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1200046 


iSENEALCG  '   COLLECTION 


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ALLEN  COUNTY  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


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in  2009  with  funding  from 

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SIR  EGEETON    LEIGH,    BART.,    AS   A   CHILD 


Frontisjnece] 


MEMORIALS 

OF  A_ 

WABWICKSHIBE  FAMILY 

BY   THE    REV. 

BRIDGEMAN  G.  F.  C.  W.-BOUGHTON-LEIGH,  M.A. 

RECTOR    OF   HARBOROUGH   MAGNA 

AND   CHAPLAIN   TO   THE   MOST   WORSHIPFUL   COMPANY   OF   CORDWAINERS 

OF  THE   CITY   OF  LONDON 

WITH  PREFATORY  NOTE  BY 
SIR   HUGH   GILZEAN-REID,  LL.D.,  D.L. 

AUTHOR    OF    '  PAST   AND    PRESENT   OR   SOCIAL   AND    RELIGIOUS    LIFE    IN    THE    NORTH  ' 

'  MONOGRAPHS  '   ON   THE   REV.    JOHN  SKINNER,    DISRAELI 

PRESIDENT   GARFIELD,    ETC. 


LONDON 

HENRY  FROWDE 

OXFORD  UNIVERSITY  PRESS  WAREHOUSE 

AMEN  CORNER,  E.G. 

1906 


oxford:  hokace  hart 
prihteb  to  the  univebsity 


1200046 
PREFATORY  NOTE 

It  has  been  well  said  that  '  Family  Life  ' 
constitutes  the  surest  foundation  of  a  country  or 
people.  Where  this  vitalizing  element  is  lacking, 
there  can  only  be  stagnation  and  decay.  One 
all-permeating  stimulus  and  source  of  strength  is 
the  just  pride  of  Eace,  and  another  no  less  potent 
is  the  honourable  pride  of  Family.  However 
democratic  we  may  be,  or  averse  to  class  dis- 
tinctions, every  one  must  see  that  there  is  some- 
thing at  once  tangible  and  ennobling  in  '  Descent ' 
— in  the  succession  of  generation  after  generation 
from  one  good  stock  :  culture — physical  and  moral ) 
education ;  refining  environments — all  tending 
from  age  to  age  towards  the  evolvement  of  a 
higher  breed,  with  the  inherent  accompaniments 
of  sweetness  and  light.  There  may  be,  and  often 
are,  lapses,  springing  from  inherited  or  self-induced 
causes  ;  but  the  general  trend  is  in  the  direction 
of  intellectual  and  physical  superiority.     Probably 


iv  PREFATORY   NOTE 

in  no  race  is  this  so  exemplified  as  in  the  Anglo- 
Saxon,  both  in  the  Mother-Country  and  throughout 
Greater  Britain. 

The  poet  has  pictured  'the  stately  homes  of 
England,  how  beautiful  they  stand':  the  castles 
and  abbeys,  the  halls  and  mansions  are  an  abiding 
glory  of  the  land,  and  no  vandal  has  arisen  to 
compass  their  destruction  except  in  times  of  social 
revolt  or  revolution ;  they  not  only  adorn  the 
landscape,  making  England,  Scotland  and  Ireland 
the  envy  of  the  world, — they  are  also  centres 
of  beneficent  influence  and  inspiring  leadership, 
adorned  inside  with  works  of  art  and  artistic 
furnishings,  and  possessing  outside  magnificent 
parks — stretching  far  in  '  wavy  undulations ',  all 
constantly  placed  freely  at  the  service  of  the  people. 

There  are  other  aspects  of  surpassing  interest 
and  intrinsic  historic  value.  In  Genealogy  (with 
its  handmaid  Heraldry)  there  is  a  fertile  field  of 
investigation  and  study  alike  fascinating  and  full 
of  instruction.  Apart  from  this  family  element, 
biography  would  lose  its  personal  quality  and  history 
become  a  mere  record  of  obvious  dates  and  facts. 

In  tracing  natural  succession ;  in  marking  how 
tendencies  and  characteristics  develop  or  degene- 
rate through  family  after  family  ;  in  noting  all  new 


PEEFATOEY  NOTE  v 

conditions  and  intermixtures,  diversified  employ- 
ments and  opportunities —we  not  only  learn  the 
subtle  lessons  of  heredity,  but  are  enabled  to  meet 
new  requirements  as  they  arise  and  to  devise 
individual  adaptations  in  training  and  conditions  ; 
alas  !  how  often  it  has  to  be  deplored  that  so  many 
even  directly  concerned  undervalue  and  neglect 
this  important  branch  of  human  knowledge. 

'  Memorials  of  a  Warwickshire  Family '  — 
for  which  I  have  been  asked  to  write  this 
word  of  '  Introduction ' —  embodies  and  repre- 
sents all  that  is  best  and  most  interesting  in 
Family  History.  A  notable  race  are  the  Leighs 
and  Boughton-Leighs.  Dating  back  into  the  early 
centuries,  their  descent  can  be  reliably  traced  down 
through  kings  and  nobles,  stalwart  yeomen,  owners 
of  vast  acres,  men  high  in  the  public  service, 
worthy  clergymen, — all  men  of  mark  in  their  day 
and  way,  some  leading  quiet  and  unobtrusive  lives, 
faithfully  fulfilling  the  territorial  obligations  which 
fall  to  their  charge,  others  devoutly  discharging  the 
religious  and  social  duties  which  the  parish  church 
and  parishioners  demand ;  a  few  taking  aggressive 
part  in  public  work  or  adventure,  leaving  '  names ' 
known  and  honoured  far  beyond  the  circles  in 
which  they  '  lived,  moved,  and  had  their  being'. 


vi  PEEFATORY  NOTE 

It  will  not  be  deemed  invidious  to  single  out 
here  the  Egerton  Leighs — notably  Sir  Egei-ton 
Leigh,  Baronet,  who,  a  hundred  years  ago,  made  a 
heroic  stand  for  what  he  believed  to  be  truth  and 
duty,  which  recalls  the  pious  and  sacrificial  dedica- 
tion of  apostolic  and  covenanting  times.  He  gave 
himself  up  to  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel,  and  the 
spot  is  still  pointed  out  where,  under  a  spreading 
tree,  he  often  addressed  thousands  who  flocked 
from  all  quarters  to  hear  his  words  of  wisdom  and 
be  inspired  to  lead  nobler  and  more  useful  lives ; 
his  influence  extended  far  and  wide,  and  in  a 
publication  (1809)  entitled — '  The  Answer  of  God  : 
addressed  to  the  Baptist  Church  of  Christ  at 
Rugby' — (of  which  he  was  founder) — are  words  of 
counsel  and  guidance  which  still  live,  and  which 
strangely  breathe  the  spirit  of  the  sacred  Epistles. 
Others  bearing  the  same  Christian  and  surname 
played  a  conspicuous  and  patriotic  part  in  the 
administration  of  South  CaroHna  at  the  time 
British  rule  ended,  making  irreparable  sacrifices 
for  the  cause  of  Sovereign  and  Country.  The 
same  can  be  said  in  degrees  of  numerous  members 
of  this  ancient  and  many-sided  family. 

The  story  is  not  one  merely  of  individuals  or 
families  ;  it  reveals  in  an  impressive  way  the  ideas, 


PEEFATOKY  NOTE  vii 

customs,  and  conditions  of  the  people  in  successive 

generations,  and  thus  supplies  invaluable  material 

for  the  wider  histories  of  county  and  country. 

Altogether,  the  book  is  a  valuable  contribution 

to  the   'Genealogical   Library',    which   is  steadily 

growing  in  extent  and  value ;  and  I  am  confident 

that  it  will  richly  repay  the  most  careful  perusal 

and  thoughtful  study. 

H.  G.-K. 
DoLLis  Hill  House, 

London,  N.W. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 


PAGES 


PKEFACE,  BY  Sir  Hugh  Gilzean-Keid,  LL.D.,  D.L.  iii-vii 
INTKODUCTION 1-9 


HISTOEY   OF  VILLAGES,   ETC. 

BiLTON           .......       192 

Brownsover 

.     127 

Causton    . 

.    204 

Charleston 

•     "5 

DUNCHURCH 

196 

Harborough  Magna 

.       92 

Harborough  Parva 

105 

King's  Newnham  . 

.       84 

Little  Lawj<'ord  . 

.       68 

Newbold-on-Avon 

10 

EUGBY 

.     148 

Stoneleigh 

.     185 

GENEEAL  CONTENTS 


Addison,  Joseph    . 

5h  15,  194,  195 

Adelaide,  Queen     . 

.  98-9 

Alexandra,  Queen. 

•       99 

Arnold,  Thomas,  D.D. 

•  i55»  165,  166,  167-9 

Art  Museum,  Kugby  School 

.            .            .         165,  180 

Baptist  Chapel,  Eugby 

•     151 

Bells,  Harborough  Magna 

.       94 

Bells,  Newbold-on-Avon  . 

.       18 

Bloxam,  Matthew  Holbeche 

93,  128,  129,  146,  184 

Blue  Boar,  the 

.     206 

Boughton,  Sir  Edward,  Bart. 

Lawford  Charity    .             -151 

Boughton,    Francis,    Founder    of    the    Free    School    at 

Dunchurch     .....  199,  203 

Boughton,  One-handed      .  .  .  71,  72-6,  79-83 

Boughton,  Sir  Theodosius  Edward  Allesley,  Bart.  53,  71,  97,  98 
Boughton,  Thomas  .  .  .  .  .48 

Boughton,  Sir  William,  Bart.  19-20,  51,  52,  70,  71,  75,  98,  204 
Boughton-Leigh,  Elizabeth  Ward-  .  2,  27,  28,  29,  30 

Boughton-Leigh,  John  Boughton  Ward-  .  .  136-9 

Boughton-Leigh,  John  Ward-        .  .  .  -53 

Boughton-Leigh,  Theodosia  de  Malsburg  Ward-  .  18,  23,  53 
Boughton-Leigh,  Theodosius  Cotterell  Henry  Ward-  31-2,  94 
Boughton-Leigh,  Theodosius  Egerton  Boughton  Ward-    14,  15, 

19.  25,  29,  33,  53-5,  93,  136 


Xll 


GENEEAL  CONTENTS 


PAGE 

Boveton,  William  de 

. 

•       47 

Bridgeman,  the  Honourable  and  Eev. 

George 

170,  193 

Brooke,  Lord 

. 

.     160 

Brydges,  Sir  Edward  Egerton,  Bart. 

•     133 

Cliadwick,  Elizabeth 

. 

•  33-4 

Charleston 

115-25 

Chichester,  the  Earl  of 

85,  87,  88,  198 

Communion  Plate,  Newbold-on-Avon 

. 

.       67 

Craven,  the  Earl  of 

. 

98,  149 

Devon,  the  first  Earl  of     . 

•       49 

Dixon,  Canon 

. 

.     183 

Dudley,  the  Duchess  of     . 

.     185 

Dun  Cow  Thicket . 

77,  207 

Dunsmore,  Lord  Francis  . 

14,  85,  87, 

88,89,  198 

Durham,  the  Lord  Bishop  of 

•       97 

Egerton,  Eight  Eev.  John,  D.D.   . 

. 

•     133 

Elizabeth,  Princess 

. 

71,  98 

Godiva,  Lady 

.  77-8 

Gunpowder  Treason  and  Plot 

201,  203 

Hayman,  the  Eev.  Henry,  D.D.    . 

. 

164-5 

Holyoak,  the  Eev.  Henry,  D.D.     . 

96,  159,  160, 

161,  162-3 

Hospital  of  St.  Cross 

.     183 

Hughes,  Thomas   . 

146,  181 

Ingles,  Dr.             .             .             • 

. 

171,  172 

Island,  the 

. 

.     171 

Jex-Blake,  the  Eev.  J.  W.,  D.D.    . 

. 

167,  170 

Jordaens,  Jacob     . 

86,  121 

King's  Newnham  Baths    . 

. 

.       72 

Langley's  Hole 

.       41 

Leigh,  Lady  Audrey 

•       87 

Leigh  Cup 

. 

112-13 

GENEKAL  CONTENTS 


Xlll 


Leigh,  Sir  Egerton,  ist  Baronet    .    21, 

112,  119,  122,  123,  124 

Leigh,  Sir  Egerton,  2nd  Baronet  .     vi, 

18,  21,  23,  32,  33,  lOI, 

105, 

106,  109-12,  125,  151 

Leigh,  Sir  Francis,  Bart,  . 

.       85,87,88 

Leigh,  Lord 

188,  189 

Leigh,  Peter 

120,  121,  122,  124 

Leigh,  Sir  Thomas,  Knt.  . 

14,  T12,  114,  189,  197 

Leigh  Spencer,  Harriet  Agnes 

25,  26 

Loggin,  Eev.  George 

.       33 

Manor  of  Newbold-on-Avon 

13.  14 

Mordaunt,  Lord     . 

.     161 

Moultrie,  Eev.  John 

145-6,  i53-4»  169,  183 

Patrons,  &c.,  of  Newbold-on-Avon 

•  44-5 

Pedigree,  the  Leigh,  from  Henry  VII 

through  Charles 

Brandon,  the  Duke  of  Suffolk 

hettveen  62  and  63 

Pedigree,  the  Boughton  (rough  abstract 

.       66 

Peeping  Tom 

.  77-8 

Rebellion,  the  Great  School 

1 71-3 

Eectors,  &c.,  of  Harborough  Magna 

•  95-6 

Eegister  of  Newbold-on-Avon 

56-65 

Eeminiscence  of  School  Life 

178-80 

Eidley,  Sarah 

•       34 

Eouse-Boughton,  Sir  Charles,  Bart. 

.       71 

School  Close 

.     169 

Scott,  Lord  John  Montagu  Douglas 

.     198 

Seymour,  Lady 

134-6 

Shakespeare 

187,  T90 

Sheriff,  Lawrence  . 

144,  156,  157,  158,  163 

Shuckburgh,  Sir  Charles  . 

20 

Suffolk,  Charles  Brandon,  the  Duke  of 

.     189 

Skip  with,  Sir  Grey,  Bart.  (1854)  . 

.       94 

XIV 


GENEKAL   CONTENTS 


PAGE 

Stanley,  Arthur       .....         147,  167 
Temple,  the  Lord  Bishop  of  Exeter,  D.D.    167, 174, 175, 176, 177 


Temple  Keading-room 

165,  180 

Trustees  of  Eugby  School,  some  of  the  early 

.       88 

Tumulus  ..... 

T70-1 

Vicars  of  Newbold-on-Avon 

•  44-5 

Warwick,  the  Dowager  Countess  of 

.     195 

Warwickshire  Legends 

•       76 

Wooll,  Kev.  J.,  D.D. 

.       41 

Wycliffe 

•     143 

PAGE 

•     155 

.     192 

.    To  face  193 

•     194 

L.D, 

.    To  face    24 

trait) 

.      29 

LIST   OF   ILLUSTRATIOlSrS 


Arnold,  Thomas,  D.D.  (portrait)  . 

BiLTON  Church 

BiLTON  Hall 

BiLTON  Hall,  Garden  Front 

BouGHTON  Alabaster  Monument,  1548  a. 

Boughton-Leigh,  Elizabeth  Ward-  (portrait) 

Boughton-Leigh,   Eev.   Theodosius   Cotterell   Henry 

Ward-  (portrait)         .  .  .  .To  face    30 

Boughton-Leigh,    Eev.    Theodosius  Cotterell  Henry 

Ward-  (monument)   ....    To  face     31 
Boughton-Leigh,  Eev.  Theodosius  Egerton  Boughton 

Ward-  (portrait)         .  .  .  .To  face    29 

Boughton  Monument,  1454  a.  d.    .  .  •         >>  5 

Boughton,  Sir  William,  Bart.,  and  Lady  (effigies  erect, 

1716  A.D.)      .....    To  face    19 
Brandon,  Charles,  Duke  of  Suffolk      .  To  face  'Pedigree 

Brownsover  Chapel  .  .  .  .  .127 

Brownsover  Hall  .  .  .  .    To  face  136 

Clifton-upon-Dunsmobe,  the  Mother  Church  of  Eugby     148 
DuNCHURCH  Church  .  .  .  .  .196 

Harborough  Magna  Church        .  .  .    To  face    92 

Henry    VII:    the    Chair   on  which    the    King   was 

CROWNED     UPON     THE     BaTTLE-FIELD     OF     BoSWORTH, 

Aug.  20,  1485  ....    To  face    70 

King's  Newnham  :  the  Old  Church  Tower        .         „  86 


xvi  LIST   OF   ILLUSTKATIONS 

PAGE 

Little  Lawford  Hall      ....     To  face    75 
Little  Lawfoed  Mill       .  .  .  .  .68 

Leigh,  Sir  Egerton,  Bart.,  as  a  Child  (portrait)     Frontispiece 
Leigh,  Sir  Egerton,  Bart.  .  .  .     To  face  151 

Leigh  Spencer,  Harriet  Agnes  (portrait)  .  .       26 

Mary,  Queen  of  France   .  .  .  To  face  Pedigree 

Newbold-on-Avon  Church  and  Vicarage  .    To  face      3 

Newbold-on-Avon  Church,  from  the  Eiver  Avon  .       10 

Newbold-on-Avon  Church,  South  Side  .  .  ■       17 

On  the  Eiver  Avon  near  Newbold-on-Avon  Grange      .       16 
KuGBY  :  A.  Benn,  Esq. 's  Tower  AND  Spire  .    To  face  183, 

KuGBY  Baptist  Chapel  :    Facsimile  of  Inscription  on 

THE  Foundation  Stone  .  .  .    To  face  151 

Stoneleigh  Abbey  .  .  .  .         ,,        185 

The  School-house,  Eugby  ....     182 

The  Stump   of  the   Elm-tree  as   it   appears    to-day, 

1906,  with  Sir  Egerton-Leigh's  eldest  surviving 

Great-grandson  standing  beneath  its  Shade  To /ace  105 


MEMORIALS 

OF   A 

WARWICKSHIRE    FAMILY 

CHAPTER  I 

INTRODUCTION 

I  AWOKE  in  the  early  morning  of  a  bright 
September  day  with  the  many  visions  of  the  past 
and  the  future,  which  frequently  accompany  the 
return  of  consciousness,  impressed  upon  my  mind. 
I  gazed  through  one  of  the  windows  of  my  room 
at  the  Vicarage,  Newbold-onAvon,  upon  the  glo- 
rious picture  that  I  had  so  often  looked  upon 
from  the  same  spot,  even  from  my  earliest  mo- 
ments— the  rising  sun  ascending  the  heavens  in 
all  the  glorious  majesty  of  his  might,  bringing  joy 
and  gladness  in  his  wake,  proclaiming  that  it  was 
day.  And  my  thoughts  returned  as  to  one  that  is 
aroused  from  dreamless  sleep,  and  the  strange 
events  of  the  foregone  day  returned  in  all  their 
vividness. 


2  A  WAEWICKSHIEE  FAMILY 

The  day  previous  (being  the  27th  of  September, 
1902)  had  witnessed  the  departure  hence  of  my 
father,  reminding  us  that  after  a  long  and  arduous 
life  spent  in  the  service  of  God,  *  rest  comes  at  last' 
His  beloved  wife,  who  had  so  faithfully  laboured 
by  his  side  for  forty-four  years,  had  already  closed 
the  labours  of  the  day  and  *  entered  into  her  rest ', 
April  17,  1897.     Ucquicscant  in  Pace. 

I  realized  that  I  was  alone,  deprived  of  the 
guiding  hand  and  love  of  those  who  had  been  more 
than  all  to  me,  and  that  the  parish  had  no  longer 
that  influence  for  good  which  had  watched  over  its 
rise  and  fall  with  exceptional  care  and  ability,  tinged 
with  the  divine  as  well  as  eveiy  earthly  sympathy, 
for  the  last  fifty  years ;  each  Sunday  bringing  some 
new  theme,  aye !  each  day  bringing  its  own  allotted 
task  to  iostruct  and  to  lead  both  young  and  old 
to  their  eternal  reward. 

But  the  mere  recital  of  clerical  duties  does  not 
in  any  way  exhaust  the  value  of  lives  such  as  these. 
Whatever  may  have  been  the  varying  feehngs 
towards  the  chiu^h  which  they  represented,  the 
villagers  were  always  of  one  mind  in  their  devo- 
tion towards  those  who  were  to  them  *  a  Father  and 
Mother  in  God\  regarding  them  in  the  real  sense  as 
being  something  more  than  fiiends,  upright  and 


INTRODUCTION  3 

just  in  their  judgements  of  them,  as  well  as  sym- 
pathetic helpers  in  the  time  of  need; — simple  and 
blameless  in  their  lives,  always  ready  with  unfailing 
courtesy  to  all  around  them.  When  such  disap- 
pear from  our  midst  there  must  be  universal  sorrow, 
for  we  can  never  replace  them.  But  their  influence 
for  good  must  remain,  over  both  the  younger  and 
the  older  inhabitants  of  the  parish  ;  and  they  never 
thought  highly  of  themselves  or  of  their  life-work. 

The  desire  came  into  my  mind  to  perpetuate  the 
memories  of  that  family  of  which  he,  their  Vicar, — 
the  last  sire  of  his  generation —now  passed  away, 
was  the  worthy  head. 

The  benefice  too — the  Vicarage — the  very  home 
of  our  childhood,  had  become  endeared  to  us  all,  as 
years  rolled  on,  for  its  old  associations  and  attach- 
ments, the  companionships  of  a  lifelong  existence, 
now  threatened  with  the  spoiler's  hand. 

The  undulating  woods  and  silent  trees, 

The  rippling  rivulet  and  evening  gloom 

Now  deepening  the  dark  shades,  for  speech  assuming, 

Held  commune  with  the  departed  spirits 

As  if  they  and  it  were  all  that  was. 

Anunated  with  love  for  their  memory,  and  with 
a  regard  for  those  who  still  hold  them  dear,  I  am, 
with  my  waking  thoughts,  led  to  collect  and  publish 

B  2 


4  A  WAKWICKSHIEE   FAMILY 

the  following  record,  for  the  benefit  of  the  people 
who  dwell  in  those  parishes  where  our  ancestors 
had  lived  so  long  before  us  through  so  many  ages. 

For  although  shelves  are  heavy  with  the  weight 
of  deeds  black  with  the  dust  of  many  centuries — 
the  annals  of  our  house  which  have  long  since 
passed  into  the  history  of  the  nation — there  yet 
remains  a  large  collection  touching  the  memories 
of  those  we  love ;  memories  too  sacred,  it  is  true, 
to  appeal  to  the  outside  world,  but  which  are 
interesting  chiefly  to  those  bound  together  by  the 
ties  of  kin  and  friendship. 

In  these  days,  even  with  the  multiplicity  of 
books,  much  is  left  to  perish,  through  indifference. 
The  eager  march  of  time  and  the  ever  changeful 
nature  of  our  environments  are  constantly  obliterat- 
ing the  past,  and  it  appears  to  me  to  be  the  duty 
of  some  member  of  every  family  to  gather  together 
the  stray  leaves  of  their  history,  and  endeavour  to 
give  permanency  to  the  fragments  of  family  lore. 

The  tender,  lasting  love— all  the  memories  of  a 
father  and  mother,  and  the  injunction  laid  upon 
me  by  an  uncle,  the  former  Squire  of  Brownsover, 
have  prompted  more  especially  the  undertaking  of 
this  task ;  '  for  a  book '  (as  the  late  Lord  Dufferin 
said)   '  once   published,   has   put   on   the   robes   of 


INTRODUCTION  5 

immortality ' ;  it  becomes  a  KTfjfxa  is  aei',  an  inde- 
structible witness  to  the  existence  and  individuality 
of  its  author. 

Not  less  important  is  the  wish  to  preserve,  for 
future  reference,  some  faint  glimpse  of  the  features 
of  those  who,  having  gone  before,  have  left  but 
a  faint  mark  upon  the  sands  of  time  ;  for  even  with 
the  greatest  care,  the  deeds  and  portraits  of  one's 
forefathers  oftentimes  mysteriously  disappear. 

Again,  some  son  less  loyal  perhaps  to  the  house 
he  represents  than  he  should  be,  may  regard  family 
links,  both  deeds  and  gifts  which  have  been  handed 
down  to  him  for  safe  custody,  safe  conduct,  even 
by  an  unwritten  law — like  Charles  Surface  in  The 
School  for  Scandal — as  so  much  lumber ;  as  in  the 
case  of  the  Boughtons,  several  portraits  of  the 
elder  branch  have  been  quietly  taken  away  to  add 
adornment  to  other  homes.  The  South  aisle  of 
the  parish  church  at  Newbold-on-Avon,  built  and 
endowed  by  the  Boughtons,  is  now  occupied  by 
those  whom  they  did  not  know.^    Lands,  too,  passed 

^  Whilst  these  memoirs  were  in  the  press,  this  South  aisle  of  the 
church  was  restored,  and  some  monuments  erected  to  the  Boughtons 
were  once  again  brought  to  light,  after  having  been  partially  hidden 
for  the  space  of  about  130  years.  They  consist  of  fluted  marble  slabs 
on  carved  altar-tombs,  and  on  the  face  of  the  slabs  are  fine  incised 
figures.     The  monument  represented  in  the  illustration  lies  partly 


6  A  WAEWICKSHIRE  FAMILY 

into  other  hands.  Yea !  even  the  very  monuments 
hidden  and  displaced  by  ahens,  and  the  '  presenta- 
tion '  to  the  church  itself,  above  referred  to,  which 
should  have  remained  in  the  family,  bound  by 
their  very  life-blood,  have  been  ruthlessly  sundered, 
or  given  to  strangers  \  by  those  who  should  have 
been  the  last  to  demean  their  house.  '  Shall  I  not 
visit  for  these  things  ?  saith  the  Lord.  Shall  not  My 
soul  he  avenged  on  such  .  .  .  as  this  ?  ' 

The  towered  heights  of  Newbold 

Seen  in  the  cloudless  sky, 
"With  many  a  frowning  turret  crowned, 

Of  antique  masonry. 

under  a  low  arch  in  the  south  wall.  The  late  Vicar  (the  Rev.  Theo- 
dosius  E.  B.  W.-Boughton-Leigh)  made  many  attempts  to  get  it 
restored  to  view.  The  figures  represent  Thomas  Boughton  and  Eliza- 
beth his  wife,  and  the  inscription  which  encircles  them  is  in  Latin, 
and  reads,  'Whoever  you  are  who  pass  by,  stop,  read  and  lament. 
I  am  what  you  will  be,  I  have  been  what  you  are,  I  beseech 
you  pray  for  me.  Pray  for  the  well-being  of  Thomas  Boughton,  and 
for  the  soul  of  Elizabeth  his  wife,  who  died  the  28th  day  of  the  month 
of  May,  A.  D.  1454.'  The  colouring  of  the  armorial  bearings  is  still 
visible,  and  the  incised  lines  are  filled  in  with  a  black  composition  so 
as  to  give  them  a  perfectly  clear  outline. 

Another  monument,  probably  of  the  same  kind,  has  been  shamefully 
used,  and  made  to  answer  the  purpose  of  a  lid  to  the  vault,  and  has 
been  greatly  damaged  in  consequence.  The  figure,  though  worn,  can 
still  be  traced,  and  represents  that  of  a  bishop  with  his  mitre  at  the 
head. 

^  The  Rev.  Alan  Dickins,  who  was  appointed  Vicar  in  opposition  to 
a  petition  signed  by  six  hundred  of  the  parishioners,  died,  aged  42 
years,  May,  1903,  a  few  weeks  after  his  institution,  before  commencing 
his  residence  at  the  Vicarage. 


INTRODUCTION  7 

Fair  Avon  woos  the  lily  lawn 

A  bow-shot  length  below, 
And  winding  through  the  flowery  fields, 

Her  silvery  waters  flow. 

Aye,  when  the  setting  sun's  last  rays 

With  golden  glory  gleam. 
Clear  may  ye  see  the  brave  old  tower 

Keflected  in  the  stream. 

Arden's  enchanted  forest  there, 

Seen  stretching  far  and  wide. 
Oft  decks  with  overhanging  trees 

Her  banks  on  either  side. 

And  by  Our  Lady  well  I  ween. 

That  lower  garden's  pride 
Was  famed  of  fair  and  lusty  growth, 

When  Christ  for  sinners  died.^ 

Such  incidents  in  one's  family  as  those  above 
referred  to,  have  made  me  particularly  anxious  to 
preserve  for  generations  yet  unborn  *  an  outline  in 
the  robes  of  flesh '  in  which  my  predecessors  were 
clothed. 

Surely  few  things  exercise  so  powerful  a  fascina- 
tion as  to  live  in  the  light  of  those  whose  memories 
are  dear  to  us,  to  feel  that  they  still  form  a  real 
part  of  the  family  circle,  that  although  they  change, 

^  Presented  Sept.  12,  1886,  and  Jan.  i,  1892,  to  Bridgeman  Boughton- 
Leigli,  witli  best  love,  from  his  affectionate  uncle,  Allesley  Boughton- 
Leigh,  of  Brownsover  Hall,  tlie  author. 


8  A  WARWICKSHIKE   FAMILY 

they  do  not  change  to  us,  but  are  eyewitnesses  of 
our  hours  of  joy  and  brightness,  and  sharers  of  our 
grief  and  sorrow ;  those  who,  though  departed, 
linger  in  memory's  sweet  vision  still,  and  speak 
to  us  who  are  fortunate  enough  to  have  the  Memo- 
rials on  the  walls  of  our  rooms,  or  as  the  nearest 
approach  to  this  high  privilege,  to  possess  them  in 
a  book.  In  offering  this  record  to  my  family  friends, 
I  shall  also  endeavour  to  render  indestructible  the 
outlines  of  some  of  the  homes  of  various  members 
of  the  family ;  the  houses  reared  at  their  bidding, 
around  which  have  grown  up  the  traditions  of  hope, 
the  ambitions,  the  loves,  of  many  of  the  race ; 
surrounded  as  these  old  homes  are  by  the  very 
presence  of  the  Boughton-Leighs ;  the  gardens 
laid  out  by  their  directions,  the  trees  planted  by 
their  hands,  all  tending  to  cement  in  a  bond  of 
sacred  memory,  not  my  own  early  life  only,  but 
the  lives  of  those  nearest  and  dearest  to  me  who 
have  passed  away. 

There  are,  too,  the  tombs  in  which  they  rest ; 
there  are  the  solemn  shrines  which  depict  their 
forms ;  the  inscriptions  which  have  served  to  keep 
their  names  from  oblivion ;  the  font  at  which  they 
received  their  baptismal  grace  ;  the  pulpit  in 
which  they  preached  ;  the  pews  in  which  they  sat ; 


INTRODUCTION  9 

the  altar  on  whose  steps  they  received  the  '  Bread 
of  Life  ',  cementing  their  bridal  vows. 

To  all  these  features  of  our  English  country  life, 
I  shall  add  some  account  of  the  parish  so  long 
associated  with  my  family,  in  the  hope  of  stimu- 
lating in  the  breasts  of  others  a  keener  regard  for 
all  that  is  woi-thy  of  memory  in  the  past ; — if 
some  attempt  be  not  made  to  render  permanent 
such  memories,  a  generation  hence,  it  might  be 
impossible  to  fill  up  the  gaps. 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON  CHURCH,   FROM  THE   RIVER  AVON 


CHAPTEK  II 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON 

Amongst  the  many  parishes  around  Eugby  in 
which  the  Boughton  and  the  Leigh  families  were 
located^  Newbold-on-Avon  must  always,  to  my 
mind,  stand  out  supreme :  the  very  Eden  of 
Warwickshire,  the  most  delightful  of  all  the  gar- 
dens that  flourish  upon  the  banks  of  the  Avon. 


NE  WBOLD-ON-AYON  1 1 

Here  in  the  parish  church  of  St.  Botolph  repose 
a  long  line  of  the  elder  branch  of  the  Boughtons, 
their  fine  sculptured  monuments  dating  back  to  the 
year  1401. 

The  village  itself  is  of  considerable  historical 
importance.  In  the  General  Survey  made  by 
William,  Duke  of  Normandy,  the  township  was 
certified  to  contain  eight  'hides'  of  land,  then  valued 
at  one  hundred  shillings  annual  rental.  The  name 
of  one  of  its  earliest  Saxon  possessors  was  Leuinnis. 

After  the  Conquest,  Geoffrey  de  Wirce  became 
the  owner,  but  his  chief  seat  was  at  Monks  Kirby 
in  this  county,  and  he  gave  to  the  monks  of  Saint 
Nicholas  at  Angiers,  out  of  the  lordship  of  New- 
bold,  '  two  parts  of  the  tithes  of  corn  and  cattel, 
and  all  the  tithe  of  wool  and  cheese ;  also  the  use 
of  the  mill  and  a  man  to  gather  them.'  The  men- 
tion of  the  mill  is  significant  as  it  has  long  since 
been  swept  away  in  the  lapse  of  ages.  In  a  work  of 
this  nature  one  is  anxious  to  avoid  genealogies ;  we 
therefore  pass  on  to  a  certain  William  Pantolf,  who, 
according  to  the  records  of  the  famous  Cistercian 
monastery  of  Pipewell,  '  betook  himself  to  a  retired 
life,  and  resided  in  the  monastery  of  Pipewell, 
having  a  chamber  assigned  him  by  the  monks 
there,    where    he    determined    to    end    his    days. 


12  A   WAEWICKSHIEE   FAMILY 

and  to  have  been  a  good  benefactor  to  them ; 
but,  on  a  time,  the  monks  removed  him  out  of  that 
lodging,  in  respect  of  an  entertainment  they  gave 
to  a  great  judge,  who  travelled  that  way ;  which 
caused  him  to  take  such  distaste,  that  he  presently 
left  the  house,  and  came  to  Monks  Kirby  where  he 
died,  giving  to  that  monastery  what  he  intended 
leaving  to  Pipewell,  viz.  the  capital  messuage  or 
manor  of  Newbold,  with  three  carucates  of  land  and 
fishing  in  the  river  Avon.'  ^ 

The  monastic  brethren  of  Monks  Kirby  thus 
having  possession  of  the  old  manor  in  this  parish, 
obtained  also  some  further  grants  of  land  in  this 
lordship,  for  in  the  fourth  year  of  the  reign  of 
Edward  I  they  had  the  moiety  of  the  manor,  and 
in  the  thirty-third  year  of  the  same  reign  obtained 
power  to  hold  a  court  leet  for  their  freeholders 
and  tenants  at  Newbold,  with  other  privileges ; 
and  further,  a  charter  of  free-warren  in  all  their 
demesne  lands  in  the  parish  of  Newbold  (then 
written  Newbold-Pantolf). 

^  The  capital  messuage  or  manor  castle  of  Newbold-on-Avon  was 
situated  on  the  rising  ground  on  the  north-west  side  of  the  church  or 
monasteiy,  running  through  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  Vicarage 
and  its  gardens  down  to  the  foot  of  the  hill  on  the  east  where  the 
ancient  remains  of  the  old  manor  house,  renovated  by  succeeding 
generations,  now  stand  to  mark  the  spot,  the  beautiful  grounds  slo^nng 
down  through  the  open  valley  to  the  river  on  the  south. 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON  13 

As  we  enter  the  parish  from  Rugby,  it  is  inter- 
esting to  note  the  old  water-mill  a  little  to  the  right, 
which  bears  the  name  of  the  Avon  Inn.  (A  mill 
existed  here  at  the  time  of  the  Conquest.)  The 
surroundings  here  are  at  all  seasons  very  pleasant, 
and  the  river,  although  at  times  very  shallow,  rush- 
ing on  bubbling  over  the  pebbles,  adds  considerably 
to  the  beauty  of  the  scene.  The  bridge  over  the 
water  now  occupies  the  site  of  an  ancient  bridge 
to  which  an  old  native  of  Newbold-on-Avon 
(Fostered),  in  the  sixteenth  century,  left  certain 
lands  for  its  repair  for  ever. 

The  river  here  takes  two  courses,  the  main 
stream  turning  off  to  the  left  by  a  circuitous  route 
encompassing  the  meadows,  until  it  rejoins  a  little 
lower  down  the  waste  stream,  which  runs  along- 
side the  old  turnpike  road  for  about  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  and  in  the  time  of  floods  makes  the  roads 
quite  impassable. 

Shortly  after  the  dissolution  of  the  monasteries 
the  land  and  property  in  this  parish,  belonging  to 
the  monks  of  Pipewell,  called  Newbold  Grange, 
were  given  to  Mr.  Edward  Boughton  and  his  heirs 
by  a  grant  from  the  Crown  in  the  thirty-third  year  of 
the  reign  of  Henry  VIII.  But  one  half  of  the  manor 
of  this  parish  was  obtained  by  Mr.  Thomas  White- 


14  A  WAEWICKSHIEE   FAMILY 

man,  who,  in  the  fourth  year  of  Ehzabeth's  reign, 
sold  it  to  Sir  Thomas  Leigh,  whose  great-grand- 
child— Francis,  Lord  Dunsmore — had  a  confirmation 
of  the  same  from  Charles  I  in  the  fifteenth  year  of 
his  reign.  The  other  half  of  the  manor  which  be- 
longed to  the  monastery  of  Monks  Kirby,  and  the 
right  of  presentation  to  the  living  of  the  church  of 
this  parish,  previously  in  the  gift  of  the  brethren  of 
the  said  religious  house,  passed  into  the  possession 
of  the  Boughtons.  Sir  William  Dugdale  certifies 
the  same  to  have  been  in  the  possession  of  the 
Boughtons  at  the  same  time  as  Lord  Dunsmore  was 
confirmed  in  his  estate  here,  viz.  the  fifteenth  year 
of  Charles  I.  Since  that  time  the  Boughton  family, 
whose  descent  will  be  given  in  a  subsequent  chap- 
ter, have  held  property  here,  and  still  retain  the 
right  of  patronage  to  the  advowson  of  Newbold-on- 
Avon  church,  which  during  the  vicariate  of  the 
late  Vicar  (the  Rev.  Theodosius  Egerton  B.  W.- 
Boughton-Leigh)  was  increased  in  value  twofold, 
as  throughout  the  whole  of  his  long  incumbency 
of  fifty  years  he  worked  unceasingly  for  the  good 
of  his  parishioners,  and  never  lost  an  opportunity 
of  improving  the  living  also.  And  about  the  year 
1870,  he  purchased  some  land  on  the  Rugby  road 
known  as  Rangehills,  also  Brick-kiln  Fields  adjoining 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON  15 

the  church  on  the  south  and  west,  together  with 
one  of  the  most  ancient  and  picturesque  houses  in 
the  village,  which  he  had  converted  at  his  own 
expense  into  three  dwelling-houses  on  the  site  of 
the  old  Castle.  He  was  not  slow  to  see  the  ever- 
increasing  value  of  these  estates,  and  by  adding 
them  to  the  endowment  of  the  church,  not  only 
vastly  improved  its  financial  resources,  but  also 
greatly  enriched  the  charms  of  the  Vicarage  and 
its  surroundings. 

Passing  the  site  of  Newbold  Grange,  which 
overlooks  a  fine  country  across  the  valley  through 
which  the  river  winds,  we  come  on  the  right  to 
the  school,  an  erection  of  simple  architecture,  built 
by  the  first  School  Board  in  the  year  1876.  At  the 
angle  just  beyond  where  the  roads  cross,  the  toll- 
gate  used  to  stand,  and  on  the  left  is  the  road 
leading  over  the  river  (the  former  site  of  the  old 
mill)  across  the  fields  to  Rugby.  Here  is  a  long 
plank  foot-bridge,  connecting  the  two  parishes  New 
Bilton  and  Newbold-on-Avon,  erected  about  the 
year  1880,  by  the  same  Vicar  (the  Rev.  Theodosius 
Egerton  B.  W.-Boughton-Leigh).  Passing  through 
the  village,  we  find  an  old  picturesque  inn,  the 
Horse  Shoes,  and  a  little  further  the  site  of  the 
former  Wesleyan  chapel  now   converted  into  cot- 


i6 


A  WAKWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 


tages ;  and  upon  the  other  side  of  the  road,  almost 
opposite,  is  the  present  chapel  belonging  to  that 
community,  bordered  on  the  south  by  the  river 
Avon,  and  on  the  north  by  the  main  street  of  the 
village. 

A  short  distance  further  on,  passing  the  old 
manor  house  (now  (1905)  made  into  two  picturesque 
cottages,  belonging  to  the  author)  on  the  left,  we 
come  to  the  Vicarage,  and  the  fine  old  church  a  little 
retired  from  the  road,  a  venerable  building  rich  in 
colour  and  symmetrical  in  outline.  It  stands  amid 
the  loveliest  of  forest  trees  overlooking  a  wide  valley 
through  which  the  Avon  flows.  It  is  one  of  the 
most  interesting  churches  in  the  neighbourhood,  and 
should  be  visited  by  all  who  appreciate  the  ancient 
monuments  and  temples  of  our  land. 


ON  THE   RIVER  AVON   NEAR  NEWBOLD-ON-AVON  GRANGE 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON  CHUECH  :     SOUTH  SIDE 


CHAPTER  III 


HISTORY    OF    NEWBOLD-ON-AVON    CHURCH 

The  church  consists  of  nave,  chancel,  North  and 
South  aisle,  with  square  tower  at  the  West  end  con- 
taining a  good  peal  of  six  bells,  bearing  date  1792. 
Their  silvery  tones  as  they  resound  forth  across  the 
river  and  over  the  wide  open  valley  which  stretches 
in  front,  are  redolent  with  a  singular  charm. 

c 


i8  A   WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

Inscriptions  on  Bells. 

1.  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest. 

J.  Bryant,  Hertford,  fecit,   1792. 
Ex  DONo  Rev.  J.  0. 

2.  J.  Bryant,  Hertford,  fecit,   1792. 

3.  John  Bryant,  Hertford,  fecit,   1792. 

4.  and  5.     J.  Bryant,  Hertford,  fecit,  1792. 

Gloria  Deo  in  excelsis. 

6.     J.  Bryant,  Hertford,  fecit,   1792. 

J.  Parker,  Vicar.     T.  Compton,  J.  Norman, 
R.   Webb,   C.-Wardens.     Vivos   ad   c(elum, 

MORTUOS  AD  SOLUM  PULSATA  VOCO. 

The  South  aisle  was  built  in  the  fourteenth 
century  by  the  Boughtons  of  Little  Lawford.  The 
chancel  was  restored  about  the  year  1852  by 
Theodosia  de  Malsburg  Ward-Boughton-Leigh,  the 
daughter  and  heiress  of  Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  Bart., 
and  contains  several  monuments  and  tablets  to  the 
Boughtons,  the  chief  members  of  this  family  having 
been  buried  here  for  over  700  years.  On  the  South 
wall  of  the  sanctuary  hangs  the  funeral  '  achieve- 
ment' of  one  of  the  Boughtons,  consisting  of  the 
glove,  spur,  and   helmet.     The   pulpit  is  in  good 


SIR   WILLIAM   BOUGHTON,    BAKT. 

OB.    JUL.    22,    ANNO    DNI.    I716,    ^TAT.    53 

AND 

HIS   WIFE,    LADY    BOUGHTON 


To  face  p.  19] 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON  CHUECH  19 

preservation  and  of  the  Elizabethan  period.  There 
is  a  good  organ,  small  but  sweet-toned,  in  the 
western  gallery,  which  the  Vicar,  the  Eev.  Theodosius 
Egerton  Ward-Boughton-Leigh,  obtained  and  placed 
here  at  the  commencement  of  his  ministry  in  1852. 
There  is  also  an  ancient  font  and  some  portions 
of  the  antique  screen. 

