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A HISTOfty or NEWPORT PAONCLL.

»r :

• »

.^'

A HISTORY

NEWPORT PAGNELL.

FREDK. WM. BULL,

Author of " History of Kettering."

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS.

r O • • •

a . * •* •

■' ^.

• «

a •••»•»»■' *

KBTTERING :

W. E. & }. GOSS, Printers and Publishers

1900.

^*7

T«l HEW y.ft

HIBUC LIBRARY

455666A

*»rOII. tEKOJC AND
T1U>BM PUJNB*riOMS

PREFACE.

THE casual visitor to the market town of Newport Pagneli,
situate in the Three Hundreds of Newport and in the
Northern part of the County of Buckingham, will perhaps not
see anything which will specially impress upon him the fact
that it is a place with historic associations.

But to those who know something of the Metropolis of North
Bucks, as the town is sometimes called, or are interested in the
years that are gone, the aspect is different.

To such the names of Tickford Street and Priory Street are
suggestions of the old time Priory ; St. John's Street reminds
them of the existence of the Hospital by the bridge, formerly
dedicated to Saints John the Baptist and Evangelist, now called
Queen Ann's ; the Castle Meadow recalls the memories of feudal
lords and their strongholds ; the numerous Inns can almost be
claimed as evidence of the large old time coaching importance
of the town ; the mounds which not so very many years since
were to be seen in the still open common, Bury Field, were
forcible reminders of the fortifications of the Civil War ; the
rivers even are indicative of the need for bridges and suggest
that those aids to civilization have a history of their own ;
while the stately Church, with its beautiful churchyard stretching
down to the Lovat, assists them in picturing for themselves the
old time town.

It is with the hope, therefore, of interesting those who are
thus receptive that this volume has been compiled.

During a period of more than twelve years the collection
of material has been gradually made from public, local, and
private records, and although it is not by any means claimed
that the result is exhaustive, very much fresh information, some
inaccessible till lately, has come to light, and many items already
made public by the Histories of Mr. Joseph Staines, Mr. Joseph
Simpson, and others, have been amplified.

vi. Preface.

That the book is free from errors of transcription, translation,
or compilation, is too much to expect, but every care has fiecD
taken to verify the information given, and as (ar as possible
the authorities and records relied on have been quoted.

It would have been impossible to have obtained the mass of
information to hand if it had not been for the extreme courtesy
and willingness with which correspondents and others have
accorded access to, or furnished extracts from, the various records
in their charge, and although it is almost invidiou!^ to name those
who have thus so materially assisted, it is only right that thanlc»
should be publicly accorded to H. Gough, Esq., Sandcrolt, Red-
hill, for the loan of many valuable manuscripts and for extracts
forwarded (n»n his topofjra^ihical collections; to the Kcv. C. M.
Ottley, Vicar of Newport, for much information as to th<- Church
and its registers, the Charities, and other matters , to the New-
port Urban District Council for access to the local nrords under
their control ; to F. Allfrey, Esq., of Newport, for particulars with
reference to the Charities and Church plate ; to William Ayers,
Esq., for his article on the lace trade ; and to Misers. \V 15 aiul
W. R. Bull, of Newport, for valuable manorial and othi r iiirurinalioii.

FREDK. WM. BULL.

RiSDENE, Kettering,
36tk Novimber, igoo.

CONTENTS.

Vll.

Part I.
The Town and Manor.

Chap.

I. The Town ...
II. The Manor ...

Page.
I

Part II.

TiCKFORD

Part III.
Ecclesiastical History.

Newport Church and Its Chantry

100

II.

List of Vicars

117

III.

Chantry Priests

123

IV.

Church Registers

135

Churchwardens' Account

127

VI.

Mural and Other Monuments ...

129

VII.

The Bells

Part IV.
The Nonconformists.

i3«

The Society of Friends

133

II.

The Independents

- 138

III.

Newport Pagnell Theological College ...

148

IV.

The B^tists ...

150

The Methodists and Plymouth Brethren

154

V111.

Chap.

Contents.

Part V.

The Civil War

Page.
155

Part

VI.

Notables.

The Bridges

...

• ■ • •

169

II.

Caldecot

...

»•• •

175

III.

Bury Field and Port Field ...

I • • •

179

IV.

Newport Hundreds ...

• • •

• • • •

188

The Lace Trade

. • •

• . • . ■

195

VI.

An Old Bailiff's Account

• • > <

1 • » ■ ■

198

VII.

The Newport Press ...

...

• * . .

202

VIII.

The Elementary Schools

... •

. « . ■

204

IX.

Tokens and Medals ...

• * . 1

. • .4

207

Two Old Wills

Part

. « . •

VII.

• . . •

209

Endowments and Charities.

I. The Hospital now known as Queen Ann's
11. Town Lands
III. Other Charities and Endowments

212

234

247

Part VIII.
Biographical Sketches

276

IX.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Views in and about Newport Pagnell ... Frontispiece

High Street— Tickford End— The Church— Old and New Queen
Ann's Hospitals — Iron Bridge — Town Hall. From Author's
Photographs.

Page.

Newport Pagnell from Old Sketches and Prints i6

The views of the Swan and Old Mill are photographed from
water colours, which were based on sketches made, about 1825,
by John Burn. The Church exterior is from a water colour by J.
Goodwin, about 1830, while the Church interior and High Street
are from lithographs published by Messrs. Simpson and Son.

The Town from the North Bridge and from Bury

X^ 1 V-* -| * ... ••. a*. ... ... ... ^\J

From sketches by Hugh Wallis.

The Mill (burnt 1880) ... ... ... ... 24

Sketch by Hugh Wallis, from a photograph.

Plan of the Manorial Boundaries, 1806 ... ... 50

Reduced from a tracing of the original.

Sir Francis Annesley ... ... ... ... 54

From an old print, published by E. Jeffery, 1809.

Seal of Gervase Paganell ... ... ... 66

From Dugdale's Monasticon.

112

Seal of Tickford Priory ... ... ... 8i

From sketch of impression at British Museum.

Ruins of Tickford Priory

From sketch by Willis, circa 1703, in Bodleian Library.

View of Church from Tickford Bridge ...

From engraving, published August, 1809, drawn by J. Storer for
the Antiquarian and Topographical Cabinet.

Views in and about Newport Pagnell ... ... 123

St. John Street— Hamilton's Tomb— Near the North Bridge—
The Church from Tickford Bridge — Feoffee Almshouses — Revis'
Almshouses — Christie's School House. From the Author's
Photographs.

X. Illustrations.

Pa(H.

Arms formerly in the Church ... ... ... 130

Redrawn from roagh ikctch at the Bodleian Library.

Views of Old Independent Chapel, Manse, and

Beatv Almshouses ... ... ... ... 143

Drawn by Hogh WallU from pttotog^apb* and UlboKrapb.

'-17

View of the present Independent Chapel

Prom a photograph, the block being kindly lent by Kev. S. J. Evam.

Philip Skippon ... ... ... ... ... 156

Prom an oM print.

Newport Pagnel ... ... ... ... '... iji

Prom an old print, " Engraved by T. Tuge from an Orijiinal

TicKFORD Bridge ...

Queen Ann's Hospital, 1825— 1891 ... ... 228

Sketch by Hugh Wallis from phntoirraph.

Arthur Anneslev, Earl op Anglesey ... ... 276

Prom a print, which in its turn was taken " from an original
picture in the collection of Praneis Anncsley Esqr."

The Honble. James Anneslev Esqr. ... ... 278

From print forming the irontispiecc <if " The Trial at Bar between
Campbell Craig, Lessee of James Anncsley, Esq. ; plaintilT, And
the Right Honourable Richard, Earl of Anglesey, Defendant. . .
London .... 1744."

Rev. William Bull ... ... ... ... 280

Prom photograph of oil portrait by Wildman.

Rev. Thomas Palmer Bull ... ... ... 282

From print pablished July, 1817.

Rev. Richard Carpenter ... ... ... 284

FVom print in his " Experience, Historic, and Divinilie," London,
iCya. Immediately under the print are the words, "jCtatis sua:
33," and, in addition to a quotation from the Psalms, " W,
Marshall sculpsit, 1641."

ADDENDUM.

Page 203. In August, 1832, the Independent Meeting Sunday
School Anniversary Hymns bear the imprint " Newport Pagnell :
Printed by G. Williams, Bpokseller, etc.," while a booklet of a
similar nature for November, 1833, bears the imprint "Newport:
Printed by E. Crick, John Street. MDCCCXXXIII."

HISTOK/ or NEWPOKT P30NELL.

Part I.

THE TOWN AND MANOR

CHAPTER I.
The Town.

WHETHER Newport Pagnell — or rather Newport, as it was
originally called — owes its origin to the decay of a
town or village called Bonestou, some two or three miles to the
north of it, as legend says, it is now impossible to state. The
word Newport 1 means, however, "New town," so that it is at
any rate within the bounds of possibility that it was so named
in distinction to some former town which either existed on its
site or in its vicinity.

There is no distinct note to be found which connects the
Danes with Newport, but as it was probably in existence in
921, when those marauders came from Northampton and Leicester
to attack Towcester, and, being unsuccessful in their aims, went
off ravaging towards Aylesbury, it is quite likely that they put
in an appearance at Newport itself.

Probably, too, in loio, they paid Newport a visit, when, among
other counties, they overran Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire.^

In connection with speculation as to the remote antiquity of
Newport, the recent discovery of an ancient burial-ground,
whilst digging for gravel on the Tickford Estate, and the finding
there of remains assigned to such differing periods as the Neolithic
and Saxon, is interesting. ^

1 The addition of the word Paynell or Pagnell is due to the fact that subsequent

owners of the Manor were so named.

2 Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Benjamin Thorpe. London, 1861.

3 Bucks Standard, Dec., 1897, and 24th Feb., 1900.

2 History of Newport Pagnell.

In 1897 the first discovery was made, and a skull sent by
Mr. Alfred BuUard to Professor Windle, of Mason's College,
Birmingham, was stated to be of the long narrow type possessed
by a race of the Neolithic period, while flints sent at the same
time — one a well-worked arrow-head, triangular tanged and double
barbed — were also pronounced by the same gentleman to be
clearly Neolithic.

In 1899 ^^^ investigations were continued, and several skeletons
of, it is presumed, Saxons, tc^ether with some double-edged iron
swords and spear heads, found, the swords being at the sides of
the skeletons. With one skeleton — apparently that of a female —
was found a bronze brooch, a bronze .forehead band with heart-
shaped engraved ornaments on each side, an ornamented bronze
band or clip, an iron dagger, and armlets of coloured glass beads
and of a curious make of clay enamelled.

A broken amber-coloured glass goblet was also discovered, and
animal bones and charred wood were found with the other
bones.

The bodies were apparently, says Mr. Bullard, placed in circles,
an inner and outer, the feet all pointing to the centre.

Mr. Bullard thinks the place was a burial-ground in Saxon
times. Perhaps as a result of further investigation the question
may some day be raised as to whether the spot is not the burial-
place of the victims of the Danish inroads.

The Domesday Survey mention of the town is given in the
chapter on Manorial History. There, too, will be found some
account of the various owners of Newport.

Apart, then, from matters concerning Manorial History, the
first incident to be noticed is perhaps the statement that John
was in the town on Monday, 2 February, 1204, and proceeded
to Northampton next day. On 27 September, 1213, too, he came
to Newport from Northampton en route for London. He also
paid a visit on 21 December, 12 15, on his way from Dunstable
to Northampton.

In 1240, and again in 1285, the Justices Itinerant sat at Newport,
while the Assizes were held there in 1241, 1249, and several times
in the reigns of Edward III., Richard II., and other monarchs.

In June, 1224, Henry III., then in his eighteenth year, visited
the town on his way from Northampton to besiege Bedford and
crush Fulk de Breaute. On his arrival at the Castle, which then

The Town. 3

existed at Newport Pagnell, he found that the Royal store of
wines had been left behind^ and a mandate was forthwith directed
to the Sheriff of Northamptonshire requiring him to forward,
without the least delay, the four casks which had been left in
his custody at Northampton Castle.^

On 24 July, 1280, Edward I. passed through Newport on his
way from Leighton to Northampton, and on i October, 13 13,
William Earl of Ross, with his escort, on his way from London
to join the King in Scotland, was there one night. An account
of the Earl's expenses for that day is given in the Scottish
Antiquary (v. 159), as follows : — Bread, 8d. ; wine, 8d. ; beer, i5d. ;
butcher meat, 4d. (?) ; poultry, 5^d. ; young pigeons, 5jd. ; 100
eggs, 4^d. ; herrings, i^d. ; eels and pickerels, 2od. ; musterd for
store, 4d.; vergus, 2d.; gingibo, 3d.; hay for 24 horses, I2d. ;
I qr. 4 bush, oats, 3s ; lard for the crasset, ijd. ; hiring beds, 2d.

One John Marcio, of Newport, was, in 1308, apparently to some
extent in Royal favour, as he was King's Clerk and Chaplain, and
had granted to him, 3 June i, Edward II., the Chaplaincy of
Dover Castle.

On 20 March, 24 Edward III., the King, being in need of men
to assist in his wars, issued an order which included a requisition
to the Bailiffs of Newport to provide two armed men and send
them to Sandwich. 2

In 28 Edward III., the King, anxious that his subjects should
not be defrauded, issued an order as to the price at which flagons
of wine might be sold. The price differed somewhat in seaport
and inland towns, and apparently the town of Newport Pagnell
was notified that a flagon might be sold there at 6d., while at sea-
ports and towns within a given distance therefrom the price was
fixed at 5d.^

The question as to whether there was a Castle at Newport
Pagnell or not is interesting.

Leland in his " Itinerary," of about the middle of the sixteenth
century, writes : " There appere certen Dikis at Newport Panelle
in Bokinghamshire by the Chirche as there had bene a Castelle,"
while in another part of the same work, referring to the Paganel
family, he says : " Tho the Paynelles were Lordes of the Castel of

1 Archaeological Journal, iii., 317. Close Rolls given as authority for statement

2 Rymer's Foedera, Vol. 3, part I., p. 193.

3 Ibid., p. 292, quoting Close Roll, 28 Edward III., mJ.d.

4 History of Newport Pagnell.

Nevi-port Painel in Buckinghamshire! yet they had a great mynde
to lye at Boutheby wher they had a praty Stone House withyn a
Mote.''

Camden too in his " Britannia/' written about the same time,
has the following reference to the town:— "The Ousc runs by
Newport Pagnell so called from the lord of it Fulk Paganel
from whom it descended to the Barons Somerie of Dudley
who had their castle here." ^. :.»'- ---.-.^ C-'""^'" ''* " ^' ^^"^ ."><^^*W7^>

The references to a Castle in the town are unfortunately very aju. ^^
meagre for, with the exception of the statements above given, the .ck«.,>*l;
reference to Henry III. coming to Newport Castle, and a refer-
ence to a curtilage at the southern bridge of Tykeford, near the
curtilage of Richard Terri and abutting towards the Castle Mead,
in a deed^ of about the time of Henry III., no particulars as to the
existence of such a building can be found. No Castle appears to
be mentioned in early extents of the Manor or other documents
relating to the manorial ownership, and if one existed, as on the
whole seems likely, it was probably dismantled at an early date.

It is stated that on 5th October, 1570, at Newport Pagnell,
during the violent tempest that happened throughout the kingdom,
there was a remarkable inundation from a spring at the back of
the Saracen's Head Inn ; at the same time two houses were
thrown down by the shock, and a man and woman crushed to
death by their fall.2

Speaking of the Ouse, Michael Drayton, in his *' Polly Olbion "
(1622), says : —

From Brackley breaking forth, through soiles most hcauenly sweet,

By Buckingham makes on, and crossing Watling Street,

Shee with the lesser Ouze at Newport doth twin,

Which from proud Chiltern neere, comes eas'ly ambling in

The Brooke which on her Banke doth boast that earth alone :

(Which noted) of this He, converteth wood to stone.

That little Aspleyes earth we anciently instile,

Mongst sundry other things, A wonder of the He :

Of which the lesser Ouze oft boasteth in her way,

As shee her selfe with Flowers doth gorgeously array.

In July, 1631,3 the Justices of the Peace for Bucks seem to have
had to make a return as to corn, and accordingly certified that in

1 Ancient Deeds, Record Office, A. 182.

2 Gent. Mag. Liby. English Topography, Bucks, 246.

3 State Papers. Domestic Scries.

The Town. 5

the Three Hundreds of Newport Pagnell there were 1704 quarters
of wheat, and that the price was then lately much abated.

The Civil War broke out in 1642, and the important part which
Newport played in it is related elsewhere.

In 1659 some stir was occasioned by the dispersal of the
Presbyterian Royalists in Cheshire, and the arrest of Sir George
Booth, their leader (who desired to go to London), at Newport.

Mr. John Gibbs seems to have had a part in the matter, for in
"Whitelock's Memorials of English Affairs," under date 24
August 1659, is the following : —

**An Account given to the House by Mr. Gibbs, Minister of
Newport Pagnell in Bucks, of the apprehending of Sir George
Booth, whither he came with four servants, and behind one of
them himself rode in the Habit of a Woman ; but acting that part
not well, he was suspected and, being apprehended and examined,
he confessed himself to be Sir George Booth, and was sent up to
London, and by the Parliament committed to the Tower. He
made applications to many of the Parliament and Council by his
Friends for favour."

A further reference to this matter occurs in the State papers^
where, in a certain examination of John Carter of Newport
Pannel on 7 Jan. 1663, Carter said he went " to ye parish Church
and never had any congregational meeting, but once in his house.
Never had any hande in private collecting of moneys. Sr. G.
Booth was taken in his house."

Sir George was soon released, however, and in 1661 was
created Baron Delamere.

In 1666, the Annus Mirabilis, the plague visited Newport, and
the resultant mortality may be judged from the following state-
ment of burials recorded in the Parish Registers : —

In 1665 (new style) there were buried 37

In 1666 January to

May

June

102

July

257

August

205

September

October

November and December

Total 697

X state Papers, Domestic Series, Charles II. 1664. Vol. 90. No. 41.

6 History op Newport Pagnell.

In 1667 and 1668 (new style) the number of burials was 45 per
year.

The plague was at its height at the end of July, for on the
29th of that month nine persons were buried, on the 30th 19,
and on the 31st 12.

One, Ralph Hope, in a letter written to one, Williamson,
dated Coventrie, August 20th, 1666, says : ** Blessed bee god wee
continue in a very healthfuU condicion here save y^ ye small
pox is some^ breife but wonderfull favorable. Nor any place
in y^ whole County haueing been soe much as suspected all this
sumer of any malignant distemper but in North-hamptonshire y*
sickness rages extreamely. Especially at Peterburrough, Owndle
& Newport Panell in w^^ latter, tho a considerable markett
towne, is not left aboue betwixt 7 & 800 people. One come
from Cambridg this day affirmes y^ ye sickness is soe sore there
y* tis feared most of their harvest will bee vtterly spoyled
for want of workfolks to In it, tho they offer 7s. a day to
labourers."*

As may readily be supposed the plague complicated business
matters extremely, and there are extant particulars ^ of a point
which arose as to who was the heir-at-law of Samuel Coning-
ham of Newport, who, about two years before his death made
a will which he left in the hands of Anthony Potter, his
brother-in-law, and spoke of revoking it could he during the
" great visitation " have sent for it.

Depositions in the matter were taken at Newport Pagnell on
26 March, 1668, 20 Charles II., before Marke Slingsby and
Roger Chapman, Gentlemen, and one of the witnesses made the
following statement : " This Deponent sayth Samuel Cuningham
sayd that he had made a former will but then sayd I doe now
vtterly renounce itt And Disowne it. And Saith that the said
Samuel Could not Conveniently send [to his " brother Potter "]
because the Plague was then very violent in the Towne soe
that noe Person was Suffered to goe out of the Towne. And
that hee dyed when very many of the Inhabitants of the Towne
was visited of the Plague or Pestilence and did revoke and
renounce his former will, the friday before he fell sick, at the
Serracens head in Newport Pagnell. And there was then and

1 State Papers. Domestic Series. Charles II., Vol. 168, No. 57.

2 Exchequer Depositions by Commission. Easter, 20 Charles II., Bucks No. 2.

The Town. 7

there Present besides himself Arthur Johnson the elder and
William Pinge."

One other note there is; for, according to the Mansel M.S., on
a cracked freestone under the lowest window on the North side of
the North Chapel of Great Linford Church is an inscription
commencing with a Greek phrase as to the mortality of mankind
and continuing : — " Here lyeth the Bodies of Richard and Martha
Peter, who as they were here joyned in Marriage, Anno 1636, so
it pleased God to lay them together in this Bed of Mould, Anno
1666, both dying in this parish. She on the 14, He on the 16 of
Sept: being removed from Newport by Reason of a Raging
Plague. Matt. xix. vi."

On 8 June 1668, Samuel Pepys, the famous diary writer, visited
the town on a journey from London via Bedford. The reference
runs "8th. Monday. . . . Pleasant county to Bedford; where
while they stay, I rode through the town; and a good country
town; and there drinking is. We on to Newport; and there I and
W. Hewer [his clerk] to the church, and there give the boy is.
So to Buckingham, a good old town, ... At night to New-
port Pagnell ; and there a good pleasant country town, but few
people in it. A very fair and a like cathedral church ; and I saw
the leads, and a vault that goes far underground ; the town, and
so most of this country, well watered. Lay here well, and rose next
day by four o'clock; few people in the town; and so away.
Reckoning for supper 19s. 6d. ; poor 6d. Mischance to the coach
but no time lost."

In 1675, as well as in 1644, George Fox was, as mentioned else-
where, in Newport.

In 1676 there was a religious census of the province of Canter-
bury. A copy of the returns is preserved in the Salt Library,
Stafford. The inquiry applied only to inhabitants above 16 years
of age, so that it is considered that in order to get an idea of the
population of a place the figures must be doubled.

The Newport Pagnell return is : —

Conformists 905

X apisis *«• •«. ••■ »•§ I

Nonconformists 126

The total of these figures is 1032, which if doubled would be
2064.

In 1685 a remarkable electioneering incident, in which Newport

8 History of Newport Pagnell.

Pagnell played a part, occurred, and the following is the account
of it given by Lord Macaulay in his History of England : —

''Soon after the accession of James II, in the spring of 1685,
the country was agitated by the tumult of a General Election.
No election had ever taken place under circumstances so favour-
able to the Court. Hundreds of thousands whom the Popish Plot
had scared into Whiggism had been scared back by the Rye
House Plot into Toryism. Yet the Whigs though suffering the
just punishment of their errors, though defeated, disheartened, and
disorganised, did not yield without an effort. They were still
numerous among the traders and artisans of the towns and among
the yeomanry and peasantry of the open country. In some
districts, in Dorsetshire for example, and in Somersetshire,
they were the great majority of the population. In the re-
modelled boroughs they could do nothing; but in every county
where they had a chance they struggled desperately. At the
election for Northamptonshire the common people were so violent
in their hostility to the Court candidate that a body of troops was
drawn out in the market place of the county town and was ordered
to load with ball.

" The history of the contest for Buckinghamshire is still more
remarkable. The whig candidate, Thomas Wharton, eldest son
of Philip Lord Wharton, was a man distinguished alike by dexter-
ity and by audacity, and destined to play a conspicuous, though
not always a respectable part in the politics of several reigns. He
had been one of those members of the House of Commons who
had carried up the Exclusion Bill to the Bar of the Lords. The
Court was therefore bent on throwing him out by fair or foul
means. The Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys himself came down into
Buckinghamshire^ for the purpose of assisting a gentleman named
Hacket, who stood on the high Tory interest. A stratagem was
devised which, it was thought, could not fail of success. It was
given out that the polling would take place at Ailesbury; and
Wharton, whose skill in all the arts of electioneering was un-
rivalled, made his arrangements on that supposition. At a
moment's warning the Sheriff adjourned the poll to Newport
Pagnell. Wharton and his friends hurried thither, and found that
Hacket, who was in the secret, had already secured every inn and
lodging. The Whig freeholders were compelled to tie their
horses to the hedges, and to sleep under the open sky in the

The Town. 9

meadows which surround the little town. It was with the greatest
difficulty that refreshments could be provided at such notice for so
large a number of men and beasts, though Wharton, who was
utterly r^ardless of money when his ambition and party spirit
were aroused, disbursed fifteen hundred pounds in one day, an
immense outlay for those times. Injustice seems, however, to
have animated the courage of the stout-hearted yeomen of Bucks,
the sons of the constituents of John Hampden. Not only was
Wharton at the head of the poll, but he was able to spare his
second votes to a man of moderate opinion, and to throw out the
Chief Justice's candidate.

"The general result of the elections exceeded, however, the
most sanguine expectation of the Court, James saying, that with
the exception of about 40 members, the House of Commons was
just such as he should himself have named. And this House of
Commons it was in his power, as the law then stood, to keep to
the end of his reign."

In 1712 Newport was assessed to the land tax at £6/{2 3s. 6d.,

and in 1744 paid £6^2 ^9^* ^^•

The Newport lock-up and stocks were referred to at a Court
held on ist October 1723, the constables being presented "for not
having Locks to ye Cage doors and the Stocks "

A pound on the Green is referred to in one of the Court Rolls,
and another pound on the London Road was in existence till quite
recently.

The presentments of the Jury at these Courts were of some real
importance, and tended to abate all manner of nuisances and in-
fringements of manorial and common rights.

The officials appointed included such personages as constables,
bellmen, leather sealers, flesh tasters, bread and butter weighers,
and ale tasters, and their duties are sufficiently indicated by their
designations.

In 1745 William Duke of Cumberland and his army, whilst on
their march to Scotland, passed a night at Newport.

The soldiers were quartered in the town, the Church being used
as barracks, and the artillery and baggage deposited in Bury field.

The Lathbury bridge at that time was secured by two portals,
both in Lathbury parish, and was only open to passengers in time
of flood (as happened then) upon payment of toll, and the key was
kept by Mrs. Jane Symes, the proprietress of the bridge.

lo History of Newport Pacnrll.

In the morning the Duke sent a messenger for the key, as his
army could not pass the river. Mrs. Symes, however, being a
Jacobite, not only refused to send the key, but ordered her
servants to state that she was in London and had taken it with
her.

The Duke was by no means deceived, and, enraged at the
insult, declared that if any man, woman, or child, would say that
the inhabitants of Lathbury were Papists, he would plant his guns
against it and blow it to atoms.

No declaration to that effect being made, however, after a delay
of over an hour, he ordered his soldiers to break open the gates,
and as they passed along the road they cut to pieces the hedges
and com out of revenge for the delay.

Before Lathbury bridge was built in 1740 by the Rev. William
Symes, of stone brought out of Cambridgeshire, there was a ferry
across the water.i

The following table of tolls from 1750 to 1757 is copied from a
register kept by Henry Uthwatt, Esq. : —

Passengers and Carriages that

pay by the year — 1750

1751
1752

«753

"754

"755
1756

To March 21, 1757

£ s.

38 17

56 3

34 2

30 5

29 15

52 18

27 16

;£285 19 5

Speaking of this bridge, Bray, in his "Tour" of 1783 (p. 374)
says : — *• At the entrance of Newport a causeway has been thrown
up and a bridge built, in a place which used to be impassable in
floods, except by a bridge belonging to a private person, who
extorted what he pleased from the distressed traveller. He
generally insisted on a crown for a coach or waggon before he
would turn the key, and there was no refusal, for the road to
Stony Stratford was not then made. At last the Commissioners

I Mansell MSS.

The Town. ii

of the turnpike road roused themselves, and determined to buy it
for the use of the public, or to build another. The proprietor sold
it with great reluctance. A horse path is now always open, and a
carriage way when there is a flood."

The popular tradition has it that Cannon Comer was so called
in consequence of an old cannon having been left there by the
Duke of Cumberland on his march. The fact is, however, that the
gun was probably a remnant of the Civil War, as by her will
dated 12th May, 1740,^ Tabitha Leverett, of Newport Pagnell,
widow and ironmonger, bequeathed to her son Aquila ''one
shilling in good and lawful money of England and no more but the
iron back that is in the chimney I now live in and the iron gunn
that stands in the street to defend the comer of the house for
standards for ever."

The house, latterly used as a blacksmith's shop, was pulled
down in April, 1844, and the old gun was then sold to one Samuel
Clare, a boatman, of Newport, for old metal.

Under the head of Memorabilia, in the Newport Church Regis-
ters, occurs the following: —

"That on Saturday Jan. 6th. 1776 between 5 and 6 in the
evening it began to snow, and continued to do so till Munday
about the same Time in the evening: On Tuesday morning it
rained from 2 till 4 o'clock, then bei^^an to freeze very hard and
which continued with snow till Fryday when it snow'd the whole
Day and greatest part of the evening, froze very hard and all the
Day after viz Jan. 13 during this Time the wind was North East
and very brisk and which occasioned such Drifts of Snow on the
Roads that it was with great difficulty and Danger that people
could any way pass from one Town to another, no stage Coaches
or other carriages through Newport the whole Time. On Satur-
day Jan. 13 in the evening it began to snow again and continued
till Sunday morning about eleven o'clock, when the Sun shone,
from thence till Saturday the 20th when the Stage Coaches began
to travel and the Frost set in hard, the Sky clear and now and
then a little snow till Thursday evening Feb. ist, when it began
to thaw and the Snow and Ice were chiefly gone Feb. 5th, and
which was very extraordinary without a flood."

At this time great quantities of thread lace were made in the
town and neighbourhood and " a rich cheese sold on the spot at

I Staines' History of Newport Pagnell, p. 153.

12 History of Newport Pagnell.

iSd. a pound and another sort something like Cottenhan at 6d."i

The election of a Town Crier and Watchman is referred to in
the "Northampton Mercury" of 5th April, 1784. "The Candi*
dates were Mr. Pearce, Mr. King and Mr. Blunt ; and the former
was declared duly elected by a very great majority. Mr. Pearce's
Success is attributed to his very strong Attachment to the present
Administration."

There was an election for the County the same month, and
party feeling no doubt was then running high.

The first public reference to the vaccination question at Newport
is perhaps that in which " The Northampton Mercury " recorded
the death, at the end of February 1786, of " Mr. Thomas Smith,
Breeches Maker of Newport Pagnell ; who for many years past
practised Inoculation, and of the great Numbers he had the care
of never lost a single patient. He never undertook the inoculating
any person in Newport, unless the Disorder was already in the
Parish ; and what added still more to his Credit, all that he did
for the poor was gratis."

In December, 1785, a special Show of Horses, Cows, Sheep, and
other Cattle at Newport Pagnell, on 22nd February and 2C)th
August next ensuing, was advertised.

On 29th July, 1787, a Sunday School was opene(^ and "near
300 Children from 6 to 15 years of Age attended and made a very
decent Appearance. The Rev. Mr, Davis, Curate of the Parish,
preached an excellent Sermon on the Occasion from Isaiah Ivi. 2."

In the course of various necessary excavations in the Eastern
portion of High Stree*, about 1889, a number of old wooden water
pipes were unearthed, and there is no reason to doubt that they
formed part of the system for water supply which is referred to in
the following advertisement, which appeared in the " Northampton
Mercury " for 29th December, 1787, namely : —

" Bucks. To be sold a desirable freehold estate, situate at
Newport Pagnell ; comprising a Water Com Mill, with three
water wheels, gear and stones, a dwelling-house, stable and build-
ings, garden, meadow, and ozier bed, containing together, by
estimation, 3 acres and an half. Also a new-erected water engine
worked by one of the mill wheels, conveying the water by elm
pipes into a reservoir of 20 feet by 10, and 3-and-a-half deep,
cased with brick and lined with lead, on oak pillars, standing on
I Bray's Tour, 17S3.

The Town. 13

an eminence in the town of Newport Pagnell aforesaid, from
which the houses in North Street, High Street, Bridge Street, and
Marsh End are supplied with water to the number of 102, the
inhabitants of which paying very easy rents for the same. The
whole of the premises with the rents and profits of the water,
are rented by Joseph Warner tenant at will, at the yearly
rent of £^$^ but capable of very considerable improvements.
For particulars enquire of Joshua Peart, Esquire, Lincoln's Inn
Fields, London ; or Mr. Hurst, Attorney at law, Newport Pagnell
aforesaid."

Later on, at the beginning ot this century, possibly 1820, but
the book bears no date, Cooke in his Topographical Description
of Bucks says: "The inhabitants of Newport Pagnell are well
supplied with water from the Ouse by means of an hydraulic
engine." There is also a further reference to a water supply in
the Mansell MSS. where mention is made of the barracks erected
in the Market Place by Sir Samuel Luke, part of which before
they were pulled down were used for an hydraulic machine, which
once supplied the people with water. Possibly the reservoir stood
in the Market Place.

At a Manorial Court held in 1789, it was presented that Robert
Willeatt had been guilty of a nuisance by laying pipes to carry
water, and by suflFering the same to be out of repair to the great
detriment of the inhabitants, and he was amerced in the sum of
)£5 if he did not abate the nuisance by repairing the pipes within
six months.

Notwithstanding the order there was still trouble, and at a
Court, held in 1791, it was presented that Robert Willeatt had
frequently broken up the highways and causeways, for the
purpose of amending the water pipes laid for the conveyance of
water from his mill to different parts of the borough, and that he
had not sufficiently amended the ground broken up by him, but
suffered the same to remain in a very bad state, which was a
nuisance to the inhabitants, and therefore he was amerced for the
same £5.

Under date loth November, 1794, the Gentleman's Magazine
states that " some heavy rains fell in many parts of the kingdom ;
the environs of Newport Pagnell presented an almost entire sheet
of water."

On 18th November, 1795, an earthquake was felt in various

14 History op Nbwport Pagnbll.

places from York to Bristol ; and in a small degree at Newport.
The old Neptune Public House (now demolished) was particularly
agitated : the house bells were all set a jingling and the family
much alarmed.

The town does not seem to have favourably impressed Mrs.
Siddons, for writing in May, 1796, she says : " Here I am, sitting
close, in a little dark room in a little wretched Inn, in a little
poking village called Newport Pagnell. I am on my way to
Manchester . . ."*

In 1798, according to the return of the Posse Comitatus made to
the Sheriff (and among the Stowe MS. 804), there were in
Newport, amongst other persons, between 16 and 60—
2 Clergymen— John Roberts, W. Davis.

2 Gentlemen — ^Jos. Hatton, Jo. Warner.

3 Attomies. Several Licensed teachers i.e. dissenting

ministers.

4 Surgeons. i Apprentice (included ?). i Quack Doctor.
7 Victuallers. 3 Schoolmasters. 5 Glovemakers.

17 Cordwainers. i Stationer — Jo. Wakefield. 2 Lacedealers.

I Printer — Benjamin Leverett. (Maurice Smith

and another).

The population in 1801 was 2048, while in 1803 the money
raised by Parish rates (including the Hamlet of Caldecott) was
;£i354 IIS. 7d. at 4s. 6d. in the pound. The market was then on
Saturday, and fairs on 22nd February, 22nd April, 22nd June, 29th
August, 22nd October, and 22nd December.

A glimpse of the method of old time travelling is afforded by
the following announcement taken from the " Northampton Mer-
cury" of loth October, 1743: —

'' On Monday the 24th. of this Instant October, at Three o'clock
in the Morning will set out (and continue so to do) from the
White Lyon in Northampton, a good and Neat Ge-hoe Coach,
with six Able Horses (which will with Ease and Pleasure carry
eight Persons) and will be at the Ram Inn in Smithfield,
London, every Tuesday early in the Afternoon: returns on
Wednesday about ten o'clock, and will be in Northampton on
Friday afternoon. Every passenger to London paying 7s.
and from London to Northampton 6s. being allowed fourteen
Pounds weight and for all above as well as for other goods
as usual. Performed (if God permit) by Robert Herbert.

I Life of Mrs. Siddonb, 1839, p. 271.

The Town. 15

Note. Passengers being ready at Newport Pagnell by ten o'clock
may be taken in there. Note also, plate, money, writings, or
jewels will not be answered for unless notice be given thereof."

Sixty-one years later, the same paper in June, 1804, has the
following : —

"Northampton and Newport Pagnell. Elegant Light Coach.
Upon an entire new principle. For four insides and three out-
sides. Now offered to the Public by Messrs. Willan and Levi,
proprietors of the old Northampton Coach, Commenced on Mon-
day the 25th. inst. from Northampton, and from London on
Tuesday the 26th : to start precisely at seven in the morning, and
will continue every other Day (till another of the Kind can be
provided) as follows —

" From Mr. Levi's office^ Gold Street, Northampton, on
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and from the Bull and Mouth
Inn, Bull and Mouth Street London on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and
Saturdays at the same hour.

"To have one coachman only throughout the Journey and to
stop at no place on the road, except for the purpose of changing
horses ; by which means the passengers will arrive in good time
to dinner.

"Inside fare 15s. and outside 9s. N.B. The old Coach every
morning as usual."

In the Autumn of 1809, Mr. Joseph Lancaster delivered one of
his lectures on education at Newport, and as a result the inhabi-
tants, at a public meeting, held in October 1809, resolved on
establishing a school for the instruction of the poor of Newport
and the adjoining villages, and a liberal subscription was im.
mediately set on foot^

In December of the same year, the Rev. C. Kipling advertised
for a young man of suitable qualifications to undertake the
management of a free school, upon the system of Mr. Joseph
Lancaster, so that although the British School in High Street
was not open until 181 1, there seems to have been temporary
accommodation provided at a somewhat earlier date.

Newport was not, however, devoid of a private school at the
time, for J. B. Dix in January, 1808, announces the re-opening of
his "Academy." "Terms: — Board and tuition 22 guineas per

I Northampton Mcrctiry, 7th Octr., 1809.

Tfr

i6 History of Newport Pagnell.

annum. Washing half a guinea per quarter. Entrance gratis."
A year later he announces that his " Plan of education is similar
to that of Eton and Rugby/' and that "a French emigrant of the
first respectability, is engaged to teach the French language.''

In June, 1809, the young gentlemen belonging to Mr. Dix's
Academy, at the breaking up for the Midsummer vacation
delivered '' their severall select speeches, from the most admired
and approved authors, in Latin, French, and English, to a
numerous and respectable audience who were highly gratified and
much pleased with their performances."

Other well-known private schools of a somewhat later date
were those of Mr. Bum for boys, and Mrs. Ward for girls.

Perhaps the first mention of a Horticultural Society at Newport
is that contained in the following paragraph, which appeared in
the " Northampton Mercury " of 19th August, 1809 : —

*' On Thursday last the first meeting of the Horticultural
Society of Newport Pagnell Bucks was held at the Swan Inn,
when the prizes were awarded as follows : —

"The first carnation prize to Mr. Thomas Truelove of Newport,
the second ditto, to Mr. Joseph Penn, of this town ; and the third
ditto to Mr. B. Truelove. The seedling prize, to the said Mr.
Penn. The picotee prize, to Mr. Heeley of Newport. The goose-
berry prize to Mr. T. Truelove. The first melon prize to Mr.
Heeley ; and the second ditto to Mr. W. B. Perkins, of this
town.

"The Company, consisting of some of the most respectable
characters of that town and neighbourhood partook of an excellent
dinner : and the day was spent in the greatest harmony and
conviviality. In honour to Sir Arthur Wellesley, the seedling was
named after that gallant hero. Mr. Higgins and Mr. Knibb were
appointed stewards for the ensuing year."

On 6th February, 1814, Mr. George Osborn, of Newport, thus
writes in his diary : — " It has been severe frosty weather the last
seven weeks, no mail nor other coaches up or down from Wed-
nesday until Sabbath Day, nor any letter bags, all communi-
cation broke off by a very deep snow, drifted in some parts of the
road the height of the top of the Coach, which was obliged to be cut
thro' before carriages could pass, vast numbers of hands were
employed in removing it. The long continuance of the Frost has
occasioned a great scarcity of fuel both wood and coals. Coals

^'•^ I

/■••

Sii •

The Town. 17

sold at 4s. hundred wt and indeed not to be procured at any price
only by the Hundd. . • . People in the town are burning
green wood just cut down. . . . Bread is iid. quartern loaf."

In "The New British Traveller," published in 1819, James
Dugdale, LL.D., the author, states that the weekly market was
then held on Saturdays ; that there were fairs on 22nd February,
22nd April, 22nd June, 29th August, 22nd October, and 22nd
December, and that the Petty Sessions for the Newport Hundred
were holden in the town.

Doctor Dugdale also says : — " The greater part of the labouring
inhabitants of Newport Pagnell are employed in the manufacture
of lace, of which a greater quantity is made here by hand than in
any other town in England. Every Wednesday a market is held
for the sale of this article, great quantities of which are also sold
at the fairs."

Pennant, a little earlier, in 181 1, in his journey from Chester to
London, says the town " flourishes greatly by means of the lace

manufacture There is scarcely a door of a cottage

to be seen during summer, but what is occupied by some
industrious pale-faced lass ; their sedentary trade forbidding
the rose to bloom in their sickly cheeks."

In 1814 an Act (54 George III., cap. 98) was obtained authorising
the construction of a navigable canal connecting Newport with the
Grand Junction Canal at Great Linford. The canal was soon after
made and continued in use until it was purchased in 1864 by the
Newport Railway Company.

On 23rd May, 1823, an Act "for more effectually amending,
repairing, and keeping in repair, the road from the toll-gate, in the
parish of Kettering, through Wellingborough, in the County of
Northampton, and through Olney over Sherington Bridge to
Newport Pagnell, in the County of Buckingham," received the
Royal Assent. The Act recites four others of a similar nature,
namely, 27 George II., c. 31, 13 George III., c. 87, 21 George III.,
c. 103, and 42 George III., c. 37. Some of these older Acts
provided for the repairing and widening or re-building of Sher-
ington bridge, while one of them contained provisions for moving
the turnpike erected in Sherington Field to the North end of
Sherington Bridge.

The 1823 Act enacted, however, that the turnpike gate and
weighing machine at the North end of Sherington Bridge should be

i8 History of Newport Pacnell.

removed and none others set up across the road referred to therein
nearer to Newport Pagnetl than the distance of one furlong north
from the road leading from Newport Pagnell to Bedford, which
road turned off to Chicbley near the weigh-post in Sherington
Field.

The toll authorised for horses, drawing carts, and carriages was
6d. ; for every horse, mule, or ass, laden or unladen, and not
drawing one penny halfpenny ; for every score of oxen or neat
cattle, tenpence, and so in proportion lor any less number ; and for
every score of calves, swine, sheep or lambs, fivepence, and so in
proportion for any less number.

Chalk and lime was exempted from toll, and it was provided
that not more than four full tolls were to be taken in any one day,
and that tolls were to be paid but once a day at each gate save io
the case of stage coaches or hired carriages, which were to pay
each time.

On 31st October, 1823, Mr. Osbom writes, " A tremendous storm
of wind bringing with it a heavy rain and snow, so much so as to
tear up many hundreds and probably thousands of trees from their
roots from two to three to ten in a body tc^ether. The overflow
of water in our river was beyond any precedent. The roads were
rendered impassable for Coaches and travelling on horseback for
several hours- On the Friday night all our neighbours who lived in
the lower parts of the town were driven upstairs, while the water
was more than four feet deep below. Some of the poor people
suffered for want of food, &c., not being able to procure it. ...

Their houses were in a most uncomfortable state A

subscription of £36, with which Coals were purchased and 2cwt.
sent to each of the poor Inhabitants ^hose Houses had been
flooded. . . . Two persons were drowned near Newport."

On 1st January, 1826, there were living at Newport Pagnell
twelve persons whose united ages amounted to one thousand
years ; and what is very remarkable, one of the number died in
each succeeding week, leaving in February six, viz., three men
and three women living, who conjointly measured a period of
505 years.^

Perhaps the last reference to the stocks occurs on 28th October,
1826, when the Jurors of the Manor Court made a presentment

I " Northampton Mwtuiy," iHlh Feb., iB6i,

The Town. 19

that the stocks were out of repairi and that the same ought to be
maintained and kept in repair by the Lord of the Manor.

The population is 1 801, as already stated, was 2,048 ; in 182 1 it
was 3,103; in 1831 was 3,385; in 1841, 3,569; in 1851, 3651 ; in
1861, 3,822; and in 1871, 3,824.

In 1881 it was 3,686, and there were 799 inhabited houses. In
1891 the respective figures were 3788 and 842.

In August, 1834, there was an outbreak of cholera at Newport,
the National School being used as Hospital, and all dangerous
cases removed to it. There were some 26 victims.^

In the year 1837 it was decided to supply " the town of Newport
Pagnell and the neighbourhood thereof with inflammable air or
gas," and to that end a number of the principal inhabitants entered
into a deed of co-partnership on the 25th March, 1837. The
business was thereunder to be carried on under the title or iirm of
** The Newport Pagnell Gas and Coke Company,*' and it was
provided that the capital should be ^£2,400, divided into 240 shares
of )£io each. These were taken up by about 65 persons, some
only holding one share and none more than ten each, who were all
parties to the deed..

The works in Marsh End were at once proceeded with, and the
first gas was apparently made on 21st December following. For
many years the undertaking was leased to Mr. Richard Sheppard,
and appears to have been of a somewhat unprofitable nature to the
proprietors. In April, 1874, however, a Limited Company, called
" The Newport Pagnell Gas and Coke Company, Limited,'' was
formed to acquire the gasworks with a capital of ^£3,522 (increased
in 1895), in £4 shares, and an entirely new complexion has, as is
well known, been put on matters.

On 9th April, 1838, the L.N.W. Railway was opened at Bletchley,
and at least one Newport inhabitant went to London by the first
train to test the new method of locomotion.

On 25th February, 1839, what was probably one of the first public
temperance meetings at Newport, was held at the British School,
and 40 present joined the Society for total abstinence. >

It seems to have been the custom to hold a Statute Fair in
September, and a Mop Statute in Oqtober, about the end of the
" forties," at all events.

T Osbom MS. 2 Ibid.

30 History of Newport Pacnell.

In 1855 the Newport Pagnell Fire Brigade was formed, mainly
through the exertions of Mr. E. J. Saunders, of The Bank. There are
24 members, including volunteer and paid, and the Brigade has done
exceedingly good work in the course of its career, having attended
upwards of 120 fires in the town and district. It has been
aq)tained by Messrs. R. Sheppard, 1855 — 1862 ; E. H. Croydon,
1862—1870; F. D. Bull, 1870—1875; F. J. Taylor, 1875— 1891 ;
and S. L. Coales, the present Captain, while Mr. W. R. Bull has
for many years been Chairman of the Committee of Management.

In 1859 the advisability of providing a Cemetery was considered,
and on 8th September the Secretary of State wrote the Church-
wardens that he proposed to obtain an order prohibiting further
burials in the Parish Church, the Baptist Chapel, the Wesleyan
Chapel, and in the Independent Chapel, and two adjoining
vestries, and that from 1st March, 1861, burials should be prohibited
in the parish churchyard and the burial-grounds of the Baptist,
Wesleyan, and Independent Chapels, with the exception of certain
vaults and brick graves then in existence.

The Order in Council was made on 23rd January, i860, and,
matters being thus brought to a head, a meeting of ratepayers was
held in the middle of February, and a Burial Board of nine
members appointed; and in July, i860, it was determined to
purchase from Mr. W. B. Bull the close known as Castle or Hill
Close and certain small pieces of land adjoining, containing in the
whole about three acres, and also certain buildings and premises in
the street or lane leading thereto. The total cost was estimated at
about £2000.

In July, 1859, it appearing that Bury Field had for many years
been allowed to become overrun with weeds and thistles, especi-
ally the weed known as common ragwort, the then 229 common-
holders, desiring to see an "improvement," issued a handbill
calling upon all whom it might concern to join in this most
laudable object and contribute, either by labour or subscription,
towards this accomplishment.

As a result of a meeting, held at the Swan Hotel on the 21st
July, the town was divided into districts and subscriptions
obtained, and on 25th July, at 6 a.m., the work was begun. At
first there were few labourers, but the number gradually in-
creased, and in the after part of the day amounted to several
hundreds, including the school children, to whom holiday was

\-^'

.-y-^'

,.r-'^^.':Si^a

The Town. 21

given, and by dusk the field " was (with a few solitary exceptions)
entirely cleared of those noxious weeds that had been so long
occupying so much valuable space." " The only expense incurred
was providing ale for those who thought proper to partake of it."
The clearance of the field was celebrated on the following Monday
by public teas partaken of by old and young, and sports.*

On the loth March, 1863, the occasion of the Prince of Wales's
marriage was duly celebrated in the usual loyal Newport
fashion by salutes, processions, dinners, sports, teas, and bonfires,
and a dance.

In June, 1864, ^^ Churchwardens gave notice that the following
alterations would be made in the days for holding fairs, viz. : —
" The fair heretofore held on the 22nd of October will be held

on the first Wednesday after the 21st of October.
"The fair heretofore held on the 22nd of February will be

held on the first Wednesday after the 21st of February.
" The fair heretofore held on the 22nd of April will be held on

the first Wednesday after the 21st of April.
"The fair heretofore held on the 21st of March will be
discontinued.^'
The Cattle Plague gave rise to much apprehension in the latter
part of 1865, and the Newport Pagnell District Cattle Plague
Mutual Association was formed to insure against loss of Stock.
The Association was dissolved in August, 1866.

So seriously, however, was the matter regarded that on Friday,
3rd March, 1866, special services were held at the Parish Church,
according to a wish expressed by the Bishop of Oxford, in order to
beseech God "to be entreated for the land and stay the ravages
committed by the Cattle Plague."

In March, 1868, the Steeplechases were revived, after a lapse of
19 years, but the two meetings were not successful.

As early as 1720 or so the " Magna Britannia " says of Newport
that "here arc often Horse-Races." The races formerly gene-
rally, if not always, took place in Bury Field, and were held at
intervals more or less regular for many years, and race bills for
the years 1771, 1776, 1781, 1782, and 1827 are, or were lately, extant.
After about 1868 there was, however, another gap, until under the
title of " Pony and Galloway Races," the races were revived about

I "Croydon's Weekly Standard," 6th August, 1859,

22 History of Newport Pagnbll.

1888. Since then they have been held pretty generally, and of
late the course chosen has been the Woad Farm. ^

In 1862 the question of railway communication came to the
front.

In former times 33 four-horse coaches passed through the town
in 24 hours, but about 1840 the coaches ceased running, and there
was at the time simply an omnibus service, morning and evening,
to and from Wolverton. *

Eventually an Act was obtained in 1863^ authorising the incor-
poration of a Company for making a railway from the London and
North- Western Railway at Wolverton to Newport Pagnell, for
purchasing the Newport Pagnell Canal and stopping up and
diverting its waters and appropriating so much of it as was
necessary for the purposes of the intended railway, and for
entering into agreements with the London and North- Western
Railway Company as to the maintenance and working of the new
railway.

As a result of the passing of the Act the canal was purchased
by the New Railway Ccmpany in 1864, being closed on August
29th in that year. The Act recites that the Canal had not for
many years then past been a profitable undertaking, and that it
would be superseded by the proposed railway, owing to the
greater facilities and accommodation which such railway would
afford.

The permanent way of the line was completed in September,
1865, and on Saturday, 30th September, the first train, consisting
of 17 ballast waggons filled with navvies employed in the works,
ran through from Wolverton.

In 1865 an Act for the extension of the line to Olney was
obtained, and in 1866 an Act for its further extension to
Wellingborough.

At a meeting of Shareholders of the Newport Company, held in
August, 1866, it was stated that the importance which the latter
extension would confer upon the Newport Pagnell Railway (by
placing it in connexion with the Midland as well as with the
London and North- Western system) could scarcely be overrated ;

1 This farm is so called from the fact that woad was some years ago grown there.

2 Evidence of Mr. W. B. Bull before the Lords Committee on Railway Bill,

15th June, 1863.

3 The Royal Assent was given 29th June, 1863.

The Town. 23

and the Directors congratulated the proprietors upon this valuable
addition to the undertaking. The capital account to the 30th of
June showed that £122,025 had been expended.^

The line was opened for passenger traffic on 2nd September,
1867, a gratuitous trip to Wolverton being run about a quarter-
past one, every carriage being filled to overflowing, and the
occasion being observed as a general holiday. The normal train
service was commenced on the following day.

In the same month an omnibus to meet all trains at a fare of 6d.
was started by Mrs. Fountain, of "The Swan." At the same
time Mrs. Fountain also advertised that an omnibus would run
daily from Newport to Olney on the arrival of the 11-23 a.m.
down train, returning in time for the 2-40 p.m. up train. A
morning omnibus from Olney at 7-40 is also referred to.

In 1870 the Newport Railway Company obtained another Act
giving them certain extensions of time and powers as to capital
and finance, and in the following year, 187 1, still another Act.

In 1874, however, they found it necessary to apply to Par-
liament for power to abandon the construction of all the proposed
additional lines and to lease or sell their undertaking to the
London and North- Western Railway Company.

As a result the undertaking was in 1875 sold to the last-named
Company. The line to Olney was never finished, and the traces
of the works are gradually vanishing.

On 7th February, 1888, the present Waterworks were formally
opened by the late Mr. Richard Littleboy, who turned on the
valve at the Water Tower, which had been erected at the top of
Ash Lane.

In the following year the old High Street Pump was removed.
The history of its origin is interesting. It appears that there
was formerly a row of houses running down the middle of a
portion of High Street. One of these in 1749 was owned and
occupied by one Gilbert Johnson. It later became the property of
John Haddon, and in 1774 was conveyed to John Wilson as a toft
or piece of ground bounded on the East by a toft of ground the
property of Robert Perrott and on the West by the common
butchers' shambles. On 21st April, 1796, an agreement was
entered into by William Payne, George Knibbs, John Keep,
James Pike, Robert CoUison, and Henry Marshall to sink a well
and erect a pump on the premises. In 1805 the property became

I" Croydon." nth August, 1866.

24 History of Newport Pagnell.

vested in Henry Marshall, William Keep, and James Pike.

The interest of the two first named was afterwards purchased
by Mr. William Taylor, and the remaining one-third interest
became the property of Mr. G. O. Price. The third shares being
freeholds, and formerly of the value of 403. each, for many years
conferred the County Franchise on their owners.

There is a reference to these houses in the middle of High
Street in the Court Rolls of 1790, as it was then presented that
" the way opposite the Swan Inn was out of repair in length 37
feet and in breadth 15 feet and that same ought to be repaired by
John HoHingworth as owner and prt^rietor of the Swan Inn or
the ground whereon three tenements formerly stood should be
fenced out by and at the expense of the said John HoHingworth."
In the same rolls there is a reference to the foot bridge opposite
to the Town Pump near Bury Field gate being out of repair.
This is probably the pump which stood in front of Mr. Lucas's
house.

On the morning of 8th June, 1880, what may perhaps be termed
the Great Fire of Newport broke out on the premises of Mr.
Egan in High Street, adjoining the Swan. Mr. Egan's premises,
as well as two adjoining shops occupied by Mr. Simpson and Mr.
Riches were destroyed, while the Swan and the premises occupied
by Mrs. Chapman, which latter adjoined those of Mr. Riches,
were partly burnt. The damage was estimated at between ^£7000
and £8000.

Shortly after, on 15th November, 1880, Mr. Whitworth's flour
mills were burnt. They were re-erected, but were again, on the
9th February, 1899, destroyed by fire, and at present have not
been re-built.

On 2ist June, 1887, at Newport Pagnell, as elsewhere, the
event of the Queen's Jubilee was most loyally celebrated. The
celebrations commenced with the opening, before breakfast, of a
new bathing-place on the Willen road. At eight a congratulatory
telegram was despatched to Her Majesty. At half-past eleven the
townsfolk gathered at the Public Room, and, headed by the Fire
Brigade, Band, Postal Officials, and others, proceeded to the
Parish Church, where the Vicar conducted a special service.
At its close a new bell, presented by Mr. F, J. Taylor, was for-
mally dedicated, and then the mechanism of the chimes, purchased
to commemorate the occasion, was put in motion, and " God save

I i.^ -

The Town. 25

the Queen " played by them. At two there was a knife-and-fork
tea in Bury Field, to which 1300 sat down, and at half-past three
the children of the town assembled at the North Bridge, and,
having been previously presented with a Jubilee Medal, marched
in due order to Bury Field, where tea was provided. Sports
commenced at half-past four, and at dusk a large bonfire on the
hill in the field was ignited, and some coloured fires and rockets
provided. At eleven there was a march to High Street to view
the decorations, and at midnight the chimes closed the proceedings
with the National Anthem.

On 2nd April, 1894, the first School Board for the town was
elected. For some time the elementary school accommodation
provided by the Voluntary Schools had been insufficient, and the
formation of a Board to deal with the matter appeared to be the
only way out of the difficulty.

The Board ultimately decided to erect the buildings now
standing in Bury Street, and which were formally opened on loth
November, 1896. They accommodate 350 boys, 280 girls, and 296
infants, and cost about ;{^io,768. On their completion the old
National School by the river and the British Schools in High
Street and Union Street were closed, and the children transferred
to the new buildings.

On 22nd June, 1897, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee was loyally
celebrated.

At eight, a congratulatory telegram was sent to Her Majesty ;
at ten, there was a cycle parade ; at one, a town's procession ;
at two, a children's procession ; at three, a children's and old
people's tea in tents and in the open in Bury Field, the children
being presented with enamelled metal mugs bearing two portraits
of the Queen, 1837 and 1897 ; from three till about eight, sports in
Bury Field; at 9-30, fireworks in the same place; and at 10-30, a
torchlight procession through the town.

To keep the High Street clear Long Fair was kept in Bury
Field ; the town was well decorated and at night illuminated, and
the whole of the proceedings passed off most satisfactorily.

After paying the cost of the public celebrations, it was found
that there was a balance of £2$ is. od., and this sum was handed
over to a Nursing Association, which was then formed, and
called the Newport Pagnell Diamond Jubilee Nursing and Good
Samaritan Society, and which is, in reality, an expanded form of

26 History of Newport Pagnell.

the old Parochial Nursing Association.

On 25th September, 1897, an Urban District Council for the
Parish was elected, the number of its members being nine. For
some years previously it had been felt that the town ought to
have a direct governing body, and one, too, with proper powers to
do what was necessary for its welfare, the Parish Council created
by the Local Government Act of 1894 being found wanting in
these respects.

The failure of the attempt to connect Newport with Olney by
railway has been recorded, but the complete abandonment of the
partially completed works did not deter the promoters of a
Tramroad Company from attempting to carry through the con-
struction of a steam tramway on the roadside between the two
towns, in the course of the "eighties."

Despite the fact, however, that the works in connection with
the project were to a considerable extent completed, it was
given up.

With the advent of Motor cars, however, the seemingly im-
practicable appeared to have become practicable, and in January,
1899, the Newport Pagnell Motor Car Co. Limited, commenced a
motor car service between the towns, the coming and going of the
cars being now a familiar spectacle to the inhabitants.

CHAPTER 11.
The Manor.

THERE do not appear to be any Saxon grants relating to
Newport in existence, although there is one, of 944, by which
King Eadmund gave his thegn Aelfheah land at Linford. ^

The first reliable mention of Newport is to be found in
Domesday Book,2 the following being a translation of the entry
referring to this Manor : — ^r/, 10%, ^ '^ r.%vS».r.,

**Land of William Son of Ansculf. In Sigelai Hundred, ^'^'^v'*
Manor. William himself holds Nevport. It answered for
five hides. There is land to nine ploughs. There are four
carucates of land in the demesne, and there are four ploughs
there ; and five villains have five ploughs. The burgesses have
six ploughs and a half, and of other vassals not working upon
the five hides, (aliorumque hominum ext. v. hid. laborantes).
There are nine bondmen; and two mills of forty shillings.
Meadow for all the ploughs, and ten shillings. Pannage for
three hundred hogs, and two shillings, and moreover four
shillings from the vassals who dwell in the wood; and for
all other rents it pays yearly one hundred shillings, and sixteen
shillings and fourpence. Its whole value is twenty pounds;
and it was worth in King Edward's time twenty-four pounds.
Vlf, a thane of King Edward's, held this Manor."

William Fitz Ansculf was a very powerful Baron at the time of
the Conquest, if one may judge by the number of manors and
possessions which he held, for he had ten Lordships in Berkshire,
one in Middlesex, one in Oxfordshire, one in Hunts, one in
Cambridgeshire, seven in Surrey, four in Northants, seven in
Warwickshire, twenty in Bucks, twenty-five in Staffordshire, and
fourteen in Worcestershire, of which Dudley, where he had a

I Birch's Charters, Vol. II., 551, No. 798. 2 Bawdwen's Domesday.

-<>

28 History of Newport Pagnell. ^*^**'^ *( ^ ^•^•^'^^

castle, was one.^ He is sometimes called Ansculf de Pinchengiy^^*^
It does not seem clear what issue he had (if any), but his lands, or ,
the greater part thereof, appear to have passed to the Paganel
family — it is said by the marriage of his only child, a daughter,
Beatrix, with Fulc Paganell.

The Paganells were a wealthy family. At the time of the
Domesday Survey Ralph Paganell held ten Lordships in Devon,
five in Somersetshire, fifteen in Lincolnshire, and fifteen in York-
shire, and in 1089 founded the Priory of the Holy Trinity York,
for Nuns, in a place where formerly stood a House of Canons,
which was destroyed by William L In the time of that King, too,
he was Sheriff of Yorkshire.

It was his son Fulk, or Fulcodius, Paganell who is said to have
married Beatrix Ansculf, and who, at any rate, came into posses-
sion of a great part of Fitz Ansculf s lands.

It was Fulk Paganel, too, who founded Tickford Priory, as
mentioned elsewhere, in the reign of William Rufus.

To him succeeded Ralph Paganel, his son and heir, who, in 5th
Stephen, taking part with Maud, the Empress, was by her made
Governor of Nottingham Castle (William Peverill, then Lord
thereof, being taken prisoner at the Battle of Lincoln fighting for
Stephen). He instigated Robert Earl of Gloucester to enter the
town, the inhabitants being practically unarmed, and it was first
plundered and then burnt by the soldiers.

Ralph Paganel left issue Gervase, William (who founded Drax
Priory, Yorkshire), Hugh, Adam, Jordan, and Alexander.

Gervase in 1138 adhering, like his father, to the Empress Maud,
held Dudley Castle for her, and in 12 Henry II., upon the assess-
ment of the aid for marrying the King's daughter (and being then
resident at Dudley) certified his Knight's fees De Vetteri Feoffa-
mento to be 50 and those De Novo 6J. In 20 Henry II., however,
he took part in the Rebellion of the King's eldest son, Henry, and
as a result the Castle of Dudley was demolished the year after.
A little later, however, 22 Henry II., Gervase reconciled himself
to the King by giving him, as a peace-offering for his transgres-
sions, 500 marks.

In 1 189 he was one of the Barons who attended Richard I. at his
first solemn coronation, and it was Gervase Pagnel who, in

I Dugdale'oi Baronage.

The Manor. 29

accordance with his father's desire, founded Dudley Priory.

Gervase married Isabel, daughter of Robert Earl of Leicester
and widow of Simon St. Liz Earl of Northampton, by whom he
had issue one^ son, Robert, who predeceased him, leaving no
issue. His sister^ Hawyse survived him, however, and became
his heiress.

By her first marriage with John de Somery the Barony of
Dudley, of which Newport was a member, passed into the hands
of the Somery family, who appear to have anciently had a Barony
in Cambridgeshire.

Ralph, the son of John and Hawyse, succeeded, and in 6
Richard L accounted 300 marks for livery of the Barony of
Gervase Paganel, his mother's brother,^ until the King's return
from Almaine, and in the same year, on the collection of the
aid for the ransom of Richard L, paid fifty pounds for the fees of
Gervase Paganel. The sum of 300 marks was not, however, paid
till I John.

In 10 John, giving the King one hundred pounds and two
palfreys, he had livery of the Lordship of Newport, which his
mother formerly held, and for which he thereupon did homage.

In the Dodsworth MS. (xxx. 47) is a charter of Ralph de Sumeri
whereby he granted to Nicholas, son of Michael, for his homage
and service, the length of the place where shops were in the
market-place of Newport in the time of Gervase Paganel, and the
breadth of sixteen feet from the wall. The rent reserved was
twelve pence, and the witnesses included Richard de Lindesi,
Richard de Selleia, Williamson of Widon, Henry de Neuport,
Walter the Miller, Simon son of Nicholas, Richard de Rushal,
and John de Neuport.

Ralph de Somery died in 12 John, and Margaret, his wife, gave
the King a fine of 300 marks to have an assignation of her dower.
William Percival de Somery, his son and heir, succeeded, but
being a minor on his father's death, was in ward for his Barony,
which consisted of ten knights' fees and three-parts.

His guardian was apparently Randolph Earl of Chester, to whom
King John in 12 16 granted the Manor of Newport Paynell with all
its appurtenances, to hold in the same manner as the Earl of
Salisbury held it, and ordered full seizen to be at once given him. 2

1 See foot notes in Tickford Section on Paynels.

2 Lit. Claus, 18 John, pt. 2, m. 3.

30 History of Newport Pagnell.

In the fourth year of Henry III., in Michaelmas term, William
de Beauchamp sought liberties for the Manor of NeMrport, and
from the Plea Rolls ^ it appears that the jurors stated that before
the war of Leicester between King Henry and his son the Manor
of Newport Paynell had liberties but they did not know what ; that
after that war the King was angry with Gervase Paynel, then
Lord of Newport, because he was with his son in the war against
him, and he would not permit that Manor to have any liberties.
So that at all times afterwards all the life of that King that Manor
did suit and services like other neighbouring Manors, and all the
time of King Richard, and after that until the Manor was in the
custody of Ralph Gemon, who had permission for freedom from
those services, and after that while in the custody of the Earl of
Salisbury.

Upon the collection of the Scutage of Bitham in 5 Henry III.
William Percival de Somery, who was probably with the army
there, was acquitted thereof. He died in 6 Henry III., and
thereupon the wardship of Nicholas de Somery, his son and heir,
with all his lands, was also committed to Ranulf Earl of Chester.

Nicholas dying without issue in 13 Henry III. ,2 the Barony and
lands reverted to his uncle, Roger de Somery, who, it is said,
perforn^ his homage and had livery of them the same year.

He, however, neglecting to obey a summons to receive the
honour of knighthood, was dispossessed of the Manor four years
later by King Henry III.

Madox, in his History of the Exchequer, states that in 1233
" because Roger de Somerie had not appeared before the King to
take up knighthood the Sheriff of Worcester was commanded to
seize on the honour of Dudley and all the lands of the said Roger
in his jurisdiction for the King's use, and to keep them so that
nothing more was moved off without the King's permission." '

In 1230 Henry III. granted the farm of the Manor of Newport to
Walter de Kirkham for life, quitting him and all his men during
his life of suits to county and hundred and of aids to sheriffs and
his bailiffs, and that when the King or his heirs should tallage their
Manors and demesnes the said Walter might by himself and to his
own use tallage the said Manor in like form as it might be
tallaged if it were in the King's hand. ^

1 Placito de Banco, 4 Henry III. Dodsworth MS., xlii., fol. 135 b, cxxiv., 87 b.

2 Rot. Claus. 13 Henry HI., m. 7. 3 Rot. Fin. 17 Henry HI., m. 5.
4 Madox's History and Antiquities of the Exchequer, I., 418.

The Manor. 31

In the same year he answered at the Exchequer the Ferm of
the Manor of Newport, viz., £41 3s. 4d. by Tale for £40, which
were wont to be rendered for the same, the Ferm to be rendered
at Michaelmas and Easter. ^

De Kirkham's name, however, does not appear again, and it
would seem that at this time — and as early, indeed, as 4 or 5
Henry III., as already mentioned — William Beauchamp became
interested in Newport as, apparently, part of the dower of his
wife Ida.

In 19 Henry III. he was made Sheriff of Bucks and Beds, and
obtained a Charter to himself and Ida his wife that the Manor of
Newport of her dowry should thenceforth be exempt from suit to
the County or Hundred Court and to the Sheriff and view of
Frankpledge. 2

In 25 Henry III. Rogery de Somery, being about to go with the
King into Gascony, the Barons of the Exchequer were commanded
to respite his account till his return. ^

De Somery, notwithstanding the apparent seizure of his estates,
had, it would seem, an interest in Newport in 1245, for in an
Inquisition taken in 29 Henry III (No. 50) of the King's fees,
escheats, &c., the Jurors stated that the Lord Roger de Somery
had fifty-three dwelling-houses within the borough of Newport
Paynel, which were held of him in capite as therein underwritten.
A list of all the tenants, most of whom paid a given quit rent and
four times did suit at the portmote and once view of frankpledge
on the Wednesday before Whit-Sunday, was then given. Then
came a list of such of the tenants as held by various tenures and of
various Lords, such as — Martin le Clerc, who held a cottage of
Roger de Somery, and rendered two capons and nothing else.
John Waryn, who held a messuage of the Master of the Hospital
of St. John of Jerusalem, rendering annually to the Master of the
Hospital of St, John in Hogesehawe xiid. * and nothing else, it not
being known by whose gift nor in the time of which King. Robert

1 Mag. I^ot. 14 Henry III., Tit. Buckingham and Bedford.

2 Close Rolls, 19 Henry HI., m. 7. In 5 Henry III. William was excused suits

and aids in respect of lands in the honor of Newport. Close Rolls, 5 Henry
III., pt. 1., m. 20. See also 4 Henry III., m. 14, and 7 Henry III., pt. 1., m. 28.

3 Memorabilia, 25 Henry III. Rot. 6 a.

4 In 14 Edward I. the claim of the Prior of St. John of Jerusalem to have view

of frankpledge waifs and freedom from service at Newport Paynel and
elsewhere was called in question. Assize Rolls, No. 64, m. 4.

32 History of Newport Pagnell.

de Stoke, who held a cottage of the Abbot of Lavendcn, rendering
yearly xiid., being the gift of John de Marston. William, son of
Vincent, who held a messuage of the Lord John de Pateshull,
rendering yearly by way of service three barbed arrows and
nothing else.

After mentioning the tenants the Jurors conclude by stating that
Lord Rogery de Somery had a market within the borough of
Newport Paynell, with the liberties belonging thereto, viz.. Tolls,
Pillory, and Ducking-stool : it was not known from what date or
by the grant of what king. Also that Roger de Somery had a fair
within the said borough of Newport, commencing on the day of
St. Luke the Evangelist and lasting for seven days, by grant of
the Lord King Henry, son of King John, to Roger de Somery.

The latter notes are particularly interesting, as they show that a
market had been held practically from time immemorial, and that
a fair had then comparatively recently been allowed to be held by
a grant from Henry IH.

In the Hundred Rolls of 39 Henry III. relating to Newport the
Jurors state that " Sir William de Beauchamp holds the town of
Newport freely m the name of dower through Lady Ida his wife,
and receives the customs of the burgesses by ancient holdings, as
Gervase Payne) and Hawis Paynel held of the king."

The Jurors, in their return, go on to state, in reply to a number
of set queries, " Of suits due to the counties and hundreds, &c.,
they say that the township of Newport does no suit on account of
liberty."

" Of the King's Castles, &c., they say that the King has no Castle
in the town of Newport, nor is there anyone who owes ward to any
foreign castle."

" They say that Sir William de Beauchamp holds view of frank-
pledge and assize of bread and ale by ancient holdings and
liberties, and the Prior of Tikeford also."

" Of religious men and others who implead laymen, they say
that Robert Paganus impleaded many of chattels before the
Judges commissioned, to wit, Hugh, clerk, and William, son of
Henry."

They say further that " the Prior of Tikeford has assize of bread
and ale and marking of bushels and gallons in Newport. They
know not by what warrant. Also William, son of Geoffrey de
Neuport, likewise takes assize of ale, and claims to be quit of

The Manor. 33

murder and of all tallages in the town of Neuport. They know
not by what warrant."

" And they say that the borough of Neuport at no time paid
hidage, and they say that Robert de Braybrook in his time
received nothing within the borough neither before nor after,
because they (the Burgesses) have no land except free burgage."

In the Testa de Neville (temp. Henry III. and Edward I.), under
the Honor of Dudley, the following entry occurs : —

Neuport /William Beauchamp holds in the Lordship, in right
of his wife's dowry, to the extent that John de
Lavente held, a quarter part of a knight's fee.
Deudone de Kaldecote holds a quarter part of a
knight's fee.
John Grion in the same, and in Wulsiston half a fee.

Chechel \The Prior of Tigford holds a fee of the same honor.

In the Hundred Rolls of 4 Edward I. the jurors state : —

"That the heirs of Roger de Somery have assize of bread
and ale at Neuport Paynell.

" That Huph le Ver claims to have a warren at Calverton.

" That William de Beauchamp and Ida his wife have appro-
priated to themselves the water of Lavente in severalty which
all the men of Newport were wont to have in common.

* That whereas the men of the town of Newport were wont
to have in common the demesne pastures of the Lord of Newport
for the period between the feast of Saint Michael and the feast
of St. Martin, the same Lord prevented them, and empastured his
cattle in the aforesaid pasture, to their no small hurt.

" That whereas the same men of Newport were wont to have
in common certain pasture of the prior of Newport, that is to say,
against the court of Newport from the time of carrying hay up to
the feast ol St. Mary in March, the same prior deforced to them
the aforesaid common to the no little hurt of the whole country."

