to have been too small to admit the company of performers, so it was of necessity deferred. On her road home, the Master of the Grammar School stayed the procession to deliver a lengthened speech before the gates of the
126 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Hospital for Old Men, to which the Queen graciously replied in flattering terms, presenting her hand to be kissed. Stephen Lambert was then the Master of the Norwich Grammar School, and he showed no mock modesty.
The following days were passed in feasting and pageantries, according to the custom of the times. Thursday was marked by divers pageantries, prepared by order of the Lord Chamberlain , by the devisor. The morning display, which was intended to enliven her Majesty's riding excursion, was made up of nymphs playing in water, the space occupied for the same being a square of sixty feet, with a deep hole four feet square in part of it, to represent a cave. The ground was covered with canvass painted like grass, with running cords through the rings attached to its sides, which obeyed another small cord in the centre, by which machinery, with two holes in the ground, the earth was made to appear to open and shut. In the cave in the centre there was music, and the twelve water nymphs, dressed in white silk with green sedges so cunningly stitched on them that nothing could be seen. Each carried in her hand a bundle of bulrushes, on her head a garland of ivy and a crop of moss, from which streamed their long golden tresses over their shoulders. Four nymphs came forth successively and saluted the Queer), then all twelve issued forth and danced with timbrels.
The show of Manhood and Desert, designed for Lord Surrey's banquet, was placed near at hand, but all the preparations were rendered of no avail by reason of a drenching thunder shower, which so " dashed and washed performers and spectators, that the pastime was reduced to the display of a dripping multitude, looking like half-drowned rats ; and velvets, silks, tinsels, and cloth of gold to no end of amount fell a sacrifice to this caprice of the weather."
The evening entertainment at the Guildhall was more successful, for there the wind and the rain had no power to disturb the festivities. The Guildhall was then a handsome antique building of flint. It was com- pleted in 1413, when the windows of the Council Chamber were glazed chiefly with stained glass ; but all these ornaments have disappeared, except in three east windows. The furniture of this room was of the time of Henry VIII., and the woodwork was decorated with the linen pattern. The walls were adorned with portraits of the city worthies, and most of the pictures yet remain. The conscript fathers sat around in their robes, and the Mayor wore a gold chain.
A magnificent banquet was given in this chamber to the Queen, and her health was drunk with all the honours and immense applause. After the feast a princely masque of gods and goddesses, richly attired, was presented to her Majesty. Mercury entered first, followed by two torch bearers in purple taffeta mandillions, laid with silver lace; then the
EVENTS IN THE ELIZABETHAN EEA. 127
musicians, dressed in long vestures of white silk girded about them, and garlands on their heads ; next came Jupiter and Juno, Mars and Venus, Apollo and Pallas, Neptune and Diana, and, lastly, Cupid, two torch- bearers between each couple. Thus they marched round the chamber, and Mercury delivered his message to the Queen.
All then marched about again, at the close of each circuit, stopping for the gods to present each a gift to her Majesty ; Jupiter, a riding wand of whalebone, curiously wrought ; Mars, a pair of knives ; Venus, a white dove ; Apollo, a musical instrument, called a bandonet ; Pallas, a book of wisdom ; Neptune, a fish ; Diana, a bow and arrow of silver ; Cupid, an arrow of gold, with these lines on the shaft : —
My colour joy, my substance pure, My virtue such as shall endure.
The Queen was yet " a fair vestal throned by the west," and had not yet felt love's wound, but she received the gifts with gracious condescension, listening the while to the verses recited by the gods and goddesses as accompaniments. She must have been highly amused by the offerings of the deities of high Olympus. The Queen sat in state in her gayest attire. In articles of dress, learned and powerful as she was, she seems to have taken a peculiar pride, if we may judge from the number and magnificence of the dresses she possessed, and one of them was preserved for a long time at Kimberley Hall.
On Friday, being the day appointed for her Majesty's departure, the devisor prepared one last grand spectacle — water spirits to the sound of whose timbrels was spoken her Majesty's farewell to Norwich ; and so terminated this season of rejoicing and festivity.
In August, 1578, great preparations were made at Yarmouth for the entertainment of Queen Elizabeth, who was expected there by way of Suffolk. A silver cup in form of a ship was made on purpose to be pre- sented to her Majesty, but she did not come. The lords of her retinue came to Yarmouth, and were elegantly entertained in the priory at the expense of the town.
Mournful were the results of the royal visit to Norwich. The train of the gay carriages that formed the retinue of the fair Queen were said to have left behind them the infection of the plague, and scarcely had the last echoes of merriment faded upon the ear, when the deep thrilling notes of wailing broke forth from crushed hearts. Death held his reign of terror, threw his black mantle of gloom over the stricken city, and wrapped its folds round each hearth and home and banquet chamber and hall. Sunshine was followed by clouds and storm and thunders of wrath, as if in judgment on the doomed city. King Gurguntus,
128 HISTOEY OP EASTEEN ENGLAND.
Jupiter, Juno, Mercury, Apollo, Mars and Venus, Neptune and Diana, Cupid, with all the nymphs, devisors, feast-makers, players, laid down their trappings, and in their stricken homes died alone. The plague raged nearly two years. The finger-writing upon the walls and door-posts marked each smitten house with the touching prayer, \* The Lord have mercy on us ! " The insignia of the white wand borne by the infected ones who issued forth into the streets from their tainted homes, warned off all communion with their fellow men, and sorrow filled all hearts.
Norwich was a city in an orchard, but all sanitary measures had been long neglected in narrow streets, lanes, courts, and alleys, where dwelt the poor pent up in pest houses. The fathers of the city were very grand in their robes, seated in the Council Chamber, but they were more ornamental than useful. They never troubled themselves about supplies of water or drainage. Great ditches surrounded the city walls, and sent forth noxious gases. Scarcely had the plague ceased to slay the people, ere the benumbed faculties of the woe-begone mourners were roused to fresh terror by the grumbling murmurs of an earthquake ; storms, lightnings, hailstones, and tempests in quick succession spread* desolation in their course through all parts of the country.
But turning from the darker scenes of history to the sports and pastimes that gladdened the hearts of the good old citizens of yore, we must not fail to notice the famous visit of Will Kempe, the morris dancer. In the " golden days of Queen Bess," Kempe thought that he had done a prodigious feat in dancing from London to Norwich in nine successive days, at the rate of fourteen miles a day. About the same period, we read of a Queen's messenger " riding in haste " from London to Yarmouth in " the space of ten dayes." From original documents we learn that the day's journey scarcely ever exceeded twenty miles, although the messengers " rode in haste, and with like spede returned." Kempe has recorded his long dance from London to Norwich in a merry little pamphlet bearing evidence of a lightness of heart rivalling his lightness of toe, and he seems to have been quite satisfied with the welcome and rewards of the jolly citizens. Kempe was a comedian in the company of players at the Globe, Blackfriars, where Shakespeare was manager. Kempe' s dance is alluded to by Ben Jonson in his play of " Every Man in His Humour." There is an entry of the death of one Will Kempe at the time of the plague, November, 1603, in the parish books of one of the churches in London ; and no doubt it refers to the merry comedian, who at last figured in the dance of death.
Thomas Howard, the fourth Duke of Norfolk, had espoused Elizabeth's title to the crown with all the ardour of youth, and was among the
EVENTS TN THE ELIZABETHAN ERA. 129
earliest objects of her gratitude when she succeeded to it. She invested him with the order of the garter, and in the following year appointed him her lieutenant in the north, and commander-in-chief of her forces there. In those characters he concluded a treaty, as soon as he arrived at Berwick, with the lords who, for the protection of the Duke of Chaterault, next heir to the crown, were opposed to the French interest in Scotland ; but the peace of Edinburgh, which speedily followed, prevented him from having any opportunity of distinguishing himself in the field.
In 1567, Charles IX. of France, having complimented Elizabeth with authority to invest two of her subjects with the much-valued order of St. Michael, she named Norfolk, in conjunction with Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, to share that distinction. In the next year, he was one of the three commissioners appointed to examine at York the charges brought by the Regent Murray against the captive Queen of Scots, and here he first seriously entertained the idea of that unfortunate matrimonial scheme which at length proved so fatal to him.
About August, 1569, an intrigue came to the knowledge of the Queen which, considering the hostile attitude of the Pope and other foreign powers, she regarded as fraught with danger to England. This was a projected marriage between Mary Queen of Scots and the Duke of Norfolk, the greatest and wealthiest of English peers and a kinsman of Elizabeth. It is probable that Norfolk, who as well as Mary must have been actuated by motives entirely political, formed the design before the opening of the conference at York, and when Murray, the Regent, was about to return to Scotland, he gave his consent to the alliance. Certain also of the English nobility, thinking that the marriage would partly obviate the evils which might ensue in case Elizabeth died without issue, promoted the project. On the Queen becoming acquainted with the design, she invited Norfolk to dine with her, and significantly hinted to him " that he should bethink himself of the pillow on which he was about to rest his head ;" and not long after, when apprehensions were enter- tained that a dangerous insurrection was on the eve of breaking out among the partisans of Mary, he was committed to the Tower in October, 1569, where he continued a prisoner for nearly a year. Almost imme- diately after his arrest, the Earls of Westmoreland and Northumberland, two of the chief Catholic lords, took up arms with the avowed design of re-establishing the religion of their ancestors, and they also declared their intention of liberating the Queen of Scots and the Duke of Norfolk. (November, 1569.) They marched to Durham, at the head of a body of horse, and entering the cathedral, destroyed the English Bible and other books which they regarded as heretical. Thence they proceeded into Yorkshire, and reached Bramham Moor without opposition, but when
VOL. II. K
130 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
they found that the Earl of Sussex had collected a large body of men, and was advancing against them, they retraced their steps, and soon disbanded their followers. The two earls escaped into Scotland. West- moreland fled thence into the Netherlands, and entered the service of Spain. Northumberland was seized by Murray, confined in Lochleven Castle, and afterwards given up to the English Government. He was executed in August, 1572. All who favoured the rebellion were severely punished. On September 7th, 1571, the Duke of Norfolk was again arrested on a charge of treason, tried, condemned, and executed. He was convicted by a jury of twenty-five peers, and after the warrant had been thrice countermanded by Elizabeth, he was beheaded on June 2nd, 1572. In making his dying speech, he said, " 'Tis no new thing for men to suffer death in this place, though since the beginning of our most gracious Queen's reign, I am the first, and God grant I may be the last." Camden, who was a spectator of the sad scene, says, " It is incredible how dearly he was loved by the people, whose goodwill he had gained by a princely munificence and extraordinary affability."
The line of perpetuity of the Howards, Dukes of Norfolk, which had endured for so many ages, was hence continued in Philip, the late duke's eldest son, who at the age of fourteen married his sister-in-law, Lady Anne Dacre, and he was virtually (but for his father's attainder) the owner of the Castle at Framlingham, with all its domains ; and in January, 1584, he presented the living there to Thomas Dove. In 1583 he was restored in blood and possessed for a short time the favour of the Queen, but at length she marked him out as another of her victims chiefly on account of his attachment to the religion of his ancestors. After two periods of imprisonment and prosecution in the Star Chamber, on charges of having entertained Romish priests in his family, of con- spiring with Cardinal Allen to restore the Catholic faith in England, and of attempting to leave the kingdom, he was fined £10,000 and imprisoned during the Queen's pleasure. This degree of punishment being thought insufficient after years of confinement, ho was arraigned upon similar charges of high treason, and in April, 1589, tried in the Hall at West- minster, and condemned, but not executed. Elizabeth, who resolved to save him from the scaffold, nevertheless destined him to close confinement as a state prisoner in the Tower, where he died on October 19th, 1595, being one of the martyrs of the noble Howard family. His son Thomas removed his body to Arundel in Sussex, where it was interred in an iron coffin.
In this reign of Queen Bess, some very curious old customs prevailed in Norwich. Blomefield, referring to the fact that St. George's Guild had a tenement in the city which they sometimes used as a Guildhall, adds
EVENTS IN THE ELIZABETHAN ERA. 131
they had also customs at Fyve Brigge staithe, and were obliged to find a " cucke stool there." From the " Court Book " he cites two instances of the use of the cucke stool :
" 1562. A woman for whoredom to ryde on a cart with a paper in her hand, and tynkled with a bason, and so at one o'clock to be had at the cokying stool, and ducked in the water.
" 1597. Margaret Grove, a common skould, to be carried with a bason mug before her to the cucke stool at Fye Bridge, and there to be three times ducked."
From the numerous references to the cucking stool in the ancient records of many boroughs, we have abundant proof that women were in former times very foul-tongued, and that their masters were ungallant enough to consider no remedy so effectual for preventing a recurrence of the disorder as the cold-water cure administered by means of the cucking or ducking stool. It was a means adopted for the punishment of incor- rigible scolds by ducking them in the water, after having secured them in a chair or stool fixed at the end of a pole, serving as a lever by which they were immersed in some pond or river.
In 1568, post horses were first established in Norwich, and it was then expressly provided that no horse should be used for more than twelve or fourteen miles together. The hire of a hackney for a journey was fixed at twelvepence the first day, and eightpence the day after. No one was to hire any post horses in the city unless he was licensed by the Queen's warrant/or that of the Duke of Norfolk, the Privy Council, or the Mayor. In 1571, the number of foreigners had greatly increased in Norwich, including 3925 Dutch and Walloons, while in 1582 there were 4679 strangers in the city, so that it might be called a Dutch city, and it had a Dutch Church in St. Andrew's Hall, and a French Church in Queen Street. One of these strangers (Anthony Solen) introduced the art of printing into the city, for which he was presented with his freedom.
In 1574, so notorious was Norwich for the nonconformity of many of the ministers, that orders were given to Archbishop Parker " to punish the Puritan ministers, and put down the prophecyings, and readings, and commenting on the scriptures, which had been introduced into the Church." Accordingly in 1576, many of the Norwich ministers were suspended, and treated so severely that even the Norfolk Justices presented a petition to her Majesty, praying for lenity towards them.
In 1574 the town of Yarmouth was so filled with Protestant refugees from France and the Netherlands, that the bailiffs published an edict forbidding the influx of any more of these foreigners, many of whom were ingenious artizans, and by settling in the county of Norfolk greatly improved the staple manufactures in the county and city. These manufactures then
132 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
chiefly consisted of worsted goods, and the town of Worsted, Norfolk, gave its name to those goods which were first made there in England.
In 1597 the plague broke out in Yarmouth, and the grammar school was shut up for six months on that account. Between May and Michael- mas 2000 persons died of that dreadful malady within the town. In September a latter was received from the Mayor of Newcastle, in which he forbade the Yarmouth ships to go there for coals, for fear of introduc- ing the plague. Forty-three persons died in one day, and booths were erected on the Denes during the herring season for the safety of the fishermen, as practiced on a similar occasion some years before this period.
About this time the fortifications of the town were completed. Queen Elizabeth had long before this thought the preservation of the town so much a national concern that a quantity of military stores had been sent for its defence and that of the adjacent country ; the bailiffs and burgesses being bound to keep the same constantly fit for service. Indeed there are several instances where the ordnance of the town has been of much service against enemies in Yarmouth roads.
The town of East Dereham was nearly destroyed by fire in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, as we learn from a book then published, and entitled, " An Account of the Lamentable Burning of East Dereham, in the County of Norfolk, on July 1st, 1581, in verse, printed in black letters." The houses were then nearly all built of timber, with thatched roofs, so that when a fire broke out, the flames spread rapidly.
In 1583, the plague broke out once more in Norwich and Norfolk, and 800 or 900 persons died of it in the city, chiefly "strangers." In 1588, the same disease again raged in the city, but not so violently. Notwith- standing all these awful visitations, no proper sanitary measures appear to have been adopted.
In 1588 the projected invasion of England by the Spanish Armada caused great efforts to be made to fortify the coasts. The Lords of the Council addressed a letter to the deputy-lieutenants of Norfolk and Suffolk, recommending them to levy certain sums in those counties for the better fortification of Yarmouth. Accordingly, the sum of £1355 was raised in Norfolk, Norwich, Yarmouth, and Lynn. So much was a descent on Yarmouth apprehended, that the people of the whole circum- jacent country were obliged to lend their assistance, with carts, pioneers, &c, to strengthen and extend the fortifications by rampires, mounts, ravelins, trenches, &c, in the execution of which the utmost diligence was exercised, the inhabitants working by two wards at a time daily, one in the north, the other in the south end. Besides 1000 soldiers sent into the town for its defence by the lords-lieutenant, all the inhabitants
EVENTS IN THE ELIZABETHAN E14A. 133
were converted into a militia. All who could bear arms were employed, and commerce was at a total stand. Watchers were placed in the tower of the church to give notice of the approach of the enemy.
All these fortifications there and elsewhere proved to be needless. To thwart or delay the designs of the Spanish Sovereign, Admiral Drake Avas sent out with a small squadron, and on April ] 9th he entered the harbour of Cadiz, and destroyed 100 vessels laden with provisions and ammunition. This caused the projected invasion to be delayed for a year. Philip continued his preparations on a gigantic scale, and an army of 30,000 men was collected and put under the command of the Duke of Parma. The Spanish arrangements being complete, the armament sailed from the mouth of the Tagus on May 29th, 1588. It consisted of 130 large ships, manned by 8000 sailors, and having on board 22,000 soldiers. A tempest scon scattered the vessels, and necessitated a month's delay. The fleet fie ally set sail on July 12 th, and on the 19 th entered the English Channel. Meantime a fleet of English ships, 190 in number, sailed from England under the command of Lord Howard, Drake, Hawkins, and Frobisher, and encountered the Spanish Armada. The English were victorious, and the Spanish ships sought safety in flight. Most of them were sunk in a storm.
Queen Elizabeth caused a survey of the town of Thetford to be made, that she might be informed of the extent of Roman Catholic and of Protestant possessions. At this period the town appears to have been in a prosperous condition in comparison with its state in the two previous reigns. There were numerous provision stores and other shops in the town, besides butchers' and other stalls in the market, where fish was still an important commodity of sale, the rivers being most prolific in their yields, and the laws regulating the fishing such as to prevent a wanton destruction of fish.
In 1598, Henry of Navarre promulgated the celebrated Edict of Nantes, by which the Huguenots, after sixty years of persecution, were allowed at least comparative liberty of conscience and freedom of worship. What the Roman Catholics thought of it may be inferred from the protest of Pope Clement VIII., who wrote to Henry, saying that " a decree which gave liberty of conscience to all was the most accursed that had ever been made." From the date of this edict, persons of the reformed faith were admitted to public employment, with other privileges, and thus peace was established for a short time. But on the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, the persecuted Protestants were again obliged to fly to England, where they found an asylum.
In 1602 the plague again raged with almost unprecedented fury all over the country, and 30,578 died in London, many in Norfolk, and 3076 in
134 HISTOKY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
Norwich. Moreover, this dreadful visitation was attended with so great scarcity, that wheat sold for lis., rye for 6s., and barley for 5s. per bushel — a very high price in those days ; and the poor everywhere must have been in a dreadful state of destitution. In 1609, the Mayor of Norwich received a letter from the Privy Council to keep up the ancient strictness and severity of Lent, as if the poor had not fasted long enough.
New sources of information have been discovered in our national records, but their immense bulk is a great hindrance to their use. The documents relating to Norfolk preserved in the Public Record Office may be broadly divided into three classes, viz.: — Those complete in themselves which relate exclusively to Norfolk ; those which form separate skins of rolls relating to the whole country, divided into shires ; and those relating to the whole country not so divided, but containing entries relating to all counties.
In reference to general history there is an immense number of documents in the Public Record Office concerning Norfolk, bound up in the many thousand volumes of our Domestic State Papers. In vol. 73, page 15, reign of Elizabeth, there is a letter from Sir Thomas Woodhouse and Henry Woodhouse, Esq., to Cecil, dated 3rd of May, 1571, reporting how they have stayed for the Queen's service every ship above thirty tons and every mariner then remaining in Norfolk and Suffolk, viz., 145 ships, thirty-six whereof were in port, the rest on their voyage to Ireland and elsewhere, and 2268 mariners, whereof about 600 were at home.
In vol. 75, page 15., same reign, there is a petition from the inhabitants of Yarmouth and the coast against the pirates. It states that the petitioners are " greatly hindered and utterly spoiled by pirates, that are of late greatly increased in the North Seas, whereby no merchants or fishermen trafficking or fishing in those seas or on our coasts shall escape their hands, not only to the utter undoing of them, their poor wives and children, but sometimes ' throwen over the boarde/ threatened to be hanged and nailed under hatches. The petitioners pray for two small ships of war to be sent for their protection."
In vol. 77, No. 58, is a copy of the " Norwiche Booke of Orders for the Straungers," dated 20th April, 1571, containing fourteen quarto pages, replete with interest concerning the " Duche and Wallowne nations," who " shall kepe none open shops," neither expose " their wares in open show to sell, but shall have a lattyce of a yarde deep before their windows," shall " only sell to their own countrymen," and shall not buy sheep skins without licences, &c. This contemptible jealousy in reference to foreigners continued to prevail amongst the citizens for centuries.
EVENTS IN THE ELIZABETHAN ERA. 135
In the reign of Elizabeth the knights of the shire for the county of Norfolk were the following : —
1558 — Sir William Wodehouse, Kimberley ; Nicholas LeStrange, Hun- stanton.
1563 — Sir William Wodehouse, Kimberley ; Sir Edward Warner, Mil- denhall.
1571 — Sir Christopher Heydon, Baconsthorpe ; Sir William Butts, Thornage.
1572 — Henry Wodehouse, Esq., Kimberley; Francis Windham, Esq., Norwich (second son of Sir E. Windham, of Felbrigg).
1585 — Sir Drew Drury, Riddlesworth ; Nathaniel Bacon, Esq., Stiff- key (second son of Sir N. Bacon, the Lord Keeper).
1586 — Thomas Fermor, Esq., East Basham; William Gresham, Esq., Intwood.
1588 — Sir Henry Wodehouse, Kimberley ; Christopher Hey don, Esq., Baconsthorpe.
1592 — Edward Coke, Esq.,„ Mileham (Speaker); Nathaniel Bacon, Esq., Stiffkey.
1597 — Sir Soger Townshend, Rainham; Henry Gawdy, Esq., Claxton.
1601 — Sir Bassingbourne Gawdy, West Harling ; Sir Henry Gawdy, Claxton.
In 1604, Nathaniel Bacon, Esq., built Stiffkey Hall in Norfolk, and he was knighted in the same year.
EMINENT MEN OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.
John Bale, Bishop of Ossory in Ireland, was born at Cove, near Dunwich, in Suffolk, in 1495. Being one of a numerous family, he was entered at twelve years of age in the Carmelites or White Friars Monastery at Norwich, and from thence removed to Jesus College, Cambridge. He was educated in the Homan religion, but afterwards abjured that faith, and by his numerous writings became a great promoter of the Reformation. This of course exposed him to the persecution of the Papists, nor was his marrying* about the same time at all calculated to allay their resentment, from which, however, he was for the time pro- tected by Lord Cromwell. After that lord's death, he retired into Holland, where he employed himself in writing several pieces in the English language. Edward VI. recalled him, presented him with the living of Bishop's Stoke, in the county of Southampton, and in the year 1552 nominated him to the Bishopric of Ossory. He was consecrated at Dublin on the 25th of March, ibbo ; but the accession of Queen Mary happening soon after, he was again obliged to fly from the persecution of Romish priests, who had conspired his death. Meeting with many
136 HISTORY 0¥ EASTERN ENGLAND.
difficulties, ho at length proceeded to Basle, iu Switzerland, and remained there, cultivating the acquaintance of learned men, till the accession of Queen Elizabeth, when he came to England, and contented himself with a prebendal stall in the cathedral church of Canterbury, never seeking the restoration of his see. He died a.d. 1563, in the sixty-eighth year of his age, and was buried in Canterbury Cathedral. Various are the characters given of Bishop Bale : on the one hand he is extolled as a laborious inquirer, and praised for acuteness of research ; on the other he is accused of settling the chronology of the English writers with his eyes shut, and of disingenuity in the accounts of ancient authors. That the Catholics should have heaped abuse on him is not wonderful, when we consider his free treatment of them in his writings ; indeed, in the opinion of many of his admirers, he indulged in too much asperity against them. However, some excuse may be found in the provocation given by their severe persecutions of him, which seem to have had no bounds, but were even pushed on to an attempted assassination. His writings were voluminous, but the most celebrated is " The Centuries of English Writers," which was first printed in 1549 at Ipswich, at the press which Cardinal Wolsey had erected there. It was published with many additions at Basle in 1557, and again in 1559.
Matthew Parker, the second Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury, was born in Norwich, August 6th, 1504. His father, who was a reputable trades- man, he had the misfortune to lose at the early age of twelve, in consequence of which the care of his education devolved on his mother, who acquitted herself of this charge with great propriety. He entered Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, in 1520, and, passing through the different degrees and the successive ordinations of deacon and priest, was, in 1533 or 1534, made chaplain to Queen Anne Boleyn, and through her interest was after- wards promoted to the deanery of Stoke, in Suffolk. He attended his mistress to the scaffold, and received her particular injunction "to see that her daughter Elizabeth was brought up in the fear of God." After her death, he was chaplain successively to Henry VIII. and Edward VI., and was distinguished by his opposition to Popery, particularly during the reign of the latter Prince, who appointed him to the deanery of Lin- coln. After Queen Mary succeeded to the throne, he was deprived of all his preferments, and obliged to move from place to place to avoid the pursuit of his enemies ; but on the happy accession of Elizabeth, was not only relieved from danger, but was exalted to the highest station in the English Church — the Archbishopric of Canterbury. Appointed to this important trust, Dr. Parker was assiduous in filling the several sees' with wealthy and learned men, and in taking every possible care to counteract the designs of the Papists. As might be expected, he met with much
EVENTS IN THE ELIZABETHAN EKA. 137
opposition in endeavoring to reform the Church to the extent he contem- plated ; and it even seems that the Queen herself was but little inclined to sanction some of the necessary innovations. Archbishop Parker died May 17th, 1575, and was buried with great solemnity in his own private chapel at Lambeth, under an altar tomb erected by himself. Part of his character is thus given by the editors of the " Biographica Britannica : " — " He was pious, sober, temperate, modest even to a fault, being upon many occasions over-bashful ; unmovable in the distribution of justice ; a great patron and zealous defender of the Chui'ch of England against the attacks of both Puritans and Papists, in which he acted with great stout- ness and resolution, it being his rule in a good cause to fear nobody ; notwithstanding he is for that censured by some, as having too much roughness and want of courtship ; " to which may be added, he was very charitable, and a great benefactor to learning, founding a free school at Rochdale, in Lancashire, and ten scholarships and two fellowships in Corpus Christi College, to which establishment he bestowed many gifts and legacies, and amongst the rest his valuable collection of manuscripts. To him the nation was indebted for the translation of the Bible commonly called the " Bishop's Bible/' and for the foundation of the Society of Antiquaries. He published four of our best English his- torians— Matthew of Westminster, Matthew Paris, Asserts "Life of King Alfred/' and Thomas Walsingham ; also, a " Defence of Priest's Marriages," and other learned works of his own.
In 1575, Archbishop Parker died, and was succeeded at Canterbury by Edmund Grindal, Bishop of London. Grindal was succeeded in the diocese of London by John Aylmer, of whom Newcourt says, that "he was a great enemy to the Puritan faction," adding that " he was much hated by them." During his episcopate, Essex became as distinguished for its Puritans, as it had been for its Gospellers under Bonner in the reign of Mary. In 1576 John Coppin was committed to prison at Bury St. Edmund's for his disobedience to ecclesiastical laws, and had then as shortly afterwards Elias Thacker and Thomas Gibson for his companions in trouble. These three men were all Congregationalists. After long imprisonment they were arraigned at the Assizes held at Bury in July, 1583, when they were condemned to die, not on the charge of treason, but only on that of dispensing Brown's books and Harrison's books. This was done by the obsequious Judges in obedience to a letter from the Council charging them to be severe with all Nonconformists. Elias Thacker and Thomas Gibson were hanged on the Thursday after their sentence, and John Coppin on the following day. The Lord Chief Justice, writing to the Lord Treasurer to inform him of the execution of these martyrs, adds, " There were also five ministers convicted for
138 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
dispraising the Book of Common Prayer." The age of toleration had not yet come.
John Kaye, or Caius, as he is generally called, but whose true name was Kaye, was a famous physician in the reign of Edward VI., Mary, and Elizabeth. He was born at Norwich, a.d. 1510, and admitted to Gonville Hall, Cambridge, whilst very young. After taking the degree of M.D. he went to Italy, and studied in the University of Padua under the celebrated John Baptist .Montanus. He there translated many learned works, and became a renowned public reader of physic and of Greek lectures. Returning to England, he commenced practice at Shrewsbury, and shortly after at Norwich ; and the sweating sickness breaking out in 1551, was so celebrated for his successful method of treating that dis- temper, that he was called to London and made physician to Edward VI. In 1557 he applied to Queen Mary, whose physician and favourite he then was, for leave to advance the hall he had been educated in to a college, and having obtained permission, considerably enlarged the build- ings of that foundation, which then became incorporated as the Master and Fellows of Gonville and Caius College. Dr. Caius was himself chosen master in 1559., but resigned in 1573, and lived for a short time as fellow commoner in his own college, from whence going to London on some urgent business, he died there on the 29th July, 1573, after having (it is said) foretold his death, and was interred in the chapel of his college at Cambridge. On his tomb, besides his age and the time of his death, is only the following short inscription : —
FUI CAIUS VIVIT POST FUNERA VIRTUS.
The most important of Dr. Kaye's medical productions is a " Treatise on the Ephemera Britannica, or Sweating Sickness," which, as the author's skilful treatment of that disease warrants us to expect, is an excellent practical work, and contains the best published account of the distemper ; it has, however, been objected that it gives but little account of its rise. But his writings are not confined to the medical profession. He was a judicious naturalist, and upon the most intimate footing with the cele- brated Gesner, for whose use he wrote short histories of certain rare animals and plants, which were published among the works of the German naturalist. At the instigation of the same learned person, he composed also a " Treatise on British Dogs," which Mr. Pennant so much approved as to insert complete in his " British Zoology." Another of Dr. Kaye's per- formances was a " History of the University of Cambridge," in which he labours to prove it of more ancient foundation than that of Oxford ; and if he has not succeeded in this, he has certainly produced a book in a pure Latin stvle.
EVENTS IN THE ELIZABETHAN ERA. 139
Kichard Taverner, Esq., was born in Norfolk, 1505, and instructed in grammar -learning at the free school of Norwich, after which he was entered at Benet's College, Cambridge, but removed from thence to Cardinal Wolsey's New College at Oxford, since called Christ's Church, where he took the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and afterwards settled in the Inner Temple to study the municipal law of England. A late author tells us, that while he remained in the Temple he used to cite passages from such of the law books as are in Greek, but it is well-known there never was a. treatise on the laws of England in Greek, and therefore it must be meant for the Justinian institutions. It does not appear that he was ever called to the Bar, for in 1534 he went into the service of Lord Cromwell, who procured him the place of Clerk to the Signet, when he published a new edition of the Bible, corrected from the best manuscripts. When Cromwell was beheaded, Taverner was brought into trouble, and committed to the Tower, but soon after released and restored to the King's favour, which he retained during the remainder of Henry's reign.
Edward VI. granted him a licence, although a layman, to preach in any church in England, which was then necessary, as few Protestant ministers could be had. During the reign of Queen Mary, he concealed himself to avoid persecution, but on the accession of Queen Elizabeth he was taken into favour, appointed High Sheriff, and a Justice of the Peace to the county of Oxford. "Whilst he enjoyed these offices he continued to preach against the idolatry of the Papists, and one time being in the pulpit of St. Mary's, he began his sermon with the following words : — " Arriving at the Mount of St. Mary's, on the stony stage where I now stand " (St. Mary's pulpit was then built of stone) "1 have brought you some biscuits baked in the oven of charity, carefully conserved for the chickens of the Church, the sparrows of the spirit, and the sweet swallows of salvation." Such was the vicious taste of those times, when pedantry passed for learning and affectation for genuine simplicity. He was a very zealous encourager of the Reformation, and not only preached but wrote and translated several books in order to promote it. He died at Wood Eaton> in Oxfordshire, 1575, aged 70.
John Aylmer, D.D., was born at Aylmcr Hall, in the parish of Tilney, 1527, and educated at the University of Cambridge, where lie took his degree, and became tutor to Lady Jane Grey, daughter of the Marquis of Dorset. His first living in the Church was the Archdeaconry of Stow; and in the Convocation which met in the early part of the reign of Queen Mary, he was one of the six divines who offered to dispute with all the Popish clergy in defence of the Protestant religion. But he soon found mat the Queen did not intend to argue by words but by force. He was obliged to abscond, and having got beyond the seas, he remained abroad
140 HISTORY 0E EASTERN ENGLAND.
till the accession of Queen Elizabeth, when he returned to England, and was made Archdeacon of Lincoln. He was afterwards promoted to the Bishopric of London, 1576, which he held till his death in 1594. He was no soOner raised to the episcopal office than he persecuted the Puritans with the greatest severity, for those people, among whom were some learned men, having published some pamphlets against the Bishop, he adopted the same method of answering them as the Romanists had done with himself, namely, that of calling in the aid of the civil power, by which many were thrown into prison, where they suffered great hard- ship. This conduct of the Bishop was quite contrary to the spirit of Christianity, which only allows of moral suasion. He left a great estate to his eldest son, Samuel Aylmer, who was High Sheriff of Suffolk in the reign of Charles I.; and one of his youngest sons, Dr. Aylmer, rector of Haddom, in Hertfordshire, was one of the most learned divines of his time.
John Parkhurst, D.D., was chosen Bishop of Norwich in 1559. He was an excellent bishop, and the first promoter of the reformed religion in this diocese. He was deservedly esteemed for his charity and hospi- tality. He was required by writ from Elizabeth to return the state of his diocese, as other bishops did of theirs. From the return made by the new Bishop of Norwich to this writ, it appeared that the diocese at that time contained the following ecclesiastical preferments : — Four arch- deaconries, viz., Norwich, containing twelve deaneries and 280 parish churches, of which there were 168 rectories, forty-one vicarages full and eighty void, and two chapels-of-ease ; Norfolk, containing twelve deaneries, 402 parish churches, 184 rectories, thirty-six vicarages full, 182 void, and three chapels-of-ease; Suffolk, containing thirteen deaneries, 114 rectories and forty-eight vicarages, with eight chapels-of- ease; Sudbury, containing eight deaneries, 182 rectories, thirty-one vicarages, and two chapels-of-ease. In this diocese were three peculiar to the Archbishop of Canterbury, one peculiar to the Bishop of Rochester, and fourteen to the Dean and Chapter of Norwich. Dr. Park- hurst died February 2nd, 1574, and was buried in the Cathedral, in the south side of the nave, where a monument remains to his memory.
The following were Bishops of Norwich after the Reformation in the sixteenth century : —
Edmund Freke, D.D., Canon of Westminster, Archdeacon of Canter- bury, and Bishop of Rochester, from which he was translated to Norwich in 1575. After having sat for nine years, he was translated from Norwich to Worcester, where he died in 1590, and was interred in that Cathedral. There is a monument to his memory.
Edmund Scambler, D.D., Bishop of Peterborough, from whence he was
EVENTS IN THE ELIZABETHAN ERA. 141
translated to this see in 1584, which he governed ten years. He died May 7th, 1594, and was buried in the nave of the Cathedral.
William Redman, D.D., said to be one of the divines who compiled the Prayer Book. He was bishop nearly eight years, and he died September 25th, 1602. He was buried in the Cathedral.
John Jegon, D.D., was chosen Bishop of Norwich in 1602. He chiefly resided at his palace in Ludham, Norfolk, where a fire destroyed his library and valuable documents respecting the diocese. He was much despised for his penurious disposition. He died March 13th, 161V, and was buried in the parish church of Aylsham, where his monument is still to be seen, though much defaced. He was the last of the Eliza- bethan bishops. He was previously Master of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and was known as a strict disciplinarian. Whilst he was there, he was made the subject of the following pasquinade : —
Dr. John Jegon, Benet College Master, Broke the scholar's head, gave the walls a plaister. To which the Master replied :
Knew I hut the wag who wrote this in his bravery, I'd praise him for his wit, but nog him for his knavery.
John Overall, D.D., a native of Hadleigh, in Suffolk, was chosen Bishop of Norwich. He was previously a student, then Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, Reguis Professor of Divinity, and afterwards Master of Catherine Hall. In 1592 he was instituted to the Vicarage of Epping, in Essex, and successively Dean of St. Paul's, London. On April 3rd, 1614, he was consecrated Bishop of Lithfield and Coventry, from whence he was translated to Norwich May 21st, 1618. He was very strict in enforcing the discipline of the Church, and he assisted in amending the Prayer Book. He died May 12th, 1619, and was buried in the south side of the choir, and near the steps of the altar there is still a monument to his memory.
He was succeeded by Samuel Hursnett, D.D., Master of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, and Bishop of Chichester, translated to this see August 8th, 1619, which having governed for some years he was appointed Archbishop of York, by James I. The next bishop of this diocese was Francis White, D.D. of Huntingdon, Dean of Carlisle, and afterwards Chaplain and Almones of James I. He was a great writer on the controversies of that day, in defence of the Church of England against Papists. He was translated to this diocese in 1628, and to Ely in 1631.
142 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
COUNTY FAMILIES IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTUEY.
Many ancient Norfolk families already noticed continued to flourish in the sixteenth century, including the Howards of Kenninghall, the Astleys of Melton Constable, the Le Stranges of Hunstanton, the Hobarts of Blickling, the Woodhouses of Kimberley, the De Greys of Merton, the Jerninghams of Costessey, the Bedingfields of Oxburgh, the Southwells of Wood Rising, the Knyvets of Old Buckenham, the Fitz Walters of Attleborough, the Pastons of Oxnead, and many others.
THE ASTLEY FAMILY AT MELTON CONSTABLE.
This family is of great antiquity, as far back as the Conquest, and took their name from Sir Thomas Astley, who had a third part of Melton Con- stable. This Sir Thomas appears to have been a knight in 1242, reign of Henry III., and one of the Justices of Warwick, and took an active part with the barons in their rebellion against that king, and was slain at the battle of Evesham, August 4th, 1265. He married two wives, first, Joan the daughter of Ernald de Bois, by whom he had Andrew Lord Astley, from who descended the eldest branch of this family in Warwick- shire. By Edith his second wife he had Thomas de Astley, Stephen, and Ralph. The eldest son, Thomas de Astley, died in 1285 without issue, his mother, Edith then living, who in the following year claimed a view of frank pledge, assize, &c, in Melton Constable. Stephen de Astley, his brother, had a grant of free warren in the same place. In 1286, Thomas, son of John de Briston, released to him all his right in the inheritance of Peter Le Constable and in the Church of Briston, as one of the heirs of Peter by a fine levied. By this it appears that there were sisters and coheirs, and one of them was married to John de Briston, father of this Thomas.
In 1290, Edith de Astley granted by deed, dated at Weddington, in Warwickshire, to Stephen, her son, all her inheritance in Melton Con- stable, Burgh, Briningham, Langham, Sinterley, East Tuddenham, Wiveton, Glanford, Saxlingham, Sharington, Hindringham, &c, which descended to her on the death of Peter Le Constable, with the advowson of Melton Constable, Burgh St. Mary, Briningham, and Rackheath. This Stephen was living in 1301, when an agreement was made between him and Benedict, Prior of St. Olaves, Herringfleet, Suffolk, when he remitted to the prior the third part of eight marks, annual rent, in East Tuddenham and Tuddenham Fall gate, for the souls of his ancestors. This Stephen was living in 1317, but died soon after, surviving both his brothers.
The estate at Melton Constable continued in the same family for many
COUNTY FAMILIES IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 143
generations, and some members of the family were very distinguished in military affairs, as will be found duly recorded in the order of time.
Thomas de Astley was the cousin and heir of Stephen, and presented to the Church of Rackheath in 1324, and to that of Melton in the following year.
Sir Ralph de Astley was his son and heir, and presented to the Church of Melton in 1342. He lived till 1355, and presented to the same Church, but his trustees presented in 1367. About this time he died, leaving Thomas his son and heir, who married Margaret, daughter of a gentleman named Elmrugge, and he was succeeded by his son Thomas. In 1395 this Thomas de Astley granted the Manor of Melton in trust to Sir Robert Carbonel, and in 1416 to Sir Simon Felbrigg, Sir Robert de Berney, and Sir E. de Oldhall, with other manors. He was living in 1422, when he and Isabel his wife presented to the same church. He married two wives, and by Isabel he had John, his heir, who by his wife had two sons, Thomas and Robert, and two daughters.
Thomas Astley, his son and heir, had two wives, and by his first wife he had Thomas, his eldest son, to whom he gave the Manors of Melton, Burgh, and Briningham, and to Ralph, his second son, the Manor of Hindringham. He died in 1500,. and was buried in the chancel of the Church of the Carmes of Blakeney.
Thomas Astley, his son, in 1507, enfeoffed William Eton of this manor in trust, and married first Ann, daughter of Edward Boughton, of Law- ford, in Warwickshire, and had by her John, his son and heir. In 1535 he settled on his trustees the manor of Melton for his own use, and after that of John his son. He died October 19th, 1544, and was succeeded by Lis son John, who in 1559 presented to Melton Church.
Isaac Astley, his son, married Mary, daughter of Edward Waldegi-avo, of Boreley, in Essex, and had by her Thomas, 'his eldest son, and Jacob, who was created Lord Astley of Reading for his eminent services to Charles I.
Thomas Astley, Esq., marrried Frances, daughter and co-heiress of — Dean, Esq., in Freebridge Marshland, by whom he had three sons. Sir Francis was High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1636, and died in the same year without issue. Sir Isaac, the second son, was also High Sheriff of Norfolk, created baronet by Charles I., January 21, 1641. He married first Rachel, daughter of Augustine Messinger, Esq., of Hackford, in Norfolk; and, second, Bridget daughter of John Coke, Esq., of Holkham, who survived him. He died December 7th, 1659, without issue.
Sir Edward, the third son, was High Sheriff of Norfolk, and a baronet, and married his cousin Elizabeth, only daughter of Jacob Lord Astley of Reading. She surviving him, married Henry Clifton, Esq., of Toftrees,
144 HIST0EY OF EASTEEN ENGLAND.
in Gallow Hundred, by which lady he had Sir Jacob Astley, Bart., who was for many years knight of the shire for the county of Norfolk. Sir Jacob, by his wife Blanche, daughter of Sir Philip Wodehouse of Kimberley, had Jacob, his son and heir, who died at Oxford in 1681. Sir Jacob dying August 17th, 1729, he was succeeded by his second son, Sir Philip, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. Bransby of Yarmouth, by whom he had two sons.
Sir Jacob Astley, Baronet, the eldest son, married Lucy, his first wife, daughter of Sir Nicholas L'Estrange, by whom he had two sons, Sir Edward, and John, rector of Thornage, in Norfolk. Sir Edward Astley, Baronet, who lived after 1781, married first Khoda, daughter of Sir Francis Blake Delaval, in Northumberland, and by that lady he had two sons, Jacob and Francis. The second son, Francis, was killed while fighting bravely in the service of his country as midshipman on board the Arethusa frigate, in an engagement with the Belle Poule, a French frigate. Sir Edward married secondly, Ann, youngest daughter of Christopher Milles, Esq., of Nachington, in Kent, near Canterbury, who married the eldest daughest of Kichard Warner, Esq., of North Elmham. Sir Edward had several children by his lady, the eldest of whom, Edward, was repre- sentative of Norfolk in Parliament. He was elected on March 23rd, 1768, and again in October, 1774. Sir Jacob Henry Astley, Bart., who died in 1817, was for many years member for Norfolk, and his son, Lord Hastings, was for some years one of the representatives of the western division of Norfolk. He died in 1859, and was succeeded by his eldest son, the Right Hon. Jacob Henry Delaval Astley, the eighth Lord Hastings. He was born on May 21st, 1822, educated at Eton and Oxford, entered the 2nd Life Guards in 1842, and retired as lieutenant in 1851. He married Frances, daughter of the late T. Cosham, Esq., of Clifton, Gloucester- shire, in 1860, and he died on March 8th, 1871.
THE WINDHAM FAMILY, FELBEIGG.
This family took their name from Wymondham, a market town in Norfolk, as early as the twelfth century. Alward De Wymondham was a witness to the foundation charter of William De Albini (Pincerna Regis), founder of the priory at Wymondham in the reign of Henry I ; also Richard, son of Alward, and Edric De Wymondham was treasurer, one of the King's Council, and Baron of the Exchequer- He died in 1277.
John Windham, Esq., was lord of Felbrigg, Norfolk, in the reign of Edward IV., and in the seventh of that reign, 1467, married Margaret, fourth daughter of Sir John De Felbrigg. Her jointure was to be in the manors of Crownthorpe, Banningham, Colby, and Iugworth, in Norfolk. In 1489 he was with Henry VII. at the Battle of Stoke, and there
COUNTY FAMILIES DATING FEOM THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 145
knighted; but on May 6th, in 1503, he and Sir James Tyrrell were beheaded as traitors to the King, on Tower Hill, in a conspiracy in favour of Edward De la Pole, Earl of Suffolk, and the former was buried in the Church of the Austen Friars, of London.
Sir Thomas Windham, of Felbrigg, was knighted by Sir Edward Howard, Admiral of the English Fleet, at Crowton Bay, near Brest. In the fourth year of Henry VIII., 1513, he was Vice- Admiral, Knight of the King's Body Guard, and one of the Privy Council. It appears by his will, dated at Felbrigg October 22nd, 1521, that he had the lordships of Crownthorpe, Wicklewood, Hackford, Aylmerton, Runton, Banningham, Ingworth, Tuttington, Coleby, Briston, Wolterton, Melton, Melton Cock- field, and Felbrigg, in Norfolk. He was buried in the Cathedral, Norwich.
John Windham, Esq., of Felbrigg, second son of Sir John and brother of Sir Thomas, married Elizabeth, daughter and co-heiress of Sir John Sydenham, of Orchard, in Devonshire, where he and his descendants lived, and from whom the Earl of Egremont descended.
Sir Edmund Windham, eldest son of Sir Thomas, succeeded to his estate, married Susan, daughter of Sir Roger Townshend, of Rainham, by whom he had three sons, Roger, Francis, and Thomas, and a daughter Amy.
Sir Roger, son of Sir Edmund, married Mary, daughter of Sir Chris- topher Heydon, of Baconsthorpe, in Norfolk, and died without issue. Francis Windham, Esq., his brother, was Judge of the Common Pleas, and married Elizabeth, daughter of. Sir Nicholas Bacon, Keeper of the Great Seal, and died without issue, leaving his estate entailed on his brother, Sir Roger Thomas Windham, who died without issue.
The estate came by entail to Thomas Windham, Esq., third son of Sir John Windham, of Orchard, by Joan, his wife, daughter of Sir Henry Portman, of Orchard Portman in Somersetshire. This Thomas married two wives, and his son John Windham, who inherited the estate, had four wives, but died without any surviving issue. William Windham, Esq., his brother-in-law, inherited the estate, and married Catherine, daughter of Sir Thomas Ash, of Twickenham, by whom he had several sons. William Windham died in 1689. His son Ash Windham was lord and patron in 1740 ; his son and heir, William Windham, died lord October 30th, 1761, whose son was Colonel of the Norfolk Militia, and author of a treatise for the use of that corps. He died, leaving his son a minor, lord of Aylmer- ton, Sustead, Metton, Parnow Hall, Barningham, Tuttington with Crackford, Ingworth, Runcton Hays, East Beckham, and other places in Norfolk.
THE SPELMAN FAMILY.
The family of Spclman is of great antiquity in Norfolk, dating back to the Conquest. The ancient seat of the Spelmans stands about a furlong
VOL. II. L
146 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
east of the Church at Narborough, and is called Narborough Hall. It is for the most part of stone and brick, and has a moat round it. Judge Spel- man erected it in the reign of Henry VIII. After that reign a good deal of land at Narborough came into the possession of the Spelmans.
Sir Henry Spelman, an eminent English antiquary and lawyer, was born at Congham, in Norfolk, in 1564, and was the son of the lord of the manor. He was educated at Walsingham, entered at Trinity College, Cambridge, and afterwards admitted of Lincoln's Inn, where he studied the laws of his country, rather as a science than with any prospect of gain, for he had a considerable estate of his own. When of age he returned to Norfolk and married a daughter of John Le Strange, Esq. In 1604 he served the office of High Sheriff of Norfolk, and the year following he was appointed one of the commissioners to regulate disputes between the pretenders to freehold estates in Ireland. After this he retired from public life, and spent the remainder of his days in studying the history and antiquities of his country. He was the author of a " Glossary," (< History of Sacrilege," " Treatise de non temerandis Ecclesiis," " Icenia;" and other works, which are proofs of his zeal and learning.
THE FAMILY OF THE NEWTONS
Took their name from the village of Newton Flotman, in the Hundred of Humbleyard, Norfolk, where they had a good estate owned by John De Newton in 1309, and in 1415 by William De Newton, who sold part of it and released divers rents to Nicholas Appleyard, Esq. In 1503, William Newton, of Wreningham, and his feoffees, conveyed the greatest part of it to Nicholas Appleyard, of Bracon Ash, and so it was joined to the manor of Rainthorpe.
THE FAMILY OF WHINBURGH
Derived their name from a place called Whinburgh, in the Hundred of Mitford. Henry Whinburgh, by his will, dated the 31st day of October, 1544, had lands in Whinburgh, Yaxham, Garveston, Eeymerston, and Thuxton ; and John YvTiinburgh, of Norfolk, was lord of Benacre, in Suffolk, in 1577.
THE BRAMPTON FAMILY
Possessed the Letton estate, Hundred of Mitford, in the first half of the sixteenth century. It came to John Gurdon, Esq., eldest son of Robert Gurdon, Esq., of Assington, in Suffolk, by the marriage of Amy, sole daughter and heiress of William Brampton, Esq., of Letton, son of Sir Thomas Brampton. This John Gurdon was High Sheriff of Suffolk in 1585, and died in 1623, leaving Brampton Gurdon, Esq., his son and heir, and by his second wife, Muriel, daughter of Sir Martin Sedleyj of.
COUNTY FAMILIES DATING FROM THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 147
Morley, in Norfolk, was father of Brampton Gurdon, Esq,, living in 1664. The last-named married Mary, daughter cf Henry Polsted, of London, by whom he had Brampton Gurdon, Esq., and by his wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Francis Thornagh, of Fenton in Nottinghamshire, left Thornagh Gurdon, Esq., father of Thornagh Gurdon, Esq., by Elizabeth, daughter and co-heiress of Sir William Cook, Bart, Lord of Letton. In 1714, Thornagh Gurdon, Esq., was Lord and patron of Southbergh, in the Hundred of Mitford.
THE FAMILY OF THE HOLLANDS.
Among the evidences of this ancient family of the Hollands, there was a very large genealogical table of the Hollands in Lincolnshire, from which house all the families of the name were descended, and it appears that the family existed there thirteen generations before the Conquest. Sir Ralph Holland, who lived in the time of William I., was the ancestor of the Hollands in Norfolk. Brian Holland, Esq., of Denton Hall, was the first of the Hollands who settled in Norfolk, in the time of Henry VII., whose son John Holland, of Wortwell Hall, in Redenhall, trustee to the Duke of Norfolk, died February 10th, 1542. His son John Holland, a divine banished by Queen Mary for his religion, whose son, Philemon Holland, D.D., the great translator, was born about 1551, and had two sons, Henry Holland born 1582, alive 1640; and a younger brother, Brian Holland, Esq., of Wortwell, escheator of Norfolk, in 1549 married Katherine, daughter and heiress of Peter Payne, of Roudham in Norfolk, who died in 1583, and left Roudham, Newhall, and Trushutts manors to her. Their son and heir, John Holland, of Wort- well, in 1586, purchased Quidenham and Buckenham Park, and married Mary, daughter of Sir Edmund Windham, of Felbrigg, by whom he had Sir Thomas Holland, of Quidenham, who died February*25th, 1629, and was buried at Quidenham. He was knighted by James I. at Greenwich, May 24th, 1628 ; he married, first, Mary, daughter of Sir Thomas Knevet of Ashwellthorpe ; she died in childbed ; second, Mary, daughter and sole heiress of Sir Edward Wigmore of Twickenham ; he was succeeded by John Holland, born in 1603 at Ashwellthorpe, Receiver, Chief Steward, and Keeper of the Seal, of Arundel's Park, at Kenninghall, in 1626 ; created baronet in 1 629, and he died in 1 700. His wife was Alathea, daughter and co-heiress of John Panton, of Prinsap, in Denbighshire. By her he had several children ; the eldest, Thomas Holland, died before his father in 1638. By Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Mead, of Lofts, in Essex, he had Sir John Holland, of Quidenham, who married Lady Rebecca, youngest daughter of William Paston, of Oxnead, and had issue, first, Charles and Elizabeth, who died young; second, Sir William Holland,
148 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
of Quidenham, married to the daughter of Mr. Upton, a Spanish mer- chant; third, Isabella Diana Holland, and, fourth, Charlotte Holland, sole heiresses of Sir William Holland.
Mr. Bristol, a Portugal merchant and brother to the widow of the former Earl of Buckinghamshire, and father to Mrs. Hobart, wife of the Hon. Henry Hobart, youngest brother to the Earl of Buckingham, in 1780 purchased the estate of Quidenham of the Holland family, which then entirely disappeared out of the annals of the county. Quidenham then passed into the hands of another family, from whom it passed to the Keppel family, whose seat is now at Quidenham.
STATE OF AGRICULTURE.
During the greater part of the fifteenth century England was desolated by civil wars, and agriculture, as well as other arts, declined. The labourers, called from the plough by royal proclamation or the mandates of their lords, perished in battle, or by accident or fatigue in immense numbers. Labour rose in price, notwithstanding various laws for its limitation, and this at last produced a memorable revolution in agriculture, which made a mighty noise for many years. The prelates, barons, and other great proprietors of land, kept extensive tracts around their castles, which were called their demesne lands, in their own immediate possession, and cultivated them by their villains, and by hired servants under the direction of their bailiffs. But these great landowners having often led their followers into fields of battle, their numbers were gradually diminished, and hired servants could not be procured on reasonable terms. This obliged the prelates, lords, and gentlemen to enclose the lands around their castles, and to convert them into pasture grounds. This practice of enclosing became very general in Eastern England about the middle of the fifteenth century, and occasioned prodigious clamours from those who mistook the effect of depopulation for its cause.
The habit of enclosing lands, and converting them to pasture, continued after the cause had ceased, and an Act was passed to stop its progress in the reign of Henry VII. The dearths of this period furnish another proof of the low state of agriculture in the Eastern Counties. Wheat in 1437 and 1438 rose from 4s. or 4s. 6d., the ordinary price per quarter, to 26s. 8d., equivalent to £13 6s. 8d. of our money. Stowe says that in these extremities the common people endeavoured to preserve their wretched lives by drying the roots of herbs, and converting them into a kind of bread. Land in those days was sold for ten years' purchase, so great was the insecurity of possession.
From the accession of Henry VII. in 1485 to the end of the sixteenth century, England enjoyed peace. To remove the ill effects of former wars,
STATE OF AGRICULTURE IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 149
however, required a considerable time. The high price of labour, and the conversion of so much land to tillage, gave rise to different impolitic statutes, prohibiting the exportation of corn, while a great demand was created for wool by the manufactures of the Netherlands, which tended to enhance the value of pasture lands, and depopulate the country. The flocks of individuals in those times sometimes exceeded 20,000, and an Act was passed in the reign of Henry VIII. limiting them to a tenth of that number, apparently eluded from the partial exception of hereditary opulence. If the restrictions on the exportation of corn had been trans- ferred to v/ool, the internal consumption would have soon regulated the prices of those articles, the proportion between pasture and arable lands would soon have been adjusted, and the declining cultivation of the soil restored. An improved cultivation was reserved, however, for a future period, when persecution extirpated manufactures from the Netherlands ; then, after the exportation of English wool had ceased and its price diminished, the landholder or farmer losing his former exuberant profits, discovered the necessity of resuming the plough and restoring his pastures to culture.
Agriculture soon after the beginning of the sixteenth century participated in the general improvement which followed the more settled authority of government ; and instead of the occasional brief notices of historians, we can now refer to regular treatises, written by men who engaged eagerly in this neglected and hitherto degraded occupation. From these treatises we can obtain some glimpses of the condition of the common people. The first English treatise on husbandry (1539) was written by Sir A. Fitzherbert, Judge of the Common Pleas. It is entitled the " Book of Husbandry," and contains directions for draining, clearing, and enclosing a farm, and for enriching and reducing the soil to tillage. Lime, marl, and fallowing, are strongly recommended. The landlords are advised to grant leases to farmers who will surround the farms with fences and divide them by hedges into proper enclosures ; by which operation he says " if an acre of land be worth sixpence before it is enclosed, it will be worth eightpence when it is enclosed by rising of the compost and dunging of the cattle." Another reason is that it will preserve the corn without the expense of a herdsman. From this time may be dated the revival of husbandry in England, and a more improved condition of the common people.
The author of the " Book of Husbandry " writes from his own ex- perience of more than forty years, and with some exceptions there is very little of his work that should be omitted, and not much of subsequent science that need be added, with regard to the culture of corn in a manual of husbandry adapted to the present time. It may surprise some
150 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
of the farmers of the present day to be told, that after the lapse of almost three centuries there has been no improvement in Fitzherbert's practice in some material branches, and that in the Eastern Counties abuses still exist which were clearly pointed out by him at that early period.
Agriculture attained a considerable degree of respectability in the reign of Elizabeth, and as an art, appears to have been best understood in Essex and other eastern counties. According to Harrison, the geogra- pher, " a farmer will thinke his gaines very small towardes the end of his terme, if he have not six or seven years' rent lieing by him, therewith to purchase a new lease ; beside a fair garnish of pewter in his cupboard, with as much more in odd vessels going about the house ; three or four featherbeds, as many coverlets, and carpets of tapestrie, a silver salt, a bowl for wine, if not a whole neast ; and a dozen of spoons to furnish out the suite." (Description of England, p. 188.)
Harrison complained of the vast number of parks in England. He says, " There are not less than 100 in Essex alone, where almost nothing is kept but a sorte of wild and savage beasts, cherished for pleasure and delight." And pursuing the same subject, he says, " That if the worlde last a while after this rate, wheate and rye will be no graine for poor men to feed on." He might have complained still more of the number of large parks in other eastern counties.
In the reign of Elizabeth the principal authors on agriculture were Tusser, Googe, and Sir Hugh Piatt. Thomas Tusser was born at Riven- hall in Essex, in 1527. Having a fine voice he was impressed for the Royal Chapel, and sang in St. Paul's under a celebrated musician. Afterwards he was a scholar at Eton, and next a student at Cambridge. He became by turns musician, poet, farmer, and grazier, but without any success. He published his ' ' Five Hundred Points of Husbandry " in 1562, and it was recommended by Lord Molesworth to be taught in schools. It is written in hobbling doggrel verse, and contains some useful notices con- cerning the state of agriculture in Eastern England.
Sir Hugh Piatt appears to have been a lawyer of Lincoln's Inn, but he had a seat in Essex, and another in Middlesex, where he spent a great part of his time. His book, entitled " Jewel Houses of Art and Nature," was printed in 1594. It is chiefly a compilation from other writers.
The Rev. William Harrison, who flourished about the same time, wrote a description of England, containing valuable hints on the progress of husbandry in the reign of Elizabeth.
According to Harrison, the able-bodied men amounted by the muster taken in 1574 and 1575 to 1,172,674, so that reckoning four persons to a family, the total population in all England would be about four-and-a- half millions. The eastern counties would only be a tenth of that
STATE OP AGRICULTURE IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 151
number, or about half-a-million ; and of that number the great majority- were very poor labourers on the soil. The price of wheat rose during the century 200 per cent., but the price of labour did not advance at all. We have therefore a sufficient cause for the poor law enacted in the forty- third year of Queen Elizabeth.
By all historians, the sixteenth century is represented as differing from the fifteenth as light from darkness. Agriculture, manufactures, and commerce flourished. Population greatly increased ; agricultural produce rose in value, and times were good for the farmers. Many cities and towns rose to great mercantile importance. Norwich, Bristol, and London were noted for their commerce. The monarchy was firmly established, and the security of property greater than ever.
The value of land continued to increase in the sixteenth century, as we find from notices in Cullum's " Antiquities of Hawstead," in Suffolk. In 1500, the most valuable land was let at from 16d. to 18d. per acre. In the reign of Henry VIII., about thirty-two acres of arable land were let at Is. per acre; about thirty-five of arable and five of pasture for 40s. yearly. In 1536, four acres of arable land let for 4s. a year, and seven acres for 8s. a year ; Clopton/s Close, in Hawstead, twenty-five acres for 20s., now worth £20. In 1572, about thirty-nine acres were let for twenty-one years for 89s. a year, or 2s. 3d. per acre ; and fourteen acres three roods were let for twenty-one years at 49s. 3d., or 3s. 6d. per acre.
About the commencement of the sixteenth century many cf the old landowners had been compelled to sell their estates, which were purchased by- those traders who had become rich, and who looked upon farming with trading eyes. Of course, such intruders were spoken of disdainfully as "those clothing knights." But their capital and influence aided agricul- tural progress. About this period there seems to have been a great advance in rents, for Latimer in one of his sermons, referring to the fact, says, "My father had enough land as kept half a dozen men, 100 sheep, and thirty cows, for which he paid £4 per annum rental, and found a horse and man for the King's service when required, but now his successor pays £16 rental, can do nothing for his prince, for himself, nor his children, nor give a cup of drink to the poor." Generally, he says, rents have in- creased in a few years, from £20 to £50, or more than double. Of course population had then increased, and trade must have been prosperous to cause a demand for farming produce, thus raising its value and the value of land.
In Stafford's "Dialogue," published in 1581, the knight remarks " Such of us as do abide in the country, still cannot, with £200 a-year, keep the house that we might have done with 200 marks but sixteen years past." To a farmer he says, " Cannot you, neighbour, remember
152 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
that within these thirty years I could at this town buy the best pig or goose I could lay my hand on for 4d., which now costeth 12d., a chicken for Id., a hen for 2d., which now costeth me double and triple that money." He adds, " It is likewise in greater worse as in beef or mutton."
In that age wages were all regulated by statute, which was an effort to keep them at a minimum, so that men could not obtain the necessaries of life. Thus, in 1590, a ditcher-and-hedger's wages were 4d. and a thresher's 6d. per day ! Quite inadequate for daily wants. A statute of 1444 enacted 23s. 4d. yearly for a bailiff, 24s. yearly for a shepherd, and 18s. 4d. yearly for a labourer, whilst a female servant was to have 10s. and 4s. extra for clothing per annum. No fear of her being too well dressed in that period.
Everything appears to have risen very much in price, wheat, meat, clothing, and all the necessaries of life, and there were great fluctuations in the price of wheat. Thus in 1500 it was only 3s. 4d. per quarter, in 1512, 18s. 8d. ; in 1527 the price rose to 26s. 2d. per quarter, which occasioned many insurrections of the common people, some of whom were executed. In 1530 the price fell to 4s. 4d. per quarter, in 1544 it rose to 25s., in 1555 to 40s., there being a great scarcity; in 1586 to 53s., in 1587 to 104s. ; in 1589 it fell to 17s., and in 1596 it rose again to 42s. All this time the land was not drained nor half cultivated.
As to the prices of other articles, in 1500 a couple of rabbits sold for 2|d., twelve pigeons for 4d., 100 eggs 6d., a wether sheep 20d., a lamb 13d., an ox lis. 8d. But before the end of the century a sheep was sold for 14s. 6d., and a bullock for £5, no small rise in value. In 1593 so great a drought happened in the Eastern Counties that many cattle died from want of water, but in the year following rain fell day and night from June 21st to the end of July.
In 1595 provisions in this eastern district were so scarce that wheat cost 20s. per coomb, barley 10s., rye 15s., oatmeal 20s., beef 3s. per stone, best sheep 14s. each, rabbits 8d., lambs 5s., calves 20s., fat fowls and capons 3s. 4d. each — prices at that time very high, considering the value of money, then double what it is now.
There was no knowledge for centuries of the art of either collecting, preserving, or storing fodder for stock. Root cultivation was almost unknown. The animals for winter food were fattened and slaughtered in autumn, and their flesh salted or smoked like Norfolk black bacon. The nobles of the land rarely ate fresh animal food, excepting game and river fish, during three months of the year, from Midsummer to Michaelmas. The common people subsisted chiefly on salted beef, veal, or pork.
C H A P T E E XVII.
NAKKATIVE OF EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTUKY.
^EJ, ASTERN ENGLAND was the scene of many important events Q^j) during the seventeenth century, which comprises the reigns of the Stuarts, James I., Charles I., Charles II., James II., and the Revo- lution of 1688 ; then the reigns of William and Mary, and of William III., of the House of Orange. The Commonwealth intervened between the reigns of Charles I. and Charles II., from the years 1649 to 1660, when the restoration of the monarchy took place.
REIGN OP JAMES I., 1603 TO 1625.
James I. commenced his reign on the day of Queen Elizabeth's demise, March 24th, 1603. He was the only child of Mary Queen of Scots, and was the nearest surviving lineal heir of Henry VII. He married Anne, daughter of Frederic II. of Denmark. His children were Henry, Charles, who succeeded his father, Elizabeth, who espoused Frederic the Elector Palatine, and two other children who died young. The accession of James I. was acceptable to the great body of the people, and was of much service in bringing the whole island under the sway of one prince.
The accession of James I. was by many hailed with sanguine hope. In 1591 he had been appealed to by many of the suffering Nonconformists, and he had written to Elizabeth on the apprehension of two men named Kidd and Cartwright, interceding on their behalf. And in that letter he had also expressed himself in favour of the Puritans. Moved by the impressions Avhich James had thus encouraged, the Puritans prepared what was afterwards known as the "Millenary Petition." This was signed by 750 ministers, and presented to the King in the month of April. In this petition they asked that the cross in baptism and confirmation might be taken away and other trivial matters altered. At first the King appeared to favour these requests, and he arranged a conference on the
154 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
subjects in dispute. But in a proclamation which he issued on October 24th,. ho so expressed himself that the Puritans too plainly saw that there was little hope for them. The promised conference was held in the month of January and ended in no result. On March 5th the King issued a proclamation in favour of conformity to the established church. All this time many of the Puritans remained in the church, which they vainly attempted to reform.
Soon after the issue of this proclamation, James met his first parlia- ment and denounced the Puritans as a sect and not a religion. Of course all hope was now extinguished, but even worse remained. As usual, convocation was convened at the same time as the parliament. By the end of June the canons were adopted, printed, and published. They were 141 in number, and continue to be the law of the Church of Eng- land to the present day. The King issued another proclamation on July 16th, enjoining conformity to the form of service established. Several deprivals of ministers took place in Essex, and among the sufferers were William Negus, Ezekiel Calverwell, and Camillus Eushens. Within two years no fewer than 300 ministers were either silenced or deprived or forced to leave the country. About this time Richard Rogers, of Wethersfield, Essex, was frequently molested and at length suspended. William Ames, lecturer at Colchester, was molested and compelled to flee the country. He went over to Holland, where he attained to great honour; and after many years of usefulness as pastor of the English Church at the Hague, he died at Rotterdam, aged 77.
In 1609 the old law under which Elizabeth had committed more than one person to the flames was again put in force. The unhappy victim was Bartholomew Leggatt, a native of Essex. It was said that he denied the divinity of Christ and a plurality of persons in the Godhead. Having continued a long time prisoner in Newgate, he was at length brought before the King, many of the bishops and many learned divines, in the consistory of St. Paul's, where he was declared to be a contumacious and obdurate heretic, and delivered over to the secular power. He was burnt in Smithfield on March 18th the same year. He had a brother named Thomas, who was also accused of holding heretical opinions, and who died in Newgate.
Laud now appears upon the scene. From 1609 to 1616 he had been Rector of West Tilbury in Essex. The year before he resigned Tilbury he had been made Archdeacon of Huntingdon ; in December, 1616, Dean of Gloucester ; and in 1621 he was consecrated Bishop of St. David's. Soon after he was translated from St. David's to Bath and Wells, and he became a bitter persecutor of the Puritans. In August, 1622, the King issued certain directions concerning preachers and preaching, the effect of
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 155
which was to restrict the pulpit ministrations. The breach thus widened, constantly grew wider until the death of James, which took place on March 27th, 1625, not without suspicion of poison.
Shortly after the dissolution of parliament in 1629, Bishop Laud submitted a series of " considerations " to the King, for the better settling of the church government. These were chiefly directed against the "lecturers," who had long been the chief dependence of the people for evangelical instruction, and who were generally maintained by the voluntary contributions of their flocks. The Bishop alleged that by reason of their pay the lecturers were " the people's creatures " and " blew the bellows of their sedition, wherefore special care should be had of them in every diocese."
Having obtained the concurrence of the King in these " considerations," Laud proceed to act upon them forthwith, and before the end of the year numbets of lecturers had fallen victims to his tyranny ; among them, John Rogers, of Dedham ; Daniel Rogers, of Wethersfield ; and John Archer, of Halsted, all in Essex. John Rogers had been Vicar of Hen- ningham, in Norfolk, and afterwards minister of Haverhill, in Suffolk. From Haverhill he removed to Dedham. He was one of the most awakening preachers of the age. People used to say, " Come, let us go to Dedham and get a little fire." He continued under suspension until 1631, when he was prevailed upon to conform ; but he groaning under the burden, his conformity was anything but strict. He died in 1636, and was buried at Dedham. Daniel Rogers was the son of Richard Rogers, who had also been lecturer at Wethersfield. Ho was born in 1573, and educated at Cambridge, where he became a fellow at Christ's College. He was so greatly respected by many of the conforming clergy, that they sent a memorial to the Bishop on his behalf; but he was suspended for some time and ultimately restored. He died in September, 1572, aged eighty.
About the same time, Nathaniel Rogers also was compelled to leave the diocese. Nathaniel was the son of John Rogers, of Dedham. He had now for some five years been curate at Booking. Having given his rector offence by burying an eminent person without a surplice, his rector dismissed him. Then the inhabitants of Bromley, near Colchester, hearing of this, were anxious to secure him as their lecturer. At the same time, also, a friend of his father's offered him the living of Assington, in Suffolk. Having remained at Assington some years, foreseeing the approach of persecution, he chose rather to prevent than to receive the censures of the Ecclesiastical Court, resigned his living, and embarked for New England. He arrived there in November, 1636, and on his arrival, he became the colleague of an old Essex friend of his (John
156 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
Norton) at Ipswich, where he died in July, 1655, at the age of fifty-seven. Mather says of him that " he was one of the greatest men that ever set foot on the American shore." Other distinguished ministers labouring in Essex were molested in the same year, and among them were Thomas Hooker, and John Eliot.
During the reign of James I., the county of Essex was quiet. The bearing of the King towards Parliament, the distaste of the people for the projected marriage of. Prince Charles with a Princess of Spain, and the preparatory loosing of the restrictions upon the Koman Catholics ; the hold which the Puritans, who, like the Puseyites of the present day, still re- mained within the pale of the Church, had obtained on the religious mind of the county, and the constant craving of the Court for money, with the manner in which it was lavished upon favourites, were slowly gathering those political clouds which in the next reign broke upon the nation in a storm of blood. These discontents were not confined to the towns, but spread to the agricultural districts of Essex, and there grew up a strong feeling in favour of the Republican party.
On his journey from Scotland he was met and welcomed to the throne by a band of Essex men. On approaching London, he was joined by a band of 140 men, dressed in blue liveries, gathered from the estates of Sir Robert Denny at Waltham Abbey and Waltham Cross.
In 1603 pestilence and famine affected the country, and in 1604, the plague, which was then making fearful ravages in the metropolis, spread through various parts of Essex, and extended to Colchester, which again suffered from this dreadful epidemic in 1631, 1665, and 1666 — in the two last years 4731 of the inhabitants were swept off. This dreadful scourge plunged all England into gloom. Households were desolated in a day. The most loved objects being smitten by this infection, were left to perish alone.
In 1608, from dearth and failure of the crops, the most extraordinary and arbitrary measures were taken to prevent the keeping back of the corn, while the common people were clamouring for food. The constables of the parishes in the county and of the wards in the boroughs were directed to search out all those who had corn in their possession. They were to take an account of the number of acres they had grown, the quan- tity of grain remaining in their barns and granaries, and the contracts they had made for the sale of it. In proportion to the quantity he held, every person was ordered to bring weekly to market so many quarters or bushels of corn, as he had not directly sold to the poor artificers or day labourers of the parish within which he dwelt. Lord Grey and Lord Cobham, two Essex men, were implicated in Sir Walter Rayleigh/s con- spiracy against James ; they were condemned, but escaped with the loss of
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 157
their estates, and Lord Cobliam died in the greatest poverty, being saved from actual starvation by the feeling aid of a poor laundress, whom he had employed, and at last died in a garret.
The celebrated letter which led to the discovery and frustration- of gunpowder-plot was written to an Essex landowner, the Lord Monteagle, whose county seat was Great Hallingbury Hall, now the residence of J. Archer Houblon, Esq. His town house was at Bethnal-green, which at the present day would be thought a strange location for a peer of the realm.
When, in 1605, Percy and the little band of wild and fierce fanatics had completed their horrible preparations, when the thirty-six barrels of gunpowder had been deposited in the vaults beneath the Houses of Par- liament, and Fawkes, a man of good family in Yorkshire, and who had served as an officer in the Spanish service, distinguished for his daring and determined courage, had undertaken to fire the train, remorse seized some of the conspirators at the thought that many Catholic peers, who had seats in the House, must perish in the explosion. Lord Monteagle was of this number ; and the following letter, written, it is believed, by Tresham, a relative, one of the band, advising him to retire to his Essex seat, was thrust into the hand of his servant in the street : —
" My Lord, — Out of the love I bear to some of your friends, I have a care of your preservation, therefore would advise you, as you tender your life, to devise some excuse to shift off your attendance at this Parliament. For God and man have conceived to punish the wickedness of this time. And think not slightly of this advertisement ; but retire yourself into your county, where you may expect the event in safety. For though there be no appearance of any stir, yet, I say, they will receive a terrible blow this Parliament, and yet they shall not see who hurts them. This counsel is not to be contemned, because it may do you good and can do you no harm; for the danger is past as soon as jou have burned this letter. And I hope God will give you grace to make good use of it, under whose holy protection I commend you."
Lord Monteagle carried this letter to the Secretary of State. Search was made and the plot discovered. Thus an Essex Roman Catholic was the instrument of saving the Protestant Royal Family and the Protestant Parliament from a dreadful death.
James I. built a house, called the King's House, at Newmarket, for the purpose of enjoying the diversion of hunting, and the subsequent reputation of the town for horse racing seems to have arisen from the spirit and swiftness of some Spanish horses, which, having been wrecked with the vessels of the Spanish Armada, were thrown ashore on the coast of Galloway, and brought hither. Its celebrity greatly increased in
158 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
the time of Charles II., the great patron of the turf, who re-built the King's House, and he frequently attended the races
About 1608, incredible damages were done in many parts of England, and particularly in Norfolk, by inundations, so as to occasion the passing of an Act for the recovery of many thousands of marsh and other lands lately overflowed in the county. The Act sets forth that part of the sea shore between Yarmouth and Happisburgh, lying low, and being sand only, was lately broken down and washed away by the violence of the tides, so that the sea broke in at every tide, and with every sea wind came up the Norwich river into the very heart of the county, drowning much land.
In 1608, the charter of Queen Elizabeth was confirmed by James I., for holding an Admiralty Court at Yarmouth, and an additional power was given to punish pirates, with the grant of an Admiralty jurisdiction in the Borough, Haven, and other places therein limited, viz., from Winter- ton-ness to Easton-ness, fourteen miles in length and seven miles east- ward in breadth. This charter is dated at Westminster in the fifth year of the King's reign in England.
In 1615, so great were the inundations in Norfolk, that the sea came up twelve miles, covering the land ; and on St. Andrew's Day, in the same year, there was another terrible flood, which did considerable damage to the churches and houses in Norwich, although no lives were lost. On November 14th, 1656, another flood covered a great part of the city. On July 20th, 1656, there was a storm of wind and hail so violent that much damage was done in the city, while around it the crops were destroyed.
In 1613, during the reign of James I., Merton Hall, in Norfolk, the seat of Lord Walsingham, was almost re-built in its present style on the old foundations. Over the door there is still legible the text, "Nisi Dominus cedificaverit domum in vanum laboraverunt qui cedificant earn. Anno Domini, 1613." One of the bedroom chimney-pieces bears in the spandril of its arch the same date, 1613, and a chimney-piece in the gate house (date 1620), of about the same character, has on it the arms of Cornerth, or Baynard, which for five centuries were borne by the Greys of Merton.
On March 7th, 1615, King James I., with his son Henry, Prince of Wales, visited the University of Cambridge, and they both lodged at Trinity College, which has been ever since, on occasion of royal visits, the residence of the Sovereign. The Earl of Suffolk, who was Chancellor of the University and Lord High Treasurer, kept an open table in St. John's College at the expense, it was said, of £1000 a-day. It is certain that twenty-six tuns of wine were consumed at this table in the five days that he King stayed at Cambridge. Public disputations were held daily for
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 159
his Majesty's entertainment, and plays were performed. The celebrated comedy of cc Ignoramus," which was then first produced, diverted his Majesty so much that being at Newmarket for the purpose of hunting, ho paid a second visit to Cambridge (on the 13th of May) for the express purpose of seeing it again represented. On this occasion he stayed two nights at Trinity College. It has been said that the celebrated Duke of Buckingham, being then a student at Qambridge, first attracted the notice of the royal pedant by his performance of one of the characters in the comedy.
In the reign of James I., viz., 1618, there was a long suit between the townsmen of Banham and the townsmen of Tibenham, concerning the right of commonage upon Banham Heath, then containing about 1200 acres of land. The substance of the dispute was this : — The townsmen of Tibenham claimed an original right of commonage in the three hundred acres called Banham Outwood, in Banham, in right of their copyhold lands or tenements, held of the Manor of Tibenham and common of vicinage on Banham Green, there being no fences or ditches between Banham Outwood and Banham Green ; but upon the trial the townsmen of Tibenham were defeated, and paid £30 damages and costs, it being found by the jury that the lord of Tibenham Manor and his tenants had no original right in Banham Outwood, nor common of vicinage on Banham Green. And whereas there were divers tenants of the Manor of Tibenham who claimed right of commonage for set number of sheep going on this heath, by the grants of divers former lords of the Manor of Banham, all of which commonages were held by copy of court-roll of the Manor of Banham, in fee by a fine of 10s., paid at every death, and two hens a year for the pasturage of every six score of sheep thereon. John Clark, of Banham, on behalf of the parish of Banham, brought his action against Matthew Buxton, of Tibenham, for feeding sixty sheep and one ram on the heath, according to the grant of the lord of the Manor of Banham, made to the owners of his tenement called East Angles, in Tibenham, and recovered damages and costs, it being found by the jury that such customary pasturage and commonage was not to be demised, neither was it desirable by copy of court-roll of the Manor of Banham to any customary tenant whatever, upon which all the com- monages of this nature were set aside. An exemplification of the whole, under seal dated February 13th, 1625, lay in Banham town-chest in 1780.
Before leaving this reign, we may notice the total want of any sanitary measures in all the towns of the eastern district, in consequence of which the plague so often broke out and destroyed thousands of lives. We may just glance at the physical condition of the citizens of Norwich for instance in former times. The old corporation entirely ignored its duty
160 HISTOEY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
in regard to all sanitary regulations. There was scarcely an apology for a system of drainage in the city, and never a sufficient supply of water. The poor people were cooped up in narrow yards, courts, and streets, and on account of high prices, could seldom obtain wholesome food. They had a terrible revenge in those direful plagues which destroyed the rich in their fine houses, as well as the poor in their hovels.
In 1625 we find that something like sanitary measures had been adopted in Norwich. On July 12th of that year the Mayor received a commission authorising the Council to levy a tax on all the inhabitants, to be applied towards scouring out the filthy ditches around the city and the removal of all nuisances, the better to prevent the spreading of the plague which had lately broken out in Yarmouth, having been occasioned by the arrival there of some infected persons. These precautions not having the desired effect, the Black Tower, then on Butter Hills, was fitted up for the reception of the afflicted poor. At Yarmouth the gutters and drains on the Quay, which were formerly open, were covered over, which contributed much to the convenience of the place, as they had been before a very great nuisance. On December 29th, 1625, an order was made by the authorities at Yarmouth that no poor people should be married unless they should first procure the handwriting of the Alderman and Chief Constable of the ward, wherein they lived, for that purpose.
The famous Lord Howard (Baron Howard of Walden), who took part in the destruction of the Spanish Armada, was created Earl of Suffolk by Queen Elizabeth. Being Lord Treasurer, and his wife (if we may credit the malicious gossip of the day) having taken large bribes from the Constable of Castile when negociating peace with England, he determined to erect a mansion that should surpass any other in the kingdom. He procured a* model in wood from Italy for £500, and either Bernard Jansen or John Thorpe was chosen architect, probably the latter. The mansion was commenced in 1603 and finished in 1611, at a cost of £200,000 ! King James, who visited it soon after, sarcastically observed that it was too large for a King, though it might do for a Lord Treasurer, and it was soon found so majestic an incumbrance of the estate, that none of the other owners were able to keep up an establishment suited to its size and magnificence.
Lord Bray brook e, in his " History of Audley End," says — " When the house was completed, it consisted, besides the offices, of various ranges of buildings, surrounding two spacious quadrangular courts. , That to the westward was the largest, and was approached over a bridge across the Cam, through a double avenues of limes, terminating with a grand entrance gateway, flanked by four circular towers. The apartments on the north and south sides of the : principal courts were erected over an
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 161
open cloister, and supported by pillars of alabaster, and on the eastern side a flight of steps led to the entrance porches, placed on a terrace running parallel to the great hall, which formed the centre of the building; beyond the hall was the inner court, three sides of which only remain, and constitute the present house."
In 1626 Theopilus Howard, Earl of Suffolk, succeeded to the inheritance of the castle and its domains, at Framlingham, in Suffolk, and in the following year he kept his first Court for the Manor of Framlingham. He died in 1640 and was buried at Waldon. Before his death in 1635, the earl, with his feoffees, did, in consideration of the sum of £14,000, convey the castle and manors of Framlingham and Saxted, the advowsons thereof, &c, also the Hundred of Loes, to Sir Robert Hitcham and his feoffees. He, in 1636, settled the estate for pious purposes upon the Master and others of Pembroke College, in Cambridge, and their successors for ever.
BARONETS OP NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK.
James I. in order to raise money first created baronets, ninety in one day, in 1611. Among those extinct were Hobart of Intwood, May 22nd, 1611; Knevet of Buckenham, ditto; Townsend of Rainham, April 16th, 1617; Clere of Ormesby, February 27th, 1620; Yelverton of Rougham, May 31st, 1620; Barkham of Southacre, June 28th, 1623; Corbet of Sprowston, July 4th, 1623.
Among those extant of the same reign were Sir Edmund Bacon of Redgrave, May 22nd, 1611; Sir John Wodehouse of Kimberley, same date ; Sir Charles Mordaunt of Little Massingham, now of Walton, in Warwickshire, same date ; Sir Henry Mackworth of Lynn Regis, now of London, June 4th, 1619; Sir John Berney of Park Hall, Reedham, now of Kirby Bedon, May 5th, 1620; Sir William Jerningham of Cossey, October 16th, 1621.
In the reign of James I. the Knights of the Shire for Norfolk were the following : —
1603 — Nicholas Bacon, Esq., Redgrave, Suffolk ; Sir Charles Corn- wallis, Beeston.
1614 — Sir Nathaniel Bacon, Stiff key; Sir Charles Cornwallis, Beeston.
1620 — Sir Hamon le Strange, Hunstanton; Drugo Drury, Esq., Riddlesworth.
1623 — Sir Thomas Holland, Quidenham ; Sir John Corbet, Bart., Sprowston.
In 1611 Nicholas Bacon, Esq., eldest son of Sir N. Bacon, the Lord- Keeper, was created a Baronet, being the first person upon whom that honour was conferred.
VOL. II. M
162 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Sir Nicholas Bacon, the first baronet, marrying the heiress of the family of the Butts at Binham, in Norfolk, came into possession of the manor and estate at Binham about the ninth of James I., and in this family it continued till the ninth of Charles II., 1657, when Sir Edmund Bacon, Bart., and the trustees of his father sold it to Mr. Edward Cooper, of Edgefield, whose ancestors had long been owners of land in the parish. A descendant of this Edward Cooper, in 1710, devised this manor and his whole estate to the Rev. Edward Fenn, his nephew.
Sir Edward Coke was born at Mileham, in the county of Norfolk, on February 1st, 1551. His father was a bencher of Lincoln's Inn, and died in 1561. Young Coke was partly educated at the Norwich Grammar School, from whence he was removed to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied for three years. He began his legal education at Clifford's Inn, London, in 1572, and was called to the bar in 1578. He had scarcely begun to practise when he was appointed reader at Lyon's Inn by the society of the Inner Temple, and his reputation as a lawyer became so great that he was concerned in almost every case brought before the Court of King's Bench. In 1586 he was chosen Recorder of Norwich, and he afterwards, in 1592, held the same office for the city of London. When the plague broke out in the metropolis he was Solicitor- General and reader of the Inner Temple, and on retiring from the city he Was accompanied as far as Romford by fifty members of the Temple. In 1594 he was appointed Attorney-General, to the great chagrin of the Earl of Essex, who had expected to secure that office for his protege, Lord Bacon.
Coke's success on this occasion drew down on him the hatred of his illustrious rival, and was the beginning of a feud which lasted with little intermission till the death of Bacon. The published correspondence of that philosopher is filled with reiterated expressions of discontent at his failure, and bitter allusions to the new Attorney- General, who so distin- guished himself in his profession as to rise to its highest honours and emoluments. He retained his office as Attorney-General till 1606, and was thus Crown lawyer in the management of those important trials for treason so frequent in the reign of Elizabeth.
In the latter end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, he was chosen Speaker of the House of Commons, having been returned Knight of the Shire of Norfolk, and soon after appointed Solicitor-General ; and when the Earl of Essex was indicted for high treason, he was appointed Attorney- General in order to carry on the prosecution against that unfortunate peer. Upon the accession of James I. he received the honour of knight- hood, and carried on the prosecution against Sir Walter Raleigh with so much vehemence that many have blamed him for being so severe, but we
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may naturally impute his zeal to pride, and an earnest desire of prefer- ment. When the Gunpowder-plot was discovered, he gained reputation for the sagacity and vigilance he displayed in unravelling that hellish contrivance, for which the King ordered him to be called up to the degree of Serjeant. He was soon after raised to the dignity of Chief-Justice ot the Court of Common Pleas, which he held about six years, and was then made Lord Chief-Justice of the King's Bench. When it was discovered that the Earl of Somerset and his lady were concerned in the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury, Lord Chief -Justice Coke granted his warrant for apprehending him, which was served upon the Earl while he was at supper with the King at Theobald's. He claimed the King's protection, but the King said in his vulgar manner, " Gude faith maun, I canno help it, for if Coke send for me, I must gang to him as well as you." In 1616 he was suspended from his office because he would not countenance any encroachments on the liberty of the subject. During the remainder of the reign of King James, he continued to serve in Parliament, and acted as a privy councillor, but having spoken with great freedom in the House of Commons his chambers in the Temple were broken open, all his papers seized, and himself committed to the Tower. On the accession of Charles I., when it was found necessary to call a new Parliament, he was made Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, lest he should have been returned one of the representatives : so that he who had been Chief-Justice of England was obliged to attend as bailiff on the Judges. In 1628 he was returned for the County of Suffolk, and he rendered great service to his country by the vigour with which he defended constitutional rights against arbitrary power. Though now far advanced in years, he exerted himself with all the energy of youth in his Parliamentary duties. He made himself very conspicuous in framing the celebrated <c Bill of Rights," which by his perseverance he got safely through the House of Lords. The last Act of his public life was to denounce the Duke of Buckingham, whose policy he exposed as injurious to the country. At the close of the session he retired from public life, and then spent most of his time in revising and maturing those works which have perpetuated his fame as the great oracle of English law. Of his learned works on the laws, it has been observed that they " will be admired by judicious posterity while Fame has a trumpet left her, or a breath to blow therein." These are — (1) his Reports, in thirteen parts, 1600 folios; (2) a Speech and Charge at Norwich Assizes; (3) his Institutes, in many editions, 1788 to 1794 ; (4) a Treatise of Bail and Mainprize, 4 to 1637; (5) Reading on the State of Fines, 27th Edward I., 4 to 1662 ; (6) Complete Copyholder, 4 to 1640. These works have been the chief text books of students of the laws of England. In 1562, the great lawyer married the daughter of John Paston, Esq.,
164 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
of Norfolk, and she brought him a fortune of £30,000. By her ho had ten children. She died in 1596, and in the following year he married the widow of Sir William Hutton, daughter of Thomas Lord Burleigh. She also brought him a large fortune, and he purchased considerable estates in Norfolk. He was the founder of the noble family of the Cokes of Holkham, who inherited these estates. He died September 3rd, 1633, and was buried in the family vault of the church at Tittleshall, Norfolk.
Sir William Woodhouse, of Norfolk, who lived in the reign of James I., is said to have been the first person in England who invented and erected decoys for taking wild ducks. After his time many decoys were erected on the eastern side of the county. The decoy is a sequestered pool with curving ditches, and sixteen or eighteen inches deep, dug from the main water, as at Fritton Lake, and covered with a net, and the wild fowls are taken by alluring them from the main water into these fatal retreats, where they are caught and killed. In former years the practice in making the Norfolk decoys was to set aside for this purpose a pool containing sixty or seventy acres, and oftentimes much more ; a few pipes were dug, nets and reed screens erected, a decoy man appointed ; and the owner might be sure that if he had not a decoy through which he could send many ducks to the market, he had at least a capital preserve for wild fowl. Here, free from the annoyance of the fowler, they collected in thousands by day, distributing themselves over the marshes, far and near, in their evening flight.
A decoy of this kind, instead of causing jealousy amongst the gunners, was looked upon as their most direct assistant ; they well knew that not one-fiftieth part of the birds would ever be taken, and that the rest would be left for them to exert their skill upon every morning and evening. For in a decoy of these dimensions thousands of ducks may be collected, and yet sometimes not a single fowl will " pipe," as entering the netted avenue of destruction is technically called.
Arthur Wilson, a native of Yarmouth, lived in the first half of the seventeenth century, and wrote the life and reign of James I. with so much freedom that he was often censured for it. He had a good oppor- tunity of knowing the transactions of James I. and his Court, because he was an attendant for many years on Robert D'Evereux, Earl of Essex, and his friends, whom he favours all along in his history. He endeavoured to make people believe that James I., and his son after him, were inclined to Popery, and designed to establish it in England. This author died at Felstead, in Essex, in 1652.
REIGN OP CHARLES I., 1625 TO 1649.
Charles I. was the second son of his predecessor. He was born at
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Dunfermline November 19th, 1600. He espoused Henrietta Maria, daughter of Henry IV. of France. A marriage treaty had been made at the close of the late reign, by which it was arranged that Charles should espouse the Catholic Princess, and the ceremony took place on June 13th, 1625. Their children were Charles and James, who successively reigned over England ; Mary, who married William of Nassau, Prince of Orange ; Henrietta Maria, who married Philip, brother of Louis XIV. ; and two other daughters.
The throne to which Charles now succeeded was surrounded on every hand with difficulties of the gravest character — difficulties that were aggravated not a little by the circumstance that by the rash proceedings of his father, the cause of Nonconformity had long since come to be identified with the cause of constitutional freedom. Unhappily, that very fact rendered him the more resolved to spare no pains for the extinction of the Puritans. Within a few days after his proclamation, the Duke of Buckingham delivered him a schedule, which had been prepared at his request by Laud, wherein the names of all ecclesiastical persons were written under the letter 0 for Orthodox, and P for Puritan, in order that he might know the sentiments of eminent persons.
Under the miserable rule of Charles I. the persecuting Laud issued an order that the foreign refugees, who were for the most part Calvinists, should conform to the Anglican Church. The foreign congregations appealed to the King for protection, pleading the hospitality extended to them by the nation when they fled from Papal persecution abroad, and the privileges granted to them by former sovereigns. The utmost con- cession, however, that the King would grant was that those who were born aliens might still enjoy the use of their own church service ; but that all their children born in England should regularly attend the parish churches. Even this small concession was limited to the congre- gation at Canterbury, and measures were taken to enforce conformity in other dioceses. The refugees thus found themselves exposed to the same kind of persecution from which they fled into England, and rather than endure it numbers of them determined to leave the country, abandoning their new homes and again to risk the loss of all property rather than give up their religion. The result was the emigration of 140 industrious families to Holland, where they were hospitably received and accom- modated with houses exempt from taxes. But the greater number of the foreigners emigrated to North America, and laid the foundation of the great New England States. Thus the best workers were driven out of England, and the trade of Norwich and Norfolk again declined.
The King's main reason for calling his first Parliament in June, 1625, was to provide means for carrying on the war, to which the Crown was
16G HISTORY OE EASTERN ENGLAND.
now committed in the case of the Palatinate, and of course he wanted supplies, not of great amount. If the Commons had been more liberal in voting supplies, the subsequent course of events might have been different, the Civil Wars might have been avoided, and all their sad conse- quences, for the King would not have resorted to illegal modes of raising money, but the Commons had many petty grievances of which they com- plained. Of these the most prominent related to religion and the supposed connivance of the Court at Popery, which was not then tolerated. On this subject the senate addressed the King in a petition, which suggested the remedies that, in the judgment of both Houses, ought to be applied to put down Popery. The Puritans wanted to check the Popish tendencies of the Court, and therefore would not grant sufficient supplies to carry on a foreign war, and this led to a civil war.
In detailing for the first time the military operations during the Civil Wars in this eastern district, we must begin with Essex, and change the scene from county to county and from town to town in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk. We must show how the tyranny of a bigoted King roused the peaceful inhabitants of East Anglia against him — how these Eastern Counties were soon all combined in open rebellion on account of illegal taxation in the shape of ship-money levied in the maritime counties.
In the Public Eecord Office, Vol. 96, No. 46, of the " Domestic State Papers " lets us into the particulars of one cf the grievances which made the Eastern Counties adhere so staunchly to the Commonwealth during the Civil War. There is a very curious letter from the Mayor of Norwich dated 19th March, 1627, protesting against the quartering of Irish sol- diers in Norwich, on the poverty and distress of which city, and the dis- contented condition of the multitude of its poor people, and the general decay of its trade and manufactures, he pitifully enlarges, as also on the peril of the city, which, he states, consisted for the most part of reed houses. He bitterly complains of the outrages ard disorders of these Irish soldiers and their officers, who chose the market days to march about the city, " utterly terrifying the country people, and with uncivill lan- guage spoken, threten to assault me, the maior, and encourage the sol- diers to kill the sheriff •" also that they use stabbing knives, and will not be lodged at the best inns in Norwich,
King Charles I., being at variance with his Parliament, dissolved it on the 10th of March, 1629, and for several years governed without it, but being in want of money, his Attorney-General, Mr. Noye, suggested to him the idea of ship-money, a species of tax which he was to levy on all the maritime counties of England and Wales, for which purpose he issued out his writs in 1634, against which petitions were presented from several
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parts, on the just ground that it was a most unconstitutional measure ; but money was wanted and no exemptions could be obtained.
According to the King's writ, the county of Norfolk was enjoined to find a ship of 800 tons burthen and 200 able seamen, with necessary ordnance, small arms, ammunition, provisions, &c. This writ was directed to the bailiffs, mayors, burgesses, &c, of Yarmouth, Norwich, King's Lynn, and Wisbech. A meeting of the gentlemen concerned was con- vened at Norwich, the result of which was that no such ship could be found or provided, and a petition was presented against it, but without effect.
Soon after the bailiffs of Yarmouth received a certificate from the high sheriffs of Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, requiring them to raise the sum of £940, being their particular portion of the general assessment, but as this sum appeared afterwards to be insufficient for the purposes required, they were further assessed in the sum of £200 more, the lords of the Council demanding speedy payment. The bailiffs then petitioned for an abate- ment by means of assessing the towns and villages on the rivers which had a proportionate benefit of their commerce. This was more success- ful, and the collection was accordingly made and paid in.
The reasons assigned on behalf of Yarmouth were that the town consis- ted of several thousand poor fishermen, who, notwithstanding the great plenty of fish, were obliged to remain indebted for the provision of their voyages till their return from sea and disposal of their fish ; that they were at very great expenses in the- repairs of their haven ; that they were much in debt, the interest of which added the said expenses with a very heavy poor-rate amounting to £2550 per annum, for the payment of which they had no lands, but were entirely dependent on their own industry and the providential assistance of a maritime trade ; and, finally, that they were so much distressed by the frequent depredations of the Dunkirkers, their losses by shipwrecks, their sufferings by the late grievous visitation, &c, that in the space of eight years they had lost £25,000 ! This petition, however, had not the desired effect, and another was presented, which was referred to the Lords Chief Justices and the Attorney- General, but still without effect.
In 1634 ship money was demanded from the maritime towns of Essex ; and Colchester, Maldon, and Harwich, in conjunction with several towns in Suffolk, were ordered to furnish and fit out a ship of 700 tons. The object of this order was to raise money, and the people of Colchester grudgingly paid their share of the £6615 for which the order was com- muted. In 1635 the whole country was required to raise forty-five ships, and £8000 was exacted from the county of Essex. Colchester at first refused, but at last paid a trifling instalment ; Maldon paid its share of
168 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
£80, Harwich £20, Walden £80, and Thaxted £40. The other towns con- tributed their share. In 1641 all things indicated the approach of civil commotion and open resistance to the arbitrary acts of the King. The feeling of disaffection and discontent spread not only in the towns, but in all the halls and homesteads of the Eastern Counties. The indiscrimi- nating loyalty of Colchester, which had been manifested in the presenta- tion of silver cups, and royal festivals and showy processions in honour of any sovereign, had been cooling in the previous reign, and at length evaporated altogether. The King, while extorting money from his sub- jects, affected great anxiety for their souls.
A High Court of Commission was appointed to enforce that all the people should conduct their worship according to the forms established by law, and to search out heretical departures from the approved system. Dr. Bastwick, a native of Writtle, one of the finest scholars of his time, then practising as a physician at Colchester, having written several works against the Pope and the Latin bishops, in which he maintained an equality or parity between bishops and presbyters, was summoned before the commissioners, fined £1000, excommunicated, and flung into prison. From his cell, however, he still made his voice heard, and an effort was made to stifle it by dragging him with others before the Star Chamber. In the presence of that tribunal, the name of which is odious in the memory of every Englishman, anticipating the brutal mutilation that was likely to be inflicted upon him, the doctor broke out into the following appeal : — " I shall presume to speak to your honours as Paul spoke to the centurion when they were about to whip him — What, will you whip a Roman ! So, my good lords, let me say — What, will you cut off a true and loyal subject's ears for doing his duty to his King and his country ? Will you cut off a scholar's ears ? Will you cut off a doctor of physic's ears, able to cure lords, peers, kings, and emperors ? Will you cut off a Christian's ears ? Will you make curs of Christians, my lords ? Will you cut off a Catholic Aposfolic, a Roman's, ears ? Men, brethren, and fathers, what an age do we live in, that we must thus be exposed to the merciless fury of every malignant spirit !"
The doctor's eloquence, however, did not save his- ears. After being placed in the pillory in Palace Yard, he was cropped, and fined £5000, and doomed to perpetual imprisonment. In 1640, however, Dr. Bastwick was brought from his prison in the Scilly Islands, and on his approach to London he was met by a vast crowd, carrying green boughs and flowers, and escorted in triumph to the city. The doctor's sentence was reversed — save that it was beyond the power of Parliament to restore his ears ; and the House of Commons ordered that he should have £5000 out of the estates of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the high commissioners, and
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those lords who voted against him in the Star Chamber ; but in the midst of civil commotion, the salve thus ordered to be applied to the sufferings of the Essex man was no more thought of, and for a livelihood he resumed the practice of his profession. The Parliament had become strong and bold. Petitions were sent from different places, and amongst others from Col- chester, against the order of bishops, demanding liberty of conscience, and that church discipline might bo established according to the word of God.
In 1642, a gleam of loyalty appeared in Essex, the men who, from their position, usually gave the tone to the county feeling, were apparently satisfied with the concessions they had wrung from the King. The infatuated attempt, however, of Charles to impeach five members of high treason, and to seize them in the House of Commons, sent a thrill of fierce excitement through the partizans of the Parliament, including the majority of the gentry in this country. Prom Essex, as from other counties, there went up a petition — or, rather, under the circumstances, it might be termed a declaration — promising to stand firm, and die in the defence of the privileges of Parliament. Colchester gave vent to its feelings in rather a brutal manner, by treating the Rev. Erasmus Laud with the greatest cruelty, for no other offence than being of the same name as the Arch- bishop of Canterbury. They also arrested Sir John Lucas, a Royalist knight, and after treating his mother and wife with the greatest barbarity, plundered his house in St. John's, even the ashes of his ancestors not escaping the fury of party zeal ; but Essex, owing to the measures taken, was free from many of the dreadful calamities, plundering, murders, and bloody battles, which brought the rest of the kingdom almost to destruction.
The landowners and chief inhabitants sided almost from the first with the House of Commons, and when that body placed the command of its forces under the Earl of Essex, and Charles collected his friends and planted his standard at Nottingham, Essex entered into a league with Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertford, and Cambridgeshire, by which these counties engaged to aid, succour, and assist one another, in mutual defence and preservation. This formidable league was called the " Eastern Associa- tion for the Parliament ;" and in 1042 the first committee was appointed to carry out its views in Essex, and consisted of Sir Thomas Barriugtou, Sir Richard Everard, Sir Harbottle Grimston, Sir Thomas Honywood, Sir William Masham, Sir Henry Mildmay, Sir Martin Lumbley, H. Holcroft, William Martin, and Joseph Sayers, Esqs. Essex did not stand passive during this great struggle, but its wealth and blood were freely poured out for the sustainment of the strife; its women gave their ornaments and even their silver thimbles to assist in putting down the pretensions of the King.
170 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
On January 18th, 1642, six thousand Essex men went up to London with petitions, one to the Lords and the other to the Commons. The petition to the Commons was from the ministers and other inhabitants, and says, " We doe apprehend a great stop to all reformations of matters of religion * * * * and the whole kingdom to be in great danger of the Papists and other ill-affected persons who are everywhere very insolent, and are ready to act the parts of those cruell blood-suckers in Ireland." Therefore, they prayed for the removal of bishops and Popish lords out of the House of Peers.
On August 11th, 1642, the King published a proclamation, declaring the Earl of Essex and the army which he had by this time organised under the auspices of Parliament, to be " rebels," and the next day very serious disturbances broke out in Colchester. Sir John Lucas had secretly collected a small force in the town with which he intended to join the King. This being discovered, John Langley, captain of the trained band, and Henry Barrington, alderman, rode over to Coggeshall, from thence to Braintree and Booking, and from thence to Halsted, to invite assistance. Sir John, not knowing this, sallied out early in the morning of the 12th, when he found a strong guard posted at the outside of the gates to prevent him. The whole town was instantly aroused, and the volunteers fired upon him, and horsemen were sent, by direction of Daniel Cole, alderman, into all parts of the county to call in further aid. A riot now ensued. Sir John's house was broken into, its contents were spoiled, and its inmates were apprehended, including Lady Lucas, his sister, and his mother. Sir John himself was taken and sent to London, where he was declared guilty of high treason, fined £40,000, and laid under bond not to leave London without the permission of the House of Commons.
The Eastern Association could not remain idle at such a time. That body became a powerful instrument for the support of Parliament, a seed bed for its soldiers, and a grand recruiting depot, to which Cromwell was in the habit of flying after every defeat. On the issuing of the order " for the weekly raising of money towards the maintenance of the army and forces, by an assessment upon every county," the large sums exacted were readily paid in Essex. At first the charge amounted to £11 05 per week, then it was increased to £1678;, and at one period it amounted to £6750 a month.
Sir Henry Mildmay, Sir Tbomas Honywood, and the other committee- men, were very urgent in their language in calling upon Essex for assist- ance, which was responded to with such good will that the county was hio-hly complimented by the Parliament for their activity.
In the first conflict of the forces at Edgehill, Sir Faithful Fortescue, a
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name familiar in Essex, who had been compelled to serve in the Parlia- mentary army, went over with his men to Prince Rupert, and greatly contributed to the success which the royalists then obtained. When the King and his forces entered Middlesex, and spread consternation through those who then held London, the militia force and the volunteers of Essex were summoned to the rescue of the metropolis. This distress was answered by a despatch of forces from Essex, and Colchester sent up a company under Captain Langley, supplied with £285 — £10 furnished from the pockets of the inhabitants — for their pay and maintenance for thirty days. In 1643, when Bristol had been taken, and Gloucester was closely besieged, the Parliament called upon the Eastern Association for aid, and the Earl of Manchester received a commission to that body, for the purpose of raising an army ; and recruiting by means of impressment — a power which the Parliament had formerly abolished as hateful, but now revived for its own purpose — commenced vigorously in Essex. Colchester again sent forth its complete company under the same Captain Langley.
Again and again Essex sent forth its sons at the call of the Eastern Association, to battle against the sovereign. When the fierce covenanters of Scotland brought their forces over the border, the Parliament, encouraged by this aid, made immense efforts to crush the Royal cause. Money was exacted by the most violent measures, forced loans being amongst the expedients resorted to for this purpose ; and many in Essex were squeezed, or rather robbed, to pay for the services of the fierce Scots. An army, too, of 14,000 men was raised in the district, and these forces appeared under Cromwell on the field of Marston Moor. Sir John Lucas, of Shenfield, and his cavalier friends, were ranged on the opposite side, under the banner of the fiery Rupert ; and thus the weapons of Essex men were savagely directed against each other. Cromwell, findino- his forces crippled by the victory, returned to the Eastern Association and received further succours, which after the success of the Royal arms at Cropedy Bridge, materially assisted in crushing the hopes of the Kino- at the second battle of Newbury. The activity of Essex in this strife was greatly accelerated by the zeal of those whom the county had sent to the Long Parliament — Sir Martin Lumley and Sir William Masham for the county ; Sir Harbottle Grimston and J. Sayer, Esq., for Colchester • Sir Henry Mildmay and John Porter, Esq., for Maldon; Sir Thomas Cheke and Sir John Jacobs for Harwich ; and some of them were amongst those who were expelled from the House of Commons.
In the wild religious saturnalia which ensued upon the abolition of the Royal authority and the episcopal system, strange scenes were enacted and strange doctrines taught in the venerable old Essex churches. In
172 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
some cases the military uniform superseded the surplice. The Rev. Samuel Keene, vicar of Leyton, became a captain in the Parliamentary army, and preached in his church in a buff coat. The Presbyterian system was at first established. In accordance with the plan of the then dominant party of the religionists in the Parliament, the bishops were voted defunct, and the country was divided into districts, ruled over by a body of ministers and elders, under the superintendence of a provincial body of clergymen, which in turn was subject to the authority of the national assembly. An Essex man was a chief instrument in inaugurating this system.
The Rev. Stephen Marshall, vicar of Finchingfield, an active promoter of the rebellion against the King, and a fierce opponent of episcopacy, became one of the most famous Presbyterian ministers. So venerated was he among his party, that at his death he was buried in Westminster Abbey, but at the Restoration his bones, with those of others, were cast out as being unworthy of so honoured a resting-place.
The Essex committee-men were not slow in taking the hint conveyed in the letter of the Earl of Essex for attacking the property of the royalists. The estates of all those in Essex, who were suspected of a feeling for the King, who refused the demands made on them, or who desired to stand aloof from the scene of confusion and strife, were seized upon as fair spoil, and applied to the support of the Parliament. Many who before had held good positions in the county were reduced to the greatest distress, and others were totally ruined. After a time, however, those who had been thus robbed of their estates were permitted to redeem them, but only on payment of fines that were almost equal to the re- purchase. A list of fifty-two proprietors of property in Essex, who thus submitted to regain possession of their ancient inheritances, rather than allow them to pass entirely away from their families, has been preserved, and their names show the parties who were most compromised in this time of trouble. Amongst them are Sir Henry Audeley of Berechurch, who paid £1600; Sir Benjamin Ayloff of Braxted, £2000 ; Sir Thomas Bendish, a prisoner in the Tower, £1000 ; the Rev. Mr. Browning of Maldon, £818 ; Lord Capel £4706 ; John Fanshawe of Parslows, £250 with £40 per annum settled ; Thomas Fanshawe of Jenkins, £500 with £80 per annum settled ; John Freeman of Chelmsford, for his wife who appears to have been a malignant, £16, and for himself £108 15s. Thomas Gardner of West Ham, £120 ; John Green of Epping, £200 Dame Anne Harris of Writtle, £1642 3s.; Sir John Lucas of Shenfield £3634 ; Adrian May of Little Dunmow, £252 ; Sir Humphry Mildmay of Danbury £1275; Henry Nevell of Cressing Temple, £6000 ; Thomas Rock of Mountmessing, £372; Sir Denner Strutt of Little Warley,
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£1350 j and Sir John Tyrell of East Harndon, £600 j Anthony Brocket of Willingate, paid only £1 ; and William Turner of Saffron Waldcn, £1 10s. The total sum thus exacted in Essex amounted to £34,113 4s. 4d.
At this time the whole kingdom was in arms, and the Queen, who was in Holland, endeavoured to do all in her power to support the King, by sending him over considerable supplies of men, arms, ammunition, &c. In this affectionate employment, one of her ships, having received some damage at sea, was obliged to put into Yarmouth, where she was seized, the officers and soldiers confined, and an account of the transaction laid before Parliament. Afterwards this ship was adjudged to be the property of the town and was accordingly fitted out for sea, and employed by them in the service of the Parliament. At this time the Presbyterian or Puritan party ruled Yarmouth, though a few individuals had acted contrary to the Presbyterian form of government, by erecting their own Independent Chapels. This caused great divisions and distractions in the town. Mr. Bridge, one of the ministers, set up a separate chapel and maintained it after the manner of the Independents.
On August 7th, 1641, an Act for abolishing ship-money received the Royal assent, and so terminated that unwarrantable stretch of prerogative. In the following year, 1642, the town of Yarmouth having declared for the Parliament, the authorities received an order from both Houses not to receive or billet any soldiers in the town, without the consent of Parlia- ment, and that if any should be attempted to be forced on them, that they might resist the same. Within a month after they were ordered to muster their militia and put themselves into a proper state of defence. Hence all the buildings adjoining to the town wall were immediately taken down, the gates which were rampired were locked up, and the east leaf of the bridge was drawn up every night.
On the first signs of a rupture between Charles I. and his Parliament, the members of the University of Cambridge stood forward to demonstrate their loyalty by offering the college plate to be melted down for the King's use. In 1643, Cromwell, who before he acquired any celebrity as a public character was for some time an inhabitant of the Isle of Ely, and twice returned for the borough of Cambridge, took possession of it for the Parliament, and placed in it a garrison of 1000 men. Afterwards, the King appeared with his army before Cambridge, but it continued in the possession of the Parliamentarians till the close of the civil wars.
In 1643, the Earl of Manchester, then Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, being attached to the cause of the Parliament, came to Cam- bridge, and after a general visitation of the colleges, he expelled all those members who were known to be zealously attached to their royal master, and to the church discipline. Among those who suffered were Cowley
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the poet, then a Fellow of Trinity College ; also Dr. Isaac Barrow, then Fellow of Peterhouse ; Sir Charles Scarborough ; Seth Ward, the mathe- matician, then Fellow of Sidney Sussex College, and afterwards Bishop of Salisbury.
On July 12th, 1642, the Parliament voted and declared the necessity of recourse to arms against the King, and on the 29th July, Captain Moses Tresswoll came to Norwich to levy 100 Volunteers by virtue of a com- mission under the hand and seal of the Earl of Lindsey, the King's general, who was to take them to Newark, but the Court on receiving his application ordered him not to do so. On his attempting to carry out his commission, he was apprehended and committed to prison. The citizens, rightly judging that this act would be deemed a declaration of war against their sovereign, ordered a double watch to be set in every ward, and a provision of all military stores to be made. They received a letter from the Parliament thanking them for their great services in sending up Captain Treswell, and exhorting them to raise the militia, and to prevent any one from levying troops within their jurisdiction.
On August 27th following, a messenger to Norwich brought two pro- clamations from the King, requiring aid from his loyal subjects to repress the rebels coming against him, and to forbid all Papists who would not take the oaths of allegiance and supremacy from serving him, both which proclamations the Mayor delivered to the Sheriffs, who were on the side of the Parliament, but no regard was paid to them in Norwich. On the other hand, the magistrates ordered a general muster of the trained bands and volunteers, and put the city into the best state of defence, fearing an attack from the county gentlemen of Norfolk and Suffolk, who had declared for the King. As a further proof of their zeal, they sent fifty Dragoons for Colonel Cromwell's regiment, which formed part of the troops under Lord Grey of Wark, raised for the. preservation of the peace in the associated Eastern Counties. As soon as these had marched, the magistrates raised 100 more Dragoons, and to mount them gave orders for seizing the horses of those citizens who favoured the cause of the King.
On March 17th, 1643, Colonel Cromwell came to Norwich, which was then buzzing with party strife. The Royalist mayor had been seized by the Puritans, and sent to prison at Cambridge. The Colonel was informed that the town of Lowestoft had received divers strangers, and was being fortified by the Royalists, or " Malignants." The Colonel advised that no man should be allowed to enter in at the gates or to leave the city that night. Next morning he marched with his own five troops and eighty Norwich volunteers to Lowestoft, which surrendered after a short resistance. All this is stated in a letter (published in Mr. Carlyle's
STENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 175
collection of Cromwell's letters) from John Cory to Sir John Potts, of Mannington, Norfolk, dated Norwich, 17th March, 1643. He wrote, " The Colonel summoned the town, and demanded if they would deliver up their strangers, the town, and their army. If so, promising them favour ; if not, none. They yielded to deliver up their strangers, but not to the rest. Thereupon our Norwich Dragoons crept under the chain before-mentioned, and came within pistol shot of their ordnance, prof- fering to fire upon their cannoneer, who fled ; so they gained the two pieces of ordnance, and broke the chain, and they and the horse entered the town without more resistance, where presently eighteen strangers offered themselves, among whom were of Suffolk men, Sir T. Barker and Sir John Pettus ; of Norfolk, Mr. Knyvett, of Ashwellthorpe, Mr. Richard Catelyn's son. Some say his father was there too in the morn- ing. Mr. P. Cory, my unfortunate cousin, who I wish had been better persuaded." All of them were sent to the Castle at Cambridge. This letter was not sent at the time it was dated ; and in a postscript dated the 20th March, Mr. John Cory adds, " On Friday night the Colonel brought in hither with him the prisoners taken at Lowestoft, and Mr. Trott, of Beccles. On Saturday night, with one troop, they sent all the prisoners to Cambridge. Sir John Wentworth is come off with the pay- ment of £1000. On Saturday Mr. Corbet, of Norwich, and Mr. Henry Cooke, the Parliament man, and our " Alderman " Daniel were taken in Suffolk. Last night several troops went out, some to Lynn ward, it is thought ; others to Thetford it is supposed, because they had a prisoner with them." Cory still adds, " Sir Richard Berney sent to me last night, and showed and gave me the Colonel's note to testify he had paid him the £50." This was a forced contribution, levied by the Association Com- mittee, upon poor Berney, who had shown himself backward. Mr. Kny- vett, of Ashwellthorpe, in Norfolk, no doubt paid his contribution or fine for the business, got safe home again, and lived quieter afterwards. Thus it appears that Cromwell carried matters with a very high hand in Norfolk and Suffolk, and soon put down Royalist demonstrations.
In 1643 a meeting of several influential Royalists was appointed to be held in Lowestoft, for the purpose of organising a plan of resistance to the growing power of Parliament. Great results were anticipated, but the whole scheme was rendered abortive by the energetic measures of Oliver Cromwell, who about this time began to distinguish himself. On the day before the proposed meeting he marched on the town at the head of a body of troops he had raised, and of whom he was appointed Colonel. On receiving intelligence of the approach of the Roundheads, the towns- men, with more valour than discretion, prepared to dispute his entrance, and planted cannon in different parts of the town for that purpose. They
176 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
were diverted from this design by the advice of Mr. Meghills, who anti- cipated the sad consequences of their failure. Cromwell, without oppo- sition, therefore, entered the town, and fixed his head-quarters at the Swan Inn. The Royalists thus circumvented, formed a plot to seize Cromwell, and overcome his troops by surprise. But they were again thwarted. Sergeant-Major Sherwood penetrated their design, and pro- cured reinforcements from Norwich. The plot was therefore abandoned as impracticable.
Oliver did not fail to punish the ill feeling which the Royalists of the place had shown to the Parliamentary cause. He permitted his soldiers to live at free quarters, and to rifle the houses of the inhabitants. He carried away with him the cannon used for the defence of the town, also a quantity of munitions of war, saddles, pistols, &c, with several of the principal men. In the following year a lamentable fire occurred in the town, which destroyed property to the amount of £10,000. On account of these calamities, the town was reduced to a deplorable condition.
On March 31st, 1643, the weekly contribution appointed by the Par- liament was to raise £1250 for their use in the following manner : — The County of Norfolk to raise every week, £1129 ; the City of Norwich, £53 ; Lynn, £27 lis. 10d.; Yarmouth, £34 16s. 5d.; Thetford, £5 lis. 9d. This impost was trifling compared with the loss sustained by the Bishop and some of his clergy, and all others suspected of loyalty, for they were plundered without mercy in those troublous timeSj when father fought against son, and brother against brother, and when a man's enemies were often those of his own household.
In 1643, it having been agreed between the English and Scotch Commissioners that £100,000 should bo immediately advanced to the Scots to enable them to put their army in march for England, an order was sent down to Norwich for levying £6000, part of the said sum, in the following proportions: — In Norwich, £265; in Yarmouth, £174; in Lynn, £132; in Thetford, £27 18s. 9d.; and the remainder in the county of Norfolk.
On April 1st, 1643, at a Court held in Norwich, it was resolved on the near approach of the forces of the Duke of Newcastle to King's Lynn, and because the country could not suddenly send such forces thither as would be sufficient to secure the town, which was of such importance to the county, that Sergeant-Major Sherwood and his company of Volun- teers should forthwith go thither, there to remain to secure the town till further supplies could be procured and sent.
On August 12th, 1643, a meeting of the Associated (Eastern) Counties was appointed, the enemy now approaching. Colonel Cromwell was sent for, and Norwich Castle was ordered to be fortified, and on August 23rd
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 177
it was ordered, that the twelve grand companies should be warned by the aldermen of their companies to work at the castle dykes every grand company a day, and the first company to begin on the next day.
And now Lincolnshire was added to the Associated Eastern Counties, at the request of the Earl of Manchester, who came to reduce Lynn, at whose desire Major Sherwood with his volunteers went there.
On August 29th same year, the city cannon were delivered to Erasmus Sands, cannonier, by command of the Earl of Manchester, for reducing the town of Lynn.
In 1643 the authorities of Yarmouth received an order to furnish out sixty dragoons, which on their allegation of inability to Lord Grey was remitted, only on condition of their raising an adequate sum for that purpose. This was included in their portion of the weekly sum of £1250 levied soon after by Parliament on the county of Norfolk, of which they were to pay £34 16s. 5d.; Norwich, £53; Lynn, £27 lis. 10d.; Thet- ford, £5 lis. 9d. ; and the rest of the county £1129.
About the latter end of this year, 1643, the Earl of Manchester informed the town that it was to have a military governor, Colonel Russell, which being generally disapproved, they represented the same to the earl, who informed them that " he was in no way desirous to burthen the town, but to secure the same and the islands adjacent, and in that respect he thought it necessary to send Colonel Russell hither, as for governor," &c. The colonel came accordingly, by virtue of the earFs commission. This the inhabitants regarded in a light so dangerous to their particular liberties that they used every endeavour to annul it. They did not entirely succeed in their efforts, but obtained a qualification of it, by which the colonel, in conjunction with six other gentlemen, was invested with the same powers which it was otherwise intended he should have exercised alone.
In 1645, breastworks, platforms, &c, were built near the sea side in several places, for the placing of the large ordnance of the town, as occasion required, to annoy the enemy. And in the year following, the Parliament ordered the town to lend the State £150 at 8 per cent, for the use of the forces employed in the siege of Newark. In 1648 the town received letters from Lord Fairfax and others about putting a garrison in Yarmouth, by the friends of the Royal party, and therefore the Parliament seemed inclined to anticipate their design by making it a garrison town themselves ; but the burgesses having represented their disapprobation of the measure, they were permitted to remain in statu quo, provided they would themselves raise sufficient forces for their own defence, which was immediately agreed to, and an augmentation of their forces made accordingly. But after Oliver Cromwell had dispersed the army of the VOL. II. N
178 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
Duke of Hamilton and taken him prisoner, the Independent party prevailed, and the bailiffs received a letter from General Ireton (son-in- law to Cromwell), informing them of something he had to communicate to the town, and desiring a conference at the house of Sir John Wentworth in Somerleyton, which request being complied with, he told them that the Lord General had ordered the town either to be ungarri- soned or to have the walls and forts demolished, and a fort to be built at the mouth of the haven, to secure the town against invasion by enemies at sea. The deputation had to decide on this in a few hours, but they only requested his forbearance of sending in troops till messengers could pass between them and the Lord General, and if that could not be com- plied with, then his producing the Lord General's commission would insure obedience on the part of the town. Accordingly Colonel Barkstend's regiment was admitted to be garrisoned in the town, which also advanced £400 to furnish the soldiers with a month's quarters. The aldermen and constables of the wards went about with the officers to see the due payment for the men's quarters.
Oliver Cromwell was a frequent visitor to the town at the house of his Presbyterian friend and counsellor, John Carter, Esq. This fine Elizabethan mansion is still standing on the South Quay, and formed part of the precinct of the gray friary, granted at the dissolution to Thomas Lord Cromwell, but it was rebuilt in 1591. At one of the meetings held here by Cromwell and his officers, the death of King Charles I. is said to have been proposed and determined on, and an upper room in the house is pointed out as the place in which this sanguinary act was the subject of discussion. The regicides assembled early in the afternoon, and to prevent the possibility of intrusion a confidential person was placed outside the door of the apartment, with a strict injunction not to allow any one to approach. Hughes says they had ordered their dinner to be ready at four o'clock, but it was not served till half -past eleven o'clock at night, the party remaining in close conference during the whole of that time. They then hastily partook of some refreshment and departed, some for the metropolis, and some for the head-quarters of the army. No doubt a meeting of great secrecy was held in this chamber, and it appears by a letter from Mr. Hewling Lewson to Dr. Brooke, that the room was shown and a similar statement made in it respecting the meeting, in the time of Mr. Nathaniel Carter, the son of the proprietor, who must have been aware of the facts, as the house was the residence of his father when the meeting took place. The original wainscot panels of this room are profusely and elegantly carved, but have suffered much deterioration from having been injudiciously painted. This drawing room at first measured
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 179
30 feet by 20 feet, and was adorned with a profusion of carving, the beauty of which was greatly diminished by subsequent painting.
The Mayor and burgesses of Lynn declared for the Royal cause, and aided by the country gentlemen, they placed the town in a posture of defence, and held out with great bravery against the attacks of 18,000 Parliamentarian soldiers, under the command of the Earl of Manchester, during a close siege of nearly three weeks, commencing August 28th, 1643, and not ending till September 16th, when the garrison, consisting of about 5000 men, not being strengthened as expected by a reinforce- ment of the army of the Earl of Newcastle, then lying near Lincoln, was obliged to capitulate, and paid a fine of £3200 to prevent the town being plundered. During the siege on Sunday, September 3rd, when the minister and congregation were assembled for Divine worship, a six-pound shot was fired from West Lynn into St. Margaret's Church, when it did no greater damage than to shatter a pillar into a thousand pieces, and frighten the people away with the loss of many of their hats, hoods, books, &c. After the siege the town was garrisoned for the Parliament, and so remained during the continuance of those civil broils which so long agitated and distressed the kingdom.
On November 10th, 1643, the whole association ordered Lynn to be fortified, and seventy-two soldiers pressed in Norwich to be sent there. The city cannon, which had been lent, was ordered to be continued there, though the return thereof was earnestly requested. It was ordered that the city should be paid for the cannon out of the sequestration money, which arbitrary proceedings much enraged the Norwich Court, the mem- bers beginning to feel the effects of military power, which they could not control.
In 1643, at the siege of Reading, the chief care of the approaches was committed to Major-General Skippon, of Norfolk, who was appointed Sergeant-Ma jor-General of the army in the room of Sir John Merrick, by the absolute power of the two Houses. In 1644, near Foy, his glove and sleeve were shot through, and his buff in two places, and when the Earl of Essex escaped with the cavalry out of Cornwall, the foot, amounting to nearly 6000, were left under the command of Major-General Skippon, who had fought like a lion, but was constrained to send to the King's General, the Earl of Brentford, to treat and offer conditions, which were granted.
On May 5th, 1645, the House of Commons ordered that Fairfax and Skippon should join Cromwell, and watch the King's movements at Oxford ; and on June 16th in that same year was fought the memorable battle of Naseby, the death-blow to the hopes of Charles I. Major- General Skippon, being considered the most experienced amongst the
180 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
leaders on the side of Parliament, was directed to draw up the plan of this decisive conflict, the issue of which fully justified the confidence which his colleagues had thus reposed in him. On the King's side, the plan of the battle was entrusted to Sir Jacob Astley, and thus the two plans which regulated the operations of the opposing armies were designed by two Norfolk men who were near neighbors of each other in Norfolk.
In March, 1647, Sir Thomas Fairfax, then General of the Parliamentary army, visited Cambridge, and was received with all the honours of royalty at Trinity College ; a rich Bible was presented to him in the chapel, and a splendid banquet was prepared for him in the hall, where he was addressed in a Latin oration by one of the Fellows, who had served in the same regiment. On June 11th the same year, the General kept a public feast at Cambridge.
At an assembly held in Yarmouth on July 7th, 1648, it was resolved that there should be a standing committee appointed to meet from time to time, to consider the best means to be used for the preservation of the town and for punishing disturbers of the peace. On July 27th, the burgesses raised 600 foot and fifty horse, in lieu of having the Parlia- mentary forces marched into the town to do garrison duty. On September 9th, Lord Fairfax, with a large retinue, came to the town, and was greeted with acclamation by the inhabitants, and entertained by the burgesses at a cost of £62 15s. 2d.
Sir Jacob Astley, the son of Sir Isaac Astley, of Melton Constable, was, for his signal services, created Baron of Reading by Charles I. He was among the first who entered into the service of that monarch, and his last hope in the decline of his affairs, but this brave and loyal soldier was totally defeated, with the remnant of the Royal army, near Stow-in-the- Would, Gloucestershire, March 21st, 1646. When he surrendered he said, " You have done your work, and may go to play, unless you fall out among yourselves."
About the beginning of the year 1647 there were discussions as to what should be done with the army, the expense being great of an army of 20,000 or 30,000 men, and no need of it, Royalism being now subdued. Early in March it was decided that 12,000 men should be sent to Ireland, and' the rest disbanded ; but they demanded long arrears of pay, indemnity for acts done in war, &c. Many men in Parliament were not friendly to the army, and their speeches gave offence. Meetings of the soldiers were held at Saffron Walden, and much discontent expressed. Deputations from the Commons made offers of eight weeks' pay, which were rejected. A meeting of Adjutators, by authority of Fairfax, was convened at Bury St. Edmund's, and it was agreed that the quarters of the army should be
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 181
brought closer together, and that a general assembly of soldiers should be held on June 4th, at Newmarket.
The Newmarket rendezvous on Kentford Heath, a little east of New- market, was held. A kind of covenant was entered into, and other important things were done. Meantime the King was induced to leave Holmby House and ride to Hichinbrook, near Huntingdon, where Colonel Montague received him and his friends with all hospitality, and entertained them for two days. Colonel Whalley, with a strong party deputed by Fairfax, met his Majesty, and offered to deliver him back to Holmby House and the Parliament, but his Majesty positively declined. Captain Titus soon carried the news to St. Stephen's, and filled all men with amazement. There was now an Army Parliament in the Eastern Counties, with the King and a Civil Parliament at Westminster. How shall the affairs of the nation be settled between them ?
On June 7th, all officers in the House of Commons were ordered forth- with to join their regiments. Same day, General Fairfax, Lieutenant- General Cromwell, and the chief men of the army, had an interview with the King at Childerley House, between Huntingdon and Cambridge, and wished him to return to Holmby House. His Majesty refused to go back to Holmby ; he much preferred the air in these parts, the air of New- market, for instance, and he would continue with the army. A new rendezvous at Royston, or more properly at Triploe Heath, near Cam- bridge, was appointed for Thursday, June 10th, and in the interim "a day of fasting and humiliation " was held by all the soldiers ! A whole army fasting and praying in one day was a very remarkable scene.
On Thursday, June 10th, 1647, the whole army assembled on Triploe Heath to the number of 21,000 men. The General and the Parliament Commissioners rode to each regiment and stated the votes of the Parlia- ment. The officers did not promise compliance as requested, and the men of each regiment cried out " Justice, Justice," not a very welcome cry to the Commissioners. That 'same afternoon the army moved on to St. Albans, nearer to London, and the officers sent a letter to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of London, setting forth their grievances. The letter was read next day in the House of Commons, and caused some alarm. A most respectful answer went from the Guildhall " in three coaches, with the due number of outriders."
On June 16th, the army, still at St. Albans, accused of treason eleven members of the Commons House by name, as chief authors of all these troubles, and required the House to put them upon their trial and prevent them from voting in the interim. The eleven members withdrew, and retired for six months for the benefit of their health. The King still con- tinued with the army, and was treated like a King, while he endeavored to
1S2 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
play his own game in meetings at Woburn and elsewhere, but the two parties did not extirpate each other for his sake. Towards the end of July matters seemed as good as settled between the Parliament and the army, but at last the army moved its head-quarters to Putney, one of its outposts being Hampton Court, where the King was lodged.
After lengthened negociations with the King, Cromwell and the chief officers of the army discontinued their visits to Hampton Court, such visits being disliked by . a party in the army. The matter was left to the Parliament, only Colonel Whalley, with due guard and Parliament Commissioners, kept watch for the security of his Majesty. In the army, the King's real purpose now becoming apparent, there arose a terrible levelling party, demanding punishment not only of delinquents, but of the chief delinquent. The chief officers, except when officially called, kept distant, and his Majesty felt that he was not out of danger. On November 12th the King escaped from Hampton Court, leaving the leaders in Parliament convinced of the utter uselessness of further treating with him.
The King rode southward to the Isle of Wight, and after a day and night of riding saw not well whither else to go. He landed at Cowes, and delivered himself to Colonel Robert Hammond, Governor of the Isle of Wight, who sent a letter to the House of Commons stating the fact. Robert Hammond was ordered to keep the King strictly within Carisbrook Castle and the adjoining grounds. His Majesty hoped that Colonel Hammond, the Governor, would favor his escape, but the latter detained him for awhile without very rigid surveillance.
About the same time Cromwell quelled a dangerous mutiny at Ware, but although the discipline of the army was restored, he found that the views of the mutineers, that the King should be brought to trial, were approved by the army in general. The Parliament, however, submitted four bills for the King's assent as the basis of a treaty on December 24th, 1647. They were that the command of the Militia should be vested in Parliament for twenty years, that a proclamation should be issued justify- ing their conduct in the late war, that those lords who were created after the great seal was carried to Oxford should not sit in the House of Peers, and that the two houses should have power of adjourning as they thought fit. But as he was holding communications with the Scots, who promised him easier terms, he refused to agree to them, and on the same day he attempted to escape from Carisbrooke Castle. The Parliament, on receiving the message, determined to have no further com- munication with him.
In reference to religion, even some Nonconformists and others admit " that the supremacy of the Presbyterians proved to be almost as
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 183
inimical to religious liberty for a time, as that of the Prelatists had been." In December, 1647, the London ministers published a " Testimony to the truth of Jesus Christ, and to our solemn league and covenant, as also against the errors, heresies, and blasphemies of these times, and the toleration of them ; to which is added a catalogue of the said errors." This document was signed by fifty-eight of the most eminent pastors of London, of which seventeen were of the Assembly of Divines. Among the errors thus protested against was that of toleration, which they denounced in the strongest terms, declaring that they accounted it un- lawful and pernicious.
This elicited similar " Testimonies " from many of the county ministers, who did not like to appear behind in zeal for the truth. That which was issued in Essex was published under the title of " A testimony of the ministers in the province of Essex to the truth of Jesus Christ, and to the solemn league and covenant, as also against the heresies and blasphemies of these times and the toleration of them, sent up to the ministers within the province of London, subscribers to the first testi- mony." It was signed by 127 ministers in Essex, who all denounced toleration even in mere matters of opinion on questions of dogmatic theology.
In their Testimony they say, " We do solemlie and sincerelie professe, as in the presence of God, the searcher and judge of all hearts, that from our soules we do utterly detest and abhor, as all former cursed doctrines of Popery, Arminianism, and Socinianism, so likewise the damnable errors and blasphemies of these present times, whether of anti-Scripturists, Formalists, Antinomians, anti-Trinitarians, Arians, Anabajfcists, or whatsoever else is found to be contrary to sound doctrine and the power of godlinesse."
THE SECOND CIVIL WAR.
The second Civil War, which commenced in 1648, might have been avoided, and all its sad consequences, if the contending parties had been a little more moderate. On January 3rd in that year Parliament decided that there should be no more addresses to his Majesty, who had proved so perfidious. In March, news came from Scotland that a royalist army, under the Duke of Hamilton, was preparing to invade England. The smouldering elements of revolt now broke out. In London, an alarming riot was only crushed by a desperate charge of cavalry. Colonel Poyer and some other Presbyterian officers of the Parliament obtained possession of Pembroke Castle, in Wales, and raised an army of 8,000 Welshmen on behalf of the King. This rising was regarded as so serious that Cromwell was sent to suppress it, and after a siege of six weeks the castle was sur- rendered on July 11th.
184 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
A Scotch army under the Duke of Hamilton, who had persuaded a portion of the people to espouse the Eoyal cause, entered England early in the same month, and was joined by some cavalier troops under Sir Mar- maduke Langdale, but Cromwell proceeded across the country with remarkable celerity, and formed a junction with Lambert's regiments, which had retreated before the invaders. With a body of men inferior in number he completely routed the Scotch army of 1 7,000 men near the walls of Preston, after a desperate fight of six hours, on August 17th. About 2,000 of the Scotch were killed, 10,000 taken prisoners, and in a- few days after the duke himself fell into the hands of the victor.
About the beginning of May the general Royalist discontent began to show itself by tumults in Kent and Essex ; and rumors of tumults in every direction portended that another civil war was at hand. The Scotch army of 40,000 men was voted to deliver the King from Sectaries, the King being still a prisoner at Carisbrooke. On May 24th meetings were held of armed Kentish men on Blackheath and armed men in Essex, all in com- munication with the Presbyterians in London.
The Grand Jury of the county of Kent had assembled at Canterbury to try a case of riot, and drew up a petition to Parliament for a redress of grievances. The Parliament denounced this petition as seditious, on which the supporters of the petitioners resolved to march with the peti- tion in one hand and the sword in the other. Accordingly they seized the magazines in Kent, raised several regiments, and mustered on Barham Downs with 7000 foot and a large force of cavalry, all under the command of the Earl of Norwich. Fairfax hurried against them with 6000 foot and 2000 cavalry, and soon scattered them. Some of the Royalists reached Greenwich, where they heard of a rising in Essex, and about 600 of them crossed the River Thames aWarious points, and beating back the forces of the Tower Hamlets, made a stand at Stratford. They received little encouragement from the inhabitants of that locality. A council was held at Chelmsford, and it was resolved to take up arms. The committee men sitting in the town in favour of the Parliament were seized, and a considerable body of Royalists having been collected together, they were placed under the command of Sir Charles Lucas, who marched with them to Brentwood, where a junction was formed with the troops from Kent on June 8th, 1648. Next morning the Royalist force marched into Chelms- ford, where it was joined by Lord Capel, Lord Loughborough, and others of high station from Hertfordshire. In the afternoon a rendezvous was held in Cromwell's Park at Newhall, and a council of war resolved to march into the northern parts of the county, but the leaders of the move- ment failed in the attempt. Sir Thomas Honeywood, a staunch Parlia- ment man, collected a strong body of his friends and barred the passage
. EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 185
of the main road, which the Royalists did not deem it prudent to force, and they stopped at Chelmsford that night. News came that Fairfax was upon their track, having crossed with his army from Gravesend into Essex. Next morning they took the road to Braintree, halting at Leigh House, the seat of the Earl of Warwick, where they feasted, and whence they carried away all the arms and ammunition they could find, and also two brass guns. They reached Braintree in the evening, and there they stayed for the night, to the great consternation of the quiet inhabitants. f- On the following (Sunday) morning the whole force paraded in a field near the town, and prayers were solemnly read, while Fairfax and his army continued in pursuit.
At nine in the evening the Royalist troops left Braintree, and marching all night to elude their pursuers, reached Colchester at four p.m. next day, their intention being to remain there a few days in order that Sir Charles Lucas might exercise his local influence in recruiting their small force, but they found the gates closed against them, and a troop of horse ready to dispute their entrance into the town, whose inhabitants had supported the Parliament by heavy contributions amounting to £30,000 ! After a slight skirmish, in which one of the townsmen was killed, Sir Charles brought up two or three of his troops for an attack on the small force opposed to them. The townsmen, thinking " discretion to be the better part of valour," offered to negociate, and allowed the Royalists to enter the town on their promise that it should not be plundered nor the inhabi- tants molested. They could not boast of their loyalty, and they might have held the town till relief came by the arrival of Fairfax and his veteran legions. Colchester men, never dreaming of the impending dreadful calamities, opened their gates, and the Royalists marched into the town, 4000 strong, including 600 horse, under the command of Lord Goring (Earl of Norwich), Lord Capel, Sir Charles Lucas, Sir George Lisle, and various other gentlemen of Essex, Kent, and Herts. There had been a slight movement in the town in favour of the King, but it availed nothing against the popular feeling. The sympathy of the people was all with the party in favour of Parliament, as in most of the towns of the Eastern Counties.
In the meantime Fairfax was rapidly marching in the direction of the doomed town, with a force composed of veterans of the army. While on his way he was joined by many men of Essex determined to put down the Royalists, who had got into a trap at Colchester. Sir Thomas Honey- wood came up with his 2000 horse and foot soldiers. Colonel Henry Mildmay sent in a regiment of horse and two troops of dragoons, Major Sparrow four troops of horse, and Colonel Carew Mildmay part of a regiment of foot. Thus reinforced the pursuing Parliamentary army
186 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLANB.
appeared upon Lexden Heath on June 13th, 1648, and soon after com- menced the celebrated siege of Colchester.
From this spot, Fairfax sent a message to the Earl of Norwich, summoning him to surrender. The reckless earl sent back- for answer that he had heard General Fairfax was ill of the gout, but he " would cure him of all diseases." The soldiers of the Parliament were rendered savage bj this tone of scoffing contempt. Finding this, and incensed by the personal insult, Fairfax ordered an immediate attack. Meanwhile the Royalists had not been idle ; the guards in the suburbs were doubled, and Colonel Fane, who had been Governor of Landguard Fort, but deserted to the Royalists, sallied beyond the walls with a force to support them, and the first as well as the fiercest and most general conflict of the siege ensued.
The combat went on, and deepened near St. Catherine's Hospital and the Crouched Friars, up to Headgate, the Royalists gradually giving way from failing ammunition and the loss of leaders — Sir William Campion and Colonel Cook fell in the first crash of contending parties. When forced back to the gates by overpowering numbers, "who threw their shot upon them like hail," a desperate effort became necessary to prevent the enemy entering with the guards, who were ordered to retire within the walls. In the hottest of the fight, Lord Capel and other nobles of high distinction were seen charging with the pike along with the common soldiers, and so mingled were the combatants in the struggle, that when Head-gate was shut, Lord Capel barely finding time to fasten it with his cane, numbers of the Royalists were excluded and made prisoners. Encouraged by this succees in the suburbs, the assailants rushed on to an attack on the town itself. Their efforts were directed against Head-gate. The Royalists, however, skilfully availed themselves of the high ground within the walls, and poured such a stream of shot from St. Mary's churchyard and the adjoining gardens, that the Parlia- mentarians suffered severely, and after maintaining the fight for seven hours, retreated in confusion, first setting fire to some houses near the gate, in hope that the flames would communicate to the town. They killed, too, many of the poor weavers in the suburbs, and plundered their houses, although the class was known to be favorable to them. Their gun was left behind, a trophy for the Royalists ; and 500 stand of arms, scattered about the scene, were gathered together the next morning and taken into the town. The loss of the assailants in this affair was little short of a thousand men. The defenders lost about eighty men, but 320 others were taken prisoners. This battle at the gates was the prelude to the siege of the town. Fairfax, baffled in the first wild rush, and finding he had caught the Royalists in a trap, set himself coolly down to secure
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 187
his prey. Planting his main force at Lexden, thus cutting off retreat or succour in that direction, he blocked escape by the West Bergholt or Cambridge road with a strong detachment of horse ; and lest relief should come in from seaward, a part of the navy having declared for the King, he seized upon and occupied the fort at Mersea Island. The place was thus hemmed in on all sides. A regular blockade and siege was determined on. The pick and spade were set to work to cut their way up to the wall, a tedious process which detained the Parliamentary army nearly three months before a town which modern artillery would have laid in ruins in a few hours.