On  the  South  side  of  the  chancel  stands  the  fine 
marble  monument,  with  effigies  erect,  of  Sir  William 
Boughton,  Bart.,  and  liis  lady.  He  is  represented 
in  a  full  flowing  wig,  a  falling  cravat,  single-breasted 
coat,  breeches  and  high-heeled  shoes.  It  was  sculp- 
tured by  Rysbraeck,  a  noted  artist.  The  portraits 
were  taken  from  the  paintings  by  Sir  Godfrey 
Kneller,  and  are  preserved  at  Brownsover  Hall. 
The  inscription  is  as  follows : — *  Near  this  Marble, 
in  the  Vault  of  his  Ancestors,  are  deposited  the 
sacred  remains  of  Sir  William  Boughton,  Bart. 
Descended  of  an  honourable  and  ancient  family, 
but  far  greater  in  personal  worth  than  pedigree ; 
for  he  has  left  to  posterity  an  example  of  a  tender 
and  a  most  endearing  husband,  a  kind  and  provident 
father,  a  generous  neighbour ;  a  hospitable  enter- 
tainer of  his  friends  at  his  table,  and  a  constant 
reliever  of  the  poor  at  his  gates.  These  valuable 
qualities  so  effectually  recommended   him   to   the 

c  2 


20  A  WAEWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

esteem  and  favour  of  his  County  that  he  was 
unanmiously  elected  their  representative  in  the 
Parhament  of  Queen  Anne,  renowned  for  peace, 
where  his  steady  and  untarnished  principles  of 
loyalty  to  his  Sovereign  and  zeal  for  the  Established 
Church  of  England  eminently  distinguished  him. 
His  mournful  Widow,  Dame  Catherine  Boughton 
(the  daughter  of  Sir  Charles  Shuckburgh  of  Shuck- 
burgh,  Bart.,  and  of  Catherine  Shuckburgh,  daughter 
of  Sir  Hugh  Stewkley  of  Hinton  in  Hampshire, 
Bart.,  Vtroq;  Parente  Augusta)  in  gratitude  to  his 
Memory,  has  erected  this  monument,  not  as  a  com- 
plete register  of  his  well-known  merits,  but  as  a 
sincere  testimony  of  her  Conjugal  Affection.  Ob. 
Jul.  22,  Anno  Dni.  1716,  JEtat.  53.'^ 

Among  the  many  slate  slabs  to  the  memory  of 
the  Boughtons,  the  following  are  specially  worthy 
of  mention : — 

'  Hie  situs  est  Guilielmus  Boughton,  Baronettus, 
qui  obijt  Die  Duodecimo  Augusti  Anno  jEtatis 
suae  quinquagesimo  tertio  1683.' 

'  Here  lieth  the  body  of  Francis  Boughton  son 
and  heir  apparent  of  Edward  Boughton  of  Causton, 
Esq.,  and  great-grandson   of  Humphrey  Boughton 

^  This  Sir  William   Boughton,   Bart.,  was  offered  a   peerage  by 
Queen  Anne,  but  he  declined  the  honour. 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON   CHURCH  21 

of  Pailton,  Esq.,  who  departed  this  hfe  the  9th  of 
October,  1728,  aged  16.' 

'  Here  lyeth  the  body  of  Edward  Boughton,  late 
of  Causton  in  this  County,  Esq.,  who  departed  this 
life  the  27th  August,  1739,  aged  55  years.' 

On  the  North  side  of  the  chancel,  over  the  priest's 
doorway,  is  the  monument  erected  to  Sir  Egerton 
Leigh,  Bart. — the  founder  of  the  Baptist  Church 
at  Rugby — designed  by  his  widow.  Lady  Leigh, 
representing  the  Expiring  Christian  supported  by 
the  Angel  Hope,  pointing  to  the  Ci'oss,  sculptured 
by  Bacon,  bearing  the  following  inscription : — '  To 
the  Memory  of  Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  Baronet,  whose 
mortal  remains  are  deposited  in  the  family  vault 
near  this  place.  Was  born  March  25th,  a.d.  1762; 
died  April  26th,  a.d.  1818.  He  was  the  only 
surviving  son  of  Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  Baronet,  who 
was  lineally  descended  from  Hamon  de  Leigh,  Lord 
of  the  Mediety  of  High  Leigh  in  the  County  of 
Chester,  from  which  place  his  family  assumed 
their  name,  and  were  there  seated  previous 
to  the  Norman  Conquest,  and  who  having  held 
several  high  Appointments  under  his  Sovereign, 
George  III,  died  at  Charlestown,  North  America, 
and  was  buried  in  the  Church  of  St.  Philip  in  that 
city. 


22  A  WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

'  Also  to  the  Memory  of  Dame  Theodosia  Beau- 
champ,  wife  of  the  first-named  Sir  Egerton  Leigh, 
Bart.  She  was  the  only  daughter  of  Sir  Edward 
Boughton,  Baronet,  of  Lawford  Hall  and  Browns- 
over  Hall  in  this  County,  whose  ancestors  for  many 
generations  held  possessions  in  the  Counties  of 
Warwick  and  Northampton.  Born  May  25th,  a.d. 
1757  ;  died  January  13th,  a.d.  1830. 

'  Also  to  the  Memory  of  John  Egerton  Ward- 
Boughton-Leigh,  Cornet  in  the  ist  Regiment  of 
Dragoon  Guards,  who,  having  been  seized  with 
mortal  sickness  on  his  way  to  Canada,  after  four 
days'  suffering,  to  the  inexpressible  grief  of  his 
sorrowing  Parents  and  Friends,  departed  this  life 
May  27th,  A.D.  1839,  ^§^^  22  years. 

'  Also  to  the  Memory  of  Theodosia  Maria  Boughton 
Egerton  and  Matilda  Selina  Boughton,  Grandchildren 
of  Sir  Egerton  Leigh  and  Theodosia  Beauchamp^ 
who  died  in  their  infancy,  and  the  latter  of  whom 
was  interred  at  Guilsborough  in  the  County  of 
Northampton.' 

On  the  same  wall  of  chancel,  to  the  left  of  the 
above  mural  monument,  is  the  following  inscrip- 
tion : — 

'In  Memory  of  John  Ward-Boughton-Leigh,  of 
Brownsover  Hall  in  the  County  of  Warwick,  and 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON   CHUECH  23 

of  Guilsborough  Hall  in  the  County  of  Northampton, 
Esquire.  Born  the  5th  day  of  May,  1791 ;  died  the 
1 8th  day  of  June,  1868. 

H.  M.  Theodosia  de  Malsburg. 

VIDUA   EJUS    SUMPTU   SUO. 


'Also  in  Memory  of  Theodosia  de  Malsburg, 
Widow  of  the  above-named  John  Ward-Boughton- 
Leigh,  Esquire,  and  only  daughter  and  heiress  of 
Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  Baronet,  of  Westhall  in  the 
County  of  Chester,  and  Dame  Theodosia  Beau- 
champ,  his  wife,  who  was  only  daughter  and 
heiress  of  Sir  Edward  Boughton,  Baronet,  of 
Lawford  in  the  County  of  Warwick,  which  said 
Theodosia  de  Malsburg  was  born  on  the  i6th 
day  of  December,  1792,  and  died  the  28th  day  of 
February,   1870.' 

On  the  open  Bible  carved  in  stone  at  the  foot  of 
the  tablet  are  these  words : — '  I  know  that  my 
Redeemer  liveth.' 

In  1665,  about  the  time  that  Sir  William  Dug- 
dale,  Knight,  compiled  his  liistory  of  this  county, 
the  ancient  altar-tomb  occupied  its  original  and 
proper  position  in  the  middle  of  the  central  aisle, 


24  A   WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

but  it  is  now  placed  north  to  south  at  the  east  end 
of  the  South  aisle  erected  by  the  Boughtons.  On 
the  large,  flat,  top  stone  of  this  tomb  are  the  incised 
effigies  of  Geoffrey  de  Allesley  and  Eleanor  his 
wife/ 

Standing  noi-th  and  south  of  the  above  tomb,  are 
two  alabaster  monuments  of  great  interest,  adorned 
with  small  sculptured  figures  in  devotional  attitudes, 
surmounted  with  various  armorial  bearings.  The 
inscriptions  are  as  follow,  beginning  on  the  north 
side : — 

'Edwardus  Boughton  obijt  mortem  xviij  die 
mensis  April.,  Anno  Domini  1548. 

'  Elizabeth  Boughton,  filia  Edwardi,  obijt  mortem 
xiij  die  mensis  April.,  Anno  Domini  1583.' 


'  Here  lieth  the  body  of  Edward  Boughton,  Esq., 
and  Ehzabeth  his  wife,  daughter  of  Edward  Catesbie 
of  Lap  worth  Hall  in  the  County  of  Warr.  Esq.,  by 
whom  he  had  issue  two  sonns  William  and  Thomas 
and  one   daughter  Katherin :    Wch.  Tho.   married 

^  The  inscription,  also  in  Latin,  is  as  follows: — 'Here  lieth  Gal- 
fridus  Allesley  and  Alianora  his  wife,  who  died  the  i8thday  of  August, 
A.  D.  1401.     May  their  souls  rest  in  peace.     Amen.' 


THE   NORTH   ALABASTER   MONUMENT    TO    EDWARD    BOUGHTON    (1548) 
AND    ELIZABETH    BOUGHTON    (1583) 


To  face  p.  24] 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON   CHURCH  25 

Judith,  one  of  the  daughters  and  co-heiress  of  Henry 
Baker  of  South  Sewburie  in  the  County  of  Essex, 
Esq.,  and  Katherin  married  William  Combe  of 
Stratford-upon-Avon  in  the  County  of  Warr.  Esq., 
which  Edward  died  9  of  Avg.,  1625,  and  Elizabeth 
died  the  12  of  April,  1619. 

'  William,  eldest  sonne  of  the  said  Edward, 
married  Abigail,  the  eldest  daughter  and  co-heiress 
of  the  said  Henry  Baker,  Esq.,  and  had  issue, 
Edward,  William,  Humfrey,  Elizabeth,  and  Abigail : 
Wch.  Abigail,  wife  of  the  said  William,  died  the 
21  of  Feb.,  1635.  And  Eliz.  died  the  14  of  Jan., 
1632.     And  Abigail  died  the  4  of  Sept.,  1636.' 

The  Thomas  Boughton  here  mentioned  was  one 
of  our  earliest  representatives  in  Parliament  for  this 
portion  of  Warwickshire. 

The  church  further  contains  a;  good  modern 
stained  glass  window  at  the  end  of  the  North  aisle, 
bearing  the  following  inscription  : — '  To  the  Glory 
of  God  and  in  loving  remembrance  of  Harriet  Agnes, 
wife  of  the  Rev.  Gerald  Leigh  Spencer,  M.  A.,  and  the 
beloved  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Theodosius  Boughton- 
Leigh,  M.A.,  Vicar  of  this  parish,  and  Elizabeth 
his  wife,  who  have  erected  this  window  to  their 
daughter's    memory    1895.'      It   consists    of    three 


26  A  WARWICKSHIRE  FAMILY 

lights ;  the  central  light  representing  our  Saviour 
blessing  little  children,  and  a  likeness  of  Harriet 
Agnes  holding  a  little  child  at  His  feet.     '  Blessed 


HARRIET  AGNES   LEIGH   SPENCER,    1881 

are  the  pure  in  heart :  for  they  shall  see  God.'  The 
light  on  the  left  represents  the  Apostles  and  Virgin 
presenting  the  little  ones  to  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  with 
the  text :    *  Suffer  little  children,  and  forbid  them. 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON   CHUKCH  27 

not,  to  come  unto  Me :  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom 
of  heaven.'  The  hght  on  the  right  represents  the 
sick,  the  bHnd,  the  maimed,  and  the  halt,  with  the 
words — '  I  was  sick  and  ye  visited  me.' 

There  is  also  a  beautiful  monument  in  the  shape 
of  a  marble  bust,  erected  in  the  North  aisle,  imme- 
diately on  the  left-hand  side  as  you  enter  the  church, 
giving  an  excellent  likeness  of  the  late  Mrs.  Bough- 
ton-Leigh,  bearing  this  inscription: — 'In  loving 
Memory  of  Elizabeth,  wife  of  the  Eev.  Theodosius 
Ward-Boughton-Leigh,  Vicar  of  this  parish,  daughter 
and  heiress  of  Thomas  Cotterell,  of  50,  Eaton 
Square,  S.W.,  Esquire,  J.P.,  D.L.,  High  Sheriff  of 
the  County  of  Middlesex.  Born  May  i6th,  1828 ; 
died  April  17th,  1897.' 

The  historian  Treen,  in  his  description  of  this 
monument,  says,  'A  modern  monument  has  recently 
been  erected  in  the  North  aisle  in  the  shape  of  a 
marble  bust,  giving  an  excellent  likeness  of  the 
late  Mrs.  Boughton-Leigh,  wife  of  the  present  Vicar 
(1901),  whose  generosity  to  the  poor  of  this  parish 
will  not  soon  be  forgotten.  It  is  interesting  to 
witness  the  revival,  after  many  centuries,  of  the 
record  of  the  features,  in  our  churches  in  these 
parts,  of  those  who,  in  their  day,  took  an  active 
share   in   the   well-being   of  their   poorer   contem- 


28  A  WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

poraries.  And  it  is  to  be  sincerely  trusted  that 
all  the  rich  possessions  of  this  church — its  hand- 
some monuments,  its  stained  glass  window,  the 
interesting  old  pulpit,  sweet-toned  organ,  and  its 
ancient  font — will  be  carefully  preserved  whenever 
the  sacred  building  undergoes  that  terrible  ordeal 
known  as  restoration.' 

On  the  north-east  of  the  churchyard,  adjoining 
the  gate  leading  into  the  Vicarage  garden,  is  the 
handsome  monument  erected  in  1897  to  the  memory 
of  Mrs.  Boughton-Leigh,  wife  of  the  Vicar.  It 
consists  of  a  lofty  obelisk  of  red  carnation  granite 
from  Sweden,  made  by  Pope  &  Son  of  Aberdeen. 
The  obelisk  stands  about  14  ft.  high  on  a  14  ft. 
square  vault  covered  by  Yorkshire  landings  6  in. 
thick.  The  needle  is  7  ft.  6  in.  high,  by  i  ft.  6  in. 
square  at  base,  and  i  ft.  square  at  top.  It  is  sur- 
rounded by  twelve  granite  pillars  i  ft.  9  in.  high, 
6  in.  square,  with  connecting  chains,  &c.,  with  a 
paved  path  round,  enclosed  with  white  marble 
edging.  It  bears  the  following  inscriptions  in  gold 
lettering : — 

[On  the  West  panel] 

'  To  the  Glory  of  God,  and  in  ever  loving  affec- 
tionate remembrance  of  Elizabeth,  the  beloved  wife 
of  the  Rev.  Theodosius  Boughton-Leigh,  M. A., Vicar 


THE    KEY.   THEODOSIUS   EGERTON   B.    W.-BOUGHTON-LEIGH,    FIFTY    YEARS   VICAR    OF 
NEWBOLD-ON-AVON    AND    LONG    LAWFORD,    1852-I902 

To  face  jj.  29] 


NEWBOLD-ON-AYON   CHUECH  29 

of  this  parish,  and  fondly  cherished  daughter  of  the 
late  Thomas  Cotterell,  Esq.,  J. P.,  D.L.,  who  de- 
parted this  life  on  the  17th  of  April,  1897,  in  the 
69th  year  of  her  age. 

Safe  in  the  arms  of  Jesus, 

Safe  on  His  gentle  breast, 
There  by  His  love  o'ershadow'd 

Sweetly  my  soul  shall  rest. 

'  "  Until  the  day  break  and  the  shadows  flee  away." ' 


ELIZABETH   W.-BOUGHTON-LEIGH,    WIFE   OF 
THE  REV.  THEODOSIUS  EGEETON  B.  W.-BOUGHTON-LEIGH,  1853-1897 

'  Her  children  arise  up  and  call  her  blessed.' 

[On  the  North  panel] 

'  To  the  Glory  of  God,  and  in  ever  loving  and 
affectionate  remembrance  of  the  Reverend  Theo- 
dosius  Egerton   B.  W.-Boughton-Leigh,    M.A.,   for 


30  A  WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

fifty  years  Vicar  of  Newbold-on-Avon  with  Long 
Lawford,  1852- 1902,  who  departed  this  life  on 
the  27th  September,  1902,  in  the  80th  year  of 
his  age. 

'  "Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil :  for  Thou  art 
with  me." 

Lord  all  pitying,  Jesu  blest, 
Grant  him  Thine  eternal  rest.' 

On  the  same  square  vault  stands  also  a  monu- 
ment consisting  of  a  white  marble  cross  upon  steps 
with  a  lily  entwined,  bearing  the  following  inscrip- 
tion : — 

'With  Christ,  which  is  far  better. 

'  In  loving  memory  of  Harriet  Agnes,  the  beloved 
wife  of  the  Rev.  G.  L.  Spencer^  and  fondly  cherished 
daughter  of  the  Rev.  Theodosius  Boughton-Leigh 
and  of  Elizabeth  his  wife,  who  departed  this  life  at 
Hereford  on  the  loth  day  of  October,  1882,  aged 
25  years.' 

Also  buried  in  the  same  family  vault  1887,  the 
grandson  of  the  Vicar,  being  his  eldest  son's  first- 
born, and  bearing  the  same  name,  Theodosius 
Cotterell  Henry  Ward-Boughton-Leigh,  died  in 
infancy  at  27  First  Avenue,  Hove,  Brighton, 
December  10,  1887. 


THE    REV.    THEODOSIU3    COTTEKELL    HENRY    WARD-BOUGHTON-LEIGH 
PAST    PROVINCIAL    GRAND    CHAPLAIN,    -WARWICKSHIRE 
RECTOR    OF   RODUERSHAM,    KENT,    AND    ETCHIHGHAM,    SUSSEX 

To  face  p.  30] 


MONUMENT   ERECTED    TO   THE    MEMORY    OF    THE    REV.    THEODOSIUS    COTTERELL   HENRY 
WARD-BOUGHTON-LEIGH    IN    CUCKFIELD    CHURCHYARD,    SUSSEX,    1897 


To  face  i?.  3^1 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON   CHUECH  31 

The  Reverend  Theodosius  Cotterell  Henry  Ward- 
Boughton-Leigh,  to  whose  memory  the  monument 
opposite  was  erected  at  Cuckfield\  was  the  elder 
brother  of  the  author,  and  was  cut  off  in  the  prime 
of  manhood  after  only  a  few  hours'  illness  at  the  early 
age  of  foi*ty-three  years.  He  was  educated  at  Rugby 
and  Cambridge,  and  having  chosen  the  Church  as  his 
profession,  became  successively  Rector  of  Bradfield- 
Combust,  Suffolk,  Etchingham,  Sussex,  and  Rod- 
mersham,  Kent,  where  he  died  on  December  14, 
1897,  and  was  buried  at  Cuckfield.  Whilst  at 
Cambridge  he  became  a  Freemason,  the  Isaac 
Newton  University,  No.  859,  being  his  mother 
Lodge,  and  he  will  long  live  in  the  memory  of 
his  fellow  craftsmen,  especially  at  Cambridge  and 

*  The  inscription  is  as  below  :  — 

'  I  will  give  thee  a  Crown  of  Life.     Rev.  ii.  lo. 

To  the  Glory  of  God 

And  sacred  to  the  deeply  loved  and  ever  present  memory  of 

The  Reverend  Theodosius  Cotterell  Henry  Ward-Boughton-Leigh, 

Born.  May  6th,  1854, 

Who  departed  this  life  at  Rodmersham  Vicarage,  Sittingbourne, 

Kent,  Dec.  14th,  1897. 

To  the  inexpressible  and  everlasting  grief  of  his  Widow 

And  little  daughter  Elsie,  to  whom  he  was  their  All  in  All. 

Also  of  Gladys  Eileen  Ward-Boughton-Leigh, 

The  beloved  infant  daughter  of  the  above, 

Born  June  loth,  1895,  ^^i^d  July  23rd,  1895,  ^^  Tunbridge  Wells. 

Also  Theodosius  Bridgeman,  Son  of  the  above,  who  died 

at  27  First  Avenue,  Hove,  Dec.  6th,  1887.' 


32  A   WARWICKSHIEE   FAMILY 

Warwickshire,  for  the  latter  of  which  counties  he 

was   Provincial   Grand    Chaplain,   his   grandfather 

having    been    Deputy    Provincial    Grand    Master 

previously  for  many  years. 

In  the  churchyard  at  Newbold-on-Avon  lie  several 

men  and  women  who  in  their  day  were  notable. 

Just  outside  the  South  door  we  find  perhaps  the 

oldest   vault.     It  commemorates   certain  members 

of  the  Onely  family,  once  residents  of  this  parish. 

Part  only   of  the   ancient   inscription  can  now  be 

traced.      It  reads  thus  : — 

The  corpses  that  by  this  tombe  do  lye, 

Are  Mr.  Eobert  and  Mrs.  EHzabeth  Onely, 

He  the  husband  and  she  the  wife. 

True  partners  of  a  godly  life. 

He  aged  was  seventy-nine. 

And  she  near  seventy  did  incline. 

And  Keader  now  thou  knowest  their  age. 

Thy  life  to  virtue  thus  engage. 

Here  also  repose  the  ashes  of  the  Rev.  Edward 
Fall,  for  forty  years  the  faithful  minister  of  the 
Baptist  Chapel,  Rugby.  He  was  educated  entirely 
at  the  expense  of  Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  Bart.,  at  the 
celebrated  Nonconformist  Academy  at  Bristol,  under 
Dr.  Ryland,  and  after  Sir  Egerton  ceased  to  take 
the  sacred  duties  at  the  Rugby  Chapel  himself, 
was  appointed  by  him  in  his  place.  Mr.  Fall  re- 
mained a  faithful   and  honoured  minister  of  the 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON   CHURCH         33 

Gospel,  and  closed  a  long  life  in  the  Saviour's  ser- 
vice with  humility  and  patience  at  the  age  of  79 
years,  on  the  12th  of  April,  1859,  ^^  Park  Cottage 
in  this  parish,  and  was  buried  by  the  Vicar,  the 
Rev.  Theodosius  Egerton  B.  W.-Boughton-Leigh,  the 
grandson  of  his  old  benefactor  Sir  Egerton  Leigh, 
Bart. 

Here  too  we  find  the  last  resting-place  of  the 
Rev.  George  Loggin,  A.M.,  one  of  the  Assistant 
Masters  of  Rugby  School,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
40  years,  in  July,  1824. 

The  remains  also  of  a  young  unmarried  woman 
of  letters  who — only  a  sojourner  here — died  at  the 
age  of  34.  Unknown  perchance  to  the  land  of 
fame,  she  was  nevertheless  a  worthy  benefactor 
of  her  race,  and  well  remembered  as  one  of  the 
author's  early  governesses ;  clever,  and  able  to  im- 
part her  '  gifts '  in  a  wonderful  degree  to  those  little 
ones  committed  to  her  care.  Kind  to  almost  a  fault, 
she  gained  the  respect  and  love  of  all,  as  she 
enlightened  their  youthful  minds.  She  and  her 
sister  laboured  assiduously  as  head  mistresses  of  the 
National  School,  taking  extra  pupils  out  of  school 
hours  as  a  little  recreation,  and  so  it  was  that  the 
author  enjoyed  her  companionship,  and  was  with 
her  to  the  last,  and  his  father,  the  Vicar  of  the 

D 


34  A  WARWICKSHIRE  FAMILY 

parish,  raised  a  tombstone  to  her  memory  in  the 
churchyard,  with  this  inscription  : — 

*  In  affectionate  remembrance  of  Ehzabeth  Chad- 
wick,  the  Mistress  of  the  Parish  School  of  Newbold- 
on-Avon.  She  was  second  daughter  of  William 
Chadwick  and  Anne  his  wife,  of  Totmonslow, 
Draycot  in  the  Moors,  in  the  county  of  Stafford, 
and  departed  this  life  the  15th  day  of  September, 
1864,  aged  34  years.' 

Here  too  may  be  found  the  last  resting-place  of 
one  who  in  her  lifetime  faithfully  did  her  duty  in 
her  home  life,  and  who  on  the  memorable  i6th  of 
May,  1853,  witnessed  her  newly-appointed  Vicar 
drive  in  triumph  up  the  village  with  his  beautiful 
bride,  and  became  from  that  day  a  true  friend  at 
the  Vicarage,  all  through  those  long  succeeding 
years  to  the  day  of  her  death  in  the  year  1896. 
Her  tombstone  on  the  south  side  of  the  churchyard 
marks  the  spot  with  this  record  : — 

'In  loving  memory  of  Sarah  Ridley,  who  died 
April  3,  1896,  aged  83  years.  "So  He  bringeth 
them  unto  their  desired  haven."' 

May  we  not  safely  say  that  no  churchyard  in 
the  neighbourhood  appeals  more  touchingly  to  the 
inward  feelings  than  Newbold-on-Avon  ?  With 
its  simple,  graceful  monuments,  and  their  living 


120C046 

NEWBOLD-ON-AVOlSr  CHUECH  35 

memories  ;  its  venerable  church,  rich  in  those  warm- 
tinted  tones  of  the  red  sandstone,  with  which  gene- 
rations of  long  forgotten  masons  reared  in  lowly- 
reverence  its  sacred  walls,   combining  those  mys- 
terious expressions  of  Faith  and  Hope,  of  distant 
days   and   future   time,   with   the   harmony  of  its 
peaceful    surroundings.      The   venerable    structure 
remains  still — even   in  these  days  of  hurry,  and 
bustle,  and    progress — the    spiritual  and  material 
centre   of    the   traditions   and   aspirations    of    the 
families  whose  homesteads  nestle  beneath  its  shade. 
St.  Botolph,  to  whom  the  church  is  dedicated, 
is  a  rare  patron  of  religious  edifices.     How  he,  a 
seafaring   man,    and   chiefly  patron   of  some    few 
churches  on  the  East  Coast,  where  he  dwelt,  should 
have  been  selected  for  this  inland  village,  I  cannot 
say.     In  those  dim  and  distant  days  he  may  have 
undertaken  one   of  those  pilgrimages  which  con- 
duced so  greatly,  according  to  the  mediaeval  mind, 
to  a  life  of  holiness,  or  some  pious  brother  of  the 
house  of  Monks  Kirby  may  have  been  stimulated 
by  the  records  of  St.  Botolph's  life,   for  we  must 
remember  that  the  brethren  of  Monks  Kirby  were 
for  some  centuries  patrons  of  this  church.     What- 
ever the  cause  may  have  been,  that  a  cause  existed, 
no  one  who   understands   anything  of   the  early 

D  2 


36  A  WARWICKSHIRE  FAMILY 

triumphs  of  religious  teaching  over  ignorance  can 
for  one  moment  doubt.  The  supernatural  was  at 
this  epoch  a  living  factor  in  men's  lives ;  the  sup- 
posed influence  of  a  pious  man's  remains  long  after 
his  ashes  had  been  covered  from  mortal  eyes  was 
as  fully  recognized  in  those  times  as  the  most 
material  truths  are  with  us  to-day.  These  coin- 
cidents held  in  check  the  ferocity  of  men,  whom  no 
human  arm  could  subdue,  and  who  were  unac- 
quainted with  any  codes  of  moral  government. 

Amid  such  a  dim  past  was  the  tiny  seed  of 
Christianity  here  planted,  slowly  improving  as  time 
went  on, — the  humble  structure  of  wattle  and  daub 
passing  away  and  in  its  turn  giving  place  to  stone, 
from  which  the  rugged  half-chiselled  Norman  style 
grew  through  slow  centuries  into  the  branching 
splendour  of  the  Decorated  and  Perpendicular. 
To-day  we  see  Newbold-on-Avon  Church  an  expres- 
sive monument  of  these  two  later  styles.  Its  ornate 
North  porch  is  a  decorated  work  of  art  in  itself, 
with  beautifully  designed  windows,  whilst  its  South 
porch  denotes  one  of  the  last  touches  ere  the  knell 
of  the  Reformation  sounded.  Three  hundred  years 
of  history  can  be  read  here  in  these  Gothic 
styles.  On  the  south  side  we  can  with  fancy's 
vision  imagine  the  craftsmen  with  hurried  steps 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON   CHUHCH         37 

hastening  away  as  the  news  of  the  great  schism 
of  the  sixteenth  century  filled  their  ears.  Neglect 
and  indifference  have  reigned  here  more  or  less 
through  the  succeeding  ages.  The  ancient  tombs 
of  the  Boughtons  have  been  relegated  to  the  south- 
east corner  of  the  side  aisle,  once  ablaze  with  jewelled 
window  beneath  which  stood  an  altar  from  whence 
arose  the  solemn  dirge  over  the  ashes  of  more  than 
one  member  of  the  family. 

History,  romance,  tragedy,  all  are  here ;  old 
world  manners ;  the  courtly  days  of  chivalry ; 
that  subordination  of  self;  that  respect  unques- 
tionably paid  to  rank  and  sex.  All  are  here  em- 
blematically represented.  The  mouldering  tomb, 
the  funeral  achievement,  the  helmet  and  spur,  the 
royal  escutcheon,  the  squire's  pew,  the  remains 
of  the  rood-loft,  the  consecrated  piscina,  all  speak 
of  an  age  when  self  humbled  itself  before  learning, 
piety,  and  birth.  Our  lives  are  cast  in  other  days. 
Freedom  and  unrest  are  ever  in  a  flux  of  passion. 
We  pine  for  the  cloister,  quiet  and  holy.  We  long 
for  the  lengthened  hours  of  study,  for  the  uninter- 
rupted time  of  thought.  We  long  and  wait  for  all 
these  elements,  but  they  come  not  to  us  and  ours. 
They  belong  not  to  our  day.  To  us  the  ever 
varying  and  changeful  circle  presents  itself.     Men 


38  A  WAEWICKSHIRE  FAMILY 

cannot  study  now,  nay,  they  will  soon  cease  to 
read  altogether.  The  cultivation  of  the  most  perfect 
and  flexible  mode  of  literary  expression,  the  glory 
of  Athenian  culture,  is  by  us  now  all  but  unknown. 
Do  not  thoughts  such  as  these  flash  through 
our  minds,  as  we  stand  here  on  this  glorious 
hill  of  Zion,  in  the  presence  of  this  sacred  edifice, 
surrounded  with  its  flowering  shrubs  and  trees  in 
bloom,  the  yellow  laburnums  and  the  white  hlacs, 
the  orange  blossoms  (not  the  true,  but  the  syringa) 
which  still  adorn  theVicarage  hill,  planted  there  some 
fifty  years  ago  by  a  belovedVicar  past  and  gone  ? 

Ah,  happy  hills !  ah,  pleasing  shade ! 

Ah,  fields  beloved  in  vain, 
"Where  once  my  careless  childhood  stray'd, 

A  stranger  yet  to  pain. 

Here  too  in  this  beautiful  country  village,  the 
monks  of  Pipewell  enjoyed  life  upon  the  winding 
banks  of  the  Avon  so  many  centuries  ago. 

Let  us  learn  our  lesson  and  try  to  understand 
something  of  the  indissoluble  links  which  bind 
the  Church  to  the  Nation,  which  teach  us  how  the 
Church  became  the  Mother  of  Parliament;  how 
the  parochial  system  grew  and  flourished ;  how  a 
lawless  population,  which  considered  human  life  of 
little  value,  drew  near  these  shrines  with  reveren- 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON  CHURCH  39 

tial  awe  ;  how  the  monk  became  not  a  mere  hermit, 
shut  away  from  life  around  him,  but  the  school- 
master, the  historian,  the  architect,  the  printer  of 
Mediaeval  England ;  how  the  priest,  frequently 
poor  and  illiterate,  badly  clothed  and  fed,  rose  to 
the  direction  of  parochial  life,  by  the  sanctity  of 
his  ministrations,  and  that  system  of  equality,  which 
until  the  Reformation  dominated  the  ecclesiastical 
communities  of  Western  Christendom.  These 
were  among  the  chief  agents  which  enabled  the 
Christian  societies  of  the  Middle  Ages  to  rear,  in 
times  of  poverty  and  violence,  monumental  works, 
which  we  in  our  poor  and  hurried  lives  but  vainly 
strive  to  copy. 

To-day  the  Church  has  to  meet  different  evils, 
and  consequently  must  of  necessity  shape  itself  to 
different  ideals.  The  mental  horizon  has  broad- 
ened. That  the  superstitious  veneration  which  men 
were  accustomed  to  pay  to  some  saint,  whose  arm 
they  imagined  had  brought  them  aid  in  time  of 
trouble,  should  be  revived  amongst  us  to-day, 
few  will  deny  would  be  an  evil.  That  the  submis- 
sive reverence  which  people  once  paid  to  the  priestly 
caste  would  be  not  less  so,  is  obvious  to  all  who 
understand  anything  of  history  and  of  human  in- 
genuity.     But  that  these    evils   did  in  times   of 


40  A  WARWICKSHIKE  FAMILY 

lawless  confusion  produce  an  enduring  good,  will 
be  denied  by  none  who  pause  and  reflect  upon 
these  noble  monuments  of  the  past. 

I  well  remember  in  my  younger  days  the  old 
parish  stocks  and  whipping-post,  in  a  good  state  of 
preservation,  standing  outside  the  gate  leading  into 
the  churchyard  on  the  north  side,  but  alas !  they 
fell  a  victim  to  the  bonfires  one  5th  of  November, 
about  the  year  1868. 

On  the  north-west  of  the  churchyard,  now 
covered  by  trees,  is  the  site  of  the  Castle  erected 
here  in  the  time  of  King  Stephen  and  contemporary 
with  that  which  existed  at  Rugby.  On  the  opposite 
side  of  the  road,  a  few  yards  from  the  churchyard 
entrance,  is  a  splendid  example  of  a  half-timbered 
residence.  It  is  surrounded  by  sombre  foliage,  and 
offers  a  perfect  study  to  the  landscape  artist.  It  is 
one  of  those  dwellings,  becoming  scarcer  every  year, 
and  is  a  t3^ical  Warwickshire  home. 

Near  the  churchyard  are  the  remains  of  the  old 
canal  and  tunnel,  the  entrance  to  which  is  at  the 
West  end  of  the  church,  passing  under  part  of  the 
consecrated  ground  and  coming  out  near  where 
the  Sunday  School  now  stands,  but  this  end  is 
entirely  blocked  up,  and  does  not  quite  reach  the 
navigable  part  of  the  Oxford  Canal  which  runs  along 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON   CHURCH  41 

the  north  side  of  the  village,  and  at  the  north-west 
end  passes  under  a  long  tunnel.  With  this  canal 
on  the  north,  and  the  river  Avon  taking  a  circuitous 
course  on  the  east  and  south,  the  village  is  formed 
into  a  peninsula. 

Mr.  Bloxam  relates  a  very  interesting  account  of 
a  little  incident  in  connexion  with  Newbold-on-Avon, 
in  The  Meteor  of  October  9,  1897,  that  happened 
on  October  9,  1809. 

It  was  the  day  of  rejoicing,  or  the  Jubilee  of 
King  George  III,  and  a  notice  had  appeared  in  the 
Northampton  Mercury  stating  that  'At  Rugby  the 
day  was  observed  much  the  same  as  in  other  places. 
It  was  pleasing  to  see  the  boys  of  the  Rugby  Charity 
School,  dressed  in  their  Sunday  clothes,  walking  two 
and  two  to  church,  headed  by  their  worthy  preceptor 
the  Rev.  Dr.  J.  Wooll '.  And  this  paragraph  was 
considered  as  a  skit  against  the  School  and  attributed 
to  a  gentleman  living  at  Newbold,  between  whom 
and  the  School  there  was  a  feud. 

One  of  the  favourite  bathing-places  on  the  river, 
much  frequented  by  the  School,  was  Langley's  Hole, 
and  the  said  gentleman  had  built  a  house  (The 
Grange)  near  the  high  road  between  Newbold  and 
Rugby,  and  had  planted  some  shrubs  and  trees 
along  the  roadside  for  shelter.     The  front  of  the 


42  A  WARWICKSHIRE  FAMILY 

house  commanding  a  fuU  view  of  the  river  and 
Langley's,  the  boys  had  notice  that  bathing  was 
no  longer  permitted  there,  but  the  notice  was 
disregarded  by  them,  and  the  owner  had  thorns 
placed  in  the  river,  perhaps  more  fortiter  in  re 
than  suaviter  in  modo.  Anyway,  the  School 
thought  they  had  a  grievance,  and  the  gentleman 
became  unpopular.  The  School  runs,  or  paper- 
chases,  took  place  shortly  after  the  Christmas 
holidays,  and  were  continued  till  after  Easter.  One 
of  these  runs  was  called  the  Prize  Poem  Run,  and 
it  became  customary  for  those  who  had  gained  the 
English  and  Latin  Verse  Prizes  each  to  subscribe 
half  a  guinea,  and  the  money  thus  contributed  was 
supposed  to  be  spent  at  a  public-house  where  the 
kill  was  arranged  to  take  place. 

In  the  year  1815,  a  public-house  at  Newbold-on- 
Avon  was  fixed  upon  for  the  hares  to  run  to,  and 
an  unusual  number  of  boys  on  that  day  went  the 
whole  run,  and  many  of  the  little  boys  were  in  at 
the  death.  Beer  was  brought  out  ad  libitum,  and 
all  enjoyed  and  patronized  the  tap.  It  soon  became 
necessary  to  move  homewards  to  be  in  time  for 
5  o'clock  CO.,  and  the  announcement  for  that 
purpose  was  given.  All  set  off  for  Rugby  by  the 
road,  but  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  Newbold 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON  CHURCH  43 

commenced  the  newly-formed  plantation  of  the 
gentleman  whose  name  in  an  unpopular  manner 
had  been  handed  down.  One  unlucky  boy  first 
trespassed  into  this  plantation  and  began  to  cut 
a  young  tree ;  other  boys  followed  his  example 
and  rushed  through  the  plantation,  breaking  down 
the  trees  in  all  directions.  In  about  a  quarter  of 
an  hour  it  was  estimated  that  damage  had  been 
done  to  the  extent  of  upwards  of  one  hundred 
pounds. 

Of  course  there  was  a  row  ;  the  matter  could  not 
be  expected  to  end  there.  Due  representations 
were  made  to  the  Doctor,  and  the  four  or  five 
prepositors  who  were  present  gave  themselves  up 
as  answerable  for  the  mischief.  But  this  was  not 
enough,  justice  had  to  be  satisfied,  and  the  prepositors 
were  required  by  the  head  master  to  give  up  the 
names  of  the  wrong-doers,  and  they  decided  that  they 
would  not  give  up  the  name  of  any  boy  against  his 
will,  but  every  fag  who  volunteered  to  have  his 
name  given  up  should  be  excused  fagging  during 
the  rest  of  the  half-year.  Whereupon  volunteers 
flocked  to  the  fi'ont.  The  prepositors  had  long 
impositions  and  had  also  to  make  an  humble  apology 
to  the  gentleman  at  Newbold  Grange  whose  planta- 
tion had  been  destroyed,  whilst  the  younger  boys 


44  A  WAKWICKSHIKE  FAMILY 

who  had  given  up  their  names  received  a  severe 
birching.  Some  stoically  inclined,  or  at  least 
affecting  to  be  so,  bore  their  castigation  like  little 
Spartans.  Others,  who  did  not  profess  that  philo- 
sophy, were  fain  to  acknowledge  that  pain  was  an 
evil,  the  punishment  inflicted  being  of  such  a  nature 
as  to  call  from  them  half-suppressed  notes,  anything 
but  those  of  admiration. 

And  thus  ended  the  famous  Newbold-on-Avon 
Run,  the  like  of  which  has  not  since  occurred  nor  is 
likely  to  occur  again. 

The  plantation  was  replanted  and  the  trees 
unmolested  grew  with  vigour,  and  lovers  of  a  walk 
can  see  them  there  to-day,  shading  the  Newbold 
Road,  noble  oaks  standing  clothed  in  the  majesty  of 
wellnigh  a  hundred  years. 

LIST  OF  VICAKS  OF  NEWBOLD-ON-AVON. 

Patroni  Vicariae.  Incumbentes,  &c. 

Alardus — of  the  time  of  King  John,  1199. 

-    ^^.  ,  [  Will,  de  Walton,  Cap.  4  Kal.  April,  1335. 

de  Kirby  ) 

Edw.  Kex  Angl.  ra-  j 

tione  temporal.  Pr.  I  Kic.  de  Wyke,  Pbr.  7  Id.  Apr.,  1354. 

de  Earby  ) 

Pr.  &  C.  de  Kirby  Walt,  de  Frelond,  17  Kal.  Dec,  1366. 

Dom.    Rex,    ratione  | 

temporal.      Pr.    de  [  Ric  Tofte,  Pbr.  14  Apr.,  1393. 

Kirby  in  manu  sua   ) 
Prior    &    Conv.    de 

Axholme 


Rog.  Hunt,  Cap.  12  Sept.,  1412. 


Dom.  Adam  Halsall,  12  Apr.,  1539. 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON   CHURCH  45 

Patroni  Vicariae.  Incumbentes,  &c. 

Prior    &    Conv.    de  ) 
Axholme  (  ^^°'  ^ormanton,  Cap.  20  Nov.,  1450. 

.    ,    ,  *  [  Joh.  Stamford,  Pbr.  29  Dec,  1458. 

D.   Anna  Comitissa  ^ 
Derb.   ratione  con- 
cess.  Pr.  and  Con. 
de  Axholme 

Dominus  Kex  Joh.  CoppuU,  Cap.  10  Jan.,  1544. 

Ph.    &    M.    Kex    &  I  ^iii  Heather,  Cler.  15  Junii,  1557. 
Kegina  ' 

(Edw.  Bowne,  Priest,  the  Vicar  of  New- 
bold-upon-Avon,  17  Juhi,  1572,  inst.,  was 
buried  the  23rd  of  January,  1574. 
Domina  Eegina  Eog.  Barker,  Cler.  25  Mali,  1575. 

Jacobus  Kex  Ric.  King,  Cler.  25  Junii,  1604.  (i) 

Tho.  Gerard  de  Bur- 
well  in  Com.  Can- 
tab, gen.  exconcess.  }•  Henr.  Wylde,  S.  Theol.  Bac.  7Maii,  i6n. 
Edward  Boughton, 
ar. 

John  Hall  died  March  28th,  1657. 
Richard  Hall  (date  unknown). 
Sir  William  Bough-  ]  John  Francis    Hands,  bd.   March   15th, 
ton,  Bart.  i     1715. 

Sir  William  Bough-  (  William  Hands  inducted  1715. 
ton,  Bart.  i  „  „       buried  Oct.  28,  1742.  (2) 

Lady  Ann  Boughton     John  Parker,  1742  to  1787.  (3) 
Lady    Anna    Maria  |  j^^^  ^^^^^^^  ^^87  to  1816.  (4) 
Boughton  ) 

Sir   Egerton  Leigh,  |  ^^^^  ^  ^^^^^^^  ^3^^  ^^  ^g^^_ 
Bart.  ) 

John  W. -Boughton-  ]  Theodosius    Egerton    B.   W.-Boughton- 
Leigh  )     Leigh,  1852  to  1902.  (5) 

COPIES  FROM  ENTRIES  IN  REGISTER, 
(l)  '  Mr.  Richard  Kinge  the  second  dale  of  August,  1604,  aforesayd 
was  Inducted  and  presented  of  the  vicaredge  of  Newbolde.' 


46  A  WARWICKSHIEE  FAMILY 

(2)  '  There  is  a  memorandum  signed  W.  H.,  1723.' 

(3)  'Rev.  John  Parker,  Vicar  45  years,  buried  Feb.  28th,  1787.' 

(4)  '  Rev.  John  Parker,  Vicar  of  this  Parish,  buried  March  3rd,  1816, 
aged  61  years,  by  John  Wooll,  D.D.,  Headmaster  of  Rugby  School.' 