In the same rolls, under the heading of the Township of
Neuporte Paynel, it is stated that the jurors of that town say
" that the Lord of the fee has assize of bread and beer and what-
soever belongs as royalty. Also they say that Ida Beauchamp has
the town of Neuport Paynel in dower, and Michael de Quernden,
at that time her steward, had a warren in the common field of
Neuport, where none ought to be. Also that he had appropriated
of the aforesaid lady the fishery of the water from the place that is

34 History of Newport Pagnell.

called Marbelston up to the place which is called Mcrdik and the
fishery from the North mill up to the Idle court.

*' They also say that Master Richard de Clifford, escheator of
the Lord King, took a mark from the burgesses of Neuport
unjustly. Robert Peytevin, sub-escheator, took from the same
four shillings and fourpence halfpenny unjustly, and two shillings
of William de Hemberton unjustly. Also they say that the
aforesaid Master Richard took from the same township forty
shillings, as they were unwilling to fight with his men against the
men of Ralph Pipar. Also they say that the same Richard has
imprisoned Walter le Follere because he said one bushel of com
was sold for iid., and so it was sold."

William de Beauchamp died in 1260, and soon after his death—
if not before — Roger de Somery regained the possession of the
Manor of Newport.

He would seem, indeed, to have regained the royal favour and
most of his estates soon after the knighthood episode, for in 29
Henry III., on the collection of the aid for the King's daughter, he
P^id £5^ for 51 Knights' fees.

In 37 Henry III. he went with the King on his expedition into
Gascoigne.

In 41 Henry III., too, he was summoned to attend the King at
Bristol on the Feast day of St. Peter ad Vincula, well fitted with
horse and arms, to restrain the incursion of the Welsh. Like
orders to attend the King at Chester and Hereford were issued in
the 42nd and 47th years of Henry III. respectively.

In 48 Henry III., at the time of the Barons' rebellion, he was
allowed to make a Castle of his residence at Dudley, and in the
same year, on 14th May, fighting for the King, was taken prisoner
at the battle of Lewes.

In 54 Henry III. there was a Royal confirmation of the Market
and Fairs, the document reading as follows : —

" The King to the Archbishops, &c., greeting. Know ye that
we have granted, and by this our Charter we have confirmed, to
our beloved and faithful Roger de Somery, that he and his heirs
may for ever have a market once a week on Saturday at his Manor
of Neuport Paynel, in the County of Buckingham, and a fair there
once a year of eight days' duration, namely, on the eve, on the
day, and on the morrow of St. Luke the Evangelist, and for the
five days following, so nevertheless that such market and such fair

The Manor. 35

are not to the hurt of neighbouring markets and neighbouring
fairs. Wherefore we will and firmly bind both ourselves and our
heirs that the said Roger and his heirs may for ever have the
aforesaid market and fair at his aforesaid Manor, with all the
liberties and free customs to a market and fair of this kind
belonging "

The Charter was dated at Westminster on 12th February, and
attested by the Archbishop of York, Primate of England, the
Bishop of Worcester, and many others. ^

Roger de Somerie died in 1272, and was buried at Dudley
Priory; and in 1290 Roger, Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry,
granted a special indulgence of forty days of their enjoyned
penance to all such as being truly confessed and contrite should
say a paternoster and an ave for his soul and the souls of all the
faithful deceased. The like indulgence was granted also by other
Ecclesiastical dignitaries in later years.

Roger, by his first wife Nichola de Albani, one of the sisters and
co-heirs of Hugh de Albani Earl of Arundel, had four daughters
(Joane, who married John le Strange, Mabel, who married Walter
de Suley, Maude, who married Sir Henry de Erdington and second
William Bifield, and Margaret, who married Ralph de Cromwell),
and by his second wife Amabel, widow of Gilbert de Segrave, and
daughter and heiress of Sir Robert de Chaucomb, Knight, he had
two sons, Roger and John, and one daughter, Margaret, who
married Ralph Lord Basset of Drayton.

On the 26th day of August, in the first year of the reign of
Edward L, the King's escheator on this side the Trent, was
commanded to take into his hands all the lands of Roger de
Somery, who was tenant in chief to the King and then dead, and
to make full enquiries as to what he died possessed of.

In pursuance of the writ an Extent of the Manor of Newport
Pannell was taken, the Jurors stating " that the capital Messuage,
with a Dovehouse and a Garden, are worth by the year one mark.
Also that there are in Demesne 687 acres and a half of arable land,
at the least whereof 240 are valued at £^, the price of the acre 4d.,
and 447 acres and a half are valued at £1^ i8s. 4d., the price of
the acre 8d, Also there are 66 acres and a half of Mowable
Meadow, and they are valued at £t 12s. od., the price of the acre

1 Charter Rolls, 54 Henry III., ms. 14, 15.

36 History of Newport Pagnell.

2s. Also a several pasture for Oxen and Cows is worth by the
Year 35s. Also the pasture in the park if the Deer were
removed is worth by the year 35s. Also the underwood in the
park is worth to be sold by the year 40s. Also they say that
the Mill towards the North is worth by the Year 10 Marks.
Also the Fishery is worth by the year 20s. Also the Rents
of the Burgesses within the Borough are worth by the year
lois. Also the Pleas of the Market, with the Toll and a certain
Oven, are worth by the year 10 Marks. Also of the rent of
free tenants there £;] 5s. i id., and three Pounds of Pepper of the
price ot i8d., and one pound of Cummin of the price of id. And
two arrows of the price of id. Also of the View of Frankpledge
there £^ 14s. 4d. Also there are of the rent of Customary
Tenants £^ 9s. ii^d. Also there are twenty-nine Customary
Tenants who hold 31 yardlands and a half, and pay no fent
by the year but work, and their work is worth by the year
;£2i 4s. ii^d. Also there are nine other Customary Tenants
who pay Rent and work, and their works are worth 67s. lojd.
Also there are 10 other Customary Tenants, each of whom holds
one Quarter of land, and they pay rent and work, and their
works are worth 38s. 4d. Also the works of Gervase de Kancia
are worth 2i^d. Also the works of three Cottagers are worth 19 Jd.
Also there are 12 Customary Tenants who hold Northawes, and
their works are worth 25s. Also there are other Cottagers whose
Works are worth by the year 6s. 6|d. Also there are 68 Hens of
rent, and they ar« worth 5s. 8d., and 4 Geese which are worth 8d.
Also there are of custom at the Feast of Saint Martin 20 quarters
and a half and one bushel of Oats, and they are worth 27s. 6d., the
price of the Quarter i6d. Also the Tollages of the Customary
Tenants are worth every year £J^ and one mark. Also the Fines,
Reliefs, Amerciaments of the Pleas of Court are worth by the year
by estimation loos.

" Also they (the Jurors) say that there are 13 Knights' fees and

one quarter belonging to the Manor aforesaid. There is no

advowson belonging to the Church but the Advowson of the

Priory of Tickford."

The Knights' fees were thus referred to : —

Bucks Robert Pugeys holds three fees in Stokeditton.

Robert de Orminge holds two fees in Orminge.

Emberton is held for one fee, and Amarick de

The Manor. 37

Lucy holds the same fee, but it is not known
in what manner.
John de Tyringham holds one Fee in Ty ring-
ham and the fourth part of one fee in Great
Crawley. ^
Robert Fitz Adam holds the fourth part of one

Fee in Caldecote.
Henry, the Son of William the Clerk, holds

the fourth part of one Fee in Woolferton.
Simon de Pateshull holds the fourth part of

one Fee in Little Crawley.
Samson Maunsell holds one Fee in Chicheley.
Robert de la Rokeley holds half a Fee in East

Wood.
Robert Bryen 2 holds half a Fee in Gilbemess.
Oxfordshire.... Robert Pugeys holds one Fee in Chiselhampton.
Huntingdon. ...William Engajme holds one Fee in Waresley.

Rotel Thomas de Colthorp^ holds one Fee in Colthorp.

Roger was succeeded by his son Roger, who was at the time of
his father's death 18 years of age.

In 4 Edward L, the Manor being in the hands of the king by
reason of his having the custody of the lands and heirs of Roger
de Somery, a fine of 40 shillings was imposed for a pardon granted
to Ralph son of Robert de Totehal for an offence committed there.*
In 14 Edward I. Roger de Somery was called upon to show title
to his claim to have view of frankpledge and waif in Newport and
elsewhere, and to have a gallows and right of assize of bread and
beer in Newport, and, by Richard Syward, his attorney, he stated
that the town was part of the appurtenances of his Barony of
Dudley, that he claimed certain rights as appurtenant to his fee,
and that he and his predecessors had had others time out of
memory. ^

Roger took part in the Welsh expedition of 10 Edward I., and
died 19 Edward I., leaving Agnes his wife and John his son, then
twelve years of age, surviving. The annual value of the Manor of

1 Roger, his son, was in the custody of the King, 7 Edward I. Rot. Hundred,

Bucks, No. 4, m. 3.

2 A Robert Brian de Merse was said to have the royalty of the Honor of New-

port, 7 Edward I. Ibid.

3 Tolthorp 4 Rottd. Originalium, 4 Edward I. Ro. 28.
5 Assize Rolls, 14 Edward I. No. 64, m. 3.

38 History of Newport Pagnell.

Newport Paynel, which is described as a member of the Barony
of Dudley, was then £j^ 9s. lo^d. * This included 403 acres in
Portfield, worth 6s. an acre ; land in the fields of the park ; rents
of assize of free and customary tenants, £g 4s. 8|d. ; rents of
burgesses, loos. ; and 60 hens of Wardens, worth 5s.

In 20 Edward I. there was a g^ant^ to Hugh de Veer, king's
yeoman, of the custody, during the minority of the heirs, of the
Manor of Newport Paynel, late of Roger de Sumery, tenant in
chief, extended at £j$ gs, lo^d., with knights' fees, &c., and a
Mandate, in pursuance, to Malcolm de Haile, escheator, this side
Trent.

In 25 Edward I. ^ there was a confirmation of a demise by
Thomas Paynel, Knight, keeper of the lands of John de St John,
then in the prison of the King of France, to Agnes, late wife of
Roger de Somery, of the custody of the Borough of Dudley and
other possessions, to hold during the minority of the heir of the
said Roger.

John de Somery, who was not twenty-one in 28 Edward I., and
who about that time took part in an expedition against the Scotch,
eventually succeeded to the Newport and other estates, and in
34 Edward I. received the honour of knighthood by bathing, &c.,
with Prince Edward and many others.

In 4 Edward II.* he was engaged in the Scotch Wars, and in
8 Edward II. was summoned to Newcastle, well fitted with horses
and arms. He received a like summons thrice, too, in later years.

In 15 Edward II. he, with Ralph Lord Basset of Drayton, was
commissioned to seize Kenilworth Castle.

John de Somery died upon the Feast of St. Thomas the Martyr
before the end of 15 Edward II., and in November, 16 Edward II.,
his widow Lucia had assigned to her (amongst other estates) for
her dower the Manor of Newport Paynel, with its appurtenances
in the county of Buckingham, which was then worth per annum
£S6 i8s. 4id. ^

At an Inquisition ^ taken at Stony Stratford on 17th September,
16 Edward II., it was found that the following held fees of John

1 Inq. Post Mortem, Edward I., No. 14, Rogery de Somery.

2 Patent Rolls, 20 Edward I., m. 26. 1292, 3d Jan., at Westminster.

3 Ibid. 25 Edward I., pt. 2, m. 12.

4 On 17th July in this year Letters Patent were dated at Newport Pagnell.

5 Close Rolls, 16 Edward II., m. 20.

6 Chancery Inq., p.m. 16, Edward II., No 72.

The Manor. 39

de Somery, namely : —

Roger de Tyringham, a fee in Tyringham, Felgrave, and

Astwood, worth per annum 15s.
Thomas de Fumeus, a fee in Emberton worth 40s. per

annum.
Robert de Okeneye, a quarter fee in Okeneye worth los.
Robert de Rokele, half a fee in Astwood worth 20s.
John de Pateshull, a quarter fee in Little Crawley worth los.
William de Bledeton, half a fee in Mershe Gibewyke

worth 20s.
William de Birmingham, a quarter fee in Hoggeston and

Dorton worth 8s. 6d.
William de Pcnros, two fees in Ovinges and Merston

worth 4s. 6d.
Michs de Cantelupe, half a fee in Eselburne worth 20s.
Robert Pogeys, two fees in Stoke Ditton and Chesel-

hampton worth 4s. 6d.
Richard de Tours, a quarter fee in Ulton and Stanhope

worth los.
Nicholas de Eure, a quarter fee in Caldecote worth los.
Nicholas de Burton, a fee in Tolthorpe in Rochelond

worth 40s. 2
Richard Engayne, a fee in Werseleye, in the county of
Huntingdon, worth 40s.
The Jurors also stated that Tickford Priory was of the foun-
dation of John de Somery's ancestors, and was worth nothing,
because the Prior was disposable of at will (dativus).

John de Somery left no issue, and his estates (subject to his
widow's dower) devolved upon his two sisters — Margaret, wife of
John de Sutton, thirty-two years of age ; and Joan, late the wife of
Thomas Botetourt, twenty-nine years of age.

On the subsequent partition of the inheritance Margaret took
the Dudley and other estates and Joan the Manor of Newport
amongst others.

The Manor had passed into the hands of Joan Botetourt in 1327,
for in that year Edward, on the 13th May, made her a grant of a
new fair in these words : —

I In 49 Edward III., in an Inq. post, mortem, it is stated that the Manor of
Tolthorp was held of John Boutetort, Baron of Weslegh, by the service of
a quarter fee as of the Manor of Newport Pagnell. William de Burton,
the owner, was then just dead, and Thomas de Burton was his heir.

40 History of Newport Pagnell.

" The King to the Archbishops, &c., greeting. Know ye that
of our special grace we have granted, and by this our Charter do
confirm, unto our faithful Joan Butetourt that she and her heirs
may for ever hold a fair once a year at her manor of Newport
Paynel, in the County of Buckingham, of ten days' duration,
namely, on the eve and on the day of Saint Barnabas the Apostle,
and for the eight following days " ^

In 7 Edward III.,^ on 28th June, there was a commission of oyer
and terminer to William de Shareshull Malcolm Chastiloun and
John de Wakefield, on complaint by Joan, late the wife of Thomas
Butetourt, that whereas she ought to have at her town of Newport
Paynel a fair yearly and a market weekly, as she and her ancestors
time out of mind have used to do, Richard de Lynford of Shyring-
ton, Richard the Younger his brother, Roger de Cave, John
son of Ralph le Taillour of Woketon, Adam Forst, Richard
son of John de Cave, Robert Dakeneye, and others assaulted
John de Pakynton, John de Shyrington of Newport Paynel, John
the Younger his son, Reginald atte Lake, Phillip Williamesman
Gully, and William Bole, her servants, when collecting their tolls
therein, and compelled the merchants and others to withdraw
from the same, and committed other enormities to the great hurt
of the complainant.

Joan Bottourt died before February of 12 Edward III., for in
that month, at an Inquisition held at Newport, it was found '* that
Joan, who was late the wife of Thomas Bottourt, held on the day
of her death in her Lordship as of fee the Manor of Newport
Paynel of the Lord King in capite by the services of one knight's
fee." A description of the Manor and of that of Little Linford
follows, and the jurors conclude by stating that "John son of
Thomas Bottetourt is the next heir of the same Joan, and was
nineteen years of age at the Feast of the Invention of the Holy
Cross last past." The inquisition refers to a rent resolute of
£6 13s. 4d. then due out of the Manor to Philip de Ayllesbury.

As regards this rent it is stated in the Dodsworth MS.
(cxxvi. 41) that Roger de Somery, Knight, formerly seized of
the Manor of Newport Paynell, gave an annual rent of 10 marks
issuing out of the aforesaid Manor to Walter de Aylesbury and his
heirs. He was apparently the father of Philip de Aylesbury, just
referred to.

1 Charter Rolls, i Edward III., Pars Unica, No. 57.

2 Patent Rolls, 7 Edward III., pt. i, m. 7d.

The Manor. 41

Later on, too, in 6 Henry V., in an Inquisition post-mortem^ in
respect of Thomas Ailesbury, it was found that he was seized of
an annual rent of ten marks issuing out of the Mills of Newport or
of issues of the same Manor, and that it was held of the Lady
Elizabeth of Elynton. Other references will be found later on.

John de Botetourt appears to have been a commander in the
French Wars, and married Joyce daughter of William Lord
Zouche of Haryngworth.

Their son John was summoned to Parliament 1 from 16
Edward IL to the time of his death in g Richard II. He married
Matilda daughter of John Lord Grey of Rotheriield, and had by
her a daughter, Joyce, who married Hugh Bumel.

In 32 Edward III. John Bottetort of Wesley, Knight, obtained
licence from the King to enfeoff his Manor of Newport Paynell to
himself and Joyce his wife for life, with remainder to his son John
and Matilda (daughter of John de Rotherfeld) his wife, and the
heirs of their bodies^ ; and in 33 Edward III. a fine to this effect
was levied.

Matilda Botetourt, who subsequently was the wife of Thomas
Harcourt Chevalier, died on the 29th day of January, 1394, seized
of the Manor, and by inquisition it was found that " Joyce, then
the wife of Hugh Bumell, Knight, was the daughter of the said
Matilda, begotten between the said Matilda and the said John, son
of John Bottourt, lately her husband, and that the said Joyce was
the next heir of Matilda and John son of John, by virtue of the
said fine, and was of the age of 26 years.'' ^

By virtue of another fine levied in the 9th year of Richard II.
the Manor seems to have been assured, after the death of Matilda
wife of Thomas Harcourt, to Hugh Burnell and Joyce his wife,
and the heirs of the said Joyce.

By Inquisition taken at Newport Paynell, on the Friday next
before the Festival of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, in the 8th year of Henry IV., before Edmund Brudenell,
the Escheator of the Lord King in the County of Buckingham, the

I On 28th September, 1380, the Bailiffs of Baraet, St. Albans, Dunstable,
Woobume, Stoney Stratford, and Newport Pagnell were commanded to
take care that sufficient provisions were brought into their several towns
for the supply of all persons going to the Parliament about to be holden
at Northampton. Rymer's Foedera.

3 Pat. 33 Edward III., m. 13 or 17. Dodsworth MS., ii. 65, cxxii. 116.

3 Inq. post-mortem, 17 Richard II., No. 32.

42 History of Newport Pagnell.

JurorSi after setting out the last-mentioned fine, say that Joyce
Bumell died on the day of the Circumcision of the Lord last past,
and that on the day of her death she held the Manors of Little
Linford and Newport Paynell, jointly with Hugh Bumell, her
husband.

They also say that the said Manors were held of the Lord King

in capite by military services and that the Manor of

Newport Paynel was worth per annum, without reprisals, j^o.

The Jury also found that Joyce the wife of Adam de Peshale,
Knight, Matilda Buttetourt, Agnes Buttetourt, Maurice de
Berkeley, Agnes and Joyce Wykes, daughters of Joan lately the
wife of John de Wykes, were the blood relatives and next of kin
of Joyce Bumell ; and go on to state that Joyce the wife of Adam
de Peshale, Matilda Buttetourt, and Agnes Buttetourt were the
sisters of John Buttetourt, the father of Joyce Bumell, of whom
the said Matilda was a nun, and avowedly in the Abbey of Polles-
worth, in the County of Warwick, and Agnes Buttetourt was a
nun, and avowedly in the Abbey of Elmestowe, in the County of
Bedford ; and Maurice de Berkeley, son of Maurice, son of Kathe-
rine sister of John Buttetourt, father of the said Joyce ; and Agnes
and Joyce Wykes, daughters of Joan daughter of Alicia Hiryell,
sister of John Buttetourt, father of the said Joyce. It is stated in
conclusion that Joyce Peshale, Matilda and Agnes Buttetourt, were
more than forty years of age, Maurice de Berkeley more than
seven years old, Agnes Wykes over nine years, and Joyce Wykes
over seven.

In 3 Henry V. Richard Lord Grey of Wilton, son of Henry
Grey, released all right to a rent of £6 4s. 4d., in Eton, Evershold,
Newport, Lynford, Papeworth, and Weld to John Boneye, clerk,
and Robert Auferton. ^

Hugh Bumell died on the 27th November, 142 1, and on the
Friday next before the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, in the 8th year of the reign of King Henry, the
Fifth after the Conquest, an Inquisition ^ was taken at Stony-
stretford, before William Whappelode, the King's Escheator for
Bucks, for the purpose of enquiring into the estates held by Hugh
Bumell on the day of his death. The Jurors found that at that
time he held no estates within the Escheator's jurisdiction, but

1 Close Rolls, 3 Henry V., No. 19. Dodsworth MS., xxxvi., fol. 51.

2 Inquisition post-mortem, 8 Henry V., No. 116.

The Manor. 43

said that Hugh Burnell was once seised in his lordship as of fee
of the Manors of Newport Paynell and Little Lynford, with* all
their appurtenances, together with the advowsons of the two
Chantries in Newport Paynell, and that the Manors with the
advowsons, were a long time before his death by his charter by the
name of Hugh Burnell, Knight, Lord of Holgate and of Wesleigh,
given, conceded, and confirmed to John de Beauchamp, Lord of
Bergevenny, Phillip Morgon, then Bishop of Worcester, John
Bathe, clerk, Bartholomew Brokesby, William Botiller of Yatton,
Thomas Harewell, Nicholas Saucer, Esquire, and Richard Pepur,
then deceased, their heirs and assigns for ever, and that the
grantees were well seised thereof. The Jurors also said that the
Manors were held of the King in capite, viz., the Manor of
Newport by the services of a third part of a Knight's fee, and that
the value thereof, without reprisals, was ;C20 per annum. In
conclusion they stated that Joyce the wife of Thomas Erdyngton
the Younger, Katherine Burnell, and Margaret the wife of Edmund
Hungerford were blood relations and next heirs of the said Hugh
that is daughters of Edward Burnell, Knight, son of the said Hugh
Joyce being over twenty-four years of age, Katherine over four-
teen, and Margaret over eleven.

On the Friday next after the Feast of the Epiphany, in 8
Henry V., there was, however, an Inquisition taken at Wonge
county Bucks, before the Escheator, the Jurors then stating that
Hugh Burnell, Chevalier, held for his life when he died the third
part of the Manors of Little Lyneford and Neweport Paynell
reversion to Maurice son of Maurice de Berkeley, then under age,
and in the custody of the King. The fine of 9 Richard II. is
quoted, and it is stated that after the death of Matilda Harcourt
Hugh and Joyce Burnell entered upon and were seised of the
Manors, and afterwards that, by virtue of the fine, Joyce Burnell
died seised of a third part of the Manors; that Hugh survived
Joyce, and of the same third part died seised ; and that Maurice
Berkeley is heir of Joyce Burnell, and at the time of the death of
Hugh was over nineteen years of age.

From a fine quoted in Madox's Formulare Anglicanum (p. 232)
it would appear that Adam de Peshale and Joyce his wife had, in
10 Henry v., become possessed of a third part of the Manors of
Newport and Linford, which had been held by Hugh Burnell for
his life, and that they limited the same to their heirs male.

44 History of Newport Pagnell.

remainder to William de Birmyngham and Joan his wife and their
heirs with remainders over.

The Manor next passed to the Botelers, Earls of Ormond.

James Boteler, Earl of Ormond, who was commonly called the
" White Earl," was as early as 1407, and when he was still under
age, appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland, and later several times acted
as Lord Lieutenant. In 1447 he was accused by the Earl of Shrews-
bury of high treason, but the proceedings were quashed by the
King. He died on 23rd August, 1452, and was buried in the Church
of the Abbey of St. Mary in Dublin. By his first wife,* Johan,
daughter of Gerald, fifth Earl of Kildare, he had issue three sons
James, John and Thomas, who were successively Earls of Ormond,
and two daughters ; but by his second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of
William Beauchamp Lord Bergavenny, and widow of John Lord
Grey of Wilton, he had no issue.

James Boteler, son of the White Earl, was bom 24th November,
1420, and knighted with his brother John, at Leicester, by Henry
VI., whose supporter he was.

He became possessed of the Manor by a deed dated the
Saturday before the Feast of St. Martin the Bishop, 15 Henry
VI., 1436, whereby John Bathe, clerk, Robert Darcy, Bartholomew
Brokesby, Henry Fylongley, Water Kebbyl, Henry Brokesby,
esquires, William Newport, clerk, and John Bultus conveyed to
Henry Burton and John Daundsey, junior, the Manors of Newport
Pagnell and Linford Parva, amongst others, to hold for four years
and afterwards to enure to James son and heir to James Earl of
Ormond and his heirs male, remainder to John Botiller second son
of the Earl and his heirs male, remainder to Thomas the third son
and his heirs male, and remainder to the Earl's right heirs. ^

The estate is said to have come to the Earl on the death of his
grandmother Joane, the widow of William Beauchamp Lord
Bergavenny, whose property it seems to have been, and who in 5
Henry VI. is referred to as holding Newport Manor.^ By her
will, dated loth January, 1434, in which she describes herself as
Lady of Bergavenny, she gives certain specific legacies to Sir
James, son and heir to the Earl of Ormonde, and directs £500 if

1 Dictionary of National Biography. The authorities differ as to which wife

had issue and which lady the Earl first married. See Burke's Peerage
and Carte's Ormonde.

2 History of Life of James Duke of Ormonde, by Thomas Carte, 1736.

3 Inq. post mortem, 5 Hy. VI., No. 16. Thos. Caldecote. Vide account of

Caldecote post.

The Manor. 45

necessary to be spent about the defence of the title to the lands
given and assigned him, which are not however described or further
referred to, but are doubtless those assured by the deed of 1436,
several of the parties thereto being her executors.^ From the will it
appears that Sir James was to be regarded as of age when he was
20, and this explains the delay of four years vesting named in the
deed.

For the Earl's adherence to the Lancastrian cause he was created
a Peer of England on 8th July, 1449, by the title of Earl of
Wiltshire. In 145 1 he was made Lord Deputy of Ireland ; in
May, 1453, Lord Lieutenant; and in March, 1455, Lord High
Treasurer of England. He was with the King at the first battle
of St. Albans, and, the Yorkists being victorious, had to flee,
casting his armour in a ditch, but in 37 Henry VI. he was restored
to his post of Treasurer, and the next year created a Knight of
the Garter. He commanded a wing of the Royal army at the
Battle of Wakefield, but on the 29th March, 1461, he was taken
prisoner at the Battle of Towton, in which he was engaged, and
beheaded at Newcastle on ist May. He was thrice married, but
left no issue by any of his wives.

He was with his brothers John and Thomas attainted by the
Parliament, which met on the 4th November in that year,
and at an Inquisition,^ held at Newport Paynell on the last
day of January in the first year of the reign of Edward IV.,
the Jurors found that James late Earl of Wiltshire was at
the time of his death seised in his Lordship as of fee of the
Manor and Lordship of Newport Paynell, together with the Manor
of Little Lynford, parcel of the Manor of Newport, to his own use,
and that the Manor of Newport was worth, without reprisals,
£22 ^' ^' P^^ annum, and that Richard Earl of Warwick and
Salisbury was in receipt of the profits of the Manor.

On 27th April 2 Edward IV. 3 the King, in consideration of the
good, acceptable, and faithful services of his most dear relative
Richard Neville Earl of Warwick, granted to the Earl the Manor
or Lordship of Newport Panell, which was the property of James
late Earl of Wiltshire.

On the downfall and death of the Kingmaker on the 14th April,

1 Dugdale's Baronage, vol. i., p. 240.

2 Inq. post mortem, i Edward IV., No. 29, James Earl of Wiltshire attainted.

3 Pat. 2 Edward IV., part i, m. I2, 13.

46 History of Newport Pagnell.

147 1, at the Battle of Barnet, his estates reverted to the Crown,
and in 12 Edward IV. Newport Manor became the property of
George Duke of Clarence, who had, on nth July, 1469, married
Isabel one of the daughters of the Kingmaker, at St. Nicholas,
Calais.

The Earl of Warwick's widow, after his death, lived in great
penury, as all her estates were taken from her by Parliament and
settled upon her two daughters Isabel and Ann, the latter of whom
married Richard Duke of Gloucester. ^

The Duke of Clarence died on the i8th February, 1477, being,
as is popularly supposed, drowned in a butt of wine. He was
attainted in 1477.

The Manor having reverted to the Crown, was restored by
Edward IV. to John sixth Earl of Ormonde, brother and heir of
the fifth Earl. He died in 1478 unmarried, and was succeeded
by his brother Thomas seventh Earl of Ormond. On the 26th
June, 1494, apparently to perfect the Earl's title and to bar any
claim by the Birmynghams, a deed, ^ addressed to all the faithful
of Christ, was executed by Fulc Birmyngham, clerk, late Rector of
Cropryde, in the County of Oxford, brother of William Birmyng-
ham, knight, deceased, the father of William Birmyngham,
esquire, then in religion, whereby Fulc Birmyngham quitted
claim to Thomas Earl of Ormond, in his (the Earl's) full pos-
session and seisin then being, and to his heirs all the right, estate,
title, claim, and demand of him the said Fulc of and in the Manor
of Newport Paynell and Little Linford.

In 1483, 14th May, i Edward V., there was a royal letter "to
Edmond Holt, to advoide the keping of the pare of Newport
Paynell and the bailliship ther, and suffre Thomas Hargill to
occupie them during the kingis pleasure, uppon payne of his
alliegeaunce."^

In 1496 Thomas Vrmeston was appointed Master of the Hospital
by Dom John Grey, by virtue of a grant for the next turn from
Thomas Earl of Ormond, " true founder, collater, and patron."

The Earl was a member of the Privy Council of England. In
1492 he was chief Chamberlain to the Queen, and the same year
was sent as Ambassador to the Court of France. He was

1 History of Life of James Duke of Ormonde. By Thomas Carte. 1736.

2 Madox's Formulare Anglicanum, pp. 395-96.

3 Crown Grants Edward V., Camden Society.

The Manor. 47

summoned the 14th October, 1495, to the English Parliament as a
Baron by the title of Thomas Ormond de Rocheford ; and in 1497
went as Ambassador to the Duke of Burgundy.

He married Anne daughter and heir of Sir Richard Hankford,
and died 3rd August, 1515. He was buried in the church of St.
Thomas of Aeon, now called Mercer's Chapel, Cheapside, London.
He left two daughters — Anne, who married Sir James St. Leger
and Margaret, who married Sir William Bullen, Knight.^

The St. Legers, by this marriage, became, on the death of the
Earl, possessed of this Manor, and the Lady Anne, surviving her
husband, was apparently for many years Lady of the Manor in her
own right, and, as such, presented the Mastership of the Hospital
to Thomas Thornham in 1529.

St. George St. Leger, her son, was Sheriff of Devon in 1531, and
married Anne daughter of Sir Edmund Knevet. His son. Sir
John St. Leger, who was also Sheriff in 1562, married Catherine
second daughter of Sir George Nevil Lord Abergavenny.

By an Act of Parliament, 33 Henry VIII., the Manor of New-
port with its appurtenances was annexed to the newly-created
Honor of Ampthill, and in 34 or 35 Henry VIII., apparently
consequent on such Act, Henry VIII., in consideration of the
surrender to him by Sir John St. Leger of the Lordship and Borough
of Newport Pagnell, the Manors of Great and Little Linford, and
the Advowson of Great Linford Church, granted to John, in
exchange, Canonsleigh Priory and Iddesleigh Manor, Devonshire,
and other properties. 2

On the 7th March, 4 Edward VI. ,3 the King, in fulfilment and
performance of the will and last wish of his most dear Father,
Henry VIII., lately King of England, and by the advice of his
Council, gave and granted to his most dear sister the Lady
Elizabeth, daughter of his said Father, for her life, the Manor of
Newporte Panell, being parcel of the possessions of the Honor of
Ampthill, and the water mill in Newporte Panell and all the
privileges, tolls, and customs of the market there, and the park of
Newporte Panell and all the does and deer within the park and
freedom of the park within the park.

The grant was, however, surrendered by Elizabeth, and it was

1 Sir William's granddaughter Anne was the mother of Queen Elizabeth.

2 Particulars for Grants, 34 Henry VIII., No. 1060.

3 Patent Rolls, 4 Edward VI., part 3, mem. 25.

48 History of Newport Pagnell.

cancelled on the a3rd April, 5 Edward VI.

During the reigns of Mary and Elizabeth the Manor appears to
have remained parcel of the Honor of Ampthill, but there were
various grants and leases of property in the parish during the
latter reign.

In the time of Henry VIII., and after he had acquired the Manor
by virtue of the above-mentioned exchange with John St. Leger, a
difficulty appears to have arisen as to the payment of the rent of
Ten marks already referred to, and which was then payable to
Humphrey Stafford, of Kirby, Northantd, Esquire, the son and heir
of Sir Humphrey Stafford, then late of Blatherwick, in the
same county. Knight. Stafford thereupon stated in a petition ^
that the rent of which he and his ancestors were seised came out
of one Water-mill in the Manor of Newport Pagnell ; that his
ancestors might lawfully have distrained for the same in the said
mill or in the market-place of Newport ; that he could by no means
attain to the possession of the original deed of the first commence-
ment " bycause that the evidences .... were so sperkelede
abrode by the occasion of the attayne of his graundfather for
holding with Kyng Richard the thridde and4iis Manor of Middle-
ton Keynes thereby gyven away by King Henry the vijth unto
Sr. Edward Poynings and did but lately revert again " to his
father by the death of the said Edward Poynings without heirs
male ; that he had therefore no means to prove the rent-charge but
by books of account of certain officers found after the decease of
his ancestors ; that the rent was always paid to them, and they
were never driven to distrain; and concluded by praying that
certain honest persons might be examined as to the truth of his
statement.

As a result an Inquiry was held, and John Annesley deposed
that "when the old ladye Seyntleger appoynted and admytted
him her bailyf of the manor of Newport Pannell the same lady
Seyntleger did declare and say unto the said deponent these
words following : — * Annesley, there is an ancytie of vj.,
li. xiijs. iiijd. by yere to be paid owte of my manor of Newport
Pannell unto my cosyn Sir Humfray Stafford as to his Manor of
Midleton Keynes. I will and charge you to paye the same byfore
the payment of myn own rent.' Off what nature or kind the rent
is the deponent knoweth not."

I Court of Augmentations, Vol. i, 112.

The Manor. 49

Thomas Wadlow, of Newport, aged 74, deposed that the rent
had been paid for fifty years, and that at the first entry of Sir
Edward Poynings the rent was denied by one Thomas Jeffome,
then bayly of Newport, and that thereupon the bayliff of Sr.
Edward of his manor of Midleton Keynes distrained in a certain
pasture ground called Bury Field, parcel of the Manor of Newport

The Commissioners moreover testified to having seen an
acquittance dated 24th April, 30 Henry VIIL, given by the
Midleton bailiff to Annesley for half a year's rent due at the feast
of " th'annunciation of o^* lady '' then last past.

In face of this evidence and finding the payment of the rent was
resumed.

On 25th March, 1572, ^ a dispute arose as to the spoliations of
the Northe MHls by James Annesley (son of George), Matthew
Annesley, and others, and John Conye going with other honest
men at the request of John Harley, servant to Mr. Justice Weston,
did "seye ye spoile and dekeye ther made." The ** spoiling"
seems to have been in process at Conye's first visit about 7 a.m.,
and when he went again about noon he made a list of the things
taken away, which is so long that it looks as if none of the
machinery was left.

The Com Mills of Newport had been leased by John St. Leger
to Robert Annesley for 31 years, at a rent of £jy but as from Lady
Day, 1571, or other the determination of the St. Leger lease the
Queen demised the two water-mills to William Cocks. There
seems little doubt, therefore, that the Annesleys lease having
terminated March, 1572, they were taking care to leave as little as
they could for their successor.

The proceedings were instituted by the Queen, and the depo-
sitions in the matter taken at Newport on the gth April, 1572.

In the first year of James I., 2 on the 19th September, the King,
amongst other estates, granted for her life to his most dear Consort
the Lady Anne, Queen of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland,
in full compensation of her jointure and dowry, the Lordship and
Manor of Newport Pannell, lately parcel of the possessions of the
Honor of Ampthill.

In 1609, on the 8th August, there was a complete Survey of the
Manor taken on the Oath of the Tenants there. It is of an

1 Exchequer Depositions, 14 Elizabeth, No. 2.

2 Patent Roils, i Jac. I., pi 20.

30 History of Newport Pagnell.

extremely interesting character. The Survey, after stating that
the yearly rents of the free tenants amounted to ;{^i i 14s. 4d., and
those of the Customary Tenants to ;£ii los. 3d., sets out the
demises affecting the Manor, the last item under that head being
as follows : —

'' The Bailii! of the Borough of Newport aforesaid for the time
being claims to hold by custom or prescription the Tolls
and Profits of one Fair, to be held on the Feast of St
Barnabas yearly, and the Tolls and Profits of one Market likewise
to be held on Saturday weekly. And eight Butchers' Shambles
in the High Street of Newport aforesaid Rent thereof to the
Lady the Queen by the Year £3^ yearly value to be demised
£6 13s. 4d."

Then comes a list of " Rents called Certainties,'* viz. :—

Rents issuing from Northmerston and Ovinge by the year,
20S. id. ; from Caldecote, 4s. ; from Astwood with Eckney and
Rokell, 15s. ; Chicheley, 7s. ; Emberton, 13s. 4d. ; and Crawley,
9s. 8d.

The "Reprises" were: —

" For the Bailiff's Fee for the year, £4. For Rents Resolute to
Lady Stafford by the year £6 13s. 4d.

The Jurors then go on to say " that the Metes and Bounds of the
Manor of Newport Pannell extend themselves in manner and form
following (that is to say) : — Banning at the North Comer of a
certain piece of pasture called Clapperieys next the close called the
Coningree Close, parcel of the demesnes of the late Priory of Tick-
ford, and from thence by the South side of the brook called
Tickford Brook, otherwise Chicheley Brook, unto the bounds of
the Lordship or Manor of North Crawley ; East by the space of
one thousand paces. And from thence by the West side of the
Common Field of North Crawley aforesaid unto Tickford Park,
and so by the East side of the Park aforesaid unto the Wood called
Barewood and so unto the Close called Stocking, South by the
space of one thousand paces and three Furlongs. And from thence
by the South side of the Park aforesaid unto Gallow comer, and
from thence by the North side of the Common Field called Moulsoe
Field unto the River called Willen Water, West by the space of
1000 paces, and from thence by the Middle of the River aforesaid
unto the upper end of Caldecott Mill Dam, also West by the space
of three furlongs. And from thence by the South bank of the

The Manor. 51

River called the Old Brook unto Caldecott Mill Bridge. And
from thence by the middle of the River unto the Middle of a
certain Meadow called Sowmead, and so by the ancient course of
the River aforesaid, now being only a Ditch surrounding a certain
piece of Meadow formerly being parcel of the said Meadow called
Sowmead, and so unto the River aforesaid, and from thence by the
middle of the said River unto the North end of Sowmead afore-
said, North by the space of two furlongs. And so by the middle of
the said River unto the farther end of the Close called Caldecott
Leaze, also North by the space of three Furlongs. And from
thence by the North side of Caldecott Fields unto the Close called
Tongwell Close, lying in Caldecott West by the space of 500
paces. And therefrom by the East side of Great Linford Fields
unto Little Lynford Bridge, North by the space of 1000 paces.
And from thence by the South bank of the River called Linches
River unto the West End of the West Meadow, and so by the Mill
called Goathurst Mill and the North side of the West Meadow
aforesaid unto the East End of the same Meadow, East by the
space of 500 paces. And from thence by the Middle of the River
called Salledge Water otherwise the Ouze, unto the Meadow called
the King's Holme, and from thence by the South side of Lathbury
Fields unto North Bridge. And from thence unto the lower end
of Castle Meadow, East by the space of 1000 paces. And from
thence unto the South End of Tickford Bridge, East by the space
of two furlongs. And from thence by Tickford Street unto the
Upper End thereof. And from thence by the South Side of the
Priory aforesaid unto Clapperleaze first specified by the space of
500 paces. Within which Metes and Bounds there are divers
Lands and Tenements lying dispersedly belonging and apper-
taining to the late Priory of Tickford. And divers other Lands
and Tenements held of our Lord the King as of his Manor of East
Greenwich in the county of Kent."

Further the Jurors presented certain facts respecting the
Hospital and Almshouses, and that " there is within the Borough
a Court Leet or View of Frankpledge to be held on Monday next
after Pentecost yearly for the Lord the King."

" And that there is a Court within the Borough aforesaid called
Unbodmot, to be held four times in the year (to wit), Monday
next after the Feast of St. Michael, Monday next after the Feast
of the Epiphany, Monday next after the Feast of the Annuncia-

52 History of Newport Pagnell.

tion, and Monday next after the Feast of the Nativity of St. John
Baptist, and that the profits of the same belong to the Lady the
Queen."

'* And there is another Court there called a Port Court, to be
held continually on Monday in every other week, and the profits
thereof likewise belong to the Lady the Queen."

At the end of the extent, following the signatures of the Jurors,
are the following very interesting " Remembrances : " —

** Note. — That if a Burgess die, at his death the Lord shall have
the best quick Cattle, and for default thereof Then the best of his
moveable goods in the Name of a Heriott.

** Also the Tenants claim to hold freely within the Borough their
Land as well Burgesses as other Freeholders by Socage Tenure,
and their Heirs shall pay but i6d. for a Relief whatsoever their
Rent be, and likewise i6d. for every alienation.

'' Also if a Socageholder without the Borough do die he shall
pay no Heriott, but only his Heirs shall double the yearly Rent for
his Relief. But for every Alienation of the said Freeholders the
Purchaser shall pay for every Arrest 6d. fine.

" Also the Copyholders have Estates for 6i years ^ or under,
at the pleasure of the Steward, claiming their Fines to be certain
upon renewing their Estates three years' rent, and upon surrender
of an Estate and newtaking the same, where no years are added
these to pay but one year's rent for fine.

" They pay no Heriots.

"They claim to be allowed Timber for repair of their Tene-
ments by custom.

" If any Copyholder commit any waste as by Decay of Houses
or Wastes of Wood or Trees contrary to the custom he shall
forfeit his Copyhold.

The value in ( Arable Land 5s. I

general by just j Pasture 13s. 4d. r ^"^ Acre.

relation of C Meadow los. )
In February, 10 James I., there was a grant of the Manor and
its profits and the office of bailiff to Edward Lord Bruce and his

I This point is referred to in certain Chancery Proceedings (Ser. 2, 315) on the
29th June, 1620, between Agatha Knight and Thomas Nicholls, it being
therein stated that the estates of the copyholders were only to them and
their assigns for the term of three score and one years. Also that there
was no custom in the Manor that a widow should be endowed of a third
port of her late husband's copyholds.

The Manor. 53

assigns for his life or the lives of Lord Bruce, William Cavendish
Knight, and Thomas Bruce, his brothers. ^

By Letters Patent dated nth February, 7 James L, the two
water mills called the Cornemills of Newport Pagnell, with all the
rights, were granted to Edward Ferrers and Francis Philips and
their heirs, to be held in socage, rendering j^y therefor annually.

In 20 James I. disputes as to the ''Greist Mills" arose, and
amongst the depositions then taken by Special Commission is one
by Thomas Richardson of Newport, Tailor, aged 70, who '^saith
that 2 he doth knowe the three water come milles in Neweport
Pannell, and that abowte threescore yeares sithence when he
knewe them there were but twoe milles, and he saith that aboute
ffiftie yeares sithence there was a thirde wheele added to that
parte of one of the said Milles w<^ is next to the meadow called
the Monkes Holmes, and he saith that the said three Milles are
called Newport Milles, and he hath alwaies taken them to be
within the parishe of Newport. And he saithe that Mrs.
Weston 3 caused the saide third wheele to be added, and thereof
made a fulling mille at the desire of ould John Harley, her bayliff,
whose Sonne was a fuller and occupied the same as a ifullinge
mille aboute twoe years and was then converted into a wheate
myll, and hath ever since soe continewed, and the other twoe
milles were then occupied by the said Bayliff as Corn Milles."

George Fynell, of Newport, weaver, aged 64, said " That before
the said if ulling Mill was built in old George Ansley's tyme sheepe
were used to be pynned when men came to wash them in the place
where the fiuUing mill was after erected, but he knoweth not that
any man ever payd ought therefor or asked any leave therefor of
any man."

The object of the proceedings was apparently to prove the
erection of the mill an encroachment, but the Mill is referred to in

I 10 Jac. I., Pt. I, No. 13, 2 Exchequer Special Commission, 20 Jac. I.

3 Elizabeth Weston, of Chicheley, whose first husband was Anthony Cave, by her
will dated 24th July, 1577, gave to Griffith Hampden and Jerome Weston,
her sons-in-law, all her interest in the water mills in Newport. The will
was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury in November, 1577 —
Chester Memorials. In 6 James I. it is stated, in the Survey already
referred to, that Sir Richard Weston claimed to hold by Letters Patent,
"Three water grain mills under one roof called the North Mills, with
the House of the Miller adjoining, of four spaces and a close of pasture
adjoining with the Banks there, containing by estimation 3 acres. And the
Pishing of the Pond there." For this he paid £7 to the Receiver, but the
yearly value to be demised was stated to be £^6 63. 8d.

54 History of Newport Pagnell.

subsequent grants, and was evidently left.

On the 15th June in the 22nd year of his reign James I., the
Queen being then dead, assigned to Sir Henry Hobart, Sir James
Fullarton, Sir John Walter, and Sir Thomas Trevor, amongst
other things, the Honor of Ampthill and the Manors and Rights
thereto appertaining for a term of 99 years from the Feast of
Saint Michael the Archangel then last past in trust for Charles.

On the 25th June 3 Charles I. the surviving assignees. Sir Henry
Hobart having died, assigned the Manor of Newport Pannell, with
its rights, to Edmund Connie, Thomas Barnes, and Arthur
Humphrey, gentlemen, for the remainder of the term of 99 years,
subject to the payment to the King during the residue of a term of
31 years granted to Henry Atkins of a yearly rent of £6g i8s. 3d.
and one pound of pepper, and after the residue of the 31 years of
the yearly rent of £t<^ 8s. 4|d. and one pound of pepper.

On the 6th August in the same year the King granted the
reversion of the Manor to Sir Francis Annesley, in consideration
of a certain sum of £^^2 ^^s. lod. paid by Sir Francis Annesley,
and of £iy] 13s. ^d. paid by Sir Francis, Roger Nichol, John
Parker, and John Chibnall, subject to the payment of a yearly rent
of £^$ 8s. 4jd. and a pound of pepper after the expiration of the
term of 99 years. During the term of 31 years, too. Sir Francis
Annesley covenanted to pay 20s. payable to the Steward of the
Manor, £/^ payable yearly to the Bailiff, and £6 13s. 4d. issuing
out of the Manor for a rent resolute to the Heir of Sir Humphrey
Stafferton, Knight, the King agreeing, after the expiration of the
31 years, to pay the rent of £6 13s. 4d.

The grant was in free and common socage. The particulars of
the properties and rights included therein are set out at length.
They included the rents of assize of the free tenants, amounting to
£^ I2S. 9jd. and one pound of pepper by the year ; the rents
certain of £2 9s. id. ; the tolls of fairs or markets held within the
Manor Town or Borough of Newport Pannell, amounting to £2 ;
a cottage near the " North Mill " in Marsh-end ; all waste ground
and soil within the town, with liberty to erect thereon in fit places
Stables and penns for Beasts and all manner of moveable Stalls
and Booths for Pedlars, Victuallers, and others ; the lands holden
at the will of the Lord of the yearly value of 4s. 8d. ; the yearly
rents of 4s. 8d. issuing out of the same lands ; the profits of the
Court of the Manor, valued at £/^ i8s. 6|d. by the year ; the

SiH Fbaxlis Anm

, J^i-^"

■a-K >

The Manor. 35

Manor place of Waterhall, then or late in the tenure of John For-
tescue, Esquire; the common Bakehouse; all that water called
Lovens which extends itself from the Bridge of Calcott Mill unto
the common water which leads to the Mill called a Fulling Mill,
and all that half of the water which extends itself from Calcott Mill
Damms unto the outer part of the land of the Lord of Tickford ;
the Fishery called Bury Water in Tickford ; the Fishery called
Salegewater in March-end ; a tenement near the " Bayer Ditch; "
and mansion houses called Tynall Copy and Bareditch Copy. All
these premises were, says the grant, '' mentioned to be parcel of
the Honor of Ampthill, and afterwards to have been assigned to
our aforesaid late most dear mother as parcell of her Jointure and
afterwards were granted to us before our accession to the Crown
of England."

The Grant confers on Sir Francis Annesley the right as well
during the residue of the term of 99 years as after the end of the
same to hold Courts Leet, Views of Frankpledge, Lawdays, and to
have Assize and Assay of Bread, Wine, and Beer, Chattels, Waifs,
EstrayS; &c. It expressly excepts, however, the Water Mills, the
whole herbage of the Park of Tickford, the whole Park of Tick-
ford, the lands and tenements in Newport Pannell, of the yearly
rent of £4, iis. id., granted to Robert Earl of Leicester and his
heirs by the Lady Elizabeth, late Queen of England, in the i6th
year of her reign, the nomination and presentation of the Master of
the Hospital within the Manor of Newport Pannell and the
Foundation and Right of Patronage of the same Hospital, all
Knights' fees, all advowsons, and mines of lead and tin.

In January, 1650, steps appear to have been taken by the
Commonwealth officials to sell the £'j^ 8s. 4|d. fee farm rent
reserved to the Crown Trustees, and particulars of the properties
on which it was chargeable were accordingly taken in minute
detail. Practically they are identical with those included in the
Grant to Sir Francis Annesley, and the premises excepted from
his grant are stated to be free from the charge. Incidentally it
appears that the grant for 31 years to Henry Adkins, referred to in
the already mentioned Assignment of 3 Charles I. was made by
Indenture dated 26th February, 22 James i., and expired at
Michaelmas, 1655.

The rent dealt with was £^2 14s. 4id., as a fee farm rent equal
to the difference and issuing out of one rood and three closes in

56 History of Newport Pagnell.

Tickford, sometimes Thomas Horton's, and other lands then late in
the tenure of John Kirkland, and amounting to lys., till Michael-
mas, 1655, and from that time for ever of 34s. had already been
purchased by James Mayo, gent., according to a particular of 29th
April, 1650.

The pound of pepper iivas not arrented, because it was formerly
paid to the Auditor to his office belonging.

The particular is endorsed " Particular, Richard WagstafFe, of
Revensdon, in ye County of Bedford, esq. Contracted 28 Jan.,
1650, and 6 Feb. v^xxiij li. ixs. iiijd. ob. 1

In 1657 disputes arose with reference to the tolls and bounds of
the fairs and markets, and on 28th November, 1657, a Commission
was issued, the plaintiffs being Arthur Annesley and Mark
Slingsby, and the defendants Tho. Cony, Tho. Kilpin, Sam Con-
ingham, John Sam, and James Davis. ^ On 12th June, 1657,
interrogatories were administered and depositions taken at New-
port Pagnell, from which it appears that the claim of the Lord of
the Manor was for rent of the ground, some three or four yards, in
front of the burgages of the Defendants, which ground they had
for some forty years past used for the erection of stalls on market
and fair days and taken the profits, the tenants paying a " shew
penny " in money or kind for shewing their goods.

Ambrose Sam deposed that the Green, the North-end and other
places were used as waste ground, except those who held of the
Lord of Tickford Manor, who refused to pay anything for the
ground before their doors except a penny apiece for shew of wares,
and such ground was always repaired at owner's charge. Arthur
Johnson, who had been the bailiff's servant, stated that he knew
the ground of Mathias Conny on the south side of his messuage,
and that the messuage abutted upon the street, the shambles being
over against part of the same, and that the grounde was part of the
street and market place, and that the women's market had been
kept on part of the ground before the messuage, and that a shew
penny was paid by everyone that brought goods to be sold there,
or the value thereof in fruit, and that there was paid a halfpenny or
the value thereof in fruit for one basket of fruit and a penny or
pennyworth for a horseload of fruit, and that there had been paid

1 Pee farm rents. Bucks, 3, 27.

2 Exchequer Depositions, Commonwealth, 1657-8. Hil., No. 24, Bucks.

The Manor. 57

to the occupiers of the Tolls by the " Poulters " that brought
or sold wares in the market on every market day a shew penny or
Tenne pence a quarter, and that those who kept stalls there paid a
shew penny on market days and on fair days a penny for pitching
their wares and a penny shew. Thomas Sibthorp, alias Butcher,
said he knew the ground which extended from the messuage in the
tenure of the defendant Thomas Kilpin to that late in the tenure of
John Wilks, and that Conny's messuage abutted on the street and
on the messuage of William Conneham, and that Haberdashers
and other chapmen on fair days paid twelve pence.

In 36 Charles II. there was another dispute, this time between
Jeremiah Smalridge and John Latham, William Weale, Thomas
Day, Anne Carter, widow, and John Wilkinson, and depositions
were taken at Newport Pagnell on 27th January, 1684. The con-
tention of the defendants at that time was that the rents due were
payable to the owners of adjoining premises and not to the Lord of
the Manor. George Page, of Petsoe Manor,said he placed a basket
upon a bench adjoining the house in the occupation of John
Wilkinson, but owned by James Britton, for sale of butter, cheese,
and eggs on market days, and paid the tenants of the house is. 6d.
per annum. John Prestman, of Newport, gent., aged 84, cor-
roborated as to a similar practice in respect of old Thos. Betts'
house, and said that his father and himself after him was possessed
of a house called ye Sarisan's head oppositele situated to the house
in question. Anthony Kitte referred to the practice of the defen-
dant Day, who was a " Traunter," of selling grain in the market,
which he believed was bought at Wellingburg, the toll being about
five or six shillings a year. ^

It is curious to note from a MS. of about 1812 that the tolls or
payments taken on Market or Fair days by the Lord of the Manor
were at that time as under : —

Sheep For all sheep exposed for sale, penned or not,

per score ••! ••• ••• ••• ••. i o

For all sheep, if sold, per score 8

The seller paying y« penning and buyer y©
toll.
Cows, &c... All neat cattle (except bulls and calves) if sold,

pf head

•••

I Exchequer Depositions, 36-7, Charles II., Hil., No. 19, Bucks.

58 History of Newport Pagnell.

s. d.

A bull^ if sold

• a •

Hogs ....

..All hogs sold at a fair, each

>..

Do. at a market, each...

■ • .

A boar at any time

• ..

A sow and pigs (if they suck) ...

>..

Otherwise, per head

1..

Horses ...All horses (except stallions) sold

>..

A stallion sold

!••

If swapt, each horse

> • •

Hawkers.

..All hawkers and pedlars for shew, each

If they pitch

) • •

Is,)

... ^

Butter or eggs (if not sold in y^ market)^ 7
fowls and garden stuff. Pitch and Shew ••• i

Stalls upon the lord's ground, by y^ foot in
length.

Ilf occupied by pro-|
prietor )
If occupied by any \
other person ... I
All caravans and carts, shews, riding schools,

&c., &c., from 6d. to

Com If sold by y« load, i quart out of every load of

5 bushel, and if by y« Quarter, I Quart out
of every Quarter.
N.B. — All tolls for cattle are payable by the Buyer the day
before and day after any fair, and extend to Lathbury, and power
is given to the Collector to detain anything until y« tolls are paid.
Sir Francis Annesley died in i66o, having been created Baron
Mount Norris and Viscount Valentia, and the Manor came into the
hands of his son Arthur.

In January 15 Charles II. ^ the rent of £t$ 8s. 4|d. and a pound
of pepper reserved from the Grant of Sir Francis Annesley was
given by the King to his Queen, Catherine, for life in part
satisfaction of her dower.

A little later, in 22 Charles 11.,^ there is a further document
which, after mentioning an Act passed in that year (in the which

1 Pat. Roll, 15 Charles II., pt. 14.

2 Pat. Roll, 22 Charles II., pt. 2, Roll i.

The Manor. 59

Act was a recital " That wee for the better enabling of Ourselfe to
pay such Debts owing att Interest whereof wee should find reason
to hasten the Discharge were minded to grant and convey to
certain persons as Trustees for the sale thereof divers ffee ffarme
Rents ") granted to Francis Lord Hawley, Sir Charles Harbord,
Knight, Sir William Haward, Knight, Sir John Talbot, Knight,
Sir Robert Stewart, Knight, and William Harbord, Esquire,
amongst other rents, " All that ffee ffarme rent of Seaventy five
pounds eight shillings and four pence halfe penny and one pound of
pepper reserved and issuing out of and for the mannor of Newport
Pannell, in the said County of Bucks, now or lately payable by
the right honourable Arthur Earle of Anglesey. Out of which
said Mannor of Newport Pannell there is a Rent resolute of six
pounds fifteene shillings and four pence yearly paid to the heires
of Humfrey Stafford " to hold the same until sale upon trust for
the King.

In 1707 the rent of £68 15s. o^d. was paid to Martin Bowes,
Esquire, who had purchased it from the Crown, and the rent of
£6 13s. 4d. was paid to the Lord of the Manor of Milton Keynes.
The fee farm and quit rents then amounted to £jj 15s. i|d. ^

In 1730, from the account of Edward Dymoke, the Steward,
rendered to the Earl of Anglesey, it appears that the sum paid the
Receiver in London, after deduction of £8 los. od. for taxes in
respect of the chief rent reserved, was ;£6o 5s. o|d., and the sum
paid to the Earl of Nottingham for the lesser rent, after deducting
i6s. 3d. for taxes, was £5 17s. id. The Steward's salary was then
£2 and the charges of the Court £1 6s. 6d.

The open fields known as Tickford Field and Port Field were
enclosed in the years 1795 and 1S08 respectively.

Port field, situate to the south-west of the town, was enclosed by
virtue of an Act passed in the 34th year of George III. (1794), and
its area was stated in such Act to be 900 acres. The Act provided
that if the persons entitled to tythes signified their desire to take a
composition in lieu thereof lands in such field should be allotted
to them in complete satisfaction thereof.

The Award was made on 3rd July, 1795, and certain allotments
were made to Richard Higgins and to Thomas Hooton in satis-
faction of certain parts of the tithes due to them. The costs

I Account rendered Hon. Arthur Annesley, 1707.

6o History op Newport Pagnell.

in connection with obtaining the Inclosure Act, making the Award,
and constructing roads, &c., appears from particulars at the end of
the Award to have been j£ 1,341.

Tickford Field was enclosed in pursuance of an Act passed in
the 47th year of George III. (Session 1806-7). '^^^ ^^ states
that the field contained by estimation goo acres, and mentions that
the Right Honourable George Annesley, commonly called Lx>rd
Viscount Valentia, was Lord of the Manor of Newport Pagnell,
and as such entitled to certain quit or fee farm rents issuing
thereout, and was also owner of the soil of the waste lands within
the Manor, and that Frederick Hendrick Van Hagen, Esquire,
was, or claimed to be, Lord of the Manor of Tickford, and was
Impropriator of the Great and Small Tythes arising from the
tytheable lands in Tickford Field.

By the Award, dated nth May, 1808, made in pursuance of this
Act, allotments of 138a. ir. 7p. and 13a. or. i8p. were made to
Mr. Van Hagen in lieu of his tithes, and other allotments were
made to Viscount Valentia in settlement of certain quit rents.
The total area dealt with was 862a. 2r. I7p., or including the
areas of lands exchanged, &c., 881a. 2r. 38p.
I Tickford Park being enclosed was not dealt with by this or any
other award.

In 1843 the question of tithes was gone into and a fixed tithe
rent-charge arranged. At the enquiry it was found that all the
Tickford tithes were extinguished on the Inclosure, and that a
large part of the Portfield was also exonerated at the time of its
Inclosure.

The apportionment, made 24th and confirmed 31st July, 1843,
fixed the total rent-charge on the lands still liable to tithe at
;£62 OS. 6d. Of this £^6 was payable to Mr. George Pike and
£4 OS. 6d. to Dr. George Renny, of Dublin, and Robert Murray
Fraser, Esq., of Seacomb, Liverpool, as tenants in common. The
former charge is now (with the exception of about £1 3s. 8d.,
charged on three pieces of land altogether containing 3a. 3r. I7p.)
merged in the reversion of the premises on which it was formerly
charged. The £4 os. 6d. which is payable out of four of the
feoffees' closes, was on 22nd August, 1854, conveyed to Mr. Wm.
Pike, of Moulsoe, and eventually, passing under the will of the
late Mrs. Elizabeth Pike, was assured to Miss Katherine Laura
Verena Studholm Brownrigg, now Mrs. Knapp.

The Manor. 6i

Tithe in the parish of Newport Pagnell is consequently, there-
fore, now practically non-existent.

The Manor of Newport Pagnell from the time of the grant by
Charles I. till the year 1810 remained in the Annesley family,^
but by Indentures of Lease and Release respectively, dated the
7th and 8th of May m the last named year, and made between the
Right Honourable George Lord Littleton, Baron of Franckley in
the County of Worcester, of the first part, the Right Honourable
Arthur Earl Mountnorris and George Annesley, commonly called
Viscount Valentia, of the second part, Charles Marius Hardy, of
Newport Pagnell, Esquire, of the third part, and Charles Henry
Hardy, of Brazen Nose College, of the fourth part, the Manor of
Newport Pagnell and various lands in Newport were sold and
released to Charles Marius Hardy.

The purchase-money was j^QjOgo, and the sale was made subject
to, inter alia, a fee farm rent of ^£55 5s. 6d., payable to Lord
Myddleton and a quit rent of £$ 7s. 6d. to Earl Winchilsea.

Mr. Hardy died at Newport Pagnell on 7th May, 1827, and was
buried at Lathbury. By his will, dated loth March, 1827, he
devised the Newport Manor and Estate to his only son, Charles
Henry Hardy, M.D., of Bath.

Doctor Hardy died intestate, and the Manor passed to Mrs.
Maria Newby, his only sister and heiress at law. On her death,
on 2nd April, 1871, and by virtue of her will, dated 31st March,
1858, the Manor became the property of her three daughters, the
Misses Elizabeth, Martha, and Catherine Newby, as tenants in
common in equal shares. It is now vested in Miss E. Newby, the
survivor of these ladies.

Fee farm rents of £6S 15s. o|d. and £6 13s. 4d. are still
payable, the present owners thereof being respectively Mrs.
Lingard and G. H. Finch, Esq., M.P.

I For some account of the family see biographical sketches post.

Part II.

TICKFORD

TlCKFORD|i which is within the Parish of Newport^ is thus
referred to in Domesday: —

** Land of William son of Ansculf. In Mosleie Hundred.
Manor. William himself holds Ticheforde. It answered for five
hides. There is land to eight ploughs. Besides these five hides
there are in the demesne two carucates of land and two ploughs
therein. Six villanes with four bondmen have there six ploughs.
Meadow for five ploughs. Pannage for 50 hogs. Five sokemen
there pay twenty-seven shillings. It is worth one hundred shil-
lings ; when received six pounds ; and the same in King Edward's
time. Vlf, a thane of King Edward's, held this manor ; and there
were five thanes who held three virgates and a half of this land,
and they might sell it to whom they would."

The Manor, with that of Newport, passed to the Paynels, and, in
the reign of William Ruf us, Fulc Paynel founded there * a priory
or cell of Cluniac monks, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary,
and subordinate to the Abbey of St Martin Majoris Monasterii,
commonly called Marmonstier, at Tours in France.

The Priory once founded gradually added to its orginal
endowments.

Several early gifts are referred to by Dugdale in his Monas-
ticon. Amongst them was a gift of land of Bernard Segm in

1 The word probably means " goat-ford," the word " ticeen " meaning a goat.

2 Tanner's Notit Monast. Charter 5 Edward II., hereafter referred to.

TiCKFORD. 63

Tykford from Hawis Paynel,i sister of Gervase Paynel, with the
consent of her second husband, Roger de Berkele.

Another charter of hers, to which Ralph de Sumeri, her son,
was witness, confirmed to the monks two virgates of land which
John de Sumeri, her first husband, had given them.

One Ralph Mansell, too, was an early giver of his land of
Cuculmesho, with the assent and at the wish of his wife Cecily
and his son and heir Seher. To this charter Gervase Paganel
was a consenting party, and Isabella Countess of Northampton,
Richard de Lund, and Roger (Robert ?) Paganell were witnesses.

In 1 187 Gervase Paganell granted to the monks a confirmatory
charter of their various possessions. A copy is given in Dugdale,
and the following is a translation : —

" To all the sons of Holy Mother Church to whom these presents
shall come Gervase Paganell sendeth greeting. Be it known
universally that I have given, and by this my present charter have
confirmed, by the advice and assent of my wife Isabella, Countess
of Northampton, to God and the Church of the Blessed Mary of
Newport and the Blessed Martin of the Greater Monastery and
the monks serving God there, for my souPs health and for the soul
of my father and my mother and my wife. Countess Isabella, and
for the souls of all my ancestors, and of my sons ^ whose bodies
rest in the Church and in the Chapter House of the Blessed Mary of
Newport all advowsons of churches and chapels and tenths and
lands and men and meadows and pastures and liberties and all
other ecclesiastical benefices which my ancestors, to wit, Fulcodius
Paganell, my grandfather, and Ralph Paganell, my father, gave to
God and the Blessed Mary and to the Monks of the Greater Monas-
tery commemorating at Newport ; likewise I give and confirm my
gifts and the gifts of my men, namely, the Church of Newport,
with all its appurtenances and land, namely, one hide in Newport ;
and the Chapel of Linford, with its appurtenances ; and the church
of Chichele, with its chapels and other appurtenances. And the
church of Tiringeham, of the gift of GifTard de Tiringeham, and
and the chapel of Little Craule ; and the chapel of Estwde ; and

1 In his account of the Paynels Dugdale states that Hawyse Paynel was the

daughter of Gervase, but in his account of the Somery family refers to her
as the sister of Gervase. From the above Charter it appears clear she was
sister, but in that case Dugdale's statement that Ralph Paynel, the father
of Gervase, left several sons must be erroneous, or she could not have taJcen
as heiress at law. Vide pp. 28, 29 ante.

2 Dugdale only refers to one son, Robert.

64 History op Newport Pagnell.

the church of Estone, with its chapels ; and the church of Boten-
dune ; ^ and the church of Bemache. And two virgates of land in
Little Craule of the gift of John de Somen and Ralph his son.
And twelve acres of land, which are called Forest, of the gift
of Pain de Embertune. And land and wood of Essarz, of the gift
of the same Pain. And all that my land of Chichele which William
Paganell held of me, with its liberties and appurtenances. And
the mill of Caldecote, and half a virgate of land with pasture
which belongs to the mill of Caldecote ; and all that my land of my
fee of Tomeberge ; and the homage and fealty and services of
Reginald son of Adchur and of his heirs ; and ten shillings which
those lands yearly render as rent ; and all that land which is of *my
lordship round about Laverkehruge at Tikeford. Further I give
to the aforesaid monks all gifts which men of my fee shall give or
have given ; and the chapel ot Pettesho of the gift of the Dapifer
Osbert and Michael his son. Likewise such cultivation as lies
before the gate of the monks up to the great ... of my
lordship, with other gifts, and the meadow which is situate
between the bridge of Newport and the house of the monks ; and
the tenth of the pannage of Newport and of Linford ; ;)nd all that
messuage which is between the gate of the cemetery of St. Peter
and the lord's demesne ; and the tenth of the mill of Linford and
one hide of land in Haremede ; and land of Brocheleshai and land
of Cadeworthe and half of the land of Cuculmesho. And all that
land which Will de Lovente and his father gave to the aforesaid
church, namely, a virgate of land of the gift of Godricus Coco and
half a virgate of land of the gift of Ralph his son, and a virgate of
land in Bradewelle of the gift of Michael son of Osbert de Pettesho.
And two parts of the tenth of the lordship of Walter Mansell and
John his son ; and 8d. which John Mansell gave to the church for
the soul of Robert Paganell ; and two acres of land and one
messuage of the gift of the Lord Richard in Linford. Besides I
give to them all gifts and all men and lands and all meadows and

I Boddington, Northants. The Prior of Tickf ord was entitled to present a rector,
who had about two-thirds of the benefice, and the monks of Chacombe a
rector, who took the rest. In 1291 the Tickford share of the rectory was
valued at eleven msu-ks, out of which a pension of 13s. 4d. to the Convent
was allowed. This was increased in 5 Edward II. to two marks. From
1429 there appears to have been one rector only, Tickford Convent pre-
senting to two out of three vacancies. A John Chace was presented the
28th April, 1419, and it is possible he may be identical with the Prior
" Thomas " Chace. Bridge's Northants, vol. i, p. 104.

TiCKFORD. 65

pastures and all woods and liberties and ways which Ralph
Mansell and his wife Cecilia and their heirs gave to the aforesaid
church of Newport in frankalmoign^ as their charters testify,
I concede likewise to them and confirm that they may have a
tenth in my house and in the house of my heirs of bread, fish,
and venison, whether we shall be at Neuport or Bradefeld, or
Botunden; and wood in all my woods through all my land in
England for constructing a church and making and repairing
houses wheresoever they may wish to take it outside the park ;
and the tenth of the venison of the park of Neuport ; and that
their men may have licence to sell and buy whatever may be
necessary to them in and without the market place at Neuport
without hindrance and freed and discharged from all dues. I
concede to them anew the licence of fishing in all my waters
of the same town ; and pasture for their oxen wherever my oxen
pasture, and grazing for their pigs in all my woods and parks
through all my English land, contrary to all usage. I also grant
to them anew that if the men of these monks do any injury to my
men that it may be overlooked ; my men and my heirs shall have
justice in the court of the monks. I grant also to them and
confirm all that gift which Robert de Castretona, my man, in
the time of Ralph my father, gave to the church of Neuport
and to the monks; two parts ol his tenth of his Lordship of
Tolthorep. Likewise also the gift which Ralph the bailiff, in the
time of Ralph my father, and in the days of Fulc Paganell, my
grandfather, gave to the aforesaid monks, to wit, two parts of his
tenth of his lordship of Bemarhes. I give and grant, moreover, all
these gifts and liberties to God and to the monastery of St. Mary
of Neuport and the monks in frankalmoign, free of all services
which pertain to me or to my heirs, and that these presents may
remain both now and hereafter uncontrovertable. I have affixed
my seal and called to witness the underwritten. These are the
witnesses: — Simon Earl of Northampton, the Countess Isabella
his mother, Peter the bailiff, Helia Foliot, Fulc Paganell, William
his brother, Godwin the bailiff. Pain de Emberton, Geoffrey de
Roeli, Michael son of Osbert, William Paganell, Bernard his son,
William Simone chaplain, Robert the deacon, Garino his son,
Thoma the chamberlain, William de Duddele, Herverard the
butler, Ralph Coco, William de Lavente, William de Stabulo,
Philipp de Haggeleia, Philippo Lorimeri Robert Suitft, Ralph

66 History of Newport Pagnell.

Uod, Rc^er Segin, Simon de Castertun, and many others.

" This charter was granted at Neuport in the time of Robert de
Bohun, then prior of the same place, in the year of the Incarnation
of the Lord MC87, of the King Henry son of the Empress 33."

Between 1151 — 1154 Robert Bishop of Lincoln granted a con-
ii rmatory charter^ of their possessions to the Monastery of St. Mary,
Newport. There are several estates mentioned which are not
in the Charter just given, references being made in the Bishop's
Charter to the Church of Serinton, ' given by William de Serinton,
lord of the estate ; to the chapel of Bradewell, given by Robert de
Bradewell and William de Bavis, lords of the estate ; to the church
of Willing, given by Philip de Cohaines ; half the church of Great
Craule ; the church of Brouthone, given by Robert de Brouthone
and William his son ; the tithe of Walter Mansell from his
demesne of Suleberi ; two-thirds of the tithe of the demesne of
Ralf de Bemakes; and the tithes of two virgates of land in
Luketon, given by Bertram de Luketon.

The charter concludes with an authority to the monks to retain
the premises mentioned for the support of their brethren, guests,
and poor, and a direction to choose and present to the Bishop of
Lincoln vicars to whom they should secure the rights of vicars
therein.

Another Charter confirming that just mentioned was granted by
Hugh Bishop of Lincoln (1186 — 1200).

About 1205 Robert Hamelyn, prior of Newport and the Convent
there, granted to William son of Reginald eight virgates of ftind in
Thomeberge, which their predecessors had by the gift of Fulk
Paganell, their patron ; to be held by the said William and his
heirs, whose service and homage Gervase Paganell gave to the
Priory in frankalmoign, paying an annual rent of ten shillings.

On the obverse of the round white seal attached to this grant is
apparently a Iamb looking to the right and supporting a cross
(seemingly without a banner) by one fore foot. The inscription is
nearly all effaced, but the letters ** + igi . . . . ort '' are left. On
the reverse is an Ark and the words " + Sig. Roberti Hamelini
Pri. de Nevp." 3

1 Calendar of Documents in France, edited by J. H. Round. Archives of Indre

et Loire in Bibliotheque Nationale.

2 The gift of this church was made in the presence of Henry II. Ibid.

3. Macray's Notes on Muniments of St. Mary Magdalen College, Oxford, 1882, and
Letter from H. A. Wilson, Esq., Librarian there.