The Royalists now began to understand the position in which they were placed, and that they could not march away .without falling into the enemy's hand. Therefore they were obliged to defend a place not fit to be maintained as a garrison, with a force composed principally of raw countrymen, only 2500 of whom were well armed when they entered. They were in the midst of a population sullenly passive in action, and decidedly hostile in feeling. They were poorly provided with arms and ammunition, and had to trust to the chance stores of the town for food. Yet with all these disadvantages, they held the town for eleven weeks, making the siege of Colchester memorable amongst the gallant deeds of the age, and at last yielded not to the foe but to famine. The town was in all places very weak. The chief fortification, besides the wall, was the Old or Balkern Fort, which stood at Balkern-lane, and was raised, it is surmised, upon the site of the castle of King Coel ; but the besieged set heartily to work strengthening the wall, and throwing up ramparts and counter-scarps. On ransacking the town, large quantities of corn and wine, fish, salt, and gunpowder, were found. An Essex poet has thus described the prospect from the beleaguered town : —
" From the old battlements, with anxious brow, The loyal warrior gazes sadly now • Stretched here and there upon the scene below, He marks the tents and outworks of the foe. Beyond, the view a fairer aspect bore, As yet unravaged by the tide of war, In summer's glowing hues serenely bright, The mellow landscape burst upon the sight ; O'er the Warm scene the laughing sunlight plays, And nodding harvests ripen in its rays, In full luxuriance the rich fields glowed, And orchards bent beneath their yellow load ; Here green hill rose with free majestic swell, There undulating vallies gently fell ;
188 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Dark waving woods, like guardians of the place, Stretched their tall arms to meet the sun's embrace ; And grazing herds and cottage roofs he sees, And village spires just peeping o'er the trees ; "While dimly seen upon the landscape gay, The distant river takes its silvery way. Oh ! sickening thought, that passions fierce and mean, Should waste and ravage this enchanting scene ! Oh ! impious man, that thou shouldst madly dare To mar the spot thy God has made so fair."
Early in the siege, a strong reinforcement of county regiments from Suffolk and Norfolk, under Colonel Gurdon, Sir Thomas Barnardiston, and others, came in to co-operate with Fairfax ; and these were posted at Nayland, Stratford, Cataway Bridge, and other passes of the Stour, thus cutting off all chance of retreat from the town in that quarter. On the 18th of June, Colonel Ewen came in with six companies from Chepstow Castle ; and the same day two frigates, one of ten and the other of eleven guns, from which hopes of assistance had been entertained by the besieged, were seized at Harwich. A force that was hastening to the aid of the besieged, under Major Muschamp, was cut up and scattered at Linton, near Saffron Walden. But notwithstanding these discourage- ments, as yet the leaders within the town never thought of surrender.
In the meantime the besieged were endeavoring to obtain aid from the country people outside the walls, but were not very successful. A night expedition sent out to loot Tendring Hundred of its cattle, brought in, with the loss of only two men, a hundred sheep and sixty oxen. About the end of June, the encroaching advances of the besiegers and the sallies of the besieged brought the forces into frequent conflicts. A night attack, made on the 22nd of that month against a fort Colonel Ewen was erecting near the Shepen, failed. Four days afterwards the Royalists were beaten from a position they held without the walls in Crouch Street, and their guard-house was fired. The house of Sir Harbottle Grimston (formerly the Crouched Friars) was occupied by the Royalists, who with their cannon and small shot obstructed and annoyed the workmen upon a new fort in Maldon Lane ; Fairfax therefore brought his artillery to bear upon it, and after being riddled through and through it was set on fire and abandoned. A house on the south, on the site of which the Winsley Hospital has risen, was also burnt ; a Royalist lieutenant- colonel and other officers and men, who had advanced over East Bridge, were cut off and killed by an ambuscade of dragoons ; and by the 1st of July Colonel Whalley had taken Greensted Church, and a strong battery was erected in the churchyard to play upon the town.
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 189
By the first week in July the besiegers had fought their way up on all sides. Their approaches were brought so near that they occupied East Street. The water mill on the river was seized and occupied by a strong guard, and at other points the operations were carried on with great vigour. Thus pressed the besieged resolved upon a grand sally.
Sir Charles Lucas commanded the horse, and Sir Charles Lisle the foot. The whole force consisted of 500 foot and 200 horse. The Royalists made several bold and brilliant charges, putting the enemy to the rout in all directions, besides capturing a captain, lieutenant, ensign, and about eighty private soldiers, and marched back to the town in very good order.
Creditable as this affair was to the courage and skill of the Royalists, it brought them no permanent advantage, for notwithstanding their repulse, the besiegers speedily re-occupied their ground in East Street in greater strength, and fired the houses on the west of the river, that the flames might clear the shelter thus afforded to the enemy. All the windmills outside the town were burnt by Colonel Whalley, that the besieged might have no means of grinding their corn ; but it so happened that a quantity of millstones laid at the Hythe ready for exportation, and with these horse mills were fitted up, which secured the supply of daily bread. Nightly sallies continued to be made, generally with success, but not without loss. The forts in St. Mary's and at North Bridge did great damage to the enemy. A platform, for a brass saker, was made in the frame of the bells of St. Mary's steeple, which flanked the trenches, and " a one-eyed gunner was placed there, whose memory is still celebrated for having singled out and killed many of the Parliamentarians." Irritated at this, and finding that their movements night and day were observed by a sentinel in the steeple, the besiegers brought artillery to bear upon it, but suffering severely from a new battery raised by the Royalists on the curtain, they drew off their guns after a large expenditure of shot to little purpose. Fairfax continued the siege with cautious skill. On the 14th of July the Hythe Church, with the works about it, was taken ; and the house of Lord Lucas, at St. John's Green, was carried by assault, about 100 who were gallantly defending the Gate-house being blown up and buried in the ruins by the explosion of the magazine, which was fired by grenades.
The heavy cannon was planted on St. John's Green, and the saucy saker in St. Mary's was silenced, one side of the steeple and a great part of the church falling in ruins upon the dead gunner. Presuming the defenders must begin to be disheartened, Fairfax sent in an offer of honourable conditions to the soldiers, if they would surrender or retire, but the General and Sir Charles Lucas replied it was not honourable or agreeable to the usages of war to offer conditions separately to the
190 HISTOKY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
soldiers, exclusive of their officers ; and intimated that if another such missive came, it was likely that the messenger would be hanged. Des- perate from the circle of destruction narrowing around them, and hope of relief vanishing with the news of the failure of the Royal risings in various parts of the kingdom, the besieged that night made an attempt to cut their way through the lines in the hope of escaping into Suffolk by Nay land Bridge. When darkness set in they crossed the river by Middle Mill, with the miller for a guide, and some pioneers to cut through the hedges and banks to Bixted, but they were misled, and being marked by the besiegers, were compelled to re-enter the town by the light of the burning suburbs about North Bridge, which were set on fire by their pursuers. Famine now began to make its presence felt at the barrack board, and hearths of the inhabitants. Great exertions were made by Lord Loughborough, who had care over the provisions of the army. The Mayor was called upon to set up mills, and endeavour to provide for the townsfolk ; but he obstinately left them to starve, in the hope that hun- ger would lead to mutiny, which might be taken advantage of by the enemy outside. Day by day the meal became more stinted. The soldiers drooped and the townspeople murmured. The horses with little hay and no corn became unfit for service, and at length the garrison was com- pelled to eat them for food. All the horses were collected in the Castle yard, and a selection was made of the fattest, every officer being warned that to keep back one of these animals would be treated as an offence, and followed by its forfeiture ; a sort of festival was held at North Gate, when a war steed was roasted whole " to make the soldiers merry at the entrance into such diet." These privations broke the spirit of numbers, who deserted, either by stealing through the lines or by surrendering to. the enemy and taking passes ; but the majority remained firm, and their quiet submission to their new fare is stated to have staggered the besiegers. From this time up to the beginning of August there was a fearful struggle with famine within and the enemy without the walls. Two troops of horse under Sir Bernard Gascoigne cut their way through by Maldon-lane, escaped towards Tiptree Heath, and dispersed ; but the erection of a fort opposite the ford at Middle Mill closed this point of egress to the starving soldiers. The suburbs at the Hythe were burnt ; and on the 26th of July the besiegers began to batter the walls from St. Mary's towards the North Gate, preparatory to a storming of the town, but being repulsed in a preliminary attack, and learning that trenches were to be made behind the breaches, which augured a hot reception, they abandoned the idea, and fell back upon the policy of starvation. In the meantime, Fairfax had proposed an exchange of certain prisoners, as the Parliamentary Committeemen began to be uneasy at feeding on horse-
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 191
flesh, and at finding the cannon balls of the besiegers dropping upon the roof beneath which they were confined, but as the General refused to grant conditions to the chief gentlemen of the garrison, this was at first declined, though afterwards partially acceded to. Towards the close of the month, letters smuggled into the town assured the soldiers to whom they were read of risings elsewhere, and speedy relief ; but this hope was soon lost by the news that Buckingham had been defeated, and the Earl of Holland a captive. At the beginning of August the town presented an awful scene of misery and desolation. Skeleton men were feeding upon skeleton horses. Almost every means of sustaining the lives of the animals had been exhausted. They had eaten the thatch from all the houses, the green boughs from all the trees ; and at length the men went out in parties under the fire of the enemy to cut grass to sustain them. When the emaciated beasts were killed, not being well salted, they bred worms, and the soldiers who fed upon the lean and rotten carcases sickened and died. It might in truth be said —
" The soldier in the assault of famine falls, And ghosts, not men, are watching on the walls."
Yet they steadily refused the terms of surrender offered, because they were not extended to their commanders. The townspeople suffered equally with the soldiers. They were breadless in their battered houses. The Mayor and aldermen applied to Fairfax for permission for the inhabitants to quit the town to save them from perishing ; but this fierce clamour for food was a part of his system of attack ; and orders went forth through trench and fort to fire upon the inhabitants should they attempt to issue forth from the walls. At the close of the first week in August it is recorded that " horseflesh began to be as precious to the starving Royalists as the choicest meats before ; the soldiers in general and all officers and gentlemen, from the lords to the lowest degree or quality, eating nothing else, unless cats and dogs. Nor was there in a short time a dog left, six shillings being given for the side of a dog, and that none of the largest."
By the middle of August, crowds of the poor of the town gathered nightly round the head-quarters of the Royalists, the men clamouring for a surrender, and the women and children rolling on the ground and demanding bread. In vain the soldiers tried to disperse them. The women even prayed for quick despatch by the bullet, in preference to the slow torturing death by starvation. Melted by this harrowing scene, Lord Goring sent out to Fairfax, requesting leave to send to the Prince, who it was stated was in the mouth of the Thames with nineteen men-of- war, and he engaged to surrender if relief came not within twenty days.
192 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Sharp messages followed, Fairfax stating he should visit them in the town before the expiration of that time, and the besieged challenging him to the storm ; but the only conditions offered were passes for the soldiers to their homes, and the surrender of the officers at discretion. These were refused. On the 21st of August one of the gates was set open, and the famished townspeople told to go out to the enemy. Many did so ; but in accordance with the former order, they were fired upon by the guards and driven back. Negociations were re-opened. Dr. Grlisson, a physician of the town, was sent out, accom- panied by Mr. Sheffield, one of the captive commissioners; but information had been received of the defeat of the united Scotch and Royalists in Lancashire, and this decided Fairfax not to retract in the slightest degree from his former hard conditions. In the meantime, stratagems to excite mutiny in the town were resorted to. Arrows were shot over the walls into the streets with papers attached to them, containing promises and threats to the soldiers, but these were returned to the lines, endorsed with strong expressions of contempt, and the soldiers proved their noble firmness, resolving to accept no conditions of which their officers did not share the benefit.
Fearful was now the state to which the garrison was reduced. Eight hundred horses had been eaten, and but few remained. Scarcely a dog or cat was left in the town. Malt, barley, oats, rye, peas, and every kind of grain had been made into bread, and there was not eorn enough for one day's provision. The enemy's approaches had in some places been brought so near, that at the wall of St. Botolph's Priory garden the besiegers and the besieged frequently conversed together, and amused themselves by throwing stones at each other; yet in case of a storm there was not ammunition enough left in the town for two days' fight. This state of things began to breed thoughts of some desperate deed for their deliverance. The besiegers sent into the town, by means of a kite, copies of a pamphlet entitled " The relation of a great victory over the Scots, and their general rout," the details of an event which had given the death-blow to the last hope of relief. At the same time they fired a general volley upon the town from every gun, great and small, as a salute in honour of the event. The rattle of the musket balls and the crashing of the great shot led to the belief that the wished-for storm that was likely to terminate their sufferings was coming, and the men rushed to their posts, happy to meet any other foe than famine at the walls. Eagerly the skeleton soldiers gathered round the iron cauldrons of boiling pitch which, to eke out their other means of defence in case of assault, were kept ready night and day along the whole line ; and desperate and determined hands grasped the long ladles by which it was intended to
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 193
pour the fiery shower over the ramparts upon the enemy. But the assailants came not. The message was afterwards sent out to them that if they chose to make the attack they need not trouble themselves to spring a mine, for any gate of the town they named should be set open for them, and their entrance disputed hand to hand. The cool spirit of Fairfax, however, was not to be stirred by this offer, or provoked by the defiance into any act that would diminish the advantage at which he held his adversary. The desperate resolution was therefore formed by the besieged of assaulting the camp of the besiegers, in the hope that some at least might be able to cleave their way through the lines. Without bread for another day, and only a barrel and a-half of gunpowder left, it was impossible to hold out longer. The warriors met in council, and the compact was solemnly made that the whole of the garrison should be mustered at the dead of night, and the officers having pistolled their horses at the head of the force, so as to show they had no better chance of escape than the meanest soldier, two of the gates should be set open, and the Royalist band, rushing on to the enemy's line and into his head- quarters, should there meet death or secure deliverance. There was a hope that the sudden surprise might be successful. There was an excite- ment in the project that was welcomed by the weary and half worn-out spirits of the men, who fell readily into it. The remnants of the ammu- nition were gathered up ; short scaling ladders were collected ; and every preparation was made for the midnight march upon an enemy well supplied with every requisite of food and defence, and trebling them in numbers. In the course of the day, the Parliamentarians began battering the wall against Berry Fields with four heavy cannon. This fresh alarm enabled the Royalists to get their material together, and keep the men in readiness for the nightly sally without exciting the notice of the towns- men, who might have betrayed the design. As the time approached, however, some of the officers began to flinch and hesitate. They counselled delay till another night. The suspicion, too, began to infest the soldiers that the officers were looking to their own safety, and intended to abandon them in the fight. The hearts of those who had stood by their leaders with such noble constancy, through famine and despair, and the threats and temptations of the foe, failed them at the thoughts of treachery. The murmurs swelled into mutiny; and the men quitting their posts, threatened to throw their officers over and make terms for themselves. This feeling was quelled by fair words ; something like discipline was restored ; but the enthusiastic confidence in each other by which alone they could hop3 for success in the meditated attempt, was gone, and surrender was the only resource. Accordingly, Colonel Tuke, accompanied by J. Barnardiston, Esq., one of the Chelmsford prisoners, VOL. II. o
194 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
was sent out to settle terms and sign the capitulation ; the fire in the meantime ceasing, and the contending soldiers in many places mingling together on the lines.
The next morning, the Parliamentary army marched triumphantly into the exhausted town, which they had won more by their patient waiting than by their bravery. In the afternoon, when Fairfax entered and rode round the lines, he is stated to have expressed his wonder how the place could have held out so long against him. Large shot lay piled here and there, but without powder to propel them from the guns. The storehouses were empty. Almost the last mouldy crust of pea or barley bread, and the last slice of stinking horse flesh, had been eaten. The gaunt faces of the townsfolk who gathered round to gaze upon and welcome the conquerers told of the misery they had endured. The churches were battered and defaced ; the suburbs had become a wilderness of ruins ; within the town itself 186 houses had been burnt or destroyed.
The lords and gentlemen of the Eoyal army assembled at the King's Head, and the common soldiers mustered at the place appointed for them. The total number surrendered was 3,531, so that those who had fallen in the siege or escaped did not exceed 500.
Now came the last sad scene — the deaths of Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle, who were reckoned among the first commanders in the Royal service. The noble defence it might have been supposed would have excited admiration and respect in gallant minds ; but the being held so long at bay by a weak foe had irritated the leaders, who resolved to take in cold blood the lives of those whom they had feared to meet in the open gate, or on the scaled rampart. Fairfax having taken up his quarters in the town, a council of war assembled at the Moot Hall, when the resolution was speedily taken to execute Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle. Sir Bernard Gascoigne and Colonel Farre were also doomed, but the first was pardoned, and the latter escaped.
The execution took place at seven o'clock the same evening, a few paces from the walls of Castle Bailey. Sir Charles Lucas was the first to be shot. " I have often," said he, " faced death on the field, and now you shall see I dare die." Offering up a hasty prayer, with the green sward for his altar, he rose from his knees with a cheerful countenance, and, opening his breast to the soldiers, exclaimed to them, " See, I am ready for you. Now, rebels, do your worst." As the sounds of the last words died away, four musket balls stretched him dead upon the turf. Sir George Lisle was then brought up to the quivering and bleeding corpse. He knelt and kissed it, and then addressed those around him — " Oh ! how many of your lives who are now present here have I saved in hot blood, and must now myself be most
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 195
barbarously murdered in cold ! " He now scanned his executioners with a soldier's eye, and, thinking they were too far off, invited them to come nearer. One of the men volunteered the assurance, " I'll warrant you, Sir, we'll hit you," to which Sir George replied, with a smile, " Friends, I have been nearer you when you missed me." A short prayer, and the defiant command, " Now, traitors, do you worst," was followed by the ring of another death-volley through the air.
Two hours after the execution of Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle, the other lords and gentlemen had fair quarter assured them, and were subsequently despatched to different prisons in the country. Lord Goring and Lord Capel were afterwards condemned, but the latter only was executed.
The sympathy of the inhabitants of the town with its assailants did not save them from punishment, as they had to pay a fine of £10,000. Thus closed this melancholy page in the local history of the second civil war. The particulars of the memorable siege of Colchester above given are abridged from Mr. Coller's " History of Essex," and we now proceed to relate events elsewhere.
The army at length became too strong and united for both the King and the Parliament. The Presbyterians, who feared the army, and who by the absence of the officers recovered their preponderance in Parliament, resolved to enter into further negociations with the King, and sent Com- missioners to Newport. The terms of a treaty were discussed in Novem- ber, and the King conceded the command of the militia, but not the abolition of Episcopacy. The houses voted that the treaty formed a basis for a settlement of affairs, but the army had resolved to have no further communications with the King ; and adopted a strong measure which altered the posture of affairs — that of excluding obnoxious members from the House of Commons. Colonel Pride with three regiments (C purified" the House by forcibly preventing certain members from entering the assembly, and by this tyrannical proceeding, known as "Pride's Purge," more than a hundred representatives were excluded. The remnant, or " Rump Parliament," ordered the removal of the King from Hurst Castle, where he had been placed, to Windsor, and on December 23rd they resolved that he should be brought to trial for treason against the people. In accordance with this vote, the Commons, or Rump Parliament, without the assent of the Lords, passed an ordinance for creating a High Court of Justice, and 150 Commissioners were appointed to try the King for treason.
On January 20th, 1G49, the King was escorted from Windsor Castle to Westminster HaD, and sixty-six Commissioners, including Bradshaw the president, Cromwell, Ireton, and others took their seats to try the Royal
196 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
prisoner. Charles objected to their jurisdiction, and said that as King of England he recognised no superior on earth. He was thrice brought to the bar, and refused to plead. The Commissioners, however, proceeded to receive evidence, and on the 27th the Clerk of the Court read the sentence, which concluded thus — " For all which treasons and crimes, this Court doth adjudge that he, the said Charles Stuart, as a tyrant, traitor, murderer, and public enemy to the good people of the nation, shall be put to death by severing his head from his body." He was executed on January 30th, 1649. Most historians look upon the King as judicially murdered, and many as a martyr to Episcopacy. Even those who, on ample grounds, admit his tyranny and his incurable habit of duplicity, which prevented his enemies from trusting him, at the same time affirm that his execution was " illegal, unconstitutional, and in its immediate results dangerous to liberty." This was soon proved by the course of events, and a violent re-action in favor of Monarchy. That the execution of the King was a fatal error of policy one so sagacious as Cromwell must have been aware. His course' was no doubt decided by a real sympathy with his soldiers, who cried for impartial justice against all offenders.
If Charles I. had been allowed to escape, or been banished the realm, or imprisoned for life, and his son declared his successor, with sufficient limitations of prerogative, many evils would have been avoided, and many lives saved. The enormous cost of the Civil Wars would have been saved. The farce of the Commonwealth would not have been enacted, nor England crushed by a military despotism. There would have been no need of a restoration of Monarchy, and probably no necessity for the revolution of 1688.
On October 7th, 1649, an insurrection was intended in Norfolk, near Norwich, in favour of King Charles II., but being discovered several persons were apprehended, and three Judges were sent down to Norwich by the Parliament, who sat at the New Hall (St. Andrew's Hall), as a high Court of Justice, on December 20th in great pomp, with the sword; mace, &c, exhibited. On Saturday they condemned six men, who were hanged on the following Monday on a gallows erected between the well and the cross in the Market-place. On Tuesday they condemned six more, and Wednesday, being Christmas Day, they passed sentence on Mr. Cooper, a minister at Holt, who was hanged there. On Thursday, the 26th, five more were condemned, and on Friday Colonel Said and a shoemaker were condemned, and afterwards hanged at Lynn. On December 30th, Major Francis Roberts, Lieutenant John Barber, and two others were condemned, the two former being hanged on the gallows in the market, and the other two at two several market towns. William Hobart, who
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gave evidence against Mr. Cooper, was on the following day condemned and hanged at Dereham.
During the reign of Charles I. and the time of the Civil Wars many- Roman Catholics were put to death on account of their religion. Two suffered in 1628, one in 1634, one in 1641, six in 1642, two in 1645, four in 1646 and 1651, and two in 1654. (See Dodd, vol. Ill, p. 172.) These facts are very disgraceful to the Presbyterians and Republicans. Charles I. did not put Roman Catholics to death on account of their religion. Therefore the Commons must be responsible for these enormities.
In the reign of Charles I., the following knights of the shire repre- sented Norfolk : —
1625 — Sir Edward Coke Godwick ; Sir Edward Drury.
1625— Sir Edward Coke Godwick; Sir Robert Bell, Outwell.
1628 — Sir Roger Townshend, Rainham ; John Heveningham, Esq., Ketteringham.
1640 — Sir John Holland, Bart., Quidenham ; Sir Edmund Moundeford, Felt well.
1640 — The Long Parliament met in November. Sir John Potts, Bart., Mannington ; Sir Edmund Moundeford, Feltwell ; Sir John Palgrave, Barningham ; Sir John Hobart, Bart., Blickling.
Charles I. created the following baronets in Norfolk and Suffolk : —
Sir Edward Astley, of Melton Constable, January 21, 1641.
Sir William Castleton, of Bury St. Edmund's, afterwards of Hingham, August 9, 1641.
Sir William Kemp, of Gissing, afterwards of Aylsham, March 14, 1642.
Charles I. also created the following baronets of Norfolk, now extinct : —
Drury, of Riddlesworth, May 7, 1627.
I/Estrange, of Hunstanton, June 1, 1629.
Holland, of Quidenham, June 15, 1629.
Paston, of Oxnead, June 8, 1641.
Palgrave, of Northwood Barningham, June 24, 1641.
Hare, of Stow Bardolph, July 23, 1641.
Potts, of Mannington, August 14, 1641.
Pettus, of Rackheath, September 23, 1641.
Crane, of Woodrising, March 20, 1642.
Denny, of Gillingham, June 3, 1642.
Sir Jacob Astley, son of Isaac Astley of Melton Constable, served Charles I. as Major-General of the Royal army in the battles of Kineton, Bramford, Newberry, Lestwithrel, and several other sharp encounters with the Parliamentary forces. He was for some time Governor of Oxford and Reading, for all which great and faithful services he was created Baron Astley, of Reading, Berkshire, on November 4, 1644.
198 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND. .
In the reign of Charles I. lived John Symonds, a gentleman of some property at Cley-next-the-Sea, in Norfolk. He being a Eoyalist was eagerly sought after by the Parliamentary party, and his life being in danger, he disguised himself in a coat of many colours. He was found like a common labourer, threshing corn with a flail in his barn. His pur- suers, looking at his motley dress and hearing his answers, " Now thus, now thus," thought him an idiot, and so he escaped.
Sir John Wentworth, whose father bought the estate at Somerleyton, lived there in the time of Charles I. The Hall was occupied repeatedly by the Parliamentary troops, though the proprietor was supposed to be a Eoyalist. According to the Wentworth MSS., " Upon the 14th March, 1642, being Tuesday, Collonell Cromwell's troope and Captain Pourlayne with his troope came to Somerley Hall, and there they quartered till Thursday." In 1648, General Ireton, son-in-law to Cromwell, made the hall his temporary head-quarters, and thence despatched a missive to the bailiff of Yarmouth, desiring a conference at Sir John Wentworth's house at Somerleyton.
Dr. Thomas Soame, a native of Yarmouth, flourished in the reign of Charles I., and was devoted to the Eoyal cause. He descended from an eminent family of the same name, and after he had passed his school education, he finished his studies in Peter House, Cambridge, where his uncle Eobert Soame was master. After being admitted into holy orders, he became minister of Staines, in Middlesex, and Prebendary of Windsor. He was a firm Eoyalist in the time of the great rebellion, and sent all he had to the King, so that when the rebels came to plunder him they found only himself to take, and then they imprisoned him, first in Ely House, then in Newgate, and in the Fleet. He died before the Eestoration..
The following were Bishops of Norwich in the reign of Charles I. : —
Matthew Wren, D.D., father of Sir Christopher Wren, Master of Peter House, Cambridge, Dean of Windsor, and Chapter and Clerk of the Closet to Charles I. After ruling the diocese three years he was translated to Ely, 1638. He died in London, April 24th, 1667, and was buried in the chapel of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, which he built.
>Eichard Montague, D.D., Prebend of Wales, Archdeacon and Dean of Hereford, afterwards Bishop of Chichester, and last of Norwich. He distinguished himself in the religious controversies of his time, died in 1641, and was buried in the choir of the Cathedral at Norwich.
Joseph Hall, D.D., was chosen Bishop of Norwich in 1641.- He was born at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, in the county of Leicester, July 1st, 1574, was Fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and rector of Hawstead in Suffolk, Waltham in Essex, Prebendary of Wolverhampton, and Dean of
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 199
Worcester. In 1627 he was consecrated Bishop of Exeter, and translated to the see of Norwich in 1641. During the Civil Wars, ^hen the bishops were excluded from their seats in Parliament, among the rest Bishop Hall strongly protested against the measures made in their enforced absence, for which they were committed to the Tower, January 30th, 1642. He was not released till the following June, and was then obliged to find bail to the amount of £5000. Having thus obtained his liberty, he returned to Norwich, where he lived till April, 1643, when an order was passed for sequestrating his estates, personal and ecclesiastical, whereupon a fanatical rabble, headed by Sheriff Tofts and Alderman Linsey, plundered his palace of all the furniture, and after the Bishop was driven out, it was let out in small tenements. These furious Puritan bigots likewise stripped the Cathedral of all its books, vestments, &c, pulled down the altar, demolished the organ, and defaced the monuments and other carved work. Then collecting together the spoils of the Church and the palace, the mob carried them into the Market-place, where they were publicly burnt. The Bishop has given a satirical account of these Puritan riots and excesses in his " Hard Measure " — hard enough for him to bear. He retired to a small estate left him in the hamlet of Heigham, then all green fields, where he lived in obscurity till his death in 1656, aged 82 years. He was buried in Heigham old Church, where yet remains a curious old monument to his memory. But his works will be his best memorial.
Bishop Hall, was one of our earliest satirists. By learned foreigners he was called the English Seneca. He was allowed to have been a man of great learning and art, allied with meekness, modesty, and piety. His works are numerous, comprised in three volumes folio, pub- lished in 1647. Another more complete edition was subsequently published in ten volumes 8vo. Bayle says they are filled with fine thoughts, excellent morality, and a great deal of piety. In the beginning of his satires he claims the honour of having led the way in that kind of
composition : —
I first adventure, follow on who list, And be the second English satirist.
On August, 13th, 1643, Mr. Thomas Reeve was ejected from the rectory of Coleby, in South Erpingham, by the Earl of Manchester, for observing the orders of the Church, dissuading his parishioners from rebellion, and refusing to assist in it himself, and for refusing the covenant. The eject- ment was made in a very barbarous manner. The following is his son's account of his usage : —
" One Major Raimes, his neighbour, having raised a troop of horse for the Parliament, got a warrant from the Committee of Sequestration at Norwich, to take away Dr. Reeve's cattle and to bring him prisoner to
200 HISTOEY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Norwich, gaol ; which he executed with all the rigour he could, searching in the bed where his wife had lain but three days for the doctor ; and when the woman rebuked him for his barbarity, telling him he acted more like a beast than a man, he drew his sword and stabbed it through the bed in several places, pretending to stab the doctor if he hid in the bed. After that he caused all his troopers to pull the bridles off their horses and whip them round the garden, to tread all under foot. After that he broke open the barn door, and turned all the horses to the stacks of corn to fill their bellies. Some few days after he came with another warrant and broke open the doors with a ploughshare, being denied possession, and turned Mrs. Reeve and six children into the street, and brought carts and carried away the library and all the household goods and sold them for what he pleased, and gave no account to the committee. After this, having lain obscure for near three years, he attempted to go to the King at Oxford, but was taken prisoner within seven miles of that place by a troop of the Parlia- ment horse, and stripped naked in very cold weather, and his clothes ripped to pieces, to search for letters, instead of which they found three score pieces of broad gold, which were quilted into several places for his support, but he could get none of them again. Then he was imprisoned in London, when his countryman, Miles Corbet, of Sprowston, who was afterwards one of the judges of Charles I., sat chairman of the committee, who pretended at first to send him in exchange to Oxford ; but after that told him that he knew him to be an old malignant, and promised to see him hanged, and so sent him prisoner to the Gate-house, Westminster, where he was very hardly used for three years.
n But Corbet being sent to Ireland, by the intercession of many friends he at last got his liberty out of that noisome place; and his estate spiritual and temporal being sequestered about eight years, and swallowed up by the committee at Norwich, and no delinquency in all that time proved against him, for what reason his estate was sequestered, and a return made thereof to the committee at London ; and there being no such articles returned, with much soliciting, many long journeys, and great friends, he produced an order from the then so-called Barons of the Exchequer to reverse the sequestration of his temporal estate only in 1652."
In 1646, wonderful phenomena were seen in the counties of Cambridge and Norfolk, according to a rare tract published in that year, entitled " Signs from Heaven : or severall Apparitions seene and hearde in Ayre, in the Counties of Cambridge and Norfolk e, on the 21st day of May last past in the afternoone, 1646." "Also at Brandon, in the county of Norfolke, the inhabitants were forced to come out of their houses to behold so strange a spectacle of a spire steeple ascending up from the
CAREER OF OLIVER CROMWELL. 201
earth, and a pike or lance descending downwards from Heaven. The Lorde in mercy blesse and preserve His Church, and settle peace and truth among all degrees, and more especially among our churchmen."
" In Brandon, in the county aforesaid, was seen at the same time a navie or fleet of ships in the Ayre, swiftly passing under sayle with flags and streamers hanged out, as if they were ready to give an encounter."
" In Marshland, in the county of Norf olke aforesaid, within three miles of King's Linne, a captain and a lieutenant, with divers other persons of credit, did heare in the time of thunder a sound as of a whole regiment of drums beating a call, with perfect notes and stops, much admired by all that heard it." (See " Halliwell's Norfolk Anthology.")
OLIVER CROMWELL.
Oliver Cromwell was so closely connected with the Eastern Counties, which were all associated in his cause, that some notice of his life in this period is necessary. He was born in St. John's parish, Huntingdon, April 15th, 1599, and lived all through the first half of the seventeenth century. His father was Robert Cromwell, younger son of Sir Henry Cromwell, and younger brother of Sir Oliver Cromwell, both of them knights and county gentlemen of good estate, who dwelt successively at the mansion of Hinchinbrook. His mother was Elizabeth Steward, daughter of William Steward, Esq., in Ely, an opulent man, and hereditary farmer of the Cathedral tithes and Church lands in that city. She was descended from the Royal Stuart family of Scotland, and could claim kindred to them. Robert Cromwell, younger son of the knight of Hinchinbrook, brought her home as his wife about 1591 to Huntingdon, and settled there. He farmed lands there, and had an income of about £300 yearly, something like £1000 now. The house where he dwelt has been twice rebuilt since he died there. All the supposed traditions about his being either a butcher or a brewer are without foundation. He was a country gentleman, who farmed his own land, grew his own corn, sent it to market, made his own malt, and brewed his own beer, like many others of his class. His father Sir Henry, the Golden Knight, lived at Hichinbrook till 1603. He was very active as a country gentleman, attended to his Quarter Sessions duties, sat once in Parliament for Huntingdon, and was a member of public bodies for draining the fens. Better than all this social rank, he is said to have been a wise devout worthy man, who lived a modest life according to his station. Besides the Knight of Hinchinbrook, he had other brothers settled in the fen regions, where the Cromwell family had extensive possessions. They were all Protestants like their forefathers for generations. Therefore young Oliver Cromwell came of a good
202 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
county family, and had no reason to be ashamed of his ancestors. Early in January, 1603, his old grandfather, Sir Henry the Golden Knight of Hinchinbrook, died, and young Oliver about four years old saw the funeral. Oliver attended the public school of Huntingdon, which was then conducted by a worthy named Dr. Beard, a very grave, speculative, and theological old gentleman, who seems to have made a deep impression on the mind of his pupil. Oliver learned moderately well what was then taught at such places, but he does not appear to have been a remarkable boy. He had two sisters older, and four younger than himself, being the only boy of seven children. He was trained in the religious ways of the Puritans of that age, when they were really earnest, honest religious men, who believed in the Bible and not in State Churches. In the admission book of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, there is an entry under date of 1616, Oliver Cromwell, from Huntingdon, admitted Fellow Commoner 23rd April, 1616, tutor, Mr. Richard Howlet, but what he taught his pupil does not appear in any record. On June 6th, Robert Cromwell, father of the student, died, and in the same year his old grandfather Steward died. His mother was left a widow, with six daughters and an only son. Oliver was then a young heir at the age of eighteen, and he returned to Huntingdon. Soon after, he went to London and studied law till 1620, when he married a daughter of Sir James Bouchier, of Fel- stead, Essex, Elizabeth Bourchier (aged twenty -two) in St. Giles' Church, Cripplegate, London. He took his wife home to his mother's house at Huntingdon, where they lived for some time. He took his father's place, and continued to be a farmer for ten years. , His first child was born there in October, 1621, a son Robert, who was baptized on October 13th, in St. John's Church, and died in the year 1639, so that Oliver's first great loss in his family was of this first-born son, then in his eighteenth year. A second son Oliver followed, who was baptized on February 6th, 1623. He became a soldier, and was killed shortly before the battle of Marston Moor. About this time Oliver was converted, and embraced Christianity in its Calvinistic or Puritan form. This was a grand epoch in his life, and the turning point of his destiny. He was henceforth a Christian man, a believer in God and in the Bible, not only on Sundays, but on all days of the week. He naturally consorted with the Puritan clergy, and zealously attended their ministry when possible. He associated with Puritans in general, many of whom were gentry of his own rank, and some of much higher rank. A modest devout man he was, solemnly content to " make his calling and election sure." As yet he was only a private Christian, a man unknown to fame, but he was a great observer of public affairs. His uncle Sir Oliver was member for Hunt- ingdon in the first Parliament of Charles I. This uncle was a Royalist,
CAREER OP OLIVER CROMWELL. 203
and becoming reduced in his circumstances, sold his estate at Hinchin- brook to the Montagues for £3000. Sir Oliver, the old knight, disappeared from the Parliamentary scene, and faded into the deep fen country, but his nephew, Oliver Cromwell, Esq., appears as member for Huntingdon on Monday the 17th March, 1627, in the third Parliament of Charles I. Then began Oliver's public career, and he sometimes spoke in this Parliament against Popish proceedings. The session was short, Parliament being dissolved in a fortnight, and not assembled again for eleven years. Oliver and others seemed now to have done with Parlia- ments, for a Koyal proclamation forbade them even to speak of such a thing. In the new charter granted to the corporation of Huntingdon, and dated July 8th, 1630, Oliver Cromwell, Esq., and others are named Justices of the Peace for that borough, and he seemed to have settled down in his native place as a country gentleman.
About 1631, Oliver decided on a more enlarged sphere of action as a farmer, sold his properties in Huntingdon, and rented certain grazing lands at St. Ives, where he continued till 1636. He became the father of five sons and four daughters, of whom three sons and all the daughters came to maturity. In 1634, the celebrated ship-money writ was issued, and Oliver's cousin Hampden decided not to pay it. Thereupon, Oliver wrote to his cousin expressing his approval <5f the course he had taken. Oliver removed with his family from St. Ives to Ely in 1636, and suc- ceeded to his uncle's farming of the tithes in that city. He resided there ten years, and then removed his household to London, where he resided in 1646 and 1647.
Cromwell's career became part of the history of England, and he began by advancing £500 for the service of Parliament. Hampden, his cousin, subscribed £1000. Cromwell risked not only his purse but his head in the cause of liberty. On July 15th, 1642, he moved in the House of Commons that the townsmen of Cambridge be allowed to raise two companies of volunteers, and to appoint captains over them. This was agreed to, and the volunteers were raised. He went to Cambridge, and in person assisted in the training of the volunteers, assuming the chief management. The like was going on in all the towns of the Eastern Counties and in all the shires in England ; for wherever the Parliament had a zealous member, they sent him there to raise volunteers, who soon mustered in Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk. The Eastern Counties Association was formed for the defence of Parliament and the nation, and it ultimately included the counties of Cambridgeshire, Herts, Hunts, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, and Lincoln, with Lord Grey of Wark for commander, under whom Cromwell served. Cambridge was made the headquarters and the centre of all military business in the fen region.
204 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
In February, 1642, Colonel Cromwell was at Cambridge, great forces from Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk having joined him, and more were coming in.
There was much alarm in the Eastern Counties, for Lord Capel with his army hung over them intending to plunder Cambridge. He had been member for Herts, and he was the first to complain of grievances ; but when he became a lord, the wind set in another quarter. Colonel Crom- well had to bestir himself, and at last he collected 23,000 men about Cambridge. Lord Capel then thought it was time to vanish. Cambridge continued to be henceforth the bulwark and the metropolis of the Eastern Counties Association, where committees sat and issued orders. Cromwell was the animating soul of the association, always present in time of danger in any town or where any work was to be done. He was made colonel of a regiment of horse raised in his own place.
In January, 1643, he was in the fen district, and he travelled all over the Eastern Counties with his troops, looking after disaffected persons, and ever ready to disperse Royalist assemblages, to seize Royalist plate, to keep down disturbance, in order that the Parliament might suffer no damage.
In March, 1643, he travelled through Norfolk, visited Norwich, and then proceeded to Lowestoft, where he suppressed a rising of the Royalists. He returned home rapidly to Cambridge, as he had notice of a grand design in view to put an end to the miseries of the war. The design, however, came to nothing, and soon sank into obscurity. Cromwell had soon to defend Eastern England against a horde of plunderers, called Camdeners, followers of Viscount Camden, from Rutlandshire.
In the Commons' journals, August 4th, 1643, are various orders con- cerning Colonel Cromwell and his affairs of a satisfactory nature, as " that he shall have the three thousand pounds already levied in the associated (eastern) counties, for payment of his men, likewise of free quarter in the march that he is now upon ;" and, lastly, " that the six associated counties do forthwith raise two thousand men more for his behoof and that of the cause." On which occasion, Speaker Lenthall, as we otherwise find, wrote to him in the following encouraging terms : " The House hath commanded me to send you the enclosed orders, and to let you know that nothing is more repugnant to the sense of this House and dangerous to the kingdom, than the unwillingness of their forces to march out of their several counties."
In if lis year (1643) Cromwell was appointed governor of the city of Ely, where his own family then resided. Ely, in the heart of the fens, a place of great military capabilities, was much troubled with corrupt ministers and train band, and understood to be in a perilous state, where- fore Cromwell was nominated to take charge of it. The Parliament
CAREER OF OLIVER CROMWELL. 205
affairs this summer had been in a bad way, and looked declining every- where except in the Eastern Counties. Under these circumstances it was thought a piece of heroism for the Earl of Manchester to accept the command of the Eastern Association, with four colonels of horse under him ; and Colonel Cromwell was the second in command. About this time he enlisted his famous troopers named Ironsides, who were never beaten.
In June 1645, the King with his army was in the Midland Counties. He halted after the storming of Leicester, and whitherward he would next was a much agitated question by the neighbouring populations, but most of all intensely agitating to the Eastern Counties. Cromwell was occupied with Ely and other garrisons, and seemed to take it rather quietly. But two days later we find him at Cambridge, where the people were in a state of great alarm. He wrote a letter dated from Cambridge, 6th June, 1643, to the Deputy-Lieutenant of Suffolk, demanding more troops. The place of rendezvous for the horse and dragoons was to be at Newmarket, and for the foot at Bury St. Edmund's. The Suffolk and other horse mustered in about a week.
On the 14th June, 1645, the King fought his last battle on the high moor ground at Naseby, dashing fiercely against the new model army of Ironsides, which he had despised till then, and saw himself shivered utterly to ruin thereby. Prince Rupert on the King's right wing charged up the hill, and carried all before him. Cromwell ordered thither by the Parliament, had arrived from the Association two days before amid shouts from the whole army ; he had the ordering of the horse this morning. Prince Rupert, on returning, found the King's infantry routed ; prepared to charge again the rallied cavalry, but the cavalry when it came to the point, broke all asunder, never to reassemble more. The chase went through Harborough, where the King had already been that morning, but he turned back in an evil hour, and gave the Roundheads battle.
Mr. Carlyle has published Cromwell's letters, and endeavoured to prove that the usurper was a hero ; but he was only a fanatic, and every fanatic is morally the worse for his fanaticism. He must have been sincere iu his religion, for constant hypocrisy would have been fatal to his decision. Carlyle has done well in his short memoir of Cromwell, but he would have done better if he had paid his hero the homage of simple truth. This hero worship is the worship of mere force, which is no more adorable than mere fraud. We may pay homage to moral force, but it resides only in those whose lives embody the moral law. Cromwell had a difficult part to play. He was the only man in a position to found a Government after the Civil Wars, being at the head of the army. Then and throughout his short reign he quelled anarchy as he had quelled tyranny, and with a
f 206 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
merciful degree of punishment which shows how different is the vigour of the brave from the vigour of ferocious cowards. When he was set up by the army it was not a mere military government of musketeers and pike- men. The soldiers included some of the best of English citizens, many of the yeomanry of Norfolk and Suffolk, who had neither inclination nor right to set up a military tyranny, but who had a right to give a chief to the State.
CromwelFs public career is matter of general history, and need not be recorded here. He became a representative man in that Puritan age, the greatest bigot in an age of bigots. He was forced into power by the course of events. He rose by successive steps to be chief of the army, and by the army he ruled the country. He became King in all but the name, and if he had chosen he might have been enrolled among English Sovereigns by Act of Parliament. His success in a great measure changed his character from that of a champion of liberty to the character of a military despot. He made many enemies and few real friends. He was no Csesar, no unprincipled soldier of fortune, but the representative of Puritanism armed and crowned. The form of Government which he meant to establish was not a Republic, but a Monarchy, with himself as King. His ideal was a Constitutional and Protestant Monarchy, with Parliamentary Government and taxation, reform of the representation, the service of the State freely opened to merit, law reform, Church reform, University reform, union of the three kingdoms. He did not allow his Government to remain military for an hour longer than he could help ; but the insulting manner in which he dismissed the Long Parlia- ment is a stain on his character. He was probably carried away by his feelings beyond his power of self-control. The instrument of Government under which he was made Lord Protector defended him from the charge of keeping up arbitrary power.
Thomas Knyvett, of Ashwellthorpe, in Norfolk, was one of the un- fortunate Royalist gentlemen whom Cromwell laid hold of at Lowestoft and lodged in the Castle of Cambridge, suddenly snuffing out the Royalist light in that quarter. Knyvett no doubt paid his fine, and got safe home again, for in July, 1646, he received a letter from Cromwell in reference to some proceedings at Hapten, near Ashwellthorpe. We gather from the letter published in Carlyle's collection that the parishioners of Hapton were a little given to Independent notions, which one Robert Brown, a tenant of Knyvett's, of the Presbyterian strain could not tolerate. There- fore the oppressed parishioners contrived to state their case to General Cromwell, then in his place in Parliament. Cromwell, it appears, was not ashamed to solicit the interposition of Knyvett in favour of the poor parishioners, as follows : —
CAREER OP OLIVER CROMWELL. 207
For my noble Friend Thomas Knyvett, Esq., at his house at Ashwellthorpe :
London, 27th July, 1646. " Sir, I cannot pretend any interest in yon fof anything I have done, nor ask any favour for any service I may do you. But because I am conscious to myself of a readiness to serve any gentleman in all possible civilities, I am bold to be beforehand with you, to ask your favour on behalf of your honest poor neighbours of Hapton, who as I am informed are in some trouble, and are likely to be put to more by one Robert Browne, your tenant, who not well pleased with the way of these men, seeks their disquiet all he may. * * Truly nothing moves me to desire this more than the pity I bear them in respect of their honesties, and the trouble I hear they are likely to suffer for their consciences. And how- ever the world interprets it, I am not ashamed to solicit for such as are anywhere under pressure of this kind, doing even as I would be done by. Sir, this is a quarrelsome age, and the anger seems to me to be the worse where the ground is difference of opinion — which to cure, to hurt men in their names, persons, or estates will not be found an apt remedy. Sir, it will not repent you to protect these poor men of Hapton from injury and oppression, which that you would is the effect of this letter. Sir, you will not want the grateful acknowledgment nor utmost endeavours of requital, from
Your most humble Servant,
Oliver Cromwell.
A gentleman of Shrewsbury having got possession of this letter, sent a copy of it to the Gentlemen's Magazine, in which it appeared in 1787, liv. 337. The original letter used to be in the possession of Lord Berners, a descendant of the Knyvett family at Ashwcllthorpe, but there is only a copy of it now without date.
MAJOR-GENERAL SKIPPON.
We must now notice the career of a distinguished Norfolk gentleman during the Civil Wars.
Major- General Skippon was the owner of Foulsham Hall in the seven- teenth century. The Hall is the only house in the parish which can lay claim to any particular interest, either from its antiquity or anything else. It is one of those mansions built in what is called the Elizabethan style, about the year 1520, and generally distinguished by stacks of ornamental chimneys. Major-General Skippon, who resided at the Hall in the reign of Charles I., was one of the most experienced and active on the side of the Long Parliament during the Civil Wars. Of his birth and parentage little is known for certain, but it is proved that his family were persons of
208 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
distinction and property at Weasenham, and entitled to bear arms. It is certain that the Major-General was a soldier of fortune under the Parliament standard, and that his 1 merit soon raised him to great eminence. So entirely did he contrive to win the good opinion of the Long Parliament, that he was selected by their orders to attend with a portion of the London Militia to be their guard, when they refused one under the command of Lindsey, which the King had offered them ; and when his Majesty sent to demand Skippon's attendance upon his person, he had the boldness absolutely to refuse obedience.
According to Clarendon, Major-General Skippon had served in his youth with much reputation in the Netherlands, under the Prince of Orange. He was looked upon as a good officer, as a man of order and sobriety, and untainted with any of those vices of which other officers of his party were accused, and had recently quitted his service abroad on account of some objections he had to it ; and coming to London he was by some friends preferred to the command in the Artillery Garden, where his duty was to teach the citizens the exercise of their arms ; and this he did most effectually, as proved by subsequent events.
The first notice of his military career in England, which was afterwards of such essential value to his party, is in 1642, when the five accused members were brought in triumph to Westminster. He was then Captain of the Artillery Garden, and on this memorable occasion the Parliament appointed him Major-General of the Militia of London. He was soon on the high road to fortune. Walker, in his " History of Independency," says, " Skippon hath got above 30,000L into his purse, besides 1000Z. a year of inheritance given him by the Parliament. He hath secured his personal estate beyond sea, and his wife and children,, and thereby hath withdrawn all pledges of his fidelity, both out of the power of the Parliament and city."
He was present at the battle of Naseby on May 5th, 1645, and arranged the plan of operations on behalf of the Parliamentary forces. Four days after the battle the Commons sent him a letter of thanks for his services. At the close of 1646 he was nominated governor of Newcastle and Teignmouth, and allowed to retain the command of Bristol by deputy. At the same time also he was appointed to command in chief the convoy of the 200,000L, for which the Scots basely agreed to deliver up Charles I. to the Parliament, and for his extraordinary charges in this business he had oOOl. voted to him.
In 1648 he was constituted Major-General of all the forces within the lines of communication, and the city of London allowed him 6001. per annum. Upon information that the King's party were enlisting troops there, 500Z. was voted for raising a regiment of horse to be commanded
THE COMMONWEALTH. 209
by him. Noth withstanding these honours, which were so thickly heaped upon him, he did not escape the virulent sarcasms of the lampooners of the day ; and in order to refute the aspersions of his enemies, " the vindi- cation of Major-General Skippon from a scandalous libel " was ordered to be posted up in London.
Shortly after this, in February, 1649, he was chosen one of the thirty- eight members of the Council of State, with power to command ana settle the militia, navy, &c. These powers were granted for a year, and he was re-elected to the same office as long as the Council existed. It was about this time, probably, that he became possessed of much of the property which he devised by will, for on June 9th in this year it was referred to a committee of the Commons to consider how £100 per annum might be settled on him and his heirs ; and in the August following an Act was passed for settling £2000 a-year on Major-General Skippon. From this time he appears to have led a comparatively retired life, residing for the most part at Acton in Middlesex, and perhaps visiting his estates in Norfolk occasionally. He continued, amid all the jarring interests of the times, to enjoy the confidence of Oliver Cromwell, who seems to have considered him to be the fittest person to be placed in command of those troops which were more nearly connected with his own personal safety. When the self-denying ordinances passed, he was member for Barnstable. He served in the Parliaments held in 1654 and 1656 for King's Lynn. He died on July 1st, 1661, after the Restoration, and his estates were confiscated with those of twenty-one others who were then dead.
THE COMMONWEALTH, 1649 TO 1660.
A few days after the execution of Charles I., the Commons, on February 6th, 1649, voted that the office of King was " unnecessary, burdensome, and dangerous to the liberty, safety, and public interests of the people of the kingdom, and therefore ought to be abolished ; also that the House of Lords was useless and dangerous." The broad seal was altered, and proclamation made that no King should be named without the consent of Parliament, and it was only the " Rump Parliament," not a new assembly. The year 1649 was said to be the first year of the liberty of England, by authority of Parliament, which style continued till December 16th.
For the exercise of the executive authority, a Council of forty-one persons was appointed by the Commons, and to it was entrusted for a year the preservation of domestic tranquility, the care and disposal of the naval and military force, the superintendence of internal and external trade, and the negotiation of treaties with foreign powers. Among the principal members were Oliver Cromwell, who became Protector or
VOL. II. p
210 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
Dictator ; the earls of Pembroke, Salisbury, Denbigh, and Mulgrave ; Lord Grey of Werke ; Fairfax, Skippon, Whitlocke, Vane, and St. John. Bradshaw was made president, and John Milton secretary for foreign correspondence.
The Parliament had voted that every Councillor should take an oath that he approved of the King's trial, and the abolition of the kingship and the House of Lords. Cromwell and several others readily complied with this order, but Fairfax, Vane, and a majority of the members, refused to take any such oath, and it was agreed that they should promise that they would adhere to the Parliament and the government of the nation by way of a Republic, without King or a House of Peers. Thus a Govern- ment was established with which the great body of the people had no sympathy, but the men who conducted it proved themselves equal to the crisis. Their proceedings were generally characterised by moderation, but to intimidate their opponents some men were brought to trial for treason, condemned, and executed.
Cromwell, after the battle of Worcester, was regarded as the first man of the State, and he was so in reality. The Parliament, with a view to weaken his influence, diminished the army by one-fourth, but they had not strength sufficient to carry out a further reduction. From about September, 1652, Cromwell began to hold conferences with leading members and officers, as to measures for summoning a new Parliament that would more fairly represent the nation. Finding that he could not succeed by fair means in the accomplishment of his object, he went with his soldiers to the House of Commons, turned out the members by force, locked the doors and put the keys in his pocket, and returned to White- hall, April 20th, 1653. An act more illegal than any act of the late King.
In the meantime the army had addressed the House of Commons in a petition, with which they presented a paper entitled : " An agreement of the People of England and the places therewith incorporated for a secure and present peace upon grounds of common right, freedom, and safety." In this paper they refer to the subject of toleration as follows : — " It is intended that the Christian religion be held forth and recommended as the public profession in this nation, which we desire may, by the grace of God, be reformed to the greatest purity in doctrine, worship, and disci- pline, according to the word of God ; the instructing the people thereunto in a public way, so it be not compulsive, as also for the maintaining of able teachers for that end, and for the confutation or discovery of heresy, error, and whatsoever is contrary to sound doctrine, is allowed to be pro- vided for by our representatives, the maintenance of which teachers shall be out of a public treasury, and we desire not by tithes, provided that
THE COMMONWEALTH. 211
popery or prelacy be not held forth as the public way or profession in this way." 2. " That to the public profession so held forth none be compelled, by penalties or otherwise, but only be endeavoured to be won by sound doctrine," &c. " Nevertheless it is not intended to be hereby provided tha this liberty shall necessarily extend to popery or prelacy ." The " Agree- ment " was shortly afterwards sent down into the Eastern Counties for the purpose of receiving signatures. This step excited some apprehension on the part of the Essex ministers, who had previously signed the " Testi- mony ;" sixty of them published an address to the religious and well- affected of the nobility, gentry, yeomanry, and others dwelling within their several congregations objecting strongly to the terms of the " Agree- ment." Independents were now opposed to Presbyterians.
The influence of the Presbyterians now rapidly declined, and the ascendancy was transferred to the Independents, who had always declared themselves to be in favour of liberty of conscience, but even they did not always carry out the principle to its legitimate consequences, including absolute freedom of thought and speech in matters of religion. Partly with a view to the recovery of their lost position, and partly from sincere Royalist convictions, some of the Presbyterian ministers allowed them- selves to be drawn into a conspiracy for the restoration of Charles II. Among others who were thus implicated in the crime of high treason may be mentioned Thomas Cawton, a native of Rainham, in Norfolk, where he was born in 1605. He was educated at Queen's College, Cambridge, and then at Orton, and in 1637 he was presented to the rectory of Wivenhoe in Essex. While there he often preached at Colchester for his friend Robert Harmer, who was then lecturer of that town. He removed from Wivenhoe in 1644, when he became minister at St. Bartholomew's, behind the Royal Exchange. It was not the first time that he had got himself into trouble by his strong Royalist sympathies, and he was now drawn into the conspiracy called " Love's Plot." On its discovery he fled to Rotterdam, where he settled and died, August 7th, 1659. Why should he have troubled himself about the exiled Stuart ?
Puritans of the Independent sect became triumphant in the time of the Commonwealth. They were numerous, powerful, and influential in the Eastern Counties, especially in Essex. Religious liberty was now pre- dominant. As might have been expected, the newly-acquired right was not wisely used by those who had been the most clamorous for its enjoy- ment. On July 4th, 1655, there was a day of general fasting, prayer, and a general collection of money for the poor persecuted Protestants of Piedmont. When the congregation assembled in the church of Coggeshall, one James Parnell made a disturbance, for which he was brought before the Justices and fined £40. In default he was sent to Colchester Castle,
212 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
where he remained till his death in the next year. He refused any food and actually starved himself to death, a proof of the man's insanity.
The overthrow of the "Rump Parliament," which had no right to sit, caused very little excitement among the people, who had long been dissatisfied with its proceedings. Cromwell formed a new Council of State, which comprised himself with eight officers of high rank, and they determined to call a new Parliament, but the country was in so disturbed a condition that they thought it expedient to summon Parliament after a constitutional manner. Hence Cromwell and the Council selected about 140 members from a long list of persons, and 120 of them met on July 4th, 1653. Among them were Sir John Hobart, Bart., of Blickling, and three others of Norfolk.
This little Parliament, which was appointed to sit till November 4th, 1654, proceeded with vigour to remedy the defects of the Government, and especially directed their attention to the reform of the law and the Church, which raised the opposition of the lawyers and the clergy. On December 16th, 1653, Cromwell was installed by this Parliament Lord Protector of the Commonwealth. A document was read to him called an Instrument of Government, which he swore to observe. According to this instrument a new Parliament met on September 3rd, 1654, consisting of 460 members. They soon began to question the authority of the Protector, who inter- fered, telling them that they must recognise the new form of Government, but that all other matters were left for their discussion. He dissolved this Parliament within five months, on January 22nd, 1655.
In 1653, General Cromwell ordered that the County of Norfolk should send ten members to Parliament, Norwich, Yarmouth, and Lynn two members each, Thetford and Castle Rising none at all, the burgesses being allowed to vote in the county.
In 1654, on certain intelligence of risings in several parts of the countiy against the Government, whereby the disaffected were like to be mutinous, a body of well-affected persons were engaged to be in readiness to take up arms to aid the Mayor and Sheriffs of Norwich to suppress any tumults in that city.
On June 24th, same year, the order was issued for an assessment for six months, for the maintenance of the arms and navies of the Common- wealth at the rate of £120,000 per month, for the first three months, and £90,000 for the last three months, towards which sum the County of Norfolk paid £4660 per month, and the City of Norwich £240 per month.
On August 29th of the same year there was published the ordinance for the ejection of scandalous, ignorant, and insufficient ministers and schoolmasters, by which most of the ablest divines were ejected, and others more suited for the purposes of the Government put in by the sole
THE COMMONWEALTH. 213
power of a set of Commissioners appointed in each county for the purpose, any five of whom had power to eject any man. Who the Commissioners were is now of no importance, as they are all forgotten.
Baxter says of these Commissioners, " To give them their due, they did abundance of good in the Church. They saved many a congregation from ignorant and drunken teachers, that sort of men who intended no more in the ministry than to say a few sermons as leaders, say their common prayers, and so patch up a few good words together to talk the people asleep with on a Sunday, and all the rest of the week to go with them to the ale-house."
Cromwell, still solicitous to govern by a Parliament, called another Assembly, which met September 17th, 1G56. About 100 of the members were excluded by an order of the Protector and his Council, on account of their political or moral disqualifications, a power derived from a provision in the Instrument of Government. The earlier proceedings of this Parliament satisfied the Protector, and one of their measures was to urge him to assume the title of King. From political and other motives he was anxious to comply with their advice, but the officers of the army were so averse to it that he very reluctantly declined the honour. He was accordingly inaugurated as Lord Protector on June 26th, 1657, and he became sovereign in all but in name. The ablest Royalists were of opinion that if he had been permitted to follow his own judgment, and accept the title of King, the exiled line would never have been restored. The second session of Parliament commenced January 20th, 1658. There were now two Houses, but the Upper Chamber was of a strange character, and few of the old Peers took their seats. The Protector, finding that all the time of the Commons was spent in discussing questions relative to the rights of the Upper House, and that they would not proceed to the tran- saction of useful business, soon put an end to their sitting (February 4th, 1658). This was his last Parliament, for he died in September in the same year.
In the time of Oliver Cromwell the following kights of the shire repre- sented Norfolk : —
1653 — Sir John Hobart, Bart., of Blickling; Tobias Frere, Esq., Redenhall ; Ralph Wolmer, Esq. ; William Burton, Esq., of Yarmouth.
1654 — For this and the following Parliament Norfolk returned ten members, viz. : — Sir John Hobart, Bart., Blickling ; Sir William Doyley, Shottisham ; Sir Ralph Hare, Bart., Stow Bardolph ; Thomas Weld, Esq., Braconash ; Robert Wilton, Esq., Wilby ; Thomas Sotherton, Esq., Taverham ; Phillip Wodehouse, Esq., Kimberley ; Robert Wood, Esq., Braconash ; Philip Bedingfield, Esq., Ditchingham ; Tobias Frere, Esq., Redinghall.
214 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
1656 — Charles Fleetwood, Major-General j Sir John Hobart, Bart., Blickling ; Sir William Doyley, Shottisham j Sir Ralph Hare, Bart., Stow Bardolph ; Sir Horatio Townshend, Bart., Rainhani ; Phillip Wodehouse, Esq., Kimberley; Robert Wilton, Esq., Wilby; Robert Wood, Esq., Braconash; John Buxton, Esq., Tibenham ; Thomas Sotherton, Esq., Taverham.
1658 — Sir Horatio Townshend, Bart., Rainham j Sir William Doyley, Knt., Shottisham.
Charles Fleetwood was son-in-law of Oliver Cromwell, and Lord Deputy of Ireland.
The great career of the Protector closed on September 3rd, 1658, and his death was rendered memorable by one of the most violent tempests ever remembered on the eastern coasts. His son Richard became his successor, whose first Parliament assembled in the January after his accession. The Essex members were — for the county, the Hon. Charles Rich and Edward Turner; for Colchester, John Shaw and Abraham Johnson ; for Maldon, Henry Mildmay and Joachim Matthews ; and for Harwich, John Sicklemore and Thomas King. Rich was afterwards Earl of Warwick. This Parliament was dissolved in the month of April. Affairs soon assumed a critical position. A re-actionary spirit was abroad, which Richard proved too feeble to control.
On November 8th, 1658, the Corporation ol Yarmouth voted an address to Richard Cromwell, testifying their readiness to submit to his government, and to place themselves under his protection. A more ful- some memorial than this was perhaps never presented to any ruler. The late Protector was styled " the good, the great man, the captain of the Lord's host, who is fallen in Israel," whilst the partisans of the House of Stuart were called the " Sons of Belial and the children of darkness."
Two years after the presentation of ihh piece of sanctified cant, in 1660, the town changed hands, and then presented an address of con- gratulation to Charles II., with a surrender of the fee farm, before pur- chased of the Parliament. And it was resolved " That a former grant made by this house to Henry Cromwell, Esq., of the high stewardship of this town, be from hence discharged, and that where his name stands recorded here it be defaced and erased out of the records of this town." The Corporation had the further grace also to order C( That the address made to Richard Cromwell, the late pretended Protector, by this house, be utterly disclaimed, obliterated, and made void, and the ordinance made for the presenting thereof be defaced to all intents and purposes."
After this they obtained of Charles II. a confirmation and renewal of their charters, and remained firm loyalists. The reason :s pretty obvious.
THE COMMONWEALTH. . 215
The King had ordered prosecutions against such corporations as seemed meet to his Attorney- General.
In the time of Oliver Cromwell the lordship of Hackford and Uphall in Norfolk was sold from the family of Riches, of Dersingham, to the Lord Viscount Purbeck, nephew to George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, favourite to Charles I. and Lord High Admiral of England, who was killed at Portsmouth by Lieutenant Felton, having made himself obnoxious to the people. This Lord Purbeck was son of John Lord Viscount Purbeck, brother to George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, by Frances Coke, daughter of Sir Edward Coke, Lord Chief Justice of England, founder of the Holkham family and fortune.
Parliament dissolved itself in March, 1660, and writs were issued for a new Parliament to meet on April 28th. In the meanwhile several of the gentry of Essex met and addressed a letter to General Monk, whose purpose was now generally understood, in " A declaration and address of the gentry in the county of Essex, who have adhered to the King or suffered imprisonment or sequestration during the late troubles. " The declaration and address were agreed upon by the subscribers on September 17th, 1660, Sir Benjamin Ayloffe and Sir Edmund Pierce being then and there appointed to present the same to his Excellency, which they did on the 19th of the same month at St. James'.
The Parliament that was now elected is known as the " Convention Parliament." The members for Essex were : John Bramston and Edward Turner for the county ; Sir Harbottle Grimston and John Shaw for Colchester ; Tristram Conyers and Edward Harris for Maiden ; Captain Lucky er and Henry Wright for Harwich. Sir Harbottle Grimston was chosen speaker of the new House of Commons. John Bramston was the son of the notorious Judge of that name. He was of Skreeves, Roxwell, in the church of which parish his remains were buried. Conyers was of Walthamstow. Harris was of Great Baddow. Luckyer was of Messing Hall, and Wright of Henham Hall.
George Monk, who had been one of Cromwell's greatest generals, and who, until the abdication of his son Richard Cromwell, had also served the cause of the Parliament, becoming dissatisfied on learning that the junta of officers had dissolved the Parliament and usurped all the authority in the State, was annoyed and marched to London at the head of about 7000 men, with the professed object of freeing Parliament from the oppression of the soldiers. As he advanced towards the capital, the leading gentlemen of the various counties of England flocked around him, expressing their earnest desire lliat he would lend his aid to restore the kingdom to liberty and peace. A great number of addresses were pre- sented to him at St. Albans, on January 28th, 1660. Having reached
216 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
London on February 3rd in that year, he waited for a few days in order to see in which direction the popular feeling went, and then declared for a free Parliament, which as soon as it assembled took steps to restore the exiled Charles Stuart. Monk acted with great secrecy and dissimu- lation, and shortly after the restoration he was created Duke of Albemarle and Knight of the Garter; he was also appointed Master of the Horse, Gentleman of the Bed Chamber, and First Commissioner of the Treasury, and he received a grant of an estate worth £7000 a year.
In January, 1660, the Gentry of the County of Norfolk and the City of Norwich adopted " A Letter and Declaration " to his Excellency the Lord General Monk as follows : Right Honourable,
WE the Gentry of the County of Norfolk and of the County and City of Norwich do cordially rejoyce with many others of these Counties, and of the Nation, for your Excellence's return into your Native Countrey with honour and safety : And that the late Differences in the Armies are now so happily composed without bloodshed : We are desirous to blesse our good God for these mercies, and to acquaint your Lordship, That we have signified the Resentment of our grievances to the Speaker of the Parliament ; A true Copie whereof we have here inclosed, sent to your Excel- lency, least any persons should in our absence mis-represent us or our intentions to your Lordship : We rest.
The Declaration.
We the Gentry of the County of Norfolk, and the County and City of Norwich, Being deeply affected with the sense of our sad Distractions and Divisions, both in Church and State ; And wearied with the Miseries of an unnaturall Civil War, The too frequent Interruptions of Govern- ment, the Impositions of severall heavy Taxes, And the loud out- cryes of multitudes of undone and almost famished people, occasioned by a generall decay of Trade, which hath spread itself throughout the whole Nation, and these Counties in particular ; And having met together and consulted what may best remedy and remove Our and the Nation's present grievances and Distractions ; Do humbly conceive, That the chief Expedient will be, the Recalling of those Members that were secluded in 1648, and sate before the Force put upon the Parliament (We of this County of Norfolk, being by such Seclusion deprived of any person to represent us in Parliament) and also by filling up the vacant places thereof ; And all to be admitted without any Oath or Engagement, previous to their Entrance ; Which being done, We shall be ready to acquiesce and submit in all things to the Judgment and Authority of
THE COMMONWEALTH.
217
Parliament ; Without which authority, the People of England cannot be obliged to pay any Taxes.
The Letter to^General Monk and this Declaration was signed by
Thomas Lord Richardson
John Hobart
Horatio Townesend
John Asteley
William Hewitt
John Palgrave
Thomas Berney
Wil. Rant
Adrian Parmenter
Edmund Burman
John Rawley
Henry Watts
John Maum
John Andrewes
John Salter
With many hundreds
Edmund Bacon N. Le Strange Thomas Pettus Wil. Doyley Thomas Guybon John Windham James De Grey Butts Bacon Thomas Rant Chr. Jay Joseph Payne Rob. Bendish Richard Wenman John Laurence Thomas Wisse
Philip Woodhousc Ralph Heure John Tracey Arthur Jenny Augustin Sotherton John Buxton Francis Norm Thomas Johnson Thomas Le Gros John Hovile Richard Catelyne Suck Jay Rob. Suckliijg Samuel Smith Rob. Holmes
more of the Knights, Gentry, Citizens, and Freeholders.
LONDON
Printed for John Place at Fumivals lime Gate in Holborne 1660.
1. — Thomas Lord Richardson, Baron of Cramond in Scotland, was M.P. for Norfolk in 1660. He died in 1674 and was buried at Honingham.
The inscription on his monument (given by Blomefield, ii. 447) is —
" M.S. Hie jacet Thomas Richardson, Incytus Baro de Cramond apud Scotos, Vir invicta Fide, et Fortitudine, Qui nullis Fanaticorum Factionibus infectus in corruptissimc seculo Integer continuit, et suum commodum pra; causa Regali post habuit, obiit Maii 16 Anno Dom. 1674, et setatis sua? 47."
His arms were Or, on a chief sable 3 lions' heads erased of the field, to which Charles I. added a canton azure charged with a saltire argent.
2. — Probably, Sir John Hobart of Blickling, 3rd Bart., M.P. for Norfolk 1654, 1656, 1668, &c, to 1681.
His arms were, Sable, an estoile of 8 points Or between 2 flanches ermine. 3. — Sir Horatio Townshend, 3rd Bart. He rendered essential services to the Royal cause during the Usurpation : he was one of the six com- moners who, with six peers, went to the Hague to entreat King Charles II. to return to England and take the government of his dominions into his own hands. He fortified the town of Lynn for the King's reception, and was commander of the Royalist forces on the coast of Norfolk ; he was also M.P. for Norfolk in 1656, 1658, and 1660. Having been so instru- mental in restoring the monarchy, he was rewarded in 1661 by being created on April 20th, Baron Townshend of Lynn Regis, and on
218 HISTORY 0E EASTERN ENGLAND.
December 11th, 1682, he was advanced to the dignity of Viscount
Townshend of Baynham.
Arms : Azure, a chevron between 3 escallops argent.
4. — Query, a mistake in some way for Sir Jacob Astley of Melton Constable, created a Baronet June 25th, 1660.
I cannot find any mention of a John Astley living at this period.
5. — Sir William Hewitt of Breccles : he died in 1667.
Aems : Gides a chevron engrailed between 3 owletts argent.
6. — Sir John Palgrave of Northwood Barmingham, co. Norfolk, created a Baronet by Charles I. in 1641.
Arms : Azure a lion rampant guardant argent.
7. — Thomas Berney of Swardeston was High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1647. He was younger brother of Sir Richard Berney, first Baronet, of Park Hall, Reedham.
Arms : Quarterly gules and azure, over all a cross engrailed ermine.
8.— William Rant.
Two persons of these names were living contemporaneously, first cousins to each other, and it is difficult to say which of the two is intended. Wm. Rant of Yelverton, the son of Humphrey, died in 1G83, a?t57; and William Rant, afterwards Sir William Rant, Kt,, of Thorpe Market, died in 1711. They were both nephews of Sir Thomas Rant mentioned below. (No. 24.)
Arms : Ermine, on a fesse sable 3 lions rampant, Or. (Granted by Cooke Clarenceux, 1st June, 1583, to Humphrey Rant of Norwich.)
9. — Adrian Parmenter was Sheriff of Norwich in 1632, and Mayor in 1642.
10. — Edmund Burman was Sheriff of Norwich in 1632, and Mayor in 1648.
11. — John Rawley or Rayley, son of Robert Rayley of Cley, Norfolk, Sheriff of Norwich, 1642, Mayor in 1649. In 1643, Sheriff Rawley carried £110 of the proposition money to Cambridge for the fortification of the place, and had six men with carbines to guard him all the way. He was buried at St. Andrew's, Norwich, 12th August, 1673.
12— Henry Watts, Sheriff of Norwich, 1639, and Mayor in 1646. Buried at St. Andrew's, Norwich, 21st Dec, 1669.
13. — John Maum, probably misprint for Mann, Sheriff of Norwich, 1649, Mayor in 1653, High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1672.
Arms : Sable, on a fesse counter-embattled between 3 goats passant Or, as many pellets.
14. — John Andrews, Alderman of Norwich.
On the 30th May, 1649, he proclaimed the Act for abolishing " Kingly Government. — Blome- field, iii. 399.
15. — John Salter was Sheriff of Norwich in 1639, Mayor in 1655. His name occurs amongst those returned in 1664 for refusing to give anything towards the subscription for regaining the town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, according to an Ordinance of Parliament.
Arms : Gides, 10 billets, Or.
. THE COMMONWEALTH. 219
16. — Probably Sir Edmund Bacon of Redgrave, 4th Bart., he died in 1685.
Arms : Gules on a chief argent, 2 mullets sable.
17. — Sir Nicholas Le Strange of Hunstanton, second Bart., died in 1669.
Arms : Gules, 2 lions passant in pale argent,
18. — Sir Thomas Pettus of Rackheath, 2nd Bart. He was High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1664, and died in 1671. The father of Sir Thomas Pettus was created a baronet by Charles I., September 23rd, 1641, for his zeal and fidelity to the Royal cause.
Arms : Gules, a fesse argent between 3 annulets Or.
19. — Sir William Doyly of Shotesham was knighted by Charles I. for his gallant behaviour abroad in the service of Gustavus Adolphus. He was M.P. for Yarmouth in 1660-1. At the Restoration he was one of the Commissioners appointed by the House of Commons, out of their own members, to see the army disbanded in 1661. He was also one of those chosen by the City of Norwich to wait on the King with the resignation of their charter : he was created a Baronet in 1663, and died in 1677.
Arms : Gules, 3 bucks' heads caboshed argent attired Or.
20.— Sir Thomas Guybon of Thursford. He died May 29th, 1666, and upon his monument at Thursford Church is a long inscription, of which the following is a portion.
" Tertio Vicecomite sub Caroli primo et secundo regibus, cirenarchia?, viro per omnia integerrimo erga Deum piissimo, ccclesiam orthodoxo, regem et monarchiam maxime devoto patriam bone merito, vicinos benevolo, seipsum sobrio, omnes humano. Qui temporibus democraticis philo basilius. perfidis fidelis ; et ob singullarem fidem in principem et patriam non semel afflictus afflictis patiens, dubiis prudens arduis constans, turbidis tranquillus, malis bonus, bonis optimus, omnibus aequus." Arms ; Or, a lion rampant sable, over ah on a bend gules 3 escallops argent.
21 . — John Windham, Esq., of Felbrigg.
Arms : Argent, a chevron between 3 lions' heads erased Or.
22. — James de Grey, Esq., of Merton : he died in June, 1665. He was brother of Sir Robert de Grey, who was knighted by Charles I. in 1641.
23. — Butts Bacon, third son of Sir Nicholas Bacon, created a Baronet 20th July, 1627. His estate was at Mildenhall, co. Suffolk : he died in 1661.
24. — Thomas Rant, Esq., of Surrey House, Norwich. M.P. for Nor- wich, 1660. Knighted by Charles II. He died in 1671, and was buried at Thorpe Market.
Arms : Ermine, on a fess sable 3 lions rampant Or.
25. — Christopher Jay, Sheriff of Norwich in 1653, Mayor in 1657, M.P. for Norwich in 1661.
Arms : Gules, on a bend engrailed argent 3 roses of the Held seeded Or.
220 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
26. — Joseph Payne,, or Paine, Sheriff of Norwich, 1654, Mayor 1660, knighted in 1660. Died August 15th, 1668.
He had a grant of the following arms from Edward Walker, Garter, September 1st, 1660: — Sable, a fesse raguly between 3 lions' paws erased Or, armed gules.
27.— Robert Bendish, Sheriff of Norwich in 1663, Mayor in 1672.
I cannot identify to what family he belonged.
28. — Richard Wenman, Sheriff of Norwich in 1646, Mayor in 1662. He was burnt in his bed in 1677, being at the time bedridden, and " left alone with a candle to light him a pipe."
29. — John Lawrence, Sheriff of Norwich, 1659, Mayor in 1669. Buried at St. Andrew's, Norwich, September 27th, 1681.
30.— Thomas Wisse, Sheriff of Norwich in 1659, Mayor in 1667. He died in 1702, get. 78.
Arms : Per chevron gules and ermine, in chief a besant between 2 trefoils Or.
31. — Sir Philip Wodehouse of Kimberley, Bart., M.P. for Norfolk in 1656: died in 1681.
Arms : Sable, a chevron Or gutte de sang, between 3 cinquefoils ermine.
32. — Most probably Sir Ralph Hare of Stow Bardolph, M.P. for ♦Norfolk in 1654, 1656, 1661. Died in 1671.
33. — John Tracy, probably Sir John Tracy of Stanhoe, Knight. 34. — Sir Arthur Jenny, Knt., of Knodishall co. Suffolk, and of Heigham co. Norfolk. High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1655.
Arms : Ermine, a bend gules coticed Or.
35. — Sir Augustin Sotherton of Taverham, Knt. He died May 24th, 1662, and was buried at Taverham.
Arms : Argent, a fesse gules, in chief 2 crescents of the last.
36.— John Buxton of Tibenham co. Norfolk, M.P. for Norfolk in 1656, and one of the secluded members in that Parliament. He was appointed High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1638, and was ordered to levy and collect the ship money.
His arms were, Argent, a lion rampant sable, tail erected and elevated over the head. As a com- pensation for the great losses sustained by him in the Civil Wars, Charles II. granted to the family a second coat of arms to be quartered with the original coat, viz., Sable, 2 bars argent on a canton of the second, a buck of the first attired Or.
37. — Francis Norris. One of those who refused to subscribe to the regaining of Newcastle. (See No. 15.) One of the first Aldermen of Norwich under the New Charter of 1663, Sheriff of Norwich in 1665, buried at St. Andrew's, Norwich, in August, 1666.
38. — Thomas Johnson, Sheriff of Norwich in 1651 : died in 1660.
39. — Thomas Le Gros, son of Sir Charles Le Gros of Crostwick Hall.
Arms : Quarterly, argent and azure on a bend over all sable 3 mullets Or.
40. — John Hovile. I cannot identify him, but he was probably of the Ho veils of Hillington.
41. — Richard Catlin, or Catlyn, was chosen one of the Members of
THE COMMONWEALTH. 221
Parliament for Norwich in 1640, and sat in the Long Parliament. He died in 1662.
Akms : Per chevron sable and Or, 3 leopards passant counterchanged, on a chief arg. 3 ronndlets.
42. — Suckling Jay of Holveston co. Norfolk. Died in 1677, set 74. Buried in St. Andrew's, Norwich.
Arms : Gules, on a bend engrailed argent 3 roses of the field.
43.— Robert Suckling of Woodton, High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1661. His will was proved at Norwich July 4th, 1689 : he is called Colonel Suckling.
Arms : Per pale gules and azure, 3 bucks trippant Or.
44. — Samuel Smith, Recorder of Norwich in 1648.
45. — Robert Holmes, Sheriff of Norwich in 1646. Buried at St. Andrew's, Norwich, in 1662.
A. W. Morant, Esq., F.S.A., communicated the above memorial and notices of the subscribers to " Original Papers " in Norfolk Archaeology, vol. vii., part 4.
In the eighteenth year of the reign of James I., the High Sheriff of Norfolk was Sir Thomas Hyrne of Heveringland, who by his wife Sibilla was father of Clement Hyrne, who married two wives. The first was Ann, daughter and heiress of John Turston of Hoxne in Suffolk, and Mary, daughter of Sir John Knevet. By Ann he had a son Thomas Hyrne, who left by Ann his wife, daughter and co-heiress of William Hobart of Thwayte, relict of Nicholas Bacon, son of Sir Robert Bacon, Clement his son and heir, who married Frances, daughter of Henry Fairfax, Lord Vis- count Fairfax, of Gilling in Yorkshire, and died September 17th, 1694, aged 84. This Hyrne his son and heir succeeded, and married the Lady Charlotte Paston, daughter of William Paston, Earl of Yarmouth, by whom he left a son, Paston Hyrne of Heveringland. He succeeded to the estate on the death of his father, October 30th, 1736. This Paston Hyrne was a gentleman greatly esteemed ; he had a fine person and a commanding address, which made him distinguished in all companies. As he was much admired, the first families in the county courted his friendship. He was a good magistrate and had pleasing manners in administering justice.
At sixty years of age, he accepted a commission of Captain in "the Norfolk Militia, commanded by the Earl of Orford, by whom he was much respected, and in the memorable year of 1759 he marched at the head of his company to Portsmouth in the prospect of a French invasion and was lodged in the governor's house. He was ill at that time and did not long survive, dying in 1762, universally lamented.
CHAPTEK XVIII.
NARRATIVE OF EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
SECOND HALF.
<^FHE Eestoration of the Monarchy in England was desired by all \t^ parties in the State, after the failure of the Commonwealth, as the only means of obtaining a settled form of government and putting an end to the fierce contentions of rival factions ready to devour each other. Presbyterians and Independents had had their full swing politically, for ten yeara, and they were now equally hated by the people. Puritans of all sects when they wielded the supreme power in the State, proved by their dissensions how unfit they were to carry on the civil government of the country.
REIGN OP CHAELES II., "1660 TO 1685.
The restoration of monarchy and episcopacy in 1660 appears to have been hailed with gladness by all the inhabitants of the Eastern Counties, especially by those in the towns of Ipswich, Norwich, Bury, and other places. Immediately after Charles II. ascended the throne, the Corpora- tion of Ipswich granted him £300 out of their revenue, and in addition to this gift the inhabitants raised a voluntary subscription. The graceful, but gay and extravagant, monarch granted the town a new charter.
Sir Richard Bedingfield, of Oxburgh, Norfolk, was created a baronet January 2nd, 1660.
On May 25th the King arrived at Dover, and on the 29th, which was his birthday, he arrived at Whitehall. Two days after he received the House of Commons in the Banquetting House at Whitehall, when Sir Harbottle Grimston, a member for Essex, delivered a fulsome speech com- mencing as follows : " Most gracious and dear Sovereign, if all the reason and eloquence that is dispensed in so many heads and tongues as are in the whole world were conveyed into my brain and united in my tongue,
EVENTS IN THE' SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 223
yet should I want sufficiency to discharge the great task I am now enjoined. The restitution of your Majesty * * * hath been * * * brought to pass by a miraculous way of Divine Providence beyond and above the reach of our understandings, and therefore to be admired, impossible to be expressed, &c. We doubt not but that your name is registered in the records of heaven, to have a glorious place in the highest form among those glorious martyrs of whom it is reported that through faith in Christ and patience in their sufferings they converted their very tormentors * * * they had their ' vicisti/ and that deservedly ; but your Majesty must have a treble ' vicisti ' * * * for you have overcome and conquered the hearts of all your people in the three great nations," &c, &c.
The Parliament known as the Convention Parliament, which voted the Restoration, sat to the close of the year 1660. Matters of considerable moment occupied their attention ; the principal were the settlement of the revenue, the disbanding of the army, the question of indemnity to those liable to punishment, the restitution of the property of the Crown and Church, and the subject of religion. The obsequious Parliament granted the King the duties of tonnage and poundage for life, and in lieu of the emoluments arising out of the old system of military tenures which were abolished, an excise duty on beer was imposed. The army was paid all the arrears due to it, and all the soldiers except two regiments of foot were discharged.
Charles II. promised liberty to tender consciences, and at first appear- ances were much in favour of his sincerity. Several of the leading Pres- byterians were promoted by him, and among them Edmund Calamy, of Essex. The King, however, soon issued a declaration, from which it was evident that his promise could not be relied ou. He had pledged himself to the speedy convocation of a conference, but in the declaration he announced his determination to postpone it for the present, and at length it appeared that no concessions were ever intended to be made to the Nonconformists.
On May 8th, 1661, a new Parliament assembled, of such intense loyalty that several years of mal-administration and Court profligacy elapsed before its confidence in the King was entirely destroyed. It earned for itself the odious distinction of the " Pensionary Parliament." The mem- bers for Essex were Sir Benjamin Ayloff and John Bramstone; for Colchester, Sir Harbottle Grimstone and John Shaw ; for Maldon, Sir John Tyrrell and Sir Richard Wiseman ; and for Harwich, Capel Lukin and Henry Wright. The Commons chose for their Speaker Edward Turner, of Little Parndon, who, if possible, outdid Grimstone in fulsome adulation of the profligate King.
224 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
This Parliament voted that every member should take the sacrament according to the forms of the English Church (May 17th) ; and in a few months they passed the Corporation Act, by which it was enacted that all persons holding any civil office in Corporations should renounce the solemn league and covenant, should take the sacrament according to the rites of the Church of England, and should abjure the traitorous doctrine that arms might be taken up by the King's authority against himself or his officers.
Parliament re-assembled on January 10th, 1662, and by the 19th of April the Act of Uniformity had received the Royal assent. It was now the law of the land that every clergyman who had any benefice should read the Book of Common Prayer publicly before the congregation every morning and every evening. As the altered Book of Common Prayer was only published eight days before the Act came into operation, it was impossible that it could have been seen by multitudes of men who were required to subscribe to it ; but notwithstanding this, the Act was stringently enforced, and to the honour of the Church hundreds resigned their livings rather than violate their consciences. The triumph of the Prelatists was almost complete. What with those ministers who had been ejected under the Act of 1660, and the greater number who were either silenced or ejected now, but few of their antagonists remained. The sufferers from these proceedings have been variously computed. Calamy mentions 2188, Palmer gives a list of 2196 ; but Cotton Mather says they amounted to 2500, adding that the persecutions caused the untimely death of 3000 Nonconformists, and the ruin of 60,000 families within twenty-five years.
Many of the ejected ministers were in Essex and the Eastern Counties. It was a fearful time of trial, second only to the reign of Mary. Outside the pale of the establishment, the Nonconformists soon escaped a world of prejudices which had painfully entangled them before, and mingling now with others, who throughout the struggle in which they had been worsted had displayed a heroism even greater than their own, they bore no humble part in rearing up that noble edifice of religious liberty which has since become the glory and bulwark of their country and the admiration of the world.
After the Restoration, in consequence of the havoc which the Parlia- ment and the Puritans had made with the Palaces, Charles II. cast his eyes upon Audley End, near Saffron Walden, and shortly after it became a Royal residence. The King visited the house while in treaty for its purchase, and the Corporation of the town presented him with a silver cup filled with saffron at the charge of £20. In 1668, the Queen and the Court were at this palace, and on October 11th the King attended Walden
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTUKY. 225
Church. The conveyance of the house was executed on May 8th, 1GG9. The purchase money was £50,000, of which the sum of £30,000 was paid down.
On May 29th, 1660, the restoration of the monarchy was celebrated at Yarmouth with great rejoicings, notwithstanding the decided part which the townsmen had taken in behalf of the Parliament. The annual fee- farm, which they had purchased of the Parliament, and the arrears due thereon, were dutifully delivered up to his Majesty. It was also ordered that a former grant of the High Stewardship of the Borough made to Henry Cromwell, Esq., be discharged, and his name erased from the records of the town.
In September, 1660, the Mayor of Norwich, Joseph Payne, Esq., with divers persons of quality, presented his Majesty Charles II. with the resignation of the fee-farm rents of the city, amounting to £132 18s. 3d. yearly; and also with £1000 in gold on his accession to the throne, in testimony of their loyalty. His Majesty gave them a gracious reception, conferred the honour of knighthood on the Mayor and Thomas Rant, Esq., one of the members for the city, gave the honour of his hand to all the company, and promised his constant favour and protection to Norwich.
Shortly after the Restoration, in 1663, the form of local government in Norwich was settled on the foundation on which it remained till the Municipal Act of 1835. Under the charter of Charles II., the mayor, recorder, and steward for the time being, with all such aldermen as had been mayor, were made justices of the' peace in the city and county, and in their respective wards the election of sheriffs and aldermen was regu- lated, and the power of making laws for the better regulation and holding of courts of equity and pleas was conceded. The citizens were at the same time incorporated with the usual corporate powers.
On June 3rd; t1665, one of the most sanguinary naval engagements during the war with Holland took place off Lowestoft, and continued from three a.m. to seven p.m. The British fleet was commanded by the Duke of York, who hoisted his flag in the Royal Charles, and the Dutch fleet by Admiral Opdam. The British fleet consisted of fourteen men-of- war and twenty-eight fire-ships; the Dutch fleet of 102 men-of-war, with seventeen yachts and fire-ships. About noon the Dutch Admiral's ship blew up, he and 500 men perishing in the explosion. Victory then declared on the side of the British, but the enemy made good his retreat, leaving eighteen sail in the possession of the victors, besides fourteen sunk, and others blown up or burnt. About 4000 men of the enemy were killed, and 2000 taken prisoners. The English lost only one ship and 250 men. The wTounded did not exceed 350 men. In this
engagement three natives of Lowestoft greatly distinguished themselves, VOL. II. . q
226 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
namely, Admiral Allen, Admiral Utber, and his son Captain Utber. Lowestoft has given birth to several other naval commanders, whose wisdom, conduct, and gallantry have adorned the annals of their country, and cast a lustre on the place of their nativity.
In 1665 the plague again made its appearance in Norwich, and made dreadful ravages, carrying off 2,251 persons in a short time. During its continuance, at the instance of the county magistrates, the market was held in the Town t/lose, and the city was not quite clear of the disease till the end of 1667. The Bishop then ordered September 19th to be observed as a day of general thanksgiving to God for his great mercy in stopping the pestilence. All quite right and proper ; but had there been more cleansing as well as praying, the city might not have suffered so severely.
In the reign of Charles II. we find that " Weavers' Hall " is mentioned in the annals of Norwich ; and though the King taxed the manufacturers, the Norwich trade flourished ; for in 1681 Sir John Child declared that " such a trade there is and hath been for the woollen manufactures as England never knew in any age " before. This trade arose entirely from the industry of the skilful foreign refugees who had been driven out of the city in the former reign.
On September 28th, 1671, the King, Queen, and Dukes of York, Monmouth, and Buckingham, with many other nobles, entered the city of Norwich, being met at Trowse Bridge by the Mayor, Sheriff, Aldermen, and Common Council, Livery and Militia, new clothed in red, and by them conducted to the Duke's Palace, where they lodged and were magnificently entertained by the Lord Henry Howard, afterwards created Duke of Norfolk. The next day the King attended Divine Service at the Cathedral, and was sung into the church, with an anthem, as if he were such a pious monarch, and when he had ended his devotions at the east end of the church, where he kneeled on the hard stone, he went to the Bishop's Palace and was there nobly entertained. Then returning through the church he took coach at the west door and drove up to the Guildhall, where, standing on the balcony, he shewed himself to the people and surveyed the trained bands, drawn up in the Market Place, whence descending he rode to the New Hall (St. Andrew's Hall), where a banquet was provided by the city at a cost of £900. While there his Majesty knighted Dr. Thomas Browne, son of John Browne of London, a gentleman descended from a good family.
The Merry Monarch then proceeded to Blickling Hall, where he knighted Mr. Hobart, the eldest son of Sir John Hobart, who was then about thirteen years old. On the same evening the King rode to Oxnead, and lodged there with Sir Eobert Paston. But the Queen returned to
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 227
Norwich to the Duke's Palace, and then rode to Lord Arlington's, at Euston, in Suffolk.
In the act for raising his Majesty £1,238,750, the county of Norfolk paid £3370 12s., and the city of Norwich £180.
On October 14th, 1671, Charles II. honoured Cambridge with a visit, and again September 27th, 1681.
In 1671 the King visited Yarmouth, accompanied by the Duke of York and a numerous retinue. The Corporation presented his Majesty with four golden herrings and a chain of £250 value. Highly pleased with his reception, the King, in return for these marks of loyalty, knighted three gentlemen of the town.
Lord Macaulay, in his graphic ' ' History of England," thus describes the flourishing state of Norwich in the reign of Charles II. : —
" Norwich was the capital of a large and fruitful province. It was the residence of a bisbop and of a chapter. It was the seat of the manufacture of the realm. Some even distinguished by learning and science had recently dwelt there, and no place in the kingdom, except the capital and the Universities, had more attractions to the curious. The Libraiy, the Museum, the aviary and the botanical gardens of Sir Thomas Browne, were thought by the Fellows of the Eoyal Society well worthy of a long pilgrimage. Norwich had also a court in miniature. In the heart of the city stood the old palace of the Duke of Norfolk, said to be the largest town house in the kingdom out of London. In this mansion, to which were annexed a tennis court, a bowling green, and a wilderness extending along the banks of the Wensum, the noble family of Howard frequently resided. Drink was served to the guests in goblets of pure gold ; the very shovels were of silver ; pictures of Italian masters adorned the walls ; the cabinets were filled with a fine collection of gems purchased by the Earl of Arundel, whose marbles are now among the ornaments of Oxford. Here, in the year 1671, Charles II. and his court were sumptuously entertained; here, too, all comers were annually welcomed from Christmas to Twelfth- night; ale flowed in oceans for the populace. Three coaches, one of which had been built at a cost of £500, to contain fourteen persons, wero sent every afternoon round the city to bring ladies to the festivities, and the dances were always followed by a luxurious banquet. When the Duke of Norfolk came to Norwich he was greeted like a King returning to his capital ; the bells of St. Peter's Mancroft were rung, the guns of the Castle were fired, and the Mayor and aldermen waited on their illustrious citizen with complimentary addresses."
The Duke's Palace was a large quadrangular building, now demolished, near the Free Library, and its site is now covered by modern buildings ; but the largest room of the Museum is supposed to have been the chapel
228 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
attached to the palace. If so, the chapel must have been much altered. The palace was purchased by the Duke of Norfolk in the sixteenth century, and in 1602 Henry Duke of Norfolk rebuilt it on a larger and more splendid plan ; but his grandson defaced it, owing to a surly Mayor refusing to allow his company of comedians to enter the city with trumpets, &c.
In 1672 a sanguinary naval engagement took place in South wold Bay, between the combined fleets of England and France on one side and that of the Dutch on the other. The British fleet was commanded by the Duke of York, afterwards James II. The combatants were parted in the darkness of the night, during which the Dutch withdrew their shattered fleet, which the British, being equally shattered, were unable to pursue. The Dutch lost only three ships of war — one burnt, another sunk, and a third captured. Their loss in men was great, but never published. The French sheered off in the middle of the action, and left the English and the Dutch to fight it out.
An Act was passed in the 13th and 14th of Charles II., c. 12, which was certainly a great infringement of Magna Charta and the liberty of the subject; for it allowed justices of the peace in all England to remove all intruders from any parish within forty days, unless they occupied a tenement of the annual value of £10. Hence a laborer was generally compelled to remain at the place of his birth, however deficient the employment might be. By this Act a person acquired a legal settle- ment in a parish by birth or by occupation, apprenticeship or service of forty days, but it was rarely gained in the three last cases, owing to the power conferred on the magistrates, who had an interest in pre- venting settlements of the poor in their parishes.
In the sixteenth of Charles II. Sir Robert Paston brought a Bill into the House of Commons on behalf of himself and the men of Gorleston for the incorporation of that place with the town of Yarmouth ; but in con- "sequence of the opposition of that town, the incorporation was delayed for four years, when the burgesses thought proper to make a virtue of necessity and settled the terms of their incorporation with Sir Robert Paston, when the, two places were incorporated. In the thirty-sixth of the same reign a new charter was granted to Yarmouth, confirming the incorporation, which remains to this day.
As soon as Gorleston was entitled to the same privileges as Yarmouth, Sir Robert Paston had printed proposals circulated throughout the king- dom for building a new town on the west side of the haven, and be obtained maps and plans of the intended town with models of the houses. He enlarged on the convenience of the situation, and the advantages that were likely to be gained by the inhabitants. But all this display of
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 229
probable benefit from the project did not attract people to promote it, and no new houses were built at that time.
In the same year, the 36th Charles II., the burgesses of Yarmouth, at an assembly held on March 21st, passed a resolution to surrender to that King all their charters, &c, as a ratification of their professions of loyalty to him, and to wipe away the stain of their former attachment to the Parliament. This, however, was not done without the " tender of their most humble duty to his Majesty, and assurance of their steadfast resolu- tion to serve his Majesty with their lives and fortunes, humbly praying his Majesty that he would vouchsafe to re-grant them such liberties, privileges, and franchises, as to him in his princely goodness should seem fit." This surrender had the desired effect, and a new charter, again incorporating Great and Little Yarmouth, confirming their old privileges, and investing them with new ones, was granted accordingly. By this charter the style of the corporation was changed from bailiffs, &c, to that of " the mayor, aldermen, burgesses, and commonalty of the burgh of Great Yarmouth."
On March 10th, 1681, James Duke of York, on his return from Scotland to London, having landed at Yarmouth, visited Norwich, being met on his way to the Bishop's Palace at Bishopsgate, and a speech delivered in his honour by the steward. His Royal Highness afterwards dined at St. Andrew's, then called the New Hall. That Prince was, partly on account of his religion, and partly on account of the sternness and harshness of his nature, so unpopular that it had been thought necessary to keep him out of sight while the Exclusion Bill was before Parliament, lest his public appearance should give an advantage to the party which was struggling to deprive him of his birthright. He had therefore been sent to govern Scotland, where the savage old tyrant Lauderdale was sinking into the grave. The citizens of Norwich little knew the character of the Prince whom they entertained, and whom as King they assisted to depose.
In the twenty-first of Charles II. the town of East Dereham was almost destroyed by fire, and five persons were then burned, many horses and cattle, and 170 houses were consumed, fche loss by which was estimated at £11,020, besides goods and merchandise £8,423, the whole amounting to £19,443. The houses at that time were nearly all of timber, with thatched roofs.
In 1682, a company of French people residing at Ipswich by the King's permission for some time, hearing that the (weaving) trade was better at Norwich, removed thither, agreeing with Mr. Phillippo, who hired them a large house outside of Pockthorpe gates, which would contain many families. But the inhabitants of the locality, assembling in great numbers, swore solemnly that if the French could find no other quarters, they the
230 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Pocktorians would certainly pull down the house, upon which the mayor and magistrates went to dissuade them from their purpose. But nothing would do, for they were resolved to rid the street of them that very night. After an execution, which took place in the city, the Pocktorians went in a body to the Market Cross, and there declared that the French people were come to underwork them, and therefore they would clear the city of them. The disturbance increased till the sheriffs were obliged to send the trained bands and set a guard at Mr. Phillippo's house, before they could quell the rioters.
In 1684, Charles II. granted a. charter to the people of Yarmouth, incorporating them by the name of the mayor, aldermen, burgesses, &c, of the borough. The Corporation was to consist of a mayor, eighteen aldermen, and thirty-six councillors. This form of government continued only a short time, for in the next reign a general proclamation restored the ancient system. In the reign of Queen Anne a new charter was granted to the town, restoring the mayor, aldermen, and councillors as before, and in that form continued till 1835.
Charles II. created an order of Knights of the Royal Oak, intended as a reward to several of his followers, and the knights of it were to wear a silver medal with a device of the King in the oak pendant to a ribbon about their necks ; but it was thought proper to lay it aside, lest it might create animosity. About twenty gentlemen in Norfolk were made knights of this order, including William Paston, Esq., of Paston ; Sir Charles Waldegrave, of Stanninghall ; Chris. Bedingfield, Esq., of Wighton ; Robert Wright, Esq., Thomas Wright, Esq., John Windham, Esq., of Felbrigg ; John Coke, Esq., John Nabbes, Esq., Captain Henry Steward, Chris. Jay, Esq., Sir Joseph Payne, Knt., of Norwich; John Hobart, Esq., of Blickling; John Kendal, Esq., of Thetford; Sir Thomas Meddowe, Knt., of Yarmouth ; Richard Nixon, Esq., Thomas Jarrard, Esq., of Longford ; Osborne Clarke, Esq., Valentine Saunders, Esq., John Tasburgh, Esq., Lawrence Oxbrow, Esq., of Hackbech Hall in Emneth. All these gentlemen possessed landed estates, valued from £600 to £3,500 yearly. Sir William Windham's estate at Felbrigg was valued at the highest sum — £3,500.
The reign of Charles II. was remarkable for the shameless disregard of the sanctities of religion, as well as for its flagrant and open profligacy. Lord Macaulay says " the restored Church contended against the prevail- ing immorality, but contended feebly and with half a heart. It was necessary to the decorum of her character that she should admonish her erring children. But her admonitions were given in a somewhat perfunc- tory manner. Her attention was elsewhere engaged. Her whole soul was engaged in the work of crushing the Puritans, and of teaching her
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 231
disciples to give unto Caesar the things which were Cassar's. She had been pillaged and oppressed by the party which preached an austere morality. She had been restored to opulence and honour by libertines. Little as the men of mirth and fashion were disposed to shape their lives according to her precepts, they were yet ready to fight knee deep in blood for her cathedrals and palaces, for every line of her rubric and every thread of her vestments. If the debauched cavalier haunted gaming houses and places of ill fame, he at least avoided conventicles ."
Erasmus Earle, of the family of Earle, who once held Heydon, in Nor- folk, was baptised in 1590, sent early to Norwich Grammar School, and afterwards admitted of Lincoln's Inn. He became one of the most able lawyers of his time. He was with Thurloe made secretary for the English at the treaty of Uxbridge, and after serving many offices in Norwich, was chosen member during the Long Parliament. He was appointed Serjeant to Oliver Cromwell, and afterwards to his son Richard. Receiving the King's pardon at the Restoration, he filled the same office under the Monarchy. He bought the manors of Sail, Cawston, and Heydon ; and died in 1667.
Sir Thomas Browne flourished in Norwich as a physician during the reign of Charles I., and he steadily adhered to the Royal cause in perilous times. He was one of the 432 principal citizens who in 1643 refused to subscribe towards a fund for regaining the town of Newcastle. Charles II. was not likely to have been ignorant of this, and he had no doubt the good feeling to express his- sense of it by conferring the honour of knighthood, which was no doubt gratifying to the distinguished citizen.
Charles II. created the following baronets of Norfolk, now extinct :—
Ward, of Bixley, December 19, 1660.
Bacon, of Gillingham, February 7, 1661.
Dereham, of West Dereham, June 8, 1661.
Bickley, of Attleburgh, September 3, 1661.
Gerhard, of Langford, August 16, 1662.
Cooke, of Broom Hall, June 29, 1663.
Gandy, of West Harling, July 13, 1663.
D'Oyley, of Shottisham, July 29, 1663.
Bateman, of Stow Hall, August 31, 1664.
Glean, of Hard wick, March 6, 1665.
Robinson, of Dereham Grange.
In the reign of Charles II. the following knights of the shire repre- sented Norfolk in Parliament : —
1660. — Sir Horatio Townshend, Bart., Rainham (created a baron in 1661) ; Thomas Lord Richardson, Honingham.
232 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
1661. — Thomas Lord Richardson, Honingham ; Sir Ralph Hare, Bart., Stow Bardolph.
1668. — Sir John Hobart, Bart., Blickling ;, Sir Robert Kempe, Bart., Gissing.
1670. — Sir John Hobart, Bart., Blickling; Sir Nevile Catelyn, Kirby Cane.
1672. — Sir Jacob Astley, Bart., Melton Constable; Sir Peter Gleane, Bart., Hardwick.
1676. — Sir John Hobart, Bart., Blickling; Sir Peter Gleane, Bart., Hard wick.
1678. — Sir John Hobart, Bart., Blickling ; Sir Nevile Catelyn, Kirby Cane.
1679. — Sir John Hobart, Bart., Blickling ; Sir Peter Gleane, Bart., Hardwick.
1681. — The same two members.
Jeremy Taylor, the illustrious ornament of the English Church, was born at Cambridge in 1613. After he had finished the clerical course of education as a sizar or poor scholar at Caius College, he was admitted to holy orders before the age of twenty-one, and was soon greatly distin- guished by the power and eloquence of his discourses. His " Discourse on the Liberty of Prophesying " was published in 1647, and was season- able in an age of intolerance. His "Rule and Exercises of Holy Living" appeared in 1650, and his "Rule and Exercises of Holy Dying" in 1651. His next important work, " The Great Exemplar," appeared in 1653, and speedily obtained general approval. This was succeeded within two years hy a "Treatise against Transubstantiation," and afterwards he wrote several other tracts.
After the Restoration in 1660, he published his elaborate and remark- able work entitled " Ductor Dubitantium ; or, the Rule of Conscience in all her General Measures." In the same year he was promoted to the Bishopric of Down and Connor. Being now in Ireland, where the Romish Church had complete predominance, he published a " Dissuasive from Popery " in 1663, and in consequence of the answers that appeared to it, he prepared a second part, which he did not live to see in print. He died in 1667, and though he had written so much and so well, he was only fifty-four years of age. His " Holy Living " and "Holy Dying" will long continue to occupy a high place in English literature.
Richard Corbet, Bishop of Norwich, an excellent poet, was the son of Mr. Vincent Corbet, and was born at Ewell, in Surrey, in 1582. He was first educated in Westminster School, and afterwards admitted a student of Christ Church, Oxford. In 1605 he proceeded Master of Arts, being then esteemed one of the most celebrated wits in the University ;
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 233
afterwards, entering into holy orders, he became eminent as a preacher, and his talents attracted the notice of King James, who made him his chaplain, and in 162Q promoted him to the Deanery of Christ Church. He was at this time Doctor of Divinity, senior student of Christ Church, vicar of Cassington, near Woodstock in Oxfordshire, and Prebend of Bedminster Secunda, in the Cathedral Church of Salisbury. He was elected Bishop of Oxford in I 629, and translated to the see of Norwich in 1632 ; but enjoyed this last dignity for three years only, dying in 1635. He was buried in his Cathedral Church, near the founder's tomb.
Bishop Corbet is characterised as a very hospitable man, and a great promoter of public designs. At the repair of St. Paul's Cathedral, in 1634, he contributed largely to that work himself, and furnished several of his poorer clergy with money, that by their subscriptions they might stimulate the benevolence of their richer brethren. With respect to his merit as a poet, it is to be remarked that his works were written whilst he was young, and were not by him intended for publication. A collection of them, under the title of " Poetica Stromata," was first published in 1647, and another edition, with some additions, in 1672. As specimens of his talent, both at panegyric and satire, we shall subjoin parts of two poems — the first of which, " An Elegy on William Howard, Baron of Effingham/' was written shortly after the death of that nobleman : —
" I am angry when a name
Conies to upbraid the world, like Effingham ;
iSTor was it modest in thee to depart
To thy eternal home, where now thou art,
'Ere thy reproach was ready ; or to die
'Ere custom, had prepared thy calumny.
Eight days are past since thou has paid thy debt
To sin, and not a libel stirring yet ;
Courtiers, that scoff by patent, silent sit,
And have no use of slander or of wit.
But which is monstrous, tho' against the tide,
The watermen have neither rail'd nor ly'd.
Of good or bad, there's no distinction known ;
For in thy praise the good and bad are one." The other is from his verses upon Mrs. Mallett, an unhandsome gentle- woman that made love to him :
" Have I renounced my faith, or basely sold
Salvation or my loyalty for gold I
Have I some foreign practice undertook,
By poison, shot, sharp knife, or sharper look,
To kill my King I Have I betray'd the State
To fire or fury, or some newer fate ;
234 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
Which, learned murth'rers, those grand destinies
The Jesuits have nurs'd ! If of all these
I guilty am, proceed, I am content
That Mallet take me for my punishment,
For never sin was of so high a rate,
But one night's hell with her might expiate."
Edward Reynolds, D.D., was elected Bishop of Norwich at the Restora- tion, and consecrated January 6th, 1660. He had been previously Dean of Christ's Church, Oxford, and Rector of St. Lawrence, London, where he was esteemed a very popular preacher, and had great interest, being a zealous Presbyterian, one who had preached against episcopacy. He repaired the Bishop's Palace (which owing to the devastations of the rebels was in a ruinous state), and pulling down the old chapel, built the present elegant structure near the east end of the palace, where a monument remains to his memory. He died July 28th, 1676.
Anthony Sparrow, D.D., was elected Bishop of Norwich in 1676. He was previously Master of Queen's College, Cambridge, Archdeacon of Sudbury and Prebendary of Ely. He was consecrated to the see of Exeter in 1667, and having sat there nine years he was translated to Norwich. He ruled the diocese eight years, and died May 19th, 1685, and was buried in the Bishop's Chapel, where a monument remains to his memory on the north side of the communion table.
Thomas Shadwell was born in 1640 in Norfolk, and educated in Caius and Gonvile College, Cambridge, from whence he removed to the Middle Temple in London to study the law of England, but not liking so laborious a profession, he went abroad, and spent several years in Italy and France. Upon his return to England, he became acquainted with some of the most celebrated wits at the dissolute Court of Charles II., and commenced as a writer for the stage.
REIGN OP JAMES II., 1685 to 1688.
James was the brother of the previous King. He was born at St. James', London, October 15th, 1633. He espoused first Anne Hyde, daughter of Lord Chancellor Clarendon ; and second Mary d'Este, sister of the Duke of Modena. His children were Mary and Anne, who suc- cessively ascended the throne, also James, known as the Old Pretender, and four sons and five daughters who died young. He had many illegiti- mate children.
James assembled the Privy Council on the day of his brother's death, and addressed them in a short speech, in which he declared that though he had been reported to be a man fond of arbitrary power, yet he should endeavour to preserve the Government both in Church and State as
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 235
established by law ; and that while he would never depart from the just rights and prerogatives of the Crown, so he would never invade any man's property. This declaration was published at the request of the Council ; and it was received with enthusiastic applause by most of the loyal people.
The value of these professions, however, was diminished in the opinion of many persons, by a proclamation which he issued that it was his will and pleasure that the customs should be levied as usual ; nor would he accept the advice of the Lord-Keeper Guildford that these moneys should be set apart till Parliament should meet. He also gave offence by attend- ing in all the dignity of state the celebration of mass. In less than a month the Romanists were swarming at Court with greater confidence than ever they had been seen since the Reformation.
Before the meeting of the new Parliament the King issued a proclama- tion that all persons who had been committed to prison for refusing the oaths of supremacy and allegiance should be discharged. Though some historians insinuate that this was a measure of general toleration, in effect, the only parties who benefited by it were the Quakers and Romanists, for the other Dissenters who were imprisoned for breaches of the Five Mile Act and Conventicle Act were not released. James continued to persecute the Puritans as far as his power extended, till the course of events induced him to form the design of uniting both Puritans and Papists in a coalition against the Established Church.
The representatives of Norfolk in the new Parliament (1685) were Sir Jacob Astley, Bart., Melton Constable, and Sir Thomas Hare, Bart., Stow Bardolph, and they with the representatives of the other Eastern Counties were not generally opposed to the arbitrary proceedings of the King. When the Parliament assembled (May 19 th), it became apparent that a great majority of the members would be likely to support the Crown ; indeed, the King said that there were not more than forty who were in any way objectionable. If James had shown himself friendly to the Established Church, the members of Parliament would have been quite ready to aid him in augmenting the Royal prerogative and in compromising the liberties of the people ; but he had set his heart on the repeal of the penal laws against the Roman Catholics and of the Habeas Corpus Act ; and he thus awakened the suspicions of many who were otherwise devoted to his interests. In their first session, however, they unanimously voted a revenue of £1,200,000 for life, and confined themselves to strong- expressions of their attachment to the Established Church. The King soon after employed some Roman Catholics in the army without taking the Test, and as he had experienced the benefit of their services in time of danger, he would not expose them to disgrace. The King told the
236 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Parliament he had done so (Nov. 9th, 1685), and he thus acknowledged that he had virtually abrogated the Test Act. His proposition to keep up a standing army was indirectly rejected, and so strong was the opposition to the employment of Eomanist officers that the Commons presented an address in which they reminded him that he could not legally avail himself of the services of those -who refused to take the oath, and begged him to give such instructions as might allay the fears of his subjects. After a debate in the House of Lords on the King's conduct, the Parliament was dissolved, and so ended the first act of the drama of the Revolution.
The Revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis (October, 1685) strongly aroused the minds of the people of England, and should have led James to adopt moderate counsels, but he rejected the prudent advice of Clarendon, Rochester, and others of his Protestant Ministers, and confided entirely in the Earl of Sunderland and other Romanist advisers. He determined to obtain a judicial decision in favour of the dispensing power : that is, of his right to grant dispensations to persons whom he wished to employ in ecclesiastical and other offices contrary to the Act of Uniformity and the Test Act. As four of the Judges when privately questioned about it proved refractory, they were removed, and more servile lawyers appointed in their stead.
Near the close of the year 1686, the King appointed a Roman Catholic to the deanery of Christchurch, although none but a member of the Church of England was legally eligible to fill such an office. In February, 1687, he sent a Royal letter to Cambridge, directing that Alban Francis, a Benedictine Monk, should be admitted to the degree of Master of Arts. Pechel, the Vice- Chancellor, refused to violate the laws by admitting him without taking the oath ; and on that account was summoned before the ecclesiastical commission, which deprived him of his office, and sus- pended him from the enjoyment of his emoluments as master of Magdalen College.
All means were taken to promote the advance of Romanist opinions. The Court officials who continued Protestants were removed gradually; and Popish priests were introduced into the camp to convert the soldiers to "the pure faith." The Romanist worship was openly conducted in the capital, and several monasteries were established. A few men of no religious persuasion supported the church, and could not be perverted. They, as useful tools, were not removed, but Rochester, who remained faithful to the King was dismissed from his office because he would not apostatise. Thus ended the second act of the drama of the Revolution. It showed that the King was resolved to remove all Protestants from office, and establish a Roman Catholic government which the people abhorred.
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 237
He soon began to show that he was a Roman Catholic, and that he intended to restore the Roman Catholic Church as of old in this country. He attempted to rule the country without Parliament, and failing in that, he tried to pack the Parliament with his own creatures. He interfered with all Corporations, and by his mandate nineteen members of the council and ten aldermen were turned out in Norwich.
In 1667 the King suspended all the penal laws in reference to religion, and gave full and free liberty to all Roman Catholics and sectaries to worship God in their own way. The Roman Catholics who had been before prevented from worshipping publicly, had 'a granary over the sealing hall in Norwich, granted to them for their public chapels. This excited the indignation of the more intolerant of the lower orders in the city, and caused a riot next year.
The Act of Revocation of the Edict of Nantes was published on Octo- ber 22nd, 1685. It was the death knell of the Huguenots, or French Protestants. It involved the demolition of all Protestant chapels or churches in France, the entire proscription of the Protestant faith, the prohibition of even private worship under penalty of confiscation of property, the banishment of all Protestant pastors from France within fifteen days, the punishment of the galleys for life to all men who attempted to escape from France, and the imprisonment of all women. But numbers of them did escape, and fled to England, and settled in the Eastern and other counties.
James II. pretended to disapprove of the cruelties to which the Huguenots had been subjected ; and in deference to public opinion ho granted some relief to the exiles from his privy purse, inviting his subjects to imitate his liberality by making a public collection for them in the churches throughout the kingdom. His acts, however, speedily belied his words, for when the public collection was made in the churches, and £40,000 paid into the Chamber of London, he gave orders that none should receive a farthing of relief unless they first took the sacrament according to the Anglican ritual. Many went away unrelieved with sad hearts.
Of the half -million of French subjects who were driven into exile by the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, more than 120,000 are believed to have taken refuge in England, and many of them in the eastern part of England. The refugees were of all ranks and Conditions — landed gentry, ministers of religion, soldiers and sailors, professional men, merchants, students, mechanics, and artisans. The greater number were Calvinists, and continued such ; others were Lutherans, who conformed to the English Church, and strengthened the Protestant cause. They offered a strenuous resistance to any attempt to revive Popery, or to being forced or dragooned into Popery.
238 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
There is little reason to doubt that the earnestness, eloquence, and learning of the more distinguished exiles for conscience' sake exercised a great influence on religion, politics, and literature, which continued to operate for a long time. They had places of worship in many towns. The French refugees who settled in Norwich worshipped in the old Church, then called the French Church, in that ancient city. Their descendants still live in Norwich. The Martineaus, so well known in English litera- ture, are descended from Gaston Martineau, a surgeon of Dieppe, who settled at Norwich in 1685.
A number of eminent men found places of refuge in the Eastern Counties, and some of them became the founders of county families. The Tyssens are now represented by W. G. Tyssen-Amhurst, Esq., of Didlington, Norfolk ; Jacques Hoste by Sir W. L. S. Hoste, Bart.; the Crusos of Norfolk fled from Hownescout, in Flanders. Jacques Boileau was Lord of Castlenau and St. Croix near Nismes, in the neighbourhood of which the persecution long raged so furiously. He was the father of a family of twenty -two children, and could not readily leave France at the Revocation ; but being known as a Protestant, and refusing to be converted, he was put in prison and died there. His son Charles fled, first into Holland, and afterwards into England, where he entered the army, obtained the rank of captain, and commanded a corps of French gentlemen under Marlborough at the battle of Blenheim. He afterwards settled as a wine merchant at Dublin, and was succeeded by his son. The family prospered ; and the great grandson was made a baronet, the late Sir John Boileau, Baronet, of Ketteringham, in Norfolk.
About 100,000 French manufacturers and workmen fled into England in consequence of the Eevocation of the Edict of Nantes. Most of them came from Normandy and Brittany, and many of them settled in London or other towns, where they introduced their manufactures. Many of them found their way to Norwich, where they carried on with great suc- cess the manufacture of lutestrings, brocades, paduasoys, tabinets, and velvets. The fifty years after the settlement of the French refugees in Norwich was the most prosperous period known in the history of the city. The trade of Norwich extended all over Europe, and thousands of well- paid operatives were employed.
The French refugees introduced the manufacture of crapes, which soon came into very general use for mourning. Subsequently large mills were built at Norwich and Yarmouth, and at Ditchingham, in Norfolk, for this manufacture. John Grout was then the principal partner in the firm of Grout and Co., but after the mills were built in Norwich, he having realised a fortune, retired from business. George Grout also retired before 1840. Messrs. Martin and Co. became the proprietors of the
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTUEY. 239
three mills, and after Mr. Martin died the firm comprised Messrs. Brown, Robison, and Hall, who still carry on a very large trade in crapes.
In 1688 the knights of the shire elected to serve in Parliament for Norfolk were : Sir William Cooke, Bart., of Broome ; Sir Henry Hobart, Bart., of Blickling, who sat in the Convention Parliament. They and all the other members resisted the attempts of James II. to subvert the actual Constitution. The principal of these illegal Acts were the levying of customs and other duties without the consent of Parliament, the violation of the Test Act in favour of Roman Catholics, the summary removal of those Judges who refused to act as his abject instruments, the establishment of a new High Commission Court, the violation of the rights of Municipal Corporations, &c, &c.
On July 25th, 1688, an order came down from the King to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of Norwich, to admit thirty Quaker freemen without taking the oaths ; but at the next assembly it was rejected. On October 20th of the same year came down a proclamation to restore Corporations to the same constitution as in 1679. The same year, December 1st, Henry Duke of Norfolk rode into the Market Place, Norwich, at the head of 300 knights and gentlemen, and declared for a free Parliament. The mayor and aldermen of the city met them and joined in the declaration.
James II. revoked the new charters of all the towns in England and put them on the same footing as before the reign of his father. But as the King soon after fled from the country with the Divine right of Kings to govern wrong, under his arm, the charters were again restored to the towns and continued in force. The towns of Ipswich, Norwich, Yarmouth, Lynn, Bury St. Edmund's were governed under their charters, which conferred all the rights of local government and taxation for local purposes.
The King publicly countenanced monks and Jesuits, sent an ambassador to Rome, and received a nuncio from the Pope, thus restoring Papal authority in this country. He commanded the clergy to read a new declaration of liberty of: conscience, and on some of the Bishops presenting a petition against it he caused them to be indicted for a seditious libel, but they were acquitted. These proceedings led to the union of both parties against his measures, and the nation looked for relief to William Prince of Orange, who had married Mary, the daughter of James, and who was a Protestant.
The Prince of Orange had meanwhile been diligently occupied amongst other things with the reorganisation of his army, and the influx of veteran officers and soldiers, banished from France on account of their religion, furnished him with every facility for the purpose. A large number of
240 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
French Protestant officers joined his standard, and were incorporated in the Dutch army, which thus included English, French, Germans, Dutch, Swedes, and Swiss, who came over the sea with the Prince who was the champion of civil and religious liberty.
That Prince landed at Torbay in Devonshire in November, 1688, and shortly after James II., finding himself entirely deserted, retired to France, where he was kindly received by the reigning King. Then followed the glorious revolution of 1688, the date of the British Constitution as essen- tially Protestant. The throne of England was declared vacant ; and it was resolved by the Lords and Commons in convention that the Prince and Princess of Orange should be King and Queen of England, that the sole regal power should be in the Prince, only in the name of both.
King William III. then ascended the throne ; the Convention became a Parliament ; the Bill of Eights and the Act of Settlement were passed, and general toleration established. In Scotland episcopacy was abolished, and the authority of the new King acknowledged there by all except the Highlanders, who still retained their allegiance to the House of Stuart. In the meantime James, having obtained assistance from the King of France, landed in Ireland, where he found great support from the Papists, and William went over to oppose him in person. James was defeated near the River Boyne in 1690, and again fled into France, where he died. England and Holland now became closely united against France, and in 1692 their fleets gained the celebrated victory of La Hogue. Queen Mary died in 1695, and in 1701 the succession to the English Crown, after Anne, Mary's sister, was settled upon Sophia of Hanover, grand- daughter of James I. The Jacobites, or partisans of the exiled James II., encouraged by France, engaged in several plots against William's authority, but they failed in all.
The Revolution was an accomplished fact. The decrees of the Conven- tion were everywhere received with submission. During fifty eventful years London had proved true to the cause of civil and religious liberty, and was now foremost in professing loyalty to the new sovereign. The example of London was followed by all the towns, but not by all the counties. The clergy of East Angiia and elsewhere did not take part in the general rejoicing. They had always preached the doctrine of non- resistance and passive obedience to the ruling powers. It was their favourite theme. Within a month there was a re-action of public feeling, and the old animosity broke out between the Whigs and the Tories. The Whigs were loud in their praise of the new sovereign, and were ready to support him to the uttermost with purse and sword against any foreign or domestic foes. The Tories began to express sympathy for the late King, who had first betrayed and then deserted his country. They complained
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 241
that he had been harshly treated ; and they plotted for his recall. Some of their leading men kept up a treasonable correspondence with the Court of St. Germains.
The Ee volution of 1688 was generally approved by the inhabitants of the Eastern Counties, who nearly all declared for King William III. In 1690, there was a great clamour against the non-juring Bishops in conse- quence of the circulation of a sham liturgy, and they were supposed to be the authors of prayers for James II. The deprived prelates were suspected not without some show of reason, for non- jurors were to a man the most zealous Episcopalians. One writer of a pamphlet which produced a great sensation expressed his wonder that the people had riot, when Tourville, the Admiral of the French fleet, was sailing victoriously in the Channel, Dewitted the non-juring prelates. Excited as the public mind then was, there was some danger that this suggestion might bring a furious mob to Lambeth. At Norwich, indeed, the people actually rose, attacked the palace which the Bishop was still suffered to occupy, and would have pulled it down but for the timely arrival of the train bands. This appears from a letter of Lloyd, then Bishop of Norwich, to Sancroft, in the Tanner MSS. The Government very properly instituted criminal pro- ceedings against the author of the pamphlet which produced such an alarming breach of the peace.
The deprived prelates meanwhile put forth a defence of their conduct. In this document they declared, with all solemnity and as in the presence of God, that they had no hand in the new liturgy, that they knew not who had framed it, that they had never used it, that they had never held any correspondence directly or indirectly with the French Court, that they were engaged in no plot against the existing Government, and that they would willingly shed their blood rather than see England subject to a foreign prince, who had in his own kingdom cruelly persecuted their Protestant brethren.
William Lloyd, D.D., was Prebend of Salisbury, Bishop of Llandaff, and afterwards of Peterborough, from which he was translated to Norwich in 1685. He was one of the seven Bishops who were sent to the Tower by James II., for remonstrating against the liberty granted to Papists. He refused to take the oaths or supremacy or abjuration, and allegiance to William III., when he was deprived of his bishopric. He retired to Ham- mersmith, in Middlesex, where he lived in private for about twenty years, still supporting the character of a non-juring Bishop, and continuing to perform episcopal functions till his death, January 1st, 1709, when he was buried in the chapel at Hammersmith.
VOL. II.
242 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
THE INTERREGNUM, 1687.
The reign of James II. is held to have ended on December 11th, 1687, the day on which he secretly left Whitehall in order to go to France. The Prince of Orange entered London on the 18th, and on the following day the magistrates of the city, the prelates, the London clergy, the lawyers, and others waited upon him, and paid their respects to him as the deliverer of the nation. Some of his advisers urged him to assume the crown at once, by right of conquest : but he judiciously resolved to adhere to his declaration. He summoned the peers to attend him, and begged them to consider the state of the nation, and to communicate to him the result of their deliberations. To form a second chamber, he invited all persons who had served in any of the Parliaments of Charles II., the Aldermen of London, and a deputation from the Common Council. The two assemblies separately presented addresses to him, requesting him to provisionally undertake the administration of affairs, and to summon a convention to meet on January 22nd, 1689. When the convention assembled, it in- cluded the following members for Norfolk : — Sir William Cooke, Bart., of Broome, and Sir Henry Hobart, Bart., Blickling.
REIGN OP WILLIAM AND MARY.
On February 13th, 1689, both Houses of Parliament passed this resolution : — " That William and Mary, Prince and Princess of Orange, be declared King and Queen of England, France, and Ireland, and the dominions thereunto belonging, to hold the Crown and dignity of the said kingdoms and dominions to them, the said Prince and Princess, during their lives, and the life of the survivor of them, and that the sole and full exercise of the Royal power be only in and executed by the said Prince of Orange in the names of the said Prince and Princess during their joint lives ; and after their decease, the said Crown and Royal dignity of the said kingdoms and dominions to be to the heirs of the body of the said Princess ; for default of such issue to the Princess Anne of Denmark, and the heirs of her body ; and for default of such issue to the heirs of the body of the said Prince of Orange."
u Thus," says Hallam, " to sum up the account of this extraordinary change in our established Monarchy, the convention pronounced under the slight disguise of a word unusual in the language of English law, that the actual sovereign had forfeited his right to the nation's allegiance. It swept away by the same vote the reversion of his posterity, and of those who could claim the inheritance of the Crown. It declared that, during a period of nearly two months, there was no King in England, the Monarchy lying as it were in abeyance from the 23rd of December to the 13th of February. It bestowed the Crown on William, jointly with
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 243
his wife indeed, but so that her participation of his sovereignty should be only in name. It postponed the succession of the Princess Anne during Ins life. Lastly, it made no provision for any future devolution of the Crown, or failure of issue from those to whom it was thus limited, leaving that to the wisdom of future Parliaments/'
Historians have generally attached great importance to the Revolution of 1688, but after all it was only a change of the sovereign from James II. to his son-in-law ; the Constitution remained the same ; the fundamental laws of the land remained the same; the condition of the people remained the same. We may well be surprised that a bad King, by his own mere will, should raise such a commotion in the country by illegal acts. But a wonderful change in the ideas of the leaders of the people took place in a few years, more especially in the views of the clergy.
In 1690, the general elections resulted in a majority to the Tories, and in consequence some changes were effected in the Administration. The members for the Eastern Counties were nearly all Tories, and the repre- sentatives of Norfolk were Sir Jacob Astley, Bart., of Melton ; Sir William Cooke, Bart., of Broome.
King William III. having been on the continent, when he returned to England, he landed at Yarmouth on October 16th, 1691, and he was entertained by the Corporation, the expense being £106. The same year, all Corporate boroughs were reduced by proclamation to the^same state of local government as before the surrender of these charters to Charles II. ;
In 1692, the harvest failed all over England. Old men remembered no such year since 1648. No fruit ripened, and the price of .wheat doubled. In some counties, mobs attacked the granaries. The necessity of economy was felt by families of every rank. A symptom of public distress, much more alarming, was the increase of crime. All the great roads were infested by gangs of highwaymen, who stopped the stage coaches and robbed the travellers in broad daylight. Some jovial Essex squires, while riding after a hare, were themselves chased and run down by nine hunters of a different sort, and were heartily glad to find them- selves at home again, though with empty pockets.
REIGN OF WILLIAM III., 1694 to 1702.
In December, 1694, Queen Mary became dangerously ill, died on the 28th, and was buried in the chapel of Henry VII. at Westminster. The King was for some time inconsolable for the loss of his consort, but he gradually roused himself, and his next campaign was the most brilliant of his life. He determined to recover Namur, and so arranged his plans that his opponents were completely deceived. He invested the town on
244 HISTORY OV EASTERN ENGLAND.
July 2nd, 1695, and all the attempts of Marshal Villeroy failed to relieve it. The fortress was surrendered on August 26th by Marshal Boufflers. The tide, which had hitherto run in favour of France, had clearly turned in favour of England, to the great joy of the people.
In this reign of William III., to meet the expenses of the war with France, some new taxes were imposed, and instead of adopting the pre- vious plan of subsidies, in 1692 a land tax was assessed at the rate of 4s. in the pound, which produced about two millions sterling. The land tax was annually voted for 106 years, the rate being generally 4s. in the pound in times of war, and in times of peace till 1760 two or three shillings in the pound. In 1798 the tax at 4s. in the pound was made permanent, and persons liable to the payment were allowed to redeem it. The deficit in the revenue in the latter part of this eighteenth century was met by systematic loans, which greatly increased the national debt.
Our public debt assumed its present form in the reign of William III., for in consequence of the war expenditure the revenue was deficient, and as many people had unemployed capital, it was deemed prudent to raise money by loan. In 1692 Parliament authorised the raising of £1,000,000 by way of loan, for which the lenders were to receive 10 per cent, per annum for seven years, and afterwards 7 per cent. As the annuitants died, their annuities were to be divided among the survivors till the number was reduced to seven, and after that the sums which fell in were to go to the public account.
The most important Act of Parliament in the reign of William III. is the Bill of Rights, which enacts : — 1 . That the pretended power of suspending of laws by regal authority without consent of Parliament is illegal. 2. That the pretended power of dispensing with laws, or the execution of laws by regal authority, is illegal. 3. That the commission for erecting the late Court of Commissioners for ecclesiastical causes, and all other courts and commissions of like nature, are illegal and pernicious. 4. That levying money for or to the use of the Crown, by pretence of prerogative without grant of Parliament for a longer time, or in other manner than the same is or shall be granted, is illegal. 5. That it is the right of the subject to petition the King, and all commitments and pro- secutions for such petitioning are illegal. 6. That the raising or keeping up a standing army within the kingdom in time of peace, without the consent of Parliament, is illegal. 7. That subjects who are Protestants may have arms for their defence suitable to their conditions, and as allowed bylaw. 8. That election of members of Parliament ought to be free. 9. That the freedom of speech or debates in Parliament ought not to be questioned in any court or place out of Parliament.
In 1695, a General Election took place, and caused great excitement
EVENTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTUKY. 245
throughout the country. The success of King William's arms in France raised the popular enthusiasm in his favour; and on his return in 1695, he made a progress through the country to please the people as the elections were going on. They terminated in greatly increasing the strength of the Whig party. The following members were returned tor the county of Norfolk, viz., Sir Jacob Astley, Bart., of Melton Constable, Sir Henry Hobart, Bart., of Blickling.
The Ministers supposed that the General Election of 1698 would be as favourable to them as the election of 1695. Nor is it strange that they should have indulged in such a hope. The elections began auspiciously for the Government, and the first great contest was in Westminster, which was then by far the greatest city in the island, except London, containing three times the population of Norwich, which was next in size. The Ministerial candidates were returned for Westminster and other places. But when the returns were complete, it appeared that the new House of Commons contained an unusual number of men about whom little was known, and on whose support neither the Government nor the Opposition could rely.
The decease of the Duke of Gloucester, the only surviving child of Anne, on July 30th, 1700, rendered it necessary that steps should be taken to ensure the safety of the Protestant succession, and an Act was passed in 1701 limiting the inheritance of the Crown to the Princess Sophia, Electress of Hanover, and her heirs, being Protestants. The Tories being now in power, the Commons showed their want of patriotism by censuring the partition treaties in reference to Spain, and by im- peaching the Ministers Portland, Somers, Oxford, and Halifax, for their share in the treaties, but the popular feeling was so strongly in favour of the King, that the impeachments failed, and the Commons at last supported the Government.
This disposition was still further increased by the King of France recognising the Pretender, son of James II., as King of England, on the death of his father. The English Sovereign then concluded the grand alliance against France, the benefit of which was reaped in the next reign ; though his health had been gradually failing, in forming the confederation that was to consolidate Europe, he did not discover one single mark of languor or decline. He might have lived longer but for an accident on February 21st, 1702, when he fell from his horse and fractured his collar bone. He died on March 8th, 1702, aged fifty -two, and was buried at Westminster.
King William III. dissolved the Parliament in 1701 at the time when the nation received intelligence that Louis King of France had recognised the Pretender. The writs were sent out immediately, and in three days
246 HISTOEY Of EASTERN ENGLAND.
the whole country was in a state of agitation. Never before had. there been more intriguing, more canvassing, more virulence of party spirit. The first contests took place in the metropolis ; and the decisions of the constituent bodies there were expected as auguries of the general result. Parties were more evenly balanced in the country than in the capital, and party spirit ran high in the Eastern Counties. Hammond, who had been a favourite of the University of Cambridge, was defeated, and was succeeded by Sir Isaac Newton, the glory of the Whig party.
In the reign of William III., the Knights of the Shire who represented Norfolk in Parliament were the following : —
1690. — Sir Jacob Astley, Bart., Melton Constable; Sir William Cooke, Bart., Broome.
1695. — Sir Jacob Astley, Bart., Melton Constable; Sir Henry Hobart, Bart., Blickling.
1698. — Sir Jacob Astley, Bart., Melton Constable ; Sir William Cooke, Bart., Broome.
1700. — Sir Jacob Astley, Bart., Melton Constable; Sir Boger Townshend, Rainham.
1701. — Sir John Holland, Bart., Quidenham ; Sir Roger Townshend, Rainham.
In 1700, an act was obtained for erecting hospital and workhouses in King's Lynn, for the better employing the poor there.
In 1701, an Act was passed for lighting the streets of Norwich, which were then in darkness at night ; also an Act for creating a Court of Conscience in Norwich for the recovery of debts under 40s. The Court sat at the Guildhall till superseded by the County Court.
A printing office was opened by Francis Burgess, after the art had been discontinued in Norwich a number of years.
About the end of the seventeenth century, brigandage appears to have been general all over England, and more especially in the Eastern Counties. The peace had turned crowds of old soldiers into marauders. " Nowhere, however, does the peril seem to have been so great as on the Newmarket Road. There indeed robbery was organised on a scale un- paralleled in the kingdom since the days of Robin Hood and Little John. A fraternity of plunderers, thirty in number, according to the lowest estimate, squatted near Waltham Cross, under the shades of Epping Forest, and built themselves huts from which they sallied forth with sword and pistols to bid travellers stand."
King William III. and Tallard, the French Ambassador, who visited Newmarket in 1698, were doubtless too well attended to be in jeopardy. " But soon after they had passed the dangerous spot, there was a fight on the highway, attended with loss of life. A warrant of the Lord. Chief
STATE OF SOCIETY IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTUKY. 247
Justice broke up the Maroon village for a short time, but the dispersed thieves soon mustered again, and had the impudence $p bid defiance to the Government in a cartel signed, it was said, with their names. The civil power was unable to deal with this frightful evil. It was necessary that during some time cavalry should patrol every evening on the roads near the boundary between Middlesex and Essex."
" The state of these roads, however, though contemporaries described it as dangerous beyond all example, did not deter men of rank and fashion from making the joyous pilgrimage to Newmarket. Half the Dukes in the kingdom were there. Most of the chief ministers of State swelled the crowd; nor was the Opposition unrepresented. Montague stole two or three days from the Treasury, and Orford from the Admiralty. Godolphin was there, looking after his horses and his bets, and probably went away a richer man than he came. But racing was only one of the many amusements of the festive season. On fine mornings, there was hunting. For those who preferred hawking, choice falcons had been brought from Holland. On racing days, the cockpit was encircled with stars and blue ribands. On Sundays, William went to church in state, and the most eminent divines of the neighbouring University of Cambridge preached before him." (Lord Macaulay's " History of England.")
STATE OP SOCIETY IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
After all the commotions in the seventeenth century, the Civil Wars, the restoration of monarchy, and the Revolution of 1688, we may en- quire what was the social state of the people. What benefit did they derive from all the great events already reviewed ? The progress of freedom has been intimately connected with the progress of industry, for to our free institutions, not sufficiently prized, we owe our present proud pre-eminence among the nations, and but for these free institutions, the degradation of Italy yesterday, with her enslaved impoverished people, and her neglected soil, might have been our condition at the present day.
The history of any country, or any part of it, teaches this lesson, that the social state of the people at any period depends chiefly on their moral condition, and their moral state depends chiefly on their physical condition, arising from the influences of climate, soil, air, natural pro- ductions, dwellings, food, water, &c. It is very evident that all these influences must be very different in a town as compared with the country, very different in an agricultural district like East Anglia, as compared with a manufacturing district like Lancashire. If physical circumstances be adverse in any district, we need not expect any rapid improvement in the social state of the people. A very slight survey of
248 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
this eastern region is sufficient to show that physical circumstances have been adverse to the progress of the rural population, a great part of the surface of East Anglia consisting of heaths, bogs, and marshes for cen- turies. Before the drainage of the fens, the inhabitants of all that region were in a miserable condition. Before the drainage of the land in Norfolk and Suffolk, the natives were of necessity in a state of semi-barbarism, in which they continued till the end of the seventeenth century.
The whole course of events after the Norman Conquest was adverse to any marked improvement in the social condition of the rural population. The Wars of the Roses, the Civil Wars, and all the other wars retarded the progress of industry, increased taxation, and desolated the country. The Norman nobles and their descendants got possession of vast estates which they could not cultivate. Indeed, the labourers or slaves were too few in number to till the land. Most of the able-bodied men were soldiers engaged in incessant useless wars.
Monasteries during the Middle Ages were the only hotels for travellers, and places of refuge for the destitute poor. The monks were the chief cultivators of the soil, and dispensers of charity. Under the pretence of reformation, the religious houses were dissolved, their property seized and sold to rich laymen. By this legalised robbery the rich were made richer, aud the poor poorer, in all the counties and in all the towns. The land was filled with sturdy beggars, and hence arose the necessity for a law to relieve poor people, though a far larger number was required for the due cultivation of the soil.
For centuries the common people were born to slavery on the soil of East Anglia. Their condition was a bad as it could be physically, morally, and socially. In estimating the social state of the peasantry we must keep in mind the gradual increase of the population. At the close of the seventeenth century, the rural population was far greater than the number of people in all the towns. Gregory King then estimated the population of all England at five and a-half millions, the odd half million living in the Eastern Counties. We might suppose that so small a number would have plenty of food, but so little of the land was under tillage that famine or scarcity were of frequent occurrence, as already recorded. Landholders or freeholders or farmers, either had not the power or incli- nation to drain and cultivate the land. Landlords generally in Norfolk and Suffolk have been far more intent on keeping up preserves for game than in cultivating the soil for the production of food. Norfolk alone contains preserves covering 100,000 acres of good land.
Let us now consider the social state of the people in the towns during the seventeenth century. They present a very different aspect to the rural districts, where all was gloom and misery. The towns grew up by
STATE OF SOCIETY IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 249
a very simple process. They arose round castles and abbeys for the sake of protection, round ports for the sake of trade. In former ages people were often compelled to dwell together in towns in order to work together, and by their union they discovered their power. The history of a city like Norwich is of course more important than that of the small towns whose annals are very similar.
When the population of the whole country was small, the towns were small in size, closely built and walled round without any sufficient supply of water or drainage or any sanitary regulations. When the population increased, filth increased and produced plagues like the black death. Physical laws were violated every day, and then went down strong and weak, rich and poor, before the invisible arrows of the angel of Death. Defective sanitary arrangements and the ignorance of medical men, caused the premature death of a large portion of the population.
The houses in most of the towns and villages were nearly all built of timber, and were often destroyed by fires. The floors even of the chambers of the aristocracy continued to be strewn with rushes even in the reign of Charles I. Turkey and other carpets were imported, but they seem to have been used chiefly as table covers. The best furniture of the first half of this seventeenth century is exceedingly ornamental and elaborate in construction, and evinces the skill as well as taste among the artisans of this period. The higher classes began to adorn their walls with the exquisite paintings of Reubens, Teniers, and Vandyke, and their apartments were enriched by other works of art of different kinds. At the close of this age, one of the most important improvements in furniture arose from the use of mahogany, which speedily superseded other woods for cabinet purposes. The specimens of furniture of this age, still to be seen in private collections in the old mansions of East Anglia, evince much skill in ornamentation, and they are equally prized for their durability, being in this respect far superior to more modern manufactures.
During the seventeenth century great ignorance and superstition pre- vailed amongst the inhabitants of both Norfolk and Suffolk, as is proved by the frequent prosecutions for witchcraft. So ignorant were even the magis- trates of many towns, that they actually employed designing knaves who styled themselves witchfinders, to discover poor harmless creatures supposed to have intercourse with the devil. These witchfinders actually pricked old women with pins or ducked them in rivers in order to discover whether they were witches or not. The villains being paid so much for each conviction, took care that their victims should not escape. A poor fanatical old woman named Mother Lakeland was arraigned, condemned, and burnt as a witch at Ipswich on September 9th, 1645. In a pamphlet
250 HISTOEY OF EASTEEN ENGLAND.
published after her death she is represented as having confessed that she had sold herself to the devil twenty years before, and had been furnished with three imps, in the form of two little dogs and a mole, by which she grievously afflicted several persons. Mauy suffered in different parts of Suffolk under the belief in this supernatural agency. One Matthew Hopkins, of Manningtree, in Essex, who styled himself witchfinder general, and had 20s. allowed him for every town he visited, was, with some others, actually commissioned by Parliament in 1644, 1645, and 1646 to perform a circuit for the discovery of witches. By virtue of his commission they went from place to place through many parts of Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk, and caused sixteen persons to be hanged at Yar- mouth, forty at Bury, and others in different parts of Suffolk to the number of sixty persons. Among the victims of this wretch and his associates sacrificed by stupid magistrates were Laws, an innocent aged clergyman, of Brandestone; a cooper and his wife, and fifteen other women, who were all condemned and executed at one time at Bury. Hopkins used many arts to extort confessions from suspected persons, and when these failed he had recourse to swimming them, which was done by tying their thumbs and great toes together and then throwing them into the water. If they floated they were deemed guilty of the crime of witchcraft, but their sinking was a proof of their innocence. This method he pursued till some gentleman, indignant at his barbarity, tied his own thumbs and toes and tossed him into the water, when he swam as many had done before him. By this expedient the country was soon rid of the pest.