(5)  '  Theodosius  Egerton  Boughton  Ward-Boughton-Leigh,TheVicar- 
age,  Newbold-on-Avon,  for  50  years  Vicar  of  this  Parish,  buried  October 
5th,  1902,  in  the  80th  year  of  his  age,  by  R.  S.  Mitchison,  M.  A.,  Rector 
of  Barby.' 

In  the  quiet  old  Cornish  churchyard  of  St.  Columb 

rest  all  that  is  mortal  of  the  elder  sister  of  the  Eev. 

Theodosius  E.  B.  W.-Boughton-Leigh,  late  Vicar  of 

this   parish,    and    a    tablet    bearing   the    following 

inscription  is  there  erected  to  her  memory : — 

'  In  Te  Domine  Speravi.' 

Sacred  to  the  Memorj'^  of 

Theodosia  de  Malsburg  Leigh  Boughton, 

who  died  at  Trekenning  House,  St.  Columb, 

On  the  8th  day  of  January,  1901.    Aged  87  years. 

The  Widow  of  Thomas  Fanshawe  Parratt 

of  Effingham,  Esquire ;  and  eldest 

daughter  of  J.  W.-Boughton-Leigh, 

of  Brownsover  Hall,  in  the  County  of 

Warwick,  and  of  Guilsborough  Hall, 

Northamptonshire,  Esquire ;  the  Great 

Grand-daughter  of  Sir  Edward  Boughton 

of  Lawford  Hall,  Baronet,  and 

Grand-daughter  of  Sir  Egerton  Leigh, 

of  High  Leigh,  Baronet.    Lineally  descended 

from  Hamon  de  Leigh,  Lord  of  the  Mediety, 

in  the  County  of  Cheshire,  the  Family 

being  there  seated  from  a  period  previous 

to  the  Norman  Conquest. 

The  Deceased  Lady  was  the  13th  in  descent 

from  Henry  7th,  through  Charles  Brandon, 

Duke  of  Suffolk. 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON  CHUECH  47 

The  de  Boveton  or  Boughton  family  is  of  the 
greatest  antiquity  in  Warwickshire,  but  for  the 
purpose  of  these  Memoirs  we  will  commence  early 
in  the  fourteenth  century,  with  Robert  de  Boveton 
(or  Boughton)  whose  eldest  son  was  named  Eichard, 
and  his  second  son  Eobert  was  a  great  patron  of  the 
Nunnery  of  St.  Mary  de  Pre,  near  Northampton. 
The  next  head  of  the  house  was  William  de  Boveton, 
who  was  the  first  member  of  the  family  to  assume 
the  name  Boughton,  in  the  time  of  Edward  III. 
He  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son,  Thomas 
Boughton  of  Lawford  Hall.  He  was  Justice  of  the 
Peace  for  Warwickshire  in  1433,  and  one  of  our 
earliest  representatives  in  Parliament  the  same 
year.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  heiress 
of  Geoffrey  de  Allesley,  of  Little  Lawford,  Warwick- 
shire. The  Allesley  family  were  large  landowners, 
and  by  this  marriage  property  in  several  sur- 
rounding parishes  passed  into  the  possession  of 
the  Boughtons.  His  wife  died  May  20,  1454, 
and  he  survived  her  six  years,  dying  in  1460. 
They  were  both  buried  in  the  family  vault  in 
Newbold-on-Avon  church,  near  the  bodies  of 
Geoffrey  de  Allesley  and  Eleanor  his  wife.  From 
this  union  descended  Eichard  Boughton,  who  was 
Sheriff  of  the  counties  of  Warwick  and  Leicester 


48  A  WARWICKSHIRE  FAMILY 

in  1 481,  and  again  in  1 485.  He  married  Agnes 
Longville,  and  lost  his  life  collecting  troops  for 
Richard  III,  being  seized  by  some  of  the  Earl  of 
Richmond's  forces  as  they  passed  through  the  county. 
His  son  William  was  twelve  years  old  at  his  father's 
untimely  death.  He  became  an  Esquire  of  the 
Body  to  Henry  YIII,  and  Sheriff  of  the  counties  of 
Warwick  and  Leicester  in  1536.^  He  was  twice 
married :  first  to  a  daughter  and  co-heir  of  John 
D'Anvers  of  Waterstock  in  the  county  of  Oxford ; 
secondly,  to  Elizabeth  Barrington.  By  his  first 
wife  he  had  a  son  Edward,  and  by  his  second  wife 
a  son  Thomas  Boughton.  Edward,  as  the  elder 
son,  resided  at  Little  Lawford  Hall,  and  Thomas 
at  Bilton  Hall,  and  afterwards  at  Causton,  and  then 
at  Rugby.  Edward  died  April  23,  1548,  and  was 
buried  in  Newbold-on-Avon  Church.  He  married 
EHzabeth,  daughter  and  co-heir  of  William 
Willington,    of    Barcheston,    who   died    April   22, 

1583- 

Thomas  Boughton  obtained  Causton  in  1545  by 

a  grant  from  King  Henry  VIII,  in  recognition  of 

his  father's  services  to  that  monarch.     His  wife  was 

Margaret,  daughter  and  heiress  of  Edward  Cave, 

and   they  had   a  son   who  was    named    Edward 

^  Henry  VIII  gave  him  a  grant  for  a  coat  of  arms. 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON  CHURCH         49 

Boughton,  and  lived  at  Causton.  He  was  a  great 
favourite  of  the  famous  Robert,  Earl  of  Leicester, 
whose  memory  is  chiefly  associated  with  Queen  Eliza- 
beth's visit  to  him  at  his  seat  at  Kenilworth  Castle  in 
1575.  This  earl  had  acquired  considerable  pro- 
perty in  Warwickshire,  and  presented  to  Edward 
Boughton  the  materials  of  the  dissolved  White- 
friars  church  in  the  city  of  Coventry,  which  had 
been  founded  by  Sir  John  Pulteney  in  1342.  With 
these  materials  Edward  Boughton  raised  Causton 
Hall  (mentioned  in  Dugdale's  Antiquities  of  Warwick- 
shire). He  died  in  1589.  His  wife  was  Susanna, 
daughter  of  Sir  John  Brockets,  Knight,  and  they 
had  two  children,  a  daughter  Margaret,  who  married 
Thomas  Trussell,  and  a  son  Henry  Boughton,  whose 
first  wife  was  Howard,  daughter  of  Edward  Leigh 
of  Rushall,  Staffordshire,  and  secondly  Joyce, 
daughter  of  William  Combe,  of  Stratford-on-Avon. 
By  the  first  wife  he  had  a  son  Edward  Boughton, 
who  died  October,  1642,  leaving  a  daughter,  who 
married  first  Sir  Richard  Wortley,  and  secondly 
William  Cavendish,  first  Earl  of  Devon. 

Henry  Boughton  (above  mentioned)  left  a  son 
William  by  his  second  wife  Joyce,  who  lived  at 
Causton,  and  died  March,  1663.  This  William 
Boughton  was  succeeded  by  his  nephew,   Francis 

E 


50  A  ^VAEWICKSHIEE  FAMILY 

Boughton,  his  heir.  Francis  Boughton  founded  the 
Free  School  at  Dunchurch.  Wai-wickshire.  He 
married  Frances,  daughter  of  Sir  Thomas  Iforton  of 
Coventry,  Knight,  and  leaving  no  son  he  devised 
his  estate  bv  tvlQ  to  Edward  Boughton  of  Lawford 
Hall,  who  was  the  descendant  of  Edwai'd  Boughton 
and  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  co-heir  of  WilUam 
Willington  (mentioned  above),  who  left  a  son 
A\'illiam  Boughton,  who  was  Sheriff  of  the  counties 
of  Warwick  and  Leicester  iu  1575,  and  again  in 
1590.  He  died  in  1596  and  was  buried  in  Newbold- 
on-Avon  Church.  He  married  Jane,  sister  of  Sir 
Thomas  Coningsby,  Knight,  of  Hampton  Court. 
From  these  descended  a  son  Edward  Boughton, 
who  was  bom  in  1572.  He  was  sheriff  iu  1607, 
and  added  Bilton  Hall  and  Manor  and  the  advowson 
of  the  church  to  the  estate,  purchasing  them  from 
Henry  Shuckbm'gh,  son  of  John  Shuckburgh,  one  of 
the  six  clerks  in  Chancery.  He  died  August  9, 1625, 
and  was  buried  in  Xewbold-on-Avon  Church.  He 
married  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  heir  of  Edward 
Catesby  of  Lapworth  Hall,"\fVai*wickshire,  and  Ashby 
St.  Ledgers  Hall,  Northamptonshire  (the  ancient 
family  imphcated  in  the  Gunpowder  Treason).  She 
died  April  12,  1619.  They  left  two  sons  and  one 
daughter.     The  eldest  son,  Wilham   Boughton   of 


XE^^^BOLD-ON-AyON   CHUECH  51 

Lawfbrd  Hall,  was  Sheriff  of  Warwickshire  in  1633, 
and  was  created  a  baronet  August  4,  1641.  He 
married  Abigail,  eldest  daughter  and  co-heir  of 
Henr}'  Baker,  of  South  Shoeburj,  Essex,  who  died 
Februaiy  21.  1635.  Thomas,  the  brother  of  Ed- 
ward Boughton,  inherited  the  Manor  and  Hall  of 
Bnton  from  his  father,  and  married  a  sister  of  his 
brother's  wife,  Judith,  daughter  and  co-heir  of  Henry 
Baker.  They  had  three  sons,  Thomas.  Richard,  and 
Humphi-ey.  The  eldest.  Thomas,  lived  at  Bilton, 
and  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Sir  Thomas  Hal- 
ford,  knight.  They  had  a  son  Edward,  who  also 
resided  at  the  old  Hall  at  Bilton.  and  who  married 
Abigail,  the  daughter  of  Sir  William  Boughton, 
Bait.,  of  Lawford  H^.  By  this  marriage  the  fami- 
lies were  again  united.  They  had  several  children, 
and  their  second  son,  William,  inherited  Bilton 
Hall  from  them  and  sold  it  in  1708  to  the  Eight 
Hon.  Joseph  Addison.  WiUiam  Boughton  then 
took  up  his  residence  at  Eugby  at  the  manorial 
Hall.  His  eldest  brother.  Sir  Edward  Boughton, 
Bart.,  hved  at  Lawford  Hall,  and  was  member  of 
ParUament  for  Warwickshire  and  High  Sheriff  for 
the  same  county  in  1661.  He  was  twice  married : 
first,  to  Anne,  second  daughter  of  Thomas  Pope, 
fourth   Earl   of   Downe :    and   secondly,  to  Anne, 

E  2 


52  A  WAEWICKSHIRE  FAMILY 

daughter  of  Sir  John  Heydon,  Governor  of  Ber- 
mudas. Leaving  no  issue,  he  was  succeeded  by  his 
brother,  Sir  William  Boughton,  Bart.,  who  died 
August  12,  1683,  aged  53  years,  and  was  buried  in 
Newbold-on-Avon  Church.  He  married  Mary, 
daughter  of  Hastings  Ingram  of  Little  Woolford, 
Warwickshire,  who  died  February  24,  1693,  aged 
63  years,  leaving  a  son  and  heir.  Sir  William 
Boughton,  Bart.,  who  was  a  member  of  Parliament 
for  Warwickshire  in  1712.  He  died  July  22, 1 7 16, 
aged  53  years,  and  was  buried  in  Newbold-on-Avon 
Church.  He  was  twice  married :  first,  to  Mary, 
daughter  of  John  Ramsay,  alderman  of  London  ; 
secondly,  to  Catherine,  daughter  of  Sir  Charles 
Shuckburgh,  Bart.,  Warwickshire,  in  1699,  ^^® 
dying  in  1723.  He  left  a  son  by  the  first  wife, 
Edward,  who  became  High  Sheriff  of  Warwickshire 
in  1712,  during  the  lifetime  of  his  father,  and  suc- 
ceeded to  the  baronetcy.  He  died  February  12, 
1722,  aged  33  years.  He  married  Grace,  eldest 
daughter  of  Sir  John  Shuckburgh,  Bart.  They  left  a 
son  Edward,  who  succeeded  to  the  estates  and  became 
sixth  baronet.  He  died  suddenly  March  3,  1772, 
Siged  53  years.  He  was  twice  married :  first,  to  a 
Miss  Brydges  of  Somerset ;  and  secondly,  to  Anna 
Maria  Beauchamp,  an  heiress.    He  was  succeeded  by 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON   CHURCH  53 

his  son  by  his  second  wife,  Sir  Theodosius  Edward 
Allesley  Boughton,  Bart.  This,  the  seventh  baronet, 
was  born  August  3,  1760.  He  went  to  Rugby 
School,  and  afterwards  to  Eton,  and  died  unmar- 
ried shortly  before  gaining  his  majority.  The 
sister  of  this  baronet,  named  Theodosia  Anna  Maria 
Ramsay' Beauchamp  Boughton,  inherited  the  estates, 
and  married  Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  2nd  Bart.,  who  was 
the  founder  of  the  first  Baptist  chapel  in  Rugby. 
They  had  one  son,  named  Egerton,  who  died  at  the 
early  age  of  13,  and  one  daughter,  named  Theodosia 
de  Malsburg,  the  heiress  of  the  estates,  who  married 
John  Ward-Boughton-Leigh,  of  Guilsborough  Hall, 
Northamptonshire,  who  was  High  Sheriff  of 
Warwickshire,  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  several 
times  contested  the  Radical  stronghold  of  Leicester 
unsuccessfully  in  the  Conservative  cause.  He  died  at 
Brownsover  Hall,  1868,  and  was  buried  in  Newbold- 
on-Avon  Church.  His  son,  the  Rev.  Theodosius 
Egei-ton  B.  Ward-Boughton-Leigh,  M.A.,  Trinity 
College,  Cambridge,  was  Vicar  of  Newbold-on-Avon 
(as  previously  mentioned  in  this  work).  He  was  born 
at  Brownsover  Hall,  near  Rugby,  and  educated  at 
Harrow  and  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  where  he 
graduated  B.  A.  in  1846  and  M.  A.  in  1849.  He  was  a 
well-read  man,  a  good  classical  scholar,  and  an  elegant 


54  A  WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

writer  of  verse,  and  was  in  his  day  the  most  cele- 
brated  preacher   in    the    neighbourhood.     In    his 
younger  days  he  was  fond  of  all  outdoor  recreations 
and  amusements.     He  was  a  first-rate  shot,  a  good 
horseman  to  the  last,  and  at  cricket  a  bowler  of 
considerable   merit,  and  a   reliable  bat.     Thus  he 
encouraged  his  parishioners  in  the  national  game, 
and  led  them  to  lead  healthy  as  weU  as  religious 
lives,  never  failing  to  impress  upon  them  the  im- 
portance of  carrying  their  religion  with  them  into 
their   daily   work    and    pleasures,    teaching    inde- 
fatigably  in  the  Church  Day  Schools  (as  they  were 
then  caUed)  as  well  as  in  the  Sunday  Schools.     We 
who  can  remember  him  during  those  busy  years  of 
his  life,  must  ever  connect  his  memory  with  the 
spiritual  welfare  and  happiness  of  his  parishioners. 
We  can  still  see  him  passing  in  and  out  among 
them,  caring  for  their  daily  wants,  helping  those  in 
need,  tending  the  sick  and  dying,  comforting  the 
sorrowful.     The  Glebe  farmhouse,   stables,  wagon- 
hovel,  and  outbuildings  were  erected  entirely  at  his 
own   expense,  and   he  laid  out   the  whole   of  the 
Vicarage  grounds  at  Newbold-on-Avon,  taking  the 
greatest  interest  in  the  study  of  the  trees  and  shrubs 
and  beautiful  flowers  in  their  many  varieties,  and  to 
him  the  picturesque  lawns  and  surroundings  owe 


NEWBOLD-ON-AYON  CHUKCH  55 

their  existence.  Some  of  the  brightest  and  happiest 
moments  of  his  life  were  enjoyed  in  the  lovely 
gardens  which  he  had  planted.  There  he  rejoiced 
to  see  the  young  at  play.  There,  too,  nobly  assisted 
by  his  good  and  beloved  wife,  he  delighted  to  wel- 
come the  older  parishioners  to  frequent  dinner  and 
tea  parties,  which,  amidst  the  glories  of  the  scene, 
must  oftentimes  have  brought  him  in  closer  touch 
with  the  poorer  members  of  his  flock.  He  died, 
full  of  honour  and  heavenly  riches,  in  possession 
of  all  his  faculties,  on  September  27,  1902,  in  the 
eightieth  year  of  his  age — the  last  sire  of  his  genera- 
tion— his  wife,  beloved  by  the  parishioners  and 
many  surrounding  friends,  having  predeceased  him, 
April  17,  1897. 

Their  souls  to  Him  who  gave  them  rose, 
God  led  them  to  their  long  repose, 

Their  glorious  rest ; 
And  though  the  warriors'  sun  has  set. 
Their  light  shall  linger  round  us  yet, 

Bright,  radiant,  blest. 

He  married  in  1853  (April  27)  Elizabeth,  the  only 
daughter  and  heiress  of  Thomas  Cotterell,  of  50  Eaton 
Square,  S.W.,  and  Wormley,  Middlesex,  Esquire, 
J. P.,  D.L.,  the  issue  of  the  marriage  being  five  sons 
and  four  daughters,  namely  : — 


56  A   WAEWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

(i)  The  Rev.  Theodosius  C.  H.,  Rector  of  Rod- 
mersham,  Kent ;  m.  1887  ;  d.  1897,  leaving 
one  daughter,  Elsie  Noeline  Waller. 

(2)  The   author   of    these    Memoirs,   Bridgeman 

George  Fanshawe  CottereU. 

(3)  Harriet  Agnes,  m.  1881 ;  d.  1882. 

(4)  CottereU  Egerton. 

(5)  John  Hugh,  m.  1892. 

(6)  Alice  Elizabeth. 

(7)  Ethel  Blanche,  m.  1895. 

(8)  Percy  Wilfrid,  m.  1892. 

(9)  Lelia  Annette,  m.  1898. 

From  the  stately  church,  the  hum 
Of  their  old  friend's  prayers  doth  come, 
As  is  most  fit,  unto  their  tomb  ; 
But  their  pious  lips  are  dumb. 

What ;  and  if  they  deaf  do  lie ! 
What ;  and  if  they  ope  not  eye ! 
If  deaf  those  loving  hearts  doth  lie 
With  God  and  us,  they  cannot  die. 

The  following  extracts  are  taken  fi-om  the  Parish 
Registers  of  Newbold-on-Avon  and  the  adjoining 
Parishes  verbatim : — 

1558  Mr.  Thomas  Boughton  was  buried  the  vi*^  day  of  May. 

(Dun  church.) 
1568  Elizabeth  Boughton  bapt.  the  third  of  October.    (Newbold.) 
1572  Edward  Boughton  baptized  the  xxx***  of  March.    (Newbold.) 
1575  Ann    Boughton   was    baptized     the    third    of  Auguste. 

(Newbold.) 
1577  John  Boughton  bapt.  the  xxv^^  of  Octob®'.    (Newbold.) 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON   CHURCH  57 

1578  Katherine,  daur.  of  Edwd.  Boughton  of  Cawson  Esq.,  bapt. 

1 1***  of  January.    (Dunchui'ch.) 

1579  Wm.  Boughton  of  Cawson,  buried  20*^1  Dec.    (Dunchurch.) 
1531  William  Boughton,  sone  of  "W"^.  B.  of  Little  Lawford,  bapt. 

the  xviij  of  June.    (Newbold.) 
T582  Susan,  daur.  of  Edwd.  Boughton  of  Cawson,  Esq.  buried 
29  April.    (Dunchurch.) 

1583  EHzabeth  Willington  als.  Boughton  als.  Wightman  the 

mother  of   Mr.  W™.    Boughton,   buried  the    xxviij   of 
April.    (Newbold.) 

1584  Humphrey  Boughton  of  Little  Lawford,  Bapt.  the  xxvi*^ 

of  JuUe.    (Newbold.) 

1585  Francis  Boughton,  Christ,  the  second  of  March.    (New- 

bold.) 

1586  Frances  Boughton  the  Daughter  of  Mr.  Wm.  B.  bur.  the 

ix'^  of  Aprill.    (Newbold.) 

1586  Mr.  Eichard  Wortley,  of  Tankersly,  Com.  York,  Esq.,  and 

Ehz*^  daur.  of  Edw^  Boughton  of  Cawson,  Esq.,  married 
i^*  of  Januaiy.    (Dunchurch.) 

1587  James  Bawives  of  Herdwich  Com.   Gloucester  Gent.  & 

Katherine    Boughton    of  Cawson,  married  xxx  April. 

(Dunchurch.) 
1587  Henrie  Boughton  the  sone  of  Mr.  W™.  B.  Bapt.  the  iiij'**  of 

August.     (Newbold.) 
1589  Edward  Boughton  of  Cawson,  Esq.,  was  buried  the  xiii*^ 

of  September.     (Dunchurch.) 
1589  Lucye  Boughton  bapt.  the  xxvi  of  October.     (Newbold.) 

1592  Frannce  Boughton  bapt.  xvij  of  February.     (Newbold.) 

1593  Edwarde    Boughton    &   Elizabeth   Catesbye  mai-ried   the 

xxviij''^  October.     (Newbold.) 
1595  Eobert    Sherfyld    of   Seton    Eutland,    Esq.,    &  Dorothee 
Boughton  of  Cawson,  married  29*^  September.     (Dun- 
church.) 

1595  Katherine  Boughton  bapt.  the  thu'd  of  December.     (New- 

bold.) 

1596  Mr.  WiUiam  Boughton  buried  the  xxvij'i^  of  Aprill.    (New- 

bold.) 
1596  M'garett  Dudley,  Aunt  to  my  Lord  Dudley,  buried  the 
xxij°<i  of  May. 


58  A  WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

1599  Baptized  the  23"^  day  of  June,  William  Boughton  son  of 
Edward  Boughton  of  Little  Lawford.    (Newbold.) 

1602  Thomas  Boughton  son  of  Edward,  Esq.,  Bapt.  April  30*''. 

(Newbold.) 

1603  Mr.  Thomas  Trussell  &  Mrs.  Margaret  Boughton,  married 

g^^  Ocf.     (Dunchurch.) 
(1604  Buried  the  xxvj'^i  day  of  June  Mr.  Eoger  Barber,  Vicar  of 

Newbold.) 
1610  Married   the  8^^  day  of   August  Mr.  Thomas  Lucy  and 

Mildrid  Frances  Boughton.    (Newbold.) 
1612  William  Combes  and  Katherin  Boughton  was  married  the 

?  of  June.    (Newbold.) 

1618  Henry  Sutherwell  and  Lucie  Boughton,  married  Sept.  xiij. 

(Newbold.) 

1619  Elizabeth  Boughton,  buried  the  xii*^  of  Aprill.    (Newbold.) 

1619  Francis  son  of  Edwd.  Boughton  of  Cawson,  and  joice  bapt. 

7*^  Sepf.     (Dunchurch.) 

1620  Edward  Boughton  the  eld"^  buryed  the  xviij  daie  of  March. 

(Newbold.) 
1620  Elizabeth,  daur.  of  Edward  Boughton  of  Cawson  &  Joyce 

his  wife,  bapt.  same  day,  17'^  Octr.    (Dunchurch.) 
1622  Anne,  daur.  of  Mr.  Edward  Boughton  of  Causton,  &  Joyce, 

his  wife,  bapt.  28  April.    (Dunchurch.) 

1624  Edward  the  son  of  Mr.  Thomas  Boughton  bapt.  the  io*'>  of 

May.    Buried  the  12*1^  of  the  same.    (Newbold.) 

1625  Elizabeth  daughter  of  Mr.  W™.  Boughton  and  Mrs.  Abigail 

Baker  his  wife,  bapt.  May  10.     (Newbold.) 
1625  Edward  Boughton  Esquire  bur.  Aug.  9.    (Newbold.) 
1625  Jho  :  y«.  Sonne  of  M^".  Jho  :  Boughton  and  M".  Judith  Baker 

his  wife  bap  :  Jan  :  28.    (Newbold.) 
1628  EdW^  the  Sonne  of  William  Boughton  Esq.,  and  Abigail  his 

wife  baptized  Septemb.thetwo-and-twentieth.  (Newbold.) 

1628  Mrs.  Howard  Boughton,  wife  of  Mr.  Henry  Boughton  of 

Cawson  buried  16  March. 

1629  William  Boughton  y^  sonne  of  William  Boughton,  Esquire 

&  Abigail  his  wife,  was  baptized  the  viij*'^  of  December. 
(Newbold.) 
1631  Elizabeth  Boughton,  daughter  of  William  Boughton,  Esq., 
and  Abigail  his  wife,  Januar  14  (Buried).    (Newbold.) 


NEWBOLD-OI^-AYON   CHUECH  59 

1633  Humphry  sonne  of  William  Boughton,  Esq.,  and  Abigail 
his  wife,  baptized  the  6*^  of  April.    (Newbold.) 

1635  Abigail    Boughton    wife    of   William    Feb.  218    (buried). 

(Newbold.) 

1636  Abigail  Boughton  daughter  of  William  Sept.  4.^^  (buried). 

(Newbold.) 
1655  Thomas  Boughton,  eldest  son  of  Thomas  Boughton,  Esquire, 
and  Mary  his  wife,  was  born  the  twenty  eighth  of  February, 
one  thousand  six  hundred  fifty  five  and  was  baptized  y*^ 
twenty  seventh  day  of  March  next  following.    (Bilton.) 

1658  Judeth  Boughton  2^^  daughter  of  Thomas  Boughton  born 

25^^  Sepf  1658.    (Bilton.) 

1659  Ann  Boughton,  3'*  dau',  born  ....  1659.    (Bilton.) 

1660  Edward  Boughton,  son  of  Thomas,  born  1660.    (Bilton.) 
1660  Francis  Boughton,  gent,  was  buried  y^  12*^  March,  1660. 

(Dunchurch.) 
1660  Sir  William  Boughton  of  Little  Lawford,  Baronett,  deceased, 
the  27**^  day  of  October,  Anno  Dom.  1660,  was  buried  the 
third  day  of  November  following.    (Newbold.) 

1662  The  Lady  Ann  Boughton,  wife  to  Sii-  Edward  Boughton, 

and  daughter  of  Sir  Thomas  Pope,  Earl  of  Down,  &  of 
Wroxton,  buried  July  24*'^.    (Newbold.) 

1663  Humphrey  Boughton,  S.  of  S*"^  William  Boughton,  Bartt., 

buried  July  20. 

1666  Thomas  Boughton,  Esquire,  dyed  y®  6*'*  day  of  December, 
was  buryed  y®  7**^  day  1666.    (Bilton.) 

1668  Eichard  Boughton,  son  of  Richard  Boughton  and  Mary  his 
wife,  born  18-"  June  1668.    (Bilton.) 

1680  Sir  Edward  Boughton,  Bart.,  Buried  Feb.  2^^.    (Newbold.) 

1680  Mary,  Daughter  of  Edward  Boughton,  buried  March  18"". 
(Bilton.) 

1683  Sir  William  Boughton,  Bartt.,  Buried  Aug.  13.  (New- 
bold.) 

1685  Ann,  daughter    of  Edward   Boughton  &  Abigail  his  wife, 

was  buried  Janry.  28''>.    (Bilton.) 

1686  Maria  Boughton,  D.  of  Sir  William  Boughton,  Bartt.,  and 

Maria  his  wife,  was  born  May  y^  19*^  and  Baptised  May 
318*.    (Newbold.) 
1686  William  Boughton,  Gent,  buried  Dec'  y«  18*''.    (Bilton.) 


6o  A  WAKWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

1687  Ann  Boughton,  d'  of  Sir  William  Boughton  of  Little  Law- 
ford,  Bart.,  and  Mary  his  wife,  was  bom  July  27'^  and 
Baptized  Aug.  13.    (Newbold.) 

1689  Lucie  Boughton,  D'  of  Sir  Will.  Boughton,  Bart.,  &  Maria 

his  wife,  Baptized  Oct.  21.    (Newbold.) 

1690  Elizabeth  y^  daur.  of  Edward  Boughton,  Esquire,  bapt. 

March  s'h.    (Bilton.) 

1691  Lucie  Boughton  buried   Feb.  28*11    Affid.  made  by  Ann 

Fennery,  of  Little  Lawford,  before  Mr.  Kichardson,  Curate 
of  Clifton,  and  brought  Mar.  the  5*i».    (Newbold.) 

1692  Dame  Mary  Boughton  of  Hillmorton,  Buried  at  Newbold 

March  the  3""<^  1692,  and  no  Affid :  was  brought  to  me. 
(Newbold.) 

1693  Edward,  son  of  Edward  Boughton  and  AbigaQ  his  wife, 

bapt.  May  the  26*^.    (Bilton.) 
1700  Catharine  Boughton,  the  daughter  of  Sir  William  Boughton 

of  Little  Lawford,    Ban-tt.  &  Dame  Catherine  his  wife, 

was  Bapt.  Mar.  9  (above  entered  three  times  in  Eegister). 

(Newbold.) 
1700  William  Boughton,  son  of  Sir  William  Boughton  of  Little 

Lawford,  Bart.,  and  Dame  Catherine  his  wife  Bapt.  May  7. 

The  same  William  Boughton  buried  May  13.    (Newbold.) 
1702  Kichard  Boughton,  Gent.,  aged  74  years,  died  on  Friday 

Nov.  y®  13*'!  about  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  and  was 

buried  at  Dunchurch  Nov'  y^  i6''»  1702.     (Bilton.) 

1702  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Boughton  died  Jany.  7*^.    (Bilton.) 

1703  Edward  Boughton  Gent,  died  Jany.  y^  g^^.     (Bilton.) 

1703  Shuckburgh  Boughton,  son  of  Sir  William  Boughton,  Bart., 

and  Dame  Catherine  his  wife,  Bapt.  Mar.  25.    (Newbold.) 

1704  Thomas  Boughton,  son  of  Sir  William  Boughton  of  Little 

Lawford,  Bari-tt.  and  Dame  Catherine  his  ^vife,  born  March 
the  I7'^  1703,  was  Baptised  Mar.  28*'>.    (Newbold.) 

1704  Tho.  Boughton,  son  of  Sir  William  Boughton  of  Little 

Lawford,  Barrtt.  buried  Oct.  22.    (Newbold.) 

1705  Charles  Boughton,  son  of  Sir  William  Boughton  of  Little 

Lawford,  Bart.,  and  Dame  Catherine  his  wife,  was  buried 
Nov.  10,  1705.    (Newbold.) 
1707  Francis  Boughton  of  Causton,  aged  about  65,  was  buried 
July  31.     (Dunchurch.) 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON   CHURCH  6i 

1714  Abigail  Boughton,  wife  of  Edw*  Boughton,  died  Nov.  20, 
1714,  and  was  buried  Nov'  23.     (Bilton.) 

1716  Sir  Wm.  Boughton,  Baronet,  buried  July  26,  1716.  (New- 
bold.) 

1719  Mr.  EdW^  Boughton  died  Nov.  ig^^  buried  22"'*.    (Bilton.) 

1721  SirEdwardBoughton, Bart.,buriedFeb.  16, 1721.  (Newbold.) 

1724  Ruth  Leigh,  buried  June  19,  1724.     (Newbold.) 

1725  Lady  Catherine  Boughton,  buried  Jul5^26,  1725.   (Newbold.) 
1728  M^  Francis  Boughton  buried  Oct.  13,  1728.    (Newbold.) 
1730  Grace  Boughton,  sister  of  Matthew  and  Lady  Boughton, 

Bap  :  July  28,  1730.    (Newbold.) 
^733  Mary,  dr.  of  Lady  Grace  Boughton  and  Matthew,  Bapt. 

Nov.  I.    (Newbold.) 
1734  Susanna  Eleanor,  dr.  of  Mat.  Lister  and  Lady  Boughton, 

Bap.  Nov.  13.    (Newbold.) 

1736  Charlott  Shuckburgh,  dr.  of   Matthew    Lister  and    Lady 

Boughton  Bapt.  April  i6*i'.    (Newbold.) 

1737  Charlott  Shuckburgh  buried  Jan.  14''^  1737.  (Newbold.) 
1739  Edward  Boughton,  Esq'®,  buried  Aug.28*!^.  (Newbold.) 
1745  William  Boughton  of  Eugby,  Esq.,  was  buried  May  y®  4^^. 

(Bilton.) 
1745  Edward,  son  of  William  Boughton,  aforesaid,  was  buried 
Julyi^t.    (Bilton.) 

1750  Lady  Anna  Boughton,  the  wife  of  Sir  Edward  Boughton 

of  Brownsover,  Bart.,  was  bury'd  in  the  family  vault 
the  15*^  of  Jany-  and  the  67*^^  year  of  her  age.    (Newbold.) 

1751  Stephen  Pitt  of  Kensington  in  the  County  of  Middlesex, 

Esquire  and  Miss  Grace  Boughton  Lister  of  Little  Law- 
ford,  marry 'd  at  the  Private  Chapel.    Ap.  20, 

1758  Theodosia  Anna  Maria  Eamsay  Boughton,  dr.  of  Sir  Edward 
Boughton  Bart.,  and  Dame  Anna  Maria  his  wife,  Bapt. 
Sep.  II.    (Newbold.) 

1758  Theodosia  Anna  Maria  Ramsay  Boughton,  bury'd  Dec.  2""^ 
(Newbold.) 

1761 '  Theodosius  W"".  Wilhngton  Boughton,  son  of  Sir  Edw. 
Boughton,  Bart.,  &  Dame  Anna  Maria  his  wife  was  Bapt. 
Oct.  20. 
^  The  entries  from  1761  onwards  are  all  from  the  Newbold  Register. 


62  A  WAEWICKSHIEE  FAMILY 

1761  Theodosius  AY™.  Willington  Boughton,  bury'd  Dec.  2, 

1772  Sir  T.  Boughton,  Bart.,  bur*^  Mar.  10. 

1780  Sir  Theo.  Ed.  Alii :  Boughton  Bartt.,  bury'd  SepL  6. 

1787  Lady  Anna  Maria  Boughton.  buried  Aug.  23'"*. 

1789  Miss  Theo.  Leigh,  buried  July  i^^\ 

1804  Egerton  Leigh,  buried  Sept.  14'''.  1804. 

1804  Eev.  John  Beauchamp.  buried  26*^^  Sept.  1804. 

1816  Boughton  Egerton  Ward.  Guilsborough  Grange,  North- 
amptonshire, buried  Jan.  17'^.  1816.  aged  7  months. 

1818  Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  Bart.,  Brownsover  &  Montague  Square, 
London,  buried  May  7'^,  aged  57  years. 

1830  Dame  Theodosia  Beauchamp  Leigh,  wife  of  Barry  Omeara, 
Esq-*,  Brown sover  &  Montague  Square,  London,  Jan.  20*^. 
aged  73  ( buried  t. 

1839  John  Boughton  Egerton  Ward-Boughton-Leigh,  Browns- 
over,  June  8,  aged  22  years  (buried). 

1852  Maria  Selina  Boughton  Ward-Boughton-Leigh,  Brownsover 
Hall,  September  9^^,  aged  22  years  (buried). 

1854  Theodosius  Cotterell  Henry,  Son  of  Theodosius  E.  Boughton 
and  Elizabeth  Ward-Boughton-Leigh.  of  Xewbold-on- 
Avon,  by  Theodosius  E.  B.  W.-Boughton-Leigh,  Vicar. 
Baptized  Oct^''  26^\ 

1868  John  Ward-Boughton-Leigh,  Brownsover  Hall,  24  June, 
1868,  aged  77  years  (buried). 

1870  Theodosia  de  Malsburg  (widow  of  John)  Ward-Boughton- 
Leigh,  Brownsover  HaU,  March  s^^,  1870,  aged  76  (buried). 

1882  Harriet  Agnes  Spencer  (wife  of  EeV*  G,  Leigh  Spencer), 
Sunn yside, Hereford,  17*^  October,  1882,  aged  25,  (Eldest 
daughter  of  Eev.  Theodosius  Egerton  B.  &  Ehzabeth 
Ward-Boughton-Leigh. )  Canon  Drxon ,  D.  D. ,  St.  Matt*'«. 
Eugby.  &  J.  M.  Fumess,  Offic.  Min.  (buried). 

1882  Gerald  Theodosius  Leigh,  Son  of  Gerald  Leigh  and  Harriet 
Agnes  Leigh  Spencer  (dec*^),  of  Sunnyside,  Hereford,  by 
Gerald  Leigh  Spencer,  T.  W.-Boughton-Leigh,  B.  G. 
Boughton-Leigh,  and  Leigh  Spencer,  Vicar  of  Eenhold. 
Baptized  Oct«^  17'^ 

1887  Theodosius  Bridgeman,  Son  of  Theodosius  Cotterell  Henry 
and  Florence  Ward-Boughton-Leigh,  of  27  First  Avenue, 


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NEWBOLD-ON-AVON   CHURCH  63 

Hove,  by  Theodosius  Cotterell  Henry  W.-Boughton-Leigh, 
Rector  of  Etchingham,  Sussex.     Baptized  Dec.  6*. 

1887  Theodosius  Bridgeman  Ward-Boughton-Leigh,  Hove,  27 
First  Avenue,  10*^  December,  1887,  aged  i  day.  Bridge- 
man  Boughton-Leigh ,  M. A. ,  Off.  Minister.  (Buried  in  the 
Family  Vault  in  the  Churchyard  at  Newbold-on-Avon.) 

1897  Elizabeth  Ward-Boughton-Leigh,  The  Vicarage,  Newbold- 
on-Avon,  April  24*'^,  1897,  aged  68  years,  by  G.  Leigh 
Spencer,  Offis.  Minister  (buried). 

1902  Theodosius  Egerton  Boughton  Ward-Boughton-Leigh, 
The  Vicarage,  Newbold-on-Avon,  October  s*'^,  aged 
79  years,  by  Eev.  R.  S.  Mitchison,  M.A.,  Rector  of  Barby, 
and  the  Curate  of  Newbold-on-Avon.  For  50  years  Vicar 
of  this  Parish  (buried). 


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A  EOUGH  ABSTEACT  OF  BOUGHTON  PEDIGREE. 

+ 1460  Thomas  Boughton,  of  Lawford,  Warwick,  =F  Elizabeth  de  Allesley,  heiress. 

6th  in  descent  from  Robertus  de  Boveton, 
who  died  1326  or  before. 


(i*  V  Richard  Boughton,  Escheator  and  Sheriff  =p  Agnes  of  Longville. 

*^    ,  of  "Warwick  and  Leicester. 

Rich.  III.  , ! 


Hen.  VIII.  William  Boughton.,  Sheriff  of  Warwick  =5:  Dau.  and  co-heiress  of  John 


and  Leicester,  and  Esquire  of  the 
Body  to  Henry  VIII. 


D'Anvers  of  Waterstock, 
Oxon. 


1548  Edward  Boughton  =p  Elizabeth,  dau.  and  co-heiress  of  Wm.  Willington, 

I      of  Barcheston,  Co.  Warwick. 


1596  William  Boughton,  Sheriff  of  Warwick  =t:  Jane,  sister  of  Sir  Thomas 

and  Leicester,  of  Lawford  Hall.  Coningsby,  of  Hampton 

Court,  Herefordshire. 


1625.         Edward  Boughton,  Sheriff  of  Warwick  =p  Elizabeth,  co-heiress  of  Edward 
and  Leicester,  of  Lawford  and  Catesby,  of  Lapworth,  Warwicl 


Bilton  Halls. 


Created  Sir  Wm.  Boughton,  of  Lawford  Hall,  =p  Abigail,  dau.  and  co-heiress 

Baronet,  ist  Bart.  of  Henry  Baker,  of  South 

164 1.  I      Shoebury,  Essex. 

I  i — 

Sir  Edward,  of  Lawford  Sir  Wm.,  of  Lawford  =p  Mary  Hastings 

Hall,  2nd  Bart.,  Hall,  3rd  Bart.,  Ingram,  of 

1680.  1683.  Little 

Woolford. 


(ist)  Mary,  dau.  of  T=Sir  Wm.  Boughton,  M.P.,  =.  (2nd)  Catherine,  dau.  of 


John  Ramsay, 

Alderman, 

London. 


4th  Bart.,  1716.  Sir  Charles  Shuckburgh 

2nd  Bart. 


Sir  Edward  Boughton,  =F  Grace,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Shuckburgh, 
5th  Bart.,  1722.  3rd  Bart. 

(ist)  Miss  Brydges  =  Sir  Edward  Boughton,  =  (2nd)  Anna  Maria 
Sheriff  of  Warwick,  Beauchamp, 

1772,  6th  Bart.  heiress. 


(i)  Sir  Theodosius  Edward  (2)  Theodosia  =p  Sir  Egerton  Leigh, 

Allesley, 7th  Bart.,  of  Law-  j  Bart, 

ford  Hall,  poisoned,  1780. 


r 


Theodosia  de  Malsburg  =^  John  Ward-Bough  ton -Leigh. 


(1)  John  B.       (2)  Edward  A.        13)  Theodosius  E.  B.  =p Elizabeth  CotterellJ! 


(i)  Theodosius  C.  H.,  (2)  Bridgeman  G.  F.C.  (3)  Harriet  Agnes,  (4)  CotterellEJ 
m.  1887  :  d.  1897.                                                            m.  1881  :  d.  1882. 

(5)  John  H.,      (6)  Alice  Elizabeth.     (7)  Ethel  Blanche,     (8)  Percy  W.,  (9)  Lelia  Annette,' 

^-  1892.                                                        m.  1895.                 m.  1892.  m.  1898. 


NEWBOLD-ON-AVON  CHURCH         67 

The  Communion  plate  at  Newbold-on-Avon 
Church  is  interesting.  Although  only  presented 
to  the  church  early  in  the  eighteenth  century,  it  is 
of  much  more  ancient  date.  The  handsome  silver 
alms-dish  is  circular  in  form,  thirteen  and  a  quarter 
inches  in  diameter,  the  centre  being  five  and  a  half 
inches  in  diameter,  and  engraved  with  the  Boughton 
coat  of  arms.  The  following  inscription  appears 
round  the  interior  of  the  plate : — '  The  Gift  of 
Dame  Catherine  Boughton  to  the  Parish  Church 
of  Newbold,  1703.' 

The  massive  silver  jug  with  raised  silver  Hd 
stands  fourteen  inches  high  and  is  five  inches  in 
diameter.  It  is  engraved  with  *  I.H.S.'  in  choice 
lettering  and  a  cross,  bearing  the  following  inscrip- 
tion:—'The  Gift  of  Sir  W^^.  Boughton,  Bart.,  to 
this  Parish  Church  of  Newbold,  Anno  Dom.  1708.' 

The  great-great-grandson  of  the  above  donors,  the 
Rev.  Theodosius  Egerton  B.  W.-Boughton-Leigh, 
followed  in  their  good  steps,  and  at  the  commence- 
ment of  his  ministry  here  as  Vicar,  a  hundred  and 
fifty  years  afterwards,  presented  a  very  ancient 
silver  chalice  and  paten.  The  chalice  stands  ten 
inches  high;  the  paten,  being  made  to  fit,  is  five 
and  a  quarter  inches  in  diameter. 


p  2 


LITTLE  LAWFOED  MILL 


CHAPTEE  lY 


LITTLE  LAWFORD 


This  ancient  hamlet  of  Newbold-on-Avon  was 
owned  by  Alwine  before  the  Norman  Conquest. 
It  contains  two  hides  and  a  mill,  then  valued  at  ten 
shillings  and  eightpence,  and  through  Alwine's  son 
it  came  into  the  possession  of  Henry,  the  first  Earl 
of  Warwick,  after  the  Conquest ;  and  the  venerable 
mill,  which  still  exists,  was  granted  in  later  years 
to  the  monks  of  Pipewell,  for  the  rent  of  five 
marks  of  silver  yearly,  which  rent  was  after- 
wards released  for  twenty  marks  by  Simon  de 
PatshuU,  who  built  the  Chapter  House  at  Pipe- 
well  ;  but  it  appears  that  the  monks  of  Pipewell  paid 

^  Lilleford  in  Doomsday-Book. 