TiCKFORD. 67

In the time of King John the Prior was involved in a dispute as
to the land at Serenton and the advowson of the church there,
to which he claimed title through the gift of William de
Serintone. ^ There was also trouble later on as to this land and
advowson, as a subsequent Prior seems to have attempted to
alienate it. ^

In 1220, on the fourth of the calends of June, the Lord Hugh
Bishop of Lincoln, coming to the Priory of Tikeford, outside
Neuport, on the occasion of making a visitation, was received with
honourable hospitality there, and with a solemn procession. ^

In 1228 the Priory was thrown into a tumult because it was
sought to have a certain agreement observed, to which was
appended the seal of the Abbey and Convent of Marmonstier.
As a result William the Prior and all the monks, but three, were
expelled and some of the monks imprisoned. At length, however,
an agreement was come to, and written in the manner of a chiro-
graph, and the prior and monks appear to have returned, and
everyone was reconciled.*

As already mentioned, Aston was given to the Priory by Gervase
Pagnell, and was moreover appropriated to it by Richard Peche,
then Bishop of the Diocese, which appropriation Hubert Arch-
bishop of Canterbury confirmed. In 15 Henry III. there was a
ratification, however, by Giles de Erdington, for which he and his
heirs were made partakers of all the prayers and pious works to be
performed in the monastery for ever. Moreover, on his death,
about 1270, a monk was assigned, at the cost of the Priory, to sing
for his soul and the souls of his parents. ^

In 38 Henry III. thare was an ordination of Aston Vicarage by
Roger de Wescham, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, with the
consent of the monks of Tickford and William de Kilkenny, the
then Rector, by which the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield were to
receive twenty marks yearly. ^

As early as 1248 there were disputes as to the extent of the

1 Placita Abb., p. 33.

2 In the time of Edward II., a writ upon the statute was obtained against the then

Prior by John de Burgh of Sherynton and Sibilla his wife because the
Prior had alienated the advowson and land at Sherington granted by the
ancestors of the said Sibilla. — Pleas Pari., vol. i, p. 399.

3 Dodsworth MS., cvii. 37b, quoting from Bishops' Register.

4 Annales Monastic!, vol. 3. Annales Prioratus de Dunstaplia, 1866, p. 109.

5 Dugdale's Warwickshire, vol. 2, p. 873.

68 History of Newport Pagnell.

jurisdiction of the Bishop of Lincoln, and there is among the Papal
Registers a confirmation addressed to the Bishop of Lincoln of the
sentence pronounced by William Cardinal of St. Eustace (dated
Lyons, 4 Non., June, 1249) ^" favour of the Bishop against the
Abbot and Convent of Marmontier lez Tours, who complain of his
having excommunicated the monks of the Priory of Newport
Pagnel, who claim that the Priors instituted by the said Abbot
have the right of administering without contradiction of the Bishop
of the diocese. ^

In 4 Edward L, according to the Hundred Rolls, the Prior was
called to account for depriving the men of Newport of a right of
common in a meadow against the Court of Newport from the time
of carrying hay up to the feast of Saint Mary in March. '

In 1274 there was again trouble, for in that year, writing from
Paris, John Duke of Brittany petitions King Edward, on behalf of
the Abbot and Convent of the Monastery of Tours, to which
Monastery the priories at Newport Pagnell and at Holy
Trinity, York, had been granted long since. From the petition it
appears that certain professed monks of the said monastery having
associated to themselves accomplices, had by their malice with
violence seized the said priories from the time of the rebellion of
Simon Montfort, and were determined to retain them although the
right of the said religious submitted to judgment in the Court of
the Pope, in the Council of Lyons, had been finally declared by
Papal letter, and the sentence could not, it was said, be delivered
for due execution on account of the power of their adversaries.
The burden of the petition consequently was that the King would
uphold the monks who the monastery destined for the priories and
defend them with the shield of his magnanimity against the power
and violence of their adversaries and God would reward him. ^

Again, in 3 Nicholas IV., 1290, there is a mandate to the Abbot of
St. Albans and Prior of St. Andrew's, Northampton, to hear and
within six months decide the cause between the Abbot and
Convent of St. Martin Marmontier lez Tours and the Bishop of
Lincoln about his visitation of the Priory of Newport Pagnel to
which Prior Simon de Beda [Reda] admitted him, while the monks
having refused him admittance were excommunicated by him, the

I Calendar of Papal Registers, 6 Innocent IV. 2 Vide p. 33 ante.
3 Rymer's Foedera, vol. i, part 2, p. 521.

TiCKFORD. 69

said Priory being immediately subject to the Monastery at Tours.
If the matter could not be settled as directed it was ordered to be
remitted to the Pope. ^

From the Lincoln Registers it appears that as a result of the
visitation of the Bishop's Commissioners, on 4th Id. July, 1291,
Simon de Reda was on 6th Kal. September removed on account of
dilapidation of the goods of the house and incontinence and
homicide.

The removal seems to have given rise to further meetings and
discussions as to the Bishop's authority, which appears to have
ultimately been established.

The taxation of Pope Nicholas IV., taken 1291, has the following
entries : —

Spiritual.

£ 8. d.

Dioc. Line Pensio in eccl. de Sulesbur 5 o

Porcio in eccl. de Harmede 168

Dioc. Covent...Eccl. de Astone appr. pr. de Tykeford

praeter pens ... ... ... ... 26 13 4

Temporal.

Dioc. Lond. ...Redd in Alba Nuttele 6

In Sulebur in redd 6 8

De magistro hospit. Sancti Johannis
extra portam orientalem in Oxon in
Thombery ... ... ... ••• 10 o

In Tykeford in terns redd, pratis vis

francpleg et heriett 9 14 yf

In Northampton de redd 19 10

As feudal lords of the Church the Popes demanded from every
church benefice a fine of its first year's income from every new
incumbent and an annual tax of one-tenth of its income. The tax
was, however, sometimes ceded to the kings, and in 1288 Pope
Nicholas IV. gave the tenths to Edward I. for six years towards an
expedition to the Holy Land. That a full collection might be
made a new taxation was ordered, and the taxation so made and
completed, 1291 — 92, is accordingly known as Taxatio Eccle-
siastica P. Nicholai IV.

In 22 Edward I. an Inventory of the goods and chattels of the
Priory and extent of the Manor was taken. ^ It runs thus : —

I Calendar Papal Registers, 3 Nicholas IV. 2 Dugdale's Monasticon.

70 History of Newport Pagnell.

" There are there 5 palfreys worth 40s. Also 3 horses worth
I OS. each. Also 4 horses each being worth 5s. Also i blind horse
worth 1 2d. Also 2 cart horses each being worth 5s. Also 7 oxen
worth each 2s. Also i ox worth 8d. Also 2 heifers each worth
5s. Also 7 bullocks each worth half a mark. Also 3 bulls each
worth 5s. Also I cow worth 3s. Also 7 young oxen worth each
2s. Also 41 sheep each worth I2d. Also 13 lambs each worth 6d.
Also 58 pigs each worth i5d. Also 19 little pigs each worth 2d.
Also 2 swans each worth 3s. Also 2 peacocks each worth i2d.
Also 124 acres in the fields, sown with wheat, worth per acre
2s. 6d. ; with wheat and rye, 2 acres and a half, worth per acre I2d. ;
9 acres with drag,^ worth 2s. 2d. an acre ; 4 acres with beans,
worth an acre 2s. ; 15 acres and a half with peas and vetches,
worth per acre 23d. ; 133 acres with oats, worth per acre i8d ;
3 acres of meadow for mowing, worth per acre 2s. 8d. Total,
£45 I2S. 8id.

"The jurors found, too, that the fees and easements of the
Courts of Tykeford, Bradewell, and Tykethom were worth per
annum, with the sale of underwood, £a 8s. Rents of free tenants,
;£i3 19s. lod. Rents and services of customary tenants, £y^
13s. 4}d. Value of 20 acres of arable land at Tykeford, los.
Value of 415J acres i rood of arable land at Tykethom, ;Ci3
17s. 2d. Value of 6^ acres of arable land in the field of Schirinton
belonging to Tykethom, 3s. 4d. Value of 140 acres of land in the
lordship at Bradewell, £i. Value of 9^ acres of meadow with a
plot of meadow opposite the Priory, 24s. The pasture of the
aforesaid places, 9s. 2^d. Caldecot Mill, 66s. 8d. Pleas and per-
quisites of the Courts, with fines of lands and with tallages of the
villains, £^ los. Pensions and outside rents, 74s. 8d. Tenths of
the Churches of Lynford, Estwode, Bradewell, Chethele, Wyles,
Wolston, and Louzeton, £78 i8s. Total, £\^\ 15s. 2i^d."

In 1307 there was a dispute between Robert de Lydington and
Alice his wife and William, Prior of Tykeford, as to a common
fishery in the water of Caldecote to the ford called Loventford,
which Gervase Paynell granted the Priory. 2 The Lydingtons
contended that John de Lovente for long before Gervase had
aught in Caldecote held the fishery and enfeoffed them of it, but
their claim failed.

I A coarse kind of corn. 2 Placitoriun Abbreviata, p. 261.

TiCKFORD. 71

In the Testa de Nevill the Prior of Tig^ord is mentioned as
holding a fee of the Honor of Dudley.

About 13 1 1 the Priory Buildings and the charters and grants
relating to the Priory possessions were destroyed by fire, and it
became desirable, if not necessary, to obtain a royal confirmation
of the various lands and premises.

Such Confirmatory Charter was eventually obtained in 5
Edward II., and runs as follows : —

"Edward, by the Grace of God, King of England, Lord of
Ireland, and Duke of Aquitain, to all to whom these present
Letters shall come Greeting. Know ye that whereas by In-
quisitions which at the Suit of the Prior of Tykford asserting
that the Charters and Muniments, as well of our Progenitors
formerly Kings as of divers other Lords, of Lands, Tenements,
Rents, Churches, Pensions, and Possessions, and of certain
Liberties to the said Priory and Monks of the same anciently
given and granted were consumed by Fire, and earnestly
beseeching us that we would grant to him our Charter of Con-
firmation of the Lands and Tenements and Rents aforesaid, and
likewise of the Churches, Pensions, Possessions, and Liberties
aforesaid, to be made according to the Tenor of the Inquisitions
aforesaid by our beloved and faithful Robert de Retford and John
de Mutford thereunto by our Letters Patent assigned and which
we have caused to be returned into our Chancery, it is found that
Fulc Paganell founded the Priory of Tickford, in the County of
Buckingham, and that the same Paganell gave to the monks there
the Scite of the same House and all the Land which is on both
sides of the Monechus Street now inhabited by Tenants and which
extends itself from the Gate of the same House to the Cross next
the Highway which leads towards London, and all those Lands
and Tenements which are in the Street which is called Hawe
Street to the Bridge of Tykford on the East Side as the Metes and
Bounds by Ditches and Hedges surrounding extend themselves
between the Bondmen of our beloved and faithful John de Somery,
now Lord of Newport, and the Tenants of the same Prior and all
the Lands and tenements which are before the Gate of the same
House as the Metes and Bounds by Ditches and Hedges sur-
rounding extend themselves on the South Side of the aforesaid
House unto the River Ouse. And also that he gave to the same a
certain Meadow called the Castle Mead and a free and several

72 History op Newport Pagnell.

Fishery in the River Ouse under the Close of the same House from
the Comer of their Court upon the river which is called Le Ildele
unto the Ditch which is called Larkbrooke towards the East ; and
the Mill of Caldecote with the Pond of the same Mill and twenty-
four acres and a half of Land and three Acres of Meadow in
Tykeford and fifty-four Shillings of Rent issuing from divers of
their Tenements in Tykford and also the Church of Newport to
their own proper use, and one Hide of Land in the Field of
Newport which is the Glebe of the same Church with the Chapel
of Little Lynford with a certain Messuage and Grange in the same
Town, and the Tythe of Eels and of the Mill of the same Town. And
likewise the Tythe of all his Mills in Newport and also the Tythe of
all his Demesne Land, Meadows, Feedings, and Pastures, and of
his Men and Tenants in Newport, Tykeford, and Little Lynford,
and Pasture for twelve Cows and one Bull in all his Feedings and
Pastures in Newport in the same Places in which his Oxen are
depastured. And the Tythe of Venison in his Park of Tykford,
and also the Meadow which is called the Hoggemead, which is
next his Garden and the Mill Pond on the North side of Newport,
and 46s. lod. of Rent issuing from divers Tenements of the said
Prior in Newport. And twenty-seven shillings and ten pence of
Rent in the Marsh next Newport and 3s. 4d. of Rent in Caldecote
next Newport, and his Court of all his Tenants in Newport, Tyk-
ford, Marsh, Caldecote, from three weeks to three weeks in
Tickford. And 2s. 3d. of Rent issuing from one Messuage and
half a Yardland in Lathbury, and 15 acres of Meadow in the same
Town, and one Messuage and one Rod of Land with the Meadow
appertaining in Gayhurst, and also 8d. of Rent to be paid by the
Hands of William Martin in Weston, and 2s. 2d. of Rent issuing
from one half Yardland which Thomas de Neuwent held in
Clifton. And 3s. 2d. of Rent issuing from a certain Tenement
which John Berthelmewe holds in Emberton. And seven acres of
land in Schyryngton and 9s. of Rent issuing from one Messuage and
fourteen acres of Land which Samson the Clerk formerly held in
Schiryngton. And lod. of rent arising from one Messuage which
Ralph Machon held in the same Town, and in Great Crawley 6s. 8d
of Rent issuing from one Messuage and two Yardlands which
Walter de la Bum formerly held, and i6d. of Rent issuing from a
Tenement which Wm. Goldyug formerly held, and I5d. of Rent
issuing from a Tenement which Hugh Sabyn formerly held in

TiCKFORD. 73

Little Crawley, and 6s. 8d. of Rent issuing from one Messuage and
half a Yardland which Walter Mauncell formerly held in Solebury.
And two parts of the Tythes of all the Demesne Lands and
Meadows of Robert Lovet in the same Town, and all the
Tythes of the Demesne Lands, and Meadows of Richard de
Tours in Wolston and Great Lynford, and one Ploughland
and i6s. of Rent in Bradewell, Loughton, and Staunton, and
Suit of Court of all his Tenants of Bradewell from three
Weeks to three Weeks in Bradewell, and a certain Messuage
and the Church of the same Town to their own proper use. And
in Loghton all the Tythes of the Fee of Fauconer, and 20s. in the
name of a pension to be taken by the Hands of the Prior of
Caldewell and his Successors for the Church of Great Crawley,
and 3s. in the name of a Pension to be taken by the Hands of the
Abbot of Woubome and his Successors for the Chapel of Woubome
Chapel. And los. of Rent for those Lands which the Master of
the Hospital of St. John of Oxford holds in Thornbury. And the
Church of Wylies to their proper use. And in Chicheley and
Hardmead the Manor of Thykethome and 317 acres and one Rod
of Land and one Acre and three Rods and half a Meadow and
13 Acres and one Rod of Pasture and 47 Acres and a half and one
Rod of Wood and 18 yard lands which their Bondmen hold in the
the same Town, and 36s. of Rent issuing from their divers Tene-
ments in the same Town. And in Chicheley Sixty-five acres of
Land and the Church of the same Town to their own proper use,
and 3d. of Rent in the same Town to be received from a Tenement
which Stephen Parage held and his Court of all his Men and
Tenants in the same Town from three Weeks to three Weeks
at Thikethome. And a certain Messuage in Astewoode and a
Church of the same Town to their own proper Use, and I2d. of
Rent in the same Town issuing from a Tenement which Botulph
formerly held. And moreover it is found by the Inquisitions
aforesaid that the aforesaid Prior of Tykeford hath and all his
Predecessors have time out of mind been accustomed to have a
view of Frankpledge and all other things to the same view in
anywise belonging of all their Men and Tenants in Newport,
Tykford, Chicheley, Marsh, Caldecote, Thykethorn, and Hard-
mead. ' And also that the aforesaid Prior of Tickford holds of the
Gift of the aforesaid Fulc in the County of Northampton the
Advowson of two Parts of the Church of Botyndon which is yearly

74 History of Newport Pagnell.

pensioned to the same Prior for 2 marks and los. of Yearly Rent
in the same Town of Botyngdon issuing from one Messuage and
three Yardlands which William held in the same. And that the
same Prior receives every year two Marks in the name of a
Pension from the Church of Bemak by the Hands of the Abbot of
Peterborough, in the Abbey thereof, together with the expenses of
every Messenger seeking the two Marks aforesaid there as long as
the same Messenger shall make stay there expecting the Pension
aforesaid. And also that the aforesaid Prior hath and ought to
have in the Town of Northampton of the Gift of Agnes de St
Peter, formerly Daughter of Beringer, of Northampton, 28s. 4.6.
of annual Rent arising from divers Tenements, Rendering therefor
to the Bailiffs of the Town of Northampton 3s. yearly. And it is
likewise found by the Inquisitions aforesaid that the Predecessors
of the aforesaid Prior had divers Charters and Muniments of
Lands, Tenements, Rents, Churches, Appropriations, Pensions,
and Possessions as aforesaid, and also the Charter of Henry II.,
formerly King of England, our Progenitor, by which the same
king granted to the Monks aforesaid all the Lands and Possessions
aforesaid, and also the said Liberty of a View of Frankpledge.
And that the same Charter and all other Charters and Muniments
whatsoever of the aforesaid Priory were burnt by fire of the
Houses in the same Priory, and that it is not to the loss or
prejudice of us or any other Person if we cause our Charter of
Confirmation of the Lands, Tenements, Rents, Churches, Pen-
sions, and Possessions and the Liberty aforesaid to be made to the
Prior aforesaid. We, by the influence of God, favourably regard-
ing the Intreaties of the Prior aforesaid concerning the Premises,
holding firm and valid all the Gifts and Grants aforesaid, do for us
and our Heirs as much as in us lies grant and confirm the same to
the aforesaid Prior and Monks of the same House and their
Successors, together with the aforesaid Liberty of View of Frank-
pledge, as the same Prior and his Predecessors Priors of the same
place have hitherto reasonably used and enjoyed the same Liberty,
saving the Right of everyone. Moreover, willing to do more
ample Grace to our beloved Brother in Christ, William de la
Menerere, now Prior of the Priory aforesaid, for the amending the
state of his Priory, we have granted to him for us and our Heirs
that he and his Successors, Priors of the same Place, for ever may
have in the Town of Tickford in his Soil there a Pillory and a

TiCKFORD. 75

Tumberell to punish and chastise Transgressors there as shall be
just. In Testimony whereof we have caused these our Letters to
made Patent. Witness Ourself at Northampton the nth Day
of August, in the Fifth year of our Reign."

An Inquisition ad quod dampnum was held at Newport on ist
May 9 Edward II. as to the following proposed gifts to the Prior
and Convent of Tickford, namely : —

Roger le Brabanzon.

Two messuages, 31 acres of land, 4^ acres of meadow, and a several
pasture in the pasture of the Lord of Newport Pannell, with his
Beasts (to wit), for 4 oxen, two Horses, and two Cows held of John
de Somery by service of a pound of pepper and two capons.

Henry Spigurnell.
Ninepence of rent in the same town held of John de Somery
without any service.

John de Somery.

His fishery of the value of 6d. by the year in the water of
Lovente from the Bridge of Tickford to the Bsheries of Mulsho
and Wilies.,^ 14s. of rent, and the rent of one pound of pepper and
two capons held of the King as parcel of the Barony.

William de Wenrich and Robert de Wenrich.

One messuage and one acre of land in same town held of Henry
Spigurnell by the yearly service of 3d. which had been granted by
him to the Convent.

Martin le Engleys.

One messuage, six acres and one rod of land, i5d. of rent, and one
acre and the half of one rod of Meadow and one acre of Pasture in
the same town held of the Convent at the yearly service of 2s.

It was found that the gifts, which were in all of the yearly value
of 35s. 7^d., would not be to the hurt or prejudice of the Lord the
King.

In 18 Edward II. another extent of the Priory possessions^ was
taken, and the following was the return : —

" An extent of the lands and tenements of the priory of Tyke-
ford, made at that place on Tuesday next before the Feast of Saint

1 Lipscomb quotes a grant made on the Friday before the Feast of the Holy

Trinity, 9 Edward IL, whereby Jolin de Somery gave to the Priory the
free and several fishery of Lovente at Newport in exchange for 13s. iid.
(rent 1) which the monks in his name had acquired in fee of Lord Henry
Spirgurnel.

2 Vide Dngdale's Monasticon*

76 History of Newport Pagnell.

Nicholas in the i8th year of the reign of King Edward, son of
King Edward, on the oath of Thomas de Lughton, John de
Eltisdon, and others, who say on their oath that the profits, site,
court, and easements of the house are worth per annum 40s. Also
that there are there 20 acres of arable land worth per annum los.
Also that there are in the lordship 1 15 acres of arable land of which
48 are wont to be in the hands of tenants, and are worth per annum
54s. 6d. Also in divers parcels 24 acres of meadow, which are
worth per annum 36s. Also there is there the site of a messuage
and dovehouse given by Roger de Brabeson worth per annum 4s.
Also a close called Martin's Croft, containing 2 acres of land worth
per annnm I2d. Also there is there a broken water mill which is
worth nothing until it be repaired, and if it be repaired then it will
be worth 8s. 4d. per annum, and they say it can be repaired for 40s.
There are there also rents of assize £^ 6s. 2d. per annum at the
terms of the Annunciation of the Blessed Mary and St. Michael.
There are also works done by the free tenants worth per annum
3s. at the term of Michaelmas. Also there are pleas and per-
quisites of the Court worth per annum, with the view of frank-
pledge, 6s. 8d. Total, £14 17s. 8d.

" Thykethorn. — Also the jurors say that the profits of the house
and site and court are worth per annum 6s. 8d. Also there are in
the lordship 422 acres of arable land, which are worth per annum
£^ 8d. Also 1 1 acres of pasture worth per annum, with pasture in
the wood gs. 2d. Also 3 acres 3 roods of pasture worth per annum
45. i\A. Also two woods containing 44 acres, and the profits of
which are worth per annum 20s. Also a windmill worth per
annum 21s. Also returns from free tenants 46s. 8^d. per annum,
at the terms of the Annunciation and St. Michael in equal por-
tions. Also customary rents and cottars at those terms 109s.
Also rents of the same at the term of St. Martin 6 fowls,
and at Christmas 38, which are worth per annum 5s. 6d.
Also the work of the customary tenants and cottars worth per
annum £'] 12s. lod., namely, at Christmas 7s., at the Annuncia-
tion 7s., at the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist 21s.,
and at the feast of St. Michael 117s. lod. Also pleas and per-
quisites of the court lands and customary tallages worth yearly £^.

" Bradewell. — They also say that the easements of the house
and site and of the court are worth yearly 3s. 4d. Also there are
140 acres arable land worth 46s. 8d. Also 5 acres worth 7s. 6d.

TlCKFORD. 77

Also from rents of assize 17s. per annum at the aforesaid two
terms. Also there are 74s. 6|d.

" Also there are from pensions and outside rents, with part of the
tenths of Hardiued 74s. 8d. Also the church of Neupote worth per
annum, with the Chapel of Little Lynford, £26 13s. 4d Also the
church of Wylie, worth 46s. 8d. Also the church of Checchele,
worth £6 I OS. Also Bradewell church, worth 4s. 4d. Also Astwode
church worth £6 13s. 4d. Also parts of the tenths in Leghton,
Galston, and Great Lynford worth yearly 26s. 8d. Totals, £^g i8s.

** They say also on oath that Walter de Attefelde holds of the
Prior of Tykeford eleven marks sterling which ought to have been
paid before the Feast of St. Michael in the 17th year of the reign
of King Edward for the profits of Little Lynford sold to him in the
same 17th year.

'' They also say that the same Prior demised the aforesaid Church
of Astwode to a certain Master a Firmarius, of Filegrave, from the
Feast of Saint John [before the Latin Gate ?] in the 17th year of
the King that now is to the end of three years next following for
10 marks which he paid to the same Prior beforehand.

Expenses of House of Tykeford.

'^ The Prior and 8 monks. Also one chaplain called Lord Richard
Cachepol ; who by deed takes in everything as one monk. Also
Robert de Cornedale with his wife, William Wenrych and Martin
Angleys, any of whom takes in everything like as a monk and
beyond daily one loaf of brown bread and one gallon of second
beer, and the aforesaid Martin takes one pig at the Feast of St.
Martin, and two cart loads of wood and the stubble of two acres of
land. Also John de Pontefract takes weekly seven loaves and
seven gallons of conventual beer and four dishes of meat by
charter. Also William de Shongelar takes by charter in every-
thing as one monk and los. for a robe. John de Wykham takes
weekly by charter 8 loaves and 8 gallons of the conventual beer.
Also Henry de Shagh takes weekly by charter 7 loaves and 7
gallons of beer. Richard Trop takes 7 loaves and 7 gallons of
beer in satisfaction to him of 25s. Also a certain chaplain, namely.
Lord Thomas de Cosham for celebrating mass for' the soul of the
Lord Roger Brabason takes weekly as one monk by ancient
frankalmoign of the same. Also the underwritten pensions,
namely : —

The parson of Tyryngham, who takes 20s. per annum.

History of Newport Pagnell.

Lord Gilbert de Mopflo

... 20S.

Master John de Drayton

... 20S.

Lord John de Olneye

... 40s.

Nich. Dardeme

... 20s.

Hugh de Bradewell

4^s*

Lord Ric. Miller

... 20s.

Robert Kelim

... 20s.

'' Also los. rent due to the light of the Blessed Mary of Tykeford,
namely, at the disposition of the Sacristan.

*' Also £S are yearly estimated for the sustenation of the houses
of the Priory of Tykeford.

" Also Alex. Tynte, the servant of Thykelthorn, takes everything
weekly as a monk and one loaf of conventual bread and 9s. for his
robe yearly."

About 19 Edward H. there was a confirmation by Roger Dakeny,
lord of Lathebury, of a grant of lands and premises in Lathbury
and of the meadow called the '' Monkesholmes/' made by Ralph de
Olenge and William his son, and also by Simon de Houttone and
Annabella his wife. ^

In 2 Edward III. a Commission of Oyer and Terminer issued
against William, prior of Tickford, and others, for that he and they
had taken away goods of John Kyuebell, of Fylegrave, at Astwode.

On loth May, 1331 (5 Edward III.) there was a grant to the
Prior to retain in Mortmain the advowson and tithes of one-third
of the Church of Aston in right of the church of St. Mary, Tickford,
as lately recovered by him in the Bench against the Prioress of
of Gatesby. Fine 10 marks.

On the 13th of August in the same year there is a protection
granted to the Abbot for one year.

On 6th February, 1342, Fulk, the prior, and the Convent of
Tykeford, released Adam de Lodbrook (Master of the Hospital of
St. John the Baptist, Oxford), brother Walter le Rokayle (convert
of the same), Robert Hawardin, of Thomberghe, and others from
all actions named in a certain writ for trespass.

The seal attached is an oval green one, and shows two standing
figures under canopies ; intended possibly for SS. Peter and Paul.
Above these figures, under an upper canopy, are the figures of the
Virgin, seated, and the Child ; below the whole is shown the upper

I Ancient Deeds, Charters, a. 76.

TiCKFORD. 79

part (head, shouldersi and hands) of a figure in supplication. The
inscription, which is partly illegible, runs apparently:— "S' PRIS

.... PRIORIS DE TYKFORD." ^

About 21 Edward III., by reason of the Priory possessions being
in the hands of the King, difficulties arose as to the incidence of
taxes imposed upon the men of Newport, who petitioned the King
to make an abatement in the taxes levied on them so that they
should not be prejudiced by the fact that lands purchased by the
Prior were exempt from tallage. ^

As a result an Inquiry was held, and the grievance appears to
have been remedied '

In 1353 there was a dispute between the Convent and John,
Vicar of Stoke, and others, parishioners of Wylien, with reference to
the provision of ornaments for the altar of Wylien Church, but the
result is unknown. *

On the Sunday of the Feast of Purification, 28 Edward III., John
de Garys, the then Prior of Tickford, demised to Hugh de
Hopewas, Canon of Lichfield, and John de Aston, chaplain, the
Church of Aston and certain tithes for five years, while, in 1354,
there was an authority to the same persons to pay to the Chapter
of Lichfield 80 marks which were owing. ^ This amount was
probably due in respect of the annual sum of 20 marks which, as
already mentioned, was payable^ out of the Rectory of Aston.
There are several other references to disputes with the Dean and
Chapter of Lichfield, as to monies due, to be found in the published
petitions to Parliament.

In 1380 the Priory rentals are put at £5;^ 5s. lod. by Cole.

Certain letters patent dated at Westminster 12th December 6
Richard II. are an exemplification of a Bull of Pope Alexander
IV. dated at Viterbo, 6 Ides November in the third year of his
Pontificate, and confirmed by Edward I., of exemption from
ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Priory of Tickford, a cell of the
Abbey of St. Martin's at Tours, and of which John Dun was then
Prior. ^ The grant seems to indicate that the old contentions on

1 Macray'8 Notes on Maniments of Magdalen College, Oxford, 1882, and Letter

from H. A. Wilson, Esq., there.

2 Petitions in Parliament, 21 and 22 Edward III., vol. 2, p. 213.

3 Inq. ad. quod dampnum, 22 Edward III., No. 24.

4 Bucks Charters. Bodleian, No. 51. 5 Bucks Charters. Bodleian, Nos. 53, 54.
6 Vide p. 67. 7 Bucks Charters. Bodleian No. 58.

8o History of Newport Pagnell.

the head of the Bishop's rights were still proceeding.

In 1400 there was a dispute with Thomas Overton, the rector
of Crawley, as to payment of tithes, and the rector won his case
against the Prior of Tykford. ^

In 1493 Guy, Abbot of Marmonstier, Tours, wrote a letter
appointing > Humphrey Lytleton, priest, late monk of St. Peter's
Westminster, on the recommendation of John Abbot of West-
minster, Prior of the Priory of Tickford, in the room of William
Pemberton deceased, but to judge from the Lincoln Registers the
letter was of no effect, and Lytleton did not take office, as the
appointment rested with the York Priory as hereafter mentioned.

During the French Wars the Priory and its possessions were
seized by bcth Jj^j^ard II. and Edward III. as an alien priory.
The premises were restored in i Edward III., but in 1337 were
let for 23 years. They were again restored in 1361, but only to
be sequestrated during the reign of Richard II. ^

Upon the last restoration in the first year of Henry IV. the Priory
was subjected to the Priory of the Holy Trinity at York * by the
Priors of which House those of Tickford were presented in 1465,
H75» H99» and 1501.

Upon this restoration the "ancient conduct" which was wont
to be paid by the Priory in times of peace to the chief lord of the
aforesaid Priory in the parts beyond the sea was reserved and
ordered to be paid to the King and his heirs instead. And it was
also ordered that the premises should be subject to the various
subsidies granted to the Crown. John Drien was Prior at this
time.

The ** ancient conduct *' possibly referred to the pension of 40s.
paid by the Priory to the Abbey of Conches in Normandy the
reversion of which, after the death of Humphrey, Duke of
Gloucester, was settled by Henry VI. on his College of Eton. ^

About 1523 Cardinal Wolsey conceived the idea of founding
Colleges at Ipswich and Oxford, and for this end obtained leave
from the Pope and Henry VIII. to throw down a few superfluous

1 Deputy Keeper of Records 51st Report, p. 26.

2 Backs Charters, Bodleian No. 59.

3 Mon. Angl. III. pt. 2, p. 197, Rot. Pari. 20 Henry VI., vol. 5, p. 47.

4 Alien Priories and Dagdale.

5 Dug. Monasticon v. 3, p. 200. Pleas Pari.

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TiCKFORD. 8l

monasteries and divert their revenues to the cost of building. ^

Amongst other monasteries which were so thrown down was
Tickford, the proceedings for its dissolution being authorised by a
Bull of Pope Clement VII. dated 3rd Ides September, 1524.

On 4th January, 1524, Cardinal Wolsey issued a Commission
to Sir William Gascoyne, Dr. William Burbank, and Thomas
Cromwell to visit the monasteries of Tykeford, Ravenston, &c.,
about to be suppresseji, and their revenues converted to the use
of Cardinal College, Oxford, and report on their possessions and
buildings, &c.^

Soon after, on the 5th February, 1524,^ there was a solemn
meeting in the Chapter House of Tickford Priory, at which one
Thomas Parker, described as Prior of the House or Priory of
Tyckford of the Cluniac Order of St. Benedict, " not being coerced
led or drawn thereto by force fraud or fear," surrendered the office
of prior and the conventual offices of the house and all the
interest of himself and his brethren therein, and the goods thereof
into the hands of Master William Burbank, Archdeacon of Carlisle
and deputy of Cardinal Wolsey. The conventual seal was then
and there broken and cancelled, the name of Christ being first
invoked to the decree of suppression, to the translation of the Prior
and brethren to other places, and to the annexation of the goods of
the Priory to the College of the Most Reverend Father the Lord
Thomas in the renowned University of Oxford to be founded.

The seal thus broken was probably that of which an illustration is
given, and which is thus described in the British Museum Catalogue
of Seals (vol. i) : — " Late 14th Cent. Impression in gutta percha,
gilded, from the matrix, 2}in. x ifin. Pointed oval : the Virgin,
with crown, seated in a heavily canopied niche with tabernacle
work at the sides : the Child, with nimbus, on the right knee, in
the left hand a sceptre fleur-de-liz^. In base, under the masonry
of the corbel, in a niche with round-headed arch, an ecclesiastic
kneeling, turned three quarters to the left, in prayer. ' Sigillu :
Coie : Domus : Beate : Marie : de : Tykford.' Beaded borders."

It will be noticed that the date assigned is a comparatively late
one, and that the seals already referred to were those of the
respective priors, and not the convent itself, so that it seems

1 Herbert's Henry VHL, London, 1741, p. 122.

2 Exch. Treasury of Receipt Misc. 55 — ^3.

3 State Papers. Dom. Series Henry VHI., vol. 4.

History of Newport Pagnell.

possible that there was no conventual seal while the Priory was
subject to the Monastery of Tours, but that when that connection
was more or less severed it acquired one.

In an Inquisition taken at Coleshill on 7th October, 17 Henry
VIII., Thomas Broke is given as Prior at the suppression, and
indeed it was Broke who received the pension hereafter referred
to. The Inquisition states that there were two professed monks
at the Priory at the suppression, and that since that event the
church and site had been vacated and become a profane place.^

At this time the spiritualities were valued at £$g 3s. 4d. per
annum, and the temporalities at £6j 13s. 8d., in the whole ;{^i26
17s. per annum.

An Abstract of a Survey temp. Henry VIII. in Dugdale's

Monasticon is as follows : —

_ _ jC s. d.

Bucks.

Tykford.

Manor and demesnes

Vakes.

A House and Land ...

Newport Paynell.

Tithes

34 13

Rents of Freeholders

2 6

Tenements by Indenture

I 8

Calcote.

Tithes

3 6

Freehold Rents

Tenants at will

6 19

Geyhurst.

Lands

Sherington.

Tenement and Land

Little Lynford.

Tithes

Lathbury

Lands

Chicheley.

Tithes

Freehold lands

I 17

Tenements by Indenture

' 5 14

Copyhold Lands, &c.

14 8

Harmede.

A Close

Lynford Magna.

Portion of Tithes ...

Wolston Parva.

,, ...

I 6

Astwod.

Pension

Wyllyn.

9} •••

Filgrave.

Chief Rent

Clifton.

Free Rent

Sulburie.

Tithes, &c.

Crawley.

Tithes, &c.

I state Papers. Dom. Ser. Henry VIII. Vol. 4.

• ••

t • •

• • •

■ • •

• • •

TiCKFORD. 83

Lowghton. Portion of Tithes

Bradwell. The Parsonage

Freehold Rents, &c.
Northton. Northampton. A Messuage

Bodyngton. Pension, &c.

Warw. Aston Bremyncham. Divers premises

Thornborow. Rent

At the time of the dissolution, too, a minute survey of the Priory
buildings and premises was taken. The following is a transcript
of this most interesting document as given by Dugdale, who says
the original is in the Chapter House, Westminster : —

"The Manor of Tvkford.

The hauU there is well coverd with tile, and haith a little
chaumber adioynyng to the same, with a butte called the black
butte.

Itm a chaumtir at the hauU dore called the portche chaumt).

Itm a chaumber on the northpte of the haull called the p*re
chaumber, with a chymney, and a litle closet adioynyng thereunto,
and a high chaumber over the same pertelie in dekay for lack of
tylyng.

Itm a chaumber on the sowthpte of the haull, called the king^
chaumber, which is seled, and the selynge therof ruinows, not-
withstandyng it may well be spared.

Itm a litle chaumber adioynyng to the king^ chaumber.

Itm in the kechyn court is the kechyn, and a chaumber ov the
same tyled.

Itm the gate howse, and 2 upper chaumbers tyled. Itm a
bultyng howse, with a chaumber ov the same tyled. Itm a litle
stable cofd with thack, called the prior's stable. Thies may
welbe spared.

Itm a bakhows with 2 owens, oon greit and thother small.

Itm a brewhowse and 2 brewyng led^ in the same.

Itm an eelyng howse with 2 eelyng led^ in the same.

Itm a chaumber ov the brewhowse covd with tyle.

Itm a larder howse.

The cloyster is well co^d with sklate, and the gutters therof
bene leded, and the tymber work is good, and much ston there
may be had and saved. It may welbe spared.

Itm a loo chaumber, latelie called the misericorde, with a

84 History of Newport Pagnell.

chymney, and an inner chaumber thereunto adioynyng.

Itm a loo parler latelie called the farme, with a howse called the
farme kechyn.

lim the late chapit howsej wherein is a glased wyndow.

Itm the dorter chaumber covd with tyle, wherein is a chymney
and fyve sellf for the late monkf there.

The church there is adioynyge to the dorter howse, which is
substanciallie buylded with a fair rofe of tymber work in the
bodie of the said church, which conteyneth in lenght 80 fote, and
in brede 21 fote.

Itm the ile on the northside oir the belframe, the roofe whereof,
and is good and substanciall tymber, which conteyneth in lenght
30 fote and in brede 21 fote.

Itm the ile on the sowthside the belframe is substanciallie
buylded in the rofe with tymber, and conteyneth like lenght and
brede as the foresaid ile doeth.

Itm the belframe is substanciallie buylded with ston, and much
good tymber within the same, and 3 bellf of the value of

Itm the chauncell there is voted with ston and tymber work ov
the same, which conteyneth in leilght 45 fote and in brede 21 fote,

Itm a litle chapell adioynyng to the chauncell, which conteyneth
in lenght 16 fote and in brede 12 foote.

Itm there be divs w3mdowes as well in the church as in the
chauncell that be glased, the glasse whereof is verie old and litle
worth.

The seid church, with the ilez thereunto belonging, be well
covd with tile, which church and chauncell may welbe spared, and
much good tymber and stone there had and saved

The utter court, which is the cumyng into the mano', conteyneth
an acr. of ground.

In p^'mf at the cumyng into the seid court, on the gate is a
chaumber tyled, and a chymney therein, and a lofte ov the same.

Itm on the sowthside the gate is a litle chapell of o^-Ladie
which is covd with tile and buylded w^ studde. Itm a litle bell in
in the chapell eend. Itm a loo parler, and a chaumber ov the
same, which stond adioynyng to the seid chapell, with divs
wyndowsz of new glasse, which seid chaumli is covd w^ tile. Itm
on the northside the gate is a howse called the dayhowse, with a
stable adioynyng to the same, which be covered with straw.
Thiez may welbe spared.

TiCKFORD. 85

Itm in the seid utter court is a kyin howse and a malthowse^ set
to gethers. The bam yard.

Itm a bam conteynyng 7 baies, sufficientlie buylded with good
tymber^ and cofrd with sklate and tyle.

Itm a bam of 6 bayes sufficientlie buylded w^ tymber, and the
oon side cofrd with sklate and tyle, and the other side w^ strawci
ptelie in dekay for lack of tylyng.

Itm a dovehowse, which is worth yeirlie

The tile, tymber, and ston of such howsez as may be spared is
worth, if it be taken down be tymez,

The closez belongyng to the seid manor and pcell of the
demesnef.

There be 2 litle orchardf or garden placez, with a pece of
ground betwene the riv cont. di. acr.

The dovehowse close, wherein is a feir poole, replenysshed with
carpf, and the close called the wat^gate close conteyn 5 acr.
Itm a close called the comyngf , which is well replenysshed w^^
coneyes, w^ a fyshepole in the same, conteyneth 3 acr. and di.

Itm a close called the long close, which conteyneth 2 acr., which
seid closez lie betwene the water of Ore on the northside, and on
the sowthside pte on the coen feld called Tykford feld, and pte on
the closys belongyng to the Lady Seyntleger, which closez be
sevall all the hole yere. Itm a medow close called the castle
meadowe, cont. 3 acr. which is sevall from the feist of th' Annun-
ciacion of our Ladie unto midsom, and then comen, which close
lieth betwene the town of Tykford on the sowthside, and the ti^
on the northside, and buttf on the estend on the manor place, and
on the westend on Tykford bridge.

The water there is sevall to the mano' from the metyng of the
water of Ore and the water of Lovent unto the pticon of the seid
2 wat", which is beneth a place in the water called Holme, and is
worth yeirlie

There is in the seid closeys of asshe and elme 60 trees, oon with
an other worth a pece and better, 8d.

Itm there be meny other small saumplerrf .

There is certein arrable land and medow belongyng to the seid
mano', which mano', w^ the closys, conye, dovehowse, and sefrall
waterz, is in the occupacon of oon Andrew Stokf , for the which
he paieth yeirlie 5/."

In the State Papers (Domestic) of October 1527 in documents

86 History of Newport Pagnell.

relating to costs of suppression of monasteries for the Cardinal's
College are references to payments of £i to William Rowte for
the redemption of a corody granted to him by the late Prior of
Tykford under the convent seal ; £3 is. 8d. to Thomas Whalley
for gathering the rents of Tykforde and for his costs coming up to
London and lying there the time of the audit and also £1 for
keeping the courts of the late monastery ; also £6 i8s. 4^d. (13
January) ''for the subsidie of the late monastery/' There are
also noted three half-yearly payments of £5 to Thomas Broke,
the late prior, for his pension.

There is also among the same papers^ an Indenture dated 20
Henry VIII. made between Lady Anne St. Leger widow of James
St. Leger and co-heir of Thomas Earl of Ormond, Sir George St.
Leger son and heir of said Tames, and John Hygden, Dean of
Wolsey's College, Oxford, whereby it was agreed that the said
Lady Anne and George should acknowledge by fine all their
rights in the lands of the Monastery at Tickford, Chechyley,
Thykthom, Newport Pagnell, &c., to be the right of the Dean and
Canons.

Cardinal Wolsey made much use of the proposed building of
these Colleges to oppress religious houses, and writing to him
somewhat later, the King, to whom complaints had been made,
says : '' They say not that all that is ill gotten is bestow' d upon the
College, but that the College is the cloak for covering all
mischiefs."^

The first stone of the Cardinal's College at Oxford was laid
15th July 1525, and the premises seized by the Crown 1529.

The College was then called King Henry the Eighth's College,
and afterwards, and now, Christ Church.

At the time of the Cardinal's disgrace one of the Articless
addressed to the King and preferred against the Cardinal in
Parliament relates curiously enough to Tickford. It runs thus : —

"XLI. Also where one Sir Edward Jones, Clerk, Parson of
Crowley in the County of Buckingham, in the eighth year of your
most noble Reign, let this said Parsonage with all Tythes, and
other profits of the same to one William Johnson by Indenture for
certain years, within which years the Dean of the said Lord

1 Domestic Series. Henry VIII. vol. 4, pt. 2. 51 17 ii. 4.

2 Herbert's Henry VIII., p. 137. 3 Ibid, p. 227.

TiCKFORD. 87

Cardinal's College in Oxford, pretended Title to a certain Portion
of Tythes within the said Parsonage, supposing the said Portion
to belong to the Parsonage of Chichley, which was appropriated
to the Priory of Tykeford, lately suppressed, where of Truth, the
Parsons of Crowley have been peaceably possessed of the said
Portion, Time out of mind : Whereupon a Subpcena was directed
to the said Johnson to appear before the said Lord Cardinal at
Hampton Court ; where without any Bill, the said Lord Cardinal
committed him to the Fleet, where he remained by the space of
twelve Weeks, because he would not depart with the said
Portion; and at the last, upon a Recognizance made, that he
should appear before the Lord Cardinal, wheresoever he was
commanded, he was delivered out of the Fleet. Howbeit, as yet
the said Portion is so kept from him, that he dare not deal
with it."

Notwithstanding the righteous indignation of the writers of the
Articles, however, there is no doubt that some sums were payable
to the Priory from Crawley, although the amount of the same and
their nature seems more than once, as already mentioned, to have
been the subject of litigation.

The following rentals are given in 1534 under the title of
Cardinal or King's College in Oxford : —

Tickford firma Manerii

• • .

Redditus assis' ibidem

• ■

Firma molendini Caledocote

. • •

»3

Tenths and oblations infra ecci:

Newport comunibus Annis

Divers minor loths in Newport

• • •

Firma decimand de Linford (Capell)

Pensiones and portiones in Linford

In Soulbery

• ••

In Wulston

• ••

In Bodington Co. Nton.

• • •

In Willein

* # V

In Astwood

• ••

Portio annui valoris 8 li. quae detracta
est p rectorem de Crawley magna
ideo nil : sed salvo Jure Collegii

Total 62 5 II

88 History of Newport Pagnell.

In Chicheley Rents assize ..

Rectory of Chicheley

Rectory of Aston Birmingham

Sum total

Reprisalia Ballivo de Newport ^

Hundred ) ^

Antonis Cave Balliv^ Ten* 200

Procurations and synodals of the ")

Archidiacono de Buck ) '

Pensio Vicarii de Newport 10 o o

Cuidam Presbyters ezercenti ... 168

Officium Decani

Total 13 18 7

Cardinal Wolsey died in 1530, and six or seven years later it is
recorded that Thomas, Lord Cromwell, having by special com-
mission from the King united to King Henry the Eighth's College
in Oxford the churches or chapels of Chycheley, Newporte
Paynell, Aseewodde, Wyllyn, and Aston, the King by Charter
dated 31st July, 1537, confirmed his action.^

In 33 Henry VIIL, however, Tickford was, by Act of Parlia-
ment, annexed to the Honor of Ampthill, and as a result of such
annexation, the Honor being subsequently given to the Russelsj
the Duke of Bedford as Lord thereof nominates a Coroner who to
this day is empowered to hold inquests in Tickford and part of
Marshend.

On 2nd February, 42 Elizabeth,^ the Queen in consideration of
the sum of £1534 6s. 8d. granted the Manor or Lordship of
Tickford Mansion House and scite and circuit thereof and the
Rectory of Newport Pagnell to Henry Atkins, of the City of
London, Doctor of Physic, and Mary Atkins his wife. The grant
included moreover the two mills called Calcott Mills : all lands in
Tickford, Newport Pannell, Calcott, Northampton, Lathbury,
Hardmead, Filgrave, Clifton, Sulbury, Goatehurste, Thombury,
Bodington, and Liscombe to the late Priory belonging and all
rents and services attaching to such lands : and the pension and
portions of Tythe in Longton which manor lordship rectory and
premises were extended to the clear yearly value of j£38 7s. 2d.

1 Oxfordshire Charters No. 138, Bodleian Library.

2 Pat. 42 Eliz. pt. 7.

TiCKFORD. 89

The grant excqited and reserved expressly to the Crown the
following possessions of the late Priory, namely : —

The Manor and Rectory of Chicheley, certain Lands in
Sherington^ the Tythes in Little Lynford, and a pension or portion
in Wyllyn (then together producing a rent of £38 13s. iid.)
Pensions of 40s. issuing out of Astwood Rectory; 60s. out of
Bradwell Church ; and 26s. 8d. out of Bodington Rectory. A
croft and lands in Tickford, late in the occupation of John
Thomas, of the yearly rent of 2od. Certain lands called Tenderings
Yard in Newport field of the yearly rent of 6s. 8d. Other land
there of the annual rent of lod. A tenement in Newport in the
occupation of the Heir of one Broughton of the yearly rent of 3s.
A tenement in Northampton late in the tenure of John Saxby of
the yearly rent of 2s. Lands at Crawley late in the occupation of
James Astfield of the yearly rent of yd. Other lands in Crawley
late in the tenure of the heir of one Tyrringham of the yearly rent
of 5d. Other lands there late in the tenure of John Cock of the
yearly rent of 6s. 3d. A Tenement in Sulburry called Amyte's
Close of the yearly rent of 3s. Lands in Bodington of the
yearly rent of 47s. 8d. by the late College of Bodington payable
and to be paid. One free rent of 6s. 8d. by the year issuing out
of the Manor of Thornbury. Certain lands called Eckney Stocking
and Gosecroft late in the tenure of Henry Evred of the yearly
rent of 4s. lod. Certain lands in the Fields of Eckney late in the
occupation of Christopher Collier of the yearly rent of 8s. And
certain other lands there late in the occupation of John Perkyss
and others and of the rents therein specified. A free rent of 3d.
there issuing out of the messuage of Richard Harton. Portion of
Tythes in Great Lynford in the tenure of the Rectory there of the
yearly rent of 5s. One other portion of Tythes in Sulbury of the
yearly rent of 5s. by the late Abbott of Wobome payable and to
be paid. And a certain pension of los. by the year issuing out of
the Rectory of Crawley.

By the Grant, too, all advowsons relating to the premises
included therein were reserved to the Crown.

In 21 James L there was a fresh grant of the premises to Henry
Atkyns " Doctor of Physic and one of the Physicians in Ordinary"
of the premises mentioned in the Grant of Elizabeth and also of a
close called The Hades containing 4 acres : a fishery from the
meeting of the two rivers called the Ouse and Lovente unto a

90 History of Newport Pagnell.

certain meadow in Lathbury called the Ray Mead : lands called
the Osyer Cobbs or Osyer Holmes in Newport, Chicheley, and
Tickford : closes (lately parcel of the Manor of Newport Pannell)
called Bury Close, Bury field. Bury Meadow, the South Hedge,
Kickle otherwise Kickelett, Kickle Meadow, Kingsholm, West
Meade, Hooke, West Meadow, Ox Mead, Close Water Leaze,
New Close, Sallage, Sallage Mead, Eight Acres, Honyland in
Portfield, Sheepcote Close, Flaggy Holme, the Shoulder of
Mutton, the Rabbit Warren and two grain Mills in Newport.

Dr. Atkins had evidently been gradually working his way up.

On 14th April, 1604, there is amongst the State Papers
(Domestic Series) a warrant to pay to Dr. Atkins, physicisn,
sent to Scotland to attend Prince Charles, 50s. per diem.

On 3rd July following Dr. Henry Atkins, writing from Dun-
fermline to Lord Cecil, as to the health of the Pnnce, says,
evidently with satisfaction, that "he is recovering and is begin-
ning to walk alone, which he never did before,*' and states that
they will begin the journey to England on the 17th.

On 2ist September in the same year there is a warrant to pay
£40 to Edward Phillips, apothecary, sent into Scotland with Dr.
•Atkins to Prince Charles.

In February, 161 1, the Doctor seems to have had a return of
some illness to which he was subject, for he writes the Earl of
Salisbury that he has relapsed into his former illness, and, should
it prove fatal, recommends his son to his favour.

On 8th September, 161 1, he was required to send a horse and
man properly equipped, to the muster of train bands for Herts on
Oct. ist, and after some references to him in his professional
capacity there is a note on 13th April, 1614, of a grant to Dr.
Adkins by purchase of certain lands, parcel of the Manor of
Newport Pagnell, passed by special favour, though belonging to
the Queen's Manor of Ampthill.

The Doctor, no doubt, made the best use he could of his position,
and on 22nd May, 1605, there is a grant to him and his heirs of
certain concealed lands in Surrey, and a little later, on 21st Aug.,
he writes to the Earl of Salisbury complaining of the revocation of
the grant made to him of the old Priory House, &c., at Guildford,
upon the false representation of Sir Thomas Gorges.

Tickford Park came into the possession of the Doctor some
years later.

TiCKFORD. 91

This Park is mentioned in the Charter of 5 Edward IL. the
tythes of venison therein being granted to the Prior and Monks,
but the Park itself remained part of Newport Manor, and with
that Manor was acquired by Henry VIII. from John St. Leger and
annexed to the Honor of Ampthill in the 33rd year of the Kingf s
reign.

As already mentioned, it was granted to Elizabeth for life by
Edward VI., and she by her charter, dated 5th February, 3 and 4
Phillip and Mary, at Hatfield, granted the office of Keeper of
Tickford Park to George Annesley and James Annesley, his son,
for both their lives. 1

It appears to have continued in the hands of the Crown until
nth November, 1593 (34 Elizabeth), when, ^ with many other
parks, it was granted to Thomas Crompton, Robert Wright, and
Gell Meyricke, their heirs and assigns, the pannage and herbage
therein (except sufficient pasture, for the wild beasts, stags and
deer therein to the number of 40), being then demised to George
Annesley, gentleman, and James, his son, by Letters Patent dated
25th June, 15 Elizabeth, for 21 years, and afterwards by Letters
Patent dated 5th May, 24 Elizabeth, for 40 years, beginning from
the end of the term of 21 years, to William Piers, gentleman.

A rental to the Crown of £^ per annum during the terms created
by the Annesley and Piers grants, and of £i thereafter, ' was
reserved by the grant.

By virtue of a grant by Crompton and others in 45 Elizabeth the
park came into the hands of the Fortescue family, and on 6th
October, 1620, it was in consideration of £^$00 granted by Lady
Alice Fortescue, widow, late wife of the Right Honorable Sir
John Fortescue, late Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Francis
Fortescue, of Salden, Knight, son and heir of Sir John, Sir William
Fortescue, Knight, brother of Sir Francis, and John Fortescue, of
Salden^ Esq., son and heir apparent of Sir Francis, to Dr. Henry
Atkins.

On 15th May, 1625, an order was given by Charles I., under the
Privy Seal, for Letters Patent to be made for Henry Adkins,
Esq., M.D., for faithful services rendered to his father and himself,

I Dodsworth MS., cxlvi., 65. 2 Pat. Rolls, 34 Elizabeth, pt. 4.

3 This rent, with j^y reserved out of Mills, was sold during the Commonwealth

to Rich. Wagsta£fe, of Ravensdon, Beds, in Sept., 1651, for cujzv 11. —
F«e Farm Rents CsUendar.

92 History of Newport Pagnell.

granting to him the office of Physician Ordinary, with an annuity
of ;£ioo during his natural life.

Dr. Atkins died on 22nd September, 10 Charles I., and by an
Inquisition ^ taken at Southwark on the 2nd February, 10 Charles
I., it was found that at the time of his decease he was seised of the
premises included in the two Tickford grants, of Tickford Park,
i6a. 3r. of land in Tickford Fields, and of common of pasture for
three horses, six cows or heifers, and thirty sheep in the common-
able places of Tickford, lately purchased from Thomas Webb,
clerk, and of divers estates in Essex, the Manor of Clapham,
Surrey, and other possessions.

The Jurors presented moreover that certain of the premises,
including Tickford Manor, the Closes in Newport, &c., were held
by the Doctor upon the trusts declared by a Settlement made on
22nd June, 17 James I., in contemplation of the marriage of his son
and heir, Henry Atkins, with Annabella, daughter and heir of
John Hawkins, gent., deceased.

At the date of his father's death Henry Atkins (then a Knight)
was of the age of 40, and his wife, Annabella, was living and
" in full life," Tickford Manor, Newport Rectory and Mills being
then held of the King by knight's service, that is to say, by the
twentieth part of a knight's fee, and the other Tickford and
Newport properties in free and common socage.

Sir Henry Atkins died 8th July, 14 Charles I., and in the
Inquisition, ^ taken on the 30th of the following month at Guildford,
most, if not all, of the lands referred to in the Inquisition taken on
his father's death are mentioned, and in addition certain lands the
property of his wife and divers parcels of land in Tickford Fields,
purchased of Anthony Potter, and then in the tenure of Anthony
Potter, one Withers, clerk, John Harley, and Henry Knight.

The Inquisition also refers to Sir Henry's will made 6th May
then last past (in which mention is made of an Aunt Janes, to
whom an annuity of j£io is granted), to Henry and Thomas, his
second and third sons, and to a daughter.

The Jurors found that Richard Atkins, aged twelve, on the 29th
September before taking the Inquisition, was Sir Henry's son and
next heir, and that Lady Annabella was still " in full life."

It is stated that Bury Close, Bury Field, and the other closes

1 Inq. post-mortem, 10 Car. I. Dr. Henry Atkins.

2 Inq. post-mortem, 14 Car. I. Sir Henry Atkins.

TiCKFORD. 93

were held in socage and were worth yearly to 13th February, 1639,
20s., "but afterwards £^y because they were demised to one
William Downall by the Lady Elizabeth, late Queen of England,
for the same term."

In 1676 Tickford Park, and apparently, too, the other lands in
Newport and Tickford, were settled by a S' Richard Atkyns on
himself for life, with remainder to his son in fee.

The Lansdowne MS. (712, fol. 122) states that in the Church
of Newport Pagnel, within the altar rails against the wall there is
a monument, on which there is this inscription : —

"Here (under) Lyeth the Body of Sr. Richard Atkins, of
Clapham, in Surry, Bart, (son of Richard Atkins, of Clapham,
Bart.) and dame Rebeccah, his wife, daughter of Sr. Edmund
Wright als Buckley, of Swackley, in Middlesex) the Valuable
Accomplishments of (his) Mind and Body recommended him to the
Love and Esteem of all that knew him, and Qualified him for the
Service of his King and Country in a double capacity as Repre-
sentative of the Gentry of Buckinghamshire in the High Court of
Parliament and as Colonel of a Regiment of Foot (under his most
Sacred Majesty King William), both of which Employments he
honourably discharged with unbiassed Integrity and unalterable
Fidelity. (He might have been said to be truly happy, being
universally beloved by his worthy acquaintance and blessed with
a numerous and hopeful progeny, had not the latter part of his Life
been clouded with some domestick Troubles, caused by the Fault of
others ; not his own ; and which ought to be Covered with a Veil
of Silence. But these Misfortunes, though in a great Measure
they hastened his end, yet could they not take from him the
well-deserved character of) a True, Honest, English Gentleman, a
Man of strict Honour, and a hearty Lover of his King and
Country. (To preserve the Memory of which singular good
Abilities and as an Instance of her tender Affections to him The
Lady Rebecca Atkins his mother and Sole Executrix has caused
this Stone to be laid over him). He died November 26, 1696, in the
42nd year of his Age."

The monument, with a coat of arms, is still in existence, and is
now in the chancel wall at the side of the altar. The inscription
is, however, much shorter than that given above, nearly all the
words in brackets and some others being omitted and the rest
varied in places.

94 History of Newport Pagnell.

Tickford Park was afterwards sold by the Atkyns family to that
of the Uthwatts, and by them to Sir William Hart, of whose heirs
Joseph Jacques purchased it.

Hannah Jacques, widow of the last named purchaser, married
Frederick Hendrick Van Hagen, who thus became possessed of it in
her right. It was advertised for sale in J une, 1 8 1 5, under the descrip-
tion of " Tickford Park, in the parish of Newport Pagnell, com-
prising the Manor or Lordship of Tickford, with the annual quit
rents, courts, and royalties thereto belonging, and 556 Acres of
land lying in a ring fence. . . . The whole tithe-free and land
tax redeemed." ^ A mural monument in the Church records the
death of Henry Van Hagen, of Tickford Park, on i8th June, 1832,
at the age of forty. The estate is now and has for many years
past been the property of Lord Carrington.

Tickford Manor and other properties, after some intermediate
descents, became vested in Sir Richard Atkyns, who by his will,
dated ist January, 1756, devised the same to Trustees to sell, and
on the exercise of the power of sale in 1758 Mr. Thomas Hooton
became the purchaser. He devised the property to his only
daughter, Sarah, the wife of Philip Hoddle Ward, from whom
it came by purchase to William Powell, Esq. The Tickford
Estate was later in the hands of Mrs. Massey, and is now the
property of P. Butler, Esq. The Inclosure of Tickford Field in
1808 is referred to in the account of Newport Manor.

The Caldecot properties seem to have been sold at the same
time by the Atkins Trustees to William Backwell, a London
banker, who in 1769 bequeathed them to William Harwood, who
assumed the name of Backwell. They were in the hands of the
Backwells in 1800, but seem to have been sold soon after.

The Priory Buildings gradually disappeared, and Browne
Willis in 1703 says, '* At the entrance is the old gateway, which
consists of a larger and lesser portal, the lesser of which is now
standing, but the arch of the larger, being fallen down, is con-
verted to an ordinary pair of piers. These arches comprised the
outward wall of a spatious gatehouse, wherein, as 'tis said, hung
the Bells appropriated to the use of the Convent." 2

Besides this there were five pillars which had supported the
nave of the Priory Church, with the arches turned over them.

1 " Northampton Mercury," May, 1815.

2 The conjecture is erroneous. Vide description of premises on dissolution.

\ -

^-i^"

v--

TiCKFORD. 95

Three of these had been built into a farm house, and in a stone
near the entrance there was fixed in the wail the effigy of a monk
leaning on his hand.

William Cole,i the antiquary, writing on ist April, 1767, says:

" I went there (Tickford) about three or four years ago to see
the scite, but nothing now remains worthy of notice. The person
who now owns it, one Mr. Hooton, a farmerly sort of man, has
lately built a neat square House of stone upon the Ruins of the
Older House which was built out of the remains of the Convent.
It stands low, and commands a pretty view of the river Ouse,
which runs very near it."

Within the grounds on the supposed site of the Abbey Burial
Ground 2 is a brick wall twelve feet high enclosing vaults erected
by and formerly used as a burial place for the Hooton family.
On its western side is an obelisk twenty-five feet high, bearing the
following inscription : —

" This Obelisk was erected by Thomas Hooton to preserve the
Memory of Sarah his, wife, daughter of John Walton, of Spratton,
in the County of Northampton, who departed this life the 5th day
of December, 1768, and was interred near this place the loth,
aged 47 years.

" In this vault are deposited the remains of John Walton
Hooton, son of Thomas and Sarah Hooton, who departed this life
December 14th, 1794, aged 31 years.

" Likewise of Susanna Hooton, Daughter of Thomas and Sarah
Hooton, who departed this life December ist, 1799, aged 44 years.

" Likewise of Thomas Hooton Ward, only Son of Philip and
Sarah Ward and Grandson of Thomas Hooton, who departed this
life January 22nd, 1800, aged 2 years.

" Likewise of Thomas Hooton, Esquire, who departed this life
December 13th, 1804, aged 83 years.

" The mortal remains of Sarah Ward, Daughter of Thomas
Hooton, Esquire, and wife of Philip Hoddle Ward, Esquire, were
deposited in this vault November 27th, 1831. The remembrance
of true worth will ever speak for her to whom this last tribute of
affection is placed."

It is somewhat remarkable that besides the above-mentioned

1 MSS. British Museum. Cole.

2 Several skeletons have from time to time been found in the grounds.

96 History of Newport Pagnell.

private burial place there are three others within the Parish,
namely, that of Mark Slingsby, said to be buried in Tickford, as
elsewhere mentioned ; that of one Mary Church, in Marsh End)
in what was once part of the garden of Mr. William Hooton,
V it being proposed to use the ground as a Baptist burial ground ;^
and that of Dr. Renny in Green End, in private grounds once
his own.

The Doctor left minute written instructions as to his burial,
directing that his corpse should not be buried for a fortnight, and
not then unless it was apparent death had taken place. He further
directed, " having always had an utter aversion to be buried in a
Churchyard," that the interment should take' place in his orchard
in ground then stumped out, in the morning, without any pomp or
ceremony, and that if any memorial were erected he should recom-
mend " a small pyramid about ten feet in height.'' On his death
his wishes were respected, the Rev. William Bull conducting the
funeral service. The obelisk, too, was erected, and bears, in
accordance with the Doctor's wish, the following inscription : —
" P. Renny, M.D. Natus XIV. Augusti, MDCCXXXIV. Denatus
XIV. Februarii, MDCCCV."

The Tickford Priors, a

Robert de Bohun Occurs anno 1187 ^^out a hundred

years after foundation of Cell.

Walter Occurs ist Jan., iigg.

Robert " Hamelyn " ^ A.D. 1205.

Bernard A.D. 12 10.

Hugh Resigned in 1220. His successor was

a monk of this Convent elected in
1220.

William He was expelled by the Convent

1 In February, 1899, workmen while employed in erecting some cottages in

Silver Street, for Mr. W. Cowley, found a skeleton a few feet below the
surface, and it is possible that it was that of Mary Church, although there
is no documentary evidence to prove it was the supposed site of burial.

2 Most of the names subsequent to 1275 have been compared with the Lincoln

Registers. For the others Browne Willis's list, Coles MS. copy, in British
Museum, is the principal authority.

3 Notes from Muniments of Magdalen Coll. Oxford (Macray 1882) with reference

to seals refer to one of Robert "Hamelyn," Prior of Newport Pagnel,
drca 1220.

TiCKFORD.

John de Holna or Colna

Oliver
Gilbert

Bartholomew

Ranald de Cossam
Ranald de Bemewell
Simon de Reda

Geoffrey de Vig

William de Menevere
or Maunreri

Fulk de Champaigneces

Guillerinus de Tangueterre

John de Garys or Garry
John de Fresnay
Francis Quatresoulz

William de Alneto

John Drien or Dreu

of Marmonstier in 1228; but
was restored upon submission
(Chronicon de Dunstable).
A monk of Spalding who was made
prior in 1232. There seems some
doubt as to this prior.

Occurs prior in 1259.

Occurs about 1262. He resigned in
1267, and was succeeded by

Who was presente4 by the Monastery
of Turon Non. May, 1267. On his
death

Was presented 11 Kal. Nov;, 1270, by
the Bishop by lapse.

If he is not the same person with
Reginald de Cossam^ occurs in 1275.

Also occurs prior in 1275 and 1290,
and was removed 4th July, 1291.

Occurs A.D. 1292 : upon his resignation

A monk of the Greater Monastery of
Turon was elected by that Monas-
tery 4 Non. July 1302.

A monk of the Greater Monastery of
Turon was admitted 17 Kal. July
1332, upon Menevere's resignation.
He was still prior in 1337.

Monk of Turon was admitted on the
Ides of August, 1349, on the presenta-
tion of " Simonis Ministri Conventus
de Marmonstier."

Occurs in 1352 and 1355.

1362.

Was admitted 13 Kal. Apr. 1364 on
presentation of Turon Monastery.
Not said how vacant.

Was admitted prior on the presenta-
tion of the same monastery Id.
Feb. 1364.

Occurs in 1383 and 1400 and again in
1416, when he was presented to

History of Newport Pagnell.

Thomas Chace
John Carlell
Robert BIythe

Thomas Darnton

William Kyrkby

William Pymberton

William Eynesham

Thomas York

Newport Vicarage, to which it was
about this time agreed to pay the
Vicar a stipend of ;£io in lieu of his
dues.

1419.

Occurs 1431. Upon whose death,

A monk of St. Andrew's, Northamp-
ton, was appointed Feb. loth, 1433,
by Joane, Queen of England, by
grant for life from Henry IV., her
late husband.

Was elected June i8th, 1465, on the
resignation of BIythe, at the
presentation of John Parke, prior
of the Holy Trinity at York.

Was admitted ist December, 1468,
according to the form of a certain
composition between Oliver, once
Bishop of Lincoln, and the Dean
and Chapter of Lincoln and the
prior of Tickford, on the resignation
of Darnton, He resigned in 1475,
and was succeeded by

A monk of St. Mary's, Tickford, of the
Order of St. Benedict, who was
presented January 4th, 1475, by the
prior of Holy Trinity, York, Vicar
General in England, of the Abbot
of the Monastery of Tours.

Was also presented by the prior of
Holy Trinity, York, on 27th May,
1499, on the decease of Pymberton.
In 1 50 1 he was made abbot of
Whitby, and resigning Tickford
was succeeded by

Late monk of Whitby, who was pre-
sented by the prior above mentioned
9th Nov., 1501. In 1503 he was
made prior of St. Andrew's, North-
ampton.

TlCKFORD. 99

Thomas Broke A monk of the order of St. Benedict

was presented by the York prior on

the resignation of York, 22nd Aug.,

1503. In 1497 he had been delegated

to take care of this priorship, on

Pymberton's superannuation, and

had been prior of Snelshal. He

occurs as prior, 1514, 1520, and

1523, and was Rector of Broughton

in 1527. In the State Papers (Vol.

4) is this entry: "Item the xxvj.

day of Marche an^. rr. H. viij xvij

to Thomas Broke late priour of

Tykeforde his halfyeres pencon due

at the feast of thannunciation of o'

ladie last past vli."

. .5^^^

^o^

lOO

Part IIL

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY

CHAPTER I.
Newport Church and its Chantry.

WHEN Fulc Painel, in the reign of William Rufus, founded the
Priory of Tickford he gave, ^ amongst other things, to the
Monks there, to their own proper use, the Church of Newport
and one Hide of Land in the Field of Newport, which was the
Glebe of the same Church. At that time, therefore, if not sooner,
there was a Church in the town, although it is not until 1246, as
will be seen from the list given elsewhere, that the record of
Vicars commences in the Lincoln Registers.

On the loth of October in the eleventh year of Edward II. an
Inquisition 2 was held at Newport Paynel to ascertain whether it
would be to the prejudice of the King if Richard Burgess was
allowed to grant four messuages, forty acres of land, three acres of
meadow, and 13s. 4|d. rent, with their appurtenances, in Newport
Paynel and Chicchele, to a Chaplain to daily celebrate Mass in the
Church of the Blessed Peter of Newport Paynel for the soul of the
same Richard and the souls of his ancestors and successors. The
jurors finding that such grant would not be to the hurt of the King,
a little later the King, on the 2nd May, 3 granted a licence in
mortmain to Richard Burgeys to assign to some Chaplain and his

1 Pat. 5 Edward II., already quoted, p. 71. Vide also pp. 63, J2 ante.

2 Inq. ad quod dampnum, 11 Edward I., No. 105.

3 Rot. Pat., II Edward II., pars. 11, m. 18.

Newport Church and its Chantry. ioi

successors the before mentioned premises in order that he and
they might daily celebrate mass for the souls of the same Richard,
his ancestors and successors, and for the souls of John de Sumery,
and Lucy his wife, and all the faithful departed.

In the reign of the next Edward ^ a reference to the light of St-
Peter occurs, for on the Tuesday next after the Feast of St. Alban
the Martyr, in the 23rd year of the reign of King Edward, the
third after the Conquest, John atte Ok of Haversham, the miller
of the Priory of Tykeford, granted to Alexander Wocche, the
porter of the said Priory, a messuage with its appurtenances in
Tykeford between the tenement of the Prior of Tykeford on the
one side and the tenement of Alice Syker on the other, to hold the
same to the aforesaid Alexander, his heirs and assigns for ever, of
the chief Lord of the fee, by the due and accustomed services and
rendering annually from that time forth six silver pence to the
Light of Saint Peter in the Chancel of Newport Paynel at that
Feast of the Lord's Nativity.

In the Inquisitiones Nonarum, made under an Act of 14
Edward III., there is the following entry under the heading of
the Deanery of Newport:" —

"Newport with Vicarage and with Little Lynford.

"Taxes xxxvij marks.

" The value of the ninth in the same parish, together with a
ninth of the temporalities of the Prior of Tykeford, by presentment
of William Solie, Richard Pyritone, Roger le Mareschal, William
de Miltone, John de Rodene, and John le Schereman, xviiji'*, and
not more, because they say that one carucate of land in the field of
the lordship lies untilled which is usually ploughed and sown, and
they say that the smith and the miller have gone away this year
by reason of the dryness of the summer, and that there are no
markets or cattle."

The value was ascertained in order to enable the King to take
it for two years as a tax towards the expenditure in respect of the
Scotch and French wars.

In another Inquisition,3 taken at Aylesbury on the Wednesday
next after the Feast of Saint Ambrose, in the 17th year of Edward
III., amongst other benefices in the Archdeaconry of Buckingham

I Ancient Deeds, P.R.O., A. 179. 2 Inq. Nonarum, p. 335,

3 Inq., 17 Edward III. No. 6 (now 69).

102 History of Newport Pagnell.

belonging to the presentation or collation of alien monks, it is
stated that the Prior of Tykeford is the Rector of the Church ot
Newport Paynel and the Chapel of Little Lynford annexed to the
same Church, in the Deanery of Newport, and the presentation of
the Vicar of the same Church, with the aforesaid Chapel, when
vacant, belongs to the said Prior, and that it is not vacant beyond
the prescribed time, and the said Vicarage is taxed at vij. marks
per annum.

John Amys, who was presented to the Vicarage in 1332, in 1338
exchanged or tried to exchange his benefice for that of William de
Stanwigge of All Saints', Bedford,^ but the exchange can hardly
have been carried through, or at any rate been lasting, for from
another entry in the Patent Rolls it appears he again in 1340
made an exchange with William de Herlaston, of Benstede, in the
Diocese of Winchester ."

About the time of the latter exchange Amys had a serious
dispute with the Prior of Tickford, and from a grant of oyer and
terminer,^ dated 12th April, 1340, it appears that John Amys,
described as of Twyford, Vicar of the Church of Newport Paynel,
complained that Fulc, Prior of Tykford, William the "priour
esquier,'* of Tykford, Peter " supplycli de " Tykford, and others had
lately hostilely besieged his house at Tykford, in which he then
was, broken the doors and windows, and when he tried to come
out had insulted, beaten, wounded and wickedly ill-treated him so
that his life was in danger, and that they had also taken and carried
away his goods and chattels to the amount of £10, and used such
threats as to his person and burning his house if he returned that
he dare not do so.