The Lynn Chronicle of remarkable events shows conspicuously the stupid conduct of the corporate magistrates in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, when they prosecuted and burnt several unfortunate persons for witchcraft, and patronized Hopkins, the villainous witch-finder, who persuaded superstitious people that he possessed the art of discovering such as were gifted with witchcraft, and those whom he tested were generally condemned, as he was paid a certain sum for every person whom he declared to be guilty. The instances of fraud and credulity which this country has exhibited age after age are very numerous, as to those under the delusion of witchcraft, but happily the belief in it no longer prevails, and all the absurd statutes relating to it have been repealed.
Norfolk can boast of many very eminent men in the latter part of the century, more especially in the army or navy. Among these may be mentioned Sir Christopher Muns, Sir John Narborough, and Sir John Cloudesley Shovel, all three natives of Cockthorpe, near Wells, and all three great Admirals in those times. Sir Cloudesley Shovel was born of
COUNT? FAMILIES IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 251
poor parents at Cley, or at Cockthorpe, in 1650, and bound apprentice to a shoemaker whom he soon after left, and went as a cabin-boy on board one of the King's ships. Being of a very teachable disposition he soon acquired a knowledge of navigation, and whilst very young he was pro- moted to be a lieutenant by Sir John Narborough, who then commanded the fleet. In 1674 he was sent into the Mediterranean to demand restitu- tion of some ships, which were detained by the Dey of Algiers, where he behaved with so much resolution and bravery that on his return to England, he was advanced to the command of a larger vessel.
During the reign of James II., he adhered to the interest of his country, and although he was sent to command one of the ships in that fleet destined to oppose the Prince of Orange, yet he did not act, but immediately joined the popular party. During all the wars in the reign of William III., he behaved with so much bravery that he rose to the dignity of an admiral, and Queen Anne honoured him with a knighthood. He continued active as a gallant naval officer till he was lost at sea in the following manner : — Being appointed to conduct a fleet of ships from Gibraltar to England, in 1707, he proceeded as far in his voyage as the Scilly Islands, where his ship was unfortunately lost, and himself with the whole of his crew, amounting to nine hundred men, were all drowned. Such was the lamentable end of one of the bravest men that ever com- manded in the British navy. Queen Anne, out of respect to his memory, caused a fine monument to be erected for him in Westminster Abbey.
COUNTY FAMILIES IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTUKY.
Some of the old families in Norfolk continued to flourish in the seven- teenth century : —
The Jerninghams of Cossey ; the Wodehouses of Kimberley ; the Cokes of Holkham ; the Townshends of Eaynham ; the De Greys of Merton ; the Hobarts of Blickling ; the Bacons of Redgrave ; the Berneys of Reedham ; the Le Stranges of Hunstanton ; the Astleys of Melton Constable; the Pastons of Oxnead; the Palgraves of Barning- ham ; the Walpoles of Houghton.
The family of de Dereham was very ancient in the Hundred of Clack- close. Richard, Nicholas, and Elias de Dereham were brothers and witnesses to Hubert, the Archbishop's foundation deed of the Abbey of West Dereham, and from Nicholas the family descended. Thomas de Dereham, Esq., Lord of Crimplesham, was an eminent lawyer in the reign of Henry IV., and in the seventh of Henry VI. he was a Justice of jail delivery of East Dereham for the liberty of the Bishop of Ely, and married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Baldwin de Vere, Esq., of Denver in West Norfolk.
252 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
Sir Thomas Dereham was knighted by James I. at Newmarket, Decem- ber 1st, 1617. Thomas his son and heir was created a baronet June 8th, 1661, by Queen Elizabeth.
Sir Richard Dereham succeeded to the estate in 1682. He wasted his patrimony and died abroad ; so that the estate at West Dereham was conveyed to his cousin Sir Thomas Dereham, Knt., who for many years was envoy at the Court of the Duke of Tuscany. After that he resided at "West Dereham and built the stately abbey there, and at one time inhabited by the Right Hon. Charles Coote, Earl of Montrath in Ireland.
THE FAMILY OF LE STRANGE, HUNSTANTON.
In the reign of James I. and his son Charles I. nourished Sir Hamon 1/ Strange, of Hunstanton, who sustained many losses in support of the Royal cause. He was a learned man and an active magistrate. He married Alice, daughter and co-heiress of Richard Stubb, of Sedgeford, and was High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1609. He died June, 1654, aged 71. He was a just and generous man. Actions bear the best testimony to the real characters of the living and the dead.
He had three sons, namely, Nicholas, Hamon, and Roger 1/ Strange, the latter of whom distinguished himself in literature. He was born at Hunstanton on December 17th, 1616, and upon the breaking out of the Civil War he supported the Royal cause, for which he was a sufferer, for having in 1654 obtained a commission from the King for sur- prising Lynn, then in possession of the Parliament, his design was made known by two of his associates. He was seized, conducted to London, tried by a court martial, who condemned him to suffer death ; but he was soon after reprieved and confined in Newgate for two years. Escaping thence he went abroad, and returned in five years after to England, when he was again taken into custody, but upon a remonstrance made to the Protector he was set at liberty. Upon the restoration of Charles II. he set up a newspaper called " The Public Intelligencer and the News," but this was dropped to make room for the " London Gazette," the first number of which appeared on February 4th, 1666, under the direction of Sir Joseph Williamson.
When the disputes arose in the House of Commons concerning the Exclusion Bill, U Strange became a zealous partisan in favour of the Duke of York, and edited a periodical paper called the u Observator." He was concerned in all the dirty work carried on to promote Popery and arbitrary power during the reign of James II., although it does not appear that he ever became a convert to Popery. He was appointed licenser of the press, a post at that time of some importance ; but it was abolished at the Revolution of 1688, when he lost all his public employments, and
COUNTY FAMILIES IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 253
he died very poor. He was certainly a man of great abilities, and a staunch Royalist, as will appear from the following stanzas, which he penned in prison : —
LOYALTY CONFINED.
Beat on, proud billows ; Boreas blow ;
Swell, curled waves, high as Jove's roof; Your incivility doth show
That innocence is tempest proof; Though, surly Nereus frown, my thoughts are calm : Then, strike, affliction, for thy wounds are balm.
That which the world miscalls a jail,
A private closet is to me ; Whilst a good conscience is my bail,
Aud innocence my liberty : Locks, bars, and solitude, together met, Make me no prisoner, but an anchoret.
When once my Prince affliction hath,
•Prosperity doth treason seem ; And to make smooth so rough a path,
I can learn patience from him : Now, not to suffer shows no loyal heart, When Kings want ease subjects must bear a part.
What though I cannot see my King,
Neither* in person or in coin ; Yet contemplation is a thing
That renders what I have not mine : My King from me what adamant can part, Whom I do wear engraven on my heart 1
I, whilst I wished to be retired,
Into this private room was turned ; As if their wisdoms had conspir'd,
The salamander should be burn'd ; Or like those sophists that would drown a fish, I am constrained to suffer what I wish.
The cynick loves his poverty,
The pelican her wilderness ; And 'tis the Indian's pride to be
Naked on frozen Caucasus : Contentment cannot smart, stoicks we see
Make torments ease to their apathy.
254 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
These manacles upon my arm, I as my mistress' favours wear ;
And for to keep my ancles warm, I have some iron shackles there :
These wails are but my garrison ; this cell,
Which men call jail, doth prove my citadel.
I'm in the cabinet lockt up,
Like some high-prized margarite ;
Or, like the great Mogul or Pope,
Am cloister'd up from publick sight :
Eetiredness is a piece of majesty,
And thus, proud Sultan, I'm as great as thee.
Here sin for want of food must starve, "Where tempting objects are not seen ;
And these strong walls do only serve To keep vice out, and keep me in :
Malice of late's grown charitable sure,
I'm not committed, but am kept secure.
So he that struck at Jason's life,
Thinking t' have made his purpose sure,
By a malicious friendly knife, Did only wound him to a cure :
Malice, I see, wants wit, for what is meant
Mischief, ofttimes proves favour by the event.
Have you not seen the nightingale, A prisoner like, coopt in a cage : How doth she chaunt her wonted tale
In that her narrow hermitage 1 Even then her charming melody doth prove, That all her bars are trees, her cage a grove.
I am that bird, whom they combine
Thus to deprive of liberty ; But though they do my corps confine,
Yet maugre hate, my soul is free : And though immur'd, yet can I chirp and sing, Disgrace to rebels, glory to my King.
My soul is free as ambient air,
Although my baser parts immew'd,
Whilst loyal thoughts do still repair T' accompany my solitude ;
Although rebellion do my body binde,
My King alone can captivate my minde,
THE CHURCH IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 255
THE CHURCH IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
In the seventeenth century there was a very determined and systematic attempt made to return to many of the usages and doctrines which had been cast off in the days of the Reformation, and the history of the period is full of the most significant facts. The bishop of the diocese represented the new movement at that time, and an old document tells us what were innovations in the days of Laud. It is entitled, "Articles of Impeachment against Matthew Wren, D.D., late Bishop of Norwich, and now Bishop of Ely." This is found in a book " of the diurnal occurrences or daily proceedings of both Houses in this great and bappy Parliament, from the 3rd of November, 1640, to the 3rd of November, 1642."
The history of Norfolk and Suffolk furnishes some singularly appro- priate information as to the way in which the people dealt with the Ritualistic doings of the seventeenth century. Suffolk was as sound in the days of the Restoration as it had been in the days of the Reformation. To begin with, a noble specimen of a Suffolk gentleman of the olden time, Sir Simonds D'Ewes, was a scholar of Bury St. Edmunds ; and he was high sheriff of the county, and member for Sudbury. What he was may be gathered from his own interesting autobiography.
Only imagine the members of Parliament in that day, thinking strongly, feeling strongly, speaking strongly, and making themselves felt as a power in the nation by this noble record of their abomination for even the semblance of superstition — that Communion Sunday in Westminster would turn the current of men's minds and feelings. All honour to the laity of that critical time. They stood firmly to 'the truth, and the Gospel is now preached because they were faithful. We have not been able to trace the early marks of this great movement in East Anglia, but a whole company of good reformers appear when we look down the stream of time. There was the rector of Lavenham — good old Gurnall — whose book on the Christian armour has been a treasure in the Church, a store- house of rich and holy thought, out of which ministers have drawn ever since for the comfort and edification of their people. There was holv Dr. Sibes, Master of St. Catharine's College, Cambridge, whose volume on the " Soul's Conflict " and " Bruised Reed " are as fresh as ever. He was a Suffolk man, born at Tostick, brought up at Thurston, and educated in Bury Grammar School. There was high-minded Dr. Young, vicar of Stowmarket, and he dared to preach Gospel truths. All round Bury in those days there were men of strong minds and honest hearts and high principle, and they were loved, respected, followed, and believed.
There were Charlesworth of Flowton, Nottidge of Ipswich, Wilkinson of Holbrook, John Bickersteth of Acton, and Cunningham of Lowestoft,
256 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
men whose memories are still fragrant in these Suffolk parishes. The very existence of the Protestant Church in this day may be attributed to their zealous labours, which enabled thousands of men in every part of East Anglia to believe, to enjoy, and extend the truth. We may briefly notice the after consequences of the Ritualistic innovations of the 17th century. The purpose which Laud and his party carried out so proudly, so blindly, so fatally, drove out the best men from the Reformed Church, and made a wreck of ecclesiastical affairs. But we need carefully to study the further effects. We may now see a like mischief threatening the age in which we live. High assumption of ministerial authority and unwarranted claims for sacramental efficiency beget pride in the clergy and unbelief in the laity.
The deterioration was rapid in former times. Under the Stuarts there came in first Ritualistic and then licentious follies. The salt of the nation was cast into a corner, corruption hastened to do its work, and soon society became so corrupted and so debased that we may be ashamed of our ancestors.
NONCONFORMISTS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
At the commencement of this period Nonconformists became numerous in Essex and other Eastern Counties. They denied that the reigning sovereign was the head of the Church of Christ, and thereby exposed themselves to penalties. They held many prohibited meetings in different places in times of the fiercest persecution, and their gatherings were sometimes discovered. Norfolk being situated on the eastern coast was the last refuge of many Protestants, who fled from the persecution of the Duke of Alva in the Netherlands, and these Protestants naturally objected to the new service book or English Liturgy published by the authority of Edward VI.
Many of the Essex ministers were well-educated men, zealous and powerful preachers of the Word, orthodox in doctrine, and blameless in their lives, but they were all ejected from their livings in the Estabished Church, because their consciences would not permit them to obey an Act of Parliament, which continued in force for a long time, and was ultimately repealed. During the operation of the. Uniformity Act and other Acts, the Church lost many of her ablest and best ministers in Essex, and Nonconformists increased in number, power, and influence. The Reformed Church was the mother of Dissent.
Nonconformists soon became very numerous in all the towns of Norfolk and Suffolk, and more especially in Norwich, a city which took the lead in support of Dissent. In the sixteenth century, there were only a few hundred Dissenters in Norwich ; but in the seventeenth, they had
EJECTED MINISTERS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 257
increased to some thousands ; in the eighteenth century their number was doubled, and in the nineteenth century they became at least ten thousand strong, and comprised many wealthy men, who exercised great influence.
About 1641 many Nonconformist English refugees returned to their homes in Yarmouth, Norwich, and other places. Those who returned to the two former towns had been united ' together with the congregation at Rotterdam. They earnestly desired that as they had been companions in suffering, they might not be separated. The difficulty was where to fix the joint society. Norwich offered liberty and opportunity, and ultimately a congregation or church was formed in the city.
EJECTED MINISTERS.
"The Annals of Nonconformity in Essex," by the Rev. T. W. Davids, contains a full account of the persecution and ejection of ministers in that county under the Act of Uniformity and other Acts. There are records of a hundred and sixteen ministers silenced or ejected in Essex before 1662 ; of thirty-three ministers formerly settled in Essex who were silenced or ejected in other counties, of seven natives of Essex who were silenced or ejected in other counties ; of twenty-five ministers silenced or ejected in other counties who afterwards settled or laboured in Essex. Indeed that county seems to have been the head-quarters of Noncon- formity, and many of those ejected were Evangelical ministers of the Reformed Church of England.
William Bridge was one of the most noted preachers of his day. He was born in Cambridgeshire about 1600, and educated at Cambridge, where he took his Master's degree in 1626. He also became a Fellow of Emmanuel College. While at the University he often came to hear John Wilson at Sudbury. In August, 1631, he was presented by the Corpora- tion of Colchester to stand for his " choice," as the general lecturer of the town. This was on the retirement or suspension of Richard Maden, but he soon involved himself in trouble, as in 1632 Maden was appointed again. He was rector of St. George's Tombland in Norwich in 1633. Here he was silenced by Bishop Wren for Nonconformity in 1636 or 1637, and afterwards excommunicated. A writ having been issued for his apprehen- sion, he fled to Holland, and settled down at Rotterdam as pastor of the Congregational Church there. He remained there till 1642, when he returned to England and became Town Lecturer at Yarmouth. In that year a Congregational Church was formed in the town, and he was appointed pastor.
Edward Keightley. The place where he preached is situated near Cley Hall, in the parish of Barking, and is above three miles distant from the church. In 1653 the inhabitants of the parish having "petitioned
VOL. II. s
258 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
Parliament to assist them in erecting a chapel, the petition was referred to a committee, who reported that one acre of ground in some convenient place near the petitioners' dwellings should be assigned within the Forest of Waltham, whereon to build a house for a meeting-place, and that twenty- timber trees should be also set out of the forest for the building. It would appear that Keightley was appointed minister of this chapel when it was completed. At the Restoration, and after Keightley was silenced there, a dispute arose between the Bishop of London and Sir Thomas Fanshawe, the lord of the manor, about the right of presentation, in con- sequence of which the building was allowed to fall into decay. Keightley was a native of Grays, where his family had long resided. The Keightleys were connected by marriage with the family of John Donne, so well known by his noble sermons and the admirable memoir of him published by Izaak Walton. After his ejection, Keightley continued to reside at Aldborough Hatch, and to preach there in his own house.
In March 15th, 1671-2, Charles II. issued a delaration to all his loving subjects, in which after protesting his express resolution to be that the Church of England be preserved and remain entire * * * he pro- ceeded to say " that there may be no pretence for any of our subjects to continue their illegal meetings and conventicles, we do declare that we shall allow a sufficient number of places in all parts of this our kingdom, for the use of such as do not conform to the Church of England. But to prevent such disorders as may happen by this our indulgence, our express will is that none of our subjects do meet in any place until such place be allowed and the teacher of the congregation be approved by us." In consequence of the House of Commons strongly objecting to this declara- tion, it was withdrawn on the 7th of March, 1672-3. In the meantime, however, some 3,000 licenses had been granted. Keightley was among the number of those who availed themselves of the indulgence, having taken out four licenses to be a Presbyterian teacher — one for his house at Abbey Hatch, another for his house to be a Presbyterian meeting-place, and two for his house at Barking. Keightley died at Barking, and was buried there July 3rd, 1701.
Samuel Brinsley, of Alphonstone. The rectory of Alphonstone had been sequestered from Rowland Steward, who was instituted February 3rd, 1613. Depositions were taken against him at Halsted, March 22nd, 1643, when three witnesses gave evidence that he was a common swearer; four to his being violent in his opposition to the Parliament, also for neglecting to pray for the army ; two to his having neglected and slighted the keeping of fasts ; four to his being a constant frequenter of the company of Papists and other lewd persons at innes, their houses, and also at his own ; four to his being a notorious common gamester at
EJECTED MINISTERS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 259
dice and cards, also with being an excessive drinker, also with having played bat and ball with boys of his parish on the Sabbath, and being an encourager of sport on that day, and to his having been always negligent in his functions. Steward's immediate successor was John Collinges, afterwards of Norwich. Brinsley was a native of Middlesex, and was admitted Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge, April 17th, 1647. Brinsley was regularly presented by the patron, and was ejected August 24th, 1662. After he left Essex, he preached about London, and died about the year 1695.
John Fisher, of Ashington. He succeeded Samuel Keeble, who was here in 1650, and is reported an honest and painful minister. It appears from the parish register that Edmund, the son of John Fisher, rector, and Milcah his wife, was born August 28th, and another son, James, was born on St. James' day, and died on the 23rd of October following. Fisher's successor writes this characteristic article in the register : —
What more 1 Vow, covenant, and protestation,
All to maintain the Church and English nation ;
A threefold cord sure is not easilie broken,
For so the wise man hath divinely spoken.
But all in vaine ; men's hearts with . . . are fraught,
Great ones break through ; small fishes they are caught.
Three nations thus are twisted all in one,
Three nations thus three times thrice undone.
John Argor, of Braintree. He was a native of Layer Breton, and educated at the University of Cambridge. He was first rector of Lee, in the Hundred of Rochford, to which living he was presented by Robert Earl of "Warwick 12th of February, 1639. His name is printed in the " Classis," Augar. He was one of the subscribers to the Essex "Testimony" in 1648, and also to the Essex "Watchword" in 1649. In 1650 he is returned, " John Augar (sic), well approved for learning and doctrine, and an able preaching minister." On the death of Samuel Collins, Argor removed to the vicarage of Braintree, to which also it appears he was presented by the Earl of Warwick. In October, 1657, he received a gift of £100 from his parishioners, as a token of the estima- tion in which they held him. After his ejection from the vicarage, Argor continued to reside in Braintree for some time as teacher in the parish school. John Argor was the first of the ejected ministers to avail them- selves of the measure of liberty which was allowed by the Declaration of Indulgence in 1672. He was accordingly licensed on the 2nd of April in that year to be a Presbyterian teacher in Hezekiah Haynes' house at Copford, and Zechariah Seaman's house in Birch Magna. These houses
260 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
were also licensed as " places of meeting of the Presbyterian way " at the same date, as was also Argor's own house in Copford. He continued to reside, and also to preach, at Copford until his death, in December, 1679, at the age of seventy-seven. His remains were buried in Copford Church. Palmer relates that he often used to say u he left his living upon no other terms than he would, if called to it, have laid down his life." He was exceedingly beloved, and the loss of him was much lamented. When his livelihood was taken from him, he lived comfortably by faith. Being asked by some friends how he thought he should live, having a great family of children, his answer was, " as long as his God was his house- keeper he believed he would provide for him and his." He kept a diary of God's providences towards him, and among other things in stirring up friends to assist him. The following are a few instances in his own words : — "January 2nd, 1663. I received £5 12s. This was when I was laid aside for not conforming. January 3rd. I received £3 19s. The Lord have the praise. And I have received £2 15s., which was gathered for me by my friends. This great experience of God's gracious providence I received at one and the same time."
Owen Stockton was born at Chichester, in May, 1630. His father was prebendary of the cathedral church in that city. His father dying when he was but seven years old, he removed with his mother to Ely. He was educated in the Grammar School of that city. At the age of sixteen he was sent to the University of Cambridge, and January 21st, 1645, was admitted of Christ's College as a pupil of the celebrated Henry More. On the occasion of a visit paid to the University by Charles I., he was introduced to his Majesty, who is said to have passed this compliment upon him. " Here is a little scholar indeed, God bless him ! " After he had taken his degree of B.A. he continued to reside at Christ's College, preparing himself for the work of a minister. When he was " middle bachelor," he removed from Christ's to Caius, where he was chosen " junior fellow." In 1652 he had taken his degree of Master, and was elected " senior fellow." It was now that he began to preach. He enquired at first all the parishes within ten or fifteen miles of Cambridge that were destitute of ministers, and used to go and preach there, and it was for a long time unknown who he was, or where he came from. This service he performed gratis. In 1645 he was elected catechist of his college. This was the first place where he settled himself to a constant course of preaching. Soon after he was invited to occupy the pulpit of St. Andrew's, Cam- bridge, and was ordained by the Presbytery of London February 3rd, 1655. On his return to Cambridge, in addition to his labours at St. Andrew's, he still continued in his office of catechist at Caius, and also employed himself as tutor at his College.
EJECTED MINISTERS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 261
His reputation as a preacher continuing to increase, he was invited by the Mayor and Corporation of Colchester in 1657 to occupy the post so ably filled in former years by Northye, Ames, Bridge, John Knowles, &c. This invitation he accepted, and proved a great blessing to the place. During his absence on a journey to Cambridge, another was appointed in his place by Sheldon. After his return from Cambridge, Stockton opened his own house for public worship, by which act he was frequently involved in trouble. He frequently preached at Chatham, also at Manningtree, Marks Tey, Ipswich, &c.
On the indulgence of 1672 Stockton took out a license to be a Presby- terian and Independent teacher in Grey Friars' house, in St. Nicholas parish, Ipswich. He also took out a licence to be an Independent teacher, at the house of Robert Howlett, in St. Martin's Lane, Colchester.
Stockton died September 10th, 1680. He bequeathed the greater part of his library to Gonville and Caius College, also £500 to purchase a free- hold estate for the maintenance of a scholar there successfully for ever. He was the author of a great number of sermons and treatises.
Edmund Calamy, senior, ejected from Aldermanbury, London. He was the son of a London citizen, and was born iu that city in February 1599-60. At the age of sixteen he was admitted of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge. At the age of nineteen he took the degree of B.A. His Calvinistic tendencies prevented his promotion at Pembroke ; but he succeeded at length in being elected " Tanquam Socius," a position which is peculiar to that hall. He attracted the notice of Nicholas Felton, then Bishop of Ely, who made him his chaplain. While an inmate of the Bishop's house it is said he applied himself sixteen hours a day to the study of theology. He retained his chaplaincy until the death of Felton in 1626. He was presented by the Bishop to the vicarage of St. Mary's, Swaffham. He held that vicarage from 1625 to 1630. In 1630 he resigned the vicarage, and became one of the town lecturers of Bury St. Edmund's, and took up his abode there. When Wren published his celebrated articles in 1636, Calamy and his diocesan soon came into open collision, and he was compelled to flee the diocese. In 1639 the living of Rochford being vacant, Robert Earl of Warwick bestowed it on Calamy, but he does not appear to have held it very long, as in the vestry book of St. Mary, Aldermanbury, London, there is the following entry, under date 27th of May, 1639: — "The late election of our minister, Mr. Edward Calamy, was confirmed by a general consent, and "ordered that he shall have for his maintenance £160 per annum." His ad- mission to Aldermanbury is dated in Newcourt, 26th of October, 1639. In the July previous to his settlement in London, he was incorporated D.D. at Oxford. In 1641, Calamy was appointed by the House of Lords
262 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENOLA.ND.
one of the sub -committee for religion. In 1643, Calamy was one of those who were nominated for the Assembly of Divines, and when that Assembly was convened, he was one of its most active members. Calamy was a rigid Presbyterian, and had little sympathy with the so-called sectaries, among them the Independents. From his position, his character, learning, and abilities, his influence was very great, especially in the city. He frequently preached before the Parliament, and three of his sermons were published. He was strongly opposed to any violent measures against the King, and was one of the originators of the petition to Cromwell on that subject. After the death of Cromwell, he was one of the first to prevail with Monk for the restoration of Charles. He was also one of the divines who visited the King in Holland. When the Act of Uniformity had passed, he refused to subscribe, and preached his fare- well sermon on the 17th of August, from 2 Samuel, xxiv. 14.
On the 20th of December following, Calamy, going to Aldermanbury as a hearer, and finding that the minister who was expected to officiate did not appear, was prevailed upon to preach ; for this he was imprisoned, but people of influence resorted to him so much that it was evident his. im- prisonment was not unlikely to entail unpleasant consequences. Charles therefore interfered, and after a few days Calamy was liberated. Wyld, who was ejected from Aynhoe, has a poem addressed to his friend on the subject, in which he has the following lines : —
" Shame and disgrace Eise only from the crime, not from the place. Who thinks reproach or injury is done By an eclipse to the unspotted sun ! He only, by that black upon his brow, Allures spectators, and so do so. Let me find honey, tho' upon a rod, And prize the prison. when the keeper's God; Newgate or hell were heaven if Christ were there, He made the stable so, and sepulchre.
Calamy lived to see London in ashes, the sight of which broke his heart. He was driven through the ruins in a coach, and seeing the desolate condition of so flourishing a city, for which he had a great affec- tion, he received a shock which he never got over. He went home and never came out of his chamber again alive. He died October 29th, 1666. He was the author of many published sermons.
NONCONFORMISTS IN NORWICH.
The Independents first formed a congregation in 1640 in a brewhouse in the parish of St. Edmund's, Norwich. There they worshipped for a
NONCONFORMISTS IN NORWICH. 263
long time. In 1693 they completed the erection of the Old Meeting House in Colegate Street, St. Clement's, and continued there under a succession of ministers, including the Rev. Timothy Armitage, 1647, Eev. Thomas Allen, M.A., 1656, Rev. John Cromwell, Rev. Robert Asty, 1675, Rev. Martin Fynch, 1685, Rev. John Stackhouse, 1690, Rev. T. Scott, 1709, Rev. S. Newton, 1768, Rev. S. Morell, 1824, Rev. J. H. Godwin, 1837, Rev. A. Reed till 1855, Rev. John Hallett, 1856.
George Fox, a prominent religious character, visited Norfolk in the years 1655, 1659, and 1667, and he originated the Society of Friends in Norwich. During his first visit to Norfolk he was apprehended with his companion by hue and cry, and carried before a justice on a charge of having broken into a dwelling-house on a certain night. The plot appears to have been poorly contrived, as it turned out that both had lodged on the night in question at the house of Captain Lawrence, in the parish of Wramplingham. The magistrates regretted that the accused had not been found guilty, and sharply rebuked them on the impropriety of their conduct.
In 1683 John Gurney and fourteen others of the Society of Friends were committed to Norwich Gaol for refusing to take the oath of allegi- ance, which was again tendered to them in 1685, but they still refused it, and were consequently re-committed to prison, nor does it appear when they were released. Their objection was merely because it was an oath, and not to its contents, for all the Friends voluntarily signed a declaration of allegiance in an address to the members of the city. This John Gurney was the ancestor and founder of the fortune of the family of the Gurneys, to whom Norwich owed so much of its prosperity.
The General Baptists first formed a congregation in 1688 in a hired building in Norwich, and they were few in number for some time. At length they became more numerous, and purchased part of the White Friary in Cowgate Street, St. James'. The Particular or Calvanistic Baptists assembled first about 1686, and in 1744 purchased a chapel in Southgate St. Mary's, which was re-buit in a more handsome manner in 1811, and enlarged in 1838 at a cost of £1000. They have a larger chapel in Colegate Street, built in 1814, at a cost of £5000, for the con- gregation which had previously worshipped in Peacock Street. The leading Baptist ministers have been the Rev. Joseph Kinghorn, a great Hebrew scholar ; Rev. W. Brock, Rev. G. Gould, of St. Mary's Chapel ; Rev. Mark Wilkes, Rev. T. A. Wheeler, of St. Clement's Chapel.
Unitarians in Norwich were at first called Presbyterians, but the latter name was inappropriate, as they never had the Presbyterian polity. Their first chapel was built in 1687, on a piece of ground formerly part of a garden once belonging to the prior and convent of the friar preachers, of
264 HISTORY 0¥ EASTERN ENGLAND.
whose deserted walls the Dissenters took possession. The building was so constructed that it might be converted into dwelling-houses, in case their preachers were compelled to abandon it, there being at that time a strong prejudice against the sect.
After the passing of the Toleration Act in 1689, the meeting-house, which had not been long finished, was duly licensed. Dr. Collinges was the first pastor appointed to preach by the congregation. He had a con- siderable hand in the annotations to the Bible which were begun and carried on by Mr. Matthew Poole, and which go under his name. Dr. Collinges died in January, 1690, and was succeded by Mr. Josiah Chorley, who came from Lancashire. He officiated for about thirty years, and was succeeded by the Eev. Peter Finch, a highly-esteemed preacher. He died October 6th, 1754.
Mr. John Brooke was invited to take his place towards the end of the year 1718, and officiated till 1733, when he resigned and removed to York, where he died. Dr. John Taylor was elected to the vacant office in 1733, and he continued till 1757, when he resigned. He was the author of many religious works. The old chapel was pulled down in 1753, and a subscription was raised of nearly £4000 for a new one. The first stone of the new building was laid on February 25th, 1754, by Dr. Taylor, and within three years the present elegant chapel, called the Octagon, was completed at a cost of £5174. Mr. Samuel Bourn was ordained co-pastor with Dr. John Taylor, but resigned in 1775. Mr. Bourn was succeeded by the Bev. John Hoyle, who was minister for seventeen years. He died November 29th, 1775. Mr. Alderson was chosen minister on December 15th, 1776, and soon after Mr. George Cadogan Morgan became co-pastor. He soon resigned, and went to Yarmouth. Dr. William Enfield was then chosen co-pastor with Mr. Alderson, who resigned in 1786, and was succeeded by Mr. P. Houghton in 1787. After publishing many learned works, Br. Enfield died on November 3rd, 1797, in the 57th year of his age.
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
Painters, poets, novelists, essayists, satirists, have illustrated the manners and customs of this remarkable age.
The costumes adopted in the reign of James I. varied little from that of his predecessor, but towards the close of his reign the dresses of the nobility became magnificent. The reign of Charles I. introduced us to the most elegant and picturesque costume ever worn in England ; and from the circumstance of its being the habit of the time when Vandyke painted, it has acquired the appellation of the Vandyke dress. This dress, composed of silks and satins, was worn by the gentry, while we are told
MANNEKS AND CUSTOMS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 265
the Puritans wore cloths and coarser stuffs of black and sober colours, to distinguish them from the gay world ; but the attire of some of them was gayer than that of the present day.
During the first half of this century, the drama flourished exceedingly, and the theatres were largely patronised by royalty, the nobility, and the gentry. James I. was very fond of plays, and often gave Court entertainments. He gave one in honour of the King of Denmark, who had come to visit his kinsman. "One great feast was held, and after dinner the representation of c Solomon's Temple and the Coming of the Queen of Sheba ' was made, or at least should have been made, before their majesties, by devise of the Earl of Salisbury and others." But alas ! as all earthy things do fail to poor mortals in enjoyment, so did prove our presentation hereof." All the performers having drank too much wine, forgot their parts.
When the Puritans became supreme, public amusements, from the masques which were exhibited at the mansions of the great, down to the wrestling matches and grinning matches on village greens, were vigorously attacked. One ordinance directed that all the maypoles in England should be pulled down. Another proscribed all theatrical diversions. The playhouses were to be dismantled, the spectators fined, the actors whipped at the cart's tail. The Puritans were bitter against plays in general, and pantomimes in particular. Behind the grotesque masks of the player Satan grinned horribly to Puritan eyes, the leaps of harlequin were so many bounds of the Prince of Darkness ; each step of columbine was on the broad road which leads to destruction ; the figurantes were busy in dancing away with the salvation of spectators ; the clown upset a soul every time he knocked down pantaloon, and at every tumble pantaloon played the antics of a demon. The loud laughter of the gods in the gallery was echoed from the bottomless pit, and the whole theatre was the counterpart of pandemonium !
The Puritans regarded rope dancing, puppet shows, bowls, and horse- racing with no friendly eye. According to them the racecourse was a devil's ring, the horses were handicapped by sin, and the stakes were the lures of perdition. Every race hurried both riders and spectators to ruin here and hereafter ; every bet sold the soul to Satan. No doubt many were ruined every season at Newmarket races, then in full swing, but the gambling then was a mere bagatelle compared to the enormous swindling of later times, reported even in Puritan newspapers.
Bear-baiting, then a favourite diversion of high and low, rich and poor, was the abomination which most strongly stirred the wrath of the austere sectaries. We must remark that their antipathy to this sport did not arise from their aversion to cruelty. They hated bear-baiting, not because
266 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
it gave pain to the bear, but because it gave pleasure to the spectator. Indeed, Puritans generally contrived to enjoy the double pleasure of tormenting both bear and spectator.
Gambling was a Court amusement of the period, and the King himself often played for high stakes. James I. granted a license to certain gaming-houses in London, which is said to be " for the honest and reasonable recreation of good and civil people, who for their quality and ability may lawfully use the games of bowling, tennis, dice, cards, tables, nine holes, or any other game to be lawfully invented." Hence the origin of the London hells, where young men have so often gambled away all their property and then blown out their brains. The vicious habit of swearing was very prevalent in this period, as appears from an Act under which delinquents were whipped or sent to the stocks.
The first notice of tea, coffee, and chocolate occurs towards the end of this period. Barley and rye bread were largely used by the peasantry. Many of the nobility, following the bad example of the Court, were addicted to drunkenness and gluttony. The King drank, the bishops drank, and the clergy were not always sober. James I. was habitually intemperate, and many attendants at his Court, of both sexes, were not free from the same vice. That the odious vice of drunkenness was speading amongst the people appears from the four Acts of Parliament passed against it. Every offender was liable to be fined 5s. for every offence, and if unable to pay, he was to be put in the stocks for six hours.
At the close of the seventeenth century, the landlords are described as uncouth and unlettered; as swearing for fashion's sake, whilst they watched their oaks with Druidical reverence. Of the ladies it is said that they could scarcely spell a recipe correctly for home-made wine, or an improved syllabub ; but they could attend the fair at Bury St. Edmund's, then the best matrimonial market in the world.
Reviewing the condition of those connected with the soil, we shall see that the mighty and material progress which has taken place since the end of the seventeenth century to the present time has been coincident with Christian education and enlightenment. Rural education had made so little progress, that few farmers could either read or write ; but they could enjoy a market frolic, a wake, a fair, or a puppet show, and even a grinning match was not disdained. We find that after the imposition of the Malt-tax in 1697, the consumption of beer did not keep pace with the population, yet such was the increase of gin-drinking, and the shameful degree of profligacy, that in some towns, boards were exhibited, inviting people to get drunk for the small expense of one penny, assuring them they might get dead drunk for twopence, and have straw for nothing.
STATE OP AGRICULTURE IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 267
The moral state of the peasantry is still very little better in some neglected rural districts in the Eastern Counties.
Newspapers did not exist in this period. Though the Licensing Act expired in 1679, it was held to be illegal to publish political views without Royal sanction. At the close of the reign of Charles II., that sanction was limited to the c< London Gazette," which appeared on Mondays and Thursdays. The contents generally were a Royal proclamation, two or three Tory addresses, notices of two or three promotions, a description of some highwayman, an announcement of a grand cock fight between two persons of honour, and an advertisement offering a reward for a strayed dog. The whole filled two small pages. Several papers were published for the amusement of the people.
" The British Apollo " was a very notable journal published in this period, and professed to answer questions on all subjects. Here is a rather delicate question : — " You, Mr. Apollo, who are said to be the God of wisdom, pray give us the reason why kissing is so much in fashion ; what benefit one receives from it ; and who was the inventor, and you will oblige Corinna." To this queer demand, the lips of Phoebus reply, smiling, " Pretty, innocent Corinna ! Apollo owns that he was a little surprised by your kissing question, particularly at that part of it where you desire to know the benefit you receive from it. Ah, madam, had you a lover, you would not come to Apollo for a solution, since there is no dis- pute that the kisses of mutual lovers give infinite satisfaction. As to its invention, 'tis certain nature was its author ; and it began with the first courtship."
STATE OP AGRICULTURE IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
During this seventeenth century and the next, a large proportion of the lands in the Eastern Counties were held by small proprietors, constituting that famous body of men the yeomanry, then a middle-class of inde- pendent freeholders, placed between the gentry and rural peasantry, always on the side of liberty, and ready at any time to fight for its maintenance, but at the same time equally devoted to the constitution and loyal to the sovereign. Therefore, they possessed considerable political and social influence in the country, which caused them to be much courted by the upper classes especially, on the eve of an election.
The seventeenth century was distinguished by some important improve- ments in agriculture, among which are the introduction of clover and turnips in England. Ray, in 1686, informs us that turnips were sown everywhere, in fields and gardens, both in England and abroad, for the sake of the roots. Lisle (" Observations on Husbandry "), also in 1707 mentions that they were common in Norfolk, Hampshire, Berkshire, and
268 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
various counties. The common story, therefore, that they were first introduced by Charles, Lord Viscount Townsend, cannot be true, but their culture was probably greatly improved by him, when he retired from public business to Rainham, in Norfolk, in 1730.
In the seventeenth century the clang of civil war retarded the progress of industry and commerce. The horrors of the plague and great fire in Lon- don added other impediments to improvement, but we quickly see that the check was only momentary. In that century the demand for agricultural produce increased the value of land from twelve years' purchase to six- teen, eighteen, or even twenty years, and the rental, which was estimated at six millions in 1600, was calculated to be fifteen millions before the expiration of the seventeenth century. During that period much land was enclosed, and the number of yeomen increased. Clover was intro- duced, and we can easily comprehend the influence of that excellent plant in producing an improved rotation of crops and increased stock farming. Wages and the average price of wheat and meat rose in value during this century. But still the income of a squire was estimated high at £450 yearly ; of a farmer at £44 ; and the wages of labourers were not half the present amount ; but it must be remembered that money was double the present value.
During the period from the Revolution of 1688 to the death of George II., agriculture slowly advanced in England, but some improve- ments were perceptible in this eastern district. The more extensive cultivation of the turnip formed an important feature in the agriculture of the seventeenth century, whereby the breed of cattle was improved. In this seventeenth century, the value of land continued to increase, as we find by reference to the annals of Hawsted in Suffolk. In 1600, Hawsted Hall or Manor-house and 126 acres of land were let to William Crofts, of Bury St. Edmund's, for eleven years for £40 and ten coombs of oats a-year, or about 6s. 8d. per acre. In 1611, the dairy- house, a barn, garden, several utensils of the household, the use of the brewing and bake-house, with four parcels of Hawsted Park, comprising 155 acres, were let for three years for £85 5s. a-year, near lis. per acre. In 1616, a survey of the manor was taken, and 405 acres were valued at £249 a-year, or 12s. per acre, and 39 acres of wood at £12, or 6s. per acre.
By curious calculations made at the close of the seventeenth century, it appears that nearly half of the population ate flesh daily, while none were so destitute as not to have a flesh meal at least once a week ; and that, as for beverages, the amount of these consumed would have furnished each man of a whole beer-drinking population of 6,000,000 with an allowance of twenty-eight gallons of strong beer, and forty of small annually. The
STATE OP AGRICULTURE IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 269
population of all England was about six millions, including about half a million in the Eastern Counties.
From a table of rates fixed by the Justices of the County of Essex, it appears that in 1661 labourers were to have 4s. per week with food, and 7s. per week without food, from March to September, and 3s. with food, and 6s. without food during the rest of the year. Probably, at the close of the seventeenth century, the average was 5s. weekly. In estimating the condition of the peasantry then and now, it should be remembered that though many articles were cheaper in that age, yet the price of corn was not much less, while clothes, salt, soap, candles, shoes, &c, were positively dearer.
In the seventeenth century Charles II. visited Norfolk, and he said it was only fit to be cut up into roads for the rest of the country, being then like a vast common. The population was then under 200,000, and most of the people lived in small thatched cottages. The whole produce of the country was very small indeed. According to a computation made by Gregory King in 1696, the whole quantity of wheat, barley, rye, oats grown in the island did not exceed ten millions of quarters. Now it exceeds thirty millions of quarters, and about half that quantity is imported.
A great part of Norfolk then consisted of commons and rabbit warrens. All the western district from Lynn to Holkham might have been described as sand, but now it is soil in a high state of cultivation. Nearly all the rest of the country was like Eoudham Heath, barren and bleak. In east Norfolk vast tracts of land were under water for a great part of the year, and other times formed marshes, morasses, and swamps. No Norfolk authors wrote on agriculture till the eighteenth century, when Mr. Kent wrote his survey of the county.
Travelling was not then a luxury. There was comparatively little communication between different parts of the country, and the roads between different towns were so bad that few persons took a long journey except as a matter of necessity. The roads were in the worst possible condition in East Anglia. In some parts of the country, wheeled carriages were generally drawn by oxen. Goods were conveyed on the best roads by stage waggons, and in other parts by long trains of pack horses. Both modes of travelling were used by the poor, while the rich generally journeyed in their own carriages, to which six horses were often attached from necessity, lest the carriages should stick in the mire.
CHAPTEB XIX.
NARRATIVE OF EVENTS IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.
vipHE old county historians finished their labors and disappeared from £^L this earthly scene in the middle of the eighteenth century. We are no longer guided by their topographical surveys of counties, and their endless genealogies of county families. Their huge folios are monuments of research and industry, far too voluminous to be ever reprinted, or even read except by antiquaries. We must now have recourse to new sources of information in the researches of archasologists and biographers, in scattered local publications, and even the newspapers of the day.
National history to some extent may be connected with a narrative of leading local events in the towns of East Anglia, passing over minor occurrences in any place. The public records of every corporate town in the Eastern Counties are full of endless petty details of local affairs. The proceedings of Corporations fill hundreds of volumes which cannot be condensed in this work. Even county meetings can be only briefly noticed, and we present only the outlines of county history. Memoirs of eminent men and county families are of greater interest, and are intro- duced in the order of time when they arose or flourished ; but many have left no trace behind, even in the last century. Who will guide us over the wide waste of years, or help us to bridge across the chasm between ancient and modern days ? The old political world has passed away like a dream of the night. The tyrants of olden time are all gone with the ages of feudalism and chivalry. The old Church of Rome, with all her priestcraft, predominates no more. New scenes and changes pass before the mind, with new transformations of society. New characters appear on the stage of life, and soon disappear, like a dissolving view.
What was the state of society in Eastern England about 200 years ago ? What was the state of county government, morality, religion, and the condition of the people during the first half of the 18th century?
EVENTS IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTUEY. 271
What in short was the advance in civilization, the progress of agriculture, manufactures and trade ? The civil government of each of the Eastern Counties was in the High Sheriff for the time being. He was generally a large landowner holding a high position in each county. He was annually appointed by the King, and he presided at county meetings in Essex, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, and Norfolk.
The Eastern Counties were each represented by two or more knights of the shire, who were identified with the landed interest, and who cared very little for any other interest. The larger towns were represented by two members each, and so were some small pocket boroughs. The County of Norfolk was represented by two knights of the shire from the year 1258 till 1832; the City of Norwich by two citizens, Yarmouth, Lynn, and Thetford, by two burgesses each. Norfolk, including those towns, paid twenty-two parts of the Land-tax, but had only twelve delegates to dispose of it, whilst Cornwall, which contributed only eight parts, had forty-four delegates. . Essex paid twice the amount of all Scotland, and sent only eight members to Parliament. Representation bore no proportion to taxation nor to property, nor to numbers of people in any county or town.
EEIGN OP QUEEN ANNE, 1702 1714.
The Princess Anne, daughter of James II., was proclaimed Queen on March 8th, 1702. She was crowned on April 23rd, when great rejoicings took place all over the country. Much anxiety was exhibited by European potentates, as. it was feared that Anne would abandon the grand alliance against France, but she resolved to adopt the policy of the late King. In this resolve she was strengthened by the counsel of Marlborough and Godolphin, on whom she relied for political guidance. Accordingly, war was declared against France and Spain, May 4th, 1 702, and soon after the Allies placed the Earl of Marlborough at the head of their forces, and in less than two months he captured Verdoo, Ruremond, and Stevensward. He terminated the campaign by storming Liege on October 23rd in the same year.
At the commencement of the reign of Queen Anne, an attempt was made to nullify the Toleration Act by the introduction of the Occasional Conformity Bill ; and after three rejections by the Lords, it became law in 1711. A still more objectionable Bill passed-the two Houses in 1713 — the Schism Act. An important step was taken by the Queen to supply more adequate incomes to the holders of small benefices in the Church. This was the formation of a perpetual fund, derived from the first fruits and tenths (which from the time of the Reformation had been appropriated by the sovereign) for the augmentation of poor livings. This fund is usually designated Queen Anne's Bounty.
272 HISTOEY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
The short reign of Queen Anne was marked by a retrogressive policy in regard to toleration in religion, but this policy was discontinued when George I. came to the throne, and the act for strengthening the Pro- testant succession passed in 1719 abrogated the Occasional Conformity and Schism Acts. No material alteration took place in this reign in the constitution of Parliament, but by the Septennial Act, the Sovereign had the power to continue the houses in being for seven instead of three years, as in former times.
Newspaper literature seems to have had its rise very early in this eighteenth century. The Norwich Postman, a small quarto sheet published for a penny a number, was the first newspaper published in the city. One of the early publications of this kind was the Weekly Oourant, or Weekly Packet, printed by Mr. Collins, near the Red Well in St. Andrew's. This was a small folio, containing little news, and appeared in 1714. In 1721 appeared the Norwich Weekly Mercury, or Protestant Packet, afterwards entitled the Norwich Mercury, edited by the late Richard Mackenzie Bacon, a talented journalist, critic, and reviewer.
About the same time, Henry Cosgrove printed his newspaper in Norwich (called the Norwich Gazette) at his house near St. Giles's Gates. He was assisted in this undertaking by the celebrated Edward Cave, the originator of the Gentlemen's Magazine, which was first published in 1731. The Norwich Gazette was at first a small sheet, containing little news, but it was afterwards enlarged, and the title of Norfolk Chronicle was added. It was then conducted and edited by Seth Stevenson, Esq., and William Matchett, Esq., for many years, till the death of the latter gentleman.
In 1707, an Act was passed for continuing the Acts of the 7th and 8th William III. (1694-5), for making a turnpike road from Hethersett to a place beyond Attleborough. This was the first turnpike road made in Norfolk. Soon after, many Acts were obtained for making turn- pike roads, and many were opened as good as any in England from Yarmouth, Norwich, and Lynn, to all parts of England.
May 1st, 1708, a terrible fire destroyed great part of the town of Holt, in Norfolk.
Norwich New Mills and Water Works, which were first built in 1480, were re-built in 1710.
The Norwich Gazette of May 19th, 1722, contained the following advertisement, showing the rate of travelling in those days : — " On Satur- day, 26th inst., an empty coach will set out from Bartholomew Hunton's, in St. Giles', in Norwich, for Cambridge, and will go by way of Bury St. Edmund's ; and a week after another coach will set out from Bartholomew Hunton's, and will go by way of Wisbech, Spalding, and Lincoln. All persons who intend to go by either of these coaches are desired to apply
EVENTS IN TITR EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 273
themselves to Bartholomew Hunton aforesaid, who will use them very reasonably." Then three days were required to go from Norwich to Loudon. The local newspapers were then very small sheets, and con- tinued to be so during the whole of the eighteenth century, containing the smallest possible quantity of local news, some extracts from London papers, and a few advertisements. The local paragraphs prove a total disregard of any sanitary requirements in the city, also that the poor were badly lodged and fed, that crime, vice, and immorality prevailed to a great extent, that the police were quite inefficient, that gangs of highwaymen and thieves infested the roads and streets.
Even some of the clergy believed in apparitions in this reign of Queen Anne, as appears from the following story. The original may be found in the register of Brisley Church, Norfolk. Extract from the Register : — "December 12th, 170G. I, Robert Withers, M. A., vicar at Gately, do insert here a story which I had from undoubted hands, for I have all the moral certainty of the truth of it possible. Mr. Grove went to see Mr. Shaw on the 2nd of August last. As they sat talking in the evening, says Mr. Shaw, ' On the 21st of last month, as I was smoking my pipe and reading in my study between eleven and twelve at night, in comes Mr. Naylor (formerly Fellow of St. John's College, but had been dead full four years). When I saw .him I was not much affrighted, and I asked him to sit down, which accordingly he did for about two hours, and we talked together. I asked him how it fared with him. He said, ' Very well.' I asked, ' Are any of our old acquaintances with you ? ' c No/ he said (at which I was much concerned) ; ' but Mr. Orchard will be with me soon, and yourself not long after.' As he was going away, I asked if he would stay a little longer, but he refused. I asked him if he would call again. He said, 'No; I have but three days' leave of absence, and I have other busi- ness.' N.B. — Mr. Orchard died soon after. Mr. Shaw is now dead. He was formerly Fellow of St. John's College, an ingenuous, good man. I knew him there, but at his death he had a college living in Oxfordshire, and there he saw the apparition."
As soon as Queen Anne came to the Crown, the Corporation of Yar- mouth appeared to be as anxious to change their old bailiffs for a Mayor, aldermen, &c, as they had been before violent in their opposition. A committee of nine persons was therefore appointed to draw up a petition, which they duly prepared and presented to the Queen, who granted a char- ter to the Corporation for electing a Mayor, aldermen, &c, under whom the town continued to be governed. In this instrument, the expense of obtaining which amounted to £412 9s. 10d., the rights and privileges of the Corporation were secured as in the last chnrter of Charles II.
VOL. II. T
274 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
In 1711 a Court of Guardians was incorporated by Act of Parliament to erect workhouses and regulate the maintenance of the poor in Norwich . Though manufactures were very flourishing there in the eighteenth cen- tury, and population increased, the number of poor people increased in a greater proportion. Wages were always very low in the city, and were eked out by relief to the operatives.
In 1713 the Duke of Ormond was appointed Lord Lieutenant of the County of Norfolk, vice Lord Townshend displaced.
1714-15 (February 18). A contested election took place for the county of Norfolk. The candidates were Thomas de Grey, Esq., 3183 ; Sir Jacob Astley, Bart., 3059 ; Sir Ralph Hare, Bart., 2840 ; Erasmus Earle, Esq., 2655. The two former were returned.
In 1714 the Bethel was built for the reception of poor lunatics in Nor- wich, by Mrs. Mary Chapman — one of the first foundations in this country for those unhappy persons.
The members of Parliament for the County of Norfolk in this reign of Queen Anne were the following —
1702. — Sir John Holland Bart., Quidenham ; Sir Jacob Astley, Bart., Melton Constable.
1705. — Sir John Holland, Bart., Quidenham ; the Hon. Roger Town- shend, Rainham.
1707.— The same.
1708. — Sir John Holland, Bart., Quidenham; Ash Windham, Esq., Felbrigg.
1710. — Sir John Wodehouse, Bart., Kimberley; Sir Jacob Astley, Bart., Melton Constable.
1713. — Sir Edmund Bacon, Bart., Garboldisham ; Sir Jacob Astley, Bart., Melton Constable.
REIGN OF GEORGE I., 1714 TO 1727.
The first sovereign of the House of Hanover was the son of the Electress Sophia, granddaughter of James I. He was born on May 28th, 16G0, at Hanover. He espoused Sophia Dorothea, of Zell, whom he afterwards imprisoned in the Castle of Alden, on account of a supposed intrigue with Count Koningsmark. His children were George, who succeeded him, and Sophia, who married Frederick William, afterwards King of Prussia. The new sovereign was fifty-five years of age on his accession, and his sole title to the Crown in the eyes of the people was that of representing the line of the Protestant succession. He knew little English or anything else, but he proved himself to be a prudent and discreet Prince, with good intentions.
The great Whig gentlemen at the Court made their bows and congees
EVENTS IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 275
with proper decorum and ceremony ; but the Royal old schemer knew the value of their loyalty. He might have said, "Loyalty as applied to me — it is absurd ! There are fifty nearer heirs to the throne than I am. I am but an accident, and you fine Whig gentlemen take me for your own sake, not for me. You Tories hate me ; you Archbishop, sinking on your knees, and prating about heaven, you know I don't care a fig for your thirty- nine Articles and I can't understand a word of your stupid sermons." How mean the Tories became, how the Houses of Lords and Commons chopped round, and how decorously the majorities welcomed King George I.
Two Norfolk statesmen were very prominent characters in this reign, Sir William Windham and Sir Robert Walpole. The first Parliament returned under the House of Hanover was on March 17th, 1715. Mr. Spencer Compton was chosen Speaker, and the session was opened by the King in person in a very strange speech. The King in his proclama- tion summoning his first Parliament, said " it had pleased Almighty God, by most remarkable steps of his Providence, to call him to the throne of his ancestors." The elector of Hanover had little right to talk of the throne of his ancestors.
The boast of Whig politicians was that the Revolution and the Act of Settlement based Monarchy in England on a Parliamentary and not a hereditary title. On April 5th, Sir William Whitelocke, member for the University of Oxford, characterised the proclamation for summoning Parliament as " unprecedented and unwarrantable." The Whigs called on him to explain, and he escaped by a craven apology. This did not deter Sir William Windham, of Norfolk. He said the proclamation was not only " unprecedented and unwarrantable," but " dangerous to the very being of Parliament." The courtiers called upon him to explain or prove his words ; he only reasserted his opinion, claimed the freedom of debate, and a cry was raised, " To the Tower," " To the Tower." Sir Robert Walpole artfully parried this extreme proceeding, and the result was a vote that Windham should be reprimanded by the Speaker for a great indignity to his Majesty, and a breach of the privilege of the House. He received the reprimand with an acknowledgment of the Speaker's courtesy of manner, &c.
Shortly after the accession of George I., Sir William Windham of Norfolk was arrrested, in common with the Earl of Jersey, Lord Lans- downe, and others, but there was no reason to believe that Sir William had held any treasonable correspondence with the Pretender. If there was any ground for suspicion, his subsequent conduct in Parliament expiated the errors of his early political attachment, and although he acted a distinguished part on the side of the opposition, the integrity of his
276 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
principles had never been called in question. An important attempt was made by the Act of George I., c. 7, passed in 1722, to grapple with the increase of pauperism, which was certainly fostered by the objectionable laws of settlement. Large powers of control over the overseers were now given to the magistrates, and parishes were authorised to build work- houses for the maintenance and employment of the poor, either by erecting a separate building, or by uniting with other parishes for the purpose. This was done to some extent in the Eastern Counties, wherein many new workhouses, called houses of industry, were ultimately built.
During the first half of the eighteenth century, several new taxes were introduced. At the end of the reign of George I., there were thirty- eight branches of customs, twenty-eight of excise, and nineteen branches of inland duties, in all eighty-five different kinds of taxes. The average revenue of the last four years of the reign of George I. was rather more than six millions and a-half . At the close of the reign of George II., the actual revenue was £8,523,540. Of this, £3,887,349 was obtained from the excise and malt-tax, £1,985,376 from the customs, £1,737,608 from the land-tax, £263,207 from the stamp duties, and £650,000 from other sources. Norfolk and Suffolk being barley-producing counties, con- tributed greatly to the malt-tax.
In 1715, the Rebellion broke out in the north, and an artillery company of one hundred men was first raised in Norwich. William Hall, Esq., was then captain. This was soon followed by other military movements of a similar kind. Military movements were not required in Norfolk. The Rebellion was soon quelled, and only four men were executed in London.
About 1722, an Act was passed for clearing, deepening, extending, maintaining, and improving the haven and pier of Great Yarmouth, and for deepening the rivers flowing into the harbour, and also for preserving ships from fire while wintering in the haven.
On February 24th, 1726, in consequence of the proceedings of the Pretender, a loyal address of the Corporation of Norwich was presented to King George I. by the city members.
On June 11th, 1727, George I. died at the Palace of the Bishop of Osnaburgh on his way to Hanover.
" The Fates are supposed to interest themselves about royal personages ; and so this one had omens and prophecies specially regarding him. He was said to be much disturbed at a prophecy that he should die very soon after his wife, and sure enough pallid Death having seized upon the luckless Princess in her castle of Ahlden, presently pounced upon his Majesty King George I. in his travelling chariot on the Hanover-road. It is said George promised one of his left-handed widows to come to her
EVENTS IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTU14Y. 27/
after his death, if leave were granted to her to revisit the glimpses of the moon ; and soon after his demise a great raven, actually flying or hopping at the Duchess of Kendal's window at Twickenham, she chose to imagine the King's spirit inhabited these plumes, and took special care of her sable visitor. Affecting metempsychosis — funereal royal bird ! How pathetic is the idea of the Duchess weeping over it ! When this chaste addition to our English aristocracy died, all her jewels, her plate, her plunder went over to her relations in Hanover." — (Thackeray's " Four Georges.")
Peter Le Neve of Witchingham, in Norfolk, was Norroy King-at- Arms, sent with the ensigns of the noble Order of the Garter by George I. to his brother Ernestus, Bishop of Osnaburgh, in Germany, a gentle- man eminent for his judgment and skill in all parts of history, and particularly in heraldry ; a collector and purchaser of many ancient MSS. and records ; of indefatigable pains and industry in the study of those that related to Norfolk, He was educated at Merchant Taylor's School in London. He fought a duel with Sir Henry Hobart, Bart., of Blickling, in which the latter was killed.
John Ling, D.D., was chosen Bishop of Norwich in 1723, and sat four years. He was a prelate esteemed for his meekness, piety, and charity, as well as for his preaching, in which he was eminent. He died in London of small-pox, October 26th, 1727, and was buried in the parish church of St. Margaret, Westminster, where a monument remains to his memory. William Baker, D.D., Archdeacon of Oxford, first Bishop of Kilmore and Armagh, in Ireland, and afterwards of Bangor, was translated to this see in 1727. He died at Bath, December 4th, 1732, and lies bnried in the nave of the Abbey Church, where a monument remains to his memory.
Robert Butts, D.D., first Dean of Norwich, and afterwards Bishop, was consecrated in 1733, and in 1738 translated to Ely, which seems to have been the paradise of the bishops.
In the reign of George I. only two General Elections occurred. The following Knights of the Shire represented Norfolk, viz. —
1714. — Sir Jacob Astley, Bart., Melton Constable; Thomas de Grey, Esq., Merton.
1722. — Thomas Coke, Esq., Holkham; Thomas de Grey, Esq., Merton,
After this reign, Norfolk was represented by members of a few great families at Holkham, Kimberley, Rainham, or Melton Constable. The Cokes, Astleys, de Greys, Townshends, and Wodehouses were the principal political characters in the county.
278 HISTOEY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
REIGN OP GEORGE II., 1727 TO 1760.
George II. was the son of his predecessor, and was born on October 30th, 1683, at Hanover. He espoused Caroline of Anspach, and had seven children, Frederick Prince of Wales, William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland ; Louisa, who married Frederic V. of Denmark, and four other daughters.
"In the afternoon of June 14th, 1727, two horsemen might have been perceived galloping along the road from Chelsea to Richmond. The foremost (Sir Robert Walpole) cased in the jackboots of the period, was a broad faced, jolly looking, and very corpulent cavalier; but, by the manner in which he urged his horse, you might see that he was a bold as well as a skilful rider. Indeed, no man loved sport better ; and in the hunting- fields of Norfolk, no squire rode more boldly after the fox, or cheered Ringwoood and Sweettips more lustily than he who now thundered over the Richmond road. He speedily reached Richmond Lodge, and asked to see the owner of the mansion. The mistress of the house and her ladies, to whom our friend was admitted, said he could not be introduced to the master, however presing the business might be. The master was asleep after his dinner ; he always slept after his dinner ; and woe be to the person who interrupted him. Nevertheless, our stout friend of the jack- boots put the affrighted ladies aside, opened the forbidden door of the bed-room, where, upon the bed, lay a little gentleman, and here the eager messenger knelt down in his jackboots. He on the bed started up, and with many oaths and a strong German accent asked who was there, and who dared to disturb him. ' I am Sir Robert Walpole,' said the mes- senger. ' I have the honour to announce to your Majesty that your royal father, King George I., died at Osnaburg on Saturday last, the 10th instant/ ' Bat is one big lie,' roared out his sacred Majesty King George II. But Sir Robert Walpole stated the fact, and from that day until three-and-thirty years after, George II. of that name ruled over England."
George II. speedily reconciled himself with the bold minister whom he had hated during his father's life, by whom he was served during fifteen years of his own life with admirable prudence, fidelity, and success. " But for Sir Robert Walpole we should have had the Pretender back again. But for his obstinate love of peace we should have had long wars which the nation was not strong enough nor united enough to endure. But for his resolute counsels and good humoured resistance we might have had German despots attempting a Hanoverian regimen over us. We should have had revolt, commotion, want, and tyrannous misrule, in place of a quarter of century of peace, freedom, and material prosperity, such as
EVENTS IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 279
the country never enjoyed until that corrupter of parliaments, that dissolute tipsy cynic, that courageous lover of peace and liberty, that great citizen, patriot, and statesman, governed it." — (Thackeray's " Four Georges/5)
The new sovereign, in consequence of his estrangement from his father, at first regarded the ministry with dislike, and Sir Robert Walpole expected that he would be superseded, but the Queen, who exercised great influence over her husband, persuaded him to retain the services of a financier who could " turn stones into gold," and Walpole continued in office for several years. In 1730, the rival Norfolk ministers, Townshend and Walpole, quarrelled ; and the former, after a vain attempt to strengthen himself at Court, on May 16th resigned his office. Unlike too many politicians, he steadily refused to take any steps to thwart a govern- ment whose general policy he approved, and retired altogether from public life.
The penal code was much increased in severity during the reign of George II. Before the Revolution, the number of capital offences did not exceed sixty, three new ones were added. To steal or even hamstring a sheep was punished as severely as murder or treason. In the Eastern Counties, the penal code was enforced with the utmost rigour of the law, and many persons were hanged for small offences against property. The Game Laws were also enforced with the greatest severity by the magis- trates, who filled the prisons with poachers. The whole of Eastern England was a vast preserve for game, as it is now to a considerable extent.
Parliament was dissolved in April, 1734, and enormous sums were expended by the candidates and their partizans at the new elections. Sir Robert Walpole, of Houghton, Norfolk, is said to have spent £60,000 out of his private fortune in order to strengthen his interest in the House of Commons. On the meeting of the houses (January 14th, 1735), it appeared that the Opposition had gained a few votes, but the ministerial party remained firm and united. In the session of the following year a bill was brought in to repeal those clauses of the Test Act which excluded Dissenters from all offices, but Sir R. Walpole, fearing the strength of the Church party, opposed the measure, and it was rejected.
Sir Edward Ward, of Bixley Hall, Norfolk, was a candidate to repre- sent the city of Norwich jointly with Miles Branthwayte, Esq., of Hethel, in the year 1734, against Horatio Walpole, of Wolterton, brother of Sir Robert Walpole, and Walter Bacon, Esq., of Earlham. The poll was taken on May 15th, 1734, and closed as follows: — Horatio Walpole, Esq., 1785 j Walter Bacon, Esq., 1749 ; Sir Edward Ward, Bart., 1621 ; Miles Branthwayte, Esq., 1567.
280 HISTOliY OF EASTE11N ENGLAND.
Sir Edmund Bacon, premier baronet of all England in 1 734, resided in the parish of Garboldisham, Hundred of Guiltcross, Norfolk. On May 22nd in that year, he was a candidate at a strongly-contested election for Nor- folk. The other candidates were William Wodehouse, Esq., William Morden, Esq., and Robert Coke, Esq. The total number of freeholders polled was 6302, and the result of the polling was as follows : — Sir Edmund Bacon, Bart., 3224 ; William Wodehouse, Esq., 3153 ; William Morden, Esq., 3147; Robert Coke, Esq., 3081. The two former were returned.
In January, 1736, George II. sailed from Helveotslirys, a small port in Holland, to England, and was a considerable time on his voyage, in con- sequence of contrary winds and stormy weather, which exposed the King and his friends to great danger. On January 14th, the vessel appeared off Lowestoft, where the inhabitants waited the arrival of the monarch with loyal impatience. When the barge approached the shore sufficiently near, a party of sailors belonging to the port, dressed in their usual jackets, rejoicing that their King had escaped the perils of the deep, waded into the water, and meeting the barge, hoisted it with its occu- pants— the King, the Countess of Yarmouth, and others — on their shoulders, and so conveying it to the beach without allowing it to touch the ground. His Majesty was met on the shore by John Jex, Esq., of that town, with a carriage, and he assumed the office of coachman, much to the risk of the Royal person, for it is said that in his excitement he more than once nearly upset the coach. However, he conveyed the King to his house, where his Majesty remained two hours and partook of his good cheer. His Majesty then drove off for London by way of Ipswich, which town he did not reach till eleven o'clock at night, and then he saw the streets illuminated by the loyal inhabitants, one of the King's messengers having preceded him and given notice of the monarch's approach. The King stopped at the Great White Horse Hotel, and went upstairs to the large dining-room, where he received the magistrates, and they had the honour of kissing the Royal hand. His Majesty left the hotel in an hour, and proceeded by coach to Colchester, passing through that town without stopping. He travelled all night, and reached St. James's Palace at two p.m. next day. What a contrast this slow mode of travelling presents to the rapidity of Royal conveyance in these times.
In consequence of the scarcity and dearness of corn, much rioting took place in Norwich and Norfolk, to suppress which the magistrates called in the aid of the military, and two men and two women were shot dead. This was the common way of quieting starving people at the time. A coarse household bread inferior to meal was the general bread used in the city and county. Afterwards fine flour from Hertfordshire was retailed in Norwich. In 1747, fine flour was produced in the vicinity of this city.
EVENTS IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 281
Norwich Cathedral was this year (1740) cleaned and repaired; it was again repaired and beautified in 1763 ; and in 1777 and 1780, two painted windows, representing the Transfiguration and the twelve Apostles, were placed at the east end of the choir. They were painted by the lady of Dean Lloyd.
In September, 1745, the magistrates and principal inhabitants of Nor- wich associated in support of the Government of George II., and in defence of the civil and religious liberties of the country. In consequence of the rebellion in Scotland, an artillery company of about 100 men was raised in Norwich, and Lord Hobart appointed commander.
On October 9th, 1745, a general thanksgiving on the suppression of the rebellion in Scotland was observed in Norwich. A magnificent arch was erected in the Market Place, which with the whole city was illuminated.
In( 1752 the population of the city was 36,169 souls, being an increase of 72^8 inhabitants since 1693. The number of houses was 7139.
On May 3rd, 1756, the freedom of the city was voted toihe Eight Hon. William Pitt and Henry Bilston Legge, the former late Secretary of State and the latter Chancellor of the Exchequer, for their conduct during their short administration.
On April 14th, 1741, war was proclaimed against France by the Mayor and Corporation of Norwich on horseback.
February 7th, 1748. Peace with France and Spain was proclaimed in Norwich, the Mayor and Corporation attending on horseback, preceded by a party of dragoons and the artillery company.
Charles Townshend, second son of the third Viscount Townshend, entered Parliament as member for Yarmouth in 1747, and continued to represent that town till 1761, when he was elected for Harwich. In 1756 he was appointed a member of the Privy Council, and on the accession of George III. became Secretary at War in the Ministry which drove Pitt from office. In 1 765 he was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer and Paymaster- General, and 1766 a Lord of the Treasury. This able minister was cut off during the recess of Parliament in 1767 by putrid fever, at the very moment when his great abilities were beginning to command the attention of Parliament.
George Marquess Townshend, who distinguished himself in various battles, represented his native county, Norfolk, from 1747 until his accession to the peerage in 1764, and he was an active and distinguished member. In 1772 he was promoted from the post of Lieutenant- General of the Ordnance to the head of that department, and in 1787 the King raised him to a Marquisate. He was appointed Field-Marshal, Colonel of the Second Regiment of the Dragoon Guards, Governor of Jersey
282 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Lord-lieutenant of Norfolk, High-steward of Tamworth, Yarmouth, and Norwich, and D.C.L. He died on September 14th, 1807.
Lord Townshend was, like his ancestors, a Whig, that is, a firm friend to those principles which were established at the Revolution. In Parliament he acted an independent part, and though himself an officer in the standing- army, he had by his perseverance a principal share in the establishment of a constitutional militia. He sometimes voted against the ministers, but oftener with them. In private, as in public life, he was a man of the strictest honour ; he had a sound mind with a vein of humour peculiar to himself. His manners were frank and open, and in the various situations of his life his benevolence and humanity were as conspicuous as his firmness .and his courage.
Up to the end of this reign a majority of the old English nobility, especially in the Eastern Counties, advocated Whig principles, and from the lustre of their ancestry, they were able to promulgate popular doctrines without being classed as demagogues. The Townshends, the Walpoles, the Windhams, the Herveys, were all Whigs. To counteract their influence, the younger Pitt induced George III. to create a large number of Tory peers, and in less than sixteen years sixty- one barons were created, to say nothing of other orders of the peerage. Thus the popular respect for the Upper House was greatly diminished.
On October 22nd, 1751, a fire broke out in Norwich which nearly destroyed the old city Bridewell and several adjoining houses. The Bridewell was an old building of flint, erected about the year 1370 by Bartholomew Appleyard; and his son William, the first Mayor of Norwich, served his mayoralty here in 1403. There were some fine arched vaults under it, and the flint wall opposite St. Andrew's Church is well worthy the inspection of the curious.
In the year 1752 the number of houses and inhabitants in the city precincts and hamlets of Norwich was as follows : — 7139 houses, 36169 souls; being an increase of 7288 inhabitants since 1693, when the number of souls was only 28,881.
On January 10th, 1756, a slight shock of an earthquake was felt in Norwich and Norfolk.
January 31st. One of the first provincial banks was established in Norwich under the direction of Charles Weston, Esq.
May 3. The freedom of the city was voted to the Right Hon. William Pitt and Henry Bilson Legge — the former late Secretary of State, and the latter Chancellor of the Exchequer — for their conduct during their short administration. The freedom of the city and thanks of the Corporation were also voted to Matthew Goss, Esq., for the present of his gold chain, which has ever since been worn by the Mayor.
NORWICH MANUFACTURES, 1727 TO 1800. 283
According to a letter written in answer to questions by Mr. Charles Hart, of Hapton, in 1752, the number of cottages in that parish was only ten, but most of them were double. Laborers received lOd. in winter and 12d. in summer, as day wages. Subsequently wages rose a few pence per day. Prices of wheat 3s. 6d. to 4s. per bushel. Meats of all kinds from 2|d. to 3d. per lb. ; butter 3^d. to 4d. per pint; milk plentiful and cheap. Bread, malt, meats, cheese, butter, and fuel were plentiful and cheap. Labourers could brew and ask their masters and neighbours to drink beer.
In 1792 we find the very reverse of this state of things, owing to various causes ; such as the high prices of all kinds of provisions, and the heavy taxes. Wool and leather were very dear, and it was impossible for a poor working man with a large family either to feed or clothe his children.
In consequence of the high price of wheat, and scarcity of work, a public subscription was opened in Norwich, by which 12,000 persons in the city were supplied with household bread at half price for some time. Yet this second half of the eighteenth century was the most prosperous period of the old manufactures of the city. The population was then about 38,000, and most of the operatives were engaged in the manufacture of woollen goods, which were in great demand.
On July 4th and 5th, 1756, the Norfolk Militia, commanded by Lord Orford, marched from Norwich to Portsmouth, and passed in review before King George II. at Kensington. This was the first regiment of militia that left their own county, and they behaved so well as to be generally admired. Their commander was a young gallant officer, and a member of the Walpole family, Horace Walpole being his uncle.
On July 12th, 1756, the Earl of Orford put the Act for the Better Regulation of the Militia into execution. This Act fixed the number of men to be raised for Norfolk and Norwich at 960, of which the city furnished 151.
On October 25th, 1760, King George II. died at Kensington, and his grandson, George III., was proclaimed King in Norwich, on the 29th, by the Mayor and Corporation, preceded by the four Norwich companies of Militia with colours, standards, and music.
NORWICH MANUFACTURES.
At the commencement of this reign (1727), Norwich manufactures were in a very flourishing state, and the manufacturers were very active intelli- gent men, some of whom had fled from France on account of persecution, and had gone through the whole routine of their trade, and could do the work in every process with their own hands. The worstead goods made
281 HISTORY OE EASTERN ENGLAND.
in the city at this time were camlets and camletees, caliinancoes, plain, flowered, and brocaded ; satins and satinettes ; brocaded satins, rosettes, brilliants, Batavias, Mecklenburghs, hairbines, damasks, duroys, poplins, prnnells, bombazines, serges, Florentines, brilliantines, grandines, camel- tines, tabourtincs, blon dines, callimandres, and other fabrics.
An English gazetteer, published before 1726, contains an account of Norwich, in which the writer says : a The weavers here employ spinsters all the country round, and also use many thousand packs of yarn spun in other counties, even as far as Yorkshire and Westmoreland. By a late calculation from the number of looms at work in this city only, it appeared that there were no less than 120,000 people employed in these manufac- tures of wool, silk, &c, in and about the town, including those employed in spinning the yarn used for such goods as are made in the city." The writer of course means to include all the females who spun the yarns in Yorkshire and Westmoreland, as well as in Norfolk and Norwich.
Originally all the yarns used in the city were spun by hand in Norfolk and Suffolk, thus employing a very large number of young and old women in their own homes, where they earned a good deal more than women do now in factories. About 1700, almost the whole female population of Norfolk and Suffolk was fully employed iu spinning, and this branch of industry continued till the end of the century, and though 50,000 tons of wool were produced it was found necessary to draw supplies from other sources. The first half of this century was the happiest time for working people in the Eastern Counties.
The prosperity of Norwich extended to the whole eastern district by employing so many thousands of females, who worked away at their spinning wheels cheerily in their own homes. A wife and her daughters could earn as much as the father of the family. So flourishing was the woollen trade in Norwich during this period, that in February, 1759, the wool combers testified their joy by exhibiting the pageant of Bishop Blaise, who lived under Diocletian, a.d. 282, and who was a great patron of woollen manufactures.
Mr. James in his " History of Manufactures " assures us that Norwich attained its highest prosperity about the middle of this eighteen century, so great was the energy and fertility of resource displayed by its merchants. They sent travellers through Europe, and their pattern books were shown in every town as far as Moscow. The establishment of mills in Yorkshire, where coals, provisions, and labour were cheaper than in Norfolk, injured the city to a degree that would have been severely felt but for the fluctuations of fashion having created a great demand for bombazines made in Norwich. The orders of the East India Company for camlets amounted to a very large sum yearly. Millions of pieces were produced
BISHOPS OF NORWICH, 1691 TO 1738. 285
by the united manufacturers of the city for exportation to India and China. The camlets then made were thirty yards in length and about twenty-eight inches wide, with warp and weft dyed in the hank. Operatives earned 40s. for each piece of camlet, or about £1000 weekly on that single article. Those were the palmy days for the weavers, days that will never more return. Few of the weavers saved any money, and when trade declined they were soon in great distress.
John Wilson, Esq., was High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1732, and afterwards Mayor of Lynn. His only son, a young gentleman much esteemed, was unfortunately lost in the year 1758, with many other gentlemen passengers to Italy, in the Prince George, a ninety-gun ship, Avhich unfortunately took fire at sea, and on board of which Admiral Broderick had his flag flying, and who was saved with great difficulty by throwing himself into the sea, and swimming for his life. All the rest perished in the flames.
George I. created the following baronets in Norfolk and Suffolk : —
Sir Thomas Beauchamp Proctor, of Langley, February 20, 1745. - Sir Harbord Harbord, of Gunton, March 22, 1764.
Sir Martin Brown Ffolkes, of Hillington Hall, May 3, 1774.
Sir Alexander Leith, of Burgh St. Peter, November 11, 1775.
Sir Henry Peyton, of Narborough, August 24th, 1776.
In the reign of George II., many General Elections occurred. The following Knights of the Shire were returned for the county of Norfolk, viz. :
1727. — Sir John Hobart, Bart., Blickling ; Sir Thomas Coke, Holkham.
1728. — Sir Edmund Bacon, Bart., Garboldisham; Harbord Harbord, Esq., Gunton.
1734. — Sir Edmund Bacon, Bart,, Garboldisham; William Wodehouse, Esq., Kimberley.
1741. — Hon. Edward Coke, Holkham ; Armine Wodehouse, Esq., Kimberley.
1747. — Hon. George Townshend, Rainham ; Aimine Wodehouse, Esq., Kimberley.
1754. — Hon. George Townshend, Rainham ; Armine Wodehouse, Esq., Kimberley.
Sir John Hobart was created' Baron Hobart in 1728, Earl of Bucking- hamshire in 1746.
BISHOPS OP NORWICH.
John Moore, D.D., Prebendary of Ely, Rector of St. Andrew's, Holborn, London, and St. Ann's, Soho, Westminster, was consecrated to this see July 5th, 1691, where he sat till 1707, when he was translated to Ely. He collected a valuable library, which was purchased by George
286 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Land presented to Cambridge University. He died in 1784, and was buried on the north side of the choir of Ely Cathedral.
Charles Trinmil, D.D., Prebendary of Norwich, Archdeacon of Norfolk, and Eector of St. James', Westminster, was consecrated to this see in 1 707. He was a native of Norwich, and greatly assisted the emigrants who fled to this diocese from the Palatinate in the Rhine through the exactions of the French. Many of those artizans who settled in Norfolk greatly increased the trade of the county. In 1721, he was translated to Winchester.
Thomas Green, D.D., was born in the parish of St. Peter's Mancroft, Norwich, and received the rudiments of his education at the Grammar School. He was successively Scholar, Fellow, Master of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, Vicar of St. Martin's in the Fields, Westminster, Archdeacon and Prebendary of Canterbury, and Chaplain to Archbishop Tennison. He was a man of great learning, was consecrated to this see October 8th, 1721, and having sat two years was translated to Ely. He died in 1738, and was buried on the north side of the choir of the Cathedral at Ely.
METHODISTS IN NORWICH.
About 1750 Mr. James Wheatley visited Norwich and originated the sect of Calvinistic Methodists in the city. He preached first in the open air on Tombland and the Castle Hill. Great excitement was produced, and a temporary building was soon erected called the Tabernacle. The site has been changed, but the name is still retained. The manner in which the citizens were then disposed to receive new preachers may be conceived from the following account by Mr. W. Lorkin, taken from a narrative published in 1752: — " About the beginning of the year 1751, a most remarkable reformation took place among the inhabitants of the city of Norwich by the preaching of Mr. J. Wheatley, insomuch that amongst the most notorious for vice and immorality many thousands attended the ministry of God's Word, and 2200 gave in their names as candidates for Christian society, with a view to seek the salvation of their souls. A spirit of seriousness was manifest throughout every part of the city. The public newspapers of that time state that where formerly nothing but blaspheming the name of God resounded in the streets, now seldom an oath or a profane expression was anywhere to be heard. This great reformation continued for some months, and in all probability would have continued much longer, had it not been for a certain set of dissolute and disaffected persons, who called themselves the ' Hell-fire Club,' who employed all their power and influence for its suppression. * * * This infamous association consisted of a number of gentlemen (so called), who
METHODISTS IN NORWICH, 1750 TO 1754. 287
assumed that appalling appellation ; some of them were Papists, some Jacobites, and others Nonjurors, all of them in their political principles disaffected to the Government of the country. They regarded the Methodists as a loyal people from the beginning, and they were therefore the more determined to do all in their power to crush and destroy them. That lawless fraternity met at the Blue Bell on Orford Hill, and it was their custom, after regaling themselves and singing treasonable songs, to collect large sums of money and distribute (the money) amongst the mob."
Whitfield and Wesley began the great revival of religion in the eighteenth century, while still students at Oxford, and the former had stirred society in England before he was twenty-four years of age. Wesley also began his religious career when a young man, and he soon roused people from their lethargy, even in the Eastern Counties, where the clergy were all asleep. He became the most energetic and powerful preacher of his time.
The Rev. John Wesley and his brother Charles Wesley first visited Norwich in 1754. At that time they were unknown in the city except to a gentleman who had entered the army and who resided at Lakenham, then a small hamlet of the city, and he hospitably entertained them at his house. There the Rev. Charles Wesley preached the first Methodist ser- mon which was ever heard by the citizens. Mr. John Wesley was then incapable of public duty, being as supposed in a deep decline, but he gradually recovered. He visited the city in the following year, and preached his first sermon on July 1st, 1755, at a place called the Foundry, near Orford Hill. He continued about a fortnight preaching every morn- ing and evening. The result was the formation of a small society, the members of which held meetings at the Foundry.
In 1754, Methodism was first preached in Yarmouth by Thomas Olivers, an itinerant preacher, who after the Church service was concluded assembled a numerous meeting in the Market Place ; but as soon as he had read his text a clamour arose among the multitude, and he was forth- with mobbed out of the town. A more successful attempt to introduce the doctrines and forms of John Wesley was made afterwards by Mr. Howell Hums, who had been previously a preacher in South Wales, and arrived here in 1660 at the head of a Volunteer corps, raised by himself for the defence of the country, and then attached to a regular regiment. Finding that there were no Methodists in the town, and hearing of the way Olivers was treated, he secretly caused the town crier to give notice that a Methodist would preach to the people in the Market Place on a certain day. The passion for novelty in some and "a feeling of curiosity and mischief in others attracted a large assembly to the spot, many of them armed with sticks. Mr. Harris, apparently heedless of their
288 HISTORY OP EABTERN ENGLAND.
proceedings, had been exercising his men at a short distance from the mob, and when the clock struck the appointed hour, he quietly walked into the midst of the crowd and demanded the reason of the assemblage. Those nearest him replied that a Methodist had advertised his preaching that hour, but it was well he had not come, for if he had made his appearance they certainly would not have left him alive. Mr. Harris expressed his regret for their disappointment, and said if they would favour him with their attention he would give them a little friendly advice. His men then surrounded him, and mounting a table he proceeded to sing a hymn, in which the soldiers most zealously joined ; a prayer succeeded, and the military preacher then exhorted the people to abstain from their wicked courses. The wondering mob, awe struck by the presence of the military, and subdued by the novelty of the scene, offered no opposition, but abandoned their hostile intentions, and the preacher after a long hearing uninterrupted succeeded in converting many of them.
About this time, the preachers changed the scene every two months, extending their labors over a greater part of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex, in which counties the common people heard them gladly, and many were converted.
TRAVELLING IN ESSEX.
In the early part of the eighteenth century travelling was very unplea- sant and insecure. The highways were in a wretched condition, although it is stated a great improvement in them commenced in the time of George II. A journey from the heart of Essex was a matter that required serious thought and a week's preparation, and we find it advertised as an extraordinary feat, and not without some apologetic explanations to allay the terror of the public at the peril of the undertaking, that " flying machines, a sort of cross between the waggon and stage coach, drawn by chain traces, would leave Chelmsford at eight or nine o'clock in the morn- ing and actually reach London the same night, returning on the following morning ; thus by extra exertion accomplishing in two days, and at enor- mous expense, a journey which may now be performed by a return ticket in a second-class carriage for 7s. 6d. in less than three hours. The high- wayman, too, was another unpleasant impediment to the traveller. Not- withstanding the severity of the law, which consigned numbers to death for robberies at almost every assize, the thief, armed with his pistol and mounted on his steeple-chaser, followed the plundering of the traveller as a profession. Footpads infested most parts of the county. Higglers carts could not go or return from market without protection, and in 1 765 we read of a robber being -shot at Loughton by an armed guard
BISHOPS OF NORWICH. 289
accompanying the hay carts returning from London. An Essex stage coach was stopped and robbed by a single highwayman between Ilford and Stratford, and in the same year it was the custom of the farmers attending Colchester market to leave some hours before the usual close of business to go home in large companies, on account of the robberies that were committed upon them if they travelled singly.
In 1761 the Princess Charlotte of Mecklenberg Strelitz (the Queen Charlotte of the next fifty years) landed at Harwich on the 7th of Sep- tember, on her way to marry George III. She was enthusiastically received in her journey through Essex ; and slept the first night at the mansion of the Marquis of Abercorn, at Witham, and proceeded the next day to Romford, where she was met by the officers of the Court and the Royal carriages, and from thence through Stratford to London.
On the 10th of August, 1764, appeared the first newspaper printed in this county. It was called the Chelmsford Chronicle, or Essex Weekly Advertiser ; the price being twopence-halfpenny, the Government taking the odd halfpenny in the shape of stamp. It is amusing to look over this little folio of four diminutive pages, each fifteen and a-half inches long and ten inches wide, and compare it with the expansive sheet of the same journal of the present day. Three of the thirty-six columns of the steam-printed Chronicle would now swallow up the whole of the contents. Nor was its matter much superior to its size. The machinery which now, aided by the railways and the electric telegraph, grasps every incident and records every occurrence in the remotest parishes, was unframed ; and all the local intelligence was comprised in three or four brief paragraphs and half-a-dozen marriages and deaths. The art which catches " the winged words as they fall from the living lips," and fixes them firmly on paper, was then unknown in Essex ; and assizes and sessions and public meetings were permitted to pass unreported. Yet this literary bantling lived and prospered and improved. It went on strengthening and expanding ; others grew up around it ; the Herald in 1800; the Standard in 1831; the Gazette in 1852; the Telegraph in 1858; and now Essex possesses five large journals, which it may be said, without egotism, for ability and fulness of general and local information, reflect honour on the county.
BISHOPS OF NORWICH, 1738 to 1792.
Thomas Gooch, D.D., Master of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge; he was three successive years Vice-Chancellor of that University, in which time he raised by contributions nearly £10,000, with which the noble building called the Senate House was erected. He was rector of St. Clement's, Eastcheap, London; Chaplain to Queen Anne ;
VOL. |I. ¥
290 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
afterwards Archdeacon of Essex, Canon Residentiary of Chichester, and Prebendary of Canterbury; and Bishop of Bangor, April, 1737, whence he was translated to Norwich, November, 1738. He repaired and beautified the Bishop's Palace, and having ruled this diocese ten years, he was translated to Ely, where he died, and was buried in the church.
Samuel Lisle, D.D., sat but one year, when he died, and was succeeded by Thomas Hayter, D.D., Chaplain to his Royal Highness Frederic Prince of Wales and Preceptor to George III. After having ruled this diocese for twelve years with distinguished reputation, he was translated to London in 1761.
Philip Yonge, D.D., was consecrated in 1761, a truly Christian prelate, who governed this diocese for twenty-two years with the greatest attention. His ill state of health did not permit him to be perpetually resident at his palace, though he always passed some part of the summer there. He died much respected, April 23rd, 1783, and was buried in South Audley Street Chapel, Westminster.
Lewis Bagot, LL.D., Dean of Christ Church and Bishop of Bristol, succeeded, and proved to be a prelate of great abilities, of fervent piety, and of exemplary life. In the pulpit he was eloquent and in the chair impressive. The effects of his strict attention to the discipline of the church was displayed in his visitation, by reforming abuses, enforcing the canons for repairing churches (many of which were in a very bad state), and insisting on a strict attention of the clergy to pastoral duty. He was translated to the See of Asaph in 1790, where he died June 4th, 1802, greatly lamented by the poor of his diocese.
George Home, Bishop of Norwich, was the son of the Rev. Samuel Home, rector of Otham, near Maidstone in Kent, and was born at that place on November 1st, 1730. Under the tuition of his father he made a rapid progress in Greek and Latin, so that when at the age of thirteen he was at Maidstone school, the master, surprised at his proficiency, addressed him thus : — " Why," said he, " do you come to school, when you are rather fit to go from school." Here he continued for two years only, when he obtained a Maidstone scholarship in University College, Oxford; and having in 1749 taken his Bachelor's degree, was chosen Fellow of Magdalen College. In 1752, Mr. Home took the degree of Master of Arts, and in the following year was ordained by the Bishop of Oxford. He preached his first sermon at Finedon in Northampton- shire, and not long after preached before one of the most learned and polite congregations at London ; the clergyman whose pulpit he supplied on the occasion pronounced that " George Home was, without exception, the best preacher in England : " a testimony the more valuable, as Mr. Jones observes, because it came from a person who had with many
BISHOPS OP NORWICH, 1738 TO 1792. 291
people the reputation of being such himself. In 1768 Mr. Home was elected President of Magdalen College, and about the same time married the daughter of Philip Burton, Esq., at Eltham in Kent. He now proceeded Doctor in Divinity, and was appointed chaplain to the King. In 1776 Dr. Home was elected Vice-Chancellor of the University; in 1781, the year after the expiration of that office, Dean of Canterbury ; and in 1 789 was promoted to the See of Norwich.
Dr. Home had early applied himself to the study of Hebrew, and through an intimacy with some gentlemen who were favourers of the doctrines of Hutchinson, he was led to partially adopt that system. On this occasion it is fairest, as the editor of the " Biographical Dictionary " has done before, to give the words of Mr. Jones, his biographer, steady friend, and a man of similar opinions :— " It has been hinted to me that Dr. Home had embraced a sort of philosophy in the early part of his life which he found reason to give up towards the latter end of it. Before it can be judged how far this may be true, a necessary distinction is to be made. I do not recollect that his writings anywhere discover a professed attachment to the Hebrew criticisms of Mr. Hutchinson ; and I could prove abundantly, from his private letters to myself, that he was no friend to the use of such evidence, either in philosophy or divinity. But that he renounced or disbelieved that philosophy which asserts the true agency of nature and the respective use of the elements, or that he did not always admire, and so far as he thought it prudent, insist upon it, and recommend it, is not true." Thus much, in justice towards a candid statement of his opinions, is given in the language of his friend. The consideration of the Hutchinsonian principles, how far they may be correct as applied to natural philosophy, or where they begin to assume a fanciful aspect, in their application to higher objects, is a wide field into which we have no occasion to enter ; we have a far more satisfactory task in bearing testimony to -the general tenor of his life, in which he con- stantly showed the disposition of a charitable and pious Christian, and proved himself truly worthy of the preferment he obtained. He was naturally of a tender constitution, increased perhaps by application to study, so that soon after his arrival at the palace of Norwich, observing the large flight of steps by which it is entered, he exclaimed, " Alas ! I am come to these steps at a time of life when I can neither go up or down them with safety." He was even unable to deliver the charge which he had prepared for his primary visitation ; and, undertaking a journey to Bath, where he had twice before experienced relief, was attacked on the road by a paralytic affection ; he however completed his journey, and for a short time appeared in a recovering state, but died on January 17th, 1792, in the sixty-second year of his age. He was buried at Eltham in Kent. A
292 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
commendatory but very just epitaph is placed over him, which is also put up in the cathedral of Norwich. His works were numerous, the first, written at a very early age, was a parallel between the " Somnium Scipionis" of Cicero, and the Newtonian plan of the Cosmothereal System; he was however soon sensible that he had treated this subject with too much levity, and therefore, about two years after, published a candid and impartial state of the case between Sir Isaac Newton and Mr. Hutchinson. In a riper age he published "A Commentary on the Book of Psalms," which will be read as long as learning and piety are valued, and another excellent work, " Letters on Infidelity," &c, &c.
THE HERVEYS OF ICKWORTH, SUFFOLK, 1715 TO 1743.
The distinguished family of the Herveys have been long resident at Ickworth, near Bury St. Edmund's, and one of the more eminent members of the family flourished in the reign of George I. The Duchess of Marlborough procured the elevation of the Herveys to the peerage. John Lord Hervey, long Vice-Chamberlain to Queen Caroline, was descended from the family of a commoner, one of those old squires who lived without lustre and without obscurity. The father of Lord Hervey was a county gentleman of good fortune, who lived at Ickworth, near Bury St. Edmund's, and who represented that town in Parliament. He lived in his own county, uniting the character of the English squire with that of a perfect gentleman, a scholar, and an admirable member of society. Thus he lived till created Earl of Bristol in 1714. It would have been well if the earl could have transmitted to his sons his good moral qualities. He was pious, affectionate, sincere, and a consistent Whig of the old school. John Lord Hervey was educated first at West- minster school, under Dr. Frewd. Thence he was removed to Clare Hall, Cambridge, where he graduated as a nobleman, and became M.A. in 1715.
At Cambridge, Lord Hervey might have acquired some manly prowess, but he had a mother who was as strange as the family into which she had married, and who was passionately devoted to her son. She evinced her affection by never letting him have a single chance of being like other English boys. He was as precious and as fragile as porcelain, and the elder brother's death made the heir of the Hervey's more valuable, more effeminate, more controlled than ever by his eccentric mother. A Court was to be his hemisphere, and to that all his views tended early in life. He went to Hanover to pay his court to George I., and he returned full of enthusiasm for the Prince of Wales, afterwards George II. That visit influenced his destiny. Such was his youth ; disappointed by not obtain- ing a commission in the Guards, he led a desultory, butterfly life — one day at Richmond with Queen Caroline, then Princess of Wales ; another
THE HEEVEYS OF ICKWOETH, 1715 TO 1743. 293
at Pope's Villa, near Twickenham ; sometimes in the House of Commons, in which he succeeded his elder brother as member for Bury St. Edmund's. His early marriage with Mary Lepel, the maid of honour to Queen Caroline, ensured his felicity, but did not curb his predilections for other ladies.
Mary Lepel, Lady Hervey, whose attractions, great as they were, did not rivet the exclusive admiration of her husband, became his wife in 1720 some time before he was enthralled within the gilded prison doors of a Court. She was endowed with that intellectual beauty calculated to attract a man of talent. She was highly educated, possessed of savoir faire, infinite good temper, and a strict sense of duty. Good as she was, she viewed with a fashionable composure the various intimacies formed by his lordship during the course of their married life. The aim of both was, not so much to ensure their domestic happiness, as to gratify their ambition. Probably they were disappointed in both these aims, certainly one of them. Lord Hervey, talented, indefatigable, courteous, popular, and lively, advocated in brilliant orations the measures of Walpole in vain. After fourteen years had elapsed he was left in the subordinate position of Vice-Chamberlain, in spite of that high order of talents which he possessed, and which would have been displayed to more advantage in another sphere. The fact has been explained : the Queen could not do without him, and her daughter loved him. Thus his life was frittered away till promotion came too late.
Lord Hervey had been married about seven years when Lady Mary Montagu appeared at the Court of Queen Caroline, after her long resi- dence in Turkey. Lord Hervey was thirty-three years of age ; Lady Mary was verging on forty. She was still a pretty woman, with a piquant, neat-featured face. She was full of repartee, of poetry, of anecdote, and was not averse to admiration ; but she was essentially a woman of common-sense. She was above all scruples, and Lord Hervey liked her all the better for her courage, her merry indelicate jokes, and her way of calling things by their right names. They formed an intimate acquaintance, with a confidential if not a tender friendship.
Pope, who was once an admirer of Lady Mary, pointed in two lines to the intimacy between her and Lord Hervey :
" Once, and but once, this heedless youth was hit, And liked that dangerous thing, a female wit." Pope's hatred of the two friends made him satirise Lord Hervey in the most rancourous invective : —
" Fop at the toilet, flatterer at the board,
Now trips a lady and now struts a lord.
Eve's tempter thus the rabbins have expressed —
A cherub's face, a reptile all the rest.
294 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Beauty that shocks you, facts that none can trust, Wit that can creep, and pride that licks the dust."
The attack of Pope was not the only one Lord Hervey had to encounter. Among the most zealous of his foes we find Pulteney, afterwards Lord Bath, who was assailed with great ability by Lord Hervey in the paper called the " Craftsman." It provoked a sharp reply from Pulteney, who spoke of Lord Hervey as "a. thing below contempt," and ridiculed his personal appearance in the grossest terms. A duel was the result, the parties meeting behind Arlington House in Piccadilly, where Pulteney almost ran Lord Hervey through with his sword. Luckily, the poor lord slipped down, so the thrust was evaded and the seconds interfered. Mr. Pulteney then embraced Lord Hervey, and expressing his regret at their quarrel, declared that he would never again either in speech or writing attack his lordship. Then Lord Hervey also bowed in silence, and thus they parted.
Lord Hervey led a miserable life at the Court of Queen Caroline, and after her death his career was changed. He was made Lord Privy Seal, and had consequently to enter the political world. He was violently opposed by Pelham Duke of Newcastle by every means he could devise. One evening when Lord Hervey was to speak, a party of fashionable Amazons stormed the House of Lords, and disturbed the debate with noisy laughter and sneers. Poor Lord Hervey was com- pletely daunted by these Jezebels, and spoke miserably.
After the fall of Sir Robert Walpole, his supporter, Lord Hervey, retired to his mansion at Ickworth, where he might have lived more happily than at Court. He was long a helpless invalid, and on August 8th, 1 743, his short, unhappy career was closed. He died at Ickworth, attended by his wife, who had ever held a secondary place in his heart. After his death, his son George returned to Lady Mary Montagu all the letters she had written to his father, with an assurance that they had not been read. Lady Mary in reply said, if the young man had read the letters he would have believed "the possibility of a long and steady friendship between two persons of different sexes without the least mixture of love." Lady Hervey did not like this platonic friendship, and after her lord's death, refused to call on Lady Mary Montagu, who continued to be as brilliant and fascinating as ever. Lord Hervey's lines in his " Satire after the Manner of Persius," declare his opinion of the fashionable world : —
" Mankind, I know their motives and their art, Their vice their own, their virtue best apart ; Till played so oft, that all the cheat can tell, And dangerous only when 'tis acted well."
FAMILY OP THE WALP0LES, 1700 TO 1800. 295
Lord Hervey left in the possession of his family a MS. work consisting of memoirs of his own time, not published till 1848, and then exhibiting a sad picture of the follies and frivolities of the Court of George I.
THE FAMILY OP THE WALPOLES, 1700 TO 1800
Was one of the most distinguished families in Norfolk, and took their name from Walpole St. Peter, in West Norfolk, at an early period. They lived for many centuries in the family mansion at Houghton in West Norfolk. Their chief ancestor was Eobert Walpole, a county gentleman of great firmness of political character. The county returned him as a member of Parliament, where he always supported the Whig party with great energy and ability. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Bur- well, bore him nineteen children, but when she died at the age of fifty years in 1 700, only six survived her. His son Robert became the great minister of England, the friend of peace, and the founder of modern public credit. As a politician he was as pure as William Pitt, as English as Palmerston, as great a financier as Peel, and as fertile in expedient as Halifax.
Sir Eobert Walpole was born in his paternal mansion at Houghton, on August 26th, 1676. He received the rudiments of his education at a private seminary at Massingham in Norfolk, of the master of which an anecdote has been preserved. During the long period of Sir Robert's public career, he quite forgot his early tutor, but when he fell he visited his early friend in his retirement. The simple minded man in answer to questions said " I knew that you were surrounded by so many petitioners craving preferment, and that you had done so much for Norfolk people, that I did not wish to intrude. But I always inquired how Robin went on, and was satisfied with your proceedings." He continued his studies at Eton under Mr. Newborough, but little of his early qualifications is handed down to us, excepting a predilection for the works of Horace and an innate talent for public speaking which he is said to have professed. On April 22nd, 1696, he obtained a scholarship of King's College, Cambridge, which after having retained for two years, interrupted by severe illness he resigned on the death of his elder brother in 169S, and lived for some time with his father at Houghton. The father was a country gentleman, who lived retired from Court on an unburdened income of £2000 a year, occasionally repairing to the capital when his vote was wanted as one of the members for the borough of Castle Rising, and spending the other portions of his time in rural jollity and the care of his estate. The young statesman incurred the danger of being made as excellent a fellow as his father, who had a very decorus dislike of appearing drunk before his son, and used to remark during their convivial meetings, " Come,
296 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
Robert, you shall drink twice while I drink once, for I will not permit the son in his sober senses to be witness to the intoxication of his father." On July 30th, 1700, Robert married Catherine, daughter of Sir John Shorter, Lord Mayor of London, and by his father's death in the following November, he inherited the paternal estate, then worth only £2000 a year. During the last years of the reign of King William III., he commenced his political career by sitting as member for Castle Rising, then a small borough in West Norfolk. He immediately resumed his seat on the accession of Anne, and although he made no attempt at sudden distinc- tion, he gradually assumed importance, and became a much trusted adherent of the zealous friends to the Protestant succession. He seconded the motion of Sir Charles Hedyer for extending the compulsory appli- cation of the oath of abjuration to all ecclesiastics, and members of the Universities, and made a motion (which was negatived) to resume all grants during the reign of King James as an extension of a resolution to apply all those granted during the reign of King William to the service of the public.
In 1 705, when Godolphin found it expedient to support his ministry on Whig principles, Walpole's political zeal was rewarded by an appointment as one of the council to Prince George of Denmark ; and when the minis- ters achieved a victory over the favourites of the Queen, by the dismissal of her Tory friends in 1708, he was advanced to the important situation of Secretary of War in place of Henry St. John, and as a zealous and powerful friend of the Whigs was appointed one of the managers of the impeachment of Sacheverell. He was looked upon as one of the chief speakers of the Whigs, and in 1710 was involved in their fall.
On December 21st, 1711, he was accused of corruption before the House of Commons, expelled the House and committed to the Tower. In confinement he published a pamphlet in his own defence and vindicated his conduct in the transaction relating to forage contracts. When released at the end of the session he vigorously aided the opposition, and for a period injured his private fortune by a magnificent display of hos- pitality to those who might assist him in the return of his party to power and in obtaining information for the purposes of attack. On the forma- tion of the new ministry, after the arrival of the King, Walpole was appointed paymaster of the forces, and several of his friends were provided with subordinate situations. He was appointed Chairman of the Committee of Secrecy for examining the conduct of the former administration, and he showed himself the active leader of the transaction, not as an investigator, but a prosecutor ; he was the man who impeached Bolingbroke of high treason and other crimes and misdemeanours. On October 11th, 1715, he was rewarded for his active
FAMILY OP THE WALFOLES, 1700 TO 1800. 297
zeal by being appointed First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the Cabinet led ostensibly by his brother-in-law and early friend, Viscount Townshend. A severe illness followed his elevation, and the prosecution of the rebels, a task in which he had aided very laboriously. In the interval of his absence, the Septennial Bill was introduced into Parliament, and ultimately carried. On the visit of the King to his native country, Hanover, the Earl of Sunderland, assisted by Sir William Windham, then a Tory, but the friend of Townshend and Walpole, began to rise in personal influence with that monarch, and the Tories viewed with pleasure and expectation the balance almost equally held between two parties among their enemies. Townshend, when the power of his new opponents was fully established, quickly exchanged his premiership for the lord lieutenancy of Ireland. Walpole, who might have remained ostensible head of the Administration, preferred being powerful in oppo- sition to being weak in the Cabinet. On March 10th, 1717, he called on the King to deliver up the seals of office, but his Majesty, anxious to retain so useful a friend, is said to have thrown them into the Minister's hat, and to have familiarly returned them ten times before he would finally accept the resignation. The rest of his eventful career is identified with the general history of England. There is one thing recorded to his honour — the preservation of St. James's Park for the people. Fond of outdoor amusements himself, he heard with dismay a proposal on the part of Queen Caroline to convert that ancient park into a palace garden. She asked him what the alteration might possibly cost ? Only three crowns was the civil, witty, and candid answer. The Queen was wise enough to take the hint.
The opposition expected that the death of the Queen in 1737 would lead to the overthrow of Sir Robert Walpole, but they were doomed to disappointment. Their only recourse therefore was to raise the people against Spain on account of the insults which the English merchants and traders were said to have experienced from that country, so that England might be driven into war. At the same time, the enemies of Sir Eobert Walpole showed the unscrupulousness of their conduct by seeking to effect a reduction of the army. Walpole determined, if possible, to avoid war, and he succeeded in making a convention with Spain (January 14th, 1739), by which Phillip bound himself to make reparation for the damages which the British merchants had sustained ; and it was further agreed that plenipotentiaries should be appointed to settle the disputes relative to the rights of trade, navigation, and territory. When the terms of the convention came before Parliament, violent debates arose, especially as Spain had not renounced the right of search. Pitt, in closing an eloquent speech, said " The convention is insincere, unsatisfactory, and
298 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
dishonourable. I think from my soul, it is nothing but a stipulation for national ignominy. The complaints of your despairing merchants — the voice of England — has condemned it." On a division, the convention was approved by a majority of only twenty-eight. This was considered by the leaders of the opposition as an excellent opportunity for carrying out a project which they had long contemplated — a secession from Parliament, on the pretext that the ministers carried on its measures by corrupt influences. Sir. William Windham, of Felbrigg, as the mouth- piece of the party, delivered an oration to that effect ; then he and about sixty others withdrew. The plenipotentiaries met ; but the invectives of the English members of Parliament had irritated the Court of Spain, and its ministers now declared that unless the right of search was acknow- ledged, they would not go on with the negociations. England was bent on hostilities as well as the King, and Walpole found only two courses open to him, either to retire from his post or to engage in war. Unfortu- nately he decided on war, which was declared on October 29th, 1739. Exultation spread throughout the country, as it was fully expected that great triumphs would ensue. When the heralds rode into the city of London to declare the war, every steeple sent forth a jubilant peal, and the delighted multitude cheered the Prince of Wales, who stopped at a tavern near Temple Bar and drank success to the war. Walpole, who from the first had a clear idea of its probable result, said " They may ring the bells now, they will before long be wringing , their hands." Events proved the sagacity of the Norfolk statesman.
After the declaration of war the Tory seceders returned to Parliament, and in February, 1741, a motion was made to request the King to remove Sir Kobert Walpole from office, on the ground that his foreign policy was unpatriotic, his domestic government unconstitutional in some of its phases, and his conduct of the war inefficient. He defended himself with great spirit and ability, and the motion was negatived by a majority of 290 to 106. Ultimately, however, he was obliged to retire.
Sir Robert had occupied the later years of his life in pulling down his old ancestral house at Houghton, and in building an enormous mansion at an estimated cost of £200,000, adorned with pictures which cost £40,000. This famous memorial of his greatness was inhabited by its owner only ten days in summer and twenty days in winter, and in the autumn two months during the shooting season. It became almost an eyesore to the quiet gentry, who viewed the palace with a feeling of their own infe- riority. Houghton, so immense in its proportions, had its purposes for the Premier. He there assembled all his supporters at a yearly con- gress, and there for a short time he entertained his constituents and co- adjutors with a magnificent jovial hospitality, of which he, with his gay
FAMILY OP THE WALP0LES, 1700 TO 1800. 299
spirits, his humorous indelicate jokes, and his unbounded good nature, was the very soul. Free conversation and hard drinking were the fea- tures of every day's feast. Amid the coarse taste there was one gentle refinement, the love of gardening, both on a small and large scale. In- deed, the gardens were the most expensive among the embellishments of Houghton.
Pulteney, Earl of Bath, wrote : " Sir Robert has pleased himself with erecting palaces and extending parks, planting gardens in places to which the very earth was to be transported, and embracing cascades and fountains whose water was only to be obtained by aqueducts and machines, and imitating the extravagance of Oriental monarchs at the expense of a free people, whom he has at once impoverished and betrayed." He had purchased one of the finest collections of plants in the kingdom, according to the authority of the Professor of Botany at Cambridge.
Besides his extensive purchases of pictures, Sir Robert received many presents of pictures from friends and expectant courtiers, and the gallery at Houghton contained 222 paintings. In addition to the pictures, the stateliness and beauty of the rooms were enhanced by rich furniture, carving, gilding, and all the subsidiary arts.
Pope thus describes the great Minister : —
Seen him I have, but in his happier hour, Of social pleasure ill exchanged for power ; Seen him uncumbered with the venal tribe, Smile without art and win without a bride.
We may fancy the modest ingenious George Vertue, the eminent engraver, arranging the pictures in the gallery at Houghton, Horace Walpole, a boy still, in looks admiring, and following Sir Robert in a cocked hat edged with silver lace, a curled short wig, a loose coat, also edged with silver lace, watching them at intervals as they paraded through the hall, a large square space adorned with bas reliefs and busts, and containing a bronze copy of the Laocoon for which the Premier paid £1000. Who but a courtier could give one glance at a portrait of George I. though by Kneller ? Who that was a courtier would pause to look at the likeness of the ill-used first wife of the Minister, even though he still allowed it in his bed-room ? Many of the pictures were selected by Vertue, who in Flanders purchased the Market Pieces of Rubens and Snyders for £428. Most of the paintings were by eminent masters. To the disgrace of that age, this splendid collection after the Premier's death was suffered to go out of the country. Catherine, the Empress of Russia, bought it for £40,000, and it adorns the Hermitage Palace at St. Petersburgh.
300 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
Sir Robert, with all his lavish expenditure, experienced little if any domestic happiness. Lady Walpole, beautiful and accomplished, could not succeed in riveting her husband to his conjugal duties. Gross licentiousness was the order of the day, and Sir Robert was among the most licentious. He left his lovely wife to the perilous attentions of all the young courtiers who fancied they could secure the Premier's good offices by courting his wife. Sir Robert was one of those who
Never made a friend in private life And was, besides, a tyrant to his wife.
At all events, if not a tyrant, he was indifferent to those circumstances which reflected upon him, and were injurious to her. He was conscious that he had no right to complain of any infidelity on her part, and he left her to be surrounded by men whom he knew to be profligates of the most dangerous pretensions to wit and elegance.
After Sir Robert's retirement from power, the good qualities which he undoubtedly possessed seemed to re-appear as soon as the pressure of party feeling was withdrawn. He was fast declining in health when the insurrection of 1 745 was impending. He had warned the country of its danger in his last speech, one of the finest ever made in the House of Lords. After that effort his voice was heard no more. He suffered agonies from the stone ; large doses of opium kept him in a state of stupor and also gave him ease, but his strength failed, and he was warned to prepare for death. He died on March 25th, 1745. Sir Robert realised a large sum of money in the South Sea Scheme ; but selling out at the right moment he gained 1000 per cent. But he left little to his family, and at his death Horace received only a legacy of £5000 and £1000 yearly, which he was to draw from the Collector's place in the Custom- house ; the surplus to be divided between his brother Edward and himself. This provision was afterwards enhanced by some money which came to Horace and his brothers from the property of his uncle Captain Shorter. After the death of Sir Robert Walpole, Houghton was shut up for some time, for its owner died £50,000 in debt.
When Horace Walpole looked at the pictures in the famous collection at Houghton, his surprise was excessive. Accustomed to see only daubs elsewhere he gazed on them with ecstacy. u The majesty of Italian ideas," he says, " almost sinks before the warm nature of Italian colouring ! Alas, don't I grow old !" As he lingered in the gallery, a party arrived to see the house ; a man and three women in riding dresses, who rode past through the apartments. " I could not " he added, " hurry before them fast enough. They were not so long in seeing the whole gallery as I could have been in one room to examine what I knew by heart. I remember
FAMILY OP THE WALPOLES, 1700 to 1800. 301
formerly being diverted with this kind of seers ; they come, ask what such a room is called in which Sir Eobert lay, write it down, admire a lobster or a cabbage in a Market Piece, dispute whether the last room was green or purple, and then hurry to the Inn, for fear the fish should be over-dressed. How different my sensations ! Not a picture here but re- calls a history." After tea he strolled into the garden. They told him it was now called a pleasure ground. To Horace it was a scene of desola- tion— a floral Nineveh. He did not expect to find everything in order, but the sight of all this ruin saddened his thoughts. All was confusion, dis- order, debts, mortgages, sales, villany, waste, folly, and madness. The nettles and brambles in the park were up to his shoulders, horses had been turned into the garden, and bandits lodged in every cottage. The per- petuity of livings that came up to the very park palings had been sold ; and the farms sold at half their value. The owner of this ruiued property had just stemmed the torrent, but the worst was to come, for the pictures were all sold.
Horace Walpole, the brother of Sir Robert Walpole, was born on December 8th, 1678, at Houghton Hall, Norfolk. After his studies at Eton, at the age of twenty years he entered the University of Cambridge, where he became distinguished for his classical attainments. He adhered to the political principles of his family, and declared himself frankly in favour of the Whigs without any fear of wounding the susceptibilities of the Tory party, who were then very numerous in the University, and on the death of William III. he did not conceal his deep regret.
After a short sojourn on the continent, Horace Walpole, brother of the minister, returned to England, and in 1713 he was returned as a member of Parliament. He earnestly supported all the measures of his brother's government in favour of the French Protestant refugees, and he did not hesitate to pronounce with the same energy against the treaty of Utrecht, which seemed a factious compromise of the results of ten years' victories. On the accession of George I, he displayed the greatest zeal in favour of the House of Brunswick and Lord Townshend. That nobleman married his sister Dorothea, and was appointed Secretary of State.
The title of the Earl of Orford, which had been granted to the cele- brated Sir Eobert Walpole in 1742, became extinct in 1797 on the death of Horace Lord Orford, a nobleman distinguished by his refined taste, politeness, and ingenuity. The title was then revived in the person of Horatio Lord Walpole, of Wolterton, who was created Earl of Orford in 1806. The seat of the Earl of Orford at Wolterton was purchased by Lord Walpole soon after his marriage. At that time it consisted of a small mansion, with landed property worth £500 yearly, which he after- wards increased by purchase.
302 , HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
The Earl of Orford of Wolterton, died in London, aged eighty-five, on February 24th, 1809. His lordship was the nephew of the famous Sir Robert Walpole, afterwards Earl of Orford. He sat many years in the House of Lords ai Baron Walpole of Wolterton. His remains were in- terred in the family vault at Wolterton. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Lord Walpole, afterwards Earl of Orford, who was many years member for Lynn.
By his first wife, Lady Catherine, daughter of John Shorter, Esq., of Bybrook, in Kent, who died August 20th, 1797, his lordship had three sons: — (1) Robert, created Baron Walpole, June 10th, 1723, in con- sideration of his father's great services, the antiquity of his family, &c, and took his place in the House of Lords, accordingly he had the dignity of the military Order of the Bath conferred on him by George II., and was afterwards Ranger and Keeper of Windsor Park ; (2) The Right Hon. Sir Edward Walpole, of Frogmore, near Windsor, Knight of the Bath, Clerk of the Pells, and Master of the Office of Pleas in the Exche- quer, and one of his Majesty's Privy Council in Ireland; (3) The Hon. Horatio Walpole, of Strawberry Hill, near Twickenham, in Middlesex, Fellow of the Royal Society, Usher of his Majesty's Exchequer, Comptroller of the Pipe Office, and Clerk of the Estreats in the Court of Exchequer.
Sir Robert Walpole presented Henry Bland to the Rectory of Bircham Magna, in Norfolk, in the year 1705. He was afterwards Dean of Dur- ham, and one of those few instances of men raised to great preferment in any walk of life from friendships formed at public schools. He was educated at Eton College, was elected upon the foundation there, and contemporary with Sir Robert Walpole, who became his friend and patrou. Dean Bland was a man of great points and learning, and had been Head-master of Eton School. Sir Robert first presented him to the Rectories of Harpley and Great Bircham, in Norfolk, then promoted him to the provostship of Eton and Deanery of Durham ; and as the dean was a man of great ambition, it was matter of wonder that, with so powerful a patron, he was not raised to the dignity of a mitre. He was master of all classical learning, and he wrote an elegant Latin inscription upon the foundation stone of Houghton Hall, the seat of his great patron.
Horatio Walpole, on July 21st, 1720, married Mary, daughter of Peter Lambard, Esq., by whom he had (1) Horatio, the next Lord of Wolterton ; (2) the Hon. Thomas Walpole, who was member for Lynn, and on November 14th, 1758, married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Joshua Von Neck, by whom he had two sons ; (3) the Hon. Richard Walpole, banker in London, who married Margaret, daughter of the said Sir Joshua Von Neck ; (4) the Hon. Robert Walpole, who was appointed Envoy Extra- ordinary and Plenipotentiary at the Court of Lisbon ; (5) Mary, married
FAMILY OP THE WALPOLES, 1700 TO 1800. 303
to M. Suckling, Esq. ; (6) Henrietta Louisa ; (7) Ann. His lordship dying February 5th, 1756, was succeeded by his son Horatio, who married May 12th, 1748, Lady Rachel, daughter of William Duke of Devonshire, by whom he had issue (1) Horatio, born June 24th, 1764; (2) William, who died December 15th, 1764; (3) George, born June 29th, 1758; (4) Robert, who died young; (5) Catherine, born June 4th, 1750; (6) Mary, born October 22nd, 1754, and married Captain Hussey, August 4th, 1777.
George Walpole, third Earl of Orford, was a handsome, popular, and engaging gentleman. He was Colonel of the Norfolk regiment of Militia, and when he appeared at the head of his regiment even the great Lord Chatham broke out into enthusiasm, and wrote " Nothing could make a better appearance than the two Norfolk battalions ; Lord Orford, with the front of Mars himself and really the greatest figure under arms I ever saw, was the theme of every tongue." His person and air, his uncle Horace declared, had a noble wildness in them ; crowds followed the battalions when the King reviewed them in Hyde Park ; and among the gay young officers in their scarlet uniforms, faced with black, in their buff waistcoats and gold buttons, none was so conspicuous for martial bearing as Lord Orford, although classed by his uncle among the knights of the shire who had never in their lives shot anything but woodcocks.
Dr. Messenger Monsey was the son of a Norfolk clergyman. He studied medicine under Sir Benjamin Wrinch at Norwich ; and after some years private practice he, through the interest of Lord Godolphin, was elected physician to the Royal Hospital at Chelsea. He was well known as medical attendant to Sir Robert Walpole, who always extolled the merits of his Norfolk doctor, but never advanced his interests. Instead of covering the great minister with adulation, Monsey treated him like an ordinary individual, telling him when his jokes were poor, and not hesitating to worst him in argument. " How happens it," asked Sir Robert, over his wine, " that nobody will beat me at billiards, or contra- dict me, but Dr. Monsey." " Other people," put in the doctor, " get places. I get a dinner and praise." The medical sage was for years the victim of that incredulity which makes the capitalist imagine a great and prosperous country to be the most insecure of all debtors. He preferred investing his money in any wild speculations to confiding it to the safe custody of the funds. For a long time he could not bring himself to trust his ready cash in the hands of a banker. When he left home for any length of time he had recourse to the most absurd schemes for the protection of his money. Before setting out on one occasion for a journey in Norfolk, being incredulous with regard to cash boxes and bureaus, he hid a largo quanity of gold, silver, and bank notes in the fireplace of his study,
304 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
covering them up artistically with cinders and shavings. On returning home a month afterwards, a few days before he was expected, he found his old housekeeper preparing to entertain a few friends in her master's room. She began to light the fire, and had just applied a candle to the doctor's notes, when he entered the room seized on a pail of water that chanced to be standing near, and throwing its contents over the fire and the old woman, he extinguished the fire and her presence of mind at the same time. Some of the notes were injured, and the Bank of England objected to cash them.
THE TOWNSHEND FAMILY, 1617 TO 1782.
The ancient family of the Townshends comprised some very distin- guished members in this period. Sir Roger Townshend was created a baronet on April 16th, 1617, and he travelled for three years. He built the present seat of Rainham Hall in the most delightful situation in Norfolk. The architect was the celebrated Inigo Jones. The park and woods are beautiful, and the lake below exceedingly picturesque. Exten- sive lawns and opening views into the country, enrich the enlivening pros- pect all around. Sir Eoger adorned the hall with magnificent paintings.
Sir Roger Townshend, Bart., eldest son of Sir Roger before mentioned, was a minor at his father's death, and dying in his minority was succeeded by his brother Sir Horatio Townshend, also a minor, born in 1630, created Baron Townshend of Lynn Regis, April 20th, 1661, and Viscount Town- shend of Rainham, December 11th, 1682. He was a great favourite with Charles II., who paid him a visit at Rainham in 1671. He was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of the County of Norfolk and City of Norwich in 1662.
Charles Viscount Townshend was born on March 10th, 1674. He took his seat in the House of Peers on attaining his majority, and became successively Lord Lieutenant of the County of Norfolk, a commissioner for treating of a union with Scotland, captain-yeoman of Queen Anne's guard, a privy councillor, and one of the plenipotentiaries for negociating a peace with France in 1709. His colleague on this occasion was the Duke of Marlborough. In the following year, Townshend, who had remained at the Hague, again entered into negociation for peace with the French Government, but his labours proved abortive. Queen Anne having dismissed her Whig Ministers, Townshend resigned his embassy, and on his return to England was deprived of his post as captain -yeoman of the guard, and censured by the House of Commons, in which Tory influence at that time predominated, for having signed the preliminaries of the barrier treaty, a measure which materially increased his consequence with the Whigs. He remained in disgrace at Court during the remainder of the Queen's reign.
THE TOWNSHEND FAMILY, 1717 TO 1806. 305
On the accession of George I., whose entire confidence Townshend had previously obtained, he was nominated one of the Lord's Justices to whom the government was confided until the King's arrival. On September 14th, 1714, he was made Chief Secretary of State, and took the lead in the administration until the latter end of 1716, when the King's Hano- verian advisers having prejudiced the Royal mind against him, he resigned the seals of office. In the following month he was appointed to the Lord-Lieutenancy of Ireland ; but haviug refused to go over to that kingdom, he was dismissed in the ensuing April. In June, 1720, he became President of the Council. Shortly afterwards he resumed his office of Chief Secretary of State, and in May, 1723, accompanied George I. to Hanover. In 1727 he again went with that King to the continent, and was present at his death. He continued in office after the accession of George II. till May, 1730, when in consequence of various differences that had occurred between him and Sir Robert Walpole, he finally retired from the administration, and devoted himself during the remainder of his life to rural pursuits and dignified hospitality. He died at Rainham in 1738.
Field-Marshal George Townshend, Marquis Townshend of Rainham, in Norfolk, was born February 28th, 1724, O.S., and he lived to a good old age. He was the eldest son of Charles Viscount Townshend, by a Hertfordshire heiress, Miss Audrey Harrison, daughter of Edward Har- rison, Esq. of Bale. He might have boasted of being descended from a long line of illustrious ancestors, who distinguished themselves in the senate and the field, and occupied high situations in the army, the navy, and the state.
In addition to this, he enjoyed a more solid advantage in the matri- monial alliances of his family, with those who possessed high rank, authority, and power in the nation, at the time he started in the career of life. At an early period he chose the profession of arms, and few men of his day saw a greater variety of service. Connected with the first Whig families of the kingdom, and being a talented youth, it excited little surprise that his military career was rapid and brilliant. He received his education under private tutors, and then entered the Guards, having obtained a commission before he was eighteen years of age. England was then at war with France, and he had a good opportunity of serving his country, under the eye of George II., who commanded his army in person on the Continent. He served with the rank of subaltern at the battle of Dettingen, where he received a wound towards the close of the engagement. As his advancement was not sufficiently rapid to gratify his ambition, he retired at the end of the campaign.
Having now resigned all ideas of a military life, his views were directed
VOL. II. x
306 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
towards another channel no less favorable to the expectations he had formed of advancement in the state. As his family possessed a large property and considerable influence in Norfolk, he became a candidate to represent the county in Parliament at the general election in 1747, and he was returned accordingly. No sooner had he obtained his seat than he began to advocate those Whig "principles which he had imbibed in his youth, and which it had ever been the pride of his family to support. In December, 1751, he married Charlotte Baroness de Ferras, of Chartley, only daughter of James Compton Earl of Northampton by Lady Eliza- beth Baroness de Ferrars. In this lady were concentrated the ancient baronies of de Ferrars, Chartley, Bourchier Louvain, Bassett, and Compton, all baronies in fee. In consequence of this match he obtained a considerable accession to his fortune. Lady Townshend added to a most amiable character the merit of greatly contributing to the happiness of her husband. The conduct of Mr. Townshend in Parliament appears to have been agreeable to his constituents, for we find him once more returned by the county of Norfolk at the general election in 1754, a period when it was not unusual for the sturdy yeomanry to exhibit the weight of their displeasure, and when it would have been very difficult to split the county in an amicable manner between contending parties, and still more difficult for a coalition of two or three great families to have monopolised the whole of the political representation.
Mr. Townshend was a great advocate for the Militia, and so great was his reputation, that in 1756, when a war with France appeared inevitable, he not only obtained the restoration of his former rank, but had the command of the 64th Regiment of Foot conferred upon him. He served in a campaign under General Wolfe in Canada. That general was killed, and Mr. Townshend succeeded him in the command of the troops as General Townshend, and took Quebec. He then returned to England.
But although the Brigadier- General had returned to his own country, he did not remain long idle. We accordingly find him serving in Germany during the campaign of 1761, but as he had no opportunity of distin- guishing himself by any separate command, he returned again to England, when field operations were over, to attend to his duties in Parliament. At the next general election he was chosen for a third time to represent the county of Norfolk. On the death of his father, March 12th, 1764, he became Lord Townshend, and succeeded to considerable estates in Norfolk. In the course of the same year, he was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. Few noblemen of that day were better adapted for such an eminent station. Lady Townshend having died on September 14th, 1770, his lordship about three years after that event married Miss Anne Montgomery, daughter of Sir William Montgomery, Bart., a young lady
THE TOWNSHEND FAMILY, 1717 TO 1806. 307
of great beauty and very amiable manners, by whom lie had five children. He had seven by his former marriage.
On October 5th, 1787, his lordship was created Marquis Townshend of Rainham. In 1796 he was promoted to the rank of Field-Marshal, and had then only three above him on the list, two of whom were of the blood Royal. He rose in due order to this high distinction, having been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant- General, April 30th, 1770, and to that General, November 20th, 1782. When in his 78th year he enjoyed good health and spirits, and when dressed in regimentals his tall form displayed a martial air. He died at Rainham on September 14th, 1806, in his 84th year. His remains were interred at Rainham.
The Right Hon. Charles Townshend in 1780 was one of the members of Parliament for Yarmouth, which had been for many years represented by different members of the Townshend and Walpole families, particularly after the time of the great Sir Robert Walpole, who established first the interest in that borough to his family and that of the Townshends. The Right Hon. Charles Townshend was also one of his Majesty's Privy Council and joint Vice-Treasurer of Ireland.
Up to the end of this reign of George II., a majority of the old English nobility, especially in the Eastern Counties, advocated Whig principles, and from the lustre of their ancestry, they were able to promulgate popular doctrines without being classed as demagogues. The Townshends, the Walpoles, the Windhams, the'Herveys, were all Whigs. To counteract their influence, the younger Pitt induced George III. to create a large number of Tory peers, and in less than sixteen years sixty-one barons were created, to say nothing of other orders of the peerage. Thus the popular respect for the Upper House was greatly diminished.
Lord Townshend was like his ancestors, a Whig — that is, a firm friend to those principles which were established at the Revolution. In Parlia- ment he acted an independent part, and though himself an officer in the standing army, he had by his perseverance a principal share in the establishment of a constitutional militia. He sometimes voted against the ministers, but oftener with them. In private as in public life he was a man of the strictest honour; he had a sound mind with a vein of humour peculiar to himself. His manners were frank and open, and in the various situations of his life his benevolence and humanity were as conspicuous as his firmness and his courage.
CHAPTER XX.
NARRATIVE OF EVENTS IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.
SECOND HALF.
HUNDRED YEARS had passed away since the restoration of the Monarchy in England, and the clang of arms had ceased in this country. By the revolution of 1688 the people had secured the indepen- dence of Parliament, and the Judges the control of the Censorship, and the £/reat principle of religious liberty was proclaimed. Under the settle- men' thus effected the nation enjoyed an amount of prosperity and repose which made it the envy of surrounding nations. But evils grew up under the lew dynasty. Our Hanoverian Kings were mere foreign Doges, disliked by their natural allies the Tories and dependent upon the Whigs. The war of parties went on, and this war fills many volumes of the modern history of England and of the Eastern Counties.
Besides the war of parties in the state for place and power, the long wars with France doubled the already large national debt, trebled the general taxation, while the people were cursed with the worst government that ever existed in this island. The church was asleep all through this century, and Norfolk could boast of many fox-hunting parsons. The state of society became worse and worse. Incessant wars with France brutilised the minds of the people, and raised the prices of provisions to such a height that more commons were enclosed to increase the quantity of food. Deficient harvests heightened the horrors of war, and the poor- rates rose so high as to equal the rental of the land.
THE REIGN OP GEORGE III., 1760 TO 1820.
George III. was the son of Frederic Prince of Wales, and grandson of George II. He was born in London, June 4th, 1738. He espoused Charlotte, sister of the Duke of Mecklenburgh Strelitz. His children were George, who succeeded him ; Frederic Duke of York ; William, who succeeded his brother George ; Edward Duke of Kent ; Ernest Augustus
EVENTS IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTUKY. 309
Duke of Cumberland; Augustus Duke of Sussex; Adolphus Duke of Cambridge ; and six daughters. His reign was the longest and most eventful in British history.
We shall now resume our chronicle of leading events in the Eastern Counties.
On September 22nd, 1761, the coronation of their Majesties was celebrated with great splendour in all the towns of Norfolk and Suffolk. In Norwich there was a general illumination and a grand display of lire- works from a triumphal arch erected in the market place. The city address of congratulation on his Majesty's marriage had been previously presented to the King by Thomas Churchman, Esq. (Mayor), who was knighted, William Crowe and Peter Columbine, Esqs. The address to the Queen was presented by the representatives of the city. The county address was presented by Lord Orford, the Lord-Lieutenant.
On October 27th, 1762, there was a sudden flood in Norwich which laid near 300 houses and eight parish churches under water. It rose Twelve feet perpendicular in twenty- four hours. It was fifteen inches higher than St. Faith's flood in 1696; eight inches lower than in 1640; and thirteen inches lower than St. Andrew's flood in 1614.
Dec. 3rd. A great fire burnt down Trowse Mills to the water's edge. The damage was estimated at £2000.
On January 3rd, 1 763, died John Spurrell, a benefactor to the city, who left £1353 to the Corporation, the interest to be applied for the benefit of the poor in the Great Hospital, called the Old Man's Hospital, and for other purposes.
Mr. Jehosaphat Postle gave £200 to the Corporation to augment the allowance to the six senior persons 6d. a-week, in Doughty's Hosp'tal in Norwich.
In February the same year, the widow Sporle, of Hempnall Green, was found murdered in her bed, and Mr. William Kitton, of Beeston, died of the wound he received from a footpad.
About this time Norfolk farmers began to reap their wheat earlier than they had formerly done.
Holkham Hall (began in 1 734 by the Earl of Leicester) was finished in 1764 by the Countess Dowager. It is a magnificent mansion m the Corinthian style of architecture, with four fronts, one on each side. It is built of white brick, the centre and wings extending 345 feet in length and 180 feet in depth. The centre of this extensive villa contains the grand apartments, situated in the centre of four large wings, whi ih. are joined to it by rectilinear corridors. Each wing has its separate use.
On September 24th, 1 763, the thanks of the Norwich Corporation were presented to Sir Armine Wodehouse, Bart., for his valuable present of a
310 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
volume of some old statutes, in which the prescriptive right of the Corporation to its present legal name is supported. It had been 200 years in possession of the Wodehouse family. Sir Armine Wodehouse represented Norfolk thirty-two years, from 1736 to 1768, when he died from a fish-bone sticking in his throat.
On September 27th, 1766, there was a dreadful riot in Norwich, on account of the great scarcity of provisions, which the magistrates quelled after much mischief had been done to the New Mills, and many houses in the city. Some of the rioters were punished, and two of them executed.
On account of the very enhanced prices of provisions, a subscription was opened at Yarmouth for supplying the poor with bread at a reduced price. It was liberally supported by the inhabitants. Corn was bought, and a baking-office hired, and the supply conducted in the most proper manner. Prices were — Wheat, 22s. to 24s. ; barley, 10s. to lis. ; oats, 8s. to. 9s. 3d.; peas, 12s. to 13s. per coomb.
On March 23rd, 1768, after a lapse of thirty-four years, the representa- tion for the County of Norfolk was contested by Wodehouse and De Grey, the old Tory members, against Astley and Coke the Whig candidates. The poll closed as follows : — Sir Edward Astley, Bart., 2977 ; Thomas De Grey, Esq., 2754; Sir Armine Wodehouse, Bart., 2680; Wenham Coke, Esq., 2610.
The high price of corn and every other species of provision in the sum- mer of 1766 caused great and general complaints throughout every part of the kingdom, more especially in the Eastern Counties. These com- plaints were followed by riots and tumults, in which great excesses were committed in Norfolk and Suffolk. The Privy Council issued a proclama- tion putting in force several statutes that had been formerly passed against forestallers, regraters, and engrossers of corn. But the price of wheat still advanced, and another proclamation was issued on September 26th, to prohibit the exportation of grain. Messengers were despatched to the sea coast to see that the terms of the proclamation were complied with, and to prevent such ships as were laden with wheat at Yarmouth, Lynn, or elsewhere at the several ports, from proceeding with their respective cargoes. When Parliament met at the close of the year 1766, the Ministry brought in a Bill of Indemnity for this measure, which was violently denounced by some members. The Lord Chancellor, Earl Camden, defended it with his usual ability, and it was carried.
The Duke of Grafton was appointed First Lord of the Treasury in 1767; Conway was continued Secretary of State, with the lead of the House of Commons ; Charles Townshend, of Kainham, Norfolk, who belonged to every party and cared for none, was made Chancellor of the Exchequer. Being a man of boundless presumption and splendid
EVENTS IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 311
eloquence, he soon broke loose from all restraint ; and contrary to the declared opinion of his brother Ministers, he brought in a Bill, which was quickly passed into a law, for granting duties in the British colonies on glass, paper, and tea, duties which, according to his own computation, would not yield £40,000 yearly, and soon caused great discontent in the colonies, none of which were represented in Parliament. Thus we find that a Nor- folk man, who happened to be Chancellor of the Exchequer, was the first cause of the American war of independence, a war which resulted in the separation of the American colonies from the mother country.
On the dissolution of Parliament in March, 1768, and the summons for a new assembly, great excitement prevailed throughout the country, and many of the members returned were opposed to the new system of colonial taxation without representation.
On March 23rd, 1768, a strongly-contested election took place for the representation of Norfolk. The contest lasted many weeks, and the can- didates were — Sir Armine Wodehouse, Bart. ; Thomas De Grey, Esq. ; Sir Edward Astley, Bart. ; and Wenham Coke, Esq.
Norwich was then the polling-place, and the result was as follows : — Sir Armine Wodehouse, Bart., 2680; Thomas De Grey, Esq., 2754; Sir Edward Astley, Bart., 2977; Wenham Coke, Esq., 2610.
One bad feature of the times was the extent of bribery, intimidation, and rioting that often prevailed during the election of members of Parlia- ment. Many instances are recorded in different parts of the country, but few accounts are preserved of any riots in Norfolk or Suffolk. Bioting was then so common that one would suppose there must have been many Irishmen in the kingdom.
Witches were not altogether obsolete, but were protected by the law. Thus a farmer near Cambridge was punished for throwing a witch into the water and otherwise maltreating her. This showed that superstition still prevailed in the rural districts. There is nothing, however, to be said against the charitable subscription that was started in Cambridge for the benefit of a poor clergyman at Brandon in Suffolk, who had been twice married, and had twenty-eight children, whom he maintained on £65 a-year, which he received for serving two churches nine miles apart, besides teaching a free school.
Agricultui'al progress was discernible in the Eastern Counties. Farmers resolved to sell wheat at the London prices, which were to be proclaimed by the crier at the opening of the market. Agricultural science was promoted by a prize offered by the Society of Arts for the best account of that new and valuable acquisition to the farmers, the turnip-rooted cab- bage, and the same society voted a gold medal to the celebrated Arthur Young, of Suffolk, for his essay on the rearing and fattening of hogs.
512 HISTOEY Of EASTERN ENGLAND.
Inoculation was making way among all classes. We learn from a Norwich letter that 117 persons were inoculated in that city by Mr. Chapman, a farrier and blacksmith, ' ' not one of whom had been in the least danger," but the lower orders were much prejudiced against inoculation to a recent period.
In December this year, Mr. Reuben Deave, a manufacturer of Norwich, became the fortunate possessor of a prize in a lottery of £20,000. The No., 42,903. He gained this prize under the following curious circumstances : —
He had a confidential foreman, who had bought two tickets in the lottery, and he kept them so long that he began to think he had done a very foolish thing. He told his employer so, and Mr. Deave was of his opinion, and offered to buy one of the tickets. The foreman gave him his choice, but Mr. Deave would make no choice. The foreman then gave him one of the tickets, which he paid for, it being the No. 42,903. Soon after the lottery was drawn, and the ticket turned out a prize. Mr. Deave having been so fortunate, gave his foreman a cheque for £500. The poor man was so vexed at losing the prize that he went next day and hung himself. As may be imagined, Mr. Deave, a kind-hearted man, was very much grieved at this sad end of the affair, and often said in after years that the prize never did him any good, for he gave a power of attorney to a lawyer in London to draw the money. The lawyer did get it, and bolted with it, and was never heard of afterwards, as he went to some foreign country with his ill-gotten gold.
On July 16th, 1769, there was a violent storm in Norfolk with hail so large as to cut the ears of sixty acres of fine wheat belonging to Mr. Emblen, of Welney, also damaging his other crops and those of different farmers in the neighbourhood.
On June 15th, 1770, a terrible fire broke out at Foulsham, which con- sumed fourteen houses ; also the church chancel and steeple, leaving only the bare walls standing. The inhabitants were reduced to the greatest misery; many not having time to save their money or apparel. The damage was estimated at several thousand pounds. A collection was made, and a play was performed at Norwich for the benefit of the unhappy sufferers.
On December 19th, 1771, a violent storm of wind and rain took place in Norfolk, such as had not been remembered since 1 741 . Happisburgh and Strumpshaw Mills were blown down, and much damage done in the city and county. Many ships with their crews were lost on the coast.
In 1770, turnpike roads were made and opened from St. Stephen's Gates, Norwich, to Trowse ; from the same gates to Watton ; from St.
EVENTS IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 313
Benedict's Gates to Swaffham ; from Bishop Bridge to Caistor near Yarmouth ; and from Norwich to Dereham, Swaffham, and Mattishall.
The prosecution of Mr. Wilkes, editor of the North Briton, for libel caused great excitement in Norfolk and Suffolk as well as in other counties. This prosecution and other measures made George III. the most unpopular monarch who ever sat on the throne of Britain. Wilkes was arrested under a general warrant, sent to the Tower, and afterwards discharged. April 18th, 1770, was the day of his enlargement from prison, and it was celebrated at Norwich, Yarmouth, and Lynn with great rejoicing. In February next year Mr. John Wilkes was received at Lynn and Downham with every demonstration of respect and joy. He was admitted a freeman of Lynn Corporation.
Norwich manufacturers were in a very prosperous state about this time (1770), and many firms employed thousands of operatives. Enormous quantities of woollen goods were produced and exported to all parts of Europe. Messrs. John Scott and Sons were manufacturers of woollen and worsted goods in St. Saviour's from 1766 to 1800, and produced great quantities of taborets, floretts, clouded camlets for Italy ; Perukuns, self-coloured camlets for Germany, and other sorts for Spain.
In 1771 the foundation stone of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital was laid by William Fellowes, Esq.; and on July 11th, 1772, that noble institution, erected by voluntary subscriptions, was first opened for out- patients, and for in-door patients on the 7th of November in the same year. It has been since chiefly supported by voluntary subscriptions, and has been a great blessing to the poor of the city and county.
In 1779 the new year was ushered in with a most terrible storm of wind, attended by thunder and lightning, in Norwich. The lead on St. Andrew's Church was rolled up, and great damage was done in several parts of the city.
In October, 1779, the navigation of the river Bure from Coltishall to Aylsham, for boats of thirteen tons burthen, was completed at a cost of £6000. Thus a navigation was made from Aylsham to Yarmouth.
On January 20th, 1780, a large county meeting was held in Norwich to petition Parliament against all unnecessary expenditure, to abolish sinecure places and pensions, and to resist the increasing power of the Crown. A petition was agreed to and signed to that effect. Mr. Coke presented the petition. Against these proceedings a strong protest was afterwards signed.
In 1776, Lynn Regis was a port of great trade, and next to Yarmouth in Norfolk. There was an immense import trade in wines, foreign spirits, timber, and coals ; also a great export trade in corn. Spelman says of Lynn that " Ceres and Bacchus seem to have established their magazines here."
311 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
In 1 776, the earliest period at which any record appears to have been preserved, the number of trading vessels belonging to the port of Lynn, exclusive of fishing smacks, was eighty-five, and the amount of tonnage 12,700. In 1777 and 1778, and probably in 1779, they continued in much the same state ; but in 1780 there was an increase. In 1791, there were 128 ships, and tonnage 17,000. In 1801, ships, 108; tonnage, 13,000. In 1806, ships, 134; tonnage, 15,600. In 1811, ships, 106; tonnage, 12,000. In 1818, ships, 128 ; tonnage, 15,608. In 1825, ships, 113; tonnage, 13,646.
The merchants of Yarmouth, however, carried on a greater carrying trade. They exported immense quantities of corn, flour, and malt ; and the imports were very large of coals, timber, wines, spirits, groceries, and naval stores. The fisheries of the town were famous for herrings, mackerel, haddocks, cod, &c, in their proper seasons. Vast quantities of herrings were cured here, and exported to the extent of 100,000 barrels yearly.
About 1773, the town of Fincham, in the Hundred of Clackclose, Norfolk, was one of the first in the Hundred enclosed by Act of Parlia- ment, and it was very signally improved thereby, the rents of the different owners being nearly doubled, the small cottagers received a great addition of land to the several cottages, and a handsome portion of land reserved and rated and regulated for the benefit of the cottager, without any right to the farmers to turn thereon. The growth of turnips and clover, which were never cultivated before, so much increased, that the labourers, who were before often compelled to seek work elsewhere, were fully employed, and enabled to live in comfort.
All the capital manors in the town were then in the Hare family, but the estate and lands were in divers hands. The Rev. Dr. Moore had a considerable estate in the town, his own private property. Robert Dack, M.B., of Norwich, by his marriage with Miss Rudd, only daughter of Dr. Rudd, had a large estate in the town.