LITTLE  LAWFORD  69 

ten  shillings  for  the  tithe  of  their  mill  here  yearly 
to  the  Prior  of  Monks  Kirby,  on  the  feast  of  St. 
Botolph,  the  patron  saint  of  Newbold  Church.  At 
that  time  the  monastic  brethren  of  Monks  Kirby 
were  the  patrons  of  the  living  of  Newbold ;  but  as 
they  only  possessed  here  further  the  mill  at  this 
hamlet,  with  the  crofts  and  holms  thereto  belonging, 
they  had  to  pay  twenty  shillings  yearly  to  the  monks 
of  Combe,  who  owned  here  divers  cottages.  However, 
in  the  year  1226,  an  award  was  made  whereby  it  was 
decreed  that  the  Abbot  and  Convent  of  Pipewell  and 
their  successors  and  heirs  should  for  ever  enjoy  this 
lordship  with  the  manor  house  and  all  the  appurte- 
nances thereto,  with  the  exception  of  six  acres  which 
the  monks  of  Combe  were  to  have  for  *  quietness' 
sake',  and  for  which  the  monks  of  Pipewell  paid 
twenty  shillings  a  year  as  stated  above. 

About  the  beginning  of  Henry  VI  ^s  time,  we 
find  this  lordship  in  the  possession  of  Geoffrey  de 
AUesley,  'Dominus  de  Parva  Lilleford.'  He  de- 
parted this  life  August  18,  1441,  leaving  issue 
Elizabeth,  his  daughter  and  heir,  who  married 
Thomas  Boughton,  whereby  this  ancient  manorial 
hall  and  lordship  became  transferred  to  that 
family.  This  Thomas  Boughton  was  constituted  a 
justice   of  the   peace   in   the   county  of  Warwick 


70  A  WARWICKSHIRE  FAMILY 

in  the  twenty-first  year  of  Henry  VI,  and  in  the 
thirty-first  year  he  served  in  the  Parliament  as  one 
of  the  knights  for  Warwickshire,  and  again  in  the 
thirty-eighth  year  of  the  same  reign  was  appointed 
to  '  array  and  arm '  all  persons  of  '  body  able  and 
estate  sufficient  within  the  county  of  Warwick  for 
the  service  of  the  king '.    To  him  succeeded  Richard, 
his  son  and  heir,  constituted  Escheator  for  Warwick- 
shire and  Leicestershire  in  the  thirteenth  year  of 
Edward  IV  and  first  of  Edward  V.     He  was  again 
Escheator  for  these  counties  in  the  second  year  of 
Richard  III,  and  had  the  misfortune  to  be  slain 
on   behalf  of    his   king,    whilst   raising   forces   in 
Warwickshire  on  the  eve  of  the  battle  of  Bosworth, 
August  20,  1485.     It  is  supposed   by  some  that 
he  was   encountered  by  the  Earl   of  Richmond's 
troops   in   their  passage  towards  the  field  of  Bos- 
worth two  days  before  the  contest,  although  it  is 
commonly   reported   that  he   fell   there   in   battle 
array.     William,  his  son  and  heir,  became  Esquire 
of  the  Body  to  Henry  VIII,   and  in  the  twenty- 
seventh  year  of  that  king's  reign.  Sheriff  of  War- 
wickshire and  Leicestershire.    His  grandson  William 
afterwards  held  the  same  offices  in  the  seventeenth 
and  thirty-second  year  of  Elizabeth,  being  in  the 
commission    of   the    peace    for    the   greater    part 


THE    CHAIR    IN   WHICH    KING    HENRY  VII  WAS    CROWNED    UPON 

THE   BATTLE-FIELD   OF  BOSWORTH,   AUGUST    20,    I485. 

NOW  (1906)  AT  MAXSTOKE  CASTLE,   WARWICKSHIRE,  THE  RESIDENCE 

OF    MR.   AND    MRS.    H.   LINCOLN    TANGYE 

To  face  p.  70] 


LITTLE   LAWFORD  71 

of  that  queen's  reign. ^  He  was  succeeded  by- 
Edward  Bougliton,  liis  son  and  heii',  who  also  held 
these  offices  for  the  greater  part  of  King  James's 
reign,  having  been  sheriff  in  the  fourth  year  of 
that  monarch. 

The  venerable  mill  so  picturesquely  built  upon 
the  edge  of  the  waters  of  the  Avon,  and  the  stables 
of  the  old  Hall  bearing  date  1 604,  still  exist  in  this 
tiny  but  historic  hamlet ;  the  original  stables  being 
now  transformed  into  a  wayside  farm-house  adorned 
with  lovely  roses  and  other  flowers,  around  which 
lingers  the  ghost  of  the  One-handed  Boughton,  and 
the  memory  of  his  murdered  descendant,  Sii'  Theo- 
dosius  Boughton,  who  lost  his  life  here  in  1780. 
Ten  years  after  this  sad  tragedy — the  title  having 
passed  to  Sir  Charles  Rouse,  Bail;.,  who  succeeded 
to  the  title  and  assumed  the  name  of  Boughton, 
styling  himself  Sir  Charles  Rouse-Boughton— the 
main  portion  of  the  Hall  was  razed  to  the  ground, 
and  some  of  the  ornamental  bricks  are  said  to  have 
been  used  for  constructing  a  beautiful  waterfall 
which  spans  the  river  some  two  miles  higher  up 
and  just  below  Newbold-on-Avon.  Lady  Boughton, 
bereaved  of  her  only  son  in  this  sudden  and  terrible 

'  Queen  Elizabeth  was  entertained  at  Lawford  Hall  when  she  was 
Princess  Elizabeth  by  Sir  William  Boughton,  Bart. 


72  A  WARWICKSHIRE  FAMILY 

manner,  sought  solace  for  her  grief  in  distant  scenes, 
and  unfortunately  allowed  the  family  lawyer  to 
purchase  the  site  of  the  old  and  venerable  mansion- 
house  and  demesne  lands  during  the  absence  of  the 
family.  Near  here,  and  still  on  the  banks  of  the 
Avon  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  below,  were  the 
famous  King's  Newnham  Baths,  so  celebrated  in  the 
bygone  days  for  the  cure  of  rheumatism  and  gout. 
In  the  year  1582,  Walter  Bailey,  M.D.,  Physician  to 
Queen  Elizabeth,  gave  to  the  world  a  treatise  setting 
forth  their  value,  but  alas !  these  too  with  the  lapse 
of  ages  have  now  disappeared  from  view. 

If  the  ghost  of  the  One-handed  Boughton  (men- 
tioned before)  does  at  times  revisit  the  haunts  it 
once  held  dear,  it  finds  the  characteristics  of  the 
township  little  altered.  There  are  the  same  undu- 
lating meadows,  the  same  purling  streamlets  and 
majestic  trees  in  the  hedgerows  and  winding  lanes  ; 
although  it  must  mourn  to  see  the  demoHtion  of 
time,  as  it  finds  perchance  the  venerable  home  of 
its  ancestors  no  more.  What  pent-up  feelings  must 
outburst,  as  it  perceives,  too,  that  the  very  soil  so 
beloved  in  those  early  days  when  it  was  in  the 
flesh,  and  whereon  its  rolHng  chariot  and  prancing 
greys  had  moved  so  nobly,  has  passed  into  other 
hands ;   that  the  very  stones  which  composed  the 


LITTLE   LAWFORD  73 

once  familiar  outline  of  the  Boughtons'  ancestral 
home  have  been  removed  or  demoHshed  !  What  a 
mixture  of  sorrow  and  remorse !  What  sensitive 
reflections  of  high  family  pride  must  be  excited  as 
the  tale  is  unfolded  of  the  fatal  laurel- water  tragedy  ! 
We  can  well  imagine  the  feelings  such  a  visit 
would  produce  in  the  breast  of  a  highly  nurtured 
'  Esquire '  of  the  days  of  the  Tudors.  To  those  ster- 
ling qualities,  that  fine  blending  of  the  military  with 
the  philosophic  character,  with  the  proud  bearing 
of  the  knight  of  the  shire,  would  be  united  the 
self-restraint  derived  from  the  tournament.  A  spirit, 
once  the  tenant  of  such  a  man,  could  ill  brook  the 
wreck  that  time  has  made ;  it  would  be  uneasy ; 
a  restless  anxiety  would  supersede  the  calm  of 
contemplation ;  and  the  pent-up  affections  would 
pour  themselves  out  in  a  long  lament.  These 
thoughts  would  doubtless  suggest  to  the  past  owners 
of  this  lordship — whose  ashes  now  lie  in  the  vault 
in  Newbold-on-Avon  Church — could  they  revisit  the 
scene  of  their  nativity,  many  strange  reflections ;  with 
scarcely  less  sadness  than  can  the  descendants  of  this 
venerable  house  still  with  us  contemplate  the  ruth- 
less destruction  of  the  '  cradle  of  their  clan '.  With 
all  the  pleasures  of  human  life  there  is  mingled 
some  sorrow  or  regret.     A  sense  of  imperfection 


74  A  WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

tinges  everything.     A  sense  of  instability  pervades 
everything.     The  more  educated  one  becomes,  the 
greater  the  sense  of  appreciation ;  and  to  this  must 
be  added  innumerable  regrets.     The  mental  horizon 
is  widened,  but  to  the  broadening  influence  is  added 
sympathies  outside  our  own  direct  path.     We  thus 
become  associated  Avith  a  wider  circle  ;  our  kinship 
passes  from  the  narrow  grooves  to  our  fellow  beings. 
It  is  through  this  influence  of  culture  that  the  man 
of  refined  habits  enjoys  the  fields,  the  wooded  slopes, 
the  ancestral  homes  of  England,  generally  as  much, 
and  not  infrequently  more  than  the  Uvmg  owner. 
The  artist  and  historian,  if  he  visit  them  only  once 
or  twice  in  a  hfetime,  is  enchanted  for  the  few  brief 
hours.     All  the  richest  treasures  of  the  past  are 
there  for  his  inspection.     He  hears  the  recital  of 
heroic  deeds,  of  gallant  episodes  from  the  golden 
age   of  chivalry.     The  whole   picture   glows   with 
Ufe ;    the  living  touches  appear.     And  to  all  this 
the   accompHshed  visitor  brings   the   records  of  a 
lifetime   to   verify  this  picture  and  that  curio,  to 
trace  the  genealogies  and  to  marshal  the  facts  of 
the  leading  annals  of  the  house. 

Here  at  Little  Lawford  we  pine  over  the  past. 
There  is  no  knight  of  the  shire  resident  to  welcome 
the  local  antiquary  or  priest  to  his  house.     The 


^    ^ 


LITTLE  LAWFORD  75 

beautiful  chapel  that  used  to  be  so  much  admired, 
the  scene  of  many  a  holy  office,  has  disappeared. 
The  ancient  Hall  in  which  Sir  William  Boughton, 
Bart.,  welcomed  in  good  old  Warwickshire  style 
his  great  friend  and  neighbour,  the  Right  Honour- 
able Joseph  Addison,  that  great  master  of  English 
literature.  Secretary  of  State,  two  centuries  ago, 
is  likewise  gone.  The  touches,  too,  of  nature  which 
impart  life  to  the  picture  have  for  the  most  part 
faded  from  direct  connexion  with  the  scene.  The 
dry  bones  of  history  only  survive  to  charm  the 
student,  but  the  living  link  is  severed ;  and  that 
continuity  of  sequence  which  confers  dignity  even 
upon  conventional  forms  is  here,  alas !  for  ever 
dispelled.  The  venerable  family  who  lived  here 
on  the  banks  of  the  Avon,  for  so  many  centuries, 
have  a  thousand  claims  on  the  gratitude  of  posterity. 
Founders  of  schools,  patrons  of  advowsons,  be- 
queathers  of  charities,  their  names  are  writ  in 
gold  across  the  pages  of  Renaissance  and  Hanoverian 
times ; — essentially  local  men,  filling  the  various 
offices  of  their  counties,  knights  of  the  shire — or 
as  we  now  designate  their  successors,  members  of 
Parliament — chairmen  of  quarter  sessions,  justices 
of  the  peace,  county  squires,  and  old-world  land- 
lords. 


76  A  WARWICKSHIEE  FAMILY 

Such,  through  more  than  forty  generations,  were 
the  elder  branch  of  the  Boughtons.  Thek  bodies 
are  lying  in  peace  within  the  shades  of  many  parish 
churches  of  the  neighbourhood — Newbold-on-Avon, 
Dunchurch,  Bilton  and  King's  Newnham,  Browns- 
over,  &c.  Lawford  Hall  was  once  their  home. 
Along  the  Avon  valley,  the  spirit  of  the  quaint 
tales  of  the  One-handed  Boughton  still  lingers. 
Causton,  once  the  seat  of  a  branch  of  this  family, 
yet  retains  some  unexplained  mysterious  sounds, 
which  are  said  to  be  caused  by  the  ghost  of  one  of 
its  former  owners.  Quaint  as  these  stories  are,  they 
doubtless  contain  some  truth.  The  mystery  of  the 
past  comes  over  the  most  stout-hearted  at  times, 
'  a  stillness  as  of  eve '  seems  to  steep  the  soul  in  love, 
as  the  mind  revels  in  its  wanderings  through  the 
mazes  of  history. 

Legends  of  Warwickshike,  including  the  One- 
handed  Boughton,  or  the  Ghost  Story  of 
Lawford  Hall. 

England  is  famous  for  its  ancient  legends,  and 
almost  every  county  can  tell  the  story  of  its  own 
particular  ghost,  and  amongst  these  Warwickshire 
is  not  deficient.  Long  Compton  tells  of  St.  Augus- 
tine's calling  back  to  earthly  existence  the  spirit  of 


LITTLE  LAWFOED  77 

one  who  had  been  long  dead.  Dunchurch,  the  old 
coaching  centre,  recalls  how  Guy,  Earl  of  Warwick 
(who  lived  in  the  time  of  King  Athelstan,  if  record 
speaks  truly),  amongst  other  noble  deeds,  fought 
and  slew  the  '  Dun  Cow ',  whose  body  measured,  so 
I  have  been  told,  some  eighteen  feet  long,  and  the 
ribs  of  this  monster  were  by  the  command  of  the 
king  preserved  at  Warwick  Castle.  The  site  of 
the  combat  is  well  known,  and  I  could  point  out 
the  '  Dun  Cow  Thicket '  even  now,  about  half 
a  mile  from  Dunchurch.  In  my  schooldays 
Mr.  Matthew  Bloxam,  that  noted  antiquarian  of  his 
day,  used  proudly  to  exhibit  to  our  view  'the 
veritable  blade-bone ',  as  he  termed  it,  of  this 
wonderful  creature,  although  he  told  us  that  he 
could  only  trace  the  romance  of  this  mythical  hero 
to  the  fourteenth  century.  He  also  traced  the 
legend  of  that  noble-minded  lady,  the  Countess 
Godiva,  to  about  the  same  period,  although  the 
lady  really  lived  in  the  reign  of  Edward  the 
Confessor,  the  early  half  of  the  eleventh  century. 
The  story  of  '  Peeping  Tom ',  whose  eyes  are  said  to 
have  dropped  out  of  his  head,  did  not  appear  in 
the  accounts  of  the  scene  earlier  than  the  reign  of 
Charles  II. ;  his  effigy,  stiU  to  be  seen  adorning  the 
King's  Head  at  Coventry,  carved  as  clad  in  armour, 


78  A  WARWICKSHIKE   FAMILY 

was  not  set  up  until  the  reign  of  Henry  VII.  How 
well  do  I  remember,  when  I  first  beheld  it  there  in 
the  days  of  my  childhood,  some  forty  years  ago, 
the  thoughts  that  flashed  across  my  mind  as 
I  listened  to  the  legend  and  heard  of  the  good 
deeds  of  Lady  Godiva,  who,  when  the  mural  tax  for 
fortifying  the  city  was  levied  and  became  a  burden 
sore  and  grievous  to  be  borne  by  the  inhabitants, 
pleaded  on  their  behalf  to  her  lord,  and  was  met 
with  the  reply,  'It  is  all  very  well  to  weep  and 
entreat,  but  you  would  not  yourself  make  any 
personal  sacrifice  for  them ;  if,  however,  you  are 
prepared  to  ride  naked  through  every  street  of  the 
city,  the  tax  shall  be  remitted.'  Delighted  at  the 
thought  of  suffering  instead  of  her  people,  she 
consented  and  duly  performed  the  task,  when  all 
the  citizens  withdrew  to  their  houses  and,  turning 
their  faces  to  the  waU,  pulled  down  the  blinds. 
But '  Tom ',  more  curious  than  the  rest  of  his  fellow 
citizens,  peeped  out  of  the  window,  and  his  eyes 
immediately  dropped  out  of  his  head,  and  his  effigy 
remains  to  tell  the  tale  to  this  day. 

Sir  William  Dugdale  seems  not  to  have  heard  of 
the  legend  of  Lawford  Hall,  but  Samuel  Ireland,  in  his 
book  published  in  1795,  records  the  story,  which  runs 
thus: — 'Approaching  the  grounds  where  Lawford 


LITTLE   LAWFORD  79 

Hall,  the  seat  of  the  Boughtons,  formerly  stood,  we 
pass  the  spot  on  which  Dugdale  says  "there  was 
antiently  a  capital  messuage  and  divers  cottages 
belonging  to  the  monks  of  Pipewell  Abbey ". 
Nothing  remains  of  these  buildings  at  present  but 
a  large  corn  mill,  on  the  bank  of  the  river ;  which 
is  directly  opposite  to  the  site  of  ground  on  which 
Lawford  Hall  stood  till  the  year  1784,  when  it  was 
razed  to  the  ground  by  Sir  Charles  Rouse-Boughton, 
Bart,  (who  on  the  death  of  Sir  Theodosius  Bough- 
ton,  Bart.,  succeeded  to  the  title  and  the  demesne 
lands,  but  not  to  the  family  estates).  No  part  is  stand- 
ing of  this  ancient  seat  but  its  stabhng,  which  is 
now  applied  to  the  purposes  of  a  farm-house,  and 
bears  the  date  1604.  Li  Lawford  Hall,  I  am  told,  a 
room  was  preserved  as  the  bed-chamber  of  an  ancestor 
of  the  family,  who,  in  the  time  of  Elizabeth,  having 
lost  an  arm,  went  afterwards  by  the  appellation  of 
One-handed  Boughton.  After  his  death  the  room 
was  reported  to  be  haunted,  and  as  such  many 
attempts  were  made  to  sleep  in  it,  but  in  vain  ; 
and  such  is  the  creduHty  of  the  common  people, 
that  it  was  with  difficulty  any  labourer  could  be 
prevailed  upon  to  assist  in  pulling  it  down.  The 
ghost  of  the  one-handed  ancestor,  I  was  told  by 
persons    on   the  spot,    had   been   frequently  seen, 


8o  A  WAKWICKSHIRE  FAMILY 

by  their  fathers,  driving  across  the  neighbouring 
grounds  in  a  coach  and  six ;  and  with  the  same  air  of 
confidence  I  was  informed  that  within  the  past 
century  (viz.  eighteenth  century)  his  perturbed  spirit 
had  been  laid  by  a  numerous  body  of  the  clergy,  who 
conjured  it  into  a  phial,  and  threw  it  into  a  marl 
pit  opposite  the  house.  Nor  does  the  family  seem 
to  have  been  exempt  from  a  similar  superstition 
and  beUef  in  ghosts,  for  it  is  told  of  the  late  Sir 
Theodosius  Boughton's  father,  that  being  visited  by 
his  neighbour  the  late  Sir  Francis  Skip  with,  Bart., 
and  walking  together  near  the  marl  pit,  Sir  Francis 
observed  that  he  thought  there  must  be  many  fish 
in  that  pond,  and  that  he  should  be  glad  to  try  it ; 
to  which  Sir  Edward  Boughton  gravely  replied, 
"  No,  that  I  cannot  consent  to,  for  the  spirit  of  my 
ancestor,  the  One-handed  Boughton,  lies  there." ' 

The  following  extracts  I  have  made  from  Bloxam's 
account  of  the  above  legend  : — '  Upwards  of  twenty 
years  ago  (i.e.  about  the  year  i860)  I  conversed 
with  an  ancient  inhabitant  of  Lawford,  John  Watts, 
who  had  resided  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Lawford 
Hall  in  early  youth,  and  according  to  his  account 
the  ghost  of  One-handed  Boughton  frequented 
Causton  Hall,  the  remains  of  which  were  pulled 
down  between  1800  and  1810,  the  site  being  later 


LITTLE   LAWFORD  8i 

occupied  by  Causton  Lodge,  the  residence  of  Lady 
John  Scott ;  it  was  laid  in  a  pond  there  by  a  Dr.  Snow. 
In  his  early  days  this  John  Watts  was  near  Lawford 
Hall,  talking  to  an  old  man,  one  Aaron  Essex,  who 
pointed  out  to  him  what  he  said  was  the  carriage 
of  the  ghost  of  One-handed  Boughton,  telling  him 
that  he  could  see  both  Boughton  and  his  carriage 
and  horses.  Watts  had  a  strong  and  retentive 
memory,  and  according  to  him  it  was  the  ghost  of 
Sir  Edward  Boughton  which  frequented  Lawford 
Hall.  My  other  informant  was  John  Wolf,  whose 
mother  lived  at  King's  Newnham  and  worked  at 
Lawford  Hall.  He  often  went  there  in  the  evenings 
to  wait  for  her,  and  well  remembered  the  house- 
keeper saying  to  her,  "  Esther,  you  come  and  take 
your  supper  and  begone  ;  Boughton  will  be  here 
before  you  are  off  the  ground,  and  you  wouldn't  like 
to  see  him."  One-handed  Boughton  had  a  bedroom 
to  himself.  The  girl  would  not  make  the  bed  unless 
the  housekeeper  stood  by.  He  remembered  the 
coachman,  gardener,  and  footman  from  Lawford 
Hall  coming  to  his  father  to  be  shaved.  One  of 
them  said,  "  I  went  to  Long  Lawford  wake  after  they 
(meaning  the  family)  were  gone  to  bed.  I  got  back 
again  about  one,  and  I  met  One-handed  Boughton  just 
atop  of  the  stairs  :  he  came  by  me."     One  evening 

G 


82  A  WAEWICKSHIRE  FAMILY 

whilst  John  Wolf  was  sitting  in  his  mother's  house 
at  King's  Newnham,  within  a  mile  of  Lawford  Hall, 
a  neighbour  came  in  and  said,  "  I've  just  seen  One- 
handed  Boughton  ;  I  saw  his  coach  coming  along  the 
road,  and  I  opened  the  gate  "  (up  to  quite  recently 
the  author  remembers  a  gate  in  the  road  where  the 
division  is  between  Little  Lawford  and  King's  Newn- 
ham), "  but  the  coach  and  horses  flew  over  the  gate." 
John  Wolf  also  said  "  that  the  smack  of  a  whip  was 
heard  when  One-handed  Boughton  approached,  and 
he  was  dressed  in  scarlet  with  a  hunting  cap  on  his 
head.  And  one  night  twelve  of  the  neighbouring 
clergy  assembled  to  lay  the  ghost.  The  lighted 
candles  of  eleven  of  them  went  out,  but  Parson 
Hall's  candle  continued  lighted  and  he  laid  the 
ghost  in  a  pit  in  the  field  to  the  east  of  Lawford 
Hall,  but  he  was  to  have  two  hours  every  night ".' 
In  the  seventeenth  century  many  of  the  noblemen 
and  knights  of  the  shires  had  their  coaches  drawn 
by  six  horses,  as  the  roads  were  very  heavy."  The 
Warwickshire  coach,  which  ran  from  Coleshill  to 
London,  occupied  four  days  on  the  journey.  I  find 
from  the  award  of  the  parish  of  Harborough  Magna, 
dated  1754,  that  the  Rev.  Hall  was  the  parson  or 
Rector  at  that  time.  So  that  we  may  safely  say 
that  it  was  he  who  laid  the  ghost  (as  stated  above) 


LITTLE  LAWFORD  83 

about  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth  century,  probably 
using  the  form  for  exorcising  as  given  in  Antiquitates 
Vulgares,  published  at  Newcastle,  1 725,  taken  from 
the  more  ancient  work  Pradica  Exorcistarum 
F.  Valerii  PoUdori  PaJavii  ad  daemones  et  maleficia 
de  Christi  fidelihus  expellendum,  i2mo,  Venet.  1606. 

Early  in  the  nineteenth  century  a  glass  bottle  of 
the  Queen  Anne  period  was  discovered  in  the  marl 
pit  near  the  site  of  Lawford  Hall,  where  the  ghost  of 
One-handed  Boughton  was  laid  by  Parson  Hall. 
The  bottle  was  carefully  sealed  and  evidently  con- 
tained some  ghostly  substance.  It  was  taken  to 
Allesley  Ward-Boughton-Leigh,  Esq.,  of  Brownsover 
Hall,  a  descendant  of  the  Boughtons  of  Lawford  Hall, 
and  the  author  of  these  Memoirs  often  saw  it  at 
Brownsover,  and  also  at  Eugby,  where  it  was  ex- 
hibited on  more  than  one  occasion,  and  interested 
many  of  the  older  inhabitants  of  our  villages,  re- 
calHng  the  traditionary  recollections  of  earlier  days. 


6  2 


CHAPTEE  V 

KING'S  NEWNHAM 

Seveeal  relics  of  ancient  Britons  have  been  found 
in  this  once  famous  parish.  In  the  bygone  days 
it  belonged  to  various  kings  of  England,  as  is  evident 
from  the  ' Quo  warranto  Roll'  of  13  Edw.  I,  where 
the  king's  attorney  alleges  that  Eichard  I  was  seized 
thereof.  But  at  the  time  of  the  enclosure  it  was 
reduced  to  the  manor  house  and  a  small  number  of 
inhabitants.  The  Canons  of  Kenilworth,  however, 
enjoyed  the  allowance  of  a  court  leet  here  and 
many  other  privileges,  until  the  dissolution  of  the 
monasteries.  It  continued  in  the  hands  of  the 
Crown  until  the  seventh  year  of  Edward  VI,  when 
it  was  granted  to  John,  Duke  of  Northumberland, 
and  his  heirs,  from  whom  it  descended  to  Sir  Thomas 
Leigh,  Knt.  The  latter  was  also  patron  of  the 
church  and  presented  to  the  vicarage  in  the  first 
year  of  Elizabeth's  reign.  He  afterwards  settled 
this  manor,  with  the  advowson  of  the  church  and 


KING'S  NEWNHAM  85 

other  property  here,  upon  his  younger  son  William. 
This  William  Leigh  became  a  knight ;  he  enclosed 
the  estate,  and  left  it  to  his  son  and  heir.  Sir  Francis 
Leigh,  who  was  created  a  baronet,  Dec.  24,  161 8, 
16  Jac.  I,  and  afterwards  made  Lord  Dunsmore  in 
1628,  and  advanced  to  the  title  of  Earl  of  Chichester 
in  1644.     He  died  in  1653. 

There  was  here  formerly  a  celebrated  bath,  situated 
on  the  bank  of  the  river,  to  which  water  was  con- 
veyed fi'om  a  chalybeate  spring  about  a  mile  distant, 
impregnated  with  alum,  and  very  efficacious  in 
scorbutic  complaints  and  in  heahng  fresh  wounds. 

The  parish  registers  date  from  1573,  but  they 
were  sadly  mutilated  during  the  trial  connected  with 
the  Leigh  estates,  and  unfortunately  there  is  no 
record  of  the  name  of  the  patron-saint  of  the  now 
demolished  sacred  edifice. 

A  roofless  lonely  tower  still  marks  the  spot 
Where  once  the  church  of  Newnham  Eegis  stood ; 
The  ivy,  now  her  sole  remaining  friend, 
With  tenderness  her  ag6d  arms  around 
Still  closely  clings. 

In  days  of  yore 
That  shapeless  ruin  was  the  house  of  God, 
Whose  echoing  peal  of  far-resounding  bells, 
Floating  along  fair  Arden's  flow'ry  stream, 
Sununoned  with  merry  notes  each  Sabbath  day 
Peasant  and  peer  to  mingle  in  her  aisles. 


86  A  WAEWICKSHIRE  FAMILY 

Where  anciently  fair  Newnham's  chancel  stood 

Eepos'd  the  ashes  of  a  noble  race, 

The  good  Earl  Chichester,  brave  Francis  Leigh. 

Shades  of  the  Leighs !  of  those  brave  knights  of  old 
Who  won  their  golden  spurs  on  Crecy's  plain  ^, 
Or  for  the  true  Cross  died  in  holy  land. 

A.  Boughton-Leigh. 

So  nobly  situated  in  the  resplendent  and  fertile 
valley  of  the  old  Forest  of  Arden,  through  which 
the  historic  Avon  flows,  within  easy  reach  of  Rugby 
— about  4|  miles  NW.  by  N.,  and  joining  Little 
Lawford  on  the  NW. — is  one  of  those  lovely 
peaceful  spots  almost  beyond  description.  The  old 
tower  of  the  church  bedecked  with  ivy  clinging 
to  the  worn-out  masonry  is  indeed  its  '  sole  re- 
maining joy ' — all  that  is  left  of  what  was  once  a 
beautiful  house  of  God.  The  interior  had  originally 
been  ornamented  by  the  brush  of  no  less  a  hand 
than  Jacob  Jordaens,  the  celebrated  pupil  of 
Rubens.  The  nave  and  chancel  perished  in  1794. 
Beneath  the  ruins  of  the  chancel  were  discovered, 
in  August,  1852,  in  remarkable  preservation,  the 
bodies  of  three  members  of  the  Leigh  family.  The 
inscription  on  the  lid  of  the  first  leaden  coffin  bore 

^  Sir  Piers  Leigh  bore  the  standard  of  Edward  the  Black  Prince  at 
the  battle  of  Crecy,  and  his  eldest  son,  Sir  Peter  Leigh,  was  created  a 
knight  banneret  by  Henry  V,  and  slain  at  the  battle  of  Agincourt. 


KING'S  NEWNHAM  87 

these  words :  '  Here  lyeth  the  body  of  Francis 
Leigh,  Earle  of  Chichester  and  Lord  Dunsmore; 
who  was  the  happiest  man  living  so  long  as  his 
deare  wife  the  Lady  Audrey,  Countess  of  Chichester 
and  Lady  Dunsmore,  lived  ;  who  was  the  eldest 
daughter  of  John  Lord  Buteler  of  Bramfield,  and 
the  best  of  wives  and  women ;  she  died  the  i6th 
of  September,  1652,  since  which  time  he  never  had 
the  least  content,  joye  or  comfort,  till  now  that  he 
lyeth  by  her  againe,  with  whose  Soule  he  hopes  by 
the  merit  and  Passion  of  Christ  Jesus  he  shall 
rejoice  for  ever.  He  dyed  on  the  21st  of  Decem- 
ber, 1653.' 

By  the  side  of  this  coffin  was  discovered,  in 
making  excavations  on  the  site  of  the  chancel  at 
the  same  date,  another  also  of  massive  lead,  which 
contained  the  embalmed  body  of  a  most  beautiful 
girl,  '  the  Lady  Audrey  Leigh,'  the  daughter  of  the 
above-named  Earl  and  Countess  of  Chichester. 
When  the  coffins  were  opened  in  the  presence 
of  the  late  Rev.  Theodosius  Egerton  B.  W.- 
Boughton-Leigh  and  Allesley  W.-Boughton-Leigh, 
Esq.  (the  lineal  descendants)  the  bodies  were  found 
to  be  in  a  perfect  state  of  preservation,  but  on 
being  exposed  to  the  air  for  a  short  time  fell  into 
dust. 


88  A  WARWICKSHIRE  FAMILY 

.  !    .  There  lay  the  goodly  Earl  in  sweet  repose, 
The  smile  of  hope  still  ling'ring  o'er  his  lips, 
His  fond  fair  daughter  sleeping  by  his  side ; 
The  delicate  warm  tints  of  earliest  youth 
Bloom  on  her  cheek,  as  seemingly  in  doubt 
The  breath  of  life  had  yet  for  ever  fled. 

•   '     Paint !   quickly  paint !    for  now  remorseless  Death 
Triumphantly  reclaims  his  lingering  prey, 
And  all  is  dust. 

A.  Boughton-Leigh. 


In  44  Elizabeth,  1602,  John  Leigh,  Esq.  (son  of 
Sir  Thomas  Leigh  of  Stoneleigh,  Knt.),  Francis  Leigh, 
Esq.,  afterwards  Knt.  (son  of  Sir  WilUam  Leigh  of 
Newnham  Regis),  and  Richard  Boughton  of  Long 
Lawford,  Esq.,  were  appointed  Trustees  of  Rugby- 
School;     and    Sir   Francis   Leigh   (Baronet    1618, 
Baron  Dunsmore  1618,  and  Earl  of  Chichester  1644) 
and  Thomas  Leigh  (afterwards  Knt.  of  Stoneleigh, 
ist  Baron  Leigh  1643)  were  appointed  Trustees  by 
decree  of  the  Court  of  Chancery,  1614.     Thomas 
Boughton  of  Bilton,  Esq.,  was  appointed  by  order 
of  the  Court,  7  Charles  I,  1632.     Also  among  the 
early  Trustees  were  Charles  Leigh,  of  Leighton  in 
the  county  of  Bedfordshire,  Esq.,  son  of  Sir  Thomas 
Leigh  of  Stoneleigh,  1667 ;    Thomas  Leigh,  Esq., 
1670,   afterwards  2nd  Lord  Leigh   of  Stoneleigh  ; 
Sir  John   Bridgeman,   Bart.,    1686 ;    and  Edward 
Boughton  of  Cawston,  Esq.,  1706.    Sir  Francis  Leigh 


KING'S  NEWNHAM  89 

was  great-grandson  of  Sir  Thomas  Leigh  of  Stone- 
leigh  (Lord  Mayor  of  London  in  1558).  He  ap- 
pears to  have  been  considered  chief  amongst  the 
trustees.  He  was  Captain  of  the  Band  of  Gentle- 
men Pensioners,  and  a  warm  adherent  of  the  king 
in  the  civil  wars  of  the  seventeenth  century,  and 
was  frequently  employed  as  one  of  the  commis- 
sioners on  the  part  of  the  Crown  to  treat  with  the  Par- 
liamentary commissioners  ;  and  he  was  permitted 
after  the  king's  death,  in  consequence,  to  hold  his 
estate  without  compounding  for  it,  as  in  the  case 
of  other  gentry  of  Warwickshire  who  espoused 
the  king's  cause.  He  was  trustee  of  Rugby  School 
for  tliii-ty-nine  years.  In  the  year  1642  the  then 
Rector  of  Rugby  and  several  of  the  leading  inhabi- 
tants of  that  town,  who  favoured  the  cause  of  the 
Parliament,  petitioned  Francis,  Lord  Dunsmore, 
as  principal  trustee  of  the  School,  in  favour  of 
one  Edward  Clarke  as  head  master  in  succession 
to  William  Greene,  and  against  the  appointment  of 
Ralph  Pearce,  then  Vicar  of  Long  Itchington.  The 
petition  was  signed,  first  by  Richard  Elborowe 
(whose  son  founded  the  Elborowe  schools  in  Rugby), 
and  twenty-one  other  signatories,  including  the 
Rector's  (James  Nalton)  and  the  two  churchwardens' 
(Moyses  Cowley  and  Richard  Hasby),  and  the  mark 


90  A  WARWICKSHIRE  FAMILY 

O  of  James  Coles,  who  apparently  could  not  write. 
It  is  too  long  to  quote  in  its  entirety,  but  the 
following  extracts  seem  worthy  of  mention : — 

'To  the  Right  Honorble  Francis  Lord  Duns- 
more.  The  humble  Peticon  of  the  Inhabitants  of 
Rugby  Sheweth,  that  whereas  one  Lawrence  Sheriff, 
out  of  his  devocon  to  learning,  about  70*^  years  since 
founded  a  free  Grammar  Schoole  in  Rugby  .  .  .  and 
made  two  feoffees,  and  the  heirs  of  the  surviving 
feoffee  defrauded  the  trust  .  .  .  and  then  12  feoffees 
were  named  whereoff  yor.  worthy  father  was  one, 
aU  wch.  feoffees  (Sir  Thomas  Leigh,  Kte.  and  Baronet, 
and  Mr.  Roger  Fielding,  now  Sir  Roger,  excepted) 
are  since  dead  .  .  .  your  peticoners  and  the  in- 
habitants of  Rugby,  consisting  of  nyne  score  familys 
(according  to  their  accustomed  right)  made  choyce 
of  one  Edward  Clarke,  M^".  of  Arts;  and  the 
neighbog.  townes  who  are  to  have  benefit  as  well 
as  yor.  peticoners  by  the  said  Schoole  well  knowing 
him,  gave  their  hands  for  him  .  .  .  unto  yor.  Honor 
and  Sir  Thomas  Leigh  and  the  heires  of  the  said 
feoffees  ...  to  admit  and  approve  of  the  said 
Clarke  to  have  the  place  after  Mr.  Greene.  .  .  . 

'Notwithstanding  all  wch.  the  said  Sr.  Roger  of 
himself  opposing  them  all,  came  to  Rugby  .  .  .  and 
endeavoured    to   place   one   in   opposition   to  this 


KING'S  NEWNHAM  91 

towne  of  Rugby  and  townes  adjacent ;  &  all  the 
Honor^ie  and  noble  persons  interested  therein  .  .  . 
did  labor  to  bring  in  one  Mr.  Pierce  against  all 
their  likenings  for  whose  benefit  the  said  schoole 
was  principally  founded  .  .  .  and  for  that  the  said 
Pierce  was  poor  and  hadd  many  children,  who 
might  charge  the  towne  and  hadd  a  benefice  .  .  . 
and  Clarke  hadd  then  no  preferment  .  .  .  yet  the 
said  Sr.  Roger  and  the  said  Pierce  to  inquiett 
yor.  peticoners  .  .  .  being  instigated  by  one 
Mr.  Bassett  .  .  .  who  reporte  hee  hath  spent  8o£ 
in  the  Busyness  &  will  place  Pierce  in  the  said 
Schoole.  ... 

'  Your  Lordpps  Peticoners  having  found  yor. 
Honor  to  bee  protector  of  the  oppressed  &c.  .  .  . 
all  well,  your  peticoners  most  humblie  intreat  your 
Honour  &c.' 

We  have  no  mention  of  any  answer  being  made, 
but  the  petition  was  not  granted,  and  Mr.  Ralph 
Pierce  was  appointed  head  master,  and  remained 
in  that  position  until  his  death  in  1652,  and  he 
has  left  no  record  of  any  events  that  may  have 
happened  during  his  ten  years'  mastership,  neither 
do  we  find  that  any  of  his  '  many  children '  (as 
feared  by  the  petitioners)  became  chargeable  to 
the  parish. 


CHAPTER  VI 

HARBOROUGH  MAGNA 

We  come  now  to  the  parish  of  Harborough 
Magna  or  Great  Harborough,  formerly  spelt  Har- 
borow,  bordered  on  the  SW.  by  the  Swift.  We 
find  that  Eic.  Forestarius  held  here  four  hides  and 
a  half  in  the  Conqueror's  time,  which  were  then 
valued  at  twenty  shillings,  of  which  four  thegns'  free 
services  went  to  the  king.  In  the  time  of  Edward 
the  Confessor  there  was  a  resident  priest,  which 
clearly  proves  that  there  was  a  church  here  even  in 
those  early  days.  There  was  also,  at  that  time,  a  mill 
rated  at  fifteen  pence,  and  the  name  of  the  place  is 
written  Herdeberge,  probably  from  the  elevated 
situation,  and  partly  from  the  herds  of  cattle  kept 
upon  the  common  before  the  Enclosure  Act  of 
1755 ;  the  old  English  word  he)y  signifying  a 
hill.  In  course  of  time  a  family  took  their  sur- 
name from  the  village,  and  possessed  most  of  the 
lands.  It  was  a  common  practice  for  the  lord  of 
the  manor  in  the  Middle  Ages  to  either  take  his 
own  name  from,  or  give  his  own  name  to,  the  parish 
in  which  he  dwelt.  There  are  here  certain  indistinct 
earthworks  in  the  fields  south  of  the  church,  point- 
ing to  the  probable  occupancy  of  this  place  by  an 


HARBOROUGH   MAGNA  93 

early  British  tribe  anterior  to  the  Roman  invasion. 
These  settlements,  however,  are  now  almost  ob- 
literated by  the  cultivation  of  successive  owners  of 
the  soil.  The  late  Mr.  M.  H.  Bloxam  (whose 
brother  Andrew  was  Rector  here  from  1870  to  1878) 
considered  that  these  remains  were  indications  of 
'  a  fortified  oppidum  of  the  tribe  of  the  Coritani '. 
A  few  years  ago  an  ancient  vault  was  discovered  not 
far  from  the  surface,  in  the  Rectory  garden,  which 
is  in  close  proximity  to  the  old  churchyard,  now 
closed  by  Act  of  Parliament  July  25,  1861. 

We  find  in  Henry  II's  time  that  the  family 
of  Geoffrey  de  Langley  had  become  possessed 
of  the  property  which  formerly  belonged  to  the 
Herdeberges,  together  with  the  advowson  of  the 
church  ;  for  at  this  period  Geoffrey  de  Langley  gave 
part  thereof  to  the  monks  of  Combe,  and  his  grandson 
sold  to  them  all  the  remainder  of  his  possessions 
here,  reserving  only  the  advowson  of  the  church. 

In  the  year  1291  (19  Edward  I)  the  church,  dedi- 
cated to  All  Saints,  was  valued  at  vii  marks  and  a 
haK ;  but  in  26  Henry  VIH  at  xivZ.  xiiis.,  in  addition 
to  ixs.  vie?,  allowed  for  procurations  and  synodals. 
The  church  and  chancel  were  restored  and  reseated 
by  the  Rev.  Egerton  Ward-Boughton-Leigh,  M.A., 
in  1869,  to  whose  memory  the  brass  lectern  was 
presented  by  his  widow  and  children  in  the  year 


94  A  WAEWICKSHIRE  FAMILY 

1880.  The  organ,  by  Walker,  and  the  organ 
chamber  and  choir  vestry,  with  a  finely  cars^ed 
oak  screen,  were  added  by  the  present  Rector  in 
1902.  There  is  also  a  beautiful  oak  screen  at  the 
west  entrance,  beaiing  the  following  inscription : 
*  To  the  glory  of  Grod  and  ever-loving  remembrance 
of  the  Eev.  Theodosius  Cotterell  Henry  Ward- 
Boughton-Leigh,  successively  Rector  of  Bradfield- 
Combust,  Suffolk,  Etchingham,  Sussex,  and  Rod- 
mersham,  Kent.  Departed  this  life  on  December  14, 
1897,  aged  43  yeai*s,  and  is  buried  at  Cuckfield^ 
Sussex.  Erected  by  his  brother,  the  Rector  of  this 
parish,  1905.'  There  are  two  stained  glass  windows. 
The  one  in  the  West  wall  of  the  tower  was  inserted 
in  1854  to  the  memory  of  Sii*  Grey  Skip  with,  Bart.^ 
who  had  been  a  tme  benefactor  to  the  parish 
during  his  Hfetitne,  presenting  the  cemetery'  and 
the  site  for  the  parochial  school  and  playground, 
enclosing  them  with  a  wall  and  handsome  ii'on 
fence.  The  window  in  the  East  end  of  the  chancel 
was  inserted  by  the  Rev.  Andrew  Bloxam  in 
1875 :  it  has  thi'ee  hghts  representing  the  Ascen- 
sion. There  are  three  good  bells,  but  they  bear  no 
inscription.  The  advowson  appears  to  have  come 
into  the  possession  of  the  Boughtons  about  1557. 
On  Dec.  21,  1629,  Thomas  Basset,  acting  under  the 
will  of  William  Boughton,  of  Lawford  Hall  (who 


HAKBOROUGH  MAGNA  95 

died  dui-ing  that  year,  and  was  buried  at  Newbold- 
on-Avon),  presented  his  own  son,  Thomas  Basset, 
to  the  Hving. 