The result of the hearing is not to be found; but Amys left
Newport.

It would appear probable that this house was the traditional
Vicarage at Tickford, and there is a deed executed about this date,
namely, on Wednesday in the Feast of St. Margaret the Virgin,
1335, whereby William de Wenrych, Vicar of Aston, granted to
Robert de Wenrych, clerk, a tenement in Tykeford, with its
appurtenances, next to the tenement of Richard de Pyrjrtone,
which extended from the foot of the bridge of Tykeford up to the
garden of the Vicar of Newport. ^

I Pat. Rolls, 12 Edw. III., pt. i, m. 10. 2 Ibid, 14 Edw. III., pt. i, m. 30.
3 Ibid 14 Edward III., pt. i., m. 2od. 4 Anoient Deeds, A. 181.

Newport Church and its Chantry. 103

In Willis' MSS. 1 there are several wills mentioned which
contain interesting references to the church, which seems to have
been partially or wholly rebuilt just about the time of the dis-
solution of Tickford Priory in 17 Henry VIII.

The following are some of the references, which have been
amplified and corrected from the originals which are now at
Somerset House : —

7th March, 1487 — John Cordell wills to be buried within

the Chapel of Saint Mary, and gave
a Tenement to the Fraternity of Saint
Mary upon condition that the Wardens
of that Fraternity should find his lamp
continually to burn every Lord's day and
feast at both vespers, mattins, and mass.
He also gave 13s. 4d. equally between the
four orders of friars who were limitours
(i.e., licensed to beg) in the parish; 4od. to
the two bridges ; and I2d. to All Souls'
light.
2nd January, 1506 — Joane Kymel wills to be buried in Saint

Peter and Saint Paul's church of Newport
Pagnell near her Husband,
loth November, 1509 — ^John Warren requested that he might be

buried in the church of the Apostles Peter
and Paul of Newport; gave 20s. towards
buying a chalice for St. Katherine's altar ;
"xijd. to All Sowlys lyght"; 2od. to the
Fraternity of Our Blessed Lady the Virgin
in Newport; and "vjd. to the makyng of
the grett bell."
i6th November, 1520— Edmund Holkot, of Tykford, gave to the

'* bylding of the churche of Newporte half
an acre of whete of Sowmedehill; to all
sowlyn light a bz of barley and to the
bellys a bz barley."
5th September, 1521 — Richard Garrat wills to be buried in the

chapel of St. Nicholas in the church of
Newport Pagnell, and gave in name of
mortuary his best animal ; to the high

I Willis' MS., 5839 Add. MSB., British Museum.

104 History op Nbwport Pagnbll.

altar of Newport Pagnell four measures of
barley ; to the bells in the church four
measures of barley ; to the use of the church
one quarter of barley and to the bridges
half a quarter of barley.
6th March, 1521 — Nicholas Burges gave los. to the building

the church.
A little later, the body of the church probably being built, there
are the following items : —
12th May, 1542 — Alice Cropthome gave 3s. 4d. " to the

bilding of the steple."
In the year 1543 — Reference to All Hallowes Light and St.

Nicholas Chapel in the church.
17th October, 1543 — ^Thomas Walley willed to be buried

" nye to the doure y^ goeth into Our Lady
Chapell," and gave 40s. to y* building
of y* Steple ; 4d to y* high altar ; 8d. to
y* bell there ; and 8d. apiece to the two
bridges.
4th May, 1548 — William Stokes, of Tickford, wills 20s. to

finishing Newport Steeple, &c., as men-
tioned elsewhere.
In 1556, on the occasion of Bishop White's visitation of Lincoln
Diocese, by Commission from Cardinal Pole, Newport Paynel
was presented for having no Vicar, because the stipehd was so
small. It was further stated that several vicarages the Rectories
whereof belonged to the Cardinal were so small that they remained
void for some years; as Litlington, Dunton, Bedford Paule,
Newport Panel.*

Towards the end of his reign Henry VIII. decided to suppress
all chantries and to seize their possessions, and the following entry
as to the Burgess chantry in " Newporte Pannell " is to be found
in the Chantry Certificates : —

** The Chauntrye w*in the pishe of Saynte peter & paule there
fownded By Richerd Burges to thintente to fynde a prieste to
synge mass at thaltare of o' laydie at viij*« of the clocke comonlye.
"The said Chauntrie is fownded w'in the pishe churche of
Newporte aforesaid where ther be DC houselinge people & ther is
but this prieste to helpe the vicare there to mynystre to theyme in

I Strype*s Memorials, vol. 3, chap. 37, p. 295.

Newport Church and its Chantry. 105

tymes of necessitie and so (is very necessarye).

" This chauntrie is of therly value of xlvj. s. whereof (
Paid to Anthony Cave xd. & John White ") ,
xd. for rents resolute J

And so Remaynethe for the priests ) , ,

Salarye 1 ^^"^^- '"J^'

"There belongeth to this ch*untrie nether goods catalls ornam*"
ne Juells but all are fownde by the pishisene.

" Ther hath bene no dissolucione pchace or obteignynge of anye
pte of the possessiones or goods of the said ChHintrie sithe the
iiij*"* of februarye in the xxvij**^ yere of the kings ma*** reigne."

Another Chantry Certificate about 2 Edward VI. (Bucks Cert.
5 No. 29) has the following : — " Newporte Pannell. A Chauntrie
(Founded w^in the said towne. In lands tents Rents and ffermes
belonginge vnto the said Chauntrie within the towne aforesaid
worth by yere Ijs. whereof in Reprisals xxd and rem [clere] xlixs.
iiijd. Item there is one s^ Richarde Donne clerk Incumbent of the
saide Chauntrie of the age of Ivj yeres and is of honest conversation
&c/'

After the dissolution of Monasteries, as will be gathered from
the list of Vicars, the right of presentation to Newport Church
seems to have become vested in the Crown until, in the reign of
Mary, there was a grant of the advowson of Neiii-port Pannell to
Thomas Bishop of Lincoln and his successors, to be held by him
and them in frankalmoign.^ Elizabeth, however, soon after
possessed herself of the right of presentation, which continued in
the Crown till 1859.

From the Bishop's Registers it appears that in 1605 the vicarage
was worth ;£io a year ; the patron was the Lord Chancellor ; the
Incumbent Tho. Yarrow, B.A. ; and the number of communicants
806.

On 2nd October, in the 2nd year of Elizabeth, there is a grants
to George Howard, Knight, of, amongst other properties, " Our one
tenement and our one garden adjoining the same with their
appurtenances situate lying and being near the red lyon in
Neweporte Pannell in the said County of Buckingham and our
one other tenement with its appurtenances in Neweporte Pannell

1 Pat. Rolls 5 and 6, Phil, and Mary, p. 4, m. 27.

2 Pat. 2 Eliz. p. 13 m. (4) 31.

io6 History of Newport Pagnell.

aforesaid situate near the rivulets on parts of the south and west
of the same town and lately to the Chantry founded in the church
of Newport Pannell aforesaid formerly belonging and apper-
taining."

In 31 Elizabeth^ on 22nd March, there is another grant^ to
Walter Copinger and Thomas Butler of London, gentlemen of,
inter alia, '' Our Chantry in the parish of Saint Peter in Newporte
Pannell aforesaid founded by one Richard Burgess and all the
lands tenements and hereditaments to the same Chantry
belonging."

The grant was made subject to the payment of 6s. 8d. annually
in respect of the Chantry premises and the Hospital Chapel and
premises thereby also granted.

Weever in his " Funeral Monuments " on p. 30 says, " In the
north aile of the parish church of Newport Painell, in Buckingham-
shire, in the year 16 19, was found the body of a man whole and
perfect ; laid downe or rather leaninge downe, north and south :
all the concavous parts of his body and the hollownesse of every
bone, as well ribs as other, were filled up with solid lead. The
skull, with the lead in it, doth weigh thirty pounds, six ounces,
which, with the neckbone, and some other bones (in like manner
full of lead) are reserved and kept in a little chest in the said
church, neare to the place where the corps was found ; there to
be showne to strangers as reliques of admiration. The rest of all
the parts of his body are taken away by gentlemen neare dwellers,
or such as take delight in rare antiquities. This I saw."

Cole says that the head was, in 1776, preserved in the Library
of St. John's College, Cambridge, while " Mavor's British Tourist "
(vol. vi., p. 237), published in 1800, says that at St. John's College
is "a singular curiosity, a leaden scull, which belonged to a
complete skeleton, found in Newport Pagnel church."

Mention of some of the bones having been seen about 1810 in
Newport church by Mr. Spurden, and of there being some bones
in the same condition, probably from Newport, in the College
Library, is made in the East Anglian (Vol. i, p. 212). The College
Librarian, however, writing on 20th July, 1899, says, "There is
no trace or record of any such skull having been, at any time, in
the possession of the Library."

The Church Registers record the fact that " Mr. Richard

I Pat. 31 Eliz. p. 7 m. 31.

Newport Church and its Chantry. 107

Cleward living by the op . . field did preache in Newport
parish 20 August 1631.''

About this time one of the Newport Vicars seems to have
incurred the displeasure of the celebrated Richard Napier, for in
a MS. in the Bodleian Library* entitled an "Argumentative
discourse by Richard Napier, Rector of Linford, against the
Minister of Newport," occurs the following passage, " But here
perhaps you will say who denyeth that the testimonyes of profane
writers may be mingled with God's worde. I answere even you
your selfe or else you would not set on your friends to wish vs to
leave it. At Olney I remember in a sermon I vsed on only
testimony of a heathen poet to witt that of Horace . . . And
a frind of yours and of your speciall acquaintance, set on as I
suppose by you, or els I suppose . . . would not, at the first
right and that in the presence of a knight and lady at dinner time,
have found fault with the alledging of this on testimony . . .
Wherefore have you sine you left Olny and came to Newport sette
on another frind et ex intimis to advice vs to leave it as a thing
that may not well stand with the sufficiency, purity and maiesty of
gods word . . "

The MS. is curious as there does not appear anything in it
itself to show that Napier, as stated in the printed catalogue,
wrote it. Napier was at Linford from 15?^ — 1634.

In 1635^ there seems to have been some trouble as to a pew, as

the following letter or petition, taken from the State Papers,

testifies : —

" Newport februarii the 8th, 1635.

To the Right vfovffi S' John Lambe.

Whereas yo' worPP did order that one James Willson gent, should

have a seate in o' Churche formerly builded by our Inhabitants

for 4^^ w**' cost some 8" buildinge for ministers & straungers to sitt

in : beinge a Thorough fayer towne : and the wante of it is a great

trouble & disgrace to O' Churche haveinge noe where to place

o' ministers & straungers when they come vpon the Lord's day :

yett notwithstandinge Mr. Willson will not pay ye 4^ but bids vs

to come by it howe wee can : Wherefore we most humbly intreate

yo* worPP to send vs yo* order in writinge to have it againe for y«

same vse it was builded . for and noe other : w<* will doe c?

Churche more good then 20^ in money can doe vs : And soe wee

1 Ashmole 1148, viii. f. 211.

2 State Papers, Domestic, 1635-6, Vol. 313 (60).

io8 History of Newport Pagnell.

humbly take c? leaue and e3 pray for the prosperous estate of yo^
woPP and all yo"

Anthony Potter, Thomas Barnes, John Draper, Thomas

Potter, Arthur Umphrey, William Holman, Henrye

Knolles, Anthony Potter Jan., Hugh Dalbone, Thomas

Williamson."

Another, and a little later document,^ refers to some charge

against Anthony Potter, apparently. It runs thus : —

" To the right worr^ S'- John Lambe knight

May it please your good WorPP we Inhabittants of Newport

Pagnell and Neighbours therevnto adioyneinge are bould to

certefie your good worPP in the behalfe of Anthony Potter of

Newport aforesaid that the said Anthony Potter in all our

knowledge hath euer beene and soe continueth a man soe trewly

conformable to the government and dissipline of the Church of

England. That the said Anthony Potter hath alsoe beene and

nowe is a stronge opposer against seperatists and Nonconformists

and all that oppose y^ said government. And in trewe tesstimony

hereof we have herevnto sett our hands. And humbly take our

leaves, Georg Nutt, Thomas Barnes, William White, Simon

Younger rector of Emberton, Matthew Coney, John Mallet,

Thomas Webb rector of Clifton Raynes, Samuel Cuningham,

Thomas Potter, Jonas Church, Richard Conie, Richard Hull, and

Thomas White, John Draper, Thomas Daves, Matthew Cuper,

Churchwardens.' '

On nth October, 1637, the condition of the Church is thus
described : " The Church porch is in great decay & wants a dore
& the howse adjoyning to be taken away. A window at the east
end of the south Isle dawbd vp as it seemeth. The part of the
mounds of the churchyard & the west part are hedges. 2 pinnacles
wanting vpon the vpper battlem'* of the south part of the church.
All the windowes of the south Isle partly dawbed vp ye Windowes
on the North side of the Chancell dawbed vp & the same side in
the stone worke in decay. A window in y« north He partly dawbed
up. The windowes not sufficient in the glasse especially the
chancell windowes. The Register Booke is imperfect therefore to
be certified what yeares are wanting. Another surplace to be
provided & the surplace w^ they have to be made vp close before.
Some of the butterices in decay but especiall those of the steeple

I State Papers, Domestic, Chas. I., 1636, Vol. 339, No 58.

Newport Church and its Chantry. 109

& the steeple round about the upper part of the stone work."*

In the Records of the local Ecclesiastical Courts* for 7 April,
1638, and those of the succeeding year, under Newport, are the
following amongst other items : —
" Dorothie vx Jo : Thorpe for not living w*"* her husband.

Valentine Hall fama Sorcery for stolen goods.

Christopher Hoare a recusant.

M'* Willson w^ hath not p^ his levy of xviijs.

Robert Middleton for the like being v s.

William Bagg of Tickford Parke simitr vijs. vjd.

Mr. Austin and his wife, James Laightor, John Draps, his wife
and his daughter, Sisly Hartley and Thomas Hartly for absenting
themselves from theire parish church on New yeares day last."

The Bishop's visitation Books for 161 1 and 161 2, after referring
to various excommunications and to sins of incontinence and
drunkenness, refer to the cases of Robert Bacon, Robert Risely,
and Antonius Paine, who ** continuallie travelled to sell bone lace
on ye Sabaoth day," and also to the case of Anthony Dawes " who
did not go to church one Sabaoth day in a moneth."

As will be seen, the range of subjects dealt with is extensive
and peculiar.

There were formerly two chained books in the Church, one of
them " The Defence of the Apology of the Church of England,"
being kept in the South Aisle.

The following Terrier, dated 31 Jan., 1639, is given by Cole : —

** No Homestall or Vicarage House. A Close in Tickford
containing 3 Roods.' An Acre of Meadow lying in the West
Meadow of Newport. Two half Acres and 2 Roods of Arable in
the parish of Chicheley upon the Nether Hay Furlong. Half an
Acre in the Middle Field of Tickford. Half an Acre in Caldecote
Field. Both Arable.

" A stipend of lol. p. An. paid out of the Impropriation to the
Vicar."

From the Minutes of the Committee for Plundered Ministers
under date 22 July, 1646, it appears that by virtue of an order of
both Houses of Parliament of 2 May then last, the Committee
ordered that the yearly sum of £50 be paid out of the profits of

1 State Papers, Domestic, 1637, Vol. 369 (59).

2 Ibid, 1638, Vol. 387 (68) and 1638-9, Vol. 406 (80).

3 This was doubtless the Vicarage Close hereafter referred to.

no History of Newport Pagnell.

the impropriate Rectory of Chilton Bucks, sequestered from John
Cooke delinquent, to and for the increase of the maintenance of
the Minister of the parish Church of Newport Pagnell, the
Vicarage there not being above ^£14 per annum, and Newport
being a market town and populous, and the sequestrators of the
premises were ordered to pay the same accordingly .^

In January, 1656-7,^ '' Upon consideracon of the humble peticon
of diuers of y* Inhabitants of Neiuport Pagnell, in the County of
Bucks, Ordered by and the Counsell, That it be

recommended to y* Trustees for mayntenance of Minist** to settle
vpon Mr. John Gibbs Minister of Nieuport Pagnell aforesayd an
Augmentacon of 40I. p ann, for his better mayntenance, and
encouragem* and y^ y^ same be paid accordingly/'

The following entry in the Church Register is interesting as
referring to John Gibbs as " Minister," viz. : —

" Collected at Newport Pagnell for the fire in Soulbay on 14th
of August, 1659, the sum of eight pounds and one penny

Mathias Cowlev \

George Stanckliffe / ^. . . ^''^' ^'^^^ ^''^^''

o u Ix iir J J / Churchwardens. Tho. Kilpin.

Robert Woodward 1 ,,r r* ,

„. - J ^ ^ 1 Wm. Pomfrett.

Richd Yates /

James Hartley

John Carter , ^ - ^,

1^ , , ,- > Overseers of the poore.

Ralph Hooton '

John Knight

Pepys visited the church, as already mentioned, on 8th June,
i668, and considered it '' a very fair and like a cathedral church,"
and says that he " saw the leads and a vault that goes far under-
ground."

In the Bishop's MSS. at Lincoln, written between 1705 and
1723, it is recorded that there were then at Newport between 400
and 500 families ; that there were about 650 Churchmen and about
80 Dissenting Free Presb)rterians. A little sooner, namely in
1676, the Salt MSS. gives the Churchmen as 905, Nonconformists
126, and states there was one Papist.

The Bishop's MSS. moreover state that at the period referred
to there were two Conventicles — Presbyterian and Ana-Baptist —
and in 17 17 a third— Quaker.

1 Bodleian MS. 323 f. 340.

2 State PaperSi Dom., Vol. J 77, p. 605 (Council, Days Proceedings, Jan. i, 1656-7).

Newport Church and its Chantry. hi

The erection of galleries is thus recorded in the Church
Rasters : —

** In the North side of the church was a Gallery begun to be
built in 1709 which was finished in the year 1710. By the order
of Mr. Roger Cheval and Mr. William Chubnall Churchwardens.

" In the South side of the Church was a Gallery begun to be
built in 1723 And it was finished in the year 1724. Built by the
Parish Newport Pagnell."

At one time it is said that a wooden staircase led to the room
over the North porch, and the traces of a doorway, now covered
with ivy, may be seen on the west side. Perhaps the staircase
was taken away on the construction of the galleries.

In 1726 the benefice was said to have been augmented by the
gift of £200 from Dr. Lewis Atterbury,i and a like sum from the
Royal Bounty. Ecton's Liber Valorum, however, of 1723 puts the
clear yearly value at £2^ 14s. 2d., and in the Thesaurus of 1754
the value is placed at the same sum, the amount in the King's
Books being £10,

Willis in his MSS. describes the Church as follows : —

" The Church consists of a large spatious Nave and two side
Isles which are leaded and chancel which is tiled : at the West
end is a Tower which is coped at top and covered with lead in the
middle of which is a pole supporting a weather cock, it was
designed for a spire and the scaffold holes still remain round the
Tower. The Church was built in Henry VIII. 's time, but the
Reformation coming on the Steeple was never finished. In it
hang five very untuneable modern bells all but the third which is
the only good bell in the Steeple. These bells were with additional
metal made in 1751 or 1752. The old tenor was about 2000 the
present 2200 weight. Here is also a Clock and Chimes.

'* The value of the Vicarage is about £1$ per annum — ;f 10 paid
by the Impropriator, who agreed to j^y the same about 300 years
before, and £$ scattered pieces of glebe.

'' In 1738 an organ (said to have come from Hackney old
church)2 was opened in Newport Pagnell on St. Peter's day, the
Church's patron Sainte, and a sermon preached by John Waller
Rector of Little Woolston from Psa. 150, vs. 1-4.

1 Vide Atterbury's Charity.

2 The organ was fully described in a letter written by Joseph Redden on 26 Oct

1866 to Croydon's Weekly Standard, the writer observing that if not
interfered with it would last for centuries.

112 History of Newport Pagnell.

"The same year the fine Monions^ were taken out of the
Chancel windows and iron frames most idly put up by Mr.
Pomfret, it was very ill judged and Sir Richard Atkins put to
unreasonable expense."

In September, 1784, a pew was given "on the North side of the
He next but one to the new Vestry lately built."

On the inclosure of Portfield the Commissioners in 1795 awarded
the Vicar in lieu of glebe lands and common rights therein the plot
of land, containing 3 roods 4 perches and adjoining on its south-east
side the road to Stony Stratford, which has been lately sold.

In 1808, too, on the inclosure of Tickford field there was an allot-
ment to the Vicar of la. or. 38p. in lieu of his common rights ; another
allotment of la. ir. i6p. in exchange with Charles Chester for
lands of the Vicar in Chicheley parish ; and an allotment of a piece
of old enclosed ground in Abbey End, with the cottage thereon,
containing 2r. 37p., in exchange with P. H. Ward for old enclosed
land called the Vicarage Close, and the house and buildings thereon.

The two allotments of la. or. 38p. and la. ir. i6p. are on the
west side of the London road, nearly opposite the Workhouse, and
run down to the Lovat, while on part of the 2r. 37p. the Abbey
End School is built. The Vicarage Close, which was exchanged,
was doubtless the site of the old Vicarage.

In 1810 the Vicarage was reported to the Governors of Queen
Anne's Bounty as worth £iy] 9s. 8d. per annum, arising from
pensions, glebe and surplice fees, and as discharged from the
payment of first fruits and tenths.

About 1827 the whole or part of the south aisle was rebuilt, the
pinnacles and embattlements on the tower were added, and the
Church generally renovated, the cost being about ;£700o.

In the " Ecclesiastical and Architectural Topography of Eng-
land," published in 1846, the building is thus described : —

" Newport Pagnel, St. Peter and St. Paul. Is a large church,
which has lately been repaired ; there is a west tower, nave with
aisles, chancel, north and south porch. The tower is perpen-
dicular, as is the chancel ; the tower cornice and pinnacles new ;
the north aisle is perpendicular ; the south aisle modem. There
are some good Decorated stalls, and a Decorated south porch late
in the style, with hanging tracery ; the north porch is of an earlier
date. There are some good wooden roofs. The north porch has

I MuUions ?

-».^ -

■-'?

'- A- C

l'-

Newport Church and its Chantry. 113

a groined vault, and a chamber above, now used as a vestry ; the
south porch has a fine Early English arcade. There is also a
handsome cinque-foiled arcade in the south aisle, and a piscina in
the chancel. The nave is of six large bays, with some Early
Decorated windows."

By an Order in Council, dated 6th July, 1859, the patronage of
the Vicarage of Newport Pagnell was transferred by the Crown to
the Bishop of Oxford in exchange for the patronage of the Vicarage
of Sutton with Seaford, in the County of Sussex, and diocese of
Chichester.

In 1857 a Bazaar was held with a view of restoring the chancel,
and as a result new mullions and stained glass windows were
inserted in 1858.

The east window, representing the Crucifixion and SS. Peter
and Paul, is of three lights, and the other six windows, repre-
senting SS. James the Greater and Andrew, SS. Jude and Bar-
nabas, SS. Thomas and Matthias, SS. John and James the Minor.
SS. Matthew and Simon, and SS. Philip and Bartholomew, are of
two lights each.

In i860 the present stone font was presented by two or three
friends of the Vicar, and placed in the church in March of that year,

Just a little before this, viz., in February, a gale blew off part of
one of the pinnacles of the tower, the broken portions falling
through the roof into the nave just in front of the then organ
gallery. There was a similar occurrence only a year a two since.
On neither occasion was anyone hurt.

By an Order in Council the Churchyard was closed, as from ist
March, 1861, as mentioned elsewhere, part of the new Cemetery
being consecrated by Bishop Wilberforce on 6th September, 1861.

In 1866 an offer was made by Mr. George Cooch and his sister
to provide a new organ at a cost of ;£5oo provided a proper
addition was made at the Eastern end of the church for its
reception. This generous offer was accepted, by nine votes to
seven, at a Vestry Meeting held on 9th August, 1866, and the
organ-chamber (and a new vestry) having been duly built, the organ
was given. A brass plate on the organ has the following inscrip-
tion : — " A.M.D.G. George Cooch and his sister Anne gave this
Organ to lead the praises of God in this Parish Church, where
during long lives they were devout and pious worshippers.
October, 1867."

114 History of Newport Pagnell.

In 1880 the old pews were replaced by open seats, and in 1887,
on the occasion of the Queen's Jubilee, new chimes, playing
fourteen tunes, were purchased by subscription and placed in the
Church tower, and on the same occasion a new bell was presented
by Mr. F. J. Taylor.

In 1894 the Chancel was newly roofed, paved, and decorated.
The inner roof has been entirely removed (such of the old carving
and rafters as were, however, not too badly perished, being
retained), and a small window inserted at the top of the Eastern
gable in lieu of the opening, for lighting the roof, formerly existing.
The arms in the window are those of Saints Peter and Paul.

In the course of the alterations the piscina, which had been
plastered over, was again opened out, and at the top of the East
side of the Chancel arch a curious opening connected with a flight
of steps from those to the nave roof was discovered.

The traces of the rood loft door, which was on the south side of
the chancel arch, and opened on to the nave, are apparent from the
tower staircase. It is probable that the rood loft extended to the
first pillars in the nave.

The black and white marble paving was the gift of the late
Mrs. Taylor, and the roof restoration was carried out by her family
in remembrance of her. A brass plate on the south side of the
chancel records these facts as follows : —

"To the Glory of God the marble floor was placed in this
chancel by bequest of Catherine Elizabeth Taylor, a.d. 1894.
The roof of the chancel was restored at the same time by her sons
and daughters in loving remembrance."

One of the marble slabs is inscribed: — "J. G. Durham, A.M.,
Vicar of this Parish. Died June 7, 1832. Aged 50.'* An old
stone slab to his memory having been removed in the course of
the restoration.

The cost of the wall decoration was paid out of subscriptions
raised by the Vicar.

The Bishop of Oxford, Dr. Stubbs, dedicated the renovated
Chancel on ist November, 1894.

In 1895, on the initiative of Mr. F. J. Taylor, a house immediately
adjoining on the West the gateway from the High Street to the
Church, was purchased by public subscription in order that it
might be pulled down and a better view of the Church provided.
The scheme was carried through, and instead of part of the

Newport Church and its Chantry. 115

Northern porch only, the whole of the porch, tower, and part of the
Nprth aisle can now be seen from the street.

The wooden screen was given anonymously, about 1870, and the
oak pulpit on the stone pedestal by Mrs. Massey, of Tickford
Abbey, in 1871.

The window at the East end of the South aisle represents the
Brazen Serpent in the Wilderness, Christ and the lame man,
Christ healing the blind man, and the Good Samaritan, and
beneath is a brass plate inscribed as follows : —

" This window was erected to the memory of Robert Collison
Surgeon a liberal Benefactor to this Parish who died April 3rd,
i860. Aged 78 years (by his grateful friend George Morley
Vicar)."

The next window in the South aisle has the words " Feed my
sheep " in a scroll above, and represents the Adoration of the
Magi, the delivery of the keys to Peter, and Christ blessing the
Children. It also has beneath it a brass plate with the following
inscription : —

"This window was erected by George Collison, brother of
Robert, who died September 15th, 1862, aged 75 years."

The remaining stained glass window, that in the Tower, was
placed there in 1876, and is referred to in the brass plate on the
side of the Tower arch, which runs as follows : —

"To the Glory of God and memory of Samuel Wilberforce, for
25 years Bishop of Oxford, the Parishioners of Nev^port Pagnell
have placed in the west window of this Church figures of Patri-
archs and Prophets, whose labours he emulated and whose rest he
shares."

The very handsome brass lectern bears on its base the following
inscription : —

"To the Glory of God. In Memory of Philip and Margaret
Butler, of Tickford Abbey. Presented by their Sons. Christmas,
1898."

The Church plate consists of a tall straight silver tankard, with
cover, and about I2| inches high. It has a bull's head engraved
on the top and the Atkins' arms on the front, the hall mark being
1634—5. It bears the following inscription : — " The gift of Dame
Rebecca Atkins, widdow, Daughter of Sir Edm* Wright, aJs
Buckley." Another flagon and a salver, given by the same lady
at the same time, 1705 or so. have lately been made into two cups

ii6 History of Newport Pagnell.

and two patens. Besides these there is an old bell-sh^>ed chalice,
with a large stem, which bears the 1708—9 hall mark, and two
patens, one dated 1638 and the other 1708.

It will have been noticed that in early documents relating to the
Church only one Patron Saint, St. Peter, is referred to. Indeed,
it is not until about the middle of the fifteenth century that St.
Paul's name is added to that of St Peter.

117

CHAPTER II.

List of Vicars.

WILLIAM DE AuGMODESHAM, was presented by the Prior and
Convent of Newport to the Vicarage of
the Church of Newport in 1246. No
cause oi vacancy stated.

Henry de Buckedon waspresentedtheSthof the Ides of February,
^ 1263, by the Prior and Convent on the death

of William.

Peter de Ulsington, on death of Buckedon, was presented the

1 8th of the Calends of February, 1265, ^7
the Prior and Convent of Newport. The
Bishop's Register records the fact that the
Prior and Convent had withdrawn all the
revenues forthcoming at the chapel of Little
Linford which the Vicars, for the time being,
had been accustomed to take for the said
vicarage, and there was accordingly a
mandate to the Archdeacon to compel
restoration from the patrons.

William occurs in 1289. He resigned, having accepted

a church with cure of souls in Lincoln diocese.

Robertus dictus Gule presented by the Prior and Convent, Ides

February, 1294.

Geoffrey de Wenrich, presented loth October, 1295, on death of

Robert, and resigned in 1303. He was
probably the Galf de Wenrich, who, in Nov.,
1303, was appointed Vicar of Aston.

William de la Rokele, presented 2nd of the Ides of December, 1303,

by the Prior and Convent of Tickford. He
died in 1319.

ii8

History of Newport Pagnell.

John Cole, psb.,
John AmyS| psb.,

Amald de Bell Vail, presented the 7th of the Calends of Decern-
presbr., 5^^, 1319. He exchanged it for the Vicarage

of Estwode with

in May, 1329. He exchanged it for Kemp-
ston Vicarage, Beds, with
on the 3rd of the Nones of October, 1332.
He resigned 1343. Vide page 102 ante.

William deStanwigge, parson of All Saints', Bedford, was pre-
sented to the Vicarage 22nd April, 1338,
by Edward III. (by reason of the tempo-
ralities of Tickford being in his hands) on
an exchange of benefices with John Amys.

William de Herlaston, parson of Benstede, Diocese Winchester,

was presented 8th March, 1340, by the King
on an exchange with John Amyce.

Robert de Shiryngton, presented on the 14th of the Calends of

November, 1343, by King Edward, the tem-
poralities of the Priory being seized into
his hands in the time of the war between
him and the French,
died in 1378.

presented by King Richard in right of the
seized temporalities of the Priory, 14th of
the Calends of November, 1378. He ex-
changed it for Basgrave Vicarage with
presented by the King, October 28th, 1378.
He was Master of the Hospital, 1369.
presented by the King gth May, 1385. Not
said how vacant.

presented by the King 9th November, 1394.
Not said how vacant.

presented 15th Octobef, 1416, by John, Prior
of Saint Mary of Tykford and the Convent
of same place. Not said how vacant.

William Corbett
Thomas Everard

Ralph Hayward

Walter Dobbs

Robert Maselyn

Barker

Robert Fenton
Thomas Crosse

Nicholas Levenoth

presented by Tickford Priory on Fenton's
resignation, to the Church of " St. Peter,"
6th May, 1448, and died 1453.
was presented 20th July, 1453, with obliga-
tion of continuous residence and personal

List of Vicars.

119

John Chadilworth

John Pelecot

Thomas Vrmeston

John Blot
John Blakett

ministration, and died in 1472.
was presented 12th November, 1472, by the
Prior and Convent of Tickford, and resigned
soon after.

was presented on the resignation of Chadil-
worth 22nd December, 1472, to the Church
of " S*» Peter and Paul," with like obliga-
gation to that of Levenoth, and resigned 148 1.
presented i6th February, 1481, was Master
of the Hospital in 1496, and died 1501.
presented 23rd July, 1 501, by the Prior and
Convent of Tickford, resigned in 151 1.
was presented 6th August, 151 1. By his
will, dated 20th March, 1536, he desired to
be buried in the Churchyard here,
was presented by Henry VIII., 28th May,
1536) on death of Blakett. He occurs Vicar
in 1540 and 1548.

was returned 1561 "Curatus de Newport
Pagnel."

resigned 1575, being Vicar of Wyllne and
Master ot the Hospital. He was buried at
Newport on loth February,' 1599.
was presented by Queen Elizabeth 29th
March, 1575, in succession to Potter, and
was buried 25th February, 1608.

Thomas Webb, A.B., of Exeter College, was presented by the

Queen i6th June, 1609. In 1621 he became
Rector of Clifton Reynes and resigned this
Vicarage. His burial at Clifton Reynes on
20th May, 1655, is recorded in the Parish
Registers there, so that a statement by Cole
that he was suspended from his rectory for
deer stealing, and another that he was buried
at his native place, Brayfield, co. North>> ,
appear to be without foundation.

William Stapp, A.M., was presented 8th October, 1622. He was

buried here i6th February, 1630.

Samuel Austin, A.M., was presented by the Crown 31st March,

1631. He occurs as Vicar in 1640, and

William Harwood,
A.B.,

Thomas Walker

Thomas Potter

Thomas Yarrow

120

History of Newport Pagnell.

John Gibbs

seems to have been " thrust out " in 1646.
sometime of Cambridge University, was
presented in 1647. ^^ occurs Vicar 14th
August, 1659, but was ejected a few months
later.

Robert Marshall presented by Charles II. i6th January, 1660,

the cause of the vacancy not being stated,
but resigned in 1663 for better preferment.

Thomas Aspin was presented 6th October, 1663, by Charles

II., and occurs Vicar 6th November, 1678.

John Howard, A.M. Vicar of Stanton Barry, was presented 6th

February, 1678, by the King. He resigned
it for Marston Trussell, Northants, where he
was inducted 5th April, 1682, and was
thence collated to Kidderminster Vicarage,
where he died.

lohn Cooke, A.M. was presented by James II., 9th April, 1685.

He is said to have died in 1688, and to have
been buried in the Chancel, but there is no
entry in the registers.

Thomas Banks, S.T.P., who had been beneficed in Ireland, was

presented by the King and Queen 22nd
March, 1688. He was son of Wm. Banks
of Winstanley co : Lane. Esq., matriculated
at Christ Church, Oxford, 4th July, 1676,
aged 16, B.A. 1680, M.A. 22nd March 1682-3.
He rebuilt the house belonging to the
Hospital, and was buried here on 23rd
December, 1716. Being grown old he
resigned the Vicarage to his son about six
months before his death.

Lowde Banks, A.B. was presented by the King 12th May, 1716.

Died 1757, ''a bachelor and rich/' and was
buried in the Chancel 29th April.

RobertWatson, A.M. was presented by the King 7th May, 1757,

through the interest of the Earl of Winchel-
sea. The inhabitants desired the appoint-
ment of a Mr. Middleton, who had a
living in Staffordshire, and approached Lord
Winchelsea to that end, and took Mr.

List of Vicars. 121

Watson's appointment much to heart. Mr.
Watson was a member of St. John's College,
Cambridge, and came from the curacy of
Burleigh to Newport. He died 28th January
1788, aged 70, and was interred by the
South Church porch on ist February, 1788.

William Davies was presented by the King, i8th March, 1788.

William Davies presented by King (by cession of last Vicar)

24th March, 1795, and is said to have died
in i8og.i

Charles Kipling, L.L.B.,2 presented by the King 14th February,

1 8 10, resigned in 1822 on being presented to
the Rectory of Colston co : Leicester. He was
made Perpetual Curate of Stoney Stratford
in i8og, and continued to hold that office
till his death.

William Marshall, B.D., presented by the King loth April, 1823.

Removed to Totness, Devon, in 1831.

James George Durham, A.M., presented by the King 14th Feb.,

1 83 1, on cession of Marshall, died 7th June,

1832, at the age of 50, and was buried in the
Chancel.

George Morley presented by the King 28th June, 1832, died

24th, and buried 31st January, 1865. He
was a descendant of Dr. George Morley,
Bishop of first Worcester and then Win-
chester.

Hugh Hornby Birley was collated by the Bishop of Oxford on

2 1st April, 1865, on the death of Rev. G.
Morley, and left 1866, having accepted the
living of Cranfield.

Arthur Linzee Chatterton Heigham was collated by the Bishop

on 1 8th May, 1866, on the cession of the
Rev. H. H. Birley. He left 1875.

Charles McMahon Ottley, the present Vicar, was collated by the

Bishop on 7th October, 1875, on the resigna-
tion of the Rev. A. L. C. Heigham.

1 These Davies entries are quite distinct, as if relating to two persons, as here

given, but it is hardly probable that there was more than one William Davies.

2 In 1802 and onwards up to 1809, when he signs as Vicar, the Registers are

signed Charles Kipling " Minister."

122 History of Newport Pagnell.

Most of the particulars as to the earlier Vicars have been taken
from the Lincoln Registers; some of the dates as to the later
ones from the Liber Institutionum ; while the particulars as to the
collation of the last three Vicars have been furnished by T. M.
Davenport, Esq.

' 9

123

CHAPTER III.

Chantry Priests.

THE following
principally

Simon Graston.
John Matheu

John Wenge,

John Fuller

Wm. Burgulen

Wm. Fletcher

particulars as to these Priests have been
obtained from the Lincoln Registers : —

presented loth January, 1387, "to the chapel
in the parish church of Newport Pagnell by
the Bishop per lapsum, it having been vacant
for 30 years by death of Dom. Simon
Graston."

on death of Matheu, presented 2nd May,
1424, by John Barton junior. According to
the Lincoln Registers it was found that said
J. Barton was patron of the Church of
Newport under a deed of Feoffment made
to him for the term of his life and that John,
late Bishop of Lincoln, presented the church
to one John Matheu last Rector (sic) of
said church by lapse by neglect of Dom.
Thomas Harcourt kt then Patron,
presented 19th April, 1425, by John Barton
Jr. Lord of Thornton next Buckingham to
the Chantry of the Blessed Virgin Mary
founded in Newport Pagnell Church on
death of Wenge.

presented 27th November, 1467, by the
Bishop per lapsum.

presented 27th January, 1479, by the Bishop
per lapsum. Will is dated 13th December,
1496, and is printed elsewhere.

124

History of Newport Pagnell.

Edward Champ
Sir Henry Key

Tho: Johnson

Richard Donne

is described as "priest" in the will of Joan

Kyrnell dated 1506 and

"priest" in the will of Edmund Holkot

1520.

was "cantor infra Ecclesia de Newport

Pagnell" in 1534, and in the Bishop's

Visitation of 1540 is referred to as Tho :

Johnson, cant.

Made priest in 1541 and was living in 1553.

Vide page 105 ante.

125

CHAPTER IV.

Church Registers.

'HE Registers commence in 1558. The entries of the eariier
years (1558 — 1608) are all in the same neat handwriting,
and are said to have been, and doubtless must have been, copied
from older and possibly tattered volumes.

Among the Baptisms are the following entries : —

" Lewes Atterbery son of Lewes Atterbery and Elizabeth his
wife borne May 2nd, 1656."

"John, son of Matthew Ansley, baptised 31st August, 1661."

The Marriages include those of : —
George Annesley and Anne Sanders, April 25th, 1626.
Matthew Ansley and Ann Westall, May 8th, 1627.
Marke Slingsbie and Susan Rider, April 15th, 1638.

In 1643 and 1644 there are no marriages recorded, while in 1643,
1644 there are no burials entered. The baptismal registers are,
however, continuous at this period.

A little later there is "A Regeister of all persons maried in
Newport Pagnell, beginning September, 1653," and goes on : —

" francis Smith and Ann Wallas, both of the parish of Newport
Pagnell, in the County of Bucks, have had there Contracte of
Mariage published three generall lordes daies, the first time on the
nineth day of Ocktober, the second time on the sixteenth day of
October, the thirde time on the three and twentieth day of
October, and the said francis had the consent of his father, Richard
Smith, of Newport aforesaide, and the saide Ann had the consen
of her father, Robert Wallas, of Woobume, in the County of
Bedford, and nothing was obiected against them, and the sade
francis and Ann was maried by Mr. Thomas White, of Caldecot,
Justice of the peace in the same County of Bucks aforesaide, the
\ on and thirtieth day of October, in the year above written."

Another entry a few months later runs : —

"John Knight, of Abthorpe, in the County of Northampton, and
.Bridget Neale, of Newport Pagnell, in the County of Bucks, had

126 History of Newport Pagnell.

ther contract of marriage published three market daies in ye
market of Newporte, and was maried the twentieth day of febniary
by Mr. William Hartley, Justice of the peace for the County of
Bucks aforesaide, in the yeare above written/'

Other entries refer to the publication of the contract on '' three
markett daies in the markett place/' and on " three several lords
daies in the parish church."

Then simply : —

** Thomas Palmer and Martha Bowwes, both of the parish of
Newport Pagnell, was maried by Mr. William Foskett, Justice of
the Peace for the County of Bucks, the 14th day of August, 1654."

The marriage of Thomas White, of Caldecot, and Elizabeth
Bolton, of St. George's, London, is recorded on 2nd April, 1657, as
a Justice of the Peace marriage, and the last entries of this kind
occur in that year.

The following certificate as to a Registrar is interesting : —

" The eighth day of October, 1653, Wee who have hereunto
subscribed. Justices of the Peace for the County of Bucks, doo
certifie that wee have swome and approved Samuel Williamson,
of Newport Pagnell, in the said County, to be parish Register
there, according to the late Act of Parliament for marriages,
births, and burialls.

Tho : White Hen. Whitbred Wm. Hartley."

The burials include those of : —

John Whyte, of Caldecot, 26th August, 1572.

Margaret Cromwell, loth January, 1612. '

Anthony Carpenter, gent., deceased, 23rd November, 1658.

Mark Slingsbie, i6th July, 1677.

John Revis, apothecary, nth January, 1702 — ^3.

Samuel Christie, Esq., 24th July, 1703.

From 4th February, 1646, to 17th July, 1653, there are only five
entries.

Under date November 6th, 1678, and consequent on the Great
Fire of London, occurs the following entry : —

" Collected at Newport Pagnell the sume of three pounds seaven
shillings and ninepence to the Briefe for building St. Paul's church
in London. Tho. Aspin, Vicar, ibid."

Between 24th May, 1770, and 26th May, 1771, upwards of 80
persons died of smallpox. Mention of entries relating to the
Plague and other matters is made elsewhere.

127

CHAPTER V.

13 o

Churchwardens* Account.

THE following is a copy of the only Churchwardens' Account
which can be found, and has been kindly furnished by F.
AUfrey, Esq. : —

Bucks, Newport Paynell, April 20th, 1676.
The accounts of William Coles and Stephen Hoddle, Church-
wardens for the year abovesaid : — £ s. d.
Paid to the old Churchwardens ... ... 3 6

Paid for taking our oaths ... ... ... 2 o

At the first Visitation for our dinners and extra- )

ordinaries ... ... ... '

And paid for Mr. Aspin's (Vicar) dinner ... 2 o

Paid for horsehire and returning of Warrants and )

presentments ... ... ... ^

Paid at General Meeting with the Overseers of 7 o

the yard about towne business ... 3

Paid for killing two hedgehoges ... ... 8

Given to a Company of poor people with a pass ... 4

Given to John Hubart, his wife, and 5 children,

and Frances Van, widow, with two children,

with a pass from Edmond Windham and S'

William Poltiney
Paid for beer for the Ringers at the King's")

Coronation ... ... )

Paid at Mr. Dicking at a Meeting with theS

overseers of the yard about Thos. Ingram's C g

daughter ... ... ... \

Paid at Widow Goodrids at a Meeting about)

town business ... ... )

Paid tor two bell ropes ... .,. ... g 8

2 6

128

History of Newport Pagnell.

Paid at the Visitation the i7th October y* church \

And for our dinner and extraordinaries

And for the Ringers

For a lock and a for the Churchyard greate ^

flCC»w^ ••• ••• ••• J

Paid to David Adams for our presentment and ">
court fees in October last ... 3

Given to the ringers at the 5th of November

Paid to William Atterbury for work, mending^
the seats in the church and the bell wheels 3

Paid for a skin of parchment to make y« register...

Paid to Robert Sharpe the bell wheels and a seate

Sum is
Received of this charge for burying in the church :
Mr. Tho. Kilpin, Senior ... ... 6 8

Thos. Pureseirs child
Mr. Waler's child
Jas. Hartley's do.
J no. Day's do.
Mr. Thos. Kilpin

7 o
I o

4 o
4 6
7 o

10
10

3 5 9

... 6 8

I 6 8

Due to the churchwardens i 19 i
The account is endorsed as under : —

**We do allow of this account, April 17, 1677. — Tho. White,
Mark Slingsbie, Richard Worrall, S. O. Chapman, T. Pomfrctte."

129

CHAPTER VI.

Mural and Other Monuments.

THREE mural monuments (to the memory of Roger Chapman,
John Rogers, and T. and T. G. Forster) have coats of arms,
but beyond these and the monuments specially mentioned else-
where, there are none of any special interest in the Church.

Some altar monuments were once in existence, but they have
long since disappeared, while most of the older stones on the floor
of the church of which there are records, were covered over when
the seating was re-arranged. '

In the middle of the Church were formerly three large stones
(laid parallel and brought, it is supposed, from Tickford Priory),
on which had been brasses. On one of them remained at the time
the MS. quoted from was written, the figures of a man and a
woman, and on one of the others the figure of a man with a label
issuing from his mouth, but all inscriptions had gone.

One of the brasses was later on stolen by the sexton. The
other, which is detached from the stone, is still in existence, and
is supposed to be that of a civilian of about the year 1440.

In the churchyard, on the slope from the Church towards the
Lovat, is a tombstone to the memory of Thomas Abbot Hamilton,
who died 7th July, 1788, in the 32nd year of his age, and at the foot
of the inscription are the following lines written by the poet
Cowper : —

Pause here and think. A monitory rhime
Demands one moment of thy fleeting time,
Consult Life's silent clock, thy bounding vein ;
Seems it to say — Health here has long to reign ?
Hast thou the vigour of thy youth ? an eye
That beams delight ? a heart untaught to sigh ?
Yet fear. Youth, ofttimes healthful and at ease.
Anticipates a day it never sees ;
And many a tomb, like Hamilton's, aloud
Exclaims, " Prepare thee for an early shroud."

13© History of Newport Pagnell.

In the Bodleian Library^ there are rough trickings of three
coats of arms from Newport Church. The arms have been
redrawn, and are reproduced on another page with heraldic
descriptions appended. Part of the arms of the first coat have
been identified as those of the St. Amont family, while the second
coat is that of the arms of the Fillingleys and Fitzlangleys. The
third has not been identified.

I MS. Wood, F. 33 Oxon, fo. 129 b.

8 i"

131

CHAPTER VII.

The Bells.

R. A. H. CoCKS; M.A., in his ^'Church Bells of Bucking-
hamshire," gives the inscriptions on the ten Newport bells,

as under : —

1. ''At proper times my voice lie raise and sound to my

subscribers praise. T : Lester Fecit 1749." (Diameter
30! inches, height 24 inches.)

2. "Thomas Lester made me, 1749.'' (Diameter 32! inches,

height 27 inches.) .

3. " Jn. Puratt & Jno. Smith, Ch. Wardens. Lester & Pack, of

London Fecit 1769." (Diameter 33^ inches, height 27
inches.)

4. " 1794. Thos. Lester (Incised:) Robert Perrott Philo-

musicus Auditu Dignus." (Diameter 35^ inches, height
28 inches.)

5. " 1749. T : Lester of London.'' (Diameter 38 J inches,

height 30 inches.)

6. "Thomas Lester made me 1749. (Diameter 40! inches,

• height 31 inches.)

7. "The Revd. Charles Kipling Vicar Wm. White Edwd.

Cleaver Church Wardens 1816. T. Mears of London
Fecit (Diameter 45J inches, height 33 inches.)

8. " Nuntia sum coepts periturae praevia vitae. Et modo transacts

vox ego certa tuae. ^ The Revd. Charles Kipling Vicar.
William White Edward Cleaver Church Wardens 1819
T. Mears of London Fecit." (Diameter 50J inches,
height 39 inches.)

9. (Sanctus) " A. C, 1671." (Diameter 15! inches, height 13

inches.)

1 " I am the harbinger that announces the beginning of thy mortal life, and the
sure voice that tells of its end."

132 History of Newport Pagnell.

10. (Clock Bell) " Cast by Gillett & Co., Croydon.

'' The eight old bells that hang around

Invited me to add my sound
The National Anthem help to play

With other tunes both night & day
And thus Victorias Jubilee
Remembered evermore may be.
Presented by F. J. Taylor of Newport Pagnell on the Celebration
of the Jubilee of Queen Victoria, June 20, 1887. 980." (Diameter
32J inches.)

Mr. Cocks gives the inscriptions in facsimile and shows the
various ornamental additions, and for these and other information
the reader is referred to his work. He concludes by stating : —

"The fifth bell is rung every weekday at 5 a.m. from ist March
to 1st November (temporarily discontinued in the summer of 1887),
and at i p.m. and 8 p.m. every weekday throughout the year.

" Death Knell : as soon as notice is given. One of the smaller
bells used for children. Tellers : 3 X 3=a male ; 2 x 3=a
female.

" On Sundays a Sermon Bell is rung at 7 a.m. For the services
(11 a.m., 3 and 6 p.m.) the bells have been rung since about 1870,
or shortly before ; they were previously chimed. The saunce for
the last five minutes.

" Chimed for early Celebrations on weekdays. Ringing at mid-
night on Christmas and New Year's Eves. Also ringing on
Queen's and Prince of Wales' Birthdays. For weddings when
arranged. Single bell tolled quickly for Vestry Meetings. The
saunce was formerly used as a Fire Bell.'*

133

Part IV.

THE NONCONFORMISTS.

CHAPTER I.
The Society of Friends.

3s early as the middle of the seventeenth century there were a
large number of members of the Society of Friends in the
County of Bucks. The greater portion resided in the southern
part of the county, but the Society had numerous adherents in
and about Newport Pagnell.

Indeed, Newport was one of the places at which George Fox
stayed when about nineteen and undecided as to his future course.
Or to quote his own words : '' At the command of God, on the
ninth day of the seventh month, 1643, I left my relations, and
broke off all familiarity or fellowship with old or young. I passed
to Lutterworth, where I stayed some time ; and from thence I went
to Northampton, where also I made some stay ; then passed from
thence to Newport Pagnell, in Buckinghamshire, whence, after I
had stayed a while, I went unto Bamet, in the fourth month,
called June, in the year 1644." ^

In 1674, journeying from London with his wife and his daughter
Susan, he states : " We visited Friends, and were visited by them
at Newport Pagnel, Northampton, and Cossell."^

1 Journal of George Fox, Leeds, 1836, vol. i., 85.

2 Ibid. vol. 2, 214.

134 History of Newport Pagnell.

As mentioned elsewhere, there is a tradition that the Bam used by
the Independents as their meeting place at Newport Pagnell
during the latter portion of the seventeenth century was once used
as a Quakers' meeting. There is apparently, however, no means
of verifying this tradition, although from the extracts from the
*' Sufferings," given later, there appears to have been a Meeting in
the town about 1664, and one also in 1717.^ The Newport Meeting,
however, seems to have been early abandoned, and the Friends
there for many years worshipped at a Meeting in Water Lane,
Sherington. The Sherington Meeting house was closed during
the eighteenth century, and converted into three cottages, which
are still standing, and the burial ground connected therewith is
still in existence.

From the time when the Sherington Meeting was closed, as just
mentioned, and until about the year 1853 ^^e Newport Friends
appear to have attended the Olney Meeting. On the last named
Meeting being, however, closed about that year, the Friends in
this town held a Meeting in a building at the end of Mr. Hayllar's
yard until about 1863, when they purchased an old inn in Silver
Street, successively known by the names of "The Hog in
Armour," "The Two Fighting Cocks," and "The Plough and
Wheat Sheaf," and erected at the rear of the building (where was
formerly a skittle alley), the present Meeting House.

The Friends in this district, as in others, did not escape the
tribulations formerly incident to their sect, as is shown from the
following extracts taken from the manuscript " Memorial of the
Sufferings of the People of God called Quakers, in the County of
Bucks, and parts adjacent, for their Testimony to the Truth." ^

1655. Mary Fisher, for speaking to John Gib, priest of New-
port Pagnell, in the time of his Exercise, was committed to prison,
and brought forth at two several Sessions to tryal and sent to
prison again, and there kept til the Assize following and then sent
out of the Town with a pass.

1655. John Whitehead, being moved of the Lord to go into the
steeple house at North Crawley, after the Priest had done
speaking, he did speak to the people in the Grave Yard, when

1 In the Bishops' MSS. at Lincoln, written between 1705 — 1723, there is under

the heading of Newport Pagnell the following item : — " Conventides 2,
Presb. and Anab. (and 3 Quak., 17 17)."

2 Vide for most of extracts an article by Richard Littleboy, Esq., on the Upper-

side Monthly Meeting in " The Friends' Quarterly Examiner," vol. 17, 1883.

The Society of Friends. 135

they beat and kickt him till they fecht bloud.

1656. William Glidwell, of Newport Pagnell, was sued in the
Exchequer for Tithes by Thomas Terrill, Impropriator, and by the
warrant he ought to have been brought before the Barons of the
Exchequer within two days after he was taken ; but he was carried
to the county gaol at Alisbury, and there kept prisoner one year
and one month, and then brought before the Barons, who sent him
to the Fleet prison, where he was kept prisoner for two years
wanting but three weeks, so that his imprisonment in all was
above three years. And every year during his imprisonment the
said Thomas Terrill took away part of his goods, and told
William's wife that he would have them al.

1659. About this time, also, and some time before, divers
Friends were prosecuted for riding to meetings on the first day of
the week, called Sunday. In particular, as Friends were riding to
a Meeting at Wandon (Wavendon) they had their horses taken
from them and put into the pound and there kept from them, and
they were fain to go home on foot. And as Friends were
riding to a meeting at Tossiter (Towcester), one called Justice
Benson caused their horses to be taken away for riding upon what
they called their Sabbath day. Moreover, he caused one of the
Friends (being one in the ministry) to be set in the stocks, and
kept the other Friends' horses because they refused to pay ten
shillings apiece.

1660. Henry Hall, John Burrows, John Thornton, John Cun-
ningham, Robert Keybom, Henry Cunningham, Edward Swain,
Thomas Palmer, Richard Bawn, Robert Daggery, and William
Glidwell. These eleven Friends were taken by soldiers out of
their peaceable meeting, in which they were assembled to worship
God, and were carried before Anthony Chester, William Tir-
ringham, Thomas Duncomb, Brett Norton, and C. Cranmore, who
tendered them the Oath of Allegiance, and because, for conscience
sake, they would not swear they were al committed to the county
gaol at Alisbury, where they remained prisoners fifteen weeks.

1661. Henry Cunningham, of Newport Pagnell, Butcher, was
committed to prison for refusing to give bond not to kill meat in
Lent.

1662. Mary Chapman, of Sherington, had her Bible taken from
her for refusing to pay to the repair of the Steeple House.

1662. Richard Hunt, of Sherington, by warrant from Thomas

136 History of Newport Pagnell.

Duncomb and Thomas Harkett, called Justices, had taken from
him by the Steeple Warden seven pounds of Candles for three days
absenting from the Steeple House ; and for the three next days'
absence they took from him a pair of Andirons. He was also
served with a Sessions Process to appear at the Quarter Sessions
at Wiccomb on the second day of the third month, 1662, where he
appearing was indicted for not coming to the Parish Church of
Sherington, and because he had not freedom to traverse the indict-
ment he was conveyed to Alisbury Goal, where he remained
prisoner a long time.

1664. Thirty friends being generally met together at Newport
Pagnell to worship God upon the fifteenth day of the fifth month,
1664, were taken from their Meeting and brought before William
Missingham, Anthony Chester, Thomas Farrer, & Thomas Dun-
comb & Bret Norton (called Justices), who committed them all
to Alisbury Goal, there to ly three months wanting one day for
the first offence (as they called it) against the Act for Banishment,
and accordingly they were kept in prison so long.

1665. Richard Hunt, Richard Marks, William Glidwell, and
Henry Hall were taken out of their peaceable Meeting in New-
port Pagnell on the seventh day of the third month, 1665, & com-
mitted to Alisbury Goal by William Missingham, Thos. Farrar,
Bret Norton, and Henry Andrews for tenn days for the second
conviction upon the Act for Banishment.

1670. Richard Hunt, of Sherington, for preaching Truth in a
Meeting of Friends in the open Street called Water Lane, at
Sherington (being kept out of their Meeting house) on the 6th day
of the fourth month, 1670, was fined ten pounds by Bret Norton
and Thomas Farrar, of Cold Brafield, for which fine, on the
fourteenth day of the same month the said Richard Hunt, being a
Wheelwright, had a new cart and as much timber as was, with the
cart, worth /^I2 14s., taken from him by Thomas Clifton and
John Philips, Constables, and Thomas Marshal, John Babbington,
and John Field, Overseers of the Poor.

1683. Upon the 12th day of the sixt month Friends (being by
officers kept out of their publick meeting house in Sherington) did
peaceably assemble together to worship God in their burying
ground, adjoining to their said Meeting house. And being so
assembled, Ann Cunningham, wife of Henry Cunningham, a
Friend, of Newport Pagnell, spoke a few words amongst them.

Society of Friends. 137

And there being two informers near the meeting, though not so
near as to hear what was spoken, nor to know who it was that
spake, but as they were told by a girl, these evil men, whose
names are Robert Wallis and John Cook, both of Sherington,
went and informed one Owen Norton, a Justice of the Peace,
living in Sherington, both of the meeting and the friends speaking ;
whereupon the said Justice Norton fined Henry Cunningham £^
for his being at ye meeting, and £i for his wife's speaking
there, and sent his warrant to the officers of Newport to levy the
said fines by distress. Upon the receipt of the warrant John
Mash, Thomas Burgis, Thomas Mobbs, three of the town Con-
stables (the fourth utterly refusing to join with them whatsoever he
should suffer), with John Carpenter, Thomas Bowry, and Thomas
Jenkinson, Overseers of the poor (the fourth of them refusing also
to act in this work), and Thomas Main and Richard Potter,
Churchwardens (so called), which Potter was one of the worst of
the company, and died soon after ; these came to Henry Cunning-
ham's house and violently broke open the shop door, and having
sackt and carried away several sorts of shop goods, they also took
and carried out of the house a feather bed, with all the bedding
belonging thereunto, also brass and pewter, and out of the yard
they took two hogs. Al which together were valued to be worth
about £2i. The goods were carried to the Steeple House, and
kept there awhile, but the hogs were sold to a sorry fellow, one
John Johnson, a bumbailifF, for thirty shillings, though judged by
one of the men that took them to be worth fifty shillings. The
rest of the goods lay long unsold, the officers being very unwilling
to sell them, till at length, being much threatened by the said
Justice Norton, they sold some of the goods and paid the fines and
sent the rest of the goods back again, though not without spoil
and loss.

138

CHAPTER II.

The Independents.

3T the time of the Civil War, when Sir Samuel Luke was the
Parliamentary Governor of Newport Pagnell, " there were,"
says the Thompson MS., " several people in y" Town call'd
Puritans; these ^ere greatly favoured by the Souldiers, and
Religion, by that means, got footing here. But it was not till the
Restoration that an Independent Congregation was formed, by
Mr. John Gibbs, who was Vicar of y* Parish, but was ejected
[about the end of 1659] for refusing y* Lord's Supper to y« whole
Parish. He was a pious and learned Man, tho it is said He was
not bred at y* University, but put in by Cromwell's party."

Amongst those to whom Mr. Gibbs refused to administer the
Sacrament was a notorious drunkard, who, being a man of
considerable property and influence, was it is said the principal
occasion of Mr. Gibbs' ejectment. However that may have been,
Mr. Gibbs lived, after his ejectment, in one of two houses
(subsequently converted into one) which stood on the site of the
present Manse,* and preached in a large bam^ at the rear, which
tradition says had been formerly occupied as a Quakers' Meeting.
But it was not till the Revolution, says Thompson, that he
confined his stated service to Newport, at which time his
congregation was large and his success visible.

In the times of persecution which followed Mr. Gibbs' eject-
ment, the barn was found to be in a very convenient situation for

1 In the Court Rolls of Newport Pagnell Manor it is recorded that on 8th of

October, 1672, the Homage presented "that Thomas Kilpin Gen. who
held of the Lord of this Mannor one messuage by the rent of is. 6d. and
a Tenement in the occupation of Mr. John Gibbs by the rent of 4^ hath
aliened the same to his son Robert Kilpin." The house occupied by Mr.
Gibbs was evidentiy therefore quite a small one if the quit rent may be
taken as a guide.

2 In May, 1672, John Bunyan, when applying for his own license to preach,

applied also, amongst many others, for a license for John Gibbs to preach
in " William Smyth's barn and his own house in Newport Pagnell."

The Independents. 139

the purpose to which it was devoted, as, being at the end of a long
yard running back from the street, persons who were on the
watch could easily ascertain the entrance of informers and give
notice to the congregation, who had an opportunity of making
their escape through a garden door, which opened into Pagg's
Court.

Amongst those persecuted was a Mr. Waller,^ a medical man,
who, for ten months, to avoid being committed to prison for the
crime of hearing Mr. Gibbs preach,N concealed himself in the out
offices belonging to the house now occupied as the Vicarage. It
is said that during this time, when there was public worship at
Mr. Gibbs' Meeting, Mr. Waller used to leave his retreat, and
crossing a fence by means of a ladder, reach, unobserved, the
back door of the Meeting.

Mr. Gibbs himself, too, seems to have suffered, for in an elegy
on his death, it is stated that : —

" Since Gibbs is gone into Eternity !

Master John Gibbs, whose virtues did excel!

Many who on the Universe do dwell ;

O where shall we one like unto him find,

Among all those whom he hath left behind.

• • • •

His Countenance with Majesty did shine ;
His lips did flow with Fruits of Life divine.
In Learning Great, he had proficiency,
His judgment deep i' th* Gospel Mystery ;
Surpassing many in his precious skill.

To preach the Word, the hungry soul to fill.

• • • •

In persecution, he hath often stood,
To seal the truths of Jesus with his blood ;
In dangers great, and perils night and day,
Was he engaged, amongst the beasts of prey ;
By wicked ones, he often was misused,
His hair pulled off, his person much abused ;
The bloody sword agiiinst him they did draw,
Thereby intending his life to destroy ;
But great Jehovah, with his mighty hand,

I Amongst the Manorial Records is a list dated 8th October, 1672, of " The
names of the Inhabitants of the high Town of Newport Pagnell," and in
such list occurs the name of John Waller Gen.

140 History of Newport Pagnell.

' Their violence and malice did withstand ;
And did defend him from his throne on high,
And kept him as the apple of His eye ;
To prison and confinement he did go,
With cheerful heart, and countenance also ;
With courage great, he valiantly did stand.
To witness for his Lord with heart and hand."

There is one singular circumstance connected with these
sufferings which must not be passed by. In 1769 the Rev.
William Bull became the owner of the premises once in the
occupation of Mr. Gibbs, and about fifty years later, when some
repairs were being made, a small room or closet, about four feet
square, was discovered. It was between two walls at the side of
a large old chimney, and had evidently been a hiding place, for
the only entrance to it was from a trap door beneath, which was
concealed from view in the old-fashioned chimney place.^ In the
room were found some coat buttons, two tobacco pipes, the bowls
of which were very small, and some silver coins. It is not
improbable that Mr. Gibbs was surprised in this hiding place.
That he used it there is little doubt.

In the records of the " Church of Christ assembled at West End
Meeting, Wellingborough," are the following interesting items
bearing on the existence of a Church at Newport in the year
1692: — 2

" The 2 1st day of the first month 1692 we held a Church Meeting
at Wellingbro' We then ordered that our Brethren

should two together go to visit the Brethren in every place and
bring us an account of their faith and love. . .

" Our messengers were at Newport and might not have
admitted any to the Church Meeting but they resolved not to
hold communion with us upon which several of their members
declared against them for their disorder and so left them. . .

" The 3rd day of the 2nd month we declared not to hold
communion with Newport Church because they refused to reform
their disorders which are amongst them/'

Even on 2nd December 1733 the Wellingborough Church state,

1 Memorials of Rev. Wm. Bull, by Rev. Josiah Bull, M.A., 1865, 2nd Ed.

2 As early as 1660 it appears from the Bedford Church Records that the Rev.

Mr. Wheeler, a Member of the Newport Church, was invited to succeed
Mr. Gifford, the first pastor of the Independent Church at Bedford, but
the invitation was not accepted.

The Independents. J41

" We had a letter from Newport Church for us to hold communion
with them, tho' they altered their covenant. We agreed to send
them word we could not do it."

The Wellingborough Church referred to was one of the
Independent order, and it is therefore not likely that the Newport
Church they refer to was other than the one of which Mr, Gibbs
was pastor. Whether the members who " declared against " the
others subsequently left and formed the Baptist Church cannot
now be stated, but it is not impossible that they did so. Mr.
Gibbs seems to have held somewhat peculiar views, and would
probably not concur in the views which may have been expressed
by the Wellingborough messengers, who were doubtless strict
and orthodox Independents.

Mr. Gibbs' will is dated 19th April, 1698, and in it he refers to
his " loving wife Martha having many children and grandchildren."
He died in the following year, it is said on i6th June, and his will
was proved in the Prercgative Court of Canterbury on 5th
December, 1699, so that the entry in the Parish Registers of the
burial of a John Gibbs on i6th August, 1704, probably, therefore,
refers to a son of his. Martha Gibbs, Mr. Gibbs' wife, died on
2nd and was buried on 4th January, 1704. She was in the 73rd
year of her age.

Mr. Gibbs preached a funeral sermon for a Mr. Maxwell, who
died while a student at Harvard College, Cambridge, New
England, which he published. There is also in the . British
Museum a volume, presumably his work, entitled "Several
Divine Treatises ... to which is added a Discourse of the
Four Last Things ... by the late Reverend Divine Mr. John
Gibbs. The Third Edition. London . . ■ 1704."

It was towards the close of the 17th century that the old barn
meeting place was forsaken and the first real meeting house
erected. This building which joined the bam measured on the
outside 40 feet square, and had one gallery in the front four
seats deep. In the wall behind the pulpit an opening was left so
that if necessary the minister could make his escape.

On 24th October, 1702, there was a lease of the premises made
between Robert Britten the Elder of Newport Pagnell Gentleman
of the one part and William Maxwell, Thomas Rider, Thomas
Smith, John Blacklock and Robert Britten the younger all
described as of Newport Pagnell Gentlemen, of the other part

t42 History op Newport Pagnbll.

whereby " All that new built or new erected house Chappell or
Meeting Place scituate standing and being at the Neather End of
the yard of the said Robert Britten the Elder in Newport Pagnell
aforesaid the yard of the said Robert Britten the Elder leading
from the Streete oil the North part thereof the garden or
premises in the occupation of Anne Britten Widdow on the South
part thereof and the old Meeting house or Bame on the West
part thereof '' Together with a right of way over the said yard
for the lessees and persons commonly called Protestant Dissenters
for the using the said house Chappell or Meeting place for the
Worshipp and Service of God or otherwise as they thought well
was granted for nine years, as from the Feast of Saint Michael
the Archangel then last past, at an annual rent of £2, and on the
expiration of that time for a further term of 20 years at an annual
rent of £5.

Mr. Gibbs was succeeded by the Rev. Thomas Tingey, who
was educated for the ministry under Rev. Thomas Goodwin, of
Pinner. He left Newport in 1709, on his acceptance of a call to
the pastorate of the Church at Northampton, originally known as
Castle Hill Meeting,^ and of which in later years Dr. Doddridge
was the pastor. In 1729 Mr. Tingey removed to Fetter Lane
Chapel, London, where he ''preserved a good auditory and had a
prospect of being useful," but he died on ist November, 1729, bis
funeral sermon (afterwards printed) being preached by Dr.
Ridgley.

Rev. John Hunt (from 1698 — 1709 pastor of the Castle Hill
Meeting, Northampton) received a call to the pastorate on loth
October, 1709, and became Mr. Tingey's successor at Newport, as
Mr. Tingey became his at Northampton.

At this time a Church Covenant was drawn, and is the first
article in the old church book. It has never been altered, and is
as follows : — " We whose names are under-written, having given
up ourselves to the Lord, do solemnly promise in the presence of
God to walk together in communion in all the ordinances of God
according to the light we have received shewing all dutiful respect
to our pastor and brotherly love towards each other; and to
submit ourselves to all such censures of the Church as shall be
agreeable to the word of God and all these we will continue to do
as God shall enable us.**

I He Wsls ordained pastor there oh 32nd February, 1708-9.

THE NL:7 YO''.

f', I

THB iNDBPfDNDENTS. 143

In 17 10 Rev. Richard Freeman, a member of the Newport
Churchi was ordained pastor of a Church at Gamlingayi which
was originally a branch of the church at Bedford, but was then
formed into a separate church.

On 14th July, 17 14, an association of ministers was held at Mr,
Hunt's Meeting, when Rev. Dr. Gumming, at that time of
Cambridge, preached a sermon (which was published) on the
corruption and defection of the times as to matters of religion, the
period being one of alarm to Dissenters in consequence of the
passing of the Schism Bill, by which they were restrained from
educating their own children, and other attacks which they
anticipated would be made on their rights.

In the year 1725 Mr. Hunt left Newport for Tunstead, Norfolk,
where he died about 1730. He was the author of several books,
''and was of a remarkable warm and lively temper and his
preaching very successful. In his time ye congregation was not
less than 70 or 80 in number."

Mr. Hunt was succeeded by his son, Rev. William Hunt, who
had been settled some time at Mattishall, Norfolk. He was
ordained on 15th September, 1725. Mr. Jabez Earle delivered the
introductory discourse from Matt, xxiii. 9, Dr. Calamy the charge,
and Rev. John Troughton, of Bicester, preached to the people.

Two side galleries were erected in 1725, and it is said that,
during Mr. Hunt's ministry, the congregation so grew that
the Meeting House was not large enough to contain it. In
August, 1738, however, Mr. Hunt left Newport to take the
pastoral charge of a church at Hackney, of which the Rev.
Matthew Henry had formerly been minister. Mr. Hunt resided
at Hackney till he died on 20th May, 1770, in the 73rd year of
his age. He became acquainted with Dr. Doddridge early in life,
for Mr. Doddridge while a student, being caught in bad weather
at Newport, called on him at his father's house. Young Mr. Hunt
offering to lend a great coat, his mother called him aside and
reproved him for putting such confidence in a stranger, but he
replied *' I am sure he is a gentleman and a scholar." Mr.
Doddridge overheard the remark, and never forgot it, the two
being great friends in after life.

From Doddridge's correspondence and diary (Vol. 3, p. 346) it
would appear that Rev. David Fordyce, M.A., preached at New-
port for a few months, soon after Mr. Hunt left, for writing 00

144 History op Newport Pagnell.

7th October, 1738, the Doctor says, "The people at Newport
were so charmed with a gentleman who preached there the other
day, that I believe they will join in a unanimous and pressing
invitation. His name is Fordyce, a Scotchman, educated at
Aberdeen, and a very learned and worthy person/' In a later
letter (p. 351) dated 27th February, 1739, he says, "I send you
this by the hands of Mr. Fordyce who has spent some time at
Newport." Mr. Fordyce, who was a man of great promise, was
drowned off the coast of Holland in 1751.

About 1740 a serious crisis in the history of the church occurred,
for the land on which the chapel stood, never having been bought
by the members, was in danger of being sold over their heads and
the interest ruined as a consequence.

At this juncture, Dr. Doddridge, however, most generously
came forward and, on 5th September, 1740, purchased the premises
from one John Crichton, of Newport Pagnell, Lace Merchant, for
£166, Crichton himself had in January, 1732-3, purchased the
same from the Commissioners in Bankruptcy of one Robert
Lattimer, of Bishopsgate Street, London, tobacconist, a son of
Robert Lattimer, of Newport Pagnell, Bone lace maker, who, in his
turn, had on i6th March, 1709, purchased the premises from Robert
Britten, Senior. The premises were on nth September, 1740,
conveyed by Dr. Doddridge under the description of "All that
Meeting house and the soil and ground whereon the same now
stands, with the appurtenances, situate, standing, and being in
Newport Pagnell aforesaid, in a certain yard there in the tenure
and occupation of John Crichton, now used and frequented by the
congregation of Protestant Dissenters for the publick worship and
Service of Almighty God of which the Reverend Mr. William
Hunt was sometime since Minister" to certain persons upon
trusts, therein mentioned, for the benefit of the congregation of
Protestant Dissenters then or thereafter there to assemble, and in
such deed Thomas Webb, of Newport Pagnell, Clerk, is men-
tioned as the then Minister of the congregation.