Before 1780, a spacious, airy, and convenient House of Industry was erected near East Dereham for the reception and benefit of the poor of the Hundreds of Mitford and Launditch. This very laudable work was supported by many worthy gentlemen zealous for the welfare of their fellow creatures who were through infirmities or age obliged to seek parish relief. Here, instead of what a scanty pittance brought them from market, the poor of all ages and both sexes were comfortably fed, decently clothed, and lodged in clean apartments ; their health and morals properly attended to, and it was their own fault if they were not content and happy. But even this, like all other human institutions, was opposed at the beginning. Time obliterated those prejudices, and reconciled the
EVENTS IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 315
minds of all the residents in the district to what is the real interest of the poor — a frugal support through life, and a total suppression of licentious liberty. The first association for the encouragement of the poor in habits of industry and frugality by rewards was established in the Hundred of Launditch, Mr. Pearce being the chief promoter. The annual meetings have been held at Litcham, where the rewards offered and claimed have been distributed. Lord Sondes generally presided.
Before 1780, Houses of Industry for the bettter support and maintenance of the poor of all ages and both sexes were erected at Gressenhall, for the Hundreds of Launditch and Mitford j at Wicklewood for Forehoe ; at Rollesby for East and West Flegg ; and at Heckingham, for the Hundred of Loddon in Norfolk. Mr. Gilbert introduced into Parliament a Bill for extending and for better regulating Houses of Industry through- out the kingdom, and when passed into a law and brought into operation, it was found to have a beneficial effect for some time ; but like some other good measures it was perverted, so as to cause great abuses, as in Norwich.
In 1781 a Norfolk History was published, and in reference to the war with France the editor wrote, " Of fortifications or land defence we have very little to say in Norfolk. The danger and difficulty of navigating a force on this coast has been always looked on as its best security ; but in the present situation of affairs some begin to think it less invulnerable, should an enemy be piloted by any of those infernal wretches, who from smugglers become parricides ! robbers ! pirates ! Yarmouth indeed hath a platform of guns called a fort at the entrance of the harbour; but cer- tainly a place of so much importance in itself, and as the key to the whole county, ought to be better secured. Royal engineers have been down lately to examine the grounds, and we are told that they are to construct some addition forts on the walls of the town, on the Denes, and on the heights of Gorlestone." No such works were ever constructed, nor were such works ever necessary, as proved by events. The apprehensions of a descent on the Norfolk coast by any of the maritime powers then at war with this country turned out to be unfounded. But till the end of the century the long war kept the inhabitants of all the towns along the eastern coast in a constant state of excitement, by the news of stirring events. Vessels were constantly arriving with intelligence of great battles either on sea or land.
The election which took place in England late in 1774 terminated in increasing the power of the ministers. In 1774, Wenham Coke, Esq. and Sir Edward Astley, Bart., were elected to serve in Parliament for Norfolk. In 1776, Mr. Wenham Coke died, and on May 8th in the same year another election came on for the county of Norfolk, when no other
316 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
candidate appearing, Thomas William Coke, Esq., of Holkham, was returned knight of the shire in the room of his deceased father. At that time county elections were very expensive, and occupied months. The Coke family is said to have spent a million sterling at elections.
A general election in England in the autumn of the year 1780 intro- duced a large number of new members to Parliament, but no change of policy ensued.
On March 24th, 1 783, the pageant of the Golden Fleece was exhibited by the prosperous woolcombers of Norwich, in a style far surpassing all former processions of the kind in the city.
On November 24th, same year, in consequence of an advertisement in the Norwich papers, a vast concourse of idle persons, 6000 in number, assembled on Household Heath to see an air balloon ascend, with a cat, a dog, and a pigeon in its car. The balloon, however, was not visible, and the multitude, like the story of a king of France and his 40,000 men, "Went up the hill and then came down again."
On March 4th, 1785, at a common hall in Norwich, a petition for a reform in Parliament was agreed to nem. con. by the Liberals, who were now nun erous both in the city and county. This year the Prime Minister was burr t in effigy on Mousehold Heath, on account of the shop tax which had been imposed, but he had an overwhelming majority in the House of Commons. Men were not so terribly in earnest as they became a few years later in reference to public affairs. The Tories were all of one stamp, and the Whigs had not yet split into the old and new Whigs.
On June 1st, 1785, Mr. J. Decker ascended in an air balloon from Quantrell's Gardens, Norwich, at 4 p.m., in presence of a great concourse of spectators, and descended at Sizeland, near Loddon, in Norfolk. A thunder storm commenced almost immediately after the ascent, and the daring aeronaut witnessed all the fury of the elements.
July 23rd, Major (afterwards General) Money, ascended in a balloon from Quantrell's Gardens at 3*25 p.m., and about 6 p.m. the car touched the surface of the sea. During five hours the Major remained in this perilous situation, and at 11 "30 p.m. was taken up by the Argus revenue cutter, distant eighteen miles from Southwold, on the Suffolk coast. He landed at Lowestoft next morning.
On October 18th, 1785, the Friars' Society for the Participation of Useful Knowledge was instituted in Norwich. This society first sug- gested the scheme of the Association for the Relief of Decayed Trades- men, their Widows and Orphans ; and with them the soup charity in this city originated, and was supported and conducted by them till a new society was formed on a larger scale. These benevolent associations have been a great benefit to the poor ©f the city.
EVENTS IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 317
About this time, 1 785, the town of Cromer, in the north of Norfolk, was first frequented as a watering place by several families of retired habits, whose favourable report of the beautiful scenery and pleasant walks in the vicinity, the excellence of the beach at low water, and the simple manners of the inhabitants, soon attracted others to participate in those enjoyments. The number of visitors continued to increase yearly, and for their accommodation many neat houses were built, and they were always occupied in the summer months.
Mail coaches from Norwich to London were not established till 1785 ; but by the following advertisement it would appear that at least fifty-one years before this, private enterprise had anticipated the luxury : —
" Notice is hereby giver, that on Thursday or Friday next, being the 6th aud 7th June, 1734, a coach and horses will set out for London from Mr. Thomas Bateman's in St. Giles' parish, Norwich, and perform the same in three days. — Note. The said coach will go either by Newmarket or Ipswich, as the passengers shall agree upon."
The same year a Post-office was established at Long Stratton in Norfolk. On this much-frequented road, before the establishment of mail coaches, there was no Post-office for twenty miles.
In May, 1786, an account was taken of the inhabitants of Norwich from house to house, and the population ascertained to be 40,051 souls, exclusive of those born in the precincts of the Cathedral, being an increase of nearly 4000 since 1752. Most of the poorer citizens were employed in woollen manufactures, then in great demand all over England and Europe.
On September 15th, 1786, there was a strong contest for the represen- tation of ' Norwich between the Hon. Henry Hobart and Sir Thomas Beevor, Bart. The contest terminated with a riot, in which several persons on both sides were wounded. The election was afterwards declared void.
On November 5th, 1788, the centenary of the glorious Revolution of 1688 was celebrated in Norwich by the patriots of the city and county by illuminations, bonfires, and public dinners. Mr. Coke, at Holkham, gave a grand fete, ball and supper, display of fireworks, &c.
On June 24th, 1 790, an election took place for the representation of the county of Norfolk. Sir John Wodehouse, Bart., and T. W. Coke, Esq., were returned without opposition. The thanks of the county meet- ing were unanimously voted to Sir Edward Astley, Bart., for his upright and independent conduct in Parliament during the twenty-two \ears that he represented the county.
The first Revolution in France produced a wonderful effect on the political world, and agitated all ranks of society. Its influence extended
318 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
even to Norfolk and Suffolk. Party spirit in both counties raged with increased violence. The Tories were vehemently against the revolution, and most of the Whigs were equally earnest in its favour. The fear of the then Tory Government was excited to an unreasonable height, and the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act furnished the Ministers with an opportunity of gratifying all their revenge on political opponents.
Mr. Mark Wilks, a Baptist preacher in Norwich, made himself very conspicuous as an advocate of the Revolution. On July 14th, 1791, he preached two political discourses before crowded congregations in defence of the great convulsion in France, and he became a very active political partisan both in the city and county. He took much interest in Hardy and his associates, who had become involved in debt by the great expenses of their trial. He instituted a subscription in all parts of the kingdom to assist the sufferers, and then he preached sermons vindicating their conduct.
On July 14th, 1791, the first French Revolution was commemorated by a banquet at the Maid's Head Inn, Norwich. Animated addresses were delivered after dinner, and among the toasts of the day were " The Revolution Societies in England," " The Rights of Man," " The Philoso- phers of France," &c. This Republican ardour was abated a little after the excesses and cruelties of the first French Revolution became known. The Tories became alarmed about the safety of life and property amidst a democracy, and the Whigs very timid. Hence their demonstrations of loyalty on many occasions, and their hatred of the Radicals.
In 1791, George Earl of Orford expired, leaving an estate encumbered with debt, and, added to the bequest, a series of lawsuits, threatened to break down all remaining comfort in the mind of his uncle Horace, who had already suffered so much on the young man's account.
There being a balance of £1434 in the hands of the Treasurer of the Court of Guardians, Norwich, the sum raised for the maintenance of the poor of the city for the year ending April 1, 1792, was £13,263. In less than a century the population was doubled, and the poor-rates were more than doubled by the increase of paupers. As manufactures increased, paupers increased, there being a continual influx of poor people from the country parishes. A century ago, the whole expenditure for relief of the poor, in-door and out-door, was less than the cost of the present machi- nery for distributing relief.
In January, 1792, the bank of Messrs. Harvey & Hudson was opened in Norwich, as a bank of deposit, discount, and issue. It was called the Crown Bank, and the first bank was in the Hay Market, and afterwards removed to King Street. The Hudsons were originally drapers in London Street. About fifty years since, the proprietors were— Charles Saville
EVENTS IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 319
Onley, Sir Robert John Harvey, Anthony Hudson, and Thomas Hudson. They then employed seven clerks. On January 13th, 1820, a circular was issued by A. & T. Hudson, stating that it was with great regret that they announced the death of their friend and partner Mr. Robert Harvey. Owing to his death, his brother, Mr. Charles Harvey, and his nephew, Sir Robert John Harvey, were added to the firm. Before 1820, Mr. Onley withdrew. Mr. T. Hudson and Mr. J. Hudson died before the end of the Russian war, and soon after Sir Robert John Harvey also died. Then the proprietors were R. J. H. Harvey, Esq., who resided at Crown Point, and Roger Allday Kerrison, Esq., who lived at Ipswich. They built a haadsome bank, opened in January, 1866, on the Castle Meadow. At first this bank had only three agents in the Eastern Counties, but afterwards increased to thirty in Norfolk and Suffolk.
In 1792, in consequence of the war, taxes were very high, provisions were very dear, and the poor in Norfolk and Suffolk in great distress. It was quite impossible for the labourers on the land to support themselves and their families. Some of the more benevolent farmers tried to mitigate the hard fate of their men by giving out a great deal of extra work, so that they could earn Is. 6d. per day, and selling wheat at 5s. per bushel when it was above that price.
On July 1st, 1792, at a large county meeting in Norwich, an address of thanks to his Majesty on his proclamation for suppressing seditious assemblies and publications, was moved by Sir Edmund Bacon, seconded by Mr. Dillingbani, and supported by the Hon. Charles Townshend, Mr. Windham, Mr. Buxton, and others. After some opposition from Mr. Coke, of Holkham, it was almost unanimously adopted.
On April 12th, 1794, a county meeting was held at the Shirehall, Nor- wich, the hall being crowded to excess, to consider the exertions neces- sary to be made at this important crisis of the war under the sanction of Parliament for the internal defence and security of the kingdom. The High Sheriff presided. Resolutions for forming Volunteer Corps of Cavalry, and for entering into general subscriptions for supporting the same, were" moved by the Hon. C. Townshend and supported by the Marquis Townshend, Lord Walsingham, Mr. Buxton, Mr. Windham, and Mr. Joddrell, but opposed by Mr. Coke, Mr. Mingay, and Mr. J. Barnard. Mr. Coke condemned the war in toto, insisting that it might have been avoided, or at least brought to a conclusion by a negotiation for peace. He moved an amendment to that effect, but there was so much confusi >n in the hall that a vote could not be taken.
The High Sheriff proposed that such gentlemen as chose to subscribe should retire with him into the grand jury chamber, which was agreed i o, and nearly £6000 subscribed, which was afterwards increased to £11,000.
320 HISTORY OV EASTERN ENGLAND.
About £2000 of this sum had been previously subscribed at a meeting of the nobility and gentry of Norfolk held at the St. Alban's Tavern in London.
On July 12th, 1794, the Right Hon. William Windham of Felbrigg, having accepted the office of Secretary at War, and thereby vacated his seat in Parliament for Norwich, was re-elected by a majority of 466 votes. For Mr. Windham, 1236 ; for Mr. Mingay, 770.
For the quarter ending Christmas, 1792, the poor's-rate in Norwich was Is. 9d. in the pound on the half rental. The next quarter it was 3s. 6d. in the pound. In addition to the rates, upwards of 1800Z. were contributed for the relief of the poor in the city. Yet at this time trade was said to be flourishing.
On May 7th, a petition for reform in Parliament was signed by 3731 inhabitants of "Norwich, presented by the Hod. H. Hobart to the House of Commons, but not received, it having been printed previous to its presentation.
Before the end of the eighteenth century, the House of Commons had become notoriously rotten and corrupt. On May 6th, 1793, the Society of Friends of the People in Norwich presented a petition to Parliament, showing the necessity of Reform. The allegations in this petition were that the number of members for the different counties was grossly disproportioned to their extent, population, and trade ; that the elective franchise was partially and unequally distributed ; that the right of voting was regulated by no uniform or rational principle.
In 1795, the sum of £20,000 was collected for the maintenance of the poor in Norwich ; and in January, 1795, this amount had to be supple- mented by a subscription of £1500 for those in distress, caused by the war and want of employment.
In January, an address and petition to the King and a petition to the House of Commons was agreed to from upwards of 5000 of the citizens of Norwich, for the restoration of peace, and transmitted to the city members for presentation.
In February, Norfolk and Norwich raised their quota of 264 Volunteers for manning the Navy; Yarmouth raised 506; Lynn, 193; Wells, 50; Blakeney, 26.
November. Congratulatory addresses from a county meeting, and from the inhabitants of Norwich, Yarmouth, Lynn, and Thetford, were presented to the King on his happy escape from the attack made on his person while on his way to Parliament.
December. A mob near Wells attempted to prevent some flour being sent to Lynn, but were stopped by the activity of the magistrates. This month wheat rose to 112s., barley to 36s., and oats to 28s. per quarter.
EVENTS IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 321
The price was higher in the forepart of the next year. A sample of very fine wheat was sold in Norwich Market at 126s. per quarter, being the highest price then ever remembered.
On Monday, January 19th, 1795, the Princess of Holland, her son, and several of the Dutch nobility, landed at Yarmouth after their escape from Holland, and were received by the townsmen with the greatest hospitality. The hereditary Prince and the Stadtholder arrived from Harwich two days afterwards, and accompanied the party to Colchester. The Duke of York came to Yarmouth next "day, but finding the Royal party gone, he only stayed to refresh himself, and immediately followed them to London. His Royal Highness was received with every mark of respect and attach- ment by the people, who, taking the horses from his carriage, drew him with acclamations into the Market Place.
The dread induced by the French Revolution led to the enactment of some excessively tyrannical laws, of which one or two may be mentioned by way of illustration. A statute passed in 1795 was clearly intended to put an end to all discussions on either political or religious topics, for by it every public meeting was prohibited unless notice of it were inserted in a newspaper five days before such intended meeting, the notice to con- tain a statement of the object of the meeting and of the time and place where it was to be held. It was further ordained thereby that not only should the notice thus published be signed by householders, but that the original manuscript should be preserved for the information of the justices of the peace who might require a copy of it. Any justice might compel the meetiifg to disperse, if in his opinion the language used by the speakers was likely to bring the sovereign into contempt, while at the same time he was duly authorised to apprehend those whom he regarded as offenders. If the meeting consisted of more than twelve persons, and did not disperse within an hour after being ordered to do so, the penalty was death. Nevertheless, political meetings were held in Norwich and other towns by those disaffected to the government of the day.
On April 25th, 1796, fine flour having risen to 70s. per sack, a mob attacked several bakers' shops in Norwich. The magistrates', proceeded to those places, but the mob did not disperse till after the Riot Act had been read, and three persons taken into custody.
May 17th, a dreadful affray took place near Bishop -bridge, Norwich, between the privates of the Northumberland and Warwickshire Regiments of Militia. Several men were terribly bruised, and two or three wounded with bayonets before their officers could part them.
In May, 1796, Parliament was dissolved, and on the 25th, after a most spirited contest, the Hon. H. Hobart and the Right Hon. William Wind- ham were re-elected for Norwich. At the close of the poll the numbers
VOL. II. Y
322 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
were— for Mr. Hobart, 1622; Mr. Windham, 1159; Mr. B. Gurney,
1076.
On June 2nd, Sir J. Wodehouse, Bart., and T. W. Coke, Esq., were re-elected for the county without opposition.
On July 20th same year, at a county meeting held at the Angel Inn, Norwich, it was resolved to petition Parliament for the removal of the Lent Assizes from Thetford to Norwich. The removal after some opposition was ultimately effected.
On August 19th, 1796, whilst Thelwall, a political lecturer, was de- claiming on the rights of man in a room at Yarmouth, a party of armed sailors from the ships in the roads broke in, and in their efforts to seize the orator knocked down every person who opposed them ; more than forty persons were bruised in the scuffle, and the orator made his escape.
Norfolk raised 1781 men, and Norwich 211, for the Supplementary Militia. Norwich and Norfolk raised 337 men for the Provisional Cavalry. November 15th. Owing to the tumultuous behaviour of the p#pulace, the Lord Lieutenant, Marquis Townshend, adjourned a meeting held at the Shirehall for carrying out the Militia Acts.
The internal condition of the country in 1797 was most unsatisfactory. The expenses of the war had compelled the Government to augment the taxes vastly, while the people were further dissatisfied in observing that the French still proceeded in their course of victory, and even threatened an invasion of the island. The immense sums obtained from the Bank of Eagland by the Government, and the hoarding of money by the people in their dread of the French invasion, led to the suspension of cash pay- ments, and Bank of England notes were made a legal tender, except to the army and navy, in February, 1797.
At this time the Government of the country was conducted with great rigor. The Habseas Corpus Act was suspended, and all persons who were members of associations for the promotion of reform were liable to be brought to trial on charges of treason. Whenever the Crewn secured a conviction, very harsh sentences were inflicted, and thus the Administra- tion lost the sympathy of many who were opposed to all organic changes. Meetings of the Liberals were held in the Eastern Counties to protest against the proceedings of the Government.
On April 25th, 1797, a county meeting was held on the Castle Hill, Norwich, in the open air, and a petition, praying his Majesty to dismiss his present Ministers, as the most effectual means of reviving the national credit and restoring peace, was unanimously adopted.
On July 28th, at another county meeting, a dutiful and loyal address to fche King was agreed to, and afterwards signed by the nobility, gentry, and freeholders, expressive of their reliance on the measures adopted for
EVENTS IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 323
obtaining a safe and honorable peace, and of their readiness to defend the constitution of their country.
On May 16th, 1797, at a numerous Common Hall in Norwich, a petition to his Majesty, praying him to dismiss his ministers, was voted nem. con., with the exception of one spirited individual, who had nearly fallen a victim to popular vengeance on the spot. A counter address was after- wards adopted, signed, and presented.
On May 26th, same year, attempts were made to seduce the military in Norwich from their allegiance, and led to a disturbance. On the following day Thelwall the orator arrived in the city, and on the 29th he delivered a lecture in a room in Theatre Street. A party of the Enniskilling Dragoons proceeded to the Lecture Koom, drove out the persons assembled, destroyed the tribune and benches, and then attacked the Shakespeare Tavern adjoining, in which some of them had been drinking, and where a disturbance had taken place. After destroying the furniture and partly demolishing the house, and also doing the like in the Rose Tavern, where they supposed the lecturer lay concealed, the dragoons retired to their barracks on the appearance of their officers. Thelwall escaped and fled to London.
In January, 1798, the sword of the Spanish Admiral Don Francisco Winthuysen, presented by Admiral Nelson to the Corporation of Norwich, was placed in the Council Chamber at the Guildhall, with an appropriate device and inscription.
February 21st. At a general meeting of the citizens of Norwich, upwards of £2,200 were immediately subscribed as a voluntary contribu- tion for the defence of the kingdom, and in a few weeks the whole subscription amounted to more than £8000.
June 1st. The total number of the Yeomanry Cavalry in Norfolk and Norwich was 632 ; in England 19,190.
On October 1st, the intelligence of Admiral Nelson's memorable victory off the mouth of the Nile arrived at Yarmouth in his native county. This news caused the greatest demonstrations of joy all over the country.
On October 11th, same year, at a meeting of the inhabitants of Norwich convened by the Mayor, John Browne, Esq., a handsome subscription was entered into for the relief of the widows and orphans of those seamen who fell at the battle of the Nile on August 1st.
On November 29th, same year, being appointed a day of public thanks- giving for the late naval victories, it was celebrated in Norwich with the greatest festivity. In the morning, the Mayor and Corporation attended divine service in the Cathedral, where an excellent sennon was preached by the Rev. T. F. Middleton. The sword taken by Lord Nelson in the action of February 14th was borne in the procession. On
324 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
their return to the Market Place the associations surrounded a roasted ox, which was cut up and distributed with six barrels of beer amongst the populace.
Meanwhile, the French Government had collected a ^ast army for the purpose of invading England ; but Bonaparte doubted fclie feasibility of a successful attack, and he persuaded them to allow him to lead an expedi- tion against Egypt, with the ultimate view of subverting the British dominions in Hindostan. He set sail with a splendid armament from Toulon in May, 1798; on his way took Malta, and landed in safety at Alexandria. Nelson was sent in pursuit of the French fleet, and at last he discovered the vessels of the enemy moored in the Bay of Aboukir. Nelson resolved on an attack with inferior ships and force, and the action commenced at six o'clock in the evening of August 1st. The fight con- tinued without intermission till after midnight. Two hours before, the Orient, the French flag-ship, blew up with a tremendous explosion. When the morning dawned, it was found that all the French vessels except four were taken or destroyed, and more than 5000 men, including their gallant Admiral Brueys, perished. The British loss was under 1000. For this magnificent achievement Nelson, the Norfolk hero, was raised to the peerage, and received a pension in addition.
In February, 1799, a deep snow all over the Eastern Counties quite prevented for a time all travelling and internal communication. The mail coaches were four days and nights in performing the journey from London. In many places the snow was twenty feet deep. Great distress prevailed amongst the poor of Norwich, where a liberal subscription was made, and they were relieved by a distribution of bread. The sum of £18,000 was raised this year for the maintenance of the poor of Norwich, leaving a large balance due to the Treasurer of the Court of Guardians.
On October 28th, same year, the Guards and several other regiments, to the number of 25,000 cavalry and infantry, on their return from an un- successful expedition in Holland, landed at Yarmouth. Next night the Grenadier Brigade of Guards, commanded by Captain Wynwyard, marched into Norwich by torchlight, and were shortly after followed by 20,000 more troops. Through the exertions of John Herring, Esq., Mayor, and the attention of the innkeepers and citizens in general, these brave men received every attention that their situation required.
Bonaparte, on attaining the chief power as First Consul of France, December 24th, 1799, made overtures of peace to the English Govern- ment ; but they were unwisely rejected, as the administration of the day did not regard the existence of the new French Gove rnment as compatible with the security of Britain and her allies. The war with France was
EVENTS IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 325
therefore continued, and Bonaparte again threatened an invasion of England, and it was expected all along the Eastern coasts.
On January 28th, 1800, a meeting of the citizens of Norwich was held at the Guildhall, and a committee appointed to consider a plan for better paving, lighting, and cleansing the city. The committee afterwards reported that the cost thereof would amount to £55,000, and nothing was done for some time. The streets and roads were then almost all undrained, and the supply of water was insufficient. No attempt was made to carry out any sanitary measures.
On May 15th, the King had two narrow escapes. In the morning of that day, while attending the field exercise of a battalion of Guards, during one of the volleys a gentleman who was standing at a very little distance from the King, was struck in the fleshy part of the thigh by a musket ball. An examination of the cartouche boxes of the soldiers took place, but no individual could be fixed upon as the perpetrator of the act. In the evening of the same day, a more alarming circumstance occurred at Drury Lane Theatre. At the moment when the King entered the Eoyal box, a man in the pit on the right hand side of the orchestra suddenly stood up and discharged a pistol shot at him. Providentially a gentleman who sat near him had time to raise the arm of the assassin, so as to direct the contents of the pistol towards the roof of the box. The King's behaviour on the occasion was above all praise. He showed no symptoms of fear, but directed the actors to proceed with the performance of the evening, after the assassin had been secured and conveyed away for exami- nation. The perpetrator of the act was a man of the name of Hadfield, a discharged soldier. It clearly appeared on his trial that he was insane, and he was sent to Bethlehem Hospital.
On May 24th, 1800, at a full assembly of the loyal Corporation of Norwich, an address of congratulation was adopted to his Majesty on his providential escape. The address was presented by the Mayor, John Herring, Esq., and Robert Harvey, Esq., Mayor-Elect, both of whom were offered the honour of knighthood, which they declined.
In October, 1 800, the ensign of the French ship Genereux, of 74 guns, captured by a squadron under the command of Lord Nelson in the Mediterranean, and presented to the Corporation of Norwich, was sus- pended in St. Andrew's Hall with appropriate inscriptions and trophies.
On October 6th, same year, the illustrious hero, Lord Nelson, who had been absent from his native country two years and seven months, arrived at Yarmouth, and was received there with all due honours, and presented with the freedom of the borough.
On December 15th, 1800, at a general meeting of the citizens of Norwich, the report of the Paving Committee previously appointed was
826 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
read and considered, when it was resolved to defer the adoption of it to more auspicious times.
On December 22nd a subscription was raised for supplying the poor of the city with soup at reduced prices, and the amount subscribed was £1500.
The sum of £29,500 was raised this year (1800) for the maintenance of the poor of the city. For the quarter ending Christmas, the poor- rate was 8s. 3d. in the pound. One shilling in the pound raised about £1000.
East Anglia about the middle of this eighteenth century was inhabited by half-a-million people, most of whom were directly or indirectly engaged in agricultural pursuits. Norfolk landowners were about 400 in number, and lived on good estates. The yeomanry and farmers formed a large class, and their labourers the lowest and most numerous class. The land- lords resided in old mansions, and their tenants in small houses living in a homely style. They seem to have entertained a kindly feeling towards their labourers, who lodged in the same houses and were fed in the kitchens.
Norfolk and Suffolk in the second half of the eighteenth century were generally speaking cheap and plentiful counties to live in. The gentry lived in a splendid and hospitable manner, and farmers equalled those of any other counties in what was termed good living, though not so luxuri- ously as in the present day. Mechanics and labourers came in for a share of the loaves and fishes, and were well fed. The markets were plentifully supplied with provisions of every kind, as at present, and no other counties produced poultry in such abundance, nor of such quality. Poultry, including turkeys, geese, and game, were sent in immense quan- tities, by carts and coaches, to London in the winter months, and espe- cially at Christmas time.
The inhabitants of East Anglia in the eighteenth century, as at present, were much attached to field sports, but the turf was not much encouraged. Few gentlemen kept race horses, and the annual races at Thetford and Swaffham were attended by ladies and gentlemen on parties of pleasure, not for gambling purposes ; but even those race meetings came to an end. Afterwards annual races were established at Yarmouth and Norwich, and attracted thousands of people. Hunting, shooting, and fishing were the favourite sports of the county gentlemen, who kept up vast quantities of game, then given away in presents, and not sold wholesale as at present.
EAST ANGLIA A HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
England was engaged in ruinous wars with America, with France, Holland, and Spain, the last-named of which powers had laid siege to the fortress of Gibraltar, whilst the growth of our Indian empire was checked,
EVENTS IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 327
and even imperilled by the valour and generalship of Tippoo Saib, to whom Colonel Braithwaite had surrendered with considerable force, after an engagement lasting from morning till sunset. Under these circum- stances every county had to supply men for the deadly struggle, .and East Anglia lost her bravest sons, who went away to perish in the wars.
About a hundred years ago, very great difficulty was found in manning the army and navy, and some idea of the unpopularity of the services may be gathered from the frequency of advertisements respecting deserters, and the startling fact that when in August, 1782, the King's gracious pardon was sent to five pirates committed to Norwich Castle on condition of their entering and serving on board any of his Majesty's ships of war, only three of the number consented to accept it ! The other two preferred death. At the Suffolk Assizes, held at Bury in July, 1782, a man named John Sones was sentenced to death for stealing a horse, the property of a Mr. Goddard, of Sibton, but before the Judges (Nares and Gould) left the town they were pleased to respite him from execution on condition of serving his Majesty on the coast of Africa or the East Indies. It may be, indeed, that this very admixture of gaol birds with honester men, had something to do with the difficulty it was intended to remedy, for we cannot suppose that the reluctance of decent young fellows to mount the cockade or to join the fleet was due to any luck of that pluck and love of adventure which have ever been prominent characteristics of Englishmen. No doubt the pay of " soldiers and sailors was bad, and the treatment they received worse.
About a hundred years ago the military spirit prevailed amongst the people to some extent. To reinforce the national armaments, the Irish Parliament voted £100,000 for the levy of 20,000 seamen. Corporate boroughs (Lynn for example) made grants of money for the purposes of local defence ; and many patriotic men raised and equipped troops at their own cost. Lord Orford in Norfolk enrolled one hundred volunteers from amongst his tenantry, part of whom were to act as light cavalry and part as infantry, " to co-operate with each other, and all to be disciplined to serve in either capacity," a requirement which must have entailed a heavy amount of drill.
Lord Viscount Townshend, too, assumed the captaincy of a corps of light horse and infantry called the Norfolk Rangers, and composed of his lordship's neighbours and principal tenants ; and at Melton a corps of 150 men, with Captain Sir Edward Astley at their head, were prepared to defend the coast against foreign invasion. In like manner additions were made to the navy, the East India Company building three ships for the public service, and even private gentlemen •ftering to present men of war to the nation. Sir James Lowther waited on Viscount Keppel, First
328 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
Lord of the Admiralty, and offered a seventy-four gun ship, " fully manned, rigged, and victualled," which offer was accepted.
Amongst the counties, Suffolk assumed a noble prominence by an organised effort which, had the war continued, would probably have been imitated throughout the kingdom. At the July Assizes (1782), Sir Charles Danvers, then the owner and occupier of the Rushbrooke estate, suggested that the county should build a ship of war, and present it to the nation. The suggestion being approved, a requisition was sent to the High Sheriff (William Middleton, Esq., of Crowfield) to call a county meeting to consider the matter. Accordingly, he did call a county meeting, which was held on August 5th at Stowmarket, and the following resolution was unani- mously agreed upon — " That the county of Suffolk, sensible of the inferiority of the naval force of Great Britain compared with that of other European powers with whom we are now at war, do undertake by voluntary sub- scription to build a man of war of seventy-four guns for the use of the public." The cost was estimated at £30,000, exclusive of the guns, stores, &c, which the Government undertook to furnish, and the subscrip- tions were to be paid in four quarterly instalments, it being stated with a distinctness the reverse of complimentary to the ruling powers that n© part of the money " on any account whatever was to be paid into the hands of the Government."
Of course the scheme was not without its opponents, some of whom thought that with the promise of such aid the Government would be encouraged to prosecute still further the obstinate resistance of the King and his ministry to the resistless advance of the American colonists towards a distinct and recognised nationality. Mr. Capel Lofft was one of the most able opponents of the scheme, but the subscriptions went on till .they reached the sum of £20,300! Earnest as the promoters of the scheme were, their efforts were happily rendered unnecessary by the conclusion of peace with France and Spain in November of the same year, and by the cessation of hostilities with the Dutch in 1783.
About a hundred years ago, the common incidents of every day life were much like those of to-day. We find human nature much the same, but a trifle coarser in expression. The struggle to live, then as now, took the guise of the struggle of a beaten army, retreating over a narrow and dangerous bridge, where each thought only of himself, and the stronger trampled down the weaker and pushed him over into the raging flood. Then, as in the present day, charity appeared in the track of the struggle, and helped many a fainting heart to achieve a success, after the idea had been given up in despair.
STATE OP AGRICULTURE IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 329
STATE OP AGRICULTURE IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.
The branch of industry gradually progressed from the commencement of the reign of George III., especially in the Eastern Counties, as shown by the number of agricultural societies established and by the success of the numerous publications of Arthur Young, a Suffolk farmer, to whose exertions the agriculturists were deeply indebted. Mr. Bakewell, of Dishley, in Leicestershire, was the first who distinguished himself in the breeding of sheep, some of which were sold at very high prices. During the sixty years of this reign, nearly six and a-half millions of acres were brought into cultivation, and the increased anuual produce of corn alone in thirty-five years (1765 to 1800) was fourteen and a-half millions of quarters.
The progress of industry was very slow in this island, till the com- mencement of the eighteenth century. It has been greatly retarded by continual wars, by political and ecclesiastical tyranny, and by the superstition of the people. Not more than half the country was in tillage and pasture, the remainder consisting of enclosed woodland, moor, and fen ; thousands of acres were given up to game, hares, partridges, ducks, and snipes. The roads were intolerably bad ; all over the island often only mire, and impassable except on horseback. Many of the farming buildings were under the same roof as the house. The cattle and sheep were about half the size of our present well-proportioned animals. The implements were still of the most primitive sort. The average production of corn was only a quarter of the present quantity, and of meat only one-sixth of the present supply.
All writers agree in speaking of the period from 1715 to 1765 as a period of general prosperity, notwithstanding the occasional complaints of the landed interest on account of the cheapness of farm produce and the deamess of labour. Mr. Hallam, in his " Constitutional History," describes the reign of George II. as the mout prosperous period that England has ever experienced. The author of the " Wealth of Nations " (Adam Smith) often refers to the very remarkable advance which had taken place in the price of labour during that half-century while the price of corn had fallen. This was the real golden age of the day labourers of England, who have formed two-thirds of the entire working class.
The half-century which followed was one of almost uninterrupted pros- perity to the owners of the soil, the rental of the land having doubled, and in many instances tripled ; while complaints of want of employment, deamess of food, and consequent distress among the agricultural popula- tion became more and more frequent every year. In 1 766 the price of the quartern loaf rose to Is. 6d., while wages remained the same as when at
330 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
less than half the price. The ministry, alarmed at the threatening pros- pect of affairs, issued a proclamation prohibiting the exportation of corn.
Mr. Young, a Suffolk farmer, made an agricultural survey of most of the counties of England, including the east of England, and published his "Tours >} prior to 1775. He showed the backward state of agriculture in Norfolk and Suffolk, and suggested some improvements. He strongly urged the further inclosure of waste lands, which were then very extensive. He proved the propriety of applying the waste lands to the better support of the poor, stating cases of the beneficial results of this plan. We shall form the best judgment of his views from his own statement : — " It is very surprising to think of the general advantages enjoyed by this nation, and yet to see what large tracts (much the greater part of this kingdom) are under a culture infinitely inferior to other parts. After viewing the husbandry of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Kent, to observe the miserable management of so many other counties, must convince every spectator of the importance of spreading the knowledge of what is good, of letting the unenlightened parts of the kingdom know what is done elsewhere, and explaining to them the principles and practices which give wealth to one set of farmers and mediocrity of fortune to others.
" The improvements which are much wanting in many parts of England are particularly the spreading the knowledge of good courses of crops, so as utterly to banish fallows, a practice pursued very generally in the counties I have named. But above these and all other circumstances, is to be named the bringing into culture our waste lands, which form so large a proportion of our territory that I much question if we have not eight or ten millions of acres waste in England, and a great deal more in Scotland. The want of public spirit in the generality of their proprietors is truly amazing, and no less is it surprising that they should be equally inattentive to the advantages of it for themselves and families.
" Where would be the mighty exertion in one of our great owners of moors to say to a spirited practical man, ' You have the knowledge neces- sary for making a trial of my moors, but not the money ; I have the money, but not the knowledge ; fix upon what spot you please in my estate, and I will supply you with £1000 a-year for ten years to come at common interest, and all the security I ask is being convinced that the money is spent upon the land ? ' Where would be the hazard in such a case ? for such a person would have the best security for his money of all others, his own estate, and he would certainly have double interest, the common interest and the advantage of all the improvements at the end of the term of years agreed for."
He directed public attention to those interesting national subjects, the necessity of numbering the people and the state of the waste lands. His
STATE OP AGRICULTURE IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 331
merit as a political arithmetician will best appear from his work on that subject. His great object in that work was to promote the progess of agriculture. His sole view is invariably to secure opulence to the farmer, to forward which end he never scruples to call for legislative interference and support, although no one is more ready to decry the meddling of Government when it appears to thwart his intentions. A more philo- sophical consideration of this question would have convinced him that a nation is rather more interested in an ample supply of the necessaries of life, than in the opulence of those who produce the food of the people ; that uncontrolled liberty would secure both ends, but that any partiality or favour to one party, must surely be at the expense of the other, a per- version of the very ends of government. Mr. Young saw no other legitimate object of government than an" exclusive advancement of the interests of the aristocracy, with whom the people were but as a feather in the balance. He desired to ease the sufferings of the labourers, pro- vided that could be done in a certain unobjectionable way, not otherwise. He could think coolly about the discontents of the mob, and the complaints of rioters who insisted on wheat being cheap, according to him, " that they might afford dear sugar, tea, brandy, and strong beer, and be able to consume four times as much of those commodities as their more frugal ancestors did." Yet he wrote with exultation on the superior consumption of his farmers over that of their ancestors, of the benefits of luxury, and the folly of restraint.
Mr. Young was a very voluminous writer, and the author of the " Annals of Agriculture," first published in 1 784, and which extended to thirty-six volumes. He did not pretend to the merit of original discoverry, either in respect to new practices, new vegetables, or new varieties of animals. Tull and Elles, and the most eminent rural philosophers of the continent, had preceded him, and their theories which lie taught and their practices which he inculcated were known long before his days, although within a very narrow circle. It was his great merit to prove their utility by his own experiments, and to recommend them to his brother farmers.
He was appointed Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, and in that capacity he collected and published a great deal of information for farmers, who were then very ignorant. He proved the existence of real scarcity of human food before the end of the century. In his earnest endeavours for the public service, ho experienced much petulant opposition from persons in whom, however accurate their information in their own limited circle might be, it was a great conceit for them to suppose them- selves on a level in this respect with the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture.
332 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
During the whole of the eighteenth century the spirit of improvement was exerted with increased effect. Agriculture rapidly advanced, and created a demand for town refuse, the fertilising properties of which began to be perceived, so that all kinds of offensive substances were carried away to the fields, to the great increase of the cleanliness of the streets of the towns. At the same time many of the narrower streets were widened. The old houses were taken down and new ones built of improved construction. The streets and houses were drained and water supplied. The result of the whole was a decrease of disease and an increase in the length of human life.
We find that some Norfolk historians in this century complain that the owners and occupiers of land did not pay poor-rates according to the quantity of land occupied, and that the assessment was not according to the yearly value in Norfolk. On the contrary the mode of assessment was so very partial and unequal, that many families in every parish were laid to an arbitrary rate for the relief of others who stood themselves in need of support from public rates ; while the great occupiers of lands shifted off the burden from themselves, and by a spurious assessment eluded the vigilance of the magistrates.
The last twenty years of the eighteenth century was a period very favourable for agricultural development. George III. possessed a taste for farming which passed by a natural transition to the nobility, who soon found that the improvement of their estates was their only chance of competition with the wealthy merchant princes of the towns. In- dependently of this, the increasing population of the towns caused an augmented demand for butcher's meat and every kind of farming produce.
Before the improved system of husbandry was introduced into Norfolk, there were many rabbit warrens, and the country was overrun with rabbits. On the light land farms these formed a large part of the diet of the farming servants, and were known by the name of " hollow meat •" and as the servants in Scotland are said to have stipulated against too much salmon, so it was the practice here, when a servant let himself to a farmer, to make a proviso that he should be fed upon " hollow meat " only a certain number of days in the week. Now the servants can seldom get it on any day of the week.
During the eighteenth century, it was the custom on large farms in Norfolk to make a large quantity of cider of two qualities, and at Christmas the best cider was tapped; and so long as the Yule log, or Christmas block, was burning, say for some ten or twelve days, the servants had the cider in common. The worst or slowest burning log was held in reserve for the servants at Christmas-tide, and till that was consumed, a small piece excepted (which was reserved till another year
STATE OF AGRICULTURE IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 333
for the purpose of setting fire to the new Yule log), the general beverage of the family was the best cider, of which one or more casks were made expressly for the occasion, a year before it was required. Master, mistress, and servants, took their meals together.
During the second half of the eighteenth century the condition of the rural population of the Eastern Counties became worse and worse, physically and morally. The peasantry increased in numbers and in misery. The cottages for the poor were few in number and badly built in almost every parish. Whole families were crowded into a single hovel, without drainage or a sufficient supply of pure water. Vice and im- morality of course prevailed. Crimes were of frequent occurrence. Norfolk and Suffolk were noted for murders, burglaries, rapes, arsons, and deeds of violence. This state of things assumed the darkest aspect among the rough seafaring inhabitants of the eastern coast.
Along the eastern coast, storms and tempests have been always frequent during the winter months. Hundred of vessels and thousands of lives have been lost on the shores of Norfolk at Hunstanton and other places. The wreckers were ofttimes busy in the eighteenth century. A ship foundering at sea, in all the horrors of a tempest, is surely a dreadful spectacle. The raging winds, the mounting billows, the labouring vessel , and drowning mariners, are objects calculated to chill the soul with terror and dismay. Could there be any human being so hardened and depraved as to commit rapine in these heart-piercing moments of distress ? Humanity shudders at the thought !
Yet such there were in the last century lost to all sentiments of compassion or pity. Alas ! there were too many more unfeeling than the tempests, more cruel than the waves. Rocks have protected seamen from destruction, but the long expected native shore, covered with our countrymen has proved the bane of thousands. The fainting shipwrecked sailor who had escaped the fury of the ocean was murdered on the Norfolk shore. Howling winds and rattling peals of thunder, as preludes of approaching storms, were music to the ears of robbers. Perdition seize all such monsters !
But that frightful state of society along the coast was changed in the course of time. The rough hardy people became more civilised and humane. Associations were formed for saving the lives of shipwrecked mariners. Lifeboats were invented, and made in sufficient numbers to be placed at different stations between Harwich and Lowestoft, and between Yarmouth and Hunstanton. While many tempests were raging, the hardy beachmen launched the lifeboats and saved many lives.
334 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
COUNTY FAMILIES IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.
We shall now notice some of the ancient county families, whose descendants continued in possession of their estates down to the end of the eighteenth century, and some of the new families who flourished in this period. What gentlemen lived in Norfolk hundreds of years ago, and where they lived, will appear from a very rapid tour through the different Hundreds of the county from east to west. We cannot pretend to give all the genealogies of all the county families, nor is it possible from the want of records, nor is it necessary for the purposes of this history. Many old families have disappeared from this earthly scene and left no trace behind.
THE COKE FAMILY, HOLKHAM.
The family of Coke appears to have first settled at Didlington in the Hundred of South Greenhoe, Norfolk. William Coke had an estate there in 1206, as proved by a deed of that date. He had a son named Jeffrey Coke, residing in the same place in the thirty-sixth of Henry III. Jeffrey had a son Thomas in the fiftieth of Henry III. Thomas had a son John Coke, who was lord of Didlington in the ninth of Edward II., and father of Sir Thomas Coke, who served in the wars with France in the twenty-second of Edward II. • The son of this Sir Thomas died young, and his inheritance descended to John Coke of Whitwell in 1362, brother of Sir Thomas, who had a son, John Coke, of Crostwick and East Huston ; and he a son, Robert Coke, who married Agnes, daughter and heir of Roger Crispin, of Happisburgh. ♦ Their son John left Thomas Coke, who married Alice, sister and co-heir of Thomas Folcard, lord of Sparham Hall, and had two sons, (1) John, who died young, (2) Robert Coke, of Sparham, married to Ann, daughter of Thomas Wodehouse, of Waxham, in Happing Hundred. Robert, the survivor, was a Fellow of Lincoln's Inn, and first of the family who lived at Mileham ; his only brother Thomas was lord of Gambon's Manor in Whitwell. Robert died in London, 1561 ; and by Winifred, daughter of Mr. William Knightley, of Norwich, left an only son and heir, Sir Edward Coke, that bright luminary of the law, who was born at Mileham. He was Lord Chief Justice of England, and died at Tittleshall in Norfolk. He bought large estates in the county.
Sir Edward Coke married first Bridget, daughter of John Paston, Esq., by whom he had six sons and three daughters : — 1. Edward, who died an infant ; 2. Sir Robert, married to Theoplula daughter of Lord Berkley, and died 1653 without issue ; 3. Arthur, married to Elizabeth daughter and sole heir of Sir George Waldegrave, of Higham, in Suffolk, and die
COUNTY FAMILIES IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTUEY. 335
without issue, 1629 ; 4. John, who by his marriage with Muriel daughter of Anthony Wheatley, Esq., succeeded to the Holkham estate and had six sons and nine daughters; 5. Henry, married to Margaret daughter and heir of Sir Richard Lovelace, of Kingsdown, in Kent; 6. Clement, married to Sarah, daughter and co-heir of Alexander Reddish, of Reddish, in Lancashire.
John, the fourth son of Sir Edward Coke, lived and died at Honington, in Suffolk,- 1661, and his heirs male dying without issue, the estates in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge, Derby, and Lancashire, descended to Richard, only son and heir of Henry, the fifth son of Sir Edward Coke.
Richard Coke, Esq., before mentioned married Mary, daughter of Sir John Rous, Bart., of Henham, in Suffolk, by whom he had Robert Coke, Esq., of Holkham, who married Lady Ann Osborne, daughter of the Duke of Leeds, and dying, left Edward his son and heir, married to Cary, daughter of Sir John Newton, Bart., of Barrow Court, in Gloucestershire.
Edward Coke, Esqv had three sons, viz., Thomas, Edward, and Robert, and two daughters, Cary and Ann, who both married, x Thomas Coke, the eldest, married lady Margaret Tufton, third daughter and co-heiress of the Earl of Thanet and Baroness Clifford in-her own right. He was elected Knight of the Bath, created Baron Lovell, of Minster Lovell in Oxfordshire, and Earl of Leicester. He was also joint Post- master-General of England, and ^elected Fellow of the Royal Society, &c. * Edward Coke, the second son, had the estate of Longford in Derbyshire, and dying S. P. in 1733, his younger brother Robert inherited it. He married Lady Jane, daughter of Thomas, Marquis of Wharton, and sister to Philip, formerly Duke of Wharton ; and Vice- Chamberlain to Queen Caroline. Dying without issue in 1737, the Longford estate came to Wenman Coke, Roberts, son of Major Roberts, and Ann his wife.
Thomas Coke, Earl of Leicester, before mentioned, had an only son, Edward Viscount Coke, a young nobleman of good parts, who represented the County of Norfolk in Parliament. He married Lady Mary Campbell, daughter and co-heiress of John the great Duke of Argyle, and died 1752 without issue. Thomas Coke, Earl of Leicester, was the founder of Holkham House, a magnificent mansion equal to any in England. On his death, April 20th, 1759, the titles became extinct, but the estates devolved on Wenham Coke, Esq., of Longford, M.P. for Derby, and in 1774 elected Knight of the Shh'e for the County of Norfolk.
He married first Hugono, daughter of a merchant in London, by whom he had no surviving issue. His next wife was Miss Chamberlain, an heiress, a grand-daughter of Judge Denton, whose estate in Buckingham- shire she enjoyed for life. After her decease it descended to her eldest son, Sir Thomas William Coke, as tenant in-tail.
336 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
* *
On Mr. Wenman Coke's decease in April, 1775, his oldest son, Thomas William Coke, succeeded, and was chosen Member of Parliament for West Norfolk in the following month of May. He married the daughter of Lord Sherbourne, by whom he had three daughters. After her death in 1822 he espoused Lady Anne Amelia Keppel, third daughter of the Earl of Albemarle, by whom he had four sons and one daughter. He was created Earl of Leicester in 1837, and when he came to his estate at Holkham the rental was only £2000 yearly, but by his improved system of farming, and by his liberal leases to his tenants, the rental was soon increased to £20,000 yearly. This creation of wealth is probably unexampled except in the vicinity of large towns. The estate is the largest in West Norfolk, extending from parishes near Fakenham to Wells, and thence towards Lynn. It was greatly improved by the late lord, who was one of the most liberal of landlords, and the greatest farmer in the world.
The late Earl of Leicester died June 30th, 1 842, and was buried with great pomp in the family vault at Tittleshall, where his ancestors repose. There was an immense funeral procession, including most of the land- owners and farmers of West Norfolk. A universal sentiment of regret was expressed at the loss of a great benefactor to his native county. Nor- folk men felt that he deserved every mark of respect. In a short time a public subscription was raised for a monument to his memory, and ulti- mately an obelisk was erected in Holkham Park, where it stands far removed from public observation. When the foundation stone was laid, -y the park was thrown open, and refreshments were provided for all comers. The master spring of Mr. Coke's policy was to give his tenants every possible encouragement to improve their farms. Accordingly he let them on long leases, with liberal covenants, at easy rents. Long leases and liberal covenants afford the best of all encouragements to farmers, and are ten times better than all the prizes that were offered by any societies. Mr. Coke held annual gatherings called sheep shearing for forty-five years, and these gatherings of farmers did some good, but they became very expensive and tumultuous, and it was time to discontinue such meetings. Mr. Coke's rent-roll continued to increase up to £50,000 yearly, yet his tenants grew rich, the labourers were more numerous than ever, better paid, lodged, and fed. Machinery has been used with- out limit at Holkham, but instead of throwing people out of employment, more men are required, and they are better paid. Three times the number of people are maintained on the same space as before.
A century ago Norfolk might have been called a vast rabbit warren in the northern parts. Wheat was almost unknown in the whole tract of country which lies between Holkham and Lynn. Scarcely an ear was to be
COUNTY FAMILIES IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 337
X
seen, and it was not believed that an ear could be made to grow. Now the most abundant crops of wheat and barley wave over the entire district. All this is due to the improvements introduced by Mr. Coke. He converted a barren district into a garden or granary. By his system of farming he contrived to fertilise the soil and to draw from it abundant crops. Mr. Coke was the first to grow the Swedish turnip on a scale equal to the wants of a farm. His sheep were all Southdowns from Sussex, but he had not the merit of selecting them himself. He was visited by some gentlemen from the South of England, who found m»ch fault with the Norfolk sheep, which then composed his flocks, and told him that the Southdowns of Sussex were far more profitable and better adapted to his pastures. He bought 500 on this recommendation, and finding them fully answer his purpose, he got rid of his Norfolk and kept only Southdowns. *
THE KEPPEL FAMILY, QUIDENHAM.
Arnold Joost Von Keppel came over the sea from Holland with William III., and in 1696 the title of Earl of Albemarle was revived in his person. The title of Albemarle in Normandy had been previously borne by the Plantagenet, Beauchamp, and other families. George, the third Earl of Albemarle, purchased the manor of Quidenham, and greatly improved the park. His lordship married a daughter of Sir John Miller, of Chichester, by whom he had a son and heir, George, the Earl of Albemarle in 1780.
The present earl was born in 1799, and succeeded his brother in 1851. He entered the army in 1815, served at Waterloo, became Major-General in 1858. His son and heir, William Coutts Keppel, was born in 1832, and served for some years in the army. As Viscount Bury he was M.P. for Norwich from 1857 to 1859, and in the latter year he was created a Privy Councillor.
THE HARBORD FAMILY, GUNTON.
This family lived for a long time at Gunton Hall, near Aylsham. Sir Harbord Harbord, the second baronet, was created Baron Suffield in 1 786, and died in 1810. The Right Hon. Charles Harbord, the fifth Lord Suffield, succeeded his brother, the late Baron, in 1853. He greatly improved the house and grounds. The house stands on an eminence commanding a good view of the park, which includes all the parish of Gunton, twenty acres in Thorpe, and forty -four in the parish of Hanworth. It is well stocked with deer, and noted for the number of hares and pheasants. The grounds are of considerable extent, and very tastefully laid out.
VOL. II. Z
338 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
Cunton is a small parish five miles north-north-east of Aylsham, containing 942 acres of land, all comprised in the park and extensive plantations of Gunton House, the handsome modern seat of Lord Suffield. It is built of white brick, and was much enlarged in 1785, under the direction of Mr. Wyatt. The mansion was also much improved by the third Lord Suffield. The road to Thorpe at the north-east angle of the park passes under the arch of a tower 120 feet high, commanding an extensive prospect. Sir Harbord Harbord, the second baronet, was created Baron Suffield in 1786, and died in 1810. The Right Hon. Charles Harbord is the fifth and present Lord Suffield, and succeeded his brother, the late Baron in 1853. He has greatly improved the house and grounds. His son and heir, the Hon. Charles Harbord, was born in 1855.
THE BULWER FAMILY, HEYDON.
The founder of this ancient family was Turold de Dalling, who at the time of the Conquest was enfeoffed in the manors of Wood Dalling and Binham. The father of the present W. E. L. Bulwer, Esq., of Heydon, was a Brigadier- General, and espoused the sole heiress of A. W. Lytton, Esq., of Knelworth Park. Mr. W. E. W. Bulwer is lord of the manors of Heydon with Members, Stinton Hall, Salkirk Hall, Oulton, Thurning, Guestwick, Cawston, Wood Dalling, &c. He is the elder brother of Lord Lytton, the distinguished novelist, essayist, dramatist, and poet, who died at Torquay, on Friday, the 17th January, 1873.
THE FAMILY OF THE CLERES, ORMESBY.
This renowned family, who for a long time resided at the Old Hall, Ormesby, were formerly lords of the manor of Ormesby. The interior of the church contains several monuments of the Cleres. The altar tomb of Sir Henry Clare, Baronet, remains ; at the east end is Clere, with a label of three, impaling Mundeford. His wife was daughter of Sir Edward Mundeford, of Feltwell. John Symonds, son of John Symonds of Suffield by Margaret Calthorpe, also married a Mundeford of Feltwell, namely, May, daughter of Francis Mundeford by Margaret Thoresby, his second wife. In 1492, Elizabeth Clere gave ten pounds towards rebuilding the church steeple.
THE FAMILY OF THE SYMONDS, ORMESBY.
About the year 1654 James Symonds, whose ancestors had long resided at Coleby, Suffield, and Cley-next-the-Sea, bought a considerable increase to his possessions at Burgh and Ormesby. Ho enlarged his mansion at the east end of the church, and laid out some handsome gardens, with a large bowling green. About the close of the sixteenth century the house
COUNTY FAMILIES IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 339
and grounds were much improved by his son, Jonathan Symonds. Cotton Symonds, the surviving son of Jonathan, rebuilt the south front of the family mansion, but destroyed the bowling green and a large banqueting house in the garden. He died in 1761, and left the house and family estates to his widow for her life, with remainder to his relation, Nathaniel Symonds, of Yarmouth, who had married his cousin Mary, daughter and heiress of Thomas Symonds, of Browston Hall, Suffolk. Their only child, James Symonds, was the next owner of the estate, which he greatly im- proved. He left one daughter, Hetty, who married the Kev. John Hom- fray, one of the ministers of St. George's Chapel, Yarmouth. She had two sons, the Eev. James Symonds and Charles Symonds. The former married Janet, daughter and co-heiress of John Fish, of Yarmouth, and had a large family. The latter married Mary, sole child of Ely Morgan Price, D.D., rector of Runham and Griston, in Norfolk.
THE BOILEAU FAMILY, KETTEEINGHAM.
This family is descended from an illustrious French house, one of whose members fled from the persecution of the Reformers by Louis XIY., and settled at Southampton. This was Charles Boileau, Baron of Castlenauand St. Croix, a lineal descendant in an unbroken line from Etienne Boileau, the first Grand Provost of Paris (1250), whose descendants held honourable civil and military offices till the time when they became Protestants. The son of Charles Boileau removed to Dublin, and was the father of the late John Peter Boileau, Esq., who went to India with his relative, General Caillard, and after filling the highest offices in the Presidency of Madras, returned to England with an ample fortune in 1780, and settled at Tacolnestone in Norfolk. In 1836 Ketteringham was conveyed to him, and in 1838 he was created a baronet. He was a patron of arts, sciences, and literature. In 1825 he married Lady Catherine S. Elliott, youngest daughter of the first Earl of Minto, and his son and heir, the present Sir Francis George Massingham Boileau, was born in 1830. The hall, a large and handsome castellated Tudor mansion of ancient foundation, was enlarged and improved by the former proprietor, who built a spacious Gothic hall fit for the hospitalities of the age of chivalry. The house was richly stored with paintings, books, and choice monuments of antiquity. Sir John P. Boileau, Bart., was a Fellow of the Royal Society, and a member of many other learned societies. He was President of the Norfolk Archgeological Society, and generally took the chair at the quarterly and annual meetings. He accompanied the members on many excursions.
340 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
THE FAMILY OF THE LONGES OF SPIXWOETH.
This family resided on their estate at Spixworth for about two hundred years prior to 1780. Francis Longe, Esq., who purchased the estate about 1690, was younger son of Eobert Longe, Esq., of Rey- merston, by Elizabeth his wife, daughter of Francis Bacon, a Justice of the King's Bench. He was bred to the bar, and was eminent in his profession ; was elected Recorder of Yarmouth, and performed the duties of that office for many years with great reputation. He died at Spix- worth December 12th, 1734, aged seventy-six. The second son succeeded him in his estate, Francis Longe, Esq., of Reymerston, who died October 10th, 1735, aged forty-six. His son, Francis Longe, was a minor at the decease of his father, and he married Tabitha, daughter of John Howes, Esq., of Morningthorpe. Mr. Longe served the office of High Sheriff of the county, and was in the commission of the peace. He had two children, who survived their mother. Francis Longe succeeded his father in 1776. He served in the regiment of Horse Guards (Blue) as lieutenant, but retired from the army. He made many improvements at Spixworth, and raised some nourishing plantations. He married the second daughter of George Jackson, Esq., Deputy-Secretary to the Admiralty, and a gentle- man of family in Yorkshire. Their descendants have continued to reside at Spixworth to the present day.
THE FOUNTAINE FAMILY, NARFORD.
The first of the family of the Fountaines lived in the reign of Henry III., about the year 1265. After many generations and different heirs in the same family, lived John, eldest son of Arthur Fountaine, of Sail. He married Mary, the daughter and heiress of James Brigge, of Sail, in whose right this family have ever since quartered the arms of Brigge. Brigge-Fountaine died in 1661, and by Anna, the eldest sister of Robert Henley, Esq., he had Andrew Fountaine, Esq., who married Sarah, eldest daughter of Sir Thomas Chicheley, who lies interred in a vault at the east end of the south aisle of Narford Church.
The family was originally of Sail, in Norfolk, and assumed the name of De Fonte, or Fontibus, from the springs or fountains where they lived.
Sir Andrew Fountaine, Knight, became the owner of Narford, in West Norfolk, during the 18th century. He built the mansion house called Narford Hall, and resided there till his death. The house was a good one, but not so much the object of view as the curiosities it contained, such as pictures, urns, earthenware, and other antiquities. Sir Andrew was justly celebrated for his great taste by Mr. Pope, and he is said to have bought some of the finest paintings at Houghton. The collection of antique urns, vases, sphinxes, &c, was much admired by antiquaries.
COUNTY FAMILIES IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. o41
Sir Andrew Fountaino was esteemed to be one of the politest and best- bred men of his age, and lie was remarkably neat in his person. He died at Narford, and was buried in the family vault.
The hall is situated near the river Nar, about eight miles from Lynn, and four miles from Swaffham. It is surrounded by a finely wooded park, on the western side of which there is a large sheet of water well stocked with fish, and its banks are adorned with pleasant scenery.
Sir Andrew Fountaine, as before stated, built the old house in the reign of Queen Anne. The elevations were Italian in style, with something of the French of that date, and the gardens appear to have been in keeping with the building. The rooms were well proportioned and tastefully decorated, and the staircase was handsome. Several additions were made to the house at various times, including a library and music-room ; ex- ternally they were very plain ; internally they were equal to other parts of the hall.
Within the last twenty years ending 1872, Mr. Fountaine has expended a large sum on the building, so that although the old rooms and staircase remain, with one exception as they stood, excellent specimens of the decorations of the period in which they were carried out, the exterior shows very little more of the old work unaltered than the former entrance doorway with the ashlaring and rusticated quoins of the south front and part of those of the west and north front. The present entrance is through a slightly projecting porch with an ante-space under the tower through which the hall is reached. All those rooms are built on what is called fire-proof construction. They contain fine specimens of " della- robia" ware and some ancient bronzes, but are not yet completely fitted up.
From the hall a few steps conduct us to the landing on which a door opens to the library, and a small cabinet beyond. The library is com- plelely furnished with books, and contains a valuable series of portraits by the old masters ; also a beautifully-executed bust of Sir Andrew Fountaine by Roubeliac. The cabinet contains many small and valuable objects of art.
From the landing before-named there is an entrance to the music room, and a small room beyond. Both rooms are elegantly furnished, and con- tain many valuable paintings by the old masters, and a series of family portraits. " The Etty Room " contains Etty's " Judgment of Paris," and his picture of the Nymphs carrying off Hylas.
The third room exhibits an admirably carved ceiling harmoniously decorated with paintings of monkeys, festoons, and flowers. There arc many carvings about various parts of the rooms which form a handsome range of apartments.
842 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Returning to the hall, and entering the corridor to the left, we come to the breakfast room, which presents several fine paintings, particularly a Dutch landscape. Proceeding onwards we come to the saloon, which was formerly the entrance hall, a well-proportioned room, the walls adorned with paintings of mythologic subjects, forming a complete covering to the saloon fittings between the doorways and windows, and these with carved furniture, marble busts, and bronzes, altogether make this a very handsome apartment.
The principal staircase leads out of this saloon, and forms an elegant approach to the rooms above. It is fitted up with wainscot and oak, and adorned with portraits of the family. The ceiling is an excellent example of such work as used to be modeled in plaster. Many of the ornaments are in entire relief, and the whole is bold and effective. Returning to the saloon, we enter the dining-room, which contains a handsome marble chimney-piece and several small busts. We next enter the drawing- room, which is handsomely furnished, and contains some fine paintings, including a Rembrandt; also some excellent specimens of carving and other works of decorative art.
Adjoining this room is a bourdier, with a handsome cornice and carvings, &c. On the opposite side to which we enter the bourdier is a handsome doorway to an octagon room, fitted up with Eastern china, with many fine specimens of which the room is entirely filled. Returning to the drawing-room, we proceed onwards to enter another apartment fitted up for Western china, and filled with a magnificent collection of " Pallissy " and other ware ; also many very valuable specimens of enamelled ware, large dishes, and other pieces of ware of that period display articles of the seramic art of the highest perfection. Indeed, these rooms contain as fine collections of works of decorative art as can be seen in England.
The whole building is more or less in the Italian style freely treated. The principal front displays the facade of the old house, but altered to make it correspond with the new works. The whole facade is now 330 feet in length. The music-room is about 36 feet by 2 7 feet ; the library is 40 feet in length; the dining-room is 35 feet by 27 feet; the saloon is 30 feet by 20 feet ; the drawing-room is 35 feet by 27 feet. Narford Hall as described, with the park, grounds, and lake, is a very delightful residence. Mr. Robert Ketton, architect, of Norwich, supplied the plans for the new works, and superintended their construction.
ESTATES IN NORFOLK IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.
During the 18th century, Norfolk contained more resident proprietors of £400 a year and upwards in landed estate, than any other county in
COUNTY FAMILIES IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 343
England, as proved by the number of gentlemen qualified to bo Deputy- Lieutenants. Amongst the seats of the nobility and gentry the most worthy of notice were Lord Stafford's, at Cossey ; Lord Orford's, at Wolterton ; Lord Wodehouse's, at Kimberley ; Lord Townshend's, at Rainham ; Lord Suffield's, at Gunton ; Lord Walsingham's, at Merton ; Sir Robert Walpole's, at Houghton ; Lord Hastings', at Melton; Lord Albermarle's, at Quidenham; Mr. Coke's, at Holkham; Sir William Brograve Proctor's, at Langley; Sir William Windham's, at Felbrigg; Sir Edward Stracey's, at Rackheath; Sir C. Trafibrd's, at Stoke Ferry ; Sir John Berney's, at Beachamwell ; Sir John Wode- house's, at East Lexham ; Sir — Paston's, at Oxnead ; Sir T. Hare's, at Stow Bardolph; Sir — Le Strange's, at Hunstanton; Sir W. W. Bulwer's, at Heydon; Sir A. Fountaine's, at Narford. Other seats were remarkable for dignity, elegance, and extent at Garboldisham, Buckenham, Westacre, Hethel, Oxburgh, Kirby Bedon, West Tofts, Bixley, Ditchingham, Harling, Elmham, Beeston St. Lawrence, Witton, Earsham, Shad well Lodge, Warham, Lyndford, Honingham, Ravening- ham, Pickenham, Eccles, Sandringham, Ketteringham, and many other halls were admired for the taste with which they were embellished.
About the end of the last century, the following were the proprietors of estates in the East and West Flegg in East Norfolk, viz., Gibson Lucas, Esq., Filby ; Nathaniel Symonds, Esq., Ormesby ; William Manning, Esq., Ormesby ; Rev. Christopher Taylor, Ormesby ; William Fisher, Esq., Ormesby ; Mr. Robert Proctor, Ormesby ; Joseph Rainey, Esq., Scratby ; Mrs. Smith, Thrigby ; Leonard Mapes, Esq., Rollesby ; Engle Knights, Esq., Somerton. Neither of these hundreds could boast of having many splendid mansions, yet there are remains of several capital manor houses that were the seats of opulent families.
The following gentlemen were owners of seats and estates in the Hundred of Tunstead, Norfolk, 1 780 : — Anthony Norris, Esq., Barton Turf ; Jacob Preston, Esq., Beeston St. Lawrence ; the Earl of Orford, Crostwick ; Bevil Paston Chambers, Esq., Honing ; John Blofeld, Esq., Hoveton St. John ; Anthony Aufrere, Esq., Hoveton St. Peter ; Henry Negus, Esq., Hoveton St. Peter ; John Berney Petre, Esq., Westwick ; John Norris, Esq., Witton ; Berney Brograve, Esq., Worstead ; Thomas Cooper, Esq., North Walsham. The last-named Thomas Cooper, Esq., was a magistrate of the county, and at the east end of North Walsham had an eligible seat which he greatly improved at a great expense. Beeston Hall, in the parish of Beeston, a Gothic mansion in a small park, had been long the residence of the Preston family, one of whom, Jacob Preston, received an emerald ring (still preserved in the family) from Charles I. when upon the scaffold, as a tribute of affection.
344 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
The proprietors of seats and estates in the Hundred of Loddon, South Norfolk, were the following: — (1780) Mr. Z. Marshall, Ashby; George Stone, Esq., Bedingham ; John Coleman, Esq., Broome ; Sir Robert Rich, Bart., Claxton ; Philip Bedingfield, Esq., Ditchingham ; Charles Gurney, Esq., Hedingham; Sir Thomas Proctor, Bart., Langley; William Smith, Esq., Topcroft ; Mr, Suckling, Woodton.
Sir Thomas Beauchamp, Bart., the Lord of Langley before 1780, married a daughter of Robert Palmer, Esq., of Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury Square, London, and in 1870 he was High Sheriff of Norfolk. The present baronet resumed the name of Beauchamp in 1852 by Royal license. Langley 'Hall is a noble building, surrounded by a park and extensive plantations situated close to the road, half-way between Norwich and Bungay.
About the end of the eighteenth century, the following were the owners of the principal seats and estates in the Hundred of Mitford (1780) — Samuel Rash, Esq., East Dereham; Edward P. Heyhoe, Esq., Harding- ham; Thomas Gregson Payne, Esq., Hardingham; Thornhagh Gurdon, Esq., Letton ; Mr. Thomas Hewitt, Mattishall ; Thomas Gregson, Esq., Reymerston ; George L. Stradwick, Esq., Shipdham ; Rev. Coleby Bullock, Shipdham; Sir John O. Leeke, Bart., Quebec Castle; Rev. Thomas Du Quesne, East Tuddenham; John Weyland, Esq., Wood Rising. •' The following gentlemen were proprietors of estates in the Hundred of Henstead (1780) — The Earl of Rosebery, at Bixley; Mr. Thomas Garland, Framlingham ; Sir John Berney, Bart., Kirby Bedon ; Robert Fellowes, Esq., Shottesham ; James Bransby, Esq., Shottesham ; Captain Money, Trowse Newton ; Mr. Edward Rigby, Yelverton.
The proprietors of seats and estates in the Hundred of Humbleyard in South Norfolk were the following (1780): — John Berney, Esq., Bracon Ash; Jeremiah Norris, Esq., Colney ; Mrs. Bates, Cringleford ; Mrs. Long, Dunston; Thomas Beevor, Esq., Hethel ; Thomas Starling, Esq., Hethersett; Richard Gurney, Esq., Keswick; Edward Atkyns, Esq., Ketteringham ; John Lombe, Esq., Melton; John Gay, Esq., Mulbarton.
The following gentlemen were owners of seats and estates in the Hundred of Taverham (1780), viz.: — John Micklethwait, Esq., Beeston ; Thomas Rogers, Esq., Catton ; Jer. Ives Harvey, Esq., Catton ; Robert Harvey, Esq., Catton ; Charles Buckle, Esq., Catton ; Admiral Layton, Drayton; Charles Weston, Esq., Drayton; Thomas J. Batchelor, Esq., Horstead; Henry Palmer Watts, Esq., Horstead ; Edward Stracey, Esq., Rackheath ; Richard Ward, Esq., Salhouse ; Francis Longe, Esq., Spix- worth; Sir L. Blackwell, Bart., Sprowston; Miles Branthwayte, Esq., Taverham; Rev. D. Collyer, Wroxham ; John Wace, Esq., Wroxham. Few of the descendants of those proprietors now remain in Norfolk.
COUNTY FAMILIES IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 3£5^
At the end of the eighteenth century, the following gentlemen had seats and estates in the Hundred of Forehoe, Norfolk (1780) : — Sir William Jerningham, Bart., Costessey ; Leonard Buxton, Esq., Easton Lodge ; Thomas Bullock, Esq., Hingham ; Rev. Phillip Wodehouse, Hingham ; Right Hon. C. TWnshend, M.P., Honingham ; Sir John Wodehouse, Bart., Kimberley ; and Rev. Richard Drake, Wymondham.
The following gentlemen were proprietors of seats and estates in the Hundred of Eynsford (1780) : — Richard Lloyd, Esq., Belaugh ; William Fellowes, Esq., Haveringland ; Charles Le Grys, Esq., Morton ; Edward Hall, Esq., Sail; Peter Elwin, Esq., Thurning ; John Custance, Esq., Weston ; William Wiggett Bulwcr, Esq., Wood Dalling. Richard Lloyd, Esq., was a gentleman of very amiable character, and universally esteemed. He was captain in the Western Battalion of the Norfolk Militia in 1779, embodied under the command of the Earl of Orford, Lord Lieutenant of the County.
The following were proprietors of seats and estates in the Hundred of Launditch (1780) : — Rev. Christopher Munnings, East Bilney ; Mr. John Daniel, Dillington ; Richard Miller, Esq., Elmham ; Mr. Edward Case, Great Fransham ; Hammond Alpe, Esq., Little Fransham ; Robert Sharrock, Esq., Little Gately ; Thomas William Coke, Esq., M.P., Gost- wick ; Lady L'Estrango, Gressenhall ; Thomas Halcot, Esq., Hoe ; William Heard, Esq., Kempstone ; Sir John Wodehouse, Bart., East Lex- ham ; Edward Davy, Esq., Mileham ; Charles Barnwell, Esq., Mileham ; Fountaine North, Esq., Rougham ; William Collison, Esq,, Tittleshall ; Richard Jackson, Esq., M.P., Weasenham.
The following were the owners of seats and estates in the Hundred of Shropham (1780) : — Francis Hind, Esq., Buckenham St. Andrew; William Woodley, Esq., Eccles ; Hugh Hare, Esq., Hargham ; Charles Wright, Esq., Kilverstone ; John Barker, Esq., Shropham ; William Colhoun, Esq., West Wretham ; William Grigson, Esq., East VVretham.
Watton Hall and the estate connected with it in Hundred of Wayland, came into the possession of William Henry Fleming, Esq., by his marriage with Ann, daughter of William Samwell, Esq. This William Henry Fleming was a captain in the Royal Navy, and afterwards a Rear- Admiral. He served the office of High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1735, and died before 1780, leaving a son and a daughter. His son, Sir William Fleming, suc- ceeded as heir to the estate, and was knighted by George III. in the life- time of his father. He commanded a company in the Norfolk Militia. The daughter married Captain Farmer, the gallant commander of the Quebec man-of-war, which was blown up in an engagement with a French frigate in October, 1779.
The following were proprietors of seats and estates in the Hundred of
3i6 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Clackclosc (1780) : — W. Greaves, Esq., Beaupre Hall, in Outwell; Sir John Berney, Bart., Beachamwell ; Captain Manby, Denver ; — Lowe, Esq., West Dereham; Eev. Joseph Forby, Fincham; W. Wollaston, Esq., M.P., Fordham j Captain Manby, Wood Hall, Hilgay ; Edward Pratt, Esq., West Ruston ; Sir C. Trafford, Knt., Stoke Ferry j Mr. Moore, Stow Bardolph ; Phillip Case, Esq., Stradset ; John Wilkes, Esq., M.P., Upwell ; Henry Bell, Esq., Watlington ; Thomas Plistow, Esq., Wat- lington; John Hinton, Esq., Wereham; Henry Lee Warner, Esq., Wormegay.
The following gentlemen were proprietors in the Hundred of Free- bridge (1780) : — James Coldham, Esq., Anmer; Sir James Johnstone, Bart., Bclmount ; Francis Dalton, Esq., Bilney Lodge ; Sir Henry Peyton, Bart., Emneth j Flewer Oxborough, Esq., Emneth j Sir M. B. Ffolkes, Bart., Hillington Hall ; Mr. John Rose, Hillington ; Thomas Dixon, Esq., Islington ; — Lloyd, Esq., Pentney ; Robert Corry, Esq., Norrh Runcton ; Rev. John Towers Allen, St. Gerrnains ; Robert Corry, Esq., Walpole ; James Tovvnsend, Esq., Walpole ; Mr. Wright, East Drove, Walpole ; Mr. Falemar, West Drove, Walpole ; Richard Hamond, Esq., Westacre.
James Coldham, Esq., who lived at Anmer, greatly improved the village, and ornamented it with various plantations. He generally resided at his seat in the place, a circumstance greatly to the advantage of the country round him, he being an active and judicious" magistrate, and ever ready to perform the duties of that office in a manner that entitled him to the thanks of the public.
Near the end of the eighteenth century the following gentlemen were proprietors of estates, and seats in the Hundred of Smithdown : — Robert Foster, Esq., Cobb Hall ; Edward Rolfe, Esq., Heacham ; John Holley, Esq., Holme-next-the-Sea; Sir Henry L'Estrange, Bart., Hunstanton; Dixon Hoste, Esq., Ingoldisthorpe ; Richard Gardiner, Esq., Mount Amelia ; Hon. Charles Vane, Mount Ida ; Rev. Armine Styleman, Ringstead ; Nicholas Styleman, Esq., Snettisham ; Thomas Willes, Esq., Thornham. All in the Smithdown Hundred in West Norfolk.
The following gentlemen were proprietors of estates in the Hundred of Holt (1780): — John Barnwell, Esq., Bale; Thomas Guy, Esq., Bale; Richard Paul Joderell, Esq., Bayfield ; John Tomlinson, Esq., Cley ; Michael Leheup, Esq., Gunthorpe ; Edmund Jewell, Esq., Holt ; Sir Edward Astley, Bart., M.P., Melton ; Rev. John Astley, Thornage.
The following gentlemen were proprietors in the Hundred of Gallow (1780): — Hon. Charles Vane, Bagthorpe ; John Balders, Esq., West Basham ; John Brown, Esq., Fulmodestone ; Earl of Orford, Houghton Hall ; Viscount Townshend, Raynhall Hall; Daniel Jones, Esq., Cranmore, Sculthorpe.
EMINENT MEN IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.
347
The following gentlemen were proprietors of seats and estates in the Hundred of North Erpingham (1780) : — Thomas Lane, Esq., Barningham ; George Windham, Esq., Cromer Hall ; William Windham, Esq., Felbrigg ; Sir Harbord Harbord, Bart., Gunton ; Robert Lee Doughty, Esq., Hanworth.
The following gentlemen were proprietors of seats and estates in South Erpingham : — Jarrett Dashwood, Esq., Aylsham ; John Bedingfield, Esq., Aylsham ; Mr. George Hunt Holly, Aylsham ; Mr. George Hogg, Aylsham; Z. S. Girdlestone, Esq., Baconsthorpe ; John Hobart, Earl of Buckinghamshire, Blickling ; Peter Elwin, Esq., Booton ; Mr. Chapman Ives, Coltishall ; W. Wigget Bulwer, Esq., Heydon ; E. C. Hartopp, Esq., Irmingland ; Coulson Bell, Esq., Oulton ; Peter Elwin, Esq., jun., Sax- thorpe ; Thomas Durrant, Esq., Scottow ; Robert Marsham, Esq., Stratton Strawless ; Right Hon. Lord Walpole, Wolterton.
EMINENT MEN IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.
We have already noticed several eminent statesmen who were natives of Norfolk and Suffolk, also men of renown in war, but there were others less famous who were devoted to the arts of peace or to literary pursuits in this eighteenth century. Norfolk can boast of many great antiquaries and scholars ; and Suffolk is not less celebrated for poets, who have made the rural scenes of their native county the subjects of their effusions.
THE EIGHT HON. WILLIAM WINDHAM, 1750 TO 1810.
The Windhams were a family of great antiquity in Norfolk, and took their name from a market town in the county, where they originally settled. The town is now named Wymondham. Wo need not go further back than 1461, when the Felbrigg estate was purchased by the valiant John Windham, who was subsequently knighted for his gallantry at Stoke. He was the ancestor of William Windham, of Felbrigg, father of the statesman, Colonel of the Norfolk Militia, and author of a treatise for the use of the corps. He was an associate of the wits of his time, and an admirer of Garrick, whom he appointed executor to his son.
The father generally resided at his ancestral mansion at Felbrigg, situated on a commanding eminence in a richly-wooded park of GOO acres. This stately house, in the Tudor style, was enlarged by the Windham family at different periods. The apartments contained many excellent paintings by Rembrandt, Berghen, Vandcrville, and other eminent masters. At this retreat in the most sequestered part of North Norfolk the family had lived unknown to fame for centuries.
As lords of the land the line opened with a soldier, and it was made illustrious by the scholar, statesman, philosopher, and gentleman of the
34| H1ST0KY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
eighteenth century. This William Windham was born on a May day in 1750 at Felbrigg. He was a wild, wayward, prankish child, who at Eton learned to write verses, at Glasgow distinguished himself as a mathema- tician, and at Oxford gained much recondite lore. Lord Malmesbury praised Windham's scholarship as being of the right sort, and not of the mere old Etonian quality ; wide and deep, and not confined to the making of faultless verses. When he reached his majority he was of sufficient importance for Government to offer him the office of Irish Secretary, which he was modest enough to decline. At that time he was by his talents, frankness, and conduct winning the friendship of men of all ages. Old Horace Walpole praised him, and said " He is a Whig of the stamp that was current in our country in my father's time." Sir Robert Walpole said of the young man, " He is of the old rock," and a better designation could not have been conferred upon him.
On January 28th, 1778, Mr. Windham attended a meeting of gentlemen held at Norwich to consider of a subscription in aid of Government in prosecuting their war then raging with the Colonies. The speech he delivered on that occasion has been preserved, and his biographer observes, 11 Though it must not be compared with later specimens of his eloquence, it may be admitted to exhibit some proofs of acuteness, dexterity, and vigour." After he deserted his Liberal friends in Norwich, he was vehe- mently denounced by a noted political preacher in the city named Mark Wilks, who often delivered political orations.
The young Whig of the old rock, after making the grand tour of the continent, was elected member for Norwich, which city he represented till near the end of the century. He soon became remarkable for his eloquence, which was thoroughly English, vigorous, rough, and clear. He became one of the most independent speakers in the House of Commons, and in debate he deprecated the quizzing system which began to prevail between political opponents.
Windham kept a diary extending over the last twenty-six years of his life. In the opening records, we meet with simple but interesting traits of English life as it was eighty years ago, when aristocrats went to the pit of Drury Lane Theatre, and noblemen who had friends to dinner got rid of them by nine o'clock ; but as they sat down at three o'clock, and drank a good deal of wine in those days, they were longer at table than they are now, and generally had supper and stronger liquor about mid- night. Windham, in common with his contemporaries, indulged in these late hours, and the consequences were not favourable to his reputation as a statesman.
The diary contains a fragmentary history of the author's own mind, and some remarkable passages which men of reflection must read with
EMINENT MEN IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. -'849
interest. Throughout, it is the psychological rather than the political element which pleases most readers. This diary shows that the states- man was intimate with Dr. Johnson and other celebrated characters.
Dr. Johnson appears to have felt the same sentiments of esteem for Windham that Windham felt for him ; and this is illustrated in one of his letters printed by Boswell, addressed to Dr. Brocklesby, in which Johnson says, " Mr. Windham has been here to see me ; he came I think forty miles out of his way, and staid about a day and a half ; perhaps I may make the time shorter than it was. Such conversation I shall not have again till I come back to the regions of literature, and there Windham is 'inter stellas hmaminorw.3" Mr. Windham's other connections about this time of a political nature were the leaders of the Opposition. In 1783 he became chief secretary to the Earl of Northampton, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Being fearful that he should fail in his new situation from the doubts he entertained whether he could descend to practise the arts supposed to be necessary in such cases, Dr. Johns-*," encouraged him by saying, " Don't be afraid, Sir, you will soon make a very pretty rascal." This humorous assurance was ill founded ; and it is generally admitted that Mr. Windham's resignation within four months originated from the most honourable motives. When iu Parliament he generally sided with those who voted against the American war, but for a long time he adhered to the person and followed the opinions of Mr. Fox with a marked predilection, and appeared to have formed a union so close with that great orator that it was supposed death alone could dissolve the attachment. Mr. Windham was a very active member of the Opposi- tion for some time, and often assailed the ministers of the day. After the French revolution a change came over the dreams of many public men, and none experienced a greater shock than those of the Opposition. Their party had been lessened indeed by a few occasional desertions, but the crisis alluded to thinned their ranks and spread terror among their adherents.
At the commencement of the session of 1792, on the motion for an address on his Majesty's speech, Mr. Windham observed " That strange as it might appear, he should vote this night with them whose measures he had uniformly and conscientiously reprobated, in opposition to those whose political sentiments on almost every other occasion were in unison with his own." He then added, " There was a well- founded alarm gone abroad, not as has been alleged from the conduct of the officers of the Government, but from those who were sworn enemies of all Government. The whole was a well-arranged plan for overturning the British constitution." Mr. Windham had then chosen his side in the grand political contest, and it must be allowed that he
350 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
spoke out, and by so doing acted far more honourably than many of his new friends. Accordingly, in June, 1798, when Mr. Fox made a motion respecting the war, the purport of which was to present a humble address to his Majesty, " to restore the blessings of peace," Mr. Windham remarked that "he had yet to learn any rule by which a country was to be called on at the beginning of a war to state definitely what are the precise objects of that war, or what the precise situation in which it ought to desist from it."
It is to be regretted that in proportion as the scene thickened, his enmity against his ancient friends became greater. We accordingly find that in a debate about the voluntary subscriptions, which were considered as unconstitutional by the members of the Opposition, he professed to dread the "prof erred services of those late coming and self-called champions who now- came forward in defence of that constitution which they have attempted to deliver over without remorse to the savage knife of every audacious reformer." He added that " their conduct was at least equivocal, and that their past actions gave no weight to their present profes- sions."
Mr. Windham after this became very unpopular even in Norfolk, and the hatred evinced towards him led many into extremes. He was not only accused of having deserted a barren Opposition for the sake of pro- ductive emoluments of office, but he was considered by some as utterly de- void of any principle. The manly manner in which he expressed or hinted his sympathy for the house of Bourbon, and the zeal which he evinced to affix a determined principle to the war by a bold declaration on this subject, was supposed to offend even his new associates in the ministry, who preferred an undefined system of hostility, and lavished both blood and treasure without any fixed object on which the public mind could rest.
Mr. Windham had, no doubt, failings like other men, but it must at the same time be allowed that he had virtues peculiar to himself. He pos- sessed great learning, much general knowledge, a happy choice of words, and a capability of arranging his arguments in a luminous manner. In addition to this, he was warm in behalf of those whose interest he es- poused, steady and sincere in his private friendships. He was intimate with many eminent men in the literary world, and a great admirer of Mr. Burke. He cultivated the friendship of Dr. Johnson, consoled him in his disappointments, visited him in his illness, and held him in his arms when the great lexicographer breathed his last.
Mr. Windham represented Norwich for eighteen years, but lost his seat in 1802, after which he also lost his election for Norfolk, and he took his seat for the borough of St. Maur. He became an advocate for the scheme of general arming, and deprecating the volunteer system, brought forth
EMINENT MEN IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. S51
plans for a general training act. Finding his ideas not adopted, he raised a company of volunteers at Felbrigg, of which he became colonel.
On the decease of Mr. Pitt in 1806, Mr. Windham again took office as Secretary at War and of the Colonies with Fox and Lord Grenville. On their dismissal he returned to the ranks of the Opposition, which he never afterwards quitted. On July 8th, 1809, while passing by the end of Con- duit Street, London, he saw a house on fire, and he immediately proceeded towards the spot to render the sufferers all the assistance in his power. He found the flames advancing rapidly towards the residence of Mr. North, whose valuable library he determined, if possible, to save from the destruction with which it was threatened. He laboured at the task which he had thus imposed on himself for four hours during a heavy rain, and amid the playing of numerous fire-engines ; his efforts were so successful that most of the books were saved. Unfortunately he fell during his ex- ertions and injured his hip ; but took no notice of the accident till an en- cysted tumour had been formed. On consulting his surgical advisers he found that it was necessary for him to submit to a most painful and dangerous operation. The tumour was removed with success, but unfavorable symp- toms soon afterwards appeared, and he expired on June 4th, 1810, in the 60th year of his age. He left no children, and the estate went to Admiral Lupin, who took the name of Windham.
ADMIRAL LOED NELSON, 1758 TO 1805.
Horatio Nelson, fourth son of Edward and Catherine Nelson, was born on the 29th of September, 1758, at the Parsonage House of Burnham Thorpe, a village in West Norfolk, of which his father was rector. The maiden name of his mother was Suckling ; her grandmother was an elder sister of Sir Robert Walpole.
Mrs. Nelson died in 1767, leaving eight out of eleven childreu. Upon this occasion her brother, Captain Maurice Suckling, of the Navy, visited Mr. Nelson, and promised to take care of one of the boys. Three years afterwards, when Horatio was only twelve years of age, and with a con- stitution naturally weak, he applied to his father for permission to go to sea with his uncle, recently appointed to the Raisonnable, of sixty-four guns.
The uncle was written to accordingly, and gave a reluctant consent to the proposal. " What," said he in reply, " has poor Horatio done, who is so weak, that he should be sent to rough it out at sea ? But let him come, and the first time we go into action a cannon ball may knock off his head and provide for him at once." The Raisonnable, on board of which he was now placed as a midshipman, was soon after paid off, and Captain Suckling removed to the Triumph, of seventy-four guns, then
382
HISTOEY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
stationed as a guard-ship in the Thames. This, however, was considered too inactive a life for a boy, and Nelson was therefore sent a voyage to the West Indies in a merchant ship.
Not many months after his return, his inherent love of enterprise was excited by hearing that two ships were being fitted out for a voyage of discovery towards the North Pole. From the difficulties expected on such service, these vessels were to be manned only by effective men instead of the usual number of boys. This, however, did not deter Nelson from soliciting to be received, and by his uncle's interest he was admitted as coxswain under Captain Lutwidge, the second in command. The two ships sailed from the Nore on June 4th, 1773, and returned in October. During this voyage, Nelson gave several indications of that daring spirit for which he "was ever after distinguished. The ships were paid off shortly after their return, and the youth was then placed by his uncle with Captain Farmer, of the Seahorse, of twenty guns, which was about to sail for the East Indies in the squadron of Sir E. Hughes. In this ship Nelson was rated as a midshipman, and attracted attention by his general good conduct ; but when he had been about eighteen months in India, he felt the effects of the climate of that country, and was brought almost to the brink of the grave. He embarked for England in the Dolphin with a body broken down by sickness and spirits much depressed. But his health improved during the voyage, and his native air soon restored his strength. On April 8th, 1777, he passed his examination for a lieutenancy, and next day received his commission as second lieutenant of the Lowestoffe of thirty-two guns, then fitting out for Jamaica. In this frigate he cruised against the American and French privateers, which were at that time harassing our trade in the West Indies, and distinguished himself on various occasions by his activity and enterprise. Having been warmly recommended to Sir Peter Parker, the commander-in-chief upon that station, he was removed into the Bristol flagship, and soon after became first lieutenant. On December 8th, 1788, he was appointed commander of the Badger brig, in which he rendered important assistance in rescuing the crew of the Glasgow, when that ship was accidentally lost in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
At the commencement of the French war, it was judged expedient again to employ Nelson, and on January 30th, 1 793, he was appointed to the Agamennon, of sixty-four guns, and placed under the orders of Lord Hood, then holding the chief command in the Mediterranean fleet. Being sent to Corsica with a small squadron, he undertook the siege of Bastia, and in a short time reduced it. The place capitulated on May 19th, 1 794. He next proceeded in the Agamemnon to co-operate with General Sir Charles Stuart in the siege of Calvi. Here Nelson received a serious
EMINENT MEN IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 353
injury, and lost the sight of one of his eyes. However, he continued to be engaged in active service all the rest of his short life, which was ended at the battle of Trafalgar.
On September 15th, 1805, Lord Nelson sailed in his favourite ship Victory to Cadiz, where he arrived on the 29th, and awaited the day when the French fleet should venture out to sea. On October 21st, the enemy was discovered near Cape Trafalgar. An engagement soon commenced. Nelson gave his last signal, " England expects every man to do his duty," and the telegraphic message was greeted with three cheers from every ship in the fleet. The battle began in earnest at noon. The enemy fought bravely, but by three o'clock, ten ships of their line had struck, and the French Admiral was a prisoner. The victory was completed in another half -hour, but Nelson had been mortally wounded by a rifle ball from the topmast of one of the French ships. He died amid the shouts of victory.
In Lord Nelson's professional character were united all the highest qualities of a great commander, wonderful foresight, prompt judgment, never-failing presence of mind, ardent zeal, unbounded confidence in the resources of his own mind, and that intuitive decision in the midst of difficulty and peril which is the distinguishing attribute of great military or naval genius. His daring was without rashness, and his enterprise founded upon the most skilful calculation ; his ardour never outran his understanding, nor his love of glory a due consideration of the material and moral means by which alone success can be obtained. His talents for command were of the highest order, and he knew the invaluable secret of inspiring other men with confidence in him, as well as with a confidence in themselves.
Lord Nelson was succeeded in his titles and estates by the Rev. Dr. Nelson, Prebendary of Canterbury, his lordship's only brother, who was afterwards created Earl Nelson. In 1806 an Act was passed for settling and securing a certain annuity on Earl Nelson, and such other persons to whom the title of Earl Nelson may descend, and for granting the sum of £100,000 to purchase an estate to accompany the said title, and also for granting £10,000 to each of the sisters of the late Vice- Admiral Viscount Nelson (Mrs. Matchem and Mrs. Bolton), in considera- tion of the eminent and signal services performed by him to his Majesty and the public.
SIR WILLIAM HOSTE.
Sir William Hoste, born in 1 780, was the second son of the Rev. Dixon noste, of Goodwick in Norfolk. This distinguished officer entered the navy under Nelson, and was early noticed by him with much approbation.
VOL. II. A A
554 HISTORY OV EASTERN ENGLAND.
After passing through a variety of grades in the service, though still a young man, he was appointed the senior officer in the Adriatic in 1809, and he was in the action at Lissa on March 13th, 1811. In the naval operations carried on in the Adriatic during the year 1813, Captain Hoste rendered valuable services, especially in the reduction of the fortresses of Cattaro and Ragusa. He was raised to the dignity of a baronet on July 23rd, 1814, and died in December, 1828, aged forty-eight years.
RICHARD PORSON, M.A.
Richard Porson, M.A., the celebrated Greek scholar, was born in 1759 at East Ruston, in Norfolk, and was first initiated in letters by his father, then clerk of the parish. He was sent to Eton by the liberality of his patron, Mr. Norris, and afterwards to Trinity College, in Cambridge, where he has elected fellow in 1781, and proceeded to a Master's degree in 1785. His acquisitions in Greek literature were very extensive, as his criticisms and emendations of authors in that language clearly evince. In 1803 he was chosen Greek Professor of the University, and he was ap- pointed principal librarian to the London Institution. The principal works of Porson are his " Letters to Travis," his four plays of Euripides, with their prefaces; and the manuscript copy of "Photius"; the rest, though somewhat voluminous, are chiefly miscellaneous annotations' upon detached passages of a multitude of ancient authors. We find nothing in the nature of theory or of the discovery of general laws, except some canons which he has laid down chiefly as having been used by the Greek tragedians in the construction of their verses. These are chiefly contained in the preface to the Hecuba, together with its supple- ment. To attempt to form a just estimate of the merit of such a man as Porson without blindly adopting the opinion of others is no easy task, but he may be pronounced to be the greatest scholar and critic of his age. It cannot be denied that the talents and even the industry which he possessed might have made him a much greater man if they had been employed in some other department of intellectual pursuits. He might have been as great a statesman or philosopher as he was a scholar, and in these capacities his acquirements would have affected the interests of a far larger number of his fellow-men than can ever be benefited by the fruits of his Greek erudition ; and he might possibly have gained more popularity as an orator or as a poet than his refined investigations of grammar could ever procure him. He might, at any rate, have enabled his native county to boast of at least one original classical poet or essayist.
We need not expect to find much incident, or emotion, or sympathy in the life of a man of letters. Indeed, we generally find poverty of incident,
EMINENT MEN IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 355
want of emotion, and barrenness of sympathy in the literary character. Such a life seldom contains any of those stirring events which call forth latent energies, and seem to lay bare the very roots of character. The man has no intimate connection with the struggles of the time, and with the aspirations for freedom that glowed in the breasts of his contem- poraries. How can a life passed amid books be expected to vie with the life of a General who dictated terms to Europe ?
The most interesting feature in the life of any eminent literary man is certainly the history of his mind. Even with the aid of his writings alone it is possible to trace his mental development. The mind of every literary man experiences changes as well as his body. His mental enjoy- ments vary from year to year. In his youth, he revels in the pleasures of hope and imagination ; in his early manhood he enjoys the feast of reason and the flow of soul ; in his mature age, he seeks the delights of philo- sophy, and the consolations of religion.
Porson had no very high opinion of Parr, and could not endure his metaphysics. One evening Parr was beginning a regular harangue on the origin of evil, when Porson stopped him short by asking " What was the use of it ? " Porson, who shrank on all occasions from praise of himself, was annoyed by the eulogies which Parr lavished on him in print. When Parr published the " Remarks on Combe's Statement," in which Porson is termed a u giant in literature, &c, Porson said, " How should Dr. Parr be able to take the measure of a giant."
Porson was remarkable for the extraordinary retentiveness of his memory — a memory that had been cultivated, without the aids of pens and paper, or even pencils and slates, and his powers in this respect seem to have been almost incredible. When at school he used frequently to repeat a lesson without making a blunder which he had learned twelve months previously, and had not seen the book in the meantime. At Eton he would construe Horace from memory when his book had been abstracted and an Ovid put in its place. Still later in life, he declared that he could repeat Smollett's " Roderick Random " from beginning to end, and he used to recite verbatim whole pages of Edgeworth's Essay on Irish Bulls. He once entertained a company at a friend's house by giving a translation from memory of an Italian novel which he had sat up all night to read, and although there were above forty names introduced into the subject he only forgot one. He also repeated the whole of the " Rape of the Lock ;" and noticed the various readings, and made obser- vations as he went on. He seemed to be capable of repeating a hundred authors, grave or comical, learned or frivolous, by heart, and was as much at home in setting a child right in his twopenny fable book as in recount- ing how often a certain word occurred in Thucydides, and in what
356 HISTORY OP EASTEEN ENGLAND.
passages. It was indeed a treat to hear him pour out his stores of anec- dote, his racy remarks on passing events, and his marvellous abundance of literary illustration of antiquity and past times, drawn as it seemed from every channel into which the mind of man could dive.
Porson's favourite beverage for breakfast was porter. One Sunday morning, meeting Dr. Goodall (Provost of Eton), he said, "Where are you going ?" " To church." " Where is Mrs. Goodall V " At break- fast.* " Very well, I'll go and breakfast with her." Porson accordingly presented himself before Mrs. Goodall, and being asked what he chose to take, he said, " Porter." It was sent for pot after pot, and the sixth pot was just being carried into the house when Dr. Goodall returned from church.
SIR JAMES EDWARD SMITH.
Sir James Edward Smith, the botanist, was born in the city of Norwich, December 2nd,' 1759. He was the eldest of five children, and for almost five years an only child. His father, Mr. James Smith, was a dealer in the woollen trade, of respectable connections and easy in his circum- stances. Sir James' mother, Frances Kinderley, was the daughter of an ancient and opulent family in the north of England. On account of his delicate constitution, young Smith was never sent to a public school, but was attended at home by the best masters that his native city afforded, and under their tuition he acquired a competent knowledge of the French and Italian languages, and of the rudiments of Latin. But the best part of his education was derived from the society of his well-informed, sen- sible parents, and from reading or conversation in the domestic circle.
Botany, " the amiable science," as it has been called, was the study for such a mind, and his early predilection for it, and the difficulties and en- couragements he met with, are often mentioned in his writings. In one of his introductory lectures before the Boyal Institution, he observed : — " From the earliest period of my recollection, when I can just remember tugging ineffectually with all my infant strength at the tough stalks of the wild succory on the chalky hillocks about Norwich, I have found the study of nature an increasing source of unalloyed pleasure, and a conso- lation and refuge under every pain. Long destined to other pursuits, and directed to other studies thought more advantageous or necessary, I could often snatch but a few moments for this favourite pursuit."
He resided all his early years in Norwich, but in the autumn of 1781 he repaired to Edinburgh to finish his education, with a view to the study of medicine. There he passed two years, and found warm friends. From Edinburgh he went up to London, still bent on pursuing his medical studies, and anxious to avail himself for this purpose of the advantage to
EMINENT MEN IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 357
be derived from visiting the hospitals. Here again he made many friends, especially Sir Joseph Banks, and he was admitted a Fellow of the Eoyal Society. He renewed his studies of Natural History, and became the author of many scientific works, from which he acquired great reputation. In 1796 he married the only daughter of Robert Reeve, Esq., of Lowes- toft, and in the following year he removed to Norwich, his native place, and resided in a large house at the top of Surrey Street.
He made occasional visits to London, and in July, 1814, he had the honour to be knighted by George IV. At the instance of Professor Martyn, and with the encouragement of many of the heads of the houses, he applied in 1818 for the botanical chair at Cambridge. But a cabal amongst the bigots and underlings deprived him of the honour on the ground that he was a Unitarian. He had long been a member of the Octagon Chapel, which was then attended by other eminent men. Having lived to a good old age, he died on March 15th, 1828, and was buried in the vault belonging to Lady Smith's family at Lowestoft.
Few individuals were more distinguished by literary honours, either foreign or domestic, than this gentleman. He was elected member of many literary and ' scientific societies at home and abroad. His own works were, " A Synopsis of the British Fuci," published in two volumes, octavo, 1802; "Muscologiae Hibernicse Spicilegium," octavo, privately printed, with coloured plates, 1804. "Botanist's Guide through England and Wales," two volumes octavo, 1805. " Historia Fucorum," four volumes quarto, 1808. " Tour in Normandy/' two volumes octavo, 1820. " Letterpress to Cotman's Etchings of Architectural Antiquities of Normandy," two volumes octavo, 1820.
MR. DAWSON TURNER.
Mr. Dawson Turner was born in October, 1775, at Great Yarmouth, where his father was a banker, and he was first educated at the Grammar School in North Walsham, Norfolk, under the Rev. Joseph Hepworth, and afterwards removed for private tuition to Barton, in the same county, under the Rev. Robert Forby. Being intended by his father for the Church, he was entered in 1793, of Pembroke College, Cambridge, of which his uncle, the Dean of Norwich, was then master ; but not choosing to adopt the clerical profession, he did not graduate. At the death of his father he succeeded to his extensive banking concern in Yarmouth, and married the daughter of William Palgrave, Esq., of Coltishall, in Norfolk.
Mr. Dawson Turner resided in a house opposite the bridge, Hall Quay, iu Yarmouth. He had a collection of valuable pictures and an extensive private library of 8000 volumes of general literature, unrivalled perhaps in botanical productions, most of which were of great beauty and on
358 HISTOEY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
large paper, but chiefly rich in the arts and Natural History. There were also about 150 volumes of manuscripts, and at least half of these were full of original letters from men of eminence, comprising all Sir Henry Spelman's correspondence, and Dr. CovelPs, the learned author of the " History of the Greek Church," with the manuscripts of Dr. Colbatch, the groat opponent of Bentley; a volume of original letters, unpublished, from Gray the poet; also the correspondence of Sir George Downing, the Ambassador of Oliver Cromwell to the Low Countries. The topogra- phical and historical volumes were splendidly illustrated, particularly Blomfield's " History of Norfolk," which contained above 2000 original drawings of antiquities in the county, produced by Mr. Turner's own family.
Mr. Dawson Turner's talents and varied learning were well-known and appreciated by the literary world. He was a friend of .the late Hudson Gurney, Esq., of Keswick, who induced him to edit an unpublished work by Kirkpatrick on the Old Religious Houses of Norwich, and to write a memoir of the author. This work was published in 1848, and was much approved. Yarmouth can boast of no greater name than Dawson Turner, and indeed neither in Norfolk or Suffolk has he been surpassed by any man of letters or science.
Among other eminent men who flourished in this eighteenth century may be mentioned the Rev. Francis Blomefield and the Rev. Charles Parkin, authors of a large " History of Norfolk," in five volumes folio ; Rev. William Enfield, LL.D. ; Sir John Fenn, the editor of the " Paston Letters ;" Richard Lubbock, M.D.; William Stevenson, F.S.A., who was for many years a proprietor of the Norfolk Chronicle, and who edited a new edition of " Bentham's History of Ely Cathedral ;" John Taylor, D.D.; William Taylor, a celebrated German scholar; Edward Baron Thurlow, born at Bracon Ash, who was created Lord Thurlow in 1778, and died in 1 806 ; William Wilkins, sen., architect ; and Sir Benjamin Wrench, an eminent physician in Norwich. All of these were residents in Norwich, then noted for good literary society, but few men have appeared since to maintain the reputation of the old city.
CHAPTEE XXI.
NARRATIVE OF EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY-
fjlhoUBOPE continued to be the theatre of prolonged wars between (*£=} nations, and England was again involved in a desperate struggle with France, a struggle which might have been avoided if the British Government at first had recognised that of Napoleon I. England had certainly no right to interfere in her neighbours' affairs on behalf of continental despots. Bonaparte, on attaining the chief power in France, made overtures of peace to England, which overtures were rejected, as the Administration regarded the existence of the new government in France as incompatible with the security of Britain and her allies.
But what had the long war with France to do with the Eastern Counties ? A great deal, for many East Anglians were engaged in it and killed in it. Nelson, the Norfolk hero, lost his life in it. General taxation was in- creased by it. The prices of provisions were raised by it enormously ; and bread riots were of frequent occurrence. Landlords raised their rents, and farmers made fortunes. Eastern England was converted into a vast camp. Militia regiments and volunteer battalions marched about in every direction, but were never required for any active service in defence of the country.
Napoleon I., about 1800, threatened an invasion of this country, and styled the English a nation of shopkeepers. This aroused the national ire to boiling heat, and produced a general volunteer movement. " We will melt our weights and scales to return him the compliment in bullets " became a popular after-dinner sentiment. The London City Light Horse the Westminster, and other mounted volunteer regiments of Britain made a splendid display of chargers and equipments.
They had as their laureate no less a poetic genius than Sir Walter Scott, who on one occasion thus appealed to their loyalty :■—
360 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
To horse ! to horse ! the standard Hies, The bugle sounds the call ; The Gallic navy stems the seas The voice of battles on the breeze, Arouse ye — one and all.
If Napoleon I. ever intended the invasion of this island, probably the martial enthusiasm of the islanders prevented it.
To give an additional impulse to the fervour of national patriotism, the King ordered a new standard for England, which he proclaimed his resolution to unfurl at the head of the united Loyal Societies, as soon as the prospect of invasion became really imminent. Even women and boys caught up the general spirit of devotedness. A lady of fortune, writing to the Times, renounced the privilege accorded to her sex of being exempt from military ballot, and suggested that every woman of fortune should be compelled to furnish a contribution of men and money, like the feudal retainers of mediaeval times. Lady Jerningham, of Cossey Park, Norfolk, promised to raise at her private expense, and take the command of a body of stout, robust female peasants, dairy maids, house servants, field workers, the wives and daughters of rustics engaged at " push of pike " with the invader on the coast. They were to sport a neat, plain uniform, and to perform the humble duties of driving horses and cattle into the interior, to work with .mattock and spade to raise earth works where needed on their own exposed shores.
Marched rank and file, with drum and ensign, To entrench the city for defence in ; Raised rampiers with their own soft hands To put the enemy to stands ; From ladies down to oyster wenches Laboured like pioneers in trenches, Fallen to their pickaxes and tools, And helped the men to dig like moles.
At a grand review of volunteers in Hyde Park, one of the crack corps present was the Law Association Volunteers, or Temple Corps. As Lord Harrington rode along the line before the King's arrival, he stopped to salute Erskine, their commander, asking, jocosely, "This is the Law Association, Sir ? " " Yes, my lord," was the reply. The Earl said, " I don't find any man that speaks a word. Never did I know lawyers so silent ! " Erskine retorted, u We don't get any pay, my lord. We are volunteers." The peer proceeded on his tour, " smiling from ear to ear."
The volunteer movement soon extended to the Eastern Counties, the men of Norfolk and Suffolk especially joining in it with great ardour.
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 861
Battalions were quickly formed and officers appointed, who delighted in all " the pomp and circumstance of glorious war."
The prolonged wars in the reign of George III., and the victories of the British arms during the last twenty years of his reign, caused many public meetings to be held in the Eastern Counties, at which meetings addresses of congratulation were voted to the King. It is not necessary to mention all these meetings, or to further notice the proceedings, which were all of a very loyal character. Volunteer military movements were general all over the Eastern district, but we need not describe these movements in every place at a time when people dreaded a French invasion, and indeed it was threatened by Napoleon Bonaparte.
January 1st, 1801. This day being the first of the nineteenth century, and the day on which the union with Great Britain and Ireland took place, the 13th Regiment of Light Dragoons dismounted, and the East Essex Militia, fired a, feu dejoie in Norwich Market Place. At Yarmouth, the Durham Militia fired, and the ships in the roads gave a Royal salute, and hoisted their new colours in honour of the union, which has proved so great a benefit to both countries.
On March 7th, 1801, arrived in the Yarmouth Roads the St. George, of ninety-eight guns, bearing the flag of Lord Nelson; and on the 12th, sailed the grand fleet of forty-seven ships of war, with 3000 'marines, under the command of Admiral Hyde Parker in the London, of ninety- eight guns ; Lord Nelson as his vice-admiral. This fleet first rendezvoused in Leith Roads, where it was joined by seven sail of the line, and after- wards proceeded to Copenhagen to destroy the Danish navy.
On April 14th, 1801, intelligence arrived at Yarmouth of the destruc- tion of the Danish fleet in Copenhagen Bay by the British fleet under the immediate command of Lord Nelson, on April 2nd, after a bloody battle of four hours. Seventeen sail of the Danish navy were taken or destroyed. The loss of the Danes was immense. Captain Mosse of the Monarch, and Captain Reon of the Amazon, eighteen officers, and 254 seamen, marines, and soldiers were killed. Captain Sir B. T. Thompson, Bart., of the Bellona, lost a leg ; and forty-seven other officers and 875 seamen, marines, and soldiers were wounded.
On June 29th, 1801, Vice- Admiral Lord Nelson arrived at Yarmouth in the Kite sloop, Captain Donnett, from Copenhagen. He proceeded immediately on foot from the Jetty to the Hospital to inquire respecting his brave comrades. After staying about three hours, the immortal hero left the town for London, attended by the volunteer cavalry.
On September 20th, in the same year, the portrait by Sir William Beechey of Lord Viscount Nelson was placed in St. Andrew's Hall.
On October 3rd, 1801, intelligence was received of the preliminaries of
362 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
peace having been signed at Paris by Lord Hawksbury and M. Otto, between this country and France, which were ratified on the 10th. The definitive treaty was afterwards signed at Amiens. On October 21st a general illumination for the peace ' took place in Norwich, with a grand display of transparencies, and a stupendous bonfire in the Market-place, round which the Mayor and Corporation paraded amidst the acclamations of an immense concourse of spectators. Illuminations took place throughout Norfolk. Peace was afterwards proclaimed in due form, but did not last long. .
On November 20th, 1801, his Royal Highness Prince William Frederic of Gloucester arrived at the house of J. .Patteson, Esq., in Norwich; and in the afternoon stood sponsor for Mr. Patteson's youngest son, who was christened at St. Stephen's Church by the names of William Frederic. Afterwards the Prince went to Houghton, where Earl Cholmondeley gave a grand fete on honor of the peace ; he then returned to Norwich, and attended a ball and supper given on the 25th by Mr. Charles Manners Sutton, at the Bishop's Palace, which was tastefully decorated, and most brilliantly illuminated.
June 12th, 1802. After an interval of thirty-four years a contested election took place for the County of Norfolk. It continued for eight days. At the close of the poll the numbers were :— For Thomas William Coke, Esq., 4317; Sir Jacob Henry Astley, Bart., 3612; Hon. Colonel Wodehouse, 3517. A scrutiny was demanded by the friends of the latter and granted. It commenced on July 30th and continued till A ugust 28th, when it was given up by the counsel for Colonel Wodehouse. Sir J. H. Astley and Mr. Coke were returned.
John Hookham Frere, Esq., of Roydon, Norfolk, was appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Madrid.
July 5th, 1802, Parliament having been dissolved on the 29th June, the election of members for Norwich came on July 5th. At the close of the poll the numbers were : — For Robert Fellowes, Esq., 1532 ; William Smith, Esq., 1439; Right Hon. William Windham, 1356; John Frere, Esq., 1328. Such a circumstance as two Opposition candidates having been brought in had not occurred for nearly a century. Mr. Windham, having changed his principles, lost his popularity in the city and county.
It was not long before it became very apparent that Bonaparte, who was declared Consul for life in August, 1802, had no intention of main- taining permanent peace, but was aiming at indefinitely extending the French dominions, and the English Government, therefore, thought it prudent to delay the restoration of Malta till they had received satisfactory explanations relative to the recent proceedings in France, in Holland, and Italy. This led to a rupture, and the British Ambassador left Paris on
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 363
May 12th, 1803. The declaration of war was followed by the arrest of all the English then travelling in France.
In 1803 a good deal of excitement was caused in Norwich and Norfolk by the discovery of the traitorous conspiracy entered into by Colonel Despard and others against the King's person and government. The traitors were executed on the top of the new Surrey prison in Horsemonger Lane, February 21st. In March, addresses of congratulation for the escape of His Majesty were adopted by the City Corporation, by the Grand Jury of Norfolk, and on April 16th by a county meeting held at the Shirehall. Afterwards the addresses were duly presented.
June 13th, 1803, his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and suite arrived in Yarmouth and came to Norwich. They came in the Amethyst frigate, which also brought Prince William of Gloucester from Coxhaven, where their Royal Highnesses were near being made prisoners by the advanced guard of the French army. If they had remained there another hour, they would have shared the fate of the Hanoverian army. The French General in Holland put an immense number of fishing boats in requisition for the avowed purpose of invading England.
Under the Army of Reserve Act, Norfolk (including Norwich) raised 927 men by ballot.
July 9th. At a numerous meeting of the Deputy-Lieutenants and magistrates of Norfolk, presided over by Marquis Townshend, the plan recommended by Government for establishing a system of communica- tion, and for rendering the body of the people instrumental to the general defence and the preservation of property was adopted. The county was formed into thirteen divisions, consisting of a certain number of Hundreds. Each Division was placed under the charge of Lieutenants of Division, nominated by the Lord-Lieutenant ; each Hundred was placed under a magistrate, denominated an Inspector of the Hundred.
July. Major-General Money published an address, pointing out the necessity of immediately associating, subscribing, and • arming for the defence of Norfolk in case of invasion, as threatened. It had a good effect on the public mind. Volunteer corps were formed soon after, in all the seaports and market towns of the county ; and loyal declarations to stand or fall with the King and country.
August 10. A county meeting was held at the Shirehall, Norwich, when a loyal addrese to his Majesty, assuring him of the readiness of the County of Norfolk to come forward with heart and hand in defence of all that was dear to Englishmen, was moved by Lord Wodehouse, seconded by the Hon. W. A. Harbord, and agreed to.
According to the returns made to Parliament in 1803, under the Act " for procuring returns relative to the expense and maintenance of the poor in
364 HISTOEY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
England (43rd George III.), it appears that the money raised in Norfolk by the parish rates, including the poor-rate, church-rate, and other rates, amounted to £184,572 12s. 10jd., averaging 5s. 2d. in the pound. The number of persons relieved from the poor-rate was sixteen in 100 of the resident population (273,371) in 1801. The expenditure for the relief of the poor gradually increased with the increase of population.
January, 1804, Thomas William Coke, Esq., was promoted to be Lieut. - Colonel of the 1st Regiment of Norfolk Gentlemen and Yeomanry Cavalry, Hammond Alpe, Esq., to be Lieut. -Colonel of the 2nd, and John Smyth, Esq., to be Lieut. -Colonel of the 3rd regiment. Flag staffs were placed at Holkham Hall, Houghton Hall, and Rainham Hall in West Nor- folk. The flag was red, and was only to be hoisted in case of actual invasion, or the appearance of an enemy on the coast, but no enemy ever made his appearance. The threat of invasion was only a rum of the enemy, which caused a great commotion in the country, and a vast volun- teer display.
The Norwich Dispensary was instituted in the year 1804, for the purpose of giving advice, attendance, and medicine free of expense to such indigent persons residing in the city as were unable to pay for medical assistance. The institution has been a great boon to the poor. In May, 1804, Bonaparte assumed the title of Emperor of France as Napoleon I. and proposed to make a descent on England, for which he made extensive preparations that alarmed all the inhabitants of the Eastern Counties.
January 17th, 1805. At a public meeting held at the Guildhall, Nor- wich, it was resolved to establish a Hospital and School for the Indigent Blind in Norfolk and Norwich, towards the foundation of which Thomas Tawell, Esq., contributed a house and three and a-half acres of land in Magdalen Street, valued at £1050. Mr. Tawell, who was unfortunately deprived of the blessing of vision, introduced his humane proposal with a very able speech and successful appeal on the occasion. A large sum was subscribed. The institution was opened on October 14th following, and it has been a great blessing to the poor blind of the city and county.
November 7th, 1805. Intelligence was received in Norwich and Nor- folk of the glorious victory obtained by the British fleet over the combined fleets of France and Spain, near Cape Trafalgar, on October 21st, though dearly purchased by the death of Vice-Admiral Viscount Nelson, who fell in the arms of victory covered with glory. The last order given by Nelson before the action began was by the newly-invented telegraph, " England expects every man to do his duty." This victory was believed to have preserved England from invasion, which Bonaparte declared afterwards he would certainly have attempted, as he had 300,000 men ready on the heights of Boulogne. Addresses of congratulation to his
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 365
Majesty on the victory were voted unanimously by Norwich, Yarmouth, Lynn, and other towns.
November 80th. A county meeting was held at the Shirehall, when an address to his Majesty on the victory of Trafalgar was agreed to. Also it was resolved to open subscription books to receive subscriptions for erecting some memorial to perpetuate the memory of Lord Nelson's vic- tories. A large sum was ultimately raised, and a monument built at Yarmouth.
January 9th, 1806. The great bells of the several churches in Nor- folk tolled from twelve till two p.m., being the day on which the remains of the Norfolk hero, Lord Nelson, were interred under the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral. The body, after lying in state in the hall of Greenwich Hospital, was brought from thence (January 8th) by water to Whitehall Stairs, and deposited in the captains' room for the night. Next day, the corpse was removed on a funeral car, drawn by six led horses, to St. Paul's ; the naval, military, and civil procession was the grandest ever witnessed. Upwards of 500 persons of distinction attended the funeral in carriages.
The late Admiral Nelson (when Commodore) having honoured the city by presenting the sword of the Spanish Admiral surrendered to him in the brilliant action of the 14th February, 1797, off Cape St. Vincent, a mural monument of a pyramidical form was put up, in May this year, by order of the Mayor and Corporation, in their Council Chamber, in the Guildhall, Norwich, in order to its being preserved as a memento of the event, and of his affection for his native county.
Lord Palmerston, who finished his education at St. John's College in Cambridge, was a candidate for the representation of the University in Parliament, in the room of Mr. Pitt, deceased, in January, 1806. The young lord was just of age, and had not yet taken any degree, neverthe- less he was advised by his friends at St. John's to stand. The other can- didates were Lord Althorp and Lord Henry Petty. He was supported by his own college and by the exertions of the friends of his family, but the Pitt party in the University was broken up. He entertained strong hopes of success if his two rivals did not coalesce, and even then he did not despair ; but he found himself at the bottom of the poll, having 128 votes, Althorp 145, and Petty 331. It was an honour, however, to have been supported at all, and he was well satisfied with his first fight for a seat in Parliament. When Parliament was dissolved in the same year, he stood again for Cambridge, and having entered the lists when nothing could be expected but an honourable defeat, he had established a kind of right to support from the Government and its friends in preference to any other Ministerial candidate.
366 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
It was, however, considered that one candidate against two would have no chance, and Sir Vicary Gibbs was sent down to assist Palmerston against Lord Henry Petty and Lord Euston, afterwards fourth Duke of Grafton, K.G., and grandfather of the present duke. Palmerston soon found that his colleague was as dangerous as his opponents, and that every supporter of the Government who had but one vote to give was requested to give it to Gibbs. The committees canvassed separately, and there was no coalition. Lord Palmerston requested his friends to divide their votes and not to plump for him, and so he -lost the election by only four votes. Soon after this he went into Parliament for Newtown in the Isle of "Wight, a borough of Sir Leonard Holmes's. One condition required was that he would never, even for the election, set foot in the place ; so jealous was the patron lest any attempt should be made to get an interest in the borough. (Lord Dalling's "Life of Lord Palmerston.") Lord Palmerston was thus at last in that great council wherein he sat so long, and even- tually played so conspicuous a part. He was returned for the University of Cambridge as a friend to Catholic Emancipation in 1812, 1818, 1820, and again came forward with the same colours in 1825.
The Parliament which had been summoned to meet for the despatch of business at the end of October, 1806, was unexpectedly dissolved. The country was completely taken by surprise, for though rumours of a dissolution had prevailed during the whole of the summer, the proclama- tion summoning Parliament for the end of October convinced people that if dissolved at all it would not be till the spring. That it was a sudden resolution is proved by two advertisements from Windham to the Norfolk electors, then his constituents, who confided in him as a cabinet minister. Lord Dalling, in his " Life of Lord Palmerston," says (p. 52) : " The method adopted by Government with regard to their borough seats was very politic and ingenious. They purchased seats from their friends at a low price, making up the deficiency probably by appointments and promotions. These seats they afterwards sold out at the average market price to men who promised them support, and with the difference they carried on their contested elections. The sum raised in this manner was stated by a person who was in the secret to be inconceivably great, and accounts for an assertion afterwards made by Lord Grenville in the House of Lords, f That not one guinea of the public money had been spent in elections.' It may be imagined that if seats were bought for £2500 or even £2000, and sold again for £5000, a comparatively small number of such transac- tions would furnish a considerable fund ; and Government had so many seats passing through its hands, that at last, in one or two instances, it sold them to people who only professed themselves well disposed towards them, without exacting a pledge of unconditional support." The elections
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 367
were in general carried on very quietly ; the principal contests being in Westmintster, Middlesex, Hampshire, and Norfolk. The Norfolk election did not afford a very striking proof of the popularity of ministers. Windham, though a Cabinet Minister, was brought in solely by the influence of Mr. Coke (afterwards created Earl Leicester), assisted by all the exertions of the Government. Windham had, indeed, rendered himself so generally odious in the country by his ungrateful conduct towards Mr. Pitt, and the incessant abuse and ridicule which he had lavished on the Volunteers, that it was with the utmost difficulty that Mr. Coke's friends could be induced to vote for him. All the candidates, including Windham, Wodehouse,and Coke had agreed not to take advantage of the Treating Act, and accordingly opened public-houses for their electors. But two ladies, friends of Wodehouse, who opposed Windham and Coke having appeared every day in a barouche and four at the hustings with his colours, the' friends of Windham determined to drive them away, and accordingly put two women of the town on another barouche, decorated with the same ribands, and drew them alongside of the carriage of the ladies. This unmanly insult so incensed those who were the objects of it that they were determined to be revenged. They consequently prevailed upon some of the electors to petition against the sitting members, Mr. Windham and Mr. Coke, both Norfolk county gentlemen, and the fact of treating being so notorious, they were both unseated." (Lord Dalling's " Life of Lord Palmerston.") Mr. Windham, though so celebrated for his attainments as a scholar and his delivery as a speaker, was so un- certain as a politician that each party alternately abused him, and in his own county he was never spoken of by the farmers without the nick- name of Weathercock being applied to him.
November 3rd. This day came on the election of representatives for Norwich. At the close of the poll the numbers were — For John Patteson Esq. (who polled 1287 plumpers) 1733; Robert Fellowes, Esq., 1370. William Smith, Esq., 1333. The first two were returned.
November 11th. This day came on the election of Knights of the Shire for Norfolk. After six days' poll the numbers were — For T. W. Coke, Esq., 4118; Right Hon. William Windham, 3722; Hon. John Wodehouse, 3365. Mr. Coke and Mr. Windham were declared duly elected, but on a petition were unseated on charges of bribery and exces- sive treating.
March 4th, 1807. A committee of the House of Commons having declared Mr. Coke and Mr. Windham not duly elected, an election took place of two Knights of the Shire in their room, they being deemed ineligible. Sir Jacob Henry Astley, Bart., and Edward Coke, Esq. (of Derby) were elected without opposition. Mr. Windham afterwards took
368 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
his scat for New Romney, and Mr. E. Coke was returned for Derby in- stead of his brother, who had previously accepted the Chiltern Hundreds.
William Firth, Esq., Steward of Norwich, was appointed to be Attorney- General of Upper Canada. He was succeeded by Robert Alderson, Esq.
May 4th. Parliament being dissolved, the city election came on, when the numbers at the close of the poll were — For J. Patteson, Esq., 1474; William Smith, Esq., 1156 ; Robert Fellowes, Esq., 546. The two former were returned.
May 12th. Sir Jacob Astley, Bart., and T. W. Coke, Esq., were elected Knights of the Shire without opposition.
May 14th. The birthday of William Windham, Esq., was celebrated by his friends at the Angel Inn (now Royal Hotel), Norwich. William Smith, Esq., M.P., presided.
January, 1808. By the telegraph, orders from the Admiralty Office were received by that in Yarmouth in seventeen minutes. The chain of communication was by Strumpshaw, Thorpe Hills, Honingham, Carlton, and Harling, and from thence proceeded between Thetford and Bury, over the heath at Newmarket to London.
Captain Manby's invention for rescuing persons from vessels stranded on a lee shore was approved by the Lords of the Admiralty. Parliament rewarded the inventor with grants at different times amounting to £6000 and adopted his apparatus at many parts of the sea coast.
March 11. At a numerous meeting of gentlemen and yeomen held a the Angel Inn (now Royal Hotel), Norwich, Thomas William Coke, Esq. (President of the Norfolk Agricultural Society), in the chair, a mag- nificent piece of plate was presented to Nathaniel Kent, Esq., of Ripon- hall, by Thomas Durgate, Esq., deputed by the farmers and friends of agriculture in Norfolk, to present him with an embossed silver goblet, ornamented with the emblems of agriculture, the cover crowned with the figure of Justice, holding the ancient steelyard (statira), beautifully executed. On the cup was this inscription : — " Presented to N. Kent, Esq., for his integrity and impartiality between landlord and tenant, in his profession as a surveyor of land, and for his liberal and upright attachment to the interests of agriculture." He died October 11th, 1810, at Fulham, in Middlesex.
April 28th, 1808. A county meeting was held at the Shirehall, to take into consideration the measures pending in Parliament for prohibiting the use of grain in distilleries and substituting sugar therein, when it was resolved to petition against such prohibition, as likely to prove injurious to the owners and occupiers of land in Norfolk. The High Sheriff was in the chair, and a committee was appointed. Parliament, however, deter- mined in favour of using colonial produce instead of English barley.
events in the nineteenth century. 369
May 10th, 1808. An expedition, consisting of 150 transports, sailed from Yarmouth for the Baltic and the protection of Sweden, under con- voy of Admiral Keats in the Mars, Captain Lukin, the Audacious, and other ships. Sir John Moore commanded the troops. He sailed in the Mars, and Major-Generals Paget and Murray in the Audacious.
July 11th. The Norwich Union Society for Insurance of Lives and granting annuities was established on the principle of mutual guarantee, and was soon very successful. The capital in 1821 amounted to £500,000. On August 6th in that year, 1821, the Norwich Assurance Company and the Norwich Union Society combined their offices under the firm of the "Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society," with a pledged capital of £550,000. The Life and Fire Offices have continued distinct.
July 29th. At a special assembly of the Corporation of Norwich, an address to his Majesty was unanimously agreed to on the subject of the noble struggle of the patriots in Spain and Portugal against the ruler of France, and of the generous aid given to their efforts by the Government.
October 15th. The Norwich corn merchants demanded of the farmers a month's credit, instead of paying ready money for their corn as hereto- fore ; but it was resisted by the growers, and ultimately abandoned by the merchants. A rule was obtained in the Court of King's Bench against them for a combination, which was afterwards enlarged, to give them an opportunity of withdrawing it. Afterwards the parties agreed, and reconciliation dinners were held in Norwich.
January 15th, 1809. The Norwich Volunteer Infantry, under the com- mand of Lieutenant-Colonel De Hague, formed into a battalion of five companies of sixty men each.
May 9th. The six regiments of Norfolk Local Militia first assembled to perform twenty-eight days' exercise ; they were stationed at Norwich, Yarmouth, S waff ham, and Lynn.
June 10th. Thomas Kett, Esq., of Seething, bought Brooke House, with 170 acres of land, in Norfolk, previously the residence of Sir Roger Kerrison, for £16,000
August 16th. The West Norfolk Militia, commanded by the Earl of Orford, marched into Norwich from Colchester. It had not been stationed at Norwich for nearly thirty years.
October 25th. The fiftieth anniversary of the accession of George III. was celebrated as a jubilee at Norwich, Yarmouth, and Lynn. The Mayor and Corporation of Norwich attended Divine service at the Cathedral, where a form of prayer and thanksgiving was used for the protection afforded to his Majesty during a long and arduous reign. The garrison and Volunteer Corps fired a grand feu de joie on the Castle Ditches. The Mayor, Thomas Back, Esq., gave a roast-beef dinner, &c,
VOL. II. B B
3^0 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
to 341 gentlemen of the city in St. Andrew's Hall, which was brilliantly illuminated. A baron of beef, weighing 172 pounds, surmounted with the Union flag, was brought in by four grenadiers, who carried it twice round, and then placed it at the top of the Hall.
The jubilee was celebrated throughout the kingdom, and the venerable monarch was sensibly affected by the universal demonstration of attachment on the occasion. His public life was now drawing towards a close ; his sight was nearly gone, and his faculties were considerably impaired. In the subsequent transactions of Great Britain he was a cypher. Soon after the Prince of Wales was appointed Regent, and empowered to exercise the royal authority in the name of his Majesty. The care of his Majesty's person and the direction of his household were vested in the Queen, who was to be assisted by a Council.
1809. This year the Naval Asylum was built on the South Denes, Yar- mouth, at a cost of £120,000, and was used as a Naval Hospital until St. Nicholas' Gat, by shoaling its waters, rendered that entrance to the Roads unsafe for men of war, and the Admiralty consequently ordered this build- ing to be converted into a foot barracks. It afterwards became a Military Lunatic Asylum, and then a Hospital for Invalid Soldiers ; but in 1863 it was transferred to the Admiralty, and it has been considerably altered and improved at a cost of nearly £3000, so as to adapt it for the reception of naval lunatics.
1810. This year petitions were presented from Norfolk and Suffolk by the barley growers against the Bill for prohibiting distillation from grain. Wheat, 40s. to 52s. ; barley, 12s. to 19s.; oats, 12s. to 14s. per coomb. The Bill was passed.
March 23rd. Mr. Joseph Lancaster visited Norwich, and gave lectures on his system of education at the Theatre.
April 1 7th. At a meeting held in the Guildhall, a free school for boys on Mr. Lancaster's plan was established by public subscription, and it has been so supported ever since. The school is in St. Martin-at-Palace Street.
April 28th. The anniversary of the birthday of that illustrious states- man, William Pitt, was celebrated by the members of the Castle Corpo- ration and many other gentlemen, to the number of 130, in Mr. Barley's large room, Norwich. The Tories of the city were great admirers of the " heaven-born Minister," and many of them celebrated his birthday annually for a long time.
January 11th, 1811. At the Norwich Sessions, Mr. Thomas Roofe was convicted of having sent a challenge to Robert Alderson, Esq., Steward of the Corporation, to provoke him to fight a duel, and sentenced to pay a fine of 40s., and to be imprisoned for one month.
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 371
February 2nd. At a numerous county meeting held at the Shirehall, the High Sheriff presided. Eesolutions were agreed to, stating the injury that would be sustained by a continuation of the prohibition of the use of grain in the distilleries. A committee of landowners and corn growers was appointed to adopt the necessary measures to protect the interests of agriculture. Afterwards the Distillery Bill was rejected by the House of Peers on a division.
September 11th. At a numerous meeting held in St. Andrew's Hall the Norfolk and Norwich Auxiliary Bible Society was instituted. The Bishop of Norwich was present, and the three secretaries of the British and Foreign Bible Society also attended. Annual meetings have been held ever since to promote the objects of the society.
November 18th. At a special assembly of the Corporation of Norwich, it was resolved, in consequence of the increased prices of grain, to petition the Prince Regent to cause the distillation of spirits from corn to be suspended, until the sense of Parliament could be taken thereon. Wheat was 45s. to 63s. ; barley, 20s. to 26s.; oats, 13s. to 17s. per coomb ; malt, 44s. per coomb.
In 1811, the Market Place in Ipswich was constructed at a cost of £10,000. It comprises two spacious quadrangular ranges of buildings supported on columns of stone. Over the Corinthian portico is placed a female figure with sickle, &c, to represent Ceres. The same figure did duty in the Market Cross adjoining as Justice, with scales, &c. Subse- quently the Corn Hall was built, a large structure commodiously arranged, where the Corn Market is held every Tuesday. The new Town Hall, in the same Market Place, a handsome structure, was built at a later date. Great improvements have been made in the town.
January 2nd, 1812. An elegant silver vase, value 200 guineas, was presented to Sir Edmund Bacon, Premier Baronet, of Raveningham, at the Swan Inn, Loddon, by the gentlemen, clergy, and farmers of Loddon and Clavering Hundreds, Norfolk, as a token of their respect for him as a magistrate, and for his particular attention to the improvement of the roads in that neighbourhood.
July 17th. At a meeting of noblemen, clergy, and gentry, held at the Shirehall, Lord Viscount Primrose presided. The Norfolk and Norwich Society for the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Church of England was established, and upwards of £3000 subscribed. The Lord Bishop of Norwich patron.
October 7th, 1812, Norwich city election came on, and the numbers at the close of the poll were — William Smith, Bsq., 1511; C. Harvey, Esq. (Recorder), 1349; Mr. Alderman Patteson, 1221. The two first were returned.
372 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
October 14th. Sir J. H. Astley, and T. W. Coke, Esq., were re-elected Knights of the Shire.
February 2nd, 1813. An agitation having been commenced for the emancipation of Roman Catholics, the clergy of the Achdeaconries of Norwich and Norfolk petitioned against the claims of the Roman Catholics. The petition was presented to the House of Commons by C. Harvey, Esq., M.P. for Norwich.
The second cousins of Henry Kett, Esq., late of Norwich, generously presented the sum of £500 towards the establishment of a Lancasterian school at Dickleburgh, Norfolk, the native place of the deceased.
February 18th. The old steeple of Gorleston, in Suffolk, about a hundred feet high, an immemorial landmark, was blown down.
July 4th. Great rejoicings took place in Norwich, Norfolk, and Suffolk on the arrival of the news of the great victory obtained by the British army, commanded by the Marquis of Wellington, over the French army, under Joseph Bonaparte, at Vittoria, in Spain, on June 21st. The Mar- quis of Wellington was promoted to be a Field-Marshal. A form of prayer of thanksgiving for this victory was used in all churches on the 1st of August.
November 14th. The splendid victories gained over the French in Spain and Germany were celebrated in Norwich by a grand procession in honour of the Marquis of Wellington, through the principal streets.
January 6th, 1814. At a special assembly of the Corporation of Norwich an address of congratulation was adopted for presentation to the Prince Regent on the late glorious victories with which the Almighty had been pleased to crown the arms of the allies.
February 22nd. The Corporation of Norwich resolved to subscribe £100 to the fund for relieving the distresses of the unfortunate sufferers in Germany. Upwards of £1400 were raised in Norwich and Norfolk.
April 6th. Great rejoicings took place in Norwich and other towns on the arrival of the news of the allied armies having entered Paris on March 31st.
April 21st. A grand festival took place at Yarmouth to celebrate the happy change effected in the political state of Europe. It began with a pageant called the Triumph of Neptune, and a grand naval procession ; then followed a public dinner on the Quay, where fifty-eight tables were placed for 150 persons. The health of the King, the Prince Regent, the Allied Sovereigns, and the Marquis of Wellington, were drunk with cheers. At night an immense bonfire was lighted, in which the effigy of Bonaparte was consumed in the presence of 30,000 persons. The public subscription for the whole affair exceeded £1000.
In 1815, a Bill of great importance was hurried through the Houses of
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 373
Parliament, the iniquitous Corn Bill, according to which, wheat could not be imported into this country when the price at home was less than 80s. per quarter. The distress which followed, resulting from the lavish expenditure of the war, led to disturbances which were not suppressed without much difficulty in various districts. As many political meetings were held, an Act was passed to prevent such meetings, which were all considered as seditious.
January 12th, 1815. A county meeting was held at the Shirehall, Norwich, when it was resolved unanimously to petition Parliament to take the Corn Laws into consideration on account of the depressed prices of agricultural produce.
January 13th. At a public meeting held in the Guildhall, Norwich, it was resolved to petition Parliament against the Property Tax.
January 18th. At a meeting of the owners of estates, held at the Shirehall, Norwich, a similar petition was adopted. Similar petitions were adopted at Lynn and Yarmouth.
March 8th. At a numerous meeting held at the Guildhall, Norwich, resolutions, moved by Mr. E. Taylor, were passed, and a petition to the House of Lords signed by 13,000 names, against the iniquitous Corn Bill, which was passed by the House of Commons by a majority of 119. The Bill was passed by the Lords, and received the Royal assent on April 23rd. The passing of this Bill caused great excitement in Norwich and all other towns. On April 17th, during the show of cattle on the Castle Ditches, the populace collected around Lord Albemarle, Mr. Coke, and other gentlemen, whom they pelted with stones and drove away. A riot ensued which was not easily suppressed, even by the military.
June 23rd. The glorious news received in all the towns of East Anglia with triumphant rejoicings of the ever-memorable victory obtained by that renowned commander, the Duke of Wellington, over the French army commanded by Bonaparte in person, at Waterloo near Brussels, on the 18th. Bonaparte fled to Paris, leaving upwards of two hundred pieces of cannon in the hands of the allied army.
June 27th. Rejoicings were renewed on the intelligence being received of the second abdication of Bonaparte, the immediate consequence of the grand victory at Waterloo.
July 28th. A county meeting was held at the Shirehall, Norwich, when a subscription was commenced, which afterwards amounted to £7000, for the relief of the wounded survivors, and the widows and children of the gallant men who fell in the Battle of Waterloo. Collections were made in the churches in aid of the Waterloo fund, which exceeded £300,000 ! Many widows and orphans of the slain were thus relieved in Norfolk and
374 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Suffolk. After this time there was little to record in the way of military operations.
January 18th, 1816. Thanksgiving day for the restoration of peace was solemnly observed throughout the country. The people who had suffered so severely during the war had indeed much occasion for thanks- giving. The Mayor and Corporation of Norwich attended divine service at the Cathedral. At the different places of worship sermons were preached and collections were made for the poor.
March 9th. A county meeting was held at the Shirehall, when a petition to both Houses of Parliament was adopted for the repeal of some taxes affecting the agricultural interest.
March 23rd. A county meeting was held at the Shirehall, Norwich, when the Hon. General Walpole moved, and Sir Thomas Beevor, Bart., seconded, resolutions of congratulation on the rejection of the Property Tax and the relinquishment of the war duty on malt. A petition to Par- liament was also agreed to, recommending a reduction of the military establishment, and the adoption of such a system of economy as might render a continuance of war taxes unneccessary. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Western, member for Essex, for his services to the agricul- tural interest ; also a vote of thanks to Mr. Coke, for his Parliamentary conduct.
This year, the attention of the citizens of Norwich was turned to the great question of Parliamentary Reform, and on the 14th October a common hall was called for the adoption of a petition in its favour. Mr. Edward Taylor (afterwards Professor Taylor) moved the adoption of the petition, which was adopted by acclamation, and then Mr. William Smith, M.P. for Norwich, addressed the meeting, approving of the prayer of the petition. Mr. E.' Taylor attended many other public meetings in Norwich and Norfolk, at which he advocated Reform in Parliament and Liberal principles.
According to the returns made to Parliament in 1816 pursuant to the 55th George III., the poor and other rates in the county of Norfolk in 1813 (exclusive of Norwich) amounted to £330,487 7s. 8jd., being an average rate in the pound of 4s. 6|d. ; in 1814 to £285,332 2s, 5jd., being an average rate of 4s. in the pound; in 1815 to £226,919 4s. 6£d., being an average in the pound of 3s. 2jd. The total number of persons relieved permanently in and out of any Workhouse on the average of the above three years, appeared to be 34,526, exclusive of any children of those permanently relieved out of the House. The number of persons relieved from the poor's rates was eleven in each 100 of the population in 1811, then 291,999.
The poor's rates appeared to have been at the rate of £1 0s. 8 jd. per
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTUKY. 375
head on the population, or 3s. lid. in the pound of the total amount of the tax as assessed on real property in 1815. Each pauper cost £7 2s. lOd. per annum. Two hundred and ninety-four parishes main- tained the greater part of the poor in Workhouses, averaging 3403 persons in the years 1813, 1814, and 1815.
The amount of money expended in suits of law, removals, and expenses of parish officers averaged for the same period £9,548 ; ditto, for Militia purposes, £4,856 ; for all other purposes, £45,508. Total expenditure of the county, £59,912, exclusive of the cost of the poor.
In the year 1817, great distress prevailed amongst the poor of Norwich and Norfolk, and prices of provisions were high.
January 1st. At a public meeting held in the Guildhall, Norwich, a subscription was entered in to relieve and employ the poor citizens, the amount being £3,050. The poor were employed on works of improve- ment ; and relieved with soup, etc. Upwards of £1,000 was subscribed at Yarmouth for the same laudable purpose ; 400 men were employed in forming roads to the jetty, &c.
February 4th. A loyal address was voted by the Corporation of Yar- mouth to the Prince Regent, expressive of their abhorrence of the attack made on his person on the 28th ult.
April 5th. A county meeting was held at the Shirehall "for the purpose of congratulating the Prince Regent on his escape from the late attack on his person, and of praying his Royal Highness to dismiss from his presence and councils those advisers who by their conduct had proved themselves to be alike enemies to the throne and the people. The resolu- tions were opposed, but were carried by a decided majority. An address, founded on them, was also carried, and afterwards presented to the Prince Regent by T. W. Coke, Esq., M.P., at the levee on the 21st,
April 28th. Died in London, Sir C. H. Astley, Bart., of Melton Constable, and one of the representatives of Norfolk, in the sixty-first year of his age. E. R. Pratt, Esq., of Ryston, and E. Wodehouse, Esq., of Seymour Lodge, offered themselves as candidates to succeed him.
May 19th. Came on the election of a Knight of the Shire in the room of the deceased member. After five days' poll, the numbers were — For Mr. E. Wodehouse, 3896 j Mr. E. R. Pratt, 3321. The former was declared duly elected on the 24th, and chaired on the 26th amidst the acclamations of an immense procession of his friends. He represented Norfolk for many years.
July 7th. The Holkham Sheep Shearing was more numerously attended than on any former occasion for forty years, and an address of a public meeting at Wells on the 18th ult. was presented to T. W. Coke, Esq., M.P., by a committee of twenty gentlemen deputed by the said meeting,
376 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
to which Mr. Coke returned his grateful acknowledgments for the com- pliments so justly paid him by his friends and neighbours. Upwards of 1000 noblemen, gentlemen, aud farmers were most hospitably entertained during the three days' festival. This annual gathering was first instituted about the year 1777 for promoting improvements in agriculture.