In  the  ancient  windows  of  the  chui'ch  there  were 
the  arms  of  the  former  residents  of  the  parish,  the 
Langleys,  Odingsells,  HuUys,  Hastings,  Earl  of 
Pembroke. 


D.  John  de  Langford,  miles 


Patrons.  Incumbents. 

'  Eobert  de  Farendon,  Jan.  13, 
1305- 
Adam     de     Sadyngton,     Pbr. 
March  5,  1335. 

T.  wn  J    r^  n       -i        f  WiU.  de  Thornton,  Cap.  March, 

D.  Will,  de  Caverswell,  nmes    1  ^ 

Hen.  Catewayte,  Pbr.  August  6, 


Joh.  Trills,  Dominus  de  Pinlye  , 

(      1361. 

Fulco     Bermyncham,      miles  ]  ^.         j    -p  .       -ou    -m-      1 
^  ,.  I  bmion  de  Eston,Pbr.  Marchs. 

Procur.  generaus  j"         ^ 

Baldw.  Frevil,  miles  ' 

f  Will.  Laycheser,  Jan.  8, 1404. 
Adam  de  Peshale,  nules  \  y^^^  Smyth,  Nov.  8, 1417. 

Thomas  de  Ferrers,  ar.  | 

Kog.  Aston,  miles  [  Thos.  Koxson,  August  8, 1421. 


Hugo  Willoughby,  ar.  / 

Rich.  Bingham,  Eob.  Aston,  ar.      John  Stodlay,  Nov.  20,  1450. 
Thos.  Ferrers,  ar.  Tho.  Rogers,  Oct.  18, 1458. 

Tho.  Ferrers,  miles  "^ 


D.  John  PayneU,  May,  1497. 
Anselmus  Seyll,  Jan,  18, 1540. 


Will.  Wirley  et  alii  ex  concess. 
Humfr.    Ferrers    de    Tam- 

worth,  miles 

(  Franc.   Kymberley,  June   16, 
Joh:  Ferrers  \ 

[      1557- 

Tho.    Basset    de    Brownsover  |  ,pj^^   -g^^^  ^  ^j^^i  Thomae. 
ex  cone.  Will.  Boughton  de  |^      p^^  21,  1629. 
Lawford  / 


96  A  WARWICKSHIEE  FAMILY 

Patrons.  Incumbents. 

Sir  WiUiam  Boughton,  Bart.,  |  _  ^^^^  ^ec.  27, 1687. 

de  Lawford  Hall  > 

Sir  William  Boughton,  Bart.,  |  _  ^^^^^,1,^  ^arch  28, 1698. 

de  Lawiord  Hall  ) 

Sir  William  Boughton,  Bart.,  )  _  gj^j^^^  j^^^^^  22, 1707. 

de  Lawford  Hall  J 

Sir  William  Boughton,  Bart.,  |  ^^^^  Holyoak,  1712-31. 

de  Lawford  Hall  ) 

,^    ,    ^       ,  ,  Thomas  Hall  was  Eector  at 

Lady  Anna  Maria  Boughton      |      ^^^  ^.^^^  g^p^  ^^  ^^^^^ 

Lady  Anna  Maria  Boughton  Peers  Newsam,  March  10, 1786. 

Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  Bart  W.  Hanbury,  18 14. 

T  V,    w     1  T5       1,+      T   •  V,       (  Egerton     B.      W.-Boughton- 
John  Ward-Boughton-Leigh      |      ^^.^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^ 

E      AHesley     W.-Boughton-  |  Andrew  Bloxam,  1870. 
Leigh  ) 

E      Allesley     W.-Boughton- |  j^i^l^^^^^^^^^  ^878. 
Leigh  ) 

E.     Allesley     W.-Boughton-  f  Bridgeman     G.    F.     C.     W.- 
Leigh i     Boughton-Leigh,  Easter,  1888. 

Harborough  Magna  is  beautifully  situated  upon 
rising  ground  3I  miles  north  of  Rugby,  and  is 
bounded  on  the  south  by  Harborough  Parva,  Little 
Lawford  and  Cosford  on  the  south-east,  and  Cathiron 
on  the  south-west — all  of  which  hamlets  are  in  the 
parish  of  Newbold-on-Avon — Easenhall  on  the  north- 
west in  the  parish  of  Monks  Kirby,  Pailton  in  the 
same  parish  on  the  north,  and  Churchover  on  the 
east.  The  famous  head  master  of  Rugby  School, 
Dr.  Holyoak,  celebrated  for  his  charitable  actions,  was 
Rector  of  this  parish  during  the  last  nineteen  years 
of  his  life,  from  1 712  to  173 1.     The  late  Dr.  Light- 


HARBOKOUGH  MAGNA  97 

foot,  afterwards  Bishop  of  Durham,  and  one  of  the 
most  learned  divines  of  his  day,  was  numbered 
amongst  the  curates  here  during  the  long  interreg- 
num, when  W.  Hanbury  filled  the  rectorial  office 
without  residing  in  the  parish,  from  18 14  to  1868. 
In  the  register  we  find  the  following  : — '  August  6, 
1854,  William  Meadows,  Stoneleigh,  aged  73,  buried 
by  Joseph  B.  Lightfoot,  Off.  Minister.'  Far  be  it 
from  me  to  attempt  to  give  an  outline  of  this  great 
man's  life  here,  but  as  one  who  had  the  privilege  of 
attending  his  Divinity  Lectures  at  Trinity  College, 
Cambridge,  which  I  recall  with  genuine  pleasure, 
I  know  him  to  have  been  the  most  consummate 
of  tutors,  and  I  doubt  not  that  whilst  resident  at 
Harborough  Magna,  the  very  atmosphere  was  tinged 
by  his  lofty  and  moral  intellect.  He  would  inspire 
all  around  him  with  hope  that  maketh  not  ashamed 
without  allowing  any  to  despair. 

The  Parish  Register  commences  in  1540,  which  was 
only  two  years  after  it  was  ordered  to  be  kept,  and 
it  contains  a  few  entries  of  the  Boughton  family, 
among  which  we  may  mention :  '  1 760.  Theodo- 
sius  Edward  Allesley,  son  of  Sir  Edward  Bough- 
ton,  Bart.,  by  Lady  Dame  Anna  Maria  Boughton 
his  wife ;  was  born  on  the  third  of  August  and 
privately  baptized  the  next  morning  by  the  Rev. 

H 


98  A  WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

Mr.  Hall,  Rector  of  Great  Harborough,  and  on  the 
I5tli  day  of  September  following  he  was  publicly 
received  into  the  congregation  at  Sir  Edward's 
Consecrated  Chapel  at  Lawford  Hall,  the  Right 
Honourable  Lord  Craven,  Sir  Charles  Shuckburgh, 
Bart.,  and  Lady  Ursula  Skipwith,  being  Sponsors.'  ^ 
Harborough  Magna  is  famous  in  the  annals  of 
Rugby  School,  and  remembered  by  all  Old  Rug- 
beians  for  the  celebrated  School  Run  that  bears  its 
name.  The  boys  run  through  the  village,  entering 
the  churchyard  by  the  west  gate,  and  pass  along 
leaving  it  by  the  south-east  gate.  I  find,  too,  that 
Royalty  has  visited  the  township.  For  if  legend  be 
true  Princess  Elizabeth  (afterwards  Good  Queen 
Bess)  attended  divine  worship  here  during  her  visit 
to  Sir  William  Boughton,  Bait.,  at  Lawford  Hall. 
And  on  October  19,  1839,  Queen  Adelaide  came  on 
a  visit  to  *  Her  Majesty's  Master  of  the  Horse '  at 
Newnham  Paddox,  and  drove  through  the  village 
of  Harborough  Magna,  with  her  magnificent  cortege 

^  This  entry  refers  to  Sir  Theodosius  Boughton,  Bart.,  who  was 
poisoned  in  the  year  1780,  at  Lawford  Hall,  with  laurel-leaf  essence, 
and  buried  at  Newbold-on-Avon  about  a  fortnight  afterwards.  His 
body  was  exhumed  from  the  family  vault  in  the  church  and  placed 
on  the  high  tomb  on  the  south  side  of  the  church  (the  Onelys'), 
and  an  inquest  held  there.  The  body  was  afterwards  reverently 
re-buried  in  the  church.  A  boy  from  Rugby  School,  who  became 
renowned  amongst  O.R.'s,  Sir  Henry  Halford,  President  of  the  College 
of  Physicians,  watched  the  proceedings. 


HARBOEOUGH  MAGNA  99 

of  three  carriages  drawn  by  four  prancing  greys, 
and  a  carriage  and  pair  with  outriders,  on  her  way 
to  the  School  at  Rugby.  After  witnessing  a  foot- 
ball match  which  the  boys  were  playing  in  the 
close  at  the  time,  and  in  which  she  took  great 
interest,  she  returned  through  Great  Harborough 
to  the  seat  of  the  Earl  of  Denbigh.  May  we  not 
hope  that  history  will  yet  repeat  itself,  and  afford 
us  the  opportunity  of  welcoming  our  beloved  King 
Edward  VII,  accompanied  by  his  gracious  consort, 
our  Queen  Alexandra  ! — God  bless  them. 

In  going  back  some  two  hundred  years  earlier, 
we  find  that  Charles  I  passed  through  this  township 
on  horseback  in  August,  1642,  accompanied  by 
some  of  his  lords.  This  event  took  place  shortly 
after  one  of  those  disastrous  skirmishes  in  the 
neighbourhood,  ere  he  sped  on  his  way  to  Not- 
tingham, there  to  set  up  his  Royal  Standard.  We 
know  that  the  neighbouring  town  was  unfriendly 
to  his  crown,  and  that  he  would  consequently  be 
more  inclined  to  rest  here  than  at  Rugby  or 
Dunchurch. 

The  following  account  appeared  in  the  Rughy 
Gazette  and  Midland  Times  for  April  18,  1903 : — 
'Harborough  Magna,  opening  of  the  new  Organ 
Chamber  and  Choir  Vestry.— Last  Sunday  was  Easter 
Day.     Hearing  that  the  new  organ  chamber  and 

H  2 


loo         A  WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

choir  vestry  of  Harborough  Magna  Church  were  to 
be  opened  that  day,  I  proceeded  on  a  visit  to  that 
village.  It  has  been  said  every  village  has  a  his- 
tory ;  every  parish  has  been  associated  with  at 
least  some  one  person  whose  memory  sheds  lustre 
upon  its  reminiscences.  And  isolated  as  Har- 
borough Magna  appears  to  be  to  the  casual  tourist, 
great  names  in  local  annals  are  entwined  in  its 
history  of  a  thousand  years.  Its  small  and  simple 
church,  whose  very  chasteness  of  outline  serves  to 
render  it  more  in  keeping  with  the  simple  life  of 
the  sons  of  toil — whose  homes  nestle  beneath  its 
shade — stands  forth  to-day  as  the  outward  sign  of 
that  profound  reverence  which  our  fathers  paid 
to  the  lessons  of  Christian  teaching.  Before  the 
Norman  Conquest  the  church  was  founded  and 
endowed.  Slowly  as  the  centuries  rolled  onward, 
bringing  with  them  increased  perception  for  art 
and  culture,  one  humble  structure  after  another 
rose  into  being.  The  Norman  edifice  gave  way  to 
the  craftsmen  of  the  fourteenth  and  fifteenth  cen- 
turies ;  consequently  to-day  the  edifice  stands  forth 
chiefly  as  a  simple  unaffected  example  of  those 
later  ages,  despoiled  doubtless  of  much  of  its  pre- 
Reformation  internal  decorations-despoiled  of  its 
heraldic  stained  glass,  its  recumbent  figures,  its 
.chantry  altars,    its    rood-screen,    and    other    sym- 


HAKBOROUGH  MAGNA  loi 

bolical  accessories  which  constituted  the  artistic 
setting  of  mediaeval  church  Hfe. 

'  As  I  drew  near  I  thought  of  Sir  Egerton  Leigh, 
Bart,  who  once  preached  under  yonder  tree.  I 
thought  of  the  names  of  one  or  two  old  rectors  who 
had  in  their  generation  presided  as  head  masters 
of  that  famous  institution  at  Rugby,  "  The  Free 
School  of  Lawrence  Sheriff,  Grocer,"  as  the  Founder 
authorized  by  his  Will  that  school  to  be  called, 
I  thought,  too,  of  a  former  curate  of  this  parish 
who  rose  to  the  episcopal  chair  of  Durham — the 
late  Bishop  Lightfoot.  I  thought  of  that  eminent 
botanist,  the  late  Rev.  Andrew  Bloxam,  brother 
of  the  still  greater  antiquary.  I  reflected  on  the 
vast  host  of  unnumbered  rugged  sons  of  toil — each 
sleeping  in  his  narrow  bed — who  have  left  no 
memorial  behind  them,  and  whose  names  are  re- 
corded, only  very  imperfectly,  on  the  fading  pages 
of  a  fragmentary  parish  register.  While  I  mused 
on  the  Easter  Day  of  Time,  I  thought  of  the  holy 
Easter  Day  of  Eternity— of  that  day  when,  as  our 
Church  teaches,  we  shall  all  be  contemporaries  and 
make  our  appearances  together. 

'  As  I  approached  the  venerable  pile  and  entered 
the  west  door,  the  white-robed  choir  in  their  vest- 
ments were  slowly  passing  along.  I  could  not  help 
the   vision   of  the   contrast  of  this  simple  village 


I02        A  WAKWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

choir,  in  my  own  mind,  with  the  memory  which 
the  mother  cathedral  church  of  Worcester  presents 
on  a  solemn  day.  Here,  I  thought,  in  a  remote 
corner  of  that  extensive  diocese,  the  choral  strains 
of  Easter-tide  rose  as  fervent  as  in  the  proud 
cathedral  aisle.  The  whole  scene  was  rich  in  a 
mingled  harmony  of  sweet  music  and  tender  associa- 
tions. The  stately  walk  of  the  choristers  (ten  men 
and  twelve  boys),  in  their  cassocks  and  surplices, 
was  as  dignified  as  you  find  in  many  a  large  town. 
The  Eector,  the  Rev.  Bridgeman  Boughton-Leigh, 
M.A.,  and  his  curate  followed,  singing  one  of  those 
fine  old  Easter  hymns  which  have  thrilled  the 
hearts  of  generations  of  Christians.  The  service 
was  admirably  rendered,  the  organ  being  effectively 
played  by  Mr.  Langley  Bett. 

'  In  the  afternoon  there  was  a  flower  service  for 
the  children,  who  were  not  forgotten  by  their  Eector. 
After  each  child  had  presented  its  offering  of  flowers, 
the  Rector  proceeded  to  give  an  excellent  address, 
in  which  he  exhorted  the  choir  "to  endeavour  to 
put  on  the  robes  of  righteousness.  They  should 
try  to  make  themselves  better  than  they  had 
hitherto  been  :  more  earnest  in  their  prayers  ;  more 
thoughtful  for  others ;  more  gentle  and  Christ-like. 
The  white  robes  in  which  they  were  clothed  should 
be  to  them  an  outward  sign  of  purity  within  ". 


HARBOROUGH  MAGNA  103 

'  But  these  services,  inspiring  and  stimulating  as 
they  were,  were  crowned  by  the  quiet,  reverent 
lessons  of  Evensong.  The  whole  glories  of  Easter- 
tide seemed  to  swell  forth  in  one  harmonious 
triumph  of  thanksgiving  to  the  risen  Saviour.  The 
Rector  preached,  again,  from  Joel  ii.  26,  to  a 
crowded  congregation  (amongst  whom  were  many 
friends  from  Newbold).  He  reminded  his  hearers 
that  "  fifteen  years  ago  that  day  he  began  his  ministry 
amongst  them  as  their  Rector.  In  looking  back  on 
those  chequered  years  how  many  changes  had  the 
seasons  wrought?  How  many  who  worshipped  in 
that  sacred  temple  with  them  had  been  gathered 
by  the  angels  and  laid  to  rest  within  the  shadow 
of  those  walls !  How,  too,  had  that  church,  in  its 
long  life  of  centuries,  been  the  centre  of  the  most 
cherished  hopes  of  their  parish  life ;  how  it  had 
gradually  been  beautified  by  the  loving  care  of  many 
who  had  left  them.  The  organ  chamber  and  choir 
vestry  had  been  built ;  the  organ  had  been  bought 
and  paid  for ;  the  lectern  of  brass  had  been  presented 
to  the  church  ;  the  carved  oak  screen  would  be  there 
to  testify,  long  after  they  themselves  had  been  laid 
to  rest,  of  what  they  had  assisted  in  doing  in  their 
generation.  Other  suitable  ornaments  to  the  church 
had  been  added,  the  font  placed  in  its  proper  position 
immediately   on   entering    the   west    door    of   the 


104        A  WARWICKSHIRE  FAMILY 

church ;  and  where,  hitherto,  there  had  been  no 
choir  at  all,  now  they  could  thank  God  together 
with  the  assistance  of  as  efficient  a  choir  as  any 
church  need  wish  to  possess.  The  hearts  of  all 
present  must  throb  with  joy  and  gratitude  to  God 
for  His  mercies  vouchsafed  to  them  ". 

*  The  lessons  at  each  of  the  services  were  very  im- 
pressively read  by  the  Rector's  brother,  Cotterell 
Egerton  W.-Boughton-Leigh,  Esq.,  the  Curate  assist- 
ing the  Rector  with  the  prayers.  Such  an  improve- 
ment in  the  structural  arrangement  of  the  church 
must  have  caused  the  Rector  great  labour  and 
anxiety  during  the  past  year  while  it  has  been  in 
progress,  and  when  we  take  into  consideration  that 
he  is  Chairman  of  the  Parish  Councils  of  Newbold- 
on- Avon  and  Harborough  Magna,  and  sole  manager 
of  their  parochial  schools.  District  Councillor  and 
Guardian  for  Newbold-on-Avon,  and  a  manager  of 
the  Board  School  there  and  also  at  Long  Lawford, 
and  the  multiplicity  of  difficulties  which  such  offices 
bring  in  their  train,  we  can  but  express  our  gratitude 
the  more  when  we  see  the  House  of  God  so  earnestly 
cared  for — that  to  his  mind  all  secular  affairs  are  as 
nothing  compared  to  that  higher  duty  whereunto 
he  was  called  when  he  was  instituted  to  the  Rectory 
of  Harborough  Magna  fifteen  years  ago. — Rambler.' 


CHAPTEE  VII 

HARBOROUGH  PARVA 

The  old  Hall  (now  demolished)  at  Harborough 
Parva,  which  joins  this  parish  on  the  south,  was 
once  famous  as  the  residence  of  a  branch  of  the 
Leigh  family.  This  ancient  building  was  surrounded 
by  beautiful  trees  and  sloping  gardens,  standing  as 
it  did  upon  the  gentle  hill  which  commands  the 
extensive  view  across  the  valley  towards  Newbold- 
on-Avon.  It  was  here,  at  Harborough  Parva,  that 
Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  Bari.,  used  to  preach  Sunday  after 
Sunday,  towards  the  close  of  the  eighteenth  century, 
under  one  of  the  fine  elms,  which,  although  struck 
by  lightning,  has  sprung  forth  again,  and  lives 
and  flourishes  to-day  to  mark  the  spot  where  the 
noble  baronet  gathered  around  him  a  devoted  flock. 
Sir  Egerton's  congregation  could  frequently  be 
reckoned  by  the  thousand;  ministers  and  laymen 
flocking  from  the  neighbouring  towns  and  villages 
to  hear  him.  He  was  rightly  known  as  '  the  preach- 
ing Baronet '. 


io6         A  WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

In  the  year  1809  he  wrote  a  short  address  under 
the  title  of  '  The  Answer  of  God :  To  the  Baptized 
Church  of  Christ  at  Bughy\  a  few  extracts  from 
which  may  be  appropriately  reproduced  here : — 

'Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  To  the  Baptized  Church  of 
Christ  at  Rugby.  Grace  be  to  you  and  peace  from 
God  our  Father  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. — The 
little  book  I  herewith  present  to  you,  I  have  written 
purposely  for  you,  and  as  you  believe  the  Holy 
Scriptures  are  the  Word  of  God,  your  minds  are 
duly  prepared  to  receive  it ;  the  answers  being 
the  answers  of  God.  The  directions  for  using  it 
are  :  in  all  your  meetings  with  each  other,  especially 
on  a  Lord's  day,  iustead  of  idle  conversation,  have 
your  book  with  you  and  exercise  each  other's 
memory  by  asking  the  questions.  Teach  them  to 
your  children  and  neighbours.  Use  them  at  your 
family  devotions,  and  use  them  in  secret,  in  all 
cases  praying,  that  the  Lord  may  enlighten  your 
understandings  by  the  Holy  Spirit  that  you  may 
understand  the  Scriptures,  and  that  His  Holy  Spirit 
may  influence  your  hearts  that  you  may  love  them. 
If  you  learn  but  one  answer  a  day  you  will  be  daily 
gaining  something  of  the  Word  of  God.  If  you 
make  a  good  use  of  this  little  book,  I  shall,  as  the 
Lord  may  enable  me,  proceed  in  my  endeavours 


HAKBOROUGH   PARVA  107 

to  serve  God  and  you  in  this  way ;  as  you  will 
perceive  that  I  could  not,  without  making  a  very 
large  collection  of  answers,  have  proceeded  further 
in  the  first  part.  .  .  .  Peace  be  to  the  brethren  and 
love  wdth  faith,  from  God  the  Father  and  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  Grace  be  with  all  them  that  love  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity. — Amen.' 

(Page  64,  &c.  '  On  Baptism/) 

*  Q.  Is  Baptism  an  institution  of  Jesus  Christ  ? 
and  where  in  Scripture  is  it  appointed  to  be  ad- 
ministered ? 

^A.  Jesus  said,  All  power  is  given  unto  Me  in 
heaven  and  in  earth :  Go  ye  therefore,  and  teach  all 
nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  Name  of  the  Father, 
and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

'  Q.  Did  Jesus  Christ,  when  in  the  flesh,  set  the 
example  in  Himself  for  all  His  followers  as  a  right- 
eous act  ? 

^A.  Jesus  said.  Suffer  it  to  be  so  now  :  for  thus  it 
becometh  us  to  fulfil  all  righteousness. 

'  Q.     Was  Jesus  Christ  baptized  by  immersion  ? 

^A.  Jesus  when  He  was  baptized  went  straight- 
way out  of  the  water. 

'  Q.     Does  it  appear  from  the  mode  of  administer- 


io8         A   WARWICKSHIRE  FAMILY 

ing  the  institution  by  the  immediate  followers  of 
Christ,  that  immersion  was  the  institution  ? 

^A.  Philip  took  the  Eunuch  down  into  the  water 
and  he  baptized  him,  and  when  they  were  come  up 
out  of  the  water,  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  caught  away 
Philip,  that  the  Eunuch  saw  him  no  more :  and  he 
went  on  his  way  rejoicing. 

'  Q.  Does  it  appear  that  immersion  was  the 
institution  from  metaphors  used  in  Scripture  to 
express  it  ? 

^A.  We  are  buried  with  Him  by  Baptism  into 
death,  that  like  as  Christ  was  raised  up  from  the 
dead  by  the  glory  of  the  Father,  even  so  we  also 
should  walk  in  newness  of  life. 

'  Q.  Is  the  metaphor  of  burying  in  Baptism  used 
in  any  other  part  of  the  Scriptures  ? 

^A.  Buried  with  Him  in  Baptism,  wherein  also 
ye  are  risen  with  Him  through  the  Faith  of  the 
operation  of  God,  who  hath  raised  Him  from  the 
dead. 

'  Q.  Are  adults  (that  is,  persons  of  sufficient  age) 
to  make  a  profession  of  their  faith  ?  And  are  they, 
only,  the  proper  subjects  of  Baptism  ? 

^A.  As  they  went  on  their  way,  they  came  unto 
a  certain  water ;  and  the  Eunuch  said.  See,  here  is 
water ;  what  doth  hinder  me  to  be  baptized  ?     And 


HARBOEOUGH  PARVA  109 

Philip  said,  If  thou  believest  with  all  thine  heart, 
thou  mayest.  And  he  answered  and  said,  I  believe 
that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Son  of  God. 

*  Q.     But  why  not  infant  ? 

^A.  If  thou  believest  with  all  thine  heart  thou 
mayest. 

'  Q.  Are  women,  as  well  as  men,  proper  subjects 
of  Baptism  ? 

^A.  When  they  believed  Philip  concerning  the 
Kingdom  of  God  they  were  baptized,  both  men  and 
women.' 

I  have  in  my  possession  the  following  letter  of 
Sir  Egerton  Leigh  to  his  daughter,  which  may  prove 
interesting  as  illustrating  his  private  character. 

'  Brown  sover,  29th  Sept.  1806. 
*My  deak  Theodosia, 

'  You  will  perhaps  think  me  long  before  I  ac- 
knowledge the  receipt  of  your  last  letter.  I  am  happy 
to  hear  that  the  small  token  of  remembrance,  a  brace 
of  hares  and  the  same  number  of  partridges,  arrived 
safe.  Our  new  gamekeeper,  Elkington,  is  at  present 
a  very  bad  shot,  or  I  should  have  sent  Mrs.  Ogg  more 
partridges,  but  he  brings  them  in  such  small  numbers 
that  I  cannot  make  the  presents  I  wish  to  do. 


no        A  WARWICKSHIRE  FAMILY 

'  I  am  much  pleased  at  your  progressive  improve- 
ment in  writing.  I  have  observed  a  difference  in 
each  letter.  I  promise  myself  from  that  instance 
of  your  attention  to  be  agreeably  surprised  when  we 
next  meet. 

'  You  acquaint  me  that  you  have  the  privilege  of 
writing  to  your  friends  once  a  fortnight.  I  have 
no  doubt  of  your  improving  that  privilege.  When 
you  have  acquired  the  art  of  expressing  your  thoughts 
as  freely  upon  paper  as  in  conversation,  you  will 
have  the  double  advantage  of  making  your  friends 
happy  in  your  communications  when  at  a  distance 
as  well  as  when  present.  Young  people  are  often 
anxious  to  correspond,  but  few  consider  the  impor- 
tance of  writing  correctly.  Some  few  attain  to  the 
perfection  of  elegance.  Too  many  content  themselves 
with  being  able  to  write.  The  writing  can  hardly 
be  read  ;  the  sentences  so  rudely  constructed  that 
they  cannot  be  separated.  The  consequence  most 
assuredly  is  a  general  vulgarity  for  want  of  a  little 
thought.  I  freely  own  to  you  that  with  all  the 
excuse  that  may  be  made  for  any  person,  I  like 
to  see  pretty  good  writing ;  especially  in  a  female. 
One  word  of  advice.  Whatever  you  do,  do  it  as 
a  thinking  and  not  as  a  thoughtless  person.  Think 
whether  you  ought  to  write  ;  think  how  you  ought 


HAEBOEOUGH   PAEVA  iii 

to  write ;  think  why  you  ought  to  write ;  think 
what  you  ought  to  write ;  think  of  the  possible 
importance  of  one  thoughtless  unguarded  letter. 
The  habit  of  thinking  will  never  make  you  less 
free,  friendly,  or  communicative  than  you  ought  to 
be,  but  it  will  save  you  from  the  disagreeable  con- 
sequence of  being  more  so.  Above  all  things  be 
very  cautious  to  whom  you  write.  A  written  paper 
may  remain  even  when  we  are  no  more  in  this 
world. 

'We  passed  the  greatest  part  of  last  week  at 
Mr.  "Ward's.  Mrs.  Ward  desired  me  to  give  her 
best  love  to  Miss  Leigh.  She  wants  us  to  spend 
two  months  in  town  together,  but  I  do  not  think 
of  it  this  winter.  She  says  you  could  be  with  us 
on  the  Sundays.  I  want  you  to  be  very  much  im- 
proved and  to  have  a  desire  of  knowing  all  that  is 
to  be  learned  at  Queen's  Square.  I  know  you  have 
a  capacity  equal  to  an  attainment  of  every  accom- 
pKshment.  Above  all  things  be  sure  not  to  forget 
to  seek  for  help,  care,  love  and  protection  from 
your  Father  and  my  Father,  your  God  and  my 
God. 

'  There  are  enquiries  perpetually  after  you.  I  give 
one  general  answer  that  you  are  well  and  happy — 
why,  a  kind  temper  must  be  happy. 


112         A  WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

'  Your  dear  Mama  unites  with  me  in  best  love  to 
you  and  a  wish  for  the  best  of  blessings  to  attend  you. 
'  Pray  present  our  compliments  to  Mrs.  Ogg,  and 
I  am,  dear  Theodosia, 

'  Your  affectionate  Father, 

'Egekton  Leigh.' 

The  author  also  owns  a  cellaret  that  formerly 
belonged  to  Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  bearing  the  in- 
scription and  date,  '  Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  Bart. , 
Harborough  Parva  Hall,  1780.' 

The  family  of  which  Sir  Egerton  Leigh  was 
the  eldest  representative  was  seated  at  High  Leigh 
in  the  county  of  Cheshire  before  the  Norman 
Conquest.  His  father  was  Sir  Egerton  Leigh, 
Judge  of  the  Admiralty  and  Attorney-General  of 
South  Carolina,  and  died  at  Charleston,  North 
America,  and  was  buried  in  the  church  of 
St.  Philip  in  that  city.  He  was  a  descendant 
of  Sir  Thomas  Leigh,  who  was  Master  of  the 
Mercers'  Company  in  the  city  of  London  in  1554, 
1558,  and  1564,  and  who  became  Lord  Mayor 
at  the  accession  of  Elizabeth  in  1558.  Sir  Thomas 
Leigh  presented  to  the  above  Company  a  silver  cup, 
which  is  now  the  oldest  and  most  precious  piece 
of   plate    in   their  possession.      It   weighs   nearly 


HABBOKOUGH   PARVA  113 

sixty-six  ounces.  Sir  John  Watney  tells  us  (as 
recorded  by  Mr.  Thos.  R.  Way  in  his  account  of 
the  ancient  halls  of  the  City  guilds)  that  it  is  by 
tradition  said  to  have  belonged  to  the  hospital  of 
St.  Thomas  of  Aeon.  It  bears  the  plate-mark  of 
the  year  1499- 1500,  ^^^  ^^J  ^^  described  as  a 
silver-gilt  grace  cup,  with  a  cover  16  inches  high 
and  6J  inches  in  diameter.  The  foot  is  supported 
on  three  pilgrim  bottles.  On  the  top  of  the  cover 
is  a  maiden  seated,  with  a  unicorn  in  her  lap,  which 
bears  the  word  '  Desyr '  engraved  on  its  side.  On 
the  panels  of  the  boss  are  coats  of  arms  in  enamel ; 
namely,  the  arms  of  the  City  of  London,  of  Sir 
Thomas  Leigh,  of  the  Merchant  Adventurers' 
Company,  of  the  Merchants  of  the  Staple,  the  Cross 
of  St.  George,  and  the  arms  of  the  Mercers'  Com- 
pany. On  two  bands  round  the  cover  and  body 
of  the  cup  are  the  following  lines  in  gold  and  blue 
enamel : — 

To  elect  the  Master  of  the  Mercerie,  hither  am  I  sent, 
And  by  Sir  Thomas  Leigh  for  the  same  intent. 

On  the  inside  of  the  cover  is  engraved  a  double 
rose,  and  the  cup  and  cover  are  stamped  with  a 
maiden's  head.  The  cup  was,  no  doubt,  a  good 
deal  altered  at  or  shortly  before  the  time  when  it 
came  into  the  hands  of  the  Company. 

I 


114        A  WAEWICKSHIKE   FAMILY 

Dui'ing  the  period  when  Su'  Thomas  Leigh  held 
the  office  of  Lord  Mayor  of  London  a  new  era  was 
opened  out  in  the  liistory  of  this  country,  and  in 
the  momentous  and  interesting  events  of  the  day 
Sir  Thomas,  as  the  civic  head,  took  no  unim- 
portant position.  The  reigns  of  two  sister  queens 
— the  Roman  Catholic  Mary,  and  the  Protestant 
Elizabeth — ai-e  connected  in  the  year  of  his 
mayoralty,  for  Sir  Thomas  was  elected  but  a  few 
weeks  before  Maiy  closed  her  mortal  career, 
being  the  sixth  ci^4c  magistrate  during  her  sove- 
reignty and  the  first  in  the  reign  of  Elizabeth. 
From  the  dismal  spectacle  of  suffering  faith  and 
persecution  we  turn  at  tliis  time  to  behold  the 
dawn  of  rehgious  liberty ; — so  great  a  change,  and 
so  suddenly  wrought  by  the  Supreme  Dispenser  of 
all  empu'e — the  Almighty  Ruler  of  earthly  destinies 
— that  no  wonder  was  it  the  people  forgot  the  natural 
emblems  of  woe  and  mourning  for  their  common 
mother  and  queen  in  joy  for  the  accession  of  her 
sister  of  gentler  and  more  Christian  faith,  and 
hastened  to  light  bonfires  throughout  the  streets 
to  attest  their  gladness  of  heart  for  the  'happy 
dehverance '. 

Li  the  summer  of  1904  the  author  of  this  volume 
paid  a  visit  to  America,  and  visited  the  scene  of 


CHARLESTON,  VIRGINIA  115 

Sir  Egerton  Leigh's  early  life.     A  brief  impression 
of  that  visit  he  here  gives  the  reader. 

Charleston,  formerly  known  as  '  Charlestown  '. 

Charleston  may  be  placed  amongst  the  most  inter- 
esting cities  of  America.  In  the  days  preceding 
the  Revolution  it  enjoyed  a  considerable  reputation 
as  one  of  the  most  important  shipping  centres  of 
the  south,  and  was  in  constant  communication  with 
England.  And  although  since  the  advent  of  steam 
other  poi-ts  claim  precedency  in  commercial  relations 
with  our  country,  the  wai'ehouses  of  Charleston  still 
remain  as  fine  examples  of  then*  kind.  Here,  too, 
the  old  Enghsh  manners  and  customs  prevail. 
They  have  been  handed  down  from  generation  to 
generation,  indicating  the  attaclmient  they  own  to 
their  mother  country.  Such  outward  marks  delight 
the  traveller  fi'om  the  old  country,  and  to  these 
obvious  traits  are  united  a  hospitahty  far  more 
hearty  than  in  the  North.  The  '  mighty  dollar '  is 
hidden  in  the  eager  desire  to  extend  the  right  hand 
of  good  fellowship  and  kindredship. 

The  parish  church  of  St.  Phihp,  although  standing 
in  the  old  part  of  the  town,  still  forms  a  chief  attrac- 
tion. In  the  year  17 12  it  was  made  the  duty  of  the 
constables  and  churchwardens  twice  every  Sunday 

I  2 


ii6        A  WAEWICKSHIKE   FAMILY 

to  walk  through  the  town  and  to  observe,  suppress, 
and  apprehend  all  offenders  against  '  the  Act  for  the 
better  observation  of  the  Lord's  Day,  commonly 
called  Sunday'.  And  from  the  year  1716,  until  the 
Kevolution,  all  elections  in  Charleston  for  mem- 
bers of  the  General  Assembly,  &c.,  were  held  at 
St.  Philip's,  the  parish  church,  and  were  conducted 
by  the  wardens  ;  and  various  municipal  duties  were 
imposed  upon  her  vestry.  McCrady  says, '  The  early 
history  of  the  church  forms  part  of  the  colonial 
history  of  South  CaroHna,  just  as  Westminster 
Abbey  forms  part  of  the  constitution  of  England. 
The  colony  was  founded  by  the  charter  of  King 
Charles  II  (1665),  which  granted  unto  the  lords 
proprietors  the  patronage  and  advowsons  of  the 
churches  and  chapels,  to  cause  them  to  be  dedi- 
cated and  consecrated  according  to  the  ecclesiastical 
laws  of  our  kingdom  of  England,  being  the  only 
true  and  orthodox  and  the  national  religion  of  all 
the  king's  dominions,  is  so  also  of  Carolina ;  and 
therefore  it  alone  shall  be  allowed  to  receive  public 
maintenance  by  grant  of  Parliament.'  The  date  of 
the  old  church  is  not  accurately  known,  but  in  the 
year  1682  Thomas  Ash  relates  that  'the  town  is 
regularly  laid  out  into  large  and  capacious  streets, 
which  to  buildings  is  a  great  ornament  and  beauty ; 


CHARLESTON,  VIRGINIA  117 

in  it  they  have  reserved  convenient  place  for  a 
church,  town  house,  and  other  pubHc  structures'. 
The  church  was  probably  built  before  1690,  and  was 
known  as  '  the  English  Church '  (the  name  St. 
Philip's  first  appears  in  the  deed  to  Blake  in  1697). 
It  was  built  of  black  cypress  upon  a  brick  founda- 
tion, 'large  and  stately,'  surrounded  by  a  neat 
white  palisade  fence,  but  only  lasted  about  thirty 
years,  as  in  17 10  a  brick  church  was  commenced 
to  take  its  place,  and  was  opened  before  com- 
pletion in  1723.  Rev.  C.  W.  Mason  says,  '  This 
church  is  allowed  to  be  the  most  religious  edifice 
in  British  America.'  It  was  62  feet  wide,  built 
of  brick  and  rough- cast,  with  two  rows  of  Tuscan 
pillars,  upon  which  fine  arches  were  supported  on 
each  side,  the  pillars  being  ornamented  on  the 
inside  with  fluted  Corinthian  pilasters.  The  church 
was  nearly  finished  when  the  kmg  purchased  the 
province,  and  bore  an  inscription  Tropins  res 
aspice  nostras '  over  the  centre  arch  on  the  south, 
and  on  the  north  'Deus  mihi  sol'.  The  commu- 
nion plate  was  a  gift  from  the  English  Government, 
consisting  of  two  tankards,  one  chalice  and  paten, 
and  one  large  alms-plate,  each  piece  bearing  the 
Royal  Arms  of  England.  Tredwell  Bull  says  (in 
1723),   'There  is  a  new   church   not   yet  entirely 


ii8         A  WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

finished  in  the  said  city  (Charles  City  or  Town), 
a  large  and  regular  and  beautiful  building  exceeding 
any  that  are  in  His  Majesty's  dominions  in  America.' 
Edmund  Burke  goes  further,  and  says,  speaking  of 
this  church,  '  It  is  spacious  and  executed  in  a  very 
handsome  taste,  exceeding  everything  of  that  kind 
which  we  have  in  America.' 

Great  fires  devastated  the  city  in  1740,  1778, 
1796,  and  in  18 10,  but  St.  Philip's  escaped  them 
all,  being  saved  by  the  gallant  conduct  of  a  negro 
man  in  1796,  who  climbed  the  steeple  whilst  it  was 
alight  and  tore  off  the  burning  shingles.  But  alas  ! 
it  fell  a  victim  to  the  fire  on  Sunday  morning,  Feb- 
ruary 14,  1835,  when,  together  with  its  monuments, 
it  was  totally  destroyed.  The  Courier  of  February  16, 
1835,  says,  '  The  most  striking  feature  of  this  cala- 
mity is  the  destruction  of  St.  Philip's  Church,  com- 
monly known  as  "  the  Old  Church  ",  the  venerable 
structure  which  has  for  more  than  a  century  towered 
among  us  in  all  the  solemnity  and  noble  proportions 
of  antique  architecture,  constituting  a  hallowed  link 
between  the  past  and  the  present,  with  its  monu- 
mental memorials  of  the  beloved  and  honoured 
dead,  and  its  splendid  organ  is  now  a  smoking  ruin. 
...  It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  preventive 
measures  had  not  been  taken  in  season  to  save  the 


CHARLESTON,  VIRGINIA  119 

noble  and  consecrated  edifice.  The  flames  slowly 
descending  wreathed  the  steeple,  constituting  a  mag- 
nificent spectacle,  and  forming  literally  a  pillar  of 
fire,  and  finally  enwrapped  the  whole  body  of  the 
church  in  its  enlarged  volume  ;  the  burning  body 
of  the  church  was  the  closing  scene  of  the  cata- 
strophe. In  1796  it  was  preserved  by  a  negro  man, 
who  ascended  it,  and  was  rewarded  with  his  freedom 
for  his  perilous  exertions.  And  again  in  18 10  it 
narrowly  escaped  the  destructive  fire  of  that  year, 
which  commenced  in  the  house  adjoining  the  church 
on  the  north.' 

The  register  of  births,  marriages,  and  deaths  still 
exists  from  the  year  1720,  containing  the  following 
entry : — 

'Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  Buried  Sept.  17th,  1781.' 

But  there  are  no  minutes  of  the  proceedings  of 
the  vestry  before  1732.  On  November  12,  1837, 
the  corner  stone  of  the  present  church  was  laid, 
and  the  first  service  under  the  roof  was  held 
on  a  fast-day.  May  3,  1838,  and  the  church  was 
consecrated  by  Bishop  Bowen  on  November  9, 1838. 

The  aged  sexton  I  found  to  be  a  man  now  over 
eighty  years  of  age,  well  up  in  the  history  of  the 
church,  and  remembers  the  fire.  He  himself  hailed 
from  Warwickshire  some  seventy  odd  years  before. 


I20        A  WARWICKSHIEE   FAMILY 

and  proudly  recalled  many  stories  which  were  current 
in  his  younger  days  both  at  home  in  the  dear  old 
country,  and  also  in  South  Carolina,  the  land  of 
his  adoption.  Incidents  in  the  lives  of  both  Peter 
Leigh,  the  famous  Judge- Advocate,  and  of  his  son, 
Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  the  Attorney-General,  he  recalls 
with  pleasure ;  also  the  monument  erected  to  their 
honour  in  the  chancel  (which  perished  in  the  great 
fire)  as  he  points  out  the  exact  spot  beneath  its 
site  where  their  bodies  rest  in  peace  and  obscurity : 
'See  here  where  the  road  passes,  the  old  church 
of  St.  Philip's  once  stood,  and  the  chancel  in  yon 
corner  there  is  the  burial-place  of  the  illustrious 
dead,  Peter  and  Egerton  and  their  wives.  There 
be  nought  left  of  it  now  but  the  hard  road.  It 
were  a  terrible  fire,  and  the  flames  destroyed 
everything  that  was  above  ground  as  they  spread 
from  tower  to  church  and  from  church  to  chancel, 
till  all  were  gone.  I  were  but  a  little  lad  then ! 
but  bless  yer !  I  see  it  all  now.'  And  here  it 
was  that  the  author  stood  deep  in  thought,  picturing 
to  himself  the  noble  edifice,  its  monuments,  and  its 
dead,  the  ashes  of  his  ancestors  still  mouldering 
in  the  dust  of  ages,  nothing  being  left  to  mark 
and  guard  the  sacred  spot  but  the  hard  heartless 
road   of  flint   that  passes   over   their    tombs,    yet 


CHAELESTON,  VIRGINIA  121 

finding  consolation  in  the  knowledge  that  the  name 
still  lives  there  in  that  far-off  land,  in  the  mind  of 
a  poor  old  man,  as  well  as  with  those  who  have 
read  their  history  and  regard  it  as  that  of  men  who 
did  their  duty  in  their  day  under  most  trying 
circumstances ;  all  reminding  one  of  Macaulay's 
Lays  of  Ancient  Rome : — 

And  how  can  man  die  better 
Than  facing  fearful  odds, 
For  the  ashes  of  his  fathers, 
And  the  temple  of  his  Gods  ? 