There is no further mention of Mr. Webb, however, and whether
he was a stated minister cannot be said. Through lack of a settled
pastor, however, the congregation was manifestly on the decline
when, on 20th October, 1743, Rev. Humphry Gainsborough, a
native of Sudbury and brother of the celebrated painter, was called
to the pastoral office. He left Newport in 1747 and settled at

The Independents. 145

Henley-on-Thames, where he died suddenly on 23rd August, 1776,
whilst conversing with some gentlemen about the locks on the
Thames which had been constructed under his direction. He was
very fond of mechanical contrivances, and the author of several
inventions. He was buried in his Meeting House at Henley.

Mr. Affleck, a Scotchman, who was eventually preacher at the
Great Church at Middleburgh in Zealand, Holland, and Rev.
David Fordyce are said to have supplied the pulpit from 1747 to
1749, but it is unlikely that Mr. Fordyce again came to Newport,
and it may fairly be assumed that Mr. Affleck was the only man
who came in a pastoral capacity during the years in question.
Moreover, in the Thompson MS. Mr. Affleck is said to have
succeeded Mr. Gainsborough^ and no mention at all is made
of Mr. Fordyce.

In 1749 the Rev. James Belsham, ^ of Bedford, "a man of
uncommon learning and great genius," undertook the pastoral
charge, but as he nevertheless continued to reside at Bedford, his
absence and want of popularity so prejudicially affected the Church
that when he resigned in 1763 there were only 14 Church members.

The Rev. William Bull, then a student at the academy at
Daventry under Dr. Ashworth, and who preached for the first
time at Newport in 1761 as a supply for Mr. Belsham, supplied
the pulpit after Mr. Belsham's resignation. In June, 1764, Mr.
Bull came to reside at Newport, and on the nth of October
following was ordained pastor of the church.

On 23rd October, 1800, Rev. Thomas Palmer Bull was ordained
co-pastor with his father.

At the end of the year 1805 the Meeting was re-built and
re-opened on 12th January, 1806, and, the congregation increasing,
the building was in the summer of 1808 made one-third larger.

Rev. William Bull died on 23rd July, 18 14, having preached to
his congregation for the last time on Sunday momingi loth July,
1 8 14, from Psalm xxvii., 9.

In 1850, when the Rev. T. P. Bull had been pastor 50 years, a
Jubilee service was held. *' By all who knew him he was alike
beloved and respected for his varied knowledge, genial temper,
public spirit, unostentatious piety, and his great and varied use-

I He married Ann daughter of Thomas Woodward, whose wife was a daughter
of Sir Francis Wingate, of Harlington.. One of his sons, Thomas, bom
15th April, 1750, beoime principal of Daventry Academy.

146 History of Newport Pagnell.

fulness. He retained to a late a^^e, to a great degree^ his bodily,
and mental vigour, but at length in March, 1859, ^^ ^^ advanced
age of 86, he quietly sunk to rest."

During Mr. Bull's ministry further enlargements were made in
the chapel. In 1819 the front was carried out eight feet; and in
1827 the vestry was enlarged and a schoolroom erected over it.
And again in 1846 the recess at the back of the pulpit was made.

In 1833 the Rev. Josiah Bull, M.A., was united with his father,
the Rev. T. P. Bull, in the pastoral office, and on the death of the
latter became sole pastor.

The I ith October, 1864, ^^ ^^^ centenary of the ordination of
the Rev. Wm. Bull, and special commemoration services were
held on that occasion. Two sermons were preached to crowded
congregations on Sunday, 9th October — in the morning by the
Rev. Thomas Adkins, of Southampton, and in the evening by the
Rev. Philip Kent, of London. On the nth October a most
pertinent and eloquent sermon was preached by Dr. Stoughton.
Id the evening a public meeting was held in the chapel. Rev.
Josiah Bull took the chair, and during the service a very elegant
silver epergne was presented to him in the name of the members
of the Congregational Church by the senior deacon, Mr. Chapman.

On 31st March, 1868, in consequence of ill-health, the Rev.
Josiah Bull resigned his charge, having for 34 years sustained the
ofbce previously held by his grandfather for 50 and by his father
for 60 years, as already mentioned.

On 9th July, 1868, Rev. Clarence Lankester, B.A., was ordained
pastor. He continued to minister here till 12th February, 1878,
when he left to take charge of the Congregational Church at
Preston, near Brighton, on which occasion he was presented by
his church and people with a valuable testimonial, consisting of a
drawing-room clock, a purse of gold, and an illuminated address.

In January, 1879, Rev. James Alfred Balshaw, of Whitchurchj
Salop, formerly a student at Lancashire College, was recognised
as pastor of the church.

During his ministry the necessity for a new place of worship
became apparent, and on 26th October, 1880, the Memorial stone
of the present chapel was laid by Albert Spicer, Esq.

The last sermons were preached in the old chapel on 6th June,
1880, by Mr. Balshaw, and the new building, which is built in front
of the old chapel site, .was formally opened on 17th May, 1881, a

THE N!

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The Independents. 147

sermon being preached in the afternoon by the Rev. J. Baldwin
Brown, B.A., of Brixton Hill, from the text " Thy word is truth,"
the services in the interim having been held in the Public Room.

The old chapel, with the exception of the old organ loft, which
is now used as an Infants' Sunday School, was taken down, but the
Vestry and Schoolrooms were left and additional Class-rooms
built. The whole, too, of the interesting collection of mural
monuments in the old building were carefully removed and placed
in the new chapel.

The new building accommodates in all about 400, and the total
cost in connection with its erection, the purchase of the Manse,
&c., was about 3^4000, the whole of which has some years since
been paid off. The pulpit reading desk has a piece of wood,
inlaid, with an inscription thereon on brass, as follows : — ** This
board once formed a part of the pulpit of the celebrated John
Bunyan, and was presented to the Trustees of the Independent
Meeting at Newport Pagnel by the Revd. William Bull : —
'' Revere the man, whose pilgrim marks the road.
And guides the progress of the soul to God. — Cowper^

The rose window in the gable end, facing the street, was the
gift of Dr. Rogers, of Exeter, and bears a record to that effect,
viz. : — " Dr. Nathaniel Rogers, of Exeter, gave this window, 1880.''

In June, 1885, Mr. Balshaw resigned the pastorate on his going
to Australia for the benefit of his health, and his successor, the
Rev. Samuel Clarke Gordon, M.A., B.D., who then resided at
Sidcup, was ordained on 25th May, 1886.

Mr. Gordon resigned the pastorate in 1897, leaving the town in
the July of that year.

He was succeeded by the Rev. Selwyn John Evans in the spring
of i8g8, the recognition services being held on the 19th May. Mr.
Evans was a Cheshunt student, commenced his ministry in 1892,
and when invited to Newport was pastor of the Daventry Inde-
pendent Chapel.

148

CHAPTER III.

Newport Pagnell Theological College.^

IN 1782 a movement was set on foot, in which Rev. John Newton
and Cowper the poet both took much active interest, for
establishing a new academy for preparing young men for the
ministry, and eventually the new institution was formed at New-
port, and Rev. William Bull appointed tutor.

For several years the academy was supported by voluntary
contributions, and one of the subscribers, the well-known John
Thornton, so approved its plan that in January 1786 he generously
offered to undertake the entire charge of its subsequent mainten-
ance, and by his will bequeathed to Mr. Bull a sufficient sum for
its support so long as he had charge of it.

In 1786 the Rev. Samuel Greatheed, who had been a military
engineer, but subsequently entered the Academy, became Mr.
Bull's assistant in the work of tuition.

In 1789 however, Mr. Greatheed, having in the meantime
married Ann Hamilton, sister of the T. A. Hamilton whose
epitaph Cowper wrote, undertook the charge of the Independent
Congregation at Woburn.

Thereupon Rev. T. P. Bull became assistant tutor, and was
united with his father in the superintendence of the Academy till
the death of Rev. W. Bull in July, 18 14, and from that time till
1831 he had sole charge of it

As the benefits derived from the provisions under Mr. Thornton's
will were to cease on the death of Rev. William Bull, the
supporters of the Institution held a meeting in London in March,
1 81 2, when steps were taken to perpetuate it, and it was subse-
quently supported by obtaining subscriptions from the religious
public.

I Vide Appendix to " A Discourse on the Studies of Newport Pagnell College,"
by Rev. John Watson. London, 1843.

Newport Pagnell Theological College. 149

In 1831 Rev. Josiah Bull, A.M., became associated with his
father in the work of tuition, and the Institution was conducted
by them till 1842, when they retired and were succeeded by the
Rev. John Watson, who had been (1835-37) co-pastor at Union
Chapel, Islington.

At this time more than eighty young men had passed through
the College, and there were then more than fifty of its students
who were preaching either in this country or, as missionaries, in
other lands. The usual number of students was eight, the term
of study four years, and the annual expenditure of the Institution
about j^500.

Mr. Watson^ subsequently became Theological Professor at
Hackney College, and on 26th January, 1848, a special meeting
was held at the Independent Chapel for the purpose of recognising
the Rev. William Froggatt (late of Morpeth) as tutor of the
Institution, the address then delivered by Mr. Froggatt being
printed.

In June, 1850, however, after an all night's deliberation, it was
decided to amalgamate the Institution with Cheshunt College,
the principal reasons being want of funds, the death of many
subscribers, and a desire to unite the smaller with the larger
College. As a result of the decision the students, a valuable
library, and the invested funds were transferred to Cheshunt
College.

The College House was for many years used as a school by
Mons. F. E. Dargu^ and others, but ultimately was acquired by
the Independent Chapel trustees for a manse.

I His death took place in January, 1659, and resulted from an omnibus accident*

ISO

CHAPTER IV.

The Baptists.

IN Thompson's MS., at Dr. Williams' Library, it is stated that,
" In Mr. Gibbs' time there was a number of Baptists in this
Town, and there is reason to think that this Interest is of much
longer standing than the Independent, but their Records being all
lost there is no ascertaining particular facts. A venerable old
man now living (1774), one of Mr. Bull's Hearers who constantly
attended Mr. Gibbs' preaching, said Mr. Gibbs loved these people,
and wished to have them brought into a regular Church State,
and took great pains for this purpose, but could not succeed.
There was a Mr. Bennett among them whom Mr. Gibbs wanted to
settle among them as their pastor. He was said Mr. B.'s old
friend, a good preacher and of exemplary behaviour; but the
people could not agree among themselves about him : perhaps
their sufferings had sowered their tempers like many others of
the excellent of the earth."

In the years 1704 and 1709, however, there are the following
interesting notes in the Northampton College Street Records : —

" March y« 26th, 1707. At our Church meeting, at y« Request
of y* people at Newport Pagnel (who formerly belonged to Mr.
Gibbs), by a letter sent to this Church, a letter of advice was
ordered to be drawn up, signifying to them that it is this
Churche's judgement that y« late visible Church at Newport is
now dissolved, and that they ought to begin their Church state
anew.

" April y« 6th, 1707. The letter of advice before ordered to be
drawn up to be sent to y« people at Newport Pagnel was now
read, approved, and signed by y« Church.

" June y« 12th, 1709. This Church received a letter from y«
Church at Newport Pagnel, whereby they signify their having
appointed y« 22nd of this month for y^ installing Mr. Robert

The Baptists. 151

Hanwell into y^ pastoral office, and desire our Church to senid
Bro. Moore to assist them (in conjunction with messengers from
other Churches) by advice and council on that solemn occasion.
Hereupon Bro.. Moore and Bro. Abbott were appointed to go
thither as messengers.

''July 20, 1709. Bro. Moore and Bro. Abbott acquainted y^
Church that they (as ordered) had been at Newport Pagnel to
behold that Churche's order in y« Enstallment of Mr. Hanwell
into y^ pastoral office, and that y^ said Church (by an aged
brother) publickly and solemnly renewed their call (whereof he
accepted), and so ordained him, after y^ way and manner used by
y^ purest Congregational Churches, &c. Wherewith our Church
signified their satisfaction."

From these notes it would appear that there was a Church
formed prior to 1707, which was connected with or in some way
owed its origin to Mr. Gibbs, although he was not the stated
pastor; that the Church was reformed in 1707; and that Mr.
Robert Hanwell (or Hennell) became its pastor.

The Thompson MS. refers to Mr. Hennell and says he preached
many years and was much esteemed, but never had the pastoral
charge. The latter statement must, however, be incorrect.

The first place of meeting is unknown, but in January, 1716,
Robert Hanwell described as yeoman, John Palmer salesman,
John Robinson lacebuyer, Bartholomew Course yeoman, all of
Newport Pagnell, Samuel Porter of Midleton Keyns, yeoman, and
Matthew Adams of Sherington, yeoman, purchased for £24 los.
" All that messuage cottage or tenement with the appurtenances
in Newport Pagnell aforesaid near adjoining to the malting
belonging to the dwellinghouse^ late of Samuel Christie Esq.
deceased on the East and being part of a certain Estate there
called Bearditch Coppy and containing two bays of building now
or late in the occupation of Thomas Browne " to be held in trust
'' for a Meeting house for the use of the several persons in and
about Newport Pagnell aforesaid commonly called or distinguished
by the name of the Baptist Congregation to pray read and hear
Divine Service in according to the way. and manner of the said
Sect called Baptists."

The premises seem to have been at once converted into a
Meeting, for in the College Street records there is a note, in July.

J Now the Vicarage.

isa History of Newport Pagnbll.

1717, that there was " Collected from house to house, 8ec., for ye
Church at Newport, towards their new Meeting Place, £lb is. 8d.*'

Mr. Hennell remained at Newport sometime, but apparently he
went to London for a while, as in the Kettering Baptist Church
Records it is stated, under date January 1729-30, that Mr.
Hanwell's dismission from Mr. NobePs Church in London was
received, and that he was admitted a member in full communion.
It is further recorded that on 26th January, 1729-30, he was called
to the pastoral office of the same Church, and that he accepted the
same, desiring, however, to go to London three or four days every
year. On loth March he was publicly chosen as pastor, and
continued at Kettering till his death in September, 1749.

David Evans was pastor in July, 1748, and a Mr. Palmer, who
in 1774 lived at Bilston or Biddeston, Suffolk, ministered to the
Church for some time

Mr. William Coles, who was the stated minister in June, 1761,
remained for about ten years, and in 1792 was living at Ampthill,
Bedfordshire. His only daughter, Ann, was the second wife of
the well-known Rev. Andrew Fuller, the date of her marriage
being 30th December, 1794. In Morris' Memorials of Fuller she
is described as the " only daughter of the Rev. William Coles,
pastor of the Baptist Church at Maulden in Bedfordshire."

He was succeeded by Mr. Hewson, who was Pastor in 1774.

In 18 1 4 George Foskett, who was described as of Leighton
Buszard, was the Minister.

William John Early, who died in May, 1833, aged 33, and to
whose memory there is a tablet in the Chapel, was another Pastor,
and the name of Robert Abbott occurs in 1840.

The death is recorded on the 8th March, 1863, at Newport
Pagnell, of "Sarah, wife of Mr. W. Pimm, Baptist minister
aged 77."

Mr. Joseph Wilkins officiated for a time and left in 1892.

The Church Records, unfortunately, appear to have been lost or
mislaid, so that the information obtainable is somewhat frag-
mentary, and is gleaned from the Thompson MS., the Trust
Deeds, and the College Street Records.

There seem, however, to have been a goodly number of pas-
torates, and the list above given is doubtless incomplete, although
Thompson in 1774 goes so far as to say " that as the people would
never agree to have a settled pastor, the interest has always been

The Baptists. 153

feeble and low." He adds: — "Some of them once joined the
Church at Rode, Northamptonshire, and Mr. Deacon after that
used sometimes to come to Newport to administer y« Lord's
Supper, for which reason they have been improperly call'd a

^ Branch of Rode Church, though they were a people long before

^ there were any at Rode."

^ The Schoolroom in front of the Chapel was built on what was

* the foreyard, at a cost of about ;£200 by S. Harris, Esq., of

^ Tickford House (of blacking fame), and given to the Trustees.

1 It was opened on Thursday, nth July, 1861, and for a time used

' for a day as well as a Sunday School.

154

CHAPTER V.

The Wesleyan Methodists.

THE Wesleyan Chapel, which is somewhat set back from the
High Street, was erected in 1815.
In 1859 various necessary repairs and alterations were made,
and at the re-opening services, held on 24th July, 1859, John
Howard, Esq., Mayor of Bedford, preached in the morning,
and Dr. Melson, of Birmingham, in the evening.

Two sermons were preached on 5th October, 1865, by Rev.
John S. Workman, of London, in connection with the fiftieth
anniversary of the Chapel.

The Primitive Methodists

Had a Chapel in Marsh End, but its use was discontinued and the
building sold, being for some time used as a National School,
as mentioned elsewhere.

The Plymouth Brethren

Have for many years now worshipped in the building near the
Town Hall, High Street, the lower part of which was formerly
the Police Station.

155

Part V.

THE CIVIL WAR.^

NEWPORT Pagnell, although often mentioned in the records
of the Great Civil War as a place of strategic importance,
was not the scene of any particular battle, or even skirmish.

The notes of what did actually take place there, and the
accounts of the expeditions which were sent thence, are, however,
by no means uninteresting — the quaintness of the language used,
oftentimes, making up for the baldness of the narrative.

It was towards the close of the summer of 1643 that bodies of
Royalists were located in the neighbourhood, and a writer, under
date 24th October, 1643, says, "Since the Cavaliers came into
Bedfordshire, which county they have wofuUy plundered, they
have seized upon the town of Newport Pannell in the upper part
of Buckinghamshire .... and have forced the inhabitants
thereabouts to come in and intrench it, and they are drawing the
river about it, the better to Strengthen and fortifie it, their drift
being to intercept all cattell and other provisions that shall come
out of all the adjacent counties to London, hoping thereby to cut
off all victuals from this city, and so to starve it, if they be not timely
prevented and unnestled out of that place. Beside infinite danger
may befall the eastern Associated Counties if the Cavaliers be
suffered to proceed in this enterprise, because they will have
opportunity to draw all the malevolents out of those Counties to
their side .... and thereby bring all the quietest part of
the Kingdom into combustion and distraction."

I Several of the following items are taken from an excellent paper by the Rev.
H. Roundell on " The Garrison of Newport Pagnell during the Civil Wars,'
which was published about 40 years ago in the " Bucks Records."

156 History of Newport Pagnell.

The "Welch Mercury" (No. 2) says: — "We heare from
Newport Pannell .... that the Cavalliers make creat
Fortifications to keep awle her cood cattells and Welch Runts
and other provisions from comming to London, and by keeping
out the fat beasts was make her have a ferrie lean citie, but the
Trained Bands will not care a haire for the CavallierSi but will set
her packing out of Newport Pannell, and keep her from stopping
her Welch Runts and good sheese from comming up to London ;
and if her should stop awle passages, yet some of her Sheeses have
a creat many Leg (her will not say Maggots) that will in despight
of the Cavalliers carrie them up to London, with superscriptions
upon them to deliver them to her Cousin Sheese-monger."

No. 18 of the "Parliament Scout" mentions that it was
supposed that the Royalists intended to quarter at Newport for
the winter, and that Sir Lewis Dives, who was in charge of the
operations, had summoned the County to bring in moneys, &c., by
the 2oth of October.

A letter written by an inhabitant of Northampton to a friend in
London and published on 28th October, 1643, Ri^^s an account of
a marauding expedition of Royalists under Prince Rupert, " the
turne coate Urry," and others, who, after hovering round North-
ampton, marched to Castle Ashby and Olney, pillaging all the
way, " especially at Oulney, where they left but four houses of any
worth unplundered, and took carts to carry away their plunder
with them, and so marched to Newport, where they intend a
garrison."

As a postscript the writer adds " The Troops of the Kinge doe
since fortifie in Newport daily, if help be not sent, it will be a
great mischief e."

From these accounts, written by Parliamentarians, it will be
seen that no small importance was attached to the possession of
Newport, and it is not surprising that immediate steps were taken
to drive out the Cavaliers and bre;)k the neck of the "pemitious
plot " and supplant such a " subtle stratagem."

" His Excellency, the Parliament's Lord General!, the Earle of
Essex," hearing of the action of the Royalists, sent a strong force
under Major-General Skippon "to drive the enemy out of their
new fortifications which had been brought to a good forwardnesse."

Marching by way of Dunstable and Brickhill, Skippon's army
came within touch of Newport on Friday, 27th October, and on

Phiup Skipphs

The Civil War. 157

that day, whether by a mistake of orders, or whether by reason of
Dives considering the 1500 men he is said to have had under him
insufficient to defend the place, the Royalists evacuated the town,
but not with such haste but they got plunder enough with them,
making good that observation ** that the greatest plunderers are
not the valiantest men." ^

Possibly to cover their retreat on "Friday night they gave
Colonell Harvey's Regiment an alarm, whereupon his men, being
in readiness, pursued the Cavaliers, tooke five of them and slew
one of them, and had done great execution upon many of the rest
had not they fled away so fast." ^

The next day, Saturday, 28th October, 1643, Skippon and his
force entered Newport and were amazed to see what a place of
strength the Cavaliers had deserted, the Parliamentarians being of
opinion that it could have been held a long time against them.

At this time the Earl of Essex was at St. Albans and determined
to stay there "untill Newport Pannell be strongly fortified and
well manned for the defence of those parts to keep the Cavaliers
from thence another time." '

On Saturday, 4th November, his Excellency was still at S.
Albans, while the London Greene Regiment fortified Newport.

While the " incompleated workes" were being finished the
garrison was not inactive, for at the beginning of November
" Colonell Harvey^s Regiment of Horse gave the enemy an
allarum in the night at Stoney Stratford, slew the Sentinells,
entered the Town with the losse of some thirty of the Cavaliers,
took eighteen prisoners, whereof five or six were said to be
Commanders, and brought them safe into the Garrison at Newport
Pannell."*

Mercurius Civicus (of 2nd to 9th November) states that "A
Party of Horse (under the command of Colonel Harvey) were
sent on Wednesday last from Newport Pannell to a Towne called
Towcester, where a great party of the Cavaliers' forces lay, who,
comming thither in the night, slew the enemy's Sentinels and
unawares fell into their quarters, tooke two Colours, one and 20
prisoners, and brought them to Newport Pannell and slew at least
80 men ; at which place the Greene Regiment do as yet continue,
and are strongly fortifying thereof. Thb exploit was performed

I " Parliament Scout," No. 19. -2 " Mercurius Civicus," No. 23.

3 " Certaine Informations," No. 43. 4 "The Weekly AcQOunt," No. la

158 History of Newport Pagnbll.

without the losse of any of our souldiers, onely two of them were
wounded, but yet so as there is hopes of their recovery."

The accounts of these two attacks are almost suspiciously alike.

From a statement in No. 1 1 of " Mercurius Britannicus *' (2nd
to 9th November, 1643) ^^ would appear, if it is to be relied on,
that there was fighting near Newport at this time, for the journal
says : — " Aulicus tells us ... . that Sir Charles Lucas is on
the way with good forces towards the Easteme Counties of Cam-
bridgeshire and Essex (Till he was beaten back from Newport
Pannell by the Earle of Essex)."

The incident referred to may, however, perhaps be the taking of
Newport.

In a pamphlet printed in London on loth November, 1643, and
entitled ''The Happy Successe of the Parliament's Armie at
Newport and some other places," the writer says : —

"That you may be mindfull to send me the Printed newes, I
will as oft as I can acquaint you with what is materiall that I know
to be Truth, for we have too many Lyes abroad in this licencious
age ; Nothing remarkable hath passed between the two armies in
Northamptonshire until Thursday, Nov. 2, when betimes in the
morning, by order from Major Generall Skipton, the Horse forces
in Northampton, or rather some troops of them, were drawn forth,
to fall on the enemies* Quarter that lay most remote to the North,
while 3 regiments of his Horse, viz., Colonell Midleton's Regiment,
Colonell Harvie's, & Colonell Turner's were sent out to fal on the
South East part of their Quarters, for the King's Army lyes
quartered at the least 10 miles in distance one from another, the
Northampton Forces hapned on the Lord of Northampton's Regi-
ment about Stowes, 6 miles from the Towne, set on them by breake
of day, and slew 3 or 4 of them, and took 14 prisoners all horsemen,
one a Coronet to the Earle of Northampton, & lost not one of their
own : the London Regiments assaulted them at the same houre at
Alderton, a mile from Geaston, they slew 15 on the ground, took
22 prisoners, and many horses which were left behind, the riders
shifting for themselves better on foot into Geaston Park & other
hedges, so that a horse-fayre was kept at Newport that day, and
horses sold good cheape for ready mony, we lost but one man in
this service. The Enemy to revenge this, did march all Friday
night, & on Saturday morning, Novemb. 4, did set on our Quar-
ters at Oulny, we first took 2 of their Scouts, by which we per-

The Civil War. 159

ceived the approach of our danger ; for their body of Horse, a very
strong one too, fell into the Town upon us, and charged us reso-
lutely, & were received as stoutly by our men, until we could
orderly retreate to the Bridge, which with ease we made good
against them, intending to keepe them in play untill our body came
up to us from Newport, 3 miles ofF, but they had no list to stay so
long, but some few faced us at the Bridge, whilst the rest retreated
back, and by the way some of them were met by the Northampton
forces, who hearing they were gone towards our quarters, sent out
7 or 8 troops of horse & about 500 foot they took of the enemy a
Capt. of a Troop of horse, one Capt. Geerye, a Huntingdonshire
man & a great malignant, his coronet, but not his colours (they
have the trick to pull them of & throw the staff one way & the
Colours another) they took also his trumpeter and 9 other troopers,
which are all Prisoners in the towne.

Postscript.

The Enemy falling on our Quarters at Oulny, had a purpose to
have charged resolutely through the Towne, and bin Mrs. of the
Bridge, at the South end next Newport, but our Musketeers were
before them, and saluted them with two volley of shot, which
drove them back, and by this time Colonell Harvey had drawne an
indifferent body of Horse together, who came bravely on the
enemy, but were by the great numbers driven backe, wee slew of
them on the place, about 8 or 9, and they slew 5 of ours, many
wounded on both sides ; It being a very hot incounter for the time
not exceeding halfe an houre, they got into the Towne, and in
their lodgings tooke two Foot Collours, and two Drums, wee slew
of theirs besides the other, a Captain of a Troope of Horse, and
tooke his Cornet with his Collours, the Cornet desperately
wounded, cannot live if he be not dead ; They took of ours 15
tootmen, & we twelve Horsemen of theirs, the losse was some-
thing equall, & there was much mercy in it, that they were stopped
before they came to the Bridge, for had they bin Mrs. of it they
had divided us from our Army at Newport as they did, a Troope
of our Regiment that lay in a village and could not come at us,
but were constrained to get to Northampton, so that ours and the
Northampton forces have taken and slaine neer 100 of others this
weeke, with the losse of 6 men, and 15 Prisoners, no Officer as I
can hereof ; The Enemy retreated to Towcester, where they are
with the greatest body, they have both horse and foot ; if more

i6o History op Newport Pagnell.

company comes down we shal give them another visit I hope, for
we have good incouragement to action. God not being wanting to
our weake endeavours, but hath followed us with his Blessings,
the continuation whereof is the Prayer of Yours, &c."

The foregoing account of the Olney fight is from the pen of a
Parliamentarian.

The truth seems to have been that Prince Rupert, to avenge the
skirmishes at Alderton, Stowe, and Stoney Stratford, made a
determined and most successful attack on the Roundheads at
Olney, about seven o'clock in the morning. His force consisted of
several troops of horse, 400 dragoons, and 200 musqueteers carried
on horseback behind the cavalry. The Parliamentarians kept a
bad watch, and within a quarter of an hour of the alarm Rupert
was upon them and carried all before him. At the bridge there
was a rally, but the musqueteers coming up, the Parliament's
forces retreated. The success was so complete and sudden that
the Royalists, fearing an ambush, did not pursue Colonel Harvey,
who was in charge of the Parliamentarians, and lost 60 killed, 40
prisoners, 120 horses, and two stands of colours.

Rupert did not remain in the neighbourhood, and the next day
the Roundheads re-occupied Olney.

Skippon, for some little time after, gave up his offensive attitude
and contented himself with fortifying Newport *' with motes and
drawbridges," which were inspected in the course of November by
the Earl of Essex.

An ordinance as to the Newport Garrison having been passed
by both Houses was printed on i8th December, 1643.

It provides that the town shall be strongly fortified and pro-
visioned, that the £1000 required for the purpose shall be raised
by the following counties : — Bedford, £16^ los. ; Hertford, ;£i25 ;
Northampton, ;£i25 ; Huntingdon, £4$ ; Cambridge cum Ely, £80 ;
Suffolk, ;Ci25 ; Essex, )(^i25 ; Norfolk, ;Ci25 ; the three Hundreds
of Newport, ^£62 los. Any further sums necessary were to be
raised rateably on this basis.

For the maintenance of the works and garrison and a body of
300 horse and their officers, a monthly allowance of ;C4ooo from
ist December was ordered to be paid as under :-r-
Bedford £750 Huntingdon ;Ci8o Essex )£500

Hertford ;£5oo Cambridge ;£32o Norfolk ;£500

Northampton ;£50o Suffolk ^£500 Newport Hundreds )£25o

The Civil War. i6i

For providing a garrison, it was ordered that within 14 days
after the passing of the Ordinance, the undermentioned counties
should send in soldiers: — Bedford, 225 foot; Hertford, 125;
Northampton, 150 ; Huntingdon, 45 ; Cambridge, 105 ; Suffolk,
150 ; Essex, 150 ; Norfolk, 150 ; and the Newport Hundreds, 75 ;
the Earl of Essex to nominate a Governor.

In the event of attack or during siege, power was given the
Governor to put on duty all able-bodied men within the town ; to
compel the richer persons to provide the poorer with arms under
penalty of being put out of the garrison ; and also to appoint a
mayor with a salary of 9s. a day to receive and give orders and
command the townsmen.

It is not improbable that it was at this time John Bunyan, then
about 16 to 17 years of age, was sent to Newport, and Dr. Brown
in a preface to an edition^ of the ** Holy War," remarks, " Man-
soul, with its walls, gates, strongholds, and sallyport, is not unlike
to Newport Pagnell at the time it was fortified according to the
parliamentary ordinance of 1643, and when Bunyan was probably
a soldier within its walls." Since the edition was issued, the old
Muster Rolls of the garrison have been found, and conclusively
show that Bunyan was one of the Newport garrison for two or
three years.

While speaking of Bunyan it is, too, interesting to note that his
first published work, ** Some Gospel Truths Opened ... by
that Unworthy Servant of Christ, John Bunyan of Bedford, by the
Grace of God Preacher of the Gospel of his Dear Son," bears the
following imprint, "London, printed for J.W., and are to be sold
by Mathias Cowley, Bookseller in Newport Pagnell, 1656."

The only known copy of the first edition of this book is (1887),
says Dr. Brown, in the possession of Mr. Wm. Tarbutt, of Cran-
brook. The Doctor suggests that perhaps the imprint ran as it did
because there was then no bookseller in Bedford, or that Bunyan
may, for reasons of friendship, have resorted to one whose
acquaintance he made in his soldiering days.

Close on Christmas, Skippon, secure in his ordinance, planned
an attack on Grafton House. An account of the expedition
entitled " A true Relation of the taking of Grafton House by the
Parliaments Forces under the Command of Serjeant Major
Skipton," was published on 29th December, 1643, ^^^ ^^ ^ copy
I Holy War. Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1887.

i62 History of Newport Pagnell.

of a letter written by W. B. from Newport Pannell on 25th
December, 1643, to a friend in London. It runs thus : —

** On Thursday night last, about eight a clocke, there was
command given, for a party of a thousand foot or thereabouts, to
be ready to march the next morning by two of the clocke ; where-
upon they met at their Rendezvouze at Lathbury a mile from
hence, where a brave party of horse of our owne, and Colonel!
Norwiches met with us, and were our Van and Reare-guard, so
we marcht with foure pieces of Artillery towards Grafton Regis
six miles oflF from this place, where we understood that our Enemies
were inclosed in a strong house of the Ladie Craines and the
Church of the same Towne ; whereupon we faced it, and leaving
it on our right hand, we marcht forward towards Toxiter as though
we had beene bound thitherward. But when we came within a
mile of the said Towne of Toxiter wee met with a party of horse
and foot that came from Northampton to our assistance, under the
command of Colonell Wettam, whereupon wee faced about, and the
party of the Orange Regiment, which before brought up the Reare,
then marcht in the Van, and Colonell Williams Forces followed in
the Reare of the party that came from Newport. But when we
came within sight of the house, the ould soldiers of my Lords
outmarcht us and gave the onset on the house very couragiously
and were as bravely answered, and by reason of the strength of
the walls and well fortifying of the same, our Musqueteers did
them small injury at that time ; whereupon there were two of our
pieces planted against the house and played upon it, but they did
not much annoy them neither. On the Saturday morning the
Orange and Greene Regiments relieved my Lords souldiers and
when any advantage could be gained against our Enemies we
made use of it. They within had very long pieces and could
reach us at a great distance. At our guard we having found a
convenient place to plant a piece made use of it and beat down
with our Sacre before Saturday night a breastwork on the top of
the house, which had done us much annoyance and also a window
whereat they shot out at us. On Sunday morning we were
relieved by these Northampton forces, under the command of
Colonell Wettam and about two hours after he had the guard,
they within sounded a parley but through the eagemesse of the
Souldiers the Drum was shot ; but not slaine outright, whereupon
they sent out a Trumpet and had parley granted for halfe an houre,

The Civil War. 163

and after that another halfe houre, so then they yeelded them-
selves prisoners being in number ninescore and seven besides
Officers whereof Sir John Digbie was chief e there was another
Officer of note, viz. Major Brookbanck, and diverse Captaines,
some of them men of about 700 li, yeare a piece whose names are
to me unknowne. About two of the clocke on Sunday the
souldiers entered the house, where they found great and rich
plunder, which they had for their paines ; In the taking of this
house wee lost about 20 men and had hurt 10, besides 9 that were
hurt by our own powder. On Christmas Day, before day, order
was given to fire our huts which we had made in the field, and for
prevention of future inconveniences the house was fired also, so
we marcht with our prisoners (guarded by those other forces that
assisted us) towards Newport very weary by reason of the
foulnesse of the weather and deepenesse of the way, but praised
be God we came safely thither where we now lye expecting reliefe
every day, that we may come and rest our selves. I thank God
that neither myself e nor any of my souldiers are hurt, nor not one
of our Regiment slaine, notwithstanding we were in great danger
and hazard, I beseech God make us thankfull for this preservation
of us, there were some that came to us on our guard as spectators,
being a surveyor of the workes, and a Captain of a Troope of
Horse slaine at one shot, and also a Gunner that belonged to the
Sacre in our guard."

Early in January the London forces left Newport, their places
being supplied by the new levies raised by the Earl of Manchester.

The Governor was soon able to make use of them, for the
Royalists having withdrawn from Towcester and Stoney Strat-
ford, he sent Captain Abercromby with 100 men to reconnoitre
near Buckingham. The Captain possessed himself of Hillesden
House, the garrison retreating, and issued peremptory notices for
money and supplies to the people of Brackley. His orders not
being complied with, he was on his way on 4th February, to enforce
them, when he was taken prisoner and his troops dispersed by the
Royalists.

On 25th January Skippon asked to be relieved and Sir Samuel
Luke was appointed Governor.

Sir Samuel was an energetic Parliamentarian, and soon after his
appointment he arranged a successful attack on Hillesden House,
which had been re-occupied by the Royalists, and marched off the

164 History of Newport Pagnell.

prisoners to Newport Pagnell. In the "Vemey Memoirs"
(vol. ii. p. 193) it is stated that '* It is difficult to ascertain the
exact truth about the treatment of the [Hillesden] garrison, con-
sisting of 263 men. The King's News Journal accuses Sir S. Luke
of great barbarity. The Parliamentary Reporter admits the death
of thirty-one men."

He also had to give his attention to the earthworks at Newport,
the heavy rains having caused them in many places to give way,
and on nth March he writes the Speaker of the House of Com-
mons, '' Ye workes are not halfe finished nor any Ordnance planted
upon either Rampires or Bulworkes, neither can there bee any
place fitted for yem but w**» a greate deale of tyme and a greate
deale of charge."

It would appear that one of Cromwell's sons served in the
Newport garrison, for the " Parliament Scout" for March 15 — 22,
1643-4 ^ states " Colonell Cromwell is gone with his forces from
Buckingham to Stony Stratford and Brickhill, and begins to
increase in power ; he hath lost his eldest son who is dead of the
small pox in Newport [Pagnell], a civill young gentleman and
the joy of his father."

In Frederick Harrison's " Life of Cromwell " (p. 25) the son is
spoken of as the second son, Oliver, the eldest, Robert, having
died at Felsted in May, 1639. It would appear that it is to the
loss of Oliver that Cromwell alludes in his letter to Colonel Walton,
dated " Leaguer before York, 5th July, 1644," reporting the death
of Walton's son in battle, when he writes : " Sir, God hath taken
away your eldest son .... Sir, you know my own trials this
way, but the Lord supported me with this, that the Lord took him
into the happiness we all pant for and live for."

There does not appear to be any entry of Oliver Cromwell the
younger's burial in the Church Registers.

The Parliament was sorely pressed for funds at this time, but
they resolved that letters be sent to the Contributory Counties to
duly remit the sums due for the maintenance of Newport garrison,
and Sir Samuel, too, put in force the warrant for the sequestration
of Estates of Delinquents and Papists and required the tenants,
bailiffs, and officers of all such and of all University and Eccle-
siastical lands, to bring in all their rents to the Committee of

I King's Pamphlets, No. 148, p. 5 of tract.

The Civil War. 165

Newport at the Saracen's Head upon the 25th April, by nine
o'clock, to be paid for the use of the King and the Kingdome.

On loth June, 1644, the Newport Committee obtained for Sir
Samuel a Commission as Colonel over the 1200 foot garrisoning
Newport, induced the House to vote ;£5oo to Captain Temple of
Newport garrison (who had been successful in a skirmish at Islip,
and the pay of whose men was in arrear), to send a Brass Culverin
of 41 o 7 and a demi Culverin of 40 o 25 to Newport instead of
Two Sacres and One Drake previously there, which were ordered
to be sent to Tamworth Castle, and to give Luke leave with the
consent of the Bucks Committee, or any two of them, to fell as
much timber upon the lands of Papists and Delinquents as he
required for the better fortification of the Garrison.

It was fortunate for Luke that these orders had been given, for
on the 22nd of June the King, quartering for several days at
Buckingham, sent the Earl of Cleveland with a Brigade of Horse
to Newport Pannel, hoping that he might draw his old acquain-
tance, Luke, who, however, " would not be invited forth." In the
interim a party of the King's horse took sixteen cartloads of wine,
grocery, and tobacco, intended for Coventry and Warwick, at
Brickhill, so the excursion was not altogether fruitless. ^

The Royalists soon left Buckingham, but Luke continued to pay
every attention to the fortifications (at one time employing
between three and four thousand labourers) and to press the
Parliament for supplies. At intervals, too, he sent his men out on
marauding expeditions, and in December, 1644, Newport is men-
tioned in the State Papers as having been made one of the
strongest places in the kingdom.

While the Garrison was temporarily weakened in the succeeding
January a plot to attack Ne^'port was discovered by Luke's spies
and steps taken which prevented its coming to fruition.

In October, 1644, Luke wrote an interesting letter to Mr.
Whitaker, which is among the Stowe MS. In it he mentions
that there were seven able divines in the town, two sermons
every Sabbath, one every Thursday, and a chapter read and
prayers every morning before the placing of the Guards. No one
was allowed out of their houses after 9 o'clock at night. The
people round about were in Luke's opinion ''most Papists or

I " His Majesty's Happy Progress and Success/' 30th March to 23rd November,
1644, by Sir Edward Walker, 1705, p. 29.

i66 History of Newport Pagnbll.

Atheists and extreme averse to the Parliament party, very few of
y^ Divines or gentry neare y* I believe will take y^ Covenant"
A little later in another letter he hopes a Mr. Ford, who he con-
siders an able man, will not be removed from a congregation of
1500, where he is extraordinarily well approved of. He adds that
he has put down private assemblies in Newport, but that they have
them not far off twice or thrice a week.

In March, 1645, a feud arose between two officers. Major
Christopher Ennis^ and Captain Andrewes, because the former
had been rewarded by a Major's Commission for successful actions
at Kiddington and elsewhere, and it was only settled by sending
the two officers and their men to different parts of the country.

This was no sooner disposed of than a dispute as to who should
have the command of the senior company arose between Captains
Oxford and Whitbread.

The Roundhead soldiers at this time were, so far as regarded
the Newport neighbourhood, much demoralised and mutinously
inclined, largely owing to lack of pay, and Luke's correspondence
contains many complaints as to arrears of payments and other
matters. In one letter he observed that he had '' None but raw
men, and neither vicheal, ammunition, nor anything else to hold
out four days, and all the complaints and petitions I have poured
out would neither procure me money to buy nor order to take up
anything." He also observed : " The wants of the soldiers are
such that that they are not fitting to be put on ps^er, only I shall
beg your Excellency's pardon if I acquaint you with one particular.
There were in my Company two that had but one payre of
Britches betweene them, soe that when one was up the other must
upon necessity be in his bed." a

Newport was, however, regarded as '' the strategic outpost and
bulwark of the Association, and was the point of contact with the
King's forces from Oxford," so doubtless in time Luke's wishes
were attended to.

1 In the State Papers, Dom. Series, May— July, 1657, are testimonials as to the

gallant behaviour of Major Ennis, one being given by Henry Deane under
date 6th Jan., 1653, and the other by Nathaniel Whetham, once a Governor
of Northampton, dated 7th January, 1654. The latter certifies that the
Major commanded a Troope of Horse at Newport Garrison, which he had
for the most part raised at his own expense, and " with which hee did very
eminent service in order to the preservation of that Garrison and other
places adjacent wheare the Parliament forces quartered, in which services
he received dangerous hurts and wounds neere to the hazard of his life."

2 Luke, f. 236, Stow MS., B.Mus.

The Civil War. 167

When, however, Leicester was surrendered on ist June, 1645,
there was more or less of a panic at Newport, but Sir Thomas
Fairfax, raising the siege of Oxford, and marching by way of
Marsh Gibbon, Great Brickhill, and Newport Pagnell, reached
Sherrington on 7th June, and here or at Weston he appears to
have been joined by Cromwell. Sir Samuel did not feast the
General on the ground of want of accommodation, but seems to
have limited his hospitality to showing him round the works of
the garrison, giving him a '* peale of ordnance," and providing
him and his followers with wine.^

Naseby Battle was fought on Saturday, 14th June, and the
Governor of Newport ordered that a public thanksgiving for the
victory should be celebrated in the Parish Church on the following
day.2

Two captains of Fairfax's army named Hobson and Beaumont,
on their way to London, happened to be in Newport, and on
Sunday morning instead of attending church delivered, as Hobson
puts it, a ''treatise to some friends in a quiet and peaceable
manner in Newport Pagnell and Lathbury," for the which they
were imprisoned by the Governor, and sent back to Fairfax as
stragglers from the army. Fairfax resented this treatment ot his
officers however, and the ensign and provost martial who arrested
them were eventually cashiered.

Two at least of Paul Hobson's discourses, entitled " A Garden
Inclosed" and "Wisdom justified only of her children," being
''the exercises" which got him into trouble at Newport, were
published in 1647.

On 26th June Luke's command came to an end, and he went to
London to attend to his duties as member for Bedford, and in
January, 1647, obtained a settlement of the arrears of pay, in all
^£4,482 13s. 6d., due to him as colonel of a troop of horse and
Governor of Newport

From this time he gradually became less active in the cause of
the Parliament, and after again representing Bedford in the new
Parliament he retired from public lite, and dying at his seat at
Cople Beds, was buried there 30th August, 1670.

Sir Samuel Luke is perhaps better known as the original ot

1 East Anglia and The Great Civil War. Alfred Kingston, 1897.

2 Luke, once t>etng ill, says, ** Ye very sitting in ye church one sermon tytne

makes me ill 2 or 3 days after."

i68 History op Newport Pagnbll.

Butler's Hudibras (see end of Canto I. Part I.)i than as the
energetic Governor of Newport. Tradition has it, and Butler too,
that Luke wore a long grizzled beard in fulfilment of some vow,
but the photograph, from a portrait, in the Bucks Records of 1862,
represents him as clean shaven.

On the recommendation of Sir Thomas Fairfax, written from
Sherrington on 8th June, Captain Charles D*Oyley was appointed
to succeed Sir Samuel on 12th June, notwithstanding the candida-
ture of Lieutenant Colonel Cokaine and Major Temple.

In August the King passed through Bucks from Wobum, in his
return to Oxford, but there was no thought of attacking Newport.

Towards the close of the summer of 1645, ^^^ garrison was
ordered to be reduced to 800 foot and 120 horse, but in November,
1645, there is a document in the State Papers requesting that
horse and dragoons be sent to Newport to prevent the levying of
taxes, which the enemy had laid on the country.

During the autumn and winter the troops seem to have behaved
in a very lawless manner, and an ordinance for exercising martial
law was passed in January, 1646.

The King's cause from this time rapidly declined, and in the
autumn of 1646 the fortifications of Newport were ordered to be
dismantled and the garrison disbanded.

The order for slighting the fortifications was not, however,
carried into immediate effect, for on 6th May, 1648 — 9, the
Committee of both Houses, writing Lieutenant-General Fairfax,
say they consider it very dangerous that such a place should be
left in such a tenable position liable to be seized and kept by
malignants, and that they have therefore written the Committee
of the Eastern Association that the fortifications may be instantly
slighted. ^-*

The order was apparently substantially obeyed, but the remains
of the embankments were until some 50 years since very apparent
on the site of the Gas Works, in Hilly Close (the site of the
Cemetery), and Bury Field.

1 Cal. State Papers. Domestic, Charles I., 1648-49.

2 A petition from the inhabitants of Newport and district was presented to

Cromwell at White Hall in December, 1648, desiring that the King might
be brought to speedy justice, &c.

169

Part VI.

NOTABLES.

CHAPTER I.

The Bridges.

AT what date the first bridges over the Ouse and Lovat, or
Lovent, were constructed it is impossible to say, but it is
probable that it was at a very early stage of the town's history.
In the various old records there are many references to them, and
several of the allusions will be found in the pages of this book.

Perhaps, however, the first important document having a special
bearing on the bridges, and which incidentally proves their even
then antiquity is a grant of Richard II. in 1381 authorising the
taking of tolls in order that funds might be raised to properly
repair them, they then being in a ruinous and dangerous condition.
The grant incidentally, too, shows the nature of the goods then
dealt in, and runs thus : —

" The Kingi to his beloved Thomas Cowe Robert Bowes John
Taillour of Newport Paynel and Simon Swet Greeting Know ye
that in aid of the mending and repairing of the bridges of North-
brigge and Southbrigge in the town of Newport Paynell which
are broken and injured to the grievous damage and danger of the
men crossing by the said bridges and for the mending and
repairing whereof the men of the said town are from year to year

I Pat. Rolls, 4 Richard II., part i, m. 4.

17© History of Newport Pagnell.

as we understand heavily charged we have by our special grace
granted to you that from the day of making these presents up to the
end of three years next following fully to be completed you may
take by the hands of those whom you trust and for whom you are
willing to answer of things saleable passing over and under the
said bridges^ the customs underwritten namely for every horse
load of corn one farthing, for every cartload of corn one halfpenny,
for every horse mare ox and cow one farthing, for every horseload
of cloth one halfpenny, for every whole cloth one farthing, for
every hundredweight of linen cloth canvas cloths of Ireland
Galewath and Worstede one halfpenny, for every cask of wine or
cineres^ one halfpenny, for every cartload of honey one halfpenny,
for every bundle of cloth brought by a cart twopence, for every
hundredweight of avoirdupois one penny, for every weight of
tallow and grease one farthing, for every quarter of wood one
halfpenny, for every hundredweight of alum copperas clay and
verdegrease one farthing, for every two thousand weight of tallow
one farthing, for ten bundles of garlic one farthing, for every
thousand herrings one farthing, for every cartload of sea fish one
penny, for every horseload of sea fish one farthing, for every
hundredweight of planks one halfpenny, for every millstone one
farthing, for every quarter of salt one farthing, for every weight
of cheese^ or butter one farthing, for every cartload of wood or
charcoal one farthing, for every quarter of oak bark one farthing,
for every bundle of any merchandise above the sum of five
shillings one farthing, for every hundredweight of tin brass and
copper one halfpenny, for every hundredweight of bundles of
steel one farthing, for every other thing of th^ value of five
shillings not here specified crossing over and under the said
bridges, wool leather hides lamitis and also iron and lead whilst
taxed excepted, one farthing. And therefore we command you
that you take the said customs until the end of three years and
apply them towards the repair and mending of the said bridges,
as is aforesaid, but when the term of the said three years is
completed the said customs shall entirely cease and be discon-
tinued. In testimony &c. to last during the said three years.

1 The Tolls are in every case applicable only to goods which are on sale or to

be sold, the word used being venalis.

2 Bailey's Dictionary gives " Cineres (among Chymists) Ashes made of Tartar,

or the Lees of wine burnt."

3 A wey or weight of cheese was then i68, 256, or 300 lbs.

The Bridges. 171

Witness the King at Northampton the 20th day of November."

The question of the repair of the bridges was doubtless always
an ever-present trouble to the inhabitants, notwithstanding that
various legacies were left towards the expense and that part of
the income from certain charities was applied for the like purpose,
and at the Manorial Courts held both in 1720 and 1721 the feoffees
were presented for not keeping the two bridges in repair .^

At the commencement of the nineteenth century the two
bridges were in a very unsafe condition, and the inhabitants in
January, 1809, resolved to deal with the matter.

The necessity for this course was undoubted, for on 28th
January, 1809, the Northampton Mercury states : —

"Early yesterday morning the Defiance Manchester stage
coach, on its way from London, was overturned upon the North
bridge, Newport. From the overflowing of the water, in conse-
quence of the thaw, and the great rapidity of the current, several
large holes had been washed in the bridge, but at the time of the
accident were entirely imperceptible, so that no blame can possibly
attach to the Coachman. The passengers— three insides — we are
happy to state, sustained no material injury. Joseph Keates
Esqre. of Cheapside, was the only person hurt, who received a
slight contusion on the head. The coachman and guard, though
precipitated into the stream, fortunately escaped without other
harm than a complete ducking. This very narrow escape is
another alarming proof of the absolute and immediate necessity
for adopting the only efficient means of obviating similar accidents
on one of the most crowded roads to the British metropolis,
namely rebuilding and widening both the Newport bridges on an
improved plan. We feel highly gratified in being able to
announce, that such plan, with an estimate, has been taken, a
subscription set on foot, and that immediate application will be
made to Parliament for that purpose, under the auspices of a
Committee of the most respectable gentlemen of the town and the
three hundreds of Newport, to whose laudable exertions we are
happy to pay this tribute of applause."

Speaking of this flood, Mr. George Osbom, of Newport, says : —
" The Green covered with water. Every house in Tickford end
water in them. People obliged to live upstairs."

X The first Lathbury Bridge, being only built in 1740, is not one of the old town
bridges, and is dealt with eteewhere. Vide p. 10 ante.

172 History of Newport Pagnell.

In the Northampton Mercury of 6th May, 1809, another coach
accident, not connected, however, with the condition of the
bridges, is mentioned, it being recorded that : —

" On Thursday morning, about one o'clock, the Hope coach on
its way to London, was overturned a little on this side Newport
Bridge. All the outside passengers, together with the coachman
and guard, were thrown over the railing into the meadow, but
fortunately only one passenger received any material injury. The
accident appears to have originated in the leaders taking fright."
All which goes to show that travelling was by no means devoid of
accidents and unpleasant surprises in those days, notwithstanding
the advertisements of pleasant travel of which a specimen has
been given elsewhere.

The Act known as 49 Geo. III., c. 144, and intituled *' An Act
for taking down and rebuilding certain parts of North Bridge and
Tickford Bridge in the parish of Newport Pagnell and Lathbury
in the County of Buckingham and for widening and making more
commodious the said bridges and the approaches thereto," to
which the Royal assent was given in June^ 1809, was therefore a
timely one.

By it, bridge trustees were arranged for, who were authorised
to borrow a sum not exceeding ;£ 12,000 to carry out the necessary
works, and to repay the same and interest by means of tolls which
they were thereby empowered to levy.

The reconstruction of the bridges was at once put in hand, and
in June, 1810, the first stone of the abutments of the cast iron
bridge over the Lovat was laid by Mr. Provis, of Paddington, the
architect.

In digging the foundations for the new bridges, a quantity of
oak timber was found buried at a considerable depth which
appeared to be the remains of wooden bridges that stood on the
same spots previous to the erection of the old stone bridges.^

The monies borrowed were in due course repaid by the
trustees, and the tolls authorised by the Act have for a long
period ceased to be demanded and taken.

The necessary repairs were for many years paid for out of the
income derived from the properties of the trustees, and the
moneys paid by the feoffees of the Town Lands but a few years
since, the control of the main roads and many of the bridges having

I Tour of the Grand Junction Canal, by J. Hassell, London, 1819.

T-" I

, ^■^','>";C ^-"'

The Bridges. 173

passed into the hands of the County Council, it was deemed
desirable to hand over to that body the bridges and the endow-
ments of the same.

A Provisional Order known as the County of Buckingham
(Tickford and North Bridges) Order, 1897, was therefore obtained
and duly confirmed by a Confirmation Act on 15th July in that
year.

The Order, after reciting the Act of George III. ; that the
trustees had erected three bridges one called the North Bridge
over the main channel of the River Ouse, one over a channel
through which part of the River Ouse flowed in time of flood, and
the third called the Tickford Bridge over the River Lovatt ; that
the trustees were possessed of the properties purchased for the
purposes of the Act mentioned in the Schedule thereto ; that they
were possessed of £(i^g 19s. 3d. 2| per cent, consolidated stock
and certain cash; and that it had been agreed that the bridges
and properties should be taken over by the County Council, goes
on to provide that its provisions should take effect from 13th
September, 1897, that the bridges and premises should by virtue
thereof be deemed transferred to the Council ; that from the date
of transfer the bridges should be deemed county bridges and be
free from all tolls ; that the bridge trustees from the last-named
date should be abolished and cease to exist ; that the Bridge Act,
save sections 40 and 41 thereof, should be repealed; and that
''subject to any scheme made by the Charity Commissioners
under the Charitable Trusts Acts 1853 ^ *^' ^^7 moneys
payable under section 40 or section 41 of the Bridge Act to the
bridge trustees shall after the date of transfer be paid to the
County Council and shall be carried by them to the credit of the
County Fund."

Besides the premises referred to under Child's Gift in the
charities section, and the consols, the Schedule to the Order
includes the messuage yard workshop and garden on the south-
east side of Tickford Street then in the occupation of John
Mitchell ; a piece of garden ground or yard adjoining Tickford
Bridge on the north-east side used as a timber yard in the
occupation of Edward David Mitchell together with the passage
way to the river; and a piece of ground or yard adjoining
Tickford Bridge on the south-east side then in the occupation of
John Mitchell with the passage way to the river.

174 History of Newport Pagnell.

The order of the Charity Commissioners, elsewhere referred to,
with reference to the Town Lands, makes provision for the
payment to the County Council of a fourth part of the income of
that charity, to be applied in reduction of the county rate in the
civil parish of Newport Pagnell.

175

CHAPTER II.

Caldecot.

CALDBCOT is a hamlet within the parish of Newport Pagnell.
The word "Caldecot" means "a cold dwelling" (Calde=
cold ; cote=a dwelling of the poorer kind).

It is mentioned in Domesday, and the three references to it
there found, all under the heading of Sigelai Hundred| are as
follows : — 1

*' William [Fitz Ansculf] holds three hides and one virgate in
Caldecote. There is land to two ploughs. There is one in the
demesne, and another may be made. There is one villane, and one
mill of eight shillings ; and a certain knight has there half a hide
with half a plough. Meadow for one plough. Pannage for one
hundred hogs. It is and was always worth forty shillings. Two
vassals of Vlf's held this Manor and might sell it.

" In Caldecote. Alured holds of the Earl [Morton] four hides
and one virgate for one manor. There is land to four ploughs.
There is one and a half in demesne and a half may yet be made*
There are two vavasors there who pay thirty two shillings and
sixpence and one villane and five bordars with two ploughs.
There is one bondsman and one mill of five ores and four pence.
Meadow for two ploughs. Pannage for twenty four hogs ; and
twenty eight pence for custom. The whole value is and always
was four pounds. Four thanes held this manor in King Edward's
times and might sell it and give it to whom they would.

" Suarting holds two hides and a half in Caldecote. There is
land to one plough. There is one there and another may be made.
One hide and a half are in demesne. There are two bordars ;
and meadow for one plough. It is and was always worth twenty
shillings. Gonni, a vassal of Aluric's the son of Goding, held this
land and might sell it."

I Bawdwen's Domesday, 1812.

176 History of Newport Pagnell.

In view of its present size it is difficult to understand these
entries as to the hamlet, but from ancient documents it appears
that Willen was joined to Caldecot, the two being described as
" Wilne cum Caldecote, una villa."

In 1 187 Gervase Paganell confirmed a gift to Tickford Priory of
Caldecote Mill and half a virgate of land belonging to it, and in
1307 there was a dispute as to a right of fishery in Caldecote water
between Robert de Lydington and Alice his wife and Prior
William de Menevere.*

There was another fishery dispute in 35 Edward I, Nicholas de
Eure then complaining that certain evildoers had fished in his
several fishery at Caldecot next Neuport Paynell and taken fish
therefrom. *

In 16 Edward II., on the death of John de Somery, it was found
that Nicholas de Eure held a quarter of a knight's fee in Caldecote
of the value of los. per annum. ^

In the reign of Edward III. certain rights of common^ were
given to the Master of St. John's Hospital, as mentioned elsewhere.

On an Inquisition^ held at Newport on nth December, 1418, it
was found that Thomas Caldecote died seised in his Lordship as of
fee of the Manor of Caldecote, which manor was held of the King
in capite by suit and services at the leet of the King of the hundred
of Segelow at the two annual terms, namely, at the feast of Easter
and St. Michael and paying to the King 22s. [of rent] at the feast
of St. Martin. The jurors also found that he died seised of two
virgates of land lying within the vill of Newport, which he held of
Joan Beauchamp, lady of Bergeveney, as of her manor of Newport
Paynell in socage. Also a virgate of land in Calverton, which was
held of the Earl of Oxford. And that there was in the said manor
a caracute of land which was worth annually 24s. and five acres of
meadow worth 2s. And that the site of the manor was worth
nothing. And that the virgate held of Lady Bergeveney was worth
5s. and that held of the Earl of Oxford los.

The Jurors further stated that Thomas Caldecote died on the
Tuesday next after the Feast of the Conception of the Virgin Mary

I Vide Chapter on Tickford, p. 70. 2 Pat. Rolls, 35 Edward I., m., 11 d.

3 Inq. p. mortem, John de Somery, 16 Edward II., No. 72.

4 Vide account of Hospitsd.

5 Inq. post mortem, 5 Henry VI., No. 16. Lipscomb seems to consider that

the Caldecote here referred to is the Brickhill one, but this does not appear
to be the case, as the BrickhiU Caldecote is in Molesho Hundred.

Caldecot. 177

last past. And that William Caldecote was his son and next heir,
and was upwards of five years of age.

Lipscomb says the Manors of Willen and Caldecote were assured
to Andrew Hanchet in the time of Henry IV., but the statement
does not seem correct in the face of the above quoted Inquisition.

Willis, moreover, states that the Hanchett family possessed the
Manors of Caldecote and Willen Jn the time of Henry VII., and
that on 20th October, 1509, Thomas Hanchett, of Bedford, gent,
died seised of them, leaving William Hanchett, his son and heir.
William left two sons, Andrew and John, and the latter sold both
manors to John White in 1542. *

Soon afterwards, in 1544, John White was a party to some
proceedings which resulted from his enclosing 80 acres of land at
Caldecote, a witness stating that the inhabitants of Newport
Pagnell " had comen in a parcel .of a Slade there callyd holy
Roode Slade which comen they had but once in three years."
Another witness, too, deposed that " the inhabitants had comen in
the Slade called Tonyon Slade by the sufferance of the said John
White." 2

The Whites continued owners of Caldecot for several gene-
rations.

In 15 Charles II. Thomas White, of Caldecote, was ordered to
pay £2 yearly to Queen Anne's Hospital, as stated elsewhere, and
it was to his memory that a stone m the church was inscribed thus :

" Here lieth the Body of Thomas White, Esq., late Lord of the
Manor of Caldecote, who, having obtained a good property, died in
the Faith of Christ, the 26th day of September, A.D. 1670, in the
6oth year of his age. He lived piously towards God, justly towards
men, temperately as to himself. He was a loving Husband, a
provident Father, a prudent peacemaker, a faithful Friend, a
Benefactor to the poor, a great promoter of the public Good. He
did much in a little time. Non tam diu, sed quam bene. The
memorial of the just is blessed. Prov. x. 7."

A Mary White, described as wife of Thomas White, the younger,
of Caldecote, died 15th July, 1635, aged 38. A Thomas White, too,
of Caldecot, married Elizabeth Bolton, on 2nd April, 1657.

In 1692 William White, the Elder, of Caldecote, by his Will
gave j^iooo to his wife, j^iooo to William his eldest son, and £500

I Willis MSS. 2 Court of Augmentations, Vol. 126, f. 18.

178 History of Newport Pagnell.

to Samuel his younger son, and appointed Sir William Roberts, of |)

Essex, Bart., and James Tirrel, Esq., his executors.

A Samuel White died nth October, 1701.

In about 1696, however, Caldecot was sold to Roger Chapman, .

of Newport Pagnell, attorney (who died 15th February, 1702), for '

payment of William White's debts, and in 1734 Thomas Chapman, I

his son, was the owner. '

In the Charity Commissioners' Report of 1833, John Andrew
Lyon is stated to be the owner of the Manor of Caldecot.

179

CHAPTER III.

Bury Field and Port Field, i

NEWPORT has been fortunate in the retention of one of its
common fields, Buiy Field, in an unenclosed state. The
field has already been several times referred to in the preceding
pages, but there are certain other items of information, both as to
it and the enclosed Port Field, which it seemed best to group
together in a separate chapter, and this has therefore been done,
each item being given a sub-heading.

Ancient Court Rolls.

There are some old Court Rolls of Henry VIII. still extant, at
the Record Office, of the View of Frankpledge, Port Court, and
Unbodmote Court.

One of these rolls contains an account of an arrangement
between Richard Moore, of Newport, and William Sheppard, of
Great Brickhill, as to the granting of a lease by Moore to
Sheppard of an inclosure called "The Kekyle," and for the
which besides rent Sheppard appears to have agreed at the Bell in
Newport to give twenty calves. At the same Court the tenancy
of Solage Close is referred to. Also there was a presentment that
the custom was in ancient times that the farmer of Beryfield should
keep the pasture several annually from the feast of the Annuncia-
tion of the Blessed Virgin Mary up to the feast of the Invention of
the Cross. Also that the tenants of the town of Newport aforesaid
should put their beast to pasture up to that feast, in accordance
with custom from ancient usage.

Court Rolls of 1670.

The minutes of the Court held in this year contain the following
references to the Common Fields : —
" The jury doe order John Johnson to scour up the wattercourse

I The names " Bury " Field and " Port " Field probably merely signify " Town "
Field.

i8o History of Newport Pagnell.

at y« stille in Bury Field next y* mill before )r« 17th of this instant
Aprill and for every day after y« 17th of Aprill y* he suffers it to
Lye unscoured to forfite to y^ Lord 4s. 6d. for every day after y^
same.

'' It is agreed that no man shall keep above 4 beast and 4 sheepe
for a yard land in Tickford feild and so proportionably more or
lesse.

" Wee doe order that any person surcharging the comon (Bury
Field or Mead) shall pay for every head of Cattell surcharging los.
to the Lord."

Court Held 8th October, 1672.

At " y^ Court Leete and Court Barron holden for y^ Manour of
Newport Pagnell " the Jury made, among other presentments, the
following : —

" Mr. Richard Worrall ffor surcharging Port Field Common by
sheepe; ffor surcharging the bury field with 5 head of Cattell
contrary to the orders of the last Court ; and for making a hedge
and ditch in bury field.

" Thomas White for keeping 6 hoggs one ringed [i.e., unringed]
contorary to the orders of this Court.

** Y' John Johnson did not repaire y* pound belonging to the
bury field according to the order of the last Cor*®-

" Rich« Worrall Ralph Houton Rich^ . . . Jefery Potter
Will Ffreetone Ed. Lyghting John Warren .... and Will
Coale have notwithstanding an order made in the last Corte kept
upon the greene and portefield of Newport six geese apiece
generally to the great damage of the said comon contrarie to the
former orders made in that case.

"Tho. HoUiday and Will™ Goodye for erecting of several!
houses upon the Comon of the port feilde and we doe order the said
parties to take downe the said houses before y« first day of Dec-
next unless they doe compound w^ the freeholders for a Rent to
continue thire standing.'*

There were also orders to the following effect : —

" That noe person whatsoever having Right of Common within
Bury Field .... shall put or cause to be putt any kind of
Cattell whatsoever in the field aforesaid caled bury field one lesse
he or they hath an Absolute property to such Cattell soe to be putt
in as aforesaid one paine of 20s. for every head of cattell that shall
be putt in to the field aforesaid contorary to this order.

Bury Field and Port Field. i8i

''That noe person or persons whatsoever shall take in or putt in
any out towne Cattell whatsoever into the field called bury field
.... one paine to forfeite to the Lord 20s. for every such
cattell.

'' That noe cattell shall be sufored to go into buryfield but such
that shall be branded with the towne brand upon payne of forfeiting
5s. to the Lord of this mannor and if the field keeper shall neglect
the dowing of it he shall forfeit 5s. for every oifence to the lord.

*' That John Potter present field keeper repaire the pound and
fences and make an Iron Latch to the gate of the buryfield within
40 days upon penalty of paying of tenn shilling to the lord of this
manner and that he keepe them in like repaire upon the like
penaltie for every month.

** That the present field keeper after he hath got the mounds of
the buryfield into good repair if he shall find any hogg trespassing
in the buryfield if he shall impound them he shall have two pence
for each hogg soe impounded.

Copy of Old Hand Bill.

According to the last survey taken of the Manner of Newport
Pagnell by the Kings Commissioners and principal inhabitants of
the said Manner upon their oaths.

It is thus inroUed, viz. : —

Also the Jury aforesaid present that the Inhabitants of the
Town and Manner of Newport aforesaid as well within the
Burrows as without always time out of Mind were used to put
their Cattle into a Field there called Bury Field when they would
yearly after the 3rd day of May there to stay and pasture until
the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle to pay therefore to the Lord
or his Farmer the sums of money undermentioned viz. : — For the
Pasture of a Bullock, Cow, or Heifer i2d., for a Breeder 6d., for a
Mare or Gelding 2od., for a Colt under 3 years old i6d., from the
3rd day of May until the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel and
to pay for the pasture of every one of the said Cattle, from the
Feast of St. Michael until the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle
half the aforementioned Rates.

Also the said Jury present that the Farmer of the Lord of the
said Field called Bury Field hath not used nor ought to take or
put in any other Cattle in the said Field called Bury Field there
to depasture between the 25th day of March and the Feast of
St. Andrew but only those so put in by the Inhabitants of the

182 History of Newport Pagnell.

Town according to the custom of the said Town.

Also the said Jury present that the inhabitants of the said
Manner always time out of Mind used to buy and have of the
Lord's Farmer of the said Manner all the hay yearly growing
cutting and coming oR and in the said Meadow of Newport afore-
said called the Bury Mead and to pay therefore for every Acre 3s.
(the meadow ground there being in the said Meadow belonging to
a. farm called Mounts only excepted) and that the Lord's Farmer
ought not to put or permit any cattle to go in the said Meadow
called Bury Mead after the 25th day of March until the said
Meadow be mowed and all the hay carried off there.

Also the said Jury present that upon them viewing and reading
an ancient Book being a survey of the said Manner taken Anno
Dom 1 55 1 in that Book it was mentioned amongst other things to
be presented upon the oaths of several ancient tenants of the said
Manner that for the want of sufficient Grass in the said Field
called Bury Field that the inhabitants of Newport aforesaid ought
to put their cattle in the pasture there called the Kickle, and that
if all the hay, growing and coming off the Meadow called Bury
Mead should not be sufficient to supply their necessity they were
used to have hay in the Meadow called King's Holme for 2s. 8d.
per acre in the Meadow called the Kickle Mead for 3s. 4d. per
acre.

A true copy taken May 14, 1712.

Presentment at Court of 1810.

At a Court held on 4th Octr. 18 10 the Jurors presented as to
the stocking of Bury field that the custom was that the Lord had
common of pasture there all the year round for twelve cows and a
bull and that all the inhabitants of ancient messuages in the Town
of Newport Pagnell who paid Scot and Lot had from the 3rd of
May O.S. to Michaelmas Day O.S. both days inclusive common of
pasture for two cows or heifers or yearlings or two geldings or
mares or colts being their own property a mare and sucking foal
or cow and sucking calf being esteemed as one head only paying
the sum of 2od. per head for horses i6d. per head for colts I2d.
per head for cows 6d. per head for yearling calves and id. per
each head branding to the person or persons seized of the freehold
and inheritance of the farm called Kickells or his or their assigns
and to continue the same further to St. Thomas Day Old Stile
inclusive on paying half price.

Bury Field and Port Field. 183

The jurors further found that the custom had been abused by
permitting Foreigners to stock in the name of the inhabitants
paying Scot and Lot.

Proposed Enclosure.

In 185 1 there was a suggestion that Bury Field and Meadow
should be enclosed, but a meeting being promptly held to protest
against such steps being taken, and an influential committee being
appointed to safeguard the rights and privileges of the inhabitants^
the proposal dropped.

Present Rights.

In April, 1872, Mr. W. B. Bull prepared a careful statement of
the rights of the several parties in Bury Fields Bury Meadow, and
Midsummer Holme, of which the following is a copy : —

The freehold of the Field and Meadow is vested in Fredk.
Jacques Myers, Esq., of Little Linford, subject to the following
rights : —

BURY field.

The Lady of the Manor of Newport Pagnell is entitled to stock
the field, from the 14th day of May to the 23rd day of December,
with six cows and one bull, and from the 23rd December to the
14th May, with twelve cows and one bull, free of charge.

The occupiers, for the time being, of certain ancient messuages,
in the Parish of Newport Pagnell and Hamlet of Caldecot [named
in a List which was annexed] have a right to stock two head of
cattle, from the 14th day of May until the i ith day of October, on
payment to the owner of the field of the following head money : —
Horses, per head, is. gd ; cows, per head, is. id. ; milking cows^
on the field on Whit-Monday, pay 2d. extra ; and to continue their
cattle in the field, up to the 23rd day of December, upon payment
to the owner of half the above head money.

In April, 1846, at a Meeting of the Commoners, it was agreed
that the Commoners stock with one head of cattle only, and the
double stocking money be paid. This agreement was carried out,
and has continued to the present time.

The owner is entitled to stock sheep, without stint, from the
loth December to the 6th April. All stock upon entering to be
branded with the brand of the field (sheep excepted).

BURY MEADOW.

This meadow is closed for mowing from the 6th April until the
first Monday after 6th July. The owner has a right to the grass

184 History op Newport Pagnell.

of Cuckoo Acre and Hook Acre. The Overseers of the Parish of
Newport Pagnell to Widows' Acre, upon payment to the owner of
the field of 25s., for booking and tithe money. The Ladies of the
Manor of Newport Pagnell to Upper and Lower Chequer Acre
and Goose Half-Acre, upon payment to the owner of 21s. The
Commoners are entitled to a rood or half a rood of grass, as set
out in the annexed list (such Commoners having stocked their
Common) upon payment to the owner after the rate of 6s. lod.
per nominal acre. No claim can be admitted for grass in less
quantities than two roods.

The acreage in Bury Meadow is a nominal acre of about 2
roods 27 poles and not a statute acre.

MIDSUMMER HOLME.

This meadow land adjoins and opens into Bury Field, and is
closed for mowing on the 6th April to 6th July. The grass the
property of the owner of Newport Mills.

N.B. — ^To entitle the Commoners to claim, the parochial rates,
charged on the property in respect of which the claim is made,
must be paid.

Agreement as to a Port Field Keeper.

An Agreement made the fift day of Novemb* Anno Dom 1662
Betwixt the freeholders and tenants which are occupiers of land
in the Portfeild whose names are hereunder written one the one
pte And JeflFery Potter one the other pte.

Imprimis wee doe mutually consent and agree for the said
JeflFery Potter to be ou' feildkeeper or heywarden and for his
better incouridgment in this worke and service to give him such
wages and dues as hereafter are more pticularly expressed (upon
condition only) y* constantly truely faythfuUy and impartially he
observe pforme fulfill and keepe all such dutie worke and service
as by us is commanded and more fully and ptickcular in this
agreement hereafter expressed which one his pte and behalfe is to
be done and performed.

Wee doe mutually consent and agree to give to the said Jcffery
Potter one cock of Barley and one cock of Pease yearely for every
yarde land any one and every one holdeth or occupieth within the
Port feild and soe for a greater or lesser quantitie any one hath or
holdeth and for every accor of Wheat any of us shall sow one
sheafej of wheat all the gra3me aforsaid both of barley pease and
wheat to be paid to the same Jeffery Potter at harvest tyme

I
i

Bury Field and Port Field. 185

before they have carried all from of theire lande in the tylth feild
by them who sowed the same. And y* not with sheaves from a
lande end y* are halfe otes or cocks of Barley or Pease from
outside lande y^ have bin spoyled with birds cattell or other
meanes but such which is good without just cause of exception.