August 15th, 1817. A sufficient subscription having been raised, and a design adopted by the committee, the first stone of the monument to Nelson was laid on the South Denes, Yarmouth, by the Hon. Colonel Wodehouse. The design for the monument was by William Wilkins, Esq., architect. There was a grand civic, military, and masonic procession from the Town Hall, and the Mayor (Isaac Preston, Esq.), the members of the Corporation, and others attended on the occasion. Several pieces of money were deposited in a cavity of the stone, and over them a plate of copper, on which was engraved a Latin inscription written by Mr. Serjeant Frere.
The column is of the Grecian-Doric order, elegantly fluted, and 144 feet in height, ascended by an easy flight of 270 steps, and commanding an extensive view of the ocean, and of the district as far as Norwich. Upon the plinth are the names of the different ships on board of which the flag of the gallant Admiral was so often displayed in many battles. The coping of the terrace beneath is inscribed in a similar manner, with the titles of the most celebrated battles. On each of the four sides of the pedestal there is a flight of steps leading to the terrace, which affords a promenade round the shaft.
Acts were passed this year for improving the Harbor of Blakeney and Cley, in Norfolk. To continue two former Acts for amending and widening the road from Yarmouth to Gorleston, and the road was much widened for traffic. Also an Act for inclosing lands in the parishes of Norton and Heckingham and for draining certain lands in Norton, and Acts for inclosing lands in the parishes of Emneth, and of Hempnall in Norfolk. All these lands have since been enclosed, and are under cultivation.
January 13th, 1818. At a county meeting held at the Shirehall, Norwich, presided over by the High Sheriff, W. N. Burroughes, Esq., addresses of condolence to the Prince Regent and Prince Leopold on the lamented death of the Princess Charlotte were moved by Lord Walpole and seconded by the Hon. Colonel Wodehouse. The Rev. Archdeacon Bathurst opposed the addresses, on account of the omission of the name of the Princess of Wales. After a long speech, he moved an amendment, " That any addresses to the Prince Regent and Prince Leopold, unaccom- panied by an address to the Princess of Wales, would operate as an insulting neglect to one of the firs I. characters in the Royal family, and as
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 377
a disrespect to the memory of her who was the pride and hope of the British people." The High Sheriff objected to put this amendment, the name of the Princess of Wales not having been included in the requisition. On a show of hands, the High Sheriff declared the addresses as originally moved to be carried, and they were afterwards signed by him and presented.
January 9th. Parliament having been dissolved, and the writs received for another election, Messrs. Smith and Gurney made their public entry into Norwich. On the 11th of June, the Hon. E. Harbord, having been invited to come forward in opposition to the late members, was met at Mile End, and drawn into the city by the populace in his barouche, attended by a large cavalcade of freemen and freeholders. June 17th, the election came on, and at the close the numbers were — W. Smith, 2089 ; R. H. Gurney, 2032 ; the Hon. E. Harbord, 1475. The two former were returned, and afterwards chaired.
June 18th, came on the election for the borough of Yarmouth. After three days* poll, and the severest contest ever known between the Tories and the Whigs, the numbers were — For the Hon. T. W. Anson, 780 ; C. E. Rumbold, Esq., 760; E. K. Lacon, Esq., 651; General Loftus, 612. The two highest were returned.
June 23rd, came on the election of Knights of the Shire for Norfolk. P. Hamond, Esq., had been invited to come forward, and had accepted the invitation, but at the last moment he relinquished his intention of opposing Mr. E. Wodehouse, who was re-elected with T. W. Coke, Esq. This was Mr. Coke's ninth return, he having been first elected for Norfolk in 1776.
The project of opening a direct communication between Norwich and the sea for sea-borne vessels originated with Mr. Crisp Brown, who sub- mitted to the City Corporation a plan for making Norwich a port by way of Yarmouth. After this surveys were made, and a report was published in 1818 by Mr. Cubitt, who advised the promoters to avoid Breydon Broad by a new cut on the south side, but this was opposed in the most determined manner by the men of Yarmouth, who wanted to retain the monopoly of the carrying trade.
This year the following Acts were passed : — An Act for increasing the fund for carrying into execution the several Acts of this reign for improv- ing the drainage of the middle and south levels, part of the great level of the fens called Bedford Level, and other lands therein mentioned, and for improving the navigation of the River Ouse in the county of Norfolk, &c. ; also Acts for enclosing lands in the parishes of Erpingham, Colby, Ban- ningham, Ingworth, Oulton, Itteringham, Wickraere, Wood Dalling, and Great Melton, in Norfolk.
378 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
January 25th, 1819. The birthday of that eminent statesman, Mr. Fox, was commemorated by 250 gentlemen of the Liberal party, at the Norwich Assembly Rooms. The Earl of Albemarle presided, supported by Mr. Coke and Lord Viscount Bury. Many eloquent speeches were delivered.
February 11th. The Hon. George Anson was elected member for Yar- mouth in the room of his brother, Lord Viscount Anson, without opposition.
March 9th. The Hon. Edward Harbord, the unsuccessful candidate for Norwich at the last election, arrived in the city, and was warmly wel- comed by his friends, at the Maid's Head Inn, at a meeting of the Con- stitutional Club, of which he was elected a member.
July 15th. Meetings were held in Norwich, and resolutions were passed to petition Parliament against the proposed additional duties on malt and on foreign wool. Petitions were also presented to Parliament praying for an alteration in the existing Corn Laws, in consequence of the then depressed state of agriculture.
September 16th. A public meeting was held at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, and resolutions were passed censuring the conduct of the magistrates and yeomanry at Manchester, when the Peterloo Massacre took place.
September 21st. The condemnatory resolutions of this meeting pro- duced a counter declaration, signed by 1600 persons in Norwich, and presented to the Prince Regent.
September 24th. The Mayor and Corporation of Yarmouth voted a loyal address to the Prince Regent, expressive of their " detestation of the wicked and atrocious attempts of seditious and disaffected subjects in various parts of the kingdom, now openly and avowedly meditating the subversion of the laws and government, the annihilation at once of all distinctions of rank, and the sacred rights of property."
October 18th. A public meeting was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, to consider the propriety of erecting a bridge over the river near the Duke's Palace ; and a resolution in favour of it was rejected. A bill for erecting the bridge was, however, obtained, and a company formed with a capital of £9000.
October 29th. Pursuant to requisition, a meeting of county gentlemen was held at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, for the purpose of taking into consideration the transactions which unfortunately took place at Man- chester on August 16th. The High Sheriff (Sir William Windham Dalling), presided. The Earl of Albemarle moved several resolutions, asserting the right of Englishmen to meet for the purpose of petitioning, and deprecating the removal of Earl Fitzwilliam from the Lieutenancy of
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 379
Yorkshire, and the increase of the military force of the kingdom. The resolutions were carried, and an address founded on them adopted and afterwards presented to the Prince Regent.
In the reign of George III. general elections were of frequent occurrence, and the following Knights of the Shire were returned for Norfolk, viz. : —
1761. Hon. General George To wnshend, Cranmer Hall; Sir Armine Wodehouse, Bart., Kimberley.
1764. Thomas de Grey, jun., Esq., Merton.
1768. Sir Edward Astley, Melton Constable ; Thomas de Grey, Esq., Merton.
1774. Sir Edward Astley, Bart., Melton; Wenham Coke, Esq., Holkham.
1776. Thomas William Coke Esq., Holkham.
1 780. Sir Edward Astley, Bart., Melton ; Thomas William Coke, Esq., Holkham.
1784. Sir John Wodehouse, Bart., Kimberley; Sir Edward Astley, Bart., Melton.
1790. Sir John Wodehouse, Bart., Kimberley ; Thomas William Coke, Esq., Holkham.
1796. Sir John Wodehouse, Bart., Kimberley; Thomas William Coke, Esq., Holkham.
1797. Jacob Henry Astley, Burgh near Melton.
1801. Thomas William Coke, Esq., Holkham ; Jacob Henry Astley, Burgh.
1802. Sir Jacob Henry Astley, Melton; Thomas William Coke, Esq., Holkham.
1806. Right Hon. William Windham, Felbrigg; Thomas William Coke, Esq., Holkham. This election was declared to be void.
1807. Sir Jacob Henry Astley, Bart., Melton; Thomas William Coke, Esq., Holkham.
1812. Sir J. H. Astley, Bart., Holkham.
1817. Edmund Wodehouse, Esq., Sennowe.
1818. Thomas William Coke, Esq., Holkham ; Edmund Wodehouse, Esq., Sennowe.
Thus it appears that during all this reign of George III., Thomas William Coke of Holkham represented Norfolk in Parliament.
George III. ceased to reign from November 1810. All the world knows the story of his mental malady ; all history presents no sadder figure than that of the old man, blind and deprived of reason, wandering through the rooms of his palace addressing imaginary Parliaments, re- viewing fancied troops, holding ghostly courts. He was not only sightless;
380 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
he became utterly deaf. All light, all reason, all the pleasures of this world were taken from him. Some slight lucid moments he had, in one of which the Queen, desiring to see him, entered the room, and found him singing a hymn, and accompanying himself upon the harpsichord. When he had finished, he knelt down and prayed aloud for her, and then for his family, and then for the nation, concluding with a prayer for him- self; that it might please God to avert his heavy calamity from him, but if not, to give him resignation to submit. He then burst into tears, and his reason again fled. He died in January, 1820. No preacher is needed to moralize over his sad story. Who dares to say the pious monarch was punished for his pride or his sins ? Low he lies to whom thousands once used to kneel ; dead, whom millions prayed for in vain. Hush strife and quarrel over the solemn grave ! Sound, trumpets, a mournful march. Fall, dark curtain, upon his pageant, his pride, his grief, his awful tragedy.
January 25th. A messenger from London brought to Lord and Lady Castlereagh (who were at Gunton Hall) the news of the death of George III., which became known in Norwich on the following morning, when nearly all the shops were closed, and the Church bells tolled for three hours. The King died at Windsor Castle on the 29th of June, in the eighty-second year of his age, and the sixtieth of his reign.
On the day of the funeral in the Chapel of St. George at Windsor, all the shops in the exceedingly loyal city of Norwich were kept close shut. Almost every person appeared in deep mourning. The Cathedral was handsomely hung with black drapery ; the pulpits and reading desks of every church and chapel were hung with black cloth. The Mayor and Sheriff and members of the Corporation, in mourning, with black crape scarves over their robes, went in solemn procession to the Cathedral. A funeral anthem was finely performed by the choir, and a funeral sermon was preached by Prebendary Thurlow.
BISHOPS OF NORWICH.
Charles Manners Sutton, D.D., Dean of Peterborough, Dean of Windsor, and Prelate of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, a descendant from the Royal family of England, being the grandson of John Duke of Rutland, who was the sixth in descent from Thomas Manners, first Earl of Rutland, the grandson in the female line of Richard Duke of York, great grandson of Edward HI., was consecrated to this see in 1792. He was an excellent prelate in the Church, strictly attentive to his pastoral duty, and enforcing the same in those who were subject to his jurisdiction. His eloquent discourses dignified deportment, attention to whatever was for the good of his diocese, and the zeal with which he promoted every public
BISHOPS OP NORWICH. 38 1
charity, conciliated to him general respect and veneration. His brilliant abilities recommended him in so forcible a manner to the favour of his Majesty George III., that on the death of Archbishop Moore he was without solicitation nominated to the Archbishopric of Canterbury on February 12th, 1805. He left few, if any, like him in the diocese among the clergy. On the 13th his Grace arrived at the Palace, Norwich, from London. On the 15th the Mayor and Court of Aldermen proceeded in state from the Guildhall to the Palace, where Mr. Recorder Harvey delivered an address of congratulation to the Archbishop on his translation, to which his Grace returned a dignified answer. The clergy of Norwich next day waited on his Grace, when the Rev. Dr. Pretyman, Prebendary, addressed the Archbishop in an appropriate speech, to which his Grace made an impressive reply. On the 17th his Grace preached his farewell sermon at the Cathedral, and the next day departed for Lambeth.
On March 18th, Dr. Henry Bathurst, one of the Prebendaries of Dur- ham, was elected Bishop of Norwich by the Dean and Chapter in due form. On the arrival of the new Bishop in the city, the Mayor and Cor- poration and clergy proceeded to the Palace to congratulate his lordship on his promotion to the See, and were all graciously received. His Christian deportment, conciliatory manners, and general benevolence endeared him to the diocese. He was eminently distinguished for his attachment to the great principles of civil and religious liberty, and therein the reverse of most of the clergy. He ruled the diocese thirty- two years, and died April 5th, 1837, in the ninety-third year of his age. There is a statue to his memory in the choir of Norwich Cathedral, where he was buried.
This work of art was the last and best of the great sculptor, Sir Francis Chamtry, and was executed in his masterly style from a block of the purest Carrara marble. It is placed on a plain pedestal of white marble, and fixed in the recess at the foot of the altar steps on the north side of the choir, commonly called Queen Elizabeth's seat. The Bishop is represented in a sitting posture in full ecclesiastical costume, and the artist has succeeded in giving to his face that expres- sion of benevolence for which he was so well known.
On the pedestal is the following inscription from the classic pen of the Rev. F. Howes.
Reverendo admodum in Christo Patri,
Henrico Bathurst, D.C.L.,
Qui, duni per XXX amplius annus huic Diocesi prcefuit,
Candore indolis morum, mansue tudine, suavitate sermonis,
382 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND^
Omnium benevolentium sibi conciliavit, hanc effigiem,
In desideratum cari capitis testimonium,
Amici proviendum curaverant.
Decesit V. die April, Anno Domini, MDCCCXXXVIL,
Etatis XCIII.
The following is a translation : —
To the Memory of
The Right Reverend Father in God,
Henry Bathurst, Doctor in Civil Law,
who,
While for more than thirty years he presided over this diocese,
By his frankness and purity of heart,
Gentleness of manners, and pleasantness of conversation,
Attached to himself the goodwill of all.
His friends, in testimony of their regret for one so much beloved,
Have caused his effigy to be erected.
He died 5th April, A.D. 1837, in the 93rd year of his age,
Professor Taylor in reference to Dr. Bathurst wrote: — "In 1805, Dr. Bathurst succeeded Dr. Sutton as Bishop of Norwich. The latter, who had been translated to the See of Canterbury, was a man of polished manners, extravagant habits, and courtier-like address. * He was too polite to quarrel with anybody, and too prudent to provoke con- troversy. He neither felt nor affected to feel any horror of Unitarians. He invited them to his table, and at the request of the Mayor, he preached a charity sermon at St. George's Colegate, knowing that my father had been asked and had consented to write the hymns.
" Dr. Bathurst removed from Durham to Norwich, and as he was a stranger in his new residence, never having taken any prominent part as a public- man, little expectation was excited as to his future conduct. He was known to owe his elevation to his relation, Lord Bathurst ; and it was generally taken for granted that his views on public affairs were similar to those of the administration of which that noble lord was a member. Curiosity led me to the Cathedral to hear the new Bishop's primary charge, and I soon found the spirit it breathed to resemble the benevolence that beamed from his countenance.
" What the Bishop preached he also practised. He never shrunk from appearing to be what he really was, nor while he received a Dissenter in his study with politeness would he pass him unnoticed in the street. He was to be seen walking arm-in-arm with persons of all persuasions whom he respected in the streets of Norwich. He was not afraid of shaking ' brother Madge/ as he called him, by the hand, nor of welcoming Unitarians to his table. What he was as a member of the House of
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 383
Peers on all occasions in which the great principles of religious liberty were oncerned is well known. I have only here to speak of his conduct as a resident in Norwich."
REIGN OF GEORGE IV., 1820 TO 1830.
George IV. was the eldest son of the late King. On the 12th August, 1762, the forty-seventh anniversary of the accession of the House of Brunswick to the English throne, all the bells in London pealed in gratu- lation and announced that an heir to George III. was born. Five days afterwards the King was pleased to pass letters patent under the Great Seal, creating his Royal Highness the Prince of Great Britain, Electoral Prince of Brunswick Luneberg, Duke of Cornwall and Rothsay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, and Great Steward of Scot- land, Prince of Wales, and Earl of Chester. All the people at his birth thronged to see this lovely child, and behind a gilt china screen railing in St. James' Palace, jn a cradle surmounted by the three princely ostrich feathers, the Royal infant was laid to delight the eyes of the lieges. Among the earliest instances of homage paid to him we read that a curious Indian bow and arrows were sent to the Prince from his father's faithful subjects in New York. He was fond of playing with these toys ; an old statesman, orator, and wit, never tired of his business, still eager in his old age to be well at Court, used to play with the little Prince, and pretend to fall down dead when the Prince shot him with his toy bow and arrows, and get up and fall down dead over and over again to the increased delight of the child. So that he was flattered from his cradle upwards, and before his little feet could walk, courtiers were busy kissing them.
Thackeray says, " There is plenty of biographical tattle about the Prince's boyhood. It is told with what astonishing rapidity he learned all languages, ancient and modern, how he rode beautifully, sang charm- ingly, and played elegantly on the violoncello. That he was beautiful was patent to all eyes. He had a high spirit ; and once when he had had a difference with his father, he burst into the Royal closet, and called out, ' Wilkes and liberty for ever.' " As he grew up, he developed the results of his early training, and became a profligate Royal rake who spent no end of money. As the new Sovereign had for some years executed the Royal functions as Regent, no real change took place on his accession to the throne.
What benefit did Eastern England or any part of England receive from this extravagant King ? Lovers of long sums have added up the millions and millions which, in the course of his brilliant existence, this single Prince consumed. Besides his income of £50,000, £70,000,
384 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
£100,000, and £120,000 a-year, we read of three applications to Parlia- ment, debts to the amount of £160,000 and £650,000, besides mysterious foreign loans, whereof he pocketed the proceeds. What did he do for all this money ? Why was he to have it ? If he had been a manu- facturing town, or a populous rural distict, or an army of 5000 men, he would not have cost more.
So much money could only be wanted for gambling, of which in his youth the Prince was a great practitioner. " He was a famous pigeon for the playmen who lived upon him. Egalite Orleans it was believed punished him severely. A noble lord whom we shall call the Marquis of Steyne is said to have mulcted him in immense sums. He frequented the clubs where play was then almost universal, and his debts of honour being held to be sacred, whilst he was gambling, the Jews waited outside to purchase his notes of hand. His transactions on the turf were unlucky as well as discreditable." (Thackeray.)
March 7th, 1820. Parliament having been dissolved on February 28th by proclamation, the election came on for members for Norwich, when William Smith, Esq., and R. H. Gurney, Esq., were re-elected without opposition, and afterwards chaired. Such a circumstance as a Norwich election having passed off without a contest had not occurred for forty- six years before.
March 10th. The election came on for Yarmouth. After a severe con- test the numbers at the close of the poll were — For the Hon. George Anson, 753 ; C. E. Rumbold, Esq., 750 ; Lieut. -General John Mitchell, 612 ; and J. H. Stracey, Esq., 612. The highest were declared duly elected, and afterwards chaired.
March 13th. Thomas William Coke, Esq., and Edmond Wodehouse, Esq., were re-elected Knights of the Shire for Norfolk. The cavalcade before and the chairing after the election took place as usual.
June 28th. A grand entertainment was given on the Bowling-green, at the Feather's Inn, Holt, by the neighbouring yeomanry, to William Earle Lytton Bulwer, Esq., of Heydon Hall, as a mark of their esteem for his private worth. About 320 gentlemen were present.
The King had espoused the Princess Caroline of Brunswick, but he had been long separated from his wife, who had for some years resided on the Continent, where, according to the supporters of the Government, she had been guilty of criminal and licentious conduct. Her name being left out of the Liturgy, she now determined to return to England, vindicate her honour, and claim her rights as Queen; and in consequence, the Government, at the urgent demand of the King, agreed to lay before Parliament, with a view to a divorce, the results of a commission, the well- known Milan Commission, which had been appointed some time before in
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 385
order to obtain evidence against her. An offer was made before her arrival to increase her annuity to £50,000 if she would continue abroad, but her spirit was roused, and she would admit of no compromise. Then commenced a most disgraceful prosecution, which excited the indignation of the whole country. A Bill of Pains and Penalties was introduced against her, and her trial began on August 17th, 1820. She was most ably defended by Messrs. Brougham, Denison, Williams, and Lushington ; and on the third reading of the Bill in the Lords, there was only a majority of nine in its favour. The Ministry, therefore, saw that it was hopeless to expect to carry it through the House of Commons, and it was aban- doned. Many meetings were held in the Eastern Counties to protest against the prosecution. The unfortunate Queen did not long survive these proceedings.
August 2nd. A meeting was held in St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, when an address of congratulation to Queen Caroline was agreed to, and after- wards presented to her Majesty.
August 19th. A county meeting was held at the Shirehall, when reso- lutions protesting against the mode of proceeding by Bill of Pains and Penalties against Queen Caroline, and a petition founded thereon against the said bill, were agreed to. The petition to Parliament was subse- quently presented. Great excitement prevailed on this question.
November 11th. Intelligence was received of the Bill of Pains and Penalties against her Majesty having been relinquished, after being read a third time in the House of Lords. Some persons in Norwich having attempted to make a bonfire, and expressed their intention to illuminate on the occasion, and some disturbances having taken place, the Mayor and magistrates expressed their determination to protect all persons who might not be disposed to follow the example.
November 20th. A partial illumination took place in Norwich in consequence of the proceedings in Parliament respecting the Queen.
November 23rd. A numerous meeting of the citizens was held in St. Andrew's Hall, and an address of congratulation was adopted to her Majesty on the result of the proceedings against her. The address was afterwards presented to the Queen at Bradenburgh House, by N. Boling- broke, Esq. Similar addresses were also presented from the friends of the Queen at Yarmouth, Lynn, and other places.
December 1st. At meetings of the Corporations of Norwich, Yarmouth, and Lynn, loyal addresses were voted to his Majesty, expressive of their attachment to his person and government.
December 3rd. The freedom of the city of Norwich was presented to the Duke of York and the Duke of Wellington.
December 27th. A public meeting was held at the Angel Inn, Norwich,
VOL. II. C C
386 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
and a loyal address to his Majesty was adopted, expressive of attachment to his person and government, and the address was presented in the following month.
The sum expended for the relief of the poor in Norfolk for the year ending the 25th of March, 1820, was £272,939 19s., being an increase of £50,000 as compared with 1816.
Acts were passed this year for inclosing lands in Tibenham, Moulton, Bio* Norton, Blakeney, Wiveton, and Glandford, in Norfolk. Also acts for lighting the city of Norwich with gas, and for erecting a bridge at Duke's Palace, Norwich.
A census of the population of the whole country was taken in 1821, when there appeared to be in Norfolk 344,368 j in Suffolk, 270,542. The number of inhabitants in each square mile in Suffolk was nearly 179 persons ; the number of families chiefly employed in agriculture was 30,795 ; in trade, &c, 17,418 ; all other families, 6815.
A company of shareholders built the Duke's Palace Bridge, Norwich, and charged tolls for passengers or carriages passing over the bridge. 1 Ultimately the Corporation bought up the shares and opened the bridge free to the public. Since then the traffic in the street has much increased. Messrs. Riches & Watts built extensive works in this street for the manufacture of engines and machines.
An Act of Parliament enabling the Norwich Gas Light Company to light the city with gas was passed in 1820, and in 1826 another Act was passed to enlarge the powers of the former Act. In 1825 the works were sold to the British Gas Light Company. In 1858 an Act was obtained to repeal former Acts, and to enable the Company better to light the city and suburbs. Works are carried on at Thorpe Hamlet, where there are three gas-holders, capable of containing together 350,000 cubic feet of gas, and 100 retorts. Works are also carried on in St. Martin-at-Palace, where there are two gas-holders containing 600,000 cubic feet of gas, and 140 retorts. The city and hamlets are lighted by 1100 public and private lamps. The price to private consumers is 3s. 6d. per 1000 cubic feet and discounts.
March 13th. Petitions from the owners and occupiers of land in the vicinity of Norwich, North Walsham, and Yarmouth on the depressed state of agriculture, praying for a repeal of the last duty on malt, and for the substitution of a modified tax on property, were presented to the House of Commons by E. Wodehouse, Esq., M.P.
Subsequently many meetings were held in Norwich and different places in Norfolk, at which resolutions were passed for the repeal of the Malt- tax., but it still remains a burden on the farming interest.
March 31st. The freedom of the city of Norwich having been voted
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 3817
at the quarterly assembly of the Corporation, on the 24th ultimo, to be presented to Captain William Edward Parry, of the Royal Navy, the commander of the ships employed in 1819 about to sail on another voyage of discovery to the Arctic Seas to ascertain the existence of a north-west passage, that gallant officer attended in full uniform, and was sworn in at a full court of mayoralty. The parchment containing the freedom was presented to him in a box, with an inscription on a silver plate.
April 23rd. St. George's day being appointed for the celebration of the King's birthday, instead of August 12th, his Majesty's natal day, it was observed in Norwich, Yarmouth, and Lynn, with the most joyous demon- strations of loyalty. The Mayors of these Corporations gave elegant dinners on the occasion. Almost every succeeding year these celebrations were repeated, more as civic festivities than anything else.
June 18th, being Guild day in Norwich, William Rackham, Esq., Mayor, gave a sumptuous dinner to 650 ladies and gentlemen in St. Andrew's Hall.
June 28th. Marshland Free Bridge, which crosses the Eau Brink Cut, near Lynn (built by Messrs. Jolliffe) was opened. A procession of carriages, preceded by a band of music and banners, together with 6000 pedestrians, passed over the new bridge.
July 3rd. Holkham sheep-shearing was most numerously attended. Among the company invited by T. W. Coke, Esq., was his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of Bedford, the Earl of Albemarle, Lord Erskine, Lord Crewe, Sir F. Burdett, Mr. Hume, &c, &c.
July 21st. The new river or cut from King's Lynn to Eau Brink was opened with great ceremony. About 8'30 a.m., a handsome steam barge filled with company passed in fine style through the new bridge into the cut, followed by a great number of boats, amidst the cheers of thousands of spectators. After the Commissioners and others had inspected the grand work, the steam vessel returned down the harbour to Common Staithe Quay, when the company on board partook of luncheon. John Rennie, Esq., was the directing engineer of the Eau Brink drainage, and Mr. Banks the contractor for the cut and the bridge.
August 2nd. A common hall was held in Norwich for the purpose of considering an address to be presented to Queen Caroline. Mr. Alder- man Leman presided, and Mr. Sheriff Taylor introduced the subject, declaring that their duty was not merely to vote an address to her Majesty on her accession, but also to protest against the proceedings of his Majesty's Ministers against her whom theyought to honour as their Queen and esteem as a woman . The resolutions and addresses were carried by acclamation, and he afterwards presented an address to the Queen at Bradenburgh House.
388 HiSTOEY OF EASTEEN ENGLAND.
In this year the claims of the Roman Catholics to political emancipation commanded much attention all over the country. Protestants in the Eastern Counties, and indeed in all other counties, were generally opposed to any measure of relief.
October 18th. The magistrates of Norfolk, on a division, resolved that a new county jail should be erected on the Castle Hill, and they adopted the plan of W. Wilkins, Esq., so far as the sum of £26,000 would carry it into effect. The Right Hon. Lord Suffield was elected one of the chairmen of Quarter Sessions in the room of the late Sir Thomas Beevor, Bart.
December. Burglaries and robberies in Norwich and Norfolk were frequent this month. At Lynn on the 11th, Robert Roberson was shot dead whilst in the act of breaking into the shop of Mr. H. Pond, linen draper. Though under twenty years of age, Roberson was an old offender, and the reputed head of a gang of thieves.
This year, Mr. Cubitt laid a report before the public, showing the practicability of opening a communication between the City of Norwich and the sea at Lowestoft. As the Yarmouth Corporation had signified their determination to oppose any plan, it was at length resolved by Norwich men to carry out the plan of communication to Lowestoft by a cut across the marshes from Reedham into Lake Lothing. Subscriptions were raised for this purpose, and fresh surveys were made, and the plan was ultimately carried out.
An Act was this year passed for altering and enlarging the powers of the several Acts of his late Majesty George III. for improving the drainage of the middle and south levels, part of the great level of the Fens called Bedford Level, and other lands thereon mentioned, and for improving the navigation of the River Ouse in Norfolk and of the several rivers communicating therewith.
1822. This year political agitation was renewed in favour of Reform in Parliament, and many public meetings were held in Norwich and Nor- folk, at which Mr. Edward Taylor took an active part. On January 12th he attended a county meeting for the avowed object of considering " agricultural distress/' when he moved and carried a resolution in favour of Reform in Parliament. On the 5th of March he attended a Reform meeting in Bungay. On April 24th he attended another county meeting, and carried another resolution in favour of the same object. On May 11th a county meeting was held for the express purpose of petitioning for Reform, and resolutions were carried in its favour.
The Norfolk and Norwich Literary Institution was established on Octo- ber 22nd, 1822. The library now contains nearly 20,000 volumes of standard works, and it is rapidly increasing. It is rendered peculiarly
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 389
available to its members by the gre'at liberality of the regulations under which it is placed. Every member has the privilege of borrowing two books or periodicals at one time, and more are allowed to country mem- bers, as well as a longer time for reading. The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley is president.
January 23rd. At a meeting held in the Old Library-room in St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, a society was formed for supplying the poor with blankets at a reduced price, and upwards of 1100 were distributed during the winter.
February 24th. At a quarterly assembly of the Corporation, a lease was granted to the city magistrates for 500 years of the piece of land outside of St. Giles1 Gates, on which it had been decided to build the new jail, at the annual rent of £50. The new jail was ultimately built on that site.
The Norfolk and Norwich Museum was established in January, 1824, in St. Andrew's Broad Street. It has been supported by contributions and annual subscriptions. The building comprises several large rooms, which contain large collections of specimens in natural history, geology, orni- thology, ethnology, &c. The collection in ornithology comprises the most complete in England of the Raptores, or Birds of Prey, to which, J. H. Gurney, Esq., was chief contributor. His portrait was placed in a new room of the adjoining building, filled principally by his collections. A new room has been built for specimens in geology, contributed by the Rev. J. Gunn. These are remains of extinct animals found by him on the Norfolk coast, and taken from the Forest bed.
In September of this year, 1824, the first Norfolk and Norwich Musical Festival was held in St. Andrew's Hall, and the concerts were well attended by the nobility, clergy, and gentry of Norfolk. Mr. Edward Taylor was the chief promoter of this celebration, which proved very successful, the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital receiving the sum of £2399 out of the profits. The second festival, in 1827, afforded that institution £1672; the third, in 1830, yielded £535 to the Hospital; the fourth, in 1833, was also successful, but in 1886 the expenditure exceeded the receipts. Since the year 1824, the Festivals have been held in St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, triennially, originally for the benefit of the hospitals, and lately of other charities. These celebrations have been so successful on the whole that the total receipts over the payments have amounted to more than £10,000. Works of the greatest composers have been well performed by the most eminent vocalists and instrumentalists of the day, and thereby a taste for music has been diffused throughout the city and county.
On February 3rd, 1825, there was a very high tide at Yarmouth, which
390 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
did much damage to the town. The*water flowed nearly to the doors of some of the houses on the quays. The road in Southtown was completely overflowed, and rendered quite impassable ; the lower rooms in several houses on the west side were under water, and much corn, grain, and other merchandise in the storehouses spoiled.
The agitation for the repeal of the Corn Laws was revived this year (1825), and on April 18th a public meeting was held in St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, when a petition was adopted for a revision of the Corn Laws, which afterwards received 14,385 signatures, and was forwarded on the 26th to be presented to the House of Commons.
The combination laws were repealed in Parliament, in order that employers and employed might be left free ; but it became soon apparent that the change was too sweeping in its character, as trades unions and strikes of a most serious kind were organised, industry was paralysed, and disorders ensued, the results of which were felt for several years. In consequence of these evils, in the session of 1825 the existing law was enacted, which legalises combinations of masters and men for settling wages and hours of labour, but prohibits the violation of contracts and intimidation. Nevertheless disputes often occurred in Norwich about wages.
The* question of Roman Catholic Emancipation became one of great interest and political importance amongst all classes, and most men whose tendencies were liberal, looked up to Mr. Canning as their leader. This was more especially the case with those who advocated the Catholic clauses. On the other hand the anti-Catholic party, as they saw him rising in power, became more jealous of those who were his j>artizans. Under these circumstances, Lord Palmer ston, who had been returned for Cam- bridge University as -a friend to Catholic Emancipation in 1812, 1818, 1820, again came forward, advocating the same cause.
In November, 1825, it being generally understood that Parliament would be dissolved in the next summer, Sir J. Copley, then Attorney- General, wrote to Lord Palmerston stating that he was about to canvass the University of Cambridge, with a view of turning out Bankes, and shortly afterwards Goulburn, who was Chief Secretary for Ireland. Bankes, Copley, and Goulburn were all anti- Catholics. Lord Palmerston was the only one of the four who voted for Emancipation. The canvass lasted from the end of November, 1825, till the dissolution, in June, 1826, and a most laborious task it became to Lord Palmerston and his friends. It was soon manifest that the object of certain parties was to eject him as well as Bankes, and the active influence of the anti- Catholic members of the Government was exerted in favour of Copley and Goulburn. The Church, the Treasury, and the army were in anti- Catholic hands ; and
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 391
though the Duke of Wellington and ^3ir Robert Peel condemned the cabal, Eldon, Bathurst, the Duke of York, the Secretaries to the Treasury, and many others, did all they could against Lord Palmerston, according to his own statement in his autobiography. He stood on his own personal interest in the University, and threw himself on his political enemies, the Whigs, for support against his political friends, the Tories. This support, which he asked on the ground of their accordance upon Catholic Emanci- pation, was handsomely granted and enabled him to triumph. Copley, indeed, headed the poll, but he beat Bankes by 122, and Goulburn by 192. This was the first decided step towards a breach between Lord Palmerston and the Tories, and they were the aggressors.
From 1826 to 1829 many public meetings were held in Norwich to promote the emancipation of Roman Catholics. The Liberals here were generally in favour of the measure, and the Tories were against it. Peti- tions were presented to Parliament by both parties, and after a prolonged agitation of the question throughout the country, and the fear of rebellion in Ireland, a Bill was brought into Parliament, and carried by the Duke of Wellington, who was then Prime Minister.
November 21st, 1825. At a public meeting held in St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, a society was formed for promoting the abolition of Colonial slavery. The late J. J. Gurney, Esq., and all his family were great advocates of negro emancipation. But the diabolical injustice of slavery continued to be the disgrace of this country for many years. The slave- trade was at last abolished, after a violent agitation throughout the country, at a cost of .twenty millions sterling.
This year, in consequence of the iniquitous Corn Laws, bread was dear, work was scarce, and the poor were destitute in Norwich. The sum of £5000 was subscribed for their relief.
On June 16th, 1826, an election took place in Norwich, when William Smith, Esq., and Jonathan Peel, Esq., were returned without opposi- tion.
Mr. Smith was the son of an eminent and wealthy merchant in London, who was the leading partner in the house of Smith & Hart. From his father he received a good education, and on his death succeeded to an ample fortune. He was the steady and judicious advocate of civil and religious liberty, and the Unitarians were indebted to him for the repeal of those obnoxious statutes which, though never enforced, denied them the freedom of opinion enjoyed by all other denominations of Dissenters.
Jonathan Peel, Esq., was the fifth son of Sir Robert Peel, Bart., of Drayton, in Staffordshire, then M.P. for Tamworth, a gentleman well known in the commercial world for calling in the aid of science to the improvement of the manufactures of his country, and to the public in
392 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
general for his celebrated work on the national debt, and the Bill which he introduced in Parliament in 1803 for the amelioration of the condition of apprentices in the woollen and cotton trades. Mr. Peel was also a younger brother of the Right Hon. Robert Peel, Secretary of State for the Home Department, and afterwards the Prime Minister who repealed the Corn Laws.
• January 7th, 1827. On the intelligence being received in Norwich of the death of his late Royal Highness the Duke of York and Albany, the bells of the different churches were tolled for some time, and the shops were partially closed on the following days.
January 20th. This being the day appointed for the funeral of his late Royal Highness the Duke of York, the melancholy occasion was observed by a general suspension from business. The old Corporation attended Divine service at the Cathedral, and the bells of the parish churches were tolled.
A company having been formed in 1826 with a large capital, and surveys having been made, an application was made to Parliament for an Act, but being opposed by the Yarmouth Corporation and timid owners of the marsh lands, who were fearful of being inundated, it was lost by a majority of five. This Act was, however, finally passed in 1827, after £8000 had been spent by the corporation of Yarmouth in opposing it. The passing of the Act caused great rejoicings amongst the citizens of Nor- wich, but the undertaking did not succeed so well as they expected.
On May 23rd, the Bill for making Norwich a port having passed into law, the Navigation Committee with the Mayor (their chairman) were met at Hartford Hall on their return from London by thousands of their fellow-citizens, who were assembled to welcome them, and a grand pro- cession having been formed, they marched through the city, while guns were fired in all directions. The celebration concluded with a bonfire at night.
If the promoters of the scheme had fully carried out the original design, they would have established a great carrying trade, and prevented about half-a-million sterling being expended in the new harbour. They having borrowed money from the Exchequer Loan Commissioners, the port fell into the hands of the latter in 1842. They disposed of it to another company at Lowestoft, and that company, after expending a large sum in repairs, sold it to Mr. Peto for a few thousand pounds. He with other gentlemen formed a new company, with a capital of £200,000, afterwards doubled, and formed a new harbour and railway to Reedham.
The navigation has always been the source of a great carrying trade by the rivers Yare, Bure, and Waveney, between all the towns near those rivers in Norfolk and Suffolk, and especially between Norwich and
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 393
Yarmouth. But the traffic on tho river will never be so great again as it was at the commencement of this nineteenth century. For centuries past, Yarmouth has been the chief port of Norwich and Norfolk, and from the city and various towns in the eastern division of the county vast quantities of goods have been annually conveyed along the rivers to that port, and Norw ich merchants have brought in a large proportion of their goods via Yarmouth.
The Duke of Wellington was named Premier, instead of Lord Goderich, though the post of Premier was one for which he had declared himself wholly unfit, and his brother expected the appointment. Lord Palmerston and the Canningites joined the new Ministry as a party, with the understanding that the Catholic question should be an open one. The Canningites joined it on a party mistrusting its chief in January, and deserted their chief in May. The Canningites of that day were neither Whigs nor Tories, but generally advocates of improvement or political progress. The Duke of Wellington and all his Tory friends were quite opposed to Catholic Emancipation, but were soon compelled by the near prospect of an Irish rebellion to carry the measure.
The Protestants of the Eastern Counties were generally opposed to the Bill for the removal of disabilities of Eoman Catholics introduced into Parliament in 1829. The Liberals were generally in favour of it. The Bill proposed to abolish all the disabilities under which Roman Catholics laboured, and thus to admit them to equal civil rights. The whole country was moved, and many Protestant meetings were held, and it appeared as though we were about to enter upon a religious war. The Bill, however, introduced by Sir Robert Peel passed both Houses, and received a reluctant consent from the Sovereign.
By the Relief Bill, Catholics were declared eligible to sit in Parliament, and to hold all offices, save those of Regent, Lord Chancellor of England and Ireland, and Viceroy of Ireland, as well as posts connected with the Church, its Universities and schools. Lord Surrey, son of the Duke of Norfolk, elected for Horsham in the Easter recess, was the first Catholic who took his seat in the House of Commons. No Roman Catholic candi- date has yet been returned for the Eastern Counties nor for any of the boroughs.
During this reign several motions were made in Parliament in favour of Reform, but they were invariably rejected.
On December 29th, 1829, a meeting of weavers was held on Mousehold Heath, near Norwich, to adopt means for keeping up the rates of payment for work, the operatives asserting their right to combine to increase wages, as well as of their employers to unite to reduce them. The weavers were not paid by time, but at a certain rate for piece work of different kinds.
394 HISTOEY OF EASTEEN ENGLAND.
The rate was according to a certain printed scale, to which the operatives wished to adhere, while it sometimes occurred that the manufacturers desired to alter it.
In 1836, Acts of Parliament were obtained for the formation of two lines of railway for the Eastern Counties. One, called the Eastern Counties line, was to run from London via Eomford, Cojchester, and Ipswich. The other line was to run from Stratford to Bishop Stortford. In 1839 the Eastern Counties line was partially opened, but not carried beyond Colchester, the funds being inadequate for the whole undertaking. Ultimately railways were constructed all over the district.
In the reign of George IV. only two general elections occurred, and tho following Knights of the Shire represented Norfolk, viz. : —
1820. Thomas William Coke, Esq., Holkham; Edmund Wodehouse, •Esq., Sennowe.
1826. Thomas William Coke, Esq., Holkham ; Edmund Wodehouse, Esq., Sennowe.
On June 20th, 1830, George IV. died after a lingering illness. He died in the heat of the struggle between the two,parties, Whigs and Tories, differing from each other in secondary points but both equally hostile to the people. The Duke of Clarence ranged himself on the Whig side when Prince and on the Tory side when King. England, meanwhile, had exhausted the prosperity won by her wars. Authentic testimonies show that in the rural districts distress had reached its height. The majority of farmers paid their rent out of their capital. Peasants were seen yoked to carts like beasts of burden. The towns presented still more hideous scenes of poverty. Bread riots frequently took place in Norwich and other places. A wan, sickly, and blighted population rotted in the fac- tories, where all ages and sexes were mingled in frightful confusion. Labour was excessive ; wages low and insufficient, and had fallen two- thirds. Lord Stanhope in the House of Lords said, " do you not shudder my lords to think of the number of workmen who are unable to earn more than fourpence per day V* George IV., the luxurious Sybarite, might have heard cries of despair, echoing round his deathbed. The same symptoms of decay pervaded the opulent class placed over the starving populace. The poor rates threatened to swallow up all the produce of the land.
EEIGN OP WILLIAM IV., 1830 TO 1837.
King William IV. was proclaimed on the Castle Hill, Norwich, on June 29th, by the High Sheriff, the bells ringing in honour of the event. Next day the King was proclaimed in the city, amid the cheers of the citizens, and the Mayor presided at a dinner at the Norfolk Hotel in honour of his
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTJJRY. • 395
Majesty's accession. This King was supposed to be in favour of Reform and Retrenchment, and the Liberal party always made him appear to be so. But the correspondence of the late Earl Grey with his Majesty, recently published, proved that the King entertained the question of Reform with great reluctance, which was shared even by the Whig Ministers. At last all obstacles were removed, and on March 4th, 1831, the Bill was intro- duced by Lord John Russell into the House of Commons. After a prolonged debate, it was read a second time by a majority of one only. It was defeated in committee on an amendment against diminishing the number of English representatives. Then the Cabinet, by a minute, called on the King for a distinct answer to the request for a dissolution. At length he reluctantly consented, believing that the perils to follow from a change of ministry were greater than could arise from a dissolution.
In the reign of William IV. there was only one election under the old system before the Reform Act; that was in 1830, when the following Knights of the Shire were elected : — Sir William H. B. Folkes, Bart., Hillington, and Thomas William Coke, Esq., Holkham, both in the Liberal interest.
On September 8th, 1831, the grand ceremony of the coronation of King William IV. took place in Westminster Abbey. "The auspicious event was celebrated in Norwich in a most loyal and joyful manner. The festivities of the day commenced with the merry chime of St. Peter's bells, and the waving of banners from all the public buildings. The Mayor and members of the Corporation attended Divine service at the Cathedral. After their return 'to the Guildhall, the Regiment of the First Royals marched into the Market-place and fired three volleys. The electors who had supported Gurney & Grant received £1 each, and a dinner was given at LaccolnVs Gardens to 600 of the freemen who voted for Witherall and Sadler. The citizens, in fact, have never lost an opportunity of displaying their loyalty to the reigning Sovereign, but they always expected something in return. Several petitions were sent from Norwich in favour of the Reform Bill by the Liberal party, who were very earnest on that subject.
In 1831, the population of Norfolk amounted to 390,054 ; of Suffolk, to 296,317; total, 686,371, the majority consisting of farmers and labourers. Great distress prevailed in the rural districts. Bread riots continued to be of frequent occurrence. The poor rates threatened to swallow up all the rental of the land. The clergy did not seem to be at all anxious as to the state of the poor, and the number of Dissenters increased in all the towns of East Anglia. They began to manifest open hostility to the Church of England in Norwich and other places, and they
396 ♦ HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
actually held meetings and passed resolutions for the separation of Church and State. However they might differ in other points, they found in their opposition to the Church a bond of common union, as well as the means of displaying their own weight and importance. In a short time, the conflict commenced by numerous petitions from different sects of Dissenters to Parliament, praying for the disestablishment of the Church. But so bold a demand was premature, and it roused the whole Church party into active opposition, and produced such a shower of counter peti- tions in favour of the Church, that her assailants were silenced for a time.
The West Norfolk Agricultural Association was established in 1831 at Downham, and held annual meetings for some years to promote the improvement of live stock. The East Norfolk Association for the same purpose was formed in 1842, with E. C. Bailey, Esq., its active promoter, as secretary, and held annual meetings on the Old Cricket Ground, Norwich. The two societies were amalgamated in 1847, and combined in one county association, which has held yearly meetings in June at Nor- wich, Yarmouth, Lynn, Dereham, Fakenham, Downham, Attleborough, and Harleston in different years. E. C. Bailey, Esq., was secretary till he was appointed general director, and Mr. J. Cross, secretary. The objects of the County Association are to encourage the breeding and rearing of live stock, the invention and improvement of agricultural implements and improvements in agricultural produce. The prizes offered being of con- siderable amount, have induced the leading breeders and graziers of Norfolk and Suffolk to "compete at the exhibitions. The machine makers of both counties have also competed for the prizes, many of which have been won by Messrs. Holmes & Sons, Messrs. Riches & Watts, and others, in Norwich and Norfolk.
We now Come to an important part of our work, to show what share the Eastern Counties had in the progress of political reforms. This is no easy task, for let the spirit of the record be as impartial as it may, it will not please every reader. Every man has viewed the period for himself, ' and in relation to his own principles, prejudices, or interests, and he will be sure to find something omitted or unsatisfactory. If he be a Tory, he will like a Conservative view of every question ; if he be a Whig, he will regard Liberal measures with peculiar complacency.
In consequence of the dissolution of Parliament on the defeat of Ministers on the Reform Bill, a General Election took place. In Norwich the day appointed was April 29th, 1831. The polling commenced next morning, Saturday, and was continued on the following Monday and Tuesday. The numbers at the close of the poll were : — R. H. Gurney (L), 2158; Right Hon. R. Grant (L), 2163; Sir Charles Wetherall (T),
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 397
977; Mr. M. T. Sadler (T), 964. The two former gentlemen were declared duly elected. On Monday evening, the Tory polling-booths were pulled down and afterwards burned.
The House of Lords opposed the Reform Bill so strongly for some time, that a creation of new peers was threatened, greatly to the disgust of the Tories. On February 29tb, 1832, Lord Viscount Sidmouth presented an address to the King, signed by 2300 of the gentry, clergy, freeholders, and other inhabitants of Norwich, praying his Majesty " to withhold his Royal sanctionfrom any measure which might compromise the independence of either branch of the Legislature, and expressing his fullest confidence in their fraternal regard for his faithful people to preserve the funda- mental principles of the British Constitution."
On May 14th, Ministers having been again defeated en the Reform Bill (by a majority of thirty-five in the House of Lords), a requisition was presented to the Mayor, Sir J. H. Yallop, to call a public meeting in support of the Bill._ The Mayor complied, and the meeting was called, and a petition was adopted praying the House of Commons to stop all supplies till the bill was passed. During the month several other popular demonstrations were made in Norwich in favour of Reform. The cry was " The bill, the whole bill, and nothing but the bill." On June 5th, the " Telegraph " coach arrived in the city with the news of the passing of the Reform Bill by a majority of eighty-four in the House of Lords. A large number of people were in waiting, and the moment that the coach entered the top of St. Stephen's-street, the people on hearing the news loudly cheered, and the cheering was continued along the whole line of the street into the Market-place. A large party perambulated the city with a band playing lively airs all the evening, and on the following night a bonfire was kindled on the Castle Ditches. During the month several public dinners were held to celebrate the passing of the Reform Bill, and July 5th was devoted to a special popular demonstration.
The main features of the Reform Bill were the disfranchisement of many small places which had fallen into insignificance, and the enfran- chisement of several large towns which had been hitherto unrepresented; the increase in the number of electors in boroughs and counties, the general registration of all persons entitled to vote, and the limitation of time for keeping the poll open. In Norwich, and in all the towns in the Eastern Counties, the number of voters was greatly increased. The old freemen were the only voters before the Reform Act.
In the boroughs £10 householders, under certain conditions, were entitled to the franchise, so that many more voters resided in Norwich, Ipswich, Yarmouth, and Lynn. In the counties, in addition to the 40s. freeholders, three great classes of voters were introduced — copyholders of
398 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
£10 a-year; leaseholders of a term originally of sixty years of £10 yearly value ; and tenants at will, occupying land at a yearly value of £10. The effect of the measure was the return of a few more Liberal politicians for boroughs in Norfolk and Suffolk ; but generally Conservatives were elected for the counties in the Eastern District.
The first election for Norwich after the passing of the Reform Bill took place on December 10th, 11th, and 12th, 1832, with the following result: — Lord Viscount Stormont (C), 2016; Sir James Scarlett (C), 1962; R. H. Gurney, Esq. (L.), 1809 ; H. K. Ker, Esq. (L.), 1765.
The contest was a severe one, and the total number polled was 3807, including 2283 freemen, 834 freeholders, and 690 occupiers. Gross bribery prevailed, and a committee of inquiry was at once appointed, meetings were held, and subscriptions were collected from house to house throughout the several parishes in support of a petition to Parliament against the return of the sitting members. The petition was presented by Mr. Grote on the 18th of February, 1833, and on April 4th intelligence reached the city by mail that a Committee of the House of Commons had declared the members duly elected, but the petition was neither frivolous nor vexatious. The decision of the Committee of the House of Commons was received with great surprise in the city.
After the passing of the Reform Bill in 1832, the number of voters was — -
In East Norfolk 7,041
„ West Norfolk 4,396
Total 11,437
The first election under the Reform Bill was in December, 1832, when there was a strong contest, with the following result : — W. Howe Windham (L.), 3304; Hon. George Keppel (L.), 3261; N. William Peach (C), 2960; Lord E. Cholmondeley (C), 2852. The Liberals obtained the majority this time, but did not retain it in subsequent elections.
In December, 1832, the election came on for West Norfolk, when two Liberals were returned without opposition — namely, Sir W. J. H. Folkes, Bart., of Hillington, and Sir Jacob Astley, of Melton.
Since the reign of Edward I. in 1272 Yarmouth had sent two burgesses to Parliament. Until the passing of the Reform Bill in 1832 the electors were the old freemen. About 800 of them were disfranchised by the Reform Bill "for non -residence, and the remainder, about 1 100, experienced the same fate in 1848, under the powers of a special Act of Parliament. The number of electors was, however, greatly increased by the admission of householders of the yearly value of £10 or upwards, and the extension
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 399
of the borough to the whole of the parish of Gorleston, of which it only included Southtown before.
Yarmouth in 1832 had a population of 21,448, with 1683 electors. After 1832 the borough became one of the most corrupt in England, almost every election being contested. There was a contest in December, 1832, which ended as follows, two members being returned : — Charles E. Rumbold (L.), 837 ; Hon. George Anson (L.), 828; Andrew Colville (C), 750.
Lynn Eegis in 1832 had a population of 13,370, with 836 electors. In December, 1832, there was no contest. Lord George Bentinck (C), and Lord W. Lennox (L.) were returned.
Same year, the small borough of Thetford had a population of 3462, with only 146 electors. It had degenerated to a mere pocket borough belonging to the Duke of Grafton, who nominated its representatives. In December, 1832, Lord J. H. Fitzroy (L.) and Francis Baring (0.) were returned. Every election in this little borough was a mere farce, yet it had as much weight in the Legislature as Norwich or Yarmouth, or either Division of the county of Norfolk.
Same year, East Suffolk returned two members to Parliament. The population was over 37,600, and the number of electors 4265. In December, 1832, the first election under the Reform Act took place, with the following result : — Lord Henniker (C), 2030 ; Robert N. Shawe (L.), 1990; Sir C. B. Vere (C), 1784. Lord Henniker retained his seat till 1843, when he accepted the Chiltern Hundreds.
Same year, West Suffolk returned two members to Parliament. The population was nearly 260,000; the number of electors 3326. In December, 1832, the first election under the Reform Act took place, with the following result :— Charles Tyrrell (L.), 1832 ; Sir H. Parker (L.), 1664; H. S. Waddington (C), 1272. The two former were returned, but only continued members till 1835.
Same year, the population of Ipswich was nearly 21,000, and the number of electors 1219. The first election under the Reform Act was in December, 1832, with the following result : — James Morrison (L.), 599 ; Rigby Wason (L.), 593; Edward Goulburn (C), 267; Charles Mack- innon (C), 94. The two returned Liberal members only continued till 1835. The Conservatives were very weak in the town at this time.
Same year, Bury, St. Edmund's returned two members to Parliament. The population was nearly 12,000, and the number of electors 580. The first election under the new Reform Act took place in December, 1832, with the following result : — Lord Charles Fitzroy (L.), 344; Earl Jermyn (C), 272 ; F. K. Eagle (L.), 238. The two returned members sat till 1847. The voters were a very small proportion of the population in this borough.
400 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Same year, the town of Eye, in Suffolk, contained a population of over 7200, the number of electors being only 232, who returned one member. In December, 1832, Sir E. Kerrison, Bart., was elected under the Reform Act, and he sat till 1S59. He was much esteemed by his constituents.
North Essex returned two members to Parliament. The population was over 167,000, and the number of electors 5163. In December, 1832, the first election under the new Act took place with the following result : — Sir J. T. Tyrrell, Bart. (C), 2448; Alexander Baring (C.), 2280; C. Callis Western (L.), 2244; Thomas Brand (L.), 1840. Sir J. T. Tyrrell, Bart., continued member till 1857, and Mr. Baring till 1835, when he was created Lord Ashburton.
South Essex returned two members to Parliament. The population was over 150,000, the number of electors 4488. The first election under the new Act took place in December, 1832, and closed as follows : — Robert W. Hall Dare (C), 2088 ; Sir T. B. Lennard (L.), 1538 ; Hon. W. L. Wellesley (L.), 1432.
Colchester, in Essex, returned two members in 1832. The population was nearly 17,000, and the number of electors 1099. The first election under the new Act took place in December, and closed as follows : — Richard Sanderson (C), 648; Daniel W. Harvey (L.), 411; William May hew (L.), 272. Mr. Sanderson continued to be member till 1841.
Harwich, in Essex, returned two members to Parliament. The popula- tion was over 4000, and the number of electors 204. The first election under the new Act took place in December, 1 832, and closed as follows : — The Right Hon. J. C. Hemes (C), 97; Charles Thomas Tower (L.), 98; N. Philpot Leader (C), 90; J. Disney (L.), 89. The Right Hon. J. C. Herries continued member till 1841.
Maldon in Essex returned two members to Parliament. The population was nearly 5000, and the number of electors 716. The first election under the new Act in December, 1832, closed thus : — T. Barrett Lennard (L.), 448 ; Quintin Dick (C), 416 ; Peter L. Wright (L.), 277. The Con- servatives soon regained the ascendancy in this small borough, where the electors were so small a proportion of the population.
Cambridgeshire returned three members to Parliament, and the University two members. The population of the county was nearly 144,000, and the number of voters 6500. In December, 1832, the first contest under the new Act closed as follows : — Captain C. P. Yorke (C), 3693 ; Richard G. Townley (L.), 3261 ; J. W. Childers (L.), 2862 ; Henry I. Adeane (L.), 2850. The University, with 2269 electors, returned the Right Hon. H. Goulburn and the Right Hon. Sir C. Sutton.
The borough of Cambridge returned two members to Parliament. The population was nearly 21,000, and the number of electors 1500. In
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 401
December, 1832, the poll closed as follows : — George Prymc (L-)> 979; Thomas Spring Eice (L.), 709 ; Sir E. B. Sugden (0), 540. Mr. Rice being appointed Colonial Secretary in 1834, he was re-elected, and he sat till 1839.
June 23rd, 1832, an Act of Parliament received the Royal assent removing the Assizes from Thetford to Norwich, and the Corporation passed a vote of thanks to John Stracey, Esq., for his exertions in obtaining the measure, and also a vote of thanks to the Lord Chancellor for having granted two jail deliveries in the year. Since then the City Assizes have been held at the Guildhall, and the Norfolk Assizes at the Shirehall, comprising the Crown Court and the Civil Court. The City Sessions are held every quarter at the Guildhall, and the County Sessions at the Shirehall, and thence by adjournment to S waff ham. The county magistrates meet every quarter in the Grand Jury Room at the Shirehall to transact county business, levy the county rate, police rate, &c. The County Court is also held every month at the Shirehall.
January, 1833. The Town Clerk of Norwich received a circular from the Secretary of State, requesting to be informed of the mode of electing members of the Corporation. The Town Clerk forwarded his answer on the 21st. This was the prelude to the lengthened inquiry respecting the mode of conducting municipal elections.
Marsh. The municipal elections passed off quietly in Norwich, there being no contest in several wards.
May 1st. At the election for Mayor, Aldermen Bignold and Turner were returned to the Court without opposition, and S. Bignold, Esq., was chosen to serve the office. On the following day he was sworn in, and on this occasion he gave a banquet to about 1100 ladies and gentlemen in St. Andrew's Hall.
The same place was the scene of great festivity on June 20th and 21st, when dinners were given to the Tory electors, those in the Conisford and Northern Wards, to the number of 750, on the first day, and those of the Wymer and Mancroft Wards (912) on the following day. Great was the rejoicing ; but it was of short duration. The days of the old Corporations were numbered. Parliament was reformed a little, and the time soon came for the old Corporations to be reformed.
The reformed House of Commons having presented an address to his Majesty praying for the appointment of a Commission to inquire as to the existing state of Municipal Corporations in England and Wales, the King, on July 18th, 1 833, complied with the address by issuing a Commission, and notice was given to the Mayor of Norwich of the intention of the Commissioners appointed to investigate the affairs of the Norwich Corpo- ration. A special meeting of the Corporation was at once convened to
VOL. II. D D
402 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
consider the course to be pursued, and the assembly determined to submit to the inquiry, so far as regarded the production by the Corporate officers of all u charters, books, deeds, accounts, papers, and muniments of title," but at the same time protested against the Commission as illegal and unconstitutional, and against the right of the Commissioners to make any inquiry whatsoever. As may be supposed, the dominant party in the city did not like it, and the Sheriffs especially protested against it. They declined to attend at the proposed inquiry, or to recognise the authority of the Commissioners by any act ; and addressed a letter to that effect to the Commissioners, signing their names, W. J. Utten-Browne and Edward Steward, Sheriffs of Norwich. Of course the Commissioners were not very pleased at this very ostentatious opposition to their authority, and in the course of their inquiry showed an evident hostility to the predominant Tory party. Witnesses were allowed to make statements reflecting on the characters of the living and the dead, and every facility was afforded for the gratification of political or perhaps of private revenge. This soon appeared from the evidence given and soon afterwards published. The inquiry was conducted by George Ling, Esq., and John Buckle, Esq., and commenced on November 25th, 1 833, at the Guildhall. Nearly all the city officials were examined. Many influential gentlemen gave evidence, including the late J. J. Gurney, Esq., Alderman Bolingbroke, Sir S. Bignold, Alderman Newton, the late E. Willett, Esq., the late Mr. Wilde, agent for the Liberal party, and many others. Strange statements were made as to the effects of party spirit in the city ; evidence was given of the influence of party spirit in the distribution of patronage, in election appointments and employments, and also in admissions to freedom. It was proved that the police were very inefficient and often refused to act in cases of riot. Evidence was given that large sums of money had been expended in bribery at ward elections. It was proved that the system of cooping had been carried on to a great extent in these ward contests. Voters had been frequently taken away by force a dozen miles, locked up in public- houses, half starved in them, and otherwise ill-treated. This system was carried on by both parties. The worst proceedings of this sort seem to have occurred at the election of Alderman Angell and Alderman Spring- field, when there was a vast amount of bribery, treating, and cooping. Mr. Wilde said he stood openly in the Market and bought votes, shop- keepers as well as freemen. Indeed, every witness admitted it, and nobody denied it.
After the prolonged inquiry, a special meeting of the Corporate body was held on January 9th, 1834, to determine what should be done in con- sequence of the course pursued by the Commissioners. A great deal of indignation was expressed, and resolutions were passed strongly protesting
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 403
against the whole inquiry. A committee was appointed to devise means for protecting the charters, rights, and privileges of the Corpora- tion. But all this opposition proved to be of no avail, and the Municipal Reform Act came into operation in 1835.
In the second session of the new Parliament (1834), a Poor Law Bill was passed which swept away the old system of granting relief to paupers; nor was the change made any too soon, for the poor rate had grown to an annual charge of more than £7,000,000. By the new Bill, out-door relief was nearly stopped ; the inmates of poor houses classified, husbands and wives being separated from each other and from their children ; smaller parishes formed into Unions, with a central house common to the Union ; and the local overseers kept up to their duties by a central Board of Com- missioners in London.
As may be supposed, this measure caused a great change and a great commotion amongst the poor in the Eastern Counties, and the cost of maintaining paupers was much diminished. Great opposition was made to some parts of the plan, and especially to the separation of the sexes in the Workhouses, and to the restrictions on out-door relief. In some towns these restrictions were modified, but they were generally enforced in rural parishes. In Norwich and other towns the out-door relief system was continued, the Workhouses not being large enough for the number of paupers.
Dissension in the Cabinet induced the King late in the year 1834 to require the resignation of Ministers, and Sir Robert Peel became Premier, with Lord Lyndhurst, Chancellor ; the Duke of Wellington, Foreign Secretary ; Mr. Goulburn, Home Secretary ; and Lord Aberdeen, War Secretary. This led to a dissolution and the summoning of a fresh Parliament, when party contests took place all over the Eastern Counties, and in all other counties. There was still an overwhelming Whig majority in the House of Commons.
In January, 1835, the number of registered voters was 1018 in Norwich. Sir James Scarlett, who had represented the city in Parliament from 1832 to 1834, on being made Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer, was raised to the peerage by the title of Baron Abinger of Abinger in the County of Surrey and of the city of Norwich. He took for his motto " Stat viritus suis," and on application to the Corporation, was permitted to use the two angels, supporters to the city arms, as supporters to his own. There was a very severe contest for the representation of the city, but the Conservatives again triumphed. The poll closed as follows : — Viscount Stormont (C), 1892; Hon. R. C. Scarlett (C), 19G2 ; Hon. E. V. Harbord (L.), 1572; F. O. Martin (L.), 1582.
In January, 1835, the election came on for Yarmouth, and was again
404 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
contested, the Conservatives being this time victorious. The poll closed as follows :— Thomas Baring (C), 772; W. M. Praed (C), 768; Hon. George Anson (L.), 680 ; C. E. Rumbold (L.), 675.
The same year and same month, at Lynn, the following was the result : — Lord George Bentinck (C), 531 ; Sir S. Canning (C), 416 ; Sir J. Scott Lillie (L.), 238.
In January, 1835, the farce of an election was performed at Thetford. Earl Euston (supposed to-be Liberal) and Francis Baring (a Conservative) were returned.
In January, 1835, the election came on for East Norfolk, when there was a contest between the Liberals and Conservatives, with the following result :— Edmund Wodehouse (C), 3482; Lord Walpole (C), 3196; W. Howe Windham (L.), 3076 ; Richard H. Gurney (L.), 2866. The Conservatives were triumphant this time, and Edmund Wodehouse continued to be member till 1852. He was one of the old Tory school, and highly esteemed by his friends in Norfolk. He always advocated the Corn Laws and protection to agriculture.
In January this year (1835) there was a contest for the representation of West Norfolk, where the influence of the late Earl of Leicester was predominant. The poll closed as follows : — Sir W. J. H. Ffolkes, Bart. (L.), 2299 ; Sir Jacob Astley (L.), 2134 ; William Bagge (C), 1880. The Liberals were triumphant ; but in subsequent elections Mr. Bagge headed the poll. He was one of the old Tory school, and a Protectionist. The Tories still prevailed in West Norfolk, and especially in the Fen district.
In January, 1835, an election took place for East Suffolk with the following result:— Lord Henniker (C), 2452; Sir E. B. Vere (C), 2321; Robert N. Shaw (L.), 2029. The two highest were returned.
Same month an election came on for West Suffolk. The poll closed as follows :— Henry Wilson (L.), 1832; Robert Rushbrooke (C), 1655; Hart Logan (C), 1509; J. Turner Hales (L.), 1350.
Same month and year an election took place for Ipswich, when there was a strong contest. The poll closed as follows : — Fitzroy Kelly (C), 557; Robert A. Dundas (C), 555; Rigby Wason (L.), 531; James Morrison (L.), 516. This election having been declared void, another took place in June with the following result : — James Morrison (L.), 545; Rigby Wason (L.), 533 ; Lieutenant-Colonel H. G. Broke (C), 455 ; William Holmes (C), 435. Consequently the Liberal candidates were returned.
Same month and year the election came on for Bury St. Edmund's, when a contest ensued, with the following result : — Earl Jermyn (C), 317; Lord C. Fitzroy (L.), 812 ; C. J. F. Bunbury (L.), 287. Lord Charles Fitzroy being made Vice-Chamberlain, he was re-elected in April,
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 405
and he sat with Earl Jermyn till 1841. Earl Jermyn continued to be member till 1859.
Same month and year there was a contest for the county of Cambridge- shire, and the Conservatives were victorious. The poll closed as follows: — Hon. E. T. Yorke (C.), 3871 j Richard J. Eaton (0.), 3261 j Richard G. Townley (L.), 3070; John W. Childers (L.), 2979. The University returned the former members.
Cambridge borough election was contested with the following result : — Robert Spring Rice (L.), 73(3 ; George Pryme (L.), 693 j N. L. Knight (C), 688. Mr. Rice being appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer in April, he was re-elected.
The fourth session of the new Parliament, 1835, opened with fierce debates, the great measure of the session being the Municipal Act, which broke up the little cliques that had mismanaged the Corporation business of boroughs, and had disposed of their numerous charities after so modest a fashion, that few persons knew what had become of them. The report of the Commissioners showed, that of the charity funds, more than two- thirds went to those persons who belonged to the governing body ; that, in some cases, the funds intended for the general benefit of the towns were devoted partly to private purposes and partly to Corporation feasts. The Bill proposed to terminate these abuses by enlarging the constitu- encies, and securing the popular election of officers. The Bill was passed into law, and all the old Corporations in Norwich, Yarmouth, Lynn, Ipswich, Bury St. Edmund's, and other towns were abolished. The Act brought under its provisions 178 Corporations, settled the boundaries of boroughs, made more effective arrangements for the administration of justice, and committed the police, paving, lighting and other arrangements to the Town Councils. The members were to be elected by the resident householders who had paid rates for three years.
June 16th, 1835. William Moore, Esq., was sworn into office as Mayor of Norwich. This was the last Guild-day under the old Corporation, and it was celebrated with all the customary civic splendour. At the dinner in St. Andrew's Hall, about 800 ladies and gentlemen sat down to a sumptuous repast.
July 14th. A meeting of the freemen was held in St. Andrew's Hall, to petition Parliament to preserve to them and their children the privileges they had so long enjoyed ; but they soon lost their exclusive right of voting for members of the Corporation, and of being paid for their votes.
The Municipal Reform Bill passed on September 8th, and received the Royal assent on the following day.
Sunday, September 27th. The Mayor and Corporation attended Divine service in the Cathedral for the last time under the old charters.
406 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
The Hon. and Very Rev. the Dean (Dr. Pellew) preached the funeral sermon of the old Corporation.
The last meeting of that body was held on December 17th, and a vote of thanks "was passed to the Mayor, William Moore, Esq.
On December 26th, the day fixed by the " Municipal Act, the first election of Councillors took place under the new law. Of course the Liberals had a large majority, and they soon turned out all the old officers of the old Corporation and put in their own partizans. The old Town Clerk, who had only been a year in office, recovered compensation (over £300 yearly) for the rest of his life, and he lived to a good old age.
By the Municipal Act of 1835 the constitution of the Corporation of Lynn wa.s changed. The borough was divided into three wards, and placed under the government of a Town Council, comprising a Mayor, six Aldermen, and eighteen Councillors. By the Municipal Act Lynn was appointed one of the boroughs to have a commission of the peace, con- sisting of the Mayor, the Ex-Mayor, and about a dozen Magistrates. The Court of Quarter Sessions was continued, but the Court of Conscience was superseded by the County Court.
January 1st. T. 0. Springfield, Esq., was chosen the first Mayor of Norwich at the first meeting of the new Corporation. He had been a very active partisan in the Liberal interest, and had spent a great deal of money at ward elections. He was a member of the Council nearly all his long life ; and his influence was very great in promoting the return of candidates of his own party. He always went in to win, and was never scrupulous about the means. On the occasion of his going out of office, a dinner was given to him in St. Andrew's Hall. About 600 sat down to a sumptuous banquet.
The Norwich District of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows was established in 1836. The Unity numbers 420,000 members, the central government being at Manchester. The Norwich district now includes about 7850 members, of whom 2500 are resident in the city. The district is divided into fifty-four lodges, of which fourteen are in the city. The objects are by small weekly payments of sixpence to provide relief in sickness and distress, and burial money at the death of members or their wives. The accumulated capital of the Norwich District exceeds £65,000.
The fourth session of the new Parliament (1836) produced several important measures. Such was the Tithe Commutation Act, which made provision for the final extinction within two years of the right of exacting tithes in kind and for commuting them into a rent charge, payable in money according to the value of corn on an average of the preceding
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 407
seven years. The operation of this Act has been very satisfactory all over the Eastern Counties.
To meet the wishes of Dissenters, a law was passed permitting them to be married in their own chapels ; or, if they regarded marriage merely as a civil contract, they might dispense with every kind of civil ceremony, and enter the bonds of wedlock by making the necessary declaration before the proper officers. By another Act, provision was made for establishing a general registration of births, deaths, and marriages. Regis- trars were appointed in all the towns and districts of the Eastern Counties, and afterwards accurate returns were made.
There was a revival of the anti-slavery agitation throughout the country in 1837. There was a powerful body of humane people to whom the con- templation of the sufferings of the negroes had become habitual, and who required little inducement to recur to such an exciting theme. But there was cause for this display of philanthropy; the slave was still in chains, and was suffering from the lash of the hard-hearted taskmaster. The apprentice system was, in fact, a complete failure. Under these circumstances, it was easy to light up a flame in England. The excite- ment soon extended to Norfolk and Suffolk. Meetings were held in those counties, and petitions got up with the view of hastening the time when the slave should become really free. J. J. Gurney, Esq., of Norwich, attended many of these meetings and denounced the system. Ultimately the agitation caused the passing of two Bills to improve the condition of the negro slaves in the West Indies, but slavery was still allowed to exist.
William IV. died at Windsor, June 20th, 1837, in the 73rd year of his age. His last words to the Primate, almost immediately before his death, were " Believe mo, I am indeed a religious man." With this monarch ended the great Reform era, wherein the middle classes obtained a larger share of political power, but working men were as yet unrepresented in Parliament.
CHAPTEB XXII
NARRATIVE OF EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
Continued— 1837 to 1873.
^\A)f "^ have now arrived at the last period of our history — the first ever cil3-> attempted of the Eastern Counties — and therefore entitled to some indulgence for any errors of omission or commission. The sources of our information are now so various and voluminous that we might extend our narrative into many volumes ; but we can only give a brief sketch of civil, municipal, and political affairs, of industrial, commercial, and religious progress in this eastern part of England. We live in a new social era, the result of the extension of- education and the spread of true religion. We live in an age of intelligence, of newspapers, telegraphs, inventions, and railways ; an age of stirring events and improvements, far beyond any former century. We cannot pretend to notice all the local occurrences in every town in East Anglia, every accident, fire, or crime, or every entertainment. We have to deal with events more connected with general history ; the more remarkable occurrences of a political, civil, or municipal character. There is little to record respecting ecclesiastical affairs, except the Tractarian movement, promoted by many of the clergy who hankered after the old Church, and revived Popish rites and ceremonies to attract ignorant people to deserted churches.
A large majority of the inhabitants of the Eastern Counties belonged as yet to the Church of England, but Nonconformists continued to increase in all the towns, and they became bold enough to advocate the separation of Church and State. The contentions of the two great Protestant parties in England might have been carried on to greater lengths, but for the premature attempted aggressions of the Church of Rome. The former exclusiveness of the clergy of the Establishment was repaid by the fierce hostility of political Dissenters.
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 409
THE REION OP QUEEN VICTORIA — 1837 TO 1873.
The Queen is the only daughter of Edward Duke of Kent, fourth son of George III. She was born at Kensington Palace, May 24th, 1819. She espoused Albert, son of Earnest Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha. Her children are Albert Prince of Wales, Alfred, Arthur, and Leopold ; Victoria, married to Frederick William of Prussia ; Alice, Helena, Louise, and Beatrice. Queen Victoria was proclaimed in all the towns in the Eastern Counties in the usual manner amid great rejoicing on June 23rd, 1837.
The dissolution of Parliament, consequent on the demise of the King, took place on Tuesday, July 18th. Preparations for this event had been previously made throughout the country, and we shall briefly record the proceedings of parties in East Norfolk as regards the election of 1837. Although it was generally rumoured that Lord Walpole would not offer himself for a seat in Parliament, the announcement was not publicly made until the last week in June, on the 29th of which month the following address appeared in the provincial journals : —
To the Electors of the Eastern Division of the County of Norfolk.
Gentlemen — His Majesty's death occasioning an early dissolution of Parliament, it becomes necessary for me to explain myself as to the course it is my intention to adopt upon the occurrence of that event.
Unknown to you and in my absence, I was elected your representative • the votes I have given in Parliament, will, I trust, have pioved that your confidence was not misplaced.
Whatever regret it may occasion me, it is but right and decorous to those who have honoured nic with their support, thus early to announce my resignation. The physical debility and ill health under which I am at present labouring preclude me from exerting that energy and application which I feel ought to be shown by every representative in the cause of his constituents. It is but fair in them to require it, it is but a duty in him to perform it.
Allow me therefore, Gentlemen, in a few words to take my leave of you, plainly, sincerely to thank you for your past kindness, to wish every happiness to my native county, every prosperity to the cause of which though a weak, at least I was a sincere supporter.
Believe me, yours gratefully, London, June 22nd, 1837. Walpole.
Coincident in point of time with this avowal of his lordship's intentions, Mr. Edmond Wodehouse and Mr. William Howe Windham severally addressed the electors : —
410 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
To the Freeholders of Hip, Eastern Division of Hip, County of Norfolk.
Gentlemen — As an immediate dissolution of Parliament is no longer doubtful, I bog leave most respectfully to solicit a continuance of that favour which I have now had the happiness to receive at your hands during a period of nearly twenty years. I do indeed fool that no man was ever honoured with a more generous confidence on the part of his constituents than I have been ; and I have always felt, too, that the only way by which I could show that I had appreciated your esteem rightly was by a constant and earnest endeavour to discharge my duty faithfully.
At the last general election I had the honour to be associated in the represen- tation of the county with Lord "YValpole, who from his state of health has signified his intention of withdrawing from your service. If I venture to express my regret at his determination, it will not, I trust, be imputed an act of presumption on my part, but simply a tribute of justice towards a young nobleman of very promising talents, and a mind strongly imbued with that which cannot otherwise be described than as Conservative principles, which, without the slightest dis- respect to any one, Ave believe to be the surest safeguard for the maintenance of the rights and liberties of the constitution.
We have entered on a new reign, under circumstances that cannot fail to excite an intense degree of interest in the breasts of every one who reflects on the future destinies of this country, either as regards our domestic institutions, or our relation with other states.
I can only pledge myself to give whatever may be hereafter submitted to
Parliament tho most dispassionate consideration, and have the honour to subscribe
myself,
Gentlemen, with unfeigned respect,
Your most obliged and faithful servant,
Edmond Wodeiiouse. To Hie Electors of East Norfolk.
Gentlemen — I again offer myself as a candidate for the representation of East Norfolk. My principles have undergone no change. I still believe they are those of a majority of the electors, and if any circumstance can confirm that belief, it will be found in the Liberal expressions of a gracious Queen, educated to respect while she concurs in the improvement of the institutions of the country she is born to govern. It will be found in the relief from the burdens of taxation which the Ministers she has re-appointed have given to the Empire, together with the great, safe, and comprehensive measures they have passed and proposed, to forward the self-government of the people, and to establish civil and religious freedom. To these ministers, should I be returned, I bog to say I shall give my independent aid — independent because, while I make this general assurance, I will not pledge myself to a blind adherence to any set of men, to the exclusion of that judgment which it behoves every honest representative to exert. I have the honour to be,
Your most faithful and obedient servant,
W, H. Windham.
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 411
Hopes appear to have been entertained by the Whig party that no attempt would be made by the Conservatives to fill up the vacancy occasioned by Lord Walpole's retirement, although it would be difficult to comprehend upon what grounds such hopes or expectations could have been founded. The strength of the Conservatives in this Division of the county had been manifested by their having been able, in the absence of Lord Walpole, to return him as the colleague of Mr. Edmund Wodehouse, in 1835; nor could the recollection of the tactics of the Liberal party towards that long-tried and highly-respected representative be put out of mind. And independently of this, the talk of compromise in times like these would have been out of season.
Heavy blows and great discouragement to Protestant interests in Ireland had been complacently acknowledged as not incompatible with the duties of the Protestant Prime Minister of the Crown ; a system of policy revolting to English feelings had of late unfortunately characterised the Government, and the Conservatives would justly have been subjected to the reproach of flying from their posts in the hour of danger, had they connived at any step which would have given a single support to the Ministerial ranks in the House of Commons. As soon, therefore, as it was known that Lord Walpole had withdrawn, immediate measures were taken to find a new colleague for Mr. Wodehouse, and the attention of the leading individuals in the Conservative interest was turned to Mr. Henry Negus Burroughes, of Burlingham. A meeting was held in Norwich on Saturday, the 29th, at which Sir Jacob Preston presided. Lord Walpole's letter announcing his intention not to offer himself again having been read, a requisition was agreed to and signed, addressed to Mr. Edmond Wodehouse and Mr. Burroughes, requesting them to offer themselves as candidates for the Eastern Division ; and a general meeting of the Conservatives was called for the following Saturday. Notwith- standing the announcement from authority, that .if this meeting took effect, Mr. Richard Hanbury Gurney would come heart and soul into the field of contest as the colleague of Mr. Windham, the Conservatives did assemble in large numbers. Sir Jacob Preston again took the chair, and on the motion of John Sfcracey, Esq., seconded by Thomas Turner, Esq., it was resolved —
"That Edmond Wodehouse, Esq., by his constant attention to the business of Parliament, and his consistent support of Conservative measures, has most justly acquired and therefore deserves the confidence of the electors of the Eastern Division of Norfolk.
"That Henry Negus Burroughes, Esq., by his integrity, independence, and efficient discharge of public duties hitherto undertaken by him, is a most desirable, fit, and proper person to represent the Eastern Division in Parliament.
412 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
" That the most active measures be immediately taken in all parts of the Division to secure the return of Edmond Wodehouse, Esq., and Henry- Negus Burroughes, Esq., as members of the ensuing Parliament, and that the Hon. Edward Wodehouse be requested to act as chairman of the Central Committee of Electors."
Within a short space of time from the breaking up of this meeting, Mr. Gurney 's address was in circulation offering himself as a candidate. Mr. Burroughes was in London at this time, but on the Tuesday the following address appeared : —
To the Electors of the Eastern Division of the Count// of Norfolk.
Gentlemen — I have received a copy of resolutions passed at a meeting of the electors of East Norfolk, at the Rampant Horse, Norwich, on Saturday last.
From the flattering terms of those resolutions, added to the number and respect- ability of the signatures affixed to a requisition which was adopted by the same meeting, I can no longer hesitate to come forward in support of the Conservative cause. TJupon the strength of that cause in the ensuing Parliament, I con- scientiously believe, depend the preservation of real liberty in the country, and the maintenance of everything that is valuable in the British constitution.
I shall take the earliest opportunity of commencing a personal canvass, in con- junction with Mr. Edmond Wodehouse, with whom 1 feel proud to be associated
upon this occasion.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient, humble servant,
H. K Burroughes. Harley Street, London, July 3rd, 1837.
On Wednesday Mr. Burroughes arrived in Norwich, and immediately commenced a personal canvass of the electors in company with Mr. Wode- house, visiting, as far as the time would allow, every part of the division. Mr. Windham and Mr. Gurney were also on the alert, and the canvass was pursued on both sides with great vigour and perseverauce. The reception of the Conservative candidates was stated to be highly gratifying, and to give the strongest and best-grounded assurances of success; whilst the Whigs maintained a confident expectation that Mr. Burroughes would not be elected, and that Mr. Wodehouse was far from being safe. Nay, it was even said that in power and popularity Mr. Windham and Mr. Gurney were almost universally believed to have it hollow. The several candidates had hitherto appealed to the electors separately, but the following joint addresses subsequently made their appearance : —
To the Electors of the Eastern Division of the County of Norfolk.
Gentlemen — From the moment that we had the honour to address you separately, we have been incessantly engaged in canvassing jointly for the promo- tion of our common cause.
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTUKY. 413
We having found during our progress sue1! unabated zeal, and such unhesitating assurances of support, that we should he -wanting in our duty towards you if we did not assert, in the strongest terms, our increasing confidence of success.
As the day of election draws nigh, the present perhaps is the only opportunity that may be afforded us of setting before you a short explanation of the principles on which we ask your favour.
We entirely disclaim all idea of causing any unnecessary embarrassment to the councils of her Majesty, and it is indeed incumbent on us to make this declaration because, partaking as we do in common with every subject throughout the empire in the ardent hope that it may be her Majesty's happy lot to reign for years in peace, rejoicing in the affection of a loyal and thriving people, we cannot disguise our want of confidence in her Majesty's present ministers, &c, for reasons which we are convinced will be intelligible. We do not speak with a view to their immediate removal from oifice ; but we are apprehensive that the unrestrained exercise of their policy must ultimately prove to be dangerous alike both to the throne and the people, if not placed above the temptation of seeking aid from men who do not scruple to look to other means for carrying their ends into effect than those which emanate from and rest upon the balanced powers of the con- stitution. On the preservation of that balance we submit to you that the stability of the British Monarchy essentially depends. We are heartily attached to the Church, being persuaded that, though like all other human institutions, liable to abuse, it is, and we trust it ever will be, the most efficient instrument for diffusing true religion. We sincerely desire to move in the spirit of conciliation towards all who conscientiously dissent from the Church establishment, and would gladly pursue that course as far as the safety of the establishment will admit ; but believing as we do that there is not, at this time of day in any shape, any very grievous burden of intolerance, Ave will not consent to any proposition of Church Keforrn which involves the degradation of her ministers, and repudiate from our hearts the flimsy substitute of a voluntary principle in lieu of the observance of those sacred ordinances which from our childhood we have been accustomed to revere.
With regard to the government of Ireland, we do, indeed, lament the con- tinuance of those unhappy feuds by which the mutual and reciprocal advantages of the Union arc so perversely delayed. Justice, it is said, must be done to all ; and who is there within her Majesty's dominions that is prepared to deny it ? We say, let justice be done ; but let it be the spirit, and not the semblance, of justice. Justice, not as it comes from the organ of a faction, or as the watch-word of a party ; but as it ought to come, from the dispassionate wisdom of an enlightened Legislature, calmly and seriously addressing itself t<> the consideration of the real circumstances, the real interests, and real condition of that country for which it is called tipon to decide.
The limits of an address necessarily preclude us from adverting to many other topics, but we cannot conclude without referring more especially to the subject of agriculture, in which our native county has been so long pre-eminent. When
414 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
wo tender to you our assurance that we will to the utmost of our power uphold it, we are prepared to contend that such a course is not detrimental to the welfare of any other interest.
You will feel that this pointed allusion to it is on our part strictly right, when you turn your thoughts to the many visionary schemes which have been repeatedly and very recently brought forward, in utter forgetfulness of the distresses from which the occupiers of land can hardly be said to have escaped, and into which, with increased severity, they may too soon relapse.
We have already detained you too long, and Ave will therefore simply entreat you to continue your kind exertions in our favour.
We shall strive to pay our personal respects everywhere, and
We have the honour to subscribe ourselves, Gentlemen, Your ever obliged and faithful Servants,
Edmond Wodehouse. ii. n. burrougiies. Yarmouth, July 13th, 1837.
To the Electors of East Norfolk.
Gentlemen — We have to express our deep obligation to our friends in East Norfolk for the firm and decided support they have already given us, and earnestly entreat a continuance of their exertions In our favour.
Opposed as the House of Lords has been to the measures of the Ministers and the votes of the House of Commons, we consider that to support her Majesty's Government is the only way to bring these divisons to an end, and to advantage to the nation.
The positive declaration of Ministers that they are opposed to organic changes, is a sufficient warrant that the Constitution is safe in their hands.
We will yield in none to solid regard to the Church of England, but in the conviction that the interests of religion and of the Establishment are best pro- moted by respecting the rights of others, we shall endeavour to give all just and practicable relief to the great body of Dissenters.
The rights of Englishmen arc the rights of Irishmen. Justice is of no country, nor of no faction. We hold the claim of the Irish to be placed on the same footing with the inhabitants of Great Britain to be indisputable, and it is our firm intention to weigh all measures that shall be proposed, and decide our course in this spirit of uprightness.
We will not insult your understanding by any professions of upholding agri- culture. You must be fully aware your interests are ours. To see agriculture flourish, and the cultivators of the soil independent and prosperous, can but be our most anxious desire.
We know not, Gentlemen, how we can add to this plain explanation of our principles, further than to assure you, that should we be returned, we will to the utmost of our ability give effect to the gradual improvement of our institutions,
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTUEY. 415
and the development of the resources of a country blessed with the means of happiness beyond most other kingdoms of the world. We are, Gentlemen,
Your devoted and faithful Servants,
W. H. Windham. Norwich, Tuesday, July 20th, 1837. E. H. Gurnet.
On Saturday, August 5th, tlic nomination took place at tho Skirehall. Mr. Wodehouse and Mr. Burroughes were accompanied into town by an immense cavalcade of their friends and supporters; Mr. Windham dis- pensed with tho usual procession, and Mr. Gurney was prevented by indisposition from being present in Court. The High Sheriff (J. Petre, Esq.) having opened the business, the Hon. William R. Rous proposed, and John Stracey, Esq., seconded the, nomination of Edmond Wodehouse, Esq.; W. E. L. Bulwer, Esq., and Sir William Beauchamp Proctor nomi- nated William Howe Windham, Esq.; Captain the Hon. Edward Wode- house and Sir Jacob Preston proposed Henry Negus Burroughes, Esq ; and Richard Hanbury Gurney, Esq., was nominated by J. P. Boileau, Esq., and H. R. Upcher, Esq. The three candidates present having addressed the electors, tho High Sheriff took a show of hands, which being in favour of Mr. Windham and Mr. Burroughes, a poll was demanded by Mr. Bulwer and Mr. Boileau for Mr. Wodehouse and Mr. Gurney. On the Tuesday following, the polling took place at the appointed districts, at which the High Sheriff and his deputies attended, viz., at North Walsham, the High Sheriff ; at Norwich, Mr. Wyuier, Under Sheriff; at Recpham, Mr. II. Keppel ; at Long Stratton, Mr. George Elward Simpson; at Yarmouth, Mr. Jonathan Townley.
At the close of the first day's poll the numbers, as announced by the Conservatives, were —
Wo.
Norwich 1100 .
Reepham 317
Long Stratton 673
North Walsham G83 .
Yarmouth 697
|
B. |
Wi. |
G. |
|
1056 .. |
918 |
850 |
|
317 .. |
353 |
.. 327 |
|
650 .. |
602 |
.. 619 |
|
645 .. |
621 |
561 |
|
689 .. |
. 59.") |
562 |
3470 .... 3357 ... 3182 ... 2922
In the course of the evening, Mr. Windham and Mr. Gurney resigned the contest ; the books, however, were opened during the following day, and the number of votes added was —
416 HISTOEY OP EASTERN ENQLAND.
Wo. 15. Wi. G.
Norwich 55 ... 54 ... 25
Jtecpham 14 ... 7 ... 3
LongStratton 27 ... 28 ... 9
North Walsliam 43 ... 43 ... 7
Yarmouth 38 ... 36 ... 5
21 3 9 6 3
179 168 49 42
On Friday, the official declaration of numbers was made in open Court by the High Sheriff. For Edmond Wodehouse, Esq., 3645 ; Henry Negus Burroughes, Esq., 3523 ; William Howe Windham, Esq., 3237 ; Richard Hanbury Gurney, Esq., 2978. Mr. Wodehouse and Mr. Burroughes having been declared the representatives to serve in Parliament for the Eastern Division of Norfolk, they returned their thanks and received the congratulations of their friends. The chairing of the members presented a most brilliant spectacle, and the ball at the Assembly Rooms was attended by upwards of 400 ladies and gentlemen of the county and city.
It may be mentioned as a remarkable coincidence, that Mr. Burroughes, the newly-elected M.P. for East Suffolk, served the office of High Sheriff in 1817, and was consequently returning officer when his present colleague, Mr. Edmond Wodehouse, first contested the county, and was so triumph- antly returned in opposition to the Whig candidate, Mr. Pratt.
Subsequent to the election, the following addresses appeared : —
To the Electors of Ead Norfolk.
Gentlemen — We beg to render you our most grateful thanks for all those numberless acts of kindness through which the struggle has been brought so gloriously to an end.
The battle is over, and Ave have Avon the victory. Our earnest desire is that this great triumph of political principle may be entirely divested of all private animosity ; and Avith an ardent hope that Ave may not be hereafter found uiiAvorthy of that confidence Avhich you have so generously reposed in us. We remain, Gentlemen,
Your very obliged and faithful Servants,
Edmond Wodehouse, B. N. Burroughes.
To the Electors of East Norfolk.
Gentlemen — The majority against us on the first day's poll being 170, which precluded any fair expectation of our ultimate success, avc thought it right, in justice both to our friends and our opponents, at once to withdraw from the contest. We are happy to say it has been carried on Avithout personal animosity, and Ave complain of nothing but the dangerous and disgraceful use made of the
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 417
new Poor Law to our disadvantage by those partisans who in private support it not only in opinion but in practice. To those friends from whom we have received so warm and zealous a support, we cannot adequately express our thanks ; but let them be assured we at all times shall feel grateful for their exertions, and shall be most happy to unite with them in any struggle to promote the good government and happiness of the people. "We are, Gentlemen,
Your faithful and obliged Servants, Norwich, August 10th, 1837. Windham and Gurnet.
July 17th. The death of the late King led to a dissolution of Parlia- ment ; and then followed the most severe and costly contest that had ever taken place for the representation of Norwich, bribery, treating, and intimidation being carried on to a most shameful extent ; £40,000 is said to have been spent in the demoralization of the electors. The follow- ing was the result of the election of July 25th, 1837 : — Marquis of Douro (C), 1863; Hon. E. C. Scarlett (C.), 1865; Benjamin Smith (L.), 1843; W. Mountford Nurse (L.), 1831.
A petition was presented against the return of Lord Douro and Mr. Scarlett, and the result was that by arrangement the poll was reduced, Douro, 1842; Smith, 1841 ; Scarlett, 1840; Nurse, 1829. Consequently Lord Douro and Mr. Smith were declared duly elected.
In August, 1837, there was a contest for the representation of West Norfolk. The close of the poll was as follows : — William Bagge (C), 3178; W. Lyde W. Chute (C.), 2877; Sir W.J. H. B. Folkes (L.), 2838; Sir Jacob Astley (L.), 2713.
Same month and year there was a contest at Lynn, and the poll closed as follows : — Lord George Bentinck (C), 469; Sir S. Canning (C), 383; Hon. Major Keppel (L.), 369. The Conservatives were returned.
At Thetford the former members were elected.
The third reformed Parliament assembled on November 15th, 1837, and continued till June 28th, 1841.
Same month and year the former members were returned without opposition for East Suffolk — Lord Henniker and Sir S. B. Vere.
There was a contest in West Suffolk with the following result : — Hart Logan (C), 2217; Colonel R. Rushbrooke (C), 2173; Sir H. E. Banbury (L.), 1560; Henry Wilson (L.), 1505. On the decease of Mr. Logan there was another election in 1888, and Mr. H. S. Waddington was returned.
In August, 1837, there was a strong contest at Yarmouth with the following result :— Charles E. Rumbold (L.), 790 ; William Wilshire (L.), 779; Thomas Baring (C), 699; Charles S. Gambler (C), 686. On Mr.
VOL. II. E E
418 HISTOBY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
Wilshire accepting the Chiltern Hundreds he was again returned in August, 1838.
The representation of Ipswich was also contested in August, 1837, with the following result :— T. Milner Gibson (C.), C01 ; Henry Tufnell (L.), 595 ; Fitzroy Kelly (C.), 593 j Eigby Wason (L.), 593. On petition Mr. Tufnell was declared unduly elected, and Mr. Fitzroy Kelly was returned in 1838, on Mr. Gibson's acceptance of the Chiltern Hundreds. In 1839 another election took place : — Sir T. J. Cochrane (C), 621 ; Thos. Milner Gibson (L.), 615.
North Essex returned two Conservatives without opposition in August —Sir J. T. Tyrrell and C. G. Eound, Esq.
South Essex was contested, but returned two Conservatives : — Thomas William Branston (0.), 2511; George Palmer (C.), 2260; C. E. Branfil (L.), 1550.
Colchester also returned two Conservatives after a contest : — Eichard Sanderson (C), 472; Sir G. H. Smyth, Bart. (C), 435; James Euddell Todd (L.), 306.
Harwich was contested with the following result : — Eight Hon. J. C. Herries (C), 75 ; Captain Alexander Ellice (L.), 75 ; Chris. Thomas Tower (L.), 74 ; Fras. E. Bonham (C), QQ.
The former members were returned for the county of Cambridgeshire and for the University. The borough of Cambridge was contested, and the Liberals were victorious : — Thomas Spring Eice (L.), 690 ; George Pryme (L.), 678 ; J. L. Knight (C), 614 ; Hon. J. H. T. Sutton (C), 599.
Mr. Eice becoming Lord Monteagle, another contest took place in September, 1839 :— Hon. J. H. T. Sutton (C), 716; Milner Gibson (L.) (616). Mr. Sutton being declared unduly elected, another election ensued in May, 1840 :— Sir A. C. Grant (C), 736 ; Thomas Starkie (L.), 651.
January 8rd, 1838. A meeting was held in St. Andrew's Hall to petition Parliament to abolish the apprenticeship of negroes in the colonies. This measure was ultimately carried into effect at a cost of twenty millions sterling !
July 11th. A very numerous meeting of the camlet weavers was held in Norwich, for the purpose of resisting the proposed reduction of wages.
In 1838, trade was in a very dull declining state in Norwich, and some differences arose between masters and men in consequence of a proposed reduction in the rates of payment for work in textile fabrics. This was resisted by the operatives, who appealed to Colonel Harvey to mediate between them, which he consented to do. A meeting was held, and the delegates who had been sent on the part of the weavers to the North to inquire into the state of the camlet trade, reported that they had seen no camlets to compare with those in Norwich. Indeed, the Norwich goods
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 419
wore far superior to any other ; but the North had got the trade, as the men there worked with greater energy for lower wages.
The question remained unsettled, but on August 27th that year, several camlet weavers applied to the city magistrates for protection from the violence of those on strike. Mr. Robberds was willing to give out work, but he would not do so unless his men were protected. The application was granted, and a strong body of police was sent to the premises of Mr. Robberds where the weavers received their work, and they were protected while conveying it to their homes, where they worked with hand-looms. On the Tuesday following the house of a man named Wells was broken open, and his work cut out of the loom. The citizens were much disturbed by these proceedings, which ultimately injured the trade of Norwich.
Mr. Mitchell, a Government Commissioner, held an inquiry in Norwich respecting the depressed condition of the hand-loom weavers, who had now to compete with steam-power looms in St. James's, St. Edmund's, and other factories. According to his report, in 1839 there were in the city and its vicinity 5075 looms, of which 1021 were unemployed; and of tho 4054 looms then at work, there were 3398 in the houses of the weavers, and 650 in shops and factories. Indeed, by far the greater number of the hand-looms belonged to families having only one or two. The operatives at these looms comprised 2211 men, and 1648 women, with 195 children. In that year two silk mills employed 731 hands ; three worstead mills 385 hands, two woollen mills 39 hands, one cotton mill 39 hands, making eight mills employing 1285 persons.
May 18th, 1839. A meeting was held at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, to consider a Bill about to be presented to Parliament for the improvement of the city, and to give the citizens an opportunity of objecting to any of the clauses. On June 19th, this Bill passed into law, but little was done under it in,the way of improvement. A great part of the city remained undrained, and the pavements continued in a bad state.
On August 16th, the Norfolk and Norwich Art Union opened their exhibition of pictures at the Bazaar in St. Andrew's. About 400 pictures were exhibited, some of them of great merit. At subsequent exhibitions, many pictures of local artists were exhibited, including some of tho Cromes, the Ladbrookes, the Stannards, the Cotmans, Hodgson, Stark, Vincent, Downes, Sandys, and others.
The agitation for the repeal of the Corn Laws commenced in 1839, and many petitions against those iniquitous laws were presented to both Houses of Parliament. On February 18th, Lord Brougham moved that these petitions should be referred to a committee of the whole House, and that evidence be heard at the bar, but the motion was negatived. At
420 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
that time oven the Liberals in Norfolk and Suffolk took little interest in the question, and most of the Whigs were in favour of protection to native industry. Many meetings were held in favour of the repeal of the Corn Laws in the subsequent years.
The opening of railways from Liverpool to Manchester, and from both those towns to Birmingham and London, with great success, led to the formation of a railway company to construct lines from London through the Eastern Counties. In 1839, part of the main line was opened from Bishopsgate to Brentwood, and afterwards to Chelmsford, Colchester, and Ipswich, to Harwich. The opening of this line gave great stimulus to the trade of all the towns in Essex.
February 10th, 1840, Queen Victoria's wedding day was kept as a holiday by the loyal citizens of Norwich ; and addresses were adopted to be presented to her Majesty and Prince Albert. The poor of the various parishes were substantially regaled, and they were admitted free to the pit and gallery of the Theatre.
On June 15th, at a meeting in the Guildhall, Norwich, addresses of congratulations were agreed on, to be presented to the Queen and Prince Albert on their happy escape from an attempt at assassination.
There was a large body of Reformers who perceived that the distress which prevailed in the country was due rather to the high price of bread than to defective government, and they therefore originated a movement in 1840 for the repeal of the iniquitous Corn Laws. The Anti-Corn Law League was formed, and commenced an agitation all over England, and it even extended to the Eastern Counties. The most able and eloquent supporters of the league out of Parliament were Messrs. Cobden, Bright, R. R. Moore, and H. T. Atkinson. The landowners and clergy throughout the Eastern Counties were generally in favour of the Corn Laws, or of Protection, as it was called, to native industry. Mr. Balls, of Cambridge, became a very conspicuous advocate of Protection..
July, 1841. Many political meetings were held in Norwich of Tories, Whigs, Radicals, and Chartists. The prospect of a general election kept the city in a state of great excitement. The leaders of the Tories and Whigs wished to prevent a repetition of such scenes as had taken place, by a compromise, which was a most hateful thing to the freemen and the working men generally. An election took place on June 28th, 1841, when the former members were again candidates. No polling took place at this election, but it was rendered memorable in consequence of the Chartists and others being much opposed to the compromise now attempted, and an opposition of some kind was resolved upon. Accord- ingly, after Lord Douro and Mr. Smith had been nominated at the Guild- hall, John Dover, a stalwart Chartist, nominated Mr. William Eagle, a
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 421
barrister at Lakenheath in Suffolk. John Whiting, a £10 occupier, seconded the nomination, and a show of hands was taken, which the Sheriff declared to be in favour of Lord Douro and Mr. Smith. Then Dover demanded a poll for Mr. Eagle, who was not present.
The Under-Sheriff required a guarantee for the expenses, and some delay occurred. Many persons were applied to in this emergency, but declined to give the required guarantee. Dover ultimately withdrew the nomination on receiving £50 from certain parties, as he alleged, for expenses which had been incurred. This soon became known to the crowd of Chartists outside of the Guildhall, and a riot ensued of a serious character. When Dover came out they at once surrounded him, took his money from him, pulled him about, and tore the clothes off his back. He escaped for the time, but on the following day the mob found him again at a public-house in St. George's Colegate, and dragged him thence, threatening to throw him into the river. He was much injured, and would probably have lost his life but for the timely arrival of the police. A petition was subsequently presented by Mr. Duncombe to the House of Commons, signed by 6000 inhabitants of Norwich, complaining of the undue return of Lord Douro and Mr. Smith, but it led to no result, and they sat in the House till the next election.
In July, 1841, came on the election for East Norfolk, when there was no real contest, but Sir W. J. H. B. Folkes was nominated in the Liberal interest in his absence. A poll was demanded and closed as follows : — Edmond Wodehouse (C), 3195; H. N. Burroughes (C), 3434; Sir W. J. H. B. Folkes (L.) 1378.
Same month the former representatives were returned for West Nor- folk, namely, W. Bagge and W. Chute, both Tories of the old school and Protectionists.
In June, 1811, there was a contest for the representation of Yarmouth : William Wilshere (L.), 9 15 ; Charles F. Rumbold (L.), 943 ; Thomas Joseph Somes (C), 494.
Same month and year, Lord G. Bentinck and Sir S. Canning were returned for Lynn. On Sir S. Canning becoming Ambassador at Constantinople, Viscount Jocelyn was elected in February, 1842.
In July, 1841, there was a sham contest at Thetford : — Hon. Wm. B. Baring (C), 80 ; Sir James Flower (C), 71 ; Earl Euston (L.), 71. The latter was declared unduly elected, and Sir J. Flower was returned.
East Suffolk was contested in July, 1841, with the following result : — Lord Henniker (C), 3279; Sir C. B. Vere, (C), 3178; Robert A. S. Adair (L.), 1787. On the decease of Sir C. Vere there was another election in April 1843, and the poll closed thus : — Lord Rcndlesham (C), 2952 ; Robert A. S. Aduir (L.), 1818. West Suffolk was not contested in
422 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
July, 1811. Colonel R. Rushbrooke and H. S. Waddington were returned. On the decease of Colonel Rushbrooke same year, Philip Bonnet, jun., was returned.
Cambridgeshire returned two of the former members, Hon. E. T. Yorke, R. J. Eaton, and J. S. Allex instead of R. G. Townley.
The University returned the two former members, Right Hon. H. Goulburn and Hon. C. E. Law.
The borough of Cambridge was strongly contested, and the poll closed as follows :— Hon. J. H= T. Sutton (C), 758 ; Sir A. C. Grant (C), 722 ; Richard Foster, jun. (L.), 695; Lord C. G. Russell (L.), 65G.
North Essex returned the two former members, Sir J. T. Tyrell, Bart., and C. G. Round, without opposition.
South Essex returned the two former members after a very weak opposition :— T. W. Bramston (C), 2310; George Palmer (C), 2230; R. G. Alston (L.), 583.
Colchester returned the two former members unopposed': — R. Sanderson (C), Sir G. H. Smyth, Bart. (C).
Harwich was contested, and the Conservatives were victorious : — John Attwood (C), 94; Major W. Bercsford (C), 94; John Bagshaw (L.), 83 ; D. Le Marchant (L.), 74.
Maldon was contested, and the two former Conservatives were re-elected:— Quintin Dick (C), 472 ; John Round (C), 436; T. N. Abdy (L.), 413.
Thus, ten Conservatives were returned for the county and towns of Essex, and the party celebrated the event in September, 1841, by a grand banquet under a marquee at Chelmsford. About 3000 electors were present, and the ten representatives, in responding to their healths being drunk, delivered addresses.
The Chartist agitation commenced in 1841, in favour of popular repre- sentation in Parliament, universal suffrage, vote by ballot, &c. Some wags called it, " Universal suffering, and vote by bullet." Chartists were numerous in Norwich, Yarmouth, and other towns in Norfolk, and they held many meetings to promote their objects. The Chartists alleged that the Reform Bill of 1832 was quite a farce as regarded the real represen- tation of the people.
In 1841, a census of the whole population of the United Kingdom was taken, showing a great increase generally, but not in the Eastern Counties. In Essex, the numbers for decennial periods were 227,682 in 1801, 252,473 in 1811, 289,424 in 1821, 317,407 in 1831, 344,979 in 1811, 369,318 in 1851, 404,851 in 1861 ; total increase in sixty years, 177,169. The county of Cambridge contained the following numbers in decennial periods:— 1801,89,346; 1811,101,109; 1821,122,387; 1841,
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTUKY. 423
164,459; 1851, 185,405; 1801, 170,016 — showing a decrease in sixty years of 86,670.
The population of Norfolk in 1841 amounted to 412,661 ; of Suffolk to 315,073 ; total, 727,734 — showing a considerable increase in ten years.
The result as regarded Norwich showed but a small increase of the population, the total number being 62,294, while in 1831 the number was 61,304. The trade in textile manufactures had greatly decreased. The number of hand-loom weavers had much diminished by the competition of steam-power in the various mills in St. James', St. Edmund's, King- street, and other places. An abstract of a census of the Norwich weavers furnished by a report of the Commissioners on hand-loom weavers, published in 1 840, will best show the nature and amount of the fabrics then made by hand. Bombazines employed 1205 workers, of whom 803 were men ; Challis, Yorkshire stuffs, fringes, &c, 1247, of whom 510 were men ; gauzes 500, chiefly women ; princettas 244, nearly all men ; silk shawls 100, of whom 74 were men ; bandanas 158, of whom 86 were men; silk 38, including 10 men; jacquard 30; worsted shawls, 26; woollen and coach lace, 22 each; camletees 20; horsehair cloth 17; lustres 3; sacking 45. Total of weavers, 4054; including 2211 men, 1648 women, 108 boys, 77 girls, and 10 apprentices.
About this time (1842) a movement commenced amongst the clergy, many of them in East Anglia, in favour of Tractarianism or Puseyism, and it was soon exhibited in the imitation of Romanist practices, and in the restoration of mediasval churches. Dr. Pusey, Mr. Newman, and others had published a series of u Tracts for the Times," which were widely circulated, and taught tenets approximating to Popery. Many of the clergy went over to the Church of Rome. Moreover, in the restoration of old churches in Norfolk and Suffolk, the peculiarities of Gothic or mediaeval architecture were very closely imitated, and no new church was regarded as a house of God unless it showed a revival of the old style of Gothic architecture. In some churches the services very much resembled the performances in Roman Catholic chapels. But all this did not escape public notice and opposition. Preachers in the Protestant interest soon denounced the innovations. Lecturers exposed the errors of the Church of Rome, and her insidious attempts to pervert the people.
Meetings of the Norfolk and Norwich Protestant Association were held in St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, and eloquent addresses were delivered advocating the Protestant cause. Subsequently many similar meetings were held in the city. The speakers always raised the cry of " No Popery," meaning no withholding of the Bible from the people ; no worshipping of God in a dead language ; no bowing down before images as helps to devotion ; no divine homage offered to a human being though
424 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
the mother of our Lord ; no prayers to saints ; no priests pretending to offer the sacrifice of Christ continually in the mass ; no polluting con- fessional ; no persecuting inquisition ; no Jesuits, with their hidden works of darkness ; no licenses for doing evil that good may come ; no absolution for the worst of crimes ; no power of priesthoods over courts of law ; no canon law to overrule the statutes' of the realm; no cursing with bell, book, and oandle ; no enforced celibacy ; no nunneries where women are buried alive ; no convents for lazy vicious monks; no masses for the dead; no fictitious purgatory ; no power of priests to forgive sins, &c, &c.
The General Hail Storm Insurance Society was established in 1843, the chief promoter being C. S. Gilman, Esq., of Norwich, and the head office in that city. It soon extended its operations over Norfolk, Suffolk, and many other counties, and it has now agents in most of the principal towns in England. The society has been very successful, has a large paid-up capital, besides its reserve fund, and therefore offers every security that all claims when adjusted will be promptly discharged. It has paid claims at hundreds of places in districts extending over thirty counties. Sir S. Bignold is the Chairman ; C. S. Gilman, Esq., is Secretary, St. Giles' Street, Norwich. The last report for 1869 stated that the business of the past season had been a successful one, that in the midst of great mis- trust in insurance the amount of acreage covered by the year's insurance had exceeded by many thousands of acres the quantity ever before insured by the society. The number of policies issued was 66,854 up to the end of 1869.
At the opening of the year 1843 the state of the country was such as to cause great anxiety. In agriculture, manufactures, and every branch of industry there was great depression, and was by some attributed to the working of the new tariff, which removed many restrictions on trade ; by others to the operation of the Corn Laws. This depression was felt all over the Eastern Counties. All the farmers complained of great distress. Lord Howick in Parliament moved for a committee of enquiry into the state of the country, but the motion was negatived.
August 9th, 1843, a dreadful storm of hail, rain, wind, thunder, and lightning passed over Norwich and Norfolk, and did immense damage to property, especially to the growing crops just before harvest. Parochial subscriptions were raised to the amount of £5622, and private subscrip- tions £4391, towards compensating the sufferers for their losses. An immense number of windows were broken by hail in the city, and many places were flooded. All the low ground in the vale of Thorpe was under, water for several days.
After the commencement of the railway system, the merchants of Ipswich, Norwich, and other towns in the Eastern Counties felt that they
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 425
must be placed on an equality with other towns in Ike kingdom. Various lines wore projected, Acts of Parliament were obtained; and the Eastern Counties line from London to Colchester, the Eastern Union from Colchester to Ipswich, and thence to Norwich ; the Norfolk line from Yarmouth to Norwich, and theuce to London; and the East Anglian lines in West Norfolk were made and opened. In a short time nearly the whole carrying trade of the district was transferred to those railways.
The Norfolk railway was first opened in 1844 from Yarmouth to Norwich as a single line, and afterwards from Norwich to Brandon, simultaneously with the Eastern Counties line, from London to Cam- bridge, and from thence to Ely in 1845. This soon caused an entire change in the carrying trade of the district. Goods that prior to the opening of the line were sent from and to all places by the old roads were transferred to the railway. When the branch lines were opened from Lowestoft to Beccles and Reedhain, and from Wymondham to Dereham, Fakenham, and Wells, there was a still greater diversion of the traffic.
Sir Morton Peto, who was the contractor for the Norfolk line, and some of his friends formed a company with a capital of £200,000, after- wards doubled, made a branch line from Reedham to Lowestoft, and formed a new harbour at that port, enclosing an area of eighteen acres between vast piers 1400 feet in length. If the new harbour had been merely an extension of the original plan, by carrying the piers then existing further out into the sea, a large amount of money would have been saved, now buried in the sand, but a much wider harbour was formed by the engineers, and it never had a sufficient depth of water over the whole area. New piers had to be constructed between the main piers so as to keep up a sufficient depth of water between the outer and inner harbours. Since the commencement of the undertaking by the Norwich Company, which lost £150,000, the new company had expended £400,000 prior to 1846 on the harbour and railway works. What then has been the return for all this outlay? What advantages have accrued from the harbour and railway, and how have they tended to promote the prosperity of the district? The answer is very satisfactory. The harbour of refuge since its construction has afforded shelter to thousands of vessels which woulok otherwise have been lost. The vast utility of the harbour can only be appreciated by those acquainted with the terrors of a north-easterly gale with a lee shore. The favourable situation of the port relative to places on the opposite coast, the freedom of the route from dangerous shoals, the use of machinery in lading and unlading vessels, and the railway connection to all parts of Norfolk and Suffolk, were all circumstances
426 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
conducive to a flourishing trade. Since 1845 the imports of goods and exports of corn have rapidly increased ; the size of the vessels increased from 100 to 700 tons floating in the harbour ; the number of vessels entering it for trade has been trebled.
The Norwich traders were never satisfied with the Norfolk Railway as a means of conveying their goods. They considered the station at Thorpe to be badly situated, and at an inconvenient distance, and the cartage of goods to and from it was- expensive. They thought the Norfolk line too circuitous to London, and that their trade would be injured if they did not obtain a more direct line. Therefore, they promoted an extension of the Eastern Union line from Ipswich to Norwich. That extension was at length formed, and opened for traffic with a station in St. Stephen's, called the Victoria Station.
The opening of the railway from Norwich to Ipswich, and thence to Bury St. Edmund's, was proved to be a great advantage to the inhabitants of Norfolk and Suffolk, and especially to the traders, by affording them a direct means of transit between all the towns in the district and also to London. The advantages of the line have not however been so great as some merchants expected, chiefly because a sufficient number of trains have not been run on the line at proper times. The traffic on the Eastern Union line from Norwich to Ipswich has been much less than any other line of equal length in the Eastern Counties, the district being almost entirely agricultural.
The Norfolk main line was not laid out so much with a view to the through traffic from any town to London as to catch the traffic from the city and county to the Midland and Northern Counties, by way of Ely and Peterborough. This object was completely attained, greatly to the advantage of the city and county. The greater part of the trade of Norwich and Norfolk is to and from the North of England. On the opening of the East Suffolk line from Southtown to Ipswich, it took nearly all of the through traffic from Yarmouth to London, and greatly relieved the Norfolk line.
Since the opening of the East Suffolk Hue in 1851, from Southtown to Ipswich, the traffic of that side of the county has been more fully developed, and trade has generally increased in the intermediate towns of Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth, and Woodbridge. The Wavcney Valley line connects the East Suffolk with the main line to Ipswich, giving access to Bungay, a busy market town, doing a large trade in corn, malt, coal, &c. There are maltstries, flour mills, lime kilns, paper mills, and large printing offices, all contributing to the prosperity of the place.
About the year 1845, the Corporation of Norwich, aided by the city
EVENTS IN T1IE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 427
merchants, made a most determined effort to improve the navigation to Yarmouth. A large subscription was raised for this purpose, many meetings were held, a committee was appointed, and Mr. Cockburn Curtis, the engineer, was engaged to make a survey of the River Yare, and to prepare plans. He did so, and his plans were approved by the citizens generally, but the Corporation of Yarmouth gave notice of a strong opposition. Application was made to Parliament for a Bill giving the Corporation of Norwich jurisdiction over the river down to the mouth of the haven of Yarmouth.
The Bill was opposed by most of the landowners in the valley of the Yare ; also by the men of Yarmouth, and lost. The Norwich Corporation were defeated after an expenditure of some thousands of pounds. But afterwards some improvements were effected by the Haven and Pier Commissioners. The river was widened at Yarmouth, and a new bridge built over it, at a cost of £40,000. The river was deepened over Breydon to 7 feet 1 inch at low water.
In May, 1845, a dreadful accident occurred at Yarmouth by the fall of a bridge covered with people across the Bure. On a hue afternoon a crowd of people collected on the old Suspension Bridge to see a clown named Nelson sailing on the river in a tub drawn by four geese. The weight of the people being all on side of the bridge, the chains on that side broke. The bridge fell, and the people were thrown into the water. About eighty persons were drowned, and their bodies were taken out of the water and identified. This sad accident caused much mourning in the town for drowned relatives.
This year, the Norfolk and Norwich Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Auimals was established in connection with the Royal Society in. London. J. PI. Gurney, Esq., was the chief promoter. The society has been supported by voluntary subscriptions, and it has been useful in causing punishment for acts of cruelty to animals. Many offenders have been brought before the magistrates and fined.
The Norfolk and Norwich Archaeological Society was established in the same year for the encouragement of researches into the early arts and muniments of the county. Since then the. members have made many excursions to different places, and explored the remains of antiquity.
The general agitation for the repeal of the Corn Laws extended to the Eastern district in 1845. Many meetings were held in Norwich, Norfolk, and Suffolk, by those of the Liberal persuasion, in favour of Free Trade. Mr. Cobden, Mr. Bright, Mr. R. R. Moore, Mr. H. T. Atkinson and other orators, attended some of these meetings and delivered very eloquent speeches against the Corn Laws. On one occasion the late Mr. Haruond
428 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
of Westacre was present at a meeting in St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, and after the speeches of several gentlemen he defended the Corn Laws and expressed Protectionist sentiments. Mr. Ball of Cambridge followed, and opposed Free Trade, which he feared would lead to unlimited importa- tions of foreign corn and to the ruin of the farmers. Mr. Cobden, who was present, replied, and asked the vast assembly of working men whether they feared a superabundance of foreign corn, or whether they were afraid that bread would become too cheap. They answered with one voice, No ! and carried resolutions in favour of the repeal of the accursed Corn Laws.
Many pro-Corn Law meetings were held in Norwich and Norfolk. Mr. Ferrand attended a great meeting at Aylsham. Lord George Bentinck, Mr. Disraeli, Lord Orford, and others who attended a great meeting at Lynn, were in favour of the Corn Laws. But these meetings were all in vain. The Corn Laws were first modified, and then repealed altogether, though not till the measure seemed to be an absolute necessity on account of the scarcity of food and the famine in Ireland. Most of the landowners in Norfolk and Suffolk, and indeed in all other counties, opposed Free Trade to the very last. They maintained their iniquitous monopoly in the face of starving multitudes, and a threatened rebellion in Ireland. The clergy with few exceptions supported the landowners in their monopoly.
The commencement of 1846 was marked by great activity among all classes on the subject of the Corn Laws. The agents of the anti-Corn Law League were active everywhere, even in the Eastern Counties, then the strongholds of Protection. Meetings were held in every county, and converts to the Free Trade doctrines were made daily, even amongst farmers. Even they began to think that their interests were deeply concerned in the question. Coming events soon cast their broad shadows before, and the failure of the potatoe crop made the speedy abolition of the corn monopoly a necessity of state.
In January, 1846, Sir Robert Peel introduced a Bill into Parliament by which buckwheat and Indian corn were at once to be admitted into our ports free of duty. Notwithstanding the vehement opposition of the Protectionists, including all the Tory party, the Bill passed both Houses by considerable majorities. This was only the commencement of Free Trade, which caused much alarm amongst agriculturists in the Eastern Counties.
About the year 1846 the high poor rates in Norwich became the subject of complaint and discussion. A good deal of alarm was created in the city and county in consequence of the proposal of Sir Robert Peel, the Prime Minister, to alter the law of settlement, so that all persons who had resided five years in any place should have a permanent settlement there. As many families belonging to the county parishes were then
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 429
resident in Norwich, it was feared that they would become chargeable to the city, and be a permanent burden on the ratepayers. This apprehension proved to be well founded, for after the passing of the Poor Removal Act, hundreds of county families did become chargeable to the city.
Many meetings of the guardians and of the citizens were held to consider the question, and petitions to Parliament were adopted and presented against the Removal Bill, and in favour of a national rate ; but the Removal Bill was ultimately passed into a law. The consequence was that about 1500 families belonging to county parishes, who had lived five years in the city, obtained a settlement in it, and most of them soon applied for relief. This greatly increased the expenditure for the relief of the poor. The operation of the act was to throw the expense of the maintenance of such persons on the city at an estimated cost of £5000 yearly.
On March 23rd, 1847, a meeting of the city operatives was held in St. Andrew's Hall, for the purpose of petitioning Parliament to abolish the law of settlement then in operation, and to establish a national poor-rate. A petition was adopted. Afterwards several public meetings were held in favour of a national rate. During the same year, also, an association was formed in London, having the same object in view ; and eventually the movement resulted in the passing of an Act of Parliament by which a union poor-rate was established in every county in England. This was proved to be a vast improvement on the old system, and a great advance in the direction of a national rate, but still the poor-rate is levied on real property only. The most equitable system would be for everj man to pay according to his ability, whether he be' a landowner, ahouseowner, a shipowner, a freeholder, or an artizan.
The fourth Reformed Parliament assembled on August 19th, 181-1, and was dissolved on July 23rd, 1847. Another election took place in Norwich on July 29th, that year. A very great effort was made at this election by a large number of influential gentlemen to break down the compromise which had been entered into in 1841; and, though not successful, it proved the difficulty of maintaining such an arrangement in a large constituency. Mr. Parry, a barrister of the Home Circuit, was nominated by the Radicals, and the result was as follows : — Samuel Morton Peto (L.), 2448 ; Marquis of Douro (C), 1727; John Humfreys Parry (L.), 1571. The two former were declared duly elected.
Mr. Parry was very popular in the city. He was a politician of the most advanced Radical opinions, very eloquent, and he often addressed the citizens at open-air and other meetings in Chapel Field and elsewhere. He promised that he would advocate all that Roman Catholics asked for.
In August, 1847, Edmond Wodehouse and Henry N. Burroughes,
430 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Esqs., were re-elected representatives for East Norfolk without opposition. Same year and same month, there was a contest for the representation of West Norfolk, Mr. A. Hamond, of Westacre, having come forward in the Liberal interest against the Hon. E. K. Coke of the same party. The result was as follows : — William Bagge (C), 3113; Hon. E. Coke (L.), 3052; Anthony Hamond (L.), 2935; H. L. S. Le Strange (0.), 267G. Mr. A. Hamond was at that time a Whig Protectionist, but ho became subsequently an advocate of Free Trade.
At Yarmouth, in the same month and year, there was a contest, with plenty of bribery on both sides. The candidates were : — Lord Arthur Lennox (C), 834; Octavius E. Coope (C), 813; C. E. Eumbold (L.), 729 ; F. H. Goldsmid (L.), 698. On petition the election was declared void. Another took place in July, 1848 : — Joseph Sandon (C), 416; C. E. Eumbold (L.), 384 ; B, J. Bagshaw (L.), 300.
At Lynn the former members were returned. On the death of Lord G. Bentinck, the Hon. E. H. Stanley was returned in November, 1848; and he represented the town till 1869.
At Thetford, Earl Euston and the Eight Hon. W. Baring were returned. On Mr. Baring becoming Lord Ashburton, the Hon. Francis Baring was returned in August, 1848.
Same month and year, East Suffolk returned Lord Ecndlesham and Edward S. Gooch. On the decease of the former, Sir Fitzroy Kelly was elected without opposition.
In August, 1847, West Suffolk returned the two former members with- out opposition — H. S. Waddington and P. Bennett, jun.
Ipswich was contested same month and year, with the following result:— John C. Cobbold (C), 829; Hugh Edward Adair (L.), 708; John N. Gladstone (0.), 661 ; Henry Vincent (Chartist), 546. The Chartists were numerous at this time in Ipswich and Norwich.
Bury St. Edmund's was contested, with the following result : — Earl Jermyn (C), 390; E. H. Bunbury (L.), 327; Horace Twiss (C), 264.
Eye was happy in having the services of Sir E. Kerrison, Bart., who has greatly contributed to the welfare of the town.
Cambridgeshire returned three Conservative members without opposi- tion— Hon. E. T. Yorke, E. G. Townley, and Lord G. J. Manners.
The University returned the two former members, but there was a contest, with the following result: — Hon. C. E. Law (C), 1486; Eight Hon. H. Goulburn (C), 1189; Viscount Fielding (C), 1147; John G. S. Lefevre (L.), 860.
The borough of Cambridge was contested, and the poll closed thus : — E. A. S. Adair (L.), 811 ; Hon. W. F. Campbell (L.), 727; Hon. J. H- Sutton (C), 465.
EVENTS IN TIIE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 431
North Essex was contested in August, 1847, with the following result : Sir J. T. Tyrrell, Bart., (C), 2472; Major William Beresford (C), 2334; J. G. Eebow (L.), 1555 ; F. G. F. Harrison (L.), 3G.
South Essex was contested, and the poll closed as follows : — T. W. Bramston (C), 2158; Sir E. N. Buxton (L.), 1727; William Bowyer Smith (C), 1093.
Colchester was contested, with the following numbers at the close of the poll :— Sir G. H. Smyth, Bart. (C), 678; J. A. Hardcastle (L.), 595; Richard Sanderson (C), 531.
Harwich was contested in August, 1847, and the poll closed as follows : John Bagshaw (L.), 213; John Attwood (C), 184; William Knight, (C), 65 : Sir Dudley Hill (C), 2.
Maldon was also contested, and the Liberals were victorious. David Waddington (L.), 461 ; T. B. Linnard (L.), 443 ; Quintin Dick (C), 429. Thus it appears that in the Eastern Counties all the towns were contested with some gain to the Liberals in 1847.
In the autumn of 1848, the Royal Agricultural Society of England held a meeting in Norwich. The show of stock and implements took place in a large field near the Newmarket Road, and attracted thousands of visitors for several days. The exhibition was the largest ever known in the Eastern Counties. The trials of implements took place on land near the city. The members of the society and their friends dined together in St. Andrew's Hall on two occasions, and after the dinners eloquent addresses were delivered on the objects and advantages of the society.
The late Professor Sedgwick gave a long account of the drainage of the Fens, showing the great extent to which the land had been increased in value.
The Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and Natural History was estab- lished in 1848. The object of the institution is to collect and publish information on the Archceology and Natural History of the district ; to form a Museum and Library of Antiquities and Natural History, to be kept for ever at Bury St. Edmund's, and also a Gallery of Art ; to procure careful observation and preservation of antiquities, fossils, and other objects discovered in the progress of public works, such as railways, foundations of buildings, &c. ; to encourage persons or public bodies in making researches or examinations, and to afford them suggestions and co-operation ; to oppose and prevent as far as may be practicable any injuries to ancient monuments, and to collect accurate drawings, plans, and descriptions thereof. A society was much required to investigate the antiquities of the county, which has been almost without a history.
432 HfSTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
THE STANFIELD TRAGEDY.
Late on the night of November 28th, 1848, the City of Norwich was startled by the intelligence of the murder of Isaac Jermy, Esq., the Recorder of Norwich, and his son. His son's wife (Mrs. Jermy Jermy) and her servant Eliza Chastney were also fired at and wounded by the same murderous hand. The first news of these murders and attempted murders excited universal horror. They appeared to be so inhuman that public feeling was wrought up to the highest pitch, and all the reports published in the newspapers were read with the greatest avidity. James Blomfield Rush, a farmer residing at Potash Farm, near Wymondham, and a tenant under Mr. Jermy, was at once suspected and apprehended. Mr. Jermy, with his wife and family, lived at a mansion called Stanfield Hall, near Wymondham. He was a descendant of the Preston family, which originally came from the village of Preston, in the Hundred of Babergh, Suffolk, and settled at Beeston St. Lawrence, in the Hundred of Tunstead, in Norfolk. In 1837 the Rev. G. Preston died, leaving his son, the Recorder, heir to Stanfield and his other entailed property. The Recorder before his father's death was called Mr. Preston ; but soon after that event he took the name of Jermy, in compliance with the will of Mr. William Jermy, from whom the property descended. He was a county magistrate, and one of the chairmen at Quarter Sessions, also a director of the Norwich Union Insurance Office. •
Rush was a tenant of Mr. Jermy, and lived at a farm-house near Stan- field Hall. Some disputes arose between them about money matters, Rush being in debt to his landlord, who had lent him £3750 on mortgage. Rush held three farms, and in October, 1847, he was in arrear of rent for the Stanfield Farm, and the Recorder put in some distresses. Rush being ejected, went to live at Potash Farm-house. Mr. Jermy also brought an action against him for breach of covenants. This action was tried at the March Assizes, 1848, and it, as well as the previous distresses, no doubt excited Rush to meditate revenge. He appears for some time to have resolved on the murder of Mr. Jermy and his whole family, and to get possession of their property.
He brought a young woman, named Emily Sandford, from London, as a governess to his family, and he seduced her. He then employed her to draw up some quasi-legal documents, as she could write like a lawyer's clerk. According to one of these documents, signed " Isaac Jermy," that gentleman gave up all claims on Rush, if the latter gave up all papers and documents relating to the Stanfield estate. The signature was of course forged. After the murder, these documents were found concealed under the floor of a bed-room, ready to be produced if he had escaped suspicion, which he took every precaution to throw off, but all in vain.
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 433
On the night of November 28th, he went upstairs to his bedroom and put on a diguise, pai t of which was a widow's dress. Another part was a black crape bonnet with a double frill, which hid the features of the wearer. He put on a large cloak, armed himself with a double-barrelled gun, and went out between seven and eight o'clock to do his work of murder. Soon after eight o'clock, the Recorder's dinner being over, he was sitting alone in his dining-room, little dreaming of the doom that awaited him and his son. His son and his son's wife had retired to the drawing-room to partake of tea. Mr. Jermy was in the habit of going outside the Hall after dinner, and on this evening he left the dining-room, and went to a porch in front of the Hall. Rush, who knew the Recorder's habits, and expected him to come out, was standing near the porch in disguise, holding his loaded gun in his hand. As soon as Mr. Jermy reached the porch, Rush presented the gun, fired, and shot him through the heart. He fell backwards, groaned, and instantly expired. Rush then ran to the side door, entered, and proceeded along the passage leading to the staircase hall, and reached the door opening into it. Mr. Jermy, jun., who had heard the report of a gun, opened the door at that very moment. They met : Rush drew back, presented the gun, and fired, and young Jermy fell dead in the hall.
The assassin then passed on into the dining-room, but finding nobody there he left it, and seeing Mrs. Jermy and her maid Eliza Chastney in the hall, he fired twice, wounding Mrs. Jermy in the arm and her servant in the leg. The murderer then made his escape by the side door, but not before some of the servants made their observations of him. Eliza Chastney had marked the man, and she afterwards identified him at his trial. The scene in the mansion, as may be imagined, was one of terror and dismay. The servants conveyed their wounded mistress up to bed, and laid the bodies of Mr. Jermy and his son in the dining-room. The cook fled to the coach-house with little Miss Jermy, the daughter of Mr. Jarmy, jun. The butler, who might have seized the assassin, ran to a neighbouring farm-house for assistance, and several farmers soon came to the Hall, where the dead men lay covered with blood. Meantime Rash went to his house at Potash Farm, Emily Sandford and a boy being there. They did not see him enter the house, so that he got rid of his disguises without being observed ; and he hid the widow's dress in a closet. Ho then went to his bed for the last time, but conscience would not suffer him to sleep. He rose, went to Emily Sandford's room, tapped at the door, and was admitted. He crept into her bed, trembling in every limb, and whispered to her to say that he was out only ten minutes that night. The telegraph at Wymondham was set to work, and intelligence of the murder vol. n. p p
434 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
soon reached Norwich. The city police were quickly on the spot, and, suspecting Rush, surrounded his house all night.
When he came downstairs in the morning he was apprehended and "brought before the magistrates at Wymondham. Emily Sandford was examined, and she persisted in stating that Rush was out only a quarter of an hour on the previous night, but afterwards she told the truth. The police searched Potash Farm-house and soon found the disguises and the forged deeds. After lengthened examinations before the magistrates, the prisoner was committed for trial, which commenced at the Shirehall, Norwich, on March 29th, 1849, before Baron Rolfe. It continued six days, and excited universal interest all over the country. Rush defended himself, and only strengthened the case against him. He was found guilty, condemned, and executed, in presence of an immense concourse of spectators on the Castle Hill, Norwich.
LEADING EVENTS.
The Norfolk Farmers' Cattle Insurance Society was founded in 1 849 by C. S. Gilman, Esq., and his friends, with a capital of £50,000. Chief office, St. Giles's-street, Norwich. A proof' of the usefulness of this company is that the value of the. stock insured is £2,100,000. About £80,000 have been paid in compensation for losses arising from various diseases, cattle plague, &c.
The principles of Free Trade were still further extended in the year 1849, by the repeal of the Navigation Laws, a measm'e which seriously affected the carrying trade of Yarmouth, Lynn, and other ports. Sir Robert Peel, who thus saw the progress of public opinion in favour of a liberal policy, suddenly died in July next year, through a fall from his horse. His death caused universal grief in the country. He was only sixty-two years of age, in the full vigour of mature manhood.
About this time, the two parties in the Corporation of Norwich became nearly equal in numbers, and the Liberals found a difficulty in electing a Mciyor and Sheriff every, year from their own party. They accordingly proposed that each party should nominate a Mayor and Sheriff alternately. Since 1849 to the present time, the Chief Magistrate and the Sheriff have been so elected. This has also led to the members of the various com- mittees being selected so as to represent all parties fah*]y, and the former exclusive system has been discontinued. Nevertheless, there have been some party contests at ward elections, and much money spent in bribery.
In January, 1850, the celebrated vocalist Jenny Lind visited Norwich and gave two grand concerts in St. Andrew's Hall, which was quite filled at high prices by fashionable audiences, more than 2000 persons being pre- sent at each concert. The proceeds, amounting to £1253, were given by
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTUEY. 435
the lady for some charitable purpose, and after long consideration tho money was applied to the foundation of an Infirmary for Children in Pottergate Street. It was established in 1853, and visited by the Queen of song in 1856, when she appeared much pleased with the management, and added £50 to her former gifts. The institution has been supported by annual subscriptions, and proved to bo a great boon to poor parents.
In 1850, a movement was commenced to promote sanitary reform all over England. The Public Health Act lately passed (1848) was applied in some towns in the Eastern Counties. Water works were established for a better supply of water in some towns. Sewers were constructed for more efficient drainage. The narrow closed courts and alleys of towns, among whose swarming families life was smothered and pestilences engen- dered, were here and there opened to the air of heaven and light of day. In consequence of the minute and numerous sanitary regulations imposed on some localities, diseases have been neither so prevalent nor so infectious.
In consequence of a memorial from the citizens of Norwich to the General Board of Health established under the Public Health Act, 1848, Mr. Lee, a civil engineer and Government Inspector, came to the city, and commenced an, inquiry respecting its sanitary condition. The inquiry lasted a fortnight, and Mr. Lee heard evidence given by all the officials and other parties. He also inspected every part of the city, and afterwards prepai'ed a very elaborate report, showing that the supply of water was insufficient, that; the drainage was defective, that many nuisances and other causes of disease existed, and that the rate of mortality was greater than it should be. He advised the application of the Public Health Act, and it was adopted by the Council. A company had been previously formed with a large capital, and had constructed works for the supply of water from the river Wensum to all parts of the city. The abundant supply of pure water proved very beneficial to the health of the inhabitants, and entirely relieved the Local Board of Health from all trouble on that point. They had only to contract for the supply of water to water the roads and streets. The sanitary condition of the city has been gradually improved by the judicious measures of the Board of Health, and the expenditure of the Board has been greatly increased for public works.
In 1850, Sir Robert Jacob Buxton, Bart., attained his majority, and came into possession of his extensive estate in the -parish of Rushford near Thetford. Ho owned all the parish, comprising 4250 acres of land, including Shadwell, Snarehill, and Rushford Lodge, the latter of which is a tithe-free estate of about 1000 acres on the south side of the river in Suffolk. He resided with his mother at Shadwell Court, which is a handsome mansion in a well-wooded park, on the north side of the parish.
436 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
His coming of age was celebrated with great rejoicings and festivities for a whole week.
The Great Exhibition of 1851, which was opened in May in London, attracted thousands of the inhabitants of Norwich, Norfolk, and Suffolk to the metropolis, where many of them spent weeks in viewing the wonders at the Crystal Palace. Norwich manufacturers sent many speci- mens of their shawls and textile fabrics. A very large number of the city operatives were conveyed by special train free to London to see the Exhibition, where they had an opportunity of inspecting the best pro- ductions of the whole world.
The annual meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science was held at Ipswich in 1851. All the public buildings were placed at the disposal of the society, and sectional meetings were held at different places. Prince Albert was present at some of the lectures delivered by Professor Whewell and other learned men. The proceedings were of an interesting character, and were duly reported in the county newspapers. Prince Albert laid the first stone of the Ipswich Grammar School, which was founded in the same year.
In 1851 the population of the United Kingdom amounted to 27,500,000. But while this increase had gone on by the natural ratio, the produce of the wheat crops during the previous century had been at least quadrupled. For this population therefore, which had only doubled in the interval, there had been grown such an increase of food, that the use of wheaten bread had become universal, at least in the Eastern Counties, which had contributed most to the increase. Oats are now used almost wholly for horses, and barley for distillers and malt-houses. Of wheat, barley, and other grains the consumption was about 49,000,000 quarters, and of these about 33,000,000 quarters were used for human food. The improved agri- culture that had made the corn-fields of Norfolk and Suffolk so productive was equally apparent in the rearing of cattle and sheep, which as butcher meat had increased in bulk, quality, and firmness, partly owing to the crossing of superior breeds, but still more through the cultivation of root crops, which are the sheet anchor of Norfolk agriculture. The Eastern Counties then contributed more cattle and sheep to the London market than any other counties of like extent.
The total number of persons in 1851 living in England was 17,927,609 ; in Norfolk, 442,714; in Suffolk, 337,215, including 166,308 males and 170,907 females. The population of Norfolk in 1801 amounted to 273,479; in 1811 to 291,947; in 1821 to 344,368; in 1831 to 390,054; in 1841 to 412,661 ; in 1851 to 442,714; and in 1861 to 434,791, includ- ing 208,005 males and 225,793 females. Consequently there was a decrease of 7926 persons during the ten years preceding 1861, and as
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 437
during that period there were registered in Norfolk 32,709 marriages and 137,901 births, but only 91,632 deaths, it is apparent that more than 6000 of the inabitants must have left the county to seek employment elsewhere. In 1851, the emigration from all the villages in the Eastern Counties increased, and nearly 336,000 persons left England, Ireland, and Scotland in that year for foreign shores.
According to the census returns in 1851, the number of farms in Norfolk employing labourers was 4868 ; those not employing labourers or not makiug returns, 1664; total, 6582. Number of labourers employed in the field — men, 32,840 ; women, 605 ; total, 33,449 out of a popula- tion of 400,000 or 100,000 males. Therefore, even in the county, only a third of the population is directly employed in farming operations ; but another third is indirectly employed in trades connected with agri- culture. Upwards of 200,000 acres of waste land, commons, and sandy heaths have been enclosed within this century.
In 1851, the inhabitants of Essex numbered 369,318, being an increase of 62 per cent, in fifty years. The number of inhabitants to a square mile was 222 ; to a house five. The total number of houses was 77,470, of which 73,530 were inhabited, 3569 empty, and 381 building. The population has not increased in this county at the same rapid rate as in other counties in England. While emigration from all the Eastern Counties was increasing, pauperism was very little diminished ; the poor were no better lodged or fed, and, indeed, the labourers were worse lodged and fed than the lower animals in some parts of Norfolk and Suffolk.
Cottages were too few in number in the rural districts ; those few were over-crowded, and scarcely concealed the misery of the tenants. A mass of crime and immorality festered beneath the smooth surface of society. A fruitful source of these increasing evils was the defective system of education, and the entire want of it in many parishes. Abou 8,000,000 of our population in this island could neither read nor write. These, too, did not consist only of the poorest people, as many farmers were equally ignorant. The schools for poor children were too few in number, and as defective as such institutions could well be. The teachers were chiefly half-educated, broken-down tradesmen.
In 1858, the estimated population of Norfolk was 464,613, including 41,215 children who attended day schools and 50,084 who attended Sunday schools. In Suffolk the population was 353,308, including 33,745 children who attended day schools, and 40,397 who attended Sunday schools.
In Essex the population was 387,015, including 44,411 who attended day schools, and 45,148 who attended Sunday schools. The estimated population of the whole district in 1858 was 1,279,605, of which 97,738
438 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
were children in Church schools, and 15,054 children attending other schools.
The fifth reformed Parliament assembled on September 21st, 1817, and its dissolution took place in consequence of the accession to office of Lord Derby's Ministry on July 1st, 1852. An election took place in Norwich on July 8th, and there was a very severe contest between the Liberals and Conservatives with the following result : — Samuel Morton Peto (L.), 2190; Edward Warner (L,), 2145; Marquis of Douro (C), 1592; Colonel L. S. Dickson (C), 1465. The two former were declared duly elected. All the candidates were advocates of Free Trade.
In July, 1852, H. N. Bnrroughes, Esq., and E. Wodehouse, Esq., were re-elected members for East Norfolk.
In the same month and same year there was a contest for the repre- sentation of West Norfolk, A. Hamond, Esq., again offering himself iu the Liberal interest. The poll closed as follows : — William Bagge (C), 3421 ; G. W. P. Bentinck (C), 3143 ; Anthony Hamond (L.), 1973. Mr. Hamond had caused a split in the Liberal party, and was not supported by the whole body of Whig electors.
In July, 1852, there was a contest at Yarmouth, attended with gross bribery:— Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart. (C), 611; C. E. Kumbold (L.), 547; W. T. McCullagh (L.), 521 ; Admiral Sir C. Napier (L.), 486.
In July, 1852, the Liberals got up an opposition at Lynn : — Viscount Jocelyn (L. C), 637 ; Lord Stanley (C), 550 ; Robert Pashley (L.), 385. On the decease of Lord Jocelyn in 1854 John Henry Gurney, Esq., was returned, and he was very popular in the town.
In July this year, East Suffolk returned Sir Fitzroy Kelly and Sir E. S. Gooch, Bart., as representatives, without opposition.
Same month and year, West Suffolk returned the two former members (H. S. Waddington and Philip Bennet, jun.) without opposition.
Ipswich was contested with the following result : — John C. Cobbold (C), 809 ; Hugh Edward Adair (L.), 782 ; Thomas B. Hobhouse (L.), 725 ; Samuel S. Bateson (C), 725. The two former members were returned.
Bury St. Edmund's was contested with the following result : — Earl Jermyn (C), 493 ; John Stuart (C), 328 ; E. H. Bunbury (L.), 319. Mr. Stuart becoming a Vice-Chancellor, another election took place in December, 1851: — Henry J. P. Oakes (C), 324; Joseph A. Hard castle (L.), 316.
Cambridgeshire returned three Conservative members without opposi- tion— the Hon. Eliot T. Yorke, Lord G. J. Manners, and Mr. Edward Ball, a noted Protectionist. He had opposed the repeal of the Corn Laws at many public meetings, he fearing an unlimited importation of foreign corn.
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 439
The University returned two Conservative members — the Right Hon. H. Goulburn and Loftus T. Wigram. On the decease of the former, the Right Hon. S. Walpole was returned in February, 1850. When he became Homo Secretary he was re-elected.