A  paragraph  appeared  in  the  Courier  about  a  year 
ago  in  reference  to  Sir  Egerton  Leigh's  picture 
sale,  which  comprised  many  very  valuable  works 
of  art,  including  a  Paul  Veronese,  Carlo  Dolci, 
Jordaens  (Jordeaux),  Gluselfi,  Correggio,  and  Guido. 
The  following  extracts  were  taken  by  the  author 
from  McCrady's  History  of  South  Carolina^  1719- 
1776 : — '  Peter  Leigh  was  appointed  by  the  English 
Government  Lord  Chief  Justice  of  South  Carolina, 
and  proved  himself  to  be  a  man  of  great  ability 
and  a  good  lawyer,  and  he  filled  the  position  of 
Chief  Justice  of  the  province  for  seven  years  without 
giving  the  least  cause  of  suspicion  as  to  his 
integrity.  .  .  .  He  died  on  the  21st  of  July,  1759, 
and  was  buried  in  St.  Philip's  Church.'    '  Whatever 


122         A  WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

may  have  been  the  circumstances  under  which  he 
came,  he  was  a  gentlemen  and  a  lawyer.'  The 
history  goes  on  to  explain  what  these  circumstances 
were,  namely,  that  '  Lord  Chief  Justice  Pinckney 
was  put  aside  to  make  way  for  Peter  Leigh,  who 
had  to  be  provided  for  by  the  corrupt  administration 
of  Pelham,  but  Peter  Leigh  was  a  gentleman  as  well 
as  a  good  lawyer '.  It  is  impossible  not  to  observe 
the  bitter  feeling  that  existed  at  the  time.  The 
south  countryman  Pinckney  had  been  deprived  of 
his  office  by  the  Government  of  the  mother  country 
and  an  Englishman  thrust  upon  the  southerners 
against  their  will.  No  wonder  that  the  antagonistic 
historian  speaks  of  the  corrupt  practices  of  Pelham, 
notwithstanding  that  he  is  compelled  to  refer  to 
Peter  Leigh  (who  had  obtained  his  appointment 
through  that  so-called  'corrupt  practice')  on  three 
different  occasions  as  'a  gentleman  and  a  good 
lawyer',  surely  very  high  testimony — adding  these 
words: — 'Peter  Leigh  and  his  son  Egerton  Leigh 
(afterwards  made  a  baronet)  occupied  a  high 
social  position  in  the  colony,  though  doubtless 
the  circumstances  of  their  advent  had  much  to 
do  with  preparing  the  way  for  the  reception  of 
revolutionary  sentiments.'  Sir  Egerton  Leigh  was 
then    His    Majesty's    Attorney-General    in    South 


CHARLESTON,  VIRGINIA  123 

Carolina,  and  married  the  daughter  of  Francis 
Bremar,  of  South  Carohna,  in  1756.  He  was  offered 
a  peerage  by  George  III  for  his  distinguished 
services  during  the  American  War,  but  this  offer 
he  dechned. 

'  The  office  of  Judge  of  the  Admiralty  was  filled 
by  Sir  Egerton  Leigh  just  before  the  Revolution. 
Sir  Egerton  at  that  time  was  a  monopolist ;  he  held 
the  various  offices  in  the  province  of  Attorney- 
General,  Surveyor-General,  Judge  of  the  Admiralty, 
and  member  of  the  Council,  and  in  1772  was 
created  a  baronet ;  he  was  a  man  of  learning  and 
ability.  The  date  of  his  commission  of  Common 
Pleas  was  1753,  Nov.  ist.  .  .  .  On  Feb.  8, 
1769,  being  the  anniversary  of  the  Master's  Lodge 
of  Freemasons,  they  all  met  and  had  an  elegant 
entertainment  at  Mr.  Pomsette's  Tavern,  where  the 
Most  Worshipful  and  Honourable  Egerton  Leigh, 
Grand  Master,  and  other  distinguished  brothers 
spent  the  day  in  a  manner  suitable  to  the  occasion 
and  institution.  Among  the  toasts  drank  were 
"  The  glorious  ninety-six",  "Twenty-six",  "Confusion 
to  all  attempts  to  subvert  the  British  Constitution".' 

When  we  take  into  consideration  that  these 
things  were  written  and  recorded  concerning  men 
sent  from    the   British    Government   to  turn   out 


124         A  WARWICKSHIEE   FAMILY 

and  take  the  place  of  native  talent,  we  can  hardly 
expect  to  find  good  deeds  handed  down  to  gild  their 
reign.  But  we  can  without  prejudice  assume  that 
both  Peter  Leigh  and  his  son  Sir  Egerton  did  their 
duty  generally,  cheerfully,  and  loyally  to  a  fault, 
serving  their  king  and  country  bravely  to  the  last. 
Peter  Leigh  died  in  the  yet  peaceful  days,  and  was 
buried  in  1759,  in  the  province  of  South  Carolina, 
of  which  his  son  was  afterwards  to  become  the 
Judge  of  the  Admiralty.  There  he  had  lived  and 
worked,  and  it  was  but  meet  that  his  bones  should 
be  laid  to  rest  in  the  chancel  of  his  beloved  church, 
St.  Philip's  in  Charleston.  Sir  Egerton  lived  to 
see  more  troublesome  and  eventful  times ;  and, 
fighting  for  his  king  against  the  Revolutionists, 
he  was  overthrown  and  driven  from  the  country, 
deprived  of  all  his  possessions  there.  When  things 
were  more  settled  he  returned  two  years  later, 
being  drawn  thither  by  the  beloved  memory  of 
those  who  had  gone  before  him  (his  mother,  an 
American  lady,  lived  and  died  there) ;  and  thus  it 
was  that  he  too  ended  his  days  at  Charleston,  and 
was  buried  with  his  father  and  mother  beneath  the 
chancel  of  the  old  church  of  St.  Philip's  in  that 
city ;  and  there  rested  their  bodies  when,  alas !  the 
structure  took  fire  and  was  burnt  to  the  ground 


CHAKLESTON,  VIRGINIA  125 

in  1835.  They  had  vast  possessions  in  Carolina, 
and  one  only  cliild,  a  son,  who  succeeded  to  the 
baronetcy,  his  name  being  likewise  Egei-ton.  But 
the  Revolutionists  had  gained  the  day ;  England 
had  lost  her  power,  and  been  driven  out  of  the 
States,  and  the  second  Sir  Egerton,  the  descendant 
of  the  loyal  supporters  of  the  sovereign,  was  scarcely 
allowed  to  leave  the  country  with  his  life  and  come 
to  the  land  of  his  ancestors.  His  possessions  in 
South  Carolina  were  confiscated  by  the  spoiler's  hand 
and  sold,  and,  a  good  title  in  fee  simple  being  given 
to  the  purchasers,  were  thus  lost  to  the  Leigh  family 
for  ever.  And  so  it  was  that  Sir  Egerton  Leigh 
sought  his  old  rights  and  estates  in  Warwickshire. 
But  alas !  only  to  find  that,  through  neglect  and 
the  lapse  of  time,  these  too  had  been  confiscated, 
after  falling  into  the  hands  of  Chancery  for  many 
years.  Thus,  after  a  long  lawsuit,  which  failed  for 
want  of  proof— registers,  monuments,  &c.,  having 
been  destroyed  in  the  interval — he  was  constrained 
to  take  up  his  residence  at  an  old  family  mansion 
in  Warwickshire,  known  as  Harborough  Parva 
Hall. 

In  or  about  the  year  1787  this  old  manorial 
mansion  was  pulled  down,  and  Sir  Egerton  Leigh 
went  to  live  at  Brownsover  Hall,  upon  his  marriage 


126         A  WARWICKSHIEE   FAMILY 

with  Theodosia  Beauchamp,  the  only  daughter  and 
heiress  of  Sir  Edward  Boughton,  of  Lawford  Hall, 
Bart.  A  farm-house  was  built  with  the  bricks  and 
materials  of  the  ancient  hall  at  Harborough  Parva, 
which  has  been  occupied  for  over  a  hundred  years 
by  a  family  of  the  name  of  Garner,  good  old  tenants, 
deserving  well  of  their  generation ;  their  de- 
scendant residing  there  to  this  day.  The  beautiful 
gardens  that  used  to  delight  the  owners  have  long 
since  disappeared,  and  grass  fields,  sloping  to  the 
country  road,  have  taken  their  place ;  the  old  elm 
sprouting  out  afresh  with  renewed  vigour  on  the 
crown  of  the  hill,  and  three  fine  Spanish  chestnut 
trees  in  front,  alone  remain  to  mark  the  spot  of 
former  glory, — sheltered  as  of  yore  by  the  little  oak 
rookery  at  the  northern  corner,  an  ancient  land- 
mark from  afar,  where  the  crows  still  caw  as  they 
nestle  together  to  rear  their  young  in  early  spring- 
time. 


BROWNSOVER  CHAPEL 


CHAPTER  VIII 


BROWNSOVER 


This  tiny  hamlet,  within  whose  feudal  boundary 
stands  the  Hall,  the  ancient  seat  of  the  Boughtons, 
is  situated  about  one  mile  north-east  of  Rugby.  It 
forms  a  portion  of  the  parish  of  Clifton-on-Dunsmore. 
A  small  chapel,  dedicated  to  St.  Michael,  was  erected 
here  and  endowed  with  tithes  of  corn  and  hay, 
which  were  given  by  Ernald  de  Boys  to  the  Abbey  of 
Leicester  about  the  year  1140;  'in  which  chapel,' 
says  Dugdale,  '  there  is  Christening  and  Buriall,  by 
special  grant  of  the  Abbot  of  Leicester,  in  regard  to 
the  distance  of  this  village  from  the  mother  church 
of  Clifton,  and  the  hindrance  of  access  thereto  by 
the   overflowing   of  Avon   oft-times.'      This   early 


128         A  WAEWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

chapel,  built  in  the  Norman  style  of  architecture^ 
has  long  since  passed  away,  and  the  sacred  edifice 
which  now  occupies  the  ground  is  an  interesting 
little  structure,  chiefly  in  the  early  English  style  of 
Gothic  ecclesiastical  architecture,  together  with  some 
few  traces  of  earlier  and  of  later  work.  The  chief 
alterations  or  rebuilding  took  place  in  the  nineteenth 
century,  during  which  time  the  side  windows  of  the 
existing  Norman  chancel  were  inserted  in  lieu  of 
the  smaller  Norman  lights.  The  nave  is  entirely 
of  the  thirteenth  century,  and  was  considered  by 
the  late  antiquary,  Mr.  Matthew  Holbeche  Bloxam,  to 
have  been  an  addition  to  the  Norman  chapel,  rather 
than  a  reconstruction,  the  width  being  peculiar.  It 
was  almost  rebuilt  in  1876,  under  the  superinten- 
dence of  the  late  Sir  Gilbert  Scott,  R,A.,  but  is  an 
exact  copy  of  the  thirteenth-century  work,  every  old 
stone  being  reset  in  its  former  position,  supplemented 
here  and  there  by  new  ones  in  the  place  of  those 
decayed.  Previous  to  the  restoration  the  walls 
externally  were  covered  with  plaster,  a  brick  porch 
standing  at  the  West  end,  in  the  roof  of  which  the 
bell  was  suspended,  which  is  said  to  have  been 
brought  from  the  mother  church.  Some  of  the  seats 
and  screen  date  from  the  fifteenth  century.  The 
screen  now  occupies  its  original  position,  dividing 


BROWNSOVER  129 

the  nave  from  the  chancel,  and  has  been  restored 
with  considerable  additions  of  beautifully  carved 
panels  from  the  chisel  of  the  late  Allesley  Ward- 
Boughton-Leigh,  Esq.  New  seats  of  solid  oak  have 
been  erected  in  the  nave,  and  all  available  portions 
of  the  ancient  seating  have  been  worked  up  in 
them.  The  roof  is  open  timbered,  and  constructed 
of  oak  in  character  with  the  rest  of  the  building. 
In  the  South-west  angle  of  the  nave  is  the  baptistry, 
with  a  font  of  late  Norman  style.  The  pulpit  is 
beautifully  carved  with  a  medallion  depicting  the 
head  of  our  Saviour,  lifesize.  The  East  window  of 
the  chancel  is  of  three  lights,  and  in  the  debased  style 
of  architecture ;  it  is  said  to  have  been  constructed 
at  the  cost  of  Lawrence  Sheriff,  the  founder  of  Rugby 
School,  who  was  born  in  the  village,  and  owned 
some  thirty-six  acres  of  land  here,  which  now  consti- 
tute a  portion  of  the  endowment  fund  of  his  school. 
The  stained  glass  in  this  window  was  the  gift  of  the 
late  Mr.  M.  H.  Bloxam,  and  illustrates  St.  Michael  and 
St.  Gabriel.  Beneath  the  window  is  the  following  in- 
scription : — '  To  the  glory  of  God  and  in  memory  of 
Lawrence  Sheriff;  Matthew  Holbeche  Bloxam,  some- 
time a  foundationer  of  Rugby  School,  hath  caused 
this  glass  window  to  be  made,  a.  d.  1881.' 

The  lower  portions  of  the  chancel  appear  to  be  of 

K 


I30  WAKWICKSHIEE   FAMILY 

Norman  work,  and  during  the  last  restoration  in 
the  North  wall  was  discovered  an  aumbry  or  ckcular- 
headed  locker,  the  arch  of  which  is  composed  of 
thin  laminae  stone,  which  has  been  preserved.  In 
the  recess  of  the  easternmost  window  on  the  South 
side  a  sediha  has  been  constructed  for  two  seats. 
On  either  side  of  the  East  window  are  two  brackets 
considerably  mutilated ;  these  are  said  to  have 
borne  images — the  Blessed  Virgin  with  the  Infant 
Saviour  in  her  arms  on  one  side,  the  other  a  figure 
of  St.  Michael.  On  the  floor  of  the  chancel  are  slabs 
covering  the  remains  of  descendants  of  Lawrence 
Sheriff,  one  being  his  nephew,  who  died  in  1678, 
aged  ninety-nine  years.  In  the  South  wall  of  the 
chancel,  towards  the  West  end,  is  the  low  side 
window  anciently  used  for  the  rite  of  Utter  Confes- 
sion. In  the  same  waU,  near  the  East  end,  a  small 
piscina  was  discovered  in  1875,  but  was  unfortu- 
nately destroyed,  and  the  stone  sedilia  before  men- 
tioned erected  in  its  place.  Beneath  the  communion 
table  are  a  few  ancient  tiles  of  the  thirteenth  and 
fourteenth  centuries  found  during  the  restoration, 
showing  with  what  care  the  cultured  architect 
supervised  the  work  throughout ;  every  stone  in 
the  beautiful  windows  at  the  West  end  and  the  door- 
way  being   worked   in   from   the   ancient    edifice, 


/ 

BKOWNSOYIEE  131 

leaving  to  us  who  come  after  the  delightful  touches 
of  the  past,  even  down  to  the  minute  heads  which 
now  adorn  the  entrance,  the  memorial  of  its  former 
glory.  Here,  too,  is  the  figure  of  the  Great  Patron 
of  our  faith  with  the  crown  of  thorns  and  His 
Virgin  Mother,  standing  on  either  side  of  the  beau- 
tiful western  gate,  whilst  the  windows  close  at 
hand  represent  the  pious  founder  of  this  chapel 
and  his  wife.  The  intellectual  head  speaks  its 
thoughtfulness,  with  its  broad  and  open  countenance, 
impressive  with  its  spiritual  earnestness,  such  as  we 
might  well  associate  mth  the  bestoTver  of  these 
noble  deeds  in  the  centuries  of  long  ago.  The 
heads  of  kings  and  queens,  monks  and  nuns,  are 
likewise  pictured  here,  showing  the  important  part 
they  played  in  the  mediaeval  life  of  England.  The 
wandering  tourist  may  pass  these  small  figures  by  un- 
heeded or  with  momentary  curiosity,  but  when  study 
of  the  past  is  brought  in  sympathy  with  thoughtful 
reverence,  these  portraits  in  stone  reveal  in  their 
o^vn  inarticulate  language  the  spiritual  meaning  of 
the  bygone  days  they  represent.  Here  we  are 
brought  into  direct  relationship  with  om'  very  own 
forefathers  ;  in  these  churches  there  is  a  personal 
feehng  which  carries  our  thoughts  back  to  the  age 
of  our  ancestors.    There  are,  for  instance,  the  armo- 

K  2 


132         A  WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

rial  bearings,  the  inscriptions,  the  figures  of  those 
whose  thoughtful  generosity  has  blessed  many  a 
succeeding  generation. 

Just  outside  the  chapel-yard  we  notice  memorials 
of  many  ages — indeed,  over  more  than  ten  centuries. 
Scarcely  beyond  the  sacred  precincts  there  are 
remains  of  ancient  British  encampments.  There 
are  likewise  earthworks  raised  during  the  Wars  of 
the  Roses.  There  are  also  indications  of  the  strong- 
holds and  fortifications  raised  during  the  struggle 
between  Charles  and  his  Parliament.  We  find 
here  the  work  of  the  Norman,  the  Mediaeval,  the 
Post-Reformation,  and  nineteenth  century ;  tracing 
back  the  descent,  step  by  step,  in  unbroken  order  to 
the  days  of  Alwine  before  the  Norman  Conquest ; 
also  of  the  families  of  the  Boughtons  and  the  Leighs, 
who  still  hold  their  ancient  possessions  here  and  in 
the  adjoining  parishes  of  Newbold-on-Avon,  Rugby, 
and  Harborough  Magna,  overlooking  these  sweet 
vales  watered  by  the  historic  Avon  and  the  Swift. 

Brownsover  Hall  contains  a  valuable  collection  of 
paintings,  including  portrait  of  Sir  Egerton  Leigh  as 
a  boy  with  a  peach  in  his  hand.  In  the  dining- 
room  are  Algernon  Greville  and  Sir  Egerton  Leigh, 
first  Baronet,  1772;  also  a  miniature  in  the  draw- 
ing-room.    There  are  other  portraits  : — 


BROWNSOVER  133 

In  front  hall :  Thomas  Egerton,  Baron  Ellesmere, 
Viscount  Brackley,  Lord  Chancellor  of  England. 

Family  group — Peter  Leigh,  Elizabeth  his  wife, 
their  son  Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  first  Baronet,  and 
younger  children,  by  Hogai'th. 

Peter  Leigh. 

Su'  Egerton  Leigh  and  wife. 

Sir  Edward  Boughton. 

The  Right  Rev.  John  Egerton,  D.D.,  Bishop  of 
Durham  (Gustos  Rotulorum),  eldest  son  of  Henry 
Egerton,  D.D.,  Bishop  of  Hereford,  and  fifth  son 
of  John,  Earl  of  BridgeAvater,  and  brother-in-law 
to  Sir  Edward  Boughton,  Bart.  ;  appointed  Dean 
of  Hereford  1750,  Bishop  of  Bangor  1756,  Bishop 
of  Lichfield  and  Coventry  1768,  and  Bishop  of 
Durham  1771. 

Sir  Edward  Egerton  Brydges,  Bart.,  born  Nov.  30, 
1 762,  kinsman  of  Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  Bart. ;  was  son 
of  E.  Brydges,  Wotton  Court,  Kent,  by  Jemima, 
daughter  and  co-heiress  of  W.  Egerton,  LL.D., 
grandson  of  John,  second  Earl  of  Bridgewater,  by 
the  Lady  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William  Cavendish, 
the  loyal  Duke  of  Newcastle. 

In  addition  to  the  valuable  collection  of  pictures, 
there  are  many  amusing  papers  at  Brownsover 
Hall,   among  which  the  following  correspondence 


134         A  WARWICKSHIEE   FAMILY 

between  Lady  Seymour  and  Lady  Shuckburgh  may 
be  worthy  of  record :  — 

No  I.  '  Lady  Seymour  presents  her  compHments 
to  Lady  Shuckburgh  and  would  be  obHged  to 
her  for  the  character  of  Mary  Steadman,  who 
states  that  she  has  hved  twelve  months,  and  still 
is,  in  Lady  Shuckburgh's  establishment.  Can 
Mary  Steadman  cook  plain  dishes  well,  and  make 
bread,  and  is  she  honest,  sober,  willing,  cleanly,  and 
good  tempered?  Lady  Seymour  will  also  like  to 
know  the  reason  she  leaves  Lady  Shuckburgh's 
house.  Direct  under  care  to  Lord  Seymour,  Meri- 
den  Bradley,  Wiltshire.' 

No.  2.  '  Lady  Shuckburgh  presents  her  compli- 
ments to  Lady  Sejrmour;  her  ladyship's  letter, 
dated  October  28th,  only  reached  her  yesterday, 
November  3rd.  Lady  Shuckburgh  was  unacquainted 
with  the  name  of  the  kitchen-maid  until  mentioned 
by  Lady  Seymour,  as  it  is  her  custom  neither 
to  apply  for,  nor  give,  characters  to  any  of  the  under 
servants,  this  being  always  done  by  the  house- 
keeper, Mrs.  Couch,  and  this  was  well  known  to 
the  young  woman.  Therefore  Lady  Shuckburgh  is 
surprised  at  her  referring  any  lady  to  her  for  a 
character.  Lady  Shuckburgh  keeping  a  professed 
cook,  as  well  as  a  housekeeper  in  her  establishment. 


BROWNSOVER  135 

it  is  not  very  probable  she  herself  should  know 
anything  of  the  abilities  or  merits  of  the  under 
servants  ;  she  is  therefore  unable  to  reply  to  Lady 
Sejmiour's  note.  Lady  Shuckburgh  cannot  imagine 
Mary  Steadman  to  be  capable  of  cooking  anything 
except  for  the  servants'  hall  table.     November  4th.' 

No.  3.  '  Lady  Seymour  presents  her  compli- 
ments to  Lady  Shuckburgh,  and  begs  she  will  order 
her  housekeeper,  Mrs.  Couch,  to  send  the  girl's  char- 
acter, otherwise  another  young  woman  will  be  sought 
for  elsewhere,  as  Lady  Seymour's  children  cannot 
remain  without  their  dinners  because  Lady  Shuck- 
burgh, keeping  a  professed  cook  and  housekeeper, 
thinks  a  knowledge  of  the  details  of  her  estabhsh- 
ment  beneath  her  notice.  Lady  Seymour  under- 
stands from  Steadman  that,  in  addition  to  her 
other  talents,  she  was  actually  capable  of  cooking 
food  for  the  little  Shuckburghs  to  partake  of  when 
hungry.' 

There  is  a  drawing  of  a  round  table  and  all  the 
little  Shuckburghs  bolting  chops  cooked  by  the 
said  Mary  Steadman. 

No.  4.  From  the  housekeeper. 

*  Madam, — Lady  Shuckburgh  has  directed  me  to 
acquaint  you  that  she  declines  answering  your  note, 
the  vulgarity  of  which  she  thinks  beneath  her  con- 


136        A  WAKWICKSHIEE   FAMILY 

tempt,  and  although  it  may  be  characteristic  of  the 
Sheridans  to  be  vulgar,  coarse,  and  witty,  it  is  not 
that  of  a  lady,  unless  she  chances  to  have  been  horn 
in  a  garret  and  hred  in  a  kitchen.  Mary  Steadman 
informs  me  that  your  ladyship  does  not  keep  either 
a  cook  or  housekeeper,  and  that  you  only  require 
a  girl  who  can  cook  a  mutton  chop ;  if  so,  I  appre- 
hend that  Mary  Steadman,  or  any  other  scullion,  will 
be  found  fully  equal  to  the  establishment  of  the 
Queen  of  Beauty. 

'  I  am,  madam, 

'Your  Ladyship's,  &c.,  &c., 

'Elizabeth  Couch.' 

Brownsover  Hall  is  a  delightful  old  residence,  re- 
built and  decorated  by  Sir  Gilbert  Scott,  R.A.,  and 
stands  in  one  of  the  most  picturesque  spots  in 
the  vicinity.  It  was  the  birthplace  of  the  Eev. 
Theodosius  Egerton  B.  W.-Boughton-Leigh,  M.A., 
Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  and  the  Vicar  of  New- 
bold-on-Avon,  1852-1902,  as  mentioned  under  the 
heading  of  that  parish.  His  elder  brother,  John 
Boughton,  who  died  at  the  early  age  of  twenty-two 
years,  would  have  made  a  worthy  successor  to  the 
estates  and  halls  had  his  life  been  spared.  He  had 
already  displayed  great  ability  and  was  fond  of  sport. 


BROWNSOVEB   HALL 


To  face  p,  136] 


BKOWNSOVER  137 

Educated  at  Harrow,  he  matriculated  at  Trinity 
College,  Cambridge,  as  a  fellow  commoner,  1837, 
where  he  seems  to  have  been  held  in  high  esteem 
and  very  popular,  a  good  story  is  still  told  about 
him. 

He  was  a  keen  huntsman,  and  having  infringed 
the  regulations,  was  called  in  question  by  the  autho- 
rities. Whereupon  he  dressed  up  a  capital  figure  of 
himself  overnight  in  his  hunting-coat,  breeches,  top- 
boots  (Wellingtons  were  worn  in  those  days),  and 
spurs,  and  having  obtained  a  pole  he  fixed  it 
outside  his  window  (which,  being  in  Nevile's  Court, 
was  opposite  to  that  of  his  tutor),  and  hung  the 
effigy  upon  it  to  frighten  the  dons ;  which  he 
managed  to  do  effectually,  for,  looking  out  early 
in  the  morning,  they  saw  the  figure  and  fully 
believed  that  he  had  hanged  himself,  and  rushing 
across  to  cut  him  down,  were  so  overcome  by  the 
reaction  of  their  spirits  when  they  discovered  the 
plot,  that  they  quite  forgot  his  former  transgressions 
of  the  college  laws. 

He  left  Cambridge  early,  and  obtained  his  com- 
mission in  the  ist  Dragoon  Guards,  but  had  the 
great  misfortune  in  the  spring  of  1839,  whilst  at 
Leeds,  to  meet  with  a  serious  accident  which  even- 
tually proved   fatal.      He   was   driving   a   spirited 


138         A  WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

horse  in  a  dogcart  out  of  the  barrack-yard,  when  it 
reared  up  and  fell  backwards  upon  him,  stunning 
him,  and  causing  concussion  of  the  brain.  After 
a  delay  of  six  weeks,  he  left  with  the  intention  of 
rejoining  his  regiment  in  Canada.  His  father  met 
him  at  Plymouth,  and  writing  home  to  his  wife,  says : 
'  Boughton  appears  heart  and  soul  devoted  to  the 
Service,  and  thought  no  more  of  going  to  Canada 
than  you  would  to  the  greenhouse.  When  he  heard 
of  another  officer  going  in  a  comparatively  luxu- 
rious manner  by  a  large  steamer  in  perhaps  fifteen 
days,  and  he  destined  to  rough  it  in  a  merchantman, 
which  will  probably  be  two  months  weathering  the 
stormy  Atlantic,  he  said,  "  His  place  was  with  his 
men,  and  he  preferred  the  fulfilment  of  his  duty 
and  sticking  by  his  regiment  to  going  out  in  any 
other  way,"  and  his  feelings  of  gratitude  to  us  were 
to  the  brim.' 

He  set  sail  in  the  Earl  of  Durham  at  3  a.m.. 
May  23,  1839,  ^^*  ^^^^  days  later  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  a  Government  steamer,  being  placed  under 
the  care  of  the  chaplain,  the  Rev.  Rowland  Bloxam, 
conveyed  back  to  Plymouth,  and  taken  to  the 
Military  Hospital  there,  where  he  was  found  to  be 
suffering  from  the  effects  of  the  accident,  greatly 
accelerated  by  sea-sickness.     He  was  attended  by 


BROWNSOVER  139 

three  medical  men,  who,  after  the  manner  of  those 
days,  at  once  bled  him  in  both  temporal  arteries 
and  also  in  the  arm,  and  he  quickly  succumbed  to  the 
treatment,  dying,  before  the  return  of  his  father,  at 
10  p.m.  the  same  day,  Monday,  May  27,  1839. 

Before  we  leave  the  archives  of  the  Hall,  the 
following  little  reminiscence  in  connexion  with  the 
old  squire  and  his  wife  appears  too  typical  to  be 
omitted  : — 

When  the  writer  and  his  elder  brother  were  small 
boys  at  Rugby  School,  their  uncle  (the  late  Mr.  Alles- 
ley  Ward-Boughton-Leigh),  then  a  happy  bachelor, 
whilst  dining  one  evening  at  the  Vicarage,  Newbold- 
on-Avon,  promised  them  a  pony,  and  their  expecta- 
tion knew  no  bounds  of  delight ;  but  day  after  day 
and  month  after  month  passed  away,  and  no  pony 
arrived.  Many  years  elapsed,  and  the  boys  became 
men,  when  the  younger  of  the  two,  who  became 
Rector  of  Harborough  Magna,  called  at  a  late  hour, 
as  was  his  custom  in  those  days,  upon  his  uncle, 
who,  in  the  course  of  conversation,  said :  '  Did  not 
I  once  promise  you  a  pony.  Rector?'  *Yes,  you 
did  promise  one  to  my  elder  brother  and  myself 
when  we  were  boys.'  'Did  you  ever  get  it?' 
*Get  it!  no,  I  should  think  not,  indeed.  We  waited 
anxiously  expecting,  but   the  pony  never  arrived. 


I40         A  WAEWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

Did  you  ever  send  if ? '  '  Well,  no,  I  don't  think 
I  ever  did :  but  I  will  make  up  for  it  now  and  give 
you  one  I've  got  in  the  stable.'  '  Oh,  thank  you, 
and  as  there 's  no  time  like  the  present,  I  wiU  have 
it  now.*  *  Hem  !  It's  rather  late,  but  I'll  see.'  Eings 
the  bell ;  enter  gamekeeper.  '  Keeper,  is  the  coach- 
man gone  to  bed  ? '  '  No,  su-,  he  ain't ;  he 's  a  having 
a  poipe  along  with  me  in  case  yer  rang.'  '  Well,  send 
and  fetch  him.'  Does  so  ;  enter  coachman.  *  Coach- 
man, I  want  you  to  take  the  cream-coloured  pony 
over  to  Harborough  Magna  Rectoiy  to-night ;  I  have 
given  him  to  the  Eector,  and  he  says  "  there's  no 
time  like  the  present ",  and  you  will  be  sure  to  get 
a  big  tip,  you  know.'  *  It  is  a  bit  late,  sir,  but  I'll 
take  it  at  once.' 

Some  time  aftei*wards  the  Eector  returned  home, 
and  retii'ed  for  the  night,  but  awoke  in  the  early 
horn's  of  the  morning  by  heai'ing  the  pony  in  the 
yard,  and  going  out  later  on  found  that  it  was  not  in 
the  stable,  and  upon  making  inqumes  in  the  village 
he  ascertained  that  the  Brownsover  coaclunan  had 
been  seen  leading  the  pony  back  to  the  Hall ;  so, 
quickly  following  to  learn  the  reason,  he  inquired  of 
his  uncle  if  he  knew  anything  about  it ;  he  looked 
confused  and  simply  said,  '  Oh,  never  mind ;  I  vdH 
give   you  another.'     Seeing   that    further    explana- 


BROWKSOA^R  141 

tions  might  be  embaiTassing,  the  subject  was  allowed 
to  drop,  and  alas  !  '  another '  never  arrived  ;  but  a 
few  years  later  on,  the  riddle  was  solved  by  John 
Deacon,  who  was  at  the  time  right-hand  man  at  the 
Hall.  He  chaffingly  remarked  to  the  Rector,  '  You 
never  got  that  pony,  did  yer.  Sir?  and  I'll  tell  yer 
how  it  happened.  You  remember  when  the  coach- 
man and  keeper  were  in  the  room  along  with  you  and 
yer  imcle  ;  well,  yer  aunt  were  outside,  and  hearing 
what  was  agoing  on,  told  the  coachman  when  he 
came  out  that  he  must  keep  his  word  and  take  the 
pony  over,  but  fetch  it  back  first  thing  next  morning, 
and  that 's  why  he  did  it,  and  yer  didn't  get  it  after  all.' 
Shortly  aftei-wards,  the  aunt  sent  the  pony  into 
Rugby,  and  it  fell  down  dead  in  the  shafts. 

Not  long  aftei-wards  the  same  uncle  was  at 
Harborough  Magna  Rectory,  and  seeing  an  antique 
sideboard  said  he  had  one  of  Sir  Egerton  Leigh's 
cellarets  at  the  Hall  and  they  would  just  match,  and 
promised  to  give  it  to  the  writer,  who  called  for  it 
according  to  aiTangement,  and  saw  the  housekeeper, 
who  said  no  one  was  at  home,  and  she  could  not  find 
the  cellai'et  anywhere  ;  but  thinking  she  knew  some- 
thing, she  was  pressed  a  Uttle  further,  and  admitted 
that  her  mistress  had  bidden  her  make  use  of  it  at 
once,  and  keep  it  out  of  sight,  and  on  no  account 


142         A  WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

allow  it  to  be  taken  out  of  the  house,  but  she  had 
heard  her  master  tell  her  mistress  that  he  had  given 
it  to  the  Rector,  and  that  it  was  to  be  dusted  and 
got  ready.  Thinking  the  situation  dangerous  and 
that  prompt  action  was  advisable,  the  proverbial  tip 
was  brought  into  requisition  and  the  cellaret  was 
produced,  and  being  cleared  of  its  newly-acquired 
contents,  wool  and  knitting  needles,  &c.,  was  speedily 
conveyed  to  the  Rectory,  where  it  still  remains  in 
peace. 

The  writer  could  relate  many  similar  stories,  but 
the  above  may  suffice  to  tell  their  own  tale,  and  to 
show  how  many  a  kindly  action  gets  nipped  in  the 
bud  and  a  noble  deed  frustrated  to  the  detriment  of 
the  wrong  person. 

Leaving  the  Church  and  Hall,  we  wander  over  the 
wooden  bridge  and  wind  our  way  through  meadow- 
land  until  we  come  to  the  '  long  planks '  leading 
over  the  Avon,  which  stream,  so  memorable  in 
Shakespeare's  county,  assumes  here  for  the  first 
time  in  its  tortuous  windings  the  proud  dignity  of 
a  river.  We  meet  with  picturesque  glimpses  of 
woodland  scenery,  amid  the  bathing-places  known 
to  Rugby  schoolboys  of  the  past  as  'The  Swifts', 
around  which  still  linger  memories  grave  and 
cheerful.     Here  many  a  Rugby  lad  has  first  dis- 


BROWNSOVER  143 

played  his  skill  in  swimming ;  here  too  several 
promising  boys  (one  well  known  to  the  writer) 
have  met  their  doom.  A  little  lower  down  the 
stream  the  Swift  joins  the  Avon.  This  winding 
brook  has  been  rendered  memorable  by  the  sacri- 
legious action  of  the  Comicil  of  Constance  in  the 
year  141 5.  By  their  decree  the  ashes  of  '  the  Star 
of  the  Reformation',  John  Wycliife,  were  disin- 
terred from  the  chancel  at  Lutterworth  Church,  and 
being  burnt  were  cast  into  this  stream  at  the  point 
where  it  passes  under  the  bridge  below  Lutterworth. 
In  their  eager  attempt  to  exterminate  the  remains 
of  this  great  reformer  they  threw  his  ashes  into  the 
Swift,  and  the  Swift,  pleased  with  its  new  burden, 
smilingly  bore  them  along  its  course  and  committed 
them  to  the  Avon,  and  the  Avon  carried  them  to 
the  Severn,  and  the  Severn  bore  them  to  the  sea, 
and  the  great  Atlantic  tossed  them  hither  and 
thither  to  all  parts  of  the  world,  and  with  them 
the  grand  truths  of  that  glorious  gospel  which  he 
preached  ; —  so  these  misguided  men  of  old  perpetu- 
ated for  ever  that  which  they  sought  so  eagerly  to 
destroy,  namely,  the  Protestant  doctrines  which  '  the 
Star  of  the  Reformation '  so  heroically  disseminated. 
We  may  well  here  repeat,  in  the  words  of  the 
poet : — 


144        A  WARWICKSHIEE  FAMILY 

But  strew  his  ashes  to  the  wind 
Whose  sword  or  voice  has  served  mankind. 

And  is  he  dead,  whose  glorious  mind 
Lifts  thine  on  high? 

To  live  in  hearts  we  leave  behind 
Is  not  to  die. 


But  these  august  and  solemn  memories  are  not 
the  only  ones  which  gild  with  immortal  lustre  these 
flowery  vales.  Here,  in  the  time  of  the  great  Eliza- 
bethan Queen,  came  no  less  a  local  benefactor  than 
the  noble  founder,  Lawrence  Sheriff,  whose  generous 
deeds  still  stand  forth  as  a  ray  of  white  light  across 
the  historic  annals  of  this  country-side.  But  his 
true-hearted  legacy  to  his  native  town  and  neigh- 
bourhood has  been  frustrated  by  subsequent  Acts  of 
Parliament,  and  the  free  education  he  meant  the 
children  of  this  district  to  inherit  for  all  time  has 
been  annulled.  Who  can  tell  what  happy  thoughts 
and  pleasing  inspirations  were  awakened  in  young 
Sheriff's  mind  as,  in  the  days  of  long  ago,  he  sat  or 
walked  in  contemplation  by  this  streamlet's  banks  ? 
Can  we  not  fancy  we  see  him  before  he  journeyed 
to  the  great  city  to  make  his  fortune  ?  And  still 
more,  can  we  fail  to  recollect  that  the  vision  of  this 
tranquil  vale  must  have  oft  recurred  to  his  own 
inner  vision  as  he  looked  out  on  the  busy  capital  of 
his  own  day  ?   May  not  the  thought  and  love  of  this 


BEOWNSOVEE  145 

his  fatherland,  deeply  imprinted  on  memory's  page, 
have  aroused  and  inspired  that  charitable  chivalry 
within  his  breast,  that  love  for  those  situated  in 
less  fortunate  positions,  to  bequeath  something  of 
this  world's  goods  for  the  weal  of  posterity.  Such 
country  districts  as  these  are  fall  of  stimulating 
ideals.  Even  our  own  great  Warwickshire  bard, 
the  immortal  Shakespeare — friend  as  he  was  of  the 
Boughtons  and  their  home  amid  the  meadow- 
sweets— tells  us  in  his  own  simple  but  majestic 
lines  : — 

And  this  our  life,  exempt  from  public  haunt, 

Finds  tongues  in  trees,  books  in  the  running  brooks, 

Sermons  in  stones,  and  good  in  everything. 

And  in  times  within  living  memory,  here  came 
'  the  good  John  Moultrie ',  the  rector-poet,  wander- 
ing in  those  early  morning  rambles  which  find 
eternal  bloom  in  the  tender  lines  of  his  lyrics. 
We,  who  remember  him  (although  we  belong  per- 
haps to  a  younger  generation),  see  through  the 
matchless  purity  of  his  poems  the  exhilarating 
influence  he  derived  from  these  quiet  strolls  before 
the  world  of  men  and  business  awoke.  At  an  hour 
when  the  birds  chanted  their  fei'vent  symphonies, 
when  Nature  was  attired  in  her  flowery  robe,  when 
earth  was  fresh  with  the  freshness  as  of  eternal 

L 


146         A  WARWICKSHIEE   FAMILY 

youth,  and  sky  seemed  glad,  then  it  was  that 
Moultrie's  mind  received  impressions  from  these 
pastoral  scenes,  which  will  live  for  ever  in  his 
exquisite  verse. 

Here,  too,  came  other  men  that  we  remember, 
whose  names  will  be  handed  down  to  the  end  of 
time — Matthew  Holbeche  Bloxam,  Thomas  Hughes, 
better  known  as  '  Tom  Brown ',  and  many  other 
sons  of  our  illustrious  School  have  paused  on  their 
frequent  rambles  to  '  yonder  sacred  shrine '. 

Bloxam,  more  especially,  was  deeply  attached  to 
the  spot.  He  loved  it  with  affectionate  reverence, 
as  he  beheld  there  the  link  of  ten  centuries  of 
unbroken  history  —  ancient  civilization,  British, 
Roman,  and  Anglo-Saxon ;  every  style  of  Gothic 
architecture ;  every  memorable  epoch  of  British 
history  ;  the  legends  and  romances  ;  the  picturesque 
in  dress  and  manners  ;  the  golden  light  of  mediaeval 
life  and  character  of  those  matchless  days  when 
monk  and  nun,  secular  and  regular,  friar  and  Do- 
minican, came  thither  to  offer  a  prayer  or  dispense 
alms  at  the  shrine  of  St.  Michael. 

Thomas  Hughes,  perhaps  the  best  known  of  Old 
Rugbeians,  in  his  world-renowned  book,  Tom  Brown's 
Schooldays^  tells  us  of  many  a  day  spent  here  amid 
the  green  meadows  and  splasliing  streams  ;  of  many 


BROWNSOVER  147 

a  ramble  through  the  spinneys  to  the  west,  and 
deadly  encounters  with  '  Velveteens ',  one  of  the 
keepers  at  Brownsover  Hall. 

Arthur  Stanley,  too,  whilst  still  a  boy  at  Rugby, 
writes  touchingly  on  this  retreat,  though  in  the 
more  serious  harmony  of  classic  verse  : — 

Turn  thee  to  yonder  meads ;  a  silver  gleam 
Betrays  where  Avon  guides  his  classic  stream ; 
Loved  of  the  Nine,  upon  whose  hallowed  shore 
The  muse  of  Shakespeare  first  began  to  soar  ;— 
And  still  the  muses  on  thy  margin  dwell, 
Dear  stream,  as  yonder  rising  towers  can  tell ; 
Tor  thou,  Brownsover,  hast  produced  a  gem 
Eicher  than  those  of  glory's  diadem. 
'Twas  in  thee  first  that  Sheriff's  youthful  mind 
Swelled  with  desire  to  benefit  mankind  ; 
To  his  best  charity  and  honest  worth 
Bright  seat  of  learning,  Rugby,  owes  its  birth. 


L  2 


CLIFTON-UPON-DUNSMORE,    THE   MOTHER   CHUKCH   OF    RUGBY 

CHAPTER  IX 

RUGBY 

Rugby,  a  market  town,  is  situated  sixteen  and  a 
half  miles  (ENE.)  from  Warwick  and  eighty-three 
{WW.  by  N.)  from  London.  In  the  year  1831  the 
population  was  2,300,  at  which  period  it  consisted 
of  one  street,  High  Street,  leading  to  the  Market 
Place,  and  a  smaller  street  running  parallel  to  it, 
known  as  the  Shambles.  The  houses  of  brick  were 
fairly  well  built  and  of  modern  appearance,  though 
occasionally  here  and  there  were  to  be  seen 
ancient  plastered  walls  and  thatched  roofs,  of  which, 


KUGBY  149 

alas!  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1906,  only  four  or 
five  remain. 

The  name  of  the  place  was  Eocheberie  at  first, 
so  far  as  it  is  traceable ;  and  probably  in  the 
time  of  Stephen  the  nobles  of  the  day  erected  for- 
tresses here  in  the  expectation  of  Matilda's  invasion. 
In  the  reign  of  Henry  III  we  find  Henry  de  Eokeby 
the  owner,  and  it  is  from  him  that  the  name  of 
Rugby  is  derived.  The  town  is  pleasantly  situated 
upon  rising  ground  on  the  south  side  of  the  Avon, 
and  formerly  was  a  hamlet  of  Clifton-upon-Duns- 
more,  but  in  the  year  1221  the  chapel  of  ease, 
dedicated  to  St.  Andrew,  was  made  into  a  separate 
parish  church  with  a  rectory  attached,  and  the 
living  is  now  a  rectory  in  the  archdeaconry  of 
Coventry  and  diocese  of  Worcester,  and  is  in  the 
patronage  of  the  Earl  of  Craven. 