Alsoe we doe mutually consent and agree to give to the said
Jeffery Potter for his winter wages half a peck of malt or come
and twopence in money for every yard land and soe for a greater
or lesser quantitie any one hath or holdeth within the aforesaid
feilde.

Alsoe wee doe mutually consent and agree to give to the said
Jeffery Potter the hay y* shall be growing yearely in West Mead
and Dods Meade hook alsoe all the hay growing upon banlande
balke y^ balke at low Ouse upon a litle peece of ground in blake
land upon a little peece of ground in Swansnest when the said
feildes are several! and allsoe the balke of flaxon furlonge
adioyning to linford feild.

Alsoe wee doe mutually consent and agree to give the said
Jeffery Potter for keeping our beaste yearely upon the greene
from one Lady day till they goe to grasse after the Rate of ffoure
pence for a yarde land and soe pportionable for a greter or lesser
quantitie as any one hath or holdeth within the aforesaid fielde.

Alsoe we doe mutually consent and agree to give him after the
same rate of fifour pence for a yard land and soe for a greter or
lesser quantitie any one hath or holdeth with in the feilde afore-
said for keepeing our beaste yearly from Lamas till Martynmas
or longer if the season serve and the Maior pte of us who are
ocupiers of land in the said feild shall thinke it fitt.

And for all such who are not Commoners for their Common to
pay to him three halfe pence a weeke for every Cow they shall put
before him to keepe from Lamas untill Micklemas and noe longer.
Alsoe wee doe mutually agree y* the said Jeffery Potter shall have
yearely two Cowes kept in the port field as ou' owne and not other-
wise in f urrowes and severall Ground which if he presumed to Doe
then he shall have none goeing or feeding in the said port feild and
upon thisCondition likewise y^ the said two Cows are bis owne and
not to take in of any other mans.

Alsoe wee doe mutually command and enioyne the said Jeffery
Potter at all times to impound any hogs y^ he shall see or find
unringed though before the hogheard or upon the greene or else

i^ History op Newport Pagnell.

wheire in the port feild or common theirunto belonging and for

every hog or pig soe found unringed & Impounded to receive a

penny for his paines. Alsoe we doe mutually command and enioyne

the said Jeifery Potter to Impound every horse mayer Gelding or \

Colt y^ he shall find feeding upon the Commons within port feild

the freeholders and tenants draught horses onely excepted.

Wee doe in like manner command and enioyne the said Jeffery
t'otter at all times to impound any cow steer or heifer feeding upon
the Commons within the port feilde above the number of what his
Common will bare after the rate of fower beaste or bulocks for a
yard land soe aproportibnably for a greater or lesser quantitie as
any one hath or holdeth. And for every horse mayer gelding or
Colt Cow steer or heifer soe feeding & impounded to receive
twelve pence for his paines.

Alsoe wee mutually command and enioyne the said Jeffery
Potter at all times to Impound all such sheepe y^ he shall find
feeding upon the Commons within the port feild above the number
of Thirtie for a yard land and soe proportionablie for a greter or
lesser quantitie as any one hath or holdeth within the feilde afore-
said and to receive for every sheepe soe feeding and Impounded a
penny for his paines.

Alsoe wee doe mutually command and enioyne the said Jeffery
Potter to take speciall notice yt after the tenth day of November
yearely every Lambe is to goe for a sheepe. Alsoe y* he cutt
downe at the least twice in every yeare and carry away to his owne
proper use all the Rushes y^ shalbe growing upon the Commons
within the port feilde at such times as shalbe considered best to
destroy the same. ^

Alsoe wee command and enioyne the said Jeffery Potter not to
suffer any to dig morter gravell or banidge earth but him self e and
to take for every lode of gravell or morter he shall dig two pence
a lode for the use of his Masters and two pence a loade for his
digging of it and two shillings a loade for banidge earth besides
his owne paines in digging it for the freeholders and Commoners
and servants for their own particuler uses and for the repare of
the high wayes onely excepted and that the said Jeffery Potter fill
up the pits which he shall dig. Alsoe to be careful to spoyle noe
more Ground than needs must.

Lastlie wee the freeholders and occupiers of land in the feildes
aforesaid whose names are hereunder written doe promise for each

Bury Field and Port Field. 187

one of ourselves Truely and faythfully to pay the said Jeffery
Potter all such dues as of right by the tenore of this agreement
ought to be paid by every one of us and likei^ise giveing unto him
full power and warrantie with all diligence to prosecute and
perform all and every of the Comands and services before recited
and from each one of ourselves in furthering him and for and
against ourselves in hindering or in the least measure opposing
him. In witness whereof wee have Interchangablie sett to our
hands the day and yeare first within written.

There are about eighteen signatures, but of these only the
following are legible : — Anthony Potter, Richard Perrott, Thomas
Potter, Thomas Marshall, William Kingham, .... Banie^,
and .... Chapman.

i88

CHAPTER IV.

Newport Hundreds.

NEWPORT Hundred comprises the three ancient hundreds of
Newport called Bonestowe or Bonestou, so named, says
Cole, from a vill in Lathbury Parish; Seglowe, Secklow, or
Segelai, so named, also says Cole, from an hillock at the end of
Bradwell Field leading into Linford grounds; and Mulsowe or
Molesho.

Bonestowe Hundred contained, in 1316, Gayhurst and Little
Lynford, Hanslope, Haversham and Yekele, Lathbury and Little
Filgrave, Lavendon, Olney, Ravenstone, Stoke Goldington cum
Ikley, Tyringham and Great Filgrave, and Weston Underwood.

Seglowe Hundred contained Bletchley, Bradwell cum Stanton,
Calverton, Great Linford, Tykeford with the Marsh and Newport
Pagnell (sunt una villa), Newton Longueville, Shenley cum
Loughton, Simpson, Stoke Hammond, Willen cum Caldecote
(una villa), Wolston, Wolverton, and Woughton on the Green.

Molesho Hundred contained Astwood, Bow Brickhill, Great
Brickhill with Little Brickhill, Chicheley and Little Crawley,
Clifton Reynes, Caldecote and Walton, Great Crawley and Hard-
mead, Emberton and Pettesho, Milton Keynes, Moulsoe cum
Broughton, Sherrington, and Wavendon.

In the Hundred Rolls of 3 Edward L (Bucks 4) is an early
reference to the Hundreds of Newport, for the Jurors say " that
Geoffrey le Rus, the Sheriff, after the battle of Evisham, raised
the rent of the three Hundreds of Newport from loos. to 12
marks."

On the 17th May, 36 Elizabeth, the Queen by the advice and
counsel of William Baron of Burghley, Treasurer of England, and
of John Fortescue, Knight and Sub-Treasurer of the Court of the
Exchequer, granted and let to farm to Francis Fortescue, Esquire,
all those the three Hundreds of Newporte that is to say, Bunstowe,

Newport Hundreds. 189

Mulso, and Seglow, with their members and appurtenances, in
the County of Buckingham, also the office of Bailiff and Bailiwick
of the same Hundreds for the term of 21 years at an annual rent
of £25 3s. 3d. (?5).i

In the Additional MSS. (34195 fo. 18) at the British Museum is
a slip of parchment in Latin referring to a half year's rent. The
translation is as under : —

From the Sheriff there for rents ^

and farms of the three hundreds

of Newporte is due for the said j g^ j

Buck XXX ° ) ^^*'" ^""^^ ^^ *^ ^^^* "^^ ^^""^ ^ij ^i viij ob.

Oct 162^^ I ^''""^^^^ ^^^ Archangel in the Twelve pounds

^ J year of King James xxi from Y ^i^^^n shillings

Francis Fortescue Knight as is eight pence

wont halfpenny.

Michaelmas in the year of King ]o]xn Brook.
James xxi. J

By a Patent, 12 Charles I., the Hundreds were granted to Sir
Francis Fortescue and John and William, his sons, for their lives.
No. 6 of the Parliamentary Surveys made in 1651 gives the
following interesting particulars respecting the Hundreds : —

" A Survey of the Rents issues and profits of the three hundreds
of Newport comonly called or known by the names of Bunslowe
Seglowe and Mulsowe w'^ the Rights Members and Appurtenances
thereof lyeing and being in the Countie of Buckingham late
percell of the possession of Charles Stuart late King of England
made and taken by vs whose names are hereunto subscribed in
the month of July 1651 by Vertue of a Comicon Grounded upon an
Act of the Commons of England assembled in Parliament for Sale
of the pmises vnder the hands and Seals of ffive or more of the
Trustees in the said Act named and appointed.^'
A Rent called Certaintye monie due from certain of
the Inhabitants of the Township of Bletchley
payable at Michaelmas and Lady day per annum vj"-
The like Rents due from the Township of Laughton

at the same terms per annum xix'*

The like Rentsjdue from the Township of Wolverton

payable as aforesaid lxvj«« viij<*«

I Pat. 36 Eliz. p. g[ m. 12.

igo

History of Newport Pagnell.

The like from Stoke haroond

Wooketon

•••

II
II
II
II

n
n

II
II
II
II
II
II
II

Willen and Caldecott . . .
Sherrington

Lavendon

Gotehurst

Luthburye

Weston

Filgrave •••

Ravenston

Broughton

Clifton

Hurdimeade

Middleton

Simpton ais. Seneveston
Brayfield

xxxvj««
xx«-

XXV*' viij*-
xxxiij*-
xliij*- ix*-
xxiij*
xlv^
xvj"-

xvj**
ix^

xxiij*- vi*-
xxiiij**
xv«' iiijd*

iiij«-

Xl]»'

xix*- j**-

„ Newton Blossumfeild

The profitts of the Court Leetes together with a
three weekes Court, fiines of the said Courts,
Issues and Amerciaments of Courts, Waifes,
Estreyes, deodands, ifellons Goods, Goods of
ifellons, of themselves, of (fugitives, and of
condemned persons, Hawking, Hunting, fiishing,
(Fowling, and all other profitts, and perquesites
within the (foresaid Hundreds to the Royaltye
thereof aperteyning wee Estimate to be worthe xiij^xiij"* iiij^^

" Memorandums.
'' There is a Court Leete belonging to y* (Foresaid Hundred kept
at the vsuall times.

''And allsoe a Three weekes Court wherein anie Action not
exceeding Thirtie nine shillings and Eleven pence may be tryed
and determined

"W<^ said Courts are vsually called at Bunslowe and from
thence may bee adioumed to anie place w^hin the three Hundreds
at will of the Steward (but are most usually kept at Newport
Pannell).

"The Jurisdiction of the (Foresaid Courts doth extend to aboute
(Fortie Townshipps or Parrishes and the Inhabitants w%in the
same are to performe theyr suite and Service to y* Lord thereof,
at the Courts aforesaid and for non-appearance there (vpon

Newport Hundreds. 191

Summons g^ven out) to be Ammercied and ffined at will of y
Steward, and soe levied by distresses if not otherwise paid by
such defaulters.

"The fforesaid Rents called Certaintye monie (as before cer-
tefied) are to bee Gathered and Collected (halfe-yearely) by y*
Constable, Tythingman, or Headborough of y« sevrall Townshipps
where the same is soe charged and by him to bee repayed to y*
Lord or ffarmer thereof w^hout anie allowance for his charge or
paines therein.

" Where anie waifes Estreyes, ffellons Goods, or other Casual-
ties happen to ifall they are to bee taken into y^ Custodye of the
fforesaid Constable Tythingman or Headborough of each Town-
shipp and by them to bee presented at the next Court held for the
said Hundred.

" Memoran<I: the foresaid Courts hare been held and kept, the
Rents called Certainety moneys receaved w^ all and singular the
other profitts Casualties and Royalties belonging to the fforesaid
three Hundreds of Newport by S'* John ffortescue K»*» But by
what Graunt hee doth soe hould and Enioy the same wee know not
having often required him to bring and produce the same to vs.
And by reason of his neglect therein wee have valued the same in
the possession of the Hon^^*- the Trustees.

"An Abstracte

The some totall of the said Rents and Royalties "j
belonging to y^ said three Hundreds as aforesaid V xxxvi]>^ xv]<i
cometh vnto per ann. ... ... ... J

Hugh Webb

This Survey was perfected the ) ffr. Conigrave.

19th day of July 1651. ) Will. Mar.

By an Indenture dated 19th November, 1656, and made between
Thomas Coke, William Boswile, and others. Trustees nominated
in an Act of Parliament for selling the fee farm rents belonging to
the Commonwealth and formerly payable to the Crown, of the one
part, and Samuel Richardson, of Islington, Middlesex, gentleman,
of the other part, for an amount therein specified, amongst other
premises the three hundreds of Newport known by the names of
Bunslow, Seglowe, and Mulshoe, and the certeyntie monies
referred to above were granted to Richardson and his heirs. ^

On the Restoration the grant was doubtless set aside, for on the

I Pee farm rents, Bundle R 3, lo.

192 History of Newport Pagnell.

i6th day of February, 15 Charles II., the King by Letters Patent
demised to Thomas Catesby, Esquire, the three hundreds of
Newport for 21 years from the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel,
14 Charles II., at the annual rent of £2^ 13s. 3d.

On the 30th of September, 17 Charles II., the King by Letters
Patent, ^ in part satisfaction of the Jointure and Dower of his
Queen, Catherine, assigned to Trustees (with other premises) the
Hundreds of Newport (subject to Catesby's grant) in trust for the
Queen for life with remainder to him and his heirs.

On 8th March, 1682, * "the most High and Excellent Princesse"
Catherine, Queen of England, and her Trustees, by Indenture of
that date, leased the three hundreds of Newport, viz., Dunstowe,
Moulsoe, and Seglowe, and the appurtenances thereto belonging
(including amerciaments at Easter coming to ;£i2 4s. 3^d. and
at St. Martin to ;£i2 iSs. ii|d.) to the Right Honourable Robert
Earle of Ailesbury from the 29th September, 1683, for a term of 30
years at the annual rent of £25 13s. 3d., to be paid into the hands
of her Majesty's " bayliflf or Receiver generall of the premises for
the time being to and for the use of the most Excellent Princesse
Queen Catherine during her life and after her decease to the bayliff
or Receiver generall of the King's most Excellent Majestie, his
heires, and successors."

Lipscomb, in his History, states that the following was enclosed
in a letter from J. Wishaw to Rev. Benjamin Pomfret, of Newport
Pagnell, 23rd September, 1736.

"The account of Charles Dymoke the younger. Gentleman

Steward and Bailiif, to the Right Honourable Countess Dowager

of Aylesbury for the Hundreds of Newport, in the said County, for

three years, viz., from the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel,

1683, until the Feast of St. Michael, 1686.

£ s. d.
The yearly rent reserved upon the lease of the said

Hundreds, made from the Queen Dowager, as appears

by the said lease, is ... ... ... 25 13 3

But there is an abatement by order of her Majesty's

Counsel, as appears by the said Order, of the yearly

sum of ... ... ... ... 19 II

Then the yearly rent payable to her Majesty was 24 13 4

I Pat. Rot, 17 Charles II., p. 9, m. i. 2 Old MS. copy of Lease.

3 Willis says that there was a grant in 24 Charles II. (31 July, p. 9) of small quit
rents out of towns in Newport Hundreds, not named, of 19s. iid

Newport Hundreds. 193

£ B. d.

The rent yearly received of the several towns within
the said Hundreds, and paid by the Constables for the
time being, as appears by the particulars hereunto
annexed, is ... ... ... ... 21 15 10

Which said sum of )£2i 15s. lod. deducted out of the aforesaid
yearly rent of ;£24 13s. 4d. there remains then £2 17s. 6d. which
was yearly reserved to her Majesty in respect of the casual profits,
viz., Deodands and Goods of Felons, &c., happening within the
said Hundreds.

The said yearly rent of ;£2i 15s. lod. received of
the several Constables, as aforesaid, for 3 years, is ... 65 7 6

Received of the Town of Milton for the last year
only, above the usual rent of 15s. 4d. per annum, the
sum of ... ... ..• ••• 3 ^

Received of Sir Robert Throckmorton, of Weston,
for a deodand upon the death of John Gilloway ... 13 10 o

Received in all ... 7Q i 2

Paid to the Receiver for three years' rent ... 74 o o

And for the acquittances ... ... ... 6 o

And for alienation money upon the death of the
late Earl of Aylesbury

Paid in all

Remained due then
Unpaid by the Town of Ravenstone for all the
three years at i6s. per annum

Remains due then

From this account it is apparent that the benefit of the Lease
had on the death of the Earl passed as early as 1686 to the
Countess Dowager of Aylesbury.

Lipscomb further states that the fee farm rents issuing out of the
villages in the Hundreds were assured to Thomas Duke of Leeds
by bargain and sale dated 6th December, 17 10, and that on loth
July, 10 George II., the three Hundreds, with the rents thereof
were granted to him for 31 years, at the yearly rent of 40s., the
Court having in the interim been discontinued for some years.

The Petty Sessions for the three Hundreds were held at
Newport Pagnell.

4
2

II
8

194 History of Newport Pagnell.

The three Hundreds during the present century have been the
property of the Wrights, Wyndhams and their heirs, Lord Car-
rington (about 1859), and Mr. Carlile, the present owner, who
purchased the Hundreds, with the Gayhurst Estate, &c., in 1881.

In the conditions of sale of 1881 the Manor is simply referred to
as *' the Manor of the Three Hunderds ot Newport , . . with
the privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging," and it is
stipulated that the Vendors shall not '' be bound to point out the
boundaries of the Manors or to furnish any evidence of the
existence or of any rights or immunities of the Manors.'^

As a matter of fact it is believed that all rights have now lapsed.

195

CHAPTER V.

The Lace Trade. *

As early as 1611, as mentioned elsewhere, the Bishop, on his
Visitation, found it requisite to deal with the cases of
Newport men who " continuallie travelled to sell bone lace on y«
Sabaoth day,*' and the Rev. Thomas Cox, writing of Newport
Pagnell as early as 1700, says, "This Town is a sort of Staple for
Bonelace, of which more is thought to be made here than in any
Town of England."

Hassell, too, in his " Tour of the Grand Junction Canal," pub-
lished in 1819, says: — "The labouring classes are chiefly sup-
ported by lace making. There is scarcely a door of a cottage to
be seen during summer but what is occupied by some industrious
pale-faced lass. It has been said that more lace is manufactured
in this town and its neighbourhood than in all the rest of England."

The fact that extensive lace making was for long carried on,
however, is well known.

The lace made during the nineteenth century all came under the
denomination of pillow lace, and was variously called Point
Ground, Thread Lace, and Maltese Lace.

The prices realised for it varied according to the width, quality,
and demand, and ranged on an average from about 3d. to 7s. 6d.
per yard. It is, however, difiicult to estimate the usual earnings
of individual workers, as most of them were more or less engaged
in other occupations, and information given on the head by workers
was usually given without reference to this fact, and so not
reliable. The value of the lace made, however, in the Lace
District was large, and probably ranged from ;£ioo,ooo to ;Ci2o,ooo
annually.

The trade was for many years variable, and subject to continued

I This Chapter has been written and kindly supplied by Mr. William Ayers, for
many years a well-known lace merchant residing at Newport Pagnell.

196 History of Newport Pagnell.

depressions from causes which more or less affected all trades, and
which did not operate permanently, and also to declines from
causes which produced more or less fatal results.

The first marked period of decline may be ascribed to the
introduction of machine-made lace, which became a factor in the
trade as early as about 1835. The second period of decline may
be traced to the effects of " Free Trade," which resulted in foreign
countries sending their products here duty free, and at the same
raising their own duties to such an extent as to exclude English
products from their markets.

A change in the nature of the lace occurred at various periods.
For a time what was called " Norman Lace," made of worsted in
various colours, had a great run of prosperity. The demand was
very large, but confined almost entirely to the United States, to
which an enormous quantity made in the neighbourhood was
shipped. The trade, however, dropped very suddenly and never
recovered.

In the meantime the old Point Ground Lace still continued in
request with more or less fluctuation till about 1851 (the year of
the first Great Exhibition). At this time a marked change occurred
in the nature of the article. From a very close fine make appeared
a fabric the very opposite in design, work, and material, and which,
to the uninitiated eye, appeared at first far from elegant, but it
soon emerged, as if by magic, into a " Thing of beauty." It was
called " Maltese lace " from its having been first produced in Malta.

After its first introduction into this country it was greatly
improved both in design and quality, and it had, too, the advantage
of being beyond the reach of machine imitation. Owing to these
intrinsic merits, as well as to the thorough change in its nature, an
enormous trade was done in it. This was, too, for a time, still
further enhanced by a novel variation in style called " Plait
Lace," the market for which, however, was almost entirely confined
to America.

The two varieties of the Maltese lace combined to bring about,
for many years, an unprecedented revival of the lace trade, and
before the demand for the plaited description ceased, a large trade
sprang up in Collars, Coiffeurs, Handkerchief borders. Veils, Sec.,
in Black Silk Maltese, and Point Ground Laces.

The last change in the nature of the article took placeabout 1875
when " Yac Lace " made its appearance. It was so called from

The Lace Trade. 197

the material being made from a species of goat's hair. This
became a very large and important branch of the trade, especially
when, in addition to white and black, the lace was produced in
colours to match every shade of dress. In a short time, however,
the various colours ceased to be fashionable, black alone excepted.

Though the Yac lace was virtually free from machine compe-
tition, it nevertheless languished and eventually expired, partly
from the effect of foreign importations which deluged the markets
with so-called cheap, but really inferior, goods, which even included
imitations of our own patterns.

The Yac trade being virtually destroyed, the Maltese proper soon
shared the same fate, not only from foreign competition but from
the fact that machine lace had been so improved in design and
manufacture, and that there was such a great difference in price.

It became evident that the final extinction of the trade was at
hand, and the remaining few years of its existence were only
remarkable for the steady and uniform decline not only in the
demand for but in the quality of the lace made.

The trade proper practically became extinct about 1884, but of
late years an Association, termed the ** North Bucks Lace Asso-
ciation," and of which Mrs. Carlile is the president, has been
formed for the purpose of again promoting, if possible, an interest
and trade in local hand-made lace.

198

CHAPTER VI.

An Old Bailiff's Account.^

NEWPORT Paynell. The Compotus of Edmund Holte^ bailiff
there for the year ended at the feast of Michael in the 19th
year of King Edward IV.

Rents of Assize.
The same renders account of cxiiij** iiij*« ob. received for rents
of assize in Newport Paynell as well of the free as divers
customary tenants there payable at the feast of the Annunciation
of the Blessed Mary and St. Michael equally per annum as appears
by the rentals with the remaining account And of xiiij^** v*- viij^-
ob. of rents and farms in Tikeford there paying at the feast of the
Annunciation of the Blessed Mary and St. Michael equally per
annum for the said rental And of xv^^- vij«- v^ of rents and farms
in the Mershe there at the same terms per annum for the said
rents And of xj**- xij«- of rents and farms in Little Lynford there
at the same terms per annum for the said rent And of xlij** ob.
of rents recovered on the Compotus of the three preceding years as
by examination of the said rental by the Auditor in the said
Compotus there at the same terms per annum.

Total xlix^ xviij^- ob.

The farm of the tolls of the borough
And of Ix"* of farm of the tolls of the borough there this year as
appears and is witnessed by the Court Rolls this year Total Ix**

The farm of divers lands
And of jo)^ of rent of divers lands there called Buryfeld this year
the half of divers tenants as appears from the said Rental on this
account exhibited and examined And of ix^- vj«» viij** of rent of
divers lands there in Little Lynford half this year of divers tenants
as appears by the said rental. Total xxix^ vj*- viij^

1 Ministers Accounts, Bundle 637, 10346.

2 The dismissal of Holte in i Edward V. is referred to on p. 46 ante.

An Old Bailiff's Account. 199

The farm of the mill
And of ix^' rent of the mill and of the fishery there this year as
demised to Robert Milleward. Total ix"*

Perquisites of the Court
And of xxvj»* ij^- received from perquisites of one view of frank
pledge and xxx courts there held this year within the Borough as
appears by the Rolls of the same And of vj*« j<*- ob. of perquisites
of one view of frank pledge held at Tikeford mershe and Calcote
besides iiij"* of certainty money at Calcote previously imposed.
And of iij»- v^* of perquisites from one view of frank pledge held at
Chicheley Crawley parva Astewode and Eyckeney this year
besides vij"- of certainty money at Chicheley ix«- viij^** at Crawley
parva x»- at Astewode and v"* besides at Ekeney previously
charged beyond the fixed rental And of viij»- v^- of perquisites
of one view of frank pledge held at Emberton besides xiij«« iiij*-
the Sheriffs fine And of xvj^- of perquisites of one view of frank
pledge held at Lynford parva this year And of ij"* viij*- of
perquisites of one view of frankpledge held at Northemersheton
this year besides xx"- j*- of certainty money And of xxj»- v** of
perquisites of xvij courts there held in the market place of
Newport Paynell this year. Total Ixix^* vp- ob.

Total tolls received iiij xiij"* xvij"* ix**

Rents resolute
The same accounts in rents resolute to Eleanor Lady de Stafford
of a certain rent issuing to her this year as in the preceding year
vj^ xiij»- iiij<*- And in a rent resolute to Ralph Hostynges of a
certain rent to him issuing this year as in the preceding year ij"*
Total vj^ xv"« iiijd'

Rents owing
And by default rent of a tenement lately in the tenure of John
Shire wood which used to render viij»« per annum but lately was
reduced to the said John by vij"- and so there is a default of xij*-
And by default of rent of a virgate of land and two acres of a close
lately in the tenure of John Tarry previously charged at xviij"*
from whence issued nothing this year and so there is a default of
xviij"- And by default of rent of a tenement in Little Linford
lately in the tenure of Thomas Hoggeson previously charged at
xij^- from whence issued nothing this year and so there is a default
of xij<^' And by default of a tenement and a certain acre of land
lately in the tenure of John GafEerey who used to render xvij** per

joo History of Newport Pagnbll.

annum whence nothing has issued this year as appears in the
Court Rolls this yesx and so there is a default of xvij** Total
xxxvi]^-

Fees and wages
And in fees of Robert Pemberton Steward of the Court there on
account of his office for the year rj**- vj«« viijd- And in fees of
Edmund Holt bailiff there at iij^- per day to him by the Lord the
King granted for the term of his life by letters patent of the said Lord
the King as in the said letters patent more fully appears iiij^ xj*-
And in fees of the said Edmund of the .swine of the park of
Tikeford at iij^* per day to him by the Lord the King granted for
the term of his life by letters patent of the said Lord the King as
in the said letters more fully appears iiij*^ xj"* And in fees to the
keeper ot the ducks there yearly vj** vii]<^- And in fees to the
bailiff of the market there xiij«« iiij^ yearly. Total xvj*** viij** viij<*-

Steward's expenses
And in expenses of the Steward of the Court at the aforesaid
Courts held this year with expenses of the Tenants and others
there being xlviij^* v^ Total xlviij** v**

Cost of the park enclosure
And payments of John Hobbes and William Eger labourers for
enclosing fifty perches of new hedge round the park there
receiving v^ for each perch xx»« x*^ And paid to the said John
and William for the pleshing of nine score perches of hedge round
the said park on the eastern part of the said park receiving i^- per
perch XV*- And of one parcel of hay bought for the sustenance of the
deer in the winter viz vi waggon loads with the carriage of the
same xx** Total Iv"- x**

Repairs of the mills
And in divers repairs this year done to the mill there as well in
wood work and masonry as in various operations in the work upon
the groundwork of the said mill also in buying burnt lime likewise
with the purchase of timber with the carriage of the same and in
the purchase of planks and nails and likewise in buying a pair of
millstones and also in divers other necessaries to the same bought
as by the particulars in the bills upon this compotus appears and
is filed among the memoranda of this year xvj^^ iiij**

Total xv]^ iiij«-

Tax paid
And in tax paid to John Luterhyngton Tax Receiver of the

An Old Bailiff's Account. 201

lordship there of the charge on the said Compotus for the part
issuing from his office of this year x"* xiij«- iiij^

Total X*** xii]** iiij^
Total stated and paid Ivij"* ij"* vij^* and owing xxxvj"* xv*- ij^
of which allowances on the said account are v"- for his expenses
coming to Warwick to deliver his Compotus there And to the
same 1** vj^ on account of his balance due to himself on his
Compotus of his office for the year last past as appears on the foot
of the said Compotus And he owed xxxiij^*- xix"- viij^ which he
paid and the receipt was completed without a bill on the Compotus
before the Auditor. And thus he is freed.

[

202

CHAPTER VII.

The Newport Press.

a Newport bookseller, one Mathias Cowley, is referred to as
early as 1656 as selling Bunyan's first book, but Benjamin
Leverett, who flourished in the latter half of the eighteenth
century, is the first known printer.

Leverett's name occurs at the foot of some old race and
theatrical bills and also of the prospectus of Christopher Towle,
a school and dance master, who attended at Newport once a week
and who is referred to in a letter written by Cowper to Liady
Hesketh on 3rd June, 1788. The race bills referred to are dated
1 78 1 and 1782, and the earlier bears the following imprint: —
" Newport Pagnell, printed by B. Leverett, where every Article in
the printing Business, is reasonably performed." The other
imprint refers to the " Old Printing Office, Newport."

A little volume entitled ** Hymns selected from various Authors,
chiefly intended for Family Devotion," also bears the imprint
** Newport Pagnell, printed by B. Leverett." It is not dated.
A bill with reference to a theatrical performance in the George
Yard, on i6th July, 1781, and another as to a performance in the
Saracen's Head Yard, in 1819, were also printed by him.

A small volume of '' Poems translated from the French of
Madame de la Mothe Guion, by the late William Cowper, Esq.,"
bears the imprint " Newport Pagnel, printed and sold by J.
Wakefield . . i8oi." At the end of the book, too, are the
words, " Printed by J. Wakefield, High Street, Newport Pagnel."

He also issued in 1800 a sermon by Samuel Greatheed occasioned
by Cowper's decease, which although the imprint runs '* Printed
and sold by J. Wakefield," had, says Mr. Gough in his
" Bibliotheca Buckinghamiensis," at the extreme bottom of the
title page so that it would be cut off in binding, the words
" Printed by M. Vint, Ave-Maria Lane, London."

The Newport Press. 203

A volume of " Discourses on the Malevolent Sentiments/' by
John Hey, D.D., 1801, also bears Wakefield's imprint.

"An Historical and Topographical Account of the Town of
Wobum, its Abbey and Vicinity," bears the imprint of "S.
Manning printer, Newport, 1818" A report printed by him, too,
bears the date 1823, while a post octavo volume of " Poems on
Various Subjects and on Several Occasions by the late Mr.
William Lamb Robe: edited by his son The Rev. Francis W.
Robe, A.M. of Lincoln College Oxford," were "printed for the
Editor by S. Manning," in 1824. He, however, in December,
1825, " having for a period of nine years been honored with the
patronage of the Gentry, Clergy, and Inhabitants of Newport
Pagnell and its neighbourhood," disposed of " his concern " to Mr.
William Rose, of Leighton. The imprint of "William Rose,
High Street, Newport Pagnell," occurs in 1837.

Cooper Tite appears as the printer and publisher of "The
History of Newport Pagnell," by Joseph Staines, in 1842, but he
died prior to 1853, as the business was then carried on by his
executors in High Street.

The next name which occurs is probably that of Edward
Henry Croydon, who commenced the publication of " Croydon's
Weekly Standard Newspaper," on ist January, 1859. The advent
of this paper was thus quaintly announced, "The New Year is
coming and so is Croydon's * Weekly Standard' Newspaper,
that as soon as the first diffuses its light the second will diifuse
its knowledge ; when the first beams with brightness the second
will teem with intelligence ; that as one enlightens the way the
other will enlighten the mind. E. H. Croydon, proprietor.
Offices, St. John Street, Newport Pagnell."

This paper, the title of which some years since was changed to
" The Bucks Standard," is still carried on, its present proprietor
being Mr. James Line.

Then there is John Milboume, who, on 4th March, 1865,
published the first number of "The Newport Pagnell Chronicle,"
a paper which did not survive the year of its birth.

In 1867, however, another local paper " The Newport Pagnell
Gazette," which was founded and for many years conducted by
Joseph Simpson, took its place. Mr. Alfred Simpson, his son,
is the present proprietor and publisher.

204

CHAPTER VIII.

The Elementary Schools.

The Old National School.

ON 1 8th July, 1748, the feoffees of the Town Lands purchased
for £go certain premises by the River Lovatt which were
assured to them by the description of all that messuage or
tenement then divided into six several tenements upon trust, so it
is said in the Report of 1833, to be made use of either as an
infirmary or place of lodging for the poor sick inhabitants of the
parish of Newport Pagnell in the time of the smallpox or other
contagious distemper, but it does not appear that the buildings
were so used.

Eventually the cottages, having become very ruinous, were
pulled down in 18 16, when a National School, with the consent of
the feoffees, was built by subscription upon their site, the same
being let for a nominal rent of ^^5, which was never paid nor
demanded.

At a Vestry Meeting held in February, 1859, the surviving
Trustees of the premises were authorised to convey them under
4 and 5 Victoria to the Vicar and Churchwardens, for the purposes
of the Act.

A draft of the proposed conveyances was approved at a meeting
of subscribers held in August of the same year, and a Committee
was appointed to obtain estimates for altering the building to
make a portion of it available for girls, and for putting an iron
palisading round the wall adjoining the river.

The Elementary Schools. 205

On the opening of the Board Schools, as already mentioned on
page 25, the buildings ceased to be used as an elementary school.

Abbey End or Priory Street School.

In the summer of 1866 it was found impossible to properly
educate children under six years of age at the Old National
School, and subscriptions were thereupon collected for the erection
of an Infants' School to accommodate at least seventy children,
in Abbey End, on part of a small close which Rev. Arthur L. C.
Heigham, by permission of the Bishop, gave as a site.

This school has been enlarged, and now accommodates a
hundred children. It is still in use, but, so far as the day school
is concerned, is under the control of the School Board.

Marsh End School.

In 1869 another Infants' School was opened in Marsh End, and
in 1880 transferred to the Primitive Methodist Chapel, which was
disused, and had been purchased for the purpose.

The building is not now used as a day school.

British Schools.

As mentioned elsewhere, the first British School in High Street
was erected in 181 1 on the site of the present Town Hall.

On loth April, 1845, the premises were assured upon trust
partly for the education of boys according to the system of the
British and Foreign School Society, and partly for such purposes
as the majority of the Committee of Subscribers should direct, and
at the same time it was much added to and improved, a large room
for meetings on the first storey being the principal addition. The
enlarged building was opened on i6th September, 1845, by Mr.
Dun, the Secretary to the British and Foreign School Society.
• The cost of the additions was about ;£45o, and there were then
about 130 boys on the list.^

In 1837 a school in Union Street, used for girls and infants,
was arranged for and the premises assured, on 8th December,

I Osborn MSS.

2o6 History op Newport Pagnell.

1837, upon trust for the education of the labouring classes residing
in Newport Pagnell and its neighbourhood, upon the principles of
the above-named School Society.

The use of both buildings for schools was discontinued on the
opening of the Board Schools, and on 6th April, 1898, a scheme
was approved by the Charity Commissioners whereby the charities
were thenceforth to be known as the ** British School Educational
Charity/' the premises were vested in the oflScial trustee, and it
was directed that the charity should be managed by three repre-
sentative and three co-optative trustees. The scheme went on to
provide that on the expiration of the terms of office of certain
named trustees future representative trustees should be appointed
by the School Board and the co-optative trustees by the other
trustees subject to the Commissioners* approval, and that the
premises if not sold should be let, the income being applied in the
maintenance of exhibitions of a yearly value of £14, tenable at a
Training College in connection with the British and Foreign
School Society, to be awarded to pupil teachers resident in
Newport Pagnell who had completed their engagement in public
elementary schools in the parish, or in exhibitions of a like amount
to deserving resident children.

The old British School premises have as a result of this scheme
been leased to the Newport Pagnell Town Hall Company Limited,
for ninety-nine years from 24th June, 1899, at an annual rent of
j£io, and having been much altered and added to, are now known
as the Town Hall, and were first used as such in October, 1899,
while the Union Street premises have been leased for a like term
from 25th March, 1899, at an annual rent of £4, and have been
converted into a house by the lessees.

Christie's School House

is referred to elsewhere.

2&J

CHAPTER IX.

Tokens and Medals.

Tradesmen's Tokens.

THERE were some fifteen tokens issued by Newport tradesmen
during the latter half of the seventeenth century, and the
following is the list of the same : —

O. + WILLIAM breden— Pair of Scales.

R. + OF NEWPORT PAGNELL + B + WE +

O. + iOHN feURGIS. 1668— Pair of Scales.

R. + IN • NEWPORT • PAGNELL • B • IS •

O. lOSiAS CHAPMAN—Pair of Scales.

R. + IN NEWPORT . PAGNELL I : C

O. + IOHN . CHILD . OF + —Pair of Scales.

R. + NEWPORT . PAGNELL + C + I + R

O. John Child, his. halfe. penny.

R. IN . NEWPORT • 1667 A roll of tobacco and two pipes.

A leaden token.

O. EDWARD . COOPER . OF— Pair of Scales C. E. F.

R. NEWPORT . PAGNELL HIS HALFE PENNY.

O. + EDWARD . COOPER . OF — The Grocers Arms.

R. + NEWPORT . PANNELL . EC 1667

A variety reads Newport Paynell.
O. + IOHN • DAVIS • OF— Drapers Arms.

R. NEWPORT . PAGNELL + D + II

O. + ROB : HOOTON • of • H • R E
R. NEWPORT PANNELL • H • R E

z6S History of Newport Pagnell.

O. + SAMUBLL • LAMBERT • —Pair of Scales.

R. + IN • NEWPORT PAGNELL^HIS HALFE PENNY . . .

O. -f lOHN • NORMAN • iN^Pair of Scales.

R. + NEWPORT • PAGNELL + I.N +

O. + iOHN . NORMAN— The Grocers Arms.

R. + IN . NEWPORT . N . I E

O. + THOMAS . PERROTT— A heart.

R. • IN : NEWPORT PANNELL + P + T E

O. + lAM : SMITH • SOPE BOYLR + —Man and horse.

R. + IN • ST. IOHN • STREET + . S . I M
O. + NEWPORT . PANNELL . S . W . F .

R. + BVCKINGHAMSHIRE . —Pair of scales.

Boyne^ does not give either Child's leaden token or the Paynell
variety of Cooper's, nor does he mention the token of Robert
Hooton nor the second named one of Norman. They are all,
however, mentioned in a list published by Mr. O. Ratcliif, of
Olney, and one of Hooton's tokens is in the possession of the
writer.

All the tokens except the three bearing the words halfpenny are
farthing ones.

Medals.

Medals have been used and distributed at various times, but it
is believed that none have ever been specially struck for Newport
use.

I Tokens of the Seventeenth Century. Wm. Boyne. 1858.

209

CHAPTER X.

Two Old Wills.

THE following Wills are given, as being illustrative, not only
of the old time style of will making, but also of the custom
of making provision for due burial and of the dues and rights in
connection therewith. They contain, moreover, several interesting
bequests to local objects.

William Fletcher's Will.

In the name of God Amen the thirteenth day of the month of
December in the year of Our Lord 1496 I William Fletcher of
Newport Paynell in the County of Buckingham chaplain of the
chantry there being sound in mind ordain my will in this manner
In the first place I bequeath my soul to Almighty God to the
Blessed Virgin Mary and all the Saints my body to be buried in
the church or cemetery of the church aforesaid Item I bequeath
in the name of my principal that which the law requires Item I
give to the mother church of Lincoln iiij^- Item I give to the high
altar of Newport aforesaid a corporale with a common chest and a
linen cover for the same altar Item to the altar of the Blessed
Virgin Mary at which I have been used to celebrate a corporale
and a cover Item I give to the sustentation of the choir there a
pair of organs a book containing antiphons and an ordinal Item
I give to the fabric of the church of Newport aforesaid vj •• viij-^*
Item I give to the Fraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary there
xiij*- iiij*« to be paid by Robert Bowyer his heirs or executors on
the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in two
succeeding years by equal portions Item to the two bridges of the
same town namely North brigge and Tykford brigge vj»- viij*-
Item I wish and it is my last wish that Joan Eurle shall have and
enjoy to her and her heirs and assigns for ever my tenement
situate in Newport aforesaid in the street between the high cross
and the forge formerly of Richard Eurle for a certain sum of

210 History of Newport Pagnell.

money paid me beforehand for four pounds of l^;al money of
England to be paid to me my executors or assigns The residue
of my goods not above bequeathed I g^ve and bequeath to Richard
Cropthome John Geffs and John Eurle whom I ordain make and
constitute my executors so that they may dispose of ail the
aforesaid goods for the greater safety of my soul as they will
answer on the Great Judgment Day before the tribunal of the
Great Judge. Witnesses Thomas Vrmeston, Vicar there, Robert
Bowyer and Thomas Erie with others.

Joan Kyrnell's Will.

In the name of God Amen. The secunde day of the monathe of
January in the yere of our lorde MV^- and sixe I Johane Kymell
of Newporte Pannell in the dioc of Lincoln within the countie of
Bucks Widowe make my testament in this wise ffirste I bequethe
my soule to allmighty God and to his blessed moder our lady
Saynt Mary and to all the holy company of heaven And my body
to be buried in the churche of the blessed apostells Peter and
Paule in Newport Pannell nigh my husband Also I bequeth for
my principal! that right will requyre Also I bequeth to the
Convent of the house of Tyckford my secund kowe Also I give
and bequethe all my land that I have oute of Newport Panell to
Margaret Yppeswell my daughter And also I give and bequethe
to my iij doughters Elisabeth Betrice and Margaret all the lands
that 1 have in Newport Panell after the forme of my husband's
testament Also I give and bequethe to yche of my iij doughters
aforenamed iij pair of flaxen shetes Also I will my best pece
and my best girdiil and a dozen of siluer spones and all my beestes
to haue a preest for to sing for the soule of John Kyrnell and me
and all cristen soules in the Church of Newport Panell as ferr as
the money will stretche Also I bequeth unto the vicar of Newport
Panell iij*- iiij*"- Item to S^ Edward xx^- It to S' Henry xx^«
It to Margaret Yppeswell my doughter my gold ryng w' the fyve
woundes And to Betrice my doughter my wedding ryng And to
Margaret my doughter ij gold rynges and a brode maser And to
my doughter Beatrice the maser w* the bere And thet maser that
is called a Notte And to Jone Yppeswell my litell maser And to
doughter Elizabeth my long girdell And also I will my best
kyrtell be sold and the money of the same to be given to poore
people for the helthe of my soule and Alice Jeffis soule and all

Two Old Wills. 211

Glisten soules Also I will that Henry Yppeswell shall give to
my doughters Elizabeth and Betrice within the space of ij yeres
after my decesse to yche of theym v markes And I bequeth unto
the moder church of Lincoln viij^- It. I bequeth to all soulen light
half a quarter of barley Item I bequeth to the ij brigges of Newport
Panell a quarter of barly And my best couerlett unto the
sepulcre Also I bequeth all my brasse unto the children of my ij
doughters aforenamed It. I bequeth unto my doughter Beetrice
a fetherbed And to iche of my godchildren a pewtre disshe The
residue of all my goodes I give and bequeth to Henry Ippeswell
the whiche Henry I ordeyne sett and make myn executo' thet he
may dispose my goodes for the mooste helth of my soule as he
shalbe best advised thereyn Thees beyng witness Sir John Blott
vicar of Newport Panell S'f Edward Champ preeste and Thomas
Coste with others.
The Will was proved at Lambeth on 3rd December, 1506.

212

Part VII.

ENDOWMENTS AND CHARITIES.

CHAPTER I.

The Hospital of SS. John the Baptist and Evangelist,

Now Known as Queen Ann's.

The first references to be found relating to this foundation
which may be relied on are probably those contained in the
Inquisition taken in 1245, in which, amongst the names of the
burgesses who held of Roger de Somery, occur the following : —

*'The Master of the Hospital of Saint John of Newport Paynel
with his tenants holds a burgage of the said Lord rendering 2s.
per annum and doing to that extent suit at the Portmote and
likewise view of frankpledge on the Wednesday after the week
of Pentecost.

"The Lord of the Hospital of Saint John the Baptist in
Newport holds with his tenants of the said Lord by the like
services "

A little earlier there is a reference in Madox's Formulare
Anglicanum (p. 424) to the will of one William de Paveli, who
bequeathed to St. James of Northampton 5s., to St. Leonard of
Northampton 2s., to the New Hospital of Newport I2d.,and to St
Margaret of the same place I2d.

The reference to the New Hospital is intelligible on the assump-

Queen Ann's Hospital. 213

tion that it was just founded, but that of St. Margaret cannot be
followed.

Speed, too, has it that John de Peynton was the founder of a
Hospital at Newport Pagnell dedicated to St. Leonard, but this is
contradicted by Tanner, who says the Hospital referred to by
Speed is that of Newport, Essex.

Tanner, moreover, says there was a house of lepers in the town,
which had Edward I.*s licence ^ to ask alms, but this statement is
explained by the finding of a Commission held on the 7th October
5 James I., which commences thus : —

" Imprimis We do present that there is in Newport Pagnell nere
the bridge ther called Tyckford bridge a scite or place whereupon
the house or hospitall called the hospitall of St. John Baptist was
scituate founded in or before King Henry the thirde and that in
the said hospitall from the time of the foundacion until the thirde
yeare of the reign of King Edward the first did consist a body
corporate incorporated knowne by the name or names of the
Master brothers and sisters of the Hospital of St. John Baptist in
Newport Pagnel which brothers and sisters were poore people
abydinge in the said hospitall and that there were divers lands
tenements libertyes benefitts and hereditaments belonging to the
said hospital wherewith and by the revenues whereof the said
Master and poore people were kept mayntayned and relieved from
tyme to tyme And that after the foundacions of the said hospitall
divers grauntes were made of landes libertyes and other benyfites
to and for the mayntenance of the said hospitall all which graunts
were made to the maister brothers and sisters of the same hospitall
joyntly and not otherwise.

" And wee doe fynde and present that in the thirde yeare of the
reign of Kinge Edward the first the said Kinge Edward graunted
his letters of protexion 2 to the maister brothers and sisters of the
same hospitall calling it a house of Leporous people with this
clause inserted in the sayd protexion in these wordes following
viz. : — * We entreat moreover that if the aforesaid lepers or their
messengers shall come to you begging that you of your charity
will as the Lord hath given goods unto you be willing to contribute
from them for their sustenance wherefor you shall receive signal
recompence from God and our thanks.' "

I Pat. Roils 3 Edward i, m. 22. 2 For five years apparently.

214 History op Newport Pagnbll.

In the Patent Rolls of 8 Edward i (m. 9. d.) is another reference
to the Hospital in the shape of an appointment of Robert Fulconis
and Geoffrey de Leuknore to take the assise of novel disseisin
arraigned by the master of the Hospital of Saint John of Newport
Paynel against Roger de Somery and Martin le Clerk touching
common of pasture in Newport Paynel.

In the Dodsworth MSS. at the Bodleian Library (c. ii., f. 135)
is a copy of a deed dated 1316, which purports to be the ''Deede
of foundacion/' but there is nothing to show where the original is.
It is, however, interesting, and runs thus : —

" Be it universally known that I John de Somery Lord of New-
porte Paynel have given .... to God and the Blessed Virgin
Mary and Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist and to
Brother Richard de Wylus prior of the Hospital of Saints John the
Baptist and John the Evangelist of Newporte aforesaid and to his
co-brothers serving God therein under the Order of St. Augustine
and to their successors for the health of my soul and the souls of
Lucia my wife and of my ancestors All that Hospital which is
situate at the head of the South bridge of the same town with the
houses gardens and all other appurtenances belonging within the
metes and bounds of the said Hospital To have and to hold to the
same Richard and the brethren and their successors in frankal-
moign in peace and absolutely freed for ever from all burdens and
secular services. So nevertheless that when the aforesaid prior of
the aforesaid Hospitall shall in the way of all flesh pass away at
the appointed time that those who are brethren of the place shall
choose a prior as ruler to be forthwith presented to me or my heirs
as patron." The deed was dated at Mere on the i6th Kal. June,
in the ninth year of the reign of King Edward the son of King
Edward.

In the Patent Rolls of 3 Edward III. there is protection granted,
with clause "nolumus** for one year, to "The Master brethren
and sisters of the Hospital of St. John the Baptist and St. John the
Evangelist of Newport Paynel."

In 1332, too, protection was granted for one year in England,
Ireland, and Wales for the Master of the Hospital of St. John the
Baptist and St. John the Evangelist in the town of Newport
Paynel by the bridge and his attorneys collecting alms in the
churches once'in the year by virtue of an Indulgence from the Popc.^

I Cal. Pat. Rolls, 6 Edward III., pt. 2, tn. 9.

Queen Ann's Hospital. 215

" John de P . . . . ^ of Caldecot nighe Newport Pagnell by
his deede bearing date on the Frydaye in the Eve of the Nativity
of our Lord in the yeare of the reign of Kinge Edward the third
after the Conquest the fower and twentyeth did give and graunt
to Sir William Draper chappelyne maister of the Hospital of St.
John Baptist of Newport and his successors the comon for sixe
greate beastes and fower score sheep in the feeldes meadowes and
common of Caldecot together with free chase and .... to
the aforesaid Sir William and his successors freely and peaceably
for ever as by the same deede under scale at large appeareth.** 2

Robert Larkyn, of London, Draper, by his Will, dated 20th
September, 1444, and proved on 20th November following, after
requesting to be ''beryed in cristen beryelles in the churche or in
the churchyarde of saint Peter of Newport Paynell if so be that he
decesed there," bequeaths '*to the Maister of the hospitall of
Saint Johnes of the same towne vj"- viij •"

About the end of the reign of Henry VIII. occurs the following
interesting entry in the Chantry Certificates : —

" Newporte Pannell. Thospitalle or free Chappell of S. John
the baptiste & St. John the Euangeliste in Newporte aforesaid.

" To what intente this hospitalle was fownded itt is not as yett
knowne because the fowndacyone y^of remaneth w^ S'- Thomas
Thornam M^- there w^^^ is not Residente.

" The said Hospitalle is Scituate w4n the said towne of New-
porte whiche is a m^kett towne & thoroughfaire."

" The said hospitall is of therly value of vj^ x** whereof.
In Rente resolute to the bayliff of Newporte ij^ & 7 .

to the chefe lorde of Calcote iiij*^- in thole ... )
And so Remayneth for y^ priests Salarye w* xix** ^ -u •
ofc for an obite yearlye to be kepte ... j

"The Juells of the said hospitall y* is to saye a chalice pcell
guilte weinge xijo"* at iij.s iiij^** the once xl«- a vestm* of Sattan
iiijs. Remayninge w' Thomas Baker and Robrte Annesley.

All the lands & Tents belongeinge to this hospitall be letten to
ferme to Thomas Baker Gent, yeldinge & payeinge by the yeare
as appereth by an Indenture vjii. vjs. viijt

1 Name illegible. If Peynton, it is interesting to note Speed's statement already

referred to.

2 Chancery Petty Bag. Chancery Decrees, pt. i, No. lo, 43 Elizabeth.

2i6 History of Newport Pagnell.

Another Chantry Certificate, about 2 Edward VI. (Bucks Cert.
5 No. 29) contains the following: —

" Memoranif that the Churchwardens of Newporte aforesaid hath
presented that w^in the said towne there is an hospitall beinge
vacant the house downe and the Chappell sore indecaie and in
hospitalitie kept there for the relyff of the poo' people by the space
of this xvj. yeres. And there belongeth vnto the said hospitall one
littel Bell of xxx*'- weight one Chalice one Masse Boke one corporas
a coople of crewetts and a vestment with certain lands and tenents
to the yerelie vallewe by estifn vj*^ the certentie wherof thei are not
able to declare. But they saie that one Thomas Baker of Myiton
doth lett and sett the said Lands to the Vse of M^. Thomham
clerke &c."

In the second year of her reign Elizabeth granted to George
Howard, Knight, Master of her Armoury, the late Chapel of St.
John within the parish of Newporte Pagnell, with all the lands
thereto belonging, lying within Newport parish then lately assigned
and limited to the stipend of the priest finding and maintaining
celebrations within the Chapel on the day of St. John the Baptist,
then or lately in the tenure or occupation of John Saunderson,
Clerk, Rector of Middleton Keynes, otherwise Milton Keynes,
Bucks. ^

Thomas Pakington, Esq., and others, Her Majesty's Commis-
sioners, certified in 21 Elizabeth 2 "that the Hospital of SS. John
the Baptist and John the Evangelist in Newporte Paynell and all
the lands, &c., are worth in all issues beyond reprises vj*- viij<*- per
annum clear."

In 30 Elizabeth, in pursuance of a warrant to Henry Nowell for
concealed lands, dated the 12th June, in the 20th year of her reig^,
the Queen granted to Edward Wymarke, of London, Gentleman, his
heirs and assigns, the free chapel of St. John the Baptist and St. John
the Evangelist in Newport pannel and all lands to the same
belonging, a rental of 2od. per annum being reserved. '

On the 22nd March 31 Elizabeth there is, however, another
grant of the free Chapel of St. John the Baptist and John the
Evangelist in Newport Pannell, and all lands, tenements, and
hereditaments to the same belonging, to Walter Copinger and

1 Pat. Rolls, 2 Elizabeth, pt. 4, m. 11.

2 Exchequer Spect. Com. Bucks, No. 439 B, 21 Elizabeth.

3 Pat. 30 Elizabeth, pt. 7, m. i.

QuBBN Ann's Hospital. 217

Thofnas Butler, of U>ndon, Gentlemen, the rent reserved in respect
of the premises and of some Chantry lands included in the grant
being 6s. 8d. per annum. ^

On '* the one and thirtyeth daye of Julye in the one and fortyeth
yeare of the reigne of our Sovereign Ladye Elizabeth " an Inqui-
sition > was taken at Buckingham with reference to the Hospital
and certain other Newport Charities.

The presentation thus commences : —

"Imprimis we present that thair is an Hospitall called the
Hospitall of St. John Baptist in Newport Pagnell in the sayd co.
founded in or before the reigne of King Henry the thirde & that
ther is and always from the foundation thereof hath bene a maister
of the same hospitall presented thereunto by the Lords of the
Mannor of Newport Pagnell aforesayd and that ther have been
brothers sisters and poore people remayninge in the said hospitall
and so ought ther to be mayntayned. And that ther have been
likewyse certen poore people not long synce inhabitinge in certen
tenements belonging to the said hospitall and have payd noe rent
for the same. Item wee present that the old auncyente rentes of
the lands belonging to the said hospitall were in valewe by the
yeare seven poundes eighteen shillings and two pence and one load
of strawe."

The Commissioners then set out the various Hospital properties,
which are practically identical with those mentioned in James I.'s
Charter, hereafter referred to.

The enumeration of the properties thus concludes : —

'' Item that ther was a Chappell parcell of the said hospitall and
that the great tymber thereof and the greatest parte of the f restones
and walles of the same chappell to the valewe of 40s. hath been lately
wasted pulled down and carryed awaye by Thomas Annesley gent."

The Commissioners further presented that " Thomas Phillipps
gent, took the profytts of the lands belonging to the said hospital
of John Baptist m Newport aforesaid of late by the space of
twenty yeares or thereabouts and kept not hospitalitye thereupon
and that after the decease of the said Mr. Phillipps Thomas
Phillipps gent, his son procured one Thomas Potter clerk to be
presented and instituted maister of the said hospitall whereupon
the said Thomas Potter did demyse to the said Thomas Phillips

I 31 Elizabeth, p. 7, m. 31. See ante as to Chantry.

a Chanoery Petty Bag, Chancery Decrees, pt. i. No. 10, 43 Eliiabetb.

2i8 History of Newport Pagnell.

all the landes and revenues of the said hospital except the scite
thereof for the terme of thre lives reserving to himself a yearlye
rent of £6 13s. 4d. after which demyse the said Thomas Phillipps
made leases to most of the tenants thereof for thre l3rves doubling
or nighe doubling of every tenants rente which had any such lease
and afterwards the said Thomas Phillipps assigned his said lease
to Thomas Annesley gent, for the sum of £2^ and that the said
Thos. Annesley after the said assignment to him made did take a
newe lease of all the said landes and revenues of the said hospital!
(the scite excepted) of the said Thomas Potter for terme of 21
yeares paying the rent of £6 13s. 4d."

And it was further presented '' that ther are now neither brothers
sisters nor poore people remayninge uppon and kept by or within
the said hospitall or the revenues of the same. And further that by
meanes of the said leases letten of the said hospitall landes by the
said Thomas Potter maister of the said hospitall the same Thomas is
not able of or by the rent reserved upon the said lease to kepe any
brothers systers and poore people uppon the said hospital accord-
inglie as hath bene used presently after the foundacion thereof
whereby the intent of the founder is altogether defrauded and left
unperformed."

Judgment on the above findings was g^ven by the Commissioners
on 28th August 41 Elizabeth, and it was therein ordered that
Thomas Potter and his successors, so long as existing leases should
run, should yearly pay to the Overseers of the Poor £2 6s. 8d.,
such sum during the first seven years to be bestowed in reedifyinge
and reparinge the ruines and destructions of the hospital. And
likewise that Thomas Annesley, his executors and assigns, so long
as he or they had any interest in the hospital lands under any
leases, should yearly pay to the Overseers £2^ such sum for seven
years to be expended in repairs, and thenceforth, with the said
sum of 46s. 8d., to be bestowed towards the relief of the poor
people of Newport. Also it was ordered that the Master should
thenceforth harbor within the said hospital such " nomber of poore
aged and impotent persons" as theretofore had been harbored
there, and, after the determination of the existing leases, should
yearly pay the Overseers £^ 6s. 8d.

Notwithstanding the Inquisition and Order, however, matters
continued in a very unsatisfactory condition, and the Charity
Commissioners in their Report of 1833 say that on the accession

Queen Ann's Hospital. 219

of James I. the state of the endowment was laid before him in a
Petition addressed to the Crown, and signed by Dr. Atkins and
other Newport inhabitants.

^As a result, a further Inquisition was held at Newport, on 7th
October 5 James I., and from the facts then adduced matters seem
to have gone from bad to worse for the lands and hereditaments
belonging to the Hospital were then and of '' long tyme had been
abused for that duringe the tyme of the memory of man ther had
bene neylher brothers nor systers kept nor ma)mtayned in the
said hospital nor by the revenues thereof." The Masters were in
the habit of converting the rents wholly, or for the greatest part,
to their own use, and the properties were getting into a lamentable
condition.

The matter doubtless attracted some attention in Royal circles,
partly possibly because of Dr. Atkins' standing as a Royal
physician, and it came to the ears of the Queen's chaplain, among
others, for in the State Papers is the following petition : —
" To the Queenes most excellent Ma***-

" The humble peticon of John Siring yo* Ma'^ faithfull servant
& Chaplaine

'' Most humble besseeching yo'' most excellent Ma**« in regard
of his long & faithfull service w<^ heretofore he hath done for
manyyeares past & v/^ during his life he intendeth to doe to
yo' Ma^ to be pleased to bestow vpon him during his lyie the
keeping & mastership of the old & ruinous Hospitall & Chappell
in the Towne of Newport Pagnell in the Countie of Buck™ w*** the
profitts and comodities therevnto belonging and the guiding of
such poore people as now are or hereafter shalbe placed in the
same hospitall. The same being now void & in yo' Ma^ free
guift & disposicon as pcell of the Mannor of Newport Pagnell
being pte of the possessions of yo' Ma^ Joincture.

" And yo' Ma^ humble servant shall according to his bounden
duty daily pray for yd' H™ long life & prosperous estate."

The finding of the Inquisition and of a judgment given in the
Court of Chancery^ whereby a sequestration of the Hospital lands
was granted the townsmen, until the King might be moved for the
renewing of the foundation or making a new foundation, induced
James and his Queen to grant a charter for the purpose of
re-establishing the Charity in a somewhat different form and

I Addenda, James I., Vol. 40, No. 17. 2 Dodsworth MS. cil., 141.

220 History op Newport Pagnell.

under the patronage of the Queen.

As a consequence by a Charter or letters patent of King James
I. and his consort, Queen Ann, dated 29th June, 13 Jac. I.,^ reciting
that a chapel attached to the hospital wherein divine worship was
wont to be celebrated was then almost in decay, and no poor were
then dwelling in the hospital, nor for many years had dwelt or
received any maintenance from thence as appeared from certain
orders and decrees in Chancery by Thomas Lord Ellesmere,
Chancellor of England, and by the Court of Chancery established
and published, the said King and Ann his Queen, favouring the
relief of all with that charity they owed, and also desiring to
restore the lands, liberties, and possessions of the said Hospital to
the due and ancient state of charity, upon the humble petition of
Henry Atkins, doctor of physic, and of other the inhabitants of
the village of Newport Pagnell, granted that thereafter for ever,
within the village of Newport Pagnell, near Tickford Bridge, in a
certain place and close there near the site of the said hospital,
then in decay, there should be of new, one hospital, of one master,
four governors and six poor, of which poor, three should be men
and three women; which said Hospital should be called the
Hospital of Queen Ann, in the village of Newport Pagnell and it
is further granted that the master governors and poor of the said
Hospital should be called the master, governors and poor of
Queen Ann's Hospital in Newport Pagnell, and by that name
should be known for ever, and that by the same name they should
be one corporate body and politic, in deed, fact, and name
incorporate, and by the same name have perpetual succession ;
and that they should have a common seal to do and perfect their
affairs, and by the same name should have power to take, and get,
give and grant lands, tenements, liberties, franchises, heredita-
ments, goods and chattels for ever, and that by the same name
they should have power to sue and implead and be impleaded in
all their courts, and to do and act and fulfil all other things what-
soever that belonged or should belong to the office of a body
politic and incorporate ; and it is further granted and ordained
that Thomas Webb, clerk, then vicar of the parish church of
Newport Pagnell, should be the first master of the Hospital
aforesaid, and should be so during the term of his life, if he should

I The extracts here given are somewhat abridged from the copy of the Charter
given in the 1833 Report of the Charity Commissioners.

SHI

IBBu^hA ^^^^^flH

^^SRbI^Ms'H

^^wHll^lf-^

HP^^HfJjjf 1

^BFV 4

Wmv^9Ka m

^H^a& ^

E^SBP 1

H# J

^^JpSt'ifiya ^v J

|HhI

H^H

■^

HMIh

-*;.soi(^

1 i ^ •

: ,A, LEN'OX. A^.

Queen Anil's Hospital. 221

so long continue vicar of the said church and moreover that the
aforesaid Thomas Webb, and his successors vicars of the said
cliurch, should for ever be the masters of the Hospital aforesaid
successively from the time wherein they should respectively be
instituted in the aforesaid church, and so long as they should
remain vicars and incumbents of the said church respectively and
the office of master of the said Hospital is thereby and by the
authority aforesaid united to the vicar aforesaid and the aforesaid
Queen Ann being patron of the said vicarage, and every other
patron for the time being is thereby ordained patron of the said
Hospital, reserving to the said queen the advowson of the vicarage
of Newport Pagnell and the mastership of the Hospital during her
life and after her decease to the said king his heirs and successors ;
and the said Henry Atkins and three others therein named are
thereby appointed and ordained the iirst governors of the Hospital
during their lives respectively, and the iirst poor are also
appointed and it is thereby provided that as often as any one or
more of the said four governors, or six poor aforesaid should
happen to die or be removed from their place for any lawful or
reasonable cause, it should be lawful to and for the master and
governors or the greater part of them, to nominate one other
governor or poor in the place of him so deceased, or for any lawful
and reasonable cause removed, there to remain during life if in
the meantime not removed as aforesaid ; and furthermore it is
decreed that every of the governors of the Hospital aforesaid
thereafter from time to time for ever should be chosen by the
master and other the governors of the said Hospital then surviving,
or the greater number cf them, the said election to be of the
honestest men then inhabiting within the village or parish of
Newport Pagnell, and not elsewhere ; and that all the poor in the
said Hospital thereafter, and from time to time for ever should be
chosen of the poor then dwelling in the said village or parish at
the time of his election, and by the space of seven years together
next before the said election, and not of any other persons ; and
that every poor person should be chosen by the master and
governors, or the greater number of them, and at the time of his
election should be of the age of 50 years and upwards; and
moreover, that any of the governors and poor aforesaid by the
master and governors aforesaid, or the greater number of them,
for any lawful and reasonable cause, from his place and office

222 History of Newport Pagnell.

might be suspended, removed or finally expelled according to the
quality of their offences and the sound discretions of the said
master and governors or the greater number of them, for ever, and
if after the death, cession or removing of any governors or the
poor of the said hospital the master and governors within six
months next after the death, cession or removing of such governors
or poor, should not nominate and substitute another in the place
of the person so dead or removed that then and so often the Bishop
of Lincoln for the time being should and might place one other of
the inhabitants aforesaid, to remain there during life if in the
meantime for some just and reasonable cause, by the greater
number of them, he be not removed ; and further, the said king
and queen for the considerations aforesaid, out of their mere
motion &c. granted for themselves, their heirs and successors, to
the aforesaid master, governors and poor of the Hospital of Queen
Ann, in Newport Pagnell and to their successors, the site of the
house sometimes heretofore called the Hospital of St. John
Baptist, near Tickford Bridge ; and all that chapel lately belong-
ing to the said Hospital, and then in decay ; and all that loft once
adjacent to the said chapel ; and also all that little house, then
lately built under the wall of the said old chapel ; and all that
house residue of the site of the said Hospital ; and also all that
messuage lying on the north part of Tickford Bridge upon the
east of the said bridge, extending to the churchyard ; and also all
that piece of ground, called the Holme, situate in Newport Pagnell,
between the river and the site of the Hospital aforesaid ; and all
those two messuages next adjacent to the north part of the site of
the said Hospital and with the said Hospital sometime used ; and
also all that tenement lying at the upper end of St. John's Street
in Newport Pagnell ; and also all that messuage situate in the
Marsh end of Newport Pagnell, adjoining to a certain street called
Mables Lane ; and all that messuage situate on the north part of
Newport Pagnell, at the north end of the bridge ; and all that
messuage with a yard and close thereunto adjoining in the tenure
of James Annesly, extending from the street near the cross, lying
on the west part of the borough of Newport Pagnell, toward a
certain little close called Backhouse Close ; also all that yearly
rent of twenty-pence, issuing and payable of and for a certain gate
or one gatehouse near Tickford Bridge in the tenure of Agnes
Hull, widow ; and also all that close in the Marsh end of Newport

Queen Ann's Hospital. 223

Pagnell, abutting upon the street against the comer house ; and
one acre of meadow lying in a certain meadow, called Dodd's
Meadow, in Newport Pagnell ; and all that yard land in the Port
Field, in Newport Pagnell, in the tenure of Thomas Potter; also
all that close situate in Tickford aforesaid within the parish of
Newport Pagnell in the tenure of Thomas Cletherowe joining to
a certain close in the tenure of Richard Rush, called Townsend
Close, on the south and the land of Robert Annesly, gent., on the
north ; and all those lands, meadow and leys dispersedly lying
within the fields and meadows of Tickford, Chichley and
Sherington, in the said county of Bucks ; and also all those lands
and hereditaments situate in the fields of Caldecott, in the said
parish of Newport, in the tenure of Thomas White and William
White ; also all that acre of land lying upon a certain furlong
called Mead Furlong in the field of Caldecott aforesaid ; also all
that common of pasture within the fields and meadows of
Caldecott for six great beasts and four score sheep to be fed and
depastured; also all that piece of land situate in Tyrringham
upon which a house, then in decay, sometime stood, with the land
belonging thereunto in Tyrringham aforesaid, and Filgrave in the
county aforesaid, out of which the rent of twenty shillings and
eight pence had of old been reserved and paid, in the tenure of
Anthony Tyrringham knight ; and all that leys situate within the
fields of Tickford on a certain furlong called the Ham, containing
by estimation one acre ; and all and singular messuages, chapels,
buildings, lands, liberties, franchises, and hereditaments what-
soever, which then lately or some time were parcel of the
possessions of the said hospital, commonly called the Hospital of
St. John Baptist in Newport Pagnell, or by what other name the
aforesaid lately or sometime hospital had been called. And it is
further ordained that the said Thomas Lord Ellesmere should be
the first supervisor and visitor of the hospital, and after his
decease that the Bishop of Lincoln and his successors for ever
for the time being, should be the supervisors and visitors of the
said Hospital ; and to the said Lord Ellesmere authority is given
to make and establish laws, statutes and ordinances for the
government as well of the master, governors and poor of the said
Hospital, as also of the lands, possessions and goods thereof ; and
after the decease of the said Lord Ellesmere the same authority,
if it should seem necessary, is given to the master and governors

224 History of Newport Pagnbll.

of the hospital aforesaid for the time being, together with the
assent and consent of the attorney-general or of the heirs and
successors for the time being of the said king which laws and
ordinances so as aforesaid to be made should be inviolably
observed, provided that the same should not be contrary to the
laws, statutes, ordinances and customs of the realm ; and it is
commanded that if any master, governor, or poor of the said
Hospital should presume to go against the said laws and should
not have care to due obedience to them after admonition given by
the visitor every such offender should be held for a contemptuous
person and be severely punished for the same by fine, and if he
or they should not amend their offences by that correction, then
that he or they should be by the said master, governors or poor,
or in their default by the overseer and visitor of the said Hospital,
utterly removed; and moreover, the said king and queen for
themselves and their heirs and successors granted to the aforesaid
master, governors and poor of the said Hospital, and their
successors, all manner of liberties and hereditaments whatsoever,
which the said master, governors and poor then had and enjoyed
or which they or any their predecessors, by whatsoever name or
incorporation had or enjoyed, or ought to have had and enjoyed
by reason of any charters or letters patent by any ci their
progenitors or antecessors, kings or queens of England, or of any
other charters or by any other lawful manner, right, title, custom
&c. To hold all and singular the premises to the aforesaid master,
governors and poor of the Hospital of Queen Ann in Newport
Pagnell, and their successors for ever, to be held of the said king,
his heirs and successors, as of his manor of East Greenwich, in
the county of Kent, in common and free socage by fealty only ;
and moreover, it is thereby ordained that all the rents and
revenues of all the lands, tenements, hereditaments and posses-
sions theretofore and thereafter given to the perpetual sustenation
and maintenance of the said Hospital, or to be given and assigned
to that use, be accordingly disposed and expended for the
maintenance of the master and poor of the said Hospital for the
time being, and to and for the sustenation, mamtenance and
reparation of the houses, lands and possessions of the aforesaid
Hospital, according to the statutes, laws and ordinances aforesaid,
so as aforesaid to be made in writing, and not otherwise, nor to
any other uses, and the said king and queen for themselves, their

Queen Ann's Hospital. 225

heirs and successors, further granted that the aforesaid master,
governors and poor of the Hospital aforesaid and their successors
for ever might have . and enjoy all and singular the premises,
albeit of the estate of them the said queen or king, in the premises
or that of the names of the tenants or farmers of the premises, or
any parcel thereof or of the title of the said king and queen had to
the premises, there be no mention notwithstanding, and the statute
of mortmain notwithstanding.

At the time when the above charter was granted, a question was
pending between the Hospital and the parties of the name of
White, mentioned in the charter, as to the above mentioned right
of common at Caldecot and an acre of land lying in Mead Furlong
which the Hospital claimed.

This dispute was finally settled by a decree of the Court of
Chancery, dated 27th November, 15 Car. II., which enjoined that
Thomas White and his heirs should pay yearly to the Hospital
40s. in lieu of its claims in reference to lands belonging to the
manor of Caldecott, as had been before directed by a decree of
Commissioners of Charitable Uses, dated 30th October, 5 Jac. I.,
1607.

It appears that no statutes or regulations for the government of
the Charity were made until the year 1740. At that time an
hospital had been built, containing two rooms above and two below,
for the reception of six poor persons, who each received 2s. a week
and 2s. yearly for firing, and a coat or gown every alternate year.
At this period disputes had arisen between the Master and
Governors respecting the occupation by the former of an upper
room in the hospital as a library or study, also as to the share of
the revenues of the hospital to which he was entitled under the
charter, and to his right as Master to have a casting vote in the
direction of the affairs of the charity in case of an equality of
voices, in addition to his original vote. For the purpose of putting
an end to all these controversies it was finally resolved that the
subjoined rules and regulations should be made, which rules form
the basis on which the present application of the charity rents is
founded. They recite some of the foregoing facts, and that the
Vicar of Newport Pagnell had been accustomed to receive ;£2o a
year for his salary or stipend as Master of the hospital, and that
the surplus revenue of the hospital estates, after paying the above
allowances to the poor and Master's stipend, had annually been

336 History of Newport Pagnell.

applied towards relieving the poor of the hospital on extraordinary
occasions, as sickness, &c., and to the maintenance of the Master,
according to the discretion of the Governors.

At the time when the statutes were passed the Master occupied
a house which had been erected about the year 1700 on the hospital
property for his residence.

The following are the rules and regulations : —

1st. — ^That the hospital house, then out of repair, should be put
into and constantly kept in decent repair, and be applied to no other
use or uses whatsoever but only for the habitation and more decent
reception of the poor of the said hospital, and that the hospital
rooms should be quitted by the Master and wholly applied for the
use of the poor.