The borough of Cambridge was contested by the Liberals with the following result : — Kenneth Macaulay (C), 821 ; John Adair Astell (C), 803; R. A. S. Adair (L.), 737; Francis Mowatt (L.), 672. In March,
1853, the election was declared void, and another took place in August,
1854, when the Liberals were victorious: — R. A. S. Adair (L.), 757; Francis Mowatt (L.), 731 ; Lord Maidstone (C), 711 ; Fred. Slade (C), C95.
North Essex was contested in July, 1852, and the poll closed as follows : Sir J. T. Tyrell, Bart. (C), 2412 ; Right Hon. W. Beresford (C), 2334 ; Thos. B. Lennard (L.), 883; Jos. A. Hardcastle (L:), 3. The opposition of the Liberals in this Tory county was very weak.
South Essex was contested with the following result : — Thos. Win. Bramston (C), 2651; Sir W. B. Smyth (C), 2457; Sir Edward N. Buxton (L.), 1803.
Colchester was contested in July, 1852, and the poll thus closed: — Wm. W. Hawkins (C), 686; Lord John Manners (C), 620; J. A. Hardcastle (L.), 472 ; Henry T. Prins<?p (C), 98.
Maldon was contested samo month, and the poll thus closed : — Charles Du Cane (C), 370; T. J. Miller (C), 357; T. B. Lennard (L.), 351; Quintin Dick (C), 330. The two former were unseated on' petition in March, 1853, and no new writ was issued till August, 1854, when G. M. W. Peacocke and J. B. Moore were returned by a small majority over Thos. MacEntcer and Quintin Dick.
In March, 1851, Harwich was the scene of a contest, and the poll closed as follows :— H. Thoby Prinsep (C), 135 ; Robert W. Crawford (L.), 130. On petition, Mr. Prinsep being unable to prove his qualification, another election took place in May, and the same candidates were re-elected. On petition the last election was declared void, but the issue of a new writ was suspended on a general allegation of the prevalence of bribery. The allegation was no doubt quite true. In April, 1852, the House of Commons, having after debate and division refused to inquire by a commission into the alleged bribery, the new writ was issued next day. Sir Fitzroy Kelly was elected, but he having been returned for East Suffolk he chose to represent the county. Another election took place in July with a contest ending thus : — G. M. W. Peacocke (C.),'l35; David Waddington (C), 134; John Bagshaw (L.), 125 ; G. D. Warburton (L.), 110. On petition, Mr. Peacocke being unseated, John Bagshaw was returned in June, 1853.
440 HISTOKY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
The Diocesan Institution on St. George's Plain, Norwich, was founded in 1852, and acts as a Normal Model School for training schoolmistresses. It is under the inspection of the Committee of Council on Education, and is in connection with the National School Society. About forty teachers are generally under training in the school. The admission is by com- petition, and very good accounts have been received respecting the students who have left it. Great attention is paid to the moral and religious training of the pupils.
A new Administration was formed in 1853 by a combination of the Whig party and Peelites, having the Earl of Aberdeen as Premier ; Mr. Gladstone, Chancellor of the Exchequer ; with Lord Palmerston, Lord John Russell, and the Duke of Newcastle for the Home, Foreign, and Colonial Secretaries. This coalition little pleased political parties in East Anglia. The Premier announced his policy, which was simply to let well alone, to maintain the general peace of Europe, without relaxing those defensive measures so recently adopted and so long neglected ; at home, to maintain Free Trade, &c. However, the new Ministry, instead of main- taining the peace of Europe, allowed this country to drift into a most useless and ruinous war with Russia.
A cloud no bigger than a man's hand arose in the East, and apprehen- sions were soon entertained that the forty years of international peace which Europe had enjoyed was drawing to a close at last ; and that nations, true to their nature, would resume their spirit of contention, and war be renewed with a vigour all the more intense after so long a period of repose. The landowners and farmers of East Anglia rejoiced in the prospect of a war which would raise the prices of their produce. Ulti- mately prices did rise to an alarming height, and the people suffered great privations.
The war with ^Russia caused very great depression of trade in the Eastern Counties, and indeed in all other counties in England (1853). Nicholas, the Emperor of Russia, who for some time had felt desirous to dismember Turkey, quarrelled with the Sultan because he refused to grant him the protectorate of the Greek Christians in European Turkey ; and the troops of Russia crossed the river Pruth (July 2nd, 1853), and occupied Moldavia and Wallachia. The Porte in consequence declared war (September 27th), and Omar Pasha defeated the Russian forces at the battle of Oltenitza on November 4th. England and France, deeming the aggressive policy of Russia incompatible with the security of Europe, declared war against her in March, 1854. A powerful British fleet, under Sir Charles Napier, was dispatched to the Baltic, and large French and British armies were sent to the Black Sea. They landed at Eupatoria in the Crimea on September 14th. and defeated the Russians at the battle
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 441
of the Alma. The Russians lied into Sebastopol, and the Allied Armies besieged the town, which was eventually taken by storm. The event was celebrated in Norwich with great rejoicings.
Sir Archdale Wilson and General Windham, both of Norfolk, were both engaged in the Avar, and it excited intense interest in the county. After prolonged negotiations, peace was concluded on March 30th, 1850. There was a grand peace celebration in Norwich. The Volunteers made a military display, and a procession of all the Sunday school children walked through the city. They assembled in the Market Place to the number of 4000, and thence they marched to different places where they were regaled. A large number of poor people sat down to a good dinner in St. Andrew's Hall.
In 1853, Lord William Powlett sold Didlington Hall and estate to William Amhurst Tyssen Amhurst, Esq., who considerably enlarged and improved the Hall. It is a neat brick house, pleasantly situated in a well- planted park, containing some good lime trees, an extensive heronry, and a beautiful sheet of water. The proprietor is lord of the manor, and patron of the church, which stands in the park, and is a neat edifice, comprising nave, with aisles, south porch, chancel, and square tower with one bell. The patron thoroughly restored it in 1857.
On November 1st, 1853, Sir S. Bignold was elected Mayor of Norwich for the third time, and he filled the office with great approbation through- out the year. He lent the money wanted in the first instance for the handsome new building erected for the Free Library and the School of Art, and which afforded additional accommodation for the Museum and Literary Institution.
The sixth reformed Parliament assembled on November 4th, 1852, and an election took place in Norwich in December, 1854. The vacancy in the representation which caused this election arose in consequence of Mr. Peto, in conjunction with his partners, having undertaken to construct a railway from Balaclava to Sebastopol during the Russian war. Sir S. Bignold became a candidate in the Conservative interest, and A. Hamond, Esq., of Westacre, for the Liberals. The contest ended as follows : — Sir S. Bignold (C), 1901 ; A. Hamond (L.), 1635. Sir S. Bignold was at this time very popular in the city, and was called the citizen candi- date. Many of the Liberals voted for him, and even the late Mr. Wilde acted as his agent for a fee of £100. Mr. Wilde then induced many of his party not to vote at all, so that the Conservatives had the majority.
The Local Board of Health was established in Yarmouth in 1855, under the powers of the Public Health Acts of 1848 and 1851, and is now managed in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act
442 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
of 1818, by a committee of the Town Council, who expend about £5000 yearly in making and cleansing sewers, making and repairing roads, . lighting, paving, watering, and cleansing streets, &c, &c. Since then the sanitary state of the town has been greatly improved. New roads have been made, and many new streets built at the south end of the town. New water works were constructed at Ormcsby, from whence the town was well supplied with good water by means of pipes, instead of the old pumps and wells.
The new Cemetery was opened in 1850 in the hamlet of Heigham, Norwich, by the Board of Health, and the east side was consecrated by the Bishop. The other side was assigned to the Nonconformists. This wras the greatest improvement effected in Norwich during the present century, all the churchyards being closed for burials. The whole area comprises thirty-five acres of land, prettily laid-out and planted. It was formed at a cost of 7000?. by the Burial Board. There arc entrances from the Earlham and Dereham roads. About 20,000 bodies have been buried in this Cemetery.
The Norwich Free Library was built in this year, 1856, at a cost of 8000?., in accordance with Acts of Parliament, and opened in March, 1857. Above "the foundation are three arched vaults for stores. The ground lloor is divided into two large rooms, one for the Library, and the other for the Museum. The first story comprises two large rooms, one for lectures, and one let to the Literary Institution. The upper story is assigned free to the School of Art. The City Council has levied under the act of 1855 one penny in the pound to support the institution. Donations have been received for the Library to a small amount, and it consists of 3500 volumes, in addition to the collection of the old books of the City Library.
The Norwich and London Accident Insurance Association was estab- lished in 1856, with a subscribed capital of £100,000, for insuring against accidental death, with compensation for personal injury caused by acci- dents. C. S. Gilman, Esq., and his son C. R. Gilman, were the chief promoters, the offices being in St. Giles' Street, Norwich. The society has been very successful, and has paid 11,500 claims arising from accidents. The last report states : u The business for 1869 has produced the largest amount of new premiums received since the foundation of the institution in 1856 ; this has been achieved in a year unexampled for the depression of all kinds of commercial transactions, and clearly proves that the Association has secured a firm position, and enjoys the full confidence of the public. This increase of business has been obtained without any extravagant or extraordinary outlay, the expenses being smaller in proportion to the income secured than in any previous year, a
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 443
fact that especially commends itself to the consideration of all who con- template availing themselves of the advantages of insurance against accidents." The operations of this society extend all over England, Scotland, Ireland, and many parts of the continent. About 30,000 policies have been issued.
The Reformatory School, Thornden, near Eye, Suffolk, was certified for the admission of criminal boys on March 2 -3rd, 1850. The present number of inmates is sixty-two, who are chiefly employed on the land upon the Brassc worth Hall Farm, which has been recently added to the school by Sir E. C. Kerrison, Bart., the manager of the school. The school premises were destroyed by fire in June, 1807. A much more suitable and enlarged house has been built from plans designed by Lady Caroline Kerrison, which were approved by the Home Secretary. The original premises were purchased by Sir E. C. Kerrison for the admission of twenty-five boys. The premises were enlarged in 1858 for the recep- tion of forty-five boys. The present school is now large enough for sixty inmates.
The sixth Reformed Parliament was dissolved on March 21st, 1857, in consequence of a resolution having been proposed by Mr. Cobden in condemnation of the proceedings of the Ministry with regard to the Chinese war. This caused an election in Norwich on March 28th, 1857. There was a contest, which closed as follows : — Lord Viscount Bury (L.), 2238; H. W. Schneider (L.), 2247; Sir S. Bignold (C), 1030.
In March, 1857, the election came on for East Norfolk, when Major- General Windham (L.), and Sir E. N. Buxton, Bart., (L.), were elected without opposition. Same month and same year there was a compromise between the parties in West Norfolk, and G. W. P. Bontinck (C), with J. Brampton Gurdou (L.), were returned as members for West Norfolk.
At Yarmouth the same time there was a contest with great bribery — W. T. McCullagh (L.), 009 ; E. W. Watkin (L.), 590 ; Sir E. Lacon Bart. (C), 521; Hon. C. S. Vereker (C), 451. On petition the election was declared void, and Mr. A. W. Young and Mr. John Miller were returned.
In March, 1857, at Lynn Regis, Lord Stanley and J. H. Gurney, Esq., were elected without opposition. Same time at Thetford, the former members, Earl Euston and the Hon. Francis Baring, were returned. On Mr. Baring accepting the Chiltern Hundreds in December, Alexander H. Baring was elected. Norwich and Thetford still returned two members each, though the population and taxation of the city were fifty times greater than the little pocket borough.
In March, 1857, East Suffolk returned Lord Henniker and Sir Fitzroy Kelly without opposition.
444 history of eastern englanI).
Same month and year, West Suffolk returned the two former members, H. S. Waddington and P. Bennett, jun., without opposition.
Ipswich was contested with the following result : — John C. Cobbold (C), 780; Hugh Edward Adair (L.), 759; John C. Marsham (L.), 738; Henry John Selwin (C.), 707.
Bury St. Edmund's was contested, and the poll thus closed : — Earl Jermyn (C), 344 ; J. A. Hardcastle (L.), 320 ; Henry J. P. Oakes (C.), 266.
Cambridgeshire, in March, 1857, was contested, and the poll thus closed :— Edward Ball (C), 2780; H. J. Adeane (L.), 2616; Hon. E. T. Yorke (C), 2483 ; Lord G. J. Manners (C.), 2127.
The University returned the two former members, L. T. Wigram and the Hon. S. H. Walpole.
The borough of Cambridge was strongly contested with this result : — Kenneth Macaulay (C), 769 ; Andrew Steuart (C), 735 ; R. A. S. Adair (L.), 729; J. Hibbert (L.), 703.
North Essex, in March, 1857, returned the Right Hon. W. Beresford and Charles Du Cane, Conservatives, without opposition.
South Essex was contested same month, the poll closing thus : — T. W. Bramston (C), 2332; R. B. Wingfield (L.), 2119; Sir W.'B. Smyth (C), 2102.
Colchester was contested same month with this result : — J. G. Rebow (L.), 563 ; T. J. Miller (C), 462 ; W. R. Havers, 7.
Maldoti was also contested, and the poll thus closed : — T. S. Western (L.), 427 ; J. B. Moore (C), 405; G. M. W. Peacocke (C), 360.
Harwich was again contested, the poll closing as follows : — John Bagshaw (L.), 173 ; George Warburton (L.), 147; Captain H. J. W. Jervis (C), 113; Benjamin B. Greene (C), 81. On the decease of Major Warburton there was another election in December, 1857, with the following result : — R. J. Bagshaw, (L.), 162 ; Andrew Arcedecknie (C), 69.
From a review of all the returns of the elections up to this time, it appears that the smaller the boroughs were the more venal were the voters in all the Eastern Counties.
In August, 1857, the annual congress of the British Archaeological Association met in Norwich. Meetings of the members were held in St. Andrew's Hall, in the Guildhall, the Public Library, and in the Cathedral, and in the latter edifice Professor Willis delivered descriptive lectures. At other meetings addresses were delivered by Mr. Britton and other gentlemen. The members made excursions to Ely, East Dereham, Burnham, Walsingham, and other places of interest, where lectures were delivered on antiquities. On their return to Norwich they dined together at the Swan Inn. Bishop Stanley presided on the occasion.
EVENTS IN TIIE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 445
After the dinner his lordship proposed many toasts, including the healths of Mr. Hallani, Mr. Kimble, and other learned gentlemen who were present, and they responded.
The Local Government Act came into operation in 1858 in Norwich, and with the Public Health Acts gave the Corporation full power to carry out all necessary improvements. Some sanitary measures were much required, especially in reference to the state of the river Wensum, into which all the filth of the city was poured, converting it into a foul ditch, and a nuisance to the inhabitants near it. The residents at Thorpe for a long time complained of the nuisance, caused by all the sewage of the city and all the water-closets, 3000 in number, being emptied into the stream, but nothing was done to abate the nuisance for years.
On the decease of Sir E. Buxton there was a vacancy for the represen- tation of East Norfolk, in June, 1858, and a contest ensued with the following result : — Hon. Wenman Coke (L.), 2933 ; Sir H. F. Stracey, Bart. (C), 2720.
For some years promises had been held out by the Whig Ministries that a new Reform Bill should be introduced, and the Derby Ministry therefore thought it expedient in coming into office to promise to attend to the subject. Early in the session of 1859 Mr. Disraeli intro- duced a Beform Bill, but it was rejected by a small majority, and on the Ministry dissolving Parliament and appealing to the country, though their followers were increased by the elections, the House of Commons passed a vote of want of confidence by a majority of thirteen, and Lord Derby resigned. Lord Palmerston succeeded him, and selected as principal colleagues several leaders of the Whig party with a few advanced Liberals or Radicals.
The seventh Be formed Parliament assembled April 30th, 1857. On February 19th, 1858, Lord Palmerston, who commenced the session with a large majority in his favour, was defeated on the Conspiracy to Murder Bill by 234 to 215 votes. Lord Palmerston therefoi-e resigned, and was succeeded by Lord Derby. An election took place in Norwich on the 30th of April, 1859, and another severe contest ensued between the Liberals and Conservatives with the following result : — Lord Viscount Bury (L.), 2154; Henry ^illiam Schneider (L.), 2138; Sir S. Bignold (C), 190(5 ; C. M. Lushington (C), 1900. There was a great deal of bribery on both sides at this election.
In April, 1859, the election came on for East Norfolk, when the Hon. Wenman Coke (L.), and Edward Howes (C), were returned without opposition.
Same month and same year there was no opposition in West Norfolk, G. W. W. Bentinck and J. B. Gurdon were elected.
446 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
Same time there was a contest at Yarmouth, and great bribery, with the following result :— Sir E.K. Lacon, Bart, (0.), 699 ; Sir H.J. Stracey Bart. (C.), 659 ;-L. W. Watlcin (L.), 568 ; A. W. Young (L.), 536.
In April, 1859, at Lynn Regis, Lord Stanley and J. H. Gurney, Esq., were re-elected without opposition.
Same time, at Thetford, Earl Euston and Alexander H. Baring were re-elected without opposition.
East Suffolk was contested in April, 1859, by Lieut. -Colonel A. S. Adair, and the following was the result: — Lord Henniker (0.), 2678; Sir Fitzroy Kelly (C), 2517 ; Lieut.-Colonel A. S. Adair (L.), 1883.
West Suffolk was also contested same month. Close of the poll : — Earl Jermyn(C), 1958; Major W. Parker (C), 1378; Philip Bennett, jun. (C), 1301. On the succession of the noble earl to the Marquisate of Bristol there was another election in 1864.
Ipswich was contested by the Liberals in the same month. Close of the poll:— Hugh Edward Adair (L.), 864; John C. Cobbold (C), 818; Henry John Telwin (C), 812 ; John King (L.), 388. Mr. King was pro- prietor and editor of the Suffolk Chronicle, and advocated very advanced opinions.
Bury St. Edmund's was contested in the same month. Close of the poll:— Lord A. Harvey (C), 418; J. A. Hardcastle (L.), 307; Sir B, J. Buxton, Bart. (C), 284.
North Essex returned the two former Conservative members in April, 1859, Bight Hon. W. Beresford and Charles Du Cane, without opposition.
South Essex was contested with the following result, same month : — • T. W. Bramston (C), 2896 ; J. W. P. Watlington (C), 2704 ; R. B. Wingfield Baker, 2245.
Colchester was also contested, and the poll thus closed : — T. J. Miller (C), 651 ; P. O. Papillon (C), 598 ; J. G. Rebow (L.), 518.
Maldon was contested same month. Close of the poll : — G. M. W. Peacocke (C), 503 ; T. S. Western (L.), 431 ; A. W. H. Meyrick (C), 427.
Harwich was the scene of a strong contest in April, 1859, .and it ended as follows:— Captain II. J. W. Jervis (C), 156; Hon. W. F. Campbell (L.), 155; Hon. R. T. Rowley (C), 152; J. C. Marsham (L.), 144. On Mr. Campbell becoming Lord Stratheden, another election took place in March, 1860, with the following result : — Hon. R. T. Rowley (C), 146; S. A. Donaldson (L.), 116.
The eighth Reformed Parliament assembled May 31st, 1859, and Lord Derby, being defeated on an amendment to the Address, resigned. Lord Palmerston came into office, and Lord Bury was appointed Treasurer to the Household of the Queen. This occasioned a vacancy in the
EVENTS TN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 447
representation, and the election took place on June 29th, 1850. The poll closed as follows : — Lord Viscount Bury (L.), 1922 ; Sir S. Bignold (C), 1561 ; Colonel Boldero (C), 39. On petition this election was declared void on account of bribery.
The uncertain policy of the French Emperor Napoleon, and the neces- sity that England should be made secure against invasion, roused the people in 1859 to make some efforts for the defence of the country, and numerous battalions of volunteers were ultimately formed. The movement became general, and soon extended to the Eastern Counties. The effi- ciency of the battalions in Norwich, Norfolk, and Suffolk has elicited high encomiums from competent judges.
On November 19th, the Norwich Battalion of Volunteers was formally enrolled, 300 strong, in three companies, under the command of Colonel Brett, a highly-esteemed officer. The other officers were Captain Middleton, of the first company; Captain H. S. Patteson, of the second company ; and Captain Hay Gurney, of the third company. The force gradually increased in number till the battalion became 530 strong in six companies. Colonel Brett resigned on account of ill health, and Colonel Black was appointed to the chief command ; next to him Major Patteson, Captain Henry Morgan, first company ; Captain John Steward, second ; Captain Peter Hansell, third ; Captain Charles Foster, fourth ; Captain J. B. Morgan, fifth ; Captain E. Field, sixth ; Lieutenant II. Pulley, Quarter-Master; John Friar Clarke, Quarter-Master- Sergeant ; Thomas W. Cross, Surgeon ; Rev. F. Meyrick, Chaplain. The Corporation subsequently granted a piece of land at the north-west corner of Chapel Field, and a company of shareholders raised capital to build the new Drill Hall for the use of the members of the Corps, which has the reputation of being very efficient.
No movement was ever more popular than the Volunteer one, and before the close of 1859 as many as 101 rifle companies were enrolled, ten of which were raised in the metropolis. The University of Oxford contributed its quota; and, said Dr. Haw trey of Eton, "the rifle move- ment, so far from having the effect which many had anticipated of draw- ing young men from their studies, had brought about an opposite result. Those who took the lead in it were remarkable for their classical and other attainments ; while the men who kept aloof were almost universally those who had acquired a fatal habit of sauntering, and were equally indifferent to all intellectual as well as to manly exercises."
The movement received a hearty support from the Government. Fol- lowing the example of his predecessor (General Peel), Lord Herbert at once appreciated its importance and peculiar character, and lo}Tally and heartily helped it on. It was the cause of much extra work being
448 , HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
brought to the War Office, but this he cheerfully encountered, and he was ably assisted by his Under-Secretary, Earl de Grey and Ripon. Before the close of 1859, Lord Herbert induced the Government to consent to issue a larger number of rifles to the Volunteers, and on the 20th of December he wrote to the Lords Lieutenants of counties, informing them that after January 1st, 1860, an additional supply of long Enfield rifles would be granted to the extent of fifty per cent, on the effective strength of the corps.
Many meetings and encampments of the Volunteers have been held at different places in the Eastern Counties. Many military displays have been made in the presence of thousands of spectators.
Hurrah for our Riflemen ! Men of the land,
Who have sprung with a brave heart yearning ; Xot willing nor wishing to kindle war's brand,
But to gather what that brand would set burning. They have limbs for a march, they have fronts for a blow,
Show the laurels and see how they'll win them ; They have hands for a trigger, and eyes for a foe,
That will prove the true Briton is in them. Then here's to the Grey, the Green, and the Blue,
Xever heed in what colour you lind them ; But be sure they'll be dyed a blood-red through and through
Ere the chain of a despot shall bind them. — Eliza Cook.
The Eastern Counties Asylum for Idiots and Imbeciles, called Essex Hall, Colchester, built by Sir Morton Peto, was opened in 1 859 for the free admission of idiots and imbeciles (by the votes of subscribers) from Essex, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk, and for cases upon payment. This asylum is licensed to receive ninety-nine cases, and seldom do more than two or three vacancies occur. Annual expenses for the free cases rather more than £2900, and for cases admitted on various rates of payment, about £1100, Meetings and elections are held at Norwich, Ipswich, Chelmsford, Colchester, Bury St. Edmund's, Yarmouth, Cam- bridge, and Wisbech. All the banks in the Eastern Counties receive subscriptions.
The two last elections in Norwich having been declared void by committees of the House of Commons, on March 23rd, 1800, writs were issued for the election of two members for the city. This led to a grand trial of strength between the two parties on March 29th, 1860, with the following result : — Edward Warner (L.), 2083 ; Colonel Sir William Russell (L.), 2048; David William Lewis (C), 1631 ; William Forlonge (C), 1636.
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 449
The Civil War in America between the Northern and Southern States, with the blockade of the Southern ports, caused a dearth of cotton and a consequent rise in the price ; and as most of the manufacturers were obliged to close their mills, the operatives were soon reduced to destitu- tion. The distress called forth the generosity of all classes, and they all aided in alleviating the wants of the working people. The war caused great depression of trade all over the country, and, indeed, it has never yet recovered its former prosperity. Bank failures caused much distress in the Eastern Counties.
In 1861, a census was taken of the entire population of the United Kingdom, showing a total of 29,070,932 persons, that number being a great increase. The counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex contained a population of 1,176,719; Norfolk alone 434,791; Suffolk, 337,070; Essex, 404,558. The Norfolk towns containing more than 2000 in- habitants were the following: — Norwich, 74,414; Yarmouth, 34,810; Lynn, 16,170; Downham, 3138; Diss, 3710; Swaffham, 3559; Dereham, 4368 ; Fakenham, 2456 ; Wells, 3464 ; Wymondham, 4952 ; Aylsham, 2623; North Walsham, 2896; Attleburgh, 2221. The population had increased in the large market towns, but decreased many thousands in the villages.
The census of 1861 showed the number of persons of rank and property in the Eastern Counties :—
In Norfolk ... ... ... ... ... 2110
In Suffolk ... ... ... ... 1512
In Cambridgeshire ... ... ... ... 799
4421 Professional persons in the Army, Navy, Church, Law, &c.
In Norfolk ... ... ... ... ... 8133
In Suffolk ... ... ... ... 4170
In Cambridgeshire ... ... ... ... 3286
15,589 Commercial persons, &c.
In Norfolk ... ... ... ... ... 8439
In Suffolk ... ... ... ... 6043
In Cambridgeshire ... ... ... ... 2443
16,925 The county of Cambridge contained a population of 176,016 persons, including 86,568 males and 89,448 females, showing a decrease of 9389 in the previous ten years. The town of Cambridge contained a population vol, n. G a
450 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
of 26,361, including 12,250 males and 14,111 females. The towns containing over 2000 inhabitants were — Ely 7528, Wisbech 9276, March 3600, Newmarket 4069, Whittlesey 4496.
The rei urns of the census showed a great increase in all the market towns of the Eastern Counties, also a great increase in' Norwich, the total number being 74,891 persons — viz., males, 33,863 ; females, 41,028; inhabited houses, 17,112; empty houses, 739; building, 103. In that year there was great depression of trade, and a subscription of £4000 was raised for the relief of the poor. Since then the hand-loom weavers have gradually found employment in other branches of industry, especially the boot and shoe trade, which greatly increased, till 6000 men, women, and children were employed in it.
At the census of 1861, the persons employed in woollen cloth manufac- tures in Norwich were seventeen males under twenty years of age, fifty- one males at or above that age, thirty females under twenty, and forty- one at or above twenty years of age. In worstead goods fifteen and 201 males and sixty-eight and 142 females ; in cotton goods, seventeen and 112 males, and 155 and 281 females; in weaving (undefined), eight and 145 males and twenty-one and 219 females; in shawls, two and twenty-two males and three and twenty females ; in boots and shoes, 672 and 248 males and -471 and 1620 females; in engine and machine making, forty- three and 141 males; in tool-making, &c, thirty-three and 191 males, besides eight and twenty -four females ; in rope and cord-making, sixteen and thirty-six males ; in paper-making, nine and twenty-one males and four and seventeen females.
On December 14th, 1861, the melancholy tidings of the decease of the Prince Consort threw the entire population of the country into a state of unexampled sadness. Not till then, perhaps, did we fully realise how much his adopted country owed to his wisdom and virtues, and with what unparalleled sagacity and prudence he had fulfilled the duties of his exalted station, from which he had been so prematurely removed. Addresses of condolence were adopted to her Majesty by all the Corpora- tions in the Eastern Counties, and speeches were delivered by the mem- bers expressing the utmost sorrow.
In February, 1862, the country was full of the idea of memorials of the late Prince Consort, and a committee was formed in London to gather into one fund all the contributions for a great national object ; but each particular county was also eager to perpetuate the memory of so good a Prince. In Suffolk the idea of a good and cheap education for the sons of the middle classes soon gained ground. A county meeting was held, and £6000 were subscribed on the spot. The subscriptions soon amounted to more than £13,000, in addition to other benefactions. The promoters
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 451
of the scheme got a Bill passed through Parliament for a grant of fifteen acres of land as a si to, near Framlingham. The following Suffolk gentlemen contributed £500 each towards the building fund : — The Lord Lieutenant (Lord Stradbroke), Sir Edward Kerrison, Sir Fitzroy Kelly, M.P., Lord Henniker, M.P., Sir George Broke Middleton, the Marquis of Bristol, Mr. K. Wilson, Sir Charles Bunbury, Mr. T. Lucas, Mr. R. Garrett, Mr. J. Bcrners. In addition, Mr. G. Mantle, Leicester Square, and Mr. Goldsmith, Parliament Street, London, gave £700. Many other large subscriptions swelled the total amount to £13,000. The committee worked continuously to promote the undertaking, and the building was erected at Framlingham. It is in the Gothic style, of great extent, covering an area of 240 feet by 230 feet, containing accom- modation for 300 boys, a head master, and four teachers. The school was opened in 1865.
THE GREAT EXHIBITION OF 1862.
The International Exhibition in London opened in May, 1862, and attracted thousands of visitors from the Eastern Counties, as well as from all other counties, for six months. The opening of the World's Fair was the great event of the year. It contained a vast collection of the products and inventions of different nations, and a grand display of works of fine art, but it lacked the charm of novelty felt in the show of 1851. It was a huge bazaar that affoi'ded manufacturers and others another opportunity of exhibiting their varied productions.
What is the object of these shows ? Ostensibly to promote peace and goodwill amongst men, friendly rivalry between nations, and improve- ments in the useful arts. Wonderful was the laudation of the Crystal Palace in 1851. It was to introduce a new millenium, but instead of that we had the Russian war, the American war, and then the German war. The real merits of the show were obscured in a cloud of bombast. As to improvements in the useful arts, there lias been more imitation than any- thing else ; very little that was original. Solomon said there is nothin new under the sun ; and he is right.
The Crystal Palace, a fine name for a glass shed, was supposed to ini- tiate a new order of architecture, but it did nothing of the kind. We only imitate the architecture of the ancients, and never surpass, if ever we equal, any of the classic buildings. There has been no originality in any of the productions of the useful arts — only variations of forms and mate- rials, different applications of science. The shows, instead of being illus- trations of the industries of the world, are only illustrations of the vanities and luxuries of the woi'ld — fine furniture and costly things not prized by wise men, and only valued by fashionable people who delight in gaudy
452 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
display. They are always fond of shows and sights. They were always a race of gapers and starers. If Shakespeare had lived to the present time, ho might have used the words of Trinculo in the Tempest : " Were I in England now, and had but this fish painted, not a holiday fool there but would give a piece of silver. There would this monster make a man ; any strange beast there makes a man. Where they will not give a doit to relieve a lame beggar, they will lay out ten to see a dead Indian."
Fashion drives all the fine people to shows and exhibitions, just as it drives them to churches and chapels, to balls, theatres, and concerts — to see and bo seen. Fashion brings them to balls and parties, into heated and over-crowded rooms. Fashion dresses the ladies in light fabrics, leaving almost uncovered snowy arms, fair shoulders, and heaving bosoms. Fashion compels them to undergo great fatigue and hardships, and to turn day into night. Fashion takes them into great shows, amid vast collections of things, to gaze around on acres of textile fabrics, and miles of machinery about which they know nothing and care nothing. But it may be said that even people of fashion may learn something in a great show of the products of industry — may find out that they are not all the world, nor "the observed of all observers" — that there are far more useful members of society. Granted, but is not all London a great exhibition of the useful arts ? Are not all the main streets at the West End wonderful shows of the products of industry ? Many large estab- lishments present magnificent displays of the manufactures of every country. Then as to fine arts, what great show can compare with the galleries of pictures ?
What, then, is the advantage of these great exhibitions ? A great deal, perhaps, to manufacturers and to the working people, who have thus an opportunity of displaying their skill and of seeing what other artizans can produce. But the generality of sight-seers are incapable of forming any opinions of many valuable articles which they admire. The Kohinoor diamond to them is only a piece of glass. Americans viewing the exqui- site statue of the Greek slave, " did not seem to fancy those stone gals." Crowds of people passed through sculpture rooms at the London Exhibi- tion scarcely looking at the most finished works of art. The same persons taken quietly into an artist's studio, and their attention directed to the merits or demerits of any statue, would have been far more interested. A man with only one good picture at home — a beautiful landscape, mountain or valley, flocks and herds feeding, or the sun rising or setting — will derive from frequent inspection more benefit than from a grand collection seen in a hurried way. It may be asked, Who can conceive of anything more pure, exquisite, or innocent, than the delight afforded by the view of fine paintings of beautiful scenes ? Who has not felt that the quiet con-
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURT. 453
templation of all such objects has a most refining, softening, elevating influence on the mind ? Yes ; all miy feel this influence in a quiet place while inspecting the works of art on view, but it is quite different amid throngs of people at a universal exhibition of all nations.
A district exhibition is far more likely to encourage improvement and effort to excel in anything and everything and to bring out native talent, especially of working men. It must be remembered that all improvements, all inventions, have originated with working men; the railways, the steam engines, the telegraphs, the sewing, reaping, and printing machines, all originated with working men, in country towns. Many improvements of engines and agricultural machines have been made by working men in the Eastern Counties. Therefore, local exhibitions are more likely to bring out the ingenuity and skill of the district and the beginnings of invention. The residents in the town or county have an opportunity of discovering what can be done amongst themselves, without sending to London or Paris for everything, as at present seems to be the fashion. Visitors to a local show take far more interest in the productions of their friends and neighbours.
All things considered, mere sightseers lose more than they gain by a great show of everything conceivable under heaven. If even in the best- regulated exhibitions it is difficult to obtain any benefit, how much more in these monstrous conglomerations of the products of all nations. In the former case a man may pick out a few objects to improve his taste, if he can extricate them from the mass and examine them properly. But in this barbaric heaping together in one vast olla podrida of all that is new, strange, or beautiful, or what is thought so, there is no chance of thoroughly inspecting anything.
We might as well expect a good dinner in a public assembly, where everyone was hungry, and had set before him all manner of dishes at once : soup, fish of every kind, meat, game, and confectionery. We cannot expect that exhibitions run over in a few days will introduce a new era in art or industry ; or endow English workmen with French taste ; or open new markets for our 'goods all over the world; or extinguish pauperism ; or produce universal good-will amongst men ; or put us on a royal road to universal peace ; or do any good to any mortal, except the exhibitors, who sell their commodities at the highest possible prices.
What, then, is a great exhibition but an apotheosis of the spirit of the Barnums or showmen of all nations, in this age of cant quackery and universal humbug ? What an advertising van is on a small scale, a great exhibition is on a great scale — an organization for puffing the Avorkshops of all nations, or an opportunity for buncombe and tall talk of every variety. Literary flunkeys go to work with a will, and it really is appalling
454 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
to think of the torrents of blarney poured forth by the prodigious mental activity of the fourth estate, and the oceans of fustian and bombast yet to come. It may be admitted that exhibitions have done a small amount of good in employing reporters and printers, and causing the expenditure of a vast deal of money. After all, the expenditure is small compared to the regular budgets of small states for standing armies of men paid to shoot their fellow-men with needle guns and Snider rifles.
We cannot expect great social changes in a day or a week or a year ; for even all the French revolutions have not regenerated mankind. The age of " liberty, fraternity, and equality " is as far off as ever. We cannot expect civilisation to be much improved for a few millions sterling. We must be content if the progress of society be accelerated in the smallest degree, if intelligence be advanced "ever so little, by any exhibition. If it be true that the Paris show postponed a war for only a year, if it pre- vented wholesale murder for only a few months, it did some good. Even this negative good is much magnified. If we learn a few good lessons from friendly rivalry, the good is magnified by the vulgar as above all bearing. If we have felt any pleasure from being in the crowd at a great show, it is made a theme for poetic celebration.
" 0 thou cynic," some fair one will exclaim, " hast thou no poetry in thy soul ? Hast thou not felt the rapture of beholding the marvels of industry and art accumulated in such prodigious variety ? Canst thou survey without emotion such displays of the wonders of art, of all that is beautiful in sculpture and painting. O ! how canst thou all such delights renounce, and hope to be forgiven ? . Behold that wondrous work in yonder avenue : —
Laocoou there, in pain still seems to breathe, While round his limbs the poisonous serpents wreathe, ' Life struggling seems through every limb to pass, And 'lying torments animate the brass."
Such are the raptures of poetical lunatics raving about works of art. We may admit that there is some pleasure in being in the midst of a well- dressed crowd u of fair women and brave men." There is some satisfac- tion to our gregarious instincts in following one another like sheep in a great show, and caring as little about the objects on view as so many silly sheep. It is always pleasant to be in a genteel crowd, and to see what other people have seen, and to point out things to our admiring lady friends and to show off our superior taste or skill in detecting defects or in praising beauties. Our vanity is gratified, and especially if after a day of sight-seeing we are rewarded by " favours secret, sweet, and precious," bestowed by her we love in our hearts. There is no
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTUUY. 455
denying it, the ladies have a great deal to do with the pleasures of a show, and without them the show would not be worth seeing. At every exhibition the really grand sight is not the display of fine things, but the crowd, the busy hum of men and women moving to and fro, the varieties of costume and character, with the indefinable feeling of universal sympathy that pervades the whole mass of living beings.
LEADING EVENTS.
The Norwich Diocesan Church Association was formed in 1862, the patron being the Lord Bishop. The object was to combine as far as possible Churchmen of every shade of political and religious opinion in the support of the Church of England, particularly in reference to all questions likely to come before Parliament. The business of the society is conducted by two committees, partly elected and partly esc officio, meeting separately for consultation in Norfolk and Suffolk on local matters, but acting in concert with the general objects of the association.
In 1862, the Corporation of Norwich commenced an improvement and extension of the Cattle Market on the Castle HilL On the east side whole blocks of old houses were cleared away, and great additions made to the space for the show of horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs. The area was further enlarged by the demolition of some old houses at the corner of Golden Ball Street. A new line of houses was built on the cast side, ending with the handsome show rooms of Messrs. Holmes & Sons, the well-known agricultural machine makers. A vast amount of business is transacted in this Cattle Market, greatly to the benefit of the city traders . The improvements cost the city over £50,000, a great part of which sum was borrowed, £16,000 from the Norwich Union Office. The expenditure caused a yearly loss to the city. The receipts from 1855 to 1862, inclusive, amounted to £3521 10s., and the.payments £2737 19s. lid., leaving a surplus of £391 2s. lOd. yearly After the alterations from 1862 to 1868, the receipts were less in amount than the payments by £28 16s. 4|d. yearly. To pay the interest on the borrowed money, and to reduce the liabilities, £500 yearly, will absorb all the receipts from the Cattle Market for the rest of this century.
In 1862, the failure of the Outfall Sluice caused a great inundation in the Fen district, with much loss of property, and caused much litigation. Some hundreds of claims were made on the Middle Level Commission for compensation, and most of the claims were paid. The total number of claims adjusted was 201, and the sums paid for compensation amounted to £53,852 19s. 7d., the claims in respect of the same having been £89,596 6s. 3d. The amount paid for costs was about £9,000, when many claims remained to be settled. The disaster created a great
4o6 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
sensation, and will not soon be forgotten by the Middle Level Com- mission, as it heavily increased the bonded debt of that body; never- theless, by care and economy, the Commissioners will probably pay their way, maintain their credit, and provide for the drainage of the district committed to their care without having to encounter insuperable obstacles.
The Norfolk Estuary Company, a concern which had only yielded its shareholders a crop of blighted hopes, appeared to be slowly improving, and the report of the directors showed that they had 813 acres of enclosed land, including 119 acres of banks along the Marsh Cut. These lands were then let at rents amounting to £1400 yearly. This was but a small rent-roll for a company which had expended a capital of £350,000 ; nevertheless as years roll on there may be some hopes that the shareholders will receive some little dividend. The probabilities of the future seemed to be in favour of the company, for the general course of the Fen district has been one of increasing prosperity ; and this year (1868) especially one of the most glorious sights that could delight the eye was the almost boundless prospect of golden grain which was pre- sented before the traveller traversing the great level between Ely and Peterborough.
On March 10th, 1863, the citizens of Norwich again displayed their enthusiastic loyalty on the occasion of the marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales, by processions, illuminations, balls, &c. Their Royal Highnesses have made themselves very popular in Norfolk by living part of the year at their seat at Sandringham in West Norfolk, and participat- ing in all the festivities and amusements of the gentry. His Eoyal Highness purchased his Norfolk estate for £200,000, and there he has often enjoyed good sport in shooting. He has often attended meetings of the West Norfolk Hunt,
In April, 1863, on Earl Euston becoming Duke of Grafton, an election took place for Thetford with the following result : — Lord F. J. Fitzroy (L.), 98 j R. J. H. Harvey, Esq., 81 ; so that the latter was defeated. But he was returned for that borough in July, 1865, and continued to be its representative until it was disfranchised in 1868, when it was merged in West Norfolk.
This year (1863), the Norwich Court of Guardians obtained a new Act of Parliament for an improved management of the poor, and repealing all former Acts. Under the new Act the present Board of Guardians is con- stituted with a reduced number of guardians, and the whole management is more in accordance with the new Poor-law system. Norwich is now made a Union of parishes divided into districts, each having medical attendants. The Union is now divided into sixteen districts. The Board consists of forty-two guardians, elected for the sixteen districts. The
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 457
Board has the management of lunatic paupers, who are maintained in an asylum in St. Augustine's. Great care has been taken of them, and many of them have been cured, more in proportion than in any other town. Nevertheless the Lunacy Commissioners who visited the asylum reported that the place was unfit for lunatics, and demanded that a new asylum should be built in a better situation. The Board of Health decided that a new asylum was unnecessary, and refused to build one. The Lunacy Commissioners, however, made a strong report to the Secretary of State on the subject, and he sent down an order to the Council to build a new asylum, which is likely to cost £40,000.
The series of measures which emanated from (he Poor-law Department were of great importance to the people at large, having facilitated the arrangements of Unions, and protected poor men by relieving them from the liability of being suddenly removed from one place to another, and so being placed at a distance from their work. The object which was then sought to be obtained is no longer necessary, for under an Act passed in the session of 1865, called the County Chargeability Act, it is no longer the interest of anyone to remove the poor to a distance, and they will in future be allowed to live near the place where they work.
This year (1864) the operatives of Norwich engaged in textile manufac- tures made a very laudable attempt to improve their very depressed con- dition by establishing an " Industrial Weavers Co-operative Society," and held many meetings to promote that object. The Rev. C. Caldwell and other gentlemen advocated their cause. The society was supported by donations, and J. H. Gurney, Esq., advanced a sum which had been left by his father J. J. Gurney, Esq., for the benefit of the weavers, the principal with interest amounting to £1100. The operatives produced a quantity of goods which did not meet with a ready sale.
Mr. Jonas Webb, the great breeder of Southdown sheep in Cambridge- shire, passed away from this earthly scene in 1864, and the operations of some Norfolk and Suffolk breeders (the Messrs. Aylmer, Mr. Brown, and others) acquired increased importance, and their annual ram lettings were well attended. The long-woolled breeds, however, appeared to find the most favour, and not the Southdowns. Symmetrical as they were, some farmers affirmed that the long-woolled breeds were the most profitable, both as to yield of mutton and wool. Lord Walsingham, through his able agent Mr. Woods, still produces Southdown sheep of great " excel- lence, and he is worthily emulated in Essex by Lord Braybrooke. But it is obvious that whatever such noblemen may do as a matter of taste, may not be the most profitable for ordinary tenant farmers. Accordingly, we find Messrs. Aylmer's long-woolled rams, as well as the long-woolled rams of other breeders, coming into increasing popularity.
458 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
The eighth reformed Parliament, during the existence of which Lord Palmerston continued premier, was dissolved on' July 6th, 1805. The nomination was appointed to take place on July 11th, when Mr. Warner and Sir William Russell offered themselves for re-election, but were opposed by Mr. Waters and Mr. A. Goldsmid. After a severe contest the result was as follows: — Sir William Kussell (L.), 1845; Edward Warner (L.), 1838; Augustus Goldsmid (C), 1466 ; R. E. C. Waters (C), 1363. Mr. Waters was disowned by the Conservative committee and many voters of the party, on account of some charges against him.
July 18th, 1865, the election came on for East Norfolk, and a contest took place with the following result : — E. Howes, Esq. (C), 3100; C. S. Read, Esq. (C), 2985; Colonel Coke (L.), 1994; Sir Thomas Beau- champ (L.), 2150. Consequently the two former were elected, and con- tinued to represent the Eastern Division till 1868, when the Reform Bill Avas passed dividing East Norfolk into North Norfolk and South Norfolk, for the purpose of representation.
In July, 1865, there was a strong contest for the representation of West Norfolk, and the numbers were as follow : — Sir William Bagge, Bart. (C), 2710; Hon. Thomas de Grey (C), 2611; Sir Willoughby Jones, Bart. (L.), 2133 ; J. B. Gurdon (L.), 2088.
In November, 1868, Sir William Bagge, Bart., and the Hon. Thomas De Grey were again returned without opposition.
In July, 1865, an election came on for East Suffolk, and Lord Henniker and Sir Fitzroy Kelly were returned without opposition.
On Lord Henniker being made a peer of Parliament, and Sir Fitzroy Kelly a Judge, in July, 1866, the Hon. J. M. Henniker (C), and Sir E. C. Kerrison, Bart. (C), were returned.
In July, 1865, Major W. Parker (C), and Lord A. C. H. Hervey (C), were returned without opposition for West Suffolk.
In July, 1865, there was a contested election at Ipswich, with the fol- lowing result :— Hugh Edward Adair (L.), 992 ; John C. Cobb old (C), 910; H. W. West (L.), 904 ; W. Tidmas (C), 774.
In November, 1868, Mr. Adair was again returned, with Mr. H. W. West as a colleague. The numbers were as follow : — Hugh Edward Adair (L.), 2321 ; H. W. West, Q.C. (L.), 2195; John C. Cobbold (C), 2044.
In July, 1865, the representation of South Essex was contested, and the numbers were :— H. J. S. Ibbctson (C), 281 7 ; Lord E. G. Cecil (C), 2710; R. B. W. Baker (L.), 2382.
Same date North Essex was contested, and the numbers were — Charles Du Cane (C), 2081; Sir T. B. Western (L.), 1931; Right Hon. W. Beresford (C), 1881.
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 459
Cambridge was contested with the following' result in July, 18G5 : — William Forsyth, 702; F. S. Powell (C), 760; Lieut.-Colonel R. R. Torrons, 720 ; W. D. Christie, 725. On petition Mr. Forsyth was un- seated, and J. E. Gorst and Colonel Torrens returned at the next election in 18(30.
Cambridgeshire returned Lord G. J. Manners and Lord Iloyston and Mr. Richard Young without opposition in 1805 ; but in November, 1808, there was a contest: — Lord G. J. Manners (C), 3998; Lord Royston (C), 3974; Right Hon. II. Brand (L.),3300; Richard Young (L.), 3290.
The dull old borough of Harwich was enlivened by a contest in July, 1805 :— Captain H. J. W. Jervis (C), 209; John Kelk (C), 194; Michael Wills, 117; Fitzjames Stephens, 77.
Same month and year, Maldon was contested: — G. M. W. Sandfurd (L.), 401 ; R, A. Earle (C), 420; T. Sutton Western (L.), 394.
The most important event in this diocese of late years was the holding of the Church Congress in Norwich, in October, 1805. St. Andrew's Hall was quite filled every day for a whole week by bishops and clergy- men. High Churchmen throughout the Eastern Counties made it a point of duty to attend the Congress, and the proceedings at the daily meetings were of an interesting character to Churchmen generally. Addresses were delivered every day on very important subjects ; the Bible History was ably vindicated against the objections of Freethinkers. The Church, as an establishment, was well defended by her champions.
The Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture was instituted in 1805, and frequent meetings of the members have been held at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich. The objects of the Chamber are to watch over all measures affecting the farming interest, both in and out of Parliament, to co-operate with the General Chamber thereon, and to take such action as may be for the benefit of agriculturists. At the meetings of the members, in- teresting questions have been discussed, and C. S. Read, Esq., M.P. for East Norfolk, has generally presided, and given much valuable information. •
On May 31st, 1800, the Norwich Board of Health, after an injunction in Chancery was obtained, resolved " That it is absolutely needful at once to take measures to divert the sewage from the river Wensum," and a scheme of drainage was adopted. Negociations were entered into for part of the Crown Point estate, the agreement for which was confirmed by the Board on July 10th. By this agreement the Board took on lease .! 290 acres of land at Crown Point, at 05s. per acre, for thirty years ; the whole sewage of the city to be taken to Trowse, and pumped over the land.
In 1806, an Act, the 29th and 30th Victoria, c. 242, was passed for
460 History of eastern England.
"The Conservancy and Improvement of the Port and Haven of Great Yarmouth, and the rivers connected therewith, also for the levying and abolishing of Tolls and Dues, and for other purposes." This was the last Yarmouth Port and Haven Act, and under it the tolls have been increased on all vessels coming to Norwich. Nevertheless, there is a great carrying trade by the river, freights being so much lower than the railway charges. Under this Act, the tolls will be entirely extinguished in seven years from March, 18G7, or in 1874.
In November, 1866, the Prince and Princess of Wales travelled from their seat at Sandringham to Cossey, on a visit to Lord and Lady Stafford, who entertained their Royal Highnesses in a princely style. Their Royal Highnesses during their sojourn at Cossey visited Norwich publicly, entering by way of the Dereham-road and St. Giles'-road, and passing under triumphal arches amid the acclamations of thousands of the citizens, it being a general holiday. They stopped at the Guildhall and received an address from the Corporation in the Council Chamber. Then they proceeded to St. Andrew's Hall, and attended a morning concert of the Musical Festival. Their Royal Highnesses, in leaving the Hall, rode along the principal streets and returned to Cossey.
In the summer of 1866, there was a general "collapse of credit," in consequence of over-speculation in Joint Stock Companies. The Great Eastern Railway fell into a disastrous position, and, indeed, got into Chancery, and the Court appointed receivers. These receivers were Mr. S. Swarbrick, and Mr. Owen, the secretary. The step involved no change in the working of the line, the only effect being that the receivers kept all the fares and tolls for the benefit of the debenture holders. At length the credit of the company was restored, and the directors resumed the management.
The large importation of foreign cattle into England without any pre- cautions of a sanitary kind, brought at last the fatal disease called the rinderpest. This dreadful calamity caused much alarm and suffering in East Anglia, and all the markets were closed for some time, till the disease was stamped out. It disappeared in the autum of 1866. Nobody could tell the nature of the disease, nor how to cure it, and the only way to prevent it spreading was to slaughter all the animals attacked and to bury the carcases.
The following statement, prepared in September, 1866, as to the ravages which the rinderpest had made in East Anglia, may be accepted as truly indicating its effect in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex : —
Essex ... attacked 2432 ... killed 557 ... died 1460 Suffolk... „ 2440... „ 1255... „ 966
Norfolk... „ 6671 ... „ 3680 ... „ 2435
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 461
The number of animals attacked which recovered, or were not accounted for, were : —
Essex recovered 385 unaccounted for 110
Suffolk „ 190 „ 29
Norfolk „ 294 » 262
Some alarm was also occasioned by a mysterious disease among sheep, which was supposed to be nearly akin to the rinderpest. While the veterinarians were squabbling as to the nature of the disease, it almost disappeared in 1866, almost as suddenly as it had come. In Essex, this ovine rinderpest attacked seven farmsteads ; in Suffolk, eight ; in Nor- folk, fifteen, and about 3000 sheep died; 400 were killed, while 573 recovered.
The great cattle markets of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex are Norwich, Bury, and Colchester. Of these, Norwich takes the first rank. Indeed it is the largest market for lean stock in England. It had to struggle against the rinderpest in the autumn of 1865, through the whole of 1866, and during part of 1867; but at last it regained its old freedom and activity, and the transactions increased to a greater scale than ever. The dues collected doubled in amount.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY AT BURY.
The most important event of the year 1867 in this Eastern district was the annual meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society at Bury St. Ed- mund's. The great show was held in the third week in July, and on the opening day, July 15th, the weather was very unfavourable. On the fol- lowing days the weather improved, but there was a great decrease in the number of visitors as compared with previous meetings elsewhere. Never- theless, there was a great display of machinery, horses, sheep, and pigs, and the fine old town woke up to life and activity while the meeting was in full swing. An account of this great exhibition will serve to illustrate the nature of all the annual agricultural shows in East Anglia, and as regards machinery, will prove the progress of an important branch of industry. The manufacturers of agricultural engines, machines, and implements in Norfolk and Suffolk take the lead in this department of skilled labour. They have introduced many new inventions and improve- ments, and greatly aided the progress of agriculture, which is the basis of the prosperity of all East Anglia.
His Highness the Viceroy of Egypt arrived at Bury on the first morning, and accompanied by a large party of gentlemen he proceeded to the Show-ground and drove over it. The party began with a survey of the implement field, where they inspected a variety of machines. Then they drove into the stock yard, where they looked at the extensive shows
462 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
of horses, cattle, and sheep. His Highness came for business, and purchased about forty of Messrs. Howard's steam cultivators, and he expressed himself pleased with the method exhibited upon the field. He then drove to the station, and left for London.
The Royal Agricultural Society never had a better Show-ground than that on which this exhibition was held. It was about forty-two acres in extent, lying close upon the line of railway from Bury to Haughley, and occupying, in fact, up to a certain base line, nearly the whole of the triangular piece of ground formed by the divergence at^Bury of two lines of railway. The Show-ilold, besides its extent and its convenience for the display of all departments, stood so as to command some prett}', quiet picturesque scenery.
During the week the town was gaily decorated with arches of ever- greens, devices, flags, and banners, especially in the vicinity of the Market Hill and Abbeygate Street. At night the principal streets were illuminated in honour of the society. Hotels, inns, and lodging-houses were full of strangers, who had to pay well for scanty accommodation. Indeed, almost every decent house was full of lodgers. House after house was fitted up as a temporary restaurant, and the front rooms of cottages were in many cases set out with a board liberally spread with good cheer. These places had plenty of country customers morning, noon, and night. All the taverns did a roaring trade in beer and spirituous liquors.
The inhabitants of Bury vied with each other in making their visitors comfortable, and one little incident may bo mentioned as typical of the feeling. A tradesman on the Angel Hill very considerately placed a light in a small transparent lantern, contrived for the purpose, outside his door, and on each side of the lantern was an inscription inviting any passer-by to take a light, while a tray of spills was attached to the lantern to assist his doing so. Of course, tobacco or cigars might be bought inside the •shop, and as may be supposed it had plenty of custom. The out-door fete in the Abbey grounds was very popular, and the gardens were the nightly resort of thousands of people of all classes.
The Royal Agricultural Soeiety, at each of its annual country meetings, holds a great trial of implements, and the classes of those which are put under trial arc varied from year to year. This year the trials were con- fined to steam engines — fixed and portable, thrashing, finishing, and hand- dressing machines, barley hummellers, chaff-cutters, mills, cutters, oil- cake breakers, bone mills, turnip cutters, and field gates. The trials of implements lasted three days in the week before the opening of the exhibition ; but were not very interesting to uninitiated spectators.
The exhibition of machinery was the most extensive ever seen in the Eastern Counties, comprising traction and portable engines and all sorts
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 463
o£ implements. The show of horses was the largest ever made by the Royal Society, probably in consequence of the extra prizes offered owing to the prohibition of cattle this year. There was a good lot of thorough- bred stallions ; the hunters and hackneys and cart horses were a great display. The sheep were a good average show ; and the pigs, for numbers, size, and fatness, were never surpassed.
Visitors first entered the implement field, containing a vast collection. About 5000 articles were catalogued, most of them worthy of notice ; but to describe them all would bo a hopeless task. We wandered through the field note-book in hand, and made notes hero and there as our attention was arrested by some novelty or some collection of novelties more striking than usual. The machinery in motion attracted a large share of public attention. The traction engines made themselves conspicuous as they cleft their way through the crowd of spectators. Messrs. Ransomes & Sims', Messrs. Turner's, Messrs. Garrett's, and Mr. Burrell's engines took the air in the yard, and all appeared as usual to be as manageable as wheelbai'rows. All the exhibitors, stimulated by the largo number of visitors present, seemed to vie with each other in their endeavours to please all who were in search of information. Mr. Savage, of Lynn, had a capital specimen of a traction engine in motion. This engine was wonder- fully manageable, for it turned in a circle of not much greater diameter than its own length. The men fixed the steering wheels at a certain angle and left it, and the engine continued, revolution after revolution, to run round and round, the wheels tracking as nearly as possible in the same space.
Steam -ploughing and cultivating was well represented by Messrs. Howaid, Fowler, and BuitcII ; the former firm exhibited their now system of steam-cultivating machineiw, which was worked by a pair of 14-horse self-propelling engines, each fitted with two winding drums, drawing two cultivators simultaneously to and fro between them. This system is especially adapted for operating on a large scale, as is generally necessary in foreign countries and in newly-peopled colonies. Messrs. Howard also exhibited their double-action steam-ploughs, besides a two-furrow plough for very deep work. Another steam-cultivating apparatus on the same stand consisted of a 10-horse power portable engine with separate wire laps and ropes. The engine by this system is stationed at one corner or outside of the field to be cultivated, and this set of machinery is adapted to the wants of farmers generally more than the larger set before-mentioned. A side harrow intended to be attached to the side of the cultivator was also shown. This implement must, of course, be driven by the same power and at the same time as the cultivator, and thus two operations are effected at once, Messrs. Fowler and Co., of Leeds, exhibited a 14-horse
464 , HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
power set of steam-cultivating machinery on the single-engine principle, and one set of 10-horse power.
The first thing that met the eye on looking over the immense collection of implements and parts of implements, was the great use of iron in a variety of instances where formerly wood was used. This is an iron age with a vengeance, and the ploughman finds himself at work with a plough of which the handle is the only part of woodwork. In all other implements and in all machinery the same change is discernible ; land rollers are all of iron ; the frames of machinery, where formerly wood was used, are now of iron ; even toothed wheels are of iron. But the most striking instance of iron superseding wood is in the large number of iron field gates, and even gate posts, all of iron, and to all appearance indestructible. Fences of iron were also exhibited in such quantities and at such prices that it would seem as if the makers had determined to exterminate the old bush fences. Another thing observable in the show was the remarkably light finish of the machines and implements, even in many cases upon those which were to be used for the roughest of work. That such finish should be found in steam engines and in some of the higher sorts of machinery was not at all remarkable ; but in such things as ploughs, harrows, and farm carriages there was an oddness of appear- ance very striking to the unpractised eye.
To no operation of the farm has machinery been applied with more signal success than to hay-making. The grass is cut by machinery, strewn by machinery, and raked in by machinery, against which the most obstinate believer in man versus machine cannot advance an argument, either as to the mode in which the work is performed or the cost of the machine. It may be urged that the reaping machine is a little slovenly, or that the steam plough requires a good deal of horse-labor to enable it to finish its work, but nothing of the kind can be urged against the hay- making machine. With this implement a man and two horses can strew as much hay as a score of men and women, and beat them hollow as far as the method in which the work is done is concerned. The hay-making machine may now be seen in almost every pasture, whirling the hay into the air, and leaving it to subside upon the ground in a perfectly even mass such as could not be imitated by the utmost skill of a man furnished only with a pitchfork. A very large and excellent collection of these machines was exhibited by Messrs. Ashby and Jeffery, of Stamford, Lincolnshire.
The principal exhibitors of engines, machines, and implements in this district were Ransome, Sims, & Head, Ipswich ; Messrs. Turner, Ipswich ; Messrs. Garrett & Sons, Leiston ; Messrs. Woods, Cocksedge, & Warner, Stowmarket; Mr. C. Burrell, Thetford; Mr, Savage, Lynn; Messrs.
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 465
Holmes & Son, Norwich ; Messrs. Riches & Watts, Norwich ; Mr. Smith- dale, Norwich ; all of whom have made great improvements in machines and carry on an extensive business.
For fixed steam-engines the first prize of £20 was awarded to Messrs. Clayton, Shuttleworth, & Co., the second of £10 to Messrs. Tuxford & Sons.
For single -cylinder portable engines the first prize of £25 and the second of £15 went to the same exhibitors.
For double-cylinder portable engines the first prize of £25 went to Messrs. Clayton, Shuttleworth, & Co., the second prize of £15 to Messrs. Ransomes & Sims.
For portable thrashing-machines, Messrs. Ransomes & Sims won the first prize of £20; Messrs. E. Humphreys the second of £12; Messrs. Nalder & Nalder the third
For thrashing and finishing machines, Messrs. Holmes & Sons, Nor- wich, won the first prize of £20 ; Messrs. Clayton, Shuttleworth, & Co. the second, of £15 ; Messrs. Marshall & Sons the third, of £5.
For corn-dressing machines, Messrs. W. Tucker & Son, Andover, prize of £12 ; Corbet & Son, Wellington, Salop, prize of £8.
For corn screens, Messrs. Hornsby & Sons, of Lincoln, prize of £10.
For barley hummellers, Messrs. Holmes & Sons, Norwich, prize of £5.
The Royal Society offered prizes of £100, £50, and £25 in the first class of horses, and of course there was much competition. Whatever might be the taste of the horse fancier, the show furnished him with an ample choice. An assembly of some fifty or one hundred of the picked animals of the Suffolk breed would be no novelty to the county breeder, inasmuch as the annual local show afforded a greater display year after year. But however grand the county show might be in its endless array of Suffolk cart horses, it was only on occasions like the present that the various classes — blood horse, hunter, hackney, carriage, and cart horse — were brought out in their full force. The highest prizes were offered for the " thorough-bred stud horse which in the opinion of the judges is best calculated to improve and perpetuate the breed of the sound and stout thorough-bred horse for general stud purposes." The motive for this unusually attractive prize was the general call for weight-carrying hunters, and enticing the owners of the best animals to send them into the show- yard. Captain Barlow, who had for many years done his utmost to im- prove the breed of riding horses in this district, won the first prize of £100 for thorough-bred stud horses. He also won the first prize of £30 for mares in foal suitable for breeding hunters ; Mr. Henry Hurrell, of Harston, Cambridge, the second of twenty ; Mr. William Harvey, of Timorth, the third prize.
VOL. II. H H
466 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
Prizes of £75, £50, and £26 were offered for five-years-old hunters, aud this brought competition. The first prize was awarded to the mealy chestnut belonging to Mr. Gee, a gentleman who certainly knew what a good hunter should be. The second prize went to Mr. Sutton's " Voyageur," a splendid animal. The third prize went to Mr. Heygate for a big chestnut, with a little too much daylight under him. Other exhibitors sent capital hunters who could not be all in luck. Prizes of £40, £20, and £10 for four-year-old hunters brought fifteen entries ; but several did not put in an appearance. Here Mr. Gee was again the winner of the first prize. The three-year-old hunters were considered by the judges of "not sufficient merit/' a somewhat harsh judgment, as sometimes an indifferent three-year-old becomes a good horse.
Of the hackney stallions there was but one opinion, that such a display had been seldom seen. The majority of them were the true Norfolk type, but unfortunately some of them were of that abominable shade of roan so common to the breed. The first prize of £40 went to Mr. Charles Beart, of Stow Bardolph ; the second of £20 to Mr. John Grout, of Woodbridge ; the third of £10 to T. Lancelot Eeed, of Downham Market. Mr. Reed was an old hand at the prize trade, and had won more than once in his own district, with occasional trips to other exhibitions.
Suffolk cart horses were well represented by seventy fine animals — not a large number considering that their county is noted for the breed. They extend over a large area of cultivated land, and for uniformity of character, size, and symmetry there is no other farm horse to equal them. Every good horse is well known in his neighbourhood, and is often retained on the farm in spite of tempting offers to sell him. A few in some of the classes might have been left at home with advantage, but as a whole, such a picked lot of specimens never were seen before. Five cart stallions were on the ground. Mr. Boby, of Stutton, won the first prize of £25 ; Mr. T. Crisp, of Butley Abbey, the second of £15; and the third prize was not awarded.
Of the roadsters there were fifteen entries, four of which were from Mr. Grout's stables at Woodbridge, but they were not all on the ground. Mr. Badham was again in the front with his handsome old grey, looking as well as ever, and the judges seemed to think that he must be something very good, or why should all his companions hide their diminished heads wherever he put in an appearance. He won the £30 prize. The Crown Point chesnut of Sir R. J. Harvey won the second prize of £20. He was a most elegant park hack, and stepped grandly, but was not suited for a heavy weight. The third prize of £10 went to Mr. Grout's useful black mare with short legs and good action. Of three-year-old roadsters there were
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 467
four entries ; and the first prize of £20 went to Mr. Scriven for a strong brown mare with a. short neck.
In the class for ponies, the Royal Society offered prizes of £20, £15, and £5, for stallions under fourteen hands three inches. There were only three entries, and but one for the three prizes for stallions under thirteen and a-half hands. Mr. Farrer, of Sporle, Norfolk, claimed the only prize for an old-fashioned thick-crested pony not much above twelve and a-half hands high. The mares exhibited in this class were all surpassed by Mr. Jonathan Read's white-legged chestnut, which won the £15 prize. The second prize of £10 went to Mr. Cardinal, of Sudbury, for a six-year-old bay. This will suffice for our notice of the hackney classes, the smaller sort of which were rather below an average for a good show. As to the agricultural horses not qualified to compete as Suffolks, they were, as might be expected, short in numbers and still shorter in quality.
The show of sheep was certainly above the average in quality, and equal in quantity to former years. At Worcester there were 429 pens with seventy-five exhibitors ; Newcastle, 306 pens with sixty-five exhibitors ; Plymouth, 350 pens with sixty-three exhibitors ; Bury, 328 pens with sixty exhibitors. The breeds exhibited were the Hampshires, the South- downs and Cotswolds, the Shropshires, the Leicesters, and others, including the black-faced Norfolk and Suffolk sheep. Next to the South- downs and Cotswolds, the Shropshires were the most attractive, but the question comes, What is a Shropshire ? What should its character be ? Who are the breeders of Shropshires ? There is great variety in the breed. The Southdown rams were really splendid animals, all worthy of prizes. Lord Walsingham won the first-prize with a two-year-old ram. Sir W. Throgmorten won the second with a first-class animal. The same exhibitors won the prizes for shearlings. Norfolk carried away all the Cotswold prizes, with the aid of Messrs. Brown and Aylmer. Mr. G. M. Sexton was the only Suffolk exhibitor of Shearling rams, which were good enough for any company.
In our notice of this department, we should hardly be doing full justice if we did not say a few words as to the origin of the breed of the black-faced sheep in Suffolk, and the right of the breeders to claim a distinct prize. At one time the most eastern part of Suffolk, now under root and corn culture, was one vast tract of sheep walk, furze, brake, and heather, with occasional spots of arable land. On these, flocks which had ranged the heath by day were folded at night, and as the cultivated parts were few and far between, the daily routine of the east- coast sheep embraced a walk of several miles. Travelling at a brisk pace some three or four miles from fold to feeding-ground was not conducive to the fatness of the animal.
468 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
The neighbouring county of Norfolk supplied exactly the animals required. They were narrow in the chine, high in the withers, light in the shoulder, and long in the leg. They had the agility of a dog and the bearing of a New Forest deer ; they had prominent eyes and beautiful curled horns, and were very black in the face, ear, and leg ; they lived long, and were as prolific as the rabbits they fed with, but the oldest in- habitant of any place never knew any of the breed to get fat. When the art of root cultivation laid the foundation for more corn crops, year by year the sheep walks disappeared, and the call was no longer for a sheep adapted to secure a breakfast at a brisk trot, and whose restless spirit scorned the monotony of a turnip field. Hence the demand arose for a different type of animal. An infusion of Southdown blood gave a better carcase and a more contented spirit, a greater disposition to gather flesh, and a more symmetrical form. The black faces tiow found in East Suffolk are the result of this experiment. They bare traces of the old Norfolk breed in the finely-chiselled face and bright prominent eye, with their black legs and hardy constitutions. They boast, however, of better backs, and come to market at an earlier age, but they still are more adapted to maintain a healthy state of existence on poor fare than to make a quick return in the shape of mutton from a break of swede turnips and allow- ance of oilcake. Such was the origin of the black -faced breed now named the Suffolk.
Strange to say, few of those at whose instigation their pet breed obtained an acknowledged existence in the prize-sheet competed for the premiums they were the means of offering, and fewer still were successful when they became exhibitors. An explanation was to be found in the fact that in the extreme west of the county and its vicinity there was a breed of sheep somewhat similar in appearance, but far superior in many points to those from the east coast. These at once came into competition, and it was not many years before the flock was left open to the best breeders of the west-county flocks. There were immense flocks within a circuit of twenty miles from Newmarket.
The classes of pigs formed a great feature of the Show, both as regards numbers and quality. Suffolk can boast of the best breed of pigs in the world. The small white breed is the only one which years ago was recognized as the native stock of the county, and a more useful sort for the farmer or the housekeeper could not be found in England. Not content with one good breed in the count v, and jealous lest a prize should go elsewhere, the same judgment that brought the whites into prominent notice was applied to the improved blacks, and called the " Black Suffolk," being merely an improvement on what Lord Western had introduced. Of late years all the winning pigs of the small
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 469
breed have come from Suffolk — Messrs. Stearn, Sexton, & Crisp being the chief exhibitors.
A number of pens were occupied by hogs of large size, approaching the size of a half-grown elephant, with the shape of the smaller breed, though somewhat coarse in their hide and features. They were said not to be near so prolific as the smaller breeds — a provision of nature which we could but admire, as other breeds answered all the purposes for which these enormous animals were fitted. Mr. Crisp was an exhibitor in this class, but only got a commendation. The winner came from the Britannia Farms, of Howard notoriety, the first prize of £10 being won by J. & F. Howard, of Britannia Farm, Bedford. Mr. Howard also won the first prize in the large breed sow class.
The great artificial-manure makers of Suffolk were well represented at the Show. Messrs. T. Prentice and Co., of Stowmarket, exhibited their turnip and other manures in well-arranged cases. They also showed samples of ground and dissolved bones, and superphosphates of lime. Mr. Joseph Fison was .another exhibitor of artificial manures, and also of ground bones and sulphuric acid. Amongst the articles on this stand was an interesting collection of fossils, chiefly coprolites, from which so much of the artificial manure of the present day is made. Messrs. Packard and Sons were also exhibitors of coprolites and manures, ancl especially of the former, which was really a fine collection of those interesting fossils.
Mr. A. W. Pashley, of Haddiscoe near Lowestoft, and Tivetshall in Norfolk, exhibited a variety of chemical manures, which have been since in great demand both in this country and in foreign parts.
The exhibition comprised an immense variety of other things very slightly, if at all, connected with agriculture. Indeed, the Show was in some respects like a great bazaar ; but on that account it may have been more interesting to many people.
The admission being only a shilling on the last great day of the Show, the influx of visitors was immense. At an early hour they began to pour into the town by road. All sorts of carts trundled their heavy loads of passengers who had come to see the show. Farmers' waggons also came in with their loads of practical agriculturists and their families from the remote districts of West Suffolk. At one time these waggons came in at such a rate as to form a continuous line reaching the whole length of a street, and very soon the inn yards were filled to overflowing, and then the streets were blocked up with carts. The railway trains brought in thousands of visitors, and then the streets became bustling with life. The roads were covered with throngs of people, all moving towards the Show Ground.
As soon as the gates were opened the living mass of people streamed
470 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
in, and the stream never slackened for hours, till the number reached near 33,000. The effect was apparent immediately on entering the field, for we heard all sorts of criticisms in the broadest Suffolk dialect. All the principal points of interest, especially the long lines of machinery in motion, were crowded with visitors, whose questions sorely tried the patience of the exhibitors or their agents. As the day wore on, the numbers increased, and many a picturesque party of rustics bivouacked on the open spots in the field, opened their baskets, and regaled them- selves on huge home-baked pies or fat bacon and bread. The ground continued to be crowded as densely as at first till the hour of closing arrived, and then the masses of people marched away.
LEADING EVENTS.
Contemporaneously with the Agricultural Show of the Royal Society at Bury, the Royal Horticultural Society held an exhibition of great beauty and merit on ground in the immediate neighborhood of the Botanic Gardens. This magnificent display suffered to some little extent from the boisterous and unfavourable weather which prevailed. Upon the whole, however, the votaries of Flora and Pomona have never held a more attractive show than that collected within the crumbling walls of the once grand and famous Abbey of Bury St. Edmund. Thousands of visitors assembled in the grounds, and were delighted with the floral display. The ladies of Suffolk collected round the stands in great numbers, and we have seldom seen such an array of rank, fashion, and beauty.
In this placid part of England the great events of the year are the succession of seed time to harvest, aud of harvest to seed time. Well, since the harvest is so important a matter, what sort of harvest was it in 1867 ? The general opinion may be summed up in this conclusion — that wheat was 15 per cent, below the average, but farmers made good prices for their products. Whether the towns were as well off as the counties might be a question.
The Rev. J. Fraser, one of the Government Commissioners appointed to investigate the question as to the employment of women and children in the fields, visited Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex in the summer months of 1867, and he was generally well received while making his inquiries. A good deal came out as to the lack of education amongst the poor of the rural districts, and the bad state of their cottages. The visit of the Com- missioner brought some ugly facts to light, and especially the number of illegitimate births. Thus out of every 1000 births in Norfolk in 1865, no fewer than 106 were illegitimate.
The state of the agricultural laborers in Norfolk formed the subject of
EVENTS IN TI1E NINETEENTH CENTURY. 471
many discussions at different times. Whatever may be the result of those debates amongst farmers, it is undoubtedly something to hear an earnest desire expressed to ameliorate the sad condition of the sons and daughters of toil. Farmers are apt to present the bright side of the picture, but it is certain that most of the labourers are badly housed, badly clothed and fed. Love in a cottage is a very pretty thing, but it should be accom- panied with some little comfort, for when poverty comes in at the door, love flies out at the window.
In June, 186 7, the Norwich Board of Health obtained an Act of Parliament for carrying out the drainage scheme. After the Act was obtained, Mr. Morant, the City Surveyor, by direction of the committee, proceeded with the preparation of the necessary drawings and specifications for the drainage works, and by order of the Board, contracts wore entered into amounting to £48,302. Further sums were required for works not included in the contracts, and the entire scheme was proposed to be carried out at an estimated cost of £60,000, afterwards raised to £80,000. After great opposition, the Board resolved to carry out the works. The general plan of the works was to construct two main drains, one on each side of the River Wensum, to intercept the sewage, and to carry it to Trowse, where a pumping station has been erected, and engines are at work to pump the sewage over the land at Crown Point Estate.
The annual abstract of the accounts of the Norwich Board of Health in 1867, shews the receipts and payments from September 1st, 1866, to September 1st, 1867. The receipts amounted to £15,873 3s. 6d., the payments to £15,323 18s. 2d., which sum included £1204 16s. 7d. sewage expenses (chiefly law charges). Of course the receipts were derived almost entirely from the half-yearly rates. The expenditure included £3314 9s. 8d. for interest, the rest being for repairs to streets and roads, paving, lighting, sewerage works, salaries, &c. The repairs to roads, paving sewers and urinals, cost £3725. Ultimately the Board of Health borrowed money in large sums till the amount reached £148,806, chiefly for the new sewerage.
The sewage works attracted a great deal of public attention in the spring of 1868, and the scheme was opposed with much bitterness by many of the leading citizens, whose principal objection was the great expense which the execution of the works would involve, and the conse- quent heavy addition which would be made to the bonded debt of the city. This opposition was not based on views of too gloomy a character as regards cost, which continually increased, and exceeded £100,000 before the end of the year 1870.
'The Norwich Industrial Exhibition (1867) was held for six weeks from August 15th till October 20th, in St. Andrew's Hall. About 1000
472 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
exhibitors sent specimens of works of art and useful articles, which quite filled the hall. Hundreds of paintings were lent for the occasion, and the show attracted thousands of visitors. The industrial part of the exhibition was most creditable to the working men of Norwich and Norfolk, many of whom gained medals and money prizes for the best specimens of useful and ornamental articles. On November 5th the Mayor, F. E. Watson, Esq., distributed the prizes to the successful competitors, in presence of a large assembly.
Of course, unsuccessful competitors were dissatisfied, and some of them no doubt should have been rewarded. The exhibition could not be considered an adequate representation of every branch of Norwich industry. Many specimens were not sent of textile fabrics in which Norwich operatives excel. The samples of furniture were good and numerous, without any novelty. In the fine -art department most of the pictures were lent for the occasion.
The Norwich Medical Chirurgical Society was formed in 18G7 by the union of the Norfolk and Norwich United Medical Book Society with the Pathological Society for Promotion of Physic and Surgery, the support of the medical library, containing four thousand volumes for reference and circulation ; the holding meetings for the exhibition of specimens, draw- ings, preparations, &c, of morbid parts, the reading of papers, and for discussions on medical and surgical subjects, the consideration of public matters affecting the profession, and the encouragement of friendly intercourse between its members. The library occupies the rooms in connection with the Literary Institution.
The British Association for the Advancement of Science held a meeting in Norwich, commencing on August loth, and continued till August 26th, 1868. The old city was filled with visitors from all parts of England and Europe ; the hotels, inns, and lodging-houses were crowded with strangers. Norwich gave a hospitable welcome to the society. Dr. Hooker, whose granddaughter was a native of Norwich, delivered the inaugural address. The various scientific sections held daily meetings at different public places, and most of the meetings were well attended. The proceedings were reported in the daily issues of the Norfolk Chronicle and Norfolk News.
The year 1868 may be said to have been an annus mirabilis, in regard to the weather. The months of June, July, August, and September will be long remembered for one of the most remarkable droughts on record during this century. In consequence, the aspect of the country became one of the saddest and most distressing character. Charred railway slopes and withered fields met the eye in every direction, and at last water became so scarce that it was carried by railway trains as a precious
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 473
commodity to some places. Almost every day the ripened crops were ignited by casual sparks. At length a few refreshing showers fell, but even in September and October the supply of moisture to the thirsty land was scarcely up to the average. The effect of this state of weather upon agriculture in East Anglia was of course very injurious to the growing crops. The barley crop was scanty, but the wheat crop proved better than was expected.
The Eastern district was not honoured with a visit of the Royal Society as in 1867, but successful meetings were held by the County Associations in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire. They extended their meetings to two days each, with great exhibitions of stock. These exhibitions no doubt exercise a beneficial influence on the agricultural mind, but perhaps greater results have been produced by the Chambers of Agriculture, which sprung up into existence about five years since, and which afford to farmers many opportunities of expressing their opinions.
Many monthly meetings of the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture were held at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, and many discussions took place on interesting questions, such as education, the game laws, the condition of the labourers, &c. At last the labourers themselves got up an agitation to improve their condition.
The Britannia Pier at Yarmouth was partially destroyed on November 15th, 1868. A perfect hurricane was blowing all the previous night from east-north-east. About 5"20 a.m., the schooner Seagull, of Lynn, which had been riding at anchor in the roadstead for several days, parted from her cable, and drove stern first through the pier, carrying away between sixty and seventy feet of it, the mast and rigging all going by the board, and entangled in one mass with the debris of the pier. The ship became a complete wreck, and broke up fast. The crew saved themselves by jumping on to the pier, but were unable to save anything from the wreck. The damage done to the pier was estimated at £900.
The harbour improvements at Yarmouth were materially assisted this year (1868) by a loan granted at a very moderate interest by the Public Works Loan Commissioners, and a vigorous impulse was given to the works. Certainly, if Yarmouth is at all to maintain its reputation as a com- mercial port, and to avoid the risk of degenerating into a mere fishing village, the Haven and Pier Commissioners and other authorities must do their utmost to increase the depth of water, and generally to add to the shipping facilities of the port.
While upon the subject of harbours, we should note the persevering efforts which were made by the Harwich Harbour Conservancy Board for the improvement of the really noble port of Harwich. These efforts were attended by a certain degree of success, although the port was reduced to
474 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
a quiescent state, by reason of the diminished patronage which it received from the Great Eastern Railway Company.
The personal history of East Anglia in 1868 was of some interest. Lord Cranworth, who had climbed up to the high legal position of Lord Chancellor, passed to his last rest. So did Rajah Brooke, an old Valpean, whose stormy and adventurous career as Bajah of Sarawak was brought to a peaceful close in a quiet Devonshire retreat. Sir John Trollope, the popular and fluent Lincolnshire baronet, was rewarded for his devotion to the Conservative party by being elevated to the peerage. His seat thus became vacant for South Lincolnshire, and was filled up by the unopposed election of Mr. W. E. Welby, who retired from the representation of Grantham.
The House of Commons as constituted by the Reform Act of 1832, during the thirty-five years of its existence passed some measures of the first magnitude by repealing the old Corn Laws, abolishing the Naviga- tion Laws, and sweeping away the Paper Duties and Newspaper Taxes. But a new House of Commons was needed that should represent not only the middle classes, but also the working men— not only capital, but labour. For this purpose, a new Reform Bill became necessary to lower and extend the franchise to all householders, to give at least every rate- payer a vote, so that the whole of the people might be represented in Parliament.
After Lord Palmerston's death, a new Government was formed, and Mr. Gladstone introduced another Reform Bill, which was not accepted ; and on an adverse division respecting a rating clause, the Ministry resigned. Lord Derby came into office, and Mr. Disraeli introduced a Bill for household suffrage, in terms based on ratepaying by the occupiers. This Bill, which abolished compounding for rates, was passed in 1867, and under it the number of voters was much increased. In 1868, Ministers were defeated by a majority of sixty on a motion respecting the Irish Church, and determined to appeal to the new constituencies.
Under the new Reform Act of 1857, the enlarged constituencies of towns and counties passed through the ordeal of a General Election. At the electoral saturnalia, the agents of the competing factions unblushingly devoted themselves to the infamy, and their victims to the degradation, of corruption ; and but for the exceptional fact that the popular voice was on the right side, the Tory party would have been again triumphant. As it is, there are many members of the House of Commons whose only right to seats in the Legislature is that they have not been found out — that their corruption has been concealed. The waves of party spirit ran very high in the Eastern Counties, more especially in the larger towns.
The capital of East Anglia was the scene of a severe contest, which
EVENTS IN TIIE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 475
excited much animosity amongst the citizens for a long time. Preparations had been in progress for some months in the city by the reorganization of the three parties, the Conservatives, Whigs, and Radicals. The old leaders of the Conservatives were set aside to make room for more active men. The Whigs treated Mr. Warner very badly by not supporting him, and he retired from the field. The Radicals were supposed to be the strongest party in the city, but proved to be the weakest ; and about 5000 of those who clamoured loudest for the suffrage never voted at all.
At the commencement of the year a general committee of forty Tory delegates, five from each of the eight wards, was formed in order to be prepared for the coming struggle. This general committee, consisting of middle-class and working men, was intended to supersede a junta of the more influential men of the party, who were accused of having misman- aged every election for the previous twenty years ; and they set f*o work at once to form a general Conservative Association ; and to some extent they succeeded, while the old leaders kept aloof from all the proceedings, and seldom appeared at any political meetings. After re-organising their party without any leaders, the new committee requested the late Sir R. J. H. Harvey to become a candidate, but after long con- sideration of the matter he politely declined. Then the new committee solicited Sir Henry Stracey, Bart., of Rackheath, forrnei'ly member for Yarmouth, to contest the representation of the city; and though he hesitated for some time, at last he consented to do so, and issued a short address. He attended many ward meetings of his party at different places, and one great meeting in St. Andrew's Hall; and declared himself to be a Protestant Churchman ; a friend of Church and State and all the time-honoured institutions of the country; also a supporter of the Conservative Ministry, and an opponent of all Radical changes. Great was the enthusiasm in his favour, and he seemed likely to win the election.
During the autumn the Whigs held several meetings at the Royal Hotel, and after much discussion resolved to support the old members, Sir William Russell and Mr. Warner. Those gentlemen accordingly came to Norwich by invitation of their Whig friends, and addressed the electors at the same place, but were not well received, most of those present being of the Radical persuasion, and they kicked up a pretty row. In conse- quence of this the old members retired till the Liberals should become more united, but this they did not care about. The working men of the Radical party had in fact held many previous meetings, and had resolved to have their own candidate, namely, J. H. Tillett, Esq., a solicitor, who had laboured for them for so many years in Norwich. Now that gentleman had been for many years an agent for Mr. Warner, whom ho supported at former elections, and lie was blamed for throwing his old friend overboard,
476 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
but the working men would not have Mr. Warner. To accomplish their purpose they formed a very extensive organization embracing all the wards in the city, canvassed the electors, and registered every one in every parish who promised to vote for their popular candidate, and in a short time they registered 4000 voters for him, so that they were very confident of success. They boasted, indeed, that they would have a majority of 1500. The consequence was that when Sir Henry Stracey came forward, the Whigs in view of a strong contest agreed to combine with the Radicals in support of Mr. Tillett.
Thus both Whigs and Radicals deserted their old member, Mr. Warner, who retired in disgust. The union of the Liberals was, however, more apparent than real, and numbers did not vote at all. The Conservatives expecting a strong contest, forgot their past differences, and worked together inost energetically for their candidate. The nomination took place on November 16th at the Guildhall. As soon as the Sheriff (J. Robison, Esq.), had taken his seat, the Hall was filled with a roaring, shouting, and groaning crowd, who exercised their lungs most vigorously to express their approval or disapproval of the prominent members of either party, as they made their appearance in the Court. The candidates were duly proposed and seconded amid great noise and uproar.
The Sheriff, having read aloud the names of the candidates, put them in the order of their nomination, and after taking the show of hands on each, declared that it was in favour of Sir William Russell and Jacob Henry Tillett, Esq.
Sir S. Bignold demanded a poll on behalf of Sir H. J. Stracey, and the proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the Sheriff for presiding. The polling took place on the following day, when the numbers at the close were — Sir H. J. Stracey, 4521 ; Sir William Russell, 4509 ; J. H. Tillett, 4364.
Soon after the election, the friends of the defeated Radical candidate, Mr . J. H. Tillett, filed a petition against the return of Sir Henry Stracey, Bart. The petition alleged bribery, and the investigation was held at the Shirehall before Baron Martin, and extended over four days, on January 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th, producing great excitement in the old city. The result was very unfavourable to Sir Henry Stracey, who was unseated for bribery by his agents ; but the peti- tioner did not obtain the coveted seat, in consequence of money having been paid for the show of hands in his favour. Both gentlemen were exonerated from any personal participation in corrupt practices at the election.
At the general election, the Conservatives of Lynn determined, if pos- sible, to get their town represented by two supporters of Church and State,
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 477
instead of oacli political party returning a member in a quiet way as before. The former members were Lord Stanley and Sir T. F. Buxton, who both came forward again, but in opposition to the latter gentleman, who was a Liberal, the Hon. R. Bourke, a Conservative, appeared in the field. All three went to the poll, and the Liberal lost his seat, being in a minority of 113. Soon after, a petition was presented, and a trial ensued before Baron Martin, and the petitioners entirely failed to prove their case, and had to pay costs. As may be imagined, the rejoicings which followed the decision of the Judge were on an extensive scale, and the borough sunk into its usual state of quietness till October, when the Earl of Derby died. On Lord Stanley becoming the Earl of Derby, his seat in the Lower House was vacant, and Lord Claude Hamilton came forward as a candidate on the Conservative side. He was opposed by Mr. R. Young of Wisbech, who was easily defeated, and he never appeared likely to succeed in obtaining a majority of votes of the intelligent folks of Lynn.
By the new Reform Bill, Norfolk was divided into three districts, North, South, and West, and Yarmouth, which had been disfranchised, was merged in the Northern Division for voters living therein who had a county qualification. For this division the Hon. F. Walpole and Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., came forward in the Conservative interest, Messrs. E. K, Wodehouse and R. T. Gurdon on the Liberal side. The two former were returned by a majority of 300. A petitition was presented against the return, and Mr. Justice Blackburn tried the case at Norwich in May, 1809. The result was that the Conservative members were declared duly elected.
The Conservatives rejoiced exceedingly over this double victory by festive meetings at Thursford, Wolterton, Ormesby, Stalham, Holt, Aylsham, and Yarmouth. At the last-named town a testimonial was presented to Sir E. H. K. Lacon, the great banker and brewer, for his political and other services to the borough. Of course the Liberals did not think that he deserved the honour, the town having been disfranchised, as they alleged, for his bribery of the voters. Mr. E. Howes and Mr. C. S. Read were returned for South Norfolk. Sir William Bagge and the Hon. T. De Grey continued to represent the Western Division of the county.
The contests which took place in the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, and Lincolnshire, resulted in a slight increase of the strength of the Liberal party. Under the Act of 1832 the five counties were represented in the last Parliament of 18G7 by fourteen Liberals and thirty-seven Conservatives. The number of members returned by the five counties was reduced by the Act of 1867 to fifty; and of these fifty members the Liberals returned nineteen, while the Conser- vative majority sunk to thirty-one. Even then, however, the Conservatives
478 itlSTOEY OP EASTEUN ENGLAND.
had a large majority, and the new Act did not operate as some ardent Reformers expected. The Conservatives improved their position in Norfolk, but lost ground in Suffolk and the other Eastern Counties. The number of members for the old boroughs of Stamford, Maldon, Harwich, and Thetford was reduced one-half, indicating a loss of political power in the sluggish Eastern district. In Cambridgeshire, Lord G. Manners and Lord Royston maintained their ground against the assault made on their seats \ and in the course of the contest, Mr. Young, the old Liberal member, had to give way to Mr. Brand, long known as the whipper-in of Liberal Governments. The representation of the University remained unchanged. In the town of Cambridge, two Liberals, Mr. R. R. Torrens and Mr. W. Fowler took the seats of the old Conservative members, Mr. F. S. Powell and Mr. J. E. Gorst. At Colchester a similar fate befel the late Conservative member, Mr. E. K. Karslake, and his colleague, Colonel Learmouth, the electors having returned Dr. Brewer and Mr. J. G. Rebow.
At Maldon, the old members, Mr. Earle and Mr. Sandford, were ejected, and Mr. E. H. Bental, an implement maker, returned. At Harwich, Lieutenant-Colonel Jervis contrived to retain his seat, but his colleague, Mr. Kelk, disappeared. In South Essex, Mr. Wingfield Baker, the hero of many costly contests, and Mr. A. Johnstone, were returned unopposed in the Liberal interest ; and in the Western Division, Lord E. Cecil and Mr. Selwin Ibbetson also obtained election unopposed in the Conservative interest. In the Eastern Division, after a severe contest, the seats were secured by Mr. J. Round and Lieutenant-Colonel Brise, the Conservative candidates. In Suffolk, no change took place in the County Divisions, nor in Bury St. Edmund's. At Ipswich, however, the Conservatives lost Mr. Cobbold, whose seat was taken by Mr. II. W. West, Recorder of Manchester.
So passed away the fitful fever of the General Election in East Anglia. We cannot say that all the gentlemen returned were duly impressed with a sense of the responsibilities devolving upon them, or that they have all endeavoured to promote in some degree the welfare of the people or the glory of the empire.
The Bill for the Disendowment of the Established Church in Ireland having been introduced by the Prime Minister into Parliament, there were great demonstrations against it everywhere in East Anglia, and petitions were sent up from every town against the measure. A great meeting of Church people was held in St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, and Dr. Goulburn delivered an eloquent address against the scheme. A petition was then ordered to be sent to the House of Lords, but the resistance offered to the Bill proved to be of no avail, as it was passed into a law. Very few
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTttRY. 4?9
petitions in its favour were presented from the Church-going people of this Eastern district. #
The Diocesan House of Mercy at Great Maplestead — a refuge for fallen women — for the counties of Essex and Herts, and which occupied two years in erection, was completed in the course of 1868. It is a very extensive building, quadrangular shaped, leaving a large open space in the centre. The principal portion is in the Gothic style, but the chapel is in the Early English. It is pleasantly situated in the valley of the Colne, and at no great distance from the parish church. The foundress is Miss Elizabeth Barter, daughter of the Rev. Charles Barter, M.A., Rector of Sarsden, Oxon, who has not only contributed the sum of £10,000 towards the cost of the buildiug, but has followed up this munificent gift by another of nearly equal amount, for the purpose of providing a permanent endowment of £250 a-year (more than a quarter of the whole expenditure) as a salary for the clergyman who will have the spiritual care of the establishment. The building has been conveyed to trustees and a council of management, consisting of fifty influential clergy- men and laymen of the two counties. The Bishop of Rochester is the visitor, and the warden and secretary the Rev. E. S. Corrie, vicar of the parish. The building is of the most substantial kind, and utility has been studied rather than display ; but architectural art has been brought to bear with great effect, particularly upon the chapel, which is thoroughly unique. It stands on the north side of the quadrangle (the rooms of the principals, refectories, kitchens, &c, occupy the southern side), and the interior is very handsome, more especially the encaustic tiling (Minton's) within the altar rails. The reredos is also effective, and when the lancet windows at the east end have been filled with stained glass, as is intended, nothing will be more perfect. At the south-western corner, leading from the infirmary on the upper floor, is a sick bay for the use of sick patients, who can be screened from the observation of the congregation by means of a curtain.
The Essex " Beef Steak Club " celebrated its hundredth anniversary with a ball at Chelmsford, November 27th, 1868. The original institution of the club had for its object a weekly social meeting of those gentlemen resident in the neighbourhood who might attend the county town on the day of the market ; but the society has from its first establishment in- cluded many members from other parts of the county, and has always had a certain political signification. The holding of Constitutional or Tory principles has ever been one of the elements of membership, and the first toast of the day on all occasions has been that of " Church and King " or " Queen," as the case might be. Up to the time of the demolition of that ancient hostelry, the meetings had always been held at the Black Boy Hotel
480 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
at Chelmsford. Since that time the Saracen's Head has been the head- quarters of the club, and for many years the meetings have been monthly instead of weekly, as at the first establishment of the society. The originators of the club were Mr. Strutt, the grandfather of the present Lord Rayleigh, and Mr. Bramston, the grandfather of the present pos- sessor of Skreens ; and upon the earliest existing lists of members we find also the names of Houblon, Tyrell, Kortwright, Phillips, Parker, Hazelfoot, Abdy, Toke, Carne, Crickett, Scratton, Wright, Harding, Newman, Godsalve, Cross, Brograve, Comyns, Badeley, Strutt, Bram- ston, Bate, &c. The club has often in old times had a considerable influence in the selection of candidates for the county and its boroughs, and their representatives at different periods appear on the list of members in the names of Strutt, Bramston, Houblon, Bullock, Crickett, Tyrell, Round, Bowyer Smyth, Du Cane, Perry-Watlington, Selwin-Ibbetson, and Lord Eustace Cecil. The day fixed for the ball (November 27th) had been arranged for some months past; but it is somewhat remarkable that the celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the club should so fall as to commemorate most significantly the return to Parliament of one of its junior members, in the person of Mr. J. Round.
Many interesting entries are found in the old minute books of the club, showing the alterations in the circumstances and habits of the times. The original dinner-hour was one o'clock. The port and claret provided and their prices are always spoken of as per gill or per gallon, and not by the bottle; and in the period of some scarcity in 1799, the minutes order that no bread shall be placed on the table but that which is made from whole meal — or such as from which not more than lOlbs. of bran or pollard has been taken — and no pastry except such as had been made from such flour or rice. In 1797 we find the entry of a subscription by the members of the club of £101 17s., for the wives and families of those brave men who so nobly fought and fell in the service of their king and country in the glorious action off the coast of Holland between the English fleet under the command of Admiral Duncan, and the Dutch fleet under Admiral Winter. In 1 782 is the first record of an important celebration, and we then find that the club gave a dinner to their wives, daughters, and connections. In 1788 a similar proposition was made, but was subsequently altered to a ball, and in 1802 a splendid ball was given in celebration of the temporary peace which then occurred, and at which the company numbered 362 persons. In 1818 again, a ball was given to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the club, at which a larger number were present. Of that brilliant assembly only two persons then present, Mr. T. W. Bramston and Admiral Johnson, were found
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 481
among the company which assembled at Chelmsford, November 22nd, 1868.
The obituary of 1868 comprises the name of Mr. W. J. Birch, who was appointed Judge of the Norfolk County Court in 1847. The deceased was second son of the late Mr. Wyrley Birch, of Wretham, near Thetford. He was educated at Eton, and subsequently graduated at Oxford. He was called to the Bar by the Hon. Society of the Inner Temple on the 18th of November, 1831, and at once joined the Norfolk Circuit, where he secured a fair practice as counsel chiefly at Sessions, and as junior was regarded with confidence and respect. His first official connection with Norfolk was as a magistrate and joint-chairman of the Court of Quarter Sessions, and on all hands it is admitted that nothing could exceed the fairness, candour, and impartiality which he manifested while engaged in that capacity. After the passing of the original County Courts Act, the Liberal Government of the day appointed him in March, 1847, to the Judgeship of the Norfolk District, and he lived to reach his twenty-first year as acting Judge. Mr. Birch, who cultivated a large farm in Ireland, was much esteemed by his dependents, whose happiness and welfare in every sense he looked after with almost paternal solicitude ; and at an entertainment he gave to them in December, 1867, he took the oppor- tunity of stating that, should it please Providence to spare his life, it was his purpose to continue holding his office another three years, and then, if it pleased her Majesty to confer a retiring allowance upon him, he should return to " Ballycroy, Ballina, county Mayo," and there spend the remainder of his days. On intimating that he should even like to be buried beside them, his "good friends," as he designated them, little dreaming that their "good master," as they always spoke of him, had so nearly finished his earthly journey, they were enthusiastic in their expres- sions of delight. Their grief at his decease was of course great.
The Norfolk and Norwich Musical Festival commenced on August 30th, and continued till September 3rd, a whole week. The works performed were : — Mendelssohn's " Hymn of Praise " and Handel's " Acis and Galatea" on August 30th; selections from H. H. Pierson's "Hezekiah" and Spohr's"Fall of Babylon " on September 1st; Rossini's " Messe Solennelle " and Handel's " Dettingen To Deum " September 2nd ; Handel's " Messiah " on September 3rd ; Miscellaneous Concerts every evening ; and a grand Ball on Friday night. The principal vocalists were Mdlle. Titiens, Madame Trebelli-Bettini, Mdlle lima de Murska, Madame Talbot-Cherer, Madame Patey, Mr. W. H. Cummings, Mr. Vernon Rigby, Signor Bettini, Mr. Santley, Signor Foli, and Mr. Arthur Byron. The audiences were not so large as on some former occasions, and the Festival was not so successful as it deserved to be.
VOL. II. I I
482 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
C. Evans, Esq., died at Norwich on October 21st, 1868. He was born at Harrow in 1798. He was the eldest son of the Rev. Benjamin Evans, who was for many years assistant-master at Harrow School. Mr. Evans was for a short time at Eton, and afterwards at Pembroke College, where he took his degree in 1819 as 12th Wrangler. He was elected a Fellow of Pembroke, and shortly afterwards was called to the bar. He joined the Norfolk Circuit, and about 1824 settled in Norwich, where he con- tinued to practice till his death. In 1845 he was appointed by Bishop Stanley to the Chancellorship of the Diocese. His opinion on legal points was held in high estimation, and he had a large chamber practice, as well as all the business he could undertake at Assizes and Sessions. Besides being Chancellor of the Diocese, he held numerous appoint- ments, amongst others being Commissary of the Dean and Chapter, Acting-Judge of the Borough Court of Record, Chairman of the Board of Guardians, &c, &c. In fact his services, wherever required for the good of others, were always at their disposal. He was frequently Revising Barrister, was usually chosen as Election Auditor, and was constantly in request as arbiter of disputes. Occupying all these positions, therefore, and the great esteem the citizens bore for him on account of his personal character, as much as his public usefulness, his death was much lamented. He was thrown from his horse, whilst taking his usual afternoon ride, on Wednesday, October 21st, and died soon after at his house in Upper Surrey Street.
Mr. W. W. Hawkins died at Alresford Hall on Saturday, February 8th, 1868. He was born at Colchester, March 11th, 1816, and was educated at Denham Grammar School, which then under Dr. Taylor, as it does now under its present head master, enjoyed a high reputation. For some years after the death of his father, he was partner with his brother, Mr. Charles Hawkins, in an extensive business, which raised the family to opulence, but he never took an active part in the concern, but devoted his time and talents in preference to works of public utility, more especially to the development of railway facilities in the district. At an early period he took a lively interest in the progress of the Eastern Union Railway, of which he was a director before the amalgamation of that concern with the Great Eastern. He was also an active promoter and director of the Stour Valley line, and continued until last year to attend the meetings of the Board from the time of its commencement. To the Tendring Hundred Line, connecting Colchester with the sea at Walton-on-the-Naze, he directed all his energies, and the completion of the work is mainly due to his exertions and enterprise. He was also a director, and a frequent attendant at the meetings, of the Essex and Suffolk Equitable Insurance Company ; and his name is conspicuous amongst those who undertook,
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 4S3
and not without difficulty and discouragement carried out, with very- great advantage to the town, the reconstruction of the Colchester Water- works. Nor did he shun a share in the administration of the affairs of the borough. His connection with the Town Council commenced in 1 849, and continued until 1858. After a short interval he re-entered the Council (being nominated by both parties) with the express object of procuring a full enquiry into the state of the Colne Fishery, which ho deemed capable of great improvements. This subject received assiduous and searching attention from a committee, of which Mr. Hawkins was a prominent member. The results of the enquiry afterwards led to the more direct assertion of the rights of the Corporation, which have since been more clearly ascertained by the decision of certain legal questions thus raised in their favour. It is believed by many that eventually the interests both of the Corporation and of the dredgermen — which Mr. Hawkins equally aimed at, and always asserted to be inseparable — will be greatly promoted. Whatever benefit may accrue to the fishery, whether as owners or licensers, by improved management or other measures, must to a very great extent be ascribed to Mr. Hawkins, with whom it originated. He finally retired from the Council in 1864. In 1852 he was induced to become a candidate for the Parliamentary representation of the borough, and he was returned at the head of the poll. His colleague was Lord John Manners, who was opposed, but ineffectually, by a small party of Conservatives, on the ground that he held opinions on Church questions unpalatable to the Evangelicals. Mr. Hardcastle, who came forward on the occasion in the Liberal interest, was defeated. Mr. Hawkins continued to represent the borough in Parliament until 1857, when failing health rendered it imperatively necessary that he should retire from Parliamentary life.
Mr. C. Brightwell died at Norwich towards the close of November, 1868. He was born at Ipswich, and passed his early years in that city and its vicinity. An attachment to his first wife, the only daughter of Mr. W. M. Wilkin, of Costessey, brought him into Norfolk in early man- hood, and on his marriage he settled in Norwich, where he resided for sixty years, practising until the last few years in the profession of a solicitor. An earnest Nonconformist of the Independent persuasion, he joined the congregation assembling at the Old Meeting in St. Clement's, where to the close of his life he officiated as one of the Deacons. His high moral worth and consistent religious life caused him to be looked up to as a leader amongst the Dissenters, and the annual meetings of the London Missionary Society were for a long period celebrated at his house. An exegetical work on the Pentateuch, published by Mr. Brightwell, shows bow carefully he had studied that portion of the Bible which has of late
484 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
furnished themes for so much unhappy controversy. It is believed (though he spoke with extreme caution on the subject) that he agreed with those who doubt the wisdom of insisting on the plenary inspiration of the scriptures, and he was wont to express his concurrence in the opinion of the great Coleridge on this subject, -as set forth in u Confessions of an Enquiring Spirit." His intellectual attainments and scientific pursuits gained him admission into a circle of which he has been heard to speak with much delight, and amongst whom were to be found William Taylor, Drs. Sayers, Martineau, Rigby, and Barrow, Sir James Smith, and other Norwich celebrities, long since passed away. Also in the society of the gifted Amelia Opie he passed very many happy years, and was selected by her to carry out her last wishes as her executor. Men bearing historic names of widely-different significance have from time to time been seen beneath his roof — Williams, Dr. Gary, Moffat, Drs. Philip and Wolff, of missionary fame, Joseph Kinghorn, the eloquent Irving, Belzoni the Egyptian traveller, Professor Sedgwick, George Borrow, and many others who have done good service in the cause of religion, litera- ture, and science. An ardent advocate of religious liberty, Mr. Brightwell lived to see its battle fought and won, and one of the souvenirs of the past conflict found amongst his papers is his card of admission to the great banquet given at the London Tavern to celebrate the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts. A close observer of nature, he devoted much of his time and attention to entomology, and a fine collection of insects, now in the Norwich Museum, was formed by him ; but the study to which in his later years he devoted particular attention was that of the minute and (to the unaided eye) invisible tribe of Infusoria; and many a visitant to his study has been instructed and delighted by his exhibition of the varied and exquisite forms of animalcuke. He held, too, a pleasant and interesting correspondence with the late lamented Mr. John Dalrymple relating to these beautiful atoms of animate creation. A treatise upon Infusoria, illustrated by the drawings of his daughter, was written by Mr. Brightwell, and printed for circulation among his friends ; and at the recent meeting of the British Association in Norwich, of which he was a Vice-President, he was much interested and amused by the ineffectual endeavours made by several of the scientific men present there to procure copies of this work, now out of print. The long and constant use of the high microscopic powers requisite for the prosecution of this study was injurious to the sight, and he was obliged ultimately to relinquish it, though he never ceased to attend the meetings of a small circle of friends engaged in similar pursuits, and to whom he presented the valuable instrument used by him in his researches. Mr. Brightwell become a Fellow of the Linnasan Society in 1821, and at various times
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 485
contributed several papers on scientific subjects, which arc to be found amongst its records ; and his name has, it is believed, in more than one instance been attached by that society to objects in Natural History first noted by him. He rendered considerable assistance in the formation of the Norwich and Norfolk Literary Institution and Norwich Museum.
LEADING EVENTS IN 1869.
The chimes of welcome to 1869 ushered in a year whose strange eventful history forms a dark record in the annals of Norwich, for from the commencement of the year to its close a gloom hovered over the old city, and the spell yet remains unbroken, for trade has been bad and taxes high, and civil commotions have disturbed the peace of the community. Our narrative of the events of this year commences with the revelation of a sickening tragedy, the details of which proved as horrible as they were unsuspected. While the festivities of New Year's night were going on around him, a well-dressed little man named William Sheward presented himself to the Inspector at Lambeth Police Station, and con- fessed that he had murdered his wife in Norwich so far back as 1851. The officer thought him mad, but the penitent persisted in his confession, stating that the victim was his wife, and that after cutting her throat, he hacked the body in pieces and distributed them in the suburbs round the city. At that time he was assistant to a pawnbroker, and he resided with his wife in St. Martin's at Palac3, but latterly having married again, he kept a public house in St. Martin's at Oak. Conscience, however, would not be quieted, and he went to London to commit suicide, but his courage failed him. He passed the house where he first met his dead wife, and the sight so affected him that he at once proceeded to the police station and made the statement. He was sent to Norwich and examined before the magistrates five times. Aged witnesses whose memories reached with difficulty over a period of seventeen years gave their evidence against him, stating that they had found many pieces of flesh in various places in and around the city ; but the opinion then was that medical students had been scattering the remains of a dissected corpse. The affair thus blew over, and would never more have been heard of but for the strange confession. From his subsequent statements it appeared that he had quarrelled with his wife about money matters, that he had cut her throat, boiled her head, beat it in pieces, chopped up the carcase, and scattered the remains as described. Nothing else was found ; the police discovered nothing and searched in vain. The prisoner was tried at the Lent Assizes, found guilty, and sentenced to death. Every effort was made to preserve the criminal from the ignominious doom to which he was consigned, but all failed, and the wretched culprit was executed privately within the city
486 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
prison, in the presence of a dozen witnesses, most of whom were con- nected with the press. This was the second execution in the city since the erection of the jail, and thus was expiated one of the most extraordi- nary crimes of modern times, and one which caused a thrill of horror from one end of England to the other.
The next event which we have to record the citizens of Norwich will remember for a considerable time to come. After one or two adjourn- ments, on April 1st the final debate respecting the advisability of issuing a Royal Commission to inquire into alleged corrupt practices at the last election in Norwich came on in the House of Commons, when it was decided that the city should enjoy the luxury and pay for it, but the Commissioners did not make their appearance till the middle of August. Then Messrs. G. M. Dowdeswell, H. Mansfield, and R. J. Biron held their court of inquiry at the Shirehall, where they sat thirty-three days. During the examination of many witnesses a very fair business was done in the science of perjury, and the threats of prosecution and instances of provisional commitment for contempt of Court were numerous. Evidence was given of a good deal of treating, but of little direct bribery. Sir Henry Stracey and Mr. Tillett were personally exonerated from any corrupt practices, but Mr. Tillett was told that he could not have held the seat even if he had been elected, because he consented either by him- self or his agent to the employment of paid men to appear at the hustings and elevate their hands in his favour.
The Commissioners ultimately presented their report to the House of Commons, and a Bill was passed through Parliament to disfranchise the bribery delinquents. Mr. Hardiment, a fellmonger, who was one of them, was tried at the Assizes for bribery, found guilty, and sentenced to six months' imprisonment.
Just before the month of April closed, a shocking tragedy took place at Lynn, where a Mrs. Langford, the wife of a chemist in that town, along with her husband, had been unwell for some time, from having taken a quan- tity of poison (strychnine) . The symptoms of the husband and his subse- quent speedy death, left no doubt that he expired from poison administered to him during his sickness. The infant daughter, however, which by some means got some of the deadly drug, was the first to die, the father lingering about a week, while the mother's life was spared, but she was taken into custody on the charge of wilful murder of the other two, and committed to the Norfolk Summer Assizes for trial. Her defence was most ablj conducted, and doubts were raised in the minds of the jury as to her guilt. She was acquitted on the charge of killing her child, and no evidence was offered against her in the indictment for the nturder of her husband.
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 487
About the time of the last occurrence a mysterious disappearance took place at Blakeney, in Norfolk, where Miss Starling, a farmer's daughter, left her home on a Friday evening, and never returned alive, but was carried to her father's house next day a corpse, her body having been found in the sea near Cley Beach. There was not the slightest suspicion as to how she came to her tragic end, for she was in good health and suffered from no mental depression. She playfully bade her mother good- bye, and went out it was supposed for the purpose of feeding the calves. She was last seen when about 200 yards from home, with a milk-pail in her hand. Conjectures as to the cause of her death were numerous, but it was not imagined that she drowned herself, so the Coroner's jury returned an open verdict, and the sad affair was soon forgotten. The funeral of the young woman was deeply impressive.
In June, the annual meeting of the Norfolk Agricultural Association took place at Attleborough. The number of visitors was unprecedented, and the exhibition of stock was of the primest quality. There was a very large show of engines, machines, and implements, by most of the makers in the district. Messrs. Holmes & Sons, of Norwich, were successful competitors for the hundredth time. Mr. Pashley, of Haddiscoe Manure Works, exhibited many samples of chemical manures, which are in great demand both at home and abroad.
Norwich Cathedral was made warm and comfortable, even in winter this year. We have been well acquainted with it when cold and cheerless, and we have often supposed from its long continuance in that state that it was impossible to remove its vaulty resemblance ; but nothing seems to be impossible in this age of inventions. We now find that the atmosphere of the interior is as cheery as before it was comfortless. This result was accomplished by a firm in the city, Messrs. Barnard, Bishop, and Barnards, who soon applied a remedy and set apparatus in good working order.
Norwich Sewerage Works again brought the Board of Health into some difficulty this year (1869). Mr. Wainwright, the contractor for the works, confessed his inability to go on with them unless certain radical alterations were made in the contract, but to which the Sewage Committee could not agree. However, this difficulty was tided over by the Board authorising the committee to construct the works under the superinten- dence of Mr. Morant, the Surveyor. During the progress of the works the existence of St. Andrew's and St. Swithin's Churches appeared to be in danger, and shoring-up was resorted to in the latter case. Several houses in various parts of the city were thrown out of the perpendicular and had to be restored.
The great social event of the year 1869 at Yarmouth was the presen- tation of a costly testimonial to Sir Edmund H. K. Lacon, Bart., the
488 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
great banker and brewer of the town. His friends had long contemplated something of the kind, and a convenient season only was wanted. An eligible opportunity was found in the political victory the baronet gained with his hon. colleague, Major Walpole, in North Norfolk, both at the hustings and before the Judge, and steps were taken to accomplish the desires of the Conservatives of the borough. About £600 being sub- scribed, an elegant centre-piece of plate was purchased. It had a massive triangular-shaped base, bearing at each angle an elaborately chased figure, emblematical of Art, Agriculture, and Commerce. It was presented at a banquet given in September at the Drill Hall. The members for Norfolk and Suffolk and many other gentlemen were present on the occasion.
This year (1869) the dock at Lynn was formally opened on July 7th by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and named the Alexandra Dock. It was constructed by Mr. Lawrence, from designs by Mr. Brunless ; began in 1867, and finished in 1869. It is situated north of the town below the present harbour, and contains six and three-quarter acres of water area. The form is an irregular quadrangle ; the southern side 780 feet in length, and the northern 500, the width from south to north, between the edges of the quays, about 440 feet. At the water surface the depth is 420 feet, and the average depth of the dock is 31 feet. The sides are sloping, and faced with solid concrete blocks. Small craft can be brought to the margin of the quays, and large vessels to staithes or jetties. Each staithe is sixteen feet wide and 32 feet long, projecting somewhat beyond the base of the slope, and its floor is furnished with rails, leading on to a turntable upon one of the two lines of railway with which the dock is encompassed. The second staithe is furnished with a fixed six-ton crane, capable of lifting ten tons, supported on a solid pier of brickwork, built up from the bottom of the dock. With these appliances there is accommodation for the direct loading or delivery of seven vessels of 1000 tonnage each. But a second or third tier of vessels can be moored beyond those adjoining the quays and staithes, making the capacity of the dock about 50,000 tons.
The close of 1869 witnessed the extrication of the notorious (O. G.), Overend and Gurney Company from that sea of troubles in which they had been engulfed for a whole year. On the 23rd of December, the partners of the firm, Messrs. John Henry Gurney, Henry Edward Gurney, Robert Birkbeck, -Henry Ford Barclay, Henry George Gordon, and William Rennie, were tried for conspiracy in issuing a false prospectus. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty amid the applause of the people in Court. On emerging from the building, the cheers of the populace were again and again repeated.
C. S. Read, Esq., M.P., wrote the following report on Norfolk
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 489
Agriculture in 1869 : — "The agricultural retrospect of the past year in East Anglia is not a pleasant one. It is quite true that our prospects are brighter than they were twelve months since, but the vicissitudes the farmer has passed through during the last year and a-half are not calculated to make his spirits particularly light and cheerful.
The great and terrible drought of 1868 left most of the farmers of East Anglia with a poor crop of hay and hardly any turnips. There was an abundant yield of wheat, but spring corns were very light, except early-sown barley on strong lands. Happily there was a very mild winter, grass growing till February, and the few small turnips making nice spring feed. Notwithstanding this advantage, the expenditure for artificial food to keep stock alive during the winter was very considerable, and not half the usual quantity of winter-grazed meat was manufactured in the Eastern Counties. The spring was cold and backward, and the summer has been remarkable for great and sudden changes from heat to cold. Generally speaking, wet sunless weather prevailed till July, when a favourable change took place, and harvest, which at one time threatened to be very late, arrived soon after its usual time. It was a glorious season for ingathering the fruits of the earth, and the grain was all harvested in the primest possible order. The autumn was fine, save a cold wet week in October, when this district was visited by an exceedingly heavy fall of snow.
Both clover and meadow hay were abundant and well saved, and the root crop is a capital plant, but deficient in weight and quality. Such a cold and fickle summer could not produce a lai'ge yield of grain. Wheat is so well harvested that it cannot fail to make a good sack of flour and an excellent and cheap loaf of bread. But the crop is sadly deficient, being quite four bushels per acre under the usual average, and fully twelve less than the productive yield of last year. Barley is also deficient. Few samples are of really prime quality, but as almost all the barley was secured without any rain, the great bulk of what is grown this year will make very good malt. Oats are an average crop, but beans and peas may be regarded as total failures.
Having now a fair amount of provender for the winter, the farmer naturally hoped he should have a good grazing year. It is true store stock were very dear, but meat was an extravagant price, so there was a reasonable chance of winter grazing paying some money. But although the Government knew that the foot-and-inouth disease was raging over chief part of the continent, foreign sheep were allowed to go all over the kingdom, and this most tiresome disease soon made its appearance in East Anglia. There is hardly a parish in this great district that has not suffered or is now suffering from this disease. The result is that a loss of fully £2 per head falls first upon the farmer, and now increases the
490 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
price of meat quite a penny per lb. above what it would have been had not this foreign disorder been re-imported. When the hard-working artizan or the industrious labourer does scrape up money sufficient to buy a morsel of meat, it is to be hoped that he will not think the farmer is making a fortune by selling fat stock so well, or the butcher is clearing a large profit, but will remember the fact that the enhanced price is entirely due to the remissness of those members of the Government who preside over the Veterinary Department of the Privy Council."
The last day of the year was made memorable by a tale of murder on the estate of the Maharajah Dhuleep Singh at Eriswell in Suffolk. On that day, the Prince's under-gamekeeper, a young man named Slight, proceeded to his usual employment, but did not return as expected. When search was made for him, his lifeless body was discovered in a pool of blood, and hidden amongst some furze. The police were soon on the alert, and they apprehended two poachers named Rutterford and Heffer. The latter made a confession of the murder being committed by Rutter- ford while they were out poaching. Heffer was admitted Queen's evidence at the trial, and Rutterford was found guilty and condemned. In con- sequence of a malformation in his neck, he was not hung, but sentenced to penal servitude for life.
LEADING EVENTS IN 1870.
On January 4th, 1 870, Norwich Quarter Sessions were held before Mr. O'Malley, Q.C., Recorder. Mr. Simms Reeve, on behalf of the Rev. J. Crompton, the Rev. G. S. Barrett, and Mr. Dowson, obtained summonses from the Norwich Bench of Magistrates, against Anthony Freestone and Robert Hardiment, for bribery alleged to have been committed at the municipal elections for the seventh and eighth wards, on the 1st of November preceding, when two representatives were elected. Many of the citizens considered that the law was put in force too harshly, and that the legal proceedings partook rather of the nature of a per- secution. Mr. Stanley and Mr. Ellis were also committed for similar offences.
In January, 1870, preparations were made for another election in Norwich. Meetings of the Liberal electors were held in different wards, and resolutions were passed in favour of a Liberal candidate. A requisition numerously signed was presented to Sir Robert J. H. Harvey to allow himself to be put in nomination in the Conservative interest ; but he declined to be a candidate. Mr. J. H. Tillett appeared to be the only candidate in the field till June. Then Mr. E. Warner, the former member, was brought forward by his friends, most of whom thought he had been ill-treated; but he retired from the contest.
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTUEY. 491
In February, 1870, the report of the Commissioners was published respecting the election in Norwich in 1868, stating that neither at the election in 1868 nor at that of 1865, nor at that of 1860, did corrupt practices extensively prevail, but they found that Sir Henry Stracey had been elected by the employment of illegal agencies unknown to himself, and persons were scheduled in consequence of being implicated in these illegalities. The supposed principal offenders — Messrs. Edward Stracey, John Hughes Hulme, Robert Hardiment, and Thomas Banfather — were singled out for prosecution.
At the ensuing Assizes, Mr. Justice Byles tried the cases. Mr. Hardiment was found guilty, and sentence was deferred in order that it might be passed by a higher Court, before which he was ordered to appear. He was fined £100, and sentenced to six months' imprisonment as a first-class misdemeanant. Mr. Hulme was also found guilty, and he was fined £100 without imprisonment, in consequence of his ill-health. Mr. Edward Stracey was acquitted.
When all the requirements in connection with the report of the Commissioners had been fulfilled in the House of Commons and elsewhere, a writ was ordered to be issued for another election in Norwich. On July 11th the nomination took place in the Guildhall. The candidates were Mr. Huddleston and Mr. Tillett, and the latter obtained the show of hands. On the following day, the result of the election was as follows : Mr. J. H. Tillett, 4236 j Mr. Huddleston, 3874 j majority, 362. On the morning of the election, a notice was served on a large number of voters that Mr. Tillett was disqualified on account of the show of hands being bought at the nomination. On petition, Mr. Justice Keating tried the case, and Mr. Tillett was unseated, not on account of the show of hands, but for bribery by his agents at the election.
The Crown Bank was established upwards of a century ago, and always enjoyed a high repute for the business tact displayed by its managers, and the readiness evinced at all times to study and support the interests of their customers. When, upon the death of his father, the late Sir Robert Harvey became the head of the bank, great confidence was felt that it would not suffer under his management. This confidence proved to be misplaced, as be became a gambler on the Stock Exchange. Ultimately Mr. Allday Kerrison, who lived at Ipswich, was a sleeping partner, and invested a large sum of money (£70,000), his whole fortune, in the concern. Well knowing that Sir Robert had a large amount of property irrespective of the capital he had in the bank, he felt full con- fidence in him, and left the entire management in his hands, and for a long period did not even draw his share of the profits. He had no cognizance of the gambling transactions so long carried on by Sir
492 fllSTOEY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Robert, nor of his disastrous losses on the Stock Exchange. Sir Robert was generally considered to be* a cautious man of business in the manage- ment of his bank affairs, willing to accommodate his customers, and yet keenly alive to his own interests. So great was the confidence felt in the Crown Bank, that at the collapse of the Overend and Gurney Company in 1866, a great number of accounts, both in the city and county, were transferred to that bank.
Nearly all the public bodies of the city and county had accounts there, and most of the manufacturers, merchants, gentlemen, and others, had deposits there. Besides Norwich, Yarmouth, and Lynn, the Crown Bank had ten branches in the market towns of Norfolk, and twelve in Suffolk, and the total deposits amounted to millions. If it had not been for the unfortunate speculations of Sir Robert, no panic could by any possibility have caused this bank to have closed its doors, for its business was so extensive and of so sound a description that the profits realised £20,000 yearly. Some shrewd persons, however, had certain vague suspicions that all was not right.
On Friday, June 15th, the citizens were startled by a rumour that Sir Robert Harvey, the banker, had shot himself near his seat at Crown Point. The rumour soon proved to be too true, and great anxiety was felt respecting the Crown Bank, in which hundreds of the citizens were depositors, or had accounts. Next day came the crash. The bank was shut up, and a notice posted outside of the doors that in consequence of the accident to Sir Robert Harvey the business was suspended. It being market day, the panic on the Castle Hill and all over the city was very great. Still it was said that Sir Robert was alive, and that the suspen- sion would be only temporary. It was soon known, however, that the unfortunate baronet had shot himself, and he died on the following Tues- day morning. He had been a great speculator on the Stock Exchange, and he was in danger of being posted as a defaulter. He was immediately declared to be a bankrupt, and the affairs of the bank were wound up. Messrs. Gurney, Birkbeck, Barclay, and Buxton bought the business of the bank, and offered every accommodation to its customers, making advances to the extent of 10s. in the pound. By this means much incon- venience was averted. Notwithstanding, many depositors were entirely ruined.
The treasurers of both city and county had a considerable balance due to their account in the Crown Bank at the time of its collapse, and the question naturally arose as to whether they were personally responsible for the loss. The sum due to the city was £5000, and the treasurer was not considered liable for that amount, he being more of an accountant than trustee. The county treasurer was liable for £2500, and after some
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 493
discussions at Quarter Sessions the sum was raised by a voluntary rate. The Norwich Board of Guardians lost about £6000 by the failure of the bank; and many other public bodies were losers to a large amount.
The Messrs. Kerrison, father and son, who were partners in the bank, were entirely ruined by its failure. They knew nothing about it, and had invested a large fortune in it and never drawn a penny of the profits, which amounted to £50,000. The property of Mr. Kerrison, sen., valued at £88,000, was given up to the customers of the bank, irrespective of the sum required to satisfy private liabilities. Under the distressing circum- stances in which Lady Henrietta Harvey and family were left, great commiseration was felt for them, and also for Mr. A. Kerrison, whose fortunes were entirely lost by the calamity.
The late Sir Robert John Harvey Harvey was the eldest son of the late General Sir Robert John Harvey, C.B., of Mousehold House., near Norwich, by Chai*lotte (his cousin), daughter and heiress of Robert Harvey, Esq., of Walton, Suffolk. Born in 1817, he married in 1845 Lady Henrietta Augusta, daughter of George Viscount Kilcoursie, and granddaughter of the late Earl of Cavan. He was High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1863 ; M.P. for Thetford from July, 1865, to November, 1868, when the borough was disfranchised under the New Reform Act. He was on several occasions requested by the Conservatives of Norwich to become a candidate for the representation of the city, but he wisely declined, well knowing his shaky position.
Two " great Conservative victories," so called, took place during the year 1870, one in Suffolk, the other in Essex. The death of the late lamented Lord Henniker caused the elevation of his son, at that time M.P. for West Suffolk, to the House of Peers, and thus a vacancy occurred in the representation of that district. Colonel Sir R. A. S. Adair appeared as a candidate in the Liberal interest, and Lord Mahon on the side of the Conservatives. Both went to the poll in May, and the young lord obtained a majority of two hundred votes. He is the eldest son of the Earl of Stanhope.
In November, Mr. Gurdon R-jbow died, and this event caused a vacancy in the representation of Essex. Sir Henry Storks appeared as a candi- date in the Liberal, and Colonel Learmouth in the Conservative interest. Colonel Learmouth obtained a majority of five hundred voces. The result was received with astonishment on the one side and intense delight on the other ; and so ended the third political contest in the year.
The agricultural associations in the Eastern Counties held their usual meetings and exhibitions of live stock, and were all successful in the highest degree. The Norfolk show was held at Harleston in June. On the first day the number of visitors was 5341, and on the second 7881 ; and
494 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
the cash taken for admissions £815 12s. 6d. The stock exhibited was pronounced by the judges to be very superior. The entries of implements were more numerous than ever. Colonel FitzRoy presided at the annual dinner.
The meeting of the Suffolk Society was held at Sudbury on July 7th and 8th, when the total amount received at the gates was £569, being a less sum than in the previous year. The show of cattle and sheep was large and good. As these societies are established for the purpose of improving stock, all well-wishers to the farmers must desire their increased success ; but improvement of stock seems now to have been carried to the highest pitch in the Eastern Counties.
In the first week of November conferences of the clergy and laity were held in Norwich, Lynn, Fakenham, Ipswich, and Halesworth, a day being allotted to each place, and the subjects chosen for discussion at each being as under : — " The position of the laity in the Church of England, in her literature, her executive, and her spiritual ministration." <c The Education Act — How may it best be employed to promote a sound religious elementary education in this diocese." At Norwich the follow- ing resolution was agreed to : — " That subject to the supreme authority of the State the Established Church of England should be provided with a machinery of self-government in which the laity should have a due share of authority."
At Fakenham, after the reading of papers and discussion, the following resolutions were passed : — " That in the Government and work of the Church of England the position of the laity needs to be considered and defined, in order to the fuller development of the more regular exercise of their gifts and energies in her service." " That recognising the impor- tant object of the Education Act, and the responsibility thereby laid upon all classes of the community, it is expedient that every effort be made to provide throughout Norfolk, in accordance with the Act, sufficient school accommodation, efficient teachers," &c. Similar resolutions were passed at other places.
On December 7th, Sir William Russell, M.P. for Norwich, who had become bankrupt to the tune of half-a-million, was brought up at the Mansion House, London, on a charge of fraud under the Debtors' Act. The case was heard and adjourned. At a subsequent hearing the accused was acquitted, and several witnesses were committed for perjury. He is still M.P. for Norwich, but since his last election he has never met his constituents, and any of them would be puzzled to say of what use he has been to the city.
In 1870, Parliament passed an Elementary Education Act for a compre- hensive scheme of national instraction to all the children of the poor.
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 495
This Act was intended to supplement all the voluntary efforts of Church people and Dissenters. It authorised the establishment of School Boards in every town, and indeed in every parish where schools were required. The Boards had power to levy school rates and to build schools, and to compel the attendance of children at the schools. The Act gave the preference to the voluntary system, and only permits the School Board system when the former fails to do the work.
School Boards and schools supported by rates might be established in any place, and when so established must continue. One school built by rates, for ever entails a rate for its support. Parents may be compelled to send their children to schools supported by rates, but the children were not to be forced to receive religious instruction. School-rooms must be provided for one-sixth of the population of every town or parish or district. If the existing school accommodation be less, it must be extended, or else School Boards must be established, with power to levy school rates and to build schools.
After the passing of the Act, there was a great stir in the Eastern district about it, and many meetings were held. At these meetings the clergy and members of the Church appeared to be generally in favour of the measure. In Norwich there was some opposition to it by the clergy and the Conservatives, who thought that enough had been done for elementary education in the city, and indeed they had done their share. Meetings of Church people were held in November to provide more school accommodation, and subscriptions were raised to a large amount. By this means, in Paragon-street, Heigham, a large new school was built to accommodate 500 children. There are five other large schools in the same hamlet.
Meetings of Nonconformists were also held in favour of unsectarian education, and ultimately they succeeded in establishing a School Board in the city, and after a large expenditure of money, one school was opened.
The last day of 1870 witnessed the death of a Norfolk nobleman, who in the various vocations of life, whether as a business character or other- wise, had earned universal respect, not only from his tenantry, but also from the extensive circle of friends with which he was connected. We refer to the late lamented Lord Walsingham, who died on the morning of December 31st in his G7th year. His lordship was celebrated throughout the world as a breeder of some of the finest sheep that ever carried off prizes in a competition, and he won many premiums at many exhibitions both of the county and of the Royal Society. His lordship was the fifth baron, and was twice married, first in 1842 to the eldest daughter of Sir R. F. Russell, Bart, but this lady died two years afterwards, and in 1847 his lordship united himself to the eldest daughter of the second Baron
496 HISTORY 01? EASTERN ENGLAND.
Rendlesham, by whom he had issue four sons and five daughters. His eldest son, the Hon. T. De Grey, who succeeded to the title, was, at the time of his father's death, one of the members for West Norfolk, and by his elevation to the peerage a vacancy arose in the Western Division of the county.
Another local member of the English aristocracy died in the early part of the year 1871, in the person of Lord Hastings, who passed away at the age of forty-nine at his seat, Melton Constable. The deceased noble- man was the twenty-third baron of the peerage of England, and was also a baronet, a deputy-lieutenant for Norfolk, and colonel of the Norfolk Artillery Militia, having retired from the Life Guards in 1851 with the rank of captain. The deceased lord married in 1870 Miss Edith Cosham, of Clifton, near Bristol ; but having no issue, the Hon. and Rev. Delaval Loftus Astley, rector of East Barsham, Norfolk, and a magistrate of the county, succeeded to the title.
LEADING EVENTS IN 1871.
The year 1871 will be long remembered as one of disaster to the Eastern Counties, while events abroad were by no means of a cheering character. We witnessed with surprise the deposition of two potentates, one of whom reigned at Rome, and who by a decree of the clergy was pronounced infallible; and the other at Paris, whose Imperial throne appeared to be established on a sure foundation, but it proved to be on sand. A war broke out of a more bloody character than Europe had known before, and it desolated the fair land of France, where the inhabi- tants suffered many miseries, especially in the eastern provinces. Generally speaking, the English people sympathised with the French people ; but the Prussians were victorious in every battle, and ultimately besieged and captured Paris, the queen of the civilised world.
The Liberals having a majority in the Norwich Corporation, obtained an order for an application to be made to the Secretary of State for an order to establish a School Board in the city. When the election took place in April, 1872, seven Churchmen, one Roman Catholic, one Methodist, one Unitarian, one Independent, and one Infidel, were re- turned. Churchmen were appointed as Chairman and Vice- Chairman. A solicitor was appointed Clerk to the Board at a good salary. Inspectors were employed to make returns of children not sent to any schools, and the Inspectors did make returns showing that most of the children in the city attended some school. Since then very little has been done.
On March 23rd, 1871, E. Howes, Esq., M.P. for South Norfolk, died at his residence in Morningthorpe, fifty-eight years of age. He was the son of the late Rev. George Howes, some time rector of Spixworth, in
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 497
Norfolk ; and his mother was a daughter of Mr. Robert Fellowes, of Shottesham, near Norwich. He was born in the year 1813, and educated at St. Paul's School, whence he passed in due course to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took his B.A. degree, and having obtained a fellow- ship proceeded to M.A. in course. In 1851, he married his cousin Frances, fourth daughter of Mr. Robert Fellowes, of Shottesham. He was for many years an active magistrate and deputy-lieutenant of Norfolk, and chairman of County Quarter Sessions for twenty years. He was elected M.P. for East Norfolk in the Conservative interest in May, 1859, and represented that constituency down to the last general election, when he was returned for the new Southern Division along with Mr. Clare Sewell Read by a large majority. In consequence of his high personal character and well-known business habits, he was appointed one of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. In October, 1868, he was appointed Chancellor of the Diocese of Norwich. In 1870 he was elected President of the Norfolk Agricultural Association, but illness prevented his attending the annual meeting in June.
On March 28th, 29th, and 30th, Dr. McGee, the Bishop of Peterborough, preached three admirable discourses in defence of Christianity before very large congregations in the nave of the Cathedral, Norwich. The first sermon was on " Christianity and Free Thought," showing that our religion admitted of free thought ; the second sermon was on " Chris- tianity and Scepticism," showing that Sceptics were very unreasonable in demanding demonstration ; the third sermon was on " Christianity and Faith," showing that while our religion required faith, it was also required in the conduct of life and in morality. The sermons made a great impression on the people, who heard them with profound attention.
On Saturday, April 1st, 1871, a meeting of county Conservative electors was held at the Norfolk Hotel to select a candidate for the representation of South Norfolk in the room of E. Howes, Esq., deceased. H. K. Tompson, Esq., presided, and among the gentlemen present were Clare Sewell Read, Esq., M.P., Colonel FitzRoy, E. Stracey, Esq., E. Fellowes, Esq., Evans Lombe, Esq., Sir Robert Buxton, Bart., and many other gentlemen. The large room was quite filled.
The Chairman opened the proceedings regretting the occasion of the meeting, and stating the object to be to select a candidate in the room of their late lamented representative for South Norfolk.
Mr. Lombe moved that Mr. Tyssen-Amhurst, of Didlington, Norfolk, be requested to come forward as a candidate for the representation of South Norfolk.
Mr. Fellowes seconded the motion, and highly eulogised Mr. Amhurst
VOL. II. K K
498 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
as a county gentleman and a good Conservative, who would promote their interests in Parliament.
The Chairman asked whether any gentleman had any other candidate to propose.
Colonel FitzRoy had nothing to say against Mr. Amhurst, except that he belonged to the Western Division of the County. He thought they need not go out of the South District to look for a candidate, and he proposed Sir Robert Buxton, of Shadwell Lodge. [Applause.]
E. Stracey, Esq., seconded the nomination.
Mr. Fellowes, in answer to questions, said Mr. Amhurst was quite ready and willing to serve the county.
Colonel FitzRoy answered a similar question in reference to Sir Robert Buxton, who was present, and quite prepared to come forward as a can- didate.
C. S. Read, Esq., M.P., expressed his great sorrow and regret for the loss of his late colleague, and hoped they would not add to his sorrow by disagreement in the selection of a candidate. He advised them earnestly to be unanimous, or else they would not succeed, as there would be an opposition.
The Chairman, on taking the show of hands, declared it to be in favour of Sir Robert Buxton. [Applause.]
Mr. Fellowes hoped that the constituency of South Norfolk would use their utmost exertions to return Sir Robert Buxton, as he had been selected by this meeting. Though he believed that Mr. Amhurst would have been an excellent candidate, he saw no reason why Sir Robert Buxton should not be returned by a triumphant majority. [Applause.]
Sir Robert Buxton, Bart., on presenting himself, was greeted with renewed applause. He said they had paid him a high compliment in selecting him as a candidate. He believed it would be a hard contest, and he promised them he would fight the battle to the last. Ho would have used his best exertions for Mr. Amhurst if that gentleman had been selected, and he (Sir Robert) felt it a great compliment that their choice had fallen on him. He had been long known to them, and if returned to Parliament, he promised to serve them faithfully. He would devote his attention to strengthening the defences of the country, and to the improve- ment of the Poor Law. These were subjects which he thought ought to be pressed on Parliament. In anssver to questions respecting the repeal of the Malt Tax, he said he was not quite prepared to declare himself in favour of its repeal under any circumstances, but if they did him the honour of returning him to Parliament, and they all expressed a wish for the repeal of the Malt Tax, if they all thought the repeal would be for their interests, he would vote as they might desire.
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 499
The Chairman, in reply to further questions, said Sir Robert had declared distinctly that if the question were brought forward in Parlia- ment, and if the constituency were convinced that the repeal of the tax was for their interest, then he would vote for its repeal. He hoped they would make the return of Sir Robert certain. [Applause.] He hoped they would sink all their minor differences of opinion, and be prepared to fight the battle with unanimity, as they might expect a strong opposition. Several gentlemen urged all the Conservatives present to be united in support of their candidate.
A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the proceedings to a close.
Mr. R. T. Gurdon was the candidate brought forward on the Liberal side. After a hard contest, Sir Robert Buxton was returned.
The former election at Norwich having been declared void, the Conservatives had considerable difficulty in finding another candidate for the vacant seat, and it was not till the last hour that Sir Charles Legard came forward,, hoping to be well supported by the constitu- tional party in the city. The Liberals were equally determined not to let the seat slip from them altogether, and brought forward Mr. J. J. Colman, of Carrow Works, as their candidate. " A working man's " candidate in the person of Mr. Howell also appeared upon the scene for a brief period, but by a little persuasion he was induced to retire.
The polling commenced at eight o'clock on Tuesday morning, and went on very languidly for the first hour in all the wards. Less than 1500 were polled, a small number for the Third Ward only. In all the other wards the greatest apathy prevailed, aud the citizens seemed sick and tired of electioneering, which had been the curse of the city for years past. After nine o'clock, during the hour for breakfast, the polling became thicker, and over 3000 men polled in the hour. All Mr. Colman's men voted in this hour, or soon after. In sporting phrase, he took the lead from the first, and was never headed. The betting was ten to one against the Yorkshire tyke.
All the morning there was no great display of colours. A few flags or banners decorated some of the houses, and the partizans were very chary of their favours. Few cabs or other vehicles were in motion until mid day, when they were driven about in every direction. Many taverns were surrounded by vans and cabs bearing the Conservative colours, and requesting the voters by large letters to jump in and go to the poll. Some of the polling places were blocked up by voters who came on foot, but at other places the polling was very slack all day.
At the close of the poll, the numbers were : — Colman, 4G60 ; Legard, 3398 ; majority, 1262. Thus it appears that about one-fourth of the city electors never voted at all.
500 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
The annual meetings of all the county Agricultural Associations in the Eastern District were held in the summer months of this year as usual. Large numbers of farmers and others attended these gatherings, which only occur once a year, and afford a day of recreation in each county. What industrial exhibitions are to the seats of manufactures and com- mercial enterprise, the shows of Agricultural Societies are to those rural districts which supply food to the people. If corporations, merchants, and others find it to their interest to encourage Industrial Exhibitions, how much more is it to the interest of the county nobility and gentry to promote everything that tends to the improvement of agriculture. ' But now comes the question, whether Agricultural Exhibitions have not had their day — whether improvement of live stock has not been carried to the highest pitch, whether some other kinds of improvement might not be effected, such as the improvement of the social condition of the laborers, who are the producers of all the wealth. The end and aim of all improvement should be the greatest happiness of the greatest number, not merely of a few landowners and farmers, who win prizes at every show. The same exhibitors, with the same kind of stock, and very often the same animals, win prizes at different exhibitions.
The annual meeting of the Norfolk Association was held in June at Dereham, where the show of live stock was extensive and excellent. Lord Leicester presided at the dinner, and in the course of the evening said there had been little or no improvement in live stock during the last twenty years. His lordship was quite right, as improvement had reached its height in Norfolk stock. His lordship suggested that the members should turn their attention to the land question.
The annual meeting of the Suffolk Association was held on July 5th at Beccles, at the north end of the county, and it attracted thousands of visitors, who paid in all £710 for admission to the show ground. The exhibition of live stock was comparatively small, and though many extra prizes were offered, there was little competition in some classes, especially in sheep. Those who send the animals do not recognise the element of u novelty;" one place is as new as another, and no district can make a show in itself. The exhibitors only consider the value of the prize, the animals to compete for it, and the distance of the show ground ; and of the three considerations the latter has most to do with the decision.
On Friday, August 11th, telegrams were received in most of the towns in the Eastern Counties, stating that a frightful explosion had taken place at a gun-cotton factory in Stowmarket, and that twenty lives were lost, and fifty men, boys, and girls injured. The catastrophe proved to be the most fearful that ever visited any town in Suffolk. A company had established a gun-cotton factory in Suffolk, and the Messrs, Prentice were
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CEtfTUEY. 50l
partners and managers. They had entered into a contract a few months previously to supply a large quantity of gun-cotton to the Government, it having been found that this explosive compound was better than gunpowder for some purposes, and from that time active efforts had been made to increase the productive power of the works, which covered a large space. The hands employed, to the number of 130, returned after dinner at two p.m. on that fatal Friday, and in a few minutes later the explosion took place, and the works were in ruins. A dense pillar of black smoke rose high into the air, and then spread in a fan shape. A tremendous explosion followed, which shook the walls of every house in the town, shattered all the windows, and scattered the tiles from the roofs of the houses. The people of the quiet town were stunned as by the shock of an earthquake ; and well they might be alarmed, for so terrible a calamity had never occurred before in their county. They one and all, as if by a common impulse, rushed to the gun-cotton works. There all was ruin.
Only the tall shaft of the engine-house stood entire. The wildest fears were expressed about the safety of the workpeople, and these fears were quickly realised. It so happened that none of the partners were on the works at the time of the explosion, but Mr. B. H. Prentice and Mr. W. R. Prentice were soon on the spot, and every effort was made to subdue the flames and to prevent any further explosion. The Stowmarket fire brigade arrived, and began to throw water on the remains of the burning buildings. Mr. B. Prentice and Mr. W. R. Prentice, accompanied by Mr. W. Hewitt, Mr. J. Hewitt, Mr. W. G. Ranson, and other gentlemen, with some work- men, were daring enough to go into the centre of the works. The drying and packing sheds were in flames, and these gentlemen were active in drawing out boxes of cartridges from the sheds. Some raised warning voices, but Mr. Edward Prentice, relying on experiments said to be lately made by Government officials, called out that there was no danger, and continued to draw boxes of cartridges towards him with a stick, and his nephew, Mr. W. Prentice, pushed them further from the flames. Suddenly, one of these boxes caught fire, a second explosion followed, and both the unfortunate Messrs. Prentice were literally blown to atoms. Their assistants had the narrowest of escapes. Mr. James Hewitt, seeing the fire communicating with the gun cotton, turned to run, stumbled, and foil into a pit made by the former explosion. This saved his life, the rubbish passing over him where he lay. In a short time, the remains of many dead bodies were dragged out of the ruins, including those of Mr. E. H. Prentice, Mr. W. R. Prentice, John Wright Hume, the foreman, James Ransome, Maria Markwell, Susan Wilding, William Parker, John Edward Canham, King, a carpenter, two lads named Williams, and others. The injured were many in number, and in most cases they were removed to
502 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
their homes, where some of them soon died. The scene was most dreadful, many persons seeking their relatives, but unable to identify them after being so much mutilated.