The  old  church  was  very  interesting,  in  the  early 
style  of  English  architecture,  with  massive  square 
embattled  tower  which  still  survives  restoration 
work.  The  latter  is  strengthened  by  buttresses  and 
turret  at  the  south-east  angle,  to  which  there  was 
no  entrance  but  from  the  interior,  and  which  was 
probably  erected  as  a  place  of  security  after  the 
destruction  of  the  Castle.  Very  little,  if  any,  of  the 
remainder   of  the  original  church,   however,    now 


I50         A  WARWICKSHIKE  FAMILY 

exists,  and  the  sacred  building,  as  it  is  presented  to 
us  at  the  present  time,  is  worthy  of  taking  rank 
amongst  the  finest  specimens  of  our  modern  parish 
churches. 

Turchill  de  Warwick  was  lord  of  the  manor  at 
the  time  of  the  Norman  Survey.  The  manorial 
rights  subsequently  passed  into  the  possession  of 
Ernaldus  de  Bosco,  through  whose  family  they  came 
to  Henry  de  Rokeby,  who  founded  here  in  the 
thirteenth  century  a  monastic  Grange  upon  the  site 
of  the  present  Rectory,  and  whose  descendants  sold 
the  manorial  rights  and  advowson  of  the  church  to 
Sir  John  Goband,  whose  son  resold  them  to  Ralph 
Lord  Stafford.  In  the  thirty-eighth  year  of  the 
reign  of  Henry  VI  they  reverted  to  the  Crown,  and 
John  Lord  Dudley  obtained  them  from  Richard  III, 
in  the  first  year  of  his  reign.  He  does  not,  however, 
appear  to  have  held  them  for  a  long  period,  for  we 
find  them  again  in  the  possession  of  the  Stafford 
family,  through  whom  they  once  more  reverted  to 
the  Crown,  and  Henry  VIII  granted  them  to  Sir 
Gilbert  Talboys,  from  whom  they  passed  in  1560 
to  John  Wyrley — presumably  one  of  the  Wyrleys 
of  Warley  Abbey,  Worcestershire,  and  the  latter 
sold  them  to  Richard  Burnabye  in  1594.  In  17 10 
they   passed  to   Sir  William   Boughton,   of  Law- 


SIR    EGERTON    LEIGH,    BART. 


FACSIMILE    OF    INSCRIPTION    ON    THE  FOUNDATION    STONE 
To  fact  J5.  151] 


RUGBY  151 

ford  Hall,  Bart.,  whose  family  also  possessed  Causton 
Hall  and  a  seat  at  Rugby,  known  as  the  Mano- 
rial Hall,  which  appears  to  have  been  erected  upon 
the  site  of  the  old  Castle,  formerly  surrounded  by 
an  ancient  moat,  a  few  traces  of  which  were 
preserved  until  quite  recently.  This  property — 
or  a  portion  thereof  (the  trustees  seemingly  finding 
it  difficult  to  trace  its  entirety  through  the  lapse  of 
time) — was  left  as  a  free  gift  to  the  poor  of  Long 
Lawford  by  Sir  Edward  Boughton,  Bart.  The 
old  Bank^,  facing  the  parish  church,  is  built 
thereon,  and  will  in  due  time,  when  the  lease 
expires,  bring  to  the  recipients  about  £150  per 
annum. 

There  are  several  places  of  worship  in  the  town. 
The  first  Baptist  Chapel  was  erected  upon  the  pre- 
sent site  in  1803,  by  Sir  Egerton  Leigh,  of  Har- 
borough  Parva  and  Brownsover  Hall,  Bart.,  the 
foundation-stone  being  laid  by  his  wife.  Lady  Leigh. 
The  chapel  was  enlarged  forty-five  years  later,  and 
again  in  1887. 

A  new  chapel  and  school  have  been  erected  (1906), 
at   a   cost  of  nearly  £8,000,  for  the  Baptist  com- 

^  In  the  occupation  of  Messrs.  Lloyd  &  Co.,  although  Lloyd's 
Bank  was  moved  in  May,  1905,  into  adjoining  premises,  erected 
on  a  portion  of  this  ancient  domain. 


152        A  WAKWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

munity  in  St.  Andrew's  Street,  Rugby,  with  a 
fitting  memorial- stone  bearing  the  name  of  the 
illustrious  founder. 

The  Wesleyan  Chapel,  adjoining  the  Eagle  Hotel 
in  the  Market  Place,  is  a  large  and  substantial  build- 
ing of  brick  and  stone.  Sir  William  McArthur  laid 
the  foundation-stone  on  May  29,  1868.  The  Sunday 
schools  are  beneath  the  chapel.  The  Primitive 
Methodists  also  have  a  place  of  worship  in  the 
town  of  Rugby.  It  is  well  built  of  red  brick  and 
stone,  and  was  erected  in  the  year  1878. 

The  Parish  Church  of  St.  Andrew's  was  founded 
in  or  about  the  year  1140.  We  find  no  trace  of 
a  church  or  chapel  of  ease  in  Rugby  at  the  time 
of  the  Norman  Survey.  The  town  itself  did  not 
exist  at  that  period,  being  only  a  very  small  hamlet 
of  Clifton-upon-Dunsmore.  In  the  year  1253  Henry 
de  Rokeby,  the  then  patron  of  the  living,  rebuilt 
the  chancel,  and  about  100  years  later  Ralph 
Lord  Stafford  rebuilt  and  extended  the  nave 
and  erected  the  present  tower.  From  this  period 
the  church  appears  to  have  held  its  own,  and 
escaped  any  further  restoration  until  after  the 
Reformation.  In  1797  the  South  aisle  was  erected, 
and  seventeen  years  later  the  church  was  further 
enlarged  by  the  extension  of  both  aisles  and  the 


RUGBY  153 

building  of  a  new  chancel  and  vestry,  another  aisle 
being  added  in  the  year  1830  from  a  plan  prepared 
by  Rickman  (the  eminent  architectural  writer) ;  but, 
subsequently,  owing  to  the  rapid  growth  of  the 
town,  the  old  building  was  condemned  and  entirely 
razed  to  the  ground,  with  the  exception  of  the  old 
tower  and  the  four  arches  which  were  erected  in 
the  fourteenth  century. 

Amongst  all  the  goodly  list  of  rectors  handed 
down  to  us,  the  one  whose  name  must  stand  out 
alone  as  pre-eminently  supreme  is  that  of  John 
Moultrie  (well  known  to  the  author  in  his  boyhood's 
days),  whose  marble  tablet,  erected  as  it  is  at  the 
north-east  corner  of  the  Moultrie  Aisle,  tells  us 
that  '  This  aisle,  formerly  the  nave  of  the  original 
church,  was  rebuilt  in  loving  memory  of  the  poet- 
pastor,  the  good  John  Moultrie,  fifty  years  Rector 
of  Rugby ;  born  December  31st,  1799,  and  died 
December  26th,  1874,  of  illness  caught  in  visiting 
the  sick  of  his  flock.  "  The  good  shepherd  giveth 
his  life  for  the  sheep " '.  It  would  perhaps  ill 
become  us  to  pick  and  choose  between  the  lyrics 
he  has  left,  full  of  sweetness  and  purity,  to  gladden 
our  lives,  but  the  one  that  appears  to  appeal  most 
touchingly  perhaps  to  the  innermost  feelings  is  that 
entitled  '  The  Three  Sons '.    I  well  remember,  when 


154         A  WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

a  boy,  how  my  father  used  to  quote  it  to  us,  his 
children,  when  he  would  compare  his  two  eldest 
sons  to  the  boys  of  five  and  three  : — 

I  have  a  son,  a  little  son,  a  boy  just  five  years  old, 
With  eyes  of  thoughtful  earnestness  and  mind  of  gentle  mould. 
They  tell  me  that  unusual  grace  in  all  his  ways  appears, 
That  my  child  is  grave  and  wise  of  heart  beyond  his  childish 
years. 

I  have  a  son,  a  second  son,  a  simple  child  of  three; 
I'll  not  declare  how  bright  and  fair  his  little  features  be, 
How  silver  sweet  those  tones  of  his  when  he  prattles  on  my 

knee, 
I  do  not  think  his  light  blue  eye  is,  like  his  brother's,  keen, 
Nor  his  brow  so  full  of  childish  thought  as  his  hath  ever  been. 

I  have  a  son,  a  third  sweet  son,  his  age  I  cannot  tell, 

For  they  reckon  not  by  years  and  months  where  he  is  gone 

to  dwell. 
To  us  for  fourteen  anxious  months  his  infant  smiles  were  given. 
And  then  he  bade  farewell  to  earth  and  went  to  live  in  heaven. 

When  we  think  of  what  our  darling  is,  and  what  we  still 

must  be, — 
When  we  muse  on  that  world's  perfect  bliss,  and  this  world's 

misery, — 
When  we  groan  beneath  this  load  of  sin,  and  feel  this  grief 

and  pain, — 
Oh !  we'd  rather  lose  our  other  two,  than  have  him  here  again. 

It  was  no  mere  passing  incident  that  brought 
Moultrie  here  early  in  the  twenties,  fresh  from 
Eton  and  Cambridge,  full  of  brilliant  scholarship, 
and  surrounded  by  such  University  friends  as 
Macaulay  and  Praed,   in  preparation,  as   it   were. 


EUGBY  155 

for  that  particular  moment  when  Thomas  Arnold 
was^to  commence  a  few  years  later  that  marvellous 
task  of  his,  the  reformation,  with  his  very  life 
blood,  of  Kugby  School.  How  could  two  such  minds 
help  starting  that  pure  and   noble  example  here 


THOMAS   ABNOLD 


which  shall  influence  for  good  all  that  come  after 
them,  even  to  the  end  of  time?  They  at  once 
became  like  brothers.  Both  were  profoundly  sincere 
and  reUgious  men,  linking  together  the  highest 
intellectual  thought  of  the  sister  Universities  of 
the  day.  But  we  must  pass  on  to  consider  that 
magnificent  institution,  the  School  itself,  which  for 


156        A  WAKWICKSHIKE   FAMILY 

so  many  years  has  been  the  distinguishing  feature 
of  Rugby.  Founded  in  1567,  in  the  ninth  year  of 
the  reign  of  Elizabeth,  by  Lawrence  Sheriff,  a  native 
of  Brownsover,  near  Rugby,  and  citizen  of  London^ 
who  endowed  it  with  a  house  and  land  in  his  native 
village  and  with  about  eight  acres  of  land  called 
the  Conduit  Close,  near  the  Foundling  Hospital, 
London,  at  that  time  the  income  was  very  small, 
and  in  the  year  1780  the  rental  did  not  exceed 
£16,  but  the  subsequent  improvement  of  the 
London  estate  has  brought  the  revenue  up  to  about 
£6,ocx)  per  annum.  The  founder  was  born  early 
in  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII,  in  a  house  built  of 
wood  and  stone,  situated  about  the  centre  of 
Brownsover,  close  to  the  chapel  of  St.  Michael. 
In  the  year  1566  he  was  elected  Warden  of  the 
Grocers'  Company,  and  carried  on  business  in 
Newgate  Street,  London,  E.C.  He  made  his  will 
on  July  22,  1567,  wherein  he  named  Rugby  and 
Brownsover.  He  revisited  his  birthplace  five 
weeks  later,  and  added  a  codicil  to  his  will  which 
proved  of  the  greatest  benefit  to  the  future  position 
of  the  School.  The  codicil  is  dated  the  last  day  of 
August,  1567,  only  sixteen  days  before  his  death. 
By  his  will  Lawrence  Sheriff  expressed  a  desire  to  be 
buried  at  Rugby,  but  this  wish  was  not  carried  out, 


RUGBY  157 

and  his  moi*tal  remains  were  consigned  to  the  grave 
in  the  Greyfriars  Church,  London.  In  the  ancient 
register  the  following  entry  may  be  found : — 

September,  1567 
The  XVI.  Daye  was  buryed  Mr.  Lawrence  Shyryfe. 

In  his  will  the  founder  ordered  that  '  for  ever  there 
should  be  a  free  Grammar  School  kept  within  the 
said  schoole  house  to  serve  chiefly  for  the  Children 
of  Rugby  and  Brownsover  aforesaid  and  next  for 
such  as  bee  of  other  places  thereunto  adjoining'. 
This  was  altered  to  a  given  radius  of  ten  miles 
around  Rugby  in  the  first  instance,  and  subse- 
quently to  the  children  of  parents  who  had  pre- 
viously resided  for  two  years  within  five  miles  of 
Rugby,  and  the  boys  were  termed  foundationers. 
As  the  School  grew  strong  in  numbers  and  rich  in 
endowment  this  privilege  of  free  education  became 
an  enormous  benefit  to  the  town.  Men  of  title  and 
renown,  but  lacking  a  superfluity  of  this  world's 
goods,  widowed  ladies  of  rank,  blessed  with  the 
responsibility  of  education  but  sometimes  with 
scanty  means,  retired  officers  and  others  gladly 
accepted  the  advantage,  and  their  sons  mingled 
freely  as  foundationers  of  Rugby  School  with  the 
sons  of  honest  toil,  whose  parents  were  occupied 


158        A  WAEWICKSHIKE   FAMILY 

in  the  many  industries  of  the  town  and  neighbour- 
hood, until  the  ill-fated  day  came  round  and  the 
spoiler's  hand  was  busy  once  again.  Can  we  forgive, 
or  ever  forget  ? — forgive  we  may  perhaps,  but  forget, 
ah  no ! — that  day  when  men  were  found  to  bear 
evidence  according  to  their  conscience  that 
Lawrence  Sheriff— notwithstanding  the  wording  of 
his  last  will  and  codicil,  w^herein  he  carefully  named 
Eugby  and  Brownsover  and  the  villages  adjoining 
his  old  home  to  be  the  sole  recipients  of  his  bounty 
— that  they  believed  that  he  intended  to  'Benefit 
the  Good  of  Education  in  General'  rather  than 
his  own  native  surroundings,  the  neighbourhood 
wherein  he  was  born,  and  which  like  many  another 
Englishman  he  had  learned  to  love ;  thus  it  came 
to  pass,  to  the  irretrievable  loss  of  those  mentioned 
by  the  founder.  The  will  and  codicil  of  1567  were 
set  on  one  side,  and  an  Act  of  Parhament  passed 
which,  at  one  fell  swoop,  demolished  with  ruth- 
less hand  the  inestimable  boon  which  our  generous 
benefactor  had  bestowed  upon  his  birthplace,  in 
the  vain  hope  that  it  would  be  a  priceless  benefit 
to  his  friends  and  neighbours  and  their  posterity 
for  ever. 

Twelve  years  after  the  death  of  Lawrence  Sheriff, 
in  the  year  1579,  ^^^  sister  Bridgett,  the  wife  of 


KUGBY  159 

John  Howkins,  gave  birth  to  a  son  who  Hved  to  be 
nearly  100  years  old,  and  it  was  not  until  liis  death 
that  the  long  wearisome  lawsuits  concerning  the 
charity  embracing  the  Rugby  School  property  came 
to  an  end.  He  was  buried  in  the  chancel  of  the 
chapel  at  Brownsover,  and  we  find  this  entry  in 
the  register : — '  John  Howkins,  of  South  Mimms  in 
the  county  of  Middlesex,  Gentleman,  was  buried  at 
Brownsover,  the  21st  day  of  November,  1678.' 

The  names  of  the  very  early  masters  of  Rugby 
School  have  not  been  preserved,  but  the  list  of 
head  masters  handed  down  to  us  commences  with 
the  name  of  Richard  Steele,  who  was  appointed 
about  the  year  1602.  Ralph  Pearce  (concerning 
whom  a  petition  was  drawn  up  and  presented  to 
Lord  Dunsmore)  was  appointed  in  1605.  In  1675 
Robert  Ashbridge,  M.A.,  was  elected,  and  it  is  to 
him  that  we  owe  the  commencement  of  the  register 
of  the  boys  entering  the  School.  Henry  Holyoak, 
the  eleventh  head  master,  was  appointed  in  1687. 
He  was  formerly  one  of  the  chaplains  of  Magdalen 
College,  Oxford,  but  was  deprived  of  that  office  for 
refusing  to  obey  the  mandate  of  James  II.  He  was 
readmitted  in  1688,  and  resigned  the  chaplaincy, 
continuing  Master  of  Rugby  until  the  year  1731. 
By  his  will,  dated  Feb.   11,  1730,  he  made  many 


i6o        A  WARWICKSHIEE  FAMILY 

bequests  to  charities,  including  one  for  'fifty 
shillings  to  the  poor  of  Harborow'  (Harborough 
Magna).  'I  do  also  leave  to  the  School  of  Rugby 
all  my  books,  and  the  two  pictures  of  my  Grand- 
father and  Father,  if  the  Honble.  the  Trustees  shall 
think  all  or  any  of  them  worth  y^"  acceptance  ;  if 
not,  to  be  sold  with  the  rest  of  my  goods  by  my 
Executor.'  The  books  were  carefully  preserved 
up  to  about  the  middle  of  the  nineteenth  century 
by  the  School  authorities,  but  they  have  since 
mysteriously  disappeared. 

Mr.  Holyoak  was  a  famous  schoolmaster,  and 
perhaps  did  more  for  the  School  than  any  who  were 
before  him  or  who  came  after  him,  until  the  days 
of  Arnold,  who  was  appointed  in  1828.  The 
School  greatly  increased  during  Mr.  Holyoak's  time, 
and  there  is  no  doubt  it  would  have  done  much 
more  so  had  it  not  been  for  the  want  of  accommoda- 
tion. But  not  only  did  the  School  lists  swell  in 
numbers  but  also  in  rank,  and  amongst  the  entries 
during  his  mastership  we  find  the  following: — 
1693,  Craven,  Charles,  son  of  Sir  William  Craven, 
Knt.,  of  Combe  Abbey ;  1694,  Greville,  the 
Honourable  Doddington,  third  son  of  the  Rt.  Hon. 
Lord  Brooke,  Beauchamp  Court,  Warwickshire ; 
1695,     Ward,    the    Honourable     Edward,     eldest 


EUGBY  i6i 

grandson  of  the  Rt.  Hon.  Lord  Dudley  and  Ward, 
afterwards  third  Lord  Dudley  and  Ward ;  1698, 
Stawell,  Hon.  Edward,  brother  of  the  Rt.  Hon. 
Lord  Stawell ;  1702,  Mordaunt,  Hon.  Charles, 
son  of  the  Rt.  Hon.  Lord  Mordaunt,  M.P.  for 
Chippenham ;  1703,  Craven,  Hon.  William,  eldest 
son  of  Rt.  Hon.  Lord  Craven ;  1703,  Craven,  Hon. 
Fulwar,  brother  of  the  above;  1707,  Griffin,  Hon. 
Edward,  son  of  Rt.  Hon.  Lord  Griffin ;  1722,  Grey, 
Harry  Lord,  eldest  son  of  Rt.  Hon.  Harry,  Earl  of 
Stamford ;  1689,  Bridgeman,  Orlando,  eldest  son 
of  Sir  Orlando  Bridgeman,  Bart.,  Coventry ;  1690, 
Cave,  Thomas,  eldest  son  of  Sir  Roger  Cave,  Bart., 
of  Stanford  Hall ;  1690,  Shuckburgh,  John,  eldest 
son  of  Sir  Charles  Shuckburgh,  Bart.,  M.P.,  of 
Shuckburgh  Hall ;  and  nineteen  other  elder  sons 
of  baronets  and  many  of  their  younger  sons.  In 
the  year  1726  Thomas,  eldest  son  of  John  Ward, 
of  Guilsborough  Hall,  Northamptonshire,  entered 
the  School.  He  was  an  ancestor  of  the  author's, 
and  mention  is  made  of  him  here  on  account 
of  an  original  letter  written  by  Mr.  Holyoak  in 
his  own  handwriting  and  sent  to  his  father,  which 
appears  worthy  of  quotation,  as  showing  not  only 
the  courtesy  of  the  head  master,  but  also  the 
deep  interest  he  took  in  his  pupils'  welfare.     The 

M 


i62        A  WARWICKSHIEE  FAMILY 

letter  was  until   recently  preserved   amongst   the 
archives  of  the  family  at  Brownsover  Hall. 

'HoND.  Sr 

Your  young  Gentleman  is  very  hopeful.  At 
first  indeed  I  beheve  He  thought  of  nothing  but 
Liberty,  but  he  soon  applyd  himself  to  busines 
and  moves  with  promising  succes ;  for  He  had 
lately  discover'd  a  pretty  emulation  of  not  being 
outrival'd  by  any  of  his  Equals,  which  Indication 
'twill  be  my  busines  to  cherish.  I  have  as  'twere 
just  task'd  Him  and  accordingly  sr.  you'l  find 
him  at  present  raw  and  unpoKsh'd,  yet  I  question 
not,  but  lie'l  soon  make  a  more  considerable 
figure. 

Be  pleased  Sr  to  be  assur'd  of  my  best  diligence 
&  application  to  Him  as  I  wou'd  desire  to  be 
accounted 

Rugby  Hond.  Sr 

Dec  :  12  Yours  faithful 

1726  &  niost  Obedient  St 

My  humble  service  attends  your  Lady  H.   HoLYOAK 

These 
To  John  Ward  Esq'^ 
humbly 
present' 

The  Kev.  Henry  Holyoak,  D.D.,  was  the  son 
of  the    Kev.    Thomas   Holyoak,    Kector    of  Whit- 


RUGBY  163 

nasli,  Warwickshire,  and  was  a  chorister  of  Magda- 
len College,  Oxford,  1 672-1676  ;  Rector  of  Burton- 
upon-Dunsmore,  1698.  In  1705  he  was  presented 
to  the  living  of  Bilton  by  Sir  WiUiam  Boughton, 
of  Lawford  HaU,  Bart.,  who  afterwards,  in  17 12, 
presented  him  to  the  Hving  of  Harborough  Magna  ; 
but,  although  the  Pluralities  Act  was  not  in  force, 
he  did  not  hold  more  than  one  benefice  at  the  same 
time.     He  died  unmarried  on  March  10,  1731. 

The  School  was  originally  built  on  the  north  side 
of  Church  Street,  partly  on  land  acquired  from  the 
Boughtons.  The  old  house  occupied  by  Lawrence 
Sheriff,  erected  probably  by  his  father  early  in  the 
sixteenth  century,  being  partly  constructed  of  timber, 
was  used  up  to  this  time  (1747)  as  the  head  master's 
abode,  but  it  now  began  to  show  signs  of  distress,  and 
the  School  itself  is  said  to  have  been  in  a  singular 
state  of  collapse.  It  is  not  surprising,  therefore,  to 
fijid  that  the  trustees  acquired  fresh  premises,  and 
about  the  year  1770  they  began  to  erect  school- 
rooms upon  the  site  of  the  old  Manor  House,  wliich 
at  this  period  passed  into  their  hands,  and  in  the 
year  1775,  when  the  open  spaces  were  enclosed, 
they  were  awarded  eight  acres  of  land,  which  now 
form  part  of  the  School  Close.  The  schoolrooms 
did  not,  however,  last  long,  for  we  find  that  they 

M  2 


i64        A  WAKWICKSHIRE  FAMILY 

were  rebuilt  in  the  year  1808,  and  that  a  splendid 
range  of  buildings  was  erected  from  plans  by  Henry 
Hakewell,  Esq.,  a  London  architect  of  some  repute. 
The  principal  entrance  is  under  a  square  gateway 
tower  with  octagonal  archway,  above  which  is  a 
beautiful  oriental  window  embellished  with  stained 
glass,  containing  portraits  of  many  of  the  head 
masters ;  there  being  a  good  likeness  of  the  higlily- 
cultured  but  persecuted  head  master,  Henry 
Hayman,  D.D.,  appointed  in  1870,  and  who  left 
the  School,  to  the  great  regret  of  the  boys  and  many 
friends  in  the  county,  in  1874. 

A  famous  conundrum  amongst  the  boys  of  his 
day  used  to  be,  'Why  is  Hayman  like  a  rabbit? 
Because  he  would  soon  be  killed  without  his 
Burrows,' — the  Rev.  L.  T.  Burrows  being  a  house 
master  at  the  time  of  this  event,  and  the  only 
master  in  the  School  who  refused  to  sign  a  petition 
against  the  newly-appointed  head  master,  Henry 
Hayman.  The  author,  who  was  a  boy  at  the  School 
when  the  Doctor  arrived  on  the  scene,  will  not 
easily  forget  the  first  evening  of  the  School  year 
1870,  as  the  following  incident,  of  which  he  was 
an  eyewitness,  will  testify.  All  the  various  '  forms' 
had  been  told  to  assemble  in  the  Close  outside  the 
head  master's  study  as  soon  as  school  was  over, 


RUGBY  165 

and  upon  their  congregating,  many  of  the  house 
and  form  masters  being  with  them,  their  chief 
opened  the  study  door  and  stood  to  view  upon  the 
steps  that  lead  to  the  Close  as  if  about  to  address 
the  School  or  to  receive  (as  he  ought  to  have  done, 
and  as  the  writer  expected  he  would  receive)  their 
acclamations  of  welcome.  He  had,  however,  to 
beat  a  hasty  retreat,  finding  anything  but  a 
courteous  and  happy  greeting  awaiting  him  fi'om 
his  under  masters,  whilst  the  boys  stood  horror- 
struck  with  amazement.  But  boys  reverence  fair 
play,  and  from  that  day  forward  Hayman  was  a 
favourite  amongst  them. 

The  present  sixth-form  room  was  erected  over 
this  gateway  during  the  mastership  of  Arnold,  and 
rendered  ever  famous  as  the  room  where  he  taught 
from  1828  to  1842. 

There  is  a  spacious  quadrangle,  two  sides  of 
which  are  cloistered.  The  old  Big  School  occupies 
one  side,  and  the  Arnold  School  Library,  erected 
in  memory  of  Thomas  Arnold  in  1844,  the  right 
as  you  enter  from  the  High  Street.  But  this 
building  is  no  longer  used  for  its  original  purpose, 
as  in  the  year  1879  the  Temple  Reading-room  was 
erected  beneath  the  Art  Museum,  and  most  of  the 
School  books  were  removed  thither;    the  Arnold 


i66        A  WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

Library  being  divided  and  part  of  the  building  used 
for  the  lower  bench  of  the  sixth  form,  and  the 
remainder  for  a  collection  of  classical  works  of 
reference.  Around  the  walls  of  the  old  sixth-form 
room,  where  Arnold  used  to  teach,  are  a  number 
of  tops  of  small  tables  used  by  former  Rugby  boys, 
upon  which  are  carved  by  their  own  hands  the 
names  of  those  who  in  after  life  have  achieved  fame. 
Passing  through  the  quadrangle  under  an  arch- 
way diagonally  opposite  to  the  principal  entrance 
is  the  approach  to  the  new  block  of  School  buildings 
and  Chapel,  which  were  completed  in  1886,  from 
designs  by  Mr.  Butterfield.  The  Chapel  stands  upon 
the  same  site  as  the  former  sacred  building,  but  is 
larger,  extending  further  to  the  east  and  to  the  south. 
During  its  erection  it  was  found  necessary  to  move 
the  famous  elm-tree  planted  by  Arnold.  Great  fear 
was  raised  on  all  sides,  but  the  operation  was 
successfully  carried  out  at  considerable  anxiety  and 
cost  ^  The  writer,  with  many  other  schoolfellows, 
stood  day  by  day  watching  with  interest  until  the 
task  was  completed,  and  now  rejoices  as  he  views 
the    tree    flourishing,    lending    by   its    association 

^  The  original  contract  is  reported  to  have  been  for  £500  should 
the  tree  die,  and  £1,000  should  it  live,  but  this  proved  to  be  con- 
siderably short  of  the  actual  expense  incurred,  as  far  as  memory 

serves. 


RUGBY  167 

another  historical  element  to  the  picturesque  loveli- 
ness of  the  Close.  Arnold  loved  the  School  Close, 
and  it  is  fitting  that  the  tree  he  planted  should  be 
so  near  the  Chapel,  in  which  his  ashes  lie,  and  whose 
walls  contain  his  recumbent  figure,  near  that  of  one 
of  his  most  distinguished  and  lovable  of  pupils, 
Arthur  Stanley,  Dean  of  Westminster.  The  whole 
atmosphere,  not  only  of  the  Chapel  and  Close,  but 
the  entire  School  premises,  seems  to  waft  back  to 
us  and  ours  the  very  spirit  of  Arnold.  The  glorious 
work  which  he  was  enabled  to  perform  whilst  per- 
mitted to  rule  here  has  gone  on  ever  growing  and  ex- 
tending, constituting  the  rules  by  which  have  been 
subsequently  governed  all  the  other  public  schools 
throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  our  land. 
Rugby  School  to-day  bears  the  impress  of  his 
personality  in  almost  every  detail.  During  those 
twelve  years  of  his  mastership  he  so  infused  his 
spirit  into  its  life  and  aims  that  its  society,  though 
constantly  changing,  has  never  lost  the  character- 
istics which  he  gave  it.  Great  and  famous  as 
have  been  its  subsequent  masters — Tait,  Goulburn, 
Temple,  Jex-Blake,  Percival,  and  James — and  al- 
though they  undoubtedly  raised  the  tone  and 
character  of  the  School  to  present-day  require- 
ments, Arnold  bequeathed  to  it  his  own  peculiar 


i68        A  WAEWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

genius.  It,  therefore,  stands  forth  to-day  essentially 
as  the  school  of  Arnold.  His  divine  words, 
Avhether  spoken  in  private  or  so  eloquently  ad- 
dressed from  the  Chapel  pulpit,  sank  down  into 
the  hearts  of  the  boys,  his  sincerity  and  love 
influencing  every  member  of  the  School.  Read 
Tom  Brown's  School  Days  and  Stanley's  Life  of 
Arnold,  and  you  will  see  portrayed  by  two  widely 
different  but  gifted  pupils  the  influence  of  his 
character  and  of  his  teachings.  The  true  beauty 
of  his  educational  influence  cannot  perhaps  be 
better  summed  up  than  in  his  own  concluding 
words  in  Rugby  School  Chapel,  in  the  last  sermon 
he  ever  preached,  upon  that  Sunday,  the  close  of 
the  summer  half,  June  5,  1842 :  '  To  this  I  would 
caU  you  all,  so  long  as  I  am  permitted  to  speak 
to  you ;  to  this  I  do  call  you  all,  and  especially 
all  who  are  likely  to  meet  here  again  after  a  short 
interval,  that  you  may  return  Christ's  servants  with 
a  Relieving  and  a  loving  heart' 

Before  they  did  meet  again,  however,  Arnold 
himself  had  passed  away  to  his  eternal  rest.  But 
that  inspiring  influence,  that  example  of  love 
which  won  all  hearts  to  him,  and  had  taught  even 
schoolboys  that  it  was  noble  and  courageous  to 
kneel  down  and  pray  privately  and  openly  in  their 


RUGBY  169 

dormitories,  has  remained  to  stamp  and  to  train 
the  lives  of  those  who  follow.  So  that  as  long  as 
the  world  lasts  the  name  of  Arnold  will  be  here 
to  encourage  and  to  strengthen  our  School  by  the 
pure  and  holy  life  which  he  lived.  These  were  the 
qualities  which  inspired  his  friend,  the  then  Rector 
of  Rugby,  John  Moultrie,  causing  him  to  write 
these  memorable  lines: — 

.  .  .  Thy  fearless  and  ingenuous  heart, 

Thy  love  intense  of  virtue,  thy  pure  aim 

Knowledge  and  faith  and  wisdom  to  impart. 

No  matter  at  what  loss  of  wealth  and  fame — 

These  are  the  spells  which  make  my  warm  tears  start, 

And  my  heart  burn  Avith  sympathetic  flame. 

The  School  Close  abounds  with  treasures  that 
delight  the  eye  of  every  Rugbeian  : — the  field  itself, 
to  wit,  the  old  playing  ground  where  so  many 
battles  have  been  fought  between  the  School  and 
our  sister  Universities  at  football — the  game  to  which 
Rugby  has  given  its  name  all  over  the  world  ;  where, 
too,  so  many  noble  contests  with  bat  and  ball  have 
been  lost  and  won.  The  elms  that  are  left  to  us, 
worshipped  perhaps  the  more,  as  we  shed  a  tear  at 
the  vacant  spaces  of  those  that  are  gone.  The 
Swimming  Bath,  which  occupies  the  site  of  the 
ancient  shed  or  barn,  formerly  the  scene  of  many 
a  conflict  of  pugilistic  skill,  was  presented  to  the 


I70         A  WAKWICKSHIKE   FAMILY 

School  in  1876  by  the  kmd  and  sympathetic  friend 
of  the  boys,  the  then  head  master,  Dr.  Jex-Blake, 
now  Dean  of  Wells.  The  Racquet  and  'Fives'  Courts, 
whicli  have  not  unfrequently  been  the  means  of 
bringing  honour  and  glory  to  our  School  at  the 
annual  matches  between  all  the  great  public  schools. 
The  old  pavilion,  which  stands  beneath  the  shade 
of  drooping  trees,  and  has  a  reminiscence  so  pecu- 
liarly its  own  to  Old  Rugbeians,  the  associations 
with  which  call  to  mind  so  many  deeds  of  the  past — 
as  the  Honourable  and  Rev.  George  Bridgeman, 
editor  of  BecoUections  of  School  Bays  at  Harrow,  more 
than  fifty  years  ago,  says  : — 

I  remember,  I  remember 
How  my  boyhood  fleeted  by, 
The  Football  of  November 
And  the  Cricket  of  July  ; 

whilst  the  new  pavilion  now  predominates  the 
hearts  of  younger  generations,  the  XI  and  the  XV, 
an  ornament  as  it  is  to  Big  Side.  The  Gymnasium, 
too,  which  stands  adjacent  to  it,  was  erected  in  the 
early  seventies — well  worthy  of  the  Close  and  School. 
As  we  pass  along  and  leave  these  cherished  sur- 
roundings, towards  the  little  wicket  gate  on  the 
south  before  emerging  into  the  Barby  Road, 
our   eye  naturally  falls   upon   the   ancient  British 


RUGBY  171 

tumulus,  crowned  with  trees,  which  carries  our 
thoughts  back  some  2,000  years.  It  bears  the  name 
of  '  The  Island '  still,  and  up  to  about  the  year  1850 
was  surrounded  with  water.  It  formed  a  con- 
spicuous part  in  the  great  rebellion  of  the  School, 
■\Yhich  took  place  in  November,  1797,  and  concern- 
ing which  the  following  interesting  account  is  given 
in  the  School  register  (p.  27) : — 

*  As  Dr.  Ingles  was  walking  in  the  town  he  heard 
sounds  of  pistol  shots  in  the  direction  of  Gascoigne's 
boarding  house,  where  he  found  a  boy  named 
Astley  discharging  cork  bullets  at  some  of  the 
study  windows.  The  boy  owned  to  having  pur- 
chased the  gunpowder  at  Rowell's.  Rowell  had, 
however,  entered  the  f)owder  as  tea,  and  denied 
having  sold  any  gunpowder,  whereupon  Astley  was 
disbelieved  and  flogged.  The  boys  indignantly 
broke  all  Rowell's  windows,  and  Dr.  Ingles  ordered 
the  Vth  and  Vlth  forms  to  pay  for  the  damage, 
and  they  replied  with  a  round-robin  to  the  effect 
that  they  would  do  no  such  thing,  and  on  the  Friday 
evening  at  fourth  lesson  a  petard  was  fixed  to  the 
head  master's  school  door  which  blew  it  open.  The 
following  day,  after  second  lesson,  the  School  bell, 
sounding  in  a  very  extraordinary  manner,  announced 
to  the  inhabitants  of  Rugby  that  an  insurrection 


172         A  WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

had  broken  out.  ...  A  small  passage  at  that  time 
connected  the  upper  school  with  the  School-house 
kitchen.  In  this  passage  the  breakfast  bread  and 
milk  was  served  to  the  School-house  boys,  and 
Dr.  Ingles  always  entered  the  School  in  this  way. 
This  passage  door  was  wantonly  nailed  up  by  the 
boys,  who  next  proceeded  to  break  the  windows  in 
every  school,  and  to  burn  the  benches,  desks, 
wainscoting,  and  books  of  the  master,  in  the  play- 
ground, the  Dunchurch  Road  being  lined  with 
spectators.  Dr.  Ingles  had  sent  messengers  to  sum- 
mon the  masters  to  the  School-house,  but  all  were 
away.  The  two  Sleaths,  one  afterwards  Head 
Master  of  Repton,  the  other  High  Master  of  St. 
Paul's  School,  London,  were  trolling  for  pike. 
Another  master  was  out  shooting  rabbits  at  Brink- 
low,  and,  on  his  return,  found  the  head  of  his 
house  (afterwards  a  bishop)  had  been  expelled. 
Mr.  Butlin,  the  banker,  hastily  applied  to  the 
dealers  attending  the  great  horse  fair  to  give  their 
aid  in  suppressing  the  mutiny,  and  he  advanced  at 
the  head  of  this  party,  and  some  soldiers,  who  were 
recruiting  in  the  town,  into  the  Close.  On  this 
unexpected  appearance,  the  insurgents,  finding 
themselves  far  outnumbered,  left  the  scene  of  con- 
flagration and  rapidly  retreated  to  the  Island,  which 


KUGBY  173 

at  that  time  was  surrounded  with  a  moat,  from  4  to 
6  feet  deep,  full  of  water,  and  from  20  to  30  feet 
wide.  A  wooden  drawbridge,  with  a  spiked  gate 
in  the  centre,  crossed  this  trench  at  the  place  where 
the  cricket  pavilion  now  stands.  This  was  raised 
from  the  inside  as  the  army  of  the  enemy  approached 
and  surrounded  the  stronghold ;  but  while  the 
attention  of  the  garrison  was  directed  to  William 
Butlin,  Esq.,  who  advanced  to  the  side  of  the  moat 
reading  the  Riot  Act,  and  exhibiting  a  constable's 
staff,  and  calling  on  the  mutineers  to  surrender,  on 
the  other  side  of  the  Island  the  recruiting  party 
waded  through  the  moat  and  entered  the  fort,  and 
now  no  resistance  was  made.  The  prisoners  were 
ignominiously  taken  by  their  captors  to  the  head 
master,  who  had  not  hitherto  ventured  to  leave  his 
study.  He  now  made  his  appearance  and  instantly 
expelled  many  of  the  boys,  and  flogged  the  others. 
Tlie  commander-in-chief  of  the  rebels  was  the  late 
General  Sir  Willoughby  Cotton,  and  it  is  probable 
that  he  was  expelled,  as  he  entered  the  army  three 
months  afterwards,  and  in  later  life  would  some- 
times good-humouredly  allude  to  the  share  he  took 
in  the  great  Eugby  rebellion,  whilst  those  who 
were  flogged  felt  it  too  sore  and  painful  a  subject 
ever  to  allude  to  it  again.' 


174         A  WAEWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

Dr.  Ingles  remained  head  master  nine  years  after 
this  event,  but  his  life  was  saddened  by  the  un- 
timely death  of  his  eldest  son,  and  when  one  told 
him  of  the  victory  of  Trafalgar  and  the  death  of 
Nelson,  his  only  reply  was,  'Ah  that  I  were 
dead  also ! ' 

Leaving  '  The  Island '  and  the  Close  by  the 
wicket  gate,  returning  to  the  left  along  the  Barby 
Road,  we  find  the  Art  Museum  and  Temple  Read- 
ing-room, facing  the  School  field,  named  after 
Dr.  Temple,  who  was  head  master  from  1858  to 
1869. 

Temple  was  a  superb  schoolmaster,  not  only  from 
his  high  attainments  in  the  scholastic  world,  but 
also  from  his  powers  of  governing  and  organization, 
and  would,  perhaps,  have  left  a  greater  name  to 
posterity  had  he  never  swayed  the  primate's  mitre. 
We  thought  it  an  evil  day  for  the  School  when  he 
left  us,  and  so  indeed  it  proved,  there  being  a  falling 
off  of  over  a  hundred  in  the  numbers  of  the  boys. 
But  for  this  he  may  himself  have  been  not  a  little 
to  blame,  in  not  trying  to  suppress  rather  than 
augment  the  Hayman  riots. 

Dr.  Temple  had  busied  himself  during  the  summer 
holidays  of  1869  in  aiding  Gladstone  in  his  destruc- 
tion of  the  Irish  Church,  and  almost  immediately 


EUGBY  175 

upon  the  reopening  of  the  School  after  the  recess,  a 
notice  was  affixed  to  Big  School  door  to  the  effect 
that  '  the  head  master  had  been  offered  the  Deanery 
of  Exeter  and  had  refused  the  same '.  We  in  our 
boyish  simplicity,  not  knowing  the  difference  be- 
tween a  deanery  and  a  bishopric,  naturally  thought 
that  the  head  master  had  refused  so  great  an  offer 
of  preferment  on  account  of  his  love  of  the  School 
and  the  boys;  but  not  very  long  afterwards  all 
such  hopes  were  dashed  to  the  ground  by  another 
notice  upon  the  same  door,  which,  speaking  from 
memory,  read  as  follows :  '  The  head  master  has 
been  offered  the  See  of  Exeter  and  has  accepted 
the  same.'  The  reception  he  received  at  Exeter 
is  a  matter  of  history,  and  need  not  be  recorded 
here. 

Alas !    those  days  are  gone  away, 
And  their  hours  are  old  and  grey, 
And  their  minutes  buried  all 
Under  the  down-trodden  pall 
Of  the  leaves  of  many  years. 

And  as  that  winter's  term  wore  away,  towards  its 
close  we  were  all  told  upon  an  appointed  day  to 
attend  in  the  School  quadrangle  to  hear  the  head's 
farewell  oration.  And  never  will  the  writer  forget 
the  scene  of  that  auspicious  occasion.     There  stood 


176         A  WAEWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

the  Doctor  upon  an  erection  made  for  the  purpose 
in  the  south-west  corner  of  the  quad,  his  sister 
weeping  by  his  side.  The  hearts  of  the  boys  were 
also  touched,  and  their  eyes  lacked  not  moisture,  as 
they  listened  to  the  oratory  which  flowed  from  those 
stern  lips.  Words  came  soft  and  slow,  words 
which  could  scarcely  be  breathed,  adding  sadness — 
the  sadness  of  farewell — to  that  already  sombre 
afternoon.  Two  boys  were  there  amongst  the  rest, 
the  one  a  member  of  the  School-house,  both  about 
fourteen  years  of  age,  and  destined  for  the  life  of 
the  ministry,  when  suddenly  there  fell  upon  their 
ears  words  which  memory  even  after  these  thirty- 
six  years  still  recalls  : — 

'  Amongst  an  audience  such  as  this — amongst  so 
many  boys  seeking  the  higher  education  which  this 
great  school  affords — there  must  be  several  who  in 
years  to  come  will  seek  Holy  orders.  Let  me  remind 
all  who  have  that  good  desire  in  their  hearts,  that 
a  bishop  is  the  head  of  the  diocese  and  able  to  help 
very  materially  any  candidate  for  that  holy  office, 
and  it  will  be  my  first  pleasure,  my  great  ambition, 
to  promote  such  endeavours  ;  to  aid  in  every  way 
I  can  any  boy  who  has  been  under  me  here  during 
the  years  that  I  have  been  head  master,  and  espe- 
cially any  boy  who  hears  me  this  day.' 


EUGBY  177 

The  two  boys  made  mental  notes  which  gladdened 
their  youthful  inspirations.  Years  passed  away,  and 
when  at  Cambridge  University,  the  School-house 
boy  said  to  his  friend  :  *  Do  you  remember  Floddie's  ^ 
speech  when  you  and  I  stood  together  and  heard  his 
good-bye  at  Rugby  ?  I  intend  writing  to  tell  him 
that  1  am  a  candidate  for  Holy  orders.'  '  Very  well, 
then,'  replied  the  other ;  '  sit  down  and  write  at 
once.'  The  letter  was  accordingly  compiled,  and 
the  touching  incidents  of  the  great  speech  bearing 
upon  the  subject  were  unearthed  and  quoted  as 
the  two  memories  could  best  portray.  The  docu- 
ment was  dispatched,  and  the  result  eagerly  awaited. 
It  arrived  on  the  third  day  with  scholastic  punctu- 
ality, and  it  was  in  the  handwriting  of  the  great  chief 
himself.  The  seal  was  broken,  and  the  contents 
anxiously  read,  but  the  letter  simply  in  a  few  words 
referred  the  writer  to  the  Registrar  of  the  Diocese 
as  being  able  to  give  all  necessary  information. 