2ndly. — ^The house of the Master and Vicar should be repaired
by the Master and Governors out of the revenues, so as that no more
should be expended thereon in one year than the yearly rent due
from the Master and Vicar for the house and garden to the hos-
pital, which was then £2 12s. per annum.

3rdly. — ^That from thenceforth all the surplus money to arise
from the rents and profits of the said hospital estate, after the
necessary outgoings were deducted and a yearly sum of ;£20 per
annum paid to the said Master, and the said pensions of 2s. a week
to each of the said six poor, besides their coats and gowns and 2s.
each per annum for firing, should be divided in equal proportions
annuaUy between the said Master and poor, that is, one moiety
thereof to the Master, the other to the poor, and that the proportion
of surplus money which should be appointed to the use of the said
poor should be received by the collecting Governor and laid up in
the common chest, not to be issued thereout but by the order of the
Governors for the assistance of the poor in time of sickness and
other their occasions in necessity.

4thly. — ^That neither the Master nor any of the Governors of the
said hospital should at any time thereafter hold, occupy, possess,
and enjoy any other of the lands, tenements, or possessions
belonging to the said hospital, without an order in writing first
had and obtained under the hands of the said Master and
Governors, or the major part of them, and without paying and
allowing the best full improved yearly rent and rents for whatever
he or they should so rent, hold, and enjoy, save that it was agreed
that Mr. Banks (the then Master) should have St. John's Piece at

Queen Ann's Hospital. 227

£2 4^* P^r annum during his incumbency in consideration of his
expense for the improvement of it.

5thly. — ^That all the houses and buildings on the said hospital
estate should be insured in some good fire office, to prevent any
inconvenience or damage that might happen to the same or any
part thereof by fire.

6thly. — That the said Master and Governors should meet half-
yearly at some convenient public-house in Newport Pagnell to
receive the rents, view the repairs, and transact the business of
the said hospital, and that at every such half-yearly meeting a
decent thrifty dinner, at as small expense as might be, not
exceeding £1 5s., should be had and provided for the necessary
refreshment of the said Master, Governors and poor, and the
tenants of the said hospital estate who then paid their rents,
as had theretofore been accustomed.

ythly. — That when any one of the poor of the said hospital
should die the said Master and Governors should meet as soon as
conveniently might be to elect another person in the room of him
or her so dying, in which election, or any other election or order
to be made by the said Master or Governors, or the major part of
them, it is thereby declared, ordered, and appointed, that the said
Master had not, or of right ought to have or pretend to have, any
greater or other vote than the said Governors and every one of
them respectively.

8thly and lastly. — In order that the above orders might be duly
observed and kept, that the same should be fairly entered in the
book of accounts kept of the said hospital, and likewise should be
fairly wrote and hung up in a frame in one of the rooms of the said
hospital house, to the intent the same might be known, understood,
and duly observed by all parties concerned therein.

The above orders are dated i6th October, 1740, and are signed
by the Master and two Governors, and approved by the then
Bishop of Lincoln as visitor, who signed his name thereto in
testimony of such approval.

The Attorney-General did not sign the rules, but it appears that
his opinion was taken on them previous to their signature, and he
referred the matter to the Bishop of Lincoln as visitor.

In 1825 the Hospital was re-built and divided Into three tene-
ments above and three below, each comprising a sitting-room and
sleeping-room. The three below were appropriated to the men

228 History of Newport Pagnell.

and the three above to the women.

In 1891 the Hospital, built in 1825, as already recorded, was
pulled down and the present building erected on its site, from
designs bj Mr. Ernest Taylor.

A dedication service of the new building was held on Friday
morning, 6th May, 1892, the Bishop of Reading delivering an
address.

An old beam with the quaint inscription, *'AL YOV GOOD

CHRISTIANS THAT HERE DOOE PAS BY GIVE SOOMETHIN6
TO THES POORE PEOPLE THAT IN ST lOHNS HOSPITAL

DOETH LY ANo. 1615," has been re-inserted in the new
building. It would seem to be the inscription placed on the
Hospital built immediately after James I.'s charter.

The Common Seal of the Governors has the following inscrip-
tion :—" SIGILLVM . HOSPITALIS • ANNE • REGNE • IN •
NVPORT," and bears the figure of a man holding with his
right hand what is apparently a club, which rests upon his left
shoulder.

The repK)rt of 1833 contains a full list of the properties of the
Charity at that time and the following summary of the same, with
added notes, shows how they have been dealt with and what the
Hospital pK)ssessions now consist of.

I. — Cottage adjoining the Hospital. This was pulled down in
1891 on the erection of the new building.

2. — Part of the public-house called the " Admiral Hood," near
Tickford Bridge, with a cottage annexed. Sold in 1879 to Mr.
David Emerson for £2g5, the proceeds now consisting of ;C272
8s. 9d. Consolidated £2 per cent. Annuities.

3. — A messuage adjoining the Master's house. This is identical
with the house known as No. 30, St. John-street, in the occupation
of Mrs. Henson.

4. — A house in St. John-street, let for ^£20, and the only part of
the property of the charity subject to land-tax, which in 1833 was 9s.,
and allowed out of the rent. The house is now known as No. 3, St.
John-street, and is let to Mr. John West, butcher. There are
on it two inscriptions, practically the same, which run as follows :
— " This howse belongeth to Queen Ann's Hospitall and was
rebvilt By Madam Tasker a citizen in St. Giles Cripplegate London
Anno Dom. 1690."

5. — Four messuages. Their position is not stated in the Report

PL. Ll'J LlBKArVi

Queen Ann's Hospital. 229

but presumably they are the premises now consisting of two
houses next the churchyard.

6. — Two cottages and ground, containing two acres, in Marsh or
Green end. This is the Caldecote Street property, consisting of
two houses and garden occupied by Mr. Edward Thickpenny.

7. — Eight cottages in Tickford end. These were poor and old,
and have been pulled down. The house in Tickford-street, occu-
pied by Reuben Wise, is on their site.

8. — An allotment in Pitwell field of ga. 2r. 27p., called Foxgate
Close. Another allotment of 2r. I2p., made on Tickford Field
Inclosure on an exchange with James Pike, laid into it. Another
allotment of 25a. or. 7p., on a furlong called Ashway Hill and
Clotty land, divided into two closes. The first and third allot-
ments were made to the Master and Governors in 1794-5 on the
enclosure of Portfield. The two first allotments are the allotments
called Foxgate Piece on the Wolverton-road, while the third was
sold in 1882 to Mr. A. J. Knapp for ;{[250o, the purchase-money
being invested in Consols.

9. — Three closes in Tickford end, containing 5a. or. 7p. This is
the land on the London-road opposite Messrs. Salmons, and now
in their occupation, and was awarded on the Tickford Field
Inclosure.

10. — An allotment of r3a. 2r. 5p. in Mill field, awarded on the
Tickford Field Inclosure, 1806-7. This is the allotment land on
the east side of the London-road, now in the occupation of P. E.
Butler, Esq., and his under-tenants.

1 1. — A close in Tickford end, and containing two acres. This is
now used as a garden by Thomas Moore, and is on the London road.

12. — Thirty-one perches of pasture land at Sherrington. Now
let to George Fleet.

13. — Yearly rent of 4s. for a gateway near Tickford bridge.
Now paid by David Emmerson in respect of his premises.

14. — Close of pasture behind Hospital, containing half an acre.
This is let to Mr. W. J. Powell, M.R.C.V.S., with house and garden.

15. — Rent-charge of £2 per annum issuing out of the Manor of
Caldecot, which in 1833 belonged to John Andrew Lyon, Esq.
This is now paid by the Trustees of Henry John Hartley, Esq., in
respect of lands held by them. This sum is paid under a decree of
the Court of Chancery of 27th November 15 Charles II., which
enjoined that Thomas White and his heirs should yearly pay that

230 History of Newport Pagnell.

amount to the hospital in satisfaction of their claim to certain
rights of common at Caldecot, and an acre of land in Mead's
Furlong.

i6. — A piece of garden ground adjoining Tickford Bridge,
measuring westward from the bridge wall 42 feet at each end. It
was purchased in 1831 for £25 out of the poor's surplus moiety of
rents. It is now let to Mr. West.

17. — A sum of £4!So Three per cent. Consols. These were pur-
chased with the proceeds of the sale of a house called "The
Tailor's Arms," on the North bridge, which was pulled down in
1809 on the re-building of the bridge.

18. — The tithes, both great and small; arising out of certain of
the Hospital lands were awarded to the Master and Governors on
the Tickford Field Inclosure in exchange for some lands which
would otherwise have been allotted to the Hospital, which were
awarded to James Pike, the former owner of the tithes. On the
Hospital premises affected by the tithes being re-let a larger rent
was arranged for in order that they might be held tithe-free, so
that the tithes are really paid in the form of rent.

19. — A house (erected in 1697) and garden adjoining the Hos-
pital. These premises were for many years occupied by the
Vicars of Newport, as Masters, but since the purchase of the High
Street Vicarage have been occupied by private tenants. The
present occupant is Mr. W. J. Powell.

As a result of the above-mentioned sales and from other sources
the Hospital has now, in addition to the above real estate, a sum in
all of £3450 9s. 2d. Consols.

The total general income from the Charity is abdut £305 7s.
Repairs and expenses are paid out of this ; ;^20 salary for the
Master ; 2s. weekly to each inmate of the hospital ; the cost of a
coat each for the men and a gown each for the women every second
year ; and 15s. for a dinner between them. The balance is divided
into two parts, one of which is paid the Master and the other
carried to the credit of an account called ''the Poor's surplus
moiety."

To the last named account is also paid the rent of the small
garden let to Mr. West and purchased out of the poor's surplus
as already mentioned and the dividends arising from a sum of
j£i85 India Three per Cents which represent the balance from the
1892 Hospital Building Account. The moneys are applied in

Queen Ann's Hospital. 231

paying the Hospital inmates 5s. each more each week, providing
them with certain quantities of coal, paying for medical attendance,
and defraying the water rates.

^ Masters of the Hospital.^

Adam Russel is the first that is mentioned in the Register

of Lincoln.

Gilbert de Luda was instituted Id. July 1291 by Dom. Roger

de Sumery Knight on resignation of Russel.
He died in 1302.

Richard de Wylyes was presented, 18 Cal December 1302, by

John de Somerie knight. He occurs 13 16.

William ae Wylie resigned 1340.

John Drayton was presented, in 1340, by Sir John

Botecourte.

William Draper was presented 5 Id. November, 1345, by Sir

John Botecourte ; not said how vacant.

Thomas atte More sub. by John de Bottecourte knight, 13th

March 1355, on resignation of Draper, and
died Master of the Hospital in 1360.

Henry de Haukesherd was presented 10 Cal July, 1360, by John

Botecourte, lord of Welegh, and died in 1369.

Ralph Heyward was instituted 25 January, 1369, on the

presentation of Sir John Buttecourt " to the
chapel of the House of St. John the Baptist
next the bridge of Newport Paynell."
Probably also the Vicar of Newport of that
name 1378.

John Dene was presented by Sir John Botecourt, lord

of Wilie and Newport Paynell, 22nd
August, 1374, on the resignation of Hey-
ward. He exchanged to Boseate Rectory.

John Carter presented i8th October, 1381, by Sir John

Botetourt, on Dene's resignation, and died
in 1386.

I Taken from Lincoln Registers and Willis' List

232

History of Newport Pagnell.

Thomas Mody

Henry Smith

William Baynton
or Bpjmton, S.T.P.

Thomas Vrmeston

Thomas Smythson

was presented 23rd November, 1386, by Dom

Thomas de Harcourt " to the free chapel of

the House of the Hospital of St. John the

Baptist."

occurs next. He died in 1483.

was presented 5th July, 1483, by Richard

HI. He died in 1496.

Vicar of Newport in 148 1, was presented 8th

December, 1496, by Dom. John Grey knight,

Lord of Wilton, to the Hospital or Free

Chapel of Saints John the Baptist and

Evangelist of Newport Pagnell, by virtue of

a grant for the next turn from Thomas, Earl

of Ormond, "true founder coUater and

patron " of the Hospital.

was presented by Thomas, Earl of Ormond

and Lord Rocheford, 25th July, 1501, on

death of Vrmeston.

Thomas Copland, S.T.P., was presented by Thomas, Earl of

Ormond and Lord Rocheford, loth July,
1506, on death of Smythson, and resigned
in 15 10.

Edward Champion was presented 7th February, 15 10, by

Thomas Earl of Ormond and Lord Roche-
ford, and died in 1529.

Thomas Thomham, M.A., was presented 25th May, 1529, by Sir

John Alyn, knight, and W. Simstone, Esq.,
by grant, "pro hac vice," from Anne St.
Leger, widow. He died in 1548.

John Sanderson was instituted 5th December, 1548, on the

presentation of John Baker, the oath of
supremacy und of renunciation of the Pope's
authority being first taken. He became
Rector of Milton Keynes the next year.

Thomas Potter, Vicar of Newport, which office he resigned

in 1575, was presented nth November, 1590,
per lapsum, by the Bishop. He was after-
wards Vicar of Willen, and died in 1599.

Thomas Underbill, M.A., was instituted 14th April, 1600, on the

Queen's title. He was at the same time

Queen Ann's Hospital. 233

collated to Willen. He resigned the Master-
ship on 29th Aprils 1607.
William Hicks, A.M., of Magdalen College, Oxon, was presented

loth July, 1607, by James I., and in 1608
Letters Patent were issued whereby it was
directed that in the future the Vicar of
Newport for the time being should by virtue
of his office be also Master of the Hospital.

234

CHAPTER II.

Town Lands.

BY an Inquisition, taken at Buckingham, on the 31st July in the
41st year of Elizabeth it was found that

William Kylchet
of Newport Pagnell, butcher, by his will, dated 23rd August 1558,
gave a yearly rent of 13s. 4d. to be yearly distributed among the
poor people of the Marsh End of Newport. The actual wording
was that the devisee of certain premises should ''paie for ever that
is to saie while the worlde endureth .... thirteen shillings
fourpence .... at the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle and
the monie thereof to be distributed to the poore people dwelling
within the compasse and precinct of the Marshe the week before
Christmas." That William Tyler, by deed, dated 3rd June, 38
Elizabeth, in furtherance of the said gift had granted a rent-charge
of 13s. 4d. out of a house in Marsh End and a close in the Weeke
late Wm. Kylchett's and that the rent had been duly employed.

That

Thomas Child

by his will, dated 29th November, 1559, gave a tenement in

Tyckford towards the maintenance of Tickford Bridge, and

that one Richard Smith was then tenant to the same house

and that the rent had "bene ymployed about the mayn-

tenance of the same bridge till now of late that the tenant had

been molested and ympleaded about the tytle of the said tenement

by means of the said George Annesley the rent thereof hath bene

spent in defence of the same tytle." That

Beatrice Halladaye,

widow, being seised ot a Burgage in Newport called " the Bell "

and then "the Red Lyon,"i and of two closes, one in Fisher's

Weeke and the other adjoining the Bury Field, gave the same

I On 2nd Nov., 1620, the feoffes leased the house and premises called " the Redd
Lyon " for 21 years to Francis Symonds, of Newport, fuller, at an annual
rent of 12s.

Town Lands. 235

towards the maintenance of the Bridge of Newport, amendment of
the highways, amendment of the Parish Church, and relief of the
poor there. And that the same premises descended, after her decease
to Beatrice, her daughter, who gave them for the uses above men-
tioned by two deeds, the one dated the 12th February 16 Henry
VIII., and the other the Feast of Innocents 15 Henry VII. That

Richard Reade and Ralph Hobbes,
by deeds, dated 3rd February, i Richard III., gave a Burgage called
the Sarizens Head in Newport, three Shambles, and six acres of
land in Newport to the maintenance of the bridges, amendment of
the highways, amending of the parish church, and relief of the poor.

That

Alice Cropthorne,

by deed, dated 4th November, 22 Henry VIII., gave half an acre of

meadow in the West Meadow of Newport near the ford there to

the last named purposes. That

John Sybley,

by deed, dated 6th February, 20 Henry VII., gave a close in Fyshers

Week in Newport, next a close late Broughton's, to the same uses.

That there were

Four Almshouses
in Newport wherein poor people did inhabit. That

William Stokes
of Tykford, yeoman, by his will, dated 4th May, 1548, bequeathed
xx^ of his goodes to be bestowede aboute the fynyshinge of the
steple of Newport and vppon the hie ways wt^ the sayd paryshe
to be payd at such tymes and by such portions as should be
thowght convenyent by Antony Cave esquyer Robert Annesley
gent, and vj other of the honest men of y^ sayd paryshe. He also
gave XX marks to forty poor maydis to every of them vj»' viij*- to be
payd to them severally at the day of their maryages whereof xx to
be in the paryshe of Newport and x in Hillesden and the other x
within V myles of Newport. His wife Elizabeth and Robert his
son were appointed co-executors. At the time of the Inquiry
Elizabeth was then wife of George Annesley, but whether the
moneys had been duly employed was not known.

The Fraternity of Saint Mary.
In connection with several of the before described properties and
also with the descriptions of premises in the 1597 deed, hereafter
referred to, it is curious to note that on 12th April, 28 Elizabeth, the

236 History of Newport Pagnell.

Queen, ^ subject to certain rents reserved in respect of the various
premises, granted to John Walton and John Cressett the messuage
called the Sarasins head, situate in Newporte Pagnell, in which
the brotherhood feast was held ; two shops called Bochers Stalles ;
and seven and a half acres of arrable land lying in pore (port ?) field ;
the said Sarasins head in the occupation of George Pawley to the
fraternity of the Blessed Mary in Newporte Pagnell not long since
belonging and then lately being parcel of its lands and possessions.
And also the messuage called the Lion and two closes of pasture in
Fishers Wekes ; cottages in the tenures of Robert Richardson ;
Robert Harvy, and Thos. White, of Wobome ; also a messuage
dovecote buildings and one '^ Ort " to the same tenement belonging
situate in the Marshe.

Some of these properties, at all events, were what were after-
wards found at the Inquiry to be Town Lands, and it appears
hardly beyond the bounds of probability that the Brotherhood
referred to was one of the old Guilds which had for its object the
maintenance and repair of the bridges, the repair of the highways,
and relief of the poor, and was, in fact, the predecessor of the
present Feoffees.

Other references to the Guild appear in the wills of John
Cordall, William Fletcher, and John Warren, already mentioned,
and in certain proceedings, taken in respect of the enclosure of 80
acres in Calcote, in the 35th year of Henry VIII., when a witness

deposed that John White had ** left a gappe indiched

agaynst iij leys belonging to the Brotherhed or ffratemitye of
Newport callyd Lady Brotherhed." ^

Another witness, in the course of the same proceedings, states
that the Brotherhood of Newport have every of them certyn
parcells of ground there.

As a result of this Inquiry at Buckingham an order was made, on
the 28th August, 41 Elizabeth, that Thomas Wythers of Newport,
Gent, and Robert Harvey of Newport, Yeoman, who were supposed
to be the survivors of the feoflFees of the above premises, should
enfeoff certain persons therein named and that the deed should
contain certain provisions for appointment of new feoffees.

Just prior to this, namely, on 2nd October, 1597, for some reason

I Pat. 28 Elizabeth, p. 14, m. 12. 2 Court of Augmentations, vol. 126, io. 17.

Town Lands. 237

or another there was a feoffment of the Town Lands, and in it the
Saracen's Head Shambles, &c., are thus described : — '' All that
one burgage called the Sarizon's heade situate lying and being
within the Borough of Newport Pagnell aforesaid in the said
County of Buckingham between the burgage of Thomas Shortred
called the Swann on the east side and the burgage of George
Annesley gent, heretofore of William Marlowe called the George
on the west side and extending from the kings highway which
leads to the Church of Newport Paynell aforesaid up to the lane
called the Church lane together with the three ' Schamellis anglice
Shambles ' likewise situate and being in the middle of the place
there called the highe streete at the end of the lower of the
Butchers Shambles and adjoining a certain Shop formerly of
Thomas White of Wobourne and now of Edward Nurse gent on
the west side. And all that our burgage with its appurtenances
formerly called the Bell and now called the Redd Lyon situate
lying and being within the Borough of Newport Paynell aforesaid
in the said County of Buckingham in a place there called St. Johns
Streete between the Burgage of Thomas Peete formerly called the
Angell on the South side and the burgage of William Hawle on
the North side and extending from the aforesaid street called
St. John's Streete up to the burgage of the aforesaid Robert
Newman And all those our two closes lying first in the ffyshers
weekes within the parish of Newport Paynell aforesaid in the said
County of Buckingham one of which closes lies between the
Weekes Lane on the west side and the water called the water of
Lovent on the east side and the Close of Edward Nurse gent, on
the South and the other of the aforesaid two closes lies between
the kings highway leading from the Weekes Lane aforesaid to
Caldecot on the west side and the aforesaid water on the east side
and the aforesaid Close of Edward Nurse on the North side and
the Close of the Lord of Caldecote called Caldecott Leyes on the
South side And all that other Close with its appurtenances lying
in the Marsh of Newport Paynell aforesaid in the said County of
Buckingham between the Close of Robert Aprice esquire and
hereditaments of Guy Salysbury gent called Olyrers on the east
side and the Inclosure belonging to the lately dissolved Priory of
Tykford on the west side and abutting upon the field called the
Buryffeelde on the North and upon the lower part of the aforesaid
Close called Olyvers on the South end And all that our waste

238 History of Newport Pagnell.

land with its appurtenances formerly a garden lying in the Marsh
of Newport Paynell aforesaid adjoining to the lane leading to the
street called the Marshe Streete up to the messuage now or late
of Lord Mordaunt in the tenure of John Colles on the North side
and adjoining the tenement of Robert Mabley on the east side and
the Inclosure belonging to the said messuage now or late of the
said Lord Mordaunt on the west and south sides And all that our
waste land with the appurtenances heretofore garden lying on the
north side of the last named lane now in the tenure or occupation
of Agnes Shortred widow adjoining the tenement belonging to the
Hospital of St. John the Baptist on the east side. And also all
those our six and a half acres of arable land and half an acre of
pasture lying and being in the fields and meadows of Newport
Paynell aforesaid . . . And also all those our two and a half
acres of arable land with their appurtenances lying and being in
the fields of Tyckford within the parish of Newport Paynell
aforesaid . . . And also three and a half acres of arable land
with their appurtenances lying in the fields of Chicheley.''

A further Inquisition was taken at Newport Pagnell, on ist
April, 1641, the findings, after detailing the charities of Kilchett,
Tyler, Childe (the tenant of the premises one Thomas Lillywhite
then paying 30s. rent), Holliday, Reade and Hobbs, Cropthorne
and Sybley, and the Almshouses (the poor people therein paying
no rent), going on to state that there were two and a half acres^ of
arable land in Tickford fields and two^ garden plots in Marsh end
which had been time out of mind employed for the relief of the
poor and amendment of the highways, church, and bridges. Also
that

The Home
lying by the west side of the North bridge, anciently called Sweet-
more, was employed for repairing such bridge time out of memory
of man. That

Richard Bludd
of Newport Pagnell, yeoman, by deed, dated 20th April, 41 Elizabeth,
conveyed a messuage '^ extending from the Street leading towards
the Church on the North unto the Lane called Church Lane on
the South " wherein Arthur Humphrye then dwelt for the use of
the poor of Newport as the Towne stocke or towne land, as if the

I These are included in the 1597 deed, the description of the garden plots having
been already quoted.

Town Lands. 239

said towne or burrough of Newport aforesaid were incorporated
and inabled by that name to take and purchase the same house,
should or ought to be imployed or bestowed.^

Thomas Godstow,
by deed, dated 29th October, 41 Elizabeth, gave his ** lyttle house
standing in the Borrough of Newport aforesayd at the west end
of the house belonging to the common Inn called the Sarrisons
heade and adjoyninge to the lane called the Church Lane on the
sowth and also all that his piece of grounde to the saide house
adioyninge now added and adioyned to the garden which belongeth
to the said Inn called the Sarisons heade which piece of ground
reacheth from the Burgage called the Swann to the said lane
called the Church Lane and is divyded from the garden place or
over yarde now occupyed to the Burgage called the Swann with a
stone wall and fence " upon trust that, after his decease, the rents
should be bestowed " to and upon the poor people which shall
inhabite and dwell within the parish of Newport as the towne
stock or towne land." That

Sir William Powlett
Lord St. John, and Dame Agnes his wife, by an Indenture of Lease,
dated 30th December, 15 Elizabeth, demised to George Pawley^
of Newport yeoman the backyard then belonging to the Sarasons
Head and two great buildings thereto belonging once called the
Lyon (then however utterly decayed), for the term of 5000 years
at a rent of one penny and service to the Court of the Manor of
Broughton. That the said premises afterwards came into the
possession of Ann Cobb, widow, daughter and heir of George
Pawley, and that she by deed, dated 26th September, 20 James I.,
in consideration of the payment of j£i36, assigned the same term
to feoffees in trust for the use of the town.^

As a result of the Inquisition the Commissioners decreed that
John Potter the elder of Newport Pagnell, yeoman, Thomas Hull
of Famham, County Surrey, yeoman, Robert Kilpin of Hockliffe,
county Bedford, clerk, and John Dudley of Woolston, yeoman, who
were supposed to be the surviving feoffees, should enter on the

1 On 21 Feb., 45 Eliz., Joyce Bludd wife of R. Bludd, released her right to dower.

2 Thomas Pawley of London, draper, a brother, by his will proved in 1572, left

20S. " to the poore of the town where he was born Newport Pagnell."

3 Another deed, however, dated loth June, 1628, purporting to assign the residue

of the term to the feoffees, seems to have for its consideration an exchange
of 3| acres of land in Chicheley.

240 History of Newport Pagnell.

premises and, after such entry, by Indenture tripartite between
themselves <^ the first part eighteen persons (named) of the second
part and the churchwardens of Newport for the time being of the
third part enfeoff the parties of the second part and their heirs of
the premises upon the trusts and subject to the conditions therein
specified.

Goose Half Acre.

On a board in the church concerning benefactions is the
following : — " 3s. 4d. out of Goose Half Acre in Water Leys.''^

The foregoing appears to generally deal with the various town
properties to the middle of the seventeenth century.

About 1833 an Inquiry was held as to all the charities and the
result is fully recorded in the Commissioners' Report of that date,
and only recently a Scheme for dealing with the charity has been
formulated. The Scheme contains a Schedule of the various
properties, and the following summary will shew how they have
been dealt with and can be identified with those mentioned in the
findings of the Commissioners in the sixteenth and seveneenth
centuries.

William Kylchet's Dole.

The rent charge of 13s. 4d. in 1833 was annually received by
the feoffees and issued out of a close, then called Redhouse Close,
the property of George Lucas esquire. The amount still issues
from the same close being now payable by the Executors of Mr.
Gervase Smith Hives the present owners.

Thomas Child's Gift.
By the Act of Parliament, passed 49 George III c. 144, for taking
down and rebuilding the Bridges it was enacted, by section 40, that
the feoffees in whom was vested the messuage in Tickford given
by Child and then occupied as three tenements, should pay the
rents to the Bridge Trustees towards the support and repairs of
the bridges. In 1833 it was found that the Bridge Trustees had
pulled down the old building and built five cottages on their site.
These, with a garden to each, were let by the Trustees and the
rents, amounting to £$ 4s. od. for each cottage, received by them.
They also at that time received 5s. from one William Jefferson for
the rent of a piece of ground used as a cart way. By the

I The closes called Greenclose, Doxhouse and Goseclose are referred to in some
proceedings taken by John Barker and Johan, his wife, against William
Hanchett.— Court of Requests. Bdle 3. No. iii.

Town Lands. 241

Provisional Order of 15th July, 1897, these premises were amongst
those transferred to the Bucks County Council, being described in
the Schedule to the Order as " All those five cottages or tenements
situate on the south west side of Tickford Street aforesaid and
now or lately in the respective occupations of John Miller, John
Roberts, Kisby Rainbow, George Parsons and Samuel Hickford.''
Also '' All that piece or plot of garden ground being at the back of
the above mentioned cottages divided into plots and in the
respective occupations of" the last named tenants. Also "All
that slip of land leading from Tickford Street to premises belonging
to the Bridge Trustees and to other premises belonging to David
Cook and others and for which a quit rent of six shillings per
annum is paid by the said David Cook for the right of passing
over the same." Also ** All that small piece of garden ground
adjoining the last mentioned slip of ground and now or lately in
the occupation of George Edward Burgess."

Beatrice Halladaye's Gift.
Part of the old Red Lion premises were in July, 17 13, demised
by the feoffees to one Ambrose Gregory for 999 years at the
yearly rent of £S payable at Michaelmas and Lady Day under the
description of " All that messuage wherein widow Buck then
lately dwelt and also all those two rooms thereunto adjoining
under the gateway and all that part of it built adjoining to the
said two rooms ; and also all that cottage then in the occupation
of Edward Blunt ; and also all that part of the garden as then
staked out being straight from the doorway to the building of
John Marsh, a free passage or watercourse through the yard of the
premises being reserved to the Trustees they being at the expense
of keeping the same in repair." In 1883 the premises consisted of
(i) A house in St. John Street with a yard in the occupation of
Edward Daniel and a small part of a garden in the occupation of
William Cripps, and (2) A house yard and garden in Silver Street
in the occupation of Samuel Buckby. The first part of the
property had been assigned and the term was vested in William
Cripps, while the term of the second part was vested in S. Buckby.
By an arrangement between themselves Cripps then paid £6 and
Buckby £2 of the rent of £S reserved by the lease of 17 13. At
the present time Mrs. Jane Tarry pays £6 in respect of the house
in St. John Street, and The Church Institute and Masonic Hall
Company Limited pay £2 in respect of the building in Silver

242 History of Newport Pagnell.

Street used as a Church Institute and, until lately, as a Masonic
Hall also.

The remainder of the Red Lion block consisted in 1833 of a
house and large yard in St. John Street, then and for some time
previously used as a workhouse, and for which no rent was charged.
It is now represented by the shop and premises occupied by Mr.
Alfred BuUard at a rental of £14.

As to the two closes. One, a close of pasture in Fisher's Wick
containing about one and a half acres, was, in 1833, let to George
Lucas, Esq., as yearly tenant at a rent of £6 los., and is now
apparently the close and bathing place together containing the
same area and let to Mr. Henry Joseph Watson and the Urban
District Council at the respective rentals of £5 and £1 los. The
other close, also pasture, containing about two acres and adjoining
Bury Field, was in 1833 let to Mr. James Pike at a yearly rent of
£'j, and is now let to Mr. Bryan Hunt for )(^io.

Read, Hobbs and Cropthome's Gifts. Sweetmore or Hogs
Holme. Powlett and Cobb Purchase.

By lease, dated i8th March, 1678, the feoffees demised to Ralph
Lawton of Gayhurst Esquire the messuage called the Saracen's
Head Inn, then in the occupation of John Carter or his assigns, also
the] messuage, then in the occupation of William Cowley, situate
between the Swan Inn and the George Inn and lying next the lane
called the Church Foot Lane, and also the meadow or holme lying
near and adjoining to the North Bridge unto the Saracen's Head
belonging and therewith usually enjoyed called Hog Holme or
Sweetmore Holme to hold, from Lady Day then next, for the term
of 1000 years at a yearly rent of £2$ 5s., payable at Michaelmas
and Lady Day, and subject to, amongst others, a covenant to
expend j£30o in building on the premises within three years.

In 1833 it was found that the premises included in the lease
consisted of the Saracen's Head with yards, stables, &c., three
cottages built upon the site of some stables belonging to the
Saracen's Head, three messuages in St. John Street, and the Holme
called Hog's Holme. The remainder of the term as regarded two
of the St. John Street houses had been assigned and, as regarded
one of them, was then vested in the executors of John Burnham
and, as regarded the other, in John Nash. The assignee of the
original term was then George Clarke, and the £2^ 5s. paid by

Town Lands. 243

him was in respect of all the above premises. In the Scheme it is
stated that the rent of £2^ 5s. is payable in respect of the three
houses and shops in High Street occupied by Messrs. George
Edward Burgess, Alfred Simpson, and William Cotton only.

On the Inclosure of Port Field in 1795 a piece of land in Ash
Lane containing 8a. 2r. 8p. and pieces containing up. and lop.
respectively, the one adjoining an old enclosure of the feoffees in
Rosebridge Lane, and the other an old inclosure of theirs on the
Willen and Tongwell Road, were allotted to the feoffees in lieu of
their lands and rights of common in respect apparently of the land
given by Read and Hobbs and Cropthome.

In 1833 the allotment up Ash Lane was known as Ashway Hill
Close, and was let to Mr. Luke Price at a yearly rent of ;£i6 los.

On iSth April, 1888, the feoffees conveyed two roods of this
close to the Rural Sanitary Authority of Newport Pagnell, as a
site for a well and works for the purpose of supplying the town
with water, the purchase money of j{^66 5s. being apparently
included in the j(^ioi 4s. 4d. New Consols standing in the name
of the Official Trustees bringing in £2 15s. 8d.

The rest of the close, which is still known by the above name,
is let to Mr. James Goodman for ;^2o per annum.

Sybley's Gift

This close of pasture in Fisher's Wicks consisting of two acres

was in 1833 let to George Simcox as yearly tenant, at a rent of

£S. It is now occupied by the Executors of Mr.^John Odell, who

pay ;C8.

Four Almshouses.

In 1833 these almshouses on the Green End were occupied, rent
free, by poor people put in by the feoffees,

There are now six almshouses on their site (which is near to
the Town Hall), the inmates being allowed 2s. 6d. each and five
hundredweight of coal at Christmas.

Tickford and Marsh End Land.

On the enclosure of Tickford fields, in 1808, a piece of pasture
land containing 3a. or. 8p. and on the London Road, was allotted
to the feoffees in lieu of their lands, consisting of the two and a
half acres before mentioned and rights of common and forecrop
in Tickford field. In 1833 ^^^ land was let to Benjamin Dawkes
at the yearly rent of 3^8. It is now let to Mr. Alfred Sparkes for £6.

The Marsh End land was, in 1833, apparently represented by

244 History of Newport Pagnell.

half a rood of land on which eight almshouses had been built,
which were occupied by poor people put in by the feoffees rent
free.

At the present time there are nine almshouses, built in the form
of and known as The Crescent. The lane in which they are
situate, formerly known as Pool's Lane, is now known as Bury
Street. The inmates have the same allowance as those in the
other almshouses.^

Blood's Gift.

This, in 1833, was represented by two houses in High Street
which were rebuilt in 181Q-20 (the site of same having been let
for 21 years on a repairing lease at a rental of ;£io) ; two cottages
in Church Lane, one let to Widow Pales at £2 los., the other to
Thomas Brown at £3 los. ; and by two cottages in the Churchyard
let to the Churchwardens at a rent of £2 for the two. The
premises now consist of the house and shop in High Street, let to
Mr. William Fleet for ;{^20 ; of the premises used as a Fire Brigade
Station adjoining, and let for ;£i2 ; and of a cottage in Church
Passage let to Mr. George Welch for £g 8s.

Godstowe's Gift.
In 1833 ^^^^ " lyttle house " and piece of ground was described
as a slip of ground occupied as a doorway or entrance from the
Church Lane to Mr. William Marshall's house, for which he paid
2d. a year. There is no record of this gift in the recent scheme.

Goose Half Acre Charge.
In 1833 the sum of 3s. 4d. was paid by Mr. Woolhead, the owner
of the water corn mills and contiguous meadows, in one of which,
called Water Leys, adjoining Midsummer Holme, the Goose Half
Acre lies. The rent is still duly paid by Messrs. Rowlatt & Co.,
the present owners of the premises.

Tithe Rent Charge.

As mentioned elsewhere,^ there is a sum of £4 os. 6d. payable

by the feoffees. £2 los. 8d. is charged on Ashway Hill Close,

9s. I id. on the Fisher Wick Close occupied by Mr. Odell's

executors, 8s. gd. on the close occupied by Mr. Watson and the

1 Prom a deed of 1676 in possession of the Urban Council it appears that eight

houses in Poole's Lane, habitations for poor people of Newport Pagnell,
had then lately been rebuilt

2 Vide p. 60 ante.

Town Lands. 245

Council^ and the remaining lis. 2d. on the Bury Field Close
occupied by Mr. Hunt.

Land Tax Redemption.
The 1833 report states that about 18 16 two houses in North End
belonging to the feoffees (it was not known how they were
acquired) were sold to the Bridge Trustees for £ii$fOi which
;£io5 17s. o^d. was applied to the redemption of land tax on the
whole of the feoffee property in 1817.

Rental.
In 1833 the gross income was ;£ioo is. lod.^ and now is about
£142 15s. 4d.

National School.
The land now occupied by the National School and then covered
by six tenements, was purchased by the feoffees on i8th July,
1748, and its history is dealt with elsewhere.

The Shambles.
The fate of the three shambles does not seem clear.^ On i8th
September, 1693, the feoffees leased to Thomas Kent, butcher, at
an annual rent of £2, the three butcher shambles, commonly called
the town shambles, situate in the Market Place of Newport,
whereof one was then enclosed, together with all stalls and shops.
The tenant covenanted, moreover, to repair and keep the pave-
ment of the street against the said shambles and shop to the
channells on both sides in good repair, and this is the last apparent
trace of them, unless they are identical with the premises in the
middle of High Street elsewhere referred to.

New Scheme.

The Town Lands are now managed in accordance with a Scheme
of the Charity Commissioners dated 22nd March, 1898, whereby
provision is made (except at first when certain Co-optative
Trustees are appointed for life) for the election of a body of ten
Trustees, five representative (elected by the Urban Council) and
five co-optative (elected for eight years by the other Trustees),
and for the application of the net income as follows : —

One fourth to the Churchwardens in payment of any charges
lawfully incurred by them in the maintenance and repair of the
fabric of the Parish Church and subject thereto in payment of like
charges in respect of the maintenance of the Church services and

I Eight Shambles are referred to in one document

346 History op Newport Pagnbll.

furniture. Provision is also made for investment of any surplus
so as to form a reserve for extraordinary Church expenditure.

Oqe fourth to the Bucks County Council in respect of the
bridges as mentioned elsewhere in the account of the bridges.

One fourth in respect of repairs of highways, to the proper
authority, to be applied in reduction of rates in the civil parish of
Newport Pagnell.

One fourth in payments for the benefit of the poor in Newport,
or deserving and necessitous persons resident there, in such manner
as is thought most advantageous to the recipients and conducive
to the formation of provident habits as therein particularly
mentioned.

247

CHAPTER III.

Other Charities and Endowments.

Atterbury's Charity.

THE Rev. Lewis Atterbury, D.D., by his will, dated the i6th
March, 1730, bequeathed to the Charity School in Newport
Pagnell £10 yearly for ever to be paid by his executor (Rev.
Edward Yardley) and his heirs out of the real estate, thereby
vested in him and them, to the mistress of the said School for the
teaching twenty poor girls, inhabitants of Newport Pagnell, to
work plain work, read, and write. There were, too, other
provisions intended to benefit the Charity.

By an Order, however, of the Court of Chancery dated i6th
October, 1742, (Dr. Atterbury having died on the 20th October,
1 73 1, and his will having been proved on 13th December, 1731), a
scheme for the administration of the Charity was settled of which
the following is the substance: — That the appointment of the
mistress of the Charity School of Newton Pagnell should be in
Mr. Osbom Atterbury and his heirs. That the ;£io per annum
should be paid out of the estate charged therewith half yearly, at
Michaelmas and Lady Day, to the Master and Governors of Queen
Ann's Hospital, and Mr. Osborn Atterbury and his heirs should
be perpetual inspectors of the school, and should have power on
any neglect or misbehaviour of the schoolmistress to put her out
and deprive her of the said place and salary ; and in such case
Mr. Atterbury and his heirs should appoint another to succeed
her ; that on a vacancy by death or otherwise of the schoolmistress
Mr. Atterbury and his heirs should appoint another; and in case
he or they should neglect or refuse to do the same, for the space
of six months after such vacancy had been signified to him or
them by the said Masters and Governors, in writing, that then

248 History of Newport Pagnrll.

the appointment of the mistress for that time should devolve to
the said Master and Governors ; that the nominating the children
in the said school, and the putting out and dismissing of them,
should be wholly under the direction of the said Master and
Governors, who should, from time to time, at their own expense,
provide a proper room or rooms for a school, wherein the said
schoolmistress should teach the children committed to her care.

In 1819 the school was conducted in the building erected by
Samuel Christie for use as a workhouse, the Master and Governors
expending £32 out of the income of the Charity in repairs on the
premises, the school having been stopped for three years to supply
the funds.

In 1833 the rent of ;{|io was annually received from the Hon.
Edward Bouverie, and issued out of an Estate of his at Great
Houghton in the County of Northampton. It was then paid to
one Eleanor Walker, who taught, in respect thereof, plain work,
reading, and writing, to twenty poor girls who were charged no fee.

The schoolmistress was appointed by the Master and Governors
who also selected the children to be taught, from among the poor
inhabitants of the parish, without distinction as to religious belief.
The heir of Mr. Atterbury had then ceased to take any interest in
the concerns of the Charity.

This Charity, together with the Christie Charity, (see under
" Christie's School House ") were dealt with by an Order and
Scheme of the Charity Commissioners, dated 25th October, 1892,
which provided that the properties of the two Charities should
vest in the Official Trustee, the rent charge being mentioned as
still issuing from an estate at Great Houghton then the property
of John A. Shiel Bouverie, Esq. ; that the Trustees should be the
Master and Governors for the time being of the Hospital of Queen
Ann ; that the income should be applied for the benefit of poor
girls bon& fide resident in the parish of Newport Pagnell in one
or more of the following ways : (a) Rewards for proficiency in
needlework to poor girls attending some Public Elementary
School ; (b) Contributions towards the provision of industrial or
technical instruction suitable for poor girls in any such School ;
(c) Contributions towards the cost of providing an outfit for girls
on their leaving any such School.

A further Scheme of the Commissioners, sealed in 1898, provides
for the two Charities being called the Atterbury and Christie

Atterbury's Charity. 249

Educational Charity. In addition, moreover, to the ways pre-
scribed by the 1892 Scheme for the application of the income, the
Scheme authorises the Trustees to apply the whole or any part
of the income in the maintenance of an exhibition or exhibitions
to be awarded to girls, bond, fide resident in the parish, who had
completed their engagement as pupil teachers in public elementary
schools, and to be tenable by them during such period, not
exceeding two years, as they were in residence at any training
college for teachers aided by a Parliamentary grant, or attending
any day training college for teachers recognised by the Education
Department. In the award of these exhibitions preference was
to be given to girls in need of assistance to enable them to reside
at or attend a training college. The exhibitions were moreover to
be awarded and held under such conditions as the Trustees
thought fit, and to be given as the reward of merit and tenable
only for the purposes of education.

Ur. Atterbury by his will desired also to benefit the Vicars of
Newport Pagnell, for he directed his executors, with the approba-
tion of the Master and Governors of Queen Ann's Hospital, to
purchase the advowson of some rectory or vicarage in the neigh-
bourhood of Newport compatible to be held with the vicarage of
Newport, and so soon as it was vacant to present thereunto the
Vicar of Newport Pagnell for the time being, and from time to
time afterwards to present thereunto the same person who should
be presented to the Vicarage of Newport, so as the said Vicar of
Newport be legally qualified to take and hold the same. This was
not done, but it is worth while to note the rumour as to a gift of
;{|20o mentioned in the chapter on Church History.

The Doctor also left directions for putting out children appren-
tice and raising a fund to befriend industrious young tradesmen
of Newport, as was done in White's Charity at Northampton.

Bbaty Almshouses.

By an Indenture, dated the 9th June, 1843, made between
Charlotte Beaty of Newport Pagnell, Spinster, of the first part,
and the Reverend Thomas Palmer Bull and Josiah Bull, Protestant
Dissenting Ministers, and John Rogers, Surgeon, all of Newport
Pagnell, of the second part, Miss Beaty granted to the parties of

ajo History of Newport Pagnell.

the second part First the four cottages or tenements with the
bams yard and plot of ground in front and on the East side thereof
which cottages were then lately erected by her on a piece of
ground in the North end of Newport Pagnell in or near a Lane or
Street theretofore called Dungeon Lane but then Union Street and
Secondly two cottages standing on the remaining part of the said
piece of ground and adjoining the Infants and Girls School Upon
trust during her life to let the premises and invest the net residue
of the income therefrom and after her death Upon trust to allow
each of the four cottages to be occupied, so long as they conduct
themselves to the satisfaction of the Trustees, by a poor man with
his wife or an unmarried person, male or female, whether receiving
parochial relief or otherwise and whether legally settled in the
Parish of Newport Pagnell or not who for twelve months next
preceding such appointment shall have formed part of the congre-
gation of Protestant Dissenters of the Independent denomination
then assembling for religious worship in the Independent Meeting
House at Newport Pagnell, of which congregation the said Thomas
Palmer Bull and Josiah Bull were then the Ministers or Pastors,
preference being given to such person or persons who should be
communicants and who were usually amongst Protestant Dissenters
of the Independent denomination termed Church Members. The
deed further provided that in the event of there being no such
persons the inmates should be English Protestant Dissenters from
the Established Church, and failing such should be Members of
the Established Church of England. Further that no one under
fifty years of age should be admitted as an inmate and that no
occupant should take in anyone under six or any one indeed
except one relative or friend approved by the Trustees. The
Trustees were directed to let the cottages secondly described and
to apply the rents with any dividends from the stock (purchased
with accumulations of rent during Miss Beaty's lifetime) in
insuring and repairing all the premises, any surplus to go to the
occupants of the four cottages. It was also provided that the
Trustees should not be less than eight nor more than nine, and
that they should for twelve months have formed part of the
Independent congregation and resided in Newport Pagnell — the
Minister of such congregation always to be one of such Trustees.

By a Codicil to her Will, dated the 22nd September, 1843, Miss
Beaty directed her Trustees to purchase £1550 £2 per centum

Beaty Almshouses. 251

Consolidated Bank Annuities in aid of the accumulations of income
mentioned in the Deed.

Miss Beaty died on 19th July, 1850, aged ^6, and was buried at
night by torchlight, in the Churchyard, close to the Church. Her
will and codicils were proved in the Prerogative Court of Canter-
bury on the loth August, 1850, and the Stock duly purchased.

On nth March, 1870, the premises were vested in the Official
Trustee of Charity Lands, the sum of ;£i6o4 is. gd. £2 per cent.
Consolidated Bank Annuities being also vested in him on 5th
March, 1870, by an Order of the Charity Commissioners.

For many years five shillings each per week was paid to the
occupants of the Almshouses, but, owing to the reduction of the
rate of interest on Consols, it was, in 1896, found necessary to
reduce the amount to 4s. 6d., which is the sum now paid.

There is a mural tablet to the memory of Miss Beaty and Mrs.
Higgins in the Independent Chapel.

Respecting the former lady the following lines were composed,
in 1867, by a well-known theol(^an living in the neighbourhood : —

The lady who lies buried here
As I have heard folks say,
Held herself half within the Church
And half the other way.

And now in death alike she is
A subject of much doubt :
Whether her body lies within
The Church, or lies without.

Next, a grave question rises up,
Touching her buried bones ;
(For modem Science claims to fix
All things in certain zones :)

To wit — as thus deposited
Now past all mortal pains ;
Shall we call '* Inorganic or
Organic " her remains ?

However these questions be resolved.
In wishes all agree
For her soul's peace — may evermore
Beaty '' beata be."

252 History of Newport Pagnell.

Christie's School House.

By his will, dated 19th July, 1703, Samuel Christie of Newport
Pagnel Esquire gave, at the time and on the conditions therein
mentioned, one whole year's rent of his estates to John Rogers
of Newport Pagnell Gent, and Charles Djrmoke the younger of
Cranfield Gent, upon trust to pay the same into the hands of the
Overseers of the poor of the parish of Newport Pagnell for the
use benefit imploying and setting to work of such poor people of
Newport Pagnell as should receive collection and be employed at
work in a Common Workhouse which he, the Testator, had lately
erected in a place called the Paggs or Paggonells in Newport
Pagnel. The Testator further gave and bequeathed unto his
loving friends Thomas Chapman of Caldecott Esquire, John
Chowne, Matthias Coney, Nicholas Chibnall and Thomas Withers,
all of Newport Pagnell, and their heirs, the said house lately
erected by him with the yard thereunto belonging in trust for the
parish of Newport Pagnell and to be for ever thereafter imployed
as a Common Workhouse for the poor of the said parish in such
trades and imployments and under such regulations for the use
and benefit of the poor of the said parish as to his said loving
friends or the major part of them for the time being should seem
most profitable and convenient and when any three of his said
friends were dead Testator directed that the two survivors should
make a Conveyance of the premises to the use of themselves and
any six others of the inhabitants of the said parish upon the trust
aforesaid and that all future trustees when reduced by death to
two should toties quoties make a like conveyance to a competent
number of inhabitants. Testator went on to declare that when
the Workhouse should be imployed to any other uses or purposes
than what he had by that his will directed the devise thereof
should be void, and the premises revert to his right heirs for ever.

Samuel Christie was buried on 24th July, 1703, and by Inden-
tures of Lease and Release dated the 23rd and 24th October, 1723,
the premises were duly assured upon the trusts of the said will.

In " An Account of the Workhouses in Great Britain in the
year 1732," there is published a letter from Newport, dated
December 31st, 1724, giving a very interesting account of the
provision then made there for the relief of the poor. It runs as
follows : —

" When any poor person can be provided for at an easier Rate

Christie's School House. 253

by the Parish, than by sending them to the Workhouse, the
Person is not sent.

'' All who are maintained in this Workhouse, are also lodged
and kept to work, the Benefit whereof is taken by the Overseers
of the poor, and what the Work of the People in the Workhouse
wants of maintaining them, the Overseers supply.

"By this means the Poor's Levies, which us'd to be seven
Six-pences in the Year, are reduced to three.

" There is a Master appointed over the House, his Salary is
17I. per Annum ; his office is to keep the Poor to their Work, to
buy in all Provision for the Maintenance of the Poor, see to the
dressing and distribution of it, and to give an Account to the
Overseers of the Poor of what is earned or expended.

**The Poor are allowed Meat three Days in the Week, upon
others Milk, or Milk-Porridge ; they have small Beer, and coarse
wheaten Bread, with Butter or Cheese, or Broth, for Breakfast
and Suppers.

''If any are sick, they are still kept and maintained in the
Work-house and such things allowed them as they can eat.

" The Poor who belong to the House, are cloathed as well as
fed and lodged.

** It is reckoned that the Board of every Poor Person in the
House, is about twelve-pence a Week apiece Charge to the
Parish.

'* As to Firing, Cloathes, Rent of the Workhouse, the Master
of the Workhouse is not concerned about these, but the Overseers
of the Poor take care to provide them.'*

In the year 1819 the premises were used, as already mentioned
in the account of Atterbury's Charity, as a school house, and
continued to be so used for many years.

Eventually the Schemes of the Charity Commissioners of 1892
and 1898, already mentioned, were obtained, the former referring
to the premises as the messuage known as Christie's School house
with site situated in Pagg's Court, Newport Pagnell, and in the
occupation of John Yates Mitchell at an annual rent of £8 14s. od.

The house still stands, and on a stone over the door is the
following inscription : —

'' For even when we were with you this we commanded you
that if any would not work neither should be eat. 2 Thes : 3 ch :
10 v : Laboremus 1702.'*

254 History of Newport Pagnell.

CoLLisoN's Charity.
By his will, dated 25th January , 1858, Robert Collison of Newport
Pagnell, Surgeon, gave to the Governors of Queen Ann's Hospital
for the time being £21000 stock in the New Three per cents, in
the Bank of England In trust for the benefit of the poor of
Newport Pagnell the interest money arising therefrom to be laid
out in providing food, fuel, and clothing, for the use and comfort of
the said poor residing and belonging to the said parish of Newport
Pagnell for ever, beginning on the 25th day of January and ending
on or before the 25th day of March following, preference being
given particularly to those needy persons who strictly attended to
the religious duties of the Church of England and were of good
moral character.

He also gave to the same Governors of the Hospital £fp stock
in the New Three per cents in trust for the benefit of the poor
persons therein the interest arising therefrom to be divided
annually among the said poor persons, in equal shares, on the 25th
day of January for ever.

The Testator died on 3rd April, i860, and his will was proved in
the Oxford District Registry on the 25th of the same month by his
brother George Collison of London, Gentleman, and Rev. George
Morley, Vicar of Newport Pagnell, the executors therein named.

On 26th February, 1861, the executors transferred to George
Cooch, William Price, William Powell, and John Compton Maul,
the then Governors of the Hospital, the sum of ;£i845 Stock New
Three per cent, annuities, being the above legacies less ;£io per
cent for legacy duty.

The stock was subsequently, on 17th December, 1861, transferred
to the Official Trustee.

The same Testator likewise bequeathed to the Vicar and
Churchwardens various sums of money amounting to ;£i25o, which
in 1868 were represented by ^£1125 New £3 per cents, (the differ-
ence being absorbed by duty), and produced an annual income of
LZZ 15s. od. ;£i6 7s. 6d. of this was applied for educational purposes,
£& 8s. gd. was paid to the Organist, and £% 8s. gd. distributed in
money — the stock itself being in the name of the Official Trustee.
The will directed that the interest on ^£250 should be devoted
towards the support of the National School ; on ;£250 to the salary
of the organist ; on ^250 for the poor in the feoffee houses on 25th
January, yearly ; and on ;£500 in benefitting Sunday School children

Collison's Charity. 255

by providing suitable uniform headdresses for the poor female
children who regularly attended the Parish Church in order that
they might appear neat and clean on Sunday. The method of appli-
cation of the income of the last named sum has been lately altered.

Mr. Collison also left £250 to the Trustees of Revis' Charity,
the income of which was to be applied by them yearly, on 25th
January, for the benefit of the poor in the Revis Almshouses.

This sum reduced, owing to duty, to £225 is invested in Consols
and stands in the name of the Official Trustee.

Curtis* Charity.

By a deed of gift, dated 26th July, 1748, and made between Mary
Curtis of Newport Pagnell, sister and heir at law of Gilbert Curtis,
late of Newport Pagnell, Salesman, deceased, of the one part, and
James Leverett, Whitesmith, and Thomas Smith, Cordwainer, of
Newport Pagnell, John Palmer, Draper, Squire Palmer, Currier,
and Joseph Palmer, Cutler, all of Olney, and Thomas Litchfield, of
Moulsoe, Grazier, of the other part, a cottage in the North End of
Newport Pagnell, lately occupied by Gilbert Curtis, and then by
Mary Curtis, was conveyed upon trust that it should be used by
David Evans, the then Baptist Minister at Newport Pagnell, or
his successor, he and they paying all taxes and keeping the
premises in good repair.

In 1 761 the Rev. William Coles is referred to as occupying the
house and there is a like reference to the Rev. George Foskett
in 1814.

In 1840 the house was converted into two.

Darcy's Charity.

By her will, proved in the Prerogative Court on the 3rd July,
1699,^ Elizabeth Darcy, wife of William Darcy of Newport
Pagnell, devised to Thomas Pomfrett and Richard Perrott and
their heirs two closes of pasture land situate in Tickford Fields
commonly called the Conny grey Closes upon trust to convey so
much of the said lands amounting to the sum of £$ 4s. od. per
annum, clear of all charges, unto trustees, to the use of the poor
people, inhabitants of the parish of Newport PagnelK for ever, to
be distributed by 2s. per week in bread, in such manner as the
trustees should judge most convenient.

I So in Commissioners' Report, but evidently it must have been proved earlier.

a56 History of Newport Pagnell.

The testatrix predeceased her husband who refused to assent to
the will. In the course of litigation which ensued, one John Dower,
of Whitechapel, put in a claim to the lands, and eventually it was
agreed that he should have the premises for his life and should
convey them to trustees. By Indentures of Lease and Release of
23rd and 24th February, 1697, therefore, the premises were con-
veyed by Dower to Richard Perrott, John Colebeck and Thomas
Pomfrett their heirs and assigns, and by an Indenture of FeofiFment
of loth October, 1700, the Closes were conveyed by them to
Trustees upon trust to permit Dower and his assigns, during his
life, to receive the rents of same, and after his decease out of the
rents to pay the yearly sum of £$ 4s. od. without any deduction, to
be paid weekly and every week, by 2s. the week, unto the church-
wardens and overseers of the poor of the parish of Newport
Pagnell for the providing 24 penny wheaten loaves to be by them
distributed, by and with the direction of the trustees, on every
Sunday to so many poor people inhabitants of Newport Pagnell
(not residing within or receiving any benefit from the hospital) as
should come to the parish church, to hear and reverently attend
the divine service there celebrated before the First Lesson ended ;
such of the poor householders that should diligently and devoutly
attend the divine services and sermon there performed, who should
not receive any parish collection or allowance from the parish
officers there, being always preferred and first served. The deed
further provided that when six only of the feoffees were living the
six survivors, with the then constables, churchwardens, and over-
seers, and such of the inhabitants of Newport Pagnell, as upon
public notice given in the church immediately after divine service
and sermon ended, should meet thereupon, or the major part of
them, should elect six others, being members of the Church of
England, and of good and honest reputation, and freeholders, and
residing within the parish, and that the premises should be duly
assured to the six persons so elected with the six surviving feoffees.

By the Tickford Field Enclosure award of nth May, 1808, the
Trustees were, in exchange for an ancient enclosure called Wads-
worth's Close, allotted 7a. or. 23p. in the Mill Field, bounded on
the North and East by land allotted to Queen Anne's Hospital ;
on part of the South by Moulsoe Parish, and on the remainder of
the South and on the West by land of the Town Feoffees.

In 1813 the land was let for £^0 per annum, but the amount was

Darcy's Charity. 257

reduced to £2$ in 1816. In 1825 and 1832 the Trustees had to
distrain. At Michaelmas in the last named year, the land was
let to a new tenant for ^£15 per annum.

In 1833 it was stated that the monies from time to time received
had been laid out by the Trustees in the purchase of bread made
into threepenny loaves, which had been distributed every Sunday
amongst poor persons who attended the church, in equal shares.

It did not then appear that there had been any appointment of
Trustees subsequent to those appointed by the deed of 1700, and
it was not known who was the surviving trustee thereby appointed.

The land is now let at ;£io per annum, and the present trustees
are Rev. C. M. Ottley and Messrs. F. AUfrey, G. W. Price, F. J.
Taylor, C. Terry, R. Wadhams and J. R. Wilmer.

Eaglestonb's Charity.

By his will, dated 28th October, 1800, Thomas Eaglestone,
formerly of Wolverton, but then of Newport Pagnell, Gentleman,
(subject to certain life interests) devised his tenement in High
Street, Newport Pagnell, with the room over the brewhouse, the
use of brewhouse and coal-house, and certain other rights unto
the Trustees of the Baptist Meeting House, in trust, to permit the
Minister to have the use and occupation thereof without paying
any rent or other acknowledgment for the same, except taxes and
expenses of keeping the same in repair.

Mr. Eaglestone also gave ;£8oo to the Trustees of the Meeting,
upon trust to use the income for the use and benefit of the
Minister, but empowered them to use part of the income to keep
the house in repair if the Minister did not.

He died in the same year, and a tablet to his memory is fixed to
the wall of the Baptist Chapel. The inscription is as follows : —

" To the Memory of Thos. Eaglestone. A Generous benefactor
to the religious society meeting in this place who died December
30, 1800. Aged 90 Years."

There are also tablets referring to the deaths of Hannah Eagle-
stone, wife of Thomas, who died on 19th June, 1782, and of Holland
Eaglestone, who died 22nd December, 1810.

Goodman's Charity.

Jane Goodman by her will, the date of which is unknown,
bequeathed to the Revd. John Sharp, afterwards Archbishop of

258 History of Newport Pagnbll.

York, £yx} to be disposed of by him to such charitable uses as he
should think fit.

It appears that Mr. Sharp, whilst Dean of Norwich, left ;£8o of
this money in the hands of Roger Chapman, to lay out the same
in such manner and to such uses as the Right Honourable Daniel
Earl of Nottingham and the said Roger Chapman should think
most conrenient; and they by their deed dated ist December,
1691, directed that the ;£8o should be laid out in the purchase of
lands and tenements as the Master and Governors of Queen Ann's
Hospital should direct, and that the same should be conveyed to
the said Governors and Master, and their heirs and successors,
and the rents and profits of the same paid to such minister's widow
or widows of Newport Pagnell as the said Master and Governors
and their successors should think fit ; and in case at any time
there should be no such widow that they should think wanted the
same, that then the said rents and profits should be laid out for
putting forth of a poor child or children of Newport Pagnell
apprentices, at such time and in such manner as the said Masters
and Governors should direct, the children (if any in want) of such
minister or ministers being first preferred; and that a book of
accounts thereof should be kept, with the writings concerning
the same, in the chest of the said Hospital.

The foregoing is taken from the recitals in an Indenture of
Release dated 15th April, 1692, made between Anthony Chapman
of the one part and the Revd. Thomas Banks, D.D., Vicar of
Newport Pagnell and Master of Queen Ann's Hospital, and Roger
Chapman, Samuel Christie, William Hartley and Richard Kilpin
all of Newport Pagnell and Governors of the said Hospital of the
other part, and whereby Anthony Chapman in consideration of
£g2 los. od. conveyed unto the said Master and Governors their
heirs and successors a close of pasture land in Little Crawley in
the parish of North Crawley called Jarvis, containing by estima-
tion 4a. I r. and then divided into three parts, upon the trusts of
the above mentioned deed of i6gi.

In 1833 the close was let to John Welsh for three years from
6th April, 1833, at a rent of £7 for the first year and £8 for each
of the last two.

The rent was then received by the Master and Governors and
duly paid to the widow of a late Vicar.

The close is still known as Jarvis Close, and is let to Mr. John

HiGGiNS' Charity. 259

Coales at an annual rent of £6. The moneys received are at the
present time applied for apprenticeship purposes.

HiGGiNs' Charity.

By her will, dated the 12th Febniaryi 1803, Amelia Ann
Higgins, of Finsbury Square in the Parish of Saint Luke Old
Street in the County of Middlesex, Widow, directed such an
amount of money to be laid out in the purchase of Stocks or Funds
as would by the interest or dividends thereof produce a clear
yearly sum of £2$. The Testatrix further directed that ;£20 of
such sum should be laid out in purchasing and providing a
quantity of bread and coals which were to be given and dbtributed
yearly for ever, one moiety of such bread and coals on Christmas
Day and the other moiety on each New Year's Day, unto and
amongst the poor persons of and belonging to the congregation of
Protestant Dissenters at Newport Pagnell in such proportion and
manner as the Trustees of the Fund should think proper, and that
£^ the residue of such sum should yearly on New Year's Day for
ever be paid unto the Minister officiating for the time being at the
Meeting-house of the said congregation.

Mrs. Higgins died on 3rd December, 1834, and her will was
proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on the 9th
February, 1835.

KiLPiN's Charity.

Thomas Kilpin, who was buried on 4th April, 1677, and whose
will was proved 17th October, 1677, devised unto his second son
Richard and his heirs, his house in Newport Pagnell that he then
dwelt in, and the shop he bought of Daniel Coney, upon condition
that he or his heirs, &c., should pay £2 a year for ever out of the
premises, upon the 2nd of February in every year, unto twenty
poor families, 2s. a family, which should be nominated by him the
said Richard and the Master and Governors of Queen Ann's
Hospital and their successors. And he directed that they should
choose such of the poorest families in Newport Pagnell as were
not beggars, adding that he did not mean to exclude all that
received collection but only common beggars.

In 1833 the premises in question, which are situate in High
Street, were owned by Robert Rose, who admitted his liability to
pay the charge.

26o History op Newport Pagnell.

The property now consists of the house and shop situate on the
north side of the High Street, and Mr. Walter Beaty Bull, of
Newport Pagnelli is the owner.

The charge of {fi is paid on the 2nd February annually, and the
money is distributed by the Master and Governors of Queen Ann's
Hospital, in sums of 2s. each, to twenty poor families, as directed
by the donor's will.

Knibb's Charity.

By his will, dated 22nd July, 1826, and a Codicil thereto, dated
1 2th August, 1826, George Knibb, of Newport Pagnell, Gentleman,
who died on 23rd October, 1826, aged 76, and to whose memory
there is a mural tablet in the Church, directed that the interest on
a certain residuary sum of money, which in 1868 was represented
by £\^'S 23. 6d. Consols in the hands of the Official Trustee, should,
subject for a time to a certain annuity which he gave, be paid to
the widows of four respectable tradesmen of Newport Pagnell.

The Charity is administered by the Vicar and Churchwardens.
The amount of money intended to have been included in the
bequest was considerable, but the gift came to some extent within
the Statutes of Mortmain, litigation ensued, and the above com-
paratively small sum only was eventually available.

Leverett's Charity.

James Leverett, of Witney, in the County of Oxford, Gentleman,
by his will dated 17th February, 1783, devised unto his kinsman
William Leverett, of Newport Pagnell, Whitesmith, his heirs, and
assigns all those his messuages, lands and tenements situate within
the hamlet of Hayley and parish of Witney, charged with the
payment of ;£300 to the churchwardens and overseers of Newport
Pagnell, to be by them placed out at interest, and the interest
thereof to be laid out in bread, aud distributed by them amongst
the poor on Sunday, weekly, for ever.

The j£300 was paid and four per cent. Stock purchased with it.
In 1833 the Stocks consisted of ^£300 Three-and-a-half per cents
bringing in an income of j£io los. od. The proceeds were devoted
to the purchase of bread.

The Trust fund now consists of ;£300 consols standing in the
name of the Official Trustee.

Revis's Charities. 261

Revis's Alms Houses and Charities.

By an Indenture of Bargain and Sale, inrolled in the Court of
Chancery, dated 3rd May, 1756, and made between John Rev is of
Charing Cross, in the county of Middlesex of the one part, and
Richard Lownds and six others (including the vicar of Newport
Pagnell) of the other part ; after reciting a Lease to the said John
Revis for two thousand years, at a pepper-corn rent, dated the
15th May, 1755, of three cottages in Newport Pagnell, fronting the
churchyard on the South part thereof, and the site of which con-
tained on the churchyard front or South 104 feet, and on the North
side 105^ feet, on the West seventeen feet, and on the East thirty
feet ; and reciting that the said John Revis had then lately pulled
down the said cottages and had erected on the ground whereon the
same stood, seven tenements or almshouses for the reception and
habitation of four poor single men, and three poor single women,
to be all of the Established Church of England and parishioners of
the parish of Newport Pagnell, who had not, did or should receive
alms of the said parish, and that the said John Revis had placed
four men and three women who were within the description afore-
said, to live and reside in the said almshouses during their respec-
tive lives, and intended during his life to provide for such number
of poor men and women, and their successors in the said alms-
houses a suitable maintenance and to endow the same almshouses
by will, as therein mentioned. It is witnessed, that for the better
and more effectual carrying into execution the charitable intentions
of the said John Revis, the said John Revis conveyed unto the said
parties of the second part the almshouses, ground and other the
premises by the said above mentioned lease demised, and the said
Indenture of Lease ; to hold unto the said parties, laymen their
executors administrators and assigns, and unto the said vicar and
his successors, vicars of the Parish Church of Newport Pagnell for
the time being, for the residue of the term of two thousand years,
in trust for the benefit of the poor men and women from time to
time placed in or inhabiting the said almshouses, with a proviso
that when the trustees should by death be reduced to three, such
three survivors should at the request of the vicar of Newport
Pagnell, for the time being, assign the premises to themselves and
four new trustees, to be appointed as in the will should be directed,
and so as often as the said trustees should be reduced to three.

By an Indenture of Bargain and Sale, inrolled in the Court of

362 History of Newport Pagnell.

Chancery, and dated the 3rd May, 1757, between the same parties
as the last mentioned Indenture, and reciting the above facts ; it
is witnessed, that the said John Revis in order to make a provision
as well for the support and future reparation of the said almshouses,
as also for a perpetual yearly dole of Bread for the relief of the
poor of the said parish of Newport Pagnell, conveyed unto the use
of the said parties of the second part their heirs and assigns, all
those two messuages with the yard, gardens and appurtenances
thereto belonging, situate in Newport Pagnell, opposite the Swan
Inn there, upon trust, that they should, out of the rents and profits
of the said premises, pay all usual outgoings in respect of the same
and retain to themselves all their expenses incurred in executing
the trusts, and also expend such sums of money as should from
time to time be necessary or expedient to support and maintain
the said almshouses in good and tenantable repair, and as to the
surplus of the said rents, that the said Trustees should yearly on
such days as they should think fit, between Michaelmas and Lady-
Day, expend all such surplus money in bread, and distribute such
bread amongst such poor and industrious inhabitants of Newport
Pagnell, who did not receive alms of the said Parish, as they the
said Trustees, together with the Vicar of the said Parish, or the
major part of them, should in their judgement think most deserving
of such charity. And it is by the said Indenture further witnessed
that for securing a perpetual provision for the endowment of the
said almshouses and for the maintenance of such poor men and
women as were from time to time received therein, the said John
Revis conveyed unto and to the use of the said parties of the
second part, their heirs and assigns, a messuage situate in Smith
End, otherwise Wood End, in the parish of Marston Moretaine, in
the County of Bedford ; also a dove-house standing in the yard,
belonging to the said messuage; also the following land in the
said parish, namely : a close of pasture ground called Filler's,
otherwise Viller's Close, containing by estimation twenty acres ;
a close of pasture ground called Hill Close, containing by estima-
tion six acres ; a pightle of pasture ground called Hog Pightle,
containing by estimation three roods ; a pightle of pasture ground
called Dovehouse Pightle; a small pightle of pasture ground
containing by estimation one rood, adjoining to the orchard belong-
ing to the said messuage ; a close of pasture, being field ground,
containing by estimation five acres and a half, and adjoining to the

Revises Charities. 263

said messuage ; a close of pasture ground, theretofore belonging
to a messuage or tenement then pulled down, containing by estima-
tion four acres, and bounded as therein mentioned ; two closes of
pasture ground, called Hundred Pound Closes, containing by-
estimation sixteen acres, adjoining to the said close of four acres ;
and also all those sixteen acres, by estimation, of arable land,
dispersedly lying within the common fields, in a certain terrier
thereof, thereunder written, particularly described, upon trust, out
of the rents and profits of the last mentioned premises, to pay all
reasonable allowances for taxes and repairs, and all usual outgoings
in respect of the same premises, and retain to themselves their
expenses sustained in executing the trusts, and yearly to apply
and dispose of the surplus of the same rents and profits amongst
such poor men and women as for the time being should dwell in
the almshouses, towards their clothing, support and maintenance ;
with a clause for appointment of new Trustees, similar to that
contained in the Indenture of 1756, except that it is provided that
the vicar of Newport Pagnell for the time being, shall always be
one of the Trustees ; and that in case the said John Revis gave in
his will no directions as to the mode in which new Trustees should
be named, they should be nominated by the vicar, churchwardens
and overseers and other inhabitants of the said parish, in vestry
assembled, or the major part of them.

By a Deed Poll, inrolled in the Court of Chancery, under the
hand and seal of the said John Revis, dated ist May, 1758, and
indorsed on the last mentioned Indenture reciting that certain
parcels of land and hereditaments in the said Deed Poll particu-
larly described and thereby conveyed were intended to have been
included in the said last abstracted Indenture of 1757, but were by
mistake omitted, the said John Revis conveyed the said parcels of
land and hereditaments consisting of about 12 acres of land,
common field measure, in Marston Moretaine, and one acre in the
Parish of Wootton, together with all hereditaments whatsoever in
these two parishes or in the county of Bedford, purchased by the
said John Revis of John Horton and Jane his wife, to the above
Trustees, upon the above trusts, and also subject to the same
clause for appointment of new Trustees as in the last mentioned
Indenture contained.