An inquest was held on the remains of the dead bodies by Mr. Marriott at the Assembly Rooms, and it was adjourned from day to day during the month. Much evidence was given respecting the details of the occurrence, but nobody could tell the cause of the explosion. The great heat of the weather was assigned as a .cause, but the temperature had been equally high on previous days. The Secretary of State for the Home Department sent Captain Majendie from London to assist in the inquiry ; and he watched the proceedings in behalf of the War Office. It appeared in evidence that the people in the factory were employed in very dangerous work at very low wages, boys at 5s. or 6s. and men at 15s. to 18s. weekly. Howe, the foreman, had only 21s. weekly. A witness named John Thomas, who was employed at the works, said he had told the foreman Howe that he did not consider the magazines to be safe, from the manner of their construction. The walls of partition were only single. Other walls of partition he had seen were double, with earthworks. He thought they were likely to explode from the heat of the sun. Mr. Saunders Trotman, manager at the works, was in his office at the time of the first explosion, and he was injured. He stated some details, and said there were four or five tons of gun cotton in each of the three magazines. He believed that gun cotton would explode at a heat of 350 degrees, but he was not a chemist. About five tons were made every week. About twenty-one tons were on the premises, and some in the packing sheds, at the time of the explosion.
In October, 1871, a new Corn Hall was opened in Yarmouth, and to celebrate the event, about 200 gentlemen dined together, including the representatives of Norfolk and Suffolk. The building cost £3800, including the land. It was designed both for a corn market and an auction mart, being shaped like the letter T ; the part in a direction north and south is intended for the business of the corn market, and the part in the direction east and west is let for auctions. These portions may be let in one large room or may be divided by a partition. The dimensions of the former are 00 feet by 30 feet, and of the latter, 34 feet by 24 feet. The roof is supported by wrought-iron and wood pillars, and the hall is lighted by a skylight.
A Church Conference at Bury St. Edmund's was held on Tuesday, October 31st, 1871, in the Athenaeum. This conference included the clergy, churchwardens, and representative laymen of the archdeaconry of Sudbury, and was held under the presidency of the Right Rev. Edward Harold Browne, D.D., Lord Bishop of Ely, in compliance with a letter
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 503
addressed by his lordship to the clergy of his diocese. The questions which he proposed for consideration were — 1. Vital Christianity and Modern Civilisation; 2. The Reform of Convocation and the Union of Clergy and Laity in Church Councils and Church Work ; 3. The Supply and Training of Clergy, with particular reference to Preaching and Public Ministrations. There was a very full attendance of the clergy and laity of the diocese. The Bishop delivered an opening address, reviewing the state of the Church generally, which he thought not satisfactory. Papers were read on the various aspects of vital Christianity and modern civilization, referring to some points of apparent antagonism between the Bible and science. After discussion on this topic papers were read on the reform of convocation ; also on the supply and training of the clergy. These papers led to some discussion, but no resolutions were proposed. The Bishop summed up, and the conference ended on the same day at five p.m.
The municipal elections in Norwich, Ipswich, and other important towns in East Anglia were this year (1871) conducted with remarkable vigour, especially on the part of Conservatives. Seven out of the eight wards in Norwich were contested, and several of them were lost by the Liberals and won by their opponents, the result being a gain of one on the Conservative side of the Council. Still, owing to the election of Liberal Aldermen that party was a long way in the ascendant in the Norwich Corporation. There was, however, a wonderful unanimity on both sides of the Council Chamber, when questions of expenditure came under consideration.
One of the most auspicious events which came under our notice in 1871 was the marriage of the Princess Louise with the Marquis of Lome, eldest son of the Duke of Argyll, amid the general rejoicings of the nation. Through the length and breadth of the land a congratulatory pasan was raised in honour of the happy pair. To celebrate the important event the Scotchmen resident in Norwich had a banquet at the Norfolk Hotel. Sir Samuel Bignold presided on the occasion, and in the course of the evening proposed loyal and appropriate toasts in suitable terms. The gentlemen present heartily responded, and seemed to think it a high honour to their country that a daughter of the Queen should marry a native of the North.
In August, 1871, the new church dedicated to St. Philip, Heigham, was built and opened for divine service. The Lord Bishop, who had given £1000 towards the cost of the edifice, preached a suitable discourse on the occasion before a large congregation. The Rev. T. A. Nash is the esteemed vicar of the parish, and his ministry attracts large numbers of the parishioners to the Sunday services. A large building for day schools
504 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
has been erected in the same parish, and a large room is used for a Sunday School.
In 1871, the Elementary Education Act came into operation, and the Church people of the Eastern Counties made great efforts to extend and support their voluntary system by providing sufficient school accommoda- tion, and thus to render School Boards and school rates unnecessary. Nonconformists, on the other hand, having fewer schools, were generally in favour of School Boads and school rates, and a compulsory system of education. They were advocates of the voluntary principle in reference to religion, but strange to say, they were all advocates of a compulsory State system of education supported by Government and local rates. In Norwich and Norfolk there was no lack of zeal. Almost all who had experience in elementary schools said that the work could be done by the voluntary system. Churchmen came to the front with great energy, and aided the general movement. Contributions were made to a large amount in Norwich for new schools. Even the Wesleyans and Independents started new schools and appeared disinclined to join others of their own sects in favour of a School Board. All the men of experience said that the voluntary system was the best, and that the School Board system was but an experiment.
At a meeting of the Norwich School Board held on August 23rd, a report of the committee was read, stating that they had visited seventy- two elementary schools in the city, and found accommodation for 10,402 children, which showed a deficiency of room for 2995 children, but no private schools were taken into account. The total number of children in the city between the ages of three and thirteen was 17,757, and 1271 of these children had not been traced by the committee. According to the census return, accommodation should be found in the city for 15,422 children, but this number might be reduced to 13,880 by deducting 10 per cent, for those who were prevented from attending any of the schools by sickness or other causes.
THE CENSUS OP 1871.
From the revised returns of the census of 1871, just published, we gather that the total population of the United Kingdom at that date was 31,628,338. Of this number, 21,495,131 belong to England, 1,217,135 to Wales, 3,360,018 to Scotland, 5,411,416 to Ireland, and 144,638 to the adjacent islands in the British Seas, viz. : — 54,022 to the Isle of Man, 56,627 to Jersey, and 33,969 to Guernsey and the rest of the Channel Islands. The population of England and Wales together is therefore 22,712,266. In 1861 the population of England and Wales numbered 20,066,224 souls; so that in the ten years' interval no fewer than
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 505
2,646,042 persons were added to the population of this portion of the United Kingdom. Hence it appears that the inhabitants of England and Wales have been increasing at the rate of 13 and a fraction (13*19) per cent, during the past ten years. Excluding Wales, and taking England alone into consideration, the rate of increase appears still greater. In 1861 there were 18,954,411 inhabitants in England alone, and accordingly, as the number had increased to 21,495,131 in the year 1871, there has been an addition of no fewer than 2,540,687 persons to the population of England in the ten years. The rate of increase was therefore 13*40 per cent. No other portion of the United Kingdom can show an increase equal to this. In Ireland, in fact, there has been a considerable decrease of population. The inhabitants of the sister isle were 08 7,551 fewer in 1871 than in 1861, showing a decrease of 6*68 per cent. Only one other portion of the British Islands, however, shows like Ireland, a loss of population, and that is Guernsey, with Alderney^and Sark, whose inhabi- tants numbered 1396 less in 1871 than in 1861, the decrease being at the rate of 3*95 per cent. In Scotland, on the other hand, the population has multiplied in the decennial period between the two last censuses at the rate of 9*72 per cent., the numbers having risen from 3,062,294 in 1861 to 3,360,018 in 1871, showing an addition of 297,724 persons to the inhabitants of the Northern Kingdom. In Wales, too, the population has increased at very nearly the same rate, the addition in the ten years amounting to 205,355 persons, and the precise rate of increase being 9*48 per cent. The Isle of Man, we may add, has increased its popu- lation at the rate of 3 per cent., and Jersey at the rate of 1*82 per cent. The comparative increase and decrease of the several constituent parts of the United Kingdom may be illustrated as follows : — For every 10,000 Englishmen in 1861, there were 11,340 in 1871 ; for every 10,000 Scotchmen, 10,972; for every 10,000 Welshmen, 10,948; for every 10,000 Irishmen, 9332 ; for every 10,000 inhabitants of Jersey, 10,182 ; of Guernsey, 9605; and of the Isle of Man, 10,300. The population of the whole of the United Kindom in 1861 numbered 29,070,932 ; and in 1871 as above stated, 31,628,338, showing an addition of 2,557,406 persons in the ten years. The rate of increase of the United Kingdom, as a whole, notwithstanding the large falling off of Ireland, was therefore 8*8 per cent.
The Registrar- General, in his prefatory remarks, thus refers to the Eastern Division, including the counties of Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk. — "The population of this division is 1,218,257, and the increase in the ten years is only 75,695, which is chiefly due to the overflow of London into Essex, and to the increase of population on the north side of the Thames. The increase of population was at the rate of 0*64 per cent, per
506 HISTORY Of EASTERN ENGLAND.
annum. The mean density is 243 people to a square mile. The registered births exceeded the deaths during the ten years (1861-71) by 145,061."
As the total increase of the population was only 75,695, and that in Essex, there must have been a great increase of emigration from the other two counties of Suffolk and Norfolk, yet in both those counties there was a slight increase of population in some towns, such as Norwich, Ipswich, and Yarmouth. Consequently the emigration must have been from the villages of both counties. Norfolk, with the largest area and population, had the smallest increase, and that only in Norwich, Yarmouth, and Lynn, proving that some of the villages must be deserted. The increase was only 3713.
Norfolk, containing an area of 1,354,301, had a population, including all the towns, as follows : —
Northern Division ... ... 114,698
Southern Division ... ... ... 194,311
Western Division ... ... ... ... 129,502
438,511
Excluding Norwich , ... ... ... 80,390
358,121 Excluding Yarmouth ... ... ... 41,792
316,329 Excluding Lynn ... ... ... ... 16,459
299,870
Consequently all Norfolk, without three towns, had a less population than all Suffolk, without Ipswich. The total population of Suffolk was 348,479 persons, and of Ipswich 43,136; the rural population of Suffolk being 305,343.
Norwich in 1861 had a population of 74,891; in 1871, 80,390;
increase, 5499.
Yarmouth in 1861 had 34,810
„ 1871 „ 41,792 ... Increase 6982
Lynn in 1861 „ 16,170
1871 „ 16,459 ... Increase 289
Increase in three towns ... ... ... 12,770
Increase in the county ... ... ... 3713
9057
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 507
Therefore, the difference of 9057 is the total decrease in the villages of Norfolk, and in some towns. Excluding three large towns — Norwich, Yarmouth, and Lynn — the population of all the county was under 300,000. While the produce and wealth of the county have been increasing in quantity, the producers of wealth have been decreasing in numbers by 9057.
LEADING EVENTS IN 1872.
We have now arrived at the last year of our narrative of leading events in the present century, but not the last part of our work ; for we have yet to notice our eminent men, also the progress of education and of industry in agriculture, manufactures, and trades, which form the subject of separate chapters.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales had been dangerously ill of a fever at his seat, Sandringham, Norfolk, and prayers for his recovery had been offered up in most of our churches and chapels. When the new year 1872 opened, the royal patient rallied under skilful treatment, and the pealing of bells celebrated his recovery, to the great joy of the nation. The people manifested their gratitude in every possible way ; men of all parties and all creeds expressed their thankfulness, our places of worship resounded with praise, and shouts of joy were heard in our streets. East Anglia was not lacking in this festivity, and though her capital was slightly behind in her celebration, her intention was not the less hearty. The recovery of his Royal Highness was made the occasion of special thanksgiving to Divine Providence, and sincere congratulations on the part of the people to his royal mother, his beloved consort, and himself. The magistrates of the Eastern Counties voted their addresses of congratulation, and also every Corporation.
The chief event of the year in East Anglia was the visit of the Prince of Wales to Yarmouth. Great were the preparations to give the Prince a right loyal reception, and the efforts of the townspeople were very successful. His Royal Highness arrived at Southtown Railway Station on the afternoon of Thursday, June 26th, and having received an address from the inhabitants, read by the Recorder (Mr. Simms Reeve), proceeded to the Town Hall, where he was entertained at a splendid dejeuner. This over, his Royal Highness visited the Grammar School, where he opened a new room. He then proceeded to Shadingfield Lodge, his temporary residence. On Friday, he reviewed the Artillery Militia. The three days of the Royal visit were kept as holidays by the good folks of the town, and the Prince left on Saturday.
On March 30th, 1872, died Nathaniel Palmer, Esq., aged 72, at Coltis- hall. The deceased gentleman formerly practised as an attorney at
508 fllSTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
Yarmouth with considerable success, but in 1827 he was called to the bar by the Inner Temple. On the passing of the Municipal Reform Act his name was put on the Commission of the Peace for Norwich, and in the same year he was appointed Judge of the Guildhall Court of Record, and Recorder of Yarmouth. He was very impartial in both Courts, and gave everybody satisfaction. On his death Mr. Simms Reeve was appointed Recorder of Yarmouth, and Mr. Carlos Cooper Judge of the Guildhall Court of Record.
Mr. Angerstein, of Weeting Hall, was the High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1872, and at the assizes his duty was to wait upon her Majesty's Judges, and provide their lordships with carriages to be conveyed to or from the courts. The High Sheriff made a mistake one fine morning, and was half-an-hour too late with his conveyance at the Judges' lodgings at Norwich ; so that one of the Judges had to hire a cab, and therein pro- ceed to the Shirehall. As soon as his lordship took his seat, he ordered a fine of £50 to be recorded against the High Sheriff, but soon after the latter made an apology, and the fine was remitted.
Whitlingham, on the banks of the River Yare, a picturesque spot much resorted to for pleasure some" time ago, was thrown open to the public several times during the year 1872, thanks to the liberality of Mr. George Gedge, of Catton, who is tenant, and says he does not know who is his landlord. The Dragoons had a grand military fete, which thousands enjoyed. On other occasions there were regattas and picnic parties, displays of fireworks, &c. The Crown Point estate was sold in July, and after the kindness of Mr. Gedge, we may regret that he did not purchase the principal lot. The first lot was sold to Mr. Colman, M.P., for the sum of £55,700, but as yet he has not taken possession. The legitimate descendants of the Money family claim that the property is theirs, and after the sale notice of such claim was duly served on the proper parties.
The Norfolk Agricultural Association is a Society that appears to increase annually in importance, and this year an additional impetus was given to its prosperity by the Prince of Wales becoming its President for the year 1872. In return for the honour which the Prince had con- ferred upon the society, the annual show was held at Lynn, being the nearest available spot contiguous to the Royal seat at Sandringham. Tremendous was the success that followed; everything was satisfactory, as will be seen from the following comparative statement of receipts for admission. At Fakenham, in 1867, the sum of £500 10s. 6d. was taken at the gates; at Downham, in 1868, £575 10s. 6d. ; at Attleborough, in 1869, £815 12s. 6d. ; at Harleston, in 1870, £680 Is.; at Dereham, in 1871, £734 0s. 0d.; at Lynn, 1872, £1460 lis. 6d., being a much higher sum than at any former show.
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 509
The town was brilliantly illuminated by Messrs. Defries, of London. His Hoyal Highness presided at the annual dinner of the society, and delivered a suitable speech, in which he evinced a special kindly feeling towards the agricultural labourers. He spoke strongly in favour of their having good cottages to reside in, and alluded to the cottages he had built on his own estate as a source of gratification to him. The philan- thropic sentiments he expressed were well worthy of him who shall one day reign over us, and must endear him to the hearts of his people. He has set a good example to all the landlords of East Anglia, and indeed of all England, and we hope it will be followed.
In 1872, the camping ground selected for the Norfolk Volunteers was the delightful locality of Ketteringham, the beautiful seat of Sir F. G. M. Boileau, Bart. Here the gallant civilian soldiers remained for a week, and fulfilled their various duties in a satisfactory manner, and enjoying themselves in many ways. Much advantage to the efficiency of the men is supposed to be gained by these annual encampments, by the aid of which they learn something of military discipline, and what might be expected of them, if their more active services were rendered necessary by unforeseen circumstances. At any rate, the drill is excellent physical exercise.
In 1872 the ceremony of laying the first rail of the East Suffolk Tram- way was performed by Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., in presence of many spectators. The scheme must eventually be a great benefit to the town of Yarmouth and the other localities that will be therewith connected. It was at first proposed to run the tram only from Yarmouth to Gorleston, but in the course of 1873 it will be extended to Lowestoft and Southwold. It is indeed a great undertaking, and when completed must prove extremely beneficial, especially to the fishing interest, from which the towns along the Eastern coast derive their prosperity.
Lord Walsingham is a nobleman much esteemed by his tenants, and when his lordship returned to his seat at Merton, in Norfolk, in 1872, after a long and useful tour in America, they showed their respect for him by presenting him with a cordial address of welcome. It is pleasing, indeed, when such friendly relations are maintained between a landlord and his tenants. May his lordship live long to enjoy his present popularity, and may it increase as year after year rolls round in the progress of time.
The Conservative friends of Sir H. J. Stracey, Bart., of Backheath, in this year, 1872, determined to show their respect for him in some tangible form. They therefore invited him and his lady to a great meeting in St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, and then and there presented him with a magnificent piece of silver plate weighing 300 ounces, and his lady with a splendid bracelet. Nor were the worthy baronet's estimable daughters
510 HISTOEY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
forgotten. The Conservative working-men of the Third Ward made each of the young ladies a present of a silver bouquet-holder, containing orange-and-purple flowers culled from the little garden plots of the artisans.
The directors of the Great Eastern Railway resolved to show their high appreciation of the services of their chairman, the Marquis of Salisbury. At a meeting they held in August, 1872, the sum of £2000 was voted to the Marquis, a tribute as well deserved by the receiver as it was honourable to the company, which had gained much benefit from the presidency of the marquis, and we hope a career of prosperity has begun for the undertaking.
A sad accident on the railway occurred at Kelvedon in 1872. A fast up-train was passing that place, and suddenly rolled down the embank- ment with the carriages and passengers. Three carriages were smashed to pieces, two passengers were killed on the spot, others died afterwards, and many were injured. The company had to pay heavy damages.
On the death of the Rev. Algernon Peyton, the living of Doddington, Cambs., at that time the richest in England, yielding an annual income of £10,000, was under the Doddington Division Act, divided into seven district parishes thus — Doddington, Benwick, Wimbledon, St. Wenden, March, St. Mary's March, St. John's March, and St. Peter's March, and during the year 1872 the foundations of two churches provided for by this division were laid by Sir Thomas Peyton, son of the late rector, in presence of the Bishop of Ely and many of the inhabitants. The foun- dation stone of the Wimblington Church was afterwards laid by Lady Russell.
The Norwich Sewerage, which had cost over £100,000, was not finished. In June, 1872, an application was made to the Board of Health to advance another £2000, with which to complete the works. With the accustomed liberality of the city representatives, the money was granted, and an assurance was given that all the works would be quite completed in September, but when that month came the prediction was not fulfilled. The drainage scheme had, however, accomplished one of the objects of its promoters, that of draining the pockets of the citizens without any prospect of a successful result.
On August 20th this year, 1872, died Edward Harbord Lushington Preston, Esq., at the age of sixty-five. He was Mayor of Yarmouth at the time of his death, an office he had held on previous occasions. He was educated at the Norwich Grammar School under Dr. Edward Valpy, with Sir James Brooke, Rajah of Surawak; Sir Archdale Wilson, of Delhi fame. He was a staunch Conservative in politics, and indeed received his Christian names from the gentlemen who stood for Yarmouth
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTUEY. 511
in the year of his birth. No man was more respected in the town than Mr. Preston, who as the chief magistrate conducted himself with the utmost courtesy, and at the same time with impartiality. He entertained the Prince of Wales on the visit of his Koyal Highness to the town.
During the last session of Parliament (1872), the Earl of Kimberley, who is a Norfolk nobleman, introduced a new Licensing Bill into the House of Lords, of which he is a member. After some discussion and alterations, it passed through the Upper House, and passed into the hands of Mr. Bruce in the Lower House, where it was amended, and it speedily became the law of the land. Monster petitions were got up all over the country against its objectionable provisions, and were supported by the Conservative side of the House, but this party had not sufficient strength to do their friends much service. The Act empowered magistrates to shorten the time for keeping open any hotels, inns, or taverns in any town or county in England, and generally the justices did shorten the time one hour before midnight. This caused great discontent amongst the publi- cans of Norwich, and most of their customers were not very pleased with the new regulation. The publicans tried to get the time extended to twelve o'clock at night, but failed, as the justices wished to give the Act a fair trial ; and its operation has not as yet proved to be injurious to the trade, nor very beneficial to the quiet old city, which before midnight is like a city of the dead. There is no hotel nor inn nor tavern open.
It is now said to be the duty of Government to save the poor working man from drinking too much, from working too many hours, from living in bad houses, from having his vote known, and in fact to save him from everything that can be meddled with in his behalf. As he must send his little boys to school, is it not the duty of the Government to birch them if they play truant ?
The Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival commenced on September 15th, 1872, and continued five days. The success of the Festival was very doubtful, even before it commenced, for it was then announced that two of the principal vocalists would be unable to appear, but their places were supplied by others, and a good deal of money was saved. On Monday, September 16th, Sullivan's "To Deum " and Handel's " Creation " were performed. On Tuesday, Macfarren's cantata " Outward Bound " and a miscellaneous concert were given. Wednesday, Mendelssohn's " Elijah " and a miscellaneous concert. Thursday, Bene- dict's "St. Peter" and a concert. Friday, the ever-welcome "Messiah." The principal vocalists were Madlle. Titiens, Madame Florence Lancia, Madame Trebelli-Bettini, Madlle. Albani, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. K. Gedge. M. Sainton was principal first violin, M. Paque principal first violoncello ; organist, Dr. Bunnett ; chorus master, Mr. James Harcourt.
512 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
Sir Julius Benedict was conductor for the tenth time, and was as well received as ever. The audiences were not very large, except on the last morning, but the committee had a balance of £500 for the charities. This was owing to the non-appearance of Mr. Sims Reeves, which saved £750.
On September 28th, 1872, died the Rev. Delaval Loftus Astley, twenty- fourth Baron Hastings, and a baronet. He was born on March 25th, 1825, and was therefore forty-seven years of age. He was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambs. (M.A.) 1847 ; rector of Foulsham, Norfolk, 1864; and vicar of East Barsham and rector of Little Snoring, Norfolk, 1865-71. He succeeded his brother in 1871. His eldest son, born in 1855, succeeded him.
On October 31st, 1872, a memorial to the late Mr. Sheriff Young was inaugurated at Wisbech by the Lord Mayor of London. The memorial consists of a column of polished Aberdeen granite, with a drinking fountain at the base, and altogether it is a pleasing object of attraction. The Speaker of the House of Commons and other influential gentlemen took part in the proceedings, which were of a unanimous character.
In 1872, the experiment of a Diocesan Conference was repeated with satisfactory results. Meetings of the clergy and laity were held in Norwich, Lynn, Ipswich, and Halesworth. The subjects for the con- sideration of the Conference were " Church Reform and Church Defence, and their Mutual Relations jw and " The Position of the Church in Reference to the Instruction and Examination of Elementary Schools and Training Colleges in Religious Knowledge." Some very valuable papers were read on these interesting subjects by distinguished gentlemen, and the following resolutions were passed at each meeting : — u That in the opinion of this Conference the union of the Church with the State is right in principle, of mutual advantage, and claims the support of all Churchmen for its maintenance." " That for the better discipline of the Church, and for the efficiency and extension of her work in the country, certain measures of reform are needed, but whatever reforms be contemplated, there shall be no alteration in the creeds, articles, and formularies of our ancient Apostolic Church." " That amongst the reforms needed are the reform of Convocation and Ecclesias- tical Courts, the increase of the episcopacy, the revision of the laws of simony and Church patronage, and some better distribution of Church endowment." The following resolution, which was introduced at Lynn, was opposed by the majority and rejected : — " That in the opinion of this Conference, the present system of Church patronage requires reformation with a view to giving the laity of a parish a voice in the appointment of their minister, and to removing the scandals which result from the sale of benefices, and that both subjects be brought under the consideration of
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 513
Parliament." With respect to educational matters, the following resolu- tions were agreed to : — " That diocesan inspection should be confined to religious instruction in the public elementary schools." " That at present the diocese is not .prepared to support the charge of paid diocesan inspec- tion, and that it would gratefully accept the continued services of those who have so long and efficiently served the diocese as voluntary inspec- tors." " That especially to meet the present urgent demand for qualified teachers, it is desirable that the Committee of Management of the Train- ing Institution should be enabled at once to increase the accommodation for the reception of twenty additional students." "That it is very desirable that the Board of Examiners for Pupil Teachers, the Committee of the Prize Scheme, and the Diocesan Inspectors, should act together." " That the Lord Lieutenants of Norfolk and Suffolk, with the Bishop of the Diocese, be requested to nominate a Board of Education, consisting of nine clergymen and nine laymen, to communicate with the Managing Committee of the Training Institution, the Norfolk and Suffolk Diocesan Board, the Committee of the Prize Scheme, and the Board of Examiners, in order to the carrying out the above resolutions." We ought to men- tion, just to show that the Prince of Wales takes a great interest in Church matters, that the Bishop received, through Sir William Knollys, an expression of regret from H.R.H. that a pre-engagement in another part of the country prevented his having the gratification of attending the meeting at Lynn.
In November, 1872, his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales visited Elvedon Hall, Thetford, the seat of the Maharajah Dhuleep Singh. The Prince was accompanied by his amiable Princess, and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. In fact, they had been previously making a very pleasant little tour in Norfolk and Suffolk, much to the gratification of the residents in the localities which they visited.
The Municipal elections took place as usual throughout the country on November 1st, 1872, the voting being by ballot. In East Anglian towns there appeared to be a reaction in favour of the Conservatives. In Norwich, Ipswich, Lynn, and other towns the Conservatives were victorious, and this caused them to be jubilant indeed. In Norwich they gained a decided advantage, many of the voters being disgusted with the Liberal Licensing Act, the excessive local taxation for which the Liberal majority in the Council was responsible, and the School Board, which was considered an expensive luxury quite unnecessary in the city. Even members of the Board publicly declared it to be useless and a nuisance.
Sir Samuel Biguold at eighty-one years of age was for the fourth time elected Mayor of Norwich in November, 1872. The Council Chamber,
VOL. II. L L
514 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
after the usual routiue business, was soon transformed into a banquetting- room. The usual loyal toasts were proposed by the Mayor and duly honoured. All parties combined in wishing health and still longer life to their esteemed chief magistrate, who is justly regarded 'as the father of the city. In the year 1830, Sir Samuel was admitted an honorary freeman of the city, and then elected Sheriff. In ] 831 he was elected without oppo- sition an Alderman of the great Ward of Mancroft; in 1833 he was first appointed Mayor; in 1835, under the new Municipal Act, he was elected at the head of the poll as Councillor of the Fifth Ward, a position which he has retained up to the present time ; in 1848 he was elected Mayor a second time ; and in 1853 for the third time, as already noticed. He was knighted in 1854, and in the same year returned to Parliament as repre- sentative of his native city, which he had served so long and so faithfully. He was the founder of the Free Library, and in the first instance he lent the money required for the new building till it was borrowed from the Norwich Union Life Office.
On November 18th, 1872, died H. Kett-Tompson, Esq., aged seventy- two, at Brooke, Norfolk. He was taken ill while driving out with his heir, the Hon. Manners Sutton. The deceased was formerly a well-known brewer in Norwich, but after making a fortune, he retired to Brooke House, Norfolk, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a Conservative in politics, a county magistrate, and the first on the list of those selected for High Sheriff in 1873. In consequence of his decease, J. B. Graver Browne, Esq., next on the list, became High Sheriff.
On November 24th, 1872, Major- General Daveney, late of the Royal Scots, died at Norwich. The deceased General entered the army in 1820, had seen a deal of service in all parts of the world, and her Majesty had no more loyal or devoted servant. He served with distinction in Canada during the rebellion of 1837, and in the Crimea in 1854, where he was present at the battles of the Alma and Balaklava, and also at the siege of Sebastopol. He subsequently served during the mutiny in India, and eventually retired on full pay. He had three clasps for the Crimea, as also the Order of the Medjidie, and several other decorations presented by the Sultan to British officers who had served in the war against Russia. His remains were placed in the family burial-place at Colton, where the Daveneys have been landowners for generations.
In November, 1872, a good movement was instituted in Norwich for the benefit of the principal charities of the city. The 10th of the gloomy month was called Hospital Sunday, and was set apart as the day on which collections should be made in every place of worship in aid of the funds of the charities. The result was that over £400 were collected and distributed amongst benevolent institutions, of course the largest
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 515
proportion being allotted to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. The appointment of Hospital Sunday will no doubt become a permanent institution in the city.
Among the -chief local events we must notice the fearful scourge of small-pox, which created sad havoc among the citizens of Norwich during the winter months of 1871-72 ; and before the sad visitation had passed away, it destroyed nearly 600. Meantime trade became almost stagnant, and it will be long remembered how men almost dreaded to meet each other in the street lest they might take the terrible contagion. The weekly returns of the Kegistrar- General were read with anxiety, to see if the figures were higher or lower than in the previous week. Thus the people passed the winter in constant dread, sadly hoping for the end that seemed so long in coming. The highest number of deaths in any week from the dire disease was thirty-seven, and these fell in the week ending January 6th, 1872. The next highest number was thirty-four in the week ending February 3rd, and for several weeks the total figured up to over thirty, and then steadily decreased to nil. Most stringent measures were used to enforce the useful operation of vaccination, and with ultimate success. These measures should have been adopted long before to compel many stupid ignorant parents to save themselves and their children. Happily vaccination is now strictly enforced in the city, and will be still more so when the increased regulations are in force under the new Sanitary Act.
About the close of the eighteenth century, the result of the increased religious life of both Churchmen and Dissenters was exhibited by the establishment of various societies for the spread of Christianity at home and abroad. Among these were the London Missionary Society (1795), the Church Missionary Society (1798), the Religious Tract Society (1799), and the British and Foreign Bible Society (1804). Branches of these societies were established in all the towns of the Eastern Counties, as well as in most other counties. Annual meetings of the supporters have been held ever since, and reports have been read and addresses delivered respecting the operations of each association.
The annals of Norwich or of any other corporate town in the Eastern Counties consist chiefly of proceedings of the Corporations. Meetings have been held every month or quarter for the transaction of public business, which has been largely increased. The proceedings of one single year in any town, even if summarised, would fill volumes. Local taxation has increased in every place, and there has been no limit to the expenditure of public money for public improvements in Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester, Yarmouth, Lowestoft, and other towns. Norwich has taken the lead in these improvements, and also in excessive local taxation.
516 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
At a meeting of the City Council, March 2 1st, 1871, a statement of the Asylum Committee was read relative to the local burdens of the city, to the following effect : —
The loans for public purposes, and for which the local rates are now pledged, are as follows : —
Unpaid loan for Free Library ... ... £4500
Ditto, for Burial Grounds ... ... 2150
Ditto, for Extension of Markets ... ... 1 7,350
Ditto, for New Workhouse ... ... 11, 2 50
Ditto, raised by Board of Health for Sanitary
purposes ... ... ... ... 148,806
Total ... ... ... ...£183,986
To raise the interest and instalments of the loan, the amount required for the relief of the poor and for water supply necessitates an annual rating of 8s. 6d. in the pound on the assessable property, stated to be £215,909.
According to the statement of accounts of the Corporation from Sep- tember 1st, 1871, to September 1st, 1872, that body had borrowed £42,245, and paid off £14,450, leaving the total amount unpaid £27,795. According to the statement of the accounts of the Board of Health, that body had borrowed £172,200, and paid off £25,140, leaving a debt of £147,060. Total of both debts, £174,855.
The total receipts of the Corporation between September 1st, 1871, and September 1st, 1872, amounted to £24,684 7s. 7d. Total payments for same year £26,290 2s. 5d. The total receipts of the Board of Health for the same year were £20,951 10s. 2d.; total payments same year, £19,727 19s. 6d. ; leaving a balance of £1223 10s. 6d. Adding to- gether the expenditure of both, the total is £46,018 Is. lid.
According to the statement of accounts of the Norwich Board of Guar- dians for the year ending March 25th, 1872, the receipts from poor rates and other sources amounted to £41,892, and the expenditure as much, less a small balance in hand of £288 14s. ll|d.; adding the two sums toge- ther, £46,018 Is. lid. and £41,892, makes a total of £87,910 Is. lid. by two public bodies in Norwich. The number of in-door paupers was 620, of out-door 3065 ; total, 3685.
Many of the city ratepayers, finding the local taxation so excessive, called meetings for the purpose of obtaining a reduction of the public expenditure. Complaints were made of the large amount paid in salaries to officials and the police, also of the enormous expenditure for the new sewerage.
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH OENTUEY. 517
The Corporation appointed a committee to enquire into the expenditure, and, at a meeting in March, ] 87o, the committee reported that the amount paid in salaries, wages, &c, by that body and by the Board of Guardians, including all persons employed, was £16,471 2s. 3d. The committee recommended reductions to the amount of £700 yearly, but nothing was done.
C. S. Eead, Esq., M.P., made the following report on Norfolk Agricul- ture in 1872 : — (i After a succession of dry years, which ended in 1870, we appear to have entered upon a cycle of wet seasons. Last year was somewhat remarkable for its large rainfall and small number of sunny days, but 1872 has been far wetter, colder, and more ungenial than its predecessor. Thunderstorms have prevailed from March to November, and have generally been accompanied by heavy rains. There were fortu- nately ten consecutive fine summer days, in which much hay was secured in good order ; and, what was of more importance, the country was blessed with three weeks of glorious sunshine in August. The farmers in this part of England were happily enabled to harvest the great bulk of their corn in the best possible condition, which is all the more fortunate, as there are, at the time we write, many hundred acres of oats still abroad in Scotland and Ireland, and even in some elevated parts of the north of England the harvest is not yet completed.
" Norfolk can stand a wet summer better than a dry one, but this year it was, unfortunately, very cold as well as very wet. The sandy lands were consequently chilled, and the stiff er soils drowned during chief part of the spring and summer. The result was a very poor yield of all kinds of cereals. Wheat is deficient in quality as well as in cast, and the same remarks apply to barley ; but beans and peas are a plentiful yield, and oats quite an average crop.
" There has been an immense growth of grass throughout the year. The hay was everywhere a tremendous swathe, but not much was stacked without rair., and some of it was entirely spoiled. The mangolds promised to be very heavy, but this wet and cold autumn has been against their latter growth. Swedes and turnips are both grand crops, the absence of heat and drought being favorable for the weight and quality of these roots.
" Although there has been plenty of grass everywhere, stock have not grazed well during the summer. The herbage has been too rank and the laii'age too damp for sheep to thrive, and even the cattle have often pro- gressed better on far less feed. But the ravages of disease have done more to shorten the supply of meat than anything else. The cases of pleuro-pneumonia among cattle have numbered over a thousand in Norfolk during the past twelve months, and from Michaelmas, 1871, to
418 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Michaelmas, 1872, there were nearly 200,000 cases of foot-and-mouth disease reported to the Norfolk constabulary. With store cattle at an enormous price, and these diseases raging as. fiercely as ever all over the United Kingdom, and cattle plague defying the efforts of the Privy Council to stamp it out in Yorkshire, the prospect of the winter grazier is not very cheering.
" The prices of all agricultural produce are high, and in some instances extremely dear. The best barley, in consequence of short crops and the great demand for beer, caused by the prosperity of the working classes, is selling as high as 50s. per quarter, and good sound dry red wheat is worth 7s. per bushel. The wholesale price of prime beef is 9d. per lb., and mutton is still dearer. Did these great prices result from increased consumption, and not from disease and ungenial seasons, there would be good ground to congratulate the farmers on the money they were making, but the husbandman would secure greater profit at much cheaper rates if he could ensure healthy stock, and be blessed with more fruitful seasons."
THE CONDITION OP THE LABOURERS IN NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK.
The year 1872 was a very prosperous one for the farmers of East Anglia. The prices of every kind of agricultural produce were high, and in some cases extremely dear. The best barley, in consequence of the great demand for beer, was selling as high as 50s. per quarter, and good sound dry red wheat at 7s. per bushel. The wholesale price of prime beef was ninepence per pound, and mutton still dearer. Lambs only six months old sold at 50s. each. The farmers never made so much money, but never offered to raise the low wages of their labourers, who received nine, ten, or eleven shillings weekly, and extra pay for extra work at harvest time. The poor men still remained at the bottom of the social scale, and their degraded condition was a disgrace to the gentry and clergy, as well as the farmers.
In the summer of 1872, a general movement of agricultural labourers commenced in Warwickshire, and soon extended to most other counties in England. It may prove to be the most extraordinary social movement of this century, the object being to improve the condition of the agricultural labourer by raising his wages. This seemed to be the more necessary in consequence of the high price of provisions, clothing, and all the necessaries of life. To promote this object many meetings were held in many places, and at length a National Agricultural Union was formed, presenting the singular spectacle of a general combination of all the labourers. Mr. Arch was elected President of the National Union, and called the arch conspirator. He was himself a labourer, who had rebelled against the farming system in his own county, and resolved if
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 519
possible to improve his circumstances. He soon proved himself to be a shrewd practical man, with a large share of common sense. He did not ventilate any visionary notions about waste lands, but confined himself to the hard lot and low wages of men who produced all the wealth for land- lords and farmers, who lived in luxury and ease. He urged all the labourers everywhere to join a general Union, and to contribute 2d. weekly to the general fund of the National Union. The agitation extended even to the Eastern Counties, to the great astonishment of the farmers and landowners. Meetings of the labourers were held all over Suffolk and Norfolk in the months of August, September, October, November, and December. Branch Unions were formed and members enrolled in many places. In the week ending August 11th, meetings of the labourers were held in the neighbourhood of Woodbridge, where Mr. Oldman delivered speeches, and many members were enrolled, who agreed to pay 2d. weekly to the general fund, by which means they hoped to place themselves in a position to demand higher wages than they had received for many years.
On September 11th, Mr. Oldman addressed a large meeting of labourers in the Market Place at Harleston. He had not proceeded far in his discourse when a number of farmers began throwing volleys of eggs and stones, some of which broke the windows in St. John's Chapel. Mr. Oldman left the chair on which he was standing, when he was surrounded by farmers, one of whom struck him on the mouth. He went to a magis- trate for a summons, and when the latter heard the complaint, he declined to grant the summons, stating that he did not like the labour agitation. As may be supposed, the conduct of the magistrate excited much indignation among the people.
A meeting of labourers was held at Blofield on September 16th, and the following resolution was passed unanimously : —
That this meeting claims for the agricultural labourer the ancient right of all Englishmen, the liberty of free speech ; and denounces the assault upon Mr. Oldman at Harleston as an atrocious and unprovoked attack on the right of all labourers as well as on Mr. Oldman; and it calls on the Home Secretary to dismiss the partizan magistrate who refused to grant a summons against the farmer who committed the assault.
Mr. Oldman returned thanks for such an expression of support, declaring that the matter should not rest till justice had been done.
Mr. Arch, President of the National Agricultural Union, made a tour of Norfolk, and addressed meetings of labourers at Old Buckenham on September 13th, at Hingham on the 14th, at Blofield on the ICth, at "North Walsham on the 17th, at Aylsham on the 18th, at Holt on the 19th, at Wells on the 20th, at Fakenham on the 21st, at Docking on the 23rd, at Reedham on the 24th, at S waff ham on the 25th, and did a good week's work,
520 oHISTOEY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Branch Unions were formed at most of these places, many members were enrolled, and it was expected that 40,000 labourers would join the Union in Norfolk. At the Blofield meeting Mr. Arch said the labourers of the country had been sadly overlooked, and very little cared for, as they all knew who had to toil hard in the fields for 10s. or 12s. a-week, and sometimes even for 9s. It was well understood that the wealth of this country had been greatly increasing for some time past; the prices of provisions had increased, but not the Wages of the labourers. He urged that an advance could only be obtained by union, and he enlarged on the advantages of a National Union, as compared with a County Union. He asserted the right of the labourers to form a Union, having for its object the improve- ment of their condition.
On September 21st a meeting of labourers was held at North Walsham for the purpose of considering the question whether the North Walsham branch should affiliate with the National body at Leamington or stand alone for a time, and it was resolved — ft That this branch should send two delegates to the conference for the purpose of affiliating with the National body." This branch was then in a very prosperous condition, and many members were enrolled.
On September 25th a meeting of labourers was held in the Corn Hall at S waff ham, and the proceedings commenced with a tea party. After tea a public meeting was held, and Mr. Gibson presided. Mr. Arch addressed the men at some length, giving an account of the origin and progress of the Union movement, which led to the formation of a National Union. He estimated the number of agricultural labourers at 800,000, and said they produced a great part of the wealth of the country. Why, then, should they be so badly paid for their work ? If a man earned 15s. weekly, was it right to pay him only 10s. ? He concluded by exhorting the men to stand true to their colours, and to tell others what they had heard.
Some of the more religious labourers believed that Mr. Arch was a man raised up by God to deliver them from bondage. As God raised up Moses to deliver the children of Israel from the bondage of Egypt, so they said Mr. Arch had been raised up to deliver them and their children from the bondage that prevailed in Christian England. As to how the object could be accomplished of improving their condition, various opinions were expressed. Some men were in favour of a County Union, but most of them were in favour of a National Union of the labourers, and were enrolled as members.
On October 2nd, a meeting of the Elsing branch of the Union was held in the Primitive Methodist Chapel, when several important resolutions were passed, The meeting approved of the proceedings of the secretary
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 521
in helping to form an Eastern Counties Union, and also approved of the resolution passed at the Fakenham meeting. They thought the sugges- tion of contributing Is. per member to a general fund much better than three-fourths of the contributions as proposed by the National Union. The meeting authorised the secretary to affiliate with it as soon as practicable, and to render every assistance he could in the choice of trustees .
In the week ending September 21st, Mr. Arch addressed meetings of the labourers at Burnham Broom, Fakenham, Thetford, Ridlington, East Harling, and other places in West Norfolk, at all of which places branches were formed and members were enrolled.
Mr. Flaxman, Chairman of the Attleborough Union, in October addressed meetings at Brisley, Snoring, Whissonsett, Weasenham, Hempton, Thetford, Foulsham, Raynham, Helhoughton, Great Ryburgh, North Creake, South Creake, Brancaster, Litcham, and Burnham Market, at all of which places bi'anches were formed and members were enrolled. On October 21st a public meeting of the labourers and others was held in the Temperance Hall, Thetford, for the purpose of encouraging the members of the local association to continue their demands for increased wages and less hours of toil. Mr. B. Matthews presided. Messrs. R. Shaw, H. Alderton, and R. Nurse addressed the meeting, earnestly advising the labourers to make good use of the money obtained in the shape of extra wages, and not to go to taverns. A statement of the accounts of the association was read and approved. A committee was appointed for the ensuing quarter.
On November 18th, the Docking branch of the Norfolk Agricultural Labourers' Union held a public meeting at the Victoria, to discuss matters concerning their general interests. The franchise was the principal topic of the evening. A member said, " Why should the name of agricultural labourer and inability to pay a rate disqualify us from voting ? Rank and money do not constitute a man, but rather sound principle. Why is it that the rights of one Englishman are not attended to as well as another ? Is it because we are not educated ? Do we need to master Murray's " Grammar " before we tell the nation our wants ? We maintain that the agricultui'al labourer is an intelligent man, a deep thinker, or how should he be able to make the paltry sum of 13s. per week defray the expenses of his wife and family ? The franchise is what we want, and we shall not rest until our aim is gained." The second question mooted was co-opera- tion. The members thought that a co-operative provision store should be opened to retail flour, grocery, drapery, and everything required for household consumption. It was agreed that Mr. F. Sands should corre- spond with some of the best co-operatives and get all the information he
522 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND. -
could, and present a report to the next public meeting, to be held on December 16th. The wages paid to the men in this district was 13s. weekly, for fifty-four hours5 work.
On November 23rd, a meeting of the members of the Blofield branch of the Union was held at Blofield. Mr. Arch again appeared ihere, and addressed the meeting at great length, stating that wherever, he had gone the National Union was progressing successfully. If ever it presented a prosperous aspect it did so at that time. Those who thought the Union was going to be crushed were never under a greater delusion. He main- tained that the labourers should have higher wages and also votes at elections. They were never in a better position for obtaining the fran- chise than now. They had formed themselves into Unions, branches, districts, with a central committee at Leamington, so that when at home at Bradford he could, by the touch of the telegraph, talk with them in a very few minutes.
On November 23rd the monthly meeting of the Ormesby branch of the Union was held and it appeared that ninety-eight members had been enrolled. It seemed to be the wish of all present to carry on the business of the Union in a fair manner and never to rest till they received a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. Some of the farmers had been telling the men that if they joined the Union they would be paid off. One farmer went to one of his men who had a son over seventeen years of age, who sometimes liked to go to sea, and said that if he did not keep the lad at home, he would pay him off and turn him out of the house. This showed that the farmers wanted to keep the men under. The same farmer had lowered the wages of his men, and tried to persuade others to lower the wages of their men.
In November meetings of the - labourers were held at Dersingham, Burnham Market, Docking, Ludham, and many members were enrolled.
In December meetings were held in the Felbrigg district, in the North Walsham district, also at Brancaster, Framingham, South Creake, Swaffham, Hockham, Burnham, Gaston, Attleborough, Walsingham, North Lopham, and other places, and many members were enrolled. On December 3rd, a meeting of labourers was held at the Dun Cow, Castle- acre, when the members of the branch Union paid up their contributions and passed the following resolution : " That as the farmers in this neighbourhood have thought proper to make a reduction of one shilling per week on our wages this winter while provisions are forty per cent, dearer than before harvest, we consider this very unjust, and wo do hereby call on our brother labourers to join at once, as a very decided stand will be taken by this branch before long, and ' England expects every man to do his duty.'" We have not .heard of any decided stand
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 523
having been made by the labourers,, but that the farmers have raised the wages of the men.
On December 5th, a meeting of the Diss branch of the Labourers' Union was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Diss. This branch comprised 130 members. Mr. Offord presided, and opened the pi-oceedings, advo- cating the objects of the Union and the right of the labourers to a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. Messrs. Elsey, Morley, Read, and John Cook delivered speeches. Mr. Elsey said that the wages paid to labourers for many years past was a disgrace to English society. Mr. John Cook believed that ultimately the Union would be equally beneficial to the masters and men, because if the men were better fed they would do more work.
On December 6th, a meeting of labourers in connection with the North Walsham branch of the Union was held in the club-room of the New Inn at Southrepps, kindly lent for the occasion. Mr. J. W. Chadwick, a delegate from the North Walsham branch, spoke for an hour on the advantages of the National Union over local Unions. A farmer in the room, who had his teamman by his side, said that his men had felt the evil effects of these meetings. The teamman called out that they made- everything so dear. Mr. Chadwick explained that the increased demand for articles had raised prices, and not these meetings, which had the effect of advancing wages. At the close of the meeting, thirty-four new members were enrolled.
Between December 7th and December 21st, Mr. Oldman addressed meetings of labourers at Harleston., Framingham Gull, Attlcborough, Wal- singham, South Creake, Docking, West Rudham, Whissonsett, Woodton, Cossey, Caister, Acle, Sprowston, St. Faiths, and Hockham, in all of which places he showed the greater advantages offered by the National Union than could be offered by any local Union. lie felt convinced that local Unions could not stand for any length of time, as the farmers did not care for them, but were much concerned about the National Union, and they would think seriously before they contended against it. The National Union had many outside friends who were ready with their thou- sands of pounds to help in case of any emergency.
On December 16th, a meeting was held in the Corn Hall at Harleston, where Mr. Oldman addressed the men. Ho commenced by censuring those who assaulted him on a previous occasion, and had not proceeded far when he was interrupted by a noise at the door. Some of those present went to the door, but the offenders had vanished. Some one, however, turned off the gas, which went out, and of course the proceed- ings wore brought to a close.
During the same month of December meetings of the labourers were
524 HISTOEY OE EASTERN ENGLAND.
held at Groat Plumstead, Little Plumstead, Woodton, Whissonsett, Fel- brigg, Rudham, Docking, Thurston, Watton, Thornham, Carlton Bode, Holt, North Walsham, Swanton Morley, and Hockham, near Thetford. Indeed the agents of the Union visited every village in the county where meetings could be held in any barn, tavern, club-room, hall, or chapel. Such an agitation never was known in Norfolk before. At all the meet- ings the labourers complained of low wages and hard fare, saying they could scarcely procure food for themselves and their families, who seldom tasted meat, the prices of everything being much raised. They also com- plained that their cottages were badly constructed, few in number, and far from the places where they worked. They alleged that they could spare nothing for the education of their children, who had to go to work at an early age. They stated many instances of harsh treatment by the farmers, and said when out of employment in the winter they were obliged to go into the Workhouse, which was their only place of refuge in old age. Mr. Castleton is the Secretary for the Norfolk district, and has attended many of the meetings.
The landowners and their tenants, as may be supposed, did not approve of the union of the labourers to raise wages and did not generally agree to any advance. Ultimately they also held meetings to form a defence union amongst themselves. An association of landowners and farmers was formed in the Hundreds of East and West Flegg, near the coast of Norfolk, to obtain protection for themselves and the Non-Union men. The Farmers' Union is not likely to have a very large demand on its funds, as the conduct of the labourers in Union showed the utmost respect for peace, law, and order. They adopted as their mottoe, " Defence not Defiance."
A meeting of landowners and farmers was held on February 27th, 1873, at North Walsham, for the purpose of forming a Defence Association for the Hundreds of Tunstead and Happing, North and South Erpingham. The Hon. Harbord Harbord was called to the chair, and among those present were Lieut.-Colonel Duff, C. Cozens Hardy, Esq. (of Lethering- sett), the Rev. J. Dolphin, Messrs. W. Heath, C. L. Neve, J. Cioss, S. Spencer, J. Clark, H. Callow, E. Burton, H. Learner, J. Love, T. Wells, W. Postle, J. Bird (Cawston), J. Symonds (Haverland), G. Clarke, C. Martins, R. T. Le Neve, S. Sutton, J. Wortley, sen., William Chapman, George Emery, G. Gordon, E. Ling, B. Ling, A. Ling, T. Ling, J. Beckett, M. Never, J. Mack, W. Wenn, sen., W. Wenn, jun., T. Cubitt, and many others. The Hon. Harbord Harbord (chairman), Lieut.-Colonel Duff, Mr. Heath, Mr. C. C. Hardy, and other gentlemen, delivered speeches against the Labourers' Union, which Mr. Hardy denounced as a species of tyranny over the men and intended to intimidate the farmers. He maintained that when men joined a Union they ceased to be free. Nine of his men
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 525
who joined it were then playing on the roads instead of being at work as they desired. He thought it was very important for farmers to fix a liberal standard of wages, and that such a step would be just to the employer and the employed. If farmers were so liable to be injured by the absence of men for a few hours, the importance of compensating those who were the victims of persecution was manifest. For instance, if a demand were then made for 15s. weekly, with a threat of annoyance and ruin to the farmer, that same policy might be adopted a little later for 20s. a week, so that innovation to-day would be precedent to-morrow. It behoved farmers by giving liberal wages, to take care that there was no justification for a strike to fight it out to the end. He believed that wages had advanced 30 per cent, during the last fifteen years ; and if the trade of the country continued prosperous wages would still further advance. He did not object to pay fair wages, but he did object to compulsion. He entertained no ill will to the men, and only said, " Let us have a fair day's work for a fair day's wages."
Another meeting of farmers was held in the same town, and the pro- ceedings were of a similar character, except that Lord Suffield declared against a union of the farmers as inexpedient. Resolutions were adopted to form a district association for defence ; also that " The objects of this association shall be, first, to oppose the dictation of the Laborers' Union ; secondly, to defend the rights of Non-Union men ; thirdly, to fix a liberal standard of wages for the above Union or district ; and fourthly, to raise a fund for the purpose of compensating members of the association for loss sustained in resisting the unjust demands of the Laborers' Union."
Meetings of landowners and farmers were held at different places in the county to form defence associations ; but the ultimate result was that the wages of the laborers were raised one or two shillings weekly, instead of being reduced as originally intended. No doubt the migration of laborers to the North of England and the emigration to America will cause a still greater advance.
The Rev. J. M. Wilder, of Brandestone, in reference to the combination of farmers, wrote a letter to the papers stating that the " farmers cannot force the labourer to work for them, and they may rest assured the labourers will not work for the wages they have been receiving, at the present prices of coals and the necessaries of life, all of which have greatly increased. And what is the good of a Farmers' Union meeting and talking about the labourer, when the labourer is neither willing nor obliged to work ? The land must be cultivated, and there is more work to be done for the next six months than hands can bo found to perform it ; therefore, it is an act of folly on the part of the farmers now to agitate the question of labour, with a view to avoid raising the men Is. or Is. 6d. per week."
526 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
One way of helping the labourers would be to buy small pieces of land for each of them at market price. It seems rather strange that none of the rich patrons of the Labourers' Union have purchased land to divide into small farms for the labourers. According to their own theories it would pay well to do this ; and whether it paid or not, the experiment would be of great use. That the system of small culture in England on an extended scale would be an economic mistake few agriculturists will deny, but to have a few peasant proprietors in every parish would be a great convenience in some respects. In some of our arable districts it is very difficult to get a supply of milk. Where this difficulty is experienced of obtaining fresh milk we may be certain that the children in the villages must suffer greatly from the want of it. Now, peasant proprietors almost invariably keep cows, and for this reason, if for no other, they would be useful members of society in all our Eastern villages. It should be borne in mind, however, that the success of a few peasant proprietors would be no proof of the utility of the system if largely extended, for whereas the few would be able to make exceptional profits from their cows, the case would soon be altered if their numbers were multiplied to any great extent.
BISHOPS OP NORWICH, 1837 to 1873.
Dr. Stanley was born January 1st, 1779, and became rector of Alderley in Cheshire, where he continued till the year 1837. Then the see of Norwich was offered to him and he twice declined it. He was a great favourite of the young Queen, and was induced to accept the bishopric. He was installed on August 17th, 1837, and he ruled the diocese for twelve years, highly esteemed by all sects and parties for his increasing efforts to promote unsectarian education, the spiritual interests of every class of society, and his readiness on every occasion to co-operate with Dissenters in every laudable work. Of course he was a good Churchman, but he was a much better Christian. He was glad to meet any Christian on earth whom he hoped to meet in heaven. He preached the gospel, but never said anything about creeds or rites or ceremonies.
He cared so little for difference of creed that he actually met Father Matthew, a Roman Catholic, on the platform in St. Andrew's Hall to advocate the cause of temperance, which he did with much eloquence. As may be supposed, this gave great offence to many of the more bigoted clergy. He gave still greater offence to many of them by inviting Jenny Lind to his Palace when she first came to Norwich, and she actually sang some of her Swedish melodies in the Palace to the great delight of a large company, while numbers of people were allowed to stand on the stairs to hear the celebrated vocalist. He was brother to the first Lord Stanley of Alderley, President of the Linnasean Society, an
EVENTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTUHY. 527
active philanthrophist, and a distinguished advocate of civil and religious liberty. He often preached in many churches, attended public meetings on important occasions, and delivered addresses in advocacy of missions. He died in 1850 and was buried in the nave of the Cathedral. The great west window was consecrated to his memory by a splendid design in coloured glass.
Samnel Hinds, D.D., was the sixty-seventh Bishop of »tho Diocese, and was installed on January 24th, 1850. He was the son of Abel Thornhill Hinds, born December 2ord^ 1793, in Barbadoes, and at the age of twelve he was sent to England to be educated. Ho returned to Barbadoes as a missionary, and remained there five years. He came back to England, and was elected Vice-Principal of Albion Hall, Oxford, and he accompanied Dr. Whateley to Ireland as his private chaplain. He rose in the Church till he became Bishop of Norwich, and he laboured in this diocese for seven years, often preaching in the Churches and attending religious meetings. He resigned the see of Norwich in April, 1857, and retired into private life, and died in a few years after. He was perhaps the most learned of modern bishops, and the author of several works, including the " Rise and Progress of Christianity," " The Three Temples of the One God," &c.
The Hon. John Thomas Pelham, D.D., has been Bishop of Norwich since 1857. He was born in 1811, being the second son of the late Earl of Chichester, and brother of the present earl. He graduated at Oxford, and in 1845 he married a daughter of Thomas William Tatten, Esq. ; and in 1817 he was appointed Chaplain to the Queen. After this he was collated to the rectory of Bergh Apton, in Norfolk, which he held till 1852, when he was appointed to Christ Church, Hampstead; and in 1851 he was nominated to the rectory of St. Marylebone, Middlesex. He fulfilled the arduous duties of minister of that populous parish for three years. He was then installed at the Cathedral Church, Norwich, on Juno 26th, 1857, and since that time he has ruled the diocese in a manner satisfactory to most of the clergy.
CHURCH RESTORATIONS.
Of late years many of the ancient churches in Norwich, Norfolk, and Suffolk have been restored, renovated, and beautified, and generally in accordance with the original style of architecture. Among these may be mentioned St. John's Maddermai'ket, St. Stephen's, St. Giles', St. George Tombland, St. Martin-at-Palace, St. Margaret, St. Michael's at Thorn, St. Paul's, St. Swithin's, and St. Julian's, in Norwich. New windows have been put in most of these churches, and in some cases the windows have been filled with stained glass, in beautiful designs. The last instance is Jihat of St. John's Maddermarket. The churchwarden (Mr. J. Chamberlin)
528 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
has filled in the large east window with beautiful stained glass, this window being intended as a memoria? of his late wife and two of their daughters. There are five lights in the window, and two pictures in each light — the whole representing the incidents connected with the healing of the centurion's servant, as related in the Gospel of St. Luke. There is a unity in the design which adds immensely to the effect, and the whole will be a great ornament to the church. Messrs. J. and J. King, of Princes Street, Norwich, were employed in the work. Mr. T. J. Scott, at their establishment, is the artist. Under the window there is a very handsome reredos erected by the same churchwarden. The groups of figures under the arches are executed in the first style of art. The arches on each side are being fitted with beautiful oak screens, from a design by Messrs. Btnslie and Franey, of Parliament Street, London. The work has been very well executed by Messrs. Trevor and Page, of Norwich, and it reflects great credit on that firm. The church has been completely restored at a cost of about £2000. The old gallery has been removed so that the whole of the elegant interior is now fully displayed. Similar restorations have been made in many churches in the county. Messrs. J. and J. King have been employed on windows in the 'following places : — Mattishall, Holkham, Eye, Bradfield, Haughley, Houghton, Neatishead, Fundenhall, and Thorpe New Church.
In Bodham Church. — A painted and stained glass memorial window to the Rev. J. A. Partridge ; subjects — Nativity, Crucifixion, and Ascension.
In Grcsham Church. — Painted and stained glass memorial window to the wife of the Rev. Spurgin.
In Langham CJiurch. — Painted and stained glass memorial window, in memory of the Rev. F. A. Rippingall ; subjects — Baptism, Crucifixion, and Last Supper.
Holt Ch arch. — Beautiful memorial window, in painted and stained glass, to the memory of the Rev. H. Jackson ; subjects — The Four Evangelists and the Figure of the Saviour in the centre. There are also several stained glass windows fixed in this church by J. Hales, Esq., in memory of his children.
Morningthorpe Church. — A painted and stained glass memorial window, in memory of the late Admiral Irby, by Mrs. Irby, of Boyland Hall.
Grcssenhall Church. — A painted and stained glass memorial window, in memory of the wife of the Rev. Dennis Hill ; subject — the Good Samaritan.
Baconsthorpe Church. — Painted and stained glass window by J. T. Mott, Esq., in memory of his brother who was rector; subjects — The Good Shepherd, Moses, and Elias.
In North Wulsham Church. — A very fine east window has been placed by R. Chamberlin, Esq., of Catton, in memory of his father and mother, it contains ten pictures representing scenes in the Life of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This has Ijeen justly and deservedly admired.
STAINED GLASS WINDOWS IN CHURCHES. 520
Restorations are completed or are in progress at the following churches, under the superintendence of R. M. Phipson, Esq., in accordance with the original styles of architecture : —
In Norfolk, Acle, Ashill, Ashmanhaugh, Cockley Cley, Denton, Dickleburgh, Frettenham, Fundenhall, Harleston (rebuilt), Howe, Igburgh (rebuilt), Mendham ; Norwich : St. Peter's Maneroft, St. Stephen's, St. Gregory's, St. Giles' ; Ormesby, Redenhall, Sco' Ruston, St. Mary's Thetford, Tunstead, Walcot, Wicklewood, Worstead.
In Suffolk, Brandeston, Boxford, Burgate, Claydon, Debach, Fressingfield, Great Glemham, Little Glemham, Heveningham, Holbrook ; Ipswich : St. Mary Tower, St. Matthew's, St. Lawrence, St. Mary Stoke, St. Mary Elms ; Nacton, Newbourne, Offton, Southwold, Stowmarket, Stradbrooke, Stoke Ash, Saxmund- ham, Thorndon, Thelnetham, Tostock, Uggeshall, Weybread, Whearstead, "Woolpit.
Messrs. J. and J. King, Norwich, have been employed to insert stained glass windows from their own designs in the following churches in Norfolk and Suffolk :—
STAINED GLASS WINDOWS IN CHURCHES.
Aslacton Window. — A beautiful east window has been erected in the church ; subject — the Crucifixion, by the late rector, Rev. T. Harrison.
In Caister, near Yarmouth. — Some beautiful painted and stained glass windows have been placed in this church by the rector, Rev. C. Steward.
Hautbois Church. — Lancet "Windows. Subjects : — Christ Blessing Little Children, Raising the Widow's Son, The Nobleman imploring Christ to Heal his Son. Some mural decorations have also been executed which tend greatly to beautify the church.
Lomj Stratton Church. — Stained window in two compartments, to the memory of a member of the Barton Family, who was in the East Lidia Service. Subjects — Christ Walking on the Sea, Christ Preaching from the Ship. The tracerj is filled with angels with musical instruments.
Stoke Holy Cross Church. — Three Lancet Windows. Subjects : — Faith, Hope, and Charity ; these figures are placed under rich canopies and finished in the most elaborate manner.
Haughley Church (Suffolk). — Window, in four compartments, in memory of a member of the Prettyman family, who reside in the place. Subject — in three phases, under canopies of a rich kind : — 1. Dorcas giving away Garments ; 2 and 3. Dorcas Dead, and the Widows and Children shewing the Garments, &c, and imploring Peter to restore her; 4, Dorcas Raised to Life. The tracery is filled with rich foliated work.
Southrepps Church. — Three light-window, geometrical pattern, containing, within ornamental frames, three subjects : — 1. Christ Walking on the Sea. 2. The Good Shepherd. 3. Mary Sitting at Jesu's Feet ; above and below Avhich are ribands denoting the subjects, &c, the tracery being filled with angels bearing
VOL. II. MM
530 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
scrolls, &c. The chancel here is about to he restored in memory of Mrs. Gwynn, late wife of the Eector. — B. M. Phipson, Esq., architect.
'fliorpe Old GJiurch. — Eich three-light quarry window. The centre opening contains suhjcct of the Crucifixion.
Narborough CJmrch. — This church, which has undergone thorough restoration, has "been beautified by the addition of a rich quarry window, the centre opening containing the subject of the Good Samaritan. Many other windows in this church have also been filled with ornamental glass.
St. Sicithin's CJmrch, Norwich. — One-light window, to the memory of Mrs. Cavell, wife of the late rector j subject — Feeding the Hungry and Clothing the Naked, under a most highly- wrought and richly-foliated canopy. The base consists also of foliated work — the Pelican and Young (the emblem of purity) being introduced.
Trinity CJmrch, HeigJiam. — Two-light window, containing subjects of Christ Blessing Little Children, and Eaising of Jairus's Daughter, placed beneath canopies, the base being composed of foliated work, and the tracery contains an angel with scroll bearing the inscription, " Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." This window is to the memory of the children of the Eev. G. C. Hoste, late rector.
RougJdon CJmrch. — Three-light window, given by D. Squirrell, Esq. Subjects: —Clothing the Naked, Feeding the Hungry, Visiting the Sick.
Horsham St. Fault's CJmrch. — Eich geometrical three-light window, with medallions containing figures of Faith, Hope, and Charity. The whole church, including nave, aisles, tower, and south porch, is about to be restored under the superintendence of E. M. Phipson, Esq., architect.
Clippcsby CJmrcJi. — East window of rich geometrical pattern. Two other windows have also been filled with stained glass. One two-light window consists of figures of St. John and St. Peter, which are placed under canopies. The other three-light window contains the subject of the Eesurrection. All have been given by Mrs. Muskett.
Old Cation CJmrch. — Three-light window given by E. Charnberlin, Esq. Elaborate geometrical pattern, armorial bearings of the family being inserted in medallions ; also three subjects, viz. : — the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, the Baptism of Christ. Three-light window, to the memory of and given by Paul Squires, Esq., also of a highly-wrought geometrical pattern, containing within ornamental frames three subjects — Christ Blessing Little Children, the Cruci- fixion, the Nativity. Two-light clerestory window, to the memory of an organist, containing figures of David and Miriam.
St. Gregory's, NoruncJt. — East window : Geometrical window, containing within medallions the subjects — Faith, Hope, and Charity ; given by Mrs. Grand. "West window : Ornamental quarry window ; the centre pane contains subject of " Angels carrying a disembodied spirit to Heaven f to the memory of Mrs. C. E. Tuck. Lowestoft CJmrch, Suffolk. — Two-light window, geometrical, contains two figures,
CHURCH DECORATIONS. 531
St. John and St. George j given by members of the Suffolk Volunteers to the memory of Capt. Leathes.
CHURCH DECORATIONS.
Messrs. J. and J. King have also been employed in carrying out the following, ehiefly from their own designs : —
Eye Church, Suffolk. — A magnilicent stone reredos, the panels of which are painted, has been added to this beautifully-decorated church. The centre panel contains a highly-ornamental cross ; at each point a sacred emblem, surrounded with rays of gold, and at the intersections a head of our Saviour. In the panels on either side are crosses of a less elaborate character, the ground being covered with a rich diaper. The space above and on either side of the reredos is also covered with a rich diaper pattern, and intersected with running borders of an elaborate character. The sides of the chancel are also treated in the same manner. These decorations have been carried out under the direction of James K. Colling, Esq., architect.
Bcdfield Church, Suffolk. — Beredos carved, containing six panels, has been placed in this church. — The Decalogue, Lord's Prayer, and Belief are illuminated in four panels in a high style of art. Two smaller panels contain upon ribands, through which ornamental foliated work is carried, the texts, " I am the Bread of Life," and " I am the True Vine." — J. K. Colling, Esq., architect.
Drayton Church, Norfolk. — The east end of this church is painted; beneath the window, a rich diaper pattern, upon which within quarter-foils are placed the Cross, Dove, Emblems of the Passion, etc. ; above this a text within a border, the whole being surmounted with an ornamental cresting. Texts in ornamental bands are carried round on cither side of the chancel, above which are medallions of various forms, containing emblems of Evangelists, Agnus Dei, Pelican and Young, etc. The outlines of the windows are also made distinct by means of foliated ornaments. The chancel arch is likewise relieved by coloured mouldings and rich diaper pattern, surmounted with a text within ornamental foliated work. — Architect, E. M. Phipson, Esq. • Hellcsdon Church has also been much improved by mural decoration.
Nmv LaJcenham Church. — Ornamented scrolls over the chancel and western arches, of a very light and graceful description, are great improvements here.
Matt /'shall Church. — The decorations in the chancel of this church are of a most elaborate and graceful description. — Architect, A. E. Browne, Esq., of London.
Neatishead Church. — The east end of this church has been made very bright and elegant. The mural decorations are of a chaste and beautiful description, consisting of a text, within a band, over the window. On either side, the Deca- logue, &c, the reredos being covered with light elegant sprigs of diaper work, the colouring of which is most artistic. — Architect, A. E. Browne, Esq., of London.
Thetford Church. — This church, which has undergone a thorough restoration,
532 HISTOEY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
is much improved by the beautiful decorations in the chancel, which consist prin- cipally of diaper work, relieved with bands of colour, the reredos being of a pale grey, on which there is an elegant cross, surrounded by a chaste powdered pattern. The window is surmounted by a scroll of an original character. — Architect, A. E. Browne, Esq., of London.
St. Stephen's Church. — The east end of this church has been much beautified by the addition of some mural decorations of a most graceful character, the space beneath the reredos being painted of an approved tint, covered with light grace- ful ornaments and bands of colour. The space round the window on either side has been covered with a light ornament, in which are interspersed various em- blems, &c, the space above the -window being filled with a most elegant and elaborate cross, which has been much admired. The woodwork of the roof imme- diately connected with the east end has also been relieved with colour, which has a pleasing effect, and gives an idea of the beautiful effect that might be obtained by carrying out this idea along the whole area of this grand old roof — a work which one would desire to see accomplished. The windows of the aisles have been recently restored, new tracery being added with new glazing. — R. M. Phipson, Esq., architect.
Southwold Church, Suffolk. — The roof of the chancel to this church has under- gone a thorough restoration. Great care was taken to restore the work in exact facsimile to the old design, traces of which could be found. The roof is panel- led, and powdered with stars, the ribs being banded and otherwise highly decorated. The panels in the bay directly over the wood screen contain very fine specimens of mediaeval painting, composed of angels bearing scrolls, with Latin inscriptions, emblems of Passion, &c. — Architect, R. M. Phipson, Esq.
Hethersett Cliurch. — Here the east end has undergone a thorough restoration and been beautified with some mural decorations, consisting 'of scrolls over the window, Lord's Prayer, Decalogue, &c.
Holkham Cliurch has been recently restored at the expense of the Earl of Leicester. The carved work is of the finest order ; a magnificent reredos, pulpit, and font are amongst the most notable objects. The decorations of the reredos consist of the Lord's Prayer, Belief, and Decalogue, the spaces intervening being filled with conventional foliated ornaments and diaper work. — J. K. Collins, Esq., architect.
Thorpe Hamlet Church. — This Church has been much improved by the addition of mural decorations, consisting of various illuminated texts enclosed in ornamental bands, surmounted by a cresting, carried all round the nave, aisles, &c, of the building. A text on an ornamental scroll has also been placed above the chancel arch, whilst the wall on either side has also been decorated with texts.
Harle&toii. — Here a new Church has been built in the early-decorated style of architecture. — R. M. Phipson, Esq., architect.
CHAPTEE XXIII.
NOEWICH MUSICAL FESTIVALS.
v
*3p HE grand musical celebrations in some of our large towns demand a ^ special notice, as they have been the means of attracting great gatherings of the best portions of society to hear performances of the best works of the most eminent masters. Nearly every remarkable part of sacred history has been turned to musical account by different compo- sers. Nearly all the characters in the Old Testament have been introduced in oratorios. There may be some doubt as to the propriety of selecting such themes as Calvary or the Last Judgment for musical treatment, but generally the subjects are judiciously chosen.
The first instance of a musical performance for the purposes of charity is said to have been at the anniversary of the Sons of the Clergy in 1 709, but this was not followed up by any regular celebration. About 1 724 the meeting of the three choirs of Gloucester, Hereford, and Worcester was instituted, those cathedral cities sending their choristers to each place in alternate years. These early music meetings, however, were held in the evening, and seem to have been limited to the performance of Anthems and the Te Deum.
The first occasion of an oratorio being performed in the morning appears to have been at Hereford in 1759, when the " Messiah " was so given. That sublime work of musical art was afterwards frequently performed for the aid of churches, and always with success. In reference to the first performance in London, the following anecdote has been preserved in the last edition of the Biograpluca Dramatica, on the authority of the Earl of Kinnoull, who died in 1787 : — " When this piece was first performed, the audience were exceedingy struck and affected by the music in general, but when the chorus struck up the grand part, ' For the Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth/ they were so transported, that they all, with the King, who happened to be present, started up and remained standing till the chorus was ended ; hence it became the fashion in England for the audience to stand up while that part of the music (the Hallelujah Chorus) is being performed," We may add that the frequent performances of the
534 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
" Messiah M in many towns have more aided the cause of charity than any work that ever was written. Handel gave its first performance for the benefit of the poor prisoners of the city of Dublin, and from the year 1749 to the time of his death, in 1757, he performed it annually for the relief of the Foundling Hospital in London, to which charity he also bequeathed a fair copy of the score by his will. By these and other subsequent performances, which were continued every year till 1777 by his friends Mr. H. Smith and Mr. J. Stanley, the hospital was benefited to the amount of £10,293. In London and Norwich the " Messiah " has been so frequently performed by different choral societies that it has become quite a familiar work of art.
The Birmingham Triennal Festival was instituted about the year 1778, and has always been pre-eminent among provincial music meetings, both for the excellence of the performances and for the very special interest given to the programmes by the production of new or little -known works. Among other claims to honourable distinction in this respect, it is the chief and will be the lasting honour of Birmingham that Mendelssohn first pro- duced his greatest work, " Elijah/' there.
The Norwich Festival for some time consisted of the yearly performance of an oratorio in the grand old Cathedral, the profits having been handed over to the treasurer of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, but since 1824 the festivals have been held in St. Andrew's Hall on a much more exten- sive scale, triennially, for the benefit of various charitable institutions. These celebrations have been so successful in Norwich on the whole that the total surplus receipts over the expenditure have exceeded £10,000, distributed amongst the charities.
In London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Norwich, and other towns, works of the greatest composers have been performed, frequently by the most eminent instrumentalists and vocalists of the day, and thereby a taste for music has been diffused throughout the country. The festivals in all places have been patronised by royalty, by the nobility, gentry, and clergy generally, and never failed to attract large audiences. The Prince and Princess of Wales were actually present at one of the concerts in Norwich, as also the King and Queen of Denmark, Prince Christian of Denmark, Lady Coke, the Duke of Edinburgh, and several foreign nobles.
The patrons of the Norwich Festivals have included Her Majesty, H.R.H. the Prince and Princess of Wales, H.R.H. the Duke o£ Edin- burgh, H.R.H. the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Lord Lieutenant (Earl of Leicester), the Duke of Wellington, the Marquis of Lothian, the Earl of Roseberry, the Earl of Gosford, the Earl of Orford, Lord W. Powlett, Lord Stanley, Lord Walsingham, Lord Sondes, Lord Suffield,
NORWICH MUSICAL FESTIVALS. 535
Lord Stafford, Lord Bayning, Lord Bury, and most of the nobility in Norfolk and Suffolk.
The General Committee of Management comprised the following gentlemen at different times : — The Earl of Albemarle (Chairman), the High Sheriff of Norfolk, the Mayor of Norwich, Viscount Eanelagh, Viscount Bury, Lord Hastings, Lord Stafford, Lord Sondes, Lord Sufneld, Lord Bayning, the Hon. H. Walpole, the Hon. W". C. W. Coke, the Hon. W. Jerningham, Sir J. P. Boileau, Bart., Sir S. Bignold, Sir William Foster, Bart., Major-General Windham, C.B., G. P. Bentinck, Esq., M.P., E. Kerrison, Esq., F. W. Irby, Esq., E. K. Long, Esq., E. Howes, Esq., B. B. Cabbell, Esq., J. Longe, Esq., C. J. Palmer, Esq., E. J. H. Harvey, Esq., E. B. Humfrey, Esq., F. H. Gurney, Esq., F. J. Blake, Esq., E. Chamberlin, Esq., C. S. Gilman, Esq., C. E. Tuck, Esq., J. B. Morgan, Esq., I. 0. Taylor, Esq., T. D. Eaton, Esq., Dr. Copeman, and other gentlemen.
The late Professor Taylor appears to have been the originator and chief promoter of the Norwich Festivals, all of which were successful from the year 1824 till 1836. The first, in 1824, produced a surplus of £2399 to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. The second, in 1827, afforded that institution £1672; the third, in 1830, yielded £535 to the Hospital; the fourth, in 1833, was also successful; but in 1836 the expenses exceeded the receipts by £231, and a General Board of the Hospital resolved that no part of the funds belonging to the institution should be applied for any purposes not connected with the institution.
Norwich programmes have included the best oratorios : — Handel's " Messiah," " Samson," " Israel in Egypt," " Judas Maccabaeus," indeed nearly all Handel's works ; Hadyn's " Creation " and " Seasons;" Dr. Spohr's "Last Judgment," "Fall of Babylon," and "Calvary;" Mendelssohn's "Elijah" and "Lobesang;" Herr Molique's "Abraham;" Costa's "Naaman;" Pierson's "Jerusalem;" Dr. Bexfield's "Israel Eestored ;" Beethoven's " Mount of Olives ;" Mozart's " Eequiem," &c.
Handel's oratorios have been the chief attraction at all festivals, more especially the Messiah, which is never omitted from the programme in Norwich, and has always been performed on the Friday morning in the Festival week. Mr. Horsley has given the following epitome of the work: " From the first recitative to the last chorus, the Eedeemer of mankind is always presented to us. We have the prophetic announcement of His coming, we hear of His life, of His sufferings, and of His glory. We hear of the great benefits which He has obtained for us ; we hear a song of triumph over death and the grave, and^after our minds have been alter- nately subdued and comforted, they are raised almost to ecstasy by that heavenly hymn which is addressed to the Lamb who was slain. Thus the
530 HISTOIiY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
glory of the Messiah is the only object — the Alpha and Omega of the oratorio. In it there is nothing which for a moment diverts our attention from Him ; and as the contemplation of his character and office and Divine nature must always be a subject of the greatest interest to all Christian men, it is not remarkable that Christian musicians should delight in a work wherein, in the very words of Holy Scripture, that character is so feelingly portrayed."
The following may be taken as a short synopsis of the oratorio : — The first part contains the promise of the Messiah and preparations for His advent, His birth, His titles, and character, and the happy consequences of His appearance. The second part describes the Messiah's passion, death, resurrection, and ascension, His taking possession of His kingdom of glory, the commencement of the kingdom of grace upon earth, the gift of the Holy Spirit, the spread of the Gospel, the overthrow and destruction of His adversaries, His final triumph and universal reign. The third part relates to His second coming, the resurrection of the dead, and the final accomplishment of the Messiah's undertaking in the deliver- ance of mankind from sin, sorrow, and death, and concludes with the triumphant song of the redeemed in heaven. Wherever this divine oratorio has been performed, it has always transported the audience, as if they felt lifted from earth to heaven. It has been always well performed in Norwich, as every member of the choral body knows every note of the music by heart, and could sing every note of the vocal parts without the score.
Handel excels all composers in sublime music, in overpowering tran- scendent harmonies, and in the massive grandeur of his choruses and double choruses. " Israel in Egypt " is one of his finest works, and it is one which so taxes the powers of the most eminent vocalists, that the beautiful effects of which it is susceptible are but rarely developed in their fullest perfection. It requires great physical powers, the most finished vocalisation, as well as the most intense feeling for its proper delivery. It requires also the fullest developement of all the resources of instrumental art.
Haydn's " Creation " is one of the finest works of the illustrious com- poser, and has been often performed at Musical Festivals in many towns. Oratorios are nearly all cast in the mould of Handel, but Haydn intro- duced greater variety of melody. Handel excels all composers in the musical sublime, and in the grandeur of his choruses; while Haydn developed more the resources of the orchestra. He never reaches the sublimity of Handel in choral effects ; but instead of imitating that great master, he adopts a style peculiarly his own. He relies on the exuberance of his fancy for his great effects, in his power of wielding an improved
NORWICH MUSICAL FESTIVALS. 537
band, on his entire command over all the resources of harmony and modulation, as well as in the striking potency of his contrasts. The oratorio opens with an instrumental picture of chaos, very descriptive. The chorus, " A New Created World," is well calculated to enable even a novice to feel its harmony as a distinct effect. The leading melody as sung by the sopranos is sweet and simple, and being short and four times, repeated, the audience have an opportunity of attending to its treatment.
Madame Clara Novello sang the air " With Verdure Clad " in a style so perfect that no other vocalist of the present day could have equalled. She opened the second part splendidly with the recit and air u On Mighty Pens." The symphony to the song is bold and eagle-like in its flight, and therefore proper for the subject. The accompaniments to the voice are also highly imaginative. The lark is introduced by the clarionet, the cooing of the dove is very happily imitated by the bassoons, and the warbling of the nightingale by the flute. The composer's aim was to make the sound an echo to the sense all through the oratorio.
The progress of science may have disseminated more expanded ideas of the progress of nature, of innumerable successive creations through an indefinite lapse of time, ideas more vast than prevailed in the age of Haydn ; but the glory of the Supreme Creator is not likely to be more worthily celebrated than in this beautiful work of musical art. Haydn's " Seasons " is on the whole a more pleasing oratorio, and it has been more frequently performed.
Dr. Spohr's oratorios, as before stated, were first brought out in Nor- wich, then in London, and elsewhere. " Die Letzlen Dinge " (The Last Things), the earliest of Dr. Sphor's throe oratorios, was composed about the year 1825. In that year, the late Professor Taylor brought it over from Germany, and it was first performed at the Norwich Festival on September 24th, 1830, under the title of "The Last Judgment," which does not convey a correct idea of the work. It was received with the greatest possible favour, like all the other works of the same master in the city. At the sixth Norwich Festival in September, 1839, Dr. Spohr conducted his own new oratorio of " Calvary " before a very large audience. The performance produced a thrilling effect on the audience and drew forth a good deal of criticism as to the propriety of the subject, but there could be no doubt as to the musical merits of the composition. After the performance, Mr. Taylor suggested to Dr. Spohr the subject of " The Fall of Babylon " for an oratorio, and the composer promised to write one if Mr. Taylor would write the words. The bargain was struck, and the result was a work which will live to the end of time.
Professor Taylor was conductor of many festivals in Norwich, and in 1842 he conducted a performance of "The Fall of Babylon," before the
538 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
largest and most fashionable assembly ever held in St. Andrew's Hall. The performance was completely successful, and greatly added to the fame of the composer. Professor Taylor wrote an admirable libretto, forming a complete dramatic poem, containing solos, duos, trios, choruses, and recitatives.
Professor Taylor, in his preface to the English edition of Spohr's second oratorio, " Calvary," says : —
Perhaps there is no instance of a similar work, under like circumstances, having attained such speedy celebrity and such high estimation as the " Last Judgment." Before the performance of this oratorio at the Norwich Festival in 1880, Spohr was little known in this country beyond tho orchestra and audience of the Philharmonic Concerts, while as a sacred writer he was unknown. Yet, pro- duced without the sanction of metropolitan approbation, new to every performer and every auditor, it at once seized the public attention, and commanded the admiration of the most distinguished professors of every school. Its influence upon the feelings of an audience has been attested by expressions more decided and unecmivocal than I ever remembered to have witnessed. I speak not of the admiration which the musician derives from such a display of the power and tho resources of his art, but of the homage which nature, though musically untutored, involuntarily yet willingly pays to genius. The throbbing heart, the moistened eye, the cpiivering lip, here bespeak the triumph of the composer.
Spohr's writing appears to me the spontaneous effusion of a mind which, like that of our unrivalled Milton, " touched and purified with the hallowed fire of the altar, proposes to itself things of the highest hope, though of hardest attempt- ing." The distinguishing attributes of Milton's muse, justly and eloquently described by an eminent writer of the present day, may be fitly applied to that of Spohr. " He rises instinctively, rather than by effort or discipline, to the con- templation of objects of grandeur and awfulness ; impressing on his own mind the scenes ho would describe, he clothes them in the imagination of the hearer with the same radiant hues under which they appeared to his own."
What will be the decision of the English musician, and the suffrage of the English public, on the relative excellencies of " The Last Judgment " and " The Crucifixion," it is not for me to anticipate ; but if I had thought the fame of its author would be endangered by the publication of his later work, I should not have engaged in the arduous undertaking of giving it an English version.
I know there are many persons who will regard the subject of this oratorio as an improper exercise for the musician's art. "With every respect for an opinion conscientiously adopted and avowed, I venture to dissent from it. The arts have been tributary to the service of religion in all ages of the Jewish and Christian Churches ; and of these, none is more calculated to enkindle the flame of devotion to elevate the spirit, or to touch the heart, than music. Our immortal Bard invoked the "mixed power" of "voice and verse," in order to "present to our high-raised phantasy —
NORWICH MUSICAL FESTIVALS. 539
" That undisturbed song of pure consent, Aye sung before the sapphire-coloured throne To Him that sits thereon, With saintly shout and solemn jubilee."
If there be truth as well as poetry in this sentiment, then are the musician and the poet deserving of honour in proportion as they labour to accomplish the high and holy purpose to which it points ; in proportion as they succeed in carrying the mind out of the walks of every-day life, in order to raise it into a purer element, and breathe into it a profoundor and more pious emotion.
Mendelssohn produced many works of great merit besides his grand oratorios. His last visit to England was in 1846 to conduct his "Elijah," which he wrote for the Birmingham Festival of that year, and it was performed with great success. Afterwards it was performed at Norwich Festivals. The " Lobesang, or Hymn of Praise " by the same composer has been frequently performed in London and Norwich.
The principal vocalists in the performances of the fore-mentioned oratorios have been heard all over England — Madame Caradora Allan, Madame Grisi, Madame Clara Novello, Madame Patti, Madame Castellan, Madame ' Sainton-Dolby, Madame Weiss, Madame Borghi Mamo, Miss Pyne, Madame Rudersdorff, Madame De Meric Lablache, Madlle. Tietjens, Miss Edith Wynne, Madame A. Drasdil, Miss Palmer, Madlle. Sinico, Madame Lemmens- Sherrington, Madame Viardot Garcia, and others who have also performed at the evening concerts.
The principal male vocalists have been Signor Rubini, Herr Formes, Signor Lablache, Signor Bellotti, Signor Guiglini, Signor Morini, Mr. Sims Reeves, Signor Gassier, Mr. Santley, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Wilby Cooper, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Lockey; and others. The Norwich Choral Society, comprising 300 members, all having good voices, altos^ tenors, and basses, has contributed greatly to the success of the festivals, by the excellence of the choral performance, especially in grand oratorios.
Having given an account of the best works introduced and frequently performed at these Festivals, we now proceed to notice some of the prin- cipal celebrations at which wo were present since 1840. The Festival of 1815 was held on September lGth, 17th, 18th, and 19th, in St. Andrew's Hall. The programme included miscellaneous concerts on three evenings and oratorios on three mornings, Haydn's " Seasons " on Wednesday morning, Dr. Spohr's " Calvary " on Thursday morning, and Handel's " Messiah " on Friday morning, and the performances were highly suc- cessful. All the concerts were well attended.
The principal vocalists were Madame Grisi, Madame Caradora Allan, Miss Dolby, Miss Poole, Signor Mario, Signor F. Lablache, Mr. Hobbs,
540 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
Mr. Machin, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Bradbury, and Herr Stundigl. Mr. Benedict was conductor, Mr. J. Hill chorus master, and Mr. F. Cooke leader of the band. The chorus comprised the usual number of carefully- trained voices. The band included the best instrumentalists in England. The audiences at all the concerts appeared highly gratified by the per- formances.
The Festival of 1848 was held on September 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th, and the programme again comprised miscellaneous concert on three evenings, and oratorios on three mornings. On Wednesday morning Haydn's " Creation " and Dr. Spohr's " Christian's Prayer," the latter piece being translated by Professor Taylor for this occasion. On Thursday morning Mendelssohn's " Elijah " was performed, and on Friday the " Messiah." The principal vocalists were — Madame Castellan, Madame Alboni, Madame Viardot Garcia, Miss A. Williams, Miss M. Williams, Sign or Lablache, basso ; Mr. S. Reeves, tenor; Mr. Lockey, tenor ; Mr. Benedict was conductor; Mr. H. Blagrove, leader of the band ; Mr. J. F. Hill, chorus master.
The Festival of 1852 commenced ©n September 20th and comprised miscellaneous concerts on three evenings and oratorios on three mornings. On Wednesday morning a new oratorio " Israel Restored " by Dr. Bexfield was performed for the first time and much approved. On Thursday morning Mr. H. H. Pierson's oratorio " Jerusalem " was performed for the first time and occupied four hours . It made a deep impression on a very large audience- On Friday the Messiah was performed as usual. The principal vocalists were Miss Louisa Pyne, Miss Alleyne, Miss Dolby, Madame V. Garcia, Madame Rosentine, Signor Gardoni, Signor Belletti, Herr Formes, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Lockey, and Mr. Sims Reeves.
The Norfolk News of September 26th, 1852, contained the following notice of the performance of " Jerusalem :" — " The audience sat for about five hours listening to the music, apparently with the apathy of stones, except that the Lord Bishop signalled occasionally for encores, many of the signals however being unheeded, so wrapt was the orchestra in the absorbing business. They rose as it were mechanically at the commence- ment of the finest and most sacred choruses, but not so much as a single pair of hands were betrayed into the mistake of applauding until the last chord of the final chorus had wholly ceased to vibrate, and then the fire so admirably reserved was delivered in a volley. Acclamations resounded through the hall accompanied by the orchestra with waving of hats and loud calls for Mr. Pierson. It was a delightful and an animated scene. Mr. Pierson made his appearance in the orchestra, and at his request Mr. Benedict briefly addressed the audience, thanking them for their kindness, on behalf of himself and the composer."
NORWICH MUSICAL FESTIVALS. 54l
The Festival in September, 1854, again comprised miscellaneous con- certs in the evenings and oratorios in the mornings. On Tuesday morning, September 12th, the programme included Rossini's "Stabat Mater/' Meyerbeer's " Ninety-first Psalm," and a selection of sacred music. On Wednesday morning, Beethoven's " Service in C " and Haydn's " Creation " were performed. On Thursday morning, Mendel- ssohn's " Elijah " attracted a large audience. On Friday, the " Messiah " was given to a full hall. The principal vocalists were Madame Clara Novello, Madame A. Row, Madame Castleton; Madame Weiss, Miss Dolby, Mr. Sims Reeves, Signor Gardoni, Herr Reichardt, Signor Lablache, Signor Beletti, and Mr. Weiss. Mr. Benedict was conductor.
The Festival of September, 1857, commenced on the 15th with a miscellaneous concert, followed by similar concerts on the 16th and 17th in the evening. On Wednesday morning, Dr. Spohr's sacred cantata, " God, Thou art Great ;" a " Hymn of Praise " by Mendelssohn," and a " Requieum " by Mozart, were performed. On Thursday morning, Beethoven's sacred cantata, " The Mount of Olives," and Hadyn's " Seasons " drew a large audience. On Friday, " The Messiah," as usual. The principal vocalists were Madame Clara Novello, Mdlle. Leinhardi, Madame Weiss, Mrs. Locky, Mdlle. Piccolomini, Signor Gardoni, Signor Guiglini, Signor Belletti, Mr. Locky, Mr. Weiss, and Mr. Miranda. Mr. Benedict was conductor ; Mr. J. F. Hill chorus master.
Mr. H. Pierson's music to the second part of Goethe's ff Faust " was performed at one of the evening concerts of this Festival, before a very large audience, whose applause was most enthusiastic. The grand chorus, " Sound Immortal Harp," will never be forgotten by those who heard its soul-stirring harmony. It was in acknowledgment of the signal merit of this composition that Mr. Pierson received the gold medal for Art and Science from the late King of the Belgians, who accepted the dedication of the pianoforte score. " Faust " has been performed several times at Frankfort and other cities on successive anniversaries of Goethe's birth- day, but it has never been performed a second time in Norwich.
The Festival of 1860 was under very distinguished patronage, and emi- nently successful. The committee of management held many meetings, and exerted themselves to the utmost in making preparations for the great event of the year in the ancient city. The selection of works to be performed being a matter of the greatest importance, of course occupied a great deal of time and attention. There should always be some novelty at every festival, either in the mornings or evenings, and on this occasion several new works were selected. The programme when issued presented some points of peculiar attraction, including Haydn's great work " Crea- tion " for the first evening, also Handel's " Messiah " and " Te Deum,"
542 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Dr. Spohr's " Last Judgment," Herr Molique's " Abraham," all sacred music of the highest class. The evening concerts comprised Gluck's " Amida," Professor Sterndale Bennett's pastoral u The May Queen," which won all hearts, Mr. Benedict's cantata "Undine/' which. had not only the promise of novelty, but also of that high ability which its com- poser was known to possess. The programmes for the evening concerts comprised selections of the choicest pieces from the best operas ; also part songs, madrigals, symphonies, and overtures.
The committtee engaged the following vocalists — Madlle. Tietjens, Madame Morghi-Mamo, Madame Clara Novello, Miss Palmer, Signor Guiglini, Signor Belletti, Mr. Sims Reeves, Mr. Santley, Mr. Wilbye Cooper, Mr. and Mrs. Weiss, all of them old favourites. Signor Piatti, Mr. H. Blagrove, and M. Sainton were in the band, all first-class performers. The selection both of vocalists and instrumentalists was as judicious as it could be with a due regard to pecuniary results. The choral band comprised 260 trained singers, including 75 trebles, CO altos, 60 tenors, and 65 basses.
The whole organisation was complete in every department. For months previous there had been several rehearsals every week of the various works to be performed. Herr Molique had twice conducted a rehearsal of his own oratorio, and expressed himself pleased with the precision of the chorus and band. There was every prospect of the Festival being a complete success, for the previous week the city was full of visitors, whose demand for tickets could not be supplied, and orders were given for more to be printed. Nearly all the places were taken for three evening concerts, and the hall was pretty full for three morning performances.
On Monday evening St . Andrew's Hall was well filled by a fashionable audience who presented a very brilliant appearance, the ladies especially in the most splendid array. Portraits of the city worthies and others all around the walls enlivened the scene. Precisely at eight o'clock the extended orchestra was entirely occupied by the band, chorus, and principal vocalists. The Festival commenced with the National Anthem, the solo by Madame Clara Novello, who was in excellent voice, and sang with her accustomed sweetness and power. Perhaps a more exquisite soprano was never heard. Hadyn's " Creation," one of the finest works of the illustrious composer, was then performed. As many persons could not attend in the morning, an oratorio in the evening gave them an opportunity of hearing a great work well performed, and the lovers of sacred music were never more highly gratified.
On Wednesday morning the hall was well filled with a most brilliant assemblage of rank, beauty, and fashion. The performances were of a very
NORWICH MUSICAL FESTIVALS. 543
solemn character, including Handel's " Dettingen Te Deum " and Spohr's " Last Judgment." The hymn " Te Deum " originated in the Gallican Church. It is claimed for Hilary of Poicters, for Nicetus, Bishop of Treves, and for Hilary of Aries. Whoever wrote it, Ambrose or Augus- tine did not. Although not in the every-day offices of the Latin Church, it forms the every-day morning hymn in the English Prayer Book, and it is the best adapted of all hymns for solemn music. The Dettingen music is justly considered the finest of all musical renderings of the " To Deum," and it is the best to present at a festival.
After the " Te Deum " there was a short interval preceding the performance of Dr. Spohr's work, " The Last Judgment." The grand theme is set forth in a series of paraphrases of Scripture texts, referring to the final consummation for all things. Several of the choruses aro very grand, and they were sung with the greatest precision, and without a single trip. The principal vocalists were almost perfect in their several parts.
On Wednesday evening, the hall was quite crowded by the nobility and gentry, who expected a rich treat at the second evening concert, and they were not disappointed. Not a seat was left vacant in the spacious areas or in the galleries. The whole interior of the hall presented a most brilliant scene. Mr. Sterndale Bennett's pastoral, " The May Queen," was the great attraction of the evening, and it was performed with com- plete success, and met with unbounded applause.
Mr. Chorley composed the poem, and deserves some credit for the verses as well as for the dramatic character of the pastoral. The dialogue is made to lead into each set piece, so that the action, slight as it is, goes on unimpeded, and the interest is kept alive. This work is not an imitation of the early pastorals, containing a masquerade of Corydons, Strephons, Silvias, Fulvias, Delias, and Daphnes) who were represented as amusing themselves by singing about sylvan scenes, pastoral occupations, and love affairs. The persons represented in this work are the Queen of England, the May Queen, Lover, Robin Hood, and others. The time may be supposed to be in the reign of Elizabeth, and the place anywhere in the country. The story is simple enough, and of course it is a love story. The May Queen, elated with her May Day dignity, teases her faithful swain by her indifference and by her pretended encouragement of the advances of the Greenwood King (Robin Hood), who attempts to kiss her. This rouses the ire of the true lover, who gives his rival a word and a blow, causing a scene of strife. A flourish of trumpets now introduces the Queen, amid grand pageant music. Her Majesty soon learns the true state of affairs, reproves the interloper for trifling with the affections of the May Queen, and commands the latter to marry her lover next morning.
544 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
On Thursday morning a very large attendance of the lovers of sacred music was expected in St. Andrew's Hall, at the first performance of Herr Molique's new oratoria " Abraham." The expectation was fully realised, for soon after the doors were opened the hall was quite filled. The patrons gallery was fully occupied in compliment to the composer, who was greeted with much applause when he came on the orchestra. The persons represented in this work are Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, two angels, and a messenger, giving an opportunity for introducing the following voices : — Soprano solos, Angel, Hagar, and Isaac ; alto solos, Angel and Sarah ; baritone solo, Abraham ; bass solo, Messenger. Madame Clara Novello was the chief soprano ; Miss Palmer, contralto ; Mr. Sims Eeeves, tenor ; Signor Belletti, bass ; Mr. Santley, baritone.
The composer was also the compiler of the work, which does not pretend to give the life of the patriarch entire, but only the more interesting passages. The duplicity of twice passing off his wife as his sister is judiciously suppressed, as indeed it could not be turned to any musical account. He is, however, exhibited as a saint, as a warrior, and as a great sufferer. Full scope is afforded for the delineation of human passion in almost every phase, from triumphant joy and a sorrow that borders on despair.
On Thursday evening St. Andrew's Hall was again quite filled, and presented a magnificent appearance. Mr. Benedict's " Undine," a lyric legend composed expressly for this Festival, was the chief attraction, espe- cially for the ladies, and " Undine " proved to be a charming, sparkling waterwitch. This lyric legend is brilliant, cliantant, and full of melody. Most of the music is in double-quick time, and as performed, every part elicited immense applause. We never saw an audience so delighted, proving the high entertainment afforded by this light kind of music.
Mr. Benedict has given the following account of his own cantata : —
Undine, a water spirit, lias left her home and her companions on account of her love for Hildebrand, lord of a castle on the banks of the Danube. Kuhleborn, the principal kinsman of Undine, disapproves of this attachment, suspecting that the mortal lover will prove unfaithful. Nor are his suspicions ill-founded, for Jlildebrand no sooner returns to his castle than, regardless of Undine, he espouses a lady named Bertalda. To avenge the wrong thus done to his race, Kuhleborn summons all the spirits of the waters, who destroy the castle and its owners, while the gentle Undine bewails the fate of her unfaithful lover. It may be remarked that in order to render the contrast between the two female characters as complete as possible, Bertalda is supposed to be a lady of rank, and not — as in De la Motte Fouque's beautiful tale — the daughter of a fishermen.
After a short overture in F major and minor, the cantata begins with a plaintive chorus in D minor for the female voices. This is interrupted by a bass solo in G
NORWICH MffSICAL FESTIVALS. 545
minor allotted to Kuhleborn. The Burden of the chorus is then taken up again and the whole concludes in an animated strain describing the life of tbe Naides, in which the male voices join. This is succeeded by a recitative of Hildebrand and Undine, whose song in E flat with harp obligato, explaining her origin and fears that her lover might forsake her, follows next. It is accompanied by a chorus of invisible spirits (soprani and alti.) A short canon between the lovers and Kubleborn in A ilat precedes the scena and aria of Hildebrand, who first dwells on the happiness he would have found with Undine, in a slow movement in B flat, " From worldly cares and toils afar." A march heard in the distance, and announcing the arrival of Bertalda, changes the course of his feelings, and in a spirited allegro, " Loud sounds the trumpet," he expresses his determination to free himself from the trammels of ignoble repose and to follow his destiny, leading henceforth the life of a knight and hero. The march, which had been faintly heard during Hildebrand's air, is now approaching. • Bertalda (contralto)- arrives, being received by a wedding chorus in E flat. Her song, in B major, speaks of her anticipations of happiness as future mistress and soverign lady of the castle.; this leads to a duettino in G, 'Happy day,' between Bertalda and Hildebrand. Undine comes to warn the happy couple ; she is willing to renounce her love, if Hildebrand will forsake Bertalda. A quartett in C minor, embodying the contending feeling of Undine, who still clings to her faithless swain ; of Bertalda, who treats the bold intruder with scorn and contempt; of Hildebrand, who is divided between his feeling of remorse and his love to Bertalda ; and of Kuhleborn, who vows vengeance for tbe insult offered to a kindred spirit ; leads to a bass scena Avith chorus of ocean spirits, who, at the summons of their master, bring death and destruction upon all the inmates of the castle in a fierce chorus in D minor. Undine is carried away by her companions, bewailing the sad fate of her lover, and deploring that her immortality prevents her from joining him in death. Gradually the sound of her voice grows fainter, and with her soft lament — at last vanishing — the cantata terminates.
The cantata opens with an instrumental introduction, which was splen- didly played, and then followed a chorus of soprano, as female spirits : —
Undine, Undine, >Sad without thee we have been ; Why hast thou left us, sister fair, To dwell beneath a chilly sky 1 "We miss the glauce of thy bright eye ; We miss the flash of thy golden hair ; The foaming waves as they roll along, Mingle a sigh with their ceaseless song, They call thee back, Undine.
Kuhleborn, in a solo, tells the cause of Undine's delay in returning : —
Love, a tyrant on the earth, Governs all of mortal birth. VOL. II. N K
546 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
Then follows a chorus of male and female spirits, and a recitative by Hildebrand, avowing his love for Undine, Mr. Weiss representing the faithless lover.
Undine was represented by Clara Novello, who well sustained her part, especially in the song of Undine : —
Mark the wave* that rippling play,
Crowned with silver light ; On each crest of glitt'ring spraye
Eides a joyous sprite. Sportive Nixies yonder pass, Tripping o'er the liquid glass,
Canst thou not their form descry ?
Know that such a sprite am I ;
Wilt thou, dearest, from me fly ?
At the end of this and the other stanzas the chorus of female spirits sing : —
Unperceived by mortal eye, Sister, we are hovering nigh.
The terzett which follows was sung by Mr. Sims Reeves, Mr. Weiss, and Clara Novello, in a manner that elicited unbounded applause.
Mr. Sims Reeves, as Hildebrand, beautifully sung the recitative, " My own Undine, I thought with you to dwell," and the aria, " From worldly cares and toils afar." In the next recitative he announces : —
Bertalda comes, and moved by her bright eyes, I feel ambition in my soul arise.
The great tenor put forth all his powers in the aria following : —
Loud sounds the trumpet, the cheek hotly gloAvs, Quick through its channels the life torrent flows ; Burst are the chaius of ignoble repose, Wakened, the hero his destiny knows !
A grand wedding chorus informs us that the faithless lover has married Bertalda, who, in an aria, exults in the triumph of her charms. The wedding march is brilliant throughout, and, with the chorus, was deservedly applauded. Undine warns Hildebrand of impending danger in a plaintive strain. Kuhleborn, represented by Mr. Weiss, threatens vengeance, and calls all the spirits of the waters to his aid. They answer in a splendid chorus —
We hear thy call, we hear thy call, Through valley, mountain grot, and hall.
NORWICH MUSICAL FESTIVALS. 547
Kuhleborn, with the chorus, depicts the destruction of the castle- Leap on the bank, rush from the spring, Death from the mountains in torrents fling, Smite the turret, batter the wall, Levelled with the dust be the ancient hall ; Shatter the trees, scatter the corn Till the land is made a waste forlorn.
Clara Novello closed the performance with the lament of Undine- Bright green earth, farewell, farewell, Now I seek my distant cell, &c.
Mr. Benedict must have been highly gratified by the enthusiastic applause throughout and at the end of the performance of his cantata.
The rest of the concert comprised, in the first part, an overture, "Gulielmo Tell/' a very choice selection of music; the scena and aria, "Ah mio Fernando/' from " La Favorita," sung by Madame Borghi Mamo ; the romance from " Dinorali," " Oh now I feel the burthen," by Mr. Santley ; the favorite cavatina, " Batti, Batti," by Clara Novello ; the aria" Questi Avventurieri," from " II Seraglio ; the romanza, " In cielo ci divisero," by Signor Giuglini, who was encored. Part second opened with a scptetto undante, con var., and finale^ by Miss Arabella Goddard, and Messrs. Pratten, Barret, Harper, Sainton, Webb, and Howell, whose brilliant performance was deservedly applauded.
Madame Weiss pleasingly sung Spohr's romanza, " 0 quanto vaga." Mr. Wilbye Cooper sung Wallace's ballad, " The winds that waft," but did not make it tell. Madame Borghi Mamo and Sims Reeves delighted the audience with the duo, " Si la stanchezza," from "II Trovatore." Mr. Weiss sung " The slave's dream " with great power. " Come into the garden, Maude," by Sims Reeves, was re-demanded, but the tenor would not repeat it. But the gem of the evening was the romanza, " Virgin rosa," "The last rose of summer," by Madlle. Tietjens, who so enchanted the audience with the Italian version, that the cries of encore could not be resisted, and it was sung with even greater effect in English.
Mr. Blagrovc played a very long brilliant fantasia on the violin to the great satisfaction of everybody. Signor Belletti and Mr. Santley in the duo, "D'un bell'uso," from "II Turco in Italia," by Rossini, excited great merriment, and would have been encored but for the lateness of the hour. A brindisi " II Sogrcto," by Madame Mamo, was much applauded. The vocal performances finished with the scena, " D'amore sull' al rosee," and " Miserere, Leonora Addio," from " II Trovatore," sung by Madlle. Tietjens and Signor Giuglini in the most finished style,
548 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
and with great effect. No time was left for Miss Palmer to sing Hullah's new song " The Storm," and the band with the overture " Figaro " played the audience out of the hall.
The programmes of the evening performances for this Festival contained a very large proportion of Italian and very little English music. Yet we find that English music has been highly commended by foreigners of distinction at different periods. In the reign of Edward IV., by Tetzel and Leo Rozuntal ; in the reign of Henry VIII., by Sagudino, Erasmus, and Pasqueligo ; in the reign of Elizabeth, by Heutzner ; in the reign of James I., by Laurencini, Orazio, and Busino ; in the reign of Charles I., by the Sieur de la Serre; during the Commonwealth, by Giovanni Battisti Doni ; in the reign of Charles II., by Count Lorenzo Magalotti, as well as by Count Jerome de Rocheford, and many others. During the last half -century English music seems to be almost ignored by our fashionable people, as if we had neither nature, composers, nor singers.
The successful production of two new works of pretensions like Herr Molique's oratorio of " Abraham " and Mr. Benedict's cantata of '* Undine " alone sufficed to commemorate this festival as one of the most remarkable of all these musical meetings. It is by such bold and enter- prising policy that the Norwich festivals have been able to preserve their ascendancy and keep up a fair show of rivalry against all competitors, not even excepting the formidable assemblages in the great midland town of Birmingham. We think that two new works should be produced on every occasion.
Friday morning has always been assigned to the ever - welcome " Messiah," and to hear it every seat in the spacious Hall was occupied, chiefly by the clergy and the more religious part of the community. The good people of East Anglia go to hear the " Messiah " performed, as they would to attend a religious service. The performances of this sublime oratorio have more aided the cause of charity in Norwich and Norfolk and everywhere else than any other work that ever was written. Handel gave its first performance for the benefit of the poor prisoners in the city of Dublin, and from the year 1740 to the time of his death, in 1757, he performed it annually for the benefit of the Foundling Hospital in Lon- don, to which he also bequeathed a fair copy of the score by will. By these and other subsequent performances the charities were benefited to the amount of £14,300 2s. 9d.
The members of the Choral body in Norwich, then very efficient, had no rehearsal of the " Creation " or of the " Messiah." They knew every note of the music by heart and could sing every note of the vocal parts without the score. Madame Clara Novello had of course the solo part assigned to her, and whatever this lady undertook to do, whether for the
NORWICH MUSICAL FESTIVALS. 549
pleasure of the most illustrious or the less elevated, she always had a due regard to the honour of the art and of her own great fame, as well as that of the composer. To listen to her rich and liquid tones, so pure and bright, was of itself intense pleasure to all who could appreciate the finest vocalisation. She excelled all her former efforts in the airs " Rejoice greatly," " Come unto Him all ye that are laden," and especially in the one " I know that my Redeemer liveth," never more exquisitely sung. She was heard in that air for the last time in Norwich.
Her place in the concert hall has never been filled up since she retired in 1860. Many of our English singers can boast of great endowments and first-rate capabilities, but not one so marked out by that speciality of talent which throws around its possessor an attraction like a halo. Clara Novello's high reputation may be attributed to the unrivalled quality of her voice and a peculiar style which distinguished her from all her contemporaries.
Mr. Sims Reeves as tenor, Mr. Weiss as basso, Mr. Santley as baritone, and Mr. Wilbye Cooper, sung all their parts in so perfect a manner that it left nothing to be desired. The choruses throughout were gloriously sung, and nothing could exceed the grand effect of the c< Hallelujah " chorus.
The Festival of 1 863 was not remarkable for novelties. The performances commenced on Monday evening, September 14th, with Handel's grand oratorio " Judas Maccabseus, which attracted a large audience, who seemed to be carried away by the martial music. The principal vocalists were Madlle Tietjens, Madame Lemmens- Sherrington, Madame Weiss, Miss Wilkinson, Miss Palmer, Mdlle. Trebelli (who now appeared for the first time in Norwich), Mr. Sims Reeves, Mr. Montem Smith, Mr. Santley, Mr. Weiss, Signor Bettini (his first appearance here), Signor Bossi (his first appearance here). Mr. Benedict was conductor; Mr. J. F. Hill chorus master; M. Paque violoncello; Mr. H. Blagrove and M. Sainton first violins.
On the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings miscellaneous concerts were given to large audiences, who were lavish in their applause. On Wednesday morning, Mr. Silas conducted a performance of his own sacred drama " Joash " with success. This was followed by a " Scene at the Gates of Nain," from the oratorio " Immanuel," by Henry Leslie, also by selections from the Stabat Maters of Haydn, Pergolesi, and Rossini, with a selection of sacred music. " Elijah " was performed on Thursday morning, and the " Messiah " on Friday morning. A cantata, entitled " Richard Cocur de Leon," composed for this festival, was per- formed on Thursday evening with immense applause.
The Festival of 1866 commenced on Monday, October 29th, and con- tinued all the week till Friday night. The principal patrons were the Queen,
5»0 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke of Cambridge, the Lord Lieutenant (Earl of Leicester), Earl of Kimberley, Lord Walsingham, Lord Orford, Lord W. Powlett, Lord Sondes, Lord Suffield, and most of the nobility of Norfolk and Suffolk. Besides the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Queen of Den- mark, Prince Christian of Denmark, Lady Coke, the Duke of Edinburgh, and several foreign nobles, were present on Wednesday. The Prince and Princess of Wales, who were on a visit to Lord Stafford at Cossey Hall, made a public entry into the city, amid thousands of applauding spectators.
The committee, acting on the principle of securing the highest talent, made early engagements with Madlle. Tietjens, Madame Rudersdorff, Miss Edith Wynne, Madame de Meric Lablache, Madlle. Anna Drasdil, three of them for the first time in this city ; Mr. Sims Reeves, Mr. Cummings, Signor Morini, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Santley, and Signor Gassier, all well-known vocalists of the first class, whom to hear was to admire. The instrumentalists were all the best performers ; and the choral body was much strengthened and improved, comprising sixty-two of the finest trebles ever selected, twenty-four contraltos, thirty-five altos, fifty-nine tenors, and sixty-seven basses. All the members had attended weekly rehearsals for seven months previous, and were well trained.
On Monday evening, October 29 th, the hall was quite filled in every part by a magnificent audience, including all the rank, beauty, and fashion of the city and county. The interior of the hall never before presented so brilliant an appearance, the ladies especially in very splendid array and elegantly attired. At eight p.m. precisely, the Festival commenced with the National Anthem, the solos by Madame Rudersdorff, closing with a chorus, all the audience standing up to show their loyalty. We wished the Prince and Princess of Wales had been present to witness the scene. The National Anthem was followed by the performance of one of Handel's finest oratorios, " Israel in Egypt." The choice of so large a work for the first evening was thought desirable, as it gave full scope to the vocalists, chorus, and band.
This oratorio is a work of genius, which so taxes the powers of the most eminent vocalists that the beautiful effects of which it is susceptible are but rarely developed in their fullest perfection. It requires great physical powers, the most finished vocalisation, as well as the most intense feeling for its proper delivery. It requires also the fullest development of all the resources of instrumental art. Handel excels all composers in sublime music, in overpowering transcendent harmonies, and in the massive grandeur of his choruses and double choruses in this oratorio. No band could have played the music more exquisitely ; no chorus could
NORWICH MUSICAL FESTIVALS. 551
have sung it more earnestly ; no vocalists could have rendered it more admirably from the beginning to the end.
The audience seemed to bo spell bound from first to last ; carried away by a whirlwind of harmony, many parts concluding amid general applause, though contrary to the rules of decorum on such occasions. The first part opens with a recitative, " Now there arose a King who knew not Joseph," finely 'declaimed by Mr. Cummings ; also the recit., " He sent his servant Moses." Madlle. Anna Drasdil made her first appearance in the air, " Their land brought forth frogs," and she produced a favourable impression. The choruses and double choruses depicted all the plagues of Egypt and the passage of the Red Sea, till the final deliverance of the chosen people. Part second opened grandly with the triumphant chorus, "Moses and the Children of Israel," expressing their gratitude for their deliverance. The duet following, " The Lord is my strength," was exquisitely rendered by Mdlle. Tietjens and Madame Rudersdorff, and delighted the audience. Chorus, " He is my God," was very effective.
Then came the grand duet, " The Lord is a man of war," by Mr. Weiss and Mr. SantJey, who sang up to each other splendidly, exciting much applause. This was the gem of the evening. After the choruses next in order, Mr. Cummings sang the air, " And the enemy said I will pursue," instead of Mr. Sims Reeves, quite equal to the great tenor, which is high praise. The air, " Thou didst blow," was sung divinely by Madlle. Tietjens, who made it ring through the hall with thrilling effect. After several other solos, Madame Rudersdorff put forth all her powers of voice and expression in the solo, " Sing ye to the Lord," rousing the audience to the highest pitch of enthusiasm and devotional feeling. The responding double chorus, " I will sing to the Lord," was rendered in the grandest possible style, and brought the performances to a close within three hours. Miscellaneous concerts were given on the following evenings, and attracted large audiences.
Wednesday was a memorable day in the old city, and was a general holiday in consequence of the visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Queen of Denmark. Their Royal Highnesses attended the morn- ing concert, and caused the hall to be well filled in every part. Among those present in the patrons' seats were the Duke of Edinburgh, Lord and Lady Sondes, Lord and Lady Liecester, Lord and Lady Kimberley, Lord and Lady Suffield, Lord and Lady Walsingham, Lord and Lady Stradbrooke, and 'many of the nobility and gentry of Norfolk and Suffolk. The performance commenced with Dr. Spohr's Anthem " 0 blessed for ever blessed are they," being the first time of performance. The solos were sung by Miss Edith Wynne, Mdlle. Drasdil, Mr. Cummings, and Mr. Weiss, whose vocalisation was perfect and left
552 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
nothing to be desired. After this came the performance of " Naaman," a new oratorio.
The programme of forty pages octavo when issued proved very attractive, including " Israel in Egypt/' by Handel, on Monday evening ; an anthem by Dr. Spohr, and the oratorio of " Naaman," by Costa, on Wednesday morning ; a new Cantata ** St. Cecilia/' by Benedict ; also selections from the Passion Music of Handel, and from the " Creation " on Thursday morning, and the " Messiah " on Friday morning. Most lovers, of sacred music would have preferred Haydn's whole oratorio of u Creation," to the solemn Passion Music, some parts of which remind us of Handel's other works. There are two compositions by Handel, entitled " Passion Music " ; one produced it is believed in 1704, and the other in 1716. We are indebted to the exertions of Dr. Chrysander for the pub- lication of both these works by the Leipzig Handel Society in 1860 and 1863. Dr. Chrysander in his preface to the latter work says: "The second and last Passion composed by Handel, which is here published for the first time, had its rise during a period of leisure in Germany about 1716, and was written not for the purpose of a performance, but simply from the desire to try his powers at a poem which was then generally admired, and had already been set. to music by several of the first com- posers. The essay was his last composition to German words, for he was far from satisfied with this so-called " masterpiece of poetry " of the Licentiate, B. H. Brockes, of Hamburg, and had but little hope of meeting with anything else of the same sort more perfect or more suited to his wishes.
Naaman contains some instances of f ugal writing and skill in counter- point that are most masterly, and evince a power over these learned resources that scarcely any modern Italian composers have possessed. Even Rossini, with all his transcendent genius, has never successfully cultivated this phase of the art. Among the most successful instances of this kind in Mr. Costa's oratorio may be mentioned the choral fugue immediately following the Sanctus — a bold and vigorous subject, leading off at the words, " Hail \ everlasting God ; " which is admirably wrought against a counter-subject — the short phrase " We bow." This writing is carried on with the sustained power of a master ; including an admirable " pedal point," or jpoint-d' 'orgue — the whole chorus closing with a grand climax of majestic harmony. Equally effective fugal writing is to be found in the final chorus of the whole work, " Hallelujah " — while in other instances, as in the chorus " Praise the Lord," terminating the first part, the fugal style is adopted, but transiently (at the words " He turneth the wilderness "), and soon merged into the elaborations of the modern dramatic climax. In other choruses the melodic form of vocal expression
NORWICH MUSICAL FESTIVALS. 553
is chiefly used, relieved and contrasted by a figurative and richly coloured instrumentation — as in " The curse of the Lord." Among the many beauties of Naaman must be particularised the admirable vocal writing for individual singers which it contains — its expressive melodiousness, with much of southern warmth, without any of that enervation which too frequently attends it. Some of the solos given to the principal soprano, Adah, are especially noticeable for this quality — as, for instance, the air, " They shall be turned back," and the prayer, " Maker of every star." Instances are there also of some powerful declamatory writing, as in Naaman's air " Invoking death," the " Invocation " scene for Elisha, in which the instrumentation is also very masterly, the meandering effect of the violin passages contrasting admirably with the sustained chords of the wind instruments. The pieces that produced the greatest impression at the previous performances of the work had a similar effect on the present occasion. Although it is not the practice at these performances to make loud demonstrations of applause, it was evident that the work was very generally admired. The music of Adah was on this occasion assigned to Mdlle. Tietjens ; that of the Shunamite to Madame Ruders- dorff; of Timna to Mademoiselle Anna Drasdil; of Gehazi to Mr Cummings, of Naaman to Mr. Sims Reeves (who, although he sang admirably, had evidently been suffering from ill-health), while Mr. Santley gave the music of Elisha — both he and Mr. Sims Reeves having borne the same parts in previous performances of the oratorio. The appearance of Mr. Sims Reeves, after the two disappointments of Monday evening's oratorio and Tuesday evening's concert (at both of which he was to have sung), allayed the feeling of disappointment which was created, especially as the music then set down for him was so admirably sung by Mr. Cummings. It is unnecessary to enter into fuller details of Mr. Costa's oratorio, nor need we say how finely Mr. Sims Reeves and Mr. Santley sang those pieces in which they have before been so successful. Mr. Cummings also was the original singer of the music of Gehazi ; as was Madame Rudersdorff of that of the Shunamite Woman. The music of Adah, formerley assigned to Mdlle. Adelina Patti, was given by Mdlle. Tietjens, who sang with alternate brilliancy and pathos, and proved herself as excellent in the more serious and chastened forms of expression as in the declamatory style of stage music. Madame Anna Drasdil's charming contralto voice and excellent method were again conspicuous on this occasion, and seem to promise in her a most valuable accession to the ranks of oratorio singers.
On Thursday morning the Hall was again fdled and the patrons, seats were occupied by most of the nobility and gentry of the county. The programme included a selection from the Passion music of Handel, a new
554 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
work by Mr. Benedict— " St. Cecilia/' composed expressly for this Festival; also the first and second parts of Haydn's "Creation" — enough in all conscience for one morning. The Passion music was of course very solemn and funereal, and we very much doubt the propriety of making the Crucifixion the subject of a musical performance. Interesting as it might be to some persons, the all-important event of the morning was the performance of Mr. Benedict's new Cantata, " St. Cecilia*"
Saint Cecilia has long been a favorite subject with both poets and composers. Among the former, Fletcher, Dryden, Pope, Addison, Congreve, and a host of other verse makers, contributed odes in honor of the patroness of music. Many of these are still in existence with their accompanying music by composers of various degrees of merit, the chief of whom were Purcell and Handel. These are great names, but the purpose and construction of the older works were quite different from those of the new cantata, for which Mr. Chorley wrote the libretto. The dramatic form into which he arranged his text afforded opportunities for musical expression, together with the elaboration of orchestral variety and coloring that render this cantata altogether distinct from the older Cecilian Odes. The musical distribution of the characters is as follows : — Cecilia, Mdlle. Tietjens ; Valerianus, Mr. Sims Peeves ; The Prefect of Eome, Mr. Santley ; A Christian Woman, Mdlle. Drasdil ; chorus of Roman Citizens, chorus of Christians, chorus of Angels. Mr. Benedict's music in this work is perhaps the best of any of the numerous compositions which have proceeded from his prolific pen. It contains many instances of bright and picturesque dramatic treatment, with occasional passages of impressive solemnity scarcely to have been expected from the composer, who so seldom attempted the sacred style. All the principal vocalists, the band and chorus, contributed largely to the success of the performance, which was excellent on all hands. The close of the cantata was the signal for a burst of triumphant enthusiasm, and Mr. Benedict was recalled and made his reappearance leading on Mdlle. Tietjens.
■ On Friday morning the performance of the " Messiah " again attracted a" large audience, chiefly composed of the clergy and the more religious portion of the community, who attend to hear the Messiah as they attend divine service in a church. We have heard the Messiah performed a hundred times in London and in other large towns, and at every festival here since 1 840, but we never heard it given with greater effect than on this occasion. All the vocalists acquitted themselves admirably, and the choruses were most effective. The performances occupied about three hours. Altogether this festival was a great success, having attracted larger audiences than in any previous year.
NOBWICn MUSICAL FESTIVALS. 555
The Festival of 1869 was held under very adverse circumstances, when Royal Commissioners were pursuing their inquisitorial duties respecting the former election. This caused great excitement and bad feeling amongst the party men of the city, and had much to do with the com- parative failure of the celebration. The unsuccessful character of what should have been a grand gathering of musical men was a matter of deep regret, whatever was the cause, as such a rich treat is 'only afforded once in three years, but if well-conducted might be every year. The objects of the Festival should alone command success, the profits being divided among the principal charities of the city and county.
The committee acted on the principle " though it is not in mortals to command success, we will do more — we will deserve it." They engaged the highest, talent to be found within the wide dominions of harmony and melody. The bare mention of the names will attest their accomplishments. Madlle. Tietjens, Madame Trebelli-Bettini, Mdlle. lima de Murska, Madame Talbot Cherer, and Madame Patey, all of them perfect queens of song, who were only rivalled by the male vocalists — Sims Reeves, Signor Foli, Mr. W. H. Cummings, Mr. Vernon Rigby, Signor Bettini, Mr. Santley, and Mr. Arthur Byron, whom to hear is to admire.
All of them, with the exception of Mr. Sims Reeves, who was engaged for the week, but only appeared on the Wednesday, took part in three grand miscellaneous concerts on three evenings in the week, but we cannot enter into particulars as to the' per- formances, which were much applauded and far too long. The three mornings were occupied with performances of Dr. Spohr's "Fall of Babylon" entii'e, a great treat, Mendelssohn's "Hymn of Praise," Handel's " Acis and Galatea," a selection from Pierson's unpublished oratorio of " Hezekiah," Rossini's " Messe Solennelle," a sacred cantata by Mr. Horace Hill of Norwich, Mus. Bac, Handel's " Dettingen 'Te Deuni," and his great masterpiece " The Messiah," as usual on Friday morning ; the whole being conducted by Mr. Benedict.
On the last evening there was a' grand ball, the tickets for which were one guinea each, and yet the whole affair was a financial failure. A meeting of the guarantors of the Festivals was held to consider the expediency of their continuance, and it was agreed that there was no ground for discouragement, as most of the celebrations had been so successful.
The Festival having produced nothing for the charities, the committee were urged by Mr. C. S. Gilman to have an additional performance, and to accept an offer he had of Madlle. Christine Nilsson's services for the occasion, but this was declined by reason of the expenses (£700). Upon this Mr. Gilman, who was supported by Mr. W. Howlett, undertook at
556 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
their own risk and cost to complete the engagement for Madlle. Nilsson for two evening concerts, and Mr. Benedict kindly undertook gratuitously to conduct them. The performances were fixed for the 25th and 2Gth of November, 1869, and the following artistes were also engaged : — Madlle. Drasdil, Madame Gilardoni, Signor Gardoni, Signor Foli, and M. Jas. M. Wehli. So highly were the public pleased at the kind and public spirit of Messr3. Gilman and Howlett that the places were taken at once, and never did St. Andrew's Hall contain a more fashionable and delighted audience than on these two evenings. The charm was Madlle. Nilsson, another Swedish nightingale, but she was well supported by all around, Mr. Benedict conducting, and all passed without a fault. The result was that on the following Saturday, Messrs. Gilman and Howlett handed over checks for £300 to the Hospital, the Jenny Lind Infirmary, and the Norwich Dispensary, taking upon themselves the payment of all expenses.
The last Festival in September, 1872, was almost a failure on account of the absence of any novelty and the non-appearance of several vocalists who had been engaged, but their places were supplied by others. On Monday evening, September 16th, Sullivan's "Te Deum " and Handel's " Creation " were performed before a large audience, most of the seats being half-price for admission. The principal vocalists .were Mdlle. Tietjens, Madame Florence Lancia, Madame Trebelli-Bettini, Mdlle. Albani, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. K. Gedge. M. Sainton was principal first violin ; M. Paque principal first violoncello ; Dr. Bunnett, organist ; Mr. J. Harcourt, chorus master. Sir Julius Benedict was conductor for the tenth time, and as popular as ever.
On three evenings miscellaneous concerts were given, and were well attended. On Tuesday, Macfarren's cantata, " Outward Bound,"' was performed with great applause. On Wednesday evening, Mendelssohn's " Elijah " was given. On Thursday, Sir Julius Benedict's oratorio of " St. Peter " drew a large audience. On Friday, the ever- welcome " Messiah " was again performed, and the hall was well filled. The committee saved 3007. by the nonappearance of Mr. Sims Reeves, and had a surplus of 9507. for the charities.
Norwich has in many ways obtained credit and advantage from the musical festivals, which might be held annually for three days in the week. The high character of these celebrations has placed the city in a very eminent position in the musical world. Many of the citizens cherish a just pride in qualifying themselves for the maintenance of that degree of excellence which the Festivals enable them to exhibit in the choral performances, pronounced by the best judges second to none in the kingdom. On the whole the Festivals have largely contributed to the
NORWICH MUSICAL FESTIVALS.
55?
funds of important charities, and will no doubt continue to do so if conducted with judgment and economy. They have always attracted great numbers of visitors to the old city, for the same facilities of travel- ling which enable us to go elsewhere to hear good music, enable others to come hither for the same purpose. Many persons will come from distant places to hear a well-trained chorus in a grand oratorio. And besides all this, not the least of the benefits derived from these triennial musical gatherings is that they encourage an interchange of good feeling and hospitality between the city and county, and afford to those who enjoy music such an amount of pleasure as must contribute at least for a time to cheerfulness and happiness in their social intercourse with their fellow creatures.
C. S. Giluian, Esq., who has been connected with the Festivals for forty years, has kindly supplied the following : —
Comparative statement of numbers attending the Festival from tho commencement, excluding the Monday evening concerts begun in 1860.
|
Patrens. |
Hall. |
Ball. |
Patrons. |
Hall. |
Ball |
||
|
1824 |
... 590 .. |
. 7918 . |
. 1183 |
1852 |
... 867 . |
.. 6256 . |
. 471 |
|
1827 |
... 726 .. |
. 8443 . |
. 909 |
1854 |
... 761 . |
.. 5502 . |
. 174 |
|
1830 |
... 623 . |
. 5805 . |
. 1138 |
1857 |
... 784 . |
.. 5130 . |
. 398 |
|
1833 |
... 699 .. |
. 5235 . |
. 1147 |
1860 |
... 1324 . |
.. 6520 . |
. 395 |
|
183G |
... 863 . |
. 5408 . |
. 1151 |
1863 |
... 1194 . |
.. 6896 . |
. 463 |
|
1839 |
... 881 .. |
. 6367 . |
. 1062 |
1866 |
... 1586 . |
.. 6894 . |
. 550 |
|
1842 |
... 958 .. |
. 6202 .. |
. 688 |
1869 |
... 636 . |
.. 5041 . |
. 371 |
|
1845 |
... 990 .. |
. 6532 .. |
. 691 |
1S72 |
... 837 . |
.. 5805 .. |
. 193 |
|
1848 |
...1013 .. |
. 6117 .. |
. 548 |
Comparative statement of numbers attending the Festivals since 1860, including the Monday evening concerts : —
|
Monday Evening |
1800. 1044 |
18G3. 1231 |
1806. 1300 |
1809. 1383 |
1872. 1469 |
|
Tuesday Evening Wednesday Morning |
676 973 |
833 076 |
504 1231 |
971 555 |
1238 1316 |
|
Wednesday Evening... Thursday Morning ... Thursday Evening ... |
1329 815 1345 |
1006 1106 1244 |
1090 1255 1351 |
819 975 825 |
602 561 941 |
|
Friday Morning |
1655 |
1608 |
1630 |
1558 |
1588 |
7837
8111
8361
7086
7715
558 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE SUMS OF MONEY GIVEN TO CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS,
The various sums paid to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, from 1824 to 1S72 (independently of £5557 Is. Od. paid to the undermentioned Charities), amounts to ...- £6418 1 !
The Hospital also derives a permanent income of £75 from £2500 ■ Consols, invested after the first Festival in 1824.
The West Norfolk and Lynn Hospital has received
The Yarmouth Hospital
The Norwich Dispensary ...
The Eye Infirmary
The Blind Hospital
The Sick Poor Society
The Lying-in-Charity ..
The District Visiting Society ...
•The Benevolent Society for Decayed Tradesmen...
The Jenny Lind Infirmary
The Koyal National Life Boat Institution
The Stanley Home
Add present value of £2500 Consols
Total to Charities ... £14,300 2 9
The last twenty years, amongst the patrons of the Festival will be found the Queen and Royal Family and all the nobility of the county, including the High Sheriffs, the Bishops, the Deans, the Prebendaries, the Canons, the several Members for the county, the city, and other boroughs, and also the Mayors and Sheriffs. The Management Committee for 1852 was the Bishop of Norwich, the Dean, Lord Hastings, Edmund Wodehouse*, M.P. (chairman), Sir W. Foster*, Bart., Sir J. P. Boileau, Bart., the Mayor, the Sheriff, Rev. H. Symonds, John Longe, John Kitson, E. Copeman, M.D., Rev. J. Holmes, Rev. E. Burroughes, Rev. J. C. Matchett, John Athow, Edward Willett, T. Steward, E. Steward, R. Kerrison*, J. B. Morgan*, C. E. Tuck*, W. Matchett*, G. Durrant, J. R. Staff*, I. O. Taylor*, F. Brown*, J. H. Barnard*, F. J. Blake*, C. S. Gilman*, G. E. Simpson*, T. D. Eaton* (the Working Committee of fourteen have * prefixed). Since this time, the following have been added to supply vacancies : — F. Hay Gurney, R. Chamberlin, A. Master, W. Wilde, R. K. Long, Lord Bayning, Lord Stafford, Earl of Albemarle, Lord Sondes, Lord Suffield, R. J. H. Harvey, E. Howes, R. Blake Humphrey, F. W. Irby, F. Noverre, W. Howlett, Sir Samuel Bignold,
|
£1170 |
0 |
0 |
|
1145 |
0 |
0 |
|
G87 |
7 |
0 |
|
442 |
0 |
0 |
|
437 |
7 |
0 |
|
380 |
0 |
0 |
|
290 |
0 |
0 |
|
215 |
0 |
0 |
|
200 |
0 |
0 |
|
275 |
0 |
0 |
|
215 |
0 |
0 |
|
100 |
0 |
0 |
|
5557 1 0 |
||
|
£1,1975 2 9 |
||
|
nsols |
... |
2325 0 0 |
NORWICH MUSICAL FESTIVALS. 559
Viscount Ranelagh, Viscount Bury, Hon. H. Walpole, Hon. W. C. W. Coke, Hon. W. Jerningham, F. G. M. Boileau, D. Steward, I. O. H. Taylor, C. R. Gilman, Lieut.-Colonel Custance, Hon. T. Do Grey, M.P., H. S. Patteson, W. Overbury, H. Pulley, P. E. Hansell, S. Gumey Buxton, Dr. Bunnett, Canon Heaviside, W. L. Jex-Blako, John Youngs, W. Dixon. The Sub-Committee for 1872 were Dr. Copeman (chairman), F. H. Gurney (deputy-chairman), R. Chamberlin (Mayor), Fred Grimmer (Sheriff), Dr. Buck, F. J. Blake, C. S. Gilman, C. R. Gilman, P. E. Hansell, W. Howlett, A. Master, J. B. Morgan, F. Noverre, Rev. H. Symonds, I. 0. Taylor, C. E. Tuck, Rev. W. Vincent.
Great credit is due to the members of the committees at different times for their exertions to promote the success of the Festivals, and especially to Mr. C. S. Gilman, who has always been foremost in the cause of charity. The Norwich Choral Society, established prior to 1824, has been the mainstay of all the Festivals, and has given choral concerts quarterly except in the Festival year. The members consisted chiefly of working people, who v/ere well trained by Mr. J. F. Hill for more than twenty years. When he retired, Mr. James Harcourt was appointed chorus master, and he is considered an excellent conductor. Dr. Bunnett is organist.
CHAP TEE XXIY.
RELIGION AND EDUCATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
<^fvHE ancient history of this diocese of Norwich, of its churches and ljj)i monasteries, has been given already. The Bishops who have ruled the diocese have been noticed in our narrative of events in every period* The ecclesiastical system remained nearly the same for a thousand years from the fifth till the fifteenth century. Then a great change took place, when the Eeformation resulted in the establishment of the Church of England. Religion and education have been maintained ever since to some extent in this diocese, which includes Norfolk and Suffolk. There can be no doubt that the Church has exercised a beneficial influence on society in every age, notwithstanding all its abuses, for no human institution is perfect. The Church has had its uses as well as its abuses, as proved by its extension and continuance and prosperity.
The first fact to be considered is the long-continued existence of a body of clergy, of an ecclesiastical corporation, of a priesthood, in the midst of society. These very words — a body of clergy — appear to decide the question as to their influence with many enlightened men, who think that a religion which begins and ends with a legally-constituted clergy must be more injurious than useful. In their opinion, religion is a purely individual relation of man to his Creator, and that whenever the relation loses this character, whenever an external authority comes between the individual and the object of worship, religion is injured and society in danger. Now it is certain that a false religion, like Paganism, must have a bad effect on society, and true religion a beneficial influence on society in general.
The beneficial influence of a true religion like Christianity — the source of all that is good in modern society — cannot be too much extended through all classes of the community. For this purpose there must be some kind of organisation, either a voluntary system or State system, a free Church or a State Church, extending all over the country. If the
RELIGION AND EDUCATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 561
voluntary system is too much divided into sects, if it cannot reach the whole population in the towns and rural districts, then a State system may be expedient, as in the case of education. After all, the Church is most useful as an educational institution for teaching and propagating the Christian religion. The Church with its universities and all its schools in almost every parish is a wonderful system for national education, un- paralleled in the history of the world.
During this nineteenth century the Church of England has greatly extended its operations, and become more powerful than ever. Many new churches have been built in the Eastern Counties, and many more have been restored in accordance with ,the original styles of architecture. At the commencement of this period the principles of toleration received an ample recognition by the abolition of the Test and Corporation Acts and by the Catholic Relief Bill, passed in 1829. In 1830 an Ecclesiastical Commission made a re-arrangement of episcopal sees. Four of the old sees were consolidated into two, Gloucester being united to Bristol, and St. Asaph to Bangor, and two new sees of Ripon and Manchester were created.
The clergy of Norfolk and Suffolk, roused from their slumbers by the agitations of the age, began to consider how they should draw people to their deserted churches. They began to be more in earnest about religion and education, lest they should lose all their old influence over the working classes. They began to express their alarm at the increasing disbelief in religion by the educated classes, and the marked indifference of the masses of the working people, who seldom attended any church.
The clergy lamented the antagonism between Christianity as presented by the Church and modern civilisation, which they said had grown up around religion — lowering its tone, adopting its language, shutting out its light, and then casting it aside. The clergy lamented that indifference to religion was to be traced to the fact that amongst the common people vital Christianity was a thing almost unknown. Modern society had a tendency to separate into classes. The growth of population in the seats of industry made the separation wider and wider between the rich and the poor. Vast numbers of people had grown up in the presence of the Church without having understood her claims, heard her glorious offers, or seen her gracious effects.
We rejoice to think that the services in our churches are conducted in a more Evangelical manner than in former days. A congregation is no longer regarded as a mere audience to dull duets between parson and clerk, but as a chorus which is expected to assist the worship by sustain- ing its proper part. Nay, even the sensational performances of Ritualists and Revivalists are but excesses of a reaction from negligence, lifelessness,
VOL. II. o o
562 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
and formalism. Our churches are less like barns than they used to be, and more like buildings intended for some high and noble use. The high pews and square family seats are being rapidly superseded by uniform benches, like the original seats in our churches when worshippers felt that there was no difference between rich and poor in the presence of the Most High.
Many religious associations have been established in the Eastern Counties during the present century, and in most of the towns annual meetings have been held of the Church Building Society, of the Church Missionary Society, of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign parts, of the Church Pastoral Aid Society, of the Additional Curates' Society, of the London Missionary Society, of the Baptist Missions, of the Wesleyan Missions, of the Societies for Promoting Christainity amongst the Jews, and others. The following religious associations are established in this diocese : —
SOCIETIES FOR CHURCH EXTENSION.
NORWICH DIOCESAN CHURCH BUILDING SOCIETY,
Established October 20th, 1836.
Since the formation of the Norwich association, assistance has been given to 202 parishes in the diocese towards the restoration or enlarge- ment of their churches, and in all cases one half of the increased accom- modation has been secured for free sittings. During the year 1867 grants were made to the following parishes, viz., Langham, £15 ; Stoke Ash, £20 ; Little Ellingham, £30 ; Yaxley, £1 5 ; North Walsham, £15 ; Rickinghall, £15; Boyton, £25; Baconsthoi'pe, £20; Horsford, £10; Saxlingham Nethergate, £25. Sent to the Incorporated Society one- fourth of the receipts.
ADDITIONAL CURATES' SOCIETY NORWICH DIOCESAN BRANCH.
The society's report states that in the year 1867 it maintained, wholly or in part, 517 clergymen, who would not otherwise haVe been engaged in work, and so far benefited a population of 3,491,345 ! Its grants for this purpose were £28,455, and it called forth a contribution to meet them, from local sources, of £24,466, to which must be added £2135 from the Bishop of London's Fund, administered by the society. The whole expenditure, general and local, since the formation of the society, has reached the large sum of £926,601, and has enabled the Church to minister in her churches and chapels, in licensed school-rooms and factories, and in cottages, to millions who without such assistance would have been in a great degree shut out from the means of grace and salva- tion. It is so well appreciated by the Church, and its ministrations are
RELIGION AND EDUCATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 563
so greatly needed, that more than two hundred applications for assistance are now awaiting its decision. The Diocesan Association bears a consi- derable part in this work. In 1867 it transmitted £568 13s. Id. to the general fund, receiving back £290 in grants to five large parishes in the diocese, viz., Yarmouth £80, ditto £50 ; Ipswich, St. Matthew, £50 ; Norwich, St. Mark, Lakenham, £70, St. Peter Mancroft, £40.
CHURCH PASTORAL AID SOCIETY NORWICH AUXILIARY.
The annual meeting of the parent society was held June 15th, 1868, when a report, of which the following is an abridgement, was read : — The total receipts from all sources amounted to £57,019 L6s. 7d., being £9190 lis. 4d. more than those of last year. The expenditure had been £46,065 16s. 3d.
In 1836 the society's grants for curates and lay agents were 71 ; 1846, 294; 1856,489; 1866,621; 1867,683.
The total receipts of the Norwich auxiliary from all sources are £262 16s. 6d. The grants at the present time are £100 for North Heigham, £60 for South Heigham, and £65 to St. Stephen's, for curates.
CURATES' AUGMENTATION FUND.
The object of this fund is to give to the working curate, while at work, an additional stipend of, if possible, 100?. per annum, over and above the stipend which he receives from other sources. This augmentation will not be given as an eleemosynary payment, but in recognition of services, for which the present scale of curates' stipends is acknowledged on all hands to be utterly inadequate compensation. By the constitution of the fund, every curate of fifteen years' standing and upwards, being in the bona fide receipt of a clerical income of at least 100/. a-year, or 80/. a-year and a house, will be eligible for a grant ; so that the council hope that all curates who, having been in orders for the above-mentioned time, still continue in active work, will, by this means, be able to obtain an income of from 200/. to 250/. a-year. Eventually the benefits of the fund will, if possible, be extended to curates of less than fifteen years' standing.
SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE — NORWICH DIOCESAN
ASSOCIATION.
The following is abridged from the report read at the annual meetiug, held October 22nd, 1868 : — The operations of this venerable society, carried on for a series of years at a cost considerably in advance of its income, have been hitherto met by the yearly sale of invested capital. That capital is now exhausted, so that for the future it will be dependent upon its annual subscriptions and benefactions. In 1866, the subscribing
564 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
members amounted to 13,841, of whom 3831 were laymen, 3500 ladies, and 6510 clergymen; an insignificant proportion of the members of the Church, and a very inadequate representation of its wealth and charity.
SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OP ADULT INSTRUCTION IN THE RURAL DISTRICTS OP NORFOLK.
The object of this society is to assist in the establishment and mainte- nance of adult evening schools, by small grants in aid of support, and otherwise ; by a supply of materials ; and by the loan of coloured diagrams for familiar lectures.
Annual subscribers of 5s. are members of the society, and entitled to the use of the illustrations.
Further information, together with a list of the diagrams in stock, may be obtained of the secretary.
NORFOLK BOOK-HAWKING ASSOCIATION.
This association was established in December, 1855, for the sale, by licensed hawkers, of Bibles, Prayer Books, and books generally of a moral and useful tendency.
The reports of the district secretaries, 1868, give the following results as to sales : — Bibles, 555 ; New Testaments, 314 ; Prayer Books and Church Services, 2001 ; books at one shilling and over, 4056 ; under one shilling, 4A08 ; maps, prints, &c, 515 ; total, 11,449 ; producing £523 Is. ll|d. And taking the sales under the following five divisions as the results are given in the reports, it appears that the number of gentlemen purchasing were 412, £138 0s. 7d. ; tradesmen, 309, £49 5s.; farmers and mechanics, 259, £31 8s. l£d.; servants, 1990, £190 8s. 3^d. ; labourers, 3370, £111 lis. 4^d. Comparing these tables with those of last year, it appears that the sum total from the sale of books is more by £39, the number of publications sold less by about 900, and the purchasers fewer, excepts servants and mechanics.
MISSIONAKY SOCIETIES.
SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OP THE GOSPEL IN FOREIGN PARTS — ARCHDEACONRIES OP NORWICH AND NORFOLK.
The income of this society in the year 1867 reached the sum of £114,546. The whole general fund was £85,055; while the proportion raised by annual subscriptions and collections exceeded £71,000, the largest sum ever received under this head. These increased means seem to be owing, under the blessing of Almighty God, to the general appeal which was put forth in the year 1866 ; and also to the cordial assistance
RELIGION AND EDUCATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 565
given to the society by the Bishops of the American and Colonial Churches, who were present to attend the Lambeth Conference.
The diocese of Norwich contributed in 1867, £2996 5s. lid., showing an increase of £212 over the remittance in 1806. This increase is mainly due to a liberal bequest by the late Miss Woodward, of Sproughton. The Archdeaconry of Norwich remitted £863, that of Norfolk £996, of Suffolk £1136.
CHURCH MISSIONARY /SOCIETY — ARCHDEACONRIES OP NORWICH AND NORFOLK.
NORWICH AND CENTRAL ASSOCIATION. r The sum paid direct to the society in London from the Norfolk asso- ciations, and for the year ending 31st of December, 1867, amounted to £2835 18s. lid., in addition to which £140 9s. 7d. was sent to missionaries of the society actually labouring abroad.
PASTORAL WORK ASSOCIATION — DIOCESE OF NORWICH.
The simple "object of the association is to gather together at stated intervals clergy from different parts of the diocese, both town and country, for the purpose of considering with each other in an earnest and quiet spirit the pastoral work of their common ministration.
The association now numbers more than 200 members; and the secretaries venture, as the interesting nature and practical bearing of the conferences hitherto held have been generally acknowledged, to request members to be kind enough to make the nature and work of the association known as much as possible amongst their clerical brethren.
The wider the basis of the association, the more beneficial its results are likely to prove, in eliciting from various localities the impressions and experiences of minds on subjects of common interest.
WHERRYMEN's MISSION.
The St. Andrew's Mission at Yarmouth is worked by a chaplain, the Rev. Arthur P. Holme ; a Scripture reader ; six district visitors ; thirty tract lenders ; and twenty-seven school teachers. There is a Church at which there is daily prayer, a Sunday-school-house attached to the Church; an Institute consisting of a reading-room and library and penny bank, and a Mission Boat attached to the mission.
The mission at Norwich employs also a Scripture reader, distributes tracts and Bibles among the river population, and holds a meeting once a fortnight for reading the Scriptures at St. Julian's National School-room.
NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK CHURCH CHORAL ASSOCIATION.
The objects of the association are the encouragement and extension of
566 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
congregational singing, the improvement of Church choirs, the cultivation of a taste for Church music, and the supply of choral aid on special occasions. The committee provide instruction and periodical inspection for Church choirs in union with the association.
NORWICH DIOCESAN CHURCH ASSOCIATION.
The object of the association is to combine, as far as possible, Church- men of every shade of political and religious opinion in the maintenance and support of the Established Church, particularly as regards all questions affecting its welfare likely to become the subject of legislative action, and (jenerally in the promotion of measures calculated to increase its stability and usefulness — but points of doctrine must not be brought under discussion.
All members of the Church of England, clergymen or laymen, resident in the diocese, may belong to the association on becoming annual sub- scribers of 2s. 6d., or donors of £1.
A general meeting is held the second Thursday after Easter Day in every year ; committee meetings whenever necessary.
• NORWICH DIOCESAN ASSOCIATION FOR PROMOTING FREEDOM OF WORSHIP.
At a meeting held October 3rd, 1865, an association was formed, to be called " The Norwich Diocesan Open Church Society," with the following objects : — To promote the restoration of the ancient rule and practice of free parish Churches, and the general adoption of the system of weekly offerings, according to the Book of Common Prayer. To collect and disseminate practical information on the working of free Churches and of the weekly offertory. To obtain funds, by means of subscriptions, collections in churches, and otherwise, throughout the diocese, in aid of the open-church movement.
ENGLISH CHURCH UNION.
The English Church Union is an association of communicants number- ing now about 7000 members, established for the purpose of defending and maintaining unimpaired the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England. The offices are at 11, Burleigh Street, Strand, London, and it has now local branches in nearly every county. Members of the Union are members of the local branch in the district in which they reside.
NORWICH CHURCH GUILD.
An association of communicants of the Church of England, having for its main objects — the union of Churchmen for Church purposes ; the extension of Church feeling ; the promotion of Church work ; the
RELIGION AND EDUCATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 507
defence of the Church against all enemies ; and the exercise of Christian charity and virtues. It meets onco every month to discuss Church matters, to report progress, and to suggest plans of future proceeding.
NONCONFORMISTS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
During the first half of the nineteenth century, Nonconformists became numerous and powerful in the Eastern Counties, more especially in Norwich and Norfolk. Methodism imparted a healthful stimulus to the revival of religion. It aroused the Church of England, and all denomi- nations. Besides, the very flourishing bodies of Wesleyans and Baptists, the descendants of the Puritans, called the Independents, made great progress. Within two centuries, in place of a few, many Chapels arose, and throughout the Eastern district the towns exhibited a great increase of Nonconformity.
The Dissenters generally, and especially those of East Anglia, had been long hostile to the Church of England as an establishment, which they no longer recognised as the national Church, or deserving of the exclusive patronage and support of the State. They had become sufficiently numerous and powerful to offer opposition and to make their arguments heard against the payment of Church rates. If anything could have tended to reconcile them to the Church, and make them forget their mutual feuds, it was the great Popish aggression of 1 850. In this case, the Roman conclave, trusting too much to the conciliatory spirit of the Government, ventured to divide all England into twelve Popish episcopal sees, as if the whole kingdom had been wholly recovered tb the dominion of the Church of Rome. This startled the people, as if a flash of light- ning had revealed the gulf towards which they had been ignorantly march- ing. Great was the outcry against Popish aggression. Many meetings were held all over the Eastern Counties and elsewhere to protest against it. The Romanists were compelled to beat a retreat, and the agitation gradually died away. An Act was passed "to prevent the assump- tion of certain ecclesiastical titles in respect of places in the United Kingdom," but it has since been repealed.
Many meetings of Nonconformists have been lately held in the towns of the Eastern Counties, to promote what is called " Religious Equality," by disestablishing and disendowing the Church, which would cause the closing of most of the churches in rural parishes. At these meetings the speakers alleged that Popish practices, rites, and ceremonies had been introduced into some Churches in which the clergy preached rank Popery j that the creeds of the Church had made thousands of men Infidels, that the Ritualism of the Church is the same as Romanism, that at this moment the State was endowing what is virtual Romanism in the Church of
568 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
England, and that Church livings were bought and sold by auction every week. The following appeared in the papers : —
THE TRAFFIC IN CHURCH LIVINGS.
London, Thursday, March 20th, 1873. Another auction for the sale of an advowson was held yesterday in the Auction Mart, Tokenhouse-yard, London. These sales are evidently becoming popular, as a means of creating some merriment in the sober precints of the city. Yesterday the auction room of Messrs. Fox & Co. was crowded to excess, many of the gentlemen being men who had cer- tainly not come in with the least intention of buying the advowson. The assembly included clergymen of High and Low Church of all descriptions, moderate and otherwise. Many of these openly stated that they were not going to purchase a vicarage, but that they had stepped in to see if any friend of theirs would be present to bid for one which would hardly come to any one for at least fifteen years. The present rector was stated to be at the " advanced ** age of fifty -five. The living is worth £600 per annum, with seventy acres of land, but two adjoining parishes have to be supplied from this. The advowson has been now some years in the market, and has been offered at the low price of £2500. The gentleman who offered the advowson for sale is rector as well as patron, the Rev. C. Fisher. He has been rector for thirty years. He thus advertised the living — " Capital hunting, fishing, and good society in the neighbourhood j capital rectory-house, coach-house, stabling, green-house, and good water." He also informed his future successor that there was a u small " school. The population of the parish is only four hundred souls. The auctioneer, Mr. Fox, in opening the sale of this advowson of Ovington-cum-Tilbury, in Essex (for this was the locality in which the living was situated), first read the adver- tisement with the description of the house and premises. " The reserve price," he said, " was very light, in fact a nominal sum. The salary of the incumbent in 1872 was £664. (A Voice : " Oh, it varies, is it ever £100 ? "] And the advowson was only subject to the life of the incumbent. [A Voice : " Can you tell us how long that will be ? "] He was quite ready to answer any questions he could as to the rules and ether matters connected with the sale, but he could not take upon him- self to declare how long the reverend gentleman would ask to live. He would not' now discuss the expediency of these sales, but he was very much in favour of them. [A Voice : " Oh, you are an auctioneer ! "] He trusted, however, that the result of this sale would be in excess of the very light reserve price. The duties were light, and the salary exceed- ingly good ; and there was another advantage in that the 400 souls were
EELIGION AND EDUCATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTUKY. 569
naturally of a religious turn of mind. The nature of the country was so delightful that curates were glad to go there for £60 a-year. [A Voice : " Isn't there a strike among them ?] We are certainly not getting the price for these advowsons which we formerly got. They generally went at eighteen or nineteen years' purchase. We have come simply to sell, and your price must be ours." £800 was the first offer, and the bidding went rapidly up to £1700 between two gentlemen. Mr. Ifox said : " Gentlemen, you know we are not come here to sell souls, but to cure them. The incumbent is a nice age, and the living fit for a gentle- man who has a son at college who will be just prepared for entering on a new sphere of duties when the present incumbent is ready to relinquish it. This is a good bargain." The bidding was then raised to £1900; but in spite of the auctioneer's repeated demands, no further advance could be elicited, and the reserved price having been bid, the advowson of Ovington-cum-Tilbury was again left open to private offers.
EDUCATION IN EAST ANGLIA.
The importance of education has been recognised by British monarchs, statesmen, and philanthropists from a very early period. Education has been deemed the only secure basis for the well-being of the people, for their progress in useful arts, sciences, and literature. Hence we find that even in the Anglo-Saxon period, Universities were founded at Oxford and Cambridge for the acquisition of knowledge. In later times, public schools and grammar schools were founded by different Sovereigns and by benevolent individuals.
If in reviewing the progress of education we omitted from our enume- ration of causes the mighty influence of the Church of Rome in the dark ages for a thousand years, an influence which pervaded the whole of society and every period of human life, an influence which cast the minds of all the people into one mould and reduced them to mental slavery, we should, if we lost sight of this influence, present a very imperfect view of the subject. For a thousand years there was a vast system of national education supported by the State — for the State supported the Church, and the Church was the sole educator of the people.
In early times the monks or the clergy were the schoolmasters, but it cannot be supposed that only the sons of the nobility were their scholars, though perhaps the ranks of the inferior clergy were filled up by men of lower stations. Their schools when not carried on within the walls of a monastery were Grammar Schools, as in Norwich and Bury St. Edmund's. Other schools were established from time to time for the middle classes, but none for the poor in rural districts. The first Grammar School estab- lished in Suffolk was the Ipswich school, about 1477. There is some
570 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
doubt as to the exact date of its establishment, but it is mentioned in the Court books in the seventeenth year of the reign of Edward IV. as then flourishing (1477.). Cardinal Wolsey evidently intended that this school should be the nucleus of a college, but his death prevented him from carrying out his intentions ; however, the school was not abandoned, although its great patron was dead, and Henry VIII. granted a new charter to it, which was further confirmed by Queen Elizabeth, from whom it took its name. The next school of importance that was insti- tuted was the Grammar School at Sudbury, founded in 1492. Sudbury was then an important place. This was succeeded by the Grammar School at Bury in the fourth year of the reign of Edward VI., the first Protestant King of England, whose liturgy is still in use in all our churches. In his reign the Grammar School was established in Norwich, and it has flourished under eminent masters, who produced many distin- guished scholars.
The stormy days after this King's death, in the reign of Mary, were not favourable to the cause of education, and no school appears to have been established till the more peaceful years of Queen Elizabeth, when money was left for schools at East Stonham, Wenhaston, East Bergholt, and Stonham Aspal, in Suffolk. In the latter years of Queen Elizabeth a Grammar School was founded at Eye, and considerable benefactions were left to it by Edward Mallows, in the reign of James I., for the pur- pose of maintaining several of the scholars of the University of Cam- bridge, but his intentions do not appear to have been carried out, and the rent of the property is now carried to the account of the Corporation. In 1571 the town of Lowestoft was greatly benefited by the will of Thomas Arnott, who decreed that a free school for poor boys should be kept out of the property he had left. In the fifteenth James I., Sir Stephen Soames also founded a free school at Great Thurlow, for the parishes of Little and Great Thurlow, Great and Little Bradley, Wratting, Kitton, Hundon, and other parishes in Suffolk, and by his will left con- siderable property to it. The next aid to the education of the people was given by Sir Kobert Hitcham in 1636, who left funds for the education of the poor of Debenham, and Framlingham in Suffolk, and also at Coggeshall in Essex. Other schools were founded about this time, one at Beccles by Sir John Leman, also at Gislingham and Brandon.
The inhabitants of this Eastern district have certainly made some progress in education, industry, ^ agriculture, manufactures, and useful arts, if they have not so far advanced as the people in large towns. Education is the basis of all improvement, and therefore should be first considered in our estimate of progress. At the commencement of the present century the defective state of education was the primary source
UELIGION AND EDUCATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTUftY. 571
of many evils. England was the only country in Europe without a national system of education, and in the rural districts there was no system of popular education at all. Some efforts were begun to educate the people, but no sooner was the proposal started, than the religious differences of all parties were awoke and a uniform system of State education was found to be as hopeless as a uniform State creed. As a consequence of this it was ascertained by calculations that even during the latter part of the present period eight millions of our population chiefly in the rural districts could neither read nor write. These did not consist exclusively of the poorest classes, as many even of our farmers were as ignorant as any of the poor in Norfolk and Suffolk.
Popular education has been almost the creation of the present century, although the day-school epoch might be dated from the year 1796, when the youthful Quaker, Joseph Lancaster, began to instruct children in his father's house at South wark. Lancaster was an enthusiast in his calling, and acted as much in the character of a guardian to his scholars as school- master, and whilst often charging nothing for the education he imparted he fed his pupils as well. No wonder he had scholars to the number of a thousand. Singular enough, however, the monitorial system which has for so many years been adopted in the large schools in this country was introduced from India, where Dr. Bell, since 1 792, or six years before Lancaster commenced his school, had carried it out successfully. The doctor was the superintendent of the Military Orphan School at Madras, and being unable to induce the usher to teach the younger children to write, was led to supersede him by one of the elder boys, whose services proved so efficient that he ardently developed the idea of teaching the younger children by the aid of the elder. Dr. Bell in 1796 returned to England, and warmly urged the adoption of his system as the best means of extending popular instruction.
It was warmly received, and he was chiefly instrumental in the estab- lishment of the National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church, which was started in 1811. The British and Foreign School Society was instituted about the same time upon the principles enunciated by Lancaster, of allowing the Bible to be read in schools without note or comment. Both societies have established most of the schools in the Eastern Counties for the education of the children of the poor. There are a dozen of these schools for elementary education in Norwich. To show the great stimulus that these two societies have given to education, wo need only say that the income of the National Society since its formation in 1812 to 1860 was no less than £724,599 6s. The exact sum received by the British and Foreign
572 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
School Society is not attainable, but for the ten years preceding 1860, its income was £156,603 19s. lOd.
We may venture to say that the present state of Church education in this country, so far as it is satisfactory, is due to the National Society and its associated diocesan boards. Iu union with this institution are num- bered 12,200 schools, most of which have been aided from its funds. In these schools are gathered nearly 2,000,000 children receiving a sound religious as well as secular education. In this branch of its labours the society has expended £400,000, while it has maintained colleges, training institutions, model schools, &c.
In 1818, according to Parliamentary returns, there were in England 19,230 day schools, with 674,883 scholars. In 1833, the day schools had increased to 38,971, with 1,276,947 scholars, and Sunday schools, 10,828, containing 1,548,890 scholars. Up to 1833, the whole of what had been accomplished in the work of popular education was the fruit of private liberality, incited mainly by religious zeal, and acting through the medium of the two great school societies. But in 1 833, the Government first offered its services and contributed till 1839 an annual grant of £20,000, which was divided between the two societies. It was found that the tendency of education was to bring it in so close contact with religious bodies, that the action of the Government has ever since been limited to co-operation with religious bodies, each grant being made con- ditional upon a previous voluntary contribution in a specified proportion to the grant. The total amount of public money expended in education from 1833 to 1850 was nearly £1,000,000; in 1851, £150,000; in 1852, £160,000; in 1853, £260,000; in 1854, £263,000; in 1855, £396,921 ; in 1856, £451,213; in 1857, £541,233; in 1858, £663,435; in 1859, £836,920; in 1860, £798,167; so that the grants have been gradually amounting up to near a million per annum.
In this nineteenth century, nearly all the Church and Chapel Sunday schools and day schools for poor children have been established all over the Eastern district. Dissenters took the lead, but were soon left behind by the Church of England. The first Sunday school was established in the parish of St. Stephen's, Norwich, about the end of the last century, and since then others have been attached to most of the Churches and Chapels, and ample provision has been made for the instruction of those poor children who can attend on week days. About 10,000 children attend all the Sunday schools in Norwich.
The Norwich Diocesan School Society, established in 1812, has con- tributed £250 yearly for the support of schools in the city, besides main- taining a training institution in St. George's Colegate for mistresses of Church schools. The demand for these trained teachers has been always
RELIGION AND EDUCATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 573
greater than the supply. Consequently Church schools have not been so efficient as they would otherwise have been. Indeed, the instruction afforded in most of these schools has been of a most elementary descrip- tion, seldom extending beyond reading, writing, and ciphering.
The Norwich charity schools are nine in number, supported by bene- factions, annual subscriptions, and the weekly payment of Id. or 2d. by each of the children, and afford instruction on the national system to more than 700 boys and 400 girls. The central or model school for boys is in Prince's Street, and that for girls in St. Andrew's Broad Street. The other seven are in the parishes of St. Peter's Mancroft, St. Martin-at-Oak, St. Paul's, and St. Julian, for boys and girls. Annual subscribers of £1, and benefactors of £10 and upwards, are trustees for the management of these schools for children of the poor.
The progress of education in the Eastern district appears from the following returns : — Public schools from 1841 to 1851 in Norfolk, 197 ; in Suffolk, 140; in Essex, 111. Private schools in Norfolk, 460; in Suffolk, 350 ; in .Essex, 346. The increase of schools in each of the counties was very steady till 1841, when a decided improvement occurred; but Essex in 1851 had lost the position it had at the beginning of the century, as having the greater number of schools, and had a smaller number than Suffolk, though more favourably circumstanced as to wealth and proximity to the metropolis. During the fifty years prior to 1851 Suffolk had increased its public schools by 334, and its private ones by 665; Norfolk, 453 public, and 675 private, or in the whole district 3218, were established. With the increased interest in religious matters in the twenty years prior to 1851, a great stimulus was given to education in the three counties, and more than four times the number of schools had been established during that time than in the thirty years previous. Norfolk, in 1851, contained 360 Church day schools, with 24,571 scholars ; 131 other day schools, with 10,391 scholai^s; 864 private schools, with 18,745 scholars. Total number of scholars, 53,706. The Sunday schools were 782 in number, with 50,182 scholars.
In 1851 Suffolk eontained 398 day schools, 265 being Church schools with 18,607 scholars, all the schools having 27,387 scholars. Private schools, 672 ; pupils, 13,944. Sunday schools of the Church, 375 with 23,689 scholars ; all the others, 166 with 13,781 scholars.
In 1851 Essex contained 426 public day schools, 254 being Church schools with 19,431 pupils, the whole numbers being 32,815. Private schools, 689 with 13,754 pupils. Sunday Church schools, 320 with 24,150 scholars ; all others, 166 with 15,451 scholars.
Thus it appeared that in the Eastern district the education of the poor was almost wholly left to the support of the Church of England, if we
574 flISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
take into account the number of scholars in public day schools in the three counties. If we take, then, the total number of scholars in the Eastern district, we find they amount tos 95,163, of which 72,514 were educated by the Establishment in 879 schools, the remainder being made up of Dis- senting, prison, factory, workhouse, and other schools. Mr. Horace Mann, in 1851, estimated the sects in England as follow : — 3,773,000 Church people, 1,385,000 Methodists, 793,000 Independent, 587,000 Baptists, 60,000 Presbyterians, 37,000 Unitarians, and 18,000 members of tfye Society of Friends.
In 1858, a commission was appointed to inquire into the state of popular education, and issued its report in 1861, the statistics being brought down to the middle of the year 1858. The commissioners of 1858 did not report fully on the progress of education by private enter- prise for each county, but only of the public week-day schools. Norfolk then contained a population of 464,613; public week-day schools, 748; with 41,215 scholars. Of these 656 were Church schools, with 38,825 scholars. Sunday schools, 1031, with 50,684 scholars. Of these 767 were Church schools, with 31,477 scholars. Thus if appears that the number of schools had increased in Norfolk.
Suffolk had a population of 353,308 ; public week-day schools, 635 ; with 33,745 scholars. Of these 552 were Church schools, with 28,595 scholars. Sunday schools, 881, with 40,997 scholars. Of these 738 were Church schools, with 27,316 scholars.
Essex had a population of 387,013 ; public week-day schools, 789 ; with 44,411 scholars. Of these 644 were Church schools, with 33,318 scholars. Sunday schools, 893, with 45,148 scholars. Of these 721 were Church schools, with 28,858 scholars. Essex during the previous seven years had redoubled her efforts with the greatest success in the cause of education, and placed herself at the head of the three counties in having the greatest number of public week-day schools.
The estimated population of the whole Eastern district in 1858 was 1,279,605; and it appeared that the Church had provided for the educa- tion of the great body of persons 1852 schools, having 97,738 scholars, against 164 schools kept by all classes of Dissenters, educating only 15,054, a proportion hardly to be credited. The total number of week- day public schools had greatly increased since the beginning of this nineteenth century, and was satisfactory for the district in 1858. Accord- ing to the population of 1851, Norfolk had one school in 11 "3, Suffolk one in 10'5, Essex one in 8*7 of the population.
As to the mode of keeping up this vast system of education, there can be no doubt that much is due to the incumbents of parishes, who in many instances, supported by benevolent individuals, assisted with a little
RELIGION AND EDUCATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 575
State aid, have been solely the upholders of the schools. In rural districts especially, a state of tilings exists less favourable to education, because the schools are relatively far more expensive than they are in towns. In 1801, the Education Commissioners reported that the land- owners did not contribute to the expense of the schools so liberally as the rich in large towns, so that the burden of supporting the schools fell chiefly on the parochial clergy.
In 1861 the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex contained a popu- lation of 1,176,719, of which 340,156 was urban, contained in 39 towns/ and 830,563 rural. Of the 39 towns, 15, with a total population of 61,041, had no endowments for secondary education. There were 54 places in the district having grammar school endowments, namely, 24 towns and 30 other places. The gross annual income of all these founda- tions was only £23,439 ! Some of the Norfolk endowed schools educated very few scholars, as appears from Dr. Jessopp's account of them.
The clergy and ministers of all denominations have zealously promoted the educational movement. A great change, as might have been expected, has taken place for the better as regards the morals, the manners, and intelligence of the mass of the citizens, and this may be attributed in a great measure to the number of day and Sunday schools. Crimes are of less frequent occurrence ; the magistrates and police have less to do ; and Churches and Chapels are better filled and supported than formerly.
The Rev. A. Jessopp, D.D., head-master of the Norwich Grammar School, wrote the following account of it : —
In the year 1329 Kadulph of Walpole was succeeded in the See of Norwich by John Salmon, Prior of Ely. The times Avere evil, and the new Bishop does not seem to have been a man very much above the morals of his age. Sum- moned before the papal legate for unlawfully exacting the first-fruits from the clergy of his diocese, he became the occasion of the first regular imposition of this tax upon the parochial clergy, and the payments which have built up that anomalous fund known as Queen Anne's Bounty date from his time. But the age in which Bishop Salmon lived was an age of building — a mania for archi- tecture seems to have run through the land- —the Colleges of Clare, Gonville, and St. Peter at Cambridge, and of Exeter and Oriel at Oxford, besides a host of ecclesiastical buildings scattered over the country in every direction, belong to this period, and Bishop Salmon of Norwich was among the foremost of the builders. Amongst other things he founded " A Convent for five Priests at the Avest gate of the Cathedral Church, together AA'ith a Refectory-chamber, and other suitable buildings ; also that ample and lofty Chapel in honour of St. John the Evangelist, and a A'ault, or subterranean crypt, as a repository for human bones." This range of buildings, though it has undergone many mutilations and many of the usual defacements and outrage Avhich irreverent hands have been so ready to inflict, yet in all its essential features is identical Avith the School-house or Head-master's
576. HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
residence and the present Grammar School of the City of Norwich. A brief sketch, first of the history of the building, and next of the school as an institu- tion, may not be uninteresting to o\ir readers.
There is reason for believing that when Bishop Salmon first began his work, about a.d. 1315, he contemplated no more than the erection of a carnary or receptacle for human bones ; but as the work proceeded it was resolved to add the chapel, which was constructed as an afterthought, over the original carnary. It is certain that a tower was intended to have been at the Avest end, and that this was actually begun ; the remains still exist, and it seems that it was intended to add an apse at the east end, but neither design Avas completed. Both the crypt or " lower chapel," and the " upper chapel," the present school, were consecrated, and in both masses for the dead were said and other services performed. Indeed it looks as if some special sanctity had come to be attached to the place within a century after its foundation, for when John Wodehouse, Esq., of Boydon, in Castle Bising, who had been the executor of Henry V., made his will in 1431, he ordered that his body should be buried " in the lower chapel or Le Charnel within the precincts of the Priory of the Holy Trinity of Norwich." He leaves a handsome legacy of plate to the brothers of the upper chapel for ever, besides ordering that there shall be paid to the " Principalis " 6s. 8d., and to each of the brethren of the aforesaid Principal 3s. 4d.
About fifteen years after this, another of the great builders succeeded to the See of Norwich — "Walter Lee Hert — who, in the twenty-six years of his episco- pate (1446-1472), added more to the splendour of the Cathedral than anyone of his predecessors. Nor did he neglect the Chapel of St. John. The access from the first must have been very defective, and like all places which have been the result of an alteration of the original plan, the entrance was mean and awkward. Bishop Le Hert conceived the design of adding a porch which should remedy this defect, and he succeeded partially in his object by giving to the addition a bold slant from the original line of the building, attempting, but with less success, to carry off the " skew " by ornamenting the face of the porch with elaborate sculp- tures, and at the same time he inserted his rebus in the boss of the porch, and richly ornamented the roof with colour and probably gilding, traces of which still remain. The carving of this porch is still exquisitely sharp and clear, and in some parts as fresh as if it had been executed in the present century.
The names of only two of the " keepers of the carnary " have come to light — Balph Pulbertoft, who was principal in the reign of Henry VII., and whose epitaph is inscribed on a brass tablet still existing in the Jesus Chapel of the Cathedral ; and John Wheatacre, who filled the office in the reign of Henry VIII. In the accounts of Henry Manewell, receiver for the Dean and Chapter in the thirty-first year of Henry VIII. (1542), there is an entry of £12 "for payment for daily maintenance of Master Wheatacre and the other fellow- commoners for half-a-year." With the suppression of the monasteries, it is curious that the little convent of Bishop Sainton does not appear to have been immediately abolished. Anticipating the suppression of his Corporation, the
RELIGION AND EDUCATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 577
Prior of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity appears to have sold in good time the next presentation to the post of keeper of the church to one John Sotherton, mercer, of Norwich, and when Wheatacre died, Sotherton presented to the Bishop his own nominee, one Lewyn, as chaplain, and he was admitted to the post in due form on the last day of April, 1547.
On the 1st day of July, 1549, the Chapel of St. John, with the appurtenance thereto belonging, was granted by Edward VI. to Sir EdAvard Warner, Knight, and Richard Catline, gent., who made over their right, however, to the Mayor, Sheriff, and Commonalty of the City of Norwich ; but the Chapter of the Cathedral appear to have put in a claim to the estate, or at any rate seem to have considered that the grant had been made in violation of their rights, as defined by their foundation deeds in the time of Henry VIII. Notwithstanding this, however, in the month of June, 1555, at an assembly holden and kept within the Guildhall, in the City of Norwich, one John Bukke, B.A., was formally appointed to the office of schoolmaster under the Corporation, and a grant is made to him for the exercising of the said office, all that crypt of the late chapel and house of St. John . . . and all those houses, buildings, outer- yards, and gardens whatsoever, being occupied and used as part and parcel of 'the said chapel or charnel house." Mention is made in the deeds of a " hall, parlours, kitchen, buttery, scullery, and houses behind the same," and especially of a " house covered with reed," called " the Round," so that the premises must have been very extensive and apparently in good repair, but it seems that the upper chapel was already in a ruinous condition, and unfit for the purposes of a school. It probably continued to get worse and worse, until in the year 1567 a great effort was made by the gentry of the county of Norfolk and the inhabitants of the city to put the now dilapidated building into a proper condition of repair, and large sums were subscribed for this object. There can be no doubt that the origin of this remarkable revival of the school is to be sought in the fact that Matthew Parker, who had lately been raised to the Archbishopric of Canterbury, was a Norwich man. He was born in August, 1504, and was now upwards of sixty years of age. He had received his education entirely at the Grammar School which existed before the Reformation, and he tells us that his instructor in " Grammar " was one " William Neve, an easy and kind schoolmaster." One of his first acts on returning to England from banishment after the death of Queen Mary was to issue a letter of inquiry into the condition of the school at Norwich, and the reply he received from the Dean of the Cathedral was sufficient to shock and distress him, as will appear in the sequel. The result was that he offered to endow from his own purse five Scholarships and two Fellowships at his own College of Corpus Christi in Cambridge, and to meet this the gentry of the county and city came forward in a very handsome and liberal manner.
The " Upper Chapel " was placed in proper repair, the windows wera re-glazed and beautified by the coats of arms of some of the gentry, city companies, and others, in stained glass, and a Latin inscription Avas placed over the porch com- memorating the fact of the restoration that had been effected. Unhappily no
VOL. II. P P
578 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
precaution was taken to protect the windows with wire, guards, and the "glory of the new house " was hut shortlived. In less than a century not a vestige of stained glass remained on the north side, and on the south only here and there some fragments were to be seen. In another century we find in the city accounts the significant entry that the " Corporation have repaired the glass in the windows, which are frequently broke by the scholars, and are expensive."
Nothing further seems to have been done to the building, whether for good or evil, in the two centuries that passed after the reign of Elizabeth. But during the head-mastership of Dr. Parr (about the year 1780) one of the windows on the south side fell in with a crash during the absence of the scholars ; and the Cor- poration thereupon removed all the stone mullions from the southern windows, and substituted wood, bricking up about five feet above the sills. In this state the building continued till the year 1850, when the lirst effort at anything like a restoration was commenced at the instigation of Mr. Longe, of Spixworth Park. A small subscription was then raised among the old pupils of Mr. Valpy, and one of the windows on the north side was repaired, new-glazed, and cleared from the brickwork which defaced it, and the names of the contributors, inscribed on brazen plates, were inserted in the sill. At the same time, the crypt, which for two centuries had been used as a store cellar by grocers or wine merchants, was thoroughly cleaned out and the floor relaid, at which time also the tomb of John Wodehouse was desecrated, and his skeleton and that of his wife were removed and re-interred in the cloister burial-ground.
It was not, however, till 1866. that the work, of restoration began in real earnest. It commenced by Mr. Longe's volunteering to remove one of the southern wooden windows and insert an exact replica of the windows on the northern side, and when this generous offer had been thankfully accepted, the boys actually under tuition at the school undertook to put in a second window by giving a concert and raising subscriptions. So complete was their success, that in the following year (1867), a third window was restored by the same means, and the whole of the lower portion of the school, Avhich was in a condition of shameful dilapidation, was replaced, and the circular windows put into their original condition. The porch, too, which had been miserably mutilated about twenty years before, and which was thickly encrusted with whitewash and plaster, was completely scraped and cleansed at the expense of Mr. Charles Buxton, M.P., and now only a single window remains to be filled in on the southern side, while those on the north side only require reTglazing. It is to be earnestly hoped that the good work will not stop at this point, though it is not the intention of the present head-master to move any further in the matter.
The Rev. A. Jessopp, D.D., wrote the following account of endowed schools in Norfolk : —
The past year (1871) will always be regarded as an important one by those who shall hereafter review the history of education in England. The Elementary Education Bill has begun to produce its effects, and our School Boards throughout the country, having set themselves to their work with laudable energy, find that
RELIGION AND EDUCATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 579
the task before them is a far more serious ami difficult one than was at all expected at starting. He is a rash man who shall presume to forecast the limits of the influences which these agencies may hereafter exercise, and already it looks as if the School Boards are destined to prove a very formidable power in the body politic.
Meanwhile it is impossible but that the immense stimulus given to the elementary education of the country should exercise a sensible pressure upon the schools of higher grade. Having " begun at the bottom " we shall certainly not stop there. The middle classes ("upper" and " lower") will very soon be called upon to put their hands into their pockets to educate the children of the labourer and the artizan ; and the " street arab " will be speedily hunted up and driven to school at the expense of the farmers, the tradesmen,' and the clerks ; but while these latter are compelled to educate other people's offspring, the question is a very serious one — How are they to educate their own?
To me it seems pretty clear that the elementary schools soon to be established all over the land will have to do a great deal more work than was at first contem- plated. But that they will do all the work the middle classes want done is incon- ceivable. As things are at present, our schools, high and low, are the mightiest strongholds of caste which any English institutions afford. The tradesman will not send his children to the parish school, the professional man will not send his to the town schools, the country gentleman will not send his to the district school, however intrinsically excellent the education supplied may prove itself to be. Each nnd all of these people are influenced by the same horror of their boys being contaminated by the society of their inferiors ; and hence it has come to pass that the quality of the instruction afforded, or the other substantial advantages offered at any particular school, is a matter of quite secondary consideration. The question of education with all classes is at least as much a question of social grade as of anything else.
Not the least benefit that is likely to arise from the Elementary Education Bill is the probability that this caste feeling will become much weakened. The school must needs be the great leveller, and that, too in the best way, viz., by " levelling up," not by " levelling down." Nevertheless, it must take a generation or two to break through those class prejudices which are now exercising a very pernicious influence upon the intellectual welfare of the great body of the nation, and I suspect it will not be without a struggle that the members of one class in the community will be brought to accept the education provided for the children of a class which they conceive to be below them, and I think we shall see many efforts made and hear much outcry raised to keep things as they are, that is, to keep up the social barrier which our schools afford — barriers that from our earliest years shut off class from class, and tend to place the various grades in the com- munity in jealous and sullen antagonism.
Hence, it seems not unlikely that in many districts there will be an attempt made to prevent elementary education from being " too good." The ratepayers who are conscious of their own intellectual deficiencies will not care to be found
580 HISTORY OP EASTERN EttGLAKD.
out by their labourers and journeymen ; neither will they like to pay the price of a good article for others which they themselves cannot hope to enjoy. On the other hand, they will be hard pressed to find a better education for their own children than that which the inspectors will take good care to require in all the Local Board Schools. At starting, and for some time to come, the fanner and the tradesman will feel a very strong reluctance to avail themselves of these last for their own boys and girls,- and they will look about them in every direction for any way of escape from such necessity.
I believe that the great bulk of the ratepayers in Norfolk are very little aware of the resources which are still available for educational purposes in the country, and still less aAvare of the deplorable waste of those resources that is still going on ; and it is with the hope of awakening an interest in the question, " How may we best utilise these resources 1 " that I venture to draw attention to some facts which deserve to be better known than they are.
It must be premised that I forbear from dealing with the Educational Endow- ments of the city of Norwich itself. There are still some stables that require an Hercules to cleanse — our Hercules has not yet come ! The great bulk of the facts here offered to the reader is drawn from the Blue Book published by the Schools Enquiry Commission in 1869, and the statistics therein contained apply to a period some four or five years back, but in the main these particvdars, which concern the annual income of the several charities, which are of the most importance to us in an inquiry of this kind, may be relied on.
The oldest Educational Endowment in the county of Norfolk is that of Grim- ston School. John Talman, by deed of gift dated the 18th May, 1394, gave over certain houses and lands to trustees for discharging all inhabitants of Grim- ston from the payment of a moiety ©f all fifteenths. In 250 years the value of the property had so far increased that there appears to have been some difficulty in dealing with the surplus income, and at length, in 1640, what we should now call " a new scheme " for the management of the Trust Fund was issued ; £d a year was set apart for the payment of the fifteenths, and the residue was to be devoted to the payment of a schoolmaster and the apprenticing of poor children. Subsequently other modifications in the scheme were ordered, and in 1727 the property was increased by the gift on the part of Sir John Thorowgood of a house, and between four and five acres of land, in which the master now resides. The house and premises are described as good, and the school large enough for thirty boys ; the master's house could receive ten boarders. Exclusive of the master's house and land, the value of this endowment may be set at XI 50 a year. The land appears to be very much underlet, and the income is burdened by a pen- sion to a former master, which of course terminates with his life. In 1864 the school appears to have been in a flagrantly inefficient state ; eighteen boys were examined, and the standard attained appears to have been below that of a fairty educated village school.
In the same year (1727) that Sir John Thorowgood gave to Grimston School its master's house and land, "William Parlett gave about ninety-eight acres in Hing-
RELIGION AND EDUCATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 581
hani and Woodrising for a free school in Hingham ; and in the following year Sarah Day contributed £40 for the master's house. The estate now consists of 124 acres; the buildings are good, the school large enough for fifty boys, the master's house adapted for twenty-five boarders. The boys pay £4 a year for their education; the number of boys in 1864 was twenty-six ; the gross income is about £220 a year. Out of this endowment the master receives £100, the usher £G0. Greek, Latin, and French are taught.
William Seeker, by his will dated 20th October, 1G04, left certain houses and lands for the foundation of a " free school " at Seaming. About the middle of the seventeenth century Seaming school was presided over by a man of consider- able reputation for learning and teaching power, viz., John Burton, Fellow of Caius College, Cambridge. Mr. Burton, after being master of Seaming for about twenty years, was promoted to the Head Mastership of Norwich in 1677, and did good work there for twenty more. Seeker's endowment now yields a net income of £200 a-year, and in 1865 there was an accumulated balance of £355, with an annual surplus of £80 a-year. This important endowment has been converted by the trustees into a free school for the laboring classes exclusively, though it is quite clear from the early history of the school that any such application is a flagrant misappropriation.
In 1708 Anthony Hall devised certain lands in Snettisham for the foundation of a school " to teach twenty poor boys to read, write, and cipher, and to learn them Latin." The bequest was to come into effect on the death of two of the testator's grandchildren, but no school was actually founded till 1801. The buildings are described as excellent, the gross income is about £120 a-year, the number of boys in 1864 was fifty-eight, of whom fourteen were boarders. All were sons of small farmers and respectable tradesmen. The school appears to be doing very satifac- tory and important work, just such work as the founder would have wished to promote by his bequest.
Sir Bichard Fulmerston, by his will dated January, 1566, devised certain lands and tenements for the payment of a preacher at St. Mary's Church, Thetford. for the maintenance of a schoolmaster and usher, and for the relief of two poor women. The executors of the will appear to have taken no measures to carry out their instructions, and it was not till nearly fifty years after Sir Bichard's decease that an Act of Farliament took cognizance of the bequest, and provided for the present foundation.
For at least a century, Thetford schools appear to have been one of the most useless institutions in the county of Norfolk. Both master and usher have houses suitable for the reception of boarders. There is a school large enough for fifty boys, besides a class-room which has not been used for more than a century. The gross income of the charity is about £750 a-year, of which two masters receive about £220 besides their houses, which are apparently free of rates and taxes. In 1864 there were twenty-five boys !
A more deplorable instance of a useless endowment than even Thetford exhibits is to be found at Little Walsingham. The founder of the " school " was Bichard
582 HISTORY OP EASTEEN ENGLAND.
Bond, who, by his will dated 5th of November, 1639, left a considerable sum of money to be laid out in lands for the maintenance of a free school. The school was for thirty scholars of Little Walsingham, and provision was made for a master and usher. Both were to be skilled in the Latin and Greek tongues, and the former to be a graduate of some University. From the very first it would appear that no school deserving the name has succeeded in the town. No usher has for a long time back been nominated or required. There is no school and no school-house, though the master is allowed £30 a-year for the hire of a house, where in 1864 fourteen scholars attended, one of whom "was just beginning the Latin grammar." There is a surplus income of about £80 a-year after payment of the master (whose office is to all intents and purposes a sinecure), but it is intended " as soon as the accumulations amount to £1500 to build a school !"
Scarcely less melancholy is the present condition of Sir "William Paston's school at North Walsham. Its foundation dates from the year 1606, the property of the school yields an income of nearly £300 a-year derived from 217 acres of land, and an increase in the rental is to be looked for shortly. The " scheme " provides for the maintenance of a master and an usher, whose duty it should be to instruct freely in grammar and Latin, but it seems that very soon the education offered was far in advance of the requirements of the " free boys," and the school speedily ceased to be an institution to which the inhabitants of the district cared to send their sons. Farmers and tradesmen in outlying villages wanted something far less pretentious than Greek plays and Latin verse, and the consequence was that the class for whom the school was intended deserted it, while the inhabitants of the town on the other hand were indemnified by the establishment of a flourish- ing boarding school, which necessarily brought a considerable sum of money into the pockets of the shopkeepers. In 1832 there were six "free boys" and fifty-six boarders. In 1864 there were six "free boys" and three boarders. The "free boys " pay £8 a-year. If they only required to be taught Latin no fee could be charged ! " The building is falling out of repair, having been externally painted twice only in 22 years. The whole place wears an aspect of decay and desolation."
The three foundations last mentioned make up a dreary chapter in the history of Norfolk endowments. The aggregate annual income of Thetford, Little Walsingham, and North Walsham cannot be set lower than £800 a-year, without reckoning the accumulations now in hand ; the aggregate of boys under tuition in 1864 was just fifty, with four masters to teach them, three of whom have houses rent free. It is not too much to say that this income is amply sufficient for keeping up a thoroughly efficient second-grade school for 200 boys, or even two such schools of 150 boys each, if the funds were judiciously managed.
It is a pleasure to turn from such abuses as these to another school, which, with considerably smaller means, appears to be in a fairly efficient state.
The Grammar School of Wymondham was educating in 1864 exactly the same number of boys as were attending the three schools at Thetford, Little Walsingham, and North Walsham. The property from which this school is
RELIGION AND EDUCATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 583
supported is managed by a body of trustees in the town ; the yearly income accruing amounts to about £200 a year, the larger portion of which is distributed in coals to the poor ; the master receives only £60 with a house rent free. The boys pay £5 a year for general tuition ; the master must be a clergyman and a graduate.
Whether the trustees are justified in administering the funds in the way they do is for them to consider — certainly if the school succeeds it is in spite of the fostering care of the governing body. Little more would be required to make Wymondham a second-grcde school of some importance, not only to the town but the neighbouring district, than to lay out a sufficient sum in restoration of Beckett's chapel, a handsome building admirably adapted for a school-room, and it seems that the trustees have (or had some years ago) a balance in their hands quite large enough for carrying out this improvement, or rather this restoration of the cliapel, to the purpose to which it was formerly applied.
I have reserved to the last the Gresham school at Holt. This is by far the most important foundation in Norfolk. The annual income at the present moment is about £800. Thirty years hence it will amount to at least £2000. The trustees are of the Fishmongers' Company, who in 1858 laid out no less a sum than £5500 upon the school buildings and a master's house well adapted for boarders. Before these buildings were erected, the education offered at the school appears to have been emphatically a " commercial " education, but on a new scheme being prepared, the course of instruction was considerably raised, and Latin and Greek are now taught by the masters, and an attempt, more or less successful, is made to give the school a classical character. Just in proportion as this attempt succeeds will Holt school become (like North Walsham, Thetford, and Little Walsingham) a useless institution and the mastership a mischievous sinecure. If, on thfc contrary, the splendid endowment which this foundation enjoys be used with only ordinary judgment, and a resolute determination to apply them for the purposes of middle-class education, Holt school cannot fail to become sooner or later one of the most important county schools in England, and the place of education for the great bulk of the agricultural and working-classes, at least in the northern division of the county of Norfolk.
At present the scheme provides for the almost free instruction of fifty boys from the town of Holt and its neighbourhood ; there are, however, certain eleemosynary provisions of an objectionable character which tend to hamper the master and the governors ; and the foundation ot an exhibition at some Univer- sity by the Fishmongers' Company was, in my judgment, a move in the wrong direction. "What is wanted is that Holt (which from its isolation can never hope to be anything but a provincial school) should be converted into a place of education of the second grade ; that the great bulk of the income derived from rents and landed property should be devoted to the payment of masters' salaries ; that buildings of a much more extensive character than those at present existing should be erected ; and a middle class school on a large scale should be set on foot on the Hostel system, care being taken that the boarders' payments should
584 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
leave little or no profit beyond what would cover wear and tear and ordinary depreciation. I cannot doubt that something of this sort will be the destiny of Holt school, and the sooner it conies about the sooner will the town of Holt primarily, and eventually the whole county of Norfolk, derive a substantial benefit from Sir Thomas Gresham's munificence.
It will be observed that in this notice I have taken no account of Yarmouth or Lynn. I have passed them by advisedly. Both these schools are doing their work successfully and creditably, but in each of them there are certain pecu- liarities connected with their endowment which places them in a different category from any that I have been dealing with ; I have therefore left them out of account. "Without reckoning, then, Yarmouth, Lynn, and Norwich, it appears that there are in the county of Norfolk at least seven endowed schools, originally intended for the education of the middle-classes, with a gross income of not less than £1500, exclusive of Holt with its rental of £800, steadily and rapidly increasing.
These schools may be roughly divided between the north and the south of the county — Hingham, Wymondham, Seaming, and Thetford belonging to the southern ; Snettisham, North Walsham, Walsingham, and Holt to the northern. To assert that the educational advantages derived from these large endowments are at all commensurate with the income received would be preposterous in the extrsjne. Only one question remains — What is to be done with these endow- ments 1 It is no question at all whether or not things are to be allowed to go on as they are.
THE LOCAL POLICE OF THE EASTERN COUNTIES.
The following reports of one of the Inspectors of Constabulary will show the effect of the extension of education in the Eastern Counties : —
In the reports of the various Inspectors of Constabulary for the year ending the 29th September, 1872, Colonel Cobbe, the Inspector for the Eastern Counties, Midland, and North Wales District, states that the total strength of the force in his district was 4378, an addition of 87 constables during the year ; 772 men had left the force, and there were 149 vacancies. Throughout the district, there had been a great difficulty in procuring eligible men for the service ; the scale of pay in almost every establishment had been increased, and in some places more than once during the year. The flourish- ing state of trade, the price of labour skilled and unskilled, and the general demand for men of the description that the police service requires, had made it very difficult to procure eligible men or to keep the establishments complete. Vagrancy, represented in 1871 to have decreased very considerably, had again decreased very generally. Mendicity associations had for some time been estab- lished in parts of Worcestershire, and had had excellent effects. There hail been a small increase in the number of both indictable offences and of persons proceeded against for minor offences as compared with 1871, but the number of indictable or more serious offences committed had been considerably
THE LOCAL POLICE OP THE EASTERN COUNTIES. 585
less than 1870. With regard to the Licensing Act, 1872, Colonel Cohbe states : " I do not venture to offer any observation on the probable effect of this Act, but so far the police officers generally remark on the quiet state of the streets at an earlier hour than previously." The number of pedlars' certificates issued at the increased rate of 5s. was 36,347 — a considerable decrease on the number granted in 1871.
Norfolk. — The strength of the force was 233. Two constables were added to the force on the 18th October, 1871. Nineteen men, including one superintendent, one sergeant, and three constables superannuated, and one constable deceased, have left during the year. There required two constables to complete the establishment on the 29th of September, 1872. Of late, there has been a con- siderable difficulty in procuring eligible men. The number of indictable offences reported to the police was 168 in 1872, against 231 in 1871. The number of persons proceeded against summarily was 3061, and 2673 were convicted, against 3046 in 1871, and 2673 convicted. 529 persons were proceeded against for being drunk or drunk and disorderly, and 500 were convicted, against 449 in
1871, and 428 convicted. The station house and cells were in good order, and the force has been maintained in a satisfactory state of efficiency.
Great Yarmouth. — Strength of force, 41. Two constables were added to the force in October, 1871 ; five men, including one sergeant superannuated, have left during the year, but the establishment was complete on the 29th of September,
1872. There has been a difficulty in getting suitable men. The number of indictable offences reported to the police was 52 against 64 in 1871, but the number of persons proceeded against for minor offences was 922, of whom 728 were convicted, as against 644 in 1871, and 506 convicted. The office and cells were clean and in good order, and the force has been efficiently maintained.
King's Lynn. — Strength of force, 20. The force was augmented by one con- stable on 24th of August. Three men, including one sergeant superannuated, have left during the year, but the establishment was complete on the 29th September, 1872. There has been no difficulty this year in getting suitable men. In 1872 there were 17 indictable offences reported to the police, against 10 in 1871 ; and 393 persons were dealt with summarily against 303 in 1871. 91 persons were charged with drunkenness, and 76 were convicted, against 91 in 1871 and 80 convicted. The number of assaults on the police had also considerably in- creased, being 17 against 3 in 1871. . The office and cells were clean and in good order, and the books were well and carefully kept. The force had been maintained in a satisfactory state of efficiency.
Norwich. — Strength of force, 94. Seven men, including one sergeant superannuated, had left during the year, and there was one vacancy on the estab- lishment on September 29th, 1872. A difficulty is experienced in getting suitable men. The indictable offences reported to the police numbered 111 against 151 in 1871. The number of persons proceeded against summarily was rather larger than in 1871, being 645 against 606; there were 474 convictions, against 452. The number of persons proceeded against for being drunk and
586 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
disorderly, or for drunkenness, was 166, of whom 120 were convicted, against 92 in 1871, and 61 convictions. The number of assaults on the police was 39, against 23 in 1871. The offices and cells were clean, and the force had been maintained in an efficient state.
Suffolk (East) with Beccles, Eye, and Orford Boroughs. — Strength of force 115. Ten men, including one superintendent superannuated, and one constable deceased, have left during the year, but the establishment was complete, on the 29th September, 1872. A difficulty is experienced in procuring men of sufficient educa- tion and general intelligence for the service. The number of indictable offences was 134 against 167 in 1871, and the number of persons proceeded with sum- marily was 1353, of whom 1018 were convicted, against 1291 and 942 convicted in 1871. The number of persons charged with drunkenness was 234, of whom 204 were convicted, against 166 and 137 convicted in 1871. There were 18 assaults on the police, against 7 in 1871. The station-houses and cehs were clean and in good order, and the force had been efficiently main- tained. The assimilation of pay for this force to that of the other divisions of the country is, says Colonel Cobbe, the first step to an assimilation in all respects which is very desirable, both establishments of the county being under one Chief Constable.
Ipswich. — Strength of force, 37. Four constables, including one superannuated and one deceased, have left during the year, but the establishment was complete on the 29th of September, 1872. A great difficulty has been experienced in getting suitable men. The number of indictable offences in 1872 was 76, against 84 in 1871 ; and the number of persons dealt with summarily was 824, of whom 469 were convicted, against 659 and 372 convicted in 1871. 151 persons were proceeded against and 89 convicted for drunkenness, against 93 and 55 convicted in 1871. There were but 16 assaults on the police in 1872, against 19 in 1871. The office and cells are of an excellent character, and were clean and in good order. The Inspector did not consider the force sufficiently strong at the time of his inspection for the large population of the borough ; but as an order had been given for the immediate augmentation of the establishment by six constables, he recommended the force' to the favourable consideration of the Secretary of State.
Suffolk (West) with Bury St. Edmund's. — Strength of force, 90. Eight men, including one superintendent dead and two constables superannuated, have left during the year. The establishment was complete on September 29, 1872. A difficulty is experienced in getting men sufficiently educated and intelligent to enter the service. One hundred and eleven indictable offences were reported to the police and 71 persons convicted in 1872, against 120 offences and 69 con- victed in 1871. The number of persons proceeded against summarily was 1161, of whom 958 were convicted, against 1217 offences and 958 convictions in 1871. Two hundred and sixteen persons were proceeded against for being drunk and 196 convicted, against 240 and 204 in 1871. Fifty-seven persons were charged with assaulting the police and 46 convicted, against 23 and 21 convicted in 1871.
THE LOCAL POLICE OP THE EASTERN COUNTIES. 587
Sudbury. — Strength of force, six. Four constables left during the year, but the establishment was complete on the 29th of September, 1872. There has been a difficulty in getting suitable men. Only lour indictable offences were reported to the police in 1872, against 12 in 1871. 61 persons were proceeded against summarily and 52 convicted, against 64 and 57 convicted in 1871. Three persons were charged with drunkenness in 1872, and three also in 1871 ; but there were no assaults on the police. The Inspector recommends that this force be increased by one man.
Cambridgeshire. — Strength of force, 70. Nine constables had left during the year, including two superannuated. The indictable offences reported were 54, and there were 43 convictions in 1872 against 88 offences and 65 convictions in 1871 ; 929 persons were dealt with summarily, and 824 convicted, against 1054 offences and 947 convictions in 1871. The number of persons charged with drunkenness was 144, and of these 139 were convicted, against 121 charges and 119 convictions in 1871. The station-houses have been kept in their usual neatness and cleanness, and are of an excellent character. The force has been maintained in a very satisfactory state of efficiency.
Cambridge (Borough). — Strength of force, 45. Six men left during the year, including one sergeant deceased and one constable superannuated. There had been a scarcity of suitable candidates for vacancies. There were 42 indictable offences and 38 convictions in 1872, against 38 offences aud 36 convictions in 1871. The number of persons proceeded against summarily was 449, and 338 of these were convicted. In 1871 the numbers were 492 offences and 417 con. victons. Seventy-eight persons were charged with drunkenness and 56 convicted, against 57 charged and 41 convicted in 1871. The offices and cells were clean and in good order, and the force has been maintained in an efficient state.
Isle of Ely (Couxty). — Strength of force, 52. Eleven men, including one sergeant superannuated, had left. Three constables were required to complete the establishment on the 29th of September, 1872. A very great difficulty had been experienced in getting suitable men for the service. The number of indictable offences had considerably decreased in 1872, being 29 and 25 convictions against 51 and 44 convictions in 1871. 840 persons were dealt with summarily and 683 convicted, against 794 persons and 671 convicted in 1871. The number of persons charged with drunkenness was 143, and 137 of these were convicted against 141 charged and 138 convicted in 1871. There were 11 assaults on the police against 10 in 1871. The station houses, offices, and cells were in good order, and the force had been maintained efficiently.
Wisbech. — Strength of force, 11. Three constables had left during the year. There had been a decrease both in indictable offences and in those dealt with summarily. The former numbered 17 and 12 convictions, and 18 and 13 convic- tions in 1871 ; and the latter were 269 offences and 123 convictions, against 314 offences and 167 convictions in 1871. 79 persons were charged with drunkenness and 30 convicted in 1872, against 90 charged and 37 convicted in 1871. The cells were clean and in good order, and the force had been maintained efficiently.
CHAPTER XXY,
EMINENT MEN OF THE NINETEENTH
CENTUBY.
GEORGE CRABBE, THE SUFFOLK POET — 1754 TO 1832.
-PEORGE CBABBE was born in 1754, of humble but reputable parents, 'S& at the small town of Aldborough, on the coast of Suffolk, amid the rugged scenes so vividly described in his poems. In his early youth the germs of his future life were manifested. While his brothers were ventur- ing on the ocean, the scene of their future livelihood, the more quiet and gentle George withdrew from the rest, devouring such specimens of litera- ture as strayed to the humble shed of the fisherman. He began to write verses at ten years of age. His father appreciated the talents of his son, and put him apprentice to a surgeon. At twenty years of age he published at Ipswich a short satirical poem called " Inebriety," severe in its stric- tures on the clergy. It had small success, and the poet devoted himself more sedulously to his professional studies. In these he failed, probably from a deficiency in preparation. He felt the reproach, but conscious of his merit in a superior walk, he determined to seek his fortune as a literary man in the great metropolis. He sought a patron, but did not find one for a long time. When reduced to destitution he applied to Edmund Burke, who granted him an interview, and then all his difficul- ties vanished. He found a friend in need who was a friend indeed. Soon after he produced his poems, entitled " The Library " and " The Village," works which on their publication at once elevated him in the literary world. The poems entitled " The Newspaper " appeared in 1 785 and "The Parish Register" in 1810. Then followed "Tales of the Hall," and " The Sketch of the Borough," full of graphic description.
He entered the Church, became Chaplain to the Duke of Rutland, and feasted at his table. Suffolk knew him no more, but he did not forget his native county, and most of his descriptive scenes are laid there. He drew very dark pictures of rural life in Suffolk. He painted human life
EMINENT MEN OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 589
as it came before him, and never violated truth for sickly sentiment. He described the wretched state of the village poor as they really existed in his time, but he found " the soul of goodness in things evil." His produc- tions are destitute of the higher attributes of poetry, and leave on the mind the impression of a stern inexorable moralist. He first tried how far stern truth and pictures of real life in its humblest walks and lowest occupations could be described in the language of poetry : —
His verse from nature's face each feature drew, Each lovely charm, each mole and wrinkle too.
He walked in a path of his own untrod before, the sternest, most original, most thoughtful of our moralising bards — the Hogarth of his time. His poetry is the very antithesis of romance, but full of that interest which faithful delineation of reality always inspires. He has drawn life in its most sorrowful and soul-harrowing phases ; but though he did so to be true to life, he loved its more pleasant scenes. He loved to be charmed away from the wickedness of the world, and to delineate its more pure and virtuous inhabitants. In depicting scenes of sorrow and privation, as well as of joy and gladness, he threw off many passages of beauty and deep pathos. What can exceed in tenderness of sentiment the betrothed pair in humble life which occurs in the " Borough ? " His " Tales of the Hall " are full of thrilling interest, powerful pictures of the violence of the passions, and delineations of character, proving that the poet had a deep insight into the inmost recesses of the human heart. His story of Sir Eustace Grey is a domestic tragedy displaying the misery resulting from unbridled passion, with almost terrific power and with lyrical energy of versification. The poet died on February 8th, 18o2, aged seventy -seven.
ROBERT 13LOOMFIEKD, THE SUFFOLK POET 1766 TO 1823.
Robert Bloomfield, another Suffolk poet, was born in 1 766, at the rural village of Honington, near Thetford. He was the son of a tailor, and brought up as a farmer's boy to work on a farm. He received but scanty education at the village school, and losing his father at the age of eleven, he was apprenticed to a farmer, and he improved his mind only by such books as he borrowed. Among these Thomson seems to have been his favourite author, and the " Seasons " inspired him with the ambition of being a poet. He went to London, where he lodged with his brother, a shoemaker in Bell Alley. There he composed his chief poem, " The Farmer's Boy." The MSS. fell into the hands of the late Corporal Lofft, who encouraged him to print it, and having done so, 26,000 copies of it were sold. He was one of the latest and best and least pretending of our pastoral poets. He never aimed at any of the higher attributes of poetry
590 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
— no Miltonic grandeur, nor Shakesperian bursts of enthusiasm, nor Byronic passion. He had little of the graphic power which enabled Crabbe to depict real life. He did not equal Cowper or Thomson in describing the scenes of nature. He did not attempt to enter the regions of allegory or romance or the epics. He does not deal in fairy tales or in entrancing or harrowing pictures of bliss or woe ; but he, too, had his mission, which was that of preaching the gospel of poetry to the poor, and in doing so he uses no high-sounding phrases and never strains after effect. The whole current of his verse flows on like a smooth stream, clear as crystal, reflecting the heavens from its bosom. His muse took up the homeliest subjects — turnip sowing, wheat sowing and ripening, sparrows, insects, the skylark, reaping, the harvest field, the soldier's home ; and he invests these familiar themes with an interest all his own. If he lacks the fire and intensity and dazzling imagery of some poets, he excels most of them in the power of depicting rural scenes. He was a proof that in the sweet influences of nature, through all beautiful scenes and objects, there is a mental and moral discipline, silent and unosten- tatious, but of great importance in their effect on the thoughts and feelings.
To him who in the love of Nature holds Communion with her visible form, she speaks A various language ; for her gayer hours She has a voice of gladness and a smile, And eloquence of beauty, and she glides Into his darker musings with a mild And healing sympathy, that steals away Their sharpness ere he is aware.
His mind was ever alive to the beauties of nature ; he seized only on such incidents as came within his own observation, and he presents them in his own peculiar manner. * The Farmer's Boy," his principal poem, is pastoral in its character, in which he happily describes the various operations of husbandry, making suitable reflections as he proceeds with his theme. The simple yet beautiful invocation to the Muses is characteristic of the man, and full of the spirit of devotion. How beautifully he paints the morning in spring in a woody district, a/1 must feel who have ever risen at an early hour, and walked forth into the green fields and inhaled the invigorating breeze. He was so much at home amid the happy scenes of rural life, that he could revel in the sunshine, and feel a charm in every object that met his view. He looked with a cheerful and a gladsome eye upon the smiling face of nature, and his bosom glowed with intense thankfulness for the thousand blessings of providence. His ruling passion was an intense love of the country, and
EMINENT MEN OP THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 591
in that retirement his humble mind found precisely the objects which gave him the greatest pleasure. His imagination was not vivid or power- ful, but it was well adapted for his favourite themes. There is no need to claim for Bloomfield that exquisite pathos diffused in the works of Sterne, so powerfully exciting our sympathies, but the Suffolk bard's effusions are full of tenderness for his poor fellow labourers. He could mingle with his fellow men in their lowest and most piteous state ; he could rejoice, with the joyful, and weep with those who wept. His tales are of great merit, especially that of the "Miller's Maid," a beautiful production containing many fiue touches of feeling. The plot is simple, well developed, and the whole is wrought out with much skill. All his other tales are of an equally pleasing character, and are remarkable for their high moral tone and smooth verse.
His songs and ballads are equally pleasing, being the outpourings of a happy spirit, exhibiting much playfulness of fancy, and seem to have been written when his mind had escaped from the pressing cares of life. His ballads are full of quiet humour, and highly characteristic of the scenes they are intended to pourtray. If the march of mind should reach the peasantry of Suffolk, if the refinements of modern life should ever extend so far to that country as to cause the homely sayings and quaint phrases of the working people to give place to more polished forms of speech, Bloomfield's ballads will be invaluable, not only for their intrinsic worth as compositions of a superior kind, but also as preserving a true picture of the manners and dialect once peculiar to the county. His historical ballad of " Horkey " revives the real spirit of one of those festive scenes for which Suffolk was once so celebrated, and the anticipation of that festive time lightened in no small degree the toilsome labours of the harvest. That was a time when the cold conventional formalities of society were laid aside. The farmer and his labourers mingled in one joyous group, intent only in excelling each other in the quantity of fun each could create. Then light hearts and happy faces were the order of the day, songs and dances the order of the night. Then the hospitality of the farmer gathered round him, not only his usual staff of workmen, but also his friends and neighbours, and all who had lent a helping hand in the labours of the harvest field. Alas ! these annual scenes of mirth and gladness are now rare, like the festivities of a kindred character which were associated with Christmas in the olden time, now only known as sacred to the memory of "the Wassail bowl." They are fast de- clining, and will soon be remembered among the things that were.
Bloomfield's character was as simple and natural as his poetry. As one of the best of our pastoral poets, he seems destined to occupy a con- spicuous place in our literature. The poems are almost universally read,
592 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
containing as they do so many passages admired for the fine flow of ideas, and for chasteness of expression and truthfulness. Those who can see no merit but in the soaring flights of a Milton, the brilliant pages of a Byron, or the impassioned lays of Burns, may consider Bloomfield's simple pieces deficient in interest, but all who can appreciate the beauty of pastoral poetry will find enough in his verses to excite their admiration. He never pandered to depraved passions ; on the contrary, he tried to inspire a love of nature. His genius was not soaring, but rather preferred
"The short and simple annals of the poor "
to grand and lofty subjects. From the lowest walk of life he raised him- self to distinction, though he died poor. He was a proof, among many others that the Deity is no respecter of persons, but bestows his gifts equally on the poor as on the rich, on the unlearned as well as the learned. The poet died at Shefford in Bedfordshire in 1823, aged fifty-seven.
PROFESSOR SEDGWICK — 1784 TO 1873.
Professor Sedgwick came of a north-country family, and was born at Dent, in Yorkshire, in June, 1784, or, according to another account, in 1785-86. In due course he was entered at Trinity College) Cambridge, where he took his Bachelor's degree in 1808, being fifth Wrangler. In 1810 he was elected to a Fellowship in his College, in which at his death he was the Senior Member. He held one or two College offices in due course, among others that of Vice-Master of Trinity ; and in the year 1818 he succeeded Professor Hailstone in the chair of geology founded at Cambridge by the celebrated Dr. John Woodward. In the same year he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society ; he also acted as one of the secretaries of the Cambridge Philosophical Society at its first institution in 1819, and contributed largely to its " Transactions." He also became a Fellow of the Geological Society of London, and having served on its council, was elected to its presidential chair in the years 1829-30-31, and twice delivered the customary address as President.
Fifty -five years ago, when Adam Sedgwick first assumed the Profes- sorial gown, little was known in England of geology as a science. Not- withstanding, indeed, the writings of Werner, Hutton, Playfair, and William Smith, only the key notes of geological science had been as yet touched.
Sedgwick's first acknowledged publication, a paper on the physical structure of the Devonshire and Cornish formations, read before the Cambridge Philosophical Society in 1820, and published two years later, embodied a record of his observations, and of work done by him in 1819.
EMINENT MEN OF THE NINETEENTH CENTUKY. 593
Even at that time he saw that the Plymouth fossil corals could not be identified with those of the mountain limestone, and were of necessity of an earlier date. Fifteen years later we find him again occupied with the geology of Devonshire, and (in conjunction with the late Sir Roderick Murchison) reading before the British Association at Bristol a paper on the culmiferous strata between Dartmoor and the north-western coast of Devonshire, and pointing out for the first time the true geological position of those deposits. In June, 1837, these two eminent men conjointly gave to the Geological Society their account of the district ; to use the words of a writer in the Geological Magazine, " they not only attempted to describe the successive formations north of Dartmoor, but also to bring them into comparison with the formations which expand from the southern side of the Dartmoor granite to Start Point, and to the other headlands of the south Coast of Devon." In 1 838 Professor Sedgwick re-surveyed the country south of Dartmoor, and in the following year we find him, in concert with Sir Roderick Murchison, adopting the final classification of the older sedimentary rocks of our two south-western counties. In the " Geological Transactions " (vol. v.) the scientific results of their joint investigations are thus briefly summed up : — " The bold removal of the whole of the schistose and gray-wacke rocks of Devon and Cornwall to the Old Red Sandstone is a generalisation which could arise only from a long, patient, accurate, and extensive practice in the field, together with a willingness to adopt suggestions from whatever quarter they might be advanced. "
In February, 1851, the Council of the Geological Society awarded to Professor Sedgwick the Wollaston Palladium Medal "for his original researches in developing the geological structure of the British Isles, ol the Alps, and of the Rhenish Provinces. In presenting the medal, the President of the society (Sir Charles Lyell) observed that it was impossible within the brief limits of a single speech to enumerate all the Professor's various labours; but he referred especially to his memoirs on the magnesium limestone of the North of England, on the traprocks of Durham and Cumberland, on the fossiliferous strata of the north of Scotland and of the Isle of Arran, on the mountains of Cumberland, of the adjacent Lake district, and of North Wales, his essays on Slaty Cleavage, on the true age of the strata of Devon and Cornwall, and on the Alps and Rhenish Province, as worthy of all praise and valuable contributions to the treasures of British science.
No member of the University ever laboured in a higher degree than the late professor to elevate the character of Cambridge as a school of the natural sciences. Indeed, it is scarcely known to the world how much his care and liberality contributed towards the work of providing for the
VOL. II. Q Q
594 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
now large collections of the Cambridge Geological Museum, of which Dr. Woodward's cabinet formed the original nucleus. To this " storehouse of science " he himself contributed a noble series of rock specimens, chiefly British, several thousands in number, and a still more valuable series of organic remains. In his " Synopsis of the Classification of the British Palaeozoic Rocks," the late Professor Sedgwick expressed his natural views, and gave his final decision on the classification and nomenclature of the older palaeozoic formations (on which, as geologists are aware, he differed a little from the views of his friend and fellow- worker, Sir Roderick Murchison), giving to the Silurian system of Sir Roderick all the lower palaeozoic formations above the Coniston grits inclusive, down to the Skiddaw slate, and its equivalents, the Bangor and Longmynd group, the most ancient of British rocks. The Professor was the author, jointly with Mr. W. Peile, of two papers printed in the transactions of the Geological Society," upon the coal fields, &c, of Cumberland ; of ten other papers., jointly with Sir R. Murchison, on the Stratification of Devon, Cornwall, the Eastern and Austrian Alps, and on the Silurian and Cambrian Systems ; these are to be found in the transac- tions of the Geological Society and the reports of the British Association. He also contributed single-handed more than thirty other papers and memoirs upon a variety of subjects, all immediately connected with or rising out of his favourite science ; the full list of these, with titles, &c, may be found in Agassiz's Bibllographla Zoologice et Geologice, published by the Ray Society. Nearly all of these papers, it may be here remarked, are confined to the Stratification of the British Isles.
In April, 1871, after more than half a century of active labour, he re- signed his Professorial chair at Cambridge, on the score of increasing years and the infirmities of old age ; but to the last he took a warm interest in all the scientific enquiries which were being carried on around him, both in Cambridge and in London, and occasionally corresponded with the friends of other years. As a lecturer, his style was clear, earnest, philosophical, and full of energy ; and even when nearer ninety than eighty years of age, he was as full of humour and anecdote as in middle age. For high moral courage, for honesty and singleness of purpose, for generosity of nature, and for a hatred of all that is mean and base, no name ever stood higher than that of Adam Sedgwick. Indeed, he was beloved by all who had the privilege of his friendship. In his declining years he, if any man, had the satisfaction of feeling and knoAving that he had not lived in vain, and that besides lending a helping hand towards the elucidation and popularizing of geology as a science, he had been during half a century of hard labour at Cambridge the teacher and trainer of many first-rate practical geologists, several of 'whom had done
EMINENT MEN OP THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 595
their appointed tasks and had passed away before him, to whom they looked up as their master.
With one work of a more general character the name of Professor Sedgwick will long be connected. We refer to his " Discourse on the Studies of the University of Cambridge." This was originally nothing more or less than a sermon preached in the Chapel of Trinity College, and directed against the " utilitarian " tendencies of the philosophy of Paley.
The late Professor was a Canon of Norwich Cathedral, and acted for many years as Secretary to the late Prince Consort in his capacity as Chancellor of the University of Cambridge. He was also the reputed author of an elaborate article in the Edinburgh Review upon the "Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation." On this subject he delivered a lecture before a large audience in the Museum, Norwich, also many other lectures on geology in the city at different times.
PROFESSOR TAYLOR, 1784 TO 1863.
Mr. Edward Taylor was the great grandson of the celebrated Dr. John Taylor, a man not less beloved for the kindliness of his disposition, than he was venerated for his vast learning. Dr. Taylor was born at Lancaster in the year 1694, and came to Norwich (according to Mr. Edward Taylor's account) in 1788. Here he remained till 1757, and here it was that he produced many of his works, amongst others his famous Hebrew Con- cordance, which was published in two large volumes folio, and was the labour of fourteen years. Many copies of the frontispiece (a fine portrait engraved by Houbraken) are still extant in Norwich. Dr. Taylor must have been fond of music, and must also have made it a personal study. This we infer less from his having published " A Collection of Tunes in Various Airs " for the use of his Norwich congregation, than from his having been able to prefix thereto " Instructions in the Art of Psalmody." The airs themselves have no other accompaniment added than an unfigured bass, but the collection contains many of the finest melodies which are now in use. The instructions were intended to enable a student to sing at sight.
When Dr. Taylor quitted Norwich, his only surviving son, Richard, remained, and carried on the business of a manufacturer in St. George Colegate. Mr. John Taylor, father of the subject of this memoir, was born on the 30th July, 1750. In 1773, he entered into the business of a yarn maker, in partnership with his brother, in the parish where their father had lived. If not a musical composer, John had the reputation of being at least a tolerable poet, and he was peculiarly happy in writing words for music.
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In April, 1777, Mr. John Taylor married Susannah, the youngest daughter of Mr. John Cook, of Norwich. Mr. Edward Taylor was born on the 22nd of January, 1784, in the parish of St. George Colegate.
In his boyish days, Edward Taylor was made to imbibe the usual quantity of Greek and Latin, and the cask ever after retained the flavour of the wine. But music even then was his chief delight. When arrived at manhood he was tall and well-formed ; he had a fair, though by no means a pallid complexion, a penetrating eye, and a majestic voice, which sounded in conversation like the roll of a bass drum. In whatever part of the world he had been met, it would have been said at a glance, " That's an Englishman." He had that unmistakable stamp of bluntness and sturdy independence which seems to be an Englishman's birthright. He was proud, not altogether without reason, of his ancestors, whose religious and political opinions he inherited. Hence, he was a Dissenter of the Unitarian School, and what was then called a Radical Reformer. Deeming himself to be in the right, he of course considered all those who differed from him to be in the wrong. But being himself consistent, he knew how to respect consistency in others. His hostility was confined to men's doctrines and measures ; it was never extended to their persons. In a word, he was generous, manly, and sincere, and he therefore enjoyed the friendship of good and true men, whatever might be their party or creed. Mr. Taylor married, in 1808, Deborah, daughter of Mr. William Newson, of Stump Cross, Norwich, a man of upright and honourable character, and a successful tradesman.
On the 19th January, 1824, he had the honour of dining with the Duke of Sussex at Kensington Palace. The next year, 1825, terminated Mr. Taylor's residence in his native city, though to the end of his life he continued to take a warm interest in whatever concerned its welfare. On the 21st of May, having already made arrangements for giving up his business in Norwich, he went up to London to prepare for making it his future abode. On the 5th of August, he served on the Norwich grand jury for the last time, and the next day took his final departure. On the 15th, he joined his brother Philip and his cousin John Martineau in their business as civil engineers, having hired a house for that purpose in York Place, City Road.
On the 3rd of January, 1826, the year after Mr. Taylor finally left the city for London, he came down to a dinner which was given at the Rampant Horse Hotel in his honour. The original intention had been to place his portrait in St. Andrew's Hall, and Sir James Smith had actually written fiome lines to be placed under it, beginning —
A vaunt, ye base, approach ye wise and good, Tlras in this hall once Edward Taylor stood.
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But that idea was abandoned, and a presentation of a service of plate was determined upon by his fellow-citizens. The testimonial originated with the strongest of his political antagonists in the corporation. The plate was given at this dinner at the Rampant Horse, the chairman being Henry Francis, Esq., against whom Mr. Taylor had entered the lists in the severest contest ever known in the Mancroft Ward. This rendered the compliment greater.
Mr. Edward Taylor's first music master was the Rev. Charles Smyth, a man who was equally remarkable for his eccentricity and musical learning. Mr. Taylor always spoke with great respect of Mr. Smyth's musical knowledge. How long the lessons continued we have no means of ascer- taining, but we afterwards find Taylor gaming instruction with the Cathedral boys under Dr. Beckwith at the music room in the Cathedral. He also had lessons in the vestry room of the Octagon Chapel ; and he acquired some skill upon the flute and oboe from Mr. Fish. But we believe that his musical education was throughout gratuitously bestowed, out of respect to himself and family. Doubtless he was greatly indebted for his extensive knowledge of the art, as well as of the German and Italian languages, to his own perseverance in solitary study.
In 1837, Mr. Taylor was elected Gresham Professor of Music. The place had been for 200 years a mere sinecure, generally held by persons totally ignorant of music, but he did much to render it useful to the art. In 1838, he published his "Three Inaugural Lectures/' which he dedi- cated to the trustees of Gresham College. He was not content with reading his lectures, however good. He illustrated them by having some compositions of the master who might be under discussion, well sung in parts by a competent choir. Amateurs of distinction and professional men lent their aid, and this attracted large audiences to the theatre.
In 1843, Professor Taylor, who had been musical critic for the Spectator for fourteen years, retired from that department, and he received a very complimentary letter from Mr. Kintoul, the editor, who said, " I can bear my willing testimony to the high aims, the great ability, the persevering zeal, and undeviating punctuality with which you have upheld the cause of good music in my journal for the long period of fourteen years. I believe that a selection from your writings in the Spectator would com- prise a body of the soundest and best musical criticism in the language ; and when you retire, I know not that any second man in England is qualified to sustain the elevated standard that you have raised," &c. High praise indeed, but well deserved.
In the year 1845, Professor Taylor published, in the British and Foreign Review, an article headed " The English Cathedral Service ; its Glory, its Decline, and its Designed Extinction." This was subsequently published
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by permission of the proprietor in the form of a thin octavo volume. It was a masterly defence of the musical services of our cathedrals, and of the choirs, against the spoliation of the deans and chapters, which had been silently and surely going on ever since the time of Queen Elizabeth. It made a strong sensation at the time, and even now, whoever would strike a blow for the cause of cathedral music (which in Professor Taylor's opinion is the salt which can alone save the musical taste of the people from corruption) will find the best weapons ready to his hand contained in this little volume.
Professor Taylor, who had been long a widower, died (March 12th, 1868) with the utmost tranquility, at his house at Brentwood. He had three children, all of whom survive him ; a son, Mr. John Edward Taylor, who was with him in his last moments, and two daughters, one of whom is married and lives in Germany, her sister living with her.
We believe that Mr. Taylor left injunctions that his manuscripts should not be published, which is surely to be regretted. If his rare and valuable musical library, the acquisition of which was the labour of a life, should be sold, we trust that it will not go piecemeal to the hoards of individual collectors, but be bought 'for the use of Gresham College and its future musical professors.
The compiler of this history had some long interview with Professor Taylor when he last visited Norwich in 1857, and he then stated that he had large collections of music, and some hundreds of lectures on the music of every period. He delivered a very splendid lecture on the music of the Elizabethan age, in aid of the funds of the Free Library, before a large audience, in the Lecture Hall, St. Andrew's.
LORD LYTTON, THE NORFOLK NOVELIST, 1805 TO 1873.
The distinguished Norfolk nobleman who was called away from this earthly scene in January, 1873, possessed many claims on the admiration of his fellow countrymen. He was certainly the most eminent literary character of which his native county can boast. It is no exaggeration to say that in many departments he attained such a degree of excellence that any one of them might have sufficed for a high reputation, yet he was more of an artist than a genius in the regions of imagination. It is as a novelist, however, that he claims attention, and it is the peculiar vigour and brilliancy of his fictions which places him in the Temple of Fame. A glance at the successful career of this remarkable man will im- press on the mind that there is no royal road even for genius.
Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer Lytton was born in the year 1805, which was also the date of the birth of his contemporary in literature and associate in politics, Mr. Disraeli. He was the third and youngest son of
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General Bulwer, of Heydon Hall, in Norfolk, and Elizabeth, n('e Lytton, heiress of the Lyttons, of Knebworth, Hertford. Like many other emi- nent men, Lord Lytton was greatly indebted for his after success in life to his mother. He has himself frequently made mention of his obliga- tions to her as being his first guide to the pursuit of literature. It is a noticeable fact that while the two younger sons of General Bulwer have each in his way obtained remarkable distinction, the eldest remained in the retirement of private life, and exhibited no remarkable capacities. The second son, the late Lord Dalling, did much to honour the family name, and had it not been that he was eclipsed by the towering splendour of his younger brother's reputation, he would have been regarded with even more attention. As it is, he will be remembered as a bright parti- cular star in the diplomatic firmament, who will long be referred to as an instance of what was done in the good old times of Courts and Cabinets. Lord Lytton commenced writing at an early age, being only fifteen when he produced his first book, entitled " Ismael." The poems were of a lively character, but they were noticeable chiefly from the tender age of the author. It was during his academical career at Cambridge that he first imbibed a desire for entering a political life. He joined the " Union," and among those who agreed with his youthful opinions were some who have since been famous men in their generation. During one of his vacations, Lord Lytton visited Windermere, and in that romantic spot he first indulged in the dreams of authorship — dreams which have often proved so visionary, but which in this instance became a living reality. Among the most interesting incidents of his Cambridge career may be mentioned the fact that he won the Chancellor's prize of the gold medal for an English poem on Sculpture, and that his speech as President of the Union, on English and American institutions, gained him so much credit that he was offered a seat in Parliament as soon as he should attain his majority — a proposal which he wisely declined. After taking his degree in 1822, Lord Lytton went abroad to enter on fresh fields of enter- prise. His first novel was published anonymously, under the title of " Falkland," a brilliant work, but deemed open to objection on the score of his scepticism. The author afterwards acknowledged the errors of this, his maiden fiction.
In 1827, the distinguished subject of this memoir was married to Rosina Wheeler, but the union proved a very infelicitous one. The issue of the marriage was a son and a daughter ; the latter died at an early- age, and the former was destined to gain distinction in both diplomacy and literature. The first of the striking successes, whose name was afterwards legion, in the life of Lord Lytton, was the appearance of " Pelham " in the year 1827. It is a curious circumstance in connection
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with this work that Colburn's reader warned him against it. The pub- lisher, however, had the sense to read it for himself, and the discrimination to present it to the public, who stamped it with unqualified approval. Soon afterwards, the indefatigable novelist produced other works, the most noticeable of which was " Devereux ; " it bore evident traces of the writer's researches into metaphysics. " Eugene Aram," brought out in 1832, was one of the most remarkable of Lord Lytton's fictions, and it is interesting to note that it was dedicated to Sir Walter Scott. The " Pilgrims of the Rhine " was a charming work, full of bright descrip- tions and enchanting sketches. One of the most favourite novels in the long series which the genius of the mastor-mind seemed to shower on an earlier generation was the " Last Days of Pompeii." It may be truly be affirmed that for the reader of this delightful work the magic touch of the author has disinterred the buried cities of the past, and filled their silent streets and deserted houses with light and life. In connection with this book, it may be said that a friend of Lord Lytton's once observed to him that, were he called upon to select any one of his novels for a stranger to form an opinion of his style, he should choose the " Last Days of Pompeii," and the great author himself concurred in the choice. During the Italian excursion which suggested the latter novel, the prolific writer commenced another work, entitled "Rienzi, or the Last of the Roman Tribunes," which was a brilliant success, and seemed to confirm his reputation as a master novelist. Among the writings which it would have been well for the author not to have written must be numbered " Ernest Maltravers " and " Alice, or the Mysteries." These works were afterwards put together under one name — the " Eleusinia." Nothing is more illustrative of the versatility of the genius of Lord Lytton than the fact that he ranked in the list of his works such diverse specimens as the " Eleusinia " and the " Caxtons." Before he gave the chef d'oeuvre to the public, however, he contributed some other brilliant specimens of a more fanciful order. " Zanoni," the Rosicrucian, was, as he himself expressed in its preface, the " well-loved work of his matured manhood." In some respects " Zanoni " must be regarded as the most imaginative of all his romances, and the plot, intricate as it is, is admirably sustained throughout. " Night and Morning " is a tale of modern life, which possessed many admirers, though it cannot lay claim to the depth or vigour of some of its compeers.
We have now arrived at a period in the career of the novelist when he turned his attention more particularly to the perfecting of his talent for poetic composition. For this purpose, on the appearance of the " Last of the Barons " in 1843, he intimated his intention of relinquishing prose fiction for some time, if not finally. As might have been supposed, the
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bent of his mind was too strongly inclined in that direction to enable him to keep the promise he made himself, or fulfil the threat he held out to his numerous readers. Only four years after the publication of the great historical romance, there appeared from the same pen the dreary sketch entitled ft Lucretia, or the Children of Night." This work necessitated some explanation, as its purpose had been misunderstood, and accordingly a sort of explanatory appendix, called " A Word to the P ublic," vindi- cated the " Children of Night " from the aspersions cast on them. " Harold, the Last of the Saxon Kings " was a fine historical romance, compared by some to the works of Scott, and certainly possessing merit of a rare order. The next year, 1849, witnessed the appearance in a complete form of the " Caxtons," which had previously been published in instalments in " Blackwood's Magazine." This work inaugurated a new era in the great novelist's compositions, and of this literary division it may truly be said Finis coronat opus. The " Caxtons " is chiefly re- markable for its admirable portraits of family life. It was followed by two fictions, bearing the same elaborate finish, entitled " My Novel " and " What will He do with It ? " Both appeared serially in " Blackwood's Magazine." " My Novel " was of such great length that it occupied four volumes at the time of its collective re-issue. These works are chiefly remarkable for the more solid character they present ; the matured reflections and the calmer judgment succeed to the dreamy imagination and the vivid fancy of the author's earlier years. It seemed as if the transition state of his works was present to his mind when he made his hero say — " I knew that it was my youth and its poet-land that was no more, and that I had passed with an unconscious step, which never could retrace its way, into the hard world of laborious man." Following closely upon the " Caxtons " was its successor, " My Novel, or Varieties in English Life." This novel has by some persons been considered the masterpiece of the great romance-writer, and it certainly is a splendid illustration of talent. " My Novel " is remarkable chiefly for the ad- mirable description of an election scene which occurs towards the con- clusion. It will remain a standard of the style in which such things were carried on before reforming zeal brought in the ballot-box. This "glimpse of the days that are o'er " will render the work a valuable reference to the political reader of another generation, who desires to understand how intimately a contested election became entwined in the interests of daily life, and formed the nucleus for party spirit and individual ambition, as well as the harvest for the unscrupulous agent and the designing time- server. " What will He do with It ?" was another novel of the same reflective class, but not equal to its predecessors, taken separately, though forming an agreeable and adequate sequel to their series. In the autumn
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of 1 872 it was announced that the novelist was once more about to meet his numerous readers with a new work, entitled " Kenelm Chillingly."
Dramatic composition forms a prominent feature in Lord Lytton's career, and had it not been for his novels, it would be as a dramatist that the name of Bulwer would go down to posterity. Like many other stars, the first attempt of Lord Lytton did not herald the shining success which afterwards attended his productions. " The Duchess de la Valliere " was virtually a failure, and the author relinquished the task of writing for the stage for some time in consequence. In this instance it was only reader pour mieux sauter, for two years afterwards he produced his dramatic gem, one of those matchless creations which can only be accomplished once in a lifetime. " The Lady of Lyons " has never had a rival near her throne, but has always remained bright and beaming in her unrivalled excellence. It is the triumph of art to depict nature, and the skill of the dramatist attains perfection when it discloses the influence of the ruling passions of humanity in moulding the events of daily life. In the "Lady of Lyons " all this is done in the most accurate fashion, and the sympathies of the audience are awakened by the conviction that Claud Melnotte, the ideal creation, represents a real individual in his earnest truthfulness. He excites attention as a visionary youth, and awakens curiosity as an ambi- tious adventurer ; but he commands interest, and calls forth sympathy, when in the most trying positions he is equal to the emergency, and rises to the height that is due. His reminder to the General who taunted him, " I spared you when you were unarmed," is more eloquent than a volume of reprisals ; and his final exclamation, when he flings down the money that is to ransom his bride from the old enemy who claims her, " Take it, old man ; there's not a coin that's not been hallowed in the cause of nations with a soldier's blood," declares in a few words the story of his life, of the long years that have made Napoleon the foremost man of modern days, France the arbiter of European destiny, and himself a man of note and position, instead of the misled enthusiast who lost the vantage ground that belongs to the most humble who maintain their own place in the world.
Next to the " Lady of Lyons " in point of interest in the narrative and success in the performance, " Money " holds the chief place in the dramas of Lytton. It pourtrays in a vivid manner the hollo wness and artificial character of the world. The bitter satire with which the disenchanted hero exclaims " Will any of you lend me five pounds for my old nurse," is instantly appreciated by the audience, and the incident, trifling though it seems, reveals the skill of the dramatist, and is one of those strokes which are put only by a master hand.
" Richelieu " is an historical drama that gained considerable repute,
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and deservedly so, for it contains an admirable portraiture of the great statesman of French history, and its language is impressive and brilliant.
" Not so Bad as we Seem " is a play written for a particular purpose, and, therefore, hardly to be classed with the above-mentioned works. It was to further the interests of an association called " The Guild of Lite- rature and Art," a scheme more attractive in design than able in execution. In some respects the successful dramatist enjoys his triumph more fully, more keenly, and more completely than the victor in any other artistic or literary field. The author dreams of the unborn readers of distant generations, and the painter imagines that the reputation of his works will attract visitors from far-off countries, but the dramatist finds sufficient confirmation, in the approving audience before him, of the prize he has won and the goal he has reached. Not content with his brilliant reputation as a dramatist, and his supreme success as a novelist, Lord Lytton has ever sought to attain distinction in the flowery fields of poetry. In this path he cannot be said to have acquired an equal repu- tation as in the above-named spheres, although he far surpassed mediocrity.
Of all his compositions in this line, " The New Timon " is, perhaps, the most striking. The work is remarkable chiefly for its admirable delineations of the men of his generation. The " Rupert of Debate " ably characterises the late Lord Derby's peculiar style of oratory. Again, in allusion to Earl Russell, it is said that " he wants your vote, but your affection not," thus disclosing the secret of the noble earPs want . of success as a political leader, his inability to inspire enthusiasm among his followers.
" So cold a climate plays the deuce with votes !"
exclaims the poetical satirist. His most ambitious poem was " King Arthur," which was originally published in twelve books, but afterwards was greatly remodelled and cut down. This work naturally attracted great attention, but its reception did not realise the cherished dreams of its author. Lord Lytton published, besides, a spirited translation of the poems and ballads of Schiller, which has been highly appreciated by the literati and scholars of both England and Germany. To these must be added " St. Stephen's," which was a volume of Parliamentary sketches of the chief political characters of the day. The Protean genius of this writer found still further occupation for his pen in the composition of some masterly essays and pamphlets on the leading events of various periods of political excitement.
Lord Lytton hardly takes rank among the politicians of his generation, although he sat for many years in the House of Commons, and was for a
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short period a Cabinet Minister. He was more successful regarding public life at a distance, as a looker on, and afterwards describing it in brilliant prose or sparkling verse, in majestic imagery or biting satire. The most skilful theorist is seldom the most successful practical worker, and so it was with this lettered statesman. His intercourse with politics wanted vigour and vivacity ; he did not breathe a kindred air when he dwelt in its domains and shared its stirring scenes, although he left there, as wherever he wandered, indelible traces of his power. During the second Derby Ministry in 1858, Lord Lytton was appointed Secretary of the Colonies, and he discharged the duties of that onerous post with remark- able ability. His tenure of office was noted chiefly for the creation of British Columbia. As a Parliamentary orator, Lord Lytton did not achieve sufficient distinction to be enrolled among the favoured few whose words are " sparks of immortality," who impress friends and foes alike by their marvellous gifts, and the memory of whose influence is preserved by all who hear them as a wonderful fascination. Nevertheless, he holds no mean place among the secondary debaters of Parliament, who, by their varied knowledge and skill of arrangement in putting forward their views, delight their listeners, and instruct while they amuse. The most noticeable speech which Lord Lytton delivered in the House of Commons was on the introduction of Earl Russell's last Reform Bill, in 1866. Another masterly oration was that in which he demanded from the House a fair trial for the new Administration of which he had recently become a member. Lord Lytton's career in the House of Commons was divided into two sections, one extending from 1831 till 1841, and the other from 1852 until 1866, when he was removed, to use his own words, "to the prim benches of the upper school." During the first epoch of his Parliamentary experience, Mr. Bulwer, as he was then styled, made some successful hits. His greatest success was his speech on slavery in 1833, which was so effective in its character that Mr. O'Con- nell, who had intended to speak on the occasion, tore up his notes and called out for a division. The constituencies he represented were St. Ives, which sent him to Parliament in 1831 ; Lincoln, which he repre- sented nine years ; and Hertfordshire, for which he sat eleven years. It is worthy of notice that one of his first undertakings in the House of Commons was to move for the appointment of a committee to inquire into the state of the drama, in order to effect an improvement in the dramatic interests. His speeches on the u Taxes on Knowledge " also gained him deserved celebrity. Very brilliant, too, was his speech on the annexation of Savoy and Nice. One brilliant epigram in it will long be remembered. Referring to Napoleon's declaration in 1859, that France was the only country which went to war for an idea, Lord Lytton, then in the House
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of Commons, said of the Emperor that he " went to war for the propaga- tion of ideas, and made peace for the acquisition of domains."
Besides his Parliamentary speeches, Lord Lytton has delivered at different times during his career addresses at several societies and meetings, which were brilliant specimens of eloquence. Indeed, he was more in his vocation in this sphere, where a prepared and studied oration was more consonant with the character of the assembly. He, did not possess the rare but invaluable readiness in reply which is the triumph of Parlia- mentary speakers ; but in addresses delivered on stated occasions he was very felicitous. At one of these times he vindicated classical learning from the charges which had been brought against it, and which at that period were much discussed. He declared that the scholar who pursued the time-honoured track of cultivating classic literature would find that those ennobling studies had "enriched the life blood of his thoughts, and that he quitted the University with a front the Greek had directed to the stars, and a step that Imperial Rome had disciplined to the march which led her eagles round the world." In discussing the career of Lord Lytton, the difficulty is to say what he did not do, for he well-nigh exhausted the literary sphere of action, and made great inroads on the political circles.
One of his earlier efforts, now well-nigh forgotten, was the editorship of the " New Monthly Magazine." In this capacity he was very success- ful, and exhibited striking discernment in his recognition of talent among those who afterwards became celebrities, but were then not regarded as of much account. It cannot be said by the admirers of this distinguished man that he was unappreciated or disregarded. From first to last he was applauded, followed, and imitated. On the occasion of the Queen's Coro- nation he was created a baronet, as a tribute to his already notable pro- gress in the fields of literature. Nearly thirty years afterwards this man of letters was created a baron. Reviewing this brilliant life, it may be said that Lord Lytton's career is an honour to his country, since it proves the falsity of the charge so often preferred against England of neglecting men of mark. At the same time, so far as the man himself was con- cerned, success did not afford him real satisfaction, nor did any of the avocations with which he occupied himself, with such renown to himself and delight to others, seetn to give him real enjoyment. He took a some- what morbid view of life, and formed a depreciatory estimate of his fellow creatures. However, it is no new story for the possessors of great gifts to indulge in morose or melancholy views, and to paint the world of fancy in such brilliant hues that the world of reality jars upon their senses as cold and inanimate.
The combination of powers in this remarkable man was, indeed, peculiar,
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and in some respects he may be said to have had no rival near his throne. So varied were his gifts that he might have made two or three distinct reputations had he chosen to concentrate his efforts in one direction. As it is, he remains a brilliant example of what care and culture may effect in maturing and improving rare natural advantages, and a striking illus- tration of what perseverance can accomplish in many varied spheres of occupation. Opinions will differ as to his personal character and public influence, but there can be no doubt as to his fame. In the words of the Latin poet whose odes he translated, he might well have exclaimed, " Non omnis moriar." The name of Bulwer Lytton has been long before the public, and a blank will be experienced by those who feel that from hence- forth the place that once knew him shall know him no more. His con- nection with the present is over, but he has been numbered with the great caravan of the past, which is inseparably associated with futurity. His niche in the Temple of Fame is secured, and his name will become familiar to the distant generations who will peruse his works. Looking back upon the arduous efforts of his long literary career, it may be fairly said that his energy and perseverance have deserved the meed they have attained. He has achieved no mean place of distinction among the world's men of letters, and won an imperishable reputation in the litera- ture of England.
In January this year (1873) he was residing at Argyll Lodge, Torquay, where he had enjoyed his usual good health, but he suffered from occa- sional attacks of violent earache. On January 17th acute inflammation set in, which terminated fatally on the following day, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. The Hon. R. Lytton, then in London, was telegraphed for to Torquay, and he soon arrived there. The deceased nobleman by general desire was interred in Westminster Abbey, and well deserved the honour of a public funeral.
PROFESSOR SMYTH, OF CAMBRIDGE, 1766 to 1849.
This distinguished scholar and poet, born in 1766, wrote a short memoir of himself, and he states that his father was the younger brother of a respectable family in the county of Meath, in Ireland. The eldest brother took the estate, and the younger brother was sent to Liverpool to get forward in the world as a merchant ; but this was a mistake, as he should have been bred to the law. The professor says he owed his father much, as he had a keen relish for poetry, and early inspired his son with an admiration for all distinguished authors in prose and verse. While thus instructed by his father, the young student was educated in the ordinary way by a member of the University of Dublin, who kept a day school in Liverpool. Having passed the early days of his boyhood at
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this school, his tutor and father considered him a clever boy, and that he should be brought up to the law, but he preferred the flowery paths of literature.
As a preparation he was sent to Eton, where he stayed about three years, studied hard and wrote verses. He there discovered that he was not an eighth wonder of the world, and that he had indulged in many vain dreams. After leaving Eton he read the classics and mathematics with a clergyman at Bury in Lancashire. He next proceeded to Cambridge, where he studied mathematics with such success that he was made a Fellow of his college. He became an assistant-tutor there, and in 1807 Lord Petty gave him the Professorship of Modern History, a place which suited him exactly. He prepared and delivered courses of elaborate lectures on Modern History, which attracted large audiences, and exercised great influence on the minds of the students. These lectures were subsequently published and found to contain much wisdom and many excellent lessons on the subjects of morality, religion, and government.
The author seems to have felt how little religious principle or en- lightened wisdom influence the counsels of nations, how little human happiness could be promoted, or vice and misery diminished, where popu- lation pressed so severely on the means of subsistence, and where self- control was so little practised. The lectures were followed by a book on " The Evidences of Christianity," and a volume of " English Lyrics," which received the approbation of distinguished writers, whose praise is of the highest value. In the Edinburgh Review, the "English Lyrics " were deacribed as ' ' a very elegant and pleasing volume, the work evidently of a man of refined taste and amiable disposition." They are praised for " their delicacy and tenderness, and the beautiful workings of fancy by which the composition is sometimes enlightened, and for the harmony and graceful disposition of the images, which are finished with all the softness and tenderness of a moonlight landscape."
In a subsequent article in the same review the author is praised as " a writer of great taste and sensibility, who always expresses kind and generous feelings with an air of such natural delight that it is impossible for his readers not to love the man as much as they admire the poet. His songs do not speak the language of passion like those of Burns, nor of voluptuousness like those of Moore ; but they are full of true and natural feeling, often exquisitely tender, sometimes light and playful, and always elegant and graceful." He wrote many love songs, which indicate the real true lover, but he never married, and probably he only courted the muse. Though he was a water drinker, he had a convivial turn, and his spirit always rose with those of the company to whose instruction and amusement he was ever ready to contribute. He could enliven the social
608 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
circle by his songs, by his anecdotes, by his apposite quotations and recitations from our admired poets. Thus all who enjoyed his society were not only amused but instructed by his conversation and went away wiser and happier men. He led a happy life, and he well deserved it, for he was always ready to promote the happiness of others. He had settled political and moral principles, and he acted on them consistently through life. His religion was that of an exalted mind and a benevolent heart, not one of creeds and ceremonies, but of love to God and man. He had a firm belief in the general truth of Christianity, the result of the strictest study of the scriptures, and he always said that its important doctrines were sufficiently plain. Thus he was well prepared for a future state of happiness. He died at the house of his brother in Norwich, on June 24th, 1849, aged eighty-three years, and was buried in the north aisle of the Cathedral. There is a monumental window over his tomb dedicated by his friends to his memory. Under the window there is a brass tablet with an appropriate inscription.
NORWICH ARTISTS.
During the present century many eminent artists have flourished in the city. Among these may be mentioned Mr. J. Crome, sen., Mr. J. B. Crome, Miss Crome, Mr. Thomas Harvey, of Catton, Mr. Charles Hodgson, Mr. David Hodgson, Mr. Kobert Ladbrooke, Mr. Joseph Stannard, Mr. Alfred Stannard, Mrs. Stannard, Mr. Priest, Mr. James Stark, Mr. J. S. Cotman, Mr. Middleton, Mr. Vincent, Mr. Sandys, sen., Mr. Sandys, jun., Mr. Downes, Captain Roberts, Mr. C. L. Nursey, Mr. W. Freeman, whose paintings have been frequently exhibited. Mr. C. J. W. Winter, of Bethel Street, Norwich, is well-known and appreciated as a successful painter of portraits, animals, landscapes, and other subjects. He is also pre-eminent as an ecclesiological draughtsman, heraldic painter. His lithographs of the Norfolk screens and drawings of the bosses in the stone roof of the cloisters at Norwich Cathedral have gained universal notice in the journals devoted to art. He was the artist employed for all the lithographic illustrations in the present work, most of which are taken from old and valuable sketches. Those of Caister Castle, Burgh Castle, Castleacre Priory, and Dunwich Priory, are from his own drawings on the spot. He supplied all the best illustrations to the " Original Papers " of the Norfolk Archaeological Society, thereby adding greatly to their value.
CHAPTEE XXYI.
AGBICULTUBE IN THE NINETEENTH
CENTUEY.
ODERN agriculture dates from the commencement of the present century. Men of science have recorded in its first chapters their researches on the composition of the atmosphere, on the constituent parts of the soil, and the elements necessary for the nutrition of plants and animals. These subjects in former ages were only matters of theoretical speculation. Now mere theory is superseded by fact, and science is applied to the most useful of all arts — the cultivation of the soil, which is the basis of civilization, and the only sure foundation for the permanent prosperity of any country.
Eastern England presents the aspect of a vast garden, highly cultivated by centuries of human labour, aided by capital and directed by intelligence. The nobility and gentry are the owners of large estates in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire. Agricultural improvements have been carried out to a great extent, and the four counties are the most productive in England. In all of them a similar system of husbandry is adopted with variations required by differences of soil. Essex appears to take the lead, and grows the best wheat, Suffolk and Norfolk the best barley.
The total number of acres in England and Wales is said to be about 37,000,000. Of this quantity about 14,000,000 are under tillage. The total annual value of the produce of England and Wales is about £142,000,000; and according to the census of 1851 not less than 1,860,000 persons were engaged in agricultural and horticultural pursuits. Norfolk ranks the fourth in territorial extent as compared with other counties in England, and eighth as to population. While there are by measurement 1,295,440 acres, there are supposed to be 1,045,760 acres under cultivation. The number of assessable acres is 1,168,807 ; the gross estimated rental is £1,787,822; the rateable value is £1,548,693.
VOL. II. E R
610 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
Norfolk has long been celebrated for the superiority of its agriculture. It was certainly the first county to adopt those theoretical and practical improvements which have recently raised the pursuit of farming in the eyes of the world from a stupid occupation to the dignity of a science. At first practice led the way, and science followed afar off ; but the latter has now overtaken her plodding sister, and even shot ahead by pro- pounding all sorts of strange theories for practice to solve, and has been the pioneer of the greatest revolutions in agriculture. Practice may be slow to move out of her beaten track, and science may be a little visionary, yet they thus exercise* a healthy check upon each other. The two help- mates of agriculture happily go hand in hand, and the fruit of their safe and careful progress shows nowhere a better return than in the naturally barren but well-farmed county of Norfolk. If Norfolk no longer occupies a leading position, it is not because it has dropped behind in the race, but because other counties have pushed forward, and the course of events tends to equalise the arts of cultivation throughout the kingdom. The farming of other counties has wonderfully progressed, and it is always easier to make a start than to keep the lead, but it would puzzle anyone to find another county with its sand, gravels, and thin chalks that annually produce such large supplies of corn, meat, and wool, for our increasing population.
Other parts of the country may be quite as well farmed, and there are many districts in which the occupiers of land save more money, but none in which such a quantity of the necessaries of life are raised by artificial means. At any rate, Norfolk farmers cannot be taxed with having stood still. On the contrary, they have exerted themselves to the utmost to produce food and clothing for this great nation. Less than a century ago Norfolk did not produce enough wheat for its scanty population. It appears that its staple products were rabbits and rye, the cultivation of wheat being entirely confined to the fertile lands in the east of the county, and to the heavy soils in the middle of Norfolk. The turnip had been introduced, but it was cultivated, only in garden patches, or sown broad- cast with little manure.
Mr. Coke was the first to grow the Swedish turnip on a scale equal to the wants of a farm. His sheep were all Southdowns from Sussex, but he had not the merit of selecting them himself. He was visited by some gentlemen from the South of England who found much fault with the Norfolk sheep which then composed his flock, and told him that the Southdowns of Sussex were far more profitable, and bettter adapted to his pastures. He bought 500 on this recommendation, and finding them fully answer his purpose, he got rid of his Norfolks and kept only South- downs. A century ago Norfolk might have been called a vast rabbit
AGEICDLTURB IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 611
warren. In the northern parts wheat was almost unknown. On the whole tract of country which lies between Holkham and Lynn, scarcely an ear was to be seen, and it was not believed that an ear could be made to grow. Now the most abundant crops of wheat and barley wave over the entire district. All this is due to the improvements introduced by Mr. Coke. He converted a barren district into a garden or granary. By his system of farming he contrived to fertilise the soil, and to draw from it abundant crops.
Landowners and farmers left to themselves made few improvements in agriculture till men of science came to their aid. Mechanical science was first applied to the production o£ a variety of machines for all kinds of farming operations, and then chemical science was applied to the produc- tion of manures to fertilise the soil. About the year 1840, practical effect was given to Liebig's discovery that by dissolving bones and other phosphatic substances by means of sulphuric acid, their fertilising pro- perties were made available for the use of the plant by such properties being set free.
By this important discovery, a new direction was given to our previous knowledge. Liebig showed hoiv the elements which the plant required for nutrition should be applied in addition to the previous knowledge of what were the elements. The whole system of modern farming was changed by the introduction of auxiliary manures, one of the most important changes being the more extensive feeding of live stock, thus necessitating a more abundant supply of roots. By the application of chemical manures, forty tons of roots per acre are now grown on some farms in East Norfolk.
For many years after the introduction of guano, this Eastern District was supplied from the Northern Counties, owing to the fact that sulphuric acid, the chief agent for rendering bones and other phosphates available, was made chiefly in the large towns of the North — at Liverpool, Man- chester, and Newcastle-on-Tyne. The fact, however, that coprolites (which are mainly composed of phosphate of lime) exist in very large quantities in the Eastern Counties, seemed to show the wisdom of pro- ducing sulphuric acid in the district containing the phosphates. Several manufactories of this class have therefore arisen in Norfolk and Suffolk, as already noticed. A short description of two of them may be interesting to our agricultural readers. While perambulating the county of Norfolk we had an opportunity of inspecting the Waveney Valley Chemical Works, established by Mr. A. W. Pashley, at Haddiscoe, close to the branch line to Lowestoft, where he carries on an extensive business. Some twenty years since he commenced the manufacture of chemical manures at Harleston, where his trade increased so much that he found it necessary to remove to a more eligible situation for the transit of heavy
612 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
goods, and he chose the vicinity of the River Waveney at Haddiscoe. Any traveller on the line to Lowestoft cannot fail to notice the pile of buildings with the lofty chimney shaft, one of the highest in the Eastern Counties. The main shaft is built on a bog, and stands on piles which were driven down 98 feet by steam power, and the extreme height from the base is 130 feet. It is considered a masterpiece of engineering skill, and is without a parallel in this Eastern district.
The works comprise sulphuric acid chambers, phosphate mills, and other compartments. During our inspection, we first entered the laboratory, where Mr. Pashley gave a brief explanation of the various processes by which he produces sulphuric acid and* other chemicals. He then led us into the pyrites house, and here we observed the men unloading a cargo of Norwegian iron pyrites. In answer to questions, he said this material contained 43 to 44 per cent, of sulphur. It is first passed through the ponderous jaws of Marsden's stone breaker, powerful enough to crush a hundred tons daily. Then it undergoes the operation of burning in furnaces constructed for the purpose, the sulphur contained in the ore being burnt out. The bars of the furnaces are made to revolve, so that the refuse falls to the bottom. The burners are built in sets, and nitrate of soda and acid, over which pass the sulphurous acid fumes thrown out from the burning of the pyrites, drive off the nitrous acid, whilst the sulphate of soda is formed and at intervals it is allowed to run into moulds where it quickly solidifies ; and forms the nitre cake of commerce from which carbonate of soda is made. The gases produced from the burners are conducted by large cast-iron pipes to the leaden chambers, which are composed entirely of a sheeting of lead inside ; externally supported by a timber frame work. These leaden chambers are from a hundred to hun- dred-and-twenty feet in length. Steam is here and there introduced into the chamber, a chemical action takes place, and the sulphurous acid, combining with the oxygen and the nitrous acid, falls to the bottom in the form of an oily substance, called sulphuric acid.
Passing from the acid chambers, we were next conducted to the phosphatic mills, five or six in number. These mills are used for reducing the phosphatic materials to an impalpable powder, preparatory to being acted upon by the sulphuric acid. Adjoining these mills, we noticed Mr. Pashley's new process for softening bones by steam, by which means the phosphates contained in the bones are better adapted for promoting vegetation. Near the mills, we observed large heaps of coprolites from Cambridgeshire, American phosphates, also other phosphates from Sombrero and Estremadura in Spain, for now all countries are made tributary to our agriculture. All these materials, after being ground in the mills before-mentioned, are carried by a Jacob's ladder to the
AGRICULTURE~"lN THE NINETEENTeTcENTURY. 613
" mixing-house," a very important compartment, in which are situated " the mixers." These are, comparatively speaking, simple affairs, consist- ing of a wooden framework and a horizontal shaft, armed with prongs made to revolve at a high speed, so as to mix the phosphate with the sulphuric acid thoroughly. It is taken from a tank by which the work- men in charge measure the quantity. From 50 to 100 tons of super- phosphate can be produced daily. In this process of the manufacture, fumes are given off, which are carried to the shaft, thereby preventing any injurious effect to vegetation. We next proceeded to the part of the building where sulphate of ammonia is produced from the ammoniacal liquor of the neighbouriug gasworks. This is treated in order to obtain ammonia, a very important constituent in manures for cereal crops.
The ammoniacal liquor running into the rivers through towns has been considered a nuisance, but it is now utilised by men of science, and is turned to profitable account in most places. Mr. Pashley brought us to the centre of his works where we saw the large engines which drive all the machinery that is required for the various processes. There we noticed a novel centrifugal pump used for forcing the water into various tanks and boilers on the works, so that there is always a good supply of water in case of fire.
Everything has been done here to save time and labour. We noticed tramways from the main line all through the works, thus affording every facility for loading and unloading goods. In close proximity the river Waveney is available for water conveyance, and there we observed several vessels discharging their cargoes. This is facilitated by a steam hoist, and it is easy to perceive that a spirit of energy and enterprise as well as economy pervades the whole establishment.
There is now a great and increasing demand for these chemical manures, which are found to be important aids to agriculture, all over England and Europe, and the coffee plantations of India. Every day orders are received from the countries bordering on the Baltic, and for Bohemia.
The following is a short description of the general plan of the works of Messrs. Baly, Sutton, & Co., of Eunham, Great Yarmouth. These works are under the chemical superintendence of Mr. Francis Sutton, F.C.S., analytical chemist at Norwich, who is well-known throughout the chemical world by his work on " Volumetric Analysis." Mr. Sutton studied chemistry under the late Dr. Thomas Richardson, F.R.S. (many years pupil of the great Liebig), at the Science School of Durham University in Newcastle-on-Tyne, and he now holds the appointments of Consulting Chemist to the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture, Analyst to the County of Norfolk, Gas Examiner for the City of Norwich, &c, &c.
614 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
The works for the manufacture of sulphuric acid and artificial manures were erected at Runham on the bank of the River Bure, under his plans, and are said to be as complete in arrangement as it is possible to have them. The list of articles manufactured by this firm is as follows : — Sulphuric acid, muriatic acid, nitric acid, superphosphate of lime, and all kinds of manures for special crops, sulphate of ammonia, soluble guano, &c. They are also special makers of sugar cane and sugar beet manures, which they export to the West Indies and to the Continent.
The general plan of construction adopted in these works is as follows :—
1st. A series of large furnaces on the ground-floor for the purpose of burning raw sulphur ore (imported from Spain). The gas which is generated in these furnaces is sent along a horizontal shaft into several large leaden chambers, together with a certain volume of steam, atmospheric air and nitric acid — all these vapors meet together in the chambers and there condense to sulphuric acid, commonly called oil of vitriol, which forms the basis of most of the phosphatic manures in use.
2nd. Powerful mills and crushers for grinding coprolites, sulphur ores, phosphatic guanos and bones, driven by steam.
3rd. Mixing and disintegrating machines for dissolving and pulverising the manures ready for the farmer's use.
4th. Two large boilers, 36 feet long and 6 feet diameter, for generating steam.
5th. Twenty-five horse-power steam engine for working the machinery.
6th. A series of large leaden pans with fires under them for concentrating sulphuric acid.
7th. Large covered stores for warehousing the manufactured manures ; blacksmiths' and carpenters' shops, &c.
The whole of the buildings, machinery, chambers, furnaces, &c, have been erected by Messrs. Baly and Sutton's own workmen, under the direction of their engineer and manager, Mr. William Sutton Gamble, no contractor being employed in any department. Even the 250,000 bricks required for the erection were made upon the land on which the factory is built. This firm send out during the year many thousands of tons of various manures throughout the Eastern Counties, to the West Indies, and the Continent, the quality of all being guaranteed by analysis.
THE AGRICULTURAL RETURNS FOR NORFOLK.
Through the courtesy of Mr. A. W. Fonblanque, of the Board of Trade Statistical Department, we are enabled to lay before our readers some interesting returns as to the agriculture of Norfolk : —
The population of Norfolk is returned as 427,356 ; and the total area in statute
AGRICULTURE IN THE NINETEENTH CENTCJRY. 615
acres, 1,354,301. The number of returns were 18,251 in 1869 ; 16,279 in 1868; and 16,645 in 1867. The total acreage under all kinds of crops, bare fallow and grass, was 1,052,772 in 1869 ; 1,032,223 in 1868 ; and 1,042,143 in 1867, showing a steady and material increase. Of this, 485,712 acres were under corn in 1870; 457,506 in 1868; and 455,063 in 1867— another gradual augmentation. Under green crops there were 205,062 acres in 1869, against 193,656 in 1868, and 200,774 in 1867 ; and of clover, sanfoin, and grasses under rotation, there were only 130,594 acres in 1869, against 155,122 in 1868, and 163,861 in 1867, being a falling-off of 33,266 acres in two years. Permanent pasture or grass (not broken up in rotation), exclusive of heath, was returned in 1869 as 222,943 acres, in 1868 as 212,147, and in 1867 as 214,089. The percentage of Corn crops to total acreage under all kinds of crops, bare fallow, and grass, was 46*1 in 1869, 44*3 in 1868, and 43*7 in 1867. The total and proportionate number of live stock is made up to the 25th June in each year; and of horses the return in 1869 was 60,769 as returned by occupiers of land only, being 5*8 in proportion to every hundred acras under crops, bare fallow, and grass. Of cattle there were 93,735 or 8*9 only in 1869, against 104,406 or 10*1 in 1868, and 103,272 or 9-9 in 1867. Of sheep, 807,926 or 767 in 1869; 867,143 or 84-0 in 1868; and 776,333 or 74-5 in 1867. Of pigs, there were 68,777 or 6-5 in 1869, against 98,911 or 9-6 in 1868, and 144,449 or 13*9 in 1867.
The acreage under each kind of corn crop in Norfolk during three years is thus stated : —
1869. 1868. 1867.
Wheat 203,176 205,867 195,253
Barley or bere 193,616 182,697 191,283
Oats 36,645 33,488 32,503
Eye 9,038 6,177 7,482
Beans 16,556 15,362 14,282
Peas 26,681 13,915 14,260
Totals 485,712 457,506 455,063
The acreage under each kind of green crop for similar periods was as follows : —
1869. 1868. 1867.
Potatoes 6,761 5,749 5,163
Turnips and swedes 143,270 149,027 144,607
Mangold 38,441 29,916 35,622
Carrots 815 705 845
Cabbage, kohl rabi, and rape 4,282 2,695 4,177
Vetches, lucerne, or other 11,493 5,564 10,360
Totals 205,062 193,656 200,774
616 HISTORY OF EASTERN ENGLAND.
The acreage under flax, bare fallow (or uncropped arable land), clover,
sanfoin, and grasses (under rotation), and permanent pasture meadow (exclusive of heath), was —
1869. 1868. 1867.
Flax 1,023 863
Bare fallow 7,438 12,929 8,356
Grass under rotation 130,594 155,594 163,861
Permanent grass..... 222,943 212,147 214,089
Of the 60,769 horses returned for 1869, we find that 8075 were under two years of age, and 52,694 above that age. The cattle returns for three years are —
1869. 1868. 1867.
Cows and heifers in milk or calf 27,461 28,032 27,289 Other cattle, two years of age
or above 34,798 41,011 40,989
Under two years of age 31,476 35,363 34,994
Totals 93,735 104,406 103,272
The statistics for sheep are thus comprised : —
1869. 1868. 1867.
One year old and above 476,287 510,859 454,388
Under two years old 331,639 356,284 321,945
Totals 807,926 867,143 776,333
|
Those for pigs as under : — |
||
|
1869. |
1868. |
1867. |
|
68,777 |
98,911 |
144,449 |
These latter statistics show a diminution of 30,134 pigs in 1869, and 45,538 in the preceding year, making during the two years a decrease of 75,672 pigs.
We had for several years many opportunities of observing the social state of the people in East Anglia, their characteristics, manners, and customs. Some of the nobility and gentry live on large estates in splendid style, but most of the proprietors hold small divisions of land. There are not many large farms over 1000 acres, but there are a good many large farmers who hold several farms. Most of the farmers occupy from 200 to 500 acres, and they all farm according to the Norfolk system, as carried out by the tenants of Lord Leicester. In many instances the farmers of this class are descendants of farmers of several generations who cultivated the same farms under the same" race of owners.
The large farmers are of course very well off and live like princes, especially in Norfolk and Suffolk. More than half the farms in the two
AGRICULTUEE IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 61?
counties are under 300 acres and above 100 acres, and the tenants generally live well in average seasons. There is a lower rank of occupiers, with holdings of from twenty to fifty acres, and even those farmers make farming a profitable occupation. The lowest ranks of all from two to twenty acres have a hard struggle to live. The land can scarcely be said to be farmed, and the occupiers have neither the means nor the skill to rise out of their difficulties.
The high system of farming demanded by the present times requires every improvement to be applied, and a larger amount of capital to be laid out on the soil. A strong feeling has for some time existed among intelligent farmers in favour of a more general system of tenant right. If they are to meet universal competition, the landlords must give them a fair chance. If landlords decline to grant long leases, then they should make such improvements as are required on many estates. The farm buildings on the continent are far superior to those in East Anglia, and unless improvements are made, farmers will have as much chance in com- petition as the stage coach with the railway train.
Farmers form a numerous middle class in the Eastern Counties, and many of them are wealthy men. The richest are in Norfolk, where about 5000 of them employ labourers at low wages. They pay high rent and rates and cannot afford to pay high wages, nor to employ so many men as should be working on the land. Farmers have become too numerous in these Eastern Counties, and their competition with each other raises rents. Many young farmers should emigrate to countries where land is cheap and where they would soon become landowners. The competition of young farmers for farms is one cause of the evils in the social system of East Anglia.
The old feudal laws in reference to land are sources of great social evils. The manner in which land has been tied up by entail has caused a difficulty in selling it. As the privileged class of landowners continued to die out, their estates instead of being brought into the market, accumulated in the hands of survivors. In consequence of this feudal fatality, merchants, farmers, and traders were prevented from purchasing a few acres and planting their families among the lords of the soil. The same cause which has converted small estates into large ones has pre- vented the labourers from having any chance of rising into small farmers or of improving their condition.
Millions of acres of commons and waste lands have been enclosed in this present century under private Acts of Parliament, and so far as we are allowed to know (from reports of the Inclosure Commissioners), all such land has been appropriated after the rate of one acre among the many poor, and one hundred and sixty-nine acres among the few neigh-
618 HISTORY OP EASTERN ENGLAND.
bouring landlords and the lord of the manor. The Commissioners allege that this proportion is just, because all the poor people have suffi- cient gardens already. Not that the poor people say so, but landlords and landlord legislators and their Commissioners say so. And then the poor can have only their one acre at an annual rental, while the land- owners can sell his hundred and sixty-nine acres as freehold.
How many million acres have been so appropriated it is very difficult to ascertain. Almost every year in this century, Inclosure Acts have been obtained for places in Norfolk and Suffolk. In 1843, Lord Worsley moved for and the House of Commons ordered a return of inclosure s made by private Acts of Parliament since 1801, with the acreage of each. A return was made, but not as ordered. For whereas 2000 such inclosure s were specified, the acreage of 633 of that number was not stated. Why " was it not stated ? Because the private acts gave not a specified, but an undefined acreage. To whom ? To members of the legislating class, and people will suspect in many if not in most instances to themselves.
This selfish policy has led to a social revolution in the Eastern Counties, and indeed in all other counties. While production has been increasing, wealth accumulating, and rents rising, the population of the rural dis- tricts in East Anglia has been decreasing at the rate of ten thousand in ten years. And now we see a revolt of the labourers against the oppres- sion of their employers. A general union of all the poor men has been formed to raise their low wages and to keep them out of the Union-house. Thousands have emigrated to America, and thousands more are about to sail for the new world, where labour is sure of an ample reward. This is the only remedy for the social evils of an over-populated country. When men are too numerous on the ground, wages will be low ; when men become scarce, wages will be high ; and already there is a general rise of wages all over the Eastern Counties.
Here we must bring this first History of Eastern England to a close. Well-known county historians and many local publications are the chief authorities for the Narratives of Events, Memoirs of County Families and Eminent Men. We have acknowledged our obligations to several gentle- men, especially the Rev. J. Gunn, the Rev. R. Hart, and R. Fitch, Esq., for their consent to the free use of their valuable papers.
TOPOGRAPHICAL INDEX TO VOL. I.
Abbeys in Essex, 101 — 433 „ Cambridgeshire, 435
Norfolk, 438 „ Norwich, 246 Suffolk, 439
Acle, 185
Aldborough, 313
Aldeby, 219
Ampton, 375
Arminghall, 213
Ardleigh, 76
Ashby, 195
Attleborough, 153
Attlebridge, 197
Audley End, 98
Aylsham, 203
Blofield, 183
Becontre, 52
Bedford Level, 136
Barstable, 52
Barking, 56
Brent Avood, 58
Broxbourne, 90
Bishop Stortford, 93
Brothercrop, 176
Bishop's Thorpe, 183
Brandeston, 184
Bacton, 189
Blickling, 205
Brarnerton, 214
Bracon Ash, 216
Brooke, 219
Burgh Wheatacre, 220
Blundeston, 330
Beccles, 335
Bungay, 337
Bramford, 349
Bradfield, 366
Bury St. Edmund's, 367
Brandon, 376
Bell House, 39
Bosmere Hall, 350 Barking Hall, 350 Barton House, 375 Burlingham, 184 Buckingham Ferry, 184
Cambridgeshire, General Description of, 101 to 109
Cambridge, 109
Cambridge University, 112
Cambridge Colleges, 124
Carleton Eode, 217
Carlton ColviUe, 330
Catton, 200
Caister, 193
Cantley, 185
Castle Rising, 173
Castle Acre, 173
Carlton, 217
City of Ely, 128
Chelmsford, 44—61
Clavering, 47
Chafford, 53
Coggeshall, 67
Chesterford, 100
Clackclose, 148
Cromer, 21 0
Cossey, 198
Colchester, Description of, 69 to 77 „ History of, 70
„ Parishes of, 71
,, Public Buildings, 76
Dengie, 43
Dunmow, 48
Down Hall, 39
Dale Hall, 39
Downham Market, 149
Dereham, 162
Drayton, 198
Depwade, 224
Ditchingham, 223
Denton, 227
Diss, 231
Diss, 233
Dunwich, 316
Eastern England, General Description of, 9 to 21
Edmonton, 87
Elsenham, 94
Ely, City of, 128
Enfield, 87
Essex, General Description of, 33 to 3D
620
INDEX.
Eynsford, 165
Elmham, 165
East Harling, 155
East Flegg, 193
Eccles, 192
Earsham, 226
East Carlton, 217
Ellingliam, 220
Eye, 356
Felminghani Hall, 346
Flora of East Anglia, 21
Fauna of Eastern England, 24
Fishes of Norfolk and Suffolk, 29
Freshwell, 46
Forest Bed in Norfolk, 140
Forehoe, 158
Freebridge Lynn, 173
„ Marshland, 174
Fakenham, 167 Fersfield, 231 Felixstow, 312 Fritton, 331 Framlingham, 343 Framlingham Castle, 478 Geology of Eastern England, 9 Grimshoe, 149 Guiltcross, 154 Gallow, 166 Gunton, 206 Geldostone, 220 Gillingham, 221 Gipping, 352 Hickford, 45 Haveringatte Bower, 45 Harwich, 78 Harlow, 91 Hill Hall, 39 Heydon, 39 Hingham, 161 Houghton, 167 Holkham, 171 Hunstanton, 172 Hillington St. Mary, 174 Happing, 190 Horsford, 199 Horsham, 199 Holt, 202 Heydon, 207
Hundreds in South Norfolk, 213 Henstead 213 Hurnbleyard, 217 Hethersett, 218 Haddiscoe, 221
Hales, 222
Howe, 222
Harleston, 229
Halesworth, 340
Haughley, 355
Hoxne, 357
Hardleigh, 358
Honington, 376
Hundreds in Essex, 40 to 55
„ Cambridgeshire, 108
Norfolk, West, 148
„ Norfolk, East, 183
Norfolk, North, 197
„ Norfolk, South, 213
Suffolk, 319 Ilfold, 56 Ingatestone, 61 Ingham, 190 Ickworth, 367
Ipswich, Description of 302 to 309 Kenninghall, 155 Kimberley, 161 Kirby Bedon, 213 Keswick, 217 Ketteringham, 218 Kentwall HaU, 362 Kingdoms of Essex and East Anglia,
410 Kings of Essex, 410 Kings of East Anglia, 411 Kirby Cane, 221 Lexden, 41 Linton, 127 Littleport,'131 Launditch, 164 Ludham, 191 Letheringsett, 202 Loddon, 222 ' Langley, 222 Landguard Fort, 310 Lowestoft, 322 Lavenham, 365 Livermere, 375
Lynn Regis, General Description of, . 176 to 182 Maldon, 84 Manningtree, 77 March, 131 Martham, 196 Mellis, 355 Melford, 362 Melton Constable, 202 Mendham, 227
INDEX.
621
Mendlesham, 357
Merton, 157
Metficld, 228
Mesner Hall, 39
Midland Towns and Parishes in Suffolk,
349 Mildenhall, 378 •Mitford, 162
Monastic Institutions in Essex, 101 Monasteries in Essex, 434
„ Cambridge, 436
Norfolk, 439
„ Norwich, 246
„ Yarmouth, 271
„ Lynn, 175
% ■ „ Suffolk, 296
„ Ipswich, 304
Bury, 367 of the Middle Ages, 431
„ Dissolution of the, ii. 85
Moreton-on-the-Hill, 165 Morningthorpe, 225 Mundesley, 208 Names of Places in Essex, 385
„ Cambridgeshire, 385
„ Norfolk, 386
„ Suffolk, 390
Nayland, 359 Needham Market, 349 Newmarket, 125 Newport, 95 Norfolk, General Description of, 139 to
359 Norman Castles, 477 North Erpingham, 208 North Greenhoe, 168 North Walsham, 187 Norwich, General Description of, 235
to 268 Ormesby Pakefield, 322 Quenden, 94 Quidenham, 156 Eackheath, 200 Eaynham, 168 Eedenhall, 229 Eochford, 43 Eollesby, 195 Eomford, 57 Koydon, 90 Koyston, 232 Saffron Walden, 95 Salhouse, 201
Sandringham, 175
Scole, 231 .
Shelton, 225
Sherringham, 209
Shottesham, 216
Shrubland Park, 350
Sider strand, 210
Smithdon, 172
Somerton, 196
Somerleyton, 331
South Walsham, 186
Southwold, 319
Southend, 82
Spixworth, 201
Sprowston, 200
Stanstead, 93
Stokesby, 195
Stowmarket, 350
Stratton, 224
Stratford, 55
Strum pshaw, 194
Sudbury, 363
Suffolk, General Description of, 293 to
331 Surlingham, 214 Sutton, 92 Swaffham, 158 Topography of Essex, 33
„ Cambridgeshire, 101
Norfolk, 139 Suffolk, 293 Towns of Essex, 55
„ Cambridgeshire, 109 Towns and Parishes in West Norfolk,
149 Towns and Parishes in East Norfolk,
183 Towns and Parishes in South Norfolk,
213 Towns and Parishes in North Norfolk,
197. Towns and Parishes in East Suffolk, 302 Midland Towns and Parishes in Suffolk,
349 Towns and Parishes of West Suffolk,
358 Tendring, 40 Thurstable, 42 Tottenham, 86 Thorney Abbey, 135 Thetford, 150 Tunstead, 187 Taverham, 197, 199
622
INDEX.
Trimmingham, 208 Tasburgh, 224 Tivetshall, 231 Uttlesford, 46 "Wonstree, 41 Witham, 45 Walthani, 49 Witham, 64 Walton-on-the-Naze, 84 Walthamstow, 86 Waltham Abbey, 88 Waterbeach, 127 Wisbeach, 132 Whittlesey, 136 Way land, 156 Watton, 157
Wymondham, 159
Walsingham, 168
Walsinghani, 169
Walsham, 185
West Flegg, 193
Westwick, 187
Winterton, 196
Wroxham, 201
Whitlinghaui, 213
Walton, 311
Wickham Market, 342
Woodbridge, 346
Wivenhoe Hall, 39
Yarmouth, General Description of, 270
to 292 Yoxford, 358
HISTOEICAL INDEX TO VOLS. I. AND II.
Aborigines of East Anglia, i. 34, 103,
146, 295
Affrays Between the Monks and Towns- men, i. 546 Agriculture of East Anglia, i. 393, 401, 508, 557, 601 ; ii. 2, 22, 148, 267, 329 Albini Family, ii. 142 Alfred the Great, his reign, i. 422 Ancestors of County Families, i. 470 Ancient British Period, i. 391 to 407 Ancient Walls of Norwich, ii. 75
„ of Yarmouth, ii. 275
Anglo Saxons in East Anglia, i. 35, 107,
147, 296, 408, 409, 453 Anglo Saxon Monarchy, i. 420
„ Names of Places, i. 384
„ Manners and Customs, i.
453 „ Monasteries, i. 431
„ Agriculture, i. 447
Antiquities of East Anglia, i. 75, 275, 394, 405, 477 ; ii. 57
Artists of Norwich, ii. 608
Astley Family, ii. 142
Athelstan, his reign, i. 423
Bacon Family, i. 535
Barons, their Wars, i. 495 Barons and Baronets of Essex, i. 39 to 98 „ „ of Norfolk, i. 155
to 174 „ „ of Suffolk, i. 331
to 375 Bardolph Family, ii. 53 Bedingfield „ ii. 112 Berne y „ ii. 251
Bigod Family, i. 476, 512, 540, 554 Bishops of East Anglia, i. 430 Bishops of Norwich, i. 487, 490, 538,
578, 588; ii. 5, 21, 95, 110, 136,
140, 141, 198, 232, 241, 277, 285,
289, 380, 526 Boadicea, Queen, her Revolt, Battles,
and Defeat, i. 399 Boileau Family, ii. 339 Boleyn „ ii. 56 Bozun „ i. 534 Brampton „ ii. 146 Bulwer „ ii. 338 Buxton „ ii. 339 Castles in Eastern Counties, i. 477, 478,
480, 481, 482 Charles L, his reign, ii. 164 to 195
INDEX.
623
Charles II., his reign, ii. 222 to
231 Charters to Colchester, i. 70 „ Harwich, i. 78 „ Maldon, i. 84 „ Chelmsford, i. 44 „ Cambridge i. 536 to 543
Norwich, i. 495, 536. 549 „ Yarmouth, i. 277, 536, 546 „ Lynn, i. 178 „ Ipswich, i. 536 to 583 „ Bury, i. 536 Canute, his reign, i. 424 Cathedral of Norwich, i., 245 Cathedral of EJy, L, 128 Churches of East Anglia i. 484 to 486 "Church Architecture, ii. 57 Christianity introduced into East Anglia,
i. 428 Clere Family, ii. 238 Coke Family, ii. 334 Commonwealth, ii. 210 to 213 County Families, i. 510 to 605; ii., 34
to 340 Cromwell, his reign, ii. 201 to 206 Danes in East Anglia, i. 416 Danish Kings in East Anglia, i. 424 De Grey Family, ii. 251 De Warrenne Family, i., 518 De Vaux Family, i. 532 Dreadful Plagues in East Anglia, i. 544 Dreadful Inundations in Norwich, i. 580 Dukes of Norfolk, i. 427 Dunwich Besieged, i. 497 Earls of East Anglia, i. 427 Egbert (Anglo-Saxon), his reign, i. 421 Ethelwulf, „ „ „ i. 421
Ethelbald, „ „ „ i. 422
Ethelbert, „ „ „ i. 422
Ethclrcd I., „ „ „ i. 423
Edmund I., „ „ „ i. 423
Edred „ „ „ i. 423
Edwy „ „ „ i. 423
Edward I. (Saxon) „ „ i. 423 Edward II. „ „ „ i. 423
Ethelred II. „ „ „ i. 423
Edmund II. „ „ „ i. 424
Edward III. „ „ „ i. 424
Edward I. (Norman), „ „ i. 553 Edward II. „ „ „ i. 575
Edward III. „ „ „ i. 580
Edward IV., „ „ ii. 14
Edward V., „ „ ii. 18
Edward VI. „ „ ii. 96
Elizabeth, her reign, ii. 113
Erpingham Family, i. 509
East Anglian Kings and Kingdom,
i. 411 Eastern Counties Elections, i. 551, 554 Essex Elections, ii., 214, 215, 223, 400,
418, 422, 430, 439, 443, 444, 458,
477, 493 Elections for Colchester, ii. 214, 223,
400, 418, 422, 430, 438, 439, 443,
445, 458, 477 Elections for Cambridge, ii. 365, 405,
418, 430, 438, 443, 444, 458, 477 Elections for Cambridgeshire, ii. 422,
430, 438, 443, 444, 446, 459, 477 Elections for Norfolk, i. 551 j ii. 101,
110, 135, 197, 212, 213, 235, 239,
246, 275,277/285, 310, 311, 315,
317, 362, 367, 375, 377, 479, 384,
394, 398, 416, 417, 421, 430, 438,
443, 445, 458, 477, 497, 499 Elections for Norwich, ii. 321, 367
368, 371, 377, 384, 394, 396, 398,
403, 417, 429, 430, 438, 441, 443,
445, 448, 458, 476, 491, 499 Elections for Yarmouth, ii. 377, 384,
399, 404, 430, 438, 443, 445, 458,
477 Elections for Lynn, ii. 399, 404, 417,
421, 430, 438, 443, 446, 458, 477 Elections for Thetford, ii. 399, 404,
417, 421, 430, 438, 443, 446, 458 Elections for Suffolk, ii. 399, 404, 417,
421, 430, 438, 444, 458, 446, 493 Elections for Ipswich, ii. 399, 404, 418,
430, 438, 444, 458, 446 Elections for Bury St. Edmund's, ii
399, 404. 430, 438, 444, 446 Elections for Eye, ii. 400, 430 Elections for Harwich, ii. 400, 404, 418,
422, 431, 438, 439, 444, 446, 459 Elections for Maldon, ii., 400, 422, 431,
439, 444, 446, 459, 478
Essex Peers, i. 39, 98
Essex Kings, i. 410
Eminent Men of East Anglia — Twelfth Century, i. 518 to 535 Thirteenth ,, i. 560 to- 573 Fourteenth „ i. 603 to 605 Fifteenth „ ii. 34 to 56 Sixteenth ,, ii. 135 Seventeenth „ ii. 252 Eighteenth „ ii. 407 Nineteenth „ ii. 507
624
INDEX.
Education from the 12th to the 19th century, ii. 568
Fastolff Family, i. 605
Flemish Refugees in Eastern Counties,
Fountaine Family, ii., 340 [i. 495
George I., his reign, ii. 274 to 276
George EL, „ ii. 278 to 384
George III., „ ii. 309 to 381
George IV., „ ii. 383 to 394
Harhord Family, ii. 337
Hare Family, ii. 49
Harling Family, ii. 52
Henry I., „ i. 488 to 496
Henry II., „ i. 496 to 503
Henry III., „ i. 542 to 552
Henry IV., „ ii. 1 to 4
Henry V., „ ii. 4 to 6
Henry VI„ „ ii. 6 to 11
Henry VII., „ ii. 21
Henry VIII., ,, ii. 72 to 84
Hervey Family, ii. 292
Hobart Family, ii. 251
Holland Family, ii. 147
Howard Family, ii. 34
Iceni, Aborigines of East Anglia, i. 146, 295, 393 to 401
Invasions of the Eomans, i. 391
„ Anglo-Saxons, i. 408
„ Danes, i. 416
„ Normans, i. 456
James I., his reign, ii. 153 to 1G1
James II., his reign, ii. 234 to 241.
Jews in Towns of the Eastern ('■ ties, i. 477
Jews, their Settlements in Eastern Counties, i. 502
John, his reign, i. 536 ; he grants Charters to Towns in Eastern Coun- ties, i. 537 ; his Tyranny, 538 ; Con- federacy of the Barons against him, 539 ; he besieges Framrihgham Castle, 539, 540; he sojourns at Lynn, 541 ; he dies at Newark, 542
Jerningham Family, ii. 110
Keppel Family, ii. 337
Le Strange Family, i. 524
Long Family, ii. 340
Lovell Family, ii. 57
Lucy Family, i. 570
Mary, her reign, ii. 103 to 110
Middle Ages, Antiquities of, ii. 57
Monasteries, i. 431
Mortimer Family, i. 529
Mowbray Family, i. 603
Names of Places, their origin, i. 383 to 390
Narrative of Events in the Roman
Period, i. 391 to 407. Ditto, Anglo Saxon Period, i. 408 to 454 „ Anglo Norman Period, i. 456 to 476 „ 12th Cenhiry, i. 488 to 492 „ 13th Century, i. 536 to 575 „ 14th Century, i. 575 to 605 „ 15th Century, ii. 1 to 77 „ 16th Century, ii. 78 to 110 „ 17th Century, ii. Ill to 269 „ 18th Century, ii. 271 to 357 „ 19th Century, ii. 359 to 618
Newton Family, ii. 146
Nonconformists in East Anglia, ii. 154, 256 to 286
Norfolk Peers, i. 155 to 174, 198, 202, 205, 206
Norman Antiquities, i. 477 to 487
Normans in Eastern Counties, i. 456 to
Palgrave Family, ii. 251 [477
Paston Family, ii, 251 ; ii. 560
Peers of Norfolk, i. 155 ; of Suffolk, i. 331 to 375
Peers of Essex, i. 39
Ratcliffe Family, ii. 45
Eoedham Family, i. 532
Romans in Eastern Counties, i. 396 to 405
Roman Antiquities i. 405 to 407.
Richard I., his reign, i. 504 to 535
Richard II., „ i. 589 to 605
Richard III. „ ii. 18 to 19
Sharnborne Family, i. 534
Southwell „ i. 44
Spelman „ ii. 145
Stephen, his reign, i. 493 to 496
St. Omer Family, i. 534
Suffolk Peers, i. 346, 367, 376
Talbot Family, i. 534
Tony Family, i. 573
Townshend Family, ii. 304
Trinobantes in Essex, their Kings, i. 402
Trusbutt Family, i. 573
Victoria, her reign, ii. 409 to 611
Walpole Family, ii. 295
William I., his reign, i. 456
William II., „ i. 476
William III., „ ii. 243
WiUiam IV, „ ii. 394
Windham Family, ii. 144
Wodehouse Family, ii. 251
Yelverton Family, ii. 55
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