N.B. — The  two  boys  had  now  become  men. 
One  was  a  scholar  of  his  college.  They  both  took 
their  respective  degrees,  and  the  writer  of  the  letter 
became  a  fellow  of  his  college,  and  both  were 
ordained  in  due  course  (but  not  by  the  Bishop  of 

1  Floddie  was  a  favourite  nickname  for  the  head  master  (Dr.  Temple) 
amongst  the  boys. 

N 


178       A    WAEWICKSHIKE  FAMILY 

Exeter).  They  received  preferment  in  the  Church. 
One  has  passed  into  the  better  land,  the  other  still 
works  away  at  his  profession,  but  what  would  not 
one  kind  word  have  been  to  them  on  that  bright 
summer's  day  at  Cambridge. 

Sometimes  forgotten  things,  long  cast  behind, 
Rush  forward  in  the  brain,  and  come  to  mind ; 
The  nurse's  legends  are  for  truths  receiv'd. 
And  the  man  dreams  but  what  the  boy  believ'd. 

Dryden. 

A  little  reminiscence  of  school  life,  which  also 
happened  during  the  last  term  under  Temple,  may 
perhaps  without  any  great  diversion  be  mentioned 
here.  A  member  of  the  Boughton-Leigh  family  was 
walking  down  town  with  a  schoolfellow,  who,  when 
passing  along  North  Street,  almost  in  front  of 
Bonn's  Field,  suddenly  pulled  a  catapult  from  his 
pocket  and  slung  a  stone  through  the  window  of 
a  house  where  a  foundationer  of  the  School  lived 
with  his  mother,  who  happened  to  be  looking  out 
of  the  window  at  the  time  ;  the  glass  being  smashed 
to  pieces  in  her  face.  She  knew  Boughton-Leigh 
because  his  home  was  near  the  town,  but  the  com- 
panion whom  she  saw  do  the  deed  she  did  not 
know.  She  reported  the  matter  to  the  head  master, 
who  sent  for  Boughton-Leigh  and  interrogated  him 
on  the  subject,  asking  the  name  of  his  companion ; 


EUGBY  179 

but  although  he  agreed  that  all  the  details  of  the 
case  were  correct,  he  pleaded  that  from  early  child- 
hood he  had  been  taught  never  to  give  away  a 
companion,  and  he  therefore  could  not  divulge  his 
name.  Temple  sent  away  the  boy,  telling  him  to 
think  it  over  and  return  at  a  certain  hour,  which  he 
did.  *  Well,'  said  the  Doctor,  '  and  what  is  the  boy's 
name  ? '  '  I  cannot  tell,  Sir,'  came  the  reply ;  which 
brought  forth  a  stern  rebuke,  accompanied  with 
a  short  homily  on  obedience  to  teachers,  &c.  But 
the  boy  remaining  firm  was  once  more  sent  away, 
and  told  to  return  at  1.30  p.m.  the  following  day, 
with  the  reminder  that  the  offence  committed  was 
very  grave,  and,  if  the  culprit's  name  was  not 
forthcoming,  he  would  have  to  bear  his  punish- 
ment. 

0  sight 
Of  terror,  foul  and  ugly  to  behold ; 
Horrid  to  think,  how  horrible  to  feel. 

Scene  III.  Study,  next  day,  1.30  p.m.  Doctor : 
*You  have  remembered  what  I  said.  Now  tell 
me  the  boy's  name.  Who  was  with  you?' 
'I  cannot  tell.  Sir.'     Doctor:  'Then  go.  Sir.' 

Newbold-on-Avon  Vicarage  was  always  a  favourite 
resort  of  the  Doctor's,  and  that  same  afternoon  he 
walked  down  and  expressed  words  of  appreciation 

N  2 


i8o        A  WARWICKSHIEE   FAMILY 

for  the  boy,  whose  ideas  of  right  and  wrong  had 
led  him  to  refuse  the  stern  request  of  the  head 
master  and  to  face  the  ordeal  of  severe  punishment 
rather  than  give  up  the  name  of  a  schoolfellow. 

Here  the  child 
Puts,  when  the  high  swollen  flood  roars  fierce  and  wild, 
His  budding  courage  to  the  proof. 

The  culprit  was  never  discovered,  but  the  friend- 
ship ceased,  as  he  was  looked  upon  as  a  coward  in 
not  coming  forward  and  giving  himself  up.  He 
afterwards  matriculated  at  Trinity  Hall,  Cambridge, 
and  was  subsequently  called  to  the  Bar,  and  died  at 
the  early  age  of  thirty-six  years. 

And  here 
Declining  manhood  learns  to  note  the  sly 
And  sure  encroachments  of  infirmity. 
Thinking  how  fast  time  runs — life's  end  how  near. 


The  Temple  Reading-room  (previously  referred 
to)  occupies  the  ground  floor  of  the  Art  Museum, 
and  is  now  used  as  the  School  Library.  It  is  about 
70  ft.  by  36  ft.,  and  its  small  windows  are  filled 
with  stained  glass  representing  the  various 
bishoprics  held  by  old  Rugby  scholars. 

The  Art  Museum  is  built  upon  the  first  floor,  im- 
mediately over  the  Library,  and  is  well  filled  with  fine 


RUGBY  i8i 

collections  of  works  of  art  and  drawings  by  the  Old 
Masters.  There  is  a  house  attached  for  the  curator, 
which  is  occupied  at  the  present  time  by  the 
art  and  drawing  master  to  Rugby  School,  T.  M. 
Lindsay,  Esq.,  Art  Examiner  for  Ireland,  the  kind 
and  genial  friend  of  all  visitors  and  lovers  of  the 
School. 

The  Temple  Observatory  was  erected  chiefly  by 
the  subscriptions  from  parents  of  the  boys  and 
from  Old  Rugbeians,  aided  by  the  masters,  in 
1877,  and  contains  a  powerful  telescope  presented 
by  Archdeacon  Wilson,  whose  kindly  manner  and 
instruction  the  author  remembers  with  deep  grati- 
tude as  his  mathematical  master  when  a  boy  in 
the  School.  Upon  the  ornamental  grass  plot  in 
front  of  the  Art  Museum  stands  a  fine  life-sized 
bust  of  'Tom  Brown'  (Judge  Hughes).  It  bears 
the  following  inscription  : — 

THOMAS   HUGHES,    Q.C.,    M.P., 
AUTHOR   OF    '  TOM   BROWN  ', 
BORN   OCT.    XIX,    MDCCGXXII. 
DIED    MARCH   XXII,    MDCCCXCVI. 


'watch    ye,    stand    fast   IN   THE    FAITH, 
QUIT   YOU    LIKE    MEN,    BE    STRONG.' 


t82        a  WAKWICKSHIEE  FAMILY 


THE  SCHOOL-HOUSE,   RUGBY 

Passing  into  School  Street  we  come  to  the  new 
Big  School  on  the  right  and  the  School-house  on 
the  left,  the  latter,  perhaps,  the  most  picturesque 
residence  in  the  town.  Here  the  head  masters 
have  held  sway  for  many  generations.  Its  orna- 
mental turret  tower,  with  overhanging  ivy  boughs, 
makes  an  impression  not  easily  forgotten,  and  it  is 
even  more  endearing  as  the  old  home  of  Arnold, 
the  house  where  he  breathed  his  last  and  which 
had  just  previously  been  styled  by  Carlyle  (1842) 
<  a  temple  of  industrious  peace '. 


Rugby  abounds  with  buildings  and  institutions  of 
interest,  in  addition  to  those  already  mentioned — 


THE    NEW   TOWER   AND   SPIKE,    BUILT    AT    A    COST    OF    £lO,000 
BEQUEATHED    UNDER    THE   WILL    OF   THE    LATE    A.    BENN,    ESQ. 

To  face  p.  183] 


EUGBY  183 

Holy  Trinity  Church,  built  during  the  incumbency 
of  the  Eev.  John  Moultrie  in  1858 ;  also  St. 
Matthew's  Church,  erected  in  1841,  made  so 
renowned  by  the  twenty-five  years'  ministry  of 
Canon  Dixon,  D.D.,  whose  earnest  eloquence  and 
great  learning,  coupled  with  gentlemanly  bearing 
and  graceful  courtesy,  won  so  many  hearts. 
There  is  also  the  public  clock  and  Benn  Buildings, 
and  the  new  tower  and  spire  added  to  the  old 
parish  church,  all  recalling  names  and  epochs 
in  the  annals  of  old  Rugby. 

The  moat,  formerly  possessed  by  the  Boughtons, 
but  now  being  so  rapidly  built  upon,  once  the  site 
of  the  ancient  castle  erected  during  the  reign  of 
King  Stephen  and  destroyed  by  Henry  II;  that 
grand  institution  the  Hospital  of  Saint  Cross,  the 
munificent  gift  of  Mr.  R.  H.  Wood ;  the  Roman 
CathoHc  Chapel,  with  its  graceful  and  tapering 
spire,  one  of  the  most  perfect  pieces  of  architecture 
in  the  town ;  the  Public  Library  and  Wood  Insti- 
tute, originally  founded  by  Mr.  R.  H.  Wood  and 
supported  out  of  the  rates  and  private  bequests 
(adjoining  here  is  the  venerable  house  known  as 
the  Old  Red  Lion,  a  licensed  house,  the  home  of 
Richard  Elborowe,  one  of  the  early  benefactors  to 
our  town,  and   again   a   hundred   years   after  the 


i84        A  WARWICKSHIRE  FAMILY 

scene  of  the  birth  of  our  distinguished  antiquary, 
Matthew  Holbeche  Bloxam,  F.S.A.); — these  and 
many  more  might  be  painted  in  letters  of  gold, 
but  they  scarcely  come  within  the  bounds  of  these 
short  memoirs. 


CHAPTER  X 

STONELEIGH 

Fifteen  miles  from  Rugby  and  about  three  and 
a  quarter  miles  from  Kenil worth  Castle — so  famous 
in  the  days  of  EHzabeth,  but  now  in  ruins — stands 
the  historical  Warwickshire  mansion  known  as 
Stoneleigh  Abbey,  the  seat  of  the  late  Lord  Leigh,  for 
fifty  years  Lord  Lieutenant  of  the  county.  About  a 
mile  from  the  Abbey  stands  the  village  of  Stoneleigh, 
whose  parish  church  is  a  large  and  venerable  building. 
It  is  dedicated  to  St.  Mary.  The  square  tower  is 
supported  by  strong  buttresses.  There  is  a  large 
Norman  arch  between  the  chancel  and  the  nave, 
finely  ornamented  and  supported  by  columns. 
Around  the  East  end  there  are  several  small 
arches,  and  on  the  South  side  of  the  chancel  is 
the  mausoleum  of  the  Leigh  family,  with  a  beauti- 
fully worked  ceiling,  and  in  the  chancel  there  is 
a  splendid  monument  to  the  memory  of  Lady  Alice 
Leigh,  Duchess  of  Dudley.  During  the  excavations 
whilst  building  the  mausoleum  a  recumbent  figure 


i86        A  WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

in  stone  was  found  in  an  upright  position  in  a  wall, 
probably  in  memory  of  Geoffrey  de  Muschamp, 
Bishop  of  Coventry  and  Lichfield  in  the  reign  of 
King  John.  There  is  a  free  school  here,  founded 
in  1708  by  Thomas,  Lord  Leigh,  who  bequeathed 
£20  a  year  for  its  maintenance,  and  in  1731  the 
Hon.  Ann  Leigh  gave  £1,000  to  further  endow  it, 
and  the  annual  income  is  about  £130.  Almshouses 
for  five  old  people — men  and  women — were  founded 
in  1575  by  Dame  Alice  Leigh,  and  her  descendants 
for  many  years  increased  the  endowment.  The 
village  is  situated  upon  the  river  Sow,  near  the 
spot  where  it  joins  the  Avon.  The  beautiful  Abbey 
was  originally  founded  by  Henry  II  in  11 54  for 
Cistercian  monks,  who  came  from  Staffordshire 
on  account  of  the  foresters  disturbing  their  devo- 
tions, and  is  dedicated  to  the  Virgin.  In  the  year 
1254  this  monastery  was  greatly  damaged  by  a  fire 
that  broke  out,  but  was  repaired  in  1300  by  Robert 
de  Hockele,  who  built  the  gateway  tower  (which  is 
a  fine  example  of  the  Decorated  style)  leading 
through  a  lofty  archway  to  the  lawn  in  front  of  the 
Abbey.  The  remains  of  the  ancient  buildings  form 
the  cellars  and  domestic  ofiices  of  the  elegant 
modern  mansion  erected  by  the  Leigh  family.  Set 
amidst   rich  pastoral   scenery  within  the   domain 


STONELEIGH  187 

once  covered  by  a  part  of  the  Forest  of  Arden,  and 
watered  by  the  river  made  renowned  throughout 
the  world  by  the  genius  of  William  Shakespeare  of 
the  neighbouring  town  of  Stratford-on-Avon,  it 
affords  a  never-ending  feast  to  the  lovers  of  nature. 
To  the  local  historian  the  Abbey  appeals  with  a  still 
stronger  fascination.  Around  its  walls  cling  much 
romantic  history.  It  illustrates  the  changes  of 
national  architecture  from  the  twelfth  century  to 
the  days  of  WiUiam  IV. 

It  retains  many  of  the  links  wliich  connect  it 
with  the  monastic  times,  and  it  is  too  near  Kenil- 
worth  not  to  have  felt  something  of  that  briUiant 
outburst  of  splendour  which  distinguishes  even  to 
these  days  the  recollections  of  the  Elizabethan 
period.  The  casual  observer,  unread  it  may  be  in 
history,  cannot  help  feehng  sometliing  of  the  dignity 
of  past  ages  as  he  surveys  the  old  place.  An 
irresistible  impulse  draws  him  to  those  days  of 
chivahy ;  the  days  of  stern  prowess,  when  the  will 
of  the  aristocrat  was  law;  the  days  of  monastic 
glory  and  of  monastic  spoHation.  AU  are  here 
emblematically  represented.  To-day,  opulence  and 
generosity  have  met  in  the  abode.  And  the 
consequence  is  that  the  late  noble  owner,  mth 
wisdom,  hamioniously  blended  the  old-time  hospi- 


i88        A  WAKWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

tality  and  courtesy  with  an  impartiality  which  can 
be  appreciated  by  all  who  reverence  the  glorious 
monuments  of  a  great  age,  thereby  allowing  rich 
and  poor  to  enjoy  the  expansive  park  and,  at 
frequent  intervals,  the  interior  of  the  mansion. 
Is  not  this  as  it  should  be,  when  we  remember  that 
at  best  we  are  but  life-renters  of  such  legacies,  the 
heirlooms  of  future  generations  ?  By  this  thought- 
ful beneficence  the  late  Lord  Leigh  won  golden 
popularity  from  all  around,  and  at  the  same  time 
strengthened  the  claims  of  the  English  peerage  to 
a  still  more  honourable  place  in  the  esteem  of  the 
people. 

The  interest  which  even  a  brief  half-hohday 
ramble  furnishes  to  the  lover  of  the  antique  and 
the  beautiful  here  at  Stoneleigh  is  not  to  be  lightly 
esteemed.  It  carries  our  thoughts  back  very  vividly 
to  the  days  of  the  second  Henry.  It  causes  us  to 
ponder  over  that  epoch,  which  was  essentially 
monastic,  of  the  age  when  the  cloister  held  out 
the  greatest  attraction  to  men  of  piety  and  men 
of  taste.  It  furnishes  a  dividing  line  of  national 
history,  when  men  were  forced  either  to  accept  the 
stern  unrelenting  life  of  military  warfare  or  retire 
from  the  world  into  the  sacred  confines  of  the 
Abbey  walls. 


STONELEIGH  189 

Such  spots  as  Stoneleigh  make  the  reflective 
mind  think  more  seriously  of  other  modes  of  Hfe, 
and  other  avenues  of  earthly  calling  than  those  into 
which  our  modern-day  life  is  cast.  It  should  teach 
us  to  pass  a  less  hurried  opinion  on  former  days, 
and  the  ambitions  or  motives  which  dominated  the 
minds  of  our  remote  ancestors. 

The  monastic  foundation  continued  until  its  sup- 
pression by  Henry  VIII,  who  bestowed  the  Abbey 
and  its  surroundings  upon  Charles  Brandon,  the 
Duke  of  Suffolk  (a  lineal  ancestor  of  the  writer  of 
these  memoirs),  and  his  heirs,  through  whom  it 
came  in  due  course  to  Sir  Thomas  Leigh,  Alderman 
and  Lord  Mayor  of  London,  1558,  who  obtained  in 
the  fourth  year  of  Elizabeth  a  patent  of  confirmation 
for  the  whole  of  his  property  in  Warwickshire, 
together  with  the  manor  of  Stoneleigh. 

The  late  owner,  Lord  Leigh,  died  (1905)  in  his 
eighty-second  year; — an  ideal  nobleman,  who  pre- 
served the  old  place  in  the  same  excellent  con- 
dition in  which  he  found  it  nearly  half  a  century  ago. 

The  mansion  is  the  work  of  different  ages,  and 
contains  a  goodly  collection  of  old  oil  paintings  by 
famous  masters,  and  many  family  portraits.  The 
garden  on  the  south  is  very  beautiful  in  the  summer 
time.    The  river  Avon  nearly  surrounds  the  Abbey, 


I90        A  WAKWICKSHIBE   FAMILY 

and  flowing  in  front,  is  crossed  by  a  handsome  stone 
bridge.  The  venerable  oaks  adorn  the  splendid 
park,  and  can  only  be  equalled  in  the  royal  domain 
at  Windsor.  The  whole  surroundings  are  redolent 
with  the  memories  of  the  past.  One  seems  to 
re-live  in  the  days  when  the  haughty  Queen  of 
the  Tudors,  Elizabeth,  paid  her  ever  memorable 
visit  to  Lord  Leicester  of  Kenilworth.  The  great 
age  which  produced  Shakespeare  seems  to  come 
back  again  as  we  view  the  extensive  plain  rising 
gently  from  the  Avon — '  the  rich  verdant  slopes  of 
leafy  Warwickshire.' 

Few  spots  in  Warwickshire  are  more  capable  of 
inspiring  the  poet's  muse,  and  it  is  too  near 
Shakespeare's  old  home  not  to  share  some  of  the 
grand  traditions  which  are  centred  round  Stratford- 
on-Avon.  We  can  hardly  conceive  that  Shakespeare 
did  not  tread  these  verdant  meadows  by  the 
streams ; — so  many  of  his  sketches  of  woodland 
scenery  seem  word-pictures  of  those  undulating 
landscapes ;  a  peculiar  witchery,  in  place  of  better 
definition,  pervades  the  whole  country-side,  with 
its  fine  old  Norman  church— a  place  of  delight 
to  archaeologists.  The  relics  of  monastic  days, 
the  superb  glory  which  then  crowned  as  with  a 
halo  the  magnificence  of  Leicester's  earthly  home. 


STONELEIGH  191 

Kenilworth  Castle,  must  have  rendered  Stoneleigh 
fit  vicinity,  in  the  days  of  the  Renaissance,  of 
peculiar  and  tender  veneration  to  the  plastic 
imagination  of  the  immortal  bard. 

Let  all  those  who  love  our  native  land  turn 
theu'  steps  in  summer  time  to  this  beautiful  country- 
house,  where  is  bound  up  so  much  of  what  is  sacred 
in  the  hearts  of  all  who  understand  and  can  appre- 
ciate the  historic  memories  of  their  fatherland. 


BILTON   CHURCH 

CHAPTEE  XI 

BILTON 

The  parish  of  Bilton  is  beautifully  situated  on 
the  south-west  of  Rugby,  about  one  and  a  half  miles 
from  that  town,  on  high  ground  decked  with  many 
a  noble  forest  tree.  The  church,  with  its  hand- 
some spire  standing  out  majestically  in  their  midst, 
is  dedicated  to  St.  Mark,  and  chiefly  of  the 
Decorated  style,  dating  from  about  1350.  It 
consists  of  nave,  chancel,  and  North  aisle.  The 
tower  and  spire  are  somewhat  later.  Tliere  are 
also  North  and  South  porches.     The  window  in  the 


BILTON  193 

nave  was  erected  by  the  late  Lady  Eyre  to  the 
memory  of  her  husband  and  son,  and  that  in  the 
North  aisle  was  presented  by  the  Hon.  and  Eev.  G. 
Bridgeman.  The  organ  possesses  a  richly  carved 
case,  which  originally  formed  part  of  the  organ  in 
St.  John's  Chapel,  Cambridge,  and  was  the  gift  of 
the  late  Mr.  John  Lancaster,  of  Bilton  Grange.  The 
tower  contains  five  bells.  The  Dowager  Countess 
of  Warwick  presented  the  treble,  and  the  second, 
third,  and  fourth  date  from  before  the  Reformation. 
The  parish  register  commences  in  1655,  and  the 
list  of  rectors  from   1308. 

Several  generations  of  the  Boughton  family  lie 
buried  here  beneath  the  chancel  floor. 

The  manor  house,  or  hall,  and  the  advowson  of 
the  living  having  came  into  their  possession  early 
in  the  reign  of  James  I,  they  made  Bilton  Hall  one 
of  their  homes  for  over  a  hundred  years.  It  stands 
in  its  own  grounds,  in  perfect  repose,  adorned  with 
shading  trees  and  shrubs  of  great  beauty.  A  fine 
avenue  of  lime-trees  leads  from  the  entrance  gate. 
The  edifice  was  erected  at  various  times,  but  chiefly 
in  1623  by  Thomas  Boughton,  the  youngest  son  of 
Sir  Edward  Boughton,  Bart.,  of  Lawford  Hall,  who 
married  Miss  Catesby  of  Lapworth  Hall.  In  the 
year  17 12  Sir  William  Boughton,  Bart.,  sold  Bilton 


194 


A  WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 


Hall  to  his  friend  the  Right  Hon.  Joseph  Addison, 
poet  and  moralist,  who,  charmed  with  its  many- 
attractions  and  picturesque  surroundings,  infused 
new  life  into  its  old  walls.  Addison,  even  at  this 
time,  was  looked  upon  as  a  man  of  letters  and 
the  genius  of  the  age.  He  afterwards  became 
Secretary  of  State,  and  had  to  seek  a  home  nearer 


BILTON   HALL,    GARDEN   FRONT 

London  on  account  of  the  distance,  there  being  no 

London  and  North- Western  Railway  trains  in  those 

days.     But  Rugby  was  the  better  and  the  richer  for 

his  stay  there,  and  we  may  well  call  to  mind  those 

immortal  lines  written  on  his  death  by  Tickell : — 

Oh,  if  sometimes  thy  spotless  form  descend. 
To  me  thy  aid,  thou  guardian  genius,  lend ! 


BILTON  195 

When  rage  misguides  me,  or  when  fear  alarms, 
When  pain  distresses,  or  when  pleasure  charms, 
In  silent  whisperings  purer  thoughts  impart, 
And  turn  from  ill  a  frail  and  feeble  heart ; 
Lead  through  the  paths  thy  virtue  trod  before. 
Till  bliss  shall  join,  nor  death  can  part  us  more. 

The  years  that  Addison  lived  here  were  by  no 
means  the  most  uneventful  of  his  life,  for  here 
he  brought  his  bride,  the  Dowager  Countess  of 
Warwick,  whose  delicate  and  pointed  features  have 
been  preserved  to  us  by  the  pencil  of  Sir  Godfrey 
Kneller,  whose  work  was  executed  at  Bilton.  In  the 
garden,  too,  we  can  still  see  the  solemn  yew  hedge 
along  which  Addison  took  his  favourite  walks, 
the  tree  planted  by  his  own  hand,  and  the  rustic 
seat  whereon  he  composed  some  of  those  lyrics 
which  remain  'fresh  in  eternal  youth,  immortal 
as  the  intellectual  Hps  which  gave  them  birth'. 
Here,  too,  the  great  master  of  our  language  com- 
posed his  last  prose  work,  The  Evidences  of  Christian 
Beligion.  He  died  at  Holland  House,  London,  and 
after  his  death  his  widow  and  only  child,  Charlotte, 
continued  to  reside  at  Bilton  Hall ;  the  daughter, 
remaining  until  the  close  of  her  life,  died  here  in 
March,  1797. 

A  school  was  endowed  here  with  £20  a  year  by 
the  Eev.  Langton  Freeman,  Rector  of  Bilton,  who 
died  in  1783. 

o  2 


DUNCHURCH   CHURCH 

CHAPTER  XII 

DUNCHURCH 

About  three  miles  on  the  south  side  of  Rugby 
we  come  to  Dunchurch,  with  its  various  hamlets 
of  Causton,  Tofte,  and  Thurlaston,  which  extends 
itself  to  the  beautiful  banks  of  the  river  Leam. 
This  important  village  stands  upon  rising  ground, 
and  evidently  takes  its  name  from  done  or  dune, 
which  means  in  our  old  English  a  hill,  and 
circe,  a  church.  The  present  church  is  a  typical 
Warwickshire  edifice,  without  any  architectural 
features  to  call  forth  special  notice ;  it  is  dignified 
in  outline  and  solemn  in  aspect.  Reared  slowly, 
through  many  generations,  it  illustrates  to  the 
cultured  archaeologist's  eye  the  several  distinct 
styles  from  the  thirteenth  to  the  sixteenth  cen- 
turies. Its  fine  square  tower,  said  to  be  the  work 
of  the  monks  of  Pipewell,  brings  before  the  mind 


DUNCHURCH  197 

the   days   when   the   monastic   brethren   held   the 
adjoining  domain,  known  as  Bilton  Grange. 

By  a  patent  dated  Aug.  25,  12  Hen.  VII,  and 
confirmed  shortly  afterwards,  a  free  warren  was 
granted,  which  in  the  time  of  Queen  Mary  passed 
to  Sir  Thomas  Leigh  and  Sir  Eowland  Hill,  and 
was  afterwards  settled  upon  Sir  William  Leigh, 
the  younger  son  of  Sir  Thomas,  who  had  issue 
Sir  Francis  Leigh,  who  in  the  eighteenth  year  of 
James  I's  reign  obtained  a  special  patent  for  a  court 
leet  to  be  yearly  held  within  this  lordship,  from 
whom  it  descended  to  his  son  and  heir,  Francis, 
Lord  Dunsmore,  who  was  living  in  1640.  Sir  W. 
Dugdale,  in  his  treatise  on  Thurlaston  in  this 
parish,  says :  '  The  monks  of  Pipewell  had  a 
charter  of  free  warren  in  all  their  lands  here, 
which  lands,  after  the  dissolution  of  the  monastery, 
being  by  Queen  Mary  granted  to  Sir  Rowland  Hill 
and  Sir  Thomas  Leigh,  were  in  like  sort  as  the 
manour  of  Dunchurch  by  partition  allotted  to  the 
said  Sir  Thomas  Leigh,  settled  upon  Sir  WiUiam 
Leigh,  his  youngest  son,  whose  grandchild,  Francis, 
Lord  Dunsmore,  now  (1640)  enjoys  them.' 

The  monks  of  Pipewell  also  possessed  lands  here, 
upon  which  there  was  a  grange  called  the  Bigging, 
situated  upon  that  part  of  the  field  named  'Stoke- 


198         A  WAEWICKSHIEE   FAMILY 

well  Furlong',  which  came  into  the  possession  of 
Edward  Boughton  of  Causton,  Esq.,  in  the  twenty- 
fifth  year  of  Henry  VIII. 

Here,  too,  at  Dunchurch  was  granted  a  charter 
for  a  market  and  fair  by  Charles  II,  through  the 
instrumentality  of  Lord  Dunsmore,  afterwards 
created  Earl  of  Chichester,  whose  body  lies  amid 
the  ruins  of  the  old  church  at  King's  Newnham. 
This  charter  became  a  most  important  franchise  for 
the  hundred  of  Knightlow,  by  a  grant  from  the 
Crown  of  a  court  for  the  recovery  of  small  debts 
under  forty  shillings,  held  every  three  weeks  here ; 
and  as  County  Courts  were  not  yet  heard  of,  we 
can  easily  imagine  how  great  the  boon  must  have 
been  to  all  the  small  shopkeepers  and  men  of 
business  in  the  neighbourhood. 

The  interior  of  the  church  is  galleried  on  the 
north  and  south  ;  at  the  south-west  the  organ  is 
placed,  and  the  tower  contains  six  good  bells,  the 
largest  of  which  weighs  about  one  ton. 

In  the  church  is  laid  to  rest  the  body  of 
Lord  John  Montagu  Douglas  Scott,  a  typical 
landlord,  whose  statue,  erected  by  a  wide  circle 
of  his  friends  in  the  neighbourhood,  occupies  the 
centre  of  the  village  green.  Also  in  the  chancel 
here  repose  the  ashes  of  several  members  of  the 


DUNCHURCH  199 

Bougliton  family,  who  lived  at  Causton  Hall  in 
this  parish ;  the  last  member  of  that  family  who 
was  buried  here  was  Francis  Boughton,  the  founder 
of  the  free  school  at  Dun  church.  He  died  on 
July  31,  1707.  The  present  school-house  bears 
the  following  inscription :  — 

THIS    FKEE    SCHOOL, 

ERECTED    A.D.    MDCCVII, 

WAS   ENDOWED   BY   FRANCIS   BOUGHTON, 

OF   CA^VSTON,    IN   THIS   PARISH,    ESQ'''',    FOR 

INSTRUCTION    OF    THE    CHILDREN    OF    PARENTS    RESIDING 

IN   THE    PARISH    OF    DUNCHURCH, 

IN   THE    LEADING    BRANCHES    OF   USEFUL 

KNOWLEDGE,    AND    IN   THE    PRINCIPLES 

OF    THE    CHURCH    OF   ENGLAND. 

It  is  good  sometimes  to  revisit  the  birthplaces, 
the  scenes  of  labour,  the  last  resting-places  of  great 
men  whose  thoughtful  legacies  bequeathed  to  us 
of  succeeding  centuries  that  which  we  now  enjoy, 
that  we  may  be  led  to  think  of  them,  not  as  mere 
accidents  in  the  wonderful  dispensation  of  the  past, 
but  to  regard  their  noble  actions  rather  as  great 
premeditated  designs  of  men  whose  souls  looked 
through  earthly  mists  to  higher  things.  Their 
deeds  then  bring  to  our  minds,  frequently  to  our 


200         A   WAEWICKSHIKE   FAMILY 

hearts,  those  subhme  thoughts,  the  true  inner  mean- 
ing of  which  is,  as  Wordsworth  says,  '  too  deep  for 
tears',  as  we  are  led  perhaps  to  recall  that  fine 
sentence :  '  Let  us  praise  famous  men  and  our 
fathers  that  begat  us.  .  .  .  The  Lord  hath  wrought 
great  power  by  them  from  the  beginning.  Their 
bodies  are  buried  in  peace  and  perish,  but  their 
name  hveth  evermore.' 

Here  we  find  the  living  seed,  planted  generations 
ago.  It  is  but  the  village  charity  school,  founded 
by  a  wise  and  good  man  as  an  inheritance  for  ever 
to  the  place  of  his  birth,  opposite  to  the  dear  old 
church  he  loved  so  well,  that  succeeding  generations 
might  be  early  trained  in  that  love  of  God  which 
had  been  so  dear  to  him  all  his  life  long. 

It  is  good  that  youth  should  have  a  fair  seed- 
time if  we  are  to  reasonably  expect  a  plentiful 
harvest,  and  this  seed-time  in  youth,  if  it  is  to 
produce  all  that  is  '  true  and  of  good  report ',  should 
be  such  as  will  lead  boys  higher,  maturing  thoughts 
to  pure  and  perfect  deeds.  No  school  of  its  kind, 
perhaps,  has  been  more  successful  in  moulding 
men's  minds  to  lives  of  unselfish  devotion  and 
duty  than  this  free  school,  founded  wellnigh  two 
centuries  ago  by  Francis  Boughton  in  1707. 

The   chief    historical  interest  of    Dunchurch  is 


DUNCHURCH  201 

its  connexion  with  Robert  Catesby  and  his  brother 
conspirators  on  the  eve  of  that  fatal  November  5, 
1605.  A  hunting  meeting  had  been  arranged  to 
take  place  on  that  day  at  the  old  Lion  Inn,  a 
picturesque  Elizabethan  house,  now  a  private  dwell- 
ing on  the  right  of  the  road  leading  to  the  church 
from  the  village  green.  It  was  planned  by  Catesby 
to  gather  here  the  chief  of  the  old  Cathohc  gentry  of 
the  Midlands,  and,  in  the  event  of  the  plot  succeed- 
ing, to  proceed  to  Combe  Abbey,  near  Coventry, 
and  seize  the  Princess  Elizabeth  (then  residing 
there  under  the  protection  of  Lord  Harington), 
and  convey  her  to  London  and  proclaim  her  the 
queen.  By  these  measures  it  was  hoped  to  rein- 
state the  Catholic  faith  again  dominant  in  the 
country.  But,  as  all  students  of  our  history  know 
full  well,  the  plot  was  discovered,  Guy  Fawkes 
was  arrested,  and  the  conspirators  finally  shot 
or  executed.  Since  those  dark  and  woful  days 
this  village  has  enjoyed  a  uniform  course  of 
tranquilhty,  now  and  again  reviving  under  the 
influence  of  its  annual  wake,  when  it  has  burst 
forth  into  a  brief  season  of  jollity  and  merriment, 
or  when  the  old  Parliamentary  elections  came 
round  the  old  place  reassumed  again  some  of  its 
former  hospitahty  and  excitement.     Its  green  has 


202         A  WAKWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

often  resounded  to  the  rough  horse-play  of  its  sons 
of  toil,  as  it  has  witnessed  its  political  encounters  in 
the  good  old  days  when  candidates  for  St.  Ste- 
phen's were  returned  more  by  force  of  gene- 
rosity than  political  zeal.  Remembering  the  gallons 
of  beer  that  were  consumed,  its  banquets  and  its 
convivial  entertainments  at  its  old  hostelries,  we  must 
not  fail  to  recollect  that  the  village  was  then  the 
central  and  guiding  spirit  of  a  widespread  district, 
Rugby  in  those  days  holding  only  a  secondary  place. 
At  that  time  Dunchurch  was  one  of  the  most  flourish- 
ing parishes  in  the  vicinity,  and  most  strenuously  and 
successfully  did  its  inhabitants  oppose  the  approach 
of  the  railway  when  the  North- Western  contem- 
plated making  here  their  great  station,  compelling 
that  company  to  turn  aside  and  under  the  greatest 
difficulties  make  Kilsby  Tunnel  (a  marvel  of  engineer- 
ing skill  to  this  day),  and  consequently  Rugby  its 
first  chief  junction  out  of  London. 

Yet  even  to-day  Dunchurch  is  a  picturesque  place 
and  still  bears  evidence  of  more  opulent  days.  It 
maintains  yet  that  proud  dignity  which  ever  dis- 
tinguishes people,  no  less  than  places,  who  have  once 
occupied  more  favourable  positions.  It  has  been 
superseded,  it  is  true,  by  Rugby.  The  railway  has 
blotted  out  of  existence  the  good  old  coaching  days. 


DUNCHURCH  203 

Its  market,  once  so  renowned,  has  fallen  into  dis- 
repute, and  its  trade  has  considerably  declined  under 
the  influence  of  agricultural  depression ;  yet  what 
a  dignity  of  its  own  still  haunts  the  spot,  '  on  a  fine 
hunting  morn  when  to  the  cry  of  the  hounds  as  they 
hesport  themselves  in  front  of  its  famous  hostelry, 
the  Dun  Cow,'  the  old  place  reawakens,  recalling 
once  again  the  very  spirit  of  the  best  traditions  of 
the  past.  The  fine  avenue  of  Scotch  firs,  so  well 
known  for  their  majestic  grandeur,  extends  for  six 
miles,  and  is  said  to  have  been  planted  by  John, 
Duke  of  Montagu,  about  the  year  1740.  Its 
venerable  church  yet  bears  witness  to  the  zeal  and 
industry  of  the  monastic  brethren  of  Pipewell ; 
its  village  school  proclaims  aloud  the  religion 
of  its  founder,  Francis  Boughton,  a  former  lord 
of  Causton ;  its  almshouses  are  associated  with 
the  noble  profession  of  printing  in  the  person  of 
Mr.  Thomas  Newcombe,  whose  monument  on  the 
north  wall  of  the  chancel  of  the  church  proclaims 
that  he  was  printer  to  two  English  kings ;  while 
the  old  half-timbered  house  near  to  the  churchyard 
speaks  yet  of  that  woful  deed,  'The  Gunpowder 
Treason  and  Plot.' 


CHAPTER  XIII 

CAUSTON 

About  a  mile  on  the  north-west  of  Dunchurch  is 
the  township  of  Causton,  formerly  the  site  of  a 
monastic  grange  under  the  sway  of  the  monks  of 
Pipewell,  which  has  long  since  passed  away,  being 
in  3  Edw.  II  almost  totally  consumed  with  fire 
by  an  unhappy  accident  of  a  candle  carelessly  stuck 
upon  a  wall,  but  the  fish-ponds  remain  to  remind  us 
of  the  strict  life  of  conventual  rule.  The  village  for 
a  long  time  became  neglected,  and  is  described  by 
Rouse  as  'a  den  of  thieves  and  manslayers',  by 
whom  the  road  from  Coventry  towards  Dunchurch 
exposed  all  travellers  over  the  heath  to  much  peril. 
By  the  dissolution  of  the  monasteries  most  of  the 
land  here,  with  the  manorial  rights,  came  to  the 
Crown  and  was  granted  July  15,  37  Hen.  VIII, 
to  Thomas  Boughton  (youngest  son  of  Sir  Wilham 
Boughton  of  Lawford  Hall)  and  his  heirs,  and  passed 
through  him  to  Edward  Boughton,  his  son  and  heir, 


CAUSTON  205 

who  through  the  influence  of  Robert,  Earl  of 
Leicester,  bore  great  sway  in  this  county  in  Queen 
Elizabeth's  time,  and  he  built  here  a  lovely  country 
home  with  the  materials  from  the  Whitefriars' 
Church  at  Coventry,  described  by  Dugdale  as  '  the 
most  beautiful  fabrick  that  then  was  in  all  these 
parts '.  This  charming  residence  continued  to  stand 
in  its  large  deer  park  until  the  eighteenth  century. 
Causton  House  now  occupies  the  site,  and  at  the 
present  day  it  may  be  seen  surrounded  by  a 
beautiful  old-world  garden  fragrant  with  the  scent 
of  flowers  and  enveloped  in  fine  forest  trees,  not 
only  one  of  the  glories  of  the  vicinity  of  Rugby,  but 
one  of  the  most  secluded  and  delightful  in  Warwick- 
shire. In  spring  and  early  summer  the  spinneys 
are  resplendent,  carpeted  with  primroses,  wild 
hyacinth,  and  white  anemone,  re-echoing  with  the 
song  of  the  birds,  whilst  in  autumn  the  varying 
tints  of  the  foliage  glorify  the  scene  with  a  beauty 
almost  indescribable  ;  and  the  richly  wooded  slopes, 
so  well  known  to  the  lovers  of  the  chase,  are 
a  source  of  eternal  charm  to  the  admirers  of  rural 
landscape.  There  in  the  distance  we  see  Bilton 
mth  its  fine  church  and  spire,  and  the  old  Hall,  rich 
with  the  memories  of  the  past ;  the  village  green, 
peculiarly  picturesque,  shaded  by  its  lofty  trees,  and 


2o6         A  WARWICKSHIRE   FAMILY 

the  humble  homes  of  the  poorer  members  of  the 
community  furnishing  a  typical  picture  of  rural 
England. 

Walking  along  the  famous  London  Road  we  come 
to  the  magnificent  avenue  of  Scotch  firs  and  elms 
planted  about  1740 ;  it  runs  between  Dunchurch 
and  Coventry.  This  road  runs  through  land  still, 
even  to  this  day,  in  the  hands  of  the  Boughton- 
Leigh  family.  One  historical  spot  on  the  south 
of  the  same  road,  just  outside  the  boundary  of  the 
township  of  Causton,  deserves  notice.  It  is  a  lone 
house  at  the  junction  of  the  avenue  with  the 
Bourton  Lane  and  just  within  the  parish  of  Bourton. 
It  now  bears  the  title  of  Bourton  House,  and  was 
formerly  a  wayside  inn  with  the  sign  of  the  Blue 
Boar,  taken  presumably  from  the  heraldic  badge 
of  Richard  III.  This  once  famous  inn  is  rich  in 
legend  and  romance ;  no  less  notorious  a  visitor 
than  Dick  Turpin  is  said  to  have  rested  some  time 
within  its  walls.  Whether  this  be  true  or  not  it  is 
impossible  now  to  say,  but  the  place  is  famed  as 
haunted,  and  strange  sounds  are  yet  heard — the 
tinkling  of  a  bell  about  the  hour  of  eleven  by  day 
as  well  as  by  night.  Even  in  this  very  commonplace 
age,  the  supernatural  still  exercises  its  inexplicable 
control,  and  even  we,  the  most  practical  of  people,  are 


CAUSTON  207 

unable  as  yet  to  explain  the  cause.  About  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  further  down  the  lane  is  the  spot  to  the 
right  known  as  the  Dun  Cow  Thicket,  traditionally 
pointed  out  as  the  site  where  one  Guy,  Earl  of 
Warwick,  slew  the  '  Dun  Cow  '. 

Thus  too  romance  and  legend  and  history,  sacred 
and  profane,  live  together  in  our  country-side.  The 
annals  of  an  old  surviving  family  mingle  with  the 
traditions  of  the  country  amid  which  they  have  been 
long  seated.  On  the  other  hand,  the  more  momentous 
actions  of  the  historical  drama  have  been  played 
frequently  by  men  and  women  whose  forms,  names, 
and  characters  have  long  faded  into  the  infinite. 
Like  summer  flowers  they  come  and  go ;  like  the 
silent  stream  they  pass  onward  never  to  reappear. 
They  call  forth  here  and  there  from  some  sensitive 
mind  a  passing  reflection — a  sentimental  expression, 
a  touch  of  regret  or  silent  tear ;  but  the  commerce 
of  the  world  quickly  drives  them  all  away,  and  we 
pass  on  to  the  conventional  life  of  the  present  hour. 
It  is,  however,  by  visiting  some  of  these  peaceful 
havens  of  rest  that  we  get  most  easily  in  touch 
with  the  greatness  of  the  past  life  of  England,  and 
realize  more  vividly  how  rich  it  is  in  the  history, 
how  redolent  with  the  memory  of  those  who  toiled 
before  we  were  born,  in  order  that  their  successors 


2o8  A  WARWICKSHIEE   FAMILY 

should   share   this  glorious   heritage  of  place  and 
freedom. 

The  present  rapid  expansion  of  Eugby  bids  fair 
to  absorb  the  outlying  districts  and  surrounding 
parishes  within  its  municipal  area.  When  that  does 
take  place,  doubtless  part,  if  not  the  whole,  of  this 
once  magnificent  estate  of  the  Boughtons  will  be 
merged  into  the  far-famed  town  of  Eugby,  the 
town  of  Arnold,  of  Moultrie,  and  of  '  Tom  Brown '. 

'  Omne  bonum  Dei  donum.' 
'  Force  avec  Virtue.' 


1951