The same John Revis by his will, dated the i6th December,
1763, in pursuance of the power reserved to him by the said

264 History of Newport Pagnell.

Indentures, appointed George White, Robert Watson, Vicar of
Newport Pagnell, and Robert Chapman to be governors and
visitors of his charities, in the room of three of the governors who
had died in the lifetime of the said testator, and to be governors
&c. with Richard Lownds, M. Knapp, Benjamin Pomfret and
John Hirst, the surviving governors ; {and for the further augmen-
tation of the same charity he directed that his executors should
immediately after his decease out of his Three per cent. Consols,
transfer the sum of ){^iooo to the above named governors, &c., and
invest the same in their joint names, upon trust to dispose of the
dividends and the rents of the said estates as follows : (that is to
say) that the governors, visitors, and managers should continue in
and admit seven old poor single men and women of the age of
fifty-five years and upwards, of the religion of the Established
Church of England and parishioners of Newport Pagnell, who did
not receive alms of the said parish, to be inhabitants of and dwell
in the said almshouses, and out of the dividends and interest of
such stock rents and profits of the said estate yearly for ever pay
and allow unto all and everyone of such poor old men and women
by weekly payments the sum of three shillings per week for their
maintenance and livelihood in the said almshouse so long as such
men and women should therein live in a sober, orderly, and decent
manner ; and also the said governors should out of the said fund
or stock provide for each and every one of the said poor men one
surtout coat of blue cloth, and for each and every one of the said
poor women one black gown of callimanco, yearly, so long as they
should live in such almshouses and no longer, and also should
yearly out of the said fund provide for the use of the said men and
women inhabiting the said almshouses seven chaldron of coals,
each chaldron to contain thirty-six bushels, to be delivered unto
the said poor men and women respectively as thereinafter
mentioned ; that is, six bushels of such coals on every ist October
and 1st November, ist December, ist January, ist February, and
1st of March yearly; and he directed that if any of the said poor
men and women should misbehave themselves so as to receive a
reprimand from the governors or major part of them, and after
having once received such reprimand, should a second time commit
the like or any other offence meriting a second reprimand, such
governors should expel such offender and exclude him or her
absolutely from all benefit of the said charity. And the said

Revis's Charities. 265

governors, &c.y should on the death or exclusion of any of such poor
persons, within two months, proceed to admit another person in
their places, and of the same religion and parish, who did not
receive collection from the said parish, and he directed that
immediately after the death of any one of the said governors, &c.,
the survivors of them or the major part should forthwith proceed
to the election of a new governor, &c., in the room of such
deceased governor, and the testator directed that they should elect
a gentleman of good family and fortune, living in or near the said
parish of Newport Pagnell, until there should be three at least of
such gentlemen in the government of the said charity ; and that
there should always be three gentlemen of good family and fortune,
living in or about the parish of Newport Pagnell, or within ten
miles round the same, governors, &c., if such gentlemen could be
prevailed on to accept of such government, and after having three
such gentlemen in the government of the said charity, the said
governors should, for filling up any vacancy which should happen,
proceed to elect an honest, substantial inhabitant, tradesman, or
farmer of the said parish to be governor, &c., so that there should
always be three gentlemen and three inhabitants of Newport
Pagnell, together with the vicar, governors, &c., provided that if
no such gentleman could possibly be prevailed on to take upon
himself the place of a governor, then such vacancies should be
filled up with the most substantial and respectable tradesmen and
farmers of the said parish ; and he directed that the survivors of
the said governors should, as soon as any new governors should be
chosen, transfer the stock and convey the estate into the joint
names of them the said survivors, and him or them the succeeding
governor or governors, so as the same should always be vested in
the joint names of all the seven governors, and never devolve on
the heirs, executors, or administrators of any of them. And it was
provided, that the said governors might alter and vary the
Government securities of the £1000, but not invest it on mortgage.
And the said testator, in further augmentation of the said charity,
directed that his executors should, after his decease, out of his
Three per cent. Consols, invest the further sum of ^£350 in the
joint names of the said governors, &c., upon trust to apply and
dispose of, as well as the rents and profits of the said two
messuages in Newport Pagnell, conveyed by the Indenture of
Bargain and Sale of 3rd May, 1 759, as of the yearly dividends of

266 History of Newport Pagnell.

the said JC350, to the uses following, that is, to lay out and expend
the same as well for the keeping in repair the said two messuages
and the almshouses, as also the sum of ten shillings weekly, in
every year for twenty weeks, in bread, to be distributed on every
Sunday morning after divine service, beginning the first Sunday
after All Saints' Day to Lady-day, to such poor inhabitants of
Newport Pagnell as should be present and attend divine service
those days, and did not receive alms or collections from the said
parish; and if any surplus should remain, the same should be
retained as a fund for the further necessary repairs or rebuilding
the said messuages or almshouses when occasion shouldr equire.
And the said testator directed that this and the several other
charities belonging theretofore to the parish of Newport Pagnell,
should be had in perpetual remembrance and be yearly com-
memorated, and for that purpose he directed that his executors
should, immediately after his decease, out of his Three per cent.
Consols, transfer the sum of ^£150 to his said governors, &c., and
invest the same in their joint names, upon trust, out of the
dividends and yearly produce thereof to make the following
payments ; that is, that the said governors, &c., should yearly, on
the 13th July, meet at Newport Pagnell to hear divine service, and
a sermon to be preached by the Vicar thereof for the time being,
and then and there settle and audit the accounts of his said
charities, and pay yearly j^i is. for such sermon and reading over
the several clauses in his will relating to his said charities, which
he desired might be done after the sermon ; and he earnestly
requested the trustees of the several other charities of the parish
to collect the several uses for which any estate or sum of money
had been given to the said parish, that the same might also be
read over to the congregation; by which means the charitable
donations of the several pious benefactors would be kept in
perpetual remembrance, and it would be a means to prevent any
ill use being made of them ; to the parish clerk yearly, at the
same time, 5s., and to the sexton of the said parish 2s. 6d. ;
and after payment of the said several sums of j{^i is. od.,
5s., and 2s. 6d., the said testator directed that the said governors
should yearly, on 13th July, provide a dinner for the entertainment
of themselves out of the remainder of the said dividends and
produce of the said stock or fund of ^£150.
The testator died 3rd September, 1765, and there is a tablet to

Revises Charities. 267

his memory in the church, the inscription on which is as follows : —

" Sacred to the Memory of Mrs. Eliz. & Ann Revis Daughters
of Mr. John Revis, Apothecary, and Sarah, his wife, Ann after a
very long and painfull illness, which she bore with a true Christian
Patience and Resignation to the Divine Will, exchanged this life
for a better, on Wednesday, Jany 8th. 1755, in the 53**- year of
her Age. Eliz*^ Died on Wednesday Feby 26, 1 755, in the 60**^
Year of her age. Eliz*** Clark, Daughter of Mr. John Clark,
Apothecary and Sarah his Wife, Died Friday Octob' 26, 1750,
Aged 13 years & 17 days, And all three lye buried in a Vault in
this Porch. This Monument was Erected by Mr. John Revis, of
Charing Cross, in the Parish of S^ Martin's in the Fields,
Westminster, Linnen Draper, to Testifie the great love and
Affection he bore his Sisters and the Sincere regard he had for
the other.

*^ Among whose Remains now lie those of the above worthy John
Revis, the last of his Father's Family, who after acquiring a good
Fortune with Justice and Honour, and taking care of his Mother's
most distant Relations : did in his Life Time Erect Seven Alms-
houses in this Churchyard, for 4 Men & 3 Women, for ever, and
att his death give a generous Endowment to this his Native Towii,
in Houses, Land & Money to the value of 3700, and who was
suddenly translated into a better world."

The tablet was formerly at the East end of the North aisle, but
on the erection of the organ chamber was moved to its present
position in the South aisle.

On the Inclosure of Marston Moretaine under an Act passed
about 1796—971 there were awarded to the Governors, in lieu of
the lands in the common fields and other lands, two allotments,
situate in Hunger Hill Field, containing respectively 27a. 3r. 29p.
and la. 2op., and an allotment in Knott's Pieces, containing 6a. ir.,
exchanged for Hill Close.

The 5^ acres of field land above mentioned were enclosed, and
formed part of the lands in lieu of which the allotments were
awarded.

In 1810 a sum of ;£3io Three per cent. Consols had been
purchased by the Governors out of savings of income, and trans-
ferred into the names of trustees.

In 1832 the trust property consisted of : —

(i) A house in High Street, let to Mr. William Peck Coales, as

268 History of Newport Pagnell.

yearly tenant, at a rent of £20.

(2) Another house adjoining the above, and occupied as a banking
house by Messrs. Bassett & Grant The rent, a building lease
one, was then ;£io.

(3) A farmhouse and outbuildings, and about eighty acres of land
in Marston Moretaine, let to William Webb, as yearly tenant, at a
rent of £>io^ subject to the tithe, which was £i<^ per annum, and
poor rates at nine shillings in the pound. The land tax was then
£^ 14s. 4d.

(4) A sum of j£i3io Three per cent. Consuls, producing dividends
amounting to £29 6s. od. Another sum of £2^0^ producing ;{^io
los. od. ; and another sum ot £iffii producing £^ los. od.

(5) The almshouses, containing one room above and one below,
having no garden, and then lately railed off from the churchyard.

The funds were duly applied in accordance with the terms of
the trust.

In November, 1866, notice was given of intention to sell the two
messuages in High Street, then occupied by Thomas Bettle and
Messrs. Bassett, for such an amount of j^3 per cent, annuities as
would produce £^0 per annum, and the premises were so sold.

The present endowment of the Charity consists of : —

(i) The seven almshouses adjoining the churchyard, and occupied
by four smgle men and three single women.

(2) The farm at Marston Moretaine, Beds., now known as Wood
End Farm, and let in 1893 to Messrs. William Sharpe and
Frederick William Sharpe for jf8o, the tithe and land tax,
amounting to £ij 13s. 8d., being deductible.

(3) Consols to the amount of ;£2,725, producing £6^ i8s. 4d.
The inmates of the almshouses each receive a weekly sum of

four shillings, and a supply of coal. They are also benefitted by
Collison's Charity.

The present trustees are Rev. C. M, Ottley, and Messrs. Francis
Allfrey, H. C. Rogers, F. J. Taylor, and Charles Terry.

Slingsbv's Charity.

The Parish Registers record the marriage on 15th April, 1638,
of "Mark Slingsbie and Susan Rider," and perhaps the next
reference to Slingsby is contained in the Royalist Composition

Slingsby's Charity. 269

Papers,^ where it is stated that his delinquency was " that beinge
an Attorney att Law hee went into the Late King's quarters in
1643 (to be cured of the Stone as hee saith) for vf^ hee saith hee
was adjudged a delinquent by the Comisioners for advance the 20
of ffebruary 1649 and his goods seized and sold."

On 2ist June, 1650, he as "beinge a poore man and farr indebt/'
petitioned to be allowed to compound, stating that he was poss-
essed in right of his wife "(beinge 50 yearcs old) duringc her life
of a tenement/' and four acres of inclosed ground in Newport
Pagnell, of the yearly value of £g. Also of a term in a lease for
15 years then to come of his dwelling-house in Newport Pagnell,
of the " yearly vallew above the Rent of 5 li reserved, los." Also
of a lease for 5 years of a pasture in Stanton Berry, of the " yearly
vallew above the rent of 24 li reserved, 20s." The particular of
his estate goes on : —

" That the said Mark Slingsbie is indebted to severall psons the
some of 160 li principal debt besides interest and all his goods
beinge seised and sold and there beinge owing vnto him 20 li. or
thereabouts for fees and charges he humbly prayeth that he may
have order to collect those despate debts towards his Composicon
money."

On 23rd July, 1650, his fine was fixed at £20, but on 22nd
August, 1650, £15 was paid " in full of 30 li.*'

Slingsby's name often appears about this time in connection

with Newport matters, and Staines states that during repairs to

the Church his name was found burnt into one of the old beams,

and that he was probably a churchwarden ; also that he was a

governor of Queen Ann's Hospital.

He was buried on i6th July, 1677. and neither the burial register,
which simply records the fact,^ nor Slingsb)r's will refer to his
being buried, as tradition has it, in a close in Tickford field just off
Chicheley Street, where there is, however, stated to be some brick-
work about six inches below the surface.

His will was made on 2nd July, 1677, and proved on ist August
in the same year by Susanna Slingsbee, his widow and executrix,
in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.

It runs thus : — *' In the Name of God Amen. I Marke Slings»\^e<&
of Newport Pagnell in the County of Bucks Gent. Do make ^oci^

1 Series II, vol. 46, p. 447.

2 The entry is :— " 1677. Marke Slingsby buried July the i6tli."

270 History of Newport Pagnell.

ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner following ffirst
I commit my Soul into the Hands of my Saviour And my Body
to the Earth in Hopes of a certain Resurrection Item I give unto
Susanna my loving wife her Heirs and Assigns AH my Lands
Tenements and Hereditaments for ever Item I give unto my said
loving Wife all my personal [estate] whatsoever and make her sole
Executrix of this my last Will and Testament Provided always that if
my said Wife Susanna shall not within six months after my decease
settle and convey an Annuity of five pounds four Shillings by the
Year to be paid out of her Messuage and Closes in Tickford called
the ffarm with the Appurtenances or some other Land of that Value
upon Roger Chapman Gent Godfrey Wythers Gent William
Hartly Apothecary and Richard Kilpin Draper their Heirs and
Assigns In Trust nevertheless that the same may pay for four
and twenty penny Loaves to be provided by the Church Wardens
and Overseers of the Poor of Newport aforesaid (and set upon a
Shelf fixed to the piller in the Church at the Back where I usually
sit to hear Divine Service) every Lord's Day before the beginning
of Morning Service to be by them distributed after the said Morning
Service to so many of the poor people of Newport aforesaid as
sbalt coflie to hear Divine Service before the first Lesson ended
And my will and Mind is that such of the Poor People of Queen
Ann's Hospital that shall be then at Church shall be served in the
first place That then I do make and ordain them the said Roger
Chapman Godfrey Withers William Hartley and Richard Kilpin
Executors of this my last Will and Testament In Trust to purchase
Lands and Tenements to perform the Charitable Use aforesaid
And to pay my Legacies in this my Will expressed I give then
to my loving wife five Shillings And the Remainder of all my
Personal Estate when the Legacies are paid and the Land settled
for the Charitable Use aforesaid Item I give unto Rebecka
Slingsbee Daughter of my Brother Hezekia Slingsbee deceased
ten pounds ... Item I give to Marke ffountaine son of Thomas
ffountaine my Sister Alice Daughters Son ten pounds ... Item
my Will and mind is that my Wife shall bestow five pounds in
Rings upon my Kindred which she shall think fit ... And my
Will and Mind is that when my aforesaid Trustees shall come to
the Number of two that they two shall convey the said Annuity
to two other Trustees that shall be then Governors of Queen
Ann's Hospital In Trust as aforesaid ..."

Slingsby's Charity. 271

By an Indenture, dated 5th August, 29 Charles II, and made
between Susanna Slingsby, Widow, and Thomas Potter, next son
and heir of Anthony Potter, deceased, who was son and heir of
Anthony Potter, Malster, deceased, of the one part, and Roger
Chapman, Gent., Godfrey Withers, Gent., William Hartley, Apothe-
cary, and Richard Kilpin, Draper, of the other part, after reciting
the will and that the lands and tenements thereinafter mentioned
were theretofore conveyed to Anthony Potter and Richard Perrott,
deceased, in trust for the- said Susanna Slingsby and her heirs,
and that the said Anthony Potter survived, whereby the trust
estate vested in his heirs. It is witnessed that the said Susannah
Slingsby in performance of the said Will, and the said Thomas
Potter, son and heir of the said Anthony Potter, at the request of
the said Susanna Slingsby, conveyed unto the said parties thereto
of the second part, their heirs and assigns, all that messuage or
tenement with the appurtenances situate in Tickford, in the parish
of Newport Pagnell, wherein the said Mark Slingsby then lately
dwelt, and all orchards, closes, and lands, unto the said messuage
belonging, with the appurtenances and all other the hereditaments
of the said Susanna Slingsby, in Tickford, and it is provided that
if the said Susanna Slingsby, her heirs and assigns, should from
time to time weekly upon-every Saturday pay unto the said church-
wardens and overseers the sum of 2S., without any deduction
whatsoever, for the providing of twenty-four penny loaves to be by
them distributed to the poor as aforesaid, then the said Susanna
Slingsby, her heirs and assigns, should, until default of pa3rment
thereof receive the rents and profits of the said premises to her and
their own use ; but if the said Susanna Slingsby, her heirs and
assigns, should make default in the said payment, then it should be
lawful for the said Trustees, their heirs and assigns, to enter into the
said premises, and the said rents and profits to have for raising the
said weekly sum of 2s. to the use aforesaid, as effectually to all intents
and purposes as if there had been no proviso contained in the said
Indenture; with a covenant from the said Susanna Slingsby to
pay the said weekly sum of 2s at the times aforesaid.

In 1833, the Commissioners found that the rent charge of £5 4s.
issued out of a house with the appurtenances in Tickford End,
belonging to George Renny, M.D., and Robert Murray Fraser,
Esquire, and that the money was received by the churchwardens
and laid out by them in the purchase of bread, which was dis-

272 History of Newport Pagnell.

tributed every Sunday in penny loaves to six poor people of Queen

Ann's Hospital, and eighteen other persons who attended divine

service.
The gift is thus recorded on a wooden tablet, fixed to the Tower

wall of the Church : —
*' Mark Slingsby, Gent., of this parish deceased gave two shillings

per week for ever to be laid out in bread for the poor of this parish
Come happy ones blest of my Father, come.
Possess the kingdom, your prepared home.
When I was hungry and you did me feed.
You visited my servants in their need :
What's done to mine, I take as done to me,
And endless glory your reward shall be.
Anno Domini 1710."
The Gentleman's Magazine for February, 1821, has the following

reference to Slingsby amongst its " Select Poetry " : —
"Written on the Grave of Mark Slingsby, at Newport Pagnel.

Sept. 3. 18 10.

Stranger ! with no unholy tread
Pollute this mansion of the dead :
Stranger ! whoe'er thou art, draw near,
Here may'st thou shed the sacred tear ;
Whate'er thy name, whate'er thy fate,
Thou ow'st a tribute to the great :
If, reckless of our hero's fame,
Thou stand' st unconscious of that claim ;
If no ambition fires the blood.
Thou ow'st a tribute to the good ;
And here, from all intrusion free.
Pay the sweet meed of Loyalty.
Ask't thou for whom these tears are shed ?
Great Slingsby slumbers with the dead. J.T.M."
The date, 18 10, is probably a misprint for 1820, and the writer

was James Temple Mansel, who composed the lines in his youth,

and entirely from an imaginary view of Slingsby's character, as he

told Mr. H. Gough, in 1872, speaking to him of the verses as "a

splash of ink upon the paper."
The rent charge now issues out of the second field beyond the

Union, on the London Road, and is duly applied in the purchase

and distribution of bread.

Slingsby's Charity. 273

The present Trustees are Messrs. F. Allfrey, W. Bromwich,
E. D. Mitchell, R. Wadhams, M. Warren and B. Wilford.

Underwood's Charity.

William Underwood, by his will, dated 5th July, 1793, bequeathed
unto George Cooch and Richard White ;£2oo, upon trust to pay
the same to the minister and churchwardens of Newport Pagnell ;
upon trust, that they and their successors should invest the same
at interest in their joint names, in the public funds, or in Parlia-
mentary security, and not on real security; and receive the
dividends and lay out the same in the purchase of bread, to be by
them distributed on the ist of January in every year, at the Parish
Church of Newport Pagnell, amongst such poor inhabitants of the
said parish, and in such manner as they, the said minister and
churchwardens and their successors, should in their discretion
think proper.

In 1833, ^£321 5s. 8d. Three per cent. Consols stood in the
names of the Rev. Charles Kipling, William White, and Edward
Cleaver in respect of the Charity ; the annual dividends amounting
to £g I2S. 8d. were received by the minister and churchwardens,
and expended in the purchase of bread, which was made up into
half-peck and quartern loaves, and given away in the Church on
New Year's Day to poor persons, parishioners of Newport Pagnell,
and attending the service of the Established Church, in shares
varying according to the size of their families.

The above mentioned amount of Consols is now in the name of
the Official Trustee.

White's and Waller's Charities.

The following is a copy of the tablet in the Parish Church : —
'' Mrs. Martha White left 20s. per annum out of a close lying in
Dunton Basset in the county of Leicester, los. of which are to be
given to the vicar yearly for preaching a sermon on Good Friday,
2s. 6d. to the clerk, and 7s. 6d. to fifteen poor persons who shall
receive the sacrament of the Lord's Supper that day."

Dr. Edmund Waller, described as Doctor of Physic and senior
fellow of St. John's College in the University of Cambridge, by
his will, proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 8th
January, 1745, requested that if he died at Newport he might be

274 History op Newport Pagnbll.

dqxwited in the family vault in the churchyard, and bequeathed
the sum of j£40, to be laid out in any manner by his executor so
that the interest thereof should be yearly applied by way of aug-
mentation to a benefaction (White's), then given some time ago
for preaching a sermon on Good Friday, by the Vicar of Newport
Pagnell for the time being.

The Vicar receives £i annually from the present owner of a
close of land at Dunton Basset, preaches the sermon, and duly
distributes the amount in the proportions above named.

Nothing, even in 1833, was known as to Dr. Waller's bequest
of )C4o.

Whitton's Charity.

Edward Whitton, of Northampton, Gentleman,^ by his will,
dated i8th December, 1766, bequeathed j^ioo to be laid out in the
purchase of Government securities, funds or stocks, to be invested,
when purchased, in the names of the Vicar of Newport Pagnell and
three others, named, and their successors, upon trust, yearly, on
the 5th day of January, to lay out the dividends in bread, and dis-
tribute the same to such poor persons of the parish of Newport
Pagnell, who should not receive any alms or parish collection, as
they should think proper ; and directed that when the number of
Trustees should be reduced by death to two, the survivors
should elect two substantial inhabitants of the parish, to make up
the number to four, whereof the Vicar of Newport Pagnell for the
time being should always be one ; and that the survivors should
transfer the stock into the names of the survivors and the new
Trustees.

In 1833, a sum of j£ii4 12s. 3d. Old South Sea Annuities was
standing in the names of the Rev. J. G. Durham, Edmund Goodwin,
Geo. Cooch, and Henry Van Hagen, but the first and last named
of these were then dead.

The dividends at that time amounted to £2 8s. 8d., and were
laid out in the purchase of bread, made into sixpenny loaves,
which were distributed on the 5th January to poor persons of the
parish ; the recipients, notwithstanding the will, being generally
also in receipt of parish relief.

The trust funds now consist of ;£i30 2s. yd. Consols, and the

I. Staines describes him thus.

Whitton's Charity. 275

dividends of £3 i is. 4d. thereon are applied in the purchase of
bread, which is distributed on 5th February, annually.

The trustees are Rev. C. M. Ottley, Messrs. F. Allfrey, O. H.
Bull, James Boustead, J. Short, F. J. Taylor, and R. Wadhams.

Widow's Acre.

In the Parliamentary Returns of 1786, an acre of land is stated
to have been given by an unknown donor for the use of poor
widows of Newport Pagnell, and to be then vested in the over-
seers, who always sold the annual produce by auction, and that it
produced then from £2 los. od. to £$.

There is a reference to this charity in the rolls of the Leet and
Court Baron held on the 8th October, 1672, for amongst the orders
then made is the following : —

" We likewise order that John Johnson doe give an Account to
the present Overseers of this Parish of all moneys he hath received
out of the bury Meddow belonging to the poore and how the same
hath bin dispoased of this last yeare and to whom hay sold within
40 days upon penalty of forfeiting 405. to the lord of this mannor
We doe order that the said John Johnson shall not for the time to
cum sell or dispoase of the same hay without the knowlidg and
consent of the present overseers then in being for this parish upon
penalty of forfeiting of 40s. to the lord of this mannor."

In 1833 there were about three acres of land, called as above, in
Bury Meadow, the limits of which were ascertained by a ditch.
The herbage of the field belonged to those who had rights of
common in Bury Meadow, but the crop or produce of the land was
sold yearly by auction, by the overseers, about the first week in
July, and the proceeds given away by them amongst all the widows
of the parish who applied for a share on the succeeding New
Year's Day.

In 1899 ^^ sale, which is still by auction, was held on 7th July,
and produced £3. The proceeds were, with a grant of £2 2s. 6d,
made by the town feoffees, distributed among 100 widows, who
each received is., 2s. being paid the crier, and 6d. carried forward.

276

Part VIII.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Annesley Family.

rOR some time prior to the grant of Newport Manor to Sir
Francis Annesley the Annesleys had been inhabitants of the
towji.

Robert Annesley, whose will was dated 29th July, 15531 and
proved on the 13th October following, was the first of the family
who came from Nottinghamshire to Newport. He styled himself
'* Baily " of Newport, and refers to his wife, Anne, to his son,
George, and his children. On 4th December, 1558, Anne Ansley,
of Newport Pagnell, Widow, made her Will, and in it provided as
to a lease of a farm, and gave to the six children of her son, George,
namely, James, Mathew, Thomas, Robert, Judith, and Ciceleye,
6s. 8d. each. The will was proved 14th February, 1574.

George Annesley married Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Dove,
of Moulsoe, relict of William Stokes, and was buried at Newport
17th January, 1607.

Francis Annesley was baptised at Newport, 2nd January, 1585.
The Dictionary of National Biography states that he was the son
of Thomas Annesley, while Burke, in his Peerage, states that
Robert, the eldest son of George Annesley, was his father. Burke
further states that George Annesley was a naval officer in the
time of Elizabeth, and married Beatrice, daughter of John
Cornwall, of Moor Park, Herefordshire. Be that as it may,
Francis Annesley soon entered on a military career, and was
created first a Knight, then a Baronet of Ireland, and on
8th February, 1628, being then Vice-Treasurer and Receiver-

Annesley Family. 277

General . of the Revenue, and Principal Secretary of State in
Ireland, Charles raised him to the Irish Peerage as Baron Mount
Norris of Mount Norris. Later on, by Letters Patent, dated nth
March, 1620, he was created Viscount of Valentia, in the county of
Kerry, to hold that title after the death of Sir Henry Power, a
kinsman of Annesley's, if Power had no direct heir. When the
Earl of StrafiFord was Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, he not being in
accord with the Earl's policy, was committed to prison and sen-
tenced to death on a frivolous charge, which afterwards formed one
of the Articles of Strafford's impeachment. Although the death
sentence was commuted, he lost his offices and was kept imprisoned
for some while. In the time of the Parliament, however, his
sentence was declared unjust, and he had one or two offices con-
ferred on him.

In 1642, Sir Henry Power, having died without heirs, he became,
in accordance with the grant already mentioned, Viscount Valentia.

In 1646, he was for a time in London, but when not in Ireland he
lived at Newport Pagnell. His first wife was Dorothy, daughter of
Sir John Phillips, of Picton Castle, Pembrokeshire, who died 3rd
May, 1624. He died in 1660, and was buried on the 23rd
November of that year in the Church of Thorgamby, Yorkshire.

Arthur, his son, was bom in Dublin on loth July, 1614, and was
sent to England in 1624. He took his degree at Magdalen College,
Oxford, in 1634, and in the same year joined Lincoln's Inn. The
statement that he sat in the Parliament at Oxford, in 1643, appears
to be erroneous. He was one of the Commissioners sent to
Ireland, in 1645, to prevent a union between Ormond and the
Scotch forces in Ulster, under Monroe, in which mission he was
quite successful. He took an active part in the Restoration, and
was on 20th April, 1661, made an English peer, under the title of
Lord Annesley, of Newport Pagnell, and Earl of Anglesey. He
became a Privy Councillor, Treasurer of the Navy, and after-
wards, on 22nd April, 1672, Lord Privy Seal, of which office he
was deprived on gth April, 1682, having incurred displeasure by
the publication of certain views of his, some of which were thought
to reflect on Charles I. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir
James Altham, of Oxey, Herts., and died 26th April, 1686.

He left several children, and Charles II. created his second son,
Altham Annesley, Baron Altham of Altham, with remainder to
his younger brothers. Altham Annesley enjoyed the title during

2jS History op Nbwport Pagnbll.

his lifei but died without issue, and it then devolved on his brother

James Annesley^ Earl of Anglesey, great grandson of Francis,
Lord Mount Norris, died on loth January, 1702, without male
issue, leaving Lady Catherine Annesley, who afterwards married
William Phipps, Esq., hb only child and heiress at law, and two
brothers, John, who upon his death became Earl of Anglesey, and
Arthur, who also on the death of his brother John, which happened
soon afterwards, became Earl of Anglesey.

Arthur, Earl of Anglesey, died on ist April, 1737, without issue,
and thereupon hb cousin, Richard, Lord Altham, succeeded to the
title and the bulk of the estates.

In 1715, Richard married Ann Prust, but deserted her, and she
died without issue in 1741. From 1741 to the date of his death he
lived with Juliana Donovan, whom he married, and by her had
issue. In 1743 an action was brought against him for the recovery
of certain Irish estates by James Annesley, who claimed to be the
heir of Arthur, Lord Altham, Richard's elder brother, to whose
title Richard succeeded. From the evidence adduced at the trial
it appeared that Arthur, Lord Altham, in 1706, married Mary
Sheffield, natural daughter of the Duke of Buckingham, and that
in 1 7 15 a child, the plaintiff, James, was bom, and treated as the
legitimate heir till about 1724. In the meantime Lord Altham and
his wife separated, and a mistress named Gregory, with whom he
lived, alienated his affections from the boy, and persuaded him
that the plaintiff was not his son. He was accordingly sent away
from his father's house, and kept as far as possible in seclusion.
After the death of Arthur, Lord Altham, on i6th November, 1727,
his brother Richard kidnapped the plaintiff and sent him to the
River Delawar in America, where he was sold as a slave, and did
not escape till thirteen years later, when he reached Jamaica, and
was sent by Admiral Vernon to England. For the defence, it was
alleged that the plaintiif was the son of Joan Landy, the nurse.
In the result a verdict was given for the plaintiff, but for lack of
funds or otherwise the judgment was not followed up, and James
Annesley died in 1761, having been twice married.

Richard, Earl of Anglesey, died on 14th February, 1761, leaving
the Countess Juliana, Arthur, his only son and heir, and three
daughters him surviving.

Arthur claimed both the Englbh and Irish titles of hb father,

Annbsley Family. 279

and although he succeeded in establishing his claim to the latter,
his claim to the former was disallowed, and they became extinct
in 1 77 1, as it was not satisfactorily proved that the date of his
father's marriage certificate, on which he relied, was 1741 and not
1752. He married first, in 1767, the Honorable Lucy Fortescue
Lyttleton, daughter of the Right Honorable George Lord Lyttle-
ton, and by her had issue one son, George, and two daughters,
and second, in 1783, Sarah Cavendish, daughter of Sir Henry
Cavendish. He was created Earl of Mount Norris in 1793.

It was, as already mentioned, Arthur, Earl Mountnorris, and
George, commonly called Viscount Valentia, who by selling the
Manor of Newport Pagnell in 1810, to Mr. Hardy, severed the
long connection of the Annesley Family with the town.

Lewis Atterbury,
the son of Lewis Atterbury, Rector of Milton Keynes, was bom
at Caldecot, Newport Pagnell, on 2nd May, 1656, the entry of the
fact in the Newport Parish Registers being " Lewis Atterbury
son of Lewis borne May ye 2nd.'' He was educated under Dr.
Busby at Westminster School, and sent to Christ Church, Oxford,
at the age of eighteen. He was ordained deacon in September,
1679 (being then B.A.), and priest the year following, when also
he commenced M.A. In 1683, he officiated as chaplain to Sir
William Pritchard, then Lord Mayor of London. In February,
1684, he was instituted rector of Syivell, Northants, which benefice
he resigned on the acceptance of other preferments. On 8th July,
1687, he obtained the degrees of Bachelor and Doctor of Civil
Law. In 1691, he became lecturer of St. Mary Hill, London. Soon
after his marriage he settled at Highgate, where he supplied the
pulpit of Rev. David Lathom, who was very old and infirm, and
upon his death in June, 1695, was elected by the trustees of
Highgate Chapel as their minister. The same year he was
nominated one of the six chaplains to the Princess Anne, to preach
at Whitehall and St. James, which place he continued to supply
after she came to the throne, and during part of the reign of
George I. While he resided at Highgate, observing the want by
the poor of a good physician and apothecary, he studied physic,
and acquiring considerable skill, practised it gratis among his poor
neighbours. He was rector of Shepperton in 1707, and of Homsey,
in which parish was Highgate Chapel, in 17 19. In 1720 he asked

28o History of Newport Pagnell.

his brother, the Bishop of Rochester, to appoint him as Arch-
deacon there, on a vacancy in that office arising, but, although the
request was not granted, as the Bishop considered it improper
that he should be placed in a post immediately under him, the
brothers remained good friends. He died at Bath on 20th October,
1 73 1, whither he had gone owing to a paralytic disorder. By his
will, in which he is described as of the parish of St. Pancras,
Middlesex, he gave forty of his best practical books in Divinity as
his executor should think fit to the Library of Newport Pagnell,^
and after making bequests of books to other places, also directed
that '* they that have them shall be obliged to print a catalogue of
them and to set them up in a place by themselves." He also gave
an annual sum of ;£ 10 to a schoolmistress to instruct poor girls at
Newport, and made a disposition in favour of the living as
mentioned elsewhere. His wife was Penelope, daughter of Mr.
John Bedingfield and sister of Sir Robert Bedingfield, Lord
Mayor of London in 1707, by whom he had a daughter and three
sons, none of whom survived him. She died ist May, 1723, and
his only grand-child, a grand-daughter, in 1732, so that by his will
his nephew, Osbom Atterbury, son of the Bishop, became entitled
to his fortune. He published some volumes of Sermons and
Tracts.

John Broklb,

a member of the Draper's Company, Sheriif of London with
William Mildred in 1425, and in 1433 Lord Mayor of London, was,
according to Fuller, a son of William Brokle of Newport Pagnell.

William Bull

was bom at Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, and baptised
there on 17th December, 1738. He was the son of John and
Judith Bull, but was, partially at all events, brought up by his
grandfather, Francis Bull. Deciding to enter the ministry, he, in
1759, was admitted to the Daventry Dissenting Academy, and, on
the termination of his college career, accepted a call from Newport
Independent Church in 1764. Soon after his settlement there he
established and carried on a school with considerable success, one
of his pupils being Sir John Leech, who became Master of the
Rolls. He married Hannah Palmer, a daughter of Thomas

I These volumes are in the possession of the Vi6ar.

lis new Tjms
■iliC UBRaiX

William Bull. 281

Palmer, of Bedford, on 7th June, 1768, and soon after his famous
acquaintanceship with the R^v. John Newton, of OIney, was
formed. In 1782 his intimacy with the poet Cowper may be said
to have commenced, and the well-known Mr. Thornton became
also a frequent correspondent. The formation of the Academy for
Dissenting Ministers, of which he was first principal, in 1782, is
referred to elsewhere. On 23rd October, 1800, Thomas Palmer
Bull, his only surviving child, was ordained co-pastor with him.
His wife died 26th February, 1804. In his earlier years he
preached a good deal in various parts of the country, but his
health gradually failed, and he died on 23rd of July, 18 14. He
does not appear to have published any work, but assisted in the
revision of an edition of Bogatzky's '' Golden Treasury," published
by Mr. Thornton, and wrote original papers under the dates
January i8th, February loth and i6th, and December ist. He
also had Cowper's translation of Madame Guion's poems printed
in 1801. The accompanying portrait is from a portrait in oils, by
Wildman.

Thomas Palmer Bull

was the only child of William Bull who attained maturity, and
was born 15th July, 1773. He was a student of the Newport
College, and for many years was connected officially with it, as
mentioned elsewhere. He became co-pastor of Newport Indepen-
dent Church on 23rd October, 1800, and sole pastor from the date
of his father's death till he was joined by his son Josiah. He was
Chairman of the Congregational Union in 1835. He married
Letitia Bateman on 13th October, 1803, the issue of the marriage
being three sons, William Bateman (who for many years practised
as a solicitor at Newport Pagnell), Thomas (a London physician,
whose works entitled ** Hints to Mothers '' and " Maternal Manage-
ment of Children in Health and Disease," are well known), and
Josiah (pastor of Newport Independent Church, and author of
"The Memorials of the Rev. William Bull," "Life of John
Newton," and " Newton's Letters.") His wife died on 13th
August, 1836. In 1850, when he had been pastor fifty years, a
jubilee service was held, and a presentation made to him. He
died on nth March, 1859. He published "One hundred and
twenty-nine letters from Newton to Bull," "A brief narrative of
the rise and progress of the Independent Church at Newport

282 History of Newport Pagnell.

Pagnell/' and was also concerned with Rev. Thomas Adkins in a
work entitled "A Form for the Solemnization of Matrimony."
The accompanying portrait is from an engraving, published in
July, 1817.

Sir Hugh Burnell, Kt.,^

was son and heir of Nicholas Bumell, who owned the manor of
Haselbech. He married Joyce, grand-daughter and heir of Sir
John Botetourt, Kt., and in 9 Richard II., on performance of
homage, had livery of the lands of her inheritance. Being reputed
in favour with the king, and one of his evil counsellers, he was, by
the influence of the nobility, banished from court. On the king's
recovering his power, however, he had a grant of sixpence a day
in compensation of his services and losses, to be paid out of the
Exchequer during his life. Afterwards he became so popular
that, on the deposal of Richard, he was deputed with other lords
to receive from the King, then in the Tower, his resignation of
the Crown. In 4 Henry V. he entered into articles with Sir
Walter Hungerford for the marriage of Margery, one of the
daughters of Edward his only son, then dead, with Edmund
Hungerford, son of the said Sir Walter, which marriage, took
place. His wife, Joyce, died 7 Henry IV. without issue, and he
died 8 Henry V., and was buried in the Abbey of Hales, Salop,
near his wife, Joyce, leaving as his heiresses his grand-daughters,
Joyce, the wife of Thomas Erdyngton, junior, Catherine Bumell,
and Margery, the wife of Edmund Hungerford, who were all
daughters of his son, Edward Bumell, and of the respective ages
of 24, 14, and 1 1 years and upwards. Who the mother of Edward
Bumell was is not stated.

Richard Carpenter,

According to a passage in his " Anabaptist,'* 2 was born at New-
port Pagnell in 1609.^ He was educated at Eton, and for about
three years he was at King's College, Cambridge, but left upon

1 Bridges, vol. ii., p. 36, quoting Dug. Baron, vol. ii., p. 61.

2 The passage is " I was born there ; and bom thither by a charitable desire of

consociating and comforting my Friends." It follows a sentence referring
in no complimentary terms to Gibbs. Newport is not actually mentioned.
Nor any date.

3 There were Carpenters at Newport, and an "Anthony Carpenter gent

deceased 23 Nov. 1658." Parish Registers.

r-r. ,\r;W YORK

lii.lC LIBRAR'f

Richard Carpenter. 283

Christmas Eve ** to avoid the receiving of the Sacrament the next
day/' and ''was reconciled to the Church of Rome, in London, by
an English monk, and by him recommended to a Jesuit, who sent
him to the English Colledge at S. Omers in Flanders." There he
became disposed to join the Jesuits, and was sent to Valladolid.
Thence he appears to have gone to Douay, where his skull was
shaved partly so as "to make better roome for a Crown of glory."
After being at Paris a time he was by his kinsman, the provinciall
of the English Jesuits, sent to Rome, where he received Orders
from the Pope's substitute. He returned to England, by the
Pope's orders, to make proselytes, but lifter preaching and
labouring so to do for " the space of a year and upwards " he was
''reconciled to the faire church of Christ in England," and was
presented to the Vicarage of Poling in Sussex, in 1635. He was
alternately a Catholic and Protestant thrice subsequently, and at
one time professedly of Independent views. ^ In 1647 he held a
dispute with John Gibbs, then Vicar of Newport, concerning Paedo
baptism, and claimed the victory in a pamphlet entitled "The
Anabaptist washt and washt, and shrunk in the washing; or a
Scholasticall Discussion of the much-agitated Controversie con-
cerning Infant Baptism ; occasioned by a Publike Disputation,
before a great Assembly of Ministers and other Persons of worth
in the Church of Newport Pagnell, Betwixt Mr. Gibbs Minister
there, and the Author, Richd. Carpenter, Independent. Wherein
also the Author occasionally declares his judgement concerning
the Papists ; And afterwards concerning Episcopacy." London,
printed by William Hunt. The book is without date, but must
have been published about the time of the disputation. In the
dedication " To all the zealous Defenders and Abettors of Infant
baptism " he says he was "called inwardly and outwardly recalled,
agpreeably to the mixture and even composition of his first and
fundamentall calling : to preach in the Church of Newport Pag-
nell, before a very numerous Auditory, congealed and consisting
of the more solid and sapid part of the Town and Country ; *' that
after the sermon he baptised a child " in the sober performance of
which mysterious work, the Minister, unsettled in place, and (it
seems) in person professing for Anabaptism, and suddenly rapted

I While Vicar of Poling he published, in 1642, a book entitled " Experience,
Historic, and Divinitie," which was " printed by order of the House of
Commons," and from which the foregoing quotations are taken.

284 History of Newport Pagnell.

with a vertiginous motion/' interrupted him. The consequence
was the disputation. He is referred to by Pepys, in his Diary,
thus : — " 10 August, 1662 .... After dinner to St. Bride's,
and there heard one Carpenter, an old monk, who, they say, hath
been a Jesuit priest, and is come over to us ; but he preached very
well." He was married, and for a time preached at Aylesbury.
It is said he died in the communion of the Church of Rome, but at
what date is not known. He was living in 1670. He was the
author of several works besides those already mentioned, three of
them containing his portrait. The portrait reproduced is from the
" Experience."

John Harley

Was, according to Fuller and Willis, bom at Newport Pagnell in
1504. Other writers say he was born in Herefordshire, but there
were Harleys who for three generations held lands at Newport in
the sixteenth and early part of the seventeenth century. They are
referred to in the Newport Survey of 6 James I., their Christian
names being John, Richard, and John, so that it may be that they
were descendants of John Harley, and that Willis was correct.
Harley was educated at Oxford, and elected Fellow of Magdalen
College in 1537. He was Master of Magdalen School from 1542 to
August, 1548, whence he was taken by John Dudley, Earl of
Warwick, afterwards Duke of Northumberland, who made him
tutor to his children and obtained for him a prebend in the church
of Worcester in 1550, where, being settled, he had the Rectory of
Upton-upon-Severn and the Vicarage of Kidderminster bestowed
upon him. The Earl also recommended him to King Edward,
who appointed him one of his Chaplains and made him Bishop of
Hereford 26th May, 1553. He seems to have owed his preferment
to his decidedly anti-papal views, and it is not, therefore, surprising
that on the accession of Mary he was deprived of his Bishopric on
19th March, 1554, in the first year of her reign, for having married
during the preceding year, and for refusing to go to Mass and per-
form the Catholic service. On his deprivation he wandered about
the country and died in great distress in, according to Fuller, 1554,
and to others 1558.

Lawrence Humphrey

Was born at Newport Pagnell in 1527. He was educated at Cam-
bridge, but became later a fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford,

KLL'HAKh CAHPKM

Lawrence Humphrey. 285

and took his M.A. degree there July, 1552, In September, 1553,
he obtained leave from his College to travel abroad and went
to Basle and then to Zurich, where he associated with English
exiles who had fled for religion's sake. After Mary's death he
returned to his College and his fellowship, which had been forfeited
for outstaying his leave, was restored. In 1560 he was appointed
Queen's professor of Divinity at Oxford, and the year after elected
President of his College. In 1562 he took Divinity degrees, and
in 1570 was made Dean of Gloucester. In 1580 he was constituted
Dean of Winchester, and if he had not, as a result of his residence
abroad, become somewhat of a Calvinist, he would probably have
been promoted to a Bishopric. Wood says he was '' a great and
general scholar, an able linguist, a deep divine ; and for his excel-
lency of style, exactness of method, and substance of method in his
writings, went beyond most of our theologians." He married, at
the beginning of Elizabeth's reign one, Joan, the daughter of
Andrew Inkforby, of Ipswich, by whom he had seven sons and five
daughters. She died 27th August, 161 1, aged 74, and was
buried in the Chancel of Steeple Barton Church, Oxfordshire.
He died on ist February, 1589, and was buried at the
at the upper end of the inner chapel of Magdalen College, a monu-
ment to his memory, and another to that of her mother being
erected by their eldest daughter Justinia Dormer. He was the
author of several works.

John Perrott
Was the son of Robert and Frances Perrott, and was baptised at
Newport Pagnell on i6th July, 1723. His father died 31st March,
1732, and his mother apparently about the same time, leaving him
a fortune of about ;£i5oo. He was educated at Guilsborough, and
when about fifteen years of age was put apprentice to his half
brother, at Hempstead, in Hertfordshire. In 1747 he went to
London, and began to trade for himself in foreign white lace. In
1752 he was in business at Ludgate Hill, dealing in various
articles, particularly linen drapery, and styling himself a merchant.
Till 1759 he was very punctual in his payments, and having thus
established his credit, he obtained goods to the value of £30,000,
which he privately sold through an agent, named Thompson, at
under cost price, before the time for payment arrived, and then on
17th January, 1760, called his creditors together at the Half Moon

286 History of Newport Pagnell.

Tavern, Cheapside, and acquainted them with his inability to
meet all their demands. At first the creditors were inclined to
deal leniently with him in the bankruptcy proceedings which
ensued, although the deficiency was about ;{^ 17,000, but their
suspicions were aroused, and it being found that Thompson had
sold goods as above mentioned, and that bank notes, part of the
estate, were being concealed, he was brought to trial in September,
1 76 1, convicted, and sentenced to death. He was executed at
Smithfield on nth November following, and up to the last declined ,
to give any information as to his estate to his assignees. He was,
it is said, buried at Newport, but there is no entry to that effect
in the burial registers. In view, however, of the nature of his
death, it is not to be expected that a formal one would be made.

28;

INDEX.

.Abbey End School, 205.

Abbott, Robert, 152.

Abercromby, Capt., 163.

Acts, Local, 17, 22, 172, 178.

Adkins, Thos., 146, 282.

Advowson of Church, 36, 105, 113.

Aelfheah, Thegn, 27.

AflSeck, Mr., 145.

Albani, Nichola de, 35.

Allfrey, Fras., 127, 257, 268, 273, 275.

All Souls Light, 103.

Almshouses, Feoffee, 51, 235, 243.

Alneto, Wm. de, 97.

Altham, Arthur Lord 278, Elizabeth 277,
Sir James 277, Ridiard Lord 278.

Alyn, Kt., John, 232.

Alured, 175.

Ampthill, Honor of, 47, 49, 54, 88.

Amys, John, 102, 118.

Andrewes, Capt, 166.

Anglesey, Earldom of, 277.

Annesley, Altham 277, Anne 276, Arthur
56, 59i 277, 278, Catherine 278,
acely 276, Elizabeth 235, Sir
Francis 54, 58, 276, George 49, 53,
60, 91, 125, 234, 235, 237, 276, Tames
49, 91, 222, 276, 278, John 48, 125,
278, Judith 276, Matthew 49, 125,
276, Robert 49, 215, 223, 235, 276,
Thomas 217, 276.

Ansculf, Wm. Fitz 27, 62, 175, Beatrice
28.

Aprice, Robert, 237.

Ashworth, Dr., 145.

Aspin, Thos., 120, 126.

Assize of Bread and Ale, 32, 33, 37.

Assizes at Newport, 2.

Aston 64, 67, 69, 78, 79, 83, 88, 117.

Astwood, 37, 39, 50, 63, 70, 73, lly 78, 82,
87, 88, 199.

Atkins, Annal)ella 92, Henry 54, 88, 89,
91, 92, 219, Mary 88, Rebecca 93,
115, Richard 93, 94, 112, Thomas 92.

Atterbury, Elizabeth 125, Lewis iii, 125,
247, 249, Osborn 247, Wm. 128.

Angmodesham, Wm. de, 117.

Austin, Samuel, 119.

Ayers, Wm., 195.

Aylesbury, i, 8, loi, Philip de 40, Robt.
Earl of 192, Thomas 41, Walter de 40.

Backwell, Wm., 94.

Bagg, Wm., 109.

Baker, John 232, Thos. 215.

Balshaw, James A., 146.

Banks, Thos. 120, 258, Lowde 120, 226.

Baptists, The, 150.

Barker, W., 118.

Bamack, 64, 74.

Bartley Trustees, 229.

Barton, J., 123.

Basset of Drayton, Ralph Lord 35, 38.

Bassett and Grant, 268.

Bateman, Letitia, 281.

Bathe, John, 43, 44.

Bathing-place, 24, 242.

Bavis, Wm. de, 66.

Bayer Ditch, 55, 151.

Baynton, Wm., 232.

Beaty, Charlotte, 249.

Beauchamp, Ida 31, 32, Joan 44, 176,
John de 43, Wm. de 30, 31, 32, 33, 44.

Beaumont, Capt., 167.

Bedford, 2, 160, All Saints' Church at 102,
Booksellers at 161, Independent
Chapel at 140.

Bedingfield family, 280.

Bells, Church, 24, 103, III, 114, 131.

Belsham, Jas., 145.

288

Index.

Bennett, Mr., 150,

Berkeley, Maurice de 43, Roger de 63.

Bemwell, Reginald de, 97.

Bifield, Wnu, 35.

Birley, H. H., I3i.

Birmingham, Fulc de 46, Joan de 44,
Wm. de 39, 44, 46.

Bitham, Scutage of, 30.

Blakett, John, 119.

Bledeton, Wm. de, 39.

Bletchley, 189.

Blot, John, 119, 211.

Bludd, Gift of Richard 238, 244, Joyce 239.

BIythe, Robt., 98.

Boddington, 64, 73, 83, 87, 88, 89.

Bohun, Robert de, 66.

Bolton, Elizabeth, 126.

Bonestou Hundred, i, 188.

Booth, Sir George, 5.

Botetourt, Agnes 42, Joan 39, John 39,
40, 41, 231, 282, Joyce 41, 282,
Katherine 42, 282, Matilda 41, 42, 43,
Thomas 39.

Botiller of Yatton, Wm., 43.

Boustead, Jas., 275.

Bouverie, Hon. Edward 248, John A.
Shiel 248.

Bowes, Martha 126, Martin 59, Robt. 169.

Bowyer, Robt, 209.

Boyne's Tokens, 208.

Bozeat Rectory, 231.

Brabanzon, Roger le, 75, 76, 77.

Brackley, 163.

Bradwell, 64, 66* 70, 73, 76, 83, 89.

Bradwell, Hugh de 78, Robt. de, 66.

Brasses, Church, 129.

Bray's Tour, 10.

Breaute, Fulk de, 2.

Briden's Token, Wm., 207.

Brickhill, 156, 165, 167, 176.

Bridges, 4, 64, 103, 169, 209, 222, 240.

British School, 15, 25, 205.

Brittan>', John, Duke of, 68.

Britten, Anne 142, James 57, Robert 141.

Broke, Thos., 82, 86, 99.

Brokle, John Wm., 280.

Bromwich, W., 273.

Bronghton, 188, Church 66, Manor 239.

Brouthone, Robert de, Wm., 66.

Brown, Dr. John, 161.

Brace, Edward Lord, 53.

Bryen, Robert, Roger, 37.

Bucks Standard, The, 203.

Bttckedon, Henry de, 116.

Buckingham, 163, 234.

Bull, F. D. 20, John 280, Judith 380,
Josiah 146, 149, 249, 281, O. H. 275,
Thomas 281, T. P. 145, 148, 249, 281,
Walter B. 260, William 96, 140, 148,
280, Wm. Bateman 20, 183, 281,
Wm. Rogers 20.

Bullard, Alfred, 2.

Bullen, Sir Wm. 47, Anne 47.

Bunyan, John, 138, 147, 161.

Burbank, Wm., 81.

Burgess, Richard 100, 104, 106, Nicholas
104.

Burgh, John de, Sibilla, 67.

Burgis' Token, John, 207.

Burgulen, Wm., 123.

Burial Board formed, 20.

Burial Ground, Old. 2.

Burn's School, 16.

Burnel, £dward43, Sir Hugh 41, 48, 282,
Joyce 41, Katherine 43.

Burton, Nicholas de 39, Thomas de 39,
William de 39.

Bury Close, 90, 92, Field 9, 20, 90, 92, 179,
198, Meadow 90, 180, 183, 275.

Butler, Margaret 115, P. 94, 115. 229,
Thomas 106, 217.

Butler's Hudibras, 168.

Cachepol, Richard, 77.
Calamy, Dr., 143.

Caldecote, 37, 39, 50, 64, 70, 72, 82, 87, 88,
89, 175, 188, 199, 215, 223, 229, 236.

Caldecote, Deudone de 33, Thos. 176,
Wm. 177.

Caldwell, Prior of, 73.

Calverton, 33, 176.

Camden's Britannia, 4.

Canal to Linford, 17, 22.

Cannon Corner, 11.

Canonsleigh Priory, 49.

Cantelupe, Michael de, 39.

Carlell, John, 98.

Index.

389

Carlile family, 194, 197.

Carpenter, Anthony 126, 282, John 137,
Richard 382.

Carrington, Earl of, 194.

Carter, Anne 57, John 5, no, 231, 242.

Castle, References to, 2, 3, 4, 32.

Castle Mead, 4, 5it 71, 85.

Catesby, Thos., 192.

Catherine, Queen, 58, 192.

Cattle Plague, 21.

Cave, Anthony, 53, 88, 105, 235.

Cavendish, Sir Henry, Sarah, 279.

Cemetery, 20, 113.

Census, 19, Religious 7.

Certainty Money, 50, 189.

Chace, John 64, Thos. 64, 98.

Chacombe, 64.

Chadilworth, John, 1 19.

Chained books, 109.

Champion, Edward, 124, 211, 232.

Champaigneces, Fulk de, 97.

Chapman, Anthony, 258, Josias* Token
207, Robert 264, Roger 6, 129, 178,
258, 270, S. 0. 128, Thomas 25a.

Chaucombe, Amabel, 35.

Cheese, Local, 11.

Cheshunt College, 149.

Chester, Anthony 135, Charles 112, Ran-
dolph Earl of 29.

Cheval, Robert, zzz.

Chibnall, Nicholas, 252.

Chicheley, 33, 37, 50, 63, 64, 70, 73, 11 ^ 82,
89, 199, 238.

Child, Gift of Thos. 234, 240, Token of
John 207.

Chilton, no.

Cholera, Outbreak of, 19.

Chowne, John, 252.

Christie, Samuel, 126, 151, 248, 252, 258

Chnbnall, William, xix.

Church, 3, 5, 7, 63, 72, 88, 100, Chantry
100, 123, Chimes in, 114, Organ
III, 1x3.

Church Institute and Masonic Hall, 241.

Church, Mary, 96.

Churchw'ardens' Account, 127.

Civil War, 155.

Clapham Manor, 92.

Clarence, George Duke of, 46.

Cleaver, Edw., 131, 273.

Clement VII., Pope, 81.

Cleward, Richard, 107.

Clifton Reynes, 82, 88, 108, 119, 188.

Coaching experiences, 14, 15, 22, 171.

Coales, S. L. 20, W. P. 267.

Cobb, Ann, 239, 242.

Cocks' Bucks Bells, 131.

Cocks, William, 49.

Coco, G., 64.

Cohaines, Philip de, 66.

Cole, John, 118.

Coles, Ann 152, Wm. 127, 152, 255.

CoUison, Geo. 115, 254, Robt. 115, 254.

Compotus, Holt* s, 198.

Conches, Abbey of, 80.

Coningham, Ann 136, H. 135, J. 135,
Samuel 6, 56, 108.

Conny Grey Close, 50, 255.

Conye, Daniel 259, John 49, Matthias 56,
108, 252, Richard io8» Thos. 56.

Cooch, Anne 113, Geo. 113, 273, 274.

Cooke, John, 120.

Cooper's Token, Edward, 207.

Copinger, Walter, 106, 216.

Copland, Thos., 232.

Corbett, Wm., 118.

Cordell, John, 103, 236.

Com, Return as to, 4.

Cornwall, Beatrice, John, 276.

Cosham, Thos. de 77, Reginald de 97.

Coste, Thomas, 21 x.

Cowley, Mathias, 161, 202.

Cowper the Poet, Wm., 129, 147, 148,
202, 281.

Cranmore, C, 135.

Crawley, Great 37, 50, 72, 73, 80, 82, 87,

Little 37. 39. 63. 64, 73. 199, ^58.
Cressett, Grant to John, 236.
Crichton, John, 144.
Crick, E. See addendnnu
Crier, Town, 12.
Crompton, Thos., 9i«

Cromwell, Margt. 126, Oliver 164, 167,
Ralph de 35, Robert 164, Thos. 81.

290

Index.

Cropthorne, Alice 104, 235, 243, Richard
210.

Cross, References to a, 71, 209, 222.

Oxme, Thomas, 118.

Croydon, E. H., so, 203.

Cucohnesho, 64.

Cumberland's Visit, Duke of, 9.

Cmnming, Rev. Dr., 143.

Cnrtis, Charity of Mary 255, Gilbert 255.

Danish Inroads, i, 2,

Darcy, Charity of Elizabeth 255, Robt.
44, Wm. 255.

Dargne, D. E., 149.

Damton, Thos., 98.

Davies, Wm., 12, 14, 121.

Davis, Token of John, 207, James 56.

Deacon, Mr., 153.

Dene, John, 231.

Digby, Sir John, 163.

Dives, Lewis, 156.

Diz's School, 15.

Dobbs, Walter, 118.

Doddridge, Dr., 143.

Domesday Survey, 2, 27, 62, 175.

Donne, Richard, 105, 124.

Donovan, Juliana, 278.

Dove, Rot>ert, 276.

Dower, John, 256.

Downall, Wm., 93.

Draper, John 108, Wm. 215, 231.

Drayton, John, 78, 231.

Drayton's Polly Olbion, 4.

Drien, John, 80, 97.

Dudley, 28, 29, 33, 35, 37.

Dudley, John, 239.

Dugdale's British Traveller, 17.

Dun, John, 79.

Duncomb, Thos., 135.

Dunstable, 41, 156.

Durham, J. G., ZI4, I2x, 274.

Dymoke, Chas. 192, 252, Edwd. 59.

Eadmund, King, 27.

Eaglestone, Hannah, Holland, Thos. 257.

Earle, Jabez, 143.

Early, Wm. John, 152.

Earthquake, 13.

Edward I. at Newport, 3.

Ekeney, 89, x88, 199.

Election in 1685, 8.

Elizabeth possessed of Manor, 47.

Elmestowe Abbey, Beds, 42.

Elyngton, Lady Elizabeth of, 41.

Emberton, 36, 39, 50, 7a, 199.

Engayne, Richard 39, Wm. 37.

Engleys, Martin le, 75, 77.

Ennis, Christopher, x66.

Erdyngton, Giles de 67, Henry de 35,
Thos. de 43, Thos. 282.

Eton, 42, 80.

Eure, Nicholas de, 39, 176.

Eurle, Joan, Richard, 209.

Evans, David 152, 255, S. J. 147.

Everard, Thos., zx8.

Extent of Manor, 35, 49.

Eynesham, Wm., 98.

Fairfax, Sir Thomas, 167.

Fairs, h, 19, 21, 25, 32, 34, 39.

Fee farm rents, 40, 48, 54, 55, 58, 199.

Fenton, Robert, 118.

Field-keeper's agreement, 184.

Filgrave, 39, 77, 82, 88.

Fillingleys, 130.

Finch, G. H., 61.

Fires, 20, 24.

Fire brigade, 20.

Fisher Wick Closes, 235, 237, 244-

Fitzlangleys, 130.

Fletcher, Wm., 123, 209, 236.

Floods, 13, 18, 171.

Fordyce, David, 143.

Forster, T., T. G., 129.

Fortescue, Lady Alice 91, Sir Francis 91,
188, Sir John 55, 91, 188, 189, Sir
William 91, 189.

Foskett, George, 152, 255.

Fountaine, Mrs. 23, Mark 270, Thos. 270.

Fox the Quaker, George, 7, 133.

Fraser, R. M., 60, 271.

Fraternity of St. Mary, 103, 235

Freeman, Richard, 143.

Fresnay, John de, 97.

Friends' Meeting, 133.

Index.

291

Froggatt, Wm., 149*

Fullarton, Sir James, 54.

Fuller, Andrew 152, John 123.

FulUng Mill, 53.

Fnrneus, Thomas de, 39.

Gainsborough, Humphrey, 144.

Gallows, 37, 50.

Gamlingay, 143.

Garratt, Richard, 103.

Garys, John de, 79, 97.

Gas Company formed, 19.

Gatesby, Prioress of, 78.

Gayhurst, 72, 82, 88.

Gibbs, John 5, no, 120, 134, 138, 150, 283,
Martha 141.

Glidwell, Wm., 135.

Gloucester, Humphrey, Duke of, 80,
Richard, Duke of, 46.

Goding, 175.

Godstow, Gift of Thomas, 239, 244.

Gonni, 175.

Goodman's Charity, Jane, 257.

Goodwin, Edmund 274, Thomas 142.

Goodye, Wm., 180.

Goose Half Acre, 1 84, 240, 244.

Gordon, S. C, 147.

Gough, H., 272.

Grafton House, Taking of, 161.

Graston, Simon, 123.

Great Houghton, 248.

Greatheed, Samuel, 148.

Grey of Rotherfield, John, Lord, 41.

Grey of Wilton, John, Lord, 44, 46, 232,
Richard, Lord, 42.

Grey, Henry, 42.

Guion's Poems, Madame, 2o2, 28i.

Gule, Robertus dictus, Z17.

Hades, The, 89.

Halladaye, Gift of Beatrice, 234, 241.

Hamelyn, Robert, 66, 96.

Hamilton, Ann 148, T. A. 129.

Hampden, Griffith, 53.

Hanchet, Andrew 177, Thos. 177, Wm.
177, 240.

Hankford, Sir Richard, 47.

Harcourt, Thomas, 41, 123, 232.

Hardmead, 64, 69, 73, 77, 82, 88.

Hardy, C. H. 6x, Chas. M. 61, 279.

Hargill, Thomas, 46.

Harley, John, 49, 53, 92, 284.

Harris, S., X53.

Hart, Sir Wm., 94.

Hartley, Jas. xzo, 128, Sisly 109, Thos.
Z09, Wm. 126, 258, 270.

Harvey, Col. 157, Robert 236.

Harwood, Wm., 1x9.

Hassell's Tour of the Grand Junction
Canal, X95.

Haukesherd, Henry de, 231.

Hawardin, Robert, 78.

Hawkins, John, 92.

Hayward, Ralph, xx8, 231.

Heigham, A. L. C, X2X.

Hennell, Robt, 151.

Henry UL in the town, 2.

Herlaston, Wm. de, X02, xx8.

Hesketh, Lady, 202.

Hewson, Mr., X52.

Hicks, Wm., 233.

Higgins, Amelia A. 259, Richard 59.

Highway Acts, Local, 17.

Hillesdon 235, House X63.

Hot>art, Sir Henry, 54.

Hobbes, Gift of Ralph, 235, 242.

Hobson, Paul, 167.

Hoddle, Stephen, 127.

Hog Holme, 238, 242.

Holkot, Edmund, X03, 124.

HoUiday, Thos., 180.

Holte the Bailiff, Edmund, 46, 198, 200.

Holy Rood Slade, 177.

Hooton, John W. 95, Ralph no, 180,
Sarah 95, Susanna 95, Thos. 59, 94,
95, Wm. 96, Token of Robert 207.

Horse Show, xa.

Horticultural Show, x6.

Hostynges, Ralph, X99.

Howard, John xao, Sir George 105, 216.

Hudibras, Butler's, 168.

Hull, Agnes 222, Richard 108, Thos, 239.

Humphrey, Lawrence, 284.

Hundred Rolls, 32.

Hundreds of Newport, Three, 160, 188.

Hungerford, Edmund, 43, 282.

292

Index.

Hunt, John 149, Richard 135, 1361 Wol
143.

Iddesleigh Manor, 47.
Independents, The, 138.

Jacques, Hannah, Joseph, 94.

Janris' Close, 358.

Jeffome the BailifiF, Thos., 49.

JefiFreys, Chief Justice, 8.

Jerusalem, Master of Hospital of St John
of, 31.

John at Newport, a.

Johnson, John 1 79, Gilbert 23, Thos. 124.

Jones, Edward, 86.

Jubilees, Queen's, 24, 25.

Justices, Itinerant, 2.

Keep, John, 93.
Kenilworth Castle, 38.
Kettering Baptist Church, 152.
Key, Henry, 124,
Kickles, 90, 179, 182.
Kildare, Gerald 5th Earl of, 44.
Kilkenny, Wm. de, 67.

Kilpin, Chas. 273, Richard 258, 259^ 270,
Robert 138, 239, Thos. 56, no, 128,
138, 359.

Kipling, Charles, 15, 121, 131.

Kirkham, Walter de, 30.

Knevet, Sir Edmund, 47.

Knapp, A. J. 229, Mrs. K. L. V. S. 60, M.
264.

Knibb, Charity 260, George 23, 260.

Knight, John no, 125, Henry 92.

Kylchefs Gift, Wm., 234, 240.

Kynebell, John, 78.

Kyrkby, Wm., 98.

Kymel, Joane, 103, 124, 210.

Lace Trade, ix, 17, 109, 195.
Lambe, Sir John, 107, 108.
Lambert's Token, Samuel, 208.
Lancaster, Joseph, 15.
Land Tax, 9, 245.
Lankester, Clarence, 146.
Larkyn, Will of Robert, 215.
Latham, John, 57.

Uthbury, 10, 72, 78, 82, 88, 162, 188.
Lathbury Bridge, 9, 10.

Lavend9n, Abt>ot of, 32, Village x88.

Leeds, Thomas Duke of, 193.

Leicester, Robert Earl of 55, Surrender
of, X67.

Leland*s Itinerary %.

Lester, Thomas, 131.

Levenoth, Nicholas, xi8.

Leverett, Aquilla 11, Benjamin 14,3029
Jas. 255, 360, Tabitha 11, Wm. 360.

Lichfield, Dean and Chapter of, 67, 79.

Lincoln, Robt and Hugh, Bishops of, 66.

Line, James, 303.

Linford, Church of Great, 7.

Linford, 27, 40, 43, 43, 46, 47, 63, 64, 73,
77, 83, 87, 89.

Ltngard, Mrs., 61.

Lipscombe*s Bucks, 176.

Liscombe, 88.

Littleboy, Richard, 33, 134.

Lock-up, 9.

Lodbrook, Adam de, 78.

London, Great Fire of, 126.

Longevity, 18.

Loughton, 73, 83, 88, 188.

Lovente, Fishery of 70, 75, 89, John de
70, William de 64.

Lucas, Sir Charles, 158.

Lucy, Amarick de, 36.

Luda, Gilbert de, 331.

Luke, Sir Samuel. I3, 138, 163.

Luketon, 66.

Lydington, Robert de, 70, 176, Alice 70.

Lynford, Richard de, 40.

Lyon, J. A., 178, 329.

Lyttleton, George Lord 61, 379, Humph-
rey 80, Lucy F. 379.

Mable's Lane, 323.

Mabley, Robert, 238.

Madox's Formulare Anglicanum 213,
History of Exchequer 30.

Magdalen College, Oxford, 66, 79, 333.

Manning, S., 303.

Manorial boundaries 50, tenures 51.

Mansell, C. 65, James T. 373, John 64,
Ralph 63, 65, Samson 37, Walter 64,

66,73.

Marcio the King's Chaplain, John, 3.

Market, 14, 33, 34, 40, 56, 65.

^^^^^^^^

Index.

«93

Marmonstier Abbey, 62 67, 68.

Marshal], Henry 33, Robt. I30, Wm. Z2i.

Marsh End School, 205.

Marston Moretaine, 267.

Maselyn, Robert, 11 8.

Massey, Mrs., 94, 115.

Mathew, John, 123.

Maxwell, Mr. 141, Wm. 141.

Medals, Local, 208.

Menerere, William de, 74, 97, 176.

Midsummer Holme, 184, 244.

Milbourne, John, 203.

Milton Keynes Manor 48, 188, 193,
Rector of 216, 232.

Mitchell, E. D., 173, 273.

Mody, Thomas, 232.

Molesho Hundred, 188.

Monechus Street, 71.

Monks Holme, 78.

Montfort Simon, 68.

Mop Statute, 19.

Moore, Thomas atte, 231.

Mordaunt, Lord, 238.

Morgan, Bishop of Worcester, Philip, 43.

Morley, George, 115, 222, 254.

Morton, Earl, 175.

Motor Car Service, 26.

Mount N orris Title, 277, 279.

Myddleton, Lord, 61.

Myers, F. J., 183.

Napier, Richard, 107.

Naseby, Battle of, 167.

National Schools, 19, 25, 112, 204, 245.

Neale, Bridget, 125.

Newby, Catherine, Elizabeth, Maria,
Martha, 61.

Newport Pagnell Chronicle 203, Gazette
203.

Newton, John, 148, 281.

Nevil, Lord Abergavenny, Sir George, 47.

Nicholas, Chapel of St., 103.

Nicholas, Taxation of Pope, 69.

Ninths Inquisitions, loi.

Norman's Token, John, 208.

Northampton, Castle 3, Castle Hill
Meeting 142, College Street Chapel
150, St. Andrew's Priory 68, 98,
Town 41, 69, 74, 83, 88, 89, White's
Charity 249.

Northampton, Isabel Countess of, 29, 63.

Northampton Mercury, 12, 14, 16, 94, 171.

Norton Brett, 135, 136.

Nottingham, 28.

Nottingham, Daniel Earl of, 258.

No well, Henry, 216.

Nursing Association, Diamond Jubilee, 25.

Okeneye, Robert de, 39.

Olney, Civil War at, 156, 158, Railway to
22, 23, 26, Town 107.

Olyvers, 237.

Omnibuses, Local, 22, 23.

Orminge, Robert de, 36.

Ormond, James 4th Earl, 44, James 5th
Earl 44, John 6th Earl 44, 46, Thos.
7th Earl 45, 46, 232.

Osbom's Diary, George, 16, 18, 19, 171.

Ottley, C. McMahon, 121, 257, 268, 275.

Oundle, 6.

Overton, Thomas, 80.

Paganeil see Paynell.

Pagg's Court, 139.

Pain de Emberton, 64.

Palmer, Hannah 280, John 151, 255,
Joseph 255, Squire 255, Thomas 126,
280.

Parker, Thomas, 81.

PateshuU, Lord John de 32, 39, Simon de

37.
Pawley, Geo. 236, 239, Thomas 239.

Payne, Wm. 23.

Paynell Family i, 3, Adam 28, Alexander
28, Gervase 28, 29, 30, 32, 63, 65, 70,
Fulc 4, 28, 62, 71, 100, Hawyse 29,
32, 63, Hugh 28, Jordan 28, Ralph
28, 63, Robert 29, 63, 64, Thomas 38,
William 28.

Pelecot, John, 119.

Pemberton, Robert 200, William 80, 98.

Pennant's Journeys, 17.

Penros, Wm. de, 39.

Pepys' Diary, 7, no, 284.

Perrott, Francis 285, John 285, Robert 23,
285, Richard 187, 255, Token of
Thomas 208.

296

Index.

Vemey Memoirs, 164.
Vicars, List of, 1x7.
Vig, Geoffrey de, 97.

Vlf. 37, 6a, 175.

Vrmeston, Thos., 1x9, axo, 233.

Wadhams, R., 273, 375.

Wadsworth Close, 256.

Wagstaffe, Richard, 56, gx.

Wakefield, J., 202.

Wales* Marriage, Prince of, ax.

Walker, Thonuu, xxg.

Wallas, Ann, 1 25

Waller, Edmund, 273, John ixi, 128,

139.
WalUs, Robt., 137.

Walter, Sir John, 54.

Walton, John, 95, 236.

Ward, Philip H., 94, 95. 112, Sarah 94,
95, Thomas Hooton 95.

Warren, John 3X, 103, 180, 336^ M. 373.

Warwick, Richard, Earl of, 45.

Waterhall, Manor Place of, 55.

Water Leys, 340, 344.

Water Supply, 12, X3, 23, 24).

Watson, John 149 Bobert I30, 364.

Wavendon, 135.

Mf^bb, Thomas, 92, 108, 119, X44, 230.

Weever's Funeral Monuments, 106.

Wellingborough 22, 57, Independent
Church 140.

Wenge, John, 123.

Wenrich, Geoffrey de 117, Bobert de 75,
102, William de 75, 77, xo3.

Wesleyan Methodists 154.

Westall, Ann, 125.

Weston, Elizabeth 53, Jerome 53, Justice
49, Richard 53.

Whalley, Thomas, 86, io4.

Wharton, Philip Lord 8, Thomas 8.

Wheeler, Mr., 140.

Whetham, Col. 162, Nathaniel x66.

Whitbread, Henry, 126.

Whitby Priory, 98.

White, George 264, John 104, X26, 177,
236, Martha 373, Mary 177, Richard
273, Samuel xj^, Thomas 108, 126,
128, 177, 180, 223, 225, 236, William
108, X31, 177, 223. 273.

Whitton*s Charity, Edward, 274.

W^ws' Acre. 184, 275.

Wiloerforoe, Bishop, 1x3, 1x5.

WiUord, B., 273.

WiUdns, Joseph, 152.

WiUen, 66, 70, 77, 79. 8a, 87, 88, 89, 176,

a3a, 233.
Williams, G. See Addendum.
Williamson, Thomas 108, Samuel 126.
Wills, Two old, 209.
Willson, John 23, James 107, 109.
Wilmer. J. R., 257.
Wilson, H. A., 66, 79.
Windle, Professor, 2.
Wine, Price of, 3.
Wingate, Sir Francis, 145.
Withers 92, Godfrey 270. Thos. 236, 252.
Woad Farm, 22.

Wobum 41, 236, Abbot of 73, 89, History
of 203.

Wolsey, Cardinal, 80, 81, 88, His College
8x, 86, 88.

Wolston, 70, 73, 82, 87.

Wolverton, 37, 188.

Woodward, Robt., 110.

Workhouse, 242, 252.

Worrall, Richard, 128, x8o.

Wright, Sir Edmund 93, Family 194.

Wykes, Agnes, Joyce, Joan, John 42.

Wylus, Richard de 214, 231, Wm. de 231.

Wymarke, Edward, 216.

Wyndham Family, 194.

Yarrow, Thomas, 105, XI9.

Yates, Richd., no.

York, Holy Trinity, Priory at, 28. 80, 98.

York, Thomas, 98.

Younger, Simon, 108.

Yppeswell Family, 210.

Zouche, William Lord, 41.

..?.

JUN 6 - 1957

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